The Nation Sep 24, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

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VOL. 8, NO. 2616 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Fed Govt starving states of cash, say commissioners

I

S Nigeria broke?

Despite Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s denial, states left Abuja yesterday empty handed.

There was no cash to share as the monthly Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting was aborted — for the second time this month.

The chairman of the meet-

•Ngama

•N548.393bn allocation rejected From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

ing, Minister of State for Finance Yerima Ngama, failed to show up. No reasons were given for his absence.

Besides, the arrears of the N366 billion expected to have been paid in by the Nigerian National Petroleum

Cooperation (NNPC) is yet to be paid.

The chairman of the commissioners, Timothy Odaah, decried the situation.

Odaah, who is Ebonyi State Commissioner for Finance, said: “It is like the states are being starved of

funds by the Minister of State for Finance, giving us the theory of handle the dog with great starvation and whichever way you want him to turn, he will turn.”

The states, he said, “are not dogs; we respect Mr. President and are calling on him to hear this.”

He said commissioners and the state accountants-

general were invited by the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Jonah Otunla, but he had nothing to tell them and was as confused as the state representatives.

Odaah said: “For the second time within the month of September, the FAAC session has been Continued on page 2

•KWARA APC ACCUSES PDP OF FAKING RESULTS P53 •FAYEMI: BAMIDELE FREE TO RUN P9

2015: Jonathan justifies second term ambition ASUU strike ‘politicised’ Help fix Nigeria, President urges Obama

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan gave yesterday in New York perhaps the clearest indication yet that he will run in 2015.

Dr. Jonathan, who has not declared his interest in the yet-to-open but rancourous race, is faced with a group of seven governors elected on the platform of his party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)challenging his yet unannounced bid to seek a sec-

‘

Already, we have a constitution that makes provision for maximum of eight years for anyone who wants to become a president or a governor. There is no president or governor that all citizens vote for but at the end of the election...

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

ond term.

At lunch with some Nigerian professionals in New York, United States, as a side-

line of his visit to address the United Nations (UN), General Assembly, he said it was not illegal for a president or governor to spend two terms.

Jonathan said: “Already,

we have a constitution that makes provision for maximum of eight years for anyone who wants to become a president or a governor.

There is no president or gov-

’

ernor that all citizens vote for but at the end of the election, if somebody emerges, you must allow the person to work.

“If you love your country,

you would want your country to work. That does not mean that you will not vote against the person if you don’t like the way he works, but you must allow him to work.”

Apparently replying critics of his administration, Dr. Jonathan went philosophical. He said: “No matter how you feel about the political situation, considContinued on page 2

Abuja shooting victim dies From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

A

LL was gloomy yesterday as the remains of a tricycle operator, Nasir Adamu, was moved to the Gudu Cemetery in Abuja for burial.

Adamu, 33, who was a Keke Napep rider at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was shot in the stomach. He died at about 1 am.

He was part of the victims who died following last Thursday’s Apo killings that drew a big outrage against security agents, who claimed that they were terrorists.

He is survived by his wife, Mayya and a daughter.

According to the late Adamu’s brother, Suleiman Adamu, he hailed from Moriki village in Zurumi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Speaking at the Asokoro General Hospital morgue yesterday, Suleiman said his brother bought Keke Napep two weeks before the incident after he had sold okro for a long time at the Garki modern market.

Hon. Amiru Tukur Idris, representing Timbakwu Federal Constituency, Katsina Continued on page 2

•President Goodluck Jonathan discussing with US President Barack Obama during their bilateral meeting in New York…yesterday

PHOTO: AFP

•CITYBEATS P10 •SPORTS P23 •POLITICS P43 •ENERGY P47 •FOREIGN P59

2

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

NEWS

• Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye (middle) with members of the Bench and Bar during a Special Service to mark the opening of the 2013/2014 New Legal Year at the Lagos Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Lagos…yesterday

Death toll rises in Abuja shooting Continued from page 1

State, described the situation as “undemocratic and illegal”.

He said the House had petitioned Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Sa’ad Ola Ibrahim and human rights organisations.

The lawmaker said he lost about four people in the attack, adding that the Army general, who claims to own the building where the incident occurred, visited the Asokoro General Hospital last Friday and was willing to foot the survivors’ hospital bills.

“In fact, we are having a meeting today with four other House members and a Senator from Zamfara State to know the next line of action.

“The chairman of Tricycle Association identified them as his own people. He said they are not hooligans. They have their own jobs too.

They are hustlers,” Idris

added.

Hon. Biliaminu Shinkafi, representing Zurma Shinkafi Federal Constituency, spoke also of plans to present the case before the National Assembly.

Human rights activist Shehu Sani described the killings as “arbitrary and extrajudicial”. He said there was need to call the consciousness of the public to the incident to forestall a reccurrence.

“I am here to condole with the family and help to take the deceased home in solidarity with the victims of the dastardly act of the security agencies. What has happened is nothing but extrajudicial killings. It is one of the arbitrariness and brigandage by security agents.

For the past three years, fighting insurgency has become an excuse for killings of innocent citizens,” Sani said.

A survivor, Yusuf Abubakar, stated that there were over 200 persons sleeping in the uncompleted building. He said about 18 of them were killed when the

security agents came in the night, surrounded the building and started shooting them.

He said he narrowly escaped when a friend was shot and fell where he was lying down .

According to him, there are about 13 people admitted into the Asokoro General Hospital. But Adamu died around 1am.

He lamented that he suffered a fracture and the bullet in his hand was yet to be removed. He said the doctor had been taking good care of them.

Abubakar recalled that the owner of the building threatened the squatters.

“He spoke on Wednesday; on Thursday in the midnight, soldiers surrounded the house and began to shoot. There were more than 200 people sleeping in the house. So, as they began to shoot, people started running. Those who ran were shot and killed. They killed about 18 people. One died around 1am (last night).

There is another person admitted to Wuse General Hos-

Jonathan justifies second term ambition Continued from page 1

pital.”

Speaking on how he escaped, Abubakar said: “Anyone who stood during the shooting fell and died, so as I was trying to escape, I fell and the bullet hit my hand. I was wearing a white shirt when it happened. So, I jumped into a water basin.

The person who was running after me was shot and he fell on me; so the soldier did not see me.”

Asked if he knew the number of soldiers, he said he could not but they were many.

He urged the doctors to attend to him.

A lawyer, Mr. Sanusi Musa, spoke of plans to begin a legal action before the end of the week. Musa accused the military of taking advantage of insecurity in the country to kill the victims unjustly.

He said: “These people have briefed us and we are taking up there case. They are now our clients. We intend to institute an action on their behalf to seek redress for the injustice done to them by whoever it is.

er the interest of your country first before yourself. If you are struggling to enter a house, you must not put dynamite to destroy the house.

By the time you get there, there will be no house for you to stay.”

“So, first and foremost, we must collectively build our country. Don’t bother about who is there now because power is transient, very very temporary,” he added.

The President also urged the political class to drop door-die approach in politics and allow him to concentrate on his core mandate of governance.

He said Nigerians hold the

stalemated. We were invited by the Minister of State for Finance, who is the chairman of FAAC, but we have not seen him.”

According to Odaah, Otunla instructed him as chairman of the Commissioners Forum to invite his colleagues to yesterday’s meeting, but at the end, Odaah said, “he (Otunla) was more confused than anybody”.

He said he wanted to let us know that there was no change.

Angered by the action, the state governments, Odaah said, had warned the Ministry of Finance “not to invite us until all issues are settled”.

Odaah added: “We have imperative demands, augmentations and differentials in benchmark, which we listed. We agreed that there would be no further augmentation in order to clear the backlogs.”

At the first botched FAAC meeting in September, Ngama and the commissioners agreed that they would not “dip hands in the reserve which made us to believe that the NNPC has brought in something this time”.

E

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged United States President Barack Obama to help to “fix Nigeria.”

“For you to fix the world, you must fix Africa. For you to fix Africa, you must fix Nigeria,” Dr. Jonathan told his American counterpart.

Both leaders met at the Lyndon B. Johnson suite in the

Waldorf-Astoria. It was Obama’s first stop in his swing through town for the United Nations General Assembly.

Noting his trip to Africa at the beginning of the summer, Obama said he saw common interests in helping Nigeria improve its rural electrification, empowering young peoContinued on page 58

States reject N548.393bn

MBARRASED by the stalemate of the August 2013 Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting yesterday, the Federal Government released N548.393 billion as the August statutory revenue for the three tiers of government.

According to a statement from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), this disbursement “is an improvement over the figure of N497.984 billion as made available at the Federation Accounts Allocation (FAAC) meeting “ for the month of July allocation.

Responding to the walkout by Commissioners for Finance over an outstanding N75 billion expected from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, said efforts were being made to resolve the outstanding issues.

The statement said the OAGF prom-

Odaah said: “It was agreed that the augmentation backlog till July should be paid because states had entered into financial commitments, relying on benchmark expectations, the tendency is that states are in a bad shape. Past augmentations should be paid but from August no state will enter into new con-

Continued on page 58

Help fix Nigeria, Jonathan urges Obama

Fed Govt starving states of cash, say commissioners Continued from page 1

power to vote out anybody they are not comfortable with.

According to him, political leaders must be mindful of what they say or do in order not to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.

The President also spoke on his fight against corruption and the ongoing university teachers’ strike which is nearing three months.

On corruption, he said: “So many people are saying we are not doing well in fighting corruption and before you say that, there must be a parameter for judging us. What are the yardsticks they are using to judge us?

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

ised that “FAAC has received assurances from NNPC that the issue is being dealt with with dispatch and that a positive outcome is expected soon”.

It also said that the government was exploring all avenues to end the shortfalls in revenue caused by oil theft and vandalisation as soon as possible.

However, the state governments rejected the disbursement saying it has loopholes. Chairman of the Commissioners Forum Timothy Odaah said: “The hasty and limited disbursement is to ensure that they (Federal Government) short circuit states. They should have addressed us at the meeting earlier today.”

Odaah insisted that the decision by the states to walk away from yesterday’s FAAC stood “until governors meet with President Goodluck Jonathan to resolve the problem”.

tracts.”

“However, up till now, there has not been any augmentation, no clearing of the backlog. The worst effect of this is that it is having a retrospective effect on the states and local governments. As a result of this uncleared backlogs, states rely on the budget in order to secure finan-

He said the delay resulted in delayed payment of civil servants’ salaries.

According to him, the N548.393 billion “hastily” released falls far short of the budgeted N630 billion expected to have been shared by the three tiers of government for June and July. He said it had been agreed that from August only the actual accruals would be shared.

Odaah, on behalf of the states, demanded that the N121 billion outstanding for June augmentation be released along with the backlog of augmentation and budget benchmark for July.

State governments, he said, “have relied on this budgeted figures to incur financial commitments up to the point where it was agreed that no more augmentation will be paid from August because this has been appropriated”. “As from August, states will act frugally because they know they will only get actual accruals without augmentation.”

cial commitments and handle security issues and issues of contractors. We have issues of insecurity, among others.

Just clear the backlog and we get along,” Odaah said.

Ngama, according to Odaah, is “ playing levity with our case”. “We have been slighted; contempt has been poured against the

states to the extent that the interest of our states and local governments is suffering.

He has treated us with contempt and treated our states and local governments with contempt” The way forward, Odaah said, “is that the state accountants general, commissioners for Finance on the directives

•Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

of our governors are going back and should not be called back until the conditions we give are met and the President must be informed.”

The commissioners went Continued on page 58

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THE NATION TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

3

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

4

NEWS

al-Shabab...

• Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (second left), Chief Biodun Ajiboye (left), Chief Exécutive Officer, Airtel Nigeria Mr Segun Ogunsanya (second right) and Country Director of Rlg Mr Tosin Ilesanmi during a development lecture organiséd by the Nigerian Telecom Awards at the MUSON Centre, Onikan in Lagos...at the weekend.

al-Shabab, the terrorist organisation holding a Kenyan mall after seizing it at the weekend, is an enemy wellknown to the Kenyan government and the international comunity.

W •From left: Dr Kanayo Nwanze; former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Mr Kofi Anan, Supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. Viola Onwuliri; Minister of Agriculture Dr Akinwumi Adesina and President, Bill Gates Foundation Mr Bill Gates, at the second meeting of the Presidential Eminent Persons Group on Nigeria's Agriculture in New York...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

• Chairman, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Alhaji Kola Belgore (left) greeting the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency Jones Onyereri at the public hearing on ‘A Bill for an Act to amend Some Sections of AMCON’ in Abuja...yesterday. With them is AMCON’s Managing Director Mustafa Chike-Obi.

•From left: Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc Kufre Ekanem, winners of the Maltina Dance All Season Seven (MDA 7), the Briggs family and the Human Resources Director , Victor Famuyibo, at the grand finale of the family dance reality show in Lagos.

ITH as many as 9,000 fighters, al-Shabab has since fought a succession of foreign forces in Somalia from Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

The attack in Nairobi is one of the biggest al-Shabab has carried out outside Somalia. It could not have come at a more improbable time as the territory al-Shabab controls in Somalia is shrinking.

The group has also just emerged from a leadership struggle. AlShabab’s shadowy leader Ahmed Abdi Godane managed to re-align the group’s leadership and consolidate his power by killing some of his main opponents.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the country had “overcome terrorist attacks before” and vowed to “hunt down the perpetrators wherever they run to”.

“In fact, we have fought courageously and defeated them within and outside our borders - we will defeat them again,” he added.

So-called militant groups have been expanding their reach across the Sahel and the Sahara over the last decade.

Most of them operate under the umbrella of al-Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM) which has its reach in Mali, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia. Another organisation gaining traction is Boko Haram. Based mainly in northern Nigeria they are determined to bring Islamic law to the region. And there is al-Shabab who wants the removal of all foreign forces from Somalia.

So how will the Kenyan government respond to the latest al-Shabab attack? Will it mean more involvement in Somalia? And what are the regional implications?

Inside Story, with presenter Jane Dutton, discusses with guests: Hamza Mohamed, a British-Somali journalist; Ambassador David Shinn, a former US ambassador to Ethiopia and former state department coordinator for the intervention in Somalia in the 1990s; and Miguna Miguna, a Kenyan barrister and former adviser to Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“We need to go back before Kenyan troops went into Somalia .... AlShabab commanders were really angry at what they see as a broken ... relation between them and the Kenyan government. Before 2011, before the Kenyan forces went into Somalia, alShabab controlled almost all the towns bordering Kenya and Somalia, and at that time that region of Kenya was very peaceful … what al-Shabab commanders says [is that] Kenya was at the same time planning to attack them … [and] at the same time telling them that everything was ok. As long as you don’t interfere or do anything in Kenya borders we would not attack,

•A man only identified by his first name, Stephen (centre), who lost his father in the terror attack, being comforted

by Pastor Elizabeth Akinyi (right) and family members at the city mortuary in Nairobi... yesterday.

so al-Shabab see this as a reaction to what they see as a Kenyan action, Kenyan forces invading Somalia.”

Somalia’s al-Shabab is linked with al-Qaeda. It has been pushed out of all of the main towns it once controlled in southern and central parts of Somalia, but still remains a potent threat.

Al-Shabab means The Youth in Arabic. It emerged as the radical youth wing of Somalia’s now-defunct Union of Islamic Courts in 2006, as it fought Ethiopian forces who had entered Somalia to back the weak interim government.

Although it has lost control of the towns and cities, its writ still runs in many rural areas.

It was forced out of the capital, Mogadishu, in August 2011 and left the vital port of Kismayo in September 2012.

Kismayo had been a key asset for the militants, allowing supplies to reach areas under their control and providing taxes for their operations.

Analysts believe al-Shabab is increasingly focusing on guerrilla warfare to counter the firepower of AU forces.

Who is al-Shabab’s leader?

Ahmed Abdi Godane is the head of the group. Known as Mukhtar Abu Zubair, he comes from the northern breakaway region of Somaliland.

Mr Godane is rarely seen in public.

His predecessor, Moalim Aden Hashi Ayro, was killed in a US airstrike in 2008.

Mr Godane, who was behind the group’s tie-up with al-Qaeda and has a hardline, international agenda has recently emerged victorious from an internal power-struggle.

His rival, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, is more focussed on the struggle within Somalia. He is now in government custody, while several of his allies have been killed.

What are al-Shabab’s foreign links?

Al-Shabab joined al-Qaeda in February 2012. In a joint video, al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane said he “pledged obedience” to al-Qaeda head Ayman al-Zawahiri.

The two groups have long worked together and foreigners are known to fight alongside Somali militants.

There have also been numerous reports that al-Shabab may have formed some links with other militants groups in Africa, such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Has al-Shabab carried out attacks outside Somalia?

Al-Shabab has said it carried out the deadly assault on a shopping centre in Nairobi on 21 September, in which

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

5

NEWS

The terrorists ‘killing’ Kenya

•A column of smoke rising from the beseiged Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi following a loud explosion...yesterday.

PHOTOS: AFP

K

•Soldiers on red alert around the Westgate mall...yesterday.

Kenyan soldiers return fire for fire to free hostages

ENYAN security forces have launched an assault on the Westgate shopping complex in the capital Nairobi in an attempt to break the three-day siege.

Sporadic gunfire is continuing at the mall, where suspected al-Shabab militants remain holed up.

The Kenya Defence Forces said three “terrorists” had been killed and all escape routes sealed off, with troops now focusing on clearing the building.

The official death toll stands at 62 and more than 170 have been injured. Prominent Ghanaian poet Kofi Awonoor died in the atatck. He was in Nairobi for a literary event.

The Somali Islamist al-Shabab movement has said it carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan military operations in Somalia.

A number of countries are believed to have offered assistance to the Kenyan authorities currently dealing with the siege at the Westgate Mall.

Kenya is seen as a largely pro-Western country in at least 68 people were killed.

It was responsible for a double suicide bombing in Uganda’s capital,

a strategically important continent that is facing growing instability from the threat of Islamic extremism.

Kenya has also been a target for Western interests in the past - most notably the 1998 attack on the US embassy in Nairobi carried out by al-Qaeda.

However, at present, Kenya’s forces are taking the lead in the hostage crisis. If there is any involvement by foreign nations it’s likely to be in a purely advisory role. It has already been reported that Israeli “security specialists” are on the ground in Nairobi giving advice, though it has not officially been confirmed.

Even if foreign forces are giving advice or even more, the Kenyan authorities are unlikely to want to give the impression that they can not deal with this crisis themselves.

There were earlier reports of sustained gunfire and dozens of Kenyan troops were seen crossing the road into the Westgate centre, from where a thick

plume of black smoke was billowing.

The Kenyan security forces (KDF) said the fire had been started by “terrorists to distract the ongoing operation”, and that the blaze was being managed by firefighters.

It said 10 bodies had been retrieved from the building in the last 24 hours. More than 200 civilians have been rescued, 65 of whom remain in hospital.

The KDF said 11 of its soldiers had been injured during the stand-off.

Earlier, police used tear gas to disperse crowds of onlookers gathered close to the Westgate Centre.

The Interior Ministry warned said in a tweet: “We are pleading with you, #WestGateMall is a scene of crime. For your own safety keep off that area. Roads leading there have been cordoned.”

Security has also been stepped up at entrance and exit points across the country, with “more than 10 individuals” arrested in relation to the attack, the ministry said.

Kampala, which killed 76 people The attack was carried out because malia before the Kenyans went in. watching the 2010 football World Cup Uganda - along with Burundi - proAnalysts say the militants often enfinal on television. vided the bulk of the AU troops in So- ter and leave Kenya without being in-

tercepted. Their fighters are said to even visit the capital, Nairobi, for medical treatment.

The 2002 twin attacks on Israeli targets near the Kenyan resort of Mombasa were allegedly planned in Somalia by an al-Qaeda cell, while the US believes some of the al-Qaeda operatives who carried out the 1998 attacks on its embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam then fled to Somalia.

Who are al-Shabab’s backers?

Eritrea is its only regional ally. It denies claims it supplies arms to alShabab.

Eritrea supports al-Shabab to counter the influence of Ethiopia, its bitter enemy.

With the backing of the US, Ethiopia sent troops to Somalia in 2006 to defeat the Islamists. The Ethiopian forces withdrew in 2009 after suffering heavy casualties.

After intervening again in 2011, it says it will hand over the territory it has seized to the AU.

Why we struck, by spokesman

I

T is more than two years since Kenyan troops went into Somalia to fight al-Shabab. Why did al-Shabab attack Nairobi now?

We have been late in attacking Nairobi. We did not attack before because they were expecting us to attack.

Our aim is to attack our enemy when they least expect us to attack. This time they were not expecting us to attack.

We choose when to attack, and best time to attack.

Is this al-Shabab’s first attack in Nairobi?

That’s not the importing thing. The important thing is it is us who attacked now. It is not important to say we attacked before or not.

This attack is happening at Westgate Mall, which, when the attack started, was full of shoppers. Why is al-Shabab attacking a place that is full of civilians?

The place we attacked is Westgate shopping mall. It is a place where tourists from across the world come to shop, where diplomats gather. It is a place where Kenya’s decision-makers go to relax and enjoy themselves.

Westgate is a place where there are Jewish and American shops. So, we have to attack them.

On civilian deaths, Kenya should first be asked why they bombed innocent Somali civilians in refugee camps, why they bombed innocent people in Gedo and Jubba regions. They should be asked that first before us.

Al Jazeera’s Hamza Mohamed interviewed al-Shabab’s spokesman for military operations, Sheikh Abulaziz Abu Muscab.

A Song for Kofi...

Death, couched in the hands of the hateful, has dealt us a blinding blow!

See This Earth, my Brother, tilting dangerously on d precipe.

Our land is scarred red hot, The falcons have gone eerily deaf, The village arena a playground of ghosts.

Who, who will beat the drums of reasons?

See where our sage, our flutist lay?

See the length of funeral processions See bodies stretching — Asyria to Asante...see!

Hear the muffled wails of shaven widows… hear!

Kofi, my Kofi, tell Dzoghese, tell Inalegwu, tell Ikemba, tell Abu, tell Iyabo, Tell them we are as wretched as they left us.

Death has made a mockery of our mornings!

Tears now our breakfast, rags our respite from the nakedness of unbeckoned daybreak Our huts long fallen, our virile sons Long gone into the battle of the blind Our rivers a mighty ocean of blood.

Al-Shabab claims to work to protect Muslims and Somalis in particular. Some of the people killed in this attack suggests otherwise.

History supports our claim. We are the only ones protecting Somalis and Somalia. We are the only group fighting Somalia’s historic enemies. We are the only one who can say “no” to So-

By Betty Abah (For Prof. Kofi Awoonor)

Not a young soul left to push back the pillagers pummeling our palace, see now, our great land is ruined!

Go tell them we are saddened that they watch from beyond in sullen silence, Unspeaking, unmoving, undoing!

Does it not pain them that we have no one to throw the 21-gun salute when we clench our teeth at last?

Ha, a scorpion has beaten me!

Awww…! Or was it a snake?

I can’t, can’t see in this darkness!

Where, where is my stick, my sight?

Eleee...! Eleee…! Eleee…!

•Mrs. Abah, a Lagos-based poet and environmentalist, wrote this poetic-tribute in memory of Prof. Awonoor, who died in the Westgate terror attack.

malis’ enemies. On the loss of lives, there were Kenyan soldiers firing back at our fighters. There was an exchange of gunfire. There is no evidence it was our bullets that killed them. We released all Muslims when we took control of the mall. Witnesses have backed us on this.

Do you think this attack will make

Kenya withdraw its troops from Somalia?

That question is not for us to answer.

That is for the Kenyan government to answer. It is up to them to withdraw their soldiers or not. If they don’t withdraw, attacks like this will become common in Kenya. It is possible if they don’t withdraw attacks like this will

• The late Awoonor

happen in Kenyan cities and towns every day.

Kenya says it will go after the perpetrators of this attack and won’t stop until they are defeated. What do you say to that?

We are not perpetrators. We are only defending ourselves and defending our rights, the rights of the Somali people. Today no one has a worse criminal record than the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. He’s talking about tens of people killed at Westgate while he’s responsible for the deaths of thousands of people killed when he was running for the presidency. If Kenyans want to hold someone accountable for crimes they should first start with him.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

6

NEWS 2015: Ambitious ministers to quit

By Emmanuel Oladesu

M

INISTERS nursing governorship and senatorial ambitions may quit the cabinet at the end of this quarter, it was learnt yesterday.

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) source said that the ministers, special advisers and senior special assistants are likely to leave the Federal Executive Council (FCE) to pursue their aspirations.

Among the ministers eyeing governorship seats are the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, Minister of Police Affairs Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade and Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike.

The source said that, although the idea of dropping the ministers is not from President Goodluck Jonathan, he may consider the suggestion because the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been inundated with complaints by the troubled state chapters about the partisan activities of the ministers in their respective states.

Jonathan is believed to be interested in a second term, and according to the source, the ministers may quit to pursue their ambitions as soon as the President unfolds his second term agenda.

A sources said: “There are complaints in the party (PDP) that ministers and special advisers who have ambitions to contest for the governorship and senate are using their positions to maximum advantage. Party chieftains who have the same ambitions are mounting pressures on the party leadership to urge the President to drop them so that there can be a level playing field.

“In fact, it extends to the likely ministerial nominees from the states.

I think the thinking also is that those who have political ambitions in 2015 should not be appointed as ministers to fill the vacancies in the Federal Executive Council. It is believed that politics will start next year and the President needs ministers in critical ministries who will not be distracted by politics”.

Another source said that the President may consider more professionals for ministerial positions, although they may be nominated by party big wigs. He said: “Many politicians are scheming to become ministers in this last lap.

But many factors are being considered. The President still needs competent professionals to assist him in achieving results in some critical sectors. These professionals may be preferred over and above politicians whose attention may be distracted by politics as from next year”.

T

APC decries attack on Abia members

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the attack by suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs on its members in Abia State.

The party also decried the disruption of the party’s meeting on September 17, saying the kind of intolerance and brigandage demonstrated by the PDP government negate the very essence of democracy.

In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party described such an unprovoked attack, carried out by 10 young men armed with guns, machetes and wooden sticks as very dangerous and a manifestation of misdirected aggression.

It said if parties that hold sway in a certain state would not allow other parties to meet, then a direct arrow would have been fired at the very heart of democracy and the nation’s Constitution.

“Freedom of association is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The intolerance demonstrated by the PDP government in Abia

•It’s an assault on democracy, says party APC governors to meet National Assembly caucus

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OVERNORS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) states are to meet with its members in the Senate and House of Representatives on Friday, it was learnt yesterday.

The meeting follows a similar one held last week between seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and the leadership of the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the party.

According to a National Assembly source, who pleaded not to be named, unlike what happened during the PDP governor’s visit, the APC meeting would be held outside the National Assembly complex.

He also said the APC meeting would not be about the party alone but also issues of national interest would be discussed.

He said: “The meeting with the caucus of the Senate and the House of Representatives would discuss party structuring and contentious areas in the constitution amendment process.

“APC is not involved in any intra-party intrigues, so the aim of the leadership is to articulate the objectives of the party and present these to the National Assembly

State, which unleashed hired party thugs on a peaceful gathering of the APC in Abia Central Senatorial Dis-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

members.

“The motive behind this may not be far from the fact that as we approach 2015, all kinds of politicking would be going on but APC is aware that the interest of Nigerians should be paramount.

“The party also felt, and rightly so, that the National Assembly has a big role to play towards that and thus necessitates why its members have to be acquainted with the plans of the party.

“The party would not want its structure to be a source of friction amongst its members and that is why our representatives at the National Assembly have to be engaged.

“As the Party is forward looking, it decided to take on the challenges posed by some contentious areas in the constitution review. In view of this, the party felt that there is every need for the party to have a cohesive and articulated position, so that the greater majority of Nigerians at the end of the exercise don’t get shortchanged”.

The meeting, which was earlier slated for today was moved to Friday for security and logistic reasons, it was learnt.

trict on September 17, is undoubtedly a violation of the Constitution and an attack on democracy itself.

“It is the same intolerance that has driven the larger PDP to the brink of extinction, the same anti-demo-

cratic acts that have seen one faction of the ruling party unleash the security agencies against the other, and the same impunity that has turned a ruling party to an agent of destabilisation of the polity,’’ APC said.

The party praised its members in Abia for being law-abiding and for refusing to descend to the same level of brigandage as the PDP, considering the scale of the attacks that left several APC members injured and 10 vehicles, 15 motorcycles, 500 plastic chairs, public address system and others destroyed.

“We are particularly impressed by the maturity of the APC leaders in Abia who, instead of engaging the PDP thugs in a fire-for-fire stance, showed utmost restraint and then reported the incident to the Commissioner of Police.

“We hereby call on the police and other security agencies in the state to prevent a recurrence of such attacks. We urge the PDP-run government in the state to allow democracy to thrive, while appealing to our members in Abia to remain peaceful,’’ APC said.

•Senior Advocates of Nigeria at their swearing-in in Abuja...yesterday.

Diplomatic passport: Senators, Reps still on eligibility list

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•Presidency: House actually initiated plans to scale down diplomatic passport list

ESPITE the row over moves to review issuance of diplomatic passports by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), there were indications yesterday that Senators and members of the House of Representatives are still on eligibility list.

The presidency, however, alleged that the House of Representatives actually initiated the process to review issuance of diplomatic passports in 2012 because of abuse by some Nigerians.

Also, the NIS through its Public Relations Officer, Chukwuemeka Obua (CSI) yesterday said the Immigration Service was yet to receive directive from the Federal Government to review the guidelines for diplomatic passports.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Members of the National Assembly are still on eligibility list, it was learnt.

A source in Immigration Service said: “We have not tampered with eligibility list at all. By our records, members of the National Assembly are still on the list of beneficiaries of diplomatic passports.

“We have had cases of abuse but they had nothing to do with Assembly members.

“We need to clarify this because we do not want a crisis between the Executive and the Judiciary.”

A source in the presidency, who spoke with our correspondent, said it was the House of Representatives which initiated the

review of the process of issuing diplomatic passports in 2012.

The source added: “In 2012, the House Committee on Interior organised a public hearing on a bill seeking to amend Passport (Miscellaneous Provision) Act Cap. P1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“The lawmakers wanted the list of diplomatic Passport holders to be scaled down. The legislators also demanded a reduction of the discretionary powers of the President to issue diplomatic passports to any Nigerian.

“Actually at the hearing, the Chairman, House Committee on Interior, Bature Umar said some holders of diplomatic passports had abused the privi-

lege. He said there was need to review the process of its acquisition.

Bitrus Kaze (PDP Plateau), who also spoke at the hearing, said “the amendment is just to situate those suitable.”

“So, where is the fault of the presidency? Why are they now crying over what they initiated? All those who participated at the hearing are alive. Nigerians should speak with them.”

On its part, the Nigeria Immigration Service, through Obua (CSI) yesterday said it was yet to receive directive from the Federal Government to review the guidelines for diplomatic passports The statement said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the NIS wishes to categorical-

ly sate that extant guidelines on the issuance of such travel documents have not been changed and are firmly in place.

“No instruction has been received to review the guidelines to target any segment or category of Nigerians. Members of the National Assembly are being issued Diplomatic passports upon application.

“The NIS hereby urges all to endeavour to cross check very sensitive matters such as this before rushing to press to avoid heating up the polity and causing unnecessary disaffection.

“We are committed to acting professionally in the performance of our statutory duties under the guidance of relevant laws and guidelines.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

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NEWS I did my duty successfully, says Emordi From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

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FORMER Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emordi, yesterday said she diligently carried out her duty as a presidential aide.

In a statement in Abuja after what an insider described as “a thank you meeting” with her workers, Senator Emordi said she enjoyed tremendous cooperation with President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the National Assembly.

President Jonathan relieved Emordi of her post on September 20.

Presidential sources said Emordi was removed because “some hawks in the Presidency found her style of non-confrontation between the Executive and the Legislature uncomfortable”.

The senator, however, noted that the cooperation she enjoyed from both arms of government ensured, among others, that no executive bill was thrown out under her watch while 99.9 per cent of presidential nominees for appointments were confirmed.

The cooperation she enjoyed with the two arms of government, she added, also ensured the historic early passage of this year’s budget.”

She said: “I thank God for the privilege to serve our President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as well as distinguished senators and members of the House of Representatives, who showed me great solidarity every step of the way.

Appeal Court Justice Nwodo dies at 54

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JUDGE of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Oby Regina Nwodo, is dead.

He died in a London hospital on August 6. He was 54.

The late Justice Nwodo was born on November 1, 1958, to a wealthy family of the late Sir Joe Nwankwu (Onwanetilora Abagana) in Anambra State.

She was a devout Roman Catholic, who battled cancer with her faith in God. She married Chief John Nnia Nwodo (Ike Ukehe), a consummate politician and a lawyer. They were blessed with children.

The late Mrs Nwodo was elevated six years ago from the Federal High Court to the Court of Appeal.

‘Don’t be intimidated’

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KITI State Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu, has urged professional women not to feel intimidated by the high percentage of their male counterparts in the same professions.

She noted that a woman needs to be brave and assertive to make a difference in their positions.

Prof Adelabu spoke in AdoEkiti, the Ekiti State capital, when she hosted the state chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN).

She said the belief that women’s place was in the kitchen and that some professions and careers were for men only are no longer plausible.

CJN, NBA seek more funds for Judiciary

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HE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Okey Wali (SAN), have called for increased funding of the Judiciary.

They said the third arm of government was gradually being incapacitated by dwindling budgetary allocations.

Both legal luminaries noted that without adequate funding, the Judiciary would be unable to perform its constitutional roles.

They spoke yesterday in Abuja at the beginning of the new legal year of the Supreme Court and the swearing-in of new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

Justice Mukhtar said the nation’s courts were illequipped, without necessary infrastructure and could hardly function as required in modern society because of paucity of funds.

She said: “On the whole, it is hoped that as we begin a new legal year, the government will live up to its expectation and rescue the Judiciary from plunging further.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

“A situation where budgetary allocation to the Judiciary continues to drop while the general government budget is on a steady increase every year is clearly an impediment to the quick and effective dispensation of justice in Nigeria and, on the whole, a setback to the current effort at transforming the Judiciary.

“Over the years, funding of the courts has remained a challenge, as evident in the conditions of many courts in Nigeria today.

“Statistics has shown that funding from the Federal Government has witnessed a steady decline since 2010, from N95 billion in that year to N85 billion in 2011, then N75 billion in 2012 and dropped again in the 2013 budget to N67 billion.

“Indeed, with this amount, if the amount allocated to the extra-judicial organisations within the Judiciary is deducted, the courts are left with a paltry sum to operate. The simple implication is that our courts are increasingly finding it difficult to effectively perform their day-to-day

constitutional roles.

“The effect of a slim budget for the Judiciary is that a number of courts in Nigeria today evince decay and neglect of infrastructural amenities, particularly at the state level.

“In some cases, court buildings do not possess the required well-equipped libraries for judges to conduct their research. This may make judges to rely on information supplied by lawyers, which should not be the case.”

Justice Mukhtar expressed delight that her effort to restore public confidence in the Judiciary was yielding fruits.

She urged the Federal Government to, “at all times, ensure total compliance with the rule of law and adhere to the principle of separation of powers”.

The CJN regretted the continuous delay in court processes, particularly in relation to the prosecution of criminal cases.

Wali said: “Our justice sector is in decay. The infrastructure and ideas are not of this century. Insufficient funds are devoted to justicerelated matters.

“This is in spite of the fact that the justice sector plays a pivotal role in maintaining law and order. It is the justice sector that drives the rule of law.”

The NBA president was worried that Nigerian leaders were more concerned with the next general elections at the detriment of their responsibilities to the people.

He said: “The NBA is chagrined by the buccaneering, crass materialism and rampant oppotunism that have bedevilled Nigerian politics and governance.

“These reached a crescendo in the last few months.

Our political landscape has increasingly been marked by violent rivalry, cheap and ugly theatrics, infantile displays of power and sheer impunity.

“The NBA condemns this trend and calls on all concerned to stem the tide well ahead of the 2015 general elections, when Nigerians will vote out the anarchists in our midst.”

The NBA president called for the inclusion of his association’s representatives in the National Judicial Council (NJC’s) activities.

•Justice Mukhtar

He frowned at the practice where NBA representatives were excluded when NJC were to take decisions in cases affecting judicial offices.

Wali, who asked for the inclusion of NBA president as an institutional memeber of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC), also advocated a review of the criteria for the appointment of SANs. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN) frowned at the gradual erosion of discipline among legal practitioners. He urged the NBA to be firm on discipline and ethical conduct among lawyers, particularly the senior ones.

NDLEA quizzes nursing mother

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

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•Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (right) dicussing with the Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Uche Chukwumerije at a summit on education at the Banquet Hall of Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

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Lawyers call for civil justice system reform

ARTICIPANTS at the 33rd Practice and Procedure Training Course of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) have called for the reform of the nation’s civil law procedure system.

They said this would facilitate expeditious dispensation of justice.

The participants, mainly lawyers, spoke at the fourday training workshop on practice and procedure organised by the institute at its Akoka, Lagos office.

They noted that an efficient civil procedure system would enhance speedy justice delivery and encourage investors to invest in Nigeria.

In a chat with The Nation, NIALS Director-General, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), said: “The general impression is that foreign investors are very keen to know how dispute resolution can be handled, if and when the situation arises.

“To that extent, it is clear that the delay in the administration of justice is one

By John Austin Unachukwu

cardinal issue that would work negatively against foreign investment in this country. Until and unless we are able to ensure that there is speedy dispensation of justice, foreign investors will be reluctant to invest.

This is because in the event of a dispute, they are not sure of how long it will take to resolve it; hence, so many people seem to be running towards alternative dispute resolution or arbitration,

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which is faster. “But we can say without equivocation that in this era of ensuring that judges write their judgments speedily and ensure that cases are handled expeditiously, I believe that we are on the right track to attracting foreign investors and giving them hope and confidence. That is, if and when a dispute arises from any contractual agreements, the courts are in a position to handle the cases expeditiously.”

A former Director of Research of the institute, Prof.

Bolaji Owasanoye, facilitated the course on case-flow management.

He said: “Delay in civil justice system affects governance and economic development. For example, investors will not like to invest in any economy that does not have a credible system of resolving disputes.

One of the ways you can improve this is through an effective case-flow management system.

NMA extends ultimatum by four weeks

HE Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) yesterday urged the Federal Government to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the union.

It extended its ultimatum to the government by another four weeks.

NMA’s initial ultimatum on September 1 expired last Sunday.

The President of the association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele,

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

said the failure of the government to implement the agreement within the next four weeks would force the association to take necessary actions without a further warning.

Dr. Enabulele yesterday addressed reporters in Abuja with other executive members of the association.

He noted that the decision to extend the ultimatum was

reached at the association’s emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on September 23, in Abuja.

Though the association hailed the Federal Government for promptly reacting to its initial ultimatum, the NMA president warned that if the government failed to urgently and permanently resolve the irregularities in the current implementation of IPPIS scheme, the association would take necessary actions.

HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is investigating how a 34-year old nursing mother, Mrs. Mbonu Chizoba, allegedly exported six kilogrammes of cannabis (Indian hemp) to China.

NDLEA officials reportedly detected the drug during a routine inspection of cargoes at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

The compressed dried weeds, which tested positive for cannabis, were allegedly hidden in an export luggage on an Ethiopian airline.

NDLEA Lagos Airport Commander Hamza Umur said the suspect had a choice to be with her three-month old baby while the agency probes the matter.

ASUU urged to end strike

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GROUP, Do It Right Foundation, has urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve their differences in the interest of the education sector.

In a statement by its President, Mr. Dixon Jubril, the group appealed to ASUU to call off its strike and re-open the universities for students.

It said the students have suffered from the lingering crisis without justification, adding that reason should prevail over sentiment.

The statement said: “It has become a burden on both the government and ASUU to save the education sector from collapse by finding a common ground for the amicable resolution of the crisis. What both parties to the dispute must have in mind is that the future of the students, who are the future leaders of our great nation, is at stake.

THE NATION TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

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NEWS

•The protesters...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Lagos pensioners protest non-payment of gratuity

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ENSIONERS in Lagos State yesterday stormed the office of Governor Babatunde Fashola at Alausa, Ikeja, to protest unpaid pension arrears and gratuity.

The protesters, who were largely retired teachers and local government workers, carried placards with inscription, such as: “Non-review of the pension law for over 10 years”; “We are tired of unfulfilled promises” and “Except Lagos, other Southwest states have complied with the FG’s directive on the increment of pension”.

Southwest Chairman of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) Nojeemdeen Adebayo, who led the protesters, said some of their colleagues have died waiting for their

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By Miriam Ekene-Okoro and Ijibayiwa Seyi

entitlements and some were hospitalised.

He lamented that the state did not yield to the Federal Government’s directive on pension increment in 2003 and 2007, adding that whenever they demand their fund, the government would plead for more time to pay it.

Adebayo said rather than pay pensioners, the government was investing in the contributory pension scheme.

He said: “In 2003, the Federal Government directed states to increase pensioner’s monthly salary by six per cent, but Lagos failed to pay the increment. In 2007, the Federal Gov-

ernment directed that pensioners should be paid 16 per cent increment, but the Lagos State government turned a deaf ear to this.

“For over four years now, the government has been asking pensioners to be patient, but this has not yielded a solution. That was why we decided to come to the Governor’s Office to demand our rights. We are giving the government two weeks to pay the pension arrears and gratuity.

“Though the Lagos State government has been paying our monthly pension and we thank the governor for that, we are appealing to him to intervene in the payment of the gratuities of our members, who have been out of service for over 10 years.”

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Aderemi Ibirogba, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Pension and Establishment, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase, assured the pensioners that they will get all their entitlements.

Mrs. Oguntuase said: “We are working hard to ensure that the funds are paid, but it is yet to yield the required result. What we are doing is to pay all the current liabilities.

“When a public servant retires, it takes sometime before the pension begins to roll in. We are paying their pension. When the government started the payment of pension in 2007, local governments did not start until 2010. So this resulted into a shortfall of three years.

Motorcyclist killed in Ibadan flood

MIDDLE-AGED unidentified motorcyclist was yesterday killed by flood in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, following 24 hours of torrential rainfall.

The incident occurred on the OdoOna Elewe Bridge at Orita-Challenge.

Oluyole Local Government Caretaker Chairman Ayodeji AbassAleshinloye told reporters that passers-by warned the deceased

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

against climbing the bridge, which was flooded, but the man was adamant.

Abass-Aleshinloye said: “He was trying to cross to the other side of the Orita-Challenge Bridge with his motorcycle when the flood rushed him away. His body was removed by men of the Fire Service with the help of sympathisers. This rain is much

more than the one we experienced on August 26, 2011, and if not for the over seven bridges that were dredged by the council with the support of the state government, things would have been worse.”

He said although some houses in the council were flooded, no other life was lost.

Abass-Aleshinloye urged residents to be careful as they move around during the raining season.

“We realised that those retiring at that time in local governments would not be able to collect their entitlements. As a result of the three-year gap, there was a shortfall of N3.40 billion, so the state government met with the council chairmen to provide the fund for the retirees.

“The Federal Government has not reimbursed the states and that is what is hindering the payment of gratuity, pension and arrears.”

Ibirogba assured the pensioners that the government would dialogue with the parties concerned to resolve the problem.

He said: “You have presented your grievances and we will relate that to the governor, who is not around presently.”

‘Why we reclassified schools’ From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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•Otunba Laoye-Tomori

•Lagos State Chief Judge Justice Ayotunde Philips (middle); Anglican Bishop of Lagos, Rev. Adebola Ademowo (second left); Rev. Adebayo Akinade (second right); Justice Opeyemi Oke (left); Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade (right) and others at the service marking the new Legal Year at the Anglican Cathedral Church, Marina, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

SUN State Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori has said the re-classification of primary and secondary schools to Elementary, Middle and High schools was aimed at improving education.

She said the re-classification would ensure an effective use of the state’s limited resources to ensure quality education.

Mrs. Laoye-Tomori spoke in her office while receiving the School Parents Association.

The deputy governor, who doubles as the commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, said the government would commit over N1 billion to each of the schools under construction.

She said at the inception of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration in November, 2010, the dilapidated condition of school buildings and the abysmal performance of primary and secondary school pupils in internal and external examinations required urgent attention.

Mrs. Laoye-Tomori said Aregbesola convened an Education Summit in 2011 to address the problems.

Chairman of the Parents Association Dr. Ademola Ekundayo said the association would support the government to reposition education and encourage teachers and pupils to justify the government’s huge investment in the sector.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

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NEWS

Bamidele free to contest 2014 poll, says Fayemi

Ajimobi dissolves executive council

last Thursday and it is important to state clearly that the governor has no plan to stop Bamidele or anybody from declaring interest in the governorship election.

“It is on record that over 10 aspirants have made public declaration of their interest in the race and none of them was harassed for doing so. If the police have an issue with Bamidele’s approach, the most honourable thing for him to do is to comply with the laid-down procedures, instead of resorting to the blame game and name calling.

“Ekiti remains one of the most peaceful states in the country and the cooperation of all is needed to sustain the peaceful atmosphere and the

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday dissolved the state executive council.

In a statement, Director of the Cabinet Office Dotun Omokemi said the council was dissolved after its meeting.

Ajimobi said there was need to “inject fresh blood into the administration to serve the people better”.

He thanked the commissioners and special advisers for their contributions and asked them to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their ministries.

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said the member representing Irepodun-Ifelodun Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, is free to contest the 2014 governorship election.

In a statement yesterday by his media aide, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi advised that such aspiration should be pursued within the limits of the laws.

He said the country had laws guiding the electoral process.

Fayemi was reacting to last Thursday’s disruption of Bamidele’s rally by the police. He said his administration had no hand in the matter.

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From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

The governor said over 10 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants had declared their interest in the election and none was molested by the government.

He debunked Bamidele’s allegation that the government was behind the disruption of his rally, saying the police was not controlled by the state government.

Fayemi said the police had the responsibility to determine actions and situations that could cause a breach of peace and safeguard the country.

The statement reads: “A lot of misrepresentations have been peddled in the media about the events of

tangible development across the state.”

In an interview, Bamidele said: “I am not intimidated.

In fact, I am more resolved to run this race. It will be a betrayal of Ekiti people on my part if, after their show of solidarity, I withdraw from the race.

“We have passed the stage of contemplating withdrawal from the race. As far as I am concerned, the declaration was perfectly done. I had my own programme, but God had His own. My opponents also used their own programme to further announce me. When you enjoy the favour of God, even your enemies will announce you. I experienced that on

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•Bamidele

Thursday and I give God all the glory.”

Nothing wrong with plea bargaining, says Fashola

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday canvassed the use of plea bargaining to speed up the dispensation of justice.

Fashola spoke at the Lagos Central Mosque during a service marking the beginning of the 2013/2014 Legal Year.

The governor, who was represented by the Attor-

•2013/2014 Legal Year begins

By Adebisi Onanuga and Precious Igbonwelundu

ney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, said plea bargaining was necessary, especially with the congestion of prisons.

Fashola said the judicial system relied on witnesses, rather than forensic evi-

dence.

He said: “Everybody must be involved if the administration of justice will not be delayed. They should comply with new court rules and adhere to e-filing and the digitalisation of the judicial system.”

The governor said about

100 litigants received legal aid from the government in the outgone legal year.

He urged lawyers to offer free services to assist the indigent.

The National Education Secretary, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Prof.

Tajudeen Gbadamosi, urged lawyers not to allow their selfish interests interfere with the dispensation of justice.

From Oseheye Okwuofu,

At the Cathedral Church of Christ, where a simultaneous service was held to mark the year, judges were urged to fight corruption.

The Bishop of Lagos, Rev. Adebayo Akinde, who decried the spate of corruption in the country, urged judges to always discharge their duties with the fear of God. He urged them to always uphold their oath of office and never deprive the poor and vulnerable justice.

Akinde said: “Do not accept bribe in the course of discharging your duties. Be conscious of righteousness and fairness and abide by the ethics of your profession and the oath of office you swore to.

Do your best in your service to the nation and humanity.

Ensure you cross-check all facts before passing verdict and be sure of who you follow while doing your job.

“Have the fear of God at all time because the judiciary remains the only instrument than can be used to put the country on the right path.”

Akinde condemned the insecurity in the country and urged the Federal Government to curb insurgencies.

Ibadan

Osun votes N100m for College From Adesoji Adeniyi,

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Osogbo

HE Osun State government has appropriated N100 million for the upgrading of infrastructure at the state College of Education, IlaOrangun.

Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council Oyeniyi Akande made this known yesterday during the council’s visit to the management.

Akande said the fund was for tarring major roads leading into the institution; reconstruction of culverts and drains in the college; purchasing buses for students and workers, an ambulance for the college clinic and official vehicles for principal officers.

He said the council would supervise the projects.

Akande said the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration was determined to improve quality of teachers’.

He said: “To improve the standard of education, the council has introduced and made the study of Yoruba and entrepreneurial studies compulsory.”

Oru-Ijebu gets ruler, 16 years after

•Sambo (second right), Ajimobi (second left) and Mrs. Adeola (left) with the widow...yesterday.

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ICE-President Namadi Sambo yesterday visited the family of the former Governor of Ondo State, the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, at its Bodija home in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Sambo was accompanied by Governor Abiola Ajimobi; former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala; Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Oloye Jumoke Akinjide and House of Representatives’ Majority Leader Mrs. Mulikat Adeola.

The Vice-President said the late Agagu was “a great man”, who contributed greatly to Nigeria’s growth.

Sambo visits Agagu’s widow •’We’ve lost a patriot’ From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Sambo said: “On behalf of the government and the good people of Nigeria, I condole with the family. We have lost a great man and patriot; somebody who contributed immensely towards the development of this country. We will continue to pray that the Almighty God grant him eter-

nal rest and gives his family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

The Vice-President also visited the Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, at his Monatan Palace.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Isaac Adewole, who was also at the late Agagu’s home, described the deceased as a gem.

He said: “We have lost a gem, an icon and a great leader, teacher, researcher and statesman. May God keep all that he left behind well.”

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RINCE Rasaki Olufemi AdebanjoAjayi was yesterday installed as the traditional ruler of Oru in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The community has been without a monarch for 16 years. Oba Adebanjo-Ajayi succeeded Oba Anthony Ogunsola, who joined his ancestors in June, 1997.

Presenting the staff and certificate of office to the m ona r c h, G ov er nor Ibikunle Amosun urged him to treat his subjects fairly.

Amosun said: “I am happy that the verdict of the liti-

Reappoint Ondo NDDC representative, students urge Jonathan

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HREE students’ bodies have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to re-appoint the member representing Ondo State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dele Omogbemi.

The National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and National Asso-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ciation of Ilaje Students (NAIS) said Omogbemi had given his best.

NANS National Financial Secretary Timileyin Ayenuro urged the President to reappoint Omogbemi because of his “laudable achievements”.

Ayenuro said Omogbemi represented the state well in the last three years and

should be recommended for reappointment.

He praised the NDDC for its activities in the oil-producing areas, saying the commission had executed life-changing projects in Ilaje local government and other areas.

Ayenuro said: “We expect that the interest of the oilproducing communities and that of the state should be

paramount to our people.

Our people should not allow their individual interest to override the collective interest of the state.

“We recommend that Omogbemi be reappointed because he has performed very well. As students, we should not be involved in this, but we deemed it fit to endorse this man because he means well for the people of the oil-pro-

ducing communities.

“We know that anybody from the oil communities with the required pedigree has the right to vie for the position, irrespective of whether he/she had served on the board in the past or not, provided such person is credibile. We should avoid blackmailing ourselves when it comes to competition for positions.”

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

gation from the High Court to the Court of Appeal gave the Kabiyesi a right to the Oloru of Oru stool. By this appointment, you have become a member of the Ijebu Traditional council and the Ogun State Council of Obas.”

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo, urged the monarch to improve the community, protect his people’s interests and promote their culture.

Oba Adebanjo-Ajayi hailed the kingmakers for electing him and urged those who contested the office with him to support him.

He sa i d onl y G od or dains a king, blesses him and grants him the power and wisdom to lead his people.

The monarch urged the government to upgrade the Police Station in the town and rebuild the road to the Oru Refugee Camp.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

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CITYBEATS

33-year old jailed for defiling girl AN Ovia North-East Area Customary Court sitting at Okada, Edo State, has sentenced a 33-years-old, Stephen Abel to a seven-year imprisonment for defiling an eight-year-old girl.

The prosecutor, Abdul Abdulrashéd, told the court that the convict committed the act on May 15 at Utesse

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

village. The convict pleaded guilty to the one-count charge.

The court president, Imade Afolayan, said the court had no option but to sentence Abel based on his plea of guilt.

Council chief loses aide

By Emannuel Oladesu

COMRADE Livinus Ede, the Legislative Assistant and Private Secretary to the Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government of Lagos State, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, died yesterday.

He was 53. He is survived by a wife and three children.

Ede was the Confidential Secretary to the late RansomeKuti, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti. While with the late Beko, he was said to be diligent, dependable, and dedicated to the cause of humanity.

Adewale described Ede’s death as an irreparable loss. "I have lost one of my best hands and I pray God in his infinite mercy to grant him eternal rest," he said.

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Drama as accused goes wild in court

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N accused went wild at a Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, yesterday, breaking windows as he resisted moves to return him to prison custody.

Sunny Mac-Peters (28), vowed not to return to prison if his trial was not concluded.

He went wild after Senior Magistrate Grace Adebayo adjourned the case in which he is standing trial for allegedly being a member of a robbery gang.

Mac-Peters, described as a businessman from Kuchingoro village in Abuja, battled with five prison warders and three policemen, who tried to

•’No, I won’t go back to prison’ ‘He broke the windows of the court room while trying to resist attempts by warders to return him to prison’ force him out of the court.

When he was dragged out, he refused to board the prison van that brought him to court, shouting: "I have been in prison custody for over three months because

the case has been lingering for long and the police have failed to come up with the evidence to continue the case. I am a businessman and was in my cashew plantation when the police came and arrested me; I am innocent."

The accused was first arraigned on June 20, over allegation of belonging to a gang of thieves, thus contravening Section 306 of the Penal Code.

On his first arraignment, the police prosecutor, Jeremiah Elijah, an Inspector, said that on June 18, at about 10.15 p.m, a team of policemen attached to the

Divisional Police Headquarters, Lugbe, arrested the accused person.

He said the accused was arrested in a cashew plantation in Kuchingoro village after holding a meeting with the gang, where they planned to carry out criminal activities. Elijah added that when the accused was questioned, he was unable to give a satisfactory account of himself.

NAN gathered that the accused was granted bail on his first arraignment but was unable to meet the bail conditions, which included producing a traditional ruler as surety and N500, 000 bail bonds, among others.

Yewa South to fight filth, insecurity TO ensure enhanced security and healthier environment, the Legislative Council of the Yewa South Local Government, Ogun State, has enacted two new bye laws.

First is a law to provide for the establishment of an Environmental Sanitation Task Force for the Local Government Area. The other seeks to empower the council to manufacture and sell branded identification jackets to all commercial motorcycle riders within its domain.

A statement, the leader of the Legislative Council, Sheriff Bankole, said: "Both bye-laws are very important and necessary at this time. The jacket will help protect the people from criminals who pretend to be commercial bike riders."

The council's Chairman, Safiu Abiodun Odebiyi, praised the legislators, saying that it was the first time bye-laws were made in the Local Government to address specific social problems.

Odebiyi said the establishment of task force and sale of branded identification jackets to commercial motorcycle riders will further strengthen security in the area and help ensure cleaner environment.

He promised to ensure strict enforcement of both laws.

King’s College old boys celebrate

By Musa Odoshimokhe

THE President of King's College Old Boys' Association (KCOBA), Mr Hakeem Belo-Osagie, has urged its members to contribute to the development of the country.

Speaking during the 2013 Annual Dinner held to mark the 104th anniversary of the college, he said: "Three-decade economic stagnation has been a motivating factor in the exodus of kingsmen to more clement climes. And sheer ability with the strong foundation laid in their formative years at King's College made them to thrive."

He stressed that those who passed through the colleges have made impressive progress within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

"A case in point is Chinedu Echeruo, an old boy who sold his company, HopStop.com, to Apple Inc. He was recently named Black Enterprise Magazine's Small Business Innovator of the Year.

He explained that the association had reached out to its members in the Diaspora to renew their link with their Alma Mater with a view to contributing their own quota to the socio-political and economic wellbeing of Nigeria.

The association's president noted that KCOBA was planning similar event for its members in the United States of America, saying: "We recently got application for branch recognition from the Old Boys in Kaduna; this will help the spread of our branch network."

The association's secretary, Lucky Idike Jnr, who echoed Belo-Osagie, added: "Our members have made huge contributions to public service; some of them have served as governors and are still serving in similar capacity. Through this gathering, our members interact to know how we can help our country out of its challenges and reward excellence."

Church plans prayer for Nigeria ON October 1, worshippers will raise their voices in fervent prayers to God to end Nigeria's woes at the Evergreen Christian Church of God, Obanikoro, Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

This was disclosed to The Nation yesterday by the church's Pastor, Philip Babalola, who said the prayer session, which is a yearly event in the church, would last hours.

"What is happening in our country today should be of great concern to all religious bodies that are conscious of the crux of their existence.

People have given themselves to materialism without let or hindrance.

Values which were hitherto held inviolate and sacred

have broken down and the society is the worst for it.

"It is time we all realised that this world is a temporary place, which is why people must be encouraged to work towards making heaven through pious living. On October 1, we will gather to praise God for His grace despite the problems besetting our nation and pray to Him to do more to get out of the shackles," Babalola said.

The lawyer-turned-cleric urged leaders at all levels of governance in the country, including other religious leaders and the entire populace to set out the day to seek God's face through prayers.

•Pupils of Eko-Akete High School, Campus Area, Lagos Island being addressed by a teacher on their resumption after the long holiday ... yesterday PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

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Seven held for hijacking trucks

HE Oyo State multiunit security outfit, Operation Burst, has recovered a Renault truck loaded with cartons of milk worth N20 million from suspected hijackers.

The outfit's commander, Brig-Gen Laz Ilo, while parading the suspects at the team’s headquarters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday, said last Thursday around 9pm, the truck marked Lagos KRD 343 XD, loaded with 40-foot containers of milk, was hijacked at gun point at Mowe on the LagosIbadan Expressway by four gunmen.

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From Tayo Johnson and Diamond Adebowale, Ibadan

He said: "The driver and his assistant were pushed down elsewhere. But with the aid of the company's tracking equipment, the truck was tracked and was discovered to be heading towards Ibadan.

They tracked the movement of the truck until it branched into a compound at Sharp Corner, NTC Road, Ibadan, where the culprits started offloading the goods.

"The owner company contacted a special antirobbery squad established by the Chief of Army Staff that

‘They (suspects) will be prosecuted.

This is another statement of warning that this state is a no-go area for criminals monitors most of the highways in the country, including the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

The outfit contacted Operation Burst and they jointly located the truck.

Already, 90 per cent of the products had been offloaded.

So, we made seven arrests,

including Yemi Ajayi, a prime suspect."

Ilo added: "We recovered 700 cartons of Peak Milk worth about N20 million and about 140 bags of rice and 62 gallons of paints from the warehouse.

All the items and two mini trucks used to offload the goods were all recovered. The key suspect, who later confessed that the goods were stolen by a man Alhaji Falilat, and the other suspects, will be prosecuted according to the law. They will be handed over to the police. This is another statement of warning that this state is a no-go area for criminals."

Praises as senator lights up community

ESIDENTS of Igbogbo in Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, have praised Senator Gbenga Ashafa for lighting up their community.

The lawmaker erected solar street lamps across the community to help guards fight crimes at night.

At the handing over ceremony yesterday, residents said it was the first time a federal lawmaker has initiated such a project in the community.

The short ceremony was attended by chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area, including former Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun and Hon Nosimat Akinsola, who represents the community in

By Wale Ajetunmobi

the Lagos House of Assembly.

Basorun said the project was special to the residents because it was the first time a federal lawmaker would complement the efforts of the community leaders to light up dark spots to prevent crime.

Ashafa, who stressed that street lamps play vital role in

securing any community, said the project was requested by the people. He said he immediately mobilised a contractor to erect the solar lights when he got the request because he saw the need to improve security in the senatorial district, adding that the light would also increase commercial activities in community at night.

The lawmaker added that similar project was already in progress in Shomolu, adding that several other community projects such as boreholes, ambulance points, block of classrooms and transformers among others were being donated for the use of residents in across the five local governments and 11 LCDAs in his senatorial district.

Two brothers held for alleged murder

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HE police in Lagos have charged two borthers before an Igbosere Magistrate's Court in Lagos for alleged murder.

Nurudeen Dada, 38 and Wasiu Dada, 41, allegedly murdered 32-year old Quadri Busari in a church at the IsheriOke area of the state.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

They are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder punishable under Sections 231 and 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos.

It was alleged that the defendants, while armed with sticks and knife on August 3,

at about 6pm, assaulted Busari to death.

Presiding Magistrate A. Tobi remanded the defendants in prison custody and ordered that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice. She adjourned the case pending the advice.

BUSINESS

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

We’ll protest, NPA retirees warn

11 Risk management could entail avoiding the risk completely, reducing the negative impact of the risk through risk mitigation actions, transfering or sharing the risks with other parties and retaining the risk; ie, accepting some or all the consequences of the risk and budgeting for it.

- Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, CBN Governor

Customs’ boss raises alarm over duty From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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From Precious Dikewoha,

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Port Harcourt

ETIREES of the Nige rian Ports Authority(NPA), 2006/2007 are set for a mass protest over their monthly unpaid pension and outstanding benefits.

The retirees said the planned protest would be carried out simultaneously in five ports including Onne, Warri, Calabar, Apapa and Trincan.

The National Chairman of 2006/2007 retired staff of NPA, Charles Ayo Binitie, said there is no going back on the planned protest in the various ports if the management of NPA fail to address their issue before them.

Binitie said the one week ultimatum letter and plan for protest in the specified ports has been communicated to the appropriate authorities, including the General Managers of the above mentioned ports.

“We wish to reiterate that we are entitled to our pension for life because we fall within the old pension scheme, especially as the Federal government circular of 3rd August, 2009 clearly directs on our issues.

“We are demanding the 10 per cent gratuity and pension as compensation for premature retirement. We are also demanding for one year salary as compensation for those disengaged employee who did not complete the minimum qualifying period for gratuity and pension,” he said.

The chairman said they are also asking for the payment of repatriation allowance as was done in the case of 2008 disengaged employees.

•The Briggs family, winners of the Maltina Dance All Season Seven grand finale Family Dance Reality Show, receiving a cheque and car from the Human Resources Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Victor Famuyibo (right)...in Lagos. With them is Corporate Affairs Adviser, Kufre Ekanem (left).

SEC, AMCON at war over N20b fees

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BILL to amend some sections of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) by the Hon. Jones Onyeriereheaded House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency, sparked legal fireworks between AMCON and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in Abuja.

Yesterday’s public hearing on the bill brought conflicting positions canvassed by both parties.

Onyeriere, said the key

• Reps task CBN on interest rates From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi. abuja

component of the amendment bill relates to the setting up of a Sinking Fund or Resolution Cost Fund. “ It basically obligates banks to contribute annually, an amount equivalent to 50 basis points of their total assets to the Fund and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to contribute N50 Billion to

the Fund.”

He said the obligations arising from the proposed amendments have already been agreed to and embodied in a written agreement between apex bank and the commercial banks. “What this bill therefore seeks to do is to codify the obligations of both the CBN and the banks and to give the previous agreement between parties the force of law.”

Subsidy payments decline from N2.2tr to N971b

• Ministry pays N46.7b claims

• N287.3b paid so far in 2013

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8.7% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $46.8b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

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HE Federal Govern ment has reduced pub lic spending on oil subsidy payments from N2.2 trillion in 2012 to N971 billion last year.

This represents a reduction of over N1.2 trillion, or 56 per cent, a statement has said.

Issued by the Special Adviser to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance said, Paul C Nwabuikwu, it said in 2011, “there was a huge public outcry. This administration hired

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

new auditors and put in place different checks and balances.

As a result, last year, we brought subsidy payment down to about N950 billion, and we expect that this year, we will pay about N971 billion, this is a huge achievement for which the Jonathan Administration deserves some credit, something that should make Nigerians proud of their government.”

Also, in furtherance of the

administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of fuel subsidy payments, the Federal Ministry of Finance said it has released the sum of N46,764,191,448.16 as latest payment to oil marketers whose claims have successfully gone through the verification process.

This means that, so far in 2013, a total of N287,351,770,696.16 has been paid in verified claims to verified marketers.

The CBN, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Chartered Institute of Bankers and all the banks in attendance, including Keystone Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Heritage Bank. aligned with the position of the House to amend sections 2, 16(5), 34(1)(2), 35, 46(2) 48, 60, 61 and 62 of the AMCON Act of 2010, But the Securities and Exchange Commission said it was not comfortable with the request of AMCON for an exemption from paying regulatory fees to it.

The legal Adviser to AMCON, Muyiwa Balogun, told the Committee that complying with section 309 of the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) means registering and paying huge fees.

The fees, according to the lawyer, would be over N20 billion. Besides, he posited that the red tapes of such regulation would hamper its activities, which he argued are in the interest of Nigeria. He said organisations such as the AMCON should be exempted from the law.

HE Comptroller-Gen eral of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi, yesterday described as unacceptable a situation where Operators of the Nation’s Free Trade Zones (FTZs) arm twist and circumvent the laws of the land, using FTZ as a smokescreen for smuggling and evasion of duty payment.

According to a statement made available to The Nation by the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joseph Attah, Dikko said the FTZ was to encourage local production and boost national economy that Federal Government restricted or bound the importation of goods such as textile, rice and soaps e.t.c.

In the case of rice, the increase on duty rate to 100% and levy and restriction of its importation to only through the sea ports by Government was aimed at encouraging local production.

The CGC lamented that while a sustained clamp down on rice smugglers at land borders is on-going, some FTZ traders are importing rice, motor batteries, wine, textile e.t.c. under the guise of FTZ without payment of duty only to smuggle same into the country and make astronomical profit to the detriment of the nation.

He said that his earlier directive for stricter measures was aimed at sanitizing the process especially to ensure that nobody hide under loose process to import things that might be of security consequences.

While reminding such traders that the law setting up FTZ does not exempt them from paying duty on items that will be brought into the Customs territory (into Nigeria for home consumption). The CGC directed that all such traders should ensure that they pay all appropriate duty within two weeks or the service will be left with no other option than to invoke the law.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

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BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1.

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

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LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

Abuja

vive those that can be resuscitated.

“We have identified clusters in six zones in Nigeria to be upgraded to world-class leather clusters over the next 18 months. They include locations in Kano, Kaduna and Aba, among others,” he said, adding that the Kano Leather Cluster is already one of the most important in West Africa as it sources lots of hides and skin from outside Nigeria to meet its demand.

Aganga said the Federal Government would provide the requisite infrastructure to support the growth and development of the leather clusters across the country, as part of the Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution Plan.

He said the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and Small and Medium Enterprises are already working with the Kano State Government on the Kano

Leather Clusters. “We want to make the Kano Clusters, which is located in our Free Trade Zone, one of the leading Leather Clusters in the world. We will provide the requisite infrastructure for the six identified clusters like the Common Facility Centres. CFC in Aba is already in place. We will complete the one in Kano as well as other locations.

The Minister said NEDEP is working with a number of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to formalise their operations. Nigeria is one of the largest exporters of finished leather products to West Africa.

However, this is mostly through informal channels. We must formalise this to allow the government better channel its incentives.”

He stressed that the Federal Government was committed to providing an enabling business environment by reducing the cost of doing business in order to grow the sec-

09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

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08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

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LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 08.00 18.00

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

tor and make it globally competitive.

Furthermore, we have developed the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan through which we aim to increase the Nigerian manufacturing sector’s revenue by US$20 billion over the next five years. Under the NIRP, Leather and Leather Products fit within the strategic sectors under the Agro allied and Agro processing group. Our target is to double revenue from Tanneries and Leather-related manufacturing within the next 3 years.

Shell declares force majeure on Bonny Light • 150,000 bpd shut in

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HELL Petroleum Develop ment Company (SPDC) has declared force majeure on Bonny Light exports and gas supply to Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

The force majeure, which took effect yesterday, is as a result of shut down of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), for repair of new crude oil theft leaks at Bodo West and Oloma, Shell’s spokesman Precious Okolobo said in a statement to The Nation.

He said some 150,000 barrels of oil and 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day are deferred.

“The TNP has been repeatedly targeted and closed down five times since early July due to multiple leaks from crude theft connections.

“SPDC is working to repair and reopen the line as soon as possible,” the company said.

Roundtable on exploration, oil theft today

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LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

From Franca Ochigbo,

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HE Federal Government is planning to revive moribund leather tanneries across the country. The Kano, Kaduna and Aba tanneries are to be upgraded to world class standard.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga broke the news to stakeholders in the leather sub-sector in Abuja. He said the government would carry out an audit of all moribund tanneries with a view to re-tooling and reviving viable ones.

He said: “Of all the 36 tanneries in the country, only six accounts for the bulk of our export. I have therefore directed the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) through the National Enterprise Development Programme, to audit all tanneries in Nigeria and work with the owners to re-tool and re-

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 17.10 18.30 14. Arik

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Fed Govt to revive moribund leather tanneries

• From left: Member, Elite Business Africa Network, Mr. Joe Dudun, Dean, School of Media & Communication, Pan-Atlantic University Lagos, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo, member, Elite Business Africa Network, Mr. Uchenna Achunine, the founder, Elite Business Africa Network, Mr. Nwafor Saint Obi, during the press conference to announce the forthcoming Nigeria Elite Business Award (NEBA) organised by the Elite Business Africa Network, in Lagos.

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Chinese firm begins construction of new terminal at MMIA

HINESE Civil Engineering Construction Company ( CCECC) yesterday mobilised to site at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos to begin construction work on the new ultra-modern international terminal.

The commencement of preliminary work by the firm is part of the agreement the Federal Government signed with the Chinese Government for the development of five ultra-modern international airport terminals in major cities, including Abuja, Port Harcourt , Kano and Enugu.

General Manager, Corporate Communication, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), Yakubu Dati, who confirmed the development, said the Chinese firm has started prelimi-

• AIC alleges impunity by FAAN

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

nary work, namely, soil tests and site mapping, adding that this was a follow up to the project that started in Enugu on May 18, this year.

He said on completion, the new terminal would enhance the chances of the airport becoming the major hub in West Africa.

The MMIA project is the second of the five projects in which work has started. The Enugu project was the first and its foundation laying ceremony was performed by President Jonathan on May 18, the same day that the remodelled terminal of Akanu Ibiam

International Airport, Enugu, was also inaugurated.

On completion, the new terminal at MMA would enhance the chances of the airport becoming the major hub in the West African Air Transport Region.

Meanwhile, AIC Limited has kicked over the construction, alleging that FAAN colluded with the Chinese firm. It described the take over of the land for its proposed hotel as an impunity.

AIC Limited’s Director, Mr Niyi Akande, said FAAN, violated its lease agreement by granting access to the Chinese firm to get into its site, adding that FAAN had violated the court order which directed that parties to the disputed land to await further decisions.

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S of June 2013, oil theft in the Niger Delta had reached 400,000 barrels per day, more than the national production of many oil-producing countries.

The huge revenues flowing from the illegal trade has emboldened international syndicates with wellorganised supply and distribution networks, which push the exploration and production (E&P) operators to the wall.

While the IOCs are bleeding heavily and may soon reach the limit of their tolerance of the situation, many of the small independent producers have been knocked out completely with some not producing a drop of oil for a long time.

Recent estimates showed that as much as 20 per cent of the production of the independents goes to the oil thieves, an intolerable level of losses for them, given the high cost of borrowing for them.

Nigeria also had always added to its oil reserves from the first commercial discovery in 1956 up to 2012, when it experienced a decline for the first time. This followed years of no new seismic surveys whether speculative or commissioned, with very little or no investment at all in this area for the five years preceding 2012.

National Assembly panel lists qualifications for PENCOM DG

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HE National Assembly joint Committee on review of the Pension Act, has outlined qualifications the would-be Director-General of the National Pension Commission is expected to possess.

The DG’s position is currently occupied by Mrs. Chinelo AnohuAmazu in an acting capacity.

The Presidency had proposed 15year experience as part of the requirements for any aspiring DG in the amendment bill already being considered by the National Assembly.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst. Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Aloyius Etok, yesterday said his Committee was likely to consider a further reduction in the proposed years of experience to accommodate persons of good character and experience in pension management.

“I will be the last person to consider somebody without experience in pension to head PENCOM, even if the executive send your name, I will not consider that person. We are talk-

ing about cognate experience in character and track records,” Etok vowed.

He insisted that his panel would recommend persons with less than 10 years cognate experience to head the commission, especially if such persons have good track records and expertise to deliver on the job.

He said, age and post qualification experience should not be the major consideration in the choice of DG of the PENCOM. The lawmaker said that the panel will insist on “merit and efficiency rather than choose a person with 25

years post qualification or experience and who may have served in any of the failed institutions in the past.”

For him, “since pension management in the country is less than nine years, it will be difficult to get any body with 15 years cognate experience in pension matter for the job.”

He said, “Nobody will have 15 years cognate experience in pension management in Nigeria, and those who claimed to have experience are those who may be under employed for the said years and such persons will count it as years of experience.

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

People’s confab

•Senate’s support for a national conference is welcome, but it must be held in accordance with the People’s Will

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HE conditional support given by Senate President David Mark to the call for a national conference where the Nigerian people would come together to review the state of the union and come up with a Peoples Constitution is welcome. Coming so soon after Senator Mark had dismissed the demand at the National Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Calabar, it is an indication that the ruling elite may be getting converted to the view that the fundamental problems of the country could no longer be swept under the carpet. They need to be discussed frankly in a conference where the basic working conditions of the country could be revisited.

President Goodluck Jonathan had toed the same line while receiving a delega-

‘It is time to review the development of Nigeria with a view to removing the factors that have impeded growth. A Sovereign National Conference has become inevitable. It is not subject to the whims of those who are adept at exploiting the subsisting system to their advantage. The Nigerian people deserve the best and should not be held down by a phantom belief that such a conference could lead to the country’s disintegration’

tion of The Patriots who had consistently canvassed the option. He said the issue was being discussed within government and identified how to get the National Assembly to accommodate the call as the major obstacle.

However, while we welcome the shift in the position of the heads of the Legislature and the Executive arm of government, it is our view that they are not in a position to dictate the powers to be conferred on the conference. We are miffed by the insistence of Senator Mark that the conference cannot be ‘sovereign’ since there is a sovereign government in place and the 1999 Constitution has vested all lawmaking power in the Legislature.

This is a rehash of the position canvassed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, that sovereignty resided in his government and he was unwilling to cede any portion of it to an ad hoc body. This could only have stemmed from a poor understanding of the working of democracy. Under the system, power is derived from the people. It is in realisation of this that the constitution lied in its preamble that “We, the people give ourselves this constitution.” It was neither subjected to a national debate where all legitimate constituent groups were invited, nor was it submitted to a national referendum for approval.

It is in this light that we associate with the popular demand for a national conference with full constituent power. Sovereignty belongs to the Nigerian people and what government enjoys is delegated authority. This point has been eloquently made by eminent constitutional lawyers, including Professor Ben Nwabueze who leads The Patriots.

The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi made the point in 2000 when he said: “The primary duty of the Sovereign National Conference is to address and find solutions to the key problems afflicting Nigeria since 1914 to date. The concern is to remove all obstacles which have prevented the country from establishing political justice, economic justice, social justice, cultural justice, religious justice, and to construct a new constitutional framework in terms of the system of government - structurally, politically, economically, socially, culturally and religiously.” This is an unassailable submission.

The basis of the Nigerian union agreed by leaders of the various component regions just before independence was a federation where the federating units retained a large measure of autonomy. Each of the three regions complemented the federal constitution with its separate constitution that spelt out how it wished to be run within the powers conferred on it by the negotiated federal constitution.

The incursion of the military to the political arena scuttled the federal structure and sowed the seeds of structural distortions and imperfection that have become the source of the perennial tension and instability in the land.

It is time to review the development of Nigeria with a view to removing the factors that have impeded growth. A Sovereign National Conference has become inevitable. It is not subject to the whims of those who are adept at exploiting the subsisting system to their advantage. The Nigerian people deserve the best and should not be held down by a phantom belief that such a conference could lead to the country’s disintegration.

Jonathan on corruption

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• Contrary to the President’s view, Nigerians are not to blame for the cankerworm

UT for the fact that the statement to the effect that Nigerians are to blame for the high wave of corruption in the country has not been denied days after the media reports, we would have thought that President Goodluck Jonathan was either misquoted or that he was not the one who made the claim.

Speaking while declaring open the 54th annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Society in Abuja on September 17, the President lamented that despite the institutional reforms aimed at fighting corruption in Nigeria, Nigerians kept encouraging graft through their actions.

According to President Jonathan, “I want a society where all of us will frown upon people who come up with what they are not supposed to have. (If) a young man who just started a job and within six months or a year comes up with a car of N7m to N15m and you clap for him, then you are rewarding corruption.

“So, for us as a nation to bring corruption down, it is not just blaming government or blaming the police. but all individuals must frown upon people who have what they are not supposed to have; who live in houses they are not supposed to live in; who drive cars they are not supposed to drive and who wear expensive suits they are not supposed to wear. And until Nigerians are able to do this, I don’t think we will get to where we want to go.”

We disagree with the President that corruption thrives in the country necessarily because Nigerians encourage it. Even in some instances where Nigerian have

blown the whistle, government and its agencies responsible to act have merely looked the other way. For instance, Nigerians have been clamouring for the removal of the petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke since the fuel subsidy racket broke in January last year. Many people are still wondering how such monumental fraud could take place in a ministry and the minister in charge would still sit pretty in office.

A few weeks ago, the same minister was accused of hiring private jets with about two billion naira in just two years. Yet, she was not affected by the cabinet reshuffle carried out by the President on September 11. Isn’t this corruption? And if it isn’t, what then is it? Is this a way by which Nigerians encourage corruption?

Even the President who is accusing the people of aiding and abetting corruption has refused to publicly declare his assets.

How does this help the cause of transparency? And how many people want to take the risk of exposing corruption in a country where such information may not be treated with the utmost confidentiality that it deserves? Can the police keep such secrets secret?

Even the government accusing Nigerians of abetting corruption is by far guiltier. Look at its list of heroes: Diepreye Alamieyeseigha that received presidential pardon despite the monumental fraud he committed against the people of Bayelsa State; in the same vein, the late General Sani Abacha’s son, Mohammed, has found solace in the president’s political party. When all these are happening,

why won’t former Governor James Ibori’s people too celebrate their own despite being in jail abroad?

President Jonathan should realise that human beings will always be human beings, irrespective of their colour or creed.

Corruption is pervasive in Nigeria not necessarily because Nigerians encourage it; but because successive governments have not summoned the courage to deal with it frontally. When the government takes the lead, and Nigerians see a genuine intention on its part to fight corruption, they will always fall into line.

Moreover, the government has to focus on the basic things of ensuring people have jobs to do, to keep them away from idleness. So, the ball is back in the President’s court.

‘President Jonathan should realise that human beings will always be human beings, irrespective of their colour or creed. Corruption is pervasive in Nigeria not necessarily because Nigerians encourage it; but because successive governments have not summoned the courage to deal with it frontally. When the government takes the lead, and Nigerians see a genuine intention on its part to fight corruption, they will always fall into line’

Carnage in Kenya – Attacks strike at the heart of Nairobi’s urban renaissance

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HE gruesome attack on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall, which has claimed the lives of at least 59 people, has struck at the cosmopolitan heart of Kenya’s urban renaissance. The mall is a melting pot of elite Kenyans and expatriates – western and Asian – whose convergence is driving a boom in consumption and commerce, as well as an upsurge in innovation.

The al-Qaeda linked extremists from Somalia who are claiming responsibility have calculated carefully to inflict maximum damage. The timing of the attack, the worst perpetrated by terrorists in Kenya since the 1998 US embassy bombings, seems designed to undermine optimism about the economy – which hinges partly on Kenya’s status as a hub for tourism and trade.

The risk has always been that Islamist extremists from, or linked to, Somalia would hit back at soft targets in the region when squeezed by military pressure at home. This is especially the case since Kenya’s army rolled into Somalia two years ago as part of regional efforts to quash the militants and help re-establish some semblance of a Somali state. Uganda experienced a similar horror in 2010.

This will do nothing to weaken the resolve of the Kenyan authorities to consolidate military control of border territory inside Somalia, and to root out extremist groups within Kenya itself. But the attacks provide a reminder of how hard it is to confront the threat. Islamist extremism in Africa from Kenya across to Mali and Nigeria is resilient in the face of conventional armies. The battle against it will be long.

This is a time for the world to stand behind Kenya and offer assistance to prevent repeat attacks. The circumstances are difficult, however. Western governments are already navigating uncharted diplomatic waters in their dealings with President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is due to stand trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague next month for his alleged role in marshalling death squads following flawed 2008 polls.

Mr Kenyatta, who lost relatives in the attack, cut an assured figure at the weekend.

In a rare show of solidarity, fellow politicians closed ranks. This seems sure to provide further ammunition to those in Kenya who are hostile to the prospect of a sitting head of state standing trial abroad.

And it poses another challenge to those seeking to balance the sometimes conflicting imperatives of international justice and security.

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

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Recently, the Senate voted unanimously to excise minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list in the 1999 Constitution currently undergoing amendment. The idea is to allow states to determine the wages to be paid their workers. Some observers have described the move as antipeople, discriminatory and tantamount to depriving workers of fair and just remuneration.

Already, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association have all flayed the decision of the Senate.

Since its passage into law in 2011, the N18,000 National Minimum Wage Act (as amended), has been a source of controversy that has pitted public workers against state governments culminating into several industrial unrest and strife. The position of the governors is that they should be allowed to dictate what they can pay their workers based on perceived disparity in the federation allocation. Apart from state governors, antagonists of the national minimum wage are of the opinion that as the cost of living varies in many parts of the country, there should not be any basis for uniform pay for workers.

Going by the situation on ground and what operates in other progressive climes, what should really be useful is for each level of govern-

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On the minimum wage debate ment to work out how much it is willing and capable of paying its workers based on revenue reality and priorities.

This could largely be responsible for why the senators have been accused of yielding to pressure from the governors in kicking against the centralised minimum wage regime as well as the much debated local government autonomy.

Ordinarily, wages are supposed to be dynamic and not static. They should normally adjust to realities of the day based on price indices and inflationary levels while the power of negotiation by unions and responsiveness of bipartite and tri-

partite machineries are meant to stimulate wage adjustments including reviews and adjustments to take care of such vagaries.

Sadly, both bipartite and tripartite structures are almost non-existent due to politicisation, mutual suspicion and inability of government and labour to work harmoniously together with the attendant breakdown of collective bargaining and grievanc- handling mechanisms.

For this reason and for the fact that government have often reneged in honouring agreements it has voluntarily signed, the NLC is seriously worried that this wage

amendment “will unnecessarily expose Nigerian workers, especially, those in the low-income bracket, with grave implications for security, productivity and national well-being, as most state governments if given the latitude, will pay wages as low as N1,000 per month in spite of the relatively enormous resources available to them”.

Perhaps, with the exception of Rivers, Lagos and and Akwa-Ibom states, whose internally generated revenue runs into billions of naira, it is saddening to note that the internally generated revenue of most states in Nigeria is meagre and is hardly enough to meet their recur-

IR: I have observed with keen interest the recent political development in the Pacesetter State of Oyo and I am not happy with the larger-than-life posturing of a former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

The former governor has been going round the state campaigning

for his 2015 governorship, under the platform of his Accord Party.

Anywhere he goes, he makes frantic efforts at discrediting all the developmental strides of the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

His character and conduct have shown him as an agent of

destabilization and destruction, rather than a statesman which he ought to be. He has allowed his inordinate ambition to becloud his sense of reasoning, thus carrying himself as someone who is above the law.

I therefore, want to call on the Oyo State Commissioner of Police,

remember thinking later that night - why was I cheering for the black fighter over the white one - even when I did not know their names.

The lesson I learned that day was that as human beings, our world view is not devoid of race, ethnicity and historical experiences. There is a “default” codification in our DNA that gravitates to racial proclivities - to deny it will be outright dishonest.

Do we really think that almost 100 percent (actually 95 per cent) of African Americans who voted for Barack Obama in the last presidential elections did it because they loved his policies so much? When

you heard Newt Gingrich repeating the disdainful mantra of “food stamp president” (in reference to Obama), did you think it was all politics?

This brings me to the just concluded - Zimmerman v Martin case in the US. It would be an extreme case of ignorance to suggest that race was not a major factor in this case from all sides.

I hear many in the African American community state that this was all about the pursuit of justice for Trayvon. Again, I dare say that to stake that claim would be dishonest. It is not all about justice. Race is a big part of this case and other cases before and many after this.

I have heard many suggest the possibility of post-racialism, where we view things completely outside the purview of black or white. That, in my humble opinion, is mythical, virtually impossible. It is reality to see life in terms of colour, race, culture, experiences, and even religion.

It is only when we become “ugly” about it that we stoop to sub-human standards.

It is okay to have a default expression or interpretation based on racial lens. To deny it or to act in a toga or groundswell of hate is putrid, debilitating and dishonest.

• Obuko Uwanogho, Houston, Texas, USA

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• Adewale Kupoluyi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Oyo Police should call Ladoja to order

The myth of post-racialism

IR: In the mid1990s, my brother-in-law (at the time) and I had a Saturday ritual of watching boxing matches. We enjoyed the adrenal slugfest in all its perpetuity. Watching the fiery exchanges between combatants was just refreshing.

I remember one of those Saturday evenings when we came home late to catch what was left of one of those fights. We watched and cheered loudly as two fighters did battle, going toe-to-toe. I remember how badly we both wanted the black fighter to pummel the white fighter to an embarrassing loss. Although the white chap lost the fight but I

rent and capital expenditures.

Infact, most states are dependent solely on the federal government’s statutory allocation.

Therefore, it portends danger in a federal system for all the states to be forced to implement the same minimum wage and unless the present fiscal arrangement is revisited, it will be difficult for many states to pay workers an acceptable minimum wage which would enhance their status and living conditions.

It is regrettable that many public pronouncements, programmes and policies - though well intended often fail due to the man-made challenges of sheer politics, insincerity, corruption, poor design and implementation. That is why the idea of decentralising of minimum wage in Nigeria is difficult to embrace.

Alhaji Mohammed Ndabawa, to call Senator Ladoja to order. Everybody knows that the electioneering campaign for the 2015 election has not started, according to the Electoral Act. Why then is Ladoja creating unnecessary tension in Oyo State through his campaign?

The people of Oyo State will not fold their arms and watch Ladoja visit the state with violence, thuggery and brigandage again as witnessed during his reign as governor. We are not ready and prepared to substitute anything for the peace and tranquillity that we are currently enjoying in the state since the commencement of the Senator Abiola Ajimobi administration.

There is no doubt that safety, peace and security have served as the bases for the unprecedented transformation currently taking place in Oyo State. We, therefore, do not need Ladoja and his ilk to rock the boat. He should be reined in before he sets our dear state on fire again.

• Nureni Akanmu, Idi-Ose, Ibadan, Oyo State.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

COMMENTS

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HE on-going Academic Staff Unwould she be so proud of her ion of Universities (ASUU) strike, American training? And is it already in its third month, has taboo for Nigeria to invest in its; so that its future graduates come with grand ironies. too would be a toast of the These ironies are grand enough to world, as America’s is today? evoke that famous personal rebuke from But that is the point! Mrs the straight-as-pin Parson, among wideOkonjo-Iweala would rather and-merry co-pilgrims to St Thomas count the beans and declare Becket shrine at Canterbury, England, “economic growth”, while loin Geoffery Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales: Olakunle cal development indices roll “If gold rusts, what would iron do?” lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola back by the second. It is tribute The Tales of Chaucer (c. 1343-1400) was to fuzzy thinking in high quara biting sarcasm of the grand hypocrisy ters that it isn’t glaring that Dr. of Middle Age Catholic England. The Okonjo-Iweala’s economic goodly Parson, a humble priest with policy is, in real terms, tailored modest parishioners, found himself in towards underdevelopment. It the midst of the flower of the English must have the approving smack of Breton-Woods – and these regard education as priority; about the collapse of the univerRoman Catholic, laity and clergy: the Miller whose thumb blokes share their glory with nobody! Remember Kwame sity system, acutely distressed and seriously creaking! was golden with stealing his customers’ grain; the Summoner, Nkrumah’s 1965 timely early warning: Neo-colonialism: the Last Indeed, how the president has handled the ASUU strike, visspiritual thug and bully who made corrupt living as local paStage of Imperialism? a-vis the implosion in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pal police; the Pardoner, another unfazed spiritual racketeer If gold rusts, what would iron do! paints the iron-clad difference between the politician and the who claimed he had, in his pouch, papal pardon “hot, fresh It is amazing how hyper-educated Nigerians, at the acme of statesman: Jonathan the politician would rather worry about and smoking from Rome”, available at the right fee; and of the Nigerian state, are education philistines; though they are the next election by focusing on PDP troubles, than on the next course the handsome Wife of Bath, whose chaste exterior was living witnesses to other countries’ glorious investment in generation by suffering distractions from the ASUU strike! not unlike the Biblical white sepulchre: glittering outside but their own educational system; or even Nigeria’s past investIf gold rusts, what would iron do! rotten within. ment in this crucial sector.

Of course, if the fish is rotten in the head, what there is left of In the midst of such mass degeneracy, the Parson, though a It is even more amazing that past beneficiaries of the golden the body? Prof. Ruquayyatu Rufa’i, sacked former Education moral icon, always cautioned himself, against skidding into age of Nigerian education, before the locust years of the miliminister – sacked not for the tardy handling of the ASUU crisis the wide and merry way: “If gold rusts, what would iron do!” tary, have almost all drifted abroad for daily bread, giving but because she is an ally of Jigawa Governor, Sule Lamido: no That was in 14th century England. their host countries a surfeit of their silky skills, while their friend of the president ahead the 2015 electoral sweepstakes – In 21st century Nigeria, the Parson-spirit would appear toown country bleeds – and future generation acutely thirsts. promptly declared she would head back to her desk at Bayero tally non-existent.

But the most amazing perhaps, are products of Nigerian University, Kano (BUK).

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, PhD, was an academic totally made universities who have bought into the philistinism of their That prompted Citizen Obo Effanga to ask on his facebook in Nigeria – BSc (Port Harcourt), MSc (Port Harcourt), PhD misguided rulers. To them, there is absolutely no reason to fix wall: will she then join the ASUU strike? The irony was appar(Port Harcourt). To boot, His Excellency even reportedly had the problem. Public universities are sheer poison; and lecturently totally lost on the former minister! Minister yesterday; a teaching stint in a tertiary institution, before succumbing to ers there are nincompoops: nincompoops that drilled the now lecturer tomorrow! Not even enlightened self-interest could graver matters of state: Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice Presicocky former students into the present Socrateses, who now make the minister defend the essence of her profession, when dent, Acting President, President to complete the ill-fated regard their former lecturers (read ASUU) as hare-brained! she had the opportunity! See, how far gone are the Nigerian Umaru Yar’Adua’s term and now President on his own first Their credo: amass enough cash, send your children or wards state and its high officials? term, ogling a second! abroad, or to local private universities; and consign ASUU to If gold rusts, what would iron do!

Yet, His Excellency cannot defend the integrity of the system rust with its umpteenth campaign for better funding of uniYou can dismiss Nyesom Wike, Education minister of state that made him. He would appear not to “give a damn” about versities! Their Socratic formula: Flee! Typically Nigerian. and current supervising minister. He is no gold in that sector, the anguish of millions of Nigerian youth, out of school for But sorry, your problems will not run away from you! just a Rivers political battler moonlighting in the crucial Eduthree months and still counting; simply because they have an Besides, technology is not machines; but a way of life. So, if cation ministry. No wonder: the rambler has since gone on unfeeling, insensitive and irresponsible government, which you are not in full control of your education, how do you the rumble in the Rivers jungle! Education, ASUU and allied does not seem to care about their future; about the throes of forge a winning technology – your own niche to compete in distractions are all but fading echoes! That is proof of Jonathan’s former colleagues in the Academia, condemned to scrounging the very unequal market the West fraudulently brandishes as regard for education! water from stone because the Nigerian state simply doesn’t “globalisation”?

But there is every reason to worry about Ngozi OkonjoThose who abandon public universities to rust, because their “Jonathan the politician would Iweala, Finance minister and coordinating minister for the children are not there, are as guilty as Jonathan’s gang of economy, who snorted her finance ministry had no cash to pay rather worry about the next election ASUU, even if the Federal Government had earlier signed an philistines. The mass thorns from public varsities will choke their own fanciful flowers from avant-garde schools here or to that effect. So, what does her ministry have cash by focusing on PDP troubles, than agreement abroad – except of course, the hope of a future Nigeria is the for? on the next generation by suffering Diaspora!

How a brilliant woman with startling degrees from AmeriNigeria has no choice but to fully fund university education. ca’s Ivy League schools would volunteer such is well and truly distractions from the ASUU strike!”

The time to start is now. amazing. If America had not invested in its own education,

epublican ipples

ASUU strike and its many ironies

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T seems highly unlikely that many Nigerians paid much attention to the issues raised by the Rotimi Amaechi-led Nigeria Governors Forum outside of the body’s call for the resignation of the Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala last week. That would be understandable given that very little gets discussed these days outside of the prism of “Jonathan versus the G-7”, “PDP versus nPDP”, “GEJ and 2015: to run or not to run” etc.

The call - coming from the governors whose opposition to the Jonathan-led federal government is well known comes with the temptation to dismiss the messengers with their message. Unfortunately, it seems that those who would rather dismiss the governors even without the benefit of looking at the merit of their position would appear just as culpable in foisting the reign of fiscal impunity on the polity.

So, what is the problem this time?

The text of the governors’ well-presented communiqué is rather explicit: The federal government stands accused of that fiscal iniquity called cheating. The governors not only believe that the federal government has something to hide; they insist that its accounting of the accruals into the federation account is fraudulent.

As unsettling as that view may sound at this time; I don’t even think the view is anything new.

Here is how the governors put it: “The non compliance with the revenue projections of the Federal Government of Nigeria 2013 Budget is a direct breach of the provisions of the Appropriation Act 2013. Members expressed concern in the management of the economy by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and called for a strict adherence to the Appropriation Act 2013, failing which she should resign”.

Flowing from that, the governors would restate their demand for “the separation of the office of the Accountant General of the Federation from that of the Accountant General of the Federal Government for accountability and better management of the economy”.

I don’t think anyone should miss the point at stake. The issue primarily is one of the shrunk exchequer; the other demands like the separation of the office of the Accountant

‘How much of the crude is stolen?

Does our famed chancellor of the exchequer actually know? Is it 100,000 bpd as claimed by the think-tank – or the 400,000 being bandied by the administration? How much of this figure is stolen?’

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

The drought here? Not, yet!

General of the Federal Government from that of the federation, and the resignation of the minister are at best ancillary and tangential.

Let’s examine the issues a bit more closely. Before now, the idea that the exchequer is actually shrinking was not only scoffed at; indeed that the economy was in any form of trouble was, at least to the best of my knowledge, considered preposterous. Today, in the face of incontrovertible evidence of the massive revenue leakages from oil theft and associated production shut-ins, only the federal government can afford to live in the illusion that the economy – or the budget which relies on oil revenue for between 75-85 percent – is anything but in deep trouble.

Here are few proofs. First is the claim by the 36 states of the federation that they are yet to receive arrears of N466billion from the federation account in the last three months. Indeed, few days after Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State was reported as bemoaning the imminent precarious situation, Niger State commissioner for finance, Alhaji Mahmoud Kpako Bello, would in Leadership newspaper on Sunday give the breakdown of the amounts due to the 36 states from the federation account. According to the Niger State representative on the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), the states are owed arrears of three months totalling N121 billion. Another N140 billion that ought to have been paid in August is said to be still outstanding. And this month, another shortfall of over N90 billion is already reported.

The second proof is the decree recently rolled out by the federal government that revenue would henceforth be based on actual collections instead of the budgeted value. This is perhaps because the country only realised N4.39 trillion as the gross federally collected revenue in the first seven months – a shortfall of N443.76 billion from actual projections for the

period.

The issue here is not that the price of our sweet crude is in decline; on the contrary, the ruling price continues to exceed the price posted as benchmark in the budget. The problem really is the thriving industry of stolen crude.

Only last week, a United Kingdom-based think-tank, Chatham House released a rather conservative – but nonetheless scathing – report on the theft now said to have reached an industrial scale.

The report paints a daily average loss of 100,000 barrels – that is, some five percent of its daily crude output –in the first quarter of the year. As if to confirm the uniquely opaque character of the Nigerian oil industry in which integrity of industry numbers are assumed without verification, the report would also note that the amount does not even include the goings-on in the export terminals.

Howbeit, the overall picture painted in the report is one of an industry riddled with poor governance, violent opportunism, and one in which organised crime has festered.

Are the governors crying wolf where there was none? It must be admitted that the governors opted to play politics when they put the finance minister on the spot as against President Goodluck Jonathan on whose desk the buck stops.

Not that the book-keeper is less of the sinning party; but then, why leave out the principal under whose direction the book-cooking took place?

As it is, there are clearly two aspects to the governors’ grouse, both of which in saner climes would warrant drastic measures.

The first is the absurd accounting practices under which the federal government hides to illegally short-change the other beneficiaries from the federally distributable pool.

How much of the crude is stolen? Does our famed chancellor of the exchequer actually know? Is it 100,000 bpd as claimed by the think-tank – or the 400,000 being bandied by the administration? How much of this figure is stolen? What fraction is shut-in? Does our overrated technocrat know?

Does anyone in the administration know? And shouldn’t those who do not know yield the space for those who know?

How about getting everybody to a joint sitting to examine the books if one party has nothing to hide? Isn’t that what transparency is all about?

The second is the shame of losing 400,000 barrels per day in output. At a conservative price of $100, that comes to $40 million dollars lost daily through the activities of oil thieves.

Is anyone still in charge? Don’t ask me what the combined forces of the Army, Navy and the Air Force are doing to combat the scourge. The last time I checked, I was told that the business has been outsourced to our erstwhile creek lords.

And yet someone has dared to complain about the drizzle; well, it hasn’t started raining yet!

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

22

COMMENTS

T

HE world of terror as it seems, has no borders and Nigeria is an unwilling player. No thanks to the Boko Haram insurgency, Nigeria is now prominently placed among the league of countries troubled by agents of death.

The new trend in consumer shopping that had seen the rise of big shopping malls as against ordinary supermarkets in the country has also put Nigeria, especially our big cities on course to become mega cities just like any other anywhere in the world.

Now put the two, terror and shopping mall together and you get a picture of a dangerous world. A world of tears, sorrows and blood as exemplified by the weekend siege on Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya by Somalia based Al Shabaab militants, a terrorist group linked to Al Qaeda that has left no fewer than 65 people dead.

The siege by the gunmen which began Saturday afternoon entered its third day yesterday as Kenyan Special Forces intensified efforts to clear the mall of the remaining militants and free the shoppers who are being held hostage by Al Shabaab.

The innocent shoppers, unaware of the danger lurking had gone to the mall for their usual purchases, while some, as expected, were there to window shop against possible future purchases. But when terror struck, they (rich and poor) were all bundled together by Al Shabaab and their fate firmly in the hands of the terrorists.

The shoppers were drawn from all over the world, not just Kenya. And this is understandable. Kenya is a favorite destination for tourists around the world and the country derives a large chunk of its revenue from tourism.

Next door Somalia is a haven for terrorists following several failed attempts to have a government in place after the fall of the last central government in Mogadishu led by President Siad Barre over two decades ago. Barre died years later in exile in Nigeria.

Instability in Somalia has been having a negative effect on tourists flow into Kenya and the country rightly took active interest in restoring stability to its neighbour.

This include sending troops in 2011 to

A

NYONE fully conversant with the life of the late Sir Ahamadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto and premier of the Northern region, would attest to the fact that he was a revered nationalist who toiled to make the north a bastion of pride.

As a nationalist he had from all intents and purposes, proven his mettle as he and other nationalists fought hard, to make all vestiges of colonialism and imperialist domination to realize the fact that, their time was up in their exploitative plunder and brigandage with the firm conviction that what was due for the north should be given to the Northerners without any pre-condition.

As a premier, he ruled with the temerity of a leader whose sole preoccupation was to ensure equality, justice and fairness among people of diverse ideological leaning irrespective of one’s religion or tribal pedigree in as much as one’s contribution to the north would be appreciated.

He appointed a Christian as his principal private secretary in the person of the late Sunday Awoniyi with no one expressing dissenting opinion knowing that, the late premier was averse to committing a blunder that can put a snag in the way he governed.

His outstanding leadership qualities and prowess was what endeared him to the colonial masters since they had realized the fact that, with his fingers on the political tiller, the people of the north were destined to benefit from his immense

‘His absolute sense of honesty, probity and accountability recommends him as the true heir to the late nationalist in the present democratic setting’

Westgate lessons for Nigeria bolster support for the UN backed government in Mogadishu to the chagrin of Al Shabaab which views such interest as interference in internal affairs of Somalia.

And Al Shabaab’s own way of teaching Kenya a lesson was to take terror to Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, and it chose to strike inside Westgate Shopping Mall, where it was sure to inflict maximum damage not only on Kenya but also the western world.

The identities of the masterminds of the attack could be shocking as there were speculations that no fewer than five US citizens and a British woman whose husband was one of the attackers in the 2005 terror assault on London, Samantha Lewthwaite, better known as the White Widow were involved.

As has become typical of all al Qaeda related terrorist attacks, religion and identities of the victims are secondary, what is of utmost importance is to cause death to as many people as possible just to prove a point that they are capable of causing chaos. All those talks about fighting the cause of Islam or wanting to create an Islamic state are just diversionary. All they are interested in is blood, and we have seen that in abundance here in Nigeria in the way Boko Haram has been carrying out its activities.

The terror attack at Westgate Shopping Mall should be of major concern to Nigeria in particular. Not because Nigerians or a Nigeria has been found to be involved either way, (which is not impossible), but because there are so many similarities to

be drawn from that experience with Nigeria. Like Kenya (in east Africa) , Nigeria is a regional power and part of the international community trying to rid west Africa of terrorists mostly linked to Al Qaeda.

At home we have Boko Haram which is linked to Al Shabaab and by implication Al Qaeda. Most important is the new trend among Nigerians to patronize big shopping malls that are daily springing up across the federation especially in our big cities. The Westgate experience could encourage Boko Haram to want to try out such here. How prepared are our security agencies to foil or combat such attempts here?

Drawing from the Kenyan experience which cannot be said to be a success yet, the lead agency spearheading the assault on Al Shabaab inside that mall was the Kenyan police. Can the Nigeria Police Force as it is today be entrusted with that task if it came to that here? This is not putting down the Nigeria Police but the fact today is that our policemen all illequipped, not well trained and improperly motivated to meet the challenges posed by terrorism as exemplified by Boko Haram to our country.

The Federal Government needs to rethink the way it is funding and equipping the police. Allocating peanuts to the police as if the officers and men of the Force are just our Maiguard is nothing but recipe for disaster. Worse still, even the bulk of the money allocated don’t get to Force Headquarters as and when due.

The other day the president was at the

Kwankwaso: Now that Sardauna’s got heir...

By Sadiq Shuaibu Nuhu wealth of experience and savvy.

As an apostle of sound education for the northerners, he single-handedly mooted the idea of coming up with a special blueprint which gave birth to the establishment of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaira (ABU) as citadel of learning that could be compared to Harvard, Oxford or Cambridge if better managed by the successive administrations.

Products of the famous ivory tower are the ones now calling the shots in the corridors of power except ones who had chosen to pursue a career in other fields of human endervour.

Some of the beneficiaries of his enviable legacy had remarkably paid him with the good side of the coin knowing fully well that, he did a lot to position the north on the crest of pride, honour and progress.

What is asphyxiating the minds of those who had seen what he did to the north is the inescapable fact that he lived and died a pauper without owning a palatial mansion or a whooping amount of money in his account.

In a nostalgic show of concern about the future of the north after his demise or exit from power, the late Iconic figure told Robert Frisk of the influential New York Times in the early sixties that, what he was hoping even in death, is the protection of the north against desecration by enemies of progress knowing the dynamics of change in modern dispensation.

His “semi reactive conservative

mindset” does not preclude him from being fair to people of other regions, as he worked in tandem with his counterparts in the east, west and southern regions to ensure the existence of Nigeria as one indivisible entity With the crop of the present day political gladiators, the controversy gathering momentum is about the issue of who can rightly be described as his heir.

If what he did to the north and his absolute patriotism as a leader is to be applied to the present day politicians, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State can rightly be likened to the late premier given his pedigree as a selfless, honest and trustworthy politician.

His absolute sense of honesty, probity and accountability recommends him as the true heir to the late nationalist in the present democratic setting.

Taking the education sector as a genuine case study, one is compelled to believe that, his vision to establish the NorthWest University is a feat that cannot be contested even by cynics and his avowed critics.

The North-West University along with the Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil (which he established during his first tenure in office between 1999 and 2003) are prominent citadels of learning enough to have the much needed capacity to accommodate northerners.

Coming to his much pronounced healthcare programme, the governor has achieved a lot in making the sector tick.

Hospitals and clinics in the state were made to wear a new look and renovated

Police College in Ikeja after a local television station revealed the decay going on there, but after the noise from the presidency over the revelation, not much has been heard in the way of any improvement to the college.

The police high command also needs to revisit its recruitment policy, training and promotion to give preference to competence high and above the principle of federal character. The Police must also resist the temptation to allow the Force to be an instrument in the hands of politicians. If the institution is well funded, insulated from politics and serves the best interest of Nigeria, it would certainly attract the best Nigerian brains available in that area, and also enjoy public support.

As the shopping malls continue to multiply in Nigeria, it is about time a well planned and properly coordinated security measure is put in place to secure not just the facility but most importantly the lives of the shoppers. Nigeria cannot afford the Westgate experience. It would not be out of place to have a special protection unit of elite policemen created by the Nigeria Police Force for this purpose. Boko Haram has already put us in bad light around the world we should not give the terrorists an opportunity to make it worse.

And as the Nigerian government continues to discharge its international obligations in the fight against terror it should be mindful of the backlash and prepare adequately. A stitch in time saves nine, as the saying goes.

‘The Federal Government needs to rethink the way it is funding and equipping the police. Allocating peanuts to the police as if the officers and men of the Force are just our Maiguard is nothing but recipe for disaster’ and fully equipped with drugs which are sold at affordable prices. Mobile clinics/ ambulances are criss-crossing the state.

The people of the state are also enjoying free accident, antenatal and post-natal treatments.

On youth empowerment, males and females were given various vocational training to become self-reliant, while the gifted indigenes of the state were sponsored to study abroad in various field of human endevour.

What now lends credence to Kwankwaso as a savvy political gladiator is his courage and gravitas to slug it out with President Goodluck Jonathan on issues he believed should not to be treated with kid gloves.

The controversy surrounding the issue of onshore/offshore dichotomy has shown Nigerians what the fire-brand governor is up to, and he fully espoused the confidence to tackle the recalcitrant president on the controversy, despite the venom spat on his face by cronies of the presidency.

With the disputed Nigerian Governors’ Forum election taking a heavy toll on the president and the personality cult supporting his antics, Kwankwaso had envisioned to tread the path with utmost bravery and resilience knowing that he has what it takes to call the bluff of the powers-that-be.

His visit along with four other governors spearheading the battle, and the warm reception accorded them by former presidents and heads of state was a pointer to the fact that their mission is worthwhile, one destined to defend the north against the antics of some reactionary forces.

What Governor Kwankwaso is doing politically is defending the north. His name would be written in gold as one who had inherited the good virtues of the late Sir Ahamadu Bello.

• Nuhu wrote from Abuja

Pg. 41

Pg. 24

NSOFOR: I’ll be better for Eagles

INSIDE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Page 25

‘We are committed to infrastructural development’ - Page 27

Garbage merchants of nation’s capital

Kuje residents get treated nets - Page 28

•One of the cart pushers

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Scary nights in the State House

- Page 40

BUJA suburbs residents are sure of one distinct sound every morning: that of metal hitting against metal. They are also used to deafening voices shouting bola! bola!

They are the sounds of cart pushers who dispose of the residents’ waste for a fee.

There is one thing they are not, though. They may dress shabbily and may not have the best of education or any at all. But they could just a bit richer and more comfortable than some of their clients.

‘Bola’ which the Yoruba refer to as kole kole, is a thriving business in the FCT as some of them who spoke with Abuja Review revealed that they make more than N3,000 daily. You can multiply that by 30.

The mai bola, as they are commonly called, usually appear in shabby outfits, probably because their work is associated with dirt.

From Faith Yahaya

With a piece of iron, they pound their locally-fabricated pulley to announce their presence in the area.

Surprisingly, they use their bare hands to pack the dirt.

For most of the young men in the trade, hygiene or health issues are secondary. They appear to be less bothered about the side effects of the job. They rather focus on the money they make from it. One of them disclosed that they charge between N20 and N350 or more, depending on the refuse and the area as he could go many rounds.

However, some Abuja residents have expressed concerns over the activities of some of the mai bolas; especially those suspected to have exploited the access they have into people’s compounds to engage in nefarious activities, which include stealing.

While it is true that most of them are engaged in the business to

make ends meet, the way and manner they dispose of the waste pose serious danger to the environment, especially during the rainy season when the rainfall in the city comes unannounced and really unpredicted.

Questions have been raised on the propriety of disposing the waste under bridges in some secluded areas or even along some isolated streets by these mai bola boys. Oftentimes, the heaps of waste impede the free flow of water and this has led to the flooding of some residential areas in the past.

Some of the affected areas include Kubwa, Dutse, Bwari and even the university town of Gwagwalada. Though most residents who spoke with our correspondent said it is in the interest of all to keep the environment clean, they expressed dismay that attention is not paid to how the

waste is disposed by the mai bola boys.

Clearly, it is not just a case of mai bola boys causing environmental problems. Investigations by Abuja Review show that some residents are in the habit of waiting for rain to fall so that they would seize the opportunity to dispose of their waste in the drainage system.

This has not only led to the blockage of the drainage systems, but oftentimes, also results in the heap of wastes that dot the landscapes of most of the satellite towns.

Justifying his action, one of the mai bola boys, Kabiru said: “after gathering the waste from residents, we drop them at the expressway where big trucks come to pack them. But when it is raining, it is better for us to pour them into any flowing wa•Continued on Page 25

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

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ABUJA REVIEW

Mai bola boys and wastes disposal in Abuja •Continued from Page 26 ter or small river and that way, we avoid paying any amount to the big trucks that collect money from us.”

Recently, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), said it has certified 22 concessionaires to handle waste management in the area councils and satellite towns in the territory.

Those who live in these satellite towns have complained of not seeing any of the waste management agencies.

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory Olajumoke Akinjide said some time ago that the area councils and satellite towns have already been demarcated into 22 lots for the purpose of daily waste collection from households in the councils.

The minister explained that the move was aimed at ensuring clean environment. How clean is our environment and are wastes disposed of through the agencies?

One of the residents Achi Tina said: “I dispose of my waste through the bola boys. They come ones in a week mostly on Saturdays to pick it up. We pay them N150 or more depending on the rate of the waste they want to carry.

Since I came to Abuja, I have seen a lot of people without jobs and I believe it is their own source of income.”

Another resident, Chibuzor Anthony who lives on Airport Road explained: “We have two ways of disposing of our wastes; depending on the nature of the waste. If it is a compose waste, we pour it into the incinerator to de-

A

FTER our report in last week’s edition of Abuja Review on “Abuja bridges: wasted, abused,” the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) are working on modalities to prosecute pedestrians who decide not to use the pedestrian bridges in places where they are constructed.

“Pedestrians caught running across the road, instead of taking the bridges will be arrested, prosecuted and fined,” it said.

The Secretary of Transport for the Federal Capital Territory, Jonathan Ivoke disclosed this to reporters in Abuja.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed,

compose or we burn them. But if they are not, we leave it out to a guy who comes to pick trash from the estate twice a week.

“The payment arrangement for the guy is usually N500 monthly.

He goes from house to house to pick the wastes. He takes metals, plastic and clothing materials. This is what the guy does but where he dumps them at the end of the day is what I don’t know.”

It’s a different story for residents of Jikwoyi as one of them disclosed that all they do is bring out their dirt out every Saturday and the environmental agency which is saddled with the responsibility of waste disposal picks and takes it to where it is properly disposed.

A resident of Bwari, who identified himself as Bukky said: “We burn most of our trashes and the ones we cannot burn like leftover meals, we pour them into a river or stream.

Tola Jimoh, a resident who lives in Nyanya said: “We dispose it on a land that has overtime turned into a heap of refuse and sometimes we may choose to burn them when the stench from it becomes unbearable.”

Afolabi Taiwo is of the view that government should educate the mai bowler on how waste can be best disposed of to avoid health hazards.

He said: “Government should, at least, assist them in their businesses. This is because the way they dispose of the waste is not environmentally friendly. It has negative effects on us because every Sunday morning, after packing the dirt, you will find them on the

•Scavengers at work bridge disposing it into running water. It is unhealthy to our environment.

“If there is any other way they can dispose of the waste after col-

lecting them, it will enhance our health and the environment. They should educate them and if possible absorb the guys into the agencies that are concerned with waste

After gathering the waste from residents, we drop them at the expressway where big trucks come to pack them. But when it is raining, it is better for us to pour them into any flowing water or small river and that way, we avoid paying any amount to the big trucks that collect money from us

management.

It is baffling to know that the same river is used by some people in their daily tasks. They drink, cook and even bath with it without any purifying the water with water guard or any other purifying substance.

Thanks to the FCTA for its efforts towards achieving a clean environment, even though more needs to be done to discourage and also educate bowler guys and residents on proper waste disposal. The administration should also ensure that the trucks get to the nook and cranny of the FCT to avoid a situation in which the wastes are dumped at unauthorized places.

FCTA to prosecute non-users of pedestrian bridges From Grace Obike

during a courtesy call by delegates of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Ivoke said: “People are refusing to use the bridges provided by government by crossing the high centre demarcation.

That is a very ugly situation.

“The responsibility of the FCTA is the provision of pedestrian bridges and enforcing its use. We are going to follow up on noncompliance, with very heavy consequences, which will include the inclusion of 500 meters metal fence as barriers for the compliance to use of the pedestrian

bridges. By so doing, it will be difficult for people to cross the highways again. We will also position our officers to apprehend offenders. So, anyone who contravenes this law would be prosecuted; and this will form part of revenue generation efforts of the FCTA.” He added: “We are going to make sure that all the pedestrian bridges have the metal barriers erected and our road transport workers, in collaboration with the police, will enforce their use.”

Ivoke also said that the FCTA,

in collaboration with the World Bank which is funding the project, will be constructing nine additional pedestrian bridges all over the city, in addition to the six at the NICON Junction, Banex Junction, Wuye Junction, Old Secretariat, Sheraton Junction and VIO Junction already under construction.

Dr A. Odumosu of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) who represented the Director-General of the institute Aminu Yusuf, informed the secretary that the participants were involved in a compulsory visit to Abuja because it is a two-unit course, add-

ing that the main reason for the visit was to give them a field experience of what transport logistics is all about.

Odumosu further explained that the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) and the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate Post-graduate and Master’s programmes at the institute.

This, he said, was done in order to comply with the regulations and requirements of the National Universities Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education.

Minister’s wife honoured

T

•One of Abuja bridges

RADERS in the Federal Capital Territory chapter have appointed the wife of the FCT Minister Hajia Aisha Bala Mohommed as life patron of the association. This is as a result of her commitment to the welfare of the FCT residents.

Decorating her with the title at the minister’s residence in Abuja, the National President of the Association, Mrs. Felicia Sani said women in the FCT have benefited immensely from Mrs. Mohammed’s gender equality advocacy which has prompted the association to confer her with the title.

Mrs. Sani, who was accompanied by other members of the executive of the association, urged the minister’s wife not to relent in her zeal towards the lifting the women.

She said: “FCT women have benefited from Mrs. Bala

Mohommed in so many ways we have benefited from her gender equality programme, including slots given to men and women to travel to the Holy Land. We are still appealing to them not to relent in doing good.”

Responding, Hajia Mohammed said she is committed to championing the welfare of all FCT residents; especially women and children.

She reiterated that she would continue to do that within the limits of the funds available to her as the wife of the FCT Minister and through her Foundation, Al-Muhibba Foundation.

Mrs. Mohammed assured the women that her doors are always open for them so as to enable them to explore areas of cooperation and collaboration with a view to taking the market women association to greater heights.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

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ABUJA REVIEW

Minister reaffirms commitment to infrastructural development

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INISTER of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to the development of the federal capital city, area councils and satellite towns.

The minister gave this assurance at the 2013 Town Planners’ Day of the FCT Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre.

She said: “The vision of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is to nurture Abuja into one of the best 20 capital cities in the world by the year 2020, while its mission is to provide good infrastructure, services and administration that will stimulate the city’s growth.

“We are committed to bringing infrastructural development in the satellite towns and area councils at

From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

par with what we have in the city. It is only when we have standard amenities and infrastructure in the satellite towns that residents will be motivated to live in these towns, do business there and raise their children.”

She lauded President Goodluck Jonathan over the re-establishment of the Satellite Towns Development Agency, which she noted was an eloquent testimony of the commitment of the President towards the provision of infrastructure in the Satellite Towns and the area councils.

We are committed to bringing infrastructural development in the satellite towns and area councils at par with what we have in the city. It is only when we have standard amenities and infrastructure in the satellite towns that residents will be motivated to live in these towns

The minister advised the NITP members to continue to offer input into the overall urban development initiatives of the FCT Administration.

“The FCT Administration believes that our vision to be among the best 20 cities in the world, by the year 2020, cannot be realised without our embracing innovative town planning and urban development schemes.

“No doubt this beautiful city is an evidence of the contributions of the National Institute of Town Planners and its professionals. The successes recorded over the years with the Abuja Master Plan were achieved through the inventive and conscious efforts of town planners and other allied professionals of the built environment,” she added.

The Chairman of the FCT Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Mr. Barnabas Atiyaye, stated that the institute offered the government the correct environment to administer and govern the people with ease.

“Failure to allow the professionals in the built environment, particularly the town planners, to per-

Agony of the blind S

HE was emotional. Tears ran down her cheeks as she relived how she fell ill in 2005.

It was malaria and typhoid accompanied with serious headache.

She was then a student of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa studying Architecture. After a thorough examination, she was referred to an eye clinic as the headache persisted and there she was diagnosed with glaucoma.

She had an operation but eventually went blind.

The story of Asabe Abdullahi is similar to the plight of some other students at the FCT School for the Blind.

The environment is like any other primary school in the country with swings and see-saws for the younger charges and a football pitch. But unlike most primary schools, parents do not always come to pick their children at the close of work because it is a boarding school.

Like other children, they move around and make friends, while the girls gossip and giggle like other children or adolescents.

Boys move around boldly. One thing common to them all is that they are all blind.

The FCT School for the Blind is located at the Jabi district. Here, the teachers cannot simply walk to the black boards to write notes but are trained to be patient and to pay special attention to the children individually in all the subjects in a normal school curriculum. It is a painstaking job, carefully taking the pupils through the subjects such as the use of Braille, typewriter, mobility cane and many others Of course, some of them were born blind or became blind at an early stage in life, even before they could comprehend the world around them but a few others, just like Asabe were born with their sight and were used to the beauty of the world around them but suddenly became blind and no amount of tears or visits to the hospitals could solve the problem.

Most of us wake up every morning, see the beauty around us and sometimes, forget to thank God for it. While others wake up and the only difference from the nights is

•Some of the students From Grace Obike

probably the sound because such people live in complete darkness and unable to enjoy all the beauty that we readily take for granted.

That is the life of the blind in our midst who only live by a heightened sense of smell, sound and touch. The school comprises of children from age four to 18 in primary 1 to 6 but also, this school houses a special set of people known as the special needs or rehabilitation class.

This set of pupils are trained in early childhood education, these are children or even adults that were somewhere in secondary school or grown up before they became blind. Here, they are not taught from the beginning again like the younger pupils but in classes for special areas, which is the braille reading and writing, typing, mobility and orientation and the daily living skills.

They are sent back into the world they used to know when they had the benefit of sight and allowed to fend for themselves at the end of the course. They can go back and continue life from where they stopped. Watching them bring tears to even the bravest of hearts.

Samuel Edoja, 19, is so lively, friendly and makes friends with ease. He explained that he had

just completed his junior secondary school certificate when he noticed that he was gradually losing his sight. His parents took him to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and no reasonable diagnosis was done before he completely lost his sight.

Although Samuel still has faith that one day he will regain his sight, he insisted that the braille is very interesting unlike having to read the normal writings of the sited because, people who understand braille can read comfortably in the dark without having to strain their eyes.

Another interesting pupil who spoke with Abuja Review was Daju Ezekiel, who became blind in 2007 when he was about sitting for his West African Examination Council (WAEC). He just enrolled in the school this term.

He was being taught on how to manoeuvre the mobility cane and was finding it difficult because he kept stumbling on things when we visited the school.

Daju, who is presently a talented musician and can play more than two musical instrument whenever he is invited to gospel concerts ( he used to perform in Kaduna before and after losing his sight) explained that he started seeing the signs in 2006 but finally lost his sight in 2007 just before he could write his WAEC. This made him withdraw from school since he did not know anything about the braille and could not complete the exams.

He fell into depression and only left his house for concerts.

He explained that singing was

The important thing is to have the basic foundation as a blind person which is the primary education and with the knowledge, the visually impaired can study anywhere in the world, all they will need will be the typewriter, the Braille machine and a tape recorder”

•Olajumoke Akinjide form professionally will always lead to chaotic situations and sometimes very difficult to manage politically,” he noted.

the only thing that kept him going and his family who after the shock, made sure that he was never treated like an invalid, made him wash and sweep like he did before. This, according to him, made him feel better since he hates people treating him like an invalid.

They all claimed that they were not aware of the existence of a school of blind which was the reason why it took them years to enroll. The amazing thing about these pupils Abuja Review spoke with is that, they are promising gospel artistes looking for avenues to realise their dreams.

Regina Dung, the head teacher of the school explained that one disturbing thing is parents who collect forms for their children don’t bring them back at the right time.This is because they have the feeling that divine healing will come their way.

Although no true parent will give up on the hope of a miracle for his or her children, she explained that the school has a psychologist who counsels them and some of them.Aside, teachers that read special need also have what it takes to counsel and try to make them accept their situation.

She encouraged parents with visually impaired children to take them to school and not just leave them at home or send them out to beg, so that teachers can develop their potential.

The Assistant head teacher who is also visually impaired, Anne Ekandem, explained that she understands how difficult the world of the blind can be since she also “wears the shoes and knows were it aches”.

She explained that for a blind person to be successful, he or she has to go the extra mile like making sure he transcribes notes after a gruelling lecture because the recorder will be needed the next day. Again one may sometimes be denied the needed sleep at night.

“The important thing is to have the basic foundation as a blind person” she explained, “which is the primary education and with the knowledge, the visually impaired can study anywhere in the world, all they will need will be the typewriter, the braille machine and tape recorder”.

Governments, she added, are trying but they are not meeting up with needs, which makes teaching a little more difficult.

•Continued on Page 28

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ABUJA REVIEW

I

Kuje residents get treated nets

N support of the Federal Government’s roll back malaria campaign which aims at reducing malarial attack and deepening the understanding of modern treatment methods, a group Total Upstream, in collaboration with Family Care Association (FCA), has held a series of interventionist activities.

One of such was held in Kuje Area Council, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The activities which lasted for three days included the distribution of 3,000 long- lasting insecticide-treated nets to those who are indigenous to the participating communities, free diagnosis and treatment of persons who tested positive to malaria; intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) for pregnant women as well as capacity building for community-based health workers, patent store operators and roll back malaria focal point officers at the local government level.

Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu said government was doing everything possible to eradicate malaria in Nigeria, even as he added that all hands must be on deck to fight the scourge.

The minister, who was represented by a director from the Ministry of Health; Dr. Bridget Okeguale vowed that government will not relent in its efforts.

Managing Director of Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Guy Maurice regretted the staggering number of people who were dying from malarial attack globally every year. He also said

T

HE Federal Capital Territory Administration has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and lease agreement with a private investor, Capital Meat Processing Company Nigeria Limited for the establishment of an ultra-modern Abuja Central Abattoir at Tungan Maje in Gwagwalada Area Council of the territory.

The agreement valued at N1.25 billion was signed by the Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide and Secretary, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mrs. Olvadi Bema Madayi on behalf of the FCT Administration while the Chairman of Capital Meat Processing Com-

From Gbenga Omokhunu

that there should be a collaborative effort between the private sector and the government in stemming the tide. This, he said, informed the firm’s resolve to take up the challenge.

Maurice, who was represented by the Executive Director Human Capital Resources, Mrs. Ofily Okonkwo said: “The numbers are staggering: 300 million people worldwide are affected by malarial attack every year; with nearly a million people dying annually from the illness. To combat this, more collaboration is needed; more partnerships are required; more private sector involvement is essential. No one entity can fight this problem alone. That is why we are proud to be involved in this battle.”

Explaining the choice of Kuje community as venue for the outreach programme, Programme Coordinator of Family Care Association (FCA) Joshua Kempeneer, recalled that a malaria prevention community initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Heath-National Malarial Elimination Programme was launched in Kuje on World Malarial Day on April 25, 2013.

He added that though so much was accomplished during the World Malarial Day activities, the overwhelming needs of the community in the fight against malaria and the need for continued intervention and investment in training local health workers and community agents were noted. Based on the needs and recommendations, Kuje was selected as one of

•Family Care Association Medical officials attending to children and women at the launch of malaria prevention and control in Kuje Area Council PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE the beneficiary communities for support.

In a chat with Abuja Review, lead Physician of the Campaign, Dr. Damien Nwaneri explained the malaria treatment process. He said: “The first thing is to carry out free malarial tests on members of the community using the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits. Those that tested positive to malaria are then treated with the ACT malaria treatment.

“For the pregnant women you see around, what we did was to

treat them with the Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) as needed.”

Nwaneri added: “It is important to note that the process that we have adopted is in line with standard malaria treatment recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Of course, you are aware that the Nigeria Malaria Control and Preventive Programme (NMPP) is a health initiative in partnership with the Nigerian Government through the Ministry

of Health and National Malarial Control Programme.”

The Chairman of Kuje Areal Council, Hon. Ishaku Shaban Tete advised the beneficiaries of the programme to make sure they keep their surroundings clean and seek proper medical care when necessary.

Tete appreciated organisers of the programme and the Ministry of Heath for choosing Kuje community, adding that his administration will ensure the eradication of malaria.

FCTA, firm seal abattoir deal

From Gbenga Omokhunu

pany Limited, Dr. Umaru Mutallab and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Aliyu El-Nafatu, signed for the company.

Akinjide, who explained that the central abattoir would be constructed on the basis of public private partnership management, said the project would be completed and operational within 12 months.

She noted that the construction of the ultra-modern Abuja central abattoir became imperative in order to ensure that FCT residents consume beef prepared in hygienic

environment.

“When completed, the abattoir will have the capacity of slaughtering 500 heads of cattle and 1,500 sheep and goat per day. In the meat processing and fabrication component, about 40 tonnes of meat would be processed into about 10 number products such as sausages, hotdogs, steaks, premium and briskets, among others.

“It is expected that when fully operational about 1,000 jobs would be created including professionals like veterinarians, paraveterinarians, livestock officers,

butchers, technicians, labourers and drivers, among others,” the minister disclosed.

She added that the foreign technical partners of the private investor would transfer meat processing technology to their Nigerian partners and also train the Nigerian personnel in the art of processing, curing, aging, fabrication, storage and packaging of meat.

The minister assured that the new abattoir would be of international standard and would meet the requirements of the World Health Organisation and Food and Agri-

culture Organisation.

Responding on behalf of the private investor, the Chairman of Capital Meat Processing Company Limited, Dr. Umaru Mutallab, praised the FCT Administration for its determination and commitment to ensure a hygienic environment for meat processing in the territory.

“Our interest in establishing an ultra-modern abattoir stems from the need to ensure that the public consumes hygienic food in the FCT. We assure all stakeholders of our determination to make this work,” Mutallab stated.

Our interest in establishing an ultra-modern abattoir stems from the need to ensure that the public consumes hygienic food in the FCT

Agony of the blind •Continued from page 26

•Secretary of FCT, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mrs. Olvadi Bema Madayi (left); Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; Chairman of Capital Meat Processing Company Limited, Dr. Umaru Mutallab and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Capital Meat Processing Company, Mr. Aliyu El-Nafatu, during the signing of memorandum of understanding and lease agreement for the establishment of an ultra-modern Abuja Central Abattoir in Abuja

Unlike most schools, the school work with insufficient materials like the braille text books, mobility cane, writing materials and materials for subjects like mathematics which makes the work a little more challenging. She explained that one cannot readily teach these children the way they should because when they teach them and the textbooks are not available, “how do you ascertain that the child can read?”

The school management explained that dealing with par-

ents can be very frustrating, some of them who manage to bring their children to school do not even bring them with a bar of soap or tooth paste not to talk of provisions. Coming to pick them up at the close of term is another problem, the parents treat them as if they are the government’s responsibility.

Parents know how much they spend on their other children with sight but most times forget that the blind ones need more of their love and attention so that they will have confidence to operate in a competitive world.

29

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 their obligation to provide social services such as roads, light etc. I give up my ’ for freedom to remain uneducated, or to learn whatever subjects interest me and in whatever

I give up part of my earned income to government by way of various taxes in exchange

manner I think fit, in exchange for the government providing me with quality education.

At present, the government is not keeping its part of the bargain and society is falling apart. The insecurity in the country is the direct result.

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

See page 31

INSIDE: How to eradicate fake lawyers,

by SAN

-Page 31

The monetisation of bail in Nigeria

-Page 32

Riot, affray in the parliament

•Jonathan

-Page 34

Challenges of implementing money laundering against lawyers

Senate President David Mark’s endorsement of a national conference has reopened the debate on the vexed issue. Does Mark mean it or is he flying a kite to douse tension in the polity over the build up to the 2015 general elections? ADEBISI ONANUGA feels lawyers’ pulse over the issue.

Mark’s curious call for National Conference

C

OMING from Senate President David Mark, many adopted a wait-and-see approach to the statement. Others did not believe that he meant what he said. On the Senate’s resumption from a seven-week recess last Tuesday, Mark kicked off a storm when he spoke in support of a national conference. The time, he said, was ripe for the country to confront alleged

-Page 35

Modernising legal practice in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects

-Page 36

•Mark

structural distortions such a conference.

Mark said: “We live in very precarious times, and in a world increasingly made fluid and toxic by strange ideologies and violent tendencies, all of which presently conspired to question the very idea of the nation state.

“But that is not to say that the nation should, like the proverbial ostrich, continue to bury its head in the sand and refuse to confront the perceived or alleged structural distortions which have bred discontentment and alienation in some quarters.

“A conference of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities, called to foster frank and open discussions of the national question, can certainly find accommodation in the extent of the provisions of the 1999 Consti-

tution which guarantee freedom of expression, and of association. To that extent, it is welcome,” he said.

Mark added that such a conference was not without its inherent and fundamental difficulties.

“Problems of its structure and composition will stretch the letters and spirit of the Constitution and severely task the ingenuity of our constitutionalists,” he said.

He said when the conference was convened, it would have a few red lines and these Mark listed to include the dismemberment of the country. He said beyond this, the conference would be free to discuss other issues.

According to Mark, it would be unconstitutional to clothe such a conference with constituent or sovereign powers, adding: “The resolutions of a national conference, consisting of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities and called under the auspices of the government of the federation would, indeed, carry tremendous weight.”

For Nigeria, it has been a crisis of nation building since the 60s when

the military adopted the unitary and not the federal system of government. Since the military quit power in 1999, there has been a clamour for a national conference to redefine the country’s structure.

But the successive administrations have refused to have anything to do with such a conference for fear that it could lead to the disintegration. The country has been the worst for it as the nation started drifting from one political crisis to another.

Many pundits readily believe that if a national conference had been held, a new course would have been charted for the country. The different nationalities, it is argued, would have discussed and come up with arrangements to suit their existence and assist in putting Nigeria on the path of political and economic development.

What could have informed the volte-face by the Senate? Or is it just waking up to realise that it is an issue that Nigeria cannot run away from?

Suspicions

Much as the Senate sounded sincere in its decision that a national conference must be convened, the shift in position is seen by advocates of the conference as suspicious. They doubt the Senate’s intention and as such are treading with caution.

Lagos lawyer Mr. Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) urged Nigerians to wait and watch. He said: “ Let’s see what comes out of this development. If it is intended to create a diversion from the 2015 presidential election, conference or no conference, if the people don’t want him (President Jonathan) for a second term, he would fail as they would not vote for him. So, to me, it is just to divert attention. I don’t see anything coming out of it. At the moment, the 2015 election is a major concern for the government of Jonathan. Therefore, it is just a way of turning attention from • Continued on page 30

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

30

LAW COVER CONT’D •Continued from page 29

what is going on. So, nothing can come out of it.”

Fagbohungbe further said, maybe, the Senate and those in the government have now seen national conference as an acceptable political programme to move the country forward and wanted to catch in on it.

“Perhaps it would satisfy those who are yearning for it and solve some of the questions of our unity and for working together for a one Nigeria. If the Senate President said so on behalf of the National Assembly, and the President has also mentioned it, it means government has already agreed to it. But let’s see what comes out of this development,” he said.

Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) welcomed the presidency and the Senate leadership on board, having now embraced and seen the reason a national conference is inevitable for the country. Falana, however, cautioned: “As we are asked to fear the Greeks when they bear gift, Nigerians must be vigilant to ensure that the ruling class is not out, once again, to make a mockery of the idea of a sovereign national conference. It has to be understood that the people are not asking for an assembly of ethnic nationalities.”

Mark’s curious call for National Conference

•Sani

•Sagay

•Fagbohungbe

•Oyetibo

•Falana

•Ikeji

National conference in other clime

The neighbouring Republic of Benin stands out as a country in Africa that established a democracy after convening a national conference. Between 1960 and 1972, a succession of military coups in the Republic of Benin brought about many changes in government. The last of these changes brought Major Mathieu Kerekou to power. Kérékou, encouraged by France and other democratic powers, convened a national conference that introduced a new and democratic constitution for Benin, and under which the country held presidential and legislative elections.

Benin thereby became the first African country to successfully effect the transition from military dictatorship to a pluralistic political system.

The neighbouring Niger is another country that has tried national conference and it worked for it for a while. But the country went through a series of military coup that eroded the gains of the national conference.

According to wikipaedia, the Nigeriens, after independence, produced five constitutions and went through three eras of military government. Following a military coup in 2010, the Republic of Niger became a democratic, multi-party state. And as part of an initiative that started under the 1991 national conference, the government signed peace accords in April 1995 with the Tuareg and Toubou groups that had been in rebellion since 1990. The Tuareg claimed they lacked attention and resources from the central government. The government agreed to absorb some former rebels into the military and, with French assistance, help others return to a productive civilian life. Unfortunately, the country again went through another series of coup before returning to democracy again in 2011 after an election conducted by the Supreme Council for the restoration of Democracy that was adjudged internationally to be free and fair.

Lawyers’ reaction

Lawyers expressed divergent views on the matter. Some see the Senate’s change of position as an attempt to create a diversion from the real issues on the ground, including the 2015 election. While some see the Senate as playing a script, others questioned the seriousness of a national conference that is not sovereign.

Constitutional lawyer Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) said:” If it is national conference without sovereign powers, it is okay and a good development”. But he emphasised that a Sovereign National Conference is preferable. He cautioned against holding a conference decision would not be binding.

Activist Shehu Sani believes that what Nigerians have been clamouring for over the years has been a Sovereign National Conference as decisions at such a conference would be binding on Nigerians.

But another constitutional lawyer Tayo Oyetibo(SAN) does not share the views of Sagay and Sani. To Oyetibo, Nigeria cannot have a sovereign national conference under a constitutional democracy. “It is not legally feasible because we already have a sovereign in place now. When you talk of a sovereign national conference, it means that deliberations of the conference are not subject to any other deliberations because it is sovereign. It is not subservient to any other authority. You can’t have that under a consti-

Legal shield for freedom of expression

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HE right to freedom of expression is guaranteed and protected in Sec tion 39 of the1999 Constitution of Nigeria in the following terms: 1. Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.

2. Without prejudice to the generality of sub section (1) of this section, every person shall be entitled to own, establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information, ideas and opinions provided that no person, other than the government of the federation or a state, or any other person or body authorised by the president on fulfillment of a condition laid down by an Act of National Assembly, shall own, establish or operate a television or wireless broadcasting station for any purpose whatsoever.

The right to freedom of expression is also guaranteed under the various international instruments on human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Thus, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights provides as follows: tutional democracy. It would be very difficult to have a legal regime in place and to surrender its sovereignty to another body.

If we are really interested in setting out to discuss and moving forward, it is better to deal with what we can get which is a national conference with statutory backing,”

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinion without interference and to seek, receive and impart information, and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Similarly, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides for the right to freedom of expression as follows.

1. Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.

2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or print in the form of art or through any other medium of his choice.

Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights also provides for the protection of the right to freedom of expression in the following terms: 1. Every individual shall have the right to receive information.

2. Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinion within the law. he said.

To Ikechukwu Ikeji, a Lagos-based lawyer, it does not matter whether the conference is sovereign or not. “What matters is that the objective should be the birth of a people’s constitution and to give every Nigerian a sense of belonging and loyalty. The truth is

that we need an autochthonous constitution and without the deliberate participation of the people in the entire process, we cannot achieve success. So, whether you call it sovereign national conference or just national conference, the people must be at the centre of it all. It must have the imprimatur of the people. At the end of the day, the new Constitution must also be subject to a national referendum,” he said.

Way forward for Nigeria on National Conference Prof Sagay wants the conference to address ideology, that is, what should be the ideological direction of the country; the relationahip between the federating units as regards issues of economy and political power distribution, production of a new constitution for the country and issue of social welfare programme for Nigerians.

Oyetibo noted that Nigerians have always clamoured for a forum where people can discuss about the problems of Nigeria outside the National Assembly , so that the deliberations can then be forwarded and collated and forwarded to the National Assembly.

But for it not to be a wasteful exercise, he suggested: “There would be a need for a statutory backing for such exercise so that whatever comes out of it would not just be another jamboree. It would be useful to have something like a statutory provisions to regulate the proceedings of such conference.

If we are really interested in setting out to discuss and moving forward, it is better to deal with what we can get which is a national conference with statutory backing.“ For the envisaged national conference to be a success, Ikeji suggested that it should be driven by both the government and the civil society with the masses as compulsory passengers.

“The essence of the conference is to get all ethnic nationalities to come together to talk about the terms of their being together as one indivisible country, a question that was not addressed by Lord Lugard in 1914. Civil society must play an important role to achieve a good balance among contending interests while the government will provide the funds and infrastructure. At present, the frontline civil society group leading the line towards achieving the national conference is the Nigerian National Summit Group (NNSG) led by Alhaji Tanko Yakassai with Tony Uranta as Executive Secretary. NNSG has taken the lead and a supportable one at that. There is no way you will achieve a proper national conference without the full involvement of the civil society,” he stated.

He added that the only way forward is for the Federal Government to immediately commence the process of convening the conference adding that this will go a long way in preventing Nigeria from heading to the precipice.

Ikeji argued that there is no need to put a restriction on issues to be discussed at the conference, adding that an agenda can be drawn up around which the discussions can revolve. The discussions must extend to development because any conference that fails to address development issues in Nigeria may not achieve much. The Lagos lawyer also asked that the entire process of the conference be free of the participation of political parties’interference.

According to Ikeji, election of representatives to the conference should start from the ethnic nationalities to zones in terms of the already accepted geo-political zonal structure. There should be spots for different bodies including civil society, professional bodies, women groups, youth groups and so on. The Federal Government should also have its own nominations based on responsibilities. There should be two levels of dialogue, at the zonal and the national levels. The Option A4 mode of election should be adopted to ensure transparency and credibility of the process.

‘As we are asked to fear the Greeks when they bear gift, Nigerians must be vigilant to ensure that the ruling class is not out, once again, to make a mockery of the idea of a sovereign national conference. It has to be understood that the people are not asking for an assembly of ethnic nationalities.’

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

LAW & SOCIETY

Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN) is former Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). She is the chairperson of the NBA Committee on Branch Capacity Building and the International Legal Practice Committee of the NBA Section on Legal Practice (SLP). The committee in conjunction with the Committees on Professional Development and Law Firm Management, jointly put together the Showcase session on Money Laundering, which featured at the NBA Annual General Conference in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital. In this interview with Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, she speaks on her committee’s work, the rank of SAN, globalisation of legal service and sundry national issues.

How to eradicate fake lawyers, by SAN

A

FELLOW Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) was recently released from captivity by his abductors. What is your reaction to this and how do we overcome the challenge of insecurity in the country?

We all welcomed his release from captivity, but for the grace of God it could have been any one of us, lawyers or otherwise. The security situation in the country is deteriorating by the day and it seems that our leaders are helpless in protecting us. Society is structured on the coming together of individuals who agree to give up to selected or elected leaders certain rights and freedoms, in exchange for obligations which the leaders will fulfil. As an example at a very basic level, I give up my right to defend myself and my property by beating, torturing or killing any intruders in exchange for the government’s commitment to protect me from robbers and kidnappers. I give up part of my earned income to government by way of various taxes in exchange for their obligation to provide social services such as roads, light etc. I give up my freedom to remain uneducated, or to learn whatever subjects interest me and in whatever manner I think fit, in exchange for the government providing me with quality education. At present, the government is not keeping its part of the bargain and society is falling apart. The insecurity in the country is the direct result.

New Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) were inaugurated yesterday by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). What is your advice for the new silks?

I congratulate the new Senior Advocates and welcome them into the fold. I urge them to remember that the privileges attached to the rank have corresponding responsibilities which I urge them to live up to.

They must be role models to our colleagues in the Outer Bar by way of legal scholarship, mode of legal practice, comportment and most

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especially, by way of ethical behaviour. The rank should not just be seen as a means of enhancing one’s income by charging exorbitant fees. I advise the new entrants not to become involved in any unethical behaviour.

What is the agenda of the Branch Capacity Building Committee of the NBA which you chair?

One of the Committee’s terms of reference is to organise capacity building training for branches on the basis of the six geo-political zones in the country. Between November and December we will focus on holding these workshops for the branches in the six geopolitical zones. The first two workshops will take place in the Southwest and Southsouth zones in November. The topics will focus on branch administrative issues, fund raising and investment strategies and providing membership benefits at the branch level.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has just finished its annual General Conference in Calabar with the theme: Law, leadership and challenges of nationhood in the 21st century Nigeria. What did we take home from that conference and what were the contributions of the Branch Capacity Building Committee to the conference?

The Keynote address delivered

by Prof Elaigwu during the Opening Session provided food for thought on the challenges of nationhood for nearly all the delegates and, I believe, was one of the highlights of the conference.

He highlighted the fact that nationbuilding is a process which attempts to extend sub-national loyalties to coincide with state boundaries, and, ultimately, to ensure that such loyalties were subsumed within a greater commitment to the state. He, however, noted the degree of attachment in Nigeria to subnational loyalties, which may threaten the creation of a Nigerian nation. My take away from the conference is that if we really want a Nigerian nation, we have to actively create it and work for its continued existence. As for the

Branch Capacity Building Committee, we provided training on fund raising to Branch chairmen during the Chairmen’s Forum at the pre-conference NEC. It was the consensus of those present that the training be repeated to a larger group, and so it will feature again at the zonal level. We will also continue to provide such capacity training to Branch Chairman at this Forum which precedes each NEC meeting The NBA President, Okey Wali SAN has inaugurated the Stamp and Seal Committee. What do lawyers stand to gain from the committee?

Nigerian lawyers stand to gain a lot if the use of stamps and seals by lawyers will finally be implemented. Since the project was launched in 2004, it has not taken off. The use of stamps and seal by lawyers will enable non-lawyers to identify members of the profession. I do not understand what is holding it back. The Digital Bar Initiative (under which all lawyers were to‘re-register’ with the NBA) should have assisted the issuance of the seals embossed with Call to Bar numbers, which was proposed as an amendment to the programme. I do not know why it has taken more than eight years to implement; however, I am glad it is finally coming to pass. It is the surest way of eradicating fake lawyers from the profession and ensuring that non-lawyers do not provide legal services.

I campaigned for the use of stamps and seals by lawyers when I ran for Vice President in 2002 and implemented it during my tenure.

The International Bar Association (IBA) conference kicks off in Boston, USA next week.

What is your advice to Nigerian lawyers attending the conference?

The IBA is one of the best networking events for lawyers in the world. Nigerian lawyers should endeavour to not only attend sessions, but mix and network with lawyers from other countries at the social events.

When we attend international conferences, we move around together as the ‘Nigerian

•Mrs Adekoya contingent’ and do not mix. Then when we return from the conference, we should try and maintain contacts with the new friends we make in Boston. That is how to expand our practices internationally.

How do you think we can take advantage of globalisation to improve the quality of services delivery in the country?

Globalisation is riding on the back of technology. It is the internet that has broken communication barriers between countries, and made the world a smaller place. The Nigerian legal profession needs to become technologically proficient as the use of ICT in our practices will enhance practice delivery by making turnaround time faster.

We must establish a presence on

the web, and use mobile technology for practice delivery.

What was the contribution of your committee on the Section on Legal Practice (SLP) to the justconcluded NBA conference?

I chair the International Legal Practice committee of the SLP. My committee in conjunction with the Committees on Professional Development and Law Firm Management jointly put together the Showcase session on Money Laundering on Tuesday of conference week.

Each committee provided one speaker and my committee arranged for the attendance of Mr Dupe Derby, a Nigerian and UK qualified lawyer who practises in the UK, to speak on how lawyers in England comply with money laundering regulations.

Nigeria, Mexico collaborate on rights protection

HE Executive Secretary, Na tional Human Rights Commis sion (NHRC), Prof.

BemAngwe, Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, Marco Anthonio Garcia Blanco and his Ireland counterpart, Patrick Fay have advocated improved collaboration to enhance human rights protection.

Angwe, Blanco and Fay spoke in Abuja at a training workshop for investigation and legal officers of the NHRC. The event was organised by NHRC, the Mexican NHRC and the Embassy of Mexico in Nigeria.

They argued that global peace would be enhanced where human rights are protected.

Stressing the importance of human rights protection, Angwe said his commission would intensify its effort in this regard.

He said the collaboration between Nigeria and Mexico showed that international community was united in ensuring that best practices are put in place to protect human rights and punish violators.

Angwe said the training, a product of an agreement between NHRC

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

and its Mexican counterpart, is aimed at improving the capacity of his commission to contribute to the global effort at ensuring enhance protection and upholding of human rights.

Blanco argued that the major cause of violence in the world was the denial of people their globally recognised rights.

•Participants at the workshop.

“The real enemies of man are not other men, but poverty, the lack of opportunities in education both as worthy for a job and enough to allow effective development, security, legality and welfare.

“These are the challenges we face in a bid to live peacefully and prosperously in this island, where we all live and which we call planet earth,”

Blanco said.

He explained that the agreement between the NHRC and its Mexican equivalent is aimed at strengthening both institutions through combined actions, resources; and the exchange and sharing of experiences in staff training.

Fay praised the collaboration between Nigeria and Mexico in enhanc-

ing human rights protection.

He regretted that despite the realisation that human rights are globally recognised rights, not all societies allow to enjoy them.

Representative of the Netherlands Embassy at the event, Maurice Polison assured of future collaboration with the NHRC on how to strengthen its capacity.

Polison, who is the Second Secretary, Political and Human Rights Affairs, Embassy of Netherlands in Nigeria, praised the collaboration between Nigeria and Mexico in building capacity for human rights protection.

Leader of the Mexican delegation to Nigeria, Fernando Basita said the training would expose the trainees to the concepts of human rights, the complaint procedure his country’s NHRC and the deployment of information technologies to the promotion of human rights.

Basita, who is the General Inspector, Mexico’s NHRC, said collaboration among human rights bodies on capacity building and related areas symbolise solidarity among nations, which helps to “strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights in the international community.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

32

LAW AND SOCIETY Being the paper presented by FEMI FALANA, SAN at a workshop held by the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Akure Branch in Ondo State on September 18.

The monetisation of bail in Nigeria Introduction

H

AVING attended many fora organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in recent times without impacting positively on the justice sector I have come to the painful conclusion that Nigerian lawyers are reluctant to address the crisis of injustice in the society because they have become beneficiaries of the dysfunctional and unjust legal system. Unlike in the past when the NBA led Nigerian lawyers to defend the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people the NBA has since lost its voice among the progressive organisations in the country. Sadly, most branches of the NBA have compromised themselves to the extent that they lack the moral courage to call the national leadership to order. It was therefore with reluctance that I accepted the invitation of the Human Rights Committee of the Akure branch of the NBA to make this presentation.

Under the adversarial criminal justice system presumption of innocence inures in favour of accused persons. Accordingly, every criminal suspect is entitled to bail granted by either the police or the court. But like all civil and political rights which are enjoyed exclusively by rich individuals who have the financial wherewithal indigent criminal suspects are economically disabled from enjoying the right to bail. Thus, out of the country’s small prison population of 51,000 inmates only 12,000 have been convicted. The remaining 39,000 inmates have either been refused bail or granted bail but unable to produce reliable sureties or fulfill other onerous conditions set down by either the law enforcement agencies or the courts.

In this presentation we shall examine the monetization of bail which is the raison d’être for denying bail to the majority of indigent accused persons in Nigeria.

The Concept of Bail

According to the Black’s Law Dictionary ‘bail’ is defined as “a security such as cash or bond; especially security required by a court for the release of a prisoner who must appear in court at a further trial”. In Nwude v. Federal Government of Nigeria (2004) 41 WRN 124 at 145 the concept of bail was examined by the Court of appeal when it held that “the whole concept of bail generally is about surety or sureties taken by a person duly authorised for the appearance of an accused person at a certain day and place to answer charges leveled against him and be justified by law”.

The Court also approved the definition of bail in Kenny’s Outline of Criminal Law to the effect that it is a “contract whereby an accused person is delivered to his surety or also the contract of the surety himself. The primary object of it in any event is to ensure that the accused person will attend court to stand his trial.” In Mohammed Abacha v. The State (2002) 5 NWLR (PT 761) 187 the Supreme Court defined bail as the “means to set at liberty a person arrested or imprisoned on security being taken for his appearance on a day and place certain” It appears from the above definitions that the sole purpose of granting bail to accused persons pending trial is to procure their release by ensuring future attendance in Court and compelling them to remain within the jurisdiction of the court while bail pending appeal is granted in exceptional circumstances to prevent a convict from serving a jail term that is likely to be set aside. See Fawehinmi v. The State (1990) 1 NWLR (PT 127) 486.

No doubt, bail is always tied to the ownership of landed property and money in all capitalist societies. But since the Constitution has placed premium on equality before the law judges should desist from imposing monetary and property related bail conditions on indigent criminal suspects. In a case involving a commercial driver charged with murder for hitting a judge with a bus on Moloney Street in Lagos the driver was denied bail by the trial judge. Even though we succeed in getting bail for him in the Court of Appeal the applicant has not been able to meet the bail terms of two sureties in the sum of N100,000 each of whom must be land owners in Lagos State.

Since the essence of bail is to secure the attendance of accused persons at their trial family members and close friends of criminal suspects should be allowed to stand surety for them. In 1992, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was charged with murder with two of his aides the Lagos High Court. The trial judge admitted the defendant to bail on the condition that the defence counsel or his senior brother who was

•CJN, Justice Aloma Mukhtar

•Falana

then a minister was prepared to stand surety for him. The bail condition was met when the defendant’s senior brother stood surety for him.

But it took over a month before we could get land owners to take out the other two defendants on bail.

mum period of imprisonment prescribed for the offence. In Edwin Iloegbunam & Ors v. Richard Iloegbunam & Ors (2001) 47 WRN 72. The Appellants were arraigned on a holding charge of attempted murder before the Magistrate’s Court, Ogidi, Anambra State on 3/7/2000. The trial court refused the application for bail and ordered that the appellants be remanded in

The right to bail

It is submitted that the fundamental right of an accused person to personal liberty includes the right to bail pending trial. Specifically section 35(4) of the 1999 Constitution provides as follows: “Any person who is arrested or detained in accordance with subsection (1)(c) shall be brought before a court of law within a reasonable time and if he is not tried within a period of; a. two months from the date of his arrest or detention in the case of a person who is in custody or is not entitled to bail; b. three months from the date of his arrest or detention in the case of a person who has been released on bail; he shall be (without prejudice to any further proceedings that may be brought against him) be released to either unconditionally or upon such conditions as are reasonably to ensure the he appears for trial at a later date.”

The presumption of innocence in favour of an accused person is guaranteed by Section 36(5) of Constitution 1999, which states as follows: “Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he proved guilty ...”

The combined effect of both sections 35(4) and 36(5) of the Constitution is that the liberty of an accused is jealously guarded by the Constitution, irrespective of the nature or gravity of the offence charged. In other words a criminal suspect who is presumed innocent by the Constitution should not be unduly incarcerated by the police or a trial court. In Eda v Commissioner of Police, Bendel State (1982) 2 NCLR 219 the Court of Appeal held: ”when a person is arrested or detained by the Police in connection with an allegation on reasonable suspicion of a crime and they are actively pursuing investigation of the matter, the duty of the police is in appropriate case to offer bail to the suspect and for bringing him to court of law within 1 day or 2 days as the case may be no matter under whatever sections of the Criminal Procedure Act or Police Act 1967 the police may purport to be acting”.

It is trite law that there has to be a reasonable suspicion that a person has committed a criminal offence before he can be taken to court. The practice of arraigning suspect in court on the basis of a holding charge was declared illegal in Ogor & Ors v. Kolawole (1983)1 NCR 342. Also in the case of Akokhia v. Commissioner of Police, Lagos State (1984) 5 NCLR 836 the court decried the practice of preferring a holding charge against accused persons by the police.

Under the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) Special Provisions Act (Cap C40) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the Chief Justice and Chief Judges of the states are empowered to order the release of persons whose bail was refused and have been detained for a period longer than the maxi-

S

prison custody. Before the hearing date the Chief Judge of Anambra State visited the Onitsha Prisons on 27/9/2000 and ordered the release of the Appellants on bail.

Upon the release of the Appellants the Respondents reacted by filing an ex parte application at the Federal High Court, Lagos for the arrest of the Appellants. The application was granted and they were re-arrested and detained in prison custody. Dissatisfied with the order for their re-arrest and detention, the appellants approached the Court of Appeal for redress. In allowing the appeal the Court of Appeal held: “That there is power in the Chief Justice of the Federation or any of the Chief Judges of the States to order the release of persons detained in prison custody in the exercise of their power under section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) (Special Provisions) Act Cap 79 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 is not in doubt. The exercise of that power by the Anambra Chief Judge would definitely constitute a different cause of action for the present respondents if they feel aggrieved by it. And an action founded on the exercise of that power which action is challenging the authority of the Chief Judge is one that should be brought before the High Court of Anambra State by virtue of Section 272 of the 1999 Constitution.”

Before granting bail to accused persons a trial court is enjoined to consider the (1) gravity of offence (2) the severity of punishment (3) the character of the evidence and (4) the rampancy of the offence. See Rex v. Jammal, 16 NLR 54; Majidadi v. Commissioner of Police (1984) 5 NCLR 847 and Dantata v. Inspector General of Police (1958) NRNLR 3. In Onu Obekpa v. Commissioner of Police (1981) 2 NCLR 420 it was held that a person accused of a criminal offence, other than a capital offence has a right to be released before trial in as much as the trial is going to last for more than two months.

•To be continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

33

LAW AND SOCIETY Reform civil justice, urge experts

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ARTICIPANTS at the 33rd Prac tice and Procedure Training Course of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) have called for the reform of the Civil law procedure System to facilitate the dispensation of justice.

They made the call at the fourday training workshop on practice and procedure by the institute at its Akoka-Lagos office.

They said an efficient civil procedure system would enhance speedy justice delivery and encourage investors to invest in our country.

The Director-General of the institute, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) said: “The general impression is that foreign investors are very keen to know how disputes resolution can be handled if and when the situation arises.

“And to that extent, it is clear that the delay in the administration of justice is one cardinal issue that would work negatively against foreign investment in this country.

Until and unless we are able to ensure that there is speedy dispensation of justice, foreign investors will be very reluctant to invest because in the event of a dispute, they are not sure of how long it will take to resolve it, hence so many people seem to be running towards Alternative Disputes resolution or arbitration because it is faster. But we can say without equivocation that in this era of ensuring that judges write their judgments speedily and ensure that cases are handled expeditiously, I believe that we are on the right track to attracting foreign investors and giving them hope and confidence that in the fullness of time, if and when a dispute arises from any contractual agreements, that the courts are in a position to handle the cases expeditiously.

He said the course was aimed at fostering speedy justice delivery, adding that ultimately it will be of advantage to lawyers and the country’s jidiciary. ”Well, this is a follow up to what has been on about 33 years now.

The response and reaction of participants year in year out leaves no one in doubt that it is a course that is well properly packaged and the intellectual input is so much that those who audit the course have continuously praised the efforts of the faculty and of course, the scope of the work. So, we feel that it is something that every lawyer who is interested in continuing legal education should strive to audit.

We are happy that the turnout is usually quite impressive and today’s programme is not an exception, we want to believe that we have been able to sustain the high standards and we are sure that not only will the people auditing the course take a lot from it, but it is our belief and desire that they will go back and impact the knowledge that they have taken away to those that are in their respective offices so that generally, it will contribute to the enhancement of the judicial process at the respective spheres of their influence and to the general dispensation of justice in Nigeria.

For those who are also connected to judiciary, it is an opportunity given to them to build up their capacity and also to enhance their skills for purposes of adjudication, especially in exercise of judicial discretion.

He continued: “There basically aspects of this programme that will impact positively on the speedy dispensation of justice and also the way and manner justice is dispensed at all strata of our courts from the Supreme Court, to the Court of Appeal and the lower Bench. We feel that the faculty that is dealing with the programme is one that is well equipped to handle it and the participants over a period of time in their own reports have made it abundantly clear that this is one course that is beneficial

By John Austin Unachukwu

to them. We feel that building capacity is one thing that government cannot run away from and we are happy that both at the Federal level and at the state level, people are coming in in their numbers for the purpose of building capacity for this purpose and we believe that these are the same people that will go back and also impact positively on those that are not here, so it becomes a kind of train the trainer, where those who are trained here will go back and train other people that are in their offices, take back the meat of the course and also make sure that they distribute the same and in the course of doing that, I believe that we will help to build up a judiciary and a legal system that we will all be proud of.

He added: “Again, bearing in mind that capacity building will also impact positively on the administration of justice and in the whole justice delivery system, we can make bold to say that, at this point in time when the budget of the judiciary is not as it used to be, this is an opportunity for people to make sure those who are participating in this course are those who are well-disposed to ensuring that with the limited budget available, they can make the best both for the speedy dispensation of justice, adequate case flow management and for the total guarantee that at the end of the day, the quality of justice delivered in all our courts in this country is pone that we should be proud of and one that is comparable to any anywhere in the world.

Former Director of Research of the Institute Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who facilitated the course on case flow management, said: “Delay in civil justice system affects governance and economic development; for example, investors will not like to invest in any economy that does not have a credible system of resolving disputes. One of the ways you can improve this is through an effective case flow management system which empowers the courts, especially the judges to take control of their courts and to monitor if cases are lagging behind, to find out why cases are lagging behind.

Until recent reforms starting with Lagos State, cases as we knew, you only knew when you started, but you could never tell when you would finish. But in certain category of cases now, the rules time bind start to finish. For example, fast track cases, that is cases that qualify for fast track, from start to finish, it is not expected to last for more than nine months. All of these are measures that have been introduced in order to improve the civil justice system.”

He urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to consider the time spent by judges on pre-trial conference of cases.

“Right now, the NJC requires that judges file returns which is the evidence of their productivity on a quarterly basis. But in each quarter, they deal with both substantive cases which they have adjudicated upon in their court, they also do pre-trial conferences by looking at why have you come to court, what are the issues between the parties, what are the pleadings, and they do a report. All of these also take time, so there is no reason the NJC should not recognise some of these issues because you can resolve a dispute without resulting into litigation. The matter could be resolved at the case management conference or pretrial conference as the case may be.

“And it may not go further, so why should the NJC not recognise this as productivity on the part of the judge? These are some of the reforms that I think would help judges to resolve cases without going into litigation if properly pursued,” he added.

•Prof. Lanre Fagbohun (left) and Prof. Azinge (SAN) at the event.

•Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (left) and Institute Secretary, James Bathnna

•Senior Magistrate Maimunat Bolajoko Folani and Tosin Fowowe Enusiafe.

•From left: Kenneth Jackson, Out Otu Effiong, Mfongobong Udoyang and Emem U. Isong

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

34

LAW AND SOCIETY Piqued by the political crisis in Rivers State, a Lagos lawyer, CHIJIOKE EMEKA writes on how to restore the rule of law there.

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Restoring the rule of law in Rivers

T would sound like a broken record to repeat that the dis turbing events in Rivers State, like that of the old Western Region in late 1960s, have the capacity to conflagrate Nigeria. The other day five legislators sat under the watch of the police and purported to remove the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Analysts had projected that had they been successful, they would have reconvened to also purport to remove the State Governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi.

However, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the five legislators could neither remove the speaker nor the governor. But in a society where the Rule of Law has been sent on vacation, oddities happen. Where the Rule of Law is not in place, might becomes right and minority rules. It takes society back to the State of Nature, characterised by, what Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), called “a war of every man against every man”.

Even during the Dark Ages, societies observed some measure of the Rule of Law, as draconian and as ad hominem as the laws were.

Emperor Constantine (274-337 AD) applied debate and edicts to quell the flame of the Arian dogmatic dispute ignited in Christian Egypt but which threatened the Christian world. Sensing a larger threat, Constantine convened an Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in Bithynia (now Iznik in Turkey).

Small flames, when sensitive, have a way of having its embers fanned into an uncontrollable inferno.

Had Constantine not acted timeously, the first world war could have come ahead in the first century, who knows?

The World War I shows that global armed belligerence could result from the minutest dispute when tempers are high. Although deeply rooted in the European history of the 19th Century, particularly in the political and economic policies that prevailed in Europe after 1871, when Germany emerged E u r o p e a n p o w e r , the immediate cause of the war was the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the AustriaHungarian heir, by a Serbian nationalist. Soon, Europe’s Allied and Central Powers were clashing. Japan joined the Allied Powers and Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers. Italy and the United States joined the Allies and world peace ceased for half a decade.

Last week, major headlines had it that Policemen used vans to block Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his guests, (about 102 of them, mainly former speakers) from entering his official residence. I had initially thought that the ‘Rivers side’ of the Abuja-Rivers ‘war’ was up to some propaganda. Then, in the video there was the governor standing before the barricade. Then two former speakers of Plateau and Lagos States spoke, expressing shock at the action of the police.

Reports later claimed that when Governor Amaechi demanded to enter his residence, the policemen made a lengthy phone call after which they said they had order that nobody, including the governor, should be allowed to pass! They reportedly added that they “don’t take orders from bloody civilians”.

I never knew that policemen are now also ‘soldiers’. Section 215(4) of the Constitution allows the Governor to give “lawful directions”

to the Commissioner of Police, who may request a reference to the president for “his directions”. Governor Amaechi’s direction to allow him passage to his official residence was lawful under Section 215(4). Who countermanded it over the phone? The Commissioner of Police? The Inspector-General? The President? These are issues for another day.

I have not taken sides with the ‘Rivers’ flank of the Abuja-Rivers ‘war’. I am not a politician and I live in Lagos and not Port Harcourt or Abuja, although both cities regularly play host to me. Even the explanation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the blocking of the governor was to forestall entrance by ‘authorised persons’ into the “new PDP” office in Port Harcourt, is weak. I think the legality of a “new PDP” office anywhere is a matter for the courts.

Using police power may spell anarchy. So, the action of the police is still deplorable, provocative and smacks of display of naked power.

It is an abuse of power through a misuse of Section 215 of the Constitution.

Even a trainee prosecutor can sustain a charge of treason against the officers and men that perpetrated this ignominy. An armed barricade against the president or a governor from entering his office or official residence is an act of war. There is no easier way to meet the definition of acts that “intimidate or overawe” the incumbent of those offices. The ‘bloody’ policemen in Port Harcourt simply intimidated and overawed the governor.

If only the feuding parties in Rivers State can show mutual respect for each other’s interests and observe the Rule of Law, the unnecessary tension would calm down. Let me start with the Rule of Law, believed to be the bedrock of constitutionalism.Thomas Fuller (1608 – 1661) posited more than 300 years ago thus, “be you ever so high, the law is above you”. In GOURIET V UNION OF POST OFFICE WORKERS (1977) 2 WLR 310 @ 331, Lord Denning cited Fuller with approval. Nigeria has a constitution and laws, which parties to the Rivers conflict swore to uphold.

Allowing the Constitution and statutes to be sacred guide in the midst of confusion and conflict of interests is the essence of Rule of Law. Conflicts and disagreement are normal in politics, but let Law be the arbiter. The Rule of Law compelled British PM David Cameron to seek Parliamentary support for the proposed US-led military action against Syria. The Rule of Law also compelled him to abide the unfavourable ‘nay’ vote. Rule of Law checks arbitrariness and caprice. Conversely, arbitrariness, dictatorship, abuse, conflicts and war, thrive where there is no Rule of Law. Neglect of the Rule of Law can sound the death knell on Nigeria.

It is the oxygen that keeps the modern society going. Indeed the Rule of Law is the final arbiter of dis-

putes in Nigeria. The Supreme Court merely makes a final declaration of its principles. If not for the Rule of Law, Governor Amaechi might not have been governor in his first term, after the then President Olusegun Obasanjo publicly spotted a “k-leg” in his nomination at the Liberation Stadium.

But for the Rule of Law, those bent on the Rule of Cabal against the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan as Acting President when President Umaru Yar’Adua became mortally ill, would have succeeded. If not for the Rule of Law those relying on some sectional agreement would have barred President Jonathan from contesting the presidency in 2011.

But for the Rule of Law, those opposed to the Jonathan presidency would have met at night at the Transcorp Hilton and ‘impeached’ him without due process. But for the Rule of Law, members of the “new PDP” could have been rounded up by now and detained without trial. Simply put, Nigeria is preserved by the Rule of Law. If not that my jealous God detests polytheism, I would have erected an altar for worship of the ‘Rule of Law’ as another god.

It has been alleged that the Rivers feud is fueled by permutations for the 2015 presidential election.

President Jonathan is said to be eyeing re-election, while Governor Amaechi eyes vice-presidency with a Northern president. Apart from “body language” none of the two men has validated these claims.

Yet, these ambitions do not suffice to destroy Nigeria.

President Jonathan has right to bid for re-election in 2015. It is a legitimate ambition. I declare my support for him, especially when I am not a party to the alleged agreement said to limit him to one term.

But Mr. President has to clinch his party’s nomination through a legitimate exercise devoid of intimidation and victimization. The Rule of Law should prevail.

Governor Amaechi also has the right to aspire to be vice-president under PDP, “new PDP”, APC, VOP or PDM. So why would Abuja destabilise Rivers State for that?

Can only Amaechi stop Jonathan’s re-election? Some say Rivers State is sensitive because it is Mr President’s neighbouring state. Really?

How many Southwest states voted President Obasanjo in 1999?

But then, is it not for Rivers people to decide in 2015 whether they want a President Jonathan or a Vice President Amaechi? Each aspirant should prepare to make his strong case. So, why ruin Rivers State for that?

Why break a someone’s skull for that?

Why bring the corporate existence of Nigeria under threat over a simple decision that should be left to the electorate?

Both President Jonathan and Governor Amaechi have been beneficiaries of excessive divine favour in politics. By now both should have realised that their fate in 2015 is in God’s hands and not in the hands of thugs, whether ‘bloody’ policemen, ex or serving militants or political jobbers! Therefore, let the Rule of Law prevail in Rivers State.

‘Governor Amaechi also has the right to aspire to be vicepresident under PDP, “new PDP”, APC, VOP or PDM. So why would Abuja destabilise Rivers State for that? Can only Amaechi stop Jonathan’s re-election? Some say Rivers State is sensitive because it is Mr President’s neighbouring state. Really? How many Southwest states voted President Obasanjo in 1999?’

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

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Riot, affray in the parliament

XCHANGE of blows and riotous conduct heralded the return of members of the House of Representatives to the Green Chambers, last week, September 17, from their long unearned holidays. The free for-all-fight in the parliament was a fall out of the crises that has engulfed the majority party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the sharing of political power in the country; which crisis if not properly managed, may draw the country to a possible melt down. Interestingly both the print and electronic media have enormous recorded evidence of cases of riotous conduct and affray in the parliament, which are punishable under the laws of country. But surprisingly despite the enormous evidence in the public domain, the police have so far remained aloof, in spite of the clear breach of the criminal laws of the land.

So, I hereby urge the police that instead of chasing after the minor infractions of the law by the ordinary people, they should based on the evidence of rioting that took place last week in the lower chambers, go ahead to arrest the culprits and charge them to court, relying on section 69 of the criminal code, (or its counter-part in the penal code) which defines unlawful assembly thus: “when three or more persons, with intent to carry out some common purpose assemble in such a manner, or being assembled, conduct themselves in such a manner, as to cause persons in the neighborhood to fear on reasonable grounds that the persons so assembled will tumultuously disturb the peace, or will by such assembly needlessly ad without any reasonable occasion provoke other persons tumultuously to disturb the peace, they are unlawful assembly. It is immaterial that the original assembling was lawful if being assembled, they conduct themselves with a common purpose in such a manner as aforesaid.” I have little doubt that most of the participants in the fight have a case to answer as regards this provision.

Also the police can haul in the law breakers and their collaborators for the offence of affray which is defined in Section 84 of the criminal code thus: “any person who takes part in a fight in a public place is guilty of misdemeanor, and is liable to imprisonment for one year.”

Even more ominous for the fighters from the two PDP factions at the Green Chambers of the national assembly is Section 84 of the code which provides for the offence of a duel; that is a prearranged combat, as was organised last week. That section provides thus: “Any person who challenges another to fight a duel, or attempts to provoke another to fight a duel, or attempts to provoke any person to challenge another to fight a duel, is guilt of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years.”

There is also another provision that can easily catch up with the fighters and the intruders. It is the provision of offences against the executive and legislative power in Section 61 of the criminal code, for which the fighters are clearly culpable, as their actions clearly impeded legislative proceedings while it lasted. More so, there is the need for multiplicity of potent charges to strengthen the hands of the police, so that the fighters will have their days in court, as the cliché goes. The said Section 61 provides: “any person who advisedly does any unlawful act calculated to interfere with the free exercise by the President or a Governor of the duties or authority of his office or with the free exercise by a member of the federal executive Council, or a state executive council, a federal legislative house or a state legislative house of his duties as such member is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years.”

Considering the above named offences and likely many more that the police will find out upon a diligent search of our criminal or penal code, I look forward to the arraignment of the present and former law makers, and the several other party leaders that were involved in the show of shame at the Green chambers last week, before a court of competent jurisdiction, to answer to the charges that should be brought against them. The police should not be intimidated by a callous recourse to legislative privileges as a defense for the ignominious conduct at the lower chambers; or the fact that it is a family affair of the PDP, and as such will be resolved within the family. For the avoidance of doubt, parliamentary or legislative privilege is defined as ‘any statements made in a legislature by one of its members, and any paper published as part of legislative business.” So, the privilege of legislatures does not extend to physical combats or rioting as we all witnessed last week.

If the police are, however, overwhelmed or intimidated by the status of the fighters, and are unwilling to stake the law against the legislators, then we should have recourse to the suggestion that we seek out experienced promoters to properly organise the fights. After all as Gbenga Omotoso, this paper’s editor lightly put it, such bouts are good for citizens’ entertainment and so it should be better organised and promoted, based on body weights and gender; with categories of belts to be fought for; secured rings, with ring sides; and gate fees and experienced referees in place. Indeed this may become a new source of income for the depleting federation account, and we can give the legislators targets on income and the number of fights that must be organised every year. If the prospects of income from the fights are good, I suggest we overlook the unlawful fight that has already taken place.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

LAW & SOCIETY

•

•CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

•EFCC Chair, Ibrahim Lamorde

•NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN)

• Eze

With the suit between the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, CHUKWUEMEKA EZE, a Lagos-based lawyer examines the challenges of implementation of Money Laundering Legislation against lawyers.

Challenges of implementing money laundering against lawyers

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VERY lawyer is expected to report trans actions above $1,000 to the Special Con trol Unit Against Money Laundering at the EFCC, in line with the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. Section 5 of the anti-money laundering law says that if a lawyer defaults in reporting, the CBN Governor can withdraw his licence. The law says what we as lawyers cannot accept. We could not understand how the CBN Governor will withdraw my license from me from outside the Bar. It is also in conflict with our laws on solicitor-client relationship.”

Quote from Okey Wali (SAN), President, Nigerian Bar Association during the 53rd Annual General Conference of NBA held in Calabar between August 25 and 30, this year.

The above statement shows that lawyers would not comply with the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011 (hereinafter referred to as MLPA) as amended by Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act of 2012 (MLPAA). This piece is intended to give support to the position of the NBA President based on the analysis of relevant laws and regulations affecting lawyers in their relationship with their clients, which the provisions of the MLPA and MLPAA have sought to negative.

What the money laundering prohibition Act, 2011 (MLPA) provides?

The law profession is one of the constituent professions embedded in Designated Non-Financial Institutions, a term defined in section 5 MPLA. Designated Non-Financial Institution (DNFI) means dealers in jewellery, cars and luxury goods, chartered accountants, audit firms, tax consultants, clearing and settlement companies, legal practitioners, hotels, casinos, supermarkets, or such other businesses as the Ministry of Commerce or appropriate regulatory authorities may from time to time designate. Designated Non-Financial Institutions are sometimes referred to as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs). From the definition of DNFI, legal practitioners have been listed as a component such that every provision of the MPLA that binds DNFIs binds lawyers too.

Section 5 (a) MLPA makes it mandatory for every lawyer to submit a declaration of the business of his law firm to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMIT&I) (formerly Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry) within three (3) months from June 3, 2011 when the Act commenced. This condition applies to existing businesses. By strict interpretation, all lawyers who have not registered with the Min-

istry as at September 3, 2011 are already in breach of the said provision.

Section 5 (b) requires every lawyer engaged in a transaction exceeding $1,000 to issue a standard form in order to elicit information such as name, address (office and residential), occupation, telephone number and email addresses, state and local government of origin, nature of business, age, colour, etc. For law firms, the operator will state the name of the firm, head office address, telephone number, email address, website, address of branch office(s), business name or company registration number, share capital (where applicable), tax clearance certificate, audited financial report, and operational licence. The lawyer is also required to submit documents of registration of his law firm with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The funny aspect of Sub-section (b) of Section 5 is that a lawyer has to monitor the exchange rate of naira to the dollar each week in order to know the exact exchange rate of $1,000. For instance, if the exchange rate in a particular week is N162 equals 1 dollar, each lawyer that engages in any transaction above N162,000 must comply with the ritual provided for in the relevant subsections of section 5. Another problem is the determination of whether the Central Bank exchange rate will apply or that of the unofficial market known as Black Market.

In real terms, where the CBN rate is N162 to a dollar, that of Black Market might be N165 or more to a dollar. In the absence of regular power supply, how will a lawyer in remote Mambilla Plateau know about these exchange rates and make weekly filings so as not to fall foul of the Act? Besides, some of the EFCC offices are up to 400 kilometres in distance to where some lawyers practice.

For lawyers in such locations, they would need to pay their way to EFCC offices weekly in order to make such fillings. The only exception under this law will apply where the lawyer has not engaged in a transaction not up to equivalent of $1,000 in that week.

Section 5 (2) directs the Ministry to forward all the documents received to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (through its Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML).

Under subsection (3) of Section 5, both SCUML and the lawyer are expected to keep their registers for five years before discarding them if need be. It seems that the lawyer is expected to prepare the register in duplicate, submit one and withhold one. By retaining the register for five years, it means

that the lawyer may be called upon to answer questions on any of the transactions contained therein at any time within five years.

Subsection (4) empowers the FMIT&I to make regulations for guiding the operations of lawyers. The Ministry has already prepared guidelines and provided Form 202 for Currency Transaction Reports (CTR) and Form 300 for Suspicious Transaction Reports.

Form 400 is used for cash payments over $10,000 received in a trade or business. Each Form 202 must be filed by the 7th calendar day from the day of the transaction.

Subsection (5) empowers EFCC (through SCUML) to deal directly with the lawyer without recourse to the Minister. This is what is obtainable now as SCUML has been making direct demands on lawyers to come up and register.

Subsection (6) is penal in nature as failure to file the necessary documents will attract N250,000 per day for which the necessary forms and/or register have not been filed with SCUML. In addition, the “appropriate authority” may suspend, revoke or withdraw a lawyer’s practicing license as circumstances may demand. This is the most bizarre of all the provisions of the section and the Act itself. A breach of this section of MLPA by a lawyer, for instance, for one year or 365 days, he will be liable to a fine of N91,250,000. After paying the fine, his practicing licence may, in addition, be suspended, revoked or withdrawn by CBN or EFCC. Little wonder that the Registered Trustees of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has sued the CBN and EFCC at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division in order to determine whether the CBN or EFCC has the powers to interfere with the right of lawyers to practice their profession as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, other Acts and subsidiary legislation.

Without prejudice to the eventual decision of the Court in the pending suit, yours sincerely intends to make a foray into some legal provisions that militate against compliance with the offensive sections of the MPLA. I will also recap the CBN position on the matter as well as the relevant recommendations out of the 40+9 Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

What the 1999 constitution (as amended) provides Section 37 of the Constitution provides that: “The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communication is hereby guar-

anteed and protected”.

It seems to me that the correspondence, telephone conversation and telegraphic communication between a lawyer and his client is private and any document generated from such an interaction is a private document unless deposited by the parties in a public place. A party is at liberty to publicise such a document and until he does so, the law protects it as private. What the MLPA has provided in section 5 will compel a lawyer to reveal the contents of these private documents just because the amount involved exceeds $1,000.

Is the provision of Section 37 of the Constitution absolute? Certainly, no! Section 45 (1) of the same Constitution provides that: Nothing in sections 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 of this Constitution shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society (a) in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or (b) for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons.

This provision shows that section 37 cannot be read in isolation. But can one say that MLPA was enacted in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons? How does a transaction between a lawyer and his client for N170,000 (since the exchange rate for $1,000 is less than this sum) breach the defence of Nigeria, endanger public safety, violate public order, debase public morality or stifle public health? What is it that lawyers do that other professionals not included in the definition of DNFI such as architects, town planners, surveyors, engineers, doctors do not do? Is this law not discriminatory? While one ponders over these questions, it is imperative to state that there is no constitutional provision that allows for truncation of privileged communication between a lawyer and his client.

Recall that section 1 (3) of the Constitution provides that: “If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void.”

Relying upon constitutional provisions alone, one can safely argue that section 5 of the MLPA is unconstitutional and void to the extent of its inconsistency with the Constitution.

•To be continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

36

NATIONAL BAR

Text of a paper delivered by Chief JOE-KYARI GADZAMA (SAN) at the State of the Legal Profession Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) .

Modernising legal practice in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects

•Continued from last week

Lack of familiarisation with technology

T

HIS is a more recent, but still equally disturbing development. Lawyers now have to grapple with technological advancements that threaten to render obsolete, the ways and methods that they are used to. It seems as if the major statutes cannot adequately take care of every legal cul de sac in which we find ourselves. Simply put, legal education and practice as they exist today are not what they were some decades back and even now as we speak; no one knows what the situation will look like in the next 10 years.

Laptops and desktops have replaced typewriters and secretaries are no longer in hot demand because some lawyers now type for themselves. The world is gradually marching towards a paperless society. Text messages and e-mails have replaced letters while credit cards are gradually replacing cash. The question therefore is this: “How does a lawyer fit into all this?” In a world where contracts can now be executed on line with super imposed signatures, how equipped must the lawyer be to cope?

The world is ever evolving and permanently in flux. It has gradually shrunk in every aspect including legal practice and the advanced countries have therefore adjusted accordingly. This has not been the case in Nigeria. There is no doubt about the quality of lawyers that are produced yearly in Nigeria. The only drawback is their detachment from the reality that is the outside world. This seeming reluctance of those in charge of the Legal Education curriculum to embrace new developments has spilled over to lawyers who have also refused to embrace the 21st century.

Not many lawyers in Nigeria have an email address talk more of a website while some are not even computer literate. Recent innovations such as the compression of bulky statutes into software have helped to decongest the workload of lawyers who are computer literate but even the judges are reluctant to accept this most liberating of innovations. The most challenging obstacle that legal education and practice face in Nigeria today is Technology.

While it is worthy of note that computergenerated evidence is now admissible under the Nigerian Evidence Act, there are still loop holes that have not been completely plugged. Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) seems to agree with this point. He had this to say about the new Evidence Act. “It is worthy of note that whereas the evidence law and indeed the entire legal system in England has undergone radical amendments and reforms to bring them in line with the changing circumstances and modern trends, it is only a few months ago that we thought fit to amend our Evidence Act in order to bring ourselves in line with global trends. Unfortunately, our effort is superficial and does not go far enough. We do not have elaborate cyber laws. Cyber law, of which the law relating to electronic evidence is an offshoot, has emerged as a new discipline and we have few if any groundbreaking litigation on the issue. It

is to foreign law and foreign case law studies that we must look for guidance as our law develops in this field”.

In the United States of America, not only has technology been embraced, it is now a permanent feature in the courts. Speaking on the influx of technology into American Courts, Wendy Lebowitz, an American Lawyer had this to say, “The Jurassic U.S. Supreme Court accepted briefs electronically during the 2000 presidential election, in Bush v. Gore, and if the justices are doing it, you know it is passé.

An association for the hearing impaired recently sued the High Court because its oral arguments can be downloaded only in MP3, a format useless to the deaf, who need transcripts.”

Similarly, R. Aduche Wokocha12 had this to say about technology: “Like the library, access to the internet has long become a necessity. Research that does not share the benefit of the information highway risks arriving upon redundant conclusions”.

Many students and indeed lawyers have failed to see the internet for the veritable, venerable research engine that it is. Instead, they make use of it, only when they want to chat on Facebook and other social media platforms.

In the advanced countries, credit cards are in vogue and transactions hardly ever involve raw cash. How equipped is the Nigerian lawyer in light of the recent cashless policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government’s resolve to fully implement its e-payment policy? Do we wait until a cashless society fully is upon us before we start to teach ourselves the value of technology?

Apart from a failure to fully utilise the internet, Nigerian Lawyers and law students also seem not to be bothered with the serious legal issues raised by globalisation and technological advancement. With the advent of globalisation, it is easy to infringe on other peoples’ copyright! With the click of a button, you can download music, movies and pictures using various programmes like limewire, orbit, bit torrents, etc. No one has raised these issues and the perpetrators keep having a field day in a country with over 60,000 lawyers.

With the advent of electronically generated evidence, what becomes of the concept of originality? Is the evidence generated the original or the photocopy? Is a document printed from a hard drive for instance superior to other similar copies printed after it? Are Nigerian lawyers prepared? Can any lay man with a flash drive generate evidence for the courts? How do you determine if it has been tampered with? Can a lawyer knowledgeable in matters of technology manipulate electronically generated evidence without being detected by his adversary?

In the advanced countries, e-voting is the preferred system as against manual voting.

If e-voting eventually finds its way into the Nigerian electoral system, how will elec-

•From left: Member, Lagos State Judicial Service Commission, Mrs. Adesola Oshodi; Director, Finance and Administration; member, Mr Adeola Hundeyin; Mrs. Folashade Iwajomo; Chief Judge, Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips; Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Ayodele Odugbesan and member, Mr. Taslim Animashaun at the swearing in of new customary court judges by the Commission.

tion Petitions be affected? What would become of documents like the Form EC8A, the form given to party agents for instance?

If one of the political parties is so skilled as to be able to manipulate the e-voting machine, how do the other parties prove that the results were manipulated?

It is, therefore, impossible to divorce legal practice from technology. Recently, the Nigerian Bar Association opened an online data base for lawyers in Nigeria. How many lawyers in Nigeria have accessed that data base? How many Nigerian lawyers even know how to access the data base? For as long as lawyers in Nigeria ignore the inexorable link between law and technology, our legal practice will struggle to cope with what obtains in the rest of the world.

Quality of lawyers This is probably the hardest thing to say but it has to be said loud and clear and without mincing words. The quality of lawyers turned out every year seems to be on the wane. Could it be that we have too many lawyers? I ask this question because it seems everyone wants to be a lawyer these days but not everyone has what it takes to remain one. Those who lack what it takes to be lawyers remain in the profession thus denying others who are competent the chance. Some rely on the influence of their parents to gain access to study law in Universities and secure jobs with big law Firms and blue chip companies where they end up doing nothing. To them, it is a mere exercise in vanity and the desire to contribute to the legal profession in Nigeria is lacking.

We have lawyers who cannot draft processes, who cannot speak good English and who argue illogically. A lawyer should stand out from the crowd, even if he/she is not in active legal practice. Sadly this is not restricted to junior lawyers. Even lawyers of over 10 years’ post call experience do make these mistakes. The blame here lies squarely on our training institutions, particularly our Law Faculties and our Bar Association. I would also blame some of our senior lawyers for inadequate or non-existent mentoring. The Law Faculties of Universities owe a duty to adequately prepare Nigerian Law Students for the largely procedural law that will be studied at the Nigerian Law School and encountered in practice. That way, the transition from substantive law to procedural law will not be too sudden. The way the system is organised presently; Law students are required to take in too much within a short time.

Inadequate mentoring of young lawyers is also a major problem. How many senior lawyers take time out to introduce “new wigs” to the intricacies and basics of the profession? How often does the Nigerian Bar Association check on the welfare and development of its lawyers?

My learned brother silk, Mrs. Olufunke Adekoya (SAN) aptly described the situation when she stated thus: “In addition to the training programmes suggested above, our new wigs deserve special support from their professional association. Older lawyers constantly complain about declining standards in the profession. How can this be rectified? Once the new lawyer is called to the bar, he is on his own, especially if he cannot find employment and has to establish his own chambers. This is an area where the Association owes an obligation to the new entrants to the profession to support them in exchange for the annual practicing fees which they are expected to pay.

Free advice in setting up an office should be available at Branch level and will encourage younger lawyers to remain connected to the Branch and to the Association. The provision of training courses and ongoing support in issues of money laundering compliance, professional ethics, the Legal Practitioners Accounts Rules and a Mentoring programme at Branch level will ensure that complaints against members will reduce” There are several lawyers in Nigeria who get into trouble, not intentionally but because they do not know better. It is akin to an apprentice in a mechanic’s workshop who quits long before his apprenticeship is over and establishes his own workshop.

•Gadzama

There are no prizes for guessing the number of cars that will be condemned in his shop. One is not unaware of the desire of young lawyers to make money as early as possible in legal practice. It is our collective responsibility (the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Law School, Law Faculties and Senior Lawyers) to introduce the virtues of patience, hard work and dedication to both young and aspiring lawyers at an early stage. This way, they lay more emphasis on learning the basics of the profession and its moral and professional components. We must collectively improve the quality of our lawyers if our legal practice is to conform to modern standards. A lot of traits go into the making of a lawyer and if a “new wig” is in the profession for the money, then he/she may just be in the wrong profession. One has to be competent first before the issue of making money comes in.

Unfortunately, a lot of young lawyers sans the requisite mentoring look at the wealthy lawyers of today and assume they got to where they are in two years. This has introduced what my Lagos friends refer to as jankara practice or what is commonly known as sharp practice.

Regardless of the name it is called, jankara or sharp practice has to do with the violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

It includes a lot of actions that we take for granted every day; blind-siding the opposing lawyer in court, withholding information about a matter from the judge, making eye signals at a witness in the witness box, colluding with court officials to secure an advantage over the other lawyer, getting to court ahead of the opposing lawyer and getting the matter struck out despite promising him that you would secure a stand down from the court, mischievously setting the opposing lawyer on a collision course with the judge, drafting documents for land conveyance without conducting a due diligence test or search, etc. In the past, you could count the number of sharp practices on one hand but today, the number is simply mind boggling and the practice is commonplace.

Dressing is another area that must be looked into. Some lawyers go to court absurdly dressed.

These days it is not uncommon to see lawyers wearing torn or tattered wigs, dirty bibs, colorful suits, colorful shoes etc. All these influence the younger ones, who believe it is the right way to dress.

In the past, you could beat your chest and argue that lawyers would never have to face prosecution for acts relating to clients’ money but now, what you see happening is unimaginable. The ethics of the profession must be maintained, somehow. In the last three years, two Senior Advocates have been temporarily stripped of the prestigious rank. Something is obviously wrong with our noble profession. In the past, the disciplinary issues never involved Senior Advocates but now we have seen two of our senior lawyers affected within three years. Lawyers insult each other in court; there was even a reported case of two senior lawyers exchanging blows within the court premises.

•To be continued next week

37

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

LAW & SOCIETY

•From left: Justice Yetunde Idowu; Head Judge, Lagos High Court, Justice Funmilayo Atilade; Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips; Justice Oludotun AdefowopeOkogie and Justice Adedayo Oyebanji at the swearing in of Justice Kekere-Ekun as Justice of the Supreme Court in Abuja.

Anambra election: Governorship aspirant sues PPA, INEC

A

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant, Mrs. Ngozi Ulasi has sued the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged plans to deny her the party’s candidacy in the November 16 election in Anambra State.

In an originating motion on notice, brought pursuant to Order 1(3) and 31 of the court’s Rules, Ulasi is seeking three principal reliefs.

The plaintiff is seeking an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the PPA from substituting her name, as the duly nominated candidate for the state governorship election on the party’s platform, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

She is also seeking an order, directing the PPA to issue her a Certificate of Return as the party’s governorship candidate for the state.

Mrs. Ulasi equally wants the court to grant an order of interlocutory

...Court opens hearing today From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

injunction restraining INEC from recognising any other person other than her, as the duly nominated candidate of the PPA for the state governorship elections pending determination of substantive suit.

The suit was filed by her lawyers, Charles Ogboli and Osuagwu Ugochukwu of the firm of Victory and Rose, Abuja.

She has equally filed a motion exparte, seeking an interim injunction restraining PPA from substituting her name and an interlocutory injunction against INEC, stopping it from recognising any other person as the party’s candidate pending the determination of the originating motion.

Mrs. Ulasi stated, in a supporting affidavit, that she contested the party’s primaries election for the governorship of Anambra, which

took place on September 2, 2013.

“That prior to the election, I obtained an expression of interest form from the party after paying N1,000,000.

“I presented myself for the primaries, which took place on September 2, 2013 at Basino Hotel Awka, Anambra State,” she stated.

Mrs. Ulasi further stated that she was the sole aspirant at the primaries, where she was overwhelmingly elected as the party’s governorship candidate.

She accused the party of refusing to issue her a Certificate of Return in spite of her nomination.

The plaintiff said she is aware of alleged moves by the defendants to substitute her name as the party’s candidate for the election.

“I am aware that the provision of the Electoral Act does not provide for the substitution of a candidate, except in the case of death or withdrawal of the candidate.

Court awards N20m damage against Sterling Bank

J

USTICE Oludotun AdefowopeOkojie of an Ikeja High Court, has ordered Sterling Bank to pay N20million as damages to Banex Industries Limited and Rev. Victor Mbansi for the illegal detention of 44,569,469 units of their Gulf Bank shares.

The court also declared that the bank’s refusal to release the lien it placed on the claimants’shares was unlawful.

Banex and Rev Mbansi sued the bank - asking for N100 million damages and a declaration that the bank’s refusal in releasing the lien it placed on the shares was illegal.

F

•‘Judge erred in law’

By Adebisi Onanuga

The claimants also prayed for an order directing the bank to facilitate the release of the lien it placed on the shares.

The claimants through their counsel, Emeka Eze-Okonkwo, argued that their shares had value at the time Gulf Bank was liquidated, adding that they suffered some grievous harm because of the withheld shares.

The bank argued that the shares were valueless as the Federal High Court in suit number FHC/L/CP/

30/06 between the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and Gulf Bank ordered that the bank’s shares be wound up and NDIC appointed as official liquidator.

Justice Adefowope-Okogie, in her judgment, held that the shares were wrongfully detained by the bank, adding that the claimant had proved the tort of detinue.

However, the bank has appealed the verdict at the Court of Appeal.

Its ground of appeal was that the court erred and misdirected itself by holding that the shares had value.

The N20million damages, the bank said, was excessive.

School guard in dock for ‘raping’ teenage pupil

OR allegedly raping a 17-yearold pupil at a school library, a security man has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrates’Court.

Emeka Nwabunwane, 30, was said to have forced the girl (names withheld) to have carnal knowledge of her on July 13.

He allegedly lured the teenager to the library under the pretence of giv-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

ing her a Biology text book.

Nwabunwane after luring the girl into the library, allegedly attempted to strangle her when she refused to pull her clothe.

He was said to have threatened to stab the victim if she refuses to cooperate and had struggled with the girl

such that she was weak and defenceless before defiling her.

According to the prosecutor, Corporal Adeleye Oluwafemi, the offence contravened Section 258(2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

The defendant, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, claimed that the victim was his girlfriend.

LEGAL JOKES

T

HREE lawyers and three engineers are traveling by train to a conference. At the station, the three lawyers each buy tickets and watch as the three engineers buy only a single ticket. “How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?” asked one of the three lawyers. “Watch and you’ll see,” answers one of the engineers. They all board the train. The lawyers take their respective seats but all three engineers cram into a restroom and close the door behind them. Shortly after the train departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, “Ticket, please.” The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on. The lawyers saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea.

So after the conference, the lawyers decide to copy the engineers on the return trip and save some money. When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip.

To their astonishment, the engineers don’t buy a ticket at all.

“How are you going to travel without a ticket,” asks one perplexed lawyer. “Watch and you’ll see,” says one of the engineers. When they board the train the three lawyers cram into a restroom and the three engineers cram into another one nearby. The train departs.

Shortly afterward, one of the engineers leaves his restroom and walks over to the restroom where the lawyers are hiding.

He knocks on the door and says, “Ticket, please.”

A big-city lawyer was representing the railroad in a lawsuit filed by an old rancher.

The rancher’s prize bull was missing from the section through which the railroad passed. The rancher only wanted to be paid the fair value of the bull.

The case was scheduled to be

tried before the justice of the peace in the back room of the general store. The city-slicker attorney for the railroad immediately cornered the rancher and tried to get him to settle out of court.

He did his best selling job, and finally the rancher agreed to take half of what he was asking.

After the rancher had signed the release and took the check, the young lawyer couldn’t resist gloating a little over his success, telling the rancher, “You are really a country hick, old man, but I put one over on you in there. I couldn’t have won the case. The engineer was asleep and the fireman was in the caboose when the train went through your ranch that morning. I didn’t have one witness to put on the stand. I bluffed you!”

The old rancher replied, “Well, I’ll tell you young feller, I was a little worried about winning that case myself, because that dumped bull came home this morning.”

A secretary, a paralegal and a partner in a city law firm are walking through a park on their way to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out in a puff of smoke. The Genie says, “I usually only grant three wishes, so I’ll give each of you just one.”

“Me first! Me first!” says the secretary. “I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.”

Poof! She’s gone.

“Me next! Me next!” says the paralegal. “I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of pina coladas and the love of my life.”

Poof! He’s gone.

“You’re next,” the Genie says to the partner.

The partner says, “I want those two back in the office after lunch.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

38

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

DOWN

ACROSS

1. Misfortune (4)

1. Canoe (4) 4. Price (4)

2. Keen (4)

7. Container (4)

3. Until (3)

8. Father (2)

4. Gonorrhea (4)

9. Tack (4)

5. Range (4)

11. Not Near (4)

6. Prostititute (4)

13. Final (3)

10. Insect (3)

14. Wasted (5)

12. Gave food (3)

15. Indicating location (2)

14. Pig’s pen (3)

17. Grain (3)

15. Skill (3)

19. Unit (2)

16. Verruca (4)

21. Aid in crime (4)

18. Asia (4)

24. Pain (4)

19. Exclamation (2)

26. Eggs (3)

20. Tide (4)

27. As it is (2)

22. Boyfriend (3)

28. Narrated (4)

23 Fish (3)

29. Net (4)

25. Expression of surprise (3)

WORD PUZZLE

ShOwBiTz

NFLer Nnamdi Asomugha & Kerry Washington Tie Knots

Olivia Pope is off the market. In a move worthy of her TV alter-ego, Kerry Washington has secretly wed San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on June 24 in Hailey, Idaho.

Bet you didn’t even know she was dating. Hell I didn’t!

The secret ceremony was witnessed by only closest friends and family and the marriage certificate was witnessed by the actress’ parents, Earl and Valerie.

Minister Chisaraukwu Asomugha officiated the nuptials.

The last known relationship Kerry was in was with her fiancé David Moscow whom she was with from 2004 to 2007. In her last tweet before taking a break Kerry wrote, “Ok. Logging off! See u in a few weeks! SO excited 4 all u UK #Gladiators about 2 experience Season 2! Spread the word!”

Congrats Kerry and Nnamdi!

Pep Talk

Find alternative words to the clues below and fill them in their spaces in the grid.When you are done another word for ‘APPEALING’ would be spelt. The first one has been solved to spur you on.

poetry

A B A T E

What is Fear?

I lay on my bed soaking my pillow with my tears, I try to remember exactly what it is that I fear.

Is it the passing of time or the love that I lack?

Is it the mistakes that I’ve made or the fact that I can’t bring the past back?

What is it that I’m afraid of?

Why am I so scared?

Is it the people I’ve hurt or the people that have hurt me?

Am I afraid of everything that I cant seem to see?

Is it the love of a friend, or the loss of my family?

Is it the possibility that my life can end in a tragedy?

What is it that I fear most?

What do my eyes say I’m scared of?

Is it the sun that sets but won’t seem to rise?

Is it the hope that I have that always seems to die?

Is it the trust of a person that I cannot begin to grasp?

Is it all the memories of my horrid past?

Is it me?

Can it possibly be that the thing I fear most is the thing I can’t be?

The things that I try to understand?

The me that I try to be with when I’m feeling sad?

The person I’m expected to be? Is that what I fear? . . .

I think the thing I fear most . . .is me

Bianca

Flores

Smile A smile is cheer from you to me, the cost is nothing its given for free.

They console the weary and gladden the sad.

And can make someone happy when they are mad.

Unlike blessings in which we pray its the only thing you keep when you give it away.

- Heather Black

CLUES 1. Ebb 2. Fact 3. Vagrant 4. Awaken 5.Turn Away

6. Crawl 7. Flatter 8. Inaction 9. Speak out 10.Occurrence

HUMOUR

Teacher & Student Teacher :What happened in 1809?

Student: Abraham Lincoln was born.

Teacher :What happened in 1819?

Student: Abraham Lincoln was ten years old Teacher: How old is********** your dad.

Student: He is as old as I am.

Teacher: How is it possible?

Student: Because he became a dad only after I was born.

A gift for girlfriend Man 1: I want to buy a gift for my girlfriend for her birthday but I don’t know what she would like. Give me a suggestion.

Man 2: Does she like you?

Man 1: Yes Man 2: Then she would like anything.

A well-cultivated mind is, so to speak, made up of all the minds of preceding ages; it is only one single mind which has been educated during all this time. - Bernard de Bovier de Fontenelle

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

39

ABUJA REVIEW NEWS

• From left: Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; President Goodluck Jonathan; Former Minister Minister of Heath, Prof. Eyitayo Lambo and Nigeria Economic • Minority Leader, House of Reps, Femi Gbajabiamila (fourth right, 1st row) with members of Society President, Prof. Akin Iwayemi during the Nigeria Economic Society 54th All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives during a briefing at the National Annual Conference in Abuja.

PHOTOS AKIN OLADOKUN Assembly

•Members, House of Representatives: From left, Hon Olumide Osoba; HonYinka Ajayi and Hon Sheu Gusau after the House session at National Assembly Abuja. Photo •From left: ASUU President, Nasir Isa Fagge, Minister of State, Education, Nyelson Wike, Vice President Namadi Sambo and Vice Chancellor Bayero University Kano, Prof. Abubakar Eashid during a meeting with the Vice President at the Presidential Villa.

•From left: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali; Chairman, Technical Committee on Privatisation of PHCN, Atedo Peterside, Director •From left: First Lady, Patience Goodluck Jonathan, Wife of the Senate President, Helen General Bureau of Public Enterprises Mr Benjamen Dikki and Special Assistant on Media David Mark, Nwanaka Ike Ekweremadu, Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola •Johnson and Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri during the 2013 World and Publicity to the Vice President, Alhaji Umar Sani during a briefing on the outcome of the meeting presided over by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo on the Cyber Security Conference at the Banquet Hall, State House Abuja. privatisation of PHCN at the Presidential Villa.

• Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo Presenting a Share Certificate of Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Fund Investment Authority to Minister of State, FCT. Olajumoke Akinjide. With them in the middle is the Chairman, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Alhaji Mahe Rasheed during the presentation ceremony at the State House Abuja.

•

•From left: Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen; Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Oghiadohme; Minister of Labour, Chukwemeka Wogu, Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Audu Umar, Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ioraer Ortom, during the Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

40

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

ABUJA REVIEW

A

FIRST-TIME visitor to the Presidential Villa will scamper for safety on hearing those sounds late in the night.

A journalist, who was newly posted to cover the State House, did indeed take to his heels when he heard a strange noise while waiting around 9.30 p.m. for a closed-door meeting to end in the villa.

It took some time before his colleagues assured him that everything was in order and that the noise he heard came from the beautiful peacocks he had earlier admired in the daytime.

About three weeks passed before he became used to the scary noises in the night from the peacocks.

Some scary things have also happened around some car parks within the Villa popularly known among staff as ‘Maitama’, ‘Asokoro’, ‘AYA’ and Nyanya depending on the distance from the main entrance to the President and Vice Presidents offices wing.

Some animals, in the dark, normally jump over and pass through the iron fence mesh

T

HE Federal Capital Territory Administration has started airlifting pilgrims from the territory to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj.

The approved airline for the FCT, Max Air, airlifted 1,030 pilgrims from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to Jeddah through two flights of 530 and 500 pilgrims.

Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who bade farewell to the pilgrims at the Permanent Hajj Camp near the Abuja Airport, advised them to be good ambassadors of the country in the Holy Land.

“I wish to call upon the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity and prosperity of our country and to support our leaders in prayers. Through prayers, Nigeria and the incumbent government will accomplish great things.

“The FCT Administration remains committed to doing everything possible to ensure that

Scary nights in the State House From the Villa

By Augustine Ehikioya

which separates the car parks from the thick forest in

the villa.

A Muslim staff was shocked

one night when he decided to observe the 7.00pm prayer in the mini-mosque by the fence close to the ‘Nyanya’ car park.

After winding down his car door glasses around 7.30 p.m., he decided to quickly observe the 7.00pm prayer. He left his car and did not think it necessary to wind up the glasses since the car was at a viewing distance from the mosque.

What he saw when he returned to the car few minutes later shocked him to the

marrow. He met four monkeys in the car.

While one of the monkeys was standing on the driver’s seat and holding the steering, the other three monkeys were on the front passenger’s seat.

They all jumped out of the car from the other window as soon as the owner opened the driver’s door.

Frequent fumigations in the vicinity have helped to keep reptiles at bay but a few times snakes crawled out from the thick forest.

FCTA would-be pilgrims fly out From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

FCT contingent gets the best treatment,” she said.

The minister assured the pilgrims that the FCT Administration would continue to work hard to articulate policies and programmes that would improve the annual Hajj exercise, including provision of excellent welfare packages for pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

She disclosed that the FCT had been allocated five flights for the airlift of its pilgrims, which had been concluded on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 11:30p.m.

She recalled that the FCT and other states of the federation had to contend with the 20 per cent reduction in Hajj seats allocation across the world.

“As a result of this development, the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board had to design a

realistic means of addressing the problem. Open balloting was conducted under the active supervision of key stakeholders; and the exercise was transparent and conducted in an orderly manner.

“We must accept this as a design of destiny which we lack the power to change. However, I have given directive for special consideration and attention for all those who missed out, in this year’s Hajj exercise as well as prompt refund for those who so desired,” Akinjide said while flagging off the first flight from the FCT. The Director of FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hajiya Fatima Sulaiman Gummi, said the agency had undertaken series of activities for the benefits of the pilgrims.

She listed the activities to in-

clude: sensitisation and orientation exercise, induction courses at the area councils’ level, medical screening of all intending pilgrims and immunisation exercises.

“The FCT Administration, through the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, has secured befitting accommodation for its contingent in Makkah.

“I wish to call on all our intending pilgrims from the FCT to be law-abiding and respect all policies. I will also call on our pilgrims to strictly abide by the transport system regulations, feeding arrangement and luggage policy

as well as flight schedules,” Gummi advised.

The minister was received at the Permanent Hajj Camp by the FCT 2013 Amirul Hajj, Gen. Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman (rtd); Chairman of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Ustaz Musa Mohammed; a member of the board, Ambassador Abdulwahab Mohammed Saleh; Chairman of Ministerial Committee on the FCT 2013 Hajj, Alhaji Yusuf Dayyabu and Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of State on Area Councils and Resettlement, Alhaji Yusuf Tsaiyabu, among others.

I wish to call upon the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity and prosperity of our country and to support our leaders in prayers.

Through prayers, Nigeria and the incumbent government will accomplish great things

Fighting cyber crime

C

•Some of the pilgrims

YBER crime, which involves criminals robbing their victims online, is fast becoming one of the greatest crimes globally. $500 million is said to be lost to the crime yearly, worldwide.

With the revolution in technology and increased access to the internet, many young adults have been engaged in cyber crime, while many children have also been victims.

Its impact, it was said, could be more devastating than physical war if immediate measures are not taken now to address the menace.

To stop the crime in Nigeria, First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, while chairing the 2013 World Cyber Security Conference in Abuja, promised to do all she can to protect children from any forms of online risks and abuses.

She said: “The internet

technology is one of the most outstanding innovations in the field of communication in the history of mankind. Its content is as diverse as human thought. It has completely changed society and opened up new avenues for communication, research, commerce and entertainment.

“Unfortunately, the immense benefits of the internet however come with its risks. I assure you of my commitment to ensure that the Nigerian child, the African child and the children of the world are protected from all forms of online risks and abuses.”

“We will create maximum awareness of basic online security measures, develop practical tools to help minimise risks and share knowledge and experience through multi-dimensional means,” she said.

September

POLITICS

43

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Efforts at producing reliable statistics for national planning have failed because the periodic headcounts have always hit the rocks. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the politics of population census and its implications for the polity.

Census: Can Nigeria get it right?

S

EVEN years after the 2006 census was conducted, the controversy trailing the exercise has not ended. The headcount is inconclusive. Recently, the Census Tribunal ordered the National Population Commission (NPC) to conduct fresh census in the preexisting 14 local governments (now 40 local governments and Local Council Development Areas) in Lagos State to correct the previous defective exercise.

After a critical assessment, the NPC Chairman, Mr. Festus Odimegwu, had declared that the last figures were inaccurate. Barely a week after the remarks, the National Census Tribunal nullified the results in 14 local government areas in Lagos State. The nullification followed massive complaints by 19 local governments.

They are Agege, Alimoso, AmuwoOdfin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, EtiOsa, Ifelodun, Ifako-Ijaye, Ikeja and Ikorodu. Others are Kosofe, Lagos island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu and Surulere. After considering the petition, the tribunal ordered a recount in the old 14 councils.

Lagosians have argued that the figures allocated to the state by the NPC under the chairmanship of Chief Samaila Makama reflected a wide margin of error. The melting pot was credited with barely nine million, unlike the old Kano State, now consisting of Kano and Jigawa, which had 14 million. The population of both states was 5.8 million in 1991, while that of Lagos was 5.7 million. Sensing credibility problem on the part of the commission, Lagos State had conducted a parallel census during the 2006 exercise. Its enumerators registered 4.9 million buildings, both residential and official.

The state, according to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, arrived at almost 18 million people, which is not a departure from the United Nation’s projection. He said the cancellation of the figures has vindicated the Lagos State government’s resolve to base its physical and economic plans on a projected population of 17,553,924 and over 21 million currently.

Already, the NPC is planning for a new census in 2016. However, it must now hold a supplementary headcount in Lagos before the next exercise. The puzzle is: “Can the commission learn from the past mistakes?

Like the periodic general elections, census has become a trigger for passion in Nigeria. Both census and voters registration are often rigged by the manipulators. But census generates a greater passion. What normally comes into the front burner are the age-long crises of

identity, integration and distribution in the diverse, multi-ethnic social formation. These factors have remained the most formidable obstacles to nation-building in a supposedly African giant groaning under a skewed federal arrangement and flawed revenue distribution mechanism. Therefore, despite the fact that census is a national affair, it connotes different interpretations to the antagonistic component units constituting the fragile federation.

According to economic experts, during the census, many people feel that they are counted, not as Nigerians, but as citizens of tribes and ethnic nationalities. The politics of census has also thrown up educated warlords, who understand the implications of the exercise for governance. Census is critical to political calculation, especially, the sharing of political offices and economic formulation in a country where people have refused to develop a national outlook. Therefore, experts contend that the census war is always at the root of the politics of state and local government creation. It is also at the root of the delineation of state and federal constituencies and distribution of national revenue and social infrastructure.

A political scientist, Boniface Ayodele, submitted that census may not succeed in Nigeria for a long time. Although it is desirable and non-negotiable, he pointed out that the exercise has become an opportunity for competition by the regions, states, local governments and towns. “A region that wants more states, a state that wants more federal constituencies, a local government that wants more wards, and communities pressing for separate local governments hinge their hope on the census outcome”, he pointed out. The University of Ado-Ekiti teacher said that the implications of a flawed census are grave. He said planning with false figures could be counter-productive.

In many communities, there is mobilisation for the exercise. Some people return to their states of origin to participate in it in community interest. Critics have alleged that indigenes cooperate with traditional rulers and community leaders to contribute “census expenses” or “census fund” to rub the hands of enumerators, supervisors and other officials. The objective, analysts argue, is to have an advantage over rival towns, communities, states

• The late Sir Ademola

• Makama

and regions when the results are collated. “During the census period, traditional rulers, council chairmen and governors are usually apprehensive”, Ayodele said.

There are also claims that the “geographical number ”has instilled unsubstantiated ethnic superiority and inferiority, following the much internalised media classification of tribes and ethnic groups into the “majority” and the “minority”. Indeed, in the march of federalism, the reliance on population strength by the dominant regions and the fear of it by the disadvantaged zones, have created the feelings of domination and resentment to marginalisaton.

In his book titled: ‘Nigeria: The Truth’, Daniel Agbowu noted that politically, each tribe has hinged its relevance and survival on the quantity of its population. “What is of great concern to all is the relative number of different tribes or nationality groupings. How many Northerners? How many Southerners? How many Easterners?

How many Westerners? Indeed, how many Nigerians?”, he said.

The author submitted that “ as the Nigerian society becomes more politically sophisticated, the pre-eminence of the larger tribes is being challenged by the so-called minorities who are smarting from years of neglect and relegation”. He added: “The cry today is no longer of majority/minority dichotomy; it is one of equality of nationalities.

Therefore, since democracy is a game of numbers, it is a critical factor for the survival of each nationality to enquire as just how many they are, and as to how much of the country’s collective resources they have had access to since independence and whether their future is still assured in a federal Nigeria”.

The country’s census history reveals the pattern of consistent resentment and rejection of the results by the Southern elements, who loathe the population superiority of the North, as suggested by the outcome of the result by successive census boards. According to census historians, headcounts

were conducted between 1911 and 1921, but the results were not made known. The exercise followed the passage of the census ordinance in 1917 by the colonial government.

But the first post-amalgamation census that was documented came in 1931. Since that year, it took place in every 10 years, although it was skipped in 1941 because of the Second World War between 1939 and 1945. The results were as follows: Northern Region, 11,343,000 (57.2 per cent), Western Region, 3,855,000 (19 percent), and Eastern Region, 4,641,000 (23.4 per cent).

The 1952/53 census results affirmed the population distribution in the tree regions as: North: 16,840,000 (55.4 per cent), East: 7,218,000 (23.7 per cent) and West: 6,359,000 (20.9 per cent).

HE 1962 census was the first post-independence census. It was conducted by a Briton, Mr. J. J. Warren, a federal census officer. It was cancelled due to public outcry. Prime-Minister Tafawa Balewa and the three premiers, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello (North),Chief Samuel Akintola (West) and Dr. Michael Okpara (East) agreed to hold a new census in 1963. The 1962 figures were first criticised, not by politicians, but by civil servants, who participated in the headcount. It marked the politicisation of the exercise. “Accusations and counter-accusations were freely traded among politicians from the three regions. Warren described the result from the Eastern Region as false and inflated, complained about the figures from the Western Region, but carried no adverse report about Northern Nigeria. Many observers believed that the scheming and scramble for more figures got to a peak because population figures formed the basis for the delineation of electoral constituencies.

The 1963 census was also marred with controversy. Complaints trailed its outcome. The North had 29,809,000; East 12, 394,000; West 10,931,000, and Midwest 2,536,000. The census tension engulfed the country. The Prime Minister further fuelled the tension

T

‘Like the periodic general elections, census has become a trigger for passion in Nigeria. Both census and voters registration are often rigged by the manipulators. But census generates a greater passion. What normally comes into the front burner are the age-long crises of identity, integration and distribution in the diverse, multi-ethnic social formation’

• Odimegwu

when he declared that the North was now entitled to have more electoral constituencies than the whole of the South. The Premier of the Eastern Region fired back. Rejecting the census, Okpara said that it smacked of inflation of astronomical proportion, adding that the results were worse and useless. Venting his anger, he went to court to seek redress, but he lost on technical ground as the court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.

His Midwest counterpart, Denis Osadebey, followed suit, saying that the outcome was a stupendous joke of the year. He pointed out that women were counted in purdah without being seen. The result was nullified by the Prime Minister and the country reverted to the 1953 figures.

The fear of 1963 census gave birth to two alliances. The Southern based parties- the Action group (AG) and National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC)-teamed up under the United Progressives Grand Alliance (UPGA) to fight the Nigeria National Alliance (NNA), made up of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) and Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP).

In 1973, the military regime conducted its first census. It did not yield any meaningful result for planning. The chairman of the Census Board was the late Chief Justice Adetokunbo Ademola. According to the analysis, the North had 51 million and the South 28,758,696. The total population of the country was 79,758,969. As Agbowu pointed out, “of this, the six states Gowon created in the North were given 51 million while the six states in the South were allotted 28,758,969”. The analysis meant that the population of the North had jumped from 53.6 per cent in 1963 to 63.8 per cent in 1973.

The Southern population had dwindled to 36.2 per cent from 46.4 per cent. The first Premier of Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, promptly rejected the figures. He said the 1973/74 headcount was a “barren exercise”. Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon consequently withheld the final figures. His successor, the late Gen. Muritala Mohammed, later cancelled the controversial results.

Second Republic President Shehu Shagari was planning for a census in 1983. He set up a census board headed by Alhaji Abdurahman •Continued on page 44

44

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

POLITICS

ANAMBRA 2013

‘APC will transform Anambra’

A

• Ubah

Security, unfettered judiciary my priority, says Ubah

A

NAMBRA State Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate Chief Ifeanyi Ubah has unfolded his manifestos in Awka, the state capital. He promised to ensure security and independence of the judiciary, if elected as the governor on November 16.

The state has been under the scourge of insecurity for some years. Kidnappers and ritual killers have been on rampage. Thus, security is on the front burner during this electioneering as people want to know how the candidates will tackle the menace.

Ubah promised to comprehensively review the security situation by making it a joint enterprise involding the government and the governed.

The flagbearer, who addressed the youths at a rally, pledged to guarantee a peaceful atmosphere for investment.

He said: “We will implement a comprehensive plan to tackle the root causes of insecurity. The reliance on the use of force alone will not stem the tide of insecurity in the state. We will focus on preventive measures to stop crimes from being committed, rather than waiting to detect crimes and ap-

•Continued from page 43

Okene in 1981. But the headcount did not hold.

OLLOWING the creation of states by the successive mili tary governments, the fighting spirit of the regional blocs and tribal organisations were, to some extent, broken. Thus, their reactions and criticisms of the 1991 census were mild. In the 1991 census, out of an estimated 88,992,220 Nigerians enumerated, the North was credited with 46,146,743; the South had 42,845,477. The figures were disputed. In 2006, the North had 75 million and the South had 64,978,376. In addition, there were 71.7 million males and 68.3 million females. To some, the gender distribution was laughable. For the North, it showed a 62.58 per cent increase. For the Southwest, is was 49.86 per cent. Southsouth’s figure of 21,014,655 represented a 48.86 per cent.

Observers have pointed out that the 2006 exercise was a ruse. They

F

Augustine Avwode,

prehend offenders after the act has been committed.

“We will implement job and training programmes to take idle youths off the streets and keep them meaningfully engaged”.

Ubah also said that his administration will involve the citizens in neighbourhood security, which shall broaden intelligence-gathering capabilities.

He added: “We will deploy helicopters and hightech surveillance equipment for the police and other security stakeholders for use in the monitoring of our borders for criminal activities and to nip them in the bud.”

The politician lamented that security votes are often not used for the intended purposes, assuring that that misuse willl end.

On the administration of justice, Ubah said he would initiate a broad-based system that will meet international best practices and reduce delays in the dispensation of justice.

He also promised to ensure the independence of the judiciary so that the arm of government can discharge its duties without let and hinderances.

NAMBRA State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Senator Chris Ngige has promised to transform the state, if elected into office.

“My antecedents speak for me.

I have done it before and I have a good legacy”, he said at a party meeting in Akwa, the state capital.

In Ngige’s view, the November 16 poll is crucial to the future of the state. He said that he wanted to return to the State House to continue the good works he started in 2003.

The APC candidate spoke ahead of the inauguration of his campaign committte today by the party leaders. Expected at the ceremony are Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, his Imo and Nasarawa counterparts-Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Alhaji Al-Makura, the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Layiwola Mohammed, and other chieftains.

Ngige has been to many local governments for consultations and meetings. His campaign director, Chief George Moghalu, has also been mobilising support for his ambition among the stakeholders.

November 16 is a litmus test for the APC. The party will test its strength, popularity and acceptance in the 37 year-old state for the first time.

Eyes are on Ngige, who won the senatorial election against the APGA candidate, Prof. Dora Akuyili, in 2011. The question on the lip of many people is whether he can also win the governorship against all odds.

Ngige’s APC is the only party that is not factionalised in Anambra State. The ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is in disarray. The party is in and out of court resolving the dispute generated by its rancorous primaries. Although the court has now pronounced Chief Willy Obiano as its candidate, his rivals at the shadow poll are still up in arms.

Also, despite the court’s ruling, the gladiators locking horns over the party leadership have not sheathe their swords.

Observers contend that the party may go for the poll with-

•Ngige

By Emmanuel Oladesu

out putting its house in order.

Peace has also eluded the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

For weeks, Comrade Tony Nwoye and Senator Andy Uba have been struggling for the ticket. Parallel primaries produced the two aspirants as the flagbearers. Although the court has now ordered that the electoral commission should recognise Nwoye as the flag bearer, the move has not ended the crisis.

PDP sources said that party chieftains opposed to Nwoye are planning to challenge the

‘Unlike the APGA and PDP candidates, he has political experience.

Although he could not weather the storm as the governor in the past, he had bounced back on the scene by winning the senatorial election. Analysts believe that the APC flagbearer has a thick skin. In the Senate, he has also not been a bench warmer’

Politics of population census had predicted gloom, ahead of the headcount. The polity was divided over the modalities. Christians demanded that religion should be an important element for consideration. The clergy and laity in Christendom were indirectly challenging their Muslim counterparts, who often claimed that their faithful were in the majority. Also, ethnic associations leading the agitations of the ethnic nationalities for relevance, insisted that the enumeration papers should shave columns for tribal status. Non-Muslims berated the counting of women in purdah, advising the enumerators to see the total picture of the person and not legs. The joke in many Southern Nigerian drinking joints was that, in the North, goats and sheep were counted as human beings.

In his critical analysis of the census results from 1931 to 1991, Agbowu observed that “over the 60 year period, each region has main-

tained approximately the same proportion of total population without regard to changes and differences in demographics, economic factors and other sociological phenomena”.

As a corollary to the “proportional representation”, Agbowu pointed out that “the internal rate of population growth for each region varies widely over the time, as well as varying significantly between regions”. The population of the West grew by 26.3 percent between 1931 and 1953. It grew by an astonishing 124.6 per cent between 1953 and 1963. But between 1963 and 1991, it slowed down by 63.6 per cent. On the other hand, the North had grown consistently and steadily by over 60 per cent between 1963 and 1991. The West and Midwest had the highest growth rate of over 70 per cent during the 60 year period, when compared with the average national rate of 65 per cent.

This, to Agbowu, is a puzzle. “If the

country as a whole grew at an average rate of 60 year period, one would have expected that the components, whose rates of growth, exceed the national average should show an increased proportion. But curiously, the West and Midwest have been clamped into the proportional population trap, and their growth artificially construed”, he added.

Agbowu contended that “this mathematical accuracy that maintains the proportional balance between the regions in a manner, which keeps the population of the Northern Region at a level higher than the other regions put together, defiles logic. What the census result proves is that population distribution in Nigeria is the opposite of what obtains everywhere around the world. That the population is larger in the Northern-semi-arid and Sahara belt, than the southern forested area, is a kind of reverse gradient.

Census is cumbersome and logis-

recent ruling of the High Court on the primaries at the Appeal Court. Also, tension has not ceased in the APGA because the national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, and Maxi Okwu, who is challenging his leadership, has not surrendered.

Ngige said the crises rocking the party is a pointer to the fact that they are not ready for repositioning the state. He said the APC is the only party that has the progressive blueprint to transform the state through responsible, accountable and transparent governance.

Ngige, who represents Anambra Central Zone, in the Senate, promised to fight the infrastructure battle.

Since his emergence as the APC flagbearer, his name has send jitters down the spines of other parties.

Unlike the APGA and PDP candidates, he has political experience. Although he could not weather the storm as the governor in the past, he had bounced back on the scene by winning the senatorial election. Analysts believe that the APC flagbearer has a thick skin. In the Senate, he has also not been a bench warmer.

APC is the only party that does not have any distracting suit in the court. This has assisted Ngige to project the image of a conseunsus builder and symbol of unity.

Moghalu, who also spoke in Awka, said that power must shift to the APC on November 16.

He said the APC governors have served the people creditably in the 11 states. Besides, the campaign manager said that the party has people-oriented manifestos, which were crafted after an indepth need analysis.

He predicted that the so-called power of incumbency will collapse on pull day, adding that there will be no room for overconfidence on the part of Governor Peter Obi. Moghalu said the APC administration will insist on prudent management of scare resources and mobilise the talents of the indigenes to fuel development.

However, many challenges will confront Ngige. One of them is the selection of his running mate. tic problems may mar it. However, the internal politics of the country, which has always shaped the process and outcome, is more damaging. “Nigeria is afraid of counting itself. They even factor in their rigging permutations into the census preparation. We don’t know the accurate population of youths, adults, men and women, and children.

Government wants to plan social policy for the aged, but data are unavailable”, said Ayodele. The university don warned that defective statistics will always result into defective planning.

What is the way out? To get it right, Ayodele suggested the use of biometric method. He also said that there should be an enlightenment that will change orientation from the desire to rig the census to the advantage of the tribes, to the appreciation of its importance for planning. “The country should have a national identity and data bank.

This will eliminate false enumeration. Any other means will be an exercise in futility”.

MOTORING

45

THE NATION

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

The new Kia Soul makes its European debut at the 65th Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany. It is joined by a dramatic new urban B-segment concept vehicle, the Kia Niro, which makes its world premiere, as well as the new bi-fuel Kia Picanto LPG and upgraded Kia Optima. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO writes with agency addition.

•The Kia Soul

Kia Soul, others make debut in Germany

T

HE new Kia Soul stays true to the original iconic design, with modern design cues matched by improved dynamics and a range of economical engines. The smooth newlook exterior is inspired by the 2012 Kia Track’ster concept and introduces a thoroughly fresh, more grown-up appearance without losing its individualistic edge.

The biggest technical change for the new 2014 Soul is the adoption of an all-new platform, based on that of the latest Kia cee’d. The result is greatly improved ride and handling compared with the outgoing model, as well as more mature and composed on-road behaviour. The second-generation Soul will also be the best in its class for refinement, a result of the car’s upgraded suspension, 29 per cent stiffer bodyshell and comprehensive soundproofing. Interior noise levels are reduced by approximately three decibels. Subtly larger dimensions also mean the new model offers buyers a more practical proposition, with a longer wheelbase and wider track contributing to greater cabin space and cargo capacity. Leg, head and shoulder room are increased for all passengers, while the cargo area is increased by four per cent to 354 litres (plus additional under floor storage) with the rear seats upright.

Environmental performance for the new model is also improved. Auto lovers will be able to choose between the latest versions of Kia’s 1.6litre GDI gasoline and CRDi diesel engines, as well as six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Both engines are carried over from the outgoing model, and feature improved efficiency with lower emissions.

The Kia Soul will go on sale across Europe next year, when the full model line-up, choice of gasoline and diesel power trains, performance, economy, equipment specifications and prices will

be confirmed.

Kia will also be showing the new Kia Niro, a dramatic new European concept car, which hints at a possible future B-segment contender ready to take on the urban environment with style and tenacity.

The Kia Niro previews an innovative new power train, featuring Kia’s turbocharged 1.6litre ‘Gamma’ engine, developing 160 ps through a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. While the engine drives the front wheels, an electric-hybrid system powered from regenerative braking delivers up to 45 ps (33 kW) to the rear wheels – when road conditions require extra grip.

Niro is born out of Kia’s determination to seek new compact car options for urban drivers, and has been created with European tastes and expectations very much in mind. The car was designed at Kia’s Frankfurt design studio – less than a kilometer away from the IAA – under the direction of Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Europe.

The new bi-fuel Picanto LPG, developed in response to growing customer demand for small cars with low running costs, is also introduced at the IAA show. The new model is powered by a special version of Kia’s threecylinder 1.0-litre Kappa engine, producing 67 ps and 90 Nm of torque. The new Picanto LPG promises even lower running costs than conventional gasoline-only Picanto models.

The new variant will record fuel economy in LPG mode of 5.8 l / 100 km and CO2 emissions of 100 g/km – with automatic stop-start (ISG) equipped models achieving 5.6 l / 100 km and 97 g/km.

The new Picanto LPG is fitted with two fuel tanks – the regular 35-litre gasoline tank in the

usual position ahead of the rear axle and a 27litre pressurised LPG tank located beneath the trunk floor in the space previously occupied by the spare wheel. Drivers can switch between gasoline to LPG simply by pressing a button on the dashboard.

The LPG tank and the system’s equipment adds 51 kg to the Picanto’s weight, so in order to maintain brisk acceleration (0-100 kph in 14.5 seconds) the final drive ratio is lowered by 8.6 per cent (from 4.235:1 to 4.600:1). The Picanto’s top speed – 150 kph – is unchanged from the standard 1.0-litre gasoline model.

While its power train has been modified, the new Picanto LPG retains all the key assets which have made the smallest Kia so popular throughout Europe, recording annual sales in excess of 50,000 units.

Initially, the European bi-fuel Picanto model will be available in Germany, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal and the Netherlands – where it expected to account for up to seven per cent of Picanto sales. When it goes on sale later this year, the left-hand drive Picanto LPG will be the first, and only, LPG-powered car in the marketplace with a seven-Year, 150,000 km warranty.

Responding to customer feedback and developments in the ever-competitive European Dsegment, the Frankfurt show also sees the introduction of an upgraded Kia Optima, with an enhanced design, new infotainment, convenience and safety features, increased refinement, improved quality and a more premium finish.

Created under the direction of Kia’s Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer, the upgraded Optima features revised LED daytime running headlights, fog lamps, rear lights, bumpers and wheels.

As well as a visual refresh of the popular sedan model, Kia has also focused on introducing greater refinement to the Optima, one of the key areas for improvement targeted by engineers. Measures adopted to reduce road noise in the new model include fitting a dynamic damper to the rear suspension cross member, improving the vehicle’s sound-proofing and fitting stronger alloy wheels. Combined, these measures have reduced road noise by 3.3 dB. Many of changes designed to enhance engine efficiency have also been adopted, including an overrunning alternator decoupler and an innovative battery management system. As a result, CO2 emissions start from 133 g/km for the 1.7litre diesel model, and reducing to 128 g/km when fitted with Kia’s optional fuel-saving stop/start ISG system. The Optima is among the lower vehicle tax bands in many European countries.

The already generous equipment level of the original 2011 model is boosted with additional standard and optional premium features for the upgraded Optima, including Drive-Mode-Select (with three driving modes – Normal, Active ECO and Sport) and improved audio and navigation systems with an optional eight-inch screen. The upgraded Optima also features optional new safety equipment, such as Kia’s Blind Spot Detection system, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Other options available (depending on model) include: SPAS (Smart Parking Assist System), smart key and start button with automatic folding mirrors; retractable panoramic sunroof; heated rear seats; heated steering wheel; BAS (Brake Assist System); ESC (Electronic Stability Control); HAC (Hill-start Assist Control); and VSM (Vehicle Stability Management).

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

NEWS

N2.5b hotel coming to Osogbo

Ekiti seeks refund of N8b investment on federal roads

E

KITI State government has urged the Federal Government to pay it the over N8 billion it spent to fix federal roads.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by his deputy Prof, Modupe Adelabu, spoke at a lecture, organised by the local chapter of the Forum of Heads of Federal Establishments in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

Fayemi said the state rehabilitated the roads to boost socio-economic activities of residents.

He said his administration

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would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that the state gets its share of federal presence.

The governor said productivity level could only be enhanced when public servants discharged their duties with integrity.

He urged federal officials to carry out their functions with diligence.

The governor spoke of the need for supervising agencies and parastatals to periodically despatch inspectors to their offices in the states to further enhance efficiency.

The pioneer Managing Di-

rector of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Chief Samuel Falegan, delivered a lecture, entitled: “Integrity in public service and its impact on productivity.”

In his lecture, Falegan carpeted some federal officials, who he noted, had failed in their responsibility to discharge their responsibilities with integrity. He came down hard on the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Plc, the Police and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

He urged the federal establishments in the state to en-

A

•Fayemi

sure the completion of all ongoing projects in the state, particularly the road linking Ado-Ekiti to Ijan-Ekiti.

Ministerial nomination: Lagos PDP leaders shun Bode George

ROMINENT members of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are determined to ensure a leader of the party, Chief Olabode George, does not decide who gets the state’s ministerial slot.

They shunned a stakeholders’ meeting summoned by the party’s former deputy national chairman over the matter at the weekend.

The slot became vacant after President Goodluck Jonathan’s dropped Gbenga Ashiru. The slot is believed to be for the Southwest .

It was learnt that while Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states has forwarded the names of one nominee each for the vacant slot, three names were forwarded from Lagos State.

But the names forwarded from Lagos states were alleged to have been rejected by the national leadership of the party following protests from prominent leaders who said George did not consult them.

The meeting, which was held last Sunday at George’s Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi home, was to address the issue.

However, nearly all the notable party chieftains expected at the meeting stayed away. Sources said the meeting, which was start at 3pm, could not start until after 5pm.

A source said: “Except for few members of the state executive committee of the party and associates of the former deputy national chairman, most of the people expected at the meeting stayed away.

“They were all duly invited because the national leadership impressed it upon George and his men that all stakeholders must be part of the decision to be taken. But, they refused to be

By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor

at the meeting.”

Prominent among party leader who shunned the parley were Dr. Abayomi Finnih, Mrs. Modupe Sasore, Mrs. Remi Adiukwu Bakare, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Chief Deji Doherty, Musiliu Obanikoro and Chief Rasheed Williams amongst others.

The Nation learnt the decision of the leaders to stay away was based on their earlier position that since the slot is not for Lagos State alone, the zonal leaders of the party should make the nomination.

“They shunned the meeting because they have aligned themselves with the two nominations already made by the southwest leadership of the party. They are not in support of George’s insistence on nominating the minister representing the Southwest.

“That is the reason why most of them stayed away. Although some of them may have other reasons. The meeting dispersed without any meaningful resolution as even local government party chairmen allegedly rejected Bode George’s decision on the nomination,” another source said.

Party sources said George is championing the nominations of three of his associates, Tunji Shelle, Mrs. Aduke Maina and Dr. Segun Ogundimu. Other leaders of the party want the zonal leadership to decide.

The southwest leadership of the party, The Nation learnt, has nominated the duo of Mrs.Adiukwu-Bakare, a former commissioner and two-time govership candidate from Lagos State and another candidate from Osun State.

BY Seun Akioye

N international hotel franchise chain, Best Western, will soon debut in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

A statement by the Project Team Manager, Mr. Lanre Bakare, said the four-star hotel, located opposite Central Bank building and the secretariat, Abere, would compliment efforts by Governor Rauf Aregbesola to make the state an investment and tourism hub.

To be managed by Best Western, the hotel, which boasts of 105 exotic rooms, conference hall, swimming pool and a world-class gulf course, would cost N2.5 billion. It is expected to be the best in Osun and environs.

It is being bankrolled by Keynes Private Equity. The hotel, which sits on about three hectares of land, is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Bakare said the hotel would be a major boost to the government’s economic transformation agenda. Besides generating employment opportunities, he said the hotel would attract tourists with a positive multiplier effect on the state’s finances.

He praised the governor for providing conducive climate for private investments to thrive, saying if the tempo was sustained, the state would soon be the industrial hub of the Southwest.

Two brothers held for alleged murder

By Precious Igbonwelundu

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HE Police in Lagos have arrested and charged two siblings before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for alleged murder.

Nurudeen Dada, 38 and Wasiu Dada, 41, allegedly murdered one Quadri Busari, 32, in a church at the Isheri-Oke area of the state.

The duo are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder punishable under sections 231 and 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos.

It was alleged that the defendants, while armed with sticks and knife on August 3, at about 6pm, clubbed Busari to death.

The Magistrate, A. Tobi, remanded the defendants in prison custody and ordered that the case file be sent to Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

‘Jonathan has performed well’

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HE Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, has scored the Federal Government high.

Addressing the Annual Conference of the Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO) of America, in New Jersey, Gulak said the transparency and the fairness of the electoral process was one of the major achievements of Jonathan in two years.

He said: “We are all Nigerians and it was the Almighty God that decided where we were born so there is no need to discriminate against anyone on account of ethnicity, religion or language” he said.

Gulak, who is also the national coordinator of the Goodluck Support Group (GSG), said: “Within two years, the present administration has made considerable impact in various spheres of the economy, education, transportation infrastructure, such as rail and air transport, health, trade, sports, agriculture and the rest. All we need is a peaceful environment to do more for our country.”

ENERGY

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

AfDB to invest $380m in power sector

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IGERIA’S power sector is to get a $380million lifeline from the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2014, an energy specialist with the bank, Mr Bokar Toure, has said.

Toure told The Nation that the fund would be spent on various power projects in the country, as part of the bank’s contributions to the growth of critical infrastructure.

He said the decision to invest in various power projects was borne out of the fact that power would help Nigeria to achieve the much- needed socio-economic developments, adding that the investment is aimed at galvanising potentials in the country’s power sector, and help revive the economy.

The investment will be different from the previous ones made in the sector by the institution because of its risk-sharing nature.

Toure said: “We had a couple of investments in the power sector in Nigeria. They are long-term investments initiated to help the country improve on its power supply. We have various project classifications, and each project has its own set goals or objectives. They are structured to achieve some goals for the lender and the borrowers. The $380 million investment in the power sector in 2014 is classified under the bank’s Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) initiative.”

The PRG covers private lenders against the risks of the government or a government-owned agency failing to perform its obligations with respect to a private project.

The idea ensures payment in case of default resulting from the non-performance of contractual

‘The bank has financed the Nigeria-Benin Interconnection project with $19 million and provided $100 million out of $150million for the economic power sector reforms in Nigeria’ •African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka

By Akinola Ajibade

obligations undertaken by governments or their agencies in the private sector projects.

Toure said the bank has approved and implemented various power projects in the past, adding that efforts are on-going on those that have not been completed.

He added: “The bank has financed the Nigeria-Benin Interconnection project with $19 million and provided $100 million out of $150million for the economic power sector reforms in Nigeria. We are yet to approve the $30 million meant for Public -Private Participation power project in the country. Under the PPP initiative, the bank will spend the money on capacity building of operators in the private and public entities to ensure growth of the power industry.”

‘13 GENCOs, DISCOs need more gas plants’

T

HE drop in power supply will continue unless the government supports the 13 generation and distribution firms with additional gas-fired plants, experts have said.

Speaking against the backdrop of Nigeria’s inability to supply enough gas for the 13 generation (GENCOs) and distribution companies( DISCOs), the President, Senior Staff Association of the defunct National Electric Power Authority, Godwin Ifenacho, said the government should provide more gas plants to help the companies improve electricity generation.

He said the Escravos Gas Project could not be relied upon to provide enough gas for the power generation companies that are billed to come on stream next month.

Ihenacho said: “There is frequent drop in power generation, occasioned by low supply of gas to power plants. Escravos does not have the capacity to provide enough gas for power generation.

Now that the Bureau of Public Enterprises has concluded plans to hand over the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor companies in October, the government must provide more gas plants to make electricity generation much easier. Besides, Escravos, capacity must be improved. Bigger volumes of gas

must come from the plant.”

He said Escravos’ inability to provide gas for Afam V1, Rivers Independent Power Plant, Olorunsogo Power Plant, among others, has resulted in the drop in power generation.

Low head water elevation is limiting power generation from Kainji and Jebba hydro stations to one unit each, adding that if Omotosho, Papalanto, and Sapele power plants are taking gas from Escravos, the volume of gas each would get will not be enough to generate electricity. He said the firms would find it difficult to generate enough electricity, using only Escravos.

Gas supply, he said, was the responsibility of the government, advising that measures be put in place to provide enough gas for power generation.

“The purpose of privatising the power sector is to improve electricity supply. The government should try and provide facilities to make the private-sector driven initiative work. Provision of more gas-fired plants is one way by which the power companies can achieve their objectives,” Ihenacho said.

The President, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, Mr Emeka Ene said gas supply and utilisation would drive the power sector and the economy. He said

Financial institutions, such as AfDB and World Bank, have invested in the power sector in Nigeria. AfDB has provided technical and financial support for the growth.

The World Bank provided its first PRG of $145million to support Nigeria’s gas project and bring more electricity to Nigerians. The PRG agreements in support of a Gas supply and Aggregation Agreements (GSAA) were signed between the World Bank and the Power Holding of Nigeria (PHCN), Egbin Power Plc, and Chevron Nigeria. Also, the International Finance Corporation IFC, a member of the World Bank Group is planning to support an investment that will provide 1,500 mega watts for the country. The institution said the initiative would help to improving electricity supply and further grow the economy.

•Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr Sam Amadi

efforts must be geared toward increasing gas consumption locally for economic growth.

The potentials of the power sector, he said, could only be galvanised through regular supply of gas, advising the government to assist the companies in accessing enough gas for operations.

Power generation dropped to 2,628MW recently, leading to a nationwide load-shedding. The Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo attributed the drop to low gas supply to power generation plants, especially in the East. The problem, he said, was caused by gas constraints arising from condensate on the Trans National Pipeline.

NUPENG threatens strike over fuel stations’ attendants’pay

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HE National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers(NUPENG) has threatened to go on strike over what it calls the poor remuneration of Petrol Station Workers.

Petrol station operators, they claim, pay their staff less than the N18,000 approved minimum wage.

The General Secretary, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr Isaac Aberare, said the attitude of indigenous oil marketers toward petrol attendants was bad.

The marketers, he said, were exploiting petrol attendants by paying them below the minimum wage okayed by the government.

He named some of the companies involved as Conoil, Mobil, Forte Oil, and Rainoil.

He threatened a nationwide strike by the union if urgent steps were not taken to address the problem.

But the downstream operators, including the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) have exonerated themselves from blame.

IPMAN President, Western Zone, Olumide Ogunmade said managers of petrol stations were expected to handle the welfare of their workers and not the body.

T

By Akinola Ajibade

He said it was a non-union issue, which the association cannot act on.

Ogunmade said: “Low remuneration of petrol station workers is not a union issue.

Though IPMAN is the umbrella body of autonomous marketers of petrol and allied products, fighting for petrol station workers is outside its purview. The issue has nothing with our union. If a station manager employs 10 people for instance, he or she decides what to pay the attendants. We have nothing to do with that issue.”

A Senior official of Conoil Plc, Mr Azeez Abiodun also exonerated his company, saying the firm places priority on the welfare of its staff irrespective of their jobs. He said though it does not employ people that work at its stations, it advises that such staff be well-catered for.

“For instance, if a company has given out its operations to firms to manage, it has no right to interfere in the ways the firms are paying their workers. The fact that you are working in a Conoil petrol station does not mean you are an employee of Conoil,” he added.

The Nation learnt that some petrol stations pay their workers between N10, 000 and

NIPP to get transformers

HE 10 National Independent Power Project (NIPP) plants have got a boost ahead of their 2014 take-off date.

The General Manager, Digital Energy Business, Europe, Middle East and Africa, General Electric, Luis Perez, said the company was planning to increase the supply of generator step-up transformers to the plants.

Many of the NIPP stations, he said, were already using the transformers, adding that more would be made available.

In a statement to announce the partnership between General Electronics and XD Electrical Group, Perez said the NIPP stations would need modern technology to evacuate and transport power to end-users.

Perez said: “The problems of transmission and distribution which have been the bane of power supply in Nigeria may soon become a thing of the past, going by the

government’s plan to explore building a 765 KV super grid.

The GE and XD Electric partnership means that potentially both companies can leverage on their strength and partner with relevant stakeholders to participate in this super grid project.

The combination of GE’s and XD’s experience in high voltage Solutions will mean the possibility of building a transmission supergrid across long distances, up to 1000 km, with minimal losses. With GE’s intelligent solutions, also, the challenges of “system collapse” and capacity isolation being experienced in the country will be dealt with easily.”

He said the partnership between the two companies would offer end-to-end Transmission and Distribution solutions to meet electricity demand in Nigeria, adding that the impact on the power reforms in Nigeria is huge.

Firm trains oil and gas operators

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ETRODATA Management Services Limited has embarked on document control and management systems training for operators in the oil and gas sector.

Its Executive Director, Business Development,Petrodata, Adenowo Adedayo said the firm would organise the training with Assai to improve service automation, assist oil and gas firms to perform, and enable them comply with the global stan-

By Ambrose Nnaji

dards.

About 17 firms are being trained on the application of the software.

Adedayo said the services were relevant to the downstream and upstream sectors of the petroleum industry.

The said several oil and gas companies, including Shell, Niger Delta Exploration and Production Company, were making use of the software.

48

THE NATION TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

49

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08177298749

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

Prince

Covers

V

Magazine

1.Resort (3) 4.Repair (5) 7. Examine (4) 9. Buttocks (4) 10. Peruse (4) 12. Entreat (4) 14. Trunk (5) 16. Perform (2) 17. Insect (3) 18. Ominous (4) 20. Musical Note (2) 21. Full of Mint (5) 22. Yes (3) 23. Single (2) 24. Nipples (5)

DOWN 1.Begin (5) 2.For Each (3) 3.Convince (6) 5.Mud (4) 6. Fellow (4) 8. Brief (5) 11. End Prematurely (5) 13. Proceed (2) 15. Carry out order (4) 16. Noise (3) 18. Have Dinner (4) 19. Seeing Organs (4) 20. Beam (3) 21. Rug (3)

MISSING LETTERS All the words in the columns below have lost their first letters as indicated by the blank spaces above them. You are required to find and affix them. When done, all the first letters will form a 9-letter, sexually offensive word or action. Happy Puzzling!‘

SANDS OF TIME Covers

V

Magazine

Prince will always be better than the rest of us. The flawless 55-year-old icon rocks a tight fro and some shinny threads for V magazine’s issue 84 and chats about a number of topics including his aversion to technology.“Are you serious?” Hell, no,” he says mimicking a woman when asked if he owns an iPhone.

“Where is my phone? Can you call my phone? Oh, I can’t find it.”Okay. Prince is not a fan of the iPhone or any other kind for that matterHe also chatted about his fans and says they come to his concerts because they know they’ll get their money’s worth.

“People come to see us fifty times. Well, that’s not just going to see a concert—that’s some other mess going on.

This music changes you. These people are not being satisfied elsewhere by musicians, you feel what I’m saying? It’s no disrespect to anyone else, because we’re not checking for them. But we don’t lip synch. We ain’t got time for it. Ain’t no tape up there.”

Pep Talk

Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle’s nest rested. The eagle’s nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle’s egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.

One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. “Oh,” the Eagle cried, “I wish I could soar like those birds.”

The chickens roared with laughter, “You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar.” The eagle continued staring, at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn’t be done.

That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken.

Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.

The moral of the story: You become what you believe you are; so if you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams, not the words of a chicken.

Brain Teaser A man in a restaurant asked a waiter for a juice glass, a dinner plate, water, a match, and a lemon wedge. The man poured enough water onto the plate to cover it.

“If you can get the water on the plate into this glass without touching or moving this plate, I will give you $100,” the man said. “You can use the match andA lemon to do this.”

A few minutes later, the waiter walked away with $100 in his a n pocket. How did the waiter get the water into the glass?

HUMOUR True Believers

The two thousand member Baptist church was filled to overflowing capacity one Sunday morning. The preacher was ready to start the sermon when two men, dressed in long black coats and black hats entered thru the rear of the church.

One of the two men walked to the middle of the church while the other stayed at the back of the church. They both then reached under their coats and withdrew automatic weapons. The one in the middle announced, “Everyone willing to take a bullet for Jesus stay in your seats!”

Naturally, the pews emptied, followed by the choir. The deacons ran out the door, followed by the choir director and the assistant pastor.

After a few moments, there were about twenty people left sitting in the church. The preacher was holding steady in the pulpit. The men put their weapons away and said, gently, to the preacher, “All right, pastor, the hypocrites are gone now. You may begin the service.”

Getting Into Fights A young couple drove several miles down a country road, not saying a word.

An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position.

ANSWER

First, the waiter stuck the match into the lemon wedge, so that it would stand straight. Then he lit the match, and put it in the middle of the plate with the lemon. Then, he placed the glass upside-down over the match. As the flame used up the oxygen in the glass, it created a small vacuum, which sucked in the water through the space between the glass and the plate. Thus, the waiter got the water into the glass without touching or moving the plate.

You can try this experiment at home with appropriate supervision.

Prince

FOOD FOR THOUGHT The Chicken

As they passed a barnyard of mules and pigs, the husband sarcastically asked, “Are they relatives of yours?”

“Yes,” his wife replied. “I married into the family.”

Touch a life today with a smile, a word of encouragement or any kind gesture.

Our ideas like orange plants, spread out in proportion to the size of the box which imprisons the roots.

– Edward Bulwer Lytton

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

50

NEWS

Milito delighted to return in Inter romp

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NTER striker Diego Milito was elated to return to first-team action with a double in his side’s 7-0 thrashing of Sassuolo on Sunday.

The Argentinian forward had not played a competitive match for Inter since February, when he suffered a cruciate ligament knee injury.

Just returning to the pitch was a special moment for the 34year-old, but after coming on as a 54th-minute substitute for Rodrigo Palacio, he helped himself to two late goals, putting the finishing touches on Inter’s record away win in the Italian top flight.

“This brace means a lot to

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me,” a delighted Milito said afterwards. “I’m delighted with my return and of course to score two goals as well.

“We played superbly today and we’ve got a fantastic group of lads here.

“There are loads of people I’d like to thank…my family, my kids, my team-mates, Andrea Scanavino, who worked closely with me in this period, Franco Combi and other doctors.” win lifted Inter to the top of the Serie A table as they extended their unbeaten record to four matches this season.

They have scored 13 league goals and conceded just one in that time, marking a significant

turnaround from last season, when they finished a disappointing ninth.

And Milito hailed the impact that new coach Walter Mazzarri has had at the club.

“We really have got an exceptional group here and we’re going about things the right way,” he said.

“Coming back into a team that’s playing so well makes everything that much easier.

We must keep taking each game as it comes – that’s what we’re trying to do.

“We’ve got a new group of players and a new coach so there’s lots of work to do but we’re on the right track.”

Pep: Schalke rout 'best performance'

AYERN Munich coach Pep Guardiola described his side’s 4-0 rout of Schalke as their best “Bundesliga performance of the season”.

Defending champions joined rival Borussia Dortmund at the top of standings, claiming second spot on goal difference thanks to goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Mandzukic, Franck Ribery and Claudio Pizarro.

And following the emphatic victory, a ‘proud’ Guardiola told reporters it was the first time his new side had dominated for the entire match.

"That was our best Bundesliga performance of the season so far," the 42year-old Spaniard said. "I’m satisfied and proud of this performance and my players.

"In other games we only

played well for 30 or 45 minutes, but this time we did very well over 90 minutes.

We totally dominated one of the strongest teams in Germany."

Schweinsteiger, who returned to the Bayern starting line-up, echoed his coach, believing he and his teammates maintained the right ‘mentality’ throughout the

match.

"We took it very seriously from the start, our mentality was right. We were determined to take all three points," the German international said.

"It’s not easy to come here and win, so we’re doubly delighted about doing just that.

We were definitely very good at times.”

•Pep Guardiola

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

51

NEWS

•From left: Wife of Osun State Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola; FirstBank Plc Senior Manager, Alhaja Fatimat Oyefeso; Secretary to the Lagos State Government Dr Idiat Adebule, her husband Alhaji Saheed Adebule and former Lagos State Independent Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso during the Eight-Day Fidau for Dr Adebule’s mother, Alhaja Asia Alase-Idowu-Esho at L.A Primary School, Iba, Lagos

•From right: Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Author of ‘Casting Stone’ and member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Omowumi Olatunji-Edet and Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof Modupe Adelabu during the public presentation of the book at the Blue Roof, LTV 8 premises, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday

•From left: Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Hon Wahab AlawiyeKing; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga; Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed; Director Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mrs Yetunde Jegede during the official presentation of Bursary ATM Verve Cards to Students of Lagos Indigene in Lagos State University (2011/2012) set, at Government College, Agege, Lagos.

PHOTO:SOLOMON ADEOLA

•Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun flanked by Fuji Music maestro, King Wasiu Anifowoshe (KWAM 1) (right); and his son, Femi Anifowoshe during a visit to Government House, Abeokuta.

•Senator Gbenga Ashafa (second right) cutting the tape to inaugurate solar streetlights which he donated to the Igbogbo community in Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu…at the weekend. With him are Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun (middle), Hon. Nosimot Akinsola (second left), Hon Gbenga Basanya, LCDA chairman (left) and Mrs Fausat Gbadebo, former chairman of Ijede LCDA.

•From right: Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo; Hon Wale Oshun; Chief Odegbami Afolabi and Ayo Osunloye at a press conference, Ado-Ekiti

•Bishop, Lagos Central Diocese of The African Church, Rt. Revd.

Julius Abbe (middle) congratulating the newly ordained Revd Gbenga Gbadebo (right) during the Priesthood and Diaconate ordination at St. Paul’s African Church, Ilupeju, Lagos. With them is Revd Fisayo Gbadebo.

•From left: Unilever Nigeria Field Sales Manager, Awka, Ngozi Osamor presenting a brand new Kia Picanto car to Friday Igwe, winner of the grand prize in the Close Up Buy, Win and Display promo at the Eke Awka Market, Awka, Anambra State.

•Vice Chancellor Redeemer’s University, Prof Debo Adeyewa (left), and Chief Executive Officer, New Horizons Nigeria, Mr Tim Akano, during the signing of the partnership agreement at the Redemption City, Ogun State.

PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON

•From lef: The Zaki of Arigidi Akoko, Ondo State, Oba Yisa Olanipekun; Coordinator Oodua Progressive Union, Akogun Banji Ojo; Nigeria Ambasador to Netherlands, Ambassador Nimota Akanbi; National Coordinator Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams and his wife, Erelu Mojisola at the launching of Oodua Progressive Union in Amsterdam, Netherlands

52

THE NATION TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

THE NATION TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

53

NEWS

PDP elders: we ‘ll resist Tukur

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HE Elders’ Committee of t h e K a n o N e w Peoples Democratics’ Party (PDP) yesterday raised the alarm over what it described as a malicious plot by the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP leadership to disorganise the party structure in the state.

The committee in a communiqué signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Datti Wudilawa and Kabiru Rabi’u, the Communiqué Committee chairman, said the new PDP in Kano had taken legal redress “over Tukur’s determination to hijack the party structure in Kano.”

A Kano State court in a motion exparte ordered the national leadership of the PDP to maintain the status-quo, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

The leadership of the new PDP explained that “when the tenure of the state party executive expired, we wrote to the party’s headquarters, requesting a fresh election. A date was fixed for the exercise but the Abuja delegation failed to show up. The next thing we

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

heard was that a Caretaker Committee has been set up to oversee the affairs of the party in Kano State, which to us is totally unacceptable and we are challenging it in court.”

They also chided the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees (BOT) leadership for supporting automatic ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 elections, accusing Tukur and Chief Tony Anenih of the rape of democracy.

The communiqué, read by Kabiru, when briefing reporters, said the Tukur-led leadership “is unpopular and has been a disaster for the party as he (Tukur) pursues the policy of personal loyalty”, adding that the policy would split our great party and would divide the governor’s ranks.

“We the elders of the party and the entire PDP family in

Kano State with one voice are saying “no” to the breach of PDP constitution wherein mercenaries have been put in place to discipline our members. We believe in the rule of law and the political structure of Nigeria and that of PDP, which are based on the rule of law. But we are saying “no” to the politics of divide-and-rule. Our loyalty and that of our governor is to the new PDP.” Passing a vote-of-no-confidence in Tukur’s leadership, they added: “We have noted with grave concern the way and manner the party is being run by the National Working Committee (NWC) under the leadership of Alhaji Tukur.

Their actions in recent past are undemocratic, autocratic, selfish and military-like. The constitution of the party, sacred as it is supposed to be, was thrown to the dogs and actions were/ are taken on the whims and caprices of the leadership and

his principal.

“The statement credited to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Anenih that President Jonathan and some governors be given automatic ticket to contest in 2015 elections is not only undemocratic, but also a glaring case of contempt of court because there are existing court judgments in this case: Atiku Abubakar vs Peoples Democratic Party.

“The PDP policy of consensus arrangements and ‘adoption’ rather than transparent election to produce candidates for all elective offices, including the presidency, is totally unacceptable to us.

“Former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar was repeatedly in court to challenge this undemocratic arrangement and the court ruled that the policy is alien to the PDP and the Nigerian constitution.

“More often than not, ac-

Yobe holds council poll in December From Duku Joel, Damaturu

Y •Tukur

tions are taken in a rush without due regard to the party’s constitution, as it is the case of Governor Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto State, who was suspended and that decision was vacated a few days later. The suspension of Governor Rotimi Amaechi is a clear case of the rape of democracy. He was accused on a very trivial issue and was suspended from the party by Tukur without giving him an opportunity to defend himself.”

‘Military intervention in Nasarawa successful’

Our focus is education, says Kwankwaso

T

HE Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, has said the military intervention in parts of Nasarawa State is successful and yielding positive results.

Maku said this yesterday when he received members of the Conference of Local Governments PDP Secretaries from the state, who visited him in his office in Abuja.

He said normalcy was gradually returning to the affected areas.

The minister, who expressed optimism that the violence would soon be tackled, said government would monitor the situation and make adjustments where necessary.

He said the Federal Government would work with the relevant authorities at all levels to ensure that those displaced by the crisis return to their homes in the shortest possible time.

“We do not want to bring politics into what is happening in Nasarawa State; I have always advised politicians to be forthright in all that they do.

“We are happy so far with the results we have got in the last few days of our intervention and we are monitoring the development.

“By the special grace of God, sustainable peace will return to Nasarawa State,’’ Maku said.

He stressed the need for proper networking to ensure that the proponents of violence were exposed and defeated in the interest of peace and harmony in the state.

The minister, who said no ethnic group could develop the state in isolation of the others, urged political and traditional leaders to be united in the interest of genuine development.

He said leaders at all levels must shun violence and all forms of destructive tendencies by their supporters.

“There is no leader of substance that will support the destruction of life and property anywhere.

“No ethnic group in Nasarawa State is an island; we must all work together for the progress of our state.

OBE State Independent Electoral Commission (YSIEC) has fixed December 28 for the conduct of the local government elections.

The Executive Chairman of YSIEC Mohammed Jauro Abdu said this yesterday in Damaturu at a meeting of stakeholders, comprising representatives of political parties, security agencies and the media.

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, when giving out 19 Hilux Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to the commission for the election last week, said the local government election would be held in late December or early January.

The chairman of the commission hoped that the security situation in the state would improve, stressing that “the commission has no reason not to hold the all-important election.”

Abdu said the commission is taking the bull by the horns to ensure a smooth, credible, free and fair poll in the local government by involving stakeholders for fairness and equity.

The chairman said seven political parties would participate in the elections.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

K

•Durbar procession at the 20th anniversary celebration of the reign of Emir of Suleja, Malam Mohammad Awwal Ibrahim, in Suleja, Niger State...yesterday.

Offa: APC accuses Kwara PDP of faking results

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Offa chairmanship election rerun, Prince Saheed Popoola, has alleged ongoing falsification of the results by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and officials of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC).

But KWSIEC and PDP described the allegation as false and baseless.

PDP scribe and KWSIEC spokesman, Prince Yemi Afolayan and Nuru Dauda, said such a thing never happened.

In a statement, Popoola said the PDP assembled the returning officers, who served during the rerun at a GRA Ilorin home of a former Works Commissioner from Offa, where they were asked to rewrite some concocted figures and

•PDP, KWSIEC: It's false

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

sign same ahead the election petition tribunal.

Popoola said it was shocking that the Kwara PDP leaders, who are shouting blue murder about the undemocratic tendencies of their national leaders, are the same people, who "supervised and are still supervising the daylight stealing of the mandate of Offa people with impunity."

The statement reads: "This is to alert the public to the dubious and despicable rewriting of the Offa election result by the Kwara PDP. This, as everybody can easily guess, is to wriggle out of the defeat and shame that await the party for the shameful announcement of

the loser as the winner of the Offa chairmanship/councillorship rerun on August 31.

"Today, Monday, September 23 at about 11a.m. in the GRA Ilorin home of a former Works Commissioner beside Flower Garden Ilorin, the PDP brought stamped but plain copies of election result sheets and asked the returning officers, who served during the Offa rerun to transfer onto the sheets with their handwriting figures given to them by PDP chieftains and some officials of KWASIEC. The returning officers were also made to sign the newly-concocted results. At about 2p.m., the returning officials left the home of the commissioner, who hails from Offa.

"This shows the desperation

of the Kwara PDP. The behaviour of the Kwara PDP, beginning from the announcement of a fake election result on Radio Kwara to this latest falsification of election result, gives Nigerians a clear picture of Kwara PDP's leaders, who are crying blue murder over some undemocratic tendencies of the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP even when they supervised, and are still supervising, the daylight stealing of the mandate of Offa people with impunity.

Clearly, these fellows are hypocrites and philistines whose sole interest is not whether or not our democracy survives, but the amount of public wealth they convert to personal use.

"We urge them to desist from this despicable and shameful behaviour in the interest of peace and democracy."

Ahmed gives N3b car loans to teachers, civil servants

G

OVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday disbursed car loans worth N3 billion to teachers and civil servants.

The governor also inaugurated an ultra-modern press centre for the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin.

Presenting the car loans to the beneficiaries, the governor said it was “another opportunity to demonstrate this administration’s long-standing commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants across the state, including secondary and primary school teachers.”

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

According to him, civil servants are the foot soldiers of good governance and those who work silently to ensure that government’s vision for the uncommon development of Kwara State comes to fruition.

Ahmed said: “We accord the welfare of civil servants the highest priority as demonstrated by the payment of salaries and especially by today’s launch of N3 billion vehicle loans to civil servants.

“This government approved the renovation of offices in the ministries of Health, Commerce and the Local Government Service Commission. Also put in place are welfare policies and

programmes, such as training and retraining of workers for better performance, employment opportunities for the youth through KWABES, approval of the sale of government quarters to sitting civil servants and the recent negotiation with estate developers to provide houses at affordable rates to workers.

Inaugurating the NUJ press centre, he said: “The truth is, many laudable government initiatives will fail without appropriate advocacy through the media. The media also has the capacity to promote transparency through its surveillance function, while also setting an agenda for good governance.”

ANO State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has said the state government’s sponsorship of students to study courses within and outside the country is an investment in the future of the state.

The governor spoke when he received a group of 36 students on the state government’s scholarship, pursing specialised courses.

Twenty-five of the students were sponsored to study Marine Engineering in India, six are at the Nigerian Maritime Academy, Oron and five are attending the Nigeria Civil Aviation College, Zaria.

Kwankwaso described education as a legacy that is central to human development, adding that it is in realisation of this that his administration is giving priority to the education sector.

He reassured that the government would support young indigenes to make the best use of their potential for the benefit of the state and the nation.

The governor advised them not to abuse the opportunity provided.

Benue owes retirees N7.4b

B

ENUE State Government yesterday said retired civil servants in the state were being owed gratuities amounting to N7.4 billion.

The Head of Service, Mr. Terna Ahua, who addressed reporters in Makurdi, said the debts dated back to 1995.

He said the amount represented unpaid gratuities owed either to retired civil servants or their next of kin.

Ahua said it was unfortunate that during the military era, many public servants were relieved of their jobs, even when there were no resources to settle their benefits.

“Ever since, the debt stock has continued to grow, with little attention being paid to it by successive administrations,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 23-09-13

Profit taking halts equities’ rally

T

HE Nigerian equities closed the first trading session of this week on a negative note, as investors sought to monetise recent capital gains. The flurry of sale orders overwhelmed the market situation, leading to a drop of N32 billion in overall market capitalisation of all equities.

After a streak of downtrend, equities had in the previous two trading sessions rallied N135 billion in a renewed bullish rally. Investors turned round to monetise the capital gains yesterday.

Many equities that had led the bullish rally in recent period, including, Jos International Breweries and United Bank for Africa, topped the losers’ list yesterday, underlining the profit-taking motive driving market transactions.

Aggregate market value of all equities dropped to N11.495 trillion as against its

S

By Taofik Salako

opening value of N11.527 trillion. The main index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the All Share Index (ASI), slipped from opening index of 36,188.72 points to 36,088.64 points.

With 27 decliners to 16 advancers, Guinness Nigeria topped the losers’ list with a loss of N2.99 to close at N245.01. Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria followed with a loss of N2 to close at N90.

Oando dropped by 70 kobo to close at N10.30. Jos International Breweries lost 66 kobo to close at N6. Nigeria Aviation Handling Company declined by 30 kobo to close at N6.08. United Bank for Africa lost 28 kobo to close at N7.42 while National Salt Company of Nigeria dropped by 25 kobo to N11 per share.

However, Total Nigeria continued on the uptrend with a gain of N14.65 to close

at N166. Portland Paints and Products Plc rose by 37 kobo to close at N5.60. Dangote Sugar Refinery added 25 kobo to close at N10.75. Academy Press gained 17 kobo to close at N1.87 while Ecobank Transnational Incorporated rallied 14 kobo to close at N13.50 per share.

Unity Bank remained the most active stock, riding on the back of reported imminent equity investments in the bank by foreign investors.

Unity Bank accounted for about 46 per cent of total turnover with exchange of 119.9 million shares valued at N82.76 million in 390 deals.

The deals on Unity Bank also reflected on the turnover in the banking subsector.

Total turnover stood at 261.32 million shares worth N1.52 billion in 4,612 deals.

Banking subgroup accounted for 164.02 million shares worth N462.66 million in 1,702 deals.

Honeywell to pay N1.3b dividend

HAREHOLDERS of Honeywell Flour Mills (HFM) Plc will today consider the board’s recommendation that N1.3 billion should be distributed as cash dividends for the year ended march 31, 2013.

At the Annual General Meeting in Lagos, shareholders are expected to approve the dividend recommendation, which translates to 16

kobo per share, one kobo above 15 kobo paid the previous year.

In a pre-AGM statement, Chief Executive Officer, Honeywell Flour Mills, Mr. Babatunde Odunayo said that the company achieved a superior performance in the year under consideration.

He noted that in spite of the various operating challenges in the country, the company

was able to sustain its product quality and brand leadership across all product offerings.

According to him, the company was involved in various projects in the year under consideration, which have started to positively impact on the business and will translate into higher dividend in the near future.

He outlined that in the past one year, Honeywell made significant investments not only in enhancing plant and machinery capacity but also in improving human capability through various overseas and local training, in technical and leadership development areas.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 23-09-13

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

55

MONEY LINK

‘MPC may retain interest rate at 12%’

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, may leave both the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) unchanged at 12 per cent, until broad-based macroeconomic stability has been achieved. The CRR for public sector deposit would be retained at 50 per cent, analysts have forecast.

MPR is the benchmark rate by which the CBN determines interest rate, while CRR is a portion of banks’ deposits kept with the CBN. Currencies Analyst at Ecobank

Stories by Collins Nweze

Nigeria, Olakunle Ezun, told The Nation on phone that a review of what is happening at the global and local market showed that the CBN will need to be cautious about its decisions today.

He said the MPC will retain all the variables at current rate, including a 30 per cent liquidity ratio for banks, adding that the apex bank is committed to achieving exchange rate stability, and therefore will not tamper with the current status aimed at sustaining the value of the

naira. H argued thata change in policy and rate direction could lead to capital flight. “The CBN does not want to choke the economy by further tightening the monetary policy rate as that will send wrong signal to the real sector,” he said.

Also, analysts at FBN Capital said they doubt that the committee would adjust the new CRR. They said the Committee will surely view an eight successive month of singledigit inflation as vindication of its tight monetary policy."We see no change in stance this week because of the Committee's related concerns

Enterprise Bank pays gratuity

E

NTERPRISE Bank Limited has commenced the payment of gratuity to qualified staff of the defunct Spring Bank Plc. In a statement, the bank said the exercise is part of its commitment to building a highly motivated workforce.

It said about 817 staff will benefit from the exercise meant to seal issues related to staff welfare of the defunct bank two years ago.

“Already, former staff of the de-

funct bank numbering about 235, who have left the employment of Enterprise Bank, but were qualified for the gratuity in line with the former bank’s human capital gratuity policy have been fully paid,” it said, adding that under the defunct Spring Bank staff policy as contained in the staff hand book, the gratuity scheme states that any member of staff, who has served for five years and above and is retiring, or leaving

for oil theft, the fiscal stance and the naira exchange rate. These concerns will not have eased in the past two months," they said in an emailed report.

They noticed a pick-up in the erosion of reserves in the past two weeks to just above $46 billion.

However, the current reserves provide cover for 10 months' imports of goods.

They predicted a greater risk of easing following the achievement of single-digit inflation, recent pressure on the naira, given market expectations.

Nigeria's inflation rate fell to 8.2

F

cash prizes of N50, 000 each.

The savings promo which is an annual rewarding exercise is in its fifth year. This year’s edition kicked off in July and is expected to run till 2014, coinciding with the bank’s 120 years anniversary. It is aimed at rewarding customers for their patronage and loyalty to the brand over the years and to

service for reasons other than dismissal on account of fraud, misconduct or any criminal offence shall receive a gratuity based on total years of service.

“To uplift the morale of the 582 staff of the defunct bank, who are still in the employment of Enterprise Bank but had stayed up to five years as stipulated in the policy, the Management of Enterprise Bank has begun paying their calculated entitlements,” it said.

promote a savings culture among the youths and the general populace According to bank’s Group Head, Product & Marketing Support, Ezinne Obikile, ”the big splash anniversary promo is a very special one because it is anchored around the celebration of the bank’s 120th year celebration taking place next year.”

C

ITIBANK Nigeria Limited has concluded training on financial markets for 25 journalists in Lagos. The one-day training which attracted journalists from major print and electronic media, was facilitated by the bank’s Chief Operating Officer, Akin Dawodu. Citibank Nigeria Country Treasurer, Bayo Adeyemo was also one of the facilitators.

In a statement, the bank said the training aligned with its commit-

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

She said the promo would witness a new home owner who would emerge from saving N20, 000 every month for 10 months, as well as a brand new Toyota Corolla and other prizes. “This is our own way of giving back to the customers and thanking them for their patronage over the years,” she said.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Offered ($) 350m 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

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 23-09-13

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

ACADEMY INTENEGINS TOTAL NPFMCRFBK TRANSEXPR PORTPAINT UBCAP LIVESTOCK DANGSUGAR CORNERST

1.70 0.72 151.35 0.78 1.30 5.23 1.32 3.80 10.50 0.50

1.87 0.79 166.00 0.84 1.40 5.60 1.40 3.93 10.75 0.51

0.17 0.07 14.65 0.06 0.10 0.37 0.08 0.13 0.25 0.01

Year Start Offer

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

Current Before

Current After

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

JOSBREW ETERNA OANDO UPL NEM AFRIPRUD NAHCO UBA HONYFLOUR WEMABANK

O/PRICE 6.66 2.68 11.00 3.61 0.70 2.00 6.38 7.70 2.79 0.98

C/PRICE 6.00 2.50 10.30 3.40 0.66 1.90 6.08 7.42 2.70 0.95

DISCOUNT WINDOW 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 Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

19-09-13 11.432.09 35,891.90

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

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

Movement

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

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

23-09-13 11.494.75 36,088.64

% Change -

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE 0.66 0.18 0.70 0.21 0.04 0.10 0.30 0.28 0.09 0.03

Amount Demanded ($) 150m 138m 113m

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

CUV Start %

LOSERS AS AT 23-09-13

SYMBOL

ment to building capacity and leveraging its global resources to strengthen the knowledge base in the Nigerian financial industry.

The bank facilitated four presentations covering areas such as understanding and interpreting economic reports, bond markets and bond trading. There were also sessions on writing for foreign investors.

“The training provided an indepth analysis of the financial market and highlighted how best financial trends should be interpreted, as well as an excellent opportunity for interactive discussions between key media operators in the local market,” it said.

According to Dawodu, “This training speaks to one of Citi’s core strengths in the market. We have been at the forefront of providing financial markets’ training to industry colleagues, including our competitors, as well as regulators such as the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he said.

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

per cent year-on-year in August, from 8.7 per cent recorded in the preceding month.

Citibank trains financial reporters

FirstBank’s Big Splash promo produces winners

IRSTBANK has rewarded the first set of 360 winners in the maiden draw of its 120 years anniversary savings promo tagged the ‘Big Splash promo.

In a statement, the bank said the event held in Lagos, saw the emergence of the winners who went away with various gifts such as refrigerators, gas cookers and

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE 141.19 140.70 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 153.18 152.58 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 0.78 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.16 1.16 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.18 1.16 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,824.63 1,820.08 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 13.64 12.97 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 1.80 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 11,004.94 10,680.29 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE • 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 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

56

NEWS

PDP wins in 18 councils From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Governor Akpabio (third left), his wife, Unoma, assisted by the Deputy Governor Lady Valerie Ebe (second left); Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Udom Emmanuel (right); Senator Anietie Okon (second right); and Mr. Emmanuel Ekon, during the inauguration of VIP Guest House in Government House, Uyo, to commemorate the 26th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State creation.

DPP candidate, son, others stabbed in Delta

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CHIEFTAIN of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP) in Delta State, Mr. Blessing Oborevwori, his son and two associates are lying injured in hospital after an attack last Tuesday at Osubi in Okpe Local Government.

Oborevwori, a local government chairmanship aspirant, was attacked in his home with his friends identified as Lucky Erhiavware and Christopher Appeal.

The four victims were stabbed many times during the attack.

From Shola O’Neil and Polycap Orosevwotu, Warri

Speaking from his hospital bed in a telephone interview with The Nation yesterday, Oborevwori said the attack occurred about 7pm.

He said: “I was at home after taking my dinner. My children told me that I had some visitors.

I replied that they should let them in. The next thing I heard was a gunshot and at that time my child and my associates were already on the ground.

“When the intruders saw

me, they said ‘this is the man we have been looking for’. Before I could ask what was going on, I was already on the ground with machete cuts.

“When they attacked me I asked them ‘what did I do?’ They said they were asked to kill me,” Oborevwori said, adding that he could identify at least three of his attackers.

His attack has resulted in fear among politicians in the area, particularly against the backdrop of a recent similar attack on the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Patrick

Muoboghare, in Uwheru.

Our investigation showed that the attack on the DPP stalwart may not be politically- related.

A source at Osubi said it may not be unconnected with the tussle for recognition and influence at Osubi, which hosts the Warri Airport.

The airport is scheduled for expansion and leaders of the community, especially the youth leaders, are reported to be struggling to reap the windfall of contracts and other patronages from contractors.

also has a constitutional right to support whoever he wants to support.

“Those who acknowledge that the President has a constitutional right to contest must also acknowledge the constitutional right of others to support whoever they want to support or refuse to support who they don’t want to support. The constitution is for everybody,” Senator Abe said.

“The best thing for us to do in this country, whether North, East, South, West or SouthSouth, is to allow our politics to be driven by ideas. Those who feel strongly enough about something, regardless of where

they come from, must be allowed to canvass their opinions and express their feelings.”

The senator said Governor Amaechi remains a leading light in the country as a performer “under our democracy”, adding that his developmental strides would speak for him at the appropriate time.

He said: “Amaechi has already achieved a lot for Rivers people in different sectors. He is a leader with a focus and we will continue to support him under rain or sun. We must leave a legacy for the people of the state through the projects of this government.”

Supporting Jonathan not mandatory, says Abe

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HE senator representing Rivers Southeast, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has said the people of the Southsouth geo-political zone should not be forced to support the second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Abe, who spoke in Port Harcourt, also said there was no need to heat up the polity ahead of the 2015 general elections since there is freedom of association and choice of who to support under the constitution.

He slammed those who think because President Jonathan should contest the 2015 general elections, no other person from the South-South zone

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Akpabio: pray for my successor

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OVERNOR Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom yesterday urged the indigenes to seek God’s intervention in the search for his successor in 2015.

He spoke in Uyo in a statewide broadcast to mark the 26th anniversary of the state’s creation.

Akwa Ibom was created on September 23, 1987 by the administration of former military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

Akpabio advised the people to place the interests of the state above personal ambitions, adding that they should also allow their patriotic feelings to supersede ethnic and sectional interests.

“We must go to God in prayers; we must ensure that we do not compromise our collective gains and mortgage our peaceful coexistence and future on the altar of narrow, parochial interests.

“We must remember that what is morally wrong cannot be politically right. We must play politics of inclusion instead of politics of exclusion,” he said.

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Police arrest 40 suspects for Nasarawa crisis

HE police in Nasarawa State yesterday confirmed the arrest of 40 suspects in connection with the recent ethnic clashes in the state.

The Commissioner of Police Mr. Umar Shehu told reporters in Lafia that the police also recovered weapons and charms from the suspects.

He said the police had also discovered a shallow grave at Tudun Adabu in Obi Local Government, where Alhaji Alhassan Gidado, the Managing Director of the Police Community Bank, Tunde Banwo and their driver, Aliyu Adamu, were buried after they were killed.

He said the trio were declared missing on September 14, having left Abuja on September 13, to attend a wedding in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, but they could not reach their destination.

Former Sunday Times editor dies

‘We have confidence in Oghiadomhe’

HE National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed as “inconsequential and of no effect”, the passage of vote of no confidence in the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadiomhe, by some aggrieved persons from Edo North.

PDP leadership in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, urged Nigerians to

T

should seek any other position in a democracy.

The lawmaker said the ascendancy of the South-South zone was as a result of the zoning arrangement and that the people of the region do not constitute the majority in the country, hence the need not to abuse the benefits.

He berated those attacking Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, for not supporting the second term ambition of President Jonathan, saying while the President has a constitutional right to seek a second term in office, Amaechi

disregard the vote of no confidence, warning that it would no longer tolerate indiscriminate and wanton pronouncements by party members and organs against persons legitimately holding sensitive positions in the party and the PDP-led administration.

“The national leadership of the PDP hereby declares as inconsequential and of no effect, the passage of vote of no confidence in the Chief of Staff to

the President, Chief Oghiadiomhe, by some aggrieved persons from Edo North.”Also, we have taken serious note of the various sponsored malicious news stories and articles targeted at ridiculing the office and person of the Chief of Staff to the President and other leaders of our party.

“We wish to state that we are pleased with the contributions of Chief Oghiadiomhe to national development and the

growth and stability of our party.

“Chief Oghiadiomhe is a very committed, loyal and dedicated leader of our party, who has continued to selflessly and meritoriously serve at very high levels with outstanding performance records as a twotime deputy governor of Edo State, former Chief of Staff to the Vice-President and currently the Chief of Staff to the President of our great country...”

Travellers stranded on East/West highway

HOUSANDS of travellers on the busy Port Harcourt-Warri axis of the East-West highway were stranded for several hours yesterday when a section of the road gave way near Patani in Delta State.

It was learnt that the section of the road was washed away by a heavy rain on Sunday night.

Angry motorists and their passengers blamed their fates on

From Shola O’Neil, SouthSouth Regional Editor

perceived inefficiency of the contractor handling the road project and the Federal Government.

Sources on the scene told our reporter that traffic started building up as early as 5am when the first set of vehicles reached the failed portion.

Those desperate to get to their destinations were forced to walk several miles through the failed section of the road.

Mr. Eghosa Osayande, a worker with Julius Berger Nigeria, told our reporter that he spent several hours there on his way from Port Harcourt to Warri.

“I arrived there at 7:24am. I had to leave the Agofure (com-

mercial) bus at 9:30am to where I could get a car to Ughelli,” he said in a telephone conversation.

Eghosa later got to Warri at about 1pm, over seven hours after he left Port Harcourt.

Others, particularly those who drove their own cars, were not so lucky as most of them were still on the scene on Monday evening.

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has won in the remaining six local governments, according to the results announced yesterday by the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), Patrick Otu. Otu on Sunday announced results in 12 of the 18 local governments in which the PDP was returned unopposed in the chairmanship and councillorship elections, except in Adim ward in Biase Local Government where the election was postponed.

In the results announced yesterday, the National Conscience Party (NCP) and the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) fielded chairmanship candidates in Obanliku, Yakurr, Obudu and Yala.

•The late Odubona

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HE death has occurred of a veteran journalist, author and publisher, Pastor Michael Olusoga Odubona.

He was 56.

Odubona, a former assistant editor of the rested Sunday Times, died on September 20.

He would have celebrated his 56th birthday on November 7.

Until his death, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Life-

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Change Association as well as the publisher of Larondo magazine. He was also a consultant to Gaskia Media Limited.

Sogman, as he was fondly called in the defunct Daily Times Plc, attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan for his Advanced Level after his secondary education at the Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, Ogun State. He studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos where he graduated with a second class upper division in 1981. He did his compulsory national service with the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.

Odubona is survived by his aged mother, Oluremi his wife and three children, Olakunle, Olawale and Olasunkanmi.

Police warn vehicle owners

HE AIG Zone 2, Onikan and Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of accidented and abandoned vehicles parked at AIG Zone 2, Seme and Ojo divisions to remove them or lose them to the public through auction after 14 days of this publication.

They are XH878KRD; tricycle QN936APP and Volkswagen bus XA609BND.

57

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

NEWS Fed Govt starving states of cash, say commissioners Continued from page 2

on: “To have called us without any improvements in our demands is a great slight and has shown that the minister does not brief the President.

We know the President as a good leader with listening ears who would have attended to these problems immediately if he was aware, but it is like Ngama tells him he will control us. We do not support this situation. The minister should be competent enough and show that level of competence. The minister is running FAAC as his own show.”

Last week, Rivers State

Governor Chibuike Amaechi said states were short paid in their July allocation. According to him, of Rivers’ N19 billion allocation, only N14 billion was paid.

Amaechi said this is an indication that the government is broke.

He reiterated his call for Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to resign “if she cannot manage the economy well”.

But the minister insisted that government was not broke.

According to her, an indication of that is the payment of civil servants’ salary for September.

Jonathan justifies second term ambition Continued from page 2 •Cross River Sate Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke(left) assisted by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman Archbishop Joseph Ukpoh, Managing Director Northwest Petroleum and Gas Company, Mrs. Winifred Akpani, General Manager EPZ Calabar , Mr. Sadiq Kaseem and pupils of Saint Augustine’s Primary School to cut the tape during the inauguration of a 12-storey class room block donated by the company to the school in Ikot Omin in Calabar Municipality…yesterday.

From left: Kogi State Governor Idris Wada; his deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal at the swearing-in of Senior Advocates of Nigeria in Abuja…yesterday

“Before the advent of this government, the Federal Government was spending a whopping N25 billion on fertiliser with only 11 per cent reaching the farmers. But since the coming on board of his administration, government now spends between N5 to N6 billion on fertiliser and we are getting 80 per cent reach.”

“If we wanted to continue to steal money or look for money for election, we could have continued,” Jonathan said Giving kudos to his team, the President said his administration had made significant progress in reviving rail transportation, aviation, road and other infrastructure.

He said the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had politicised the teachers’ strike.

Jonathan, a former university teacher, said: “We’ve gone very far with the ASUU strike. We believe ASUU has some kind of politics that crawled into the strike, but we are still discussing with them. If things were normal, by now they would have called off the strike,” he said.

He added: “We are doing a

lot in terms of improving infrastructure and every other thing in our universities. In fact, this is the very first time a government has set up a team to go around all our universities to examine the infrastructure and a report has been written, which was presented to the National Economic Council and all the governors, and we are working.”

With the President were Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga, Dr. Doyin Okupe and Dr. Reuben Abati, among others.

•Dr. Jonatha

calls for state of emergency in varsities Help fix Nigeria, Jonathan urges Obama Ex-VC HE pioneer Vice-Chanin Ibadan, we got Phd without Continued from page 2

ple through the Young African Leaders programme, improving internal security in a way consistent with human rights and “making sure” Nigeria’s elections in 2015 continue to improve the country’s democratic process.

And he said the attack at a Nairobi mall over the weekend “underscores” the level to which all countries are connected and their need to work together.

“We stand with them against this terrible outrage that’s occurred, we will provide them with whatever law enforcement help that is necessary,” Obama said. “The United States will continue to work with the entire continent of Africa and around the world to make sure that we are dismantling these networks of destruction.”

“I feel the pain of President Kenyatta ... terror anywhere is terror on all of us,” Jonathan said.

Obama was joined by Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security Adviser Susan Rice, United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power and deputy chief of staff Rob Nabors.

In a statement on the meet-

ing between the two Presidents, Dr. Jonathan’s spokesman Reuben Abati said: “President Goodluck Jonathan Monday in New York called for a stronger global consensus and determination to end the scourge of terrorism as quickly as possible.

“Speaking at talks with President Barrack Obama of the United States ahead of the opening of the 68th session of the United Nations tomorrow, President Jonathan said that unless the international community unites and deploys its enormous resources to eradicate terrorism, it will continue to be embarrassed by terrorist outrages such as the heinous attack on defenceless shoppers in Nairobi at the weekend which both leaders strongly condemned.

“President Jonathan expressed his appreciation of the support and assistance Nigeria has been receiving from the United States for its fight against domestic terrorism. He added, however, that Nigeria will welcome even more bilateral collaboration in this regard.

“The President said his administration also looked forward to the further strengthening of Nigeria’s relations with the United States in the

areas of trade and economic development.

“He reassured President Jonathan of his commitment to the continuous strengthening of Nigeria’s electoral processes and the country’s democratic institutions.

President Jonathan also applauded President Obama’s Power Africa and Youth Leadership Initiatives, saying that both initiatives would complement aspects of his administration’s agenda for national transformation.

“President Obama had while welcoming President Jonathan to their meeting at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, described Nigeria as a critical partner of the United States in Africa.

“He assured President Jonathan that the United States will continue to cooperate with Nigeria in all possible areas, including the war against domestic and global terrorism.

“President Jonathan was accompanied to the talks by the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs) Prof. Viola Onwuliri, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke, and the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo.”

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cellor of Caleb University, Lagos, Prof Olurotimi Tayo, has called for the declaration of state of emergency in the university system.

He said this would equip and develop the nation’s education sector and rescue it from collapse.

Prof Tayo said he was making the call because of the current crisis in the university system and the failure of the Federal Government to address the problems in the sector.

The academic spoke at the inauguration of Makoni Hotels on the Ido-Eruwa Road, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The former vice chancellor decried government’s failure to address the nation’s education needs.

He said: “We must call a spade a spade. We will recall that Ghana had to shut down its university system for two years to re-tool and re-develop.

Now, we are sending our children to Ghana to go and have university education there.

Why can’t we do what is necessary so that we can have quality education. If that is what it takes to make sure that we get it right, then we should do it to make sure we get it right once and for all.

“The basic thing is that education in Nigeria is not being

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

fairly treated. If you are going to have quality development in the nation, you must have quality education. You cannot develop anywhere in the world without sound education.”

The academic, who was the chairman of the occasion, stressed the importance of adequate investment in education.

He noted that most other countries developed by investing adequately in education.

Prof Tayo said: “So, when our governments at every level refuse to give education priority, it means there is no future for our development. What I believe the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is doing is that it wants the government to provide what is necessary to ensure quality education.

“If you have gone through some months and some years of negotiation and you have agreed on the way forward, why can’t the government have the political will to execute that agreement?

“We went through the system, we grew up in this system.

We are products of the University of Ibadan (UI). Some of us left Ibadan and went to the best universities in the world. With the quality of education we had

Masters and we came to this system to help to develop it. But what do we have now? The government tend to invest on things that are not germane to development, neglecting education.”

He lashed out at the government for wasting a lot of money on non-essential things.

The former vice chancellor cited the case of the Education Tax Fund (ETF), saying the government lacked the political will to use the fund on what it was established for.

Prof Tayo said: “The ETF came on board because at the point that ASUU was negotiating for a change in the system, the government was asking how fund it. ASUU fought for the establishment of the ETF, saying the government should make companies to donate five per cent of their gross profit to education.

“The military, therefore, made a decree establishing the ETF. Now, ETF’s money is no longer being spent on education; it’s being spent on something else.

So, where is the government’s political will to do what is necessary?”

The Chairman of Makoni Hotels, Olumakinde Oni, said there is need for adequate funding of universities to enable the operators produce quality graduates who would become the bedrock of the nation’s development.

THE NATION TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

58

NEWS

Onitsha hotelier petitions IGP

Anambra poll: Four governors, 23 others to lead Ngige’s campaign T •National campaign committee for inauguration today

I

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha will lead the governorship campaign team of Senator Chris Ngige for Anambra State.

Ngige is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

The co-leaders for the campaign team are: Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole; his Osun and Nasarawa states’ counterparts, Rauf Aregbesola and Umaru Al-Makura.

Chief George Muoghalu is the chairman of the campaign committee and Sen. Osita Izunaso is its secretary.

APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Senate Minority Leader George Akume, Chief Tom

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Ikimi, Gen Ahmed Aboki Abdullahi, former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, are members of the committee.

The APC national leaders are expected in Anambra State today to inaugurate the party’s National Campaign Committee (NCC) for the governorship poll.

Other members of the team are: Dr. Anyim Nyerere, Madam Sharon Ikeazor, Abubakar Lado Suleja, Olisaemeka Akamukali, Mr. James Ocholi SAN, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Abubakar Kari, Charles Odedo, Chief Uzoma-Igbonwa, Donatus Onyemena.

Also in the team are members of the Interim National Executive Committee from the Southeast Gozie Agbakoba, C. J. Chinwuba, Chibuzor Obiakor, Mrs Constance Iloh and Dame Dozie Ikedife.

The state leadership of the party and members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday held a marathon meeting in Awka, the state capital, with Ngige to finalise the campaign arrangements.

APC has code-named Ngige’s campaign as “unstoppable march to Anambra Government House”.

A former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Charles

Amilo, said an arrangement had been made to ensure that Ngige’s campaign takes off smoothly.

He said: “Let me tell you that the APC is not leaving any stone unturned in making sure that it gets to the Government House on March 17, 2014.

“If anybody thinks that the Government House is his personal property, that person is a joker. The APC is not in a crisis, as other parties.

Therefore, we have put in everything for that purpose.

“The national leadership of our party is here to inaugurate the National Campaign Committee. After that, we will kick-start Sen. Ngige’s campaigns immediately. It will be Operation Earthquake.”

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

HE proprietor of Upper Class Hotel in Onitsha, Anambra State, Chief Bonaventure Mokwe, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on the identity of the customer, who allegedly lodged in the hotel room where two human heads were said to have been found.

The Anambra state government demolished the hotel on August 1, following the alleged discovery of the heads and arms and the accusation that it accommodated kidnappers.

In the petition by his lawyer, Dr M. N. Umenweke, the hotelier gave the identity of the customer, who allegedly lodged in Room 102 – where the heads were found – as a man from Umudie village, Onitsha.

The petition is titled: “Re: Frame-up and Giving of False Information to the Police in Respect of Possession of two Human Heads, Gun and Military Cap Against Chief Bonaventure Mokwe...

The hotelier said he knew who lodged in the hotel room.

The petition reads: “...It is our instruction that our client wrote a petition to you on the above mentioned issue and prayed for a fair and unbiased investigation into the episode, which he maintained was a set-up. A copy of the petition, written by our client through his solicitor in this regard, is hereby attached and marked Exhibit “A”. The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu, is already investigating the matter.

Imo police chase NSCDC official

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HERE was tension yesterday at the Imo State headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), following an attempt by about 40 policemen to forcefully arrest an NSCDC official.

It was learnt that the NSCDC man ran into the compound to escape the “provoked” policemen.

Our reporter also learnt that the policemen barricaded the gate and disrupted vehicular and human movements on the busy Okigwe Road.

An eyewitness said the incident happened when the policemen demanded the identity of the NSCDC officer, which he promptly produced.

The source also said the po-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

licemen, who were apparently not satisfied with his explanation, were shouting at the NSCDC man.

“They were pushing the officer around and threatening to beat him up for talking back at them. It was at that point the terrified officer ran into the headquarters, which was just a pole away,” the eyewitness said.

An NSCDC officer, who spoke in confidence, said: “The way they stormed the headquarters to forcefully take away a fellow uniformed officer showed that they have no respect for other security agencies. This was after he had identified himself by showing his identity card. But the policemen still molested him before he escaped.”

Defunct CPC warns splinter group •Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, inspecting a guard of honour for the beginning of the 2013/2014 Legal Year in Awka…yesterday

Expectant mother dies in Enugu building collapse

A

N expectant mother was killed on Sunday night at the Coal Camp area of Enugu when a four-bedroom bungalow collapsed.

Several others were injured.

It was learnt that the incident occurred at 10pm after the victims had gone to bed.

The bungalow, located at Ologo, New Site of Coal Camp in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State, collapsed when some parts of a surrounding hill fell on top of the house and other buildings.

A resident, who spoke in confidence, said the expectant mother, identified as Mrs Chinasa Chukwuka, was buried inside the house by the

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From Chris Oji, Enugu

collapsed parts of the hill.

The resident said efforts to remove her alive were abortive, adding that her husband, Mr Emeka Chukwuka, became unconscious after sympathisers pulled him out.

The owner of the collapsed building, Mr Joseph Nwoye, from Ebonyi State, said he discussed with Mr Chukwuka before the incident occurred.

He claimed that he told the tenants, including the husband of the late woman, to find another accommodation last week when some stones from the hill destroyed parts of the house after a heavy rain.

The landlord said the late Mrs Chukwuka rejected an

‘After discussing with the husband of the late woman in the night, I went inside to sleep.

Shortly after that, I heard a loud noise.

When we came out, we discovered that the house had collapsed.’ alternative accommodation he got for the tenants.

Nwoye, who wept profusely, said the incident occurred a few minutes after he discussed with Mr Chukwuka on the accom-

modation issue.

He said: “After discussing with the husband of the late woman in the night, I went inside to sleep. Shortly after that, I heard a loud noise.

When we came out, we discovered that the house had collapsed. The expectant mother died on the spot. My son fainted after the incident.

“It was raining heavily when it happened. We ran out and pulled out Mr Chukwuka alive.

“I bought the land in 2010.

The secondnd tenant, Cyril Jaja, was injured. I had asked them to find another place.”

The remains of the late pregnant woman had been deposited in an undisclosed mortuary.

Police parade ‘fake’ number plate maker

HE Abia State Police Command has paraded “Rev” Charles Ubani, a former worker with the state Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) for allegedly making fake number plates and selling them to unsuspecting motorists.

The suspect was also alleged to have forged Abia State Government’s letterheaded paper to dupe the

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

unsuspecting public.

The police said the suspect defrauded the government of its revenue.

Parading the suspect in Umuahia, the state capital, Police Commissioner Usman Tilli Abubakar said Ubani was arrested for unlawful possession of four similar vehicle number

plates.

The police chief said the suspect specialises in making fake number plates, adding that he had been causing problems between vehicle owners and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Abubakar cited one of the duplicated number plates as KPR 781 AH, saying it started fading out soon after it was issued.

He said this made the FRSC officials to arrest the owners of vehicles with such number plates.

According to him, three vehicle owners had the same number plates.

He said the suspect had also been using the state government’s number plate on his Toyota Camry car, which he allegedly registered with AB 01-AO4.

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HE leadership of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has warned those parading themselves as members of a splinter group of the party to desist or incur the wrath of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Some people in Anambra State have allegedly been trying to destabilise the APC, but leaders of the former CPC said they would not tolerate this.

In a statement yesterday in Awka, the state capital, by Tony Agu, the former State Chairman; Val Oguejiofor, former Secretary; Isiogu Christopher, State Youth Leader; Uju Anyakaorah, State Women’s Leader; Egbunike Christian, Public-

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From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

ity Secretary; Ozoemena Clement and Uche Ufeaorah, local government chairmen, the party warned the detractors to desist.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to rumour and malicious reports about some people parading themselves to be members of the defunct CPC in Anambra State; they are claiming to have abandoned our great party, the APC, to join another political party.

“We are compelled by these circumstances to disassociate the Anambra State chapter of the defunct CPC, led by our leader, Uche Ufearoh, and our chairman, Tony Agu, from this splinter group.”

Abia Assembly clears 18 commissioner-nominees

HE Abia House of Assembly has cleared 18 of the 23 commissioner-nominees presented to it for screening by Governor Theodore Orji.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 18 nominees were screened by the lawmakers on September 17 and 18.

Speaker Ude Okechukwu announced the development yesterday in Umuahia, the state capital, at plenary.

He said the governor should swear in those cleared.

Those cleared are: Chief David Chigbu, Florence Nwogu, Philip Ntoh, Ikechukwu Emesoboun, Duke Eboh, Ngozi Orji, Dr Kenneth Nwosu, Chisom Nwamuo, Dr Monica Philips, and Chief Kingsley Mgbahuru.

The others are: Bridget Nwejike, Godwin Nna, Chinwe Nwanganga, Emenike Kalu, Onwuka Uzoma, Emman Nwabuko, Okechukwu Ogah and Don Ubani.

The Assembly also cleared Chigozerem Okeite and Nkemakolam Ozoemenam as commissioners in the State Civil Service and State Independent Electoral Commission.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

59

FOREIGN NEWS

Obama opens UN talks with diplomatic opportunities

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RESIDENT Barack Obama opens meetings at the United Nations with diplomatic opportunities on three vexing issues: Iran's disputed nuclear program, Syria's chemical weapons use, and elusive peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

All three pathways are fraught with potential pitfalls and hinge on cooperation from often unreliable nations. Obama also risks being branded as naive and misguided if the efforts fail, particularly in Syria, where he's used the prospect of diplomacy to put off a military strike in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack.

Still, the recent developments mark a significant shift on a trio of issues that have long proved problematic for Obama at the United Nations. His former Iranian counterpart used the annual U.N. General Assembly meetings as a venue for fiery, anti-American speeches. Failed Middle East peace talks led the Palestinians to seek statehood recognition at the U.N. despite staunch American objections.

And the Obama administration has been stymied on Syria at the U.N. Security Council due to intractable Russian opposition.

But this year, Iran has a new leader who is making friendly overtures toward Obama, rais-

Colombian poet and writer Alvaro Mutis dies

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OLOMBIAN writer and poet Alvaro Mutis has died at the age of 90.

Mutis, who won the most prestigious awards for Spanish language writing, died in Mexico after a long illness.

Among his best known works was The Adventures and Misadventures of Maqroll, a collection of seven novellas about an adventurous sailor.

Although he had lived in Mexico since 1956, rural Colombia and his family's coffee and sugar cane plantation often featured in his work.

Some of his work also dealt with darker topics.

In Diary of Lecumberri he de-

scribed the 15 months he spent in the Mexican prison of the same name awaiting trial on embezzlement charges.

The charges, brought by a US oil company he was working for at the time, were later dropped.

He described his spell in jail as "a lesson I will never forget in the most intense and deep layers of pain and failure".

Born in 1923 in Bogota, he spent his early childhood in Brussels, where his father was posted as a diplomat.

But during the holidays, he would return to Coello, his grandfather's farm in Colombia's central Tolima province.

ing the prospect of a meeting at the United Nations. U.S.brokered peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians have resumed - though on an uncertain course. And Russia has joined with the U.S. on a diplomatic deal to strip Syria of its chemical weapons.

But Obama's most closely watched meeting may end up being with Iranian President Hasan Rouhani. No encounter is scheduled, but U.S. officials have left open the possibility the two men might talk on the sidelines of the international gathering.

The election of Rouhani, a moderate cleric, signaled frustration among many Iranians with their country's international isolation and the crippling impact of Western sanctions.

Obama and Rouhani have already exchanged letters. And the new Iranian president's rhetoric has so far been more palatable to the U.S. than former leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who would threaten Israel as well as lambast the U.S. in his annual remarks at the U.N. As Rouhani considers re-engaging with the U.S., he's closely watching diplomatic developments in Syria, an Iranian ally.

A chemical weapons attack near Damascus in August brought the U.S. to the brink of a military strike. But an idea floated by Secretary of State John Kerry turned into a lastminute overture from Russia another backer of Syrian Presi-

China's Bo Xilai sentenced to life imprisonment

T •Obama

dent Bashar Assad - and resulted in a deal to turn Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles over to the international community.

The breakthrough was particularly unexpected given that Russia has thwarted U.S. efforts to punish Assad through the U.N. Security Council. When Obama was on the verge of launching a strike against Assad's regime, he said the U.N. had an "incapacity" to address Syria's violation of international agreements banning the deployment of deadly gases.

Now the U.S. once again sees a role for the Security Council.

The U.S. wants the panel to approve a resolution making the U.S.-Russian agreement legally binding in a way that is verifiable and enforceable. But a key obstacle remains, given U.S. and Russian disagreement over whether to put the resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter.

Chapter 7 deals with threats to international peace and security and has provisions for enforcement by military or nonmilitary means, such as sanctions. Russia is sure to veto a resolution that includes a mandate for military action.

•Appeals sentence

HERE was no surprise turn. On the morning of Sept. 22, Bo Xilai-once one of China's most coruscant politicians before his Shakespearean downfall-was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power. The sentencing at the Jinan Intermediate People's Court, the first time Bo was publicly seen in handcuffs, capped off a year-anda-half-long scandal that allowed outsiders to glimpse the sordid surbornment of China's ruling Communist Party. Bo was also, as noted in the breaking news brief

by Chinese state news agency Xinhua, deprived of his political rights for life.

Bo's tale included plot points that the Bard himself would have discarded as straining even the most willing suspension of disbelief. There was murder by cyanide (by Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, of a British business consultant). There was a renegade police chief, Wang Lijun, who likely catalyzed the entire public scandal by fleeing briefly to a U.S. consulate in southwestern China (and who, it appears, was infatuated with Gu, despite her being his boss's wife).

There was even a stray pair of shoes (the police chief's) that ended up at Bo's house (courtesy of his wife), causing Bo (who himself admitted to adultery) to take offense.

PHOTO: AFP

Germany: Merkel on the electoral driver's seat

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ITH Angela Merkel's conservatives five seats short of a parliamentary majority, her possible new partners aren't rushing to join her in a new German coalition government.

Merkel enjoys sky-high popularity but allies in her two previous coalitions have ended up the worse for wear after the experience. Voters kicked her latest partner, the pro-business Free Democrats, out of Parliament altogether in Sunday's election.

She will now need an alliance with one of two center-left rivals - and either will doubtless demand major concessions as the price for taking the risk, with coalition talks likely to drag on for weeks.

The likeliest outcome is a

"grand coalition" of Merkel's Union bloc with the center-left Social Democrats of Peer Steinbrueck. But they emerged badly weakened from a similar alliance in Merkel's first term.

Germans prize stability so it's in no party's interest to be seen as obstructing a new government to the point that the country has to hold a new election. But neither the Social Democrats nor the other possible partner, the environmentalist Greens, are natural Merkel allies.

"The Social Democrats aren't queuing up or making applications to be the successor after Merkel ruined her previous coalition parter," party chairman Sigmar Gabriel said Monday, adding that there is "nothing automatic" about joining a grand coalition.

"You'll have to ask (Merkel's party) whether it's ready to pay a price," he told reporters. "The ball is with Merkel."

Germany has no tradition of minority governments and Merkel made clear she has no intention of changing that. Still, she will likely be kept waiting to start her third term. In 2005, it took two months before she was sworn in as chancellor of her first grand coalition.

Her rivals, meanwhile, pledged to scrap a benefit for stay-at-home parents that the outgoing government introduced at the insistence of social conservatives in Merkel's bloc.

A grand coalition might result in a somewhat greater emphasis on bolstering economic growth in Europe over the austerity that Germany has insisted on in ex-

change for bailing out economically weak countries such as Greece - but no radical change of course.

The Social Democrats held half the Cabinet in Merkel's first government, including the key finance, labor and foreign affairs portfolios, and their ministers were widely respected. But they frequently complained that they got little credit, and slumped by 11 percentage points to their worst post-World War II result at the 2009 election. On Sunday, they made only small gains.

"If it enters a coalition, I think the (party) will do so with trepidation," said Renate Koecher, the head of the Allensbach polling institute. "Smaller parties become strong on the opposition benches."

"He hurt my family, he hurt my feelings," Bo recalled of his onetime deputy, in a court transcript of his five-day trial last month. Not to be outdone, Wang, according to Bo's testimony, slapped himself eight times in front of Gu to show his love or his frustration or some other inchoate emotion. (Gu was convicted of murder last year, and Wang is in prison, too, for bribery and other offenses.)

Meanwhile, Xilai is appealing against his sentence, reports say.

The former party chief of Chongqing was sentenced to life imprisonment on Sunday. He was found guilty of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power.

The popular politician was removed from office last year amid a scandal which saw his wife convicted for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood.

He denied all charges in a vigorous defence at his trial.

Egypt bans Muslim Brotherhood group

A

N Egyptian court65 on Monday ordered the Muslim Brotherhood to be banned and its assets confiscated in a dramatic escalation of a crackdown by the militarybacked government against supporters of the ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi.

The ruling opens the door for a wider crackdown on the vast network of the Brotherhood, which includes social organizations that have been key for building the group's grassroots support and helping its election victories. The verdict banned the group itself -

including the official association it registered earlier this year - as well as "any institution branching out of it or ... receiving financial support from it," according to the court ruling, made public on Egypt's state official news agency MENA. The judge at the Cairo Court for Urgent Matters also ordered the "confiscation of all the group's money, assets, and buildings" and said that an independent committee should be formed by the Cabinet to manage the money until final court orders are issued.

The verdict can be appealed.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

MAKINDE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Makinde Oluwakemi Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Babalola Oluwakemi Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

•Chancellor Merkel celebrating her third electoral victory...yesterday.

•Xilai

OMOYENWEN I, formerly known and addressed as Ms Usiobaifo Omoyenwen, now wish to be known and addressed as Ms Usiobaifo Julieth Adesuwa.

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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SPORT EXTRA Mutiu Adepoju praises Heineken on LIFT Project

CAF picks host nations for L T tournaments HE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed host countries for its competitions for the period 2015-2017.

These were part of decisions reached by the CAF Executive Committee after meetings on 21-22 September 2013.

The CAF Executive Committee under the chairmanship of President Issa Hayatou, met at the headquarters of the African football governing body in Cairo, Egypt to pick the

lucky countries amid other far reaching decisions also taken.

According to a CAF statement made available to futaa.com - The 2015 African Beach Soccer Championship

will be held in Seychelles, while the 2015 African U-23 Championship will take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo Also Cameroon has been selected to host the 2016 African Women’s Championship, while Zambia will host the 2017 African U-20 Championship.

Rizespor shuns Oboabona again S UPER Eagles’ defender Godfery Oboabona for the umpteenth time, has been denied action by his Turkish Super Lig club Rizespor.

The former Sunshine Stars of Akure skipper was not even listed for Sunday’s

game when his compatriot Taye Taiwo and his Bursaspor teammates came calling at the Yeni Rize Þehir Stadý.

For Rizespor, leaving out Oboabona once more had no effect as they still secured maximum points having battled out to a 2-1

victory over Bursaspor.

Sercan Kaya got Rizepor’s first goal in the 9th minute, while the host went two goals up courtesy of another goal from Florin Cernat in the 17th minute.

Bursaspor attempted a comeback as they reduced the deficit in the stoppage

•Oboabona

Ukah: I’m proud of Keshi’s success

N

I G E R I A international Ugo Ukah is looking forward to another opportunity to star for Super Eagles after making his long awaited debut for Nigeria in Kaduna two years ago.

The towering defender, who is an Italian citizen has made an impressive impact for his Polish club in recent times, and has declared his readiness to honour another invitation from the Coach, Stephen Keshi.

The 29-year-old former Queens Park Rangers’ defender further revealed how he missed a chance to play in England last season with Crystal Palace.

“Keshi called me sometimes ago to ask how I was feeling and doing in my club and it was something that lifted my spirit a lot because it shows that the coach is monitors the players,” said Ugo in an exclusive interview.

“Playing has always been a definite option, I didn’t think twice before I

By Innocent Amomoh honoured the first invitation and I will be glad to do it again and again. Nigeria is a blessed country with much talented players all over the world. And I think it is something privilege when such country FA invited you to show your ability.”

“It was a big privilege for everybody playing in the team because there are far better players, who are desperately looking for just 20minutes to play for the team, but I am happy to have been part of it.”

Ugo further said he was proud of Keshi for taking the country to greater heights following the AFCON glory in February but warns that the Eagles should be ready for another AFCON cracker when playing Ethiopia in the World Cup play-offs.

“There are no words to describe the coach than to say: “He is the best coach in Africa”. He did not only win the Nations Cup but showned confidence in the way he has handled the

team, and he takes the blame for any mistakes. I am happy for him because he has done what any coach in the world can do, so he deserves some respect.”

“Playing against the Ethiopians in Addis Ababa will be tough, but the coach knows that already. It is better to prepare for war than undermining the team.

Nigeria is good for the World Cup, even the Brazilians are already expecting the country for the records that have been set in recent times.

“Well, the coach has promised to give me a call, but I don’t know his plans for now but I will be glad to be part of the play off. And if it goes either way, I will keep my support for the team.”

"Am at my best at the moment and I will like to use my current form to attain national team invitation. I wish to be part of World Cup programme and I will be glad to be there now and contribute to the team's road to another glory.' I am ready for more caps

Ajimobi sacks 3SC boss

O

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has sacked Sport commissioner Dapo Lam Adesina and all other commissioners, assistants, as well as advisers.

The governor announced the dissolution of his cabinet last night, futaa.com scooped.

Dapo Lam is just recovering from a maltreatment he suffered in Akure in the hands of Sunshine Stars, where reports have it that he was assaulted by fans during a Nigerian Premier League game against his Shooting Stars side.

But with the poor position of 3SC on the Nigerian Premier League table, that may be the end of Lam Adesina reign as the sport commissioner in Oyo state.

3SC defeated Enugu Rangers 2-1 in Ibadan on Sunday in a week 33 game of the NPL.

time of the first half off a goal from Argentine, Pablo Martin.

However, in the second half no goal was recorded by both teams thus ceding all three points to the host who are now tied on 12 points with top teams Beskitas and Fenerbahce.

AGOS International Football Tournament is an annual football fiesta to promote and enhance the quality of the game in terms of strategic management, organisation and tactical implementation of policies and programmes in the country and globally.

Former international, Mutiu Adepoju, has commended the International premium, lager beer, Heineken for its support at the just concluded Lagos International Football Tournament (LIFT), in Lagos.

The international premium lager beer, noted for its support of premium football competitions as exemplified with the sponsorship of the UEFA Champions league, indeed gave a lift to the Lagos tournament tagged LIFT. The two-day football tournament was held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium and four teams - Lagos Golden Star, Lagos Junior League selected side, Mountain of Fire and Miracle FC and FC Dragon of Republic of Benin squared up against each other.

Adepoju, who had a fulfilled career in the game spanning over 25 years for prominent clubs and the national team, said Heineken has played a major role in his dream to give back to the society through the partnership with the LIFT project. “ It has been my dream since my retirement to give back to the society and Heineken has supported me on this platform to encourage up and coming stars to play their parts in the society, “ he commented at the Gala night organised for the all the

•Mutiu Adepoju participating teams and officials.

He said further that with Heineken’s support in subsequent editions, it will help to articulate his desire to see some of the local clubs engage their foreign counterparts in pre season friendly matches.

“In my playing days in Europe, teams travelled to Asia and United States of America for pre season friendly matches. I am looking at a situation where some foreign clubs can engage our teams here for same purpose and with the support from Heineken, this dream can be achieved,” Adepoju noted.

He also commended Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola and the state football association for creating the platform for the two day football tournament.

In the star match of the tournament, goals from Ifeanyi Abara and Sikiru Olatunbosun gave hundreds of supporters of Mountain of Fire and Miracle FC a lot to cheer with a 2-1 win against visiting Dragon FC of Benin Republic.

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 8 NO.2,616

‘Jonathan the politician would rather worry about the next election by focusing on PDP troubles, than on the next generation by suffering distractions from the ASUU strike!’

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

W

E journalists are notoriously remiss in following up on the news that we usually report with such breathless excitement. All too often, we get caught up in the foam of events. Like bees in search of pollen, we hop from one event to another, oblivious of what had gone before. We rarely follow through.

It is therefore by way of personal atonement that I return to three major issues that have all but vanished from the news horizon.

Whatever happened to the government of Bayelsa State’s audacious programme to extirpate the epidemic of rumour-mongering that has been sweeping the riverine terrain and threatening to plunge all its glittering achievements right back into the swamps?

The last we heard of the project, a high-powered committee comprising representatives of the secret service, the police, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (ha!), civil society and other relevant groups–I almost wrote “stakeholders” — was at work to produce a tough remedy that Governor Seriake Dickson would move the State Assembly to enact into law.

The outlines are still hazy, but some hot lines and web sites would be dedicated to the project. Anyone who is not sure whether what he has heard is the gospel truth or just malicious gossip – which is often nothing but stark rumour – has only to call the hot line or consult the web sites to get the authentic facts from certified officials operating round the clock.

Those who fail to avail themselves of this unique service and end up wittingly or unwittingly peddling rumours, however benign, will have only themselves to blame when the law comes into effect.

Are the verification centres up and running?

I ask because I would like to check out some rumour that has been gusting in Bayelsa lately.

It concerns a mighty personage who wears, among other hats, that of permanent secretary-at-large in the state’s civil service. I hear that senior officials who have been murmuring that she is not qualified for the distinction and that her appointment was in every sense arbitrary have decided, under the aegis of Bayelsa Civil Servants for Due Process and Transparency, to take the matter to the next level.

According to sources, who have asked me not to identify them lest they be persecuted, members of the organisation passed a unanimous resolution at a recent meeting declaring that the way the personage aforementioned has been carrying on is “incompatible with the ethos of the public service, and is capable of bringing the Bayelsa State civil service into disrepute if it has not already done

RIPPLES Iroha to Keshi: RECALL YOBO FOR OMERUO

Then TARIBO and CHRISTIAN CHUKWU must come back

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Just following up ‘

The resolution...is only the first step to securing through the courts a cease and desist order that would have... the effect of restraining the personage from parading herself as a permanent secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service...

•Dickson

so.”

The resolution, they tell me, is only the first step to securing through the courts a cease and desist order that would, without prejudice to any other positions she may occupy or assign herself, have the effect of restraining the personage from parading herself as a permanent secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service in any guise or disguise, and from enjoying the benefits pertaining thereunto.

Surely, you too must have heard the rumour, ladies and gentlemen of the Bayelsa Task Force on Rumour-mongering. For the benefit of the people of Bayelsa and indeed the teeming readers of this newspaper in Nigeria and abroad, I respectfully request that you confirm or dispel it at your earliest convenience.

I have my own views on the matter, but they cannot be a substitute for the definitive verdict that only The Task Force can issue.

Second, whatever happened to the National

’

Good Governance Tour that Information Minister (and now acting Minister of Defence) Labaran Maku has been staging to showcase to all those who are too obtuse to notice and appreciate the great transformation the Goodluck Jonathan Administration has wrought across the land.

The last time I wrote on the subject, Maku had just concluded a controversial tour of Edo State. I was definitely in error in stating that he was hopping from one site to another in an executive jet, and I hereby offer my remorseful apologies.

I have since learned that he rides nothing more opulent than those passenger buses purchased for the public under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), and that the only reason he has not availed himself and his touring party of rail travel is that a good many of the sites are not

HARDBALL

C

HIEF Bode George is the classic Nigeria ‘big man’ of the 21st century.

He epitomizes today’s leader, especially of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mould: they are remarkable for their deep vacuity and starkly unreflective ways. Suffering through a florid two-page interview Bode George granted The Punch last Saturday was most stomach-churning but it served a nobler purpose of showcasing the ingrained kakistocrat in him and explains why with leaders like him at the helm, Nigeria will forever be sitting at the brink of the precipice peering down her doom.

It wasn’t Chief George’s puerile, narcissistic politics that rankled Hardball into noticing and reading the interview but his profanity and his poor understanding of the Christian mores. Any Christian worth the name would have been stopped short by the headline of the interview in question which reads: “I was extremely angry when that pastor said I should go and sin no more.”

For those who may be unaware, Bode George, an ex-naval officer and Military Administrator of Ondo State, is a staunch PDP chieftain from Lagos State. He was former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, South. He was convicted and jailed for two years for fraudulent activities when he was chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

accessible by train.

When will he take his good governance gospel to Yobe, or Borno?

Boko Haram or no Boko Haram, there are in those states shining examples of the irreversible Transformation the Jonathan Administration has wrought. Are they not worth showcasing, if only to give the lie to those who claim that underdevelopment is the cause of the insurgency roiling those cities, and to confound the insurgents themselves?

The insurgents, knowing that he has the armed might of the Federal Government at his call as acting Minister of Defence, will be on their best behaviour while the tour lasts.

The Honourable Minster may even succeed in charming them with his winning ways and his elegant tailoring into signing a permanent truce.

Your move, then, Honourable Minister.

In Bukola Saraki’s time as governor, wonderful things were said and written about how he had quietly transformed Kwara State into Nigeria’s breadbasket with his far-sighted agricultural policy and technocratic acumen.

The vehicle for the revolution was the Shonga Farms, operated by 15 white farmers, who had lost out in the land redistribution programme through which President Robert Mugabe sought to empower his dispossessed people.

With generous provisions of land and vital infrastructure and cash, the farmers were four years later producing lakes of milk, mountains of butter, and pyramids of rice and maize and sorghum and guinea corn, among other items.

But there was one big problem. These products were available only in up-scale supermarkets in Abuja, so that, if Kwara was at al a breadbasket, it was a breadbasket only to the opulent denizens of the federal capital. Over time, the products vanished even from the shelves and cold stores of the up-scale supermarkets.

What happened to Saraki’s revolution?

It was over before it began. But the media took Saraki’s word for it that an agricultural revolution characterised by superabundance had indeed occurred in Kwara. Today, according to persons familiar with the place, Shonga Farm looks like an abandoned junkyard littered with the debris of broken machinery and structures, a monument to mass deception.

Unlike the media, Saraki’s handpicked successor, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed was not fooled. Months after taking office, he was already laying the groundwork for his own agricultural revolution, this time through a partnership with Cornell University in Ithaca, in the sub-arctic clime of up-state New York Surely, the attentive audience is entitled to ask: How many agricultural revolutions can you have within five years in the same location?

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Bode George vs. the boy pastor Though he and his co-convicts have continued to insist on their innocence and have actually returned to court, but he today, remains a returnee from jail, determined so by a court of competent authority. Bode George upon his release, went from the prison cell to the church for thanksgiving; a jamboree more like. In his homily during the Service, the priest had admonished that Bode George should “go and sin no more.” How did you feel when the pastor said, “go and sin no more”, he was asked?

Here is Bode George’s answer: “That young boy said it, he had leanings with the opposition. He was in form four when I was governor of Ondo State. I was livid but I said I was in church. This young man would not derail my thanksgiving to God Almighty;… I went the following morning to challenge the provost; they said no, that is not what he meant.’ I said ‘you don’t know this boy; he is an apologist to Bola Tinubu and co.’

Not done in his righteous indignation towards a reverend gentleman, he said that he decided to go straight to church because of God’s grace towards him through the period, “so when this young man was talking garbage there, you know you can’t respond there.

I went to the provost, this was an anomaly, a

misnomer, absolute rubbish, I didn’t come here for this boy, of course nemesis caught up with him too. They’ve taken him out to a smaller church, that’s where he deserves…”

You would wish Chief Bode George did not speak in this manner; wouldn’t you? For an elder, a former governor and a leader in the ruling party, how could he be so irreverent and foul of mouth, especially towards an ordained man of God? Hardball is hard put to have to give our dear chief some tutorials in the manners of Christendom: no true Christian ever refers to an ordained priest as “this boy” or “this young man” for that matter. A priest is a priest or our father in the Lord.

Even if that young man was Bode George’s son, he ceased to be a boy the day he was ordained.

And to say that a priest is “talking garbage” or “absolute rubbish,” that really is the limit and Hardball’s sincere advice to Chief George is to seek out that priest in that smaller church (no such thing) where “nemesis has taken him to, kneel before him and ask for forgiveness. Or does he prefer to “go and keep on sinning?” As for the totality of the interview, let’s just say that it is as hollow as the PDP which explains why he is a leader there.

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