September 02, 2015 by The Nation

Newspaper of the Year

•Troops recapture Gamboru Ngala from Boko Haram P56 •Seven policemen detained for Ondo politician’s death P7 •NNPC to battle oil thieves with drones, says Kachikwu P53 •Cabinet delay: Buhari saves over N845.558m in 3 months P4 •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3325 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

Soyinka: I remain centre’s chair NEWS

Page 12

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•INSIDE: UI RESEARCHERS DISCOVER 11,000-YEAR-OLD FENCE P8 LAGOS TO HIRE TEACHERS P7

N338b loans excite workers in Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Ekiti AfDB President Adesina to focus on power

Edo, Delta, Abia, others expectant From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan, Soji Adeniyi, Osogbo, Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti, Damisi Ojo, Akure, Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin, Aiwerie Okungbowa, Asaba, OgochukwuAnioke, Abakaliki, Ugochukwu Ugorji-Eke, Umuhaia, Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos, Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa, Osagie Otabor, Benin and Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

HE African Development Bank (AfDB) will focus in coming years on tackling Africa’s chronic power shortages to try to unlock the continent’s economic potential and end its vulnerability to fluctuations in commodity prices, its new president said yesterday. Nigeria’s Akinwunmi Adesina took the helm as the eighth president of the con-

ORKERS in Kwara State - one of the first states to enjoy the N338b Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)guranteed bailout loan – have started getting their backlog of salaries. The payment began on Monday, with scores of excited civil servants queuing at banks in Ilorin, the state capital, to receive their salaries. Twenty-seven states are to get the loans, which are to be disbursed by 14 banks. But as at yesterday, many of the states were still fine-tuning the paperwork to enable them access the money. Most of the states allayed workers’ fears that the cash could go into financing projects, leaving salaries unpaid. Officials promised that this would not be the case. Labour leaders in Oyo State said yesterday that they had reached an agreement with Governor Abiola Ajimobi to use the N26.601b being expected to clear all salary arrears. The state has four months outstanding salaries to pay workers in its employ on Grade Levels 1 to 12. Senior officers on

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

Grade Level 13 and above are hoping to receive five months salaries. The government last month paid April salary to workers on Grade Levels 1 to 12. The local Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Continued on page 4

•Dasuki...yesterday

Continued on page 4

Billionaire Fernandez dies at 79

•IN THE DOCK: Dasuki in court...yesterday

•Dasuki...yesterday

Dasuki: I’m not guilty

•PA GE 5 •PAGE

NTONIO Oladeinde Fernandez, oil magnate, diplomat and Permanent Representative of Central African Republic to the United Nations (UN) is dead. The billionaire businessman died yesterday in a Brussels, Belgium hospital after a brief illness, a source close to the family said. He was 79. Details of the death remained hazy last night. One of Africa’s richest men, the late Fernandez was born in Lagos into the Continued on page 4

•LIFE P15 •SPORTS P23 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P28 •POLITICS P46 •FOREIGN P59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS

Fuel subsidy: Refineries’ rebound threatens fuel importers •From left: Group Chief Information Officer, Chellarams Plc, Dr Harbhajan Batth; Managing Director, Angus Montegomery, Damion Angus; President, Nigeria Institute of Packaging, Mr. Mike Adekola; President, Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria, Wahab Lawal and Regional Director for West Africa, Afrocet Montgomery, Mr. George Pearson, at the opening of West Africa Packaging, Printing and Plastics Exhibition in Lagos...yesterday.

DESPITE minor glitches, there is a ray of hope of boosting local refining of petroleum products with the four refineries showing recovery signs. In this report, AKINOLA AJIBADE takes a look at the conditions of the refineries before and after their reactivation, the factors that could have led to their sudden transformation and improved power supply.

•From left: Assistant Director, Development Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),Tobin Jonathan (left); Managing Director, Auldon Toys, Paul Orajiaka; Executive Head, Banks Financial Institutions, Standard Chartered Bank, Oloruntimilehin George and Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan Atlantic University, Peter Bamkole, at a workshop with commercial banks on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE.

•From left: Chief of Party, Strengthening Health Outcomes through the Private Sector (SHOPS) Nigeria, Mrs. Ayodele Iroko; Acting Deputy Director, Health, Population and Nutrition (HPN), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Nigeria, Ms. Celeste D Carr; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. 'Modele Osunkiyesi; Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Omolaso Omosehin and the Director, Reproductive Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Akin Afolabi at the kick-off of the pilot phase on private providers access of Government Free Family Planning Commodities in Lagos...yesterday.

•Head, Brand Marketing & Projects, Ms Omolua Oyakhire, speaking at the launch of Ajala. ng Travel Management Service in Lagos...yesterday. With her are: Head, Customer Relationship Management, Mrs. Bukola Isaac-Oluwasanmi (middle) and the Travel Finance Scheme Manager, Ms Obianuju Mofunanya.

N impressive turnaround or an interesting bounce-back may be fitting tags to describe the revolution at the nation’s four refineries. The four, put together, have recorded phenomenal improvement in their production capacities in recent times. Though the Warri Refinery has been temporarily shut down on the orders of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for not producing enough petrol, the refineries have been showing remarkable levels of improvement. From below 25 per cent production capacity in the last decade to the current 60 per cent production capacity, the refineries are showing signs of recovery. The facilities went moribund, no thanks to years of neglect and mismanagement occasioned by lack of policy direction on the part of successive administrations. But, the good news today is that they are now functional, notwithstanding the few glitches. Going by the NNPC data on refineries, the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC 2) is producing five million litres of petrol; the Warri Refining Petrochemical Company (WRPC) Limited is awaiting the completion of the rehabilitation on its Fluid Cracking Catalytic Unit (FCCU) to raise local production by 3.5 million litres. The Kaduna Petrochemical Refining Company (KPRC) has resumed the production of automotive gas oil (AGO) otherwise known as diesel, and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), which can be used as both aviation fuel/Jet- A1 and household Kerosene, known in the technical parlance as (HHK). The data has put the Crude Utilisation Unit (CDU) and capacity utilisation in the four refineries at 60.40 per cent. Underscoring the utilisation capacity, the PHRC is set to ramp up its operation to about 60 per cent of its 210,000 barrels per day (name plate or initial capacity) and the WRPC will be hitting 80 per cent of its installed 125,000 barrels per day capacity. The development, according to the NNPC, is despite the fact that the Fluid Cracking Catalyic Units (FCCUs) have not been re-streamed. The Corporation said: “The Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have been successfully re-streamed after a nine-month rehabilitation was carried out by its in-house engineers and technicians.” Enough evidences abound that the four refineries, which were built with initial capacity of 445,000 barrels of crude oil per day, will soon return to name plate capacity after undergoing completion repairs in a couple of months.

The refineries cannot meet the daily consumption requirement of between 40 to 42 million litres of fuel per day yet but their production records had not only beaten the predictions of those who concluded that the plants would never run again in the light of the myriads of problems bedeviling them. Already, industry observers are singing a diffrent tune.

The magic wand Like others in the past, the sudden recovery of the refineries has raised several questions in the industry. How did it happen? What was the formula used? How did the management revive the refineries within a short time? Were saboteurs actually frustrating the endless Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) that never revived the refineries? How did the Federal Government danced around the problem? Successive administrations have sunk billions of the tax payers’ money into the TAM in the last two decades, but the refineries refused to work, forcing the Federal Government to rely on the importation of refined products to meet domestic demand. The importation brought about the involvement of members of the Major Oil Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) in the controversial money-guzzling subsidy regime. In 2002, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, approached the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) with a Federal Government proposal to spend N251 billion (about one billion British pound sterling) to fix the four refineries. Scheduled for the TAM were the refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri in Kaduna, Rivers and Delta states. Besides, the huge vote for the TAM, more than $10 billion was said to have been spent money in the last decade on routine maintenance. Despite the TAM, the Federal Government continue to subsidise the importation of products to meet growing local needs. The subsidy payments, being made to fuel importers, has not only grown overtime, but has eaten deep into the coffers of the government, whose resources has dwindled due the tumbling prices of crude oil at the international market. It (subsidy payment) has risen to N1.9 trillion from N300 billion per annum. The scaring figure has not only caused frictions between the Federal Government and MOMAN members but pitted the importers against government. The parties are sharply divided over the actual outstanding subsidy payments, a development that has attracted calls on the government to discontinue with the arrangement. Of lately, the public and private sector’ operators have been trading

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS

•The Kaduna Refining & Petrochemical Company Limited

blames on the actual cost of subsidising fuel imports into the country. The parties could not agree on the way forward. Amid the lingering disagreement, the unexpected has happened. The refineries are gradually coming back to life. And ever since the refineries began production, not a few Nigerians, especially, stakeholders in the petroleum industry, have been expressing mixed feelings on the issue. Some take the gradual return of the refineries to optimum capacity as a new dawn in the troubled industry. Others see it as a step in the right direction for the country that has over the years, relied on importation to meet domestic demands.

No longer business as usual They all agreed that the refineries have been going through positive reengineering processes, which will on the long-run, affect the downstream segment of the petroleum industry NNPC’s Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, pinned the sudden revival of the refineries to the re-engineering activities put in place by the government. He said the issue of re-engineering of the refineries was embedded in the reforms initiated by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to foster growth in the industry. Kachikwu restated the Corporation’s commitment to carry out the reforms to the letter and boost domestic production. Speaking at a forum in Lagos, the GMD said the refineries have been restreamed to increase fuel production and further meet growing demands. He, however, said that the refineries are yet to attain optimal capacity, despite efforts to re-stream them. According to him, some worn-out components have been changed and the critical units that require intervention, have been fixed in clear demonstration of government’s commitment to make the refineries work optimally. President of the local chapter of the International Association of Energy Economics (IAEA) in Nigeria, Prof Wunmi Iledare, agreed with Kachikwu’s views. He said the commitment of the government to local production accounted for the reactivation of the refineries. Iledare believes a good leadership will stimulate the socio-economic development of the country, pointing out that things have started taking shape in the downstream segment of the oil and gas industry, especially the refineries immediately President Muhammad Buhari assumed office on

The refineries •Warri Refining & Petrochemical Company Limited (WRPC) Installed capacity 125,000bpd Expected output 100bpd (80%) •Port Harcourt Refining Company 1&2 (PHRC) Installed capacity 210,000bpd Expected output 126 (60%) •Kaduna Refining & Petrochemical Company Limited (KRPC) Installed capacity 110,000bpd Expected output 71,000bpd (70%) May 29. Leadership and vision, he noted, are inseparable ingredients in any economy and that the two must cohabit to promote growth. He described as shocking that the refineries on which successive administrations spent fortunes without result, have all started working within three months under the new government. His words: “Is the improvement in the production capacity of the refineries a fall out of maintenance activities carried out years ago? No. The growth that is being witnessed in the operation of the refineries is the result of reengineering activities, embarked upon

by the NNPC months ago. The refineries are not just working; they are working because the government took the right steps to fix the problems plaguing their operations.’’ Iledare, who is a Professor Emeritus at the Centre for Energy Studies, University of Louisiana, United States (U.S.), said the perception of the leader, especially in the oil and gas industry, cannot but play vital roles in achieving the desired results. “The public perception of President Buhari’ s government is strong, and everybody is sitting up in order not to incur the wrath of the government”, the professor said. Iledare noted that the government

has embarked on total cleansing of the ‘Nigerian System’ and the result is evident in the operation of the refineries now. He said the refineries are working because the right processes and methodologies were adopted to fix their problems, adding the refineries will return to optimal capacity with the sustenance of the ongoing efforts. Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chairman, Mobil Nigeria Plc, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji, said the refineries are coming up amid assurances by the Federal Government to pay the subsidy arrears owed to oil marketers. He welcomed the resuscitation of the refineries as timely in view of the perennial fuel shortage and the pressure on the government to embark on full deregulation of the petroleum industry. The Mobil oil chief, however, cautioned Nigerians against expecting the refineries to resume full production capacity immediately. He said the process of making the refineries to deliver 100 per cent output could not be that simple, because a lot of rehabilitation must be done to achieve such feat. Also, the Chief Executive officer, Starways Energy Limited, Oliver

Mordi, said there must be more to the sudden recovery of the refineries, noting that previous administrations had tried, without success, to revive them. He suggested that a probe should be instituted by the government to unravel the reasons for the poor production output of the refineries in the past. According to him, sources within the refineries, claimed local engineers and technicians were used to put the refineries in order. Mordi said: “In times past, the NNPC has been engaging Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to carry out major repair of the refineries. The manufacturers, based in the developed economies such as Europe and the U.S. have strong pedigrees in the area of building and installing refineries. “Yet, they were unable to fix our refineries. Recently, the manufacturers refused to come to Nigerian, on account of security challenges. As a result of this, the management of the refineries decided to use their workers to re-stream the refineries. ‘’ He said that from all indications, some saboteurs operated within the system to frustrate government efforts. Recalling his relationship with the Kaduna refinery, from where he was lifting oil a couple of years back, Mordi said tanker owners contended with loading problems in the KRPC due to certain problems. He said the refinery had battled with problems relating to loading and capacity, following allegations that workers have tampered with its operations. Mordi, now an energy consultant, said the issue often culminated in long queue at the Kaduna refinery by marketers who patronised the facility for petroleum products. He said marketers were forced to lobbying in such situations to get their quota, adding that the problem is not limited to KRPC. Mordi said it was an open-secret that workers were being tipped before they attend to marketers, stressing that such sharp practices may have been shielded from the management. He said: “In the course of transacting business with some of the refineries few years ago, I discovered that the corrupt tendencies of workers were high. Cases abound where money exchanged hands between some key employees of the refineries and companies that came to load fuel before they render certain services. “Sources within the refineries said something was wrong with the human aspect of the refineries; that aspect might have changed in view of the successes recorded in recent times.”

Local oil production boosts power supply

PART from the milestone recorded in the industry with the gradual return of the refineries to installed capacity, the country is also savouring steady electricity supply. Regarded as an albatross that the government and Nigerians have been contending with, the power sector has recorded an improvement. With electricity generation increased from 4,515 to 4,545 megawatts (MW) as announced by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the country may be set to enjoy uninterrupted supply. The Nation discovered that the relative stability being witnessed in power supply could be traced to lack of distruption in the electricity value chain, including regular gas supply, reduced vandalism and upgrade of generation facilities by the new investors. Residents of Agbara, Amukoko, Ojo, Sango-Ota, Ikotun, Igando, Olodi Apapa, Isolo, Ajegunle and Ikeja areas, all in Lagos and Ogun states, have being enjoying improved electricity supply. Other areas are: the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Akure, Benin, Niger, Port Harcourt and Markurdi. Residents in the listed communities now enjoy electricity for between four and five hours daily. The situation, a marked departure from what obtained in the past, has brought succour to many Nigerians, especially business owners, who look forward to further steady electricity generation and supply. Dr Sam Amadi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), said improvement in gas supply and relative stability in power supply across the country, was due to the anti-corruption disposition of the President. He said Mr. President has since assuming office on May 29, instilled discipline that has put every public official on his/her toes,leaving everybody with no option, but to key into the new order. Amadi noted that the President has not left anybody in doubt that he has zero tolerance for corruption. According to him, investors in the power sector have been told to sit up

or shape out, a development he said, was responsible for the supply of gas to the various thermal plants across the land. “The bottom line is that there’s a gas supply improvement in the system and partly also because of the zero tolerance for corruption by the present government, people are now sitting up,’’ Amadi said. Managing Director, Ikeja Electric (IE), Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, said the involvement of private investors in the management of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Plc. assets has boosted electricity generation. According to him, the private managers have introduced measures to improve electricity generation and distribution. He said Ikeja has moved from a little over 300MW of electricity to 500MW megawatts within a short time. According to him, the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) have been coming up with an initiative known as ‘’ Embedded Generation’’ through which a particular area will be designated and given to willing investors, who they will negotiate with to build power plants and sell to people within the locality at a cometitive price, relatively higher than what consumers pay the distribution firm operating in their domain. He said the initiative, when properly implemented, will boost electricity supply. Spokesman for the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Mr Godwin Ihemudia, attributed the improvement to the boost in power generation. The Group Managing Director, Aiteo Power, Dr. Ramson Owen, also corroborated the position, saying the Buhari administration has recorded some feats in the power and petroleum sector. He, however, said that the sustenance of the achievements should be of primary concern to Nigerians. But the question begging for answers are: Can Nigeria sustain the progress recorded in the areas of improvement in output of refineries and power supply, taking into consideration the perennial gas supply problems?

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS • Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (third left), African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwunmi Adesina (fourth left), his wife; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele (sixth left), Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) (third right); Darius Ishiaku (Taraba) (second right), exEkiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (second left), Amb. Ifeoma Akaboguchinwuba, Head of Mission Embassy of Nigeria in Côte d’Ivoire (left) and Vice President Cecilia Akintomide at Adesina’s inauguration in Abidjan...yesterday.

AfDB President Adesina to focus on power Continued from page 1

tinental body yesterday at Abidjan, the Ivoirien capital headquarters. “Africa could easily be growing at double-digit GDP rates if we solve this problem of energy,” said Adesina, the immediate past minister of agriculture who added: “Energy poverty on the continent has to be solved as a matter of urgency, as a matter of scale. This is going to be my most important priority,” according to a Reuters report. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo led the Federal Government delegation to the ceremony. Also at the inauguration were Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), ex-Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and former Finance Minster Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, business Mogul Aliko Dangote and United Bank for Africa

(UBA) Managing Director Philip Oduoza. Though it boasts nearly a billion people, sub-Saharan Africa consumes about as much power as Spain, with less than five per cent that number, due to poor generating capacity and limited transmission networks. Two-thirds of Africans have no access to electricity. The lack of reliable power grids is a major obstacle to industrialising the continent’s economies at a time when Africa hopes to make a transition from commodities producer to a manufacturing hub and challenge Asia where labour costs are rising. According to the International Energy Agency, Africa requires an additional $450 billion in power sector investment to halve blackouts and achieve electricity access for all in urban areas by 2040. As of 2013, the bank - founded in 1964 and funded by African nations and shareholder countries outside the conti-

nent - had lent 67.22 billion Units of Account or about $94 billion. A development economist with a doctorate from Purdue University in the United States, the 55-year-old was elected in May to head the Ivory Coast-based institution for a five-year term. “Africa has to industrialise,” he said. “We have to add value ... so that (Africa) does not expose itself to the continued volatility ... of global prices for commodities.” Africa needs to mimic China and other Asian countries’ use of an abundant supply of cheap labour to take advantage of globalisation and attract investment, Adesina said. And as wages rise in China and elsewhere in Asia, Africa can offer a competitive edge with its cheaper workforce. Wages in China have increased by over 10 per cent annually over the past decade, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics.

“There’s a lot of opportunity in Africa today to take advantage of these wage differentials, especially in terms of light manufacturing, textiles, footwear and others,” he said. Osinbajo urged African leaders to discard economic ideas and myths holding them bound to a few options. He called on them to embrace creativity, innovation and change towards charting the pathway for growth and development in the continent. According to him, the western economies, particularly United States have toed the path to emerge from the economic meltdown in 2008. Osinbajo said: ”In 2008 western economies faced with what Ben Bernanke described as the ‘deepest financial crisis since the Great Depression’ abandoned conventional freemarket thinking and embraced State-bankrolled stimulus plans to forestall the imminent collapse of their economies.” Continued on page 58

Billionaire Fernandez dies at 79 Continued from page 1

Fernandez family which originated from Brazil. He was adviser to the Angolan Government on Economic Matters. He held this position for two years until his appointment as Deputy Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the United Nations in 1984.He ran an oil company known as Petro Inett - which obtained a 50 per cent share with South African-based Energy Africa Limited in a deal with the state oil company for exploration rights in a 4,700

km2 area of Angola’s coast in 1996.In 1992, he was appointed as Special Adviser to the President of Mozambique on International Economic Matters, a position he held for three years. Even though a Nigerian, he was appointed the Permanent Representative of Central African Republic (CAR) at the United Nations in 1997. -Fernandez had interests in the CAR’s oil industry (at a time, he was the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Central African Republic). Continued on page 58

Cabinet delay: Buhari saves over N845.558m in three months

OR delaying the constitution of his cabinet, President Muhammadu Buhari has saved the nation about N845.558million accruable to 42 ministers. The cost is outside the salaries and allowances for three ministerial aides, escort drivers and police orderlies.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

It was unclear as at press time, if the huge bill will force the President to trim his cabinet or not. A top source in the presidency said the President might not go below the recommendation Continued on page 58

N338b loans excite workers in Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Ekiti Continued from page 1

Chairman Comrade Waheed Olojede, said labour leaders held a meeting with the governor where it was agreed that the fund would be spent on clearing outstanding salaries. He said labour would continue to be on its guard to ensure that the funds are not diverted to other purposes. Olojede said: “We have been on guard in Oyo State. We read in The Nation yesterday (Monday) about the sums of money approved for states. We were happy that Oyo State was among them. Immediately after reading the story, we sought an audience with Governor Ajimobi over it and he met all the labour leaders in the

evening. The meeting was successful. “The governor confirmed to us but informed us that the money was yet to be accessed due to the conditions yet to be met. He, however, promised that all the conditions would be met soon and the fund would be accessed. “We also agreed that as soon as it is released, it should be spent on salaries of workers.” Some of the conditions for accessing the loan include: •resolutions of the State Executive Council authorising the borrowing; •State House of Assembly consenting to the loan package; and •issuance of Irrevocable Standing Payment Order

(ISPO) to ensure timely repayment. In Ekiti State, the government and labour disagreed on whether the state had accessed the loan or not. Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, Lanre Ogunsuyi denied that the state had received its own share. Ogunsuyi, in a telephone chat, explained that the money was still domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and “every state is just applying for it now”. He insisted that the money was not a bailout as believed in many quarters but the commonwealth of all the federating states in the country. Ekiti State’s share is N9.604 billion. NLC Chairman Ade Adesanmi could not be reached for comments, but Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman Kolawole Olaiya maintained that the government had received N9. 6 billion. Olaiya, who spoke with

our correspondent on telephone, urged the Fayose administration to ensure that the outstanding September 2014 salary, 2014 and 2015 leave bonuses are paid to workers. The TUC boss praised the Buhari administration for the package, which he said to rescue states from insolvency, noting that it was good news to workers in Ekiti who expect the state government to do the “needful”. He said: “The Federal Government is desirous to ease the burden on workers and I don’t think anybody can hide under any guise to punish workers. The Federal Government meant well and I want to commend the Buhari administration for this bailout because the workers’ conditions are bad. “The bailout has been paid (to Ekiti) and I want to rely on the facts published by The Nation on Monday. We have been hearing that Ekiti had just received the money. “It is just unfortunate that

OUR ERROR The caption in the photograph on page 10 of yesterday’s edition should have read ‘the father in-law’ of Prof. Adebayo Williams instead of ‘son of the deceased’. The error is regretted –Editor

most of the labour leaders in Ekiti are not supposed to be in Labour. They are conniving with the present government to rob workers of their reward and they are contributing more to the plight of workers. “They are not supposed to be labour leaders, they are usurpers. September salaries, 2014 leave bonus and 2015 leave bonus have remained unpaid.” A leader of the TUC in Osun State, Comrade Akinyemi Olatunji, said there was no indication that the cash had come to the state. Olatunji said ýthe labour unions were monitoring the release of the funds through their various national secretariats. According to him, workers in the state had only collected half of their January and February salaries so far. The state government said it was waiting for the N34.9 billion ýallocated to Osun to drop into the state account after it had been approved by the Central Bank. Former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Sunday Akere said the payment of workers’ salaries would begin as soon as the funds drop into the

state’sý account. Akere, who disclosed that N9 billion of the N34.9 expected was for local government workers’ salary, said a staff audit was on, pending the receipt of the bailout.ý Ondo State has not collected the N14.68b bailout. Sources at the Government Secretariat, Alagbaka, Akure said the government was awaiting the funds. A cross section of workers, who are being owed three months salaries arrears, said they were eager to hear that the money had been accessed. Christian Ita spokesman of the Cross River State Governor, said: “We are waiting for the money. We have not received it yet, but we are expecting it any moment from now. We are borrowing the money to pay back debts we owe. The state is not owing civil servants’ salaries and that is because we borrowed money to pay them. So right now, we need the bailout fund to pay the debts we owe. “Since Governor Ben AyContinued on page 58

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS Adultery report on bank MD: publisher gets bail

•From left: Former Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) CP Emmanuel Ojukwu; his successor, Mrs Olabisi Kolawole and Deputy FPRO, CSP Abayomi Shogunle, at a news conference on Kolawole's investiture as the first female FPRO by Inspector-General Solomon Arase, in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Newly-acquired tools lack spare parts, says Buratai C HIEF of Army Staff Maj. Gen. Yusuf Burutai has said some newly-acquired military equipment do not have spare parts”. Maj-Gen. Burutai, who spoke yesterday at the opening of the 17th Combat Service Support Training Week at the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering in Auchi, Edo State, said the military was having problems with these equipment due to dearth of spare parts and technicians.” He said the army would

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

address the issue in line with the Public Procurement Act. He predicted the end of Boko Haram insurgency by December. Maj-Gen. Burutai, who was represented by Maj. Gen. S. Muazu, added: “I have already set up the Nigerian Army Procurement Committee and the Directorate of Army Procurement in the Army Headquartres.

“Let me assure you that efforts are on to get the requisite spare parts for the newly acquired equipment and train our personnel on effective equipment maintenance up to Fourth Line Level of repairs.” Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole urged the army to sustain the provision of essential materials and health services to the troops in the various flash points, through the service support corps. Oshiomhole, who was rep-

resented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, hailed the military for its success in major parts of the Northeast as well as its role in checking various forms of crime in the state. He said: “Right now, the Boko Haram sect has taken to unconventional tactics, through the use of suicide bombing to inflict harm, kill innocent and defenceless citizens and instill fear. “In order to defeat them, it is imperative that new tactics and strategies must be evolved by the army and other sister security agencies.”

Dasuki admitted to bail

ORMER National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Sambo Dasuki was arraigned yesterday at a Federal High Court in Abuja. Dasuki was arraigned on a one-count charge of illegal possession of firearms, an offence punishable under Section 27(i) (a)(i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004 and which attracts 14 years jail term. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which Justice Adeniyi Ademola granted him bail on self recognition, upon an application by his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN). Daudu said his client would neither abscond nor interfere with prosecution witnesses if granted bail, because the prosecution said it had concluded investigation in the case. The prosecution lawyer, Mohammed Diri did not oppose the application for bail.

•Trial opens October 26 From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Justice Ademola ordered Dasuki to deposit his international passports with the Deputy Registrar, Litigation. He ordered that the passports be retrieved, if they were being held by other government agencies, and handed to the named court’s official. The judge fixed October 26 for the commencement of trial. Dressed in sky-blue kaftan and a cap, Dasuki arrived the court around 8.30am before his lawyers and the prosecution team. At the commencement of proceedings around 9.30am, Dasuki walked into the dock when the charge was called. Dasuki, who the judge permitted to sit maintained a straight face throughout the

one hour of proceedings. The prosecution said it would tender 10 sets of items recovered from Dasuki’s Abuja residence, located at John Khadiya Street, Asokoro, by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS), who searched his houses both in Abuja and outside on July 16. The items include *Five Tavor riffles *20 magazines, *Five rifle slings *Five packets of rifle servicing kit, *One packet of MOD AP9 calibre 9mm Luger No: 033373 *Small magazine containing 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition and bigger magazine containing 23 *Five rounds of 9mm ammunition. *One Macro Uzi with serial No 60244.

HE Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted bail to the publisher of Best of Nollywood magazine, Mr. Seun Oloketuyi. He was arraigned by the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) for allegedly publishing a false report that Fidelity Bank Managing Director, Nnamdi Okonkwo, impregnated the bank’s head of marketing. Oloketuyi’s lawyer, Dr Muiz Banire, faulted the criminal charge, saying anyone who felt offended by the story should have sued for libel since defamation was a civil matter. Banire said the SFU also had no business arraigning the blogger because he was not involved in any act of fraud. Justice Mohammed Yunusa granted the accused bail for N3million with two sureties. One of the sureties, the judge said, must be a property owner in Lagos while the other must be Oloketuyi’s relative. They must also swear to an affidavit of means and produce evidence of tax payment for two years, all to be verified. Oloketuyi must also make an undertaking never to publish such story against the bank chief, the judge said. The police said the accused published the report on his website www.naijahottestgist.com. Oloketuyi, who is the organiser of the yearly Best of Nollywood Awards (BON), was arraigned on a two-count charge. Count one of the charge reads in part: “That you, Seun Oloketuyi ‘m’ on or about June 2015 did knowingly or intentionally send a message and other matters by means of computer systems or network on one Nnamdi Okonkwo, the Managing Director/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc which you know to be false, for the purpose of causing him annoyance, insult and ill-will on www.naijahottestgist.com.”

By Joseph Jibueze

In count two, Oloketuyi was accused of publishing “defamatory matters” against Okonkwo “with malice” while knowing that the information was false. Prosecution counsel, Olakanmi Omisope, said the alleged offence contravenes Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38. Oloketuyi pleaded not guilty to the charge. The story claimed that Okonkwo impregnated the bank’s “top marketer” known as Justina, which resulted in her husband, Ben, leaving their matrimonial home. Oloketuyi had apologised and retracted the story via www.bestofnollywood.tv. Arguing the bail application, Banire said his client was wrongly charged as there was no proof of evidence filed along with the case. “It is essentially a libel issue which should be a civil matter. There is no element of fraud in the charge for him to be arraigned by the SFU,” the lawyer said. Asking Justice Yunusa to grant the accused person bail, Banire said his client has two children, is an entrepreneur and has no reason to run away. But Omisope “vehemently” opposed the application, adding that the Cyber Crime Act under which Oloketuyi was charged falls within the court’s jurisdiction. Ruling, Justice Yunusa said since an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, there was no reason to deny him bail. “The main concern is for the accused to attend court during trial,” he said. The judge adjourned to November 4 for commencement of trial.

Politics: INEC chair makes case for more elected women

T •Dasuki

*One magazine with 16 rounds of live 9mm ammunition *36 rounds of live 9mm ammunition. Some of the items were said to have been recovered from his Range Rover car registered as Abuja RBC 517 JN. He is 60. He became NSA in 2012 and was removed in July

HE Acting Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Amina Zakari, yesterday advocated better representation of the female gender in the Nigerian politics. Speaking at the “She Forum Africa,” a friendraiser community program, which was organised by Premium Logic, She noted that women are still disadvantaged as far the country’s governance is concerned, in spite of a gender policy which is already in place in Nigeria, adding that there was need to consciously address such issues. Zakari who called for gender protection laws to tackle issues of relegation of interests of the

Nigerian woman also urged political parties to give women the needed support to achieve their political potentials. She also noted that INEC was very much aware of the gender challenges in any organization and had set up a gender directorate. She said, “We at INEC recognize the importance of mainstream gender issues and that is why we have a Directorate on Gender.” The INEC Acting Chair stressed that women should not only be appointed based on the 35% affirmative women participation in Nigerian governance, but should also be engaged in elective offices.

Drama as PDP, Gulak disagree over Chairman Mu’azu’s replacement

HE aspiration by some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to vie for the national chairmanship of the party, has suffered a setback with a declaration by the leadership of the party that the position is not vacant. The position is being occupied in acting capacity by the party’s National Deputy Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus following the forced resignation in May of the substantive chair, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. A mild drama played out yesterday as Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, an erstwhile Political

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, stormed the party’s Abuja secretariat to register his intention to vie for the chairmanship position. Speaking with journalists shortly after meeting with some of the party leaders, Gulak said the three months that the party’s constitution allowed Secondus to act as chairman had expired and that there was need to choose a substantive chair for the party. Gulak said, “I came to inform the National Working Commit-

tee (NWC) of my intention to contest the chairmanship of the party for the purpose of rebuilding, rebranding and renovating the party. “Going by the PDP constitution, the position is vacant because the three months allowed for anyone to act as chairman had elapsed and the party constitution stipulates that the replacement must come from the same Northeast zone as the erstwhile substantive chair. “The PDP cannot continue in the illegality of continuing with Acting Chairman because the three months stipulated by the party’s constitution had elapsed.

“So it is time for the NWC to convene the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for the party to call for nominations to fill the vacancy. We have had enough of impunity”. But the leadership of the party could hardly wait for Gulak to leave the party secretariat before declaring that the position is not vacant. At a joint briefing by the National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo and National Legal Adviser, Mr. Victor Kwom, the party leaders countered that the party constitution did not stipulate time limit for an acting chairman.

According to them, the party was waiting for the report of the Post Election Review and Assessment Committee, headed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu. Oladipo said, “The position of chairman is not vacant because there is an acting chairman in place. We cannot call a NEC meeting until we have received the report of the Ekweremadu led committee. “We are not afraid or reluctant to call NEC meeting. We can’t call NEC meeting just for the sake of it. The fact is that we have just lost election and we need to re-examine our struc-

tures to know where we got it wrong”. Kwom also dismissed the claims by Gulak that Secondus’ tenure as acting chairman had expired, saying the party constitution did not stipulate a time limit. Kwom said, “Section 45(2) of the party constitution allows the acting chairman to continue in office till NEC in its wisdom decides to appoint a replacement. “Section 47(6) that empowers NEC to appoint a replacement also did not give a time limit within which a person can act as chairman”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER2, 2015

NEWS Senate hails withdrawal of suit

HE Senate yesterday hailed its members, who operate under the aegis of ‘The Unity Forum’, for withdrawing the suit they filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in which they sought to remove the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his seputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, following allegations of forgery of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 used for the inauguration of the Eighth Senate. Justice Ademola Adeniyi, of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday struck out the case and terminated further hearing after the plaintiffs who are members of the Unity Forum, withdrew their suit. The five members of the Unity Forum, who instituted the suit, are senators Abu Ibrahim, Kabiru Marafa, Ajayi Borofice, Olugbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Hunkuyi.

Chairman, Senate Adhoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, in a statement in Abuja, commended members of both the Unity Forum loyal to Senator Ahmad Lawan and the Like Minds Senators loyal to Saraki for their maturity and sagacity. Melaye said with the discontinuation of the suit the plaintiffs and their supporters demonstrated that national interest was superior to individual and group interest. He added that the development put to shame divisive elements who wanted to ridicule the Eighth Senate. Melaye said: “On behalf of the Senate, we want to commend the maturity of the Unity Group and Like Minds Group. We appreciate that by withdrawing the suit, national interest has overcome individual and group interest.”

APC, PDP trade words over Rivers, Akwa Ibom elections tribunals

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are trading words over the operations of the election tribunals. The PDP has alleged plots by the federal authorities to tinker with the composition of election tribunals in Rivers and other states controlled by the PDP. But, the APC has asked the PDP to stop denigrating the judiciary by suggesting that tribunal judges handling the various election petitions could be influenced, saying the APC-led Federal Government would not micromanage the judiciary. A statement yesterday by

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the move was with a view to importing “pliable judges” to overturn the party’s victory in the last general elections in the affected states. The party said it has “concrete evidence” that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was set to transfer “uncooperative” tribunal judges and replace them with malleable ones to overturn PDP’s electoral victory in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Taraba and Delta states and hand them over to the APC.

Metuh said: “Following the insistence by some tribunal judges on delivering justice, despite the pressure being mounted by the APC government, machineries have been put in motion to influence the outcome of the judicial process by replacing them with those already briefed to do the bidding of the APC government. “Part of the plot is to use the Department of State Services (DSS) and some unscrupulous officials of the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).” But, the APC, in a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai

Mohammed, said the PDP is throwing wild allegations against the Tribunals in Rivers and other states because the party knows it stole the votes in those states. “The affected states are the cashcows of the PDP, hence the party is so jittery about losing the states, which they know they did not win in the first instance. “We have confidence in the ability of the Tribunals to carry out their duties diligently and without fear or favour. We implore the PDP to be charitable enough to repose the same confidence in the Tribunals,” it said.

ICPC set to put social media on watchlist, says chairman Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Abuja

N-LINE and users of the social media platforms will now be on the radar of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC), for checks against malicious petitions and mudslinging, the Chairman of ICPC Ekpo Nta, has said. He said ICPC was worried that the social media platforms were now awashed with malicious petitions and mudslinging largely motivated by selfish interests. Nta spoke with reporters in Abuja yesterday shortly after opening the capacity building workshop organised by AntiCorruption Academy for members of Houses of Assembly from the Northcentral geopolitical zone. He said the ICPC Acts empowered the bodyto investigate, arrest and prosecute masterminds of malicious petitions and urged law-makers to take up the responsibility of whistle blowers in the fight against corruption. His words: “ Everybody suppose to be a whistle blower under our Act, but I will like to warn at this junction that a lot of malicious petitions are also making the rounds, the people who are making these malicious petitions for their personal goods should also know that they are not protected by the law and that when we investigate and find them to be untrue and to be malicious , the ICPC Acts provide for prosecution, and we will definitely prosecute them. “If you look at social media platforms, they are awash now with all kinds of malicious petitions and mudslinging on the people, they should know they are not protected by the law.” He said the law-makers have critical roles to play in the fight against corruption and abuse of office, noting that the Anti-Corruption Academy had earlier organised capacity building workshops for members of the academic community from the Nation’s Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and Universities. In his remarks, the Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy, Professor Sola Akinrinade described as unfavourable the public perception of happenings at the highest levels of government and administration in the country, saying it has become incumbent on all citizens to join in the crusade against corruption. “Legislators have direct responsibility to ensure that other arms of government and the public service embrace the values of probity, accountability, and integrity in public sector life,” he said. “Democracy is not about freedom to do anything you want right or wrong; it is about doing the right thing, the right way at all times,” he added. The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Peter Agang Azi said the workshop was timely as corruption had eaten deep into the fabrics of the country’s socio-political and economic development. He assured that legislators in Plateau would key into the fight against corruption to enable the present administration implement programmes that would have direct and immediate impacts on the lives of the citizenry.

•Ambassador of Stop Violence Against Women in Elections (VAWIE) Mrs. Stephanie Linus (right), unveiling the VAWIE logo in Abuja ...yesterday. With her are: Country Director, National Democratic Institute Mr. Jasper Veen (middle) and National President, International Federation Of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Mrs. Hauwa Shekarau. PHOTO: NAN

NTDC workers seek sack of corporation chief

ORKERS of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Director General, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, accusing her of allegedly diverting funds meant for the promotion of tourism and mismanaging the organisation. The workers, under the auspices of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) have embarked on a work to rule action, refusing to sit in their offices and work until the director general is removed. They argued that if President Buhari was interested in promoting the nation’s tourist potential as a means of diversify-

•Accuses her of corruption From Tony Akowe, Abuja

ing the economy, he must reorganise the Corporation by removing the chief executive. Workers of the corporation who now gather every morning at the Village Hall located within the premises, singing solidarity songs, said they were protesting non-activities in the NTDC since the appointment of the director general. The workers are also accusing Mrs. Mbanefo of killing the tourism sector and destroying structures put in place by her predecessor, whom they claimed built the sector before his removal by former President Goodluck Jonathan. When reporters visited the

premises of the Corporation on Tuesday morning, the place was deserted, and reporters were prevented from gaining access into the office complex by the two security officers excuse that there was nobody inside the building. The Nation, however, noticed that the workers were sitting inside the Village Hall, singing solidarity songs before the leadership of AUPCTRE addressed them on their inconclusive meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity on Monday. The union Secretary of AUPCTRE, Comrade Dankano Chise Kunama, told journalists that the workers had earlier written to the Department of

State Security (DSS), on their ongoing protest and actions before they embarked on it, adding that the union and the DG had earlier dragged themselves to the DSS where they reached and signed an agreements which the DG failed to implement. Efforts to speak with Corporation’s Spokesperson identified as Grace failed as a text message was not acknowledged and calls to her phone line were not answered. The Director of Administration, Boniface Eboka, also sitting near the entrance of the NTDC building when journalists came declined to speak on the development saying, “you know I am a public servant and I am not permitted to speak.” Mrs Mbanefo refused to answer calls yesterday.

Prudent management inevitable to avoid economic decline, says Buhari

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged accountants to support his administration’s efforts to restore greater probity, prudence, transparency and respect for financial regulations to the management of national resources. Speaking at an audience with members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) at the Presidential Villa, President Bu-

•President urges ICAN on accurate audit of MDAs From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

hari warned that with declining prices of oil exports, Nigeria must begin to properly manage its available resources or face developmental stagnation and decline. Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and

Publicity, Femi Adesina, said: “You should help us to go back to the days of real accountability in the management of public funds. “The annual audits of government MDAs which your members undertake must be taken more seriously. People must be made to properly account for whatever govern-

ment funds are entrusted to their supervision. “Let your audit reports on our MDAs be thoroughly, professionally and dispassionately done to ensure greater probity in the management of our national resources and sustainable development,” the President told the ICAN delegation led

by Otunba Samuel Olufemi Deru. The ICAN president hailed the renaissance of the nation’s value system and the reinvigoration of the war against corruption which are being witnessed under President Buhari’s leadership. He said: “The values you hold dear - those of integrity, transparency and accountability - are the foundation of the accountancy profession.

“It is therefore heartening and commendable that you are engaging our members and their firms in the anti-corruption crusade. “We pledge our collective and institutional support for your unparalleled commitment to build a caring, secured, politically united and economically prosperous nation that will be the pride of Africa,” he told President Buhari.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS Ambode approves teachers’ recruitment

AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the recruitment of 1,300 teachers into primary schools. This is part of efforts to strengthen the quality of the Universal Basic Education programme. The Executive Secretary of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Abosede Adelaja, who conveyed the governor’s approval in Lagos yesterday, said the exercise would also achieve a balanced workforce of teachers in primary schools. She urged enterprising and young teacher-applicants with specialisation in English, Mathematics, Yoruba, Computer, Basic Science, Agricultural Science, Home Economics, Arts & Crafts, Special Education and IRK/CRK to apply. Mrs. Adelaja said the applicants, who must not be above 40 years, would only be considered for employment upon the completion and submission of application forms online at www.jobs.lagosstate.gov.ng. She said applicants must have merit grades in Education and other core subjects, including English, Mathematics, Yoruba, Computer, Basic Science, Agricultural Science, Home Economics, Arts & Crafts Special Education and IRK/ CRK. The executive secretary said applicants must be computer literate and must be of good character, adding that successful applicants must be ready to work anywhere in the state. She advised non-teaching workers in the government’s employ with appropriate qualifications to apply afresh, saying they would be screened with others. According to her, application closes next Monday.

Ekiti workers resume early to avoid sanction

IVIL servants in Ekiti State yesterday rushed to offices to avoid being sanctioned for lateness. Their action followed an unscheduled visit by Governor Ayo Fayose to the secretariat on Monday during which he apprehended over 30 workers for lateness. The civil servants prostrated, knelt down, cried and begged the governor to be merciful, but he directed the Head of Service, Gbenga Faseluka, to begin disciplinary action against them. The Nation monitored the resumption of workers at offices yesterday and found out that there was 100 per cent compliance with the 8am deadline. Our correspondent visited the secretariat, the High Court, judiciary headquarters, House of Assembly and the old Governor’s Office. At 8am, there was no worker at the Moremi bus stop, Fajuyi, where civil servants, especially women, usually waited for private vehicles, looking for a free ride, popularly called ‘lift’. Before 8am, some of them

•Labour leaders decry civil servants’ attitude they should justify their pay. •‘Fayose’s action crude’ Fayose has declared his inFrom Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

were seen running to their offices to beat the resumption deadline. Some civil servants were conveyed to their offices by their husbands. As the clock ticked towards the resumption time, the car park at the secretariat was filled with vehicles. The same thing happened at the High Court, Assembly complex and the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Fayose’s surprise visit on Monday generated discussion in many parts of the state. At one of the ministries, one of the workers was overheard telling his colleague in Yoruba language: “O je tete sare, ki Fayose ma da e dubule leni,” meaning: “You better hurry up so that you will not be made to prostrate before Fayose today.” Being the first day of the month, civil servants in some MDAs organised prayers to mark the day, seeking God’s

favour and mercy as they enter the ‘ember months’. The Nation learnt that fear has gripped the workers caught by Fayose, as they are unsure of their fate. Arrangements are in top gear to set up a disciplinary panel to try them for breaching the civil service rules. The organised labour has condemned what it called “the persistent lateness of some civil servants to work”. A statement by the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) Secretary, Oladele Blessing, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretary, Olayemi Patrick and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Secretary, Comrade Joseph Adebayo, decried the attitude of public servants to work. The unions said Monday’s incident was an affront to the image of the civil service and government’s good gesture of building a virile civil service. They urged the governor to pardon the workers by giving them the last warning, saying

tention to set up a task force on internally- generated revenue (IGR). He vowed to punish the officials caught diverting taxes into their pockets. The governor spoke yesterday at a meeting with the directors of finance and revenue officers in the MDAs. He enjoined them to block leakages and be innovative by increasing the internally-generated revenue in the next six months. Fayose said a new tax order was in the offing, warning tax and levy assessors against undermining government’s efforts. He warned private school owners and business operators to desist from cheating the government by refusing to pay their dues and levies, saying such business premises would be shut. A human rights activist, Mr. Augustine Ojekudo, yesterday decried the punishment meted out to the civil servants.

UI researchers discover 11,000-year old fence in Ijebu

TEAM of researchers from the University of Ibadan has discovered a moat (defence wall or fence) which is 11,000 years old. The team, led by Prof. David Aremu of the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, said the moat was built around the old Ijebu kingdom covering about 165 kilometres. The researchers said they dug the moat at Sungbon Eredo in Oke Eri, obtained charcoal regarded as radiocarbon sample and sent it for analysis in an analytic factory in the United States of America. They said the analysis showed that the defence wall had existed for over 11,000 years, with another sample,

•‘Artifacts confirm biblical Queen of Sheba reigned in Ijebu’ From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

which had existed for 4,900 years. Prof. Aremu said in a statement: “The research in Sugbon Eredo, Oke Eri is aimed at examining the structure, component, technology and functions of Sugbon Eredo Moat, which is 165 kilometres surrounding the former Ijebu kingdom. “It also throws more light on the history of the people, who built the embankment and how they adapted to their forest environment.” He said the site provided information confirming that the Biblical Queen of Sheba reigned in Ijebu land, as cor-

roborated by the narrative of the Ijebu. The statement added: “The chronology of the site provides information beyond the myth of the Queen of Sheba and her possible influence in Nigeria and the Middle East. “In the narrative of the Ijebu, the building of Eredo moat was organised by a powerful influential woman called Bilikisu Sungbo (that is, Queen of Sheba), who was believed to have travelled to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem. “These findings pose a lot of questions, which we may not be able to answer now about the establishment of the Yoruba in the Southwest Nigeria.”

The narrative, Prof. Aremu said, included a disclosure that the woman visited Solomon in the ninth Century B.C. He said the moat covered Ijebu kingdom up to Epe in the south, Ago-Iwoye in the north, Eredo in the west and the area towards Ore, Ondo State in the east. The don said the new findings showed that people lived in Ijebu land older than the time oral history could cover. He advised the Ogun State government to convert Eredo moat to an international tourist site, stressing that foreigners had shown interest in it.

Ojekudo, an ex-chairman, Human Rights Committee, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt branch, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that the corporal punishment the governor meted out, especially by directing them to kneel down, was not necessary. He noted that the action was not only crude, but condemnable.

Seven officers detained for ‘killing’ Ondo politician From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

HE outgoing Police Commissioner in Ondo State, Mr. Isaac Eke, said yesterday that the command had begun investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a politician, Mrs. Ronke Adeluga, who was allegedly beaten to death by police officers in Akure. He briefed reporters when he received the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 11, Oshogo, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi, who was on a familiarisation tour. Eke said the command had arrested seven police officers allegedly involved in the death of Mrs. Adelugba, assuring that the cause of her death would be unravelled. The deceased, a chieftain of the Accord, was allegedly beaten to death by police officers, who invaded her home in search of suspected hoodlums. Eyewitnesses told reporters that she was allegedly hit with a gun and beaten up by two of the seven policemen who came to her home, after an argument. The police boss said: “What happened was that the policemen, acting on a tip-off, stormed a hideout where criminals smoke Indian hemp and engage in other nefarious activities. Unfortunately on arrival, some of the suspects fled and they pursued them. “Two of the suspects ran into a woman’s house. They were later arrested. The next thing we heard was that the woman had died. The cause of her death is being investigated. “The arrested officers will tell us what happened. At least there were people on the premises, who were with the woman.”

Police exonerate officers From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

T •The protesters in Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday

GROUP, the Justice & Empowerment Initiative Nigeria (JEI), yesterday marched on the Lagos State House of Assembly protesting an alleged illegal eviction of residents of former School of Nursing building on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. A statement by the body’s coordinator, Mrs. Megan Chapman, said: “We were

Lagos Assembly petitioned on eviction By Oziegbe Okoeki

contacted by our sister organisation, the Centre for Defence of Human Rights and Democracy (CDHRDA), which was on the site documenting the eviction by the Lagos State task force.” She alleged that force was used for the eviction and

that there was disregard for residents’ material possessions. Mrs. Chapman said the houses were broken into when residents were not at home, adding that their belongings were thrown out through the windows. Her words: “This is callous and inhuman. The ex-

ercise was carried out despite a downpour. “Our investigation and discussion showed that the eviction followed the execution of a 48-hour abatement of nuisance notice issued to them.” She said the group had written to the Ministry of Justice, noting that the evic-

tion was illegal and unlawful. The displaced residents, who chanted solidarity songs, enjoined the House of Assembly to come to their aid. The Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, said the House would look into the matter when it resumed.

HE Ondo State Police Command yesterday exonerated its officers from the death of a 50-yearold woman, Ronke Adeluga, who died when the police allegedly invaded her home at Ijoka in Akure. Police spokesman Wole Ogodo, in a telephone chat with our reporter, denied that the woman was beaten to death by the officers. He said their findings showed that the deceased was not a politician but a petty trader. “Our investigation has shown that the woman was not a politician as being speculated and there was no police involvement in her death.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS Landlord arrested for ‘killing’ tenant’s son

Police chief vows to rid Oyo of crimes

HE new Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr. Adeleye Oyebade, yesterday pledged to forge closer ties with the people for improved policing. He was addressing officers after receiving the baton from his predecessor, Mr. Mohammed Katsina, at Eleyele, Ibadan. Oyebade listed closer ties with the people as one of his methods to rid the state of crimes. He said other methods included policing with the fear of God, respecting the human rights of suspects, welfare of his subordinates and promotion of tutorials on personal security. The police boss said the command would engage in professional policing in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s (IGP’s) commitment to change the perception of the security agency. He said: “The new police we are building under the leadership of the IGP is a people’s police, a proactive police and a dynamic insti-

Why I restructured civil service, by Ambode By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

LAGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday explained that his decision to embark upon a restructuring of the public service within the first 100 days of his administration was geared towards improving the lot of public servants and enhancing service delivery. Speaking at the inauguration of a forum of retired heads of service and permanent secretaries, the governor said the forum was aimed at helping the state to continue to tap from their wealth of experience, knowledge and institutional memory, noting that the forum could further add value to good governance and efficiency in public service delivery. Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, described the forum as a blessing in disguise, saying the new forum would help the state to harness the potential and diverse contributions of the retired public servants to enrich policy formulation, development and implementation in the best way that could impact positively on the lives of the people.

Buhari’s wife donates milk to nursing mothers

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

tution that is alive to the task of ensuring public order, prevention of crime and securing life and property.” Oyebade enjoined officers and men to key into the new vision or find their way out. He advised divisional police officers to create a conducive environment for their subordinates, stressing that success in the assignment was better achieved through team work. The police commissioner vowed to build on the achievements of his predecessor, whom he described as one of the best and brightest in the Force. Katsina described the new commissioner as an “intelligent, thorough, hardworking and highly-professional officer.” He urged the officers and men to support him.

•CP Oyebade (left) being welcomed by the outgoing Police Commissioner Katsina at the police PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI headquarters...yesterday

Ooni: Abewela Royal House presents candidate

BEWELA Royal House, a branch of the Lafogido Ruling Dynasty, yesterday presented its sole candidate for the Ooni stool. He is Ahmed Aderoju Adewoyin, a lawyer. Addressing reporters, the Sooko of the royal house, Prince David Adeniji, said after the reign of Ooni Adegunle Abewela (1839 1849), of the two original ruling dynasties (Lajodogun and Lafogido), only one section, i.e. Lajodogun, had produced seven Ooni in quick successions. He said he was delighted to present Adewoyin as a candidate and assured that “all things being equal, the lopsidedness that has characterised ascendancy to the throne for a while will be addressed, with the installation of the sole candidate from Abewela.” Prince Adeniji went on: “The family deems it fit to X-ray the ascension to the throne of Ooni in recent time and inform stakeholders, especially Ife high chiefs (i.e. Ife royal traditional council/ kingmakers) of the selection proc-

esses of a new candidate for the highly-revered Ooni stool to allow the dictate of justice, equity and fairness prevail in the selection of a new Ooni. “Abewela Royal Family is not oblivious of the order of rotation of the ruling houses as set out in the chieftaincy declarations regarding the method of selection of the Ooni. “By virtue of the 1957 declaration registered on June 7, the Giesi Ruling House conceded its turn in favour of the Ogboru Ruling House (which consequently produced the late Ooni Okunade Sijuwade in 1980). This also led to the emergence of the 1977 declaration, which order of rotation, besides being incorrect, misleading and tended to pave the way for rotational manipulation, negates the well-accepted rotation and flagrantly offends the tradition. “However, this has been abrogated by the 1980 declaration as registered on January 28, 1980, which has left the room of contest open to the four ruling houses besides that it technically tilts

the production of the new Ooni in favour of the Lafogido Ruling Dynasty (as Giesi conceded its own turn to Ogboru in 1980). “Historically, Ife ruling houses are mainly only two and not four. These are Lajodogun and Lafogido (both were the two children of Ooni Lajamisan). For record purpose and emphasis, Ooni Oranmiyan begat Ooni Lajamisan. “However, it is incontrovertible to state that over time, one of the two major dynasties, that is, Lajodogun, has been split into three ruling houses viz: Ogboru, Osinkola and Giesi. The other dynasty, Lafogido, has remained only one, indivisible dynasty. “Abewela Royal Family wishes to state that efforts were made to redress this imbalance and this resulted in the setting up of a Commission of Enquiry of 1957, 1977 and 1986. But efforts to get justice were politically thwarted by the then powers that be. “It is worrisome that after the reign of Ooni Adegunle Abewela (1839 -1849), of the two original ruling

dynasties (Lajodogun and Lafogido), only one section, i.e. Lajodogun, has produced seven Ooni in quick successions, namely 43rd Ooni Derin Kumbusu (1849 - 1878) from Giesi, 44 th Ooni Orayigba (1878 - 1880) from Giesi, 45th Ooni Derin Ologbenla (1880 -1894) from Giesi, 46th Ooni Adelekan Olubuse I (1894 - 1910) from Og 47th Ooni Adekola (June 1910 to July 1910) from Osinkola, 49th Ooni Adesoji Aderemi (1930 - 1980) from Osinkola and 50 th Ooni Okunade Sijuwade (1980 to 2015) from Ogboru. “While the other dynasty, Lafogido Ruling House, produced only one, that is, the 48 th Ooni Ajagun Ademiluyi (1910 to 1930). “Without mincing words and from the above analysis, it is evident that this is a pointer to the magnitude of the age-long lopsidedness, political manipulations and injustice meted out to the Abewela Royal House (under Lafogido Ruling Dynasty). “It will only be fair, just and equitable to decide that the appropriate royal house to produce the 51st Ooni is Abewela Royal House (under Lafogido Ruling Dynasty).”

Police ban okada, pub operations at night

GUN State Police Command yesterday banned commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada riders, from operating beyond 8:30pm. It also banned late night operations by the owners of beer parlours, saying they should not operate beyond 10pm.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

THE wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Hajia Aisha, yesterday donated milk to nursing mothers in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as a gesture to enhance their well-being and those of their babies. Distributing the milk on her behalf, the wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, said the gesture is to enhance the baby friendly principle where babies take only the breast milk without any other food for at least six months after delivery.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Police Commissioner Abdulmajid Ali spoke when he paraded 126 suspects at the command’s headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta. They were arrested for cult activities between last Saturday and Monday in parts of

the state. On Monday, two persons were feared killed, two houses were razed and vehicles were vandalised when cult clashes occurred in four communities. Ali said the ban followed the growing insecurity. He vowed to make the state uninhabitable for crim-

inals. The police boss said: “By 10pm, beer parlours must close. Okada riders must keep off the streets by 8:30pm. Motorcycles are used to perpetrate crimes. The liquor act is still in operation, so operating till the early hours of the next day will not be allowed.

Youths protest corruption in Ekiti

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s anticorruption crusade has received the endorsement of youths in Ekiti State. They have launched a movement to free the nation from the grip of graft. Acting under the aegis of Youth Against Corruption, the youth urged the President to be resolute in ensuring that those who looted public treasury were prosecuted and compelled to refund the stolen money.

•Urge Buhari to sustain anti-graft war From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

The youth, who carried placards, decried corruption, which they identified as the harbinger of poverty, crime, unemployment, underdevelopment and other ills afflicting the polity. They said it was regrettable that corruption had robbed the country of development and impoverished

the citizens. Addressing a news briefing in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the group’s coordinator, Femi Ogundare, said it was sad that Nigeria retained its place among the most corrupt countries 15 years after coming last in the Corruption Perception Index of the global anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI). He said: “Corruption is the

biggest challenge Nigerians are facing. In 2000, Transparency International carried out a survey on corruption level in 90 countries. At the end, Nigeria was ranked the most corrupt. “In the latest ranking by TI last year, Nigeria was ranked 136 th of the 174 th surveyed countries. Mathematically, it shows that Nigeria is the 38th most corrupt country in 2014. This result is unacceptable and must be challenged by youths.”

OLICE detectives from the Ota Division of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a landlord, Joseph Olaleye, of Olowosatide community, Owode Ijoko Otta, in Ado Odo Otta Local Government for allegedly killing a toddler, Abdullahi Razak, 3, by throwing a burning stove on him. Olaleye, 65, in a fit of rage, was said to have thrown an ignited stove on Abdullahi, the son of his tenant, Olalekan. It exploded on the boy and killed him. Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the suspect was arrested on Monday. He added: The Police Commissioner, Abdulmajid Ali, who described the incident as unfortunate, has directed that the suspect be arraigned after investigation. “We sympathise with the deceased’s family and assure that justice will be done.”

Ambode urges ICAN on anti-corruption crusade By Oziegbe Okoeki

AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has urged members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to support the anti-corruption and re-orientation efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari. He spoke yesterday at the opening ceremony of the 45th Annual Conference of the ICAN, held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Ambode said the pivotal role played by accountants in the day-to-day running of government means that they must be above board in discharging their duties. He said: “I once heard someone say that only accountants can save the world - through peace, goodwill and reconciliations. That tells me that the people who can save Nigeria are in this hall today. We must kick-start that process now by developing mechanisms that will make it compelling for members of the Institute to exhibit a high level of integrity wherever we find ourselves.” According to him, as custodians and managers of financial resources, accountants must be above board and resist the temptation to compromise professional ethics and personal integrity. The governor enjoined accountants to begin the process of raising the bar of integrity through a pragmatic rebuilding of the nation’s value system, to redefine the vision of the profession. He recalled that since the establishment of ICAN in 1965, the Institute had lived up to the expectations and dreams of the founding fathers, which berthed worldclass chartered accountants offering quality services at the top echelon of both the public and private sectors. “

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS

Members of the Nigerian BallPoint Pen Industries Limited protesting against counterfeiters of the company’s products at the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) office in Lagos... yesterday. PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

Nigerian Air Force gets senior officers

HE Nigerian Air Force (NAF) released yesterday the posting and appointments of some senior officers. Among the new appointments are four Branch Chiefs, three Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) and two Commandants. The four Branch Chiefs at the NAF Headquarters are Air Vice Marshal (AVM) AA Iya, formally the Chairman Air Exposition and International Liaison Secretariat (AILS) now appointed as Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP). AVM AM Mamu, the

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

former AOC, Training Command Kaduna takes charge as the Chief of Administration (COA). AVM IJ Yahaya moves from his former position as the Director of Works to become the Chief of Logistics and Communications (CLOG & Comms). Air Commodore CU Usoh, the former Director of Air Engineering is now the Chief of Aircraft Engineering (CAcE). The three AOCs are AVM RA Ojuawo, the former Director of Operations HQ NAF now the Air Officer Com-

Ultimatum for vehicle owners

HE Lagos Police Command have warned the owners of unregistered BMW car (green colour), accidented Toyota Camry (SC) with registration number GE 451 LND and Three Wheeler (Keke) QT 275 LSR parked at Igando Division to remove them within 14 days of this publication or lose them to members of the public.

Police yet to begin recruitment

HE Police Service Commission yesterday warned Nigerians interested in joining the Police Force to be patient as it is yet to begin recruitment. This is in line with a pronouncement made last month by President Muhammadu Buhari that the Nigeria Police Force will recruit 10,000 men to assist in internal security. In a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani urged Nigerians to beware of fraudsters and scammers who will want to take advantage of the pronouncement to dupe unsuspecting would- be applicants. The commission noted that it will not charge fees for forms when the exercise begins and advised prospective applicants to exercise patience and wait for the

From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

formal commencement of the exercise. According to the statement credited to the Commission’s Chairman, Mike Okiro: “The commission has not started the recruitment exercise and no application form for recruitment has been released. “The Commission and the Nigeria Police Force are currently working out the details, and when completed; we will publicise the commencement of the recruitment exercise in line with the requirements of the law”. Okiro, however stated that the Police will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anybody caught selling Police recruitment forms or collecting money from intending applicants in the pretext of helping them to get employed.

manding (AOC) Tactical Air Command Makurdi. AVM WA Ahmed is now the new Air Officer Commanding Training Command Kaduna. In the same vein, AVM MA Muhammed moves from his former position as the Managing Director, NAF

Investment Limited to the Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Lagos. The two new Commandants are AVM MC Iloenyosi who moves from his former position as the Chief of Training and Operations HQ NAF to his present appointment as the

Commandant Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Oshodi. Also, AVM SA Dambo, the former Senior Air Staff Officer Training Command now takes charge as the Commandant Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji. A statement yesterday by

the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Dele Alonge said the new posting and appointments were in line with the Chief of Air Staff’s efforts at transforming the Nigerian Air Force for greater operational efficiency.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS

Don’t score cheap points with my name, Onu tells Nigerians

NATIONAL leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has asked those using his name to score cheap political points to desist from such. Onu was reacting to reports quoting him as saying that President Muhammadu Buhari had informed him of his intended actions and why he would not be appointed as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). A statement by his former Chief of Staff, Sunny Onyeukwu, said: “The attention of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

been drawn to a seeming orchestrated campaign originating from the social media to smear his reputation. “On Saturday, August 28, a facebook broadcast: “SGF: Ogbonnaya Onu and Vainglorious Nigerians”, allegedly at the instance of Ajayi Temitope, was circulated without his knowledge and consent. “In it, Dr. Onu was falsely credited as having told an unnamed friend of Mr. Temitope that prior to the announcement of the Chief of Staff and SGF, Mr. President told Dr. Onu of his intended action and why he

would not be appointed as SGF. “The broadcast said Dr. Onu expressed regrets that his Abuja residence, which had hitherto become “a mecca of sorts” for those seeking his patronage in anticipation of his appointment as SGF, was deserted. “For the avoidance of doubt, it is important to state in strong terms that Dr. Onu never expressed the views credited to him, as no such conversation took place between him and Mr. President. “He could not have therefore, communicated a non-existent conversation to another person, more so, an unnamed individual, on telephone. It is false,

cheap and utterly in bad faith. Already, Dr. Onu has issued a rebuttal. “It is hoped that in all circumstances, more so in a democracy, the truth should not be twisted to serve pre-determined ends nor the rights of individuals muzzled to score cheap political points. “Dr. Onu reaffirms his faith in our democracy as the immutable vehicle of popular choice for a new Nigeria, where, though tribe and tongue may differ, as brothers and sisters, united in the pursuit of a common destiny, we must continue to stand firm, resolute and together.”

APGA condoles with crash victims

HE Abia State All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has commiserated with the victims of the accident on the Ohiya axis of the Port Harcourt/Enugu Expressway in Umuahia South. Members of the State Working Committee, led by its Chairman, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, Vice Chairman, Mr. Chima Onyekwere, and Secretary, Elder Onukwubiri Sunday, visited the survivors at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Umuahia, where they were receiving treatment. Rev. Ehiemere thanked God for saving their lives and wished them speedy recovery, saying that as a party that has the interest of Ndi Abia at heart, APGA identified with them in their moment of grief. He donated N50,000 naira towards their treatment. The party prayed for the repose of the souls that perished, even as it called on the federal and state governments to take urgent safety measures to prevent future occurrence. “The sad reality is that this harvest of innocent blood, which is almost a daily occurrence, is a clear manifestation of misgovernance

‘Immortalise Akunyili’

HE Anambra State House of Assembly has urged Governor Willie Obiano to immortalise the late Minister for Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, by naming the Women Development Centre after her. This was sequel to a motion sponsored by the member representing Orumba South and Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Princess Nikky Ugochukwu. Ugochukwu explained that immortalising Akunyili will spur other notable Anambrans to pursue excellence in their various endeavours. She described the former National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director-General as an icon who rendered selfless service to the country and to Anambra, especially in her fight against fake drugs. The House also adopted a resolution, urging the governor to direct the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, to review, update and effectively implement the Anambra State Vocational, Technical and Scientific Education Board law. The bill was sponsored by the member representing Onitsha North II Edward Ibuzo, who said the bill was intended to produce a knowledge-based workforce for the national, economic and technological advancement of the country. Speaker Rita Maduagwu adjourned the sitting till tomorrow.

Regal Dry Gin dazzles fans EGAL Dry Gin, a brand from the stables of Grand Oak Limited dazzled fans at the just concluded Osun Osogbo festival. The show, tagged: “Regal Fuji Slam”, held at the palace of the Ataoja, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II, and featured Fuji artistes like Tayo Currency and Nurudeen Atanda (Antenna). Fans were treated to a memorable experience as branded gifts, such as umbrellas, T-shirts and pens were distributed. Antenna thanked the organisers for providing a platform to showcase his talent, especially for the opportunity to perform alongside Taye Currency. Senior Brand Manager, Mainstream Brands, Olufemi Afolabi Falomo said “the company’s aim was to make the festival lively for the people, even as it will double efforts in adding fun to the festival in subsequent years”.

•Members of the Youth Against Corruption protesting in Ado Ekiti...yesterday.

PHOTO: ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA

I am still chairman of CBCIU, says Soyinka

HERE seems to be no letup in the controversy rocking the leadership of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU) in Osogbo, the Osun State Capital. Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka yesterday condemned what he called the fraudulent activities of certain former members of the governing board of the CBCIU, who were allegedly still parading themselves as being in charge of the centre. In the past weeks, there have been controversies over which board is in charge. There have been proclamations and instructions from two boards. One is headed by Prof Soyinka. The other is led by former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. The law establishing the centre, which was opened by the UNESCO as a category 11 facility, was signed into law by Oyinlola on December 29, 2008, making him Board Chairman. Describing the initial law as “profoundly unethical”, Soyinka said the ‘Oyinlola’s board’ were purporting to be acting in the name of CBCIU, while “collecting money under the name of the board”. The board, it was said, is planning a conference to be held in Bahia, Brazil, in November. In his address, tagged: Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding: for Culture or Penkelemes ?, the literary icon said Osun State lawmakers have since enacted an amendment, in 2012, to the original CBCIU law signed by Oyinlola. While stating that the case was already in court, he called on relevant bodies to desist from dealing with ‘Oyinlola’s board’. His words: “Contrary to what-

By Evelyn Osagie

ever has been propagated so assiduously by some parties of interest, no court order exists that prevents the board that was established under the 2012 amendment from exercising its rights and responsibilities. No court order exists that compels the governor or House of Assembly to reinstate the former board chairman of 2008. “No relief has been granted to Oyinlola that authorises him to present himself the substantive chairman of the CBCIU (or ‘Emeritus Chairman’ – among other titles that he has since accorded himself.) “Our legal advice is that no basis for such a claim exists! What we do know – and this is clear from the actual court records, not the disseminated, bowdlerized versions, even for the ‘unlearned’ – is that the Court has not even touched the substance of Prince

Oyinlola’s appeal for reinstatement! The only effective law, we are firmly advised, remains the July 2012 Law enacted by Osun State House of Assembly. “The Amendment legislates that the CBCIU is public property, established and maintained with state funds, funded by the state, housed by the state, instituted by elected representatives of the people. It is not private, hereditary property, not even of the most elevated royalty”. Praising President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts at combating corruption, he warned of the consequences of the actions of ‘Oyinloa’s board’ on the country’s image. “My immediate contribution to that debate shall be phrased along the same terms as I addressed Madame Bokova in Kazakhstan, only, this time, it is addressed to this country’s President, Muhammadu Buhari,

who has unusually elevated the anti-corruption struggle to the very top of his governance agenda. I must warn Buhari, in the absence of a Foreign Minister that, as a consequence of activities of this ‘CBCIU’ double, the nation is being dragged into a sleazy situation through the attempted co-option of its foreign missions into logistical support for their global enterprises. “And so to the question: “When you leave office, General Buhari, will you also carve out a privatised entity – cultural, educational, political, religious, socio-economic, perhaps even a military unit or whatever - for yourself from public funds, provide it an annuity from the nation’s treasury, empower it to receive funds from internal and external sources, and make yourself, in your own individual person – that is, as Muhammadu Buhari - its Executive Chairman, and for life?”

‘TerryG, Denrele not evicted from hotel’ HE government of

Ebonyi State has denied reports that guest artistes at the home-coming of Ebonyi Stars on August 28 were locked out of their hotel rooms. Reports were rife that the artistes, TerryG Grace Amah and Denrele, were evicted from their hotel rooms. Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Euphemila Nwali, at a news conference in Abakaliki yesterday, said: “The artistes did not at any time, speak with any state official on any matter regarding their accommodation throughout their stay.” “Nothing could be farther from

Igbo youths to court: void Buhari’s appointments

HE Federal High Court has been urged to nullify the major appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari on the grounds that they were made in breach of the principle of the Federal Character as contained in the Constitution. The request was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International and Igbo Youths Democrats, through their lawyer, Marcel DimUdebuani. Defendants in the suit are the President, the National Assembly, Attorney-General of the Fed-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

eration and the Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC). It is the plaintiffs’ contention that the 25 appointments so far made by the President were in breach of the spirit of the Federal Character principle, as contained in Section 14 (3) of the Constitution. They argued that the exclusion of the Southeast was not in tandem with the Federal Character principle. The groups argued that Nigeria is a country for all the citizens, the Southeast inclusive, and that the FCC was a creation

of the Constitution. They contended that while the Northeast, Northwest, Northcentral, Southwest and Southsouth have been represented, the Southeast has no place in the appointments made so far. The plaintiffs, in a supporting affidavit, said the President swore to defend and protect the Constitution, arguing that it would be “in the interest of justice and promotion of rule of law that the lopsided appointments be discouraged by granting all the prayers before the court. They therefore urges the Court to compel President

Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the appointments and comply with the principle of Federal Character, as enshrined in the Constitution. They equally seek: *An order of this court compelling the 2nd defendant (FCC) to invoke paragraph 8 (1) (C) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). *An order of court declaring all the appointments so far made null and void for violation of the principle of Federal Character enshrined in our constitution aforesaid.” The suit, filed yesterday, is yet to be assigned for hearing.

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

the truth. The artistes and their crew were received on August 27, with pomp and pageantry. They were thereafter taken to the hotels, where they stayed till August 31 before they departed yesterday. “The artistes themselves never spoke to any state official on any matter regarding their accommodation throughout their stay. “It is expected that an event, in the magnitude of the homecoming, would attract many comments. But the truth is that Ebonyi had demonstrated its resolve to partner its sons and daughters in the entertainment industry to develop the sector. “We appreciate the guest artistes and our stars, and we will continue to promote the tourism and entertainment industry to open the sector for upcoming ones and to create jobs.” Ama, who won the Culture and Tourism Ambassador Award, said: “I heard the news and I was shocked. To start with, I was not in the same hotel with the artistes mentioned, and also, nothing of such happened. “There is no truth in whatever was published. I spoke with some of the artistes and they were excited being here and would like to stay longer.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

N EWS

Creativity, innovation earn Oracle IMC laurels G

ROUNDBREAKING brand campaign activation - Star larger beer Christmas trees built with 8000 Star bottles covering 2.7km - has earned Oracle Experience, the experiential marketing agency of the year recognition. The recognition came on the heels of the campaign for Nigeria Breweries’ Star larger beer brand, which broke the world record of 1,000 bottles achieved in China. The agency was recognised by the Nigerian Brand Award, which rewards execellence in the industry. The awards was held last penultimate week at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Ikieja, Lagos. It was for the creativity and innovation it brought into the brand activation and experiential marketing industry in the country and, by extension, Central West Africa (CWA). For the feat, the agency carted away a gold plaque. It also won the Most Innovation Driven Brand Activation Agency of the Year in the Platinum Category in the fifth edition of the Brand Awards. Earlier, the agency won some awards. They included the Marketing Edge’s Outstanding Experiential Agency, Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria’s (BJAN) Brand Activation influencer with its Nescafe Hot Air Balloon campaign, BJAN 2013 Best Effort in Innovation, 2013 Polaris Excellence Awards, and 2011 Institute of Direct Marketing of Nigeria’s West Africa World Class Experiential Marketing Service Consultant of the year. Another feat was the Guilder crate tunnel using over 3200 crates of Guilder beer to build the ultimate corridor that led to the place the new Guilder bottle was launched. The agency is known for some memorable activations, such as

• Eiremiokhae Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

that of the Amstel show time, a musical presentation, which was the first of its kind in Nigeria; Heineken Green light party with extraordinary video mapping experience and using the Heineken bottles to create a Selfie wall; the Star Triple X experience centre; the hot air balloon activation for Nescafe; P&G Open Market activation, Guilder Club Ultimate, which hosted inside a 70-metre liner like the Titanic and the beer and health symposium, among others. According to the organisers, Oracle Experience got the awards because of its zeal and promotion of excellence, creativity and innovation in the integrated marketing communication industry not only in Nigeria but across Africa. Reiterating the credibility of the

exercise, one of the panelists, Chief Executive Officer, BrandClock, a brand specialist agency based in Atlanta, Mr. John Alexander, said: “The award has maintained the highest level of professionalism since inception. The calibre of individuals on the panel cannot afford to compromise standard for cheap financial gains. “Oracle Experience as well as other winners and, in fact, previous winners duly deserved the prize. These are organisations that have adhered strictly to the tenet of this award that is promoting excellence, creativity and innovation in IMC.” Receiving the awards, Oracle Experience Logistics Director Andrew Eiremiokhae thanked the organisers, pledging to improve and add value to their clients’ businesses. “Oracle has become a well-respected face in Central West Africa countries as we keep on greasing the wheel of our innovation. This passion to create experiences that engage and inspire people to act has stood us out,” he said. He continued: “We are a Central West Africa experiential marketing agency that gives clients strategic brand insight, creative experience design, unmatched execution and demonstrable ROI. We engage key stake holders – including employees, partners, customers and influences – to drive insight, action and advocacy. We create brand experiences – and by doing that, we help our clients create experience brands.” Organisations that won in previous editions of the awards include Goldlink Insurance Plc, CMC Connect, X3M, Wetherheads Advertising Group, Millward Brown, Verdant Zeal Advertising and Caritas Communications.

MTN brings Android One to Nigeria

TN Nigeria in collaboration with Google has launched the Android One programme in Nigeria. Android One is designed to help bring high-quality and affordable devices to all. The telecoms giant is offering the Infinix Hot2 Smartphone. This is the first time the Android One is coming to Africa, with Nigeria as the first market and MTN the first partner. Speaking at the event, MTN’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Michael Ikpoki said the company was proud of the deal given that many Nigerians are not connected to the internet. He said: “MTN has offered a very affordable data plan to enable customers get the best experience on the new Infinix Hot2 Smartphone. The bundle plan is for 1Gigabyte monthly data for

just N500 for a 12 months period.” “Sixty-eight per cent of Nigerians are still not connected to the internet. The introduction of the Android One programme will enable more people to get connected to the internet. This large data bundle will definitely enhance entrepreneurship and innovation among Nigerians. More so, it is quite interesting that Nigeria will be the first country in Africa to experience this new product and that puts us at an advantage.” He continued: “MTN sees this collaboration as an opportunity to actualise our vision of empowering more of our people, whom we are so passionate about. We will continue to roll out data coverage aggressively and we are adequately prepared to meet the demands of our subscribers.” Through Google Play, Android

One phone users have access to over one million apps that allow them to message friends, make video calls, socialise, check news and weather, and play games. Google apps such as Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Search, and Google Translate come pre-loaded on the phones. Vice President, Product Development, Google, Caesar Sengupta, said: “Google is pleased to collaborate with MTN on Android One – a programme designed to help bring highquality, affordable Android devices to everyone. We’re looking forward to working with MTN to empower people in Nigeria.’’ Infinix’s Managing Director, Ben Jiang, explained that the project was the company’s way of getting closer to its customers, expressing satisfaction at its successful launch.

Risk Control Nigeria gets ISO QMS certification

ISK Control Services Nigeria Limited (RCS), a security firm, has received the ISO QMS 9001:2008 certification, making it the first to reach such the milestone in the background checks and anti-counterfeiting sectors of security industry in West Africa. This accreditation affirms that specific requirements for a quality management system are within the organisation headquartered in Lagos. The firm earned the recognition after embarking on a one-

year rigorous process of systems enhancement and quality improvement, under the supervision of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Report of SON’s ISO auditor declared that Risk Control Services Nigeria Limited “Conforms with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 sets of requirements for quality management system planning, implementation and maintenance.” Any service company that attains this distinction showed its ability to consistently

provide service(s) that meet customers’ and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. On the achievement, RCS CEO Mr Olufemi Ajayi stated:“We are definitely proud of our achievement and convinced that the affirmation by ISO that our background checks and anti-counterfeiting services are offered through a quality management system will make our current and potential customers confident about the quality of service that we render.”

Capri-Sonne unveils The Minions Promo

HI Limited, maker of Capri-Sonne natural fruit drink in Nigeria, has unveiled a promo to coincide with the global release of the movie The Minions. According to the brand handlers, with the promo, children across Nigeria are in for an exciting treat as they have an opportunity to win free gifts in every carton of their favourite Capri-Sonne. They are expected to win items, such as Beach Ball, magnet, goggle, magnetic frame, key chain, activity set among others. The promo is being amplified with an effective media campaign running on major regional and national television channels and radio stations. Simultaneously, campaign is being driven through advertisements on print, billboards and digital platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook where young fans can win loads of free gifts by participating in fun Minions games. Consumer engagement platforms such as trade activations in open mar-

kets and consumer activations like taste trials in schools and shopping malls has commenced in various cities to connect with the consumers. Managing Director, Chi Limited, Deepanjan Roy, said: “We are confident that the CapriSonne Minions Promo will resonate with children across Nigeria and increase product consumption and brand affinity. Minions are hugely popular amongst children the world over and we have no doubt that the Capri-Sonne Minions Promo will create excitement, buzz, adventure and fun which CapriSonne has been known for over the years.” The Minions is a 2015 3D computer-animated comedy film and a presequel/spin off to the Despicable Me franchise. Minions are small, yellow impulsive creatures with odd innocence that endears them to viewers and make them relatable. They have hundreds of thousands of fans around the world and have become a huge commercial success worldwide.

NSE honours Jega

HE Nigerian Society of Engi-neers (NSE) has honoured the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, with a Special Merit Award, for his role in saving the last election from reputational damage. NSE President Mr Ademola Olorunfemi said the society appreciated Jega’s principles and focused leadership style which saved the country from an image crisis. “We appreciate Jega’s principled and focused leadership style which paid off after the elections. It is unforgettable how he redeemed Nigeria’s image within the comity of nations. Prof. Jega introduced technology in our

electoral process and resisted the attempts to discredit it. He stood firm on integrity in the face of avalanche of intimidation and remained calm under unbridled last minute provocation. is innovation and courage are worthy of celebration, ’’ he said during the Society’s Third Quarterly Dinner and Conferment of Fellowship in Lagos. Olorunfemi noted that NSE dinners served as veritable platforms for robust interaction among engineers and other professionals as well as major players in the various sectors of the economy. Besides Jega, other members of the society were also conferred with fellowship and merit award.

Peak Reach for Millions promo produces two millionaires

WO winners have emerged in the ongoing PEAK Reach for Millions promo. Both winners came from Abuja. Little known hairdresser, Ms Anthony Comfort Omagwu, 30, is the first to win N1 million in the promo aimed at rewarding consumers for their 60 years of loyalty to Peak milk. Minchi Dandoka, 39, is the second winner. A construction worker, he lives in Gwari Local Council in Abuja. The first winner, Comfort Omagwu, who claimed to be a ‘doubting Thomas’, said she tried her luck on the advice of a friend, after seeing the promo’s advert on billboards across Abuja. She said she tried her luck several times. She was overwhelmed and couldn’t believe she won N1 million. She said she intended to open a bigger hairdressing salon with her ‘gift’ from PEAK. The second winner, Dandoka, had seen two persons winning a car and N1 million in past promos by PEAK in 2007. That was what spurred him to give PEAK Reach for millions promo a trial. Dandoka claimed to have prayed before participating in the promo. He expressed gratitude to PEAK. His words: “Peak Milk really embarrassed me with blessings, ading that he would invest the money. Aside the two star prize winners, 93 consumers, including Keshiro Precious, Kyrian Anamdu, Olusola Adeyemo, Emmanuel Okechukwu, Lukman

Babatunde, Ugochukwu Okafor, Danazumi Hassan and Akpocha Timothy, got N15,000 each. Ninety lucky customers received N10,000 each while 60 went away with N5,000 each. At the presentation of the chegues, the Regional Sales Manager for Northcentral FrieslandCampina WAMCO in Abuja, Mr. Ikechukwu Okereke, told the audience the promo was designed to show love to the consumers. He said: “This promo is aimed at rewarding loyal customers pan Nigeria who have decided to identify with the brand. Peak Milk has been in the market for 60years and we keep adding value to what we do and we appreciate our loyal customers. To this end I say congratulations.” Okereke went on: “Consumers must buy any Peak milk range except the Peak 123 baby product and look for a unique bar code starting with ‘BN’ on it and text the code to 55331. You are entitled to unlimited entries. The good thing about the promo is that for the first SMS you send, you get an instant value of N100.” He said the response and participation so far is indicative of the positive acceptance of the promo by consumers across the country and urged other consumers who are yet to partake to take advantage of the promo which he claimed will be most rewarding and gratifying.

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Life

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Philosopher reflects on ‘pains of growth’ – PAGE 17

Varsity don makes case for technical education

– PAGE 18

•Prof Soyinka

Conversations with Soyinka ‘Dad’s labour made me who I am today’ – PAGE 48

It was an evening of cerebral stimulation, glitz and sublime entertainment when Globacom Limited, the telecommunication giant, treated the art community and undergraduates to An Evening with Wole Soyinka at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos. It was evident that at 81, the Nobel laureate is still resilient in his stance against injustice. He was quick to voice his distaste for discrimination, terrorism, falling standard of education and what he called lies of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the literary feast. EVELYN OSAGIE reports. SEE STORY ON PAGE 16

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‘In My Watch, Obasanjo told the first lie when he says he deplore liars...I have no respect for him... I would be bringing out some of my interventions, titled tentatively, The Republic of liars in which Obasanjo is prominent’

•From left: Osondu,Folarin, Atta Soyinka

Conversations with Soyinka •Continued from Page 15

It could be likened to a table of rich and assorted literary dishes where the cream of the Nigerian art world, particularly the literati, came to dine. The wine was a quality blend of the old and the new, and the earnings of the night an entertaining feast of documentary, drama, music, dance and conversations on budding issues. And like most interesting feasts, there was a side ‘dish’ where Ego, a musician, and children dance troupe Footprint of David prepared guests for the night servings. The stage performance of Soyinka’s play Alapata Apata by Bolanle Austen Peters Production and thrilling songs by music maestro Tunji Oyelana and the Koko master himself, D’Banj, added spice to the night. What made Globacom’s literary feast, tagged: An Evening with Wole Soyinka, special was not just the musical, literary and stage performances by renowned icons of the literati and music world, or the unveiling of the N4.5m Glo Literature Prize for undergraduates. It was also not the thought-provoking conversation with three award-winning writers, in which Soyinka called for an emergency declaration on literacy in Nigeria, the correct use of language in whatever tongue; and aired his views about former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Soyinka an uncommon patriot

For the guests, including renowned JP Clark and his wife, Ebun; Gen Alani Akinrinade; Odia Ofeimun; Kunle Ajibade and Lady Francesca Yetunde Emanuel, the persona of the celebrator was the stint of the event. As a renowned social critic, his voice screams loud against injustice. Being a playwright, an essayist, poet, novelist and theatre director, Prof Soyinka is an embodiment of literature, whose creative voyage is laced with diverse awards and recognitions. Besides being a Nobel Laureate (1986), his artistic recognitions include: the Enrico Mattei Award for the Humanities; the Leopold Sedar Senghor Award for the Arts; the John Whiting Literary Prize; the Benson Mendel of the Royal Society of Literature; Premio Litterario Internazionalle Mondello, Italy and the UNESCO Medal for the Arts. The event also featured a documentary on Soyinka and a chat session steered by Sefi

LITERARY Atta, the 2006 winner of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa; 2013 Caine Prize winner Tope Folarin and 2009 Caine Prize winner E.C. Osondu. They engaged the Nobel Laureate on his works, thoughts and the state of the nation; and later on, each read from Soyinka’s works. For Globacom Chairman Dr Mike Adenuga Jr., Soyinka’s uncommon patriotism and commitment to the “defence of truth” has made him a pride of the black race. It was the third time that Glo would be holding a forum to celebrate the Nobel Laureate, having held a “Night with WS in Lagos in 2003 and Accra, Ghana, in 2011. Commending writers in his goodwill message for putting their footprints on the world literary map, Adenuga said his company was set to raise future literary giants. He noted that Soyinka is an “epitome of diligence” worthy of celebration. He said: “Prof Soyinka is a sedulous writer and raconteur par excellence, whose works have for decades remained study materials the world over and will be for generations to come. We are, indeed, proud to be associated with this colossus and are delighted to host him here tonight. He has not only remained steadfast in his pursuit of social justice and good governance, but has all his adult life been one of the icons of Nigeria’s moral fabric. “As part of our holistic appreciation of the importance of literature in society, tonight, we will launch a special prize in Literature for undergraduate students across the country to promote the study of literature in our tertiary institutions. Who knows, perhaps we might just be on the way to discovering another Prof Soyinka, Atta, Folarin or Osondu.”

Documentary on Soyinka

A documentary on the life and times of the Nobel Laureate began with a powerful dramatisation of an excerpt of Soyinka’s English translation of D.O Fagunwa’s novel, Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole rendered by Jimi Solanke. It featured short interviews of Soyinka himself, Odia Ofeimun, Francesca Emmanuel, Promise Ogochukwu, Kunle Ajibade and Jimi Solanke, who when asked to describe Soyinka in one word, called him “Iwin”, which roughly translates into spirit of the forest. Odia Ofeimun said: “He is a writer I would not write like. But if you see Soyinka in what I write that shows how far he has touched me. How shy and timid would our literature be without Wole Soyinka’s writing. You remain the same old flame.” On the part of the Managing Director, Macmillian, Francesca Yetunde Emanuel, knowing Soyinka gave her fulfilment. She said: “May you live to a very old age drinking your wine”.

Conversation with Soyinka

During the chat, it was not hard to see that the author felt at home as he discussed literature, his writing and budding issues in the country. Although it was not the first time guests would be dining with or listening to the Nobel Laureate, they were particularly entrapped by his jokes, his calmness and the relaxed style with which he addressed each question and shared his thoughts. Hear them. Atta: Are you a feminist, sir? WS: Feminism is viewed differently...I deplore attempt by society to re-define what any individual should be; which is one of the reasons why I totally disapprove of the activities of the legislative houses, trying to legislate between two consenting adults. I believe in humanity... Be yourself. Osondu: Should writers be political or apolitical? WS: When I pick up a book and it has nothing to do with improving human existence; it is still about something and it intrigues me. The correspondence between the imagination and reality, for me, that is also literature. That correspondence, way the mind functions, to create a new form of reality from what you call material existence – that is literature. Facists are those who insist that literature must contribute to humanity – it

‘The entire world of literacy in this nation is in trouble...Technology, one form or the other, and humanity itself, is in trouble...there is nothing worse than churning out uneducated pupils from primary into secondary to tertiary. I think there should be a national conference on education’

does any way - but they cannot understand the nuance of creativity and what it does to us, as human beings. My temperament is a combative one and it shows in my literature. I cannot tolerate facism. Folarin: You have inspired me from when I was growing up. As a younger writer, did you feel such burden of representation, especially as your reputation began to expand, to uphold the Nigerian country? WS: I don’t think I gave it a conscious thought. I don’t have an ambassadorial temperament. It is a kind of arrogance to say you are representing the nation. By the time the chat was open for audience participation, Adeyemi Daramola of the Department of English, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), got the microphone first. Daramola: Could you interpret the metaphors in the poem, Telephone Conversation, in today’s political situation in Nigeria”. WS: In terms the main theme, which I call the “negative orderness”, that is most prominence in that poem, are racism and racial discrimination. Who is being discriminated today, I would say we have a situation of the elite versus the rest; sometimes it is the chosen versus the rest. And we see where that leads to – those who consider themselves chosen. That means the persons do not conform; they are the mindless butchers – the Boko Haram and the Isis or whatever they call themselves. These extreme fundamentalists; they believe that they alone have the key to existence... It is this intolerance of each other is that has led to the carnage in the world. That is a solemn aspect of the telephone conversation. I wonder how teachers deal with that poem when there are no telephones kiosks? As a student abroad when you are looking for just a penny to buy you a donut and you press, hoping that somebody has forgotten their coins and it drops and you say hey, coffee time. Ajibade: In his memoirs, My Watch, Obasanjo described you as a better hunter than a political critic because you are a bad politician; he would rather ask for your advice on vintage wine not on politics. What is your take on this. WS: Kunle, I can see that you want us to spend the whole night. Obasanjo is entitled to his opinion. The question is who respects the opinion of a liar. I call him a liar. Obasanjo was once described by an economist, the late Ojetunji Aboyade, as “an economic illiterate”. So, the economic illiterate calls somebody else a political illiterate, no problem at all. In My Watch, Obasanjo told the first lie when he says he deplores liars. Anybody like Obasanjo, who is capable of saying that he never plotted to have an unconstitutional third term in office; even as a •Continued on Page 17

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Philosopher reflects on ‘pains of growth’ T was an expressive shift from discourse to disturbance when electricity failed in the middle of the Convocation Lecture to mark the 17 th

Convocation and Investiture of New Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) at the main auditorium, University of Lagos, on August 13. For significant minutes, darkness reigned and many people in the hall must have wondered about the country’s unstable power supply. The lecturer was Prof. Moses Akin Makinde, a retired professor of Philosophy and NAL Fellow, who referred to himself as “the Academy’s philosopher”. His subject was apt and timely in the context of the country’s historic electorally- endorsed regime change at the centre. The title of Makinde’s paper was: “Reflections on the pains of growth.” He said: “We shall try to analyse the phenomenon of change in the process of growth. The kind of change envisaged in this lecture is positive change such as associated with progress and growth.” In his seventies, Makinde is the DG/ CEO of the Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance based in Osogbo, Osun State. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of The Nation. An internationally recognised name in the field of African Philosophy, he taught for many years at the University of Ife and, following a name change, at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), IleIfe, in Osun State. Makinde offered a “conceptual clarification” that should be useful in the country’s new political order under President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was popularly elected on a platform of change. “The word ‘change’ does not entail forward motion alone. It could be backward motion like turning the hands of the clock forward or backward – backward like Nigeria’s case of oil boom to oil doom. Therefore, while growth involves moving forward, change necessarily does not. It could be forward or backward change,”

‘We sometimes blame the military interventions for our woes and lack of systematic growth in social, moral, political and economic activities and behaviours,

•Prof Makinde By Femi Macaulay

LITERARY he said. By implication, Makinde’s intervention was intended as a guide to “positive change”, “forward change”, “progress and growth”. He was clear about the democratic premise of his perspective and quoted from Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address: “…that the government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from earth.” “I shall begin the events of our pains of growth from 1959 through independence

in 1960 and the various changes that led to nowhere, but to a lack of positive growth in the polity, “ Makinde said, at the beginning of an excursion that covered the “First Republic 1959/60”, “Second Republic (October 1, 1979 – December 30, 1983 and Military Rule, December 30, 1983 – June 12, 1993)”, “Third Republic (June 12 – November 17, 1993)”, “Fourth Republic (1999 to date)”. In tracing Nigeria’s trajectory, Makinde highlighted two particular military administrations, which he blamed for aggravating the country’s pains. He said: “From Abacha’s era, it appeared that the pains of Nigeria’s growth were getting worse after two possible eras that would probably have alleviated its pains: Buhari’s and MKO’s eras. One was cut short, the other never allowed to be. In all circumstances, Babangida’s and Abacha’s military rules were a setback to Nigeria’s democratic experiment, development and economic growth.” However, Makinde objectively painted a picture of pains inflicted not only by military rulers, but also by civilians in power. “We sometimes blame the military interventions for our woes and lack of systematic growth in social, moral, political and economic activities and behaviours,” he said, adding: “Unfortunately, the restorations of civilian rule in 1979 to 1983

and later 1999 till date have constituted severe pains of growth to the nation at large.” Against the gloomy background, Makinde argued that Man is the instrument of change and growth in the society. He supported his position with references to Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, and played up the role of scientific and technological revolution in advancing human societies. Referring to the ascendancy of the APC and Buhari on the promise of change, Makinde said in conclusion: “Now that change has come, the expectations of Nigerians are that this change must be for the better and no longer motion without movement.” He added: “It must also lead to growth in a genuine democracy with strong institutions, employment opportunities, fight against corruption and impunity of various descriptions, enshrine transparency and accountability in governments, parastatals and agencies, social responsibility and social justice, fiscal discipline, morality and rule of law.” Three achievers were decorated at the event: Professor Amechi Akwanya as Regular Fellow, Professor Jacob Kehinde Olupona as Overseas Fellow, and Mr. Sam Omatseye, Chairman of the Editorial Board, The Nation, as Honorary Fellow. In his remarks on behalf of the new Fellows, Olupona, who is based in the United States (US) made reference to the power cut. He sympathised with home-based Nigerians, who experienced blackouts with frustrating regularity. It was a fitting end to the event because it helped to shed light on the burning need for change. Inaugurated in 1991, the Nigerian Academy of Letters is positioned as “an apex organisation of Nigerian academics and scholars in the Humanities to promote, maintain and encourage excellence in all branches of humanistic studies”. The organisation “is intended to cater for a very important body of disciplines of vital importance to the development and refinement of Nigerian Society.”

Conversations with Soyinka •Continued from Page 16

writer I need a new word to describe him. A person makes a statement that is a lie, but lacks the courage to tell it himself. I have no respect for him. I would be bringing out some of my interventions, titled tentatively, The Republic of liars in which Obasanjo is prominent. Bukola Adetuba: Nowadays, teachers are in trouble. They are no longer free to quote from text books. What can you say about this trend? WS: It is not only teachers that are in trouble. The entire world of literacy in this nation is in trouble. Most teachers don’t even know what they are teaching; and sometimes teach the wrong thing. I am sure that the same thing is happening in the world of mathematics, in the world of physics and engineering - which is why houses fall down all the time and then some people have the nerve to say it is the work of God. Technology, one form or the other, and humanity itself, is in trouble. The problem goes beyond schools; one that is of great concern because there is nothing worse than churning out uneducated pupils from primary into secondary to tertiary. I think there should be a national conference on education. There should be an emergency declaration on education in a state of emergency. When we talk about the correctness of the use of language, we are not talking about the English Language. The play Alapata is based on the correct pronunciation of one word, Alapata. If you are going to use the language, use it correctly, so we don’t get confused. There is one particular word that is misused. The abuse of the word “Sever-

•From left: Prof Obafemi, Prof Ezeigbo, Prof Soyinka, Prof Buratai, Dr Ogochukwu and Kolawole

ally” gives me nightmares. It doesn’t mean many times. This session was followed by the reading of three of Soyinka texts. Atta read from Ake: The Years of Childhood, which she said is “the summation of my interests and concerns as a writer: family, history, and social and political conflict; while Osondu read from The Man Died, saying: “It has two qualities that come to mind when I think of Wole Soyinka – the man and the writer – Courage and Humour.” Folarin read from You Must Set Forth at Dawn, which, according to him, “is a wonderfully written memoir, and also because it provides a vivid account of Professor Soyinka’s development as a thinker, artist, activist and

scholar.”

Glo prize unveiled The prize has selected a panel of renowned scholars, including Prof Femi Osofisan; Prof Akachi Ezeigbo; Prof Umar Buratai, Dean, Faculty of the Arts, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Prof Olu Obafemi of the University of Ilorin and Dr. Promise Ogochukwu, who is the secretary of the panel. Ebenezer Kolawole, Gloworld Coordinator, announced that the annual competition is open to students of Nigerian universities, both public and private. The first edition of the award, he said, would be held in 2016, and entries would be accepted for unpublished manuscripts, which should be original scripts.

“Our objective is to promote the study of all genres of literature. Therefore, Globacom is offering prizes to winners in the following categories: Prose, Drama and Poetry. The winner in each category will receive the sum of N1.5m (one million, five hundred thousand naira),” he explained, adding that this is the first time that any organisation has offered prizes for all the three genres of literature at this level of competition. “We are of the firm belief that the Prize will provide added impetus to the education establishment and to Nigerian students, particularly in the field of literature and the creative industry.” Other guests include Prof Duro Oni; Dele Momodu; O.C Ukeje; ace comedian, Bovi and Brazilian delegates.

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Varsity don makes case for technical education

HE quest for technological advancement will remain a mirage without adequate funding of technical education and priority to sustainable career courses in tertiary institutions, art historian and critic Prof Ola Oloidi has said. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) don argued that the practice by policy makers to continually make university education elitist while ignoring practical-oriented courses in the polytechnics and universities of technology would continue to work against the quest for technological advancement. This, he said, is a hopeless situation. Prof Oloidi spoke on Arts as sustainable career for peace and development at the 6th Auchi Artists’ Convention at the new auditorium, Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, last week. “Our universities are still being colonised by ignorant and fertilized illiterates. What is suffering is that they are yet to know the relevance of creativity. In universities, we celebrate elitism. But, in terms of independent and career sustainability courses, we are far from it. “Unfortunately, all the universities of technology are operating without technical orientation like the regular universities. We have lots of paper engineers and designers in the universities. If we want peace and development, practical oriented disciplines like arts and design must be given priority. This will stem the unemployment rate.” he said. He canvassed adequate funding of technical education because ‘they are training the minds and the hands,’ noting that the nation has many paper work engineers, who are unproductive in their fields. Nigeria, according to him, generates academic refugees from varsity education, unlike fine arts that produces self-employed and employers of labour. He observed that half of the graduates from Arts Schools do not look for white collar jobs and they also employ labour. “Government should be reasonable and increase the number of arts schools in the country. Education system in Nigeria is confused. There is no hope except we insist on technical education,” he added. On the mandatory yet controversial Ph.D degree for art teachers by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC), Prof Oloidi described the policy by NUC as a disservice to

•Jemitola and Helen

•Oloidi By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

DISCOURSE the creative arts, adding that the greatest wonders of the world were not produced by Ph.D holders, but by creative minds. “Ph.D degree acquisition is good if it is not forced. And very soon Ph.D will lose its value as a result of this. In fact, notable Nigerian creative minds, such as Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, the late Chinua Achebe, the late Ben Enwonwu , Yusuf Grillo, Bruce Onobrakpeya did not need PhD to become great artists and writers. Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism Princess Annena Elizabeth Jemitola reiterated government’s determination to fund the development of technical education and promote the arts, noting that culture is a way of life of people; and upon this premise is the foundation of every preoccupation in life arts being no exception.

‘Unfortunately, all the universities of technology are operating without technical orientation like the regular universities. We have lots of paper engineers and designers in the universities. If we want peace and development, practical-oriented disciplines like arts and design must be given priority. This will stem the unemployment rate.’

Football instructors get training

OMMUNITY football instructors got world-class training last Sunday, under the auspices of the Nigerian Premier Skills initiative. Using football as a tool to ensure a brighter future for young people around the world, the Premier Skills, a partnership between the Premier League and the British Council, featured interactive classroom-based learning and on-the-field technical training. The event, which was part of a five-day training, also featured grassroots community football coaching and child protection training course. Drawing from the global appeal of the Premier League, the Nigerian Premier Skills educators trained 15 facilitators from four Lagos-based Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) - Women Rights and Health Project; Agege Community Safety Initiative; Innovative Strategy for Human Development and the Ovie Brume Foundation. The trained coaches, the organisers said, will “use their newly acquired skills to work with members of the public to increase awareness of the child rights act, learn how to identify potential child abuse and to ensure children are protected from all forms of violence by using football as an outreach mechanism”. Ruth Okafor, an instructor, said: “Through Premier Skills, I have been able to reach out to

“As the Commissioner for Arts Culture and Tourism I want to assure you that my ministry sees the event of today as complementary to my duty call, for as I have always believed, having a bearing is first and foremost to have an identity. Our arts and culture give us the needed identity,” she said. Jemitola, who was the special guest of honour at the opening of the convention, said she has a great love for the arts and that artists bring dreams, fantasies or illusions to reality for appreciation. “Art is life, art brings love, art makes the world go round in harmony and ecstasy,” she added. She stressed that education, if adequately handled, is the greatest legacy society leaves for mankind, noting that education as an instrument for sustainable development is no longer a contestable fact. Auchi Polytechnic Rector, Dr. Philipa Omamhe Idogho, said the polytechnic was proud of the contributions and achievements of the School of Art and Industrial

By Evelyn Osagie

SPORT people in my community, using football as a tool to address issues. The exercise has really touched the lives of participants and has transformed them from being disorderly to becoming an organised group of youths.” According to the organisers, the initiative, which is geared towards using the game to develop a brighter future for young people, has trained over 2,800 grassroots coaches, in 25 countries, in leadership, communication and soccer skills. “As a result, trainees are better able to perform in their role as coaches and mentors to young people,” British Council Communications Manager (Arts), Adedamola Mogaji said. The five-day clinic was organised by the British Council and the Justice for All (J4A) programme. The Director, Society at British Council Nigeria, Mohammed Ahmed, said: “The English Premier League and British Council have successfully run the Premier Skills project in Nigeria for four years. In that time, we have trained 186 coaches and referees and last year we worked with the Lagos State Football Association and Ministry of Education to train over 600 secondary school girls on child protection through the Eko football Premier Skills project.”

SOLO art exhibition, “Colours of a missing link”, by Enotie Ogbebor, will open at Thought Pyramid Arts Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, on September 10 and will runs till 18. It will feature about 40 works in oil on canvas, acrylics on canvas, the missing link series, which showcases Benin culture and poses the questions, such as what would have happened to our civilisation if the British did not invade Benin Kingdom? What would have happened to the transfer of skills within the guilds of ancient Benin Kingdom? Will the works, which now occupy various museums abroad, have inspired a new generation? How do we get the lost skills and work ethic of our forebears back? Ogbebor aske: “As a Nigerian what lessons can we draw from the arduous meticulousness of our ancestors regardless of tribe? How do we showcase these works and that of several cultures in Nigeria because of the human using effect of art?” He said the reorientation Nigeria needs can be achieved through the widespread exposure to the arts. “As a fine artist, colour has been my vehicle of choice in documenting my experiences in life. I have learnt to allow the art happen whilst drawing attention to the good, the bad and beautiful aspects of

Design to the development of art in the country. She said it was difficult to discuss the progress of contemporary art in Nigeria without a significant and copious mention of the Auchi School of Art. Urging the school to uphold and improve on the standard, Dr Idogho, who was represented by the polytechnic librarian, Mr Olusheun Ekuoye, reassured that the polytechnic management would continue to give support to the school to ensure it continues to bring glory to the polytechnic.’ The School of Arts and Industrial Design Dean, Mr Oladapo Afolayan, identified lack of studio spaces, staff offices, classrooms, toilet facilities for students, equipment and installation as some of the challenges faced by the school. He requested for the Environmental Studies building when they move to their own complex at Philipa Idogho Campus 3. He also listed power generating set that can take welding machine, kilns, and processing machines, digital applications for graphic and photo-shop as equipment the school needed urgently. Six old students honoured for their achievements in the arts were Duke Igbinedion; Mr Olu Ajayi; Dr Margaret Ajiginni; Mr Frank Mukoro; Dr. Anthony Etuokwu and Mr Makun Omoniyi. The convention also featured art exhibition, workshop, talk-shop and fashion show.

Colours of a missing link opens in Abuja By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

VISUAL ART life. I hope the viewer is involved in a cathartic experience and the resolve to leave their little corner of the world better than they met it. “Works document our environment and highlights the need for all of us to take care of the environment and of one another. This starts with everyone rediscovering our sense of beauty and making our thoughts, words and deeds beautiful so we can achieve beautiful development. The works are highly textured ala impasto more like reliefs if you like, this technique coupled with the plaque like perspectives are a tribute to my Benin roots, particularly the Igun bronze casters, which forms part of my ancestry,” Ogbebopr said in a statement.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Contract sleaze The Buhari government must change the 60 percent failure rate

HE menace of project failure has become ingrained in our national psyche to the detriment of her wellbeing. This challenge seems to be evading the desired attention. The damning report obtained from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s (UNIDO) recent workshop in Kaduna State reveals projects’ success across the country in the last 20 years to be within 38 - 39 percent, with failure put at 60 percent. Once again, it pushed this problem to the fore. We ask: How can 60 per cent of projects in the nation end up in failure and nothing significant is being done to address the situation? It is interesting that project management experts, including Mithat Kulur, Project Lead Advisor of UNIDO and Mark

‘We hope to see a drastic and holistic change of official attitude to projects management in the country for the good of the nation. The government can do this by eliminating the retrogressive syndrome of political patronage that has promoted nepotism/tribalism and corruption above national interest and wellbeing’

Engelhardt, Consultant and Trainer for UNIDO, among others, attended the workshop convoked in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) to discuss issues on Project Management and Team Building. It is encouraging that the workshop was attended by project managers in public institutions including the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), amongst others, across the country. Kulur reportedly disclosed at the workshop that Nigeria invests ‘millions of dollars on projects, brings on board the services of international expatriates using local resources to meet the compelling demands of those projects, yet experienced over 60 percent project failure within the framework of governmental systems.’ This is quite frightening even when we consider the percentage as conservative, given the nation’s proclivity for projects’ failures and abandonment. This deleterious trend portends a bad omen in a nation that has been struggling to develop her infrastructural base for decades, to no avail. The talk-shop is just a reminder of an endemic problem of project management that is begging to be officially addressed. Despite the fact that project management challenges is a universal issue, the large-scale and trend at which projects fail in this country demand urgent and serious attention. Working within budget limits through optimum utilisation of resources has been an avoidable bane in the public affairs of the nation. We discovered that even before the

UNIDO workshop exposition, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in a recent programme beamed on national network a special report on abandoned projects in the country. It showed that 11,800 abandoned Federal Government projects, including not less than 130 power projects running into trillions of naira, were awaiting government attention. Apart from the trillions wasted, it also underscores the degeneration of values in service delivery in the nation’s public service. We say this because most of these projects failed due to avoidable seamy factors as contract variations, corruption, defective planning/management, tribalism/nepotism in choice of contract awards to deficient companies and lack of political will not only to enforce compliance of standards by successive administrations but also to mete out sanctions on erring companies and their promoters. We expect things to change with the assumption of a new government under President Muhammadu Buhari. He has promised a new berth from the corrupt past. We hope to see a drastic and holistic change of official attitude to projects management in the country for the good of the nation. The government can do this by eliminating the retrogressive syndrome of political patronage that has promoted nepotism/tribalism and corruption above national interest and wellbeing. The incidence of abandoned/failed projects has done more harm to the nation than good and the time to move forward is now.

Audit of airlines • NCAA should handle this task as routine

OW often does the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) audit airlines in the country? This is the question that some Nigerians have been asking since the crash on August 12, of a Bristow helicopter in Lagos. Six persons aboard the Sikosky 76 helicopter marked 5N-BGD, which plunged into the lagoon died, while six injured ones were rescued by divers. Immediately after, NCAA’s directorgeneral, Capt. Muhtar Usman, ordered i commencement of the safety audit of all the airlines. Usman said this was in line with the authority’s regulatory and oversight responsibilities, adding that the authority’s Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) would continue to intensify the routine ramp inspections. Indeed, virtually all the NCAA boss said could be taken that the authority has not been doing enough to ensure safety on our airspace. For instance, if the authority had been carrying out its assignment as routine, Usman did not need to warn pilots to take precautionary measures during adverse weather conditions by ensuring strict compliance with states’ weather minimal and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Moreover, Captain Usman should not have reminded us that the authority would continue to ensure intolerance for non-compliance to regulations or that airline business in the country would be done according to the standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) so as to ensure safety and security. Indeed, it was for all these reasons that

some aviation experts carpeted the authority for making an issue of something that should be routine. A former managing director of IRS Airlines, Yemi Dada, said the NCAA’s announcement of the audit after the helicopter crash was selfindicting; and that it was a way of admitting that it had not been doing its job well. He added that the announcement was capable of causing panic among air travellers. “I believe that the announcement is not necessary. It could lead to panic. However, we cannot blame the agency for doing its work. If you have been doing your work effectively and efficiently, there would not be any reason to make the announcement,” he said. However, by alluding to regular audits, we are not just concerned with the technical aspect but also the economic dimension of airline operations. They go together. It is obvious that all is not well with the country’s aviation sector. Many of the airlines in the country are financially insolvent. Nearly all of them are owing major aviation agencies, including the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) over N13billion in Ticket Sales Charges. This situation births desperation, which compels the operators to unethical practices. They are bound to cut corners to keep the airlines afloat. There is also the problem of corruption that is paralysing every sector of the economy. For instance, a few years ago, the airlines received huge sums as bailout funds from the Federal Government

to enable them improve their operations. No one is sure what many of them did with the funds, which apparently implies that they saw the money as free funds. There are enough justifications for the NCAA to beam its searchlight on the economic audit of the airlines to be sure that only the financially healthy ones are allowed to operate. We will only be inviting trouble for the air passengers if we allow flying coffins in our airspace. We urge the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash, with a view to giving an insight into its cause. The government also must be ready to provide the NCAA and other agencies in the aviation sector the required assistance to recruit adequate manpower and procure the tools needed to facilitate their operations.

‘There are enough justifications for the NCAA to beam its searchlight on economic audit of the airlines to be sure that only the financially healthy ones are allowed to operate. We will only be inviting trouble for the air passengers if we allow flying coffins in our airspace. We urge the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash, with a view to giving an insight into its cause.

Unemployed Nigerian youths

IR: The rate of unemployment has continued to increase over the years. This is a time bomb waiting to explode if nothing drastic is done about the 65 percent youth population in Nigeria most of whom are unemployed. Some of them who are employed are earning wages that cannot help them live a decent life. With these growing number of unemployed youths, Nigeria becomes more vulnerable as an idle mind is the devil’s workshop—some of these youths would take to crime and criminality, others will become a menace to the society enlisting with terrorist organisations and also getting involved in shady deals and businesses just to make ends meet. The problem of unemployed youths of Nigeria must be immediately addressed by the Buhari administration before things get out of control. Nigeria has not taken advantage of this vibrant, young and productive group in order to grow the economy. Most of these youths have diverse skills and varying talents but there is limited opportunity and avenue for them to put into good use their energy for the benefit of the Nigerian society. Studies have shown that unemployment has a negative impact on the gross domestic product (GDP) of the Nigerian economy. Besides, it results in a waste of manpower. President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in an article titled ‘’Buhari’s Job Search’’ published in Daily Trust on August 19, 2015 shows there is a glimmer of hope with his explanation of the president’s concern about the unemployed youths and the potential in the science and technology industry to create jobs. It reassures Nigerians that the Buhari administration has job creation as one of its top priorities. The president agrees that the Nigerian economy has over the years failed to create jobs for millions of unemployed youths. Those who say that most Nigerian youths are unemployable are justifying their failure and inability to create jobs. Most of the unemployed youths in Nigeria are graduates and those who are not graduates have technical skills and abilities in different areas of endeavour. Being unemployable is a consequence of long-term unemployment which is caused by government’s failure to create jobs. Could it be that previous administrations did not have the knowledge or the means to create jobs for the teeming unemployed Nigerian youths? But Nigeria boasts of bright brains in all spheres of human endeavour who could work towards ensuring that the issue of long-term unemployment is addressed and the growing rate of unemployment is kept in check. Ironically, we have had a mixed bag of politicians and technocrats, both at home and from the diaspora who have occupied one public office or the other but yet we have not made much progress in solving the problem of the unemployed Nigerian youth. We cannot allow the rate of unemployment in Nigeria continue to increase year in, year out without making job creation a major job of governments at all levels. It is going to be disastrous for a country that has been projected to have the third largest population in the world by 2050. • Bolaji Samson Aregbeshola is the author of ‘’Nigerian Political Parties and Politicians: Winding Road from Country to Nation’’.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: It is widely noted that ‘God loves a cheerful giver’, which simply implies that one who gives freely and cheerfully will definitely receive his/her reward from God, in abundance. Charity, in a concise term, is a kind or generous attitude towards other people. In the same vein, it can be defined as money, gift, or time given to poor or less-privileged people. Some typical examples of charity include: Raising funds for the benefit of a certain person or cause. Contributing manual labour to help build a house for a low-income family. Setting aside half of your coffee money per month and granting that money to an organisation that helps the needy. Donating food, clothes, and other basic requirements to the motherless-babies homes, from time to time. Asking friends and family to donate money to a specific charity organisation rather than getting you gifts for birthdays and other anniversaries.

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As the world marks International Day of Charity On September 5, the world will mark the 2015 International Day of Charity. In recognition of charity’s key role in alleviating humanitarian crises and human suffering, in 2012 the United Nations (UN) General Assembly designated September 5 of every year as the International Day of Charity. The date was chosen in respect to the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa whose life and good works for some of the poorest of the poor and the downtrodden while on earth inspired several people across the world. In other words, the adoption of the day for the commemoration of the International Day of Charity was in honour

of the late Mother Teresa because the deceased Amazon dedicated her life to the poor and other disadvantaged people around the globe. The idea of the International Day of Charity was proposed by Hungary with the aim of creating a universal platform to raise awareness on the importance of benevolent giving. Upon the initiative of Hungary, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus to designate 5th of September - the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa, as the International Day of Charity. The resolution was co-sponsored by the 44 member states representing all the five regions of the United

If Kenya and Jamaica can, why can’t Nigeria?

IR: The 2015 World Athletics Championship in Beijing, China, left little to write home about as regards the performance of Nigerian athletes. An African country, Kenya, topped the medals table, followed by Jamaica, leading great countries like Britain and USA. The outstanding performance of Kenyan and Jamaican athletes in the male and female categories 100m, 200m and relay can best be described as spectacular and outstanding. The abysmal performance of Nigeria athletes is a pointer to the fact that a lot is still wrong with us and we are yet to learn anything from the mistakes of the past. Rather than do things right by mapping out strategies that would effectively identify the abundant talents that are abound across the country, sports administrators have turned Nigeria’s participation at international athletics championships to a mere avenue to gallivant and lavish the resources of this country abroad. It is a shame that a country which prides itself on being the “giant of Africa” would always attend international sports en-

gagements just to complete the numbers. The need for us to learn from Kenya and Jamaica and focus more on our areas of strength is inevitable at this moment. It’s not as if Jamaica does not have athletes competing in other athletic sports, but the fact that they are fully aware of their potential to consistently rule the world in the 100m, 200m and relay in the men and women categories has made them to channel most of their resources in this area. Kenya which has always taken a leadership role in Africa in athletics and has consistently made us all proud had always focused on the 400m, 1600m and cross country races, being their areas of strength. If the revelations of the yearly outcome of the Obudu mountain race is anything to go by, the fact that indigenes and inhabitants of Plateau State always give the visiting East Africans a good run for their money is a pointer to the fact that we will do well in the cross country race if the right people are selected and funds meant for training and preparation

of athletes gets to them and on time. Nigeria is blessed with agile youths from the country’s Niger Delta region that swim and virtually live in water as a hobby. If these youth are carefully selected and given the adequate technical training, they could surpass the records of Michael Phelps of the United States of America. It is no longer news that some of the athletes who usually represent countries like Great Britain and U.S.A bear Nigerian names. It is also true that our athletes are being poached to change their nationality to other countries as a result of the poor conditions and failure of Nigeria to do the needful in ensuring that the welfare and re-training of athletes becomes a top priority. The success and consistency of the Kenyan and Jamaican athletes are what the National Sports Commission and the relevant unit that is in charge of selection, training/re-training and the general welfare of Nigeria athletes should crave in order to put an end to these consistent failures at international athletics championships. • Hussain Obaro, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Nations. The cross-regional support of the initiative reflects the universal recognition of charity and the apparent relevance of selfless giving or services in today’s world. In his introductory speech, the Permanent Representative of Hungary to the UN – Mr. Csaba Korosi, highlighted that charity as a way of thinking, provides real social bonding and contributes immensely to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies. According to him, “Charity can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in health care delivery, education, housing, and child protection. It assists the advancement of culture, science, sports, and natural heritage. It also promotes the rights of the marginalized and the underprivileged, as well as spreads the message of humanity in conflict situations.” The first commemoration of the Day was held in 2013 at the UN Headquarters in New York, U.S.A;

the event featured various panel discussions on the role of charity in poverty alleviation and in promoting access to clean water and sanitation in general, with distinguished guest speakers from the philanthropic community including the United Nations Foundation. Therefore, the International Day of Charity is a day to remember those who are less-advantaged, and to take appropriate actions to help them. The UN set aside September 5 of every year as that day, so that we all would act collectively in order to alleviate the suffering and pains of the less-privileged around us. However, bear in mind that many people are doing charitable work every day, either individually or collectively. Needless to state unequivocally that every day is a golden opportunity to assist those that are in need; devoting our time coupled with money, would help to end the lingering unkind attitudes found among mankind. As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the third International Day of Charity as well as the anniversary of the late Mother Teresa, I candidly urge every individual and organisation worldwide to use this opportunity to promote their own projects and encourage charitable activities in their respective communities or societies. • Fred Doc Nwaozor frednwaozor@gmail.com

LASPOTECH, release my HND result

IR: I want to use this medium to appeal to the authorities of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) to release my Higher National Diploma (HND) results after successfully completing my studies in August 2013. I read Business Administration at Alagbado Annex of LASPOTECH. My Matriculation No: BAM/ HND/ALG/010/159 Students who did their National Diploma (ND) at LASPOTECH have got their results since but others that did our ND in other polytechnics are yet to get our results. I did my ND at D.S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Ogun State. I did my clearance successfully and met necessary requirements. I

have visited the Faculty of PartTime Studies at Ikorodu campus several times. I also complained to the Director of Studies (DOS) of Alagbado Annex to look into this unwarranted delay. It is no gainsaying that the delay in the release of my results has cost me gainful employment. Worried by this ugly incident, I appeal to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, LASPOTECH management and DOS of Alagbado Annex to help look into this protracted problem and see to the immediate release of our results. • Ogunbona, Abisola Aishat Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

COMMENTS

Our Girls; Adefuye, RIP; 2007 Ignored letters to Ban Ki-Moon: UN Media plan; 2nd Niger Bridge

UR Girls are missing since April 15, 2014. During his visit, the UN Sec Gen Ban Ki-Moon supported strident calls for their release. We mourn Great UI-ite, Tony History Professor Ade Marinho Adefuye, 68, distinguished diplomat in Jamaica, UK, the Commonwealth and Nigerian Ambassador to the USA. RIP and May God comfort the family, Amen. On 6th May 2007, I wrote this unacknowledged letter to Ban Ki-Moon at UN Building, New York. Dear Ban Ki-Moon, A UN POSTER IS WORTH 1,000 WORDS but unseen by the world’s 3+ billion school youth. Why? 1. Problem: The UN’s wealth of preventive knowledge is not yet bridging the Ignorance Gap among the world’s people who suffer from ignorance while awaiting rare educational visits of NGOs or a UN team. Children, the Weapon of Mass Development, are in poor learning environments lacking life-skills. 2. Solution: Adorn Classrooms with 10 UN POSTERS each to achieve the UN POSTER EMPOWERMENT of 40-60million teachers & their 60 +million classrooms and disseminate all UN messages. – A UN- Schools Anti-Ignorance Initiative making every classroom a UN Information Room. 3. Methodology: Preparation and worldwide distribution of UN Life-skills Posters. That knowledge will save/improve lives of school children’s families. - About 40-60million sets of posters are needed -the cost of a few UN jeeps. 4. Funding: By UN/Public/Private AND MEDIA Partnerships at world/country level. 5. Distribution: The UN agencies have posters that rarely get to world schools hungry for knowledge. The UN Sec Gen could get UN Country Rep to find Public/Private/Media partners to reproduce this material to reach every school. The UN could embark on this UN Ignorance Elimination Programme to raise a 3 billion student army of young UN Ambassadors with knowledge against social ignorance, and preventable disease to get behavioural change worldwide quickly. The UN must insist that education is more than the three Rs of Reading WRiting and ARithmetic. [Education needs the R in PosteR.] Each poster will summarise topics for teacher empowerment.

AY back during the last electioneering for the presidential election which President Muhammadu Buhari won clear and square, the major campaign stunt against him was that “once a dictator, always a dictator”. The President’s party, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), fought tooth and nail with all the ammunition at its disposal to shed this toga. In fact, that was what led to the President’s declaration at Chatham House in London, that he is, indeed, a converted democrat. But barely 90 days in office, the self-acclaimed converted democrat, has left nobody in doubt that the leopard may not be able to change its spots. Reason? If his actions and utterances since he came to the saddle of power are anything to go by, then one may be tempted to say that the president has little or no democratic blood flowing in his veins. The problem is even more compounded because it appears that the ruling party, the APC, is just papering over some of the unimaginable actions of the president. Although the president is trying his best to see that things are going on smoothly in the country, so far, it appears the country has been placed in auto-pilot mode. Or what do you call a situation where governance has been reduced to the whims and caprices of just one man and only one man? From the earlier appointments of Service Chiefs and other security heads, to the one-sided appointments into key cabinet positions that took place at the tail end of last week, the president has, again and again, demonstrated that he is, indeed, in charge. Remember that the loud whispers that dominated former president Goodluck Jonathan’s era

Yours, In the elimination of World Life-skill Ignorance through worldwide UN-led teacher/student empowerment Dr Tony Marinho, Sec, Educare Trust. I got no reply. Also in 2007 I wrote to the UN Country Rep, no reply either. Good idea 2007 : The world’s ignorant youth in schools are an army thirsty for knowledge and Weapons for Mass Development [or Destruction if neglected], the UN should print a 50-100 page UN-ANTI IGNORANCE BOOK reprinted by Public-Private Partnership for all teachers with one page taught at assembly daily. Each page for a LIFE-SKILL THEME from Abortion, AIDS, Alcohol, Addiction, Bullying, Beating, Cheating, Child Labour and Rights, Democracy, Drugs, Dangerous Driving, Environment, Exercise, Food, Gender Issues, Hand washing, Healthy Living, Immunisation, Infant Mortality, Malaria, Maternal Mortality, Road Safety, River Safety, Sanitation, Sex, Smoking, Sickle Cell, Toilets, Tuberculosis, Violence against Women to Zebra Crossings et cetera. This way, every child worldwide will have similar access to Life-skill knowledge to ‘empower’ the family. Additionally, Educare Trust Recommends UN Things To Change The World -UN 2007. 1. Problem 1 Worldwide IGNORANCE of LIFE-SKILL MESSAGES. Solution: ADVERTISING at commercial volumes. 2. PROBLEM 2: Private sector has billions for advertising but public -life-skill- sector has little. Solution: Partnership to eliminate ignorance. Every commercial advert- carton, container, wrapping, poster, picture, audio or visual- should carry an additional visual/audio social message [as ‘Corporate Social Responsibility-CSR’]. 3. UN Recommended widening of the UN/Private/Public frontier to involve the Advertising Media ADVERTISING GURUS like WPP’s Sir Martin Sorrell in Global Fund Meetings. This will bring billions in funds from commercial advertising and cut cost of saving lives using a new UN SOCIAL ADVERTISING STRATEGY. The Campaign would be called ‘The UN Dual/Add-On “Commercial/Social” Message Resolution’-a UN Revolution. It would involve UN Social Message Inserts in youth music programmes/videos like Channel O, radio and on News bar/runners under cartoons [and on social media platforms]. 4. Annually select the ‘100 UN, WHO and National and Local Life-skill Messages’. 5. UN recommended ‘The UN Media 30 Minute Resolution’: Every media house should allocate ‘Life-skill Message’ time up to 60 or so 30-60 sec messages daily.

6. Create one Youth Inspiration Centre/5000 youth. ‘A UN Youth Inspiration Centre Resolution’. 7. Put Ten Books in Kiosks & Shops [Ten BooKs MiniLibrary Programme] creating instant mini-libraries worldwide. Make this a UN Resolution to fight illiteracy. 8. Create role model UN Youth Ambassador Healthy Living Programmes to fight disease and obesity ‘Meet Miss or Master UN who smokes clean air, no cigarettes, does no drugs, eats fruits and vegetables, takes few sugary drinks, exercises, reads widely, says ‘yes’ to virginity and ‘no’ to sex, avoids alcohol, and…does good deeds.’ 9. The UN Youth is UNique, UNconventional, UNusual, UNder no illusions, Undeterred. Today let me recommend that Ban Ki-Moon initiates a 2015 Oct/Nov Annual UN Advertising Media/Private Sector LIFESKILL IGNORANCE ELIMINATION MEETING for corporates to view and select from the 200 UN Life-Skill Messages for inclusion in 2016 advert calendars, campaigns, commercial cartons and product packaging. The UN must involve the Advert gurus with Recognition strategies to get the life-skill message into every home. Every dining table deserves a UN life-skill message on the Bread/Cornflakes packet like ‘Real Men do not beat their wives or children-UN Message’. A UN Poster is worth a 1,000,000 words. Forward this article to Ban Ki-Moon, please. PS: In four years, the non-corrupt Buhari can please give Nigerians the repeatedly overinflated ‘suspended’ 2nd Niger Bridge; and in one year, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

‘The UN’s wealth of preventive knowledge is not yet bridging the Ignorance Gap among the world’s people who suffer from ignorance while awaiting rare educational visits of NGOs or a UN team. Children, the Weapon of Mass Development, are in poor learning environments lacking life-skills… In four years, the non-corrupt Buhari can please give Nigerians the repeatedly overinflated ‘suspended’ 2nd Niger Bridge; and in one year, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.’

Buhari’s open agenda were that the former president was not actually in charge at all. This was simply because many times when he was expected to put his foot down, he was found wanting. That was an era of super-ministers and super-advisers who were busy lining their pockets with our common patrimony, while the president looked away. It was like the famous saying that “Nero looked away, while Rome was burning”. Now, Nigeria has a president that is not only in charge, but also ready to bark and bite. But while this is a welcome development, there are some aspects of his moves that may be dangerous to the polity viz-a-viz the peaceful and harmonious co-existence of all the various tribes in the country. Just last Saturday, a National Daily carried on its front page a graphic depiction of the nature and pattern of appointments since President Buhari took over the reins of governance. The graph showed that most of the appointments had, in fact, favoured the northern part of the country, with 24 appointments to a miserable seven in the south. Even at that, the northwest where the president comes from, has the lion share with both the north central and northeast trailing dejectedly behind neck and neck. In the southern part of the country, while the south-south geo-political zone seems to have produced more appointees, the southwest is lagging behind with just a sprinkle of appointees, while the southeast appears to have been forgotten totally in the political equation. How-

‘Nobody is against the war on corruption, but the fear is that no area or areas of the country should be stigmatised or made a scapegoat while the other area or areas are being courted as the beautiful bride’

ever, it was the latest appointments of key cabinet members such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Chief of Staff (COS), the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, that were all domiciled in the north, that is currently creating ripples and misgivings in the polity. The appointments made so far, have undoubtedly completely placed the North in the driver’s seat of the Nigerian Presidency as regions of the North are dominating the Principal Offices in the Villa, a marked departure from the past when positions were largely shared along geopolitical lines. To make matters worse, reports have it that following a good showing in the series of appointments made so far by the President, the North appears unrelenting in its bid to sweep the major ministerial positions considered as key to the development of the North. They are said to be eyeing such lucrative ministries as those of Defence, Agriculture, Works, Finance, Transport and Petroleum, among others. When confronted last week, a presidential aide said though the juicy appointments may have eluded other parts of the country as they have been concentrated in the northern axis, the president will certainly make amends in other appointments yet to be filled. According to him, service is service. Hmm! That may sound like robbing a soothing balm on a festering sore. Without mincing words, the deed has been done and cannot be undone. With the SGF and COS positions gone, the CG of Customs and CG, Immigration gone, now, tell me, what is left to balance the unbalanced equation? As for the southeast, the situation is very precarious and lamentable in that there had been wide speculations that the SGF position might be zoned

to the area. And Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a long time acquaintance of the president himself, might clinch the post. Onu was with the president in the All Nigerian Peoples’ Party (ANPP), which fused with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which also later fused into the All Progressives’ Congress (APC). Another person whose name came up for consideration as SGF was Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, who is believed to have worked tirelessly in cash and kind to see to the emergence of Buhari as president. Though the ex-governor is currently embattled in his state, the fact that Onu himself was sidelined shows that there is more to these appointments than meets the eye. Buhari has consistently said that nobody that is tainted with corruption will serve in his government. With the naked imbalance in the appointments made so far, does that mean that the northern part of the country is an island of saints, while the southern part, particularly the southeast, is a corruption-infested zone? If this is the assumption, then there is every reason to disagree because those who have brought this country to its knees are evenly distributed across the country; and that is, if they are not numerically more in the north. It is these same people who have contributed significantly to the backwardness and poverty currently sweeping across major parts of the north. It is the reason for the insecurity that has pervaded the place these past six years with wanton destruction of lives, property and the economic well-being of the people. If the president had nursed a hidden agenda as he came into office that agenda may have now become an open agenda. Wherever you find two or more people locked in deep discussion since last week, they are

Dele Agekameh most certainly discussing or reviewing the recent appointments. Simply put, what has happened so far in terms of the lopsided appointments is a great injustice done to certain parts of this country and a big threat to the corporate existence of this great nation. Nobody is against the war on corruption, but the fear is that no area or areas of the country should be stigmatised or made a scapegoat while the other area or areas are being courted as the beautiful bride. The talk that most of the people appointed so far into positions were not personally known to the president is bullshit. Those who recommended them had their reasons for doing so. At least, they knew them and so they went all out to sell their candidacy to the president. But then, the president himself, in his wisdom, should have thought about the political implication of concentrating his appointments in one particular area of the country when he got his votes across the country. Nigerians, shine your eyes!

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

COMMENTS ‘Re: Senate v. EFCC. Irrespective of the moral, criminal or ethical intonation involved, my disappointment is the antagonism of the unity forum of Lawal/Akume group in opposing an alleged corruption against Lamorde. They did not want lamorde’s questioning within the same senate. If that was why he wanted the Senate leadership which was arranged for him; then, those who denied him the senate presidency, acted rightly. Let toyin saraki face justice and defend herself and lamorde to face justice as well, to defend himself. That shoud be the stage for us to develop. side-support won’t help us. From Lanre Oseni’ •Okiro For Segun Gbadegesin A top cop and tales of sleaze is quite revealing. Okiro is supposed to be languishing in jail in a modern society for all these criminal atrocities. Buhari should act now or else. From Obiora, Owerri. The allegation of corruption level against EFCC chairman is a planned distraction from corrupted politicians not to face prosecution from graft agency over the corruption-orientedgovernance they operated. The chairman should not lose focus and from doing his work to ensure that looted funds were recovered for the betterment of Nigerians and infrastructural development. They must vomit all the looted funds and face jail sentence to serve to deterrent to others who may likely engage in the same act. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia state Re: Senate v. EFCC. Having started on a debased or devalued foundation, the Eighth National Assembly seems cut out to destroy anything Nigerian including the EFCC. A petition is an official document asking a court to take a particular action. The Public Petitions that fall within the arm of the National Assembly are mainly to reform or review some law. George Uboh is exposing likely crime against the public. Hence, the petition should have been directed by the National Assembly to the Inspector General of the Police. But because the Senate President’s has issues to settle with the EFCC, he is converting the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to Judicial Probe Panel. Those elected to lead us in this new era should be of sound mind and morality. Nigeria must survive! From Elder L O . David . Efon-Alaaye , Ekiti State. Re: Like Mark, like Saraki. It has been observed that if you dress up a monkey in an expensive human suit; note, not monkey jacket, plus a beautiful cover-top or Babariga and you

take it to United States, it would still behave like a monkey. And that ‘Birds of the same feather flock in group. Mark and Saraki did not make any mistake to have joined the Peoples Democratic (PDP), where “cash is king “(Re: EXPRESSO ) in the past. Mark has so built a world unbeatable financial fortress in National Assembly that attracts even eightyear term fulfilled non-performing state governors and makes politics a “do-ordie”affair for loafing Nigerians. There is nothing like “better learning” from people like Okupe who abandoned medical care for politics. Saraki and Mark are from the same root. Let us all just pray in our local tongues for President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria at least for now. From Elder L O . David, EfonAlaaye, Ekiti State . It is only God that will help Nigeria out of ethnic, local or partisan interests. We hardly see matters differently; rather, we have allowed primordial things to becloud our sense of reasoning. Both the Senate president’s wife and Lamorde must face the wrath of the law. Thank God for this Administration for its corruption crusade. From Abang, J. O. To my mind, the identity of the messenger should not be as important as the contents of the message. The credibility or otherwise of the petitioner, the relationship with convicted Ibori are all irrelevant. Can’t an armed robber report a successful operation which later turned sour to the police? Nigerians should be interested in had happened to the recovered loot, including the Abacha’s loot. From Alex Re: Senate v. EFCC. Irrespective of the moral, criminal or ethical intonation involved, my disappointment is the antagonism of the unity forum of Lawal/Akume group in opposing an alleged corruption against Lamorde. They did not want lamorde’s questioning within the same senate. If that was why he wanted the Senate leadership which was arranged for him; then, those who denied him the senate presidency, acted rightly. Let toyin saraki face

justice and defend herself and lamorde to face justice as well, to defend himself. That shoud be the stage for us to develop. side-support won’t help us. From Lanre Oseni. I read your article very carefully: Senate v. EFCC. And my candid opinion is this, we must not for political reason or interest cover the ills of criminals in our corridor of power. Anonymous Re: Senate v EFCC. Thanks alot for your brilliant column. This fight is Saraki’s fight, no doubt and he is only compounding issues and tying more ropes around his neck for hanging. EFCC is a body and so it is not Lamorde. If Lamorde is found guilty and removed as the Head to the organisation remains and someone else replaces; investigations and prosecutions will continue more vigorously. If Saraki feels this fake whistle blowing can save him and his wife he had better think even thrice. God bless Nigeria. Anonymous I read your comment titled (Senate vs EFCC).It is very interesting and educative, more grease to your elbow. From Hasan Usman Aleadarai, Birnin Yero Kaduna State. For Olatunji Dare Sir, in the past, our privileged ‘big men’ and law breakers do not allow the law to catch up with them. They acquit and discharge themselves honourably because our system allows a prime suspect in any case to do and undo. However, under this dispensation, does anyone need to tell the deaf that the market is over? Mike Okiro and his likes should prepare for the inevitable consequences of their past. From Adegoke O O, Bako, Ibadan, Oyo State. Are you sure the president, Buhari knows about all these allegations hanging on the neck of Mr Mike Okiro? Otherwise, why should he Okiro retain his present post as the chairman of the police Service Commission. If the head is this corrupt, no wonder the police is the most corrupt institution in Nigeria. Let

• Saraki him be sacked before the next recruitment. From Pop Inyamah. Re: A top cop and tales of sleaze. Thank you, Prof.Dare for not making an oversight of our decayed Police Force and its sleaze. It have always been from its foundations. And “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”(Psalm.11:3). Recently, the ‘born again’ AIG of Police, Mbu lamented that,’ most governors and local government chairmen have no respect for Commissioners of Police, Why? Because they are virtually buying everything for the policemen ‘State Police! Sleaze bag does deserve some respect. Nigerians desire socially acceptable and complete Police Force now. People like Okiro should go and operate bakery or head a petrol station.We need a globally respected Police Service Commission. From Ladipo O. David, Gwagwalada. Thank for your article in The Nation. Okiro should be shown the way out as the chair of PSC and handed over to the security agency for proper prosecution, enough is enough. From Dele Lagos. Thank you for your well-presented piece on top cop and tales of sleaze in The Nation’s of August 25, 2015. Infact change the country wants cannot acommondate people like Okiro. He has done well for the force, he should just resign, please. From Alhaji Kasim Umoru, Abuja. Re-A top cop and tales of sleaze. Is ICPC the body to advice or prosecute? Is Okiro now the CBN that he would keep the money he ought to have returned? Why was Kaase suspended despite the change mantra? I bet ICPC is out to sabotage the president. They must just have to arrest and prosecute Okiro. Equality before the law. ICPC is using double standards. From Akinlayo. A Okiro is a very vindictive personality. He wears a facade of a good man! He is not fit to be in that position and President Buhari should know this. From Tanko Dabit, Jos, Plateau State.

How Nigeria can revive ailing textile industry

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s good resolve to create three million new jobs in the textile industry is a positive development that deserves the support of all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians. As a stakeholder in the Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) sub-sector of the economy, I am assuring fellow Nigerians that the CTG sub-sector alone is capable of creating more than one million new jobs if all the right things are put in place, especially if there is political will on the part of both the executive and legislative arms of governments at all levels as well as the determination, sincerity, patience and commitment of all stakeholders. To ensure the success of President Buhari’s motives within a short period, institutions such as the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission should forge as a formidable team to promote and protect the sub-sector the same way a mother guards and protects her child. A team work on the part of aforementioned institutions will ensure elimination of faulty documentations, money laundering, dumping of sub-standard textile materials as well as foreigners doing business in Nigeria with visiting visas or with fake entry documents. Also, the Presidency should pursue the principles of African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) of the United States with vigour.

By Saidu Dattijo Adhama Opportunities abound for Nigeria in AGOA regarding garment production, which can guarantee employment of more tailors and continued patronage of students in departments of tailoring and fashion design in our tertiary institutions. This can equally bring about an increase in the establishment of small and medium scale industries such as zip making, buttons production, elastic and packaging industries, among others. For the desired result to be meaningful, Mr. President will need to declare a National Textile Day. This will be a once a week, nonceremonial, but action-packed Day whereby all political office holders, appointees and other public office holders in the country will dress in home-made textile attires that are culturally popular and patronised in their section of the country. If this noble gesture is backed with a legislation that bans the importation of all categories of ready-made clothes on commercial basis, it will make our tailors to perfect and be competitive in production of garments at international standard, thereby ensuring self-reliance in garments as well as conserving foreign exchange. This will attract foreign investors to the sector and bring about financial control, development and strengthening of the sector. The proposed legislation should promote, develop and protect the sector by limiting the importation

of textile fabrics that could not be produced in Nigeria now to 70% and production of 30% by Nigerian Textile Manufacturers. The legislation for importation of textile materials should require presidential approval and only from countries willing to invest in Nigeria’s textile sector. Part of the legislation to patronise made-in-Nigeria textiles and garments by all private and public institutions should be extended to school uniforms, sports wears, school house vests, hotel toiletries, bathroom napkins, towels, hospitals cotton wools, bed sheets, mosquito nets and blankets. All these can be sourced locally if the political leadership is willing to walk the talk. As an incentive, black oil allocation (LPFO) should be made directly to textile manufacturers at affordable price. I also propose that one spinning and ginning plant be established in each of the six geo-political zones i.e. Funtuwa in the North-West, Gombe in the North-East, Nassarawa in North- Central, Oyo in SouthWest, Asaba in the South-South and Aba in the South-East to serve as a spring board or back-up project for the success of cotton, textile and garment development projects. This is also to ensure that medium-scale textiles and garment factories spring up across the nation with easy availability of yarn, since spinning industry is highly capital-intensive, and it is the backbone of any textile fabric. This is realisable with the constitution of a new CTG revival committee

that will be peopled with real stakeholders who will be responsible for designing the revival, production, marketing and sound planning for the CTG sub sector. A good way to start is for the committee to draw its membership from the Nigerian Textile Technologists Association, Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association, representatives of Garment Manufacturers, Cotton Farmers and Merchants, the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Raw Materials Research Council, among others. Finally, there is the need to have a thriving textile Council whose main task is to oversee the registration and accreditation of bodies for the training of textile professionals in the country. A textile competency centre should also be established in the National Research Institute of Chemical Technology (NARICT), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, for the continual training of the professionals. And tertiary institutions that have programmes in textile science, engineering, technology and art should be adequately funded and consulted on issues affecting the industry. If all these are given prompt and adequate attention, I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria’s ailing textile industry will be revived within a very short time so that it can unleash further opportunities for millions of Nigerians. • Adhama (MFR, FTTN) is the founder of Adhama Textiles and Garment Industry, Kano.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

25 ‘It is regrettable that the damaging consequences of the Ecowas CET policy on the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Nigeria were not considered despite our desperate attempts to draw attention to this. This policy undoubtedly spells doom for the local industry as imported medicines will become far cheaper than locally produced ones’

BUSINESS THE NATION

Chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG MAN), Mr. Okey Akpa

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Stakeholders reject NSE’s premium board over vague criteria ARELY a week after it was launched, the newly introduced premium board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has come under heavy criticisms from stakeholders in the capital market, with many describing the new board as unnecessary. Corporate executives, market operators and shareholders, who spoke on the new board, said the criteria for the board were vague and dependent on external third party not registered by capital market authorities. They argued that by abandoning compliance with its

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

post-listing requirements, code of corporate governance by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Code of Corporate Governance by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and nexus of the market as the ultimate valuation of corporate performance, the Exchange is indirectly undermining the market it seeks to promote. The NSE on Tuesday, August 25 launched the NSE Premium Board and the NSE Premium Index. Three companies- FBN

Holdings Plc, Dangote Cement and Zenith Bank, were moved to the newly created premium board. The NSE described the premium board as a platform for companies with large capitalisation, good corporate governance and liquidity. According to the NSE, the premium board is for issuers with minimum market capitalisation of N200 billion and highest corporate governance standards. Companies aspiring to be listed on the premium board must achieve a minimum score of 70 per cent on the stringent Corporate

Governance Rating System (CGRS), a corporate governance rating being administered by the Convention on Business Integrity (CBI). In addition, they are required to maintain a minimum free float of 20 per cent of their issued share capital or a free float value equal to or above N40 billion. Market stakeholders said the criteria were vague, unstable and unquantifiable and could not form the basis for the creation of a new board. Corporate executives and market operators who spoke on the issue craved for ano-

nymity because such public comments on sensitive issues had earlier led to regulatory backlash. Shareholders’ leaders openly expressed displeasure with the criteria. National President, Constance Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria, Mr. Mikail Shehu, expressed concerns over the exclusion of some companies known for high corporate governance, large capitalisation and diverse shareholders’ base. Shehu, particularly cited the exclusion of Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria’s most capitalised and high-

PenCom advises retirees against huge lump sum payout By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

HE National Pension C o m m i s s i o n (PenCom) have advised retirees against huge withdrawal as lump sum payout after retirement from their Retirement Benefits Account balance to avoid little amount as monthly pension. PenCom Head, Research & Corporate Strategy PenCom, Farouk Aminu gave the advice while speaking with journalists in Lagos. He noted that many retirees have burnt their fingers with such decisions, adding that the quest to withdraw fabulous amounts at retirement, leaving little in the account is responsible for the little monthly pension some retirees receive. He called on retirees to take less lump-sum payout if they don’t have need for much financial needs, stressing that less lumpsum will help them keep more money in their accounts. “People should take less lump sum unless they need it. If they do not need it, they should not take it. It is important people really understand this. The more lump sum you take the less money you leave in your RSA and the lower your pension. “People take much of their money and blow it and expect the little they left to perform wonders. People should leave a lot of money behind so that they can have huge pension,” he said. He urge retirees to take less lump-sum payout if they don’t have need for it, adding that less lump-sum will help them keep more money in the Retirement Savings Account (RSA).

•From left: Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission; Ms. Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation; Mrs. Hindatu Abdullahi, Ag. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education; Prof. Peter Okebukola, former Executive Secretary, NUC; and Mr. Dennis Okoro, Director MTN Foundation, at the NUC Conference on Technology Assisted Learning in Abuja.

est-priced quoted bank widely regarded as the premium stock in the banking industry. National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association (ISAN), Mr Sunny Nwosu, said the Exchange built its new platform on a shaky ground. “All they are doing are shrouded in secrecy; the market belongs to all of us. They should have consulted critical stakeholders before embarking on this effort. If you say one of your criteria is market capitalisation, what happens if the share price goes down, do you demote them to the second tier and promote them again when the prices go up?” Nwosu said. Shareholders’ activist and founding executive of Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, said the new board has failed to live up to expectations with the exclusion of major companies that should have showcase the new board. He said market development initiatives must not be driven by pecuniary interests but the overall interest of the stakeholders. According to him, corporate governance can only be adjudged by clearly stated principles, such as those contained in the CBN and SEC’s codes and the listing requirements. “Until we are told what they mean by corporate governance, we reject this new board, “Olatokunbo said. Market operators said the NSE was shifting the goal post to suit its own definitions rather than clearly defined rules that should guide such a platform. •Continued on page 28

‘We’re not party to rally with National Assembly’

HE Joe Ajaero-led faction of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has distanced itself from the planned anti-corruption protest in collaboration with the National Assembly, which already has the nod of the Ayuba Wabbaled faction. The Ajaero group, which faulted the planned protest, said among others, that for workers, the most pressing issue was the unpaid salaries and allowances as well as pension arrears of pensioners by state governments and some federal agencies. Comrade Ajaero, who spoke with The Nation in Lagos, during the weekend, was reacting to a report credited to Wabba that the NLC would collaborate with members of the House of Representatives over its planned anti-corruption

SEC draws curtain on business combination, reclasssification - P28

•’NLC must first put its house in order’ By Chikodi Okereocha

protest in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anticorruption war slated for September 10. But Ajaero said in the spirit of the reconciliation anchored by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and NLC veterans led by Alhaji Hassan Sumonu, both parties ought to have met to iron out certain fundamental issues and do some in-house cleansing before taking such action. He said while the labour movement supports the on-going war against corruption, it would amount to hypocrisy to work with the legislators who had refused to reduce their outrageous pay and allowances in line with the mood of the na-

tion. “To collaborate with the National Assembly to protest against corruption when they have not allowed their salaries to fall in line with the minimum wage is wrong. If we do that, that is hypocrisy at its highest level. I am saying this without mincing words, the NLC two factions can still meet and agree on a date to protest in support of anti corruption moves of President Buhari but not to be hypocritical about it,” he said. He further pointed out that before this could be done, there is need for the NLC to cleanse its house making sure that the allegations over the KristonLally Housing issue, the labour city transport issue, and the NLC election, among others,

are sorted out. “He that goes to equity must do so with clean hands,” the labour unionist insisted. Ajaero explained that part of the issues that Governor Oshiomhole and others looked into and which the labour movement agreed to was the need to respect the ethics of the movement, its rule of law and procedures in handling issues. “If we have not gone into all these ones and we want to play to the gallery that we are protesting in support of the antigraft war, I think the public will mock us and that is not the kind of NLC some of us want to see,” he said. He further said that the Wabba faction did not consult his group before taking decisions in the spirit of reconciliation. did not consult with his group us. “No party was sup-

CPS: Workers to access mortgage with 25% RSA balance - P 38

posed to fix a date to take an action without the two factions rubbing minds. But if one party goes out and takes a decision, it may be a good decision, but that may not be in line with the ideals of the other faction. We just read it in the papers and definitely we have to respond to it that we are not a party to a rally with the National Assembly,” he said. Ajaero insisted that he has never seen where this collaboration worked before especially when NLC is planning to picket the National Assembly on the jumbo pay. “At what point did we drop that idea of picketing the National Assembly over furniture and wardrobe allowances and when workers salaries have not been paid,” he added.

Helping women in shea butter production - P 39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

Manufacturing down by 3.8% over forex restrictions, fuel shortages T

HE manufacturing sector, which accounts for 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), declined for a second consecutive quarter by 3.8 per cent in the second quarter of this year. The performance is against a growth of 14 per cent yearly in the last one year, a report by Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and research firm, has said. In the report entitled: Second Quarter 2015 GDP: “Manufacturing is in recession,” RenCap’s Sub-Saharan Africa economist Yvonne Mhango said manufacturing’s decline in the first quarter of the year is partly because of tight forex liquidity, which made it difficult for manufacturers to acquire imported inputs. It is also likely that severe fuel shortages in the second quarter undermined production and distribution, she said. She said the decline in the manufacturing sector came after the doubledigit growth from 2011 to 2014. The

Stories by Collins Nweze

decline is largely attributed to the largest manufacturing sub-sector, food, beverages and tobacco, which contracted by 5.9 per cent in growth of 5.2 per cent in June 2014. She said the textiles sub-sector has also seen two successive quarters of negative growth.“We believe manufacturing’s decline in March 2015 is partly because of tight forex liquidity, which makes it difficult for manufacturers to acquire imported inputs. It is also likely that severe fuel shortages in June 2015 undermined production and distribution,” she said. RenCap has, therefore, revised down its 2015 growth forecast for Nigeria to 2.8 per cent (from 3.4 per cent) following this week’s release of exceptionally weak growth data

from Nigeria and South Africa. “As they account for half of SubSaharan Africa’s (SSA’s) GDP, their softer growth has significant implications for the region; we now see SSA growth slowing to 3.5 per cent in the year against a 2000 to 2014 average of 5.5 per cent per year. For the non-oil sector, the sharp slowdown in growth to 2.4 per cent in the second quarter, against 6.5 per cent same period of last year, was largely owing to a deceleration in the non-oil sector rather than a continued contraction in the oil sector. To put things in context, the oil sector’s contraction was equivalent to that in 2014, but in the first quarter, GDP growth was still higher than six per cent. This underscores the fact that the second quarter slowdown was mainly owing to the non-oil sector, which grew at 3.5 per cent against 6.7

per cent in June, last year. A decline in manufacturing and a slowdown in services explain the non-oil sector’s lacklustre performance. “We revise down our 2015 growth forecast to 2.8 per cent because of June 2015 growth of 3.1 per cent came in below our 2015 forecast of 3.4 per cent; and we expect supply constraints, related to forex restrictions and the de facto import ban, to undermine growth in June 2015,” she said. Defending the forex policy, CBN Director, Monetary Policy, Moses Tule, said allowing access to forex would sink the economy because oil price decline has reduced the volume of government dollar earnings. Tule, who spoke at the Private Sector Dialogue with the CBN on forex policy organised by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lagos, accused some

manufacturers and real sector operators of insincerity in their forex request. He said some manufacturers obtained forex from the CBN at official rate, sent the fund abroad without the intension of importing goods and that such funds were never repatriated. Also, he faulted the practice of manufacturers making upfront forex demand, sometimes with over two years’ gap. “Some importers demand for forex for items they want to buy in the next two years,” he said. Tule said micro-economic management in Nigeria needs the support of stakeholders to achieve the desired success. He said no economy is run by forex, and that it is the level of economic activities in the country that determines its volume of dollar-earningsy. He said before the fall in oil prices, the apex bank did its best to ensure that everyone that needed forex got it.

SA Consul-General praises Diamond Bank’s e-banking

• From left: Executive Director, Large Enterprises, Alhaji M. G. Alkali; Managing Consultant, Team Building International, Mr Yinka Olugbodi; Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa and Executive Director, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Mr Waheed Olagunju at the Top Management Team Building Retreat facilitated by Team Building International in Lagos.

AfDB’s loans, grants hit $7.8b

LTHOUGH African Development Bank’s (AfDB’s) financing in Africa is overshadowed by lenders, such as the World Bank and China, its loans and grants totalled $7.8 billion in 2014, 22 percent more than the previous year’s. The World Bank committed a record $15.3 billion to sub-Saharan Africa projects in the fiscal year which ended June, last year. The new President of the AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, who took charge on Monday, is taking over an institution entering a much tougher economic environment than the one his predecessor, Donald Kaberuka, inherited when he won the job a decade ago. The former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was elected on May 28, this year during the AfDB’s yearly meeting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. He will face a slowdown in some of Africa’s biggest economies after a plunge in oil prices and rising political risk. He said the AfDB needs to focus on promoting investment by businesses. Kaberuka, who visited Nigeria prior to end of his tenure, expressed his assurance that the AfDB will continue to support economic projects in Nigeria. The Federal Government had earlier remarked that with the

shock of falling oil prices, lack of revenue and insecurity, the elites must provide guidance in their communities, and also lead the economy on the right path. President Muhammadu Buhari, who received him, at the State House also said his administration would welcome more support from the AfDB for projects in versatile sectors, such as agriculture, that can easily be explored to create more jobs for unemployed Nigerians. Speaking to the AfDB staff before his exit, Kaberuka said: “I was optimistic then, and I’m optimistic now. I leave the bank as confident as ever about where Africa is heading. Presidents come and go, but the bank stays. Africa needs a strong AfDB – and we have an AfDB that gets stronger by the day. “In all of our challenges, we have always been sure of the cause we were fighting for – the economic transformation of this continent. I’ve fought the fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Whatever I do now, I know that it will be about Africa, for Africa, and most likely in Africa.” The Chairperson, African Union Commission, Nkosazana DlaminiZuma, said: “We bid our brother Donald farewell from the bank, but not from the continent. I thank him for his wisdom, support, encouragement. I thank him for being who

he is – in loving and respecting himself first, so he could love and respect his colleagues and the people of this continent.” While sub-Saharan Africa has grown faster than any region in the world except developing Asia in the past 10 years, an almost 40 per cent slump in the price of oil in the second half of last year and declining metal prices are clouding the outlook for economies such as Nigeria,Angola and Zambia. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last two month lowered its economic growth forecast for subSaharan Africa by 1.25 percentage points to 4.5 per cent. In West Africa, where the worst outbreak of Ebola has crippled Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, a 53 percent plunge in iron ore prices since the beginning of last year has hampered growth. Economic growth on the continent can return to levels recorded before the global financial crisis in 2008-2009 if commodity prices stabilise, the AfDB said in its African Economic Outlook report. The bank is estimating 4.5 percent expansion in Africa this year and five percent in 2016. Analysts said the bank must increase efforts to keep wealth on the continent and share it more equally among citizens if it wants to stay relevant and meet its aim of reducing poverty.

OUTH African Consul-General Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa has lauded Diamond Bank Plc’s bold digital banking initiatives, saying businessmen and women from his home country would continue to patronise and enjoy the excellent electronic banking services, which have put the bank ahead of others. During a dinner organised by the bank for a team of South African business delegates to Nigeria, who were on an Outward Selling and Investment Mission (OSIM), Mokgethi said when he arrived in Nigeria, a few years ago, he and his team found financial home in Diamond Bank as a result of the quality of its products, customer friendly workforce and well-developed digital banking services. “When I arrived Nigeria in 2012, Diamond Bank was the only bank that rendered the kind of excellent electronic banking that we were used to in South Africa. We knew we had to work with them and over the years, they have continued to improve in their services.” He urged the delegates to consider Diamond Bank Plc for their transactions if and when they come to do business in Nigeria.

The bank’s Chief Executive officer (CEO), Uzoma Dozie, assured them of the lender’s support when they eventually extend their businesses to Nigeria. He explained that Diamond Bank is keen in exploring the immense business opportunities that abound in markets that other banks have not gone into, in order to see that their respective businesses thrive when they eventually decide to come and invest in Nigeria. “For us at Diamond Bank, we go the extra mile by tapping into the unbanked to exploit available opportunities. As a bank, we do more than just giving out loans; we create payment structures with detailed information on cash flow which makes for easy connection between business owners and their partners. We also help to improve the quality of services they render to build sustainable and long term relationships.” The leader of the delegation, Mzwandile Masina, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, praised Diamond Bank Plc for a rewarding and satisfying partnership over the years and assured investors of a great support base from the bank.

WorldRemit celebrates migrants in new campaign

IGRANT workers have taken the centre stage in a new ad cam-paign by online money transfer service WorldRemit. In a statement, the firm explained that the campaign, “Because of Them” highlights the personal and economic contributions of people who have moved abroad but continue to support family overseas. The short films tell the story of Alma, David and Miguel - a doctor, teacher and dockhand. Their long, hard work days allow them to send money back to help their relatives. “We wanted to celebrate the people who use WorldRemit - dedicated, family-loving migrants who don’t often get the recognition they deserve,” Luciana Telles, WorldRemit’s Vice President, Marketing, said. “So much is written in the media about migrants and their role in the economy and it’s not always positive. Yet, every day we see people

who are making a valuable contribution to both their adopted countries and their homelands.” Global remittance payments were $583 billion in 2014, data from the World Bank said. Also, $440 billion was sent to people in developing countries alone. At the same time, migrant workers made a positive economic contribution to their adopted nations, according to research by the OECD. The campaign is supported by a special website worldremitstories.com, where people can view migrant experiences. It will be primarily online to reach migrants in more than 50 countries and their families and friends in over 120 receive countries. “Because of Them” was created for WorldRemit by Bravespark and directed by Chris Gaffey. The original score was composed by Felix Erskine whose recent work includes teaser trailers for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

MONEY The naira is under pressure due to the inflow of ‘hot money’ or speculative capital into the economy. The demand for dollar, which reduced a few weeks ago, after some policy shifts at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has risen to new heights. COLLINS NWEZE writes that rising inflation and continued drop in oil prices are compounding an already dangerous trend.

Naira volatility returns over rising ‘hot money’ T

HOUGH the naira closed at N197 to the dollar at the interbank on Monday, last week, it still exchanged at N218 at the parallel market, from N210, by Friday. The sudden slide in its fortune has been linked to increased hot money in circulation and rising demand for dollars. Hot money is the flow of funds (or capital) from one country to another, to earn a shortterm profit on interest rate differences and/ or anticipated exchange rate shifts). The speculative capital flows are called “hot money” because they can move very fast in and out of markets, potentially leading to instability. The Nation investigations showed that the demand for dollar is very high as buyers are willing to pick it at any rate. This has been worsened by rising demand by importers who cannot access the greenback from the official forex window. With some policy shifts at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), especially its forex restriction on 41 items, and gradual rebound in oil prices, the naira found its feet around N197 to dollar but inflation has risen from eight per cent in December to 9.2 per cent in July. At its weakest, the naira was quoted at a record low of N235.60 to the dollar, a decline of 30 per cent since November. The naira also dropped to N220 at the parallel market before the CBN closed the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) in February. It trades at N210 against the dollar at the parallel market. Also, the foreign exchange reserves fell 10.04 per cent to $28.87 billion by March 4, but now stands at $30.5 billion. The CBN has used the reserves to support the ailing naira, which has been hammered by falling global oil prices and uncertainty over the delayed presidential elections due later this month. Although the currency was able to stabilise at N197 to dollar at the interbank, many insist that it has, indeed, fallen from the Olympic heights. The interbank market is the top-level foreign exchange market where banks exchange different currencies. The banks can either deal with one another directly, or through electronic brokering platforms. Though it was unclear what stabilised the naira before the volatility, interventions from the International Oil Companies (IOCs) cannot also be ruled out. On forex restrictions’policy of the CBN, former Executive Director, Keystone Bank, Richard Obire, said the policy is expected to encourage importers to look inwards and begin local production as the prices of the affected items will shoot up in the market because of high cost of buying forex from the black market. He said in the long run, the benefits of the CBN’s decision, would outweigh whatever temporary pains it may have at the moment. “Those who decided to produce those goods locally and export them, will earn foreign exchange instead of depleting the reserves. In the short-to-medium terms, it will be painful but subsequently, it will improve the overall economy,” he said. He said even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) believes that the CBN should protect the reserves because of the huge benefits of such decisions on the naira. “If the CBN keeps funding these items, the demand for the dollar will rise and this will affect its push for infrastructural development needed to boost the real sector,” he said. He said the policy could be used to achieve developmental objective, adding that using the available capacity to produce locally, will reduce overall forex demand and when the local production is enhanced, more people will find jobs within the economy. Former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, said the policy was meant to fix the battered foreign reserves. He, however, insisted that the some items in the list, have no business being there because they are raw materials. “I have nothing against the policy, but the CBN must be cautious not to drive manufacturers to the parallel market. I ex-

henceforth, be limited to the interbank market only. “We’re seeing more foreign-exchange flexibility. Perhaps, they do not want to burn FX reserves unnecessarily. It’s a risky strategy though as the market will now look for the topside of dollar-naira and also because the lower rates will reduce the incentive to hold naira fixed-income assets.”

BDCs policy Last June 23, the CBN, among others, raised the minimum capital requirement of BDCs to N35 million from N10 million. It raised the mandatory caution deposit to N35 million from $10,000. Again, on July 7, the apex bank extended the deadline from July 15 to July 31, in response to appeals and intervention of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) and both chambers of the National Assembly. In a circular, CBN’s Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Kelvin Amugo, said interest would be paid on the mandatory caution deposit of N35 million, based on the savings account rate. The CBN, Amugo said, would, on expiration of the deadline, cease to fund any BDC that failed to comply with the fresh requirements.

Naira crises complex

• CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

• Gwadabe

pect the regulator to be one step ahead of the stakeholders,” he said. “The CBN should always consider the unintended consequences of its actions and must set a band which the naira must not exceed.” Unegbu said it is not right to formulate policies simply to attract foreign investors, because if the investment climate is conducive, they will come without being persuaded. The Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking, UBA Plc, Femi Olaloku, called on the government to diversify the productive bases and forex earnings of the economy. This, he said, would enable the economy overcome the challenges brought about by dwindling revenues from crude oil sales. “Dwindling oil prices around the globe poses serious challenges to a developing economy like Nigeria, hence the need for government to also consider various diversification options,” he said.

she said. Head, Equities Market at FBN Capital Olubunmi Ashaolu, said the CBN has set clear cut objectives on its monetary policy direction. He said the stock exchange positive reaction was an indication that local and foreign investors now understand where the naira is heading. “As long as there is clarity and good investment climate, the equities market will benefit,” he said. He advised the government to improve on infrastructure, noting that such action would make Nigeria’s investment climate more attractive for foreign investors.

More stakeholders react President, Association of Bureau De Change of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, said some of the steps taken by the CBN have helped the market to witness the absence of spurious demand and illegitimate transactions. Sub-Saharan Africa Economist at Renaissance Capital and co-Author of the Fastest Billion Yvonne Mhango said the CBN has shown commitment to dealing with dwindling fortune of the naira. “While Nigeria cannot do much to influence the oil price, the combination of measures sends a powerful signal to all stakeholders on the CBN’s intent to do what it can to preserve macroeconomic stability,”

New measures The CBN has reacted by fixing the rate at which banks can buy dollars from IOCs at not more than N2 spread to its clearing rate, dealers said. The policy is the bank’s latest attempt to prop up the naira hit by the drop in oil prices. The apex bank has directed that all importations involving electronics, finished products, information technology, generators, telecommunication equipment, and invisible transactions would henceforth be funded from the interbank foreign exchange market only. In a circular to all authorised dealers, CBN Director, Trade & Exchange Department, O. I. Gbadamosi, told stakeholders that the policy was to maintain the existing stability in forex market and strengthen the various policy measures, already initiated by the CBN. On the development, Head, Africa Strategy at Standard Chartered in London, Samir Gadio, said: “The importation of electronics, finished products, information technology, generators, telecomms equipment, and invisible transactions importations shall,

‘Although the currency was able to stabilise at N197 to a dollar at the interbank, many insist that it has, indeed, fallen from the Olympic heights’

The misfortune of the naira seems complex. The thinking is that massive inflow of forex from surging oil prices and the boom in the capital market were responsible for the appreciation of the naira in the past few years. Unfortunately, oil prices have nosedived and capital market is in a shambles. The fall in the price of oil has major consequences on government revenue, aggregate output, capital formation investment, employment, trade and fiscal balance. The 2008 global financial meltdown also contributed to naira’s freefall. Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Bismarck Rewane, said Nigeria was unprepared for the shock. “The economy believed to be one of the most resilient in the world was caught unawares by the global crisis,” he added. Analysts said a gradual appreciation of the currency would require building confidence in the financial system and price of crude oil in international market. This is what is going to drive the exchange rate now and beyond. We cannot isolate what is happening in the global economy like the issue of diversification of energy sources.

Inflation statistics The National Bureau of Statistics released the Consumer Price Index for last July, stating that the nation’s inflation rate had remained unchanged at 9.2 per cent. The actual CPI released by the bureau came against experts’ forecast, which had predicted that the rate could increase to 9.4 per cent. In the CPI report, which was made available to our correspondent, the bureau said the 9.2 per cent figure was the same rate at which the index grew in June. The report said: “In July, the CPI, which measures inflation, rose by 9.2 per cent (yearly), unchanged from the rate recorded in June. “The headline index has held at the same rate for the second consecutive month as a result of muted rises in the food and nonalcoholic beverages, housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel, among others.” Monthly, the report said the pace of the increase in the headline index eased for the second consecutive month, increasing by 0.7 per cent in July, from 0.9 per cent recorded in June. It stated that the urban index increased by 9.2 per cent yearly, also relatively unchanged from the rate recorded in June, while the rural index increased marginally by 9.2 per cent, from 9.1 per cent in June. On a monthly, both the urban and rural indices increased by 0.7 per cent, lower from 0.9 per cent recoded in June.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

THE NATION INVESTORS

Recapitalisation: SEC draws curtain on business combination, reclassification

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday drew a critical line to demarcate capital market firms that might meet the September 30, 2015 deadline for the new minimum capital requirements for capital market operators following the expiration of the extended deadline for preliminary status review. SEC had given all capital market operators seeking to undertake mergers and acquisitions or any reclassification of their functions a deadline of July 31 to formalize such arrangement and file the necessary information with the apex capital market regulator. The Commission later extended the deadline to August 31, 2015. A source at SEC said the apex capital market regulator will not grant any further extension to neither the August 31 deadline nor the final deadline of September 30, 2015. In a July-4 circular to all capital market firms, the apex capital market regulator directed all capital market operators which might have opted for mergers, acquisitions or any other form of business combination as a vehicle to meet the new minimum capital requirements to file their notifications with the Com-

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

mission not later than July 31, 2015. The directive also applies to capital market operators proposing reclassification or reduction of their registered functions, including those seeking to downsize from stockbroker to sub-broker, broker-dealer to either broker or dealer and from multiple functions to a single function among others. The directive, according to a source at the Commission, is part of the compliance and enforcement process as the apex capital market regulator prepares to enforce the September 30, 2015 deadline for the new minimum capital requirements for capital market operators. The Nation recently reported that some capital market operators were considering mergers and acquisitions as viable alternative plan to stave off the threat of liquidation. Reliable market sources had said there have been intense discussions around consolidation, a reference to mergers and acquisitions, in recent months as the new management of the apex capital market regulator insisted it would not rescind earlier decisions on the new minimum capital base.

Sources said while some stockbrokers and other operators were considering raising funds through special placements, most deficient operators have started preliminary discussions on mergers and acquisitions. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) also recently released guidelines on the operations of sub-brokers. SEC had late 2013 announced major increases in minimum capital requirements for capital market functions under a new minimum capital structure that was initially scheduled to take off by January 1, 2015. It however extended the deadline to September 30, 2015. Minimum capital base for broker and dealer was increased by 329 per cent from the existing N70 million to N300 million. Broker, which currently operates with capital base of N40 million, will now be required to have N200 million, representing an increase of 400 per cent. Minimum capital base for dealer increased by 233 per cent from N30 million to N100 million. Also, issuing houses, which facilitate new issues in the primary market, will now be required to have minimum capital base of N200 million as against the current capital base

of N150 million. The capital requirement for underwriter also doubled from N100 million to N200 million. Trustees, rating agencies and portfolio and fund managers had their minimum capital base increased by 650 per cent each from N40 million, N20 million and N20 million to N300 million, N150 million and N150 million respectively. A Registrar will now have a minimum capital base of N150 million as against the current requirement of N50 million. While the minimum capital base for corporate investment adviser remained unchanged at N5 million, individual investment advisers will have to increase their capital base by 300 per cent from N500,000 to N2 million. The Nation had also reported that the apex capital market regulator would not consider any further extension of the September 30, 2015 deadline for all capital market operators to comply with the new minimum capital requirements for their functions. The apex capital market regulator had stated that all capital market operators who are yet to comply with the new minimum capital requirement must do so before the deadline of September 30, 2015.

PZ Cussons, Man City FC seal deal By Adedeji Ademigbuji

Z Cussons Nigeria Plc has sealed a three-year partnership deal with Manchester City Football Club. The deal, which was announced during its public unveiling at Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, will see the club embedded in the Nigerian market and deliver increased fan base experience across Africa. PZ said it expects to drive the partnership deal through three of its leading brands - Premier, Olympic and Robb. Accordingly, PZ Cussons’ customers will by this partnership be given the opportunity to win a number of exclusive VIP match day experiences at the Etihad Stadium and opportunities to meet the players and watch private training sessions. Its Group Category & Brand Director, Mr. Tim Perman, noted that the company’s commitment to Africa goes beyond the provision of quality products but also has a focus at bringing real consumer value through relevant content and services by igniting exceptional experiences to consumers. “As a critical part of this strategy, we are pleased to be working closely with Manchester City Football Club in Nigeria to deliver on our consumer promise. There is a great fit between our brands in terms of heritage, values and a desire to win. We look forward to delighting our consumers with unique experiences from brands that they trust and a sport that they love,” he said. He also said the region’s growing Manchester City football club’s fan base will be propositioned with a number of experiences and prizes to get them closer to the club. VIP tickets and meetand-greets will be made available to competition entrants in the coming months.

Stakeholders reject NSE’s premium board •Continued from page 25

•From left: Director, Trade Fairs, Confederation of Indian Industry, Mr. Ranjit Jabbi; Group President, SkipperSeil Group Company, Mr. Jitender Sachdeva; and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, during a seminar titled: Nigeria and India: Leveraging on the economies, in Lagos.

Honeywell Flour Mills’ profit drops by 39% in three months

ONEYWELL Flour Mills Plc suffered a slowdown in the first quarter of this year as the flour-milling company struggled with sluggish sales and high operating expenses. Key extracts of the interim report and accounts of the company for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 showed that sales dropped by 3.03 per cent while pre and post-tax profits declined by 32.6 per cent and 38.7 per cent respectively. Turnover dropped to N12.9 billion by June 2015 as against N13.2 billion recorded in comparable period of 2014. Operating profit declined by 12.8 per cent from N743 million to N648 million. While finance cost dropped considerably from N725 million to N311 million, increase in selling and distribution expenses from N1.57 billion to N1.73 billion further undermined the bottom-line.

Profit before tax thus dropped from N585 million to N394 million. Profit after tax also declined from N462 million to N283 million. Earnings per share dropped from 5.83 kobo to 3.57 kobo. The company’s total assets dropped slightly from N67.94 billion to N67.9 billion. However, shareholders’ funds increased marginally from N20.3 billion to N20.6 billion. The first quarter report further highlighted the declining performance of the company. The audited report and accounts of Honeywell Flour Mills for year ended March 31, 2015 had shown that turnover dropped from N N55.08 billion in 2014 to N49.06 billion in 2015. Gross profit dropped from N10.46 billion to N7.5 billion. Profit before tax slumped to N1.43 billion in 2015 as against N4.24 billion in 2014 while profit after tax declined to N1.12 billion in 2015 compared with

N3.35 billion in 2014. Honeywell Flour Mills Plc plans to leverage on increased local inputs to reduce exposure to foreign exchange volatility, improve its logistics and consolidate its market share as part of comprehensive growth plan to drive the performance of the company in the years ahead and minimize external influences on earnings. Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, had blamed the company’s low performance on unfavourable extraneous factors that have proven more challenging and less controllable and adversely impacted the results. The company noted that the pressure experienced in the top-line reflected the intense competition around price war going on in the industry and the falling Naira. The company attributed the latest performance to several factors

including the Apapa traffic gridlock and declining infrastructure around the ports. “Roads leading to and from Apapa have effectively become car parks. Truck parking facilities around the ports that should have been completed years ago seem to have become abandoned projects. These problems have compromised our logistics efficiency by frustrating the prompt loading of products resulting in longer loading turnaround times and reduced stock turnover,” the company said. Jaiyeola lamented the economic loss arising from the falling Naira, the perennial chaotic traffic and debilitating condition of the roads leading in and out of Apapa. According to him, the company’s customers, suppliers, haulage partners and staff demonstrated great courage, loyalty and commitment during these challenging times.

Market reactions to the new premium board have been muted and below average. For instance, one of the premium stocks slipped below the N200 billion mark last Thursday. It closed the trading session at N193.8 billion. The NSE Premium Index, which tracks the premium board, recorded above-average loss of 3.93 per cent last week as against average loss of 3.56 per cent indicated by the market-wide All Share Index (ASI). The NSE tied the minimum capitalisation for the premium board to $1 billion. This implies that besides price fluctuation at the Exchange, the qualification of companies for the new board will also be affected by foreign exchange fluctuation. At the initial stage of announcement of the evaluation, Naira/Dollar exchange rate was N165/$1. The recent depreciation in Naira affected many stocks. However, seven other companies closed August with market value above the N200 billion mark. These included Guinness Nigeria, N209.3 billion; Forte Oil, N328 billion; Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, N338.5 billion; Lafarge Africa, N455 billion; Nestle Nigeria, N665.8 billion; Guaranty Trust Bank, N674.6 billion and Nigerian Breweries, which closed with market value of N963.31 billion. When asked about the cost implication of the assessment and movement to the new premium board, the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, said the cost should be looked at in terms of value to the company rather than cost.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

PAGE 29

Ooni: Kingmakers under pressure to dump history

INSIDE

•The late Sijuwade

Customs declares war against smugglers

Culture, tradition on display at Ojude Oba festival PAGES 32-33

PAGES 30-31

•The Ifa temple at Oketase, Ile-Ife, where divination will be carried out to select the next Ooni

Cleric explains rise in gay marriage PAGE 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT Ogun pays N300m compensation to communities

HE Ogun State Government has paid over N300 million as compensation to people whose lands at Areke village in Sagamu Local Government Area of the state were acquired for development purposes. The cheques, covering the amount for the compensation were presented to the beneficiaries at the Bureau of Lands and Survey’s Office, at Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta the state capital by the Head, Acquisition and Compensation of the Bureau, Mr. Michael Adewale. Adewale said the lands were given to investors who had shown readiness to establish companies that would create jobs and wealth

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta for the citizens and the host communities. He further explained that the proximity of the Areke communities to Flowergate Industrial Scheme would attract more investors to the area; thereby boosting the state’s industrialisation drive. He said: “The government is initiating this project and has put in place various measures of compensation to improve the standard of living of the citizens. “The corporate social responsibilities of the investors must be fulfilled in the various communities

hosting the companies besides the monetary compensation to them. These include good roads, health facilities and provision of potable water, among others.” Adewale said the host communities should be law-abiding, partner with the government and the investors in bringing dividends of democracy to the state. Speaking on behalf of the investors, Mr. Satar Omolola of Export Trading Group (ETG), Agro-Company Nigeria Limited, praised the government for bringing development to the people, promising their continued partnership in advancing the economic status of the state.

rie d od uc ts be in g bu •T he se ize d pr

Man accuses wife of infidelity

BUSINESSMAN, Muyiwa Owolabi, has dragged his wife, Tinuola Owolabi, to Ado-Ekiti Customary Court seek dissolution of their 10-year-old marriage. He accused his wife of infidelity. The petitioner and the defendant want the marriage dissolved but the bone of contention is the custody of their two boys Folajimi (11) and Oluwatimilehin (7). Muyiwa is urging the court to dissolve the union, claiming that he had caught Tinuola with several men, including his junior at secondary school. He added that his wife now moves with home video people and prostitutes. He told the court that Tinuola uses the social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to connect with many men who are now her “man friends and concubines.” Muyiwa said he couldn’t continue to have Tinuola as his wife again because he obtained the printouts depicting pictures she took with her lovers on the social media and other amorous messages she exchanged with them. He told the court that he is in possession of pictures Tinuola took with one of her lovers on WhatsApp in which they (she and one of her lovers) recorded pictures of their private parts. The printouts of the alleged ‘compromising’ pictures on

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

WhatsApp, printouts of conversation with one Toyin Igbalajobi, her Lagos-based friend who allegedly connected her with men in Lagos and the NOKIA C3 with which he carried out the act were admitted by the court President, Mr. Joseph Ogunsemi and marked as exhibits. Muyiwa also identified other men his wife had amorous relationship with to include Aduloju Olu and Andy Harris who is based overseas, Yinka Daramola, Kunle Lawal and Bashir. He revealed that when Andy called her on April 11, last year, she didn’t want to pick her lover’s call in his (Muyiwa’s) presence which made him to seize her phone for two weeks. The petitioner also told the court that another lover of Tinuola, one Chief Jegede who she had been dating for long, sponsored her trip to Lagos alongside their children. Muyiwa told the court that Tinuola’s mother and brother arrested and detained him at the Okesa Police Station. According to him, he made calls to her for an amicable settlement of the crisis but the defendant (Tinuola) declined, urging the court to grant him the custody of the children because “she didn’t have the wherewithal to sponsor their education and her profession will corrupt the children.”

In her response, Tinuola told the court that she did not have any marriage that has legal backing with the petitioner, saying she only did ‘Introduction’ after which she moved into his house. According to the defendant, they started living together since 2004 and she voluntarily packed out of the house in March last year owing to the petitioner’s “constant quarrels, beating, starving and promiscuity.” She denied having extra-marital affairs with them, saying “none of the men mentioned was my concubine or man friend as alleged by the petitioner.” Tinuola said: “Concerning his allegation of adultery, I did not commit adultery with any man. He said he saw some chats with some men on my phone, the said phone does not belong to me; it belongs to my younger brother, Tajudeen Bello, a student. “After the crisis broke out, my brother (Tajudeen) gave me the phone to be using because I did not have any phone to use again. The petitioner seized my phone on regular basis based on suspicion of receiving calls from male friends. “Since we came together, constant beating has been a regular occurrence. As I speak now, we have a case at the Human Rights Office of the State Ministry of Justice with pictorial evidence. “Four years before I left the house, I was always home but he didn’t stay with me and the chil-

e. ized bags of ric ials with the se •Customs offic

cloths seized bails of fiial displaying of s m sto Cu •A

HE Conference Hall of the Customs Command headquarter, Bodija Ibadan, the Oyo State capital was filled to capacity. Everybody present was eager to hear what the Customs’ boss had to say and why he convened the meeting. Journalists from Lagos, Oyo; Osun and Ogun states were in atten-

dance. Some critical stakeholders in the poultry business were also in attendance. One critical factor uniting them all in the massive hall was to deliberate on the way forward in making Nigeria attain a level such that she will be one of the 20 most advanced economies of the world soon. Among those present at the allimportant gathering were officials of

Lawmaker donates to monarch, A lawmaker representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Bamidele Baderinwa, has presented a new Mercedez ML350 to the Ekiri of Ero land, Oba Julius Gbadesogun and Toyota Camry cars to two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ero and Ibule communities of the Constituency. DAMISI OJO reports.

RO community in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State was agog when one of the illustrious sons and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Baderinwa known in political circles as “Mr White” presented a Mercedez Benz car to the community’s monarch, Oba Gbadesogun. Besides, two politicians and APC chieftains, Tunde Ogunlade from Ibule town who served as the Director-General of his campaign organisation during the last National Assembly election and Mr Isijola Ambaliu from Ero community, benefited from his benevolence. Hon. Baderinwa presented to each of the chieftains with full airconditioned Toyota Camry car for their support which facilitated his victory during the election. While presenting the vehicles estimated to have cost N20 mil-

lion, the lawmaker said: “During the electioneering campaigns, I promised the people of Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency that I would represent them very well at the National Assembly. “I promised that I would ýmake efforts to attract development to the constituency. I also promised that I would pay attention to your welfare. “This is just the beginning of what we intend to do for them. It is about giving dividends of democracy to my constituents. By the end of this month, we intend to empower farmers in the constituency. Most of our people are farmers. So, we need to pay attention to them. By October, we will also launch our health programme, as health is wealth. “The glory of a king is the welfare of his people. Our duty is to make laws for the country, but we cannot fold our arms and continue to be insensitive to the suffering of our people. That is why we are do-

ing all this.ý” The visibly elated Oba Gbadesogun said: “We thank God. This is the first of its kind in Ero community. We find it impressive that Hon. Baderinwa has come to honour the monarch of his town. The community appreciates him. I did not expect it. We have prayed for him. He has not spent 100 days in office, yet, he is able to do this for his community.” The monarch noted that it is people like him that the masses need to develop the community, praying that God should elevate him. He said the House of Representatives is just a stepping stone for him. According to the traditional ruler, ýBaderinwa loves the community and he has always been interested in its development. It is people like him we want. He is somebody that is kind-hearted. He is well-exposed and that is while he is different from other politicians. He is not a proud person like most others. We thank God for him.” ýOne of the beneficiaries, Isijola Ambaliu said: “I feel great today because God has used Baderinwa to bless me. May God continue to be with him. We are confident that he will represent us very well in the National Assembly. “This gesture impresses me a lot.

•Baderinwa presenting the Mercedez Benz car manual to Oba Gbadesogun I never expected it. The legislator just called me and said I should go and meet someone from Akure. By the time I got to the person, he delivered this car to me. It was like a dream. During the electioneering campaign, I felt I should support him without any string attached; because I was convinced that he will repre-

sent us well. “Politicians should take a cue from this gesture. They should always think of helping their people. If one amasses billions of Naira and one doesn’t help others, one would not be able to spend all the money before one dies. Nobody will have respect for one after one’s death.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Customs declares war against smugglers In the last few months, poultry farmers in Oyo, Ogun and Osun, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), have renewed the onslaught against importation of poultry foods, including frozen turkey and chicken. Christened “Hawk Descend”, launched in June at Seme Border. Since the exercise started, there have been massive arrests, seizures and destruction of imported poultry products. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports. the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), representatives of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), men of the Nigeria Police, Customs officials, representatives of the Nigeria Army, representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), officials of the Ministry of Health, civil society organisations and members of the public. The Poultry Association of Nigeria had, before the launch of the offensive against importers of frozen foods, made several efforts to stop the activities of the importers and discourage the consumption of imported frozen chicken, but it is not a fight it could win alone. The Controller, Oyo, Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Mohammed Suleiman Bawa and top officials of the Command were present. The objectives of the meeting, as explained by the Customs’ boss was to put an end to smuggling of illegal products into the country. He noted that there was an urgent need for collaboration in the fight against economic saboteurs. The renewed fight against importation of banned poultry products known as “Hawk Descend” was flagged off at Seme Border on July 7 by the Customs in line with the Federal Government’s directive on importation of frozen poultry products. With the renewed fight against

smugglers, it seems there is no hiding place for operators as government has beamed its searchlight on their regular routes. Many of the smugglers were arrested and their illegal goods seized and destroyed. This, according to the Customs’ boss, is the weapon to put a stop to the illegitimate business. Bawa, who made reference to the victory on the fight against imported textile materials some years back, expressed his optimism that the ongoing fight against importation of frozen poultry foods would not be different. He emphasised on the health hazards that results from consumption of imported frozen products and their devastating effects on the economy, saying many promising Nigerians have either died or reduced to nothing as a result of consumption of these unwholesome foods. He further explained that much harmful chemicals were used in the preservation of the imported poultry products. Addressing reporters after the event, Mr Bawa, who decried the activities of the smugglers, noted that the Command has, since the launch of operation “Hawk Descend” on July 7, this year, been arresting smugglers of imported poultry products. The latest of such seizures, he said, was the 120 cartons of imported frozen products along Agbegi Ife Road, Ibadan.

Shortly before carrying out the destruction of the seized products, the Area Controller warned Nigerians to desist from the consumption of the products because of their health implications. He said: “Operatives of the Command will continue to intensify efforts at keeping the recalcitrant smugglers, especially of imported poultry products, out of business while those caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law.” Bawa, who took over the Oyo/ Osun Area Command on March 25 this year, urged members of the public to support government’s ongoing war against importation of frozen poultry products which, he said, are injurious to health and contributing in crippling local economy. He declared that the Command had already launched the Operation “Hawk Descend” for surveillance and arrest of foreign poultry parts. He further revealed that the awareness campaign for duty payment on imported vehicles is yielding positive dividends in the Command area “as vehicle owners are now coming to pay duty to make peace with government to the extent that this source is becoming a noticeable duty platform.” He disclosed that within four months of his resumption, the Command has generated N5.9 billion as revenue for government. The sum, according to him, was paid by British American Tobacco, Nigeria Breweries Plc Ibadan and International Breweries Ilesa, Osun State. Speaking on the anti-smuggling activities of the Command, Mr Bawa revealed that 91 suspects are currently in detention while investigations are ongoing on 92 seizures. At the site of the destruction located at Ijokodo area of Ibadan, sternlooking armed policemen were posted to different locations to provide security and ensure smooth exercise. A dredged spot had been prepared for the destruction of the seized products. Some hired labourers were handy to offload the products from the vehicles and carefully threw them into the pit before they later poured raw acid on them and covered with sand.

h, APC leaders

•The cars on display “The electorate should always vote for people who are development-conscious, and not for selfish individuals who will only represent themselves. Another beneficiary,Tunde Ogunlade, said: “I am happy today. I have never experienced a thing such as this in Ifedore local government since I

decided to venture into politics long time ago. I, therefore, express my heart- felt appreciation to Hon. Baderinwa for given me this car. I was the Director General of his campaign organisation, but we never discussed anything like this. “I was a councillor in 1989. I would like fellow politicians to be loyal and

steadfast. Loyalty has rewards. Not everything is money. Politicians should also learn to be patient. After the presentation of the three vehicles,the entire community trooped out to celebrate the car gifts with the traditional rulers and the two other beneficiaries.

•The signage to the temple

The battle among the four ruling houses in Ile-Ife for the Ooni stool has started. The kingmakers have a vital role to play in it all. Will they cave in to pressure or follow the path of history? BISI OLADELE examines the thorny path the kingmakers may toe to fill the stool.

Ooni: Kingmakers under pressure to dump history

HE race to the throne of the fancied seat of the Ooni of Ife is getting hotter. Just as aspirants are devising new ways to outsmart one another to gain visibility and acceptance, the four ruling houses are in serious contest for favour to produce the man for the stool. Going by the moves and counter-moves in traditional, media and political settings within and outside the town, the contest among the ruling houses is far hotter than among aspirants across the four houses. The ruling houses are Osinkola, Giesi, Lafogido and Ogboru. While the immediate past monarch, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, hailed from Ogboru, his predecessor, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, was from Osinkola. The latter’s predecessor, Oba Ajagun, hailed from Lafogido. According to a government gazette of 1980, Giesi is expected to produce the next Ooni but with a caveat that Lafogido could take its chance if the former is unable to produce an acceptable candidate. However, all the four ruling houses have stepped up their scheming in the last two weeks to produce the next monarch. To support their claim to produce the next oba, each ruling house is narrating history of accession in ways that favour them. Consequently, kingmakers have adopted the decision to invite all the four houses to present candidates out of whom they will screen and choose. The few, who cross the stage, will be presented to Ifa Oracle for final selection. A source close to the kingmakers told Southwest Report on Monday that “after screening, the successful candidates will definitely be presented to the Ifa Oracle for final selection. It is definite. A new Ooni cannot emerge without consultation with the Ifa Oracle. The oracle will choose the suitable candidate among them. We can’t do without that. It is a must.” Lafogido, Osinkola and Ogboru are said to be the original three ruling houses. Giesi joined the league after it produced a king whose mother hailed from Ogboru. The king’s father hailed from Giesi. Hence, Giesi is regarded as an offshoot of Ogboru Ruling House. In spite of the written history and government gazette, the three other ruling houses are not sitting by, watching Giesi to enjoy the full privilege of producing the next Ooni. The Ogboru and Osinkola ruling houses are daily calling on kingmakers to ignore government gazette and rely on the history they reel off which allows them to produce the next Ooni. They are urging the kingmakers to be guided by tradition, equity and fair play. For instance, some clans in Ogboru Ruling House are claiming the turn to produce Oba Sijuwade’s successor, though Sijuwade was from the ruling house. Spokesperson of the ruling house, Prince Adediran Adetipe, in an interview with reporters at a news conference in Ile-Ife, appealed to kingmakers to abide by their traditional ethics. He urged the state government to assist the town’s traditional institution to ensure that the right person and ruling house emerged as the 51st Ooni. Adetipe said Oba Sijuwade “superintended over remarkable socioeconomic transformation of the town and left behind a legacy of peace, stability, progress and unprecedented development in Ile-Ife and Yoruba nation both at home and in the Diaspora. “His vision was extolled to the high heavens and there was the general acknowledgment that the sustenance of his legacies will be a very hard nut to crack,” he said. He revealed that the Ogboru family has seven clans, including Molodo, Amodo, Alaka, Adejokun, Odogbon, Ooni/Ilare and Olubuse/Olodo. According to him, the Adetipe family from the Amodo clan has already submitted an expression of interest, by putting forward a generally accepted candidate to fill the vacant position. The prince said Oba Sijuwade, in 1980, had an agreement with the Giesi Ruling House to trade their turn for the throne. But he added that the deal was not on behalf of the entire Ogboru Ruling House. Also damning government gazette which gave official endorsement to rotation among the four houses, a grandson of the late Oba Aderemi, Prince Adedamola Aderemi, joined the race. He hails from Osinkola Ruling House. As for Lafogido Ruling House, its leaders are insisting that the kingmakers must stick to either of the two choices. According to them, only Lafogido and Ogboru are the two original ruling houses in Ife. They are insisting that the kingmakers should stick Continued on pages 32-33

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT Mr. Akanji Banji is Oyo State chapter of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) chairman. He speaks to OSEHEYE OKWUOFU, on the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) efforts to enforce the ban on imported poultry products which he says affects the economy. Excerpts.

‘Why we back ban on imported frozen products’ W

HAT is your association’s impression about “Operation Hawk Descend” which the Customs Command launched against importers of banned frozen foods? The “Operation Hawk Descend” launched by the Nigerian Customs Service at Seme Border early July this year was in collaboration with the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN). The intention was to make Nigerian products, especially poultry foods available in markets for Nigerians. We call it zerotolerance for poultry importation. Many poultry farmers are out of business due to the activities of illegal importers of these banned poultry products. The rate of unemployment is alarming. If our farms are producing the needed products at their optimum, we will be able to reduce the rate of unemployment. Why the hype on imported frozen poultry products? Imported frozen chickens and turkeys are bad; they are not meant for human consumption. Those people who smuggle them into the country do not consume them. So, they look for a country to serve as a dumping ground. To avoid making our country a dumping ground, we are of the view that we don’t want these products again. Ban on them has been on since 1988, there is an Act of Parliament backing their ban. So, it’s not new. Our request is strict enforcement by the government and that is why the Customs Command has taken a stand against importation of these products. It had to launch the “Operation Hawk Descend” on poultry products. The benefits are numerous. Most of the imported poultry products that you are taking are preserved by the use of formalin and the like, chemicals used in embalmment of the dead. There are other dangerous chemicals that they use in preserving these

•Banji

•A poultry farm

products which are harmful to our health. The price is not the problem. We don’t want things that people will consume and have some health challenge. If we can produce our products in bulk, definitely the price will be low. And if there is high demand for locally produced chickens and turkeys, there will be more employment opportunities and the economy will grow. Invariably, the poultry industry, as a whole,

will contribute to the GDP because many will be employed. A minimum of 500 birds will have not less than two workers. So, poultry farm with 5, 000 birds will employ between 13 and 14 workers; depending on if the farm is a breeder, commercial or a complete integrated farm. So, we want the government to continue with the enforcement so that we can grow our economy. What are your members doing to

ensure there is enough poultry products to meet the needs of Nigerians? The association is embarking on massive production of local chickens. And our members, especially those who specialise in production of commercial eggs, at least about 70 to 75 per cent of them are now going into broiler production. Again, the stakeholders in the industry such as Zartech, CHI and others, have increased their productions.

They have mapped out strategies to increase their productions and make their outlets reachable to every household. We also want the government to ban the importation of powdered egg. What is your association doing to create awareness on dangers of consuming these imported frozen products? The association is embarking on enlightenment campaigns. This is

why we have the radio jingles on the production of eggs, chickens and meat. Many households are aware of the advert. And in our zone, we want to go into public enlightenment. We are very conversant with the use of the media and in most newspapers we have articles written on the issue which are published from time to time. Now, on health hazards, over here you have a gun whereby formalin is injected into the chicken before they export it into the country. So, we discovered that the issue of Nigerian life expectancy which is 46 years is as a result of all these chemicals that people consume. In March this year, there was importation of frozen chicken from Congo and all those that took it fell ill, even as some complained of stomach problem. Before we could know and inform the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), those products are no more in the market. So, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) is working in collaboration with NAFDAC so that every product coming out of our farms is safe for human consumption. Most of our birds are consume what is grown in Nigeria. Likewise if you eat Nigerian chicken, you will realise it is the best in terms of nutrients, value and all those things that promote healthy living. What are the challenges facing your association ? The challenges we are facing today are so numerous. One is the issue of raw materials. Most of the agricultural products in the country are seasonal, so the prices fluctuate. We want the government to help us by bringing the cost of production down so that the masses can enjoy the dividends. Government can help us by establishing a commodity board which will regulate and determine the prices of

Ooni gave his life to Christ before death, says cleric Prophet Moses Muyideen Kasali of Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry International (aka Baba Orioke Alasheyori, Ibadan) is not only blind but also had no formal education. However, Kasali, who is in his late 40s, has performed several outstanding feats; including spreading the Gospel, disarming robbers, construction of police posts and donation of power generating sets to different communities He spoke to TAYO JOHNSON on his relationship with the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade and how the monarch gave his life to Christ before death. YOU have sight challenge. How did it happen? My parents had nine children and I am the only male child. At age three, there was an outbreak of measles epidemic in my village and it affected my two eyes. That was how I became blind. My parents went through lots of challenges. My mother died when I was 10 and naturally I was helpless and hopeless since there was nobody to take care of me. To avoid The late Ooni b e i n g

starved to death, I started gathering firewood from bush to sell to those in his only son to Christianity because he was blind. need of it; since there was nobody to render help to a blind boy. One day I An Anglican Priest in our village told the villagers was in the bush to gather firewood when the hand of God found me and that God was going to use this blind boy to reach the from the bush I was taken to a mansion where an angel taught me the world. He sent for me and prayed for me Word of God, secrets of life and many other things. Jesus Christ and sought my father’s permission to appeared to me in that mansion. He anointed me and told take me to the mission house. me that I will be an evangelist to the world. The oil Did you have any formal eduJesus poured on my head continued to flow for cation? seven days. One of the angels took me back No, I did not attend primato our village and my father was surprised ry school. Isaiah 42:16 says: “I seeing the anointing oil flowing. will lead the blind by ways What was your father’s reaction when they have not known, along you became a Christian; having been unfamiliar paths I will born a Muslim? guide them; I will turn the I was the first to accept Christ in my darkness into light before family. My encounter with Christ was them and make the rough unique because nobody preached to places smooth. These are me. Even as a Muslim, my father loved the things I will do; I will Christianity. Every year he brought the not forsake them. Also, Isabest of his farm produce to the church. iah 9:2 says: “The people He said he had a dream walking in darkness have where he saw me in the seen a great light; on those midst of a large crowd living in the land of deep preaching the Gosdarkness a light has dawned.” pel. Before I was The Scripture is true and perfect •Kasali born, there was anonce you are on the Lord’s side. other prophecy that How do you read the Bible since I was going to be a it is your preaching instrument? Nazarene from God. There is an angel assigned to me at evAll these encouraged ery situation, as you are talking now there is an my father despite various angel beside me. If my interpreter makes a talks from the villagmistake reading the Bible, I correct him beers that my father cause immediately I mount the podium, was giving all the scriptures from Genesis to Reveout lation will immediately appear before me like a television screen and I will see with my inner eye; anyone that i s

not clear to me will be interpreted by my angel. How did you know Christ? ý There was a time I went to fetch water from the river with a four-litre container. I was in a hurry to come back before going to work. I was operating a cassava grinding machine then. At the river, the container slipped from my hand and of course, I won’t allow it to float away, because it was the only container that I had. So, I followed it. The more I searched, the deeper I went into the river until I found myself inside a big mansion beneath the river. In the mansion, I saw some women and men dancing. I was able to see them as if I was not blind. I was afraid, but a giant in me assured me that I will not die there. A woman in the mansion asked me what I was doing in the place and suddenly a man with white hair all over his body appeared and said I am his son and that I was there to have an experience. Immediately, fight ensued between the woman and the man and later an angel joined in the battle. I was afraid but the scene was interesting. There was a great bang like that of a bomb. The woman and her agents disappeared. The angel took me back home. I was excited that I had such wonderful experience. I spent over seven hours inside the river. My father was worried and searched for me everywhere, including the forest.ý Recently, you said the late Ooni of Ife had the p r e -

monition of his death and gave his life to Christ, what is your relationship with him? I met the late Oba Sijuade some years ago when I went to Ile-Ife to greet the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the town, Apostle Aluko and he said we should pay a courtesy visit to the monarch. To my surprise, immediately he saw me, he mentioned my name and said God told him that I was coming and that I am a true Prophet of God. He asked me to pray for him. The next day I had a message for him and when I got to the palace, I met her queen, Yeyeluwa Morisola who honoured me. I saw the fear of God in her before seeing the king and that was how we started relating like father and son. On December 23, last year, I went to see a friend in Ile-Ife from where I went to the palace to greet Oba Sijuade and he accused me of not intending to invite him to our seventh-year anniversary celebration. To my surprise, he came with many important personalities at exactly 9:45 a.m. for the vigil which ought to start by 10:00 a.m. and left at the end of the programme at 5:00 p.m. ýFew months ago, Oba Sijuade also visited the Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry at Ojedeji Two, Moniya near Ibadan, to surrender his life to Jesus Christ and became a born again Christian.ý A month ago, the late Ooni told me thatý God had told him the date of his death and that he would not be physically present when one of his children would be getting married in August. He asked me to ensure that I was present at the marriage ceremony to give spiritual guidance to his children.

agricultural inputs. Again, government can buy our excess products because most farmers don’t have storage facilities. But when government comes in now, they buy, they store and when it is time to sell, they sell to people not necessarily waiting for when there will be scarcity. The government needs to mop up the excesses when in the market so that we can have a fair price of these products throughout the year. The establishment of commodity board will determine the price of products. Financing is another challenge. The fact is that the poultry farmer is not like those in other sectors. We cannot compare those who want to take a loan in pharmaceutical industry and a poultry farmer. These are two different bodies. A poultry farmer depends on the survival of what he has on the farm. It is difficult for a farmer to use his company tax to access loan from bank. How much is he going to access? The interest given to us on loan is too high and we are unable to meet it unless we have a single digit interest that is less than five per cent for farmers. The weather is there, disease, pestilence, flooding and so on. Anoother challenge is the consumption of eggs. In advanced nations, we have people eating up to 110 eggs in a year, but in Nigeria, hardly will you see people eating an average of 15 eggs in a year. So, the consumption is very low. And the mentality is the issue of high cholesterol and there is nothing like such in egg. We have two types of cholesterol, the good and the bad, and the level of cholesterol we have in the egg is not as bad as the one we have in beans. Egg is safe to eat and the cholesterol we have in egg is what the body synthesises easily. They are easily used up by the body.

‘Appoint credible Nigerians as ministers’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

GROUP under the aegis of Coastal Frontiers (CF) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to be cautious in giving political appointments to those who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The appointment of such people may frustrate the “change” revolution of his administration, the group said. The group reminded the President of his avowed commitment to change the country by appointing and working with people with like minds in his cabinet. A statement issued in Akure, the Ondo State capital and signed by its spokesman, Charles Ebimomi urged the APC leaders not to be deceived by members of the opposition, stressing that they would become stumbling blocks after securing the appointments. Besides, the group called on President Buhari to probe and reposition the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for better service to the people of the Niger Delta. The group appealed to the President to sack members of the board of the NDDC, noting that their inactions were responsible for the low development of the Niger Delta region. The group pledged its support to Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, whom it described as the architect of modern Nigeria democracy and his pragmatic leadership in Yoruba land and Nigeria in general.

Ooni: Kingmakers under pressure to dump history Continued from page 31

to the rotational ascension or allow Lafogido to produce the next oba because the last two Oonis came from outside Lafogido. Giesi’s internal disharmony The Giesi Ruling House is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that it enjoys the privilege of producing Oba Sijuwade’s successor. At a news conference in Osogbo, the state capital, a prince from Giesi, Kunle Adelowo, said the Giesi is set to produce the next Ooni. According to him, it was the turn of the Giesi Ruling House to produce the next Ooni going by the 1977 Oyo State Chieftaincy Declaration. He said in the declaration, the order of rotation among the ruling houses should be: Osinkola of late Oba Aderemi, Ogboru (Oba Sijuwade), Giesi (to produce the next Ooni) and Lafodigo to follow. Adelowo vowed that the Giesi Ruling House would resist any attempt to bypass the royal family. He said the ruling house contested the Ooni stool with Sijuwade in 1980, but lost. He noted that Giesi produced Ooni last in the ancient town between 1880 and 1884. His view was corroborated by Prince Aderopo Ogunwusi, who also insisted that no other ruling house would be allowed to produce Oba Sijuwade’s successor. For the privilege it enjoys, however, the house is currently battling internal disharmony. While no fewer than 35 persons are racing for the throne, a particular aspirant, Dr Ramon Adedoyin, is one candidate all others are battling. Dr Adedoyin, who is the proprietor of a private university and polytechnic in Ile-Ife, Oduduwa University and The Polytechnic, Ile-Ife, enjoyed a very robust relationship with the late Oba Sijuwade in his last years on the throne. As a home-grown successful businessman, his contributions to the socio-economic development of the town dwarf those of other aspirants within the ruling house. As a huge employer of labour in the town and a major player in the Nigerian tertiary education sub-sector, Adedoyin is more famous than others. But other aspirants are battling the educationist because only his mother hailed from Giesi Ruling House. Though the gazette allows a prince with maternal origin to ascend the throne if those with paternal origin are unable to present an acceptable candidate, the latter views it as an insult to allow the Adedoyins to utilise their turn. They believe that they are able to produce an acceptable candidate within the paternal circle. Adedoyin, however, remains calm, calling on members of the Giesi Ruling House to unite. Adedoyin, who spoke in an interview with reporters, advised the other aspirants within the Giesi Ruling House to unite and not see the contest as a do-or-die affair. He noted that the exalted position has been eluding the ruling house since 1894. The Ife prince said the law is very clear on the process of selection of a new Ooni, as stated in the 1957 declaration. The prince noted that he was not desperate to be the next Ooni “as it is the Almighty God that installs kings”. Yet, the paternal princes are battling for advantage. While Agbedegbede clan is gaining advantage over the remaining nine clans, others are also battling for equality. For instance, the other clans, on Monday, faulted the committee which reportedly pruned down aspirants from 35 to only nine at the weekend. A distinguished prince from one of the remaining nine clans who spoke to Southwest Report, said Agbedegbede, largely was dominating other clans in all their moves. He insisted that the committee that reportedly pruned down aspirants was a fraud because it was set up by only Agbedegbede clan without drawing members from other clans. He recalled that the enlarged leadership of the Giesi House set up a committee earlier but that Agbedegbede clan went ahead to set up another without due consultation with other clans. “As far as we are concerned, there are still about 35 aspirants in the race. The committee set up by Agbedegbede will be challenged. They want to pick from Agbedegbede alone. What criteria did they use to choose members of the purported screening committee? We shall resist it. We are ready for them,” he said. Giesi is made up of 10 clans, including Agbedegbede, Lugba, Idu Oladere, Moliki, Wanikin and Debooye. Kingmakers’ dilemma In the face of the claims and counter-claims by ruling houses, kingmakers, it was reliably gathered, have agreed to ask the four ruling houses to present candidates of their choice for screening and final selection by the Ifa Oracle. According to the reliable source, Giesi’s candidate will be given priority. The procedure, the source further disclosed, is to ask each ruling house to present a candidate from each clan in the ruling house. The kingmakers will screen them to determine who emerges as the candidate for each ruling house, meaning that the huge number will be pruned to only four in the end. Among the four, the Giesi candidate will enjoy priority. For instance, there are eight clans in Lafogido. Each clan will present a candidate to the kingmakers out of which they will pick only one who will represent the ruling house. The final four will be presented to the Ifa Oracle for final selection. But a well-known prince in Giesi, who spoke in confidence, pooh-poohed the idea, assuring that Giesi Ruling House will challenge the outcome of such decision in court if it does not favour it. The prince said: “If they try that, it means they don’t want the stool filled at the present time because we will challenge it in court. What is contained in the government White Paper is that the next house to Giesi can produce the king only if Giesi fails to present a credible and acceptable candidate. The paper is also emphatic on the fact that only the house next to Giesi in rotation can do that. But as at now, Giesi has not failed. “So, what called for that? Our house should be given the chance to produce our candidate before considering any other house. We will challenge it because this is not the first time to rob Giesi of such opportunity.” Another source close to the kingmakers corroborated the above, saying: “Choosing the best candidate is really a huge task. Even the underdogs are not willing to stand down. We are really praying to God to help us out. We can’t afford to throw up a wrong candidate. Ife is a uniquely great town; hence, we are very careful. Ife cannot install a mediocre as Ooni. He should not be somebody politicians can pocket. We want somebody that fits this great throne.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT Group happy over Osun Osogbo success

GROUP, under the aegis of Osun Positive Force has praised the Ataoja of Osogbo land, his Royal Majesty Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, chiefs, sons and daughters of Osogbo, cultural experts, well-wishers and all lovers of culture and tradition for actively participating in the just-concluded Osun Osogbo Festival as their presence made the event a huge success. Leader of the group Mr Basiru Ajibola (SRJ) spoke during the festival at Osun Government Annex Okefia, Osogbo. He praised the Ataoja for his peaceful reign which he said has brought more developments to Osogbo land. He said: “Ataoja is, indeed, our joy and pride. He has been the harbinger of peace which the community is currently enjoying. He is a worthy royal father to all of us. We acknowledge the unequalled contributions of Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to make Osun Osogbo a tourist attraction. It is such a festival that is first among equals not only in Nigeria but on the Africa Continent.” He advised the youth to eschew violence, reminding them of the need to emulate great Nigerians such as Chiefs Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Akintola who were 36 and 37 years old respectively when they led the struggle for independence after the death of Herbert Macaulay. He urged them to emulate the legacies of these personalities and avoid engaging in unnecessary violence. Chairman of the group, Comrade Mutairu Adetoye Akere said the group organises programmes in education, politics, business, culture and tradition, among others. He, however, praised the innovative abilities of Hon. Ajibola in all fields of endeavours.

APC chieftain decries six-year power outage

Oba Ojora and Bashorun Oladidupo

Some women at the event

•Drummers at the palace of Ojora

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke has decried the near-permanent darkness in the Southern District of the state due to lack of electricity in the past six years. •Oke He regretted what he called indescribable hardship which the people of Ilaje Local Government Area are experiencing, saying they have been totally cut off from public power supply. Oke, who contested the governorship election in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said: “For almost a year running, people of the entire Ondo South and some other parts of the state have been in total darkness.” In a statement by his media aide, Rotimi Ogunleye, the APC leader said: “Businesses have gone bad, social life has been crippled and productivity badly hindered.” He noted that the people had pleaded with the state government on many occasions to restore electricity supply to the areas, especially the two local governments that are gravely affected, but there has been no response. Oke lamented that the problem has persisted, saying “it has now grown in age and magnitude. The perennial darkness in the area, coupled with unemployment, closure of Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) and the resultant economic effects have aggravated the suffering of the people and brought poverty on their land.” The ex-PDP National Legal Adviser said the tacit decision of the government to perpetuate darkness in the area was the reason why the youth of the affected areas recently staged a peaceful protest to press home their demand. Oke said: “I am, however, surprised that despite the right to stage protests, especially a peaceful one, granted the people by the constitution and our democracy and the unwillingness on the path of the state government to come to the aid of the people of the affected areas, the armless youths were arrested and detained by the agents of the government. “Instead of clamping down on the youth who bear the brunt of bad policies, fiscal indiscipline, abandonment, gross insensitivity that have reigned in Ondo State in the past six years and foisted poverty on the people, the government should yield to the demands of the people. “The economic effect of allowing the people to wallow in darkness for over six years could only be imagined. Darkness and absence of social life are enough to promote crime, elevate ignorance and prompt the youth into unwholesome attitude. “That the youth have resolved to follow the path of protest is commendable. Leadership is about responsibility, compassion, service and sacrifice. The people deserve attention and not suppression.”

•Some elders at the festival

The Ojora

•Oba Ojora blessing the new Bashorun PENULTIMATE Saturday, the people of Ijora land in Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos State thronged to the palace of Ojora of Lagos, Oba Fatai Aromire Ojora to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the annual Lagos Ojude Oba Festival. It was a day all sons and daughters of Ojora land look forward to commemorate the beginning of New Year. The festival was marked with pomp and celemony as many people turned out in their beautiful attires for the day. Oba Ojora’s palace, venue of the festival, was a beehive of activities as friends and associates of the monarch attended the event in order to have a glimpse of various age groups dance and display their colourful native attires in honour of the traditional ruler. Several decades ago, the Ojude Oba was said to have been initiated by a Muslim Cleric who paid obeisance to the then Awujale of Ijebu land for allowing his people to embrace the Islamic religion. He was said to have done this for two days during the Eid-elKabil and since then, the event has metamorphosed into a cultural festival without any form of religious discrimination. Speaking with reporters at the event, the monarch expressed joy that he was celebrating the fifth anniversary of the festival with his people. He expressed delight over the development witnessed in the community since he ascended the throne, adding that he feels fulfilled. “I feel fulfilled because when you pray for a thing and God grants you grace to accomplish it, then all you can do is to give thanks to God. This is the fifth celebration as you can see; there is progress in Ijora land,” he said. The Oba, who spoke on why he supported Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode during the last

Auto dealers threaten to sue Customs From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE Oyo State chapter of Motor Dealers’ Association (MDA), has vowed to sue the Nigerian Customs Service to protest the alleged killing of one of their colleagues by some Customs officers. MDA gave the Nigeria Customs Services 14 days ultimatum to invite them for a roundtable meeting or will be forced to drag them to court of law. The deceased motor dealer, identified as 32-year-old Tunde Abdul was said to have been knocked down by a truck belonging to the Customs Service around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 15 at Alapako, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway when he was stopped by some Customs officers led by one Kunle Yinusa. It was gathered that a DAF truck with registration number Osun: PRN123 XA wanted to avoid a pothole but lost control and hit three cars that were cleared from Lagos Port by the late Abdul and two orders. Addressing journalists in Ibadan, the spokesperson of MDA in Oyo State, Pastor Vincent Ayodeji condemned the lukewarm attitude of the Customs Service over the killing of Abdul

Alhaja Olusanya

The Ojora of Lagos

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Culture, tradition on display at Ojude I Oba festival

•The youth coordinator, Allandi (fourth right) with other youths at the event

I feel fulfilled because when you pray for a thing and God grants you grace to accomplish it, then all you can do is to give thanks to Him. This is the fifth celebration of the festival. There is progress in Ijora land…I gave scholarships to 30 students; 10 to Hausa, 10 to Igbo and 10 to Yoruba students respectively. The scholarships cover their primary and tertiary education

By Opeyemi Samuel

governorship election said he did so because he was confident of the ability of the governor to deliver. “I don’t collect money from any politician. I only support any politician that I know has performed and will perform. If a politician comes to me for support and I know that he cannot perform, I will tell my people categorically that they should not vote for him,” he said. On his achievements so far, the Ojora said he has given scholarship to indigenes and non-indigenes in his domain. Hear him: “I gave scholarships to 30 students. I gave 10 to Hausa, 10 to Igbo and 10 to Yoruba students respectively. The scholarships cover their primary and tertiary education. The Baale of Abeloko Orile-Iganmu, Chief Adesina Eletu, who explained the basis for the annual celebration, said it creates an avenue for the entire Ijora people both at home and in the Diaspora to come together and thank God for the progress of the land and strategise on ways to move the town forward. He wished the king long life and God’s wisdom to lead the people, even as he prayed for God’s protection for all indigenes of Ijora land. On her part, Alhaja Silifat Ololade Olusanya, the Iyalode of Ijora land praised the king for all his efforts at moving the community forward, describing him as a philanthropist, excellent and compassionate leader. Contributing, Alhaji Wasiu Balogun said Oba Aromire has done very well for the town. He advised that all stakeholders in the community should remain united and co-operate with the him, stressing that with that, more progress will be achieved in the community. Highpoint of the event was the conferring of chieftaincy title on Chief Akeem Oladidupo Oyewole Ajayi Ojora as the new Bashorun of Ijora land. Oladipupo, a businessman, was honoured for his enormous financial and moral contributions to the development of the community. While expressing gratitude to God and the people for the honour bestowed on him, the new Bashorun promised to contribute more to the development of the community. “I thank God for today and I must say that I am very happy for the honour bestowed Saturday upon me. “I promise to be honest and do my best in my capacity as the Bashorun to move the kingdom forward,” he said.

Succour for the aged

NMATES of the Old Peoples Home, Sabo-Yaba Lagos never had inkling that the day would be another of the days when benefactors would remember them. Early that morning, penultimate Wednesday, they had begun their normal day-to-day activities. Some were taking their bath while some took time to brush their mouths before their usual breakfast. They were oblivious of the fact that succour was coming their way. They never knew that youths of Jesus in His Mightiness Global Ministry have been sparing some thought for them. So, that day, they donated some relief items to them. Items such as crutches, wheel chairs, foodstuffs and clothes, among others, were donated to the Senior Citizens as part of activities marking the church’s 2015 youths’ convention. According to the group’s Coordinator, Yvonne Nkem Allandi, the week-long activities tagged “Living with His Fire and Building Godly Relationship” began with reaching out to communities with gospel

By Olalekan Ayeni

proclamation, sport tournaments and a get-together at the Bar Beach. She said the programme was organised just to give thanks to God for His blessings, mercies and protection and seeing them through in their education and other endeavours. The programme, she said, provides them with the opportunity to sensitise themselves to remain focused in any situation they may find themselves and to dig deep in God’s Word and direction. She advised youths nation-wide to stay focused in their various endeavours in order to have bright future. “Strong start is important but does not guarantee strong finishing.” She, therefore, urged youths not to allow any circumstance to prevent them from being victorious in all they do. Allandi said: “Allow God to lead you in all you do. The Lord is good unto the soul that seeks Him. Noting that every man should hope and wait for the salvation of the Lord,

she said it is good for one to bear one’s yoke in one’s youth as stated in Lamentation 3:25-27. Speaking during the grand finale at the church auditorium, the church’s Senior Pastor, Rev. Ayo Oduntan, reiterated the need for youths to remain focused and close to God. He said: “It is through God that all things are possible for those that believe in Him and walking in His righteousness, for everything shall surely come to pass. There is no shortcut to success but hard and brain work, divine opportunities, diligence and excellence in God’s righteousness.” He thanked the youth for their commitment to the programme, saying it was well organised. He prayed that the programme would have great impact on the lives of all those who participated in it. The success of the programme, according to Rev Oduntan, indicates that the church is blessed with so many vibrant, resourceful and creative youths. (Continued on page 36)

Residents praise Ifelodun council boss

HE people of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have praised the Executive Secretary of the LCDA, Mr. Wahab Adebayo Adigun, for restoring peace in the community. The executive secretary at a town hall meeting held at the Tinubu Hall, Layeni in Ifelodun LCDA urged residents to take advantage of the existing peace and live in harmony. The meeting was attended by traditional rulers, artisans, the Arewa community, Ndigbo, clerics, council officials and other stakeholders. Adigun thanked the community for the support they gave the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last general election, which contributed to its success at the polls. He revealed that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would visit the LCDA soon. Adigun enjoined the people to always maintain law and order, vowing that the town hall meeting would be held monthly to have first-hand information on issues that needed quick response, based on people’s complaints. The Baale of Oridilu, Chief Lateef Alade Olatunji, described the LCDA boss as a dynamic leader. He said: “We thank the Lagos State government for giving us Adigun. He has done well in terms of security, evacuation of drainage and restoration of peace among youths. An APC chieftain in the area said: “The LCDA boss has done well. There’s peace among party members. On security, we can now sleep well in our area. There used to be clashes among youths, forcing people to stay at indoors for days. Businesses

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

were shut down and activities were paralysed. Now, these have become history. People now enjoy peace and there is security consciousness in the area. “With the inauguration of this town hall meeting, development will come to the LCDA. You could see that people were allowed to express their opinion. He even promised to make the meeting a monthly event so that people can bring complaints and necessary actions will be taken.” Others who spoke at the meeting included the Vice-Chairman of Odunade Building Material Association, Mr. Ademola Rasheed, who sought the repair of roads and government’s intervention in multi-taxation. He decried the forcible imposition of the Iyaloja and Babaloja on the traders. Adigun pledged his support and promised to ensure the reconstruction of roads. He also said the drainage t h a t

systems that needed evacuation would be cleared. On the imposition of market heads, he said the LCDA had no business with such, but could only mediate if there was need. The LCDA chairman warned okada riders to obey the law and keep off the high ways.

•Adigun

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

HE Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Rev. Ayodeji Arogundade has described the rise in the adoption of gay marriage by some western countries as failure of parenting. The Bishop said findings revealed that youths in most of the countries are the ones who mount pressures on their governments to legalise gay marriage. Bishop Arogundade spoke during a Mass Service to mark the 200 years anniversary of the birth of Don Bosco, held at Mary Help of Christians Shrine, Akure the Ondo State capital. He said in Republic of Ireland, for instance, a large number of youths had urged their government to include gay marriage into their constitution. His words: “This is a sign that parents no longer have control over their children. The youth are the future of tomorrow and when they go astray, what will happen to the future? “I read in an international daily that in one of these western nations, a child took his parents to court for divorce. The governments are not helping the society because in the western world, they gave children too much privilege. You can’t scold your child. The government will tell you that you gave birth to the child quite alright but the child belongs to them. “Whatever the western world becomes today, it’s just for a while. No nation will take such step without crumbling. “I commend Africans for rejecting this. We are people who regard our values. Once you lose your values, you are no longer a complete mankind. We value our culture and we have respect for elders. “Once you lose your value, you lose your identity. Unfortunately, some western countries have lost their identities because what is happening there is identity crisis. “When a man no longer recognises that he is a man, and thinks he is a woman, that is identity crisis. When a country grants a certificate to a man to get married, the country has lost the sense of identity. We must continue to emphasise that the problem of the western world is the loss of identity” The cleric said the late Don Bosco’s activities had greatly changed the future of the youth, especially in countries where salvation works.

Cleric explains rise in gay marriage •Cross section of Catholic Bishops and members of the congregation

Succour for the aged (Continued from page 29)

Quoting copiously from Luke chapter 1:1-45, Rev Oduntan urged youths to serve God sincerely instead of engaging themselves in vices and things that give momentary pleasure. He urged them to work hard in order to realise their potential to be better citizens. This, he said, could only be achieved through being closer to God and engaging in more programmes that could make life better for them and their fellow mankind, even as he urged them to resist the temptation of engaging in vices such as yahoo-yahoo, robbery, kidnapping and betting. He pledged the church’s commitment to reach out to the poor every three months. Pastor Taiwo Akinkunmi also thanked God for the success of the programme, noting that this year’s event was beyond expectations as it added another dimension to the annual youths’ event. He challenged political and religious leaders to continue evolve policies and programmes that would enhance the well-being of the entire youth, saying they are future leaders of the nation.

•Senator Gbenga Ashafa signing the Condolence Register of late Air ViceMarshal Olusegun Ogundana at his residence in Magodo, Lagos. PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

Group donates lab equipment to alma mater

HE 1971 to 1975 class of Ibadan Grammar School Old Boys’ Association (IGSOSA), has donated over 180 chairs that to their Alma mater. They also equipped the school’s laboratory with modern facilities and donated books for the school’s library. Classmates of this set made the presentation penultimate week when they converged on the school premises for two days reunion to mark 40 years of leaving their Alma mater. The facilities were received by the school Principal, Mr Femi Adekunle. Classmates at home and in the Diaspora revelled in nostalgia ýand great fun on their escapades, bravery, naughtiness and craftiness. The issue of enigmatic teachers was not left out; appellations,

•Members of 1971-1975 class of Ibadan Grammar School with their Principal and teachers From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

code names and esoteric slangs were freely used during the meeting. It has in attendance the renowned principal for the set, Chief Ayo Labiyi and teachers such as Mr Isaac Adenuga (Chemistry), Prof. E.S. Ajibade (Yoruba), Dr Depo Fakunle (Agriculture), Mrs A.E. Smith (Physics) and Deborah Bolaji Falade (English Studies and Fine

Arts). Some senior prefects who attended the event were Mr Joseph Oyedoyin (aka Oga Jossy) and Mr Kunle Osinowo. In his speech, the chairman of the set’s steering committee for the programme, Dr Adebayo GbadeboSaba lamented the decay in the education sector within the last three decades and called on all stakeholders, especially the old students of schools to take a cue from what IG-

SOSA is doing. He praised the principal and teachers who moulded their lives during their days at the school. Other highlights of the programme included a lecture entitled “Education in Nigeria” delivered by Dr Depo Fakunle and presentation of awards to the Principal and teachers. Speaking on behalf of recipients of the awards, Mrs A.E. Smith appreciated members of the set and

thanked God who enabled them to impact positively on humanity. Addressing journalists after the event, Mr Isaac Adenuga, expressed appreciation to the old students. He noted that Chemistry is the cutting edge of science, advising students to be serious with their studies as education is highly competitive.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

THE NATION INVESTORS

Seplat gets approval to distribute 10.13m shares to employees

HE council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has approved application by Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc to create a multi-million shares employee incentive scheme that will ensure periodic distribution of the equities of the oil and gas exploration and production company to employees. Seplat is listed on the NSE and the London Stock Exchange (LSE). With the approval, Seplat will finalise the process of establishment of an “Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan” under which more than 10.13 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each will be warehoused and distributed to pre-qualified employees of the oil company. The approved initial shares are currently valued at about N2.48 billion. Seplat opened this week at N244.69 per share. The “Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan” is the final phase of a twopart incentive scheme under which the six-year old company plans to reward directors and employees, especially those executives and directors that contributed to its hugely successful initial public offering (IPO). After a highly successful global IPO of $500 million, Seplat had made his-

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

tory mid April 2014 as the first upstream company to be listed on the NSE. It also simultaneously listed its shares on the LSE. The initial offer size of the IPO was expected to raise gross proceeds of approximately $500 million, equivalent to £300.9 million and N82.5 billion. It was however oversubscribed. It subsequently increased its capital base by about N5.78 billion with the absorption of the oversubscription from the IPO by adding 10.03 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to its shares. The company attributed the additional shares to oversubscription and allotment that resulted from the IPO. The Nation had earlier exclusively reported that Seplat Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) consists broadly of two components including share incentives related to the company’s successful global initial public offering and annual share bonus. Under the global IPO bonus scheme, the company would issue bonus shares to directors and senior management staff at nominal cost to the company. The company will issue ordinary

shares to its executive directors and senior management as a reward for their contribution to achieving a successful global offer as stated in the prospectus dated April 9, 2014. A total of 7.75 million ordinary shares qualify as global offer bonus shares out of which 3.87 million shares vest immediately but will be held till 2015 and 3.873 million shares will vest after two years. Also, the company will also issue unspecified ordinary shares under its annual share incentive scheme. The annual bonus scheme is a performance-related deferred annual bonus award by reference to performance against objective performance targets during the previous financial year. Also, as part of the global offer bonus, Seplat will issue shares to all nonexecutive directors who have served on its board for at least nine months as at the date of the global offer. Under this incentive, the non-executive directors are eligible to subscribe to ordinary shares of the company with an equivalent value of 200,000 pounds based on the United Kingdom’s global offer share price at the nominal value of the shares based on the global offer share price.

According to the plan, the legal and beneficial ownership of the shares will vest in the non-executive directors from the subscription date, with a restriction on the sale of the shares, such that the directors cannot sell or encumber any of the shares until the first anniversary of the global offer at which point they may sell up to 50 per cent of the scheme shares while any of the remaining 50 per cent cannot be sold until after the second anniversary of the global offer. “It is the intention of Seplat to issue the LTIP shares at nominal cost to the company as part of the agreed employee incentive scheme in consideration of their services to the company over a period of time. The company will pay the cost of the shares at nominal price from its profit and allotment will be made from the company’s authorised share capital and will not be bought on the floor of the NSE,” according to the document notifying of the intention of the oil company to issue and list the shares. The shares would be issued from the unissued shares of Seplat at nominal price and allotted to the employees and trustees at nominal price too. Seplat had earlier informed the NSE

of its intention to issue and list the shares. Seplat currently has 553.31 million ordinary shares listed on the NSE. Seplat had explained that the LTIP was approved and disclosed in the prospectus that was issued in April 2014 and the revision was made to the earlier approval in June 2014. The company stated that at its annual general meeting held in June 2014, shareholders approved the LTIP for the company’s staff. According to the company, the LTIP is intended to increase the employee productivity, morale and loyalty by focusing their performance more on long-term goals by tying employee performance to rewards. Seplat was founded in 2009 by Shebah Petroleum Development Company Limited and Platform Petroleum (Joint Ventures) Limited for the purpose of investing in Nigerian oil and gas opportunities. Maurel& Prom, a French independent oil company, subsequently acquired a 45 per cent equity interest in SEPLAT; this interest was later spun-off to form Maurel & Prom Nigeria S.A, which is now known as Maurel & Prom International.

DHL Group to increase investments in Nigeria, S/Africa, others

EUTSCHE Post DHL Group, the leading company in global logistics industry, sees excellent opportunities to increase its investments in Nigeria and other SubSaharan Africa (SSA) countries. Chief Executive Officer, Deutsche Post DHL Group, Frank Appel, who visited Nigeria and South Africa to highlight the group’s focus on the emerging markets, especially in the SSA region, said Nigeria’s growing gross domestic product and diversifying markets are indicators of the growing potential of the market and possible future contribution to the group’s revenue. He said the visit to the SSA region demonstrated the overall importance of emerging markets in the group’s Strategy 2020, especially the need to encourage the development of SubSaharan Africa. “Today, emerging market revenues contribute over 20 per cent to Deutsche Post DHL Group’s revenues, but by 2020 the Group expects this figure to climb to 30 per cent. Therefore, we will continue to concentrate on organic growth by investing into promising present and future markets.DHL already has a strong footprint in Africa, but we see some excellent opportunities to further increase our presence in the Sub-Saharan region. South Africa’s exceptional geographic

location as the gateway to Africa, and Nigeria’s growing gross domestic product (GDP) and diversifying markets are only two of the many important indicators for this,” Appel said. He noted that staying close to the market and being responsive to customer needs are DHL’s fundamental principles pointing out that the group has established world-class facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa to support its global network. “We are committed to Sub-Saharan Africa and will continue to build on our successful four-decade legacy in the region,” Appel said. According to him, DHL continues to significantly invest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In October 2014, DHL already announced investments totaling EUR 30.5 million in South Africa, by both its Supply Chain (EUR 14.5 million investment) and Global Forwarding divisions (EUR 16 million investment). These commitments signal the group’s long-term growth plans for the region as they bring state-of-theart infrastructure, IT systems and world-class services to support businesses operating in Africa. For DHL Global Forwarding, the leading provider of air, ocean and road freight services, the EUR 16 million facility, located at the Plumbago Business Park boasts 12,000 square meters of warehouse space and 5,500

•From left: Paul Stone; Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, DHL Supply Chain (DSC), Johan Coetzer; Country Manager, DHL Supply Chain (DSC), Nigeria, Frank Appel; Chief Executive Officer, Deutsche Post, DHL Group, Heather Frankle; Country manager, DHL Global Forwarding Nigeria (DGF) and Randy Buday; Country Manager, DHL Express, Nigeria at a media parley during Mr. Appel’s visit to Nigeria.

sq meters of office space. A TAPA ‘A’ certified warehouse, the new premises are a world-class facility in South Africa, strengthening the country’s growth capabilities as the hub for distribution into the region. With a EUR 14.5 million investment, DHL Supply Chain’s 25,000m² multiuser warehouse facility caters to its technology client portfolio, as well as some key fast-moving consumer

goods (FMCG) clients. During his stay in South Africa and Nigeria, Frank Appel met with employees and customers, and visited several logistics facilities. DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The group generated revenues of more than 56 billion euros in 2014. DHL offers portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, international

express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With more than 325,000 employees in over 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses, enabling global trade flows. It boasts of specialised solutions for growth markets and industries including e-commerce, technology, life science and healthcare, energy and automotive sector.

New Foundation seeks to create new entrepreneurs

•Princess Adelowo

OUNG graduates and goaldriven starters who wish to pursue self-employment and unearth their entrepreneurial potential will soon have access to global training and mentorship and initial capital to start their own companies. This is the focus of the AnneGift Foundation, a skill-based empower-

ment organisation being promoted by Princess Aderonke Adelowo, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of MoreCare Services (UK) Limited. AnneGift will offer training and mentorship in agriculture, designs, clothing and beauty businesses among others. The Foundation has already raised its initial capital and setting up its multi-purpose farm settlement in Ilaro, Ogun State where it will train young entrepreneurs on state-of-the-art farming techniques. In an interview with The Nation, Adelowo said the Foundation plans to collaborate with some Nigerian banks and organisations to provide funding for the members of the Foundation with a view to boosting the development o Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. She said the Foundation will work on the United Kingdom model of entrepreneurial empowerment under which funds are used to purchase required facilities and equipment for the entrepreneurs rather than direct disbursement of the funds to the beneficiaries.

“My experience in UK is that, such money is not released directly to the beneficiaries. The approach there is that the equipment and assets needed to set up are purchased and made available to the beneficiaries. Money is never given to those starting up good businesses, but without financial strength. This is to avoid expending the money on something else. My determination is to replicate similar standard and approach in Nigeria, especially on supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and offering vocational training,” Adelowo said. She said the Foundation would source funds and provide guarantee for members of the group under an arrangement that allows them to own their businesses while making agreed remittances to the group to recoup the initial investment over a period o time. “I have looked into banks and some private organizations with respect to approach and information on how to encourage and boost SMEs in Nigeria. The Foundation is very keen on this, because training alone is like

opening a wound, without treating it, the wound will get deteriorated. The Foundation has also got information on availability of funds in certain banks where loans can be sourced for skill acquisition programme. My focus is to ensure that, when such money is available, it is used for the purpose it was collected,” Adelowo said. According to her, for those graduate trainees of the Foundation who chose to leave after their training, the organisation shall support them by introducing them to where they can access funds. She said her Foundation would assist Nigeria to repatriate its huge human capital that is wasting away in foreign countries by assisting and encouraging Nigerians without proper documentations and tangible means of livelihood abroad to return to Nigeria. She noted the increasingly difficult economic environment in Europe and America pointing out that now in UK, any company that employs illegal immigrants will earn a minimum fine

of 10,000 pounds, therefore, making it difficult to get jobs now in England. “The Foundation will counsel Nigerians to return home and make themselves available for vocational training, which is being initiated by AnneGift back in Nigeria. We have got a land space that will accommodate 100 trainees at a time in Ilaro, Ogun State, South West Nigeria. The Foundation will accommodate them and ask about their area of interest – which trade they wish to learn. If it is farming, the Foundation will offer the training and support them,” Adelowo said. She said while the Foundation hopes to access funds from international and Nigerian organisations in future, it will run in the meantime on the initial capital she personally provided as part of her contributions to the development of the country. She decried the dehumanising conditions under which Nigerians work and live abroad in the quest for money, noting that such energy could be channeled to more dignifying productive ventures at home.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS PENSION

CPS: Workers to access mortgage with 25% RSA balance A

RE you a contributor under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and a retirement Savings Account (RSA) holder? If your answer is yes, then you may soon be able to access up to 25 per cent of your RSA balance and utilise as equity contribution for a residential mortgage loan. Twenthy-five per cent of your RSA balance will enable you to access a mortgage loan of between N1.5 million and N50 million. This was contained in the draft guidelines on withdrawals from Retirement Savings Account (RSA) towards Equity Contribution for Payment of Residential Mortgage released to the public by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). Section 89 (2) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 provides that a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) may, subject to guidelines issued by the Commission, apply a percentage of pension fund assets in the retirement savings account towards payment of equity contribution for payment of residential mortgage by a holder of Retirement Savings Account (RSA). Pursuant to the referenced Section 89(2), these guidelines provide the framework for its implementation. It seek to provide the operational modalities for PFAs in determining the eligibility requirements, procedures and documentation required to enable RSA contributors to access and utilize part of their RSA balances towards equity contribution in respect

•Insurance firms favoured

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

of first home ownership mortgages. Meanwhile, a RSA holder shall access a portion of the RSA balance as equity contribution for residential mortgage, only once in a lifetime and may not be entitled to a lump sum payment at retirement. The guideline however favors insurance operators as it requires that the property to be purchased by a RSA shall have comprehensive insurance policy in the name of the borrower, to cover the replacement or reinstatement cost of the property. The insurance policy must note the RSA Fund as one of the first loss payees, to cover the equity contribution released by the PFA. The general principles in the guideline to access RSA Balance reads: “All applications by RSA holders to access and utilise a percentage of their RSA balances as equity contribution for mortgage loans shall be approved by the Commission. “A RSA holder shall access a portion of the RSA balance as equity contribution for residential mortgage, only once in a lifetime. He or she shall make a formal application to the PFA requesting for a portion of the RSA balance as equity contribution for a mortgage loan.

“A RSA holder that has utilized a portion of the RSA balance as equity contribution for residential mortgage may not be entitled to a lump sum payment at retirement. An eligible RSA holder shall be allowed to access a maximum of 25 per cent of the RSA balance as equity contribution for a mortgage loan. “The RSA balance shall be the Value of an Accounting Unit of the Fund (VAUF) of the RSA Fund multiplied by the accounting units held by the RSA holder as at the date the application was received.” The guideline further reads that in order to qualify to access the RSA balance as equity contribution for a mortgage loan, the RSA holder must be in active employment, either as a salaried employee or self-employed person. He or she must have been contributing consistently for a minimum of 10 years, prior to the application for drawdown. “The RSA holder’s Debt to Income ratio shall not exceed 33.33 per cent of his or her net monthly income at the time of applying for the mortgage. The RSA holder’s debt shall be the sum of the monthly mortgage repayments and other personal debt obligations that impact on his monthly income.

“The RSA holder shall provide the required documentation as required under Section 5.0 and, or other additional documentation requested, from time to time. The guideline also read: “An eligible RSA holder shall use the proceeds of the mortgage loan to purchase either a single-family home or an apartment in a multi-unit building, which must be owner-occupied. The title to the property must have a fully perfected title and free from any encumbrance. “The property shall have comprehensive insurance policy in the name of the borrower, to cover the replacement or reinstatement cost of the property. The insurance policy must note the RSA Fund as one of the first loss payees, to cover the equity contribution released by the PFA. “The valuation of the property to be purchased with the mortgage loan shall be carried out by a licensed, independent valuer who is a member in good standing with the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV) and must carry Professional Indemnity Insurance with an insurance company licensed and in good standing with National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). “The mortgage loan amount shall be a minimum of N1.5Million and a maximum of N50Million and the tenor shall be for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years.”

Ambode to increase retirement benefit bond funding rate

AGOS State Pension Commission has said Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode may soon increase Retirement Benefit Bond Redemption Fund Accounts (RBBRF) of retirees. Its Director-General, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, made this known in Lagos while clarifying that the governor had not decided on the a new funding rate. She said the governor had only directed that the rate be increased following recommendations by actuarial consultants that the funding rate be increased to 12.41 per cent from five per cent. According to her, the state has consistently on a monthly basis, funded the RBBRF with an amount equal to five per cent of the total monthly personnel cost of the active workers. She said the actuarial consultants were appointed by the government to value pension liabilities owed retirees of the state. Mrs Onanuga explained the consultants had identified the problem of inadequate funding rate and that the governor wants to ensure that funds were available to pay the terminal entitlements of the retirees.

Premium Pension assets hit N370b

REMIUM Pension Limited, a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) has recorded pension assets in excess of N370 billion and pension enrollees spread in over 1000 organisations across the country, the company’s Managing Director, Wilson Ideva has said. He made this known in an interaction with reporters in Lagos. He highlighted the greater role of the media in the consolidation and improvement of pension industry gains and the importance of premium pension contributions. He said the company has paid out over N87 billion to over 33,000 retirees or their next-of-kin as entitlements since 2007, adding that the Company maintains well over 600,000 Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs). Ideva said Premium Pension has already been firmly established as a key player in the new Contributory Pension Scheme. He said: “It is important to note that Premium Pension has consistently posted return on investment of pension asset well above industry average and above inflation. “It is important to note that Premium Pension has been paying out monthly pension to retirees on the 19 of every month. Our retirees have attested to the fact that even when they were in active service they never received their monthly salaries on that date. While we continue to pay monthly pension, our return on investment has continued to outstrip the amounts paid. This has led to agitations for payment of additional

lump sum and, or increase in monthly withdrawal, which shows the evidence of the huge success that the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) has been. “Professionalism in pension service rendition at Premium Pension is complemented by the Company’s adoption of the robust Canadian Pension Administration Software (CPAS). We are partnering with this organisation to ensure continued cutting edge service delivery. All the relevant staff members operating this software have been adequately trained in Canada by CPAS. “The company is run by young Nigerian professionals and a wholly Nigerian board of diverse background and competencies. With a view to facilitating its operations and enhancing customer service and interaction, Premium Pension recently introduced a mobile application known as The Premium Pension Mobile. This is in response to the evident need for devices that would further close the gap between the company’s operations and its customers on the one hand and the customers and their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) on the other. He, however, said that the major challenge facing the CPS in Nigeria is lack of adequate public awareness, stressing that lack of awareness is even noticeable among the supposedly enlightened in the society. He said the situation is an offshoot of the initial skepticism that greeted the pension reform in 2004.

NSE, TUC, NAICOM join PenCom board

HE Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have joined the board of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the Head, Research and Corporate Strategy Department of PenCom, Umaru Farouk Aminu, has said.

Aminu made this known during a chat with Insurance and Pension Correspondents in Lagos. He said earlier, the Commission had the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Union of Pensioners; Private sector and the Federal Government on its board.

•From left: Yanju Olomola, National Key Account Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited; Olajide Ahmadu, Shoprite Festival Mall Branch Manager; Grace Owolabi, Key Account Manager, Jumoke Oguntolu, Key Account Sales Services Manager, NBC and Boluwaji Popoola, Shoprite Festival Mall Sales Manager ,during the opening of Shoprite Festival Mall at FESTAC Extension, Lagos on Thursday.

Unfunded US pension debts exceed $3tr

T’S well-known that there’s a huge financial hole in state-sponsored retirement plans for public employees, a hole that states will eventually have to fill with tax increases and spending cuts. There is, however, still considerable debate as to the size of this government debt owed to public employees. In July 2015, the Pew Charitable Trusts released their latest issue brief, reporting that as of 2013, the nation’s state-run retirement systems had a $968 billion funding gap GPS +0.00 per cent, not far from the “Trillion Dollar Gap” they reported in 2010. The Gap is Actually Bigger As serious as this sounds, the true magnitude of unfunded pension promises for the systems tracked by Pew is much larger. The system of measurement and budgeting for public pension promises has fallen prey to one of the fundamental fallacies in financial economics: undervaluing a

risk-free stream of promised cash flows by assuming that the promises can be met with high, anticipated returns on smaller pools of risky assets. When I correct the calculations to reflect the expectation of public employees that these promises will be honored, the market value of unfunded liabilities proves to be far larger: $3.28 trillion (as of 2013). Moreover, this figure excludes local government obligations such as those of U.S. cities and counties. Pew collects its information from state government disclosures. Its 2013 data suggest that, across 237 state-level pension systems, there were $3.43 trillion of liabilities backed by $2.47 trillion of assets. In other words, this implies a net gap GPS +0.00% of around $1 trillion. These liability measures are far too low. They are based on state assumptions of high assumed returns on risky asset portfolios: the median assumed return was 7.75% (and the liability-

weighted average 7.66%). The funding gap amounts to a mere $1 trillion only if the public plans can achieve these high compound annualized returns over the horizon during which these benefits must be paid. Yet governments have promised to pay the pensions regardless of what happens to the pension investments. As such, pension promises should be treated like the senior government debt they are, akin to default-free government bonds. Recommended by Forbes For a proper financial market valuation, the promised pensions should first be adjusted to reflect only accrued benefits, or retirement payments that employees would be entitled to receive under their current salary and years worked. This is not how governments do it today, but my 2011 paper with Robert Novy-Marx did this recomputation for most of the plans in the Pew study. •Culled from Forbes

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Essiet_daniel@yahoo.com 08180714151

Shea butter production was the focus of a programme anchored by Lagos-based entrepreneur, Mrs Mobola Sagoe, to assist women hone their entrepreneurial skills. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Helping women in shea butter production T

HE Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shea Origin Nigeria project, Mrs Mobola Sagoe, knows the importance of teaching local women to get involved in shea butter production. She is one of the most successful businesswomen, who have made fortune from promoting beauty products. Her companies, which include a spa and beauty clinic, supply cosmetics and export shea butter to the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States. A prominent woman entrepreneur,the CEO, Shea Origin Nigeria Inc, studied beauty therapy at the Pivot Point Beauty School, Chicago, United States. Upon graduation, she relocated to the UK where she started her first beauty business, La Feminic, in 1988. She knew that women take great pride in their appearance and was convinced that there it was a niche market she could delve into. Thus, she went for further training in beauty techniques, eventually returning home to establish her firm. She has been at the cutting-edge of professional skin care and the manufacturing of organic skin care products. Mrs Sagoe, a professional esthetician (skin care therapist), with 28 years’ experience, has not only developed and manufactured organic skin care products to give and maintain smooth, healthy, supple and bright skin, but also treat problem skin with her products: the Flawless® skin care range, and the Shea Butter Origin® range. These are the core ingredients used at the three Beauty spa outlets by La Feminic in Lagos. Today, she is recognised for her skincare beauty products and marketing. Her skincare line has been a huge success because she took into account black skins and the Nigeria’s climate. She based her beauty products on shea butter ingredients, incorporating a centuries-old tradition that uses ‘the power of the plant’ in health and beauty treatments. According to her, the use of shea butter has been increasing in recent years as consumers are demanding better quality natural, minimally processed ingredients in personal care items and food. Internationally, 90 per cent of shea nuts is used for the food and confectionary industry, for the production of cocoa butter equivalents

• Shea butter

or improvers, confectionaries and margarines. Nigeria is a leading producer of sheanut in the world. As part of her commitment to promoting a sustainable shea industry, she is implementing a pilot project to help women gather the shea nuts and process them into butter. But one of the things that make her proud is taking over the shea processing centre in Saki,Oyo State to train villagers, mostly women, on how to pick and process shea nuts and make a living from it. She promotes empowerment by organising and training them to produce, market, and sell high quality shea butter themselves. Supported by The USAID Nigeria Expanded Trade and Transport Program (NEXTT), her firm strives to lift women and their families out of extreme poverty through improved shea production. She is convinced she will achieve a lot for the women by shea is in high demand in various sectors and world markets. The principal factors driving demand include continued rising

demand for cocoa butter equivalents (CBEs) due to rising world consumption of chocolate, high prices for cocoa, and strong demand for natural cosmetics and soaps. To her, shea butter is “Women’s Gold” for the dollars it yields. The villagers get involved through manually collecting, sorting, crushing, roasting, grinding, separating the oils from the butter and shaping the finished product. The raw nuts collected from the are processed into unrefined shea butter. Also,they make money by selling the raw nuts to companies who extract, refine and export the oil abroad for cosmetic purposes. In the process, she said a hefty markup is added which create profits through the value chain. Major destinations for Nigeria’s shea nuts are the European Union and Japan while for the shea butter, they are in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Of the estimated 600,000 tonnes of shea nuts from West Africa, about 350,000 tons are exported, mostly as raw nuts. The balance are processed for local consumption. The market,

•Mrs Sagoe

according to her, values high-quality nuts because they deliver higher yields when processing butter. According to her, the oil content is the most crucial element of the shea nut as that component is an important ingredient in the composition of the butter that goes into Cocoa Butter

Equivalents and other by-products. If the oil content is higher and the FFA and moisture content is lower, then the exporter will receive a price premium. With an investment of as little as N50,000, Mrs Sagoe said entrepreneurs could go into nuts gathering for big merchants. According to her, profits from the business will provide income to communities where most of the population live below poverty line. What she intends to achieve is to ensure that companies source products directly from producers in the villages. And she seems, indeed, bent on helping women to make money through shea production. Shea products, she said, have been produced by women in poor, rural areas for generations. Improving quality, encouraging demand and increasing production, she added is a way to alleviate poverty. She sees the growth of the industry as beneficial for these producers. The joy of putting smiles on the faces of people that this business offers, is making her want to do it forever. According to her, support at the national level, community groups, associations and strong corporate linkages can produce results. But to ensure long-term sustainability and widespread economic growth in the sector, she said changes must be made to improve the capabilities of the women involved in the business at a national scale. One reason she has been successful is because of her commitment to her work. She believes it takes a certain mindset to succeed. This includes the refusal to see problems as setbacks. Her firm has also been selected as global supply partners for Shea Radiance,an international organisation that supplies communities with locally fabricated equipment to help increase production output, relieve physical labor of production and provide a consistent and improved quality of Shea butter. Shea Origin centres on a communitybased cooperative and seeks to improve the livelihoods of women shea nut producers by offering training, greater ownership within the supply chain and access to improved technology.

A young entrepreneur, Gbenga Akinyemi, finds fortune in growing bell apples, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Making a fortune from growing bell apples

• Akinyemi

PPLE Wealth Ventures boss Gbenga Akinyemi’s passion for growing bell apples started after he discovered the fruit planted around where he lived is a money spinner. Before then, the fruits were just wasting away as they drop from the tree. At first, the graduate of Crop Production from the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, did not see growing fruits as rewarding. They only looked beautiful to him. According to him, the bell apple tree

was unique. It was bigger than the local apple. The other qualities, compared to the imported apple, ar attractiveness, nutritious, and medicinal natures. “I started with a tree in my family house at Okota. My aunt, now based in the United Kingdom, planted it. From that singular tree, I began to sell the fruits and make cool cash,” he said. Akinyemi, who has been in the bell apples business for over six years, said the business is a money spinner and wealth creator. Today, prominent farmers troop to his place to purchase bell apple fruits, seedlings as well as seek technical advice on the crop husbandry. He has managed to popularise bell apple plants following years of research. It was then that he resolved to grow apples to meet the demand. He added that he was not only making money from growing bell apples seedlings, but also making money selling bell apples. According to him, raising bell apple seedling can actually bring one a good fortune within a few months. Starting bell apples seedling farming,he said, requires as little as N20,000. Of this amount, N10,000 will go for seeds. At N100 per seed, one can plant 100 seeds. The remaining N10,000

goes for construction of container and other miscellaneous expenses. He encouraged new entrants to start with 100 seeds to maximise profit. One do not really have any other expenses until the bell apple seeds grow to seedling level, and ready for sales. He offers training for new entrants and link them to where to get good bell apple seeds. According to him, bell apples grow in any soil, except sandy soil. Hence, the plant will do well in one backyard. Though the tree grows in virtually every part of the country, it is more prevalent in the South, especially the Southsouth states – Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Balyesa and Edo. During planting, the seeds are pressed into the soil so that they are barely covered: Bell apple seeds require light to germinate. Space the seeds one inch apart. The farmers need to keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate: This may take as long as three weeks. The major cost of running the bell apple seedling business is purchasing the seeds and containers, among other things, such as watering can. Bell apple seedlings are ready for sale after 10 weeks of planting and can be sold for N750 per seedling. According to him, one can make 650

per cent profit from investment in the business. The more bell apple seeds one plants, the more money one can make within the space of 10 weeks. However, it takes at least three years for the seed to grow to a tree and begin to produce fruits. Each tree produces over 1,000 fruits per harvest and there is a minimum of two harvests in a year. Akinyemi said there is a need for millions of the plant seedling in the country. He noted that growing of the seedling is best done between now and April because there is a high demand for during the raining season. There is a market for bell apple seedlings, as there are only few the trees in Nigeria. There are high demands for the seedlings by big agricultural firms and fruit producing farms in the country. The Apple Wealth Ventures boss noted that the business of growing bell apple seedlings requires little time while it gives so much proceeds, “and I must say that the market is just growing in the country, while demand for it is so high. This gives better opportunities to anyone who ventures into it. He has grown more seedlings as demand for fruits and seedlings grew monthly. He has sold seedlings to prominent farmers across the country. He sells one

seedling at N100 while a fruit goes for between N100 and N500 depending on the size. The fruits are harvested in three seasons yearly. One tree can bear 1000 fruits or more according to age as production improves. He said though the tree has no disease threat, it is usually affected by pests from other plants in the farm which he easily fights using organic fertiliser. The tree is easy to tend, like other cash crops as picking is easy and does not require a lot of weeding. His work is not without challenges. He said though he is regarded as the best producer in the country, he has been unable to meet the market demand which has resulted in loss of tenders. That is why he wants more people to go into the business. He said the way forward is to embark on a campaign to have as many people as possible grow them so that together they can meet the demand. For him, an innovative agricultural management is key to success. This begins with determining the soil quality and making crop selection. He works for the betterment of farmers by employing few changes to maximise the returns from the land and increase their profit. According to scientists, an apple a day keeps one away from chronic diseases.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

INTERVIEW A few issues have cropped up on the nature of incentives local oil companies should enjoy. The Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Consulting Services and Director-General, Ascension Academy Institute Limited, Alatoye Azeez, speaks on these and other issues in this interview with EMMANUEL UDODINMA.

‘Indigenous, marginal field operators need pioneer status incentive’

HERE seems to be confusion on the granting of pioneer status to certain companies. What is your take on this? The truth is, there should be no cause for confusion on this matter because the laws are pretty clear. The Industrial development (Income Tax) Relief Act of 1971, now Cap 17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 firmly supports the action by government. In section 1 of that Act, the President is empowered to grant tax holiday to “any industry.” Pioneer status is one of the government’s tax incentives schemes advanced for the development of any industry and to encourage investment in particular sectors of the economy, to grow that sector and raise it to a level where it can satisfy the country’s needs. So, the government deliberately reduces the tax that accrues to it from a sector, or waives it totally to make funds available for further investment in that sector. Meanwhile, it could also be used to discourage investment where the government increases the taxes and makes the business unprofitable. Example is the tobacco industry. The cause of this confusion is not its unsuitability for the economy, but whether a particular sector qualifies for this pioneer status and its attendant tax exemptions. If there is no need for growth in that sector and the government grants the incentive, then, it would be a misplaced grant. If the government however identifies a shortfall in a sector of the economy, it can announce a tax incentive to entice more investors and therefore get more products to boost the economy. The Federal Government plans to make Nigeria a prime investment destination. In what significant ways can taxation be deployed to make that happen, especially in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector? The Federal government announced in 2005 that it intends to increase its daily oil production quota from 2.5mbpd to 4mbpd by 2010. The target for that is now 2020. Previously, the industry was quite comfortable with 2.5mbpd. However, faced with the challenge of producing an additional 1.5mbpd, additional investment was required and the government wanted the indigenous and marginal filed operators who are Nigerian businesses, to step up to the challenge. To demonstrate its seriousness, the government approved pioneer status for the industry, which means that whatever amount of taxes they need to pay, they could hold back and add to it to raise more funds from the banks for further exploration and production businesses. The objective of the government is the increase production of the 1.5million barrels to achieve the four million barrels. Some people are of the view that the government should grant production based incentive. Also, providing Tax Free Zones is another avenue that taxation can be deployed. In the tax free zones, no tax is supposed to be payable once the operator within the zone is an

approved entity and limits its activities to the zone. Nigeria currently boasts about 22 free trade zones. The Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zones (OGFTZ) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State is one of such. How has the government’s Pioneer Status Incentive (PSI) played out in the oil and gas sector? PSI has made substantial contributions towards the achievement of the government’s objectives for the indigenous and marginal field operators. A good example: when the International Oil Companies (IOCs), particularly Shell, started divesting their onshore assets, if the indigenous and the marginal field operators had not taken them over, the oil production level would have dropped owing to the exit of the IOCs. Lately, the President promised the indigenous oil and marginal field operators support so that they contribute up to 1.2mbpd from the current 200, 000bpd. If this target will be achieved by year 2020, it is important that security of their assets and investments is guaranteed. So, while it could be said that the government is yet to achieve the set target that is now reset for the year 2020, we can say that there has been a remarkable achievement that pushed the local producers’ contribution from a total of about 80,000bpd to about 200,000 bpd. Since the PSI was introduced, has there been any breaches regarding its grant by government to companies? The government cannot be compelled to grant PSI. In fact, the process for obtaining it is a complex one that involves applications, making business cases, inspections and approval processes by no less than three government agencies. If all these procedures are duly followed, I believe that the question of breaches would not arise. Some of the issues that people have raised are that oil and gas companies are not under the Companies Income Tax (CIT) and therefore the government should not have given them. There are two questions here. Firstly, is there a business that is not allowed to deduct its business expenses and capital allowances that are wholly exclusively and necessarily incurred for the business? Secondly, if as claimed, those deduction are sufficient, why are the IOCs divesting? Are they tired of making profits or what? If Nigerian companies are taking up the security challenges of the operating environment, and the government supports them, is the government commendable or condemnable. In my own view, I think the government has taken the right decision and it cannot be said to be an infraction when the grant and the procedures are legally supported. Another issue is whether people who do not have oil blocks were not given pioneer status so that they can claim tax benefits. This is a very naïve proposition. This is not a payment by the Government like Export Expansion Grant (EEG) or fuel subsidy. This is something that you generate and you re-invest in further exploration and development activities for further production. So

• Alatoye

‘

If Nigerian companies are taking up the security challenges of the operating environment, and the government supports them, is the government commendable or condemnable. In my own view, I think the government has taken the right decision and it cannot be said to be an infraction when the grant and the procedures are legally supported if you don’t have a block and you are given pioneer, you will simply be a looser because the two per cent processing fees you pay to the government is lost and besides, all your efforts will be a total waste as there is no benefit to such a company. What industry or companies would you regard as the biggest beneficiaries of the PSI arrangement and why? There are actually two classes of beneficiaries: direct beneficiaries and indirect beneficiaries. The direct beneficiaries are the government and the local oil companies. The indirect beneficiaries are the employed individuals and communities with improved corporate social responsibilities. Most of those criticising the PSI may be doing so because they are insufficiently informed about the scheme. The government benefited by way of increased oil production which would not have happened had the divested assets not been put back to work by the LOCs. This means more income to the government in royalties that is based on production. It means more revenue to the government in transaction taxes, including withholding taxes and value added taxes. Secondly, the oil companies will benefit to the extent that there is a base fund they could use to raise more funds from the banks for more exploration activities. If such base funds are not available, the only option left to them is to operate at the level they are, or at their own pace and

’

not at the government’s pace. Apart from the government and the companies, the Nigerian masses are indirect beneficiaries of the PSI schemes in terms of employment and corporate social responsibilities to the communities. This has a catalytic effect on the quality of life and can arrest potential insecurity by mopping able men from the street. In terms of management and implementation of the PSI policy, what concerns could government genuinely have? One of the genuine concerns that the government could have is whether the tax relief was utilised as applied for. Since this is measurable in number terms, it is fairly simple. Two key tools that the government could use to ensure compliance is monitoring and enforcement of the terms of grant. Another aspect of concern is whether the local companies are employing or have employed as they promised during the process of the grant. Finally, the government should be able to control the approvals where necessary. Again, this is also measurable. As to monitoring, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission is empowered to monitor compliance with the terms of the grant and Section 7 of the IDITRA is very clear. The Government can cancel or restrict any grant and this is why I say that the whole scheme is wholly within the control of the government. How can the benefit(s) of PSI be maximised?

There must be clear definition of what it is meant to achieve. The second issue is where the objectives have not been met, what does it do? It simply has to move on with the scheme at the appropriate time to ensure that not only it meets its objectives but that it exceeds it. The local oil companies would do themselves a lot of good if they invest wholly the fund in further productions and even beyond the years of the pioneer period, keep on growing their capital base so that they can have the strength of the IOCs. Why is the average Nigerian largely ignorant of the PSI policy? Firstly, it is a challenge of the overall literacy level in the country. Apart from the professionals especially the lawyers, accountants and tax practitioners, hardly would you see anyone that understands how this scheme works. What many people think is that it is a payment to the oil companies just like the EEG or the fuel subsidy. They would even say that the government declared bonaza! Some people are not ignorant but are either selfish or simply mischievous. For instance, it is a good selfishness if a tax collector who is retiring in the next three years raises strong objection to PSI. It is understood because it would reduce its own current collection but increases its successors collections. This objection is understood and acceptable. A better way to manage this is to exclude the scheme from yardstick of current performance and consider the investment of previous administration in subsequent collections. All these are intellectual works that needs to be well coordinated at the government level. There are other people whose industry is not their turn to benefit. Of course, it cannot be said that those categories do not understand but the issue is that they are not benefiting and therefore, to them the scheme is not fine by them. It is for the government to stand its feet and achieve its set targets for the scheme. Government is a continuum and this type of scheme would benefit the nation. Therefore, it should not be seen from personal perspective but in the overall benefit of the country. What steps do you think government should take to improve the PSI at this time? The first thing is for the government to carry people along through enlightenment programme. This would give people opportunity to contribute to the grant. Secondly, there is need for reform in all aspects of our legal system. The law should be reviewed such that where amendments are needed, it could be easily made. Thirdly, the grant should be subjected to rigorous intellectual processes such that no one will come and say that a government scheme is deficient. Fourthly, there must be monitoring of the scheme to ensure that the government objectives are met and finally, there must be enforcement of the terms of grant. The government should have the courage to caution deviation from the terms of grant and either cancel or restrict it as the law provides. Government should adopt a scientific approach on the issues of PSI, enlighten the people on a continuous basis, strengthen its monitoring and enforcement procedures to enable the country continue to enjoy the benefits of the PSI scheme.

NATION SPORT EXTRA

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NATION SPORT EXTRA

TRANSFER. TRANSFER... TRANSFER ..

Casillas: Why I left Real Madrid

Martinez: Stones didn´t mean to submit transfer request

OBERTO Martinez said John Stones' transfer request "was something he didn't mean to do", with the defender set to stay at Everton. Manager Martinez has been under pressure to keep the 21year-old central defender from Premier League champions Chelsea, but with the Tuesday transfer deadline fast approaching, Stones is set to stay for now. The former Wigan boss added Stones' attempt to get a transfer out of Merseyside went against the England international's wishes. "Probably the only place he has found a little bit of freedom has been when he is out on the pitch playing football," Martinez said of the Stones-Chelsea talk. "You get confused with all that goes on. You are a footballer, we are not doing courses that deal with all the pressure the transfer window

brings. "I had other situations where I had players who couldn't cope and couldn't play. I had windows where I had to leave a player out completely. "With John it's very easy because he's a pristine professional. Obviously he's been put under massive, massive pressure. The transfer request was something he didn't mean to do." He added: "We have real clarity - for us it is closed." Stones earned the wrath of Everton's fans after putting in a transfer request, but Martinez said they will be forgiving once his stay is confirmed. "He knows the fans will be with him and will understand what's happened," said Martinez. "The way he has always been performing, always been a top professional, never letting the team down or the football club down, he is a true Evertonian."

Raul Garcia completes Bilbao switch

THLETIC Bilbao have completed the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder, Raul Garcia on a four-year contract. The two clubs agreed a deal in principle on Sunday and the 29-year-old underwent a medical on Monday before putting pen to paper. Raul Garcia's new contract includes a •40million release clause. The Spain international made 212 La Liga

•Casillas

KER Casillas has revealed that he left Real Madrid for Porto because he "needed space to breathe". The World Cup winning goalkeeper brought an end to a 25-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu side in the summer after facing heavy criticism for his performances over the last three years. And the 34-year-old admits that the situation grew too intense for him and he felt the time was right to leave he club. "There was a spell when I was getting a lot of criticism and I needed time away from that;" he told reporters. "I’m happy now and it shows on my face. "It was a tough move, but for me this is a new experience with renewed feelings of excitement. "The situation at Madrid was not the best; I was always the focus of attention, be it positive or negative, and I needed space to breathe." Madrid got the season off to a poor start when they were held to a goalless draw by newly-promoted Sporting Gijon in their opening game, but recovered on Saturday with a 5-0 win over Real Betis.

Casillas is impressed by Rafael Benitez's side and believes they will do well this season. "They look good to me. They’ve reinforced the squad with some interesting players," he said. "We started off with a draw in Gijon, but that was just a question of the team gelling. "Let’s hope they can continue doing as well as they did against Betis. They have to reduce that two-point gap, but not drive themselves crazy about it. There’s still a long

way to go." The shot-stopper's downfall in Madrid began during Jose Mourinho's time there and the pair will come up against each other again this season, with Porto being drawn in the same Champions League group as Chelsea. "The draw brought some stories," he said, hinting at his reunion with the Portuguese coach. “There’s intrigue right from the group stage draw, I could tell as soon as I went out into the street. We can’t compete

with the big teams but we’re going to try to put in a good campaign. “I’d like to be in the Champions League final at San Siro with Porto and be up against Real Madrid." Casillas also feels he still has a lot to add to his team, despite his veteran status. “I’m not immortal; I’m going to keep battling, although I’d love to continue playing until I’m 60. Right now I feel in good shape and I hope to continue playing for a long time."

Borini completes Sunderland switch

IVERPOOL striker Fabio Borini has completed a move to Sunderland on a four-year contract. The Italy international previously spent the 2013-14 Premier League season on loan at the Stadium of Light. "I am delighted to be back at Sunderland," he told the club's official website. "It is a club I know really well from my time here previously. "It will be emotional for me to play at the Stadium of Light again and I can't wait to get back on the pitch as a

•Borini

appearances for Atletico after arriving from Osasuna in 2007-08. During his time in Madrid, Raul Garcia helped Atletico to the Liga title in 2013-14, while he tasted success in the Copa del Rey (2012-13), Supercopa de Espana (2014), UEFA Europa League (2009-10) and UEFA Super Cup (2010 and 2012). Raul Garcia will be presented as a Bilbao player later on Monday.

Sunderland player." Head coach Dick Advocaat added: "Fabio is a great addition to the squad who will make our front line stronger. "He can play in a number of attacking positions which is a huge benefit to the team." Borini endured a difficult time at Anfield having failed to become a first-team regular following his arrival from Roma in 2012. The 24-year-old scored 10 goals in all competitions during his previous stint on Wearside.

•Garcia

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS

Scientists harp on quality water for research, analysis, others

CIENTISTS have called on labo ratory attendants to use quality water in their analysis and other investigations. They said the use of impure water leads to wrong results because there are various contaminants in unpurified water. The experts, who spoke at a workshop, tagged the Laboratory Water Academy (LWA), organised by the National Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT), Katchey Company Limited and Merck Millipore in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, stressed the importance of water as the most used re-agent in the laboratory. NISLT’s Director-General, Dr Ighodalo Ijagbone, said water is an essential chemical used in the laboratory as it constitutes about 85 per cent of chemical constituents. “So, the quality of water matters to what scientists do in the laboratory if they are to get the right result. For example, if bad water is used for investigation that may be of clinical value, such as diagnosing the cause of a disease, there is no way one can get good result for the doctors to treat the patient effectively,” he said. He continued: “This is why the experts from Merck are trying to build our capacity so that we can produce quality water that is fitting for the laboratory. “The water used in the laboratory is quite different from portable drinking water because it was purified through a system, which is higher than that of drinking water.” The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Katchey Company Limited, Mrs Kate

By Wale Adepoju

Isa, said some laboratories do cut corners by using impure or poor quality water for analysis without thinking of the consequences. “When an analyst uses air condition water or bottled water for analysis because it is cheaper, he or she would not get the right result. The result may be false, positive or negative, which means that bad products may be released into the market. And this may hurt the people. If the said products are traced back to the company that produced them, it can be shut. In the long run, it is very costly as it may affect the company’s reputation and also damage its equipment. This is because the company used water, which has contaminants. The consumables will also not last,” she said. She said Merck Millipore is also interested in strengthening the capacity of regulatory companies because it would ensure that special products are made so that people are well served. Mrs Isa charged the Federal Government to put in place economic policies that will encourage investors, especially in laboratory sciences. Director of Marketing, Merck Millipore, Dr. Maurice Memme, said the training was significant because water is crucial to everything scientists do in the labs. Memme, who spoke on water purification solution for labs, said there could not be accurate results from research or labs’work or application without clean water. Memme, who is in-charge of Water Purification in East Europe/Middle

East/Africa, said if people use unpurified water, which of course have twice the quantities of metal in it to grow cells or to do in-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) people will never get result. “The metals will inhibit all the reactions that are backing the cells’ growth and division. This will give scientists wrong result,” he said. He spoke of water being categorised according to their level of purity, adding: “Type-one water is the most pure water, which people can have and use for all serious applications in the laboratory. Also, there is type-two water, which is used in the vast majority of analytical researches. Type three is less clean and it is for general laboratory use, eg, washing machine.” Distillation alone, he said, cannot produce pure water. This, he said, is because the quantity of distilled water, if measured, is five times lower than water gotten through the purification system. “People cannot rely on one technology if they want to produce pure water,” he said. He said Nigeria is ripe to have laboratory water at every point in time, adding that there are established water purification system plants already. “We have eight water purification systems/units working at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),” he said. Memme said there was the need for effective regulation of labs water, adding that it would ensure that only quality water is used for experiments in the labs.

• From left: President, Jaagel Nigeria Limited, Gbolade Famoriyo; Ijagbone, Dr Memmi and Mrs Isa at the event. PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

Ondo to establish clinic for adolescents

NDO State Government has said it is building a well-being clinic for young people at the state’s Specialist Hospital, Akure. Its Health Commissioner, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, who spoke in Akure at the International Youth Day (IYD) celebration, said it will consolidate on the success of its adolescent and youth friendly programme. He described adolescence as a phase where young people need to make choices based on right information, adding that the state initiated the Adolescent and programme to support and advise youths on their health. “We are also retraining our health workers on the need to be friendly to young people who come for counselling on their reproductive health issues. From the gate man, to the apex health worker,

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

their disposition would determine whether their patients would come back or not.” The commissioner spoke of the readiness of his ministry to embrace a multi-sectoral approach, and as such, collaborate with its education, information and culture counterparts to infuse into the schools curricular reproductive health issues. “There is no question about the fact that our youths are susceptible to psycho-substance abuses, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and other related ills in the society that have necessitated a holistic action plan,” Adeyanju said. “The well-being clinic will soon be inaugurated, and is not limited to the sick, but also healthy people who will be given proper orienta-

tion on their health status,” he added The commissioner said the ministry had been using information communication technology (ICT), especially cellphones, to reach out to the people and familiarise the youth with numerous health programmes and sensitisation technologically. Adeyanju, who assured that the government would continue to create an enabling environment for young people, urged them to engage in things that would make them become great in life. He said the government has employed many young people in all its health facilities and institutions, adding that the state’s University of Medical Sciences in Ondo is offering postgraduate studies in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G), adding that it would start in October by admitting direct entry students only for this year.

HEALTH TALK with How to deal with challenges of puberty Introduction

HESE messages and information being passed to the new and growing person may be through human beings or through machines such as computer, books, newspapers and television. Similarly, any major event such as death or divorce between the parents within the family or arrival of a new birth may cause major influence on the growing child. In all, this is the stage of great curiosity when the child could easily master any appropriate skill that may aid future conducts and productivity. At this stage, the child is defenceless, has no sense of risks or dangers. The child could not say “no” to illegal approaches, or discern what is morally good from what is bad. The vulnerability is huge. He believes all and trusts in practically everyone. Yet, his or her memory of these individuals and events around him or her cannot be so erased when he/she becomes adult. Years 6-10: A couple of events would prepare the child for her future role: good or bad. a) The child is a great learner even if academically poor. He or she learns in other ways: thinking or asking questions about his body and environment. He wonders why things are in the way they are. He or she would like to change things or see things done in certain ways. b) The hormones that will later in life, affect the child’s future will gradually but in some unpredictable ways, increase in their activities including the hormones that dictate physical growth (growth hormone) and overall appearance either transforming as a male or female. c) The child’s sexual identity is by now almost irreversible. The private part (genitals) is now well defined. d) The child has great enquiring mind, trying to understand his environments. He or she wonders aloud often asking embarrassing questions from the adults. He or she dreams what the adult found impossible or even found ridiculous which to the child, may not be a major issue. The child has very limited sense of danger and risks. He or she could undertake a potentially dangerous task. The ability to discern good from bad is clearly present in this age group. However, depending on what he has been taught, the child is vulnerable to abuse from peers and adults. He believes all and trusts in practically everyone. Therefore, the future behaviour of the child could considerably be influenced at this point in life—forever even unto the next generation! Yet, his or her memory of events at this age preserved. Age of 10 to 13 Years. “From here, we go our different ways” is perhaps the best way to describe the changes at this age range. These are crucial years for the child, the parent or guardian, teachers and the society. This age range is the age in which visible differences occur between male and female: in which a girl will be a girl, later a woman and a boy will be boy, later a man. This is a vulnerable and perilous time. Some changes take place in the child (see below for more) and so many questions are asked by the growing teen: Those questions deserve credible answers to such an extent that, a wrong answer could affect the child’s world view permanently. Presumably, the child, boy or girl is in school at this stage, tutored by the parents (or not influenced at all), the school teachers and the peers. This is the age group that the law and the larger society begins to expect some social and legal responsibility from the child. As we shall see later, this is the age when rebellion at home and rebellion against the law might begin to appear. Welcome to teenage years. The Girl and the Young Woman The girl, at this age is hugely at advantage:

Dr Joel Akande Infertility Specialist and Consultant 08188343865 managementlease@yahoo.com

hormonally speaking. The girl’s body (under effect of estrogens and progesterone, as well as moderate effect of testosterone hormones) begins to be increasingly active with dramatic effects. This is the time when due to the increased hormones (follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone) from the brain (pituitary), estrogens, progesterone from the ovaries begin to affect the rest of her body. Also, due to the hormones and in particular, testosterone, the skin may be greasy due to increased oil production under the skin, pimples may appear on the face and in some girls, and pimples may be troublesome. Thus: (a) The breasts begin to be enlarged steadily and even dramatically. (b) Hairs appear in the armpits and gradually in the private area (pubic hair) and other areas of the skin. (c) Growth/height is accelerated faster than similar age group in boys (d) Size/girth/waist increases (e) Finally at about 13years (or sooner in some girls), of age in most girls, though may be delayed in others, menstruation sets in, first irregularly which may later settle down in most girls to regular periods at about 17-18 years of age. This is what is called “period” or “monthly” events. The yesteryears baby may now have the appearance of a young pretty woman though she is very immature in every other way. She becomes conscious of herself and boys or even men may begin, to her surprise, to show interest in her! (f) At this stage of 13, the girl is virtually ready hormonally (but not mentally nor physically until about 18-20 years), for one of the tasks before her: reproduction! If she is unguided, she is at great risk indeed from sexual abuse and early pregnancy. The Boy and the Young Man In general, the boys lag behind the girls in the growth spurt race even though, on balance, most boys will catch up and exceed the girls later— in height. This occurs, because of the slight delay in production of hormone, testosterone, in boys. Unlike in girls, the major active hormone in boys is testosterone which is produced by the testes. With this exception, the growth in boys takes the same pattern as girls in that: (a) Testosterone begin to be increased in active amount from age of nineyears and reach high levels at about 14-16 when the growth of the boy is accelerated. (b) From 11-14, there is increased in amount and length of hairs in the face, armpit, and private part (genitals), and other areas of the boy. (c) The testes and penis is enlarged and there is on-going preparation for reproduction. d) At about 1416, the boy may have the first involuntary production of semen, often at night, to his amazement! This involuntary emission of semen or sperm is called “wet-dream.” The emission and experience is perfectly normal. There is also a rapid increase in height and girth. The young man will need counselling to be well informed about what is happening to his body at this stage. His sperm may be fertile enough to get a girl pregnant! Unguided, he may become a father too soon. •To be continued

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Ayo Fadaka is the Director of Publicity, Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with DAMISI OJO, he defends Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s policies. He also says the party will retain power in the next election.

‘PDP ’ll retain power in Ondo’ A

S a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP),how did you receive the news that Dr Goodluck Jonathan has lost to President Muhammadu Buhari? As we went into preparations for the election, I did realize absolutely that the contest was a close call and that any of the top two contending Parties was capable of swinging it, I know it was a possibility for Dr Goodluck Jonathan to lose the election and a possibility for Gen Buhari to win and this is because Jonathan already set a template for the conduct of free and fair elections and was not in any manner interfering with electoral proceedings. However I still hoped that somehow the PDP would had a marginal victory but in the end it was the APC that got it. It is however important to declare that it was a victory for democracy and the nation as we now have a credible electoral process, even I spite of the noticeable irregularities that characterized the conduct of the election in the North where millions of ineligible voters, children barely out of their diapers cast ballot for the APC. My only hope is that the process will be cleansed and that the Buhari administration will follow the template of the Jonathan Government of non interference in electoral process and allow elections to be sacrosanct, I just hope so, but I am however cautioned by the manner an acting INEC Chairman was appointed by Mr President when Jega stepped out. Java had earlier in the day had handed over to a National Commissioner who still had a longer tenure and hours later, Mr President reversed him and appointed that lady whose tenure as a Commissioner in INEC has since expired. That INEC issue remains the only matter in which Buhari has acted with dispatch till date. How will you assess the Mimiko administration? I am a member of the PDP and Mr Governor was in the Labour Party. You will recall that there existed a bitter rivalry between the PDP and Labour Party since it’s creation because it became the only foe of our Party and it succeeded in chasing us out of Government, therefore, it was normal for me and my Party to be totally and absolutely opposed to the Labour Party for this reason. However we are now members of the same party and all old acrimonious have since given way to a new spirit of comradeship since we now share a common political destiny. As to the achievements of his government, we all know that he has succeeded in introducing some dimensions to the provision of basic amenities and infrastructure in the State, the many markets he built came with a new vision, they are unique and if the truth must be said a beauty to behold, the mega schools continue to re-

main unique and it is copied by other states, Osun imitated it badly and just last week, Ebonyi State Government deployed its Education Commissioner and his team to come and under sturdy it. In the health sector, there are innovations too. The mother and child hospital scheme took the maternity concept to a higher realm with a view to guaranteeing the health of mother and child and probably eliminate child mortality and also ensure that our women too survive child birth. It is a unique program as statistics have shown that women from neighboring states controlled by the APC have been crossing the border to take advantage of this initiative. Another governorship election in Ondo State is knocking at the door and the PDP is fragmented. The APC is struggling to form the next government. What is your take on this development? It is an absolute misnomer to think or even declare that the PDP in Ondo State is in disarray, it is not true in any manner and a mere wish and desire of our opponents, which of course, will continue to remain a pipe dream. The APC will always remain a mirage in this state as it’s new contradiction will constitute an albatross on its neck, the APC will continue to remain a kite that will not fly in this state and this is even irrespective of the fact that it scored good votes during the national elections in March. The variable responsible for that fact is simply no longer there. Permit me to say that the number of votes the APC scored in Ondo State is not in any manner a reflection of its spread and potency here, but because many of our people were sucked in by the “change” mantra that propelled Buhari to power and it is instructive for me to say that it is going to be a different ball game in the gubernatorial election as the APC will again kiss the dust here. With the exit of former PDP bigwigs like Olusola Oke, Victor Olabimtan, Femi Agagu, Benson Enikuomehin and others, do you envisage that the PDP will still retain power after the election? Olusola Oke remains my good friend and so are Victor Olabintan and Femi Agagu, both of whom I consider as big brothers. I have said before that it was painful for the Party to loose these gentlemen to the APC, and this is because they were foundation members of

•Fadaka the party. But, believe me, we have since put their decampment behind us and we also continue to remain cocksure that they do not possess the capacity to injure the interest of PDP, the Yorubas say it is man that is behind the effigy known as Oro and that remains the only reason it can make any sound, the support base of these gentlemen that conferred on them the ability to effect serious political actions remains in the PDP. So, with due respect to all of them, they remain mere flag poles that will merely flutter in the air. I, however, want to reiterate my earlier call on them to return from their sojourn to this wonderland called APC, their kith and kin in PDP will forgive their miscalculation and reintegrate them. I remember that I also said that there remains another group that decamped alongside them, those ones have joined about six political parties since 1999, they cannot in any manner be regarded as any asset at all but mere Rolling Stones that gather no moss, like Obasanjo will say, “we dey kampe”. Therefore, I am confident that we will win the Governorship election in this State next year and this is grounded on the fact that we possess the political structures that will give us victory across the landscape of this State and the APC is still wandering loquacious lye like the proverbial drummer boy, without a clue to what its’ strategies will be. There are various petitions on the alleged misappropriation of funds by Governor

‘

You will recall that there existed a bitter rivalry between the PDP and Labour Party since it’s creation because it became the only foe of our Party and it succeeded in chasing us out of Government

’

Mimiko, which has prompted the invasion of the state by officials of the anti-graft agencies. Could you defend these allegations? The fact that the EFCC and other allied agencies are paying routine visits to this state based on the fact that some people wrote petitions to them does not in any manner indicate that the contents of those petitions upon which those petitions were predicated are facts that are sacrosanct. Thus the essence of those visits as you say is to determine the truth in those petitions and if so far nobody has been arraigned in court and convicted on the strength of any of these petitions, it means there are no cogent facts in them, therefore flimsy. However if you know anyone that has been investigated on the basis of this petition, you may seek their opinions. The APC is waxing stronger. With the Party already forming government at the centre, can the PDP make any headway? The APC waxing stronger in this state? I don’t know the indices on which your assumption is predicated. Maybe, you take the decampment of notable former members of our party like Oke, Olabintan and Femi Agagu as one of such indices, then I will quickly ask you that what effect did they have on the House of Assembly elections in their respective constituencies, save for Olabintan in any case. Or you probably take the radio programme that Enikuomehin and his gang do weekly on Adaba FM as another indices, then, you have already missed the very serious points that determine the strength of a party. I maintain and seriously too that the APC has not grown to a level that it will seriously challenge the PDP in Ondo State to a duel. People must also realize that the profile of the APC that gave it the Pre sidency is crumbling very fast as it is obvious that the Buhari Presidency cannot fulfill its electoral promises. Today, everybody is poking fun at Mr President who is now commonly referred to as”Baba Go Slow” please be assured that before the gubernatorial election in this State, The precarious balance that currently obtains in the APC would have tripped and it’s crisis must have escalated beyond comprehension. People are complaining the harsh policies of the state government. Will that not count against the PDP during next year’s election? We have to understand the underlying factors responsible for the actions of Government on Okada riders, however before I delve into that, it is important to underscore the fact that Governments of Lagos and Edo States have previously ban or restrict the operations of Okada in their respective States for reasons it considers in the interest of their States and heaven did not fall, those States are controlled by the APC. Hence, I cannot understand the need for hypocrisy of the APC in this state over the same issue that they have executed and perfected where they reign. Now it is important to examine the reasons for the actions taken on the Okada guys, Government notes that people simply drive ride their Okadas across the state borders to operate here without license and also use the same Okadas to commit crime.

‘Saraki plunged APC into crisis’

HE National President of Orisun Igbomina, a socio-cultural organisation in Kwara State, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, has said that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, deliberately plunged the All Progressives Congress (APC) into crisis because of his ambition. Speaking with reporters in Lagos recently, Awoyale implored the leadership of the APC to insist on party supremacy in its efforts to resolve the leadership crisis rocking the Senate. He said the lingering crisis could have been averted, if Saraki had complied with the APC’s directive over the issue. He said: “Truth as they say is bitter, but no matter what, the truth must be told no matter whose ox is

By Raymond Mordi

gored. It was Saraki’s inordinate ambition that precipitated the crisis. Why did Saraki disobey the APC leadership on how positions should be shared at the Senate? “He deliberately plunged the APC into this needless crisis and he is now shedding crocodile tears. Nobody should take him serious. He should be sanctioned for disobeying his party. He did the same thing while he was in PDP and this was one of the reasons the party lost the presidential election. The APC should be firm in sanctioning Saraki.” Awoyale said what Saraki did amounts to an act of treachery. He added: “It is an act of betrayal of

trust. How can he ignore the party on which platform he won election to become a Senator? Can he be higher than the party? What Saraki did amounts to indiscipline; he should be punished for that. “If he didn’t have a hidden agenda, why did he sneak in and hide in the National Assembly premises at midnight on the eve of the inauguration of the Senate when other senators elected on the platform of the APC were at the International Conference Centre waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari?” The community leader said the best way to end the crisis is for the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari to ask Saraki to step down. He said the people of Kwara State

were disappointed by the turn of events at the National Assembly, particularly the way Saraki emerged as the Senate President. Awoyale said if the Senate Presidency had been zoned to Kwara State, that the ruling party would have come up with other distinguished lawmakers who can fill the position. “We have men like Senator Shaba Lafiagi who was also a former governor of Kwara State,’’ he added. Urging the APC leadership to be firm and decisive in dealing with Saraki, Awoyale said: “I implore the APC leadership to treat this issue seriously. I’ve known Saraki for a long time. He is a ruthless politician, and an opportunist who will not stop at

•Awoyale anything to have his way and in the process, he is also ready to betray anybody.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

These people have made up their mind that ‘they will restrict him and all antics of stomach infrastructure won’t work this time ’

POLITICS

Hon. Diran Iyantan is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State. In this interview with LEKE AKEREDOLU, he says the party will form the next government in the state.

Iyantan: Mimiko has misruled Ondo

OW prepared is your party for the proposed governorship election? From all indications, we are fully prepared. We know that much is expected from us by the people of Ondo State. The people of Ondo State are desperately yearning for change. They want a messiah that will liberate them and take them out of Egypt. Like exactly how Moses took the Israelites out of Egypt. There is no alternative than the APC now, considering all the political indicators. So, we cannot afford to fail the people of the state and we have taken all these things into cognisance since the inception of this bad government that has given trauma to the people of the state. We believe that we need to come out and rescue the state from the jaw of oppression and under-development unleashed on the people by this incumbent government. So, we have been putting our house in order and we have done a lot of things that have endeared us to the people of the state. In our party, if you look at the record in the presidential election, we did tremendously well, despite our limited resources, and despite the hostility of the defunct Federal Government to us, we managed to marshal our limited resources to sensitise the state and embarked on very aggrieve campaign that convince the people to vote for our Presidential candidate. So, that is an indicator that the people are ready to align with our political party now. Although we have a temporary setback during the House of Assembly election, which is known to everybody of the state because of the desperation of Mr. Governor, and the fear of being impeached, he deployed all the resources of the state into the election and the election was over monitised and other political antics were employed to get the people to return some of the members of the House of Assembly for him. Everybody in the state now laments the outcome of that election, but we don’t want to cry over spill milk. We think the most important thing is to put our house together and which we are doing now, and prepare for the governorship election. Do you think your party leadership has the strenghth to lead the party to victory? Yes, especially with the reality that Ondo State is like a two party state. If you juxtapose, you will discover that the first eleven by political rating are in the APC. When you look at the leadership of the party in the state, you will know that they are not comparable to the team of the PDP. The team of the PDP is amateurish but when you look at the caliber of people staring the affairs of APC in Ondo State, and the way the party is organised, you will be convinced that we have a very beautiful team. We have these teams that are products of very rigorous search for quality will be able to take the party to electoral victory. Mere looking at the activities in the secretariat of the APC, you will know that this is secretariat of a functional vibrant political party where there is life compare to the PDP own that is always a silent graveyard where is no activity. When you look at the structures of the APC, they break into committees, they sensitised the people, they have think-tank that are dishing out very useful ideas for the

party to implement. When you look at the caliber of people that constitute the EXCO of the state, and the efforts they have put into the business, you will know that we are more prepare than the other party. The leadership of our party, that is the state chairman and he happens to be a political veteran, who is so familiar with the state and which he demonstrated in the last election and yielded a lot of positive results for the party. If we go by that performance and leverage on it, it is obvious that we are going to overwhelm the PDP in the next election. Don’t you think that Mimiko will come out with new ideas to defeat your party, thereby producing his successor? Yes, he will definitely come out with some orthodox strategies because he is master of antics and we know that it is force but I want us to face certain reality about life that no matter how smart you are, a time is coming that you need to submit to the superiority and wisdom of God. Mimiko may have been playing God because God in his mercy gave him a long rope to make amend and repent from his evil ways, but, if he refuses to repent, he will perish. He is very close to his political waterloo now, because by all indications, he has exhausted all his political antiques and the state is now wiser especially when he has depleted all his resources, and the wealth of the state to the detriment of an average man of the street. Ondo State supposed to be in the committee of leaders of states in the system because of the tremendous wealth deposit by God in this state. Such state has no place to be among the backward states in Nigeria. It is very ironical and unfortunate that Ondo State that supposed to be the head is now being relegated to tail by the sheer greed, callousness and insatiable urge for ill-gotten wealth by Governor Olusegun Mimko. The people of the state have been pushed to the wall and they are ready to counter any unwanted orthodox tactics to be used again in the coming election. So, the best thing is for the people to submit to the will of God and play the games according to the rules of the game.

looking at ‘theMere activities in the secretariat of the APC, you will know that this is secretariat of a functional vibrant political party where there is life compare to the PDP

’

You have to know that he is a man who has always been capitalising on the romance he has with centre. He has always been using that advantage to impoverish his own people, but now the centre belongs to the more refined party. The man at the centre now, it is man that is neutral, it is a man that will not conduct any lawlessness or any other thing. This man, we allow the game to be played according to the rules. I can tell you that if there is a level playing ground, Mimiko will be humiliated going by the old Parlance he will lose is town. Are you saying the monitisation of election and stomach infrastructure will not determine the next governor of the state? Yes, money will not determine the election. That is one of Mimiko’s antics where he deliberately impoverish the state so that people will become beggars and desperate. You know when a person is in need, little gratification may sway his mind and conscience. He has move to the extent that he has dehumanised the people of Ondo State. These people have made up their mind that they will restrict him and all antics of stomach infrastructure won’t work this time. We have interacted to the people of the state and we have gone round the state and discovered that the people have made up their minds and that it is an insult for somebody to come to them and starts giving them peanut in exchange for your future and for the future of their children and generation yet unborn. So, I want to assure you that out of conviction that people of the state have made up their mind that no any antic employ by the incumbent governor that will sway them to vote for his candidate in the coming governorship election. If Mimiko has his way and produce his own successor, does it has any implication for the state? God forbids because the implication is unimaginable. It is going to be unpalatable and unimaginable because it is going to be catastrophic, if it happens, because if you look at what is on the ground in the state today, there is no visible developmental project. If you look, the state is dotted by poverty, despite the fact that the state supposed to be among the committee of rich state considering the tremendous resources. We are the fifth largest oil producer in Nigeria; we have access to substantial derivation. They are other means of wealth in the state. So, Mimiko cannot harness all these to development of the state especially the time we can call the time of oil boom, the time he came in, there was almost and oil boom, the earning was very high. There was a time Ondo State earned so much that I can’t say the specific figure but it will be in the region of N50billlion and all these cannot be used for the development of the state. The hen that lay the golden egg, i.e the riverine area of the state, the people there are being dehuminised. If you go to the place you will see the index of poverty over there. You will discover that people can so thirsty in the midst of water. It is unfortunate and unrighteous that Mimiko is just laundering the money with some unpatriotic people

‘Southwest should produce PDP chairman’

KITI State Governor Ayodele Fayose has called on the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest to contest for the national chairmanship next year. He said the Southwest deserved the position, urging the stakeholders to forge a common front to get it. The governor, who also maintained that installing a new chairman from the Northeast for the party at this time was a waste of time, advocated for the appointment of a caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of the party after the expiration of the tenure of

Chief Uche Secondus as Acting National Chairman. In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose said: “Since the PDP will pick its presidential candidate from the North in 2019, the Southwest that has not produced the party’s National Chairman should take the position next year.” He said rather than canvassing for the completion of the Northeast tenure as the National Chairman of the party, what party leaders from the North should be con-

•Iyantan from that area. So, there is no single project Mimiko has completed in the six and half years. There is no one single road that he has started and commissioned. So it is catastrophy, it is unfortunate that Mimiko who much was expected off could so much undeveloped the state because of greed and insatiable lost for wealth. I know that the resources of the state are being plundered and that they are not throwing to the sea but a certain pocket. But, you once served in the Mimiko’s administration. Why are you saying the government has performed badly? A:If you look at the take-off that preceded the tremendous acceptance of the man, you will know that it is was a little bit complimentary at the beginning. He started well, and that was probably the response to the revolution that brought him in because, when he wanted to come in, his popularity rose to the highest level. Many people gave him unconditional support because he had no money, no godfather, and the only thing he had was the people of Ondo State, giving him consolidated solidarity. When he came in, we felt that we have succeeded in ushering in a government of the people that will restore hope, built a state and will bestow on us an egalitarian society that we worked for. In the first two years, he was doing marvelously well on the projects and programmes he embarked on. Some of us contributed to the rating then because of this saying that power corrupt, absolute power corrupt absolutely. By the time he was getting more consolidating, it was then that he started derailed. It is not that he didn’t start well, he started very well. For example when he came in, he awarded several contracts, Oba-Ile, Oyemekun, roads, Dome, he started Owo road, Ondo dualization he started so much projects simultaneously. So, these gave the people hope in the government then, but along the line, something went wrong, suddenly there was a black out and things came to stand still.

Community agitates for commissioner

T •Fayose

cerned with is who will be presented as the presidential candidate in 2019.

THE traditional ruler of Imota, Ikorodu Division, Lagos State has appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to appoint one of his people as a commissioner. In a letter to the governor, the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, Olufoworesete II, said, since the creation of the state almost 50 years ago, Imota, one of the major towns in Ikorodu Constituency II, has not produced a commissioner. The monarch said although its neighbours, Igbogbo and Ijede have benefited from the slots, Imota has not. He listed those who

By Joseph Eshanokpe

benefited in the area as: Dr Olambiwonnu, Commissioner for Health Ijede Hon. Olorunfunmi Bashorun Secretary to the Government (SGF)) and later Commissioner for Education (Igbogbo). Oba Agoro said: “We, the people of Imota, have continually been short-changed in appointments to the state Executive Council. And this is why we are appealing to the state government of an Imota indigene into the state Executive.’’ He added that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was behind him.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

The late Fredrick Ibitayo Ebiesuwa prayed for grace on behalf of ministers of God on his death bed, not knowing that the last of his sons would one day be a minister. Although he raised his kids in the slums, he fortified them with two enduring legacies – education and morals. Inspired by his father’s legacies, Rev Canon Olujimi Olawande Ebiesuwa of St Paul Anglican Church, Omilani, Surulere is touching lives through his motivational teachings and service to God. He is one of the seven newly ordained Archdeacons of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland. He shares his story of hope with EVELYN OSAGIE.

‘Dad’s labour made me who I am today’ letter. I didn’t tell anyone at home. By 8am the next morning, I was at Rev Shobo’s house. He informed me that the selection by the Archbishop is fixed for 10am (less than two hours). My Archdeacon Ven Kolawole knew about my application 10 minutes to the interview. The rest is history.

Growing Up

grew up in the Tolu area, the popular Ajegunle slum. I was always fascinated by the presence of the magnificent Tolu Complex (comprises about 16 schools). My father was a school administrator (headmaster) and my mother, a trader. I am the last of three children. Being the son of a teacher, academics holds a special place in my life, but football is a major attraction, and centre of it all is the church. I was a church boy from age three. My father started our parish, Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, Ojoku, in 1980). He was not a clergyman; he was a Lay-reader and later an agent in the Diocese of Lagos. This made church a major aspect of my growing up. My father and mother were committed to church work free of charge. I didn’t like it at first. I wanted to play football on Sundays like most people in Ajegunle. In Ajegunle Football holds a grip on the community. I lived at the College Road that shares the same fence with the Adidas field. I was a good footballer but my passion for academics didn't make me pursue that passion. I played in the popular street competition and refuse to join any club. It was very strange to my friends. I had an upbringing in which you can leave home anytime. Due permission must be taken, my father been a headmaster made sure we didn't deviate or follow the band wagon.

My deciding factor Been nurture with Christian ideas helped me come to this decision. The bible was right when it says, "Train up a child in the way he should grow, when he grows he will not depart from it". I grew in Ajegunle and hoped for a better future, which is good, but deep inside we all feel wealth and plenty of it will end our problems, forgetting that the rich are sorrowful with their wealth just as the poor that have their challenges. Many of us study the courses we studied because we want to be rich. I didn't want to be a Priest because I don't like taking from people. I knew I was going to be a clergyman later in life, but didn’t know it would come early. Choosing to take the step when things were taking shape in my life, I can only sum it up by saying it is what God has ordained and it came to pass at the appointed time. Someone asked if becoming a Venerable was a dream-come-true? It is not a dream-cometrue because it is dependent on the office of the bishop. Sometimes it may come sooner than you expect. It came earlier than I expected. God used my service year (NCCF) to change my thinking. A good name is better than silver or gold. It opens doors in many generations after. When the door opened to go to the seminary that night I couldn't sleep. It dawn on me that I didn't want to serve God because I want to be rich. God promised me peace of mind, joy and fulfilling His mandate. With this conviction, I headed for the selection conference, and as I've said, the rest is history.

Father’s role in my becoming a vessel My father was instrumental in developing my personality. My parents gave us the legacy of education. Being the son of a teacher, he ensured I had my primary and high school education – both in Ajegunle (Christ Assembly Primary School, Rasaki and Ajeromi Ifelodun High School, Osho Drive). I later attended Lagos State Polytechnic, studying Agricultural Engineering for one year before I moved to Lagos State University (LASU), in 1996/97 to study Chemical and Polymer Engineering from where I graduated in 2002. Sadly, my father died a few months to the end of my service on June 11, 2004. I was serving at Government Science College, Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, then. That was when I understood what it meant to be a man. Fortunately, he had prepared me to face life on my own. That spurred me to face life and became independent. Today, I can say that my father, knowingly or unknowingly, prepared me for where I am. I strongly believe that I am where I am because of his labour. God is rewarding his labour through me. The day I was preferred an Archdeacon, it was his name that came to my mind first. I remember on his death bed, he and I prayed for all the ministers of God, who labour in God’s vineyard. My mother also has a special place in my life as a clergyman. She taught me how to read Yoruba bible and reading of the Yoruba Hymn (Iwe Orin Mimo). I owe my reading, speaking and preaching in Yoruba to my beloved woman. Only she believes in my being a clergyman, after graduating from the university. She paid my fees at Archbishop Vining College of Theology, Akure. She prays for me daily and tells me never mind if the priesthood is not "profitable" but encourages me to give it the sacrifice it deserves. Journey to priesthood How I joined priesthood is amazing. Others saw in me the quality of a clergyman, which I didn’t see. Interestingly, I am the

•Ven. Ebiesuwa and wife, Oluwayemisi

INTERVIEW only clergyman in the family and the only one, for now, from St Paul’s, Ojoku. Everyone I grew up with wanted to be a professional in their own field, it was unthinkable to want to be a clergyman. In the home I grew up, it was unthinkable not to be in church before service started. That was the discipline I received, not knowing I was going to be a clergyman. Despite my love for education and football, I was very passionate about the work of the gospel in my early days. God revealed himself to me in the university and since then I have been committed to God’s work. I was the Assistant General Secretary and Bible Study Co-ordinator in Engineering Students Fellowship. From a chorister, I became a member of the Boys Brigade; then, past president of PYC, exofficio at Apapa Archdeaconry Youth Board and a member of the PCC of the church from age 20. However, Rev Folarin Shobo was instrumental to my becoming a priest. One Wednesday evening in 2005, after preaching at the Lenten Service in my church, while I was seeing him off to his car, he advised me to go for selection conference at the Diocese of Lagos.

My challenges

• Ebiesuwa and family

That evening he turned, looked at me and said: Jimi lo ko letter e, lo di alufa - write your letter to be a priest. I laughed and said “Revo, I was just made a manager.” I was working at the Life Department of Linkage Assurance Plc (Soji Ogunmade Unit), where a year before I’d won the 2004 best marketer prize and just been made manager of Jimi’s Unit. I bade him farewell, but that night, I couldn’t sleep. I woke up and wrote the

‘I didn't want to be a Priest because I don't like taking from people. I knew I was going to be a clergyman later in life, but didn’t know it would come early. Choosing to take the step when things were taking shape in my life, I can only sum it up by saying it is what God has ordained’

My first challenge was going to Archbishop Vinning College of Theology, Akure leaving my new found love in marketing. The challenge of being a Bishop’s Chaplain, a job I knew nothing about, which became a spring board to where I am today. It helped me to understand the vocation I am into. You can see others’ mistakes and learn from them. God used Archbishop Ademola Ademowo, who appointed me a chaplain to the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Lagos Mainland. I was mentored by Archbishop Adebayo Akinde, who cared for me and taught me as a son and not a chaplain. He made me face the vocation squarely.

Becoming a Venerable Archdeacon It was a great delight to see church members, family, friends and well-wishers gathering to celebrate Jesus at the Bishop Adelakun Howells Memorial (BAHM) Church in Surulere. I and six others were consecrated Venerable Archdeacons by the Bishop of the Diocese, The Most Rev (Prof) Adebayo Dada Akinde. Indeed, I felt blessed.

Lessons I have learnt that life is a gift from God, He alone understands how best to use the gift. I enjoyed engineering the little I was involved in, marketing became a passionate and almost an obsession. God knew ministry will be challenging in a world that flaunt wealth as god but it is a means to spend ones tim e to serve humanity. It gives a blessing that outlives us. It carries generational blessings for those who do it as a service rather than a venture to make profit. Money is good but life is not all about money.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Immortalising Sango’s legacy There were serious misgivings, especially among the elite, about the relevance of culture beyond the newfangled ideas of cultural diplomacy, cultural tourism and cultural jamborees. In this report, BODE DUROJAIYE examines why Sango remains the only internal vehicle that has kept Yoruba culture going till date. Historical background

HE Yoruba communities trace their origin to Oduduwa and the town of Ile-Ife. Oral history has it that after the death of Oduduwa, his seven grandchildren scattered across the Southwest of Nigeria, establishing their respective kingdoms while conquering and absorbing the aboriginal inhabitants. Oranmiyan, the youngest prince, founded the ancient Oyo Empire in the Northwest of the River Niger in the then Ilorin Province, now Kwara State. He became the first Alaafin, the progenitor of the Oyos, who transferred the political power to Oyo-Ile.

Sango legacy as landmark leader Born and built with inherent formidable spiritual energy, Tella-Oko, also known as Sango, Oranmiyan’s second son, succeeded Ajaka, who appeared to be a weak ruler, and became the third king of the Oyo Empire. He was a very influential king and was said to have established a new culture and tradition. Historically, it is said that most of the cultural productions and traditions, especially spiritual crowns and emblems, were all products of Sango through his imperial influence. Also, historically, Sango brought prosperity to Oyo Empire during his reign. Under his influence, Oyo culture spread within the empire and outside, to the Atlantic Ocean and is, today, known in the world, including North America, Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobego, Cuba), South America, (Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Venezuela) and Europe. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, said life of Alaafin Sango remained excellent example in leadership, considering the fact that his rule over Oyo was far less than a decade. Sango’s brother, Ajaka, the monarch said, was probably deposed because his temperament did not meet the requirements of the turbulent period. He explained that Sango’s dynamic alliances, including marriages, were constructed to pursue the greater interest of Oyo just as he spared no effort at consolidating the military ascendancy of Oyo in the region. He said: “Sango was preferred because he was a man of valour, purpose-driven and master of diplomacy. He became king when Oyo was at its formative stage and surrounded by mighty and warlike states such as Nupe, Ibariba and Owu. His charismatic leadership re-defined the character and pattern of inter-group relations and diplomacy and made Oyo the centre-piece of his foreign relations. “He was a strong warrior, strengthened to a point of historical dominance, building with glory, vitality and expansion and became a symbol of power and truth, serving as the supreme judge in the Oyo Empire and being the final court. His Ose, representing two axes, was a symbol of justice,” Oba Adeyemi said. According to the monarch, modern science

•From left: Former media consultant on Sango festival. Mr Fajemisin, former Culture Minister, Mr Edwin Duke, Alaafin Cultural Ambassador, Dr Pauola from Portugal

HERITAGE was yet to unravel the mystic behind Sango’s form of energy, which manifested in the two essences of life at the same time, asserting that the power of Sango was best demonstrated during the rainy season when the flame and lightening of his Ose produced energy larger and more intense than what mere mortals can generate in a flash. To become Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi said, one must undergo the spiritual processes of Sango, adding that during the initiation seclusion, the Alaafin must wear the legendary and spirit possessed crown of Sango as a symbol of traditional authority and spirituality. ‘’In the process of becoming Alaafin, I was also made to undergo inductions in order to be the direct representative of Sango on earth. I was taken through these processes to be educated in the chants, proverbs, praise names, dynastic poetry and panegyrics of my lineage and all previous Alaafin. “Then I began the journey with a huge responsibility to protect, defend, promote the cherished values of Yoruba customs and traditions with the zeal and if need be, to lay down my life defending those values. I thank my destiny for making me part of the Sango tradition. Without Sango, there is no Alaafin and without Alaafin there can be no Oyo, Without Oyo, there is no Yoruba land,’’ he said. Although his reign was short-lived, Oba Adeyemi said Sango remained a hero for many, adding that the late monarch and the circumstances of his death, as controversial and mysterious as they seem, have remained a reference point across the world. “’Sango died with the concern of his people paramount in his heart. He paid the supreme sacrifice and left Oyo more grandiose, more stable, better administered and more secured than he met the nascent kingdom. He is today been remembered as one of the rare African leaders, who became instant success in empire building. “Under the inspirational leadership of Sango, the Oyo kingdom became known not just for the effectiveness of its political system, but for its military strength. Sango’s seven years reign was marked with several wars fought to liberate Oyo from its predatory and truculent older neighbours. His short reign consolidated the position of Oyo as the foremost Guinea Savannah State and also secured the independence and sover-

eignty of the nascent kingdom,” the Alaafin said. Sango, he said, was also associated with the sacred animal, the ram, and the colours of red and white. “Sango is venerated in Haiti, as a god of thunder and weather; in Brazil, he is known as Xangô; in Umbanda, as the very powerful loaNago Shango; in Trinidad and Tobago as Shango god of Thunder, drumming and dance ; Cuba, Puerto Rico and Venezuela–the Santeria equivalent of St. Barbara, he is known as Changó,” he said. Today, Sango festival is celebrated in over 21 countries of the world and all these countries host their various Sango Festivals, where this tradition is practised.

Moves to preserve the Sango heritage Oba Adeyemi said he was determined to immortalise the legacies of Sango, saying that, just-concluded World Sango Festival, is one of such moves. According to him, the purpose was to recognise Oyo as the original ancestral home of Sango and to unite all Yoruba descents and enthusiasts once in a year in Oyo town. He added that efforts are being made by his council of chiefs and the Paula Gomes Cultural Foundation to preserve and safeguard both the tangible and intangible heritage of ancient Oyo town with a view to preparing candidature dossiers for World Sango heritage nominations. Dr Paula Gomes from Portugal is Alaafin’s Cultural Ambassador. In the same vein, the Federal Government has expressed its support for Oba Adeyemi and the Paula Gomes Cultural Foundation. This is contained in an official letter dated April 8, with reference number FMCT/ECR/ 11/461, written by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mr Nkechi Njele, to the Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments. A copy of the letter was also sent to the Regional Director, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Regional Office in Abuja, Professor Hassana Alidou, was made available to The Nation. It stated that Oyo town, located in Oyo State, Southwest holds a remarkable and rich set of tangible resources such as temple, palaces, markets and traditional compounds as well as natural resources like rivers and forests.

‘We was determined to immortalise the legacies of Sango, and the just-concluded World Sango Festival is one of such moves. In the process of becoming Alaafin, I was also made to undergo inductions in order to be the direct representative of Sango on earth. I was taken through these processes to be educated in the chants, proverbs, praise names, dynastic poetry and panegyrics of my lineage and all previous Alaafin’

• Oba Adeyemi

This notable set of buildings and natural resources, Federal Government pointed out, sustain the maintenance of a millenary culture based on a unique and complex traditional, political and religious system. ‘’The intangible heritage preserved in Oyo include music, traditional craftsmanship, poetry (Oriki), as well as complex and intense festivities calendar that culminates with the important Sango Festival, make Oyo town a bulwark of Yoruba traditional culture in Nigeria.’’ The letter continues: ’’Moreover, as it is widely known, Oyo town was the capital of one of the greatest African Empires. As such, it was directly responsible for the diffusion of Yoruba culture, traditions and beliefs throughout West Africa, covering a large • that extended from the Southwest territory Nigeria to Benin, Togo, up to Ghana. This same cultural heritage was later on diffused through the Trans-Atlantic slave routes to the Americas and the Caribbean and preserved from generation to generation to date. In some cases, such as in Brazil, this culture was classified as national heritage through the preservation of the Nago communities of Bahia’s Cabdomble.’’ “Due to the size and scope of Oyo-Sango’s heritage,” the letter went on, ‘’it is clear that this nomination process will require an extended multi-disciplinary research work. It is, therefore, necessary to approve the constitution of an inter-institutional network to support this work and the project implementation. Therefore, I am suggesting that the following will be required to carry out the projects; representative of the Ministry of Tourism Culture and National Orientation, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, UNESCO, the Alaafin’s palace, the relevant local governments, Paula Gomes Cultural Foundation and members from any other relevant organizations.’’ Essentially, it advised that they will be expected to embark on inscription of Sango Festival into UNESCO representatives list of Humanity for 2015 and 2016 and the inscription of Oyo town into the UNESCO World Heritage list, so as to be listed on National Commission for Museum and Monuments tentative list for submission to the World Heritage Committee in the near future. Another letter of endorsement and support to World Sango Festival from the Ministry was later sent to the Alaafin of Oyo. The letter, copy of which was also sent to the paramount ruler’s cultural ambassador, acknowledge the festival as a global one being celebrated in over 20 countries, more importantly as it attracts all Sango worshippers in the country and the Diaspora together with those from the Caribbean, Brazil and Cuba among others. Highlights of the 10-day event include cultural displays by various states with their governors as special guests of honour, diverse religious performances, and visits to historic places.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

SHOWBIZ

Dance with Peter: 9-yr old dazzles at Abuja audition •As six finalists emerge

HE Abuja auditions for the muchpublicised Dance with Peter, has produced six winners. The event held last Friday, as kick off of the Glo-sponsored reality show in collaboration with Peter Okoye, the one-half of PSquare. The successful candidates are a 24-yearold professional dancer, Yemi Afolabi Osokoya; a 21-year-old National Open University undergraduate, Miracle Chinonso Nelson, and a female architect, Mariam Ahmed. Also, among the finalists are male dancer, Ibrahim Afeez Abiodun, female dancer Amenze Blessing Omoregie, and an allmale dance group called ElevatorzNg, made up of five Theatre and Cultural Studies undergraduates of Nasarawa State University. The members include Atuonwu Samson, Kelvin Anyaruoh, Jekeygreen Emmanuel, Michael Atuonwu and Godrich Olokor Ogenebroze. All six finalists are expected to proceed to Lagos where they will battle contestants from other parts of Nigeria and Ghana for the grand prize of a brand new Toyota RAV 4, N3 million and the rare opportunity of featuring in P-Square’s next music video. The first and second runners-up of the dance project will go home with a brand new Honda Civic car with N2million and a brand new Kia Rio car with N1million re-

• Judges of Dance with Peter

spectively. Both of them will also have the chance to feature in a top Glo Ambassador’s music videos. Over 200 individual and group dancers, male and female of various ages slugged it out at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre venue of the Abuja audition of the dance competition. Attracting great attention at the Abuja audition was a nine-year-old Divine Uche, who narrowly emerged with a qualifying ticket at the audition. He performed solo, executing mind-boggling stunts and winning himself a standby slot, which he inevitably yielded to more experienced dancers much later in the night. On the judging panel were Peter Okoye, a Globacom ambassador and one of Nigeria’s

most famous performing twins, PSquare, Dance Queen, Kaffy, and PSquares’ choreographer, Nonso more popularly known as Don Flex. The audition train is expected to next move to Accra for the Ghanaian leg holding at the National Theatre, South Liberia Road, Accra, today. Organisers say this will be followed by Benin, Edo State, next week Friday, at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Center, Airport Road, Benin City. Lagos is next in line on Tuesday, September 8, at Bamako Studios, 1 Bamako Street, Ojodu, Lagos. The final audition for “Dance with Peter” will be held in Port Harcourt on September 10 where prospective dancers in the

• Contestants at Dance with Peter, Abuja

show will be auditioned at the Atrium Event Centre, Stadium Road. Organisers say those who want to participate in the show can register by sending ‘DANCE’ to the short code 55517 in Nigeria and 3030 in Ghana through their Glo lines, at the cost of N100 for Nigeria and 0.5GHc for Ghana.

Artistes protest over appearance fee •Ejected from Gov. Umahi’s hotel From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

• Denrele

OPULAR musician Terry G, Channel O presenter Denrele, and Nollywood actress Grace Amah and a host of other stars were Monday, ejected from their hotel in

Femi Kuti hosts Bono

Abakaliki where the state government had lodged them. The state government had staged a show at the weekend where it honoured over 50 stars of Ebonyi State extraction in the entertainment industry. Some of those honoured are Cha Cha Ekeh, Grace Amah, and Patoranking. Several other stars, including Denrele and Terry G performed at the event. But on Monday, some of the stars who attended the show were forcefully ejected from the Osborn La Palm, where they were lodged by the State Ministry of Tourism, organisers of the event. The hotel is owned by the State Governor, Dave Umahi. The stars were seen at the Government House, Abakaliki, protesting the shoddy treat-

Baby girl for Peju Ashaye

• Femi Kuti

FRO beat musician, Femi Kuti and Paul David Hewson, popularly known as Bono, front man of the Dublin-based band U2, held a meet and greet session at the New Afrika Shrine last week. The session was an opportunity for the two music icons to share their views on the art of making music, and a number of issues of common interest. Both musicians are as popular for their views, and work as humanitarians as they are for their art. Bono, who has over the years used his music as a platform for social change, was in Nigeria on account of his work with the One Campaign Organisation. Over the cause of the meet and greet, the U2 lead singer asked quite a number of questions about Nigeria, especially with respect to the new government. Kuti was his usual frank self, as he decried the corruption that has pervaded the Nigerian sociopolitical landscape. “There is need for a change in the thinking of Nigerians, 99% of Nigerians are corrupt… Our senators had a free-for-all fight, on national TV, and the president said nothing… Having said that, even the poor are corrupt, if you send your maid to the market, she will complain that things are so expensive, while actually ripping you off.” On a lighter note, both entertainers dis-

ment meted out to them by the state government. They said they entered into agreement with the government to be paid a certain amount of money as appearance fee to which the state government also reneged. According to one of the artistes, Sholade; “Instead of them to give us our return tickets and our appearance fee, they sent policemen to forcefully eject us from our hotel rooms.” It was gathered that the two cars whose keys were handed over to Grace Amah and Patoranking by the State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe at the event, have not been delivered to the artistes, as the organisers were yet to complete payment to the suppliers. But, the Chairman of the organizing Committee, Dr Jerry Uhuo denied the allegation and blamed it on information gap between the committee and the stars. He said, “The committee paid for four nights for the stars which elapsed today (Monday)

and the stars were given tickets to go back to their bases. “Some of them we are still processing their money and we told them so. We agreed that their consultant will stay back to collect the money while the stars leave to catch their flight. “But surprisingly, when it was time to go, they refused to leave and instead went to government house to protest. They had already been checked out so the hotel refused to allow them back into the rooms. “We have intervened by going to make fresh bookings for them at the hotel for those who wish to stay back.” On the cars, Uhuo said the cars have been paid for but the Committee wanted to brand them before handing them over to Grace while Patoranking, who did not attend the event, will collect his whenever he visits the state. “Patoranking traveled to the U.S. and he didn’t send anyone to represent him. So we reached him and he promised to come and pay a courtesy call on the governor during which we will hand over the car personally to him,” Uhuo said.

By Jane Kolade

cussed their art, with Kuti reminiscing about incidents that led to the movement to the New Afrika shrine. They also discussed the possibility of the two of them writing, and producing songs together. Also in attendance was Singer Waje, who is a One Campaign ambassador.

OPULAR Yoruba actress, Peju Ashaye, who has been absent from the screens for a while, recently resurfaced, announcing on her Facebook page, that she has been delivered of a baby girl. The baby was delivered at an undisclosed hospital abroad. Though it is yet to be confirmed who the father of the child is, the soft-spoken talented filmmaker, who shot into limelight in 2014 revealed that her priority at that time was to get married and settle down. She made the confession, stating that despite the incidence of failed marriages in the industry, she was ready to give it a try and make it work. Before finally relocating to the UK, Ashaye, according to reports, was shuttling between Nigeria and abroad to keep in touch with her fiancé; a certain businessman. Ashaye, who joined the movie industry in 1995 as a secondary school student is also noted for sporting activities. During the one of the Gateway Games in Ogun State, she competed in Handball and won a medal. The actress revealed in one of her interviews that she has been into sports since her secondary school days.

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

• Peju Ashaye

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

BUSINESS EXTRA

NNPC’s drones to monitor oil vessels’ movement

TATE-RUN oil firm, the Nigerian National Pe troleum Corporation (NNPC) has said it is working towards deploying drones across the nation’s territorial waters to monitor inwards and outwards movement of oil bearing vessels. Its Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu gave indication to this yesterday in Abuja, said the oil firm is working on a range of far reaching options designed to end the ugly episodes of crude and petroleum products theft within the next eight months He unveiled the plan during a presentation he made at a special conference on Security in the Gulf of Guinea organised by the Gusau In-

• Vandalism, theft ‘to end in eight months’ From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

stitute. A statement endorsed by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe quoted the helmsman as saying: “ We are launching an armada of approaches which will include incorporation of drones to check movements of vessels within our territorial waters; we are looking at the current logistical nightmares of changing staffing at the loading bay of crude oil export terminals virtually every 90 days; we are trying to equip the navy sufficiently though they are very well-equipped in terms of

skill set but not in terms of arsenal for patrols within the maritime area.” On the issue of pipeline protection, the GMD explained that though the Corporation is working assiduously with the law enforcement agencies to increase the presence of military personnel in the area, the ultimate security for the critical oil and gas assets lies squarely with the host communities. “The best security for these pipelines lies with the communities. We are trying to create enough incentives for them to see these pipelines as their own,’’ he said, lamenting that the untold impact of

oil theft on the smooth operations of the nation’s refineries. The GMD warned that if left unchecked, the menace could invariably make it impossible for the NNPC to operate the refineries. “Most of our product pipelines are ruptured and attacked frequently. For instance between June 2014 and June 2015, we recorded about 3, 500 to 4,000 attempts at the various products pipelines across the country. In addition to that, the pipelines that are supposed to convey crude to the refineries are perpetually hacked, ’’ he said. Dr. Kachikwu noted that the resort to the use of marine ves-

sels to convey crude oil to the refineries has been coming at heavy cost to the NNPC. “What this means is that no matter what we do with the refineries today, unless that is solved, we really are going nowhere, we cannot operate the refineries,” he said. He explained that beyond the loss of crude oil and finished products, the incidents of oil theft have also claimed a huge number of human lives, lamening that over the last three years, no fewer than 350 persons including NNPC workers, police officers and community members have been killed as a result of activities of oil thieves. “Today, I ask all of you to join us in this campaign; it is not just a campaign for NNPC but it is a campaign for every Nigerian…. So it is war time, it is business time, it is focus time and there is a lot to do. Everybody is being called to the table and everybody is being put on the state of alert but in eight

months, we must be able to deliver an environment that is free from the vices of oil theft,’’ Dr Kachikwu said. He said in executing the campaign, adequate support will be sought from the international community, especially from countries that have become host nations to the stolen cargoes. Prime Minister, São Tomé and Principe, Mr Patrice Trovoada, urged regional cooperation and integration to end sea piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. He stressed the need for greater synergy among countries in the Gulf of Guinea to fight poverty and enhance intelligence gathering to defeat Boko Haram in the region. “We need regional dialogue to share experience to understand ourselves better. We need to improve on judiciary and build the institution to ensure sustainable development. Nigeria and São Tomé share common principles in terms fight against corruption and promoting good governance, “ he said.

Reps probe MDAs over N700b capital projects

• From left: Head, E-Channels, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Akinwale Ojo; Deputy Managing Director, Chams Mobile, Mr. Gavin Young; Director, Business Relations, Chams Mobile, Mr. Ifeoluwa Oluyemi, at the unveilving of Virtual Visa card in Lagos...yesterday.

ICAN backs Buhari’s anti-graft war

HE Institute of Char tered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) yesterday threw its weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war. Speaking with State House correspondents after leading a delegation to President, its 51st President, Otumba Olufemi Samuel Deru said Buhari’s war is in line with ICAN’s professional integrity and accountability. He led the delegation on courtesy visit to the president after ICAN marked its Goldeen Jubilee. He said: “Government interest is our interest. We are into integrity and accountability. We have like minds. I’m so grateful to the President for giving us time to articulate our papers. “ICAN is the voice of business. Accountability is our business and we uphold the tenets of transparency and we must be transparent in what we do. “We also have the whistle blowing fund so that anybody who misbehaves and they want to penalise our members, we have N50 million set aside to fight such course so that our people can work and be transparent and be unbiased.” Noting that not everybody that is called an accountant is a chartered accountant, he said chartered accountants

• Ambode urges support From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

are only 40,000 in number in Nigeria. On his part, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who is a chartered accountant, said what President Buhari has come up with in the last 100 days is about credibility and integrity for those in public offices. He said: “Buhari has come up with moral leadership in the last 100 days and that is what is needed to fight corruption in the country. “Nobody is judging anyone; what we have seen since May 29 is about strong leadership that had shown direction to all Nigerians; the mantra of such leadership that is being reflected by the president is what we are seeing in other states. “Everybody is beginning to feel that they must obey the rule of law. All revenue agencies are now paying to a single account and that makes everyone to be accountable.” Earlier, Governor Ambode had appealed to members of ICAN to support ongoing anti-corruption and re-orientation efforts of President Buhari. Ambode spoke during the

opening ceremony of the 45th Annual Conference of ICAN, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, yesterday. He said the pivotal role played by accountants in the day-to-day running of government means that they must be above board in discharging their duties. He said: “I once heard someone says “only accountants can save the worldthrough peace, goodwill and reconciliations. That tells me that the people who can save Nigeria are in this hall today. We must kick-start that process now by developing mechanisms that will make it compelling for members of the Institute to exhibit a high level of integrity wherever we find ourselves.” According to him, as custodians and managers of financial resources, accountants must be above board and resist the temptation to compromise professional ethics and personal integrity. He also tasked accountants in the country to commence the process of raising the bar of integrity through a pragmatic rebuilding of the nation’s value system so as to redefine the vision of the profession. The governor recalled that

since the establishment of ICAN in 1965, the Institute has lived up to the expectations and dreams of the founding fathers, which has berthed world class chartered accountants offering quality services at the top echelon of both the public and private sector organisations. “From a mere 250 members to over 40,000 membership, the Institute has, no doubt, made a remarkable achievement that is worth celebrating. This is in addition to the continuous reforms in response to the evolving changes in the 21st century. “Today’s celebration however, presents a golden opportunity for the present leadership to bequeath to the coming generation, legacies and landmarks that will be worthy of celebration in the next 50 years. That legacy, in my mind, can be found in our motto”Accuracy and Integrity,” he said. Stressing that there is going to be synergy between Lagos and Federal Government now that they are of the same party, he said the last 100 days in Lagos State has been continuity with improvement. On whether he is probing his predecessor, he said: “I have said it is continuity with improvement.”

ITH effect from to morrow, the House of Representatives adhoc committee on the nonimplementation of capital projects in the 2015 Appropriation Act will commence an investigative hearing with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in attendance. In the absence of substantive ministers, Permanent Secretaries of Federal Ministries would have to explain to the lawmakers factors responsible for the non-implementation of the N700.78 billion component of the N4.4 trillion approved in the 2015 Appropriation Act by the National Assembly with three quarters already gone of the fiscal year. The National Assembly while considering the Executive’s 2015 budget, proposal increased capital expenditure from N633.53 billion to N700.78 billion and reduced recurrent expenditure from N2.616 trillion to N2.584 trillion. The Ahman Pategi headed Committee is expected to assess the performance of Federal Ministry of Finance in carrying out its mandate as contained in the Appropriation Act and Section 30(1,2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and report back to the House on resumption on September 29. Just before the House went on recess, a motion titled “Non-implementation of capital projects as Contained in the 2015 Appropriation Act; Federal Government budget and serial breach of the Fiscal Responsibility Act by the Federal Ministry of Finance and threats to my effective representation of my constituency,” sponsored by a member, Hon. Patrick Asadu (PDP-Enugu) acted as a catalyst for the resolve of the lawmakers to institute the probe. When the debate began, members expressed worry over the report that over 11,000 projects were abandoned across the country and

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

warned that further delays in the implementation of the 2015 capital budget will expose the country to higher eventual expenditures on the same projects. While presenting his argument on the motion, Asadu said the non release of funds for the implementation of the capital components of previous Appropriation Acts was worrisome. He said: “By Sections 81 and 82 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Federal Government expenditures must be either as direct charges on the constitution, as contained in the Appropriation Act or supplementary Appropriation Act where applicable or as may be specifically prescribed by the National Assembly, while Section 30(1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act clearly mandates the Hon. Minister of Finance through the Budget Office to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the annual budget, and assess the attainment of fiscal targets and report thereon on a quarterly basis to the Joint Finance Committee of the National Assembly and to also publish same in the mass and electronic media not later than 30 days after the end of each quarter of the financial year. “There has not been any constitutional amendment adjusting the financial year by the National Assembly nor has any public announcement has been made by the Ministry of Finance in any mass and electronic media on the implementation of the budget and attainment of fiscal targets.” Speaker Yakubu Dogara thereafter inaugurated an adhoc committee headed by Pategi to ascertain the level of implementation of the capital expenditure of the 2015 Appropriation Act after members overwhelmingly voted in favour of the motion.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 01-09-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 01-09-15

Chams assures shareholders of better returns

HAREHOLDERS of Chams Plc can look forward to increased dividend payout and better profitability by the end of the current business year, ending December 31, 2015 as the information and communication technology company continues to strengthen its fundamentals and operational base. Incoming managing director of Chams Plc, Mr. Olufemi Williams, who gave this assurance yesterday in Lagos, said that Chams is on course to delivering better results and dividends in the current business year, noting that the company has continued to witness improved performance. Williams is taking over as the group managing director from Mr ‘Demola Aladekomo, the founding group managing director,

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

who retires on September 18, 2015. Prior to his appointment, Williams was the deputy managing director, and a Chams Plc veteran having joined the company in 1990 as a computer engineer. He rose to the position of general manager in January 2001, and held same until he joined SuperCard Limited as managing director in March 2004. Olufemi was appointed deputy managing director, Chams Plc in January 2012 after the merger of SuperCard Limited with Chams Plc. Williams said the recent closure of the Chams City, one of the business units of the group, would not adversely impact the performance of the company noting that it had already made provisions for the lossmaking unit during 2009-2010 period when the group re-

corded losses. “We are 100 per cent out of turbulent period, nothing is holding us back. We have stepped on profitability and growth, we paid dividend last year, and we are going to sustain it,” Williams said. He said the company has refocused on building new solutions that will provide stable and large products portfolio that can drive sustained performance. The new innovative products from the company include “confirm me”, a status verification system that provides various information about a person including credit status, certificates and membership among others. He said the new management would build on the legacy of the Aladekomo’s years and the company would remain focused on its long-term strategic growth plan.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 01-09-15

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

MONEYLINK

Interventions may soon end, CBN warns

HE days of bail out for distressed sectors of the economy because banks refuse to lend to them may soon end, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned. Its Assistant Director, Development Finance Department, Mr. Jonathan Tobin who spoke during a workshop for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) funding organised by the Bankers’ Committee, told bank officials that attended the workshop that “intervention will not be for ever. A day will come when we will close the tap and you will be compelled to to lend from your balance sheets. We want to encourage banks to lend.” Tobin said many of the interventions initiated by the CBN to fund SMEs have failed because banks refused to lend from their balance sheets as directed by the CBN.

From Nduka Chiejina

He said: “The National Secured Collateral Registry (NSCR) is one of the schemes we have come up with to manage the issue of collateral and it’s being done in other countries with serious success; we believe we can do it here. It is an MSME development fund by the CBN towards assisting the economy. “There is also the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme; many banks are not participating in this scheme because they are supposed to lend from their balance sheets. In the event that the loan goes delinquent, CBN will pay 75 per cent of the amount in default after you have normalised the collateral. It is mainly for agricultural projects but many banks are not participating because CBN said they should lend from their

balance sheets. They don’t want anything to tamper with their balance sheets but immediately it is an intervention fund from the CBN, all banks will jump at it.” Tobin said the Agricultural Credit Support Scheme “is virtually going into extinction because nobody (banks) is going there. We say lend from your balance sheet at not more than 14 per cent to agricultural projects then the CBN will pay when the customer pays the bank back. CBN will also give the customer a rebate of 60 per cent or 40 per cent of the interest.” However, in the case of the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme, Tobin said “the banks are competing here, the scheme was to terminate next year but banks pushed and begged the CBN not to wind it up because the money is

‘Africa far from meeting single currency target’

HE Managing Director/CEO of Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Jibril Aku has said the monetary harmonisation programmes in Africa has not met the African Monetary Cooperation Programme (AMCP) targeting single currency and central bank by 2025. Speaking yesterday at the Hallmark Newspapers Roundtable held in Lagos, Aku said countries embracing the single currency plan must have a budget deficit as a percentage of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of no more than three per cent, with minimised budget financing from the central bank and sustainable public debt levels. Such country, he said, should also have a rate of inflation not exceeding three per cent; external reserves of at least six months of import cover, maintenance of a stable ex-

Stories by Collins Nweze

change rate and positive real interest rates. The Ecobank chief who spoke on the theme: ‘Regional Integration and Sustainable Development’ said despite the existence of African blocs that have secretariats and regular technical and ministerial level meetings and summits of heads of state and government, African integration efforts have had limited impact so far. He said since reality on the ground does not match ideals in treaties, protocols and Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), degree of integration remains highly superficial. Aku said economic integration would require the resolution of several structural issues such as the creation of a body to control regional money supply and monetary

policy which would coordinate regional budgets and another institution that would harmonise commercial and industrial laws. He said most African countries do not have the industrial or commercial base to serve as export destinations for other countries in the region. “The input –output matrix across the continent is riddled with huge gaps and draws attention to the need of many African countries, especially key economic powerhouses to rise to higher levels of industrial production and technical service quality,” he said. Chairman, Public Policy Forum, Prof. George Obiozor, described Ecobank as a clear leader in Africa financial services sector. He said that for Africa economy to grow, regional businesses must be effectively and properly integrated.

from the CBN. “The CBN has started revolving the loan and it has done a little above N300 billion. Finally we have extended it to 2025 and the banks are happy. 2025 will soon come but we want to encourage banks to lend.” Concerning the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing for Agriculture Lending (NIRSAL), Tobin said: “The CBN derisked many agricultural produce, all the banks had to do was pay a governance fee and then go ahead to lend. Many banks are embracing it but with caution. The Growth Enhancement Scheme which is just to finance produce; those who supply input quickly get financing from the banks because they want their money back. If you keep running away from these risks, we will down this country. But that

will not happen.” The attitude of banks not to take risks the CBN official said has forced MSMEs to “go to informal sources to borrow at very high interest rates. According to IFC (International Finance Corporation) and World Bank reports, Nigeria lags behind other African nations in access to finance by MSMEs.” He said Nigeria’s MSME sector is suffering from a N9.6 trillion financing gap. He attributed the cause of the financing gap to “inadequate knowledge and refusal to learn how they behave when and why they do the things they do is a major challenge. The wrong perception of the risky nature of MSMEs and the fact that we have ascribed so much risks to MSMEs that they have become orphans to lending institutions.”

SWF can ease Africa risks, says Adesina

FRICAN nations, stung by plunging commodity prices, should set up more sovereign wealth funds to help withstand the next downturn, said Akinwumi Adesina, the African Development Bank’s new president. According to Bloomberg, the funds “will allow countries to have fiscal buffers and liquidity buffers to this kind of shock,” said Adesina, 55, who took charge of the lender yesterday. “It’s not the only one we’re going to see, there’s still going to be a lot of disquiet in the market going forward.” Adesina replaced Donald Kaberuka at a time when low oil prices threaten to deepen economic crises in Nigeria and Angola, the continent’s largest crude producers, African currencies are trading near all-time lows and stock and commodity markets are reeling after China devalued the yuan this month.

Adesina, the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was elected on May 28 during the AfDB’s annual meeting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. He will face a slowdown in some of Africa’s biggest economies after a plunge in oil prices and rising political risk. He said the AfDB needs to focus on promoting investment by businesses. A report from the African top lender said yesterday was the last full day in office for Kaberuka, who steps down after 10 years in office. Speaking to bank staff at the weekend, Kaberuka said, “I was optimistic then, and I’m optimistic now: I leave the Bank as confident as ever about where Africa is heading. Presidents come and go, but the Bank stays. Africa needs a strong AfDB – and we have an AfDB that gets stronger by the day.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.2457 1.3572 0.7762 1.1739

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.2393 1.3572 0.7637 1.1739

OKOMUOIL STANBIC PZ CAVERTON CHAMPION MANSARD MAYBAKER SKYEBANK TRANSEXPR GUARANTY

O/PRICE 21.60 19.64 24.15 3.25 4.25 2.20 1.23 2.45 0.90 22.92

C/PRICE 23.81 21.65 26.61 3.58 4.68 2.42 1.35 2.67 0.98 24.50

CHANGE 2.21 2.01 2.46 0.33 0.43 0.22 0.12 0.22 0.08 1.58

LOSERS AS AT 01-09-15

SYMBOL CONOIL NEIMETH CWG CADBURY DANGSUGAR ETRANZACT VITAFOAM FLOURMILL CONTINSURE UBCAP TRANSCORP

O/PRICE 33.28 1.23 2.81 28.58 7.24 2.58 6.00 24.15 0.87 1.32 2.32

C/PRICE 30.05 1.12` 2.67 27.14 6.88 2.46 5.76 23.22 0.84 1.29 2.28

Inflation:April

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$28.2b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$67.91

CHANGE -3.23 -0.11 -0.14 -1.42 -0.36 -0.12 -0.24 -0.93 -0.03 -0.03 -0.04

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) May 28, 2015 Interbank ($/N)

199.00

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR)

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 01-09-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Tenor

16.5%

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

15.033

15.977

15.809

17.177

16.493

17.908

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

May 27

May 28

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices 27 May Statistics 5 May All Share Index 34,649.3 29,383.93 Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) 11.8 9,804.36 Deals 3,385 3,714 Volume (mn) 564,28 377,75 Value (NGN’mn) 6,087.80 6,568.66 GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Transaction Dates 03/02/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 400m 350m

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 399.97m 349.96m

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS Delta APC receives two PDP chiefs, 500 others From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

VER 500 persons, including a former Secretary of Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State, Victor Omunu, and a renowned Ijaw community leader, Saturday Timinimi, who were staunch members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The ceremony held yesterday at Ogbe-Ijoh, the Warri Southwest Local Government Area’s headquarters. The mass defection was the brainchild of the Akulagba of Warri Kingdom and APC chieftain, Chief Ayirimi Emami, with a prominent Gbaramatu chief and the party’s stalwart, Chief Michael Johnny. The ceremony marked the formal declaration of the APC members after registering at their various wards in Warri Southwest Local Government Area. Emami urged older members not to discourage the new entrants.

MOSOP urges release of abducted columnist From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

HE Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the kidnapped Vanguard columnist, Donu Kogbara. MOSOP, in a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, by its President, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, condemned the abduction of Kogbara, an Ogoni woman. The kidnappers, who reportedly wore police uniform, seized the renowned columnist on Sunday morning, when they stormed her Nkpogu-Port Harcourt home in a CRV car amid gunshots. The gunmen disappeared with Kogbara, whose whereabouts remain unknown. The abductors have also not demanded a ransom, as at press time last night. Police spokesman, Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the abduction. He said the police were on the trail of the abductors, assuring that the victim would soon be rescued unhurt. MOSOP said: “Although we do not know what might have led to the unfortunate and reprehensible act, the action is, no doubt, bestial. MOSOP finds it difficult to rationalise her abduction, as she is an acknowledged responsible, humble, peaceful and harmless journalist, who has been using her journalistic endowment to advance and promote the cause of humanity. Ms. Kogbara does not deserve this sort of treatment. “MOSOP is deeply concerned that she is yet another Ogoni victim of the disturbing and deepening security challenges in the state.”

•President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos, eighth right); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun, eighth left)with Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Vice President Deacon T. A. Soetan, ICAN 1st Deputy Vice President, Alhaji I. Zakari, ICAN 2nd Deputy Vice President, Alhaji Razak Jaiyeola, Immediate Past President, Mr Chidi Ajaegbu, Hon Treasurer, Mr Tayo Philip, Councill Member, Mr Abayomi Bammeke and Chairman 45th AAC, Mrs C. O Eyitayo, during a meeting with the President at the State House in Abuja...yesterday

Gunmen attack Akwa Ibom fish market

UNMEN suspected to be robbers yesterday injured scores of people at a fish market in ItuItam Modern Market, popularly called T-Junction, in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Goods worth millions of naira were stolen in the attack. The robbery is coming a day after new Police Commissioner Muritala Mani arrived in the state. Mani took over from Gabriel Achong, who retired after the mandatory 35 years of service.

•Goods worth millions stolen •Several injured but no death From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Although nobody died in the attack, our reporter learnt that two persons, whose names could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report last night, were injured from gunshots and were rushed to a hospital. An eyewitness, who spoke in confidence for security reasons, said: “The 12 robbers invaded the area in three boats and shot sporadically into the air. They dispersed

the passersby while they looted the market.” The victims, it was gathered, were rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Itu. The police were said to have arrived late on the scene, as the robbers had escaped. Police spokesman Cordelia Nwawe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), confirmed the incident. She said: “I know the gunmen, suspected to be armed robbers, actually were at the market, which is a fish mar-

ket. They came through the Opebi waterway at T-Junction to Ibeno boundary at Opebi waterside. They shot sporadically into the air and collected some valuables. But no life was lost. “I learnt a young man was struck by a stray bullet, but he is being treated. I can assure you that the police are on their trail. We will get back to you once we have enough information from our personnel on the waterways or the creeks.”

‘Amaechi remains hero of democracy’

HE Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) has said former Governor Rotimi Amaechi remains a hero of democracy. The party noted that there is a gang-up against the former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) by some desperate people who are bent at ensuring that the former governor does not get into the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari. But it assured that the gang-up would fail. In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by its Chairman Davies Ikanya, through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Public Affairs,

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, APC noted that Amaechi played major roles in bringing about the current change in Nigeria. The party said: “These retrogressive forces, led by Governor Nyesom Wike, are so afraid of the shadow of Amaechi to the extent that they are willing to go to any length to ensure that he is not accommodated in President Buhari’s cabinet. “They have, for months, mounted a relentless campaign of calumny against Amaechi, thus biting the finger that once fed them. This is not only shameful but also a clear sabotaging of the

greater interests of Rivers State.” APC said the former NGF chairman performed well in office and ensured real transformation of Rivers, without looting the treasury, as being insinuated in some quarters. The party urged Wike to focus on the development of the state, instead of chasing real or imaginary enemies, pending when he would be sacked by the election petitions tribunal sitting in Abuja, as a fallout of what it called the sham April 11 poll in the state. It said: “We learnt with shock how Wike reportedly (planned) ...to celebrate the non-appointment of Amaechi as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) by President Bu-

•Amaechi

hari and that he has set up a committee to bribe and influence the Senate to reject Amaechi, in case President Buhari nominates him as a minister. “We wish to advise Wike ...to desist and stop trying to play God. We are confident that he can never constitute a stumbling block to Amaechi, if President Buhari wishes to nominate him to serve his fatherland in any capacity.”

Dry dock location: Youths’ letter scares NLNG management

HE management of multinational gas corporation, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) and its investors are panicking, following a protest letter by a coalition of Rivers State youths and other stakeholders on the proposed location of NLNG’s dry dock. The letter was said to have startling revelations previously unheard of and lay credence to the fact that NLNG, despite its denials, sponsored the proposed dry dock project in Badagry, Lagos State. The nine-page letter, which was copied to government and strategic agencies across the country, was writ-

ten by Rivers youth leaders representing various groups, stakeholders and other Niger Delta youths. The youths, under the aegis of the Joint Niger Delta Youth Movement, is led by Niger Delta activist, Ann Kio Briggs. They urged the company to reverse the relocation of the project from Rivers to Lagos State. Among those present at the NLNG complex in Port Harcourt at the presentation of the protest letter, are: Chairman of Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State chapter, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo;

the National Secretary-General of Ijaw Youth Council and Leader of Rivers Ijaw Youths, Emmanuel Bristol Alagbariya; leader of Bonny Youth Federation, Simeon Wilcox, among others. They regretted the non-inclusion of the host communities in NLNG projects and condemned what they called the high-level deceit, fabrication and deliberate intention to foist crisis in the region. It was learnt that there was disquiet among the rank file of the NLNG management over the relocation controversy. The protesters called for the relocation of the dry dock in any part of Niger Delta.

Their letter was submitted amidst tight security by the NLNG management, but it did not deter the youth and stakeholders, who matched on the NLNG premises, from delivering it to one of NLNG’s key management officers. The letter reads: “It is not in dispute that you, NLNG, conceived the idea and sponsored the disputed dry dock feasibility studies, received, accepted, gave approval to the report and indeed mobilised banks and investors and also organised a road show to actualise and give effect to your desired decision to site the dry dock in Lagos as pre determined.

‘Dickson won’t abandon projects’ From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

HE Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ayibatonye Owei, yesterday said Governor Seriake Dickson is committed to completing the projects in different senatorial districts of the state. Owei noted that but for the dwindling revenue from the Federation Account, Dickson would have been rounding off with most of his projects. The commissioner spoke in Yenagoa, the state capital, when he hosted a delegation of the Bayelsa Liberation Forum (BLF). He said having demonstrated enough passion and commitment to develop Bayelsa, the governor deserved a second term to complete his projects. Owei told his audience that Dickson placed high premium on health and had initiated many projects in the sector. He said: “It is noteworthy that Governor Dickson places a high premium on the Health sector and has major strides in infrastructural development of Bayelsa state.”

Troops recapture Gamboru Ngala from Boko Haram

HE Army yesterday confirmed the recapture of Gamboru Ngala, Borno State, by troops of the Army 7 Division. A statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said troops had begun clearing and mopping up patrol, following the recapture of the town previously held by the insurgents. “The Nigerian Army has retaken the economic and strategic town of Gamboru Ngala, Borno State, from the Boko Haram terrorists group. “The triumphant troops are now busy with clearing and mopping up patrols,” the statement said. “Col. Usman said details of the feat would soon be made public as troops involved in the operations were in high spirits,” the statement said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS Police arrest five for alleged gunrunning in Kafanchan

Plateau killings: Fed troops declare ‘gunrunner’ wanted

HE Kaduna State Police Command has arrested five suspected manufacturers of arms at Karoik village, near Kafanchan, in Jema’a Local Government Area. Police spokesman Zubairu Abubakar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that the five suspects were members of an 11-member gang accused of manufacturing and selling guns to criminals. He said five of their collaborators were apprehended on July 31 while the gang leader was still at large. Abubakar said: “Two locally-made AK-47 rifles, two pistols, one sub-machine gun (SMG), parts of locallymade AK-47, a drilling machine and materials for gun fabrication as well as several rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the first five suspects arrested in July.” The spokesman said the suspects were arrested at the village on August 28, following a tip-off. He said: “The suspects were in possession of a Barreta pistol and five live ammunition.” The police spokesman said a robbery suspect, believed to be terrorising Kidanda and Bango villages in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, was also arrested. “The suspect was arrested while in possession of a stolen motorcycle and clothing materials reportedly robbed from their owners,” he added. Abubakar said the suspects would soon be arraigned.

Suspected lunatic destroys ATMs in Kogi From James Azania, Lokoja

N unidentified man suspected to be insane yesterday damaged two Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) at a first generation bank on Ganaja Road, in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. The incident took many of the bank’s customers by surprise. The man was mistaken for a robber. The attack damaged the two ATM machines and frustrated the customers. The branch manager, simply identified as Mr. Emmanuel, declined speaking with the press on the matter. An eyewitness said the incident happened about 9.30am when a young man stormed the bank with a wooden hammer, in an effort to access the ATMs. Confirming the incident, the Police spokesman Collins ‘Sola Adebayor, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the unidentified suspect was shot in the leg. He promised to make available details of the incident as soon as investigation was concluded.

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

•L-R: Cathedral Provost, Ven. Adeyinka Ekanola; Bishop of Lagos Central Diocese, Rt. Rev’d Gabriel Adebanjo; his wife, Dorcas; Vice Lay President, Chief Muyiwa Adebajo; Chairman, Ilupeju Archdeaconry, Ven. James Akinwande and Publicity Secretary, Chief Femi Adetona, at a welcome service for Rt. Rev’d Adebanjo, Bishop of The African Church, Lagos Central Diocese at the Bethlehem Cathedral, Ebute-Meta, Lagos...yesterday.

Rep petitions NHRC over soldiers’ invasion of Benue community

OR about an hour yesterday, a member of the House of Representatives representing Makurdi/ Guma Federal Constituency of Benue State, Dickson Tarkighir, narrated how some soldiers allegedly invaded a community in his constituency at night and destroyed it. Tarkighir was at the Abuja headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with some leaders from the affected community - the North Bank 2 - in Makurdi Local Government Area, to present a petition to the commission and seek its intervention. The lawmaker wrote and read a petition to those present before presenting it to the NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Prof Bem Angwe. He said the night raid was the fallout of a disagreement between some indigenes and a soldier, identified as Private Innocent Okoro. Tarkighir said: “On the night of August 14, some soldiers from the NASME Barracks in North Bank 2 of

•Commission pledges to probe allegation From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Makurdi Local Government Area embarked on what they called a reprisal attack on the community. This so-called reprisal attack was triggered by an altercation earlier in the day between a soldier, PTE Innocent Okoro, and three other young men over a lady. “The reprisal attack carried with it the hallmark of a lawless society as soldiers showed their disregard for civil authority in the pursuit of ‘justice’ and descended on a community in the night, beating up the residents and commuters as they also set ablaze over 200 cars, shattering the glasses to over 100 houses and about 150 other cars they did not have the time to set ablaze. “This sordid act lasted up till the early hours August 15. Left in its aftermath were charred remains of burnt cars, hundreds of injured residents in hospitals, shattered windscreens of cars, punctured ty-

res of vehicles, broken windows and doors to residential apartments and a community in tears, wondering what wrong they had done.” The lawmaker said his decision to petition the NHRC was informed by the alleged impunity by the soldiers, which he said showed “very clearly, a demonstration of utter disdain by a few misguided soldiers towards the capacity of our democratic institutions to tackle challenges for which essence they exist”. He added: “This is a worrying tendency that needs to be nipped in the bud before it overwhelms democracy.” Tarkighir urged the commission to “cause a full investigation into the remote and immediate causes to the violation of human rights, as it were, by the soldiers and to ensure the prosecution of all culprits as well as compensation for the victims of the dastardly act”. Angwe hailed the petition-

ers for expressing their grievances rather than taking the law into their hands. He said: “I wish to state, on behalf of NHRC, that we will investigate this petition. There is no policy on the part of the Federal Government of Nigeria to condone the violation of the rights of any Nigerian by any agency of the government. There is no policy put in place by the hierarchy of the Nigerian military for the violation of the rights of any Nigerian. “With the commitment expressed today by the military to subject itself to the nation’s Constitution and to all civil authorities, the NHRC will request the full cooperation of the hierarchy of the military to ensure that the perpetrators off this alleged violations are not only identified but are also punished.” Angwe said his commission would ensure appropriate compensation, after ascertaining the veracity of the allegation and the extent of damage.

Kogi: PDP must conduct fair primary, says Echocho

HE Isah Jubril (Echocho) Campaign Organisation yesterday warned that anything short of a credible primary by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State will spell doom for the party. In a statement by its Director-General, Fehinti Dada, the organisation urged the electoral committee members to be fair to all aspirants. It said there was an attempt by a Southwest PDP governor to convince other aspirants to step down for Governor Idris Wada instead of canvassing a level-playing field for the emergence of an acceptable candidate. The organisation alleged that over 90 per cent of the ad hoc delegates were allegedly hand-picked by the governor’s aides, like commissioners, special advisers, acting council chairmen, among others. It also claimed that the list of delegates had been compromised, saying: “It is our candid advice that the 21 local governments’ Returning Officers to be used in conduct-

By Joseph Jibueze

ing the ward congress must be recruited directly by the electoral committee without being tele-guided by anybody.” The organisation noted that without transparency, the congress and primary “will confine PDP to the dustbin”. “We want to remind the National Headquarters of our great party that Kogi is the only state in the entire Northcentral that remains in the

hand of PDP. The Party must, therefore, not do anything that will jeopardise our chances of retaining the State in this crucial election,” the organisation said. It expressed confidence that Echocho will emerge victorious in a transparent and fair electoral process because he is loved and accepted in Kogi. “We are not in doubt of his victory at the polls going by his pedigree and acceptability by the entire citizens of

Kogi State. We want to appeal to the conscience of the Electoral Committee Members therefore, to conduct this exercise with an unbiased mind and shun monetary inducement from the sinking Governor. “The concocted list ...must be jettisoned so as to allay the fears of our teeming party supporters that the PDP will win the forthcoming elections in Kogi State,” the statement added.

Assembly urges Fed Govt to intervene

HE Bauchi State House of Assembly has urged the Federal Government to intervene in the incessant killings of travellers passing through Plateau State. The Assembly advised governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states to meet with their Plateau counterparts to end the lingering killings in the state. A Bauchi State lawmaker representing Shira Constituency, Auwal Hassan, spoke

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

yesterday in Bauchi, the state capital, when he presented a motion on matters of urgent public importance. He said: “It is a cardinal duty of every government, whether state or federal, to ensure the security of life and property of persons living in Nigeria.” Hassan noted that the security and welfare of people living in Nigeria should be the primary purpose of every government.

The lawmaker decried “the prolonged and unabated hostilities among some communities in Plateau State, which always lead to frequent loss of hundreds of human lives”. He said property worth millions of naira were always destroyed in such confrontations. Hassan acknowledged the of Plateau and Federal governments to curb the menace. The lawmaker added that “so far, nothing concrete has been achieved.”

EDERAL troop on Plateau State crisis, codenamed Operation Safe Haven (OP SH), have declared wanted a suspected gunrunner, Aminu Hanbane. The suspect, who is said to be on the run, is wanted for alleged cattle rustling, supply of arms and mastermind of various attacks in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. Hanbane was declared wanted in a statement in Jos, the state capital, by the Media Officer of the federal troops, Capt Ikedichi Iweha. The statement said: “In keeping with the tradition of the Operation Safe Haven, Jos, by updating the residents ...with developments as they occur, the OP SH states as follows: “Following series of operations conducted in the aftermath of the Bisichi incident, in which the Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Maj.-Gen. Tagbo Ude, moved decisively to prevent a relapse to violence in the state, the OP SH has declared the person whose photograph is here attached (Hanbane) wanted. “He is Aminu Hanbane. He is wanted in connection with cattle rustling, proliferation of arms attacks on communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom areas. Anyone with useful information, which could lead to the arrest of the suspect and any known collaborators, is requested to come forward with such information to the headquarters of OP SH or any of its sector headquarters, especially at Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South local government areas. “Operation Safe Haven reiterates its readiness to respond to any act of criminality and all forms of threat reported to it promptly and assures the residents of their safety.“

INEC begins CVR in Kogi, Bayelsa today From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

HEAD of the governorship election in Kogi and Bayelsa states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two states. The registration, according to the commission, would begin today and end on September 7. The governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states will hold on November 21 and December 5. The CVR will take place at the local government area level. It will also begin daily (during the scheduled six days of the registration) from 8a.m. to 4p.m. INEC, in its in house bulletin, said: “The six-day exercise will afford three groups of eligible registrants to register to vote.” The commission explained that the registration is for those who were eligible but did not register before the 2015 general elections. INEC added that it is also for “those who are eligible but whose names are not in the Voters’ Register” and “those who have attained the age of 18 years since the last Voter Registration exercise”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

NEWS Cabinet delay: Buhari saves over N845.558m in three months

AfDB President Adesina to focus on power Continued from page 4

“This proved once and for all that the monster called the economy cannot be allowed to prowl the streets with its freewheeling struts without the leash of a trainer.” Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, queried: “Do African economies not require a different paradigm? How can trickle down paradigms work when half of our populations are extremely poor?. Do we not need some attention to social investment?” He said that conditional cash transfers to the poorest segments, universal primary healthcare schemes, school feeding programs, can energise local economies and create important multipliers in the economy. The Vice President however expressed some optimism that the African Development Bank, given its recent achievements under the out-gone President, Donald Kaberuka, can greatly assist Africa address some of its socio-economic problems. Under the new leadership of Dr. Adesina, he said that the AfDB needs to redouble its efforts in addressing the needs of the fragile areas, through institutional support, emergency assistance, and bold pro-poor interventions in health, education and agriculture. Osinbajo also urged the new AfDB President to focus on how economic policy can produce economic empowerment for women, and all people

who have become disempowered and whose voices are seldom reflected in the rhetoric of policy. The new AfDB President, at the occasion unfolded a 5point agenda which would be given utmost priority in the next five years. He listed the priority areas as Light Up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Integrate Africa; Indusrialise Africa and Improve quality of life for the people of Africa. Adesina said that unlocking the potentials of Africa for Africans will be his goal at AfDB. Dr. Adesina, who was Nigeria’s immediate past Minister of Agriculture, became the eight President of the AfDB and the first Nigerian to occupy the office since the creation of the Bank in 1963. He took over from Kaberuka, who served for 10 years from 2005 to 2015. Present at the ceremony were the President of Cote D’Ivoire, Allasane Quattara and his Prime Minister, Daniel Kaplan Duncan, Governor of Kano State, Dr. Umar Ganduje; the Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku; the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele. Others are: former Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cote D’Ivoire, Mrs Ifeoma J. Akabogu Chinwuba.

•President Buhari Continued from page 4

in Section147 (1-3) of the 1999 Constitution. About N79, 578, 709.56 would have been spent on salaries for 42 ministers in the period under review. It was also gathered that the new administration has earned about N765, 979, 200 savings (at about N18, 237,600 for each minister) for accommodation, furniture and Motor-Vehicle loan. According to a document obtained from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the monthly salary of a minister is about N631,577.60 in-

cluding: (i) basic salary N168,866:66, (ii) motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance N126,650 (iii) personal Assistant N42,216.66, (iv) domestic staff N126,650, entertainment N75,990, (v) utilities N50,660, (vi) Monitoring N33,773.33 and newspapers/periodicals N25,330. Also, upon assuming office, each minister is also entitled to about N18,237,600 covering the following allowances:(i) accommodation- N4,052,800, (ii) furniture N6,079,200 and (iii) Motor vehicle loan (iv) N8,105,600. Although former President Goodluck Jonathan’s ministers got about N950, 000 monthly, the official rate is the RMAFC benchmark. A highly-placed source said: “The delay in the choice of cabinet members has also helped to save so much in three months. We are talking of over N845million in terms of salaries and perks of office. “The President has spent the last three months to fashion out how he is going to run his cabinet in a cost-effective man-

ner. “With the new Treasury Single Account (TSA), the President has left no one in doubt that he will run a frugal administration with priority on accountability. “At the appropriate time, the President will tell the nation the benefits of taking much time to raise his cabinet. “Certainly, he knows what he is doing and he is aware of the expectations of Nigerians.” It was not immediately clear whether or not the President will retain a 42-man cabinet structure or reduce it to a manageable structure. When contacted last night, a source in the Presidency said: “I am aware that the Ahmed Joda committee recommended a lean cabinet but we also have constitutional provision on the appointment of ministers. “The constitution says there must be at least a minister from each of the 36 states. I think the cabinet will not be lower than the constitutional requirement.” Asked when the President will send the list of his minis-

Ibadan aglow as Glo holds music concert

HE Oyo State capital, Ibadan, came alive on Saturday night as telecoms operator, Globacom, held its wave-making music show, Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert, in the city. The event was held at the Jogor Event Centre. The Ibadan edition of Glo ‘Slide n Bounce’, was the first in

the series of the 11-episode concert which Glo will hold in key cities across the country to entertain its loyal subscribers. It will remain the talk of town for a long time to come, as the artistes gave a good account of themselves. Sensational artistes and Glo ambassadors, PSquare, MI, Wande Coal and Reekado Banks

kept fans at the venue of the show on their feet as they danced and rocked to the popular tunes from Saturday evening to the early hours of Sunday. The event, anchored by popular radio and TV presenter, Jimmy D Hypeman, also featured DJ XGee, who complemented the artistes’ performance with dance hall

N338b loans excite workers in Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Ekiti Continued from page 4

ade came on board, he has made sure salaries are paid on time, so the state needs to pay back those loans. the Federal allocation when it comes is less than what we need to pay salaries. So, even when it comes, we are in deficit.” The N1.28 billion share of Bayelsa State from the CBNbacked loans is meant for cash-strapped workers in the eight local government areas. Governor Seriake Dickson has been paying salaries of civil servants and pensions despite the dwindling revenue from the Federation Account. But the chairmen of the eight local government areas are owing arrears of workers’ salaries. A principal officer of a local government area, who spoke in confidence, said the governor promised to get the loans for the local governments. He said: “There has been crisis in the local government areas over inability of the chairmen to pay salaries.

The chairmen even appeared on the floor of the House of Assembly to explain the reasons for their financial crisis. “But the governor, who was not happy with the plight of the workers, promised to secure the CBN bailout loans for the local government employees. We are happy the money has come. He is a worker-friendly governor and that is why we are supporting him”. Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, confirmed that the money was meant for local government workers. “It is meant for local government because they are the ones owing salaries”, he said. The N14,152 billion bailout loan the Abia State is expecting will be spent on settling outstanding staff salaries, emoluments and entitlements to pensioners. The remaining, if any, will be used to provide infrastructure. The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to governor, Mr. Godwin Adindu, said the fund had not been accessed though there were indications that the disbursement will soon start. Adindu said: “The state’s economy will stabilise once the salaries are paid and it will cushion the effects of hardship being experienced by workers.” Abia State labour union chairman Comrade Uchenna Ebigwe said the fund should be spent to pay outstanding salaries, pensioners and other emoluments of workers. Ebonyi State government

ters to the National Assembly, the source replied: “Today is September 1; we still have many days in the month. It can be any moment from now.” The President has to run the government with at least 36 ministers unless the constitution is amended.” Section 147 (1-3) of the Constitution states: ”There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President. ”Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President. “Any appointment under subsection (2) of this section by the President shall be in conformity with the provisions of Section 14(3) of this Constitution: ”Provided that in giving effect to the Provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each state, who shall be an indigene of such state.”

said it had not got the money. Commissioner for Finance Dennis Ekumankama said the ministry was still processing it. He said: “As I’m talking to you now, I am in Abuja, trying to process the fund for the state” He, however, declined comment on the modalities for the fund’s disbursement. The State House of Assembly has given the government approval to take the loan N4.6 billion loan. The workers are owed two months salary arrears (July and August). But the government has refused to pay the workers with the salary table used by the last administration. The table with about 50 per cent increase in the salary of the workers was implemented by the last administration following a strike. Umahi, then the PDP candidate, encouraged the NLC to continue with the strike and promised them 100 per cent increment it he won. But Umahi, who paid the June salary with the new structure, has vowed to revert to the old salary structure from July. The governor told a PDP stakeholders meeting at the party’s secretariat in Abakaliki that after paying the 50 per cent increment in their salaries for June, the state had a balance of only N35 million. According to him, he will pay the 50 per cent increment only when the economy improves. He said: “After paying

June salaries, we were left with 35 million naira; I will not pay the demand of workers for increment in salaries but will increase their pay only when the economy improves. They fought for us so much but they should not be gods to us. It is not that there is money and we have refused to pay.” But the NLC chairman disputed the governor’s claim. He said the state government, after paying workers, will have enough money for projects. “If the government does not pay us with the 50 per cent increment, it will not be acceptable to us,” he said. Delta State is expecting N10.036 billion, which will be spent on salaries. The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the funds will soon be received. Although Delta State is not owing salaries, it is owing over N15 billion in arrears of pension The N3.167 billion bailout loan will be used by the Edo State government to pay local government workers. Only three council chairmen, Abdulmalik Afegbua (Etsako East), Joseph Ikpea (Esan Southeast) and Jimoh Ijegbai (Owan East), have paid salaries. The other 15 are owing workers between five to 10 months’ salaries. Members of the National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) embarked on several weeks of protest over the unpaid salaries until Governor Adams Oshiomhole ordered the council bosses to forfeit their

security votes and allowances to pay salaries. Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion confirmed that the loan will enable the defaulting local government areas pay their workers’ salaries. There are indications that Plateau State Government is yet to cash the bailout loan. The government is expecting N5.7 billion. NLC chairman Comrade Jibrin Bancir said: “The state government has always told us they have not received their own share. When the shares accrued to all the state were published on Monday, I called the accountant general of the state and he told me he was on his way to the CBN in Abuja to process it. “Not withstanding, the state government has cleared four of the seven months arrears inherited from the last administration. The government has always carried us along on the cash flow and financial challenges. “Governor Lalong may not have fulfilled his promise of paying the salary arrears twice in a month, but he has demonstrated a high level of transparency in the financial management of state resources and we appreciate his financial challenges.” Apart from the seven months’ salary arrears, there is also unpaid pension of state and local government retirees. Local government workers are also being owed two months’ arrears of salaries. Local government teachers are being owed one month salary.

tracks from his music box. Wande Coal thrilled the elated audience with a variety of songs from the old MoHit group and his latest work, A si ma peyin, while MI and P-Square showed that they are complete entertainers by adding drama skits to their performances. Reekado Banks also gave a sensational performance to the delight of the crowd.

Fernandez dies at 79 Continued from page 4

That does not include his bauxite (for aluminum) exports, gold mines (in Angola) and diamonds pits. He had shares in View, Sandcat Petroleum, Sanantonio, Goldfields, Voguehope, Grantdalem Inuola, Sandcat Goldfields, Woods and Petro Inett Equatorial Guinea. He was also once the Consul for Benin Republic (then Republic of Dahomey) (1966). He was a long-time adviser to President José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola. He was married to Aduke Fernandez, whom he divorced in July 2003 following a £300m divorce suit in Scotland. The court was asked by Aduke through her counsel, Charles Macnair QC, to compel Chief Fernandez to pay her a lump sum of £ 5 million and an allowance of £75,000 monthly for three years but the case was dismissed by the court. She died in 2013. He married Halima in 2003. He was the father of Princess Antoinette Oyinkansola Fernandez, from his relationship with the Erelu Kuti of Lagos, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu . Another of his daughter is Abimbola Fernandez, a model for Vivienne Westwood d u r i n g t h e Edinburgh Fashion Week. In 2009, her face was the album cover for platinum selling artist Cobra Starship’s CD “Hot Mess”. She also modelled for the cover of the single “Good Girls Go Bad”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS Pope Francis relaxes abortion forgiveness rules

OPE Francis is making it easier for women and doctors to seek forgiveness for abortion, by allowing all priests to forgive it. In Catholicism, abortion is viewed as such a grave sin that it can punished with excommunication. In most countries, only a bishop can approve forgiveness for abortion. They would then delegate an expert priest to hear the confession. The change is only for the coming Jubilee Year, beginning in December. However, the rule relaxation will not affect Catholics in England, Wales and Scotland as all priests there can already forgive abortion without seeking permission from a bishop. The Pope said many women who sought an abortion did so because they "believe that they have no other option". He added that he had "met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonising and painful decision". The easing of the rules is being seen as a shift in Catholic Church policy, reflecting the Pope's outspoken views on compassion and mercy. "'I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to allow all priests for the Jubilee Year to absolve of the sin of abortion those who procure it and who also seek forgiveness," Pope Francis said. Pope Francis is aware that the decision will not be welcomed by traditionalists, says the BBC's David Willey. However, in contrast to his predecessors, he regards compassion and mercy as virtues that outclass all others. The Jubilee Year runs from 8 December 2015 to 26 November 2016 and is seen as one of the Catholic Church's most important events. It normally takes place every 25 years unless a pope declares an extraordinary one to draw attention to a particular issue. 'Throw-away culture' The Pope has previously denounced abortion as part of a throw-away culture. "It is horrific even to think that there are children, victims of abortion, who will never see the light of day," he said in 2014. "Unfortunately, what is thrown away is not only food and dispensable objects, but often human beings themselves, who are discarded as unnecessary," he added. Pope Francis has been viewed as progressive on other controversial issues. In 2013, on the topic of homosexuality, he said: "Who am I to judge?"

Migrant crisis: Hungary rail station move sparks protests

UNDREDS of migrants have been protesting outside a major railway station in the Hungarian capital after police sealed off the terminal to stop them travelling through the EU. Crowds chanted “Germany, Germany” and waved train tickets after being forced to leave Keleti station in Budapest. Hungary is trying to restore order and enforce EU rules, officials said. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for the fair distribution of refugees across Europe. Austrian police said 3,650 migrants arrived in the Austrian capital, Vienna, from Hungary on Monday, with most heading for Germany. By yesterday morning, about 1,400 people had arrived in Munich, southern Germany, after travelling through Austria and more were expected. Hungarian officials had earlier appeared to abandon efforts to register them under EU rules, which say they should seek asylum in the

first EU country they enter, correspondents say. This West African entered the Spanish territor y of Ceuta from Morocco curled up next to a car engine. About 1,000 migrants congregated outside Keleti station, in the east of the city, as it was evacuated on Tuesday. It was closed briefly and public announcements said no trains would be leaving. But it soon reopened to non-migrant passengers, with lines of police preventing migrants from going through the main entrance. There are scenes of mayhem at the station, with hundreds of migrants circling the area trying to find a way through the guarded entrances, reports the BBC’s Nick Thorpe in Budapest. The decision to allow refugees to board trains on Monday evening and early yesterday seems to have been a temporary one to ease the growing pressure at the station, he adds. Many protesters complained that they had paid hundreds of euros for tickets to Austria or Germany, and

• ‘Hungary, no... Germany, yes’. Out bound migrants protest after Budapest train station closes. yesterday PHOTO: Getty Images

called for the station to be reopened. Many have been waiting at Keleti station for days. Reporters said they are mainly Syrians, Afghans and Eritreans. The number of migrants entering Europe has reached record levels, with 107,500 arriving in July alone. Latest figures show more than 239,000 people have arrived in Greece this year and two ferries are due to arrive near Athens on Tuesday carrying more than 4,000 migrants from Greece’s overwhelmed eastern Aegean is-

lands. Germany expects to take in 800,000 migrants this year four times last year’s total. Under the EU’s Dublin Regulation, asylum seekers must register in the first EU member state in which they arrive. However, the protocol has been widely abused, as many of those who reached Hungary first arrived in Greece, where they failed to claim asylum. The German government has already said it is suspending the Dublin rule for Syrians who have travelled to Germany.

After talks with the Spanish prime minister on Tuesday, the German chancellor repeated calls for a unified approach. Mrs Merkel said she had agreed with PM Mariano Rajoy on the need for registration centres to be set up in Italy and Greece with European co-operation. Meanwhile Babar Baloch, Central Europe spokesman for the UN’s refugee agency, criticised “Europe’s ad hoc approach” to the crisis, saying it had led to “more desperation at Budapest train station”.

Guinea migrant hides in car engine

• A Guinean man was found hiding under the bonnet of a Mercedes car.

West African migrant entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco curled up next to a car engine and another was hidden behind the back seat of the Mercedes-300 car. Spanish police found the pair late on Sunday during a customs check at El Tarajal, near the Moroccan border. The two men from Guinea got first aid, having suffered from a lack of oxygen,

Spain's Guardia Civil police said. Sub-Saharan Africans often try to enter Ceuta, as a gateway to the EU. The Mercedes 300 was found to have false number plates. Police detained two Moroccan men who were in the car when it was stopped. It is not clear how long the man in the engine compartment had been inhaling noxious fumes for.

Thai prime minister says bombing suspect arrested

HAI authorities arrested a man they believe is part of a group responsible for a deadly bombing at a shrine in central Bangkok two weeks ago, the prime minister announced yesterday. He said the suspect resembles a yellow-shirted man in a surveillance video who police say planted the bomb. "It would be great if he were (the bomber). Then we will know who they are, where they came from, who's behind this," Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters. He said the man is a for-

eigner and was detained in eastern Thailand near the Cambodian border, one of several border crossings where authorities set up checkpoints after the Aug. 17 bombing which killed 20 people, many of them foreign tourists, and injured more than 120. Prayuth said authorities plan to check fingerprints and conduct DNA tests to establish whether the man is the bomber. Police say they obtained the bomber's DNA from a motorcycle taxi and a three-wheeled tuk-tuk taxi that he used. Spokesmen for police and

the military junta that rules Thailand both later said the arrested man resembles the suspect they have been seeking for planting the bomb. No one has publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, sparking an array of theories about who might be behind it. Police have suggested that the suspects were part of a people-smuggling group who held a grudge against Thai authorities. Speculation has grown that the suspect might be part of a group seeking to avenge Thailand's forced repatriation of ethnic Uighurs to China in July. Prayuth on Monday

linked the two theories, suggesting the bombers might have been involved in smuggling Uighurs out of China. Prayuth said officials knew from their investigation that people involved in the bombing were about to flee the country and had traced the man to Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo province, a crossing point to Cambodia. The prime minister described the man as a piece in a jigsaw puzzle that would connect various parts of the case, which included a bomb that exploded harmlessly in a river next to a busy pier in Bangkok the day after the

shrine blast. Prayuth warned against speculating about the arrested man until more information is learned. "Don't say just yet it's about this and that. It could affect international affairs," he said. "We have to do a lot of tests, fingerprints. If he is the guy, he is the guy." "Officials are certain he is a main suspect in this case," national police spokesman Prawuth Thavornsiri said later at a news conference, adding that the authorities are waiting for witnesses to confirm whether he is the yellowshirted man.

U.S provides additional assistance to IDPs in Adamawa State

• Pope Francis

S has announced additional N176m assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Adamawa state. US. Chargé d'Affaires Maria Brewer yesterday announced the award of an $801,000 (N176 million) grant by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in humanitarian assistance for internally displaced populations in Jimeta and Yola in Adamawa State. According to a statement is-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja sued by the US embassy in Nigeria, the grant "will support the activities of the American University of Nigeria, Yola to improve access to education services for internally displaced populations (IDPs). With this new funding, total U.S. humanitarian assistance grants to AUN since the start of the insurgency crisis in the region is nearly $901,000."

Speaking during the grant signing ceremony, Ms. Brewer said, "Education positively affects people's economic development and general health, while also advancing civil rights." She added, "Where education is lacking, people are less likely to attain economic opportunity, which leads to greater poverty and, in too many places, opens the doors to extremism and violence." USAID Mission Director

Michael T. Harvey signed the grant agreement with the American University of Nigeria in the presence of the U.S. chargé d'affaires and key Nigerians from academe. The funding will provide education services for children and youth living in IDP camps and in host communities. The United States Government through its Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting several humanitarian, transitional, and

longer-term development activities in northeastern Nigeria, totaling $87.1 million, in collaboration with the Nigerian government at the federal, state, and local levels. Current and forthcoming activities will improve governmental capacity and performance, strengthen food security and water policy, expand the reach and effectiveness of health and education initiatives, and provide services for internally displaced persons.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

CITYBEATS Residents injured as robbers invade Lagos street CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

•Abandon some loot as police intervene

USPECTED robbers on Monday morning raided Ibadan Street in Ilupeju, Lagos, beating their victims to surrender cash and valuables. The armed men, who were said to have attacked the area around 2am with ýguns, irons and knives, raided about six compounds. They fled after men of the Ilupeju Police Division confronted them. It was gathered that the suspects, numbering about six, brought a bus which they parked at Ile-Ise Bus Stop, on Shylloný Street to cart away the stolen items. Among the compounds attacked were 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30ý Ibadan Street, some of which had no perimeter fence. It was gathered that the robbers, who damaged the street gate, tied up two night guards ýbefore embarking on their mission. Although they were said to have escaped with about N300,000 and mobile phones, The Nation learnt that they abandoned a car, some Plasma Television sets, laptops and Ipads ýthey stole from their victims. It was gathered that one of the victims, a Department of State Security (DSS) agent, allegedly lost N200,000 and five laptops to the armed men, while N40,000, N20,000ý and N10,000 were stolen from other victims. Recounting her ordeal, a 69year-old woman, who spoke under anonymityý, said they broke her net and forced their way into her room. She said the hoodlums hit her head with an iron because she tried to run out of her room after they gained

By Precious Igbonwelundu and Wale Ajetunmobi

entry. She said: “It was around 2am, I was in my room and I didn’t know what was happening. Suddenly, I heard a noise as though someone was trying to break my door net. I asked who was that? But someone shouted that I should open the door. I immediately suspected that something was wrong and so, I moved towards the door. “By that time, they have broken my net and were trying to force my door open. I struggled with them but they overpowered me. Immediately they entered, I tried to run out because my daughters were in the next room, but one of them used an iron to hit my head and blood started rushing out. “It was later that I knew they had gone to my children’s room, collected N19,000 and three phones. I also learnt that they robbed four apartments in my compound alone and they went to about five other compounds,” she said. The woman praised the police for coming to their rescue. She disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) had visited her twice and was instrumental to her being treated at a private hospital. She urged them to sustain regular patrols in the area to ward off hoodlums. Another victim, who gave her name as Jane, told The Nation that one of the robbers who entered her room was hooded. She suspected that it must be a familiar face, adding that the other suspects were not maskedý and unrecognisable.

•Ibadan street ... yesterday

Suddenly, I ‘heard a noise as though someone was trying to break my door net. I asked who was that? But someone shouted that I should open the door...

’

A man said the intervention of the policemen saved other houses on the street from being raided. He disclosed that after dismantling electronics from his neighbours’ house, the armed robbers collected his car key with a view to transport the ýelectronics to their bus sta-

•One of the injured victims

•Police on patrol ... yesterday

tioned on Shyllon Street. He said: “They were more than five in number. I saw two young boys among them. We heard that they picked irons from a welder’s shop on the street. They were shooting sporadically. “They broke many doors and threatened people. Al-

though they abandoned television sets, laptops and Ipads, money and phones were not seen. “They collected N200,000 from a DSS operative and five laptops. They also collected various amounts from victims and even beat up some people. They tied our gatemen to a burglary proofý in one of the compounds. At the time The Nation visited the street, most of the landlords were going for a meeting called upon by the landlords’ association chairman, Idowu Orelaja. ýOrelaja, who said robbers have not attacked the street in the last 20 years, promised to forestall future occurrence. A source at the police station confirmed the attack, adding that all valuables recovered were released to the victims.

Civil Defence parades suspected pipeline vandal

Worker ‘steals’ firm’s bus

•Some of the kegs ... yesterday

30-YEAR-OLD driver, Sunday Ewaranwon, yesterday said he took to pipeline vandalism to make money to pay his children’s school fees. The suspect, who was paraded by the Lagos State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ikeja, said he was in charge of securing the products got from vandalised pipelines. “I went to visit my brother in Bariga to ask if he could borrow me some money to pay my children’s school fees but he said he was broke. His friend, Fidelis,

By Basirat Braimah

entered his house and said he had a 50-litre petrol he wanted to sell. Fidelis said those he sent on errands said they were tired and couldn’t secure the other products. As Fidelis left my brother’s place, I went to him and said I was going to secure the products till the following day. He promised to pay me N15,000 and I agreed. Not up to 30minutes after Fidelis dropped me off to start the job, I was arrested,” he said. Ewaranwon said he didn’t know where Fidelis got the fuel. “I was only securing the products. I have not worked

for four months because my vehicle has been faulty. I have been sitting at the garage where they give me N100 or N200 daily. It couldn’t sustain me. I needed to do something to sustain my family,” he said. The state commandant, Gabriel Abaffi, said the suspect was arrested with 154 jerry cans of 50-litre petrol and 33 empty 50-litre kegs at Ijora, Lagos. Abafi said the product was loaded in a wooden boat with 30-Horsepower Suzuki engine. “They were two suspected vandals but one of them, whose name was given as

She said no arrest has been made. ý”Yes, there was an armed robbery attack but our men who were on patrol rose to the occasion and chased the bandits away. “While they were fleeing, they abandoned Plasma Television sets they had stolen, laptops, Ipads and a car key they collected from one of their victims with which they intended to park their loot. “They items were instantly released to their owners and our men have been patrolling the area since then,” said the police source. When contacted, the police command spokesperson, Patricia Amadin, ýa Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said she was unaware of the development, promising to find out and get back to the reporters.

•Ewaranwon

Godbless, jumped into the river when he sighted our men. He had 7,700 litres of petrol worth N669,000. The jerry cans had names on them with different signs. People should strive to get legitimate jobs they can rely on,” he said.

WORKER with China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), Isaac Shalegh was yesterday arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s court in Lagos for allegedly stealing the firm’s Toyota Hiace bus. Shalegh, 29, was docked alongside Bem Takpa, 38; Tor Matthew, 30; Sefa Akuhwa, 34; and Tevershima Ahura, 32, on a seven-count charge of conspiracy, dishonest conversion and duplication of keys, stealing, and receiving of stolen goods. Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Adegoke Akinlade said the offence was committed on August 1, about 5pm, at Iya

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Calabar beer parlour in Ebute Meta, Lagos He alleged that ýShalegh duplicated the key of the bus marked KTU878AX and facilitated its removal by Matthew and Takpa, from where it was parked. Akinlade said Akuhwa received the bus and defaced it. The offence, he said, contravened Sections 278, 326, 337, 409 and 413 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011. The defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted N100,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum. The matter was adjourned till October 28.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Two couples docked for fighting with blades By Robert Egbe

•Akubueze

•Obidike

•Onyeabor

•Omeluonye

•Ifoh

NDLEA intercepts cocaine in tins

HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 7.576kg of white cocaine and 3.885kg of crack cocaine smuggled from Brazil. The total weight of the drug is 11.461kg with an estimated street value of N57 million. The agency also arrested five suspected traffickers in connection with the seized drugs. Unlike white cocaine, crack cocaine is not common in the country. NDLEA airport commander Hamza Umar said various methods are adopted to conceal drugs. Umar said: “One of the suspects Izuchukwu Simon Omeluonye was caught with both white and crack cocaine in tins weighing 7.785kg. The crack cocaine weighed 3.885kg while the white weighed 3.900kg. Kyrian Nonso Akubueze, 28, had 1.110kg by the side of his luggage while Onodyer Obidike, 40, in-

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

gested 11 wraps of cocaine weighing 0.485 grammes. “Maduabuchukwu Friday Onyeabor was found with 74 wraps weighing 1.256kg and Emma Ifoh was caught with 34 wraps weighing 0.710 grammes.” The commander said Omeluonye, who hid the drugs in tins, said he wanted to invest the N1 million promised him in business. “I suffered untold pain while in Brazil. I agreed to smuggle drugs because I wanted to settle down and further my studies. I have a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. I feel very bad,” Omeluonye said. Akubueze said he was given the bag containing cocaine by a friend. “I left Nigeria to Brazil in search of job opportunities. My condition of living in Brazil was worse than

when I was in Nigeria. It was my friend that gave me the bag containing drugs,” he told investigators. Obidike said he was paid N200,000 because he could only ingest eleven wraps of drugs. “Drug trafficking,” he said, “was my last option to free myself from the harsh condition of living in Brazil. Unfortunately, I could only swallow 11 wraps so I was paid N200,000.” Onyeabor said his partner who was to collect the drug from me while in transit in Dubai failed to show up. Ifoh, a barber regretted travelling to Brazil. “It was the condition I found myself that made me to smuggle drugs. I was better doing business in Nigeria. I would not have smuggled drugs if I had not travelled to Brazil,” he lamented.

Bullet lands on The Nation man’s seat

•The bullet

•The roof By Basirat Braimah

seated. I don’t know how my pregnant wife would have received the news because this morning (yesterday) she still talked about how we were going to celebrate my birthday which is coming up in two weeks time. I am really grateful to God. I thank the spirit that made me ask my wife not to cook for me this morning.” According to him, the policeman attached to the company said it was an AK-47 bullet and took it away.

IRE yesterday gutted parts of Celplast Industries Limited on Fatai Atere Way in Matori, Mushin, Lagos. The firm produces coolers, water bottles, flasks, soft drink bottles and other products. The fire started around 11.25a.m at the upper part of the building housing the administrative offices. There was no casualty. Some members of staff were in a meeting when the fire started. They were alerted by passersby who saw thick smoke billowing from their roof. The fire threw nearby companies into panic. Sympathisers and traders at the Ladipo International fought the fire before the arrival of fire men. Men of the Lagos State Fire Service in Isolo and Ojuelegba arrived 10 minutes after the fire started. A car parked at the firm’s entrance prevented them

By Mojisola Clement, Latifah Ochu and Priscilla Oyewole

from gaining access in time. The fire was put out by 12.30pm. A factory worker was heard, saying :”Thank God there is no light.” A top official of the company, who did not want his name in print, attributed the cause of the inferno to an electrical surge. A fire fighter, Ibrahim Saheed, said the electrical surge might have emanated from a socket. Saheed said the affected area was the dining section of the factory. “It cannot be chemical because we saw none in the area, it can only be electrical surge as there are no flammable things in that section of the factory that was burnt,” he said. Efforts to speak with the firm’s management proved abortive.

Man ‘defiles’ stepdaughter •Adenekan ... yesterday

Driver arraigned for impregnating neighbour’s 16-yr-old daughter N Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, yesterday ordered the remand of a 45year-old driver, Ganiyu Afolabi, for allegedly impregnating a 16-year-old girl. Chief Magistrate Tajudeen Elias, ordered that the accused be held in prison custody until September 9, when the court would deliver its ruling on his bail application. Prosecuting Sergeant Jimah Iseghede told the court that the accused, who lives at Ayinde Close, Meiran, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of sexual assault, defilement and attempt to procure abortion. Iseghede said the alleged offences were

•The crack cocaine

Fire at plastic firm

WORKER of The Nation, Abiola Adenekan yesterday escaped being hit by a bullet inside his office. Adenekan of the Sales and Distribution Department was working on a production report around 10.28am when the bullet penetrated his office from the ceiling. “I was getting ready for the day’s work when I felt like eating something. As I stood up to go to the canteen, I remembered the production report and started working on it. I kept asking myself why I was standing when I had a seat in front of me. Suddenly, I heard a huge sound. I ran away because I was scared,” he said. Adenekan, who got married six-months ago, said he was shocked when he saw something on his seat. He said: “As I moved closer to my seat, I saw a bullet. My lips went dry because I didn’t know who to call; I was the only one in the office at that moment. I really don’t know what would have happened if I was

•The cocaine in tins

committed sometime in May at the accused residence. Iseghede alleged that the accused had called the 16-year-old victim to his room under the pretext of sending her on an errand and defiled her. “When the victim told the accused that she had missed her menstrual circle, he procured a drug for her to use but the girl told his mother and the accused was apprehended,” Iseghede said. He said the offences contravened Sections 137, 145 and 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused pleaded not guilty.

37-YEAR-OLD man, O l u w a s e y i Akinmulayo, who allegedly defiled his step daughter, yesterday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court. The accused, who lives at Omorale Johnson Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, is facing a charge of defilement. Prosecuting Sergeant Jimah Iseghede told the court that the offence was committed sometime in February at the accused’s residence. According to Iseghede, the accused defiled his 15-yearold step daughter and told her not to tell anybody. “The girl later told her

mother. The accused disappeared after committing the offence but was caught and brought to court,” he said. The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused denied the charge. Chief Magistrate Tajudeen Elias admitted the accused to a bail of N2 million in addition to two sureties in like sum. He ordered the accused to pay N200, 000 into the court’s registrar’s account as part of the bail condition. The case was adjourned to September 9 for mention.

WO men and their wives who allegedly attacked one another with blades and sticks were yesterday arraigned in an Ikorodu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for breach of the peace and assault. Tijani Ganiu, 55, his wife Omolara, 46; Lukman Abiru, 58, and his wife Oluwakemi, 38, all of Oriwu Road, Ikorodu, were accused of conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by fighting in a public place. The prosecutor, Corporal Abosede Adegeshin, told the court that “On August 28, 2015, at about 10am at their residence, one couple engaged the other couple in a fight, using sticks and blades to attack each other up.” According to her, the fight was caused by a minor disagreement between their daughters and both couples’ children also joined in the scuffle. Adegeshin said the offences contravened Section 54 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State, 2011. All the four accused pleaded not guilty. Magistrate O. O. Olatunji granted them N100,000 bail with two sureties each and adjourned till September 24.

Teacher in court for alleged sodomy

45-YEAR-OLD teacher, Akintobi Kayode, who allegedly put his manhood in the anus of a 14-year-old deaf and dumb boy, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kayode, who resides at Oladelu Street in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos is standing trial on a twocount charge of rape and breach of peace. The accused pleaded innocence. Prosecuting Sergeant Jimah Iseghede told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in May and July at his residence. Iseghede said the accused after assaulting the boy, overpowered him before having a carnal knowledge of him. “The boy, who is deaf and dumb, resides in the same neighbourhood with the accused. The accused always sends the boy on errands and on that day, he also sent him on an errand and lured him to his house and had a carnal knowledge of him by penetrating his anus. “Kayode took advantage of the boy because of his condition … due to the pains he was experiencing he told his parents what the teacher had done to him,’’ he said. Iseghede said the offence contravened Sections 166 and 258 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Magistrate L.Y. Balogun granted Kayode N200,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum. The case was adjourned till September 30.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

SPORT EXTRA AHEAD OF 2015 AFRICAN GAMES

AFRICAN GAMES FOOTBALL EVENT

Agu-Ogoke looks beyond Brazzaville

Nigerians should believe in Falcons — Danjuma

S the first Nigerian female boxer to feature at the Olympic Games, Edith Ogoke-Agu is looking beyond the forthcoming 2015 African Games after making the 13-man team to the Central African nation. In her first bout at the 2012 London Olympics, debutant Agu-Ogoke pummeled Azerbaijan’s Elena Vystropova to secure a place in the second round where she met her waterloo against experienced Russia's Nadezda Torlopova. But the disappointment at the London Olympics inspired AguOgoke to clinch a bronze medal at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland. Agu-Ogoke (75kg) who is among the three boxers selected for the multi-sports championship in Brazzaville told NationSport that going for the African Games, serves as preparation for her determination to become the first female boxer to win an Olympic medal. “I am optimistic going to Brazzaville and I know I will win a medal but my main priority is the Olympics and this is what is on my mind. I am happy making the team because it was not that easy making the final cut especially with the emergence of some new boxers. African Games for me is just a stepping stone to my dream which is to go to Rio Olympics and win a medal,” she said. Despite the inability of the team to feature at the African

By Olalekan Okusan

• Rues absence of Oshoala, Ordega, others

S •Ogoke-Agu

Championship in Morocco as well as embark on training tour, Agu-Ogoke believes this would not rub off on the performance of the team in Brazzaville. “I don’t think not going for training tour and not competing at the African Championship would really affect our performance in Brazzaville. With the kind of training we have had coupled with the spirit in camp, we will surely do well as a team. We are also praying to God to crown our efforts with medals,” the African champion said. Agu-Ogoke, who attributed her early exit in London to experience said: “I am a better boxer in terms of experience because I cannot easily forget the London Olympics early exit. My mind is now on the gold medal in Rio and that is my priority for now. For now, it is the Olympic Games medal that is my target and I hope to right the wrong I committed in London when I get to Rio in 2016,” she boasted.

UPER Falcons’ Chief Coach Christopher Danjuma has urged soccer-loving Nigerians to believe in his team’s ability and capacity to emerge the gold medal winner of the Football event of the 2015 All African Games that would commence in Congo Brazzaville at the weekend. In a chat with NationSport before jetting out of the country with the Super Falcons on Monday, the team handler Danjuma made passionate appeals to the football loving Nigerians to have absolute confidence in his team to become the AAG Football event winner. “Yes expectantly in Nigeria everybody should hope and believe that we are going out there as African Champion and to prove ourselves as African Champion. I still have respect for every team that comes to a competition”, he disclosed. He also revealed how much he has worked on the psychology of the players to boost their performance. “One good thing I have done is to psyche the players up to put the loss against Equatorial Guinea in the 2016 Olympics qualifier behind them. So they are now thinking of how to do well in the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja The team is focused on going to Congo Brazzaville and to make sure we stamp our feet as Champion of Africa. ‘We have done our best before today’s (Monday’s) departure for the All Africa Games to build a new team and also psyche up our players that are mostly home based for the task ahead. FIFA Calendar permitting players plying their football trade abroad to play for their country is not in our favour. This simply means that the All Africa Games tournament is not on FIFA calendar. “As we speak now we barely have the services of only four professional players that will help our team prosecute the AAG competition. I wouldn’t have loved to miss any player of this team that played in the last (FIFA’s Women’s) World Cup. For this year’s All Africa Games I would have loved to storm

Congo Brazzaville with strong and talented players like Francisca Ordega, Ngozi Okobi, Halimatu Ayinde, Josephine Chukwunnoye, Asisat Oshoala but all these people are just not going to be around. “Team blending is not always a soft part for a coach, but I can say that we have gotten players that do have the quality of playing for the national team. We have players like Joy Jegede, Adiza Apam and Chioma Nwobo from Kogi Queens and others that we are discovering and we are hopeful of the players making impact in the competition. “Nobody goes to a competition without thingking of success. There is one important thing that I want Nigerians to know for instance Spain was the world champion at a time and at a time Germany took over. Football is evolving and every team is improving. It does not

• Oshoala mean that you are stagnant but it means other teams are getting better. “When the gap is narrow it means that you also need to work harder, you also need to put more than you have been putting before to be able to maintain the standard that you have set before”, Danjuma also disclosed.

I've faith in Iheanacho —Pellegrini

ANCHESTER City coach, Manuel Pellegrini, has hinted that the club will not be signing a new striker before the close of the transfer window as he has faith in the ability of Nigeria youth international Kelechi Iheanacho. This summer, The Citizens lost the services of Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic but there’s no need for them to deep into the transfer market for offensive reinforcements as Iheanacho has impressed the Chilean at train-

ing and build - up games. “‘Kelechi will give us a lot of things during the season,” said Pellegrini to Manchester Evening News. ‘Someone asked me whether I was going to bring in another striker, but I think with Kun, Bony, Sterling – who can also play that position – and with Kelechi, it is important for young players to get their chance.” Kelechi Iheanacho was handed his Premier League debut last weekend against Watford, even though he was on the pitch for few minutes.

• Iheanacho

FSV FRANKFURT COACH

Awoniyi has talent

F Odegbami declares FIFA presidency ambition

ORMER Nigerian football team skipper Segun ‘Mathematical’ Odegbami

has said he will run for the FIFA presidency, declaring the world football governing body needs a new era of leadership to restore dignity to the sport after recent scandals. The FIFA poll to replace Sepp Blatter, who quit in June, takes place on February 26, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland. “The current scandal at FIFA is the organisation’s worst crisis in its 111 years of existence. Moving forward, FIFA thus require a new era of leadership that can restore the dignity of the noble sport and that of this esteemed international institution with global followership,” said the 63-year-old Odegbami, who describes himself as an “African candidate”.

“Times like this call for all concerned members of the global football family to contribute to the actualization of renewed objectives for FIFA by electing a deserving and qualified person, with the right character that can achieve the desired goals and restore confidence and integrity to the organisation and its activities. “The world is very interested in who becomes the next President of FIFA, considering the present image and state of this institution and I see myself fitting into this role.” Odegbami won 46 caps and scored 23 goals for Nigeria. He has bagged a national honour from his country and has worked with both clubs and the country’s team. He has severally contested for the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

SV Frankfurt coach Tomas Oral was pleased with signing of the Nigeria youth international Taiwo Awoniyi on loan from Liverpool until the end of this season. Despite signing a preliminary contract with Kalmar in 2014, the Flying Eagles striker and his adviser, ex Super Eagles’ midfielder Seyi Olofinjana, failed to honour the agreement with the Swedish club. “Taiwo Awoniyi is a very talented player who is ready to take the next step with us, to eventually prove himself for the Premier League,” said Oral to FSV Frankfurt’s official website. “He’s a young U-20 from the Nigeria national team, we will develop him carefully. ” According to German publication, Kicker, FSV Frankfurt can acquire him outright from Liverpool next June.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

SPORT EXTRA BATTLE OF DAR ES SALAAM

Emenike: Oliseh knows I'm not finished

• Emenike

MMANUEL Emenike has told AfricanFootball.com he is back in the Super Eagles because new coach Sunday Oliseh knows he still has a lot to offer. Emenike was top scorer as Nigeria won a third AFCON title in South Africa in 2013. But after failing to shine at last year’s World Cup in Brazil, the big striker was left out by then coach Stephen Keshi and it seemed his international career was nearing an end when he last played against Sudan in October amid speculations of a frosty relationship with the coach. And his chances of a comeback appeared to dim when new coach Oliseh declared he would

only work with players in the top leagues of the world. Emenike is now at Al Ain of Dubai on loan from Fenerbache, but the new coach has insisted he will go with his pedigree. The striker said he is not losing sleep over criticisms, adding he was not bothered when he wasn't called up because the national team belongs to every Nigerian footballer. "Is anybody criticising me? Well, I don't have answers for critics, but I have answers for Tanzania and coach Oliseh,” Emenike told AfricanFootball.com in a frank interview. "I am very familiar with the situations in Nigeria. As a footballer, there is no number of

critics who will make me to lose focus. In life, we have different kinds of people, so also in football. “The coach (Oliseh) knows I am not a finished striker, he knows my worth and that's why he's giving me a chance." He continued: "Let me put this straight - Super Eagles is not the property of an individual, but for every Nigerian footballer. I have never been desperate over it, but I always play for my country with humility and respect. “Nigeria is bigger than me or any other player. I was never disappointed being out of the team, it's great to be here in camp and give the coach a deserved honour." Speaking about the critics have been saying that Emenike is Oliseh favourite, he said: "That's why I said I don't have answers for the critics.” On Saturday’s AFCON qualifier in Tanzania, Emenike said victory is the target and ticket to AFCON 2017 is a priority. "We all know why we are here, it is the responsibility of everybody to show good and positive attitude for the success of the team,” he said. “There are no easy games for Eagles in Africa again, those smaller countries always want to prove difficult and surprise Nigeria, but we must have it at the back of our mind that we are facing a tough task. "The game in Tanzania is a must-win, it’s not actually about me but the Super Eagles. As a striker, I wish to score for the team with good passes from my team mates."

AFCON QUALIFIER AGAINST SIERRA LEONE

Cote d'Ivoire to arrive Friday

FRICAN champions Cote d’Ivoire have announced they will fly into the southern Nigerian city of Port Harcourt, aboard a chartered airplane on Friday for an AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone. Augustin Sidy Diallo, president of the Federation Ivoirienne de Football (FIF), confirmed the Elephants’ delegation will hit the Rivers State capital on Friday morning. Sunday’s match at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium is the first time Nigeria is hosting a competitive international involving two other countries. The Elephants and Leone Stars will kick off at 4pm local time. It was also gathered that the Sierra Leone delegation of 33 persons, led by president of the Sierra Leone Football Associa-

tion, Isha Johansen, will fly into Port Harcourt on Wednesday evening aboard an ARIK Air plane. It can be recalled that Port Harcourt hosted Nigeria’s home matches in the successful campaign for a place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, and recently played host to the Nigeria U23 team in a successful campaign against CongoBrazzaville for a place at the 2015 Africa U23 Cup of Nations. Coach Michel Dussuyer will miss the services of African Player of the Year Yaya Toure, and has also omitted Cheick Tiote, Siaka Tiene and Lacina Traore. But there are still several eminent Elephants in goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohou, defenders Serge Aurier, Mamadou

Bagayoko and Adama Traore, midfielders Ismael Diomande, Serey Die, Serge N’Guessan and forwards Seydou Doumbia, Gervinho, Max Gradel, Giovanni Sio and Salomon Kalou.

• Gervinho

SUWON CONTINENTAL TOURNAMENT

Osimhen leads Eaglets against hosts Korea

N the absence of captain Kelechi Nwakali, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will be led against Korea by striker Victor Osimhen in an opening match of the 2015 Suwon Continental Cup International Youth (U-17) Football Tournament. The match will kick off at 8pm local time, which is 12pm Nigerian time today. Eaglets' captain Nwakali is being expected in Suwon after he was held back in Nige-

• Kick-off 12pm Nigerian time ria due to visa hitch along with team co-ordinator Prince Udofia, but Osimhen would undoubtedly be a worthy replacement. Incidentally, Osimhen is presently the team's top scorer with 30 goals in both friendly and international matches. He actually enjoyed the responsibility of captaining the Golden Eaglets a fortnight ago

when the coach Emmanuel Amuneke-led side beat Katsina State U17 Selected Team 2-0 at the Karkanda Stadium where he scored the opening goal before Funso Bamgboye added the other. Brazil and Croatia are the other teams at this invitational tournament, which will serve as a dress rehearsal for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile in October.

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

AST week’s piece on Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah’s objections to President Muhammadu Buhari’s declared war on corruption during Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, has elicited by far the largest number of reactions to this column so far this year – 84 texts and three emails in all. Out of the 84 texts, only three vehemently disagreed with my criticism of the bishop. Another six or so shared my view, but disagreed with my hunch that religion had much to do with the bishop’s position. The rest were critical of him with no caveats. I think the number of the readers’ reactions alone suggests that most Nigerians, regardless of religion or tribe, consider the fight against corruption the country’s topmost priority. If my guess is right, Professor Ben Nwabueze must then belong to a minority who think otherwise. For the professor, religion, specifically Islam, and not corruption, poses the greatest threat to Nigeria’s peace and progress. In an over 3,300-word interview in The PUNCH of August 9 he said so categorically. Asked by the newspaper if he agreed with the widespread public opinion that corruption posed the biggest challenge the country faces, he said no. Corruption, he said, was only “the second biggest.” The first, he said, “is the crisis arising from the religious divide. That is the first and the most terrible. After that comes corruption. All other things are subsidiaries.” Our Constitution, he said, contained two contradictory ideologies, one favoured by Christianity and the other by Islam. The ideology preferred by Christianity, he said, is democracy, whereas that preferred by Islam which is based on Sharia or Islamic Law “favours theocracy and other forms of dictatorial rule.” The conflict between these two ideologies, he said, has landed the country in the middle of a big crisis which, he said in effect, Buhari is incapable of resolving in favour of democracy because he is an agent of Islamic theocracy. “He,” the professor said, “has many restraints; he has many constraints. He is not a free agent. Whatever may be his personal characteristics, he is not a free agent. HE WAS CHOSEN AS THE APC’S (ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS’) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AT THE PRIMARY FOR A PURPOSE; TO TRY TO IMPLEMENT AN AGENDA. I WON’T GO ANY FURTHER. His ability, his capacity to fight corruption decisively is constrained and restrained by some factors, mostly religious.” (Emphasis mine). As a professor, especially of law and, for that matter, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Nwabueze should know better than reach a verdict based on conjecture rather than facts. Clearly, however, his barely disguised conclusion that Buhari was elected the presidential candidate of APC to impose an Islamic theocracy on Nigeria is without any basis in fact. No doubt religion is important to Nigerians as a means of identity. A survey in the country ahead of the April 21, 2007 presidential elections by the American Pew Research Centre titled “Nigeria’s Presidential Election:

OTHING more perhaps, depicts the starkness of Ayo Fayose’s Ekiti, than two pictures, of two governors, from two states, with two contrasting tempers: one forward-looking, the other firmly fixed in the past. Kaduna’s Nasir El-Rufai: with construction experts, at some work site, studying a sheaf of diagrams. The imaging? A 21st century futuristic governor. Ekiti’s Ayo Fayose: at an Ado Ekiti market, pricing ponmo and allied orisirisi, with his darling hoi polloi roaring; and salivating a putative lifetime treat of gubernatorial stew! Abiding image: a crude throw-back into the Medieval, if not outright, Stone ages! Yet, El-Rufai and Fayose are governors in today’s Nigeria. Ekiti Kete, famed land of professors, how market? Fayose, no doubt, is a master of full emptiness. When the barbarians over-ran Alexandria in ancient Egypt, their public enemy number one was the 700,000-scroll Royal Library of Alexandria. So pronto, they razed it, for nothing scares

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Attacks on Buhari’s war against corruption - The case of Nwabueze

•President Buhari

The Christian-Muslim Divide” suggested that the vast majority of its people regarded religion as more important for their identity than their nationality, ethnicity and continent. Among Christians the percentage was 76 for religion as against nine for nationality, six for ethnicity and eight for the continent. For Muslims the percentages were 91, five, zero and three. The same survey, however, showed that both groups favoured democracy over any other form of government. Among Christians the percentage of those who said free and fair elections with a choice of at least two political parties were “somewhat or very important” was 86 as against 13 who said it was “not too or not at all important.” The percentages for Muslims were 93 and four. It’s been eight years and two presidential elections since Pew’s survey. However, given the enthusiasm with which Nigerians have participated in those elections, it is very clear that they have not changed their minds about their preference for democracy whatever their religion. That enthusiasm alone must make one wonder on what basis our learned professor reached his verdict that Nigeria faces a greater danger from our religious differences than from corruption. In his interview, Nwabueze at first says he would not spell out the powers constraining Buhari from fighting corruption and propelling him to impose Islamic theocracy on Nigeria. “I won’t,” he said, “go any further” in naming Buhari’s puppeteers.

HARDBALL

Over halfway through the interview, however, he went ahead all the same to name two. The first, he says, is “the invisible government of Nigeria” whose existence is known to only a few. The other, he says, is “a group of diehard Islamists determined to impose Islamic (Sharia) system of government on Nigeria.” The first group, he claimed, is led by former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. The group, he added, has been strengthened by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, who has since left the erstwhile ruling Peoples Democratic Party. He named no names in his group of “diehard Islamists,” but elsewhere in the interview he did say Boko Haram was a manifestation of the group as the local wing of global jihadists. Conspiracy theories come at dozens a kobo. However, the professor’s theories of an “invisible government” led by Babangida dictating policies and programmes to President Buhari, and of the leadership of Boko Haram sect as yet another godfather of Buhari, must rank as one of the cheapest form of demagoguery. Certainly it ranks as the most laughable because it is no more than an attempt by an otherwise brilliant scholar to elevate beer-parlour gossip to the level of serious scholarship. Actually it is worse than laughable because even in beer parlours it would be hard to find anyone who does not know that there has really never been any love lost between Buhari and Babangida since the latter overthrew the former as head of state in August 1985 in a bloodless palace coup. In any case, if the professor’s invisible government truly existed and Babangida was its patriarch, how come he couldn’t even fulfil his proverbial wish to step back in to power since the return of democracy in 1999? As for General Abdulsalami being a chieftain of Nwabueze’s invisible government, anyone who has followed the man’s military career would testify to the fact that a more apolitical person is hard to find. And only the most credulous person would believe the professor’s claim that Obasanjo, with his huge ego, would play second fiddle to anyone in any group in this country. In his over 3,000-word, two-part essay published by The Guardian last month which he claimed to be the position of Igbo Leaders of Thought – I have my doubts about his claim

because associations of people don’t go announcing their positions through longish essays - he said the group objected to Buhari limiting his probe of corruption to Jonathan’s presidency alone because that would be selective and cannot put an end to the vice. The professor is obviously right to say that fighting corruption under Jonathan alone is selective. However, he is wrong to argue that the fight will succeed only if it includes corruption under Jonathan’s predecessors all the way back to 1985 under Babangida. His assumption here is obvious; it is possible to eliminate corruption. That assumption is patently false. As long as there is human society there will be corruption. What is important, however, is to have a system that makes corruption difficult and also punishes the corrupt whenever he is found out. In Nigeria’s history, no administration has made it so easy to steal with so much impunity as Jonathan’s. Such was the impunity that he could not even rely on his men – and women – not to steal the money meant for his election victory, an impunity which resulted in an incumbent losing an election at the national level for the first time in the history of this country. Because it is not possible to end corruption, the fight against it must never fall into the danger of allowing perfection to be the enemy of the good. Fighting all corrupt cases simultaneously is perfect but even our professor cannot deny that starting with the most obvious case is a good start. Nor can he deny that Jonathan’s presidency holds the gold medal in the race for self-aggrandisement because, as he himself said in The PUNCH interview in question, corruption today has assumed “buccaneering” proportions. At 84, Professor Nwabueze should be concerned about his legacies. Some of the most notable ones among these are hardly what his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can be proud of. Among these is the Unification Decree of 1966 which he was a principal author of and which eventually led to our civil war. Another one he masterminded was the decree which established the Interim National Government under Chief Ernest Shonekan in 1993 which, in turn, paved the way for the venal dictatorship of General Sani Abacha. In between the two decrees he became and continues to be - a leading advocate of Nigeria as a federation of ethnic nationalities, a most reactionary idea you can think of in a world that has since become a global village and where the wealthiest countries are melting pots of diverse creeds and cultures instead of patchworks of their constituent parts. Let it not, in addition, be said of him that here was a man who used his brilliance to try and scuttle the first attempt by any administration in this country to seriously fight corruption. Note I am sorry I am unable to reproduce the reactions to the last two pieces today as I promised last week due to space constraint. Next week, God willing, I’ll devote the entire column to some of the reactions. •For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Ekiti Kete, how market? a barren mind more than even the most routine of ideas. Like Barbarians in Egypt, like Fayose in Ekiti. So, when others levitate the clouds for ideas, seeking solutions to developmental problems, Fayose plumbs deep into empty stunts, stunts he hopes would tantalise his people, and freeze their thinking, even but for a little longer. This is why El-Rufai would study maps; and Fayose would, with glee, price ponmo! Ekiti Kete, how market? Indeed, in Fayose’s Ekiti, it would appear morning yet on a long, long night. At the beginning, it was loud emptiness muscling out quiet ideas. But now, it is equal-opportunity vacuity, of different shapes and sizes, and rippling muscles, in a vicious combat for hegemony. Fayose, formerly undisputed lord of manor, is therefore constrained to up the ante. First, a bitter rival for public attention rather

DELE AGEKAMEH

audaciously decided to beat Fayose to his own game. At his first coming, Fayose dazzled Ekiti with tanker loads of free water, the water of forgetfulness, which Ekiti drank to forget its essence. By the time they woke from the watery drug, Ekiti Kete was almost undone. Now, that rival has reached for the jugular, Fayose’s beloved Okada riders, and declared free fuel for all, in this jungle of rough-and-tumble politics. When the dust cleared, the riders reportedly declared themselves ready to be spoilt silly by whoever supplied free petrol, even — heresy of heresy — asking Fayose to stand up for the new champion of dramatic emptiness! Then, a renegade former “Speaker”, who was a rebuke to the law, his own conscience, decency and even common sense, suddenly remembered he had principles, alleging that he was a victim of Fayose’s use-and-dump tactics! He declared himself liberated from Fayose’s potent spell of

one-man show. Even, some elements in the Ekiti Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have joined the restiveness, with a splinter group and youth vanguard declaring themselves ready to confront the hitherto popular — more of notorious — Leviathan of Ekiti streets. Geez, the Fayose revolution seems set to devour own scions! But for the rambunctious Fayose, it is time to up the emptiness. First, was the ponmo show, of the latest gubernatorial cook in town, boasting a glittering CV of an illustrious career as Danfo driver. Then, the latest outpouring of gubernatorial tomfoolery: the appointment of a 72-year-old reported “illiterate” as local government caretaker chairman, with a graduate as blissful personal assistant! Whatever the illiterate lacked, the graduate sidekick can make up, right? Can any contender, in all of Ekiti, beat this audaciously dramatic gubernatorial clowning? Ekiti Kete, how market?

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