THE NATION

Subsidy: Senators, Reps reject Jonathan’s stand

By Yusuf Alli, Victor Oluwasegun and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja 3 hours 2 minutes ago

After a two-hour audience, Senators and members of the House of Representatives still kept President Goodluck Jonathan in suspense over plans to remove fuel subsidy.
But the President warned that the economy may collapse, if the subsidy remains, sources said.

But the Senators and Representatives endorsed Jonathan’s plans to tackle the Boko Haram menace and rid Nigeria of terrorism.
The President met with members of the National Assembly at the Presidential Villa between 3pm and 5pm.

The moderator of the session was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, a former Senate President.
It was learnt that after the opening prayer, which was said by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the session went into the two issues on the agenda - removal of fuel subsidy and Boko Haram’s insurgency.

The President (with whom were some ministers and the National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi) explained why fuel subsidy must be removed.
But the President’s arguments proved to be a hard-sell to members of the National Assembly, who were led by Senate President David Mark and House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.

It was gathered that when Mark gauged the mood of members on the removal of fuel subsidy, he intervened by changing the focus to Boko Haram menace and insecurity.
A source at the closed-door session, who pleaded not to be named, said: “The President passionately pushed for support for the removal of fuel subsidy, saying if we don’t remove fuel subsidy, the country will be almost collapsing.”

After the President’s speech, two Senators reportedly spoke Deputy Senate leader Abdul Ningi asked the President to deal with the cartel reportedly gaining from the fuel subsidy. He reportedly said: “You are the most powerful black President; you have the power to deal with the cartel. We should confront the cartel.”

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Ita Enang, reportedly said: “What makes political sense might not make economic and security sense.”
Members of the House of Representatives declined to speak.

The deafening “NO!” re-echoed the position of the House that if the cartel is checked, the nation can afford about N500billion fuel subsidy per annum.
Sensing likely rowdiness, the Senate President prevailed on the President to address insecurity, especially the Boko Haram menace.

The source quoted Mark as saying: “I think the President cannot get the commitment of any member here, but we will go back and discuss the issue of removal of fuel subsidy and get back to him.

“But members will want to know what your administration is doing to address insecurity in the country.”
Following Mark’s intervention, the President briefed the session.

Another source said: “The President told us that his administration was tackling the terror attacks from Boko Haram. He said unlike Niger Delta militants who can be identified, Boko Haram members have mingled with the society under one guise or the other and cannot be easily located.”

The source quoted the President as saying: “We are trying to address the insecurity; we are making efforts to tackle the Boko Haram menace via intelligence gathering. We are collaborating with some countries to get to the roots of these terror attacks and put the menace behind us.

‘We are on top of the situation; we will soon get over it. Terrorism is alien to our culture; we will address it once and for all.”
Tambuwal gave the vote of thanks, it was learnt, urging the President to take whatever steps necessary to address insecurity “and members of the National Assembly will back him”.

Tambuwal is quoted as saying: “We have heard you, Mr. President. We thank you for addressing insecurity. Security is for all of us. We will back you.”
On the removal of fuel subsidy, the source said, “the Speaker simply maintained that ‘we will meet and discuss it in our fora.”

He added: “The Speaker’s non-committal on fuel subsidy removal drew instantaneous applause from members of the House at the session.
“At the end of the day, senators and members of the House decided to keep the President in suspense. But that may be the end of the matter if care is not taken. The House is certainly opposed to the removal of fuel subsidy.

“But Jonathan also got the backing of the National Assembly members to fight terrorism and address insecurity in the land,” he added.
Yesterday’s meeting which lasted about two hours was held at the Banquet Hall of the State House.
Senator Ayogu Eze, chairman of Works Committee said though the meeting was inconclusive, “it is assumed that it is going to continue and I can see two or three more meetings before we can come to a comfortable platform.

“I want to let you know that this is a very useful exchange, very useful interaction and we hope at the end of the day, it will produce desirable results for our people.
“A whole lot of governance issues were discussed. We discussed security, subsidy and the issue of balancing the budget and just making sure that government works for the benefit of the people. It will be premature to say that we have failed to understand ourselves. This is the first interaction, we have listened to him (President) and we are going to take it further”, Senator Eze said.

He dismissed speculation of the attempted vote of no confidence on the President by the Senate, saying they were scandalised by the report. He said they only discussed security challenges since members were worried about the state of insecurity in the country.
“That (vote of no confidence) never came up in the Chamber of the Senate.

The Special Adviser to the president on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emordi also dismissed the report that the legislators were planning to pass a no confidence vote on the president.

Besides the President, some members of the Federal Executive Council at the session were the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman; and the Minister of Youths Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi, among others.

New banks remain in business, says CBN

By Collins Nweze 3 hours 7 minutes ago

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) yesterday assured depositors of the three new banks (Mainatreet Bank, Enterprise Bank and Keystone Bank) of the safety of their funds, saying that the institutions remain in business.

A Federal High Court has restrained the trio from further dealing in the assets, businesses and operations of the nationalised banks - Afribank, Spring Bank and Bank PHB.
But the CBN and the NDIC, in a joint statement, said: “The CBN and the NDIC wish to inform the general public that Keystone Bank Limited, Mainstreet Bank Limited and Enterprise Bank Limited are banks duly licensed by the CBN and are thus authorised to carry on banking business. We urge all customers of the said banks as well as the general public to continue transacting their business with the banks as hitherto done and hereby issue our assurances once again that all depositors’ funds in these institutions are safe and banking operations will continue as normal.”

They stressed that the three banks are fully insured by the NDIC and all depositors are assured of the safety of their funds. The duo also denied the court judgement, saying that they have not been served.

“The CBN and the NDIC state categorically and with all sense of responsibility that we are not aware of any such order as no such order has been served on either the CBN or the NDIC,” the statement signed by Mohammed Abdulahi and Sule Birchi, spokemen of the CBN and the NDIC respectively said.
Also, the management of Mainstreet, Enterprise and Keystone Banks have assured their customers that banking operations will continue as usual in all their branches nationwide. They implored them to disregard the court order.

Mainstreet Bank assured that the institutions will carry on business as usual as there is no order against it. ”The bank is certain that no order was made ex parte requiring the bank to shut its doors to millions of our depositors and customers. We wish to assure all our customers that our over 200 branches nationwide are open for full banking business as usual,” said Executive Director, Operations and Technology, Maninstreet Bank, Mr. Anogwi Anyanwu.
He said the bank will continue its banking operations carry as usual, and therefore advised the public to disregard any statement or statements that the bank has been restrained from carrying on business.

Enterprise Bank said in a statement: “We wish to assure all our customers that all our over 150 branches nationwide are open for full banking business as usual. Banking operations will carry on as usual and the public should disregard any statement or statements that the bank has been restrained from carrying on business.”
It said that the bank will carry on business as usual as there is no court order against it, adding that no order was made ex parte requiring the bank to shut its doors to millions of our depositors and customers.

Keystone also insisted that no writ of summons or court order has been served on the bank.
”We enjoin all our customers and the general public to disregard the reports as the bank will continue to carry out normal business operations.
”We appreciate and assure you of our usual excellent services in all business outlets of the bank,” the bank said in a statement.
Meanwhile, analysts have continued to fault the court ruling, describing it as baseless and an affront on the federal government represented by the CBN and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

The Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa Limited, Ike Chioke said the step taken by the shareholders was baseless because they have already lost their funds in the banks before the institutions were recpaitalised. He said that the banks currently belong to the Federal Government of Nigeria and for anyone to think that they will take over the bank , it is not feasible.

Oladele Solanke, Corporate Governance expert, said that the shareholders are not in touch with global reality. He wondered what would have happened had the CBN allowed the banks to be liquidated. “We should not get emotional with this matter. As far as I am concerned, these shareholders have already lost their funds and should not drag the public their matter,” he said.

The Managing Director, Financial Nigeria International, Jide Akintunde said the shareholders’ action is not good for Nigeria and for profiling the economy. He said such action will increase legal risks involved in investing in the country, adding that such risks discourage foreign direct investments.

Tears as family bids slain banker Titilayo goodbye

By Titilayo Banjoko 6 hours 30 minutes ago

•The daughter of the slain banker, Olamide, being assisted by family members to perform the dust-to-dust rite...yesterday PHOTO: TITI BANJOKO

IT was an emotional farewell yesterday for Titilayo Arowolo, the banker allegedly killed by her husband, Akolade. Her remains were buried in Lagos.
Titilayo was allegedly stabbed to death on June 25 by her husband.

A huge crowd gathered at the Atan Cemetery to bid farewell to the former Skye bank official.
The funeral service took place at the Foursquare Church, in Alagomeji, Lagos.
At the graveside, it was all tears as the three-year-old daughter of the deceased, Olamide, who bears a striking resemblance to her mother, performed the dust-to-dust rite.

Siblings of the deceased: Aidehi, Idokua, Daniel, Emohita and Emi,Folake and Agbons Okhawre, a cousin, laid flowers on her coffin.

Titilayo was born on April 9, 1982 in Lagos to the family of Mr George Oyakhire and the late Mrs. Helen Oyakhire. At nine, she lost her mother during childbirth. She attended Lydia Secondary School, Edo State and Saint Maria Goretti’s College. The late Titilayo later attended former Ambrose Alli University in the same state.
She did her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at Akwa Ibom State, with Niger Insurance.

After the national programme, she enrolled for her Master’s degree at the Lagos State University (LASU), Anthony Campus.
She met her husband, Akolade, during her postgraduate programme at LASU. The late Titilayo began her career at Skye bank in 2008. She got married to Akolade on October 4, 2008, and gave birth to her only child, Olamide, on February 10, 2009.
She was in Skye bank until she her death on June 25, 2011.

The service, which was presided over by Reverend Sylvester Aigborin and Pastor Ayo Binitie, lasted for about two hours.
Binitie asked God to strengthen the family.
He said: “I am very sad because Titilayo was a daughter to me. She was very jovial, loving, and a devoted Christian.
“What is now in the coffin is not Titilayo, but just a body and I want you all to know one thing, that we will all die one day.I pray that affliction will never come to this family again.”

The preacher praised journalists for exposing the crime and other social ills .
Speaking with The Nation, the deceased younger sister said the family was angry not only by Titilayo’s death but because Akolade is claiming innocence.
She said: “ Titilayo was my sister and I loved her so much. Her husband killed her and has put us all to this pain.
“It is even more painful that he is claiming to be innocent. I pray the law takes it course and justice prevails.”
The Director of Project Alert, Dr. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma urged victims of domestic violence to speak out and seek help before it is too late.
She said: “My advice to those suffering silently is to speak out before it’s too late. Seek help; report the case to any human rights organisation that can assist you.”
The spokesperson and counsel to the Oyakhire family, Mr. Nelson Ekoh, has scheduled a press briefing on the case.
He said: “Due to certain matters arising, it is necessary that we have a meeting with the press at Project Alert office.
“You may recall that Police and Prison officials almost assaulted reporters who came to the Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court at the last hearing.”
Akolade is due to appear in court on December 12 at the Ikeja High Court, following the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

Court stops Bayelsa PDP primary

By Kamarudeen Ogundele 3 hours 10 minutes ago

The federal High Court has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with Saturday’s governorship primary election in Bayelsa State.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole granted the order, following an exparte application filed on Sylva’s behalf by Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

He warned that he shall not hesitate to nullify any step taken by the PDP in defiance of his order, once the defendants are served the order and the originating summons.
He gave the defendant 72 hours to show cause why all the releifs sought by Sylva should not be granted and adjourned the matter till November 22 for hearing.
The defendants are the PDP, its acting national chairman, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The court held that the era when political parties manipulate processes leading to the emergence of candidates are over, based on the 2010 Electoral Act as amended.
Justice Kolawole said: “When I looked at the totality of the facts in the substantive Originating Summons and when these are considered vis-à-vis the extant provisions of the Electoral Act as Amended, my view is that the Court will not in any way be handicapped, even if the exparte orders, in particular, prayers 1 – 3 are not granted because the court retains the power to direct the 1st Defendant (INEC).’

Justice Kolawole said in terms of political parties’ candidates who may have been unlawfully excluded either from the parties’ primaries or from the elections to accept and act on the name(s) of such candidates as the authentic candidates sanctioned and approved by the court.
“The new Electoral Act as Amended is a clear departure from the 1983 Act by which on the authority of the Supreme Court’s decision in Onuoha V. Okafor, the political parties were “god unto themselves” in terms of the choice of candidates. This court had intervened in quite a number of political parties’ cases when candidates were being manipulated by the leadership of the political parties.

“It is in this regard that I really do not see the Plaintiff being exposed in the long run to such injury, loss or damage that may, applying the Supreme Court’s decision in Kotoye V. CBN, supra be described as ‘irreparable or irretrievable’. Whatever be the case, I have no doubt that this court has the judicial powers to make appropriate orders as the justice of the case will require.

“Let me state, for the avoidance of doubt, that in relation to prayers 1 – 3 of the Motion Exparte, the Plaintiff has made out a strong case which ordinarily should enable this court to grant the said prayers. But in the light of the analysis I have done as regards the statutory powers which the court has pursuant to Electoral Act, 2010 as amended, the 2nd Defendant [PDP] does not, in the long run, have the final say because the court can always make appropriate orders as the justice of the case will require to redress any wrong that may be occasioned by my judicial hesitation in granting the said prayers 1-3 on the motion exparte.”

Sylva, who is seeking re-election, has been excluded from the primary by the party. He is bitter that the party is planning to dump him after winning the January 12 primary before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the governorship election.

The INEC action was based on an order of an Abuja High Court which declared that the tenure of five governors continue beyond May 29 because they won re-run elections. The verdict was upheld by the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

The governor is contending that his candidacy subsists as nobody petitioned against his success at the said primary election to the screening appeal panel or any other body or committee of the 2nd defendant.

Lagos lawyer Femi Falana on Tuesday wrote a letter to INEC, asking it to stop the planned primary because Sylva won the January primary.

Besides, he said the PDP made him to pay another N5.5 million for the scheduled fresh primary election which the party has barred him from participating in.

In the motion on notice, Sylva is, among others praying the court for “an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, privies, officers or otherwise and/or any other person howsoever described from conducting, organising, or holding any meeting or ward congress and from embarking on any activities leading to the holding of any fresh gubernatorial primary election for Bayelsa State on the 19th November, 2011 or on any other day, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Besides, he urged the court to stop the party from nominating another candidate for the election and accelerate the hearing of the substantive suit.

PDP insists on Bayelsa primary

By Gbade Ogunwale 3 hours 9 minutes ago

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to go ahead with Saturday’s Bayelsa State governorship primary election in spite of a court order restraining the party.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali said the party has not been served the court order, which he described as a rumour that “exists only in the fertile imagination of mischief makers who are bent on undermining the unity and cohesion of the PDP in Bayelsa State.
“We shall however not surrender ourselves to rumours being orchestrated by undisciplined persons who have no regard for group ethics and Party discipline”, he said in a statement.

The party urged PDP members in Bayelsa to continue with preparations for the primaries where a candidate is expected to emerge for the governorship election billed for February 11, 2012.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party therefore wishes to inform all party members, particularly all aspirants and stakeholders in Bayelsa State that the primaries to select the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for Bayelsa State shall hold as earlier scheduled on the 19th of November 2011,” the statement added.

The seven aspirants cleared to take part in the primaries yesterday received their clearance certificates at the national secretariat. The certificates were handed to them by National Organising Secretary Prince Uche Secondus.

Secondus enjoined the aspirants to play to the rules. He charged them to ensure that the exercise is violence-free, saying that being the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan, the aspirants and their supporters must set a good example.
The cleared aspirants are: Orufa Justine Bolubo, Henry Seriake Dickson, Enai Christopher Fullpower, Katango Michael Youppele, Francis Amaebi, Ekiyeghe Francis Korobido and Austin Febo.

Fuel tanker explosion triggers panic in Abuja

By Our Reporter 3 hours 14 minutes ago

The scene of the fire incident that gutted a petrol tanker at ASCON Filling Station in Abuja while discharging fuel ... yesterday. Story on page 4.

Two fuel tanker fire in Abuja yesterday triggered panic with the country on edge over Boko Haram bombings. But authorities said the blazes were not caused by attacks.
Fire broke out in two different areas of Abuja, with thick smoke billowing into the sky and causing commuters to scramble, some seeking to see what was happening and others trying to avoid the intense heat.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said after the first blaze broke out that “there is no reported bomb blast in Abuja, but an incidence of a petrol tanker that caught fire” at a fuelling station.

The second fire occurred at another fuelling station, the agency said, adding that there were so far no death reported.
Witnesses at the scene of the first fire said one person suffered burns and was taken to the hospital.
Police spokesman Yemi Ajayi insisted there had been no attack.

Islamist sect Boko Haram has carried out scores of attacks in the country, including an August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in Abuja which killed 24 people.
It also claimed a bomb blast at the police headquarters car park in June that killed two people.

How to curtail sect’s activities, by security experts

By Olukayode Thomas and Joke Kujenya 6 hours 27 minutes ago

A retired Commissioner of Police, Mr. Frank Odita (rtd) and the President, Association of Industrial Security and Safety Association of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu, have said the security situation in the country would only improve if perpetrators of violence are punished.

Odita said: “Boko Haram should be looked at from a serious security point of view that is beginning to constitute a serious threat that is likely to affect our overall economic fabric, including tourism. If people get scared to come and invest in our country, we will lose out and our development would suffer. So, it is time for the government and all Nigerians to look at this holistically. We must find out those behind all this and unmask them. Boko Haram can’t be taken as fighting Western education when all it uses to perpetrate its acts is totally Western. If indeed, it is fighting everything Western, its members should be living under the trees.
“So I believe that it has threatened the Nigerian nation enough and it’s time for us to really find out who is our enemy.”

Ekhomu said: “The day after the President was sworn in, there was a massive bombing campaign that went on throughout the country. And of course, the Boko Haram boys claimed responsibility. They killed about 25 people and then, nothing was done. In fact, it was only the European Union and the American government that reacted. It was like nothing happened to our government that was just being sworn in on May 29 while the bombing was on May 30. The government just moved on as if nothing serious occurred.

“Look at the recent Yobe State incident in which they killed about 150 people. It wasn’t mentioned at the National Assembly, let alone the government. Government just went on talking about the Sovereign Wealth Fund and the seven-year term. Meanwhile, lives that are irreplaceable are being lost and we are not even stopping to honour their memory. Even, over 60 law enforcement officers, policemen, and many others who were supposed to protect lives, were killed in the Damaturu attack. Again, it was like nothing happened and they just moved on. The government has got it all wrong. And the question we want to ask is, how did we get it so wrong? The government got it so wrong by not understanding that security issue is the only issue, not even economy, as it thinks.“
Ekhomu advised Nigerians to be vigilant. He said: “The biggest threat in Nigeria today is ‘IED threat’, i.e. Improvised Explosive Device. That is really what should be focused on. So, if you feel a sense of unease around a strange looking person, leave at once. I am not saying that people should become unduly paranoid, but at least, be sensitive and sensible.
‘’And when you notice an altercation break out, leave immediately, instead of trying to be a Good Samaritan and end up losing your life.”

Conflicting election petition decisions worries Osinbajo

By Adebisi Onanuga 6 hours 38 minutes ago

Former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has described the spate of conflicting decisions of different panels of the Court of Appeal in election petition matters as a national embarrassment.

He also said the slow pace of criminal trials amounted to a great disservice to the nation’s criminal justice system.

The Professor of Law spoke yesterday at the seventh Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson (SAN) Annual Public Lecture titled: “The Rule of Law: The foundations Are Shaking”organised as part of the activities marking the Annual Law Week 2011 of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch.
Osinbajo observed that the various election petition panels of the Court of Appeal held divergent views in respect of what should be regarded as sufficient compliance with Para 18, First Schedule of the Electoral Act in applying to begin pre-hearing sessions.

According to him, the conflicting decisions of the election petition panels was the result of the several appeals witnessed in the courts across the country, most of which he said were eventually struck out.

Osinbajo, who cited relevant election cases to butress his point, expressed regret that the judicial process was being rapidly demystified, saying “even laymen now wonder how come the same court cannot give consistent rulings on the same issue.

“The legal process loses credibility where it is uncertain in its outcomes even in the face of clear precedents”, he stressed.
The lawyer said there was need to have a centralised database for the Court of Appeal to be manned by researchers who can provide support to the justices as regards judgments in other zones in similar cases.

“Researchers would also be useful in assisting the justices of the Supreme Court to keep track of precedents and flay possible inconsistencies” he said, pointing out that case law softwares are now available to track precedents easily.
Osinbajo identified poor investigations, absence of key witnesses including investigators at trials and delays in the prosecutorial advice as factors that could slow down criminal trials even for best resourced and prepared courts.

UBEC N787 million contract not advertised, says witness

By From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja 6 hours 46 minutes ago

A Prosecution witness, Bridget Ojoma Onekutu in the ongoing N787 million contract trial of top officials of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), yesterday said the contract was not duly advertised.

The contract was for the supply of plastic chairs and desks to all junior secondary schools.

Led in examination in chief by the Prosecution counsel, Wahab Shittu, Onekutu, who is the Director, Administration and Supply of the commission told the Court that the contract was characterised by conspiracy, forgery, and subversion of due process.

Besides, she said the board of the commission was deceived by the officials because most of the information supplied was not correct.

Former Deputy Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bridget Sokan and three suspended directors are facing a 64-count bordering on fraudulent inducement, criminal conspiracy and subversion of due processes in the award of contracts charge slammed against them by the EFCC.

The directors are, Molkat Manasseh Mutfwang, Michael Mtonga Aule and Dr Andrew Ekpunobi.
They were re-arraigned with Intermarkets USA; Intermarkets Nigeria Limited and Alexander John Cozma, a foreign contractor on December 10, 2009 before Justice Adamu Bello.

Besides Sokan and Intermarkets Nigeria Limited, the five other accused were first arraigned on May 19, 2009 on a 26-count charge.
The witness identified the certified true copy of Punch, This Day and the New Nigerian Newspapers in June 2004 where the accused claimed they advertised for the bidding of the contract.

According to her, the accused fed the governing board of the commission with wrong information about the contract and that; it was based on the wrong information that the board gave approval for the award of the contract.

She said there was nothing like advertisement, bid opening and bid evaluation before the contract was awarded, pointing out that Inter market USA claimed to have responded to an advertisement which never existed.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr Ahmed Mohammed Modibo had earlier told the court that four companies out of the six that bided in the phase one supply of plastic chairs and desks to all junior secondary schools in the country were all fictitious.
He told the court that former executive secretary of the commission and one of the accused , Prof. Sokan advised him to write a memo to the Education Trust Funds (ETF) for the release of funds for the phase two of the project, only to be replied by ETF that the phase one of the project was not properly executed, and as such, funds would not be released.
According to Modibo, Sokan’s Price and Contract evaluation committee awarded the contract of over N787 million out of which over N636 million was paid as mobilisation fee to Intermarket Nig Ltd and the company was later given another N41.5 million as transportation fee for the distribution of the product which was not in the terms of the contract agreement.
The matter continues today.

Ex-lawmaker, eight others arrested over alleged fraud

By Eunice Bosua, Dutse 6 hours 48 minutes ago

The Jigawa State Police Command yesterday arrested a former member of Jigawa State House of Assembly and an ex-Chairman of the House Committee on Salary and Pension, Alhaji Sale Fawa, as well as eight others for allegedly defrauding the state’s pension board of N6million.

Addressing reporters in Dutse, the state capital, Police Commissioner Hashimu Suleiman Argungu said the suspects shared the money.
He said someone informed the police about the suspects’ activities, prompting an investigation leading to the arrest of the suspects.
The police chief said the fraud involved some workers of Gagarawa, Gumel and Maigatari local government areas; the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); and a court judge.

He said the police would investigate the matter further to bring the culprits to justice.
According to him, the police have recovered part of the money and arrested the women used as the wives of the deceased.
Argungu gave the names of the fake deceased persons as: Muntari Habu Abdu, Abdullahi Mohammed Sule and Haruna A. Musa, a pensioner, who was allegedly paid N912,600.

The “fake” pensioners were said to be teachers at Koki Nami Primary School in Gumel Local Government Area. They reportedly collected, N1,812,256; N1,602,251; and N1,184,554.80.

The police chief said Musa is alive and that the family the suspects used to claim his pension at a court in Gumel was not his family.
Argungu added that Musa’s name was used by the syndicates to claim the money from the pension board.

Trauma centre for Benue

By Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi 6 hours 48 minutes ago

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, has said the proprietress of Primus Hospital in India plans to establish a trauma centre in Benue State.

Orhii spoke in Makurdi, the state capital, when he conducted the Chairperson of the hospital, Dr. Achla Dewan, round facilities at the Lessel General Hospital in Ushongo Local Government Area.

The NAFDAC chief and the visitor were accompanied by the Benue State Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr. Orduen Abunku.
Orhii said: “They (Indians) are interested in seeing how they can help us in Benue State. They are thinking about how they can set up a trauma centre.

Alleged N108m fraud: ICPC grills ex-Governor Shinkafi

By Yusuf Alli 6 hours 54 minutes ago

For about three hours yesterday, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) grilled a former Governor of Zamfara State, Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi.
But the interrogation of the ex-governor was said to be in connection with the ongoing probe of the eight-year administration of ex-Governor Ahmed Yerima.
Shinkafi was Deputy Governor to Yerima during the eight-year tenure.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that a petition had been pending against Yerima in ICPC since 2002 bordering on alleged mismanagement and misappropriation of some funds.
It was alleged by two groups that the administration of Yerima had made N108million “claims for improvement, dredging and repairs of a collapsed portion of the Gusau barrage without any tangible work.
The claims were as follows: Repair of a collapsed portion of the Gusau barrage at N14.2 million; resuscitation of the Barrage at N92million and de-silting of the Gusau Dam Barrage at N1.8 million.
Although it could not be immediately ascertained what role Shinkafi played in executing the said contracts, a source in ICPC claimed that the “ex-governor was mentioned by Yerima in his statement and we have to invite him.
According to findings, Shinkafi had arrived at the ICPC office at about 10am and he was immediately taken to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the commission for interrogation.
The session ended at some minutes past 1pm.
A source, however, said: “The invitation of Shinkafi had to do with misappropriation of funds during the administration of Yerima.
“Since Yerima mentioned the name of the ex-governor, we sought to know the extent to which he was involved in the said allegations.
“We had audience with Shinkafi for about three hours; he cooperated with us very well. But we have not concluded our investigation. He may still come back to clarify some issues.
Replying to a question, the source added: “We have gone far in the ongoing investigation of Yerima but we may still invite some former commissioners and officials of Zamfara State Government.”
Contacted, the Media Consultant to ICPC, Mr. Folu Olamiti, said: “According to our register, ex-Governor Shinkafi was with us on Wednesday.”

Afribank ex-MD Adigwe, others urge court to dismiss N87b theft charge

By Joseph Jibueze 6 hours 56 minutes ago

Former Managing Director of Afribank Plc, Mr Sebastian Adigwe and five others yesterday urged a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, to dismiss a N87billion theft charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They were alleged to have stolen the money from the bank.

EFCC arraigned them on a 36-count charge of stealing, conspiracy to commit felony, receiving stolen property and cheating.

Adigwe was charged with Afribank’s former chairman, Osa Osunde and former executive directors –Isa Zailani, Chinedu Onyia, Henry Arogundade and Peter Ololo.
In separate notices of preliminary objection, they, except Onyia, urged Justice Olabisi Akinlade to quash the charges because they were incompetent.

Adigwe’s lawyer, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), said the charge amounted to abuse of court process because the Federal Republic Nigeria was not a competent complaint.
Only the Attorney General of Lagos State could initiate criminal proceedings in the court, he argued.

Idigbe said a fiat granted the Federal Attorney-General by his Lagos counterpart was invalid because it was based on the repealed Criminal Procedure Laws of Lagos.
Idigbe said the EFCC having charged his client at the Federal High Court in 2009 under the Banking and Other Financial Institutions Act, the Failed Banks Acts and the Investments and Securities Tribunals Act, could not try him under general law in the Lagos High Court.

The other defendants’ lawyer adopted Idigbe’s submissions.
But EFCC counsel, Mrs Khadija Yusuf, urged the court to dismiss the objections because the charge was competent and the fiat granted the EFCC by the Lagos State Attorney General valid.

Adigwe was accused of converting billions of units of Afribank’s shares belonging to 1,258 subscribers to the use of different companies.
EFCC alleged that he induced Afribank Capital Limited to pay Spring Capital Limited N11.5billion as the stock market price for Afribank’s 388,346,154 ordinary shares at N29.61 per share.

By doing so, the agency said he got Afribank Capital to pay more than it would ordinarily have paid for the shares “but for the fraudulent device.”

EFCC said he did likewise in respect of Afribank Trustees and Asset Management Company, which he allegedly got to pay Spring Capital N8billion as the stock market price for Afribank’s 360,238,657 ordinary shares at N22.21 per share; thereby inducing Afribank Trustees to pay more that it would have paid for the shares.

The defendants were accused of fraudulently converting various sums of Afribank’s money through Rehoboth Asset Limited, Broworks Limited, Suletical Nigeria Limited, Alsmiths Nigeria Limited, Resolution Trust and Investment Limited, Kolvey Company Limited, Petosan Property and Development Company Limited, and Larix Company Limited

The money, EFCC said, was converted to the use of AIL Securities Limited, Falcon Securities Limited, Asset Management Nominees Holding Limited, Freeland Petrol Limited and others.
Ololo was accused of receiving Afribank’s N12billion through Resolution Trust “knowing same to have been stolen,” while Osunde, while being a Director of Freeland Petroleum allegedly received over N800million stolen units of Afribank’s shares.
The offences are contrary to Sections 390 (7), 516, 427 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 17, Laws of Lagos State 2003. They pleaded not guilty.
Justice Akinlade adjourned till January 23 next year for ruling on the objections.

Lagos flags off issuance

By Miriam Ndikanwu 6 hours 48 minutes ago

THE Lagos State Government yesterday flagged off the issuance of the new national number plates, amid agitation over the planned phasing out of extant vehicle plate numbers by the National Assembly.

Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, and his Information and Strategy counterpart, Aderemi Ibirogba, flagged off the exercise at the state secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja.

Showcasing the new number plates, Opeifa described the development as the government’s response to the problems caused by improperly registered vehicles in the metropolis.

He said the new initiative was informed by a high number of unregistered, used, imported vehicles, as well as new ones, coupled with the acute shortage of the old number plates and their security implications.

Kogi PDP: Court to hear suit Nov 24

By From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja 6 hours 55 minutes ago

An Abuja Federal High Court yesterday fixed November 24 for hearing in the suit filed by Umar Lawal, who is seeking an order against the nomination of Captain Idris Wada as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State.
The election is scheduled for December 3.

Justice Bilikisu Aliyu joined Jibrin Isah Echocho and Wada as second plaintiff and fourth respondent in the suit.

Isah had won the PDP governorship primary in January before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed elections in five states, including Kogi.
An Abuja Federal High Court had ruled that the tenure of the five governors extends beyond May 29, 2011, following their victory in the rerun elections.
When INEC released a new date for the election, Kogi PDP conducted another primary in September and Wada won it.

Lawal is asking the court to declare that the January primary, which Isah won, is still valid and that the September primary should be cancelled.
He is contending that it is only in case of the death or voluntary withdrawal that a candidate can be changed.

Through his counsel, S.I Ameh (SAN), Isah is seeking to be joined as a plaintiff on the grounds that the decision of the court would affect him one way or the other.
Wada, through his counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), is seeking to be joined as a respondent, saying the suit centres on him.

Other respondents in the suit are INEC, the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), and the PDP.
Justice Aliyu held that it would be proper for the parties to appear before the court, adding that the two applicants had shown substantive intention to be joined in the suit.
She ordered the parties to exchange their processes within seven days so that hearing of the substantive suit can begin.

Appeal Court orders retrial of Ngige’s, Akunyili’s case

By Chris Oji, Enugu 7 hours 6 minutes ago

THE Court of Appeal in Enugu yesterday ordered a retrial of the petition by Mrs Dora Akunyili of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) challenging the election of Senator Chris Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at the Anambra State Election Petition Tribunal. Ngige had won the election into the Anambra Central Senatorial District.

In a unanimous decision delivered yesterday by the three-man panel, Justice Bode Lokolo-Shodipe declared that the issues which the tribunal considered in throwing out Akunyili’s petition could not stand the test of justice.

He said all the issues lacked merit and that the tribunal took decisions which it reversed randomly. He added that granting the application of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) means contradicting itself.

The court held that Mrs Akunyili’s appeal was meritorious and set aside the verdict of the lower tribunal. There were no costs attached to it.
The APGA candidate had challenged the election of Ngige at the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka.

But the tribunal struck out her application on October 20 following her failure to file vital documents.
Not satisfied with the verdict of the lower court, the former Minister of Information and Communications appealed the decision at the Appeal Court.
Both parties and their lead counsel were absent in court.

Delta awards road contract to Setraco

By Our Reporter 7 hours 31 minutes ago

Delta State Government yesterday awarded the contract for the 7.6 kilometre Umeh Road in Isoko South Local Government to Setraco Nigeria Limited at N3.625 billion.
The project, when completed, would ease the movement of agricultural produce from the locality to the rest of the state and beyond.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said on Tuesday, during an unscheduled visit to the area, that his administration would build the road because of the great agricultural potential of the people.

Uduaghan said he learnt about the deplorable situation of the road from the Facebook page created by Afohokor Duncan, an indigene of the community.
He said: “You people are sophisticated farmers, what I saw in your farm lands are wonderful. You people have gone far in agriculture. I commend you.”

BUSINESSDAY

Ministry officials, contractors face prosecution over Apapa Port road

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 HORATIUS EGUA, Abuja

*FEC approves co-financing of Lagos urban transport project

Top civil servants in the ministry of transportation, along with the owners of a Chinese firm, may be prosecuted, following allegations of connivance in the presentation of false documents to bid for contract for the construction of internal road infrastructure, at the Apapa Ports.

BusinessDay gathered that President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to thoroughly investigate the contractor and the civil servants involved in the scam, and that those found culpable should be brought to book.

Investigations indicated that the Chinese firm lied that it had executed a N7 billion road contract in Niger State, and that investigation by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) indicated that the contractor lied.
“The President was angered when he discovered that civil servants assisted the contractor in the falsification of the document to secure the job, and has directed that those involved be arrested and investigated by the EFCC,” a Presidency source told BusinessDay.

The contract which will cost the government about N2.2 billion, covers 1.6 kilometres of the internal roads in the ports.

Briefing State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President, Emeka Eze, director- general (DG) of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) citing the BPP Act, said as long as the contractor lied over the contract, the company would not be able do business with the government for five years.

Eze, who was joined at the briefing by Labaran Maku, minister of information, Idris Umar, minister of transport, Rukkyat Rufai, minister of education, and Akinwunmi Adesina, minister of agriculture said “It is not so much as to how much money would have been involved. It is more of did you lie? Because if you give it to somebody else, you still have to spend money for the person to get the job done. But the fact that you lied. And when you lie under oath, it is a crime under the law”.

Eze said the BPP law provides that the company should be barred from doing business in Nigeria for five years, if found guilty, and all the officers involved would be jailed for at least three years, without the option of fine, and a maximum of five years, as well as a fine of 25 percent of the procurement, if they are found guilty.

The move, he explained is aimed to further support the BPP’s fight for transparency in public expenditure, and is a clear demonstration of government’s plan to further deepen transparency in public procurement processes in Nigeria.

Speaking on the pilot programme for the take off of e-learning facilities in the six geo-political zones of the country, Rufai said the move was to make it easier for Nigerian students to access information in the cyberspace.

The take- off universities are the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Federal University, Yola, University of Maiduguri, Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, University of Uyo and the Federal University of Technology Owerri.

Others are the Osun State University, Kogi State University, Adamawa State University, Kano State University, Niger Delta University and Abia State University.

Other approvals by the FEC, include the rehabilitation of the Lower Usman Dam, the $100 million French Development Agency (AFD) credit, for co-financing of the Lagos Urban Transport Project 2 (LUTP).

CBN insists nationalised banks are operational

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 BusinessDay Staff

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said it is not yet aware of any court order restraining the three nationalised banks from further operations.

A Federal High Court in Lagos, presided by Justice Charles Archibong, had on Tuesday, while ruling on an ex-parte application brought before it by some shareholders, temporarily halted the operations of the three commercial banks that were recently nationalised by the apex bank.

A statement from the CBN said the apex bank was not aware of the ruling and “has therefore asked the three banks –Keystone Bank Limited, Enterprise Bank Limited, and MainstreetBank Limited, to continue operations, against the purported order of the Federal High Court in Lagos”.

The case was brought before the court by shareholders of the three banks, prior to their nationalisation. The court, according to the report, has not only faulted the legal existence of the nationalised banks but also restrained the CBN and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) from taking certain steps in relation to them.

In a statement jointly signed by M.M. Abdullahi and H. S. Birchi, head, Corporate Communications for CBN and NDIC respectively, the two institutions denied knowledge of the said court judgement, maintaining that the banks remain legally licensed and encouraged their customers to continue do business with them.

High price tags for discos dwarf revenue estimates

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 OLUSOLA BELLO

*N1.134 trillion against N87.3 billion

Revenue estimates of the ten electricity distribution companies (Discos) offered for sale by the Federal Government, are easily dwarfed by the price tags placed on them, a BusinessDay investigation has shown.

And contrary to the new investment drive worldwide, where governments privatise state-run enterprises at attractive prices, which would enable the investors run the privatised entities for the common benefit of all stakeholders, analyst say the price tags are far and in-between profitable margins.

A document showing the revenue profile of ten discos, seen by BusinessDay, showed that the discos earned a revenue of N87.3 billion in 2010. The Federal Government asking price for the discos is N1.134 trillion.

The Abuja distribution company for example, has a reserve price of N95 billion and post-privatisation investment of N76 billion, both totalling N171 billion. But the company earned only N10.7 billion in 2010.

Benin, Eko, Enugu and Ibadan, have a price of N130 billion, N95.7 billion, N119.7 billion and N132.6 billion repectively, including the post-privatisation investment, but each of them earned N1.65 billion, N17.78 billion, N9.97 billion and N13.31 billion in the same year.

Similarly, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt and Ikeja, which having price tags and post-privatisation investment bills of N75 billion, N90 billion, N98 billion, N94.7 billion and N128 billion respectively, made revenues of N1.65 billion, N4.83 billion, N5.52 billion and N1.65 billion respectively in 2010.

Leading economist and chief executive officer of Lagos-based Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, told BusinessDay, that though he does not know how much the would-be investors would charge electricity consumers, he feared no investor could recoup its investment at such prices that the discos are being sold for.

“ I dont know how much the investors will charge and how long it will take to recoup the investment. All I can say is that the price is outlandish”, Rewane told BusinessDay.

Analysts and industry stakeholders who spoke to BusinessDay last night, agreed that the discos have great potentials but that the government ought to ravamp them before selling them, or go for prices that take into consideration their 1current states.

“The network is replete with weak and old transformers and wires that would require several billions of dollars to replace”, an analyst said.

The analysts said that if the network is improved and made to run efficiently before privatisation, investors would be attracted, while government provides regulatory frameworks.

The in- country managing director of ABB, Dayo Olowoniyi said “The sector has the potential of becoming a revenue spinner.”

Goody Duru Oguzie, managing director PowTechnology, said the power industry is a trillion naira industry which will be more than the telecom sector, if the networks are functioning at optimum.

He noted that the electricity distribution segment of the power industry is the cash-cow , adding that the distribution companies would-be investors could make three times the current level of revenue the firms are generating.

Mixed performance trails equities as year-end nears

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 Iheanyi Nwachukwu

Rising from a depreciation of 116.31 points or 0.6 percent last week, the Nigerian equities market is in for another round of mixed performance this week, investment analysts have said.

They premised their speculation on the fact that more opportunities for profit flipping will unravel this week, following three straight days of bear’s activities, even as the impact of third-quarter results weakens.

In their investment strategy for this week, Cowry Asset Management analyst said “the short-term equity market outlook remains largely bearish with a ray respite likely from attractive third-quarter earnings release by blue-chip companies (as seen in the previous week), hence we remain focused on medium- to long-term investment horizon with bias on stocks with strong fundamentals.”

Before now, Rasaq Abiola, an analyst at Vetiva Capital, had told INVESTOR that uncertainties over the stability of the naira had been a risk weighing down the justifiers rally, especially as foreign investors remain the key drivers of the market given the low appetite of local fund managers for equities.

The spike in bonds yields has not be unsurprising giving the aggressive tightening of the monetary policy committee, especially with the recent hike by 275 basis points in Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) and attractive effective yields on Treasury Bills (TBills), which have continued to shift investors interests away from equities.

“While the attractive yield on fixed income instruments may be a disincentive for a bullish position in equities, I think the quarter-three earnings season which is expected to affirm the recovery in banks’ earnings will spur investors’ appetite, especially as the pass-through of monetary tightening continues to bode well for the appreciation of the naira,” he stated.

The NSE All-Share Index (ASI), which measures the performance of the nation’s bourse, depreciated by 116.31 points or 0.6 percent to close last Friday at 20,416.10 points, while the market capitalisation of the 188 First -Tier equities declined to N6.48 trillion.

Also, the NSE-30 Index depreciated by 3.91 points or 0.4 percent to close at 911.08 last week.

Two of the four sectorial indices appreciated last week compared with three that appreciated during the preceding week. The NSE Insurance Index appreciated by 1.12 points or 0.7 percent to close at 153.05, while the NSE Oil/Gas Index appreciated 2.35 points or 1.0 percent to close at 240.09.

However, the NSE Food/Beverage Index depreciated by 6.82 points or 1.1 percent to close at 611.95 and the NSE Banking Index depreciated by 5.09 points or 1.7 percent to close at 290.97.

Investors had at last week traded 937.44 million shares worth N5.98 billion in 11,563 deals in contrast to a total of 1.31 billion shares valued at N12 billion exchanged the preceding week in 17,863 deals.

The stock market opened for three days as Monday and Tuesday last week were declared public holidays in celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir.

Amid this performance, analysts at Access Bank noted that this week, equities might remain around current levels, despite that investors have expressed optimism that the “share-buy-back” policy at the equities market would likely boost market activities in the coming weeks.

FG Bond up 8.15 percent

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 GODFREY OBIOMA

The Face value of FGN Bonds increased by 8.15 percent for the period ended November 4, 2011 trading at N166.90 billion up from N154.32billion in the previous week. Consideration also increased by 8.24 percent from N127.152billion to N137.859billion.

However, the number of bonds traded declined from 13 in the previous week (October 24-28, 2011) to 12. The number of deals increased by 31.27% from 1,052 in the
previous week (October 24-28, 2011) to 1,381.

Yields were flat except for the 10.70% FGN May 2018 which declined by 150bps due to high demand from Pension Fund Administrators and Insurance Companies. The expected release of funds to the three tiers of Government by the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) was delayed for the second consecutive week. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Open Market Operations (OMO) offered 6-day Bills resulted in the allotment of only N3bn out of a total subscription of N120.8bn.

Bid rates at the OMO auction at 14.00% - 20.15% were higher than the 91-day Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) rate. The CBN believed the bids would send a wrong signal about the direction of short term rates which could encourage speculative bids in the future.

Reaction over valuation of DISCOs, privatisation programme not unusual - investor

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 AMETO AKPE, Abuja

An American investor and the Ministry of Power have said the current reactions trailing the price tag placed on the electricity distribution companies are not unusual and as such were expected.
Analysts were reported as saying the price tag set by the Federal Government was too high, arguing that this was causing a significant number of credible bidders hoping to acquire the soon-to-be privatised distribution assets of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to back off the process.

But Symbion’s chief executive officer, one of the companies participating in the bid, Paul Hinks, speaking on the sidelines of the Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, noted that his company and other serious investors were in no way frightened by the price tags, describing the power reform roadmap as “hugely impressive.”

“Everything I’ve seen so far, the process is world class and the people that are managing it are world class and I am used to dealing with world class things and anybody who is critical of the way this government is going about the process actually doesn’t know what he is talking about. It’s actually that impressive.

“There’ve been issues about the estimates of the valuations. That’s always an issue whenever you sell something; the seller has its price and the buyer has its price. So, the fact that the valuations are what they are is the opinion of the government,” he stated.

According to him, “nobody knows currently what the opinion of the buyers is and it may be a little bit too early to say that it’s frightening everybody away. “It’s certainly not frightening us away and those serious investors from the United States. I don’t know who, I’ve heard comments but they wouldn’t be any different anywhere else. I’m sure when they were selling the UK assets or the American assets, the same way that people who were buying were saying that the selling was over-priced. I think that’s just a normal thing,” Hinks added.

Meanwhile, the company’s executive who described the recent $1.5 billion credit line extended to the Ministry of Power by the United States export-import bank is the biggest confidence vote Nigeria has got in, at least, the last two years, conceded that if privatisation was not handled carefully, the cost of electricity could become unaffordable to many consumers.

In the same vein, Cdon Adinuba, special adviser to the Minister of Power, in a telephone chat with BusinessDay, noted that such claims had no justification as the companies bidding for the DISCOs continue to express enthusiasm for and confidence in the process which also is moving smoothly. He informed that each of the 212 prequalified bidders had paid $20,000 as a sign of commitment, adding that the conditions and valuation of the DISCOs was not extreme.

Mixed performance trails equities as year-end nears

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 Iheanyi Nwachukwu

Rising from a depreciation of 116.31 points or 0.6 percent last week, the Nigerian equities market is in for another round of mixed performance this week, investment analysts have said.

Also, the NSE-30 Index depreciated by 3.91 points or 0.4 percent to close at 911.08 last week.

However, the NSE Food/Beverage Index depreciated by 6.82 points or 1.1 percent to close at 611.95 and the NSE Banking Index depreciated by 5.09 points or 1.7 percent to close at 290.97.

The stock market opened for three days as Monday and Tuesday last week were declared public holidays in celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir.

Stanbic IBTC’s cost structure under pressure

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 Biodun Coker

… As expansion drive jacks up operating expense by 24%

Stanbic IBTC has released its unaudited Q3 (Third Quarter) 2011 figures to the Nigerian stock exchange, (NSE) showing gross earnings go up by a significant 20.6 percent year-on-year, to N49.6billion, from N41.1billion.

Also Profit before tax recorded a marginal 9.2 percent increase, to N10.9 billion in 2011 from 10 billion in the corresponding period of 2010, while profit after tax, grew by 9.8 percent from N7.18 billion to N7.9 billion, Y-o-Y increases.

However, a close observation of the preceding quarter, shows that the growth in gross earnings was less pronounced as the N17.4billion achieved in Q3 which was a marginal 2.6percent increase on the Q2 figure. PBT however surged by 45.6percent to N4.4billion, from N3.0billion, while the 46.7percent rise, delivered net earnings of N3.2billon in Q3 versus N2.1bn in the preceding quarter.

Analysts at Afrinvest, while commenting on the banks figures, said, “relative to our forecasts, gross earnings came in a marginal 1.1percent shy of our N50.2billion estimate.

“Also, at N22.7billion, Net Interest Income was 0.3 percent ahead of our estimate, while the N20.2billion in other Income was 3.4percent better than our N19.6billion forecast”.

Afrinvest added that “Pre and post-tax earnings however deviated markedly, falling 22.9 percent and 26.2 percent below our N14.2billion and N10.7billion estimates respectively. PBT & PAT margins also fell 2.3 percent and 1.6 percent to 22.1 percent and 15.9 percent respectively”.

They went on to say, a further comparison to the 2010 levels, show that the growth in gross earnings was primarily driven by the 36.3percent growth in other (non-interest) income and supported by 11.7 percent rise in net interest income. This buoyed operating income which grew by 22.0 percent to N43.0bn (1.8percent better than our N42.2billion estimate) from N35.2billion in Q3 2010. The bank’s cost structure continues to come under significant pressure, on account of its expansion drive (with impact on branch network, people and systems) which drove operating expenses up by 24.4percent (this ultimately pegged the rise in PBT to 9.2 percent and largely explains the 12.4percent adverse variance from our N27.4billion forecast). Incidentally, this bank’s CIR has begun to trend downwards, from 75.5percent and 75.2 percent to 71.8 percent for Q1, Q2 and Q3 respectively.

Afrinvest analysis further stated that the banks Deposits rose by 7.5% during Q3 (a complete reversal from the 9.6 percent decline observed during Q2), bringing aggregate YTD (year till date) growth to 23.8 percent. They observed a slight improvement in funding costs, down 0.6percent quarter on quarter (Q-o-Q) to 2.7percent. “This suggests that the increase in customer deposits were skewed towards low interest bearing accounts, despite the 12.8 percent rise in interest expense”.

Also loan growth accelerated in Q3 to 10.7 percent (from the 4.6% achieved in Q2) which brings aggregate YTD growth to 28.8percent, while yield on interest bearing assets however fell by 141basispoints (Q-o-Q) to 8.8 percent from 10.2 percent, by our estimates.

Rise in claims on government, banks drive discount houses’ assets to record high

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 00:00 Iheanyi Nwachukwu

…As banks’ credit to core private sector falls by 0.2%

The total assets and liabilities of discount houses stood at N317.1 billion at end-August 2011, showing an increase of 21.5 percent over the level at end-July 2011.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) economic report for August noted that the rise in discount houses assets was accounted for, largely, by the rise in claims on federal and state governments, and on banks and fixed assets. “Correspondingly, the increase in total liabilities was attributed, largely, to the increase in money at call, borrowings and other liabilities,” the CBN stated in the report recently released.

In the review period, discount houses’ investment in Federal Government securities of less than 91-day maturity rose to N34.1 billion and accounted for 18.7 percent of their total deposit liabilities.
“There was no investment by discount houses in treasury bonds during the month. Thus, investment in Federal Government securities was 41.3 percentage points below the prescribed minimum level of 60 percent for fiscal 2011. At that level, discount houses’ investment on Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) rose by 26.3 percent above the level at the end of the preceding month.

“Total borrowing by the discount houses was N40.8 billion, while their capital and reserves amounted to N49.9 billion. This resulted in a gearing ratio of 0.8:1, compared with the stipulated maximum target of 50:1for fiscal 2011,” according to the report. In a related development, available data indicated that total assets and liabilities of the deposit money banks (DMBs) amounted to N19.482 trillion, showing an increase of 4.3 percent above the level at end-July 2011.

“Funds sourced mainly from increased capitalisation, draw-down on reserves and increased in unclassified liabilities were used, largely, to extend credit to private sector and purchase of Federal Government securities. At N12.140 trillion, DMBs’ credit to the domestic economy rose by 12.5 percent above the level in the preceding month.

“The breakdown, on a month-on-month basis, showed that credit to states and local governments and credits to the core private sector rose by 11.5 percent and 9.8 percents, respectively, above their levels in July 2011,” the report stated.
The CBN’s credit to the DMBs, largely, loans and advances, fell marginally by 0.04 percent to N384.61billion at end-August 2011, while specified liquid assets of the DMBs stood at N3116.62 billion, representing 21.5 percent of their total current liabilities. This level of liquid assets was 12.9 percentage points above the preceding month’s ratio, but 8.5 percentage points below the stipulated minimum ratio of 30 percent for fiscal 2011.
Banks’ loan-to-deposit ratio was 43.6 percent and was 36.4 percentage points below the stipulated maximum target of 80 percent.

FG targets new stream of telecom investment seen in broadband

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 Ben Uzor Jr

Nigeria’s internet access problem characterised by slow and exasperating access to the cyberspace even with the growing number of underwater cable systems on the country’s coast line, would soon become a thing of the past.

The federal government has opened its doors to the global investment community through the adoption of an open access model, strategically designed to strengthen investment in the area of deploying in-land fibre networks needed to move available bandwidth capacity around the length and breadth of the country.

Tony Ojobo, director, public affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), made this known during a courtesy visit to BusinessDay’s head office in Lagos.

The adoption of the model, according to him, is to basically preclude existing challenges posed by some operational drawbacks arising from functions of different government agencies, including urban and regional administrative setups which impinge on the right-of-way of facility deployments.

Analysts had earlier warned that Nigeria’s prospects of enjoying reasonably priced and efficient broadband services was been derailed by the indiscriminate and sometimes absurd levies charged by various agencies and state governments on right-of-way approvals for deployment of in-country fibre transmission links.

He said significant capital investment was still required to distribute bandwidth capacity across the country.

Nigeria boasts of four undersea fibre optic cables: SAT-3 managed exclusively by ailing Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), privately owned cable Main One cable, operator –run Glo-1 cable and WACS initiated by a consortium of firm including MTN.

“Yes, the submarine cables have landed but we still require huge levels of investment in infrastructure for majority of the Nigerian populace to enjoy the benefits of broadband internet services. I hope that when the infrastructure providers are licensed in an open access model, we will have more investment in that area. There is a sense of urgency in the commission to catch up with the rest of the world in the area of broadband internet”, Ojobo said.

Kenneth Omeruo, a telecoms analyst agrees with Ojobo, saying the main hurdle has been the high cost of infrastructure investment required to extend the international capacity into the hinterland. According to him, “the price war in mobile calling rates disrupted the pricing structure and revenue expectations in the telecoms market. This, he further explained has resulted “in a re-evaluation by each operator ,of their capital expenditure costs.”

The outcome, according to him, is that no operator is willing to stump up the extensive outlays necessary to make data work efficiently. On the other hand, several operators own in-land fibre networks but coverage is limited and there is too much duplication.

Kazeem Oladepo, head of legal, Main One Cable Company said telcos are unwilling to share infrastructure and in cases where they do agree to share , they charge very high prices, often for strategic reasons.

Ojobo said a major appeal of the strategy is that the federal government will offer subsidies to enable broadband services to the under-served and un-served areas of the country where it may not be economically viable to deploy fibre. According to the NCC director, the strategy will also ensure that investors make decent profit, adding that the federal government is highly supportive of the commission’s drive to encourage capital investment in broadband infrastructure deployment.

Paris Club cuts Ivory Coast's debt burden

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 12:55 Reuters

The Paris Club of creditor nations said members agreed on Tuesday to reduce the Ivory Coast's foreign debt burden and said reforms underway should lead to further relief. The West African nation's creditors in the Paris Club agreed to reschedule the repayment of some of the country's debts over a 10-year period.

Repayment of arrears on those payments were rescheduled over eight years. The informal grouping of creditor governments said in a statement that the measures would reduce the country's debt service payments and arrears due by the end of June 2014 by $1.8 billion. Of that amount, $397 million would be canceled.

Ivory Coast is rapidly recovering after last year's disputed election reignited a civil war that killed some 3,000 people and displaced more than 1 million. "Participating creditors noted that following the crisis that the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire has gone through, the Government has quickly revived economic activity and resumed negotiations with the Paris Club," the statement said.

The government "is resolutely implementing its reform program," the statement said, adding that this should open the door to a final round of debt relief from Paris Club members. The Ivory Coast owed Paris Club members an estimated $7.2 billion in nominal terms as of July, according to the group.

The International Monetary Fund approved a new $615.9 million, three-year loan agreement for the Ivory Coast on November 4, saying the government's investment and structural reform programs would help underpin robust growth in the medium term.

For details, see Ivory Coast Finance Minister Koffi Diby said on November 8 that the government aimed to secure an IMF-backed accord for further debt relief in the second half of 2012. The country defaulted on its $2.3 billion Eurobond during a four-month post-election crisis which ended in April.

CNPP protests non clearance of Sylva

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 18:45 Anonymous

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) on Wednesday described as undemocratic the non-clearance of Governor Timipre Sylva by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its primaries in Bayelsa.

In a statement by its South-West secretary, Austin Nnorom, the CNPP, therefore, pledged to rally support for Sylva from member parties in Bayelsa.

The National Working Committee of the PDP had dropped the governor from the final list for its Bayelsa primaries slated for November 19. Seven out of 11 aspirants that purchased forms to contest the primaries were cleared, while Sylva and the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe, were dropped.

Also not cleared were a former Director-General of Nigeria Television Authority, Ben Murray Bruce; and Ambassador Igali Godknows-Bolale.

The final list had generated controversies which analysts said could threaten the success of the PDP in the governorship elections in the state in 2012.

The CNPP statement described PDP’s decision as an imposition that was against the tenets of democracy globally.

``The power to decide who represents the party at the polls lies with the members of the party in the state. The PDP national leadership’s intervention is unjustifiable and overbearing’’ it said.

According to the CNPP, the decision by the party may deprive the people of Bayelsa of qualitative leadership and good governance.

``We will not sit back and watch the people suffer. The CNPP will mobilise all its members in Bayelsa for Sylva. We will ensure that the power to decide who rules Bayelsa state still lies with the people in the long run,” it said. (NAN)

Fighting corruption – Political will is all it takes

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 Chika Ezeanya

You are Nigerian? Aaaah you will love it more in my country than here” my Ugandan co-worker enthusiastically advised upon my arrival in Rwanda, to work on a donor funded project. I was intrigued by his comment, so I prodded. “Really? Why so?”

“I have worked in your country and the system is very much similar to what we have in Uganda. Things work as they should. There are no bottlenecks; you get what you want, how and when you want it.”

Is he talking of another Nigeria, or the very land of my birth and nurture? He must be implying the opposite in a subtle manner, I concluded.

“You are very funny,” I courteously offered in response.

Hurt at the fun being made of my admittedly beleaguered pedigree, I was eager to change the topic to the project we were both hired to work on.

“My sister,” he continued before I could interject; “I have been here in Rwanda for 2 years, and I cannot tell you how much I want to return to my country. I am tired of all the processes, rules and regulations that abound here. It is too much. Are we not in Africa?”

“Are you really serious?” I asked. Something is being said in sincerity here.

“In Uganda, you have your money, you get what you want exactly the way you want it and at the exact time you need it. I am used to that life. Here, no matter how much you have or even who you know, you must follow some annoying rules and unnecessary regulations. The system is too rigid. I don’t know how they survive here.” He complained bitterly, throwing both hands open in visible agitation.

“Since this is a long term project, I would have moved my family here, but I cannot endure this kind of regimentation for long. Uganda is my country, any time, any day,” he said, as smiles of endearment brightened his countenance.

I was only a few days old in Rwanda and did not really understand him. Now, I have stayed long enough, and traversed the system deeply enough for my colleague’s words to make sense.

You cannot bribe or influence your way through any system, organisation or institution in Rwanda. It is that plain and simple.

My first shock, apart from the extreme cleanliness and orderliness of the city of Kigali, was when I had cause to visit the immigration office to clear some outstanding documentation issues.

I must shamefully admit that coming from the background of my beloved country Nigeria, I prepared myself well for the journey. I pre-packaged enough cash in my bag – neatly folded in a way to conveniently change hands discreetly - not because there was anything illegal about my business, not at all. It is common knowledge in several sub-Saharan African countries that even the most legitimate transaction has a high probability of being stalled by an official who smiles at you, expecting you to return the smile in cash.

I informed my office that I was going to the immigration office for the day. The last time I renewed my passport in Abuja, Nigeria (2009), it was a whole day’s work. I had to wait outside with several others for several hours, while people who came much later, but knew how to play the system were quickly attended to.

I arrived the immigration office at Kacyiru, Kigali and could not believe my sight. First, the electronic customer service at the entrance gave me a tally that showed I was number 5 in line. Incredible. I got up and went to the very polite, lone and unarmed security officer at the door. I must be in the wrong office; where is the queue?

Where are the customs officers loitering around the area soliciting for “customers” to assist in processing their immigration documents? Where are the touts, the peddlers of passport holders, passport photos and even visas? Where are the numerous roadside hawkers making brisk sales of soda, bread and sundry “gourmet” appetizers, entrees, and desserts to frustrated and fatigued patrons? Where is everybody?

“You are in the right office, madam,” the officer assured me with a smile.

It was my turn already. I sat down to be attended by an amiable young lady who took her time to listen to my challenges, taking notes, entering data into the computer in front of her, engaging me in the most respectful conversation about my stay, so far, in Rwanda. In less than 10 minutes after my arrival, I was handed a sheet of paper with clearly spelt out instructions on how to address my situation.

“Thank you very much, madam. Please do not hesitate to contact this office should you encounter problems following the instructions given.”

I was stunned. The last time I received such impeccable service from a public institution was earlier in the year when I had to register an organisation in Washington D.C. Has the immigration office in Rwanda been privatised? I could not help but inquire of my Rwandan colleagues.

Privatise the immigrations office of a country? They asked, their faces showing signs of reassessing their initial valuation of my intelligence. Forgive me for asking, but unusual sights birth unusual questions. What is going on in this part of Africa?

I was soon to get used to Rwanda. The country where things work as they should, where you are informed of the rules and regulations and it works for you if you follow it. The country where you can register your business online within 24 hours; without having to engage the expensive services of an attorney who will take weeks, sometimes months to travel to Abuja (in the case of Nigeria) to bribe his way through the corporate affairs office to get you registered. Stories abound of lawyers who collect money from clients without fulfilling their own side of the bargain. Such appalling scenario is impossible in Rwanda.

Rwanda. The country with steady supply of electricity – admittedly for the electrified areas as there are still challenges with electrifying the mountainous rural parts. For over three months of my stay, I cannot recollect more than three incidents of power failure, with none lasting longer than five minutes.

Electricity is cheaply available and easily accessible in Rwanda. With “Cashpower” equivalent of $15 procured by sending a text message to your preferred vendor, a family of six need not worry about electricity for a whole month. There is no cheating or bribing of electricity corporation officials; there is no need for that.

During my last visit to Lagos (two months ago), I had opportunity to visit with a household where I was gleefully informed that electricity bills had not been paid in the past four years. “We are very lucky to have a guy on our street who works with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). We give him small money to keep us connected through the backdoor.” The head of the household informed me triumphantly.

“What is the need paying all the money when you do not even get to have light?” He continued. “I would rather use the money to keep my generator serviced than give it to some thieves.” He pointed out, stabbing the air with his fingers in a self righteously emphatic manner.

Working with civil servants on a project in Rwanda was another eye-opening experience for me. Having worked with civil servants in other parts of Africa, I must confess that the commitment of Rwandans is exceptional. 7:00 a.m. is resumption time for all civil servants and the work day ends at 5:00 p.m. Lateness is rare and frowned upon by all. Never for once did the people I had to work with miss out on work for one day, for any reason.

There were no staff coming in to the office to sign-in and leave for home. People are motivated, interested in their work, forthcoming with ideas, excited about their job, dedicated, and willing to help.

In the Ministry where I worked, I was very much involved in the contract awarding process. The transparency of that process and the unconcerned attitude of the officers involved, in trying to influence the outcome were new to me. With my experience working with civil servants in other parts of Africa, I have learnt to become quite eagle-eyed about contract awarding processes, which most often than not, devolves into life and death confrontations between vested interests; it is not unusual for threats of witchcraft, voodoo, poisonings and assassinations, to be made openly. But I did not need to worry in this instance; the established system ensures that the most qualified company always gets awarded the contract in Rwanda.

No country in the world is corrupt free, but Rwanda ought to be ranked among the most “developed” countries in the corruption perceptions index, if there is any sincerity in that exercise. Whatever the case, the fact is that doing business, living and working in Rwanda could be one of the most validating experiences an African can have about the optimistic future of the continent and its people.

Need for caution in Bayelsa

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 Anonymous

Ordinarily, the development in Bayelsa State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) should be overlooked as it is an “internal affair” of a political party. But, its likely negative implication for the poor masses of the state has called for the need to urge caution.

Indeed, there is no big deal with a party choosing who stands for it at an election, but there is everything wrong in heating up the polity through wrong process of selection or outright shenanigans.

As a party, PDP must not allow its internal affairs to negative affect the security situation of the state. The electorate must also be given the opportunity to choose, without coercion, through a transparent election process, those they want to lead them. Acts of impunity and brigandage must be eschewed by all factions within the PDP to ensure a free and fair election in 2012.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the umpire, must provide a level playing field and must also be seen to be transparent in conducting the gubernatorial election early next year in the oil-bearing state.

By the same token, various security agents must also apply the principle of neutrality before, during and after the exercise. What is ultimate is the overall good of the people of the state. The “titanic battle” in Bayelsa should not consume the innocent poor masses, for it is said that where two elephants fight, the grass suffers.

The reason for the denial of clearance to Timipre Sylva, incumbent governor of Bayelsa State, by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP is not yet known. Whatever that has been said remains a guess work and mere rumour.

It is our belief though that whatever that could have motivated the party to take a huge risk of denying the incumbent governor ticket, must be a serious factor. What it means is that PDP strongly believes that Sylva is no longer electable in Bayelsa and as such cannot deliver the state to the party if fielded. That’s a huge loss of confidence!

What must have informed this conclusion? Does his performance in his first term not good enough to merit him a return ticket; who is in a position to determine whether or not he should be re-elected; would the party have lost anything by clearing him to run; or is the personality of the governor an irritant to the masses of Bayelsa State?

On the other hand, we believe it is a big challenge to Sylva that his party was so daring enough as to take a huge gamble by fielding less-known politicians above him. The message that simply passes is that anybody else is better and more credible than the incumbent governor in delivering the state for the party in February next year.

Assessment of the governor depends on the side of the divide one looks at his administration in the last four years.

While some people allege non-performance, some others insist the governor has performed creditably in terms of provision of democratic dividends to the people of the state.

We believe that the development is a big challenge to Sylva to prove the ruling party wrong by rallying the electorate to reward him with their votes; that is, if indeed he has served them faithfully, and again, if he decides to prosecute his ambition on another platform.

While we stay neutral in this matter, we, however, want to urge the people of Bayelsa State to “shine their eyes” while going to the polls in February in their own interest.

We have confidence in Nigeria’s economy– Honeywell boss

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 OLUSOLA BELLO Energy, Editor

Chris Spear is vice president of New Emerging Countries for Honeywell Process Solutions, responsible for managing business growth in seven countries, including Nigeria. In this interview with OLUSOLA BELLO he throws more light on the mission of the firm in the country. Excerpts:

Honeywell is a $35 billion conglomerate. What motivated you to come to Nigeria, considering the challenges in the country?

Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country and holds the continent’s largest oil and gas reserves. Development of Nigeria’s natural resources will permit the nation’s economy to positively evolve. Enabling Honeywell technology in support of Nigeria’s economic development will ensure that the best global solutions are used to increase and maintain production, ensure efficiency and generate profit. That sounds relatively simple, but Honeywell’s ability to enter Nigeria’s market requires a fundamental local understanding of its challenges. To do this, a reputable partner was needed. We chose the Anyiam Osigwe Group and believe this decision will allow us to enter and grow in the market more quickly.

In what ways will your products and technologies create value in area of wealth creation and human capital development for the Nigerian market?

Honeywell is a global technology manufacturer, supporting customers with best-in-class solutions throughout the world. We understand the demands our customers face to compete and succeed in this environment. It is this standard and expertise that Honeywell brings to Nigeria, specifically to Nigerians. We plan to recruit and train local Nigerians with the skills required to support the oil and gas industry. This is not only an investment in Nigeria’s economic future, but in Nigerians themselves. As part of our entry into the country, we have already hired local graduates and supplemented their knowledge with international training.

It appears your focus in this market is to play within the oil and gas sector for now going by your new business with Total?

Our initial focus will be in support of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. This is a core competency of Honeywell and one we believe will allow us to grow quickly. Beyond that, Honeywell offers a much broader suite of technology, including energy efficient solutions for buildings, homes and transportation; security solutions for critical infrastructure, airport and air traffic management; and, the personal safety and protection of employees. It is our intention to make the entire Honeywell technology offering available to Nigeria.

Before coming to Nigeria, some of your products and services had been in use in the oil and gas, petro-chemical and aviation sectors. How do you intend to harness the advantage to be a company of choice for your clients and potential clients?

Yes, our expertise is derived from decades of support to customers globally. During this span, we have witnessed vast changes in the markets and customer requirements, and changes in technology as well. We also know how to deliver the customer’s requirements on time or ahead of schedule, and always place employee safety as a priority. It is this experience, coupled with having the best available technology that makes Honeywell the ideal partner of choice.

Nigeria as the 6th largest oil producer in OPEC still imports large chunk of its petroleum products. How can Honeywell expertise in refining help make Nigeria refineries optimally operational?

Honeywell is positioned to support upgrades to existing refineries and if a decision is made to expand production at these facilities, we are able to integrate and automate such changes with existing capabilities. Automation provides the operator with an optimal view of increasing and maintaining production levels, improving efficiency and generating more profit. We believe Honeywell is uniquely qualified and positioned to improve Nigeria’s refineries. Our recommendation to the refining challenge in Nigeria is to optimise the existing assets before investing in the construction of new refinery.

How is Honeywell positioned to key into the gas master-plan of government?

Honeywell offers several technologies key to the gas industry, including metering, valves and the ability to address flaring. In addition, Honeywell automation technology provides connectivity and communication among gas stations, ensuring greater efficiency and productivity.

In the oil and gas value chain, what are Honeywell capabilities from production to processing, storage and distribution?

Honeywell offers technology solutions for the broad supply chain. We have built this offering over decades of supporting the oil and gas sector globally and believe this expertise and automated solutions will serve Nigeria’s industry well.

Sambo to open petroleum explorationists’ confab, exhibition

Thursday, 10 November 2011 00:00 OLUSOLA BELLO Energy, Editor

Vice President, Namadi Sambo, is scheduled to declare open the 29th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE). A statement issued by Jide Ojo, president NAPE, said the vice president would be the special guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the event scheduled to hold in Abuja on Monday, November 14, 2011. Diezani Alison-Madueke, minister of Petroleum Resources, will be the guest of honour at the event which is expected to end on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

The theme of the event is “Perspectives on Growing Hydrocarbon Reserves in the Next Decade.” The event will also feature technical oral and poster sessions, a management session and a managing directors’ lunch for managing directors of some of the nation’s blue chip companies.

Escalating global demand for energy has made the need to find new hydrocarbon reserves imperative. Forecast from various recognised organisations and institutions have indicated that global demand for energy will continue to rise into the next decade and beyond. There is therefore, ever increasing pressure on discovering new oil and gas reserves.

NAPE, as in previous years, will address some of the issues affecting a broad spectrum of stakeholders at its 29th Annual International Conference and Exhibition.

As a prelude to the conference and exhibition, the association held a very successful Pre-Conference Workshop on October 25 this year with the theme “Developing the Nigerian Gas Market, Commercialising Existing Discoveries and Encouraging Exploration,” at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos . The communiqué from the pre-conference workshop will be delivered to the special guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the event on November 14.

Of crude oil theft and govt’s approach to the issue

Thursday, 10 November 2011 00:00 OLUSOLA BELLO Energy, Editor

The issue of crude oil theft has been a recurring problem in the nation’s oil and gas industry and it appears the Federal Government is either losing the battle, or is an accomplice in the exercise. If not, there is no reason why it has refused to take decisive steps at checking the ugly trend over the years.

The Warri axis or the western region Niger Delta used to be the hub of bunkering with alleged connivance of some security personnel, which government is aware of but has refused to take decisive steps to end the crime.
Bunkering has been the source of revenue for the Niger Delta militants and the groups involved appear to be above the law or untouchable. A number of such cases have been reported to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), but the agency has been helpless because a good number of boats and ships that were detained by the agency in the past were forced to be released on account of an order from above.

The battle to stop bunkering in the Niger Delta requires strong political will to deter the perpetrators of the act but as long as government is paying lip service on the issue, the solution would remain elusive.
It is the lackadaisical approach of government to the issue that has necessitated the persistence of the act on Imo River in the eastern part of the Niger Delta, an area that was relatively unknown to the this kind of act.

There have been 10 additional oil bunkering incidents in the Eastern Niger Delta since Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) shut down production from Imo River on August 28 this year, following an upsurge of activities of saboteurs which have severely impacted the environment. Some of the latest incidents are on the Okordia – Rumuekpe trunk line, Imo River – Ogale trunk line and Buguma – Alakiri trunk line. Four separate incidents were reported on sections of the Obigbo North delivery line at Komkom and Ogale.

Unknown persons had drilled holes and installed valves to transfer crude to waiting barges and trucks, in the process, polluting farm lands and water bodies. “We are very disappointed that oil thieves are still at work,” said Tony Attah, vice president, HSE and Corporate Affairs, Shell Sub-Saharan Africa. “This is why we call for concerted efforts to help stop this criminal activity which not only puts the lives of the perpetrators and the public at risk, but causes severe environmental impact and negatively impacts the communities in the area. It also wastes badly needed revenue to finance development even in the same areas in which the activities are taking place.”

Some 16 oil theft points were discovered in Imo River field in September alone. The unprecedented scale of crude theft in the area forced SPDC to shut the field, resulting in deferment of about 25,000 barrels of oil per day. Production will remain suspended until the crude theft and refining activities have stopped.

Industry analysts have said that mere paying lip service to the issue will not help matters as the criminals have also grown to be very strong and well armed to the extent that helicopters that hover around the scene are often warned that their flying below certain level around the hubs could be dangerous for both the pilot and the occupants. Government, they said, must address the issue squarely if it is to reduce the loss of revenue from crude oil theft. Analysts also spoke in tandem that the nefarious activities of the criminals is capable of crippling the oil business in the nearest future.

Of crude oil theft and govt’s approach to the issue

Thursday, 10 November 2011 00:00 OLUSOLA BELLO Energy, Editor

Of crude oil theft and govt’s approach to the issue

Thursday, 10 November 2011 00:00 OLUSOLA BELLO Energy, Editor

Sub-Sahara African region’s economy to grow above 5¼% in 2011 – report

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 00:00 IHEANYI NWACHUKWU

…Wants oil exporters to buffer against price volatility

This year, 2011, looks set to be another encouraging one for most sub-Sahara African (SSA) economies, according to the latest regional economic outlook.
Recently released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the report noted that reflecting mainly strong domestic demand but also elevated commodity prices; the region’s economy is set to expand by 5¼ percent in 2011.
It also noted that for 2012, its baseline projection is for the region’s economic growth to be higher at 5¾ percent, owing to one-off boosts to production in a number of countries.
There are encouraging signs that the quality of the region’s recent high-growth episode has been fairly good.

According to the report, “there are specters at the feast. Helpful as commodity prices can be to the region, the increase in global food and fuel prices, now amplified by an acute drought in some parts, has hit the budgets of the poor and in a number of countries sparked rising inflation. And beyond this, hesitations in the global recovery threaten to weaken export and growth prospects.
“In particular, our projection for 2012 is highly contingent on global economic growth being sustained at about 4 percent. If growth in advanced economies slows further and curtails global demand, the region’s ongoing expansion is likely to face significant headwinds, with South Africa and others that are more globally integrated likely to be affected the most.”

This disclosure in the regional economic outlook comes amid increasing advice from experts at international organisation for oil exporting countries in the region, like Nigeria to leverage on the opportunities created by oil price movement for better terms of trade to cushion against price volatility in the near future.

The report stated: “For oil exporters, better terms of trade are providing a good opportunity to build up policy buffers against further price volatility.
“Policies in the coming months need to tread a fine line between addressing the challenges that strong growth and recent exogenous shocks have engendered, and warding off the potentially adverse effects of another global downturn. As usual, much depends on country circumstances, but some broad guidelines can be advanced. Some slower-growing, mostly middle-income countries, including South Africa, without binding financial constraints, have yet to see output and employment return to pre-crisis levels,” the IMF stated in the report.

Policies here should clearly remain supportive of output growth, and even more so if global growth sputters.
“Most low-income countries are currently on a faster growth trajectory, but policies have been slow to move out of the accommodative mode set during the global slowdown. Some are so far behind the curve that inflation is now rising sharply. Against this backdrop: Provided that the global economy keeps to the World Economic Outlook (WEO) baseline scenario of steady but slow growth, these countries should focus squarely on medium-term considerations in setting fiscal policy while tightening monetary policy wherever nonfood inflation has climbed above the single digits,” the regional report stated.

Furthermore, it noted that in the event of a global downturn, subject to financing constraints, policies should focus on maintaining planned spending initiatives, while allowing automatic stabilisers to operate on the revenue side.
“If, however, the global slowdown looks to be persistent, there will be a need to revisit spending plans to ensure that they are consistent with lower growth and financing assumptions. Where non-food inflation is high, monetary policy support for activity should wait for inflation to fall to single digits,” it stated further.

Only a handful of countries have tightened monetary policy in response to the price shocks. Some flexible exchange rate countries experiencing strong growth and high or rising non-food price inflation have increased policy rates. These are Burundi, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. But in most countries, interest rates are little changed from the low levels set during the global financial crisis.
And playing off the loose monetary stance, many countries in the region with floating exchange rates have seen their nominal effective exchange rates weaken, appreciably over the past year. This process has been more marked than in other regions. Low-income oil-importing countries in the region have generally avoided declines in reserves, even in the face of pressures on the exchange rate.
With the notable exception of Nigeria, which has both lost reserves and seen its nominal effective exchange rate depreciate, oil exporters have seized the opportunity presented by sharp improvements in oil prices to replenish or accumulate foreign exchange reserves.

The report also looked at the risk aspect of the region’s projected growth, stating that 2011 is a year of two contrasting storylines in the region. On the one hand, growth is as strong and broad as it has been for many years for many countries. On the other, global and domestic developments in 2011 have brought to the fore the fragility of economic conditions in sub-Sahara Africa.

In particular, the surge in global food and fuel prices is causing dislocation in many parts of the region, particularly among the urban poor, and the drought in east Africa is causing untold human hardship including the displacement of close to a million people from Somalia into Ethiopia and Kenya. Furthermore, the renewed turmoil in global financial markets and the weaknesses exposed in advanced economies are likely to heighten downside risks to our central projections.

StanbicIBTC Funds pull N35b as investors diversify into bonds

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 GODFREY OBIOMA

The various funds managed by StanbicIBTC Asset Management have yielded about N35 billion into the pool, an indication that many investors who lost money in the equities market by investing directly are beginning to diversify into fixed income through fund managers.

The funds are bond fund, ethical fund, guaranteed investment fund, equity funds and balance fund. Mike Olumide, managing director of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management said the value of the funds pulled in is in excess of N30billion.
‘What I will tell you is that collectively the funds are in excess of 30 billion or just under 35 billion’, Olumide said.

The oldest and the most successful is the Stanbic IBTC Equities Fund. As the name suggest, the fund has equity as its underlying asset. It is also an aggressive fund.

For the ethical fund, the main difference is that investors invest in companies that engage in socially responsible activities or for sectors are not considered socially harmful.

The company also manages guaranteed investment fund which is for clients that are concerned about downside risk. ‘The proposition in the fund is that if an investor invest in it for 3 months or longer, the worst case scenario is that he will get back his capital’, according to Olumide.

So the fund has the ability to invest a small portion up to 25% in the capital market but in period of bearish market like in 2009 when the market was down, minus 45 percent no matter how much the market loses, the worst case scenario is that an investor in that particular fund will cover his principal back.Thus, the advantage is that the fund caps investors downside and also allows them to enjoy the upside in underling instruments. The Trust Deed for the fund allows a minimum of 75 percent in fixed income investment which include Treasury Bills, money market while a maximum of 25 percent is permissibly in equities.

The fifth fund is the bond fund that have bonds especially federal government bonds as underlying assets.

Stanbic IBTC Asset Management also recently got approval for a sixth fund which is called the Stabic IBTC balanced fund. The fund is for investors who want a balance between fixed income and equities.

Fuel subsidy: time to reason

Monday, 17 October 2011 00:00 Clement T. Ofuani

It is not a matter of wrong or right but what is considered from the perspective of what is in the best interest of the nation after weighing all the pros and cons

In advertising, emotional appeal is used to market products that appeal to passion while rational appeal is used to market products that require rigorous analysis. Where you replace such rigor with emotion, it is not possible to make a rational decision.

Such is the situation that the nation finds itself with respect to the subject of petroleum products subsidy. Those opposed to its removal are in a mental laager and are impervious to any contrary arguments. Those who support its removal are seemingly locked into their perspective that there appears to be no possible meeting grounds with contrary opinion.

Yet, if only we could pause for a while and listen to each other, the merits and demerits of each point of view can be appreciated and a more rational decision will become possible.

I have been following with keen interest the press reportage of the debate especially following the submission of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper to the National Assembly by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala where it was disclosed that part of the economic transformation package is the rationalization and removal of petroleum product subsidy.

Unsurprisingly, opinions have been sharply divided on the policy which is as it should be in an economy such as ours that is poverty-ridden and in which bread and butter issues are the most critical.

However, what I have found most disturbing is the position taken by some serving senators who oppose the removal of the subsidy and attempt to demonize the Finance Minister on the issue.

Some were said to be peeved with the presentation style of the Minister which they saw as overbearing. Such grandstanding from members of the National Assembly is indeed worrisome as the issue is not an emotional matter but one which fundamentally touches on our national development or lack thereof.

The policy in question touches on the well-being of every Nigerian and should therefore be approached with sobriety. It is not even a matter of wrong or right but what is considered from the perspective of what is in the best interest of the nation after weighing all the pros and cons.

Clearly, part of the reason why the subsidy on petroleum products argument has raged for so many years is the opacity in the administration of the subsidy and I expect our law makers to be concerned about this. From all indications, subsidy on petroleum product has for some years now, been the largest single item of annual national expenditure, yet no one has raised an eyebrow about the fact that in the past twelve years of civil rule, there has not been any appropriation for this expenditure. This is in spite of the fact that the Constitution provides that no money shall be spent from the public funds of the federation or of the state except as appropriated by the national assembly or the state house of assembly.

What an oversight?
Rather than fully accounting for the oil revenues of the federation on the one hand and presenting estimates of total expenditures on the other h and in the annual budget, what the Federal Government has been doing is to make direct deduction of the subsidy from the crude oil revenue before crediting the Federation Account with the net revenue.

In effect, instead of the total revenue being available for distribution to the three tiers of government as required by the constitution, it is the total revenue less petroleum product subsidy that is made available in flagrant breach of the constitution.

In seeking to resolve this argument, one would have expected that the first step from the Senators will be an insistence that further breaches of the constitution by the first line deduction is halted forthwith. That way, there will be accurate accounting for the nation’s revenue followed by a proper estimation of the subsidy in a transparent manner. I would then imagine that if, out of a total national revenue of say N5 trillion, we appropriate N1.2 trillion (using 2011 projected spending) for petroleum subsidy, N200 billion each for education and health and N400 billion for roads, the distinguished Senators will rightly question the priorities set by the executive. The nation would definitely be interested to see how the distinguished senators would rubber stamp such an expenditure proposal from the executive.

Even if we assume that the N1.2 trillion referred to above proposed budget for subsidy on petroleum product is accurate, we would confront the challenge of determining how much of such subsidy is attributable to each beneficiary of the Federation Account so that their legislatures can appropriate the sums to be centrally administered.

I feel certain that each state and each local government area would want to know how the subsidy burden in their domains are computed and how the Federal Government will contribute to the subsidy. Will the Federal Government bear responsibility for only the Federal Capital Territory or will it contribute to States and Local Governments and in what ratio? I can imagine the unfolding scenario in which we try to determine how much subsidy is attributable to each Nigerian and the basis for allocating such to each level of government. Will it be on the basis of residency or state and local government of origin

While we struggle to determine the allocative mechanism for the subsidies, it must be remembered that there have been serious concerns about the exact size of the subsidy considering allegations of fraudulent practices in its administration and accounting as in practice, the managers of the subsidy regime face the daunting task of reconciling the subsidy claims based on paper documentation and actual quantity of products supplied and consumed in the economy. Perhaps, this process will provide the National Assembly and the State legislature critical data to interrogate the actual national consumption of the products and compare with the subsidy claims.

Perhaps the process of transparently computing and accounting for the petroleum product subsidy will also reveal the inefficiency and waste in consumption of the product when the full cost is not borne by the consumer. A manifest human behavior is that when you take somebody to a restaurant and ask the person to order on your account, the decision the person makes will be dramatically different if you gave the person the same sum of money and ask him to take care of himself. This is perfectly human. Spending other people’s money leads to wastage and unnecessary consumption. This is also what the nation is suffering from under the petroleum subsidy regime. People buy cars without regards to fuel efficiency because they are not bearing the full cost of the motoring.

Imagine how much savings the nation will achieve at the macro level in terms of more efficient consumption of petroleum products if each person has to bear the true cost of his consumption.

Indeed, it is such massive wastage that has been responsible for the burgeoning subsidy which in turn exerts a downward pressure on the exchange rate of our domestic currency. The continuous devaluation of the Naira has been a major contributor to inflation in the country. In response, we have attempted at different times to adjust the national minimum wage in the hope of enhancing the living conditions of workers. This appears like a vicious circle that needs to be approached with a new and sustainable solution. In fact, this point also actually raises serious questions about the wisdom in the belief that continued retention of the subsidy regime protects the welfare of workers as the protection it provides is a mere illusion.

It seems like a choice between administering a bitter medicine in small doses so that the bitterness is not noticeable but there is no chance of curing the illness as opposed to an appropriate dosage of a bitter medicine such that the bitterness is immediately felt but the ailment is cured.

One more point to be discussed within the framework of this paper is the common argument that the reason why petroleum products cost so much in Nigeria is because we are importing them instead of refining them in this country where crude oil is produced.

Clearly, no right thinking person will accept that we have any reason or business importing petroleum products, however refining crude oil in Nigeria will largely create savings in labour cost and unnecessary insurance and freight charges. It must be borne in mind that without product pricing that guarantees an acceptable return on investment; no refinery will be built or profitably operated in this country. Even if government decides to build and run such refineries, we will be back to the same arguments some few years from now.

The reason is that we are operating in global village and as long as human beings driven by the same desires run this operation, no ombudsman is going to prevent it from falling apart because the business model will be at variance with realistic human behaviour.

Perhaps, we can now go back to where we began this essay. From all that has been said, if the Federal Government stops breaching our constitution, we will discover that we cannot operate a subsidy regime on petroleum products. If we become less emotional about this issue and factor rational human behaviour into our policy choices, we will also discover that the nation will eliminate a lot of wastage and inefficiencies associated with the subsidy regime and our people will be the beneficiaries of such gains. This is a time to reason.

Judicial independence: Some recent problems (1)

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 Geoffrey Robertson

Introduction
1. I do not propose, in this short paper, to provide any detailed theoretical treatment of a subject that has engaged the authors of many books and treatises. “Independence and impartiality” are an alliterative conjunction found in every human rights treaty as qualities for holding judicial office, although they are in fact disparate concepts with different legal histories.

Independence means putting judges in a position to act according to their conscience and the justice of the case, free from pressures from governments, funding bodies, armies, or any other source of state power and influence that may possibly bear upon them. Impartiality, on the other hand, is the judicial characteristic of disinterest towards parties and their causes in litigation. There is, of course, some overlap: judges who are not independent of the state will be perceived (and may actually become) partial to the state when it is a party to litigation in their court. There is prolific domestic and international case law concerning “impartiality”: questions relating to real or apparent judicial bias occur all the time, and the appropriate tests are well established.1 So too are the procedures for removing judges for incapacity or misbehavior, (such as drunkenness or criminal conduct), however difficult they may be to activate, or to deliver proof beyond reasonable doubt.2 “Independence” however, is a concept which has not been fully explored, despite the frequency of allegations that judges are overawed by government

1 See Hauschildt v Denmark (ECHR) series A No. 154, 24 Hay 1989 (12 EHRR 266); Ex parte Pinochet, (No.2) (2000) 1 A.C. 119 2 See Rees v Crane [1994] 2A.C.173
or subject to secret political directives. This paper will consider some recent difficulties in detecting and dealing with pressures from the executive, and offer some thoughts about naming and shaming that bane of justice, the judicial lickspittle.

2. That an independent judiciary is a prerequisite for any society based on the rule of law cannot be doubted, and the conditions for that independence are uncontroversially set out in the IBA’s Minimum Standards of Judicial Independence, agreed in 1982, and in the Basic Principles of the Independence of the Judiciary adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1985.3 These instruments lay down guidelines for appointment and removal, for tenure, conduct and discipline, which are generally designed to ensure that “judges are not subject to executive control” (personal independence) and that in the discharge of judicial functions “ a judge is subject to nothing but the law and the commands of his conscience” (substantive independence). The latter formulation, in IBA Standard A(i) (c,) strikes me as high-sounding but inadequate: a judge is subject additionally to certain public expectations arising from the constitutional importance of the office. These should be spelled out in a code of judicial conduct, requiring justice to be done efficiently and decently, without fear or favour, discrimination or discourtesy. As an example of a judicial code of the kind which supplements the judge’s duty of obedience to law and conscience with a set of ethics, I append the code recently drafted by the UN’s Internal Justice Tribunal (IJC) and adopted by judges of the UN’s Disciplinary and Appeal Tribunals. 4 Any complaints about breaches of the code should be decided by a tribunal which includes senior judges, and is itself free from executive influence.

3. The preamble to the UN’s “Basic Principles” notes: “whereas frequently there still exists a gap between the vision underlying these principles and the actual situation”. This was in 1985, and remains in 2011, an understatement. To pick some current examples:
In Uganda, President Museveni mounted a direct attack on the Constitutional Court for doing its constitutional duty by striking down an inconsistent Act of parliament. He made a televised address accusing the judges of “usurping the power of the people” and claimed that “the major work for the judges is to settle chicken and goat theft cases but not to determine the country’s destiny”. The government orchestrated a large demonstration against the court.5
In Pakistan, corruption amongst low-level judges continues unabated, and political bias influences the outcome of politically sensitive cases.6
In Zimbabwe, since 2000, President Mugabe has “purged the judiciary, packed the courts with ZANU-PF supporters and handed out ‘gifts’ of land and goods to ensure judges’ loyalty”.7 Independent judges have been removed through “a combination of physical and psychological intimidation and threats of violence”. 8 Presidential appointment of judges does not require the agreement of the Judicial Services Commission, but in any event four of its six members are appointed by the President, and the other two are under the influence of the executive.9

In Bolivia, the government has introduced the Ley Corta (“short law”) which permits the executive directly to appoint ‘interim’ judges. In February 2011, President Morales directly appointed fifteen judges to vacancies on the Constitutional Tribunal and the Supreme Court.10

In Singapore, the Constitution (S98(i)) allows judges to hold office after reaching 65 “as the President may approve”, and the President will only be directed to approve judges who are approved by the executive – an inducement (if one were needed) to render decisions congenial to the government. 11 The Asian Wall Street Journal was held in contempt for reporting that the IBA Human Rights Institute had described “concerns about the subjective and objective independence” of the Singapore judiciary.12

In Sri Lanka, constitutional amendment has given the President broad powers to appoint senior judges, after minimal consultation. The Supreme Court, under the aggressive nationalist Chief Justice S.N. de Silva, has, according to the recent HRC inquiry, become “increasingly politicized, emphasizing the power of the State and an all-encompassing notion of sovereignty that overrides international obligations”.13

Although the Gambian Constitution (Article 120(3)) guarantees judicial independence, judges do not in practice have security of tenure. In 2008, three judges were summarily dismissed by order of the President, without any official reason and without consultation with the Judicial Services Commission. It is understood that the dismissals were in reprisal for decisions they had taken in politically sensitive cases. In Ukraine, Judge Rodian Kireyez was condemned by the European Union for sentencing opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko to 7 years in prison (with an order to pay £120 million to the State and a 3 year ban on political participation). As she said to the court, “you know very well that the sentence is not being pronounced by Judge Kireyev, but by President Yanukovych”.15

In Fiji, the Chief Justice was forcibly removed from office by the military government, which has appointed lawyers with questionable credentials from other countries to the Fijian bench. There is evidence that several judges in Fiji have been physically intimidated, with one judge having his home burned down while on holiday and another having his car sabotaged.16

4. And so it goes on - the above examples notable only for being noticed. The problems are not confined to small or poor countries. In Russia, old habits die hard: two constitutional court judges were forced to resign in 2009 after making critical comments about how judicial decisions were really taken by an ‘authoritarian’ government. 17 There has been worldwide criticism of the Mikhail Khodorkovsky decision, with credible allegations that the judge was directed to convict.

In the United States, the system of electing state judges has come under increasing criticism, not just for throwing up characters like Oklahoma judge Donald Thompson, who regularly used a sex toy to assist his in-court masturbation,18 but for placing judges under obligations to those lawyers and lobbyists who have donated to their campaign chests. The US Chamber of Commerce has been spending $50 million per year funding advertisements with the objective of voting out judges supported by personal injury lawyers, labour union and the Democratic Party, and electing new judges sympathetic to insurance companies, multi-national corporations and

SPA Ajibade & Co. holds 4th Annual Business Luncheon in Lagos

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 Theodora Kio-Lawson

The law firm of SPA Ajibade & Co. will this year be looking at the ‘The Future of Legal Practice in Nigeria, Developing & deepening partnerships- An insider’s view from outside’ at its Annual Business Luncheon set to hold today, November 17, 2011 at the La ScalaRestaurant,Muson Centre, Lagos.

The 2011 edition of the luncheon specifically designed for the legal community will be chaired by Hon. justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, while Segun Osuntokun a Partner with the law firm of Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, who has varied experience from three city of London firms, will be the guest speaker at the occasion, Segun is expected to give an outside perspective as an ‘insider’.

Speaking on the objective behind this year’s theme, the Managing Partner of the firm and current Chairman of the Capital Market Solicitors Association, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN informed BusinessDay that the theme for this year, was aimed at exploring the potential growth patterns for Nigerian law firms.

The SPA Ajibade Business Luncheon which is in its 4th year, is part of the firm’s contribution to the development of legal practice in Nigeria. The first of these series of luncheons was first launched in 2008 and the theme of the inaugural luncheon was “Globalisation and the challenges of practicing law as a business - a view from the West”.

The 2010 edition presented the very intriguing and controversial theme of “Morality, Integrity and Ethics in the Practice of Law in Nigeria- Myth ot Reality. As anticipated, this topic had generated a great deal of public interest, especially from the legal community and the feedback had been stimulating. The event had seen a line-up of past and serving judges of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Court, as well as Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other members of the bar who has critically and sufficiently examined the topic

The firm which is a member of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Capital Market Committee, specializes in Capital Market Law & Practice, Cyorporate Finance, and Corporate Structuring & Restructuring.

Keshi promises to make changes

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 10:31 Anonymous

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has promised to make changes to the team in subsequent games.

Keshi masterminded a 0-0 draw with Botswana and a 2-0 victory over Zambia in international friendly matches played on Saturday and Tuesday.

The 28 players who turned up for both matches were invited by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) but Keshi says he will now take complete control over the invitation of players to the national team.

‘I am fully in charge now, so I will draw up the list of players to make up the team for any other game that will be played by the national team,”.

The ‘big boss’ expressed dissatisfaction with the list of players invited for the games against Botswana and Zambia saying: “I saw a list where a list there were nine strikers.

“That’s way too much but I have worked with it and things will be different from now. I will be drawing up the names of players that I need from now on,” Keshi said.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea leading to the sack of former Coach, Samson Siasia.

Classy Germany punish Netherlands

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 11:15 Espnsoccernet

Germany underlined their status as one of the favourites for Euro 2012 with a 3-0 demolition of Netherlands in Hamburg. Miroslav Klose was the inspiration behind Germany's latest victory as he scored one and set up two for Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil in this defeat of the World Cup runners-up. Joachim Low's side must now be regarded as one of the major candidates for glory in Poland and Ukraine next summer, adding this impressive success to a perfect record of 10 wins from 10 during qualifying.

England completed an unbeaten 2011 in satisfactory style by ending their 43-year wait for a win over Sweden with a 1-0 victory. Gareth Barry's first half header was deflected into his own net by Daniel Majstorovic and that proved to be enough to secure the win, in addition to becoming England's landmark 2,000th goal.

Jack Rodwell hit the post with a header from point blank range and Phil Jones toe-poked wide of the post when clean through as England tried, but failed, to add to their tally. David Villa netted a last-gasp equaliser as Spain battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Costa Rica.

The world champions looked certain to fall to a second consecutive defeat when they trailed to goals from Randall Brenes (31) and Joel Campbell (42) with just eight minutes left. But David Silva pulled the first goal back on 82 minutes before Villa denied the hosts a memorable win in stoppage time.

France's good form was blunted as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Belgium in Paris. Laurent Blanc's side dominated proceedings but couldn't find a way past Thibaut Courtois in Belgium's goal. Uruguay lived up to their fourth placing in the FIFA rankings as they beat Italy 1-0 in Rome. Sebastian Fernandez scored the only goal of the game after three minutes and the Copa America champions, who had Alvaro Pereira sent off on 81 minutes, held on to extend their unbeaten run to 13 games. Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland and Ukraine both recorded 2-1 wins against Hungary and Austria receptively.

An 85th-minute Vilmos Vanczak own goal sealed Poland's success while 10-man Ukraine left it even later as substitute Marko Devic netted in injury time. Ukraine led through Artem Milevskiy (17) but a win looked beyond them when Marko Arnautovic (71) equalised and Oleksandr Kucher was sent off 10 minutes from the end.

Greece's 17-game unbeaten run came crashing to an end as they went down 3-1 at home to Romania. Giorgos Karagounis (33) had cancelled out Gabriel Torje's 17th-minute opener, but the Romanians won thanks to strikes from Cristian Tanase (60) and Alexsandru Chipciu (81).

Three first-half goals helped the United States to a 3-2 win against Slovenia. Edson Buddle, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore (penalty) netted before the break while Tim Matavz scored both goals for the hosts. There were also no goals in the cross-border contest between Macedonia and Albania. Denmark came from behind to beat Finland 2-1 while Serbia lost 2-0 away to Honduras.

Top seeds gear up for ATP World Tour finals

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 00:00 Vincent Egboigbe

British number one Andy Murray will play world number one Novak Djokovic in the group stages of the ATP World Tour finals at the O2 Arena in London.

Murray will also play David Ferrer and Tomas Berdych in the round-robin group which starts on Sunday.

World number two Rafael Nadal will take on Roger Federer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Mardy Fish in group B.

The top two from each group will qualify for the semi-finals at the seasonending tournament.

World number three Murray was beaten by Djokovic, who is chasing an 11th title in 2011, in the final of the Australian Open in January but the Scot won their last meeting in the final of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati in August.

The 24-year-old, who was beaten in last year’s semifinal by Nadal, also faces Berdych, the man who ended his 17-match winning streak at the Paris Masters.

Czech player Berdych qualified for the tournament by reaching the quarter- finals in Paris.

Reigning champion Federer, who beat Nadal in last year’s final, is in good form, having won last week’s event in the French capital with a victory over Tsonga.

Euro 2012: Seeds confirmed for finals draw

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 Vincent Egboigbe

England have been named in the second group of seeds for the Euro 2012 finals draw, with the Republic of Ireland in pot four. Reigning world and European champions Spain are in the top group of seeds, alongside the Netherlands and co-hosts Poland and Ukraine. Pot two consists of England, Germany, Italy and Russia.

The Republic of Ireland join Denmark, Czech Republic and France in the bottom group for the draw on 2 December. The third pot of teams is made up of Croatia, Greece, Portugal and Sweden, who were beaten 1-0 by England on Tuesday.

Spain and Germany were the only two teams to qualify for the finals with 100% records in their qualifying group with eight and 10 straight victories respectively.

The Netherlands also qualified with ease after winning nine out of their 10 qualifying matches, but Portugal, who made the last eight in 2004 and were beaten finalists in 2000, qualfied via the play-offs.

Forty per cent of the seeding for the finals is decided by the teams’ respective qualifying record, with the same amount based on their performance in World Cup 2010 qualifying and finals and the remainder on their performance in Euro 2008.

As was the case at the 2004 and 2008 finals, the 16 finalists will be divided into four seeding pots, ranked by their UEFA coefficient, with each of the four groups having one team from each pot. As co-hosts, Poland and Ukraine were automatically placed in Pot 1, along with Spain and the Netherlands, with the Polish placed in Group A and Ukraine in Group D to ensure all of their fixtures will be played in their home nation. The tournament will expand to 24 teams from the present 16 from the 2016 edition onwards.

Seedings for Euro 2012
Pot 1: Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine.
Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia.
Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden.
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland

Ronaldo: Portugal are better than BiH

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 15:57 goal.com

The Real Madrid ace put on an impressive display as he scored two of Portugal's six goals to help the Seleccao pick up a comfortable result.

The victory sees Portugal book a place in the Euro 2012 finals after the first-leg ended in a goalless draw, and Ronaldo believes that his side were always superior to their opponents.

"I had a good match, in which I scored goals, the team also played well, we are very happy and thank God we are at Euro 2012," he told Goal.com after the game.

"All considered, Portugal are fair winners, we are better than them, we showed it today, just like we had shown it in the first-leg. "I think the result was fair, we played better and we are a better team."

Ronaldo then turned his attention to club football as he rejected suggestions that Madrid are already focussed on the crunch La Liga game against Barcelona in December, stressing that the team have several important matches in the next few weeks.

"We cannot think about the match against Barcelona right now," he noted. "We will play against Valencia, who are third in the league, and then Atletico Madrid.

"Those will be very hard matches and if we do not win them, it is pointless to think about Barca. We are calm, we are following our path and we have to continue like this." Madrid are currently top of La Liga with 28 points from 11 matches, three points ahead of Barcelona in second.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

FUPRE ASUU leaders go underground

Written by Sylvester Idowu, Warri Thursday, 17 November 2011

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) branch, on Wednesday, went underground, following the deployment of armed mobile policemen to restore peace in the troubled institution.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that, the deployment of the policemen to the institution was part of Federal Government effort to restore peace back into the troubled University.

The Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyat Rufai had ordered the reinstatement of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Babatunde Alabi and the Registrar, Mrs L.O. Onwuka, thereby annulling their purported suspension by the recently dissolved board of the institution.

But the development, it was gathered, did not go down well with the appointed acting Vice Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Professor I.B. Osazuwa and Acting Registrar, Mrs Evelyn Gbagi, wife of the former Minister of State for Education, who were directed to revert to their former positions.

It was learnt that the leadership of the unions in the school including some members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), were on Tuesday mobilized to create a tensed situation on the campus giving an impression that the decision of the Minister was not accepted by them.

A senior Lecturer in the school (names withheld), told Nigerian Tribune that the officers directed to revert to their former positions were being used by external forces to corner the funds allocated for the development of the school.

He cited an instance in which an immediate former Minister of State for Education from the region awarded himself a contract worth N400 million without recourse to laid down rules as well as engaging his wife as the Deputy Registrar to monitor going in the institution.

There was tension in the university campus when Nigerian Tribune visited yesterday with some of the staffs discussing in hush tones about the development while awaiting the arrival of the substantive Vice Chancellor’ to resume duty today.

Forget subsidy, face Boko Haram •NASS tells Jonathan •Denies no confidence vote plot •To meet again today

Written by Jacob Segun Olatunji, Ayodele Adesanmi and Kolawole Daniel, Abuja Thursday, 17 November 2011

ATTEMPT by President Goodluck Jonathan to woo the 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members to support his government’s planned fuel subsidy removal has reportedly failed, as the meeting called by the presidency to discuss the issue of subsidy removal among other pressing national issues ended in a deadlock on Wednesday.
The Senate, through its spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, had used the occasion to deny a report that the lawmakers moved to pass a vote of no confidence in the president, adding that there was no iota of truth in the report.

Senator Abaribe said, “come to think of it, no confidence vote tradition only applies in a parliamentary system of government and not in a presidential system as practised in Nigeria.”
Sources at the meeting informed the Nigerian Tribune that President Jonathan, who set the tone of the meeting, told the lawmakers that the main reason for the parley was to discuss the issue of fuel subsidy removal with them and the need for them to support the policies of his government.

Sources also told the Nigerian Tribune that while calling on the lawmakers to support the fuel subsidy removal, he told them that “if the fuel subsidy is not removed, Nigeria may collapse in the next 15 years.”

President Jonathan had forwarded to the National Assembly "2012-2015 Medium Term Fiscal Framework and Medium Term Expenditure Framework" which contained the contentious fuel subsidy removal policy of his government and the document is yet to be debated.

The president, in the document, had posited that "a major component of the policy of fiscal consolidation is government's intent to phase out the fuel subsidy beginning from the 2012 fiscal year. This will free up about N1.2 trillion in saving, part of which can be deployed into providing safety nets for poor segments of the society to ameliorate the effects of the subsidy removal.”

However, sources at the meeting revealed that the president also briefed the lawmakers about the challenges being faced by the Federal Government on the issue of Boko Haram, noting that the dimension of insecurity now was not like before. He was said to have solicited the support of everybody in the country in fighting the Boko Haram.

At the meeting, Nigerian Tribune learnt that the Senate President, Senator David Mark, pointedly told the president that Nigerians were not in support of the subsidy removal, and reportedly asked the president to expose the cabal that was feeding fat on the subsidy, since the government claimed it knew its members.

The Senate president, it was further learnt, asked the president to first tackle the problems of insecurity in the country, particularly the Boko Haram threat to national security, before anything.

According to one of the sources, “the Senate president was very blunt in his submission to Mr President. He told him point blank that subsidy is the only thing Nigerians are enjoying from the government and phasing it out may cause crisis in the country.”

The Senate president was said to have come to the aid of the president by assuring him that the lawmakers would deliberate on the issues. “We have heard what you said sir, but we have to go back and digest the message. In any case we urge you to do something about the security situation in the country. That is the most important thing for now.”

Nigerian Tribune gathered that it was only the Senate president and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, who spoke at the meeting, with the speaker reportedly telling the president that the House would do the right thing when the issues were eventually tabled at the National Assembly.

NUEE threatens to shut down power supply

Written by Adunola Fasuyi, Lagos Thursday, 17 November 2011

WORKERS of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), on Wednesday, threatened to shut down power supply.

The workers have been on strike since Tuesday over an alleged plan by the Federal Government to deregulate the sector and the takeover of their offices by soldiers.

Meanwhile, leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) and NUEE were, on Wednesday, summoned to Abuja by the State Security Service (SSS) over the work to rule order declared on Tuesday over the failure of the Federal Government to withdraw soldiers it sent to all strategic Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) installations in the country to forcibly deregulate the sector.

The electricity workers’ position on the power sector was that the PHCN could be efficient if it was democratically run with the involvement of elected representatives of workers and consumers in the management of electricity.

Speaking to newsmen on the invitation by the SSS to Abuja, SSAEAC’s president, Comrade Bede Opara, said “we were in Abuja to meet with the SSS over the crisis in the power sector.

“We have made it clear to the government that all agreements reached with the workers must be fulfilled and due process must be followed in any decision to be taken in the sector.”

He, however, said “workers in the electricity sector demanded that the soldiers sent on Monday morning to occupy the corporate headquarters of the PHCN in Wuse Zone 4 and Apo Transmission Stations in Abuja; the Olorunsogo centre, Ondo State; Ayede; the Egbin Power Station, the National Control Centre, Osogbo and the Osogbo work centre by the government should be withdrawn with immediate effect.”

Also, the General Secretary of NUEE, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said “the militarisation of the electricity installations in the country by the government is an obvious attempt to force the deregulation of the PHCN without following due process.

“The action taken by government did not come to us as a surprise, because the soldiers sent to occupy electricity installations is a calculated attempt to stall the negotiations and impose a pre-determined solution that will see the power sector sold as scrap to serving ministers and other cronies of the Federal Government.”

In another development, the Joint Action Front (JAF) has given its full support to the work to rule action embarked upon by electricity workers in the country, insisting that Federal Government and the management of the PHCN should withdraw all military personnel and respect the agreements reached with the unions.

Akunyili vs Ngige: Appeal Court orders retrial

Written by Jude Ossai, Enugu Thursday, 17 November 2011

THE Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu has ordered the retrial of the election petition filled by the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Anambra Central senatorial district in the last general election, Professor Dora Akunyili, against the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Chris Ngige.

It also allowed the appeal filled by Akunyili to challenge the verdict of the lower court on the grounds that it was meritorious.

Justice Sam Osegi, who delivered the verdict on Wednesday, ruled that the appeal was “meritorious” and, therefore, “succeeds.”

While setting aside the judgment of the lower tribunal in Awka, the court said it had the right to reverse itself on an issue it had already resolved.

Reacting to the verdict, counsel for Ngige, Bona Orakwe, expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment, but, however, said they were ready to abide by the verdict.

Thophona Oguji, consel for Akunyili, in his reaction, commended the justices over the judgment and expressed optimism that it would afford his client the opportunity to get justice which, he claimed, was denied her.

The tribunal sitting in Awka had earlier dismissed Akunyili’s application on the grounds that she could not provide Form TF008, which would have provided vital information during the pre-trial of the matter.

Schools shut down in Osun over hijab

Written by Adewale Ajayi, Osogbo Thursday, 17 November 2011

THE struggle over the usage of hijab (veil for Muslim ladies) in public schools has led to the closure of public schools in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State.

The quest to implement the usage of hijab created crisis in the town, as some Muslim groups insisted that all Muslim ladies should be allowed to use hijab, irrespective of the school they were attending.

The problem started last year, when a female student of Methodist Grammar School, Iwo, wore hijab to school.

The student was said to have been beaten by her teacher, while she, in turn, mobilised her brothers to waylay the teacher and beat her.

Muslim Fellowship Students were said to have championed the demand for female Muslim students to use hijab.

The agitation for the use of the hijab got to a climax on Monday, when a female student of Baptist High School, Iwo, was arrested by the police on the orders of the school authorities for wearing hijab to school.

The action of the school authorities was said to have angered Muslim organisations in the town, who waded into the matter and demanded the release of the student.

This is just as they mobilised students in the town, on Tuesday, to insist on allowing Muslim girls to use hijab, irrespective of the school they attended.

The protest was said to have received the support of the leader of Jamat Tahawum, known as Alfa Dawud, who led the students on a protest which took them from one school to the other, starting from Local Authority Grammar School to Saint Anthony Grammar School; Methodist Grammar School and Iwo Grammar School.

The protest forced the school authorities to close down the schools, while the students were sent home.

Reacting to the development, through a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, the state government said it decided to close down all the public schools in the council to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

The statement said the state was noted for peace and the state government would not allow any religious bigot to turn it into a place of religious intolerance.

UI honours Yar’Adua, Gambari, Adeboye today

Written by Adebayo Waheed Thursday, 17 November 2011

AS part of its 2011 convocation ceremony, the University of Ibadan (UI) will, today, honour four prominent Nigerians for their positive contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.

Those to be honoured by the institution are the late president, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua; former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States (US), Professor Agboola Gambari; the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Folake Solanke.

Nigerian Tribune learnt on Tuesday at the congregation for the award of certificates, diplomas and first degrees of the institution that the late President Yar’Adua would be presented with a post-humous award.

Meanwhile, the vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Isaac Ade-wole, on Wednesday, reiterated the determination of the institution to pursue the national goals of development, through knowledge creation and dissemination.

Tribune has no political affiliation -Adesua

Written by Adebayo Waheed and Oluwakemi Adesina Thursday, 17 November 2011

THE Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc., publishers of the Tribune Titles, Reverend Sam Adesua, has declared that the company has no political affiliation.

Speaking on Wednesday at a brief ceremony to mark the company’s 62nd anniversary, Adesua said that for the past 62 years, the titles had been on the path of truth.

While noting that they were founded on the principle of truth, he said they would continue to champion the cause of truth.

According to him, the titles are not being funded by any political party and has no party affiliation.

“The Tribune titles do not belong to any political organisation, we are not anybody’s enemy and I pray that all those who pose as our enemies will soon become our friends,” he stated.

Reverend Adesua also prayed that those who believe that the newspapers were being sponsored by a political party, would soon have a change of heart.

While noting that the company might have some challenges, he implored the workers not to be dejected as the future was bright.

According to the MD/EIC, the print media had been through several turbulent times.

“Tribune has experienced troubles in the past. There were times when vendors would have to hold cutlass on one hand and the newswpaper on the other hand. There were also times when key workers in the organisation were held in prison. What we are witnessing today is part of the experience,”he declared.

He prayed that the company would celebrate 70, 80, 90, 100 years in the course of truth.

The MD/EIC congratulated the entire staff on behalf of the chairman, Chief (Dr) Mrs HID Awolowo and the publisher/vice chairman, Master Oluwole Awolowo.

Kogi gov election: Idris wants Audu to step down •Court fixes Nov 24 for suit on PDP candidate

Written by Yekini Jimoh and Tunde Oyesina Thursday, 17 November 2011

LESS than two weeks to the governorship election in Kogi State, the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has advised Prince Abubakar Audu to step down from the race.

Speaking with Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, Governor Idris said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate had already lost out in Kogi State politics.

He said it was sad that Prince Audu was alleging that he the governor and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) want to rig the election with thugs and weapons.

Governor Idris, who spoke through his Director- General, Press, said that in 2003, he defeated Audu without making use of thugs, fake policemen and money as he was voted for because of his ideology .

He said in 2007 he defeated him again and when the court ordered for a re-election he still defeated him.

Governor Idris said it was time Prince Audu quit politics and allowed vibrant youths to take over adding that the statement made by Audu was uncalled for.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, fixed November 24 to begin hearing as to who is the authentic standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State in the December 3 governorship election.

Earlier, the presiding judge, Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, had joined Jibrin Isah Echocho and Idris Wada as second plaintiff and fourth respondents respectively in the suit filed by a chieftain of PDP in the state, Umar Lawal, seeking an order of the court to stop Wada’s nomination.

Echocho had won the PDP governorship primary held in January before a Federal High Court elongated the tenure of five state governors, Kogi inclusive.

When the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released another time table, Kogi PDP had gone ahead to conduct another primary election which Idris Wada emerged as the winner.

Tax bill divides Reps

Written by Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel, Abuja Thursday, 17 November 2011

A bill before the House of Representatives, seeking to compel the Federal Government to make payments to state governments of taxes and duties collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and other authorities of the government suffered a setback during the second reading as members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) engaged themselves in war of words.

Hardly had the Speaker, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, asked the sponsor of the bill, Honourable Marouf Akinderu-Fatai (ACN Lagos), to lead the debate on the bill for the second reading when another ACN member, Honourable Kamil Akinlabi, stood up to raise a constitutional order.

The bill is entitled: “A bill for an Act to provide for the distribution and payment to state governments of some taxes and duties collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or other authorities of the Federal Government and other matters connected therewith, HB.25-Second reading.”

Raising his constitutional order, Honourable Akinlabi maintained that the bill should not be discussed “because it runs contrary to the provisions of Section 80 sub sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.”

He added that the monthly allocation from the Federation Account to the three tiers of government had taken care of what the bill was seeking.

His submission, however, did not go down well with the Minority Leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, an ACN member who berated the submission of Honourable Akinlabi.

In his submission, the deputy House Leader, Honourable Leo Ogor said “Section 80 sub-sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 are inconsequential to the bill under discussion. The Federation Account is distributable, but the Consolidated Revenue Account is different. We should look at it separately. Section 163 of the constitution has given us the full power and we should look at the bill and discuss it again.”

At this stage, members had started shouting at the top of their voices against the bill with Honourable Uche Ekwunife asking his colleagues to do away with the bill.

Amidst protests,the speaker named a five-member committee to look into the bill.

Tax bill divides Reps

Written by Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel, Abuja Thursday, 17 November 2011

He added that the monthly allocation from the Federation Account to the three tiers of government had taken care of what the bill was seeking.

His submission, however, did not go down well with the Minority Leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, an ACN member who berated the submission of Honourable Akinlabi.

At this stage, members had started shouting at the top of their voices against the bill with Honourable Uche Ekwunife asking his colleagues to do away with the bill.

Amidst protests,the speaker named a five-member committee to look into the bill.

Nigeria among world’s largest producers of sorghum -Minister

Written by James Bwala, Maiduguri Thursday, 17 November 2011

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, has said that Nigeria is one of the largest producers of sorghum, as it produces about 9.3 million tonnes of sorghum yearly.

The minister stated this at a two-day workshop on sorghum value chain transformation initiative by the Borno State Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, which took place at the Desert View Hotel, Maiduguri, on Wednesday.

Adesina, who was represented by Professor Babatunde Obilana, who was also the leader of the Federal Government delegation, said that Nigeria, which produces the largest quantity of sorghum, followed by the United States of America (USA) and India, said that out of the 9.3 million tonnes, 32 per cent were produced in the North-East sub-region of six states, including Borno, while 48 per cent were produced in the North-West, which comprised of seven states.

He pointed out that unlike in the developed countries of the USA, where the major consumers of sorghum were animals, sorghum had been one of the basic substances for human consumption in Nigeria, particularly in the northern parts.

He said the theme of this year’s workshop, which is “Sorghum Production and Value Addition,” was timely, considering the economic importance of cultivation and production of the crop.

He added that apart from its direct consumption, research had revealed that manufacturers of Maltina, Maltonic and other beverages used some quantity of sorghum as part of their nutritional ingredients.

Ondo to establish sugarcane plantations

Written by Yinka Oladoyinbo, Akure Thursday, 17 November 2011

The Ondo State government has said it will establish sugarcane plantations in each of the three senatorial districts of the state in its bid to ensure maximum utilisation of the agricultural resources for economic development.

The move, aimed at creating employment for the people of the state, is also for the industrial development of the state.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Ademola Olorunfemi, told newsmen in Akure, on Wednesday, that the government had concluded plans to acquire large expanse of land in the three senatorial districts for the purpose of the plantations.

According to him, such lands would be allocated to farmers who would be clustered, for maximum derivation of input assistance from the state.

He said the project, which would be a pilot one for the development of sugarcane farms, would be implemented with the involvement of local farmers with the aim of creating employment.

The commissioner added that three pilot ethanol plants, which would process the sugarcane into raw materials for industrial and pharmaceutical use, would also be established for the three plantations.

Olorunfemi, however, stated that the innovation, which was already before the state executive council, would also create jobs for thousands of unemployed youths, facilitate the emergence of industries and have a generally positive effect on the local economy.

He said: “We are going through this with a lot of contributions from the private sector, which would be encouraged to set up the plants, create a pool of out- growers from the state’s long list of unemployed youths and facilitate the establishment of ancillary industries.”

The commissioner further disclosed that the present administration had used a similar initiative for the development of the tomato processing factory in Arigidi-Akoko, Akoko North-West Local Government Area of the state.

Uniben graduates 62 first class, 8,722 others

Written by Uchechukwu Olisah, Benin City Thursday, 17 November 2011

A total of 8,782 graduates will be turned out at the convocation ceremony of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Wednesday, November 27, with 62 first class honours; 1,416 in the second class upper division and with 1,296 graduating with master’s degrees.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Professor Osayuki Godwin Osodin, has also raised the alarm over threat to security in the university and the menace of erosion already ravaging the institution.

Professor Osodin, who raised the alarm during a pre-37th convocation/41st founder’s day press briefing at the university’s Senate Chamber in Benin City, said the institution’s “security department has been put on the red alert, especially as a result of a recent challenge by the threat of bomb blasts allegedly traced to the Boko Haram sect.”

Besides, Professor Oshodin said the authorities of UNIBEN had introduced new security measures on the campus “to check any ugly incident on the campus which enable us to contain the threat.”

The vice chancellor also said that “the university is currently being threatened by gully erosion which is moving at a speed of about 500 meters a year,” pointing out that the university had written to relevant agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Federal Ministry of Niger Delta about the problems.

Multimillion naira pension fraud uncovered in Jigawa

Written by Adamu Amadu, Dutse Thursday, 17 November 2011

THE Jigawa State police command has uncovered a syndicate involving an area court judge and a former member in the state House of Assembly, defrauding the state government of millions of naira through the state salaries and pension’s directorate.

The state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Hashimu Argungu, paraded the suspects at the state’s police headquarters in Dutse.

The syndicate suspected to be led by a former lawmaker, performed its operations at Royal Tropicana Hotel, in Dutse.

The police commissioner noted that “a good Samaritan alerted the police to the activities of the syndicates, who have been perpetrating fraud using the state coffers, which has cost the state millions of naira in recent times.”

Alhaji Argungu explained that with the assistance of the Salaries and Pensions Directorate, they swung into action to investigate the three files from which the arrests were made.

According to him, “the syndicate perpetrates the fraud by using proxy names of imaginary deceased pensioners and siblings, as well as fake files to siphon money from the States Salaries and Pensions Directorate.”

He explained further that the former legislator in the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Mr Saleh S. Fawa, who was alleged to be the leader of the syndicate, chaired the committee on salaries and pension in the assembly for eight years when he was a member.

He further stated that “He (Fawa) confessed to have organised the other suspects to put together a forged file bearing the name, Abdullahi Mohammed, who they claimed had died as a class-room teacher with Koki –Nami Primary School Gumel LGEA.

Oshiomhole debunks teachers’ sack rumour

Thursday, 17 November 2011

Labour leaders in Edo State, on Wednesday, restated their support for the the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration in the state, after they were told that the government had no intention to sack any worker.

The union leaders made this known at an interactive session hosted by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Simon Imuekemhe, where top officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Trade Union Congress (TUC); Joint Negotiation Council (JNC); Academic Staff Union of Secondary School (ASUSS) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) were present.

According to the NLC state chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun, the labour leaders were happy that government had dispelled the rumour that it would retrench teachers who had put in 25 years into the service and were 55 years in age after winning the 2012 elections and after the on-going teachers screening was concluded.

Comrade Ademoken said, “the rumour is not within the teachers alone but, I am happy the rumour has been cleared.”

Also, the NUT chairman, Comrade Patrick Ikosime, thanked the governor for the interactive session, especially, as it concerned the retrenchment rumour.

Fashola urges FG to implement FoI Act

Written by Adewale Ajayi, Osogbo Thursday, 17 November 2011

The Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has challenged the Federal Government to ensure proper implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in order to ensure effective governance in the county.

Fashola described the FOI Act as the main yardstick for effective governance in the country, and also demanded for the domestication of the act, so that there could be proper implementation of it in all the 36 states of the federation.

Delivering a lecture on Freedom of Information Act: A Panacea To Good Governance, Viable Democracy And True Federalism?, which was part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the Osun State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Osogbo, Fashola said the FOI Act would ensure the promotion of federalism .

Fashola, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Raji, said the FOI Act would serve as panacea for good governance if domesticated, stressing that “there is need to domesticate the FOI Bill for efficient implementation and for the generality of the people of Nigeria to enjoy the act.

“Every citizen has the right to know what is happening in the country. True federalism, which we have always been clamouring for will be made efficient with the proper implementation of the FOI Act.”

Senate Leader extols late broadcast icon, Ndaguba

Written by Taiwo Adisa, Abuja Thursday, 17 November 2011

Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), has described the late ace broadcaster, Ikenna Ndaguba, as a communicator in chief, who brought laughter, mirth and illumination to his environs.

Senator Ndoma-Egba, in a statement, on Wednesday, said Ndaguba, who was buried last week, would be sorely missed by all Nigerians.

According to him, the late Ndaguba always left deep impressions as his life knew no age, tribe, creed or gender boundaries.

“Generous in spirit and in every other way, jolly, epicurean in taste, urbane, contemporary, yet with a keen sense of history, modern, yet traditional,” Ndoma-Egba said, adding that the man, who was fondly called Onwa (the moon), literally lived life to the fullest.

“We do not grief over him because we remember him always with smiles and laughter. That was his wish that was his mission; to bring laughter to all, which he did with relish. He lives in every heart that knew him,” the Senate Leader said.

2,500 members from Oyo ACN return to PDP

Written by Dare Adekanmbi Thursday, 17 November 2011

THE reconciliation efforts of the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appear to have started yielding fruits in the Oyo State chapter of the party, as about 2,500 members, who defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before the last general election, have returned to the umbrella party.

The returnees, led by a former vice chairman in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of the state, Honourable Mosobalaje Bakare, were welcomed back to the PDP in Ward 1, Akaran area of the local government by Alhaji Waheed Adurodekun, who is the council’s party chairman, on Wednesday.

Honourable Bakare, who is a staunch supporter of former Senate leader, Teslim Folarin, thanked the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide and her father, Chief Richard Akinjide, for facilitating their return to the PDP.

The leadership and the rank and file of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the local government had earlier defected to the PDP where they were received by the minister and the state party chairman, Chief Dejo Afolabi.

He explained that although the division within the party preparatory to the last election caused the party the governorship seat in the state, the reconciliation exercise of the party, which he said was genuine, would return the PDP to winning ways in the state.

“A few minutes before we came here to formally return to our home, a chieftain of the ACN telephoned me and asked if it was true that we were going back to the PDP. I replied him “Yes.” While at ACN, we never obtained their party membership card; we only helped them to win the election.

“Other members of the PDP, who went to the Accord party because of the rift, are also coming back soon en mass soon. Accord Party is like an iced block that alienated itself from water. There are only two ways to make it become water: allow it dissolve naturally or heat it with fire,” the former state organising secretary of the PDP said.

In a welcome address earlier, Alhaji Adurodekun described the returnees as PDP members who went on self-exile to form the building block of the ruling ACN, saying that the house of the broom party had collapsed with the development.

He told the new members that they were eligible to hold any party office in the coming congress, adding that the last election was PDP against itself.

Representative of the FCT minister, Mr Gabriel Adediran, told newsmen that the return of former members of the party was a manifestation of the untiring efforts of the minister at rebuilding the PDP.

He added that the large number of returnees was a tip of the iceberg, as more people would rejoin the PDP, especially in the council, in line with the assignment given to the minister to repopulate the party and bring aggrieved members back into the umbrella fold.

Alleged fraud: Court orders police to produce suspected bank managers

Written by Akeem Nafiu, Lagos Thursday, 17 November 2011

Justice Okechukwu Okeke of a Federal High Court in Lagos has directed the authorities of the Nigeria Police to produce the manager of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Mrs Tosin Lawal, who is facing charge for alleged fraud and stealing in court on Friday.

It will be recalled that the police had filed a four-count criminal charge of conspiracy and stealing of over N200 million against Mrs Lawal and her husband, Micheal.

The order that the bank manager should be produced in court was given at the proceedings on Wednesday after her counsel, Tayo Oyetibo, had alleged that his client had been unduly detained by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after she had been granted bail by the police.

Oyetibo said: “The accused persons had been granted administrative bail by the police. The first accused person (Tosin) was last seen in the custody of the police on October 28, 2011. She has since then be detained illegally for 45 days.

“When I called her surety, I learnt that she had been detained by the EFCC which has since refused to release her.

“EFCC requested for a level-14 officer to stand surety for her. This was produced and the said level-14 officer has been going to the EFCC every day, yet the organisation refused to release her.

“We learnt that one of the officials even boasted that she would not be released even if heavens fall.

“Our prayer before the court is for an order that she should be produced in court in accordance with section 57 of the Criminal Procedure Act.“

Reps urge FG to renovate Murtala Mohammed Airport Road

Written by Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel, Abuja Thursday, 17 November 2011

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, decried the poor state of road leading to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport road, Lagos and urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, commence the rehabilitation of the road.

The resolution of the House was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance, moved by House Committee Chairman on Health, Honourable Ndudi Elumelu, on the need to quickly fix the bad road.

To this end, the House mandated its Joint Committee on Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to investigate with a view to ascertaining whether any contract had been awarded for the rehabilitation of the said road in recent times.

The road, according to him, had been in a dilapidated state, which aided hoodlums to attack visitors to the airport.

Honourable Elumelu, equally lamented that the poor state of the road was fast becoming an embarrassment to the country, being the gateway to the nation's commercial city, Lagos.

In another development, a bill seeking to create a body to be known as the Nigerian Food Safety Services Commission was thrown out by the House on the grounds, that the proposed functions may duplicate the functions of the National Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The sponsor of the bill, Honourable Umar Katsayel, however, urged his colleagues to support the bill for second reading noting that the proposed commission when established would ensure the quality of water and other consumables, especially in the rural areas.

However, the chairman, committee on Reform of Government Institutions, Honourable Mathew Omegara, asked the House to jettison the bill as he read out several provisions of the NAFDAC Act that were similar to the proposed commission.

I have so much to do -keshi

Written by Tosin Omojola Thursday, 17 November 2011

SUPER Eagles coach Stephen Keshi admits he has much work to do if the team is to regain its lost glory just as he ruled out complete overhaul of the team.

He specifically identified the midfield as the main area in which he has to concentrate on as he settles down to rebuild the team.

Speaking after the Eagles overcame the Chipolopolo of Zambia with a 2-0 win in an international friendly played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, the former Togolese national team coach though expressed satisfaction with the victory, owned up that the team did not play well.

Keshi was particularly unhappy with the performance of the team at the middle of the pitch which was completely dominated by the Zambians, pointing out a dearth of midfielders in the Super Eagles following their performance against Zambia.

"I had like 10 strikers today and I was looking for midfielders to play but I couldn't find them. "I can't put a striker on as a midfielder. I need to have the numbers of players in every department that will allow me change players if one is not doing well.

"Today (Tuesday) I could not do it, I was trying to juggle with it I won't overhaul the team, but I will make sure that for every 18 or 25 we get to camp, there are twins in every position," he said.

Having seen the team in two different matches, the ex- Super Eagles captain promised to bring the necessary changes that would soon turn the Nigerian side into the team to beat.

"It was a good result, but that does not really matters, what is important is getting to see the players, knowing their abilities and discovering the loopholes in the team and all these I have seen.

Meanwhile, Keshi was quoted as saying that he will now take complete control over the invitation of players to the national team.

''I am fully in charge now, so I will draw up the list of players to make up the team for any other game that will be played by the national team,' 'Keshi told SuperSport.com.

''That’s way too much but I have worked with it and things will be different from now. I will be drawing up the names of players that I need from now on,” Keshi said.

I am back for good -Etuhu

Written by Nenye Moses, Abuja Thursday, 17 November 2011

FULHAM of England midfielder, Dickson Etuhu, says he feels good to return to the Super Eagles, saying the present atmosphere is just conducive for a true professional.

Etuhu vowed never to play for Nigeria again under Samson Siasia but now says he has eaten his words with the coming of Stephen Keshi.

''With Keshi, things are different,'' says Etuhu.

Keshi communicates a lot with his players, his methods are unique and acceptable to me and he can get the best from me if things continue this way,'' said the player voted Most Valuable Player in the goalless draw against Botswana last Saturday.

He was removed by Keshi in the 2-0 win over Zambia in Kaduna because of exhaustion but says he is back for good.

''I will fight for the shirt, it means much to me.'’

Rivers community bemoans deplorable state of roads

Thursday, 17 November 2011

Ahead of the dry season, residents of Rumuolumini in Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of Rivers, have appealed to the government to start rehabilitation of Iwofe –COE road.

One of the residents, Mr Jude Okoye told newsmen at the weekend in Port Harcourt that roads in the area had posed a huge threat to motorists.

He urged the government to create an enabling environment to ensure that the problems were tackled as the dry season sets in.

It was reports reports that the major roads in the area were in a bad condition and caused traffic congestion, the Elioparanwo- Egbelu, and Iwofe-COE roads, being the most affected

Okoye said the roads would boost development, noting that the roads were badly damaged due the poor quality of the rehabilitation.

He said rehabilitation would reduce the gridlock resulting from the damaged portion and free the users from stress associated with its bad condition.

A trader, Mrs Chinyere Nwigwe expressed concern about the deplorable state of the road, describing it as worrisome.

She said trucks and other articulated vehicles had broken down blocking the road due to the bad condition.

Nwigwe bemoaned the state government's delay to reconstruct the roads, saying that the roads had caused a setback in her business.

“Because of the bad roads, since the rainy season, I have experienced low patronage and my income has reduced drastically,” she said.

Nwigwe urged the government to pay attention to projects that would transform the state, saying that maximum priority should be given to the construction of roads.

She said the agenda of the present government “Change you can see” would not be successful if roads were still a in deplorable state.

A commercial bus driver, Abel Okpara stressed the need to improve on road maintenance as it would enhance the reputation of the state.

“Roads repair will add more value to the state. This is a way to enable people to enjoy dividends of democracy.''

He expressed gratitude to Gov. Chibuike Amaechi for his ``giant strides'' in development.

I thought our leader was a contractor - Says member of car-snatching syndicate

Written by Oluwatoyin Malik Thursday, 17 November 2011

BIRDS of a feather flock together and show me your friend and I will tell you who you are, are popular sayings. It was, therefore, not suprising that the long arms of the law caught up with the duo of Ibrahim Adeyemi and Olabisi Olalekan after they snatched two cars at gun point in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on Thursday, October 13.

The day dawned for the duo along Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road when they were stopped by the federal highway team on routine check. Having presented particulars of the Toyota Camry car with registration number EM 737 FST, the policemen requested to check the booth of the car. Opening the booth with confidence, Adeyemi, who drove the car had thought that he would soon get over the check, but realised he was in hot soup when he saw about 16 mobile phone staring at him in the face from the booth, alongside other belongings he could not account for. Adeyemi was blabbering each time he was questioned by the police on the things found in the car, and this prompted the suspicion that they could be armed robbers.

However, revelations came when they were immediately transferred to the State Anti-Robbery Squad, Dugbe, Ibadan as it was discovered that the car was snatched the previous day in Ilorin by Adeyemi’s gang led by one Mr Olaniyi a.k.a. Marshall. The owner of the Camry car was not the only victim of the robbery gang as another Toyota Camry with registration number AE 868 AJW was also snatched.

NigerianTribune gathered that as the duo were being interrogated by SARS operatives, a call came through from Kwara Police Command concerning the second car, on the tip that the vehicle was hidden somewhere in Ibadan. On hearing this, SARS, Skynet and Panther operatives stormed a private house in Akobo area of Ibadan and found the car parked at Marshall’s residence.

At Marshall’s apartment, the key of the car was found in a packet of tea. Other items recovered from Marshall’s house include keys of different vehicles, car mats, different car documents, ignitions of cars, a pair of number plates with registration number RU 260 KJA, a Motorola walkie-talkie and a bank note counter. Though, Marshall was nowhere to be found.

Some neighbours who witnessed the operation of the police were overheard making comments that Marshall always had people coming in and going out of his house, and that they never knew that he was into such a big crime. Speaking with Nigerian Tribune, Ibrahim, who said that he was a bricklayer and met Marshall on a site where he was working, revealed that he did not initially know that the gang leader was into robbery.

According to Ibrahim, “I met Marshall in Lagos where I was working as a bricklayer and he told me he was a contractor and a car dealer. He told me he would invite me whenever he had any job to do. Some weeks ago, he called me and told me to come to Ijebu-Ode to help him drive a car that he wanted to take for repair. We met in Ijebu-Ode and he took me to Ilisan-Remo in his own personal car, a Toyota Corolla where I saw a Honda Accord car (baby boy) parked. I believe the operation must have been done earlier. I drove the car back to Ijebu Ode and he took over the car and gave me N20,000.

“On Wednesday, October 12, Marshall called me again that he had a job for me in Ilorin. I invited my friend, Olabisi, to join me because he is not doing anything as at now. We got to Ilorin and lodged in an hotel. The following day, Marshall took us round Ilorin and we snatched two Camry cars, one after the other. He asked me to drive the first one from the scene of robbery, he later took over from me and went to keep it somewhere. We later went after our second victim and he asked me to take the car to Ijebu-Ode where he would later come and collect it.

“Olabisi and I left Ilorin late and slept in Ibadan. It was the next morning when we were going to Ijebu Ode that we were stopped by the police. I showed them the vehicle particulars and after checking, they asked me to open the booth. I didn’t know that Marshall packed some things in the booth. The police saw the mobile phones and I also saw the woman’s bag with many clothes. That was how trouble started. I was first taken to a police station from where I was taken to police headquaters. It was from there we were taken to SARS”.

The second suspect, Olabisi, said, “I am from Ipetumodu in Osun State. I live in Ikeja, Lagos. I am into POP ceiling work. I was not into robbery before this incident. I was invited by my friend, Ibrahim, to go and work on a house in Ilorin. When we met Marshall, I thought he was going to show us where to work but was surprised when he started taking us round the town.

“At a point, he took us to a beer parlour and told us that the key to the place we wanted to work was with someone and the person was yet to be back in Ilorin. After we finished eating around 5p.m., we went back to the car and said he wanted to take us round Ilorin township so that we would be familiar with the place anytime we come there ourselves.

“Suddenly, I just saw that he wanted to snatch a car. I asked whether he knew that person but Ibrahim replied that it seems that is what he does. I would have got down but I had no money or know anyone or where to go.”

When asked the reason the two suspects did not turn themselves into the police when they were unwilling participants in the car snatching saga, Olabisi replied that “I thought that we would escape it but I was determined not to answer such call again.” On whether he was being induced into crime by the marijuana he was taking, Olabisi said he was not criminally-inclined but was taking hemp to get strength for the type of work he was doing. “If you see me where I am working you will know that such work demands strength which cannot be gotten ordinarily without an energy booster like Indian hemp,” he said.

The two owners of the cars, Mr Wale Adegbenle and Mrs Wunmi Afolayan who both lost valuables which included various documents and cash, recounted their experiences.

Mr Adegbenle , who said he was in the car with his brother, said, “they collected my brother’s two phones also. After that, they asked the two of us to get into the vehicle, they wanted to take us away. We started begging again. All my credentials were in the vehicle too. I am a Jehovah’s Witness and we were to go for assembly the following day so I had bought so many things, shoes and clothes. In fact, my booth was loaded. One of the assailants wanted to strip me naked as he asked me to put off my clothes but I started begging him again.”

In her case, Mrs Afolayan said she lost her wristwatch, “my bag containing my ID card, three envelopes containing my tithe (N6,500) and pledges I made in the church which were N5,000 and N3,000.There was another N3,000 I tucked by the side of my bag. There was also another N5,000 which were mint notes in N100 denomination. They went away with my daughter’s money which she said was about N10,000, her phone and her luggage which contained her clothings and a faulty phone she had the intention of repairing.”

Though the cars and the phones were recovered, Mr Adegbenle said his certificates which were taken away were yet to be recovered by the police. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Femi Okanlawon, however, said the case had been released to the Kwara State Command since that was where the crime was committed.

Ondo 2013: ACN and its many aspirants

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Written by Yinka Oladoyinbo Thursday, 17 November 2011

As the next gubernatorial election in Ondo State draws near, political parties in the state are moving to ensure victories for themselves. Yinka Oladoyinbo writes on the increasing number of aspirants from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its likely implications for the party.

THE state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, came into office on February 24, 2009 on the ticket of the Labour Party (LP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed early 2013 for another gubernatorial election in the state.

However, as different political parties prepare for the election that will enable the people of the state decide who will govern them for another four years. The ACN appears to be the only party with scores of aspirants that are planning to contest the election and unseat the incumbent. The reason for this may not be far-fetched; many of the politicians rushing into the ACN see it as the party that could control the next government in the state.

Some politicians dumped their political parties for the ACN when it became obvious to them that they could not realise their ambition within their former parties, and they opted for the ACN believing that it would offer a better platform for them.

Already, the party has over 15 people jostling for the ticket to contest the election. Among those in the race are its candidate for the Ondo North Senatorial election in April, Dr Olu Agunloye, a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Chief Omotayo Alasoadura; a constitutional lawyer, Dr Tunji Abayomi; Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba; former chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN); the chairman of the party in the state, Mrs Jumoke Anifowose; a former Commissioner in INEC, Chief Olorunnimbe Farukanmi, and Mr Segun Ojo.

Others are Honourable Jayeola Ajata; a former chairman of the party in the state, Sola Iji; a former Special Adviser to Mimiko on Planning, Saka Lawal; Mr. Wale Akinterinwa and Olatayo Aribo. The list is endless, as many more aspirants are coming out to take a shot at the gubernatorial seat in the state.

One thing that is, however, worthy of note about the aspirants is that almost all of them are from the Northern Senatorial District of the state. Apart from that, the majority of them are from Akoko, meaning that they have already bought into the notion that an Akoko person must be the next governor of the state.

However, the fear being expressed in many quarters is the negative effect that the number of aspirants may have on the party during the election. Many of the aspirants have come out in the belief that they will eventually carry the day, and, at the end of the day, if they are not picked by the party leadership, what are the likely actions that they may take?

Many of the aspirants are already dropping the name of the national leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, saying that they had his backing before coming out to show interest in the number one seat in the state. Some said they had had several meetings with the former Lagos State governor and he had assured them of his support for the contest. Apart from this, some of the aspirants are already romancing with the Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who they believe is the de facto leader of the party in the region and who they also believed could be of great assistance to them in their quest to unseat the incumbent.

However, with the kind of optimism expressed by many of these aspirants and with the style with which the ACN is noted in choosing its candidate for election, particularly the gubernatorial election, there may be a shocker awaiting them. The ACN is a party that always finds a way of avoiding primaries and settles for consensus candidates. This, the party did with the emergence of Isiaka Ajimobi (Oyo) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) in the last election.

Ondo State is a peculiar one where the people, particularly some of the aspirants, are already saying they should be allowed to go for a primary to elect the standard-bearer for the election. But this is not likely going to be the case, as some of the leaders, including those that just defected from their parties to the ACN, had publicly said that the party would settle for a consensus candidate at the end of the day.

If that should be the case, then the aspirants should be thinking of the next line of action, as only one of them will possibly wear the cap; and that is if the leaders of the party do not anoint somebody that is not among the pack.

The ground is however being prepared such a development, as leaders of the party, who seem not to be convinced with the quality and ability of those that have already signified their intention to run to win the election, were said to be mounting pressures on the senator representing the Ondo North in the National Assembly, Professor Ajayi Boroffice, to dump the LP and contest the gubernatorial election against Mimiko.

In the case of a consensus candidate emerging in the person of Agunloye, who joined the party after losing the LP ticket to Boroffice, other aspirants, like Abayomi, who has always been a member of the ACN, is likely to see that as a betrayal of his loyalty to the party and this may affect his support and contribution to the party. Another scenario is the likely emergence of Boroffice as the candidate of the party. This is a step that may lead to mass exodus and bad feelings in the party, particularly between the Agunloye and Boroffice camps.

Agunloye had to leave the LP in annoyance when the party gave the ticket of the Ondo North Senatorial District to Boroffice during the last election and already, the former minister considers himself as a front runner in the quest for the ACN’s gubernatorial ticket. So, dropping him for Boroffice will mean he is losing out to the same man that forced him out of the LP. At the end of the day, this may affect his loyalty to the party and the plan to wrestle Ondo State from Mimiko.

There is also the likelihood of the party leaders settling for a member of the party from outside the state who has been practicing his politics in Lagos State, as it was done in Ekiti and Osun states. Some people are already rooting for Ajata, a two-time member of the House of Representatives who represented Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency in Lagos State. The man is said to be a close ally of Tinubu, one of the reasons he was allowed to run for two terms in Lagos State.

Political observers believe that none of the scenarios could have a positive effect on the party, as the aspirants’ motive in joining the ACN is to become the governor of the state.And if eventually they fail to achieve their aims, some of them are likely to retrace their steps, while some others may move on and join other parties that can offer them a platform to achieve their political aspiration.

While this is happening in the camp of the ACN, such may not be said of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling LP. The PDP, which has been going about its reconciliation process and fence-mending exercise, seems not to be having many aspirants that are interested in the gubernatorial seat. The belief among the party members is that it should have a solid and united house before it could attempt to unseat Mimiko, noting that a contest with the incumbent with a divided house would be an exercise in futility.

Also, the LP seems to have settled for Mimiko as its candidate for the election, as no leader or member of the party has signified intention to run against the governor.

So, the problem faced by the ACN in Ekiti State towards the 2007 election when prominent members of the party like Senator Ayo Arise, Dayo Adeyeye, among others, left the party with their supporters for the PDP after they failed to secure the ticket of the party, may also arise in Ondo if the ACN fails to manage the situation with care.

...As Nigeria honours Tambuwal, Ihedioha, Lawan

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Written by Kolawole Daniel Thursday, 17 November 2011

Kolawole Daniel writes on the conferment of national honours awards on three key principal officers in the House of Representatives and submits that there is room for them to do more for the country through robust legislation.

Most countries of the world have a system of recognising and rewarding their citizens who have, in one way of the other, distinguished themselves in their chosen fields or careers. Such recognitions and rewards are usually placed on record in appreciation of the contributions of those citizens. As obtained in other climes, Nigeria has, over the years, instituted several categories of honours and awards that are conferred on citizens who distinguished themselves and prominent among such awards is the national honours award.

The award was instituted with the National Honours Act No. 5 of 1964, during the First Republic. The Act empowers the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make provisions for the award of honours, and decorations . The awards are to be conferred “on the advice of the Premier of a Region (Governor of a State) in respect of services to the Region (State).” The Act established two Orders of Dignity, known as the Order of the Federal Republic and the Order of the Niger. Each Order consists of four ranks; the first and highest is that of Grand Commander; the second is that of Commander; the third is that of Officer; and the fourth that of Member.

For the 2010 and 2011 national honours award, 364 recipients were lined up for recognition and they include the Speaker House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal; his deputy, Honourable Emeka Ihedioha; the House Committee Chairman on Education, Honourable Farouk Lawan.

Honourable Tambuwal, who was born in Tambuwal Town, Sokoto State on 10 January, 1966, obtained his Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1979 and passed through Government Teachers College, Dogon-Daji before proceeding to the Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto to study Law.

Tambuwal, during the sixth National Assembly, was the Deputy Chief Whip and former Minority Leader of the House and a member of the Body of Benchers, the highest decision making body of the nation’s legal profession. He served as Vice-Chairman, Economic Committee ACP-EU and Leader, Nigerian Delegation to African, Carribean, Pacific and European Union Parliamentary Assembly.

He is a member of the International Bar Association, the Nigerian Bar Association, American Bar Association and a member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association. The Speaker had also served, at various times, as an active member of Rules and Business, Communications, Judiciary, Inter-Parliamentary and Water Resources committees of the House of Representatives.

In the seventh National Assembly which was populated by first timers, Tambuwal was elected as the Speaker on June 6, alongside his deputy, Chief Emeka Ihedioha against the wish of their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Since his assumption of office, he, alongside other principal officers and lawmakers alike, vowed that they are committed to bringing change to the nation through robust legislation. However, only time can tell, if they would fulfilled this or not.

On the part of Honourable Ihedioha, he was born on 24 March, 1965 at Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, and had his secondary education at St Ephraim’s Secondary School, Owerrinta and his tertiary education at the University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1988. He also undertook an Executive Certificate Course in Financial Management from the Stanford University, and a Leadership Certificate Course from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, both in the United States of America (USA).

As a communication expert par excellence, he worked with various top-rated organisations and consultancy firms before responding, fulltime, to the call of his natural love and vocation, which is politics. In 1992, he was appointed Press Officer to then Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Iyorchia Ayu. Barely a year later, he was appointed as Chief Press Secretary to the deputy Senate President of that era.

Following military intervention in the polity in November 1993, Honourable Ihedioha returned to his communications practice as Chief Executive Officer of First Page Communications. However, by 1998, when the whistle for transition to civilian rule was blown, he readily found his sails in the familiar waters of politics. He promptly connected with the mainstream and like a golden fish that has no hiding place, he became the Director of Publicity of the newly formed Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), the famous purveyor of the ruling PDP in 1998.

Suffice to say that in that capacity, he played crucial and prominent roles in the emergence of the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in 1999. Accordingly, Ihedioha was appointed into certain key positions in the budding democratic dispensation, first as Special Assistant to the Presidential Adviser on Utilities (July 1999); later, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President of Senate (November 1999); and eventually Special Assistant on Political Matters to the Vice-President (September 2001).

It was from this last assignment in the Office of the vice-president that he contested election and won a seat into the House of Representatives as member, representing Aboh-Mbaise-Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State in 2003.

Between 2003 and 2007, he served as chairman, House Committee on Marine Transport, where he brilliantly coordinated legislative oversight functions over Nigeria’s maritime sector. The passage of the Cabotage Law, a key legislation which reformed the maritime industry to allow for increased participation of Nigerians in that sector of the economy, is generally credited to the sterling, committed and determined efforts of Honourable Ihedioha. Little wonder then that he easily won his seat back to the House in 2007. In the sixth Assembly, he served, first as chairman, House Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa before he was later elected Chief Whip of the House, a position he held till the expiration of that term.

By this time, he had already become a darling of not just the people of Imo State, but of some of the Nigerian masses; an epitome of legislature par excellence who would spare no effort to improve the living conditions of people by always placing his constituency in the centre of Nigeria’s political map.

Naturally, this template of selfless service beckons for greater calls to do more good in the public interest. That is why Ihedioha was, again, overwhelmingly elected into the House in the elections of April, 2011 and on 6 June of same year, he was elected by his colleagues unopposed to the position of Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives. It is worthy of note that the goodwill, populism and huge public acclaim which greeted his election as deputy speaker, remains unprecedented in Nigeria’s legislative history.

He is chairman, House of Representatives special ad hoc committee on the Amendment of the Constitution. Renowned for his political savvy and legislative dexterity, Ihedioha has played notable roles as a stabiliser, synthesiser, and great mobiliser both in the House and the PDP in Imo State and the country at large.

Honourable Lawan, who represents Shanono/Kano Federal Constituency, is seen as an institution in the House of Representatives and the leader of one of the most influential power blocks in the House. He has been in the House of Representatives since 1999. Born in 1962, Lawan is a master political strategist who has, from time to time, surfaced from the beneath to guide the political course of the House.

Honourable Lawan was first elected in 1999, and again in 2003, 2007 and 2011. He was the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance under former Speaker Aminu Bello Masari and identifies his legislative interests as “Appropriation, Information and Education”. He was the House Committee Chairman on Education under the leadership of former Speaker, Honourable Dimeji Bankole, and heads same committee in the seventh Assembly.

Responding to the national honours awarded, Honourable Ihedioha expressed delight over his nomination for the conferment of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) award by President Goodluck Jonathan. He described the award as a further call to service of fatherland and a recognition of his modest contributions to democracy and nation –building. He said his nomination for the CON national award would encourage him to continue to give his best to the nation at all times and also congratulated his boss and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Tambuwal, over his nomination for the conferment of the national award of Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR.

Having received their awards, it is expected that they will continue to contribute to the betterment of Nigeria through robust legislation.

THE GUARDIAN

Bayelsa PDP chiefs allege forgery as congress panel submits report

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From John-Abba Ogbodo, Lemmy Ughegbe (Abuja) and Willie Etim (Yenagoa) News - National

• Govt beefs up security in Yenagoa

• Court warns party over primaries bid

• Dickson, others receive clearance certificates

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ward Congress Committee for the forthcoming governorship contest in Bayelsa State yesterday in Abuja submitted its report on the exercise to the national headquarters of the party.

Chairman of the committee, Mohammed Wakili, who submitted the report to the Director of Mobilisation, Adewale Fatona, said a total of 315 delegates emerged from the exercise conducted in 305 wards across eight local councils of the state on Monday.

However, six of the eight chairmen of the PDP in the state’s councils also yesterday faulted the claims by a governorship aspirant, Seriake Dickson, that they signed the results of the disputed ward congress.
In fact, the PDP council chairmen alleged that their purported signatures on the ward congress results were forged.

Meanwhile, ahead of the party’s primaries on Saturday where its gubernatorial flagbearer for the February 2012 election would emerge, security has been beefed up in Yenagoa.

This development has, however, further heightened tension and anxiety among residents in the state capital.
But the leadership of the PDP yesterday gave clearance certificates to seven aspirants for the governorship primary election with a warning to them to eschew violence.

At the event, which took place at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, National Organising Secretary, Uche Secondus, who presented the certificates, charged the aspirants to stick to the rules of the game, noting that the leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan, hails from the state.

The aspirants who received the clearance certificates yesterday were Orufa Justine Boloubo, Dickson Seriake Henry, Enai Christopher Fullpower, Kalango Michael Youppele, Francis Amaebi, Ekiyegha Francis Korobido and Austin Febo.
This is against the backdrop of Sunday’s disqualification of the incumbent Governor, Timipre Sylva and three other gubernatorial aspirants from participating in the PDP primaries.

Other aspirants barred from the primaries were former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs and erstwhile Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe, Ambassador Boladei Igali and Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce.

Several detachments of mobile policemen were deployed to strategic areas in Yenagoa metropolis and the other neighbouring Imiringi, Ogbia and Otuokpoti.
An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) has been permanently stationed at the front of the PDP Secretariat in Yenagoa, while the D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha dual carriageway that leads to the party secretariat has been shut down indefinitely to traffic.

Similarly, Melford Okilo Expressway, which passes the front of the Creek Haven Government House, was blocked to commuters and pedestrians as stern-looking mobile policemen mounted security around the area.

No fewer than 20 anti-riot policemen were also spotted at the PDP office, just as other security agents were seen busy diverting traffic to other routes.
Over 30 checkpoints have been mounted in the city.

But the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, yesterday warned the PDP against proceeding in its preparations towards the conduct of the party’s primary election to pick its standardbearer for the governorship polls in Bayelsa.
The court stressed that it retained the statutory powers to nullify any action taken by the party with regards to the primaries.

It held that the era when parties’ chieftains played God leading to the emergence of candidates for elections were over based on the 2010 Electoral Act as amended.
The court warned that any act of a political party that breached the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended would be voided.

Ruling on an ex-parte application filed on behalf of Sylva by his counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Justice Gabriel Kolawole said although he was satisfied with the submissions made by the applicant, he was minded to direct that the PDP and other defendants be brought to court to show why he should not stop outright the planned PDP gubernatorial primary election in Bayelsa State.

The chairmen of the PDP at the council level who levelled the allegation of forgery included Edison Sorgwe (Yenagoa), Milton Ebi (Brass), Ben Foreman (Southern Ijaw) and Anthony Zuokemefa (Nembe).

They said the actions of those involved in the alleged forgery of their signatures would be formally reported to the State Executive Committee for disciplinary action.
Dickson had on Tuesday, through a text message in reaction to the insistence by some party executives in the state that the ward congresses were never held, claimed that six of eight PDP chairmen at the council level affirmed that the congress took place in all the wards in the state.

Dickson noted that the Acting Bayelsa PDP Chairman, James Durgo, also affirmed that the ward congress was free and fair.

He stated that it was “mischievous” for anybody to claim that there was no congress and that the five aspirants protesting against the non-conduct of the polls were allegedly paid by Governor Sylva to so claim.

But at a media briefing yesterday in Yenagoa, four PDP chairmen from Brass, Yenagoa, Southern Ijaw and Nembe, said they were not at anytime part of an endorsement of results of a congress that was not held and that the claims by Dickson “is fictitious, criminal and sad.”

Sorgwe said: “It is disheartening that some persons would impersonate us and claim to be party chairmen of councils. A recognised party man should have been called to identify the original chairmen, rather than resorting to criminal means to affirm the result of polls that was never held.”

Foreman said it was “laughable” that his name was allegedly used to affirm the congress, which he insisted did not hold.
He added: “We will pursue the proper channel of disciplinary actions within the party.”
But five Bayelsa governorship aspirants cleared by the PDP to participate in Saturday’s party primary had on Tuesday stormed the national secretariat of the party to protest “non-conduct” of the ward congress.
The protesters said in their petition, addressed to the PDP National Chairman dated November 14, 2011, that the congress was not conducted anywhere in the state.
But Wakili said earlier hitches recorded in Brass and Nembe were rectified, adding that “the stage is set for the primary.”
Wakili urged the aggrieved aspirants to channel their grievances to the party’s appeal panel.
His words: “Election is a process and election has to be conducted, so if you have any grievances, we have an appeal process through which you can lay your complaints.
“I am surprised that while the congress was going on in Bayelsa, some people were complaining in Abuja, and I don’t know whether the election is conducted in Abuja, or the election was done in Bayelsa. It is natural for Nigerian politicians to complain.’’
Also at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, Bayelsa State chairman of the PDP, Durgo, corroborated Wakili’s account, saying: “It is regrettable to hear people lie and try to drag my name into a baseless and spurious accusation that there was no ward congress delegates’ election in our state on November 14, 2011.”

Accompanied by chieftains of the party in the state, Durgo said: “We want to emphatically state that there was election. It was free and fair, though there were little rancour in Nembe and Brass areas, but we salute the effort of the Nigeria Police, the State Security Service (SSS) and the Joint Task Force (JTF) for maintaining relative peace and urged them to remain steadfast.”

The PDP state chairman added: “We have video-tapes and proofs to buttress the fact that we received the Ward Congress Panel from Abuja; attended the briefing; witnessed the appointment of returning officers and then accompanied them on a courtesy call to the Commissioner of Police, Director of SSS, got to the Government House gate but were not allowed into the Governor’s Office.”

Govt to prosecute fraudulent contractors

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Madu Onuorah and Terhemba Daka, Abuja News - National

• FEC, Reps order repair of Airport-Apapa road

THE Federal Government has begun moves to prosecute contractors who violate the Procurement Act through the use of “sharp practices” to get its contracts.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), which met yesterday in Abuja, has, therefore, directed that the contractor for the 1.6 kilometres Oshodi-Apapa, Lagos State road be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and possible prosecution for allegedly bidding for the contract with false information.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to urgently begin the rehabilitation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport road in Lagos.The road is reported to be in a dilapidated state, and hoodlums are said to cash on it to attack innocent people who make use of the road.

Also in its resolution on a motion brought by Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Ndudi Elumelu, the House has mandated the joint Committee on Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to investigate the matter to ascertain whether any contract had been awarded for the rehabilitation of the said road in recent times, and why if so, it was not executed.

Elumelu said the poor state of the road was fast becoming an embarrassment to the country, especially since it serves as the window to the nation's commercial city.
The Council also approved a total of $100 million for the Federal Government backed French Development Agency (AFD) credit for the co-financing of the second phase of the Lagos Urban Transport Project.

The Council also approved the execution of the pilot phase of the Nigerian Universities Electronic Teaching and Learning Platform in 12 federal universities in the sum of N325,274,000, with a completion period of eight weeks.?

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who briefed journalists alongside the Ministers of Education (Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa'i), Agriculture (Dr. Akinwumi Adesina) and Transport (Senator Idris A. Umar), said that the Council has approved new measures presented by the Minister of Agriculture aimed at increasing the use of cassava for the production of bread.

According to Maku, “today (yesterday), FEC took a major decision to begin to take measures to check sharp practices in the process of contract award, especially at the federal level. Last week, there was a contract that was probationarily given to a company to rehabilitate a 1.6 km road in Apapa, Lagos. But? because we were not too sure of some of the information contained or claimed by the contractor, Mr. President directed that there should be further investigation to ensure that council was taking the right decision.?

“On the result of our findings, council got the information clearly that there were still some problems with the information that was offered by the said contractor that tendered for the job. Under the Procurement Act, it is an offence for any contractor to give false information or forge document in order to win a contract. So, today, the President in Council directed that the matter be referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation. So, the matter will be directed to the EFCC to investigate this particular contract because of the unverifiable claims contained in the contractor’s quest for the contract.

“We also took the decision? that henceforth, if anyone violates the Procurement Act, it will be investigated and if there is sufficient evidence for prosecution, we will recommend for the prosecution of all those who engage in sharp practices because they want to win a contract. Once the EFCC concludes the investigation on the actual state of things, further actions will be taken and you will be briefed.”?

Adesina noted that “Nigeria is the highest producer of cassava in the world. It produces 35 million metric tonnes of cassava yearly. But we import a lot of wheat. We spend N635 billion every year importing wheat. And a lot of times, the wheat we are talking about is third grade wheat imported into this country. But this is an opportunity for Nigerians. Nigerians must eat what we produce because we have to create market for our farmers, we have to make sure that we stabilise the prizes of the commodities produced here, we have to diversify our economy and we have to create a lot of jobs. I am happy to report to you that 640 metric tonnes of high quality cassava flour that has not been bought before, has been bought. In fact, Ogun State alone has released about N1.3 billion for its farmers and processors, this means we are ?going beyond that.”

Agricultural has continued to top the nation’s economic growth with a 43.64 per cent share in the third quarter of 2011, the third quarter GDP report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed.

Dr. Yemi Kale, Statistician-General of the Federation noted that despite a little deep in the gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter, “the structure of the economy however remained largely unchanged with agriculture (43.64 per cent), crude oil and natural gas (14.27 per cent) and wholesale and retail trade (18.29 per cent) accounting for 76.2 per cent of total GDP”.

He stated that the “fact that these three sectors account for over 76 per cent of GDP may explain in part why GDP growth has remained non-employment generating and poverty reducing in the last few years”.

In the report released on Tuesday in Abuja, Kale said that “agriculture is mainly subsistence in nature and until it becomes more commercial, few job creating opportunities will emanate from that sector.” He noted however, that the Ministry of Agriculture had developed what he described as an impressive transformation agenda for the sector, which once implemented, will not only increase growth but generate significant employment opportunities directly and indirectly. Similarly, crude oil is largely capital intensive in nature with very few Nigerians in any case currently having the core competences and skills to operate in the sector.

Consequently, the sector under its current arrangement is not designed to create significant new jobs. This should change however, with the Petroleum Industry Bill. Wholesale and retail trade sector, which constituted the third largest component of GDP is made up largely of imports resold in the country and involves largely the same individuals operating in the sector yearly with consequently relatively few opportunities for massive employment creation.

Until the sector becomes more dominant with massive influx of locally manufactured commodities requiring significantly more wholesalers and retailers, it would continue to generate relatively few new jobs every year, he said.

He maintained that “sectors that have significant employment generating opportunities like manufacturing, business enterprises especially micro, small and medium scale enterprises, solid minerals, building and construction and tourism and entertainment, which are growing strongly, however, still constitute a small fraction of GDP.
Together, these sectors contribute less than 10 per cent of GDP. Until the structure of the economy changes where such sectors have a larger share of GDP, it may be difficult to have inclusive job creating and poverty reducing growth."
Kale explained that “the above structural challenges coupled with a high level of inequality has resulted partly in strong growth that has not created jobs nor had any significant impact on poverty, which stands at 54 per cent on average.

He quoted recent NDIC reports that stated that 96 percent of banking deposits were held by four per cent of Nigerians. If correct, he maintained, then you can see the extent of inequality in the country, which means a high percentage of GDP growth is benefiting only a small fraction of the population and the trick as espoused in the Vision 20:2020 blueprint and Mr. President’s transformation agenda, is to make the benefits of growth more inclusive and spread across more Nigerians. “This is why every time we release our growth estimates, the public say they do not feel the growth. It is because the growth is subjected to high inequality so that we are growing but the benefit of that growth is being constrained to a small percentage of Nigerians.”

In the survey, the Statistician-General said “Nigeria’s economy as a whole nevertheless continues to grow strongly while many of the countries we need to jump to be among the top economies in the world by GDP by 2020 continued to grow slower than predicted. This means that the double digit growth required to be among the top 20 economies in the world by 2020 may not be necessary”.

At the time the Vision was conceptualized, he stated, “many of the countries we planned to surpass were performing much better than they are now and accordingly, we needed to perform even better to jump them. Hence the requirement in the Vision for double-digit growth. Since the global economic crisis hit the world, however, these countries have slowed down considerably meaning Nigeria may not need to grow as fast as previously assumed at the time the Vision was being conceptualized, especially if the trend continues,” he said.

Kale disclosed that the Bureau in collaboration with “SMEDAN is currently conducting a survey of micro, small and medium scale enterprises. This is the first time such a comprehensive survey has been conducted in Nigeria in recent times and it is hoped that the result of the survey, which should be completed in December, would shed light on the nature, structure and challenges of the businesses involved in the sector towards developing appropriate polices that would lead to their growth and development,” he said.

Why Achebe rejected national award, by aides

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Laolu Akande, New York News - National

MORE reasons the literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe, rejected the Federal Government’s national award for the second time in seven years emerged yesterday as his aides and associates disclosed that the notice of the award from the government reached Achebe less than three days to the event, which held on Monday.

One of the academic assistants working with Prof. Achebe, the internationally acclaimed author and novelist, told Empowered Newswire that by the time the offer reached Achebe’s address, he was not around and could not be reached by telephone.
The source added that at that time, Achebe could not “be reached till late next week,” and he had no phone access where he was at the time.

Aides said there was no way Achebe would have “jumped” on the plane at that time even if he wanted to accept the honour. Observers wondered why it took the panel charged with the selection of the awardees such a long time before contacting those proposed to be honoured.

Besides, it was also revealed that one of the senior aides of Prof. Achebe had earlier made overtures to the President Goodluck Jonathan presidency seeking to invite the president to the yearly Achebe colloquium on Africa at Brown University, an event which had grown in stature in the United States academic and policy communities, as it has also drawn top Nigerian political elite and public officials as participants and speakers.

A source said there were suggestions from the Achebe team to ask Jonathan to grace this year’s edition of the event, which comes up every December, and possibly deliver one of the keynote addresses. It is believed that the invitation is a proof that Achebe may not be irredeemably opposed to the Jonathan administration or to the person of the president, despite his conviction not to receive an award from the government.

However by last Saturday afternoon when the presidency intervened and managed to formally contact Achebe in the U.S. with the help of the Nigerian Ambassador, Prof. Ade Adefuye, Achebe's aides and associates had decided with his approval to reject the award, not just because it was a late offer but due to the view of the literacy icon that nothing had changed in Nigeria between now and seven years ago when he spurned the same award during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo presidency.

In the statement through, which Achebe rejected the award, he said: "The reasons for rejecting the offer when it was first made have not been addressed, let alone solved. It is inappropriate to offer it again to me. I must therefore regretfully decline the offer again."

In his own reaction, after speaking with Achebe, Adefuye said: “Prof. Achebe and I discussed the issue of the award. The literary giant is a highly respected member of our community. He is entitled to his opinion and the Jonathan administration recognises that.”

Adefuye who said he spoke to Achebe at the weekend added that “the Jonathan administration is however poised to continue removing whatever defects that do exist in Nigerian politics, economy and society.”

The ambassador concluded by saying “the process of building a Nigeria of which Prof. Achebe will be proud has begun and that process is irreversible.”

Aregbesola averts Christian, Muslim crisis in Osun

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo News - National

GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State yesterday averted what could have ignited a crisis between the Christians and Muslims in Iwo as he ordered closure of all public schools in the town.

The closure of schools was due to a protest by Muslim groups over the use of Ijab (veil for Muslim females) in public schools.

The Guardian learnt that a Muslim female student allegedly wore Ijab to one of the Christian schools in the town and was reprimanded by her teacher for her action.
The development was said to have displeased the student who reported the matter to her brothers who allegedly mobilised and attacked the teacher.

The quest to implement the wearing of Ijab has created crisis in the town, as some Muslim groups insisted that all Muslim ladies should be allowed to use Ijab, irrespective of the school they attend. The agitation for the use of Ijab reportedly took a fresh dimension on Monday, when a female student of Baptist High School, Iwo was arrested by the police on the order of the school authority for violating the school rule.

The action by the school authority was said to have triggered protest from members of the Muslim community who requested immediate release of the student.
The protest was said to have received the support of a leader of a Muslim organisation, the Jamat Tahawum who allegedly led a protest in the community yesterday. The protest and tension generated in the community forced the state government to order closure of public schools in the area while the students were sent home.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, said the government decided to close down all the public schools in the town to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
He said the state government had invited the Muslim and Christian leaders to a meeting to resolve the issue.

We have no problem with Mikel, says Shorunmu

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 By Gowon Akpodonor Sport - Abroad

DESPITE insinuations in some quarters that Chelsea of England midfielder, John Mikel Obi, may have incurred the wrath of the Technical Committee of the NFF, following his lackadaisical attitude towards national call-ups, a member of the Super Eagles technical crew, Ike Shorunmu, has declared that they had no problem with the player.

Mikel was said to have refused to train with his teammates in Abuja before the players went to Benin for the international friendly match against Bostwana on Sunday, an act which did not go down well with the NFF.

But Shorunmu told The Guardian yesterday that all was well between the Stephen Keshi-led technical crew and Mikel, saying: “We don’t have any problem with Mikel what so ever. I was there when Mikel explained to Keshi his situation and I also remember Keshi telling him (Mikel) that he wouldn’t want to stress him based on his explanation. I don’t know the position of the NFF technical committee regarding Mikel at the moment, but as for the coaching crew, we don’t have problem with him.

Shorunmu, who is the team’s goalkeeper’s trainer, also spoke on the performance of Austin Ejide in Tuesday’s game against the Chipolopolo of Zambia saying that the Isreal-based keeper did his best.

“As a goalkeeper, he is always the last man on the pitch. We need to give him the support he needs to build enough confidence for himself. There is room for improvement and we have to support him.”

Meanwhile, coach Stephen Keshi was reported to have dared English Premier League club, Chelsea, to pick “injured” John Mikel Obi for Sunday’s game against Liverpool.

MTNfootball.com quoted Keshi to have said yesterday that he will be “very, very disappointed” if they did because the midfielder complained to him of suffering from a back problem and so was left out of the friendlies against Botswana and Zambia.

“I will be disappointed if he plays for Chelsea this weekend. I will be very, very disappointed,” said Keshi in reference to suggestions that Mikel may have put club before country and so shied away from the Eagles two matches.

“There is no sentiment about me. Whoever will come to this national team will merit it. Nigeria is too big for this.”

“(Against Zambia) we lost the midfield because Fegor (Ogude) was injured and had to go off. Etuhu was fagged out from playing two games in three days and there was no replacement. I had like 10 strikers and I was looking for midfielders to play but I couldn’t find them. I can’t put a striker on as a midfielder.

It would be recalled that Mikel fell out with some Nigerian journalists in Luanda, Angola, after Nigeria lost to Ghana in the semifinal at the 2010 African Nations Cup following what the journalists termed as ‘unpatriotic attitude’ by the player.

Southern Sun Golf Day tees off today

Friday, 11 November 2011 00:00 By Eno-Abasi Sunday Sport - Golf Weekly

THE yearly tournament list of the golf section of Ikoyi Club 1938 lengthened as hospitality giant, Southern Sun Hotel, added its brand new corporate golf tourney, the Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel Golf Day to it.

The maiden edition, which tees off today at the club, will attract about 90 golfers, an admixture of corporate and business clients of the hotel, golfers from around the country, as well as a handful of members from the host club.

While this maiden edition is an exclusively amateur event meant to, among other things, build corporate relationships and establish business networks, up the profile of the hotel, cultivate a relationship with the host club and get the participants to generally have fun, subsequent editions will tinker with the idea of bringing in professional players to be part of the competition.

According to Managing Director of the hotel, Mark Loxely, professional players may be invited to add colour to the tournament from the next edition, “and in that direction, we will get guidance from the Ikoyi Club on how to go about it.”

Speaking further on the competition, Loxely said, the event, which tees off at about 9 a.m., would be rounded off in the evening with a cocktail/prize presentation scheduled to hold between 5 and 6pm at the clubhouse. It will also feature the appearance of a celebrity golfer from South Africa in the person of Andreas Michael Scholz.

He added that they intend to make the tournament a permanent fixture at the Ikoyi Club 1938 as a way of cementing the relationship between the hotel and the club as both were situated within the fringes of each other, “so with this tournament we are going to build a corporate relationship with the club and the invited guests that would be part of the golf day.”

Competition secretary of the club, Patrick Ukah, in his response, said the club was exceedingly happy to partner the hotel in the exercise, adding, “There was no better synergy than partnering with a hospitality giant of this nature since most of our members were patrons of the hotel.”

While hoping for a long lasting relationship, he said the club was also excited that the hotel was thinking along the line of giving professional players the opportunity to be part of the tourney, adding that, “We will be will to give the needed guidance and assistance that will get the professionals to play in the event.

Sponsors of the tournament include Kenya Airways, South African Airways, AVIS Nigeria, Aviator Travels, Samsung Nigeria, DSTV Mobile, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Coscharis, SAB Miller, among others.

UNILAG hosts ‘World Philosophy Day’

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 By Osigbesan Sultan Luqman News - National

LEADING academics from across the country and beyond would today gather at the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos (UNILAG), as part of activities to mark this year’s edition of the “World Philosophy Day”.

Organised by the Centre for African Culture and Development, the theme of this year’s one-day conference is “Misconception about African intellectual heritage”.

Renowned Nigerian academic and Man of Letter, Prof. Adebayo Williams, would chair the event while Prof. Dupe Ogunlesi is special guest of honour.

Dean, Faculty of Arts, UNILAG, Prof. Duro Oni, is host while the famed Professor of African Philosophy, Mrs. Sophie Oluwole, is chief host.

The event will hold at the Arts Theatre, Faculty of Arts, UNILAG at 9.00 a.m. prompt.

Ogun set to reposition OGBC

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Charles Coffie-Gyamfi, Abeokuta News - National

THE Ogun State government has initiated moves to re-position the state-owned broadcasting station, Ogun Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC).

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Yusuph Olaniyonu, who disclosed this in Abeokuta yesterday, revealed that the government was on the verge of purchasing modern equipment for the station, insisting that the new equipment would assist the 35-year-old station to “reclaim its lost glory”.

“The OGBC will be the most modern radio station in Nigeria in the next two years”, he said during the yearly OGBC ‘Adire Carnival’ held at the Broadcasting House, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta.

Police uncover suspected fraud syndicate in Jigawa

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From John Akubo, Dutse News - National

A SUSPECTED syndicate, led by a former lawmaker, alleged to have been perpetrating fraud in the Jigawa State Salaries and Pension’s Directorate has been uncovered by the Jigawa State Police Command.

Parading the suspects yesterday at the Police Headquarters in Dutse, the Police Commissioner Hashimu Argungu indicated that a member of the public alerted the police to the activities of the syndicate which had cost the state millions of naira in recent times.

Argungu said with the assistance of the Salaries and Pensions Directorate they swung into action to investigate three files through which the arrests were made.
He disclosed that the syndicate perpetrated the fraud by using false names and files to siphon money from the States Salaries and Pensions Directorate.

The police boss explained that the suspected leader of the syndicate Saleh S. Fawa was a former legislator in the Jigawa State House of Assembly.
According to the police commissioner, “He confessed to have organised the other suspects to put together a forged file bearing the name of Abdullahi Mohammed who they claimed had died as a class room teacher with Koki-nami Primary School Gumel LGEA.

“He processed the fake file for Jigawa State Pension Board where the sum of N1, 82, 256 was paid to him as death benefit after presenting some fake next of kin.”
The commissioner pointed out that the syndicate carried out its activities in Royal Tropicana Hotel in Kano where all their fake documents were tidied up.
“Crime is an industry that thrives with the help of many individuals”, he said, adding that the syndicate involved area court registrar, presiding judges as well as government officials.

Other suspected members of the syndicate paraded were Moh’d Sabo, a retired civil servant from Gumel, Aliyu Kaugama, a staff officer of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Salisu Abdullahi, Registrar Danzomo Sharia Court, Ali Salisu, Yakubu Husseini, Abdullahi Moh’d and Jaffaru Alhassan.

The commissioner called on the public to always alert the police, saying that the era when police were not committed to thorough investigations was over in Jigawa, adding that he would reach the end of this particular case.

The permanent secretary in the directorate of Salaries and Pensions Alhaji Bashir Ado disclosed that the discovery had made the directorate to cover all areas of possible leakages, saying that all siblings of pensioners would now be documented with their photographs to avoid such frauds.

NDLEA destroys N350m narcotic drugs

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi News - National

ABOUT 4, 688.48 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs seized by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport commands were publicly burnt yesterday by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The burning of the drugs worth over N350 million was witnessed by the agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ahmadu Giade, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed and other local and international stakeholders in line with a Federal High Court order.

According to Giade, the destruction was timely as it would translate to a drug-free society in the FCT and other parts of the country.

“The destruction exercise is in obedience and compliance with court order. Very shortly, a total of 4,723.617kg of narcotics shall be reduced to ashes. This is timely as we approach the end of year season. The breakdown shows that cannabis is the largest with 4,558.381kg; cocaine and heroin are next with 129.602kg and psychotropic substances 495grammes”, he noted.

In his keynote address, Giade said that the agency derived inspiration from outstanding international achievements. He said that “the removal of Nigeria in 2010 from the drug majors list by the United States government after 17 years is a great motivation to us.”

In a statement yesterday, by the Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchell, the chairman said: “Drug barons work against the interest of the state. They are always looking for opportunities to exploit. We are, therefore, determined to frustrate all their criminal plans. We would not relent until illicit drugs are eradicated from our society”.

NDLEA destroys N350m narcotic drugs

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi News - National

According to Giade, the destruction was timely as it would translate to a drug-free society in the FCT and other parts of the country.

Ekiti ACN urges PDP not to boycott council polls

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado-Ekiti News - National

• Opposition party insists on avoiding election

CHAIRMAN of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ekiti State, Jide Awe, has urged the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to boycott the council election fixed for January 21 next year.

He said the “the strength of any political party is measured by its participation in every election”.

The Ekiti PDP has gone to court to challenge the composition of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC). It prayed the court to disband the electoral body, alleging that some of the electoral chiefs were members of the ACN. But Awe yesterday debunked the allegation, insisting that none of the SIEC members was a card-carrying member of the ACN.

Awe described the Mrs. Cecilia Adelusi-led commission as having people of proven integrity and unblemished track records in their chosen careers.

Awe gave the clarification yesterday in Ado-Ekiti after the emergence of the incumbent Caretaker Chairman in Ado-Ekiti Local Council, Sunday Ibitoye, as the chairmanship candidate for the January 21, 2012, local council election in the party’s primary conducted in the state capital.

Ibitoye polled a total of 266 votes to defeat a former House of Assembly member, Tope Olanipekun, who recorded one vote while Mr. Sola Elesin and Gbenga Ajijola polled no vote out of the 268 total votes cast in the election.

Awe said the ACN would participate in the election if the PDP eventually staged a boycott, adding that any boycott by a political party would not erode the credibility of the election, provided the SIEC was resolute to conduct the polls despite the boycott.

Awe said that other political parties like the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) and Labour Party (LP) would participate in the election and that this was enough to guarantee the integrity of the polls.

But the PDP Chairman in the state, Bola Olu-Ojo, shared a different position, saying the election would not hold as it would surely secure an interlocutory order stopping the SIEC from conducting the election.

The ACN chieftain advised the aggrieved contestants in the primary election to abide by the consensus reached in picking some candidates and elections conducted in contentious area like Ado-Ekiti Council Area.

He said the disagreement trailing the emergence of Rotimi Ajidara in Ekiti-East Local Council had been resolved amicably by the application of the local zoning formula as applicable in all the 16 local councils and 177 wards in the state.

“We really applied to the letter the local zoning formula in selecting our candidates and we decided to conduct a free, fair and credible election in Ado-Ekiti when the contestants cannot resolve on their own.

“Ado-Ekiti is very strategic in Ekiti State and we cannot afford to lose the council and that was why we left the election open for the people to decide for themselves”, he said.

How Akingbola illegally transferred N18.6b, by EFCC

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 By Bertram Nwannekanma (Lagos) and Abosede Musari (Abuja) News - National

• Court orders police to produce bank manager over alleged fraud

THE trial of former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, continued yesterday with more revelations from a witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of how the bank's N18.6 billion was illegally transferred into the defendant's company.? Also, a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the police to produce in court tomorrow, the manager of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Tosin Lawal, who has been in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody for over 45 days for alleged fraud.

The trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, made the order following a request of Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), counsel to the accused, who alleged that his client had been unduly detained by the EFCC’s operatives after she had been granted bail by the police, which first arrested her.

At the resumed trial before Justice Habeeb Abiru of an Ikeja High Court, the principal prosecution witness, Abdulraheem Jimoh, told the court how Akingbola’s transactions to the tune of N18.6 billion were perfected.? At the end of the sitting, the prosecution, led by Godwin Obla, tendered 52 documents, which were admitted as exhibits by the court.?

The witness alleged that various sums of money were debited from customers’ deposits.? According to him, from the record of the bank, no loan facility was extended to Tropics Finance Limited where Akingbola has interest, but all payments made to the company were on the instruction of the first defendant (Akingbola).? However, Akingbola’s counsel, Mr. Deji Sasegbon (SAN), objected to the admissibility of the documents tendered by the prosecution.

According to Sasegbon, his objection was based on the fact that there was not enough time to go through the documents tendered by the prosecution, as the defence was only availed copies of the said documents the previous day (Tuesday).? While citing Section 36 (6) of the Constitution, Sasegbon averred that they must be given enough time and facility to prepare their defence.? But Obla in response urged the court to discountenance the argument of the defence and cited Section 146 (1) of the Evidence Act.? He said: “I urge the court to discountenance the objection. The Evidence Act cannot be read in isolation.?

“It must be read in full. If 146 is read along with 84 that the defence cited, the phrase is not a rule of law, but that of practice to assist in the dispensation of justice.? “Not to be used as a technical device to suffocate the administration of justice. The record of this court clearly shows the designation of the witness who was given documents as a chief inspector of the bank”. ?

The police have filed a four-count criminal charge of conspiracy and stealing of over N200 million against Tosin Lawal and her husband, Michael Lawal, but their arraignment cannot take place due to the absence of Lawal, who has been in EFCC’s custody.

Oyetibo had informed the court that the accused persons had been granted administrative bail by the police and the first accused person (Lawal) was last seen in the custody of the police on October 28, 2011 and had since been detained illegally for 45 days.

He said: “When I called her surety, I learnt that she has been detained by the EFCC operatives who had since refused to release her.

“EFCC requested a level-14 officer to come and stand surety for her. This was produced and the said level-14 officer has been going to the EFCC everyday, yet the organisation refused to release her.

“We learnt that one of the officials even boasted that she would not be released even if heaven falls.

“Our prayer before the court is for an order that she should be produced in court in accordance with Section 57 of the Criminal Procedure Act”.

Before the judge made the order, the prosecution counsel, who represented the police, Mr. Nosa Watson, had confirmed that the EFCC had arrested the bank manager after the police had granted her administrative bail.

When the court asked Watson why the police had not collaborated with the EFCC to ensure that Lawal was produced in court, Watson said the EFCC would not listen to the police.

He subsequently urged the court to make an order that Lawal be produced, adding that the police would attach a copy of the order to a letter to the EFCC asking for the release of Lawal.

In the charge, the police alleged that Lawal and her husband, between April 22 and September 6, 2011, at Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Allen Avenue, Ikeja branch, did conspire to steal and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Law of the Federation 2004.

Ex-presidential aide, others hinge better health care on research

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 By Joseph Okoghenun and Gloria Mamuzo News - National

AS the nation continues to grapple with a dwindling health sector, the Director- General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Innocent Ugah and the Programme Officer of the Ford Foundation, Prof. Friday Okonofua, have urged the government and other stakeholders to support health research.

Delivering a paper at the third Annual Scientific Conference organised by NIMR, Okonofua who was a Health Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, revealed that since 1980s, healthcare research capacity of Nigerian universities had not only declined but deteriorated to make any meaningful input to the nation’s health comatose sector.

He regretted that most Nigerian hospitals were devoting more time to clinical duties, teaching and assessing students with definite health research relegated to the background.

Okonofua, a former Provost of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Medical College, stated that while research had played important roles in policy and transformational changes in developed countries, Nigeria and many developing countries were lagging behind in keying into healthcare research to move their nations forward.

He explained that research had the capacity to open new areas of prevention and treatment of old and emerging diseases and which, he said, was critical in national development.

Okonofua added that health research was capable of boosting productivity and promoting economic growth needed for quality life.
Okonofual listed factors responsible for research collapse in Nigeria to include declining per capital funding of tertiary education; declining funding of research in Nigerian universities; decaying facilities for research; and poor research training of academic staff.

Ugah hinted that Nigeria was yet to fund healthcare research as expected .
The NIMR boss urged the government and health industry operators to increase health care research through increase funding, saying “where there is no research , there is no development.”

Lagos defies lawmakers’ order, rolls out new number plates

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 By Yetunde Ebosele and Sulaimon Salau Lagos and Florence Lawrence, Abuja News - National

Sambo, backs FRSC

CONTRARY to the National Assembly’s directive that the issuance of new vehicle number plates should be suspended pending the conclusion of the probe on the rationale behind the initiative, the Lagos State Government yesterday launched the new number plates for vehicles in the state.

In the same vein, contrary to the criticisms trailing the planned vehicles’ new plate number as announced by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Vice President, Namadi Sambo yesterday endorsed the initiative, citing the current security challenges for his support.

Backing the plan at the 3rd FRSC Annual Lecture Series yesterday in Abuja, Sambo said that the environment was spontaneously changing, “thus as new technologies demand, so do the new structural challenges emerge without notice.

Announcing the commencement of the programme at a press conference in Lagos yesterday, the Commissioner for Transport, Kayode Opeifa said the move was in conformity with the law, while it would also guide against breach of security in the state.

“The National Assembly’s directive is to the FRSC. We are in a country of law and we recognise the powers of the National Assembly, and we will abide by whatever power within the rule of law that concerns us. For now, we believe the most appropriate thing to do is what we are doing.

According to him, the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) has put in place a machinery to commence immediate issuance of the new national number plates to applicants at its 39 licensing offices located across the state.

Represented by the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemenme, Sambo noted that the theme: “Achieving Decade of Action on Road Safety 2011-2020: Integrating Road Safety into National Development” was a planning document, adding that the measures and actions taken by the corp to realize the decade of action will be supported by the present administration.

The House of Representatives had on Tuesday queried the issuance of the new number plates demanding for investigation into the new initiative noting that the Commission had failed to carry the populace along and described the move as extortion.

But the FRSC’s Corp Marshal, Mr. Osita Chidoka gave no sign of giving in to the position of the House, saying that the Commission was awaiting the lawmakers proceedings on the matter.

FG moves to curb lead poisoning in Zamfara

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Florence Lawrence, Abuja News - National

THE Federal Government has reiterated its determination to have continuous remediation plan to de-contaminate areas in Zamfara State affected by lead poisoning.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Sada, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a briefing on the third stakeholders’ forum of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency slated for today, said already, measures were being put in place to address the challenge.

The theme of the forum is, “Geo-science Information and Data Availability and Effective Utilisation for National Economic Transformation”.

A World Health Organisation (WHO) study had reported that 43 villages still have cases of lead poisoning 18 months after it was first recorded in the state, leading to the death of 400 children and over 2,000 children already exposed.

Sada, who blamed the problem on poverty and lack of enlightenment in the area on the process and safety of mechanisms used, said apart from the removal of topsoil contaminated with lead, citizens of neighbouring countries intrude into the state.

According to him, the first step adopted by the Federal Government was the replacement of fresh soil cover after the removal of the contaminated one. He said the Federal Government was compelled to have continuous remediation check in the state.

He added that the challenge was getting the right investors to operate in areas where there is illegal mining, noting that same lead exploration was being practised in Ebonyi State but with no record of contamination.

“There is nothing dangerous about mining but the people need guidance and education”, he said.

Already, the Artesenal and Small Scale Departments have been directed to hold extension classes with the cooperative groups formed in the state to educate them on the dangers of their activities.

Reps urge govt to complete Zik’s mausoleum

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Terhemba Daka (Abuja) and Joseph Onyekwere (Lagos) News - National

IN line with its mandate, the House of Representatives in a resolution on a motion by Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Uche Ekwunife, on the need to complete the abandoned mausoleum of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, yesterday urged the Federal Government to urgently complete the facility.

Meanwhile, a Director of Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi, has said the political leadership of the country has failed to deliver in comparison to the nationalists.

Utomi said the days of Azikiwe and his contemporaries like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Sadauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, among others, were eye-openers to today’s leadership failure.

He stated this yesterday at the 15th Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Day and town hall meeting held at Homegate Hawker Resort, Lekki, Lagos.

The lawmakers described as embarrassing the non-completion of the project 15 years after the demise of Azikiwe, who she said, had contributed immensely to the independence of the country.

“Since the astute politician, who bestrode the Nigerian political landscape like a colossus died in 1996 and work on his Mausoleum commenced in 1997 by the regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha, the project is totally abandoned”, Ekwunife lamented.

According to her, several administrations afterwards had consistently been making promises to complete the project without practical efforts at doing so. She added that Zik's burial site at Onitsha, which should have been a tourist attraction, had remained “an eyesore to the public”, which according to her, does not give good image to the country.

Oyo lawmakers tackle commissioner over sacked council chairmen

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Iyabo Lawal and Damilola Adekoya, Ibadan News - National

• ACN, PDP feud over sack

THE Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Peter Odetomi, to produce his report on the 29 sacked council chairmen or risk being sanctioned.
This order followed last Friday’s sacking of the interim council chairmen by the lawmakers over their refusal to render their account of stewardship.

But a group, within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, the Synergy League, yesterday described the feud between the Legislature, Odetomi and the sacked caretaker council chairmen as a clear signal of failure on the part of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-led government.

The group, in a statement by its coordinator, Dotun Oyelade, said the past three months under the Abiola Ajimobi-selected chairmen have been a colossal waste.
The statement pointed out that “by admitting that they could not perform because they were starved of funds by the government is an admission of collective system of collapse for which the only remedy is urgent council election to sweep them out with their own brooms.”

The lawmakers had after sacking the caretaker chairmen directed them to report before the House Parliamentary caucus last Monday with their report and also mandated Odetomi to present his report on the activities of the various councils.
But Odetomi failed to present the report as directed by the House, saying he was informed at short notice.

The infuriated lawmakers blamed the commissioner for the lapses in the local councils and mandated him to present the report at today’s sitting.

Meanwhile, after examining the report presented by the sacked interim council chairmen, the lawmakers resolved that there should be site inspection by the House committee to fully assess all the projects done in the various councils.
The House also asked Governor Ajimobi to forward the names of nominees for the remaining four local councils as soon as possible.

Synergy League lamented Odetomi’s claim that projects were not implemented because contract sums were over-bloated by the chairmen, submitting that it was not impressed because trading blames has always been the hallmark of non-performers.

But in a swift reaction, the ACN asked former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and his aides to bury their faces in shame, saying the so-called deterioration they claimed to have noticed in the councils was as a result of the theft of over N8 billion in the councils, for which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was trying Alao-Akala.

The party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kolawole Dauda, urged the former governor to face his trial for massive looting of the state, top of which was alleged stealing of local government funds.

PHCN threatens to sack protesting workers

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Emeka Anuforo (Abuja), Obiora Aduba and Sulaimon Salau (Lagos) News - National

THE Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) yesterday came down hard on its members of staff protesting the deployment of soldiers to electricity facilities across the country.

But the workers, made up mainly of those in the junior cadre, insisted that nothing would make them go back to work unless soldiers are withdrawn from electricity installations nationwide.

PHCN, which expressed shock at the action of the workers, wondered why they would be protesting the development in view of the security situation in the country. Reminding the workers that it had no trade dispute with them, PHCN warned them of the consequences of their action.

A memo to all PHCN members of staff and obtained by reporters in Abuja yesterday reiterated that since it was the sole provider of electricity in the country, it was at liberty to choose the best form of protection to secure its facilities nationwide.

The notice read: “It has come to the notice of management that some staff of PHCN refused to come to work since Tuesday, November 15, 2011 in protest against the deployment of military personnel to secure Federal Government’s assets and facilities across the nation, including PHCN installations.

“This is to inform you that there is no basis to embark on a strike or any industrial action as there is no trade dispute between PHCN workers and its management. In view of the fact that PHCN is the sole provider of electricity services to the whole nation and as such, an Essential Services Provider under the laws of the land, the current situation calls for immediate remedy.”

It went on: “In furtherance of the foregoing, please be informed that any strike or threat of strike at this time violates Section 47 of the Trade Dispute Act and Section 9(1) of The Trade Dispute (Essential Services) Act Cap.T9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. It also violates the subsisting perpetual injunction issued by the Supreme Court in the case of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) et al Vs. Bureau of Public Enterprises Sc. 62/2004.”

According to the memo, “the consequence of violation of existing Laws of the Federation of Nigeria as cited above is that any member of staff who interrupts or disrupts electricity services, which act amounts to economic sabotage, will be arrested and prosecuted under the law.

“In view of the above, please take notice that any staff member who absents himself or herself from work without legitimate authority stands a high risk of forfeiting his or her job in line with extant PHCN Conditions of Service (2010).”

How to ensure global security, others, by ICC boss

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 By Francis Obinor News - National

TO effectively fight impunity and acts of injustice worldwide, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Sang-Hyun Song, has called for the creation of more synergies between the spheres of international justice and development.

The move, according to him, “is an essential building block for the stability, security and prosperity of the world.”

Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs Unit of ICC, Fadi El Abdallah, yesterday said Song who gave the keynote speech at the opening of the 2011 Law, Justice and Development Week organised by the World Bank Group in Washington, United States, praised the world development report for emphasising the devastating effect of conflicts and large-scale violence on development.

According to Abdallah, Song cited the report’s finding that the average cost of civil war is equivalent to more than 30 years of the gross domestic product (GDP) growth for a medium-size developing economy.

“Any efforts to help a society regain health, wealth and capacity to profit from its own resources must include accountability for past atrocities and strengthening of the rule of law,” the ICC President stated.

“Where impunity is allowed to reign, it leaves a desire for vengeance among populations who have been victims of massive crimes, and provides fertile ground for the recurrence of conflicts,” he added.

In his speech, Song highlighted the innovative features of the Rome Statute of the ICC to empower victims through its provisions for victim participation and reparation, and the creation of a Trust Fund for Victims.

One dies, 19 injured in Jigawa farmers, Fulani clash

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 00:00 From John Akubo, Dutse News - National

A CLASH between farmers and Fulani nomads in Kirikasama Local Council Area of Jigawa State has left one person dead while 19 others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The incident occurred at Matara at a time the government has taken some far-reaching measures such as demarcation of cattle routes, opening up grazing reserves and encouraging interactions between farmers and pastoralists to check clashes.

Lamido Saleh, a Fulani chief, told The Guardian that the farmers took measures to protect themselves against the perennial destruction of farmlands and attacks by the Fulani pastoralists.

He said the attempt to guard their farm produce was as a result of the inability of the security operatives manning the area to protect them from the attacks.

Reps urge govt to complete Zik’s mausoleum

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Terhemba Daka (Abuja) and Joseph Onyekwere (Lagos) News - National

Meanwhile, a Director of Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi, has said the political leadership of the country has failed to deliver in comparison to the nationalists.

Utomi said the days of Azikiwe and his contemporaries like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Sadauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, among others, were eye-openers to today’s leadership failure.

He stated this yesterday at the 15th Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Day and town hall meeting held at Homegate Hawker Resort, Lekki, Lagos.

The lawmakers described as embarrassing the non-completion of the project 15 years after the demise of Azikiwe, who she said, had contributed immensely to the independence of the country.

PHCN threatens to sack protesting workers

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Emeka Anuforo (Abuja), Obiora Aduba and Sulaimon Salau (Lagos) News - National

Bomb explodes in Maiduguri

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna) and Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri) News - National

BARELY 24 hours after the multiple bomb blasts that rocked Bulunkutu and Abaganaram wards of Maiduguri metropolis in Borno State, another one planted on the middle of Galadima Road by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect exploded in the early hours of yesterday.

Meanwhile, youths in the north, under the umbrella of Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) have expressed concern over what they described as disunity among northerners, saying that the situation was the underlying factor for the present insecurity in the region and Nigeria.

According to a source, the bomb in Maiduguri exploded when people in the area were still asleep.

The source said that after the explosion, members of the Joint Task Force (JTF), who were on patrol, rushed to the scene of the incident and started shooting into the air.
The Borno Commissioner of Police, Mr. Simeon Midenda, confirmed the bomb explosion, and said that there was no casualty, as the blast occurred when people had not woken up from their sleep.
Midenda, however, disclosed that the rampant cases of explosion in recent times were an attempt by the Boko Haram group to strongly establish themselves in the state capital. He, however, said that the security operatives would not give them the chance to do that.

“They are only disturbing and wasting their arsenal, I advise the general public to go about their normal businesses as all their plans and efforts will be in futility,” Midenda said.

The northern youths have urged the Arewa elders to use the forthcoming peace and unity conference proposed by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to invite the Islamic militant group, Boko Haram, for dialogue in order to end the reign of terror in the country.
They also pointed out that the problem created by not accepting the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, as the leader of the north has further exacerbated the division in the north.

In a statement issued yesterday by the President of AYF, Mallam Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, explained that the negative situation in the region "borders on the seeming lack of unity in the present day north," adding that "the situation has not always been like this and the time to act is now before it is too late.
"We have watched over time how the goodwill of the region has been fettered away due mainly to the promotion of self interest to the detriment of communal goals.

It is in view of this that the Arewa youths want the people of the north led by their leaders under the auspices of the ACF and the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) to as a matter of urgency close ranks and make sure that all the problems bedevilling the region are immediately arrested."

According to the AYF leader, "we believe that the unity of the north is paramount to its development and we warn those using religion and ethnicity for political gains to desist forthwith in the collective interest of the zone and the country at large."

Mark reads riot act to new NDDC board

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 From John Abba-Ogbodo and Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja News - National

Uproar as Senate clears Bode George’s wife for agency job

SENATE President David Mark has warned the newly confirmed members of the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to live up to expectations or face similar faith as their predecessors, who were sent away recently.
Also, the Senate had a rowdy session following the clearing of Mrs. Roli Bode-George as Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC) for Lagos State.

The Senate had gone against the decision of their colleagues from Lagos to reject the nomination of the candidate as a true representative of the state.
This followed the report submitted by the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and National Population headed by Senator Maina Lawan (Borno North), on the outcome of the screening of nominees for chairmanship and members of the National Population Commission.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa of Lagos East, who championed the rejection bid, alleged that Governor Babatunde Fashola had earlier forwarded a different nominee for the state, to President Goodluck Jonathan.

He urged the Senate to quash the nomination of Mrs. Bode-Geroge on the ground that her nomination fell short of due process in line with the convention, norms and practices of the Senate. His request, which was the unanimous decision of Lagos State Senators, fell on deaf ears as other colleagues failed to agree with him.
Mark, who described the former NDDC board as a failure, read riot act for new members and urged them to desist from pursuing personal interest and serve with sincerity of purpose.

He added that the former board abused the privilege given to them to serve on the board by pursing personal interest, which led to the dissolution of the board.
The new board comprises Dr. Tarlilah Tebepah (chairman); Dr. Christian Azubuike Obo (managing director); Lambart E. John Konboye (executive director, finance and Admin); and, Engr. Edikan Eshett Eshett (executive director, Project).

Others members are Engr. Imaobong Johnson, Mr. Edigirisi Paul Orubo, Mr. Dominic Aqua Edem Esq, Chief Solomon Ogba, Prof. Ibitamuno Aminigo, Tunde Ogbeha, Senator Garba Lado, Rima Shawulu Kwewum, Barr Aloysius C Nwagboso, Mr. Omagbemi Oladele and Joe Jakpa.
They are to serve out the remaining tenure of members of the former board that was recently dissolved by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Meanwhile, the screening of Imo and Edo states’ representatives are still on. The Chairman of the Committee, Senator James Manager of Delta South, said petitions were received from the two states against their nominees.

The nominees for the NPC are Chief Festus Odimegwu (Imo, chairman), David Alakwaya Garnuwa, (Adamawa), Moses Ekpo, (Akwa Ibom), Alhaji Mohammadu Hamma, (Borno), Idi Baba Yakubu (Cross River) and Dr. Tunde Lakoju, (Edo State).
They also include Bala Mohammed Magaji, (Gombe), Nwaogwu O. Emmanuel (Imo), Mohammed Surajo Marshal (Kano), Mahammed Aikoye Akubo (Kogi) and Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene, (Kwara State).

Others are Roli George, (Lagos), Alhaji Zakari Umaru (Nasarawa), Chief Lere Oyenmi (Osun), Dr. Oluremi Akinbobola Akogun (Ondo), Hon. (Mrs) Cecelia Arsun Dapoet, (Plateau), Dr. Donald Charles Wokoma (Rivers), Senator Bello Jibri Gada (Sokoto), Sunday Zik (Taraba), Prof. Moore Simeon Chika (Anambra), Dr. Festus S.A. Ozor (Enugu), Mrs. Seyi Aderinokun Olusanya (Ogun) and Chris Onyejekwe Okereke (Ebonyi State).

The nomination of Sir Nwakanma Chimaobi representing Abia State, was rejected.
Jonathan also forwarded the name of Prof. Ben Igwe to the Senate for confirmation as the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission.
Other members of the Commission are Dr. Chidi Anslem Odinkalu, Sully Abu, Eugenia Abu, Kayode Komolafe, Dave Obidi Ezeigwe, Ranti Bosede Daudu, Saadatu Mahdi and Jones Osim. Others are Olawale Fapohunda, Olufunmilayo Falana and Cynthia Ene Olofu Ogbe.

There were also nominees of Nigeria Labour Congress, ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs and Interior.

Yobe buys N493m generators for councils

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 00:00 From Njadvara Musa, Damaturu News - National

THE Yobe State government has released N493 million for the procurement and distribution of 170 units of 30 KVA electric power-generating sets to 17 councils.

This is meant to enable the councils overcome their acute shortage of water for domestic and industrial use.

The release of the funds was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Press Affairs and Information, Abdullahi Bego, which was made available to The Guardian yesterday in Damaturu.

VANGUARD

NDDC failed, says Mark

On November 17, 2011 · In News

By Inalegwu Shaibu
ABUJA— Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, set up as an intervention commission by Federal Government to develop the oil-rich Niger Delta region has been described as a total failure by the Senate President, David Mark.

Mark made the scathing remark after the confirmation of a 13-member board for NDDC yesterday, just as he lamented that the commission was turned into personal gold mines by successive board members to the detriment of the people of the region.

He further lamented that NDDC has failed in its statutory responsibilities of carrying out infrastructural and social development of the region that has been subjected to harsh environmental degradation due to the oil exploration activities of oil companies.

He also blamed the Senate Committee on Niger Delta for having a part in the failure of the commission, noting that the committee failed in its oversight responsibilities of NDDC.

He warned that the National Assembly will not hesitate to call for the sacking of the new board if it fails to bring infrastructural development to the region to better the lives of the Niger Delta people after six months from inauguration.

He said: “NDDC has been a failure up to this point in time and there is no point in mincing words at all. The individuals who have been put there have decided to make their own personal interest the priority of the commission. It is hoped that the new group would not do the same.

“If they do not perform in the next six months the same fate that befell their predecessors will also befall them. So, it is clear that nobody wants to allow money allocated to Niger Delta be taken away by individuals.”

On the oversight failure of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, he said: “The responsibility of oversight function of the commission is on NDDC committee of the Senate. If they supervise that commission properly, we would not have found ourselves in the position we find ourselves today.

“So, whilst we urge the members of the commission to make sure that they do their work properly, it is imperative that the committee that oversees the commission also does its job properly. The two have to work together to ensure that the dividend that we expect from the commission is delivered to the people.”

Board members

Mark’s comments came after the Senate confirmed Dr. Tarilah Tebepah as Chairman of the Board of commission.

The Senate also confirmed Senators Yabuku Lado and Tunde Ogbeha as members of the board to represent non-oil producing states.

Others confirmed are: Mr. Edward Orubo, Bayelsa member; Dr. Christain Obo, Managing Director, Rivers; Chief Solomon Ogba, member, Delta; Mr. L. Konboye, Executive Director Finance and Admin, Delta; Engr. Imaobong Johnson, member, Akwa Ibom and Engr. Edikan Eshett, Executive Director, projects, Akwa Ibom.

The confirmations also include, Dominic Aqua Edem, Cross River, member; Barrister Aloysius Nwagboso, Abia, member; Mr. Omogbemi Oladeje member, Rima Shawulu Kwewum, north-east to represent non-oil mineral producing states, and Mr. Joe Jakpa representing oil producing companies on the board.

The Senate however rejected the nominations of Barrister Peter Ezeobi, Imo, and Osahon Imaru, Edo, as members of the board.

Boko Haram: IG posts new AIGs to 6 zones

On November 17, 2011 · In News

By KINGSLEY OMONOBI
ABUJA — Two weeks after the bloody attack by the Boko Haram sect on Potiskum and Damaturu in Yobe State, the hammer has fallen on some senior Police officers with the Inspector General of Police, Mr Hafiz Ringim, ordering the posting of six new Assistant Inspectors General of Police to take over six zones while some were removed.

Vanguard had reported exclusively in the wake of the Friday, November 4, 2011 attacks, which left over 100 people dead in Damaturu, Yobe State, that heads would roll among the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force as it was discovered that adequate intelligence was passed to the senior officers while the attackers obviously had a free ride into town with the Police in the states close to Yobe State doing little or nothing to stop them.

Consequently, the new Assistant Inspectors General of Police and their new sones are: AIG Mohammed D. Abubakar, formerly the AIG in charge Zone 6, Calabar, is to take over as AIG Zone 12, Bauchi, the area of responsibility of Boko Haram states; AIG Christopher Ola, formerly Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos, takes over as the AIG Zone 2 Lagos, while AIG Johnson Morenike, formerly in charge Police Academy (POLAC), Kano, takes over as Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos.

Others are AIG Suleiman Dauda Fakai, formerly AIG Zone 2, is now the AIG in charge of Zone 3, Yola; AIG Johnson Uzu-Egbunam, formerly AIG Zone 12, is moved to Osogbo as the AIG in charge Zone 11; AIG Saidu Gaya, formerly AIG Zone 11, is now the AIG in charge Zone 6, Calabar.

Vanguard gathered that in the signal which directed that the postings take immediate effect, the IGP advised that senior officers should take issues of negligence by their subordinates very serious, especially issues of terrorism.

CBN, NDIC, nationalised banks dismiss court order

On November 17, 2011 · In News

By Babajide Komolafe
LAGOS — Mainstreet Bank, Keystone Bank and Enterprise Bank, which took over the assets of the three nationalised banks, yesterday, dismissed the court order restraining them from dealing in the assets of former Afribank, Bank PHB and Spring Bank.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, also said they were not aware of such court order.

On Tuesday, Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, granted the order restraining the three banks, following an ex-parte application, by some shareholders of the banks, who are challenging the revocation of their banks operational licence by the CBN and take over of their banks by NDIC and the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCN.

The order is to subsist pending the determination of the suit by some aggrieved shareholders of the nationalised banks.

However, the three banks in a statement, yesterday, said they were not served with any writ of summons, let alone any order of the nature mentioned.

They consequently asked their customers to disregard the so-called court order and carry on in their businesses with the banks.

CBN, NDIC react

Reacting to the development, the CBN and NDIC in a statement entitled, “Re-Alleged court order restraining Keystone, Enterprise and Mainstreet Banks from operation,” said: “The CBN and the NDIC state categorically and with all sense of responsibility that we are not aware of any such order as no such order has been served on either the CBN or the NDIC

“Consequently, both the CBN and the NDIC wish to inform the general public that Keystone Bank Limited, Mainstreet Bank Limited and Enterprise Bank Limited are banks duly licenced by the CBN and are thus authorised to carry on banking business. We thus urge all customers of the said banks as well as the general public to continue transacting their business with the banks as hitherto done and hereby issue our assurances once again that all depositors’ funds in these institutions are safe and banking operations will continue as normal. These banks are fully insured by the NDIC and all depositors are assured of the safety of their funds.”

…Nationalised banks too

Enterprise Bank in a statement said: “We wish to assure all our customers that all our over 150 branches nationwide are open for full banking business as usual. Banking operations will carry on as usual and the public should disregard any statement or statements that the bank has been restrained from carrying on business.

“The depositors of the bank and the general public should thus note that the bank will carry on business as usual as there is no order against it. The bank strongly believes the statement that an order was made is false and a mischievous attempt to tarnish the image of the honourable Archibong J, embarrass the judiciary, bring the administration of justice to disrepute, injure the depositors of the bank and bring the orderly operations of a new bank to a halt. The bank is certain that no order was made ex parte requiring the bank to shut its doors to millions of our depositors and customers”.

Both Mainstreet and Keystone banks also issued similar statements and advised the general public to disregard the order noting that the banks will carry on business as usual as there was no order against them.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Tuesday, restrained Mainstreet, Keystone and Enterprise banks, from further dealing in the assets, businesses and operations of the defunct banks pending the determination of the suit filed by some aggrieved shareholders of the banks. The three nationalised banks are Afribank Plc, Bank PHB Plc and Spring Bank Plc.

Trial judge, Justice Charles Archibong, granted the order, following an ex-parte application, by some shareholders of the banks, who are challenging the revocation of their banks operational licence by Central Bank of Nigeria and take over of their banks by Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC and the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON.

The plaintiffs, amongst them, Boniface Okezie, Adeyemi Kehinde, Adebowale Bolanle and Cole Alexander are in court, challenging the nationalisation of Afribank Plc, Bank PHB Plc and Spring Bank Plc.

on the ground that the action violates their rights to freedom from compulsory acquisition of property guaranteed under the constitution and the prohibition of nationalization of enterprises contained in Section 25 of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission Act.

Defendants in the suit are Mainstreet, Keystone and Enterprise banks, CBN, NDIC, AMCON, Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Afribank Plc, Bank PHB Plc, Spring Bank and Minister of Finance.

The shareholders are contending in the suit that the revocation of the licenses of the nationalised banks by the CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi was prejudicial to their rights to invest in public quoted companies in accordance with the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission Act and the Investment and Security Act.

They want the court to declare that the action of CBN, NDIC and the AMCON in purporting to transfer the assets, businesses and operations of the nationaliaed banks to the new banks was a breach of their fundamental human rights to freedom from compulsory acquisition of property as guaranteed by the constitution.

They want the court to order the respondents, jointly and severally to pay punitive damages as assessed by the court to them through their lawyer for the diminution in the value of the shares of the nationalised banks as a result of the unlawful, malicious and unreasonable conduct of the CBN Governor.

They are also praying the court to restrain the three new banks, NDIC and AMCN from offering for sale or advertising or representing to any person, any intention or offer for sale or transferring or purporting to transfer to any person any interest in the assets, businesses and operations of the three nationalized banks.

The shareholders also want the court to grant the nationalised banks, a period of six months or with such an extension of time as the court may allow within, which to recapitalize or attain any requisite level of recapitalization as determined by the court and free of any interference from the CBN or its Governor.

Meanwhile, further hearing in the matter, has been adjourned till November 28.

It will be recalled that on Friday August 14th the federal government through the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) nationalised Afribank Plc, Bank PHB Plc and Spring Bank Pls. The Corporation had created three bridge banks namely Mainstreet Bank , Keystone Bank and Enterprise bank to assume ownership of the three rescued banks following the revocation of their operating licenses by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The following day, NDIC sold the three bridge banks to Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON0), which in turn appointed management for the banks and injected N679 billion to bring the capital base of each bank to N25 billion.

Following the nationalisation of the banks by the government last August 8, the shareholders resorted to panic dumping of their shares at the secondary market, thereby depressing the market even as the Nigerian Labour Congress blamed the Central Bank of Nigeria for the crisis in the banking sector and warned against victimisation of workers.

Last Friday AMCON injected N679 billion of public funds into the three, bringing the total fund injected into the rescued banks to N1.299 trillion. But before the CBN intervention, the Expanded Discount Window the CBN opened for banks to support them was N270 billion facility from which they could borrow. That window was closed by CBN governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi thus leaving the troubled banks naked.

Host community alleges marginalisation by DESOPADEC

On November 17, 2011 · In News

By Festus Ahon

UGHELLI-people of Owevwe-Agbarha Otor community, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, have decried the failure of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, to embark on any project in the area, despite its status as the headquarters of the Eriemu Field, the second in oil production quota in the council.

They lamented that after four years of its establishment, the commission had no indigene of the various communities, which make up the oil field and which they said was host to 22 oil wells, the biggest pigging manifold in West Africa, a flow station and a gas station.

Speaking during a town hall meeting organised by the commission, President-General of Owevwe community, Mr. Freeborn Adjanakpo, said the people were amazed that, “the zonal office of the commission, which ought to be cited in the Eriemu Field, was taken to Orogun.”

Reiterating that host communities were “the brain behind the establish-ment of DESOPADEC,” Adjanakpo urged the commission to ensure that job opportunities were distributed to the field and shared per production quota.

Agbakoba calls for repeal of open skies agreement with US

On November 17, 2011 · In News

LAGOS — Former President of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has forwarded a private Bill to the National Assembly, asking the legislators to provide a legal framework to protect the country’s national carriers on international operations.

He called for the repeal of the open skies agreement between the United States and Nigeria, with a view to ensuring growth of the local aviation industry.

He said the Bill, “Fly Nigeria Act,” is borne out of the shabby treatment meted out to Arik Air at London Heathrow, which triggered the current face-off between the Federal Government and its British counterpart.

Agbakoba, who questioned the legality of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, between Nigeria and the UK, said, “Fly Nivgeria Act,” if properly implemented, would create instant lucrative market to support the country’s national carriers.

He said in the bill forwarded to the Senate and House of Representatives: “As a result of the mistreatment of Arik Air by British Airways, I submitted a private Bill on a new legal framework to support and promote National Carriers operating internationally.”

“The Bill is called “FLY NIGERIA ACT”. It is internationally recognised. The United States has legislated the FLY AMERICA ACT. At a minimum FLY NIGERIA ACT will compulsorily require government funded travel to originate and terminate on a national carrier and may be code shared by a non national carrier.

“FLY NIGERIA ACT also appeals to the patriotism of Nigerians, who are privately funded to fly on Nigerian carriers. Chief M.K.O Abiola was a stellar example of supporting national carriers by flying them. Nigerian business community can rally support around FLY NIGERIA ACT.

Status quo of Ndigbo in Nigeria unacceptable – APGA

On November 17, 2011 · In News

BY PETER OKUTU
ABAKALIKI— THE United States of America Chapter of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, yesterday, declared that the present status quo of Ndigbo was not acceptable in view of their enormous contributions to the growth and development of the nation.

Secretary-General of the party in USA, Mr. Okwukwe Ibiam, who made the disclosure while briefing news- men in Abakaliki, stressed the need for the country to urgently address issues affecting the South-Eastern states in terms of road network and lack of optimum representation at the federal level, among others.

He noted that the voice of Ndigbo needed to be heard at all levels of governance so that matters affecting them would be given a holistic approach.

He said: “The present status quo of Ndigbo is not acceptable. We think those people’s voices need to be heard.

“Their issues need to be put in public view and debated on their merit. I think that is why we

are in APGA. We have expressed this view point at certain quarters.

The present government in the country on its own should formulate policies and embark on actions that would alleviate the people’s sufferings. They should look into the issue of importation and not allow local industries to close.

“APGA-U.S.A is interested in policy issues, its making and implementation. We are informed professionals who know what is happening in the country.”

Okonjo-Iweala decries high youth unemployment in S-East

On November 17, 2011 · In News

Umuahia— CO-ORDINATING minister of the economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday expressed worry that youth unemployment rates were highest in the South-East states of the country, despite “the vibrant industries and entrepreneurial spirit among people of the region.”

She said the Federal Government, through its YouWIN programme, would assist the youths, including those from the South-East zone to expand their existing small businesses or start a new one but regretted that only 13% of applications was received from the zone so far and urged youth in the area to embrace the programme.

Okonjo-Iweala spoke in Umuahia, Abia State capital, when she launched YouWIN programme for the South- East zone. She said the programme meant for youths between 18 and 40 years would in particular help sustain the enterprising nature of the people.

She said: When a team from YouWIN office visited Aba we saw shoe manufacturers, belts, bags and other leather products makers, clothes and garments designers, ceramic producers and many others, making good quality products in very difficult situations. Dozens of hard working young men and women were working in tight and crowded spaces, doing many difficult business processes manually due to lack of necessary machines and equipment.”

The minister noted that “with the right support and environment, our industries here in Aba and other cities in the South East zone will be exporting authentic ‘Made in Nigeria’ products to Europe, America and other developed countries.”

Let’s go back to the basics – Kanu

On November 17, 2011 · In Sports

Former Nigeria captain, Nwankwo Kanu has added his voice to the growing concern over the quality of personnel in the current national team.

Reacting to the two international friendly matches the Super Eagle played under the new coach, the former African footballer of the year said, “right now, the Eagles are not the type of team we all desire. They should not allow the victory over Zambia get into their heads because as it is, the team is not good enough.”

Kanu recommended a thorough overhaul of the team by Coach Stephen Keshi for a fresh start in Nigeria’s long rebuilding process. “We must go back to the basics, our football is struggling and we must go back to the Super Eagles people used to know. We should get players who are ready to fight for shirts and who have the zeal to excel,” Kanu remarked.

Mikel plays into Keshi’s bad books

On November 17, 2011 · In Sports

Eagles coach Stephen Keshi revealed his frustration with midfielder, John Obi Mikel who failed to play in the two friendly games against Botswana and Zambia.

The Chelsea player claimed to have an injury, which forced him out. But Keshi said he was just watching whether Mikel would play for the Blues this weekend before he passes judgment on his commitment to the national team.

“I will be disappointed if he plays for Chelsea this weekend. I will be very very disappointed,” Keshi said in Kaduna after the game against Zambia.

The former Eagles captain submitted that he was looking for committed players that will proudly wear the colours of the country and during his reign, there would be no sentiments in the selection of players.

“ For me, there is nothing like sentiment. Whoever will come to this national team will merit it. Nigeria is too big for this.

“Now we need to start looking forward. Let’s bring those that are available, capable, and in good shape come and play for us and fight to get a place in the national team.

“They will have to fight, because when I was playing I was fighting to be in the team.”

Keshi said that his focus would now be on the African Cup of Nations 2013 qualifiers against Rwanda next year.

Host community alleges marginalisation by DESOPADEC

On November 17, 2011 · In News

By Festus Ahon

Agbakoba calls for repeal of open skies agreement with US

On November 17, 2011 · In News

He called for the repeal of the open skies agreement between the United States and Nigeria, with a view to ensuring growth of the local aviation industry.

Let’s go back to the basics – Kanu

On November 17, 2011 · In Sports

Former Nigeria captain, Nwankwo Kanu has added his voice to the growing concern over the quality of personnel in the current national team.

Status quo of Ndigbo in Nigeria unacceptable – APGA

On November 17, 2011 · In News

He noted that the voice of Ndigbo needed to be heard at all levels of governance so that matters affecting them would be given a holistic approach.

He said: “The present status quo of Ndigbo is not acceptable. We think those people’s voices need to be heard.

“Their issues need to be put in public view and debated on their merit. I think that is why we

are in APGA. We have expressed this view point at certain quarters.

“APGA-U.S.A is interested in policy issues, its making and implementation. We are informed professionals who know what is happening in the country.”

From the Tribe: Achebe’s Rejection of National Honour

On November 17, 2011 · In The Arts

By Prisca Sam-Duru & Esther Faroye

Fusillade of reactions have continued to trail last week’s rejection of the Nation’s National Award by world renowned writer and famous mid-wife of African literature, Professor Chinua Achebe.

The United States of America based writer, who was among the 360 awardees selected for the award of different categories of the 2011 National Honours had also in 2004, rejected the honour from the leadership of President Olusegun Obsanjo in protest of the political situation in Nigeria ,and in particular, because of the political bickering and imbroglio in his home State of Anambra.

Achebe, whose craft and magnanimous imagination helped to shape and define the turf of Africa’s narrative landscape in his letter of rejection of the award of the Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, CFR from President Goodluck Jonathan reasoned that the reasons for which he rejected the honour in the past have not been addressed.

In a letter addressed to Vanguard’s Arts, Achebe through his medical doctor son, Chidi wrote that : “The reasons for rejecting the offer when it was first made have not been addressed let alone solved. It is inappropriate to offer it again to me. I must therefore regretfully decline the offer again.”

Reacting to this development, Achebe’s kinsmen in the writing profession have in different ways aired their feelings on the rejection. Here are some of the responses:

Prof Nwachukwu-Agbada, Dean School of Post Graduate Studies, Abia State University.

Achebe’s second rejection of the National Honour is an indication that he has observed no change since 2004 when he turned down the award for the first time. In the political, social and economic drives of the country, there’s neither movement nor motion. He continues to see lack of will, inefficiency in governmental exertions, insincerity, injustice in certain parts of the country, the total strangulation of the poor and the lopsidedness in the scheme of things.

It is not true as President Jonathan tries to convince us that Achebe’s grouses with Nigeria in his The Trouble with Nigeria no longer exists. Corruption flowers still, without any of the bodies set up to curb it addressing it.

Only small fishes are caught in the nets of EFCC and its sister organ, the ICPC. Our lawmakers have since gone ahead to award themselves fat salaries and allowances. While having reduced to a minimum the activities of the Niger Delta militants,

Boko Haram has taken a centre-stage in the centripetal forces trying fervently to pull down the country. Thus the nation is no longer at ease.

Dagga Tolar, Poet & Literary Activist.

Achebe needs to be commended for his consistence, this rejection again calls to all of us to educate us of the fact that to have anything to do with the ruling elite in Nigeria is to endorse their 51years failure at governance that is still on going. To collect the award adds nothing to Achebe and cannot cancel out the fact that their failure is why he cannot live in his own country.

Damian Apata, Prof of English & Literary Critic

From the look of things, Achebe rejecting a national award for the second time is another political protest which means that he is not happy with the way things are going in the country. One thing is that prof. Chinua Achebe is a very complex individual who cannot be dismissed in one sentence but I would like to say that between 2004 and 2011 which is a period of seven years, I believe that something has changed in the country.

So, even if it is to encourage the government in charge, he should have accepted the award. Also, for the interest of the nation, he should mellow down, rather than giving the international community the impression that things are too bad. I don’t see how rejection of the award can change Nigeria so, he should have accepted it as a way of encouraging the government of the day”

Prof Ezeigbo, Prof of English, Gender Scholar & Writer.

Achebe has the right to reject the National award for the second time and he has his reasons. His rejecting the award should act as a challenge to every Nigerian whether in Government or not. So, if he thinks that things have not changed since seven years ago then for him, things have not changed. I don’t want to blame anybody for anything but it is a challenge that we all should work towards change in Nigeria.

Why Achebe’s rejections matter

On November 17, 2011 · In People & Politics

By Ochereome Nnanna
PROFESSOR Chinua Achebe was not the first prominent Nigerian (nor the only one) to reject the now controversial National Honours.

He must, however, be among the very few who said no to it twice when the same category – Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR, the third highest of the lot – was offered by two different regimes. Incidentally, he cited the same problems as his reasons.

When he turned the offer down in 2004 under the President Olusegun Obasanjo regime, he justified it on the grounds that Obasanjo’s regime was sponsoring the destruction of his home state, Anambra, through the activities of roguish local agents.

Then he added in his rejection letter to Obasanjo: “Nigeria under your watch, however, is too dangerous for silence. I must register my disappointment and protest by declining to accept the high honour awarded me in the 2004 Honours list”.

This time in his response to President Goodluck Jonathan’s offer, he simply said: “The reasons for rejecting the offer of ‘national honour’ when it was first made have not been addressed let alone solved. It is inappropriate to offer it again to me. I must therefore regretfully decline the offer again”.

Obasanjo is a man who will not bypass an opportunity for a verbal exchange. He summoned an aide hired for his track record in the art, Femi Fani-Kayode. After a brief meeting, Kayode was mandated to fire back at Achebe.

He told the Things Fall Apart author that the rejection was not a slap on the face of Obasanjo or his government but the Nigerian people. According to him, it was a pity he would be yearning for the Nobel Prize in Literature (“quests for foreign and international awards in places like Sweden and elsewhere”) while rejecting an honour done him at home.

The statement went on: “No matter how brilliant and gifted an individual you are, if you feel that your country does not deserve to honour you, then we believe that you certainly do not deserve your country”.

Curiously, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan did not bother to do his homework before renewing offer on Achebe. A more careful person would want to know if Achebe is now more disposed to it rather than run the risk of another rejection with its attendant embarrassment for the regime.

The first instinct, when Achebe’s name was forwarded to the President, should be to put out feelers into the other man’s camp to find out how he would react. GEJ had to pay for his presumption that all is now rosy with him in the saddle. He reacted just like Obasanjo, sending his media assistant, Reuben Abati, to do to Achebe what Fani-Kayode was sent to do way back then.

Between the repartees authored by Fani-Kayode and Abati, I think Abati’s was more appropriately worded. Bearing in mind that both aides are merely the voices of their masters, it is safe to put it more appropriately thus: Jonathan’s response was more fitting than Obasanjo’s.

I don’t think it is proper to say the conditions which Achebe complained about in 2004 are still as they were. Obasanjo’s local agents have been uprooted by the Anambra electorate and his PDP thrown out of power. In fact, the Nigerian Judiciary put icing on the cake by flushing Andy Uba, whom Obasanjo imposed on the state from office 16 days after he was sworn-in in 2007.

An attempt by the PDP through the candidacy of former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Charles Soludo, was blocked in the February 6, 2010 governorship election, which was controversially won by the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate, Governor Peter Obi.

At the national level, all the “flaws” that the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, complained about notwithstanding, the general elections of April 2011 conceived and delivered by President Jonathan was generally accepted both by Nigerians and the international community. There is no ground for saying the political problems that Obasanjo and his do-or-die political machine foisted on this country with Anambra State being the prime target is still there under Jonathan.

That is not to say that Jonathan has made any useful dent on the rest of “The Trouble With Nigeria” as enumerated in Achebe’s tiny testament published in 1983. Nigeria’s condition is still “ too dangerous” under Jonathan, with the terror attacks in the North where innocent Nigerians are being killed and maimed.

The regime’s “transformational agenda”, which might unfold in its fullest spate come 2012, promises to start with tears, sorrow and blood if fuel subsidy is removed, Naira devalued, higher electricity rates approved and the toll plazas returned to our potholes-infested federal highways.

You must have been wondering why both regimes of Obasanjo and Jonathan went to the elaborate lengths they did in replying Achebe. After all, Achebe has the right to say no to a gift, especially if he thinks it is a Greek gift.

Funny. Gifts keep coming to those who reject them, while those hungry for them can’t find anyone to give them anything! Just a month ago, Curtis James Jackson III, also known as 50 Cent, offered to keep the title “Things Fall Apart” he gave to a film project of his when he learned Achebe’s world-famous novel already had a patent on that title. To do this, he offered one million US Dollars to Achebe, who promptly turned it down, thus forcing 50 Cent to change (or alter) the title.

The fact is that when Achebe (who is now rated as the most influential African celebrity after beating a 40-man field in a Forbes October 2011 survey) speaks, the world listens.

It is people like Achebe and Professor Wole Soyinka that help to shape perceptions in a world dominated by Western mindsets.

For Obasanjo to deploy Fani-Kayode to reply Achebe, you should know that Achebe’s censure through rejection of Obasanjo’s awards truly hurt. It was a slap on Obasanjo’s face, probably deliberately delivered in retaliation for what OBJ did to Anambra State.

I am not so sure if the rejection of Jonathan’s was meant as a slap. For me, it is just a reminder that GEJ still has a long way to go in tackling the “Trouble With Nigeria”. He should see it as a wake-up call. GEJ needs it.

On the legality of the post-UTME test

On November 17, 2011 · In Law & Human Rights

By Dr. Edoba Omoregie

A Few weeks ago, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, (representing Bayelsa West) tabled a motion before the Senate seeking to declare the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) test conducted by universities across the country illegal.

Senator Lokpobiri forcefully argued that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is the sole body charged with the responsibility of conducting matriculation examination for admission into tertiary institutions in the country and that the Post-UTME test is a gross violation of the JAMB Act.

Some senators who supported his argument cited other reasons for their opposition including the allegation that candidates were being made to pay prohibitive cost to sit for the test. A number of other senators expressed strong support for the test citing the need to maintain standards in admission into tertiary institutions in the country.

As reported by the media, the Senate finally mandated its Committee on Education to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the activities of universities involved in the test.

In this contribution, I shall restrict myself to the debate on the legality of the Post-UTME test since in truth that remains the only real substance of Senator Lokpobiri’s motion.

Unsustainable arguments

In my view, all other arguments against the conduct of the test are rather unsustainable as they amount to an effete but rather tendentious attempt by the senators to micro-manage the affairs of the universities even in the face of extant statutes which have conferred autonomy on universities, especially in academic matters, including most notably the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, passed by the fifth National Assembly and assented to by President Olusegun Obasanjo on 10th July 2003. Before proceeding to extrapolate our position, it is necessary to provide a brief insight into what informed the institution of the Post-UTME test.

Within a period of less than two decades from 1978 when the centralized tertiary matriculation examination conducted by the JAMB was introduced by the then military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo, it became embarrassingly clear that candidates with fantastic scores in the examination could no longer justify their scores in the course of their studentship.

In fact, a disturbingly high number of them were being withdrawn even during the first year of their course of study. Many of them were also found to form the bulk of cultists in their various institutions. On the contrary, it was found that a good number of candidates with modest scores constitute the rank of excellent students and those who graduate without being involved in cultism, examination malpractices or other forms of nefarious activities in their institutions. These findings were the result of empirical studies carried out and published by scholars in the country over the years.

Convinced that the findings were alarming enough to deserve a fresh policy approach with a view to redressing them, all stakeholders in the sector, including officers of the Federal and State Ministries of Education, JAMB, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVNU) resolved that tertiary institutions be permitted to conduct a form of quality assurance test on candidates that have scored at least 200 and above (or as the case may be, 180 and above) in the UTME. As we shall now illustrate below, the stakeholders were able to find sufficient legal bases for this initiative, hence there was no need to approach the National Assembly for a special legislation to give effect to their decision.

To understand the legal justification for the test, the following pieces of legislation are relevant, namely: Joint Admissions and Matriculation Examination Board Act, (as amended), Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act and the statutes establishing universities in Nigeria; for instance, the University of Benin (Transitional Provisions) Act, an Act which is almost entirely similar to other statutes establishing universities in the country.

It is conceded that Senator Lokpobiri was partly correct when he argued that the JAMB (hereafter, “the Board”) is the sole body charged with the power to conduct matriculation examination for undergraduate admissions into tertiary institutions in the country. This is by virtue of the clear provisions of section 5 (1) (a) and (2) of the JAMB Act.

Nevertheless, in placing or admitting suitably qualified candidates into these institutions, the Board is required by section 5(1)(c) of the JAMB Act to act in collaboration with the tertiary institutions after taking into account (i) the vacancies available in each tertiary institution; (ii) the guidelines approved for each tertiary institution by its proprietor or other competent authority; (iii) the preferences expressed or otherwise indicated by candidates for certain tertiary institutions and courses; and (iv) such other matters as the Board may be directed by the Minister to consider or the Board itself may consider appropriate in the circumstances.

It is immediately obvious from the foregoing that after the matriculation examination which is virtually the sole responsibility of the Board to administer, the JAMB Act requires the Board to collaborate with tertiary institutions for the purpose of placing qualified candidates into such institutions regard being had to some parameters set out in section 5(1)(c)(i)-(iv) thereof.

Of particular relevance to our discourse is the mandatory requirement placed upon the Board to take account of “the guidelines approved for each institution by its proprietor or other competent authority” (section 5(1)(c)(ii)) and “such other matters as the Board may be directed by the Minister to consider….” (section 5(1)(c)(iv)).

Indeed, the power of the Minister in this regard is further strengthened by section 6 of the JAMB Act which provides that “subject to the provisions of this Act, the Minister may give the Board directives of a general character or relating generally to particular matters with regard to the exercise by the Board of its functions (set out in section 5) under this Act and it shall be the duty of the Board to comply with such directives”.

It is therefore submitted that even within the framework of the JAMB Act alone, the Post-UTME test is quite legal indeed as the input of tertiary institutions and that of the Minister (responsible for education) are mandatorily required to conclude the admission process. As already hinted above, it is within this legal context that Mrs Chinwe Obaji, the then Minister of Education instituted the Post-UTME test in 2005.

Position of tertiary institutions

It is also within this legal context that the position of tertiary institutions in the country and their heads as represented especially by the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVNU) supporting the continuance of the test remain unassailable. Indeed, the position of the AVNU in particular can be further fortified by reference to the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment Act) 2003 and the various statutes establishing universities across the country which guarantee autonomy to university senate in academic matters, including admission of students.

For the avoidance of doubt, section 7A(2)(b) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment Act) provides that “the senate (of each university) shall have powers in all academic matters including the organization and control of …. Admissions of students”; while section 10(2)(e) of the university of benin (transitional provisions) act (which is impari materia with those of other universities in nigeria) provides that “ it shall in particular be the function of the Senate to make provision for …. the selection of persons for admission as students of the University”.

Boko Haram: IG posts new AIGs to 6 zones

On November 17, 2011 · In News

Boko Haram: IG posts new AIGs to 6 zones

On November 17, 2011 · In News

On the legality of the post-UTME test

On November 17, 2011 · In Law & Human Rights

By Dr. Edoba Omoregie

As reported by the media, the Senate finally mandated its Committee on Education to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the activities of universities involved in the test.

In this contribution, I shall restrict myself to the debate on the legality of the Post-UTME test since in truth that remains the only real substance of Senator Lokpobiri’s motion.

Unsustainable arguments

Position of tertiary institutions

Standardising the National Awards

On November 17, 2011 · In Editorial

ON Monday, November 14, 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan formally decorated the 354 members of the Nigerian elite, who won this year’s National Honours amidst pomp, pageantry and tight security in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

A major attraction of this year’s event was the bestowal, for the first time in the history of the annual ritual, the second highest award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) to foremost industrialist and business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. President Jonathan justified the award on the ground that Dangote’s companies have employed over 12,000 Nigerians.

Another important side attraction of this year’s awards was the rejection, for the second time since 2004, by foremost novelist, recently rated by Forbes as the most popular African celebrity, Professor Chinua Achebe.

Achebe had distanced himself from the 2004 awards bestowed on him by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the ground that that regime condoned the destruction of his native Anambra State by political up starts seen to be acting out the former president’s scripts or at least doing so without his making any effort to stop them.

Achebe also pointed to the many problems with the nation which he lamented in his 1983 mini-novel: The Trouble With Nigeria, which he said, still existed. His rejection of this year’s award was also justified on the continued existence of these problems. This once again occasioned an open rejoinder by the Presidency expressing regrets that Achebe failed to note the improvements in our electoral system put in place by President Jonathan for the 2011 general elections.

Just like its predecessors, this year’s awards prominently featured some nominees whom members of the public wondered what contributions they made to nation-building. Some of these people bagged very highly coveted categories, while many others who had distinguished themselves in the service of the country, especially in the academia, tended to receive less fancied categories.

For instance, a particular individual from the Southern part of the country was awarded the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) simply because he helped fund and organise elections for his state governor, who promptly decided to reward him by forwarding his name to the committee in charge of processing the nominations for the president’s approval.

The question marks that continue to trail the criteria used in giving these awards have made it imperative for the entire exercise to be reviewed. For a very long time, the National Honours have been made to look like the president’s awards, with many friends of the ruling head of state being favoured while those who are contributing, even though from opposition or apolitical camps, are routinely ignored.

Many people have continued to question the rationale behind the large number of people given these awards every year. For instance, this year featured 354 awardees. At a point, the medals and insignias of recognition were exhausted and many had to make do without until further notice.

There was once a case where former President Obasanjo nominated former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, for the highest award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) only for Buhari to decline on the grounds that he had already been awarded the same honour during the days of the military!

One is left to wonder if there are no records to show those who have already been given in order to avoid repeating their nominations? Exactly what are the criteria for selecting individuals for the respective categories? And why is the number of awardees growing every year, while the evidence of state failure continues to manifest in the annual rating of Nigeria among the countries of the world with regard to basic living indices, such as corruption, doing business, standard of living, attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) others by world bodies? We now have well over 10,000 awardees and yet almost every sector bespeaks of poor governance. With civil servants and political office holders occupying the more prestigious echelons of the awards in a nation that has obviously been misgoverned since independence, it is time to rethink the design and concept of the National Honours.

The way we are going, the idea is fast losing its relevance and prestige, especially in the face of the fact that many of the awardees have fallen prey to the tepid effort at arresting the endemic corruption plaguing the system. We join those who call for the drastic cut-down of the number of awardees, to, maybe twenty or thirty per annum.

They do not have to be serving office holders. And these awards do not have to wait until it becomes a subject of plush extravaganza before they are handed over to the winners.

The National Honours scheme is increasingly getting bastardised. It is time to halt the anomaly.

Security: PAC to liaise with SSS

On November 17, 2011 · In News

THE Police Assistance Committee, PAC, is restrategising on how its members nation-wide could liaise with the State Security Service, SSS, and Police for information gathering and dissemination to prevent and combat crime in the country.

At a national workshop in Lagos conducted for its national executive members, comprising Chairmen, Secretaries and Public Relations Officers of Association of Tradesmen and Artisans, the Director-General of PAC, Dr. Martins Oni, enjoined members to see the present security situation in the country as a great challenge.

Shell completes sale of two Nigerian oil blocks – NNPC

On November 16, 2011 · In Energy

NNPC has said that two local firms had completed the purchase of 45 per cent stakes in two onshore oil blocks, previously owned by Shell, Total and Eni .

First Hydrocarbon Nigeria (FHN), owned by Afren, bought a 45 pct stake in OML 26 owned jointly by Shell, Total and Eni, NNPC said. The block has target production of 50,000 barrels of oil per day by 2015. No details on the purchase value of the oil block were provided in the statement by NNPC.

NNPC said the foreign oil majors sold 45 per cent of OML 42 to Neconde Energy. Neconde at the bidding stages was a consortium including Nigerian firms Nestoil, Aries and VP Global and Poland’s Kulczk Oil Ventures.

These blocks are among several put up for sale this year by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), a joint venture between Shell (30 percent), Total (10 percent), Eni (5 percent) and NNPC (55 percent).

NNPC is transferring its stake in the former SPDC blocks to Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the exploration and production arm. NPDC and FHN will jointly operate production from OML 26.

“NPDC has the necessary resources (capital and human) and working closely with FHN is poised to give quality services to the venture in the interest of both partners,” Austen Oniwon, NNPC managing director, said at a signing ceremony attended by Shell, NPDC and FHN officials, the statement said.

“With the assignment of NNPC’s 55 per cent interest in the block to NPDC, the company is on track to achieve its target of production of 250,000 barrels per day by 2015.” Deals for three other SPDC owned blocks, OML 30, 34 and 40 are still unresolved.

Some buyers have expressed doubts about NPDC’s capability to operate production and this has held up agreements.

Sharing operator rights between NPDC and the buyers could be an acceptable compromise. Shell has said that despite these sales it views Nigeria as a key part of its business and this is not the beginning of a wider departure from Africa’s most populous nation.

Court restrains bridge banks from mgt of nationalised banks’ assets

On November 16, 2011 · In Business

By Innocent Anaba
LAGOS — A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, restrained Mainstreet, Keystone and Enterprise Banks, which inherited the assets of the three nationalized banks from further dealing in the assets, businesses and operations of the defunct banks pending the determination of the suit filed by some aggrieved shareholders of the banks. The three nationalised banks are Afribank Plc, Bank PHB Plc and Spring Bank Plc.

Trial judge, Justice Charles Archibong, granted the order, following an ex-parte application, by some shareholders of the banks, who are challenging the revocation of their banks operational licence by Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and take over of their banks by Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, and the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON.

The plaintiffs, amongst them, Boniface Okezie, Adeyemi Kehinde, Adebowale Bolanle and Cole Alexander are in court, challenging the nationalisation of Afribank Plc, Bank PHB Plc and Spring Bank Plc on the ground that the action violates their rights to freedom from compulsory acquisition of property guaranteed under the constitution and the prohibition of nationalization of enterprises contained in Section 25 of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission Act.

Meanwhile, further hearing in the matter, has been adjourned till November 28.

ACM Gold to invest in Nigeria’s forex market

On November 16, 2011 · In Business

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

South Africa-based ACM Gold, a forex and commodity trading business, is to invest in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market with a promise to make it more appealing to interested Nigerians.

With the official launch slated for today in Lagos, ACM Gold Nigeria is an exclusive and certified partner of ACM Gold, which is regulated and authorised, alongside memberships with the Financial Services Commission, Financial Services Board and Global Board of Trade.

According to Mr. Rashad Hussain, a director of the company, ACM Gold is a world leader in online forex and commodity trading, offering a wide array of products and instruments to trade.

“I am happy to be here and proud that in a short space of time we have not only opened our training floor in Ikeja, but our offices in Ikoyi and currently in negotiations with other offices in Abuja, Port Harcourt amongst a few.

“Our commitment to the Nigerian market has made us invest heavily in educational programs, eliminating the price tag that often others charge to be able to learn that there is an alternative investment market out there, which happens to be worth $4 trillion (N620trn) a day, and can be accessed from minimal amounts.”

Commenting on its growth plans, the Group Head, Client Services and Partnerships, Mr. Sidney James, noted that it would implement the 24-hour support desk and grow network to attend to enquiries from all over the country

“We will equally ensure that we forge the right partnerships which will benefit everyone from trader to partner.”

Established in 2007 and regulated in Mauritius, ACM Gold has grown throughout Africa and the world with offices and partner offices ranging from west to east, with its commercial hub in Johannesburg, South Africa.

2 comments:

Unknown18 June 2017 at 13:53
Be careful here. Nobody can help you here or even suggest how you will upgrade your JAMB score's. Any answer from Dr John or others you MUST ignore, because they are SCAMS…real SCAMS…i was a victim of which i was ripped thousands of naira while trying to upgrade my JAMB score…well thank God for a Christian sister who referred me to Mr ALLI ISAAC who also helped her to upgrade her JAMB score from 160 to 220, I can assure you with my life this is for real i have been through a lot as an orphan i struggle hard so i will become useful in feature but things have really be hard for me, This is my third time sitting for Jamb, my score was really bad i was very scared to seek solution because i have gone through a lot from the hand of Mike and other online Scam whom claimed they could help me upgrade my score above 240, I met this wonderful sister in the saloon where i normally make my hair she was discussing with her friend about Mr.ALLI ISAAC whom she referred to a brother and who also helped her last year to upgrade her score to 220, she said so much about this man i was like hmmm is this for real? i talk with the sister she gave me her word and also gave me number to call Mr.ALLI ISAAC, when i contacted this man i explained everything to him he ask me to come to his office at 12:00 PM the next day, when i got there i gave him all my credential he assure me to check within 28 hours my score will be upgraded i left surprisingly when i checked my score was upgraded above 210, i want everyone reading this wonderful testimony to pray for this wonderful and kind heated man. i can only disclose His PHONE NUMBER and his WHATSAPP NUMBER so people who might be going through JAMB issue WAEC NECO AND UME should contact this God sent man...

NAME:Mr.ALLI ISAAC

TELEPHONE NUMBER:09064848708 or 08070574555
WHATSAPP NUMBER: 08062594081

Wish you all be best..,
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Friday, 18 November 2011

Breaking news for 17.11.2011

Subsidy: Senators, Reps reject Jonathan’s stand

New banks remain in business, says CBN

Tears as family bids slain banker Titilayo goodbye

Court stops Bayelsa PDP primary

PDP insists on Bayelsa primary

Fuel tanker explosion triggers panic in Abuja

How to curtail sect’s activities, by security experts

Conflicting election petition decisions worries Osinbajo

UBEC N787 million contract not advertised, says witness

Ex-lawmaker, eight others arrested over alleged fraud

Trauma centre for Benue

Alleged N108m fraud: ICPC grills ex-Governor Shinkafi

Afribank ex-MD Adigwe, others urge court to dismiss N87b theft charge

Lagos flags off issuance

Kogi PDP: Court to hear suit Nov 24

Appeal Court orders retrial of Ngige’s, Akunyili’s case

Delta awards road contract to Setraco

FUPRE ASUU leaders go underground

Forget subsidy, face Boko Haram •NASS tells Jonathan •Denies no confidence vote plot •To meet again today

NUEE threatens to shut down power supply

Akunyili vs Ngige: Appeal Court orders retrial

Schools shut down in Osun over hijab

UI honours Yar’Adua, Gambari, Adeboye today

Tribune has no political affiliation -Adesua

Kogi gov election: Idris wants Audu to step down •Court fixes Nov 24 for suit on PDP candidate

Tax bill divides Reps

Tax bill divides Reps

Nigeria among world’s largest producers of sorghum -Minister

Ondo to establish sugarcane plantations

Uniben graduates 62 first class, 8,722 others

Multimillion naira pension fraud uncovered in Jigawa

Oshiomhole debunks teachers’ sack rumour

Fashola urges FG to implement FoI Act

Senate Leader extols late broadcast icon, Ndaguba

2,500 members from Oyo ACN return to PDP

Alleged fraud: Court orders police to produce suspected bank managers

Reps urge FG to renovate Murtala Mohammed Airport Road

I have so much to do -keshi

I am back for good -Etuhu

Rivers community bemoans deplorable state of roads

I thought our leader was a contractor - Says member of car-snatching syndicate

Ondo 2013: ACN and its many aspirants

...As Nigeria honours Tambuwal, Ihedioha, Lawan

NDDC failed, says Mark

Boko Haram: IG posts new AIGs to 6 zones

CBN, NDIC, nationalised banks dismiss court order

Host community alleges marginalisation by DESOPADEC

Agbakoba calls for repeal of open skies agreement with US

Status quo of Ndigbo in Nigeria unacceptable – APGA

Okonjo-Iweala decries high youth unemployment in S-East

Let’s go back to the basics – Kanu

Mikel plays into Keshi’s bad books

Host community alleges marginalisation by DESOPADEC

Agbakoba calls for repeal of open skies agreement with US

Let’s go back to the basics – Kanu

Status quo of Ndigbo in Nigeria unacceptable – APGA

From the Tribe: Achebe’s Rejection of National Honour

Why Achebe’s rejections matter

On the legality of the post-UTME test

Boko Haram: IG posts new AIGs to 6 zones

Boko Haram: IG posts new AIGs to 6 zones

On the legality of the post-UTME test

Standardising the National Awards

Security: PAC to liaise with SSS

Shell completes sale of two Nigerian oil blocks – NNPC

Court restrains bridge banks from mgt of nationalised banks’ assets

ACM Gold to invest in Nigeria’s forex market

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