TheGuardianwww.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by TruthWednesday, May 8, 2013 N150Vol. 29, No. 12,550

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Reps want probe of Kuku, Asari-Dokubo From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh,Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Terhemba Daka, Adamu Abuh(Abuja), Lawrence Njoku(Enugu) and John Ogiji (Minna)

FRESH outrage yesterdaytrailed alleged inflammato-

ry statements by PresidentialAdviser on Niger DeltaAmnesty Programme, Kings-

ley Kuku, and former militantleader, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo.Kuku and Asari-Dokubo al-

legedly said that there wouldbe a crisis in the country ifPresident Goodluck Jonathan

is denied re-election in 2015.Condemning the stand of theduo yesterday, the House of

Representatives urged the In-spector-General of Police (IGP),Mohammed Abubakar, to in-vestigate them. The parliament’s resolution

came following the adoptionof a motion introduced by amember, Ali Sani Madaki (PDP,

Kano), on the urgent need tocheck the utterances of someNigerians capable of causingdisaffection among people inthe country.Specifically, the statements

were in connection with the2015 presidential elections.While in the United States(U.S.), Kuku reportedly de-

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• Aliyu seeks arrest, CNPP, Tofa condemn ex-militant • Senate to annul Abacha’s law

Nigeria hits all-time high 1.5b cubic feet gas production –Page 4

2 NEWS THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Gunmen kill two relatives of Dickson’s aide From Willie Etim, Yenagoa

IN a wave of renewed vio-lence, gunmen in the

coastal community of Kuroa-magbene in the SouthernIjaw Local Council of BayelsaState yesterday killed twopersons identified as rela-tives of the Special Adviser tothe Governor on Higher Edu-cation, Dr. Godswill Ziriki.

The latest killing is comingthree days after the killing ofeight persons at Lorbia com-munity in the same South-ern Ijaw area of the state.

The incident happened inthe early hours of yesterday.Sources confirmed to TheGuardian that the victimsmet their untimely deathwhen alongside otheryouths in the community

they tried to scare away someintruders suspected to be pi-rates from stealing a speed-boat at the communitywaterfront.It was learnt that the victims

and other communityyouths were at a wake somedistance away from the wa-terfront when they noticedan unusual movementaround the speed-boat.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Aliyu seeks arrest, CNPP, Tofa condemn ex-militant clared that there would bechaos in the country if Presi-dent Jonathan is not re-elect-ed in 2015.

Asari-Dokubo on his ownpart said at the weekend thatNigeria should get ready forwar if Jonathan is not re-elected for a second term.

While condemning thestatements, the chambermandated its Committee onPublic Safety and NationalSecurity to liaise with the IGPand report back to it any de-velopment on the issue.

Madaki had, while present-ing the motion, expressedregret that “while Nigeriansare fervently praying forpeace in Nigeria, some Nige-rians are already out sowinga seed of discord among peo-ple.”

The lawmaker warned thatif such inflammatory state-ments as the ones creditedto Kuku and Asari-Dokubowere not checked, they were“capable of creating disunityand disaffection among thegood people of Nigeria.”

Reacting to the matter,Niger State Governor MuazuBabangida Aliyu called onthe security agencies in thecountry to arrest Asari-Dokubo without delay.While receiving members of

the House of Representa-tives Committee on Educa-tion led by Aminu Sule whopaid him a courtesy call at

the Government House, Min-na yesterday, Aliyu describedthe statement credited toAsari-Dokubo as “unfortu-nate and inciting”, saying “bynow, the security agenciesshould have arrested him fortreason.”

While urging politicians inthe country to advise theirsupporters to mind their ut-terances, Aliyu said therewere some statements thatwere capable of fanning em-bers of disunity in the coun-try.

“You don’t win election byfrightening people and evenif you win, the victory will bepyrrhic. We should bring dis-cipline to our politics, weshould be a nation of rules,”he said.

He also urged the NationalAssembly to check the ex-cesses of some individualswho might cause disaffec-tion in the polity throughtheir utterances.

“I have never seen in anycountry where somebodywill stand up to say that if youdon’t elect that person therewill be war. I have neverheard that, the security agen-cies should have arrestedthat man because that iswhat we call treason in reali-ty,” he said.

According to him, the Na-tional Assembly has the rightto invite anybody to comeand explain what he has saidon a particular matter andthat is the only way disci-

pline can be brought intothe country.

Also, the Conference ofNigerian Political Parties(CNPP) yesterday describedas “dangerous to democra-cy” the statement credited toAsari-Dokubo.

Urging the President to callAsari-Dokubo to order as amatter of urgent national in-terest, the CNPP said thestatement could endangerthe national security, sub-vert and endanger democra-cy.

The statement signed byCNPP’s National PublicitySecretary, Osita Okechukwu,said: “ We are making thiscall in the interest of our dearcountry, our fledglingdemocracy and PresidentJonathan himself.“For we are yet to locate how

President Jonathan can se-cure the kind of votes he se-cured in 2011 elections; ifpeople like Alhaji Asari-Dokubo are allowed to stri-dently hit the dangerousethnic drum of war? “It continued: “Is Alhaji Asari-

Dokubo aware that there areIgbo, Hausa, Yoruba and oth-er ethnic nationalities whoroot for his brother? Or howcan the votes of only Ijaw eth-nic nationality in a multi-ethnic nationality of oursmake anybody a president?”

CNPP said that Asari-Dokubo and his “ethnic jin-goist cohorts” must bereminded that in all liberaldemocracies, the core ingre-dient of election is referen-dum on the candidates,adding that 2015 presiden-tial shall be a referendum onPresident Jonathan’s per-formance.

Erstwhile presidential can-didate of the defunct Nation-

al Republican Party (NRC), Al-haji Bashir Tofa, also con-demned Asari-Dokubo’sposition.Meanwhile, an Executive bill

seeking to annul the act es-tablishing the National Eco-nomic IntelligenceCommittee, which was enact-ed during the late Gen. SaniAbacha’s regime, yesterdayscaled second reading.

The decision to repeal theAct, lawmakers stated, was aright step in the right direc-tion towards the rationalisa-tion policy of the existingadministration.The bill, which was first read

in September 2012, was spon-sored by the Senate Leader,Victor Ndoma-Egba. In thelead debate, the lawmakermaintained that the Act hadoutlived its usefulness andsuch, should be expungedfrom the status book.

The committee was estab-lished by the late Abacha toanalyse yearly budgets andextract all economic meas-ures requiring enforcement.It was aimed at working outdetails on the method of im-plementing yearly budgets.

Other functions of the Actthen included the analysis ofmonetary guidelines issuedby the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and monitoring of im-plementation of all measuresenumerated therein, moni-toring and identifying factorsinhibiting the realisation ofset revenue targets such as taxevasion as well as enforcingthe implementation of exist-ing tax legislations.

It also functioned to recom-mend increase or decrease inprice of manufactured goodsas well as monitor the supplyand demand of foreign ex-change.

Govt arraigns four over bombing of Abuja UN officeFrom Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja

ABOUT two years after thesuicide bombing attack on

the Headquarters of the Unit-ed Nations (UN) in Abuja, theFederal Government yesterdayarraigned before the FederalHigh Court, Abuja Division,four persons for alleged com-plicity in the bombings.

The suspects – Mr. Salisu Mo-hammed, Inusa Mukailu,Danzumi Haruna and Abdul-salami Adamu – were slammedwith four count-charge,wherein they allegedly agreedamongs themselves and withothers still at large, on or aboutAugust 20, 2011, to do an illegalact which resulted in the deathof 23 persons, thereby commit-ted an offence contrary to Sec-tion 96 (a) of the Penal CodeLaw.They were also alleged to have

knowingly assisted and facili-tated the activities of persons

engaged in an act of terrorismand thereby committed apunishable offence.

At the trial, the prosecutor,Mrs. I. Ideva, a Chief StateCounsel, applied that thecharges be read to the sus-pected terrorists but the sus-pects claimed that they do notunderstand English Lan-guage.

One of the court’s inter-preters had to be invited to in-terpret proceedings to the

suspects in Hausa languagebefore their pleas were taken.All the accused persons plead-ed not guilty to the entirecounts of the charge.

The bomb explosion, whichcaused massive devastationto the building’s lower floors,also destroyed offices of 26 hu-manitarian and developmentagencies of the UN, which arehoused there.

More than 73 persons, in-cluding members of staff of

the UN, visitors and membersof staff of private businesses op-erating from the building re-ceived serious injuries whilescores of others lost their lives.

In September 2011, Nigeria’sState Security Service (SSS)pointed accusing fingers toone Mr. Astrid Mantuk as themastermind of the attack andoffered a huge sum of money asreward to anyone with usefulinformation that will lead tohis arrest.

By Odita Sunday

TWO persons were feareddead yesterday in Lagos

when a three-storey buildingat 24, Kabiru Street, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos, said to be underconstruction, collapsed.One body had been recovered

at press time while five personswere said to be still trapped inthe rubbles.The Guardiangathered that the

trapped victims are construc-tion workers at the buildingowned by a church.The Public Relations Officer of

the National Emergency Man-

agement Agency (NEMA),South-West Zone, Mr. IbrahimFarinloye, said one body wasrecovered.

He added: “The emergencyteam moved in immediatelywhen information filtered inabout the collapsed building.We gathered that five personswere trapped in the buildingand already our search tap lo-cated one body, which we haverecovered.“The search tap also located

three other persons at a differ-ent location and we are work-ing assiduously to rescuethem; so we are going to workovernight.“We just got a voice under the

rubbles and rescue operationis ongoing to get him out with-out jeopardising others whoare also buried undergroundwith him. He confirmed thatfive of them were trapped to-gether.”

Our error

IN our Supplement on Page 65 of Monday, May 6, 2013 edi-tion titled, “Special Focus on Manufacturers of Quality Cable

and Wire in Nigeria”, we wrongly referred to Mr. IfeanyiUzodike, President, Cable Manufacturers Association of Nige-ria (CAMAN) as Dr. (Engr.) Ifeanyi Uzodike.The error is regretted

Two feared dead in collapsed building

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 NEWS | 3

NewsGovt may introduce charges on new roadsTO recoup its ‘invest-

ments’ in the road sec-tor, the FederalGovernment may intro-duce user related chargesparticularly for new high-ways being constructed indifferent parts of the coun-try, Minister of Works, MikeOnolememen has said.He added that paucity of

funds pushed governmentto explore the new option.And faced with the huge

incidences of road trafficfatalities, government offi-cials are putting togetheran effective framework foraddressing road failurephenomenon in Nigeria.

Onolememen disclosedthis at a national confer-ence on road pavement fail-ure in Nigeria, organised bythe Nigerian Building andRoad Research Institute(NBRRI) and held in Abuja

yesterday.He stressed that for

Nigeria to be among the top20 economies of the worldin terms of developmentand growth by the year2020, critical road infra-structures were essential. “Our road infrastructure

needs to grow from 200,000 kilometres to about300, 000 kilometres in thenext five years. Most of thenew alignments will serveas feeder roads to mine

fields, agricultural centresindustries, and other majortheatres of economic activi-ties around the country.The provision of theseroads will no doubt be capi-tal intensive. But due to thedearth of funds, govern-ment is considering inten-sifying its policy on public-private sector partnership(PPP) options in the con-struction of these roads.“In addition, my ministry

is seriously considering

evolving effective and sus-tainable strategies forrecouping any investmentin the road sector throughuser related charges.”Also speaking at the con-

ference, the Minister ofScience and Technology,Prof. Ita Bassey Ewa,stressed that Nigerianroads were overstretchedin relation to its designedcapacity. Noting that many roads

undergo failures, hestressed how the situationis compounded when

roads are not maintainedor suffer delayed mainte-nance due to paucity offunds.

He added: “Incidentally,there are other relatedissues which include thenature of the soil and ter-rain on which the road isfounded; the challenge ofensuring quality control inthe maintenance of roadswhich has linked to thedesign and construction ofroads, among others. Thenet effects of these are man-ifold.”

Northern group laudsCAN over justice

AGROUP, Christian Eldersof Northern States

(NORCEF) yesterdayexpressed its support andloyalty to the leadership ofthe Christian Association ofNigeria (CAN) for fightinginjustices and oppression inthe region.Besides, the body said it

would honour the CAN’sPresident, Pastor AyoOritsejiafor for continuallyidentifying with the Churchin the North.

The Chairman of theForum, Matthew Owojiayesaid at a press conference inKaduna, that the Christianelders in the North havedecided to confer on theCAN president the award of“True Servant of God” for hiscourage and steadfastness.Owojiaye pointed out that

despite intimidation fromall corners, the CAN presi-dent had continued to iden-tify with the Church and theNorth through his relent-less war against injusticeand oppression.

APC governors urgesupport for party

SEVEN governors underthe budding AllProgressives Congress (APC)were yesterday in Owerri,Imo State for a rally, sayingthat the newly formed polit-ical party is aimed atenhancing unity in thecountry. The governors included,

Babatunde Fashola (Lagos),Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun),Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), RafiuAregbesola (Osun), TankoAlimatura (Nasarawa),Adams Oshiomhole (Edo),Shettima Ibrahim (Borno)and Rochas Okorocha (Imo).

Speaking in the rally,Okorocha said the countrywas suffering from insecuri-ty and other problemsunder the leadership of theruling People’s DemocraticParty (PDP), advising thatNigerians should worktowards enthroning the APCled- government.

Imo workers beginstrike over pay, others

IMO State workers yester-day began an indefinitestrike to press home theirdemands for regularsalaries and improved work-ing conditions.

Chairman of the PublicService Joint NegotiatingCouncil, Colman Okwaraand Secretary, RolandAdebayo, had on Mondayissued a statement directingworkers in the state to com-mence indefinite strikeuntil directed otherwise.When The Guardian visited

some offices, including theState Secretariat along PortHarcourt Road, Owerri, thegates were under lock andkey and no worker was seenaround.

PRESIDENT GoodluckJonathan yesterday

charged African leaders tobrace up to tackling econom-ic development of the conti-nent by making it their prior-ity.

He believed that Africansafter successfully fighting forthe political independence ofthe continent, their next pri-ority was how to consolidatethe independence by ensur-ing that the continentremained self-reliant.

Meanwhile, PresidentJonathan has said that effec-tive deployment of surveyingand mapping as well as effi-cient acquisition and man-agement of geo-spatial datawould help address insecuri-ty, flooding and contempo-rary challenges presently fac-ing the country.The President, who made thecall while addressing theSouth African parliament aspart of the activities markinghis state visit to the country,

noted in Cape Town that hav-ing successfully liberated thecontinent from colonialism,racism and apartheid, Africanleaders must now give thefullest possible attention tothe economic emancipationof their countries. He called on his colleagues

across the continent to makebuilding strong economies

and strengthening democrat-ic governance their topmostpriority. His visit also coin-cides with the opening of theWorld Economic Forum(WEF), today in Johannesburgwhere the President is alsoexpected to address theForum. He is expected to fol-low it up with a visit toNamibia, on Thursday.His words: “On the 25th of

this month, Africa will be cele-

brating the golden jubilee ofthe Organisation of AfricanUnity, (OAU) now the AfricanUnion. As we take stock of theachievements of our conti-nental organisation, it is alsoappropriate that we reflectand decide where our conti-nent should be in the next 50years.“That destination has to be ademocratic and united Africathat is at peace with itself and

can compete with the rest ofthe world”, the Presidentdeclared.

Noting that Africa hasemerged as the new frontierfor trade and investment inthe world, Jonathan said thatAfrican leaders must rise tothe challenge of managingthe new opportunities pre-sented by this situation forthe benefit of their peoplesand countries.

Court orders police to pay Ugolor N5m over Oyerinde

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu (middle) declaring open the Nigerian Pavillion at the ongoingOffshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, USA … yesterday.

Jonathan charges African leaders on development

UPHOLDING an earlier ver-dict, the Court of Appeal

in Benin City has given a 60-day ultimatum for the Policeto pay the N5 million dam-ages awarded against it by aBenin High Court over thedetention of ExecutiveDirector, African Network forEnvironment and EconomicJustice (ANEEJ) Rev DavidUgolor.

Meanwhile, GovernorAdams Oshiomhole on

Monday said he broughtOyerinde who hailed fromOsun State along with him toEdo State because, aside thelate aide’s brilliance and self-lessness; he wanted some-body to constantly remindhim of the ideas that pro-pelled him into pro-peoplestruggle.Ugolor was accused of com-

plicity in the murder ofPrincipal Private Secretary toGovernor Adams Oshiomholeof Edo State, Olatain OyerindeMay 4 last year.

He was in prison custody for41 days before he was grantedbail and later discharged andacquitted.A Benin High Court awardedthe N5 million as compensa-tion but it was appealed bythe police.The three-man panel of jus-

tices headed by Justice HelenOlagumwumiju also yester-day struck out the stay of exe-cution filed by counsel to theInspector-General of Police(lGP) and Attorney General ofFederation (AGF), MichaelEhunde.She held that the judgment

sum of the lower court shouldbe paid into an interest yield-ing account pending thedetermination of the substan-tive appeal filed by the police.Counsel to the respondent

(Ugolor), Olayinwola Afolabihad argued that the motionof appeal was incompetent,legally virus and urged that itshould be struck out accord-ingly.The Appeal court ruling is

coming eight months afterJustice E.A Edigin of a BeninHigh Court ordered the policeto pay the activist the money.

• To tackle highways failureFrom Emeka Anuforo, Abuja

From Saxone Akhaine,Northern Bureau Chief

Kwara gets new police chief

TWO months after the mur-der of Kwara State Police

Commissioner, ChinwezuAsadu, the Police authoritiesyesterday announcedAgboola Oshodi Glover as hissuccessor.According to the Kwara

Command spokesman,Olufemi Fabode yesterday inIlorin, Oshodi’s assumptionof office is “ with immediateeffect.”Until his recent posting, thenew Police boss was theCommissioner of Police,Cooperative, Abuja.

From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin

• Tasks surveyors on insecurity, flooding From Mohammed Abubakar,Windhoek (Namibia) and NkechiOnyedika, Abuja

• Oshiomhole extols ex-aide’s virtuesFrom Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri

From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri

4 NEWS THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Nigeria hits all-time high 1.5b cubic feet gas productionFrom Collins Olayinka and Rose-line Okere, Houston, Texas

WITH 1.5 billion cubic feet perday and another 300 mil-

lion that is unutilised in theEast, the country has hit an all-time high record in domesticgas production. Also, an assurance has come tolawmakers that are opposed tothe inclusion of the PetroleumHost Communities Fund(PHCF) in the Petroleum Indus-try Bill (PIB) that the fund is notonly to benefit oil-producing ar-eas but every communitywhere pipelines run through.

Former Senior Special Adviserto the President on Energy Mat-ters, Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah,told The Guardian in Houstonyesterday that the controversyover the inclusion of PHCF inthe PIB was unnecessary.

Senator Ganiyu Solomon hasalso assured that the NationalAssembly would pass the PIB be-fore the end of the year.“We had a briefing on the PIB

just last week Monday and I canassure Nigerians that we are oncourse to passing the most ben-eficial oil and gas legislation.We have our rules and all wehave been doing is to conductactivities that will culminate inthe passage of the bill in accor-dance with our rules. We have aroadmap we are following andthat roadmap includes passingthe bill this year. Nigerians haveevery reason to be hopeful thata new oil and gas legislationwould be passed before the endof the current year,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Gov-ernment has called on theglobal community and inter-national oil traders to droptheir appetite for stolen crudeoil from Nigeria and join in thefight against the nefarious ac-tivities of oil thieves andpipeline vandals.

The appeal signaled a majorfocus in tackling the demandside of the global oil theft ma-trix, which is a growing men-ace to the smooth operation ofthe industry in Nigeria.

Speaking at the presentationof the keynote address atthe ongoing Offshore Technol-ogy Conference (OTC) in Hous-ton, Texas, United States,Minister of Petroleum Re-sources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke who wasrepresented by Nigerian Na-tional Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) Group Managing Di-rector Andrew Yakubu, statedthat it was imperative to haltthe appetite for stolen crudeoil from Nigeria if the countrymust make appreciableprogress in this regard.

The NNPC’s Group ExecutiveDirector, Gas and Power, Dr.David Ige, said the erratic pow-er supply in the country was asa result of inability to transmitand distribute and not forwant of gas production.Yakubu, fielding questions on

the sidelines of the conference,said: “The President is takingthis matter seriously and theHonourable Minister is work-ing at it aggressively. It takestwo to tango. If those stealingour crude do not find a marketfor it there would be no incen-tive to steal; that is why we areappealing to the internationalcommunity to take action. Thetracing of our crude by DNA tothe destination is being lookedinto to ensure that the finger-prints of our crude are trace-able to the variousdestinations.’’

The address, which dwelt onthe theme, “Development Ef-forts in the West African Explo-ration Zone,” described thesub-region as the most impor-tant petroleum province in theworld.“The natural advantages of the

region’s open and unrestrictedsea lanes and light sweet crudemakes it one of the most im-portant petroleum provincesin the world,” the minister stat-ed. 

She noted that as the domi-nant player in the sub-regionNigeria has pioneered someset of initiatives geared to-wards ensuring positive im-pact on the economy. Theyinclude growth in crude oil re-serves and expansion in pro-duction capacity,

repositioning of gas for re-in-dustrialisation/stimulation ofthe economy, regional and ex-port penetration, revitaliza-tion of existing downstreamcapacities and additional ca-pacity to support energy needsas well as reforms of key insti-tution to anchor the growth as-piration of the industry.

Mrs. Alison-Madueke notedthat the PIB was designed to in-crease exploration and devel-opment activities in the regionby creating a  more competi-tive  environment for both in-dependent and major oil andgas companies.

“This in addition will attractinvestment into the sector.Therefore, West Africa will con-tinue to play a significant rolein the global oil and gas energysupply mix post-Shale oil andgas discoveries in the world,”she said.  

Speaking further, Ige said:“The generation of power is nota stand-alone thing. It involvesgeneration, transmission anddistribution. I can talk clearlyon the gas supply side. If youlook at the progression overthe last two years, we have sig-nificantly increased gas pro-duction. In fact, at themoment, domestic gas pro-duction in Nigeria is at all-timehigh. We are now producingabout 1.5 billion cubic feet perday of gas, which is the highestever, the country has pro-duced. Apart from this, we haveanother 300 million that isavailable in the East that is notutilized now. So, our gas devel-

opment is actually on the in-crease and it is the most ag-gressive rate. We have grownabout 200 percent year-on-year.”

Ige went on to blame theepileptic electricity supply inthe country on failure to evacu-ate gas that has been produced.

According to him, as supplycontinually competes with de-mand, stakeholders are alsotaking steps to increase gasgeneration to meet the antici-pated increase in transmissionand distribution of power.

“The generation capacity isgrowing everyday becausestakeholders are bringing innew turbines everyday. Howev-er, I can say for sure that ourcurrent gas availability is notenough for all the generatingcapacity that is being built andwe recognize that. At any pointin time, demand is going to beahead of supply because de-mand is pulling supply. Rightnow, the inability of Nigeria tohave stable power supply is notas a result of unavailability ofgas but the distribution chal-lenges we are still graspingwith. Generation is far ahead ofdistribution and transmis-sion,” he explained.Ige disclosed that plan was un-

derway to bring additional130million cubic feet per dayaimed at achieving two billioncubic feet per day over the nexttwo years.According to him, Nigeria is on

strong footing to generate,transmit and distribute 4.5 gi-gawatts of electricity if all the

Govt arraigns four over bombing of Abuja UN office N’Assembly workers disrupt legislative activitiesover alleged corruption

PDP may adopt zoningfor Anambra gov poll

Ekiti Assembly ratifiesAdelabu as deputy gov

From Terhemba Daka, Abuja

ALLEGING corruption, ag-grieved parliamentary

workers yesterday staged apeaceful protest within theprecincts of the National As-sembly, chanting solidaritysongs against the manage-ment and disrupting legisla-tive activities in both chambersof the parliament.

The workers threatened full-scale industrial action if theirdemands were not met urgent-ly. They alleged sundry levels ofcorruption against the Clerk,

Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, whois the Chief Accounting Officerof the National Assembly, anddiversion of all the appropriat-ed funds as well as other un-paid “welfare” and fringebenefits meant for them by themanagement.Efforts by some lawmakers to

pacify them fell on deaf ears asthe protesters insisted on theirdemand to speak with only theprincipal officers of the twochambers. However, tensionsubsided when the SenatePresident, David Mark, andSpeaker of the House of Repre-

sentatives, Aminu Waziri Tam-buwal, later addressed them.

In their petition, the workersdescribed the National Assem-bly management, led byMaikasuwa, as a cabal and ac-cused it of turning against theworkers and the nation. The petition, read by Comrade

Odo Chris on behalf of theChairman of G-1200, urged theleadership of the two cham-bers to probe the activities ofthe National Assembly man-agement with a view to mak-ing it account for the fundsappropriated for salaries,

training, welfare and other in-centives meant for the workers,among others.

Specifically, the workers ac-cused the management andChairman of ParliamentaryStaff Association of Nigeria(PASAN), Comrade RawlingsAgada, and the former chair-man of the National AssemblyService Commission of con-nivance and diversion of all thedeductions from their “mea-gre” salaries, including pen-sions and taxes, among others.

The workers also alleged thatthe management connived to

defraud them of N10,000 inthe guise of Owner OccupierHousing Scheme since 2009,diversion of lands allocated forstaff quarters and intimida-tion within the Assembly Com-plex by the security agentsattached to the premises.

From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado-Ekiti

PROF. (Mrs.) Modupe Ade-labu’s nomination as

Deputy Governor of Ekiti Statewas yesterday ratified by thestate’s House of Assembly,which found her capable andsuitable for the job after 30minutes of screening.Governor Kayode Fayemi had,

through a letter to the Speaker,Adewale Omirin, nominatedAdelabu as replacement forthe late Mrs. Funmilayo Adun-ni Olayinka, who died on April6, 2013. Speaking with newsmen after

the screening, the deputy gov-ernor-designate appealed topoliticians in the state to co-op-erate with the government inbuilding a state that all indi-genes could be proud of. Theprofessor of Education fromthe Obafemi Awolowo Univer-sity (OAU), Ile Ife, is currentlythe chairman of Ekiti State Uni-versal Basic Education.

She said: “Irrespective of ourpolitical differences, this statebelongs to all of us. We shouldall come together and forgetour political differences tobuild a solid state becausewhatever happens now, eithergood or bad, will be for all ofus.”

From Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki

THERE are indications thatthe internal crisis bedevil-

ing the Anambra State chapterof the Peoples Democratic Par-ty (PDP) would soon be re-solved just as the party is likelyto adopt zoning for the state’s2014 governorship seat.

A source within the chaptertold The Guardian that the deci-sion to zone the governorshipseat to Anambra North Senato-rial District followed findingsby a five-man committee set upto look into the party’s chancesof winning the governorshippoll.“Part of the findings is that un-

less PDP zones the governor-ship to Anambra NorthSenatorial District, it may findit hard clinching the 2014 gov-ernorship seat,” the source dis-closed, stating that theyet-to-be-submitted reportharped on the reconciliation ofvarious factions of the party inthe state.

Stakeholders urge sustained funding forW’Africa’s peace initiativeFrom Karls Tsokar, Abuja

EFFORTS to restore tranquili-ty to most parts of the trou-

bled West African countries,now plagued by internal crisis,would require sustained fund-ing to ensure the survival of thepeace support initiative andsuccour to the affected people.Speaking at the just-concluded

stakeholders’ forum, organ-ised by the regional EconomicCommunity of West AfricanStates (ECOWAS) in Freetown,Sierra Leone, participantscalled for uninterrupted fund-ing for and sustainability ofpeace support initiatives, espe-cially the resettlement and re-habilitation of thousands ofconflict displaced persons inthe region.

The participants, which in-cluded representatives of theUnited Nations (UN) agenciesand government officials, aswell as host communities andbeneficiaries of the Peace andDevelopment Project (PADEP)in the country, made a strongappeal for the sustainability ofthe project’s gains and contin-ued support for the displaced.

NSCIA names formerUNILORIN VC secretaryBy Joseph Onyekwere

NIGERIAN Supreme Councilfor Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)

has announced the appoint-ment of the former Vice Chan-cellor of the University of Ilorin(UNILORIN), Prof. Ishaq Olare-waju Oloyede, as the new Secre-tary-General of the Council. Heis to replace the late LateefAdegbite who died last year.

Prof. Oloyede was born in Oc-tober 1954. He hails fromAbeokuta South Local Councilof Ogun State. He was appoint-ed Deputy Vice Chancellor (Aca-demics) on June 19, 2003 andDeputy Vice Chancellor (Ad-ministration) on July 6, 2005.He had his secondary educa-tion from 1969-1973 at the Pro-gressive Institute, Agege, Lagosand Arabic Training Centre,Agege, Lagos (Markaz) from1973-1976 and later to the Uni-versity of Ibadan between 1976and 1977 where he obtained acertificate in Arabic and IslamicStudies.

Senate President David Mark (left) addressing workers of the National Assembly during their protest in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

• North to benefit from host communities’ fund• National Assembly to pass PIB this year• FG decries foreign appetite for stolen Nigerian crude

NATIONWIDE crisis may bebrewing in the petroleumsector as the oil workers,under the auspices ofNational Union of Petroleumand Natural Gas Workers(NUPENG) and the Petroleumand Natural Gas Senior StaffAssociation of Nigeria (PEN-GASSAN), threatened toembark on an indefinitestrike that would cripple busi-ness activities in the oil sector.

The Department ofPetroleum Resources (DPR)branch of the union yesterdayhinted The Guardian on itsplanned industrial action toinvolve shutting down of alloil installations, petroleumdepots, jetties and terminalsacross the country, beginningfrom Monday May 13, 2012.The workers are alleging neg-ligence of their grievancesthat include under funding ofthe DPR, poor working condi-tions and inadequate welfarepackage for workers, whichhave critically hindered theindustry-watchdog from effi-ciently performing its statuto-ry role.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 NEWS 5

Nigeria, WHO tackle HIV drug resistance in childrenNIGERIAN officials workingwith experts from the

World Health Organisation(WHO) are reviewing effortsand working on new strate-gies to check the rate ofHuman Immune Virus (HIV)drug resistance in children inNigeria.HIV drug resistance, accord-ing to the WHO, refers to theability of the virus to with-stand the effects of a givenanti-retroviral drug to preventits replication.“Drug resistant virus will con-tinue to replicate in the pres-ence of the drug to which ithas become resistant. As ARTcontinues to expand, theemergence of some drugresistance is inevitable.Insufficient knowledgeamong patients and healthworkers, suboptimal adher-ence to treatment regimens,drug stock-outs, and inade-quate patient monitoringmechanisms are among themany factors leading to treat-ment failure and eventuallydrug resistance, “the WHOsaid in a fact sheet.As at December 2010, the

number of children less than15 years living with HIV wasestimated to be 3.4 million.To prepare the country to

treat drug resistant HIV, theInstitute of Human Virology

Nigeria (IHVN) and theNational HIV Drug ResistanceTechnical Working Group yes-terday started work on anational guidance/roadmapon HIV resistance drugs in chil-dren.The IHVN said the meetingwould deliberate on and adaptWHO protocols that willsmoothen the process fortreating both adults and chil-dren who fail second line ther-apy for HIV in Nigeria.Acting Director of LaboratoryResearch at the institute, Dr.Nicaise Ndembi, who spoke atthe experts’ group meeting inAbuja, stressed that the meet-ing would deliberate on thePediatric HIV Drug ResistanceSurvey, Transmitted HIV DrugResistance Survey and Pre-therapy HIV Drug ResistanceSurvey, the three WHO proto-cols yet to be implemented byNigeria.He stressed that the institutewas also working on gettingthe Asokoro LaboratoryTraining Centre accredited forHIV drug resistance testingwithin the WHO ResistanceNetwork.“The meeting will also pro-vide an avenue for discourseon the magnitude of HIV drugresistance in the country. TheFederal Ministry of Health,

Navy releases names of crashed aircraft’s pilots

THE Nigerian Air Force hasannounced the names ofthe two pilots who died AlphaJet accident in Niamey onMonday as Squadron LeaderBenjamin Bem Ado and FlyingOfficer Ayuba JoabLayelmenson.According to a statement bythe Navy’s Director of PublicRelations, Air Commodore Y.Anas, Ado hailed fromKonshisha Local Council ofBenue State and was a mem-ber of the 50thRegular Courseof the Nigerian DefenceAcademy (NDA). He was aninstructor pilot who hasflown many aircraft types inthe inventory of the NigerianAir Force, as well as in Pakistanand United States.Layelmenson was said to

have hailed from Azare inShongom Local Council ofGombe State and was a mem-ber of the 57th RegularCourse.

From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja

Baba Adinin of Lagos, Alhaji Shehu Abou (left); Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the NationalExecutive Council meeting of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Kaduna…yesterday

World Health Organisationand several implementingpartners are assisting in theprocess,” he stressed.Meanwhile, the institute hasstressed the difficulties ineliminating the HIV/AIDSendemic in Nigeria.Ndembi, who spoke on theworrisome situation, said: “Itis difficult to say we have toeliminate HIV/AIDS by nowbecause many people who aresupposed to be on treatmentdo not have access to it. How

then will you eliminate the ail-ment? In Africa in general,only 60 per cent of personsthat are in need of drugs hasaccess to them. How about the40 per cent? “How can you eliminate

something when you havenot covered everyone? So, Iam really against that idea say-ing ‘eliminate HIV/AIDS’. Wedon’t have enough resources.Look at 100 people who are inneed of drugs, only 60 haveaccess, what about theremaining 40? How can youeliminate something that youcannot fight against?”

EXCEPT the FederalGovernment takes ade-

quate steps to ensure that allstakeholders are carriedalong, there would be crisis atthe University of BeninTeaching Hospital (UBTH)over who becomes the institu-tion’s Chief Medical Director(CMD) when the incumbent,Prof. Michael Ibadin’s, firstterm elapses in July.Though Ibadin is entitled to asecond term, members ofstaff and some interestgroups are divided over hisreturn or replacement. Yesterday, a group, the BeninNational Congress (BNC),called on President GoodluckJonathan and the Minister of

Health, Prof. OnyebuchiChukwu, to ensure trans-parency in the process leadingto the emergence of the nextCMD.A statement by the BNC

Director of Publicity, DavidEkomwenrenren, noted thatfederal appointments hadbeen characterised by “high-wired politics” at the expenseof merit and fairness, addingthat this controversial style ofpicking heads of parastatalswas affecting the smooth andeffective management of fed-eral institutions.“We have it on good authoritythat the various union leadersin the UBTH are being black-mailed to officially endorsethe incumbent administra-tion on the pages of newspa-pers (under the guise of felici-

THE Musical CopyrightSociety Nigeria (MCSN)has petitioned the ChiefJudge of the Federal HighCourt, Lagos, Justice IbrahimAuta, over alleged interfer-ence in cases involving it andthe Nigerian CopyrightCommission (NCC) pendingbefore the Lagos division ofthe court.In the petition dated May 6,2013, and signed by MCSN’sChairman, Orits Williki, therights collecting societyexpressed dismay over whatit called unjustified with-

drawal of its case files fromJustice Mohammad Yunusaby Justice Okechukwu Okekewithout any official petitionor motion by parties to thesuit.According to MCSN, the

withdrawal was part of amove by the NigerianCopyright Commission(NCC) trying to engage inanother round of forumshopping. The group said itwas compelled to bring theissue before the chief judgefor urgent intervention inview of the apparent under-hand dealings and interfer-ence going on in these mat-

By Bertram Nwannekanma ters.In the petition copied to ObiEzeilo of NCC, Justices Okekeand Yunusa, MCSN alsoalleged that NCC has since1999 engaged in relentlesspersecution of its officialsand forum shopping bybringing the same charge indifferent suits, now totaling10 before different judges ofthe court with the hope to geta judge to convict them.MSCN said: “We are partiesin the above civil suit andcriminal charges. All thecases are before Justice M. N.Yunusa of the Ikoyi, LagosDivision of the Federal HighCourt.“Judgment was entered infavour of our organisationand officials inSuit No. FHC/L/CS/1163/12between MCSN & 7 Ors vs. NCC& 4 Ors on 18th March 2013.“The other three cases arecriminal matters. Rulingswere reserved for May 6, 2013,on two applications broughtby us, the accused persons, inCharge No.FHC/L/CS/351C/2012 andCharge No. FHC/L/352C/2012seeking to quash the chargeson the basis that they wereincompetent and do not existin the statutes of the FederalRepublic of Nigeria or thatthey have been declaredunconstitutional, null andvoid. “A similar application wasfiled by our organisation andother accused persons incharge No. FHC/L/353C/2012,which was adjourned forhearing on May 6, 2013.

Oil workers threaten strikeBy Sulaimon Salau

Lagos Assembly passes bill on oil agency,pilgrims’ welfare

LAGOS Assembly yesterdaypassed the bill seeking toestablish state-owned oil andgas corporation known asIbile Oil and Gas Corporation.The bill, titled: “A law to

establish Ibile Oil and GasCorporation to invest andengage in oil and gas activi-ties in Lagos State and for con-nected purposes”, has beenpassed to the governor forassent.The lawmakers unanimouslysupported the bill at its thirdreading yesterday, endingseveral months of debates.The 28-section bill, amongother provisions, empowersthe corporation to engage inall oil and gas upstream activ-ities, including explorationdrilling and production.The corporation will investin a company or a consortiumfor the purpose of participat-ing in oil and gas bid roundsand seeking marginal fieldsallocation; acquire old or newexploration and drillingprospects and prospectingabandoned wells anywherein Nigeria or overseas.The Assembly on Monday

passed a Bill for “A law toestablish the Lagos StateChristian and MuslimPilgrims’ Welfare Boards.” The Bill, which was passedafter its third reading, hasbeen sent to the governor forassent.The 31-section Bill seeks toestablish separate boards forChristians and Muslims bylaw, to ensure effective andefficient pilgrimage opera-tions in the state.

By Wole Oyebade

MCSN alleges undue interference in cases with NCC

tations), a situation we consid-er antithetical to decorum,peace and tranquility before,during and after the recruit-ment exercise,” BNC said. “As a socio-cultural organisa-tion of Edo people, we don’tproject any candidate for anypublic office of this nature, butwe will resist any attempt toimpose a dishonest candidateor a stooge by a centrifugalforce that believes that federalestablishments are their inher-itance, and that they must pro-duce or impose their helms-men”, it stated.The group said it believes inconstructive engagement withthe institution but alleged thatthe last exercise to bring in ahead for the hospital was nottransparent. It spoke further: “It is to avoid

Group urges govt’s intervention to avert succession crisis in UBTHAFEDERAL High Court inLagos has assumed juris-diction over the case betweenBi-Courtney Limited and theFederal Airports Authority ofNigeria (FAAN) over the con-cession agreements at theMurtala Muhammed Airport(MMA2). The court also indicted theFederal Government of sup-pressing facts to obtain aninjunction against the firm.The trial judge, Justice

Mohammed Idris, dismissedthe preliminary objectionfiled by the governmentagainst Bi-Courtney’s suit chal-lenging the purported revoca-tion of its leasehold intereston the Hotel and ConferenceCentre at the airport.The court held that Bi-

Courtney’s action was proper-ly filed, adding that “it is com-petent and the court has juris-diction to hear it”.

Court assumes jurisdiction in FAAN, Bi-Courtney dispute

From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

By Joseph Onyekwere

a scenario of mutual suspi-cion between management,staff and community stake-holders that we make bold tosay that Mr. President shouldappreciate the peace in ourcommunities by prevailing onthe Ministry of Health to insiston fair play, else they mayplunge the establishmentinto chaos.”According to the statement,the group would do every-thing possible, includingprotests and legal action, toensure that the appointmentof the next CMD was transpar-ent. The Guardian learnt thatthe apprehension becameheightened when news fil-tered in that the Ministry ofHealth would soon advertisethe position as provided bylaw.

‘Why disease is difficult to eliminate now’

AMAGISTRATE court sitting inAuchi, Etsako West local

council of Edo State yesterdayremanded a member of thestate House of Assembly, RasaqMomoh, in prison custody tillJune 3 when the state Directorof Public Prosecution wouldhave given advice whether heshould be tried for possessionof firearm.Momoh, who represents Et-

sako West Constituency 1 in theAssembly, was arrested on April20, 2013 on the day of local gov-ernment election in the statefor unlawful possession offirearm.He was earlier arraigned on

May 2, 2013 before MagistrateCaroline Nwoha, who orderedhis remand in police custodyinstead of prison on healthgrounds as prayed by counselto the accused, Olayiwola Afo-labi.The magistrate had reservedruling for yesterday on his bailapplication after listening tothe amendment of the earliercharge of unlawful possessionof firearm to that of robbery.But the prosecuting police of-ficer, Daniel Mato had alsoprayed for the case to be heardin the state high court, addingthat the charge had nothing todo with electoral offence as hesaid it was only a coincidencethat the offence was commit-ted the same day the councilpolls took placed.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 20136 | NEWS

Swedish ministers foresee trade opportunities in Nigeria

DESPITE the prevailing secu-rity challenges, Scandina-

vian giant, Sweden still sees amyriad of opportunities inNigeria. The opportunities, accordingto visiting Swedish Ministers ofFinance and his InternationalDevelopment Cooperationcounterpart, Messrs AndersBorg and Gunilla Carlsson, in-clude the opening up of moresectors of the economy as wellas what they have termed“Nigeria’s innovative use ofmobile services.” This scenario “paired with

Swedish experience and youngentrepreneurs in this field maybe a recipe for strong partner-ship,” said Borg and Carlssonwho are leading a Swedishministerial delegation to Nige-ria as part of a brief Africantour, which would end withthe World Economic Forum inCape Town. In their mission statement,which emanated from TheGuardian’s enquiry, the duomaintained that to an emerg-ing economic power like Swe-den, “Nigeria has experiencedimpressive growth in recentyears while the government’svision of making Nigeria oneof the world’s 20 strongesteconomies by 2020 is withinreach. If handled wisely, thisgrowth will improve the livingconditions of millions of Nige-rians and inspire hope for its

young and growing popula-tion.”Trade between Nigeria andSweden has increased steadilyover the past five years, andNigeria is now the country’ssecond-largest trading partnerin sub-Saharan Africa. Stressing that “we have com-mon interests in telecom andrenewable energy, two sectorswith great importance for thefuture” the ministers notedthe “positive developments inNigeria motivate the renewaland expansion of our bilateralties in order to capitalise onthe new opportunities for co-operation that are now emerg-ing...Our joint trip to Nigeriaand other countries in Africa isan expression of the SwedishGovernment’s desire forstronger political and eco-nomic relations with the newAfrica.”Looking at the continental

scenario, they insisted that de-spite the odds, Africa is a conti-nent of opportunities, one ofthe last emerging investmentmarkets. “With one billion people liv-ing in 54 countries, Africa isfacing widely differing oppor-tunities and challenges. Africais changing and there is re-newed optimism about its fu-ture. The progress made overthe past decade inspires hopefor more sustainable and in-clusive development, with last-ing improvements in livingconditions for the continent’slarge and growing young pop-ulation,” they added.

Businessman sues firm over N40m debt

ALAGOS businessman, FemiOgunniya and his com-

pany, Flamin Nigeria Limitedhas filed a legal action at theLagos High Court, Igbosereseeking the leave of court torecover an alleged N40 mil-lion debt from the Asset Re-source ManagementCompany Limited (ARMC).The plaintiff is also demand-ing the sum of N10 million asdamages for alleged breach ofcontract between his com-pany, Flamin Nigeria Limitedand the ARMC.In a Writ of Summons filed atthe court by the plaintiffscounsel, Dapo Omolodun ofthe Legal firm of Tunji Braith-

waite & Co, Plaintiff is claim-ing the sum of N44, 836, 875being fees for pumping35,869.5 m3 of sand for the de-fendant.Ogunniya, who is the manag-ing director of Flamin NigeriaLimited, in addition to thesum of N10 million generaldamages he sought for breachof contract, also want an inter-est at the rate of 21 per cent ofthe money till final judgmentand interest at the rate of 7.5per cent thereafter.In his statement of claim,

Ogunniya said ARMC owedhim and his company in re-spect of a contract it executedfor it. According to him, hisfirm created a Golf Course,dredge and pump sand to cre-ate a lake and reclaimed par-cel of land situated atSummerville Golf Estate,along Lekki Expressway, La-gos.Plaintiffs also claimed that

they earlier had the contractwith SGF Nigeria Limited un-

der an agreement datedMarch 27, 2009 but that the As-set Resource ManagementCompany took over and of-fered them the contract afterthe agreement with SGF ter-minated.The claimants avers that thedefendant, through its autho-rised staff, Mrs. Yinka Ogun-sulire (in the first instance,and who was at the materialtime about to disengage fromthe defendant company) andMr. Bode Olabisi subse-quently) orally contractedwith the claimants directly tocontinue working despite thestaggered termination of theagreement between the de-fendant and SGF Nigeria Lim-ited.Ogunniya averred that the

defendant appointed Mr. Mar-ius Labuschagne of EQ3 Proj-ects Services Limited, Lekki asproject manager for the entireproject inclusive of the dredg-ing of sand done by theclaimants herein from thecommencement thereof.

Court remands Edo lawmaker over possession of firearms

From Kabir Alabi Garba,Washington, USA

AN exchange programmetargeted at examining the

role that journalists play inthe society and the challengesthey face while doing theirjobs tagged Spring 2013 Pro-fessional Fellows Congressopens today in Washington,D.C., United States of Americawith 10 journalists from fourcountries in Africa – Ghana,Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda –participating.The journalists are IbrahimKasita of New Vision, andDorothy Nakaweesi, MonitorPublication Limited(Uganda); Lanre Lasisi, Chan-nels Television; Hamza Idris,Media Trust Limited; andKabir Alabi Garba, TheGuardian (Nigeria); AlphonceShiundu, Nation Media; Bev-ertone Kipchuma Some, TheStandard, and Joan ChepkorirBarsulai, The Guardian(Kenya); Ekow Essabra-Men-sah, Business and FinancialTimes; and Albert Futukpor,Ghana News Agency (Ghana). The congress, seventh in theseries, which runs till Satur-day, May 11, will feature a totalof 220 participants includingfellows from other fields suchas Economic Empowermentas well as Legislative Processand Government.

U.S. exchange programme forAfrican journalists begins today

Specifically, the programmeprovides targeted professionaldevelopment and support toemerging leaders working inthe fields of Economic Em-powerment, LegislativeProcess and Governance, andMedia. It is designed to pro-vide participants with a four-to eight-week practical fellow-ship experience to broadentheir professional expertise.Placed in private, non-profitand government offices acrossthe United States, ProfessionalFellows learn about how issuesin their respective fields are ad-dressed in the U.S., interactwith a broad network of pro-fessional colleagues, and de-velop a more nuancedunderstanding of Americansand American society. The on-going Spring segment at-tracted Professional Fellowsfrom over 40 countries andterritories across the world.Coordinated by the Educa-

tional and Cultural Affairs(ECA) unit of the U.S. Depart-ment of State, the main objec-tive of the programme is “toincrease mutual understand-ing between people of theUnited States and other coun-tries…and thus to assist in thedevelopment of friendly, sym-pathetic, and peaceful rela-tions” (Mutual Educationaland Cultural Ex changes Act of1961).

From Oghogho Obayuwana, ForeignAffairs Editor

By Joseph OnyekwereFrom Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu,Benin City

Taraba distributes relief materials to victims of religious crisis

SUCCOUR is beginning toreach victims of the recentreligion unrest in Wukari,Taraba State as the state gov-ernment has commenced thedistribution of relief materialsworth millions of naira to theinternal displaced persons,IDP.The action, according to theExecutive Secretary of the StateEmergency ManagementAgency (SEMA), Murega Dan-habu, is aimed at cushioningthe negative effects the crisis,has heralded on the people.Over 3,000 persons, most ofwhom are women and chil-dren, The Guardian gathered,are presently taking refuge invarious IDP camps in Wukarifollowing Saturday religiouscrisis that led to destruction oflives and properties.

From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo

President, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Bode Adeaga (LEFT); Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, and President, International Federation of Surveyors CheeHai Teo at the official opening ceremony of the 27th FIG (Working Week) International Surveying Congress in Abuja … yesterday. PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8 2013 NEWS 7

Former Governor of Anambra State and 1st erstwhile female governor in Nigeria, Dame Virgy Etiaba (left); former Nigerian Ambassador to the UnitedKingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade; Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike and Managing Director, Repro-India, Mukesh Dhrwe, at the opening ceremony of the NigeriaInternational Book Fair Conference at the Multi Purpose Hall of the University of Lagos… yesterday PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO

Court orders retrial of Indian for allegedly importing fake insecticideBy Bertram Nwannekanma

NATIONAL Agency for Foodand Drug Administration

and Control (NAFDAC) haswon a major legal victory inthe battle against importa-tion of fake drugs into thecountry.

The Kaduna division of Ap-peal Court, in a unanimousjudgment, ordered the retrialof a criminal charge againstan Indian national, Vijay Lal-wani, which was earlierstruck out.NAFDAC had charged the In-

dian before a Federal HighCourt in Kano for allegedlyimporting fake and unregis-tered Rambo Aerosol Insecti-cide into Nigeria.

Lalwani had challenged thecompetence of the chargeand jurisdiction of the courtto entertain the charge on theground that he had earlierfiled a civil suit in respect ofthe subject matter, and urgedthe court to strike out thecharge for being oppressive.

The court upheld the argu-ment of the foreigner, whilethe criminal charge wasstruck out.

Anambra Assembly givesgovt ultimatum oncouncil audited accountsFrom Chuks Collins, Awka

THE Anambra State House ofAssembly has called on the

executive to submit an au-dited account of the 21 coun-cils of the state for the pasttwo years within the next fort-night.

The Assembly, presided overby the Speaker, Chinwe Nwae-bili, had in a motion by itsChairman on Public Ac-counts, Gabriel Onyenweife,unanimously requested thestate’s Auditor General for Lo-cal Governments to submitbefore it the audited 2011 and2012 accounts of the 21 coun-cils of the state within twoweeks.The motion was overwhelm-

ingly supported by all mem-bers present at the sittingyesterday.

They reasoned that the callhas become necessary to en-sure that transparency andaccountability were en-trenched in the local councilsystem of the state.

Jigawa spends N2b onphysically-challengedresidents

From John Akubo, Dutse

EXECUTIVE Secretary ofthe Jigawa State Rehabil-

itation Board, AlhajiIbrahim Rabakaya, has saidthat the government,through the board, has ex-pended over N2 billion un-der its social security policyin upgrading the statusand welfare of the disabledin the past six years.

Rabakaya, who spoke onthe activities of the boardin his office, said theamount covers payment ofthe monthly social policyallowance of N7,000 to 150destitute in each of the 27local councils across thestate. The board spendsover N4 million monthlyon payment of the al-lowances.Other activities covered in-

clude renovation of the ma-jor rehabilitation centresin Kiyawa, Dutse, Hadejia,Birnin-Kudu, Gumel,among others.

Rakabaya added that thestate government also ren-ovated the destitute voca-tional training centresacross the state.

Adamawa donatesN20m to Borno overBaga killingsFrom Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri

GOVERNOR Murtala Nyakoof Adamawa State has do-

nated N20 million to theBorno State Government tocushion the devastating ef-fects of the recent Boko Haraminsurgency, particularly theBaga crisis that claimed 228lives and destroyed about4,000 houses and shops inmid April.Speaking on Monday in Maid-

uguri at the GovernmentHouse to “commiserate andcondole” with the people andBorno State Government overthe carnage, Rear AdmiralNyako (rtd) said the people ofBorno and Adamawa stateshad been facing the chal-lenges of insecurity to livesand property for manydecades in the North-East sub-region, until the four-yearBoko Haram insurgency in theNorth.

ORIGINAL inhabitants andland owners of the Fed-

eral Capital Territory (FCT),Abuja, have faulted the landswap policy recently intro-duced by the Bala Mo-hammed-led FCTAdministration, calling onthe authorities to suspendthe programe in the interestof peace in the territory.

This comes as the FCT Ad-ministration claims that it

would realise over N500 bil-lion from investments underthe model in the next coupleof years.

However, the indigenes, un-der the aegis of Original In-habitants DevelopmentAssociation (OIDA), havethreatened to frustrate theprogramme if the errors inthe initiative were not imme-diately addressed.According to OIDA President,

Danladi Jargi, “the policy

failed to address the interestof the natives in the land swapprogramme, just as the FCTAdministration does not in-volve the natives, whose landis the subject of exchange orswap, in the transaction in thefirst place.“Instead of involving the peo-

ple in the pre-policy dialogue,the FCT indigenous commu-nities were left out,” he said.“We have not been compen-sated by law since the cre-

ation of the Territory by a de-cree in 1976.

“The government told theworld that it was going to beN2.8 billion, but that moneywas not paid and they justcame to inhabit the place. Af-ter 37 years without compen-sation, the government wantsto still swap the land that isnot its own. But we the origi-nal inhabitants are saying noto it!“Like the other Nigerians, it is

only on the pages of newspa-pers that we read bits of thepolicy, especially the portionwhich states that investorswould have 60 per cent andthe government 40 per cent.”

Jargi lamented that land ad-ministration in Abuja has al-ways been shrouded insecrecy, with the nativesnever considered despite sev-eral court judgments to theeffect that they still hold cus-tomary rights to their lands.

Natives seek suspension of Abuja land swap policy

Ministry can’t probe me twice on same matter, registrar tells court

THE Registrar and Chief Ex-ecutive Officer of the Insti-

tute of Chartered Chemists ofNigeria (ICCN), Jay Oghifo,who was purportedly sus-pended from office by theMinister of Health, Prof. Onye-buchukwu Chukwu, will onMay 10 at the National Indus-trial Court (NIC), Lagos, knowwhether the suspension willbe of effect or not.

The court yesterday said itwould deliver its ruling tothat effect on that date. Theexpected ruling is sequel toarguments canvassed bycounsel to the parties eitherin support of the suspensionor against it.

Oghifo was represented byAlbert Akpomudje (SAN),while Paul Ogbu representedthe Minister and the FederalMinistry of Health. Oghifohad approached the court,praying it to order that hissuspension by the defen-dants should not be given ef-fect.Apart from the minister and

the ministry, others joined inthe suit as co-defendants areICCN, Chairman of ICCNCouncil, Prof. Felix Okieimen,and a management staffmember, Sylvester Obinyan.

Urging the court to declarethe suspension of his client ofno effect, Akpomudje, whotried to puncture some of theissues raised in the defen-dants’ counter-affidavit, ar-gued that the first and seconddefendants (the minister andthe ministry) respectivelywere aware that the claimantwas challenging the processand still went ahead to sus-pend him even after beingserved with court processes.

Akpomudje further statedthat the claimant could notbe investigated twice underthe same allegations. According to him, the defen-

dants claimed that they onlysuspended him in order to in-vestigate allegations againsthim in their counter-affidavitwhereas the letter of suspen-sion read in part that his sus-pension was as a result of therecommendations of an in-vestigative panel.

He wondered how a newpanel should be set up againon the same issue, addingthat since the claimant didnot interfere with the activi-ties of the first investigativepanel as a sitting chief execu-tive, there is no reason to sus-

pend him on the ground thathe needs to vacate office in or-der to allow for a proper in-vestigation. The counselinsisted that the defendantsbreached the provisions ofthe Civil Service Rule.

But in response, Ogbu ar-gued that granting theprayers of the claimantwould amount to acceding tothe content of the substantialsuit. He maintained that allhis clients did was within theprovisions of the law.

“All that the first to seconddefendants did in this matterwas within the law. The Ruleis contained in the Civil Serv-ice Rules. It says if an allega-tion is made against a publicofficer, he is invited and in-

terrogated. If a prima faciecase is established, he isplaced on suspension in or-der to conduct proper inves-tigation. That is what the firstand second defendants havedone”, he declared.

By Joseph Onyekwere

From Terhemba Daka, Abuja

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 20138

AfricanNews

World powers, others laud Somalia’sprogress, warn of dangers ahead

Al-Qaeda in North Africa urges attack on French interests Its troops fighting alongside

the Malian army and otherAfrican soldiers have largelysucceeded in driving Islamistinsurgents from the north, butpockets of resistance remain,particularly in the Gao region.France has begun withdraw-

ing some of its 4,000 troopsand said it will leave 2,000 sol-diers on the ground through-out the summer.Last month, Paris assured

Mali that it was not planningan overnight withdrawal andwould provide a permanentsupport forces of 1,000 soldiersafter elections slated for July.“If the French president wantshis crusade to be quick, shortand limited, to spare his coun-try descending into a swamplike that faced by Americans inIraq and Afghanistan, it is yourduty to foil his plan and draghim into an open war,” saidAnnabi.He said such a war should

“drain France’s economy, ex-

haust its capabilities, and pushit into a recession and contrac-tion.”Hollande offered a swift reac-tion to Annabi’s call.“We are taking seriously the

threat by AQIM,” Hollande toldreporters in Paris, adding thatdespite considerable losses in-flicted on Islamists in Mali,“the terrorist threat has notdisappeared.”“So, we believe we must con-

tinue the operation in Mali foras long as it takes – even if wereduce our presence – and stayvigilant around Mali to con-tinue the fight against terror.”Hollande said he had orderedmeasures to protect French in-stallations abroad.The AQIM threat came after acar bombing at France’s em-bassy in the Libyan capitalTripoli last month, whichwounded three people. Nogroup has claimed responsi-bility for the attack.

ABU Obaida al-Annabi, aleader of Al-Qaeda in NorthAfrica, has urged Muslimsworldwide to attack French in-terests in retaliation forFrance’s military interventionin Mali, a threat PresidentFrancois Hollande said is be-ing taken seriously.“It is your duty, all Muslims...to attack French interestseverywhere,” Annabi said in avideo message posted online.

Annabi, presented as thehead of the council of digni-taries of Al-Qaeda in theIslamic Maghreb (AQIM),called for “full mobilisation”to combat the “new crusade ofFrance.”“Jihad (holy war) is now the

duty of every capable amongyou,” he said in a recordingdated April 25.France sent troops in Januaryto Mali to quash Al-Qaeda-linked groups that had takencontrol of half of the country.

DR Congo is ‘worst place to be a mother’ sued yesterday compared 176countries in terms of mater-nal health, child mortality,education and levels ofwomen’s income and politi-cal status.It called for investment to

close the “startling dispari-ties” in maternal health be-tween the developed and de-veloping world and for apush to fight inequality andmalnutrition.

The report found that awoman or girl in the DRC,which has been wracked byconflict for years, has a one in30 chance of dying from ma-ternal causes – includingchildbirth.

THE Democratic Republicof Congo has displacedNiger to gain the unenviabledistinction of being theworst place in the world tobe a mother, according to anew report by Save theChildren.Countries in sub-Saharan

Africa took up each of thebottom 10 places for the firsttime in the 14 years that thereport has been produced bythe London-based charity.Finland took the top spot,

with its Nordic neighboursfilling the other leading posi-tions.The charity’s “State of the

World’s Mothers” report is-

THE representatives of morethan 50 countries and or-ganisations that attended aninternational conference on

rebuilding Somalia yesterdayremarked that the strife-tornnation had made “significantprogress” and its economywas starting to revive, butwarned that many challengesremained.Specifically, British Prime

Minister David Cameron, whoco-hosted the London meet-ing yesterday, described theprogress made since the firstinternational conference onSomalia 15 months ago as “re-markable”.The conference, according

to a report by Agence FrancePresse (AFP), aimed at boost-ing political stability in theimpoverished nation, whichhas had no effective govern-ment since 1991.After a day of talks, the par-

ticipants said there were rea-sons for optimism.“The number of pirate at-

tacks committed off the coastof Somalia has dramaticallyreduced. The famine has re-ceded. The diaspora have be-gun to return. The economy isstarting to revive,” a finalcommuniqué said.

But it said the Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab militantswere “still a threat to peaceand security”.

Somali President HassanSheikh Mohamud, co-hostingthe conference withCameron, said “the time tohelp Somalia is now”.The president’s calls for in-

ternational funding were an-

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) addressing a joint news briefing with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa after a bilateral meeting in Cape Town…yes-terday. PHOTO: STATE

We have been given achance and we will provein the eyes of the worldthat we will deliver – andwe will.

swered with a pledge of 44million euros ($58 million) ofaid from the European Union,while Britain announced £35million ($54 million, 41 mil-lion euros) to supportSomalia’s security forces andgovernance.

Mohamud’s government,which came to power lastyear, remains weak and needsthe support of about 18,000African Union (AU) troops tostay in power.

“We have been given achance and we will prove inthe eyes of the world that wewill deliver – and we will,”Mohamud told a press confer-ence after the meeting.Britain also promised £145

million to help Somalia avoidthe devastating famines thatleft almost 260,000 peopledead, half of them children,between 2010 and 2012.

Zimbabwe’s new constitution gets to parlia-House and Senate.It is expected to pass the par-liament’s two thirds majoritythreshold and then be signedin to law by President RobertMugabe.The text would take away

presidential immunity afterleaving office, bolster thepower of the courts, and setup a peace and reconciliationcommission tasked with post-conflict justice and healing.It also limits a president’s

tenure to two five-year terms,curtails presidential powersand abolishes the post ofprime minister.

ANEW draft constitutionwas sent to Zimbabwe’s

Parliament yesterday, whereit is expected to be approvedafter it was overwhelminglyendorsed by citizens in aMarch referendum.“This bill, Mr. Speaker, will

provide for the replacementof the constitution ofZimbabwe that came into op-eration on the 18th of April,1980,” Constitutional AffairsMinister Eric Matinenga toldparliamentarians in the capi-tal, Harare.The charter will be debated

next week in the Lower

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 | 9

WorldReportAfter 10 years, three missing women found alive at Cleveland home in U.S.

Queen Elizabeth to miss Commonwealth meeting in Sri Lanka

THE United States (U.S.) secu-rity agents yesterday con-

tinued to work to put to-gether the details of howthree women freed from adecade in captivity inside aCleveland home, UnitedStates (U.S.) were abductedand kept by three suspects.

But the freed women cele-brated in the arms of theirfamilies yesterday, a report onthe Cable News Network (CNN)indicated.The three women – Amanda

Berry, Georgina “Gina”DeJesus and Michele Knight –were freed Monday night afterBerry attracted the attentionof a neighbour who helpedher escape.

Also, a six-year-old girl thatpolice said is believed to beBerry’s daughter was freed.Berry reportedly told police

in a frantic 911 call from theneighbour’s house that “helpme, I am Amanda Berry. I’vebeen kidnapped, and I’vebeen missing for 10 years. AndI’m here, I’m free now.”

Police said yesterday that aman who lived at the house,52-year-old former school busdriver, Ariel Castro, and histwo brothers have been ar-rested and are in prison pend-ing charges in the case.

Deputy Chief Ed Tomba ofthe Cleveland PoliceDepartment hailed Berry’scourage in escaping.

“The real hero here isAmanda,” he said. “She’s theone that got this rolling.Without her, none of uswould be here today.”

According to CNN’s report,investigators remained at thehome overnight and plan toinspect other properties pos-sibly owned by Castro.

Tomba said investigatorshaven’t yet interviewed thewomen in detail to learn de-tails about their abductionsand decade in captivity.

He said their reunion withrelatives at a Cleveland hospi-

years. This was one of the fall-outs after being admitted tohospital suffering from thesymptoms of gastroenteritis,which doctors said can causevomiting, fever and stom-achache.

Agency reports, includingthe British BroadcastingCorporation (BBC) that quotedBuckingham Palace, said yes-terday that the queen wouldbe represented by PrinceCharles at the Sri Lanka sum-mit. It said the Palace wasnow reviewing the amount of“long-haul travel” that istaken by the Queen.

A Buckingham Palacespokesman said: “I can con-firm the Queen will be repre-sented by the Prince of Wales.The reason is that we are re-viewing the amount of long-haul travel that is taken by theQueen.”Analysts think this repre-

sents a significant momentfor the Prince of Wales and it

was also a symbolic movesuggesting a transition ofsorts, a period where thereigning queen is now able todo less and less.By stepping in for the Queen,Prince Charles will be per-forming one of his most sig-nificant duties to date as a fu-ture King. Buckinghampalace watchers say PrinceCharles had never before at-tended in place of themonarch at the two-yearlygathering of Commonwealthleaders. In 2007, both thePrince and the Queen at-tended CHOGM in Uganda.

However, CommonwealthSecretary General said the“family of nations completelyunderstands and respects”the Queen’s decision.“The presence of the Prince

of Wales at ourCommonwealth gatheringwill carry forward HerMajesty’s outstanding recordof enduring commitmentand diligent service as head of

the Commonwealth,” he said.Also, concerns have been

raised about the choice of SriLanka as the host nation forthe 2013 summit.Campaigners, includingAmnesty International, are

calling for the CHOGM meet-ing not to take place there be-fore an investigation is car-ried out into human rightsabuses in the final six monthsof the 26-year Sri Lankan civilwar.

tal Monday night was“chaotic.”

Witnessing it, he said, al-lowed for “nothing but com-passion and love in your heartfor them.”

The women and the girlwere released yesterday fromthe hospital where they hadbeen evaluated, a spokes-woman said.

According to police, thewomen vanished in separateincidents nearly a decade ago.Berry was last seen after fin-

ishing her shift at a BurgerKing in Cleveland in 2003. Itwas the eve of her 17th birth-day. Georgina “Gina” DeJesusdisappeared nearly a yearlater, in April 2004. She was 14.

Also, Michele Knight vanishedon August 22, 2002, accordingto Cleveland Public SafetyDirector Martin Flask. A familymember reported her miss-ing the next day, Flask said.She was 20 at the time.Meanwhile, their final escapestarted when a neighbour,Charles Ramsey, sitting downto a fast food meal Mondaynight heard screaming.“I see this girl going nuts try-

ing to get out of a house,” hetold CNN affiliate WEWS. “I goon the porch and she says,‘help me get out. I’ve been inhere a long time.’”Figuring it was a domestic

dispute, Ramsey kicked in thebottom of the door and the

woman came out with a littlegirl and said, “Call 911, myname is Amanda Berry,” ac-cording to Ramsey, who ad-mitted he didn’t recognise thename or know she was miss-ing.Berry pleaded for a phone af-

ter she was free from thehouse where they had beenheld captive.“They were crazy, screaming,

‘Help, call police, please help.’... They were desperate, crying,running,” said Angela Garcia,whose aunt provided thephone for them to call police.Ramsey also called 911, less

than a minute later.“She’s like, ‘This (…) kid-napped me and my daugh-ter,’” he told 911.

DeJesus’s mother, Nancy,met with her at the hospital,cousin Sylvia Colon told CNN.She had never given up hopeof finding her daughter alive.

Four UN peacekeepers seizedin Golan Heights

THE United Nations (UN)stated yesterday that armed

fighters in the Golan Heightsyesterday abducted four of itspeacekeepers fromPhilippines, the second seizurein two months linked to Syria’scivil war.

But a Syrian rebel groupclaimed responsibility for theabductions.The four were “detained to-

day by an unidentified armedgroup while they were pa-trolling” near Al Jamlah in theceasefire zone between Israeland Syria, said a UN peacekeep-ing spokeswoman, JosephineGuerrero.

“The four are from thePhilippine battalion. Effortsare underway to secure theirrelease,” Guerrero added.

Twenty-one Filipino peace-keepers were seized in thesame area by Syrian rebels inMarch. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-

moon strongly condemnedthe latest attack on peacekeep-ers in the tense ceasefire zone.UN officials, speaking on con-

dition of anonymity, said therehas been mounting militaryactivity by Syrian governmentand opposition forces in re-cent days in the zone patrolledby the UN DisengagementObserver Force (UNDOF).

In a Facebook posting, the“Yarmuk Martyrs Brigade”rebel group said they hadtaken the four peacekeepersfor their own safety because offierce fighting in the area. Therebel group also staged the ab-duction in March.The Yarmuk Martyrs Brigade

said it staged “an operation tosecure and protect UnitedNations forces in WadiYarmuk in the area betweenSyria and the occupied GolanHeights.”

IT is said that the Queen seesthe Commonwealth as a“family” and takes pride in itswork. But for the first timesince 1973, ceremonial head ofthe Commonwealth ofNations, Queen Elizabeth 11,will not be attending theheads of government meet-ing slated for November thisyear.

The 87-year old Britishmonarch would be loudly ab-sent when the heads of stateand government of the 54-member assembly gather inSri Lanka later in the year asthey have done every twoyears discussing global issuesand matters of common in-terest.The Commonwealth has in-

creasingly gotten underscrutiny from diplomaticwatchers in terms of rele-vance and overall contribu-tions to the economic devel-opment of member states.When the body’s Secretary-General, Sir KamaleshSharma, visited Nigeria lastMarch, he admitted of theneed to reinvent theCommonwealth.

Two billion citizens makeup the voluntary associationworldwide.The Queen was forced to can-cel her appearance in Marchat the Commonwealth Dayservice at Westminster Abbey– the first time the monarchhad missed the occasion in 20

Help me, I amAmanda Berry. I’vebeen kidnapped, andI’ve been missing for10 years. And I’mhere, I’m free now.

From Oghogho Obayuwana, Foreign Affairs Editor

Queen Elizabeth

Berry Dejesus Knights

10 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

PoliticsIT was clear, to only the discerning observers

though, that the Election Petitions Tribunal,set up for the purpose of looking at the petitionsagainst the October 20, 2012 governorship elec-tion in Ondo State, would not change the decla-ration by the Independent National ElectoralCommission (INEC) of Dr. Olusegun RahmanMimiko, as the winner of the exercise.

The foreboding signs for the petitioners wereevident during the proceedings, as the petition-ers could not reveal anticipated absurdities inthe electoral process, as claimed in their peti-tions. Ondo State public had witnessed an election tri-

bunal between 2007 and 2009 during which alot of irrationalities in the electoral process wererevealed.

Therefore, many people, including party faith-ful had thought that the same cans of worms,which putrid smell permeated the entire politi-cal landscape of the state or even beyond, wouldbe opened.

At its commencement, the opposition parties,five of them initially, approached the tribunalwith tens of Ghana-Must-Gobags of exhibits, andthe appetites of members of the public for elec-toral were whetted.But the petitioners did not live up to that expec-

tation, as no monumental fraud was revealed, atleast the kind that characterised the earlierpanel, which made even a layman to predictwith accuracy the outcome of the litigation.

Therefore, last Friday, in a unanimous verdict,the three-man Justice Andovar Kanka’an-headedtribunal upheld Mimiko’s election and dis-missed the petitions against it as lacking inmerit and devoid of the ingredients they soughtto establish.

According to the tribunal, “it is clear that thepetitioners relied on corrupt practices to pushthe cases but Section 131(1) of the Evidence Actstipulates that election should not be cancelledif it is not substantially non-compliant with therelevant law.”“Like soccer, it must show goals scored with fig-

ures and the petitioner must not only assert, butshow evidence that the non-compliance, ifproved, substantially affected the results andthe outcome of the poll,” it added.

However, the opposition elements would notbuy any of the tribunal’s rationalisations, show-ing that they could head for the appellate court“after studying the details of the judgment.”To the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), whose

candidate, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu placedthird in the election, “the ruling of the tribunal,no doubt, has put the Judiciary on trial in theopen court of the people, who relied heavily onthe courts to dispense justice without fear orfavour.”

On his own part, the candidate of the PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP), Chief Olusola Oke, whocame second at the poll, said, “the judgmentdemonstrates a mindset exhibited by the tribu-nal in the manner it had shut out relevant andmaterial evidence on frivolous excuses duringthe trial. The judgment remains unacceptableto me and the good people of Ondo State.”

It’s worthy to note that in the beginning of theproceedings, the opposition parties, mainly theACN and the PDP, through their candidates,Chief Akeredolu (SAN) and Chief Oke, respective-ly had raised the bar of expectations of their sup-porters by drawing strength from the verdict ofthe 2007 Garba Nabaruma tribunal. That tribunal installed Mimiko as the governor

after 22 months of litigation that followed thereported electoral robbery of April 14 of thatyear.

Yet, unlike the Nabaruma panel that resolvedthe legal tussle between former GovernorOlusegun Agagu’s PDP and Mimiko’s LP, the lasttribunal did not have the opportunity of accessto innumerable evidence, reliable witnesses andhighly supportive public opinion that made thecase a must-win for the petitioners.

During the long period that the Nabaruma tri-bunal sat, it was clear that the PDP governmentand its legal team were unsuccessfully defend-ing the indefensible because, as Mimiko saidwhen he was in the witness box, “they stole in somuch a hurry that they left evidences of theirgrafts everywhere.”

Actually, it was easy for Mimiko to prosecutethe 2007 case, as the overwhelming evidence atthe disposal of his counsel always put therespondents’ team on edge and in many

instances, making them looked pathetic intheir fruitless efforts to discountenance thefacts.

For instance, in one of the pleadings to estab-lish violence during the election, the death cer-tificate of a youngster, who was killed onElection Day at Arogbo in Ese-Odo local councilof the south district, was presented.

To link the ruling Labour Party (LP) govern-ment with the alleged killing, a letter thatemanated from the office of the Secretary to theState Government (SSG), giving the family ofthe deceased about half a million naira to keeptheir mouths shut, was attached.

Another man, whose entire denture was vio-lently removed with iron bars for daring toquestion the irregularities on polls day inAkoko, Ondo North, was paraded as a witness.

He showed the whole court how his entiremouth was wired but the PDP brought anotherwitness to establish that the fellow was bornwith wire in his mouth.To establish cases of disenfranchisement, hun-

dreds of thousands of voters’ cards that werecollected from those who were denied theirrights to vote, were presented as exhibits andwith them, the voters’ register where thenames of the denied persons were ticked ashaving voted.At almost all the sittings of the tribunal, before

the PDP team got succour in unendingadjournments like when one of the lead coun-sel was performing the Muslim pilgrimage orwhen another was being conferred with doc-toral degree, the respondents’ (PDP) counselalways arrived in the courtroom, not to raiseany new matter, but to object to any issueraised by the petitioner (LP).It was also entertaining to see how senior gov-

ernment officials and political leaders, whowere not supposed to sign election papers butwho did so, made unsuccessful attempts toshow that they were not the ones that signedthe documents but the state government andtheir banks refused to present their specimensignatures. Interestingly, Akeredolu, then one of Mimiko’s

leading counsel, played a great role in exposingthe lies of the witnesses.

And when it was time to establish cases ofmutilation of the voters’ register, it was easy toconvince the tribunal when names of non-Nigerians and dead individuals, whose photo-graphs were cropped from old almanacs andnewspapers, were presented as exhibits.

One fellow, who claimed to be a Professor ofComputer Science and was brought by the PDPto discredit the exhibits of the petitioner, wasdiscovered, under cross-examination, not tobelong to the University of Lagos that heclaimed.

He could not operate a laptop that was pre-sented to him by the tribunal, or name the cur-rent Head of the Computer ScienceDepartment of the university.After sweating profusely for several minutes of

trying, he justified his inability to operate thedevice on the ground that he had his specialcomputer that was different in configurationwith the one he was presented with, elicitingan uproar of laughter in court.

With the continued discrediting of the PDPwitnesses on daily basis, and with the threat ofa jail term on one that was found to be lyingunder oath, all the PDP witnesses ran awayfrom the court.

The party, however, created a way around theproblem by putting them inside a locked air-con-ditioned bus stationed at the entrance of thecourt, surrounded by armed policemen, to becalled one by one.  

HOWEVER, the last tribunal lacked the prepon-derance of evidence like the foregoing or

generated hilarious uproars in the courtroom. Therefore, it was easy for the panel to dismiss the

petitions and the submissions of all the 41 wit-nesses called by the ACN and the 45 by the PDPwhile describing some of them as “unreliableliars.”

After navigating through the arguments of thecounsel in the petition and the submissions intheir final addresses, Justice Kaka’an ruled thatthe petitioners did not prove their cases beyondreasonable doubt, especially since many of theallegations bordered on criminality that, by law,should be proved beyond any reasonable doubt.

The tribunal ruled that for the petitioners toprove that there was non-voting during the poll,the disenfranchised voters must be brought aswitnesses and they must show evidence that theywere registered but disallowed from votingthrough the presentation of their unused voters’cards and the registers on which their namesappeared.It was also held that of all the witnesses called by

the ACN, only two, who were not in the state dur-ing the election, tried to establish cases of non-voting, thereby making it difficult for the tribu-nal to accept the allegation of non-accreditationand disenfranchisement.

On the allegation of illegal injections of namesto manipulate the voters’ register, the tribunalheld that the petitioners should have challengedthat at the High Court before the election wasconducted because the third respondent in thematter, the INEC, had given each party copies ofthe register on November 20, 2012, 30 days beforethe election in accordance with the Electoral Act.Besides submitting that the matter is a pre-elec-

tion issue that should have been tackled beforethe poll to which the tribunal had no jurisdic-tion, the petitioners did not prove how thataffected the outcome of the election.Stressing that it would have been a different case

if the petitioners had challenged the allegedflaws noticed in the register before the poll andapproached the tribunal with evidence, particu-larly how it affected the outcome of the exercisewith proof of the injected names and who theyvoted for, the tribunal said with the way it washandled and presented, the allegation held nowater.It also held that to argue that the injected names

affected the poll, the petitioners must show thatthe declared winner was credited with unde-served votes from a manipulated register.Specifically on the testimonies of the expert wit-

ness called by Akeredolu, Justice Kanka’an saidhis submissions were made by an interestedparty, who admitted on cross examination thathe was engaged for financial consideration andthat he was contracted to look for evidence afterthe petition had been submitted.

Delivering judgment explicitly on Oke’s peti-tion, which differed slightly from Akeredolu’sbecause the PDP candidate prayed the tribunal todeclare him as the winner of the poll; the tribu-nal held that Oke failed to show to the tribunalwhy he should be so declared.

According to the tribunal, Oke would havehelped his case greatly if he had presented evi-

dence on how he should be announced instead ofMimiko, by showing his scores and how he satis-fied the constitutional requirements of declara-tion.

The tribunal also held that since irregularitieswere specifically alleged in only 28 out of the 3,007polling units where the election was held, provingall would still amount to insubstantial non-com-pliance with the Electoral Act and would not beenough to cancel the entire exercise.

WHILE a cross section of the people of the statehailed the judgment for confirming the out-

come of the election by affirming Mimiko’s victo-ry, opposition members condemned the verdict.

In a release by its spokesman, the ACN said theparty “received with shock the ruling of the elec-tion petition tribunal headed by Justice Kanka’anupholding the election of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko asthe governor of the state.”

“The party found it surprising that the tribunalcould find accommodation in the judicial realmfor the much vilified election widely condemnedfor non-compliance with known norms of free andfair elections.

“It is rather unfortunate that the trial judgeschose to close their eyes on the overwhelming oraland documentary evidences presented by the peti-tioners even when the INEC, principally chal-lenged, refused to defend itself at the tribunal.”

The party added that, “we are, however, consoledby the fact that this is just the first leg in the strug-gle to get justice for the people of Ondo State andfree them from the serial chain of poverty, whichthe LP government has sentenced them to.”

The PDP candidate, Chief Oke, in a release, said,“the judgment constitutes a brazen defeat of theexpectations of the people of Ondo state who haddesired light after four years of total darkness.”

“I have accordingly directed our legal team tostudy the judgment with a view to subjecting it toa review and reversal by the higher court. “I have no doubt in my mind that no matter how

long darkness may endure, it takes a spark for lightto overcome.”

Nonetheless, in an address to the people of thestate, Governor Mimiko said the judgment hadfurther confirmed that the Judiciary was a protec-tor of the country’s democracy, and appealed tothe opposition to sheath their swords and joinhands with him in building the state.“Apart from the dimensions of popular participa-

tion and fairness in any democratic election, theremust also be the normative dimension that con-sists of the acceptance of majority wish and theprotection of minority say,” he said.

“It is, therefore, the hope of the Labour Party gov-ernment in Ondo State that this judgment shouldrest any further political or judicial agitationabout the outcome of the election having, asidethe electorate’s verdict, been affirmed by the court.

“That is why the Labour Party government is call-ing out to opposition party members to partnerwith us in meeting the expectations of our people.

“Since we hold the belief that opposition partypolitics should be to the constructive engagementof the government in power, we are urging thoseopposed to our politics to shed the adversarialtoga and join hands with us in building an envi-able and prosperous Ondo State.”

Perhaps, the verdict will shift attention from thecourts to real governance, which, during themonths of litigation, suffered tremendously, asthe governor did not make any serious moves toput in motion the machinery of his second termtenure.

From Niyi Bello, Akure

Akeredolu Mimiko Oke

How Akeredolu, Oke lost to Mimiko

11THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

TheMetroSectionTHE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 201312

COMMUTERS from Abuja passingthrough Ekiti State yesterday ex-

perienced untold hardship asyouths and students of IlupejuEkiti barricaded the highway for al-most eight hours. The angry youthsprotested what they called “poorhandling of investigation on the al-leged police killing of a 400-levelstudent of Ekiti State University(EKSU) Seyi Fasere.The youths also criticised the stategovernment, especially the Secre-tary to the State Government whois an indigene of the town, AlhajiGaniyu Owolabi and the Chairmanof Oye Local Council, Mr AkindeleOgungbuyi, for their unusual si-lence on the matter.The protesters, who started as

early as 7.00a.m. were said to haveengaged the police in serious bat-tle as the police tried to dispersethem with tear gas, which culmi-nated in a stampede that led to thehospitalization of one DejiOmoniyi, who was said to have sus-tained injury during the melee.Seyi was allegedly killed at Oye

Ekiti, after a gang of robbers oper-ated at a first generation bank inOye Ekiti on February 28, by a po-liceman the community gave hisnickname as Akobi Esu.The students, who chanted deri-sive songs against the Nigeria Po-lice Force for allegedly killing Seyi,sealed off all the public and privateschools in the town, as well as com-mercial centres thereby paralysingsocial and commercial activities inthe sprawling town.The protesters blocked the Ifaki-Lokoja Highway, disruptinghuman and vehicular movementsalong that axis. Motorists travellingfrom Ifaki Ekiti to Kogi State had todetour at Oye Ekiti and passedthrough Isan Ekiti to Kwara borderto prevent being enmeshed in theprotest.Addressing the protesters, the

President of Ilupeju Youths, Evan-gelist Ajayi Idowu, said it wasmorally and constitutionallywrong for the Police to have con-ducted the post-mortem on the de-ceased without involving theparents. He demanded that the po-lice should pay a sum of N150 mil-lion to the family as compensationfor them to take care of the siblingsto theuniversity level, saying this isthe best way the police could ap-pease Seyi’s parents.

According to him: “The family didnot know when the bullet was ex-tracted from Seyi’s body. The sib-lings and the parents were notthere, neither were they consultedto send representatives, so wedoubt the authenticity of the au-topsy. We, therefore, demandedthat Seyi’s remains be buried in thepremises of the State Police Com-mand and the Command should benamed after him, so that his deathwill not be in vain.”While addressing the protesters,the President, Ilupeju Ekiti Stu-dents’ Union, Mr Temitayo Fatile,

said he expected the police to haveowned up that Seyi was killed inerror, rather than to be playingpranks with the death of such apromising young man. He said thepolice should be courageousenough to issue a statement de-nouncing its earlier statement thatSeyi was an armed robber, to dispelall ill feelings about the deceased.Fatile added that, “the police wastaking the family for a ride by writ-ing a letter to the parents that theyshould come and take Seyi’s corpsefor burial. Up till now, the report of

Briefs

the autopsy has not been madeknown to the family. The bulletthat was extracted, nobody knewwhether it was police bullet or not.So, it was wrong for the police tohave told the parents to come andpick Seyi’s corpse for burial, whenall these matters have not been set-tled.However, when contacted, the Po-lice Public Relations Officer of theEkiti State Police Command, MrVictor Babayemi, said the Com-mand has not been briefed aboutthe protest.

NB holds investors,media forum today

Church anniversary

The protesting students

The baricaded road

NIGERIAN Breweries (NB)Plc. will today hold an

Investors/Media forum atthe Panoramic View Hall,Civic Centre, Victoria Island,Lagos from 11.00a.m. to1.00p.m (local time) or 12 –2pm CET. It will feature pre-sentations by Nico Vervelde,the company’s ManagingDirector/ CEO, Victor Fa-muyibo,Human ResourceDirector and JasperHamaker, Finance Director.The public can follow theevent live on the InvestorRelations page onwww.nbplc.com.

Students on rampage in Ekiti

NOA awards Ejebe, Otumara, others May 11

PHOTOS: MUYIWA ADEYEMI

• Youths protest govt’s silence on alleged Police killing of varsity studentFrom Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti

Ejebe

THE Public Relations Officer(PRO) of the University ofBenin Alumni Association(UBAA) Worldwide, Dr. IsaacEjebe, FNOA will be amongpersonalities to be honouredby the Delta State chapter ofthe Nigerian Optometric As-sociation (NOA) on Saturday,May 11, 2013 at the HotelBenizia, Asaba during the as-sociation's Dinner/AwardsNite. Ejebe will receive theDistinguished Service Awardfor Optometrists who havedistinguished themselves inthe practice of the Optomet-ric profession. Ejebe, a fellow of the Niger-ian Optometric Association(FNOA) has served the NOA asNational PRO (1998-2002)and Delta state chapterChairman (2008-2012). Ovu-ouzorie Macaulay is SpecialGuest of Honour while g,Chief Paulinus Akpeki willchair the occasion. Dr JosephOtumara, also an awardee ischief host. Dr. Sam Ntemaand Dr Ronald Eyime arealso expected at the occasion.

THE 10th anniversary ofthe Archbishop TimothyOlufosoye Memorial Angli-can Church (ATOMAC)Ogba, Lagos holds on Sun-day, May 11, while the dedi-cation of its ultra-modernchurch building is on Sun-day, May 18. According to the Vicar ofthe church, Rev. AbiadeAdeniji, activities lined upto celebrate the anniver-sary, which begin includefasting/prayer, street evan-gelism, hospital visitation,blood sugar test/blood pres-sure check-up at the churchpremises and vigil.Adeniji said the newly en-throned Bishop of the LagosWest Diocese, the Rt. Revd.James Odedeji, Bishop ofIdoani Diocese, the Rt. Revd.Ezekiel Dahunsi, the re-cently retired Bishop ofLagos West Diocese and theRt. Revd. Peter Awelewa Ade-biyi would attend.

THE National Drug LawEnforcement Agency(NDLEA) yesterday dockedtwo teenagers before Jus-tice Mohammed Idris ofthe Federal High Court,Lagos over allegations ofdrug trafficking.They were AdebowaleAwode, 17 and Eze Igedi, 17. They are standing trial ona one-count charge of deal-ing on a restricted nar-cotic, cannabis sativa.The prosecutor, Mr. JamesAernan told the court thatthe accused, who both re-

NDLEA docks two over drug traffickingBy Joseph Onyekwere sides at the Ojo area of

Lagos, committed the al-leged offence on February21.Aernan said that theywere apprehended by Cus-tom officers at Agbajicheck-point in Ojo, onroute Seme.He told the court thatabout 2.7 kilogrammes ofcannabis sativa, a narcoticsimilar to cocaine was re-covered from the accusedwho intended exportingsame.The prosecutor told thecourt that the accused

were then arrested andhanded over to the NDLEAfor prosecution.He said the offence contra-vened the provisions ofsections 11 (c) of the NDLEAAct, 2004.The accused, however,pleaded not guilty to thecharge.But counsel to the ac-cused, Basil Jimoh, told thecourt that the accusedwere teenagers and soought not to be arraignedat a high court.He said they ought tohave appeared before a

lower court since they wereclassified as young personswithin the provision of thelaw.Justice Idris in his rulingheld that the issue of ageought to have been raisedby defence counsel beforethe charge was read to theaccused and their pleataken.The judge, however, re-leased the accused on bailto their parents who werepresent in court, butwarned that they producethem in court at the nextadjourned date.“As parents, we must be

mindful of the places ourwards visits and the type offriends they keep. “It is your responsibility toensure that your childrendo not go out without yourconsent. I will release thesechildren to you on bail, butyou must ensure that youproduce them in court any-time trial commences”,Idris ruled.He adjourned the case toJune 11 for trial.If found guilty on the of-fence, an accused is liableto a term of imprisonmentnot less than three years.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 METRO 13

Photonews

The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Adegboyega O. Dosunmu (right), the celebrant, Deacon Lawrence A. Okunade,his wife Jemimah and Chief Launcher, Chief Olusina Ogundimu at the presentation of book “A Chapter of your life”to mark Okunade’s 80th birthday celebration of Okunade in Abeokuta

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (left), Commissioner for Works, Sola Adebayo, Site Engineer, Hajaig Con-struction Company, Hameed Jamel during an unsceduled inspection of ongoing construction work along Ifaki-Iworoko Roa, Ado Ekiti

PHOTO: NAN

AS part of its corporatesocial responsibility,

Julius Berger Plc., recentlydonated N1,000,000 forthe upkeep of about 2,800children at Goodnews Hu-manitarian Foundation,Abak, Akwa Ibom, a char-ity home founded byArchbishop ElijahMboho.Julius Berger’s Public Af-fairs Advisor, Mr. ClementIloba, who visited thehome to make the dona-tion, said apart from thecompany’s expertise inconstruction, the com-pany was committed toshowing love to its corpo-

rate citizenship in keyareas such as health, edu-cation and sports for thedisabled.“What we are doingtoday is to give back tothe society and will con-tinue to support the foun-dation”, he said.According to him, thecompany in 2012 gave N1million to the foundationfor the upkeep of the in-mates, and because theJulius Berger has seenthat the foundation madejudicious use of themoney, decided to, in2013, to repeat its feat ofgiving another N1mil-

lion.He challenged thefounder and workers tokeep up their good works,especially taking care ofthe orphans and aban-doned children, as inthem are future leaders atdifferent levels of leader-ship in the country andindeed the state.Full of joy and so elated,Archbishop Elijah Mbohothanked the company andsaid he was happy to be abeneficiary of the com-pany’s good gesture, not-ing that, what the firmhad done was a good wayto partner with him indoing God’s business.

Julius Berger gives N1m to orphanage

THE event brought to-gether over 300 stu-

dents and teachers fromsecondary schools inIkeja, Bariga and Ikoyi en-virons. It was this year’sWuraola Day, which is cel-ebrated every May 1, bythe Y’s Men and Y’sMenettes Int‘l, the servicearm of the Young MenChristian Association(YMCA). It focused on “Blood Trans-fusion” and “Roll BackMalaria”.This fund-raising event,which was held at theRomney Hall of the YMCAof Lagos, featured a vari-ety of activities and dis-play of talents by theparticipating studentsand guests. Students de-fied the rain to marchfrom Awolowo Road Ikoyito Onikan with a BrigadeBand. The students wore shirtswith inscriptions such as“Blood Transfusion – What’syour role?” and “War

YMCA marks Wuraola Day, joins in fight against malariaBy Bertram Nwannekanma

From Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, Uyo

against Malaria – Play yourrole!”It was in honour and re-membrance of Mrs. Wu-raola Delano, a dedicatedmember of the club, wholeft her footprints in thesands of time.The Wuraola Day pro-gramme witnessed na-tional and internationaldimensions as two youths,Victoria Evboifo andSamuel Nwabunike camefrom Benin City, Edo Statewhile Ms Daisy Leich trav-elled from Nairobi, Kenyato be a part of fun, infor-mation, fellowship and in-teraction (FIFI).Monies realized from theyearly Wuraola Day wouldbe channeled to charityand assist victims of natu-ral disasters. An Assistant to the Execu-tive Secretary of the LagosState Blood TransfusionService, Lagos Island Ma-ternity Hospital, Lagos, Dr.Alori Samuel, spoke onblood transfusion.There was voluntaryblood screening and

transfusion with a largeteam of volunteers fromthe Blood TransfusionCommission.Also, the Assistant RollBack Malaria Manager ofthe Lagos State Ministry ofHealth, Alausa, Dr. (Mrs.)Victoria Omoera, was theguest speaker on “RollBack Malaria”. The two guest speakersintimated the students onthe importance of donat-ing safe blood in order tosave lives. Omoera said malaria’seradication was possibleif mosquitoes were wipedout, which is achievableonly if we keep our envi-ronment clean andhealthy. Representatives of the De-lano Family, Roti Delanoand Balogun Kunle De-lano (Wuraola’s husband)were full of praises for thestudents, teachers andguests as well as the or-ganizers including Mr.Tunji Makinde, OtunbaFemi Oduntan and MsLola Areogun.

A group of women during a Walk for Asthma to mark World Asthma Day in Lagos...yesterday

Managing Director/Editor -in-Chief, National Mirror, Mr. Steve Ayorinde (right), the Editor, Seyi Fesugba andGeneral Secretary, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr. Isaac Ighure, at th World Press Freedom Day in Lagos...yesterday

Dr. Kelsey Jones (left); Dr. Gareth Tudor-Williams; Prof. John Warner; Dr. Dayo Ajayi-Obe; Dr. Michael Webb; Dr.Tina Williams and Prof. Stephen Obaro during the training of medical practitioners on children care by Sub-Sa-hara Health Solutions Nigeria and Imperial College, London

SOLDIERS at a check-point in Nkwagu along

Afikpo- Abakaliki Express-way, Ebonyi State, yester-day arrested 14membersof the Movement for theActualization of the Sover-eign State of Biafra, (MAS-SOB), who were travellingin a chartered Kombi busto Imo State.In a statement signed byMASSOB Director of Infor-mation, Uche Madu, dis-closed that 14 of itsmembers who were trav-elling to Okwe, Imo State

for its national meetingwere arrested and handedover to the Special Crimi-nal Investigation Depart-ment, (SCID) in Abakaliki.MASSOB, therefore, callsfor immediate and uncon-ditional release of itsmembers, lamenting thatthe security personnel, es-pecially the military, werepushing them to the wallfor arresting non-violentMASSOB members to cre-ate artificial tension in theSouth-eastern part of thecountry.Part of the statement

read: “14 MASSOB mem-bers in a chartered bus ontheir way to MASSOB na-tional meeting at Okwewere arrested today atNkwagu, Abakaliki by mili-tary men at a check -pointand transferred them toSCID. We condemn thesecowardly acts of NigeriaArmy, who always attackour non- violent memberswith military might butshy away from violence-prone areas.”“ We demand for their im-mediate and uncondi-tional release.”

Soldiers arrest 14 MASSOBmembers in AbakalikiFrom Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

TheGuardian

Editorial

14

LETTER

Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

APC: Change is comingSIR: All over the world, theonly thing that is perma-nent is change. Framers ofconstitutional democraciesworldwide made provisionsfor change in leadership byproviding for two-party sys-tem or multi-party system.They put this very importantclause in place to make wayfor change when there is needto do so. When there is oneparty system, the possibilityof change is no longer there.We all call this dictatorshipand dictatorship breeds fear,tyranny, oppression, suppres-sion, repression, intolerance,political assassination, brutal-ity, stunted growth, corrup-tion, political irresponsibility,impunity, greed, hatred, arro-gance, wickedness, sufferingsetc.Nigeria is supposed to be a

multi-party democracy wherechange is inevitable if thingsare not going well as they arenow. But the ruling party(PDP) has held the nationhostage since 1999. The partyleadership has effectivelyused the wealth of the nationnot for productivity and eco-nomic growth but to muzzleand stifle opposition. Theyhave effectively used thenation’s resources for them-selves, their wives, children,and even generations yetunborn. Every attempt madeby the opposition to cometogether to challenge theoctopus has met with ruthless

obstacles put in place by theruling party. They use ourmoney to corrupt our hardearned democracy and todemocratise corruption. As ifthat is not enough they tell usthat their party will ruleNigeria for 60 years, whetherwe like it or not. This is impuni-ty simplicitta! This is arro-gance being taken to a primi-tive level. This is a celebrationof political brigandage, so tospeak.In 2015 Nigerians deserve

change of leadership, changeof attitude, change in ideas,change in character, change instrategy, change in approach,change in plans, change infocus, change in conductingthe affairs of state and in con-ducting the business of gover-nance. Nigerians deserve newways of doing things, newthinking in the art of gover-nance, new men and womenin the seat of government, anda real turnaround in trans-forming a country endowedwith both human and materialresources.Everything that needs to be

done to bring about thischange is being put in placeright now by committed menand women in ACN, CPC, ANPP,APGA and others. Twenty-fourhours and seven days in a weekthey work tirelessly to get thedesired result. You can see thechallenges they are facing justto get APC registered. Two fakeand faceless APCs being driven

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011)

Nigeria’s roadsto nowhereACROSS the nation, states are asking the Federal Government to settle the bills forwork done on federal roads in their respective territories, just as the FederalMinister responsible for roads announced that the federal road network of 35,000kilometres requires N921.4 billion to remain motorable. This raises yet again, theneed for prompt action on a reform policy for roads in Nigeria to tackle the chal-lenges of funding and management in a truly federal structure.Lagos State claims the Federal Government owes it N51 billion for works carried outon federal roads in the state. The justification for the claim by Lagos State is that mostfederal roads in the state are arterial routes, bridges and flyovers. The state had beenengaged in a dialogue with Federal Government officials, and verification teams hadvisited the state to assess the routes. A timely settlement of the claims would there-fore enable the state to construct and upgrade more state roads. Lagos also set anexample for the nation with the cheery information that 49,742 jobs were created as aresult of involving local contractors in the strategic road construction sector.Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun made the case for his state when thePresident flew in by helicopter to commission a steel factory in Magboro, on theLagos-Ibadan Expressway. Amosun’s current claim is only an addition to the existingN4.39 billion owed Ogun State by the Federal Government for roads worked on by hispredecessor, Gbenga Daniel from 2003-2011. Amosun’s “Standards Roads Programme”included many federal roads passing through major cities of the state. The governoreven lamented that the separation of federal and state roads was hampering theeffort to attract investors. The federal roads in Ogun State are very important fordevelopment because they link the industrial sites in Ikorodu/Mosimi, Agbara Estate,Otta, Ewekoro, Ibese and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway axis. The President’s response to Amosun was, of course, another policy pronouncement.He directed the Ministry of Works to develop a Comprehensive Document to be givento all the 36 states on procedure for state intervention on federal roads. He also statedthe obvious that ordinary Nigerians do not care about separation of governments asFederal, State or Local and that all they want is good roads. The tiers of government,after all, are constitutional demarcations for the purpose of development. He was alsocategorical that states can intervene, to maintain or expand a federal road, but theymust follow due process. Federal Government owns only the land of the FederalCapital Territory and all federal roads pass through state lands. The FederalGovernment, according to Jonathan, would therefore share in the costs of interven-tion, subject to budgetary allocations for the particular road, so long as there was noover-invoicing and the due process of law was complied with.Pronouncements like this are however far from the reality that dawns once the com-ments are off and the last word of such pronouncement is uttered. Although theexperiences of only two states, both of critical importance to the nations’ economy(one is the commercial nerve centre, while the other is the gateway from it to the restof the country), have been listed, all the states have similar tales of woe in theirattempts to work on federal roads. Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio’sexperience of being prevented by Federal Government officials, after getting approvalin principle from the President to spend Akwa Ibom’s funds on a road linking hisstate with a neighbouring state is still fresh. The President rightly noted that the people want good roads and are not interestedin which tier of government is responsible for each road. The Chief Executive of thestate is often held accountable or blamed for bad roads in his domain. Though will-ing to spend meager resources of the state on federal roads, especially passingthrough the urban areas, the due process for intervention is arduous and time con-suming. Under the pressure from the public, many state governors simply embarkedon work on federal roads, even though the structure of Federal Highways Departmentdoes not permit such intervention. The minister has overall responsibility. Many state governments therefore embarked on federal roads repairs without thewritten approval of the Ministry of Works or FERMA. In cases where approval was giv-en, there is no evidence that any state has been paid.At the 2012 Council of Works Meeting held in Lagos, federal and state officials decid-ed that sections of federal roads passing through urban areas be handed to the states.What has been done to implement that decision? What resources would be madeavailable to the states for the maintenance and management of such routes?The Minister of Works once assured the nation that the establishment of the FederalRoads Authority and the Road Fund would eliminate the duplication in road mainte-nance and management. The delay in effecting this would make it impossible for theFederal Government to meet the claims from all the states as well as get the N921.4 bil-lion needed to rehabilitate the nation’s network of 35,000 kilometres of federal and30,000 kilometres of state roads. And the question must be asked: What does thenation have to show for the N1.397 trillion the minister said has been the Gross ProjectPortfolio on roads from 2001 to date; including on-going projects totaling 6,530 kilo-metres distributed in all the six geo-political zones? The solution to the crisis in Nigeria’s road network is the timely implementation ofthe Road Policy Reform, which will include the establishment of the Roads Authorityand a Road Fund with input from the states.Until this is done within the context of a total infrastructural development strategy,Nigeria’s road network will remain one below the requirements of the nation.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

by political rogues have beentrying to be cogs in the wheelof progress of the real APC. Allkinds of political grenades andmines have been buried in theway of the real APC, but how farthese people can go is yet to beseen.All things considered, I knowthat APC leaders are deter-mined to take this project ofgiving Nigerians an alternativeto a logical conclusion, but thebiggest headache is theIndependent NationalElectoral Commission (INEC).Is INEC fully prepared to pro-vide a level playing field thistime around? The people get the kind of gov-ernment they really desire.Change comes because thepeople really want it and theygo the extra mile to get it.Change in a political settinglike Nigeria is not going to besecured on a platter of gold.Men and women, young andold must gird their loins,remove the kid gloves and jetti-son the timidity to conquer.Our country has been stolensince 1983 (30 years) when themilitary took over power fromcivilians, and time has comefor us to say no, enough isenough. The struggle to reclaim

Nigeria is going to be a seriousbattle because we are dealingwith people without con-science, hearts, minds, souls,heads, eyes and brains. • Joe Igbokwe,

15THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Business

World Bank raises Nigeria’s economic ratingFOR reducing the level ofendemic poverty in the

country, the World Bank haspromoted Nigeria from a lowincome country ranking to amedium income positionwith the privilege of borrow-ing from the Breton Wood’selite club, the InternationalBank for Reconstruction andDevelopment [ IBRD]. Thedecision elevating the coun-try’s rating , according to the

cent from 64.2 per cent aswell as improvement in rev-enue accretion.The World Bank boss who

spoke to journalists in Abujaon the post Spring meetings

said the implication of thepromotion was that Nigerianow would have more accessto resources from its credi-tors as it becomes eligible toborrow not only from the

International DevelopmentAssociation (IDA) but alsofrom the International Bankfor Reconstruction AndDevelopment (IBRD).She said : “ This follows theBank’s resolve to give thecountry a ‘blend’ status in its2014-2017 CountryPartnership Strategy (CPS)document which would berelease later this year. Theblend status, which is for aperiod of six to seven yearsapplies to countries withgross national income percapita of about $1,170.Nigeria, before now, has

been eligible to borrow onlyfrom IDA, which offered a 40-year payment plan with a 10-year grace period at no inter-est rate charge. Beneficiariesonly pay a service charge ofabout 0.75 per cent.The decision also followed

the growth in Nigeria’s rev-enue as her gross nationalincome per capita hadreached about $1,200 in thepast two years, prompting

the Bank to undertake anupgrade from its current IDAonly status.She however explained thatthe country would continueto benefit from bothresources for seven yearsalthough the repaymentconditions would now bereviewed.While on the new status, thecountry would now adapt tonew repayment plans as theIDA condition would change.She gave further insight

into the new plan : “Insteadof having 40 year repaymentit will be 25 year-repayment;the grace period movesdown from 10 years to fiveyears and you have an inter-est rate of about 1.3 to 1.5 percent.”During the six to seven-yearperiod, allocations fom theIDA is expected to bereviewed and phased outgradually while the IBRDallocation steps in as the onlyborrowing window.

Strenghtening local OEMs to checkcapital flight

Legal risks, regulatory implications onoil, gas sector growth

EITI may rate Nigeria low, as incompe-tence threatens oil, gas audit reportsFrom Collins Olayinka, Houston, Texas, U.S

OIL and gas audit reportsturned in by Nigeria to

the Extractive IndustriesTransparency Initiative(EITI) may be subjected togreater scrutiny by the inter-national body, The Guardianhas learnt.This scrutiny is allegedly

informed by some under-hand practices in the selec-tion process of the auditingfirms. This comes just as Nigeria

faces imminent downgradeon the Extractive IndustriesTransparency Initiative(EITI) compliant countriesowing to its inability to com-ply with annual auditing ofits oil earnings.

As the Minister of

Petroleum Resources, Mrs.Diezani Alison-Madueke pre-pares to address internation-al oil experts an investors onthe opportunities Nigeria’shydrocarbon industry offersthe oil and gas sector at theon-going OffshoreTechnology Conference inHouston, Texas, UnitedStates, there are fears amongstakeholders that Nigeria ison the verge of losing out onthe ratings.

While the NigeriaExtractive IndustriesTransparency Initiative(NEITI), has continually reit-erates its desire to ensure itproduces accurate and time-ly audit reports in tandemwith the requirements ofEITI, preference for specificlocal auditing firm is threat-ening the accuracy and time-

liness of the reports.For instance, Idris Sada andCo. who got the N226milloncontract for the audit of2009/2011 reports and havecollected N155million out ofthe sum and is yet to com-plete the job.

The Guardian gathered herein Houston at the weekendthat halting the rot in theselection process may haveindeed begun with the con-duct of a technical presenta-tion that was allowed to pro-duce the best biddingprocess in many years. It was also learnt that

though the technical presen-tation was not scored, ithowever provided theopportunity for NEITI to crit-ically examine the compe-tence level of the applica-tions of the competing

auditing firms.For the first time also, SadaIdris and Co, which has beenpersistent winners lost out toTaju Audu Electivo Baker TillyConsortium.Observers were curious howSada Idris, a company that isbattling to finish the 2011audit report was allowed toentre the race for the execu-tion of the 2012 reports.It was alleged that most localfirms without internationalpartnerships lack the compe-tence to execute the audit ofsuch magnitude and staff ofNEITI are beginning to askquestions on how certainfirm continually emerge win-ner even though the firm isyet to demonstrate high-levelof competence going by howit has handled previousassignments.

World bank Country Directorfor Nigeria , Ms. MarieFrancoise Marie-Nelly, wastaken at the last month’sSpring meeting of the WorldBank / International mone-tary Fund [IMF] inWashington.She said the decision was

taken after a review of theNigeria’s economic indica-tion revealed that there was areduction in poverty rate percapita in the country whichhas now dipped to 62.6 per

Head Distriburion, FBN Life, Ayodeji Olushina (left); Head Mobile Finacial services, First Bank, Mike Ogbalu; and the Head Media and external relations,First Bank, Babatunde Lasaki; at the First Bank seventh edition of product fair conference in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO; SUNDAY AKINLOLU

From Mathias Okwe, Abuja

Energy P48Compulife P25

Nigeria, before now, has been eligible to bor-row only from IDA, which offered a 40-yearpayment plan with a 10-year grace period at nointerest rate charge. Beneficiaries only pay aservice charge of about 0.75 per cent.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 201316 BUSINESS

Govt shifts attention to hydro-power generation

Success ofVision20:2020 tiedto functionalinfrastructure

GOVERNMENT’S dream ofmaking Nigeria rankamong top 20 economies inthe world by year 2020 be areality, existing infrastruc-ture must be made function-al; but also managed sus-tainably, an expert, EraborOkogun, has stressed.Chief Corporate Adviser,

Signal Alliance , EraborOkogun, speaking with themedia recently in Lagos, hesaid government mustadopt a way of maintainingits assets to ensure optimalservice delivery.According to him, if Nigeriawas to achieve its 2020 eco-nomic blueprint, functionalinfrastructure, good main-tenance culture and properplanning to attract invest-ment. He said that the company,in collaboration with SAP, isholding a forum on May 9 inAbuja to sensitise govern-ment on the need to deployEnterprise AssetManagement Solutions totackle the challenges,adding, “it is important thatgovernment has a solutionlike this because achievingVision 20:2020 wouldrequire a lot of infrastruc-ture and investments.”

Women group seeks efficient tax system, utilisation

By Sulaimon Salau

POISED to tackle the errat-ic power supply in thecountry, the FederalGovernment may haveshifted concentration tohydro power generatingplants.The Permanent Secretary ,

Ministry of Power,Godknows Igali, who dis-closed this during a visita-tion by European Union del-egation, led by AmbassadorDavid Macrae in Abuja, yes-terday attributed the rea-son to environmentaldegradation associatedwith fossils power genera-tion.Igali said that apart from

being environmentalfriendly, small hydro power

generation can also betransmitted off grid for useby small rural communitiesaround the dams.According to him, there

are about 200 dams acrossthe country that were hith-erto constructed for purelyirrigation purposes, but cannow be adaptable for elec-tricity.A statement made avail-

able to The Guardian byDeputy Director/Head ofPress, Timothy Oyedeji, saidthe concomitant multipliereffect in agricultural valuechain is unimaginable,employment generationand empowerment wouldnaturally follow.While commending the

European Union for itsunrelenting assistance in

critical areas of the nation’seconomy, the PermanentSecretary assured the dele-gation that the waste associ-ated with gas flaring wouldsoon be a thing of the past.He said that ourIndependent PowerProjects (IPP) was designedto take advantage of our gaspotentials.The Permanent Secretary

called for partnership withEuropean Union and otherdevelopment partners toprovide un-interrupted

electrification in Nigeria,“we need to leverageresources from EuropeanUnion, World Bank, AfricanDevelopment Bank and oth-ers to develop our renew-able”, for instance study hasshown that in the Northapart from solar, wind ener-gy source is abound.

Earlier, the EU leaderDavid Macrae has describedNigeria’s energy sector aspriority to the EU, sayingthat the EU will help Nigeriameet the gap in financing of

some key capital projects inthe sector.

Ambassador Macraepromised EU support forcapacity building, he saidhe is allying with theplanned arrangement tobring to Nigeria trainers,rather than Nigerians goingabroad for such training.This he reasoned is not onlycost effective but wouldafford more Nigerians to beso trained.He also said that EU pro-

gramme will touch onbringing up stream renew-able energy potentials,adding that the EU is inter-ested in ensuring effectivepower transmission to therural areas through RuralElectrification programme.

ety’s symposium tagged:“The role of women inenhancing revenue genera-tion and utilisation for eco-nomic growth, in Tinapa,Calabar.According to her, the sym-posium was part of the over-all objective of tyhe society,in an effort to ensure thatthe policies of governmentas it affects taxation andnational development havepositive impact on thewomen, children, less privi-leged and the economy ingeneral.“The idea is to ensure thattax revenue are colleced

very efficiently, fairly andand also ensure that the rev-enues are used for the uplift-ment of the quality of life ofour people.“This symposium today hastherefore, been designed asa platform to give voice towomen, who are criticalstakeholders in the tax gov-ernance in Nigeria, in termsof revenue generation andthe deployment of such rev-enue.“We have undertaken sever-al sensitisation and aware-ness programmes aimed atinforming women on theirright as it affects taxation

There are about 200 dams across the countrythat were hitherto constructed for purely irriga-tion purposes, but can now be adaptable forelectricity.

THE Society of Women inTaxation (SWIT) hascharged tax authorities andgovernment on efficient taxsystem and proper resourceutilisation, saying that itscampaign for revenue gen-eration and women’s rightswere part of its vision tocontribute to the socio-eco-nomic well-being of thecountry.The National Chairpersonof SWIT, a women arm of theChartered Institute ofTaxation, Mrs. Justina AdakuOkoror, said this at the soci-

From Chijioke Nelson, Calabar

Bharti Airtel’s subscribers hit 271.2 million in 20 countries

By Bankole Orimisan

and utilisation of taxevenue, students’ educa-tion, capacity building pro-grammes, among others.“The result presently is thatwomen issues and rights arebeing reflected in govern-ment policies in somestates, with women gettingstronger voices policy for-mulation, while generalawareness is on the rise.“Indeed, the national lead-ership of the society hadbeen engaged in the aggres-sive programmes of estab-lishing branches in everystate of the federation toensure that ordinary mar-

ket woman clearly under-stands her tax right andmake her voice heard whenit matters.But the wife of Cross RiverState Governor and patronof the state’s chapter ofwomen society, Obioma LyelImoke, said that for “womento play more active role inrevenue generation for eco-nomic growth, we must allwork collectively to removeall the factors that hindertheir optimal participationand contribution in eco-nomic activities.“We must labour assidu-

ously tonstill gender equali-ty in all facets of our scietyand do all we can to inte-grate the application of theNational Gender Policyacross the board in thecountry.She noted that women

must be empowered to takethe role that will lead to thecountry’s greatness throughaccess to education, goodhealth, as well as having avoice in the community.“The equation is fairly

straightforward. The morewomen who participate inour workforce, the largerthe workforce and thegreater the income profilefor wealth creation and rev-enue generation throughtaxation,” she added.

Managing Director, Qualcomm West Africa, Alex Dadson (left); Vice President, Techno Group, Afrif Chowdhuri, Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria and Public Relation Manager, TechnoAfrica, Mounir Boukali, during the media launch of a new phone from the stables of Techno in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO; OSENI YUSUF

tained in firm’s IFRS resultsfor the fourth quarter andyear ended March 31, 2013.The financial statement

showed that the firmrecorded a slight drop inearnings in some of itsAfrican operations, whichwas as a result of fierce com-petition and punishinginterest charges.Indeed, the consolidated

net profit for the threemonths to March tumbledto 5.08 billion rupees ($94million), down from 10.06billion rupees in the sameperiod a year earlier.

SUBSCRIBERS on India’sBharti Airtel network;across 20 countries of opera-tions is now 271.2 million.Besides, the total minuteson the network across coun-tries of operations have hit293.7 billion, up by 11 percent on a Year-on-Year basis.Bharti Airtel currently

operates in Nigeria,Burkina-Faso, Jordan, Iraq,Tanzania, Seychelles,Bahrain, Saudi-Arabia,South Africa among others. This information was con-

Despite the weak earnings,Bharti’s billionaire founderand Chairman Sunil BhartiMittal, said: “Market correc-tions have started… andpricing stability is returningto the sector in India.“With Africa over its peak

of organic investments, weare optimistic about thepotential for improved mar-ket shares and marginexpansions. Finally, on thedata front, we are now wit-nessing consistent quarteron quarter growth across allgeographies.”Despite the fact that the

number of major telecomsplayers has fallen frommore than a dozen to justseven, due to a SupremeCourt ruling that scrappedthe licences of a number ofsmaller firms due to a scan-dal-tarnished sale, competi-tion remains fierce.Bharti, which has a more

than 30 per cent marketshare, and other operatorsalso face government callsto pay larger fees to renewlicences in years ahead.India’s boom in phone con-nections has been over-whelmingly driven by cellu-

lar services and the country,with 900 million sub-scribers, is second only toChina in terms of customernumbers.In India, the company’s

product offerings include2G, 3G and 4G wireless serv-ices, mobile commerce,fixed line services, highspeed DSL broadband, IPTV,DTH, enterprise servicesincluding national andinternational long distanceservices to carriers. In therest of the geographies, itoffers 2G, 3G wireless servic-es and mobile commerce.

By Adeyemi Adepetun

Africa’s share of global FDIincreases overfive years

AFRICA’S share of globalforeign direct invest-ment (FDI) has grown overthe past five years high-lighting the growing inter-est from foreign investors,according to Ernst &Young’s third AfricaAttractiveness Surveyreleased recently.The report combines ananalysis of internationalinvestment into Africa overthe past five years with a2013 survey of over 500global business leadersabout their views on thepotential of the Africanmarket. The latest data shows thatdespite a fall in projectnumbers from 867 in 2011to 764 in 2012, in line withthe global trend projectnumbers are still signifi-cantly higher than any-thing that preceded thepeak of 2008. The continent’s globalshare of FDI has also grownfrom 3.2 per cent in 2007 to5.6 per cent in 2012.

17THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

18 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 19

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 21

MoneyWatchNigeria’s budget amendment bill and matters arising

THEnation’s budget procedures may been upfor another round of controversy, with thegladiators encompassing the Legislature,Executive and the Civil Society Organizations(CSOs), as amendment proposals on the 2013budget are presently being juggled around forany possible outcome. The amendment bill,which is believed to be sponsored by thePresident and pending before the NationalAssembly (NASS), is also being contested byCSOs, notably, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).Tthe amendment proposal for the 2013 budgetby the President affected clauses six, seven, nineand 10.But CSJ, led by the Lead Director, Eze

Onyekpere, at a media briefing in Abuja, on the“2013 Federal Budget Amendment Bill present-ed by the President to the National Assembly,”queried the rational behind the proposedchanges in some clauses, as well as the reten-tion of others.Speculations may have also been rife as thenation’s policy changes are usually character-ized by intrigues, overheating of the polity, eco-nomic strangulation and ultimately, wideninggap between the “haves and the have nots.”Who knows where the present amendmentproposal may take us to and when our “deliver-ance” will come.Specifically, Clause six of the budget provision,for which the President wants amended, states:“The Accountant-General of the Federation shallforward to the National Assembly full details offunds released to the government agenciesimmediately such funds are released.” But CSJ isopposed to its amendment, saying: “This clausehas been a recurring decimal in previous budg-ets approved by National Assembly (NASS) andsigned into law by the President, citing 2009Appropriation Act: Section 6 (3); 2010Appropriation Act: Section 6 (2); 2011Appropriation Act: Section 7 (ii); and 2012Appropriation Act: Section 5 (ii).“What is special about this clause in 2013? Didthe Executive suddenly realise that this clausewill not improve the lives of Nigerians?Separation of powers cannot be a shield to beused by the executive to deny the legislatureaccess to timely information. Rather, separa-tion of powers justifies this clause, consideringthe need for the legislature to know when theAppropriation Act is derailing. The true test ofwhether NASS is encroaching on the duties ofthe Executive is to find out whether NASS is dic-tating to the Executive on how to perform itsduties or conduct its affairs. Further, the princi-ple of checks and balances supports the posi-tion of NASS. Indeed, members of NASS, asNigerian citizens have a right of access to this

information under section 1 of the Freedom ofInformation Act.“It is apposite to note that the President did notcite any section of any law violated by thisclause. Further, previous poor capital budgetimplementation by the Executive reinforces theneed for this provision. Reporting to the legisla-ture does not stop the Accountant-General orthe MDAs from reporting to their immediatesuperiors in the Executive. And the report to theLegislature seeks to facilitate the constitutionalrole of the Legislature in ensuring compliancewith the Appropriation Act.Another proposed amendment by the

President is Clause seven, which states that “theMinister of Finance shall ensure that fundsappropriated under this Act are released to theappropriate agencies and/or organs of govern-ment as and when due, provided that no fundsfor any quarter of the fiscal year shall be differedwithout prior waiver from the NationalAssembly.” Again, CSJ asked the lawmakers to“retain the Clause or demand (from theMinister of Finance) and approve a Fiscal RiskAppendix in accordance with sections 19 (f) and28 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.”The civil society group said that its justifica-tions for the objection of the proposed amend-ment stem from the fact that “this Clause hasbeen there in recent budgets- 2009Appropriation Act: Section 7; 2010Appropriation Act: Section 7; 2011 AppropriationAct: Section 8; and 2012 Appropriation Act: sec-tion 6.”It further queried: “What is special about thisclause in 2013? Did the executive suddenlyrealise that this clause will delay budget imple-mentation? The mischief in extant practicewhereby capital budget implementation hasbeen unusually poor warrants this clause tonudge the Minister of Finance to ensure fullbudgetary releases. NASS is further justified inincluding this clause when one considers theregular withdrawals from the Excess CrudeAccount to augment revenue shortfalls. “On the other hand, NASS and the executiveshould revert to sections 19 (f) and 28 of theFiscal Responsibility Act 2007. From the tone ofthe President’s assertions on this clause, it isclear that both the Executive and NASS did notavert their minds to the said sections.“Section 19 (f) requires the annual budget sub-

mitted by the President to NASS to containinter alia a Fiscal Risk Appendix evaluating thefiscal and other related risks to the annualbudget and specifying measures to be taken tooffset the occurrence of such risks. NASS is sup-posed to review and approve this Fiscal RiskAppendix. By section 28 of the FRA: (1) Where,by the end of three months, after the enact-ment of the Appropriation Act, the Ministerdetermines that the targeted revenues may beinsufficient to fund the heads of expenditurein the Appropriation Act, the Minister shall,within the next 30 days of such determination,take appropriation measures to restrict fur-ther commitments and financial operationsaccording to the criteria set in the Fiscal RiskAppendix. Underlining supplied for emphasis;(2) where the targeted revenues are re-estab-lished, either in part or in full, theAppropriations for which further commit-ments were restricted shall be restored propor-tionately; the provisions of subsections (1) and(2) of this section shall not apply to statutory orconstitutional expenditure.“If a proper Fiscal Risk Appendix had been pre-pared by the Ministry of Finance and approvedby NASS, this issue would not have arisen.Future budgets should be accompanied by adetailed Fiscal Risk Appendix, which should bespecifically considered and approved by NASS.”The Clause nine under the President’s amend-ment propositions states: “All AccountingOfficers of Ministries, Parastatals andDepartments of Government who controlheads of expenditures shall upon the cominginto effect of this Act furnish the NationalAssembly on quarterly basis with detailedinformation on the Internally GeneratedRevenue of the Agency in any form whatsoev-er.” The group once again, wants it retained.“The report by Accounting officers of MDAs inno way stops them from filing reports withinthe chain of reporting established by theExecutive. And the established chain of report-ing referred to by the Executive cannot over-ride the need for the Legislature to make provi-sions guaranteeing respect for section 80 ofthe 1999 Constitution, as amended(Constitution). NASS is right in providing aclause or section which seeks to cure the mis-chief in the existing practice of MDAs whospend their Internally Generated Revenue

thereby violating the constitutional aphorismof no expenditure without appropriation. Seesections 80 and 81 of the Constitution.“Furthermore, this clause has been a recur-ring decimal in previous budgets approved byNational Assembly (NASS) and signed into lawby the President- 2009 Appropriation Act:Section 9; 2010 Appropriation Act: Section 9;2011 Appropriation Act: Section 10; and 2012Appropriation Act: Section 8.”Lastly, CSJ advocated that Clause 10 should bedeleted from the provision, in a move thatseemed to be in tandem with the President’srequest, against the assumed opinion of themany lawmakers, especially since the recentaltercation between the leadership of theSecurities and the Exchange Commission,headed by Ms. Arunma Oteh and theLegislature. Could this proposition go downwell the lawmakers or on the other hand, willthis proposition see the light of the day?The Clause states: “All revenue however

described including all fees received, fines,grants, budgetary provisions and all internallyand externally generated revenue shall not bespent by the Securities and ExchangeCommission for recurrent or capital purposesor for any other matters, nor liabilities there-on incurred except with Prior Appropriationand Approval by the National Assembly.” The group’s justifications for their positionwere that “the Act establishing the Securitiesand Exchange Commission has not beenrepealed and indeed there is no bill pendingbefore NASS for its repeal. Essentially, if thisclause is not deleted, NASS would have suc-ceeded in abolishing the commission withoutrepealing its enabling law.”According to CSJ, the reasons given by the

President are genuine and make eminentsense, vis a vis, “considering the fact that thebudget of the Securities and ExchangeCommission does not form part of the core2013 Federal Budget as presented to theNational Assembly, I believe that this clauseought not to have been inserted in the 2013Appropriation Act in the first place. Secondly,the import of the clause is tantamount to shut-ting down the business of the commissionwith a potential negative impact on the capitalmarket”.Recently, CSJ) demanded from the

Coordinating Minister for the Economy andMinister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iwealato furnish it with the designations of theaccounting officers in Ministries,Departments and Agencies (MDAs) underwhose watch some 45,000 ghost workersfraudulently siphoned N100 billion from theFederal Government treasury.

Okonjo-IwealaTambuwal Onyekpere

By Chijioke Nelson

“If a proper Fiscal Risk Appendix had been prepared by the Ministry ofFinance and approved by NASS, this issue would not have arisen. Futurebudgets should be accompanied by a detailed Fiscal Risk Appendix, whichshould be specifically considered and approved by NASS.”

APPReHenSIon is a word associated withuncertainty and it can only be calmed by

positive outcome, but before then, simple andstraightforward strategies can boost and sus-tain optimism ahead of outcome. This may bethe case of the nation’s match towards thecash-less project. The project, in reality, is notbad in itself and neither is it a new phenome-non in the global financial industry. It is onlyevolving, with newer trends on the horizon.

Cash-less society refers to an economy wherefinancial transactions are driven by electroniccards across various payment channels ratherthan the traditional physical office or “brickand mortar” office. These alternative channelsinclude Automated Teller machines (ATm),Point of Sales terminals (PoS), mobile phonesand other mobile devices, web, and various e-corporate solutions often provided by regulat-ed financial institutions. Though at present,ATm is quietly being drawn into controversy,as to whether it is full cash-less initiative com-pliant since it can churn out over n100,000per single account in a day.

There were indications recently that theCentral Bank of nigeria (CBn) was getting setfor the next phase of the cash-less policy in thecountry. But the target areas for the secondphase of the pilot project for the cash-lesseconomy initiative, which might take-off inJuly, will be Abia, Abuja, Anambra, Kano, ogunand Rivers states. CBn source said the movemay have been informed by the assessed suc-cess in Lagos pilot run and that the apex finan-cial institution might also target the deploy-ment of about 150,000 point of sales (PoS) ter-minals more and ensure increase in the num-ber of Automated Teller machines (ATms) inthe country.

Perhaps, the embers of the apprehension inthe society now over the cash-less initiativeare fanned all the more by the performance ofthe payment channels being used in thescheme already. Added to that, the infrastruc-ture deficiency being identified as the arrow-head and clog in the wheels of its progressseems to remain unsolved. How can confi-dence be strengthened over newer projectsand/or versions of the same scheme?

The razzmatazz that greeted the project fromthe beginning, which turned out to be a failedhope for the many, may have been anotherentrenched cause for apprehension over theproject. At inception, the idea appeared to bebeyond any limitation and a clearer picture ofhow the banking hall would turn out to be“lonely” can easily be imagined. Though atcost, many customers in some areas today areopting for the banking hall and counter trans-actions, instead of waiting endlessly at the var-ious payment channel points or moving fromone place to the other in search of the function-al ones.The new targetA source from the apex bank said: “The CBn isalso looking at expanding the scheme with themobile money initiative and make it success-ful. you know if the people have access to thesefacilities, that is another advantage. The bankhas learnt its lesson in the cash-less Lagos ini-tiative and was prepared and being meticu-lous not to repeat any mistakes learnt. youknow the target of CBn with the initiative was

to drastically reduce cost of currency mainte-nance, risk of carrying cash around amongothers. We have relatively achieved that in thephase 1. The second phase will be for the apexbank to explore adequately the deployment ofmore PoS terminals, ATms and we shall alsoensure and explore deepening the initiativethrough mobile money. more nigerians needto explore that area. It is very strategic to suc-ceeding. It will also interest you to note thatCBn is also pursuing Federal Government’starget of creating a robust financial system inthe country with Vision 20:2020. The cash-lesseconomy is also targeted at helping govern-ment achieve this. The initiative is still at thepilot mood and the national roll out may startsoonest. CBn is still studying the challenges,especially the connectivity and deployment ofmore facilities, awareness creation amongothers. The national roll out depends on thesuccess of the pilot phases. We have madetremendous progress. The fact remains thatwe cannot completely eliminate cash, but theCBn target is to reduce drastically the use ofcash. I can say that we are on top of the situa-tion.” Success recordThis is not to say that there is no record of suc-cess. In fact, the payment system has neverbeen like this before. nigeria is a unique placeand this stems from the fact that in the midstof struggle, there must be a way out and cir-cumstances can always be managed. The cash-less project so far, being piloted in Lagos State,has presented a positive stance, nevertheless.CBn source said the assessment of Lagos pilotrun showed that it overshoot its target of 40,000 PoS terminals as of march 2013. “Weexceeded that our projection. We have over150,000 PoS terminals now. The plan now is todouble that and encourage players to deploymore ATms in order to expand the initiative.The apex bank is also working to ensure thatthe challenges experienced in the first phasewere mitigated in the second phase.“The nation’s deposit money banks may have

keyed into the project with the deployment ofvarious electronic payment channels, prod-ucts and services specifically designed to becompliant with the initiative. With this effort

taking effect since last the year, banks havesignificantly upgraded their electronic chan-nels and cash-less banking transactions arebeing pursued vigorously to a world-classstandard. Customers get services outside thebanking hall, with a certain level of seamlesstransaction processing in Lagos State.

“When the cash-less Lagos was started, therewere less than 10,000 PoS in Lagos, but cur-rently there are over 150,000 PoS machines inthe state alone. Daily electronicpayment  transactions through the InstantPayment (nIP) and nigerian electronic FundTransfer (neFT) of the nigerian Inter BankSettlement System have increased significant-ly to about n40 billion daily. nIP and neFT areproducts used by corporate organizations tomake payment for huge transactions elec-tronically, in line with the cashless policy.Data gathered from nIBSS also shows that as aresult of the cash-less policy, cheques, Point ofSale (PoS) and Automated Teller machines(ATm) usage have continued to record hugevolume and value.The ChallengeThis might sound like the same old story:infrastructure woes, lack of knowledge, issueof right product development to drive thecash-less initiative, among others. This iswhere the tasks may shift to the depositmoney banks and financial technologyproviders. It is these two organizations thatdeal directly with end users of this cash-lessproject. They are the ones that make profitfrom the apex bank’s policy and should be atthe forefront of the campaign. How far havethey gone and prepared to go? The targetstates have a mixture of challenges in theareas of infrastructure, education, high cash-based transactions, security issues and acumulative population of about 25 million.

The impending rollout of the pilot run in sixstates from July, would at least have two out-standing challenge. There is going to be astretch on the existing infrastructure, as morepeople will be inclined to key into the projectand may be frequent downtime. How pre-pared and fast are the banks and there branch-es in solving any issue relating that may arisewith the payment channels there?

THe GUARDIAn, Wednesday, may 8, 201322 moneyWATCH

By Chijioke Nelson

Challenges of extended cash-less scheme

Sanusi

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 23

“WEare presenting the following reportas the basis for credible and sustain-

able national content development plan. Inother areas, such as fabrication and construc-tion, national content has been designedaround the domiciliation of work because thisactually does result in value added in theNigerian economy. In shipping, this conceptcannot work for a number of reasons”… Substantial domestic value can only be creat-ed by the domestication of ownership ratherthan just crewing. This is because crewingcosts are a small part of the value chain in anyshipping operation. At present, a lot of theNigerianisation in shipping is limited toNigerianizing relatively low level manpower.It is instructive that most of the self-styled for-eign champions of Nigerian content do nothave trained and highly paid DP masters ontheir payrolls! There is already in existence a Cabotage Act

which seeks to indigenize shipping as is donein other societies such as the United States ofAmerica (via the Jones Act). It is only be domesticating ownership that thefull benefits of a vibrant merchant marine busi-ness can be felt. The importance of this capabil-ity in defending our national security interestsin times of international crisis cannot be over-emphasized. As a result of these structural issues, the issue ofnational content in shipping must ultimatelybe tied to ownership. We have therefore madea number of suggestions that will seek to grad-ually build indigenous national capacity withtime. Our suggestions are as follows:

EXCLUSIVE OPERATING AREAS To encourage the growth of local capacity, werecommend the immediate implementation of exclusivity concept for allboats below a certain threshold. This policy recognizes that indigenous shippingcompanies may not have the resources to com-mit to investing significant sums of money insay large DP2 platform support vessels that may cost more than $60m todeploy. We therefore recommend that: All service and support vessels below 30mlength should be exclusively left for Nigerians;no foreign participation allowed. This thresh-old must then be raised after the initial 3 yearsto include larger boats. Within the initial 3 year period, all service andsupport vessel above 30m length should begiven to Nigerians who have capacity, on a pref-erential basis, by giving them the right to exe-cute first refusal on all bids. In practical terms,

this would work as follows:The difference in the bid price between theNigerian flag vessel exercising right of firstrefusal and the lowest rate quoted by the for-eign flag or owned vessel should be limitedto 10%. In setting this price adjustment differ-ential, we have taken into account the differ-ential costs such as borrowing and insurancebetween the large foreign fleet owners andlocal ship owners. In practical terms, thismeans that commercial bids from foreign-flagged or vessels owners will be “normal-ized” by adding a 10% bid premium to themwhen being compared with bids by indige-nous Nigerian ship owners. The Nigerian ship owners, to be consideredfor 1st right of refusal, shall be restricted tothose who participated in the technical andcommercial bid in question. Those ship own-ers who have not participated in the bid shallnot have any right to claim the right of firstrefusal at a later stageThe Nigerian flagged vessels offered by theNigerian ship owners should broadly satisfyall the technical and commercial require-ments of the bids; Tender requirementsshould be broad enough to encompass vari-ous vessel types to eliminate in-built discrim-ination based on proprietary technologiessuch as the recent attempt by an IOC torequire vessels to have diesel-electric engineswhich are only provided commercially by aparticular vessel operator. The same IOC hasalso requested for bow- shaped crew vesselshaving the specific attributes of vessels pro-vided by a particular operator. The Nigerian ship owners shall be eligible to

exercise the right of first refusal only if they match the lowest price quot-ed against foreign flagged vessels, as “normal-ized” in clause (a) above. In case more than oneparty matches the lowest rate, the eligibleindigenous party to exercise the right of firstrefusal in the bid shall be decided on the basisof the original rate quoted.The difference in the bid price between theNigerian flag vessel exercising the right of firstrefusal and the lowest rate quoted by the for-eign flag vessel shall be limited to 10%. In casethe difference is more than 10%, the right of firstrefusal shall cease to exist; Nigerian ship owners shall identify and offertheir own vessel(s) or vessels chartered in linewith the Cabotage Act (Bare Boat Charter) forthe entire performance of the proposed con-tract. In case the vessel(s) offered by theNigerian ship owners is under construction,such offers shall be considered only against anundertaking furnished by Nigerian ship own-ers that the vessel(s) shall be converted toNigerian flag prior to the commencement ofthe contract;In case the right of first refusal is exercised bythe Nigerian ship owner, it shall be mandatoryto deploy the same vessel(s) for the entire performance of the contract and Nigerian shipowner shall not be allowed to offer the same vessel(s) for any othercontract until 6 months before the expiry date of the contract for whichthe ship owner was

UPDATE INTERACTIVE COMMUNIQUE EVENTS

ShippingIn partnership with

Increasing Local Competitive Capacity In TheUpstream Sector Of The Maritime Industry.

Being earlier submissions made bythe Nigerian Chamber of Shipping’sStrategy Group established in March2010 by the Executive Secretary ofthe Nigerian Content Developmentand Monitoring Board (NCDMD)proferring solutions for the increaseof competitive capacity of indige-nous operators in the upstream sec-tor of the maritime industry.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 201324

IN a previous edition (10th April, 2013), wepublished the beginning part of this docu-

ment17. Their spread will be based on grow-ing global poverty, failures in national gover-nance which endears communities to be reluc-tant to turn their backs on the spoils of piracy,to follow the rule of law, more so when there isan inability to effectively police our waters at atime of easily affordable global wireless. Whatis required is a comprehensive, coherent andco-ordinate (3c) activity that transcends bothnation states and international body.18. In July 2010 President Boni Yayi of

Benin sent a worried letter to the UN secretary-general. His country was being threatened bythe activities of pirates, who were scaring ship-ping away from the port on which his coun-try’s revenues depend. He wanted internation-al help of the kind which had been deployedagainst piracy off the coast of Somalia. His let-ter put the issue of piracy off the West Africancoast onto the world agenda. The attacks con-tinue and still cluster in the vicinity of Beninand our country but despite UN missions and aSecurity Council debate, the international com-munity is still unsure of the best way to pro-ceed. 19. On 16 January, the Nigerian oil tanker

MT ‘Itri’ was hijacked off the port of Abidjanwhile it was waiting to berth. It was carrying5,000 tonnes of petroleum product. The vesselwas then sailed away from Ivorian territorialwaters and was last detected off Ghana. SinceDecember 2012, there has been a steadyincrease in the capabilities of pirate groups inthe Gulf of Guinea. While the rate of hijackingof tankers has remained relatively constant,pirate groups have extended their operatingrange further west to Ivorian waters, particu-larly off the congested port of Abidjan. Over thesame period, there has been an increase inattacks on oil supply vessels off the Niger Delta;three oil supply vessels were attacked and twohijacked in December alone.20. Due to the very limited capabilities of

regional navies including the major player, theNigerian Navy, and, unlike the seas off Somalia,the lack of an international maritime presence,tankers are vulnerable to oil theft, principallyby Nigeria-based organised criminal gangs.Limited improvements to port security inNigeria and Togo (including private securityguards on vessels at anchor), have resulted inpirate groups moving west into Ivorian watersand targeting vessels waiting to berth atAbidjan. However, using an internationalnaval task force to address the problem is inap-propriate as navies generally can be very good

at deterring pirates, or chasing them and recov-ering stolen weapons and cargo, but they are notdesigned or trained to collect evidence andprocess criminals for prosecution.21. Lasting solutions to the problem must

therefore take cognisance of the root causeswhich through research are traceable to a num-ber of socio-economic and political reasonswhich includes abject, poverty loss of lucrativefishing grounds rising particularly from environ-mental pollution, grossly under developedcoastal communities despite their contributionsto national economies through the accruing divi-dends of oil and gas from their localities, unem-ployment and poor educational and health carefacilities.22. The growing sophistication of piracy,

terrorism and other maritime crimes opera-tional methodology that now includes moneylaundering, swarm tactics, encrypted communi-cations, competence in weapons handling andability to operate from mother ships well intointernational waters necessitates the need forflexibility in our response to maritime securitychallenges much more than ever before.According to Dave Mugridge whose opinion Iuphold, conventional response is becomingoverstretched and less appealing politically,whereas a more comprehensive policy couldoffer politicians the ability to bring together thefull force and legitimacy of whole governmentswith the partnership of stake holders within ourshipping, oil and gas industries.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE ROLES AND CAPABILITIESOF SOME OF OUR MARITIME SECURITY AGENCIES23. It is important for us to recall the vari-

ous ministries and parastatals of governmentthat are charged with our maritime safety andsecurity. These are the Ministries of Defence,Transport and Internal Affairs, the NigerianNavy, Air Force, NIMASA, NPA, Customs,Immigrations, NPF, NNPC and SSS. For timekindly permit me to discuss just three of these– The Navy, Air Force and NIMASA.

THE NIGERIAN NAVY24. Maritime forces take various forms.

At one end of the spectrum are the oceangoing or global navies such as the USN while atthe other end are the groups with just motorboats and operate only in comparatively shel-tered inshore waters, euphemistically callednavies or coastguards. Between these extremi-ties are the coastal and contiguous sea navies.Our own Navy is, at best, in the Contiguous cat-egory. Contiguous or regional as it is, theresponsibilities of the NN as stipulated inSection 217 of the Constitution of the FederalRepublic of Nigeria 1999, and Section 1 of theArmed Forces Act (AFA) No. 105 of 1993, includ-ing the tasking mandate of our NationalDefence Policy, are to ensure the maritimedefence of the country, undertake hydrographicalsurvey and maritime search and rescue and alsoensure the enforcement of the nation’s maritimeregulations in conjunction with sister services andother maritime security agencies. It is importantto note that all of these NN responsibilities areas posited in the 3 basic naval roles by KenBooth, in his book – Navies and Foreign Policy.These roles are military, policing and diplo-matic. 25. The military role involves projection

of power and balance of power functions. It isthe classic role of maritime defence of thecountry and its national maritime interest.The diplomatic role refers to the unique abili-ty of navies to exert pressure (negotiationfrom a position of strength), manipulate andsupport prestige (as in flag showing visits) allwithout crossing borders, violating airspaceor abuse sovereignty. The functions inherentin the policing role goes further than what itis generally perceived to be, particularly fornavies that are not global but contiguous likeours or lesser. It is a Service Rendering Roleor as described in RAdm JR Hill’s book –Maritime Strategy for Medium Powers, aConstabulary Role. As much as the militaryrole is the primary focus of the Navy, its polic-ing role needs some elaboration. The polic-ing role of a navy is concerned principallywith the maintenance of law and order fromthe littoral zone of a country to the outer lim-its of its EEZ, as much as possible. The func-tions of any navy under this role areCoastguard and Nation Building.26. However, whatever the size or classi-fication of a navy, effective performance ofeach of the naval roles and their basic func-tions demand dedicated platforms and welltrained and motivated personnel.Unfortunately, most of the ships in the NNinventory are currently on the average, 30years old and have had no major refit orupgrade to prolong their service lives. Theships are therefore too far gone for meaning-ful local refits and must consequently bephased out and replaced.

From the Desk of the DIRECTOR GENERAL

Dear Readers ,

WELCOME to another exciting 4 pages onMaritime Knowledge.

From the responses and feedback we aregetting, I believe our readers are really gain-ing a lot from the various publishing ofpapers presented at our last highly success-ful Course/ Workshop on UnderstandingCabotage and Local Content in Nigerian Oil& Gas Industry.This week, I have decided to include the con-

tinuation of the presentation on ‘MaritimeSecurity’ by Rear Admiral G.S.A Ombo (Rtd).We all agree that the security situation in ourwaters has become a massive problem to ourmaritime operators. That however shouldnot stop you from becoming a maritimepractitioner. So do take advantage of the ‘TitBits’ on Vessel Registration. I will keep on proclaiming it until it

becomes a reality that competitiveness mustbecome part of maritime operations inNigeria, that all must be done to ensure bestpractices and professionalism. So read ourearlier submission of proffered solutions foryour information and raising awareness tothe relevant parties.I hope you enjoy our package this week. I

promise you to endeavour to bring issuesthat greatly affect us in the Maritime sectorHave a nice WeekGod bless.Ify Anazonwu- AkereleDirector GeneralNigerian Chamber of Shipping

Maritime Security Perspectives Of Nigeria’sMaritime And Oil And Gas Industries cont’d

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Increasing Local Competitive Capacity In The Upstream Sector Of The Maritime Industry

preferentially awarded. In contin-gent situations, Nigerian shipowner will be allowed to substitute the ves-sel(s) with other Nigerian flag ves-sel(s) from his own fleet, but not withany foreign flagged vessel; To maintain transparency each

IOC should make monthly returnsof all contract bids and recommenda-tion for awards to ensure compli-ance with the 10% criteria. Vessel requirements by IOCs

should be sent to the NigerianChamber of Shipping who shall cir-culate the requirements to theappropriate Nigerian Ship Ownerswho will then confirm their avail-ability within 7 days or their abilityto source, Charter on Bare Boat oracquire such vessel within 14 days.In case no offer is received by theNigerian Owners within the stipu-lated period the IOCs shall be freeto invite foreign ship owners to bidfor the vessel requirement.

POSITIVE SYNERGY BETWEENNAPIMS, NCDMB & NIMASA For the actualization of the

increase of Indigenous CapacityNAPIMS, NCDMB & NIMASA bynecessity work together preferablythrough a joint committee, so as toharmonize their individual posi-tions towards achieving the com-mon goal. VALUE ADDED TAXVAT as presently applicable to ves-sel importation by IndigenousOwners has placed the Indigenousvessel owner at a commercial dis-advantage when compared totheir foreign counterparts. I. VAT substantially accounts forthe approximately 14% of cost ofthe vessel imported by indigenousowners, where the foreign ownerspay less than 1% of their vessel cost

which they bring in as TemporaryImportation (TI). Our prayer is forVAT to be zero rated on the import-ed vessel which will reduce importcost incurred by indigenous opera-tors to about 7%. Relevant Action Party The Chairman, Federal Inland

Revenue Department, RevenueHouse, Plot 522 Sokode Cresecent,Off Dalaba Street, Wuse Zone 5 (TeJ :09-5236602) who can issue a taxinformation circular through its TaxPolicy Unit.

INCOME TAXATION - PARTNERSHIP /JOINT VENTURE Foreign companies operating in

Nigeria typically operate the dualcompany bid situation where thecontracts are in split currency as fol-lows: 60% of the contract value awarded toa subsidiary owned in a tax havensuch as Panama, BVI or similar juris-dictions 40% of the contract value awarded toa Nigerian subsidiary The way such contracts are run in

practice means that the local com-pany bears all the costs and makesno profits at all. The profits aredeclared in the tax haven foreigncompany (THFC). The only tax paidby the THFC is usually the withhold-ing tax of 5% PLUS a 1% minimum taxlevied by the Federal Inland RevenueService. When compared with the30% tax rate paid by Nigerian com-panies, this is a patent inequity tothe Federal Republic of Nigeria. We therefore recommend that the

basis for taxing these THFC bechanged to reflect the inherent prof-itability of their Nigerian operationsin its entirety. The tax laws to dealwith the situation are already inplace and only diligent enforcementof Section13 and 14 of the CompaniesIncome Tax Act, 1990, as amended isrequired to redress this inequity. Forclarity, Section 13 and S14 of theCompanies Income Tax Act arereproduced as Appendix I to this

memorandum.

TONNAGE TAX A Case for Tonnage Tax In an effort to preserve andexpand their fleets by makingthem more competitive, manynations are developing aggressivemaritime promotional policies.Prominent among them are sever-al European and Asian nationsthat have enacted measures-including tax incentives, directsubsidies and ship financingschemes-aimed at benefiting ship-owners operating under nationalflags, thus enhancing the appealof their ship registries againstflags of convenience. These effortshave been intensified in recentyears. Many countries are takingsteps to enhance the internationalappeal of their ship registries.Countries have introduced ton-nage tax in order to become moreglobally competitive, level theplaying fields and turn aroundtheir declining shipping indus-tries. Furthermore, it is important tonote that tonnage tax is an alter-native for normal income tax and,hence, both the tax treatment ofdepreciation and capital gains isno longer applicable under thetonnage tax regime. We are therefore proposing the

introduction of Tonnage Tax inplace of the existing TemporaryImport Permit, not only will along-standing demand of theshipping industry be met but alsoit will create an atmosphere thatwill enable Nigerian operators tocompete successfully against theirrivals anywhere in the world. Tonnage tax is so significant for

the shipping sector because it iscalculated not on the profit or lossof a company in a given year, butby applying a notional annualincome on its net registered ton-nage. This means that the tax burden is

known in advance and is neutralto the performance of the compa-ny. The effect is to ring-fence thecompany’s tax liabilities, makingfinancial planning and long-termstrategic operations easier. Typically, the Nigerian shipping

companies compete, not withrivals in the domestic tariff area,but in the international arena. If90 per cent of their competitorspay only a nominal tax, Nigerianshipping companies cannot beexpected to perform well whenthey are subjected to tax rates of30%. If Nigeria shipping industryis to retain its competitive edge, itmust be brought on par with therest of the world.The growth of the flag is not the

only positive fallout of tonnagetax. A larger fleet brings a host ofeconomic benefits, the mostimportant being a rise in gainfulemployment. Every ship flying theNigerian flag is invariablymanned by a Nigerian crew.The Indian experience and indeedthe experience of 90 per cent ofthe world fleet how that the mosteffective way of encouraging thegrowth of tonnage in the flag,especially by attracting new play-ers, is through meaningful fiscalpolicies like tonnage tax. Kindly note the lock-in period forIndia is 10 years. I believe this wasagreed to grow their domesticfleet. In Nigeria based on ourpeculiar situation (low tonnage) itwould be to our advantage to con-sider the same 10 year lock-in peri-od. The importance of the implemen-tation of tonnage tax is vital in thegrowth and development of ship-ping and is second to none. That, we suggest is the way to go!

FUNDING The NCDMB should facilitateaccess to funding for vessel own-ers who have shown positivepotential Capacity

25

CompuLifeStrengthening local OEMs to check capital flightIT is no more news that Nigeria consumes moretechnology than its current level of production.Apart from this huge consumption level, thecountry is gradually becoming a dumpingground for all forms of products, which includemobile devices, PCs and even software products.The development is also believed to be fuellingincrease in capital flight. Today, Nigeria is said tobe loosing about N212 billion to foreign softwareimportation on a yearly basis alone. Arguably, some of these imported technologieshave in one way or the other assuaged the painsof users in the country. Indeed, while many Nigerians appreciate the in-flux of these products, on the basis that some areof quality and standard, others queried when thecountry would reciprocate the gesture of export-ing locally made ICT wares to other parts of theworld. This, they believe, will definitely give thecountry a comparative advantage. For emphasis, Nigeria’s mobile phone penetra-tion currently stands at 116 million, with a tele-density of above 81 per cent.It has also been established that Nigeria’s Inter-net users is fast nearing the 50 million mark,making it the largest in Africa.Going by these statistics, the Minister of Com-munications Technology, Mrs. Omobola John-son, recently stressed that the country could notbe said to be lagging behind in the current globalICT revolution.But to many, it shouldn’t be about statisticsalone. They stressed that there should be a bal-ance of trade, if Nigeria must compete ade-quately. Indeed, statistics showed that out of the 740,

000 computers acquired by Nigerians in 2012,only 148, 000 were manufactured locally, mean-ing that 80 per cent of the personal computerbought by the citizens are foreign brands.It means that only 20 per cent of market share

belongs to indigenous players put together.Foreign computer brands like HP, Dell, Acer,

Toshiba and Samsung, among others, are said tobe controlling 80 per cent of the Nigerian com-puter market.Though, many factors have been adduced to

Nigeria’s ICT devices production shortfall, includ-ing lack or poor technology transfer mechanism,especially from foreign brands, which are mak-ing millions of dollars out of the country. Othersare that the business environment in Nigeria isyet to be encouraging; poor power situation;multiple taxations among others. At a recent meeting with journalists, the Manag-ing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa,Kim Brovo, said that though the company is bull-ish about establishing a plant in the country, butthat will be in the distant future, stressing thatthe atmosphere was yet to encourage such.However, despite these identified challenges, in-digenous Original Equipment Manufacturers(OEMS) including Zinox Technologies, BrianComputers, Speedstar, Omatek Ventures andVeda Computers have taken the bull by the horn.They have not relented in their production capac-ity.While putting its weight behind Nigeria amidstchallenges, St. Kitts and Nevies, a Carribean na-tion, has called on the Zinox Group, makers ofZinox computers, to expand its operations in thecountry and partake in the ICT revolution hap-pening there.The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevies, Mr.Denzil Douglas, made the call during a visit to theZinox headquarters in Lagos last December,stressing that the country’s new economy wascurrently fuelled by ICT services. As part of its survival strategy, Omatek Venturestoo has also diversified. Apart from improved andincreased PC productions in the country, thecompany has also gone into the production ofsolar powered bulb, which even the Ministry ofEducation hoped to consider for its school proj-ect.Today, other OEMs are fast rising up in Nigeria.These include RlG and Techno Telecoms Limited. For instance, last month, RlG Nigeria said its as-sembly plant in Osun State would be commis-sioned and starts operation by June.

The Country Director of the firm, Mr. Tosin Ile-sanmi, while soliciting for government sup-port, especially in terms of policies, noted thatthings were fast taking shape as regards the ICTevolution in the country.He added that the company had been workinghard to make sure that while the country wasstriving to be counted among nations with ICTawareness, it should not get left behind in thearea of ICT products manufacturing.According to him, the number of indigenouscompanies into ICT wares manufacturing isabysmal because most consumers prefer prod-ucts manufactured overseas, which are alsoreadily available.“But what the stakeholders in the industryknow quite well is that for Nigeria to be re-spected in ICT advancement, it must be able tomanufacture its own homegrown ICT wares,which is an area where RlG is currently holdingthe fort,” Ilesanmi maintained.Like the Chairman of Omatek Ventures, Mrs.Florence Seriki, who said for indigenous opera-tors to really breakthrough in their operationsin the country, that the number one citizen(President Goodluck Jonathan) must appreciatelocal production, Ilesanmi said governmentmust fashion out ways to subsidise the sector.According to him, the firm is engaged in theproduction of communications equipmentsuch as mobile handsets, electronic notebooks,tablets, laptops, LCD TV monitors.With RlG offices in Ghana, the Gambia, Nigeria,Dubai, Kenya and China, he said Nigeria shouldboast of world-class high quality products thatcould compete favourably with top globalbrands.He said the firm was aware of the huge poten-tial in the country, hence, its massive invest-ments in Nigeria.“We have almost completed our multi-millionnaira ultra-modern ICT factory in Osun Stateand the complex will commence operation inJune. The complex contains an assemblingplant, showroom, warehouse, training instituteand accommodation for staff. The facility canprovide direct employment for 600 people and5,000 indirect employments, if fully utilised.“The factory has the capacity to assemble 3,400laptops daily and over a 100,000 laptopsmonthly. Similarly, the plant has the capacity toassemble 4,000 mobile phones per day. Equip-ment for the factory is ready for installation,while the expatriate technicians are due in thecountry to further train the staff that will workat the plant.”Recently, the Public Relations Manager ofTecno Telecom Limited, Mr. Boukali Mounir,

A PC Plant Source: GOOGLE

also confirmed that Tecno is considering open-ing a phone manufacturing plant in Nigeria toserve the local market.According to him, the prevalent market poten-tial was evident in Nigeria, hence the influx ofphones of diverse kinds into the Nigerian mar-ket by foreign manufacturers.As a business model, he said the firm re-mained committed to establishing its plant inNigeria to serve the country’s large populationfrom a close range. According to him, plans forthe project have reached an advanced stage.Indeed, experts are of the opinion that if in-digenous OEMs must be up and doing andthrive under this regime, government’s sup-port is very critical.Already, the Minister of CommunicationsTechnology has initiated the computer owner-ship scheme, which will see indigenous opera-tors sell more computers in the country. The

initiative is also expected to boost local contentdevelopment in Nigeria.The recently unveiled service portal in Abuja,which brings together government services on-line, is also expected to improve ICT service de-livery to the citizens.This, experts believed would be best accesseddigitally through communications gadgets likephones and computers; hence, huge businessopportunities for OEMs, especially those con-sidering manufacturing in Nigeria.According to Jacob Tamuno, an ICT consultant,“Nigeria will not go anywhere until we havestrong policies in place that will assist indige-nous productions. In advanced countrieswhere we import all gadgets, softwares, theyhave policies in place that give them edge, buthere, it is still a sorry case.“And except we address this, government’splan of becoming an economic bloc remains a

By Adeyemi Adepetun

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 201326 COMPULIFE

‘Low ICT integration in education retarding Nigeria’s competitiveness’

DESPITE the huge successes thecountry has accomplished in

Information Communication andTechnology (ICT), its inability to stepup the integration of ICT in educationis a major hindrance to global com-petitiveness, Minister of Education,Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, hassaid.The Minister who spoke at a

Microsoft ICT for Higher EducationSummit held in Abuja, stressed thatthe pace at which any nation devel-ops today is tied to its ability to access,absorb and utilize knowledge.This, according to her, can only be

effectively achieve through the devel-opment and deployment of ICT,stressing that the federal governmentrecognizes the critical role of higher

education and ICT towards sustain-able national development and hasput in place a more focused attentionon the sector than ever imagined.“The present state of ICT in educa-

tion must be remedied, if we mustattain sustainable development andglobal competitiveness. We shoulddevise strategies that ensure ease ofaccess and affordability to requisiteICT infrastructure and facilities. Weshould create opportunities not onlyfor the deployment but also moreimportantly, for the development ofICT in education. We should use ICTnot only for the acquisition of basicskills but to foster the development ofcritical thinking, problem solving andcommunication, she said.The Minister went on: “We also

encourage the development and sus-tenance of the ICT manpower requiredto achieve the human capital require-

ment for the country. We shouldadopt creative financing models forICT in education and exploit public-private partnership (PPP) to increasefunding for ICT in education, as thetraditional budgeting by governmentalone cannot achieve our goal.“At this juncture, let me thank

Microsoft for organizing this event.There is no doubt that our partnershipwith you will bring great improve-ments to the education sector. The cal-iber of resource persons and partici-pants assembled here gives every

assurance that the outcome f thisSummit will provide the much need-ed turn-around in higher educationand will be of immense benefit to ourcountry.”National Technology Officer,

Microsoft Anglophone West Africa,Olayinka Oni stressed Nigeria needs toadvance with times by adopting thedigital university system of education,stressing that many advanced coun-tries of the world had stepped up inthe adoption of e- learning in tertiaryeducation.

TO aid the practicality of information technologies inorganizations, Information Systems Audit and

Control Association, (ISACA), Lagos Chapter hasrevealed plans to partner National InformationTechnology Development Agency of (NITDA) in the areaof human capacity development.The move according to ISACA is targeted at bridging

knowledge gaps among members so as to enable themimpact and add value in their various organizations.Speaking on behalf of newly elected executives of the

chapter, President elect of the Chapter Mr. Peter Ineh,explained that plans are underway to engage in part-nership agreement with big firms such as KPMG, Pwc,Delloite, Ernst & Young in the training of its members.Ineh said, “I hope to improve on the achievement of

the outgoing executive by ensuring that members getupdated on various aspects of information security, riskmanagement and governance. Our main focus wouldbe about bridging the knowledge gaps existing amongour members. We want to empower our members to beable to add value to their organizations”.He also disclosed that the body was making efforts to

liaise with government agencies with a view to promotethe importance of the associations and its relevant role inthe management of businesses within the private andpublic sectors.He added ”As I speak, we are taking step to work out an

arrangement with NITDA so as to help provide frame-work or structure in which IT can be practiced in allorganizations. We are limiting ourselves to that alone. Weare also spearheading a private sector organization thatwould be responsible in championing procedures, poli-cies in the way information is managed and controlled”.Outgoing President, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins while speak-

ing on the activities of the professional body, stated thather administration’s success was not without challengesas it had to battle with the issue of inadequate trainedpersonnel from time to time.She said ”You are aware that this association which

came on board in 2004 is a voluntary organization wheremany of its members have full time job of their own. So,getting them to shuffle their time in a way that wouldnot have severe effect on their job schedule while at thesame time contributing their quota to the body is a bitengaging and therefore require sacrifice.

ISACA to partner NITDA, targets human capacity development

VODACOM Business Nigeria hasreceived the Beacon of ICT (BoICT)

Award for Enterprise SolutionsProvider of the year 2013. According to the organisers,Vodacom Business Nigeria receivedthe award as a result of its outstand-ing solutions and customer service. The BoICT awards, is held yearly torecognise deserving talents, contribu-tions and commitments to thegrowth of the ICT industry. This year,over 55,000+ Nigerians voted in thedifferent categories with VodacomBusiness Nigeria emerging as the clearwinner in the Enterprise SolutionsProvider of the year category.Vodacom Business’ core infrastruc-

ture connects over 580 million peopleacross more than 40 African countriesand includes over 50 satellitetransponders, 24 dedicated teleportsand access to multiple sub-sea cablelanding ports. By utilising on-the-ground support,Vodacom Business provides systemintegration and maintenance,Broadband Internet, DedicatedHosted services, Cloud Services,International and Pan-African datanetworks, Enterprise Voice and a hostof other Value Added Services to its

customers.“We are proud to be honored with

the BoICT award; it proves that we areon the right path with our solutionsand services. We have continuouslyprovided tailor-made solutions that fitcustomer’s needs opposed to provid-ing stand-alone products. We use thelatest technologies to provide our cus-tomers with managed communica-tion solutions to and within Africa.These solutions include managed net-work solutions, voice solutions, back-up and archiving and a host of othervalue added services” said ExecutiveHead of Department Sales & Businessdevelopment, Vodacom BusinessNigeria, Zakari Usman.“Product and service quality has

asserted itself clearly in the judgingprocess, with innovative solutions alsobeing rewarded. Both of these criteriaare not just yardsticks for good servicebut also for the potential for success inthe Nigerian ICT industry. This poten-tial will increase several times over bythe continuous demand of ICT con-sumers for cutting-edge technologiesin their growing businesses”, saysEditor-in-Chief, NigeriaCommunications Week and organizerBeacon of ICT awards, Ken Nwogbo.

Vodacom Business Nigeria bags award

From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja

Ruquayatu Ahmed Rufa’i

By Tosin Fadeke

COMPULIFE 27THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Technology Distributions, Huawei target enterprise market development

WEST Africa’s Information andCommunications Technology (ICT) dis-

tributor, Technology Distributions (TD), andChinese firm, Huawei, have inked deal on theprovision of ICT solutions for telecommunica-tions carriers, enterprises and consumers. According to the Managing Director, TD, Mrs.

Chioma Ekeh said both global ICT giants arepulling their resources together – Huawei, itsinnovative and trusted manufacturing capaci-ties and TD, her highly motivated and massivedistribution network in West Africa – to pro-vide a wide range of efficient ICT solutions andservices to enterprise customers of all sizes. Ekeh described the partnership as timely

because it came at a time when Governmentwas embarking on a transformation programacross all sectors of the economy. Huge invest-ments were being made in the transportation,energy, education, health, aviation among oth-ers and it would be absurd if Huawei enterprisesolutions, deployed already in 140 countries,were not part of the choices that TD wouldoffer to her top notch clientele. Besides, she added, 2015, the date set for the

attainment of the MDGs was just a stone throwaway and industry analysts were expecting that

Governments and NGOs would make furtherheavy investments in ICT infrastructure. The MD TD assured resellers and the marketthat characteristically TD would stock largequantities of Huawei Enterprise Servers,Enterprise Switches, Enterprise Routers, E-sight, WLAN Solutions, Firewall Solutions,Tele-presence Solutions and UPS. She reaf-firmed the TD commitment to immediatedelivery anywhere in West Africa. Presenting the Distributors, License earlier,the Director, Channel Department, Huawei,Mr. Vincent Zhou said that Huawei appointedTD a Distributor after an impressive assess-ment of her capacities in corporate gover-nance, marketing, financial muscle, and logis-tics. Zhou disclosed that Huawei Enterprise is

one of Huawei’s three business groups. Hesaid that the TD partnership would leverageon Huawei’s strong R&D capabilities to servicecustomers in government and MDAs, financeand banking, oil and gas, commercial busi-nesses and ISPs. This partnership would rein-force the customer-centred vision of bothcompanies and deliver end-to-end capabilitiesand strengths across the carrier networks,enterprise, consumer and cloud computingfields.

By Adeyemi Adepetun

Visitor, AUST, and Coordinating Minister for Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (left); Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc,Mr. Phillips Oduoza; and Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Ita Ewa, during the unveiling ceremony of UBA ICT Centreat the pan-African institution in Abuja at the weekend.

28 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

COMPULIFE 29THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Ovia, others task youths onInternet, social media

Firm clinches ‘2013 ICT Implementation Company’ award

MEETING parts of Nigeria’s21st Century goals of

becoming a major economicbloc, youths in the country havebeen urged to ensure properand developmental use of theInternet cum social media.Leading other experts to

charge the youths on the posi-tive side of the Internet, theFounder, VisafoneCommunications Limited, Mr.Jim Ovia, said that some yearsback there was limited expo-sure to the Internet, but thattoday things have changed dra-matically, stressing that ICT hasbridged developmental gapsamong nations. Ovia, who spoke to about 800

participating youths at thisyear’s ‘Youth Empowermentand ICT development initiative’organized by the Jim OviaFoundation for youth develop-ment in Lagos, appealed theyouths to take a cue from thelikes of Mack Zuckerberg ofFacebook; Google founders—Larry Page and Sergey Brin, whohave explored the positive sideof the Internet and social mediato benefits mankind and in the

process become some of therichest people in the worldtoday. To Head of IT, Zenith bank Plc,

Francis Chukwunye, every-thing in the world is driven byICT. He said Enterprise hasmoved over to technology as ameans of doing business. “The Internet is right in our

faces. The kinds of systems weuse to service are technologydriven. The world has moved,Nigerian student mustembrace the Internet. Foryouths today, the infrastruc-

ture driving social media is theInternet, which must be posi-tively explored”, Chukwunyestated.Recognizing the dangers

inherent in negative exploita-tion of the social media, thefounder of Bela Naija, a popu-lar social blog, Mrs. Uche Pedrobrought back the CynthiaOsokogu’s scenerio, urgingparticipants to be extremelycareful of business and otherengagements they get into onthe Internet. Managing Director, Visafone

Communication Limited,Srinivasa K.V implored the par-ticipants at the event to tap theabundance of opportunities intechnology to better their lots,while urging them to desistfrom any act capable ofdestroying their future.Speaking on the

Foundation’s objective,Srinvasa said one of the cardi-nal focuses is to encourage theteeming Nigerian youths intoICT. “Youth Empowerment andICT Foundation has the inten-tion of bringing and educatingthe younger generation onhow to maximise the benefitof ICT.

HIGHTech Data System(HDS), an indigenous

Information and Technologybased Nigerian company, haswon the ICT ImplementationCompany of the Year Award atan event held in Lagos. The company was honoured

with the recognition at the 2013Beacon of ICT Award eventorganised by NigeriaCommunications Week to hon-or deserving talents, who had,over the years, shown commit-ments towards the growth anddevelopment of ICT in Nigeria.While receiving the award on

behalf of the company,

Managing Director of HDS, Mr.Chinedu Okoli, said the awardwill enable the young companyto put in more effort in repre-senting Nigeria well on the glob-al ICT market.“This award is a reward for all

the hard work the staffers haveput over the past year, and weare privileged and humbled toreceive it. It is only the beginningand an indication of what can beachieved with dedication. We arethankful and grateful to God forHis mercies and blessings, as welook forward to serving, addingvalue and providing satisfactionto our customers, while looking

By Adeyemi Adepetun

Ovia

forward to adding our ownquota to the growth of the ICTecosystem in Nigeria.”Okoli further reaffirmed the

company’s commitment toworking hand-in-hand withits clients to identify, formu-late and implement businesssolutions in order to achievevalue for money, increasedprofitability and marketgrowth as a reputable ICTcompany that is open in all itsdealings with its clients/cus-tomers and enthusiastic for itsoutstanding leadership,which has placed the compa-ny on the global map.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 201330 COMPULIFE

‘Spectrum challenges retarding Nigeria’s growth’

HOW do we describe Aviat Networks, especially its opera-tions in Nigeria?

Aviat Networks has been doing business in Nigeria since1998 and we have realised over $500 million in revenue sofar in the country. We have installed over 56,000 radiossince we started doing business here.

We have over 100 employees in Africa with about sevenoffices and approximately 50 of them are in Nigeria.

Nigeria is our largest market in Africa and second largestcountry by business volume in the whole world, after theUSA. It is a strategic market for us. We sell lots of productshere and we have full deployment of our services as well.

Looking at Aviat Networks global strategy, can you reallysay Nigeria has played a major role in its growth?Our two largest regions are North America and Nigeria

being the largest by business volumes in Africa and secondin the world. So the market is extremely important to us.

We do most of our businesses in mobile. So many mobile

operators are our customers here. We also do about 30 percent of our business in private market, that is government,oil and gas among others.

Your operations, solutions and services, how applicable arethey to business growth, especially in the telecommunica-tions sector in terms of helping to cut operational?

We are a very focused business, helping to lower company’soverhead cost. We see the biggest contributor to total cost ofownership being operational expenses (OPEX), which isbetween 50 and 80 per cent. These include tower expenses;fixing it; tower loading cost; maintenance; shelter cost; gen-erators and spectrum cost.

So, our solutions revolve around three things. The first isthe product architectures. We are trying to introduce intothe Nigerian market, our new split mouth trunking radios,which can reduce cooling and air conditioning cost; genera-tor cost, by mounting equipments. It helps in migration oftrunking solutions, especially for generator cost.

The next focus for us is RF performance. Improving the sys-tem gains of our radios. We offer the highest system gains in

The biggest challenge is that wireless services are key toNigeria and Africa’s competitiveness. And this can only beachieved through more spectrum usage.

There is need to make available adequate spectrum, sothat mobile operators can deliver quality services. This alsoapplies to radio access networks; backhaul servicesprovider in the country.

I think what is holding LTE back in Nigeria and Africa isaccess to spectrum the technology can use.

The other example is that in the backhaul, there are newfrequency bands 70GHz; 80GHz that are not approved foruse in Nigeria. We are currently working with NCC to openup those bands. Because through those bands; lots ofcapacity can be delivered.

In 70 – 80 GHz, you have access to a 250Mhz channels,meaning that you can deliver a gigabit per secondsthrough a microwave channels.

I believed that move to IP is happening, mobile operatorsare taken that decision and I see incredible progress inthat region.

I believe strongly that to really accelerate the telecommu-nications growth in Nigeria, there is need to address thechallenge of spectrum challenges.

How easy are Long Term Evolution/4G upgrades, basedon your experiences in the field?LTE is a huge focus for us as a company. Part of what we

are doing in Nigeria is to pass on the knowledge and expe-riences we have about LTE deployment throughout theworld.

Aviat’s solution is being deployed in over 10 major LTEnetworks including the largest LTE networks on the planetin North America.

The first thing we can do for the operators is to guidethem through the backhaul installations and deploymentfor LTE.

Secondly, one of our value propositions is about simplify-ing our customers’ lives. So with LTE, most operators have2G, 3G Networks, those networks are going nowhere. LTE isan addition to them. It will help mobile operators toexpand their capacity and improve service delivery.

Reports have it that the biggest challenge to LTE deploy-ment is capacity. But our findings have shown that it is notcapacity, but the challenge of construction. How operatorscan build the network - the installation; engineering; plan-ning; frequency coordination; the trouble shootingprocess when something goes wrong among others. Butwith our local presence in Nigeria, we can help telecomoperators resolve that.Aviat Networks has potential in microwave backhaul serv-

ices. How is that business in Nigeria?Backhaul market is extremely strong here. I think there

are huge opportunities for the market in Nigeria, especial-ly in the mobile space. Some have been installed. Mobileoperators really depend on microwave backhaul facilitiesin Nigeria. It is more in Lagos than in Abuja.

the industry, especially on our antennas. They are longerterm and remains very reliable.

The third thing we do to lower cost is around our servicessupport. As I mentioned earlier, we have 100 people, sevenoffices across Africa that are dedicated to helping our cus-tomers get the best of our services.Despite huge investments in IT and telecoms in Nigeria,

some challenges are bedeviling the sector. What do youthink is the problem?

TO ensure best practices of computer professional inInformation Technology (IT) market in Nigerian, the

Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria(CPN) in partnership with the Nigerian Computer Society(NCS), has served two-month notice to six organisations,which have failed to renew their yearly licences.

Failure to comply, CPN warned may earn the defaultingfirms a court summons.The companies who were visited by the CPN/NCS

Compliance and Enforcement team were AlphabetaConsulting Limited, First Logic, NIIT/ IDM Building, Lagos

City Computer College, Tavia Technologies Limited andAllied Computer Limited.According to the letter served to them, which was signed

by the Legal Officer of the group, Mrs. A.A. Olatunji, the copysays: “The Council observed that your organisation isengaged in the provision of Information Technology servic-es without registering with the Computer ProfessionalsRegistration Council of Nigeria.“Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria is

the agency of government empowered to control andsupervise the Information Technology profession inNigeria.“By the provisions of section 22 of Computer Professionals

(Registration Council ofNigeria) (CPN) Act; any per-son, institution or organisa-tion engaged in the provi-sion of professionals services,Computer/ InformationTechnology training or ren-ders any services whichCouncil has designated asservices constituting practiceof computing or professionalusage of computationalmachineries and techniquesrelated thereto withoutbeing duly registered withthe Council is liable of con-viction to both fine andprison term that is not lessthan two years.“Therefore, you are given

two months to register yourorganisation with theCouncil. After the expirationof the two months moratori-um; commencing from thedate stated in this letter,Council would not hesitateto take all necessary action(s)for the enforcement of theprovisions of CPN Act.Ignorance of the law doesnot excuse anyone”.

CPN reads riot act to non-certified computer firms

Gary Croke is the Director of Marketing at Aviat Networks, aglobal backhaul service provider. In this interview withADEYEMI ADEPETUN, he spoke on how limited spectrumdeployment is holding Nigeria and other African marketsback in improved telecommunications services. Excerpts.

Croke

By Bankole Orimisan

COMPULIFE 31THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, presenting gift to a student during this year’s ICT for Girls Day in Abuja.

NIG forum to discuss broadband development inNigeriaAT this year’s Nigeria

Internet Group (NIG) con-ference and exhibition, issuesbordering on broadbanddeployment and expansionwill be the subjects of discus-sion.Scheduled for May 30 and 31in Lagos with the theme:“Broadband As A Tool inNation Building”, the presi-dent of NIG, Adebayo Banjo ina statement, noted that at vari-ous ICT fora, different opin-ions and explanations hadbeen given about the broad-band technology andattempts to proffer solutions,“these and more are the issuesthat have ignited desire by theNigeria Internet Group toorganize this all-important

eWorld ralliesindustry forTelecoms DayCelebration

ONE of Nigeria’s ICT maga-zine, eWorld is collaborat-

ing with the NigerianCommunicationsCommission (NCC) andNational Information andTechnology DevelopmentAgency (NITDA) to rally indus-try stakeholders to mark the2013 Telecommunication andInformation Society Day(WTISD) which comes up onMay 17. The celebration coin-cides with the eWorld Forum,which holds every year.The Chairman of TelecomAnswers Associates andPublisher of CyberschuulNews, Titi Omo-Ettu will chairthis year’s event. Omo-Ettuwas once the President ofAssociation ofTelecommunicationsCompanies of Nigeria andVice President of NigerianSociety of Engineers.NCC Executive ViceChairman, Eugene Juwah andNITDA Director-General,Cleopas Angaye, will givekeynote speeches. President ofInstitute of SoftwarePractitioners of Nigeria(ISPON), Chris Uwaje, will pres-ent a seminal paper on ICTand Traffic Management.Also to discuss the themes ofthe event are Engr. Lanre Ajayi,President of ATCON andGbenga Sesan, ExecutiveDirector, Paradigm Initiativesamong others.For the past four years,Ajomedia has organised theeWorld Forum where indus-try stakeholders and mem-bers of the public gather todiscuss topical issues thataffect the industry. TheeWorld Forums, which wasscheduled to hold in April,now shifted to accommodatethe WTISD celebrations hence-forth, have helped to shapeand chart the way for the ICTindustry.This year’s event has twomain themes: Imperative for aTruly Digital Citizen and ICTsand Improving Road Safety,which is the primary focus ofthe WTISD celebrations for

conference which will offermore opportunity to examineand attempt to proffer solu-tions to issues as, critical suc-cess factors to the infrastruc-ture provision in Nigeria.“Development or improvedBroadband penetration,appropriate legal and regula-tory framework and Political-will from Government toimplement the right policiesto achieve a resounding suc-cess among others. It will bean interesting two day ofinteractive conference withexperts from within andabroad the industry makingpresentations on the themeand the sub-themes.

32 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

33THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

34 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

COMPULIFE 35THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

NiRA registers 30,000.ng domain names

THE list of registered number of Nigeria’scountry code Top Domain Name,.ng, which

is used as a national’ identification on theworld Web has hit 30, 000, as the cost of pur-chasing a domain name has been  slashedfrom N500,000 to just N15,000 to encouragemore Nigerians in adopting the move.

The Chief Operating Officer of the NigerianInternet Registration Association (NiRA), Mr.Ope Odusan, disclosed this at the fifth yearlygeneral meeting of the association held inLagos recently. NiRA is the body saddled with the responsi-

bility of the administration and promotion ofthe country’s ccTLD .ng.

Odusan, noted that the total registered .ngdomain names which stood at around 9, 000as at 2011 has since increased by additional 21,000 to reach the current figures. He, however,explained that the figure should haveincreased beyond 30, 000 had Nigerian busi-nesses and individuals taken the uptake of thecountry’s domains names seriously.

According to him, “It’s ironical that the for-eigners who many often say are not alwaysready to do business with any business with.ng domain have constitute the largest own-ers of the .ng domain names.”

KOREAN mobile handsetsmanufacturer, Samsung

Electronics, has said that it willbe providing its customers inNigeria and other Africancountries with a 24-month“Accidental Damage fromHandling” (ADH) warranty tocover screen and liquid dam-ages to its new, flagshipGalaxy S4 smartphone, at noextra charge. Samsung explained that the

warranty includes two freerepairs in the event of acciden-tal damage to the screen of thedevice.The Galaxy S4, which is now

on sale at Samsung stores andaccredited dealers acrossNigeria, ahead of its formallaunch in Lagos on Friday. Thecompany is currently partner-ing major telecommunicationoperators and serviceproviders in the country via apre-order service, in a drive toencourage consumers to beone of the first to own thesought after smartphone.Speaking at a press briefing

to announce the cominglaunch, Director, Hand Held

PROCENTRIC IQ, a leader inthe development of com-

merce and industry in Africaand fostering the businessthat drives economicgrowth and technologicaladvancement across thecontinent, is delivering ITsolutions to 100,000 stu-dents and 18,000 teachers inEkiti State. By this feat,Procentric IQ becomes thefirst company to pioneersocio-economic transforma-tion through e-learning inthe state.

This was disclosed by theBusiness Development man-ager, Mr. Nsikak John, on thesidelines of the awards nightof the Titans of TechConference and Expo held inLagos. The company wonthe “best education compa-

ny in IT” for delivering e-learning solutions at thelowest cost in Ekiti State.

He maintained that thesupport structure being setup for Ekiti State has world-class service levels andemploys a minimum of 10indigenes. This is in addi-tion to training 10 to 15interns every quarter thuscreating a pool of resourcesfor the state to draw fromand export to other stateswhen necessary.

Also, Ekiti State is getting afantastic deal because theover eight servers used forthese operations as well ascost of maintenance isborne entirely by ProcentricIQ. These equipments willhelp enhance the deliveryand quality of content to

students and expose teach-ers to a variety of best inclass teaching methods thatwill enhance their produc-tivity, he stressed.

Nsikak said their e-learningsolutions suite provide aninnovative way to meet totallearning imperative effec-tively and economicallythrough custom made webenabled learning solutionsfor educational institutionsand corporate organisations.Furthermore, he maintainedthat their e-learning solu-tion takes knowledge trans-fers and collaborations to anew level because learningbecomes smart, self-paced,interactive and measurable.This leads to higher efficien-cy within the educationalvalue chain.

Procentric IQ delivers IT solutions to students in Ekiti

He stressed that this is contrary to the percep-tion of many Nigerians, who often give excusesthat the image problem of Nigeria also affectthe predispositions of foreign businesses in notwanting to do business with any Nigerian busi-ness with .ng.

However, recognizing that the high cost ofowning the domain names also contributed toits slow uptake locally, Odusan said, in a bid toincrease the usage of .ng, NiRA has crashed thecost from about N500, 000 to a paltry N15,000.

He noted that within one week of reducing thecost, NiRA recorded additional 300 domainnames but lamented that most of the compa-nies that purchased the domain names wereforeign businesses.

He therefore called on Nigerian businesses totake the huge economic advantage offered by.ng in terms of faster internet location, reducedcost, creation of more jobs and the security oftheir digital contents, by hosting their websitesin-country instead of hosting them abroad,where their sensitive data could be compro-mised. He also explained that NiRA was alreadyworking with the Ministry of CommunicationTechnology, the National InformationTechnology Development Agency, NITDA, andother necessary stakeholders to work on policythat can encourage the use of .ng domainnames as far as Nigeria is concerned.

Samsung promises accidental damagewarranty on Galaxy S4

By Bankole Orimisan

Products, Samsung ElectronicsWest Africa, Mr. EmmanouilRevmatas described the intro-duction of the warranty as astandard for the Galaxy S4, aspart of Samsung’s commitmentto providing its customers withinnovative and impeccableafter-sales services.“At Samsung, we understand

the unique needs of our cus-tomers and this is another val-ue-added service we are intro-ducing to provide them withcomprehensive service assis-tance in the event of accidentalhandling damage to theirdevices. We are very excited tobe the first mobile device man-ufacturer to come out with thislevel of service,” he said.

He added that SamsungElectronics would continue toprovide value and long-term,sustainable support and serviceto its customers.The ADH warranty will be

incorporated into the existing24-month standard factory war-ranty on the Galaxy S4.Customers can register theirdevices through Samsung’s e-Warranty service from theirphones within the first 30 daysof purchase. In the event ofdamage, registered customerswill be able to take their deviceto an authorised SamsungService Centre for repairs. TheService Centre will replace thescreen or board free of charge.According to Samsung, this war-ranty will cover only screen andliquid damages. Customers willbe limited to two incidentsrequiring repairs within a 24-month period.Countries where Samsung’s

ADH is currently availableinclude Nigeria, South Africa,Namibia, Zambia, Kenya,Mauritius, Ghana, Uganda,Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Sudan,Angola, Tanzania, Botswana,Ethiopia and Mozambique.

By Adeyemi Adepetun

Galaxy S4

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 201336

MaritimeWatchMinister tasks boards on pilots’ appointment, discipline

TO facilitate safe navigationalong Nigeria’s waterways,

the Minister of Transport, IdrisUmar, has charged membersof the reconstituted PilotageBoards to ensure pilots are“appropriately appointed,monitored and sanctionedwhere necessary”.Inaugurating the reconstitut-

ed competent Pilotage Boardswithin the four compulsorypilotage districts of theNigerian Ports Authority(NPA), in Abuja recently, Umaradvised members of theboards to hold inquiries con-cerning the conduct of pilotsin the districts.

He also charge members tolicense pilots for the pilotagedistricts on behalf of the NPA

as well as hold examinations inconnection with licensing ofpilots for their pilotage dis-tricts.Umar explained that the inau-

guration of the pilotageBoards in the compulsorypilotage districts was a neces-sary requirement, adding thatsafe navigation is required forthe volume of imports andexports conveyed through the

port in line with InternationalShipping and Port SecurityCode (ISPS).According to Umar, membersof the pilotage Boards werecarefully selected based ontheir competence and experi-ence in relevant fields in themaritime industry such asNautical Science and MarineNavigation, adding that theyare expected to put their expe-

rience to bear on the pilotageactivities of their Boards toensure compliance with rele-vant laws as provided for in thePorts Act.

Members of the reconstitut-ed Boards were drawn fromthe NPA, NIMASA andMaritime Academy of Nigeria(MAN), Oron, private associa-tion of Master Mariners,International Association of

Light House Authority and theInternational Federation ofShipmasters and the ExxonMobil.

Speaking on behalf of theBoards, Chairman LagosPilotage District, CaptAbdulganiyu Alimi, assuredthe minister that the memberswill live up to expectations ofall stakeholders and wouldensure that pilotage in thenation’s seaports is in con-formity with internationalstandards.In a related development, the

minister has inaugurated thecommittee for the realisationof Inland Container Deports(ICD) in Nigeria with a chargeto the members of the commit-tee to address all legal con-straints militating against theeffective implementation ofthe inland container deports.

Members of the committee,according to a press state-ment, are also expected toexamine the concept and revis-it the entire process of the ICDswith a view to repositioningthe project to achieve its setobjective.

THE Nigerian MaritimeAdministration and Safety

Agency (NIMASA) recentlyheld a one-day sensitisationprogramme with stakehold-ers on the contents of the offi-cial gazette of the FederalGovernment, which dwells onthe protection of the nation’smarine environment.

Director-General of NIMASA,Patrick Akpolokemi, who wasrepresented by the agency’sExecutive Director, MaritimeSafety and Shipping

Development, Capt EzekielAgaba, explained that theinteractive session wasdesigned to facilitate effectiveimplementation of marineprotection regulations in theinterest of all stakeholders.Agada said: “There is the need

for us to enhance sustainabledevelopment of the nation’smaritime environment man-agement system by putting inplace a self-funding mecha-nism that preserves and pro-tects it against degradationand the destruction of theecosystem with attendants

economic implications fromoil pollution.”

Agaba said in response toindiscriminate discharge ofship-generated wastes intothe marine environment,International MaritimeOrganisation (IMO) adoptedthe International Conventionof the Prevention of pollutionfrom ships. The conventioncovers six annexes and has reg-ulations stipulating variousmethods by which memberstates, ship owners, operatorsand maritime stakeholdersshould implement its provi-

sions in order to prevent andcontrol marine incidents/pol-lution emanating from shipsand offshore installations.

He explained that oil pollu-tion of the sea was recognisedas a major problem, addingthat various countries haveintroduced national regula-tions to control discharges ofoil within their territorialwaters.

Besides, he said Nigeria as asignatory to the conventiondecided to gazette the regula-tion on Marine EnvironmentManagement otherwise

known as Sea Protection levyand the Merchant Shipping(Ship-generated MarineWaste Reception Facilities)last year.Head of Marine Environment

Management Department,NIMASA, Mrs. Julian AbiodunGunwa, in her presentationsaid minimal and haphazardmonitoring of polluters with-in the nation’s territorialwaters, if allowed continueunchecked will adverselyaffect socio-economic condi-tions of the Nigerian popu-lace.

NIMASA, stakeholders parley on enforcement of new sea protection law

THE classification society,International Naval Surveys

Bureau (INSB), was recentlyendorsed by the KenyaMaritime Authority (KMA). 

Managing Director/ChiefExecutive Officer of INSB AfricaRegion, Akin Olaniyan, an engi-neer said: “It is our pleasure toalso bring to your knowledgethat as at April 11th, 2013, INSBclass has been authorised byKMA as a Recognised

Organisation (RO)/RecognisedSecurity Organisation (RSO) forthe performance of statutorywork, ISM/ISPS Audits includ-ing MLC 2006 and related cer-tification to vessels flying theKenyan Flag.” Olaniyanexplained that since September14, 2012, INSB Class has beenrecognised and authorised asRO and RSO “by the MaritimeAdministration of the Republicof Moldova / Public Institution

Harbour Master Giurgiulestiand the Maritime Authority ofJamaica for delegation ofauthority to our Society for theperformance of statutory workand related certification of ves-sels.” � 

He added: “These newlyattained authorisationsexpand both the overall autho-risation context of our Societyand provide INSB Class withthe ability to serve ship own-

ers, managers or operatorswhose fleet is registered orintended to be registeredunder these flags, in additionto the several other flags previ-ously authorised. �    

Olaniyan noted: “These inter-national acceptances are attes-tation to the technical capabil-ities, capacities and overall abil-ities of the INSB, as a new ageClassification Society. This nowbrings to 28 major and rep-

utable flags which have recog-nised and authorised INSB tofunction as a RecognisedOrganisation (RO) / RecognisedSecurity Organisation (RSO).”

International Naval SurveysBureau S.A. (INSB) otherwiseknown as ‘The Society’ wasfounded in 1980 in Piraeus,Greece where it situates itsNetwork Head Office. As a Technical Society and Non-

Governmental Organisation,

INSB gets Kenya’s endorsement

By Moses Ebosele

Crude oil tanker

By Tosin Fodeke

according to Olaniyan, INSB isduly registered as a member ofthe Piraeus Chamber ofCommerce and Industry inGreece. “It is also a member ofthe International Associationof Technical Surveys andClassification Institutions(TSCI) and is recognised andauthorised as a ClassificationSociety with all the major mar-itime nations worldwide,” headded.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 37MARITMEWATCH

‘Ignore clamour for NPA’sfurther commercialisation,concession’

Umar

….Seeks more relevance in Nigeria’s logistics, transport sector

Group unveils global strategy for women seafarersANEW International Maritime

Organisation (IMO) film pro-moting the role of women in themaritime sector has beenlaunched during a conferenceon the Development of a GlobalStrategy for Women Seafarers.

The conference, held in Busan,Republic of Korea, recently wasorganised and funded by thegovernment of the Republic ofKorea through the Ministry ofOceans and Fisheries (MOF), andhosted by the Korean Instituteof Maritime and FisheriesTechnology (KIMFT), togetherwith IMO, adopted a declarationof intent towards the develop-ment of a Global Strategy forWomen Seafarers.

Shipping has historically beena male-dominated industry andthat tradition runs long anddeep. However, through itsglobal programme on theIntegration of Women in theMaritime Sector (IWMS), IMO ismaking a concerted effort tohelp the industry move on fromthat tradition and to helpwomen achieve a representa-tion within it that is more inkeeping with 21 Century expec-tations.The film, “Women at the helm”

shows how the work of IMO, andothers, is promoting positivechange for women in shipping,and highlights first-hand expe-riences from those who havealready succeeded.Participants at the conferenceincluded women seafarers andgovernment officials from 13countries from the Asia-Pacificregion, two World MaritimeUniversity (WMU) lecturers andrepresentatives from two“women in maritime” regionalassociations.Senior Deputy Director,Technical Co-operationDivision, Mrs. Pamela

Tansey, said the conference hadprovided a unique opportunityfor women seafarers and policy-makers to come together toidentify policies and systemswhich will promote new oppor-tunities for women seafarersand encourage the exchange ofexperiences and best practiceswhich enhance women seafar-ers’ education, competency andcareer development.

“The Republic of Korea is anexcellent example of a countryfor which maritime develop-ment has been key to economicdevelopment. However, thebest technology in the world isuseless and can even be danger-ous in the hands of an untrainedofficer. For that reason, this con-ference strikes at the very heartof the shipping industry, byaddressing ways of meeting thepredicted shortage of trainedand competent seafarers,”Tansey said.

She added: “This is directly inline with the IMO’s IWMS pro-gramme, now celebrating its25th year, under which the fore-most priority has been toencourage IMO member statesto open the doors of their mar-itime institutes to enablewomen to train alongside menand so acquire the high level ofcompetence that the maritimeindustry demands”.

In  a related development,prominent stakeholder havereflected on some complex legalissues that have been addressedby the IMO, at a special event tomark the 100th session of theIMO Legal Committee, heldrecently.

The legal committee was alsopresented with the “Award forMeritorious Contributiontowards the ProgressiveDevelopment and Codificationof International Maritime Law”,

by Professor David Attard,Director of the InternationalMaritime Law Institute (IMLI).

The origins of the LegalCommittee go back to theTorrey Canyon disaster of 1967,which led to an intensificationof IMO’s technical work in pre-venting pollution and was alsothe catalyst for work on liabilityand compensation.

An ad hoc legal committee wasestablished to deal with the legalissues raised by the world’s firstmajor tanker disaster and theCommittee soon became a per-manent subsidiary organ of theIMO Council, meeting twice ayear to deal with any legal issuesraised at IMO.

Treaties covering liability andcompensation for pollution

damage resulting from oil spillswere the first to be developedand adopted by the LegalCommittee.Subsequently, as well as expand-ing the liability and compensa-tion regimes to cover a range ofother eventualities, includingpollution from a number of oth-er substances, the removal ofwrecks and liability in accidents

involving passengers and theirluggage, the Legal Committeehas dealt with issues as diverseas the protection and fair treat-ment of seafarers, the suppres-sion of unlawful acts againstinternational shipping, the car-riage of arms aboard ships andthe legal infrastructure to allowthe prosecution of suspectedpirates.

MEMBERS of the SeniorStaff Association of

Communications,Transport andCorporations (SSACTAC)has advised the FederalGovernment to ignoreclamour for further com-mercialisation and conces-sion of the operations ofNigerian Port Authority(NPA).

Meanwhile, the ManagingDirector of NPA, HabibAbdullahi, has announcedthe agency’s resolve not tooutsource its Marine serv-ices “as widely speculat-ed”.

According to Abdullahi,NPA would rather strength-en its Marine servicesdepartment with therecruitment of more com-petent hands.

In a message to commem-orate the 2013 May Day cel-ebration held recently,President-General of SSAC-TAC, AdetunjiAdesunkanmi, said: “TheAssociation advises gov-ernment to ignore the pres-sure from well-placed butunpatriotic citizens to sat-isfy their selfish interestsby advocating the further

concessioning of duties ofthe Nigerian PortsAuthority.”

Adesunkanmi also usedthe opportunity to urge theFederal Government totackle the menace of cor-ruption: “We owe a duty tothe Almighty God, our-selves and other Nigerians.

“It is important that on ageneral note that the lead-ership makes seriousamendments on the distri-bution of resources, educa-tion, health and agricultur-al policies to tackle theendemic issues of insecuri-ty, poverty, unemploy-ment and corruption inNigeria.

“The seeming inability todeploy sufficient fundswhere necessary and fail-ure to monitor the deploy-ment of funds seriously aidcorruption and the inabili-ty to develop infrastruc-ture in all sectors.”

Making reference to min-imum wage, SSACTAC said:“It is unfortunate that theminimum wage asapproved by government isyet to be granted to all itsworkers. We appeal to theFederal Government torelease funds to pay allworkers in the parastatals,

the minimum wage as wellas the arrears of previoussalary increment”.Speaking in Port Harcourt,

Rivers State recently at theend of a two-day workingtour of Rivers and OnnePorts, the NPA bossexplained that the manage-ment would render neces-sary assistance to all theports to ensure that theycontinue to make progres-sive strides.He disclosed that the man-

agement has approved thecommencement of rehabil-itation of port facilities inthe Eastern Zone.

The facilities, according toa press statement issued byAssistant General Manager(Public Affairs), Musa Iliya,include rehabilitation ofthe pilot cutter IMO, pur-chase of a brand new ambu-lance for Port Harcourt clin-ic and the renovation of thewarehouse office buildingto make it more conducivefor workers.

Earlier in his welcomeaddress, the GeneralManger Eastern Ports,Sonny Nwobi, informed themanaging director that thezone needs more tug boats,adding that it will encour-

age 24 hours port opera-tions in the zone.

Nwobi added that the PortHarcourt port would be 100years in a few months,pointing out that the portwould like to mark theevent.

In her speech, the PortManager of Rivers Port, Mrs.Carolyn Ufere, requestedthat the on-going rehabili-tation of the zonal officesbe extended to her port.

Similarly, the PortManager of Onne Port,

Munir Umar, who accord-ing to the statement com-mended the managingdirector for his open doorpolicy, wants him to assistthe port on the issue ofsecurity, provision of trail-er park and provision of

WOMEN in Logistics andTransport (WILAT), the

women wing of the CharteredInstitute of Logistics andTransport (CILT) has concludedplans to host the first “Womenin Logistics and Transport Day”,at the Federal Capital Territory,Abuja, next week Thursday.Chairperson of WILAT Nigeria,

Hajia Aisha Ali-Ibrahim,explained that the Women inLogistics and Transport Daycel-ebration was designed toencourage women in theLogistics and Transport indus-try to fully participate in allactivities of the sector.

She said several female digni-taries including AviationMinister,   Stella Oduah;Minister for Women Affairs,Hajia Zainab Maina; formerMinister of Transport, formerMinister of Aviation and cur-rent People’s Democratic Party(PDP) Women Leader, Dr. KemaChikwe and Chairman SeaportTerminal OperatorsAssociation of Nigeria(STOAN)   Vicky Haastrup areamong dignitaries that willgrace the occasion.Ali-Ibrahim, who doubles as theTraffic Manager of Tin-Can

Island Port Complex said:“WILAT has taken the initiativeto identify and give profession-al support to all female profes-sionals working in and retiredfrom all the modes of transport(such as  road, rail, maritime &

air), logistics and related indus-tries. It serves as the profession-al female voice in the industryand recommends gender poli-cies in transport to govern-ment, in addition to its com-

munity services like the distri-bution of wheel chairs, baby car-riers, and awareness pro-grammes  of safety precautionin transport.”She said the Women in Logisticsand Transport Day is in line withWILAT’s aim of sourcing,grooming and sustaining com-petent female membersthrough career progression “soas to be able to fill up availableexisting gaps and opportuni-ties in the industry.”She added: “Though we are dis-

cussing issues relating to pro-fessional women in our profes-sion, our male counterpartshave also been invited as it is notour intention to shut them out.

“The day as designed is a spe-cial purpose vehicle that pro-vides an enabling platform forthe recognition and apprecia-tion of the achievements andcontributions made by profes-sional men and women in thevarious sectors of the industry.It is also an avenue to build onthe strength and image of thegroup/institute through net-working. The event aims to pro-vide a holistic approach toaddressing the challengesfaced by women in the varioussectors of the industry”, shesaid.

By Moses Ebosele

By Moses Ebosele

Jonathan

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 201338

IndustryWatchInvestment destination: Ogun’s slow,but steady move to upstage LagosAT a time when the need todiversify from a monolith-ic economy has becomeintense, coupled with the inad-equacy of many states to runstate affairs based on revenuefrom the Federation Account,many states are beginning tolook inward for survivalthrough the development ofbusiness strategies and poli-cies to encourage viable invest-ments in the states.Indeed, donors and govern-ments in developing coun-tries have been paying grow-ing attention to improving theenvironment for business as ameans of promoting enter-prise development and,through it, of growing theireconomies, increasingemployment, improving wel-fare and reducing poverty.For a private-sector led devel-opment like that of Nigeria,there is a need for a conduciveenvironment in which the pri-vate investors, financiers, busi-nessmen and foreign compa-nies and corporations can beconfident of the security oftheir investments and thatreturns would be forthcom-ing on their investments.Events in recent years haverevealed increasing efforts bysome states at improving theirbusiness environment. Thefocus has mainly been atreducing red tape and improv-ing the regulatory environ-ment. For instance, recent activitiesin the industrial ecosystem,especially between South-western states of the countryhave continued to reveal thedynamics and politics ofenhancing business environ-ments for investments.Industry watchers believe thatmanufacturing will continueto be the fundamental base forthe economic health and secu-rity of the nation state, irre-spective of the resources at thedisposal of the country.Already, statistics show that77 per cent of global trade is inthe form of manufacturedgoods, with food and agricul-ture accounting for nine percent of global merchandisetrade, followed by fuel witheight per cent, while ores andminerals account for 3 per centof world trade. This thereforeplaces emphasis on why thereal sector cannot be ignored,going by its niche status.One of the notable moves

towards creating a sustainableenvironment for real sectorgrowth is visible in the effortsof the Ogun State governmentand some other state govern-ments in driving industrializa-tion in their states. However, recent commission-ing of notable industries inOgun State and visits byPresident Goodluck Jonathanhas attracted more attentionto real sector growth plans inthe state.Indeed, the maiden NigerianBusiness Confidence Index(BCI), conducted by the LagosChamber of Commerce andIndustry, indicated that 98.5

per cent of business executivesare planning to expand oropen new plant/shop outsideLagos and that Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Ogun, Ibadan andAba are top locations on theirlist. In his first year alone,

Governor Amosun broughtPresident Goodluck Jonathanto Ogun State a record threetimes. President Jonathan’sjourneys to the state began onJune 27, 2011 for the commis-sioning of May & Baker NigeriaPlc’s pharmaceutical facilitylocated along Idiroko Road,Ota; December 20, 2011 also wit-nessed another milestone inthe industrialisation of thestate as Lafarge WAPCO NigeriaPlc, manufacturers of LafargeCement, commissioned itsEwekoro II, otherwise knownas Lakatabu plant, with anaccompanying 90 megawatts,power generating plant; andby February 9, 2012, PresidentJonathan had to make a thirdtrip to Ogun State for the com-missioning of DangoteCement Plant, Ibese.Other industries already com-missioned in the governor’sfirst year include but not lim-ited to the smelting plant ofMetal Recycling IndustriesLimited, Ogijo; AfricanFoundries Limited’s 100 percent export-oriented steelmanufacturing project inOgijo, among others.Recently, the President alsocommissioned a Cold SteelRolling Mill built by WempcoSteel Mills Limited in Ibafo,Ogun state, a move manydescribed as one boosting thestate’s economic profile.The Ogun State Governor,

Ibikunle Amosun had notedthat the state’s investment pro-file was rising fast, bringing thestate to a second position interms of internally generatedrevenue, after Lagos State.For Lagos State, a number ofsignificant factors have stimu-lated the concentration ofmanufacturing activities inthe state.First, the presence in Lagos ofthe largest seaport in Nigeriaoffers minimum transporta-tion costs for imported inputsfrom the port to the factorysites. This was particularlyimportant from the late 1950s,

when Nigeria adopted animport substitution industri-alization strategy of develop-ment. Secondly, good transporta-

tion facilities linking Lagos toother parts of Nigeria are avail-able. Thirdly, Lagos still has thelargest concentration ofskilled and semi-skilled man-power in Nigeria, with an esti-mate that shows that one inevery four workers in the for-mal sector in Nigeria wasemployed in the city.Furthermore, there is a largeand ready market both withinthe metropolis and at thenational scale for the outputsof the manufacturing estab-lishments. Also, Lagos has fairly well-

developed basic infrastructur-al facilities to support manu-facturing industries, whilestate prides itself as one withthe premier national andinternational airport inNigeria. This thus, gives thestate a considerable advantageover any other centre inNigeria in terms of communi-cation by air. However, Lagos may be losingits attractiveness due to itshigh-handedness in terms oftaxation, especially from its

multiple revenue generatingagencies, cost of doing busi-ness among others.For Ogun, the attraction

according to some industrywatchers may be due to the taxholidays, access to space,industrial cluster develop-ment among others.To some industry watchers,with peer competition, comesspeedier development. That is, fierce competitionamong the states means con-stantly reinventing them-selves, means reinventingbusiness-government andbusiness-institution relation-ships. As they diversify awayfrom oil, they become less andless interested in waiting foroil revenue allocation as it is aless important driver of com-petitiveness. In terms of natural resources,the Ogun State is blessed withbitumen, soft sand used forconstruction purpose, glasssand (for the production ofbottle), laterite as well as lime-stone used in cement indus-try. Others include, Feldspar, Clay,Tar, Sand, Kaolin, Gypsum,Mica, Phosphate, Silica Sand,Decorative rocks and Quartz.At a recent investors’ forum,

along the Lagos-Ibadanexpress road, disclosed thatowing to its liberal investmentpolicy, the State had succeed-ed in attracting 35 new compa-nies into the State in the last 24months, pointing out that thishad resulted in massive cre-ation of direct and indirectjobs for the populace.“I’m happy to tell you that inthe last two years about 35companies have opened shopin Ogun State because of theliberal policy that the presentadministration has put inplace” Ashiru said.He assured that the State

Government would continueto provide an enabling envi-ronment as a way of wooingmore investors, urging com-panies already operating inthe State to consider the valuechain of their products for syn-ergy as well as local content intheir productions to reduceoverhead cost.

The Commissioner alsounderscored the need for com-panies to promptly remit theirtaxes and levies into the coffersof government to enhance thesocio-economic and infra-structural development of theState, adding that they shouldbe socially responsible to their

Amosun had said: “all areasthat required reform to boosteconomic activities in the Statehave been addressed andattended to by the govern-ment and these areas includereformation in land acquisi-tion, planning approval, infra-structure development, siteand services, power and ener-gy, security environment,technology, taxes and leviesand manpower develop-ment”.As part of the state’s incen-

tives for investors, Amosunsaid: the Abeokuta-Lagos oldroad, Sagamu axis andPapalanto interchange inSagamu have been designatedas industrial clusters whereinvestors can only establish inline with the industrial plan ofthe State Government. He said land allocation andapproval will be largelydependent on what theinvestors intended to do andin compliance with best prac-tices in the world and Ogunstandard.The Ogun State Commissionerfor Commerce and Industry,Bimbo Ashiru, during a facili-ty visit to Momas ElectricityMeters ManufacturingCompany, Orimerunmu

SON seals steel factory over non-compliance with industrial standards

Fashola Amosun

STANDARDS Organisation ofNigeria, SON, on Monday,sealed off Hongxing SteelCompany Limited for under-mining Nigeria IndustrialStandards NIS117: 2004.Besides, the agency also seized120 sub-standard generatingsets at the Alaba market.According to a team of SON’sInspectorate and Enforcementofficers led by Samuel Ayuba tothe Amuwo-Odofin based com-pany, the seal off had becomenecessary because the compa-ny was not producing its 10 mil-limeter reinforcement barsaccording to standards forNigeria steel sector which isNIS117: 2004.Ayuba said: “SON monitors

specifications or not, and fromthe on spot tests we have car-ried out, results of the testsshowed that the irregularitiesare still prominent in the prod-ucts. The results show that thereare cracks and peels but stan-dards specify that after tests, theproduct should not show signof cracks or peels. These are theweak points after the productwas subjected to tests for qual-ity.“Right now, the directive hasbeen given to me by the DirectorGeneral, Joseph NkemOdumodu, to seal-off this com-pany and every other companythat belong to the group untilthey are ready to fully complywith the specified standards.

every company that is manufac-turing in this country. When wecame one month ago, we sawwhat they were doing, produc-ing scraps to billet and to the fin-ished products before it is soldin the market. We came backtoday to ensure if they havecomplied with the standards.We conducted tensile andchemical test analysis on thespot and we found some irreg-ularities or defects and we toldthe management of the compa-ny to adjust their productionand ensure that whatever theyproduce complies withNigeria’s standards for the steelsector.“We came back today to verifyif they have complied with the

Furthermore, he also scoredthe company low on Health,Safety and Environment (HSE),saying: “There is something inmanufacturing: As you can see,the environment for manufac-turing is very untidy and theworkers are working under veryharsh condition.”He urged the company to investin technology that regulatescarbon contents in steel bar iftheir products are to be accept-ed in the Nigerian market.“Reinforcement bars are verycritical products in the con-struction industry. To avoid col-lapse of buildings and struc-tures, we must make sure thatevery reinforcement bar that isproduced meets the required

specifications”, he added.He also urged stakeholders tolook out for NIS seal of qualitybefore they buy reinforcementbars directly from manufactur-ers or in the markets. “NIS sealof quality shows that the prod-uct has been verify by us and isfit for use in Nigeria,” he said.The company’s General

Manager, Andy Lu, said: “Wewill work hard to improve-ment on the specifications.”On the generating sets seizedby the agency, the SON officialnoted that the importerbrought the products in withanother brand name, GER andstarted printing TI behind thename in a warehouse wherethe products were concealed.

Stories by Femi Adekoya

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

‘Nigeria’s milk consumption still very low’FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc hasbeen a necessary part of most Nigerianhomes since 1954 through its flagship brandPeak Milk. An affiliate of RoyalFrieslandCampina of The Netherlands, thecompany has continued to play a leadingrole in the production, processing, packag-ing, marketing and distribution of variousmilk products in Nigeria. During the compa-ny’s yearly general meeting and celebrationof its 40th anniversary, the company’s firstindigenous Managing Director, PeterEshikena spoke with journalists on the com-pany’s activities within the last fourdecades, success, challenges and opportu-nities waiting to be explored by the compa-ny. FEMI ADEKOYA was there. Excerpts Can you give an insight into the company’s 40th anniver-sary celebrations?It is a landmark in the history of FrieslandCampina. Weare actually celebrating two landmarks. The first land markis that we as Nigerians are being giving an opportunity torun the country that has for 40 years, been run by Dutchexpatriates and like I said to my team it is not a one-manshow, we really have to succeed as a team. I think the teamis well geared up now to ensure we deliver better result. Itis challenging, no doubt and being stressed from all direc-tion. The team I work with is a very strong one, dedicatedand committed to push the company forward.As the first Nigerian to head a multinational like Friesland,How does it feel managing this company?I am the one who have been called to the task of makingsure that Nigeria’s name is written in golden colour. Thatis my main objective. I know the company will grow. Allthe other elements are in place, and with that, we have tomake a point/mark that is paramount in their minds, andI have said to the team, we should work in a way that whenI am handing over, the company would be entrusted inthe hands of a Nigerian.Describe the business environment in which the compa-ny is operating?The business environment is harsh, that is an area, whichwe are working on now at the corporate level to tap intothe opportunity available there. Two, we sell a product thatis regarded as a complete food in the sense that the knowl-edge about milk is still very limited even for myself. Untila few years ago, I never knew the normal potential milkhelp and you can have milk in any kind of format but milkis the most complete food you can have on the table. Wehave commenced a campaign to encourage Nigerians takeone glass of milk per day. Milk is essential for growth andhealthy living.What is the state of your Diary Development Programme?We started the project in 2010, and the status is so far asthe yield we get from all the milk operational centres is onthe increase. At the moment in April, we have collected thehighest amount of milk that has ever been collected, 7000litres per day. But that is still a small drop compared to thevolume or milk processed in Wamco, in the Netherlands.For example, 500 million litres of milk is processed dailyand we are talking of 7000 litres that we have collected.So, if you look at the volume, it is still very small. It is a longyielding process, not one that you start and you get theresult immediately, you have to be patient, you have toinvest in it, we are not making profit from it yet, becausewe believe in the potential of Nigeria. Of course it is a grad-ual process and we believe we would definitely get there.How does cow breeds affect the quality of milk produced?The weather condition, availability of good pasture, water,the availability of good infrastructure, availability of water,good roads, among others determine the breed of a cow.These are the things that are making things very difficult.Cow farming is a big time business. If you go to where ourparent company is situated in Netherlands, you will dis-cover that cow farming is indeed a big business. We haveto take care of the entire chain from grass root to glass,right from the feed that the cow is eating, how the cow ismaintained and treated, to how you milk the cow, how

huge and massive opportunity. This is what we are work-ing on with our campaign by encouraging Nigerians todrink one glass of milk everyday.What could be responsible for the low consumption ofmilk in Nigeria?I will not attribute the reason solely to price because if youcompare for instance amount of money spent on rechargecards compared to the cost of a can of milk, I think theissue is the level of our priority. What do we lay impor-tance on, we still don’t have our priorities right and thatis in my opinion, what the issue is. As long as the aware-ness level is still low, milk consumption will not increase.That is why our priority is to raise Nigerians’ awarenesson the importance of milk in their diet.What is the firm’s outlook for the 2013 financial year?FrieslandCampina WAMCO, in 2012, continued with itsdevelopment of local milk production capacity in Nigeriawith the integration of the Company’s Dairy DevelopmentProgramme into the Federal Government’s AgricultureTransformation Agenda (ATA). In 2013, we will advance thisPublic-Private-Partnership (PPP) and further increase thelocal capacity of raw milk.In 2012, the company announced a turnover increase of

5.9 per cent from N104.98 billion in 2011 to N111.12 billionin 2012. Profit before Tax (PBT) increased by 46 per centfrom N13.99 billion to N20.39 billion for the financial yearended 31 December 2012To realise our ambition of helping people move forward

in life with all the natural goodness of milk, in this chal-lenging operating business environment, the Companywill continue to invest in efficiency improvement towardsits goal of sustainable growth and value creation. I am con-fident that with our continued commitment and effort atbringing the ‘goodness of milk’ to Nigerians,FrieslandCampina WAMCO is well positioned for sustain-

Eshikena

you protect the milk and eventually how you put it intofinished product that the consumers will take.The downstream as far as we have seen in this country isthat there is a lot of potential in harnessing the opportu-nities in the downstream sector. Once we are able to tie upthe downstream sector, the upstream is already there. Themarket is there. The challenge is just for us to tie up thedownstream sector.How does the company cope with importation?There are two legs of importation. We have the raw mate-rial importation and there is the finished goods importa-tion. The importers of milk pay 20 per cent duty. It is anopen market, it is not restricted, you can bring importedmilk or buy. Fresh milk availability in Nigeria is restrict-ed. The volume is still not at the level we want it to be. Sopeople bring in imported milk and pay the duty of 20 percent. How do intend to tap into the poverty market?The importance of price point comes to play here. If youpick the big pack that we have in the market, the price inthe market is at the level at which we want it to be but notaffordable, especially for the category of people we are talk-ing about. This involves huge research and developmentefforts, for which our company is developing a proposi-tion that would carry the same type of nutrients, vitamins,minerals that we have in the big pack and cascade it downto the small pack. The smaller the pack, the lower the mar-gin for the manufacturer. That is the main balance. The second leg is on the distribution, there are 20,000

villages in Nigeria and it is very frightening if you want togo village by village to do the distribution. At the momentwe are looking at two countries, Asia and particularly Indiathat have been able to establish a good distribution mod-el for the rural areas. We are trying to see how we can adaptinto the system. Of course, they have a very good microfinance banking system, which is still in the infancy stagehere. Aside from that we still want to see how we can over-come the challenge of microfinance banking and take theproducts to the rural people.

To further increase its local content and support theFederal Government’s initiative to grow the Agriculturesector, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc commencedthe Dairy Development Program in August 2010. This isgradually developing into a full national program as thecompany is dedicated to make the Dairy DevelopmentProgram a success by ensuring the transfer of Technologyknow-how on milk production for Nigerian farmers. Thecompany plans to further train and consult with farmers,with the support of the Government.How has the institution been able to position itself in themarket in the last 40 years? Are you considering value-addition for the milk product?The 40 years is a long time, but the opportunity of the cur-rent business that we do here has not been fully tapped.For example, the milk consumption in Nigeria is 8 kilo-gram per litre. In Holland, if I go the extreme, it is 320 kilo-gram per litre. Even if we are able to develop the milk con-sumption awareness, we have not done half of that, it is a

The milk consumption in Nigeria is 8 kilogramper litre. In Holland, if I go the extreme, it is320 kilogram per litre. Even if we are able todevelop the milk consumption awareness, wehave not done half of that...At the moment inApril, we have collected the highest amountof milk that has ever been collected, 7000litres per day. But that is still a small dropcompared to the volume or milk processed inWamco, in the Netherlands. For example, 500million litres of milk is processed daily and weare talking of 7000 litres that we have col-lected. So, if you look at the volume, it is stillvery small.

The weather condition, availability of goodpasture, water, the availability of good infra-structure, availability of water, good roads,among others determine the breed of a cow.These are the things that are making thingsvery difficult. Cow farming is a big time busi-ness. If you go to where our parent companyis situated in Netherlands, you will discoverthat cow farming is indeed a big business. Wehave to take care of the entire chain from grassroot to glass.

INDUSTRY WATCH | 39

40 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 41

Our Appreciation

HEREare the essential tit-bits on registrationof ships under cabotage law for your infor-

mation. Hope you will find it usefulWHY FLAG A VESSEL?Ship Flagging Dates Back To The Period Of TheRoman Empire. It Is Deeply Rooted InCommon Sense – I.E. The Need To Give EachShip An IdentityStandardsThe Losc 1982 Lays Out The InternationalFramework For Ship Registration And TheGeneral Principles Of FlaggingFlag States Are Responsible For The AdherenceOf The Ship To Applicable InternationalRules And Standards

TYPES OF SHIP REGISTRIESClosed (Traditional) RegistriesOpen Registries (Flags of Convenience - FOC)

CHARACTERISTICS OF CLOSED REGISTRIESLimits The Type Of Vessels And Vessel OwnersEligible For RegistrationEnforces The ‘Genuine Link’ PrincipleORIGINATED FROM THE TRADITIONAL MARITIMENATIONS OF GREAT BRITAIN, ITALY, FRANCE ANDTHE NETHERLANDS

OPEN REGISTRIESThey Do Not Apply The Stringent ShippingLaws And Corporate Regulations Imposed ByClosed RegistriesThey Have No Interest In Establishing AGenuine LinkThey Allow The Shipowner To Repatriate ProfitAs He WishesThey Make No Regulations ConcerningEmployment Of Their Nationals On RegisteredShipsThey Are Sources Of Substantial ForeignDenominated Income Streams For The FlagStates Who Are Usually Small States With LittleEconomic Might E.G. Income Generated By TheLiberian Registry Accounts For 25% Of LiberianAnnual GDP

DISADVANTAGES OF OPEN REGISTRIESIncreases The Inspection And Detention ProfileOf VesselsAffects The Chances Of Employment In ManyStates’ Waters (E.G. Nigerian Cabotage And US –Jones’ Act)Limited Protection For Indigenous

Seafarers/Shipping CompaniesLess Effective Flag State ControlHigher Insurance Premiums

NIGERIAN FLAG REGISTRATIONSHIP REGISTRATION IN NIGERIANIGERIA OPERATES THE CLOSED REGISTRY TYPETHE NIGERIAN SHIP REGISTRY IS THE SOLE REPOSITO-RY OF INFORMATION ON SHIPS FLYING THE NIGER-IAN FLAGCATEGORIES OF REGISTRATION1. FULL FLAG REGISTRATION: Valid For 5 Years.Requires Survey To Be Carried Out.2.PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION: Allows a Nigerianwho has bought a vessel abroad to register underthe Nigerian flag to enable him sail the vesselhome. Validity: 6 mths or as soon as vessel entersNigerian waters.FLAG ADMINISTRATIONNIMASA IS NIGERIA’S FLAG ADMINISTRATIONTHE MSA 2007 MAKES COPIOUS PROVISIONS ONVESSELS FLAGGINGOWNERSHIP ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS UNDERTHE NIGERIAN FLAG ALSO ENSHRINED IN THEMSA

REGISTRAR OF SHIPSOFFICE RECOGNIZED BY BOTH MSA 2007 ANDTHE NIMASA ACT 2007FLAG STATE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REGISTRAROF SHIPSPOWERS OF THE REGISTRAR OF SHIPS

THE NIGERIAN SHIP REGISTRATION OFFICEEstablished By The NIMASA Act 2007 Procedures For Vessels Flagging/RegistrationCertificates Validity And Global Recognition IfIssued By A Flag State

KEY FUNCTIONS OF THE SHIP REGISTRYRegistration Of ShipsKeeping Vessels Records (Maintaining TheRegister Books)Registration Of MortgagesConsent To Sell And Change Of OwnershipCaveatAllow Legal SearchesCabotage Registration

NIGERIAN SHIP REGISTERSRegister For Fishing TrawlersRegister For Merchant ShipsRegister For Fpsos

Register For Vessels Below 15 Gross TonsRegister For Chartered Vessels Of 12 MonthsAnd Other Charters

SUMMARY OF SHIP REGISTRATION PROCESSSubmission Of ApplicationCondition Survey And Determination OfTonnageEvaluation Of Eligibility Of Vessel ForRegistrationIssuance Of Certificate – Validity 5 Years

CABOTAGE REGISTRATIONRegistration of ships by the NSRO in theSpecial Cabotage Registers is a prerequisite forparticipation in the Cabotage Trade (s. 22 cabo-tage act 2003)Important to note that flag registration is acondition precedence to Cabotage registration

THE FOUR PILLARS OF CABOTAGEVessel must be:Wholly Owned By NigeriansManned By NigeriansBuilt In NigeriaRegistered In Nigeria (Flag Registration)S. 3 CABOTAGE ACT

SPECIAL CABOTAGE REGISTERSSpecial Cabotage Registers For WhollyNigerian Owned VesselsSpecial Cabotage Register For Joint- VentureVesselsSpecial Cabotage Register For BareboatCharetered VesselsSpecial Cabotage Register For SpecialisedVesselsSpecial Cabotage Register For Foreign LicencedVessels

MINISTERIAL WAIVERSAn exemption from any of the four pillars ofcabotage, issued by the Minister to any dulyregistered vessel It is to be issued only on the ground that thereare no wholly Nigerian owned vessels availableto do the job in issueValidity: not more than 1 year

CABOTAGE REGISTRATION PROCESSVessel owner or representative submits anapplication for waiver (as may be applicable)and registration under the Special Cabotage

RegisterActing as the clearing house for the process,the NIMASA Cabotage Department transmitscopies of the application to the Ship Registryand the Maritime Labour Department of theAgency At The Ship RegistryAdvise whether the vessel is registeredAdvise whether there are wholly Nigerianowned ships with the capacity to replace thevessel (if not wholly owned) At The Maritime Labour Department:Advise whether the vessel’s crew are regis-tered Nigerian seafarersAdvise whether there are Nigerian crew withthe capacity to replace the vessel’s foreigncrewBack At The Cabotage Department Debit note is issued to facilitate payment ofwaiver feesRecommendation is made to the Minister onwaiver applicationThe Ship Registry thereafter completes thecabotage registration of the vessel and issuesappropriate certificate Requirements For Cabotage Registration(Wholly Nigerian Owned)Completed form for registration in SpecialCabotage Register (wholly Nigerian owned)Copy of certificate of Nigerian Registry (flagregistration)Cabotage Affidavit FormCrew List Declaration Applicable waiver certificate (or evidence ofpayment of waiver fees)Evidence of registration of shipping companywith NIMASACertificate of IncorporationMemorandum and Articles of AssociationCertified true copies of form CAC 02 (allot-ment of shares)Certified true copies of form CAC 07 (particu-lars of directors)Current tax clearance certificateProof of payment of registration feesInsurance

Being extract from Workshop Paper present-ed by:PETER AGBAMINOJA, LL.M (IMLI)NIGERIAN SHIP REGISTRATION OFFICE,(NIMASA)

In the last edition, we published the names of those of you that generously contributed to themaiden inaugural workshop on Understanding Cabotage and Local Content in the NigerianOil and Gas Industry. Below are more of the sponsors and participants. We are always

encouraged by your active input to our efforts.

O& B MANAGEMENT SERVICESRELIANCE PARTNERS

RIISE UNDERWATER ENGINEERING LIMITEDGANGO GLOBAL ENERGY LIMITED

DREDGING INTERNATIONAL SERVICES NIG LTDCOMET SHIPPING SERVICES NIG LTD

ZIRCON MARINE LIMITEDINTERNATIONAL MARINE & LOGISTICS

COMPLIANCE MANAGER, LAMNACO NIG LTDLAMNALCO NIGERIA LIMITEDMODANT SEABULK LIMITEDROYAL EXCHANGE PLC

DREDGING INTERNATIONAL SERVICES NIG LTDKAYODESOFOLA & ASSOCIATE UDO UDOMA & BELLO OSAGIE

WAVSPOG PETROCHEMICAL LIMITED

ASTERIX LEGAL SERVICESAMOTOI GLOBAL SERVICESNIGER DELTA UNIVERSITYSHIPPING DIRECT LIMITEDZIRCON MARINE LIMITED

G. ELIAS & CO.RANGK LIMITEDSTARZS-GROUP

TRADEX RESOURCES LTDBOLA AJIBOLA & CO

CHARTERED INSTITUTION OF LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT (CILT)SKYE BANK PLC

OGUNBANJO & COFOUNDATION CHAMBERINTELS NIGERIAN LIMITEDGUARANTY TRUST BANK

NIGER-BENUE TRANSPORT COMPANY LIMITEDMAERSK NIGERIAFIDELTY BANK PLC

We seize this opportunity to once again thank you for your tremendous support in ensuringthat realize the objective of creating between 100-500 professionals in vessel management.The next of the course workshop is scheduled to take place in June. It will be in collaboration

with our usual partners SNEPCo and hopefully NLNG.Note that NLNG can presently boast of being completely Local Content Compliant. We are

therefore inviting them to give us a practical exposure as to how they have done it.

REGISTRATION OF SHIPS UNDER THE CABOTAGE LAW

An Overview Of The Chamber Of ShippingTraining Programmes

THE Nigerian Maritime/Shippingindustry has been an evolving one,

and different institutions, such as theCertified Institute of Shipping, CIS,Nigerian Institute of TransportTechnology, NITT Zaria, MaritimeAcademy of Nigeria, Oron, FederalUniversity of Technology, Owerri, FUTO,Federal College of Fisheries and MarineTechnology, Lagos, Maritime Academyof Nigeria, MAN, Oron etc, are con-tributing their quota in ensuring thatthe knowledge gaps in the industry arefilled.When the Nigerian Chamber ofShipping, the Trade Association for theNigerian Maritime industry, was estab-lished, it started by embarking on anaggressive campaign to ensure thatCabotage Act was understood and prac-tised by all stakeholders especially asthe Chamber was formed to become abridge between industry stakeholdersand government bodies in the mar-itime sector, and also to sensitize peo-ple on the inherent issues in the indus-try. It was this need to sensitize indus-try players, and new entrants in theindustry that brought about the needfor capacity building and trainingneeds for Human Capital Developmentin the industry.In the Chamber’s quest to ensure fullparticipation at all levels, a researchwas made, and it was discovered that alot of people by opportunity, and desirefound themselves in theShipping/Maritime industry withouthaving the idea of what the industryentailed, and the need to bridge this‘primary knowledge’ gap resulted tothe introduction of the ABC of ShippingCourse, in the year 2006; as the name

implies, it was a foundational coursecreated to give people the primaryknowledge of the Maritime industry,it recorded huge success, as the par-ticipation was drawn from students,graduates, senior executives, andCEOs of different organisations.Suffice it to say, that year was thepeak of the transition period in theNigerian Shipping/Maritime indus-try. It was the period when peoplestarted getting familiar with theCabotage Law, the Concession of thePorts was at its peak, there were syn-ergies with stakeholders, such asSMEDAN,BOI, etc. The aftermath ofthe ABC of Shipping, brought about aneed for a higher level course, whichbecame the ‘Intermediate Course’.This course was created to increasethe knowledge base of middle classofficers in the industry as interests inthe industry increased.Having been in a position where ourears are close to the heartbeat of theindustry practitioners, the Chamberventured into training as part of hercapacity building scheme. In 2008,we held an International ShipFinance Workshop; this workshopdrew participation from both Localand International Expertise, whichresulted in the need to train NigerianBanks on Vessel Financing. TheChamber again succeeded in train-ing ten (10) banks between the years2008 and 2009.In the later years, we started theStructure and Analysis of Shipping,Marine Safety and Water SurvivalSkills, which were specialized coursescreated to meet the knowledge needsof some practitioners in the industry.And recently the ‘UnderstandingCabotage and Local Content in theNigerian Oil and Gas (Upstream)’

course, which was created to expose amore practical, thorough and in-depth technical and commercialunderstanding and approach to vesseloperations from the Cabotage andLocal Content perspective, which willeventually lead to a good understand-ing of International Best Practices aswell as improve local participation(with competence) in the upstreamsector. We believe that this programwill eventually become a platform tosensitize prospective and existinglocal indigenous companies on theneed for standards, compliance, bestpractices and provide them with themuch needed knowledge of the opera-tions of the industry. The first edition recorded tremendoussuccess, and the second is coming upin June. Interested participants areencouraged to contact the NigerianChamber of Shipping for more infor-mation.There has become a need for us to re-introduce the ABC of Shipping Courseagain, and this time it has beenrevamped to meet the needs of theparticipants once again, putting intoconsiderations the latest develop-ments in the industry, such as LocalContent, Cabotage, etc. Graduates andapplicants are encouraged to partici-pate as there will be an opportunityfor the best participatingstudents/applicants to be taken asinterns for a period of time in theNigerian Chamber of Shipping, thiswill be our own Contribution/CivicSocial Responsibility in encouraginggreat minds into the NigerianMaritime/Shipping industry.Mrs. Vivian Azubuike is the Marketing/PRExecutive of the Nigerian Chamber ofShipping

By Mrs. Vivian Azubuike

The GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 201342

New Course IntroductionA thorough knowledge of the increasing technicalities involved in the upstream oil and gas sector and itsassociated support structure is needed for one to successfully engage in any form of business in this sector.The wake of the Coastal and Inland shipping act and the Nigerian Oil and gas industry development act areindicators for a much needed training in line with these regulations. To bridge the need for the much needed training, the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping is introducing a 3-day

course titled:

Our facilitators are seasoned professionals with enormous experience in the industry

We are confident you will find that this unique course provides you with the much needed knowledge thatwill benefit you and your company as well as give you the needed skill in contract sourcing, financing andexecution.

Tentative Date: 25th – 27th June, 2013Venue: The Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos.Time: 8:30am – 4:30pm daily

For further information kindly contact us as follows:Send e-mail to: info@nigerian-shipping.orgOr call: 01-892 2289 // 0803 386 1289 // 0703 959 9551 // 0807 127 8073 // 0803 565 2602 // 0803 532 5870.

Visit our website www.nigerian-shipping.org or follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com/nigeriancham-berofshipping

Core Modules include:1. The Development of the Maritime Industry in Nigeria/Legislation2. Overview of the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria 3. Finding a Vessel4. Vessel/Equipment Inspection (Physical and Classification Surveys)5. Vessel Registration and Working within the Regulatory Framework (Cabotage & Local Content)6. Funding your Contract7. Understanding Marine Insurance 8. Maritime law and Arbitration9. Ship Management10. Environmental Issues 11. Maritime Security

Understanding Cabotage and Local Content in theNigerian Oil and Gas Industry (Upstream).

The course is designed to give an in-depth understanding of the Maritime/Oil and Gas upstream business in Nigeria.Whether as a Bank who wants to finance the acquisition of offshore vessels, or an indigenous operator who wants tobuild upon existing knowledge, a new entrant that needs the fundamental knowledge of the maritime/upstream oiland gas business, an International Oil Company dealing with Local Operators or individuals who have a purely aca-demic interest in gaining knowledge that will assist with their own personal and professional development; youwill find the course very comprehensive and valuable. In the end, you will have a broader knowledge of Contracts,Investments and Vessel Financing in the Upstream Oil and Gas sector.

The ABC Of Shipping Course

SNEAK REVIEWS ON THE MODULES:UNDERSTANDING CABOTAGE AND LOCAL CONTENT IN

THE NIGERIAN OIL & GAS INDUSTRY (UPSTREAM)FUNDING YOUR CONTRACT

CReDIT POLICY AND FINANCe DeFINITIONSCredit Policy

DefinitionFactors Influencing The Choice Between A New

Built And A Second hand VesselVessel Charter

SeNIOR DeBTTypes of Senior Debt – Overview

Financing Vessel TypesLending Methods

Borrower StructuresTransaction Assessment

Why Do Banks Need To have This Information?Documentation

Ship Finance Options

ShIP FINANCeIntroduction To hedging

Introduction To SecuritisationMezzanine

Project FinancingIntroduction To Leasing

Introduction To Islamic Finance

ShIP MORTGAGeSDetails Of The Ship

The MortgageTransfer of Mortgage

Discharge of Mortgage

LOAN DOCUMeNTATION

Compiled and edited by Nnamdi C. eronini

The new ABC of Shipping Course is to meet the needs of the current indus-try climate It starts from the grass roots making room for undergradu-

ates and recent graduates to participate. The purpose of the training courseis to provide basic and fundamental knowledge about the Nigerian mar-itime sector. The course is targeted at three main categories:•   Members and Non-members of the NCS: These are individuals alreadyoperating in the industry and ancilliary industries with 0-3 years work expe-rience. Their need is for knowledge and introductory information on howthe maritime industry operates in Nigeria.•   Recent graduates: These are recent graduates (1-2years) who are newentrants into the maritime industry and seeking for knowledge about theindustry and how the industry operates. •   Undergraduates/Others: These individuals will most likely have personalinterests. The Course will help them determine their career and look for-ward to operating in it in the future.   Note: There is an internship opportunity at the NCS or Sponsors Offices for 3months, after which he/she will be ReCOMMeNDeD to a member organisa-tion for possible employment depending on their performance during theinternship period. Benefits:�  Will attract exemption from certain courses from the Chartered Instituteof Shipping (CIS)Undergraduates (UG) and Graduates (G): �  Internship opportunities at the NCS for 3 months (G)�  Opportunity to work for a member company (G)�  Gain knowledge and understand of the shipping industry (UG & G)�  Certificates of attendance certified by the Chartered Institute of Shipping(CIS) and Letters of Training Completion acknowledged by the DG of theNigerian Chamber of Shipping (UG & G).�      Members and Non-members of the NCS:�  Gain introductory knowledge on how the maritime industry operates inNigeria�  Gain a “ABC in Shipping” certificate certified by Chartered Institute ofShipping (CIS).�  Opportunity to join the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping.Modules:1.    Principles of Shipping2.    Introduction to Marine logistics3.    Ship Chandling & Supplies4.    Maritime Policies5.    Freight Forwarding Practice6.    Rudiments of Maritime Law7.    I.T. in Shipping8.    Ship Financing, and9.    Maritime Safety, health & environment.NOTe: Undergraduates and recent graduate MUST provide recent and validdocumentation.

Tentative Date: 5th – 7th June, 2013Venue: The NCS Training Centre, 6b Maitama Sule Street, SouthWest Ikoyi,Lagos.Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm daily

For further information kindly contact us as follows:Send e-mail to: info@nigerian-shipping.orgOr call: 01-892 2289 // 0803 386 1289 // 0703 959 9551 // 0807 127 8073 // 0803565 2602 // 0803 532 5870.

43THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

44 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

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Nigeria 8th May, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

EnergyLegal risks, regulatory implicationson oil, gas sector growthGROWTH and development are major phe-

nomena desired by most countries of theworld. The quest for development in Nigeriahas tarried for quite number of years, especial-ly in the energy sector, where doggedness, elo-quent personalities and great technologies areclaimed to exist.Despite the capacities and resourcefulness ofthe sector, the desired improvement hasremained a mirage, with its concomitantuncertain future. However, the power of poli-tics has come to play in the midst of energyexperts and legislators which nearly madethings fell apart.Indeed, the legal risks and regulatory chal-

lenges in the industry have continued to takeits toll, resulting to dwindling investment andeconomic uncertainty of projects. This may notbe unconnected with the tortuous journey tothe passage of the petroleum industry legisla-tive document, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB),which is presently before the National Houseof Assembly.Early last month the bill scaled the second

reading at the Senate and rekindles stakehold-ers’ hope on the progressing reforms, howev-er, several comments and criticisms that con-tinued to trail the provisions of the bill seemedto be sketching imminent danger to the desiredliberalization of the sector. The same legislative issues, which has lingeredfor about 12 years now, was a contentious mat-ter before the concerned stakeholders in theindustry who gathered at the recently conclud-ed ESQ Energy summit 2013, held in Lagos.The oil and gas experts including some legalluminaries however, called for fair and effec-tive legal and regulatory framework in themedium and long term to enhance invest-ments in the industry. The Managing Partner, Caxton-Martins, Sola

Adepetun, said: “The current legal and regula-tory atmosphere of uncertainties and legal risksis unsustainable and The PIB must be enactedexpeditiously to provide the needed legal solu-tions.”Adepetun urged that if the PIB cannot be enact-ed expeditiously enough, a review of relevantexisting laws and regulations should be carriedout in the short to medium term to effectrequired amendments, new regulations andguidelines.

Contrary to the insinuations that theInternational Oil Companies (IOCs) were thebrain behind the delay in the bill, the ExecutiveGeneral Manager, Public Affairs andCommunications, Total Upstream Companies,Chidi Momah, said the IOCs support the PIB,but were only making efforts to strengthen the

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013ENERGY48

DPR introduces trucking policy for petroleum products

THE Department of PetroleumResources (DPR), has embarked on

trucking policy project aimed atreducing product adulteration, diver-sion and general sharp practices inthe downstream oil and gas industry.Already, the agency has trained about80 eighty ad-hoc staff, captured anduploaded screened data on about5,700 tanker trucks into the database.The DPR in a statement signed by itsspokesperson, Paul Osu, said theImplementation of Trucking PolicyProject, (TPP), was in line with theongoing transformation pro-gramme aimed at making the agencya world-class petroleum industry reg-ulator.

DPR argued that petroleum tankertrucks play a very important role inNigeria’s oil and gas industry.“Over 70 per cent of petroleum prod-ucts movement across the nation isdone by tanker trucks. Tanker truckshave also been used to evacuate crudeoil from wellheads to flow stations bythe Marginal Field Operators, MFOs,recently.“However, tanker trucks used fortransportation of petroleum prod-ucts are most times the source of prod-uct adulteration since some driverssiphoned products and replace thevolume with a comparably cheaperproduct without considering theproduct quality.“There have been cases where thesiphoned volume was replaced with

water! These tanker trucks are ofteninvolved in diversion of petroleumproducts to illegal destinations evenacross the border and are also used byvandals for evacuation of crude oiland products from vandalisedpipelines,” it stated.DPR noted that trucking became

imperative in products movement inview of the constant vandalism ofproducts’ pipelines across the coun-try. It noted that the development hadled to huge financial losses on accountof the millions of litres of petroleumproducts and crude oil, which are lostannually through these pipelines.It said, “These had led to increase onreliance on tanker trucks for move-ment of product and crude oil fromone location to another. It has been

observed that some of the tankertrucks used for this purpose are notin good state and often breaks downalong the way. The breakdown oftanker trucks had led to many acci-dents with resulting loss of lives andproperties.”DPR disclosed that the objectives of

the policy was to standardise tankertruck design and construction; createa database and make information onpetroleum tanker trucks and theiroperations available for planningand other purposes; enhance betterservice delivery between stakehold-ers and transporters; continuouslykeep petroleum tanker trucks in viewand prevent them from being usedfor illegal operations; enhance tankertruck usage and road users’ safety and

institute orderliness in truckingactivities at the depots.Also, DPR is currently building a

National Control Centre, (NCC), locat-ed in the DPR Abuja Zonal Office.“Remote monitoring of petroleumtanker truck activities all over thecountry would be done from thisCenter, with the Server in Lagos onstandby, when commissioned,” itadded.DPR said the main objective of thetransformation is to ensure, “Toensure the sustainable developmentof Nigeria’s Oil and Gas resourcesacross the value chain for our stake-holders through effective regulation,while entrenching world class pro-fessionalism, accountability, andtransparency.”

ment in the upstream and gas infrastructure.He also suggested: Let the sector be private

sector driven. The Government cannot affordto fund the development of gas infrastructureat the pace that Nigeria’s socio-economic devel-opmental requirements. The gas sector is mostamenable to private sector capital if the rightconditions are put in place. Rather than embedGovernment as a commercial participant in thesector, consideration should be given to privatesector leadership; Undertake genuine liberal-ization of the sector – introduce independentregulation. Investors do place a premium on asolid regulatory code. Nigeria must strive for it.Executive Vice Chairman and General Counselfor Exxonmobil Nigeria, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu,described the legal and business environmentsurrounding the Nigerian Petroleum Industryas uncertain. He reiterated that to maintain arobust and viable petroleum industry, Nigerianeeds to look at its African competitors andadopt favourable tax regimes that will attractinvestors.Publisher of ESQ Legal Practice Magazine andconvener of the ESQ Energy/Oil and GasSummit, Lere Fashola, believed that setting theright legal framework in the industry wouldfoster the much-needed investment that wouldgive Nigeria a competitive edge.“It is a critical time in which people are look-

ing for where to invest and they need powerand energy. People will rather go to where theyare sure of the laws and of the sustainability oftheir investments.Hence, we chose to sound this warning again

that challenging times are here and more chal-lenging times are coming. This is the time forus to get our acts together and reform our laws.The PIB has been on for over 12 years. It is timewe sit down and get out of the politics of whichsection of the country should have what and gointo business that will allow long term invest-ments to be retained in Nigeria.

Legal Adviser, Mart Resources Inc., anIndependent Canadian Oil and Gas firm, Mrs.Asiyah Alao-Mutallab, advised that with the

increasing divestments from IOCs, Nigerianeeds to look at how to attract foreign investorsand keep them.

“With the discovery of crude oil in over 30African countries with closer routes to theexport market, we need a speedier process ofcontract approval to enable and create a morereliable legal and regulatory environment,” shesaid.Meanwhile, the emerging era of the shale oiland gas boom and the development of newopportunities in the Eastern Africa and someWest African countries dictates the pace ofspeed to revolution in Nigeria.Nigeria’s traditional natural gas markets

(Spain, Portugal, France, USA) are drying up.Energy policy reform and economic crises inEurope has weakened Nigeria’s position in theEuropean gas market whilst a natural gas revo-lution promises soon to make the US a net-exporter of energy.The global trends are occurring at a critical

juncture in Nigeria’s political history and thesetrends raised a further question as to whetheror not the PIB has positioned Nigeria to weath-er the approaching storms.

critical areas of the bill.He emphasized that there was need for reformsin the sector, as the existing Act is over 40 yearsold, although noted that there were generalconcerns if the PIB will achieve the stated aimsthat would enable IOCs in Nigeria to progress.

Chief Consultant, Adeniji Advisory, ‘GbiteAdeniji, believed that the current draft of thePIB does not present a competitive frameworkfor massive investment in Nigeria’s gas sector,neither does it assure a liberal regulatoryregime.“However, it is never too late to amend its

potentially ineffectual regulatory and fiscalprovisions. This will help reposition Nigeria asan effective competitor in the global gas busi-ness as well as leveraging on its gas abundanceto usher in an unprecedented period of eco-nomic growth,”In the light of the socio-economic issues plagu-ing the country, and the need to effectively chal-lenge competitors for investment in infrastruc-ture and gas-based industries, Adeniji madesome recommendations including: The policyfocus should shift towards accelerated invest-

By Roseline Okere

By Sulaimon Salau

Jonathan Deziani

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 49

‘Govt’s gas-to-power initiative will boost power supply’

PETROLEUM marketers in thecountry have expressedfears that political inferencessurrounding the plannedderegulation of the petroleumdownstream sector may even-tually overwhelm the policy.The marketers under the aus-pice of IndependentPetroleum MarketersAssociation of Nigeria (IPMAN)lamented that the current sit-uation does not encouragingbusinesses of independentmarketers, which are at the

verge of collapse.The former Chairman of IPMANSatellite Depot, Ejigbo, MarkAlaba Obu, who was the guestspeaker at the one-day seminalfor all elected officers of IPMANdepots and zones recently,alleged that the governmenthas been playing politics withthe petroleum industryreforms, which included dereg-ulation of the downstream sec-tor.He said the allocation of prod-ucts from NNPC depots areminute compared to therequired quantity of marketers,

and therefore sending manymarketers out of business.He said: “With the trend of

things, IPMAN may thereforecontinue to depend on NNPCdepots, either now or in futurewhen most of the independentmarketers’ businesses wouldhave collapsed.”“Today, ex-depot price for PMS(petrol) is N87.66 per litre whileat the private depots, it is goingas high as N94 per litre, howthen can IPMAN members sur-vive? He queried.The Chairman, Mr. OlumideOgunmade, however decried

the implications of the activi-ties of vandals on petroleumsupply.The IPMAN scribe said that oiltheft and vandalism had beenmajor challenges in the indus-try and called for concertedefforts of stakeholders to tack-le the problems.“By this synergy, there is sureto be steady flow of petroleumproducts into the variousdepots in the area and otherparts of the country.“We pledge our loyalty andsupport to the NNPC and PPMCin ensuring hitch-free supply

of petroleum products to thewestern zone in particular andacross the country in general.There is need to double effortson surveillance of the pipelines.“We have been doing our bestto secure the right of way fromvandals for almost 10 yearsusing our money becausepetroleum business is the onlybusiness we understand.“We cannot allow vandals to

send us out of business becauseof their notorious activities,’’ hesaid.Ogunmade appealed to all

stakeholders in the oil and gas

industry to work together tofight pipeline vandalism.A marketer, Dele Akinmusuti,also tasks members on disci-pline in all their businessendeavours, adding that thatdiscipline is the bedrock ofprogress.According to him, “all stake-holders in the downstream sec-tor of the oil industry, NUPENG,DAPMAN and MOMAN, IPMANappears to be the leastequipped and most undisci-plined among its rank and filein the sector.“As a result of which IPMAN

Philip Ihenacho is the chiefexecutive officer of SevenEnergy International. The com-pany recently signed a financingagreement with Nigerian banksto finance its pipeline project inthe country. In this interviewwith ROSELINE OKERE, heexpressed the company’s com-mitment to boost power genera-tion in the country. Excerpts.

Petroleum marketers allege plot to haltderegulation, decry vandalism

ACCUGAS, a subsidiary of SevenEnergy International recentlysigned agreement to some banks tofinance some power projects in thecountry. What are the details of thedeal? Seven Energy International Limitedentered into a $225 million senior debtfacility with a syndicate of Nigerianbanks. The facility, which replaces anexisting $60 million project financefacility will be used to fund the expan-sion of Accugas’ gas processing and dis-tribution infrastructure in the south-east Niger Delta region. The syndicateof participating banks comprises FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, First CityMonument Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plcand United Bank for Africa Plc, with FBNCapital Limited acting as structuring

bank.FBN Capital Limited acted as the GlobalCoordinator Bank, Financial ModelingBank and also undertook the role of de-facto Financial Adviser to the Borrower;while UBA, First Bank of Nigeria Plc,Stanbic IBTC and FCMB, jointly acted asMandated Lead Arrangers on the trans-action.The successful signing of the Accugasfinancing clearly shows the confidencethe financial institutions have inAccugas and Seven Energy, as well asthe prospects for the Nigerian gas mar-ket.How would this project assist in pow-er generation in the country?Accugas, part of the Seven Energy

Group, owns midstream and distribu-tion infrastructure for the distributionof gas to the domestic market inNigeria. The company processes gas atits gas processing plant and transportsit down a 60km pipeline, also ownedby Accugas, which connects the gas pro-cessing facility to the 190 Megawatt(“MW”) Ibom Power plant at Ikot Abasi.In addition Accugas has commencedwork to lay a second 37-38km pipelinefrom the gas processing facility to Oronto supply 131 MMcfpd under a 20 yeartake-or-pay gas sales agreement to the560MW Calabar Power Station that iscurrently under construction. Thecombined 750MW generating capaci-ty of the Ibom Power and Calabar pow-er stations will comprise some 10 per

cent of Nigeria’s current electricitygenerating capacity.The completion of the Accugas financ-ing marks a major milestone in theproject’s evolution. With construc-tion of the Ibom gas pipeline (Phase 1)now completed and on track to deliv-er gas to Ibom Power Plant from April2013, we are now embarking on Phasetwo with construction of the Calabargas pipeline, already commenced. Webelieve this would boost power gen-eration in the country.What is the level of partnershipbetween your company and somestates to supply gas?Accugas is working with Akwa IbomState to assist in the creation of anautonomous self-sufficient managed

Total extends HSE standards to host communities

DETERMINED to instillHealth, Safety and

Environment (HSE) culture inthe stakeholders, Total NigeriaPlc has taken the campaign toits host communities in LagosState.The Managing Director of thecompany, Francois Boussagol,who spoke at the roll outmalaria campaign at Kirikiri,Apapa, urged the stakeholdersto always be conscious of theirhealth status and desists fromany activity that may be detri-mental to their wellbeing.Boussagol said: “Total as a

responsible company and weare committed to CSR(Corporate SocialResponsibility) because in agrowing economy, you cap-ture growth for your stake-holders and customers inbringing high quality prod-ucts, but if you want to move

from growth to development,you also have to improve thelots of the stakeholders suchas the employees, host com-munities, and that is what weare trying to do. We have beenin this country for over 56years, and we are very proudof it. We intend to do our bestto run different programmesthrough our corporate socialresponsibility. Such as rollingout malaria, fight against HIVand road safety, among oth-ers.”Commenting on the malariascourge, he said the diseasedoes not only posed high riskto health, but also places hugeburden on households,health services and the econ-omy at large.“Our goal is to create a lot ofawareness on the preventionand control of this deadly dis-ease to children, employees,customers and other keystakeholders,” he said.

By Sulaimon Salau

supply of gas in the southeast NigerDelta. The result will be a local networkfor gas processing and transportationin the region to deliver over one trillioncubic feet of gas. This would assist inboosting power generation in the state.Accugas currently has two long-termgas sales agreements in place: a 10-yeartake-or-pay contract to supply 43.5MMcfpd to Ibom Power and a 20-yearcontract to supply 131 MMcfpd (80 percent of volume on take-or-pay basis) tosupply the federally-owned powerplant at Calabar.The Federal Government is currentlystruggling with issue of gas flaring inthe Niger Delta, how would your gassupply assist to reduce gas flaring thecountry?The gas will initially be supplied fromthe Uquo field which is a non-associat-ed gas field so this supply will not havea direct impact on gas flaring, howev-er it is the case that if the infrastructurebuilt by Accugas did not exist this fieldwould not have been developed. Thebenefit of this project to the Nigerianeconomy is to provide gas for electric-ity generation, which is both substan-tially cheaper and more environmen-tally friendly than using fuel oil. As theAccugas business develops it is reason-able to expect that it will have opportu-nities to process and transport associ-ated gas that might otherwise havebeen flared.Gas pricing in Nigeria is not too encour-aging to investors. How do you intend

to handle the issue of gas pricing?Our gas sales contracts to supply gasfor power generation are priced in linewith the Federal Government’s pricingframework and we have been able toaccess capital to invest in processingand distribution infrastructure on theback of these long term contracts.Looking ahead, our goal is to becomethe preferred supplier of natural gas tolight industrial and other end users inthe South East Niger Delta, replacingthe use of higher cost diesel fuel forpower generation.What is the worth of your investmentin Nigeria and do you intend increas-ing it in the nearest future?The Seven Energy Group has investedover $1 billion in Nigeria and we willcontinue to invest in the country as thegovernment continues to provide aconducive atmosphere for investment.What are the challenges facing the com-pany within the context of its opera-tions in Nigeria?The Seven Energy Group sees immenseopportunities for gas distribution inNigeria. With a population of over 160million, a GDP growth rate averaging6.8 per cent per yearly, in excess of 187Tcf of proved gas reserves the demandfor gas is expected to treble over thenext 10 years. With chronic powershortages in the country the Group ispoised to deliver increased volumes ofgas for both power generation andindustrial users thanks to its knowl-edge of the market and ability to deliv-er gas projects.

Philip Ihenacho

By Sulaimon Salau

The Manager, Deepwater Production Geoscience, Goodluck Adagbasa, Manager, Public & Govt Affairs, Exxon Mobil Nigeria Unlimited, Rita Umoren,and Managing Director Danvic Concepts International Nigeria Limited, Mayowa Afe, at the Train-The-Trainers workshop for South-West universities atthe University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.

50 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

51

OpinionTHE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Restore the Midwest geopolitical zone (1)By Onoho’Omhen Ebhohimhen

ple in West Africa.” He set the pattern of discussion by informing theconference that the Nigerian maritime environment is home to over5,700 oil wells, 112 flow stations, 16 gas plants, 126 production plat-forms, 6 Floating Production Storage Offloading platforms (FPSO).One of those FPSOs called BONGA is a deep offshore production plat-form with 200,000 barrels per day production capacity. There arealso 13 crude oil terminals.He asserted that the sub-region should not indulge in business asusual confabs. This is not the time for endless debates, but time toput a stop to the menace of pirates and other maritime criminals whoare all out to destroy the economy. The conference should proffer “en-during solutions and implementable strategies for combating thevices that threaten the positive development of West Africa.”The tone of the papers presented and the contributions on the floorwas indicative of the pressing needs to make a difference with thisand some other conferences looming ahead. There was a free flowof practical ideas that will enhance the capacity of Nigeria to stem thehaemorrhage of her economy and earn the full benefits of being amaritime nation. The British and American diplomats at the confer-ence were less diplomatic but more vehement about the need to min-imise the dialogue about the issues at stake and to maximise thepursuit of practical solutions. Besides the papers presented on piracy and oil theft, there were pa-pers on the huge loss of good money to “Illegal, unreported and un-regulated fishing” in the sub-region. “Let’s declare total war on all thismenace,” pleaded one of the three women who presented learnedpapers. In doing that, an outspoken American diplomat argued that mili-tary action alone would not make these waters safe. What Nigerianeeds is enforcement with demonstrable prompt and sharp pun-ishment of offenders to serve as deterrent. A British diplomat warned African littorals to desist from prolifer-ating institutions but to support and work with existing ones, argu-ing that the sooner we wake up from the paralysis of analysis into thetrenches of action.Where do we go from here?Has the Navy and other security agencies got what it takes to cope?In the exciting days of the late 1970s and early 1980s when the NN war-ships were visible in the sub-region, an ubiquitous car sticker pro-claimed “Navy Has It!” Whatever other action steps are beingrecommended to deal with piracy et all, Nigeria requires a strongNavy. Undoubtedly, tough naval action is inseparable from other effec-tive solutions to the threats posed by pirates, poachers and othercriminals at sea. Examples of the use of navies in such operationsabound in many parts of the world. Therefore, political, legal, socialand diplomatic solutions as proffered by several participants at theseand similar gatherings must be undergirded by maritime securityagencies with the Nigerian Navy as the primus inter pares (first amongequals).It is recommended that the nation and the Navy take the followingaction steps to ensure enduring solutions to the problem of piracyand similar criminality:• Sea-sense: Understanding the sea and its enormous potentials bypolitical leaders and policy makers is the first step every navy shouldtake to ensure it receives what it needs. Speaker after speaker at con-ference chorus the African “sea blindness,” lack of maritime culture,

and such other expressions. These are indications that Africancoastal nations will continue to be short-changed in maritime mat-ters as long as stakeholders don’t understand what it takes for thesenations to manage and harness the benefits of the sea around them.Navies have a job to do here. • Strategy: Beginning from the Jaji-promoted “Size and Shape of theFleet” debates in the early 1980s, to the formulation of AdmiralKoshoni-led Trident Maritime Strategy from 1987 to 2012, to the cur-rent Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy, the NN has always taken theinitiative to articulate some form of maritime strategy from its per-spectives.In addition, the Strategic Guidance 01 issued by the CNS in October2012, when implemented, will drive the Total Spectrum MaritimeStrategy, though seen by many observers as a Naval or Nigerian NavyStrategy.There is, therefore, a need for a comprehensive National MaritimeStrategy providing clear guidelines for maritime security and otheractions. The proposed ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy, cov-ering Maritime economics, education and training, environment,governance, resources, safety and security, may become a handymodel for all nations in the Economic Community. • Ships and craft: As the CNS told a reporter recently, Navy peoplecannot walk on water in the course of their work. They need appro-priate platforms with logistics cum fund to run them. Hopefully thecurrent recapitalisation of the NN ships will come to the rescue.• Social responsibility and community action: As we were remindedat the conference, the onshore-offshore linkage of maritime inse-curity, which informed the incorporation of the backwaters into theformulation of the Navy’s Total Spectrum Strategy, should also in-form intensification of development efforts in the Niger Delta.• Skills across the maritime security spectrum: It is heartening thatthe NN has been driven to respond to asymmetric threats in thecreeks, inshore and by establishing the Special Forces modelled afterthe British SBS and the U.S. SEALs for counter insurgency, counterterrorism, anti-piracy in the nation’s maritime domain. Capacitybuilding in the areas of safety and search and rescue should be stan-dard for the Navy and other maritime security agencies. They are sta-ples in the operations of people-oriented navies.• Salesmanship: The need to market the Navy to stakeholders, as isdone in developed democracies, is urgently called for. Navies inAfrica should find solutions to the “Silence of the Admirals” whetherserving or retired. The initiative for this may have to come from theNaval Headquarters while the commitment would be required fromall concerned. Online briefing and dedicated e-mail service to keepthem updated. • Spokesman-ship: Who can speak for the Navy from position ofknowledge is a moot point. Of course, official information on issuesof public debate should come more promptly and often from theNaval Headquarters. But public enlightenment and informed com-mentaries should come from well-informed and knowledgeable re-tired officers.• Sincerity of purpose, political will and commitment: While the Na-tional Assembly debates the Petroleum Industry Bill and many otherbills, political leaders should be reminded that the geese that lay thegolden eggs are daily being stolen by pirates, poachers and vandals.Let the leaders get urgently committed.• Commodore Oladimeji (Rtd) lives in Lagos.

By Olutunde Oladimeji

To end maritime criminality

THE Midwest Region was constitutionally created50 years ago. The first motion in that behalf wasmoved in the Federal Parliament on 4th April, 1961.The validity of the motion was contested on the legalground that it was carried by voice vote instead of theformal countrequired by the constitution for such anexercise; so, another successful motion was movedon 24th March, 1962. The plebiscite organised andeventual creation bill was passed in 1963. Therefore,at the beginning of military rule in 1966, there werefour federating units and regional centres of politi-cal and economic activities in our country. The recently published template by the commit-tees of the National Assembly to amend the consti-tution assumes the ostensible credence of theNigerian people’s participation in the constitutionalamendment exercise. Therefore, it is reasonable toenvisage the creation of new states and the restruc-turing of our country into formal geopolitical zones,in the final process. Hence, it is opportune to revisitthe needless continued neglect of the Midwest op-tion in the arguments promoting the geopoliticalzones as the eventual federating units, before thehorses fled the barns. There are a number of ingrained issues contestedin the amendment processes. These include that thecontent of the published template leaves people towrestle with the sneaky feelings that the legislatorswere predeterministic, working from answers toquestions. Second, the absence of the representativeviews of the people, through their autochthonousorganised platforms, was evinced in the little coor-dinated, less deliberate and poorly articulated orconsidered viewpoints obtained. Third, due to the

rather short notice for the public hearings, theNigerian people were robbed of their organisedinputs. Consequently, the distilled preferencesof the Nigerian people, as published by the com-mittees of the National Assembly, were inex-orably limited in scope and failed to givewholesome reflection of the critical issues; moreso, to array the emergent constitution with pop-ular habiliment. These reservations are justifiable on severalgrounds. Nevertheless, it is only the window ofopportunity provided by the constitutionalamendment exercise that we wish to engage inthis essay. The amendment exercise representsfor us an invaluable platform to interrogate thesore issue of neglect of the Midwest option in thezonal structuration of Nigeria. As things stand,despite the fiery appearance and inhibited ar-gumentations from both sides, the quest for for-mal zonal structures is favoured in the ensuingamendment of the constitution. Therefore, ourplea is that the restoration of the Midwest zoneshould feature in the amendment. By the republican constitution of 1963, Nigeriawas composed of four regions or zones, the East,Midwest, West and North. But by sleight of ger-rymandering, Nigeria has morphed, conven-tionally if not yet constitutionally, into sixgeopolitical zones with 36 states spread over thenorth central; north-east and north-west in theformer Northern region. The south-west is theold Western region, after 1963 plebiscite to cre-ate the Midwest, with its cultural consanguinity,even if not, economic community, in her sixstates. In the former Eastern region, we nowhave five states in south-east zone; that is, lessthe four emergent states from the old Calabar-

Ogoja-Rivers (COR) axis. Currently, the four statesof the COR part as excised from the Eastern regionis bandaged with the two states in the collapsedMidwestern region to form the south-south zone. Inherent in the south-south zonal arrangement,therefore, is not really the point that a part of theformer Eastern region and the former Midwest re-gion were collapsed to form a zone. It is not theissue, although important, that two out of the oldfour regions retained their geographical struc-turations. The fundamental point is that the his-torical gains of the COR and Midwest groups,respectively, have been frittered and scattered tothe mercy of inclement comings and goings ofour country. It may seem an apparent mutual for-tune for the old Eastern region that has beensaved its mortal troublesome COR zone, partlyblamed for the failure of the Biafra adventure.However, the logic of the self-determination is de-fective without an independent zone for the CORgroups. In the prevailing circumstances, the un-fortunate victims of the political gerrymanderingare again the usual suspects, Midwest and CORgroups. The glaring injustice is more discomfiting by theunderstanding that both the COR groups were,historically, not the lonesome troubles of largerneighbours, east or west of the Niger. In fact, colo-nial officers, for example, Mr. W. F. W. Fosbery,toured substantial parts of the proto-Midwestareas in the 1900s on economic and political mis-sions, from Enugu. Indeed, one of the economicsurveys included visits to the Ishan countryheaded by Fosbery himself in 1902 to report onthe Ishan cotton cloth. The unstated object of themission was to ascertain if the raw materials sup-porting the native cloth manufacture was capa-

ble of meeting the needs of Manchester textilemills, etc! To return to the point, the people of theMidwest were also a trifle rambunctious andraised hell that they were excised from the East inmid-1900s and from the West in 1963. It followsthat instead of the supposed eurekaof liberation,the south-south concept is a drawback in the res-olution of the Nigerian national question, andhence it is dysfunctional. Consequently, in the context of the principlesof self-determination of peoples in multiculturaland multinational countries, it is relevant to re-examine the Midwest case against the backdropof historical outcome. That the excised half of theformer Eastern region has been heaped with thecollapsed Midwest region is misplaced resolu-tion of the national question for the peoples. In-deed, the situation only graphically relates therefusal of Nigerian leadership to fully understandthe conceptualisation of the national question,let alone to sincerely address it. The point mustnot be lost therefore, with the current structura-tion, the Midwest region has been returned to thecolonial era of the 1900s. The happenings of theera are perhaps, necessary to recount in order toillustrate that antedating the creation of what be-came Benin and Delta provinces, were various an-thropological and ethnographical surveys,conducted to ascertain the wishes and relation-ship of the people. The resultant Benin and Deltaprovinces had fertile roots in the agitations forcommonality in the then poorly structured andahistorical Central province that rightly ceasedto exist with the reorganisation of southern Nige-ria following the 1914 amalgamation. • To be continued.• Ebhohimhen lives in Benin City.

FOR decades there have been circuits of conferences about mar-itime security everywhere, in the face of piracy and other illegali-ties at sea. In Nigeria, in the Gulf of Guinea, in ECOWAS and now inthe Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) the de-bates have multiplied. One of such forums was that sponsored onApril 20, 2013 by the Chatham House (Royal Institute of InternationalAffairs or RIIA) in partnership with its Nigerian counterpart – theNigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).The conference titled “West African Maritime Security and Devel-opment” was planned to coincide with the port call to Lagos by RoyalNavy frigate, HMS ARGYLL. The officers of the ship participated in theconference, to the delight of the British High Commissioner in Nige-ria. What a good example of the use of the navy as a handmaiden ofdiplomacy. For analysts of the value of navies in war and peace, therescue operation by ARGYLL off the Cape Verde coast is a model ofwarship readiness and competence at sea. It is also important to note that ARGYLL’s training programmesplanned to share practical experiences with the personnel of Ghana-ian and Nigerian navies is in line with the spirit of sub-regional, re-gional and global cooperation pervading the navies today. Suchcooperation will, when formalised, help to stem the tide of piracy inthe Gulf of Guinea as it helped to calm the storms of pirates in theGulf of Aden. Keen observers of the worrisome maritime security situation inWest and Central Africa were expectant. What new ideas would comeout of this conference? For many decades we’ve had many of suchconferences, seminars, workshops and roundtables. For example, inthe same NIIA conference chamber, precisely 30 years ago (February22-23, 1983), a similar seminar of maritime security agencies was heldby NIIA and the Nigeria Navy in the wake of widespread “smugglingand coastal piracy” in Nigeria at that time. Since then, there had beenhundreds of seminars and tons of academic reports and position pa-pers.Is there anything new about dialogue, debates and deliberations onmaritime security? A French proverb says: “The more things change,the more they stay the same.” Solomon also says: “What has been willbe again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothingnew under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, ‘Look! Thisis something new’? It was here already, long ago; it was here beforeour time” (Ecclesiastes).This conference seems different. There are some new initiatives andfreshness in the approach to finding solutions to this seemingly in-tractable problem. There is something new about the renewed senseof urgency, worry and frenetic activities by the international com-munity: the ECOWAS, ECCAS, AU, EU, UN, and many discerning localsabout the near death of the maritime economy in these parts of theworld. What can we do to stop the haemorrhage of what Martin Mur-phy calls “Africa’s Leaking Wound?” (Proceedings U.S Naval InstituteMarch 2013).The aim of this news analysis is to track the discussions at the con-ference with a view to contributing to the process of finding endur-ing solutions to the piracy and other criminal acts in the sub-region.The keynote address by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Nigeria,Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, was candid and copious with informationabout “a topic that touches on the essence of our existence as a peo-

OpinionThe black Count (2)

52 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

AFREELY discussed nation is a well-resolved nation. Therefore,an un-discussed nation is an un-resolved nation, which has

no business with peace. Since January 1914 when Nigeria wascreated by Britain, several fundamental ethno-religious issueshave been acting to tear the country apart. Nigeria’s politicalleadership has bluntly and dangerously refused to sincerely as-semble the ethnic peoples together in a National Conference todiscuss how they would like to live together in peace. This fail-ure has resulted in sectional riots, agitations, uprisings, warsand now persistent militant groups inflicting terror on andmaking Nigeria unsafe. Nobody in Nigeria can sleep with twoeyes closed. Government has discovered amnesty as the solu-tion to militancy. Granting amnesty the way it is being done inNigeria would ultimately lead to amnesty for all Nigerians.Today, Northern Nigeria is highly insecure due to the opera-

tions of Boko Haram, a militant religious sect that insists theywould want to have Nigeria Islamized; otherwise, they wouldcontinue to kill Nigerians daily with knives, guns, bombs andcharms. To resolve this, the Federal Government of Nigeria(FGN), on April 17, 2013, set up a 26-man panel to consider thematter and make appropriate recommendations. Recall thatamnesty was granted to the Niger Delta militants in about 2009when they argued that Niger Delta, which produces crude oiland gas contributing over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign ex-change revenue, had long been neglected and undeveloped.Northern Nigeria has been unhappy with the granting ofamnesty to the Niger Delta militants because it gave Niger Deltamore access to Nigeria’s funds than the other parts of the coun-try. Therefore, the North needed amnesty for Boko Haram.The integration calculus of Nigeria’s amnesty must define

those variables it seeks to manipulate. The variables include thegoal of the agitation, sectionalism, rehabilitation, arms surren-der, dialogue, killing of fellow Nigerians, facelessness and self-ishness. When amnesty was used for the Niger Delta militancy,these variables reacted wildly. The same analysis may be the endresult in the Boko Haram’s case. Applying amnesty to Boko Harammay not achieve the Islamisation of Nigeria (just like Niger Deltahad remained undeveloped) but just to enrich its organisers.Meanwhile, the government would be continuously engrossedin the management of the uncountable fall-outs and reactionsto amnesty not just for Niger Delta and Boko Haram but for therest of Nigerians and sectional agitators now militants backedby their “Ogas at the top” for amnesty. This is the amnesty co-nundrum and industry in Nigeria.Amnesty, from consulted sources and my own residual knowl-

edge as a student of society, refers to the official forgivenessgranted to those who in the pursuit of their social struggles mayhave offended the state and their only reward is forgiveness.Also the cause of the struggle should be able to pass the test ofpublic good.In Nigeria, we have had several of such struggles against the

Nigerian State. There were the resistance by the North not to bejoined together with the South to form Nigeria, the AbaWomen’s Riot of 1929, the nationalists’ agitations, the EasternMinorities agitations, the agitation by the Yorubas of WesternNigeria against the imposition of the late Chief S. L. Akintola asthe leader of the Yoruba (which led to the imprisonment ofChief Obafemi Awolowo who was later granted amnesty by Gen-

eral Gowon) and the middle-belt riots against the “perceivedneglect and oppressive policies of the ruling Northern PeoplesCongress (NPC)…”. All these agitations were for the commongood and executed without arms.Next were the Isaac Adaka Boro’s Ijaw uprising and the Biafran

struggle led by Odumegwu Ojukwu. The FGN quelled the agita-tion and charged Boro for treason for which he was jailed; butlater granted amnesty by General Gowon in May 1967; whileOjukwu was also granted amnesty during the Second Republic.These struggles were for the common good, but arms wereused. The leaders never purposely killed their people to prose-cute the struggles; neither did they solicit for amnesty.Others were the Ogoni Revolution, Niger Delta militancy, the

Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra(MASSOB), the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Egbesu Boys,Bakassi Boys, Arewa Boys and now Boko Haram. Except theOgoni Revolution and MASSOB, the rest had been in the mainfor the selfish interest of the organizers and executed with arms,bombs and charms. OPC is a little in-between.Amnesty to the Niger Delta militants was inappropriate poli-

tics. Though the cause was noble and popular; they kidnappedand killed fellow Niger Deltans. Why should they join cults andinfiltrate community politics, kill perceived enemies and de-stroy properties in places like Emohua, Port Harcourt, Ogbo-goro, Rumuolumeni, Ogbakiri, Okrika, Rumuekpe etc? Whyshould they be the primary, direct beneficiaries of all themonies and benefits derivable from their struggle? Why shouldthey kidnap workers of construction companies who are en-gaged in the construction of roads and bridges to develop andreduce the neglect they agitated against? Why have they notdemonstrated against the Federal Government’s reluctance toimplement the UNEP report on Ogoni? Why should they aban-don the struggle while Niger Delta remained undeveloped; butinsisting that FGN must facilitate Henry Okah’s release fromprison in South Africa, otherwise, they will return to the creeksand streets of Niger Delta? Is this how to pursue a social cause?Where is the popular interest of the struggle? Where is themorality of the struggle?The current security tension in Nigeria is the Boko Haram. In

Northern Nigeria today, life is almost at the mercy of BokoHaram. They say they want total Islamisation of Nigeria. Wemust agree at this point that the FGN, through the police, waswrong to have killed Yusuf, one of the leaders of Boko Haram.The police was also very wrong for the massive killings of thesect’s members as reported by Aljazeera television in about2009. However, is the Islamisation of Nigeria as demanded byBoko Haram a popular cause? To me it is not because Nigeria isa secular state and it is inappropriate politics to demand for theIslamisation of the country. Like the Niger Delta militants, BokoHaramhad being killing and destroying lives and properties inNorthern Nigeria, especially in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Kaduna,Kano, Abuja for selfish interests and that is why grantingamnesty to Boko Haram does not make sense. On the part of the government, it is either amnesty or noth-

ing; so why did the FGN waste all this time, lives and propertiesbefore setting up the committee whose recommendations thegovernment and Nigerians already know? President Jonathanshould know that from the utterances of the leadership of theNorth, they arranged Boko Haram for amnesty funds to shareand become millionaires like the members of the amnesty com-mittee for the Niger Delta militants. Yet, some Northern leaders

claim that Boko Haram is not fighting for Islam. This statementrequires full dialogue with Boko Haram to find out exactly whattheir grievances are. That Boko Haram said they reject amnestyis shakara (Fela’s special language describing the outward re-jection of an offer you desperately want).Since amnesty did not succeed in the Niger Delta, it may not

succeed in the North too. If the FGN grant amnesty to BokoHaram, Mr. President should be ready to replicate the equiva-lents of NDDC, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Special Advisersand Assistants, rehabilitation centres, skills trainings abroadetc for the direct benefit of the members of Boko Haram, MOSOP,OPC, MASSOB, Bakassi Boys, Egbesu Boys, Arewa Youths etc andall strata of the Nigerian populace that would embrace organ-ized militancy. Amnesty to Niger Delta and Boko Haram mili-tants is a time bomb that will soon explode with consequencesmuch heavier and immense than all the atrocities of the exist-ing militancy groups combined. Thereafter, every other 160 mil-lion Nigerian would carry guns and bombs, kill each other inorder to earn amnesty. This is amnesty infinitum calculated tothe last kobo to appease the intrinsic selfish goal of the Nigerianversion of dubious militancy. It is the infinitesimal calculus ofamnesty in Nigeria. At last the real dividends of democracywould be the dividends of militancy. Remember that in the midst of these militancy groups are

other insecurity breeding intra/inter-community conflicts thatconsume thousands of lives and properties worth millions ofnaira. They include the Tiv versus Jukun, Berom versus Fulani,Amuleri versus Aguleri, Ife versus Modakeke, Ogoni versusOkrika, Hausa-Elele versus Ikwerre and Ahoada communities,Rebisi versus Okrika, Zango-Kataf wars, Choba killings andrapes, Umuechem, Odi and Zaki-Biam massacres etc. In some ofthese conflicts, government had always set up committees toinvestigate the causes of the fights and recommend solutions.Yet, no solutions! It is the unsatisfactory management of theseagitations that remain a source of hate, huge regrets, psychicpains, anger, bitterness and intolerance among the peoples ofNigeria. Amnesty is no solution at all.So, where is the solution? As at today, none of these struggles

has been dispassionately discussed in order to seek a compre-hensive and permanent resolution to them. Yet Nigerian lead-ers look the other way and the issues keep hunting Nigeria asthey resurface in different forms and places. Nigeria must cometo terms with how to relate ethnically and religiously well.There is once again the urgent need for the FGN to immediatelyassemble all the ethnic groups in a National Conference to telltheir painful stories, discuss, dialogue and agree on how to re-solve these fundamental differences tearing a potentially goodcountry apart. This goes beyond matters for committees! Peace inNigeria starts with the effective management of ethnic and re-ligious differential variables, which are at the root of all the ag-itations and conflicts mentioned above and never discussed. Ifthis is not done quickly, even pilots to all the commercial, pri-vate and presidential jets and helicopters will refuse to fly theirowners out of Nigeria and their gatemen will gladly open thegates to the true Nigerian revolutionaries. Even the military willtacitly support the revolution because they would have beenthoroughly tired of the unrelenting mismanagement of Nige-ria. If I were Mr. President, I would make history by boldly,quickly and sincerely organizing this most demanded NationalConference from where a peoples’ constitution would emerge. • Dibia lives in Abuja.

By Okachikwu Dibia

By Patrick Cole

Amnesty and its infinitesimal calculus

Continued from yesterday

AS usual, staggering wealth accompaniedstaggering brutality; flogging it. Slaves

worked 18 hours daily. For 10 – 15 years whenthey were expected to die and be replaced bynew ones, Le Code Noir was the French codifi-cation of their slave laws: it was an elaboratelaw defining the ways blacks could be exploitedby whites. Slaves would not marry withouttheir owner’s consent and could not pass onproperty to children or wives. Ironically, be-cause there were laws, there were limits to whatmight be done or could be done. The laws cre-ated loopholes to be exploited by slaves andmasters alike. The Code Noir said nothingabout sexual relations between masters andslaves and the resulting offspring of such rela-tions. As a class, the world has never seen arandier and more promiscuous class of menthan white slave masters and slave owners. Forthem, sex was a power trip and they lovedpower and produced millions of mixed chil-dren. A parish priest producing a legion ofmixed race children explained that he desired

to increase his flock. French colonial history wasan empire based on liberating. With sugar, came coffee. A slave owner, if single,

can marry the slave and the children of such amarriage were free. Alexandre Duman was him-self descended from slave traders.The phrase – “No slave in France” was common-

place. France was the land of the free and AlexDuman at 14 landed in France a freeman.The book is not one of swashbuckling romance,

which stories about the Caribbean always evoke;instead it was a chronicle of the innards of slav-ery and slave trade, a tale of unspeakable humancruelty and greed, peppered with sexual licenceand pretensions “Colonial aristocracy”. It is fromall of this that Alex Dumas escaped into the licen-tious foppish luxury of powdered coiffeurs ofParis. But hidden within it is that rear of rarepearls – the black pearls - about a military geniuswho fathered the famous novelist AlexanderDumas, who in turn also fathered the equally fa-mous Alex Dumas the poet and playwright.Soon after Dumas joined the army, he moved to

Villers – where he promptly married the daugh-ter of leader of the National Guard looking afterthe local Chateau. Dumas was then corporal.

There followed various attempts by Dumas toform an all-black army (there were two) but theman’s exceptional qualities were such that noracial army could dim his talents. Through var-ious appointments, he rose to be General of theArmy of France, serving in all sectors of the war.He commanded the Northern troops in the Alpsand guarded the mountain passes whererecords exist of his extraordinary bravery andhumanity and a penchant for justice. His ene-mies respected and feared him, for they hadnever seen such horsemanship and courage,which he displayed in battle – they reverentlycalled him the Black Devil. He went to Cairo withNapoleon on that ill-fated journey during whichthe English nearly decimated the French Navybut only after Napoleon, unbeknown to the restof the army, had fled the battle. On his way back,Dumas was captured and imprisoned in thecave of a medicinal castle and virtually forgot-ten.Reis’ book is an extraordinary compendium ofhow ability could and was frustrated by race,how one of the best soldiers of France was notgiven the legion of honour; no statue was builtfor him. That we remember him at all was be-

cause of the extraordinary circumstances of hav-ing an extraordinarily brilliant novelist who im-mortalised his story in some of the best literarystories in any language. But what is curious about Alex Dumas is that he

did not seem to want more than to be recognisedfor his service to his nation. Many a man wouldbe vitriolic in his bitterness but he seemed to beat peace with his wife and children, at peace thatin their hearts of hearts, Napoleon and his co-horts knew they did him wrong. No one wants tocompare Napoleon with Duman, an egolomaniacgenius with a military genius. What would Francehave become were they able to dovetail and usetheir combine ability for the glory of France?Even till today, French school children do not

know that Gen. Alexander Duman, Count MonteCristo, was black, like Collin Powell. Maybe thatignorance is Alex Dumas’ greatest legacy. He wasgreat not because he was black. He was black notbecause he was great.• Concluded.• Ambassador Cole, a consultant to The Guardian Ed-itorial Board wrote in review of Glory, Revolution, Be-trayal and the Real Count of Monte Cristo. TON REISS.Harvill Secker 2012. London.

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 7/5/2013

53THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013CAPITAL MARKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 7/5/2013

PRICE GAINERS LOSERS

Percentage of retail investors up in stock market..As NSE set to host retail investors clinic

THE Nigerian StockExchange has announced

that the percentage of retailinvestors in the market hasincreased to 58 per cent whilethe foreign portfolio isreduced to 42 per cent.

The NSE also announcedplans to organize an aware-ness forum to sensitize localinvestors.

Explaining the rationale forthe increase, the Chief of Staffand Head, Corporate ServicesDivision, NSE, Mr. Bola Adekosaid, “it is not unusual in theemerging and frontier mar-ket, foreign investors tend tohave sophisticated view of

the market trend and theysee opportunities initiallyand when people are run-ning away from the market,they stay and but presently,institutional investors andretail ones has come becausethe market has become sta-ble.”

He said the forum taggedRetail Investors’ Clinic whichis slated for Thursday in Lagoswas to find ways on how toget retail end who constituteabout 70 per cent of investorsbetter educated on invest-ments opportunities.

“The first investors’ clinic weorganized was focused onhigh net worth investors, thisyear we decided to go for

retail investors which is veryimportant to the exchange.We have invited professionalbodies like CharteredInstitute of PersonnelManagement (CIPM),Institute of CharteredAccountants (ICAN),Chartered Institute of StockBrokers (CIS) among others.The reason is that we havemultiple and diverseinvestors and we believethese professional bodies areavenue to reach them,” hesaid.

Adeko noted that theExchange will extend theinvestment sensitization and

awareness to cover thenational foot-prints using thebranch networks in all regionof the country.

Meanwhile trading activi-ties on the floor of theNigerian Stock Market fur-ther closed the day in a nega-tive trajectory as confidencelevel continued to drop inspite of good result being cur-rently posted by some com-panies.Consequently the NSE All-Share Index  (ASI) opened at34,935.62 depreciating by  -120.38 points or  -034per centto close on yesterday at34,815.24.

Also the equities MarketCapitalization also depreciat-ed by N38 billion, from N11.169trillion to N11.132 trillion.

With 27 companies appreci-ating in price, compared to 28that constituted the loserschart, May and Baker; andCutix Nigeria Plc led on thegainers’ table by 10 % each toclose at N1.98 and N1.76 pershare respectively followedby CAP Nigeria Plc by 9.98%gain  to  close at N56.62 pershare, among other gainers. On the other hands, LearnAfrica Plc and RT Briscoe ledon the price losers’ table,dropping  by  -10% each toclose  at N1.80 and N1.35  pershare respectively while

By Helen Oji Eterna Oil Plc followed with aloss of 9.82 % to close at N2.48per share, among other los-ers.

Meanwhile, a turnover of354.3 million shares worthN4.6 billion in 6,248 dealswere recorded during theday.

At the close of trading activ-ities, the Banking subsectorof the Financial Services sec-tor was the most active dur-ing the week (measured byturnover volume)  with  190.5million shares worth N1.9 bil-lion exchanged by investorsin 2598 deals. The volume in the sector wasdriven by Access  Bank Plc,Zenith Bank Plc.

54

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8,2013 ARTS 55

Midweek Art

KAKADU is a rich and ambitious musical by thelawyer, playwright and producer, Uche

Nwokedi (SAN). It takes the name of an iconicLagos nightclub of the 50s and 60s and trans-forms it into a metaphor for the wrenching expe-riences of post-independence Nigeria. In its hey-day, Kakaduwas where the upwardly mobile eliteof Lagos gathered to enjoy themselves, to see andbe seen, to pursue and be pursued. They lived alife full of possibilities, having inherited a nationthat flowed with opportunity. And then it allwent horribly wrong. As corrupt and recklesspolitical leaders went at each other’s throats forthe spoils of Nigeria’s newly won freedom, oldhatreds were re-ignited and new ones manufac-tured. Seven years after independence, Nigeriadescended into a terrible civil war that claimedmore than a million lives.We all know this sad and painful history quite

well. We’ve seen the pictures from the civil war;we’ve seen them side by side with the immacu-late black and white photographs of the brandnew Federal Palace Hotel and Race Course, smartsymbols of the new Nigeria. Kakadu the musicalmakes this familiar story fresh and poignant bycoming at it through the eyes of people like usand our friends and neighbours. That which iswell known in a political and historical sense itre-packages as a personal story rendered in theincredible music - highlife, foxtrot and swing - ofthe sixties, and conveyed by characters that arethe more powerful because they could so easilybe any of us. Nwokedi guides us into a den ofstrong experiences, leads us through love, vanity,tragedy, loss, suffering, rebirth and hope, andleaves us simultaneously drained and enriched.The ironically named Lugard, manager of

Kakadu and the leader of the club’s house band,the Flamingoes, is in a sense both the centralcharacter of the musical and its most marginalfigure. Lugard has no home, belongs nowherebut Kakadu. He is that special being, the Lagosnightclub devotee, celebrated in Maik Nwosu’s2001 novel Alpha Song, who comes alive when themusic of the night sounds and seems to disap-pear when day breaks. He is an extremely vitalfigure when Kakadu is bubbling and young andbeautiful Lagosians are having a good timeunder his admiring gaze. Listen to Lugard on atypical Kakadu night:Tonight, my good friends, is Ladies Night. Andthis is Kakadu.This is Lagos. All the ladies come in free. Tonight,we havea special surprise at the Kakadu Show. We willrock and roll,we will twist and shout; and we will limbo rock.Forget the Lagos outside. Forget Nigeria.

This Is It

WHEN the civil war breaks out and the joy dis-appears from Kakadu, Lugard wilts like a

plant starved of moisture and sunshine. The civilwar is a time when lines are drawn and peopleare forced to move over to their own side. ButLugard has no side. He is Igbo by birth, but hehas metamorphosed into a trans-ethnic figure.We use the word “detribalized” in Nigerian popu-lar speak often in a positive sense. We use it tomean a person who is not a tribalist, who is fairto everyone regardless of ethnic group. But‘detribalised’ can also mean ‘alienated’, a personwith no roots because they are not properly con-tained within an ethnic identity, they are not‘real’ Yoruba or Urhobo or Gwari. In Kakaduwhen the music is throbbing, there are no ethnicgroups or religions, just people, joy and ecstasyand a ‘detribalised’ Lugard blossoms. But whencivil war ensues ‘alienated’ Lugard becomes anobject of scorn because he belongs nowhere. Hehas no place in a world that is divided into ethnicgroups, in a world from which joy has disap-peared. To some, he is therefore a pathetic figure– the man with no home, the ship without ananchor. But to the idealist or optimist it is theworld that is pathetic, not Lugard. The world ispathetic for how easily it lets go of joy, how readi-ly it embraces division and rancour. We shouldbe sorry for such a world, such a nation, and notfor those joyful spirits that have risen high above

its puny and narrow-minded divisions .So Lugard to some extent embodies the entirestory of Kakadu. Yet to the spine of the musical,he is a bystander, for Kakadu is at heart a lovestory. As in all great love stories, Emeka and Bisi’slove is played out against a background of bitter-ness and opposition. Emeka and Bisi are seeingeach other before the war, enjoying wonderfulweekends at Kakadu. The fact that Emeka is Igboand Bisi Yoruba is irrelevant. They are Lagosians,citizens of new Nigeria. And then war breaks outand Emeka flees to the east like most Igbos. Formore than two years Bisi does not even know ifhe is alive or dead. The most poignant scene in the musical is proba-bly the Igbo exodus. Emeka and the other Igbosmake their way fearfully through the darkness.They carry their belongings in small boxes andhold hurricane lamps to show them the way, andthe men sing:It will be hard we knowAnd the road will be muddy and roughBut we’ll get there, heaven knows how we will getthere . . .Emeka and the others endure the horrors of

war, the mass starvation, the unimaginable suf-fering. He returns to Lagos after the war to findthat Bisi’s love for him has, if anything, grown,and with the civil war barely over, the two loversdecide to get married. They defy the war which isstill so fresh in people’s minds. Or they tran-scend it and all that bitterness and suffering andoffer instead through their love for each otherthe hope of reconciliation. In the last scenes of the musical, Emeka and Bisi’slove is sharply contrasted with the bitter residueof the war, the wariness between people of differ-ent ethnic groups and the feeling, expressed byEmeka, that something had changed aboutLagos, perhaps irreversibly. Lugard is trying torevive Kakadu but even the nightclub has beeninfected by the new despair. Lugard laments toEmeka:People prefer street parties now. Owambe they

are called.Where they can show off their wonyosi andmoney by spraying praise singersand women. It’s been tough. A lot of the officerscome here nowand you know, their temperament is different. One has to be careful with them.The nation had lost what innocence it had left

and in its place is left a hollowness. The fightingwas over but in its place there now existed a slow-burning despair. This hollowness and despair isfilled by vulgar materialism and the ever-presentthreat of violence. Surrounding the two lovers isthe counsel of division, of holding onto our ownbecause to do anything else is too risky in a divid-

ed and unpredictable world. After recounting allthe injustices the Igbos are suffering on accountof having lost the war, one of Emeka’s uncles con-fronts his father, Ezennia about Emeka’s plans tomarry Bisi:Now we are hearing that Emeka wants to marryone of themEzennia, is this true?...Emeka is your first son. He must marry from ourplace.Bisi’s father is also opposed to the marriage. Heis, perhaps understandably, nervous about theprospect of his daughter getting married to oneof a people who had just come out of war. He isalarmed by stories that Emeka had been a soldierduring the war. Fear and mistrust on all sides, love and hope

struggling to survive like tendrils emergingamong thorns. Many of our people haveembraced fear firmly and have long since givenup on Nigeria. You hear very often these days ofhow life would be so much better if we cut thecountry into its ethnic pieces and each groupwent its own way. That is supposedly the solutionto boko haram, corruption and mismanagement,injustice in the distribution of revenues, etc.Kakadu the musical will invite such people tothink again, by offering a human angle that hasthe capacity to transcend all our fears. Pervading the musical are the rhythms of the

fifties and 60s, which have remained so fresh tothe present day. Highlife is enjoying a revival in afast-paced, extremely danceable variety among

Nwokedi revisits the past inKakaduBy Ike Oguine

A rehearsal scene

today’s young musicians who have doneincredible new things to the music of BobbyBenson and Rex Lawson. But the classicsremain in a class of their own. Nothing canequal the gentle, slightly inebriating effect ofan old highlife tune or those at once sad andhumorous laments about wickedly elusivebeauties and unrequited love. When inter-spersed with foreign dance tunes from the60s, the music of the Beatles and theSupremes advising, you can’t hurry love,there is a real risk for people of a certain ageof being overwhelmed by nostalgia and long-ing.That is the music of the Flamingoes, of the

joyful phase in the narrative of Kakadu. Theaudience is satiated with lovely music anddance and then the joy dies. In place of OmoPupa and the Supremes whisper the Igbovoices making their way through the dark-ness followed not long after by the dirges of aterrible war. Dibe dibe dibe dibe ndidi ka nma,onye o mere ya dibe, ndidi ka nma, the Igbossing slowly, endure, endure, endure, forendurance is best, whoever tragedy has befall-en should endure, for endurance is best.

Kakadu is thus as much a narrative of post-independence Nigeria as it is a wonderfullyvaried musical journey. If you’re so jaded thatthe human story doesn’t get you, the musicmost definitely will. More likely, both of themwill test every pore in your mind. Prepare tobe overwhelmed!

By Tony Nwanne

TODAY marks exactly one yearsince Michael Collins Enebeli

publicly decided to chart a newcourse in his life with the birthof Mavin Records.Coincidentally, that hard deci-sion of breaking up with hisbosom friend, D’banj, withwhom he did much exploits athome and abroad, was taken onhis birthday.Though, both men have beenstrategising on how to establishtheir solo career, it has beenmonths of hard work and trials,getting their audience to cometo terms with their newfoundstatus.Since the break, not many had

given Don Jazzy the slightest

opportunity to prove hisworth in the absence of theshowman, D’banj. However,he has remained resolute,determined and undeterredin his decision to break evenwith MAVIN, his new recordlabel. No doubt, Don has remained

relevant and steadfastly, cook-ing up beats that has left themusic industry in a state offrenzy.But has he really succeeded?

That depends largely on a per-son’s definition of success.With over a dozen produc-tions this year such as TakeBanana, Oma Ga, Amarachi,Goody Bag, Kick, Without myheart, Rotate, Lady Don Dada, itis obvious that the talented

producer still has his creativemind intact.From Tiwa Savage to Wande

Coal, D’Prince and Dr. Sid, it’sobvious that Don Jazzy hasstructured a way out for him-self and his league of Mavins.However, only few peoplewant to understand the obvi-ous fact that the 31-year oldproducer, whose wizardryhas become one of the mosttalked about revolutions inthe Nigerian music industry,remains the regular manwho can be caught tweetingon popular micro-bloggingnetwork site, Twitter, as DonJazzy, or the young man thathas decided to give back tothat major society that hasconsistently supported him.

How Don Jazzy got his groove back

56 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

57THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 201358

Sports

NSC teaches 100 kids taekwondo techniques

OVER 100 kids were at theweekend exposed to the

techniques of the game oftaekwondo in a one-week clin-ic conducted by theGrassroots Sports Departmentof the National SportsCommission (NSC), in Jos,Plateau State.

The taekwondo clinic, whichwas conducted in partnershipwith the ChikaChukwumereije Foundation,involved the teaching of thebasics and self defence tech-niques, as well as, tug of warwith participants chosenacross the cultural and reli-gious groups in the state.

The organisers said it wasaimed at taking the childrenaway from the crisis that iscurrently rocking the state

Bayern is AP team of the week, Klose beatsMessi in pollFRESH off a second straight

drubbing of the once-mighty Barcelona, BayernMunich was voted the topteam in the Associated Pressglobal soccer poll for the sixthstraight week.

And keeping up the distinct-ly German flavour of recentweeks, Miroslav Klose -Germany’s second-highestscorer - is the player of theweek after scoring five goalsin just 40 minutes for Lazio inits 6-0 thrashing of Bologna inSerie A.

Lionel Messi was next in theplayer vote after his doublefor Barcelona in the 4-2 winover Real Betis in the Spanishleague on Sunday.

Napoli in search ofChampions League slot

NAPOLI will head toBologna today in search

of one of their greatestachievements in recent yearsat the same ground which ayear ago witnessed one oftheir biggest disappoint-ments.

A win at the Stadio Dall’Arawould guarantee a place innext season’s ChampionsLeague, regardless of howthird-placed AC Milan fare atPescara.

However, Napoli Coach,Walter Mazzarri is hoping fora happier ending in Bolognathan 12 months ago when, ashe recalled, “it was therewhere we lost the chance toqualify for the ChampionsLeague.”

Securing a place in Europe’selite club competition couldalso be enough to persuadestriker, Edinson Cavani tocommit his future to the club.

Having broken through the100-goal barrier with hiseighth hat-trick for Napoli inthe weekend win over InterMilan, it is hardly surprisingmost of Europe’s top clubsare casting an eye over theUruguayan.

Napoli may struggle to turndown bids for him this sum-mer, but with guaranteedincome from ChampionsLeague football, it may take agreater sum to make thempart with their star player.

Plateau sees nothing wrong in artificial turf

PLATEAU State yesterday saidthere is nothing wrong

with putting artificial turfs atthe Jos stadium because ‘FIFAstill uses it for internationalfootball competitions.’

The state’s Commissioner ofSports, Yakubu James, toldjournalists in Jos yesterdaythat “very unfortunate andunfair” aspersions have passedby some critics on the use ofartificial turf in the new stadi-um, adding that it was wrongto describe the new stadium as“a waste” on the excuse thatFIFA no more uses artificialturfs for international tourna-

ments.James said those criticisms

were “baseless” “because FIFAQuality Concept for FootballTurf shows that the use of artifi-cial turf began in July 2004with two-star standard recom-mended as the quality stan-dard.”

“Even the regulations for 2014World Cup scheduled for Brazilstipulates that all matchesshall be played on both NaturalGrass and the two-star stan-dard artificial turfs,” he added.

He also disclosed that FIFALaw 1 insisted on green colourpitch, which the state govern-ment demanded from the con-tractor building the stadium,

BCC Tropical Nigeria Ltd.James revealed that FIFA last

month declared the artificialturf of the stadium fit andawarded Plateau with a secondstar standard certificate.

The commissioner also saidthat most of the pitches at theSouth Africa 2013 African Cupof Nations, which Nigeria won,had artificial turfs.

“We are building a 45, 000capacity stadium of interna-tional standard, which thegovernment is spending overN7 billion, yet some people arecriticising instead of beingproud of having such a hugeproject on the plateau,” hesaid.

Madrid Open: Serena continues progress, Robson shocks RadwanskaWORLD number one and

defending champion,Serena Williams, continuedher serene progress at theMadrid Open tennis whenshe eased past Spanish wildcard Lourdes DominguezLino 6-2 7-5 in the secondround yesterday.Chasing a fourth title of the

year and the 50th of hercareer, Williams had toomuch power for the slightly-built Dominguez Lino, whononetheless managed tounsettle her illustrious oppo-nent with some clever dropshots and lobs.

Williams, 31, said she hadenjoyed the test and the expe-

rience would stand her ingood stead the next time shecame up against a player likethe 47th-ranked Spaniard,who likes to mix up hershots.

“I made a lot of errors, buther game kind of forces youto make errors,” theAmerican told a news confer-ence. “It was a really goodclay�court tennis match forme.

“Seeing as I have a few moretournaments on clay, it wasperfect to play a match likethis, so I know if I face anoth-er opponent like that I’ll havethat experience and I’ll knowhow to play.”

Minister meets withNFF, Keshi overConfederationsCup, other issues

THE rift between the SuperEagles’ Chief Coach, Stephen

Keshi and his employers, theNigeria Football Federation(NFF) may soon be over follow-ing the intervention yesterdayof the Minister ofSports/Chairman of theNational Sports Commission(NSC), Bolaji Abdulahi, whosummoned the NFF manage-ment and the Eagles coach tohis Abuja stadium complexoffice in his efforts to sort outtheir differences.   Keshi, whovisited the NFF Secretariat yes-terday, had a brief meetingwith he Federation’s President,Aminu Maigari, and Chairmanof the Technical Committee,Chris Green, before theymoved to the office of the min-ister alongside the AssistantDirector, Media, AdemolaOlajire.

The Guardian gathered thatthe parley deliberated on theface off between the Eagles’chief coach and the NFF overthe sack of Keshi’s backroomstaff and omission of someplayers in the team list releasedby the coach ahead the JuneWorld Cup qualifiers andConfederations Cup.

Only recently, the NFF, whichhad earlier set up a committeeto look into the rift betweenKeshi and the team Captain,Joseph Yobo, stated that bothYobo and striker, OsazeOdemwingie, would notreturn to the national team forthe Confederations Cup andWorld Cup qualifiers unless itre-jigged the coach’s list.

But Keshi told the media onMonday in Abuja that he couldonly add a replacement for theinjured Emmanuel Emenike,adding that he had no need foranother defender now.

Speaking to the media afteryesterday’s meeting, Keshi,who disclosed that they held afruitful discussion with theminister, revealed that hemade it very clear to them torestore his coaching staff,stressing that they are hisengine room.

The Eagles’ head coach main-tained that although he appre-ciates the federation’s financialchallenges, they should, how-ever, restore his coaching staffwhile discussions on the othermembers of his backroom staffcontinues.

“We are on the same page onthe goal of picking the WorldCup ticket and doing well atthe Confederations Cup inBrazil. But I pleaded to themand made it clear to every oneat the meeting that I wouldwant my backroom staff backto the team. We have workedas a team and I would want usto continue the way we startedfor us to get more positiveresults,” the coach, whoblamed the media for amplify-ing the rift, said.

Keshi also pleaded with theNFF to forgive his trespasses,adding, “I am truly sorry forwhatever bad blood myactions and general conductmight have generated. But Iwant everyone to forgive andforget and let us focus on thebig challenge of qualifying forthe 2014 FIFA World Cupfinals.”

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi (left) with midfielder, Mikel Obi, during the preparations for the South Africa 2013CAF Nations Cup, which Nigerian won. The coach says he needs the services of sacked Silvanus Okpalla and ValerieHondounou to build a successful national team.

From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja

and make them active in sportswhile excelling in their aca-demics.

Speaking at the occasion, theNSC Director of GrassrootsSports Development, AlhassanYakmut noted that the clinicwould add to raise the con-sciousness of parents in sports,as well as, to encourage earlyidentification and training oftalents for the production offuture champions for the coun-try.

The NSC director also notedthat the occasion, which wasused to mark the anniversary ofthe demise of former SportsMinister, Ishaya Mark Aku, whodied in a plane crash in 2001,expressed satisfaction with theturn out of kids and their par-ents, stressing the need for chil-dren to be encouraged by theirparents to participate in sports.

Coach wants Okpala, Valerie back

From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja

A 15-times grand slam sin-gles champion, Williams willplay unseededFrenchwoman KristinaMladenovic or 13th-seededRussian Maria Kirilenko for aplace in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Laura Robsonachieved her first victory overa player ranked inside theworld’s top five by beatingworld number four AgnieskaRadwanska.

The 19-year-old beatRadwanska, last year’sWimbledon finalist, 6-3 6-1 toprogress to the third round.

Robson had endured a tor-rid few months, suffering asixth first-round defeat of the

year at last week’s PortugalOpen. But the Briton wasruthless in Madrid, returningbrilliantly to secure one ofthe finest wins of her career.

“I’m really happy with howI played today and I went onthe court with a clear gameplan,” Robson told BBC Radio5 live.

“I’ve practised with her acouple of times so I knewwhat her strengths and weak-nesses were.”

The teenager went toe-to-toe with Radwanska until shebroke the Pole in the eighthgame of the first set when the24-year-old netted to give theLondoner a 5-3 lead.

From Isa Abdulsalami-Ahovi, Jos

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 | 59

CricketWeekly

IBEJU Lekki Cricket Clubmade it a hat trick of tro-

phies this season when theybeat hard-fightingFoundation Cricket Club(FCC) by 51 runs to win theSuper 4 Final play-off title atthe Tafawa Balewa Squarecricket oval at the weekend.

Ibeju Lekki, who are theLagos Club CricketCommittee League champi-ons, won the toss and decidedto bat first decision to bat first.But that option almost back-fired when Ademola Onikoyi

and Femi Solebo lost earlywickets to the superb bowlingof Joshua Ogunlola andGodffrey Bakinwenyen.

However, the Lekki boyscame back with the quartet ofJoshua Ayannaike (58 runs),Captain Endurance Ofem (36runs), James Chukwu (31runs) and Leke Oyede (55 runsnot out) steadying the sink-ing ship with their insipidbatting.

They posted a respectablescore of 241 runs all out in 49overs.

Joshua Ogunlola took sixwickets, 45 runs, three maidenin 10 overs, with Ghana’sSenior National TeamOpening Bowler, GodffreyBakinwenyen, complement-ing with two wickets, 39 runsin eight over’s to raise theexpectations of FCC’s support-ers on the sunny Sunday after-noon.

The task of defeating theseemingly unstoppable IbejuLekki looked plausible in thesecond innings going by thebatsmen in the FCC armoury.But Seye Olympio and LekeOyede both grabbed threewickets each for Ibeju LekkiCricket Club to end the gameon 190 runs all out in 46.2overs.

Captain Kunle Adegbola ledthe resistance with 39 andFemi Oduyebo added 23 runsto form a solid partnershipbefore the bowling of LekeOyede broke it. At a point itlooked like the FCC boyswould break their nine-yeartrophyless streak with theSuper Four title, as left handedbatsman Yemi Adegbola hit 38and Joshua Ogunlola adding

14 runs. But they just could nottopple Ibeju Lekki CricketClub.

To crown a rewarding day’sjob, Ibeju Lekki dominated theawards, with Leke Oyede win-ning the Best Fielder gong.

They also won the BestBowler award through KelechiDuru, Best Wicketkeeper(Joshua Ayannaike), BestBatsman (Leke Oyede) andCricketer of the Series award,which went to Anyia Shola.

Federal Government CollegeWarri Old Boys Cricket Clubtook the runners up position.

In the Division two awardsfor excellence, the Best Fieldergong went to FoundationCricket Club Two’s OladunjoyeDimeji, with his teammate,Dele Oshodi winning the BestBowler award.

The Best Wicketkeeper prizewent to Oyenuga Niyi ofIbadan Metropolitan CricketClub, whose teammate, AjaoOlumide won the BestBatsman and Cricketer of theSeries honours.

FCC Two won the trophy,with Ibadan MetropolitanCricket Club as runners

up.Among the dignitaries at the

Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval towitness the event wasPresident of Nigeria CricketFederation (NCF), Kwesi Sagoe,who is also the Africa CricketAssociation (ACA) chairman.

Also present at the eventwere the Chairman of the ClubCricket Committee (CCC),Femi Solebo, CCC Vice-Chairman, Anil Gopwani,Chairman of Lagos StateCricket Association (LSCA),Koffi Sagoe, LSCA’s first andsecond Vice Chairman,Ephraim Barnaby and AkinDenton, Managing Director ofthe Iris Smart TechnologiesLtd, Olayinka Fisher, and NCF’sGeneral Manager/ ChiefOperating Officer, GeorgeWiltshire.

There were also many formerinternationals, includingKome Agodo, Dipo Idowu, andBayo Thompson, among oth-ers.

Withy the Super Four finalover, attention now shifts tothe T20 Cricket, which beginsthis weekend at the TafawaBalewa Cricket Oval.

THE Nigeria CricketFederation (NCF) has

selected 18 players for inten-sive training in Lagos ahead ofthe ICC under-19 World Cupqualifiers scheduled forKampala, Uganda.

The players, including sevenfrom Ogun and Lagos each,one from Oyo and Riversrespectively, as well as, twofrom Kaduna, were pickedafter a four-day trial at theUniversity of Lagos Cricketpitch in Lagos. 

The new camp, holding atthe Tafawa Balewa CricketOval, Lagos, began on Sundayand will end on May 17, 2013.

According to the NCF,before the end of the closecamp, 14 players would beselected from the 18 to repre-sent Nigeria at the ICC CricketWorld Cup qualifiers to beheld in Kampala, Ugandafrom the May 25 to 29, 2013.

Those in camp are AdedejiSesan, Adiamo Mojeed, AjekuDaniel, Obisesan Afeez,

Adebiyi Usman, OgunbayoDayo, and Adu Bimbo, allfrom Ogun State.

Lagos State’s players in thecamp are Awosanmi Kunle,Duru Kelechi, EmmanuelSamson, Oyenuga Niyi, AlfredTay, Adams Rasaq and ShinaAwodele.

Oyo State’s AkachukwuChima and Okojaja Henryfrom River State are also in thecamp, just as Gim Daniel andOkpe Isaac fromKaduna State.

Ibeju Lekki beats Foundation Cricket Club to Super Four trophy

IMPRESSED by the giantstrikes African cricket made

under Kwesi Sagoe, presi-dents of the continent’s feder-ations have re-elected theNigeria Cricket Federationpresident for another two-year tenure in charge of thegame.

At its AGM at the SouthernSun North Beach Hotel,Durban, on April 19, theNigerian cricket chief wasreturned un-opposed inacknowledgement of his ster-ling leadership of the body inthe last two years.

Other members elected intothe board are WilsonManaseh of Zimbabwe, who isthe vice-chairman, DipankarSengupta of Mozambique(finance director), ZullyRehemtullah of Tanzania(development director) andJackie Janmohammed ofKenya (tournament director).

Others are TaheraliHassanali of Tanzania, who isthe East Africa regional direc-tor, Johnny Gomez of TheGambia (North & West Africaregional director) andReuben Chama of Zambia(South & Central Africa).

Sagoe re-elected asAfrican Cricket boss

ICC Chief Executive, DavidRichardson has congratu-

lated Nigeria for winningthe Pepsi ICC World CricketLeague (WCL) Division 7,held in Gaborone, Botswana.

In a letter dated April 16,2013, and addressed to thePresident of Nigeria CricketFederation (NCF), KwesiSagoe, Richardson extendedICC’s congratulations to theNCF on the national team’sperformance in winning thechampionship.

The letter reads: “The suc-cess of the squad in winningthe final against Vanuatuwas testament to the skillsand consistency of the play-ers and the quality of thecoaching staff and teammanagement.

“I would like to wish youand the Nigeria team evengreater success in the futureas you seek to progressthrough the World CricketLeague, which now includesparticipation in WCLDivision 6 in Jersey.”

ICC hails Nigeria overDivision Seven win

18 begin training in Lagos ahead ICC Under-19 World Cup qualifiers

Nigerian senior national team players celebrating a good outing in an international competition. The national U-19 team is currently preparing for the World Cup qualifiers billed for Kampala, Uganda… later this month.

Stories by Christian Okpara

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 201360 SPORTS

Mourinho considers Real’s staysigning Diego Lopez, who isnow his first-choice goalkeep-er, at the end of his first sea-son in charge.

Those comments height-ened speculation over hisfuture and seemed to be a fur-ther indication that he was onhis way out.

However, in a press confer-ence ahead of today’s PrimeraDivision clash with Malaga,the Portuguese was again coyon his future - and even sug-gested he has not ruled outremaining in the Spanish cap-ital.

He said, “I have consideredstaying on.”

Reports in Spain hadaccused Mourinho of involv-

ing himself in public spatswith key players in a bid toforce the board to sack himand hand him a pay-off.

However, he denied thoseclaims, saying, “I will only earnmoney until the last day I workhere. I don’t want a single euromore.”

Mourinho’s criticism ofCasillas led to centre-back Pepespeaking out against the coachafter Madrid’s 4-3 win over RealValladolid at the Bernabeu onSaturday.

“The boss’ comments weren’tappropriate. Iker is a legend,both at this club and in Spain,and he deserves more respect,”the defender said.

Mourinho’s response today

was to accuse his fellow coun-tryman of sour grapes afterlosing his place in the side to19-year-old Raphael Varane.

“It’s very easy to analyse whatPepe said. His problem has aname - it is Raphael Varane,”the coach said.“We are talking about frustra-

tion. It’s never easy for a 31-year-old to be rolled over by aboy of 19 years of age. I had thecourage to play him (Varane),because I believe that he is thefuture of Real Madrid, alongwith Sergio Ramos. The prob-lem is very simple - Pepe’s lifehas changed.”

He also defended his deci-sion to make Lopez his num-ber one ahead of Casillas.

JOSE Mourinho claims he has“considered staying on” as

Real Madrid coach anddefended himself againstPepe’s belief that he shouldshow club captain IkerCasillas more respect.

Last week the former Chelseamanager gave the strongestindication yet that he wantedto return to the PremierLeague at the end of the sea-son by saying, “I want to bewhere I am loved. In England Iam loved by the press, thefans, I am loved by some clubs,especially one.”

The 50-year-old followedthat up with a confrontationalpress conference in which hecriticised Casillas, hintingthat, in his opinion, the goal-keeper “thinks he is above therest” of the squad.

He also remarked that hisbiggest regret in his threeyears at the Bernabeu was not

believes that, in terms of bothability and the controversy heattracts, the similarities withBalotelli are there for all to see.

“Suarez reminds me ofBalotelli,” he told GazzettaExtratime. “In part, he looks fortrouble, but there is alsoaggression towards him. Butthe player is not discussed. Heis a champion.”

Balotelli departedManchester for AC Milan for areported €20 million inJanuary after a series of clashes

with Mancini, and appears tohave re-found his best form inhis homeland, with nine goalsin 10 league games.

But the City boss is keen oncasting his eye towards Serie Afor further recruits this sum-mer, with Roma’s Braziliandefender, Marquinhos highon his list.

“Marquinhos I really like, butI do not think that Roma iswilling to sell,” he added.“With just two signings nextyear the Giallorossican win theScudetto.”

TROUBLED Liverpool striker,Luis Suarez is as much of a

“champion” as controversialformer Manchester City front-man, Mario Balotelli, accord-ing to Roberto Mancini.

As Goal exclusively revealedlast month, the Reds were will-ing to listen to offers in excessof ¬ 47 million for the divisiveUruguayan even before his 10-match ban for bitingBranislav Ivanovic.

Mancini is a long-termadmirer of Suarez despite hisnumerous indiscretions and

‘Suarez reminds me of Balotelli’

Mourinho

ANDRE Villas-Boas saysGareth Bale’s switch to a

central striking position is atemporary solution ratherthan a long-term plan.

The Portuguese revealedhow Bale’s shift in positionwas first tried and tested inTottenham’s pre-season tourof the United States.

And while the Welshmanhas been in sparkinggoalscoring form down themiddle, Villas-Boas isn’t sure ifthe switch should be a perma-nent one.

“It was born out of an experi-ment in Baltimore, Americawhen we played Liverpool in apre-season game,” he toldY a h o o ! .

Villas-Boas insists Bale’s central role not permanent“Fortunately it is something

that worked for us and due to acouple of injuries it was some-thing that we had to keep try-ing. We fine-tuned Gareth toplay there and he has beentremendous because his talentallows him to be adaptable.

“I’m not sure that the shift isdefinitive but it does give usthe option of using him in dif-ferent positions. At themoment, though, the goals heis getting are giving him thebuzz to play there.”

The former Porto and Chelseamanager was also glowing inpraise for Bale, who swept upall the end-of-season individualaccolades, taking home thePFA Player and Young Player of

the Year awards as well asscooping the FWA Player of theYear gong.

“Great, he has been outstand-ing this season,” he added ofBale. He has enjoyed his per-formances and that is vital forany football player. Managershave to guard against limitingthem through too muchorganisation, but that hasn’tbeen the case with Gareth,who has played in a differentposition to the one he hasplayed in before.

“Doing that has given himthe chance to score more goalswhich has contributed to hiswonderful season, plus he hasthe ambition to be at the verytop.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 SPORTS | 61

Oshiomhole surprised us at Okpekperace, says Kenyan champion

KENYA’S female runner andchampion of the maiden

Okpekpe 10km Road race,Georgina Romo, hasdescribed Edo StateGovernor, AdamsOshiomhole, as a ‘true loverof sports.’ At the end of the race on

Saturday, Oshiomholeshocked the athletes and offi-cials by jerking up the prizemonies for the women event.Before the race, the organis-ers had announced $10, 000$5,000 and $4,000 for the topthree finishers, but the gover-nor jerked it up to $20,000for the winner, while the sec-ond and third positions got$10,000 and $5,000 in thatorder. “This man is a true sports

lover and I want other Africanpoliticians to emulate him,”Romo told The Guardian atthe end of the Okpekpe Roadrace. “It is good for the game andwe appreciate what the gov-ernor has done. In someplaces, the governor couldhave overlooked it since nolocal athlete was among thetop three finishers. I am real-ly impressed with this man(Oshiomhole).” Meanwhile, promoter of therace, Mike Itemuagbor hassaid that all prize monies forthe race had been paid. Hewas reacting to a newspaperheadline, which said onTuesday that the top winnersof the Okpekpe race did notget their prize monies inaccordance with internation-al rules.The Chairman of the Main

Organising Committee/Competition Director for theOkpekpe Road race, NavyCommodore OmatseyeNesiama had said that thetop three finishers in both

the male and female cate-gories would be paid afterresults of their dope tests hadbeen released within thenext three and four weeks,noting that the delay was inaccordance with ‘standardpractice.’

But Itemuagbor told TheGuardian yesterday on phonethat all prize monies for themale and female athleteswere settled, adding, “Iunderstand the position ofthe AFN because theOkpekpe road race was aninternational event, but wedon’t want a situation where-by people will start to readdifferent meanings to it. Wehave paid all money for boththe local and foreign ath-letes.”On the middle aged man

said to have been found deadby a stream a day after therace, Itamuagbor said, “wemade adequate medicalarrangement for all the par-ticipants. And everyone willattest to the fact that the ath-letes were given prompt andadequate medical attentionat the venue. There werestandby ambulances every-where. All the athletes left thevenue in good condition.”The man identified as VictorAdepoju, 40, was said to be soenthusiastic that GovernorAdams Oshiomhole was par-ticipating in the race that hedecided to compete in the 10km road race to identify withthe governor. He neverreturned home, as his corpsewas allegedly found the nextmorning on the riverside.

ORGANISERS of the maidenFast Moving Consumer

Goods (FMCG) Industry Gameshave announced Sunday, May12 as the kick off date for thevery first Corporate NigeriaGames for the industry. Interestingly, all the teams

participating have rounded offpreparations and are engagednow in fine-tuning strategiesto emerge the best in theevents that will feature foot-ball, athletics, tennis, table ten-nis and board games such asChess, Scrabble and Draught.MediaVision Limited, organ-

isers of the games saidthrough a spokes person,Jimmy Sogbesan that arrange-ments for a hitch-free take-offhas been put in place for theparticipants and their support-

ers. He listed some of the compa-nies that will be flying theirflags on the opening day toinclude market leaders such asUnilever Plc., Dufil Prima, PZCussons and GSK.The FMCG Games thus joins

a growing list of industrygames that has been provid-ing platform for Nigerians incorporate busineses to com-pete and network in an atmos-phere of healthy physical well-being and friendship.

Other industry gamesinclude the Bankers Games,the Insurance Games and theTelecom Games. The tourna-ment will be concluded onJune 1 with a colourful closingceremony and prize presenta-tions.

FCT Angels of Abuja defeatedTaraba Hurricanes 102-33 torecord their second consecu-tive victory in the ongoingZenith Bank Basketball Leagueholding in Asaba.

After suffering defetas intheir first two attemptsagainst First Deepwater andCustoms, the Angels bouncedback in their third game beat-ing Coal City Queens 91-38 onMonday and followed it upwith another victory yester-day.

FCT Angels may not beamong the top four teams buthave gone for victory anytimethey have the opportunity to.They are also in good stead forthe final in Lagos but wouldhave to improve their per-formance against the top-sides.

For Hurricanes have notdone well so far n the leagueafter FCT Angels handed themtheir fourth defeat in a row inthe second phase. It would bedifficult for them to play in thefinals in Lagos but would havelearnt some lessons in theirdebut season in the top flight.

Delta Force also defeatedBenue Princess 67-45, FirstDeepwater defeated Coal CityQueens 115-17 while PlateauRocks defeated Oluyole Babes

61-47. Coach of First Deepwater,

Lateef Erinfolami told TheGuardian that his players haveimproved tremendously inthe second phase. “The firstphase performance was notup to the scratch but I wassure that the players will pickup.“The good work the techni-

cal crew has done on the team

is evident as we win our gameconvincingly and the bond inthe team is strong. I hope wecan continue in the stride andwin the title.He also said that all the have

put up a good show and pre-dicted a better outing for thenewly promoted team. Theleague resumes tomorrow asthe teams observe today asrest day.

FCT Angels maul Taraba, Plateau Rock, First Deepwater win

FMCG Games gets May 12 kick off date

• We have paid all athletes, insists promoterBy Gowon Akpodonor

By Adeyinka Adedipe

Ethiopian runner, Deko Zemkem, who placed fourth at the just-concludedOkpekpe International 10km Road Race, displaying his prize money at thecompetition amplified by Malta Guinness Low Sugar.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 201362 | SPORTS

League sponsorship will revolutionise football, says NwosuTHE N1.896b three-year

sponsorship deal signedbetween telecommunica-tions giant, Globacom andthe League ManagementCompany (LMC), is capable ofmaking the NigeriaProfessional Football League(NPFL) leapfrog most of its tra-vails to become Africa’s trulyflagship league.

The deal makes Globacom,the title sponsor of theNigerian domestic league;and ex-Nigerian internation-al, Henry Onyemanze Nwosusays the firm has by this devel-opment, done a good thingfor Nigerian football by com-ing to its aid.

Nwosu, in an interview withThe Guardian yesterday saidthe implication of the spon-sorship is that some of themost nagging problems inthe league including remu-nerating match officials andsundry logistic problems thatalways taint the outcome ofmatches would be easilytaken care of.

While praying for its suste-nance, he expressed hope inthe LMC’s ability to sustain-ably manage the league andthe resources for the better-ment of the sport in the coun-try.

“As a Nigerian and an ex-footballer, I hope the sponsor-ship is sustained because Itrust Mr. Nduka Irabor to do agood job because of his pedi-gree,” Nwosu stated.

He continued, “as a man ofhonour, and someone that Iknow personally, I don’t

expect anything less than afantastic outing from Iraborand his team. Surely, he willdo a great job to the point thathe would be asked to stayback in permanent capacity.”

Nwosu had words of advicefor other corporate entitiesoperating in the country, urg-ing them to contribute theirquota to the development ofsports in the country.

“Football is a popular sportin the country and the coun-try’s domestic league is a verybig brand. This is why I see

BUA Group signs shirt sponsorship deal with Kano PillarsBUA Group, one of  Africa’s

Leading Conglomerates,has signed  shirt sponsorshipdeal with Kano Pillars FootballClub.

Established about 25 yearsago by Alhaji AbdulsamadRabiu as a commodity tradingoutfit, BUA  Group has grownover the years to become oneof Africa’s leading conglomer-ates  with interests in sugarrefining, cement manufactur-ing, flour milling, real estatesdevelopment, among others.

Kano State Commissioner ofInformation, Internal Affairs,Youth and SportsDevelopment, Prof.  FaroukUmar  Jubril, who signed onbehalf of Kano Pillars FCexpressed delight over the

sponsorship deal. He said, “we are very happy

with this partnership  asthe State Government encour-ages  Kano  Pillars to be finan-cially self-sufficient.” The com-missioner then thanked theBUA  Group for the partner-ship, adding,  “that is whyBUA has a very strong brand inthe market place”

Kabiru Rabiu, group execu-tive director of BUA Group,who signed for the Group said,“we are very excited  to formthis partnership with KanoPillars,  the biggest footballclub in  Nigeria  in terms ofnumber of fans. Our aim is toencourage local-based club-sides, as we focus on our busi-ness plan and strategy of

Globacom as being very luckyto get the right to sponsor theleague.

“Having said so, I have to addthat the male league is not theonly aspect of sport in thecountry that needs funding.The female football leaguehas been in need of a corpo-rate sponsor for a very longtime. The amateur division ofthe Nigerian league also suf-fers from the same problem.Athletics, boxing, swimming,cycling and the rest are in direneed of sponsors.

FORMER players ofShooting Stars Sports Club

(3SC), under the auspices ofEx-Shooting Stars PlayersAssociation, have begunmoves to celebrate the club’s50th anniversary in a grandway.

The club was the firstNigerian side to win a conti-nental competition when in1976 it won the defunct CupWinners Cup, and to cele-brate the achievements of theclub, the former players saythey have reached out to allthe past stars of the teamwith a view to writing a newchapter in the history of theOluyole Warriors.

At a press briefing in Ibadanthat had in attendance mem-bers of the first generation ofplayers of the club, NiyiOmowon, Eddy Ayoola, whois the chairman of the projectplanning committee (both ofthe 1963 to 67 set) and Idowu

Otubusen, popularly knownas Slow Poison, who played forthe club from 1972 to 77, theorganisers outlined the pro-gramme for the anniversaryfestivities.

Among others, the associa-tion is planning befittingremembrances of the late pil-lar of the club, Lekan Salami,who passed on in 1987 andthe first captain of the club,Jide Johnson, who died onNovember 20, 1986.

Johnson was noted for scor-ing directly from cornerkicks in his playing days.

During the celebrations, theassociation would launch aN500 million endowmentfund, which would be solelyspent on the welfare of theformer 3SC players.

According to the Secretaryof the association, FemiOkenla, “the core value of thisnoble association is welfareof ex-players of the club.

Former players unveil plans for 3SC’s Golden Jubilee

developing significant com-mercial partnerships.”

He added, “I must also com-mend  the Governor  of KanoState,  RabiuMusa  Kwankwanso for hisunflinching support for theteam in particular and youthand human capital develop-ment in general.”

The General Manager of theclub, Abba Galadima said, “onbehalf of everyone at KanoPillars, I am delighted to wel-come BUA as the club’s newshirt sponsor. This is a gooddevelopment for the game inNigeria. I’m proud of whatBUA has done with the localLeague. It shows there are stillcorporate bodies that are will-ing to identify with football.

Group Executive Director, BUA Group, Kabiru Rabiu and the Kano State’s Commissioner, Ministry of Information,Internal Affairs, Youth and Sports Development, Prof. Farouk Umar Jubril, at the launch of the sponsorship by BUA ofthe Kano Pillars Jersey.

By Eno-Abasi Sunday

63THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

RISE GROUP

Wednesday, May 8, 2013TheGuardianConscience, Nurtured by Truth

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THE backward state of our nation is, to alarge extent, hinged on the incapacity of

her not being an eligible candidate for inter-national competition. Our position in anyinternational productivity or economic influ-ence is like that of the back benchers of a class-room.

The outstanding qualities which allow acountry to qualify on international competi-tion grounds from the production or industri-alisation umbrella is price; a function of costat all levels and quality; as well as technology.However, the usability of a product to meetconsumer expectation is of utmost considera-tion.

The overall cost is not only a factor in the pro-duction of goods but also the environment(our nation) and the undergirding policies. Aproduct produced in China is unquestionablyaffordable compared to prices of goods pro-duced in the nation. Individuals, productionfirms and agencies, indeed all Nigeriansshould be appalled by this scenario. The pricein question is after taking into considerationhigh import duties, corruption at the cus-toms, sundry port levies and all manner ofextortions in the chain before the goods get tothe end users. That this is what obtainsdemonstrates that we are far from the Nigeriaof our hope and striving. The agricultural sec-tor does not fare any better unlike in the daysof old when cocoa and groundnut gave us anedge and put us in the frontline of interna-tional competition.

The reason behind this may not be far-fetched.The cost of production in most developingcountries like ours deserves special mentionbecause the cost incurred outside the walls ofproducing companies revolves around thesame figure that is within. This is wrong and itis the first major setback in the productionline as it affects the end price.

Most estate developers who go into residen-tial property business find themselves provid-ing most things a local government shouldordinarily cater for. How do I mean?Mr.  Hakeem  Ogunniran, managingdirector of UACN Property, has been reportedas giving an example of how 30 to 40 insteadof about five per cent of the budget preparedfor a residential development for low-costhousing goes into road construction to thesite, water supply, electricity and a host of oth-er infrastructural provisions which should, inactual fact, be the full or partial responsibilityof the government. What most commercialand industrial concerns spend on infrastruc-tural development is even higher. This isreflected in the end price of the product.

The one word that covers the outside-indus-try-wall costs is called infrastructure.Although a number of definitions is attrib-uted to this but for the purpose of this article,I choose to describe infrastructure as all provi-sions, tangible or intangible, provided either bythe government (mostly by them), or individualsor association of individuals, or partnership ofboth that positively enables dwellers’ activitiesand also act like lubricant to the dwellers of suchof nation thereby making possible for less costand stress to be incurred within and outside theirdwelling or production compounds and makingliving easier and its standard higher.

The definition above is encompassing.However, worthy of note is the fact that itlikens infrastructure to a lubricant and intan-gible infrastructure is policy. Thus polices areas well a type of infrastructure.

In a paper presented at the 43rd annual con-ference of the Nigerian Institution of EstateSurveyors and Valuers, March 2013, Dr. GhajiBello, the acting director-general,Infrastructure Concession DeliveryCommission, said that for ‘’every dollar spenton public infrastructure investment, thegross domestic product of the country willincrease by approximately 0.05 to 0.25 dol-lars’’. Picture what a thousand dollar willyield, a million dollar will yield and a billiondollar will yield.

On the other hand, the second Vice Presidentof NIESV, Dr Bolarinde Patunola-Ajayi, madethe disclosure that infrastructure is theunderpinning on which strong nationaldevelopment is built, while also speakingrecently during the 43rd annual conference ofthe Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors andValuers (NIESV) held in Benin. In a lecture enti-tled: ‘‘Infrastructure development and eco-nomic empowerment.’’ He spoke on thepremise of a survey report on infrastructure

opment. Deducible from the foregoing facts isthe pointer to the fact that the overall positionof our infrastructure state is one close toground zero.

Moreover, in an industrial or productionenvironment, the basic infrastructurerequired outside policy is that of road and elec-tricity which are evidently grossly inadequate. Roads:

In as much as we have inadequate roads, thestate of even the ones we have is quiteappalling. The road network is terrible andpoorly rated on a scale of efficiency as thelubrication that should be inherent in aninfrastructure.

A highly efficient road network gives birth tohighly effective road usage. There are a num-ber of roads and drainage constructions goingon especially in the Lagos State, but the focuspoint should be on their strategic connectivityand network else, more money would be need-ed on its maintenance because cars have morereasons to remain on the road which in turncreates or contributes to wear and tear, largerfuel consumption and production.

Planes are piloted through shortest possibledistance in space; ships are directed in thesame line in the ocean. The efficiency creationstrategy if employed in road constructionwould lead to cost-cutting effectiveness. If carsstay fewer hours on the roads, less fuel wouldbe consumed or required. This will translateinto less cost which will in turn result in mar-ginal surplus at the federal level.Electricity:

The president has personal or general wishesand has made endless promises concerningthis matter. Unfortunately, each promise isalways carried over to the following yearwhich never ends. It is incomprehensible thatour leaders do not seek alternative sources ofelectricity. We all know fuel is ready substitutefor electricity in the nation as most appliance,devices and machines gets powered by it.

Over decades, the commitment of funds tothe production of fuel and its derivatives iswell above that which is required for adequatepower supply in the nation. The availability ofsteady power supply in turn translates to lessfuel being demanded by the regular users.With the advent of efficient road network, lessfuel will be demanded. The over time implica-tion of this is that less fuel production wouldbecome operational as less fuel would berequired or demanded and cost of its produc-tion would go down leading to a marginalprofit which can be directed to other needfulareas as subsidy or capital.

Commitment at the federal level should bedirected to electricity generation over the fuelsector. The reason is that it costs less over all.There are more light consumers than fuel con-sumers industrially and in other areas. A gov-ernment with a reasonable standard of livingby its citizens at heart who is indeed lookingfor a way out of various menacing problemsmost of which are traceable to the economicenvironment that our leaders have created forus should concentrate its energy on whatmost people need over what they only want.Giving solutions at the smallest cost possible iswisdom.

In summary, among the advantages of thestrategies being shared in light of efficiencyand effectiveness in road usage and also inelectricity are that our standard of living goesup and cost is reduced at the federal levelthereby creating extra funds for other projectsrequired for the nation’s sustainability. It alsosupports the eco-green movement and lotsmore.

There is a mafia quote that says ‘every matterhas the handles’. For me I do believe ‘’everymatter has two handles or more’. Developingcountries often fail at getting revenue fromprojects because projects hardly get complet-ed and the completed ones are poorly man-aged. Thus it is best for such nations to findways to reduce cost and diversify cost saved toother needful areas of their economy.

The impact of exportation outweighingimportation is that it gives advantage of a pos-itive drastic shift in the economy becauseexchange rates become friendlier and GDPgets an upward pull. Hence more and moreinternational businesses as countries withsame currency or close exchange rate do morebusiness with one another than those of awider gap.

Thus, it is not enough for a nation to go intoproduction for its citizens alone as the targetconsumers without actions geared towardsexportation and international competition.The end of such is an economy devaluationand relegation.

Published by Guardian Newspapers Limited, Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos Tel: 4489600, 2798269, 2798270, 07098147948, 07098147951 Fax: 4489712; Advert Hotlines:

Lagos 7736351, Abuja 07098513445; Circulation Hotline: 01 4489656All correspondence to Guardian Newspapers Limited, P.M.B. 1217, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria.

E-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com; www.ngrguardiannews.com(ISSN NO 0189-5125)Editor: MARTINS OLOJA . ABC

‘International competiveness’:A major factor of raising ournation’s economy

and household by the Lagos State CentralOffice of Statistics 2006, which revealed that90 per cent of households in Lagos relied onstreet vendors and private neighbourhoodfor water and only about 39 per cent treat

their water for safe drinking. He also mademention of  facts which emerged that basedon information provided by the GlobalCompetitiveness Index (2012-2013), Nigeriaranked 130 in overall infrastructural devel-

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga

By Adebiyi Adeyemi

Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala