The Nation Oct 2, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Resident doctors begin strike NEW S NEWS

Page 57

•‘Govt insensitive to our needs’

News Tinubu: Yobe massacre tragic P3 Sports Kalu Uche, El Jaish SC sign deal P24 Foreign U.S. govt shutdown persists P59 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2624 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

CBN bans importation of dollars, others

I

MPORTATION of dollars, pounds, euro and other foreign currencies without approval has been banned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The apex bank said yesterday that “the latest move is sequel to the Bank’s withdrawal of the operating licence of 20 Bu-

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

reaux de Change (BDCs) found to have purchased and sold huge sums of United States’ dollars with no documentation to show details of the transactions.”

The CBN also said the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) will begin today, “following the suspension

of the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) at the official foreign exchange market.”

The RDAS, the CBN statement said,”will allow only customers of deposit money banks to buy foreign exchange at the CBN through their banks as against the WDAS where the deposit money banks bought for-

eign exchange at the CBN on their own accounts and in turn sold to their customers”.

The re-introduction of the RDAS is expected to prevent round tripping of foreign exchange purchased at the CBN official window to unauthorised channels.

CBN’s Deputy Governor Continued on page 4

INSIDE: SHATTERED HOPES, CHEQUERED HISTORY

•A 16-page special (pictorial) on Nigeria at 53

PAGES A1 - A16

Knocks, kudos as Jonathan names dialogue committee Okurounmu heads 13-man planning panel

T

THE 13 WISE MEN

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

HE President set the ball rolling yesterday for the convocation of “a national dialogue”.

The action drew wide reactions, with some hailing it as a step in the right direction and others condemning it as a suspicious and diversionary.

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan set up a committee, led by Dr. Femi Okurounmu, to prepare the blueprint for the conference within one month after which the government will determine how the talkshop will be conducted.

Okurounmu, an engineer, is a former university teacher and a senator between 1999 and 2003.

Dr. Akilu Indabawa is the secretary of the committee.

The other members of the committee, according to a statement by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim last night, are: Prof George Obiozor, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Sen. Khairat Gwadabe, Sen. Timothy Adudu, Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd), Prof. Funke Adebayo, Mrs Mairo Ahmed Amshi, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq, Alh. Dauda Birma, Mallam Buhari Bello and Mr. Tony Uranta.

The panel, which is to be inaugurated by the President on Monday, is to: •consult expeditiously with all relevant stakeholders with a view to drawing up a feasible agenda for the proposed national dialogue/conference; •make recommendations to government on structure and modalities for the proposed national dialogue/conference; •make recommendations to government on how representation of variText of ous interest groups at the speech on national dialogue/conference will be determined;

page 8

Continued on page 4

•Okurounmu

•Nwabueze

•Obiozor

•Gwadabe

•Dr. Femi Okurounmu •Dr. Akilu Indabawa •Prof George Obiozor •Prof. Ben Nwabueze •Sen. Khairat Gwadabe •Sen. Timothy Adudu •Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd) •Prof. Funke Adebayo •Dr. Mairo Ahmed Amshi •Dr. Abubakar Sadiq •Alh. Dauda Birma •Mallam Buhari Bello •Mr. Tony Uranta

INSIDE

•Dr. Jonathan

•Birma

•Uranta

•Nyiam

•Buhari

•National Conference as decoy? (Analysis) •Sagay, Balarabe, Nwobike, Falana appraise conference •PDP hails President on conference •Afenifere, ACF: conference in order •Fayemi flays PDP’s call for conference SEE PAGES 4, 9, 58 & 61

WHO SAID WHAT The future of this country lies in a national conference, which will lead to true federalism, where political power and resources will be transferred to the states or the component re—Sagay gions

It is not the President who should call for the conference or decide who should be members of the committee. The President can only be part of the conference; otherwise, we will be doing nothing different... —Balarabe Musa

In my Latin class in the secondary school, we were told of timeo danaos et dona ferentes, which means beware of the Greeks even when they bring gifts. President Jonathan has consistently kicked against the idea... —Falana

•SPORTS P24 •LIFE P25 •MONEY P30 •INVESTORS P32 •POLITICS P43

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

2

NEWS

Nigeria at 53: E

•From left: General Manager, Marketing, Fidson Healthcare Plc Mr. Ola Ijimakin; Best Graduating Candidate of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria’s Faculty of Family Medicine Dr. Salihu Adamu Danjuma; Chairman, Faculty of Family Health, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria Dr. Stephen Yohanna and Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo during the presentation of Fidson prize for Best Graduating Candidate of the Faculty of Family Medicine at the National Postgraduate Medical College's convocation ceremony.

PHOTO:SOLOMON ADEOLA

Drums were rolled out yesterday by the government to celebrate Nigeria’s 53rd independence anniversary.

But, as ASSOCIATED PRESS reports, it was celebration amid killings and tight security

N •From left: Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Apex Nurse Mrs. Folake Adesope; wife of the Lagos State Governor Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; and founder, Olubunmi Healthcare Delivery Assistance Programme (OHDAP) Ms. Olubunmi Aboderin during the commissioning of hospital equipment donated by OHDAP to the Oncology Unit of LASUTH.

•From left: Coordinator, Lagos State Chapter, the Great Alpha Mr. Stephen Nwoga; Mr. Ralph Uchendu; Prof Pat Utomi; Mr. PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA Emeka Onugha during the 50th anniversary of the Great Alpha in Lagos...yesterday.

• From left: Director, Corporate Banking, Diamond Bank Plc Mr. Samuel Egube, President, Caring Sister Association, Lagos Mrs. Mercy Okoye, Proprietress, Fountain Brooks Montessori School, Ogudu Mrs. Uju Anazodo and former Minister of Works Adeseye Ogunlewe during the 10th anniversary of Caring Sister Association, Lagos in Lagos...yesterday.

IGERIA marked 53 years of independence Tuesday with little to celebrate: Scores of families in mourning over killings by suspected Islamic extremists, security forces on high alert against feared bomb attacks and the government confronting an internal power struggle.

Islamic militants continue to terrorise Nigeria’s northeast despite a massive 4 ½-month-old military campaign including aerial bombardments. Forty-three students were gunned down Sunday at an agricultural college where attackers also torched classrooms.

On Monday, suspected militants attacked travelers on a main road, beheading 10 and killing another four. Last week, suspected extremists killed 143 civilians, three police officers and two soldiers in an attack on a military outpost — one of the highest tolls from a single assault.

The Islamic uprising poses the greatest security threat in years to the cohesion of Africa’s most populous nation and biggest oil producer, a former British colony of more than 160 million people from more than 250 tribes almost equally divided between a predominantly Muslim north and mainly Christian south.

“I admit that these may not be the best of times for our nation,” President Goodluck Jonathan acknowledged in an address broadcast to the nation. Our people are divided in many ways — ethnically, religiously, politically, and materially.

I cannot hide from this reality.”

He announced a “national dialogue” to heal rifts and urged unity to avoid the fate of Syria. Nigeria suffered a civil war in the late 1960s that killed up to a million people.

Jonathan spoke from Aso Rock, the presidential villa that overlooks the central capital, Abuja, which three years ago was rocked by twin bomb attacks at a stadium where Jonathan and other officials were celebrating independence day in 2010. Twelve people were killed and 17 wounded in the attack claimed by militants from the Niger Delta fighting to end injustice in southern oilproducing states where people remain impoverished while foreign oil companies and government officials enrich themselves.

Since then, Jonathan has marked independence from inside his wellguarded presidential compound,

•CELEBRATION AMID CHA OS: CHAOS: Policemen in ceremonial uniforms at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: MOSES OMOSEHIN

‘ I admit that these

may not be the best of times for our nation. Our people are divided in many ways — ethnically, religiously, politically, and materially. I cannot hide from this reality

‘

where he released white doves Tuesday in a traditional sign of peace.

A helicopter made reconnaissance flights over Abuja, where police were on a red alert. Celebrations took place across the country with no immediate reports of disturbances while police and security forces deployed in a heightened state of alert.

The government negotiated an end to the Niger Delta insurgency in 2009 and paid off top rebel leaders.

But the mass thefts of oil started by the militants continue to threaten the economy, with an estimated 200,000 barrels a day — 10 percent of production — siphoned off pipelines.

Analysts suggest similar negotiations could help end the uprising led by the Boko Haram terrorist network — the name means “Western education is forbidden” — which appeals to some of the millions of unemployed and ill-educated Muslim youths who feel marginalized by a government accused of massive corruption and bad governance. Boko Haram aims to overturn democracy, install an Islamic state and allow only Islamic schools in Nigeria.

Jonathan on Saturday likened the threat from Boko Haram to oil thefts, saying both are cancers that must be crushed.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

3

NEWS

53: Extremist killings, tight security

Surviving Nigeria

By Betty Abah

Bolting the doors against insurgents

A

•Mrs Abah is a Lagos-bases poet and environmentalist

FTER Islamists killed 40 students in a dormitory attack, Nigerian authorities are taking measures to improve security around schools, including stepping up patrols and putting armed soldiers outside them and guarding school buses.

Government sources told Reuters on Monday that the move aimed to restore confidence in the Western style schools that have been scenes of bloody massacres by Boko Haram militants fighting for an Islamic state, and who are seen as the main security threat to Africa’s top oil producer.

A presidency source told Reuters President Goodluck Jonathan met senior security aides late on Sunday to discuss how to respond to the latest deadly shift in tactics by the insurgents.

“In the meeting they decided to provide special security cover for schools in the northeast and some other places prone to possible attacks,” the source, who was present but who declined to be named, said.

“The president is not happy ... He directed security chiefs to work out a new strategy so this doesn’t happen again.”

Gunmen stormed an agricultural college in Gujba area of Yobe state, in northeastern Nigeria, on Sunday, dragging students out of their beds and shooting them dead - the latest evidence that a military offensive against Boko Haram since May has so far failed to quell the north’s worsening violence.

“For now the state government has directed all round security surveillance on all schools across the state,” Mohammed Lamin, Yobe commissioner for lower education, told Reuters by telephone. But he added: “the security agencies need to step up their operations to protect lives and property.”

An educational official in Borno

In a message marking the anniversary, the United States said it “stands with all Nigerians to reject the heinous violence that continues to be perpetrated by Boko Haram and other extremist groups” and urged the government to bring the perpetrators to justice and to protect civilians.

Violence has continued unabated

Kaduna state, in a conflict that began after farmers whose crops were destroyed by cattle killed two cows.

Local elders say increasing numbers of nomads are moving south and west as they flee the violence in the northeast.

Jonathan condoled with the families of victims of terrorism and vowed to spare no cost “in the quest

I stumbled through Agege market area Endured the spits of tomato traders; ‘You price like you have cerebral malaria!

Or don’t you, woman, live in Nigeria?

Our traders, reeling like Taylor’s Monrovia Livid, living on rusting rails like looted Libya Sailing against dwindling stocks, endangered But de-subsidized days are advancing, eiyaa!

I took home, though, my diagnosis—ah, malaria!

Eye my famished kids like they live in Siberia I looked into space, I asked in hysteria: My God, how do we survive in Nigeria?

I slumped, watched the random TV special See politicians reel out trillionth budget special Winking, knowing the people aren’t any better Whispering about their next dates in Valencia I joined the line-up of hungry Nigerians Wailing all the way to the ruler’s empire But the prettiest of us didn’t return together The gods chose them as conference materials Hmm..., if you are pissed over conference materials They will point and say, look at our first class engineers Now into okada since the First Ladies so imperial Have filled up the spaces from Oga to messenger!

I dare asked why prices are so shot up Why the innocent are so locked up Why our heads walk bottom up They told me, ‘kai, you shut up!

You talk like a noisy, unnaija quitter Did your ancestors know of Twitter?’

‘You need an urgent mental upgrade No wonder you failed the 20TH grade At Oluwole International Memorial Even with shoes bought first grade from Asia Unlike us shoeless first class materials Who dreamt of a tokunbo pair from Ariaria.’

I watched Mr. Ruler dance disco in Australia Deserting his de-subsidised, detonated Nigeria At home, tinier rulers feast on remnant bones of masses We only hear their Hilton snores as they pass their gases I asked; how can we survive in Nigeria With such rowdy administrative inertia?

Today, I asked if it’s now immaterial That we scamper, scared like dementias Unsure if we’ll survive bombs and bacteria With police piling rogers, hospitals bacteria But our Ruler grins down my ignominy It’s our turn, you dumb, for tragedies!

across central Nigeria, where deadly fights regularly erupt over politics, business, land and water rights, religion and other issues. Police said at least 11 people were killed and several homes torched Saturday in an ongoing fighting over grazing land between nomadic cattle herders and farmers. It was the seventh attack in five months on Zangang village,

•Soldiers standing guard at the NTA, Maiduguri

state, the birthplace of the insurgency to the north of Yobe, said the state had ordered an initial 30 buses with 100 seats each on it to carry day pupils to schools. Each would travel with two armed soldiers at the front and two at the back, he said.

Pro-government vigilante groups would search everyone getting on the buses at each stop, he said.

The provost of the college Molima Mato told Reuters the death toll was 41, after one of the wounded died in hospital.

“I wrote so many letters to the JTF (mixed military and police joint task force) asking for better security for my students and they always assured me,” he said, but never stationed a protection force around the school.

His complaint was shared by human rights group Amnesty International, which in a statement on Monday called on Nigeria to take urgent measures to protect schools and students in the northeast from attacks.

Thousands have been killed since Boko Haram launched its uprising in 2009. As it has grown bolder and more to enable our people live without fear.”

Jonathan is personally challenged by an internal power struggle in his party and a newly formed coalition of opposition parties as the country gears up for 2015 elections. That campaign is being tainted by religious and regional rivalries with many northern Muslim governors

deadly, it has also forged links with Islamists in the Sahara, including al Qaeda’s north African branch.

Western governments are increasingly worried about the threat posed

by Islamist groups across Africa, from Mali and Algeria in the Sahara, to Kenya in the east, where Somalia’s alShabaab fighters killed at least 67 people in an attack on a Nairobi shopping mall a week ago.

Security officials say there is some evidence some Boko Haram members trained Somalia alongside alShabaab.

Attacks on schools seem aimed at frightening parents away from Western culture - Boko Haram means “Western education is sinful” in the northern Hausa language - and because the Islamists think they harbor vigilantes.

In July, suspected Boko Haram militants killed 27 students and a teacher at a school in Potiskum, 30 miles from the site of Sunday’s attack.

Analysts say the army offensive has pushed the Islamists into vulnerable and harder to police rural areas. opposed to the candidature of Jonathan, a Christian from the south.

The president has sidestepped questions about whether he will run again.

Internal rivalries threaten the continued dominance of Jonathan’s party, which has won every election since decades of military dictatorship ended in 1999.

4

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

NEWS Presidential change of guard marks independence

T

HE Federal Government yesterday marked the 53rd independence anniversary celebrations with a presidential change of guard and signpost ceremony at the fore-court of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

It was devoid of the usual pomp that attends such event before 2011.

The ceremony was conducted by 136 officers and men of the Army under the command of Brig.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe.

It lasted for about an hour.

The President inspected the Guards Brigade before moving to the podium where he received general salute, fol•President Goodluck Jonathan ( fourth right) supported by (from left) House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, Senate President David Mark, Former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ola Sa’ad and Chief of Army Staff Gen. Azubike Ihejirika, cutting the PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN 53rd Anniversary Cake at the State House, Abuja...yesterday.

Sagay, Balarabe, Nwobike, Falana appraise conference

N

IGERIA’S future lies in the conference, Constitutional lawyer Prof itse Sagay (SAN) stated yesterday on the plan for a national conference.

Sagay said: “It is a positive development; there is no question about that because it is about the only way through which a true people’s constitution can emerge. The one we have been using was made for us by the military. The future of this country lies in a national conference which will lead to true federalism, where political power and resources will be transferred to the states or the component regions.”

On the timing of the conference, he said: “If the government is serious with what it wants to do, it could pull through before the 2015 general election date. The National Assembly is not relevant in the whole arrangement because everybody will be represented by his ethnic nationality.

The ethnic nationalities are the basic representatives of the peo-

By Augustine Avwode and Musa Odoshimokhe

ple at the conference,” Sagay said.

Veteran unionist Chief Frank Kokori described it as a step in the rght direction.

“It is a welcome thing. It is what everybody has been crying for. It is obvious that Nigeria is in dire need of a dialogue. The people want to determine how they should be governed and they must be given the opportunity to do just that. It is a right step in the right direction. The timing is not awkward, it is good. I have always believed that it won’t take anything from us. It will rather give us a people’s constitution, and that is what we want,” he said.

Constitutional lawyer and human rights activist Femi Falan said: “In my Latin class in the secondary school, we were told of timeo danaos et dona ferentes, which means beware of the Greeks even when they bring gifts. President Jonathan has consistently kicked against the

idea of a national conference, be it sovereign or not. It is curious to note that the President is now agitating for a national conference. At the last annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Calabar on August 26, Senate President David Mark, was completely opposed to the idea of the SNC. But a month later, he became a champion of national conference. I hope that the belated embrace of the concept is not a diversionary ploy to divert attention from the mountain of problems plaguing the country.

“All the same, the ruling class should not be allowed to water down the resolutions of the conference. Since 1999 that we have been agitating for a national conference, we have never asked for an assembly of ethnic nationalities but that of the organisations of the Nigerian people. We want a conference of the accredited representatives of the states, professional groups, including trade unions, youth and women groups, as well as officials of the executive, legislature and the

judiciary. The conference would be convened by the President while the constitution drafted by the Conference will be enacted into law by the National Assembly. The emphasis should be about who gets what, when and how. It is not about rotating powers without responsibilities among ethnic jingoists and irredentists.”

Joseph Nwobike (SAN) expressed worries on the extent the government was willing to throw open all issues for discussion.

“The call is a welcome development but the problem relates to the extent to which the executive and legislature will be prepared to throw open all areas of discourse and to implement the resolutions.

“They must be prepared to allow discussions on all facets of Nigeria nationhood and should be prepared to implement all resolutions, if not, it is unnecessary to convene a national dialogue.”

Second Republic Governor Continued on page 58

lowed by a rendition of the National Anthem.

Prayers were offered by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritshejafor and the Deputy Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Dr Ibrahim Zaria.

The presidential change of guards was performed by the soldiers with military display, foot and arms drill and rhythmic and calculated steps.

Their weapons and uniforms were inspected to ensure tidiness.

After the ceremony, the President signed the anniversary register and cut the anniversaContinued on page 58

CBN bans importation of dollars, others Continued from page 1

in charge of Economic Policy, Dr. Sarah Alade said the Management of the CBN frowned at the existence of strong foreign exchange demand pressures from domestic sources, which are not necessarily linked to increase in the import of goods and services.

Mrs. Alade said the management also observed the surge in United States Dollar (USD) cash importation by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and the huge cash sale of the US dollars to BDCs by the DMBs. She noted that Nigeria currently ranks as the largest importer of United States dollars, and disclosed that the purchase and sale of the cash is not adequately documented by the BDCs. Mrs. Alade said if the trend was not contained, it could pose grave threats to the value of the Naira as well as the Nigerian economy, which she said had gradually become dollarised.

She said the CBN “decided to take immediate action to safeguard the Naira and ensure its stability in the face of

the aforementioned challenges.”

The CBN also said a circular had been issued mandating all deposit money banks to redeem all inward money transfers in naira to the recipients at the prevailing interbank foreign exchange rate which it said “is in line with best practice.”

While condemning the action of erring BDCs, the CBN emphasised the continued relevance of the BDCs in the foreign exchange market, and stressed that it would continue to support their operations in line with the existing guidelines.

To guard against stifling the activities of the BDCs, the CBN has authorised all deposit money banks to deal at the official foreign exchange market rate and warned that banks can only sell foreign exchange cash to BDCs subject to a maximum of $250,000 per week per BDC. The CBN also advised all BDCs to continue to comply with the conditions of their operating licenses, including the proper rendition of returns with respect to the purchases and sales of foreign exchange.

Knocks, kudos as Jonathan names dialogue committee Continued from page 1

•advise on a timeframe for the national dialogue/conference; •advise government on a legal framework for the national dialogue/conference; •advise government on legal procedures and options for integrating decisions and outcomes of the national dialogue/ conference into the constitution and laws of the nation; and to •advise government on any other matters that may be related or incidental to the proposed national dialogue/conference.”

The President’s declaration came after a similar call by Senate President David Mark for a national conference. Mark spoke on the opening day of the new Senate’s session last month.

The plan for the national dialogue is the highlight of the 20 minutes broadcast by the President to mark the 53rd Independence Anniversary.

Giving reasons for the dialogue, Jonathan said: “Fellow Nigerians, our Administration has taken cognisance of suggestions over the years by wellmeaning Nigerians on the need for a National Dialogue on the future of our beloved country. I am an advocate of dialogue.

When there are issues that stoke tension and bring about friction, it makes perfect sense for the interested parties to come together to discuss.

P

National Conference as decoy?

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s independence anniversary gift to Nigeria yesterday was the announcement of “a national conference or dialogue”. However, many stakeholders have queried his real intention. The sudden change of heart by the embattled Commander-In-Chief came as a surprise. In the past, he had objected to it, saying that a democratic government was in place. Although the proposed conference has been hailed in some circles, the advocates of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) are not amused. In their view, the proposal fell below expectation.

To the gullible, it is cheery news. But to the discerning, the planned conference is an afterthought that may lead to nowhere, owing to the peculiar hypocritical commitment of the government. The timing is also suspicious. The feeling is that, at this critical time of national stress and distress, when the government’s image has been dented by its inability to restore order into a state of pandemonium, the option is for the President to thread the populist path to divert attention from the deep hollow in his score card.

Two weeks ago, the President’s ally, Senate President David Mark, was flying the

“In demonstration of my avowed belief in the positive power of dialogue in charting the way forward, I have decided to set up an Advisory Committee whose mandate is to establish the modalities for a National Dialogue or Conference. The sommittee will also design a framework and come

ANALYSIS

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Group Political Editor

kite. The retired General, who had frowned at the agitation for a Sovereign National Conference, based on his belief in the legitimacy of the National Assembly as the anchor of popular rule, suddenly retraced his steps. Thus, many believe that the conference propaganda was designed to guage the public mood.

Historically, at critical points in national history, past governments have resorted to camouflage national debate, talk or dialogue to douse the tension. Indeed, when the dreadful dictator, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, set up a constitutional conference in 1994, the uprising in the Niger Delta stopped for one year. Also, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo inaugurated the Abuja Reforms Conference, expectations were high that it would usher in a new dawn. The conference collapsed on the altar of the third term agenda. Shortly after he assumed the reins, the first military Head of State, the late Gen. Thomas Auguyi-Ironsi, set up an ad hoc constitutional committee to debate the contentious issues tearing the country apart. The

up with recommendations as to the form, structure and mechanism of the process.”

He added: “I expect the report to be ready in one month, following which the nation will be briefed on the nomenclature, structure and modalities of the Dialogue.”

Dr. Jonathan said the role of

committee was dead on arrival. When the Murtala/Obasanjo set up the Constitutional Drafting Committee and Constituent Assembly, the transition to civil rule programme of the regime received a popular acclaim.

Even, when the former President Ibrahim Babangida set up the Constituent Assembly in 1989, it calmed down the nerves.

Jonathan’s conference is coming two years before 2015. The cloud of anxiety over this year has not fizzled out. It is an election year.

There are signs that the gladiators may approach it in a do-or-die manner. The implication is that the country has a perilous future to contend with, unless the right steps are taken. But analysts are also not oblivious of the fact that a foreign agency, which had described Nigeria as a failed state, also predicted that the biggest African nationstate may disintegrate.

The President’s first step at implementing the proposal was confusing. Dr. Jonathan has named a body to prepare the ground for the talks. It is expected to be chaired by the former university don and politician, Dr. Femi Okurounmu, who is a staunch advocate of Sovereign National Conference (SNC), and not a mere national conference.

democracy is crucial to improving the fortunes of “not just this country, but of our entire continent”. “Democratic values encourage diversity.

They encourage discourse.

They encourage disagreement.

This is the joy of democracy, Jonathan said, adding: “Ultimately, the ballot box gives us

Continued on page 61

all the opportunity to instigate change. When democracy works, it does not destroy a nation. It unites and defines it.”

In his view, Nigerians have reasons to celebrate. He said the occasion was not ripe for scoring political points, but to focus on the future as Nigerians are already divided economically,

•Obasanjo

politically and ethnically.

Jonathan said his administration had built a robust a economy and that getting the remaining job done was a matter of time.

“No matter the challenges, we have every reason to be proud.

We are waging steady battle Continued on page 58

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5

THE NATION WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 2, 2013

NEWS

Nigeria a crumbling edifice, Baraje laments

T

HE national Chairman of the New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Baraje has lamented the many woes of Nigeria as the country celebrates its 53rd independence anniversary.

In a statement he personally signed yesterday, the party chair described the country as a crumbling edifice wrecked to the seams by corruption, bad leadership, ethnicism, parochialism, sectarian intolerance and childish political recrimination.

Baraje bemoaned the fate of the citizenry, saying the masses have been pauperised and dehumanised by the present leadership through exorbitant charges on essential goods and services.

But PDP National Publicity Secretary faulted his position. He said: “They are making a caricature of serious national issues. Their statements defy all known political norms and at best provide entertainment for social gatherings.”

Baraje said: “Nigeria at 53 has turned into a borderless valley of tears where life expectancy hovers between 40 and 43 years. Nigerians are callously extorted through various government agencies like the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) which today excels in generating darkness and subjecting Nigerians to the highest ever tariff regime.

“The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) set up as a wellmeaning agency to tame the rising cases of road accidents has become a tool for mindless extortion through the issuing and re-issuing of vehicle number plates and drivers’ licenses at very exorbitant prices.

“The petroleum sector has become an illicit cash cow for the people in government, their friends and rela-

decay that is threat•’They are making a carricature of serious national issues’ infrastructural ening the nation’s infrastructural From Gbade Ogunwale, , Abuja

tives who exploit the hapless citizens through sundry means and cleansing the treasury via a phantom fuel subsidy scheme that targets friends and fronts of the members of the government for enrichment.

“What could best demonstrate the wanton brigandage going on in Nigeria than the fact that the government, which set up the SURE-P programme with the huge N32 increment in each litre of fuel Nigerians purchase, has recorded no known achievement with the huge accruals from the increment?

“Today, SURE-P has sacked the 110,000 youths it placed on N10, 000 monthly allowances on the excuse that there is no money to pay them.

We ask, where is the government keeping the huge amount it realizes from the inhuman increment in the price of petrol, kerosene and diesel?

“At 53 years of independence, our educational sector has completely crumbled and our universities have been shut for close to three months simply because a government that celebrates free loading of the nation’s resources cannot meet the agreement it signed with university teachers four years ago.

“Our secondary and primary school sectors are jerking at the most inefficient level; neglected, abandoned and dejected and all have contributed to make Nigerian certificates almost worthless.

“The health sector is in a pitiable state as our hospitals cannot handle simple malaria cases. Nigerians now troop to India and the Far East Asian countries to treat common ailments and nothing is being done to arrest this sad situation”.

‘Our secondary and primary school sectors are jerking at the most inefficient level; neglected, abandoned and dejected Baraje also noted that Nigerians in their millions are being forced to get out of the country, even to poorer countries as a result of pervasive poverty, unemployment and social dislocation.

“The infrastructure sector is in its worst state as Nigerian infrastructural base has crumbled.

Roads are decrepit. The economy has screeched to a halt in the face of unrestrained purloining, coupled with an officially-backed oil theft that targets the members of the government, its cronies and hirelings for enrichment.

“The management of the Nigerian economy is, at best, haphazard as the cooking and circulation of flattering and fatuous economic reports that curiously suggest growth in the obvious degenerating reality Nigerians are facing.

“At 53, youth unemployment has soared to over 80 per cent, insecurity of lives and properties has clearly overwhelmed the capacity of the state and a social crisis has driven many Nigerians to their untimely graves.

“Our security agencies are inept

and the Nigerian police have been reduced to the attack dog of the present Federal Government and its cronies while security challenges go unmet.

“We can go on and on but suffice it to state that Nigeria has woefully failed its citizens at 53 years. The indices are all too obvious even as the present government lives in curious denial of these grave realities.

“On a daily basis, Nigerians are being kidnapped, assassinated or butchered like chickens in hundreds and government seems at a loss on what to do”, Baraje said.

He expressed disappointment with President Goodluck Jonathan’s Sunday night media chat in which he said rather than coming clean, the President chose to prevaricate on his 2015 re-election bid.

The party chairman urged Jonathan to drop his re-election bid if he truly meant well for the country and concentrate on how to rescue the sinking ship of the Nigeria state.

He observed that given the mindset of the present government, there is dim hope for redemption, adding however that well meaning Nigerians would continue to offer suggestions on how to save the country from imminent collapse.

To this end, the party chair made the following demands on the Jonathan administration: . The constitution of a critical management team made up of apolitical, eminent technocrats and knowledgeable Nigerians to take over the management of the national economy given the woeful failure of the economic management team of the Jonathan government; • A similar team to arrest the

base at present; •Impanelling of a credible, independent and resolute anti-corruption body to cleanse the country of the thick stench of corruption that has overwhelmed it at present; • A re-ordering of the inchoate federal structure we are running with a view to allowing the states and the other federating units more access to resources to attend to the numerous responsibilities placed on them; •The introduction of state police as an antidote to the worsening security problems, which the present inept and highly politicised Nigerian Police had been unable to deal with.

• An urgent need for Nigerians to come together and discuss matters affecting them as well as proffering the way forward, as stated in the President’s enunciation of a national dialogue.

Baraje however, welcomed the President’s announcement in his Independence Day broadcast of the establishment of a committee to advise him on the modalities for the holding of the proposed national dialogue.

“We, however, wish to warn that the proposed conference should not serve the same cosmetic purpose served by previous efforts; it should be empowered to discuss all issues agitating the minds of Nigerians – there should not be any no-go areas except the unity and oneness of Nigeria, which is not debatable.

“Finally, we urge Nigerians not to lose hope but to remain resolute in demanding good governance, transparency and accountability from government at various levels as that is the only way to force the corrupt clique in power to change their ways”, Baraje stressed.

Court faults EFCC on seizure of suspect’s assets

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•Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Mr. Christophe Penninck (third left) explaining some points to the Co-ordinator and Team Leader, PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) Office, The Presidency, Sierra Leone, Mr. Abu Kamara (second left) during a tour of MMA2 facilities by the team. With them are another member of the team, Ms. Ama Gborie (left); Chief Operating Officer of BASL, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi ; Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Olusola Olayinka and Mallam Adamu Umar of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Abuja.

Perpetrators of violence are insane, says Mark

S

ENATE President David Mark yesterday described perpetrators of violence and their sponsors as insane.

Mark spoke at the 53rd Independence church service of the St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo, Abuja.

He urged those carrying out mindless killings as well as their sponsors to reexamine themselves in the interest of all.

He said he dreams of an egalitarian nation with equal opportunities for all and where no man would be denied or oppressed.

Mark, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja, also urged Nigerians to strive

From Onyedi Ojiabor,

Assistant Editor and Sanni

Onogu, Abuja

to do only those things that would unite the country.

He “condemned in a very strong terms” the perpetrators of violence in the country saying “these heartless and mindless killings are disheartening and inhuman. It cannot be a way of life.”

In a manner akin to calling for a psychiatric test for perpetrators of violence, he added: “Both those who are perpetrating it and all those behind it need to re-examine themselves. They are insane and truly abnormal.

“As we mark the nation’s 53rd Independence, we pray for peace, unity and love

among Nigerians.”

Mark reflected on the journey so far and harped on the need for love and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

“We also ask God to give us a glorious future. A nation where no one is oppressed.

Where those in positions of authority will do it to the best of their abilities and with the fear of God,” he said.

He noted that very often Nigerians craves for positions but sometimes undermines the huge responsibility of service to the people.

He said: “We must strive to work for the people and make progress as a nation.”

He reminded Nigerians especially those in positions of leadership that leadership is

a divine mandate that demands humility, service to God and society and not in the reverse order.

In his homily, the Parish Priest, Rev. Father Innocent Jooji, noted that Nigeria is a divine project and must not in any circumstances be destroyed.

Fr. Jooji prayed God to touch the hearts of the perpetrators of all kinds of violence and asked those fanning the embers of war or disunity to make U- Turn.

He said he is hopeful that God in His infinite mercies would redeem Nigeria from the clutches of evil men, enthrone good governance and make the economy prosperous to the benefit of the people.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was wrong in confiscating two luxury cars belonging to a suspect.

Justice Elvis Chukwu, in a judgment, held that the EFCC acted illegally in seizing the vehicles belonging to a former presidential candidate and National Chairman of the African Liberation Party (ALP), Dr. Emmanuel Osita Okereke, without a court order.

The judge ordered the commission to release both cars.

The EFCC had on January 23 this year, arrested Okereke, also a former head of the now disbanded taskforce against unlawful importation and smuggling of goods, small arms, ammunition and light weapons, on suspicion of alleged criminal conduct.

His two vehicles - Toyota Land Cruiser SUV with registration No. FE 03 ABJ and a Toyota Hilux pickup with registration number FE O16 ABJ - were confiscated by the EFCC. Although he regained freedom three days later, on January 25, the EFCC held on to his cars, a development that compelled him to sue.

In the fundamental rights enforcement suit, Okereke challenged his undue detention and the continued seizure of his vehicles.

He said both actions by the EFCC violated his rights as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 44 of the Constitution.

Okereke accused the EFCC of sponsoring publications in the media to smear his image and brand him a rogue.

He sought a compensation of N5million against the commission.

In its counter argument, the EFCC denied any wrong doing.

It argued that the plaintiff was invited for questioning upon reasonable suspicion of his alleged involvement in criminal activities.

The EFCC denied unduly detaining the plaintiff. It said he was granted bail the same day he was arrested, but failed to meet his bail conditions.

The commission argued that a detainee’s inability to regain freedom on time, owing to his/her inability to perfect a bail granted him/her could not amount to undue detention.

EFCC argued that it was within its statutory powers to invite a suspect for questioning upon reasonable suspicion.

It said no court could restrain it from exercising such powers.

It denied sponsoring any media publications against the plaintiff.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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NEWS NIGERIA AT 53 Jang frees five convicts From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

PLATEAU State Governor David Jang has ordered the release of five inmates of the Jos Prisons serving various jail terms.

The gesture, according to the Director of Press to the Governor, James Mannok, was part of the activities for the 53rd independence anniversary.

Mannok said: “The action was based on the power conferred on the governor under Section 212 of the Constitution and after due consultations with the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.”

Those released are: Jerry Arin, Iveh Arama, Peter Gazi, Domchang Jatau and Pankyes Yakubu.

Jang urged the beneficiaries to reintegrate themselves into the society and be of good conduct by participating in the legitimate development of the state.

Obi hails Nigerians From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

ANAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi yesterday told the youth and other residents of the state that Nigeria has reason to celebrate its 53rd Independence anniversary.

The governor noted that Nigerians have remained together for that long, despite some challenges.

The anniversary was poorly attended at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital. Only four traditional rulers attended it.

But nursery, primary and secondary school pupils were well represented.

Obi read President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech.

Addressing reporters after the ceremony, which lasted four hours, the governor advised the people to be wise in choosing who would succeed him in the November 16 governorship election.

Yobe CAN prays for peace From Duku Joel, Damaturu

THE Yobe State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday held an interdenominational service on Nigeria’s 53rd Independence Day celebration.

They gathered at the Eklisiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) Church in Damaturu, the state capital, for the prayers.

The worshippers prayed for a sustained peace, stability, growth and development of the country.

The state CAN Chairman, Rev. Jibrin Joshua, advised Christians and other Nigerians to fight corruption among public officers.

He decried the absence of compassion for fellow beings among Nigerians, saying this has resulted in indiscriminate killing of innocent people.

The cleric prayed for the restoration of peace in the state and other parts of the North.

Fashola faults centenary celebration

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has faulted the centenary celebrations of the Federal Government.

The governor spoke yesterday in Lagos after inspecting a parade on the 53rd Independence anniversary at the Police College. Ikeja.

He stressed that the nation is 53 years old and not 100.

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Fashola said the centenary celebration would distort the nation’s history for the younger generation.

He said: “I would seek better understanding, better explanation by those who are behind the centenary celebration because if we rolled out the drums three years ago to celebrate 50

years of Nigeria’s nationhood, the Independence that we fought for, people went to jail for, what is then this centenary suddenly about?

“I don’t remember, when I was a child, ever coming out at amalgamation day.

How did we get to 100? Did we do 99? Did we do 50? Did we do 60? So, there is something wrong here. I don’t

know, but I will like clarifications.

“A generation is coming behind us. The youth need to be clear about the history of our country. As I said, maybe the conception of Nigeria took place in 1914, but it is the birthday, the date of birth of a child we should celebrate. I think that birthday is October 1, 1960.”

Oshiomhole: review employment policy

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday called for the review of policies that cause importation of goods, the collapse of industries and job loss at the three tiers of governments.

The governor, who implicitly alluded to the face-off between governors and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the disbursement of the revenue accruing from the Federation Account, said Edo State had not received its September allocation and parts of the July and August allocations.

He, however, said the state

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

was afloat through its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Oshiomhole spoke in Benin, the state capital, during Nigeria’s 53rd Independence anniversary at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

The governor said the leadership of the country must fight such policies to create jobs for unemployed youths.

He noted that youth unemployment was a global challenge.

The governor said the anniversary was worth celebrat-

ing because most countries, which attained independence when Nigeria did, were either at war or were facing one calamity or the other.

On the nation’s security challenges, Oshiomhole advised the people not to give up, as security agencies were working hard to check criminals.

He said: “Our responsibility is to think differently from what we did yesterday. There is no question about our failure. It is true that we have not managed our resources well, but there is progress and development throughout the

•Oshiomhole

country. Edo State, five years ago, was given up as difficult to manage, but today, we have been able to turn the state around.”

Orji restates need for nation’s unity From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

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BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has advised Nigerians to fight for the nation’s unity and fight divisive actions.

The governor noted that the nation would gain a lot from ensuring a united country which would become the envy of its neighbours and those working for its divisions.

He said: “But if we allow divisions to come into our nation, the greatness in us will be nothing compared to what the enemies will do to us as a nation; it will be hard for us to recover thereafter.”

Orji spoke yesterday at the Umuahia Township Stadium during yesterday’s 53rd Independence Day anniversary.

The governor said there is need for Nigerians to support the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan and his efforts to preserve the nation’s unity.

Insecurity threatens our unity, says Akpabio From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

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•Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs Olusola Oworu (left) with Commissioner for Estatblishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs Florence Oguntuase, at the 53rd National Independence Day at the Police College Parade Ground in Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

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Children urge Fed Govt to stop killings in North

HE National Children Parliament yesterday urged the Federal Government to halt further killings in the North.

The children spoke yesterday in Abuja at a special sitting of their parliament on Nigeria’s Independence Day anniversary.

They decried the high level of insecurity in the country and suggested life imprisonment against rapists.

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From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

The Speaker of the parliament, Thompson Idara, who led the sitting yesterday, said the Federal Government need to stop further killings.

Idara said: “The Federal Government should rise up and address the various challenges facing the children so that they can live to see the future that they have

laboured for.

“The present administration should ensure that the persistent killing of youths should be stopped to safeguard their future.”

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina, received the parliament’s resolution, which would be forwarded to President Goodluck Jonathan.

She said no one understood the problems faced by

Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the state capital.

The governor noted that the liberty being enjoyed today came with the sacrifice by the nation’s past heroes.

He said: “For some of them, it was imprisonment; to some others, it was the loss of great economic investments. Yet, to virtually all of them, they became pariahs in a land that their forefathers suffered to bring to-

gether.”

This, according to the governor, was why Nigerians must protect the nation’s independence and the freedom of Oyo State from the hands of the locusts of the past.

Ajimobi said: “The significance of Independence Day in Nigeria lies in the fact that today binds us with one chord as Nigerians. No matter the imperfections of our nationhood and the mindless savagery ongoing in the

the children better than the children.

Mrs Maina said: “I have listened with rapt attention to your deliberations and I’m making a commitment to forward your resolutions from this sitting to Mr President for his consideration.”

The minister urged states that have not passed the Child’s Right Act to do so in the interest of Nigerian children.

Ajimobi warns against agents of destabilisation

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday urged Nigerians to stop those he called agents of destabilisation from taking the country back to its unpleasant past.

The governor also advised the youth to promote honesty, patriotism, discipline, national unity and the war against corruption.

Ajimobi spoke yesterday at the 53rd independence anniversary celebrations at the

Northern part of the country, today brings the hurtful nostalgia of the toils and struggles of our heroes past.

“This is why everyone within the country, and even in faraway lands of Europe, Asia and America, see today as a strong symbol of the journey we undertook to get to where we are today. It is for this reason the survival of our sovereignty must be pursued by all and sundry.”

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has said insecurity is a threat to the nation’s unity and cohesion.

The governor urged Nigerians to liberate themselves from the scourge.

Akpabio spoke yesterday at the Uyo Sports Stadium during the Independence anniversary.

He said: “We must liberate ourselves from insecurity, which has become a threat to our unity and oneness. Violence is not a part of our national fabric; neither did it form a part of our noble and dignified struggle for independence.

“I urge Nigerians everywhere to stop the jarring sounds of bombs with harmonious songs of unity.

Tears have no colour or tribe or ethnic group. When someone is killed or bombed in Kaduna, we cry in Akwa Ibom; it’s not because we know who is killed but because we are involved in humanity: one man’s pain is another man’s tears.”

‘Respect people’s mandate’

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FORMER Abia State Governor and Coordinator of Njiko Igbo, Dr. Orji Kalu, has congratulated Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on yesterday’s 53rd Independence anniversary celebration.

In a goodwill message by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, the former governor advised politicians and decision makers to respect the people’s will.

He said: “Despite the challenges facing the country and in spite of the cultural, tribal, political and economic differences, Nigeria must celebrate indivisibility as a nation.

“However, our leaders should adopt pragmatic policies that will give an average Nigerian a quality life.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

NEWS

NIGERIA AT 53

‘GDP in excess of $300b’

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HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has hailed the country on the growth of the economy in the last five decades.

The chamber said Nigeria’s economy hasd become the second largest in Africa, with an estimated GDP in excess of $300 billion.

In a statement yesterday on Nigeria’s 53rd Independence celebration, by its President, Mr. Goodie Ibru, the LCCI said the nation offers the larg-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

est market in Africa with the most enterprising population and abundant natural resources.

The chamber regretted that the challenge over the decades had been how to make the opportunities and the potentials work for the people because the operating environment for businesses had been difficult.

The statement said: “The economy is inhibited by se-

rious issues of infrastructure deficits, especially with regards to power supply, currently at less than 4,000 megawatts (MW); transportation, logistics, the quality of institutions, cost and access to funds, etc. All these have combined to create a burden of competitiveness for domestic enterprises.

“This situation has made the diversification of the economy very difficult and poses a risk of vulnerability.”

1,500 widows pray for Nigeria

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VER 1,500 widows from various states yesterday converged on Abuja for an intercessory prayer for the nation.

The programme, tagged: Widows Pray for Nigeria, was organised by the Rock of Ages Widows’ Empowerment Foundation.

Food items were distributed to indigent women, who were said to have been abandoned following the death of their hsubands.

About 300 of the widows, who were trained on various vocational skills, received aftercare materials and seed money to enable them become self-reliant and take care of their children.

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From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

The President of the foundation, Mr. Newman Ezeigbo, said the nation was passing through trying moments in the face of the Boko Haram insurgency, among

other national challenges.

He noted that the lingering national strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was another problem the nation has not resolved.

The philanthropist said the prayer was to intercede for the country, adding that instead of sitting and bemoaning the woes of the nation, it was better to supplicate to the Lord over them.

“The scripture says that every time the widows pray and cry, the heavens hear them. Nigeria needs these prayers and cries from these widows because people are already fed up with what is happening in the country,” Ezeigbo said.

Aregbesola frees six prisoners

SUN State Governor Aregbesola yesterday granted amnesty to six prisoners.

The inmates were serving various jail terms at the Ilesa and Ile-Ife Prisons.

A statement by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale

D

‘’The scripture says that every time the widows pray and cry, the heavens hear them. Nigeria needs these prayers and cries from these widows because people are already fed up with what is happening in the country’

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Afolabi, said the amnesty followed the advice and recommendation of the State Advisory Council for the Prerogative of Mercy.

The governor, in exercising his power under Section

212 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution, urged the beneficiaries to conduct themselves peacefully when they return to the society.

Those freed are: Sunday Uzor, Tope Dada, Bukola Babalola, Stephen Enemune, Olorunwa Abiodun and Tunde Alade.

‘We’re stronger in diversity’

ELTA State House of Assembly Speaker Victor Ochei has advised Nigerians to use their diversity to build a stronger nation.

The Speaker noted that the country would become better if the people exploited the variety of tribes, dialects and

cultures for Nigeria’s corporate existence.

He said this would aid the virtues of unity in diversity.

In a statement on Nigeria’s 53rd Independence yesterday, Ochei said resilience, patriotism, mutual tolerance, honesty and the ability to shun divisive tendencies are the

essential ingredients Nigeria needs to develop.

He said: “As a people, we must - one and all - renew our faith in our common national project and the brotherhood, which define the desire for an accomplished nationhood, in spite of our marked differences in tribe and tongue.”

NMA regrets ‘struggling’ health system

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HE Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has regretted that the nation’s health care system was still “struggling” 53 years after independence.

NMA President Dr. Osahon Enabulele, who examined the health sector since 1960, noted that like other sectors of the country’s economy, it had its good and bad times.

A

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

He said the sector has witnessed uninspiring national health indices, which are attributable to years of cumulative insults, lack of professional order and best practices, a weak private health sector, poorly developed social infrastructure as well as policy inconsist-

ency.

Enabulele, however, hoped that if greater efforts were made to secure political commitment to the sector at all levels of government, the story would change for good.

He said Nigeria would save over $800 million annually from capital flight through unrestricted medical tourism.

Group calls for sober reflection

GROUP, Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, has urged Nigerians to dedicate the nation’s independence to sober reflections instead of rolling out the drums for a celebration.

In a statement by its General Secretary, Akin Malaolu, the group advised Nigerians to join forces with the progressives to wrest power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which the forum said had brought more pains than relief to the nation in its 14

By Wale Ajetunmobi

years of political leadership.

The forum said it had gone round the Southwest and other Yoruba-speaking parts of Kwara, Edo and Kogi states to feel the people’s pulse about political leadership.

It said tales of starvation, insecurity and disappeared incomes from the people showed that the Goodluck Jonathan administration had lost touch with the masses.

Yoruba Ronu noted that if

the progressive governors in the Southwest had not performed well, there would have been massive uprising on the land.

The statement reads: “The crises that have engulfed the PDP are inevitable. President Jonathan’s pitiable performance in office and the corrupt ring of friends around him dictate that he should thank God for his personal good fortunes. But he must know that Nigerians deserve better governance.

Yobe killing: Missing lecturer found dead •UN condemns attack

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NE of the missing lecturers of the College of Agriculture, Gujba, Yobe State, where several students were killed last Sunday morning, was found dead yesterday, the Provost, Molima Mato said.

The Principal gave the name of the lecturer as Samaila Alhaji Musa.

He said Musa, who was of the Forestry Department, was found near a building close to the school gate.

The Principal said because the body had decomposed, it was buried where it was found.

A family source told our reporter that the deceased was 37 years old and is survived by an expectant wife and two children.

The death of the lecturer brought the death toll to 42, after another student died yesterday at the hospital.

The Secretary of General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Mohammed Idi Kurnawa, denied claims that more bodies were brought to the hospital.

“Apart from the 40 students who were initially brought on Sunday and the other student who died on Monday morn-

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•It’s barbaric, says group

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

ing, we have not received any more bodies.

“This morning (yesterday), we got a report that one of the lecturers was found dead at the school but they could not bring his copse to Damaturu because it was already decomposed so badly so he was buried inside the school premises where he was found,” Kurnawa said.

Spokesman of the of the 3 Division’s Special Operation Battalion in Damaturu, Capt.

Lazarus Eli told our reporter that no more dead bodies were recovered by the troops, who are on the trail of the insurgents in the bush.

“We recovered no more bodies from the bush, apart from the earlier one released by the management of General Sani Abacha Hospital, which is 42”, Capt. Eli said.

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Kimoon, has condemned the killing of over 40 students by gunmen at the college.

Suspected religious extremists killed the students and injured several others in their sleep at their dormitories early last Sunday.

Ki-Moon, in a statement by his spokesperson, Martin Nesirky, extended his condolence to the families of the bereaved and to the government and people of Nigeria on the tragic incident.

The UN Secretary-General said he was alarmed at the increasing brutality and frequency of attacks targeted at students and teachers in the northern part of the country.

Ki-Moon demanded an immediate end to such outrageous and senseless crimes, saying: “There can be no justification for such violence.”

The Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria has described the killing of the students as “a barbaric display of lunacy”.

In a statement yesterday in Kaduna, the President of the congress, Malam Shehu Sani, said the killing was unpardonable.

The statement reads: “The unlawful and indiscriminate killing of students in Yobe stands condemned. It is horrific, barbaric, banal and lunatic.

“There is no justification for such a wicked, dastardly and cruel act. For whatever reason it is done, it is inhuman and ungodly.”

Dangote builds N2b hospital in Kano

HE Dangote Foundation yesterday began the construction of what has been described as one of “Africa’s most ambitious health facilities” in Kano State.

The health facilities will cost Dangote Foundation N2 billion.

President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said he was planning to build the world’s best hospital in Kano State.

He said the plan would end the medical tourism, which has cost Nigeria billions of naira.

The hospital, which has been named Mariya Sanusi Dantata Ultramodern Theatre Complex, has modern facilities, including a diagnostic laboratory.

The complex would be built within the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano.

Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony in Kano yesterday, the Chairman of the Dangote Foundation Alhaji Aliko Dangote said the gesture

was meant to support government’s efforts at achieving a sound health programme for the people.

Dangote said only healthy people can contribute meaningfully to the growth of the economy.

He said: “It is not just about creating a modern, new, sorely needed medical facility in this great city of ours. It is about our broader commitment to systematically improve the health and well-being of the people. This is one of our areas of focus.

“We believe that every Nigerian has a right to quality health care. We also believe that it is our collective duty to rally our resources to improve health infrastructure, support the development of health care professionals and improve preventive health measures in Nigeria.

“Today, we are pleased to be able to stand with the Governor as he lays the foundation stone for the 5-storey ultra-

•Dangote

modern theatre complex.”

Kano State Governor Musa Kwankwaso said the new facilities would eliminate the need to travel out of the country for treatment.

He hailed the Dangote Foundation for its interventions in Kano, making reference to a recent N600 million women empowerment scheme by the Dangote Group.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said medical tourism cost Nigeria about N80 billion annually.

He urged other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Dangote’s philanthropic spirit.

Council poll won’t threaten Xmas, says Jang

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LATEAU State Governor Jonah Jang has assured that the conduct of the local government election in the state on December 21 would not threaten the celebration of Christmas.

The governor gave the assurance following a protest by the Christian community that the election was placed too close

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

to the Yuletide.

They have begun to mobilise their members for a mass protest against the government for fixing local government poll on December 21.

The aggrieved Christians alleged that the election was fixed close to Christmas to

‘North rejects Dialogue Committee’

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OLLOWING the setting up of a National Dialogue Committee, which is expected to design a framework for national discourse, a retired police commissioner, Ibrahim Babankowa, has said the North will not accept the committee because it smacks of a hidden agenda.

Babankowa, an ally of General Muhammadu Buhari, was reacting yesterday to the composition of the committee by President Goodluck Jonathan.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

He said the setting up of the committee was ill-timed because Nigeria was battling a myriad of problems which should be urgently tackled before talking of a national dialogue.

Babankowa said: “What President Jonathan did in the formation of the National Dialogue Committee is uncalled for. This is because the nation is in critical condition that needs urgent attention.”

deny them the fun of season.

The Chairman of the umbrella opposition parties in the state, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Muhammed Usman Kanam, said the parties were not consulted before the government announced the new date.

It said the action showed the government’s alleged insincerity in the matter.

But the government said the new date was not meant to deprive anybody or group the fun of their religious festivities or to manipulate the election.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Publicity, Abraham Yiljap, the government said: “Following the shifting of election date by the state electoral commission by two weeks, the government wishes to state that it is determined to allow the people to choose their leaders at the council level.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 2, 2013

8

NEWS NIGERIA @53

Text of President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech to mark the nation’s 53rd Independence Anniversary in Abuja...yesterday

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‘Nigeria a work in progress’

ODAY marks 53 years of our Independence as a nation. First and foremost, I would like to say congratulations to us all. Through thick and thin, we have built this country together. Through triumphs and trials, we have developed a Nigerian identity in our own way.

In truth, Nigeria is still a work in progress and we are challenged everyday to keep building in spite of the various obstacles that we face. Our strength has been in our diversity. If we look back over the years, we can say confidently that there is every reason to celebrate.

Today’s Independence anniversary is unique because it is the last before we mark our centenary. On January 1, 2014, Nigeria will be 100 years old as a country, following the amalgamation of the Protectorates of Southern and Northern Nigeria in 1914.

Beloved country men and women, traditionally, the Presidential address on this symbolic day has served two purposes. It has, quite rightly, been used to remind all Nigerians about our heritage. It has also allowed my predecessors and I to comment on our stewardship to the nation and make political capital out of a state occasion.

But this year, I will not. Because, today of all days, we should not be scoring political points. On the contrary, in this last year of the first century of our Union, we should be addressing our future as a Nation and a people!

I admit that these may not be the best of times for our nation. Our people are divided in many ways – ethnically, religiously, politically, and materially. I cannot hide from this reality. I cannot hide from my own responsibilities.

As we prepare to mark the centenary, therefore, today offers us an opportunity to reflect on our long journey to nationhood and the progress we have made so far. Whatever the challenges that we may face, we have every reason to be proud of our national accomplishments; we have every reason to remain proud and optimistic. Our collective national journey has witnessed great watersheds, thanks to our spirit of endurance, perseverance and sacrifice. Getting the rest of the job done with determination and courage is just a matter of time. We are Nigerians, a nation of talented people, endowed with resources, potentials, and Divine Grace.

In our journey to greatness as a nation, we have built an economy that is robust and erected enduring infrastructure and institutions of democracy. Our social system is now more inclusive, open and compassionate.

We are waging a steady battle against poverty, unemployment, and corruption. Our sense of community, solidarity and shared expectation is strong and capable of withstanding the present social, economic and political challenges that still confront us.

In saying this, I am reminded of the comments I made a week ago to a cross-section of Nigerians in New York during the 68th United Nations General Assembly. I declare now as I declared then: we have a duty as Nigerians, whatever may be our differences or prejudices, to always put Nigeria first.

Our politics should be an art of patriotic labour and selfless service to the community, particularly by the political elite who are placed in positions of great trust and responsibility.

Politics has its own high moral principles which abhor distracting and divisive rhetoric. As men and women in leadership, we must continually focus on service, duty, responsibility, and the next generation. Those who

are elected to govern at all levels must focus on improving the lives of our people, not selfish ambition.

In the words of the American theologian and author, James Freeman Clarke, ‘a politician thinks of the next election; a statesman of the next generation’. Whether we are Muslims or Christians; rich or poor; from the North or the South; East or West; regardless of our political affiliations, this is the time for every one of us to be a statesman!

My clarion call therefore, on this special day, is that we should begin to align our political utterances and conduct solely to the nobler passions that unite our people. Politicians do not make a nation; ordinary folks do.

Our nation is made great by the big and small efforts of regular citizens.

These are the teachers and men and women in academics who inculcate the knowledge and wisdom that transform into tomorrow’s wealth; the traders and market women who tend to our everyday needs; the farmers whose labour feeds the nation; the artisans whose work ensures that our homesteads are well maintained; the doctors, pharmacists, nurses, accountants, bankers, engineers, and other professionals who add value to our lives; the sportsmen and women and those in the creative industry who bring honour and fame to our nation; And the men and women of our armed forces and security services who toil day and night so that you and I may live in a safe and secure nation.

It is the individual and collective heroism of these regular folks that has placed our nation on the path of greatness. Politics and politicians sometimes distract the people and create unnecessary tension.

But our independence celebration is about the same people, the people of Nigeria: their industry, sense of mission and purpose, and their patience and perseverance as we navigate historical turns in our march towards prosperity and self-sufficiency.

Today, I salute the people of Nigeria.

My Compatriots, history has proven that nations take time to evolve. We should rejoice in our democracy because it enables us to be united by our differences, not destroyed by them. And, there is no more crucial time for us to be united than now.

The threats we face may be real and immediate. But we are not alone in this regard. It is a difficult season for much of the world: industrialized or developing; rich or poor. What matters are the lessons we learn, the wisdom we demonstrate, and the victory we snatch from the jaws of likely defeat.

And I tell you, more than anything else, there are lessons to learn, and every cause to be thankful. If I must

cite one example, take Syria. As we all pray and work for a return to normalcy in Syria, it would be helpful for us to reflect on the fact that Syria was once a peaceful, thriving, multi-cultural nation which played host to a mosaic of religions and ethnicities.

But that once idyllic nation has today become a theatre of human misery of unimaginable proportions as a result of the activities of extremist forces.

Fellow Nigerians, the spectre of extremism haunts every democracy in every corner of the globe. While we celebrate our independence and good fortune, our hearts must grieve for those who have lost loved ones in numerous terrorist activities around the world.

Back home, I admit being overtaken by deep feelings of grief, whenever news reached me of the appalling atrocities in some of our States, especially the North Eastern part of our country. Just two days ago, terrorist elements attacked the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State killing a number of innocent students of the institution and other residents in cold blood, most of them in their sleep.

This act of barbarism is a demonstration of the extent to which evil forces will go to destabilize our nation. But I assure you, they will not succeed.

My heart goes out to the families of all those who have fallen victim of these dastardly acts. Our Administration will not rest until every Nigerian is free from the oppression of terrorism. I reassure you that no cost will be spared, no idea will be ignored, and no resource will be left untapped in the quest to enable our people live without fear.

On this day, I implore every Nigerian – wherever you are, whatever language you speak, whatever your religious persuasion, whichever Political Party you support -: let us join together to fight this evil of extremism.

On behalf of us all, I commend our Armed Forces and security agencies for their dedication and bravery in the face of grave danger, and in the name of our collective liberty.

Fellow Nigerians, this is a time to pull together behind the national cause: the cause of our freedom, and our future. We must rekindle the spirit of Nigeria, to ensure that every democrat and every lover of peace in this great nation continues to live in a free, peaceful, and secure Nigeria.

On my part, I re-dedicate myself completely to the service of this great country. I was elected President to continue the process of building a prosperous nation where hopes, dreams and aspirations would be fulfilled. Nigerians, home and abroad, want a country they can be proud to call their own. I am pleased to affirm that, no matter the challenges we face,

we are on the right path to greatness.

Our Transformation Agenda, which is part of the overall vision of making Nigeria a land of greatness, has been delivering positive and encouraging results.

On May 29th this year, I presented to the nation a mid-term report of my Administration’s Transformation Agenda. This was conceived as an integrated policy aimed at reconstructing not only institutional governance for effective and efficient service delivery, but also a re-orientation of national norms and values. The document captured the essence of our agenda in relation to core objectives and achievements.

I have been consistently mindful of the weight of public expectation to find solutions to the challenges that confront us because the mandate we have is a free and sacred one. In all that I have done, I have been guided by this sacred obligation, to work hard for the good of Nigeria and to make life better for Nigerians. I want to assure everyone that Nigeria, under my leadership, will not fail.

Exactly 53 years ago today, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa urged us to ‘move with quiet dignity to our place on the world stage’. I am sure that there have been times when every one of us must have questioned how closely we have followed that injunction.

But again, I can reassure you that Nigeria’s place on the world stage today is strong and safe, and it is certainly a place of dignity and respect.

We must continue to build on this by remaining a nation and a people committed to ideals, the noblest humanitarian values, and the rule of law.

Our Constitution is anchored ultimately on the idea of freedom and fundamental rights: freedom of expression; freedom from discrimination; freedom to vote and be voted for, and the right to human dignity.

These are the core values of a true democracy. These are the values of which we must never lose sight.

In my address to the UN General Assembly last week, I emphasized the crucial role of democratization in improving the fortunes not just of this country, but of our entire continent.

Democratic values encourage diversity. They encourage discourse. They encourage disagreement. This is the joy of democracy.

It enables us to have an opinion.

And ultimately, the ballot box gives us all the opportunity to instigate change. When democracy works, it does not destroy a nation. It unites and defines it.

Fellow Nigerians, our Administration has taken cognizance of suggestions over the years by well-meaning Nigerians on the need for a National Dialogue on the future of our beloved country. I am an advocate of dialogue.

•Dr. Jonathan

When there are issues that stoke tension and bring about friction, it makes perfect sense for the interested parties to come together to discuss.

In demonstration of my avowed belief in the positive power of dialogue in charting the way forward, I have decided to set up an Advisory Committee whose mandate is to establish the modalities for a National Dialogue or Conference. The Committee will also design a framework and come up with recommendations as to the form, structure and mechanism of the process.

The Committee will be chaired by Dr. Femi Okurounmu while Dr. Akilu Indabawa will serve as the Secretary. The full membership of the Committee will be announced shortly.

I expect the Report to be ready in one month, following which the nation will be briefed on the nomenclature, structure and modalities of the Dialogue.

Fellow Nigerians, the past 53 years have seen Nigeria evolve on an epic scale. Our progress since independence has not always been smooth.

This is, after all, our Fourth Republic; but despite all its flaws, it has lasted longer than all the previous three put together. That is progress and it proves that, our differences – real and imagined - notwithstanding, we are, in every sense, a united nation.

This is no time for the harmful clutches of parochial sentiments and the politics of bitterness, impunity, arrogance and unhelpful indiscipline.

We must stand as one, with absolute commitment and resolve to resist any force that threatens us and the sanctity of our union.

I want to thank all our country men and women who have stood by this Administration in the midst of mounting challenges and enormous expectations.

I recognize that it is not easy to keep believing in the possibilities of our greatness when our faith is constantly challenged. But let me assure you that, if we do not despair, we shall reap the reward of our labour in due season.

It is my prayer that, another 53 years from now, our children and grandchildren will look back on our effort and be thankful that we kept the faith.

May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I wish you all a very happy 53rd Independence Celebration.

I thank you.

• Abia State Governor Theodore Orji inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the police in Umuahia... yesterday

9

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

NEWS

NIGERIA @ 53

•Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; taking a salute, during the 53rd Independence Day Celebration, in Ado-Ekiti... on Tuesday.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle), his deputy, Prince Segun Adesegun (third left); governor’s wife Olufunso (fourth right); Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade (left); Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s wife Bola, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Doja Adewolu and Commissioner of Police Mike Okoye,cutting the annivesary cake in Abeokuta.... yesterdeay

Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke (third left), his wife Obioma(second right); his Deputy Mr. Efiok Cobham and wife Glory (left) and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Harry Odey and his wife Eneyi at the U J Esuene Stadium, Calabar... yesterday.

Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi (middle); his wife Josephine, Deputy Governor Dave Umahi and his wife, Rachel (by the governor’s wife’s (left) and other top Government functionaries cutting the Independence Anniversary cake at the Abakaliki Township Stadium... yesterday

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola acknowledging cheers from the crowd at a parade in Lagos ...yesterday.

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi taking salute during the march past at the Ekwueme Square, Awka... yesterday

I

2015: Ezeife, Babatope campaign for Jonathan’s re-election

T was a lecture organised by the state government to celebrate the 17th ‘birthday’ of Bayelsa State, but the speakers turned it into an endorsement party for President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Banquet Hall venue of the lecture entitled: “Good governance as a panacea for promoting a stable and sustainable democracy” afforded the speakers an opportunity to drum support for Jonathan’s reelection in 2015.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope as well as the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, led the campaigns.

Babatope built his campaign around a prediction he said the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo made in 1982 in Bonny that “one day, an Ijaw man will become the Presi-

•Dickson warns against primordial sentiment Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

dent of Nigeria”.

He said: “It was during a rally to mark the declaration of my friend, the late Brigadier-General George Kurubo to the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) from the NPN. Papa Obafemi Awolowo had said, ‘One day an Ijaw man will become the President of Nigeria’.

“Today, an Ijaw man is the President of Nigeria. The rest is history. I submit, it is right and proper that the Ijaw man, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan completes his term in 2019”.

He said the North should wait for its turn in 2019.

He said Jonathan deserved the support of the north in 2015, claiming that there was a time the Ijaw people were politically married to the in-

terest of the North.

“The party that won election here during the Second Republic was the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) that had a northern leadership of the country. One good turn people say certainly deserves another”, he said.

Babatope said it was ridiculous to see the 2015 contest for leadership as an issue between the North and South.

He described as false the allegation that President Jonathan was promoting antinorth policies with his Presidency.

He warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against doing the bidding of the opposition in 2015.

Claiming that PDP would not rig the elections, he expressed fears that INEC might desire to allow oppo-

sition parties have their way in 2015 in exchange for international accolades.

He admonished the military not to be cajoled into intervening in politics.

He said: “It will never be to the interest of the Nigeria’s Armed Forces if they once again allow themselves to be used to subvert or overthrow the country’s constitution. If the country’s armed forces should allow themselves to be used in this kind of game then, it will be a gradual descent into perfidy.”

Ezeife said despite the determination to make the country ungovernable through Boko Haram, Jonathan had succeeded in stabilising Nigeria.

“Jonathan is a tool in the hands of God to implement God’s design for Nigeria.

Jonathan’s tolerance, cool-

headedness, fear of God and respect for people and their constitution have neutralised Boko Haram violence”, he said.

However, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, described good governance as the panacea for development.

He named legitimacy, direction, performance, accountability and fairness as the features of good governance.

Quoting the late literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe, he said: Good governance is the palm kernel within which and with which democracy is eaten. Any democracy without good governance is only democracy in nomenclature.

“By good governance, it is meant that the state operators are providing their citizens

with what is generally referred to as the dividends of democracy.”

Dickson canvassed for nationhood without which he said groups such as the G-7 governors and the new PDP would not exist.

Dickson also called on the political class to pursue their ambitions within the interest of a united country.

Describing disagreements as normal in democracy, he blamed the crisis in the country on inordinate ambitions of some politicians.

“Disagreements and differences in perspectives are normal. We should not shy away from disagreements because that is what democracy breeds.

“But whether we agree or disagree, we must do so at all times in the national interest.

That to me is one missing link, as it seems that people have fast-forwarded 2015”, he said.

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NEWS ‘Immortalise ex-minister’

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

T

HE former Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Lawrence Omowole, has urged Governor Olusegun Mimiko to complete the abandoned projects started by his predecessor, the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

He said it was the best way to immortalise the late Agagu.

Agagu's remains will arrive in the state tomorrow from Lagos and will be laid-instate at the Democracy Park in Akure, the state capital, and the Civic Centre in IjuOdo, Okitipupa Local Government.

Oba Omowole, who is the Amapetu of Mahin Kingdom, described the late Agagu as a pragmatic leader, who would be missed by the people.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Akure, the monarch said the late Agagu was a great politician, whose impact was felt in all sectors during his tenures as a minister and governor.

He urged the Mimiko administration to complete all road projects started by the late Agagu's administration, particularly in the coastal areas.

Oba Omowole said Mimiko's visit to the late Agagu's family in Lagos less than 24 hours after his (Agagu's) death showed that the era of political bitterness was gone in the state.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

Politics stripped us of privacy, says Agagu's daughter • 'He taught me how to sew buttons' T

HE first daughter of the late former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu, Mrs. Solape Hammond, yesterday reflected on her father's life.

She said his foray into partisan politics was "very difficult for the family" because it robbed it of its privacy.

In an exclusive interview with The Nation at the late Agagu's Bodija home in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Mrs. Hammond said no member of the family wanted their patriarch to go into politics but it was difficult to stop him from doing so, given his passion for the well-being of his people.

She said though her father never sought publicity, his activities brought him to the limelight, particularly his geological surveys as a lecturer at the University of Ibadan (UI).

Mrs. Hammond said at that time, her mother used to cook for over 30 people daily, stressing that there were never less than 10 people in the house at any point in time.

She said children of friends living abroad and extended family members were living in their home.

Mrs. Hammond said her father taught in three

•Aregbesola (arrowed) acknowledging cheers from the crowd...yesterday.

Osun lawmakers endorse Aregbesola for second term

• Governor vows to do more

Senators, Ondo APC visit ex-governor's family

D

Mrs. Hammond said: "He was a great man, an inspiration to many and a selfless worker, who was passionate about his country and people. He loved his country and people and sought to do good every day.

"He sat with me to check my results up to the university. He checked the courses I

registered for every year and we planned my career together.

He used to call it our career.

Despite his tight schedule, he taught me how to sew buttons and remove stains from a white shirt. That was the kind of father he was."

She said her father taught them how to sail through

difficult situations, adding that he lived through many of such.

Mrs. Hammond said: "There is no situation in life that he has not given me advice on or that I have not seen him live through. Is it disappointment, betrayal by people or people not appreciating what you are doing? He would just smile and remind us that Jesus was betrayed."

On what she wishes her father should have done differently, she said: "I wish he did not go into politics because we are very private people. But he was passionate about his people. We are getting a lot of accolades now but it was not like that at the time. That is something I wish he did not go through."

Mrs. Hammond described the loss of their privacy as the sacrifice the family made for their patriarch.

She said she wished her father lived longer, so that she could return his love.

Agagu died on September 13 at 65.

have a visionary leader like Aregbesola, whose preoccupation is the well-being of the masses.

The forum unanimously endorsed Aregbesola for a second term after a motion moved by Mr. Ayo Omidiran (Ayedaade, Irewole and Isokan Constituency) was seconded by Mr. Timothy Owoeye from Ilesha East Constituency.

It said: "We endorsed Aregbesola for a second term because of his administration's laudable programmes and prompt delivery of the dividends of democracy. We endorsed him for his vision and mission to develop the state.

His achievements are visible to everyone.

"His programmes are peoplecentred. Opon Imo is a unique e-learning tool all over the world. Osun is lucky to have

Aregbesola as governor. This is why we endorsed him to continue his good work in office."

Aregbesola said it was the first time in Nigeria that all elective officers in a state, except the governor and his deputy, would endorse a governor for a second term.

Noting that the programmes and policies of other parties could not be compared to those of the APC, he said: "We thank God and the people of the state for the opportunity they gave us to serve them. The past administration spent close to eight years, yet we did not see what it achieved. In our three years in office, things have completely changed for the better.

"Our people are witnesses to the development in the state and the progress we have

recorded. We have the will to do more. I assure you that this our first term is meant to lay solid foundations in all sectors.

So what you are commending us for is just a tip of the iceberg.

"Our second term will witness enormous developments, such that this state would be one of the best, if not the best, in the country."

Also at the occasion were Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salam; Secretary to the State Government Moshood Adeoti; the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; former Deputy Governor Chief Sooko Adeyemo; Senators Jide Omoworare and Mudasir Hussein; Elder Peter Babalola; Alhaji Fatai Diekola; Alhaji Sule Alao; Mr. G. O. Lawal and other APC chieftains.

ELEGATIONS of the Senate and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State yesterday visited the family of the late former Governor Olusegun Agagu at the deceased's Bodija, home in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The Senate's delegation, led by the Deputy Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola, included Senators Joshua Dariye, Boluwaji Kunlere and Helen Esuene.

A condolence letter signed by Senate President David Mark was presented to the late Agagu's widow, Olufunke.

The Senate described the late Agagu as "a great politician, who represented his people and stood to be counted when it mattered most".

Mrs. Agagu thanked Mark for sending such a "high-powered delegation" to condole with the family.

Ondo APC's delegation, led by Comrade Sola From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

universities at the time because of his passion for working and caring for others.

Despite his several engagements, she described her father as a devoted family man, who always created time for his family.

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola's administration has been described as the reincarnation of the progressives in the Southwest.

The senator representing Osun Central District, Prof. Sola Adeyeye, spoke yesterday at a rally organised by the Osun State Forum of Legislators to mobilise support for Aregbesola's re-election.

The rally was held at the Freedom Park in Osogbo, the state capital.

The forum comprises three senators, nine House of Representatives' members and 26 House of Assembly members.

The legislators said Aregbesola's achievements in the past three years were visible to the public.

They said Osun was lucky to

• The late Dr. Agagu

Iji, was received by the widow and the deceased's eldest daughter, Mrs. Solape Hammond.

The delegation conveyed the party's condolences to the family, describing its members as the late Agagu's "larger family".

Iji said the late Agagu was dear to APC members, despite the fact that they belonged to different parties.

He said although they have lost a husband and father, the family should be comforted by that fact that their patriarch lived a good life.

Iji prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss. He also prayed against calamity in the family.

Mrs. Hammond thanked them and wished them a safe trip back to Ondo State.

Bayo Yusuf, Chief Jamiu Ekungba, Prince Bayo Ehinlawo, Dr. Bayo Ademodi, Alhaji Yinusa Adeola and Mr. Adeyemi Bolarinwa were part of the delegation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

11

NEWS

PDP’s call for National Conference insincere, says Fayemi

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has pardoned 10 inmates of the Ado-Ekiti Prisons to mark the country’s 53rd Independence celebration and the state’s 17th anniversary.

Two of them, Olabode Abirifon and Julius Abirifon, had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment. They had been on the death row for over 16 years.

Olusola Ojo, Alex Dasun (a Beninoise), Segun Olowoyo, Simon Okeme, Opeyemi Ogundele, Joseph Adafase, Taiwo Ibikunle and Kehinde Fagbemi, who were serving various jail terms, were unconditionally freed.

In a live broadcast on stateowned media stations, the governor said calls by chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a National Conference was not sincere and should be viewed with suspicion.

He said the calls should be backed by a “demonstrable sincerity of purpose”, noting that “those making the latest calls have no respect for basic principles, such as fiscal autonomy.”

Fayemi assured residents that the state’s limited re-

•Governor pardons 10 prisoners From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

sources would not prevent his administration from implementing people-oriented projects and programmes as well as improving infrastructure.

He said: “This administration, in responding to popular feedback, would concentrate more on human empowerment without neglecting infrastructural development.”

The governor said with effect from this month, 5,000 more people would enjoy his administration’s Social Security Scheme for the Elderly, raising the figure of beneficiaries to 25,000. Each of the beneficiaries receive N5,000 stipend monthly.

Fayemi said another batch of 5,000 youths would be engaged in the Ekiti Youth Volunteer Corps Scheme and would receive N10,000 each monthly.

He said the administration had approved the implemen-

tation of outstanding promotions and commenced payment of the Teachers Peculiar Allowance.

Fayemi said he had approved the six per cent increase in pension with effect from January.

He said 1,800 youths would be engaged under the Peace Corps initiative to be inaugurated later this month.

The governor said: “It should be noted that all the foregoing are being done against the backdrop of severe financial constraints occasioned by the non-remittance of allocations to states from the Federation Account in the past three months. We would, however, continue to stretch ourselves through financial prudence to meet the aspirations of our people.”

Urging the Federal Government to undertake policies and programmes to address infrastructure, unemployment, power and other challenges, he said: “It is important that

the Federal Government utilises the powers available under the Constitution to focus on priority areas and carry out necessary reforms to strengthen states’ fiscal autonomy.

“As we have argued, the burden of governance weighs more on the level of government closer to the people. It is thus imperative of the Federal Government to re-order the fiscal structure of the Nigerian Federation immediately.”

On the state’s crime rate, the governor said: “I am pleased to announce that the State Executive Council has approved a Bill for the Administration of Criminal Justice.

It is my expectation that when passed into law, this legislation will provide a framework for the appropriate recognition of crime victims as important stakeholders in our criminal justice system.

“In addition, I have directed the Ministry of Justice to urgently put in place administrative and policy

Politicians lobby Ajimobi for appointments From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

P

OLITICAL jobbers and their godfathers have continued to lobby Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi for appointments, following last week’s dissolution of the State Executive Council.

Sources told The Nation that the governor; his wife, Florence; All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairman Chief Akin Oke and Chief Michael Koleoso are being visited by politicians jostling for appointments.

Other influential figures, like the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola-Alao; and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, are also receiving politicians.

Arisekola’s home and the Alaafin’s palace have become Meccas of some sort.

It was learnt that Arisekola and Oke had been avoiding their offices because of the lobbyists.

A source at the APC’s office said the list of aspiring appointees had become endless.

framework for the treatment of crime victims.

“Let there be no doubt however about my administration’s resolve to be tough on the perpetrators of crime. Criminals should know that they will be prosecuted and, if convicted, will spend a substantial part of their time in prison. While my administration will continue to provide support to the Nigeria Police and Prisons Service within its limited resources, it is important that the Federal Government urgently considers adequate funding of these agencies.”

Ekiti PDP members disagree on ministerial slot

T

HERE is a disagreement in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State on the nomination of Mr. Yinka Akerele for a ministerial slot.

Sources said the party’s Deputy Chairman, Femi Bamisile, supported Akerele’s nomination but a group loyal to former Governor Ayodele Fayose opposed it.

In a statement yesterday, PDP Publicity Secretary Pastor Kola Oluwawole, who happens to be Fayose’s aide, said the party had not received any letter from President Goodluck Jonathan saying any position was vacant and calling for nominations.

Oluwawole’s rebuttal followed Bamisile’s statement in some national newspapers yesterday that the party had nominated Akerele for a ministerial position.

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From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Bamisile said: “Ekiti remains the only state in the Southwest that has never produced two ministers. It is time the state enjoyed that, since the current Minister of Police Affairs, Navy. Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) is from Ekiti.”

Oluwawole said: “No formal meeting was held to discuss such issue by the State Working Committee (SWC). We dissociate ourselves from such nomination because the party is not aware of any ministerial vacancy for Ekiti, in as much as we still have a serving minister. The Ekiti PDP SWC has not sat in any formal meeting in the last four weeks. Therefore, such purported nomination and publication is in the imagination of the publisher.”

Bamisile yesterday insisted that the party was in support of Akerele’s nomination.

Baraje faction romances Accord

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•The Oba of Lagos, Riliwanu Akiolu (right) and the Aholu Menu Toyi 1, Oba Babatunde Akran of Badagry at the Police College Parade Ground in Ikeja, Lagos, during Nigeria’s 53rd Independence Day celebration ...yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Amosun gives 1,200 pilgrims allowances

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has given a personal donation of 200 Riyadh to each of the 1,200 pilgrims from Ogun in Mecca.

Chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board Dr. Isiaq Yusuf yesterday said the gesture was to ease their burden at the Mina camp, where they are expected to stay for four days after climbing Mount Arafat.

A member of the board,

Alhaji Abidoye Amosun, who spoke for Yusuf, said the state government was concerned about the welfare of pilgrims.

He said: “A special package has been provided personally by Governor Ibikunle Amosun for all pilgrims from Ogun to aid feeding during the four-day stay in Mina camp to complete the Hajj rites.

“You must preserve your strength for the task ahead, which is to ensure you com-

plete all stipulated rites expected of pilgrims for your efforts to be accepted by Allah.”

The climbing of Mount Arafat will hold on October 14.

One of the pilgrims, Mr. Raji Abdul-Raman thanked the governor and hailed the conduct of officials of the board.

Another pilgrim, Alhaja Sikiratu Alawiye, said despite some hitches, they were adequately provided for.

HE Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have begun consultations with the Accord on how to use its platform for the 2015 elections, it was learnt yesterday.

A source said cracks have emerged in the faction, following the objection of governors loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo to any close association with the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM).

The PDM is believed to have links with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who was a key leader of the group under the leadership of the late Maj.-Gen. Sheu Yar’Adua.

Accord was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the Obasanjo administration.

Its Oyo State leader, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, opted

NANS’ protest disrupts Independence celebration in Ibadan

IGERIA’s 53rd Independence Anniversary celebration was disrupted yesterday in some parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D (Southwest), who barricaded major roads and halted activities for over three hours.

The students were protesting the underfunding of universities and the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Over 1,000 students gathered at Agbowo around 9:30am, walking through Mokola Roundabout, Total Garden, Agodi-Gate to Iwo

•Fayemi

•Students urge govt to honour agreement with ASUU From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

road Roundabout.

They sang anti-government songs, accusing the Federal Government of insensitivity and demanded adequate funding for the education sector.

The protest was supervised by divisional police officers from divisions in Ibadan, who were in Hilux vans, to prevent hoodlums from hijacking it.

NANS Southwest Coordinator Monsuru Adeyemo (a.k.a Socrates) said there was urgent need to save the

education sector from total collapse.

Adeyemo said: “Despite Nigeria’s stupendous wealth, public education, from the primary to tertiary level, is bedevilled by lack of adequate facilities for teaching, learning and research. Hostel facilities in the few schools where they still exist are dilapidated and insufficient. That is why over 10 million children are out of school in Nigeria.

“Only this year, about 1.7 million candidates sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)

and due to the available space in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, less than 29 per cent of the candidates will be admitted, thus leaving out over 1.2 million.

“We had to actively join the struggle to force the government to implement the agreements with unions, so that tertiary institutions can be re-opened. If this agreement is fully implemented, it will mean better funding for education and a great relief to overburdened students.

“We want the Federal

Government to honour the agreements signed with staff unions; proper funding of compulsory, free and quality education from primary to the tertiary level; reinstatement of all politicallyvictimised student leaders; rejection of any form of harassment, intimidation or humiliation of Nigerian students by the government, school management and staff; outright rejection of the Suswan Committee; no to police attacks and killing of students; proper payment of SIWESS allowances to all universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, vocational and technical studies.”

By Emmanuel Oladesu Group Political Editor

for the party instead of defecting to the defunct Action Congress (AC), so that he would not incur the wrath of Obasanjo, who was the PDP national leader.

Since its inception, aggrieved PDP chieftains, who lost out at the primaries, have always sought refuge in the Accord, especially in Delta and Oyo states.

Recently, Ladoja told reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, that the Accord’s doors were open to aggrieved PDP chieftains.

The source said members of the Baraje faction were considering the Accord option and were not interested in reconciling with the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur faction. He said the aggrieved governors and their associates were in regular contact with Ladoja.

The source said: “The Baraje group is demanding the removal of Tukur as the PDP chairman. The chairman is a trusted ally of the president. This cannot be possible. They are also saying the president should not re-contest, even though he has the constitutional right to do so.

But, more importantly, they are saying that they should not be investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They know their demands cannot be met.

“The faction has a slim chance.

If they return to the mainstream PDP, things cannot be the same again. I know that some of them, especially the arrowheads, may not opt for the APC. Those loyal to Obasanjo will not follow Atiku to the PDM. I think that is why they are making Accord their Plan B.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

12

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Obey, others thrill fans at Glo show

By Victor Akande

JUJU music legend Evangelist Ebenezer Obey led younger musicians to thrill the audience at this year's Globacom-sponsored 'Evergreen Music Series'.

Talented rapper, Jude Abaga (M.I) and notable saxophonist, Yemi Sax, performed with him.

Obey thrilled the audience with his evergreen songs as Yemi Sax, who was garbed in a white caftan, showcased his dexterity on the saxophone with the "old school" tunes. Also, MI did not disappoint his fans.

Obey, who got a standing ovation, praised the organisers for featuring him as the first Nigerian artiste on the 'Glo Evergreen Series'.

Reason Jim Iyke visited Synagogue

•Police band at the parade held by the Lagos State Government to Commenorate the 53rd National Independence Day at the Police College, Ikeja ... yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

By Victor Akande

AFTER the dramatic encounter of Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), last Sunday, it was rumoured that he was there on efforts at getting a wife.

Findings by The Nation, however, revealed yesterday that Jim merely accompanied a friend, whose mother was ill, to the church.

Jim's friend's mother was said to be on admission at a hospital in Ajao Estate, from where she was taken to the church. But church ministers went for Jim, claiming that his being unmarried yet was beyond the ordinary.

A two-minute video on the church's website shows the actor struggling with several officers of the Pastor TB Joshua-led church, as they fought to keep him still. He sprawls on the floor after falling several times, and shouting incoherent words.

"What do you guys want from me," asked the actor, apparently recovering from the frenzy. "Take it easy, the man of God will like to see you after the service," replied one of the ministers, as they led the actor away from the middle of the congregation, looking bewildered.

Reports say the sick woman's son was also attended to during the church service, but the woman was asked to come back at another date.

NIPR's PR clinic holds today THE Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos State Chapter, will tomorrow hold a public relations clinic with the theme: "Public Relations and Media Partnership."

It will take place at the Hocal Suits, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, at 3 pm.

The Deputy Managing Director of The Sun Newspaper and President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Femi Adesina, will deliver the lecture.

The organisers said the clinic would make public relations practitioners and professionals well-informed about the role of the media in effective public relations practice.

ICT lift for rural schools PHASE3 Telecom, a Nigerian aerial fibre infrastructure company, will provide high-speed broadband connectivity via its Open Access Network to schools in rural parts of Nigeria.

The Chief Executive of Phase3, Stanley Jegede, said the project will allow schools to utilise Information Communication Technology (ICT).

He said: "The e-Learning techniques mostly adopted by most Nigerian schools today are lectures on CD-ROMs that can be uploaded and played when needed. This has limited advantages; but the Phase3 Telecom solves this problem."

H

Hoodlums disrupt RCCG's project

OODLUMS, numbering over 40, have disrupted the building of the ultra-modern auditorium of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Agufoye Village, Ogun State.

Work began on the project, which is near Ogijo in Sagamu Local Government Area of the state, shortly after RCCG’s General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye announced the need for a new auditorium at the church’s convention in August.

The thugs were reportedly sponsored by a traditional leader in Mowe. Besides sending workers away from the site, they have also been

T

By Uyoatta Eshiet

terrorising residents of the village and dispossessing them of their valuables at gun point.

The Agufon family in Agufoye, the original owner of the land, has exonerated itself from the development. Chief Yekini Babatunde Agufon, the Baale of Agufoye and Chief Amos Oshin Agbabo, its head, said the family did not hire anybody to terrorise the church on the land.

"We sold the land to the RCCG in 2002 and 2003. The money was evenly distributed to the two branches of the family - the Otetumo Agbabo and

Soole Agufon. We are surprised that some people, purportedly acting on behalf of the family, are harassing the church's agents in Agunfoye Village on the land which has been surrendered to the authority of the church," Chief Agufon said.

He warned the invaders "not to use our land as a battle-ground to attack the RCCG or its agents for any grouse, whatsoever … Anybody claiming to be a member of the family, that is instigating these land grabbers against the church, is not from us; he is acting illegally."

The family, according to a source, has moved against some of its

members and their agents for dragging its name in the mud.

According to sources within the church, trouble started when a traditional ruler, acting on a fraudulent survey plan, invited land grabbers to claim a portion of the land for which the church paid N215 million on July 29, 2009 with N35 million for survey.

The state government, it was learnt, also allocated the land "without prejudice" to the church for 99 years.

The church expressed shock that the invaders, armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, could disrupt its project and harass innocent residents.

boat operators.

Local divers and other boat operators were said to have rescued nine persons, including an 11-year-old girl, a dried fish hawker.

The Lagos State Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (DPPRO),

Mr Damasus Ozoani, confirmed the incident, saying that only two persons were suspected drowned, while seven were rescued, contrary to claims that nine were dead. Rescue operation by operatives of the Marine Police, he said, was still ongoing.

Two passengers drown in boat mishap

WO passengers lost their lives yesterday when a commercial boat capsized around Apapa in Lagos.

The engine boat, it was gathered, conveyed about 19 passengers from Sagbokoji Village, heading for the Lagoon area of Apapa,

O

VER 350 residents of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, have benefitted from the humanitarian gesture of its Supervisory Councilor for Health, Hon Babatunde Osinbajo.

It was a free health screening and the administration of free drugs to the residents of Wards B and C, which took place at the Ladi-Lak Primary School, Ladi-Lak, Bariga. Doctors and nurses were on ground to handle people's

By Jude Isiguzo

when the accident occurred.

The boat reportedly developed a technical fault as its fear-struck passengers plunged into the river.

Some of them reportedly swam back to the village to alert other

Free screening, drugs for residents

By Uyoatta Eshiet

health issues.

The screening, Osinbajo said, covered malaria, diabetes and hypertension among others, adding: "There are eight wards and we are going round all of them. We started in January with Ward E. From next month, we will go to other wards."

Council chiefs’ day with orphans

Osinbajo said between 75 and 80 per cent of the residents of the area were poor and could not afford the regular cost of treatments at the hospitals, adding that he paid for the larger portion of the bills from his salary as he is the major sponsor of the initiative.

The Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Bariga, Otunba Anifowoshe Dengel, said the

programme was aimed at keeping alive the party's manifesto and in continuation of the people-oriented projects of the Hon Akeem Omoyele Sulaimon-led council.

A beneficiary, Taiwo Samuel, who praised the sponsor, said he was screened for malaria, typhoid, high blood pressure and blood sugar for which he got free adequate drugs.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

M

EMBERS of the Lagos State Association of Councils' V i c e - C h a i r m e n (LASACVIC) yesterday marked the nation's 53rd Independence Anniversary at the House of Gold Children Hospice in Surulere, Lagos.

The group, otherwise known as "The 57 Pillars," presented various gifts including bags of rice, provisions, toiletries and biscuits and took time to share moments with the children.

Officials of the home responded to the visitors' questions concerning the nature of the illness affecting some of the children.

One of them Chichi, a namesake of the Vice Chairman of Ojo Local Government, Hon Chichi FunmiGbadero, was the centre of attraction when she was mentioned. "Chichi, come and see your namesake," some of them told Mrs Funmi-Gbadero.

LASACVIC Chairman, Hon Opeyemi Akindele, said: "We are here to give to show our supports to the children and give them sense of

• The LASACVIC members ... during the presentation

belonging; we believe that God created them for a special purpose because nothing happens to man

without His knowledge."

He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is one with the

PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

welfare of the masses in its manifestoes, adding that the visitation was to fulfill that aspect.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 , 2013

13

14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 , 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.

117TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

S

Kano, School of Midwifery Kano, School of Midwifery Dambatta and School of Health Technology Kano. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation, approved and directed as follows: i. The Head of Civil Service to post/provide Security Personnel from among graduates of the

Corporate Security Training Institute, Gabasawa; ii. Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to provide Drivers among graduates of the State Driving Institute; and iii. Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to provide plumbers from those trained through Youths Empowerment Schemes of the State Government. h. Presentation/Notification on the Excellent Academic Performance of one (1) Among the 501 Kano State Indigenous Students Sponsored for Post Graduate Studies Abroad:The Ministry of Higher Education corresponded with Council, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, on the excellent academic performance of Mannir Aminu Hussain one of the sponsored candidates among the 501 Postgraduate Kano State Indigenous Students studying abroad. Mannir Aminu Hussain's excellent academic performance qualified him to be selected to study for one (1) Semester (August 2013 - February 2014) as an exchange student at Kook - min University in South Korea, under Authorized Academic Cooperation signed between the two (2) Universities. Details were presented to Council for information.

Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation as an attestation of the success achieved by the present administration in the qualitative transformation of the entire education sector in the State. i. Presentation of Report on the Appointment of Engineer Salihi Muhammad Bichi as Technical Adviser Electrical:Office of the Secretary to the State Government presented a submission from the State Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate intimating Government on the vacuum that exists at the Electrical Supervision Unit of the Directorate and recommendation of Engr. Salihi Muhammad Bichi to occupy the post in view of his commendable records of accomplishment and professional competence. Council approved the request. j. Presentation of Progress Report on Kwankwasiyya (Free) Medical Outreach Program:The contents of this memorandum tacitly reminded Council of its approval granted for the establishment of the Kwankwasiyya (free) Medical Outreach Program aimed at reaching out to inaccessible villages and settlements in the 44 LGCAs across the State.

The Senior Special Assistant Kwankwasiyya (free) Medical Outreach Program submitted progress report on the program for consideration by Council. A ten (10) item summary of the report was presented to Council for consideration major highlights of which include the following: o 1,432 villages/settlements were reached across the 44 LGCAs in the State in six (6) months (April - September 2013). o Kano Central Prison, Aminu Kano College of Islamic Legal Studies, Wudil Prison and Shahuci Rehabilitation Centre have been put on schedule. o To date 132,221 Patients have been consulted across the State among which 549 were referred to various Secondary Health Facilities for further treatment/care. o 90% service delivery was achieved excepting only Public Holidays. o The program is wholeheartedly accepted by the rural populace as indicated in the requests and messages of commendation received from Community Leaders. o The program has successfully established a functional Website through which its activities could be viewed online at www.kwankwasiyyamoclinic.com. o The program has significantly reduced the disease burden and pressure on available local health facilities. o The free - drug incentives of the program is encouraging Local Cooperation and Level of acceptance of the Polio Vaccination and other Routine Immunization programs among the Communities. o The enlightenment component of the program is yielding dividends in mobilizing marginal Communities to attend Centers of modern healthcare delivery. o The program has succeeded in providing free medical services to the doorsteps of thousands of medically disenfranchised people who could neither afford transportation fare to the nearest health care facility nor afford payment for the minimum health bill.

Nevertheless, the report also presented highlights of the challenges faced in the execution of activities of the Kwankwasiyya (free) Medical Outreach Program. Major among the challenges is the fact that the current arrangement of five (5) LGCAs to be covered by one (1) vehicle/ambulance proves stressful due to the ever-increasing demands for the services of the program.

Notably, a three (3) month (April - June, 2013) financial report was presented to Council for consideration along with the notification on the need to provide additional number of vehicles/ambulances to improve the ratio of vehicle(s) per LGCAs for more effective implementation of the program. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation. k. Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Balance of the Registration Fee to Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) for 155 Lafiya Jari (North - West Batch) Beneficiaries:The need to register all youths participating in Lafia Jari program necessitated the submission of this memorandum. The contents of the memorandum requested the release of the requested sum of N2, 712,500.00 to enable the payment of the balance for the registration fees of 155 Lafiya Jari beneficiaries to operate Patent Medicine Stores in rural areas. Council approved the request. l. Request for Funds to Enable the Procurement and Allocation of Learning Materials (Laptops and Modems) to Fifteen (15) 1st Batch Kano State Indigenous Candidates Sponsored for NAPTIN Program (Graduate Skill Development Program 1st Edition):Office of the Secretary to the State Government presented a request submitted for consideration by Council from the fifteen (15) 1st batch Kano State Indigenous Candidates sponsored for NAPTIN Program (i.e. Graduate Skill Development Program) 1st edition. The candidates requested Council to approve release of funds to enable the provision of Laptops and modems to them in fulfilment of standard requirements of the training they are undergoing. The financial commitment is to the tune of N2, 062,500.00, which was requested for release by Council. Council approved the release of the requested sum for the stated expenditure. m. Request for Funds to Enable Eighteen (18) Kano State Indigenous Students Sit for the Mandatory Examination for Students Admitted at Batterjee Medical College Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:The contents of this memorandum alerted Council of a communication received from Al - Wadi Consult International Limited engaged by the State Government to secure admission for qualified Kano State Indigenous Candidates. The correspondence intimated Council of the mandatory SAT - 2 examination to be written by the 18 Kano State Indigenous Students that gained admission at Batterjee Medical College Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Details on the financial commitments comprising eight (8) items totalling to the aggregate sum of N1, 027,000.00 that was requested for release were presented to Council for consideration.

Council approved the release of the requested sum of N1, 027,000.00 to enable the 18 Kano State Indigenous Students sit for the stated mandatory examination. n. Presentation of Report on the Donation of Foreign Monograph Worth N3,000,000.00 to the Northwest University, Kano:Council was notified of a correspondence received from the State Ministry of Higher Education that a company named Amana Firm Library and Information Consultancy has donated reference materials worth N3, 000,000.00 to the Northwest University, Kano comprising 235 foreign monographs. The presentation was acknowledged with appreciation.

o. Request for Funds to Enable Hosting of 2013 International Literacy Day (ILD) Celebration in September, 2013:The request presented above was earlier submitted to Council for consideration from the State Agency for Mass Education through the Ministry of Education. Council deliberated on it and directed the Secretary to the State Government to reassess the request and resubmit for consideration. The directive was carried out to the latter after which the Secretary to the State Government endorsed and submitted the following two (2) prayers for consideration by Council. i. That the sum of N6, 682,000.00 be approved for release to cater for the six (6)

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso

items required for the hosting of the 2013 ILD Celebration in Kano State in September 2013. ii. That the Protocol Directorate be directed to handle arrangement for the venue and staging of a befitting Gala Night for the occasion.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the trimmed down sum of N4, 000,000.00 to the State Agency for Mass Education to enable the hosting of the 2013 International Literacy Day (ILD) in October 2013. q) Presentation of Request for Funds to enable the Replacement of One Hundred and Fifty Six (156) Kano State Indigenous Students Sponsored for the 2012 - 2013 Academic Session with 156 Others for the 2013 - 2014 Session:The contents of this memorandum submitted the request for the replacement of 156 students sponsored to Ukraine last year who were not able to attend the courses and were transferred to other overseas universities. The Government had paid the sum of $1,340,893.53 as tuition and accommodation fees along with other charges for the 2012 - 2013 academic session. Unfortunately, their admission lapsed due to reasons connected to non-issuance of visa by the Ukraine Embassy.

As such, Government was advised to send replacement in subsequent academic sessions while the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine was alerted. A list of 156 Students selected from the second batch of 502 Indigenous Students to be sponsored under the program was presented to Council for consideration and approval for the replacement.

In any case, some logistics and extra charges in respect of each student as forwarded to facilitate the replacement was also presented to Council for consideration as totalling to the aggregate sum of N24,832,860.00, which was requested for release.

Congruence and relevance of the request to the laudable education transformation policy of the present administration prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N24, 862,860.00 to enable the replacement of the 156 Students as stated. p. Presentation of Update on Available Options for the Implementation of the State Independent Electric Power Projects:Kano State has shown tremendous growth with a booming economy, rapid urbanization and development leading to increased demand for electricity. Electricity generation and supply are the preconditions for social and economic development of any nation. Unfortunately, the Federal Government has failed to satisfy the electricity needs of the nation. Currently consumers are not provided with adequate and uninterrupted electricity supply due to the inadequate generation capacity and poor management of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). This explains the fact that electricity supply has been the major challenge facing the State in particular and the nation in general. This administration understands that availability of electricity remains crucial for the execution and sustenance of the development programs of the Government. The decision to look inward to generate electricity for its own developmental needs is based on this purpose.

This brings us to the contents of this memorandum, which was an update on the need for the construction of an Independent Power Generation in the State. The proposition recommended the construction of Tiga and Challawa Hydroelectricity Projects for the State at the sum of N14, 228,852,600.00. The two dams are expected to generate 35MW, viz: a) Tiga Dam - 10MW at the sum of N4, 228,825,600.00 b) Challawa Dam -25MW at the sum of N10, 000,000,000.00 The Council approve the release of the sum of N14, 228,852,600.00 for the Tiga and Challawa Hydroelectricity Projects to be sourced by both the State and 44 LGCs in Kano. Thus, with this investment, Government has taken a giant stride towards generation of independent electricity for the State.

2. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR/HONORABLE COMMISSIONER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Four (4) of the six (6) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from this Office were approved for execution as follows: a. Request for Funds to Facilitate the Marriage of 1111 Zawarawa (Fourth Stage) to be Conducted by the Kano State Hisbah Board:The contents of this memorandum recalled the successful conduct of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Phases of Zawarawa/spinsters marriage. Since the beginning of this program, the State has been receiving commendations from near and far for shouldering the program. The 4th Phase is for the marriage of 143 Zawarawa/Spinsters, out of which 60 of them are Christian couples of various ethnic backgrounds residing in Kano State. The 44 Local Government Councils will each finance the marriage of 22 couples making a total of 968. The couples will be provided with furniture, petty cash to support future business undertaking, foodstuff, etc.

Council approved the release of the aggregate sum of N278, 270,000.00 to facilitate the marriage of 1111 Zawarawa across the 44 LGCAs in Kano State, Christians inclusive. b. Presentation of the Outcome of 2nd Pre - Hajj Meeting, Disbursement of Approved Funds for 2012 Secured Accommodation and Subsidy for the Three (3) Accommodations in Mecca for Kano State Intending Pilgrims for 2013 (1434 AH):Office of the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Governments presented the issue mentioned above on behalf of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board for consideration by Council.

Essentially, outcome of what transpired in handling the responsibilities related to revised accommodation arrangements for 2013 intending Pilgrims, the disbursement of 2013 accommodation subsidy rates to three (3) accommodation providers and payment of outstanding 2012 excess accommodation provided to Pilgrims in 2012 were presented in details for consideration by Council. In summary: i. Accommodation has been secured for 5,573 intending Pilgrims for the year 2013. ii. N52, 538,026.00 has been disbursed as subsidy to three (3) accommodation providers realizing an excess of N168, 235.00, which has been returned to Government treasury. iii. N10, 904,250.00 has been disbursed as subsidy for accommodation for 2012.

Further, Council was notified of the outcome of the meeting between Officials of the Pilgrims Welfare Board and the Nigerian Consul in Saudi Arabia. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation. c. Presentation of report on the Activities of the United Kingdom Aid Program (DFID) on Growth Empowerment Scheme in Kano State:The contents of this memorandum informed Council of the visit by a team of the United Kingdom Aid Program on Growth Empowerment in States (GEMS), which is funded by DFID. Date of the visit was

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 , 2013 Wednesday 11th September 2013 during which the leader of the team declared that the program is designed to improve business environment in Nigeria leading to lasting improvements in economic opportunities for the poor.

Highlights of the achievements recorded from the activities of GEMS were presented to Council for consideration as to include the following: i. Improvement of collection system leading to increased internally generated revenue; ii. Submission of proposed harmonized Tax Law, which was forwarded to the State Ministry of Justice for study and adoption; iii. Capacity building of Local Government Staff and deployment of improved collection system; iv. Sensitization of the Private Sector, formation of PPDs and signing of tax for service; and v. Establishment of Working Committees and conduct of field visits to pilot Local Government Areas in the State.

Notably, the team identified seven (7) main constraints to growth and empowerment/employment in Kano State to include the following among others: o Cumbersome nature of the land system; o That, only 100,000 parcels of land have Statutory Titles; o That less than 2% of land in the State are covered by certificate of occupancy (C of O), etc. o Low internally generated revenue; o Duplication of taxes; o Lack of effective/efficient tax collection system; and o Leakages in revenue collected, etc.

Encouragingly, the team prayed for continued cooperation in partnering with the Kano State Government (MDAs and LGCAs) while the Office of the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Governments pledged to keep Council posted on any development in relation to the organization.

Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation. d. Presentation of Report on Accelerating Progress in the Attainment of Education for All in Nigeria:The contents of this memorandum informed Council of a meeting held on 9th September, 2013 by the Global Education First Initiative comprising the Federal Ministries of Education and Finance, States Ministry of Education, OSSAP - MDG, Donor Development Partners and representatives of the Private Sector on Accelerating Progress in the Attainment of Education for all in Nigeria.

Major resolutions at the meeting were presented to Council for consideration as to include: i. Need to establish and professionalize the Education Management Information Units in the State Ministry of Education with a view to ensuring regular updating of information on the Sector; ii. Need to complete and implement School mapping for accurate identification of Location of Schools; iii. Need to produce and update State Education Sector Plans for regular reviews to enhance successful policy implementation; iv. Need to develop capacity of Staff involved in the administration of Education especially at Local Government level; and v. Need to implement framework for National Systems in Basic Education aimed at; o Supporting the role of active School Based Management Committees (SBMC); o Guidance and Counselling; o Monitoring of learning achievements; o Teacher Development Needs Assessment; and o Quality Assurance.

Nevertheless, States are at liberty to adopt plans suitable to their Local conditions in addressing specific challenges of out of school children as obtains in Northern Part of the Country.

The contents of this memorandum notified Council that most of the measures recommended for implementation at the meeting are already on the ground in Kano State and being earnestly implemented.

Viz: i. Launching of access campaign to encourage enrolment into Schools at State, Local Governments and Community levels; ii. Introduction of free feeding programs in schools and at encouraging poor parents to send their children to school; iii. Provision of two (2) sets of school uniforms to new intakes; iv. Scaling - up conditional cash transfer to support parents in School enrolment; v. Construction/establishment of additional number of Schools and updating/renovating existing ones to increase intake capacity based on the Education Sector plan; vi. Upgrading existing schools to Child - friendly, internationally accepted standards; vii. Provision of teaching and learning support materials; viii. Provision of Technical/Vocational Education as well as training/entrepreneurship on various trades; and ix. Improvement in partnership with the private sector and the Community to enhance their support for the Education Sector.

The presentation was acknowledged with appreciation by Council, which realized that Kano State has set the pace for others to follow.

2. MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, CO - OPERATIVES AND TOURISM Re: Presentation of Report on the Approved Sum of Money Released for the Training of 1000 GSM Sellers and Technicians Selected from the 44 LGCAs:The Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co - operatives and Tourism respectfully notified Council that, an approval for release of the sum of N22, 500,000.00 to his Ministry was granted to enable the conduct of the training cited above.

Unfortunately, the Consultant disagreed with the sum of N2, 500,000.00 payable to him for the exercise. Another equally competent Consultant had to be found who agreed to conduct the training at the approved sum of N2, 500,000.00.

Council acknowledged the re - presentation of the case for consideration and granted approval for change of Consultant in conducting the stated training at the aggregate cost of N22, 500,000.00. Thus: i. Post Training Package for 1000 Participants at N20, 000.00 each =N20, 000,000.00. ii. Consultancy fee = N2, 500,000.00.

Total N22, 500,000.00 3. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT Of the three (3) memoranda submitted from this Ministry for deliberation by Council, two (2) were approved for execution as follows: a. Request for Funds to Enable the Payment to the Consulting Firm Commissioned to Evaluate, Assess and Carryout Sales of Government Properties (GPs):The Consulting Firm Commissioned for the purpose stated above communicated a request for the release of the agreed 12.5% of the total sum realized from the sales of GPs, which have reached advanced stages. The contents of this memorandum presented to Council that the total sum of N2, 024,140,995.99 has been realized from the sales of the houses so far. As such, the Consulting Firm is entitled to N253, 017,624.50 being 12.5% of the accrued total sales.

Council noted, considered and approved release of the sum of N253, 017,624.50 to the Consulting Firm in accordance with due process. b. Request for Funds to Enable the Construction of Double Cell Culvert (3.5M by 3.0M) along Western By - Pass in Kumbotso LGCA:The Honorable Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport notified the attentive Council of having received a complaint from the Honorable Member State House of Assembly representing Kumbotso Constituency over a failed river crossing linking parts of the area.

The Ministry responded by sending a team of Engineers to assess the situation. The assignment was executed with dispatch during which the structure was adjudged to be unserviceable and therefore, recommended for replacement with standard double cell box culvert (3.5M x 3.0M), embankment protection and river trailing at the outlet to prevent further erosion on the surrounding farmlands caused by the river meandering into them. The scope of works required was provisionally estimated to cost the sum of N14, 249,467.99, which was requested for release to enable execution of the project.

Council noted, considered and approved release of the requested sum of N14, 249,467.99 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the execution of the stated project in respect of its significance to the Community in the area.

4. MINISTRY OF HEALTH Presentation of Request for Funds to Enable the Implementation of Integrated Measles Immunization Campaign in October 2013:The contents of this memorandum notified Council that measles is among the serious contagious diseases known and remains a leading cause of death among Children. The disease is also associated with many unwholesome complications such as blindness, hearing problems, brain damage, pneumonia, etc.

Pathetically, Kano State has recorded over 4,000 cases of measles this year (2013) with over 200 deaths across the 44 LGCAs. It was established that over 80% of the Children infected with the diseases never received measles immunization despite the fact that studies have shown that Immunization permanently protects at least 80% of those that received it.

Cognizant to this, the Federal Ministry of Health with its partners have planned to conduct an Integrated Measles Immunization Campaign (IMC) for all States in Nigeria from 5th - 9th October 2013. During the exercise, more than two million children in the State aged 9 - 59 months will be immunized with

15 measles vaccine. The campaign will also serve as an opportunity to administer Polio Vaccine to Children aged 0 - 59 months old.

Like in previous campaigns, all the three (3) tiers of Government at Federal, State and Local Levels have responsibilities towards successful conduct of the campaign. As such, the Kano State Ministry of Health budgeted N7, 145,000.00 and requested for its release by Council to cater for training/orientation, co-ordination, social mobilization, logistics, supervision and monitoring during conduct of the exercise.

Details were presented to Council for consideration.

The project was considered relevant and vitally required as Council approved the release of the requested sum of N7, 145,000.00 to the Ministry of Health to enable the execution of the stated Immunization Campaign.

5. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, INTERNAL AFFAIRS, YOUTHS, SPORTS AND CULTURE Both memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from this Ministry were approved for execution.

Thus: a. Request for Funds to Facilitate the Preparation/Participation of Kano Pillars Basketball Team at FIB African Zone III Continental Qualifiers in Monrovia, Liberia (7th - 15th October, 2013):This request was presented earlier to Council for the release of the sum of N21, 058,150.00 during its sitting of 18th September 2013 at which Council deliberated and set up a Committee to appraise the request.

After the appraisal, the Committee submitted a trimmed down sum of N16, 181,900.00 for consideration

by Council for the stated purpose.

Council upheld and approved the release of the trimmed down sum of N16,181,900.00 to the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture to enable preparation/participation of the Kano Pillars Basketball Team at FIB African Zone III Continental Qualifiers in Monrovia, Liberia (7th 15th October, 2013). b. Request for Funds to Enable Participation of the Kano State Handball Team in the 35th African Club Championship (2nd - 13th October, 2013):Again, Council approved the release of the trimmed down sum of N22,091,880.00 against the earlier requested sum of N25,132,290.00 for the purpose stated above submitted by the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture.

6. MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION Request for Funds to Enable Payment of 2013/2014 Academic Session Tuition and Other Fees in Respect of Kano State Indigenous Students Sponsored for Studies at Crescent International and Bells Universities in Ogun State:Congruence of the request cited above to the laudable policy of the present administration in Kano State to transform Education in the State prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N160, 670,000.00 to the Ministry of Higher Education to enable the execution of the purposes mentioned above. Thus: i. N100, 100,000.00 - Tuition Fees, feeding/other upkeep in respect of 91 Students at Bells University. ii. N58, 230,000.00 - Tuition Fees in respect of 78 Students. iii. N2, 340,000.00 - Three (3) months pocket money (October - December 2013) in respect of 78 Students.

Total N160, 670,000.00 UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 117TH EXCO SITTING 1. PASSING OUT PARADE OF 386 GRADUATES FROM THE CORPORATE SECURITY INSTITUTE GABASAWA Council acknowledged the passing out parade of 386 graduates from the Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa, which was witnessed by Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara State as Special Guest of Honor. The Guest of Honor was so impressed that he promised to send his State indigenous youths for training in the Institute. Accordingly, Council directed the enrollment of 400 indigenous women into the Institute who would serve at various Girls Secondary Schools and any other Women Institutions in the State.

2. REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL MEETING Council acknowledged the outcomes of the National Economic Council Meeting where discussions and propositions were made on the following: - 1% deduction from the States' monthly allocation for the Police, which will start from the month of October 2013.

- N75billion funding of Malaria Program across the Nation, which will be shouldered by the Federal and State Governments on 50% FG and 50% States.

- N15billion for the funding of Joint Operation of JTF at the Niger Delta Region to be funded by the Federal and State Governments.

Accordingly, Council deliberated and endorsed that such issues should be referred to the Nigeria Governors' Forum before implementation in the interest of democracy.

3. OFFICIAL WORKING VISIT TO THE STATE BY THE SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF ZINDER STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, REPUBLIC OF NIGER Council acknowledged with appreciation the official working visit to the State by the Speaker and his entourage of Zinder State House of Assembly where they met with the Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE and Members of the Kano State House of Assembly. Discussions were held on economic and social cooperation. In addition, the visitors visited the Northwest University, the flyovers under construction, Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo Cities under construction. Accordingly, Council approved the construction of a Kwankwasiyya Block of Classroom in Damagaran Primary School.

4. STATE GOVERNMENT MEETING WITH PRIVATE INVESTORS ON WASTE MANAGEMENT/DISPOSAL Council acknowledged the recent meeting with private Waste Management Companies in the State on how to support Government to overcome refuse disposal, which will sanitize and beautify the metropolis.

5. STATE REPRESENTATION ON THE 20TH MEETING OF PERMANENT SECRETARIES AT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS HELD AT THE STATE BANQUET HALL ILORIN, KWARA STATE Council acknowledged the report of the State delegation led by the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Works, Housing & Transport to the National Council on Works meeting where key issues with direct relevance to the State were presented. Similarly, the National Council meeting further set up a Special Committee to deliberate and advise the Council on ways of enhancing Engineers salary nationwide and minimum entry point into the Civil Service at both Federal and State levels. Members of the Committee include the Hon. Commissioners of Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Delta States and representative from FERMA. 6. ZONAL HEARING ON THE REVIEW OF REVENUE ALLOCATION FORMULA ORGANIZED

BY THE REVENUE MOBILIZATION, ALLOCATION AND FISCAL COMMISSION (RMAFC) IN KADUNA Council noted the report from the State delegation where the State Deputy Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje advocated for the creation of a Ministry of Northern Affairs to tackle societal problems created by insecurity. Accordingly, Council called for the return of the onshore-offshore dichotomy such that the oil producing States would get 13% derivation only from oil produced onshore where at present, the 13% derivation covers oil produced both onshore and offshore.

Similarly, Council further added that the contribution of the North is very great throughout the political and economic history of the nation in the production of agricultural produce (grains), animal meat, tomatoes and other vegetables. Council believed that the States in the Niger Delta are more favored than other sections of the nation through the following initiatives: 13% derivation, NDDC, Amnesty Program, increased budgetary allocations to the Niger Delta under the present administration and creation of a whole Federal Ministry of Niger Delta. The North deserves such a Ministry and other incentives for its contribution in the spirit of democracy.

7. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS Council noted with delight the Awards presented to Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE as follows: 1. Platinum Award presented to the Government by the National Council on Disaster, Safety and Security Management.

2. Golden Award from the National Examinations Council to the Governor on Good Performance/ Non-Examination Malpractice displayed by Students during this year's Examination in the State.

3. Award to the Governor by the Government Technical College Wudil Old Boys Association for the creation of additional Crafts School from 6 to 50 in the State and the relocation of the School to Tiga.

4. Fellowship Award to the Governor by the Horticultural Society of Nigeria for the establishment of the Horticulture Institute in the State. Accordingly, Council encouraged citizens to engage in horticulture business, which will reduce desertification and beautify their houses.

5. Award of Excellence was also presented to the Governor by the Kano State Students Association ABU Zaria branch for his support to educational activities.

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

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 , 2013

HEALTH

HEALTH

Okorocha to partner WHO

Shettima spends N15m on feeding

Imo

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Borno

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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CALL

Kwankwaso challenges leaders on development Lagos

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Firm fights crime with tricycles, motorcycles

T was a case of killing two birds with a stone. Provide youths with a means of livelihood and you would have helped to check crime.

That was exactly what a firm, SaveQuick Co-operative Investment, did when it distributed 10 motorcycles and the same number of tricycles to 20 youths in Onitsha, the commercial capital of Anambra State.

The President of the investment firm, Mr. Okonkwo Gilead, said they were excited about the manner in which the youth are forsaking crime and choosing to earn their keep rather than roam the streets in search of white col-

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

lar jobs.

He said: ”This day, we are all gathered to celebrate our success in our first month of live transaction of our E-thrift Technology, a journey that started over five years ago. We are here to celebrate and inform the BoT members, interested partners and prospective investors that we have live records and the acceptability of our product in the market where we operate. We are here to reaffirm our vision, mission and goal.”

Okonkwo commended Mr. Peter

Peter Obi was commended for not only fighting criminality to a standstill in the state but also restoring the dignity of his people by providing the enabling environment for investors, thus offering employment to youths

Obi who he said has not only fought criminality to a standstill in the state but also restored the dignity of his people by providing the enabling environment for investors,

thus offering employment to youths.

He said his office has introduced E-saving, E-payment, Mobile User, Online investment and

trading among others, Mr. Gilead who is the inventor of the group revealed that the beneficiaries of the moveable assets were picked from their co-operative societies.

It would be recalled that SaveQuick Co-Operative Investment, on its arrival in Onitsha one year back, has gone into grassroots campaigning for people to come and have their co-operative societies registered with them as an avenue for assisting people who need help.

Today, he said, there are good testimonies that the group has delivered.

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HREE prominent women in the Southwest are leading the advocacy for a new deal for women. They are Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; the wife of Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, and Osun State Deputy Governor Otunba Titi LaoyeTomori.

Mrs Orelope-Adefulire pushed for the inclusion of more women in politics and also called on every government tier to increase investment in women.

The deputy governor said investment in women not only makes more economic sense, but has more impact as it accelerates the nation’s march to economic transformation.

She spoke at the just concluded second National Women’s Summit organised by the Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association (OYSOWA), which held at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

She said that having more women in politics “is not only important, but also a strategic way of empowering women because it has broader benefits and impact.”

She said Nigeria has no excuse to lag behind in giving more political exposure to the women, adding that the world has realised that paying attention to gender balancing and equality is a sure way to promote change and development as well as helping to attain cohesion and stability in the society.

She declared: “Nigerian women have the intellect and the potential to make the nation great. They have demonstrated this through the vital contributions they have made at some point in our history as pioneers of change and development.”

The deputy governor who bemoaned the poor status of women, said the empowerment of more women through participation in decision-making at high levels in the country would fast-track the nation’s aspiration to join the world’s top economies.

Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire, a

•From left: Mrs Florence Ajimobi, Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori and Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire at the event

‘Women deserve more’

By Paul Oluwakoya

former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), was the keynote speaker at the summit whose theme was “Women as Agent of Change.”

She argued further that participatory governance with more women would enhance the attainment of gender equality and pro-poor strategy, maintaining that as such, “Nigeria can edge higher among other developing nations with meaningful investment in women, as such investment as smart economics. Indeed, investment in girls is even smarter economics.”

Orelope got the nod of the wife of

Orelope-Adefulire, Ajimobi’s wife seek new gender order

Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi and Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Grace Tomori.

There were other high-profile women and government officials at the forum.

On her part, the chief host Mrs. Ajimobi, urged participants at the forum to support women in positions of authority in order to enable them succeed and effectively exhibit the leadership potential and capabilities of the female gender.

She said: “Many of our men folk,

despite the global strides of women in the political arena, have refused to bury the misconceived perception of the second fiddle place of women in the scheme of things. They still see women from the prism of a disposable commodity or an item that is good only in the kitchen.

“Today, there are still societies which see a woman as subservient to a man, in mental and biological capacity. This is why, in spite of glaring monumental achieve-

ments of women across the globe and the phenomenal rise of the role that women play in the world, many are still gender insensitive and perceive women as being mentally inferior and their roles largely unappreciated.”

Speaker after speaker commended Mrs. Ajimobi and members of OYSOWA for seeking to effect a positive change in the physical, emotional, social and economic well-being of families and communities in the state, through giving more support and empowerment to women.

“It is my firm belief that an equal participation of our men and women in the development of our nation will certainly help in bring about the desired change in our society, strengthen our economy, and make Nigeria a country to be proud of,” said Mrs. Rose Oyedele, one of the resource persons at the forum.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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Sokoto to demolish illegal structures

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HE Sokoto State government is to embark on the demolition of illegal structures in Sokoto City and it environs.

The Chairman of the State Committee on Sanitation, Removal of Illegal Structures and Beautification of Sokoto City, Squadron Leader Aminu Bala (rtd), stated this in an interview with journalists in Sokoto.

He said that some illegal structures that were demolished by government about two months ago, had resurfaced.

Bala listed areas to be affected by the exercise as Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano road, Sultan Abubakar road, Abuja road, and the western bye-pass.

“The Sokoto State Government is therefore set to commence the demolition exercise in Sokoto City and its environs, from Sept. 30, and no illegal structure will be spared.

“The aim of the massive exercise is to ensure that buildings are erected with the permission of all the regulatory agencies of the govern-

ment.

“This is also to ensure that we restore all structures to be in tune with the original master plan of the city. “ We have given the owners of the affected structures several notices and they had repeatedly ignored such notices. “ What remains now is for us to swing into action and pull down these structures, both commercial and residential,” he said.

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Women advised on nation-building

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HE General Overseer and International Co-ordinator of Christian Pentecostal Mission International (CPM) Rev. Obiora Ezekiel has urged women to be careful and prayerful for the survival of the family and the nation.

Ezekiel spoke at this year’s Women of Vision International Conference which held at the church’s headquarters in Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos.

The theme of the conference was “God of Wonders.”

He said the annual event aims at empowering women with the word of God and to remind them of their role in nation-building.

Highlights of the programme which lasted one week were song ministration, match past by all state delegates, outreach performance, banking and choreography, computer training programme, entrepreneurship classes, basic health education, quiz and award presentation.

Rev. Ezekiel advised the women to be committed to issues that will engender peace to the country. He said: “Just as Esther used her position to save God’s children, women should be reminded that God is waiting for them at this end-time.”

Declaring the conference open, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola thanked the co-ordinators for giving her the opportunity to appreciate women for being helping hands to their husbands; especially praying for Governor Babatunde Fashola. She eulogised the CPM family for organising a programme under which women would gather and discuss nation- building. She called on them to be confident and abide by the words of God, just as she told them to discover their roles both at home and the society.

Contributing, the wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor Fola Adeboye admonished women not to lose focus of the wonderful things happening around them. She said if women would submit themselves to the will of the Almighty, God would do wonders through them. She added: “As God has endowed women with knowledge; they should give helping hands to others.”

Recalling the current situation globally, she advised women that “it is not time for dancing, singing or celebration but time for women to take their rightful position by mentoring children as models and helping our youths to suc-

Borno spends N15m on free hospital feeding T

He appealed to the residents of the city to support and cooperate with the committee, to ensure the success of the exercise.

On the issue of sanitation, Bala said a mobile court, headed by a Magistrate, had been re-introduced to prosecute all offenders summarily.

He said the court began operations on September 28, having been moribund for about 12 years.

HE Borno State government said that it planned to allocate N15 million for free feeding of patients in government hospitals in the state.

Governor Kashim Shettima stated this while inspecting samples of meals served to patients at the Umaru Shehu Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.

Shettima said that the objective of the gesture was to ensure that all patients receiving treatment at government hospitals were captured in the scheme.

He said that the scheme was introduced

Ogun to review policy on orphanages

HE Ogun State government has said that it would soon review its policy on the establishment and operation of orphanages in the state The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Elizabeth Sonubi, stated this in Abeokuta at a meeting with operators and proprietors of orphanages in the state.

ceed in life.”

She also advised men to support their wives and encourage them whenever they present issues for which they have passion. She argued that men’s notion that if a woman is financially independent, she would become disrespectful. She described such thinking as ungodly and unprogressive.

Also contributing, Mrs. Adeboye said: “In this end-time, God is going to use women to deliver His people just like in the days of Esther in the Bible.”

She added that women should appreciate God because He created mankind in His own image and likeness.

Adeboye called on women to be loyal to their husbands, even as she condemned extra marital affairs among them. She urged them to support their husbands in order to succeed in their chosen endeavours.

Agency partners NYSC on HIV/AIDS

Somubi said the recent passage of the amended Child Rights’ Bill in the state and some undesirable developments in some of the orphanages, had made the review necessary.

“The state government is planning to review the operational policy for the establishment and smooth day-to-day running of orphanages and motherless babies’ homes in the state.

“The review of the existing policy guiding the operations of orphanages and children homes, will address recent anomalies in some of the homes,” she said.

She stressed that the government had already intensified its monitoring activities to check the excesses of some operators across the 20 local government areas of the state.

“It is pertinent to deliver first class services to the vulnerable children in tune with best international practices,” she warned.

In her remarks, Rev. Sister Reindlis Lajar of the Anthonietta Farani Children’s Home, Ijebu Ode, praised the ministry for convening the meeting.

She noted that the meeting had created an avenue for the proprietors to learn and exchange ideas for improved services.

Lajar urged the operators to show love and care to the vulnerable children, adding, “ make the fear of God and sincerity of purpose, your watchword.”

Hajj: Niger completes airlift pilgrims

•From left: Alhaji Ganuyi Bello, Alhaji Abdulazeez Afolabi, Mr Kunle Tunde Adeshina and Alhaji Mohammed Baguda Shaffi at a seminer in Lagos.

Northern governors seek end to attacks

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HE Northern States Governors’ Forum has urged security agencies to “take urgent steps to halt the senseless killing of defenceless citizens”.

Speaking through its Chairman, Gov Babangida Aliyu, the forum, in a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Danladi Ndayebo, also called for an end to “attacks on places of worship and educational facilities”.

The forum was reacting to the murder on Saturday, of 38 students of the College of Agriculture, Gujba, Yobe State, and the killing of 15 persons in Zangang, a community in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“The forum is particularly alarmed that the shooting to death of 38 students of the College of Education; Gujba, Yobe State followed the same pattern as the killing of 22 students and a teacher at Government Secondary School, Mamudo in the same state last July,” it said.

THE Nasarawa State HIV and AIDS Control Agency (NASACA) ,is collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to intensify campaign in schools on the control of HIV and AIDS. Dr Umar Zachary, the Executive Director of NASACA, made this known on Monday in Lfia, at a one-day public lecture on HIV and AIDS. He said that the fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS was “a struggle that must be carried out to its logical conclusion’’ Zachary advised people to take precautionary measures and go for screening to know their HIV status.

Zachary said that the event was organised by NYSC HIV/AIDS Fighters Club, to create awareness among students on the need to prevent the spread of HIV virus.

In his remarks, Mr Omeri David, President of the NYSC HIV/AIDS Fighters Club, advised those who tested positive, to go for medication and live a normal life.

•From left: Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere; Mrs Tata Ekechi and her husband, Chairman, Marketing+Media Limited, Dr Theodore Ekechi during the conferment of traditional title on the Ekechis at Ngor Okpala, Imo State.

F

• From left: Pastor Adeboye, Rev Ezekiel, his wife, Mercy and Mrs Fashola at the event.

Honour for council chief

OR giving his people dividends of democracy since he assumed office, Chairman of Mainland Local Government Area in Lagos, Hon. Oladele Adekaye (LADO), has been given a Continental Good Governance and Peace award.

Hon. Adekanye is receiving this award courtesy of Nigeria (Pro) Wrestling Federation, NWF, headed by Prince Hammed Olanrewaju Mohammed, that planned to honour 22 other local government chairmen in Lagos with similar awards during the final ceremony of the 3rd edition of BRF Wrestlemania scheduled for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos in November this year.

Speaking when the national executives of the NWF were at the secretariat of Mainland Local Government to inform the chairman of his nomination for the award,

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By Innocent Amomoh

Prince Mohammed said the award is given out after the federation considered the report of an independent assessor that went round all local governments to assess human-face projects executed by these council bosses one of whom was Hon. Adekanye, who Prince Mohammed said has done a lot to put smiles on the faces of his people.

While receiving the delegation of the professional wrestlers on behalf of the chairman, his deputy, Mrs. Omolola Essien, thanked the federation for deeming it fit to consider the council for the award. He added that the dividends of democracy were made possible by the visionary leadership potentials exhibited

by Hon. Adekanye and the team of loyal and dedicated members of staff in Mainland local government.

Niger

While commiserating with the families of the victims, the forum prayed God to grant eternal rest to the deceased, as well as quick recovery to those who sustained injuries.

It called on security agencies to intensify efforts at protecting the lives and property of citizens, and also ensure that those behind the violence in the region, were apprehended and brought to justice.

THE Niger Pilgrims’ Welfare Commission said it has completed the transportation of the state’s 3,265 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.

The commission’s spokesman, Alhaji Sani Awwal, told journalists in Minna that the last batch of pilgrims from Rafi, Suleja and Bida local government areas and officials left for Jeddah on Sunday. “ The last batch consisting of the Amirul Hajj and Deputy Governor Ahmed Ibeto and his team, the commission’s management and some workers as well as some pilgrims departed at about 12.30 a.m. on Sunday.

last month with a N5 million grant to provide succour to less privileged patients in hospitals.

“The state government decided to introduce the feeding system for the first time in 20 years as a pilot scheme in hospitals within Maiduguri city with a N5 million grant.

“With the success recorded so far, we are going to release additional N10 million to the committee in charge of the scheme,” Shettima said.

He said that the state government would also extend the free meal scheme to pupils in primary schools within the metropolis as a pilot project.

Shettima expressed satisfaction with the quantity and the quality of meals served patients and commended the committee for a job well done.

He also used the opportunity to visit patients on admission at the hospital.

T

HE Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government of Ogun State has inuguated a rural electrification project covering about 15 villages in the council area.

Speaking at the commissioning of the project located in Ere Ward, the council chairman, Hon.

A

•Hon Oladipo (middle) inuagurating the electricity project. With him is Hon. Rahman looks on.

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HE president of Agbefaga of Yoruba Empire,Chief Fayemi Fakayode, has urged traditional rulers in Yorubaland to support traditional religion rather than giving it a bad name.

He said monarchs in the land are supposed to be agents of the traditionalists. but but this is not the case.

Fakayode, who spoke as a guest lecturer at this year Ifa festival of MasifaIle Traditional Religion Youth Movement in Osun State, said the traditional leaders are also contributing to the impression that those practise such religion will be destroyed.

Fakayode maintained that the unpopular nature of traditional religion is as a result of the fear created in the mind of the people that anyone who practises traditional religion will end up in hell.

He, therefore, called on the Youruba traditional leaders to be an agent of change and promoter of their inheritance from their ancestors.

According to him, “the unpopular nature of traditional religion in Nigeria can be traced to the negative influence of the traditional rulers on the religion which is supposed to be their first choice. The other religious leaders are not also helping matters as they normally preach and implanted in the people the fear that whoever practises such traditional religion will go to hell fire.

“Kings in Yoruba land are representatives of what we believe (orisa) but they refused to follow the laid down procedure of tradition. The kings in the

Shettima interacted with the patients and gave cash donations to each of them before leaving the hospital.

Council lights up community

Aspirant decries ‘money politics’

CHARTERED accountant and a member of the popular Dafinone family, Chief Ede Dafinone, has said that the wish of the people rather than money is the most important factor in wining an election.

Dafinone, a member of the Democratic People’s Party ( DPP) , who is eyeing the Delta Central senatorial seat, has promised to bring development and prosperity to the area.

Contrary to popular belief Dafinone acknowledged that the personality of the candidate and pedigree are more important than money.

He said he decided to join the race because the senatorial district needs quality representation.

The accountant who will be 52 next year, said his business and professional experience had prepared him for the future challenge. “Every individual brings a different set of skills and experience to the polity. My background, education, professional experience as an accountant and consultant, my experience in rubber export and plantation, my experience in the insurance industry and in the retail or shopping mall business are all success stories in their own right. I believe that the totality of these experiences will enable me to add value as the senator representing Delta Central”.

While acknowledging that politics is an expensive venture in Nigeria, he said the support of the electorate would see him through.

“I have just mentioned an array of successful businesses which will assist in financing the campaign. In addition, I will also call on friends to support in any way they are able. I will want to emphasise that the focal point of any election is having a greater number of voters to cast their votes in my support. However, despite the popular rhetoric, Nigerians have learnt to vote with their conscience and not for money. Indeed, this is the background to the success story of DPP today.”

Encouraged by the response he got from the people during his visits to all the areas in the senatorial district, Dafinone believes that the people of Delta Central are yearning for development and quality representation, saying “All the groups I have met want me to represent Delta Central at the Senate.”

•Dafinone

•Governor Shettima

By Kunle Akinrinade

Rotimi Rahman, promised more dividends of democracy for residents of the area.

He praised Governor Ibikunle Amosun for his efforts at transforming the state. He reiterated that the primary concern of his administration is the overall development of the council area.

He said that the electrification project had been abandoned about 13 years ago by the Federal Government.

Addressing a cheerful crowd during the commissioning, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Olumuyiwa Oladipo, said” the commissioning of this project calls for celebration considering the fact that the communities are enjoying power supply for the first time.

“I want to assure the good people of this state that our administration will continue to develop this council area.I want to also appeal to business operators who are running their businesses on generators to reduce their fee because of the availability of electric power provided by the government now.

Speaking on behalf of the communities, Prince Segun Agemo, said:” I want to thank Governor Amosun for considering us worthy of this project and may God continue to strengthen him in his quest to ensure better life for people of Ogun State.

The ceremony was witnessed by State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC),Alhaji Olaitan Bello and a member of Ogun House of Assembly,Hon.Aina Akinpelu among others.

Monarchs urged to respect culture land are also supposed to be the custodians of tradition but, they have become agents of destruction of the religion.

“I therefore want to implore my fellow yoruba especially youths never to allow people to take away our inheritance and replace it with something else. I also want

•Chief Fayemi addressing people at the event

to tell you that the culture and the religion we see as taboo are what the Western world are learning in our universities. They noticed that there is a way in what we are doing and they are gradually joining us. Please let us all stand up and embrace the truth.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

19

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Containing the conventional arms trade

War in FAAC

•NNPC should open its book for public scrutiny; states should develop their IGR to reduce dependence on federation account

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OTHING better illustrates the dependent nature of the nation’s federalism than the perennial row between the 36 states and the Federal Government, over the sharing of national revenue. On September 13, the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held to consider and approve the statutory distribution of revenue for the month of August ended in a deadlock.

Again, on Monday, last week, another meeting also ended similarly without the issue being resolved.

At the heart of the dispute is the N140 billion shortfall – an amount representing the differential between the projected revenue and the actual revenue earned for the first seven months of the year. The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation had after the botched Monday meeting issued a statement that efforts were being made to get

‘The greatest lesson from the ruckus is the need for the states to grow their internally generated revenues to wean their dependence off the federation account.

Relying on the federation account to pay salaries and remuneration of staff is not only unhealthy; it is the surest recipe for disaster, as the states may have learnt to their regret in the last few weeks’

N75bn from the NNPC to pay the shortfall.

The issue revolves around the projected revenue of N702.54bn for the three tiers of government in the 2013 Appropriation Act. In January, the three tiers could only realise N651.26bn revenue; February was even worse with only N571.7bn netted into the treasury. Although a modest improvement was recorded in March with N595.71bn, it was mixed fortune for the four months of April, May, June and July: the revenues came to N621.07bn, N590.77bn, N863.02bn and N497.98bn, respectively.

That development prompted the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, to announce earlier in the month that revenues would, from October, be shared on the basis of actual amount earned rather than what was budgeted.

We must say here that the best argument that the states have made for pushing their position is that the budget instrument – the 2013 Appropriation Act – lays out the basis for the revenue accrual based on production volume and the benchmark price for the nation’s crude.

While that law assumes that production and price would go pari pasu, the reality however is that production has fallen short due to massive oil theft and associated production shut-ins.

Asking the Federal Government to carry the can – or asking that the shortfalls be charged to the Excess Crude Account (ECA), as the states are wont to do, vide their demand for augmentation of the shortfalls, in our view, skirts around the issue. Suppose there was nothing in the ECA, would the states still have demanded augmentation from the Federal Government?

The primary challenge is to stop the menace of oil theft or at least reduce it to the barest minimum. The challenge is beyond the ad-hoc committee for the mitigation of oil theft headed by the Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan. A more permanent framework for dealing with the menace is what is recommended, which unfortunately, the Federal Government appears to lack the nerve to undertake.

Once again, the development has brought into sharp focus the activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), particularly its opaque accounting responsible for short-changing of the federation account. What we have today is a national oil corporation that sees itself as not answerable to anyone; one that does as it pleases and one with such immense powers as to be able to hold the beneficiaries of the federation account, save the Federal Government, to ransom.

FAAC members obviously need to do more than the loud, occasional whispers only in the event of shortfalls at their monthly meetings. We expect them to put greater pressure on the National Assembly to get the NNPC to throw its book open for better scrutiny since attempts to get it to act responsibly have met with a brick wall.

The greatest lesson from the ruckus is the need for the states to grow their internally generated revenues to wean their dependence off the federation account. Relying on the federation account to pay salaries and remuneration of staff is not only unhealthy; it is the surest recipe for disaster, as the states may have learnt to their regret in the last few weeks.

Guilty as charged!

• CJN is right that our prosecution agencies usually place the cart before the horse

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HE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Mukhtar, has identified one of the weakest cogs in the judicial wheel when she openly denounced the way in which the nation’s prosecutorial agencies routinely charged suspects to court, only to then embark on a frantic search for the evidence needed to convict them.

Speaking at a special session organised by the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2013/2014 Legal Year, Justice Mukhtar claimed that such agencies used holden charges to detain suspects in order to buy time to conduct investigations which ought to have been completed before the suspects were charged. The CJN explained that the practice had helped to contribute to the very high number of cases pending before the nation’s courts, as well as the length of time it took to conclude cases.

There is little doubt that Nigeria’s various prosecutorial agencies are guilty as charged. Even when allowance is made for the operational and other challenges that they face, there can be no justification for their adoption of tactics and strategies which defy the most fundamental tenets of justice.

The Nigeria Police is notorious for arresting individuals and charging them to court without a shred of evidence to back up its claims, only to resort to endless requests for adjournments while desperately searching for evidence it should have secured in the first place. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is no slouch when it comes to shooting first and talking later, either.

Ever since its inception in 2003, it has been

synonymous with strong-arm tactics – midnight raids on the homes of suspects, laying siege to their places of work, and trial in the media.

Because undue emphasis is put on charging suspects rather than securing cast-iron evidence against them, the investigative process is often carried out in a perfunctory manner. Crime scenes which should be cordoned off are left open, with the consequence that fingerprints, DNA samples and other crucial evidence are hopelessly tainted, if they can be found at all. Instead of conducting the painstaking forensic accounting that is vital to obtaining concrete evidence of financial crimes, prosecution agencies resort to the crude strategy of seizing files and computers, most of which are irrelevant to the case at hand.

When the suspects finally appear in court, the inadequacy of such methods is brutally exposed. Perhaps the most notorious example of prosecutorial perfidy is that of Dr. Peter Odili, the former governor of Rivers State, who was able to secure virtual immunity from prosecution, thanks to the EFCC’s incredible inability to vacate the injunction he had obtained against it. The fact that only one ex-governor has gone to jail is a sad testimony to the inefficiency of these methods and the danger their continued use poses to the justice system.

The failure to establish watertight cases against suspects makes it easier for them to escape on legal technicalities, thereby weakening public faith in the judiciary, which in turn strengthens the desire to resort to self-help. As criminals realise that indictments are no guarantee of success-

ful prosecution, they will become even more emboldened in their criminal activities. When others see suspects virtually getting away with murder, they will be tempted to pursue careers in crime.

If this situation is to be halted, Nigeria’s prosecution agencies will have to rethink their approach and seek to play by the rules of the game. Investigations must be carried out in a thorough and comprehensive manner. Full use should be made of modern technologies and international assistance. Prosecutors must stop raising public expectations unnecessarily by conducting trials in the media. The human rights of suspects must be fully respected. Functional judicial systems are based on prosecution, not persecution.

‘If this situation is to be halted, Nigeria’s prosecution agencies will have to rethink their approach and seek to play by the rules of the game. Investigations must be carried out in a thorough and comprehensive manner. Full use should be made of modern technologies and international assistance.

Prosecutors must stop raising public expectations unnecessarily by conducting trials in the media. The human rights of suspects must be fully respected’

E

FFORTS to control the $70 billion a year global market in conventional weapons got a big boost when the United States signed the United Nations arms trade treaty, joining more than 100 other countries in affirming the need to keep these weapons out of the hands of unscrupulous regimes, militants and criminals.

But the work is far from done. At least 50 member countries, including the United States, must still carry out the next step and ratify the treaty for it to take effect; only six have done so. Proponents fear final ratification could take years, and it would be a travesty if it does.

The treaty, which took seven years to negotiate, is a pioneering agreement that is unquestionably needed. It covers global trade in tanks, armored combat vehicles, large caliber weapons, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles and launchers, small arms and light weapons — the kinds of weapons that are fueling conflicts and killing innocents in Syria, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond.

The treaty would require states to review all crossborder arms contracts, establish national control systems and deny exports to purchasers who might use the weapons for terrorism or violations of humanitarian law, including genocide.

In April, the 193-member General Assembly adopted it overwhelmingly by a vote of 154 to 3, clearing the way for individual states to sign and then ratify the pact. The states in opposition were familiar outliers in the international system: North Korea, Syria and Iran.

The National Rifle Association, like those nations, rejects this sensible international weapons regulation. It is opposed to the arms treaty even though the treaty has no impact on the American domestic market.

The group falsely claims the treaty will somehow infringe on Americans’ gun rights under the Second Amendment. In fact, as Secretary of State John Kerry stressed when he signed the treaty, the pact not only does not restrict Americans, it specifically “recognizes the freedom of both individuals and states to obtain, possess and use arms for legitimate purposes.”

But the N.R.A., with its lucrative campaign coffers and fear-mongering, has long been extremely effective at keeping lawmakers in line with its pernicious agenda. Months before the Obama administration signed the treaty, onethird of the Senate introduced a resolution opposing ratification on Second Amendment grounds. That is a signal of the tough fight ahead whenever the Senate formally takes up the issue.

The United States is the world’s main arms exporter, responsible for about 80 percent of the global trade. But experts and officials say the treaty won’t impose any new requirements on the federal government or American companies because laws and regulations already require American manufacturers to comply with a comprehensive export control system that is designed to keep weapons away from human rights abusers and other bad actors. The treaty’s main impact will be felt elsewhere as other countries adopt comparable standards and rules.

Although the treaty has no enforcement power, its export control requirements, coupled with disclosure provisions to shame violators, could help reduce the spread of weapons in conflict zones. In a world where virtually every major commodity is subject to international agreements, allowing weapons to avoid any review or regulation is irresponsible and unacceptable.

– New York Times

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

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

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The occasion of our 53rd Independence Anniversary does not call for celebration given the low level of our economic and technological advancement and the various challenges that are bedeviling the country. In spite of our abundant human and material resources, Nigeria is still stuck in the mud of under development.

Countries that were at par with Nigeria when it became independent in 1960 have overtaken Nigeria.

Malaysia got her first palm seedlings from our country, but, now, Malaysia has become economically prosperous. India, which is the destination of Nigeria’s health tourists, has evolved its own technology.

Back home in Nigeria, we have a mono-economy that is solely dependent on oil revenue. And, we import simple things like tooth picks and matches. Nigeria has continued to remain the country with the potentialities to become a great country.

So, what is wrong with Nigeria?

Nothing is wrong with Nigeria.

Rather, God has abundantly blessed our country. Natural disasters or acts of God like earthquake, tsunami and cyclone that devastate other countries do not occur in Nigeria. Our weather condition is equable and favorable; and, our land arable and fertile. These are incentives for the practice of mechanized agriculture, which will boost our economy. And, we have a large population, too. Knowledgeable and skilled Nigerians in the Diaspora are contributing to the development of their host countries. Our leaders can lure them home to contribute their quota to

S

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG

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Nigeria’s 53 years of nation-hood national development. Scattered beneath the soil of the states that make up Nigeria are such natural resources as tin ore, bauxite, coal, gas, limestone and crude oil. But, why has Nigeria not joined the league of the developed nations?

The problem of Nigeria is the failure of leadership.

To be fair, President Jonathan inherited most of the problems militating against our country. But, a dispassionate evaluation of his administration shows that he is an under-performing president. He couldn’t diversify our economy to

create job opportunities for millions of unemployed Nigerians; consequently, millions of university graduates roam our streets daily searching for non-existent jobs.

Corruption, which is the canker worm asphyxiating Nigeria, has not been tackled. Most roads across the country are in deplorable conditions. As our hospitals are mere consulting clinics, well-heeled Nigerians seek medical attention outside the shores of Nigeria. And, education, which is the bedrock of national development, is suffering utter neglect. University students

have been at home for two months because their lecturers had downed tools to protest the government negligence of university education in the country. To make matters worse, Nigerian union of Teachers (NUT) has threatened to embark on industrial action if the Federal Government- ASUU impasse is not amicably resolved within two weeks.

The PDP’s leadership of Nigeria has brought woes and hardship on us rather than blessings and improved standards of living. Their acrimonious disagreement has highlighted some facts and fault-

IR: The dream of the founding fathers of Nigeria was not that 53 years of Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule, she will be under the destructive burden of Boko Haram insurgency, the criminal stagnations of deadly kidnappers, the murderous grip of armed robbers, the inhuman twists of ritualists and the frightening dimensions of militias like Ombatse and Alago.

The political landscape is laden with political broken bottles which poses extreme danger for Nigeria.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party

is buried in a dangerous political crisis. The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU is on strike, and the industrial action is on course to deepen the decay in the Nigerian educational system. There is an endless formation of political parties.

All the political parties lack internal democracy. Nigeria remains a major producer of crude oil but remains a major importer of refined petroleum products. Nigeria has all the resources for large scale agriculture but spends billions of naira yearly to import rice and tomato paste.

Nigerian security forces continue

to inflict pain on the psyche of Nigeria by carrying out inhuman extra-judicial killings. The economic gurus tell Nigerians that Nigeria is one of the fastest rising countries in the world but many Nigerians live below a dollar a day. Many beggars, hawkers and job seekers populate the streets in astronomical numbers in pursuit of scarce and elusive money, food and security. Many Nigerian leaders regularly earn outlandishly bumper harvests of salaries, wages, bonuses and other perks while millions of Nigerians live under the deadly high-handedness and deathly

example of some of these projects is the on-going rehabilitation work of the rail transport which he assured Nigerians would be completed by December this year.

Much as I commend the federal government on the progress made so far, I am however not comfortable with the escalating cost of kerosene in the country. The official price of this product is still N50 per litre,

whereas it is being sold in the filling stations at between N140 and N150. This area needs to be looked into very seriously as more than 80% of the entire citizenry use kerosene for their cooking.

The use of this item is practically unavoidable in the lives of the masses and as such government should make the cost affordable at that official price of N50 for them,

S

...Story of promise undelivered

Bring down the price of kerosene

IR: President Goodluck Jonathan is leaving no stone unturned in his desperate bid to fulfill some of his campaign promises. He also went further to prove his critics who doubted the possibility of ploughing back the oil subsidy removed last year into some life enhancing projects wrong by embarking on massive rehabilitation of some projects. A typical

lines in our body politic: Nigeria is a disunited country that is divided along ethnic and religious lines; and, the recruitment or election of Nigerians into political leadership positions in the country is characterized by corruption and ethnic and religious considerations. The battle for the topmost political post in Nigeria has always polarized the country along ethnic and religious lines. Are we aware that unity is a force for national development? A country that is characterized and paralyzed by political instability cannot become a super power country.

We need a leader who can wield all the diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria together, achieve national cohesion, diversify the economy, and eradicate corruption from our body- politic.

• Chiedu Uche Okoye.

Uruowulu, Obosi, Anambra State.

more especially as they do not have any other safer and comfortable alternative and the product can be produced in the country. Government should not relent in her effort at putting meaning into the lives of the flotsam and jetsam amongst us.

• Nkemakolam Gabriel Port Harcourt

strangulation of poverty.

The causes of the perennial problems which stand in the way of Nigeria’s motion and movement to the status of a developed country include large scale corruption, high level of unemployment, poverty of the highest order, poor quality leadership, acute neglect of agriculture, over-dependence on importation of goods and services, high degree illiteracy and poor quality education.

Political leaders should strive to make our democracy to deliver for Nigeria by generating high standard dividends of democracy which will have widespread and groundbreaking impact in the lives of the people at grassroots level.

Nigeria has both the natural and human resources to resolve all the problems which confront and assault Nigerians daily.

The good struggle by some patriotic and good spirited Nigerians to lift Nigeria out of decay should be made to grow in strength to make the uncertain future of Nigeria hopefully and positively fruitful.

• Uchechukwu Agodom, Kofar Kaura, Katsina

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

21

COMMENTS

Nigeria@53 or @99? Death, death; False federalism, bloated politics and ‘Amalgamarriage’

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E should all join Conscience Nigeria an NGO protesting in Abuja, to keep the pressure on national and state assemTony blies to declare and Marinho also cut their ‘Salaries And Perks’, SAP which are the catalyst for Nigeria’s many political and social problems. When state and NASS politicians greedily set their SAP at millions each, there was money. Now all other professionals including Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU want to follow their example, suddenly they are greedy and there is ‘no money’.

Government should pay up to the university system and cut its own SAP bill as example.

Can anyone comprehend the mind-set of Boko Haram executioners of 50+ young Nigerian students of a Gujba, Yobe Agricultural College plunging 50 different families into misery? Do we even care about the massacre? After all, there was no serious ‘Breaking News’ alteration on any of the 50+ Nigerian TV stations. Parents, families and the youth across Nigeria will be in shock. This war has youth as targets, like the children were targets in wars in West and Central Africa.

But Nigeria also loses more citizens due to negligence than other countries do to wars. There is now another boat mass murder of 42 -150 honest hard-working Nigerians on the River Niger by boat operators due to non-enforcement of life jacket laws. Today they are dead because of a N1,000 piece of rubber. Shame on Nigeria. It seems that ‘Death Becomes Her’. We seem to like people to die so that we can have yet another stupidly expensive memorial ‘Celebration of Life’.

Every religious group has its martyrs in this time of murderous upheaval. The 80 killed outside two churches in Iraq and the execution of over 80 Christians and Moslems

by Al Shabaab murderers on 21-9-2013 have created another batch of martyrs, Arab and African and brought the

E

ITHER for good or for ill, history has a way of repeating itself. Remember Lawrence Nomanyagbon Anini, the notorious armed robber dreadfully called ‘The Law’ or ‘Ovbigbo’ in the defunct Bendel State? In the 1980s, Anini and his gang of blood-thirsty armed robbers held Benin City, the capital of the then Bendel State, comprising today’s Edo and Delta states, by the jugular. The hoodlums held everybody spellbound as they raided, robbed, maimed and killed at will. It was such a sadistic exploit that kept security agencies, especially the police, on their toes while their criminal ‘regime’ lasted.

In the fight to contain their daredevilry, many policemen lost their lives, many more were maimed, while the list of their victims read like a classroom register. The escapades of the notorious gang entered into national consciousness in 1986, when the then military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, gave Etim Inyang, the then Inspector-General of Police, a marching order to produce Anini “dead or alive”. A worried Babangida had confronted Inyang after one of the Council’s meetings with the question: “My friend, where is Anini?”

That brief encounter appeared to be the final straw that broke the camel’s back as the echelon of the police deployed all they had – men and materials – in search of Anini and his gang. There were fears and apprehension in the then Bendel state while the hunt for Anini lasted.

This was because of certain diabolical mysticism associated with Anini, who was largely rumoured to have heavily fortified himself with charms and amulets to evade arrest. At a point, the fear of Anini was the beginning of wisdom, as many of the policemen literally took to their heels whenever he was

world’s media to its feet. Add to that the 50 Gujba, Yobe State students and you have a horrendous picture of death and destruction. Among the dead from that senseless attack are children full of potential, parents full of responsibility and the elderly full of regrets at how their country and continent has turned out 50 years after most independence celebrations stimulated dreams of freedom and success. The dream outdid the reality. There were also tourists full of regrets. Among the dead lay Professor Kofi Awoonor distinguished Ghanaian academic, diplomat and poet. Imagine the story he would have written, had he survived. A story or poem of surprise, protective fear, taking cover, being discovered, being questioned about his religion, being shot in the stomach for belonging to the ‘wrong’ religion, watching others suffer similar fate, seeing faces he had walked past earlier now in deathmasks. A story was not part of the schedule at the Storymoja Hay Festival at the ripe age of 78. Terrible. That is life and death on the African continent and indeed elsewhere across the world. But there is death at home.

For example, the shooting dead of UNILAG lecturer Mr CO Ikemefuna in Yaba, Lagos? No safety in numbers, no safety alone. And students are easy targets for evil machinations of Boko Haram.

In Nigeria@53, who is an incumbent? We are incumbents of Nigeria! Government thinks you the citizen does not need power, because you are a child of darkness, you do not need water because you are a camel, you do not need books because you are illiterate and you do not need cutting edge hospitals because you are the walking dead.

Nigeria remains diseased, some say terminally so, infected by tried and failed, ‘undied’ tyrants and economic rapists. Being alive does not make you relevant. Nigeria is infested with an epidemic of bloodthirsty flees, geriatrics-in-power, clinging to the blood vessels of Nigeria, sucking and sucking till Nigeria is dry. Will it dry up on Amalgamation Day when Nigeria will be 100? Nigeria is faced by war led by Boko Haram.

Confirming the schizophrenic federal fissure in Nigerian life, the exposure by Festus Odimegwu of the Na-

tional Population Commission, 2006 census as a 419 scam by government leaders, should lead to a judicial inquiry.

Instead he got a query for ‘Executive Whistle-blowing’ for ‘Not keeping our secrets secret’. It has been confirmed by the National Census Tribunal that Lagos State was ‘allocated’, not counted, a mere nine million. A subsequent Lagos State census found over 17m. A protesting Kwankwaso who spends millions renting NTA and the press to report ‘honest’ Kano State activities should know that all censuses were deceitful, and foundation for the brainwashing malicious fiction about the North being more populous than the South –the very foundation of false fiscal and political federalism. The censuses were mired in ethnic politics and produced fictitious figures.

Remember the population that rises from 150 to 170 to 200m depending on who is giving the speech, all on false manipulated census figures. We should take 20-30% off our census figures and we would have a true population, 120-130m. The US and some EU countries have counted us by satellite. Can any leader get a true census? Imagine being a politician falsifying census figures and getting GCFR, GCON, CON or CFR? Is that not treason?

At Nigeria@99, one year pre-amalgamation, do not doubt about the huge debt owed to every Nigerian by the avaricious political class in this ‘amalgamarriage’. Divorce is still an option if equity and true fiscal and political power devolution are not.

‘At Nigeria@99, one year pre-amalgamation, do not doubt about the huge debt owed to every Nigerian by the avaricious political class in this ‘amalgamarriage’. Divorce is still an option if equity and true fiscal and political power devolution are not’

Like Anini, like Kelvin on the prowl.

At the end of the day, Anini and his gang, including his fearsome deputy in the underworld, Monday Osunbor, were reined in. But before then, Christopher Omeben, then an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, who was dispatched to head the team of investigators that plotted Anini’s arrest, narrowly escaped death in the hands of the gang. If Omeben, now a pastor, was lucky, his driver, one Albert Otue, a Sergeant, was not that lucky. The driver was abducted by the gang members led by Osunbor and murdered.

The arrest of the gang opened a Pandora’s Box as Anini started singing like a canary bird in police custody while begging for leniency.

The trial of Anini led to the conviction and eventual shameful execution of George Iyamu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who was, until his arrest, the head of the antirobbery squad of the Bendel State Police Command. Anini and his gang members had confessed that Iyamu had abandoned his call to service as a police officer and, instead, became the godfather of the criminal gang. He aided them with information on security movements which enabled the gang to beat police operations as well as supplied them with arms and ammunition. And when the end came, both Anini and Iyamu, including other members of the notorious gang, went down in a hail of bullets when they were publicly executed by firing squads at different times in Benin in 1987.

Today, 26 years after, another hoodlum who goes by the name Kelvin Ibruvwe seems to have stepped into Anini’s shoes. This time around, his bestiality has gone be-

‘Like every criminal, the end has come for Kelvin, just like the end came for Anini and his gang in the 80s’

yond armed robbery. Kelvin and his band of well-armed hoodlums have made their satanic marks in kidnapping, rape, pipeline vandalism and all sorts of heinous crimes. He has become well known as the brain behind high profile kidnappings in many parts of the country in recent times particularly in parts of the South-west, South-east and Southsouth geo-political regions. His victims include eminent persons like Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, late Chudi Nwike, a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, who was killed in captivity by the gang, as well as Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, wife of a Supreme Court judge kidnapped with her daughter and driver on their way to Benin on May 10.

A fortnight ago, unknown to him that his cup was about to be full, a boastful Kelvin appeared from nowhere, flanked by some of his gang members – all in military camouflage dress – and addressed a gathering of his kinsmen at his Kokori native town in Delta State. There, he gave President Goodluck Jonathan a 60-day ultimatum to address the degradation of his native land and other communities in the Niger Delta or face grave consequences. All that has now proved to be hollow bravado and nothing more than a façade that it is, as he was arrested in a hotel room in Port Harcourt in the wee hours of last Wednesday. His arrest, along with five of his gang members, was carried out by a combined team of the Army and Department of State Services, DSS, operatives, in a coded lightning operation.

However, a few hours after his arrest, a shootout ensued between Kelvin’s ‘boys’ in his country home, Kokori, Ethiope-East Local Government Area of Delta State and soldiers. Nevertheless, the soldiers succeeded in arresting the chief priest (Ose Igba), said to have provided native charms for Kelvin and his

gang to evade arrest over the years.

All the while, Kelvin knew he was being monitored, but he did not know his end was so near. The security agencies only re-doubled their operational strategies after his infamous declaration where he handed over an ultimatum to the federal government to develop the oil community or his group would blow up oil facilities in the area. At that declaration, the hoodlum described himself as leader of the newly-found Liberation Movement of the Urhobo People, LIMUP, and said he had become a freedom fighter. That is now history.

Kelvin lived like a kingpin. His tentacles and business interests cut across Delta State, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan and Lagos. The kidnap baron shocked security operatives when he pulled a daring mission in Warri, some months ago, killing a number of prisons officials, as his gang ambushed warders and snatched two of his men being taken to court for trial. It was learnt that the police were deliberately sidetracked in this latest operation by the army and DSS, as neither the police in Rivers and Delta states were aware of the operation until it was concluded. Since then, his hometown, Kokori, has been taken over by soldiers, in an attempt to round up his boys as well as their arms cache. I am sure the aim is to put him away before he begins to think that he is a hero.

Kelvin is believed to be currently undergoing serious interrogation in Abuja, where he is said to have made substantial revelations. I am quite sure such revelations will have something to do with his collaborators within the security agencies who gave him cover for his nefarious activities all this while. The fact that the police was sidelined in the operation that led to his arrest, shows that something is definitely wrong with the police hierarchy who might have been compro-

Dele Agekameh mised all along. His interrogators will also have a lot to do to unravel his godfathers who are suspected to be mainly politicians and other highly-placed people in his community and state who may have benefited immensely from his criminal extravaganza.

We are now being inundated with the fact that the crowd of people who gathered around him in Kokori on Tuesday, September 17, when he made his boisterous declaration, did so because of a promise that ‘oil money’ will be shared at the event. What that goes to show is the level of moral decadence in our society where the love of money has relegated decency and patriotism to the background. It is simply a rehash of the Anini episode in the 1980s, when the robbery kingpin was fond of gleefully spraying his booty in crisp naira notes along the road for people to pick each time his gang raided a bank’s vault. This was to divert people’s attention while they made good their escape.

Surely, anything that has a beginning must certainly have an end.

Like every criminal, the end has come for Kelvin, just like the end came for Anini and his gang in the 80s.

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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COMMENTS

S

INCE the commencement of the processes leading to November 16 Anambra governorship election, I have been watching with utter dismay and disappointment the distortion of bare facts and orchestrated propaganda to bring the down one of the most formidable candidates in the race, Senator Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Hired for the dirty job by those afraid of Ngige’s political antecedents and value in the politics of the state, were hatchet writers, bloggers and internet warriors.

Their first task was to demonise Ngige by labelling him a dormant senator, alleging that he has not sponsored or cosponsored any bill in the Senate since he was elected. In short, it was governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi who first raised the false alarm in a function in Awka and the jobbers cashed on it. That was when the strange and divisive politics of zoning which governor Obi introduced to the state’s politics ahead of November 16 election appeared to be failing him. It is very obvious to Nigerians who are keen watchers of Senate’s proceedings that Ngige remains one of the most vibrant senators in the upper chamber today, despite being in opposition. Ngige apart from sponsoring and co-sponsoring some bills participated actively in 2011/2012 Appropriation Bill and made significant input into the money bill that will be beneficial to the people of the state. He is also a constant contributor on the topical issues on the floor of the senate.

When moves were made to weaken the labour unions at the peak of subsidy protests, Ngige was among the senators who stood solidly behind the unions, by opposing the bill which was allegedly sponsored by the Presidency through a senator from South-south zone.

At a time Ngige was the only senator from Anambra State because Senator Andy Uba’s election was nullified and nobody was representing Anambra North following the protracted legal tussle between Senator Margery Okadigbo and Senator Alphonsus Igbeke over the seat. During this period, Ngige made sure that projects of great benefit the entire South-east, his state and constituency were inserted in the appropriation bill. This is easily reflected in the increased power projects in the entire South-east. He is in seven committees of the senate, and as a senator from the opposition party, he cannot be chairman of a committee.

As a workaholic deputy chairman of the senate committee on power, he worked round the clock with other members to ensure that progress was in the sector as being witnessed today across the country with improved power supply in some cities including Anambra. Ministers of Power past and present, namely, Professor Barth Nnaji and Prof. Chinedu Nebo can testify that.

He single-handedly moved the motion for the immortalisation of the late Prof. Chinua Achebe. As a result of that motion, Achebe was given a plenary session, an honour reserved only for National Assembly members. As a result of the motion also, the federal government gave Achebe a befitting national burial.

Apart from this, he sponsored Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R 11,LFN 2004 which seeks to provide for more judicial discretion and flexibility in the sentence imposed for robbery, depending on the facts and circumstances of each case, rather than having a pre-fixed maximum sentence and to clarify that hospitals and clinics must

Anambra 2013 and Ngige’s Senate report card

By Godwin Obiajulu first administer necessary treatment to gunshot victims, before reporting the matter to the police within a reasonable period of time He also sponsored the amendment of the Federal Housing Authority Act Cap F14, LFN 2004 which seeks to provide for tenure for some of the members of the board of the Federal Housing Authority, and the General Manager who is CEO of the organization; and to remove the monetary cap on the borrowing powers of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and substitute presidential approval with ministerial approval for borrowing. Other bills sponsored by Ngige includes Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria Act Cap T3,LFN 2004, Flag and Coat of Arms Act Cap F30,LFN 2004, Flag of Nigerian Ships Act Cap F31,LFN 2004, Fertilizer (Control )Act Caps F25,LFN 2004, Public Officers Protection Act Cap P41,LFN 2004, Farmers Registration Council Bill, National Health Bill and National Health Insurance Bill.

In addition, he has provided jobs to some of the unemployed youths in the state.

All these incontrovertible facts are in the record of the proceedings of the present Senate, but the political jobbers and hatchet writers who are very lazy in research or investigation are capitalizing on the availability of the social media and non-sanction of it to try to deceive and misinform unsuspecting Nigerians, particularly the people of Anambra by fabricating all manners of allegations against Ngige. But they forget that Anambra people and Nigerians have become wise and cannot swallow all their lies hook, liner and sinker.

Nigerians and the people of Anambra know that Ngige is not daft and was never one. He is a very deep and articulate person with great pace and zeal to get result on anything he engages himself. He is a selfless politician who believes that public fund should be used to better the lot of the people through the provision of basic infrastructural facilities, instead of sharing them from hand to hand under any guise.

This is because he had a humble beginning. During his days as pupil at St. Patrick Primary School, Ogbete, Enugu, which he left in 1964, Ngige was an outstanding pupil both in academics and other extra-curriculum activities. He was never found wanting in anything. Not many were surprised when he made distinction in his school certificate examination at St. John Secondary School, Alor in 1972.

Many had thought that he would be a lawyer, because he had studied arts and commercial subjects to class four before switching over to science subjects, leaving his younger brother, Emeka Ngige (SAN) to continue with arts subjects – a feat many never tried because of fear of failure.

As if that was not enough and without much delay, Ngige secured admission to study Medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, where he graduated with flying col-

ours in 1979. This was at a time most his mates were still retaking our school certificate. While in the university, he was actively involved in student union politics, which he never allowed to affect his studies and performance.

Upon his graduation, many of his colleagues travelled to overseas, while others picked jobs in multinational companies, but Ngige in line with his deep flair for public and humanitarian services, opted for a job at the Federal Ministry of Health where he worked creditably for years before leaving voluntarily in 1998 as deputy director of hospital services, federal medical centres and teaching hospitals.

While in Federal Ministry of Health, he was instrumental to the establishment of permanent sites for most of the federal medical centres and teaching hospitals, especially in the South-east zone. In continuation of his burning desire for public service, he ventured into the murky waters of Nigerian politics as one of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. No wonder he was appointed the protem zonal publicity secretary of the party in the Southeast in 1998 and later the assistant national/zonal secretary of the party in the zone between 1999 and 2002. The same year he was conferred with the national honour of Order of the Niger, OON, for his diligence and accountability in public service.

It was from there that he emerged the governorship candidate of the PDP in Anambra State in 2003. Though his initial ambition was to become a senator, he was persuaded by the party stakeholders to run for the office of governor.

Having been in public service all his life, Ngige is always conscious of Harold McAlindon’s words: “Do not follow where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” So from childhood, he never believed in bandwagonism, but in carving a niche for himself in anything he does.

As senator currently representing Anambra Central Ngige has continued to identify with the people through his quality debates and contributions on the floor of the Senate. He has continued to remain his self and the man of the people, mindful of the fact that being oneself in a world that is constantly trying to make one something else is the greatest accomplishment.

• Obiajulu, a teacher wrote from Awka, Anambra State

‘As senator currently representing Anambra Central Ngige has continued to identify with the people through his quality debates and contributions on the floor of the Senate’

Kwankwaso’s China mission

N

O one is contesting the fact that Kano under the leadership of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is poised to make a date with history. Taking into account the unprecedented developmental projects in education, infrastructure, healthcare, water supply and the economic transformation recorded under his stewardship, any attempt to compare him with his peers will be trite.

On coming on board as governor of Kano State for the second time on May 29, 2011, the governor came up with myriad of programmes aimed at improving the lot of the people of the state, who in his view were made to groan under the biting fangs of abject neglect by the immediate past administration.

The fire-brand governor was saddened by the fact that despite billions of naira which had been pumped into the coffers of the state government in the past, Kano was made to fiddle on the lower rung of the ladder in areas of trade and investment in addition to making no effort in the area of fostering economic diplomacy.

By Abdullahi Safiyanu He also noted with dismay, how some reputable industries were allowed to fold up without conceiving some palliatives to cushion the effect of the mass closure, a bad omen that made Kano lose its reputation as one of the leading commercial hubs in the West African sub-region.

It is a fact one cannot dismiss by a whimper that the governor’s predecessor had been making overtures in seeking foreign investors’ support to agree to oblige to his request to come to the state and invest. Junket upon junket, no investment was forthcoming. It seemed the investors had noticed the suitor had feet of clay.

The lukewarm attitude exhibited by such investors might not be unconnected with the fact that, the terrain was not favourable to their business interest since every intention he had expressed in that regard only stopped at the level of rectory.

The people of the state naturally lost confidence in the immediate past administration given that administration’s failure to

‘ The people of the state naturally lost confidence in the immediate past administration given that administration’s failure to deliver on the promise to establish a high profile independent power station to inject succour into the industries that had been folding up. With the Kwankwaso administration talking every step to fulfil its promises and even surpassing expectations, Kano people now savour the sweetness of the nectar of democracy’

deliver on the promise to establish a high profile independent power station to inject succour into the industries that had been folding up. With the Kwankwaso administration talking every step to fulfil its promises and even surpassing expectations, Kano people now savour the sweetness of the nectar of democracy.

His recent mission to China epitomises his readiness and resolve to foster economic and investment diplomacy with reputable multi-national corporations owned by some business tycoons in the communist state. This is in recognition that China has assumed the status of a global economic super power.

Kwankwaso’s critics would readily attest to his frugality. In Kano, members of the ruling party are seen as the paupers because of the governor’s husbandry of public resources. His mission to China (and previous foreign travels) was in the best interest of the people, part of his persistent quest to propel Kano to the pinnacle of excellence — a measure of his high ambition for Kano.

Instructively, his ability to attend the 17th China international conference on investment and Trade in Xiamen, an international gathering mostly attended by those who possessed the clout to enhance global trade and investment ties, was to make trade and investment in the state take a global shape.

The governor was praised for his ability to convince investment gurus that despite the prevailing security challenges in the country, Kano remains a safe haven for robust trade and investment. While parleying with international investors, who

equally marvelled at Kano’s rich potentials, the governor stressed that the opportunities when fully harnessed and exploited, would yield considerable dividends and put the state on the pedestal of economic growth.

With the vast presence of China’s business moguls in Kano markets most especially those dealing in textiles, the atmosphere of unimpeded business transaction with China’s leading multi-national corporations is created with other investors from notable industrial democracies willing to take a cue.

With the burgeoning population of Kano, the governor’s intention to build additional 1,000 housing units to be constructed by China and the establishment of a befitting modern market and textile industry, there is no gainsaying Kano is in dire need of accommodation.

What will be of immense benefit to the people of Kano State as far as Kwankwaso’s mission to China is concerned, is the fact that under the Chinese law, every major construction firms or multi-national corporations handling projects in foreign land must be subjected to rigorous scrutiny by the Chinese government to ensure that something is not done to smear the good reputation of their country.

It was the contention of the Chinese that it is a heinous crime for a Chinese firm to renege on a certain contractual agreement, hence the benefit Kano is set to derive as a result of the contractual agreement it entered into with leading Chinese firms who are currently executing projects in the state.

• Safiyanu wrote from Sani Mainage Qtrs, Kano

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

Life

25

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

Text only: 08023058761

Celebrating a rare progenitor – Page 27

Rewarding excellence in media – Page 28

•Sarah Diehl

Falae, others sue for Awoism

‘Stop promoting qualities that divide us’

– Page 37

– SEE STORY ON PAGE 26

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E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

“Why focus on things that differentiate or divide you? Focus more on things that unite you,” German writer and filmmaker Sarah Diehl told her audience at Goethe Institut, Lagos. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

•Sarah with Nigerian fans at Goethe Institut, Lagos

‘Stop promoting qualities that divide us’ On stereotypes

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ERMAN writer and filmmaker, Sarah Diehl, is an advocate against societal or cultural stereotypes that breed distrust in humanity.

She is constantly campaigning that people should break free from stereotypes that foster disunity and hatred among races and nations. Her greatest weapon is her creative works (writing and films). Creative writing, according to her, helps her deal with such walls.

“People are essentially the same: whether they are from Europe or Africa. They should focus more on similarities instead of differences. In the end, people should aim at working and living together peacefully in whatever system that they find themselves in. That is why I like the novel so much. It helps one to deal with one’s walls. It is exhausting but beautiful,” she says.

She shared her belief and more with guests, among whom was Germany Consul-General, Micheal Derus, at Goethe institute’s Author Talk, where authors get to share thoughts with literary enthusiasts and booklovers.

She shared with guests in German and English, her works and passion. Her novel, Eskimo Limon 9 deals with German-Jewish history in a very culture-clash way. Sarah said another stereotype she would love to change is the way the Europeans see the African and vice versa. With a mind of changing the stereotypes that Africans and Europeans have of each other, she said her next novel would focussed on the issue. “My focus on Africa is on anti-colonial issues and race,” she said.

And even though she picked Nigeria as the African country that the book would be set in, the work was particularly inspired by her visit to Uganda.

“I would tell you about some of the stereotypes that exist between the two races. When I visited Uganda, I found that they call the Whites, Moozungu and when I asked, I was told that it is a word they used to refer to the “Whites” but when I asked the Ugandans what it meant in Uganda, I was told it meant “lost your way” or “the one that has lost his/her way”. I found it interesting that Germans/Europeans see themselves as explorers but Africans see them as not knowing what they are doing.”

On Lagos There is a certain enigma that the city of Lagos breeds in the hearts of foreigners, especially those who have never visited Nigeria. Sarah is one. She has also been captivated by the city even before she came here. And so,

DISCOURSE she chose to savour all aspects of the city.

“In all the cities I have visited in Africa, Lagos is the one that comes with all Africa because in a way it includes all of it. It is unbelievably fruitful and productive and I feel that I can read history and people in the complexity of Lagos. I think complexity is what the city is about; so I tried to get to see and know all of it I tried to see different aspects of of the city: the rich part, the poor part, the party, the literature and others.

“I really love it all! It is a place full of life: in its best and worst ways, showcasing its complexities. And this is how you learn about humanity. It’s beautiful, but I think it would be hectic to live in a place like Lagos because of the traffic jams and hardship.”

On Nationalism Sarah’s adventurous spirit and her choice of places of visit evidently pleased the Nigerian audience. They asked for the names of places she had visited and suggested some others, such as Ajegunle, to her. The interactive session later dovetailed into politics.

It was observed that the word, nationalism, had two different meaning for both countries: one excluded other races completely; the other had a somewhat “forced” nationalism.

While it was noted that the concept has a negative undertone in Germany, which dates back to the Second World War, the audience observed that Nigerians, like most African countries, had to create a national identity that was forced upon them as a process by colonialism; and as such Nigerians have had to use this as base to form unity to function as a state.

With the passion with which the Nigerian audience

‘The nationalism that is meant to exclude other people is a bad one...People are essentially the same: whether they are from Europe or Africa. They should focus more on similarities instead of differences. In the end, people should aim at working and living together peacefully’

‘The division is as a result of political propaganda...This has to stop because whether from the North or South, every family has one of their own marrying from a tribe and region different from their own. They talk of the “the breakup of Nigeria”: should I send my wife back to the South? Politicians should stop articulating those qualities that divide us if we are to forge this country ahead’ spoke on the issue, one could see that they were already warming up for the Independence celebrations. They, however, observed that since Independence, this politicalphenomenon was not properly managed from the beginning by the political class, saying it is the cause of the ethnic sentiments and chaos in the land. The onus, according to them, is on the leaders to change the status quo.

Abdulrahman Kabir of the Deutsche Welle noted: “Before the Independence it was not so: the nationalists preached oneness. The division is as a result of political propaganda - the quest for political power and money led to the division. This has to stop because there are inter-ethnic linkages everywhere. Whether from the North or South, every family has one of their own marrying from a tribe and region different from their own. They talk of the ‘the breakup of Nigeria’ should I send my wife back to the South. Politicians should stop articulating those qualities that divide us if we are to forge this country ahead.”

While reiterating Kabir’s thoughts, Sarah said: “The nationalism that is meant to exclude other people is a bad one. When I was growing up, German nationalism was connected to excluding other people; making other people your enemy (talking about the Second World War and the holocaust). Define yourself as German and everything that is not an enemy because you think they are different, which, of course, they are not. This is how I learnt nationalism.”

Sarah is very passionate about women reproductive rights. She has presented a documentary on this topic in 2008 and is also researching into film project.

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Oranyan festival: Celebrating a rare progenitor

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ETIRED Archbishop of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, Most Reverend Ayo Ladigbolu, has said that the Alaafin who founded the dynasty in Oyo-Ile is the same ruler who moved the capital of the kingdom to Oko. He noted that in his wisdom and tact the Alaafin also moved the capital to New Oyo. Archbishop Ladigbolu added that “We have never deliberately stirred up any controversy with our brothers in Ile-Ife over Oranyan, and we cannot accept responsibility for their unwillingness or failure to inaugurate a festival in his honour ahead of our own. We have refrained from paying them in their own coins in the interest of peace and unity in Yoruba-land, even when insults have been hauled at our cherished institutions’.

Archbishop Ladigbolu, who is the deputy chairman of the festival central committee, spoke in Oyo during the celebration of the second Oranyan festival.

He noted that ‘thank goodness, that some of the critics involuntarily admitted that Oranyan was the founder of Oyo-Ile and fourth Ooni of Ife, which came first. Oyo does not claim monopoly of knowledge because anyone who does is not only a fool, but merely an imbecile’.

He acknowledged the presence of an obelisk that are broken several times and refixed as well as groves and shrines of Oranyan in Ile-Ife, which were deserted and abandoned in times past. He noted with delight the naming of markets and streams after Oranyan outside Oyo and Ife, saying: ‘we uphold with pride the fact that of all these landmarks only Oyo Alaafin has the unique

•From left: Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao, Otunba Moses Alake and Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

FESTIVAL honour of preserving them intact, and undiluted the Alaafin dynasty founded by our progenitor and first Alaafin Odede. His dignity, decorum, sheer courage, administrative efficiency, and excellence in governance are all embodied in all Alaafins who like their progenitors are the living symbols of royal authority and imperial invincibility’.

He observed that the Oyo prince has confirmed that from those ancient days till now, no one has been able to unravel the mystery of the sacrificial ram, which appears on its own yearly at the Ajoroba Shrine of Oranyan in Oyo town.

On the gains from Oranyan dynasty and its successors, Archbishop Ladigbolu identified splendid regime of monarchy with its power, beauty, tradition, and constitution, the arts of drumming, poetry, music, carving, clay products, and leather works as enduring.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, said the second festival was organised “to showcase to the world and immortalise the deeds and worth of enigmatic Oranyan, one of the sons of Okanbi, the son

of Oduduwa, who was the first Oba in this part of the world to establish an enduring empire, which spread beyond its dialectical region and lasted more than 600 uninterrupted years”.

Alaafin added that the Oranyan festival was also one of the steps being taken by the Imperial Majesty at making sure that the contributions of Yoruba to the emergence of modern cosmopolitan world is not relegated to the background or shoved into the ocean of forgetfulness.

According to the paramount ruler ‘today we have in a modest way showcased the culture, heritage and intrinsic values of our progenitor. Through Oranyan, the Yoruba gave Africa the military system known as Eso warriors who ensured valour, virtues, commitment and sacrifice in all ramifications.

Oranyan also lived a life dedicated to the service of his people. Modestly, and realistically, I desire earnestly, to resuscitate those norms that continue to make Yoruba race a unique one. Oranyan was a platform builder of what makes Yoruba who they are, an embodiment, and a pride to the whole Yoruba race.’

The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Otunba Moses Alake, expressed concern on how Nigerian society has been overwhelmed by for-

eign cultures most of which he said, are inferior to the people’s values and heritage.

The cultivation of these foreign cultures, he noted has for a long time led to the erosion or debasement of our cultural values and ideals.

“The way things stand, indigenous languages, etiquettes, festivals, modes of worship, and all aspects of traditional living are in danger of extinction.

“The festival is an event that should be viewed beyond a mere gathering of people to witness the honour being bestowed on a deserving hero, who not only distinguished himself as a worthy son of Ododuwa and first Alaafin of Oyo Empire, but also carved a name for himself as a great empire builder who laid a solid foundation for the continuation of Yoruba race.”

Highlight of the week-long event was the showcasing of rich and unique cultural heritage, as well as exposing tourists sites and attractions in the ancient town. These include Oranyan shrine at Agbakin and Ajiroba, Oodua shrine at Baba-Iyaji, Sango shrines at Koso, Sogidi stream at Awe, Agidan mysterious hills of the gods, the leather works and Aso-Oke weaving centres, as well as Calabash carving craft shops.

With the theme: Achieving World Peace, the Challenge of Humanity, advocates of peace under the auspices of the International Friends of Peace gathered to campaign for peace in Lagos. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

Challenge in achieving world peace

•The Peace Choir performing at the event.

C

AN humanity achieve a world that is free of violence, killings and manmade disasters? Is peace possible in a time when peace is becoming an essential commodity?

In search of answers and proactive ways in keeping the world at peace, peace advocates under the auspices of the International Friends of Peace gathered in Lagos to mark the United Nations (UN) Day of Peace. The Day, which is used to recognise non-violence seize-fires is in its 30th anniversary this year.

The event, which was attended by social critics, human rights and more, started with the performance of late Michael Jackson’s Heal the

World by children’s Peace Choir.

Against the backdrop of global violence and rage, the peace advocates insisted that it is possible to achieve world peace. However, peace, according to the Consul General of Italy, Stefano De Leo, should be beyond the absence of war to human rights protection. To protect the rights of persons, resolve disputes and curb current challenges against world peace, De Leo, world leaders are employing “Proactive Diplomacy”, which is a current global approach to resolving disputes.

“Peace is also people’s decision to respect the rights of others. Peace challenges have

changed and the world is adopting “Proactive Diplomacy” method, in which everyone is a participant. Everyone has something to contribute in keeping the peace,” he said.

Islamic scholar, Imam Abdur-Rahman Olarenwaju Ahmad blamed politicians for breeding division in the polity, saying Nigerians are accommodating. Human beings, he added, are essentially one and from the same source. He urged folks to learn from the blood-sucking mosquito that does not discriminate on the nationality, language or religion of its victims. He urged Nigerians to

practise what they preach, observing that this would help curb the violence in the land.

“I am worried that Nigerians are portrayed as religious extremists. The implication is that everyone seems to be at war or not at peace. I don’t believe in religious strife that: Christians and Muslims are at war. There is a connection between the divine that the religions preach.

The divine God is peace and everything he has created works in harmony.

“Peace is attainable. If Nigerians truly practice they preach, what there would be no violence in the country. Nigerians are very accommodating until the politicians came to turn this over. We can attain peace. The earlier we realise that the time is coming when there would be no Christian, no Muslim or no Jew in the world, just human race, then we would come to realise the importance of appreciating and respecting one another.”

To buttress the theme: Achieving world peace, the challenge of humanity, Director, Brahma Kumaris and UN representative in Geneva, Sister Jayanti, said one must first achieve “inner peace” to be a able to create a world of peace, noting that “people must desire peace for peace to come”.

She named love, patience, tolerance, etc. as qualities that breed peace, while taking guests through journey of achieving “inner” peace through meditation. She said: “Whatever is going on inside would reflect on the outside.

Peace inside means I have to have tolerance and patience. I think it is possible with connection with the being above.“ Managing Director, Sahara Group and Founder of Nehemiah, Mr Tonye Cole along with International Cardiologist, Dr Yemi Johnson; former British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and ITN correspondent, Mark Eddo joined their voices along with others to the peace campaign.

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When Promasidor Quill Awards was initiated few years ago, it was conceived not only to reward excellence in the media, but also to add value to the profession, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME.

Rewarding excellence in media

F

ROM inception, the Promasidor Quill Awards is a veritable vehicle to drive excellence, credibility, hard word and diligence in the fourth estate of the realm and to reward deserving professionals who have made the difference in journalism.

It left no one in doubt that it has come to stay and is a unique award with a mission. Unlike other awards that dole out handouts in cash and other material rewards, the Promasidor Quill Awards adds intellectual angle that not only advance winners’ knowledge, but also improve their skills and career advancement.

Head, Legal and Public Relations, Promasidor Nigeria Limited,Andrew Enahoro, said while announcing the commencement of entries for the maiden edition of the awards last year, “These Awards will be an annual event that would add more depth and reward reporting excellence. Winning journalists would be rewarded with befitting prizes and be given the opportunity to add to their knowledge and skills set.”

Interestingly, as journalists across the country are submitting works for entry for this year’s edition of the awards, the five winners from the maiden edition are currently running a three-month career advancing and higher skills acquisition course at the prestigious Lagos Business School (LBS) run by the globally renowned Pan-Atlantic University.

It will be recalled that Sodiq Adelakun of Punch newspapers won the Best Photo Story of the Year Award for his insightful photo story entitled “Helpless Gaze” published in the Sunday Punch of October 28, 2012. Tunbosun Ogundare whose feature, “Why Maths Should Be Every Student’s Favourite” published in National Mirror on Thursday, February 21, 2013 won the Most Educative Report of the Year. Daniel Obi emerged winner of Best CSR Report of the year with his article - “Nation Building through Promasidor Maths Competition CSR Initiative” -published in BusinessDay on October 30, 2012. Also, Alexander Chiejina screaming feature - “Gombe, Kano, Other States at Risk of Sahelian Crises” in BusinessDay clinched the Best Report on Nutrition; while Ngozi Okpalakune, of Champion newspapers emerged winner of Brand

•Enahoro

Advocate of the Year.

The Promasidor Quill Awards is thorough and professional in appointing judges for the administration of the awards. The panel of judges consists of tested and thorough-bred professionals including representatives from Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the academia and veteran journalists with proven and credible track records.

Though in its second year running, the Awards is already exhibiting an ambition of growing beyond the dreams of its conceivers.

Organisers of the awards have included two fresh categories in this year’s edition. They are: Best Report on Children and Future Reporter of the Year respectively.

Analysts have hailed Promasidor Nigeria Limited, organisers of the awards for inclu-

sion and focus of the two new categories.

“They (Promasidor Nigeria Limited) scored another first by including the two new categories. For instance, the Future Reporter of the Year is the first of its kind aimed at rewarding and encouraging budding writers to embrace journalism as a profession and career in Nigeria. I don’t know of any other before now,” said an analyst. He added that the Best Report on Children is also unique and novel in its rights. “I can’t remember anyone winning a media award that addresses that category of writers/journalists before now. Promasidor has really done well by creating avenue for the recognition of these categories of writers who appear invisible, but are there in our media space.”

The making of Island club

O

N October 29, 1943, 50 prominent Nigerians including Sir Odunmegu Ojukwu; Sir Adeyemo Alakija; Sir Louis Mbanefo; Bishop W. Howells, among others gathered at the residence of Mr Oladipupo Odunusi, to promote friendship, inter-tribal and racial harmony and good fellowship.

That meeting gave birth to one of Lagos social clubs, the Island Club, situated in Onikan, Lagos. This month, the club will clock 70.

When the colonial administrators left in 1960, a lot of Europeans remained in the country and were still members of the club but they kept decreasing. Now, the club is purely a Nigeria affair. Since then, the clubhas been able to carry on and maintain the legacy of the founders.

Executives of the club then were mostly business tycoons, civil servants, politicians Then, the the second vice chairman (VC) of the club used to be a white man. Although during its last Annual General Meeting (AGM), it passed the notion that the next VC should be a foreigner.

Though, the club has no foreigners now, it hopes to start attracting them. Not just the Europeans but people of all races and tribes all over the world.

The Chairman of the club, Prince Demola Dada told The Nation that over the years, it has remained an elitist club and they are very selective in the admission of members into

By Nneka Nwaneri

RECREATION the club, as only men who are of high standing in the society and have unblemished, reputable and visible, means of livelihood.

The attraction, Prince Dada said is that the Island club, having been founded by great men of yester years has its history, tradition and reputation it has built over the years.

“It is said that the topmost duty of its members is to do all their possible best to maintain the statuesque of the club. People apply to be members just like they apply for jobs by submitting their CVs and waiting for the call of any of the Executives for an interview.

“It is one with men of repute, belonging to those people they want to associate with, that is why they aspire to be members. It is prestigious club everybody wants to associate with.

“Periodically, it takes members considering the fact that the young ones are coming up and tries to encourage them to join having attained a certain level of 25 years old minimum, person of reputation and be upright.” he said.

General Secretary of the club, Mr Diji VeraCruz who said at the moment, it has 50 active members.

“Those dead; dormant but alive are over 70,000 at every point in time, there is a fixed financial membership of 2000 members.”

Over the years, it has become a cradle and second home for the elites who visit there any and every time there is an opportunity.

It is open for every person of repute and dignity. It is not only for sons of the rich.

Anyone who aspire and is a person of repute will be admitted without minding who the parents are. It is about the person and an individual, whoever is found fit and proper.

It has a rule. Every member must be disciplined in and outside of the club. It doesn’t abhor the violence of slapping, slander or slandering member’s character. These are ways a member can lose his membership, so it maintains discipline at all times.

“Some benefits associated with joining the club include social networking, being a place where business is done in the midst of pleasure; people assist each other where necessary. Not just relaxing, they meet people of like minds with sporting facilities of lawn and table tennis, squash, drought, Ayo and other lucrative games.

“Misbehaviour and immorality is not allowed, as it is a family-friendly club. During the Yuletide season, there is a family da where members’ children are treated to a feast. There are other social functions where members are encouraged to come with their families.

“Though because of the need for the men to escape from the pressures of children, work, bills they came to club to relax the brain. So, the club provides the opportunity for relaxation,” he added.

Since the organisers of the awards declared entries open on the online portal of the Promasidor Quill Awards on September 9, the Nigeria media space has been agog with excitement. Journalists, student- journalists, aspiring media practitioners, bloggers and youths with flare for writing and enthusiasm for journalism are submittingtheir works for the awards from all parts of the country.

According to the administrators of awards website (http://quillawards.promasidorng.com/index.php), the traffic of contestants visiting the portal to enter their works for the awards has been astronomical and continues to grow by the day.

Analysts expressed no surprise at the unprecedented number of entries pouring from all over Nigeria and beyond the shores for this year’s awards. A Lagos based freelance journalist said that “I’m not surprised at the bombardment the Quill Awards portal is getting from journalists across the country. The awards not only recognise our contribution to the society, it goes ahead to richly reward winners too.

Don’t forget winners will also be splashed with skill enhancing high-end gadgets like cameras, laptops, tablets, etc. It’s an opportunity no one wants to miss you know,” she said.

Also, the reassurance by the organisers that they will continue to show commitment to the awards also explains the surge in journalists’ interest for the awards. The Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Chief Keith Richards reiterated that, “We are committed to continue to grow the awards as a professional platform of assessment, recognition and reward for outstanding journalistic work. These awards seek to remind journalists of the importance of their role in society and to society, the need to encourage professionalism and appreciate outstanding work,” he said.

Assurances like this, are the driving forces of the journalists to enter for the awards.

The judges have assured of another exciting competition this year. According to Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole, Chairman Panel of Judges, “We would like to commend every journalist, photo-journalist and blogger who entered for these awards last year. We have been impressed by the quality of the overall entries for the maiden edition and are convinced we would have more entries this year.

“You can be rest assured that the standard of assessment by this panel is committed to ensuring that the best material wins the day.

We would like to encourage our journalists to stay fresh and sincere in their career and seek to execute their work within professional ethical standards in the industry.”

POEM

Heroes of democracy

By Evelyn Osagie They campaigned In every city Before hawk-like followers Screaming pretentious praises To their leaders The moneybags going around in their splendour Going around with GMG BAGS Who are ready to share their benevolence Along every path Those who come out boldly To say they will die for our country But alas! They feed on the masses They live till they are eighty HEROES OF DEMOCRACY Those gunning for seats At the state house Waiting patiently for their turn to come Kids begging for bread In a benevolent nation The strong and mighty living everyday The weak and the underprivileged Hope hard that that tomorrow will come They toil everyday Under the sun To exercise their civil rights They paid with their blood HEROES OF DEMOCRACY BELIEVE One day the rain of truth will fall In our land again

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

29

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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

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

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Trading: NSE to credit investors’ N accounts directly ET proceeds of stock market transactions would henceforth be sent directly to bank accounts of investors through the Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS, the clearing and settlement gateway of the market.

This would be done under a ‘direct cash settlement’ system being proposed by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

As against the practice whereby the payments for investors’ transactions go into the accounts of the brokers for onward disbursement to their clients, the general practice under the ‘direct cash settlement’ would be to send the net proceeds direct from the clearing and settlement system straight to the investors’ accounts while the existing

CBN mulls FAAC‘s distribution in batches

By Taofik Salako

practice of payment through brokers will become exceptional cases.

The NSE has advanced on the framework for the new direct cash payment system, with the rules setting out the framework currently undergoing review for final draft and approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

According to the new rules, brokers are mandated to provide their clients’ bank account details to the CSCS, being the agent of the Exchange for the clearing and settlement of all securities traded on the Automated Trading System (ATS) of the NSE. Settlement of each trade carried out on the ATS shall then

be done by direct payment into the client’s account as provided to the CSCS. Under the proposed framework, brokers are mandated within three working days of receiving instructions from a client that settlement should be done by direct payment into such client’s account to notify the CSCS of the client’s instructions and provide the client’s account details to the CSCS. Any broker-dealer that fails to notify and provide the account details within the threeday timeline will be liable to a fine of N250,000 in addition to any other penalty which the Exchange may impose, according to the new rules.

However, a client that declines direct cash payment into its account provided to

the CSCS shall notify the CSCS by completing a direct cash settlement notification form, specially made for that purpose.

Also, settlement of transactions carried out on behalf of any client whose account details are not provided to the CSCS shall be done by payment into the account of the client’s broker-dealer firm.

As part of the new rules, where a client provides its broker-dealer firm with a written mandate to purchase securities with proceeds from the sale of other securities any payment attributable to the sale shall be made into the account of the broker-dealer firm provided the client gives its consent in that regard.

Every broker-dealer is also expected to take all reason-

able steps to ensure that all details of direct settlement originate from the actual client through confirmation of the client’s details in relations to particulars contained in the ‘Know Your Client’ (KYC) provisions.

“Any broker-dealer that trades in its client securities without receiving a mandate from its client or neglects to remit to its client the proceeds from trading in such client’s securities within three working days of receiving such, shall be liable for any penalties imposed under Article 148B for unauthorised sale of securities, in addition to any other penalty which the Exchange may impose,” the new rules stated.

Besides, brokers are expected to improve their customer relations service and disclosures by being factual, plain and unambiguous in their presentations and agreements.

By Collins Nweze

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is looking at the possibility of distributing the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds to states in batches, The Nation has learnt. The plan, it was gathered, will reduce the impact of FAAC distribution in the financial market.

Interbank rates spiked briefly to above 40 per cent following delayed FAAC allocation- the monthly sharing of Federation revenue among the three tiers of government, last month. Also, the naira continued to trade outside of the preferred band on the interbank market even as robust demand for physical dollar cash from the bureaux de change (BDC) segment was blamed.

The thinking is that by sharing the FAAC fund in batches, say, four times in a month, the impact of the fund on the financial system would be minimised. The bulk distribution of the fund causes distortion in the financial system.

Analysts said many banks have come to rely on the FAAC fund, and are eagerly looking forward to deposits from government which currently stands at N3 trillion of total banking sector deposits.

They said the public sector funds in banks are then borrowed by government at 14 per cent and banks make the margin. He said such fund has made banks to be heavily dependent on government funds and the practice is not helping the economy. He said that interest paid on deposits remains low, while lending rate is high.

Why 20 BDCs lost licenses

- P 30

•From left: National Youth Service Corps, Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs. Nike Adeyemi; Managing Director/CEO, New Horizons Nigeria, Mr. Tim Akano; Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier-General Nnamdi Okore-Affia and National Director, Skills Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development(SAED), Mrs. Dan Abia, during the visit of the NYSC’s DG and State Coordinators PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON to New Horizons Office in Ikeja, Lagos.

Police quiz NEXIM Bank’s director over employment scam

T

HE Ministry of Finance, the supervisory ministry in charge of the Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), has launched an investigation into a petition against an Executive Director of the bank. The director is also being probed by the Force Headquarters, Abuja over the allegations contained in the petition.

Sources close to the police said the director has been quizzed thrice following the petition sent to the Inspector-General of Police by an Abuja - based legal practitioner on behalf of his client.

The petition to the IGP was titled: “Attempted murder, kidnapping, assassination, , threat to life criminal intimidation, criminal breach of trust, and cheating.”

The office of the InspectorGeneral of Police received the petition and directed the IGP’s Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, to investigate the In the petition, the NEXIM Bank’s chief was said to have solicited the help of an Abujabased land speculator to help in securing a job with NEXIM. The deal was to have been signed-off with the payment of N150million. However, after the Executive Director secured the job, only N1million was allegedly paid into one of the tier-one banks. As a result, the relationship took an unpleasant turn.

But the Executive Director is insisting that the allegations are false. Debunking the allegation, the Director “ said the petitioner “was an acquaintance whom I met

through one Ben about three years ago.” In the ED’s words, “ the person was introduced to me as a land vendor; the relationship was strictly business,” adding that the person “visited my home about twice to advertise some plots of land for sale, which the person said belonged to somebody in the presidency.”

The embattled director indicated that the N1million payment was made under duress following persistent demand and threats, a statement that one of the people mentioned in the petition, said is false, stating that the NEXIM director is being economical with the truth. “When it became obvious that the NEXIM director was not ready to pay me the balance of N49,000,000,

saying there was no written agreement to that effect, the only way I could established my claim is to make the ED to credit my account.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has commenced full investigation into the allegation, with top officials insisting that the bank cannot afford to have anybody tainted in the top echelon of the financial institution. “ We are conducting detailed background checks on the director in the light of the development ,” a source at the ministry said on Monday.

There is unease in the bank as some top officials of the Ministry are of the opinion that the director should be asked to step aside pending the outcome of the investigation.

NSE to suspend companies, sanction firectors over AGM

Why inverstors eye domestics airline business, by experst

- P33

- P34

30

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

MONEY

Why 20 BDCs lost their licences F

ACTS have emerged why the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) withdrew licences of 20 Bureaux De Change (BDCs) operators last Friday.

An insider at the Bureaux De Change Association of Nigeria, an umbrella body for the BDCs, said the affected firms failed to provide detailed reports on how the dollars sourced from the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) were utilised.

The source, who asked not to be named, said the apex bank, in July, carried out an inspection of BDCs to determine whether they were up to date on returns’ rendition. The result showed that the 20 affected BDCs failed the test which carries sanctions of fines or revocation of licences. The source said the level of abuse was so massive that the CBN decided to revoke their licences to serve as deterrent to others.

“Given that BDCs were long viewed as a potential source of forex leakage in the system, these measures should boost confidence in the sustainability of the forex band,” the source said.

The affected BDCs are FBN Bureau De Change, Amity Global Bureau De Change Limited, Haruna A. Rahaman Global Bureau De Change Limited, Majia Global Bureau De Change Limited, Ahali Global Bureau De Change Limited, Lawabash Global Bureau De Change Limited, Bin Dahuud Global Bureau De Change Limited, Garin Gabas Global Bureau De Change, D & D Global Bureau De Change Limited, and Daytrader Global Bureau De

Stories by Collins Nweze

Change Limited.

Others are Fatahul Global Bureau De Change Limited, Global Payments Global Bureau De Change Limited, Startime Global Bureau De Change Limited, Planet Ventures Global Bureau De Change Limited.

Also affected were Fadima Global Bureau De Change Limited, Optimum Global Bureau De Change Limited, Secon Global Bureau De Change Limited, Asabana Global Bureau De Change Limited, Maiksal Global Bureau De Change Limitedand Alim Global Bureau De Change Limited.

The source said the result of the inspection made the CBN realise that WDAS was being grossly abused by BDCs, hence the return to Retail Dutch Auction (RDAS).

Head, Global Research Africa, at Standard Chartered, Razia Khan, explained that the WDAS was abused because it allowed banks to collate bids for clients and make one forex bid.

However, under the RDAS, banks will place bids on behalf of individual clients who qualify to buy forex at the official auction.

“This change will allow the authorities to monitor more accurately various sources of forex demand and any potential duplication of forex demand in the system. Banks will remain responsible for all documentation requirements,” she said.

She explained that under the retail system, banks can only buy forex from the CBN against proof that their customers are bidding for forex un-

like in the WDAS where banks could buy forex from the CBN and then sell to clients, albeit at regulated spreads.

Also, by adopting the RDAS, the CBN will be able to monitor forex utilisation of each customer and sectors of the economy for documentation and policy formulation that includes protecting the foreign reserves from depletion and saving the naira.

“The new regulation should allow the CBN to resume a faster pace of forex reserve accumulation. High demand for forex in recent weeks had led to falling reserves,” Khan said.

The CBN had also raised the limits on naira credit and debit cards to $150,000 per year from $40,000 previously. However, this is subject to authorised dealers and card issuers filing monthly returns with the CBN. The settlement of credit card forex transactions will continue to use interbank forex funds rather than ones sourced directly from the CBN through its official auctions.

“The reform serves two purposes, first, raising the limit on card transactions discourages the use of physical cash, especially for large amounts. This is in line with the CBN’s cash-less policy initiative, by encouraging the adoption of e-channels of money transfer. Secondly, it gives regulators greater oversight over demand for FX, even when the FX is sourced through the interbank market,” she said.

A forex trader based in Lagos, Okechukwu Okafor, said the CBN

has shown a strong commitment to maintaining and protecting the naira. In July, it unexpectedly raised the cash reserve ratio on public-sector deposits to 50 per cent from 12 per cent, withdrawing excess liquidity from the market. It has followed with regulatory measures that address much of the weakness in Nigeria’s forex system directly at the source.

“We expect investors to react positively to the new measures. Increased BDC demand for FX, in quantities that were difficult to explain and largely impervious to monetary tightening, had long weighed on the forex rate,” he said.

According to him, lower demand for forex from the BDC segment should support naira appreciation in the near term. Longer-term, greater success in reversing declining oil output levels will still be needed to support forex rate.

He said henceforth, importation of foreign-currency banknotes by au-

•CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido

thorised dealers will require prior CBN approval. Each application lodged to the Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, CBN, will have to state both the amount of foreign-currency cash required and its purpose.

Analysts said the measure reinforces the anti-money-laundering stance of the authorities.

Budget deficit hits N538b in seven months

T

HE Federal Government incured a budget deficit of N538 billion, between January and July, FBN Capital, an investment and research firm has said.

In an emailed report, the firm said the figure is running a little ahead of the full-year projection of N887 billion.

It said the medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) 2014-2016 and the government’s fiscal strategy paper were driven by the some familiar objectives, which include the broadening of the revenue base and the increase of the share of capital items in total expenditure.

“The data for the first seven months of 2013 underline the obvious point that fiscal adjustment is a lengthy progress. They also explain why the MPC has a preoccupation with the fiscal policy,” it said.

The report said total Federal Government retained revenue was dominated by payouts from the federation account (73.3 per cent of the total) and augmentations from the crude account to compensate

for revenue shortfalls (14.4 per cent). The highest inflow from independent revenue was just N39 billion in March.

FBN Capital said the split between recurrent spending, including transfers, and capital items in July was 73/27. This, according to the firm, suggests that the 74/26 division in the MTEF for 2014, which was under a slightly different definition is more credible than the 68/32 in the current budget.

The Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy paper (MTEF) is a yearly, threeyear rolling document that ought to set out the medium-term expenditure priorities, and budget constraints against which activities of the different sectors can be developed and refined. MTEF should also contain outcome criteria for the purpose of performance monitoring.

Also, under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework provides an anchor to the budget estimates.

ICAN to tackle money laundering

T

•From left: Managing Director, Capital Bancorp Plc Aigboje Higo and Chairman Olutola Mobolurin at a briefing to mark the company’s 25th anniversary in Lagos.

CBN goes tough on e-payment to stop leakages

T

O stop revenue leakages, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered banks to dishonour payment instructions not electronically made.

The banks are not to honour payment instructions for salaries, pensions, suppliers and taxes not transmitted through e-payment channels.

The CBN said the policy applies to organisations with more than 50 employees.

It said the process will reduce time and costs of transactions, minimise leakages in government revenue receipts and at the same time provide reliable audit trails, thereby making the payments system comply with global payment standards.

The action was taken to save cost for the government, promote transparency and accountability in governance and increase internally generated revenue (IGR) for the country. The e-payment policy is also expected to ensure confidentiality of information of e-payment of taxes,

salary, pension and suppliers.

It said, henceforth, payment instructions and associated schedules are no longer to be transmitted to banks by all public and private sector organisations through unsecured channels, such as paper-based mandates, flash drives, compact discs and email attachments, among others.

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

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

Draft guidelines that will ratify the policy have been sent to commercial banks and payment service providers. The exercise is in line with its

powers as provided in the CBN Act, 2007, Section 47, Sub Section 2(2d).

It said the policy fully aligns with the core objectives of the National Payment Systems Vision 2020 (NPSV), which is to ensure the availability of safe and effective mechanisms for conveniently making and receiving all types of payments from any location and at any time through multiple channels.

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

A circular signed by K. O. Adaramewa for the Director, Banking and Payments System Department of the CBN, advised banks to educate and advise their customers on the adoption and implementation procedures for an end-to-end e-payment.

HE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) have taken steps to check money laundering in West Africa.

In a statement, ICAN said it was concerned with the incessant cases of money laundering and other financial insecurities. It said its members joined their counterparts and other professionals from the Anglophone West African States for a regional workshop on Anti Money Laundering and Combating of the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Requirements for Accountants in The Gambia.

The workshop organised by the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) established by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), was meant to sensitise chartered accountants as gate-keepers who have crucial roles to play in the regional efforts against money laundering and terrorist financing, saying this will enhance their capacity in the implementation of AML/CFT. The event was in sections and featured various areas aimed at creating more awareness within the Accountancy profession in Anglophone countries of West Africa and the need to build the capacity of Accountants in order to further enhance their AML/CFT competencies.

Governor of Central Bank of The

Gambia, Hon. Amadou Colley, said the workshop would help build capacities of accountants in combating money laundering, terrorism financing and other related economic and financial crime.

“Money laundering has proven to be a menace to the world, and the efforts required in the prevention, detection and prosecution are enormous. This is so mainly because of the sophisticated techniques used by criminals to launder money.

“Money laundering could have devastating effects on national economies. While this menace can occur in any country, it could have serious economic and social consequences particularly for developing countries. This is so because developing countries tend to be small and more susceptible to disruption from criminal influences,” he said.

An official of SCUML, Emmanuel Igbodekwe, said professionals should note that there must be a degree of satisfaction of suspicion, even if it does not amount to belief.

He said: “Suspicion should be created in the mind of an alert member of staff by activities which are unusual conduct of a client.

“A suspicious transaction will often be one, which is inconsistent with a client’s known, legitimate business or personal activities or with the normal business for that type of client.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

31

MARITIME

Ports’ service delivery poor, says T Shippers Council

HE Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has expressed dissatisfaction with service delivery at the ports. Its displeasure followed an inspection by officials of the NSC to the Tin Can Island Port arising from series of complaints by shippers and other stakeholders.

The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Mr Hassan Bello, said they were not pleased with what they saw, stating that the Council would introduce some initiatives, including competition among the ports to afford shippers and port users a choice on where their goods should be cleared.

He said the inspection is in conformity with the statutory duties of the NSC and an indication that the body is assuming more mediatory and regulatory roles in delivery of cargoes at the ports and terminals. It is our statutory duty to see that our shipping services,

Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi, Asst. Editor

including port operations are available, accessible and also affordable, he said.

Bello admitted that cargo clearance is a serious concern to the government as well as the issue of efficiency of the privatised terminals because it has a lot of linkage with the economy, saying that the faster goods are cleared from the ports the better for turnover, and the better for efficiency of these terminals.

“What we have seen is not pleasant to me. The shippers (those who have the cargoes) are made to face a lot of cumbersome and timewasting procedures. Besides, the

dwell time for cargo is very lengthy, which shouldn’t be so.

Port is not a storage facility, it is a transit facility.”

He said cargo should be delivered as soon as it is brought into the port, adding that the Council will continue with its examination and inspection of ports operations.

“We will come up with a flow chart of procedures because there are many institutions in the ports, each with specific responsibility.

There must be synergy and some kind of nexus and interchange between them. There must be symmetry for the cargoes to move, he added.

He said the services at the ports are carried out in a crude form.

“We cannot have such procedures happening in Nigerian ports; otherwise the actualisation of the benefits of the ports reform will be arrested. The terminals have recorded efficiency. The Federal Ministry of Transport is following auditing of performance of these operations. To establish efficiency, there are many factors that will come into play, including access to the ports, and the Nigeria Shippers’ Council is looking at all these things, he said, adding that the Tin Can visit is the beginning of the council’s on-thespot assessment.

“We receive complaints everyday from port users. The complaints relate to either the terminal operators, or Customs and others, to examination of cargoes (the slow procedure for examination) and also the inspection agencies. Some of these problems also emanate from the shippers, for instance, the issue of false declaration of goods.

“We are the superintendents of these things or the umpire in all these transactions. We are the referee and should see they are done in accordance with the rules and procedures, which are internationally prescribed. Nigeria shall never be an exception. Our procedure, rules, laws are not different from what obtains in Denmark, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Holland.

The whole essence is to bring up the economy to international standard; therefore we should adopt the best global practices and this is what we are going to do,” he said.

Bello noted that the council will also address the issue of competition. He said shippers shouldn’t be forced to terminals they don’t

•Bello

want because that is the whole essence of port reforms. If a terminal takes 20 days to clear a cargo and another one takes eight days, a shipper who doesn’t want delay may go to the terminal that takes less days to clear the cargoes. As a matter of fact, if there is intense competition, there may be no need for all this mediation because people have choice, he added.

“If a port is not efficient, a port user can move to another one that is efficient. That is why when they complain to us that goods are moving to Cotonou, we say why not. It is a function of competition.

You can never decree a hub because those days are gone. So, we are interested in the efficiency of our ports, rail and transport system because that will make attraction for more investment.

Bello said the transportation system of a country is a mirror that reflects the seriousness or otherwise of that country, saying that is the reason the Federal Government has put in place a the transportation system that serves as a linkage to the world economy.

‘Customs officers shouldn’t grumble over redeployment’ •From left: Mr Mohammed; Mr Fletcher and Chief Operating Officer of the Terminal, Mr Laurence Smith, at the event.

APMT invests $17.5m in acquisition of RTGs

T

O improve operations at the Apapa port, APM Termi nals Apapa Limited (APMT) has invested $17.5 million in the acquisition of 10 Rubber Tyre Gantries (RTGs). Rubber Tyre Gantries are machinery used to move and stack containers.

APM Terminals Chief Operating Officer, Neil Fletcher, said during the inauguration of five of the 10 RTGs, that operations at the terminal would be made a lot easier, adding that the outstanding, are expected in October.

One of the RTGs makes 24 moves in an hour, he said, adding that they were designed in Finland by a firm that has been designing and maintaining lifting equipment in ports and harbours all over the world for the past 100 years.

He said: “These 10 RTGs are the best in class and are different from the existing fleet of RTGs.”

He said from 2006, in two phases of expansion, APMT has invested over $210 million on civil works and on equipment and technology. Since the company took over the concession in 2006, he said container throughput has grown from 250,000 TEU yearly to about 613,000 TEU last year.

Productivity, he noted, has increased from an average of 9.7 berth moves per hour (bmph) to an average of 26.3 bmph while dwell time for import containers has been reduced by 14 days. Vessel waiting time has come down from 30 days to zero days and the terminal has implemented an online invoicing and payment system. Rollout of online refund is expected by end the year, he said adding that APMT Apapa is fully ISPS compliant. The online system drastically reduced human contact, time-wastage and corrupt ten-

dencies.

The third phase of the Apapa expansion is ongoing, which is to improve service delivery. Investment of $135 million is being made to pave the remaining half of the yard, install a new Customs inspection rack, procure more terminal equipment, build an office complex housing staff lunch and changing room and additional office space for Customs.

This phase of expansion is expected to be completed by third quarter of 2014, which will bring the throughput capacity of the terminal to about one million TEUs. The Apapa Port Manager, Nasir Anas Mohammed, said he was impressed by the level of expansion and improvement AMPT gives the terminal, adding that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is always willing to assist the operator where necessary.

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FFICERS of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) have been urged to embrace redeployment whenever it arises as such transfers are carried out in the overall interest of the agency and the country.

The spokesman of the Customs, Tin Can Command Mr Chris Osunkwo, gave the advice while responding to the alleged protest by some officers of the agency at Tin Can Island Port.

The Nation gathered that a group of Customs officers protested against the undue transfers of officers of the command. Besides the alleged arbitrary redeployment, the protesting officers said such transfers were done without payment of their allowances.

The protesting officers said the transfers amounted to punishment, alleging that some officers that have just spent only one year in the Command were transferred without payment of the 28 days allowance, that was to enable them settle down in their new postings.

One of the protesting officers said the transfers were baseless because the Command didn’t only

Ship owners want to participate in crude lifting

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HE Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (ISAN), now Nigeria Ship Owners Association (NISA), has condemned the inability of the Federal Government to enforce the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act 2003 (Cabotage Act) to enable them participate in crude oil lifting.

NISA General Secretary, Capt.

Niyi Labinjo urged the Federal Government to implement the Cabotage law to give indigenous shipping companies the opportunity to participate in the oil business.

The country, he said, exports about 2.5 million barrels of oil daily, expressing dismay that indigenous ship owners are not empowered to lift about 1.5 million barrels.

Labinjo told The Nation that the banks are willing to give them loan if the government can give them appreciable volume to lift. He cited Brazil where the government approved about 700 agencies, which issued certificate of compliance on local content.

He said about five years ago, the government trained 200 cadets un-

der the National Seafarers Development Programme, but regretted that since there were not enough shipping companies to work for, most of the cadets have been jobless.

He advised the government to provide enough funds for the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State, to enable the academy produce qualified workers.

He sought proper compliance with Nigerian Content Act and encouragement of the association to participate fully in the Cabotage regime.

He said: “We will continue to prevail on the government. We’ll continue to make our views known about the need for proper compliance with Cabotage; about the need for proper compliance with the Nigerian Content Act. “If we have a government that insists that out of the 2.5 million barrels of oil that Nigeria exports, 1.5 million barrels would be carried by Nigerian vessel by allocating 1.5 million barrels to the association to carry, we will gladly go to the bank to borrow money to do it.”

meet its target, but clearly exceeded it,adding that it is unfortunate that before an officer would be able to settle down, he is separated from his family again in the name of transfer.

“In August 2013, more than 212 officers and 364 officers were moved from Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, while other commands were not affected in any way,” the officers said.

When contacted, Osunkwo said: “We have heard that some officers protested, but such officers were faceless, the truth is that there is nothing any knowledgeable officer can say or do about redeployment. The fact is that transfer or movement of officers is a routine exercise usually determined by management.

“The management does have information at its disposal, which calls for who goes where, when and how. So for any officer to challenge, or grudge over a transfer is not advisable because the best an officer can do about deployment or redeployment is to grudge and that would not change anything because the management knows the reason for the redeployment, and it is always in the overall interest of the Service.”

He said for, instance, if an Area Controller in Niger State writes to the management that he lacks certain cadres of officers who play very vital role in anti-smuggling operation, what the management will do, is to look for where it has excess of such officers, mop them up and redeploy them. But the officers being redeployed may not be privileged to the information those at the management level have. The officers will grumble only because they don’t know why. The management will not be happy to have any problem anywhere when it can be prevented, he added.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

THE NATION INVESTORS

‘Major shareholders, related parties not to vote at EGM’

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AJOR shareholders, directors and their related persons and institutions may not be allowed to vote at speciallyconvened meeting for significant public interest transaction that requires approval of shareholders.

New draft rules on “meeting convened to obtain securities holders approval” being finalised by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) exclude all-related and interested parties, entities, associates and proxies from exercising their voting rights, even where they hold fully-paid shares.

The new draft rules represent major paradigm shift from the practice where such excluded persons and entities are allowed to exercise their voting rights and runs contrary to the general principle of one share or unit, one vote.

“Meeting convened to obtain securities holders approval” in capital market parlance generally includes extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM). Many companies refer to EGM as court-ordered meeting, where such meeting requires the prior approval of a court such as meeting for consideration of scheme of merger and acquisition, which requires approval of a Federal High Court.

Investors’ meetings are broadly classified into two categories- ordinary general meeting and extra-ordinary general meeting. Ordinary general meetings, such as annual

Stories by Taofik Salako

general meeting, are held to consider ordinary businesses that entail review of operational and status reports and exchange of views by investors and directors without no change to the ownership structure or basic outlines of the company. An EGM is held to enable investors consider and approve a transaction, which usually may lead to changes in ownership or holding structure of the company as well as its basic outlines and existence. Such EGM includes meetings for new or supplementary equity or debt issuance, mergers, acquisitions, shares restructurings and delisting.

According to the new rules, where a transaction requires the approval of investors, such approval shall be obtained either prior to the company entering into the transaction or, if completion of the transaction is expressed to be conditional on obtaining such approval, prior to the completion of the transaction.

At the meeting, none of each related party, entity or its associate or proxy and each interested person or entity or and its associates or proxy “shall exercise any voting rights in respect of the transaction nor accept appointments as proxies” even though they are holders of fully-paid shares or unit of investment.

Where such persons or entities are representing other unrelated or un-

interested persons and entities which are qualified to vote at the meeting, their representations will only be valid if they have specific instructions as to voting, according to the new rules.

“The notice convening the meeting shall state that related parties or interested persons shall abstain from exercising any voting rights at the meeting,” the rules stated.

Meanwhile, all other rules relating to regulatory approval, notification, publication, documentation, venue, time, period, conduct, rights and privileges and procedures amongst others in respect of general meetings will also apply to EGMs. The NSE did not respond to media enquiry to provide descriptive definition of “each related party, entity or its associate or proxy and each interested person or entity or and its associates or proxy” but market sources said these refer to similar entities under the public float rule.

The exclusion of “each related party, entity or its associate or proxy and each interested person or entity or and its associates or proxy” from voting for their holdings appears to imply that such significant corporate decisions would be determined by the minority or non-management investors.

In other words, only shareholders of public float shares will be allowed to vote and determine such

•Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh (right) receiving the ‘Most innovative capital markets regulator’ award in Africa by Africa investor (Ai) from Chief Executive Officer, Ai, Hubert Danso in New York, United States.

significant corporate decisions.

The revised listing rules of the NSE stipulates that the public shall hold a minimum of 20 per cent of each class of equity securities of a company quoted on the main board, 15 per cent of each class of equity securities of a company quoted on the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM) and 10 per cent of each class of equity securities of a dual-listed company. This rule is known in capital market parlance as public float.

Public float is technically a synonym of public shareholder and it generally refers to the shares of a quoted company held by ordinary shareholders other than those directly or indirectly held by its parent, subsidiary or associate companies or any subsidiaries or associates of its parent company; its directors who are holding office as directors of the entity and their close family members and any single individual or institutional shareholder holding a statutorily significant stake, which is five per cent and above in Nigeria.

Thus, public shareholders and public float do not include shareholders or shares held directly or indirectly by any executive, director, controlling shareholder or other concentrated, affiliated or family holdings.

Unless where specifically outlined, “close family members” in capital market regulatory parlance globally mean spouse, parents, grandparents, biological and adopted children, step-child, brothers, sisters, spouses of biological and adopted children, step-child, brothers and sisters; grandchildren; and any such person who is financially dependent on such directors or major shareholders, who are excluded for the delineation of public float.

The new rules, which will undergo public review until next Wednesday, also empower the NSE to sanction the directors of quoted companies or securities jointly as a board and individually as a member of the authorising organ in addition to suspension of trading on such companies or securities. While the rules place a cap of N5 million on fines, a clause leaves room for the NSE to impose other forms of sanctions “which it determines to be appropriate”.

Such idea of exclusion of persons and institutions with significant holdings and directorial and vested interests in a company from voting for their holdings may pitch the Exchange against several stakeholders in the capital market.

The Nation, in earlier report, had reported opinions of major stakeholders against such exclusion with

warning that such rule will have serious unintended consequences on the growth and development of the Nigerian capital market.

In the United Kingdom (UK), a majority core investor- which has the major equity stake and control of management is not entitled to vote its shares in consideration of any corporate decision such as mergers, acquisitions, delisting etc, being promoted by it.

In the wake of the move by GlaxoSmithKline UK (GSK UK) Plc to increase its shareholding in its Nigerian subsidiary, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK Nigeria) Plc, some foreign and Nigerian stakeholders opposed to the move had clamoured for the adoption of the UK rule for the GSK Nigeria transaction. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) appeared to have leaned towards such position, although there was no previous provision like the UK rule in the Nigerian capital market. GSK UK, which had indicated it would vote its 46.4 per cent equity stake in favour of the deal, withdrew the offer for acquisition citing the need for further consultations with SEC and other stakeholders.

If such majority-shareholder barring rule is adopted, it means that foreign and Nigerian majority shareholders such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who owns majority equity stakes in Dangote Cement and Dangote Sugar Refinery; and Nestle SA, which owns controlling equity stake in Nestle Nigeria Plc will not be able to vote on major corporate decisions affecting their companies.

With the exception of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, which hold less than majority shareholdings, all other foreign investors hold more than 50 per cent controlling majority equity stakes. The foreign investors are spread across dominant sectors of the economy with large concentration in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) sector.

These major multinationals include Unilever Plc, GlaxoSmithKline, United Kingdom (GSK UK) Plc, PZ Cussons, Nestle SA, Lafarge SA, Heineken NV, Mondelçz International, Berger Bilfinger, BOC Holdings, Standard Bank Group, Leventis, Total SA, Mobil Oil Corporation, Siat NV, Affelka SA, Greif International Holdings B.V., United States’ Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation and SAB Miller.

Other Nigerians and institutional investors that may be affected included UAC of Nigeria, Vitafoam Nigeria, Dr. Oba Otudeko, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr and Mr. Femi Otedola.

Japaul’s profit drops by 71% in first half

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APAUL Oil & Maritime Services Plc witnessed a major contraction in profitability in the first

half as the upstream maritime services company struggled with sluggish sales.

Interim report and accounts of Japaul for the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 showed that profits before and after tax dropped by 72 per cent and 67 per cent respectively on the back of 12.1 per cent increase in sales.

Profit before tax closed June 2013 at N420.36 million as against N1.50 billion recorded in comparable period of 2012. With no tax provision for 2013, net profit remained at N420.36 million as against N1.27 billion recorded in corresponding period of 2012.

Total turnover rose by 12.07 per cent from N6.05 billion to N6.78 billion. Gross profit however slipped by 8.6 per cent from N3.72 billion in 2012 to N3.40 billion in 2013.

The first half performance showed a continuation of the downtrend that had characterized the performance of the company in recent period. Audited report and accounts of Japaul for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed that turnover increased from N10.25 billion in 2011 to N12.28 billion in 2012. Gross profit rose from N4.72 billion to N4.999 billion. Profit before tax however dropped from N1.45 billion to N532.71 million.

Profit after tax declined from N980.44 million to N283.73 million. Earnings per share dropped from 15.66 kobo to 4.53 kobo. With these, the company’s shareholders’ funds dropped from N22.56 billion to N17.08 billion.

Chairman, Japaul Oil & Maritime Services Plc, Major-General Omosebi (rtd), had explained that adjustments for depreciation and newly introduced policies for preparations of statutory financial reports were responsible for the

drastic decline in the profit of the company in 2012.

According to him, while the turnover had increased and raised hopes of improved bottom-line last year, the company’s net profit was adversely affected by higher-than-expected depreciation and financing expenses.

He said the companies acquired some new vessels towards the end of the year and decided to charge depreciation on them in order to readjust the company’s depreciation to a more ideal position, a situation that increased depreciation on profit to about N2.1 billion, N1.56 billion above the rate for previous year.

“Some of the new vessels that we bought are financed with loans from the bank, hence the high amount of interest that we paid during the year. Moreover, the bad debt that was written off against our profit for the year is N600 million because one of our major debtors, NAFTOGAS, got liquidated.

Though we believe that we will get some money back from the appointed liquidator, we decided to write off the amount right now,” Omosebi said.

He noted that the need to comply with the requirements of the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) necessitated several adjustments in the accounts of the company, which were written off against the company’s profits and reserves and eventually threw the reserves to negative from N2.9 billion.

He however reassured shareholders on the prospects of the company noting that it has garnered huge demand and contracts that would propel its growth in the years ahead.

He said the company plans to acquire six more vessels between now and next year with combined income earning capability of $150,000 per day, which would boost the existing income stream.

“The operating environment is so good that if we have 50 vessels to-

•MD Japaul Mr Jegede Paul

day, the market will absorb them because the Nigeria Local Content Policy has created an enabling environment for all local maritime companies to do well. It is evident therefore that there is no limit to our growth despite all the challenges we have been facing,” Omosebi said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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THE NATION INVESTORS

NSE to suspend companies, sanction directors over AGM

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HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will suspend any company and sanction directors of such company that fails to hold its annual general meeting (AGM) within nine months after the end of the company’s financial yearend, according to new rules on general meetings being proposed by the Exchange.

Suspension implies that there will not be any transaction on the shares of the company at the NSE. By nine month timeline, this implies that companies that run the normal Gregorian calendar year as their business year, which most of the quoted companies use, must have done their annual general meetings (AGMs) on or before September 30 of the following year. For instance, companies with financial year ending December 31, 2013 must have done their AGMs on or before September 30, 2014.

The new rules, which will undergo public review and comments till October 9, 2013, empower the NSE to sanction the directors of quoted companies or securities jointly as a board and individually as a member of the authorising organ in addition to suspension of trading on such companies or securities. While the rules place a cap of N5 million on fines, a clause leaves room for the NSE to impose other forms of sanctions “which it determines to be appropriate”.

According to the new rules,

•Rules out electronic reports alone •To vet corporate press releases Stories by Taofik Salako

where an issuer-a quoted company or securities such as bonds and mutual funds and other derivatives, fails to hold its AGM within nine months from the end of its financial year end, the company or such security shall file a report with the NSE within 14 days of the end of the stipulated period explaining the reasons for the default and it shall make an announcement in that regard in at least two national daily newspapers within seven days of receiving the Exchange’s approval to make the announcement.

“If an Issuer or Trustees of a Bond fail to hold an annual general meeting of securities holders within the term prescribed by these Rules without justifiable cause, the Exchange shall suspend the listing of the securities, and shall require the Board of Directors or Trustees of the Bond to give explanations and make an announcement in that regard within seven days of receiving the Exchange’s approval to make the announcement,” a section of the rules states.

In another significant review, the new rules require that notice for a meeting “shall state the right of securities’ holders to ask questions not only at the meeting but also in writing prior to the meeting; and the date by which such questions must be submitted to the issuer”.

The chairman at the meeting must respond to such questions submitted prior to the meeting during the general meeting in addition to given ample opportunity to shareholders or securities holders to ask questions during the meeting.

“Securities holders may submit to the Issuer written memoranda on their observations or concerns arising from the Annual Reports or Information memorandum to the company at least a week before the general meeting and forward copies to the relevant regulatory bodies,” the rules stated.

Besides, every listed company or entity is expected to submit a draft copy of the notice of meeting, circulars and annual reports including press releases s well as copies of all supporting documentation that will be considered at the meeting to the NSE for review prior to publication or release of such documents.

“Each Director or vendor of an Issuer shall accept responsibility for the accuracy of the information in any circular that is sent to holders of listed securities and a statement to that effect, shall be incorporated in the circular,” a section of the rules places individual liability on directors and authorising individuals besides the joint board and corporate liabilities.

According to the new rules, after the notice convening a general

meeting is issued, the meeting shall not be postponed or cancelled and no resolution proposals listed in the notice shall be cancelled without any justifiable cause. Where due to any unforeseen circumstance it becomes necessary to postpone or cancel the meeting, the issuer shall make an announcement in at least two national daily newspapers and explain the reasons in that regard at least three working days before the earlier scheduled date of the general meeting.

In another rule that appears to circumvent the growing momentum of companies seeking to send electronic or “soft copies” of annual reports and other documents to investors, the new rules mandate companies “to forward to the email addresses of securities holders the soft copies of the documentation in addition to the hard copies which will be sent by post”.

According to the new rules, companies are expected to ensure that the notice of meeting and the full or abridged copy of the annual reports or any other relevant documentation are dispatched and reach securities holders and the relevant regulatory authorities at least 21 days before the date of the meeting and evidence of postage shall be made available for inspection by the regulators at the meeting. Companies shall also allow at least seven days for delivery of the no-

tice of meeting if sent out by post from the day the letter containing same is posted. These imply that such notice and reports must be sent at least 28 days before the meeting.

Companies are also expected to publish on their websites notice of meeting, circulars, annual reports, scheme document and other information memorandum that will be considered at a general meeting immediately after receiving approval of the NSE. The new rules also encourage pregeneral meeting interactive sessions between directors and all stakeholders to iron out issues that are likely to arouse high levels of interest and controversy at the general meetings.

Besides, all directors, company secretary and where applicable supervisors of a company shall attend all its general meetings.

However, in the event that managers and any other employees of a company are in attendance at a general meeting, they shall be treated as non-voting delegates unless they are holders of fullypaid shares or attending the meeting as proxies with specific voting instructions.

The draft copy of the new rules obtained by The Nation was signed by head, legal and regulation, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Tinuade Awe. The draft rules are however still subject to approval of the final copy by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Vitafoam bags marketing award

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HE National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) has awarded the ‘Best Foam Marketing Company of the Year’ award to Vitafoam Nigeria Plc. Presenting the award to the company at the 10th anniversary and conferment of fellowship and marketing excellence awards on corporate organisations in Lagos, president, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Mr Rotimi Adeyeye said Vitafoam Nigeria was a trail blazer in the manufacturing and distribution of foam and allied products.

He urged the company to sustain its excellent corporate performance to uphold its philosophy of creating shareholder value.

Receiving the award on behalf of the company, head, sales and marketing, Vitafoam Nigeria, Mr

Gabriel Okoli described the award as an assurance that the company has always been on the top.

He said the award imposed certain responsibilities on Vitafoam Nigeria, with the least expectation now the need for the company to double its efforts by ensuring that it surpasses the current performance that earned it the award.

On the challenges facing marketers in Nigeria, Okoli emphasised the influx of adulterated products and urged the regulatory authorities such as Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to wield big sticks on the culprits to curb the menace of poor quality products whose low prices and orchestrated packaging make them attractive to unsuspecting consumers.

African Exchanges examine roles at ASEA meeting

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HIEF executives of securities exchanges and key stakeholders in the financial services industry in Africa will examine the roles of capital markets in an emerging economy like Africa at the 17th annual general assembly and conference of the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) in December in Cote d’Ivoire.

The theme of the conference is “Africa: From promises to achievements. Key role of capital markets” in line with ASEA’s main objective of promoting long term financing through African capital markets for the development of African countries. ASEA is a nonprofit association with 23 stock exchanges members including the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The Regional Stock Exchange of the West African Monetary and Economic Union ( BRVM) will host the 17th General Assembly in

Abidjan from December 1 - 4. A member of the ASEA, the BRVM is the stock exchange common to the eight member countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Fully electronic, the BRVM meets the international standards and ranks Sixth among African stock exchanges, in terms of market capitalisation. The BRVM is represented in each WAEMU countries by a local office. It uses a central depository and settlement bank for the settlement of securities transactions.

Chief Executive Officer, BRVM, Edoh Amenounve, said the conference would gather more than 400 participants from various countries including public authorities, central banks, market regulators, banks, investment funds, regional and international brokers and observers of the global finance to discuss the opportunities in Africa.

•From left: President, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Mr Rotimi Adeyeye presenting the institute’s ‘Best Foam Marketing Company of the Year’ to Head, Sales and Marketing, Vitafoam Nigeria, Mr Gabriel Okoli in Lagos.

Operator hails NSE’s new trading engine ANAGING Director, GTI Securities, Mr Tunde Oyekunle, has described the commencement of live trading on the new trading engine at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as a development that will usher in a new era and enhance the depth and efficiency of the stock market.

The new trading engine known as X-Gen is a version of NASDAQ X-Stream developed by NASDAQ OMX System, a global financial services powerhouse. The X-Gen was launched for real time trading on Monday.

Oyekunle, who had traded on the new engine, said it showed enormous potential and capacity as brokers were able to trade in more seamless and efficient manner.

According to him, although the new system appeared to be somehow complicated, brokers will become more deft and further unlock the potential of the system

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as they become more familiar with the features.

“It’s a game changer, although people will have to broaden their skills to master the new system.

It will enhance market efficiency and services to clients,” Oyekunle said.

He said the new system will enable brokers to undertake seamless trading on bonds, derivatives and other complex products from a single trading point in addition to existing equities, which dominate market transactions.

Chief executive officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema, had in a statement on Monday noted that with the live trading on X-Gen, the Exchange’s trading platform is now among the most advanced in the world, which further extends NSE’s leadership position in Africa.

Executive director, market operations and technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Ade Bajomo, said the live trading on

X-Gen was as a result of the focused, disciplined and intensive 12-month project involving the NSE, its technical partners and the broker dealer community.

“We believe that the successful implementation of this modern, world-class trading technology suite is a significant development that will change the experience of doing business in not only the Nigerian capital market but in Africa,” Bajomo said.

According to him, the new trading platform is based on a number of leading technologies, including NASDAQ OMX’s XStream matching engine, and the NSE’s flexible and robust X-GEN Market Database, developed from scratch by the NSE and its technical partners.

Bajomo noted that the new trading engine will support trading of cash equities, bonds, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and derivatives, giving wider access to real time data, improved market transparency and governance.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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AVIATION

Why investors eye domestic airline business, by experts

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MPROVED operating environment, removal of import duties on aircraft and spares and easy acquisition of aircraft have been identified as incentives driving investment in the industry.

Some experts, Chris Aligbe, Sheri Kyari and Francis Ayigbe believe that there is room for more carriers if the would-be investors use the right aircraft model in their operations.

They canvassed the owner/investor model as the best for the business, arguing that the owner/manager model as is the case with many airlines was responsible for the high rate of failure of domestic carriers.

They told The Nation that many airlines failed because the managers lack the knowledge and technical skills to keep their operations afloat.

Among the new carriers billed to resume operations soon are: Discovery Air, NigeriaOne, the proposed private sector national carrier, Hak Air and others.

According to them, an owner/investor is one who has the technical knowledge of aviation and sufficient funds to invest in the business, while an owner/manager doesn’t have technical knowledge of the industry, but has funds to invest.

Aligbe, the Chief Executive Officer of BeluJane Konzults, said the recipe for running a profitable carrier is using the right operational model and equipment.

He said Nigeria could only de-

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

liver profitable carriers if the operators were ready to imbibe the culture of investor/manager, which would bring about inclusion of technical expertise in the running of the airline as opposed to undue interference by the owner/ manager.

Aligbe said: "People are investing more in airlines because they believe that the environment is friendlier. Now, operators could get newer aircraft that are more fuel efficient, added to this is the opportunity created by the waiver granted operators for aircraft and spares.

This has reduced the cost of the business, and has added value. He said at the same time, the quest for air travel is rising, and there is increased passenger traffic which presents an opportunity for growth.

He said the market is huge and yet to be fully exploited by indigenous operators.

The industry is expanding, and this has opened opportunity for new investors who could inch into the market, he said, adding that the greatest problem of domestic airlines is the owner manager syndrome, which was what killed the defunct Nigeria Airways, he added.

He said nearly all the airlines that have collapsed are traceable to the problem of owner manager. If this factor could be addressed, the busi-

ness could fare better, he said.

Ayigbe, an industry analyst, said undue interference by the owners of the business result in airline collapse.

In the case of private airlines, the list is endless, the owner manager factor, is in most cases responsible their collapse, he said, adding that this factor has to be removed, if they must be run profitably.

Ayigbe, who is also the former spokesman of Virgin Nigeria Airways, said many airlines were eager to come to Nigeria because they believe they can offer better management and service than the ones that existed before.

He said the new investors think they can achieve a shift of that paradigm. The fact is that many airlines do not engage in proper revenue management, forensic route evaluation , revenue accounting . But, the new investors think they would overcome such challenges by getting it right."

He said: "More airlines are coming in because it is a high revenue yielding areas. People are coming to the industry for many reason. They think it could provide opportunity to engage in round tripping of money under the guise of running an airline.

“Some are coming in for ego tripping. There should be security clearance for the would be investors.

“Most of the airlines are not structured to make profit.”

Imo Cargo Airport ready soon PLANS by the Federal Government to make Sam Mbakwe International Airport in Owerri, Imo State, a cargo gateway will soon be realised, the Airport Manager, Mr Young Ekwekwuo has said.

He said the cargo apron of the airport under construction will be completed before the end of this year.

He, however, added that disruptions caused by youths seeking financial rewards have been resolved.

“The elders have appointed elder statesmen to mediate and since then, the hostilities from the youth is a thing of the past. We now have the enabling environment; the contractors handling the project are no longer being disturbed,” he added.

He said it had been a challenge managing the airport, especially that of the youth restiveness on land compensation, but expressed delight with the way the matter was handled.

Ekwekwuo said the airport has been fenced to ward off intruders, adding that security measures have been put in place to ensure safety.

On the projection of the airport, he explained that after the inauguration that the sky would be the limit because the airport has been fitted with the state-of-the-art equipment.

“At the beginning, there were challenges and Nigerians never believed that this thing will get to this stage. Those of them who spoke against the remodeling now have a rethink. They never knew that such a terminal building can be reformed, remodeled and reconstructed to what it is today,” Ekwekwuo, said.

‘Etihad embarks on equity investments’ ETIHAD Airways said it is increasing its global presence through a mix of organic growth and strategic partnerships.

Speaking at the FVW Kongress in Cologne, Germany, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said the airline is engaged in three major transactions.

He listed the transactions to include the acquisition of 24 per cent of India’s Jet Airways, a 49 per cent stake and management contract in Air Serbia, and increasing equity in Virgin Australia from 10 per cent to a target of 19.9 per cent.

“Global reach is beyond the capacity of any single airline. Progress must come through partnership,” said Mr Hogan. “The investments we are making are delivering significant benefits not only to the airlines but to our passengers and freight customers. We will consider more strategic partnerships if they add value.”

Etihad Airways launched its equity investment strategy in 2011 with the purchase of a 29 per cent stake in airberlin, followed by a 40 per cent investment in Air Seychelles, which included a five year management contract.

This was followed last year by the investment in Virgin Australia and a three per cent stake in Ireland’s Aer Lingus, this year’s Air Serbia deal and, subject to final approval, the Jet Airways investment.

Together, Etihad Airways and these six airlines serve more than 340 destinations with a fleet of 511 aircraft. In 2012, they carried a combined total of more than 91 million passengers – comparable to large airline partnerships in Europe and Asia.

“Equity investments deliver synergy benefits which cannot be achieved through legacy airline alliances,” Mr Hogan said. “Legacy alliances are focused largely on network and revenue benefits.”

Our equity alliance delivers much broader benefits for all of the partners including opportunities to reduce costs through resource sharing and joint procurement.”

Dana offers ‘freedom’ tickets

•From left: Managing Director/CEO, Landover Company Limited, Captain Edward Boyo; , MD/CEO, Nahco Aviance, Mr Kayode Oluwasegun-Ojo and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director-General, Captain Fola Akinkuotu at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Africa Aviation Day Conference in Lagos.

D

Fed Govt reads riot act to airlines

OMESTIC airline operators that violate civil aviation regulations will be penalised, the Federal Government has said.

The warning came on the heels of the goverment’s plans to install air safety infrastructure and air field lighting equipment at airports nationwide to ensure 24-hour operations.

Visual flight is the terminology used for airports where only daily light flights are carried out due to absence of air field lighting that guarantees 24-hour flight services.

The spokesman of aviation agencies, Mr Yakubu Dati, told The Nation that Calabar and Yola Airports which are restricted to day light flight operations will benefit from the measure.

He said equipment for air field lighting for Calabar Airport had arrived an the country and would be installed soon to make the aerodrome instrument flight rules compliant, adding that until such equipment is installed, domestic airlines must continue to abide by the operating standard and rules for such airports as prescribed by the civil aviation regulations.

The government, Dati said, would

not allow infringement, by airlines so as not to jeopardise air safety.

He explained that the government is vigorously pursuing the remodelling of the major airports to ensure that the projects are delivered in good time for the use of passengers, saying that all air safety infrastructure including air field lighting that will improve safer flight are being installed at airports nationwide.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened to sanction Arik Air for violating the rules when it operated a flight into Calabar Airport when the aerodrome was closed for operations.

Its Director-General, Captain Folayeke Akinkuotu, said the infraction amounted to violation of civil aviation regulations. It is against the regulation for airlines to operate any flight into an airport that is closed for day light operations, he said.

“The attention of the NCAA has been drawn to the unfortunate incident that happened in Abuja on Thursday September 26, 2013. The NCAA finds the handling of the Calabar bound flight and the passenger rights as in total contravention of the NCAA

Consumer Bill of Rights,” Akinkuotu, said in a statement.

“The Calabar bound passengers having been delayed for over three hours in the first instance, are entitled to compensation and were unfairly treated. Arik Airlines acted in total breach of the law. Such shabby and total disregard for passenger comfort and rights will not be tolerated and will attract appropriate sanctions,” it said, adding that NCAA finds the action of the passengers against the Arik airplane and the passengers on board same flight as unacceptable and amounts to an act of illegality. “ It is unlawful and punishable by law. Passengers need to beware and be law-abiding.

NCAA will continue to monitor these infringements and will ensure compliance with the law.”

Arik Air is yet to respond to the alleged infraction by the NCAA. Officials of Arik Air were yet to give their side of the story.

Corroborating the position of NCAA, the spokesman of aviation agencies, Mr Yakubu Dati said the government will no longer tolerate any act of impunity by airlines.

IN commemoration of Nigeria’s 53rd Independence anniversary, Dana Air is offering air travellers in Nigeria the opportunity to purchase a companion ticket on its existing route network.

The routes include Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Calabar. The airline said passengers will get a reward of a ‘freedom ticket’ for travel anytime within the Independence month of October.

Announcing the commencement of the gesture, Obi Mbanuzuo, Dana Air’s Head of Commercial, said: “As our great nation marks her 53rd Independence anniversary this October, there is no better way to celebrate than to offer more Nigerians the freedom to fly.

“This is why we have introduced the freedom ticket initiative to encourage business and pleasure trips for family and friends.”

“Starting from September 27, simply buy a Dana Air ticket for yourself and a companion and you will get one ‘freedom ticket’ for travel to any Dana Air destination; the more ‘companion tickets’ you buy online, the more freedom tickets you get! The freedom ticket is valid for travel in October only,” Mbanuzuo stated.

Delta, Virgin Atlantic Airlines accept U.S. decision DELTA Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited have accepted the decision by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to okay the carriers’ joint venture by granting antitrust immunity on routes between North America and the United Kingdom.

The DOT’s ruling is a confirmation of the clear consumer benefits of the partnership and will allow the carriers to deepen their cooperation, offering more flight choices for travellers on both sides of the Atlantic.

The decision will improve the travel options for business customers in New York to London market.

From March 30, next year, Delta and Virgin Atlantic will operate a harmonised schedule between New York-JFK and London Heathrow featuring seven daily nonstop services at convenient time slots.

The new schedule will include departures every 30 minutes during the early evening peak and then hourly from New York-JFK to London Heathrow and a spread of seven daily flights from London Heathrow to New York-JFK, including two late afternoon and early evening departures. These services will be complemented by two daily nonstop flights between New York’s Newark airport and London Heathrow.

Delta and Virgin Atlantic will operate the following New York-JFKLondon Heathrow schedule beginning March 30, 2014 The two airlines will team up to co-ordinate other schedule and network opportunities. They will operate 32 peak daily non-stop flights between North America and the United Kingdom.

Delta’s President Ed Bastian said: “We are delighted that the Department of Transportation recognises that the immunised partnership offers significant advantages to customers.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

35

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP

‘Having an edge over rivals counts’ She went into laboratory service business because she saw a lot of promise in it. Without capital, Mrs Chinwe Kelechukwu, Chief Executive, Emachy Chemicals & Laboratory Services, Lagos took a leap of faith. Today, she is better off for it. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

T

HE entrepreneurial landscape is an interesting mix.

There are businesses started with little capital, which are today success stories. Laboratory services, for instance. Even though many are small in sizes, they provide services such as custom synthesis, product distribution, testing laboratories, product formulation and scientific translation, and patent attorneys.

Mrs Chinwe Kelechukwu,Chief Executive, Emachy Chemicals and Laboratory Services, in Lagos is into this business.

While working as the top analyst with a private laboratory, customers demonstrated openly that they were impressed with her performance. Somebody suggested that she started and managed her own commercial laboratory. She resisted at first, but over a period, saw that there was much demand for an analysis lab.

She has had experience as a public analyst and transacted busi-

ness smoothly for her former employers. So she sought divine direction from God. She was hit with a flash of inspiration and was determined to do it. She knew that testing services was a growing business and her faith, determination, and passion pushed her to overcome her numerous obstacles.

She started from a small lab combining the job of a technician and office assistant. She did all types of testing. Some of her customers needed water analysis, so she expanded into water testing and then into environmental sampling, all from her house, before she moved to a friend’s place and finally secured her own office.

She was preparing chemicals for industrial, and other applications. For her, size does not matter when one counts the growth fuelled by small businesses in specialty services and retail business.

Holding immense potential, these shops not only leverage high return on investments (RoI), but also

Long road to business fame He started small, providing computer services to students and workers at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State and environ. The business has expanded into farming, laundry, dry cleaning and real estate.

Ademola Ajayi shares his story with HANNAH OJO.

F

OR the graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the saying ‘despise not the days of little beginning’ comes true. With N10, 000 Ademola Ajayi started business in 2007 as a sophomore, selling flash drives, mp3, mp4 and other allied accessories. He took them from room to room and displayed his goods at various trade fairs and exhibitions around campus.

Today, that sacrifice has paid off as his business is worth about N15million and has expanded into a group with interest in farming, laundry and dry cleaning.

For him, the quest to be an entrepreneur was borne out of his desire to be independent and the need to make quality product available to the people. From combating the challenges of balancing academics, business duties and his responsibility as one of the leaders in his fellowship, while a student, Ajayi has been able to weather the storm and has expanded ThrillHouse, the brand name for his computer accessories services from to Kadef Group comprising subsidiaries in various interests.

•Ajayi

“Everything is a means to an end and at each stage, you have a bigger picture. We have been taking steps towards that by doing our market survey and planting things in different places. For example, laundry, cuisine, and multimedia (computer, gadgets sales and the likes) are in Ile-Ife where we begun.

Already, we have bought landed property in one of the state capitals where our farm is situated, and before the end of the year, we intend to open another arm of multimedia in another state capital.”

On the strategy that has influenced his expansion plans, he said: “We are doing our survey and bringing our services to places that lack them. As much as we want to make money, we also want people to have easy access to quality products by having experts to handle such aspects.”

On his plans for expansion, he disclosed that he was working towards having a branch of Kadef in every state.

“More so we intend to go into real estate by providing quality and affordable homes to the populace to mention a few,” he added. If there is one lesson he has learnt, it is the need for entrepreneurs to be more prudent in financial management as he wished he had done likewise some years ago.

Advising prospective entrepreneurs, Ajayi believes anybody that wants to go into any business should seek experts’ advice and make sure that the motive is passion driven.

“Everybody has different ways of achieving their dreams, but in doing this, we should not forget our passions and what makes us happy and, most importantly, to put God first. People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness; however, just because they are not on your road does not mean they are lost. In everything the major think is to be happy and be able to look back and say I made a good impact,” he said.

pave way for swift success of brands.

Before opening up shop, she saw the impact of competitors in her area. She made sure she could offer to customers a significant advantage over competition’s offering.

Her initial challenges were getting some space, to start work.

She had a challenge raising money to pay for raw materials. But she knew it was going to be a good outing for her. Undaunted by her frustrations, she believed that in the middle of difficulty lies an opportunity.

She made sure that most times, she goes to her clients, and not the other way round to prevent them from discovering the simplicity of her business operations.

Nevertheless, her approach to people worked and she made it through her challenges, finding it to be very exciting She put all of the profits back into the business, investing in more equipment, expanding product lines, and eventually attracting some extraordinary individuals.

The business started growing steadily. Her investments have paidoff, as the company has demonstrated

growth ,worth more than N1million presently.

She has re-directed her energies towards her business. Whatever she has today is the hard work that she did in these years. Her business has evolved since 2005 when it was founded.

As a company, it has charted a new course that places emphasis more on service delivery. The company has developed new capabilities in the area of integrating various technology products into industrial production.

At the growth stage of her business, she considers cash flow as her main challenge. Looking back, she has proven to be a skilled risk-taker who has demonstrated an intuitive ability to recognise unfilled needs in the market.

For her, learning how to deal with people and treat them the way you want to be treated is critical. She has come a long way. Starting from scratch, “doing everything on my own without outside help; and growing it at this point with no large capital investment” is her greatest business accomplishment.

The biggest obstacle, according to

• Mrs Kelechukwu

her, was money. She deployed goodwill and was getting supplies on credit.There were no personal loans or venture capital. She has a tremendous amount of energy, which is balanced well between her entrepreneurial and technical abilities.

According to her, striking out solo takes courage and the favour of God. She is somebody who enjoys making money.

She strived to improve efficiency.

She tried to develop preparations that could make products better, safer or more profitable. She has always been a visionary and looked at solutions quickly as to what the market wants.

•Soy milk machine

Soymilk processing production

T

HE under-nourishment caused by low protein consumption is a big issue.

Thus, any investment in nutritious food products is a money spinner. Soy milk is one of such products. It is recommended for high protein content. Establishment of soymilk processing plants is seen as low technical investment.

However,it involves the importation of simple processing plant which can be installed in a medium sized rented warehouse. A 20-square meter room, three phrase electrical power point and water supply are enough for its perfect operation. The main raw materials are soybeans which are abundantly grown in most areas of the . Other raw materials are sugar, salt, essence for flavoring and coloration. Raw materials availability is not a challenge.

The plant helps to extract the produce ,mix it in a form can be used in numberless culinary recipes. A small scale machine has the capacity of producing 2,000 litres of soymilk per day. Part of the

By Edwin Agbaike Projects/ Financial Consultant

plant is a grinder which ensures high output protein extraction.

Soymilk processing involves raw material preparation, absorption of water, grinding, filtering, addition of ingredients, ultra pasteurisation, cooling, packaging and storage.

The market is there. The most common are supermarkets, hospitals and direct sales. This is to say in essence that the market is guaranteed.

Contract supply agreement could be signed by the promoters of this project with various hospitals for the use of patients and newly born babies. This alone is enough marketing outlet. The use of bicycle boys to distribute in the streets will go a long way to effectively market the product. For a take-off, we recommend that a unit of the project be sited in any of the major cities in the country.

The promoters could then think of establishing more units all over

the federation.

A processing machine with the capacity to produce 2,000 litres/ days is estimated at N5 million.

In a year of 250 working days, it will produce 500,000 liters of soymilk. We have estimated that to produce a liter of soymilk, it will cost about N10. The selling price per litre of the milk is over N80. Since the intention of this project is to produce low cost, but equally nourishing milk, we have put the selling price at N40.

Therefore, revenue realisedper year is N20 million. The total costs of production per annum have been estimated at N5 million. This leaves a gross profit of N15 million per year. This is nothing but a substantial profit margin. It is a viable project since the raw material can be sourced easily. A processing machine can be maintained comfortably and the market is guaranteed.

For more details contact krisedbrilliant@yahoo.com or call 08023381900.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

36

EMPOWERMENT CLINIC with

How managers can boost performance BOOK REVIEW Author: John Fenton BOOK REVIEW Publisher: Diamond Publishing Reviewer: Goke Ilesanmi

GOKE ILESANMI

I

T is a fact that constant performance assessment is very important for individuals and corporate organisations that are thirsty for enduring success. It is also a must for people and organisations that are already up there, because of danger of complacency. This explains my choice of “101 Ways to Boost Your Performance” for review this week.

The author, John Fenton is one of the greatest salesmen in the United Kingdom (UK); founder of the Institute of Continuing Performance Development and creator of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management.

Fenton offers some management strategies to assist you in improving your skills and achieving your ambition. He shows you how to cut to the bone of marketing, communication and administration, and offers a new insight into the processes of staff management, recruitment and development. Fenton examines concepts such as shortcuts to knowing your product, your market, your competition and salesforce; how to cut paperwork by half and manage your time better; how to motivate your staff to even greater achievements, etc.

Structurally, the book is divided into 13 chapters. Chapter one is tagged Foundation Stones for Effective Management. According to Fenton, it is a glaring glimse of the obvious to say that no amount of production is of the slightest value unless the products are sold for

cash. He says personally, he loves signs, and there are a lot of them in this book. Try placing some of them strategically around your place of work, they remind people why they are there, educates this author. He adds that without reminders, people quickly forget, and allow their personal priorities to take precedence over the priorities of the business. “My favourite sign comes from ex-Avis chief Robert Townsend: Is what I’m doing, or about to do, getting us closer to our objective or making us money?” says this author.

He illuminates many companies do not see selling as the be-all-and-end-all of their business. The author says they make things, or set up as experts in providing some kind of service, and then sit back and wait for the customers to come to them.

He reveals that the result is failure, unless they have enough personal contacts to keep them struggling along as a small company.

Fenton says if the product is good, professional sales promotion can turn any small struggling company into a large and prosperous one. The author educates that customers are the business, adding that the customers come first, not the products or services, or the factory or the corporate image.

In chapter two interrogatively christened “Is marketing bunk, Fenton says marketing is fashionable, and as soon as anything becomes fashionable all sorts of ‘creative’ types move in and make ludicrous claims for their own magical powers. “There are grains of truth in all their claims, but there is also a lot of flannel as well.

So let’s define what marketing should be about: ‘Marketing is the management process responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably’,” he educates. Fenton says without marketing, all you can do is to keep on selling the same products and services to the same customers.

According to Fenton, inevitably that will lead

to your going out of business because you are standing while the world outside moves on.

The author stresses that using the principles of marketing, however, you adjust, amend or change the products or services and the ways in which you sell them, in order to suit the changing needs of your changing customer base. Fenton expatiates that you react positively to the constant evolution of your marketplace, especially that marketing is only bunk when it is applied incompetently. He says it is also bunk to call your Sales Manager a Marketing Manager, and your Sales Office a Marketing Services Department.

In chapters three to six, Fenton discusses concepts such as the competitive edge; improving performance; watching the bottomline; and cutting down the administration.

In chapter seven that focuses on finding and keeping the best people, he says the snag is that without people you have no business.

Fenton adds that the first thing you have to

do is to ensure that you get the best people possible in your team because the right people work for the furtherance of the business before their own self-interests.

The author educates that if your business is to succeed, you have to be able to pick winners and avoid losers. “I have two pet systems for picking winners, both very simple. If you are interviewing for a sales position, all the applicants will probably be clever enough to give you the answers you want to hear to the usual run of questions. If I am looking for experienced people, then they have to prove that all their experience is worth something. So I challenge them to prove how good they are,” says Fenton.

In chapters eight to 12, he beams his analytical searchlight on concepts such as communications; management techniques; time management; leadership and motivation.

Chapter 13 is christened “Unlucky for some”.

Fenton says there is nearly always a difference between what we are and what we are perceived to be, asking: “Have you, for instance, got any of the nasty little habits which annoy you in other people? … Think of all the things that drive you mad in other people, and then see if they apply to you.”

As regards conceptual assessment, the concepts have depth. Fenton has really articulated his ideas clearly and brilliantly in this book.

Stylistically, the ideas are logically presented while the language is simple. The title is catchy. Fenton uses accurate quotes to embellish concepts. One thing that is really conspicuous in this text is generous employment of graphical embroidery for emphasis and visual reinforcement of readers’ understanding. What’s more, Fenton uses detailed illustrations to ensure easy understanding on readers’ part.

But on page 114, “…the best people possible on your team”, which is Standard American English is used instead of the Standard British English “…the best people possible in your team” to be used, especially that Fenton is a Briton.

Are you prepared to achieve personal independence through exceptional performance in this month of national independence?

If your answer is “Yes”, then you need to get a copy of this book. It is a masterpiece.

101 Ways to Boost Your Performance

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Global business prospects and effects of Nigerian English

E

FFECTIVE communication is very critical to career or business success.

As such, organisations and people who communicate effectively are more successful and peaceful. One thing that is very critical to effective communication is proficient application of language. Mastery of English Language has become more important in business relationships today, especially that it is the showroom of one’s level of intelligence as a verbal first point of contact. English, which is spoken by about one billion people and is most widely spoken around the world, is the language of diplomacy, finance, science, technology and business. So mastering language and communication allows you to effectively reach, sell and relate with a worldwide audience of customers for commerce. It also helps you enhance your career as an individual. In the business world, the bottomline is money, and communicating well allows you to save and earn it.

Quality of writing It is a reality that organisations and individuals are as good as the quality of their writing. Almost all individuals and organisations lay claim to good writing. But more often than not, poor grammar and jargoninfested writing are prevalent in their writing. To entrench a corporate culture of effective writing, organisations need to have regular language and communication training.

This is because the practice of good, collaborative writing makes the difference between great business and bad business; sale and no sale.

Self-justification and global business loss In Nigeria for instance, we are masters at wrongly redeploying meanings of existing words and terms of English Language and even justifying the existence of Nigerian English whenever we are caught in the cobweb

By Goke Ilesanmi

of grammatical errors or misapplication of English Language. Research shows that the problem of Nigerian English usage, with its attendant lack of global understanding and recognition, is depriving many organisations and individuals in Nigeria of the opportunity of enhancing their business or career prospects globally due to communication breakdown, now that the world has become a global village due to information and communications technology explosion.

Regional variants and recognition It is noteworthy that regional variants or varieties of English are allowed because British English cannot sufficiently accommodate and accurately represent all cultural experiences of different cultural environments in the world. It is what you experience that you express in language. But before your variant of English can be recognised globally and become acceptable, it must be standardised and codified - you must produce a dictionary for it so that people around the world can understand it through your dictionary.

Not yet a code No code yet for standard Nigeria English.

That is why if you travel outside Nigeria and some people say you Nigerians pronounce some words wrongly, you may quickly say it is not all tribes but a particular tribe. Imagine a situation where there is no British English dictionary, how do we learn English? A variant like American English is acceptable and recognised because despite its deviation from standard British English, there is a dictionary for it. At this juncture, let us examine the characteristics of Nigerian English.

Local creativity One of the characteristics of the so-called

Nigerian English is local creativity. This manifests in the form of words like “Bride-price”, “Chewing-stick”, etc. For instance, the cultural experience of our forefathers was chewing-stick not tooth-brush. Also it is a bridegroom that pays money to a bride here when it comes to marriage. That is why language experts here have created the descriptive title “Bride-price” in place of “Dowry” to accurately represent our peculiar cultural experience in English. Dowry basically refers to the money and other property that a bride gives to a bride-groom in some societies.

Negative language transfer Another feature of Nigerian English is negative language transfer. This refers to errors arising out of directly transferring (transliteration) expressions from our mother tongue into English. Examples of these errors are “I am coming” when you are actually going; “Do you understand what I have been saying since morning” even when you started in the afternoon; “They are calling you” when it is only one person that is calling the person; “Yes, I wasn’t” when we agree with a negative statement, etc. The correct expression for “I am coming” is “I will be (right) back” when it is the case you are actually going. “I am coming” is direct translation of the Yoruba expression “Mo n bo”.

If you start a presentation in the afternoon and want to confirm if the audience members understand what you been saying, it is better to say “Do you understand what I have saying since” without adding the word “morning” which is very common in Yoruba English. It is also common to hear an expression such as “They are calling you” among Yoruba speakers. This is because in Yoruba Language, the third-person plural pronoun “They” is used for elders as a mark of honour. This is called “Honorific pronoun”.

When you do direct translation (transliteration) of Yoruba into English, you end up using third-person plural pronoun “They” for

an elder instead of “He” or “She”.

Additional information It is also common for a Nigerian speaker of English to respond “Yes, I wasn’t” when he or she agrees to a negative statement or “No, I was” when he or she disagrees to a negative statement. The two standard ways of answering in English are “Yes, I was” and “No, I wasn’t”. Our major problem is with choosing between “Yes” and “No”. This arises from some of our local languages. For instance, if you tell a Nigerian speaker of English, “You weren’t around yesterday” and he or she was not, he or she will say “Yes” instead of “No”. By the time he or she adds the extension, it becomes self-contradictory.

Business implication If you ignorantly use all these culture-induced expressions in your interaction with a British business partner or boss, he or she will say you lie so much without knowing the language problems are caused by direct translation from your mother tongue.

PS: For those making inquiries about our Public Speaking, Business Presentation and Professional Writing Skills programme, please visit the website indicated on this page for details. Till we meet on Monday.

•To be continued.

•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

37

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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

Twenty-six years after his death, the legacies of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo are still being celebrated. Awolowo’s outstanding qualities were not only applauded in Lagos but also steered controversies at a book presentation in his honour by a loyalist of the late sage, Pa Jacob Adebayo Mosanya. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

Falae, others sue for Awoism in politics

•From left: Chief Fagbamiye, Chief Falae, Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Ebiseni, Pa Mosanya, Dr Awolow-Dosunmu, Dr Yerima and others at the event.

T

HEY called him a “progressive leader”, a democratic socialist who was at the centre of his policies” and more.

Even in death, the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo remains a major factor in Nigeria’s politics. That was the submission at the presentation of the book, Post-Independence Political Evolution of Western Nigeria (The Obafemi Awolowo Factor), by Pa Jacob Adebayo Mosanya in Lagos.

At a time heroes are not easy to come by, Pa Mosanya has reached into the repository of Nigeria’s political history to bring out a book, which is five-in-one. Spanning five decades, the book is essentially the recollections of the tumults events in the Awolowo’s years. It is meant to inspire the young and refocus the leaders, it was said.

What was meant to be the presentation of the 84-yearold’s historical compendium of a sort became a platform for political reflection for dignitaries led by the former Finance Minister, Chief Olu Falae.

History was revisited as they zeroed in on the role played by Nigeria’s past leaders in nation-building, saying Nigerians should emulate the exemplary qualities of the late sage. Hence, the spotlight was on the legacies, political exploits and travails of Awolowo, fondly called Awo by the populace.

Falae, who chaired the event, said the greatness of the nationalist is beyond question, urging leaders, particularly politicians, to draw inspiration from his legacies. He raised fear over the increase in the rate of corruption in the country. He called for national conference, saying it holds the key to resolving the crisis in the land.

He said: “We continue to celebrate him, not because we are fanatics, but because Awo has left shinning legacies that is difficult to rival. There is no debate on his greatness. To be like

BOOK LAUNCH Awo, politicians must imbibe “the spirit of Awo” that is centred on people-friendly policies. He gave his personal house as surety for some local farmers he did not know to borrow money from the bank with. That, for me, summarises, his passion for the people. If we are not careful, corruption will sink Nigeria.

Today, it is institutionalised. Pa Awolowo did not teach us that. We should return to a true federalism which is what Awolowo advocated for.”

While highlighting the achievements of Awo – from the freeeducation to establishing the first broadcasting station in Africa, the founder of Northern Friends of the Southsouth, Dr Suleiman Yerima, said Awo came before his time. He named former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the cause of the political predicament that the country is faced with, noting that his role in the 1979 presidential election as Military Administrator was unforgivable, in that he deprived Nigerians the opportunity of enjoying the dividends of democracy.

“Awo is one of the greatest African that the continent has ever produced. For Nigeria to be great again, we must be ready and willing to go back to those ideas that were espoused by Chief Awolowo that made it possible today that the average Yoruba man stands out among his peers, because of the opportunity he was given by Awo, who believed that to change the world, you must first change your environment. Just imagine where Nigeria would have been today had he been given a chance to rule.

“Here was a man who was the first African to bring television to the whole African continent, at a time most continents of the world were still not reached through the television. He

was a man of ideas, who was determined to bring change to his nation, but was prevented by the personal ego of one man General Olusegun Obasanjo. This is why Nigeria is the way it is now. Because of Obasanjo’s singular mistake in 1979, when he was not willing to declare the late sage winner, even though he won the election square and fair with the UPN.” On her part, the sage’s daughter Dr Tokunbo AwolowoDosunmu, said the leadership alone is not be blamed for the rot in society, noting that the bulk of the blame is on the electorate. According to her, her father was made a leader in the days when integrity and cardinal of leadership was so clear, hence, she called for a reawakening and political sagacity by Nigerians, saying they should reclaim their electoral power.

“We complain about Nigeria, that things are not going well, but we forget that 99 per cent of the faults are ours, those of us who are the electorate. In fact in the days of Chief Awolowo, people knew exactly the kind of leaders that they wanted and they insisted. That was the sagacity of the electorate in those days, my word to you is ‘take your power back’.”

Yinka Odumakin of the Afenifere Group described him as a great leader who believed in the unity of his race – the Yoruba.

The book reviewer, Akintola Ajayi, an engineer, who is a classmate of Mosanya, praised the author’s efforts, saying the book will speak for itself. He urged Nigerians go to beyond using the historical material to inform themselves to imbibing the qualities of the late sage.

Other guests were the Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Sola Ebiseni, who represented Governor Olusegun Mimiko; Jimi Agbaje; Chief Johnson Fagbamiye, Lisa of Oluji; Aare Kola Oyefesan; Awolowo’s grandson, Oluwole Awolowo and President, Ezedigbo in Southwest, Eze uche Dimgba.

Journalists urged to embrace professionalism

J

OURNALISTS have been urged to take their jobs seriously and seek professionalism at all times.

They got the charge at the last month’s edition of the Journalists for Christ (JFC) fellowship.

At the event with the theme: Making your Journalism count for God, speakers likened a pastor that demands integrity and commitment against all odds.

According to the keynote speaker, The Nation Online Editor, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, the work of a journalist is akin to a mission-field that comes with diverse trials. Despite the challenges, he, however, noted that it is an honourable

By Evelyn Osagie

MEDIA profession that requires paying attention to details. He urged the pressmen to attain excellence in all aspects of the job.

And in their attempt at attaining excellence, he charged journalists to network with others, adding that with God the tests will become surmountable.

He said: “Take your job seriously; be committed to excellence; pay attention to integrity; don’t be a lone ranger; there shall be trials but you shall overcome.

Our journalism can count for God if we

surrender it to God.” While observing that journalism is a lucrative profession that opens up diverse opportunities, Wale Fatade, a journalist with 18 years of experience, said journalists should plan for their retirement early.

“There is no substitute for diligences.

Always remember that each time you write you are writing your own testimonial, so there is no room for sloppiness. When people say journalism does not pay, ask my wife and family. Through journalism, I have been seeing the world and now I reject opportunity of flying abroad. There are many opportunities that are out there.

Reteriating Otufodunrin’s words, Fola Adekeye, who was formerly with Newswatch, urged pressmen, who are Christians, to bring in their religious values to bear in the profession, saying facts should always be double-checked no matter who or what is involved before going to press.

He said: “Make your work count as a Christian. The job we do should not determine our values; it should be the other way round.”

There was, however, controversy about pastors being criticised and at the end the house ruled that facts must count all the time.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

38

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

P

ROF Bolaji Idowu, reverently referred to as ‘His PreEminence Bolaji’ (Baba Nla) within the Nigerian Methodist family has passed on from this world, but 100 years (posthumous birthday) after his birth his accomplishment lives on.

Born on September 28, 1913 in Ikorodu to Idowu Ogunbanke and Oke Bandele, he married Elizabeth Yewande Thomas in January 1949 at Williams Memorial Methodist Church, Ago Ijaiye, Lagos State. After his early education at Ikorodu and Abeokuta, he was trained at Wesley College, Ibadan as Assistant Pastor and was mentored by Reverend Dr Ola Olude, Reverend Evan Williams and Rev M. O. Dada while working under them before he travelled to England in 1945 to study. He was admitted to Richmond College but changed to Wesley House, Cambridge and Wesley House, Headingly, Leeds because of World War II. He returned to Nigeria in 1948 and worked in many stations, including Otapete Methodist Church, Ilesa, the then Northern Mission of the Methodist Church, and Tinubu Methodist Church, Lagos.

He was sent to Germany in September 1957 in response to the needs of the African and Asian students and returned in 1958 to join the Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan.

He later succeeded his teacher, Prof Geoffrey Parrinder and became the Head of the Department in 1963 until 1976 when he retired.

He took active parts in the Nigerian Methodist autonomy from the British Methodist in 1962 and in the proposed Nigerian Scheme of Church Union in 1967 before he was elected President of the Methodist Church Nigeria on October 1972.

In one of his books, Towards an Indigenous Church, Patriarch addressed the need and effectiveness of indigenous representation and ideology within Nigerian Christianity. On assumption of office as head of the Nigerian Methodist church, Prof Bolaji initiated the review of the church constitution centred on corporate episcopacy which was ratified on January 20, 1976, and he became the first Patriarch of the church. The new constitution led to the 14-year Methodist crisis until Patriarch Bolaji retired in 1984 at Otukpo when his chaplain, His Eminence Dr Sunday Cofi Mbang was elected to succeed him. Among other Patriarch Bolaji’s original works are, Olodumare: God in Yoruba Belief; Job: A Meditation on the Problem of Suffering; The Keys to the Kingdom; The Selfhood of the Church; and The Church of Believers.

Patriarch Bolaji was a teacher of teachers, with many professors of religion, prelates, archbishops, and bishops who passed through him. Among them are His Eminence Dr Sunday Mbang and the Rt. Rev. Prof Akin Omoyajowo.

In both life and death, Patriarch (Prof) Bolaji Idowu’s name has refused to be wished away in the annals of the global church liturgical, ecumenical, leadership, academic, and ecclesiological platforms. Patriarch Bolaji’s centenary birthday celebration is very important, especially in the life of the church and the academic community, and at such a time when Nigeria’s centenary birthday is in the air having come to being with the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria by Lord Fredrick Lugard in 1914.

In the Methodist Church Nigeria, Patriarch Idowu’s centenary birthday coincides with the retirement of His Eminence Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, the last bishop consecrated by the Patriarch in 1985. Hence, it is the end of an era in the Nigerian Methodist episcopacy and a beginning of new era under the new leadership of the Most Rev Samuel Chukwuemeka Kalu Uche as the third and newly elected Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria.

In the word of Papa Familusi, a foremost Methodist historian, “there is no doubt, however, that His Pre-Eminence Bolaji will remain the first Patriarch of Nigeria Methodist Church ...

• Prof Bolaji

Salute to the patriarch at 100

By Deji Okegbile

notwithstanding whatever happens after him to that very honourable and high time-honoured, world-wide revered title, Patriarch, His Pre-Eminence has done much than any of His predecessors to lift the Methodist Church Nigeria to Pre-Eminence.

He has unprecedented foresight, and planned to meet and effect his imagination of things to come. God’s work prospered in his hands – the number of dioceses rising from seven to fifteen and that of the ordained ministers from about a hundred to over three hundred during his time.”

Patriarch Idowu ‘a colossus and dreamer par excellence,’ a true liturgical and ecclesiological architect and churchmanship confronted the challenge that coloniality poses to African indigenous theology. He put the vision of a church needing liberation and emancipation for true African selfhood on paper and actualised it through ‘his native intelligence and academic prowess.’ This has continued to enlighten the theological reimagination of Africa and challenge the West about their misconception of the African concept of God. The misconception includes description of ‘African Tradition Religion in the most derogatory terms – a religion of scorn and derision to some Western theologians that has matured into prejudice and resilient scep-

ticism about the African’s ability to grasp the concept of God.’ Patriarch Bolaji dispels the misconception by contending that the knowledge of God was already in the minds of the indigenous African long before the Europeans enslaved them and brought them to the western world. Among his arguments was that the long-standing notion that European-Americans taught Africans about God is an unwarranted dogma based on a distorted view of African Traditional Religion. Hence, the thought of darkest Africa as a sphere of missionary obligation by the colonial missionaries was a false assumption. To Patriarch Bolaji, the African concept of God must not be measured by superficial evidence, such as the multitudes of images of idol gods and objects.

The pioneering work of Patriarch Bolaji and other African scholars like Professor John Mbiti invented indigenous paradigm - a reaction to the colonial pejoration of African concept of God. Their concern was to interpret Christ to the African in such a way that he feels at home in the new faith and to experience continuity between traditional life and the Christian faith. Patriarch Bolaji turned to African Traditional Religion for the sole purpose of what their religious environment could offer to modern African in their search for authentic African Christianity environment.

To him, an African theologian is a Christian reflecting on his faith as an African with the task of translating the one faith of Jesus Christ to suit the tongue, style, genius, character and other culture of the African people. Patriarch Bolaji disapproved and reversed the negative stereotype about African indigenous religion by drawing together African nationalism and Christianity, utilizing indigenous ideology and praxis.

In his inaugural lecture delivered at Ibadan in 1974, Patriach Bolaji discussed ‘the reality and unreality of God’ under the title ‘Obituary: God’s or man’s?’ bringing to the premier university the ‘God is dead’ debate of the 1960s. The Patriarch believes that ‘man’s estimate of himself and his destiny, his interpretation of the phenomena of the universe and his philosophy of history depend upon this one central point: belief in God, because He is; or unbelief ...’ Patriarch asserts that ‘God is universal and so is revelation,’ hence only ‘the fool says in his heart, there is not God.’ According to Oduyoye, ‘in traditional Africa there are no such ‘fools.’ The way Africans experience God is portrayed in the languages they use about and for God, especially the names by which God is known. For example, Patriarch Bolaji described God (Olodumare) with copious annotations – the Supreme Being, the divine and highly potent, creator of the universe. The understanding is that African Traditional Religion provides the foundation stone upon which all African morality and ethics are built.

Methodist Church Nigeria and African theologians will definitely remember Patriarch Bolaji as a genius who gave the church his best years and put Africa on the global map with his liturgical, ecumenical, and ecclesiological strides in academia and in church leadership. The Methodist Cathedral, Ikorodu and a library in the Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan are named after him, l think the church and the academic community, including his past students can do more to honoured his memory and service through annual lectures and seminars. It is important to revisit his immortal words and prophetic writings as he speaks to us on the selfhood of the church and appreciation of an African indigenous approach to mission and Christian spirituality in these decades of spiritual consumerism, decay, and decline. Using the words of the Archbishop Akinola, former Primate, Anglican Communion of Nigeria, Patriarch Bolaji’s centenary presents a good opportunity for the church and leadership renewal especially at a time when the ‘spiritual leaders in this country ... have failed.’

•The Very Rev Dr Okegbile is Chaplain, Nigerian Methodist Chaplaincy, United Kingdom/Ireland

Rainbow Book mourns Awoonor

M

EMBERS and friends of the Rainbow Book Club mourn one of Africa’s outstanding sons, Kofi

Awoonor - poet, author, diplomat who died in a senseless siege on innocent people at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, penultimate Saturday.

Ambassador Awoonor last visited Port Harcourt as a guest writer at the maiden edition of the Garden City Literary Festival (now Port Harcourt Book Festival) at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 2008. As a major writer to the festival, alongside Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka and Captain Elechi Amadi, Awonoor addressed an auditorium filled with enthusiastic students, staff and guests at the university. In the course of the four-day event, he also sat at a symposium organised by the English Department of UNIPORT. Awonoor facilitated a Master Class in which upcoming writers sat under his tutelage. He also fielded questions at a Meet-the-Author session attended by over 200 literary enthusiasts.

Awonoor’s book, The House by the Sea, a collection of poems, was one of the books of the festival in 2008. Visitors took to Awonoor almost immediately, thanks to the winning combination of his personable and humble character.

They huddled around him at the end to

Two trees came into my garden (For Kofi Awoonor, in memorial)

By Okinba Launko.

SOME five years ago, respected elder Kofi Awoonor, you kindly cut down at my request, two stems of a tree in your garden, for me to take home and plant in my own house here in Ibadan…

And I have watched them grow since, Rapidly, as you promised – two mermaids Of green luxuriant hair rising up from prayer gaily, And stretching their arms out immemorial pose To catch the jewels of dawn, and the stars of night, And the grains of sun-fall in-betweenAh in my turn I too gave my word To bring you here one of these days to sit In the shade of these trees and listen To the echo of your wisdom-mellowed words, The nuggets that enrich my solitude…

And now you are gone! So suddenly And in a quarrel you knew little about!

The termites of hate, in human guise, Have left us bereft with their callous guns Giving us no chance to say our goodbyes But knowing nothing of these trees

•From left: Mrs Koko Kalango, Donald Duke, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Prof Wole Soyinka, late Awoonor and Gov Rotimi Amaechi at the Gardern City Literary Festival, Port Harcourt in September 2008.

TRIBUTE get his autographs; the signed books remain a testament to his presence at the event and in their lives.

Awoonor was among the people killed in the attack by Somali Islamist rebels on a Nairobi Shopping Mall this weekend. The Club mourns his passing

and sends prayers out to his loved ones.

The Port Harcourt Book Festival is in its sixth year, and will take place between October 21 and 26, with the theme: Literature and the creative economy.

The final event, a jazz and poetry evening, would serve as an evening of tribute for Awoonor.

Which continue to wave their hands And laugh at their vanity, these new seekers Of peace who would willingly waste children’s lives In their virtuous quest for justice!

See: my trees flaunt their hairs as proof That no bomb or bullet can kill a poem: Each leaf unfolds the syllables of your voice, Each stem an assurance that your metaphors Will never cease to grow and to flourish In the gardens of our grateful hearts.

Two trees came into my garden With your blessing, Elder One: Two poems now to cherish forever.

39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

The Midweek Magazine

S V A I L Accidental U servant’s memoir

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

BOOK REVIEW

Title: An Accidental Public Servant Author: Mallam Nasir el Rufai Reviewer: Badejo Adedeji Nurudeen Publishers: Pagination: 622

M

ALLAM Nasir El-Rufai has stirred the hornet’s nest by writing a book on his career in public service. He has spared no one, including his benefactors, in his controversial book. An Accidental Public Servant will continue to generate controversies and interests for a long time to come. The book opens with 59 preliminary pages comprising dedication, photo sections, list of abbreviations and acronyms as well as a foreword written Lagos- based Pastor and former Vice Presidential aspirant Mr. Tunde Bakare, acknowledgements, introduction and a prologue on the contentious third term gambit, which the would-be beneficiary (Obasanjo) is still denying till date. Indeed the prologue draws readers more into the book. Read along with the introduction, the author sets the tone of what to expect as the reader journeys into the book. The author says that he decided to write the book to solution to the present challenges facing the country. The book also contains endnotes of 197 items, 14 appendixes and 622 pages. I must confess this is a well-researched book which provides a blow-by-blow account of el-Rufai’s stewardship at the Bureau of Public Enterprises and at the Federal Capital Territory Ministry.

In Chapter One, the author discusses his humble beginnings. He lost his father at a very tender age. Before he died, his father advised him on the importance of education and the need to take his studies seriously if he wants to succeed in life. el-Rufai went on to attend one of the best secondary schools in the North, Barewa College, Zaria.

He proceeded from there to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria to study Quantity Surveying, graduating with a first class. He served the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he came to appreciate the unity in diversity of Nigeria.

Having ended up as a Quantity Surveyor, chapter Two discusses his quest for selfworth, where in his first job got his fingers

burnt because of a romantic escapade. The author was also able to excel in private practice leading up to a partnership still standing till date though not without its own fair share of disagreements. Indeed his character build-up, including an attempt to reside abroad because of the economic down- turn, came to the fore in this chapter.

Chapter Three was the beginning of the author’s involvement in public service, this was after the death of former maximum ruler late General Sanni Abacha and ascendancy of General Abdulsalami Abubakar when he was invited to serve in a government’s innocuous and think thank committee (PIMCO), with other eminent Nigerians.

This powerful committee works directly with the Head of State, screening and nominating ministers, programme design, economic management and advisory and the disengagement of military from our polity.

As indicated by the author in this chapter, his appointment into this committee and eventual decade of service in public service is due to sheer luck, or at best being at the right place at the right time. Typical of the Nigerian system, the secretariat of this committee was domiciled in the abode of the author at the Hilton Hotel suite with all expenses borne by government.

Both chapters four and five dwell extensively on the activities of the author as the Director-General of BPE - the privatisation and commercialization organ of the government. This was the office where the el-Rufai phenomenon became noticed, it was while in this office the author disagreed with personalities (including President, Vice President and ministers) and institutions (National Assembly and government agencies) that did not buy into its privatization plan.

BPE was a strange organisation with as many as 20 deputy directors mostly doing nothing, with many of its staff knowing next to nothing about privatisation (which is its core mandate). Both chapters discuss some of government institutions privatised with some nagging occurrences, notably NICONNOGA-Hilton Hotel with a Swiss Tycoon

claiming 25 per cent ownership, African Petroleum Plc with a $20million Hole. The Nigeria Airways or Two and a Half Planes with an altercation with Aviation minister, Mrs Kema Chikwe, NITEL (which the government is still struggling to sell till date), particularly its GSM contract bid where the then Vice President Atiku Abubakar tried successfully to ensure the contract went to Ericson as against Motorola recommended

by BPE. This was the same scenario, during the privatisation of National Oil (Nolchem) when former President Ibrahim Babangida and Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland spoke through former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to intervene in favour of Chief Mike Adenuga, who eventually bought the company and did not take chance(s) to move in a cowboy manner. The saga did eventually consume a deputy director, Charles Osuji allegedly involved in a US$250,000 bribery or thank – you gift fiasco. What happened to that money can better be imagined.

Chapter Six is the culmination of his public service with the author’s nomination as the minister in charge of FCT. However, the author’s confirmation by the Senate is a story on its own, with accusation of N54million

bribery allegation bid against Senators Ibrahim Mantu and Jonathan Zwingina.The reader is also be treated to the story of marabouts and predictions in Politics as enunciated by Abubakar that Obasanjo will not complete its presidential term. The intrigue and scheming of 2003 re-elections bid of Obasanjo-Atiku, the commencement of frosty relations between Obasanjo-Atiku on succession plan and effect of money in our politics was discussed fully in this chapter.

How Aliko Dangote on the suggestion of the late Waziri Mohammed (former Chair Nigeria Railway Corporation) allegedly and single-handedly without any string attached (I disagreed) financed Obasanjo’s 2003 reelection.

The thrust of Chapter Seven is the profile of key players in the economic management team, chaired by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nuhu Ribadu, erstwhile executive chairman of EFCC, Oby Ezekwesili, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo erstwhile CBN governor, Steve Oronsanye, Funsho Kupolokun, Dr. Joe Nnanna, Bode Augusto etc. The author dwelt extensively on the personalities of key members, particularly Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nuhu Ribadu, Oby Ezekwesili and Prof. Charles Soludo. Profiled their personalities, engagement, behaviour and temperaments of these distinguished Nigerians. He offered insight into how Ezekwesili could not liquidate a $40,000 student loan but could apply and pay for a land in Abuja, despite being a former Special Adviser and minister heading ministries of Solid Minerals and Education. Also, how he single handedly help Nuhu Ribadu setup shop as anti-corruption czar. The intrigue and personality clash between and among members of the economic team was and the lesson of working as a team, and yet another admonition for anyone aspiring to a career in public service to be ready for heartbreaks.

Chapter Eight is the beginning of the author’s efforts in restoring Abuja to its original master-plan, the restoration of violated Abuja master-plan was treated with demolition in which he had the support of Obasanjo. Leading casualties are Dr. Ahmadu Alli (then Chair of ruling party PDP), former IGP Musiliu Smith, a senator, a retired general and Ministry of Works building. The legendary Obasanjo, Atiku Abubakar and PTDF saga, the orphanage where a reverend sister starved children to raise money, water supply contract battle, restoration of ‘impossible’ Wuse market, safety of Abuja city and tell-tale of the tortoise in author’s office were all prominent in this chapter.

REMEMBERING KOFI AWOONOR

•The late Awoonor (centre) signing autographs for students at the Gardern City Literary festival Port Harcourt in September 2008

F

OR two hours, some literary scholars gathered at the Freedom Park, Broad street, Lagos to honour one of their own, the Late Kofi Awoonor, who was killed by terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya penultimate Saturday.

Organised by Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, the memorial session tagged Humanity and against, which featured poetry reading and reminiscences on the late Ghanaian poet and diplomat, was attended by Prof J. P. Clark, Prof Kole Omotoso, Prof Remi Raji, Prof Femi Osofisan, Dr. Wale

•From left: Prof. Okey Idibe, Awoonor, Gabriel Okara, Gov Rotimi Amaechi and Prof Wole Soyinka at a dinner in Port Harcourt.

Dirges for Awoonor Okediraun and Lola Shoneyin.

Prof Osofisan observed that it was like the late Awoonor had premonition about his death, saying: “Two weeks ago, Kofi Awoonor gave a fellow Ghanaian, Kofi Anyidoho an envelope, which contains instructions on how he should be buried. In his poem, Two trees come to my garden, Osofisan recalled that “some five years ago, respected Elder Kofi Awoonor, you kindly

cut down at my request, two stems of a tree in your garden, for me to take home and plant in my own home here in Ibadan.”

Prof Omotoso said when he heard of the Nairobi attack on that fateful Saturday, he wrote a piece on the incidence which ended with “this incidence killed me.”

He noted he never knew he would be told few hours later that Awoonor is dead.

“I knew Awoonor is a political person. I got

a Ghanaian passport through Kofi Awoonor while I was in South Africa during the General Sani Abacha era. He was Ghana ambassador to Brazil and Cuba, where I spent sometime with him. It was the political element that drove us together.

“Awoonor was part of African’s attempt to see better life; a political system that can respond to problems of 21st Century. When I wrote on the incidence in Nairobi, I never Knew I would be told three hours later that Kofi is dead.

“It is Kofi’s ultimate contribution that would get something positive from all of this,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Ijebu history for launch Oct 12

T

HE descendants of the late Moses Botu Okubote, one of the late Apenas of Ijebu-Ode, will present his book, The History of Ijebus on October 12 at Ijebu Ode. The late Moses Botu Okubote who died at age 72 in 1941, was an accomplished and reputable historians and diarist of his time whose many published works were used in schools and were resource materials to date.

The History of the Ijebus, which was originally written in Yoruba and titled: Iwe Itan Ijebu, was first published by the late author 79 years ago.

The Olori Ebi of Botu family, Pa Moses Adeboye Botu said that the presentation of the English version of the book, which was published to meet the growing demand of historians, anthropologists and other Ijebu sons and daughters.

Pa Botu said that after their grandfather published the Ikekuru ti Iwe Itan Ijebu in 1934, he promised his readers a bigger version of the book but could not achieve this before he died in 1941, owing to financial constraints.

He said after about two generations, the present generation of Botu family discovered their great grandfather’s manuscript in 1993 and decided to fulfill his dream by publishing the bigger version of the book in 2008 after it had been re-written in modern Yoruba orthography.

However, due to popular demand, the family again commissioned four academics, namely messers Cornelius Onanuga and Adegboyega Agboola who are Chief lecturers in Yoruba at the Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu and Messers Bandele Sogbesan and Rasheed Ajetumobi, who are Senior Lecturer of English Studies and in History at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, to translate the Yoruba version into English.

Pa Botu described the book as a compendium of the history of the Ijebu right from

•Pa Adeboye (left) and Babajide Botu

By Adebisi Onanuga

LAUNCH their place of origin from upper Egypt, Saudi Arabia up till the time they settled in IjebuOde under Olu Iwa. He recalled that when Olu Iwa left Saudi Arabia, they passes through Ile-Ife where they stayed before he left the place. He gave his daughter as a wife to Oduduwa with an instruction that whenever she produced a grandson, he should be allowed to come after him through some marks he would leave on the trail as guide.

He said from Ijebu-Ode, different lines of Olu Iwa left to settle in places that are known today as Ijebu-Ife, Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu Remo, Ijebu Mushin, Okun-Owa, Odogbolu among other Ijebu towns.

According to Pa Botu, Olu Iwa’s grandson, Ogborogannida also known as Obanta, later left Ile-Ife in search of him adding that being a very powerful person, he had a large number of people following him by the time he arrived IjebuOde. He said the old Ijebu Kingdom strectched from Ijebu-Ode to the Lagoon in the South and included places such as

A lift for LagosPhoto at gala night

T

HE second LagosPhoto Gala night organised by LagosPhoto Foundation has hosted sponsors, supporters, art patron, and friends of the foundation at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

It was put together to celebrate photography and also to raise funds for the LagosPhoto Foundation with an evening of art that included a candle light dinner, live auction conducted by Roger Woodbridge.

With the theme, Observation no be crime, the event auctioned photographs that tell different stories about the situation of the Nigerian environment. Photographs were donated by leading Nigerian and international artists such as Kelechi Amadi-Obi, David de Jong, Christina de Middel, Medina Dugger, Delphine Fawundu, Alixandra Fazzina, Stanley Greene, Nick Hagen, Jane Hahn,

By Chinasa Ekekwe

LAUNCH Robin Hammond, Samuel James, Benedicte Kurzen, Joseph Penney, RijaSolo, Andrea Stultiens, and Hans Wilschut. The photographs represent a selection of images that were exhibited in previous LagosPhoto festivals.

The evening had performances by Ebisan, Lolo and the Bogo Band, Wura Samba, Afrologic, and the Nimbus Band. Supporters include Segura Viudas, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Porsche, Universal. The annual LagosPhoto Gala is proudly sponsored by Eko Hotel & Suites, Etisalat, and UBS. Furniture, Lufthansa, IQ Booth, and X.O. Wine Stores Limited.

LagosPhoto is embodied in the explora-

tion of historical and contemporary issues, the sharing of cultural practices, and the promotion of social programs.

The festival, which will hold this month, will feature activities such as exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations, discussions and large scale outdoor prints displayed throughout the city with the aim of reclaiming public spaces and engaging the general public with multifaceted stories of Africa.

LagosPhoto aims to establish a community for contemporary photography which will unite local and international artists through images that encapsulate individual experiences and identities from across all of Africa.

Last year, the first yearly LagosPhoto fundraiser featured an evening of arts and musical entertainment. It also had a live auction, which witnessed a record breaking sale for photography in Nigeria.

‘Bayelsa’ll be a tourism destination’

T

HE Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Sieriake Dickson, has said his administration fashion out a policy to make the state a tourism destination through the Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency.

The Governor, who spoke at the 36th World Tourism Day (WTD) celebrations last Friday, at the Ox-Bow Lake, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, disclosed his administration’s readiness to explore the tourism option for economic growth, having realised that the sector had been dormant in the state.

He noted that his administration has been building and developing tourist centres, which have started attracting a lot of people to the state.

On this year’s WTD theme, Tourism and water: protecting our common future, Governor Dickson, who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), noted that the theme was geared towards creating the awareness on the need for sustainable clear water, its accessibility in the present and in the future for all mankind, because water is an essential component of humanity.

He added that his administration had initiated talks on partnership with the Federal Government and the private sector to see how to pro-

Epe, Ajah, Ikorodu; as far as Fiditi towards the North; and Ketu in Togo to the West and encompasses the Ilaje coastlines in the East.

He regretted that due to delimitations, the old Ijebu kingdom has been reduced to Ijebuland which stretches to Mamu in the North and to Ishiun to the West.

Pa Botu added that both the “Iwe Itan Ijebu” and the English version, The History of the Ijebus would be useful to students of history particularly those desirous of having deep knowledge of the Ijebus adding that university authorities should further encourage such students to develop interest in the study of history and geography.

POEM Demise of a Caesar – Olusegun Kokumo Agagu

By Morenike Alaka

What a loss, an irreparable loss!

A loss to this great Nation A loss to the people, people of this Great Country To the people, people of Sunshine State To the people, people of Sunshine South To the people, people of IKALE What a loss, an irreparable loss!

A loss of a Colossus A Colossus you were, a man of brains A Visionary leader, a man of principle Nigeria is mourning!

Mourning your unannounced demise What a loss, an irreparable loss!

To IKALE At the news, IKALE is weeping Weeping, weeping and weeping ‘Omiju‘ has refused to flow ‘Oluwa‘ is downcast, at the news ‘Pupuru‘ leaves are sobbing All for you.

It is a wet season At the news , colder it becomes It is a wet season At the news, The ‘iperes‘ are on strike Yes, they are All for you

•Bayelsa troupe on parade

vide potable water to all residents in the state and that the talks has been yielding positive results.

Earlier, Governor Dickson noted that Bayelsa, has among others things, a thriving petroleum sector, a large fishing industry, a developing tourism sector, and a growing private sector, adding that the state had beautiful beaches, mangrove forests, rivers, creeks and islands; there-

fore, it is building on these natural resources advantages to take its pride of place among the economic stories of Nigeria.

He explained that his administration has built an Institute of Tourism, Catering and Hotel Management to train professionals that will help in driving the tourism sector in the state and that the institute would be inaugurated soon.

What a loss, an irreparable loss!

A loss of IKAKE political pillar Your life was gentle, it was calm An amiable man you were An Administrator Of impeccable character However, I congratulate you To the world beyond, you have graduated No more stress, No more meeting No more fear, No more risk taken You now have your eternal peace Your life is placed in our memory Ah! Ah!! Ah!!!

Our people, IKALE Our Caesar is gone, whence cometh another?

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 , 2013

POLITICS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

43

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

NIGERIA AT 53 Nigeria and some Asian countries were at the same level of development five decades ago. But why the Asian Tigers are waxing stronger economically and politically, Nigeria’s growth appears to have been stalled by its lack of dynamic and transformational leadership.

Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN reports.

N

What can Nigeria learn from Asian Tigers?

IGERIA and Malaysia have many things in common. They were former British colonies. Malaysia became independent in 1957, three years before Nigeria achieved independence in 1960. The economy of both countries was agrarian, prior to the oil boom era in Nigeria. They are republican states operating bi-camera legislature.

Malaysia is a federal democracy leaning on the monarchial order. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is Head of State and the Prime Minister of Malaysia is the Head of Government. The executive power is exercised by the federal government and the 13 state governments. The federal legislative power is vested in the federal parliament and the state Assembly. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature, though the executive maintains a certain level of influence in the appointment of judges.

The Constitution of Malaysia is codified and the system of government is based on the Westminster system, which Nigeria practiced between 1960and 1966. The hierarchy of authority, in accordance to the federal constitution, consists of the executive, judiciary and legislative.

The Parliament is made up of the Senate (Upper House) and House of Representatives (Lower House).

The country practices a multi-party system, which in the last 50 years, has been dominated by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the dominant party in the broad-based coalition called the National Front. Three main opposition parties compete in national and state elections in Malaysia.

During the tenure of Dr Mahathir Mohammad, the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, many constitutional amendments were made. Henceforth, the Senate can only delay a bill from taking effect and the monarch no longer has veto powers on proposed bills.

Unlike several other Islamic societies, Malaysia practices a liberalised form by allowing even western attires to be worn by women. Contact between sexes is fairly flexible. Women account for 40 per cent of the population.

• Dr Jonathan

• Vice President Sambo

Malaysian economy Malaysia has built a “knowledge economy” woven around hitech and all-round specialisation. Technology and telecommunication are already advanced. Mobile phones was common place, since 2001, even among school children.

Malaysia is cited as a good example of well managed capitalism. Every sector of the economy is tightly controlled by government, with indigenous expertise driving them. For more than 20 years, when Dr Muhammad was the Prime Minister, his Finance Ministers had consistently emerged the second most powerful men, a reward for watching the health of the economy.

There are no subsidies in Malaysia. Though government is active in every sector, this is in the form of ensuring compliance with economic policies by both the public and private sectors.

At the turn of the last century, large quantity of palm seedlings was ferried from Nigeria for transplant in Malaysia. Today, the country boasts of millions of flourishing palm plantations all over its land scope. Indeed, Malaysia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil and third largest producer of rubber.

The country has a national car called Proton, manufactured in collaboration with Mitsubishi of Japan . There are other less popular brands.

In 1998, the bubble burst and the country, along its neighbours, plunged into its first recession. It promptly tightened capital controls and rejected prescriptions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It reduced the 21 commercial banks, 12 merchant banks and 25 finace houses to only six in each segment. The economy bounced back two years later.

Its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) averaged 12 per cent in over two and half decade resulting in a bullish emerging market and powerful member of the famed Asian Tigers.

•Finance Minister Dr Okonjo-Ewenla

To underscore Malaysia’s technological and financial muscles, the nation’s capital, Kuala Lumpur currently houses the world’s tallest office complex, the Petronas Towers, which is 1,482 feet high, all massive steel and glass. It has 88 storey and was completed in 1996.

Nigerian politics Nigeria is a Federal Republic modelled after the United States, with executive power exercised by the President.

The President’s power is checked by the Senate and House of Representatives, which are combined in a bicameral body called the National Assembly. The Senate has 109 seats with three members from each state and one from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The House contains 360 seats and the number of seats per state is determined by population. Members of the National Assembly are elected for a four-year term that is renewable.

Nigeria’s three largest ethnic groups (Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba) have maintained historical preeminence in Nigerian politics; The two major political parties at present are the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive

• Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Mrs Viola Onwuliri

Congress (APC) that emerged from the recent merger of three opposition parties, All Nigeria Peoples’ Party, Action Congress of Nigeria and Congress for Progressive Change.

Nigerian economy Nigeria is classified as a mixed economy and an emerging market. It has already reached a lower middle income status, according to the World Bank. It has abundant supply of natural resources. The Nigerian Stock Exchange, which is the second largest in Africa. Nigeria is ranked 30th in the world in terms of GDP (PPP) as of 2012. Nigeria is the United States’ largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa and supplies a fifth of its oil (11 per cent of oil imports). It has the seventh-largest trade surplus with the US. of any country worldwide. Nigeria is the 50th-largest export market for US. goods and the 14thlargest exporter of goods to the US. The United States is the country’s largest foreign investor.

Previously, economic development had been hindered by years of military rule, corruption, and mismanagement. The restoration of democracy and subsequent economic reforms have successfully put Nigeria back on track towards

‘Many experts have attributed the wide gap between Malaysia and Nigeria to the poverty of leadership.

They contended that, with visionary and incorruptible leadership, it is still possible to reposition the sociopolitical economy because Nigeria has the potential for growth and development’

achieving its full economic potential. It is now the second largest economy in Africa (following South Africa), and the largest economy in the West Africa Region.

During the oil boom of the 1970s, Nigeria accumulated a significant foreign debt to finance major infrastructural investments. With the fall of oil prices during the 1980s oil glut Nigeria struggled to keep up with its loan payments and eventually defaulted on its principal debt repayments, limiting repayment to the interest portion of the loans. Arrears and penalty interest accumulated on the unpaid principal which increased the size of the debt.

However, after negotiations by the Nigeria authorities, in October 2005, Nigeria and its Paris Club creditors reached an agreement in which Nigeria repurchased its debt at a discount of approximately 60 per cent. It used part of its oil profits to pay the residual 40 per cent, freeing up at least $1.15 billion annually for poverty reduction programmes. Nigeria made history in April 2006 by becoming the first African Country to completely pay off its debt (estimated $30 billion) owed to the Paris Club.

Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world and the eighth largest exporter, and has the 10th largest proven reserves. Petroleum plays a large role in the Nigerian economy, accounting for 40 per cent of GDP and 80 per cent of government earnings. However, agitation for better resource control in the Niger Delta, its main oil producing region, has led to disruptions in oil production and prevents the country from exporting at 100 per cent capacity.Although it is a producer of oil, the country has no functioning refinery.

Nigeria is one of the poorest oil producing countries, according to the United Nations report citing “the economic policy orientation during the 70s left the country ill prepared for the eventual collapse of oil prices in the first half of the 80s.

“Public investment was concentrated in costly and often inappropriate infrastructure projects with questionable rates of return and sizeable recurrent cost implications while the agricultural sector was largely neglected.”

Nigeria has one of the fastest growing telecommunications markets in the world, major emerging market operators (like MTN, Etisalat, Zain and Globacom) basing their largest and most profitable centres in the country (70). The government has recently begun expanding this infrastructure to space based communications. Nigeria has a space satellite which is monitored at the Nigerian National Space Research and Development Agency Headquarters in Abuja.

The country has a highly developed financial services sector, with a mix of local and international banks, asset management companies, brokerage houses, insurance companies and brokers, private equity funds and investment banks.

Nigeria also has a wide array of underexploited mineral ,which include natural gas, coal, bauxite, tantalite, gold, tin, iron ore, limestone, niobium, lead and zinc (72). Despite huge deposits of these natural resources, the mining industry in Nigeria is still in its infancy.

Agriculture used to be the principal foreign exchange earner of Nigeria. At one time, Nigeria was the world’s largest exporter of groundnuts, cocoa, and palm oil and a significant producer of coconuts, citrus fruits, maize, pearl millet, cassava, yams and sugar cane. About 60 per cent of Nigerians work in the agricultural sector, and Nigeria has vast areas of underutilized arable land. But it has now tailed to diversity its economy.

The collapse of the manufacturing sector has led to mass unemployment.

Corruption is on the increase in Nigeria. In 2009, it was listed among the failed states. Infrustructure is at a low ebb and ethnic and religions tensions have unleased the fear of peaceful co-existence.

Many experts have attributed the wide gap between Malaysia and Nigeria to the poverty of leadership. They contended that, with visionary and incorruptible leadership, it is still possible to reposition the socio-political economy because Nigeria has the potential for growth and development.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

POLITICS NIGERIA AT 53 As Nigeria celebrates its 53rd independence anniverary, its education sector lays prostrate. AUGUSTINE AVWODE examines the effects of underfunding on the critical sector.

Education: A tale of wobbling sector

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ERHAPS, nothing illustrates more graphically, the dire state of education in Nigeria, even as it celebrates its 53rd independence anniversary, than the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which enters its fourth month today. ASUU’s action is predicated on alleged Federal Government’s refusal to implement the agreement between it and the union. Polytechnic lecturers, who started theirs two months before ASUU began its strike, also claimed non-implementation of agreements and lack of infrastructure in their institutions.

Since it attained independence Nigeria has always expressed a commitment to education, with the belief that the best way to accelerate national development and growth was by overcoming illiteracy and ignorance.

However, in the last four decades, specifically from the mid- 70s, education has been characterised by the lack of adequate funding, poor and deteriorating infrastructure, and insufficient teaching and learning materials as some of the major problems bedeviling the sector. This has resulted in a free fall for the sector, which should be the backbone of growth and development. It is rather lying prostrate, pleading for attention for the relevant authorities.

which results in poor quality of graduate.

“Unless we focus our attention on the primary and secondary, the quality of the final product, coming out of the university system in Nigeria will continue to be poor”.

What future for education

• University of Lagos students protesting in support of the striking lecturers.

Challenges Experts have noted that the biggest challenge facing education is inadequate funding. They blame government at all levels - federal, states and local governments.

Speaking to The Nation at the weekend, former Vice Chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology ( LAUTECH) Prof. Babatunde Adeleke, said inadequate funding remains the greatest threat to the education sector in the country.

He said underfunding hampers intensive and extensive research programmes; provisions of better infrastructure; and lack of good teaching and learning environment. He said the strike embarked upon by teachers has done much damage to the sector.

Adeleke warned that the nation faces dire consequences, if the trend is not reversed as soon as possible. “Without sincere support and sincerity of purpose in pursuing the best ideals for the education sector, we will continue to have problems. The first and perhaps, the greatest challenge facing Nigeria and making it difficult for the provision of quality education, which is capable of bringing about sustainable development is inadequate funding by the federal, state and local governments. I cannot remember when last the Federal Government met the UNESCO recommendation of 26 per cent of national budgets for education.

“Nigeria needs a lot of financial support to take us to where we are supposed to be. In the country today, we have over 100 universities; but if you look carefully you will discover that there is the issue of under staff. Our research activities are not the best. If you take a head count of qualified lecturers, that is, those with PhD and above, you will discover that the system is highly under staffed. As long as there are no good research programmes going on, the possibility of producing enough Ph, D holders, to effectively man the universities will continue to constitute a problem”.

A senior lecturer at the Department of English Language, the Obafemi Awolowo University Dr Chijoke Uwahomba, said Nigeria is not making any progress in the sector. “In

•Wike

terms of policy articulation and implementation, we are not making any progress, we are just wobbling. Any progress; we have made is as a result of the patriotic zeal of committed Nigerians to give their best to Nigeria.

“For instance, during the Babangida regime, when the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), was introduced, many people left Nigeria for greener pastures because the currency lost its value. The reason was simply because the salary was not competitive. That was how the idea of brain-drain came in.

“If we look at the education sector generally, you will discover that government, over the years, has paid only lip service to the sector.

That is why a landlord in Lagos always finds it difficult to give out his house to teachers. Let us ask ourselves why teachers, at all levels, are always going on one strike or another, from primary to tertiary levels? It is so because the government

•Prof. Eghagha

has not taken it as a serious business”.

Also speaking to The Nation, Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education Prof. Hope Eghagha, said the challenges in the education sector have been fundamental. He, again, mentioned funding and infrastructure. He, however, argued that more Nigerians now have access to education than it was 50 years ago.

“There has been increase in access to education, both in primary, secondary down to the university levels. The numbers of universities have risen from 9 in the 60s to over 100.

But that also has its own challenges”, he said.

Eghagha bemoaned the quality of education.“In terms of quality, we have a huge challenge. The quality of teaching, and the quality in terms of participation and response, which we get from students, is a thing for concern. So, when we look at all these

•Prof. Adeleke

things – funding, infrastructure, quality of teaching, response or the level of participation by students, we have serious challenges in our education sector. And, that is why, when people talk about standard, they are referring to the quality of response, quality of materials and the totality of the product that come out of the system. But people forget that there has been a huge leap from 1978, when the Joint Admission Board was established and now. Every year, we have over 1,000,000 applicants trying to become undergraduates”.

According to Adeleke, the quality of education in the country is determined by many things. He argued that except attention is paid to the products coming from the primary and secondary schools, the quality of graduates will continue to be a matter of concern. He identified the primary and secondary schools as the stages where the greatest problem are encountered,

‘Without sincere support and sincerity of purpose in pursuing the best ideals for the educational sector, we will continue to have problems. The first and perhaps, the greatest challenge facing Nigeria and making it difficult for good quality education that is capable of bringing about sustainable development is inadequate funding by federal, state and local governments’

The question is what does the future hold for education in Nigeria?

Eghagha said there are many things that must be looked into, if the future must be made bright.

“The first is the quality of teaching. Then the issue of funding and the issue of infrastructure. The future in 10 years, certainly, will not be the same. There is the need to improve the quality of teaching.

Any student who goes through the primary, secondary and the university without access to the computer, will not be marketable in the future.

“So, there is need to improve the gadgets for learning, increase funding so that we can buy teaching aids, equip laboratories and ensure that teachers teach well. In other words, the inspectorate division has to be reinvigorated so that teachers can be made to teach what they are paid to teach. I must emphasis that the reward of education itself is knowledge. The idea of compelling people or students to read just to sit for exams is to say the least, obnoxious and retrogressive. It will not serve the overall objective of freeing the mind from the shackles of ignorance.

“So, if all of this is taken into consideration, in the next 10 years, to get ahead, to be anywhere near where we should be, we need to increase funding, build infrastructure and maintain them, then the welfare of the teachers is very important, pay them the salary that can take them home, as they say.

Imagine a principal on level 16, who cannot afford some of the basic things of live, how will he be able to put in his best”, Eghagha asked.

He said incessant strikes is not good for the system and advised ASUU to find an alternative dispute resolution as the long time effect could be very damaging to the system.

“In any society, paralysis, like the strike that is on now, is not good for its development. It is my view that strike should not be part of the menu of the universities and colleges of education. With strikes, education itself can be truncated; there could be negative consequences, if there are interruptions.

We live in a global village, the people in Canada, U S A and Great Britain are following us; and when a Nigerian graduate shows up, they immediately pick him out. “, Eghagha said.

Chijoke said the future of education may be in jeopardy, except the government does the needful without wasting any further time. “We are talking today now, students have been indoors for three months, and you know what that means for the system. Already, we have graduates that are not employable, who cannot construct correct simple sentences. If the future of education must be secured, if we must avert a bleak future, the government must stand up and do something today to salvage the current impasse. If it continues to play the “it does not matter card”, the future of education is bleak in Nigeria”, he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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POLITICS Delta Central Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) senatorial candidate Chief Ede Dafinone spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the proposed senatorial by-election and his plans for the district.

‘DPP will produce next Delta Central senator’

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HY are you in the senatorial race?

The answer to that question is quality representation. I can represent my people at the highest level in the country. I want to bring development and prosperity to Delta Central.

Some people still harbor doubts about your senatorial bid. How do you intend to build confidence in people about your ambition?

Every individual brings a different set of skills and experience to the polity. My background, education, professional experience as an accountant and consultant, my experience in rubber export and plantation, my experience in the insurance industry and in the retail or shopping mall business are all success stories in their own right. I believe that the totality of these experiences will enable me to add value as the Senator representing Delta Central.

How would you react to the view that you are daddy’s boy?

I want to thank God for blessing me with youthful looks. I will be 52 on my next birthday and I think, in terms of years spent on this planet, together with my collective experiences, I am qualified to occupy this position.

Those calling me daddy’s boy clearly do not know me or worse still, do not know my father, Chief David Dafinone.

Considering that politics in Nigeria is on cash and carry basis, how do you intend to fund and actualise your ambition?

Politics has become an expensive venture, especially in Delta State.

Good enough, I have just mentioned an array of successful businesses, which will assist in financing the campaign. In addition, I will also call on friends to support in any way they are able. I will want to emphasise that the focal point of any election is having a greater number of voters to cast their votes in my support. However, despite the popular rhetoric, Nigerians have learnt to vote with their conscience and not for money. Indeed, this

F

• Dafinone

is the background to the success story of the DPP today.

What are the challenges facing you on the field?

Party primaries are always a tense time in every political party and DPP is not an exception. I have taken my message of Urhobo unity and the development of Delta Central to the villages, the towns, from the wards to the local government areas, to the youths, to the women and to the elders. I believe that they will recognise that I offer a quality representation in the senate. I also have a network of friends throughout the federation in both the public and private sectors that will assist me to provide the best quality representation.

What has been the response?

All the groups I have met want me to represent Delta Central at the Senate.

Are you not intimidated by the senatorial ambition of some people in the race?

I contested in the last primaries in the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) against the late Senator Pius Ewherido. I lost by a total of 17 votes, having joined the party two and a half

weeks to those primaries. I was new to the party at that time. Since then, I have fully acquainted myself with my party at the local government, state and federal levels. I believe I am the candidate to beat.

What is your reaction to the rumour that you are eyeing the Delta State governorship in 2015?

This issue was first raised by a couple of young men who went to press early this year to endorse me for the governorship race in 2015. I must say that I have not shown any interest in that position and the endorsement given by this group has led to confusion as I prepare for the senatorial bye-election. Let me say that, in 2015, the natural progression will be for me to stand for re-election as a senator representing Delta Central. The period left before the next election will leave a lot of work for the office uncompleted.

Equally, the position of the party’s gubernatorial candidate for 2015 will easily be filled by our leader, Chief Great Ogboru, by popular acclamation by the rank and file of the party.

What is your message to the political leaders?

I am a popular grassroots politician.

I started my political career in 1998 where I campaigned for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from markets to community leaders across the whole of Delta State. I am experienced in both public and private sectors and will unite the party to ensure victory at the polls.

What is your message to the people?

The empowerment projects that I have undertaken under the Dafinone Foundation since 2006 have successfully empowered over 2,500 men and women in three local government areas. The empowerment has been through skill acquisition programmes covering hair dressing, tailoring, catering, aluminum bending and welding and computer education. The projects of the foundation demonstrate a commitment to serve, which can only be magnified as the senator representing Delta Central.

Darah urges voters to vote wisely

ORMER Special Adviser on Public Communication to Delta State Governor, Prof G. G. Darah, has outlined the qualities the next senator must possess. In an interview with The Nation, he said anybody who wishes to represent the people of Delta Central District, must be honest and ready to serve the people.

Darah said: “I expect that the most qualified and the most experienced persons should step forward and offer themselves for leadership. In the last 14 years of the experiment of democratic rule of elected government, the electorate has also come to identify some weaknesses and failures and they will want to change them for the purposes of a more effective representation. For Delta Central, the most experienced, the most courageous and the most honest politician, who already has his or her own means of livelihood and who has attained a fulfilled life and is ready only for service, who want to devote his time to the service of his people or her people, those are the only ones that should step forward”, Darah opined.”

The politician warned that anybody who has material acquisition as his immediate motive should perish the thought because the people will reject such an individual.

“If the person is going there because he wants to amass wealth or because he wants to build hotels in Abuja, or buy properties oversea, that person would be rejected or should be rejected by the electorate. I want to say that the drive or the motivation is very important. We want individuals who would say, yes, I was a general in the Army, I was a Professor, I was a businessman in Lagos, I have shown people

By Augustine Avwode

that I can do it, I am going to offer the people my experience to improve the lives of the people of my senatorial district, yes there is altruism there; but if it is somebody who wants to become richer materially, and to extend his estates, Delta Central does not deserve that kind of punishment.

“That senatorial district, which is populated solely by Urhobo nation, has always been known for the quality of patriotic leadership. A politician without patriotism is like a weapon given to a mad man to operate. It will become a weapon of mass destruction. But patriotism is the only oxygen that makes a politician to be a public spirited citizen. Here, patriotism means putting your nation above personal interest. The problem we have in Nigeria is that people go into politics and leave patriotism behind”, he said.

The by-election to fill the vacant seat in the Senate, following the sudden death of Senator Pius Ewherido, is to

‘If the person is going there because he wants to amass wealth or because he wants to build hotels in Abuja, or buy properties oversea, that person would be rejected or should be rejected by the electorate. I want to say that the drive or the motivation is very important’

take place on Saturday, October 5.

The Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gesila Khan, said this at a meeting with stakeholders in Ughelli. She said that the election would be held in 1,263 polling units, 85 registration areas and the eight local government areas in the senatorial district.

Khan said: “The Senate has formally notified the commission of the vacancy in Delta Central senatorial district. Consequently, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC headquarters, has directed the Delta State office to commence the process of conducting a by- election into the senatorial district.

She added: “The publication of personal particulars of candidates and last date for submission of names and addresses of party agents would be September 28, while publication of final list of candidates nominated for the election, will be September 30, 2013; last date of campaign, October 4, 2013 and possible run-off, October 9, 2013. “ In accordance with the proposed time table for the election, the last date of primaries by political parties for the nomination of their candidates and submission of the list of candidates for the election has been fixed for September 25 and 26, 2013 respectively”.

While reiterating the preparedness of the electoral umpire to do the right thing and live up to expectation, Khan urged all participants to eschew violence and be peaceful. “INEC is not unmindful of the publics’ high expectations. I, therefore, assure the people of Delta Central senatorial district that the commission will leave no stone unturned to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

My govt will be transparent, says Ngige

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By Emmanuel Oladesu

LL Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, has promised to ensure transparency and accountability, if voted into office on November 16.

He also promised to fight the infrastructure battle in the state. The flag bearer said the local governments will become huge construction sites, astressing that more roads will be constyructed at the grassroots.

Addresing supporters at his campaign office in Awka, the state capital, Ngige said that he will not disappoint the people, if given the mandate to rule.

He said: “Our party has a rich antecedent. The works of our governors are visible. I have been the governor of the state before and I did not disappoint the people. This time again, I will not disappoint the good people of Amanbra State”.

The politician is expected to formally flag-off his campaign on Saturday. The campaign director, George Moghalu, said that APC will run a scientific campaign and attract votes from the nooks and crannies of the state.

Ngige stands tall among the various candidates competing for the State House. Apart from serving as the governor of the state for about two and half years, he is also a senator representing the Central District. The communities that savoured his developmental projects when he was the governor are rooting for him. The APC flagbearer has been endorsed by many groups, associations and societies on merit.

APC has also put its house in order, ahead of the poll, more than other parties. It is not certain that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has settled the crisis generated by its choice of candidate. Also, the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is still battling with leadership crises.

Moghalu said that Ngige is the best among a the candidates, pointing out that, having been tested, he can be trusted by the people.

Exhuding confidence, the flagbearer told th crowd of suppporters that he will not betray them. he has not betrayed or failed them in the past.

He, however, assured all that he will continue to spend his time, money and energy to provide the basic amenities that will make the change they desire come to fruition, even as he disclosed that he is regarded as the truly-trusted and tested choice of the Anambra people because he has not disappointed them at any point of his career, political or otherwise.

On the double candidacy of the opposition, he said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) promised to stop one of the candidates, positing that his party, All Progressive Congress (APC) will take up the issue if INEC • Senator Ngige does not live up to its assurance.

Group hails Oshiomhole over Edo North development

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GROUP, Edo North Professionals’ Forum, has applauded the role of Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the development of the Edo Central District, The group also assessed the performance of Senator Domingo Obende, who represents the zone, urging him to live up to expectation.

In a letter to the governor signed by its Coordinator, Muhammed Alaoye, and six local government coordinators, the group expressed the desire “to champion the socio-economic development of Edo North Senatorial District and reposition it for greater participation and political relevance”.

Alaoye said: “It does not require a special skill or intelligence to recogniee the effort of Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, towards rebuilding Edo State, with particular reference to Edo North. But the senator representing the district must also rise to the challenge of assisting the governor in the administration’s bid to confront the political and socio-economic challenges confronting our people”.

The coordinator said that there can be no progress, if the elected representatives fail to work harmoniously, share ideas and cooperate together, while finding solutions to pressing socio-economic and political challenges.

He warned against self-centered and lack-lustre representation and leadership, saying that it could impair growth and development.

Alaoye added: “The problem of the senatorial district is inextricably tied to the poor quality of leadership. The district’s fortune has continued to plummet.This dearth of quality leadership cannot be divorced from the poor recruitment process called party primaries. The consequence of poor choice at the polls is the election of wrong persons into public management offices. No country, state, senatorial district or local government can rise above the level of it’s workforce, especially at the decision-making or business of law-making or be it leadership at any level” “What Edo North deserves at this critical point, especially so, when Governor Adams Oshiomhole would be rounding off his tenure, is a crop of leaders that are endowed with the gift of steady application, imbued with the ability to control events, rather than drift with the tides and, who in the range of vision and depth of conception, tower above their contemporaries. Edo North needs a senator of iron resolve, indomitable courage and sharp intellect. Men of proven integrity should also come out to assume positions of responsibility.

“Mr. Governor Sir, you owe it a duty, just as we collectively do, at this particular point in our political history, to fish out patriotic and right-thinking citizens to man positions of responsibilities in Afenmai, and by extension, Edo State.”

Lagos APGA reiterates support for APC

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HE chieftains of the defunctAll Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Lagos State have rejected the leadership of Prince Adeshina Olayokun, saying they are now loyal to the interim All Progresives Congress (APC) leadership.

In a statement by Mazi James Opara, and Chief James Alatishe and Alhaji Sheriff Ahmed, the members said that, while Olayokun belongs to the APGA led by Chief Victor Umeh, the APGA loyalists and supporters of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha are now in the APC. Opara said: “APGA in APC political structure is not APGA Lagos, which you were the chairman. Be informed that, having left APGA Lagos as the chairman, you are no longer the chairman of any political party or structure”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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Civil society tackles poor education standard

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N order to address the dwindling standard of education in the country, activists have suggested that all private schools with unqualified teachers should be banned.

Also suggested was a policy by which public office holders and their families should not have access to foreign education.

These recommendations were made in Lagos, during a discourse organised by a coalition of civil societies, One Voice.

The group, which decried the falling standard of education, noted that the problem is not only at the university level.

One Voice contended that there were scores of primary and secondary schools that lacked qualified teacher, adding “what do you expect a teacher who cannot make a correct sentence to teach the students?”

They advised that the government should upgrade teachers’ training schools with adequate facilities and stop the current practice whereby “teaching is seen as a fall-back for those who cannot get jobs.”

The discourse had representatives from Centre for Constitutional Governance; Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP; CLEEN Foundation; Humanity Services Project and Centre for Rights and Grass Roots Initiatives,

among others.

One Voice lamented that despite UNESCO’s recommendation that education be allocated 26 per cent of the budget, Nigeria was yet to implement it.

As a matter of urgency, the group called on the federal government to consider slashing the constituency allowances of National Assembly members and channelling the other half to meeting the Aca-

•Senator Okorocha

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has expressed the willingness of his administration to partner with World Health Organisation (WHO), especially in the area of health care delivery.

Governor Okorocha disclosed this when the Country representative of World Health Organisation led by the Deputy, Dr Ruigama Vaz paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri.

The governor said that the state was particularly interested in manpower training and human resources to operate the existing health facilities in the state and the 27 general hospitals under construction.

He stated that without the required manpower development, Nigerians and indeed Africans would continue to depend on the western countries for its health

Corruption should be eliminated to the barest minimum by all stakeholders; performance should be regarded more than paper qualification and anti-education policies should be abolished

By Precious Igbonwelundu

I

•From left: Mrs Juliana Iruegbu; Mrs Ugochi Okpe and Pastor Adedeji Adeleye at the event

demic Staff Union of University, ASUU’s demands.

The group said teachers should be involved in examination activities, bodies and ensure that all examination reports are published.

It urged ASUU to continue the struggle and called on parents and students to show solidarity with the union in order to put a stop to deteriorating and low standard education.

The group called for inclusion of the tenets of traditional education and utilisation of research findings in managing the country’s education.

“The constant upgrading of facilities, infrastructures and equipment should be done annually through autonomous statutory budget that the executive cannot touch or circumvent.

“Welfare of teachers through salary review and allowances as

Imo to partner WHO needs. “WHO should take into consideration the culture and peculiar need of a society before implementing any health care projects in those areas” Owelle Okorocha noted that WHO has contributed immensely in assisting Africans in the areas of health care delivery as well as immunisation and stressed the need for the organisation to redefine their relationship with Africa.

He regretted that Nigeria lacks human resources development and suggest that WHO should partner with the state on the area of human capital development through the establishment of an institution that will go a long way to train the doctors to enable them perform ef-

fectively in their professions.

Governor Okorocha assured them that the equity contribution of the counterpart fund must be paid if the organisation agrees to partner with the state and appealed to the members of WHO to ensure a better approach.

Dr Ruigama Vaz pointed out that the aim of his visit to Imo State is to strengthen their relationship with the state government and

well as future housing scheme should be guaranteed to avoid unnecessary strikes in the education sector and more qualified teachers employed to curb the present shortage.

“Corruption should be eliminated to the barest minimum by all stakeholders; performance should be regarded more than paper qualification and antieducation policies should be abolished,” the group said. made clear that the primary functions of WHO is to ensure adequate health care delivery and prevention of disease in the country.

He praised the state governor for embarking on construction of 27 new general hospitals in the state, cold store for vaccine and the establishment of WHO’s office in the state. Dr Vaz hailed Governor Okorocha on his free education programme as well as the pet project of her Excellency which he said would go a long way to eradicate poverty in the state.

WHO has assisted Africans immensely in health care delivery as well as immunisation but the organisation should redefine its relationship with the African continent

Muslim cleric advocates peace centres

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•From left: Permanent Secretary, Ministry Environment, Mr Hakeem Ogunbambi, wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola and Chairman, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Mr Toba Oke during the last environmental sanitation exercise.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

RIVERS State-based Muslim cleric, Alhaji Abubakar Orlu has called for the establishment of a centre for inter-religious unity in the South-south and SouthEast zones of the country.

Alhaji Orlu made the call during the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Joint Committee Zonal Conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

He noted that the establishment of the centre would go a long way in promoting peace, unity and cooperation among Muslims and Christians in the zones.

The chairman JNI in the zones has also advised Islamic leaders in the zones to see the need for evangelism, urging them to take delight in rendering selfless service to God

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

(Allah).

“We must not only work but also be seen to have worked more vigorously, showing re-awakened interest and consistency in our efforts if we must remain more united and faithful.”

He further charged them to intensify efforts in opening network of cooperation with the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and leaders of other religious faiths to ensure the plan for the centre was actualised.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Ajimobi’s wife, others urge more empowerment for women.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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We are focused not just on recognising individual achievements but in rewarding long-standing consistency and lifetime commitments to the goals of enhanced professional service delivery

K

ANO State Governor Rabiu Kwakwaso has urged political office holders to be committed to projects that will develop the country and help ameliorate the suffering of the rural poor.

Kwankwaso, who was represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Mohammadu Yahaya, spoke at the second induction into Nigeria’s Construction Industry Hall of Fame ogranised by Construction and Engineering Digest Magazine at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

The programme which was tagged: Sustainability Strategies for Energy Efficiency in Nigeria, had over 200 accomplished engineers, surveyors and town planners drawn from different parts of the country. Among the guests were the founding president, Mr Otis Anyaeji, the chairman, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Mr Ezekiel Adeniji, former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, National Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Prof David Esezobor.

Kwankwaso said democracy can only thrive when there are meaningful improvements in the quality of life of the people, especially the rural poor.

Citing the recent National Bureau of Statistics on poverty level in Nigeria which states that 112 million people are poor, he said it is obvious that Nigeria is in dire need of politicians who will bring hope to the people through well thoughtout plans and infrastructural development.

He noted that the administration of Kwankwaso has given birth not only to Kwankwasiyya city but also close to 50,000 service plots and drainage in all the 44 local government area in the state, as well as several roads and infrastructure that have upgraded the ancient commercial city.

The governor noted that development programmes in education, health care, environment, and infrastructure have been the core of his administration in the last two years.

Kwankwaso said that politicians should work hard to make Nigeria great again and avoid playing politics with taxpayers’ money “as we will all give account of our stewardship someday. We have built 5 km roads with concrete drain and streetlights across the 44 local government area in the state.”

Also, the Chairman of FERMA,

•Founding President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr Otis Anyaeji (right) presenting an award to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso’s representative, Mohammadu Yahaya

Kwankwaso challenges politicians on development

By Adeola Ogunlade

Adeniji who lauded the effort of this administration on infrastructural development, said “the collaboration of the people in the maintenance of our roads is very germane.”

He also spoke about the commitment of the agency.

“We don’t just want to build the players of the system but the system itself that will be able to manage our roads effectively across the country for the benefit if all Nigerians.”

In his opening address, the Publisher of CED Magazine, Mr.

Kenneth Odusol-Stevenson said that the initiative was borne out of the desire to indentify and uphold those professionals and corporate organisations who have stood the test of time in Nigeria,

believing in Project Nigeria and withstanding all the challenges to remain focused on delivering value services to the construction industry and allied sectors.

“We are focused not just on rec-

ognising individual achievements but in rewarding long-standing consistency and lifetime commitments to the goals of enhanced professional service delivery”, he said.

Reps committee faults Fed Govt on Ajaokuta mill

T

HE House of Representatives Committee on Industry has berated the Federal government and well-to-do Nigerians over their inability to complete the Ajaokuta Rolling Mill.

The chairman of the committee, Alhaji Mohammed Onawo stated this while addressing reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, after

Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan (third right); his Vice-Chairman, Monsurudeen Bello-Obe (second right); Revenue Committee Chairman of the council, Adewoyin Sunny (right); President, Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF), Prince Hamed Olarenwaju (third left) and other members of NWF during a courtesy visit to the secretariat

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

his committee’s oversight function to KAM Industries Limited.

Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala visit the private indigenous steel rolling mill recently.

Alhaji Onawo said: “What we have seen today is quite overwhelming.

What we have seen today is a dogged effort of an individual determined to make a change in Nigeria. In the past, people have depended so much on government.

“That is why I say it is a challenge to the Federal Government for not being able to complete Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill. It is a challenge to other billionaires in Nigeria who just stock money in their houses or take this money outside the country and when they die, their family cannot even access it.

“There have been cries by everybody that there is no good road.

That’s why industries cannot function. With that same environment, you can see the difference here. It is just a way of commitment and this goes to show that government alone cannot do it.

“So, if edifices like this are established, you can be sure that Nigeria, in the shortest possible time, can become an industrialised nation. Without things like this, our dream of becoming one of the 20 most developed economies of the world by the year 2020 can be a mirage.”

On the prohibitive lending rates by commercial banks, the legislator

said that “the Federal Government and the National Assembly are frowning at the present high rate of lending and high rate of interest.

“President Jonathan has even said that if the commercial banks do not change their attitude towards investors, the intervention funds that they receive for industrial development or industrial financing would be channelled through development banks; and if they allow that to happen, it would be they that would be losing.

“Outside this country, people take loan on interest of two per cent.

Some of them even go to take loans whose interest rates are very low and sell to entrepreneurs at high rate.

They are just interested in making money; they are not interested in developing the economy,” he said.

In a remark, Deputy Managing Director of the company, Hajia Mariam Yusuf put the current workforce of the company at 2,000.

She added that the company would employ about 1, 000 more when it’s cold steel rolling mill is completed.

“Distinguished members of the National Assembly, what you are about to see today is our cold steel rolling mill designed to make car bodies; galvanised roofing sheets, head pans, shovels and more.

“The establishment of the cold steel rolling mill in Kwara State will create satellite investment opportunities for the downstream companies who will cash in on the opportunity of the cold steel to fabricate and manufacture so many products; including a car assembly plant,” she said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 , 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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NEWS Oil Installations safety: DPR seeks to partner NSCDC

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• Carreer Coach and Managing Director, Frontiers Communication, Mr. Muyiwa Afolabi, Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Sterling Bank Plc Shina Atilola and Onome Umukoro,Communications Department, Sterling Bank Plc at the Get Ready for Work Concert event organised by Sterling Bank Plc..last weekend.

NLC seeks ban of jobs scratch cards sales

T

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yes terday urged the government to stop the sale of scratch cards to applicants for employment.

In a statement, its President, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar and the General-Secretary, Comrade Chris Uyot, said all application process should be free and unencumbered.

“Congress frowns at governments’ agencies milking applicants by way of asking them to buy scratch cards, or pay needless sums at banks knowing full well that they will not offer jobs to these hapless applicants,” it said, adding that the process is an affront on the patience and patriotism of Nigerians in the face of gross deprivation and poverty amidst so much wealth.

A

• Says high, mighty behind oil theft From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

The congress insisted that economic growth must come with jobs, saying that in spite of figures justifying economic growth, unemployment rates have more than quadrupled in recent years making not a few to conclude that the country has never had it so bad.

The labour chiefs said it was time the state re-examined the total surrender of the economy to foreign models that have not yielded the desired results, adding that it has instead created massive unemployment, bloody conflicts, unprecedented crime waves and other unpleasant consequences.

They said the private sector which is expected to drive the

process of economic development/growth is weak, choosy, rabidly profit-oriented and cannot guarantee shared prosperity among Nigerians.

The congress rejected the levels of crude oil theft, saying the vive has virtually left the economy prostrate.

The Congress said it is amazed and shocked that government’s promises of checking this ugly trend have not yielded the desired result “because of the involvement of the high and the mighty.”

On the nation’s independence, NLC said that the founding fathers had a vision at independence which clearly went beyond ceremonial, or flag independence, saying “their vision encapsulated a productive economy, socio-

economic justice, peaceful coexistence of which every Nigerian should be proud.”

NLC noted that 53 years after, some of the changes have been traumatic.

Omar added that sectariancum communal crises across the country have led to unacceptable blood-letting as well as caused massive displacements with potential for food shortages and disunity.

The statement reads in part: “Congress appreciates the challenges our security agencies are facing in the course of maintaining the peace during these moments, but condemns in strong terms the incessant and protracted senseless killings of helpless and innocent Nigerians. The latest of these, being the Apo killings and the murder of over 50 students in the College of Agriculture, Yobe.

Shortage of accommodation may hinder Ajaokuta’s take-off

LL arrangements put in place by the man agement of Ajaokuta Steel Company and REPROM Nigeria Limited to commence the running of the multi-billion naira steel plant may suffer a set back, as a result of shortage of accommodation to house the prospective expertrates.

The Management of Ajaokuta Steel Company had concluded arrangement to commence operation of its rolling mill, one of the most critical section in steel factory.

From Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

There has been major preparation to commence the take off of the steel company in Kogi state, after some delay by the successive government in the country.

But the Managing Director of REPROM Nigeria Limited, Mr Attah Achimugu, told The Nation, that Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) to contract the lubrication of the rolling mill was issued to a successful com-

pany, and delivery of the oil had since been done. But accommodation which is key to the success of the steel company is said to be the major problem.

However, both the interim management of the steel plant and REPROM Nigeria Limited are already making efforts to renovate hundreds of abandoned houses to provide enough accommodation to the expertrates.

He said rolling mills have

been lubricated and undergoing test runs, adding that full operation of the sector would commence this month.

REPROM Nigeria Limited had last year entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the interim management of Ajaokuta steel company.

The Nation investigation revealed that the shortage of the accommodation was not unconnected with the manner in which houses were allocated to people by past management.

‘Nigerians consume 15-year old imported rice’

T

• Fed Govt laments tomato paste import from China, Italy

HE Minister of Agricul ture and Rural Devel opment, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has decried the consumption of 15 years old rice being imported into the country from Indonesia and other major rice producing countries.

Adesina who pleaded for the consumption of local staple foods, especially rice, said the country had taken a step backward from being the largest rice importer, to replace China.

He said Nigeria through the adoption of new technology and effective implementation of good policies, would be capable of being self sufficient in rice production by 2015.

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

Adesina, who spoke at the inauguration of 13 Board Chairmen of the Ministry’s Institutes, Agencies and Parastatals, said that between 2012 and 2013, local farmers were able to produce over 1.7 million metric tons of paddy rice, which according to him, was about 50 percent of what the country needed to be independent in producing the commodity.

He said: “Well-packaged, long grain parboiled local rice is now on the market. It is tastier and healthier than the 15 year-old imported rice dumped on the Nigerian market. We will soon be free from rice imports!”

According to him, about 14 large-scale integrated rice mills have been established by private sectors within two years, where quality longgrained local parboiled rice was being produced.

However, the Minister decried the country’s huge tomato paste import from China and Italy. He described the trend as unacceptable stressing that about 45 percent of tomato planted in Kano accounts for post harvest loses.

He restated that the federal government Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) was not a ‘political slogan’ but a developmental approach to pull the nation out of poverty and food imports.

“Nigeria has great people with great potential therefore we have no business importing foods. Potential is good but nobody eats potential, we need to make it work,” he added.

Speaking on the inauguration, Adesina reminded the chairmen and their members of their duties to solely advise and ensure rancour free management of the institutes.

He said it would not be business as usual, adding that it would not be the duty of the board to engage in daily administration of the research institutes but to support them and the present administration to achieve its development agenda on the agric sector.

• Decries revenue losses

HE Department of Pe troleum Resources (DPR) has sought the assistance of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to help secure its vital assets and reduce revenue losses to the nation.

The Director of DPR, Mr. George Osahon with his management team made the call for the partnership during a courtesy visit on the state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, Commandant Adesuyi Clement Dayo at their Ikeja Command.

The DPR boss lamented the loss of revenue by the Federal Government through oil theft stressing the importance for relevant authorities to work in partnership towards ensuring that this criminality is stopped.

He requested for partnership between DPR and NSCDC in the area of enforcement towards ensuring that

By Uyoatta Eshiet

the law takes its right course on the perpetrators of the crime.

In response, the NSCDC boss said the partnership was a welcome development and promised to work together with the organization. He used the opportunity to throw more light on the NSCDC statutory functions and activities of the corps so far within the state. He said the corps members have tried their best towards monitoring and protection of oil installations in the country, but frown at recent sabotage being experienced by the corps from some unpatriotic members of the public.

He used the same forum to ask for assistance from DPR and other relevant bodies in the area of logistics. This he believes will go a long way in assisting the corps towards monitoring of oil installations and other critical infrastructures within the state.

Nigeria, Russia to improve trade

N

IGERIA and The Rus sian Federation have initiated plans to improve trade relations between both countries.

The desire to improve trade relations between both countries in not unconnected to the low level of trade between both countries valued at less than $300 million.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Nigerian Ambassador to Russia, Mr Assam Assam and his Russian counterpart in Nigeria, Ambassador Nikolay Udovichenko both said the two countries have agreed to deepen the level of trade that currently exists between them.

Assam lamented the $300 million trade volume between vith countries stressing that “the figure is unacceptable considering the 50 years of trade relation that exists between Nigeria and Russia.

This is a result of knowing little about each other’s countries.”

He expressed displeasure that few Nigeria companies are presently doing busi-

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

nesses in Russia adding that with policy direction, Nigeria’s economic cooperation with Russia would be greatly enhanced.

To ramp up trade volume between the two countries, their chambers of commerce would be holding the first Nigeria-Russia Business and Investment Forum which will take place in Moscow on the 9th and 10th October, 2013 to open up new areas of economic collaboration after 50 years of socio-economic and political relations.

According to ambassador Assam, “Nigeria and Russia have had 50 years of diplomatic relation and that is why as part of the business forum and by virtue of very prominent Nigerians who will be coming to Moscow for the business forum, we have decided to use the forum as an opportunity for Nigeria to improve trade with Russia and attract businesses from Russia to Nigeria with quality interaction to enhance relationship.”

‘Create Microfinance Training Institute’

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HE Nigeria Deposit In surance Corporation (NDIC) has urged thecreation of a world class Microfinance Training Institute in the country to enhance continuous capacity building in the banking subsector.

The Managing Director / Chief Executive of NDIC Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, who made the call, also advocated for the incorporation of All Women Microfinance Bank (MFB) wholly owned by Women NGOs in the country, to protect the interest of small depositors and boost public confidence in the microfinance banking sub sector.

Alhaji Ibrahim, made the call when he played host to the Executive members of National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB) who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, said that the NAMB request for Unit MFBs to have multiple branches and operate cash centres in local government areas of their operations was before a joint Committee which must be critically analysed and

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

judged based on its merit. He, therefore, advised the Association to await the recommendations of the Committee on the matter.

The NDIC boss reminded the association of the fundamental role of MFBs as grassroots business units toward enhancing financial literacy and consumer protection in promoting financial inclusion.

He emphasized that only happy and satisfied depositors could guarantee the much needed public confidence in the banking system, saying that the NDIC had put in place 24 hour toll free Help Desk to respond to all enquiries from depositors across the country.

Alhaji Ibrahim lamented the low level of payment of assessed premium amongst the MFBs which necessitated the need for a tripartite agreement between the Corporation, MFBs and their correspondent banks to facilitate prompt collection of premium in the subsector.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30-09-13

Equities gain N156b in September

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•Year-to-date return hits 30.29%, N2.68tr

QUITIES witnessed marginal recovery in September as investors sought to reposition and rebalance their portfolios in expectation of third quarter earnings. Aggregate market value of all equities rose by N156 billion in September, underlining average return of 0.93 per cent indexed during the period. With this, average year-to-date return at the Nigerian stock market rallied to 30.29 per cent.

Aggregate market value of all equities closed September at N11.653 trillion as against the opening value of N11.497 trillion for the month. The All Share Index (ASI), the main index that tracks all equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), also inched up to 36,585.08 points as against its opening index of 36,248.53 points for the month.

With these, investors have gained about N2.68 trillion so far this year, which translated to average return of some 30.29 per cent. Market value of all equities had opened this year at N8.974 trillion while the ASI had opened at 28,078.80 points.

The recovery in September moderated the steep decline suffered in the previous month. Eight-month year-todate analysis of the stock market had shown a major reversal in August as equities lost

By Taofik Salako

N510 billion to almost reverse previous gain of N581 billion in July.

The reversal in August shaved average year-to-date capital gains at the Nigerian equities market from about N3.03 trillion by the end of July to N2.52 trillion by the end of August. Indexed, average returns at the market shrank to 29.10 per cent for the eight-month period as against 35.03 per cent recorded by the seventh month.

In simple value terms, the eight-month capital gain of N2.52 trillion still surpassed total gains of N2.44 trillion recorded for the entire 2012, although substantially lower than N3.03 trillion recorded by July 2013. However, the average indexed return of 29.10 per cent fell below return of 35.03 per cent recorded by July. Average full-year return had stood at 35.45 per cent in 2012.

Aggregate market value of all equities closed August at N11.497 trillion from its month’s opening value of N12.007 trillion, indicating a month-on-month drop of 4.25 per cent. The ASI slipped by 4.39 per cent from 37,914.33 points to 36,248.53 points, representing a drop of 4.39 per cent or about 1,666 points.

Nigerian equities had consolidated their bullish rally in

July as market capitalisation added N581 billion to throttle back to N12 trillion. Aggregate year-to-date return improved from six-month value of N2.45 trillion to N3.03 trillion by the end of July. After the downtrend in June, the market was particularly spectacular in July with a monthon-month average return of 5.08 per cent.

Aggregate market value of all equities closed July at N12.007 trillion as against its opening value of N11.426 trillion for the month. The ASI also rose from month’s opening index of 36,164.31 points to close at 37,914.33 points.

The stock market had closed the first half with average return of about 28.8 per cent, equivalent to N2.45 trillion in capital gains. Aggregate market value of all equities on the NSE had closed the first half at N11.426 trillion as against its value-on-board of N8.974 trillion that started the year, representing an increase of 27.3 per cent. The ASI had risen from 2013’s opening index of 28,078.81 points to close the first half at 36,164.31 points.

The first half performance was moderated by the downtrend in the latter half of June, which saw the month closing as the most bearish month with a loss of N649 billion. Equities had shown brighter performance in the first five months with whooping capital gains of N3.10 trillion. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities had closed May at N12.075 trillion while the ASI had indicated a five-month average return of 34.6 per cent.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30-09-13

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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MONEY LINK

Cashless charges begin in Abuja, Abia, others today

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ASHLESS banking charges on cash withdrawal and deposit transactions will takeoff today in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Abia, Anambra, Kano, Ogun and Rivers States.

The policy, which was scheduled to begin yesterday as directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), became effective today because of the Independence Day public holiday.

CBN Director of Communications Ugochukwu Okoroafor told The Nation on phone that the charges would begin today in all the selected states, adding that the policy is meant to reduce the amount of physical cash circulating in the economy and encourage more electronic-based solutions for payments for goods and services and transfers, among others.

Ahead of today’s take-off of the policy, many commercial banks have through emails, text messages

F

Stories by Collins Nweze

and formal letters, been sensitising their customers on the need to embrace alternative payment options.

In an emailed statement to its customers, GTBank said the policy will drive the development and modernisation of Nigeria’s payments system within Abuja and the selected states. It said all individuals and corporate bodies will be encouraged to adopt electronic payment and other banking options.

The policy which had been operational in Lagos State in terms of charges, is aimed at promoting the use of electronic-based transactions instead of cash.

The implementation of the ‘Cash-less Lagos’, as it is known, began on January 1, 2012 and has recorded improvements is the use of Point of Sale (PoS), Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)

Enterprise Bank’s chairman quits

and other e-payment tools. The service charges/fees did not apply until March 30th, 2012, in order to give people time to migrate to electronic channels and experience the infrastructure that has been put in place.

The policy framework stipulates that cash-in-transit lodgment and cash evacuation services will no longer be available to customers or merchants. For individual account holders, charges on cash transactions will apply when daily withdrawals and deposits are in excess of N500,000 while for corporate account holders, charges will apply when daily withdrawals and deposits are in excess of N3 million. It is the account to which withdrawal and lodgment is made that bears the processing charges and not the individual that receives or deposits the cash.

However, the CBN granted exemptions on lodgments and with-

FCMB commits $275m to power

CMB has committed over $275 million to the power sector reform and its value chain opportunities, the Group Head, Project and Structure Finance of FCMB Capital Markets Limited, Mr. Robert Grant, has said.

In a statement, Grant said the investment is in line with the bank’s contribution towards national development and commitment towards providing the necessary support to ensure the successful implementation of the on-going reforms in the nation’s power sector.

Grant, who spoke at a special forum titled, ‘’Financing the Power

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

Sector Reforms for Economic Development,’’ held in Abuja to showcase the N300 billion Bank of IndustryPower and Aviation Intervention Facility (BOI-PAIF) initiative which was launched in 2010, said FCMB Capital Markets is actively involved in the on-going Niger Delta Power Holding Company’s (NDPHCs) privatisation under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs).

He said FCMB was one of the first banks to access the BOI-PAIF with the provision of a N3.2 billion Term Loan Facility to Tower Power Utili-

ties Limited (TPUL) for their 17.75 MW combined cycle gas fired power generation plant, in Ota Industrial Estate, Ogun State, adding that the feedstock is gas supplied by Shell through a pipeline which terminates in the Ota Industrial Estate.

Apart from scheduled maintenance, the gas supply has been uninterrupted since inception. The plant provides power to several enterprises, including but not limited to Aluminum Rolling Mills, Kolorkote Nigeria Limited, Eagle Packaging & Printing, Green Fuels, Dychem, Covenant University and Euro Global & Food Distilleries.

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

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

drawals for accounts operated by embassies, diplomatic missions, multilateral agencies, aid donor agencies, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Microfinance Banks (MfBs) and Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs).

Sterling Bank inaugurates concert

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TERLING Bank has organised the “Get Ready for Work” concert, the first of its kind at the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Pavilion, Alausa, Lagos. In a statement, the bank said the concert attracted an unprecedented number of fresh graduates, undergraduates, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, and job applicants across the state.

The concert themed: “Set off your career in style,” was aimed at providing entrepreneurial opportunities to the Nigerian youth as well as prepare the participants to be self-employed.

The bank’s Group Head, Strategy and Communications, Shina Atilola, said the high rate of unemployment was the primary reason for the concert.

More straight talk came from Olalekan Olude, who told the inspiring story of how he and two other friends laid the foundation for the suc-

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Offered ($) 350m 350m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Quotation Price N8250.00 N1000.00

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Current Market 5495.33 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

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 30-09-13

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

% CHANGE

WEMABANK INTENEGINS GUINNESS CUTIX CUSTODYINS EVANSMED FO CONTINSURE UBCAP COSTAIN

0.95 0.59 240.00 1.81 1.43 3.29 35.70 1.15 1.39 1.01

1.00 0.62 266.70 1.90 1.50 3.45 37.39 1.20 1.45 1.05

5.26 5.08 5.00 4.97 4.90 4.86 4.73 4.35 4.32 3.96

2013-09-27

2013-09-30

LOSERS AS AT 30-09-13

SYMBOL COURTVILLE PAINTCOM JOSBREW LIVESTOCK OKOMUOIL OANDO IKEJAHOTEL ACADEMY UNITYBNK IPWA

2013-09-27

O/PRICE 0.68 2.24 4.38 3.90 48.05 10.80 0.80 1.87 0.60 0.99

2013-09-30

C/PRICE 0.62 2.13 4.17 3.72 46.00 10.35 0.77 1.80 0.58 0.96

350m

Year Start Offer

Current Before

Current After

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12

113m

113m

155.7

22-6-12

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

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

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

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%

NIBOR

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

19-09-13 11.432.09 35,891.90

23-09-13 11.494.75 36,088.64

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%

% Change -

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

DISCOUNT WINDOW

Tenor

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

CUV Start %

% CHANGE -8.82 -4.91 -4.79 -4.62 -4.27 -4.17 -3.75 -3.74 -3.33 -3.03

Amount Demanded ($) 150m 138m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

cessful company, Jobberman, some four years ago while still in school.

“We were in school. It was during an industrial strike just like this. We decided to maximize the strike. Facebook had just come out then. We decided to do something online. We selected between movies, music and jobs but we settled for jobs.”

The entrepreneur challenged the participants to become job creators.

“What if there are no jobs. What I have realized is that what it takes to get a job is what it takes to set up a successful company, what you need is to have a dream; be yourselves and learn to execute your every plan” he said.

For Gbolahan Fagbure, CEO of JUMIA, the watchword for success is discipline in both personal and business life. “Always be prepared to make that sacrifice to achieve your goals,” he emphasized.

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

T

HE Chairman, Board of Enterprise Bank Limited, Emeka Onwuka, yesterday resigned his appointment from the bank .

In a letter sent to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Onwuka said he was resigning to avoid a potential conflict of interest and to protect the credibility of AMCON’s divestment process.

Onwuka intends to work with a group of investors, who are interested in acquiring equity in the three nationalised banks.

While wishing the bank the best in the years ahead, he expressed his gratitude to AMCON for giving him the opportunity to serve the country at such high capacity.

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 141.19 153.18 0.80 1.16 1.18 100.00 1,000.00 1,824.63 13.64 1.39 11,004.94

9.08 1.00 140.70 152.58 0.78 1.16 1.16 100.00 1,000.00 1,820.08 12.97 1.33 10,680.29

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY

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

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

56

NEWS

A

‘Oghiadomhe is Edo North’s PDP leader’

GROUP in Edo North has dismissed as inconsequential, a purported vote of no confidence passed in President Goodluck Jonathan’s Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, by some People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members in the area and a publication to that effect.

The group, Edo North PDP Stakeholders, in a statement

by Michael Abekhe, said: “We are surprised by the purported publication and the so-called Edo North members’, leaders’ and stakeholders’ meeting held at Polaris Hotel, Jattu, Afeshio, Etsako West Local Government Area, chaired

by Mr. Johnson Agbolaba, about passing a vote of no confidence/calling for the sack of Chief Oghiadomhe.

“What is the rationale behind such a resolution?

What is his crime? To be working for the president of our country, Chief Oghiadomhe has literally mortgaged his life for the good of our nation. “Oghiadomhe’s reach, assistance and generosity to the masses cut across the length and breadth of the nation and with his position comes great responsibility not limited to his immediate constituency only.

“Do you know how many war room sessions he is involved in daily concerning the state of the nation, given the state of insecurity in our land and the trust deficiency? How can the Chief of Staff be parochial at a time every leader is called to hold on to our fledgling democracy? It’s so shameful that at a time when we need high level maturity, what we get from the so- called stakeholders in Edo State is such

rascality. Can we not take a cue from our brothers from the North; do they wash their dirty linen in public?

Even in a home, a perceived bad son is still a son; he has his birth right. Should we not be happy that we have our own holding such a sensitive position as opposed to we brandishing him a black sheep? Should we not have parley sessions and like civilised people express whatever grievances we have if any at all? Don’t you all have access to him as state party chairman and socalled Edo North leaders? In the final analysis, Chief Oghiadomhe owes no one anything other than his continuous sacrifice and commitment to the transformation agenda of Mr. President.”

The group added: “We should rather ask our state party Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, how our great party in Edo State fell in the trenches under his watch and how we have found ourselves in the opposition in Edo State politics.

“We call on all party faithful in Edo North, Edo State and Mr. President to disregard such a malicious gathering. In due course, we shall decide the destiny of our great party together in unity. We pledge our continuous loyalty and support to Chief Oghiadomhe as the Edo North PDP leader.

“The moment we start to realise that our destinies are in our hands, the better for us. Let’s all look inwardly and deeply reflect before we destroy the shaky pillars we have. Let’s seek wisdom from above to help us to become objective and mature.

A word is enough for the wise!”

Dickson explains loan deal with Poland

T

HE Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, yesterday provided an insight into an ongoing process by the state government to obtain a foreign facility from Poland.

The governor also directed the Commissiner of Police in the state, Mr. Hillary Opara, to arrest some civil servants indicted for payroll fraud.

There were ripples in the state over an approval granted Dickson by the House of Assembly to obtain a facility amounting to N13billion (60million Euros) to build a Maritime Academy in Okpoama, Brass Island.

The opposition had accused the governor of deceit and doublespeak over the matter.

But Dickson during the 16th edition of the transparency press briefing at the Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, described the facility as developmental grant and not a loan.

While further referring to it as a tie-direct aid, he said he never solicited the gesture adding that all the process that led to the deal was initiated by the Polish Government.

He said all issues relating to the deal were being handled by the Federal Government adding that his deputy, Rear

•Orders arrest of civil servants From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Admiral John Jonah (retd) was coordinating the matter on behalf of the government.

Throwing more lights on the matter, he said: "l asked the deputy governor to lead a team to Poland. He led a team to Poland. The President of Poland visited our brother President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

"They raised there at that bilateral meeting the discussion they had with us. They wrote to us and said they had free funds. This is the government of a sovereign nation and not a state so we should consider ourselves fortunate that a sovereign nation identified us and wants to support us.

"They said they wanted to work with us to build the maritime academy. They said they had funds and the expertise and that they would affiliate it to their own maritime university.

"They said they would build it and run it, that they would make it in such a way that the operations of that university, it is going to be commercial and there is none like it in this

country in West Africa. I told them that Bayelsa would not pay them even N1 back and they said no problem.

"They will bring the funds and when the institution is set because they would have admitted students for training.

People will be admitted from all over Africa and other places, they will now take the proceeds and service it. It is even not a loan. It is called tied-direct aid. It means that it is tied to a project.

Bayelsa government will not receive their money and spend it. They will bring the funds, supply the manpower and bring the ships. When the finish the admission and everything, they will now service it back with that. What concerns me with that?

"We are not taken that as a bank facility as it was done before. You know l won't go near bank facility with interest. You should know that l won't go close to things like that particularly money matters".

He said the administration would not reject developmental offers from investors adding that the Polish President raised the matter in his bilat-

eral meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan.

On how the matter got to the state house of assembly, he said: "While l was away, the deputy governor called me and said the Federal Ministry had written to say that the thing wants to expire because it is coordinated by the Federal Ministry.

"The time wants to expire and they advised that for them to release Bayelsa own because other states are also submitting things like that, development assistance, small percentage spread to a number of years.

"They said the state House of Assembly should pass a resolution. We didn't know that and l directed that the thing should be taken to the assembly.

"The assembly is considering it and when they are finished we are to now send it to the Federal authorities who will now join it with request from other states and discuss it at the federal executive council.

"After that they will send it to the national assembly because the national assembly must authorise it. When they do that the government of Poland will send it to their parliament."

INEC postpones Delta Central by-election HE Independent Na-

T

tional Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the by-election into Delta Central.

Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mrs. Gesila Khan said the postponement followed the inability of the electoral umpire to procure sensitive materials for the poll.

She said the postponement would give the political parties more time to prepare for the election.

Mrs. Khan, who spoke yesterday in Asaba, said the postponement would enable INEC train its ad-hoc workers, adding that the electoral body was determined to succeed in the conduct of the election.

The Delta State REC said INEC exercised the powers conferred on it by the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution to postpone the election.

Political party representatives at a recent stakeholders’ forum in Ughelli failed to reach an agreement over the October 5 date proposed by INEC. Mrs. Khan said at the stakeholders’ forum that only INEC headquarters could ratify the decisions reached at the meeting.

The Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Southsouth zone, Mr. Tom Ikimi, initially rejected the proposed date, saying October 26 would be ideal for the election.

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

According to him, it takes time to conduct good primaries, adding that good elections are predicated on good primaries.

His words: “It takes some time to conduct good primaries. For good elections, we must have good primaries. I like to convey to you the position of our party. I suggest October 26 as an appropriate date to do the arrangements in order to have a credible election.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the state Vice Chairman, Mr. Tom Amioku, concurred with the date as proposed by INEC, urging the electoral umpire to go ahead with its proposed timetable.

He said: “I acknowledge the importance of timing as per the constitution. Given the terrain and time for appeals. I think we should stick to INEC’s proposals.”

Mega Party representative, Mr. Ambrose Igho, said elections were better if held on weekends. He suggested October 10 as their preferred date.

Delta Police Commissioner Ikechukwu Aduba, represented by DCP Zakari Ahmed, opposed the October 11 date as canvassed by some stakeholders, saying October 5 would be ideal to accommodate run-offs.

•From left: General Manager, True Tales Publications, Ms Anne Omezi, First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola and Deputy Managing Director, Resources, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, during the launch of Hello! Nigeria, in Lagos on Sunday

Eleme flyover ready next week, says Rivers commissioner

M

OTORISTS plying the Eleme Junction Flyover Bridge in Rivers State have been assured that their plight would soon be over.

The company handling the repair, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, would next week conclude work on one lane of the bridge.

Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Chief Victor Giadom, who gave the assurance, said the rehabilitation work on the bridge had become necessary to complete the technical aspects not done earlier after Julius Berger had left the work due to the spate of kidnapping and harassment of its workers.

“Julius Berger said they were not able to do what they were supposed to do in some aspects of the bridge because there were kidnapping and rainfall, and with that type of situation, technical work was hurriedly done,” Giadom said, adding that the reconstruction work being done without extra charges on government would help

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

stabilise the bridge and make it more durable and safe.

The commissioner, who spoke in Port Harcourt, said the Rivers State government had warned those erecting illegal structures on the proposed Sakpenwa/Bori/

Kono Road to desist, as they would not be compensated following the dualisation of the road.

He said government had watched with consternation, the rate residents of the area were erecting illegal structures with the aim of seeking compensation.

Said he: “When the state

government observed that some people have started erecting illegal structures, such as shrines, graves, buildings and so on, the chairmen of Tai, Gokana and Khana local governments were requested to inform them that the state government would not pay any compensation for such illegal structures.”

Armed robbery gang kills leader in Nnewi

T

EN armed robbers, at a loss on what to do when their leader was shot during a gun duel with the police, killed him and escaped with their loot at an Nnewi warehouse in Anambra State.

The warehouse, where liquor is stored, belongs to Chief Chidi Ubabuko.

Our reporter contacted police spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka to confirm the incident.

He said he had just returned from Abuja and would get back to him, but did not at press time.

A source in the police area command, Nnewi confirmed the incident.

He said the area commander had ordered a search for the gang members.

An eyewitness said the robbers had finished robbing the warehouse and were about leaving when policemen arrived and opened fire

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

on them.

The source said when the police were about to overpower them, they asked their leader to use their ‘escape charms’ to enable them disappear as usual, but having being injured, he could not.

The source said to avoid being traced through their injured leader, they shot him dead.

The body could not be identified by the people in the vicinity.

The police command has deposited the body at a morgue in Nnewi. It is investigating the incident.

Robbers have been terrorising the residents of Onitsha and Owerri road.

Luck ran out of a motorcycle robber recently as residents and traders set him ablaze after a failed attempt to steal a new motorcycle.

57

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

NEWS

APC hails Ohanaeze for rebutting Jonathan’s endorsement

Okopoly begins computer-based post-UTME test From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

F

EDERAL Polytechnic, Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State has begun the Computer-Based Test (CBT) of the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Rector, Prof. Godwin Onu, said the introduction of the CBT was in line with the institution’s vision of a digital and electronic administration, teaching and learning environment.

He said the polytechnic had acquired infrastructure and solution for electronic examination for effective service delivery to the students and lecturers.

The first CBT in the institution will begin today. The students are expected to converge at 7am.

Onu said the CBT would prevent the hassles associated with paper examinations, such as missing scripts, cost of printing answer sheets and so on.

He said the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had inspected facilities at the polytechnic and applied to use the facilities for the next UTME. Prof. Onu said the students and their parents would receive results through short message service (sms) in less than 24 hours.

Some of the students, who spoke yesterday, said the CBT remained the easiest form of examination.

They urged the Federal Ministry of Education to compel other tertiary institutions to adopt it.

A candidate, Mary Muokwugwo, said the CBT remains the best form of examination for people, who are computer literate, adding that candidates without computer knowledge are afraid of the examination.

Teenager, doctor held for ‘child trafficking’ From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

T

HE Imo State Police Command yesterday paraded five suspected child traffickers, including a doctor and an expectant teenager, for allegedly abducting and selling a three- year-old boy.

The suspects, identified as Dr. Francis Onyekoro, Mrs. Ngozi Chukwuka, Haggai Enomeka, Miss Oluchi Maduka, the teenager and Nelson Okoji allegedly sold the victim, Nse Iyere, who was abducted from NaiforUgbodogwu in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State for N500,000.00.

Parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the Commissioner of Police Muhammad Musa Katsina, said the victim was lured away from his home by one of the suspects (Nelson), who lives in the same house with his parents and brought him to Oguta in Imo State, where he was sold to the first buyer.

He said Dr. Onyekoro, in charge of Godswill Divine Hospital in Eneka, Rivers State, bought the victim for N250,000 and sold him to Mrs. Chukwuka for N500,000 before they were apprehended.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

T

•March past by the pupils of Notre–Dame Primary School, Enugu during the 53rd independence anniversary...yesterday

PHOTO : OBI CLETUS

T

Anambra PDP crisis: ‘Jonathan’s silence dangerous’

HE crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State has taken a new turn.

The Chairman of the Fresh Congress Group, Emma Obiorah, said the crisis might force them to vote for another party in the governorship election next month.

Speaking with The Nation yesterday in Awka, he said the silence by President Goodluck Jonathan means he has a soft spot for another party and not the PDP concerning the November 16 poll.

Obiorah said the grassroots people were tired of the un-

R

•Members threaten to vote for another party From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

resolved issue of the party’s candidature, adding that if President Jonathan had interest in the Anambra PDP, he should break his silence.

Although the decision concerning the authentic candidate of the party may be taken today, Comrade Tony Nwoye, who the party has declared as its candidate, is unrelenting over the matter.

Doctors begin nationwide strike

ESIDENT doctors yesterday began an indefinite strike.

The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) directed its members nationwide to proceed on strike until they received further instructions. They alleged failure of the Federal Government to respond to their demands as contained in their ultimatum, which expired on September 30.

The National President of NARD, Dr. Jubril Abdullahi, who spoke to reporters yesterday in Kano, said the decision was taken during the extraordinary National Executive Council meeting (NEC) in Abuja on September 28.

He said the decision NARD took was a painful one, adding that the nonchalant attitude of the Federal Government to articulate a comprehensive guideline for residency training necessitated its action.

Abdullahi said other reasons for the strike included failure of the recentlyreintroduced overseas clinical attachments for resident doctors, the refusal of government to redeem the 10 per cent meant for health personnel, incessant industrial disharmony in many training

N

His campaign team had visited the nooks and crannies of the state, mobilising support for the former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

Obiorah said: “At this juncture, the national executive of our party should de-emphasise on how to make money out of the crisis. It should think of how to settle this issue so that the party will bounce back for the November 16 election.

“President Jonathan’s silence on the matter is killing the party the more in the state and this makes us feel that he is trading PDP for another party in the forthcoming governorship poll. We have heard of such moves with another opposition party.

“If indeed he is interested in the affairs of the party, why has he not summoned a meeting of the leaders to end this crisis?

“We have decided that if the problems continue, we will come together, I mean our group and decide who we are going to vote for from another party.”

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

centres, following unwarranted disengagements as well as withholding of entitlements and victimisation of resident doctors.

The NARD president said: “The NEC noted that despite several agreements between the Federal Government represented by the Ministry of Labour, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) office, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) and NARD that by the end of August the problems and discrepancies relating to the implementation of IPPIS would have been sorted out, including the payment of arrears, the issues are still lingering.”

He said rather than working towards identifying the factors militating against the successful implementation of IPPIS in the health sector, the Federal Government had resorted to expunge resident doctors out of the platform as a crude way out.

NARD decried in strong terms, the continuous victimisation of its members in the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri by the medical director, despite several con-

sultations with her and other stakeholders, while observing with dismay the failure of the Enugu State government to implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for its members in the Enugu State University Hospital, Enugu.

It condemned the action, which it said occurred despite the implementation of same to a select group in the same institution, which has hampered effective health service delivery and residency training.

The leadership therefore resolved that the Federal Government must produce a blueprint on residency training in conjunction with NARD and other stakeholders with immediate effect; adding that the blueprint must encompass all aspects of residency training, including local training modules, funding and overseas attachment among other elements.

It resolved that the irregularities in emoluments consequent upon the implementation of IPPIS must be sorted out without further delay, saying the arrears of those not paid and grossly underpaid in the past four months must be paid.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC), Southeast caucus, has hailed Ohanaeze Ndigbo for its rebuttal of the alleged endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan to run in 2015.

APC in a statement signed by its chieftain, Comrade Osita Okechukwu, said: “We of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Southeast salute Ohaneze Ndigbo, a pan-Igbo socio-political organisation, for stating clearly that Ohaneze did not endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 presidential election.

“This rebuttal followed unfounded reports that the Ohaneze Ndigbo endorsed President Jonathan during the annual Igbo Day celebration in Enugu on September 29.

“We salute the PresidentGeneral of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, his cabinet, Ime-Obi and members of Ohaneze Ndigbo home and abroad for putting on the most needed thinking-cap and strategising on how best to advance the collective interest of over 40 million Igbo.”

The APC recalled with regret “how the former leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo hurriedly endorsed President Jonathan before the 2011 presidential election without due strategic plan or negotiation.”

According to the party, the outcome of that hurried endorsement was the erroneous impression, where “other zones assumed that Ebele Azikiwe is Igbo candidate; yet one quarter of President Jonathan’s campaign promises to the Southeast is yet to be actualised.”

It said: “APC Southeast would propose that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as we approach the 2015 general elections, should harvest the opportunity provided by the emergence of two dominant political parties – APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – hence negotiate with both before casting their net.

“In sum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo should be guided by the old adage of our ancestors, which posits that if the first route is beneficial, we pass through the route again and if not, we take the alternate route.”

NB Plc builds classrooms, library for school

IGERIAN Breweries Plc (NB Plc) yesterday handed over ultramodern classroom blocks with the state of the art library to Urban Girls’ Secondary School, Fegge, in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Speaking when handing over the keys of the new classrooms, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicolas Vervelde, said NB Plc as a leading company invests in education as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Mr. Vervelde, represented by the NB Plc’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Ufere Ekanem, said the decision to

•Obi gives N10m grant

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

build the six classroom blocks with the state of the art library was informed by the company’s love for education as the greatest legacy to bequeath to the younger generation for development.

He added: “As you know, Nigerian Breweries acquired Life Breweries Ltd, Onitsha over two years ago and we have worked hard to integrate the organisation into the Nigerian Breweries’ way of working our roadmap for winning Nigeria. As a company, we create employment

opportunities, improve the standard of living and provide a source of non-oil revenue to the government.”

Inaugurating the classroom blocks and the library, Governor Peter Obi, accompanied by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Uju Okeke, thanked NB Plc for its show of solidarity in its resolve to reposition the education sector in the state.

He added that his vision for education had yielded fruits, evident in the improvement in the standard of education.

Governor Obi said his administration, on assumption of office, met a dearth of infra-

structure in the education sector and tackled it, stressing that it handed over schools to the missionaries, while those belonging to the government would get attention.

He donated a cheque of N10 million to the school management for the renovation of some of the dilapidated structures and promised to give the school a new bus in addition to the one he gave earlier because of the increase in its population.

The head teacher, Dr. Angela Obodozie, hailed NB Plc for building the ultra-modern classroom blocks with state of the art library.

She also praised Governor Obi, whom she described as education-friendly, noting

•Obi

that his visit was the first time a governor would visit the school.

Dr. Obodozie promised to utilise whatever was given to the school to improve the standard of teaching and learning.

58

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

NEWS

What they say on the planned conference

Knocks, kudos as Jonathan names dialogue committee Continued from page 4

against poverty, unemployment and corruption. We have a duty as Nigerians to always put Nigeria first.

We must continue to focus on developing the nation and not selfish motives,” he said.

The President assured that his administration would not rest until the nation is wrested from terror, saying: “No cost or idea will be spared. Let us join together to fight this evil of extremism.”

He said: “Today’s Independence anniversary is unique because it is the last before we mark our centenary. On January 1, 2014, Nigeria will be 100 years old as a country, following the amalgamation of the Protectorates of Southern and Northern Nigeria in 1914. Beloved country men and women, traditionally, the presidential address on this symbolic day has served two purposes. It has, quite rightly, been used to remind all Nigerians about our heritage. It has also allowed my predecessors and I to comment

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on our stewardship to the nation and make political capital out of a state occasion.

“But this year, I will not. Because, today of all days, we should not be scoring political points. On the contrary, in this last year of the first century of our Union, we should be addressing our future as a Nation and a people. I admit that these may not be the best of times for our nation. Our people are divided in many ways – ethnically, religiously, politically, and materially. I cannot hide from this reality. I cannot hide from my own responsibilities.”

The President described politics as a selfless service to the community and urged the political elite who are placed in positions of great trust and responsibility to live up to the billing.

“Politics has its own high moral principles which abhor distracting and divisive rhetoric. As men and women in leadership, we must continually focus on service, duty, responsibility, and the next generation. Those who are elected to govern at all levels must focus on improving the lives of our people, not selfish ambition.”

All Nigerians, he said, should be statesmen.

The President went on: “My clarion call therefore, on this special day, is that we should begin to align our political utterances

and conduct solely to the nobler passions that unite our people.

Politicians do not make a nation; ordinary folks do. Our nation is made great by the big and small efforts of regular citizens. These are the teachers and men and women in academics who inculcate the knowledge and wisdom that transform into tomorrow’s wealth; the traders and market women who tend to our everyday needs; the farmers whose labour feeds the nation; the artisans whose work ensures that our homesteads are well maintained; the doctors, pharmacists, nurses, accountants, bankers, engineers, and other professionals who add value to our lives; the sportsmen and women and those in the creative industry who bring honour and fame to our nation. And the men and women of our armed forces and security services who toil day and night so that you and I may live in a safe and secure nation.”

According to him, it is the individual and collective heroism of these Nigerians that has placed Nigeria on the path of greatness as he lamented that politics and politicians sometimes distract the people and create unnecessary tension.

“But our independence celebration is about the same people, the people of Nigeria: their industry, sense of mission and purpose, and their patience and

PUBLIC NOTICE BETHEL PROPHETIC AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY NOTICE is HEREBY GIVEN to the General Public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied matters Act No 1 of 1990, Cap 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.

(2) THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) Apostle Ebere Gideon Ibe Chairman/President (2) Pastor Gideon Gideon Ibe Member (3) Evangelist Mary Ebere Ibe Member (4) Bright Levi Okereafor Secretary (3) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The main aim and objective of the Ministry is to Restore Faith, hope, touch lives with Gods saving Grace by preaching the Goodnews of the Gospel of Jesus Christ including Restoration of human destiny, charity and promoting the dignity of human persons through the word of God by planting the word in all nooks and crannies of the world.

(4) Any objection to the above subject matter should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission Headquarters at plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki – Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: BARR. SAMUEL INYANG UDOH (Legal Adviser)

Continued from page 4

•Mark

perseverance as we navigate historical turns in our march towards prosperity and self-sufficiency. Today, I salute the people of Nigeria. My Compatriots, history has proven that nations take time to evolve. We should rejoice in our democracy because it enables us to be united by our differences, not destroyed by them. And, there is no more crucial time for us to be united than now.”

Comparing the security situation in Nigeria with that of Syria, Jonathan said: “The threats we face may be real and immediate. But we are not alone in this regard. It is a difficult season for much of the world: industrialised or developing; rich or poor.

What matters are the lessons we learn, the wisdom we demonstrate, and the victory we snatch from the jaws of likely defeat.

And I tell you, more than anything else, there are lessons to learn, and every cause to be thankful. If I must cite one example, take Syria. As we all pray and work for a return to normalcy in Syria, it would be helpful for us to reflect on the fact that Syria was once a peaceful, thriving, multi-cultural nation which played host to a mosaic of religions and ethnicities.”

“But that once idyllic nation has today become a theatre of human misery of unimaginable proportions as a result of the activities of extremist forces. Fellow Nigerians, the spectre of extremism haunts every democracy in every corner of the globe. While we celebrate our independence and good fortune, our hearts must grieve for those who have lost loved ones in numerous terrorist activities around the world.”

“Back home, I admit being overtaken by deep feelings of grief, whenever news reached me of the appalling atrocities in some of our States, especially the North Eastern part of our country. Just two days ago, terrorist elements attacked the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State, killing a number of innocent students of the institution and other residents in cold blood, most of them in their sleep. This act of barbarism is a demonstration of the extent to which evil forces will go to destabilise our nation.

But I assure you, they will not succeed.”

“My heart goes out to the families of all those who have fallen victim of these dastardly acts.

Our Administration will not rest until every Nigerian is free from the oppression of terrorism. I reassure you that no cost will be spared, no idea will be ignored, and no resource will be left untapped in the quest to enable our people live without fear.”

“On this day, I implore every Nigerian – wherever you are, whatever language you speak, whatever your religious persuasion, whichever political party you support -: let us join together to fight this evil of extremism.”

The President praised the Armed Forces and security agencies for their dedication and bravery in the face of grave danger, and in the name of our collective liberty.

Balarabe Musa, said: “The committee that should be set up by the President should comprise the sovereign people of Nigeria.

It should also include members of the civil society and the judiciary who will midwife the process of a national conference.

The sovereign people of Nigeria who will be ably represented by the civil society organisations, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Bar Association, Chambers of Commerce and Industry etc must play significant role in the conference. Their ranks should be made up of credible people. It is, therefore, not the President who should call for the national conference or decide who to be members of the committee. The President can only be part of the conference, otherwise, we will be doing nothing different from what others have done, who merely called for a national conference in their own personal interests and the national conference did not achieve anything. He should not be the one to call for a national conference; he should be one of the fundamental stakeholders in the conference.”

Mr. Wale Oshun, Chairman of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), said: “What the President has said is good for the country. “To have taken the step should be commended; it is a step in the right direction. The committee that President intends to inaugurate has a role to play; besides everybody has a role to play in the success of the conference. The committee must ensure that the right thing is done to make it a success. The committee must work out appropriate modalities; I think it will be proper for Nigerians to pressurise members of the committee to do the proper thing.

Then, if government does not give them the free hand to work, they should not run away from letting Nigerians know if they are being constrained. The committee should act appropriately in the interest of the country and in the interest of the nationalities that constitute the nation.

“I want to say the success of the conference would depend on the modalities being worked out by the committee. The modalities will comprise so many things, like what has been the basis for the agitation and what is it about. What are the issues

to be covered at the conference?

There are so many issues that the committee will have to address.

Femi Aborishade, a human rights activist, said: “Fundamentally what we have been asking for is a Sovereign National Conference (SNA) and not a national conference.

They are two different things.

What the President has proposed is an attempt to undermine the Nigerian people. What the people have demanded for is SNA. The basic element of SNA is that it is not subject to any higher authority. It will not be subjected to Mr. President’s whims and caprices. To that extent, a national conference is a way of further wasting the resources of this country. What the Nigerian people have been asking for is the SNA. That is the kind of conference that will address the problems facing the country, not the conference subjected to the dictate of some people.

“If the president insists on having a national conference, the critical issue, the problem will remain. If he goes ahead to have it this way, at the end of the day, it will amount to a waste of resources. It would tantamount to violating the wishes of the Nigerian people.”

Dipo Famakinwa: Let’s wait and see The Director-general of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Dipo Famakinwa, said a wait-and-see attitude would be the best response to the decision that the former head of State, the late Gen Sani Abacha and former President Olusegun Obasanjo organised what they called national conference but, unknown to Nigerians, they were actually trying to use it to justify a predetermined end.

“My reaction is that of waitand-see. The reason is because we have had similar conferences before.

“For me, as the Director General of the DAWN Commission, development is all that we are concerned about. It is imperative for this country to have a national conference, if we hope to make any progress or experience any development. The current constitution cannot make development happen; for me, the current structure of the country is antithetical to development. In fact the present structure stifles development.”

Presidential change of guard marks independence Continued from page 4

ry cake.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, supported the President to cut the cake.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, also assisted the President.

The President subsequently released the flock of pigeons, which signifies peace and freedom.

Among those who attended the ceremony were PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur; Primate of Anglican Communion, Arch Bishop Rev. Nicholas Okoh; PDP BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anineh; Former Information Minister, Prof Jerry Gana and former Senate President Adolphus Wabara.

Others were Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha; former Head of Civil Service, Steven Oron-

saye; Service Chiefs; ministers, top government functionaries and members of the diplomatic corps.

There was tight security in Abuja. Security was beefed up in and around the FCT with combined security operatives taking positions at strategic locations.

The operatives were supported by police Amoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).

The Eagle Square, the venue where most important events like the independence anniversary were usually celebrated by government functionaries, was devoid of activities except some security personnel keeping guard.

Traffic was light along some major roads in the city centre while motorists going into hotels, parks and shopping malls were stopped and subjected to thorough screening.

The police ‘stop and check’ caused heavy traffic in some parts of the city areas.

FCT Police spokesman Altine Daniel, told NAN that the heavy presence of police in the territory was in line with the directive of Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

FOREIGN NEWS

U.S. govt shuts down as healthcare deadlock persists

UN: 1,000 Iraqis killed in September

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HE U.N. mission in Iraq said yesterday that 979 people died in September, most civilians caught up in the violence by insurgents led by al-Qaida in Iraq who appear determined to rekindle the tensions between Sunnis and Shiites that nearly pushed the country to the brink of civil war in 2006-2007.

Iraq is going through its worst surge in violence since 2008, with near-daily attacks and relentless bombings blamed on hard-line Sunni insurgents. The surge followed a deadly crackdown by the Shiite-led government on a Sunni protest camp in northern Iraq in April.

September's toll pushed the total number of people killed since April to more than 5,000.

Among the dead last month were 887 civilians while the rest were security forces.

The figure was slightly lower than the death toll in July, which was the highest since 2008 at 1,057, but underscored the rising violence after a long period of relative calm.

The report said the worstaffected part was the capital, Baghdad, where 418 people were killed in September. It said 2,133 people were wounded in last month's violence.

The U.N. representative in Baghdad said the report raised a stark alarm and called on Iraq's political rivals to come together.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant said the attacks were in retaliation to the "arrests, torturing and targeting of Sunnis" by the Shiite-led government and vowed more attacks.

"To Sunnis we say: The Islamic State, God willing, knows where, when and how to attack," the statement said.

"The Mujahideen will not stay motionless."

The al-Qaida statement's authenticity could not be independently confirmed but it was posted on a website commonly used by militants and its style was consistent with earlier statements by the terror network.

In the northern city of Tikrit, 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the Iraqi capital, three suicide attackers tried to storm a building of the Interior Ministry's anti-explosives division, killing an officer and two policemen, officials said.

Five other policemen were wounded.

In the town of Tarmiyah, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Baghdad, a bomb went off next to a patrol of antial-Qaida Sunni militia, killing two and wounding three militiamen.

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P to one million federal workers were thrown temporarily out of work yesterday as the U.S. government partially shut down for the first time in 17 years in a standoff between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans over healthcare reforms.

The stalemate closed museums and national parks and slowed everything from trade negotiations to medical research, while sparking new questions about the ability of a deeply divided Congress to perform its most basic functions.

However, the standoff did not prevent the Obama ad-

ministration from rolling out enrollment in health insurance marketplaces, the centerpiece of the most ambitious U.S. social program in five decades.

Republicans in the House of Representatives wanted to block Obama's signature Affordable Care Act by tying continued government funding to measures that would undermine it. But the Democratic-controlled Senate repeatedly rejected those efforts.

In Washington, museums were closed to tourists and police erected barriers around landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial. The National Zoo shut off a popular "panda cam"

•Ahmed al-Fikri helps his 12-year-old son Abdo al-Fikri, with his homework at their family house in Madaya village after school in the Idlib province countryside of Syria. It has been a year since al-Fikri and his siblings were last in school. The area has seen ongoing battles between opposition forces and troops loyal to President Bashar Assad, and like pretty much everything else in Madaya, the school was forced to shut down because of the violence. AP Photo

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Syria conflict: Chemical arms experts begin work

TEAM of international disarmament experts has arrived in Syria to begin work on dismantling the country's stockpile of chemical weapons.

Syria has said it will co-operate with the mission, set up after a US-Russia deal endorsed by the UN. It is the first time the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

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(OPCW) has been asked to destroy a country's chemical arms during a war.

Correspondents say the OPCW inspectors face a daunting task.

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem has said that seven out of the 19 chemical weapons sites declared by the government last month are in combat zones.

A spokesman for the oppo-

sition Syrian National Coalition, Monzer Akbik, told the BBC that the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) would ensure that inspectors "will be protected, and granted access to all locations".

However, the FSA is only one of several rebel factions operating in Syria, and its local commanders have often displayed a high degree of autonomy.

EU to assist Nigeria tackle oil theft

HE Federal Government has been reassured of European Union (EU) help in its efforts to halt oil theft in the country.

EU at the weekend in Abuja said it is developing comprehensive Gulf of Guinea strategy which will look into the issue of illicit transaction into the oil theft and may also go into technology issues and other things.

Nigeria is said to be losing

From Vincent Ikuomola and Nike Adebowale, Abuja

about $3.65 billion annually.

The Trade Counsellor of the Delegation of EU to Nigeria, Massimo De Luca made the remarks during a press briefing ahead of the 2nd EU-Nigeria Business Forum to be hosted in Lagos State beginning tomorrow, with the theme "Forging Partnership in Africa's Economic Power-

Netanyahu: Israel won't let Iran get nuclear arms

SRAEL's prime minister declared yesterday that his country will never allow Iran to get nuclear weapons, even if it has to act alone, and dismissed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's "charm offensive" as a ruse to get relief from sanctions.

Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to the U.N. General Assembly, played the spoiler to Iran's overtures to warm ties with the U.S. after decades of estrangement. Last week, the U.S. and Iranian presidents spoke on the phone, the highest level contacts be-

that allowed visitors to view its newborn panda cub online.

If Congress can agree to a new funding bill soon, the shutdown would last days rather than weeks, with relatively little impact on the world's largest economy.

But the standoff continued on Capitol Hill as the Democratic-controlled Senate formally rejected an offer by House Republicans to break the logjam.

A week-long shutdown would slow U.S. economic growth by about 0.3 percentage points, according to Goldman Sachs, but a longer disruption could weigh on the economy more heavily as furloughed workers scale

tween their countries in 34 years.

Netanyahu said Israel's future is threatened by a "nuclear-armed" Iran seeking its destruction and urged the international community to keep up pressure on Tehran through sanctions.

He said the greater the pressure, the greater the chance for diplomacy to succeed.

He called Rouhani "a loyal servant of the regime" and asserted that he must have known about the murder of 85 people in a terror attack on the Jewish Community Cen-

ter in Buenos Aires and the killing of 19 American soldiers in Saudi Arabia in 1996 because he was head Iran's Supreme National Security Council from 1989-2003.

The U.S. has also accused Iran of sponsoring acts of terrorism around the world throughout the 1990s. Iran and its proxy Hezbollah were blamed for a 1992 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that killed 29 people, and the attack on a Jewish community center there two years later.

house".

Reassuring the country of support, De Luca noted that EU would assist the country through military assistance and intelligence gathering.

On the forthcoming Economic forum, he said that at least 30 companies from Europe would be attending the 2-day summit.

The forum he said would focus on three important sectors relevant to Nigerian economic development.

"The business forum will begin from 3rd to 4th of October in Lagos and this will be followed by a film festival. It is a key platform for both public and private sectors to work together with the objective of bringing the EU and Nigeria closer together.

In choosing the theme of this year's forum, attention has been given to those sectors which are key to bringing development beyond growth in Nigeria; energy, infrastructure and agriculture. These sectors will be explored within the broader context of the Nigerian business environment."

back personal spending.

The political crisis raised fresh concern about whether Congress can meet a crucial mid-October deadline to raise the government's $16.7 trillion debt ceiling. Some Republicans see that vote as another opportunity to undercut Obama's healthcare law.

Failure to raise the debt limit would force the country to default on its obligations, dealing a blow to the economy and sending shockwaves around global markets.

Meanwhile President Obama in a 22-minute live speech to Americans, monitored on CNN by The Nation’s reporter last night insisted the shutdown of government is not about his Obamacare health programme, nor about spending but about the Republican Party’s obstructionism. He said 15 percent of Americans who did not have health insurance up until now will benefit from the programme which he claimed will not cost American tax payers a single dime.

Also 85 percent who now have insurance will also benefit with about $100 less in monthly premiums.

President Obama said all the

•Obama

details on the new scheme could be found on healthcare.gov with information in 150 languages but which is currently busy and will be unclogged within one hour due to the huge interest and popularity with the programme.

According to the president, Obamacare comprises rebates, free preventative care, no death panels contrary to the Republicans’ position and the costs are not skyrocketing by any standard. He also said that over one million Americans signed up for the programme by Seven am on its opening day.

He ended his speech with a pledge never to negotiate over congressional responsibility to pay American bills.

As at press time, the debates continue to late night in Capitol Hill and it is hoped a deal will be reached to restore normalcy to the nation’s fiscal health in due course.

Pope urges reform, wants church with modern spirit

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OPE Francis opened a landmark meeting yesterday on reforming the Catholic Church, saying he wants a missionary church with a modern spirit that gives hope to the poor, the young and the elderly like his namesake St. Francis did.

Francis convened his own parallel cabinet of eight cardinals from around the globe for three days of brainstorming on revamping the Vatican bureaucracy and other reforms.

The move fulfills a key mandate of the cardinals who elected him pope to involve local church leaders in making decisions about the universal church.

On the same day the meetings started, Rome daily La Repubblica published a lengthy interview with Francis, his second in as many weeks. For someone who has said he abhors giving interviews, Francis has made himself remarkably amenable to taking questions about his faith and vision for the church.

In the interview, Francis denounced the "Vatican-centric" nature of the Holy See administration and acknowledged that popes past had been infatuated with the pomp of the Vatican and its "courtesans."

The pope also explained his affinity for his namesake St. Francis, whose tomb he will

•Pope Francis

visit on Friday during a visit to Assisi, the hilltop town where St. Francis preached his gospel of poverty and caring for the most destitute.

Francis said he wanted a missionary church like that sought by St. Francis: "We need to give hope to young people, help the aged and open ourselves toward the future and spread love."

He said the Second Vatican Council, the 1962-65 meetings that brought the church into the modern world, had promised such an opening to people of other faiths and non-believers, but that the church hadn't made progress since then.

Francis himself is a critic: Just this weekend he told the Vatican police force that it was their job to stop the "devil" from creating internal wars through Vatican employees spreading gossip.

The Vatican bureaucracy is organized according to a 1988 document "Pastor Bonus," which metes out the work and jurisdictions of the congregations, councils, courts and other offices that make up the governance of the church. Honduran Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga, who heads the pope's advisory commission, said the planned reform won't just make changes to the document here and there.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 , 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

61

NEWS

National conference as decoy?

Continued from page 4

•Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (right), his deputy Tele Ikuru (middle) and acting state Chief Judge Justice Peter Agumagu at the 53rd Independence Day celebration at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt…yesterday

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Afenifere, ACF: conference in order

HE President’s planned national dialogue received kudos and knocks yesterday. Many others were cautious, others dismissed it as diversionary.

Groups, such as the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), the Arewa Consultative Forun (ACF) and the senate and expectedly the President’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) welcome it, others disagree.

The ARG in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, said although the group had been asking unwaveringly for a Sovereign National Conference, it would cooperate with and support the Advisory Council set up by the President where necessary.

The ARG said it believes that “the committee chairman, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, who has spent a significant part of his life in the struggle for democracy and true federalism, will work to produce a guideline that we can all be proud of, provided the government has not dictated a “No Go Area” to the committee.”

The group urged Jonathan to ensure that this latest move was towards sincere ending the country’s many problems. It recalled that many conferences had be constituted in the past that never yielded any dividend for the people of Nigeria.

“We also urge him not to place any restriction on the committee’s term of reference and the proposed conference should have no prohibition clause like Senate President David Mark suggested.”

The ACF yesterday said it would support any dialogue that would bring about the strengthening of the Nigeria Project.

Its spokesman Anthony Sani, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that: “The ACF has made it clear long ago that it is not opposed to any national dialogue that can calm nerves and bring about the strengthening of the Nigeria project, provided such national dialogue would not take the form of a Sovereign National Conference.

“This is because a sovereign national conference amounts to vote of no confidence on our democracy and its institutions, which nobody or group has the right to do.

“So national dialogue through national conference, yes; through sovereign national conference, no.

“There is therefore nothing wrong in setting up a committee by the Federal Government to work out the form or modality of the proposed national dia-

By Precious Igbonwelundu, Kolade Adeyemi, Kano, Sanni Onugu, Abuja

logue.”

Sani, however said the ACF would take a final stand, when the “the form and content” of the committee was unveiled to Nigerians by the federal government.

The Senate said the plan is in line with its position.

Senate spokesman Enyinnaya Abaribe said: “This initiative is in sync with the Senate’s position, as articulated by the Senate President in his address on Sept. 17.

“The Senate President had advocated a conference of nationalities to discuss the Nigerian question,” Abaribe said.

He said the Senate would welcome anything that the Federal Government will do to enable Nigerians to sit together and talk in order to resolve some national issues and promote unity.

The national dialogue plan lacks credibility and smacks of a hidden agenda, a retired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Babankowa, and Gen Muhammadu Buhari’s ally, said yesterday. He described the plan as ill-timed because the country was battling a myriad of problems which should be urgently tackled.

Babankowa said: “What President Jonathan did in the formation of the national dialogue committee, is uncalled for, because the nation is in critical condition that needs urgent attention”, advising that Nigerians should not be dragged into another diversionary issue.

He urged the government to rethink its approach to national issues that are going out of hand.

Senior lawyers: Adeniyi Akintola, (SAN), Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, SAN; fMohammed Belgore, SAN; and Joseph Nwobike, SAN, Dr. Fred Agbaje, and Ebun Olu Adegboruwa, also spoke on the plan.

Akintola said the circumstances under the declaration should be critically observed.

He said: “The question to ask is whether the President is loyal to the cause or believes in Sovereign National Conference?

Nobody wants Nigeria to disintegrate but the politicians must be sincere and show Nigerians their sincerity.

“Was the call due to prevailing circumstances? Is it a diversionary tactic? I do not see President Jonathan as a believer of SNC. I see him as part of those who believe in maintaining the status quo.

“We need a conference where we can say the truth to ourselves.

I am not deceived by the call and I take everything he said with a

pinch of salt.

“It is a good call if he means It, but Nigerian leaders have never walked their talk. He will have to go the extra mile to regain the people’s confidence.”

To Belgore, the president’s statement was hollow and lacked specifics.

He said: “There is nothing to celebrate in what the president said. It is a hollow statement that is lacking in specifics.

“We are waiting for the details because it is the detail that will reveal the president’s real intention, whether there will be any genuine national dialogue or this is just another political ruse.”

Agbaje said Jonathan should be commended for thinking out of the box, though he expressed his reservation on the sincerity of purpose.

“Previous and present governments have played ostrich with the idea of a SNC. Nigerian political leaders have pretended not to know that our problem is gangantua in nature to warrant a national discourse.

“Although Jonathan has belatedly called for and supported it, we must be careful.

“The question here is whether it is going to be sovereign or near national? Is the government prepared not to tinker with the resolution that will come out of the conference? Above all, will the government implement it?

“There must be answers to these questions, otherwise, the so-called conference will become a jamboree,” Agbaje said.

Mr Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa, a Lagos-based lawyer, commended the President for the initiative, adding that it must be geared towards meeting genuine aspirations of the people.”What Nigerians are yearning for is a conference that will see to the resolution of the fundamental problems of our nation.”The Federal Government must confer with civil society organisations and various other entities and get their various representatives to form consultative committee to pilot the birth of this National Conference.”Nigerians should be involved. We have gone through this road before and we didn’t get anywhere.”I believe we should be saved from that scenario, it should be a fruitful conference,” Olu-Adegboruwa said.

The President lacks the “capacity and capability” to conduct a national dialogue or conference, Executive Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Network, Dino Melaye, has said.

Melaye said Jonathan cannot conduct an acceptable national dialogue at this time because he has divided the country along “ethnic and religious lines.”

He said: “This government is a government of lies, ifs and committees. they have not implemented recommendations of the committees.

“The white paper on the post electoral crisis committee by Sheik Ahmed Lemu, where is Prof. Femi Odekunle and company?

“The Civil Service Reforms Committee headed by former Head of Service, Steve Orosanye’s report is there, nothing has been done on it. The Nuhu Ribadu’s committee was set up again, they have submitted their report, nothing has happened.

“The NEITI report is also available, nothing has happened. The Aig-Imhokhuede’s report is there, nothing has happened. As far as we are concerned, the setting up of the committee is just to economically empower some individuals.”

He further said that the country needs a father-like President like Nelson Mandela of South Africa to conduct a national conference.

Melaye added: “Goodluck Jonathan cannot conduct a national dialogue. I said Goodluck Jonathan does not have the capability and capacity to organise a national dialogue.

“To organise a national dialogue, you need a fatherly-postured President who will bring all parties without rancor. But Jonathan has further divided this country on the grounds of religion and ethnicity which has made it practically impossible for him as a President to organise a national dialogue.”

There is a line of demarcation between a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) and National Conference (NC). As an Afenifere leader, Alliance for Democracy (AD) chieftain and senator, the former Ogun State Education Commissioner has always clamoured for the SNC. Many National Assembly members have loathed the idea of a conference, thinking that the nation should not waste time on another Constituent Assembly that will be saddled with constitution making. To them, the piecemeal review of the 1999 Constitution was enough to reposition the polity. But the tension generated by the non-resolution of the national question may have jolted the President’s advisers from the illusion that all will be well without bold, deep, meaningful and constructive constitutional reforms.

A conference, on its merit, should not be a bad idea. The obstacle to its success in the past was the lack of sincerity by the government. Since it is not going to be an SNC, the scope of the national dialogue will be essentially limited. There are some puzzles: If a constitution is expected to be fashioned out by the conference, will there be no-go areas? Can a national conference produce a truly peoples’ constitution? Will the government insist that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable?

How will the delegates be determined? Will they be elected, selected or appointed? Will they be elected, based on the distribution of the ethnic nationalities, states, local governments or constituencies? What will be the ratio of representation? What will be the role of civil society groups, professional bodies, the media, women and youth groups?

There are other questions: Will the delegates be appointed by the governors? What will be the terms of reference? Will the conferences resolutions be subjected to a referendum? If it is not subjected to a referendum, how will the report or resolutions be validated? If it is not validated by a referendum, will it be legitimate? Will recommendations be accepted by the government? Will the report be thrown into the dustbin?

Since the 80s, the agitation for a Sovereign National Conference has gained prominence. It was first articulated by the legal luminary, the late Chief Alao Aka-Bashorun. In the 90s, the former Oyo State governor, the late Chief Bola Ige, who summed up the arguments for the conference, raised two ques-

PDP hails President on conference

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he Peoples Democratic Party has hailed the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to set up a national conference, saying that it is a right step in the right direction.

The party also applauded the President for his humility and candour, which it noted, were marks of statesmanship.

The National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said in a statement that Dr. Jonathan has responded wisely to the wishes of Nigerians by setting up a National Conference Committee, led by Dr. Femi Okunrounmu to fashion out its structure and modalities.

He added: “We are pleased that the President listens and leaves Nigerians in no doubt that their opinions matter. We recall that he bowed to the wishes of Nigerians on the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry and we also recall that the wishes of Nigerians have been his compass in crucial measures so far taken to contain terrorism

By Emmanuel Oladesu

in parts of the country.”

Metuh applauded the President’s “rare humility in acknowledging teething national challenges”, saying these attributes have also reflected in the ways he had responded to the security challenges confronting the country.

Urging Nigerians to rise up to the challenge of national revival, Metuh said the assertion

by President Jonathan that “ordinary folks and not politicians make a nation”, should provoke a sober reflection.

He added: “ The admission by the President that it is not easy for Nigerians “to keep believing in the possibilities of our greatness when our faith is constantly challenged,” brings to the fore the humanity and humility of a committed leader and the imperative on the part of both the leaders and the led to renew commitment to nation building as the only assured course to victory”.

tions: “Do we want to remain as one country? If the answer is yes, under what conditions?”.

The implication is that a debate is necessary to determine the basis for peaceful co-existence and harmony.

Following the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola, there was disillusionment. The cancellation of that election’s results disputed the basis for peaceful co-existence among the competing ethnic groups. The advocates of an SNC expanded the national question. Discussion on the resolution of the identity, integration, participation and distribution crises came to the front burner. Stakeholders concluded that Nigeria was hanging on a flawed or defective federal system. The unitary system foisted on the polity by the military had created strains. But the interlopers opposed the struggle for a new order with brute force.

The bone of contention has remained the same: Is state or community police not desirable in a big, diverse, heterogeneous country, which is divided by multiplicity of traditions, customs, and languages? Should the governors, who are the chief security officers of their states, continue to obtain permission from the distant Inspector-General of Police to maintain law and order? Should an Igbo or Yoruba, who was born and bred in the North, be denied political and economic rights, owing to the tension created by the conflict between indigeneship and residency? Should a Fulani/ Hausa, who has lived in the South for 30 years be edged out of the political process? Should the goose that lays the golden egg remain in poverty and underdevelopment for life?

Should the presidency remain the birthright of one ethnic group? Is restructuring and devolution of power not long overdue? Should Nigeria be a secular or sacred state? Should the Federal Government continue to have input into the creation and control of the local governments? How many tiers of government are required for the Nigerian Federation? How should the argument over the minimum wage be resolved in a federal country?

In 1999,these proposals for solid political arrangements were not effectively considered before the constitution was decreed into existence by the military. The divided and impatient political class jumped into the train without a compass. The politicians did not see the copy of the constitution before aspiring for political offices. Midway into the electioneering, the legal luminary, the late Chief Rotimi Williams (SAN), alerted them to the impending danger. He said the 1999 Constitution lied to itself, adding that it was not the outcome of the peoples’ vision and aspiration for true federalism.

Armed with the defective constitution, the operators wobbled on. The crises of nation-building and development continued to stare the nation in the face.

The SNC crusaders intensified their struggle, warning that the restoration of civil rule did not translate into a democracy.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s response was to set up an inter-party committee to study the constitution and make recommendations. Nothing was heard about its report. But in 2005, he also set up the Abuja Conference. It ended in a jamboree, not because the delegates did not do a good job, but because it was planned to fail.

Despite the robust recommendations of the conference, the third term agenda dispersed the delegates. The report did not see the light of the day.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

62

NEWS

A write-up by a former Aviation Minister Chief Femi Fani-Kayode to mark the nations’s 53rd Independence Anniversary.

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Nigeria at 53: A time to think

ther than the usual congratu-

lations, platitudes, expressions of joy and offerings of thanks to God I believe that as we celebrate our nation’s 53rd independence anniversary it is time for us to bare our minds in a candid and frank manner and to really sit down and think. During her election campaign just a couple of weeks ago, Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany and the world’s most powerful woman, said ‘’multiculturalism is dead in Germany’’. In 2011 David Cameron, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, echoed the same sentiment when he asserted, in his first major speech as Prime Minister, that ‘’multiculturalism has failed in the United Kingdom’’. Can we learn anything from these assertions as Nigerians about the shortcomings and dangers of a multicultural state? What are the implications of these observations for Nigeria’s massive multi-cultural and multi-ethnic superstate? Are we really a nation or are we nothing more than a melting pot of sqaubbling and bickering ethnic and cultural incompatibles? Was Chief Obafemi Awolowo right when he described Nigeria as ‘’not being a nation’’ but a mere ‘’geographical expression’’?

These questions surely need to be answered.

On September 11, 2013 1.6 million people of the Catallan region in Spain staged a dramatic protest and expressed their desire for secession by forming a 400 km long human chain which stretched from one end of the region to the other. According to the polls 52 per cent of the people from that region wish to break off from Spain and to establish a new European sovereign state. Similar agitations have emanated from other parts of Spain over the years some of which have degenerated into a bitter and protracted armed struggle such as that of the Basque people in the north who share their boarders with France.

Again the palpable tensions that exist between the French-speaking Waloon people of northern Belgium and the Flemish of the south are legendry and the call for a break-up of that nation into two separate entities is as old as the hills. Such aspirations and agitations for ethnic emancipation from unitary and quasi-unitary states is by no means limited to the European mainland.

For example the beautiful ‘’emeral island’’ of Ireland successfully broke off from Britain in 1921 after much agitation, conflict and bloodshed.

Northern Ireland, which remains part of Britain till today, still experiences varying degrees of tensions between the protestant and the ‘’Finian’’ catholic communities, one of which wishes to remain in the UK whilst the other wishes to be part of mainland Ireland. Over the last twenty years Britain itself has finally acknowledged the fact that the cry for regional autonomy, secession and ethnic nationalism cannot be resisted forever and she has gradually devolved power from Westminster in London to the various regions of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each of whom now have their own parlia-

L

ments. As a matter of fact later this year the people of Scotland are having their own referendum to determine whether or not they wish to stay in the United Kingdom. From the polls, it is very clear that the majority of Scots wish to have their own new sovereign state and that the Scottish Nationalist Party, which has championed the secessionist cause, enjoys massive support. Nobody in either Spain, Belgium, Ireland or the United Kingdom has insulted those people or labelled them as ‘’ethnic jingoists’’ or ‘’primitive tribalists’’ for wanting to break off from the greater whole and establish their own country.

This is because everyone respects the right of the various ethnic groups and nationalities within their wider nation to exercise their right of selfdetermination which is an integral and fundamental aspect of international law. Exercising that right does not turn them into villains and does not make them any less patriotic than their compatriots who do not share their views. It just means that they have a different perspective and that they believe, as many believed before Malaysia and Singapore broke up and before Indonesia and East Timor broke up, that the interests of their various peoples are better served when and if they go their separate ways.

They opted to be friendly neighbours rather than to be compelled to remain within the same territory against their collective will. As we in Nigeria approach the 100 year anniversary of our 1914 amalglamation and, as the 2015 elections are fast approaching with both the northern region and the south-south zone desperate to take or to hold on to power at any cost respectively, we need to begin to ask ourselves some basic and fundamental questions about our future. For example is our interest better served by remaining as one nation or is it time for those nationalities that wish to leave the federation in a peaceful and orderly way, as a result of a legitimate and honest referendum, be alllowed to go?

If the breaking up of larger countries into smaller and more viable ones is good enough for India (which broke into three), the Sudan (which broke into two), Czekhoslovakia (which broke into two), Yugoslavia (which broke into five), the Soviet Union (which broke into fifteen), United Arab Republic (which broke into two) and numerous other countries over the years why is it not good enough for us? Again why should those that believe that Nigeria ought to break up be subjected to so much suspicion, ridicule, contempt and insults from those that do not share their

‘We are sitting on a keg of gunpowder and in my view 2015 really will be the year of make or break ‘

views? Some of the questions that need to be answered are as follows- firstly is our union working? Secondly is our marriage a good one and if it is is it a happy one as well? Are we satisfied with what has essentially become a country that has been turned into nothing more than (with apologies to Chief Bode George) ‘’Turn by Turn Nigeria?’’ where each ethnic group simply looks forward to enjoying its time to control the federation and all the nations resources from an all powerful centre? Are we not meant to be far more than this? Is this what the founding fathers of our nation envisaged?

More than anything else the recent igbo/yoruba debate over the issue of who owns Lagos state and the deportation of a handful of igbo destitutes back to the east has proved to me that we as a people are very different from one another and that our interests may be better served if we are no longer bound together as one. I dare to voice this opinion even though many yorubas share it but will not say so publiclly. Is it not time for us to begin to accept the bitter truth that our marriage is uncomfortable and unhappy and that it may not have been made in heaven or ordained by God? Is it not clear that each region or each nationality ought to be able to develop at their own pace? Is it not time for us to have a confederation of nationalities in Nigeria and to restructure the country drastically to give maximum autonomy to the various regions and nationalities or indeed is it not time to just break up and go our separate ways?

Many may disagree but one thing that I believe that we can at least agree on is that perhaps it is time for us to be courageous enough to begin to talk about these issues openly and debate them. We must not sweep our differences under the carpet and ignore them as if they do not exist but instead we must find the courage and muster the resolve to acknowledge them and understand them. As far as I am concerned this is the challenge of our time and these are the questions that need to be answered. Whatever happens in 2015 and whoever wins, whether it be a northerner or Goodluck Jonathan of the south-south, I see blood on the horizon and I see disaster approaching. Stark promises from notable players such as ‘’there will be bloodshed if Goodluck is not

re-elected’’ do not help and are not encouraging. There are equally strident and bellicose murmurings from the other side as well and some have threatened that if there is a repeat performance of the massive rigging that the north witnessed in the Presidential election of 2011 anywhere in the country in 2015, ‘’Nigeria will burn’’ whilst another key player said that ‘’both the dog and the baboon shall be soaked in blood’’.

These words must be taken very seriously indeed and they reflect the thinking and mindset of millions of people from both sides of the political and regional divide. Worst still, whether we like to admit it or not, religion has now become a major factor in our politics with christians being told in their churches that it is their solemn duty to support a christian presidential candidate and muslims being told in their mosques that it is theirs to support a muslim. We are sitting on a keg of gunpowder and in my view 2015 really will be the year of make or break for Nigeria. Sadly, in my humble opinion, it is far closer to ‘’break’’ than it is to ‘’make’’. If we wish to avoid the road to Kigali we must change our mindset and make the necessary concessions that we need to make. We must begin to think outside of the box and be far more innovative and adventurous.

For example why is it a must in the minds of some that the PDP must field a southern christian as it’s presidential candidate and why are some in the APC of the view that the party must field a northern muslim as its own?

These hard and fast fixed positions are most unhelpful and the right thing and proper thing to do is to completely discard them and attempt to find a presidential candidate that is a Nigerian before being a northerner, a southerner, a christian or a muslim.

And thankfully there are quite a few of such people around in the new generation if only the system will be farsighted and enlightened enough to allow them to emerge and run. Failing that we must open up the space now and consider the unpleasant assertion that the premium that a united Nigeria attracts may not be worth paying simply because we are getting nothing but failure after failure and sorrow after sorrow as our consistent return.

I do not have all the answers and neither do I claim that I do. Indeed I

Whatever happens in 2015 and whoever ‘wins, whether it be a northerner or Goodluck Jonathan of the south-south, I see blood on the horizon and I see disaster approaching

’

•Fani-Kayode

may well be wrong which is why I would be interested in hearing the views of others. Whichever way it goes and regardless of what we all think let us not allow this debate to be driven by the uninformed or ignorance, pettiness, hate and acrimony. Let us not insult one another or act as if any tribe or nationality are a collection of angels whilst others are nothing but demons. Let us join issues and exchange ideas in a civil, restrained and decent manner without hurling insults at one another or allowing our emotions to becloud our thinking.

At the end of the day we all want the same thing- namely, to put in place a system that is in the best interest of the Nigerian people and to empower a new leadership that will allow them to achieve their full potentials. That is the objective and that alone.

Permit me to end this contribution with two points that are worthy of note. Firstly Chief Bola Ige once said that ‘’the oil of the Niger Delta area acts as a glue that keeps Nigeria together’’. This is true. Yet the question that often comes to my mind is as follows- If the oil and gas had been situated in the core north, the west or the east would the major ethnic groups that hold sway in those areas have willingly shared it with the rest of Nigeria? Would they have remained in the federation?

Secondly at the 1954 Constitutional Conference that was held in Lagos, the Action Group, under the distinguished leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, demanded that the “right to secession” be included in the proposed new constitution.

This was rejected by the Colonial Secretary, Oliver Lyttelton. Prior to this, in 1953, after the Kano riots, the Northern Nigeria legislature passed an eight-point programme which in effect demanded the dissolution of the Federation. Again this was rejected by the British. By way of contrast the ‘’right to secession’’ clause was incorporated into the Ethiopian constitution in the 1990’s though it has never been invoked.

Perhaps if we had been permitted to adopt that provision in 1954 we would have avoided a whole load of problems including a very brutal civil war between 1967 and 1970 and today’s challenge of Boko Haram. Perhaps it is not too late to adopt it now. Perhaps that is what may save us from the impending carnage of 2015. Happy independence day.

Nigeria should discourage imports, says minister

ABOUR and Productivity Minister Chief Emeka Wogu has called for a drastic reduction in the importation of goods, saying that the measure will boost the morale of indigenous entrepreneurs.

He said the policy will enhance job creation and reduce poverty in consonance with the transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan

By Emmanuel Oladesu

Administration.

The minister added: “Our aspiration to be one of the 20 top economies of the world by 2020 will be a mirage, if all hands are not on deck to shift our economy from oil-driven to a knowledge-driven one by encouraging and promoting enterprise creation at local, national and international levels”.

Wogu spoke at the maiden edition of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Micro-Job Fair in Ibadan, Oyo State. The theme of the fair was: “Job creation and economic development”.

He described the micro-job fair as a novel concept designed to promote indigenous products peculiar to the zone and discourage Nigerians’ pro-

pensity for imported goods in preference for the locally made products.

The minister also observed that a bold attempt at discouraging imports will serve as a morale booster for the indigenous entrepreneurs and engender accelerated and enhanced economic development.

Hailing the vision of the NDE, Wogu noted that the di-

rectorate has succeeded in implementing programmes for combating mass unemployment, adding that its training sessions targeted at small scale entrepreneurs have assisted them to imbibe the best practices in business, make business contacts and acquire marketing experience.

He said the next target of the agency is to explore more in-

novative ways of creating selfemployment for the teeming unemployed youths so that they can become self-reliant in the future.

Wogu added: ‘NDE will not rest, but will continue to sustain the culture of exposing its beneficiaries to business opportunities existing in international trade fairs and micro-job fair exhibitions’.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

63

SPORT EXTRA

•Ozil scores first goal for Arsenal

Rampant Chelsea dazes Steaue 4-0

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AMIRES scored a goal in each half as Chelsea outclassed a poor Steaua Bucharest side to get their Champions League campaign off the ground.

Chelsea needed a win following their shock home defeat by Basle last month and they got the perfect start when Ramires poked in from close-range after Andre Schurrle raced clear down the left and found Samuel Eto'o, who found Ramires.

Steaua almost staggered to half time just one goal behind, but they were dealt a killer blow just before the break when Georgievski capped an awful personal performance with an unlucky own goal, seeing the ball ricochet off him after Eto'o's shot was parried by goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Andre Schurrle, Chelsea's standout player on the night, created the third with a powerful run down the left wing and pass to Oscar, who

spotted his compatriot Ramires on the overlap, and the Brazilian finished expertly into the roof of the net.

Chelsea added a fourth in the final minute with

another slick counter-attack, this time led by Eto'o. The Cameroonian spotted Willian on the far side, and he rolled it back to Frank Lampard, who drilled in off the post from 20 yards.

On a night when Chelsea could have had six or seven, Jose Mourinho will be satisfied with a convincing display, soured only to a knee injury sustained by Fernando Torres.

•Ramires pounced inside the box to touch home for Chelsea 2

Eaglets resume training in Dubai

T

approaching, adding that it was important for the players to shake off the jet lag occasioned by their travelling from Calabar to Lagos on Monday before embarking on another seven-hour nonstop flight from Lagos to Dubai.

All the 25 players trained on Tuesday evening at the pitch of Higher Colleges of Technology located within the Dubai Academic City under a fine weather condition of 29°C

with good visibility throughout the duration of about two hours training that started 4:30pm local time (1:30pm Nigerian time).

“It is good we started today,” Coach Manu Garba said. “This is important because we had our last training session on Saturday morning in Calabar; so it’s good we start conditioning ourselves to our new environment.”

The Golden Eaglets are expected to train henceforth twice daily with variations as occasion demands before their departure to the city of Al-Ain which is about one hour and thirty minutes from Dubai by flight for their preliminary group matches against Mexico and Iraq on October 19 and 22.

The team’s last match against Sweden would take place in Dubai on October 25.

Kalu Uche makes debut for Qatari club

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IGERIA striker Kalu Uche is expected to debut for new Qatari club El Jaish on Friday against Al Kharaitiyat.

Razvan Lucescu's side signed the powerful striker from Turkish Super Lig side Kasimpasa following a medical at Doha's top sports medicine facility Aspetar.

M

ESUT Ozil struck his first goal for Arsenal as the Gunners outclassed Napoli to secure a 2-0 victory and maintain their 100 per cent record at the top of Group F. The German star fired home a sensational first-time finish on eight minutes after some superb link up play between Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey down the right.

The ex-Real Madrid playmaker then turned provider seven minutes later when he took advantage of some lax defending to race to the right-hand byline and cut it back for Giroud to double the lead.

It was no more than the

home side deserved as they marked the 17th anniversary of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal arrival with a mesmeric first half showing that condemned the Italians to their first loss under Rafael Benitez.

Napoli rarely threatened and clearly missed the influence of Gonzalo Higuain who was ruled out through injury. The Argentine had dominated the pre-match chatter after appearing to snub a move to the Emirates in the summer but he cut a forlorn figure as he watched from the stands.

The result means Arsenal sit top of Group F, three points clear of both Napoli and Borussia Dortmund.

Barcelona sink 10-man Celtic

FIFA UNDER-17 WORLD CUP

HE Golden Eaglets resumed their training regimen on Tuesday upon their arrival in Dubai on a two- week camping before the kick off of the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup slated for October 17 to November 8, 2013.

Head coach Manu Garba(MFR) said there was no time to waste since the kickoff of the 15th edition of the global cadet competition was fast

Özil leads the Gunners past Napoli

The 30-year-old hitman has been brought to the club as a replacement for Christian Benitez, known as 'Chucho', who died suddenly in July after playing just one game for El Jaish.

Uche, who netted 19 times in the Turkish Super league for Kasimpasa last term as second best striker in the league arrived

Qatar on Monday to join his new club.

Kasimpasa thanked the Nigeria star for his great service to the club and wished him well.

"Thank you for the services of the former player of Kasimpasa Uche Kalu, wish you success in future," a statement on the club website read.

He spent most of his career in Spain and so he brings an excellent pedigree to El Jaish.

He enjoyed spells with Almeria, Neuchâtel Xamax and Espanyol before moving to Kasimpasa in 2012.

Uche has also made 34 appearances for Nigeria, scoring five goals in the process.

C

ELTIC slipped to a narrow 1-0 Champions League defeat to Barcelona after Cesc Fabregas headed home 15 minutes from time at Celtic Park.

The Scottish champions had earlier lost Scott Brown to a red card after he was sent off for kicking out at Neymar but looked set for a valuable point, until the former Arsenal man struck.

Barcelona arrived at Celtic Park without Lionel Messi but still boasted a strong starting line-up with

Fabregas and Neymar both starting for Tata Martino’s men.

RESULTS

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Zenit 0-0 Austria Wien Basel 0-1 Schalke 04 Steaua 0-4 Chelsea Dortmund 3-0 Marseille Arsenal 2-0 Napoli Porto 1-2 A. Madrid Ajax 1-1 AC Milan Celtic 0-1 Barcelona Arsenal 2-0 Napoli

NUJ Estate, VOERA football teams in 4-4 draw

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THE football pitch of Arepo Primary School in Obafemi Owode Local Government pulsated yesterday as the star-studded Journalists’ Estate Football team engaged the VOERA football, team in a novelty match which ended in 4-4 draw.

The novelty match was part of activities lined up to mark the Nigeria’s 53rd independence anniversary.

It was an engaging 90 minutes encounter as the two football teams slugged it out to the satisfaction of spectators

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor who turned out enmasse to cheer their teams to victory .

The first goal was slotted in for VOERA Estate Team in the first quarter of the encounter, which spurred the journalists' team to pull one back shortly.

The second half of the encounter was more engaging as the journalists' team consolidated from two goals down to equalise towards the end if the match, demonstrating dominance that earned it applause from the excited spectators.

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

A

S the reader can see, I have decided to dedicate today’s column to reactions to three of my last four columns, i.e. those of September 4, 18 and 25. Between them the three attracted a total of over 200 texts and several emails. Two weeks ago I carried a somewhat lengthy but thoughtful reaction to that of September 11.

Among the more thoughtful reactions to the last two columns which I wanted to publish but couldn’t for reasons of space are two; a 689-word piece from Sahalu Saidu, and a shorter one from Dr Nura H. Alkali. I’ll publish them next week, God willing.

For last week’s column the editors of The Nation used the portrait of Sarkin Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, in place of Sarkin Zazzaun Suleja’s Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim’s. Nearly a third of the 58 texts I received on the piece drew my attention to the error. Below are the correct portraits. The mistake is regretted.

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ONGRATULATIONS dear reader, we have just been gifted quality content for our serial on Morbid obsession and Hardball is only too happy to serve you part six of the situation comedy. We shall subtitle this part, Multitudinous Miscreant Teachers.

For a quick recap, remember the very first part (let’s title it: Usurpers at the Gate)was the sacking and occupation of the Obio/Okpor Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State by the (Federal) police thereby enacting a blatant usurpation of a state government’s role and breaching the concept of separation of powers.

Part two (subtitled: Tail wags Dog) was the suspension of Governor Chibuike Amaechi from

VOL.8 NO.2,624

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

FEEDBACK

Gen Danjuma, Suntai and Taraba

Sir, Let me start this rejoinder with a disclaimer.

I’m not here to defend the famed Abonta Kwararafa, General T.Y Danjuma. No. The colossus can do that himself or, if he likes, engage better hands to do that for him. All I seek to do is to widen the arguments of ace columnist Mohammed Haruna, and probably shed new lights on some of the issues he raised in his column of September 4 (“Another open letter to General T. Y. Danjuma”) on the current constitutional and political crisis in Taraba state. By accusing the General of silence, the writer probably thought the Jarmai Zazzau would just act without carefully checking what is going on. In Haruna’s piece, there was even a veiled attempt to even make the detribalized and patriotic general appear to be siding with Christians in this whole drama.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Taraba political logjam may appear to a distant watcher as a religious struggle between Muslims and Christians but on a closer look, it is what it is: a crude cold battle for power. Speaker Haruna Tsokwa, for instance, who is hell bent on sending Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai back to the US for medication is a dyed-in- the-wool believer and elder in the conservative, predominantly Jukun, CRCN church. Hon. Josiah Kente who leads the anti Suntai army is a born-again believer. Some Christians in the Taraba state House of Assembly oppose any idea of a Suntai continuous stay in Government House.

For the teeming people of the southern part of the state, power shift to that zone is at the center of it all. In a recent meeting at Takum, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha, the senator representing the zone at the National Assembly, said he was prepared to lay down his seat as a senator(if not his life even) for this aspiration.

That is the measure of his and our resolve on this matter. Not for him to be governor but that the zone produces one! Every true son and daughter of Southern Taraba feels this way too.

All the other zones in the state have produced a governor and we have played second place for far too long since Taraba was created.

We in the southern zone don’t hate Muslims!

We can’t afford to!

Emmanuel Bello, Former Commissioner of Information, Taraba State.

Sir, How do you expect the general (T. Y. Danjuma) to intervene when his foot soldiers in Christ (Jerry Gana and John Dara) were at

‘Like every criminal, the end has come for Kelvin, just like the end came for Anini and his gang in the 80s’

•Mallam Mohammad Awwal Ibrahim the airport to receive Suntai? My opinion is that you may be asking the wrong person to intervene on the crisis in Taraba. +2348039753275 Sir, I disagree with you on the assertion that the socalled Middle Belt which is located in north-central Nigeria is mainly Christian, because looking at the states that make up the Middle Belt, only Plateau and Benue are mainly Christian. And by the way, is General Danjuma from the Middle Belt? Methinks he is from Taraba State and the last time I checked, Taraba State is geographically in the North -Eastern part of Nigeria.

Abdurrahman, Galadima Road, Kano. +2348102884060

Ten Tears of Etsu Nupe

saw the good leadership qualities in him and gave him the title chief. That became his alias as we began to call him chief or sarki.

Capt Momy G (rtd), Publicity Secretary, NDA Regular Course 14. +2348050802000 Sir, Thanks a lot for your incisive Wednesday articles. However sometimes factual errors do crop up in them. For instance, in the Etsu Nupe piece you stated at the end of the third paragraph that the Dan Fodio’s jihad was carried out in the LATE 19th century instead of d EARLY part of the century.

Muhammad, +2348037037462 Sir, I am from Ogidi (the town where, as you pointed out, the Nupe army defeated the British cavalry on June 26, 1896). A distinguished delegation from Bida was with us on the occasion of Ogidi Day on June 15. The team comprised Manko Babayitso (Ciroma), Yakawu, Yabagi Shehu, Prince Ndayako and Bako Mustapha. That was the first time since 1897 that Ogidi would receive that level of Nupe visitors.

Tunde Ipinmisho, Head, Corporate Communications, Federal Housing Authority, Abuja.

Sir, Your column of September 18 refers please.

It is NOT correct that of the five Etsu in Usman Zaki’s House Etsu Yahaya’s 10 yrs is longest. The longest reign to date in that house is that of Bello (1915 to 1926). Also the similarities between Nupe and Yoruba languages and cultures are not products of 1804 Jihad but due to close interaction between the two people that dated much earlier than the Jihad. One of the most popular Alafin of Oyo, Shango, was said to be half Nupe.

Ahmad. +2348150618353 Sir, I read with nostalgia ten years of the 13th Etsu.

Having finished from Federal Polytechnic, Bida, in 1981 and still living among the Nupe 32 years after, I find them similar in many ways to my Igbo people. I have spent the greater part of my life here in harmony and wish that the promises of an integrated nation shall not elude us.

Long live the Nupe Kingdom!

George Dike, Haske Hotels, Minna.

Sir, Yours on “Ten years of the 13th Etsu Nupe” (September 18) refers. Mallam Dendo had seven sons namely, Mamman Majigi, Abdugboya and Usman Zaki by his Fulani wife Adama; Mustapha, Mamudu, and Masaba, by his Nupe wife Fatima; and Ibrahim by another Nupe wife.

Umaru Majigi was the eldest grandson of Mallam Dendo and son of Mamman Majigi.

Garba Abdul, +2348037860515 Sir, I completely disagree with you that Etsu Nupe has been too liberal in awarding his emirate’s traditional titles. The Etsu has NEVER EVER given title to any undeserving person. I expected you to Twenty years of Sarkin Zazzaun have given instances. I have known the Etsu Nupe since 2nd July, 1973 when we assembled at the Suleja Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, for cadet Sir, training as members of Regular Course 14. In Sarkin Zazzaun Suleja Awwal got his fact, one of our Indian Instructors, Capt Grewal, emirship courtesy of “ogas at the top.”

HARDBALL Amaechi saga: Morbid Obsession vi the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the foisting of the state chairman as the leader of the party in the state. The incongruity of the scenario appeared like a tail trying futilely to wag a dog.

Part three in the series (subtitled: Looser Takes All) was the epic drama of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) chairmanship tussle which spawned one of the vilest electioneering skullduggery ever seen in these parts. The long and short of it being that 35 Nigerian state governors voted to choose a leader and the contestant who scored 16 votes claimed victory against the one who scored 19!

Episode four: call it Mace attack. The narrative goes thus: five desperate, Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) members in cahoots with the police and political thugs had ‘impeached’ the Speaker and were going through the motion of House business (if only they had bolted away after their abominable action) when majority of the members supported by the state governor stormed the House and ‘flushed’ out the renegades. But the governor’s storm-troopers ended up using ‘excessive force’ and exposing the mace as a veritable instrument of political ‘warfare’.

DELE AGEKAMEH

(“Sarkin Zazzaun Suleja, the (almost) rejected stone...” September 25). Pray for the day ogas at the bottom will decide both traditional and political leadership NAT, +2348028233050 Sir, A superb “historical” write-up, that is, despite some few uncharitable, unnecessary and uncalled for insinuations, particularly as the columnist went into wild imagination about the role of the late Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Umaru Ndayako, in the saga as Chairman of the Niger State council of emirs. Objective comment and history will commend the Etsu Nupe for electing to protect and defend the custom, tradition and choice of Suleja people above the selfish interests of his state Governor and the nation’s then military president, which showed rare courage.

Two: there was nothing like “a classic case of how tenacity in the pursuit of one’s objective is more likely than not to pay off” in Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim’s ascension to the throne. Rather it was just a case of the common sense Hausa adage of “kowa yasamu rana sai yayi shanya” (literally, we are all opportunists) that was vigorously exploited by varying shades of elite friends and acquaintances in the run down to President Ibrahim Babangida’s 1992-94 political engineering.That was when the likes of Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki, Abiola, Bashir Tofa and many others from the military, academia, bureaucracy, business, etc, were created, empowered and imposed ostensibly to facilitate the perpetuation of the military President in power.

Thirdly, there are no problems any longer with the emirate kingmakers and so-called two ruling houses as feared by the columnist. The then governor, Dr. Musa Inuwa, was instructed to amend the custom, tradition and kingmakership as they related to ascension of the Emir of Suleja and to remove all restrictions previously placed on aspirant Awwal Ibrahim. The kingmakers now are the Santali, Sarkinyaki and the Mallams. Whether the ruling house is one or two is to be determined by political interest of the “oga at the top” of the day.

Musa Mazawaje, Suleja. +2348032547200 Sir, I always enjoy your column due to the fact that it is always well researched in great detail with the facts well documented. This piece on Sarkin Zazzaun Suleja is a case in point reaffirming the fact power belongs to Allah (SWT) and He gives it to whom He wills. In addition to that just imagine how many unpopular leaders we rejected who might have been our salvation in this country just like the emir. This is food indeed for thought for every Nigerian.

Ahmed S. J. +2348036133653 Sir, As a fellow journalist, I’ve kept track of your articles primarily because of your skills in writing and sticking to the cause you believe in even if it is pseudo sectarian. However, in the article you wrote on Sarkin Zazzaun Suleja, you misunderstood what a linguist means. A linguist is not a person who speaks many languages. He is a person who does a scientific study of languages.

He who understands and speaks several languages like Emir Awwal is a polyglot.

Donatus Okpe Lokoja +2348069615027 •For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above Episode five: Let’s call it Aggravation by Blockade. The Rivers State Police command had blockaded the back gate leading to the Government House in Port Harcourt a few weeks back. The police had garrisoned the governor’s gate and when he made to return home through the thoroughfare he was debarred. After much argument the governor capitulated and did a long, round about journey back to the front gate.

The current script freshly handed to Hardball happened last Wednesday at the Liberation Stadium arena in Port Harcourt where 13,000 newly recruited teachers had been invited for orientation and collection of appointment letters.

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