Tuesday, April 3, 2001
36 governors unite to sue over federation account

From John-Abba Ogbodo, Abuja

BARELY a week after governors from the southern part of Nigeria elected
to drag the Federal Government to court over the Federation Account,
their counterparts in the North, yesterday opted to toe the same line.

Rising from their consultative meeting held in Abuja yesterday, the
governors resolved to jointly head for court to compel the Federal
Government to enforce the provision of sectiion 162 of the 1999
Constitution which provides for creation of "the Federation Account"

The state chief executives threw their weight behind the resolution of
the conference of speakers of State Houses of Assembly, on the
provisions of section 197 of the constitution particularly on tenure of
local environments.

They insisted that it is the prerogative of State Assemblies to
legislate on all aspects of local council affairs, even as they
expressed concern over a development "where some elements are trying to
steer the nation towards a unitary form of government as against a true
federal system that will give stability to our democratic experiment.

The statement, signed by the chairman of the Governor's Forum and chief
executive of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, reads: "The
governors' forum insist on the application to the letter of section 162
sub-section 6 of the 1999 constitution that deals with State/Local
Government Joint Accounts. It was resolved that the Accountant-General
of the Federation should henceforth pay into the State/Local Government
Joint Accounts in the State".

"Section 197 is very clear on the status of State Independent Electoral
Commission. The Governors' Forum stands firmly by the provision of that
section and no level of the current democratic set-up should arrogate
to itself a non-existence right to unilaterally alter the
constitution".

"The Governors are therefore in full support of the position taken by
Assembly Speakers' Forum and fully support their communique in Lagos on
this matter".

"On the tenure of Local Governments, the Governors' Forum insist that
State Assemblies are empowered by the Constitution to legislate on all
aspects of the affairs of the local government. We are worried by the
situation in the country where some elements are trying to steer the
nation towards a unitary form of government as against a true federal
system that will give stability to our democratic experiment."

And the clincher: "It was resolved that the governors should go to
court to compel the Federal Government to immediately enforce the
provision of section 162 (1) of the constitution which provides that
the federation shall maintain special account to be called "the
Federation Account" in which all revenues collected should be paid
into. We insist that the Federal Government has no constitutional right
to deviate from this provision and must keep to it.

"For almost two years the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal
Commission has been working on a new formula for the country without
any report from the commission. We are disturbed by the current
situation where the report has not been submitted and the country is
forced to continue to use a military government imposed sharing
formula."
----------------------

Three policemen to die for setting traders ablaze

From Omololu Agbana (Lokoja), Yinka Aderibigbe (Lagos)

FOR unleashing the crudest form of savagery on their hapless victims,
whom they burnt alive in their vehicles after robbing them of over one
million naira, three mobile policemen now have a date to keep with the
hangman.

The trio who were described by the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Mr.
Justice Umaru Eri, as "undoubtedly unfit for a decent society which we
most cherished", were asked to pay the supreme price for their heinous
and barbaric act.

The three accused constables ñ Benjamin Oyakhire, Michael Jimoh and
Garshon Saba attached to the Police Force Mobile No. 37, Lokoja, while
on duty on February 17, each carrying official/riffle, were said to
have mounted unlawful check-point near Obeira-Okene junction.

In the course of their unlawful act, they were said to have flagged
down a vehicle, a Toyota Lite Ace bus with an Osun State registration
number.

The bus and its five passengers, who were said to be traders travelling
from Akure to Katsina to buy Sallah rams, were robbed of their
possessions and later burnt alive.

But luck ran out on the officers, when two of the traders escaped from
the inferno and found their way to the police station where they
reported the matter.

Confessing to the crime, one of the condemned men, told investigators
that they perpetrated the nefarious act because of desire to
appropriate the huge amount of money found on the traders.

Delivering his judgement in the trial of the policemen, Justice Eri
said it was apparent that they had no regard whatsoever for the
sanctity of human life.

"I see the three accused persons, clearly as people who have no regards
whatsoever for the sanctity of human life; from my careful observation
of them throughout the trial, the apparent sign of remorse is to me
deceitful; undoubtedly, the accused persons are unfit for a decent
society which we most cherish".

Justice Eri declared that the three men were found guilty of a
four-count charge of culpable homicide punishable by death; robbery
while armed; mischief by using explosive (gun fire) and criminal
conspiracy.

He therefore sent them to death by hanging. He said the four sentences
of each of the accused persons, are to run concurrently, adding however
that overall effect of the sentences was that all the three accused
persons stand sentenced to death and that each of them shall be hanged
by the neck "until he is dead".

He also ordered that the total amount of N586,850 being part of the
money robbed and recovered be given to Jimoh Saka, a principal witness
(pw 5) in the case.

During the course of the evidence, Jimoh Saka, a surviving victim of
the policemen's act had told the court that the sum of N7,000 with a
small pocket Quoran was taken away from him by the accused persons. He
equally gave evidence that his travelling bag containing N600 was also
forcefully taken.

It would be recalled that on February 17, 2001, the policemen connived
to kill the five traders after robbing them of about N1.4 million. The
constables, were then summarily dismissed and charged for murder.

According to the State Commissioner of Police Mr. Wilfred Ehikametalor,
the officers killed the traders by setting them ablaze with the
intention of making away with the huge sum of money in the vehicle.

Ehikametalor disclosed that the three policemen left their duty post
within Okene town and mounted an illegal road block at the
Okenwe-Okpera junction on the highway leading to Akure, Ondo State
capital.

He said at about 10:30 p.m. on the fateful day, they stopped the Toyota
mini-bus with Osun registration number SB 104 SGB, in which about seven
people were travelling from Ondo to Katsina to buy Sallah rams for sale
to the public.

The commissioner said the policemen who used a nearby primary school as
their operational base, saw huge sums of money in the vehicle belonging
to the passengers and decided to kill all the passengers on board and
make away with the money.

"In the process, one of the passengers was shot dead while four others
including a young boy of about 17, said to be travelling up north to
attend an interview, were all burnt beyond recognition", he added.

According to him, two of the passengers managed to escape and reported
the matter to the Okene Central Police Station.

The commissioner said the Divisional Police Officer in Okene, contacted
him and after a search of all the police patrol units in the state late
at night, it was discovered that the three policemen were conspicuously
absent without permission.

He said two of the policemen later showed up at about 6 a.m., while the
third appeared at about 6.30 a.m. on Sunday.

Ehikametalor said in a confessional statement during interrogation, one
of the policemen, Oyakhire revealed that he gave his N230,000 share of
the money to his girlfriend, to keep for him, while the second
policeman Michael decided to bury his own N209,000 share at the mobile
police barracks, along Lokoja-Abuja highway, where the loot was
recovered, in addition to the N3,000 found on him by the state CID.

The third accused, Saba, he added, said he gave his own share of over
N200,000 to his friend, also a mobile police constable attached to the
Government House Lokoja, to keep for him.

Ehikametalor who described the incident as "shameful and embarrassing
to the police force", said all those mentioned in the case including
the girlfriend and the mobile policemen attached to the Government
House were arrested and charged to court along with the culprits.
-----------------------

Nigeria, others okay currency for West Africa

By Malachy Ezema

SIX West African states, including Nigeria, are to soon concretise
their dream of a greater economic union, as approval has been given for
the establishment of a second monetary zone in the subregion.

The others are Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia.

With the initiative, known as Fast Track Approach (FTA), a strong
subregional currency not too dissimilar to the European Union's Euro,
will emerge.

The FTA recognises the need to adopt a two-track approach to the
implementation of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS)
integration programmes.

The first monetary zone in the subregion, formed by Francophone
countries had existed since the colonial period with a common currency
- CFA Francs - attached to the French Franc, and a common central bank.

Guinea is the only non-Anglophone member of the new union which a
Nigerian, Dr. Michael Olufemi Ojo, former director of research of
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been appointed to midwife into
reality as the director general of West African Monetary Institute.

Nigeria and Ghana adopted the Fast Track Approach in a bilateral
economic meeting in Accra in December 1999, during which both countries
recognised that it would be easier to achieve the ECOWAS objective of a
single regional currency by merging the two zones in 2004.

Heads of state and governments of ECOWAS in Bamako, Mali, on December
15, 2000 finally approved the decision to establish for the six
countries, a second monetary zone, a common Central Bank as well as a
common currency by 2003.

A statement by CBN's Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Tony
Ede yesterday confirmed that "to give fillip to the initiative and to
ensure that the two-track approach is realised, the Bamako Summit
approved the establishment of a West African Monetary Institute (WAMI)
with its headquarters in Accra."

WAMI, which began operations on January 2, 2001 with a two-year budget
of $5.4 million, has Ojo as the director general for a period of two
years.

The summit also established a regional compensation and stabilisation
fund with a capital base of $100 million to accommodate shocks that the
monetary co-operation arrangements may entail.

WAMI is set up as a transitional institution to ensure the
establishment of the West African Central Bank (WACB) within two years.

However, no country's currency will be adopted for the regional use,
but a yet-to-be named currency.

The main objective of WAMI, according to the CBN statement, "is to
undertake all the preparatory activities necessary for the set up of
WACB, policy harmonisation and co-ordination and assessment of
convergence criteria as well as the sensitisation of stakeholders to
engender the spirit of ownership and acceptability of the forthcoming
common currency in 2003.

WAMI has a management board made up of a director general, three
departmental directors and two heads of unit.

The WACB which WAMI would fashion out, would be charged with the
maintenance of price stability, formulate a single monetary policy for
the zone and establish the framework for the creation of a borderless
free trade zone in the subregion.

The issue of common currency has been part of the ECOWAS plan of action
since inception in 1975, but has not been realised due to political
differences over the adoption of a world economic power as a clearing
country for the currency.

The possibility of a single currency has been predicated on the fact
that Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger,
as well as some Francophone countries outside the subregion use the
CFA.

However, the Francophone countries constituted a major obstacle to the
achievement of the single monetary zone since the CFA is supported by
France but when the latter devalued the CFA by 50 per cent in December
1993, with threats of even further devaluation in 1999, they threw
their weight behind it.

On the other hand, the adoption of the common currency is still subject
to approval of each country's legislature in line with the approved
extent of its involvement.

When European countries adopted Euro in 1999, it was to replace
existing national currencies but fears of adverse economic implications
slowed down the implementation even as Britain and some countries
debated their involvement, which culminated in the late membership of
the union.

To date, the time table for eventual adoption as the European single
currency over national ones is still being shifted and may continue for
many years, even as observers believe that despite pronouncements, the
2003 deadline for ECOWAS version may not be realised due to political
and economic reasons.

They base their arguments on the fact that even when the West African
Currency Board was in existence during the colonial era, it issued
different currencies to member countries, though this stabilised the
region's currencies on a collective note against major world
currencies.

The West African Currency Board, which served the Anglophone countries,
was abandoned upon gaining independence, but their Francophone
counterparts retained theirs and strengthened it under the French
colonial policy of assimilation.

---------------------------

Tinubu backs appointment of non-indigenes as judges

By Sola Dixon

Aviation Reporter

THE festering advocacy for indigenisation of Lagos State judiciary
yesterday suffered a set-back, as Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, washed
his hands off the campaign for appointment of "sons of the soil" into
the state's bench.

Declaring his loyalty to both the indigenes and non-indigenes alike,
Tinubu said he has a covenant of service to the all groups, even as he
dismissed the petition by the Body of Retired Judges of Lagos State
origin, who wanted their kinsmen favoured over non-indigenes.

The governor spoke on the issue while fielding questions from
journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos,
on his way to Abuja to attend the governors' meeting.

Openly expressing displeasure with the action of retired Lagos judges
who drew up a list of 36 Lagos State indigenes as nominees for the post
of judges as opposed to 42 names on the Chief Judge's list, the
governor said: "They are playing cheap politics ... I have a covenant
with the people of Lagos. Both indigenes and non-indigenes voted for
me. I believe in constitutional democracy."

According to him, "constitutional democracy guarantees everybody the
right to do one thing or the other. The right to invest, and the right
to derive benefit from that investment. The right to reside, and the
right to claim. We Lagosians are lucky."

Governor Tinubu who wore a pair of jeans trousers and a light blue
shirt, said "we cannot discriminate against certain people. I am with
the Chief Judge. That is an institution you don't politicise. It
belongs to every one."

Underscoring the vital role of the judiciary, the governor said that "a
judicial officer who will sit in judgement and decision -- making
process doesn't have to be an indigene. He is not taking those
decisions as an indigene, but on behalf of the entire people of Lagos
State and Nigeria and the judiciary that he swore to defend."

He observed that the petitioners were being unfair to the chief judge.

"Even the chief judge, as a non-indigene, was more passionate about
this indigeneship than any other judge I know.

"I interact with him. I know him more. Those who are playing cheap
politics should continue any cheap politics they want to play."

"We will deal with the issue with honour, integrity and give good
reputation to our judiciary to earn the respect of the entire world."

This, Tinubu said, will ensure that Lagos State judiciary regain its
glory and meet the expectations of the people and the investing
community, who looks up to the judiciary system for protection, "in
order to attract foreign investment and gain the confidence of
investors in our state."

Condemning the motive of the retired judges, Tinubu said "it is cheap
for the people ... because they want their friends and relations to be
appointed, regardless of the background and the antecedent, regardless
of the constitution."

He, however, pledged to defend the interests of the indigene, "because
I am one of them and I pay particular attention to that."

Using his cabinet as example, he noted: "When you look at my cabinet,
the indigene took the lion share of it. And to all non-indigenes that
are working in Lagos, why do they take the job? When you want to build
a road in Lagos State, you give it to every body, when you are building
a bridge, you are building it for everybody. We are not sharing money,
we rank among the most prudent and austere government in this country
today.

"So when commissioners leave their jobs, their luxurious, high profit
yielding businesses, it is to serve the government, to improve, the
quality of lives of everybody -- Ibos, Edo, Kalabari and Hausa or
Fulani. Because all these people in Lagos, voted for me and I am going
to serve them all."

It will be recalled that some retired judges of Lagos State origin from
Isale-Eko in Lagos Island, known as the Body of Retired Judges of Lagos
origin, recently protested against what they called undue
marginalisation of the indigenes when it comes to the appointment of
judges.

In a letter to the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Christopher Segun,
they criticised him for being allegedly unfair to indigenes in the plan
to appoint new judges.

While the Chief Judge had drawn a list of 42 appointable persons, the
retired judges on their own, drew up a parallel list of 36 persons whom
they claimed were all Lagos State indigenes.

Justice Segun in his reply dismissed their allegation as unfounded,
saying that if they put a gun in my head and ask me to burge, I will
ask them to shoot.

But Chief Sobo Sowemimo (SAN) on Wednesday last week in Lagos threw his
weight behind the agitation of the retired judges, insisting that
priority should be given to indigenes of the state.

According to Jaguna of Egbaland in Ogun State, Justice Segun should not
ignore the petition and the complaint of the retired judges and indeed
all indigenes of Lagos as this needed to be addressed to correct the
neglect.

But in their own reaction, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos
and Ikeja branches, dismissed the claims of the retired judges as
baseless, arguing that the appointment of judges is on merit and
competence of the person to be appointed, not on the basis of state of
origin or ethnic group.

The Bar, however, regretted that it had been ignored for too long to be
consulted whenever such appointments were to be made.

It, therefore, asked the authorities to always seek the opinion of the
Bar to avoid mistakes in future.
-----------------------

Castro urges radical approach to Third World problems

From Abiodun Adeniyi, Havana, Cuba

DEVELOPING nations of the world should take a more radical approach to
their problems by rising up for the rights deliberately denied them,
Cuban President Fidel Castro,has charged.

Castro, who spoke at the 105th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
conference holding in Havana, the Cuban capital added that "if the
developed nations, especially the United States had been more
responsive to humanity issues rather than arms race, the world would
have been a better place."

Seventy-seven year-old Castro, who took over power in Cuba in 1959 told
the delegates at the conference that he was 20 years younger when in
1981 the IPU first met in his country, but he was now more radical and
experienced to understand world dynamics.

Appearing at the Sunday night opening ceremony in suit as against his
well known military camouflage/fatigue dress, Castro said the
deplorable state of the world as reflected in the area of conflicts,
arms build-up, high costs of living and deprivation still remained as
it was twenty years ago.

In 1981, he said, there were two super powers, but now there is one.
"But that one is even more powerful than the then two combined."

Speaking in Spanish, Castro, an unrepentant ideological opponent of the
United States of America (USA) pointed out that the US was not
represented in Havana in 1981 when the IPU met there and was absent
again this year.

"They don't even pay their dues," he said to the amusement of his
audience, adding, "two decades have passed, but like the IPU we have
survived the nostalgia of our beloved neighbours to the North."

The Cuban leader argued that there were however some realistic
congressmen in the U.S. "Some congressmen can be stupid all the times."
Some can be stupid some of the time, but not all can be stupid all the
time, Castro submitted in an unveiled attack on the Americans.

Americans, he asserted, were wrong by being absent. "I think by
listening to parliamentarians from more than 120 congresses, the
Americans would have learnt one or two lessons.

Still critical of the cold war and the arm race for their damages,
Castro said the disrespecting arrogance with which Americans violate
agreements, or world treaties is condemnable.

According to him life on "planet earth" could be made better if all
nations abide by the rule of law.

-------------------------

Varsity teachers declare nationwide strike

From Psaro Yornamue, Owerri and Iyabo Sotunde, Ibadan

NIGERIA'S ailing education sector may yet drop into another crisis with
the declaration of an indefinite nationwide strike yesterday by the
National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of
Universites (ASUU). The action takes immediate effect.

Addressing a press conference in Owerri yesterday ASUU national
president Dr. Dipo Fasina noted "The strike shall remain in force until
the Federal Government of Nigeria signs the agreement it freely reached
with the union on December 18, 2000 and convincingly commences its
implementation."

"ASUU urges Nigerian students and the Nigerian people to hold the
Federal Government and its Minister of Education, Dr. Borisade, fully
responsible for the current crisis," Fasina declared.

The declaration of strike was the fall-out of the NEC meeting held at
the Federal University of Technology (FUTO) Owerri on Saturday March 31
and Sunday April 1, 2001.

According to Fasina, "all our union's goodwill and entreaties for peace
and stability in the Nigerian university system remained sadly
unrequited by government. Rather than sign the agreement, the Federal
Government has deployed a series of threats and diversionary tactics to
give the public the impression that it was addressing the issue of
dispute."

He explained that 21 days ago, after fruitless efforts by the union for
a peaceful resolution, the NEC of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU) issued an ultimatum which had expired again.

He stated that the expiraiton coupled with the unanimous mandate of
ASUU branches nationwide led to the declaration of the strike, adding
that NEC reaffirmed its belief in the agreement as a basis for the
restoration of the Nigerian university system."

The ASUU NEC, he added "received and considered the results of the
referendum conducted in ASUU branches across the country and was
satisfied that all the branches were unanimous. An overwhelming
majority of our members in their votes advised NEC to declare a total
and indefinite strike if at the expiration of the ultimatum, the
Federal Government fails to sign and convincingly commence the
implementation of the December 18, 2000 agreement."

Explaining the contents of the said agreement with the government,
Fasina said that it stipulated university autonomy which included
funding, basic salary structure and a restoration of the university
system.

On the N30 billion said to have been released by the Federal Government
to federal universities, Fasina said "the thing is a make up of short
fall of May 29, 1999 Federal Government and ASUU agreement" and that
"the money has not been released but only on the pages of newspaper. It
is government ploy to tell Nigerians that it is solving ASUU problems."


However, at the University of Ibadan (UI) teachers were yesterday
divided over compliance with the strike action.

While a section of the teachers complied with the directive by
boycotting lecutures, others continued their work.

When The Guardian visited the university campus, lecturers at the
faculty of Social Sciences were teaching.

The dean, Professor Chris Ikporokpo was mobilising lecturers to
continue their work.

According to Ikporokpo, "we are yet to start strike here, we are still
expecting release or directive from the local ASUU or national body."

Efforts to speak with the ASUU Chairman, Dr. Biodun Onilude proved
abortive as he was said to be away while the National Secretariat of
ASUU was under lock and key.
----------------------------

Local airlines to pay navigational fees

DOMESTIC airline operators may soon begin to pay navigational charges
which at present are paid by foreign carriers only.

The new policy, part of revenue-generating exercise by the Nigerian
Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) will affect scheduled and
non-scheduled airline operators.

Others are private aircraft owners and oil and allied companies on
exploration activities.

NAMA board chairman Chief George Obioha told reporters in Lagos
yesterday that it had become imperative for the agency to extend this
levy to domestic operators to improve on its revenue profile.

An improved revenue profile, he said, would help NAMA to establish a
dynamic airspace architecture that would meet the requirements of a
safe efficient and economic air navigation system.

Obioha said while NAMA was aware of the inclement business environment
in which the airlines were operating, all users of navigational
services minor pay their dues as the agency was also self-funding.

He, however, said the charges would be moderate and reasonable.

In another development, Obioha has advised host communities of Port
Harcourt International Airport to stop making demands on the agency to
grade their roads and offer scholarship and employment to their youths.

NAMA, he said, was not an oil company or a public liability company,
adding that the agency could only operate within the legal framework
establishing it.

Obioha who was on a courtesy call on the River State Governor Dr. Peter
Odili said the issue of incentives to the host community did not arise.

He, however, appealed to the state government to mobilise the people in
the state to be alert and help during search and rescue that might
follow aircraft emergency.
---------------------------

Govt orders clearance of imported generators with NEPA

By Malachy Ezema and

Yakubu Lawal

IN an apparent move to check dumping of sub-standard equipment in the
country, the Federal Government has directed that importation of
electric generating sets be cleared henceforth with the National
Electric Power Authority (NEPA)

The new guidelines for the importation of electric generating sets
released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday stated that
such importers "in line with government requirement that such
importation be cleared with NEPA" must obtain application forms from
NEPA headquarters in Abuja and zonal offices on payment of N5,000 in
bank draft.

According to the release signed by Mrs Osaretin Demuren, CBN's
Director, Trade and Exchange Department, the NEPA zonal offices are
located in Enugu, Benin City, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Port
Harcourt and Abuja.

Completed application forms should be supported with other documents
including:

Pro-forma invoice stating value, quality, type, make, rating and
country of origin of the generating set;
Certificate of incorporation;

Three-year tax clearance certificate;
Value-Added Tax (VAT) registration certificate; and
Receipt of payment.

According to the circular with reference number T8D/Ad/8/2001, dated
March 28, addressed to banks, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),
preshipment inspection agents and the public, "duly completed
application form together with the above stated supporting documents
should be submitted to the office of the zonal general manager (of
NEPA) from where the form was obtained for further processing.

"It should be noted that the clearance certificate shall henceforth
form part of documentation requirements for the importation of
generating sets."

Banks who constitute the authorised dealers in the apex bank's
moderated Interbank Foreign Exchange Market (IFEM) were also "advised
to obtain specimen signatories of NEPA officers, authorised to sign the
clearance from the directors office, Trade and Exchange Department, CBN
in Abuja" or its liaison office in Lagos.

Market operators believe the move by the authorities is not only aimed
at regulating the influx of unfit generating sets into the country but
conserving huge foreign exchange currently expended on their
importation.

Meanwhile, the Association of Electrical Power Distribution Marketers
and Services has said that though government policy was good some grey
areas need to be addressed for it to be effective.

According to Mr. A.A. Jagun, before the pronouncement of this policy,
many importers of generators plants had entered into centralised
agreement with their overseas manufacturers and established irrevocable
letters of credits, documents which they claim did not envisage or make
provision for the requirement of the new policy.

Other observations raised by the association include:

the National Electric Power Authority's (NEPA) inability to define and
play its role in respect of the policy; and
the need for a steady and uninterrupted power supply to enhance its
development. The private generating set marketers/dealers have
contributed to the development of this nation and the social well-being
of ordinary citizen.
But a senior manager in NEPA said in older days when Electricity
Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) was responsible for power generation and
distribution in Nigeria, importation of generating sets was
prohibitive.
----------------------------

Islamic bank president to deliver Yar'Adua's memorial lecture

PRESIDENT of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Dr. Ahmed Ali will be
in Nigeria on April 7, to deliver a memorial lecture in honour of the
late General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua.

This was disclosed yesterday by the director of the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua
Foundation, Janilah Farris.

In a statement on activities lined up for the third national programme
of the commemoration of Yar'Adua's death, Farris said the IDB president
was chosen because of the contributions of the bank to the growth of
developing economies.

According to Farris, Nigeria stood to gain from the experience of Ali
who would speak on the topic: "South South co-operation".

The IDB, he said, had in its 25 years of existence assisted in
developing economies by financing trade, providing scholarships,
research, training and technical assistance with a view to promoting
and nurturing small and medium-scale enterprises.

On other activities lined up to honour the late politician, Farris said
a drama presentation which would be watched by President Olusegun
Obasanjo and Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had been slated for the same
day at the Nicon Noga Hilton Hotel, in Abuja.

The drama, titled "Tafida" which was commissioned by the Shehu Musa
Yar'Adua foundation, will feature prominent actors like Dr. Ahmed
Yerima, Salihu Bappa and Albert Akabueze.

It will be recalled that the foundation was established in 1998 in an
effort to encourage future generation of Nigerians to embrace the
leadership qualities of Yar'Adua whose courage, compassion and
commitment contributed to the return of democracy to Nigeria.
-------------------------

Suspension of national officers stands, says APP

From Oghogho Obayuwana, (Abuja) and Abiodun Fagbemi,

Ilorin

"THE party believes in the rule of law but I can assure you that the
decision of the National Executive Council (NEC) is in force".

This was how All Peoples Party (APP) National Secretary Chief George
Moghalu reacted yesterday to the ruling of an Abuja High Court
restraining himself and the chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Ali, from suspending
seven of its national officers.

The party had in its recent NEC meeting in Dutse; Jigawa State,
suspended the officers including former NLC president Pascal Bafyau and
national Publicity Secretary Biodun Olujimi for alleged anti-party
activities.

Moghalu said yesterday in Abuja that the party's unending stance on the
suspension issue stemmed "from the fact that it wasn't the chairman and
national secretary that suspended them. It was NEC which has over 100
members. We have no power to suspend them. It is NEC which has the
constitutional right to do so."

The position of the party may force Bafyau and the six other suspended
officers to go back to the law court to add the party's NEC as one of
its respondents since political analysts feel that an" improper filing
of respondents" may invalidate the court's ruling.

Asked what will be the party's reaction to this, Chief Moghalu said "We
won't react to things we are pro-active. If they like they can go to
court again to ask that NEC be restrained."

At the party's secretariat in the Central Business District, Abuja
yesterday, the suspended officers have not resumed work. Their offices
were still under lock and key.

Apart from suspending the officers, the NEC also set up a committee
headed by Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Sani to investigate the affairs
of the officers with regards to a preceding intelligence report. The
committee has already begun work.

On the forthcoming APP economic summit, Chief Moghalu said a date is
yet to be fixed. "All I can tell you is that we want to reveal to
Nigerians what you might call an alternative economic blueprint. We do
not think you need to deregulate the petroleum sector to bring sanity
to bear and get things working. We do not think dialogue to ever
breakdown to the point where there will be so many threats of strike
and so on."

Reacting to insinuation of a dearth of credible opposition in Nigeria,
chief Moghalu said "that is being unfair to us. We are not the ruling
party, so we have limited access to the media which shouldn't be and
get less focused. People get sentimental about our criticism but the
truth is we have been criticising and offering alternatives. My appeal
is that the criticism should be taken in good faith as a form of advice
which should help in assessing the feeling of the people. That's why we
endeavour to make our criticism really constructive."

Meanwhile, APP chieftain Olusola Saraki, has described as "an
intrusion" the composition of Kwara State APP caretaker committee by
the national executive of the party, to resolve the alleged political
logjam in the state.

According to Saraki yesterday in Ilorin in a statement by one of his
aides, Babatunde Mohammed, Saraki's alleged support for the committee
as published in some national dailies (not The Guardian remains a
political gimmick the politician would never identify with.

But a prominent APP member in the state and a former Senator Suleiman
Salawu, declared his support for the committee led by Chief Fidel
Ayogu. The crisis in APP in Kwara State started a few weeks ago
following the constitution of the State's executive council by Governor
Mohammed Lawal.

Lawal, according to sources, allegedly rejected as members of his
executive council, the list of the nominees of the executive of the
party in the state as commissioners.

Besides, the Chairman of the party in the state, Professor Albert
Ogunsola, who shunned the swearing-in ceremony of the cabinet members,
was said to have been removed by a faction of the party.

However, Saraki promptly upturned the decision as he upheld the
leadership of Ogunsola, a decision which did receive the overwhelming
support of the stalwarts of the party in the state.

Saraki noted: "My attention has been drawn to the announcement in Kwara
print and electronic media about the constitution of a caretaker
committee into Kwara APP and with which my name has been associated.

"I deny categorically that I did not give any such approval and
denounce such political gimmick as unethical. I reassure all APP
members in Kwara State that I, Dr. Olusola Saraki, Turaki of Ilorin,
remains the national leader and will in due course discharge my
responsibility in overseeing the reorganisation of the party".

Saraki who advised those "parading themselves" as members of the
caretaker committee to "refrain henceforth," declared his support for
Ogunsola.

In a related development, Salawu in a press briefing in Ilorin,
described Ogunsola a "an illegally appointed chairman in the state.

According to him, "Ogunsola was handpicked by Saraki without due
consultation with members of the party. His appointment was not in line
with the constitution of the party."

Meanwhile, the caretaker committee led by Ayogu, the minority chief
whip at the National Assembly, was in Kwara to meet with the Governor
Mohammed Lawal, who promised to give them all the necessary assistance.
-----------------------

Akande wants govt to define deregulation, scrap NNPC

From Niyi Bello,

Ado-Ekiti

THE vexed issue of deregulation agitated the mind of Osun State
Governor Adebisi Akande, as he described the policy as a coinage of the
Federal Government which should not be equated to price increase.

Rather than deregulate, the government should sell off the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other public enterprises, he
said, adding that the government had no business running such
enterprises in a capitalist economy like Nigeria.

Akande, who spoke with The Guardian at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, noted
that scrapping of the NNPC would bring sanity to the troubled oil
sector.

Describing the corporation as a "corruption haven," he said: "We all
know that the NNPC is the corruption pipe between oil producers and the
marketers."

"The moment you remove NNPC, you will have peace in this land. The
price will go down, and there will be fuel everywhere."

The governor stated that there were very powerful and corrupt
individuals who are benefiting from the graft within the NNPC.

"These individuals will not support the scrapping of the corporation.
They won't want it scrapped because it is their melting pot where they
are all eating and where they fill their pockets with our money," he
added.

As a solution to the perennial crisis in the oil sector, Akande
suggested that the Federal Government should completely hands off its
involvement in oil production and distribution as "no government should
be part of any business."

According to him, "railway was the biggest business Nigeria had, but
the moment the government got involved, they destroyed it."

"At Osogbo, we have a steel rolling mill and a machine tool company
that are now moribund. The Nigerian economy is such that cannot
accommodate government's direct involvement if it is to grow."

He explained that it is only in a socialist economy that the government
operates businesses, "but when you are in a capitalist economy, you
hand over business to the private entrepreneurs."

Governor Akande said he supported total privatisation of government
business and suggested that all government businesses be sold off
including NITEL and NEPA.

"Let me use Wemabod (a subsidiary of the Oodua conglomerate) as an
example. Wemabod is owned by Oodua. The company has so many high-rise
buildings in the central area of Lagos, yet they are not making any
profit on them."

"Because it is government business, it is no man's property. Cocoa
House in Ibadan got burnt and we couldn't get money to rehabilitate it.
We had to borrow, because they were not making profit."

According to him, "any business run by any government will collapse
because the government is not tailored towards business orientation.
That is not their line. They are to administer. Even in some advanced
countries, water supply is given to private investors."

Governor Akande also called on the Federal Government to embark on a
massive enlightenment campaign to educate Nigerians on the effects of
deregulation of the petroleum sector.

Describing deregulation as a "jargon coined by some people to deceive
the rest of us," Akande urged President Olusegun Obasanjo to shed more
light on the motives of the Federal Government on deregulating the oil
sector.

"Obasanjo should educate us the more on deregulation and consult with
Nigerians as to the correct definitions of deregulation. If price
increase is deregulation, let him educate us," he said.

Also in similar vein, Mr. Banji Fabiyi, the secretary of the Western
zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria
(IPMAN) called on the Federal government to shed more light on its
deregulation policy.

According to him, "although we in IPMAN support deregulation, we want
it to be properly defined. When you talk of deregulation, is it about
breaking of monopoly? Or is government going to completely leave the
scene?" he asked.
--------------------------

Lagos procures 36 trucks, sweepers, others for waste disposal

By Tunde Atere

Housing and Environment Reporter

LAGOS State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) received a boost
yesterday with the delivery of a N450 million equipment and trucks,
beefing up its depleted fleet of vehicles.

Altogether, 49 vehicles were delivered. They comprised 26 DAF mammath
trucks, 10 DAF Dino trucks, four DAF mechanical sweepers, three
bulldozers, five payloaders, one excavator and various spare parts
which were procured through a loan syndication from First Atlantic
Bank.

The vehicles and equipment which are all refurbished types could have a
lifespan of 15 years if properly maintained.

The authority had in 1988, procured similar equipment numbering 450
through World Bank Assisted Project for equipment and manpower
development.

Unfortunately, the equipment supplied under the programme, which should
have been replaced after five years and phased-out after 10, were
over-used because of the pressure of work resulting from the geometric
increase in population of the state.

Today, only 25 of the these equipment, specifically dino bins and
mammath trucks are actually functional.

Assuring a shift in the maintenance culture towards the equipment,
LAWMA's General Manager Olushola Popoola, said the agreement with the
firm that procured the facilities included back-up services to keep the
equipment in good shape as well as training of in-house professionals
in the area of management.

Popoola, who mounted the saddle few weeks ago, also assured that "with
the procurement of these equipment, the authority would be better
positioned to avail itself of the gains of the newly constructed
Transfer Loading Station and access roads."

Already, the LAWMA boss is making a new revenue projection of N10
million and N15 million from the present N6 million and N7 million,
even as he disclosed a planned trip to Brazil soon to perfect an
agreement for the purchase of new equipment to reinforce the present
ones.

In his welcome address, Commissioner of Ministry of Environment and
Physical Planning, Kayode Anibaba, chronicled the achievements of the
present civilian administration in the state, saying it had taken steps
in halting the filth and decay that formerly characterised the Lagos
urban landscape.

According to him, the state government had planned the introduction of
private sector participation in domestic refuse collection from
tenements, markets, motor parks and other open spaces to the designated
landfield sites. The government had also resolved total elimination of
refuse depots and illegal dump sites and sustained public enlightenment
and awareness campaign over refuse management.

There would be a new environmental sanitation law to back up the
projects, he said, adding that an ad hoc committee on Integrated Waste
Management in the state was also in the pipeline.

Speaking in the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, office of the
Environment, Ajibade Sekoni, expressed optimism that with the new
equipment, the Lagos environment would, henceforth, receive a better
attention than before.

Governor Bola Tinubu said the event was one of the manifestations of
his administration's determination to make the Lagos environment
liveable.

Besides, he promised that more commitment would be made to exploit he
potentials offered by the new equipment and trucks.

He also listed the proposed commissioning of the newly completed
Transfer Loading Station at Simpson Street, Ebute Elefun, Lagos Island,
on Friday by the Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as another
demonstration of his administration to salvage the state's environment.

--------------------------

Malu, Ombu relocate to Abuja

From Madu Onuorah,

Abuja

CHIEF of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Victor Malu and his Navy counterpart
Vice-Admiral Victor Ombu yesterday resumed work at the Ministry of
Defence Headquarters, Area 7, Abuja, in compliance with the directive
of President Olusegun Obasanjo that all Armed Forces Service
Headquarters relocate and operate in Abuja from April 1.

Both Gen. Malu and Admiral Ombu reported for work at their new offices
at Defence Headquarters after a meeting of the National Security
Council held yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting was also attended by Chief of Defence Staff, Vice-Admiral
Ibrahim Ogohi and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Isaac Alfa.

Lt.-Gen. Malu occupies the second floor of the Army Headquarters within
the complex, while Vice-Admiral Ombu's office is located at the Naval
Headquarters building by the right of the complex.

Following the relocation of the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters to
Abuja two weeks ago, the Chief of Defence Staff who occupies the top
floor of the NAF Headquarters is expected to move to the former
building vacated by the Minister of Defence Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma
on his movement to Ship House, Abuja.

Although the three service chiefs are now in Abuja, only the branch
chiefs and the directorates of the NAF are in Abuja.

That of the Navy and Army are yet to resume full activities in the
Federal Capital. They are expected to resume fully when funds are
released to the services for the final relocation.
--------------------------

Suspected increase in fuel price triggers hardship for commuters

By Moses Ebosele

AMIDST accusations, denials and equivocations by the Federal
Government, the leviathan called deregulation may have been smuggled in
through the back door as the harrowing effects of fuel scarcity thought
to have gone for good, resurfaced yesterday.

Commuters in some parts of Lagos had hectic times getting to their
places of work, following unconfirmed reports that the pump price of
fuel was between N40 and N45.

By 8.45 am the ever busy Oshodi-Isolo local council was a shadow of
itself as most commuters and transporters had disappeared from the
roads for fear of being attacked by protesters.

Motorists plying the route had to display green leaves at the front of
their vehicles as sign of solidarity.

The identity of the protesters could not be ascertained, but eye
witnesses claimed they cut across all age brackets.

"Some are young, very young. There were equally old minds among them,"
a motorcyclist, fondly called "Okada" told The Guardian.

But some members of National Road Transport Workers at Oshodi motor
park who spoke with The Guardian feigned ignorance of the increase.

A driver who introduced himself simply as Abiodun, said he heard an
announcement over a private radio station that the price of fuel had
been increased to N40.

From Yaba to Ojota, which cost N20 by bus at the weekend, attracted
between N40 and N50.

And from Oshodi to Toyota Bus stop which was N10 at the weekend,
commuters had to pay N20, an increase of 100 per cent.

Mr. Ayoola Adekunle director, Action and Mobilisation of National
Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also told The Guardian in an
interview that if the allegation was not denied by today, NANS would
confront the authorities for a reversal of the policy.

Another source claimed the protest was sparked off due to a
disagreement among some executive members of one of the transport
unions at Oshodi Motor park.
---------------------

Ogun queries Supreme Court's jurisdiction on resource control

From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta

OGUN State government has reacted to the Federal Government suit
against it and the other 35 states on agitations for resource control,
insisting that the Supreme Court where the Federal Government filed the
suit lacks jurisdiction to entertain it.

The state therefore wants the Federal Government action to, either be
recalled or struck out.

The suit filed by the state's Attorney General, Chief Oluseyi Oyebolu,
argues that the apex court has no power to determine the case because
the concept of seaward boundary of a littoral state, which the
plaintiff (Federal Government) seeks to be clarified, falls within the
realm of international law and treaties between independent nations,
hence such concept can only be justifiable in an international court or
tribunal.

Besides, the government argued in the preliminary objection it raised,
that the concept of municipal littoral state is not known to Nigerian
municipal law because the Federal Republic of Nigeria is one
indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state.

It added: The non-coastal states have no dispute with the plaintiff and
are therefore wrongly joined as defendant since they are neither
necessary nor desirable parties to the suit."

Attorney General of the Federation, and minister of Justice Chief Bola
Ige, on behalf of the Federal Government on February 6th 2001, sued the
36 states, including Ogun over their agitation for control of resources
in their states.

The suit, filed at the Supreme Court among other things wants the court
to determine the seaward boundary of a littoral state within the
Federal Republic of Nigeria for the purpose of calculating the amount
of revenue accruing to the Federation Account directly from any natural
resources derived from that state pursuant to provisions of section 162
(2) of the Nigerian constitution.

The statement of the defence, filed last Wednesday argued however that
the seaward boundary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is coterminous
with the seaward boundary of Ogun State along the coast line of the
state and not otherwise, insisting that by the 1999 Constitution, the
Federal Republic of Nigeria has no seaward boundary separate from those
of coastal states.

"The state would further contend that the constitutional boundaries of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria do not extend to territorial waters,
exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as they are artificial
creations of International Laws for the purpose of regulating economic
activities among sovereign nations," it argues.

Besides, it argued that the Supreme Court lacks the power to entertain
the Federal Government's action because the power of boundary
adjustment is vested in the National Assembly and not in the court.

The government also filed a counter claim in which it argued that
contrary to the approval formula for revenue allocation from the
Federation Account, pursuant to section 162 (3) of the constitution,
the Federal Government has illegally and wrongly deducted retained or
distributed funds from the Federation Account contrary to the provision
of the constitution and relevant laws.

The statement of claim declares:


deduction of the federal external debt servicing from the Federation
Account before distributing the balance among the federal and state
government is unconstitutional,

deduction by the Federal Government of salaries of primary school
teachers from source is unconstitutional,

the retention by the Federal Government in its account "sometime for
months," of revenue realised from excess crude oil fields, excess
royalty on crude oil and petroleum profit tax and refusal to distribute
the same among beneficiary states is illegal, unconstitutional and
"constitutes gross and provocative violations of the provisions of the
constitutions.
Oyebolu confirmed to The Guardian that the state had filed its defence
at the Supreme Court.

The governors of the South met in Benin last weekend and unanimously
agreed that each of their state Attorneys-General should initiate the
process of responding to Federal Government action.

----------------------------

New British envoy presents credentials to Obasanjo

NEW British High Commissioner Philip Thomas has presented his
credentials to President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The High Commission said in a statement yesterday that the ceremony
held in the State House, Abuja on Friday formalised Mr. Thomas's
appointment and allows him to perform the full-range of duties as
British envoy to Nigeria.

Thomas described his meeting with President Obasanjo as "excellent" and
hinted of enormous scope to build on the already profound relationship
between Britain and Nigeria.

According to him, Nigerian government's commitment to economic reform
had led to new openings. Consequently, a number of leading British
companies were eager to expand their business and investment interests
in Nigeria.

For instance, Mothercare UK, a leading mothercare and baby firm in the
United Kingdom will open its first franchise store in Nigeria tomorrow
(Wednesday April 4). Mothercare has 250 stores in UK, 170 franchise
stores in 36 countries, Asia, Africa and Australia. The first African
store was established in Kenya four years ago.

The statement conveyed the British government's intention to continue
appreciating Nigeria's leading regional efforts, especially in the area
of "conflict resolution. Contribution to African partnership initiative
and other global issues such as the environment, international trade
and their fight against drug", the statement said.

Born in 1948, Thomas joined the diplomatic service in 1972. He was
director of British Trade and Investment Promotion in Germany from 1999
to 2000 before his new posting.

Queen Elizabeth II appointed Thomas a Companion of the Order of Michael
and St. George for his exceptional performance in Germany in the New
Year's honours list in January.
-----------------------

Govt to issue ID card next year

ISSUANCE of the national identity card begins in the first quarter of
2002, according to Internal Affairs Minister of State, Alhaji Mohammed
Shata.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja at the weekend that
the Federal Government was determined to start issuing it to Nigerians
as from early next year to reassure those who believed that the project
would not materialise.

"Contracts for the supply of the equipment for the project will be
awarded in June, this year, while the registration of Nigerians, under
a collaborative arrangement with Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) and the National Population Commission (NPC), for the
issuance of the National Identity Cards, would commence in October,
this year," he said.

The minister said about 600,000 Ad hoc workers would be involved in
registering eligible Nigerians for the 120,000 identified polling units
nationwide.

Shata pointed out that at present, the Department of National Civic
Registration (DNCR) was working, in collaboration with INEC and NPC, to
ensure a smooth implementation of the much-awaited ID card. He
disclosed that although the Federal Government had already approved
N18.4 billion for the entire project under the collaboration programme,
only N7.4 billion of the amount had been approved by the National
Assembly in the current financial year.

The minister, who is the chairman of the technical committee of the
project, further said that a comprehensive and detailed work-plan had
been produced to serve as a guide for its execution..

He solicited the assistance and co-operation of state and local
governments, traditional rulers, and other community leaders to
facilitate the smooth registration and eventual issuance of the cards.

Shata further appealed to the media to support the programme, by
enlightening Nigerians on its benefits especially so as not to be
regarded as non-Nigerians, while it will also assist during electoral
processes and for demographic needs.

Meanwhile, the director of DNCR, Mr. Christopher Agidi, who is also the
chairman of the tenders analysis sub-committee, said that the
committee's report would contribute to the project's successful
implementation.

He said that the 11-member sub-committee had carried out a thorough
assessment of bids submitted in line with specifications, technical
competence, pricing and companies' profile, to enable them recommend
for a hitch-free conduct of the scheme.

"In effect, the bidders were invited for clarification interviews,
which enabled us to carry out both the technical and commercial
analyses effectively," he added.

Of the 28 local and foreign companies that indicated interest to
participate in the project, only nine eventually qualified and were
invited to tender for it.

Tenders for the project were opened on February 12, in Abuja, while the
sub-committee, was inaugurated by Shata on February 28, to conduct a
technical analysis of those, submitted by companies or consortia.
------------------------------


Group canvasses sweeping reforms in NAFDAC

THE Association of Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Employees (AFBTE) has
called on the Federal Government to put in place an enduring management
in the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control
(NAFDAC), by ensuring that suitable and qualified Nigerians are
selected in the on-going recruitment exercise of the agency.

AFBTE, however, decried the recruitment modality which they alleged,
places preferences for people with primary qualification in pharmacy,
asserting that it could create structural imbalance in the management
of the agency that would ultimately bring about inefficiency in some of
its directorates.

Of the twelve management positions advertised recently by the Interim
Management Committee (IMC) of NAFDAC, eight, which have direct bearings
on the functions of the agency are to be filled by people with primary
qualification in pharmacy. The positions are of the director-general,
directors and deputy directors.

According to the Executive Secretary of the association Aderemi
Adegboyega, "we should let our talents work in concert. We shouldn't
put only pharmacists in positions of authority in NAFDAC. We have
looked at the structures of NAFDAC and concluded that it should be
refocused in terms of processes, personnel and attitude to the
stakeholders".

The acronym, NAFDAC, according to Adegboyega, presupposes two basic
functions which are food administration and control as well as drug
administration and control. Therefore, a situation where only drug
experts are brought to head the functional structure of the agency will
not give the country the best and that has been the bane of NAFDAC and
its inability to meet the needs of the food industry".

He explained that AFBTE, in its recommendations to the IMC stressed the
need to bring on board experienced food scientists, professionals in
food technology, basic sciences to handle the administration and
control of food division of the agency.

When each directorate is headed by competent professionals, he noted,
"as time goes on, there could be rotation of officers within the
organisation such that succession can be guaranteed in the future".

AFBTE, in its memorandum entitled: "Refocusing NAFDAC for efficiency
and national industrial development," presented to the IMC, stated,
"for efficiency and professionalism, the agency must of necessity
operate at key directorate levels which are: food, drugs, chemicals,
services, and laboratory. This would allow development of competencies
along the various professional line.

"It would encourage timeliness and empowerment of each directorate to
facilitate prompt response. It would avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks
which have been the bane of NAFDAC's efficiency to date", the
association added.

The association further identified the problems with NAFDAC, often
experienced by the industry operators, as long delays and
unpredictability of securing the agency's approval for products. They
claimed that it took a minimum of eight months to get a product
registered, a development which discouraged operators in the small
scale sector from registering their products, with consequent
proliferation of unregistered products in the market.

Closure of factories, according to AFBTE is a problem associated with
NAFDAC, adding "we believe that before the closure of a factory, there
should be a thorough consideration of the problems in the factory at
the highest echelon of the agency, government and industry. It further
noted that an inspector should not be left to make such a grave
decision.

The association also stated another problem as "delay and sometimes
outright withholding of approval in respect of advertisement, NAFDAC
should focus on areas that are more germane to its primary
responsibility and leave the Advertising Practitioners' Council of
Nigeria (APCON) to approve advertisement".

"We expect the new management of NAFDAC to embrace a new culture which
must be nurtured and guided from elements that may be reactionary. The
registration that established NAFDAC recognised the need for such
competences and has prescribed that AFBTE be represented on the council
of NAFDAC," the memorandum added.

-------------------------

UBTH needs N1b for abandoned projects, says medical director

From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Benin

UNIVERSITY of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) will require about N1
billion to complete the 22 abandoned projects in the institution, the
chief medical director, Prof. Austin Obasohan, has disclosed.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday in his office, Prof. Obasohan
explained that the projects were started by the Federal Government 26
years earlier when the UBTH was taken over.

According to the CMD, only nine out of the 31 buildings initiated by
the government had been completed.

He explained that the abandoned buildings which litter the hospital
represented the second phase development of the permanent site, which
were abandoned by the contractors for lack of funds.

"What we presently occupy at UBTH represents the first phase which was
built by the then Mid West government of Brig.-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia.
When it was taken over by the Federal Government in 1975, as a full
fledged teaching hospital, there was a plan for a second and third
phase, but sadly only nine out of the 31 projects have been completed."

Among the abandoned projects were the accident block, drug
manufacturing centre, the transit home; the eye centre, the psychiatric
hospital ward, doctors' quarters and the CMD's official residence.
--------------------

Igbo, Hausa traders' strike paralyses Akure

From Julius Alabi, Ondo

ECONOMIC and social activities were yesterday paralysed in Akure, the
Ondo State capital following a sit-at-home action embarked upon by Igbo
and Hausa traders protesting the attitude of men of the Capital and
Urban Development Authority (CUDA), in the state.

The traders were also protesting the inability of the state government
to call the authority to order despite series of protest letters to the
government over constant harassment and destruction of their goods
worth millions of naira by the agencies' personnel.

The president of Igbo Community Welfare Association in the State Eke
Udensi, who spoke with The Guardian in Akure recently, said the traders
who had been going about their normal business had been targets of
incessant harassment the CUDA personnel.

Udensi noted that the traders were not against moving to the new ultra
modern Onyearugbulem market as was being demanded by the authority but
frowned at the arrangement where barrow operators were being asked to
move to the market first.

"No proper arrangement has been made by either CUDA or even the state
government for the smooth transition of the traders to the new market.
How are we going to move to the market when there is no security
arrangement for us. We have vowed not to go if such arrangement is not
put in place," he declared.

Said he "Our grievances have been channelled to the state government
but up till this time no answer whether positive or negative has been
received"

The president stressed that while the Igbo were peace-loving, they
would not succumb to undue harassment and intimidation, adding that if
government refused to yield to their demand, they were ready to use
another means to get what they wanted from it.

He condemned the attitude of the authorities' personnel whom, he
alleged, tortured and beat up the traders unduly while their property
were carted away without proper identification.

Asked how long the sit-at-home would last, Udensi said it was subject
to how soon the agency's personnel were ready to be civil in their
dealings with the traders.

He, however, regretted the hardship which the residents of Akure might
have suffered because of the withdrawal of their services.

Also speaking on their sit-at-home action, the Seriki in Akure,
Abdulmalik Sariki, said the movement of traders to the market would
have been gradual and not by force, suggesting that CUDA should have
started the operation of the market as a 7 days market which will
enhance the smooth movement of the traders.

According to him, the Hausa traders have been subjected to untold
hardship as their goods worth N500,000 have been destroyed by the men
of CUDA.

"We have held several meetings with CUDA to reason with them on why
they (traders) cannot move their goods to the market. No proper
arrangement has been made for them in terms of security, but nothing
has been done. Rather, we were told that when we move there, security
would be provided for us," he said.

"We have been trying in our little way to avoid any violence between
Yorubas and Hausas in Ondo State. We are, therefore, appealing to
Governor Adebayo Adefarati to prevail on CUDA so as to avoid bloodshed
in the state," he added.

The state government had last month, ordered all traders in the state
capital to move to the new state ultra-modern market so as to decongest
the nerve centre of the town.

Efforts to get the CUDA chairman's comment on the issue proved abortive
as he was said to be attending a crucial meeting.
----------------------

VC canvasses national conference on education

From Niyi Bello Ado-Ekiti

FOR the country to move forward in the education of its youths, the
Federal Government must convoke a national conference where all matters
affecting the education sector will be discussed.

This view was expressed last weekend by the Vice-Chancellor of the
University of Ado Ekiti, Professor Akin Oyebode, in an address at the
11th convocation ceremony of the institution.

According to him, issues like university autonomy, satellite campus and
the raising of the standard of education should form the agenda of the
conference.

His words: "I honestly believe that the time is ripe for a national
conference of stakeholders where these and other matters can be
ventilated and appropriate recommendations made to the government for
consideration and implementation."

"For instance, there is a body of opinion in this country that is warm
to the idea of grants by the Federal Government to state-owned
universities which admit students from different parts of the country
and whose graduates constitute veritable members of the nation's human
capital stock. This idea should no longer be ignored."

The vice-chancellor also advised Nigerians to shun critics who say that
the standard of university education was falling in the country,
stressing that "the contrary may well be the case."

According to him "While criticism is always welcome, especially when
such is constructive, care must be taken not to surrender helplessly
and hopelessly to the prejudices of experts whose agenda might be
suspect."

"In fact, the contrary might well be true if certain salient factors
are taken into account and if one was to judge by their performance in
prestigious foreign graduate schools, or for that matter, the Technical
Aids Corps, where they have been the toast of the Black and African
worlds.

Oyebode also called on the Federal Government to rescind its decision
to cancel the operation of satellite campuses by the universities so as
to accommodate the teeming population of those who want to acquire
university education.

According to him, the truth of the matter is that our universities as
structured at present are unable to cater fully to the needs of our
teeming population in the area of higher education, hence the
proliferation of branches of some of the universities, especially in
urban centres.

"Yet, if we are not to throw away the baby with the bath water, the
powers-that-be have to fashion a means of satisfying that felt need
without doing violence to standards."
--------------------------

Akume urges cleric to ensure peace among communities

LIKE a new broom which sweeps clean, the newly-installed Bishop of
Lafia Diocese Matthew Ishaya Audu has been urged to used his position
to ensure peace between communities in Nasarawa and Benue states

Governor Akume who spoke at Saint Williams Catholic Church, Lafia at a
thanksgiving mass in celebration of the first Bishop of the Diocese,
Audu, who was installed by the Apostolic Nuncio, His Eminence, Most
Rev. Osabaldo Padilla, on Saturday.

He noted that indigenes of Benue and Nasarawa states were "brothers and
sister who have many things in common, including deprivation and
underdevelopment," adding that the people must be encouraged not to
destroy the little they had.

The governor called for co-operation between the church and the state,
noting that the two have always had the task of working together for
the good of the people, especially in the areas of education and
healthcare delivery.

Governor Akume appealed to the faithful to support the new Bishop to
pilot the affairs of the new Diocese to greater heights, adding that
the task ahead was daunting and needed collective effort and prayers to
overcome.

On Rev. Matthew Buter's call for government concern in the interest of
the people, particularly on the issue of fuel scarcity, Governor Akume
stated that the issue was outside the scope of the state governors, but
expressed hope that policies being worked out by the presidency should
be given time to mature.

Also at the occasion, Nasarawa State Governor Abudullah Adamu,
represented by Dr. Emmanuel Okpede, lauded the efforts of the Catholic
Church for its pioneering efforts in educational development as well as
health care delivery.

On the visit of President Olusegun Obasanjo to the state billed for the
first week of May, Governor Akume charged women to mobilise themselves
and to come out en-masse to welcome him.

Speaking at the Governor's Lodge in Abuja while addressing Benue State
PDP women leaders and observers to the national convention held at the
weekend in Abuja, Akume also enjoined them to support the party to
ensure that it grew from strength to strength.

Governor Akume commended the women for their continued support despite
shortcomings of their political leaders, adding that their co-operation
made it possible for the PDP to win at the polls in the state and for
his administration to be elected.

Responding, one of the women leaders, and chairman Vandeikya Local
Council (PDP chapter), Mrs. Chenge, assured the governor of their
continued loyalty and support beyond year 2003.
---------------------------

It is expected that his visit will also assist the Imo people
especially the politicians who had been at loggerheads with one another
as they (politicians) would use the opportunity to come together in a
momentary reconciliation before the official arrival of the President
to avoid a parallel reception which emerged during the state PDP
congress.

Meanwhile, in order to resolve internal crisis and to create a
conducive atmosphere for him within the period of his visit, the state
government has set up a central planning committee to hold talks with
different interests and opposition groups especially the people of
Nekede who have made public their plan to welcome the President with
protest over land acquired by the state government without adequate
compensation.

Great expectations as Obasanjo visits Imo

From Psaro Yornamue,

Owerri

WITH the expected visit of President Olusegun Obasanjo to Owerri,
capital of Imo State tomorrow, indications are that the visit will take
the President to places of historical interest including the popular
Oguta-Lake in Oguta Local Government Area.

Security has been beefed up since the announcement of the visit by the
state government. The State Security Service (SSS) and detectives from
the Imo State Police Command have started to monitors coming in and out
of the state, especially those lodging in various hotels in Owerri.

This, sources revealed, will continue till another batch of security
personnel who will accompany the advance party and join them.

Deputy Governor, Chief Ebere Udeagu while addressing a press conference
on Wednesday, March 28, on the visit noted that it will last for two
days.

It should however be noted that this April visit of the President will
be the second time he would be visiting Imo State since his election.
Soon after his presidential victory, it was learnt Obasanjo came to
Owerri on a thank you visit. At the reception which took place at the
Modotel Hotel owned by Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Vice President of
Nigeria, President Obasanjo while waiting for his swearing-in ceremony
then was presented with the usual various problems of the Imo people
where he was said to have made some promises.

From what is on the ground in Owerri, Obasanjo's visit will be
historic. This is because Imo State indigenes have been expecting him
to come to assess Chief Achike Udenwa's administration and how well he
has impacted the dividends of democracy on the people.

It is expected that his visit will also assist the Imo people
especially the politicians who had been at loggerheads with one another
as they (politicians) would use the opportunity to come together in a
momentary reconciliation before the official arrival of the President
to avoid a parallel reception which emerged during the state PDP
congress.

Ironically, one thing had always been clear with Obasanjo's visit, if
one is to appreciate the "miracles" his previous visits to other states
have achieved, especially in the area of reconciling feuding PDP
members.

For example, when the President visited Enugu State last year, there
was misunderstanding between Senator Jim Nwobodo and Governor Chimaroke
Nnamani all from Nkanu land of the state. But for the sake of unity,
Nwobodo and Nnmani resolved their differences and closed rank to
receive President Obasanjo. The development has restored peace in that
state till today.

Political observers in the state believe Imo State would not be an
exception of a similar feat. The Guardian learnt that what could be
described as "political misunderstanding" has rocked Imo State and
Governor Udenwa is alleged to be at the centre of the affair. Some of
the politicians that the President's visit is expected to reconcile
with the governor includes; Chief Rochas Okorocha former chairman,
Board of NAMA, Dr. (Mrs.) Chikwe Kema, Minister of Aviation, Senator
Evan Enwerem, Chief Patrick Onuoha who has insisted on being recognised
as the state chairman of the party despite the election of Dr. Alex Obi
at the recent state congress.

With the situation, Dr. Alex Obi noted "success, our people say comes
through peace and unity and it is based on this that I make a
passionate appeal to some of our aggrieved party members to please
embrace the new development by giving us their support. This is because
there is little we can achieve in an atmosphere of rancour and
in-fighting".

Indigenes of the state who are set to welcome the President, with the
prospect that his visit would help to resolve the crisis among the PDP
politicians in the state as it had happened in other states.

According to a chieftain of the women wing of the party, "we are
optimistic that Obasanjo, being our in-law, his visit will transform
Imo State into a political circle where peace will continue to prevail
till 2003 election".

Apart from that, the deputy governor who addressed a press conference
on the Obasanjo visit said, he (President) will enter the state through
Imo Airport and after the reception at the airport, the President will
proceed to the palace of the traditional ruler of Owerri, Eze Emmanuel
Njemanze.

He posited that his convoy would move through Mbari Street to MCC Road
at Ikenegbu to Wetheral Road by Maris Supermarket from Okigwe road into
Chukwuma Nwoha Street where he (President) would commission an
environmental laboratory built by the Udenwa administration.

"We hope, if our plan goes as planned, that the 27 local governments
would be represented at the carnival," Udenwa said, adding that
President Obasanjo would be conferred with a chieftaincy title by all
the traditional rulers from the three senatorial zones in Imo State at
the venue of the reception which has been scheduled for Dan Anyiam
Stadium, Owerri.

Some other projects, the President would commission within the period
include; the new transmitter of the Imo State Broadcasting Corporation
(IBC), Umuguma Road, General Hospital and a visit to Adapalm among
others.

In identifying with the people of the state, the deputy governor
disclosed that on April 6, at 8 a.m. there will be the people's forum
where Mr. President will hold discussion with Imolites including
representatives already pencilled down, from even the motorcyclists,
mechanics, traders and so on, pointing out that the state government is
making effort in appealing to President Obasanjo to make a
pronouncement on the Alvan Ikoku College of Education (AICE) since all
the colleges of education established within the period had been taken
over by the Federal Government.

He further opined that it was necessary for Obasanjo to be in Imo State
to see how the state government spent the ecological fund released to
the state by the Federal Government pointing out that to justify the
utilisation of the fund, the President would visit one of the erosion
sites.

Answering questions whether Obasanjo deserves a chieftaincy title since
Imo people are crying over non-federal presence, the deputy governor
said; "You don't give title for giving sake but for deserving
personalities. Obasanjo deserves it," adding "there is need for him to
come and see for himself".

Udeagu also disclosed that to give the President a rousing reception,
the Imo State House of Assembly would hold a special session for him
during the visit.

Meanwhile, in order to resolve internal crisis and to create a
conducive atmosphere for him within the period of his visit, the state
government has set up a central planning committee to hold talks with
different interests and opposition groups especially the people of
Nekede who have made public their plan to welcome the President with
protest over land acquired by the state government without adequate
compensation.

Sources hinted that at the people's forum, President Obasanjo would
give clarification on the zone 9 police command which was initially
announced to be sited in Owerri, but transferred to Umuahia in Abia
State. But following some of the questions that may arise during the
forum, investigations reveal that the government is moving fast to
screen those that would be invited for the forum to avoid embarrassing
questions since Abia State was carved out of the former Imo State.
--------------------------

Unlike the free Nigeria economy, the hotels housing delegates are
designated. Violators of the rule are likely to face the wrath of the
Fidel Castro Ruz-led regime. Delegates who stray into other hotels are
promptly but politely re-directed. Sources hinted that at the end of
the day, the profits from the lodging will be channelled to a central
pool for structural re-distribution by government, for the overall
benefit of the citizens. To this effect, hotel rates have been jerked
up for the conference purposes.

The Spanish-speaking Cuban nation cut its political teeth when the
Batesta regime was overthrown in 1959 by the Revolutonary Fidel Castro.
He was assisted by another historical figure, Che Gueversa. Castro, now
a septuagenarian, has since stood up to his antagonistic neighbours,
the United States of America (USA), even 42 years after. With its
economy on trial and a restive people as a charge, the bearded Fidel
seems uncompromiseable, giving credence to consistency. The Nigerian
delegation is already tutored about this. And they are set to operate
within this wavelength.

Learning process for Nigerian legislators to Cuba

From Abiodun Adeniyi, Havana, Cuba

THE Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference is always quick to expel
Nigeria from its circle each time the military interrupts the
democratic process. It is also eager to receive the country whenever
democracy returns. Besides the fact of the last situation, the union
wishes fervently that Nigeria's membership of the world body is not
interrupted again. With the continued assurance of Senate President
Anyim Pius Anyim-led delegation that all is well with Nigeria, and that
all will continue to be well with her new democracy, hopes are
beginning to be high in the multi-nation body that Nigeria can be
"revived" again.

Though playing an advisory role, the IPU is credited with a capacity to
draw world attention to nagging issues. This is done to the intractable
Middle-East problems, terrorism, debt burden, poverty, disease and
impoverishments. Najmah Heptukah, an IPU notable, remarked that the
primary essence of IPU consultations is to make the world a better
place to live in, at its own level because "humanity is one, but simply
divided into nations." The present gathering in Cuba, one of the last
socialist enclaves remaining, is essentially symbolic to the extent
that it draws attention to the body as all-embracing: Embracing of
controversial ideologies and of nascent, temperamental democracies
where Nigeria belongs.

Anyim, who carried on to Havana from the warm embrace of Nigeria
Ambassador to France, Edward Abiodun Aina, at the Charles De Gaulle
Airport in Paris, said the legislature is encouraged to participate
because the body is presently one of the highest grouping of
legislatures in the comity of nations. As a new democracy , he pursued,
Nigeria cannot afford to fail on the need to cash-in on every relevance
providing opportunity.

He reiterated his submissions at the recent Lagos Conference of
Speakers where he underscored the importance of the legislature. His
words: "In order to ensure checks and balances, our constitution
separates the powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria into
Legislative Powers (Section 4), Executive Powers Section 5) and
Judicial Powers (Section 6). The doctrine of separation of powers, as
is well known, is intended to eliminate arbitrary use of power and
authoritarianism. This presupposes that each arm of government must
guard its independence jealously."

Anyim further elevated his Lagos submissions thus: "There is no doubt
in my mind that our collective responsibility to build a happier
society for the people of Nigeria will be made much lighter if there is
closer consultation and co-operation between and amongst us all as
legislators. This will surely strengthen and help sustain our nascent
democracy." And the IPU, he added, would celebrate this.

It is said that with the United Nations representing the body of world
executives, even with its multiple departments representing sundry
societal sector, the union of world legislature stands as a large
picture of local assemblies. House of Representatives and delegation
member, Mrs Florence Aya, who is part of the women forum of the union
Africa caucus said the branches of the legislative grouping are equally
representative of those at the United Nations. It is, however,
acknowledged that while the UN has compelling powers, IPU's strength is
presently advisory.

Dr. Ricardo Alarcon de Quesada, the president of the Cuban National
Assembly of Peoples Power, who welcomed delegates to the renowned
"hospitality of the people of Cuba", assured that their "stay in our
country will be memorable."

Truly, the memories of the socialist country will be pronounced in the
areas of regulations. These regulations centre on state control of the
commanding heights of its economy. Everything, up to the information
books delegates are provided with, are centrally regulated. No
excessive individual touch, or domineering personal interest. The
conception of all services is communal, just as the profits therefrom
are anticipated to be.

Unlike the free Nigeria economy, the hotels housing delegates are
designated. Violators of the rule are likely to face the wrath of the
Fidel Castro Ruz-led regime. Delegates who stray into other hotels are
promptly but politely re-directed. Sources hinted that at the end of
the day, the profits from the lodging will be channelled to a central
pool for structural re-distribution by government, for the overall
benefit of the citizens. To this effect, hotel rates have been jerked
up for the conference purposes.

The increases are in the region of 40 to 50 per cent. Monitors are also
everywhere for disobedient citizens, even though it is taken for
granted that violators will be non-existent.

The Nigerian delegation which apart from its leader, also has Senators
Jonathan Zwingina, Lawali Shuaib, Ishaq Salman, Saidu Dansada, Daniel
Saror, Honourable Farouk Lawan and the bureaucrats, got cracking over
the weekend with a crucial consultation with the union's African
caucus. Over there, they strategied on their interest in election of
officers for the vacant positions, especially for the posts of
president and vice-president. The possibility of propping up senator
Anyim, just in case, was considered.

The Republic of Cuba, where this conference is holding, is regarded as
the largest of the territories forming the Antilles, or West Indies. It
is located at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico, between the Yucatan and
Florida Peninsulas. Its northern and eastern shorelines are bathed by
the Atlantic Ocean, and its southern shores give on to the Caribbean
Sea.

And the total surface area of the Cuban Archipelago is 110,860km. It is
composed of the Island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud and more than
4,500 "kegs" and islets. In shape, Cuba is long and narrow, rather like
a crocodile. The Island is 1,250 km long, and 193 km across at the
widest point and 32 km at the narrowest.

At the end of 1999, its population was put at 11,180,500, with a
density of 100.9 inhabitants per km 2. Demographic surveys show an
annual population growth rate of 0.6 per cent and a life expectancy of
75 years. About 75 per cent of the population lives in the urban areas.

The Spanish-speaking Cuban nation cut its political teeth when the
Batesta regime was overthrown in 1959 by the Revolutonary Fidel Castro.
He was assisted by another historical figure, Che Gueversa. Castro, now
a septuagenarian, has since stood up to his antagonistic neighbours,
the United States of America (USA), even 42 years after. With its
economy on trial and a restive people as a charge, the bearded Fidel
seems uncompromiseable, giving credence to consistency. The Nigerian
delegation is already tutored about this. And they are set to operate
within this wavelength.
-------------------------

Automobile manufacturers present revival options to govt

By Layi Adeloye, StaffReporter

WORRIED by the near collapse of the sector and its cyclical effects
onthe overall economy, automobile and allied products manufacturers
havepresented before the government, some critical industry revival
options forimmediate action.

  The automotive makers, NigerianAutomotive Manufacturers Association,
particularly flayed the FederalGovernment for jettisoning of the
principles involved in the NationalAutomotive Policy of 1993, a
situation, according to them, has led to theoperational decline
suffered by the industry with capacity utilizationdeclining from 35 per
cent in 1982 to five per cent.

   Cataloguing the woes of the40-year old industry, Dr. Andrew Dzarma of
SCOA Plc who chaired the meeting,traced the sectoral vicissitude,
through its rudimentary engineering process ofassembling vehicles (as
pioneered by Federal Motor Industries Limited, C.F.A.O,S.C.O. A. etc)
to fully institutionalised assembly plants symbolised by
PeugeotAutomobiles of Nigeria (PAN), Kaduna; Nigeria Motor Industries
(NMI), Kano;Leyland Motors Limited, Ibadan; and Anambra Motor
Manufacturing Company(ANAMCO), Enugu.

   According to themanufacturers, since the second National Development
Plan (1970-1974),"when the two-passenger car plants were established in
Kaduna andLagos," to the four commercial and truck plants of the Third
Plancommissioned between 1975-80, enormous vagaries have characterised
theindustry.

   They consequently alerted attheir extra-ordinary meeting held at the
weekend in Lagos of the urgent needfor the government to make the
National Automotive policy the guiding principlein the revival of auto
industry in Nigeria, along with other solutions.

   Accordingly, the automotivemanufacturers, who lamented the general
level of decay that has characterisedthe sectoral operation also blame
government "actions and  "inactions" for the malaiseplaguing the
industry.

   In view of the strategic roleof the automobile industry and the
inherent opportunities that should accrue tothe nation, the
manufacturers subsequently presented a nine-point industryrevival
agenda before the government for practical and timely action.

   The areas of reprieve beingsought by the manufacturers include, full
and timely implementation of theNational Automotive Policy.

   Its implementation, they said,would involve the reactivation of the
National Automotive Council that shouldbe allowed to wield enough
authority as set out by Act 84 of 1993 that gave itpower and
responsibility to administer the National Automotive policy.

   Additionally, they insistedthat government must lead by example, by
patronising products of the localassembly/manufacturing plants, as
provided for in Gazette No 28 of 1994.

   This, directive they noted,"all tiers of government and their
agencies have not complied with."Also contained in the proposal is the
enhancement of local componentsmanufacturing which has depleted from
200 in 1982 to about 30 today.

  They said that this step wasnecessary in reviving the sector as it was
glaring that there was a symbioticalliance between the two
manufacturing processes with it good health being afunction of the
growth and development of the automotive industry.

   ‘‘The step is thereforenecessary because car assembly and
manufacturing, cannot thrive without viablecomponents manufacturing
sub-sector," they said.

   The automotive manufacturersalso want the enthronement and functional
implementation of Import DutyDifferential in line with the reviewed
National Automotive Policy.

   This provides for 40 per centdifferential in the rate of import duty
charged between completely knocked down(CKD) parts required for local
production and imported fully built-up units ofvehicles;

  It also carted for purposefuldevelopment of the iron and steel complex
at Ajaokuta to encourage theproduction of cheap flat sheet locally, a
step that is a pre-requisite for thedevelopment and manufacture of some
automotive body parts.

  They also want a purposefuldevelopment of the nation's petro-chemical
complex to produce local rawmaterials for the production of critical
body parts of modern motor vehicles"which are composite of metal,
plastic, natural and synthetic rubber"for the nation's industry to be
abreast of the 22nd century technology.

   The need to revitalize theinfrastructure also caught their attention.
This, they said, has been a majorconstraint to investment and
development as "investors in Nigeria contendwith epileptic electricity
supply, poor telecommunications network, lack ofwater and paucity of
good roads;

   Apart from ensuring anExchange Rate Stability for the country with a
purposeful pursuit of soaring upthe value as Nigeria's import dependent
in procurement of raw materials forproduction, they also want the
government to achieve a regime of low InterestRate as the current cost
of loanable fund by the financial sector isanti-investment with the
cost, fluctuating between 35 per cent and 38 per cent.

   Besides, they called for thereactivation of the National Automotive
Council Fund (NACF)that became moribunda few years ago, thus leading to
paucity of fund for sectoral operators.

   According to them, the resultshave been worrisome as "the sector
which with other linkages should beproviding about 500,000 employment
opportunities, has lost almost all its vitalessence with its total
fixed asset of $4000 million (N43.1 billion) in1982" shrinking to near
zero level. "Today only about 15,000 peopleare employed," they
recounted the sector's woes.


--------------------------------

Ibori courts investors to Delta

By Sonny Aragba-Akpore

THE Delta State Government at the weekend assured all would beinvestors
to the state of a conducive atmosphere that would guarantee returnson
their investments.

   The state governor, ChiefJames Ibori made this assertion in Warri
during the commissioning of the5,000-line capacity private
telecommunications exchange owned by MobitelLimited.

   Ibori was responding to awelcome address by Mobitel chief executive
officer, Chief Charles Joseph whohad earlier commended the host
community of its co-operation during and afterthe installation of the
exchange located on Refinery Road, Effurum, near Warri.

   Ibori, who was represented bythe state Commissioner for Agriculture
and Natural Resources, Dr. IfeanyiOkonwa, said that "it is most
reassuring to hear you speak so eloquentlyabout the support,
co-operation and warm hospitality extended to you, Mobitel,by the host
communities".

   Ibori said that Joseph'sstatement has sent a loud and clear message
to other investors "thatcontrary to some stereotypes, Delta State and
Warri in particular, are not onlyinvestment friendly but also guarantee
returns on investment".

   The governor saluted Joseph's"honesty and courage in reassuring
doubting Thomases that Delta State issafe and secure for investments".

   The governor equally used theopportunity of the commissioning of
Mobitel's exchange in Warri, the first ofsuch in Delta State, to call
on all genuine investors to come to Delta State;adding that his
government was already doing everything  "to ensure that an enabling
environmentis provided to facilitate the smooth take-off of any
business venture in thestate; and we are committed to encouraging
private enterprises which are theengine-room for meaningful industrial
growth and development".

   Ibori urged every subscriberto Mobitel's line "to live up to the
billing of Delta as one of the stateswhere returns on investments are
guaranteed."

   He also urged allbeneficiaries of the service to inform Mobitel of
any defaults or whatevercomplaints they might have in good time.

   The governor equally solicitedevery subscriber to Mobitel services
"to pay their bills regularly becauseprompt payment of bills will
encourage the company to expand its services inWarri and extend same to
other parts of the state."

   Ibori said that he wasimpressed by deregulation of the utilities
sector and Federal Government'sdecision to privatise and commercialise
the energy and telecommunicationssector.

   Delta State, he said, hasmapped out plans to establish infrastructure
for an independent power plant andindependent telephone system with
capacity for voice and data processing.

   He reiterated government'scommitment to create access to these vital
services "for our people throughthe active partnership of the private
sector.

   "It is in appreciation ofthis position that my administration wishes
to identify and encourage Mobitelto realise its set goals in providing
an enhanced telecommunications servicesto our people. This is a welcome
development which will contributesignificantly to empower our people
economically, socially andpolitically."


------------------------------

Lagos not to divest stake in Eko Bank

By Lanre Oloyi, Finance Reporter

LAGOS State Government is not planningto divest its equity stake in 15
years old Eko International Bank Plc.

  The bank's management said there was no truth whatsoever in the
storymaking the rounds in the capital market, neither were top
management of thebank sacked recently.

  Mr. George Wiltshire, the bank's head of Corporate Affairs said the
bankhas just completed its re-engineering process which is aimed at
strategicallypositioning the outfit to take advantages of universal
banking, remaincompetitive and add value to its shareholders.

  However, the news of withdrawal of equity by Lagos State Government
wasinformed by a statement allegedly credited to the state's
Commissioner forFinance, Mr. Olawale Edun, that some public utilities
would soon be privatised,the bank inclusive. Hence, the reason for the
misconceived resignation of someof its key officers.

  Besides, the bank has become the toast of investors in recent time on
thetrading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). For instance,
not only hasits share price increased by 52 per cent from 75 kobo at
which it was oncetraded this year to N1.14 as at last Friday but also,
a total of 17.8 millionshares valued at N20.6 million changed hands in
104 deals on the Exchange inthe last one and half weeks, thereby
fueling speculation of a change in theownership structure.

  The  bank's paid up capital as atDecember 31, 1999 was N565.2 million
divided into 1,130,451,205 ordinary sharesof 50 kobo each out of which
the Lagos State Government through Ibile HoldingsLimited held 23.2 per
cent. Nigerians and associates - 810,537,467 shares or71.7 per cent
while the remaining 57,876,479 shares or 5.1 per cent were heldby ETB
staff.

  Wiltshire, who addressed journalists on the Nigerian Stock Exchange
lastweek and later explained all these issues in an exclusive interview
with The Guardian at the weekend said thatthe increased patronage of
investors which has impacted positively on its shareprice "has been due
to improvement in the bank's performancerecently."

  It was also  "as a result ofthe re-engineering of the bank's processes
and operations which began in 1999,informed by the need to stay ahead
of competition by being customerfocused."

  While it was not out of place for stakeholders to consolidate
theirholdings, to consolidate their holdings, the bank's spokesman
however, deniedknowledge of any attempt by the Lagos State Government
to withdraw the equity."As far as we are concerned, the state's equity
holdings are intact. Thebank's management is not aware of such plan by
the government.

  "It was not also true that some of our officers have resigned. Cometo
our bank, all our principal officers are in their respective offices."

  Wiltshire added that Eko International Bank Plc has redesigned
itsorganisational structure to be more market oriented. The new
structure,according to him, now has a Corporate Banking Group and
Corporate Resourcesheaded by two executive directors, Mr. Yemi Sawyer,
and Mr. Funmilade Ayantugarespectively.

  The bank's structure "has also been re-classified into
commercialbranches, retail branches, sub branches and cash centres
under the supervisionof zonal offices. "This structure has enabled the
commercial branchesexpand the scope of banking services to include
services hitherto available atthe bank's head office."

  He added that the bank "is fully prepared for universal banking aswe
have fine blend of seasoned and highly competent bankers with merchant
andcommercial banking background."

  To him, EIB has also invested a huge sum of money in training
andre-training of its employees because of "our conviction that human
capitalis a key success factor to the growth of the bank." Besides,
"thebank has also put in place a staff welfare package in tune with
industrystandard."

  Wiltshire also pointed out that the bank's management has
recognisedInformation Technology (IT) as "a key success factor
especially in thehighly competitive banking industry and that "any
business organisationthat fails to appreciate its benefits will
continue to have operationalsetbacks."

  "At EIB, we have continued to pursue our policy of optimalizationof
our IT system. We have completed our Wide Area Network, which will
improveturnaround time, convenience of operations and allow for
efficient decisionmaking," said Wiltshire.

  Also, ‘‘we have incorporated in the Bankmaster and Branchpower
anelectronic and telephone banking facility that enables our customers
totransact their banking business. We have commenced configuration of
an Internetto allow for less expensive and more efficient distribution
of informationwithin the bank."

  At EIB's website, "the bank's ultimate goal is to have a
dynamicwebesite where accounts can be opened and loan applications can
be filledon-line. We also plan to integrate Mobile Banking Solution
with Bankmaster andBranchpower through Wireless Application Protocol
(WAP)’’, Wiltshire disclosed.

---------------------------

IPM boss faults Nigeria’s economic policies
ByBukky Olajide
THE adoption ofhorizontal economic system has been identified as one of
the reasons for theparallel growth of the Nigerian economy.

   Speaking at the 32nd yearly general meeting of theInstitute of
Personnel Management, the president of the institute, OtunbaSolomon
Oladunni lamented that inflation rate merely declined from nine percent
in December 1999 to less than seven person in December 2000.

   External reserves, he said, increased from about $5 billion
inDecember 2000, while Gross Domestic Product rose by three per cent as
comparedto less than three per cent achieved in 1999.

   The Oladunni who described the growth rate as insignificant notedthat
for the year 2001, the government has only achieved a single
digitinflation rate of GDP growth of five per cent.

   Oladunni also lamented about the energy sector, which, accordingto
him, was still travailing under the politics of pricing and supply
ofpetroleum products with its attendant effect on the citizenry.

   He said: “Factories are still operating below installedcapacities and
organizations are still downsizing, restructuring or decaying.

   “All these translate to a boom in unemployment market which
hasadmitted some of our members into it’s swelling rank.

   “The expected respite from the Poverty Alleviation Programme thatwas
to create 200,000 jobs in the year 2000 did not crystallize
asimplementation did not commence until very late, thus having little
or noimpact on the army of the unemployed.”

   He also noted that organizations and the polity were entertainedto
repeated bouts of cataclysmic social upheavals, ethnic clashes and
mindboggling violence coupled with regular vandalisation of vital
infrastructuressuch as product pipelines and NEPA wire cables.

   He therefore reminded the Federal Government to make good itspromise
of “Road to Recovery” amongst others in the 2001 budget.

    This, he added, includes the promotion of investment in humancapital
development through a significant redirection of expenditure on
socialdevelopment and poverty reduction.

   Others include the reduction in the cost of doing business inNigeria
and the provision of incentives to the private sector to act ascatalyst
for growth, the education and rapid skills acquisition programme tomeet
the challenges and demands of qualified manpower requirements in
allsectors of the Nigerian economy.

   He then suggestedresponsibility and challenge for efficient and
effective personnel managementfor various organizations.

   He said: “Concerning leadership, our profession should
paradevisionary leaders who set strategic goals, objectives, and
direction fororganisations; leaders and managers that are not satisfied
with the status quoand always seeking for creative and new ways of
doing things while addingsignificant value.

   “Efficiency and high standard should be your watchword. Inbringing
people to your organization, merit should be upheld, put round peg ina
round hole. Whatever job you do or pass forward for higher approval,
mustreflect the highest level of professionalism and competence.”

  The Registrar of IPM, Mr. Funso Korode at the occasion stated that
themanagement of the institute has reviewed the emoluments of the staff
upwards toresonate with the minimum wage demands to encourage greater
performance by thestaff.

   Korode also said plans were underway to formalize a
contributorypension scheme for the staff and put in place other
incentives to motivate andretain the good hands.

   He said: “The year 2001 budget of the institute has also providedfor
quality training and development of the staff, which hopefully
willtranslate to improved performance.”


--------------------------

Manpower development requires manpower preservation

By Adedeji B. Badiru

SKILLED manpower is the cornerstone of national development. However,
the pursuit of manpower development without measures of preservation is
analogous to building a national foundation on quicksand. Without
risking a loss of generality, let us accept "manpower" as an
idiosyncratic term referring to both men and women. All sectors of the
Nigerian economy proclaim their dedication to manpower development with
the fervor of a trumpeter. But nowhere is it ever mentioned that
manpower preservation is just as important as its development. Manpower
development without a preservation strategy symbolizes a non-historic
view. Without a preservation strategy, any development effort is bound
to fail. The neglect of manpower preservation pervades both the public
and private sectors; and, it is obvious that the neglect of
preservation strategies is one reason that our national development
continues to flutter. For Nigeria to advance, there must be an urgent
development of a strategy to preserve whatever manpower is developed.

I have had opportunities to participate in various manpower development
initiatives in Nigeria over the past two decades. During all the
strategic deliberations, not once was manpower preservation mentioned
as a co-requisite for manpower development. A recent tragic event
instigated my urge to write on this issue at this time. Many concerned
citizens have written and offered suggestions about policies and
actions needed to solve pervasive problems in Nigeria. There is no
shortage of ideas. There is no shortage of passionate and eloquent
rendition of solution strategies. What is lacking is the will, ability,
and dedication to implement the solutions. For this reason, I, at
first, hesitated to write this article. I did not want to clutter the
newsprint with yet another set of grandiose ideas devoid of action. But
this case is significant enough that I can risk grandiosity, with the
hope that some action might follow. As a concerned citizen, I see it as
my obligation to bring this plight to the attention of other citizens.

Everyone of us knows at least one "developed" manpower that has been
brutally eliminated from the nation's manpower pool. Thus, leaving a
long train of family agony and national deprivation. We can hardly
imagine the level of opportunity cost incurred as a result of lost
manpower. I suspect that some of the difficulties faced in revitalising
some sectors of the economy may be due to the frequent loss of trained,
developed, experienced, and valuable manpower. We all recognise
recyclable drain as a national concern. But permanent manpower drain
(lost for ever) is more devastating. This reality, unfortunately
receives less attention.

The case in point is that of the late Mr. Al-Hassan Alasa, who was
recently cruelly eliminated from the nation's manpower pool by armed
robbers. Mr. Alasa might not have been a celebrity in the usual sense
of the word. But in my mind, he is a public figure, whose case deserves
widespread public knowledge. Nigeria has lost a gem of a gentleman.

I first met Mr. Alasa at a training session at TCC (Training and
Conference Centre) Ogere, Ogun State. He made such an impression on me
during the first few minutes that I felt as if I had known him for a
long time. We discussed, among other things, technical manpower needs
in Nigeria, changes in the society, democracy, political and business
advancements in Nigeria, and the new banking systems in Nigeria. We
discussed the new service initiatives available at his bank (Standard
Trust Bank). He pointed me to the bank's new website, which I
subsequently enjoyed visiting. Banking, Mr. Alasa's profession, has
advanced tremendously in the past few years since the crop of
professionals like Mr. Alasa came into the industry. If he had been
allowed to continue his life, he, no doubt, would have made far more
contributions to the banking industry and the nation. Unfortunately,
the people of the underworld did not allow him. What a waste of
national resource!

I was so distraught about Mr. Alasa's death that I was not myself for
several days. I kept hoping that the sudden news would turn out to be a
hoax. To my chagrin, the news checked out correct after I reconfirmed
with another mutual friend of ours. I had innocently sent him an email,
not realising that the forced hand of death had descended upon him.
Being away from the country, I had not heard the news about his
encounter with armed robbers. After several weeks of not hearing back
from him, I inquired from an acquaintance of his. Thus, came the sad
news. I can only imagine what this loss would have meant to his family,
his co-workers, his industry, and all those who had the good fortune to
have known him. It is a devastating loss to everyone; a lingering pain.

Mr. Alasa's case is one of many cases that combine to remind us how
fragile the pillars of manpower development could be. Several
organisations spend millions of naira for personnel security within and
around company premises. But what happens beyond company premises is an
arrant display of insecurity. Manpower assets that are preserved while
at work become vulnerable in the open community. Many valuable
employees are lost during encounters on the roads and private homes. To
make matters worse, prospective manpower pools are cruelly mauled down
before they can be cultivated.

New (even radical) approaches may have to be explored to preserve our
manpower assets. One strategy that is worthy of consideration is the
pooling of security resources to provide a blanket of protection for
citizens at work, on the road, and at home. This essentially requires
making the nation safe for all at all times. I refer to this concerted
effort as Security Synergy, which provides a more effective security
programme than the individualised and localised efforts of separate
organisations.

How can security synergy be achieved? This will require voluntary and
consensus agreement among companies. A sort of voluntary security levy
or corporate donation can be solicited and dedicated to the provision
of an integrated security programme under the auspices of existing
national security forces; but under the trusteeship of a committee of
company security representatives. This will help mitigate the frequent
complaints about lack of governmental resources to provide adequate
security. Why should companies embrace this sort of additional burden
on their meagre revenue base? Well, it is a matter of interest in
manpower preservation and cost effectiveness. Preservation of trained
manpower makes economic sense for a company. In addition, pooling of
security resources, if carefully orchestrated and managed, can provide
more widespread benefit for all; thereby, reducing the risk and burden
associated with individualised programmes.

Why should this idea be of interest to the general public? In the
absence of any other workable programme, even a radical idea is worthy
of consideration. Fellow citizens, let's give security a chance! The
memory of lost loved ones, such as the late Al-Hassan Alasa,
necessitates that we act now. May God give us the strength to pursue
the correct solutions.

Prof. Adedeji B. Badiru is head of department, Department of Industrial
Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
----------------------

Subscribersowe NEPA N1.2 billion
By Tola Akinmutimi,

Energy Reporter
WITH about N1.2billion owed the National Electric Power Authority
(NEPA) in Shomolu Districtalone, the authority’s claim of consumers’
indebtedness constituting a majorconstraint to its efficient services
delivery initiatives may well bejustified.

   Giving a breakdown of the district’s debt profile at thecustomer’s
consultative council meeting held recently in Lagos, the
districtmanager, Engineer Abiodun Ajifowobaje, disclosed that the
burgeoning debtprofile of the district was no longer desirable,
pleading that private debtors,who accounted for over 95 per cent of the
debt volume, should honour theirfinancial obligations to the authority
promptly.

   Specifically, he said, that as at last February, the
FederalMinistries and agencies within the district owed about N8
million compared tothe Police debt profile of about N30.5 million. In
addition, he disclosed thatoverall indebtedness of Lagos State
Government ministries and agencies stood atabout five million compared
to the over N6.4 million owed by local governmentsin the district.

   Expectedly, private customers constitute the biggest burden
ofindebtedness to the authority with about N1.12 billion outstanding
paymentsobligation. Apparently worried by the worrisome state of unpaid
debts, thedistrict manager noted that “the above analysis has again
confirmed the factthat private customers constitute the largest
percentage of our debtors. I amtherefore using this medium to appeal to
our customers to settle their debtswithout further delay.”

   Earlier in his address, he listed the major achievements of
thedistrict regarding executed and on-going projects for enhanced
powerdistribution to include:

replacement of 12 old breakerpanels with new ones at Igbobi switch
room;

replacement of faulty 15 MVAtransformer at Oworonshoki injection
substation;

replacement of faulty 15 MVAtransformer at Igbobi injection substation;

construction of a new feederradiating from Ogudu injection substation
to solve the problem of Demurin andAlapere 11 KV feeders; and

on-going work on the upgradingof the Wasimi injunction substation from
7.5 MVA to 15 MVA.

   According to him, the overallcost of the various projects was about
N244.5 million with transformerreplacement gulping about 35.5 million;
commissioned new relief substationsabout N35 million; upgrade of
overloaded substations N13.07 million, clearingof cable faults N3.03
million and replacement of 15 MVA substation at Igbobiand Oworo N54
million.

   Further analysis showed that N4 million was spent on theconstruction
of 11 KV feeder from Ogudu, while N66 million was expended on
theupgrading of Wasimi injection to 15 MVA project.

   The changing of old 11 KV breaker panels at Igbobi gulped N32million.

    Speaking on the various measures put in place by the district
toenhance service and operational efficiency, Ajifowobaje noted: “We
have beenable to improve on the quality of our bills to customers.
Reported cases ofcrazy billing has drastically reduced, while conscious
efforts are being madeto ensure that meters are read regularly and
accurately. Bills are also beingdistributed regularly.

   “At the inception of this management early last year, a unit,called
the consumers service unit (CSU) was established to cater for
thenumerous complaints from customers. With establishment of this unit,
I wish toassure you that any complaint will be attended to within seven
working days. Sofar, the unit has received a total of 881 complaints
out of which 792 have beentreated.

   “Plans are on to open new service centres in the District
wherecustomers can make their payments and at the same time report
their faults.This is in a bid to get closer to our customers and to
reduce the arduous taskof having to travel long distances before our
customers can pay their bills.

   “We plan to resuscitate our cash offices in Olateju, Mushin,
andOlowora, while new ones will be opened at Maryland, Ogudu and
Ilupeju. Theseoffices will also operate as fault centres,” Ajifowobaje
disclosed.

   While appealing to the district’s customers to bear with theauthority
over the problem of erratic power supply which, he said, was
beingaddressed, he listed the constraints facing the district in its
power distributionand marketing efforts to include:

system instability due to poorgeneration;

overloaded 11 kV feeders fromsome of the districts injection
substations;

overloaded distributionsubstations/feeder pillar units;

undersized aluminium conductoron most low tension circuits; and

illegal connection ofdifferent types by consumers.

   Explaining the various steps being taken by the district toaddress
some of the problems that fall within its capability, he urgedcustomers
to refrain from all illegal acts that are capable of undermining
themanagement’s efforts aimed at serving them better.


-------------------------

Banks should expand servicesbeyond intermediation, says Ihyembe

By Ester Njoku

THE  role of banks in moving thenation forward under the privatisation
programme should transcend thetraditional provision of funds, Mr.
Raymond Ihyembe, the group-managing director,Afribank Nigeria Plc, has
said.

   Ihyembe said, "theessence of privatisation is that it reduces the
extent to which non-economicfactors such as politics and sentiments
influence the allocation of companies'resources".

   The Afribank boss spoke at theyearly general meeting of the Institute
of Directors (IOD) held at theinstitute’s company headquarters in
Ikeja, Lagos last week where he presented apaper entitled "Banks and
the Privatisation Process".

   Rather than Serve as adisincentive, he said the process would go a
long to create the rightenvironment for effective competition in the
economy and help governmentchannel its resources into providing other
services.

   He, however, listed theexpected ‘‘benefits of the privatisation
process to the economy and Nigeria as:

•once these firms are sold to the private sector, the government
ceasesto be responsible for their finances. This saves large volumes of
public funds.Again as privatised firms became profitable and pay taxes,
divestiture improvesgovernment revenue;

•in a number of cases, consumer welfare improved through a reduction
inprices, improvement in the quality of service and expansion in the
serviceprovided by the privatised firms. So, it should not necessaryly
lead toincrease in prices;

•in Argentina water prices went down and service quality improved
afterthe water company was privatised;

•in Colombia, consumer welfare improved through the reduction of
pricesin the automobile and banking sectors.

   He also listed objectives ofprivatisation as to reduce the number of
unproductive investments in the publicsector and their dependence on
the public treasury for funding, among others.

-----------------------------

Enforce guideline inNigerianisation of the oil industry, says Obiago

MR Joe Obiago, is the chief executive, Global Energy Company
Limited,one of Nigeria's leading oil services providers. He is also
chairman ofOffshore West Africa (OWA) advisory committee.

   Recently, OWA was held inNigeria to explore the new phenomenon in the
oil and gas industry, offshoreexploration and production, attracting
global experts. Obiago in this interviewwith our Business Editor,
JOSEPH SEJEBO,spoke on general issues including the indigenisation of
the oil industry andthe internalisation of the wealth coming from that
sector. Excerpts:

   YOU have just concluded the offshore West African. What would you
sayare the specific benefits that you can recall of that workshop?

It will depend on each stakeholder or interested party. If you say
forthe government, one hosting the OWA, which is now easily the most
importantconference on oil and gas in West Africa, is a big credit to
Nigeriangovernment. And it brings to the front agenda the Nigerian
perspective on oiland gas, giving our dominant role in the oil and gas
industry?

   For oil companies, the majorsand independent, it is a major forum for
them to also put in the front agendatheir activities in the region, and
also impress upon government, stakeholders,contractors, vendors,
suppliers what their company is doing, how they are doingit; What the
challenges are, and what the opportunities are. It gives them alsoan
opportunity to get feed back from what industry and all other active
playersthink about them.

   For contractors, serviceproviders, vendors, equipment manufacturers
and the like, it is a majorplatform for selling their products. You
should remember it is a conference andexhibition rolled into one.

   The technical content of theconference gives some information on the
products of their competitors. Theygain knowledge, they gain strategic
insights of what the players and all theother operators are thinking,
and it also gives them the major platform forattracting business.

   Now, for other persons such asstudents, academics, entrepreneurs
wishing to come into the oil sector or toknow a bit more, it is a major
platform for gaining knowledge and interactingand so on. But in all,
the conference presents an excellent opportunity fornetworking, and
cross fertilisation of ideas.

   This is not the first OWA seminar. How many have so far taken
place?What, in concrete terms, are the benefits of the other ones that
made you tobelieve that this should be brought to Nigeria?

   First of all, I must say thatthe first OWA took place in 1997. This
was at a time when there were a handfulof deep offshore oil
discoveries. At that time Bonga had been discovered aswell as the
JIRASOF field of ELF in Angola. And the organisers had theforesight to
recognise the emergence and importance offshore West Africa.

   The first conference tookplace in Libreville, Gabon. Omar Bongo, the
president of Gabon, opened it. If Irecall, 200-300 delegates attended;
it was at best, a networking opportunity.The second one took place in
Accra, Ghana. That gathered about 400 to 500delegates. It was also a
good platform for discussing an area that was veryvery exciting in our
industry.

   And the next two followed inAbidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. And the Ivorien
government was so impressed that theyimmediately made moves to retain
the conference for another year.

   Despite the two they had inCôte d'Ivoire at the time, they were still
able to host it the second time.Nigeria's players in the oil industry,
professionals and entrepreneurs havealways had a strong interest in the
  OWAfrom the very inception. All the conferences that took place had a
highattendance level, and a few of us were always sitting on the
advisory board. Itmade sense that the OWA be brought to Nigeria for
many reasons. One, Nigeria isthe biggest producer in the region. We are
leading not only in West Africa, butalso in sub-Sahara Africa, perhaps
even Africa as a whole.

  Two, we are emerging as a majorplayer in the deep offshore sector as a
whole. Well even, let me say offshore,because we've got the Shell,
we've got the ELF project. So, Nigeria has astrategic interest to
protect, projecting its own agenda on the offshoreindustry as a whole
in West Africa. So, with a all these in place, even thoughthe politics
in Nigeria at the time wasn't right, it was clearly something wewanted
to bring to Nigeria. Our friends have always been diplomatic.

   But, we knew that people wouldwant to come to Nigeria; at least we
expect five hundred delegates or more evenduring the time the Abacha
administration was on. Even as we were pushing, wewere also a bit
circumspect and careful in not to overstretch our hands. Butclearly,
once democratisation occurred here and President Obasanjo's
administrationwent on a very massive international image making
campaign, which is stillon-going, we felt that the stage was set for
Nigeria to host the OWA, and itbecame a forgone conclusion that that
was what happened.

   Of course, one of the thingswe had to grapple with was where should
it be hosted. There is Lagos, there isPort Harcourt, and there is
Abuja. At that time, I had spent already almostfour years on the
advisory board of OWA, and I was nominated as the chairman ofthe
conference and then we went to work trying to get all the logistic
done,and Abuja was chosen. One of the highpoints for choosing Abuja was
BritishAirways flight that goes directly to Abuja which some of the
delegates tookadvantage of.

   As of the last OWA held inCote d'Ivoire before now, the delegates
were under six hundred. But what we'vedone now has doubled the
attendant records or levels and this is the best andbiggest OWA
conference ever held in West Africa. And it has sort of vindicatedour
lobby on the advisory board to bring OWA to Nigeria.

   When we talk about deep-off-shore or we talk about Bonga, are
thereother discoveries in Nigeria? Looking at the viability, looking at
the reservelevel, what are the prospects for the Nigerian oil industry?

   The prospects are very brightindeed. I wish you were in the
conference itself. There was a panel of energyexperts led by Mr.
Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, Group Managing Director of NNPC; thatpanel had
also Engineer Kupolokim, who is the Special Assistant to thePresident
on Petroleum. They both gave very lucid comments and presentations
onthe Nigeria situation. Nigeria's deep offshore sector is probably
second tonone and can only be second to the Angolan sector. It has been
highly, highlysuccessful. I believe approximately verified ones are
drilled in that area andprogressive from the first two three years,
starting in the mid 90s.

   The success rate in the lasttwo years, in terms of discovery, has
been 50-50. In other words, of every twowells drilled, discovery is
made in one. And this is very encouraging. So, togo further on your
question, we do have several commercial discoveries. I willname a few.
The most popular which everyone talks about is the Bonga. Andbeside
Bonga, Texaco has Agbami field and followed also by the ExxonMobil
Erafield and followed by AGIP Abo field, which is a smaller but also
commercialdiscovery. These four I have named are already scheduled for
development andthe Bonga is the fastest and the other three are at
various stages in the fielddevelopment process.

   There is Conoco field, thereis also the Statoil field, which will be
developed in conjunction with theTexaco Agbami because it is a
straddled field. And there is also the TotalFINAELF Akpo field, and
then other discoveries, some may well be with a little moregas like the
Dosi field of ExxonMobil and so on.

   Of course, Nigeria is quiteclose to Angola in terms of successful
discoveries and also the quantum thathas been discovered. So the deep
offshore sector is a very very key and strategicportfolio for the
government and the players in the industry.

   With all these discoveries, Nigeria may hit a daily production level
of4 million barrels per day. As an OPEC member, don't you think the
quotaconstraint would probably make nonsense of all these discoveries
and ability tostream them?

   Well, it is a very goodquestion. And looking at it from the face of
it, your concern might be thoughtto be correct. I will, however, make a
few comments. The first is what youproduce is a function of year
resources. So, the OPEC formula is not static,it's very dynamic. If you
grow your reserves, then your quota allowance alsoincreases by a
formula or factor that is applied for OPEC members; that's one.Two, in
a growing economy like Nigeria’s, when you produce oil, you
startthinking of other derivatives that  youcan get; you start thinking
of refining. Nigeria, as you know, has installedcapacity of 450,000
barrels a day. Our internal needs at a time was calculatedat 300,000
barrels per day. So, it was that some refineries actually were
builtwith exporting in mind. So when you have excess crude oil, you can
refine itinto petrol, into other derivatives and export them to the
internationalmarket.  The third point is that inbetween oil and gas,
there are products such as condensates, which is not inthe OPEC quota.
So, you can produce as much condensate as you have and on-loadand
off-load in the international market.

   So, we would be able to findavenues for discharging those excess
crude. As a growing economy, Nigaria's internal energy requirement or
oilrequirement also grows as well as the entire region on other
emergingeconomies. So that is the major driver to increased
productivity and dailyproduction.

   Recently, government did an auction of oil blocks. And it generated
alot of controversy. If you look at that process, will you advise
thatgovernment should give out these blocks on the bases of auction.
And if theydo, is there any

specific thing governmentshould do to improve the process?

   I think I will first of allmake a point of correction. The last
licensing round, if I'm correct, was not astructured auction. It was
structured as a competitive bid. It was a licensinground and it dealt
with several cut out blocks. Data was made available andbased on that,
the bidders put in commercial and technical bids on how todevelop that.
Where as an auction is a case where you've been
technicallypre-qualified as competent and you come out and you bid on
the basis ofcommercial terms only.

   Our government has a strategicinterest. They constantly look at the
global oil and gas industry, they look atthe regional, and then they
look at the interplay of what happens in Nigeria’seconomy. And that is
what informs and advises the policies that are made. Ibelieve this last
licensing round would also have some strategic objectivessuch as to
increase the number of players in the industry, which I believe
theauction succeeded in doing - companies like Petronas of Malaysia and
Petrobrassof Brazil, are now to establish or going to establish here as
operators. Ibelieve these are the strategies in place, because when new
operators come in,they bring technology, they bring knowledge, they
bring also diversity andfresh perspective as to how things are done.
So, that's one; and two, thegovernment also probably had wanted to
bring in some indigenous players intothe next level play. You know that
the licensing round of 1991 brought in someindigenous players into the
on-shore, and a few on the shallow water. May bethe government also
would have been able to bring in indigenous players intoslightly more
deeper water, so that we can start gaining some experience indealing
with bigger challenges in oil exploration and production business.These
are some of the things last licensing would have put in place
beforeconsideration; and I think to a great extent, that the team that
worked on thatsucceeded in achieving the set objectives. On the
personal note, it was a veryfair, transparent and robust process.

   One thing the oil industry wants in Nigeria is to improve the
localcontent. With most of the blocks going to foreign firms, how do we
improve thelocal content in terms of staff, the number of Nigerians on
local firms thatare involved in E and P and then in terms of staff
strength.?

   First of all, I willcongratulate you for tying local content to
auctioning of blocks. Usually, inindustry, when we say local content,
it seems to refer to oil service sectormore than the up-stream
exploration and production side. As for the explorationaspect, we might
refer to it more like indigenisation, bring in indigenousinvestors into
that level of play. In industry today, what defines the deepoffshore E
and P business is capital and technology. You must realise that
thewater depths range from … first of all, deep offshore refers to
water depth oftwo hundred mitres and up.

   Most of the blocks in ourcontinental shelf, will start at may be at
hundreds, two hundreds and can go asdeep as two thousand, three
thousand or four thousand water depth. Today in theglobal E and P
industry, there is technology to drill and produce, explore andproduce
oil at three thousand feet. The barriers constantly are pushed, but
theindustry is moving in exploring and producing beyond three thousand
metres ofwater. But like I said earlier, what drives that is technology
and capital.Technology is a function of know-how. It is function of
proprietary knowledge. The honest truth is that today, we donot have
indigenous or localised knowledge in this offshore. You must
rememberthat deep offshore itself is just about two to eight years old.
We haveoffshore in the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea. But what we are
seeing now isbeyond six, seven, eight hundred metres of water. It is
all new, it is all theevents of the last five to ten years. So on a
global scale, industry as a wholeis learning. And on West African
scale, the first deep water being developedhere like Bonga and Angolan
Jirosa have not even come on stream. So, theknowledge on a local level
in Nigeria is low. The operators, who have been herehave  been working
shallow water andswamps. They had to even bring in specialised teams in
deep water to be able totake advantage of their global knowledge in
being able to explore in that area.

   So to my mind, it is an issueof walking first, crawling first, and
walking first before running. Deep wateror deep off-shore or ultra deep
water is running. What we've achieved in theindigenous side with the
local companies can be termed to be crawling of atoddler walking a
little bit. So, it has to be taken in stages.

  Now, what they've done withthis licensing rounds, which is admirable,
is that one or two indigenouselements or operators got fairly deep
water blocks and this will give us anopportunity to have local
learning.

   What about in terms of personnel and the local content, in terms of
theeconomy, deploying those resources?

   You are correct. Whatgovernment should and can do is to move to the
next step. If local orindigenous companies must ultimately play in all
sectors of the exploration ofE and P business, and you have in mind
that some day, you have active Nigerianplayers in deep off-shore, you
have to start with know-how and manpower. So,there must be some sort of
policy or guideline that ensures that Nigerianpersonnel are first of
all employed in the big oil companies that have thisknow-how and have
these blocks. And that they will work there, and acquireknowledge,
acquire experience and by the time indigenous players are coming
in,there is a sort of critical mass of knowledge and experience,
technical andexperience built up in the Nigerian company.

   And, I know that a handful ofNigerians were involved in the Bonga
project, who are Shell employees, and theyare still all abroad now,
living and working there. I know that a lot of theother companies
employed Nigerian personnel, but I think what we need to bedoing is to
have concerted clear cut guidelines with a given set objectives inmind.
If we say, for example, by the year 2005, we want to have five hundred
oreight hundred personnel trained world wide in deep water activity, we
musteither make it a negotiation clause at the time of signing the
productionsharing agreement or make it part of the policy or guidelines
on human resourcemanagement. This is again where our legislative arm
comes in and are workingwith NNPC and DPR and the Ministry of Petroleum
and Office of the PresidentialAdviser on Petroleum and Energy to come
up with a global policy and vision on howto empower and build critical
manpower for Nigeria. I extremely agree with youbecause the indigenous
companies, who are working in the industry today, wouldnot have
succeeded if not for the Nigerian employees that have been trained
inoil companies over the years. If you go to Consolidated Oil, for
example, thecore staff of these companies are all Nigerians. All the
key personnel areNigerians. And the same applies to virtually all the
Nigerian operators. So,this is how we will start to build some
knowledge.

   I remember that some time in August 1996, the Petroleum
ResourcesMinister, Chief Dan  Etete, called oilchiefs, and told them
that one thing they haven't done, which is part of thepolicy, is that
they must continuously train Nigerians on the operations ofthese oil
companies. Has this been taking place?

   It was called the new deal,and I followed it with keen interest at
that time. Yes, it was actually one ofthe few admirable things Etete
did as oil minister. It was tagged the new deal;it was essentially an
agenda aimed at indigenising the industry and achieving ahigh level of
local content. It was under the new deal that a minimum of 30 percent
for local content of project was set. It was under the new deal that
itwas reinforced that the role currently played by the expatriate for
which thereare competent Nigerians should be immediately Nigerianised.
Even the new dealbecame the spirit of LNG, and we can see today that a
good portion of NigerianLNG Company has a high level of
Nigerianisation, starting from lower technicalmanpower to the more
strategic senior managerial roles. There is Nigeriandeputy managing
directors, If I am correct, the train three, train four andfive are
project leaders. Dr. Coker is a Nigerian. And this is part of the
sortof impact Etete had on the industry, and I think in general, the
strongpolitical will we need to enforce compliance and push towards the
desire of thegovernment. You must realise no one gives you technology.
You must realisenobody gives you knowledge for free. The world is now a
global village andpeople are competing on the basis of knowledge. We
are all in a knowledgeeconomy.

   Fine, capital or money can buyfree knowledge and technology. But it
may not retain it for you. They caninstall it on turnkey and go away
with the lock, and if sometime goes wrong,they come and fix it. But
until you put your feet down like they did in India,and like they've
done in China, where they have clear cut governmentorchestrated policy
to indigenise the industry. For each expatriate staff,there is one or
two Nigerians on local or National study, and there is a firmperiod for
transferring that knowledge, and it is closely monitored and it isused
as a basis for even evaluating the presence of that company in
thecountry. And it tends to give them special recognition or grant them
specialbenefit for actually driving the indigenisation agenda of the
government. Ithink Nigeria could learn from what they've done in India
and China in thatregard.

   Your company is called Global Energy Company (GEC). What are
thespecific things you do in the oil industry?

   Global Energy is amulti-discipline oil service contractor. We have
three core businesses.

   The first is explorationservices, which is the starting point in the
industry. The second, and we'vedeveloped it to a large extent, is
engineering services and the third is theenergy advisory services.

   Our exploration services startmidstream, after you've drilled or
while you are drilling, we take coresamples, we take cutting and we
analyse them for geological information,statigraphics, sedimentalogy,
geochemistry etc, we do integrated highresolution studies to assist the
operator to understand stratigraphy of theblock or well they are
drilling and this information are tied to seismic andother evaluation
materials to know the prolifically of that particular well;whether
there is good prospects of oil.

   We have been doing this forabout eight years, and we are the leading
or dominant contractor in the industryin that area today. Of the 35
deep water wells or there about, drilled, we havedone the geological
analysis of 26 of them. Our second and increasingly moreimportant
business is our engineering services. In that area, we have
largelypursued a strategy to be technology driven or innovation driven
operator.

   We realise that as a small,upcoming indigenous company, we cannot
compete with the majors likeSchlumberger and so on. So, we took a look
ahead and we picked a few key areaswhere we could be active players and
one of those areas are multiphasedapplication. Multiphased application
is an innovative technology that helps youto flow your oil, water and
gas in one continuous pipeline stream, and gatherand process it at a
longer distance. So, it is ideal for developing marginalfields, were
you spend less money on equipment, and also less  money on your
operational expenses. It isalso ideal for declining fields.

   The other new area oftechnology we have also played the pioneering
role is what we call computeraided data operations. We also help you to
man your field using automation andbringing data from far flung
operations into a computer and you are able tomeasure your well
pressure, measure your pipeline pressure, you can detectleaks, you can
detect any problem that may be happening on the field. Insteadof having
five to ten operation staff sitting in the field, you can have one
ortwo present and then bring in information into your control office,
either inyour office or somewhere to monitor.

  We are also increasingly activein the deep off-shore sector. As an
engineering contractor, we do sub-contractsin design engineering. We do
sub-contracts in construction and  in installation services as well
ascontributing staff to project management.

   Our view is, we have got afabrication facility, a small one in Warri,
and through alliances, we work withother fabricators or yard owners in
Port-Harcourt. We do design work and thendo the field construction, and
then undertake the project management.

   So, in engineering, we havemulti-phased technology scalar and we are
pursuing a strategy to be acontractor for the off-shore industry as a
whole.

   Also, our last business is theadvisory sector. There, we just deal
with a few topical issues where we adviceboth government and oil
companies on a few issues. They range from reservesstratification to
reserves audit to gas utilisation project and powergeneration and
things of that nature. But that is more like consulting company.So,
like I said, we are multi disciplinary and that's what we are.

  The great thing is that things E and P are moving to 2Ds 3Ds and have
undergone beyond that. Do youhave this sort of equipment and do you
have the capacity to do things that aremore technical?

   Geographical energy does notdo or perform geophysical services and
geophysical is an upstream activity i.e.on the exploration business.
Before a rig comes on sight, you should have yoursight precisely and
determine where likely oil structures are and then the rig comeand
drills. It is when the rigs come to drill that we come on board, by
helpingthe operator understand the stratigraphy of the earth strata
they are drillingthrough.

   We do work with people who dogeophysics because our information is
ultimately tied together to determinewhat the company, to determine the
knowledge body of that field or area.

---------------------------

We lost a father...


Heart-broken LASU students mourn their Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Akesode
By Nnamdi Inyama, Dipo Fetuga and Wale Shadare

Nothing could have shown how hard the late Akesode worked, and how much
he succeeded than the great sense of loss his death left among the
students, among most of the university's officers who worked with him,
and even among people outside the LASU community

GRIEF, patent and palpable grief welled up from their hearts and found
expression in the tear-stricken faces, reddened eyes, and mournful
songs of the students, who called him "father," "daddy" "baba".

They chose to carry his casket themselves, read their eulogies of him,
and in the six hours that the funeral ceremonies lasted, showed a
simple unambiguous and eloquent love and respect for Prof. Fatiu
Ademola Akesode, the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU),
their Olori Ebi (head of family) who passed away on Friday, March 30,
in his sleep.

Considering the nature of the relationship between university students
and their vice-chancellors all over the country, nothing could have
shown how hard the late Akesode worked, and how much he succeeded than
the great sense of loss his death left among the students, most of the
university's officers who worked with him and even among people outside
the LASU community.

If Akesode's death would have been accepted as natural, the fact that
he passed away on the day he was to begin his second four year-term as
the vice-chancellor appears too significant to be ignored.

Moreover, there had been a few controversies in the university which
appeared to have pitched the late Akesode and his staunch supporters
against other groups.

Sharing in the feeling that there was more to his death than meets the
eye, the students were voluble and unrestrained in raining curses on
the suspected perpetrators of the nefarious act.

Luckily, those they thought had a hand in the death stayed away, or as
some of the students put it: "We would have buried them with him
today."

The journey that ended at Abari Cemetery had begun about 10 a.m. when
the late VC's body was received at the university's gate by a throng of
weeping students who calmed down enough to sing the old national
anthem: "Nigeria, We Hail Thee..."

As if to give credence to the insinuations that there was something
untoward in Adesode's death, there were security officials all over the
campus. People seeking entrance into the Senate Chambers, where a
special sitting was held in Akesode's honour were thoroughly screened.

There were orations, eulogies, encomiums and dirges in honour of the
late Professor of Paediatrics, who among other things, would also be
remembered as the first vice-chancellor of LASU to die in office.

From the Senate Chambers, the body was moved to the MBA auditorium for
a lying-in-State, where first, members of his family filed past the
open coffin, in which the late VC lay, followed by members of the
University's Council, officials of the Lagos State government, friends
of the late professor, academics and non-academic staff members, and
student union officials. Without exception, there were tears from
several eyes, and grief, as each group filed past from there, the
convoy departed for the deceased 77 Adefowope Street, off Association
Avenue, Ilupeju home for a short prayer. The students went 'wild' on
getting to Ilupeju with the chanting of 'Oro nla le da, Oro nla le da
meaning (it is a great pain you enemies have caused). From there, the
convoy moved to Ansar-Ud-deen Central Mosque at Ajao Street, Surulere
for the final prayer for the repose of the dead's soul. The crowd
became elated when at about 2.00 pm. the Lagos State governor, Senator
Bola Ahmed Tinubu was ushered into the mosque. Wearing lace agbada with
a black shoe and a cap to match. It was obvious that the governor was
in grief. In his speech later, he said he remembered with nostalgia his
discussions with the late Akesode few days before his demise. He said
also said he remembered the promise he made to the late V-C in the area
of more infrastructure. He promised to make good his promises so that
Akesode's struggle to see a better LASU would not be in vain, he said
amid tears... Tinubu wept.

The occasion very well matched the saying that "when pauper dies , no
noise is made, but when the affluent/rich dies, heaven blows forth
their trail." Professor Akesode's corpse finally made its way to Aban
Cemetery for interment. Among top personalities that witnessed it were
the Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and wife, Governor Segun Osoba of Ogun
State, former military Governor of Lagos State, Col. Raji Rasaki (rtd),
Dr. Idowu Shobowale, Special Advicer to Governor Tinubu on Education,
Chairman Lagos Island Local government etc.

Again, Governor Tinubu could not hold back tears as the coffin was
lowered into the grave. Oluwatoyin Akesode, (the deceased daughter)
described her family as very humble, caring and above all, God-fearing.
She described the loss as an irreparable one amid sob.

Mr. Lewis Olufemi, a 200 level Economic student said: "Honestly
speaking, we have lost a wonderful father who would do anything for a
student in need. He went further: "I still recall vividly the day I met
him in the students' eatery relaxing with a bottle of coke. I never
knew he was the V-C until my friend, Kunle called my attention to the
"big man" sitting in our midst. We will surely miss Olori Ebi (family
head). May his soul rest in perfect peace, he concluded with tears
welling up in his eyes.

Another student, Grace Fuwa, a geography student of the school said:
"The news (Akesode's death) came to us as a rude shock. Initially, we
didn't believe because we learnt he was at the Governor Tinubu's
birthday party and he didn't show any sign of illness on Thursday when
I saw him. Is this how people die?" she lamented. She continued: "I
pray Governor Tinubu gives us somebody in the mould of Akesode, who
will show love to everybody irrespective of tribe. We will surely miss
Olori Ebi (family head)", she concluded.

A lecturer who did not want his name in print described Akesode as a
man loved by all. "Because Akesode was upright in his dealings with
people, few never liked him. Because he would not collect bribe from
them, this few despised him. May God forgive them?

Rotimi Oshodi, an alumnus of the school described the late Akesode as
one of the few brilliant and intelligent men he had seen. He described
him as a man who was so humble to a fault. In his word: "I was in my
apartment when a friend rushed to me panting broke the news of
Akesode's death to me. Initially, I thought it was not possible,
considering the fact that I spoke with him a day to his demise. I
quickly made contact to find out the truth. When it dawned on me later
that Akesode was no more, I cried like a baby deprived of breast milk.
I am yet to get over the rude shock. So Akesode is gone," he said
soliloquising.

Akesode who passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Friday,
March 30, 2001 was born on March 18, 1940 in Lagos. He attended Ansar
Ud-Deen School ,Okepopo Lagos between 1946 and 1953, Methodist Boys
High School, 1954 - 1958: Abeokuta Grammar School 1960-61.

He was at the University of Lagos between 1962-67 where he studied
Medicine before proceeding to John Hopkins University U.S.A. He was
House Physician and Surgeon, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)
1967-68. Senior House Officer, LUTH 69-70; Resident in Paediatrics,
University of Maryland, U.S.A. 72-73. Clinical Fellow and Instructor in
Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Lagos. Fellow, Nigerian
National Medical College, 1978, Fellow, Royal College Physicians,
Canada, 1980; Member, Canadian Paediatrics Society; Member, Clinical
Research Society U.S.A., Member, American Paediatrics Society; Former
Provost and Chief Medical Director of Ogun State University Teaching
Hospital (OSUTH). May his gentle soul rest in peace.

---------------------------

Kalu's wife leads N32 million deworming exercise in Abia

From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia

A MASS de-worming exercise targeted at Abia children will soon be
embarked upon by Dr. (Mrs) Ifeoma Orji Kalu, wife of Abia State
governor.

Mrs. Kalu, while disclosing this to newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday said
anti-worm drugs worth N32 million had already been ordered from Neimeth
Pharmaceuticals Plc.

According to her, the drugs were sold at half their prices by the
company and that the state government would not make any financial
contribution to the project, stressing that the amount was raised
through her efforts.

As soon as the drugs had all arrived, the exercise will take-off with
the co-operation and involvement of the local council chairmen's wives.
The local council, she also said would not make any financial
contributions.

During the exercise which she will lead, the de-worming teams will
visit all nooks and crannies of the state. Specifically, she mentioned
the Leprosy Centre, Uzuakoli and the Itumbuzo Centre for the
mentally-retarded to be attended to.

Mrs. Kalu who had spent so much money on many accident victims by
paying their various hospital bills, including provision of food and
other forms of aid, stressed also that they were free of charge as the
proposed de-worming exercise.

Mrs. Kalu commended journalists for their role in nurturing the nascent
democracy, adding that they held the key to the nation's survival.

She charged them to not only offer objective criticisms of government
policies but should also proffer solutions to issues at stake, pointing
out that such positive publicity would encourage them to do better.
-------------------------

Who needs good governance project?

THE sum of N5 billion has been set aside by the Federal Government in a
counterpart funding arrangement with the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) for promoting good governance in Nigeria. A committee
has been raised for the purpose. In view of the deficit in responsible
governance the country suffered during the long years of military rule,
we welcome this initiative. The idea of good governance is an element
of the political discourse on emerging democracies. Its components
should include accountability and openness, fidelity to the rule of
law, and pursuit of economic policies that are free from monopolistic
hurdles, corruption and undue government interference. In other words,
we are talking of the institutional and ideological paraphernalia for
delivering efficient services in a viable and sustainable democratic
system. This is, of course, one of the priorities to which the Obasanjo
administration is committed.

However, we are worried about the nature of collaboration with the UNDP
and, indeed, any UN development agency for that matter in this project.
UNDP is mentioned here because it is the one implicated in managing the
programme, but our observation could apply to any international
development agency currently operating in Nigeria. What is at issue are
the integrity of Nigeria's policy on technical co-operation and the
failure that has become the hallmark of the co-operation funding
arrangement. There are a number of questions the government should
ponder before committing itself to a new co-operation package. A fresh
look at the UN system has revealed that technical co-operation has
become a huge business. Over the past one and a half decade, billions
of dollars have been channelled into Nigeria for this purpose, even as
it is apparent that the per capita contribution is low compared to what
obtains in other countries in and outside Africa. Targeting the
quantum, the components and proper disbursement are issues the
government can no more ignore, given the potential of the assistance
for both positive and negative impact on the economy.

The advantages to the economy have come by way of projects such as the
one on governance. But even these gains were limited on account of
corruption and incompetence in execution and management. We recall an
earlier UNDP programme on management development centred on
accountability and, indeed, the entire UNDP cycle of expenditure from
1992 to 1998. By the counterpart funding arrangement, Nigeria ended up
being the major contributor from 1994-1998 in an enterprise supposed to
be financed mainly by the UNDP. In previous years huge funds earlier
earmarked for spending in Nigeria had to be diverted to other countries
with the excuse that Nigeria could not provide the executive capacity.
No one, particularly government, seems bothered enough to question the
protracted process of programme formulation favoured by the agencies.
More disturbing is the deliberate subordination of high-grade Nigerian
staff to mediocre, lowly educated and inexperienced so-called
international staff. This discrimination against African experts goes
on in other countries too.

Worse still, as a result of poor management of the funds at the point
of implementation, public servants with or without the collaboration of
the disbursing agencies prey on the funds in a complex web of
corruption, leaving no positive mark whatsoever on the declared
development objective. Funding development through technical
co-operation has now reached a point in Nigeria where government should
not pretend that results would be attained just because the UN, EU, or
World Bank is involved. The process of generating projects and
programmes, modalities for disbursement and implementation have become
so abused that the donor countries are beginning to ask questions as to
whether their objectives are being served. The international
development agencies claim to be Nigeria's partners in progress and
they too should be interested in the efficacy of the outcome of
programmes sponsored by them. They should realise that their
credibility is at stake in a democratic Nigeria where questions will
now be asked as to what all the assistance is meant to achieve.

Finally, it is not quite clear why an elected government would have to
set up a special committee to teach lessons about good governance.
There are numerous institutions through which salutary effects of this
kind can be felt in the society. It would have been more meaningful to
direct the expenditure to the anti-corruption commission which is yet
to take off due to lack of funds. President Obasanjo who is very
informed about this matter should not lend his support to a programme
that may not enhance the quality of governance in any significant way.
The fetish being made of technical co-operation assistance derives from
the selfish interest of civil servants who see it as an avenue for
enriching themselves. They struggle to attract such funds to their
departments and some among them scramble to be in charge of the money.
Both government and the agencies know this yet the fraudulent practice
goes on. There is no reason to perpetuate this by establishing yet
another committee on good governance.
-------------------------

The battle for Nigeria

By Peter Okoh

IT was the great Marcus Aurelius, one of the best known philosophers
that ever treaded the surface of this planet, who once said, "there is
a time in every one's education when you come to the conclusion that
envy is ignorance, that imitation is suicide, that you must take
yourself for better or for worst as your portion, that though the wide
universe is full of nourishing good, no kernel of corn can come to you
but through your toil beneath that plot of ground which is given you to
till."

In most civilised nations of the world and indeed even in the
traditional African societies, it is only right and just that a man
should first toil beneath that plot of ground which is given him to
till, in order for him to feed, for afterall, this is what the
principle of natural justice, equity and good conscience is all about.
Perhaps, at the time of his postulations some decades ago, little did
the great Marcus Aurelius know that such would one day become very
relevant in this part of the world where it has virtually become the
norm to find those who toil and till all day long but have little or
nothing to eat and show for it, whereas some others who goof and loaf
for the better part of their time, having more than their fair share to
feed on, wine and dine, courtesy of the entrenched culture of greed,
graft and treasury looting especially in official circles. It seems to
me therefore that the time has come in the course of our education as a
nation when we must decide that fellow citizens must no longer be
allowed to feed fat on the sweat of others without toiling and tilling
for it. It is consequent upon this sombre and lamentable background
therefore, that the on-going debate over the 2003 polls, dubbed
premature in some quarters, seems to me as quite auspicious and a
welcomed development for a number of reasons:

First, from the perspective of a broad spectrum of our society
especially among the downtrodden masses, the present civilian
administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo has made very little or
no difference in their lives by way of value addition since coming to
power in May 1999, despite the huge resources available at its
disposal. The glaring flamboyant lifestyles of top government officials
have not helped matters to say the least. It will be recalled that at
the inception of this administration, the naira exchanged for N85 to
US$1, today however, the same naira goes for about N110 to US$1. To
that extent, a broad spectrum of Nigerians would wish that the tenure
of this administration could be fast-forwarded to make room for a fresh
order and a new beginning. Secondly, there appear to be widespread
discontent and disenchantment among the citizenry over what is
perceived as a hurried and shabby political transition programme of the
Abdulsalami Abubakar regime, which not only gulped huge chunk of the
nation's financial resources without much to show for it, but also
concocted and threw up three unwieldy and incoherent political parties.
Furthermore, the entire transition process is perceived to have been
pre-determined so as to achieve the desired result and forestall
probing the out-gone regime of Abdulsalami Abubakar and others before
it. So far, President Obasanjo seems to have kept faith with the pact
and understanding reached with his former constituency, as the various
deafening calls on him by angry Nigerians to probe successive
governments and recover looted funds, appear to be mere music to the
president's ears. It is thus widely believed that if the late
dark-goggled brutal dictator was still alive, perhaps not a single hair
of his would have been touched. These are also some of the reasons why
this administration's anti-graft campaign is hardly taken with a pinch
of salt by most Nigerians, especially when some ministers who were
recently removed and described as corrupt by the President himself,
were merely allowed to go with their loot rather than dragging them to
the anti-graft commission. It is therefore no wonder that Nigeria
continues to rank very high on the world index of most corrupt nations.

It thus seems rather whimsical that unless far-reaching probes and
indept investigations are conducted into the activities of previous
regimes especially the most recent ones, whereby trillions of naira was
siphoned out of the nation's treasury, we as a nation will be wallowing
in self-deceit, to think that we have attained democracy, for no true
and genuine democracy can ever be built, as none has ever been so done
any where in the world, on a foundation of fraud,
rob-my-back-I-rob-your-back syndrome as has been going on under the
Obasanjo administration.

A third reason for the festering anxiety over 2003 could be
attributable to the lack of any visible ideological differences between
the three military contrived political parties, whereby strange bed
fellows lumped themselves into the same political camps, ostensibly for
political refuge and shelter albeit temporarily. This is why the three
existing political parties are mere amalgams of social democrats, arch
conservatives, die-hard Abacha apologists, energetic under-50s,
proponents of "No Vacancy At Aso Rock," apostles of "Come And Eat" etc,
all strangely mixed together, akin to mixing egusi, ogbono, ewedu, ofe
onugbu, okazi, banga, okro, ofe Owerri et al, all in one pot of soup
which neither has a familiar name nor taste. To such fellows therefore,
2003 must hurry down here to enable them realign themselves with birds
of the same feather.

A fourth and quite pressing reason for the seeming early debate over
2003, relates to the fact that during the Abdulsalami Abubakar
mid-wifed transition programme, civil rights organisations, labour
unions, professional associations, NGOs, women and youths
organisations, Nigerians abroad etc, were highly disenchanted with what
they perceived as a political charade that was teleguided by the
military to produce a desired result, hence such groups voluntarily
abstained from the transition exercise. To them also, 2003 is a
watershed in the nation's political history, as it will afford them the
much needed opportunity to close ranks and form broad based grassroots
political parties for the total emancipation and liberation of the soul
of Nigeria from the oppressors, as well as take full control of our God
given natural resources. Yet a fifth reason and probably the most
vociferous of them all, has to do with the various conflicting negative
signals emanating from President Obasanjo's camp, as epitomised by the
"No Vacancy At Aso Rock" saga, the Minna camp of IBB and by implication
Abdulsalami Abubakar and last but not the least, is the camp of the
potent, notorious and ingenious Oguta high chief who is still smarting
from his June 12, 1993 conquest of our collective will."

The big question now is, what strategy can the progressives,
professional bodies, the under-50s politicians, the various women and
youths organisations, Nigerians abroad, friends of Nigeria etc, employ
to mobilise and close ranks in order to form a formidable united front
in readiness for the looming epic political battle ahead for the soul
of Nigeria, especially in view of the mind-boggling financial strength
of the adversaries, which runs in excess of three times the nation's
annual budget, thanks to their unimpeded access to the public treasury
for several years!

A good offence is the best defence. Considering the nature and size of
the daunting tasks ahead, the progressives must take the initiative to
begin to build access roads, bridges, tunnels as well as canals to
reach out and link up with the various aforementioned groups, if they
are to liberate the soul of Nigeria from the usurpers and forces of
retrogression. As the rest of us have nowhere else to call our own but
Nigeria, it has become absolutely imperative therefore that all
discerning and well-meaning Nigerians close ranks with the progressives
and other similar organisations and associations, as well as give tacit
and active support to individual efforts.
-------------------------------

Bola Ige, owner of the game (4)

By Odia Ofeimun

PART of the woolly thinking in the demand for a Sovereign National
Conference is quite evident in the current haggling over resource
control. Predictably, it has been raised to the top burner by the
simple act of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice asking the
Supreme Court to determine between the Federal Government and the state
governments as to whether there should be an onshore/offshore dichotomy
in the sharing of oil revenue. The Minister of Justice appears to
believe that it is not a resource control issue. But I think it is. The
Supreme Court's determination can grant to littoral states revenue
sources that President Olusegun Obasanjo's government has been doing
everything to deny them of since he came to power. Those who have been
arguing that the Minister of Justice has no business going to court are
either closing their eyes to the damage that Obasanjo's government has
been seeking to do to the Federal system in Nigeria or they are
collaborators with it. They think that the attack on Bola Ige and
comical tantrums such as buying full page newspaper adverts to say that
Bola Ige is no longer an uncle is some way to appear to be fighting. It
is actually a sign that most of those who say they are interested in
democracy can be easily swindled by a media lynch squad organised to
abuse rather than to think.

As the truth is, the matter of onshore/offshore dichotomy in revenue
sharing has become a most destabilising question in our much-damaged
Federal system because President Obasanjo and the cabal that
mis-advises him believes that the oil producing littoral states ought
not to be so blessed. Although the matter had been raised and settled
at previous constitutional conferences, it has continued to crop up at
every opportunity that President Obasanjo and his mischief-makers have
had of destabilising the Federal ethic in the country. We have it on
the authority of Governor Obong Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom State in
Thisday February 11, 2001, that "Three times, Mr. President tried to
introduce offshore/onshore. He tried it in the NDDC bill. It was
removed. He tried it in the 2000 budget. It was removed". Governor
Attah also told Thisday "we know that the government has been advised
by everybody that should advise it that what it is doing is wrong". But
the President persists. Governor Attah was more specific in his
interview with National Interest of the same date. He said: "We have
been talking, we've been negotiating".

I am summarising a dialogue that has spanned nearly two years over this
issue and we insisted that what he's doing is wrong. His own Solicitor
General, a copy of which (sic) letter we have, has written to him to
say what you are doing is wrong and there is no basis for that". Still,
you find so many desultory columns and articles in the newspapers
purporting to know that there is no reason for a Court case. What is an
Attorney General to do, who knows what the correct principles are, but
is functioning in a government in which the wrong principles are
consistently being pursued. Resign and like Pontius Pilate wash his
hands off the matter so that the wrong thing continues to happen? Or
accede to a civilised mode of making it an issue for more central
decision-making? At any rate, if the President continues to disagree
with the Legislature, where better to resolve it than at the Supreme
Court where all the arguments for and against can be proffered in an
orderly fashion? Since in any case President Olusegun Obasanjo has been
opposed to the idea of a Sovereign National Conference, what higher
court is there to appeal to?

What is even more interesting is that the mentioning of the issue as a
case for the Supreme Court has already set in motion the very process
of political engineering that the Federal Government, or more
correctly, the Presidency, has been refusing to engage. The report that
Vice-President Atiku is suddenly prepared to withdraw the case from the
Supreme Court to pursue a political solution, is the very stuff of epic
drama. During a recent visit to Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, the
Vice President gave a very interesting, actually very entertaining
rationale, for wishing to move the case from the Supreme Court. He
said: "by the grace of God, we have a President who is an international
statesman, who is internationally acknowledged and respected in the art
of conflict resolution. There is no political conflict or problem that
will be too hard for this statesman to resolve". The Vice President
went further. In the National Interest of Thursday March 22, 2001, he
said: "one thing you should know is that politicians are people who are
capable of magnifying political issues, of making such issues look
intractable, so that the ordinary man on the street would think the
issues can never be resolved. I want to tell you that the problem will
be resolved and we will resolve it". What Vice President Atiku did not
tell the people of Uyo is that in the past two years, he has been
meeting with and reaching no agreement with the oil-producing states on
the very issue of onshore/offshore. It should be asked: where has the
political solution been hiding in all the negotiations that Vice
President Atiku has been having with the state governors in the past
two years? And where is the solution to be found in President Olusegun
Obasanjo's abusive attitude towards the oil-producing states and in his
virtual brag that every other thing must wait till after the Supreme
Court judgement?

Surely, if the Federal Government withdraws the case from the Court, it
will have admitted that its refusal, in the past two years, to concede
to the demands of the states, has been a case of lousy power show. It
amounts to trying to have a Sovereign National Decision without a
Sovereign National Conference. By implication, Vice President Atiku is
trying to eat his cake and still have a part of it. Otherwise, I have
no doubt in my mind that the states have a greater chance of Justice at
the Supreme Court than in Atiku's political solution. In court, the
states have a fairer chance to press their case without the
intervention of miserable party solidarities which have already
wrong-footed even a Governor like Victor Attah who is quite clear-eyed
about the resource control issue. Let's face it, one ought to expect
that even the Supreme Court would, seeing the importance of the case,
allow all 16 judges to sit together on the matter. To withdraw the case
from the court and to make big noises about a political solution, as
Vice President Atiku is doing, amounts to pure hoodwinking.

Yet, again, it is not a solution that is guaranteed to earn popular
respect among the aggrieved. It may well be argued that the court case
has put the fear of God into the Federal Government by confronting
everybody with the likely enormous implications of sticking to the
wrong. But how does that tell us what Vice President Atiku means by a
resolution of the problem? Who will grant a sovereign status to the
resolution that Vice President Atiku envisages, especially knowing that
President Obasanjo has been working so hard to deviate from the
decisions of the National Assembly in the past two years? Properly
speaking, unlike what the Vice President believes, the issue is not
just about reaching a solution or resolving a conflict. The President
and his Vice should simply learn to obey the Constitution and abide by
the decisions of the National Assembly. Otherwise, it would be clear
that they are looking for a civil war to fight in order to fulfil the
old fantasy of those who wish to empty the Niger Delta of the natives
so that they can have unhindered access to oil wealth.

Of course, we are going to be hearing more of the fallacy that, by
seeking to withdraw the court case, Atiku is merely evening up the
resource control case with that of Sharia in the Northern states.
Frankly, as I see it, nothing has been more insulting to the South
South states than this attempt to put the Sharia problem on the same
pedestal as the resource control problem. Why should the manner in
which the Federal Government faces the religious crisis in the North
become the model for a solution to the resource control problem? What
needs to be faced is that the Federal Government is going to Court in
the resource control matter not because it wants to restrain erring
state governments but because, according to Governor Attah, the
President has been quite determined to disobey the requisite
constitutional provisions, as well as the position taken consistently
by the National Assembly; not to mention the advice of the "Solicitor
General". Those who want to get the head of the Minister of Justice
because he went to court are behaving like ostriches. If fair is fair,
a Minister of Justice who sees the Chief Executive contesting the
opinion of his ministry on any question simply has no choice but to
think of how what is right may be protected from power. But it also may
not be a question of power. The Attorney General and his ministry could
be wrong. The pursuit of justice in the last resort, if it does not lie
in the National Assembly whose views are already known in the matter,
ought to lie in the Supreme Court. That was where Bola Ige had to go.
That is where he has gone. The attack on him for taking the case to the
Supreme Court, or the presumption that an Attorney General who seeks
the court's interpretation on resource control must be a disbeliever in
it, merely presents the opinion makers as rabble-rousers.


Concluded

Ofeimun, a poet and essayist, lives in Lagos
-------------------

Governors and fuel distribution

By Tunde Fatunde

ALL the governors of the Nigerian federation have voiced their concern
over the economic consequences of the on-going fuel crisis in the
country. Virtually all of them have met with labour leaders and agreed
to send labour's grievances to the Federal Government. Some have
personally gone to the filling stations to see for themselves the
hardships of consumers in a country that produces about two million
barrels of crude oil daily. They have warned about the negative
consequences of sudden astronomical increases in the prices of
petroleum products. Yet, there is a need for the governors as the chief
executives of their respective states to come out with a detailed and
comprehensive alternative solution to the fuel crisis. It is no longer
enough for them to comment on this issue. Consequently, I hereby
suggest a special summit of the governors to specifically discuss and
proffer pragmatic solutions to the short and long term effects on the
fuel crisis.

Nigerians have suddenly discovered that the governors as representative
of their people do not have any idea of how many litres of petroleum
products get into their states and who are those who collect and sell
these same products. This is not their fault. The Federal Government
has traditionally handled all matters related to the oil industry
especially fuel distribution. The on-going fuel distribution crisis has
shown that the State Executives should also be involved in the politics
of fuel distribution. And it would also be in the best interest of the
Federal Government to directly involve the states in this respect of
the oil industry because the governors are in a better position to know
the details of how many litres of fuel get into their domain and who
are those involved in lifting these products from NNPC Depot. President
Olusegun Obasanjo who is the defacto and de jure Nigeria's oil minister
should also get the governors to share the responsibility in the
distribution of these products. An example would suffice in buttressing
my point. Not once but several times, Mr. Gaius Obaseki, the
indefatigable boss of NNPC has told the whole world that his
organisation does not have any influence on how petroleum products are
distributed once these products are collected at NNPC depot. There is
also a newspaper publication in which several tankers of fuel meant for
Suleija 'disappeared' into the thin air. Lastly, Professor Jerry Gana
has promised to release, state by state, those shylock oil marketers
who have deliberately sabotaged the distribution of these products.
These examples of chaos in fuel distribution share the same
denomination factor: states are not involved.

There is need to she d crocodile tears over split milk. If a problem
exists, we should look for practical solution(s) needed to tackle it.
Disruptive fuel distribution has been with Nigeria since the aftermath
of the ill-fated June 1993 presidential elections. Both the federal and
state governments should come with workable and practical solutions.
One of the solutions is this: the NNPC has the current list of
petroleum products being distributed to states by marketers. For each
state, a fuel distribution committee should be set-up on a permanent
basis. This committee should comprise representatives of NNPC, the
state government, oil marketers, local government, NLC, NUPENG and NUJ.
The role of the Nigeria Union of Journalists is crucial. This committee
should not in any way hinder the job of marketers charged with the
responsibility of buying and selling petroleum products to the states.
Once these products are sold to oil marketers, NNPC at Abuja should as
a matter of policy choose a particular day of the week to announce
through the daily newspapers, radio and television, the amount of
petroleum products sent to the states. The announcement on radio and
television should be done during or after the news. We live in the
information age. Nigerians have been fed with all sorts of stories over
fuel distribution.

Both the public and private sectors should make use of the railways to
distribute these products. Uptill the eve of Nigeria's civil war, most
of the petroleum products sent to the North passed through the rail
system. It is no longer safe and profitable for tankers to travel all
the way from the North to the South to carry these products. Let me
quickly add here that one is not suggesting that the oil tankers cannot
continue with their business.

However, with the rising cost of maintaining these vehicles, it becomes
clearer by the day that these oil marketers should begin to look ahead
and find more profitable methods of staying in the business of fuel
distribution. Here is the suggestion. NNPC, state governments in the
North and private oil marketers should collectively invest in the
purchase of railway oil tankers. At a given time of the week, Nigeria
Railway Corporation should transport, on behalf of stakeholders in fuel
distribution, from fuel depots in Port Harcourt, Lagos, Ibadan and
Kaduna to various fuel depots in the North. From these depots,
marketers could then go and collect the share of petroleum products
they ordered for. Through this system, the North would have constant
and regular supply of these products.

There should be a transition period during which, say six months,
sufficient rail oil tankers are put in place. And these tankers should
be insured. At the end of the expiry date, no tanker from the North
should be allowed to come to the depot in the South in the name of
so-called "bridging'. Several millions of litres of these products have
'disappeared' during this tortuous journey undertaken by tired, badly
paid drivers driving old rickety oil tankers.

Lastly, state governors, Customs and Immigration agents sharing common
international borders with Chad, Niger, Benin and Cameroun should be
held responsible for proven cases of smuggling of petroleum products
across the borders. Right now, a litre of fuel cost about N60. Except
Nigeria wants to commit economic suicide we can never sell our products
at the same price with our neighbours. The more we try to sell at the
same price, the more they also increase their own prices. These states
live in informal economic sectors where Nigeria's smuggled petroleum
products thrive. Therefore, the governors of these border states should
be penalised for allowing petroleum products get across the borders
under their very eyes.


Dr. Fatunde teaches Francophone studies at the University of Ibadan
----------------------

Bank stocks lift market, values rises to N172 million

By Lanre Oloyi and Arike Aiyeola

THIS week's activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) started on
a promising note yesterday as equity turnover volume increased by 8.6
per cent.

Specifically, a total of 15.5 million shares of 85 companies worth N172
million changed hands in 1,567 deals. This was against 14.2 million
shares valued at N145.3 million traded last Friday in 1,508 deals.

Of major interest to investors were the shares of Guaranty Trust Bank
Plc (GTB), Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Eko International Bank Plc (EIB),
United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Wema Bank Plc, UACN Plc and UACN
Property Development Company Plc. They all had over one million shares
each traded yesterday.

Interestingly, investors stationed their searchlight on the banking
sub-sector that has continued to offer good returns on investments.

The group accounted for 57.4 per cent of the turnover volume with 8.9
million shares valued at N96.8 million traded in 679 deals.

In the sub-sector, GTB led the activity chart with a total of 1.7
million shares worth N8.9 million exchanged in 162 deals.

In 217 deals, 1.6 million shares of Union Bank worth N51.9 million
changed hands in 217 deals. The bank's accounting year ended on
Saturday March 31, 2001.

Other active stocks in the banking sub-sector include UBA which had its
1.3 million shares valued at N16.4 million exchanged in 73 deals and
Wema Bank Plc with a total of 1.01 million shares worth N2.1 million
traded in 25 deals.

The construction sub-sector came second to banking on the activity
chart with 2.1 million shares valued at N14.8 million exchanged in 191
deals.

UACN Plc led the group's activity chart with a total of 1.2 million
shares traded for N4.9 million in 55 deals.

Its subsidiary company listed in the Real Estate sub-sector; UACN
Property Development Company Plc continued to attract the interest of
investors. The company accounted for all the 1.2 million shares worth
N2.6 million traded in the group yesterday.

A further review of the market showed that total market capitalisation
(equities only), plunged from N541.5 billion at which it stood last
Friday to N541.1 billion.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange All-share Index however increased by 0.3
per cent from 9,159.83 to 9,186.70 point.

First Bank led the gainers' chart with 122 kobo to close at N27.99
while Union Dicon Salt Plc and Nigerian Bottling Company Plc also had
their share prices appreciated by 75 kobo and 65 kobo respectively.

On the losers' table, Total Nigeria Plc was on top with 335 kobo,
closing the day at N63.75. Another major casualty was Julius Berger
Nigeria Plc which lost 260 kobo to close at N50.66. Guinness Nigeria
Plc and West African Portland Cement Plc (WAPCO) lost 100 kobo and 98
kobo respectively.

In all, there were 22 gains and 17 loses valued at N5.06 and N9.33
respectively.
--------------------------

New programme offers clue to CEOs on new era management

CEOs and top businessleaders in Nigeria would be helped to organise
their thoughts and manage thecomplexities of change as a new M.Phil
Degree programme on Futures Studiesbegins in Nigeria for the first time
ever.

   The M.Phil (Futures Studies)Master degree programme is being run by
Phillips Business School, West Africa,at Alpha House, 166b, Awolowo
Way, Ikeja in partnership with StellenboschUniversity, Cape Town, South
Africa, one of the top business schools in theworld noted for its
cutting edge in global business education.

   The M.Phil programme will beoffered as a distance learning on line
educational programme designed primarilyat providing executive capacity
building, professional training programmes totop flight executives who
desire to upgrade their knowledge, skills andexecutive capacity without
having to abandon their professional calling.

   The academic advisor ofPhilips Business School, West Africa, Dr. Osar
Emokpae, noted that the “Futureis uncertain and complex, but the future
can be managed if leaders are able tounderstand the deal with the
forces and trends that are shaping the future.

   "It is targeted at topmanagers, who require tools and intellectual
instruments that will enable themmanage uncertainties and ensure they
remain competitive.

   "The M.Phil programme onFuture Studies builds extra capacity in CEOs
and cutting edge managers betterthan any certificate on earth.

  "The Masters Programme isa systemic and multi disciplinary approach to
managing organisationalstrategies so as to create a desired future."

   Only only three universitiesin the world offer the M. PHIL in Futures
Studies. The selection of Nigeria forthis programme and accreditation
of Philips Business School was based on therapid pace of business
development in Nigeria and the need for new skills inmanaging change
and responding meaningfully to the growing complexity of worldaffairs
from an African perspective.

   The M.Phil programme will beco-ordinated by a multidisciplinary team
of experts led by Prof. A. Roux (PhD,Stell) and Director IFR. Others in
the team are Prof. P.H. Spies (PhD lowa),Prof. W. J. Breytenbach
(Dlittet Phil, Unisa), Prof. S. Bekker (PhD Cape Town),Prof. E. Smith
(D Comm., Stell), Dr. B. B. Haldenwang (D Phil, Stell), Mr.
M.G.Soltynski and Ms. M. Dodds.

   The programme prized at only$5000 extends over a minimum period of
two years during which study modules andstudy project/thesis must be
completed. Learning material is supplied tostudents and analysed and
debated and discussed during contact sessions throughthe satellite and
interactive television, which enables direct contact betweenstudent and
lecturer.

   Speaking at a recent visit toNigeria, the programme co-ordinator,
Prof. A. Roux, pointed out that “duringperiods of stability, decision
making is relatively simple, as change isreasonably predictable. During
times of turbulence, however, such as the worldand Africa and Nigeria
are experiencing now and will continue to experience formany decades,
rapid change is persuasive and the future becomes more and
moreuncertain and complex.

   "The result is that oldways of thinking about the future no longer
suffice. The pace and complexity ofthe challenges facing organisation
demand on approach to thinking about thefuture that is both creative
and rigorous. The true challenge is to become achange maker not just a
passive change taker."

   Emokpae indicated thatapplication, which earlier closed at the end of
last month, has been furtherextended till April 15.


------------------------

On the move
AFRICAN Development Bank: Mr. Omar Kabbaj, President of the
AfricanDevelopment Bank (ADB) Group has appointed a Nigerian, Ms.
Arumma Oteh, currently Division Manager, InvestmentDivision, as
Treasurer and Director, Treasury Department, with effect from April 2,
2001.

  Ms. Oteh joined the ADB in 1992 as seniorfinancial analyst covering
lending operations in West and North Africa. She moved to the Treasury
Department in 1993 whereshe held several positions in the capital
markets and investment divisions. Shesubsequently  rose to division
manager,Investment Division in 1997, and has since led the team that
manages the BankGroup’s multi-currency fixed income portfolios
totalling US$4 billion,equivalent. From 1997 to 1999, she was also
responsible for the FinancialTechnical Services Division, a division
that develops financial products forthe Bank’s intermediation
activities.

  Before joining the bank, Ms. Oteh had sixyears experience in
investment banking, consulting,  research and  teaching.She worked for
several institutions including the Harvard  Institute for International
Development  and Centre-Point  Investment  Limited. Sheholds a Masters
in Business Administration from Harvard Business School, Harvard
University, Boston, U.S.A. and afirst class honours degree in Computer
Science, University  of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

  By this appointment,  Ms. Oteh not  only becomes  the youngestbut also
the only female director  ofthe 37-year pan-African financial
institution. Her appointment also brings tothree the number of Nigerian
directors in the bank in addition to avice-president appointed  by
Kabbaj.

Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria,Lagos: Mr.
LateefShitta-Bay becomes  chairman

Born in LagosIsland, Shitta-Bay, 45 attended Ansaru-Ud-Deen Grammar
School, Surulere, afterwhich he worked briefly before proceeding to
United Kingdom in 1979. Between1984  and  85 he graduated at the
Institute of Personnel Management (UK).Shitta-Bay has a diploma in
Labour Studies and Industrial Relations fromPolytechnic of North
London.

He hadpost-graduate Certificate in Business and Public Policy from
KingstonUniversity-Surrey  1988-90. He hadMasters of Arts in Rural
Development at the University of East Anglia in 1996.Shitta-Bay began
his working career with the Inner London Education Authorityfrom
1985–87 before joining the London Borough of Greenwich as a
PositiveAction Co-ordinator responsible for redressing the imbalance
caused bydiscriminating   practices  of the past and also achieve
equality in employment and service  provision.

He rose to theposition of Area Race Relations Adviser. He was a
Principal Officer Grade II in1993 before his resignation 1996 when he
proceeded to the University of EastAnglia.

Mr. Shitta-Bayworked as a consultant with Micro-Finance for NGOs
shortly after graduatingfrom University  of Anglia  before he finally
returned  to Nigeria in1991.

Intra-West Africa Communications, Lagos: Dr. Dee Otibu Asare becomes
managing  director and also publisher/editor-in-chiefof West Africa
Internationalmagazine.

Otibu-Asare,  who holds a doctorate  degree in theology, had worked as
consultant in Tell  magazine and  also  in FinancialPost.

The managing  director, who  is also  a minister of God, is organising
the six Federation  of West African Investment Conference  (FEWAIC
2001) to be held at NICON Hilton Hotel, Abuja  on May 25.

MIC Industries Inc. US: Mr. Williams S. Cohen becomes chairman of the
board ofadvisors.

Cohen was the USSecretary of Defence  from January 24,1997 to January
20, 2001 during the second term of President Bill
Clinton’sadministration.

Cohen willactively participate in strategic planning and the
implementation of thecompany’s  business plans. Hisvision  and
credentials  will be invaluable  in assisting MIC to reach its global
goals.

Nigeria Institute of Management: Dr. Ben Nwaochei  has been appointed
as thenew Director -General of Nigerian Institute  of Management
(NIM).

A scholar  and administrator,   and has servedthe Institute  in many
capacities.

For theInstitute,  he was secretary  to the Education Training  and
Research Committee of the council  from 1988 – 1991 and chaired  the
Institute  from 1991 – 2000.

Born June 10,1944  at Isele-uku  in Delta State,  his contribution  to
NIMbegan  in the 1970’s when  he served on the NIM Presidential
delegation  to the then Head ofState, General Olusegun Obasanjo. He has
also been guest  lecturer to several NIM courses.

Nigerian Law School: The Council  ofLegal Education  has  appointed Mr.
Olanrewaju  Adesola  Onadeko as  its  new  Secretary  and Director  of
Administration  of the Nigerian Law School.

Onadeko, who untilhis  appointment   was  the Director  and head  of
Department of Litigation  of  the School, succeeded  Dr. Koleade
Abayomi  who  is the deputy  director general  incharge  of  Lagos
campus  of the  school.

He attended  Government College, Ibadan  and  former University  of
Ife, Ile-Ife where  heobtained his LL.B in 1976 and was called to the
Nigerian Bar in 1977.

A former seniorstate counsel, with the Ministry  ofJustice, Ogun State
and a former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP),Ministry of Justice,
Banjul, The Gambia, a secondment  from the Federal Government of
Nigeria.

Onadeko, 47,  is the author  of Nigerian  Criminal  Trial Procedure
(1998) and has publishedseveral  articles.

He has sinceresumed  duty.

Fortune Assurance Company Limited: Mr. Ochuko Akposibruke , former
Regionalcoordinator  of the Eastern RegionalOfficer of Fortune
Assurance Company Limited, has been  elevated  to the  position  of
Assistant General Manager (Operations) inthe Head Office. He is a
graduate  ofUniversity  of Benin (1985) and a prizewinning  graduate
of the TimesJournalism Institute.

Akposibruke  who started  his insurance  career with Standard  Alliance
Insurance Company Limited, servedthe  company  in various capacities
until  he resigned  as chief operating officer,Eastern Regional Office
of the company, based in Port Harcourt.

Prior tojoining  Standard  Alliance Insurance  Company  Limited, he was
for six years  the chiefexecutive officer of a management  constancy
outfit,  providing fixed assets portfolio, management services  and
designing software  products  for banks and  other financial
institutions.

Before joiningFortune  Assurance  Company Limited,  he distinguished
himself  as an accomplished  insurance  marketer who won  a greater
share of the  insurance  market in the South East  for thecompany.

Government Girl’s College Omu-Aran: Managing Director  of Security
Assurance Plc Mr. Abiodun Alao has beenappointed  the  vice  chairman
of the Parents Teachers Association  in an election  conducted
recently.Other  officers elected  included: Mr. P.L Oni, treasurer; Mr.
TunjiYetude Ajayi, publicity  secretary(Lagos); Mr. Tunde Hamed,
financial secretary , and Alhaja  A.H.Katobi, assistant financial
secretary. Also elected are Mrs. Adigun, and Dr. Yinka Popoola,
ex-offio members, Alhaja K.T. Belo, and Oluwanifise Francis as
auditors, while theschool’s  principal would serve  as secretary
directing the affairs of theassociation  as chairman  is Alhaji Adebayo
  Ajani a, a director-general in Kwara State Civil Service.
------------------------

FedEx enhances human capitaldevelopment with ‘contact Forum’
By Layi Adeloye
FEDEX Red Star Express innovative human capital developmentinitiative
came to the fore last Saturday as the courier company broughttogether
customers, employees and friends of the company at a specialsemi-formal
forum, focussed on human personality development.

The occasion of “FedEx Contact Forum” heldat Club Restaurant of the
Lagos Sheraton Hotel essentially featured a lectureon human character
development held in a semi-formal environment, meant toenhance the
relaxation of participants. “Besides, the occasion,” according toMr.
Obinna Ariwodo, FedEx Corporate Affairs Manager, “was designed to
encourageparticipants “to interact with one another and listen to an
interactivelecture,” just as prizes were to be given through
“specialized raffle draw toexcite  the participants.

The high point of the day was the lecturedelivered by Sarah Alawaye, a
renowned counsellor and a motivational speaker on“Seven Habits of
Highly Successful People.”

According to Alawaye, who held the hallspell-bound for the one hour and
ten minutes duration of the lecture,successful people, every where have
certain practical and mind tuning habitsthat promote better
relationship at work places, homes and general livingenvironments.

The essential highlights of theseprogressional habits are the highly
successful people’s ability to:

• take responsibility in a way that isproactive at all times – with
choices made by them being based on soundprinciples and reasoning;

• have a goal base on sound vision asthe bedrock for defining the
future success;

• prioritize their goals in terms ofplanned management of time and
space so that second things do not come firstand first things do not
come second;

• have a frame of mind that is focussed onthe “CAN DO” aspect of life
thereby producing a win-win positive thinkingstructure that is devoid
of selfish posture;

• have good interpersonal communicationwith others in a way that sees
to understand others rather than beingunderstood;

• think outside the box (of theirimmediate confines) using the “third”
alternative (of others’ views) inproducing solutions to problems rather
than either parties insisting on theirselfishly opinionated view; and

• their ability to involve a continuosrenewal process that includes;
the sharpening of the soul in the four areas oflife – physically
(though exercises), socially (relaxation) economically(feedback, recall
system) and mentally (loosening up pressures).

Apart from enriching the quality of lifeand success attained, these
habits, according to Alawaye, will safeguardindividuals against
breakdowns, fatigue, monotony and declining productivity.

Explaining the rationale behind “FedExContact Forum,” Ariwodo said the
forum’s “aim is to reward, entertain andnetwork her numerous customers,
prospects and the business community whilecontributing to their
intellectual well-being.

The yearly forum which started in 1996 asthe “Secretaries Day” before
it metamorphosed into the present  forum involving business executives,
seniormanagers and “key influencers” in all company decisions,
especially as regardslogistics, office support, among others, also has
a special side-attraction inprize giving.

The subsequent raffle draw leading to theprize awards produced three
winners.

Mrs. G.F. Oyenusi of R. T. Briscoe, emergedthe winner of the star prize
of a return ticket to Europe on the platform ofKLM Airlines. Mr.
Valentine Fagbohunlu of Ajinomoto won the second prize of aDSTV system,
donated by Multi-choice while Miss Ifoma Okafor of Rhoda Chemicalswent
home with the third prize of a “14-inch” Sharp colour T.V.
-----------------------

Econet wireless team for London Telecom Summit

SENIOR company representatives from Econet Wireless Nigeria will
beamong leading telecommunications and investment experts expected to
explore newtelecommunications opportunities in Nigeria at a major
conference to be heldnext week in the British capital, London. The
conference is due for April 9 and10.

   Representing Econet Wirelesswill be Mr. Strive Masiyiwa, and Mr.
Baloji Balogun, whose company, FCMBCapital Markets, is one of the major
investors in Econet, which is currentlypreparing to launch a mobile
network in Nigeria in the next few months.

   The officials will outlinework underway to launch Econet's GSM mobile
network in Nigeria, as well as theopportunities that have been created
by the liberalisation of thetelecommunications sector in Africa's most
populous country.

   The conference, titled"New opportunities in mobile and fixed-line
telecommunications inNigeria," has been organised by KC Global, a
specialist conferenceorganisers based in the UK.

   It has been endorsed by theNigerian Minister of Communications,
Alhaji Mohammed Arzika, who said in astatement to participants that the
conference would provide a unique platformto exchange ideas and useful
information on the business opportunities inmobile and fixed line
telecommunications in Nigeria.

   The organisers have targetedthe participation of senior
representatives of network operators, equipmentsuppliers, content and
service providers, financial analysts and investors fromAfrica, Europe,
the USA, and the Middle East.

   In their statement toparticipants, KC Global said the conference
would examine opportunitiesemerging from the recent GSM licence awards,
and future developments in thefirst evolving mobile and fixed
telecommunications business in Nigeria.

   KC Global said Nigeriarepresented a vast market, offered by its
population of over 110 million -Africa's biggest. "New licence
operators fully expect that Nigeria'smobile users will grow by 10
million people in the next 10 years," saidthe statement.

   Econet Wireless is one of thesuccessful bidders who paid US$285
million for a GSM licence to launch andoperate a national mobile
network across Nigeria.

   The company is expected toconstruct a network using spectrum in the
900 Mhz and 1800 Mhz band.

   A spokesman said preparationswere on schedule to launch its mobile
network, and work underway includeserecting base station sites, souring
essential network equipment and therecruitment of staff.


------------------------------

MOBITELcommences commercial telephone services in Warri

By SonnyAragba-Akpore

WITH an over-stretched network run by the NigerianTelecommunications
Limited (NITEL) in Delta State, the commissioning of a5,000-line
complementary private telephone network by MOBITEL Limited in Warriat
the weekend has been described as cheery news by Governor James
OnanefeIbori of Delta State.

   "Thepresence of MOBITEL and its determined efforts have resulted to
the presentceremony we are witnessing today in Warri." This, according
to GovernorIbori, "is a good testimony of how private enterprises could
help oil theeconomic machinery of our dear country."

   Thegovernor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for
Agriculture andNatural Resources, Dr. Ifeanyi Okonwa, said the success
story of MOBITEL is avindication of the role privatisation can play in
injecting free ideas anddynamism into the economy of the country.

   By adding5,000 digital lines to the Warri network, Governor Ibori
said the heavy trafficin Warri will be reduced significantly and at
least 200 vehicles will be offthe road everyday.

   Shuttlingfrom place to place which leads to traffic congestion will
be reduced sincemore telephone lines will be available to do this.

   Ibori said"It is cheering news to us that the MOBITEL lines here in
Warri havecapabilities for toll quality voice and fully supports data
transmission, emailand Internet. This is an improvement on the services
provided by privatetelephone companies elsewhere in the country."

  Communications Minister of State, Alhaji Adekunle Haruna Elewi,
whoperformed the commissioning said the ceremony "marked yet
anotherremarkable achievement by one of Nigeria's most prominent and
foremost privatetelecom operator, MOBITEL."

   Elewi saidthat despite the seemingly unstable environment occasioned
by fractionalcrises, MOBITEL was able to brave the storm to invest in
the restive NigerDelta investing "enormous sums of money, time and
human resources intoactualising its bid to bringing this very essential
telecom services to theregion" adding that one cannot but admire the
courage MOBITEL hasexhibited and especially applaud MOBITEL's clear
demonstration of belief in theoneness of this country in which
opportunities abound for all at every point"regardless  of tribe
andtongue."

Elena appealed to the local community to co-operatewith MOBITEL "so as
to ensure peaceful and efficient operation at alltimes because every
enterprise like this requires the support and co-operationof the host
community to survive and grow."

Describing telecom as the engine that drivesbusinesses, Elena said even
the developed countries hinged their growth ontheir information and
communications technology, adding that "it is ourgoal to improve on all
the inadequacies of our country's telecommunicationsinfrastructure."

   MOBITElChairman, Major General Tanko Ayuba (rtd.), in his opening
address, said"We all at MOBITEL, we particularly thankful that this
exchange is fullyup and running." He praised the doggedness and
determination "shownby our management to get this exchange
operational."

   Earlier inhis welcome address, MOBITEL’s Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Charles Joseph,an engineer, recounted the journey through the
times on the Warri Exchange.Describing the road as long and hard,
Joseph said the final arrival at thecommissioning was "not in a sense
of an ultimate achievement but anarrival right on time to provide the
much required telecommunications servicesnot only in Warri but in the
entire Delta State and its environs."

   For theirencouragement and assistance through this bumpy road to
Warri, Joseph thankedCommunications Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Arzika,
the new management of NITEL,Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, among others.

   Joseph saidthis exchange was set up at the peak of the crises in the
Niger Delta and itseemed as it were, at that time a very high-risk
venture. However, MOBITEL,keen on identifying fully with government's
effort to make telephone servicesmore available to the people and also
in diffusing the tension that wasmounting in the region at the time
went ahead and invested huge sums of moneyto set up this fixed wireless
exchange. This exchange at the moment has aminimum capacity of 5000
lines. It also has a toll quality voice and fullysupports data
transmission, E-mail and Internet access. This has made our linesthe
foremost choice of Internet service providers and businesses
requiringregular and heavy data transmission." Joseph pointed out that
MOBITEL haspositioned itself to take full advantage of the latest
development in theNigerian telecommunications industry, it is also well
poised to face thechallenges of competition, having carved out a niche
for itself in theindustry. "We believe that if the new policy on
telecommunication is wellimplemented, government's objectives for
deregulating and privatising thetelecommunications industry will be
speedily realised and telecommunicationsservices will be provided at
very affordable rates. This will consequentlyincrease Nigeria's
teledensity, which at the moment is one of the lowest in theworld by
providing telecommunications services to the entire people of
DeltaState. MOBITEL is ready to fully support government efforts in
this regard andwill be proud to be the foremost telephone service
provider in Delta State. Wewill also appreciate the opportunity to
extend our services to the neighbouringstates."

   We areprepared to enter into discussions with various state
governments towardrealising this objective." Joseph expressed MOBITEL's
gratitude "toour host communities and thank them for the support and
co-operation extendedto MOBITEL. We believe that their warm hospitality
will be sustained in anatmosphere of peace and cordiality which we have
observed and enjoyed sofar."

   Josephequally expressed MOBITEL's appreciation to the minister for
his constantsupport and friendship. "We were greatly encouraged by your
visit earlylast year to our Victoria Island and Sura exchanges in
Lagos. We have grownconsiderably since that time. Your words of
constant encouragement to us leaveus no choice than to have you
commission this exchange today."

   House ofRepresentatives’ Communications Committee member, Ms. Temi
Harriman commended"the faith, hope and confidence which MOBITEL had
shown in investing inWarri, Delta State and the entire Niger Delta."

   Harriman,who represents Warri Federal Constituency, said she was,
particularly, excitedbecause of the social responsibility shown by
MOBITEL, which she implored tospread quickly to other parts of the
Niger Delta.

   The MOBITELexchange is a code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) one
with capacity forhigh-speed data transmission and Internet
connectivity.

   Supplied byAirspan of the U.K. for Wireless Local Loop (WLL), the
exchange also parades aswitch supplied by Iskratel also of U.K.

   Josephexplained that WLL is a replacement for wireless and "our
Airspan CDMAprovides a true replacement for cables and will perform
what a typicalIntegrated System Digital Network (ISDN).

   It operatesthe signalling number seven of Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN) for theswitch to connect up to 30,000 lines on the
network.

   "We areworking in collaboration with Delta State government to deploy
this system roundthe state and environs."

   Besidesthis, MOBITEL adds Internet Service Provisioning (ISP) in two
months to enableMOBITEL subscribes access not only to voice service but
also to the Internetwith just the one line subscriber has.

   The exchangelocated on Kilometre 4, Effurun Road, Edjeba, Warri, has
two giant generatingsets for electricity supply in case public power
supply fails.

   There isalso a 500 KVA transformer situated on a large expense of
land, security of theplace has FBI security company limited providing
back up round the clocksecurity for the exchange and environs. There is
also a mobile police back up.

   FBIChairman, Mr. Shola Mese, said his men are well trained to provide
all mannersby security for its clients.

   All of ourmen are equipped with different communications gadgets "to
enable usmonitor security situation from any point. We have a patrol
team and provide around the clock security for the exchange and
community."

   Besidesthis, he said his company is into contract security, sales and
hire of securitybooks and films, industrialised security training,
protocols and consultancy,"MOBITEL is one of our corporate clients"
Mese added.


---------------------------

How Nigeria can bridge digital divide in IT (1)

By EbitimiBanigo

THE world is undergoing a revolution in Informationand Communication
Technology (ICT), which is rightly referred to as the
digitalrevolution. The revolution is already transforming social and
economic life andis moving at near lighting speed. According to the
Okinawa Charter on GlobalInformation Society, ICT is one of the most
potent forces shaping the 21stcentury. It is fast becoming a vital
engine of growth for the world’s economy,creating opportunities for
many enterprising individuals, firms andcommunities, globally.

   It is onrecord that it took 38 years of radio to reach 50 million
people and 13 yearsfor television to achieve the same result. Empirical
evidence has shown that thesame number of people adopted the Internet
in just four years. There were 50pages on the World Wide Web in 1993,
but today, the pages of the World Wide Webhave increased to 1.5
billion, with almost two million pages being added eachday. About 143
million people logged on to the Internet in 1998. In March 2000,an
estimated 276 million persons world-wide were users of the Internet
with agrowth rate of roughly 150,000 persons per day. By the end of
this year (i.e.2001), the number of users will climb to 700 million.

   The marketfor e-commerce was $2.6 billion in 1996, $45 billion in
1998 and it is expectedto grow to $300 billion in 2002. This could well
explode to over $7 trillion asearly as 2004 (UN Report).

   Thesefigures are astonishing and phenomenal, but they reflect
activity by less thanfive per cent of the world's population. There is
a great disparity in thespread of the Internet and thus the economic
and social benefits derived fromit. There are more hosts in New York
than in the whole of Africa, and morehosts in Finland than in Latin
America and the Caribbean combined.

   The Internethosts in Africa grew from 7,800 in 1998 to 10,703 in
1999. There areapproximately 26 countries with 1,000 or over dial-up
subscribers, but onlynine countries - Egypt, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique,
South Africa, Tunisia,Uganda, and Zimbabwe have 5,000 or more hosts.
However, in spite of Nigeria'sresources, size and population, the
country has been the slumbering giant ofthe African Internet/ICT
development. The precise statistics on the Internethosts in Nigeria is
not known.

   Theforegoing statistics have been given as an introduction because
the use of theInternet is a good indicator of the overall status of a
nation's level ofinformation infrastructure development. The National
Information Infrastructure(NII) consists of a combination of
information technology and telecommunicationtechnologies.

   Informationtechnology is defined as electronic based technologies,
which can be used tocollect, store, process and package information and
provide access toknowledge. It comprises both the supply side (i.e.
computer hardware andsoftware) and the demand or user side (i.e.
informatics applications in alleconomic sectors, the information
services industry, electronic publishing,broadcasting and management
information systems).

  Telecommunication technology on the other hand allows
informationtechnologies to interact with other information
technologies, as well as remotedevices in networks, thereby permitting
users to access database andcommunicate with other users over long
distances.

   Theconvergence of the information technology and telecommunication
technology hasthus greatly enhanced the existing service industries. It
has increased theproductivity, quality and efficiency of businesses,
management, administration,education and health-care services which, in
turn, has led to a digitalrevolution. Indeed, just as the Industrial
Revolution created the IndustrialDivide between developed and
developing nations, so has the development ininformation technology
created the Digital Divide.

   Thedevelopment and diffusion of information technology globally is
identifiable atthree levels with three groups of countries, namely:

•Countries that are leaders in the field ofproduction and generation of
ICT, its application and diffusion. Evidence showsthat most of the
countries in this category, are members of OECD;

Countries where some capacity in production andapplication of ICT (both
hardware and software) has been developed but whichstill rely on
imports from countries in the first group. Most of the
countriesbelonging to this category are in  Asiaand Latin America; and

•Countries where the application of ICT is still inan embryonic stage
and access to it depends solely on imports. Most Africancountries are
in this category.

   From allindications, it is clear that Africa is yet to catch up with
the revolution.The information revolution is the central and driving
force for globalisationand evolution of the information society, a
society that enables people tofulfil their potential and realise their
aspirations. The integration of Africainto the global information
society has been very slow. It is in recognition ofthis that the
conference of African ministers in 1996 approved the AfricanInformation
Society Initiative (AISI) aimed at bridging the digital divide
andintegrate Africa into the global information society. AISI
recommended theelaboration and implementation of National Information
and CommunicationInfrastructure (NICI) plans in all African countries
and the pursuit ofstrategies, programmes and projects to assist in the
build up of an informationsociety in member states. The implication of
the digital divide is thatcountries that are backward in economic and
industrial development coulddecline further by being cut off from the
new opportunities offered by thetransition to the information society
and knowledge-based economies.

   The truth isAfrica has remained poor largely because it did not
participate in theindustrial revolution. It is therefore imperative
that Africa participatesactively in the digital revolution, as ICT
would offer African countries anopportunity to take advantage of the
massive capital investments in oldercommunications systems in developed
countries in order to accelerate theirgrowth in information technology.
In fact, as long as African countriescontinue to adopt lacklustre
attitudes to information technology, they willcontinue to remain poor,
while the gap between them and the developed nationswill continue to
widen. That is why the theme of the first African DevelopmentForum
(ADF) conference held in Addis Ababa in 1999 had as its major
theme,"Challenge to Africa: Globalisation and the Information Age."
Theobjective of the conference was mainly to identity concrete
strategies andprogrammes that will enable Africa integrate into the
global InformationSociety.

The Caseof Nigeria

   Today, ourcountry is confronted with many challenges; domestically
and internationally.At the domestic front, we must deal with a pool of
uneducated, unskilled andunemployed youth, rectify the
over-concentration of people and resources in theurban centres, develop
the skills of our people, and change the structure ofour economy in
order to improve upon the lifestyle of our people. On theinternational
front, we are confronted with the issue of creating an open
andtransparent society and playing a key role in the comity of nations.

   Ourexperience has shown that it is impossible to meet these
challenges through theconventional means that are being employed.

   In the worldtoday, there is a paradigm shift; a shift of perspective
is occurring in whichthe energy-oriented 20th century is giving way to
the information and knowledge-oriented21st century, based on high
performance info-communications infrastructures. Inother words, the
only way for Nigeria to truly solve its problems is torecognise and
implement the tenets of a knowledge-based society.

   Nigeriapresently lacks a fundamental understanding of the IT
revolution. As a nation,we lack the discipline, orientation and culture
to undertake the transformationto a digital society.

   It is inrecognition of this looming serious inadequacy of our country
that the FederalMinistry of Science and Technology mapped out a
comprehensive strategy totransform our country into an information
society within 25 years.

   As part ofthe programmes toward actualising this objective, the
Federal Ministry ofScience and Technology, which is the focal point for
ICT, organised a three-dayworkshop in March last year on National
Information and CommunicationInfrastructure (NICI) — Policies, Plans
and Strategies.

   At the endof the workshop, the following observations were made:

•The current ICT infrastructure does not create theenabling environment
for Nigeria to be part of the Global Information Society.For example,
Nigeria has one of the lowest tele-densities and accessibility aswell
as the number of Internet users/hosts in Africa. The diffusion of ICT
intoAfrica has been at a snail's speed such that the gap between
information-richdeveloped countries and African countries continues to
widen everyday.

•Nigeria needs a National Information and TechnologyBackbone based on
the VSAT network and optical fiber links with the necessarylarge
bandwidth for multimedia high-speed transmission. Through this
medium,ICT can be used for on-line repatriation of knowledge, expertise
and experienceof Nigerians abroad in order to arrest the brain-drain
syndrome and ensurebrain-gain through the willingness of Nigerians in
diaspora to contribute toICT development in Nigeria.

   The emergingnew technologies can help the country leapfrog. However,
this will not bepossible until we have addressed the issue of poor
implementation systems andremoval of obnoxious regulatory bottlenecks.
Indeed, events in the world so farhave clearly demonstrated the need to
declare access to ICT services as afundamental right of every Nigerian.

   It isagainst this background that the following recommendations were
made:

•That a master plan and strategy for implementationof NICI should be
put in place urgently;

•A commission or agency on ICT to regulate the sectorshould be
established;

•An accelerated take-off of the centre for theInformation and
Communication Technology Development (CICTED); and

•Encouragement of Nigerians in diaspora to activelyparticipate in ICT
development.

   Themechanisms to ensure that policies adopted are implemented are as
follows:

•Access to ICT services should be declared as afundamental right of
every Nigerian;

•Government should review the current educationalcurricula to include
ICT education at all levels;

•Government should establish a programme to enhancelocal content and
initiate moves to identify all services and products offeredand needed
by the public and private sectors of the economy;

•ICT departments should be established in allministries and
parastatals; and.

•The government should address women and children’sissues vis-à-vis
ICT-gender issues.

   An enablingenvironment should be created by the government for the
localmanufacture/assembly of computers and accessories in order to
encouragedevelopment of software that are relevant to the public and
private sectors ofthe economy.

   Against thisbackground, the Federal Ministry of Science and
Technology thereafter set up aCommittee on National Policy on ICT with
the following terms of reference.

• Banigo ,former Science and Technology minister and group chairman of
All-States Bank,delivered this lecture at the recent University of
Science and Technology, PortHarcourt.


--------------------------

Political conundrum of universal access in Nigeria
By Nduka Irabor
IN Nigeriabuzzwords that serve to challenge policy makers to effective
action have a wayof taking on lives of their own, stopping at
sloganeering at the expense ofaction. Slogans that have been consigned
to the dustbins of history include“Health for all by the Year 2000”,
“Housing for all by the year 2000”, Waterfor all by the year 2000 and
uninterrupted power supply for all by end of 2001!Well the year 2000
has come and gone and there are no measurable achievementsin any of the
sectors.

   A new one appears to be in its formative stages at grabbingheadlines
and political tinking and that is universal access totelecommunications
services. In desperate and uncoordinated ways, the governmentof Nigeria
is determined that this would not be just another buzzword in
thetelecommunication industry. Yet, policy pronouncement is scant, and
concreteefforts so far do not match the proportion of the low level of
penetration oravailability of the telecommunication utilities.
Considering thattelecommunications has almost been universally accepted
as a major engine forgrowth and development through job creation,
income generation, improvedhealth, education information and social
welfare, it is not far to see why weshould underscore the threat that
the lack of it poses for the survival of theimpoverished in developing
countries such as Nigeria.

WhatExists Now

   We can get a grasp of theenormity of the telecommunications problems
in Nigeria by examining the dismalstatistics in the telecommunications
and information technology sector of theeconomy. As at the beginning of
the millennium, there were 0.4 telephone linesper 100 people. This
compares to 10.1 in South Africa, 4.7 in Namibia, 4.5 in Botswanaand
6.3 in Tunisia. The number of personal computers per 1000 in Nigeria
stoodat 5.1 in 1997 compared to 41.6 in South Africa and 46.1 in
Malaysia.

   This parlous state of things in the sector is epitomised by whatis
now being offered by the state-owned operator NITEL and a sprinkling
ofPrivate Telecoms Operators (PTOs). The number of telephone lines has
grown from18,724 at independence in 1960 to about 8000,000 today, an
average growth rateof about 19,532 per year for forty years! In a
country of some 110 millionpeople living in a total area of 923,768.64
square kilometres, this is trulyalarming. Even so, only 500,000 lines
are connected to subscribers. And callcompletion rates have gone from
bad to scandalous.

   The recently concluded GSM auction and subsequent offer oflicenses
appears to hold some promises at increasing teledensity in Nigeria.The
roll out obligations indicate the expectation that about 4,500,000
digitalmobile lines would be connected to subscribers five years after
commerciallaunch. It is also expected that five per cent (or 112,500
lines) would havebeen deployed in the six geopolitical zones of the
country three years aftercommercial launch.

   But sadly, all of these would not have addressed the needs of thepoor
rural dweller. Given that 70 to 80 per cent of the population live
inrural Nigeria as in most developing countries, the statistics is
frightening.Nor does it appear that adequate preparation is being made
to sufficientlyaddress the challenges of telecommunication penetration.
For instance, theexisting optical fibre transmission networks barely
links more than 30 per centof Nigeria’s geographic space. Meanwhile, as
NITEL prepares itself forprivatisation, it aims to expand telephone
network to critical markets whichmay means further neglect and
disenfranchisement of the rural, undeserved andun-served population.

   In Nigeria, it would have been easier to target thetelecommunication
operators to redouble their efforts at improvingavailability. But the
dearth of other infrastructure needed to boost theefforts of the
operators, conspire to further compound the problem. Epilepticpower
supply remain the single most pressing challenge to service providers
asit is indeed most sectors of the economy. The same rural dwellers
that areun-served by the basic telephone lack electricity, good road
networks and watersupply. Yet as daunting as the threats are, there can
at least be a measure ofconsistency in policy formulation and genuine
efforts at putting within thereach of Nigerians-rich and poor, urban
and rural dwellers alike – affordablebasic telephony. Often times,
policy pronouncements and guidelines towards thislofty goals are too
limited in articulation and vision to attract confidenceand trust from
the public.

What has been done?
   In the mid 90s Nigeria has aplan to extend telephone services to
rural and undeserved areas of the country,targeting the 774
administrative headquarters, but this plan was neverimplemented.
Perhaps the most ambitious effort at extending access toundeserved
areas was the programme pursued by the Petroleum (Special) TrustFund
(PTF), the agency conceived by government to find quick fixes to
ailinginfrastructure.

   Pilot projects in 18 Local Council Headquarters were implementedusing
the Digital Access Rural Telephony (DaRT) technology. Even
ashalf-hearted as the implementation of the pilots was, it was trailed
byquestions of inappropriateness of technology and management. Again,
the agencywas scrapped by a new administration because its existence
was inconsistentwith provisions of the country’s new constitution. And
with it went the onlyconcrete efforts yet at expanding access to rural
areas.

   Currently, the National Information, Communication and
EducationProgramme (NICEP), under the Office of the Minister of Special
Projects at thePresidency, is said to be putting together a programme
that would employsatellite technology for the provision of
telecommunication services to ruraland remote locations. Also, the
Federal Ministry of Science and Technology andthe Federal Ministry of
Education are equally having their own initiatives onthe subject of
information technology and communications. Not to be left out,the
telecommunications industry regulator, the Nigerian
CommunicationsCommission (NCC), has come up with it own rural
telecommunications initiative.And to harmonise these, the Ministry of
Communication  has proposed to be allowed by the Presidency to take
charge ofwhat rightly belongs to it turf!

   Curiously, the House Committee on Communications made
strenuousefforts to provide funds for rural telecommunications in the
2000 and 2001Appropriations Bill, hoping that the initiative would spur
the rest ofgovernment into action. The target was to install MCTs in
four locations ineach of Nigeria’s 36 states and Federal Capital
Territory. But even mycolleagues in the Legislature gave it their
half-hearted support and in thefinal analysis could not summon the
political will to include it in the Act.

   The ministry has decided on the C-DOT Technology, patented inIndia
and its performance has not been subjected to rigorous appraisal
andperhaps the pilot/demonstration scheme had already been installed
and in use atthe President’s home state. It must be said here that this
decision comes aheadof cost implications.

   Should the cost not be a major cause for consideration for
anyapproval to be given? What happens if the eventual cost estimate
exceeds whatis reasonable, given the alternatives could have been
preferred? It is littlewonder why otherwise laudable ideas never leave
the drawing board.

What Needs to Be Done
   As a first step, there isneed to come to terms with the definition of
universal access. I agree with thenotion that universal access is a
concept in transition. Without going throughhistorical developments of
these concepts. I would like to say that at thisstate of the transition
in Nigeria, a proper definition of universal accesswould enable a clear
articulation of policies for rural telecommunications. Inmy view, at
this stage of our development we should be adopting some ideas asin
South Africa where access in rural areas is defined as “a telephone
withinfive kilometres (or two hours walk)”.

   Secondly, there should be some agreement as to what constitutes
arural community. Some observers have defined rural communities, as
communitieswith a population of 5,000 or less, this would appear to
cover a wide enoughspectrum of undeserved urban and un-served
communities. Here again there are obviousproblems of interpretation by
operators. Currently, all PTOs granted communitytelephone licenses have
found it convenient to deploy services in urbanundeserved areas whereas
the licenses were aimed at rural areas. To discouragepractice, it is
important that a tighter definition of rural areas is adoptedin issuing
Universal Service Obligations (USOs) to operators.

   Also, the NCC imposed a Universal Services Obligation (USO) onthe GSM
licensees in an effort to deepen penetration and wider
geographicalreach. Aside from the major provisions, each licensee is to
provide 30,000lines each for the six geopolitical zones of the country
within the first 24months of the grant of the license. They are also to
deploy 20 per cent ofinstalled capacity at any given time to the rural
areas. These appear laudable,but could be counter productive if stiff
sanctions are not applied to enforcecompliance. Unless the cost of a
breach of the USO far exceeds that ofcompliance one might find that the
USO would be observed more in the breach.

Universal access through share facilities
   Examples abound of countriesthat have experimented with universal
access through shared facilities withvarying degrees of success. But it
has become quite obvious that the cost andcomplexity of today’s voice
and data needs requires increasing emphasis onshared facilities in
rural areas. Support for these shared facilities be itMulti-purpose
Community Telecentre (MCT) or Information and CommunicationsTelecentre
(ICT) or Public Call Offices (PCO), the basic feature is
theco-operation of multi-lateral agencies like the World Bank or
UNESCO. However,I wonder whether the scale at which these centres are
planned and implementedare not too large for our purposes. Perhaps what
is required is a scaled downversion of some of the MCTs and ICTs we
read about deployed in severallocations. Such consideration should
inform choice or technology, which luckilyis varied, available and
getting much more cost effective. The challenge thenis to design a
solution that is tailored to meet the demands of the uniquerural
terrain:

   Is it mountainous? Does a large body of water isolate thefar-flung
community? Is it an isolated desert settlement?, et cetera.

   More importantly, it must be emphasised that whatever the choiceof
technology for Nigeria, it should be capable of supporting high end
dataapplication such as voice, e-mail, fax and Internet access and even
video. Thatway, benefiting rural population can take fully advantage of
facilities to addresspressing national developmental challenges like:

• emergencies, safety andsecurity needs

• training locals in the useof telecommunications facilities other than
the telephone.

• support for agriculture,trade and other government business.

• linking health centres andfacilities to communities.

• enlightenment andeducational purposes.

The missing link
   The one missing ingredient in the outline above is the
enablinglegislation that would power any rural telecommunications
initiative. The NCCAct of 1992 and subsequent amendments is obviously
inadequate to address theconcerns for universal access. That is why I
am sponsoring a Bill for aTelecommunication Act that would address many
of the weaknesses of existinglegislation. The biggest threat to rural
development through telecommunicationin Nigeria as in most developing
nations is funding. The target communities arevery poor and isolated
and cannot afford to pay the commercial tariff forservices.

   The government requires significant investment in infrastructureand,
in the face of other competing social needs, usually postpones
investmentin infrastructure for these communities. The proposed Act
would entrench afunding mechanism for rural telecommunications through
several interventionmethods including:

• proceeds from theprivatisation of the national carrier in the short
term.

• proceeds from licensingand auctions by the regulatory body.

• funds from internationaldonor agencies and NGOs.

• taxes on the revenues ofnetwork carriers and telecommunications
operators and their contributions aspart of their USOs.

• support from multi-lateralagencies (UN, World Bank, UNESCO, EEC, etc)

• loans from government andfinancial institutions on non-commercial
terms under a specific programme.

Strategic imperatives of the act
   For an effective and efficient universal access programme,
cost,capacity and grade of service are issues that should be at the
forefront of. Agood piece of legislation should seek a balance among
these. There are ofcourse other pertinent issues aimed at:

• reducing tariff fortelecommunications equipment

• defining properly what atelecommunications equipment is.

• reducing cost of licensingand services to be licensed

• creating awareness onpotentialities

• training IT capable workforce

• creating access to cheaperfinance

• encouraging multipleoption applications.

Conclusion
   In some areas rural telecommunications can be successfulcommercially
especially when packaged for community involvement in some urbanand
semi-urban areas as in the experience of Senegal. Even in Nigeria with
thevery limited access and poor service quality, most cities are
witnessing amushrooming of call centres using street side kiosks at
near market locationsand even residential places. However, given that
rural telephony may in theshort run not be profitable, it is still a
very viable tool for nationaldevelopment capable of creating jobs and
multiplying, in the long run therevenue base of operators.

Presentedby Honourable Nduka  Irabor, Member ofthe House of
Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the justconcluded
African Telecom Summit Accra, Ghana.

Hon.Irabor, a veteran journalist, is the chairman of the House
Committee onCommunications


---------------------------

NYSC seeks payment of benefits to retirees

FromAbiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin

DIRECTORGeneral, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier Gen.
Kola Ogunkoya, hasreiterated the determination of the management of the
scheme to ensure virileretirement benefits for its retirees.

   Ogunkoya, in Ilorin at a training workshopfor pension schedule
officer in Kwara State, frowned at delayed and in somecases,
non-payment of benefits to some of the NYSC retired officers across
thecountry.

   He, therefore, underlined the imperative ofthe NYSC having a well
organised and viable structure both at the Abujaheadquarters and the
states' secretariat for effective and prompt payment ofthe retirees
benefits.

   "The NYSC as an organisation," hesaid, "has come of age since its
inception in 1973 with its firstgeneration staff drawn mainly from
states' civil service. Today, the scheme hasa staff strength of over
5,000 with many now qualified for retirement."

   Ogunkoya added: "It is thereforeimperative to have a well organised
and viable structure both at theheadquarters and the states
secretariats for efficient, effective and promptpayment of benefits as
at when due."

   The NYSC boss recounted the ordeals of theretirees under successive
military regimes from 1986 to 1994, when the NYSC waswithout any
pension scheme, with a pledge that such gory past would never
berevisited under his leadership.

   He attributed the past lapses to frequentchanges that led to the
affiliation of the NYSC with many supervisingministries in the period
under review.

   He noted: "Whenever we are moved fromone supervising ministry to
another, we run into problems of continuity sinceit is usually the
supervising ministry that packaged such pension scheme on ourbehalf.
These problems, therefore, prompted the NYSC to establish anindependent
pension scheme in line with its status as a schedule parastatal in1995.

   Ogunkoya, who urged the participants todemonstrate greater commitment
toward meeting the aspirations of retiredofficers, added that the aims
could only be feasible if effective machinery forspeedy processing of
payment of gratuities be fashioned out.

--------------------------------

CIL, NCC AND GSM Licence: A telecoms, investment law

By A.J. Owonikoko

FIRSTLY, the second generation GSM system is already outdated and will
be fully junked in Europe (the home of GSM) with a third generation GSM
system by year 2003 save in the rural and non commercial area. Secondly
under the NCC information memorandum preceeding the Auction (para 3.2),
it was elliptically implied that the 3GSM auction will be conducted in
a matter of two to three years, hence in compliance with ITU standards.
Thirdly, as for the licence, its exclusively period is five years even
though experienced investors believe that a market already
accommodating four operators is no longer exclusive. Fourthly, the
carrier and network requirements that should assist the companies to
meet their roll-out plan and achieve national coverage are visibly
non-existent. Fifthly, the only national carrier doubles as one of the
co-competitors and enjoys rare advantage of deeper knowledge of the
local operational environment, better access to the relevant databank
and practical market survey spanning over forty years. Sixthly,
although adverts have gone out for the appointment of a second national
carrier and licenced operators are allowed to build their own network,
there is the attendant headache of problem-free, land acquisition to
cite cell sites and lay transmission cables across the country. This is
more worrisome because while the NCC Decree (S.21) allows government
acquisition of land for such purposes, the cost of the land and payment
of compensation therefore shall be borne by the licence (S.21 (4).
Seventhly, all the proposed operators (except CIL) heavily borrowed (on
shore and short term) in paying for their licences fees (at prohibitive
interest rates) whereas, licence fee is supposed to be such that the
operator must be able to write off and still break even within five
years. Eighthly, except NITEL and CIL, the other operators have not
done business for upwards of three years within jurisdiction since
their incorporation as to be able to immediately raise funds from the
capital market directly nor as to be able to be listed (after five
years) on the stock exchange where free funds could be mobilised to
reduce their costly borrowing exposures. Ninthly, having borrowed so
staggeringly to pay for licences it smacks of the obvious that they
will equally have to borrow to acquire equipment and deploy their
services. Tenthly, all telecoms equipment are to be imported and will
attract 30 per cent import duty. Eleventhly, the amount of funds raised
by the licences from the local banks weighted against the risk
portfolio of the lending banks are such that if any of the companies
should go under the entire banking industry it will witness
unprecedented distress. Debt recovery practitioners in Nigeria stand to
be tasked to the limit in coming to their rescue since the monies
borrowed were in foreign currency and the amount of capital outflow by
the foreign investors in the companies are bound to put further strain
on our foreign reserve, force the naira to plummet deeper thereby
making the cost of repaying the loans unbearable.

Only CIL did not raise its funds from the local economy and probably
also did not intend to repay or secure same with local assets. It makes
all the best business sense in the world to have encourageD such a
demonstrable effort at direct foreign investment in hard currency
consistent with the investment promotion and protection objectives of
the Commission under S.2 of the Degree. And from the facts emerging it
was possible to have so done without violating any of the pre-set rules
of the auction. This shall be addressed shortly.

Nigeria, without hostile investment climate, parlours infrastructure
and hazy telecoms regulatory environment must therefore consider itself
extremely serendipitous, to have successfully attracted (not raised,
anymore) $1.14 billion as its own auction coming almost a decade behind
schedule. NCC was actually expecting $600 million from the auction
according to the EVC (see ThisDay, November, 2000 at page 17).

The Legal Issues Arising From CIL/NCC Dispute:

With the above background, we propose to briefly consider the issues of
law arising from revocation of CIL, GSM Licence offer. It is noted that
the position taken by the first two previous contributors assumed that
the relationship between CIL and NCC arose from a purely public
administration exercise. Hence the narrow compass of their treatment.
In this piece we respectfully beg to differ slightly with them while
endorsing Mr. Ebomhe’s position. We consider the situation as one
sounding in contractual relationship. S.5 (f) of NCC Decree No. 75 of
1992 as amended provides amongst other powers of the commission that it
can enter into any contract or partnership with any company, firm or
person which in the opinion of the Commission is intended to facilitate
the duties specified in this Decree.

We see also that in the newspaper war that heralded the auction
regarding some pending litigation that led to the present dispute the
NCC counsel argued in his rejoinder published in ThisDay newspaper of
January19, 2001 (para 11) thus the plaintiff's action in placing the
advertisements constitute no more than a doomed attempt to scuttle
legitimate objective and duty of government to Nigerian citizens. Then
the main issue to be determined was whether the defendant was right in
determining the contract in the light of the fact that the plaintiff
failed to pay his renewal fee as agreed for a period of over five
months.

It is elementary in law that a party to a contract can terminate the
contract for good, bad or no reason at all and in the process subject
himself to damnation in damages or affirmation of his action.

It seems reasonable to infer that NCC regards as contractual, the
process of issuing its licence. No less a legal mammoth than Chief
Williams SAN, saw the same as contractual when he said in his own
advertorial on the nature of his cliens claim as followsñ the licensee
right so given by NCC according to the licence documents, express
representations, conferred those rights upon it for an initial contract
period of fifteen (15) years certain

An auction in the nature that attended GSM licences conducted with the
active counselling of private consultants, local and foreign, in
various fields relevant to the process was definitely not an
administrative exercise. While section 25 of NCC Decree clearly imports
the applicability of judicial review, it is improper to invoke the same
here when, it was clearly a business event at which the partakers had
legitimate expectation that the rules of law guiding contractual
relationship rather than unruly vagaries of public policy were to guide
their conduct. Hence, the emphasis was on fairness and transparency of
the exercise admitting no intrusive political discretion. It is to this
extent that one finds good company in the principle of law on
legitimate expectation as espoused by Stephen Kola Balogun Esq. in his
own piece. Agreeing that the law of contract governed them the question
is: Was CIL's legitimate expectation defeated by anything done or
omitted to be done by NCC prior to and during the auction exercise or
vice versa? If so, what remedy in contract is open to either of them?

The answer lies in the quotation of Chief Afe Babalola, SAN cited above
but the approach in the circumstance will not conduce to judicial
review as appeared to have been suggested by Mr. Balogun; rather it
should be a relief for breach of contract. At stake as at today is not
$265 million dollars. That is still a conditional payment withdrawable
at the absolute option of CIL unless and until the condition thereto
attached is fulfilled. NCC cannot be said to have been paid that sum as
yet and if that were all that the dispute involved CIL should simply
throw in the towel and accept that it had been a bad investment and
hope for better luck at a later date. This is clear enough because
there has been no dispute of the fact that CIL is only prepared to part
with that sum upon an assurance that its frequency allocated pursuant
to the licence offer is certified unencumbered or, that it be re-valued
to take account of the contingency of the litigation in progress.

With the knowledge that NCC does not dispute that the frequency
spectrum approved for CIL is the same as that presently being litigated
upon by a third party against NCC, the latter is in no true position to
give the kind of assurance requested by CIL. Let it run the risk of
falling in contempt of the court were it to assure CIL that the case
would go in its favour though it may legally issue out an idemnity to
comfort CIL. To do the former will be pre-empting the outcome of the
case and thus undermining the integrity and impartiality of the bench.
See Fatb V. Ezegbu (1992) 9 NWLR (pt 264).

Contrary to the position taken by Messrs Agbokoba & Priscilla, our law
does not forbid anybody from buying a law suit whether in good faith or
bad faith, by private treaty or at an auction absent a specific order
of court to the contrary. The only caveat is that the purchase will
abide the outcome of the pending list. See per Supreme Court in
Ogundiani V. Araba 1978 NLR 165.

Did CIL or any other bidder intend to buy a law suit at the auction? It
may equally be argued that CIL was aware of the problem attaching to
the frequency before the auction. But the simple answer to that is that
Econet expressed the a similar reservation on the eve of the auction
and demanded re-assurance from NCC which was promptly and publicly
given (and presumably to the notice of CIL and other bidders) for
obvious reasons-it was a foreign company fully supported by its home
government. The auction would otherwise have been stalled if its
assurance was denied. See front page ThisDay January 18, 2001 under
caption ECONET Writes NCC On Suit.

Why has it suddenly become impossible to give a similar assurance to
CIL after the auction had been completed and the troubled frequency on
CIL? We would not attempt to speculate on this, but suffice t to say
for our purpose that unlike what has come to light, the NCC made two
crucial representations in its information memorandum to the bidders to
influence their decision to participate at the auction and risk their
investment.

1st representation:

Paragraph 2.4.1 NCC Information Memorandum.

All previously issued digital mobile licences and related frequency
assignments have been withdrawn, therefore, once the auction concludes
there will be only four authorised mobile telephone operators in
Nigeria.

It is to be noted that NITEL was clearly stated to be one of the four
and that the other three shall be selected at the auction. It is also
to be noted that CIL had previously been granted licence and frequency
prior to the auction and was entitled to reasonably suppose that NCC
was in a position to issue it with unencumbered frequency being aware
that there are Five slots (see per NCC EVC in The Guardian of Tuesday,
February 28, 2001) only one of which was subject of litigation, whereas
there were only four operators to be issued with frequency.

What has now transpired is that rather than reserving one slot for each
licenced operator and leaving out completely the one that is subjudice,
one of them was allotted two slots leaving the remaining three bidders
only two unencumbered and one pendente slot to be shared amongst three
successful bidders. It becomes problematic at this stage to argue for
the transparency and fairness of the process

Furthermore, of the three licenced operators, one had raised concern
before the auction and had been assured there was no cause for alarm.
Were that company to have been assigned the troubled frequency its case
would have been very straightforward against NCC. What was therefore
the strategy adopted to ensure that NCC lived up to its promise to the
company assured?

This is to be found in the procedure followed in allocating the
frequency, the 2nd representation. In the information memorandum under
the sub-heading Frequency Plan (page 44 ThisDay of November 20), NCC
stated and I quote:

"This precise position of each licencees spectrum allocation will be
the subject of random selection by the Commission once the auction has
finished.” Underlining ours for emphasis.

Contrary to the above indication, the frequency allocation was not done
by the commission." Not all. As if afraid of taking blame for the
predictable backlash, the task of allocating the frequency spectrum was
delegated by the commission to the bidders and it was not random in any
or true sense of the word. One, given allowance for the assured
licencee only an unencumbered slot was available to be chosen by the
remaining two licencees. Of this two it was suggested that one being a
lady should have the first pick, thus eliminating the chance that she
would pick the troubled slot. Econet who was assured picked next. The
only other slot after the pick by the lady representative and Econet
was the litigious slot.

With all this seemingly pre-arranged procedure the quality of random
selection was anything but followed if we must accept Websters New
Encyclopedic Dictionary, meaning of the word random, to wit- “lacking a
definite plan, purpose or pattern; having definite and especially an
equal probability of occurring.

The only thing certain in the circumstance was that one of the three
bidders was bound to pick the encumbered slot for which they did not
bargain. Once one company had two spots reserved for it, and another
favoured on the principle of ladies’ first, the rule of “equal
probability” was clearly negatived in the selection process as two had
been accorded unfairly favourable treatment and one expressly assured
of its safety in their hands.

Observing further that of the four, the licencees had the backing of
their governments (MTN South Africa, Econet Zimbabwe and NITEL FGN) it
is hardly surprising that CIL became the orphan (by such a coincidental
accident). Imagine MTN or Econet being offered that contentious
frequency! Add to this the fact that CIL is seen as a one man business
outfit and as having made irreversible investment of up to fifteen
million dollars in equipment acquisition prior to the auction;
effectively making its back out unthinkable.

What are the legal consequences of no compliance with pre-set rules and
representations?

The basic principle of contract is that the parties must be ad idem.
There has to be a meeting of minds. If it shown that in entering into
the bidding process CIL did not bargain for the frequency it had been
assigned, it will be at liberty to withdraw its offer for at an auction
the bidder is the offeror whilst the auctioneer is the offeree. It also
has the option to accept that bargain notwisthstanding the deficiency
and claim compensation by way of damages of the diminution of the
bargain provided it could show the blame lay with NCC and not itself.

In the present scenario, it will appear open to CIL to seek to resile
from the bargain on grounds of mistake as to the quality
(consideration) of the licence. The position of the law on this has
support in the decision of their lorships in the House of Lords in Bell
Vs Lever Brothers Ltd (1932) 161 at 225 which is that-

whenever it is to be inferred from he terms of the contract or its
surrounding circumstances that the consensus has been reached upon the
basis of a particularly contractual assumption, and that assumption is
not true, the contract is avoided.”

The qualification to the above general principle is only that the
assumption must have been fundamental to the continued validity of the
contract or a foundation essential to its existence. See Chitty on
Contract Common Law Library 24th Edition at page 288.

It is not a matter for debate that frequency spectrum is 90 per cent of
a GSM licence. No operator can operate without it and yet it is a
scarce and severely limited national resource. Any licence or offer
particularly at a whopping sum of $285 million that is unaccompanied by
usable frequency assignment is not worth the paper on which it is
printed.

A successful plea of mistake will operate to render the contract void
ab initio as to entitle CIL to recover its $20 million dollars deposit
with the accrued interest as money had and received for a failed
consideration.

Relief From Penalty Clause:

The chances of recovering the $20 million deposit are strengthened by
the fact that curiously, NCC, in its information memorandum, explain
the purpose of the deposit inter alia thus-

In the event, a bidder is excluded from the auction, the NCC may, at
its discretion, notify the bidder that all or part of that bidder's
deposit is forfetied as a penalty. Italics ours.

The law as to penalty postulates that a stipulated sum will be
classified as a penalty where it is in the nature of a threat fixed in
terorrem of the other party” rather than “a genuine pre-estimate of
probables loss.” If a provision relating to or contained in agreement
is held to be penalty, the courts will decline to implement the
intention of the parties in enforcing same and will relive the other
party from suffering the penalty. Although the criteria for so holding
do not rest solely on using the word penalty the language adopted by
NCC to describe the deposit will hardly qualify as a genuine
pre-estimate of loss rather than a form of weapon of terror on the
bidder. Equity enjoins against unjust enrichment which may result in
the event that NCC invokes the penalty clause to forfeit the $20
million deposit thereby profiting from what seems arguable as its own
wrong.

Apart from recovering the deposit as a penalty, the circumstances
discussed above may make the money recoverable on the merit. A look at
the provision of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, in section 44, relating to right to property as a fundamental
human right also bespeaks that CIL may successfully make a case for
damages for investment losses it had incurred prior to, pursuant to and
consequent upon the auction if they were reasonably proximate and
within contemplation of the parties. Reason being that there was no
legal backing for the revocation of the previous licence and no
compensation was paid therefor.

This civilian regime is rendered liable and answerable for all
property, right, privilege, liability, or obligation of its predecessor
who granted the earlier licence through the same NCC. See 317 of the
1999 Constitution. This will include liability for damages incurred by
CIL by reason of the revocation of its previous licence and withdrawal
of its previous frequency even if it may be precluded from enforcing
specific performance its previous licensing contract on grounds of
obviously and overriding national interest. We are here making
allowance for the Constitution which endorses the acquisition
compulsorily of property or proprietary right of any Nigerian by the
government provided he is fairly compensated.

In the present circumstance if the GSM licences earlier awarded to
operators for the sum of thirty seven million naira (N37,000,000.00)
only (excluding frequency fees as at then) as recently as 1998 can be
resold for $285 million dollars by the government in 2001, it can only
be lamely contended that a confiscation of such licence in order to
resell them at great profit to government is unlawful. Even in the more
advanced democracy of the United States of America their principle of
settle expectation in respect of property rights of citizens is not
invoked as a mater of course. As professor Lawrence H. Tribe
commendably posited in his locus classicus . The American Constitution-
circumstances may on occasion justify public repudiation of certain
aspects of previously undertaken contract obligation; claims acquired
solely by virtue of governmental promises can hardly be absolute if
even rights held directly under the Constitution must sometimes give
way to compelling necessity. In particular, a showing that the rights
of other persons can be protected through no alternative less drastic
than modifying a public contract obligation should suffice to immunise
the modification from successful contract clause attack.

The equivalent of the contract clause in Nigeria be found in s. 44 read
along with s.317 of the 1999 constitution which forbids deprivation of
accrued right without compensation.

Conclusion:

As matters stand, it is auspicious for NCC to indemnify CIL, revalidate
its bid and swell the coffers of the Commission by $285 million
dollars. Or NCC may stand its ground and risk the uncertainty, expense
and drugery of a fat law suit at the instance of CIL. NCC must consider
the business risk of further re-selling a fourth licence that is now
doubly imperiled by their previous suitor and CIL. They must honesly
ask themselves: How much will it fetch? $300m or $100?!

On the other hand, CIL as well may have to avoid working in a straight
jacket of closed option. It need not blindly insist on procuring the
licence at all cost. There are presently rewarding alternatives if it
fails to reclaim the licence on fair terms. Buy-in, buy out, joint
venture, merger and acquisitions should not be foreclosed. They are
obtainable without breaching any of the present regulatory criteria. If
MSI Celltec that lost at the auction could bounce back by pulling a
killer deal of a joint venture with NITEl (ThisDay March 3, 2001) we
cannot see that CIL, boasting $285 million in investible fund and
30,000 line capacity on ground immediately upgrade-able to 800,000,
should be incapable of structuring a bail out synergy at a profit with
any of the other over-borrowed operators.

These less-adverserial elections must be weighed dispassionately
against the view well espoused Salmon L.J. in Galie V Lee 91969) 1 All
E.R. when he said: Litigation is an activity that does not markedly
contribute to the happiness mankind. although it is sometimes
unavoidabe.

How one wished that the NCC information memorandum contained a clause
for alternative dispute resolution or an arbitration clause
post-the-auction, perhaps at a neutral venue outside jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding, the settlement of this dispute can invite the
attention of the disputants to section 4 (k) of the NCC Decree (as
amended) which provides that the functions of the Commission shall
include, and I quote: " In the arbitration of disputes between licences
and other participants in the telecommunication industry."

The fledgling GSM industry in Nigeria is too strategic to be launched
on a philosophy of victory or success which denies win-win outcome for
all the stakeholders.

-----------------------

Ajuwa dreams of becoming Africa's best player

BINAWARI Ajuwa is the new kid on the block in the Super Eagles. The
Benfica FC player has, however, not had the chance to fully blossom as
he has had to sit on the bench as other tested legs abound . Little is
known of the left-footed player who until three years ago was still
playing in the Lagos State league for Puma FC.

But the Bayelsa state-born player now features for one of Europe's most
famous clubs, Benfica which represents quite a transformation for the
youthful winger.

Being a left-footer, he is seen by some as a probable successor to
Emmanuel Amunike whose position no other player has been quite able to
fill adequately since he developed injury problems some years ago.

The Guardian's Yemi Aofolaju caught up with Ajuwa in Lome, Togo where
the Super Eagles trained for their World Cup qualifier with Ghana's
Black Stars.

He spoke on his sojourn in Europe, his views about filling Amunike's
position, the role of his brother, Wilson in his career and much more.
Excerpts:

What is life like at Benfica?

I'm happy with my club. Though I don't play regularly, but I believe
there's still time for me to grab a regular shirt at Benfica.

Is this because there is a particular player, maybe a big star that
plays the same wing?

No, not really. The main problem is that I'm a foreigner. At Benfica we
have about eight foreigners and only three can play in a match. We have
three Brazilians, two Chileans, two Angolans including myself, making
eight.

Is this your first season in Benfica?

No, this is my second season with them. In my first season I did not
have the opportunity to play much because I sustained an injury after
just three games for the youth side. The injury did not heal for nine
months. I just started playing in November. So in December after
scoring eight goals in five matches for the youth side. The senior team
coach put me in the senior team.

So, how were you able to adapt to the Portuguese style of play?

It was not so difficult because I had played in Spain in 1998. The
Spanish and Portuguese styles are similarly. So I had no problems.

When did you move to Europe and which Spanish club did you play for?

I moved to Europe in January 1998, I did trials with Celta Vigo of the
Spanish league. They were impressed with me and they would have
accepted me. But due to monetary problems, it couldn't go through. I
did the trials with two other Nigerians, Toyin Oyelakin and Kennedy
Anasiodu. But luckily for me scouts noticed me and took me to Portugal.
I went to Benfica and after one week of trials they signed me.

So what happened to Toyin Oyelakin and Kennedy Anasiodu?

Both of them are also now in Portugal with Villareal FC, a third
division clubside and they're doing quite well. Kennedy won the best
player award in the third division last season.

Which clubs did you play for in Nigeria before you left?

I played for Puma FC in the Lagos State league in the 1996-1997 season.
After this, I was to sign for Julius Berger but I later decided to go
to Benin Republic and sign up for Dragons FC.

How was your experience at Dragons?

I couldn't help conditions at Dragons. Some of my teammates were too
jealous of me and they were into fetish practices. So I decided to
leave for Portugal on the advice of my elder brother who is also my
manager.

Who is your brother and what does he do?

His name is Wilson Ajuwa and he's a lawyer based in Lagos.

So he's the one who scrutinises your contract papers and gives you
advice before you sign?

Exactly, he has really been of help. He really studied the Benfica
contract before I signed. He is really in charge. He also helps other
players read their contracts before signing. With him it will be hard
for any club to lure me into an unfavourable contract. We are very
close. He spent Christmas in Lisbon with me last year.

But playing for Benfica FC is quite a big leap from Puma FC which was
merely a state league team, isn't it?

Yes it is. While I was at Puma, we played for very little money. But in
Europe football is big business.

You left for Europe at quite a young age, how old were you then?

I was 15 when I left. I left on January 7, 1997. I didn't celebrate my
16th birthday until January 30. I'm now 19 years old.

Since you're not yet 20. Are you considering playing for the Flying
Eagles?

Of course I'm ready if I'm invited. I'm still within the age limit and
I would like my name to go down as having played for both the Flying
Eagles and Super Eagles. I like Kanu's record of playing for most of
the national teams and I would like to emulate that. I want to really
represent my country. But now all I'm thinking about is the Super
Eagles.

What was playing in Benfica for the first time like. Did you entertain
any fears?

You see I'm confident of myself. I've played in stadia bigger than that
of the Stadium of Light where we play. Having played in Spain, I had a
lot of confidence. This helped me. The first time I played, I did very
well and every body liked me. And when I was at Benfica's youth team I
overshadowed everybody because I had played with experienced players
before. I would have been with the senior team since but for my injury.
The injury was why I missed the Olympics. I was invited to join the
camp in Holland but I couldn't make it due to injury.

But you haven't been regular in the senior side?

I'm confident I'll break into the first eleven soon. It's just a matter
of time.

You play on the left wing which has been a problem area for the Super
Eagles since Amunike sustained injury some years back. Are you
promising Nigerians that you'll take over that position as your own?

I won't just say I want to take over that position. You see Amunike is
a great player. I respect him so much and I would not just come and say
I want to take over. What I know is that I'm a professional and I'm
ready to serve Nigeria anytime and to give out my best anytime I'm
given the opportunity.

Who are the players that you admire most and would like to take after?

In the Super Eagles it's Nwankwo Kanu while in Europe I really admire
Luis Figo. Both are great players.

So it must be quite a thrill now that you play alongside Kanu for the
Eagles?

Actually, I also play with big players in Benfica. I've played with
Karel Poborsky before. Though he's no longer with us. He has moved to
Lazio. But he is a big player too. He played for Czech Republic at Euro
2000 in Holland. We have many stars. It's a joy playing with someone
who has been your idol.

Benfica once dominated football in Portugal and even in Europe. They
won the European champions club cup which now called the Champions
league twice in the 1960s. But now they are no longer the force they
used to be. Porto is now the dominant club in Portugal. Do you think
Benfica can make a comeback?

We're trying to come back. We now have a new president. I see him as a
serious person. More serious than the previous one. His is ready to
spend money and buy good quality players. He is buying good players
from Brazil and other countries. Under the former president we were in
seventh position. But with our new boss we've moved into third
position. So we're on track.

How do Benfica fans see you. What's your relationship with them like?

They like me. Sometimes they call me Kanu and sometimes they call me
Kluivert. The fans say I look like Kluivert.

Is there any other Nigerian playing for Benfica?

Onyekachi Amunike, who is Emmanuel Amunike's brother plays for the
Benfica junior team. He's fifteen years old, last season he scored 29
goals. His a very good player.

The local derby matches between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon must be
quite special. Tell me about it.

Like you said, matches between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon are special.
People just go crazy. Three days before the match, tickets are sold
out. The Stadium of Light where we play is massive yet tickets run out
three days before a game with Sporting. It's only games between Benfica
and Sporting, Benfica and Porto or games with Boavista that fill up our
stadium.

Where in Lisbon do you live?

I'm still staying at the club's camp centre, but since I'm now 19 years
old I'll be leaving for a place of my own. However since I don't have a
driving licence I'm yet to move. As soon as I get it I'll move. The
camp centre is close to the stadium. But my new place is not. So I'll
need a car to get to the stadium on time for training. That's why the
licence is important.

Do you sometimes get bored being away from your family in Lagos?

Not really. I move a lot with Onyekachi Amunike and I call my family on
phone about four or five times a week.

What is your ambition as a player?

I realise that if you can play for the Super Eagles you can play
anywhere in the world. The sky is the limit. My coach at Benfica knew I
would play for Nigeria one day so it didn't come as a surprise to him
when the invitation letter reached the club.

As for my ambition, I believe that with hardwork I can become the
African footballer of the year one day. Or even the world player of the
year.

------------------------

How Rangers escaped home defeat

By Harry Awurumibe who was in Enugu

"IT had looked like we were going to suffer a humiliating home defeat
but our players fought back and luckily got two late minute goals to
keep our Pepsi Pro League top division title chase alive."

Those were the words Enugu Rangers FC team manager, Davidson Owumi,
used in describing his club's late rally to snatch victory from the
grip of their opponents, Plateau United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium,
Enugu last Sunday.

The visitors shot into the lead in the 50th minute through enterprising
Sunday Kalunga who headed a weak ball passed the jittery Rangers'
goalkeeper, Sam Okoye.

Plateau United would have increased the tally after a one-two
combination between gangling Alex Oguaju and Abiodun Oladapo saw a
well-placed Arikya Abubakar shooting wide in the front of the yawning
goalpost. Kalunga also missed what could have been a back breaker in
the 60th minute when his close range shot went wide with Okoye already
off his line.

Sensing danger, Ranger's technical crew sprang to their feet, shouting
instructions to their players and urging them on. In one of the anxious
moments in the Plateau United's goal post, goalkeeper Greg Etafia was
injured while trying to make a desperate save. Efforts to make him
continue the game failed. He was later replaced by Harry Blankson.

Blankson's introduction, however, cost Plateau United the match as he
fumbled twice and twice Rangers scored. At first he failed to stop the
ball after a goalmouth melee which saw Onome Akprotu netting the ball
to level scores for the Flying Antelopes in the 75th minute.

A few minutes later Sam Ledor curled a weak shot which also beat
Blankson who was not well positioned just as the 80th minute goal
triggered off wide jubilation by Rangers' players, officials and the
teaming fans.

Expectedly, the visitors were devastated by the second goal. Although
they tried to come back in the game, it was too late as the explosive
ended 2-1 in favour of the Coal City team ñ Rangers.

It was a match which saw several stoppages because injuries occasioned
by rough play by both teams. Many times players from both sides were
stretchered out of the pitch after hard tackles from opponents. Both
teams also made the maximum changes to ensure victory.

Speaking after the match, Owumi confessed that Rangers players played
badly especially in the first half but argued that they found their
rhythm towards the end to snatch victory from Plateau United.

According to him, "we (Rangers) achieved the ultimate goal of every
team which is to win, to get the three points at stake. I believe the
team has achieved just that, although the players may not have played
well."

The former Rangers striker, however, explained that the team missed the
services of three key players namely Andrew Nwodu, Nonso Agbo and Uche
Okereke, Pepsi Pro League top division leading goalscorer.

"We missed today (Sunday) the purposeful play of Uche Okereke who was
sick on his arrival from Zambia where he went to play for Super Eagles.
Also, Agbo and Nwodu were not available for the encounter. These
contributed to the poor outing but we are happy that we won. We can do
better next time," Owumi concluded.
---------------------------

Blatter changes gear, confirms Africa for World Cup

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has confirmed that Africa will definitely
host the 2010 World Cup.

Speaking at the final of the Under-20 African Championship in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, he removed any doubt that his statements last month
had created.

The powerful executive committee of football's world governing body had
stated in Zurich on March 15, in front of African football officials
including confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou,
that Africa would be given the tournament in 2010.

However, the next day Blatter appeared to instantly back-track,
claiming the principle of rotation, under which African would be given
the first finals, would not necessarily start in 2010.

After watching Angola beat Ghana 2-0 in Sunday's youth final, he said:
"The next World Cup (to be awarded) will definitely go to Africa."

"This is definite, it is once and for all," he confirmed before adding
that he wanted to eradicate all doubt. "It is justice, Africa deserves
it."

On March 16, Blatter had emphasised that it could be at least a year
before the group investigating how to make rotation work made their
final recommendations and said he expected an announcement at the FIFA
session in Seoul before the start of the 2002 World Cup.

Sources involved in the rotation study have since confirmed that their
report could be finished within four months and put before the FIFA
executive committee at their meeting in Buenos Aires in July.

However, Blatter has seemed to pre-empt that move, even though leading
African candidates, including South Africa and Morocco, had stared to
express doubt that FIFA would back up their original statements.

On a day when the FIFA president was not mincing his words he also sent
out a clear message to those governments trying to exercise influence
over their national football associations, in particular Guinea who are
currently banned from international competition.

"The ball is in the court of the Guinean federation," he said. "We have
o protect our associations from political interference."
---------------------------

Election into Sports association: Ministry withdraws guidelines

By Bode Ayodele

HOPES that Sports and Social Development, Minister Ishaya Aku would
introduce new guidelines for elections into sports associations hit the
rocks yesterday when he announced that the status quo will remain the
same.

Aku, who resumed office barely a month ago had proposed new guidelines
for election into sports associations.

Observers believe the guidelines would change the face of sports in the
country. The guidelines includes a N1 million deposit by those
intergrated into the associations while corporate bodies were to be
encouraged to run for the leadership position of the bodies.

But after rising from a brief meeting with sporting association
chairmen at the National stadium, Lagos yesterday Mr. Aku told
reporters that the new guidelines have been dropped.

"The chairmen convinced us that the N1 million deposit was not
plausible. They hinged their augments on the fact that they could
hardly raise funds to turn the bodies.

On the idea of corporate leadership it was noted that the international
bodies would not accept such changes."

The minister however hit the nail on the nail on the head when he noted
that government candidates will no longer be nominated.

"We have agreed to let these associations run themselves. The
government's degree of control will be minimal. The associations shall
raise their funds and spend accordingly, but they should give account
at the of the day" he explained.

The minister further explained that sporting association have been
asked to conduct their elections from the grassroots level. He noted
that the elections proper will come up in May.





=====
http://www.kitua.com/ Information Brokers

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/?.refer=text

Monday, April 2, 2001
Govt to sell Nigeria Airways as scrap

By Tunji Oketunbi,

Aviation Reporter

NIGERIA Airways, the nation's comatose national carrier may be sold as
it is - a scrap - following a decision by the Presidency to adopt the
recommendations of the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The Guardian learnt that persuaded by the arguments of the chairman of
the National Council on Privatisation, NCP,Vice-President Atiku
Abubakar and the IFC last week President Olusegun Obasanjo at the
weekend rejected the option of preparing the airline for privatisation
and opted for forming a new company.

The decision which is already creating ripples in the aviation
industry, means that the embattled national carrier would be sold for
$58 million or less, according to the recommendations of IFC and
National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and Vice-President Abubakar were
said to have prevailed on the President to endorse the option of a new
company, one of the three strategic options recommended by the IFC.

By this option, assets of the Nigeria Airways will be transferred to
the new company, 40 per cent equity of which will be given to a
strategic foreign investor, while the Federal Government would assume
its debt.

Other options which were ignored are liquidation and turn-around.

According to the NCP, the new company option entails reservation of
routes, which implies freezing of open skies agreement with the United
States, significant retrenchment of staff and assumption of unfunded
pension liabilities by the government.

The government may, however, not get any immediate proceeds from the
privatisation of the Airways as, according to NCP, no investor would
pay for a company that is not currently profitable.

Stated the NCP report: "There is significant precedence in airline
privatisation world-wide that demonstrates that investors only pay
governments for profitable going concerns with operating aircraft or
asset base."

Sources close to the Presidency indicated that an international carrier
with strong presence in the Nigerian market is highly favoured by the
NCP as a possible strategic investor, adding that the airline enjoys
the confidence of the council's chairman.

There has been a sharp disagreement between the BPE and the Aviation
Ministry which has consistently no made a case for a turn-around of the
national carrier before sale.

It is believed that the IFC and BPE opted for the new company option
because it appears easier and quicker. It may however not produce a
truly intercontinental national carrier at the end of the day.

Five airlines were interviewed by the IFC on the privatisation of the
Airways, namely KLM, Swissair, Virgin, British Airways and Lufthansa.

The management team appointed last year to turn around the airline
preparatory to privatisation, is however believed to have reduced the
airline's trade debt by about 50 per cent through negotiation.

BPE has, however, argued that a new company is the better option, as,
according to it, "no one can turn Nigeria Airways around."

There had been altercations between the BPE and the Aviation Ministry
on the strategy to adopt in the privatisation of the Nigeria Airways.

Mallam Nasir Elo Rufai, BPE Director General at a press briefing had
said that Nigeria Airways could die before the year ran out unless it
was immediately privatised.

This comment generated sharp reactions from Nigeria Airways workers,
state unions and eminent aviation experts.

El-Rufai accused the ministry of obstructing the progress of the
airline's privatisation adding that unless a new company was the best
option.

Aviation Minister Dr. Kema Chikwe denied opposing privatisation but
added that her position that the airline should not be privatised as a
dearol horse she said, "I have absolutely nothing against privatisation
of anything, I will like to privatise Nigeria Airways overnight but the
important thing is the procedure that is in complict with the
realities."

According to her it was only reasonable that the airline should be
privatised after being revamped so that it could command some value.

Vice President Abubakar Atiku however, objected to turn around option
as, according to him, the airline did not have the money to fund the
turn-around exercise and neither was the government ready to release
any money.

According to him, if a company is not making money the best thing is to
scrap it.

Abubakar recently asked at a press briefing "if you have a company that
is not making money what do you do with it?"

President Obasanjo last week in Abuja, however, asked for a cease-fire
adding that if there were differences, they should be resolved within.

Said Obasanjo, "BPE has no right to castigate any ministry and no
ministry has the right to castigate the BPE. If we have anything to
iron out, let's come home and iron it out.

At the meeting to iron it out, at home held at the villa at-Rufai told
the president that the historical debt of the airline, put at $530
million, would be resolved by a Scheme of Arrangement.

Sources said Obasanjo actually deferred to the vice president who
strongly supports the BPE position.

On privatisation, Obasanjo had earlier said that it would be done "as
it is our programme."
---------------------

Rivers Niger, Benue, Lake Chad may dry up, says minister

By Moses Ebosele,

Transport Reporter

FOR antagonists of the plan to dredge the River Niger, a startling
revelation by the government on the issue may make them have a rethink.

According to the government, a scientific study indicates that the
Niger, River Benue and Lake Chad may dry up in the next 20 years if not
dredged.

The government which also intends to develop a mass transit programme
for the embattled Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), argued that the
consequences of the Rivers and Lake Chad drying up make it imperative
for them (rivers) and inland waterwats to be dredged.

Some communities, groups and individuals, especially in the Niger Delta
are against the dredging of River Niger on grounds that it would have
negative environmental impact on them.

But Transport Minister of State Isa Yuguda, reaffirming government's
commitment to the dredging of the Niger River, in Abuja yesterday,
stressed that it (dredging) would ease the transportation difficulties
faced by the people and also boost commercial activities in the
country.

Yuguda denied the allegation that the present administration had
cancelled the dredging contracts awarded by the defunct Petroleum Trust
Fund (PTF), saying "that is a wicked and ill-motivated allegation".

"Mr. President is very committed to the execution of the contract, he
said explaining that the delay in execution of the contracts was caused
by the non-completion of the environmental assessment report (EAR) on
the projects on time".

The minister said that with the report now completed, contract for the
feasibility studies on the Oguta Lake, Onitsha, Lokoja, and Baro Ports
had already been awarded.

Obasanjo said Yuguda, is committed to the implementation of the
projects, as the improvement of the transportation sector of the
economy is one of the top priorities of the present administration.

He likened the transport sector of any economy to the arteries through
which blood flows in the body of a human being, saying that "if the
arteries are blocked, the person would eventually collapse and die".

He said that the government had set up a committee to review the
nation's transport policy, which had remained dormant for more than 25
years.

According to him, the policy document will introduce appropriate
regulatory mechanism to check the conduct of transportation business,
"unlike the present situation, whereby the business is being done at
the whims and caprices of the individual owners".

He said that the government has embarked on an elaborate road
rehabilitation and development programme, to ensure that the rate of
carnage on the nation's road is reduced.

Besides, the short-term mass transit aimed at reinvigorating NRC,
government has approved N500 million for the reactivation of washout
sections of rail tracks nationwide.

Under the rail programme which will begin on completion of the on-going
repair of existing rail infrastructure by the Chinese, train services
would be operated on hourly basis.

Yuguda who said that the pilot programme of the rail mass transit would
start in the next 18 to 20 months, also gave an indication that NRC may
soon join the list of public outfits slated for privatisation.

Yuguda said that about 86 per cent of the job being handled by the
Chinese had been completed.

The minister, who did not disclose the exact amount of the contract,
said that the government would soon conclude a new agreement with the
Chinese.

He added that the current search for techno-managerial consultants
would not in any way affect the scope of the job being done by the
Chinese.

On the proposal to link the state capitals by rail, the minister said
it would form part of the job of the consultants, but stressed that the
priority at the moment was "to get the tracks, the graders and the
wagons before any new construction could start".

Yuguda also said that the consultants would prepare the organisation
for eventual privatisation, by managing it for a stipulated period of
time, during which they would train an indigenous management, which
would take over at the end of their contract.

Waziri Mohammed, NRC board of directors chairman who disclosed the
approval by Obasanjo of N500 million for reactivation of rail tracks
washout sections, also said that mass transit train is to be launched
in Lagos.

He told reporters at the end of his tour of the Lagos district at the
weekend, that for the mass transit train to be successful, the
management of the corporation has concluded plans to lay a second track
from Iju to Ijoko, an area which rely heavily on train for
transportation.

The Railways boss also disclosed that plans to dualise the rail track
from Ebute-Metta to Iddo and from Ebute-metta to Apapa, have been
concluded.

"That means you (commuters) can leave in Ijoko and work in Lagos. To
start the mass transit train, there will be about eight trains
departing every time from Ijoko, Iddo and Apapa. It is just a way of
starting the mass transit train", he said.

The board chairman used the opportunity to deny reports (not in The
Guardian) that the corporation has signed an agreement with a Canadian
company to rehabilitate the rail system.

"We have not entered into any agreement with any Canadian company.

Mohammed said: "I think in their own thinking, they (the company)
decided to put a document together which they called an MOU (Memorandum
of Understanding) and brought it to us and I instructed the managing
director not to sign away MOU because I think anybody who wants to make
pledges should first go and discuss with their engineers and put their
proposals on paper. We have to study it before we go into any
agreement.

"Unfortunately, the day it was done (alleged agreement), I understand
that they were launching the Nigerian/Canadian Business Association,
the managing director and I (chairman) were not in town and he (MD)
dedicated one of his officers to attend and with very strict
instruction to attend as an observers, not to engage in any
discussions.

"Apparently, the Canadian company had arranged to have it on Nigerians
that the corporation was going to enter into an agreement with them.
When the matter came up, the representatives of the managing director
clearly stated to them that he had no mandate to sign document like
that.

"I was very shocked the next day when I started getting reports that
the Nigerian Railway Corporation had entered into an agreement. There
is no substance to that and I think whatever it is, it has terminated
further discussions", Mohammed said.

Alhaji Waziri Mohammed expressed that only the federal government has
the power to go into such an agreement.
---------------------

NEPA lists hurdles to ENRON power project


Lagos insists on April date
By Yakubu Lawal, Energy Correspondent and Lekan Sanni

AS Lagos residents await, with bated breath, the promised end to their
electricity supply nightmare this month, when the independent power
project is billed for commissioning, The Guardian has learnt that the
hopes may be forlon afterall.

Reasons: The National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), through which
the power to be generated is to be distributed, at the weekend listed
six fresh hurdles before the project executives ENRON Nigeria Ltd, the
non-fulfilment of which would leave it doomed.

The authorities also said the power generated might be rejected if it
does not meet Nigeria's specifications.

But the Lagos State government, facilitators of the project, continued
also at the weekend to re-assure the populace that there is no cause
for alarm.

The hurdles, according to NEPA, are statutory and have to be met before
electricity generated by ENRON can be allowed into the authority's grid
system.

NEPA's General Manager, Lagos thermal power station, Egbin, Mr. Edward
A. Adeleye, enumerated these requirements when journalists were
conducted round the project.

The hurdles include:


installation of metres for gas in-take;

construction of Gas Insulator Sub-station (GIS);

communication equipment, cables;

protector facilities for the cables conveying power from ENRON's barges
to NEPA's transmission station;

installation of energy meter to determine the amount of power coming
from Enron into NEPA grid; and

synchronisation of NEPA - ENRON power facilities.
Most importantly, however, according to Adeleye, NEPA will test the
quality of power being produced by ENRON as well as other facilities
which will only be accepted if they meet the international standard or
NEPA's specifications.

"I cannot confirm whether all these facilities are on the ground
because they have not been installed, but I do know that installation
and commissioning of the projects, where all the equipment will be
tested by NEPA, will take at least 30 days", Adeleye said.

The general manager added that fabrication of pipes that would convey
gas from NEPA metering point to ENRON is still being done while
proposal for connecting the ENRON power into NEPA's grid is yet to be
submitted to the authority.

Adeleye said if all these facilities are put on ground, NEPA is ready
to receive the initial 90 megawatt (mw) electricity to be delivered by
ENRON.

"As far as we are concerned, NEPA is ready to receive the ENRON power,
but all the conditions for such connections must be satisfied by NEPA",
he stated.

According to him, with the on-going rehabilitation of 440 mw, i.e. two
units in Egbin, the power station will be able to contribute about
1,410 mw to the national grid.

He said Egbin thermal station will be contributing about 1,320 mw while
ENRON will put 90 mw into the system.

The power plant which currently generates about 860 mw from the
available four units of 220 mw each, he added, will continue to be the
bedrock of NEPA's electricity generation in the country.

Explaining the importance of testing ENRON facility to determine the
quality of its power, Adeleye said in Nigeria most of the transmission
ratings are on 132 kv, 11 kv and 330 kv while in the United States from
where ENRON comes, they have 138kv, 11.8 kv, 230 kv.

He also stated that while the Nigerian movement circle is 50 hertz,
that of the U.S. is 60 hertz. "So we must carry out thorough tests on
all the equipment before accepting power from ENRON.

The official said additional 710mw will come into the national grid
from Egbin by December this year. Barring all obstacles, he added,
ENRON is expected to deliver 270mw by the end of the year while the two
units being rehabilitated by Marubeni of Japan will add 449mw.

He said that when fully on stream, Egbin thermal station will be
providing 25 per cent of the national electricity requirement in the
country.

According to him, NEPA takes about 50 million standard cubic feet
(mnosf) of gas per day per unit from the Nigerian Gas Company (NGL),
which translates to about 200 million standard cubic feet per day
(mmscfd), noting further that by the time all the six units are
operational and on load, Lagos thermal station will be utilising 300
mmscf of gas for the generating of 1,320mw electricity, while ENRON
will be looking at gas value of about 150 mmscf for its operations.

At another tour of the independent power project, also at the weekend,
the Lagos State Works Commissioner Rauf Aregbesola allayed the fears of
the residents over the project.

Addressing journalists at the project's site in Ikorodu, he noted that
some fears were being nursed over the recent shifting of its
commissioning but pledged: "There can be no going back on the project".

The tour was facilitated by Enron to show journalists the level of work
done on the project. To ENRON's General Manager, Mr. Dennis Skipper,
the delay is insignificant.

On ground, according to a statement by Chief Press Secretary to Lagos
State government Segun Ayobolu are three barges, almost completed with
600 men working to meet the new deadline.

Aregbesola, alongside some of his counterparts namely Mr, Dele Alake
(Information and Strategy) Kayode Anibaba (Environment and Physical
Planning) and Musiliu Obanikoro (Home Affairs and Culture) expressed
satisfaction with the speed at which the installation work was going
on.

Aregbesola said the tour was for journalists to see physically, what
had gone into the project "so that people will know and realise it is
not just a question of rhetorics, that in reality the project is on
course and, Insha Allah, our people will benefit from it".

Although Enron has assured that it would deliver on April 10,
Aregbesola said Lagos State government had decided to give it a little
more time "to test everything and be rest assured that it is not just a
half-sided readiness and that we are fully ready to take on the
load.... So we are not in a hurry to give a date but definitely, by the
middle of next month we should have this behind us".

He continued: "From what you are seeing now, it is almost over in terms
of completion but other things are political and that is why we have to
be very sure every bit of it, every part of it is ready before we now
tell you, yes, we are set to go because once we set out, we don't want
to give any excuse for not having the energy there".

Aregbesola spoke further: "The industrial sector needs between 1,500
and 2,000 megawatts, and NEPA is giving between 400 and 500 megawatts.
Therefore any addition and injection of power will definitely rub off
the people thereby increasing the energy available to Lagosians".

The commissioner said that the primary target of the Lagos State
government is to ensure that by October, "whatever energy that will be
available to Lagosians through this medium will be beneficial to all
Lagosians".

Skipper assured that in spite of the postponements, Enron had neither
lost focus nor relented in its determination to deliver on schedule.

He thanked all parties involved in the deal, including the Federal
Government, Lagos State government and the National Electric Power
Authority (NEPA) for their cooperation.

Skipper noted that the "little problem is not peculiar to Nigeria alone
as ENRON had gone through a similar experience in the United States.
"Doing something for the first time, problems like this are inevitable
but we are sure to surmount them", he said.

Reacting to the submission of Adeleye yesterday, Alake said that issues
raised by NEPA are technical which the authority ought to discuss with
ENRON.

According to him, both ENRON and NEPA officials have been getting in
touch with each other and the issues should have been raised at one of
such meetings.

The commissioner said that ENRON is already aware of what should be put
in place, adding that some of hem are already on the ground.

Alake accussed NEPA of acting in bad faith, and explained that there
was a plan to politicise the project.

He also said that from all indications, NEPA did not wish the project
well despite the authority's failure to meet the energy needs of the
country.

Alake said that ENRON is not new to the energy sector and has all it
takes to make the project a success.

--------------------------

Milosevic arrested after 36-hour gun battle

FORMER Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, the architect of Balkan's
decade long war has been arrested and remanded in prison custody for 30
days at the Belgrade Central Prison. He faces charges of
misappropriation of state funds.

The former hero was arrested yesterday, after a 36-hour hot gun battle
between private guards and the reformist government's police.

Milosevic, 59, who had survived two earlier attempts to arrest him
since Friday, was pronounced exhausted and with slightly elevated blood
pressure by a doctor and placed on tranquilisers, defence Counsel Toma
Fila said.

In preliminary questioning yesterday, Milosevic still insisted that he
was innocent of the charges against him. Belgrade's reformists accuse
him of stealing over $100 million state funds.

West leaders have hailed Milosevic's arrest as a first step towards
bringing him to book for the atrocities during the Kosovo war.

United States President, George W. Bush welcomed Milosevic's arrest and
urged that he be tried for "crimes against humanity."

Bush urged Yugoslavia to work with the United Nations' war crimes
tribunal, but made no statement on whether he would step up pressure
for a trial through the tribunal by cutting off aid to Yugoslavia. U.S.
Secretary of State, Colin Powel is expected to announce a decision on
the aid by today at the earliest.

"Milosevic's arrest should be a first step toward trying him for the
crimes against humanity with which he is charged", Bush said in a
written statement.

"I welcome today's arrest", Bush said. "His arrest represents an
important step in bringing to a close, the tragic era of his brutal
dictatorship".

Bush commented on the arrest a day after a U.S. deadline had passed for
Yugoslavia to cooperate with the war crimes tribunal.

The U.S. Congress has banned non-humanitarian aids to Belgrade after
March 31 unless Yugoslavia passes a series of Democracy tests,
including cooperation with the U.N. tribunal that wants to try
Milosevic on war crimes.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the European Union,
France, Britain, Germany and the former Yugoslavian Republic of
Slovenia also hailed the arrest.

The 15-member European Union, set to expand eastwards this decade, has
every reason to wish for stronger democracy in the Balkans and it
voiced the hope that Milosevic the politician, was now finished.

"We hope this marks the end of Milosevic's political career, which has
caused the region so much devastation and its people so much
suffering", Sweden, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said on
behalf of the bloc.

French President, Jacques Chirac declared himself "overjoyed" by the
news and said: "The Yugoslav authorities have confirmed their faith in
the path of democracy and law".

Milosevic was arrested on domestic Yugoslav charges of abuse of office,
but Western governments want him to be tried on war crimes charges,
laid by the United Nations tribunal in the Hague.

The United Nations charges against Milosevic concern atrocities
committed in Kosovo in 1998-99.

"Justice must be served", NATO spokesman Robert Pszczel told Reuters.
"We expect that the arrest of Mr. Milosevic will be the first step on
the road leading eventually to the Hague to answer charges of war
crimes."

Germany and Britain echoed his words:

"The Yugoslav government's intention to start a criminal procedure
against Milosevic initially under national law, is a first step towards
bringing him to account for the gravest offences and human rights
abuses he is charged with", German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer
said.

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said: "The arrest is a very good
first step, but the end of this road must be in the Hague."

The U.N. tribunal urged Yugoslav authorities to transfer Milosevic to
the international court by the end of the year.

"We are asking immediately for a commitment from the Yuguslav state to
transfer him to Hague", Florence Hartmann, spokeswoman for the
tribunal's chief prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, said. "They (Belgrade)
have to respect the international arrest warrant against him."

"I believe that within a few months, I would say in the course of this
year, Milosevic should be transferred to the Hague", Del Ponte said in
an interview with Swiss radio published in an Italian daily yesterday.
---------------------

Nigeria's debt drops by N500m

By Malachi Ezema

AFTER a fairly long lull, local investors appear to be picking up
interest in the Debt Conversion Programme again, as the carrot dangled
before them by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), paid off at the
weekend, with the country's debt reduced by N500 million.

To lift the sagging morale and confidence of local investors, the DCP
committee in a statement recently, said it had approved the issuance of
"Certificate of Capital Importation (COCI) to Nigerians who participate
in the programme, an instrument which would facilitate remittance of
their funds abroad or in Nigeria.

The result of this masterstroke manifested at the weekend with nine
bids recorded altogether at the March biddings. One participant made
three biddings which were successful, while two others by another
participant succeeded partially. Four bids by two participants were
however unsuccessful.

Through the three successful bids, the debt of N476.21 million was
redeemed while the two partially successful bids reduced Nigeria's debt
by N23.78 million.

The successful five bids came through cash, gifts and grants sector.

The programme which lost its alluring effects to investors, owing to
unattractive exchange rate and availability of juicer investment
opportunities, recorded for the first time in nine months, the
redeeming of the debt.

Total amount of discount paid on Friday was N165.116 million at the
exchange rate of N109.7 for one dollar, amounting to $1.505 million,
while the commission was $113.95 (N12.499 million).

The total amount redeemed at the March monthly auction was $6.063
million, bringing amount redeemed in the year so far to $8.07 million.
This brought the amount redeemed since its inception in November 1988
to $1.47 billion (or N43.48 billion).

Explaining the benefits of COCI in a statement recently, the DCP
committee said "the approval covers both concluded, current and future
transactions".

"By this approval, it is expected that Nigerians with off-shore
financial ability to source the necessary debt instruments will further
avail themselves of the opportunity to import capital into the country
through the programme", the committee said.

Though the statement did not elaborate on the COCI, nevertheless it
enables Nigerians to remit their money abroad or local earnings more
easily and profitably.

In November last year, no amount was redeemed, being the climax of
investor resistance to the unfavourable interest rates and lack of
incentives.

The Debt Conversion Programme (DCP) is a mechanism through which
Nigeria's debt burden is reduced.

This is done through changing the character of the debt, with investors
having the debt bought converted to equity participation in an
enterprise or domestic debt.

To encourage participants, generous discounts and commission are
offered while the nation benefited in the transaction through the
reduction of its debt profile.
-----------------

Fuel marketers to protest embargo on supplies

By Yakubu Lawal

DEPOT and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) has frowned
at the embargo placed on petroleum products supplies to its members,
saying it would seek audience with President Olusegun Obasanjo over the
issue.

Obasanjo had, when the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of
Nigerian (IPMAN) members visited him in Abuja last week, ordered the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to stop supplies to
DAPPMA because its members had no filling stations.

But DAPPMA which accused IPMAN of instigating the embargo said it
would, if granted audience by Obasanjo, give a true position of its
storage facilities.

DAPPMA President George Enenmoh said his members had eight storage/tank
farm facilities with a combined capacity of 210 million litres of
petroleum products which competed favourable with the major oil
marketers depot in Apapa, Lagos.

Enenmoh stated that contrary to the belief that IPMAN had a depot where
fuel could be stored the said facility was owned by Independent
Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (IPMCL).

Enenmoh said the over N4 billion depot investment by his group was
inspected by the members of the House of Representatives Committee on
Petroleum.

He noted with dismay that while the Federal Government was seeking to
attract foreign investment into the country, local investors had their
facilities idle, thereby threatening over 3,000 jobs as well as
narrowing the scope of fuel distribution.

While praising the National President of IPMAN Bestman Anekwe for
acquiring depot facilities to enhance fuel distribution in the country,
Enenmoh who heads ASCON oil said that DAPPMA could as well play
positive role in overall effective management of the depot.

DAPPMA facilities, he said, were on ground, whiile that of IPMAN could
only be put into use next year, if the following conditions are met:


obtain approval of the design from Lagos State town playing;

obtain approval from DPR to construct the depot; and

secure a license from DPR for storage and sales/distribution of
petroleum products.
He said, DAPPMA had fulfilled all these conditions.

Most independent petroleum marketers are converting to dealers from
major marketers because they want to receive products, an agreement
which most of them (independent marketers) have also entered with
DAPPMA.

This is in addition to a number of petrol stations owned by its members
across the country.

Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Mr. West Idahosa after the
inspection of DAPPMA facilities recently urged the Federal Government
to resume product allocation to their depot.

Idahosa said because DAPPMA had invested so much in depot facilities it
should be encouraged to utilise such facilities.

---------------------

Nigeria Machines Tools needs N26 to be viable

From Seun Adeoye,

Osogbo

TO make the Nigeria Machine Tools (NMT) economically viable the Federal
Government would need to inject a sum of N2 billion into the ailing
company.

Minister of Industry, Chief Kola Jamodu who disclosed this during his
visit to the company at the weekend in Osogbo, Osun State capital added
that already, over N1.6 billion had been sunk into the project which
began 20 years ago.

According to him, since the visit of President Olusegun Obasanjo to the
company last year, several levels of consultations and meetings have
been held to upgrade the company's facilities, train staff and ensure
patronage for the products of NMT "in order to encourage the
establishment to meet with the demands of modern technology and respond
to the challenges of globalisation."

He recalled that NMT was primarily set up to aid the country's drive
towards self-reliance in the manufacture of machine tools and help in
the development of auxiliary units to assist the nation's small and
medium enterprises and down stream industries.

The huge investment of the Federal Government, Jamodu said had
demonstrated in concrete terms, its total commitment to laying a solid
foundation for a successful industrial take-off and a self-sustaining
economy.

"Regrettably, 20 years after this project took off, the motive for the
establishment of this edifice is yet to be realised," he stated.

The minister said Obasanjo's government was committed to the
development of the nation's industrial base towards a self-sustaining
and internationally competitive economy. "This has been amply shown by
the huge allocation of resources to the industrial and energy sectors."

It was due to the huge drain on the nation's resources by a large
section of unproductive and inefficient public utilities that
government had continued to restructure and pursue vigorously the
privatisation programme," he said.

"This exercise is an important task in government's effort at making
the private sector become the economy's engine of growth. It is also in
consonance with this administration's principle of promoting a
deregulated, private sector-led production and distribution system,
which is sufficiently attractive for local and foreign investors
alike," he added.

Jamodu, however, gave assurance that NMT would only be privatised on
completion adding that efforts by the government to revitalise the
company led to the appointment of a competent board of directors led by
Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas.

He cautioned that every resource made available to the NMT must be
prudently and judiciously utilised and accounted for.

Earlier, Okoya-Thomas regretted that the NMT project, which was to have
gulped N57 million consumed so much, yet "the project is at completion
stage."

He disclosed that the $5 million Indian grant to the establishment, if
finally procured would be judiciously used for the revival of the
moribund company.

The board, he said, would do everything within its power to bring NMT
back to life just as he called for the co-operation of the workers.

----------------------

Zimbabwe restates opposition to fact finding mission

ZIMBABWE at the weekend restated its opposition to the idea of sending
a fact- finding mission to its shores by the Commonwealth Ministerial
Action Group (CMAG).

A statement by Zimbabwe's High Commissioner to Nigeria said such action
"constitutes a violation of the Harare declaration."

Relaying essentially the concern of the Zimbabwean Foreign Affairs
Minister Stan Mudenge on recent CMAG statement on Zimbabwe, the mission
noted that it was wrong for CMAG to "surrepetitionsly discuss Zimbabwe
under the item of any other business in violation of the CHOGM decision
in Durban and contrary to the provision of the Millbrook Commonwealth
Action programme..."
-------------------

North-east governors oppose plan to scrap anti bandits outfit

From Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

THE Federal Government's plan to scrap Operation Flushout II (OFOT), a
joint army/police security outfit saddled with the responsibility of
checking the activities of both local and foreign armed bandits
operating in the north eastern parts of the country, has been rejected
by governors of that region.

The rejection of the plan, was one of the highlights of the decisions
taken by the joint-security meeting in Damaturu, Yobe State capital.

The governors noted that the abolition of the outfit would bring untold
hardship to the people as the bandits would have a field day with no
machinery to put them in check.

In a communique at the end of the meeting, read by Governor Ibrahim
Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State, the governors said rather scrap it,
operation flush out it should be strengthened. Other security measures
suggested by the governors included the provision of helicopter for
aerial surveillance by the security outfit, which the state chief
executives, believed would help the security forces to dislodge the
rampaging bandits from their hid-outs in Yobe, Borno, Gombe, Adamawa,
Taraba and Bauchi states.

To this end, the governors resolved to meet with President Olusegun
Obasanjo and the Ministers of Defence and Police Affairs, to present
their position on the matter.

Other measures adopted at the end of the meeting include plans to
provide basic infrastructural facilities such as hospitals,
dispensaries, schools, markets, water and electricity at the borders
with Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroun.

According to Governor Saminu Turaki, the provision of such basic
facilities and schools at the borders, would enable Nigerians living
along the borders to have a sense of belonging.

Besides, he added that by so doing, the rate of armed banditry in the
sub-region would be reduced, while more jobs would be created. He noted
that "iddle hands would not be used to fuel communal clahes along the
borders, when these basic facilities are being provided to the people."

To beef up security in the area, the governors resolved to install
modern communication equipment in their patrol vehicles and provide
hand sets for the security personnel, within the next two months.

Present at the meeting were Alhaji Abubakar Habu Hashidu of Gombe,
Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki of Jigawa, Alhaji Bukar Abba Ibrahim of
Yobe, who doubled as the host and chairman of the security meeting.

The governors of Bauchi and Borno states were represented by their
respective deputy governors, while top security officers and
Secretaries to the State Governments of Adamawa Taraba, Nassarawa and
Plateau states were in attendance.
------------------------

Senate panel to assess abandoned steel projects

From John-Abba Ogbodo,

Abuja

THE Senate Committee on Steel has concluded arrangements to take an
assessment of all abandoned steel projects in the country, according to
its chairman Mr. Fred Brume.

Brume, who disclosed this to journalists at the weekend in Abuja,
regretted that despite the enormous advantages the nation stood to
benefit from the sector, successive administrations had not paid
attention to it.

"It is saddening that even in this modern age, our nation continues to
neglect the steel sector which is the bedrock of industrialisation," he
lamented, adding:

"We are going to take it up with the Federal Government to ensure that
our nation gets to where it is supposed to be in the area of steel
development".

To this effect, Brume said the committee would embark on a fact-finding
mission to all the steel plants beginning with Ajaokuta on April 9.

The essence of the visit, he said, was to acquaint the committee with
the situation on the ground with a view to organising a public hearing
and presenting a position to the government through the Senate.

Also a group from Kogi State has petitioned President over the Ajaokuta
Steel Complex established in the state about 20 years ago.

Briefing journalists in Abuja at the weekend, the group, "Forum 2000"
through its chairman, Mr. Sunday Edibo and the Secretary Chief Onu
Adegbe urged the President to use his good offices to complete the
project. While also lamenting dearth of infrastructure in the state.

"Forum 2000" also called on the Federal Government to dualise the
Abuja-Lokoja road, stressing that thousands of lives were being lost
due to the bad condition of the road.

The group further urged the Federal Government to terminate the
contract of the Idah-Ayamgba-Shintaku road due to delay.

They also called on the indigenes of Kogi State to "close ranks" with
the Federal Government to ensure speedy development of the state.
----------------------

Why youths drift abroad, by panel

By Uduma Kalu,

Staff Reporter

THE mass exodus of the country's youths to Europe and America has been
attributed to a hostile environment which prevents them from realising
their full potential.

This was the view of discussants at the first memorial lecture of the
late Dr. Chineze Hope Nwosu last weekend.

The lecture, which also marked the presentation of the deceased's post
humous publication: Success Motivation Pills, was held at the Nigerian
Air Force Officers' Mess, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Two of the speakers at the forum, Deacon Tunde Lemo, managing director
and chief executive of INEMA Bank Plc, and John Tani Obaro of System
Specs Ltd., computer software firm who spoke on The Youth and
achievement in the contemporary society, blamed the government for this
hostile condition.

The Lemo, African youths are faring worse than their counterparts in
developed countries.

His words: "The situation at hand, however, remains that while the
greater percentage of youths in developed countries have access to very
sound, qualitative, modern infrastructure, and are allowed freedom to
discover themselves and make exploits, youths in Africa are "gagged,
maligned, bastardised, brutalised, violated and neglected."

"They are ostralised from the society and do not enjoy any sense of
belonging required for their growth. This is no other reason why most
of our youths emigrate for greener pasture under the guise of brain
drain".

He remarked that grooming responsible and reliable youths in modern
societies is demanding as the youths have to grapple with various
challenges such as economic hardship, poverty, unemployment, lack of
basic infrastructure, draught and insecurity.

According to him youths of any nation have the potentials to contribute
enormously to the national growth as they constitute the nation's
workforce and impact positively on its economy.

Obaro, who is a computed expert, however, urged Nigerian youths to
embrace the challenges posed by the modern information technology.

He argued that though there was a lot of youthful talents in Nigeria,
the youths were being lured abroad where the environment is healthier.

He said: "There is a lot of opportunities and challenges in the IT
world. But I must say we are coming up. A number of Nigerian youths
have identified with it, and are doing exciting things which we believe
can contribute to the development of this country.

"I am aware, though, IT opportunities are global, you will find that a
number of our youths have come up to a point where they can be more
effectively, contribute to the IT world. If becomes more enticing for
them to go outwise the shores of Nigeria, and and see what they can
make for themselves. A lot of people are going out of the country to
the developed countries to explore their potentials where there are
more secured environment, more conducive environment for them to bring
out their latest abilities".

He explained that the government was not giving enough encouragement to
the youths thereby contributing to the under-computerisation of the
country, even when a lot of Nigerian youths are contributing a lot in
most world's leading computer firms.

Besides, the intellectual capability is there, he said, adding that
problem was with an enabling environment which he said was non-existent
terms.

"And in terms of government's appreciation of the role of IT, we do not
have either. So a typical IT person will probably not feel fulfilled in
this environment and at the same time he sees opportunities beckoning
to him when he can be appreciated".

The husband of the deceased Nwosu and her brother Mr. Emeka Okoli noted
that the presentation and the ceding were an honour to "a young woman
who had contributed positively in her short span of life".

According to them, though she did at 37, she had been heard of several
schools, guidance and counsellor to terms children a columnist, a
teacher, an author and good Christian.
-----------------------

Satellite campuses lack competent teachers, says V-C

From Psaro Yornamue

(Owerri)

AGAINST the backdrop of concern over low standards at tertiary
institutions' satellite campuses, university vice-chancellors have been
urged to monitor their outlets to ensure that standards do not fall.

The plea was made at the weekend by the vice-chancellor of the Benue
State University, Makurdi, Prof. David Ker, who noted that most of the
satellite campuses lacked competent teachers.

Ker regretted that the satellite campuses had been abused, noting that
although Nigerians needed education, they should not obtain it at all
cost as if it is a do or die affair.

"In some of the satellite campuses, students are taught by unqualified
lecturers", the vice chancellor observed, adding that this was
detrimental to the image of the nation's institutions and that most of
the graduates would not be proud of their certificates.

Prof. Ker supported the guidelines by the Federal Government for
running satellite campuses, saying it would bring sanity into the
academic programmes.

On incessant strikes in the country's institutions of higher learning,
the University administrator said that it was causing instability to
the academic calendar of the institutions and affecting the students'
future.

He urged ASUU to dialogue with the Federal Government to avert any
strike this year in the interest of academic peace and development.

Meanwhile, two vice chancellors at the weekend, warned their students
against examination malpractices, cultism and other vices.

Prof. A.G. Anwukah of the Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU) and Prof.
Jude Njoku of the Federal University of Technology gave the warning at
the matriculation ceremony of their institutions at the weekend.

Addressing his students, Prof. Njoku said he would fight exploitation
of students by lecturers through hand-outs, noting that such era was
gone for good.

He said that the university's senate had addressed the issue with a
view to stamping it out through stiff sanctions against erring
teachers.

At Imo State University, Prof. Anwukah, warned the students against
engaging in anti-social activities, saying that henceforth, students
with awaiting results would no longer be admitted into the institution.

His words: "Results awaiting is gone. I, therefore, advise you to take
your studies very seriously and avoid this shame."

He said any of the students who could not measure up to the academic
standard of the university will do well by leaving the university on
their volition, rather than being shown the way.

He said the names of such expelled students would be circulated in all
the universities in the country after they must have been arrest by the
police. Speaking with The Guardian after the ceremony, Anwukah faulted
the composition of the Federal Government's panel on satellite
campuses, which was to assess the standards of facilities in the
university learning centres throughout the country.

He lamented that the panel's membership was drawn from south-west and
part of the north with virtually nobody chosen from the eastern part of
the country.

He said government pronouncements on its intention to shut the campuses
was a great mistake.

"The Federal Government cannot fund the state universities. We sought
for funds to augment what we are given by our state governments."

"Look at that panel, about seven professors from south-west and two
from the north, there is no representation from the eastern part of
this country and that is my area of worry.

On Imo State University, the vice chancellor said: "Imo State
University has various satellite campuses and what obtained in our
centres are precisely what obtained here if you must gain admission
into our satellite campus. If you apply to the university rather than
taking JAMB, the same condition applies."

"The admissions are processed here in the university and you must have
the adequate number of credits required. The credentials of satellite
campus of Imo State University are screened and processed here.
Therefore, whether you study at Abakaliki or Imo State University, the
already laid down standard is there. None of our centres is approved
until they have fulfilled all conditions laid by National Universities
Commission (NUC)"

He said that Imo State University was over qualified to run satellite
campuses and posited "it could take our satellite campus a year or 6
months to fulfil the NUC conditions and when they fulfil all including
the installation of an Internet before we give approval."

"We do not have Internet in the main campus, but all our satellite
campuses have interest. How many universities run by the Federal
Government have internet facilities? Our own Imo State University
satellite campuses, all have internet facilities and we have fulfilled
all righteousness. If we are told that NUC wants to come to any of the
centres run by Imo State University, I will ask them to come that we
are ready by the same token I challenge any other university to say we
are equal," said Anwukah.
---------------------------

PDP's convention and matters arising

By John-Abba Ogboda, Abuja

FOR members of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), the third
national convention which ended in Abuja last Saturday was one event
too many. It was a moment in which the party was, like an appendicitis
patient, laid on the floor and surgical operation carried upon.

President Olusegun Obasanjo first took the gauntlet. In his speech
entitled: "PDP 2000", the President took leave of party affinity and
carried out an x-ray of what is today's PDP.

First, the President's speech, according to the programme of events,
was supposed to be the closing speech of the day, but as soon as he
arrived the hall of the International Conference Centre, Abuja, venue
of the event, a short consultation took place and the National
Secretary of the party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo who was the master of
ceremony announced a slight adjustment, that the President's speech
would be taken first. This sent a signal that something was in the
offing, more so when the usual excuse that "the President has some
other equally important state engagements to attend to" was not added.

When, eventually, Obasanjo began his speech, the reason for the
adjustment in the programme became tacit. Although the convention was
organised for election of offices and should ordinarily be devoid of
tension and acrimony, amendment of certain aspects of the party's
constitution proposed by the incumbent leadership had stirred the
hornet's nest and uncertainty hung ominously at the convention venue
like the sword of damocles. The most contentious and allegedly
loathsome of the amendments was article 16 which sought to extend the
tenure of national officers from two to four years. The height of the
controversy was the factionalisation of the party hierarchy into two
diametricially opposed camps. The group led by the National chairman,
Chief Barnabas Gemade forged ahead with the amendment while the other
group led by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ibeshi
opposed the amendment on the ground that the incumbent leadership was
plotting to extend its two-year billed to end in November this year by
another two years. Such was the stage before the convention.

The President, sensing that commotion rather than convention might
erupt if the tension was not doused instinctively took the matter
headlong, amid ovation. "I would like to state my view on the
convention," he opened up. "There is a difference between amendment of
the constitution and tenure of office. There will be nothing to
complain about, if the constitution is amended. But there will be a lot
to complain if the executive of the party that came into office with a
two-year tenure changes the tenure to four years. The distinction
should be made that the convention is to adopt the amendment without
influencing the tenure of the incumbent. The commencement period should
be after next convention," he explained.

This drew thunderous applause that took the national secretary a long
time to call party faithfuls to order. Evaporation of tension could be
gauged from the instant transformation of hitherto long faces to benign
look on the part of party members.

Mr. President was not done yet. Instead of the usual panegyrics which
are hallmarks of such party conventions, President Obasanjo took a
swipe at the PDP. He outlined, the attributes of an ideal political
party and posed a soul-searching question, whether the People's
Democratic Party can pass for a party. He listed these attribute as
cohesiveness about political aims and objectives, organisation and
strict discipline, ideology and sense of solidarity as well as unity of
purpose are asked: "Can we in all honesty say that we are such a
party?"

Obasanjo again answered saying: "I have my doubts. At best, it could be
said that we are a movement whose singular achievement has been our
ability to weather a difficult and challenging transition process, from
military rule and democracy, and emerging victorious." He continued:
"But in the reality, we are no more than a dynamic amalgam of interest
groups. And what has held us together, if anything at all, is that our
party is in power and there is a strong expectation of patronage." The
President further pointed out the ailments of the party which tend to
weaken its structures and organs. He continued: "Our party lacks
cohesion. We have no order or tradition to speak of, and our rank and
file seems devoid of simple decency and respect, which are hallmark
values of African society".

For the party to transform into the dream party of Nigerians, he said,
there is the need to "demonstrably put our house in order."

Obasanjo's speech which received applause from party members was a
saving grace to the convention. As one of the party stalwarts remarked,
if the ground had not been softened by the President who, by the
speech, demonstrated that the perceived political apostacy in the party
was not condoned, the convention would have been the end of the party.

"But with President Obasanjo's masterstroke, we are still hopeful that
there will be light at the end of the tunnel," the stalwart who pleaded
anonymity enthused.

The Guardian, however, gathered that the president's position was
influenced by the party's 21 governors. It was gathered that the
governors, apparently opposed by the development at the Secretariat of
the party, had last Thursday, held an all-night meeting at Sheraton
Hotel in Abuja where the issue of extended tenure by the incumbent
leadership of the party was discussed. They took a position that the
amendment of Article 16 of the constitution should not affect those
presently in office. Their argument is that the amendment should not
take retroactive effect. They, therefore, conveyed their position to
the President.

Even before the governors' meeting, concern, had been raised,
particularly from the state chapters about the amendment and at the
various congresses held to elect delegates. It was overwhelmingly
resolved that the extension, even if it is to be, should not be
extended to the incumbent.

Obviously aware of the misgivings about the amendment, the national
chairman, Chief Gemade, had, through his special assistant on media,
Mr. Osedeme Isibor, issued a statement, prior to the convention
explaining that the chairman was not interested in perpetuating himself
in office.

The statement dismissed the speculation as unfounded and misplaced,
stressing that the essence of the amendment was to strenghten the party
for the challenges ahead.

President Obasanjo, too, expressed similar feeling in his speech at the
convention when he said: "I do hope that the amendments of the party
constitution by this convention, will go a long way to strengthen the
executive committee of the party at all levels, so that they can
maintain discipline. Any human organisation which can not discipline
itself deserves no respect, neither can it be relied upon to achieve
great heights."

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na'Abba,
did not disappoint his fans with his critique on the party.

Describing members of the PDP as strange bedfellows, the Kano-born
politician bared his claws and likened them to a plate of salad in
which all the ingredients maintain their distinct identities despite
the fact that they have been prepared as a meal. The import of his
simile is that the members of the party, despite about three years of
blending are yet to become one organic structure.

Going down the memory lane, Na'Abba said the party was formed by a
coalition of different ideological camps such as the late Shehu
Yar'Adua's political machinery - People's Democratic Movement (PDM),
All Nigeria Congress (ANC), People's Consultative Forum (PCF), etc
regretting that up till now, those members still see themselves as
ideological rivals.

"Members of the party see themselves as representing their respective
groups in the party instead of regarding themselves as members of the
PDP," he observed.

The Speaker also noted that within the party, some members had
constituted themselves into a kangoroo court, pointing out that such
situation was unhealthy for the party.

To him, the major problem of the party is the inability of the
leadership to tackle decisively, issues that threaten the corporate
existence of the PDP.

Among these issues, he stressed, are scars of the Sunday Awoniyi and
Gemade battle as well as the Alex Ekwueme and Olusegun Obasanjo
struggle for the presidential ticket of the party. According to him,
the party needs to embark on total reconciliation instead of mere
palliatives.

"There is the need to reconcile those who fought battle in the last
elections. We should focus our minds on issues and separate our persons
from official positions," he said.

Na'Abba equally touched on the self succession campaigns which he
described as a "plague." He accused the party of not doing anything to
discourage the campaigns, a situation he said, gives the signal that
the secretariat of the party enjoys it.

Both Obasanjo and Na'Abba were, however, sanguine about the future of
the party, provided the executive could rise to the challenge. The
women wing of the party equally used the convention to pick up a
spirited fight for equality with their male counterparts. This, they
did by holding the President hostage for 20 minutes. The President
launched the computerised identity card, but mistakenly, the few that
were used were issued to men. So, when the President wanted to take his
seat shouts of "no women, no women," "We no go gree, we no go gree"
rent the air. Obasanjo acceded to their protest, turned back and said:
"I apologise for the mistake. And to show you that I am in solidarity
with you, I won't leave here until the women have theirs". Instantly,
photographs of the women leader of the party, Mrs. Anenih and the
Senate Chief Whip, Senator Stella Omu were taken. But while the cards
were being processed, the women, led by Special Assistant on Women
Affairs, Mrs. Titi Ajanaku burst into a song: "All we are saying is
give us our cards." Having also participated in the protest song with
the women, the President further electrified the interlude with "Now,
PDP don de rule, now PDP don de rule, now PDP don de rule O, Nigeria
don better, now PDP don de rule."

When the cards were delivered to them, they again said: "Now Obasanjo
don de rule, now Obasanjo don de rule O, Nigerian women don better, now
Obasanjo don de rule."

One hillarious moment while the convention lasted, was the appearance
of the former President of the Senate, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo which
received a thunderous applause, even as the Nigerian Television
Authority (NTA) screen beamed him walking into the 10,000 capacity
Africa Hall of the conference centre. Dressed in Igbo traditional
regalia with a horse tail to match, the entire hall applauded "Oyi,
Oyi" to which he waved his horse tail in all directions.

The President lavishly doled out humour which most delegates confessed,
they would not forget in a hurry. At a dinner on Friday, a day
preceding the convention, after the sumptuous meal, President Obasanjo,
in a relaxed-mood speech stunned the audience when he disclosed that he
refused to eat. He explained that when he was being driven into the
Eagle Square premises, venue of the dinner, he saw the thousands of
people outside who could not have access due to space constraint and
security measures. In the circumstance, he said there was nothing he
could do. So, he decided to go on hunger strike by refusing to eat
anything at the dinner as a show of solidarity with the unfortunate
thousands.

A novel dimension to the PDP convention was the large attendance from
their chapters abroad. These include United Kingdom, America, Italy,
Canada and even Asia. They all expressed confidence in the party but
urged the PDP to see to the passage of their bill seeking voting rights
for Nigerians in diaspora.

Equally, political parties from Algeria, Mali, Ethiopia and South
Africa sent goodwill messages through their representatives.

With the amendments of some sections of the party's constitution such
as articles 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 12, 20, 25 and 27, and
given the hard truth position espoused by members of the family, the
question that arises is whether the convention would resolve issues
raised by actions and perhaps in-actions of the leadership and put the
party on course to harness the goodwill of Nigerians who gave them
overwhelming votes, or the various ideological groups will say "to your
tent or Israel." And for Gemade, the PDP would sustain the mandate and
ensure a level playing field by ensuring "power to the people," he
assured.
------------------------

The menace of commercial motorcyclists

TWO recent events have forcefully brought home the great danger which
the chaotic and unregulated practice of using motorcycles as commercial
transport poses to the health and well-being of our society. The first
event was the protest by commercial motorcyclists ñ or okada as they
are better known ñ against a bye law which makes the use of helmets
mandatory in the Surulere Local Government Council of Lagos State. The
protest was a raucous affair with undertones of violence. The
motorcycle riders made it quite clear that they were in no mood to obey
the legitimate, universally-accepted practice, which has the objective
of protecting both the riders and their passengers. From all accounts,
the authorities of the council have been intimidated by the brash
display. This is unfortunate.

The second event was the annual conference of the Association of
General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) which
held in Makurdi, Benue State. The Lagos State branch chairman of the
association, Dr. Kolawole Ojo and the Benue State commandant of the
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Louis A. Nwugo had used the
occasion to make a passionate plea to governments at various levels to
take urgent action to save Nigerians from the harvest of deaths, injury
and maiming which have characterised the growth of motorcycles as a
popular means of transport in our rural and urban areas.

The evidence of the lethal nature of the phenomenon is overwhelming. In
many hospitals and clinics across the nation, a section of the
orthopaedic ward, reserved for victims of motorcycle accidents, is
dubbed, with a hint of cynicism, okada ward. This is apt epitaph for
the mortalities caused by this mode of transportation. Many a promising
life has been snuffed out in such accidents; many a promising career
has been brought to a screeching halt. Figures from the FRSC which were
made available during the Makurdi conference illustrate not only how
serious the problem is but how it is actually getting worse. They come
from a four-year profile of accident cases in Benue State covering 1997
to 2001. Ninety out of 268 accident cases in 1998 involved motorcycles;
this translates to one-third. In 1999, the figure was 55 of 144
reported road accidents again, this is about one-third. Last year, in
32 out of 74 accidents, motorcyclists were involved. This represents
almost 45 per cent. It needs to be noted that these figures only
reflect a fraction of accidents that actually involved cyclists; many
go unreported. So the full extent of the problem especially in the
larger metropolitan centres like Lagos and Port Harcourt and commercial
centres such as Onitsha, Aba and Kaduna may not be captured by the
available statistics. Eye-witness accounts and anecdotal evidence,
however, give an idea of what the nation is losing because of the
menace.

The more alarming aspect is that the prospects of an improvement are
bleak. Motorcyclists are notorious for conducting themselves like
outlaws. They are full of disdain for law enforcement agents and they
are in the habit of resisting any effort to curb their excesses,
sometimes with violence. They have also earned a reputation for
malevolent solidarity. In the Lagos area, riders are notorious for
attacking any unfortunate motorist who gets involved in a traffic
incident with one of their members. FRSC officials have testified to
their propensity for lawlessness and contempt for traffic regulations.
Besides, the motorcycles are a major source of urban pollution, most of
the machines being old and ill-maintained.

Commercial motorcyclists are quite a recent phenomenon. The practice
first became noticeable in the early 1980s when the nation's economic
problems, which persist till today, began. It was the rise in
unemployment and the collapse of the public transport system that made
the business an attractive option for jobless youths. There is,
therefore, need to put in the right historical perspective this
legitimate effort to survive in an economically hostile environment.
However, there is absolutely no tenable excuse for the atrocious
conduct of motorcyclists and the pains which they are currently
visiting on the society. They must be made to realise that they are not
above the law. Governments at the federal, state and local levels
should act with despatch and come up with strategies to protect
innocent citizens from the negative fallouts of this practice. In this
connection, we recommend an outright ban of motorcycle on all major
highways and cityways in the country. To reduce fatalities and
injuries, they should be restricted to areas with lighter traffic
density. With improved modern metropolitan transportation,
motorcyclists should be allowed to ferry commuters in the suburbs to
connect them with the road grid in the city centres. All the same, it
is a shame that in oil-rich Nigeria, these contrivances are still the
preferred means of transportation for the bulk of the population. There
is also the need to ensure that riders comply with all enactments
designed to protect them and their passengers. There is need for
firmness on this matter because the health and lives of citizens are at
stake. In the final analysis, however, an improved mass transit system
anchored on expanded bus and rail services is the only enduring remedy
for the accident prone okada.
------------------------

Oshiomhole and the hurried rallies

By N. Onyia

THE buzz word in town today is "deregulation". Many of us innocent or
ignorant students of economics and management have had to make a hasty
consultation with any English dictionary around, so we can flow with
the "Superior" arguments of the involved and perhaps the learned.

It will be correct to say that all of this has been triggered by
Government's decision to make public the Rasheed Gbadamosi-led
committee report on the Review of Petroleum Product Supply and
Distribution in Nigeria. However, government's composure since the
release of this report has unmasked any pretences to a sincere need to
carry the populace along. Maybe the insistence from labour that
government consults widely is to blame for the intellectual assault
ordinary citizens are now subjected to ñ in the name of deregulation.
At best, the government is ill at ease and is clearly in a hurry to get
it over with.

The signs are clear to support this assertion that this government is
treading unfamiliar terrain. For one, government has had to try and
stabilise a volatile oil distribution chain in the hope that she would
have some peace and quiet to communicate the subject of deregulation.
While it grapples with this, labour remains a thorn in its flesh ñ
keeping the populace from truly reading between the lines and
constructively joining the debate. As government tries to elevate the
discourse, labour's strategy appears to be to keep it at elementary
levels, using a mixture of populist and welfarist doctrines to confuse
the people.

In all of this, one issue stands outñ price. Will it go up with
deregulation? Or is government simply out to raise prices and thereby
make us all the poorer? What really is this deregulation, what does it
entail? When will it be implemented, how and over what time frame?

What is the justification for deregulation? Is it correct to tell
Nigerians that the present cost of fuel is cheap or unrealistic? Is the
government deregulating just to combat smuggling? Are our refineries
truly working?

And why is government not willing to supply crude oil to potential new
refineries at the discounted price of $9.50 that it supplies to the
NNPC?

As the debate progresses, it has become obvious that the real fear of
the people is their mistrust of government. The people of this country
believe that government will not look after their interest. "Government
just wan chop the money" you'd hear some say. In other lands, it's the
foreigners who cheat the locals; in Nigeria, Nigerians cheat Nigerians.
So is government ready to give guarantees to its people? Is government
ready to be held accountable? These are the issues I believe this
Government has to communicate.

But then how has the NLC helped this process or conducted its own
affairs? Not too creditably! And here is why.

The NLC was a part of the Rasheed Gbadamosi committee whose report we
are now forced to study. Nigerians knew nothing of labour's work in
this committee until it opted to issue a "minority report". In its
report it admitted the inevitability of deregulation ñ even though it
advocated that prices should not rise by more than seven and a half per
cent. In all its pronouncements thereafter, it has conveniently failed
to educate Nigerians more on this position or indeed help the process.

Rather, labour has decided to position itself as the alternative
government ñ the opposition so to say!

The NLC is expected to play a very crucial role in this dispensation.
It owes it to the Nigerians it leads to champion their cause by aiding
their understanding of the issues at stake. It must not necessarily
wear the toga of the opposition and overreach itself in its bid to
remain relevant and promote the image of its leaders as the defiant
defenders of the helpless masses.

In carrying out her self-imposed task, labour must realise that at best
she speaks for no more than the five per cent of Nigerians who are in
employment. The vast majority of our people do not have the luxury of a
job to appreciate what labour is all about. Therefore, some caution is
called for as labour approximates the right to represent all Nigerians
lest it squanders the goodwill and diminish its relevance.

The NLC's attempt to pre-empt the government by calling workers out for
the anti-deregulation rallies is an example of how not to manage a
matter that requires maturity, dialogue, education, wide consultation,
negotiation and perhaps compromise in the end. The debates have only
enjoyed a life span of less than three months ñ and labour wants
Nigerians to hear no more? Who says labour's position is the best for
Nigeria?

While it is the NLC's right to organise rallies, it must be well
advised to stick to the issues and be constructive for the sake of the
ordinary Nigerian. The new signals from labour's rally in Lagos are
quite disturbing to say the least. It goes against the grain of
decency, maturity and responsibility for our labour leaders to pour
invectives and abuse ordinarily decent and respectable public officers
whose only crime is that they share a view that is not in agreement
with Labour's.

Labour must not truncate the debate going on now. Nigerians may not
agree with their government, but they must not be denied the chance to
understand the matter before them and partake in the discourse.
Afterall, they are only just beginning to get involved.

Hopefully, at the end of it all, the National Assembly holds the key to
this dicey decision as impartial arbiters. A clear path will be defined
and Nigeria will be the better for whatever the decision may be.

Finally, a word for the press. Given that most of our journalists would
wish to classify themselves as members of the suffering masses, it
remains their professional calling to be fair in their reporting. Part
of the problem with the public not getting the arguments for or against
deregulation is the lopsided manner the press has reported the debate.

For the avoidance of doubt, I support deregulation.


Onyia lives in Lagos.
----------------------

In defence of Bonfrere Jo

By Omorodion Uwaifo

THE kernel of what sports writers in the country have said of football
for many months now, is that our players have not done well in recent
matches. They have lost one, won one and drawn one in the qualifying
matches for the 2002 World Cup. It would have been great if they won
all. But it is not a disaster at that level that they did not. Brazil
is the only country to have won a ticket to every World Cup. Yet, they
have lost two in the current matches in their zone for the same Cup. We
may not have won all, but it is in the rule of the competition that we
have not lost the ticket for 2002. Even if we go on to lose it, why is
Mr. Bonfrere to blame? Let us take a hard look at the matter.

Until the eve of the last Nation's Cup, we had no Technical Adviser if
we thought we needed one. If you would have fire brigade response to
problems then you should know that it only limits, but does not stop
damages. From what one read, the Sports Ministry hired Bonfrere Jo for
the NFA. The Minister asked him to go forth and secure a win for us at
the Nation's Cup. Thereafter he was to ensure that we got one of the
tickets for 2002. One also recalls that the Minister had said that what
the man did with the two tasks would decide whether he kept his job.
The question is, does any part of his contract say that he was not to
use the best players to carry out these tasks?

Kodjo Williams, then Chairman of the NFA had his own view of what was
best for us. He thought that it was good to win the Nations Cup and get
a ticket for 2002. However, he had greater interest in how we would
play the game after the two great events. It would be fair to say that
the two wanted good things for us that were not the same. The Minister
wanted us to win tickets for the African Nations Cup and the World Cup
at hand. The future would take care of itself, he thought. And that was
not strange because no one would want to fail so that those coming
after might excel.

One recalls that sports writers asked some of our star players, which
of the two coaches ñ Bonfrere or Westerhofñ they preferred. The result
was that they wanted Bonfrere. If we can recall that, is it not right
that we probe the root cause of our failure instead of blaming
Bonfrere?

If we were as committed to the game in terms of what we put into it, as
we rant and cavil when the going gets tough, the two men ñ The Minister
and Kodjo ñ might not have parted ways. After all what one wanted did
not exclude what the other asked. It was just that we could not hire
two coaches, and one had his way to the chagrin of the other. If we
could, we might have hired the coach that each preferred ñ Bonfrere for
the Minister and Westerhof for Kodjo. We would then have had Westerhof
for the grassroots plans of the NFA Chairman.

A worker loyal to his employer and who wants to keep his job must keep
his job description always in his sight. Mr. Bonfrere has done that
under the most hostile and vile of conditions. It was heart rending to
read such comments as "he is a trainer and not a coach." Even if that
were true, he did not hire himself. There is a word of wisdom that says
that it is too late to cry when the head is off. Statements on this
matter have ignored the fact that we have on-going matches that we must
win. It is one's view therefore, that the trenchant criticism of the
man at this stage is subversive of these tickets.

One may ask how many months' salary we now owe the man? Have we found a
suitable house for him, yet? Did we manage to buy him a Tokunbo car?
Perhaps, he still lives in a hotel. Maybe the hotel is of the class of
one star and can afford one television set for all its residents. Or is
it that we bought one for him? But what happens when public power fails
and the hotel has no supply of diesel oil? How might the man view our
stars playing in Europe? It is the butt of many a caustic criticism of
him that he goes home to Holland to watch our star players on his
television set.

No one would deny that Bonfrere is not Sven Goran Eriksson. A Raleigh
is no Rolls Royce. We went for the coach that we could afford. We pay
him $30,000 a month. Ask Arsenal and they would tell you that Nwankwo
Kanu, one of those players that he trains, earns over five times more.
There are coaches that earn six times more, as there are players who
get 20 times more. That is what the world pays for football. For
basketball and American football these are peanuts and pay gets as high
as more than 100 times more. Is it ignorance or meanness then that we
bellyache over this man's pay? One is worried that no coach worth his
salt would touch us with a barge pole if tomorrow we want one for a
real bash at the World Cup.

There was a time when the UAC, the Railways, the Police, the PWD, and
Zik had stadia in which players trained and played league matches in
Lagos. Today, we are poorer. What infrastructure have we for what we
ask of the man? Where are the roads and where is the fuel to
criss-cross this vast land if he had the time? Where are the gyms and
the training facilities for building the local world-beaters that we
want?

We have had a league for over a decade. Yet, none of the clubs has
built a standard stadium. Perhaps the best measure of our failure is
the fact that none of the clubs has yet signed on a foreign player.
Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and so on have had foreign
players in their league. Didn't Stephen Keshi start his international
career in Cote d'Ivoire over one and a half decades ago? Less than a
decade after her re-entry into international sports, South Africa has
now the best league in Africa! One wonders why those who write vile
reports on this man sheath their pens when they see the mountain in our
eyes. Westerhof was coach to a South African club until a few months
ago. And many of our people play their football there.

Football is a huge industry elsewhere; it does not have to depend upon
handouts if it was to survive, said Segun Odegbami. But no one tried to
listen to him, least of all those in the NFA for the estacode and for
the trips to watch the game at the taxpayers' expense. If Stephen Keshi
and Clemence Westerhof had not helped the exodus of our footballers to
the rest of the world we would not today be thinking of getting to the
final stages of the World Cup. Stephen must have wondered what hit him
after Ghana flogged his side by 4-1 goals. The truth of the matter is
that African football is on the rise. And it is a fact that we have not
got what it takes to keep up with it. 1994 when we lost to Italy in the
World Cup was great for our football. 1996 when we beat the world for
the Olympic Gold in Atlanta was even greater. Yet, they cannot
guarantee that we would continue to rule Africa let alone the world. We
did not plan for these successes. They just happened. The problem is in
us; it has little to do with a foreign coach or "trainer." Look,
everyone, we have work to do. Let's get on with it.


Uwaifo, a retired engineer, lives in Lagos.
----------------------

Bola Ige, owner of the game (3)

By Odia Ofeimun


Continued from last week
THERE may be no agreement on it: But I believe that the reason that
Bola Ige appears so threatening and yet so easy to attack is that he is
easily the most imaginative defender of Awolowo's turf in Nigerian
politics. Those intimidated by Awolowo's undying arguments are
therefore happy to enlist the support of any declared followers of
Awolowo who do not know how, or do not care, to define their terms and
map the ground clearly, before they plunge into an argument. The result
is that, in the case of the idea of a Sovereign National Conference, so
much woolliness has been promoted. The idea was a vehicle for a
specific agitation that has changed its nature. But it is still being
valorised as a cure-all. It has been turned into a hurrah term, a
slogan, without letting the rest of us know the actual physics of
behaviour through which an SNC is supposed to lead to the desired
goals. Instead, the SNC is being turned into the goal.

I must confess, on this score, that I feel morally empowered to
criticise the idea of the SNC because I have always argued that there
are alternatives to it which are being avoided. Since the NADECO days.
I have tried to conscientize as many proponents of the ideas as I came
across, so that they many see the danger in making too much meal of the
necessary agitation that NADECO was pursuing; my argument was and
remains that the struggle for true federalism requires a proper drawing
up of terms, including the constitutional provisions, under which the
idea of restructuring can be met. Until such provisions were drawn up
and properly canvassed, any talk about true federalism remained so much
hot air, something good for agitation politics but not for solving
problems. Towards a solution, I have argued that it is best for every
nationality or local government area to draw up the kind of
Constitution for Nigeria with which it can feel comfortable. Arrival at
a commonly accepted Constitution could then begin through a matching
and merging and streamlining of the different Constitutions until a
critical mass of Nigerians who support one Constitution are ready to
pose the question of Sovereignty. Actually, by the time a critical mass
is arrived at, a true sovereign national conference will have started
that no President however powerful can stop. The point is that those
who want a government to organise a Sovereign National Conference for
them are not serious about their goals.

Unfortunately, too many of the people in search of restructuring,
including many of the columnists who 'oversight' them, are too
impatient, too aware of the applause of the gallery, and too distracted
by the current shenanigans of government, to dare to be wrong by
proposing something different. Rather than put themselves on the line
by suggesting what needs to be done, they resort to slogans. They seem
to be saying: "just wait till we get to the Sovereign National
Conference and we shall surprise you". But, seriously, they can only
surprise themselves. They are like the great stalwarts who went to the
1950 All-Nigerian Conference at Ibadan only to capitulate to the brazen
injustice of a revenue-sharing formula based on population figures
cooked by British colonisers. Those figures have remained everybody's
albatross and nightmare. And the experience warns all those in search
of a Sovereign National Conference that they are in danger of repeating
the grand error of 1950.

The surprise is that they all want an SNC even if it will be
over-dominated and over-determined by forces opposed to restructuring.
The old argument used to be that an SNC was the only way to ensure that
the decisions reached at the sessions would be final and above the kind
of tinkering usually perpetrated by military dictators. It was imagined
that "we, the people" would exclude military fiat as well as the crush
of an Arewa Veto. It was assumed that the views of the agitators would
hold water. Except that the agitators knew that those against
restructuring had a clear superiority of numbers in terms of
population, number of local government, number of states, number of
identifiable nationalities and strategic placements in the civil
service and armed forces. They knew that the lie of the ground was
artificially skewed in favour of a moribund unitarism. On the face of
it, one would have expected that, as serious strategic thinkers, they
would first consider modes of representation and patterns of
decision-making, and how to meet them, before jumping into the SNC
bandwagon. At least, one expected them to know where they were going
before bundling their followers ñ clans, tribes, nationality and
ideological fellow travellers ñ into the bandwagon. But, no. They would
rather seduce the masses with great expectations that are abstractly
defined. So we hear talks about equality of nationalities,
representation of social groups and NGO's as of right and voting by
consensus. They discountenance the reality that consensus is usually a
vote for dominant power structures. And so, you want to ask how they
intend to coerce, or bribe or woo or wheedle the other side to
alternative visions? Or how they will guarantee that the gainers at the
end of the battle for restructuring will not over-reach themselves by
hacking down the pillars of other people's citizenship. We never hear
of such things.

Not so much an aside, I recall the case of one sympathiser of the cause
of restructuring. He demanded to know from his comrades where the
allocation for his local government would come from after the
restructuring. It was like some questions out of Animal Farm: "Will
there be sugar after the rebellion"? But the question was and is
relevant. Who wants to be de-citizened by change? This is a question
that readers of Awolowo ought to be able to answer but which the
proponents of the SNC do not bother to answer. They are stuck in that
un-programmatic bracket that made all of us look like kindergarten
hordes after the death of Abacha and MKO Abiola. Because of the absence
of back-up options to their idea of an SNC and the even more makeshift
idea of a government of national unity, they were outsmarted,
out-manoeuvred and even out-gunned by military politicians who were
already agreed on one of their own as heir apparent. The militariat, so
to say, could not continue with evil but they did not want to do real
good on behalf of democracy. In effect, the compromise which was
reached with Abdusalami Abubakar may be touted as a good way to take
the military bull out of the china shop. Yet may it be seen as a poor
preparation for the constitutional government. Arguably, what it does
not and cannot mean is that there is no constitutional government in
place. We may not like it but there is such a government. Anyone who
wishes to think constitutionally rather than in arbitrary terms simply
must concede that there is already in place a procedure for changing
the constitution.

The procedure is lop-sided, wonky, and impracticable. But it exists. An
Attorney General who says he cannot defend that procedure even while
trying to change it has no reason being in office. Which is why I would
say that Bola Ige is quite right to say that only those who did not
participate in the 1999 transition ought to feel morally comfortable
with the continued demand for a sovereign national conference. Bola
Ige's option of a National conference that is not sovereign is however,
tenable for a different reason. It is not because, as government
megaphones claim, that we cannot have two Sovereigns at the same time.
No. It is because, at this point in our history, it is simply
impossible to have a sovereign that is not a moral cripple like the
government we have in place at the moment. The truth is that, in spite
of President Obasanjo's gung-ho attitude on the matter, he too believes
that the existing custodian of Sovereignty in government, is a moral
cripple. That is why there has been a Presidential Constitutional
Review Commission which is an extra-governmental committee of political
parties. And then, there is another committee in the National Assembly.
Truth is, only the review by the National Assembly is recognisable as a
formal constitutional performance. Speaking strategically, the parallel
approaches which all political parties including the AD have accepted,
cannot lead to an SNC. They call lead to the National Conference that
is not sovereign. I think too that such a conference is a safer bet for
those who demand re-structuring. No doubt, it is only a little better
than a talk shop. At the end of the day, if it manages to reconcile the
divergent demands from difference parts of the country, it would
require only a referendum to legitimise the document.

Sovereign or not sovereign, any national conference, I insist, will be
quite a repeat of the lopsided architecture of the existing system. It
is a system that allows mythical majorities to steal from those whose
numbers are presumably fewer. Hence I argue that those who are being
short changed in current affairs need to design a constitution with
which they believe they can be comfortable. They should dare to take a
common stand before sitting at table with the mythical majority. At any
rate, the true sovereign, the people, ought to be heard properly before
official pretenders to sovereignty overtake common sense.


To be continued

Ofeimun, a poet and essayist, lives in Lagos
---------------------

NACCIMA opposes new guidelines for insuring govt assets
By Etim Nse, Finance Reporter
THE NigerianAssociation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and
Agriculture (NACCIMA)has joined the ranks of opposition to the
guidelines for the insurance of governmentasset and consequently
advised government to withdraw it since it isinconsistent with the
spirit of a liberalised economy.

  In a memorandum to government,the association said that the insurance
industry was currently over-regulated,consequently, the guidelines
recently released by the National InsuranceCommission (NAICOM) was
going to compound the problems of the industry asparticipation of
private insurance underwriters in the insurance of governmentaccounts
was being made an exclusive preserve of NICON Insurance
Corporation(NICON).

   Part of the memo read: “theguidelines released recently by NAICOM has
compounded the problems asparticipation of companies in the insurance
of government accounts is beingmade an exclusive preserve of NICON. The
provisions in the guidelines areinconsistent with NICON Act and the
Insurance Decree of 1997.

   “We therefore recommend thewithdrawal of NAICOM’S guidelines and
allow the status quo to remain pendingthe enactment of a new Insurance
Act. The NICON monopoly should be broken toallow competition within the
spirit of a liberalised economy.

   “To promote competition, werequest that the insurance industry should
be fully deregulated. All registeredinsurance companies which meet the
prescribed criteria should be allowed tounderwrite government business
in all its establishments and parastatals. Inorder to make the
operating environment conducive and enabling, we humblyrequest that the
Insurance Act be review for early passage into law.”

   Other recommendations NACCIMAmade to government include:

• In order to stem capital flight, a policy should be put in place
toensure that an insurance of Nigerian-based assets is placed with an
insurancecompany registered in Nigeria the placement of such business
overseas should beallowed only after the exhaustion of local capacity.

   • To enable insurancecompanies widen the  scope of theirinvestment,
and earn greater returns, the Trustees Investment Act 1962
(Cup449,1990) should cease to apply to insurance companies.

• As Value Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax, insurance companiesand
brokers should not be made to pay VAT on commissions payable to
brokers,insurance premium should be exempted from VAT.

• All unpaid insurance premiums against government departments,agencies
and parastatals  should besettled through budgetary provision.

• All pensions fund should be insured with the approved insurers.
TheNAICOM laws which compel insurance companies transacting life
insurancebusiness to submit certificates of solvency yearly, should be
extended to otherorganisations managing retirement benefits funds.

    Finally, the associationadvised government to address seriously the
problem of policy inconsistency inthe insurance industry.
------------------------

How 75million FSB shares were transferred, by firm
SUSPENDED securities firm, Price Securities and Trust Company Limited,
at theweekend put in perspective, the controversial sale of the over 75
millionshares of FSB International Bank Plc, an action which attracted
the wielding ofthe Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

  SEC had last Tuesday suspended the firm from all capital
marketactivities following its failure and refusal to honour its
executivecommittee’s meeting on March 16, 2001 “to explain its role on
the sale of FSBInternational Bank Plc shares.”

   Ina letter dated March 29, 2001 addressed to SEC’s Director-General,
MallamSuleyman Ndanusa, the company’s Head, Capital Market Operations,
Mr. Bede MbamaOgujiuba, stated that its inability to attend the meeting
was “due to shortnotice and the commission was duly notified.”

   Hewondered why the capital market apex regulatory authority failed to
give Mrs.Pat Nwobodo, former managing-director of the company and who
is also therightful owner and transferor of the disputed shares
“hearing and attention onthe excuse that she no longer works with
PriceSecurities.”

   Ogujiuba explained that Nwobodo, therightful owner of 75,183,328
shares of FSB International actually sold theseunits to Alhaji Mohammed
Hayatu-Deen, managing-director of the bank and thedeal was indeed
crossed on July 7, 2000 on the Lagos floor of NSE at N3.50 pershare
after verification by BGL Securities.

   The letter referenced :“Illegal Acquisitionof Shares in FSB
International/Suspension of Price Securities and Trust CompanyLimited
from Capital Market Activities,” read in part: “No single share of
FSBInternational Bank Plc was acquired by unidentified person through
PriceSecurities Trust Company Limited. Sometime between April and May
2000, ourformer managing director approached us, that she had decided
to dispose of her75,183,328 units of FSB International Bank Plc
ordinary shares and asked us tosource for buyers, we did source, but
the people we got were not acceptable toher.

   “She later told us that she was approachedby Alhaji Mohammed
Hayatu-Deen, representing FSB International Plc, whoindicated interest
in acquisition of the shares. On her instruction the sharecertificates
were sent to BGL Securities for verification and crossing infavour of
the said buyers, which crossing was effected on the July 7, 2000 onthe
Lagos floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange at N3.50 kobo per share.”

   Ogujiuba said while it was correct that thecommission invited the
company on three or four occasions for a meeting: “It isunfair to say
that we refused, failed and neglected to attend.”

   The head, capital market pointed out that atthe meeting with the
representative of the commission in Lagos on August 17,2000, he did
explain all he knew about the deal.

   He added that although, the company couldnot attend two other
subsequent meetings due to short notice, the last meetingwas, however
“attended by our former MD who is the rightful owner andtransferor of
the shares and is in the best position to give the commissionevery
detail of the transaction. It is surprising that the commission
refusedto give her hearing and attention on the excuse that she no
longer works withPrice Securities.”

   To him, it was unfair to punish the company“whose only role in the
whole transaction was, handing over the sharecertificate totalling
71,560,578 kept in its custody, by the transferor plus3,622,750 units
held in its name, though owned by same transferor to BGL whoactually
consummated the deal on behalf of the parties involved.”

   Ogujiuba therefore pledged the company’sloyalty to the commission and
appealed that the suspension be lifted.
----------------------

NIPC plans seven zonal centres
From Muhammed Abubakar, Maiduguri
THE Nigerian InvestmentPromotion Commission (NIPC) is to establish
seven zonal offices across thecountry to serve as investment and
business information dissemination andcollation centres.

  The proposed centres are to be located in Lagos, Ibadan, Port
Harcourt,Enugu, Kano, Jos and Maiduguri. It is expected that the
provision of investorservices to the investing public would be further
enhanced through the proposedzonal offices.

   The Commission’s Chairman, ChiefKola Daisi who made this known at the
one-day sensitisation seminar for thenorth-east Zone in Maiduguri,
Borno State said, already machinery had been putin motion for the
opening of the zonal centres.

   Presented by a member of thecommission’s Governing Council,
Ambassador M.B.G. Dogonyaro, Chief Daisi saidthe seminar was aimed at
exposing the people of the North East part of thecountry to the window
of opportunity which has come about as a result of thecountry’s return
to democratic rule.

   ‘‘Today, quite a lot of foreigninvestors are showing interest in
investing in Nigerian economy. Indeed,Nigeria is now the cynosure of
all eyes in the international businesscommunity. Some of the reasons
for the development are obvious with itspopulation of about 120 million
people, its rich endowments in mineralresources, investors are now more
disposed to ploughing their resources intoNigeria”.

   He, however, added that theforeign investors were being hindered by a
number of factors including lowlevel of domestic investments,
infrastructural inadequacies particularly withrespects to power and
communications.

   “The point to emphasise, howeveris that the new vision of NIPC is to
the effect that local and stategovernments, Nigerian businessmen and
women and Nigerians in diaspora, all havea stake to make Nigeria, in
collaboration with NIPC, the preferred destinationfor global investment
resources.

   “The competition for theseresources is stiff within our continent and
particularly our region. But wepossess the capabilities of making our
economy both the gateway and thedestination for investment into Africa.
Therefore, as members of the organisedprivate sector (OPS) in this
zone, or as individual entrepreneurs, yourcontribution and co-operation
will assist in fashioning policies and programmesthat will make the
goals achievable”.

   Chief Daisi opined that theNIPC, as a facilitator in business
stimulation enterprise would concentrate itsefforts at doing the
following:

Increase the contribution made by foreign directinvestment to the
economy by informing new investors of the country’s advantageas an
investment site and influencing them to invest;

facilitate new investment by providing professionalservices that would
enable investors to meet their specific project needs inall specified
sectors;

to nurture the existing investors’ base by assistingforeign-owned
companies to overcome any existing impediments to increasingtheir
existing investment;

to draw the attention of foreign investors to availabilityof special
incentives; and

bring to the attention of the government any action thatcan further
improve the enabling environment for foreign investment.

  The commission, he said, requiresthe support of other stakeholders in
achieving their aims. “This informs ourcoming here and the invitation
extended to the governments and businesscommunities in this
geo-political zone to this seminar.

   ‘‘You need to appreciate theforemost role of the commission towards
ensuring that the investmentpromotional efforts of the president is
sustained with programmes which areaimed at stimulating local and
international awareness and interest.


--------------------------

ALSCONgulps $2.26 billion
From Anietie Ben-Akpan,

Calabar

THE management ofAluminium Smelter Company (ALSCON) has put the actual
cost of the country’s11-year aluminium project at $2.263 billion with
the shareholding standing at70 per cent to Nigeria and 30 per cent to
Ferrostaal AG of Germany (FSAG).

   Its Managing Director, Mr.Dieter Matron stated this when
Vice-President AtikuAbubakar visited the plant.

   Henoted that the project cost has been a source of confusion due to
variousnewspaper reports.

  According to him, the foundation stone was laid in November 1990 but
thefirst molten metal poured in October 1997, five years behind
schedule and “asat 1989, the cost was put at $1.3 billion. But due to
delays from unanticipatedproblems this amount was raised to $2.263
billion in 1995.”

   Thisamount, according to him, “is broken into $2.033 billion invested
in ALSCONplant and in auxiliary facilities like the township, staff
housing and otherinfrastructure, and $230 million invested in the Imo
River dredging and the gaspipeline, infrastructure for which the
government is usually responsible.”

   Previously, the shareholding of ALSCON was70 per cent for Nigerian
government with Ferrostaal AG of Germany (FSAG) having20 per cent and
Reynolds International Incorporated of USA (RII) with shareholding of
10 per cent.

   But,he explained that “RII has recently pulled out, having their
shares been takenover by another company, thereby leaving only the FGN
and FSAG.

   Withthis arrangement, the Assistant General Manager (Public
Relations) Mallam GarbaShehu, said the Federal Government has no plan
of increasing its holding beyond70 per cent while Ferrostaal wants to
take that of Reynolds (10 per cent) thusbringing their shareholding to
30 per cent.

   Out ofthe N15 billion budgeted for the completion of the plant which
is 86 per centready, Mallam Shehu said N11 billion has been released
while the balance of N4billion would be paid in March or April before
the likely resumption ofproduction in August.

   Ifthis is done to put the plant back on stream since shut down in May
1999, themanaging director of ALSCON said the “plant will generate
approximately $300 to$350 million in revenue per annum, and this is in
addition to the numerousother benefits that will accrue to the country
as a whole.”

   Toachieve this target, however, he said “problematic areas like plant
completion,availability of gas at an economical price, funding of
working capital and anenabling local working environment where business
can grow and people can livein harmony must be put in place.”

  ALSCON has an envisaged production capacity of 193,000 metric tons
ofIngots per annum using 36 million standard cubic feet of gas.
--------------------------

Econet wireless commends NCC
ECONET Wireless Nigeria Chief Executive, Mr. Strive Masiyiwa
hasdescribed the formal issuing of the company’s GSM licence by the
NigeriaCommunications Commission (NCC) as a major milestone for the
company, which isbusy preparing to launch its mobile network in the
next few months.

  Masiyiwa said in a statement that the issuing of the licence in
Abujalast week and closed a chapter and opened yet another one for the
company,which is implementing a multi-million dollar network rollout
program acrossNigeria.

  “For us, receiving our licence from the NCC was major milestone in
thatit closed one chapter, and indeed opened another for the company,”
he said.

  “It is also a fulfilment of our vision to launch an efficient mobile
networkin Nigeria,” said Masiyiwa, who together with Econet chairman,
Mr. Oba Otudeko,were in Abuja to receive the licence from the NCC.

  Masiyiwa said he was happy with the progress that has been achieved
sofar to rollout the Econet network in Nigeria.

   Hesaid various project team members had reported significant strides
having beenmade to achieve set targets to ensure that the Econet is
launched as plannedbefore the end of June this year.

  Masiyiwa said among other activities, the recruitment of staff
wasongoing, with several professionals having already been offered
employment withthe company. He said Econet expects to embark on a major
training programduring the next few days, which includes induction into
the company, customercare and sales.

  “We have a major recruitment exercise underway both here in Nigeria
andinternationally. Econet expects to have recruited and employed about
800 peopleby the end of the year,” said Mr. Masiyiwa.

   Hesaid probably the most crucial phase in the company’s network
rollout programat present were crucial talks to bee held in Abuja over
the next few daybetween the other GSM operators, and the state
telephone company, NITEL.

  “We are set to begin crucial talks which will cover both the
legal,commercial and technical aspects of our inteconnector agreement
with NITEL andother network operators,” said Mr. Masiyiwa.

  “We hope that our negotiating team will agree with their partners
onsuch issues as service quality, routing of traffic and traffic
levels. We believetherefore that the successful conclusion of these
talks will be extremelyimportant for the viability of Econet,” said Mr.
Masiyiwa.


--------------------------

FMG-MAN seeks abolition of five percent sales tax

  BY Tola Akinmutimi, Staff Reporter

THE  foam manufacturing group of  the Manufacturers Association of
Nigeria(FMG-MAN) has urged the federal government to revert to the five
per centtariff on their inputs subsisting prior the current year's
budget.

    Beside, the Group has also  demanded the discontinuation of the
currentmoves by the Lagos State Government to improve five- percent
sales tax on goodsand services manufactured in the state.

     The above position was contained in thenine-point agenda issued in
the  Group'scommuniquŽ at the end of its just concluded third
InternationalPolyurethane  conference (U-FOAM) had inLagos.

    Other highlight of the communiquŽ madeavailable to The Guardian by
the executive secretary of the  Group., Mr. TC Nwalozie, include  the
need for:

the federal Government to create enabling environment for the
international chemicalproducer to establish manufacturing plants in the
country;
The federal Government  to increasefiscal incentives on raw materials
for foam production;


International suppliers to  establish testing laboratories in
thecountry to facilitate qualitative manufacturing process in the foam
industry,and
foam companies to implement, in the shortest possible time, the ISO
9000 seriesquality management system.
Accordingto the communiquŽ, other strategic thrusts canvassed by the
Group toenhance operational efficiency for  allinvestors are the
imperatives for manufacturers to give priority considerationsto the
health and safety of  workers; comply with the Montreal protocolon
ozone Depleting substances (ODS) phase out and put in place  efficient
fire protection equipment.

Speakingat the opening session of the conference, the managing
Director of Triple"E" systems Associates Limited, Dr. F.B. Dayo, gave
an insightinto  the impact of the multilateralfund (MF), established by
the Montreal protocol, on local foam manufacturingsector just as he
urged formers to ensure adequate health-for their employees.

    He explained: "it is important to notethat the implementation of
this programme has been going on steadily. To date,a total of  39
companies have beenapproved for  funding by themultilateral fund of the
Montreal protocol.

"Ofthis, 11 projects have been completed while the others are at
various stages ofproject implementation.

Agod number of the projects  arecurrently awaiting approval at the
nextexecutive committee meeting of the Montreal protocol. Apart form
this, theOzone office of the  ministry ofEnvironment in junction with
the relevant international agency and nationalconsultant has put in
place the necessary machinery that will ensure therealisation of the
umbrella prospects this year," Dayo said.

Heurged foam manufacturers in the country to avail themselves of the
opportunityoffered by the Fund to transform their manufacturing
processes just  as he advised them to support the country programme by
getting all  available data to the  National consultant for packaging.

   Commending the Foam Group for its variousinitiatives aimed at
promoting environment-friendly manufacturing process in the foam
industry, heemphasised the need for box and continuous foamers to place
high premium on occupational health safety in theirproduction
factories.

    The Montreal Protocol programme is aninternational effort aimed at
assisting foam facilities to carry out conversiontheir production
systems to environmentally friendly systems through theelimination of
the use substances that we harmful to human kind andenvironment.

     The programme also implements necessarymeasures to ensure safe and
effective use of the non-ODS ABA at each recipiententerprise

----------------------

Odili pursues development projectsin Rivers State

ByLanre Oloyi, Finance Reporter

RIVERSState, governor, Dr. Peter Odili is currently pursuing key
developmentalprogrammes aimed at impacting positively on the
socio-economic well being ofthe citizenry.

Thestep, according to government sources, is to keep fate with Odili's
vision toserve the people of Rivers State with a true sense of mission
and purpose.

Specifically,the present civilian administration in the 33 year-old oil
rich state ispositioning itself to achieve the target set before it
through delivery of lowcost and affordable housing scheme; poverty
alleviation and employmentgeneration programme; road rehabilitation and
construction scheme; and elaborateagricultural scheme aimed at
producing sufficient food for the people andeffective transport system.

Besides,the government which believes that reliable electric power
supply will give aboost to the state's industrial development and
extend electricity supply toevery local government area in the state,
plans to procure and install gasturbines to supplement efforts of the
National Electric Power Authority (NEPA)and also power outage.

Inwhat appears to be a vivid account of Odili's administration in the
state sinceassumption of office on May 29, 1999, the source said "after
few months inoffice, it was reckoned that the state chief executive
exhibited high andunparalleled proficiency in the running of the
affairs of the state. He did notonly meet the set target but over-shot
them by a wide margin."

Forinstance, in his broadcast to the people of the state to mark his
first 100days in office, he did promise to construct 1000 housing units
in the variouslocal government areas in the state; rehabilitate 100
roads; restore water andelectricity supply to most parts of the state
capital; repair and renovate 100public buildings and clearing of
drainage.

Trueto his promises, Peter Otunuya Chinwe Odili, who turns 53 on August
15 thisyear, has succeeded in building 1,200 houses to address the
housing needs ofthe people; rehabilitated over 133 roads by direct
labour through the roadsrestoration unit; rehabilitated the nine water
pumping stations in PortHarcourt and environs and restored the flow of
water through taps, some ofwhich had remained dry for up to 10 years.

Asa medical doctor who cherished the health of people, the governor
introducedfree health care for children below six years and adult above
60.

Besides,he did not only introduce free and compulsory primary education
scheme and freesecondary education programme, he acquired 25 large
buses for the free schoolbus scheme to help reduce students hardship in
getting to and from school.

Tomake life more comfortable for the people, he acquired 28 step-up
transformers,insulators and several drums of aluminium cables to check
power outage in PortHarcourt and environs. His government also acquired
14 base generators capableof generating power 24 hours a day for four
years; and distributed them tocommunities that were yet to be linked to
the national grid.

Onthe state developmental projects, Odili administration's housing
scheme underwhich he plans to build at least 16,000 housing units
before the end of histenure in year 2003 has been described as the most
ambitious housing project inNigeria.

Theintention of the state government is to force down "the high cost
ofaccommodation in the state and particularly in Port Harcourt which
experiencesan influx of people (investors and job seekers), as a result
of theconcentration of key industrial establishments in the
cosmopolitan city and itsenvirons."

Thehousing schemes, according to the source "are designed in one, two
andthree bedroom categories to take care of people in various strata
ofsociety."

Itis also "a deliberate effort to renew the city of Port Harcourt which
hasits old colonial buildings replaced with multi-storeyed structures
with modernarchitectural designs, to give a facelift to the Garden
City."

Onpoverty alleviation and employment generation programme, the state
adopts amulti-faceted approach to generate employment for its teaming
unemployed youthsand alleviate poverty among the people.

Tothis end, the state government created the Ministry of Economic
Empowerment andEmployment Generation which now has a data bank of
registered unemployedpersons in the state.

Asat today, several thousands of unemployed graduates, non-graduates
and skilledpersons have been registered by the ministry. Some of whom
have been engaged invarious companies, some as casual labour while
others were recruited for cleanup exercises in the state.

Productionof food which is central to human existence has also received
attention ofOdili's administration. The state is presently pursuing an
elaborateagricultural programme to produce sufficient food for the
people and provideemployment for unemployed school leavers who want to
take to farming.

Atpresent quite a number of young secondary leavers in the state are
beingtrained under the "School-to-Land Scheme" on modern
agriculture,livestock and fish farming.

Thecivilian administration in the state has also embarked upon
vigorousrehabilitation and construction of roads in Port Harcourt.
Several roads thathad hitherto failed to receive attention since the
creation of the state arenow being tarred. "New ones are being opened
up and many are beingrehabilitated."

Onpower generation, Rivers State government believes that reliable
electric powersupply will give a boost to her industrial development.
The state, therefore,currently working on the extension of electricity
supply to every localgovernment area. Work is said to have commenced on
the procurement andinstallation of gas turbines to supplement efforts
of NEPA and put theepileptic power supply in the state under control.

Withthe support of deputy governor, Sir Gabriel Toby, commissioners and
topgovernment functionaries, Odili has what it takes to lead the state
to thepromised land.
---------------------

ICAN signs N120m contract for students’ centre
THE plan of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)
tobuild a multi-purpose Students’ Centre with adequate facilities has
commencedwith the signing of the contract for its construction.

   Messrs.Trione Nigeria Limited will handle the contract. The signing
took place at theinstitute’s secretariat, Victoria Island, Lagos, with
Mr. Herbert Agbebiyi,president of the institute signing for the
institute and Mr. N. Saimua signingfor Messrs. Trione Nigeria Limited.
The estimated total cost of the project isN120 million.

  The foundation stone of the centre was laid in May 2000 by the
immediatepast president of ICAN, Chief Adeboye Badejo.

  The 1.105 hectares of land when completed would serve as the
institute’spermanent examination centre with a capacity to accommodate
over 8,000candidates.

  The hall, which could be partitioned will also be available for
otherfunctions of the institute such as seminars, workshops and
official meetings.In addition, it will be available for rentals in
which case the revenuegenerated will enhance the revenue base of the
institute.

  According to Claudia Binitie, the senior manager (Corporate Affairs)
theinstitute took up the challenge to build the multi-purpose students
centre inview of the logistic problems often encountered by the
institute in thepreparation of centres for candidates in Lagos each
year, coupled with the lossoften incurred in the movement of chairs and
other sensitive materials.

  Also, the poor condition of facilities and the non-conducive
atmosphereof the Trade Fair Complex used by the institute for the
conduct of examinationswere worrisome to the institute, she said.

  The construction project is part of the institute’s contribution to
thedevelopment of education in Nigeria. ICAN has always been at the
forefront ofengendering an enviable educational environment in Nigeria
through itsconsistent insistence on high standards.

  The rigorous review of its syllabus from time to time to reflect
thestandards of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
which regulatesthe accountancy profession world-wide, has ensured an
international recognitionand an all time popularity in Nigeria. For
now, the institute enjoys a cordialrelationship with tertiary
institutions and tuition centres all over thecountry many of which are
accredited by ICAN, and the ICAN examination isrespected by all.

  The institute’s Professional Examination (PE) is taken in May
andNovember of every year while the Accounting Technicians Scheme (ATS)
is takenin March and September every year.

  Examination centres include: Abeokuta, Abuja, Akure, Benin
City,Calabar, Enugu, Ibadan, Ilesa, Ilorin, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos,
Maiduguri,Onitsha, Owerri, Port Harcourt and London.

   Onthe whole there are about 80,000 students at the professional level
and notless than 50,000 at the ATS level.

   Present at the signing of the contract were theprofessionals involved
in the project such as Otunba Adebanjo and Mr. David Ojo(Quantity
Surveyors); Architects Tolu Fowode and Sadare of Multi-TechAssociates;
Engineer E.G. Sogunro as well as key officers and members of
theinstitute.
-----------------------

NITEL  explains difficulty in completing Lagos calls
NIGERIANTelecommunications Ltd (NITEL), has explained that congestion
in its network isresponsible for the difficulty in completing telephone
calls to and from Lagos.

   The explanation was contained in a statementfaxed from NITEL Abuja to
its Lagos zonal headquarters, a copy of which wasmade available to the
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

   The clarification came on the heels ofincessant complaints of dead
telephone lines by subscribers in Surulere andYaba areas of the
metropolis.

   But in an interview with NAN, Mr. IgnatiusNwagu, public relations
manager for the Lagos zone, said that the situation wasdue to what he
called “power problem.”

   The statement, signed by Mr. BalaAbdulkadir, on behalf of the Deputy
General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. TayoEkundayo, said, however,
that the congestion had mainly affected calls to andfrom central Lagos
and Victoria Island.

   He expressed regrets at the inconveniencethe problem was causing
subscribers and disclosed that a team of engineers wasalready working
round the clock to restore normalcy.

   He said that NITEL was expanding the switchand transmission capacity
of the Lagos network to reduce such bad situationsand called for
understanding from the subscribers.


--------------------------

Egwu protests to national povertyeradication team

THE Ebonyi State governor, Dr. Sam O. Egwu, has protested to the
presidential teamon National Poverty Eradication Programme, for low
allocation of 2,452 spaces,in its Youth Programme on Poverty
Eradication.

   Speaking in audience with the presidentialteam in Abakaliki, Governor
Egwu decried the constant down-grading andcontinued marginalization of
Ebonyi State in national programmes, and wonderedwhy Ebonyi State
should not be accorded equal status as other states of thefederation.

   The state chief executive reiterated thatEbonyi State was created,
because of many years of marginalization of itspeople, and frowned at
the current efforts by federal agencies to down-gradeEbonyi State in
national scheme of things.

   He questioned the rationale of allocating2,452 spaces, while other
South Eastern states got 4,000 and above positions,in the forth-coming
youth programme.

   He noted that Ebonyi State has more need forfederal presence and
attention than any other state in the South Eastgeo-political zone, and
appealed to the presidential team to up-grade theallocation meant for
Ebonyi State, adding that the state should be fullyinvolved in the
current effort to empower the national population in skill
acquisitionand development.

   Governor Egwu explained that severalsocietal vices, such as armed
robbery were direct consequences of unemployment,stressing that the
first outing towards poverty alleviation was a monumentalfailure.

   This, he explained, was because the targetpopulation was not
adequately addressed by the Poverty Alleviation Programme(PAP) launched
early last year by the Federal Government, and advised thatNigerians
should learn to suppress their selfish interests for the overallbenefit
of the larger society.


------------------------

The scourge of poverty around us, by Falegan
TO ask me anon-member of the academia to give a convocation lecture is
to tread theunfamiliar terrain. When the vice-chancellor told me it was
deliberate becausehe wanted to avoid the abstraction of the “Ivory
Tower,” I accepted withhumility. For me, to be so singularly recognised
of all the good people aroundus in this state is an honour which being
very well unaccustomed to, I don’tknow how to receive or in what terms
to acknowledge. This is particularly sowhen he did not impose a topic
on me but gave me the choice of a topic I like.I should however plead
with you to forgive or understand my inadequacy if I amnot able to meet
your academic standard since I don’t belong to the academicworld or
environment.

   The choice of my topic: The scourge of poverty around us –
isdeliberate for I want us to have a rethink of its implication for
Ekiti Stateenvironment. Since I came back to Ekiti November 4 years
ago, I have tried torecall all I have read or written myself about
poverty and its relevance andpractical meaning to our day-to-day life
in Ekiti State.

   In one of the studies I was involved with in the Central Bank
ofNigeria as a consultant in 1999, the definition, the incidence and
consequenceof poverty were examined. In our survey of poverty, certain
factors keeprecurring as common denominator of poverty; that is, a
situation where anindividual or a group of individuals is not able to
cater adequately forhis/her basic needs of foods, clothes and shelter.
He/she is unable to meetsocial and economic obligations: lacks gainful
employment, skills, and haslimited access to social and economic
infrastructures such as education,health, potable water and sanitation
and consequently has limited chance of advancinghis or her welfare to
the limit of his/her capabilities. The abovecharacteristics are caused
by inadequate access to the means of supportingrural development,
inadequate access to markets for goods and services that thepoor can
sell, low endowment of human capital; destruction of natural
resourceendowments; inadequate access to assistance for those living at
the margin andthose victimised by transitory poverty because of
drought, storms, floods, andpests. There is inadequate participation of
the poor in the design ofdevelopment programmes; coupled with poor
maintenance culture or the failure toretain and maintain existing
structures. All of them lead to deterioration inrural and urban
environment and increase in township slums and squalor. Thereis also
the poor and attitudinal response to employment opportunity,inefficient
use of resources, exposure to negative external influences andgeneral
increase in poverty nation-wide. According to a study carried out bythe
Federal Office of Statistics (FOS) and published by the World Bank
underthe auspices of the National Planning Commission, the increase of
povertynation-wide in Nigeria’s festering poverty profile is not only
widespread andsevere, it is generally more prevalent in the rural
community whether measuresin absolute or relative terms because most of
the poor live in the rural areas.The study when further to observe that
although the population of urbandwellers in total population has
increased from 19.0 per cent in 1963 to about25.0 per cent in 1990,
both urban and rural areas share similar povertycharacteristics while
certain peculiar features arise from either the relativeintensity of
socio-economic deprivation in the rural areas or from problems ofrapid
urbanisation. The sluggish growth and the low level of income
coupledwith inequality in income distribution as well as lack of access
to basicsocial amenities have accentuated poverty levels across
economic groupings andgeo-political divisions. When the benchmark for
poverty line was estimated bythe World Bank (based on two-thirds of the
mean per capita householdexpenditure of N395.00 for 1985) about 43.0
per cent of the entire populationwas considered poor. Using the same
benchmark, 31.7 per cent of urbanpopulation and 50.0 per cent of rural
population live below the poverty line.However, there was reduction in
the incidence of poverty between 1985 and 1992as 30.4 per cent of the
urban dwellers and 36.4 per cent of rural populationwere adjudged to be
poor. Nonetheless, in terms of number of persons affected,the
improvement was not considered significant considering the growth
inpopulation and the deplorable state of all social infrastructures,
which havejointly contributed to the worsening of the quality of life.
The followingcharacteristics were further evident:

sharp increase in poverty between 1980 and 1996 showing more
severitybetween 1980 and 1985 and between 1992 and 1996;

a slight decreased in poverty level between 1985 and 1992;

the figure were 28.1 per cent, 46.3 per cent, 42.8 per cent and 65.6per
cent for 1980, 1985, 1992 and 1996 respectively;

the 28.1 per cent for 1980 translated to 18.3 million people and roseto
34.7m poor people in December, 1985;

despite the drop in poverty in 1992, the population in poverty in
thatyear was 5 million higher than the 1985 figure;

in 1996, the population in poverty had increased sharply to
67.1million;

   In a broad perception of poverty, at least within – the
Nigeriancontext, J.C. Anyanwu’s categorisation of poor is very relevant
for ourreference; there are those

household orindividuals below the poverty line and whose incomes are
insufficient toprovide for their basic needs;

households orindividuals lacking access to basic services, political
contracts and otherforms of support;

people inisolated rural areas who lack essential infrastructures;

female-headedhouseholds whose  nutritional needs arenot being met
adequately;

persons who havelost their jobs and those who are unable to find
employment as a result ofeconomic reforms and those who are in danger
of becoming the “new poor” due toretrenchment or retirement;

gender minoritiesespecially women who are marginalised deprived and
persecuted economically,socially, culturally and politically, and

households withhigher level of poverty among farming workers than in
other occupations.

   Since Ekiti is not an island on to itself, it has a fair share
ofthese figures and characteristics. I am not able to provide its share
due tothe poverty of data in the state.

   What I did is to travel (and I am still doing so) the length
andbreath of Ekiti State and I observe that we are in midst of apparent
squalor,and poverty. Although there are pockets of development efforts
since thecreation of the state that has been neglected and virtually
unvisited by anygovernment (federal --- Lagos and Abuja or state –
Ibadan and Akure), thepocket of projects is like planting a tree in a
wind-blown desert and we callit a forest.

   Ekiti State has an all-embracing definition and indices ofpoverty.
When in the year 2001, you still see women (the most hard-hit and
yetmost enterprising) carrying firewood, farm inputs and products on
their headsand walking 5 and 8 kilometres of roads to reach their homes
and markets tosell their farm products, it is poverty of a vivid
dimension. When you go toour villages and harmlets where people sleep
on bare ground or at best on make– shift beds covered with leaves or
mats, it is poverty of unforgiveness, whenin those environments, there
are no good roads leading to them. When you seepeople carrying buckets
on their heads travelling long distances looking forwater, it is a
degrading poverty. Where there is no portable water but peopledepend on
brooks and flowing streams for drinking; and rely on bush lamps
forlight, those places are poverty – ridden. When you get to our
so-called townsand see squalor and filth, gorges, poor drainage, lack
of access to roads, poorsanitation, and environmental degradation, you
feel a sense of guilt that whatwe are governing and managing is
poverty. Take Ado-Ekiti, the state capital forexample, one cannot but
wonder whether there is a local government or not. Itried and waited in
vain for the whole of the year, 2000 to hear the Ado localgovernment
present its budget for that year, I have continued to hope againsthope.
Yet, inspite of the cry of “zero allocation” of funds, none of
theelected councillors can say he has failed to collect his monthly
salary withlet or hindrance. While the whole town cries for basic and
commonplaceutilities, efforts by private individuals in housing-starts
and personaldevelopment projects always move ahead and outstrip
infrastructures for whichthe local government has no answer. It is
poverty of neglect where basic and commonplace day-to-day necessities
of life like water, electricity, and telephone areluxuries.

   I observed also during my drive round the state, that there
arecertain kinds of poverty, which the text book’s definition of
poverty can notadequately capture. The open trading market system where
all kinds of warehouseincluding food items are spread on bare ground
and along narrow streets is atypical example. The health hazard we are
exposed to with cow meat competingfor space with flies makes the
concern for foot and mouth disease sweeping allof Europe a child’s play
with us. Shall we call it environmental poverty ordirty habit poverty?
If we have our way, and if only for money we will importthe foot and
mouth disease cows and mix them with our cow meat and sell them tothe
unwary consumers who wait till dusk to buy left-over meat that
shouldordinarily be destroyed. Apart from the poor environment, there
is the povertyof maintenance. The new offices we are putting up as new
structures in thestate; be it government, financial and learning
institutions, are poorlymaintained. In this day and age, it is puzzling
to use brooms to clean adust-laden environment such as ours that throw
up dusts to the faces of thecleaners only to find the dusts flying up
to form cub-webs on the walls andceilings being cleaned, not to talk of
the dust inhaled by the cleaners. Iwonder how Dr. Lawrence Omolayo who
donated UNAD’s administrative buildingwould feel if he were to visit
the place to find both the interior and exteriorso poorly maintained
and littered with used water cellophane bags. A clean anddecent
environment is a reflection of a clean mind and should manifest in
ourday to day activities. We walk pass them not because we are blind
but becauseit has become part of us to treat environmental cleanliness
as secondary. Thus,our poverty – a situatio9n when and where our
resources both individual andcorporate are inadequate or used in such a
way as to fail to provide a sociallyacceptable standard of living
(apology to Harry Johnson 1974) – ischaracterised by six factor
constraints:

skill and management constraint (even whenbusiness opportunities are
abundant) a constraint which in economic terms, isknown as low
absorptive capacity;

low productivity constraint: This isapparent inspite of book education
because of unskilled or low acquired skillof workers due to low and
falling standard of education, poor health andphysical incapacity. I
don’t know how many executives among you here canconfidently risk not
reading over what is typed for you by your secretarieswithout typing,
grammatical and spelling mistakes. Even where the mistakes areapparent,
they don’t bother to correct them

market imperfection: Outside book knowledge,there is little or no
“venture capital,” taking risks in the unknown and beinnovative of
business ideas. There is lack of exposure which constraints
ourrisk-taking and tasks our innovative instinct. We operate within the
narrowconfines of routine employment of teaching and preaching and
other roadsidefunctions in which we are not even venturesome and
innovative. Business isvirtually non-existent in terms of
professionalism, manpower, skilled labour,employment generation,
financial and technical management. Lack of industriesbig, medium or
small scale makes application of modern technology impossible.Where
such skills are locally trained, they quickly migrate out of the
statebecause of lack of employment or over-qualification for local
employment andindustrial level. Our own lack of exposure to the outside
world and newfrontiers of human endeavour and application makes us
un-innovative andresponsive to simple basic technology and initiative.
Everybody sits downwaiting for government charity fund without wanting
to contribute any counterpartfunding as personal stakes. It is a
vicious cycle of poverty generatingpoverty;

Pysical and environmental inhibitation anddegradation: It is in this
area that I am much worried for the future of thestate. The irony of a
rural state like ours is that the poor has to bedependent on its
surrounding environment for its employment, income andsurvival,
including its fertile and rich soil for food, its forest for
firewoodand logging; streams for drinking water and plants for
medicines. Yet these veryfactor endowments that are our strength are
being turned to our weaknessthrough neglect and wrong utilisation,
which make us vulnerable to pollution ofour air and water that expose
us to poor sanitation and deadly diseases. In ourattempts to develop we
engage in what I call “development by destruction.” Sideby side with
our road construction exists the excavation of virgin lands forroad
works, bringing down high hills in order to collect sand and gravels
thatend up creating erosions and gorges that are gradually mounting up
all over thestate. Trees are being felled indiscriminately for money
and get-rich-paranoiawithout a conscious policy of afforestation. I am
not a biologist or forestryexpert but common sense tells me that there
is a functional relationshipbetween our growing “on-season” lack of
rain on one hand and deforestation onthe other hand. Nowadays, we panic
at the first sign of the rains which areinvariably accompanied by
severe wind storms that destroy many houses becausethe natural
wind-shields of trees and shrubs have been destroyed in the name
ofputting up new structures. Lack of co-ordination in the execution of
plannedprojects among parastatals and other arms of government often
lead toconfusion. Water Corporation, NITEL and NEPA scarcely consult
with roadconstruction authorities (whose planners are themselves
lacking in foresight)before they start digging across newly constructed
roads to lay their pipes andcables. Each accuses the other after the
harm has been done. On serviceperformance, Water Corporation makes NEPA
its scapegoat for not supplyingwater. NEPA and NITEL trade blames for
non-payment of services performed toeach other and would rather cut
services and accumulate debt on them. Theconsequence is governmental
and intercorporate financial delinquency at theexpense of the consuming
public.

   The above is compounded by what I call intimidating poverty. It is
the high incidence of population influxand the increasing number of
vehicles to the state capital coupled withdiscourteous, impatient,
untrained and inexperienced drivers all competing withdefiant
wheelbarrow street traders on our narrow winding and undulating
roads.They all add to the deteriorating and degrading environmental
sanitation of thestate capital.

   The invading locusts of new Okada riders on our poor and narrowroads
are making life difficult and unsafe for road users. They kick off with
anoise of “three steps to heaven,”accelerate to a killing speed of “I
don’tcare if tomorrow never come,” make a dangerous U-turn of “this
world is not my own,” further moving to a higher speed of“O lord, I am
coming home,” andfinally crash landing” to the death path of “Ohlord,
when I land on the other side judge me accordingly.”

  Environmental sanitation is a luxury; markets without toiletries;
refusewithout dumps; latrines without water; drainage without exit, all
reinforced byour dirty habit of living in unhygienic atmosphere; thus
gradually building upAdo Ekiti to a capital of slum and squalor
reinforced by its maddening crowd’signoble strife. I pray that the
water cellophane bags, hardware rapiers, brokenplastics and other
consumables that are thrown daily on our highways, roads,streets and
gutters etc that block our drainage will not make Ogunpa disasterin
Ibadan a child’s way in this state capital. The signs are
manifestingthemselves on the Ajilosun bridge, which is gradually
building up to a deathtrap with the approach of the rainy season.

   There is the growing menace of the new generation of “NouveauRiche”
petroleum dealers flunting their new found wealth built on the back
ofthe exploitation of the poor to defy constituted authorities with
impunity.Example is the new petrol station at Ajebandele on Ikere Road.
That station hasvirtually blocked the road leading to the Deeper Life
Camp and the approvingauthorities watch unconcerned giving the
impression that they have been“settled.” How many times will a man
exist in this self-imposed filth,selfishness and greed, which only help
to reinforce our poverty?

Attitudinal and inadequatecommitment to programme implementation: Name
it; federal, state andlocal government functionaries and private
outfits display a most abysmalattitude to work. As you get to a
workplace, you think you are in market wherenoise, gossip, incivility
and lack of work ethics abound. Punctuality has noeconomic and
productive meaning to our workers. It is late to work, early togo.

Corruption: The corruptionperception index (CPI) as developed by the
transparency international (TI) (anNGO outfit) continues to show
Nigeria as topping the list of corruption –ridden countries with a
score of 1.0 index – one would like to see the stategovernment take up
this gauntlet and see how far this state is reading itselfof such slaw,
bearing in mind that this state is part of Nigeria and cannot
beisolated from what are its ills. It has been found elsewhere that
corruptioncan cost government as much as 50 per cent of its tax
revenues and can addbetween 20 per cent and 100 per cent to government
cost of goods and services.

Lopsided Employment
    In all these, there is not only cumulative unemployment, thereis
total lack of gainful employment. Where there is employment, it is
largelysinecure and in most cases under-utilised and misutilised. Apart
from themajority “poor that are employmed in peasant farming and other
hand-to-mouthearnings, our sources of employment are in the order
govern (that is the civilservice), teaching and religion. These three
means of employment,rather than help move the state forward, have shown
their negative sides asavaricious bloodsuckers. Our government image
since the inception of the stateparticularly during the military era
has left much to be desired. Our civilservice with its military
overloads engaged as a mean of employment when Icalled “Robber”
industry, as revealed in the report of the Ojuolope Commissionof
enquiry. What form does the robber industry take? When contracts
areinflated and/or awarded to incompetent hands against established,
procedures orto contractors using inferior and sub-standard materials
of monetary reward,there is monetary loss of government and service
loss and performance of thecivil society.

  The effect of the above is that the state directly suffers huge
monetaryloss several times to the cost of the advantages benefit or
facilities enjoyedby the public officials from the corrupt practice.
The consequence as revealedby the Ojuolape Panel, has its telling
effect on the economy of the stateespecially how those who were
initially opposed to the creation of the state,rush in to catch-in-to
stall good governance, and transparency in thedecision-making process
for personal gain. By such corruption practices, incomeinequality is
increased, and poverty is further aggravated by reducing
economicgrowth. The level and effectiveness of social spending is
reduced, wile theformation of human capital is stunted when resources
available for projects areinadequately and inappropriate.

   This hand-over inheritance must have created a lot of problem forthe
incoming civilian administration in form of debt-overhang, unpaid wages
andsalaries, lack of employment outlet, excess labour force, low
production andin-effective demand. Even at that, whether we learnt from
such past mistakes ornot becomes another matter, bearing Mr.
President’s recent lamentation that“his one-man crusade or not becomes
another matter, bearing Mr. President’srecent lamentation that “his
one-man crusade” against corruption is limited tothe federal level, and
that he is helpless about what to do about corruption atstate and local
government levels.

Teaching as another means of employmentis producing its own nightmare.
Teachers are inadequate for the teeming andgrowing number of students
as every level of educational institutions, apartfrom the observed fall
in standard, and poor quality product. At the secondarylevel there is
growing concern for indiscipline and lawlessness of uncontrolledand
uncontrollable studente. The 6-3-3-system of educaiton of secondary
school in the stateschools exists only in name. Scarcely will you find
any secondary school in thestate with vocational arm where the students
can be quided after JSS 3, toinstil discipline, mould character and
learn relevant craft such as masonry,carpentry, tailoring, brickmaking
to name a few. Instead, they all end uppursuing academic work up to SS
3 in the field they are not well prepared foror inadequate to pursue.
Education so imparted is poverty-laden. At thetertiary level there are
students computing with computers; libraries withoutbooks and
laboratories without equipment; lecturers lecturing without books,and
laboratories without equipment; lecturers lecturing without grant
forresearch work and who indulge in handout notes as substitute for
lectures.  There are so called students of crisis, dogsin the manger,
who would never attend classes, but relish in cult activitiesonly to
disrupt academic work of other serious-minded student;
academicadministrators that are corrupt, lazy, uninventive and
innovative.

  What miserable intellectual and mental poverty we are goingthrough
which we are passing to helpless and harpless future generations.

   The ambivalence in our educational system adds to our povertydregs.
On the one hand is the automatic promotion of our kids at both
primaryand secondary institutions, reinforced by their very poor
performance at GCEand West African School Certificate, including JAMB
examinations.   The not-less-than 60 percent failurerecorded in these
examinations in recent past is a pointer that we are buildingup a
future generation of delinquents and social miscreants in our labour
forceand market. I am yet to see any programme that has been put in
place to stemouch high velocity of failure among our children who are
left to roam about thestreets as half-educated illiterates, exhuming in
self importance andindulgence. On the other hand is the irony that we
also produce in certainfields of endeavour over-qualified manpower
which our employment opportunitiesand level of development
opportunities in this state can not absorb. Theyinclude bankers,
accountants, architects, financial and management consultants,town
planners, technologists, engineers to name a few, all of who migrate
outof the, leaving it poorer as net exporter of brains and manpower.

   The most recent and common place newfound line of employment
isreligion where both those who have the call and charlatans compete
for positionand membership. They have invaded every town and village in
Ekiti, preachingand claiming to be holier than others theologians
without Christianity,partridges that hatches eggs they do not lay. They
have become so judgmentaland self-righteous through poaching. The
tragedy of all is that they do not addto the stock of Christians but
are merely rotating and circulating these samepeople. Some go to the
ungodly extend of using their position to denyemployment to
non-conformists. Assurance of employment and contract is afunction of
membership of their denomination or sect; it is very painful tobehold a
man employ his talent to corrupt himself and mislead others
toprediction. It is a tragedy of mental deficiency, insufficient
educationcoupled with wrong educational approach, inability to adapt to
the disciplineof modern economic, management and administrative life or
a combination ofseveral of these factors. The story is flying around in
one of our institutionsof higher learning in the State of how a very
“religious quiet lady” hassucceeded in blackmailing some of her
lecturers through her equally “religiouspastor” to the effect that her
failure in her degree examination is due to herrefusal to yield to sex
advance. God was swift to Internet to expose acertificate – forging
syndicate of the institution’s letter heading andofficial stamp with
which false results and certificates are issued. Walls haveears,
windows have eyes. These are people who admit students with
forgedcertificates and results, and award false degrees for money and
have theconscience to claim making positive contribution to the state,
nay the society,while condemning others.

   There is thus a common denominator from these three classes
ofemployers in the state: poverty of selflessness, poverty of
commitment, povertyof patriotism, poverty of honesty, and poverty of
righteousness, all of whichgive directions symptom of a bleak future of
our children: children whothemselves relish in mischief, showing signs
of a generation of delinquentsthat are hostile, moody, frustrated and
criminally-inclined-a hoi polloi ofgraduates in paper qualification and
book knowledge through false and foulmeans: whereas the real graduates
are the farmers, market women, road-sidemechanics and artisan, who toil
and labour for production only to be side-trackedby the consumption
culture of poverty.

  The relevance of these poverty plaques to Ekiti State, from
thediscussion so far, can be deducted as mainly due to lack of exposure
of ourpeople, absence and misuse of opportunities and not due to the
absence ofaptitude and endowment. It is because these aptitudes and
endowment factors areuntrained, wrongly trained and wrongly used,
unutilised, misutilised andunderutilised that poverty is a plague among
others.

ANY SOLUTION???

   Right from the inception of Nigeria as an independent nation,every
government has acknowledged poverty as canker worm, and has
formulatedpolices aimed at trickling poverty. Our problem is that we
are always quick atidentifying problems, long at solutions but short on
implementation.Apart from policy formulations, specific institutions
have been set up totackle poverty and unemployment. Such institutions
include the Directorate ofFood Road and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI),
the Better Life/Family SupportProgrammes (BLP/FSP), the Family Economic
Advancement Programme (FEAP), theNational Directorate of Employment
NDE, the Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund(PTF), Peoples Bank of Nigeria,
Mass Transit Programme (MTP) and Guinea WormEradication Programme
(GWEP). One thing common to all the schemes under themilitary was that
they were conceived as populist political gimmicks andinstruments and
ended up in disaster for lack of sincerity in implementation.It was
usual for each succeeding government to initiate its own scheme
insubstations or abandonment for the one on ground; pillaging, wasting
andmilking Nigerian resources with the proceeds that end up in foreign
banks for afew untouchables.

   Yet there are non-government organisations (Egos) like the
RedCross/Crescent Society, the Ford Foundation, the Planed Parenthood.
Federationof Nigeria and other community-based self-help groups that
made significantcontributions to poverty alleviation in the country
with a great Ed; in theirareas of operation. The United Nations
agencies – (The world Bank AssistedAgricultural Development Projects
ADP, UNDP, Poverty Alleviation Programme inNigeria; UNDDO, FAD, UNICEF,
UNFPA, UNESCO) and other international bodies suchas ACP- EEC initiated
and implemented projects and programmes directed at povertyalleviation
in Nigeria and made tremendous impact on our poverty-ridden
ruralcommunities.

   The current administration both at the Federal and state levelseem to
be making some headway. Poverty Alleviation Programme with its
initialhiccup is making shape into forms (a) collaborative efforts
between Federal andstate government and (b) Co-operative efforts
between the World Bank on the onehand, and the federal/state/local
governments and local communities, includingsome non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) on the other hand.

   The Federal Government has announced a Poverty EradicationProgramme
(PEP), under which a National Poverty Eradication Poverty
Programme(NAPEP) is to function nation-wide with three innovations
aimed at tackling povertythrough youth employment. The three (1) the
Capacity Acquisition Programme(CAP), the Mandatory Attachment Programme
(MAP) and the Credit DeliveryProgramme (CDP), are to spend about N9
billion this year.  For the (CAP), each of the 100,00 unemployedyouths
expected to participate will receive N3,500 per month while N9,000
willbe paid to training centres for the participants. Under this
programme, each ofthe 36 states will receive a fraction of the
earmarked sum based on population.Cost estimate for the MAP, for each
of the N50,000 unemployed graduatesexpected to participate is N10,000
per month. Participants are expected to beattached to industrial and
service concerns such as banks, constructioncompanies and industries
for minimum of six months.

   Under the CDP, the assumption is that 50, per cent ofparticipants
will be absorbed into the remaining private and public sectorswhile the
rest will be resettled with micro participants are well tailored
andequipped for self employment.  Thegovernment intends to give an
average of N10,000 as loan to the 50,000graduates offloaded from CDP.

    There is also a Rural Infrastructure Development Scheme (RIDS)where
attention will be paid to the production of road maps for each state
ofthe federation with emphasis on feeder roads and connection,
evaluation anddocumentation of the 46,000 brothels established between
1985 and 2000; andsurvey and documentation of rural electrification
efforts and monitoring ineach council.

   The Social Welfare Service Scheme (SOWESS), intends to constructand
rehabilitate sport facilitates and/or provide relevant quality
sportsequipment to selected primary and secondary school.
Rehabilitate/equip selectedprimary health centres and ensure adequate
provision of trained staff. It isalso to ensure capacity building for
agricultural and industrial extensionworkers in every council, and
rehabilitate selected recreational centre in thestates.

   These programme as spelt out are good and attractive on paper. Wehave
seen how in the past well-conceived programme had gone with the wind
butlet us like sluggard, go to the ant, consider its ways and be wise.
Examples of success story elsewhere willprobably guide us. In detailed
study titled: Local Solutions to RegionalProblems the growth of social
funds and public works and employment projectin sub-Saharan Africa were
examined. Under the auspices of the World Bank sixcountries – Senegal,
Zambia, Benin, Gondola, Mauritania and Eritrea wereselected under the
Social Fund Africa 1991 address rural poverty. TheSocial Fund was
prepared, for Africa based on the success story of SocialFund in
Southern America, which used as human development
operationdemand-driven approaches to provide social and economic
infrastructure to ruralareas and groups like ours and groups most
severely affected by micro-economicimbalances.

  In all these six countries, which are less factor endowed than weare
in Nigeria, the objective are the same: that is to build local capacity
tomanage (identify, plan, implement and maintain) small infrastructure
scheme;and programmes of local community work infrastructure upgrading
andrehabilitation; promote local contractors and consultants firms in
projectexecution; improve individual skill of workers, create
substantial newemployment using private sector; demonstrate the
feasibility of labour–intensive projects for general employment. These
projects were prepared asinfrastructure sector operators that address
urban unemployment and socialeconomic infrastructure deficiencies
through small public works projects. Theimplementation of the schemes
is devoid of bureaucracy and civil servicedrudgery.  The measure of
success ofthese initiative in these countries has future encouraged the
expansion of theschemes within the continent.

   It is gratifying to note that six states in Nigeria, includingEkiti
State are benefiting from the scheme sponsored by the World Bank
incollaboration with the Federal Government. Happily, Ekiti State has
already establishedan Ekiti State Community Poverty Reduction Agency
(ESCPRA) with the WorldBank’s contribution of N100 million and the
state government‘s payment of itscounterparts funding of N10million.
The agency, I am sure would be conscious ofits responsibility to a
state that is largely rural, with the clear objectivelargely directed
at poverty eradication.

Solution at the Ekiti State LeveL

   While I was working on this lecture, I cam across four papersprepared
or presented at different occasion by four eminent indigenous of
thisstate, all of them dealing with how to move this state forward. The
firsttitled Hand Loom Textiles and Ceramic Industry is by Engineer S.
AObayemi, President of Ekiti State council of Chambers of Commerce,
Industries,Mines and Agriculture (EIKCCIMA) and retired Textile Factory
Manager. Thesecond paper titled: Business Incubators and Small
Enterprises Development -The Nigerian Experience: is written by Dr.
Oyeyemi Adegbite, a Managementand Business Consultant and Chairman
enterprise Consulting Groups Ltd, Lagos.The third paper titled
“Geology: The subject of the Future in Nigeria iswritten by Professor
Adebisi C. Ajibade, reformer Vice-Chancellor, FederalUniversity of
Technology, Minna as the inaugural lecture series No.1 The fourthand
not the least paper titled: A Message to the Ekiti State Summit
IkogosiJuly 11-12 2000: An approach to Development Through Education:
is writtenby Professor J.F. Ade Ajayi, Emeritus professor of history.

   The concern of these four eminent people for the rapid developmentof
Ekiti State through its factor endowment, both physical, mental
andintellectual resources, utilisation and commitment was severe and
sincere.

   Some of the issues raised in these papers that are common to allof
them:

Ekiti is rich in agricultural, animal and mineral resources.

Our intellectual and mental richness make us the fountain of
knowledge,centre of intellect and net exporters of brain to the rest of
the Country, ifnot Africa.

We are endowed with other physical and human resources sufficient
tosustain us and make us net exporters of products to other parts of
the country,even to the world at large.

However, on these strengths also lie our weaknesses.

There is lack of exposure in areas of business,
management,administration, modern technology, applied techniques and
biotechnology.

We often abandon our foundation for new ones with weak roots. Thus our
livingpasts, given its scope and environment seems more productive and
rewardingthan our living present that is full of foul play, laziness,
indulgence,lack of commitment and get rich quick mania.

What used to be the strengthof the economy of the state, farm crop,
cocoa, oil palm, cotton, rubber arebeing relegated to the background
and treated as second best.

We are mineral resource-basedbut the minerals – rocks and stones clays,
sands and ceramics are completelyneglected.

We have joined the club of the illusion of oil –revenue as source
offinance to our own detriment at a time when our neighbours are
talking orresource control.

   In his paper, Obayemi pointed out how many trained hands wereproduced
and employ by the then Ministry of Commerce and Industries on
loomtextiles in many towns in Ekiti supplying bed sheets, dress
materials, softfurnishing, napkins, pillow cases, table covers from
textile on the one hand;and different and colour potteries,
flower-vases and burnt bricks for solidbuilding and construction from
our clays and ceramics on the other hand.Meanwhile the Ire-Burnt Brick
Industry and the Kaolin Oasis Industry of OyeLocal Government and the
Igbemo Stone Crushing Industry are abandoned as wastedassets.

Both Professor Ajibade andProfessor Ajayi drew attention to the
ambivalence of our theoretically andacademically based learning on the
one hand, and our failure to do thingspractically and industrially on
the other hand.

  Dr. Oyo Adegbite brought the incubator concept of establishing newand
small-scale industries all over the state to provide employment and
wipeout poverty. It comprise both industrial business and technology
businessincubator spaces in fully built-up factories on flexible and
affordable termsthe industrial business incubators is a generalised
industrial nursery fornurturing new business start-up with a view to
promoting entreprenuership and industrialestablishments at the
small-scale and medium enterprise level. The technologybusiness
incubator is primarily aimed at innovative, technology-oriented
smalland medium scale enterprise the culture of and exposure to which
we are in direneed in Ekiti State.

   Professior Ajayi threw the challenge at the doorstep of UNAD asthe
centre at which excellence must be built up systematically so that it
willraise the level of education through out the state. I am
reinforcing thatchallenge not to you alone but also to the Federal
Polytechnic at Ado Ekiti andthe Ekiti State College of Education at
Ikere Ekiti.

  Are rural institutions of learning for arural-based Ekiti State? I am
not using my word rural for you in a negative orderogatory sense; that
is why my pronoun is for and not in. I am using the wordrural in its
utility, functional, positive, active and practical sense.
   One of the wonders of Americaand German successes is the practical
application of the educational system. Iobserved when I was in
University of Oregon in USA, no student of any branch ofengineering
could have a degree unless and until he is involved in road designof
projects; town and country planning and housing construction. It was
apleasant surprise to me when I heard that a Nigerian was involved as a
student in designing the superhighwayrunning between Los Angeles and
California. That a student was under theauspices of the World Bank,
seconded to Nigeria in 1965 to help design ourroads. He got to Nigeria
and was made a permanent secretary and found himselflocked in an
air-conditioned room instead of being in his shirt and shorts onthe
highway, supervising our road network, just like most of our soil and
plantprofessors seat on the 5th floor of their air-conditioned
roomswhile their soil and plant are in the field. No wonder the young
man leftNigeria in frustration and like our ubiquitous Brother Andrew,
checked outpermanently.

   Please redesign yourprogrammes. The rough road between your gate and
your campus can be partof  your Engineering Faculty’s classproject and
implementation course as a practical work and condition for Master’s or
PhD programme. There isnothing wrong in creating beauty with aesthetic
redesigning of the road andother roads in the campus, especially round
your administrative block: it ispart of wealth creation. At the Federal
Polytechnic, where you are supposed tobe more practical you have
building technology; town planning and other appliedpractical courses.
I believe a lot of costs can be reduced or projectsoptimised if many of
the projects awarded to mandarin contractors areundertaken by your
students. Let me get to our towns and villages as part oftheir
practical work and design roads and bridges, provide alternatives
andbetter options in the state for our environment that are crying for
developmentand improvement.

   Our colleges of education,what quality of graduates are you
producing? A hoi polloi of handout lecturenotes and graduates of such
handouts? Professor Ade Ajayi said it all. You haveturned round and
stared producing “educators who have a love for young peopleand wish to
help them grow as whole human beings. Each secondary school
teachertraining college should become a modal point of development.
Each becomes acraft centre, running a restraurant for visitors, with a
gift shop capable ofcoming a tourists attraction, competition not only
in sports, but also in artsand crafts.”

Lastly, I want to make an appeal to the state government to with
dressand termiante all court cases relating to assets-sharing with Ondo
Stategovernment and forego whatever that government wants to grab
provided it is noton Ekiti soil. We have a hostile neighbour that has
not been able to reconcileitself with the creation of Ekiti State from
Ondo State. It has nothing to loseeven if the case are in court for the
next ten years, but we have everything tolose by tying down the
development of Ekiti State. Or how can the systematicand sustained
removal of Ekiti indigenous from the teaching profession of thatstate
be defended so much so that hat state does not hide its plan to
recruitreplaced teachers from other states. Only early this month was
the last batchof Ekiti in Okitipupa Oil Palm Plantations which some of
us help to resuscitatewith our sweat, were removed without
compensation. In all these, we should havethe grace not to retaliate.
To do so will be an action worse than inactivity.The Igebomo Stone
Crushing Industry, if developed is sufficient to providecrushed stones
to tar all our roads and produce polished stones for export. Sodoes our
Ire Burnt Brick abandoned many years ago. They are all crying
fordevelopment.

   We can make a lot of progressin this state, if only we can be less
lethargic but more innovative and expandour exposure to outside our
confines.God has given us 3Ts to employ 4Ps to break the shackles of
low productivity, low output, low employment andpoverty.  Our God –
given Ts are ourtime. Our Talent and our Treasure. The3 Ts in turn
require the following 4 Ps.

People -  who areinnovative, skilful, ready and willing to learn. They
are risk-takers and notrisk avatars and don’t engage in fruitless
arguments that are time consumingand time wasting.  They are ready
towork together to achieve the aim of development; using their Time and
Talentand Treasures to Mobilise resources that are made available for
the commongood. They will pave way to breeding new generation for the
common good . Theywill pave the way to breeding new generation of
entrepreurs and business.men.

Purpose – The people have to have a purpose. Their objecitves must be
clear, active, and productive. What is their vision? And whatmissiondo
we pursue, to attain our gaols and vision. A vbision of
gainfulemployment and wiping out poverty and improving the living
standard of all. Ifour missionis increased out put and employment, do
we employ our availableresources productively? Do we help the farmers
meet our objective? De we makecredit facilities available to the farmer
off-season or on-season? Do we plan avision where education will not
lead to breeding a generation of futuredelinquents?

Products – Do we have a product for marketing? Yes, we arecentres of
education, knowledge and excellence : - a big slogan. Are weproducing
products in education that are marketable as in the past when we
weresupplying the rest of the country, even the outside world and brain
andbroil?  Are we as productive as in thepast? Are our agricultural
products and outputs increasing? Are we diversifyingour products and
out put what are our plans our thousands of primary, secondaryand
tertiary  institution’s productswhose poor performance at their
examinations is posing serious social problemsand threat to security,
law and order? Yet they are pumped into the market ofunemployment. We
need an inventory of our factor endowments for labourutilisation
through the establishment of cottage, village and small-scaleindustries
than merely talking about them.

Process – We have to understand the process. We have to moveout of our
shells. We have to copy, if not steal, adaptable, simpletechnologies,
orientating our educational pursuits, to producing and investingsimple
tools for local technology and technique. The process of exposure
todaybeyond our enclosure and environment is empowering the people. The
processinvolves communication through informative technology and
modernisation inwhich case we move and change with time.

In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, in all these, mistakes has
beenmade are being made and will continue to be made, but let us
remember that SUCCESSIS OFTEN BUILT-ON THE BACK OF FAILURE

Falegan (FCIB), formerdirector of Research, CBN, delivered the speech
at 11th convocationof University of  Ado-Ekiti


-----------------------

Woman contest’s Lagos Govt’sdecision over title documents

The legal action is questioning the decision by the State Government
torevoke her landed Property after she has sent a notice of certificate
ofoccupancy and accepted payment for the certificate

By Mustapha Ogunsakin,Judicial Reporter

Litigation

CAN a governor revoke a landed property after he has sent a notice
ofcertificate of occupancy and accepted payments far the certificate?
This is thequestion a woman, Madam Elizabeth Yetunde Anthony, is asking
the court ofAppeal, Lagos, to resolve as she drags the Lagos State
Governor, Senator BolaAhmed Tinubu, before the appellate.

   Besides, madam Anthony wantsthe court to give an order of mandamus to
compel Governor Tinubu to issue byway of grant, a certificate of
occupancy for the 8.335 acre parcel of landsituated at Anthony Village,
Lagos.

   The suit has been a subject oflitigation before an Ikeja high Court,
where Honourable Justice Akin Hollowaydelivered a ruling on it before
he retired last year.

   In the suit before the court,Madam Anthony had claimed that she
bought the land in 1958 from one EmmanuelAbiola Williams by virtue of a
deed of conseyance registration number 49 atpage 49 in volume 193 of
the register of deeds kept in Lagos.

   The entire land was, however,later acquired compulsorily by the then
Western Region Government under thepublic lands Acquisition law of
1958. But upon the creation of Lagos State in1967, the entire land fell
within Lagos State, and thereby, became vested inthe Lagos State
Government

   Madam Anthony further claimedthat she applied for compensation from
the state government and when itappeared that payment was being delayed
she dragged the government before thelands tribunal to determine the
amount of compensation she was entitledto.  It was in the bounce of
proceedingsbefore this tribunal that it was found out that two plots
out of the initialparcel of land were still unoccupied and acting on
the advice of the tribunal,she took possession of the two plots.

   After she had takenpossession, another person Mr. Busura Alebiosu
came to disturb her on the landclaiming to have certificates of
occupancy served by the government of AlhajiLateef Jakande when he was
the governor of Lagos State. This eventually led toa suit before an
Ikeja high court where she joined Mr. Alebiosu, his company,Pembridge
Trading company Limited and the Attorney General of Lagos State
asdefendants.

   Madam Anthony further averred:"On the advise of the then Military
administrator of Lagos State, col.Mohammed Marwa, I discontinued the
suit.

    Thereafter, the attorneyGeneral of the state revoked the certificate
of occupancy earlier granted toAlebiosu and went ahead to publish
therevocation in the Lagos State Government Gazette No 17 Volume 32 May
18, 1999.

   This government act wasfollowed by a letter dated August 10, 1999
written by the executive secretaryland use and Allocation committee on
behalf of the Governor to MadamAnthony.  The letter allocated the
plotsof land to her as full and final compensation of her claims.

   "In accordance with theterms and conditions contained in the letter,
I forwarded a WEMA bank draftdated August 18, 1999 for the sum of
N65,000 to the government representing thecost of five years  grand
rent, stamp duty, and administrativechanges, registration and
conveyance as well as survey fee," She furtheraverred.

   Four months after, andrealising that nothing was done by government
to issue her with a certificate, sheinstituted action against the
government in court before Justice Holloway,through her solicitor, Mr.
P.O Jimoh Lasisi (SAW).

   However, in the defence filedby the Environment Commissioner, the
defendants confirmed that the land indispute was allocated to Pembridge
trading company in 1982 for industrialpurpose in line with the
industrialisation policy of government.  The defendants also confirmed
that it wastrue that it revoked the certificate of Pembruee in 1999 and
allocated same tothe woman in the same year.

   "When Penbridge tradingcompany Limited became aware of the revocation
of its rights of occupancy, itbriefed its lawyers, Prof. A.B Kasunmu,
who in turn petitioned the stategovernment.

   The respondents thereafterreviewed the whole matter and came to the
conclusion that the militaryadministrator and the attorney-general were
misinformed and erroneously revokedthe right of occupancy of Peinbridge
trading company.

   Thereafter the respondentscancelled the revocation of right of
occupancy to Pambridge and approved forthe Plaintiff an alternative
piece of land with any government scheme of herchoice in full and final
settlement of her claim for compensation.  The counter affidavit
deposed to by one Mr.Felix Adeoye also averred that the cheque
presented by the plaintiff wasrejected by the executive secretary, Land
Use and Allocation Committee.

   The respondents furtheraverred:

• that there is no legal right on the part of the applicant to
compelthe respondents to grant to her a particular piece of land in the
state;

• That the governor has discretion in the matter and he has exercisedit
by approving another land for the applicant in full and final
settlement ofher claim for compensation; and

• that there is alternative specific remedy that is not lessconvenient,
beneficial, and effectively available to the applicant if she
isaggrieved with the decision of the respondents in the matter.

   In his ruling, JusticeHolloway, said that he would not be granting
the order of madamus only becausethe applicant has not provided
evidence that the respondents ever receive thecheque for N65,000.00 and
other demanded requirements.

   "To be able to fullyexercise the discretion of this court judicially,
this type of fine point oflaw which in fact affects the root of the
applicant case would need to besatisfied.  Unfortunately, it has not.It
is only because of this that the court would not be able to make the
orderof Mandamus compelling the first respondent to issue, by way of
grant, acertificate of occupancy in respect of all the parcels of
land."

   Justice Holloway, however,ordered the respondent to proceed
immediately to offer the applicant land ofequal value in another prime
area without demanding any further payment fromthe applicant as soon as
the applicant provide proof to them that the chequeand other demanded
requirements have been satisfied.

   It is this ruling that MadamAnthony has gone to the appellate court
to contest the ground that therespondents did not respond to the letter
of her solicitor demanding reasonsfor the delay in the issuance of the
C of O.

   She also claimed that theissue of rejection of N65,000.00 bank draft
is an after thought because therejection was not communicated to her
and that the fact that confirm the rejectionwas an admittance that the
bank draft was received.

   She further averred: "The learned trial judge misdirected himself in
law when he refused the order ofmandamus sought on the ground that the
applicant had not provided evidence thatthe cheque for N65,000.00 and
other demanded requirements were received by therespondents." arguing
that the onus of proving that the cheque wasrejected by the respondents
had was the respondents.

   No date has been fixed forhearing the appeal.
--------------------------

How Nigeria-German alliancetamed Kainji hyacinth invasion
Conservation

A uniquecombination of manual, mechanical and biological techniques
have paid-off forthe Kainji Lake Fisheries Project, a beneficiary of
the Nigerian-Germanpartnership in water resources management, say
researchers working on theproject.

IN 1968, the River Nigerwas dammed for the generation and supply of
hydroelectric power to West Nigeriaand parts of the Republic of Niger.
With a surface area of 1,237km and anaverage depth of 11m, the
resulting lake was, by then, the largest man-madewater body in West
Africa.

   Following impoundment, an importantartisanal fishery developed with
annual fish yields reaching 28,500ft. Therising number of fisherfolk
who are increasingly adopting damaging fishingmethods have since caused
the yield to decline.

   The reduction in fish catch was the majorreason that the Nigerian
government began a joint technical co-operationproject with Germany in
1993, “The Nigerian-German (GTZ) Kainji Lake FisheriesPromotion
Project” (NGKLFPP).

   The purpose of the project is to establishand implement a fisheries
management plan directed towards a sustainedexploitation of the lake
resources. In fulfilling this task the project hopesto contribute to an
improvement in the standard of living of the fishingcommunities. The
immediate beneficiaries of the assistance are the
fisherflokentrepreneurs, crewmembers and the local fish processors.

   The NGKLFPP is executed by an implementationcommittee comprising the
Federal Department of Fisheries, Abuja, the NationalInstitute for
Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), New Bussa, and Niger andKebbi
State Fisheries divisions.

   Representatives from the National PlanningCommission, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and the fisherfolk act as observersto the project;
while the GTZ Technical Advisers guide its execution.

   The conventional methods of fisheriesmanagement by fining and seizure
of illegal gears has, in the past, not beeneffective or sustainable on
Kainji Lake. The project has, therefore, opted todevelop and implement
a new management concept based on the participation ofthe fishing
communities themselves.

   Infestation of water bodies with waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
is an aquatic problem shared by many tropicalcountries.

   The plant is native to Brazil, SouthAmerica. It is a free-floating
aquatic week that possesses extensive fibrousroot structures. It has a
high growth rate and can double its surface areawithin 25 days. It can
thus form large free floating islands.

   The plant reproduces either from offshoots(when plants become broken
up) or via its seeds, that are able to germinateeven 20 years after
they have become stranded on a beach.

   Small mats of water hyacinth floating downthe River Niger into Kainji
Lake were first noticed in 1989. By 1995, waterhyacinth covered 23 per
cent of the lake areas at high water level.

   An average of 43 mats (ranging from 0.8-4m)of water hyacinth enter
the lake every minute during peak influx at high water.This equates to
an increase in daily cover of more than 16 ha. The mats candrift up to
13 km downstream in 24 hrs.

   By preventing photosynthesis in the water anddisplacing other
important aquatic weeds for the fish the emergence of hyacinthposes a
threat to the finally balance lake ecosystem and in particular to
theattainment of the project goal set to achieve a sustained
exploitation of theresources.

   There is also concern downstream if theplants were to pass beyond the
dam wall and infect the Niger-Benue Riversystem. Officials at the
Kainji Lake hydroelectric station stated that theirsolution would be to
spray the lake with weeds killer if the hyacinth becametoo numerous
reducing the efficiency of the turbines; an action that would alsohave
an extremely harmful effects on the fish population.

   The productivity of the water is reducedthrough the absorption of
nutrients by the water hyacinth and reducedphotosynthetic activity of
phytoplankton due to shading of the water. Thisleads to a decline in
primary productivity and a lowering of the quantity fishthe lake is
able to support.

   Water hyacinth reduced the volume of wateravailable for electricity
generation by displacing water and increasing ratesof
evapotransportation.

   The plant colonises areas of favourableaquatic weeds such as Burugu
or Niger grass that are important breeding andnursery habitats for fish
and a vital dry season fodder for migrant cattle.

   Areas with water hyacinth have few fish,Islands of water hyacinth can
get entangled and dislodge fishing nets, Waterhyacinth prevents access
to beaches by canoes, Venomous snakes lives within thewater hyacinth
and this is a hazard to villagers washing or collecting water.

   The cattle rearers also state that the plantis toxic causing death if
consumed by cows.

   In 1994 the Federal Government of Nigeria,sensitised to these
dangers, provided funds to carry out research and todevelop approaches
of water hyacinth control for Kainji Lake.

   The program was implemented by the NationalInstitute for Freshwater
Fisheries Research (NIFFR) in co-operation with theNGKLFPP and other
local institutions.

   Two different forms of control were identified,the first was the
manual clearing by the fishing communities whilst the secondrelied upon
biological control using weevils.

   In 1995 a program of village meetingssensitising the fishing
communities and Traditional Authorities about thepotential threat by
water hyacinth to their livelihoods was started. Radioprograms, songs,
drama presentations and posters were also used to disseminatethis
information.

   Fully aware of the dangers the communitiesproffered solutions for it
control. One of these was to remove water hyacinthfrom their
surrounding beaches and to pile it above the high water mark whereit
could be burnt when dry.

   The clearing was done without payment. As anincentive competitions
between Districts and Villages were held with giftsawarded to the
winners. The report that ashes from burnt hyacinth encouragedgrowth of
crops such as onions, pepper, okra, tomatoes and sometimes rice
andbeans further motivated farmers to collect and burn the hyacinth.

   Fortunately, the manual clearing is alsoassisted by a natural
control, whereby water hyacinth are left stranded onbeaches as the lake
level falls from March onwards.

   Manual removal took place in every villagearound the lake and
achieved remarkable success resulting in an annual removalof over 1.4
million tones of water hyacinth from the lake.

   Collaboration was sought with the BiologicalControl Centre,
International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Cotonou,Benin. Two
NIFFR scientists were sent for training on how to incorporateinsects in
the water hyacinth control program.

   The insects used are weevils, which feed andlive only on water
hyacinth. Their feeding on the plant weakens it, eventuallycausing
death. From the Biological Control Centre in Benin the project
acquiredinsect weevils Neochetina bruchi that complement the action of
another speciesNeochetina eichhorniae already supplied by NIFFR from an
insectary establishedby the National Agency for Science and Engineering
Infrastructure (NASENI).

   The weevils were initially propagated inspecial insectaries and after
replication were placed on healthy plants bothclose to the lake source
and within the lake itself.

   By 1998/9 more than 80 per cent of waterhyacinth sampled from the
lake had evidence of weevil feeding holes and larvaltunnels. However,
the effect of insects in reducing the weed population remainsless
dramatic than those of manual clearing.

   To support the efforts of the voluntarymanual removal of hyacinth by
the communities and to prevent new mats of hyacinthfrom drifting into
the lake from the River Niger a water hyacinth barrierfunded by the
German Government through the GTZ-NGKLFPP was constructed.

   The barrier is located at the narrowestsection of the lake between
Zamare and Rofia close to inlet. Through theirinvolvement the two
communities supply the much-needed labour required for thedaily
clearing of the trapped hyacinth.

   Two types of barrier have been incorporatedinto the design- the first
is a screened fence secured by piles driven into theground. The fence
is left dry as the lake recedes from its high water level.The second
section is composed of a series of linked buoys that remainspermanently
afloat within the main river channel. Both sections are placed atan
angle to the water current so that the flow of water can assist to
movetrapped hyacinth towards the banks.

   Overlapping gaps in the two sections allowfor the movement of boat
and pedestrian/livestock above and below the barrier.

   The water hyacinth barrier was constructedusing local materials and
experiences and was done in close collaboration withexperts from
Germany. The FISESCO-TALON JOINT VENTURES in Nigeria produced thedesign
of the barrier which, after some modifications were suggested by
theLAHMEYER INTERNATIONAL (Consulting Engineers for Energy, Water,
Environment andTransportation), Germany was certified and vetted.

   In May 1998 the contract for the fabricationand installation of the
water hyacinth barrier was awarded throughinternational competitive
bidding to the NIGERIAN SUBMARINE DIVERS LTD. Theconstruction and
installation of the barriers was completed 12 months later.The total
cost of the barriers was naira 60 million.

   The Federal Government of Nigeria throughthe Ecological Fund has made
an initial contribution for the daily clearance oftrapped hyacinth and
maintenance of the barrier. Tractors and harvestingequipment have been
purchased for the removal of hyacinth and refuse pits dugfor the plants
safe disposal.

   The water hyacinth barrier now in place,prevents fresh hyacinths from
the upper reaches of river Niger from enteringthe lake and colonising
the areas previously cleared of weeds. For the firsttime ever, the
barrier now provides the much needed respite period during whicheffects
of the combined manual and biological control measures will
rapidlyreduce water hyacinth population on the lake.

   To ensure that the barrier remains in goodrepair and free of weeds
long term funding for its maintenance and clearingmust be ensured by
the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

-----------------------

Roads,bridges maintenance top agenda at joint works conference
• Government focus, and theforum’s resolution, is the revitalisation of
highway infrastructure

By Michael Simire and

Tunde Atere

Infrastructure
Smiles may soon come back to the hitherto gloom faces of highway
usersas government disclosed at the week-long forum plans to restore
deplorableroads conditions nation-wide. The multi-billion naira scheme
is alreadyon-going.

A REVIVED emphasison the deplorable condition of roads nation-wide
hallmarked last week’s meetingin Lagos of top Works and Housing
Ministry officials from the 36 states, theFederal Capital and the
Federal Ministry in Abuja.

   With a Bill already presentedto the National Assembly for the
creation of a National Road MaintenanceAgency, the Federal Government
disclosed at the meeting that road contracts,worth some N155 billion
have recently been awarded for projects spread acrossthe country.

   In a communique issued at theweekend as the Third Joint Conference of
the National Council on Works andHousing ended in Lagos, the officials
commended the setting of targets for and maintenance by the
FederalWorks and Housing Ministry and urged other tiers of government
to follow suit.

   Briefing the meeting earlier,the Works and Housing Minister had
disclosed that initially, contracts for 64roads and six bridges had
been awarded by the Federal Government, covering atotal length of 2,780
kilometres (km) of roads and 3,494 metres of bridgesvalued at N46.71
billion.

   However, only a couple of months ago, said Chief Tony Anenih,
theministry awarded and flagged-off three major highways — dualization
ofIbadan-Ilorin road, Abuja Keffi road and “special repairs” of
Enugu-Port/Harcourtexpressway.

   “Government has also awarded61 other contracts for the
rehabilitation/construction of about 3,591.38 km ofroads and 2,152.20
metres of bridges valued at about N107,818,124.372.76. Alsocontracts
for the engineering design of 116 roads and bridges valued
atN1,221,204,506.25 were awarded”, said the minister.

   While noting the critical rolethat bridges play on highways to
facilitate smooth movement and their (thebridges’) state of disuse due
to uncontrolled dredging and erosion of riverbanks, the Council urged
government at all levels to enact laws preventing anydredging of sand
within safety limit of any bridge foundation and to set upBridge
Maintenance Units to monitor and maintain all bridges on a
regularbasis.

   The participants lamented notonly the absence of Land Use and
Allocation Committees in some states and theimproper composition of
such committees in others, but also the increasingspate of boundary
disputes at all levels.

   They therefore, would likegovernment to reactivate the joint Boundary
Commission on InternationalBoundaries so as to ensure that the
demarcation and survey of boundaries aregiven top priority, thus
facilitating national security and peacefulco-existence of the
citizenry.

   Additionally, the communiquedeclared that Land Use and Allocation
Committees should be properly constitutedin line with the provisions of
the Land Use Act of 1978.

   On the area of professionaldevelopment, it was resolved that works
and housing departments need to becomputerised, even as industry
practitioner’s in the public service shouldhenceforth be adequately
remunerated.

   “The issue should be referredto the National Salaries and Wages
Commission for consideration andimplementation,” suggested the
participants.

   Other recommendationsaddressed by the four-page communique include:

   • Federal Government upgradingthe Pavement Evaluation Unit (PEU) to
Road Research Laboratory and stategovernments setting up well equipped
and functional laboratories to enhance theperformance of the road
sub-sector;

   • all tiers of governmentensuring as a matter of policy that the
design and all tender documents arecompleted before the award of
contracts;

   • state governments directingand empowering relevant agencies to
construct beacons in selected locations inmajor towns and cities, which
will be accommodated in the on-going GlobalPositioning System (GPS)
campaign at the Federal Surveys Department;

   • governments implementing theUNICEF/UNCHS Child-Friendly Cities
Initiatives aimed at improving the  lot of children in terms of
recreation,health and education;

   • Federal Government directingmultinationals and engineering firms
engaged in exploration and exploitation ofnatural resources to
establish survey units manned by registered surveyors;

   • government ensuring the fullinvolvement of Works and Housing
Ministries in the execution of projects fromthe inception, planning,
design, supervision of construction and maintenance;

   • the Federal Governmentrepositioning the National Housing Fund (NHF)
scheme to make it more responsiveand effective;

   • government urgentlyapproving the Draft National Building
Maintenance Policy, Draft NationalBuilding Code and Draft National Fire
Safety Code;

   • governments incorporatingthe Fire Services in the institutional
frameworks of the National HousingPolicy, the National Construction
Policy and the National Urban DevelopmentPolicy;

   • the Federal Works andHousing Ministry, Federal Housing Authority
(FHA) and Nigeria Building andRoads Research Institute (NBRRI)
resuscitating the extension service schemeinitiated in 1991 for the
implementation of research findings on locallysourced building
materials; and,

   • government strengtheningPlanning Research and Statistics
Departments’ monitoring and evaluationfunctions.


-------------------------

Privatisationof waste management needs accurate data, says experts
   The concept of privatisation cannot beactualised without collecting
accurate data to guide the policy needed tomodify the current waste
management problem, according to Dr. OluwoleOjomo-Alade and Kola Max
Lakanu, associate partners of the Maryland, U.S-basedGIS Global
Solutions. They argue that it is illusionary to imagine that wastecan
be readily turned into wealth without data based management strategy.

  Privatisation and job creation through absorption of over 5,000
smallscale operators and over 2,000 highway managers must be a key
consideration inany proposed strategy. This must be considered in any
model.

THE concept of waste conveys a negative connotation and a
negativeeconomic value in the current context. We think otherwise,
given the fact thatnon-toxic garbage could be declared a useable
economic resource if managedrationally and efficiently. In fact,
different types of wastes can be treatedfor recovery, recycling, and
conversion into products of positive economicvalue due to their
consumptive or useful values.

   Itis evident that increasing number of selected municipalities in the
UnitedStates and Europe have made residential waste stream recycling
part of theirprogrammes. The implication of such a trend is encouraging
because they showthat waste is better diverted for their economic
values and the increase in thetonnage of recycled waste indicate the
popularity of recycling programmes.

   InNigeria however, information must have to be collected to actually
be able todevelop viable programmes for any state, local government
area, or municipalitycomparable to the trends in other places. As
abundantly as biodegradablematerials are contained in our garbage,
there is no reason why they could notbe salvaged, converted or
transported as soil-conditioning agents into the aridareas where desert
is encroaching faster than they could be forested orvegetated. Better
still, they could be transported into the erosion-ravagedareas to
stabilise soils on steep slopes. A deliberate effort must be sought
tocreate programmes that can make waste recycling and recovery integral
parts ofwaste management.

  The importance of data to formulate viable waste management
programmesand options cannot be stressed enough. This is exactly what
the thrust of wastemanagement problems has been in Nigeria. Waste
management programmes have beendeveloped without data to provide
insight into the actual happenings and toguide the formulation of
viable and sustainable options.

   Ofcourse, the disregard for good data to guide vital and sensitive
decisions isjust about the norm in every aspect of Nigeria’s life. This
has not been onlymanifested in garbage management matters; it is also
evident in the populationrelated issues – is Nigeria actually 95
million or 120 million people strong?

   Adisparity or variation ranging from 5 million to 20 million is too
wide to makeany rational planning decisions that affect job creation,
poverty reduction, orprovision of schools and hospitals for that
matter. Do we know the proportionof plastic, or paper, metal or bottles
to the biodegradable content of typicalhousehold wastes in any city or
state in any given day of the week at differentseasons of the year?

   Astrivial as this may sound, such information is pivotal to
developing a viableprogramme. Where and when is Nigeria going to get
started to appreciate thevalue of data in making decisions?

   Inthe light of the country’s newly embraced superficial craze for
accountability,transparency, efficiency, and privatisation, data about
almost everything andanything that can give true picture of situations
must be collected, analysed,and accurately interpreted with the
appropriate technology to actualise theseideas. Unfortunately, neither
the data nor the culture of good record keepingexists. If the records
were available, they are either not current or they arefalsified to
cover-up the realities. Thus, not only are most data not crediblein
Nigeria, they cannot be relied upon to make decisions that could
validlyresolve issues.

  Appreciation for current and accurate data has to be the
idiosyncrasythat needs to be established in the public sector. Without
good data anddatabase and the technology to manipulate them, the
country will continue torevolve around emptiness, ineffectual
aspirations, and unattainable goals. Theresults of which will continue
not to be measurable.

   Insimple terms, we shall always be acting and moving blindly in a
country ofnumerously educated people. Even as educated and well read
our administrators,bureaucrats, technocrats, and policy makers are,
they seem to play ignorance tothe usefulness of good data. They seem
not to care about records and data thatcan expose their unethical
conducts.

  For instance many people within a sub-population of Nigeria don’t
careand don’t want any figures known anyway so that they can continue
to live andhide behind falsehood. The reason is that “what you don’t
know don’t hurt,” orthe syndrome of “let’s keep the data away to be
able to manipulate records totake undue advantage, either financially,
socially, or politically.” A syndromethat is entrenched into every
strata of Nigeria’s psyche and has dominated theethics landscape of the
average person within the working class.

  Why? It promotes and enables the art of lying, cheating,
deceit,cover-up, and corruption. Such social lassitude and societal
malaise have beenperfected to the point where art and science of
racketeering scamming, andskimming is associated with the country as to
be stigmatised as the mostcorrupt country in the world. Wow, what does
this have to do with garbage?

  When public officials ask for funds from external sources to
implementwaste management programmes, it gives a semblance of
insincerity to attractforeign monies to carry out what is governmental
responsibility. Could publicofficials be using their offices to scam?
Well, to the foreign consultant, itis Nigeria, anything could happen.

  This is a very unfortunate blanket characterisation because there
aremany very hardworking, honest and God fearing Nigerians that are
classed alongbecause the society lacks the culture of data and record
keeping to tracktransactions. Where records exist, deliberate
destruction of records ensues,just to cover their tracks. The fact is
this. Given the existing structure, anAmerican particularly will not
invest a dime of his money where the level ofaccountability is this low
or non existent. Even if the privatisation pitchwere invoked to attract
his investment, he would need some data to guide hisdecision to do
business.

  Information to attract investors to get involved in the lucrative
wastemanagement business is just inadequate or outright lacking. The
bottom-line isthat useful, current, and accurate data must be collected
and assembled informats that can assist prospective investors in making
that vital decisions onhow, and where to put his dollars and cents.
Without this, we shall continue tohope that “God go do am” to help
usget rid of garbage in our environment.

   Asdifficult as it is to definitely categorise solid wastes, so are
thecollection, disposal, and management. Therefore, data about the
types of solidwastes that are creating unpleasant sight and posing
pathological threat to theimmediate human environment, -- municipal
wastes, illegally dumped faecalmatters, sewage treatment plants sludge,
amongst others, must be collected. Theknowledge of these will help in
formulating profit-making, efficient, andsustainable programmes and the
most appropriate disposal options.

  While it is not the role of the Federal Government to clear garbage
oncity streets, it is its place to ensure the appropriate measures for
creating ahealthy environment for Nigerians. In view of the existence
of the federal andstates’ ministries of environment, the agencies
charged with protecting andmaintaining the quality of the nation’s
environment, the role of the FederalGovernment of Nigeria in the
current menace created by municipal solid wastesis enormous and cannot
be overlooked.

   Itis the role of the Federal Government to assist the states and
localgovernments in fulfilling their responsibility and to work with
them inresolving pollution problems. It will still be within
governmentalresponsibility to collect data that prospective investors,
foreign or domesticcan use to make business decisions.

   Inthe name of humanity, garbage in Nigerian cities constitute
environmentalatrocity, simply because, those who are charged to be the
guardian of ourenvironment have been irresponsibly negligent,
short-sighted, ignorant, anduncaring. Waste cannot be managed
efficiently with the current “trial by-error”approach.

   Asmentioned earlier, waste management is a very precise science that
involveshighly sophisticated engineering and technology. To say the
least, any scienceor technology can only thrive under an intense
mathematical modelling that iddependent on facts and figures, not only
on facts. Yes, we know that our citiesare plentiful of garbage. That is
the fact. But how much garbage are we talkingabout? Nobody knows.

   Ifwe don’t know, we cannot realistically decide on the number of
press packs, ordump truck that should be bought to move trash
efficiently and profitably. Insimple terms, available data must be
current and accurate, with the appropriatetechnology to formulate
collection, disposal, and management options.

  Surprisingly, over the years, a series of collection, disposal,
andmanagement options have been executed with no signs of decreased
volume ofgarbage on our streets. This is not enough. The different
options have cost thecitizens of this country some hundreds of millions
of dollars. These were loansnot grants. Such monies were spent to buy
some heavy incinerating, composting,hauling, and waste processing
equipment now littering the urban landscape.

   Alot of excuses have been made and heard, including the fact that
“the militaryrule’s bastardisation of everything but themselves.” Well,
the same trend seemsto be exactly what appeals to these bureaucrats
even today. If not, why wouldanybody want external source of funding
for effecting its garbage collectionwithout a dime of the state or
municipality funds at stake in the operation? Pardonmy lingo,
“hog-wash.”

  Excuse me. Why should French or German banks fund the collection
anddisposal of your waste? How are these banks going to recover their
money in thelight of the disorderly manner things are done in Nigeria?
Do we have the datato support and encourage the banks to guide their
decision processes?

  One can understand seeking foreign funds to build factories or
constructsome real estate in a prime location in downtown Lagos. But
for collectingrubbish in Nigeria where there is no orderliness or a
defined system ofoperating anything, not to talk of garbage? Let’s get
serious. Garbage crisisis a serious matter in densely populated areas.
In fact, negligence incollecting, disposing and managing trash properly
could be fatal in every senseof it.

  Haven said all of the above, it is the role of the Federal Government
toprovide guidelines and the financial resources and regulatory power
needed bythe states. There are regulatory mandates in the Federal
EnvironmentalProtection Agency guidelines that require the
establishment of standards andcriteria for attaining sound
environmental quality. Apart from these, it is therole of the Federal
Government to provide the necessary leadership in terms oftechnical,
financial, and administrative resources needed to ensure theeffective
implementation of established environmental standards.

  However, we know that agencies can source part of the required funds
foroperating a successful profit-making waste management outfit but not
without asignificant amount of investment from the state. But the
garbage in LagosState, if well managed, and with the right legislative
co-operation, supportand input, has the revenue generating potentials.
This can be actualised undersome form of combined public/private
partnership participation agreement. Notonly are we convinced of the
envisioned revenue generating potentials for thestate, the approach and
strategies to ensure the success of scientificallyformulated scheme to
sustain cleaner streets once and for all is attainable.

  Many speculators and investors in these newly found
moneymakingpotentials in Lagos garbage, particularly, may soon discover
the harsh realitythat their market analysis shows that their
end-products cannot be soldsuccessfully enough to amass the kind of
anticipated wealth from Lagos wastes.

   Asdiverse and heterogeneous as Nigeria is, marketing methods are very
specialisedand targeted to different sub-customers that need to be
educated to useproducts made out of one time trash. Successful sales of
what was once termedgarbage can culturally be a tough sell to some
tribes or socio-economic classand will demand very targeted clients and
merchandising techniques. Withmassive amount of advertising money for
product promotion, sales staff becomeslarge and their operating costs
and marketing budgets become prohibitivelyhigh. Subsequently, products
cost become non-competitive, and the profit marginof companies in
garbage processing business can diminish considerably.

  The fact of Nigeria’s market place is that, once the quick starters
thathave the initial capitals are found to be making money; the market
quickly getssaturated, adulterated, and proliferated. The block-making
and pure waterindustries are simple examples amongst many others. This
happens to be thereality of an aggressive market environment where
money is made at any cost andat the expense of unprotected Nigerian
consumers.

  Unfortunately, Nigeria does not have a good regulatory and
standardsenforcement agency that is corruption-proof. Even with the
best law,regulation, or code enforcement team in place, the “what is
there for mesyndrome” ravaging every aspect of Nigeria’s social and
economic life is thesubliminally accepted fact of life in almost every
community.

   Onthe one hand, the reality of the state or local government
attitudes towardsthe newly adopted public policy of “privatisation”
tends to cloud the harshreality that garbage disposal, whether
processed or not, is a governmentalresponsibility, plain and simple. If
this is the case, any notion that moneyshould be invested in waste by
the private sector alone under the existingsanitation policies, laws,
regulations, or local ordinances shrouded inunenforceable environment
for the sake of disposal or any other financiallyunrewarding objective
is indeed absurd.

  Nevertheless, it is in the best interest of the citizens and
thegovernment of Lagos state to ensure that the unsightly piles of
garbage, odour,smog, and rodents be got rid of. It is unfortunate that
the government has beenentrapped in the idea of the lowest bidder
syndrome when it comes to spendingmoney to provide liveable and less
hazardously polluted environment. Thecondition of most trash collection
and hauling vehicles and their operationsconnotes the height of
mediocrity plaguing the waste collection industry inLagos State.

  The current waste collection system for handling the amount of
trashgenerated daily, is simply an indication of a flawed waste
managementprogramme. This is not an indictment of the current
administration; rather ithighlights years of governmental neglect and
non-committal attitude in carryingout its responsibilities in managing
waste. Thus, the need for an overhaul andredesigning of the whole waste
management programme and industry is apparent.

   Onthe other hand, the notion of privatising waste management is in
line with theindustry thoughts. However, looking for the lowest bidder
or for externalfunding from private sources for waste management
systems seems to be a voguetoo early to consider in Nigeria. This
privatisation trend in Nigeria should bepreceded by many years of data
collection to guide policies that are meant torectify the damages that
have been done by neglectful administrations.

   The concept of privatisation has actuallybeen used to enhance job
creation in many parts of the world. This does notensure similar
results in Nigeria in an environmental quality sensitiveindustry such
as waste management. The reason for this assertion is that
wastemanagement is practised and guided by administrative precision,
scientificprinciples, and advanced technology. It will take some time
to get Nigeria tothe point of implementing privatisation as a means to
growing its economy theway it has been done in other countries that
value the worth of data to guidetheir decision making processes.

  Haven thought that waste management is simply the act of
collecting,recycling, recovering, and disposing of garbage is a
misconception. To haveallowed this concept to overpower the psyche of
the Nigerian polity is sillyenough. For politicians to think that
privatisation policy alone can beparamount in waste collection and
disposal operations are equally as stupid.For privatisation to be
successfully applied in a rather rebounding andcorruption-prone society
as Nigeria is a misguided policy, to say the least.While this is
understandably so, given the existing economic climate in Nigeriawhich
has perpetuated the policy that the government should not spend money
atall for waste management has not helped either.

   Inthe light of the national privatisation initiative and the Lagos
State PrivateSector Participation (PSP) policy regarding solid waste
management,governmental agencies have developed a warped sense of
responsibility. Thisseems so, because the current governmental emphases
and practices of thinkingthat the current privatisation policies are
panacea to growing a sound economycould be achieved by shifting the
cost of managing wastes to the private sectorin order to create jobs is
a myth.

  The concept of privatisation cannot be actualised without
collectingaccurate data to guide the policy needed to modify the
current waste managementprogramme. Garbage in any form is undeniably
the responsibility of thegovernment anywhere in the world. The attempt
to shift the buck to the privatesector when it has to do with managing
waste could be termed experimental.

  The waste crisis in Lagos is too severe to dare the inhabitants of
thestate. The illusionary notion that waste can be readily turned into
wealthwithout accurate and current data to guide and monitor waste
collection,disposal, and management options is simply a deception. Even
more deceptive isthe notion that an efficient and sound waste
management could be accomplishedwithout substantial amounts of public
funds. This is as “disingenuous anddelusive as the policy of
privatisation.”

   Inaddition, the privatisation craze raging in the current national
economicpolicy cannot, and should not be thrown open to the hands of
the private sectorwithout adequate legislative amendments and stringent
regulations to ensureproper waste management programme development,
implementation, and monitoringof the industry. If done differently, or
left as it is, the results may becomparable to, or worse than the
disastrous experience of the country’s bankingindustry in recent past.

  Privatisation and job creation through absorption of over
5000small-scale operators and over 2000 highway managers must be a
keyconsideration in any proposed strategies. This must be considered in
any model.The reason is because of the concern expressed by the current
commissioner forthe ministry of environment and physical planning who
noted in an interviewthat”  …wheel barrow or cart pusherswould be
integrated as intermediary between collectors and generators ofrefuse.
Lagos has 5000 of them who cannot be thrown into the labour market
justlike that.”

  This concern can only be resolved, as we have modelled, by
providingloans to these operators as groups of organised and viable
co-operativebusiness units. In light of the commissioner’s concerns, we
would emphasisedthe integration and absorption of current small-scale
private trash collectorsinto the model as a means of creating jobs and
privatising the processes.

  Given the sentiment expressed by the general manager of LAWMA,
toprivatise the functions of “Highway managers,” we see the need to
absorb theexisting operators as integral parts of the profit-making end
of the wastemanagement processes rather than intermediaries. There has
to be good data thatwill focus on every aspect of the “Waste to wealth”
initiative as envisioned inthe state PSP programme.

  Nevertheless, this must be given all the legislative support and the
useof the state licensing or certification laws. The need for this
approach ispredicated on the fact that not all contractors who apply as
part of aco-operative venture are up to the required tasks and
commitments ofactualising the envisioned outcome of the scheme.

  Our professional experience suggests that, much could be accomplished
ifthe private and public interests equitably share the financial burden
and theassociated risks. For instance, the landfills site selection,
engineering design,and construction should be paid for by the
government, while the costs foroperating the landfills could be equally
share by both interests. Collectionequipment can be bought by the state
and leased on a short-term basis toindividual co-operative units with
the plan that such equipment will be paidoff and ownership reverted to
the business unit.

  Finally, the reality is that a new philosophy must be adopted when
andwhere waste is the nucleus of the matter. If the government is
readily eager tolevy taxes on private properties, it must be willing to
spend a portion of suchrevenue intake to provide better environment to
those citizens living in agarbage ridden crisis situation, such as the
current garbage crisis plaguingcommunities in the state.

  The state government must have a stake in any waste
managemententerprise as much as the private entrepreneurs must if it is
to be successful.Otherwise, the support system that should be symbiotic
may break down at onepoint or the other. It is in such a symbiotic
partnership agreement that webelieve the state can readily ensure safe
balance in the risks involved. Also,it is with this kind of partnership
that the envisioned efficiency could beattained. The realisation of the
profit making potentials to the privateinvestor, revenue generation to
the state, and assurance of the envisionedefficiency and sustainability
must be buttressed with a variety of enablinglegislation.

  Given the current sanitation laws, mode of operation, and
theunorganised privatisation process, it is talking the right things
without theskills and know-how. The state might as well seek the help
from those who knowand have genuine interest in providing realistic
solutions. By the way, thesentiment expressed by the governor is
typical of the local governmentadministrators’ observations and
reactions to waste management in theirjurisdictions. Therefore, waste
management initiatives will have to be run as arevenue-generating
outfit for the state or municipalities.


---------------------------

Daniel Amokachi desperate for club

DANIEL Amokachi has won fame, wealth and international recognition
since leaving Nigeria to seek his fortune in 1990, but all he is
looking for right now is a club to play for.

In the past two years, since suffering serious injury, the former World
Cup striker has been scouring everywhere to pick up a contract with a
team.

After failing to get signed on by clubs in Germany, Saudi Arabia and
England, the striker 'cooled off' before emerging in France to begin
training with Division Two side Creteil, from the Paris suburbs.

"It's good to start training again, smell the green grass, run around
with fellow football players," said Amokachi after one of Creteil's
training sessions.

"Maybe I can play here because I like it here no noise, very few media,
nice spectators and a couple of dogs," he said laughingly.

Creteil's coach Laurent Trossey said: "well, it's kind of nice to have
such a famous player here.

"He may be trying to get his fitness level back but if it works out,
maybe we can push to give him a contract."

Training with a French division two side, however, shows the depths
Amokachi has sunk to because of his long-term knee trouble and
subsequent poor fitness level.

In January, English division three side Darlington, battling against
relegation, wanted to sign him on but Amokachi turned down the offer.

He had earlier been on the other end when trying to pick up a deal with
Division One side Tranmere, who were worried about his fitness level.

Before Tranmere, German Bundesliga side 1860 Munic actually signed on
Amokachi but he failed a medical and had the contract cancelled.

It was for the same failure to pass a medical that English Premiership
club Manchester City, trained by his former Everton club boss Joe
Royle, rejected him.

Amokachi's troubles began after the France '98 World Cup, where a knee
injury put his career in jeopardy. At the time, he was with Turkish
club Besiktas.

Unlike during the 1994 World Cup finals, where he shone, Amokachi had
an uninspiring outing in France. His only contribution was a superb
pass to striker Victor Ikpeba to score in the 1-0 defeat of Bulgaria in
a group match.

During a warm-up session a few minutes before the third group match
against Paraguay, Amokachi's knee gave way and he was withdrawn from
the starting line-up.

Some officials and pundits believe Amokachi had his injury before the
World Cup and it was only aggravated during the tournament. He later
had surgery on the knee and was out for some time.

In early 1999, he was rather strangely made captain of the Nigerian
national team, but was not fit enough to make the side.

Then, rather bizarrely, instead of getting back to proper shape when he
returned to Turkey, he decided to concentrate on a modelling career,
urged on by his Tunisian model wife Nadia.

Besiktas did not renew his contract after it expired in later 1999.

As Nigeria began preparations for the 2000 Nations Cup tournament,
Amokachi was invited to the squad but failed to make it, although he
stayed to act as team 'talisman' and urged them to the final.

It was a far cry from 1993 when Amokachi was among Europe's most
highly-rated players.

Amokachi had progressed quickly from now-defunct Nigerian side Ranchers
Bees, from northern Kaduna city, with whom he won the 1989 West African
Football Union trophy in his only season with them, still aged only 16.

He was then signed by the youth side of Club Bruges in Belgium and was
soon moved up to the seniors after his trade mark rampaging, attacking
style impressed the coaches.

Outstanding performances in the Belgian league and European Cup
competitions suddenly catapulted Amokachi, fondly called "The Bull" for
his style of play, to fame and several awards, including the Ebony Boot
for Best African Player in Belgium.

And he really stood out for the Super Eagles ñ he won his first cap in
1990 in a West African tournament at the 1994 Nations Cup tournament in
Tunisia won by Nigeria and the 1994 World Cup where he scored two
goals.

Against Greece, when Nigeria won 2-0, he scored a most memorable goal,
tearing past four defenders and rocketing a shot into the roof of the
net from 25 yards.

There is a rumour that his goal against Greece made English Premiership
side Everton sign him on afterwards.

After languishing in the reserves in the first season, things changed
in the second, especially during the 1995 FA Cup, with Royle in charge.

Amokachi scored a brace of goals in their 4-1 semi-final defeat of
Tottenham at Elland Road and his aggressive style of play and use of
acres of available space made the fans nicknamed him "Amo-Taxi."

He won the FA Cup that year with Everton before things turned sour
again, though not before possibly the highlight of his career.

"The Bull's" best moment in international football was at the 1996
Olympic Games, where he featured as one of three over-age players in
the under 23 soccer tournament.

His goal against Argentina in the final which levelled scores at 2-2
was superb with a cobra like reaction, he instinctively curled the ball
extravagantly with the outside of his foot beyond the 'keeper.

Nigeria went on to win 3-2, but the headline that dominated in the
media was: "Amo fires the ammunition!"

Inevitably, he left Everton for Besiktas in Turkey and, in his second
season with the club, he helped them win the Turkish Cup.

Despite highly-publicised row with coach John Toshack, Amokachi pledged
his future to the Turkish side.

The striker said: "I'm known everywhere in the world now so I'm not
playing this game for exposure.

"I'm playing for money. I have a family to look after, two big boys (a
set of twins) and a wife whose future I have to worry about."

That statement is a bell that will continue to ring in all ears as
Amokachi maintains his search for a club.
-----------------------

Jasper Manage a slim 1-0 win over unknown Iron Founders

JASPER United FC of Awka at the weekend in Onitsha, narrowly escaped
humiliation when they managed to secure a 1-0 victory over unknown
amateur side - the Iron Foudners of Awka in the Anambra Challenge Cup
elimination series.

With the victory, Jasper United has moved into the semi-finals along
side Gabros united of nnewi and Udoji United of Awka.

While Gabros United would battle Udoji in the first semi-finals
tomorrow, Jasper would meet winners of quarter-final between Dencer
International of Nnewi and Star united of Onitsha on Wednesday in the
second semi-final.

Bookmakers were proved wrong when the unknown Iron Founders of Awka
took Jasper to the cleaners during the match but for a face-saving lone
goal by Jasper.

A combination of poor finishing and inexperience robbed the minnows of
victory.

Three quick substitutions by Jasper in the second half helped them to
regain control of the match. Thereafter, Ikechukwu Kalu netted the lone
goal for Jaspers in the 73rd minute.

Jasper coach Alfred Ekundina told NAN shortly after the match that no
team in the state challenge cup was a pushover.

We will take them as they come because as far as I am concerned
qualifying is what matters. In a state challenge cup you must expect a
tough game like this," said Ekundina.

Barth Eziri, the Iron Founders coach said that his boys played well,
"they played to my instructions but the best side won."

Chief Mike Umeh, Chairman of the Anambra Football Association (ASFA)
said that it was usually difficult to predict a winner in a match
involving amateur and professional sides in a challenge competition. He
described Jasper's victory over the Iron Founders as "sheer luck and
experience."
---------------------------

The pain I've endured watching West Indies cricket

By Colin Croft

AFTER the West Indies cricket team has suffered so much pain and a
tremendous shellacking over the past few years, I hope that the
younger, probably rejuvenated, certainly more focussed -if
inexperienced - team will come through quickly for all West Indian
supporters.

With only the new captain, Carl Hooper, the enduring "500 wicket-man",
Courtney Walsh, Ridley Jacobs, Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chandepaul as
veterans, our hope is that the pain will somehow ease, the smiles
return and the way forward become accessible for West Indies cricket.

Even after losing the Second Test match in Trinidad & Tobago, the sign
are so positive that I am trying hard to forget some of the team's
recent past performances, especially while on tour. For everyone's
sake, I hope that there is only a straight, level road ahead, even if
there are occasionally detours and the odd bump.

I am not a masochist but since becoming a sports journalist in 1993/4,
I have suffered a great deal of pain at the hands of the West Indies
cricket team.

I worry about my sanity, wondering why I continue to endure such brutal
beatings. I even get pain inflicted on me by so-called West Indies'
supporters who seem to think that being dishonest in reporting the
team's tortuous efforts of the recent past will somehow improve West
Indies' fortunes. The abuse one endures for being honest is truly
amazing. Unless one is on the sport, one cannot imagine the scenario,
however much television and radio commentary try to enhance and inform.

I felt every blow that the West Indies suffered in Pakistan in 1997
when they were so badly beaten by the hosts by an innings in the first
two Tests, then by ten wickets in the Third Test. Take it from me, the
results were not even that close. One got the distinct impression that
Pakistan was playing against themselves since the West Indies never
really arrived.

I again experienced every deadly thrust of the Springbok spear - two
and a half months of it - in 1998/99. One placard of that tour, in
Durban, Put it in a nutshell: "Will the real West Indies cricket team
please turn up, and please, oh please, send these damn cricketing
impostors home!"

The players' queries about fees were so ill-advised and ill-timed, and
they were so vastly under-prepared psychologically, that the West
Indies started the tour of that beautiful country already losing
friends, that is. It was not long afterwards that they were badly blown
away, 5-0, by a cricket team that was ready for the fray.

The way it looked, South Africa could have been preparing for all of
the 22 years that they had been in the cricketing wideness for the
series against the West Indies in 1998/9, not to mention that they
wanted to exact some revenge for the loss in Barbados in 1992, when
they expected to win. To be honest, South Africa were so prepared for
that Test series that if the cricketing world had been united against
them, and not just the rabble that was then the West Indies cricket
team, South Africa would have beaten them hands down.

It was painful to watch. Try as they might, the stalwart fast bowlers
Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose could not redress the inefficiencies
and imbalances of the batsmen on that tour.

Fast-forward to the almost heart-stopping debacle at Lord's last year
in another Second Test, this time after beating England so decisively
in the First. How I survived that game, I will never know! Those with a
Caribbean heritage in England were ill en-masse as the West Indies
crumbled to 54 all out in the second innings, again to lose on the
third day. To my mind, this game was nearly as bad as the showing at
Port Elizabeth, in terms of performance.

Yet, nothing could have been as poor, in appearance at least, as what I
saw at the Wooloongabba, in Brisbane, during the First Test of the last
West Indies tour. In all of my years of watching, playing and covering
international cricket, I have never seen a team look as bedraggled as
the West Indies when they took the field after making 82 all out in the
first innings.

It was like looking at scenes from that 1960s horror classic "Night of
the Living Dead" - zombies walking everywhere. The players looked like
souls wandering in purgatory, somewhere between heaven and hell;
listless, planless and directionless. That the West Indies lost that
Test in three days too was no surprise to anyone at the ground.

When I suggested then that the West Indies team should be sent home
immediately after that First Test attitudes and performances did not
pick up, it was one of those instances when television could not tell
the entire story. One had been there to experience the peripheral
goings-on, to identify the wandering rabble for what it was a team
lacking in every facet needed to play international cricket.

Now with a new captain, the West Indies team appears to be actually
learning about itself, while still trying to be competitive. Already,
hopefully, they will have learned that ambition, potential and talent
do not always outdo professionalism, tenacity and know-how. Converting
potential energy to effective performances is the engineering of
professional sport, the air running under the wings to lift the craft.

South Africa are a very good cricket team, with players complementing
each other well. Carl Hooper must, though, try to emulate Australia's
Steve Waugh, England's Nasser Hussein and South Africa's Shaun Pollock,
perhaps taking a characteristic or two from each, to become the best
captain he can be, and hopefully, have his team follow suit.

While this signs are excellent for the West Indies in the future, with
the younger men being given the opportunities, everyone must, from
veterans to rookies, pull their weight, contributing and complementing
each other to be a substantial whole. Yes, hope springs eternal for all
of us West Indian supporters, but efforts must continue and, hopefully,
be doubled.




=====
http://www.kitua.com/ Information Brokers

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/?.refer=text

Sunday, Aapril 1, 2001

Killer kerosene Sweeps through Delta

THE irresistible quest of man to acquire wealth through illegitimate
means has taken its toll on many indigenes of Ndokwa West Council and
its environs as many consumers of kerosene in the area have been
completely disfigured through a kerosene explosions. The incident calls
to question the essence of man as a rationale being. Human actions in
the parlance of true moral behaviours are supposed to be detached from
attitudes that convey traits of beastly instincts. But with the current
craze for material things human beings are more inclined to the display
of animal instincts provided such behaviour gives them the satisfaction
needed. Before now Benin-City, the Edo State capital and its environs
captured the curiosity of the whole world following alleged kerosene
explosions which despatched many consumers to their untimely graves.
The killer kerosene and its attendant gruesome effects made much news
prompting the Edo State government as well as the management of the
Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC to investigate the source
of the deadly kerosene which found its way into a major filling Station
that was allegedly razed down by enraged citizens of Edo State. The
dust raised by the unprecedented number of casualties from the
kerosene-induced disaster had hardly subsided when many indigenes of
Ndokwa who never had an inkling of experiencing such man's propelled
cruel fate came close to seeing their lives being snatched away from
them by the various spates of kerosene explosions which took place in
Utagba Ogbe, Ogume, Onu-Aboh and many other villages in the area. The
people of the area, hitherto, had likened the news of the explosions in
Edo-land to a fairy-tale until the baton, inexplicably shifted to their
environment visiting them, not with any recorded death casualty, but
burns that have structurally deformed the victims. Triggered by the
report of the kerosene explosions, The POINTER on Sunday visited the
General Hospital Kwale where It was reliably informed that eight
casualties were initially admitted in the hospital. Some other victims
who were also admitted at Brema Hospital Kwale were treated and
subsequently discharged. In all, the number of victims could be said to
be not less than 15 persons in number as many others were reported to
have been taken to undisclosed hospitals for medical attention. Many of
the victims with not too serious burns were daily, coming to the
hospitals to receive treatment. At the female ward of the Kwale General
Hospital, the atmosphere wore tense and pathetic look when I came in
contact with four women who were burnt beyond recognition and two other
children who were in a terrible state. Managing to suppress tears
caused by the state of the victims, I sought to know when, where and
how they applied the said kerosene before it exploded. First to speak
was Mrs. Rose Emeshili whose body was badly mutilated by the explosion.
Writing in pains and agony, Mrs. Emeshill who lives at No.2
Utagba-Uno-Avenue, Kwale said that " I bought the kerosene on March
16th 2001, since then I have not used it until March 19th when I used
it for the first time" on where she bought the killer kerosene, she
disclosed that she bought it direct from a woman, names withheld, who
sells in tanks along Isumpe road Kwale. While saying that the tanks
were located at the road intersection of the old motor-park, Madam
Emeshili added that she was attempting to refill her lantern which was
then on, when all of a sudden, there was an explosion which almost tore
her into pieces, and that was all she could remember. Another victim,
Madam Beatrice Ozoro, who lives in Afor-Ogbodigbo, also disclosed in an
interview with The POINTER on Sunday that she equally bought her
kerosene on March 16th 2001 from one Madam Faith who claimed to have
bought from the major seller at Isumpe road, Kwale. Like the first
respondent, she hinted that she was trying to refill her lantern while
it was still on, when it exploded, adding that she never knew what
happened thereafter. Other victims are Mr. Stephen Aghanenu and his
daughter Cordilia Aghanenu a J.S.S.3 student at Universal College
Utagba-Ogbe. In an interview with Mr. Aghanenu, who is a council
pensioner, he said that his daughter, Cordilia cautioned him on the
need to put off, their lantern as he was about to refill it, adding
that he did not heed the advice. According to him, I opened the lid of
the lantern and as I wanted to pour kerosene both the kerosene
container and the lantern exploded". The victim and his daughter
pleaded with the state government and philanthropists to come to their
aids, stating that " unless government comes to our aid financially and
otherwise, we many be permanently disfigured in life". Also, lying
lifeless at Kwale General Hospital is one master Onyebuchi Nwabuokei, a
KG3 pupil at Christ Ambassador School, Kwale. Narrating the ordeal of
Oneybuchi who is 7 years of age, his mother, Doris told The POINTER on
Sunday that the incident occurred when the little Onyebuchi's elder
sister was trying to refill their lantern, stating that it exploded
when it was about being refilled. Many other people who suffered
similar fate, for instance, Mrs. Regina Oche from Benue State, Mr.
Sunday Onu and his 9-year old daughter Chineye Onu, a primary 3 pupil
at the Rex Foundation, Kwale, and the other victims from the other
parts of the local government area and its environs presented a similar
account of how the explosions took place. Prompted by the horrible
incident, the Executive Chairman of Ndokwa West Council Authority,
Chief Joseph Emeke Adibeli Ukpe and the Kwale Divisional Police Officer
(DPO) Mr. F. Onwugbonu were reported to have visited the victims at the
hospital. The plight of the victims aroused the compassion of Chief
Ukpe as he was reported to have agreed to shoulder their medical
expenses. Besides, he donated four drums of diesel to the hospital
management so as to enable them render effective medical care to the
victims. Immediately after their trip to the hospital, the chairman and
the DPO were said to have stormed the popular Eke market and called for
a halt to further sales and buying of kerosene in the market. On
sighting the chairman's entourage, some of the kerosene dealers were
alleged to have abandoned their tanks and disappeared into the thin
air. In a bid to forestall further kerosene explosion, Chief Ukpe and
Mr. Onwugbonu used the privilege offered by the visit to educate market
women on how to discern between good and bad kerosene and the proper
way to refill the lamps. Based on the multifarious information received
from the victims of the explosions about the identity of the seller of
the killer kerosene, The POINTER on Sunday moved to the Isumpe kerosene
tank location of the major suspect. Few persons were on hand buying
kerosene in jerry-cans from the younger sisters of the dealer who also
operates some tanks at the Afia-eze terminus along Umusadege. Asked
about the whereabout of the woman whose relatives from the Isoko axis,
who bought kerosene from her were also alleged to have received burns
from kerosene explosions, the girls who were transferring kerosene from
the tanks into some jerry-cans referred me to the other tanks at the
Afia-eze junction. But before this writer could get across to the place
described, the dealer had left the area, possibly to avoid being
questioned. There is however, growing concern and people are inclined
to know how and from what source the deadly kerosene found its way into
Kwale. The questions on the lips of many people are "whether the
kerosene were legitimately bought at NNPC depot Warri; is it possible
that fuel consignment is being sold to the people in place of kerosene
as being perceived in some quarters; could the mischievous act be the
handiwork of some syndicate, if so, are they directly working in
concert with certain persons at the appropriate distribution unit in
Warri, and since the tragic incidents in Edo-State what steps has the
NNPC taken to unearth the source of the kerosene that claimed many
lives in order to prevent its spill over to other states. A source who
claimed to have interviewed the major suspect in Kwale said that she
denied buying kerosene from an illegal depot, According to her, she
bought kerosene from the NNPC depot. Are we to believe her? If we are,
then there must be something wrong at NNPC depot. Investigation carried
out on the sample of kerosene collected at the homes of some of the
victims revealed that it shares the same explosive characteristic with
fuel. Reacting to the explosions, Mr. Collins Mgbame described the
situation as a dangerous one. While describing the attitude of the
sellers of the killer kerosene as satanic, evil and thrives on the
height of callousness, Mr. Mgbame called on the state government to get
at the root of the matter and bring to book all persons involved in the
shady deal. A civil servant, Mr. P.B. Spaine and Mr. Sunny Ogwu, a
business man, respectively condemned the attitude of some Nigerians who
were ready to go any length in order to satisfy their dubious desires.
They called on the state organ of the emergency relief agency, the
state government and public spirited individuals to come to the plight
of the victims of the kerosene explosions. Unfolding reports indicate
that the killer kerosene has infiltrated into Asaba, the capital of
Delta State. According to The POINTER of March 22nd, 2001 with the
headline: Two kids, father die in an inferno, the two kids aged between
one-and-a-half years and three years respectively were roasted to death
at about 11 p.m at the Akwuebulu area of Asaba, while the father of the
two children, identified as Mr. Effiong Etim who was an employee of the
State Primary Education Board was said to have also died as a result of
the severe burns he received from the inferno, latest report has it
that his wife who was equally affected by the inferno had died in the
hospital bringing the number of casualties to four. Narrating how the
incident took place, the landlord of the building Mr. Franklin Ibe,
told The POINTER on Sunday that the fire started from the one room
apartment belonging to Mr. Effiong, who at the time of the incident was
believed to have gone to bed with his two children. According to him "
The maid in an attempt to fill the lamp with kerosene with a candle in
one hand ignited the fire which suddenly went out of hand. Meanwhile,
there seems to be light out of the tunnel in an attempt to clamp down
on suspected illegal fuel depot operators asthe law enforcement agents
had been reported to have uncovered an illegal fuel depot in Orerokpe.
The police were alleged to have impounded the two tankers which were
already stationed there to lift adulterated fuel as well as kerosene.

Fed allocations to states, LGs now 400 per cent

PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo said yesterday that by plugging all avenues
of waste in the system, the Federal Government has been able to release
over 400 per cent more money to state and local government allocations
than was previously possible. Addressing the 3rd National Convention of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) he said his administration inherited
a depleted foreign reserve of around 3.7 billion US dollars from which
it had now built up to 10 billion dollars within 20 months. He said
that together with other fiscal measures that the present
administration had undertaken and restored the confidence of the
international financial organisation and foreign development partners.
“For the PDP federal government which I have your mandate to lead and
the support of most Nigerians to sustain, we have gone a long way in
rasing our country from institutional and infrastructure decay to a
point where we can see our way clearly and plan realistically for the
future”, he stated. President Obasanjo said the power,
telecommunication and petroleum sectors inherited were comatose,
pointing out that government had spent considerable amount of time and
other resources in these sectors. In NEPA, he said government had
increased power generation capacity from 1,500 megawatts to 2400
megawatts in 18 months. “As we battle with lack of water at the Keinji
Dam plus replacement of run-down and out dated equipment, we are also
bring independent power producers on board he averred. The president
assured Nigerians that by the grace of God, “we aim to keep our promise
to Nigerians that the end of this year will mark the beginning of a new
era of adequate and dependable power supply for the country”.

Ozobo road project to be ready in 2yrs

PHASE one of the Ozobo- Bomadi-Gbekebo road project embarked upon by
the Delta State Government is expected to be completed in two years
time, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Chief James Ebiowou
Manager has said. Contract for this project which has been on the
drawing board for over 50 years (since the colonial era) was recently
awarded by the state government to SETRACO Nig. Ltd. at a cost of about
N3 billion. The Commissioner who was speaking to newsmen on the road
construction programme of Governor James Onanefe Ibori's administration
in the previously neglected riverine Communities in the state,
described the project as "the Almighty Road Project" in view of its
socio-economic importance to the development of the area. Extolling
Governor, Ibori's administration for its unprecedented commitment to
the socio-economic transformation of the riverine areas, the
commissioner stated. "I am very proud to tell you that the Governor of
the State is not just an Urhobo man, he is an Ijaw man, I am very proud
to say so," he stated. Other road, construction projects being embarked
upon by the government in the riverine areas, the Commissioner stated,
include the Ughelli-Kiagbodo road and the Abari-Uduophori road, phase
one of which has been awarded to GODIANI Construction Company Ltd in
respect of which work is in progress. While Ughelli is headquarters of
Ughelli North local Government area, Kiagbodo is a riverine Community
in Burutu local government area. The Commissioner who stressed the
importance of these projects to the socio-economic transformation of
the riverine areas, also allayed the fears expressed by some people as
to whether these projects might not be abandoned again as was the case
with previous administrations. "The question of abandonment (of
projects) of yesteryears is a thing of the past," he stated. On the
achievements of the Chairman of Bomadi local government council, Chief
Mike Seikegba in his first year in office, the Commissioner expressed
satisfaction and commended him, saying that he would not have been
there if the story was that of failure. He said he was impressed by the
number of projects that were completed and commissioned during "this
short period" of time. Earlier at a reception which immediately
followed the Thanksgiving Service, the Head of Personnel Management of
the local government Mr. M. M. Adagbabiri enumerated some of the major
projects completed and commissioned during the period to include a 700m
concrete pavement at Kpakiama, beautification of Bomadi township roads
and concrete pavement with kerbs from the general hospital to the GRA
(phase 1). Others are a 350 KVA generating set and power house, a
pavillion at the secretariat in Bomadi and Esanma, a concrete jetty
also at Esanma renovation of health centre at Ogriagbene and execution
of electricity project at Ogo-Eze, among others.

Why Emevor should be headquarters

INFORMATION available to this writer shows that over 90 per cent of
expected memoranda were received for the creation of new local
government councils in Delta State by the House of Assembly. In other
words, Deltans are asking for large number of local councils to be
created from the present twenty five. Even if all were not justified in
their requests, they are evident of the people's desire to bring the
government nearer to the grassroot. The proposed Isoko West local
government council is made up of Iyede, Emevor and Owhe clans. In their
submission to the committee in the state House of Assembly recently,
the representatives of the three clans did say "we are in unanimity
with the adoption of the creation of Isoko West local government
council but failed in unanimity as far as the capital was concerned".
Though they also individually agreed that whichever place is made the
headquarters would be acceptable to them. In the circumstances, Emevor
stands out clearly as the best bet for the headquarters of the proposed
local government area for the following reasons: Emevor is central.
This was evident during the defence at the state House of Assembly
recently. All parties have agreed to accept wherever the committee
considers fitting as headquarters. In a memorandum submitted by Isoko
Development Union (IDU) (the mouth piece of the whole Isoko Kingdom) to
the chairman, states creation, local government and boundary adjustment
committee Abuja, dated January 2, 1996, the IDU did state clearly that
Emevor should be the capital. This recommendation of our fathers should
not be turned down because the words of elders are words of wisdom. At
least, there was unanimity at this point by the whole Isoko people
before recommending. Emevor has more infrastructure in place in
comparison with the other two clans, Owhe and Iyede. Apart from a free
council secretariat which I know would be readily available, Emevor has
a post office and others postal agencies, it has a bank, others none.
Emevor has modern maternity, private hospital and government clinics.
Emevor has Nigerian Police Station, others police posts. And Emevor has
a lot of both government and private educational institutions which are
known world wide for example, James Welch Grammar School. We are also
aware that the United Nations Development Programme activities are
already being established. When eventually the proposed council is
created with capital outside Emevor, it would be sad, it would not be
beneficial, it would be destructive, it would not be right, it would be
wrong and it would serve no one any good. Emevor is the centre, we
appeal to all to let Emevor be the headquarters.

Ndokwa and development

THAT the Ndokwa eth- nic stock of Delta State are a people moulded by
God to always tread the path of peace is never in doubt. It is this
special trait of theirs which by no means should be taken as a sign of
weakness on their own part, that has made them to mix freely, extending
their meek dispositions to people from the various ethnic divides
across the country. Perhaps, their quiet approach to issues that border
on their existence, explains why they had for long remained with hands
out-stretched welcoming any government in place irrespective of the sad
fact that their lots have never been bettered by previous
administrations. It is no wonder then, when on the early hours of March
26th, 2001, Ndokwa people known for their Spartan like manner of living
came out of their usual mould to launch a peaceful protest against
their under privileged position in the scheme of things. One did not
need the assistance of a seer or that of someone endowed with
exceptional insight to predict incident that took place on that day as
the people of the area had immediately after governments stand on the
citing of the polythecnics in some parts of the state, made the issue
household discussion. The feeling of despondency expressed by the
people was a feeling that ran through the blood stream of the entire
Ndokwa/Ukwuani people. The protest according to a source was not meant
to create disorder in the state but to draw the attention of the
amiable governor to the predicament of Ndokwa people who have suffered
untold marginalisation for so long. So, on that day, on the 26th day of
March to be precise, the Ndokwa nation both old and young trooped out
to express their disenchantment by creating block-ages along the ever
busy Ughelli-Asaba trunk 'A' road as well as in all other access roads
in the local government areas. The people in large number blocked all
the roads demanding to know why there is no tertiary institution in the
area, why the people of the area are not considered for viable
positions in terms of appointment; why there are no industries to
absorb the teeming unemployed youths in the area among others.
Allegedly caught in the web of the protest were some top government
officials including the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin
Elue who urged the protesters to forward their grievances to Government
House so as to enable government rub minds with them on their problems.
In an interview with a cross section of the people of the area, they
were generally disgusted with the neglect which government had for long
allowed the people of Ndokwa to wallow in. One elderly man who simply
gave his name as Oyem was visibly angry saying that Ndokwa does not
deserve such unfair treatment as the gas from the area constitutes,
substantial part of the bulk of the wealth of the nation. "What
prevents government from converting the Utagba-Ogbe Technical College
to a Polytechnic status, he asked rhetorically. To another respondent
who craved anonymity, she said that with the unfolding events, Ndokwa
as a nation has been unjustly sidelined, there is no single industry in
the area, AGIP had not done anything, to ameliorate the suffering of
the people, there is no tertiary institution and there is the absence
of very vital social amenities in the area, she added. Somehow, the
problems of Ndokwa people are not new to the current administration.
The visit of governor to the area last year predicated on the idea
that, the government being a listening one should be abreast with the
problems affecting the various communities to enable it work out
modalities for addressing such problems. It would be recalled that when
the governor visited the local government area, the people poured out
their problems to him. One believes that the issue of absence of
tertiary institution has not eluded the people of the area as argued by
Chief Chuks Ohoh. According to him "the state will be fair enough to on
the creation of the medical college wing of Delta State University,
convert one of the existing government hospitals in the area to a
University Teaching Hospital. The need for a tertiary institution in
the area is over-due. Recently, the executive body of the Ndokwa
National Union, headed by retired justice James Obi paid a courtesy
call on the paramount traditional ruler of Aboh, Obi Imegwu II. During
the visit, the body called on the state government to apart from citing
tertiary institution, in the area, improve the standard of living of
the people. Writing on this very disturbing issue, Mr. Oluiji Chukwudi,
a law student at DELSU, Oleh Campus pointed out that the
marginalisation of Ndokwa nation by pervious administrations both in
the defunct Bendel State and Delta State was unimaginable. According to
him "The marginalisation is very glaring with the complete lack of
social infrastructures and social amenities in Ndokwa land." Meanwhile,
the governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori has enjoined Ndokwa
youths to resort to the use of constitutional means to press for their
demands. The governor had while reacting to the protest by Ndokwa
people, in a telephone chat, stated that the state government had been
fair to all the communities in the state, adding that much money had
been expended in the execution of projects in Ndokwa land. The
confidence of Ndokwa people on the ability of governor Ibori led
administration to redress the neglect string the people of the area on
their faced had not been eroded. The on going projects in all parts of
Ndokwa land is an evidence of government determination to bring
development to the doorstep of the people. While showing appreciation
for the job done so far, the people of Ndokwa appealed to governor
Ibori, his executive and members of the Delta State House of Assembly
to still consider the citing of a tertiary institution in the area as
it is the only ethnic block in the state without any state tertiary
institution.

SPORTS

NNS Umalokun Dolphin picks DFA soccer cup semi-final berth

NNS Umalokun Dolphin, the only male Nigerian Navy Football outfit
currently in any state or national organised competition has picked a
semi-final ticket when it drowned the Globestar FC, an amateur league
two clubside, in the current edition of the Delta State Football
Association (DFA) Soccer Cup Competition. Navy qualified for the
semifinal when it drowned the Globestar FC 4-2 in a penalty shoot out
at the NNS Umalokun Football pitch, Warri on Wednesday. Action started
at 1645 local time when the referee's whistle blew and for the ninety
minutes duration, none of the sides could convert any scoring chances
into the net. Both goalkeepers made smart and brisk saves especially
the Dolphin keeper, LBD Kekong, who has proved a hard nut to crack,
thereby frustrating the many solo efforts of attackers. The match which
was watched by sports loving dignitaries including the Commanding
Officer, NNS Umalokun, Navy Captain John Kpokpogri, and the proprietor
of Globestar FC, Mr. Fadel Habib, saw three yellow cards, two for
Globestar and one for the Dolphin. A fairly officiated match, the
morale of the teams was down in the first half with a lot of lack
lustre performance showing on character and no co-ordination. To get to
the semifinal stage, the Dolphin won their match against Express
United, Warri, walked over Ujom United, Effurun, and piped Obedafe FC,
Ughelli. They are now to confront Delta United, better known as the
Ibori Boys in their next encounter.

Principal commends Education Commissioner

THE Principal of Oko Sec- ondary School, Oko, Mrs T. V. Odibeli, has
commended the Delta State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Ighoyota
Amori, for promptly renovating the structure that were devastated by
rainstorm last year. The commendation was made at the school's annual
inter house athletic competition held at the school sports ground last
Wednesday. Mrs Odibeli however, called on the government and
individuals to further assist the school in solving its numerous
problems. She noted among other things that the institution lack
sporting facilities, science equipment in the laboratories, examination
hall and library. She decried the mounting problem of inadequate
classrooms for the students who are rapidly increasing in number. Mrs.
Odibeli also noted that lack of toilet facilities was another major
problem that is begging for immediate attention. She asserted that the
provision of these primary needs will enhance the progress of the
school which has been her paramount desire. She also called on
guardians and parents in Oko to show more concern in their wards'
academic welfare as they are the hope of tomorrow. Reacting to the
Principal's address, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Uche Ugboma,
who was represented by Mr. Patrick Nwanze, noted that most of the
problems enumerated by the Principal was not initially known to him but
promised to do the little he can. The Chairman donated the sum of
N20,000 and pledged a trophy for the school. At the end of the sporting
competition among the five houses, Purple House won the crown with 227
points, Red House followed with 211 points for the second position.
Green House occupied the third place with 16 points while Yellow House
was at the bottom of the table with 145 points.

------------------------------

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2001

2001 budget will be fully utilised

THE creation of new ministries in Delta State would pave the way for
the effective utilisation of the state's large budget of N58.2 billion.
A former secretary to the Bendel State Government (SSG) and Iyase of
Asaba, Delta State, Chief Patrick Isioma Onyeobi, said in an interview
with the Weekend POINTER that the state government needed a strong and
effective machinery to translate the huge amount into viable projects
and infrastructural development. Consequently, he advised that in the
appointment of commissioners, govern- ment should ensure that
"professionals and competent persons are chosen to administer the
specialised ministries." Apart from decentra- lisation of certain
functions of government, Chief Onyeobi, explained that specific
functions of government which hitherto operated departments and
parastatals would now be brought into the mainstream of admini-
stration. According to him, matters formerly in the purview of the
departments and parastatals can now be discussed directly at the
educative council meeting where they would now be represented by
commissioners. Chief Onyeobi specifically, lauded the creation of the
Energy and Environment and Art and Culture Ministries, saying that they
had been given the importance they deserved. On the cost-effectiveness
of the creation of the new ministries, the former SSG posited that it
was not unusual as ministries remain the machinery the government has
to translate its policies into action, adding that it will ensure more
manpower to manage the huge budget. Chief Onyeobi recalled that the
defunct Mid-West Region had about 16 ministries which were drastically
reduced during military regimes, empha- sising that if properly
managed, the creation of the ministries would yield dividends for the
state. "The key is for the right people to man the ministries and then
move then forward," he suggested, stating that that was the only way to
realise government's objectives in respect of the exercise.

Mrs Ibori donates 0.1million Naira to defective twins

THE wife of the gover- nor, Chief (Mrs) Nkoyo Ibori has on behalf of
the Delta Manna Foundation donated N100,000.00 to the twins with the
knee defects, Chibueze and Chigozie Ekechi. Presenting the money to
Mrs. Grace Ekechi, mother of the twins, Mrs. Ibori expressed her
sympathy over the children’s predicament. She said she could imagine
the stress Mrs. Ekechi was passing through particularly as she had no
husband by her side to support her. Mrs Ibori promised to help her
solicit for more assistance from the Ministries of Health and Women
Affairs for the children to get the desired attention. Receiving the
money, Mrs Grace Ekechi thanked Mrs. Ibori for the kind donation. She
explained that her husband had long abandoned them since the birth of
the children. Mrs. Ibori added that the children were her only
offsprings, adding that they could not be operated upon earlier than
now because of the incessant strikes the hospital experienced in the
past. The twins with the knee defects which featured on NTA network
news last Sunday with their mother had appealed to Mrs. Ibori for
possible assistance. Meanwhile, Mrs. Nkoyo Ibori, who is the initiator
and founder of the Delta Manna Foundation has also donated N30,000.00
on behalf of the foundation to the Akwa Ibom Community in Asaba to
enable them convey the remains of three of the corpses of their five
members who were burnt in a kerosine explosion in Asaba last weekend.
Mrs. Ibori said that it was sad that a whole family who left their
State able-bodied died in such a manner and expressed her sympathy to
the Akwa Ibom community. She expressed the hope that the donation would
go a long way in assisting them convey the corpses to Akwa Ibom.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Progressive Union,
Asaba branch, Mr. Ime Willie explained that the family was trying to
light a lantern when the explosion occurred at about 11 p.m. on the
fateful day. Mr. Willie said that the explosion instantly left the
husband and the two children dead, while the mother and the housemaid
later died in the hospital. The remains of the two children have been
buried. He thanked Mrs. Ibori for her quick response to their request
and prayed God to replenish her a hundredfold.

Not borne out of selfish interest

DELTA State Governor, Chief James Ibori has said that the insistence of
the governors of southern states on resource control and true
federalism is based on the wishes of the people in line with the
provision of the constitution. Chief Ibori, in Abuja on Thursday, at a
lecture organised by Ibori Vanguard on resource control, stated that
the agitation is not borne out of selfish interest but as a genuine
struggle for a better deal for the people. The governor said the
people’s desire for resource control was based on the need for true
federalism anchored on the principles of fairness, equity and justice.
He described the federal government’s opposition as an affront and a
grand design to perpetuate poverty among the Niger Delta people.
According to him, eminent lawyers are being assembled by the various
state governments for the purpose of challenging the legal action filed
by the federal government in respect of the contendious resource
control issue. Chief Ibori called for the support of the people and
paid glowing tribute to all, especially state and federal legislators
from the Niger Delta area for their steadfastness in the struggle. In a
lecture titled, “Resource control and true federalism,” Dr. Gordy
Darah, chairman, Editorial Board of Guardian Newspapers, advised the
states in the struggle to assemble a formidable conference team
comprising both local and international legal practitioners, human
rights activits and environmentalists to challenge the federal
government’s suit. Dr. Darah emphasised the need for the Niger Deltans
outside the country to be sensitised on the injustice allegedly meted
out on the people by the federal government. The Editorial Board
chairman called on the Delta State PDP to launch a movement for
resource control and true federalism at the grassroot level as well as
launch media campaign on the issue in schools, motor parks and
religious houses. The Deputy Speaker of Federal House of
Representatives, Chief Chibudom Nwuche who was chairman of the
occasion, expressed the support of members of the National Assembly
from the region for the struggle. Senate Chief Whip, Senator Stella Omu
called for the sustainance of the struggle, adding that the people will
be victorious since it was a struggle for the collective good of the
people. The deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable
Pius Ewherido who also spoke at the occasion, urged people to remain
undaunted and resolute in the struggle for the control of their natural
resources. The lecture was attended by the Bayelsa State Governor,
Chief Deprieye Alamieyeisegha, Delta State Deputy Governor, Chief
Benjamin Elue, members of the National Assembly from Delta State,
Principal officers and members of State House of Assembly, local
government chairman, PDP executive members, party leaders and
supporters in Delta State.

Resource control will be realised

THE Governor of Enugu State, and the immediate past Chairman of the
Conference of Southern Governors, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani has said that
the controversial issue of resource control and restructing of the
Nigeria states will be a dream realised. Dr. Chimaroke made this
declaration during the current conference of Southern Governors in
Benin-City, Edo State. The governor said that what appears as a
moonlight play had now metamorphosised into a serious business. The
Enugu state governor, according to a statement from Government House
signed by Joe Ozenweke said the Enugu state governor was not happy with
the present economic bottleneck and the shameful social crisis like
incessant power outage, wage crisis in parts of the country and lack of
fuel in a nation that ranks sixth in oil production in the whole world.
He called on Nigerians to iron out the sensitive issues of "legal
realities of resource control and the economic realities of
deregulation of petroleum product in an amicable way, for the good of
Nigeria's nescent democracy. The current Chairman of the conference of
southern Governors, Chief Lucky Igbinedion according to the statement
also called on the "Northern Governors and the federal government not
to see the conference of the Southern governors as a threat." The Edo
State governor, it said made, the plea in Benin City. He called on
Nigerians to cultivate team spirit that does not allows for rancour
such progressive moment, it said would edge us out from social
entanglement and forty-one year of military enslavement. Chief
Igbinedion according to the statement, said that the federal government
"should ensure a modernised, properly equipped and well funded central
police force to enable them to cope with issues of internal security in
the country."

Riverine communities urged to give peace a chance

YOUTHS in the riverine areas of Delta State have again been charged to
maintain peace and security as part of their own contribution to the
bold and unprecedented steps taken by the Ibori's administration to
transform the hitherto neglected riverine communities in the state.
Works and Transport Commissioner, Chief James Ebiowon Manager, made the
appeal while speaking to newsmen at Bomadi, headquarters of Bomadi
local government area of the state. The commissioner who was answering
reporters' questions on the on-going Bomadi bridge project embarked
upon by the state government across River Forcados said: "I want to
appeal to the entire riverine communities particularly the people of
Bomadi local government area to give peace a chance." The call,
according to him, has become necessary because as he put it, "bridge
construction is not an all-comers affair, it will involve technical
experts from both within and outside the country and it is only in an
atmosphere of peace and security that the technical experts would have
the enabling environment to execute this project." The commissioner who
was in Bomadi to end a special thanksgiving service at Our Lady
Redeemer Catholic Church, Bomadi, organised to round off activities
marking the one year anniversary of the chairman of the local
government, Chief Mike Seikegba described the N4.8 billion bridge as
"the single most expensive project embarked upon by an administration
in Delta State." To demonstrate its commitment to the speedy completion
of the project, he said the state government has paid about 25%
mobilisation of the N4.8 billion to the contractors, SETRACO Nig. Ltd.,
adding that no stone would be left unturned to ensure early completion
of the project on the part of the government. Asked how soon he
believed the project would be completed, Chief Manager said even though
this question would have better been answered by the construction firm,
he was sure that the project would be completed in the next three
years. "It would not go beyond three years. In fact like I told you we
have mobilised the contractors and the contractors are working. We are
serious. So in another three years the bridge would be in place," he
stated. He explained that unlike ordinary building project a solid and
sound foundation has to be laid before a bridge is constructed which
according to him the contractors were now carrying out, adding that
soil testing and other preliminary work were in progress.

The military created Warri problems —Chief Orogun

WERE you in Warri, the commercial nerve centre of Delta State when
Ochulor, Kefas, Asuquo, Dungs and Feghabo were our Lords and masters?
If really you were around, how was Warri then? A neglected oil city of
course, you may say. But have you been to the oil-rich too of late? If
you have been here recently, then you must have noticed the
transformation of the once-neglected oil city of Warri. The difference,
they say is very clear and this is why yours sincerely keep on wishing
Ochulor, Kefas, Asuquo, Dungs and Feghabo to come over to Warri which
they neglected while they were in power and see how Governor Ibori has
transformed the city. Well, if you have not been to Warri before, there
is somebody who saw it all when the soldiers took the rest of us for
granted and smiled away with our oil money and they created the
impression that because the people were always fighting like cats and
dogs, they could not carry out developmental programmes in Warri. I
have with me this week, Chief Moses F. Orogun, former president of
Delta State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture
(DACCIMA) as well as that of Warri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines
and Agriculture (WACCIMA). As WACCIMA boss during the military era,
Chief Orogun many a time drew the attention of the military
administrators to the deplorable conditions of roads in the city. At
every occasion, he made it known to the soldiers that economic
activities in the city cannot get out of the woods unless there are
good roads. But the soldiers did not listen to Chief Orogun, instead
they embarked on a wide scale of looting and at the end of the day,
they left the people of the oil city poorer. No water, no jobs and no
roads. But now there are several roads in Warri. Driving in the town
now is no longer a nightmare, as it was before May 29, 1999. No wonder
Chief Orogun says the military killed Warri. Believe him because he saw
it all when the soldiers went on looting spree in Warri, leaving
nothing behind. Chief Orogun, himself a patron of the Delta State
Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) was very blunt when I
asked him to comment on the present situation of Warri. Hear him: "The
military destroyed Warri because since they took over from Olorogun
Felix Ibru, the first civilian governor of Delta State, Warri did not
move forward, rather Warri was backtracking and still back tracking
until of late that we started seeing positive changes. "Take the roads,
infrastructure for instance, let one of the military administrators
come or the military body come out to say this is one road we did here.
There was none. Even P.T.F. Look at P.T.F. road by Giwa-Amu, that one
is an ocean already. That the military did nothing in Warri, is a
shame. They are supposed to be men of honour, gentlemen but
administratively they didn't perform, they killed Warri businesswise or
otherwise because if you cannot move round, what kind of business are
you going to do. Is it from your suitcase or from your rooftop? The
former WACCIMA boss said if there is no interaction and without
residents going out, they cannot reach each other and said: "How do you
interact with them? Take the terrible Jakpa junction for example. For
the many years the military was in power, what did they do? Nothing was
done about the terrible Jakpa junction or the Enerhen junction, but you
can see that there is sanity now." Chief Orogun told Weekend POINTER
that the military couldn't be bothered about the state of affairs in
Warri and accused them of plundering the whole place. The military
administrators, according to him had nothing at stake in the oil town.
"Compare them to what is happening today, you will see that at least we
are moving forward. Take the Udu bridge aspect. It is now being
drained, they are now constructing gutters there. These are things we
want to see. Of all the so many years of the military, what did they
do. Let them come around and say we did this, we did that which had a
positive impact on the people they governed for so many years. They
have nothing to show and it is a shame." Chief Orogun held out that the
atmosphere in Warri is more peaceful now, saying youth restiveness was
even worse during the military regime. "With all their guns, it was
worse. The military caused the youth restiveness in this areas because
before the military you hardly see this type of thing here. Didn't we
have the youths before the military came? Were they reacting like this?
They were not and what really blew the youth thing out of proportion is
the one-million man match. They went to Abuja and saw their money, even
a fool would react..." According to Chief Orogun, there was no
government before now, saying what we had was just a looting club. Said
he: "Look at what we have on the ground today. This is less than two
years in office, compare this less than two years to the many years we
had before. You do not need a soothsayer to tell you how things are
moving because we all live in this town. What did the soldiers do in
their so many years, let them come and tell me. I stand to be
corrected, the military ruined Warri, if not let one of them come and
tell me that during our regime this was what we did. Contracts were
more on papers than on the ground but today we are seeing them on the
ground." I asked the former WACCIMA boss if he would want to see the
ancient city of Warri be brought down and rebuilt again, and he said
that the ancient town be left intact "because if you destroy Warri, you
are destroying history" and rooted for the spreading of Warri to nearby
towns. His words: "Warri is an ancient city quite alright but we have
areas to spread to, we have the Ubeji area, the road leading to
Orerokpe, we can spread on the Effurun/Agbarho/Ughelli road, you have
the Udu road area. So, Warri should now spread. The city should expand
so that in future when you go down town inside Warri, Alders Town,
Victory Avenue and then you start moving up, you will not find it
difficult to say this is where Warri started from, just like Lagos." He
posited that the way Governor Ibori is operating, "by the time you
bridge the Warri river to the other side you will have a lot of places
to develop to. Bridge the area to Burutu and develop the place, we
should not destroy what we have on the ground because that is our
history." Chief Orogun lamented that Warri just have only one major
road - Warri/Sapele road and however gave kudos to the foresight of
Chief Ibori for the roads already constructed and rehabilitated and
those still under construction, asserting that the roads would bring a
lot of relief. Warri, he told me, has been so planned from colonial
time "so if you say you are going to redesign the place, it means you
will bring down half of Warri. Chief Orogun advised that we should
build on what we have, noting that Governor Ibori has started very
well, "by the time he completes the flyover ast Enerhen junction he
goes to Jakpa junction to do something like that, he goes to Cemetery
road/Lower Erejuwa to do the same, we will be moving forward. These
things are our history, they should not be touched so that tomorrow you
can proudly take a visitor to that area of town and say Warri started
from here and start bringing them up this way." I reminded the NUJ
patron about the drainage system being constructed by the State
Government in Warri, but of which residents are complaining that they
will not be able to check the floods in town that the oil city needs a
masterplan for the drainage system. His response: "There is a
masterplan already for Warri drainage problem but without channelling
all these into the main drainage, what are you doing? You have to do
these side drains first by the time you complete these side drains you
now know how to go into the river with it. Where are you draining it
into? Is it not draining it into the river? Without these side drains
how do you get there?" Responding to a question, Chief Orogun said
Warri should be developed like Abuja or Lagos, that people can stay in
Warri and go to work in Ughelli or Sapele, and all those areas around
Warri. He stated that the prospect of Warri is very bright, but
stressed the need for proper planning thus: "Fortunately, there is
peace now because I know the trouble in Warri is being caused by tribal
war lords. Without crises they will become irrelevant, that is why they
fan the embers of war. Warri's future is very very bright because, it
has room for growth. Warri is the best thing that has ever happened to
Nigeria." I also discussed the many scars of the Warri war with Chief
Orogun because as it is now houses destroyed during the 1999 Warri
crisis have not be rebuilt, and he prayed that what would rise from
"these ruins will become bigger than what it was." He added: "If we
have the resource control thing or at least 50 per cent of our oil
money a lot of these scars we see today would be better monuments. You
can now afford to pull them down and replace them with better ones. If
you look at the Warri crisis, we were lured into it one way or the
other but God has His purpose in the sense that when you go out now and
see these burnt houses, which I am sure with our oil money in our
coffers, these ruins can be brought down and better edifice spring from
there." Good talk indeed, and that is my prayer also for Warri. GUESS
WHAT! Today, starting from 4.00 p.m. at the Warri Club, yours truly and
other members of the Warri branch of College of Commerce (COCOSA) Old
Students Association will be dinning and wining. It is called COCOSA
2001 Annual Dinner/Award Night. I must be there to see some old faces
again. I finished from College of Commerce in 1984.

SPORTS

Delta Force sure of victory today

THE 2001 home winning streak of Delta Force Basketball Club of Asaba in
the on-going premier Basketball League will today be put to test as the
team squares up against defending champions, Islanders of Lagos. Billed
to be played inside the multi-million naira Indoor Sports Hall inside
the Asaba Township Stadium, the Atlantic Conference encounter will
begin by 4pm. Two times, Delta Force have played in Asaba, the two
times they were victorious. The team's first victim was Police Bombers
of Lagos who had itself bombed by 77-70 baskets. Then it was the turn
of Dodan Warriors to suffer the same fate. The warriors met tougher
Warriors in Delta Force and suffered a humiliating defeat by 83-74
baskets. After the first two home matches, Delta Force travelled to
Lagos where, against popular expectations, the team won one match and
lost two. Interestingly, the team Delta Force defeated was another one
from an arm of the armed forces. Defence Dragons of Lagos is the name
of the team. At the end of regulation time, the score board was reading
Delta Force 69, Defence Dragons 61. The team was not so lucky against
Police Bombers who took their pound of flesh in a sweet revenge by
beating the Delta State team by 59-44 baskets. Against defending
champions, Islanders of Lagos, it was the same story as the team went
down by 102 baskets to 54. Today, the Delta boys will want to pay the
defending champions back in the same coin as the lads are not taking
chances at all. It is not only the boys that are hungry for victory.
Their coach, Sylvester James, is more eager than his boys. Hear him,
"Islanders defeated us in Lagos because the boys were used to the poor
condition of the hall in Lagos where the ball does not bounce well in
some areas, coupled with the poor lighting system inside the hall." He
assured that his boys will beat the Lagos team to continue their home
winning streak, adding "Islanders will not know what hit at the end of
the day."

-------------------------

Friday, March 30, 2001

Delta files defence on FG’s suit on Resource Control

DELTA State government has raised a multi-facet defence to the Federal
Government’s suit on-shore and off-shore oil dichotomy, raising, in the
process, a welter of counter-claims that seek to fault subsisting
Federal Government’s actions in relation to revenue sharing. The suit
was tabled before the Supreme Court by the Attorney-General (AG) of the
Federation, who said he was propelled by the compelling need for the
apex Court’s prompt judicial pronouncement on the on-shore/off-shore
oil dichotomy. At present, the federal government does not apply the
principle of derivation, now pegged at 13 per cent of the Federation
Account (FA), to off-shore resources, in the self-held view that the
resources in its seaward boundaries are its exclusive preserve. All 36
states of Nigeria are defendants in the suit which has the potential
for re-defining the essence of Nigeria’s federal structure. Professor
Amos Utuama, Delta’s AG and Justice Commissioner filed the screening
seven-page statement of defence and counter-claim, on behalf of the
state. Delta State is the 10th defendant in the suit. Essentially, he
pegged the defence statement on a preliminary objection which is borne
primarily on three wings, the alleged prematurity of the federal
government’s suit, its alleged failure to disclose a reasonable cause
of action against the defendant (Delta State) and its contention that
the court is legally bereft of the requisite jurisdiction to entertain
the suit. By raising the issue of the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction on
the matter, the AG is extending the imagery of the state government’s
earlier contention that the issue of off-shore resources fall within
the purview of trans - national legal ambit, having regard to the
enabling UN law of the sea convention which applies only to
international boundaries of sovereign states, of which Delta is not
one. But Professor Utuama, subject to the preliminary objection, wove a
string of defence pleas. He admitted paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the
federal government’s statement of claim and paragraph 4 of it subject
to the provision of section 313 of Nigeria’s federal constitution
(1999). Professor Utuama also admitted paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 (c) of the
Federal Government’s claims save the defendant (Delta State’s objection
to the narrow, inter) pretation by the plaintiff of the phrase, “where
any natural resources are located,” which “does not reflect the true
meaning and context of the proviso to section 162 (2) of the 1999
constitution. The AG in relation to paragraphs 8(d) and 9(1) of the
federal government’s statement of claim also contended that Nigeria as
defined in sections 2 and 3 of the 1999 Constitution is an indivisible
and indissoluble sovereign state and was, therefore, not amendable to
division. In respect of paragraph 9, Delta State government said it was
only admissible to the point that certain federal laws, including the
said Territorial Waters Act, vest sovereign rights over territorial
waters in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a coastal state in
international law, without prejudice to its (Delta) prior beneficial
interest. In relation to paragraph 12 of the federal government’s
statement of claim, the state government, according to Professor
Utuama, would rely essentially on the 1960 independence constitution,
the 1963 Republican Constitution, the off-shore oil; Revenue Act, No. 9
of 1971, Constitution (financial provisions etc) Act 6 of 1975; the
1979 Federal Constitution of Nigeria; the Allocation of Revenue
Federation Account, etc), Amendment Act No 106 of 1992, and the Oil
Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission Act No. 23 of 1992.
Specifically concerning the oil rigs and/or wells located in the
off-shore areas abutting its coastline, the 10th defendant (Delta
State) said they bear the names if indigenous communities in which they
are located. In that respect, Professor Utuama added, the state
government would depend on the crude oil/condensates production
statistics of January-September 2000 prepared by the Department of
Petroleum Resources of the NNPC. Professor Utuama stressed that “the
sovereign rights being exercised by the Federal Republic of Nigeria
over its territorial waters, exclusive economic zone as well as its
continental shelf are in consonance with its obligations in
international law, and as such it does not, strict sensu, confer
ownership of all natural; resources therein on it, to the exclusion of
the 10th Defendant’s prior beneficial interest.” Consequently, Delta
State held out the Federal government’s suit as Premature, speculative,
misconceived and ought to be dismissed.

Demands N20bn arrears of derivation fund

DELTA State government, holding out the Federal Government’s Resource
Control suit as legally disabled, is seeking a court’s order compelling
the Federal Government to pay it some N20 billion claim. The N20
billion claim is in respect of what the state is holding out as its
entitlements in view of the 13 per cent derivation principle. In a
statement of counter-claims against the federal government due to go to
the Supreme Court soon, the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner
for Justice, Professor Amos Utuama, said that N11.333 billion of the
claim was the arrears of the 13 per cent derivation under the proviso
to section 162(2) of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria effective June 1,
1999 to December 31, 1999, “without any form of distinction between
on-shore and/ or off-shore revenue to the 10th
defendant/counter-claimant.” Delta State is the 10th defendant in the
federal government’s suit on the issue now before the Supreme Court and
a statement of its counter-claims, an off-spring of the Federal
Government’s suit has been served on the Attorney-General of the
Federation and Justice Minister. Prof. Utuama said that the N9.4
billion claim was due to the state “being arrears of the minimum 13 per
cent derivation on off-shore revenue accruing directly from the 10th
defendant to the Federation Account between January 30, 2000 and
February 28, 2001, or until judgement is delivered.” Besides, the state
is claiming interest on its entitlements of 14 per cent from June 1,
1999 to January 1, 2000 until judgement at the ruling bank rate and
thereafter as the Supreme Court may order. The state is equally seeking
the Supreme Court’s quash of the on-shore/off-shore oil dichotomy on
grounds of illegality and for the voiding of the federal government’s
deduction of a certain percentage of revenue from the Federation
Account for debt servicing before paying the constitutional minimum 13
per cent derivation to the oil-producing states.

PTI needs improved funding, says chief executive

THE Principal/Chief Executive of the Petroleum Training Institute
(PTI), Effurun Delta State, Dr. S. E. Ovuru had said the Institute
needed improved funding to enable "us acquire modern training
facilities to meet the needs of the 21st century". Playing host to the
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ms. Amah Pepple on
the occasion of her familiarization visit to the Institute, Dr. Ovuru
said that the Institute needed to train the youths so as to improve
their knowledge, saying "as a result we need a lot of support from the
Ministry of Petroleum Resources". The Federal Government, he told his
guest, established the Institute with the objective of providing
necessary services to oil companies "so that the companies would
effectively concentrate on the operational (exploration production and
marketing) aspects of the national economy". The PTI Chief E xecutive
said "Today, the oil companies could testify to the fact that the
Institute is becoming more relevant in the training of reliable
technicians and technologists who are mostly needed and engaged by them
to propel the turbines of increased productivity in various aspects of
their endeavours. Dr. Oruru said the TOPCON sponsored Skills
Acquisition Training Programme mounted by the Institute consult for
selected youths from their areas of operations under the youth
development programme which had assisted immensely to reduce the spate
of youth restiveness in the benefiting communities. In the same vein,
he pointed out that Elf Petroleum Company had also sponsored a similar
programme in PTI for some youths who had prior to the training, posed a
kind of social problem in the society. The youths, according to him,
have now become useful citizens adding that with improved training
facilities in the Institute, "we believe that companies would send more
men and women for the training so as to empower them mentally and
skillfully to participate in the productive sector and in nation
building". Dr. Ovuru then appealed to the Permanent Secretary to assist
in getting more funds for the development of the Institute. "As we rise
from here, permit us to conduct you round the Institute to inspect all
we have in place which are yearning for improvement".

Delta PDP inaugurates monitoring committees

THE People's Democratic Party (PDP) Delta State recently in Asaba
inaugurated various committees to monitor the activities of the Party
in the state. According to a statement issued by the Publicity
Secretary of the party, Hon. Young Afighi, five committees were
inaugurated. They include Publicity Committee to publicise all the
activities of the party and respond with despatch to all criticisms of
other parties, the project committee assigned to monitor both state and
local government projects and award prizes to the best local government
in terms of project implementation, while youth mobilisation committee
is to arouse in youth the party consciousness as well as mobilise the
youth in all the 25 local government areas of the state. Other
committees include, Women Mobilisation Committee to mobilise women in
the state for grassroot support as well as sensitise them with the
activities include of the party, while the Planning Committee takes
charge of various programmes, planning and co-ordination of various
activities of the party. Officials elected into the publicity committee
include: Engr. (Capt.) Pius I. Sinebe (Chairman), Hon. Young Afigi,
Hon. Aneke Ifemeni, Abel Oshevire, Comrade Opene, with power to Co-opt
Mr. Benji Binitie (DBS Television), Sunny Ogefere (Correspondent), and
Patrick Okonkwo (DBS Radio). The Ad-Hoc committee on state and local
government areas project assignment in all the councils include: Chief
Uche F. Ugboma (Chairman) Chief Perry-More Okrigho, Prince Sam Obi,
Stanley Emoavose, Mr. Emma Okorodudu, Mr. Patrick Willy, Engr. Lucky
Bebetiedoh and Ochor S. Ochor; while on the planning committee are: Mr.
Edward Apule (Chairman), Chief Joel Obia, Mr. Benjamin Akeni Henry I.
Molokwo; Hon. Friday Ani, Madam Rose Achupu, Mr. Sunny E. Orishedere
(Secretary), Mr. Clark Gbeneowei and Chief Ogune. The women
mobilisation committee includes, Dr. (Mrs.) Emeka Tadiodi (Chairman)
and members - Barrister Philomina Onyeayana, Mrs. Kevwe Akpojotor,
Chief Chinoye Dephey? Mrs. Comfort Nikoro Evwho, Deacon Shola Williams,
Madam Meg Awolo, Miss Victoria Ejegi Madam Irene Akwugbe, and Mrs.
Helen Salami, while the officials for the Young Mobilisation Committee
include: Mr. Anene Chigbue (Chairman), Mr. Igho Aragba, Mr. Ben
Igunbor, Godwin Ogorugba, Mr. Sunday Enu, Simeon Ihiwa, Hon. M.
Eshebinoma (Secretary), Mr. Benard Okuku and Mr. Okafor Innocent.

.....Delta State's stand on the vexed issue

SAVE and EXCEPT as hereinafter expressly admitted, the 10th Defendant
denies each and every allegation of fact contained in the Statement of
Claim as if same were set out specifically and TRAVERSED SERIATIM. 2.
The 10th Defendant will contend by way of a preliminary objection that
this action should be struck out on the following grounds, to wit,
that:- (a) That entire action is premature. (b) This suit discloses no
reasonable cause of action against the 10th Defendant. (c) This
Honourable Court lacks the requisite jurisdiction to entertain this
suit, same being within the realm of international law and treaties
thereunder between independent nations, whose regime of law (namely
United Nations Law of the Sea Convention 1982, Part XV as well as
sections 1 and 2 thereof), mandatorily prescribes peaceful negotiation
and/or arbitration as the procedure to be adopted in resolving
disputes. 3. Subject to the above preliminary objection, the 10th
Defendant pleads as follows: 4. The 10th Defendant admits paragraphs 1,
2, 3 and 5 of the statement of claim. 5. The 10th Defendant admits
paragraph 4 of the statement of claim subject to the provisions of
section 313 of the 1999 Constitution. 6. In specific response to
paragraph 8 (b) of the statement of claim, the 10th Defendant avers
that the seaward boundary of a State within the Federal Republic of
Nigeria cannot be determined from the Territorial Waters Act, Cap. 428
Laws of the Federation, 1990 as amended by Act No. 1 of 1998, Exclusive
Economic Zone Act, Cap. 350 as amended by Act No. 22 of 1998, which are
applicable only as between neighbouring foreign States and/or littoral
independent States in international law. 7. Paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 (c)
of the statement of claim are admitted, save that the 10th Defendant
avers that the rather narrow interpretation introduced by the Plaintiff
to the phrase "where any natural resources are located", does not
reflect the true meaning and context of the proviso to section 162 (2)
of the 1999 Constitution. 8. In further response to paragraph 8(c) of
the statement of claim, the 10th Defendant states that since the
territorial waters of Nigeria are physically and/or geographically
parts of the 10th Defendant, any natural resources located therein
derive from same, in accordance with the proviso to section 162 (2) of
the 1999 Constitution. 9. In reply to paragraphs 8 (d) and 9 (1) of the
statement of claim, the 10th Defendant states that Nigeria as defined
in sections 2 and 3 of the 1999 Constitution is one indivisible and
indissoluble sovereign State to be known by the name of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, and therefore it is not amenable to any form of
division. 10. Paragraph 9 of the statement of claim is admitted only to
the extent that certain federal laws, including the said Territorial
Waters Act, vest sovereign rights over territorial waters in the
Federal Republic of Nigeria as a coastal State in international law
without prejudice to the prior beneficial interest of the 10th
defendant. 11. The 10th defendant avers that the continental shelf
consists of the submerged natural prolongation of its land mass which
runs through the territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. In
addition, the continental shelf with its seabed, subsoil, slope and
rise, is regarded as and indeed, part of the 10th defendant's land mass
which is vested in its Governor by virtue of section 1 of the Land Use
Act, Cap. 202

Resource control: Why we went to court - FG

THE suit is between Attorney-General of the Federation (Plaintiff) and
Attorneys-General of the 36 states (defendants). STATEMENT OF CLAIM 1.
The Plaintiff is the Attorney-General of the Federation and brings this
action as the representative of the government of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria. 2. The 1st to the 36th Defendants are the Attorneys-General
of each of the 36 States which along with the Federal Capital
Territory, Abuja, comprise the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Each
defendant is sued as the representative of the Government of each
State. 3. Section 162(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, 1999 (hereafter referred to as "the Constitution") provides
that the Federation shall maintain a special account to be called "the
Federation Account" into which shall be paid all revenues subject to
certain exceptions which are not material to this case collected by the
Federation. 4. Pursuant to the provisions in Section 162 (2) of the
Constitution and subject to certain conditions therein specified, the
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is required to table
before the National Assembly proposals for revenue allocation. 5. By a
proviso to the aforementioned Section 162 (2) of the Constitution, the
principle of derivation must be reflected in any approved formula for
revenue allocation. 6. The Plaintiff states that in the context of
Section 162 (2) of the Constitution the expression "principle of
derivation" means the principle that revenue accruing to the Federation
Account from any natural resources shall deemed to have been derived
from the State or territory where such resources are located. 7. The
Plaintiff further states that the proviso to Section 162 (2) of the
Constitution requires that any approved formula for revenue allocation
from the Federation Account shall reflect the fact that not less than
13 per cent of revenue accruing to the said Federation Account from any
natural resources are allocated to the Government of the State or
territory where such resources are located. 8. By reason of the facts
pleaded in paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of this Statement of Claim, the
Plaintiff states that for the purpose of calculating the amount of
revenue accruing to the Federation Account directly from any natural
resources derived from any State or territory pursuant to the proviso
to Section 162 of the Constitution:- (a) The natural resources located
within the boundaries of any State are deemed to be derived from that
State: (b) In the case of the littoral States comprised in the Federal
Republic of Nigeria (i.e., the States of Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross
River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers) the Seaward boundary of
each of the said States is the low water mark of the land surface
thereof or (if the case so requires) the seaward limits of inland
waters within the State: (c) The natural resources located within the
territorial waters of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory are
deemed to be derived from the Federation and not from any State: (d)
The natural resources located within the Exclusive Economic Zone and
the Continental Shelf of Nigeria are subject to the provisions of any
treaty or other written agreement between Nigeria and any neighbouring
littorals foreign State, derived from the Federation and not from any
State. 9. In further support of the averments in paragraph 8 of this
Statement of Claim, the Plaintiff will contend at the trial of this
action that under the provisions contained in the Constitution it is
only the Federal Government of Nigeria and not the Government of any of
the States comprised in the Federal Republic of Nigeria that has power
to: (i) exercise legislative, executive, or judicial powers over the
entire area designated as the "territorial waters of Nigeria" pursuant
to the provisions of the Territorial Waters Act, Cap. 428, Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria 1990, as amended; (ii) exercise any of the
sovereign rights exercisable by Nigeria over the entire area designated
as the "Exclusive Economic Zone" pursuant to the provisions of the
Exclusive Economic Zone Act, Cap. 110, Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria, as amended. 10. The States of Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River,
Delta, Edo, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers dispute the averment of the Federal
Government of Nigeria as pleaded in paragraph 8 hereof and claim that
natural resources located offshore ought to be treated or regarded as
located within their respective States. WHEREUPON the Plaintiff claims:
A determination by this Honourable Court of the seaward boundary of a
littoral State within the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the purpose
of calculating the amount of revenue accruing to the Federation Account
directly from any natural resources derived from that State pursuant to
the proviso to Section 162 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, 1999. DATED this 6th day of February, 2001 Ms.
Turrie Akerele, mni Solicitor General of the Federation.

Life and times of Chief Patrick Odiete

IT was indeed a celebration of life last Saturday 17th March 2001, when
the remains of Chief Patrick Ajobayeru Oghenegweke Odiete (65) who
passed on to the world beyond on 30th December 2000 at the University
of Benin Teaching Hospital, began its final journey home. His remains
which arrived Sapele in an Ebony ambulance vehicle accompanied by pall
bearers from Ebony undertakers company Lagos arrived Sapele, from Benin
at 11.00 a.m. and went through some major roads in Sapele town before
his remains arrived at Okpe Hall at 12.19p.m. where his body was
laid-in-state for people to pay their last respects, briefly. Okpe
hall, the venue of the lying-in-state of his remains was filled to
capacity, as people from all walks of life came in their thousands to
come and pay their last respect to the man who was two times chairman
of the former Okpe local government council from 1977-1979 and 1983.
Late Chief Odiete was a great man while alive and also in death, as the
multitude of people which include dignitaries from within and outside
the state who attended his funeral was an attestation that the departed
chief was a great politician of no mean standing both at the local,
state, and national levels. First to pay respect to the departed Chief,
was the state Commissioner for special duties, Chief Tom Amioku,
followed by the representative of the Edo State Government Dr. Omokaro
Izevbigie (JP) Commissioner for special duties Edo State, the Sapele
Okpe Community took their turn and were followed by representatives of
Udu, Uvwie, Ethiope East, Ethiope West; and Sapele local government
councils, the local government councils that were formerly parts of
Okpe local government council were late Patrick Ajobayeru Odiete
presided over its affairs as chairman. Traditional Chiefs from Okpe and
Abraka kingdoms also paid him their last respect. His final journey
home continued from Okpe Hall, to his number 89, Akintola Road
residence Sapele; where hundreds of sympathisers and mourners alike
accompanied the ambulance bearing the remains of the former No. 2
citizen in the defunct Bendel State on foot to his final resting place
his tomb which is built directly opposite his residence. In his funeral
oration the state governor Chief James Ibori which was delivered by the
secretary to the state government Sir Engineer James Erhuero (KSM)
stated that the Late Chief Odiete’s determination and love to serve his
people either at the political or traditional realm was unparalleled.
According to the Governor, the decease exhibited these
leadership/traits early in his life time. Governor Ibori asserted that
the departed politician made remarkable contributions to the
improvement of the well-being of his people. Significant amongst his
contributions as chairman of Okpe local government council were the
reconstruction and expansion of Okirighwre road and other arterial
roads in Sapele. Late Chief Odiete, Governor Ibori further stated, laid
the foiundation for the revival of the dwindling image of Sapele. The
Governor recalled that it was through the collective efforts of the
administration of late Professor Ambrose Alli and late Chief Patrick
Odiete; that Bendelites benefitted free education, free health care
services and a people oriented rural integrated development programme
of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). He described Chief Odiete as a
team player who believed in politics of compromise and tolerance of the
views of others. The representative of the Edo State Governor, Chief
Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion Dr. Omokaro Izevbigie (J.P) apologised for
the absence of the Edo State Governor, he said that people from all
walks of life are gathered to mourn the demise of late Chief Patrick
Odiete; he said that some people will say that the late chief lived so
short on earth; he remarked that who are we to question God about the
demise of the departed politician. He reasoned that while we whom the
late chief has left behind were weeping and mourning, perhaps the soul
of the deceased was resting in the bosom of our Lord. He asserted that
the late politician might have died without acquiring much wealth and
buildings that will be inherited by his children, he said that the
former deputy governor in the defunct Bendel State Late Chief Odiete
left behind a good name; which he said will be used as passport by his
children in their life endeavours. Dr. Izevbigie who described the
deceased as a liberal democrat said that the history of both Delta and
Edo States will not be complete without the mention of the name of Late
Chief Patrick Ajobayeru Odiete. The roll-call of dignitaries who
attended the funeral of the former deputy governor was endless it
includes the Secretary to the State Government Sir Engineer James
Erhuero (J.P) Chief Tom Amioku, Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr.
Omokaro Izevbigie (J.P.) Edo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr.
Sylvannus Mordi, the state Head of Service; Dr. Mrs. Emeka Tadiodi
State woman leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Major-General
Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd) Chief James Edewor, Engineer Macaulay Ofurhie,
Director Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) a subsidiary of NNPC,
Others were Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Chief Daniel Okoro P.D.P. Chairman
Okpe local government area, Chief William Erhirhomuru; Deacon Edward
Onofe, acting chairman Okpe local government council, Barrister Sunny
Uwode Chairman Ethiope West local government council, Chief Ovwigho
Igbuja Chairman Sapele local government council; and Barrister Chief
William Pemu and Mr. Victor Odebala P.D.P. Chairman Sapele local
government area Hon. Gabriel Edumi (MNA); and Mr. Chris Ometan. Chiefs
from Abraka Kingdom were also in attendance at the funeral they are
Chief Isaac Aboloje-Urie of Abaraka Kingdom; Chief Morrison Ehaike
Awhore-Igho of Abraka kingdom and Chief Jones Emayomi-the Orugba of
Abraka kingdom. The Urhobo Progressive Union led by its National
President Chief Benjamin Okumagba, and some other natioanl officers of
the union were also in attendance at the funeral, a former minister in
Shagari’s regime Chief Patrick Bolokor was also there. The remains of
Patrick Ajobayeru Oghenegweke Odiete son of Late Pa Joseph and Ma Agnes
Odiete was finally interred at 4.00 p.m. with the graveside service
conducted by Pastor Tony Toju Obiasu of God’s Grace Ministry (G.G.M.)
Lagos; he took his sermon from the book of Revelation Chapter 14 verse
13 which states “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying”: Write this,
Happy are those who from now on die in the service of the Lord” “Yes
indeed” answers the spirit “They will enjoy rest from their hard work,
because the results of their service go with them”. Adieu, our amiable
political leader and former deputy governor. May your gentle soul rest
in the bosom of the Lord.

Delta invests in GSM sector

DELTA State, apparently eager to enrich its till, has invested in the
GSM sector, the state Governor, Chief James Ibori has said Chief Ibori,
on an interactive telephone forum Wednesday night, said the investment
was part of efforts to ensure that the state reaps the benefit of the
new dispensation in Nigeria. The GSM, the novel telephone format
favoured for its trans-nationality and penetrability, was recently
introduced in a high-profile liberalisation programme to shore up the
dearth of tele-communications facilities in the country. The Governor
did not, however, disclose the quantum of the state government's
investment in the GSM. He added that state government had made
provision in this year's budget for more investments. According to him,
the state government was currently concentrating on providing the
requisite infrastructure to anchor the state's far-flung development.
Chief Ibori also spoke on the efforts of the state government to
establish an Independent Power Plant (IPP) in order to stabilise power
supply in the state. He assured that the government would not relent in
that regard. The Governor, however, admitted that some existing laws
tended to discourage private initiative in the energy sector. Chief
Ibori particularly drew attention to a legal provision empowering the
federal government to take over, free of charge, any power project
after its commissioning. He, however, expressed the hope that before
the end of the year, the debilitating laws shall have been repealed to
enable Delta and other interests invest in the sector.

Governor James Ibori has called on the Federal Government to release
the statutory allocation to the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC

Governor James Ibori has called on the Federal Government to release
the statutory allocation to the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC
to enable it execute its assignment in the region. Chief Ibori made the
call while answering callers questions in a DBS executive phone in-live
programme Government House, Asaba. The governor explained that the
early release of funds to the commission would facilitate the execution
of projects in line with the development vision of people in the
region. Chief Ibori said that the State Government had intensified
efforts to identify problems associated with the payment of pension
pointing out that efforts were being made to pay the arrears accruing
to pensioners.On government plan to establish an Independent power
plant, the governor said there were many laws and regulations in the
statute books inhibiting the realization of the objective adding
however that before the end of the year, such laws would be repealed to
allow interested states to go ahead with the programme. Chief Ibori
announced that the white paper on the report of the state development
think-tank committee would be released soon adding that government has
already commenced implementation of some aspects of the report. The
governor stated that the struggle for resource control was essentially
a struggle for true federalism and the right of the people to benefit
fully from their rich natural endowments. He stated that governors of
the Southern states had embarked on an aggressive enlightenment
campaign to educate the people in the North on the importance of the
struggle which according to him is aimed at strengthening the federal
structure.The presidency has directed the Niger Delta Development
Commission NDDC to draw up a master-plan that win serve as a reference
material for all agencies that will execute development projects in the
region. The chairman of the Commission, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu
disclosed this while addressing local government chairmen in the state
at Ughelli. Chief Ugochukwu said the agencies include the Federal,
State and local Government as well as non-governmental Organisations
and oil companies operating in the area. He explained that the
master-plan would specify the projects each of the agencies would
execute . According to him, duplication of efforts does not enhance
growth of any society. Chief Ugochukwu attributed the under-development
of the Niger Delta region to the unco-ordinated activities of all the
agencies involved in executing projects in the area. He promised to
judiciously utilise all resources provided to the Commission in
developng the area. The Commissioner representing Delta State in the
TO, Professor Victor Peretomode charged the council chairmen to come
out with useful ideas that would assist the commission in its
developmental plans for the region. Professor Peretomode urged them to
list in order of priority, the projects they are recommending for
execution. He said the Commission would lay emphasis on projects that
have direct effect on the lives of the people. Earlier the chairman of
the Association of Local Government chairmen, ALGON, in the State who
is also the chairman of Sapele local governsnt, Mr. Ovwigho Igbuya
recalled the long neglect of the Niger-Delta region and urged the
commission to be committed to its development. Meanwhile the
Niger-Delta Development Commission has promised to make all completed
OMPADEC projects that are not "being used by the benefiting Communities
in the state functional. The chairman of the NDDC Chief Onyema
Ugochukwu, made the promise while inspecting some OMPADEC projects in
Isoko South local government areas He said that all viable projects
abandoned in the era of OMPADEC would be completed by the commission
Chief Ugochukwu assured the people that no project would be imposed on
any community if there was no demand for it. At Oyede, the community
complained about the abandonment of its water project by the
contractor, while the contractor handling Irri water project told the
Board members that the Community was frustrating his effort in
completing the water scheme.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has Earmarked fifty million Naira
for the successful conduct of its National convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has Earmarked fifty million Naira
for the successful conduct of its National convention holding in Abuja
tomorrow, the secretary of the convention committee, Alhaji
Mohammed-Kabir Jubril, said in Abuja that the budget was the most
modest to be prepared by any political party in the country. He said
that at leasti four thousand delegates from within and outside the
country were expected at the convention. They include about one
thousand five hundred delegates from the seven hundred and seventy-four
local government areas, one thousand PDP local government chairmen, as
well as the twenty-one PDP governors and the party's states Chairmen.
He said that members of the party's board of trustees and National
Executive council (EC), PDP members at the rational Assembly, delegates
of the party's foreign chapters in London, U.S.A, Italy and Gambia,
were expected at the-convention. Ethiope last local government has
budgetted four hundred million naira for its services this fiscal year.
Presenting the budget estimate to the legislative arm of the council at
Isiokolo the Chairman, Chief Ochuko Unuaqba said the budget tagged
budget of consolidation'would improve the socio economic well being of
the people in the area. A breakdown of the budget shows that about five
point five Million naira is expected to be generated internally while
about three hundred and thirty four million naira is expected from the
federation account, thirty two point five million naira from VAT and
twenty.eight point two million naira is expected as state allocation,
According to Chief Uauagba, capital projects are expected to gulp two
hundred and one point two Million naira, while recurrent expenditure
will take one hundred and ninety eighty point four million naira

Rainstorm recently damaged a number of public and private buildings in
Aniocha South Council Area

A report from Aniocha South Council Area says a number of public and
private buildings were recently damaged by a midnight rainstorm which
swept across Ubulu-Uku. Two teenage school girls and a school boy were
seriously injured in some of the damaged buildings. The establishments
touched by the storm include the Chief Magistrate' s Court, NEPA main
office, a Day Care Centre, Nwanoli and Idegwu Primary Schools as well
as the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Pastor Samuel Akintade told
journalists that various Church property including musical equipment
were damaged by the Storm. A senior Registrar at the Chief Magistrate's
Court, Mrs. F.C. Okafor said the open court Hall, open registry and the
secretarial section of the court were among the places dodged by the
rainstorm. Nsukwa community in Aniocha South Local Government Area has
expressed gratitude to Governor James Ibori for approving the
electrification of the town. In a statement signed by the Chairman of
Nsukwa Development Union, Chief Martin Izukwe and the secretary, Mr.
J.E Odogwu, the Nsukwa people noted that the Ibori administration has
brought the dividends of democracy to the door steps of the people. The
community also congratulated Honourable Basil Ganagana on his election
as the speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. The community
stated that the fence of Enede Primary School, Nsukwa which was
recently but 11 by a contractor has collapsed. It appealed to the State
Primary Education Board to prevail on the contractor to do a good job.

------------------------------

Thursday March 29, 2001

Delta Assembly receives report on female circumcision

THE Delta State House of Assembly yesterday received the report on the
bill for a law to prohibit female circumcision and genital mutilation
from the House Committee on Health which has been considering the draft
since June, 2000. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Emmanuel Ighomena
while presenting the report to the House said that the committee while
going through the bill, invited memoranda and held public hearings to
elicit response from Deltans on the bill. Among prominent Deltans who
made representations during the public sittings are the State
Commissioner of Health, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the State Ministry of
Health, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), World Health
Organisation (WHO) and Federal Ministry of health among others. The
representations, the committee chairman said, largely affected the
committee's report most of which recommended that the bill be passed,
Who according to him expressed disappointment that the practice which
is out-of-date with modern practise was still being practised in this
country and urged that the act be stopped forthwith. Hon. Igbomena
claimed that the committee did not receive any memoranda or
presentations in opposition to the sprit of the bill from any
organisation or individual. Also presented was the report on Delta
State Urban Water Board Bill by the committee on Public Utilities,
Lands, and Surveys in conjunction with the committee on Agricultural
and Natural Resources. The Committee Chairman, Hon. Gordon Okpako said
the report of the committee was also influenced by the numerous
memoranda which it received from members of the public. The committee
which sat several times including public hearings considered the
clauses and made necessary amendments to the draft, the chairman
explained. Final passage of the two bills will be considered in the
committee of the whole House next week possible final passage. Other
bills mentioned for the second reading at yesterday's sitting were that
of Remuneration/Salaries and Allowances, Gratuities and pensions of
certain public offices and bodies bill, and Delta State Rural
Development Agency Bill. Hon. (Mrs) Felicia Nweze, Hon. Paul Okpue and
Dr. Imegwu who spoke in favour of the bills urged the House to support
it as it will enhance rural development which were neglected by
previous administrations. Meanwhile, the House has unanimously adopted
a motion seeking to mandate the standing committee on Judicial
Divisions/Magisterial District and members of the public to find out
constraints in the administration of justice in the state. The motion
was moved by Hon. (Barrister) Gibson Akporehe and seconded by Hon.
Ejaife Odebala who in addition charged the standing committee to make
recommendations on measures to be adopted so that Judicial officers can
achieve optimum performance in the dispensation of justice in the state
which he noted is the bedrock of democracy.

NLC seeks review of revenue allocation formula

THE Nigeria Labour Con- gress (NLC) has urged the National Assembly to
as a matter of urgency, pass a law that could compel Federal Government
to review upward the national revenue allocation formula in favour of
the states and local governments to make the dividends of democracy
felt by ordinary Nigerians. The NLC National Vice-President, Mr. Adams
Erena, made the statement in Minna at a rally in continuation with the
congress’ Nationwide series of protests against government’s proposed
deregulation of the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil industry.
“Since the federal government was conscious of the lamentable
conditions of living of its citizens, more funds should be provided to
the states for more meaningful developments to the people,” Erana said.
Erana, who reiterated the NLC resolve to fight the government on every
step it takes toward deregulating the downstream sector of the Nigerian
oil industry, stated that democracy was gradually being threatened by
the government insistence on hiking the fuel prices in the country.
Defending the NLC position that fuel was not being subsidised in the
country, Erana said that statistics available to the NLC showed that
litre of petroleum was refined at N12 in the country and questioned
government’s claims on subsidy. He criticised the PDP for its inability
to direct the president and the government to do what was in the best
interest of Nigerians as a ruling party. “PDP cannot allow the
president implement policies that are inimical to the general
well-being of the electorate. If it is truly the peoples party,” he
said, stressing the the party has a moral obligation to direct
government rightly. Earlier, the state NLC chairman, Comrade Labaran
Garba, led a five-kilometre workers’ protest march along with a mammoth
crowd of market women, commercial motorcyclists, peasant farmers and
road transport workers from the NLC secretariat on IBB Way to the state
government secretariat where they were received by Governor Abdulkadir
Kure. Kure, who was given the title of comrade by the NLC, pledged to
forward the workers’ message to President Olusegun Obasanjo without
further delay.

Ibori vows to resist sabotage of NDDC programmes

THE Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori has said that he will
resist any attempt by individuals or group of individuals to thwart the
developmental programmes of the Niger Delta Development Commission
(NDDC) in the Niger Delta Region. The promise was made during the
courtesy call by the board members of the commission on Governor Ibori
in Warri, Delta State. Governor Ibori said that since the inauguration
of the commission, it had not made any reasonable input that will make
the commission to actualise its set goals. This he alleged, was an
attempt to frustrate the dreams and vision of the commission. In his
words "I want to tell you that I don't understand and the people of
Niger Delta do not understand why the commission should be inaugurated
and yet after many months, nothing seems to be happening. Instead what
we hear is like we are preparing for the old OMPADEC with internal
wranglings. We must be very careful, we must be very watchful, we must
be on our guard so that this commission is not crippled." He added that
the government and people were prepared to give the commission their
maximum support that will make it achieve its set goal by providing
fund and all the necessary support. "We are prepared to listen to
reasonable argument, we are prepared for reasonable amendment, we are
prepared to empower this commission to actualise the development of the
oil-producing state of which Delta State is one." He charged the
commission to recognise its mission and operate as a team and
co-operate as people of oil-producing states with a common agenda, with
a sense of duty and the understanding of the politics of the Niger
Delta. Chief Ibori prayed for the commission to actualise the dream of
the people of the region. He stressed that anything outside that will
not enjoy his support, the support of the people and the support of the
Niger Delta Region. The chairman of the board, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu,
represented by Engr.. Godwin Omene, the NDDC Managing Director, said
the first mission of the commission first of all is to pay courtesy
call on the governor of the state for his enormous contribution to the
NDDC itself. He said that it became pertinent for NDDC to tour the
state to enable it inspect the various projects which had taken off
before, adding that they will also ensure the readiness of some major
projects, including those under construction and those that have been
completed for commissioning. "We are here today to see for ourselves
the various projects which have been taken off here before our time,
the OMPADEC projects." We are here again to check the continuity and we
will like to visit and see some of the projects in the state because
NDDC believes that if a project is completed and not commissioned for
the community to have the benefit of its take off, it is not good
enough because what we are interested in are the projects completed and
commissioned and also the communities benefit from such projects, he
said. Engr. Omene stressed that the commission regards the completion
of any of its projects as a thing of importance. He added, "It is the
intention of the commission to complete all uncompleted projects and to
commission them so that it can reach the people. This commission does
not believe in starting things anew and again brushing aside all the
good projects that were good from reaching the people."

Ex-gov’s aide lauds Ibori’s achievements

THE former Political Assistant (Assembly Matters) to the first
Executive Governor of Delta State, Mr. Charles Adigwu has commended
tremendous achievements recorded so far by the present governor of the
state, Chief James Ibori. Mr. Adigwu who was on official duty to the
state told The POINTER in an interview that the governor had excelled
in the areas of sports, agriculture and community development. He said
from all he had seen so far in the state, the Delta State Government
House would not be vacant till 2007. The former political assistant who
is now programme officer with the People’s Democratic Institute (PDI),
a strategic resource' centre of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
commended the governor's ability and agility in handling the affairs of
the state. Mr. Adigwu called on the governor to resolve the crisis
engulfing the Oshimili North local government and expressed
appreciation for his assistance to the local government. In the area of
peace, Mr. Adigwu lauded Governor Ibori for being a peace-maker par
excellence. According to him, " the governor has his good style of
conflict management and his style in empowerment of the youths." On the
activities of the PDI, the programme officer said the centre was opened
four months ago to serve as the research centre, strategic and
documentation centre for the party. He told The POINTER that was the
first time in Africa, a political party was having an institute in the
model of National Republic Institute and the Democratic Institute of
America. Mr. Adigwu also explained that his visit to the state had to
do with the training programme being organised by the institute of all
PDP chairmen and councillors with them " Renewing grassroots
development." He said that the training programme will be flagged off
by the President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo from February 13 2001 at Otta
Ogun State, while that of the South-South will start as from February
16 to 17, 2001 in Benin and Calabar simultaneously. The former
political assistant explained that the training was intended to
reinvigorate the policy forms of the chairmen to further reposition the
PDP as the strongest and biggest party in Africa. Mr. Adigwu, a former
aide to the Tourism and Culture Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe called on
the governor to create a separate Ministry for Culture and Tourism,
adding that Delta State was yet to fully explore her tourism
potentials.

Resource control not threat to unity

THE clamour for resource control by Southern Governors Conference is no
threat to Nigerian unity. Governor Lucky Igbinedion, the new chairman
of the conference made this clarification in an address presented to
southern governors in Benin City. Governor Igbinedion explained that
rather than being regarded as an affront to the Federal Government and
Unity of the Nation, the clamour for resource control came as a result
of the governors decision as stake holders to jump start the nation's
march to true greatness. He lamented that this patriotic posture of the
conference has been misconstrued by those who had little or no
knowledge of the governors' intention. The southern governors
conference chairman appealed particularly to the northern governors and
the federal government for proper understanding adding that the
conference loyalty to the federal government and unity of the country
remained irrevocable. He blamed the distorted division of function
between the federal government and the federating states on prolonged
military rule. According to Governor Igbinedion until these distortions
rule were rectified and fiscal federalism enthroned the agitation for
resource control would continue. On new political parties the governor
urged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to concentrate
on nurturing the existing parties rather than engaging in the
proliferation of new ones. In his speech the former Chairman of the
conference Governor Chimaroke Nnamani solicited support for his
successor. Earlier the Benin Monarh commended the governors and urged
them to put national unity first.

A Sensitization Lecture on "Resource Control and True Federalism",

A Sensitization Lecture on "Resource Control and True Federalism",
being packaged by the Ibori Vanguard, will hold today. The event which
will also feature Dinner will take place at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton
Hotels and Towers, Abuja from 7.p.m. The ceremony will be presided over
by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Chibudom Nwuche
while the Delta State Governor, Chief lames Ibori, will be the Special
Guest of Honour. According to the organisers, the Chairman, Guardian
Editorial Board, Dr. G.G Darah will be the Guest Speaker while Senator
Stella Omu, Senate Chief whip is the Chief Host.

Why DSC must be functional, by deputy governor

THE Delta State govern- ment has appealed to the Federal Government to
make Delta Steel Complex (DSC) Ovwian-Aladja functional to ease youth
unemployment and the allied restiveness in the area. The state Deputy
Governor, Chief Benjamin Elue who made the appeal in Aladja on
Wednesday when he paid a courtesy call on Ovie of Udu Kingdom, Ohworhu
I commended the peaceful disposition of the community, called on
parents to engage their children in meaningful activities that will
keep them off the street. Chief Elue who later went to commission a
health centre built by Udu local government disclosed that the State
government will continue to contribute its quota towards primary and
secondary health programmes in the state, adding that the government
would equip the health centre for effective healthcare delivery.
Earlier, the Ovie called on the state Government to provide the
community with good roads, standard drainage systems, electricity, pipe
borne water, a stadium and modern markets. He lamented that the impact
of the projects originally earmarked for Warri, Uvwie and Udu areas
were yet to be felt in various facets of the social development in Udu,
except the fencing of primary schools by State Primary Education Board
(SPEB). The traditional ruler, also requested for assistance “in
respect of Aladja Polytechnic” and telecommunications network to extend
the benefits of social advancement to them commensurately as an oil and
gas-producing local Government areas.

Governor James Ibori has advised Deltans to exhibit maturity and show
more understanding while making demands from the State Government.

Governor James Ibori has advised Deltans to exhibit maturity and show
more understanding while making demands from the State Government. He
gave the advice while answering questions during . the monthly
Executive Phone-in-Programme. Governor Ibori who was reacting to the
recent demonstrations by some Ndokwa Youths over alleged marginal!sail
on by the State government, said it was the deliberate policy of his
administration to ensure even distribution of social amenities in all
parts of the State. Chief Ibori reminded the People of Ndokwa Land that
the entire State is his constituency and assured them of continued
justice and fair-play. The Governor condemned the recent actions of
Ndokwa Youths and appealed to community leaders and all persons of
goodwill in the area to educate their people on the need to follow
constitutional means in making demands. Other aspects of Governor
Iboris reactions to the various questions raised during the programme
will be broadcast in our subsequent bulletins

Why 7 new ministries were created, by Ibori

DELTA State Governor, Chief James Ibori, last night, laid the underpin
of the recent creation of seven additional ministries, but dismissed
popular fears that the development could bloat the state's expenditure
profile. Chief Ibori, on line to the public via the interactive
telephone forum, relayed on the radio and television arms of state-run
Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS), said the creation of the new
ministries was predicated on a tripod. He said that the deference to
the size of the state's year 2001 budget and the allied need to
strengthen the capacity of the government to implement the budget
informed the development. Chief Ibori named the third arm of the tripod
of reasons as the desire of government officials to "be able to leave
office, satisfied that we have done what we should do for Deltans." He
gave firm words of the capacity of his government to largely meet the
development needs of Deltans. The governor also spoke on the recent
proposal for more tertiary education institutions in the state. He said
feasibility studies were currently ongoing to determine their funding
format and their viability. Thereafter, he stated, the institutions
would be brought into being by law. Chief Ibori said that aside the
higher schools, the state government would also take a far-flung look
at technical education in the state, with a view of making Deltans have
the opportunity of viable educational opportunities.

...Says resource control not selfish motivated

THE clamour for re- source control is not motivated by the selfish
economic desires of its arrowheads, Delta State Governor, Chief James
Ibori explained last night. Rather, Chief Ibori said, it was being
anchored on the genuine desire for Nigeria to defer to the spirit of
fiscal federalism. Governor Ibori spoke on an interactive phone-in
programme simultaneously relayed on the radio and television arms of
Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS). He said that the agitation "is not
about oil and its wealth" but whether we are ready to practice true
federalism. "But in a simple term, the struggle (for resource control)
is for true federalism and the right of the people to be in charge of
the resources inherent in their land". He stressed that an
enlightenment programme would soon be mounted by agitators for resource
control, in an effort to whittle the opposition to it. The
enlightenment, he added, would also educate the leadership on non-oil
producing states that they could also have inherent right to the
resources in their lands and pay taxes to the federal government, as
obtainable in all truly federal states. He stressed that there was
hardly any state in the country without the resources that could
sustain it economically. Governor Ibori also said that when the
resource control regime comes into full effect - all interests -
including local governments' and communities, will benefit. He stressed
that the essence of the agitation was not to make the oil-producing
areas forget to be their brother's keepers. The issue of resource
control was top of the agenda at this week's crucial meeting of
governors of the Southern States. In their communique, the governors
called for full resource control and for fiscal federalism.

DELSU matriculates students

THREE hundred matriculating students of the part-time Management
Science programme of the Delta State University, Asaba campus over the
weekend took oath to be of good conduct even as the university
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. O. Igun advised the matriculants to adopt the
principle of the three "Ds" - Debate, Dialogue and Discussion as a way
of achieving a trouble-free studentship. The university's
vice-chancellor who was represented by the provost of the Asaba campus,
Prof. Bright Ekuerhare advised the students to acquire the habit of
conflict resolution and settling of dispute without acrimony. Prof.
Ekuerhare also stressed the need for students of Nigerian universities
to shun acts of indiscipline and lawlessness such as membership of
secret cults, examination malpractice and violent behaviours which do
not only constitute breach of peace but that of matriculation oath.
Prof. Ekuerhare emphasised that though as a centre of excellence the
Delta State University respects the rights of individual students to
appeal against any disciplinary action taken against their interest, it
would rather be better for such students not to be arraigned before the
disciplinary panel in the very first place. He further advised the
matriculating students to channel whatever grievances they may have in
course of their studentship at the university with Dean and Deputy
Dean, Students Affairs as the young university is still experiencing a
shortfall in facilities when compared with older universities. The
Professor of Developmental Economics promised the matriculating
students, an academically enriching stay in the university as one of
its major attractions is its bunch of energetic and enthusiastic
lecturers in a relatively conducive environment for academic work. The
provost, Asaba campus of DELSU used the matriculation forum to thank
the Chief James Ibori administration for the development efforts at the
university in general and the Asaba campus in particular. In his words
"Within one year in office, the Ibori administration has built a
befitting gate and provided fence for the female hostels in Asaba
campus". He also thanked the state government for the on-going
arrangements to construct all the roads at the Asaba campus of the
Delta State University. The matriculation oath was administered to the
students by Mr. P.K. B. Akata, a Deputy Registrar in the university

SPEB initiates teachers forum

AS a way of ensuring industrial harmony in the educa- tion sector
through an unhindered and effective information flow, the management of
Delta State Primary Education Board, (SPEB), has initiated a teachers
forum that will take place on a regular basis. This disclosure was made
in a recent interview The POINTER had with the Executive Chairman,
SPEB, Chief Efe Akpobi who expressed regrets that the few cases of
industrial disharmony experienced in the primary school administration
were the results of either misinformation or outright lack of the much
desired right information. Chief Akpobi said that a number of issues do
exist in the sector that would definitely require clarification. Some
of such issues he said would include the lingering crisis of unpaid
salaries of primary school teachers which he insists is not a problem
of Delta State but that of the federal government. The SPEB chairman
said the teachers forum will also provide a veritable platform for
explanations on the relationship between the teacher, Local Education
Authority secretary, SPEB, NPEC and the federal government, a
relationship he says ought to be a smooth one as all these organs are
out to work for the smooth administration of the sector and the general
welfare of the teacher. Chief Akpobi said that with the first phase of
the primary school renovations now nearing completion, the focus will
now be shifting to the welfare of the teacher described as central to
the realisation of the quality curriculum of the primary school system
in Nigeria. The SPEB chairman reiterated his position on the way out of
the crisis of unpaid salaries currently affecting the primary school
sector. In his words "payment of salaries of primary school teachers
should be treated on first charge before the allocations to the states
and local government areas. Alternatively the federal government should
subsidize the payment of the salaries by paying the N5,000 out of the
N7,500 obtainable in a state like Delta. This will go a long way in
helping the local councils to breath as the weight of the current over
deduction would have been reduced." Chief Akpobi expressed optimism
that the future of primary education in the state was getting brighter
with each passing day. As he put it "Delta State is already being used
as a standard when talking of infrastructural provision, management
technique. Provided this tempo is sustained and the enabling
environment made available, the renovation will continue to provide the
teacher with a good working environment, teachers will also be
motivated as we lay a truly solid foundation for a convincingly
qualitative education in the state”.

Govt pledges improvement of peoples lives

DELTA State government says it is committed to ensuring improvement in
the lives of the people. The Commissioner for agriculture and Natural
Resources, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa stated this recently in Asaba while
inaugurating six different committees on crop production. Dr. Okowa,
who was represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Grace
Ekpiwhre, said that to achieve that, the state government was ensuring
that there was adequate food production in the state, adding that the
state was determined to ensure that success was achieved in the
production of crops that have been identified as necessary to feed the
people. He maintained that government had realised that development,
without being people-oriented, was a wasted effort. Dr. Okowa called on
the committee members to be dedicated to their assignments as
negligence would not be tolerated. Responding on behalf of others, ADP
extension services, Mr. Ray Okafor pledged the readiness of his
colleagues to serve. The inaugurated committees include, pineapple,
maize and cowpea, tomato, plantain and rice.

South-South governors and resource control

IT will be imperative to note that the writer was in tears at the time
of putting this piece together. I could not have rounded off this piece
without the courage and comfort of my personal assistant who stood by
me for the hours I put in drafting this title. However, I kept to her
comfort because she knows the pains in me when it comes to the issues
of the South-South. I was propelled to write this script out of the
abundance of my heart. It was not a matter of do or die, but a matter
of conscience. Conscience in the sense that our leaders must keep to
the spirit of true federalism. That notwithstanding, the South-South
governments should learn from this piece that resource control is not
an issue of legalities but, is an issue which borders on nature and
custom. The governors of the South-South must understand that
impossibility can only be found in the dictionary of the fools. You do
not own a village or community by court cases decided in your favour.
They are owned by nature and tradition. Recently, when the governors of
the region decided to float an oil drilling company known as "Bedrock
Oil and Gas Company" to drill oil in their own land like Agip, SPDC and
others, I was elated beyond my imagination for their deep sense of
reasoning in that direction. When I heard it was not approved by the
Federal Government to drill oil in their own soil I got pissed-off. In
that regard, I did not sue for uproar or riot from any corner of the
region. But I expect the governors from the region to do just one
singular thing. It is a fact that who fights and runs away may live to
fight another day. But in the Nigerian context you must fight to
finish. Because the first blow is half the battle. If we must practise
democracy, we must have to groom institutions and not individuals. We
must stop the idea of building empires and concentrate on building the
societies. The federal government is no God. The Federal Government
cannot be a god. The Federal Government should be aware that nothing
stops a change when the time is due for it. It is a natural law. The
fruit must ripe when the time is due. Is not by force or legalities.
The South-South governors fail to understand that there is a
continuation of politics by other means. The Federal Government
deserves no peace if it refuses people of the region to drill their own
natural oil. The governors of the region should know that the act of
war is simple, find out where your enemy is, get at him as soon as
possible. Strike him as hard as you can and, often as you can and keep
moving on. The Federal Government is the regions enemy. It does not
need to be told about it. If Sharia is political, then oil ownership
and control should as well be political. How could Sharia be political
and oil constitutional? There is nothing so likely to produce peace as
to be well prepared to meet an enemy. It was Oliver Cromwell who said
when he wanted to die at the last minute that it was not his design to
drink or to sleep, but to make what haste he could to be gone. Now is
the right time for the governors to make a hasty decision about their
own resource. It is a natural law of federalism all over the world. I
was expecting the regional governors to import oil drilling equipment
to start drilling their own oil without approval from any quarter. How
could you dictate to a landowner the kind of design of house you want
him to build on his own land? It is never done anywhere in the world.
The issue of resource control does not need a legal approval from any
quarter. It should be a matter of understanding between the state,
landowner and the drilling concern. The governors must not fail the
landowners. It will be disastrous and suicidal for the regional
governors to fail. The laws of nature will not forgive them. A lean
freedom is better than fat slavery. Man, they say, is not a creation of
circumstances, circumstance is the creation of man. The oil is yours.
The land is yours. What you want to do with it is your business. It is
a fact that men repeat their failure as a result of their refusal to be
guided by lessons of history. The South-South governors must do what is
supposed to be done. I have spoken. ONUESOKE is of the Professional
Forum for Sensible Priorities, Warri.

Government and employment into NDDC

THE recently concluded Delta State Civil Service employment exercise
was very peaceful because of government's determination to ensure that
each local government area has adequate number of civil servants in the
state. The state government's action to equalise the number of civil
servants could have been based on the clandestine protests that had
already been embarked upon by some local government areas that felt
that they were being marginalised. Government's decision actually
calmed the tension in those local government areas especially those
that are situated in the riverine areas. Also, employment into other
ministries and parastatals in the state took the same procedure. For
instance, the employments into Hospital Management Board, Delta State
Printing and Publishing Company, Delta State Tourism Board and other
parastatals were also based on local government area of origin. The
state government has to be commended for having the foresight to ensure
that each locality was equally represented in the civil service. In my
view, the action of the state government favoured those local
government areas in the riverine areas to the detriment of those that
already have greater number of civil servants in the state. Despite the
fact that many applicants' expectation were put into jeopardy, the
state government used that as a criteria for averting crisis that would
have turned the state into another crisis. However, government failed
or pretended not to know what was actually responsible for the
marginalization of some local government areas especially those in the
riverine areas. The most crucial reason that could be adduced is that
most of the council areas in the riverine areas concentrated all their
efforts and energy on oil companies activities. This is because they
see civil service employment as a place for low income earners. Another
reason that accounts for their being few in the civil service is the
proximity of the oil companies to them. In short, more than 60 per cent
of the oil companies are situated around them. In most cases they do
not need any fare before getting to some of the oil companies. In
addition, most people of the riverine areas are not interested in
higher education which can only earn a fresh employee in the civil
service the position of an officer. They have the notion that one may
not need a degree before being employed into the oil companies. The
above are some of the reasons that accounted for some council areas
especially in riverine areas having fewer employees in the civil
service. Now that Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is in the
offing, the state government should ensure that what happened in the
civil service employment exercise should also happen in the NDDC since
what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander. Presently,
we are having greater numbers of the Itsekiris and Ijaws in the
employment of the oil companies. The NDDC could be termed to be a
subsector or a parastatal of the oil companies. Therefore, the state
government which has the overall onus of employment into the NDDC
should seize this ample opportunity to equalize the number of employees
from each of the local council areas. Already, the Ijaws and Itsekiris
are currently dominating the oil companies, they should therefore have
the least number of staff in the employment of NDDC. In fact, it is a
known secret that some traditional rulers in the riverine areas have
started compiling the names of persons who will be presented to the
NDDC for employment. Some are even of the view that it is only those
local government areas with oil wells that will work in NDDC. I am
convinced beyond every reasonable doubt that when the time comes for
employment into NDDC, government will not hesitate to reject outrightly
those lists no matter how influential or well-placed those traditional
rulers might be. In addition, there should also be professionalism in
employment into NDDC. For instance, in a situation where a graduate of
English Language is employed to do the work of a public relations
officer whereas there is as graduate of Mass Communication sounds
ridiculous. Government should ensure that there is no square peg in a
round hole. Those in the corridors of power who will make
recommendations must ensure that the persons they are recommending have
the required qualifications. The Commission should not be seen as a
place for quacks. The state government should try as much as possible
to adhere to the above advice in order to have a hitchfree NDDC, for a
stitch in time saves nine. AKPOVETA wrote from Sapele.

DELSU Staff Co-op nets 4.7 million Naira

THE Management Com- mittee of Delta State University (DELSU) Workers'
Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society Limited Abraka, has recorded a net
profit of N4,780,027.00 during the 2000 financial year. This was
disclosed by the out-going President of Workers Co-operative Society,
Dr. John O. Ubrurhe, at the 14th Annual General meeting held at the
Atscan Hall of the university. He reiterated that the N4,780,027.00
profit during the 2000 financial year as against N1,543,895.00 recorded
in 1999 shows an increase of 209.6 per cent. According to him, the
demand for loans in the year under review rose astronomically. He
further said that in 1999, the total loan granted was N10,827,044.00
while in the fiscal year under review, the co-operative recorded
N40,010,600.00 as loans, an increase of 269.5 per cent. Dr. Ubrurhe
said that the loans were judiciously used, for among other things,
buying of landed properties, construction of personal houses, investing
in business for profit and purchase of vehicles. He also revealed that
in addition to the four houses owned by the co-operative society, three
of which are on lease, a 20 room lock up stores under construction at
Abraka market is nearing completion. According to him, the investments
will boost the income of the society in the years ahead. The highlights
of the Annual General Meetings (AGM) witnessed a motion moved by Mr.
G.A.S Ohwovborua of bursary department that the executive committee for
the year 2000 be dissolved, which was seconded by Pastor Tola Agoro of
Physical Planning Department. An election committee was immediately set
up with Mr. T. Ekpruke as the Returning Officer who presided over the
election of new executive committee members to pilot the affairs of the
co-operative society for the 2001 financial year. Members of the
out-going committee were unanimously re-elected except Mr. W. Onoriose
now replaced with Dr. G. Adams of the Medical Clinic. Other new
executive committee members duly returned un-opposed are Dr. J.O.
Ubrurhe (President); Sir I.D. Atakpo KSJ (Vice President); Mr. J.I.
Akpomie (Secretary); Mr. Eddy Agbure (Assistant Secretary); Mr. Smith
A. Ogbe (Treasurer); Mr. S.E. Erukanure (member); Mr. O. Kori-Siakpere
(member); Mrs. J.E. Onohwakpor (member); Mr. S. I. Omorodion (member);
and Mr. L.A. Fakande as member. Speaking to newsmen on his re-election,
the president of the Workers' Corperative Society, Dr. John Ubrurhe
thanked all the co-operators for the confidence opposed in him, adding,
"I think it is a recognition of hardwork and selflessness. According to
him, the ultimate objective of the co-operative is to protect the
welfare of members as they will be encouraged to have loans for their
welfare adding that he was optimistic that by the next three years,
every co-operator to own his personal building through the loan scheme.
The president, therefore, advised all the members to come together as
co-operators.

Oshimili South LG boss gets award

OSHIMILI South Local government area chairman, Ogbueshi John C. Efianya
has been nominated by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) National body
as among the best 50 performing chairmen of local government throughout
the federation. The ceremony which would take place on Thursday March
29, 2001 at Hilton Noga, Hotel Abuja is going to be performed by the
Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. The award is
connected with the general assessment of work done in various local
government area, as road construction and other infrastructural
development.

Ibori restates commitment to educational development

DELTA State Governor, Chief James Ibori has re-affirmed the irrevocable
commitment of his administration to the development of education in the
state. Chief Ibori who spoke when he received the pro-chancellor and
chairman of Governing Council of University of Nigerian, Nsukka,
yesterday in his office, in Asaba said the government required the
support of the academia in its determined effort to bring the dividends
of democracy to the people as well as enthrone good governance in the
body polity. The governor also sued for the co-operation of University
of Nigeria, especially in the areas of manpower development, research
and information that would assist in the advancement and development of
the democratic process in the state. He pleadged to support UNN in its
drive for infrastructural development and completion of abandoned
projects in the university. Earlier, the Pro-chancellor and chairman of
the Governing Council Professor Fabian Osuji had appealed for the
assistance of Delta State government to the university to enable it
continue its contribution to the development of the country. In
particular, the chairman solicited for support in the completion of
what he called ambitious and viable projects initiated by a former
vice-chancellor, Professor Frank Ndili but abandoned due to lack of
fund, for the enhancement of academic excellence in the institution. He
said the university had produced eminent Deltans like Deputy Governor,
Chief Benjamin Elue, Professor B.I.C. Ijomah, Commissioner for
Information, Barrister Young Igbrude, Chief of Staff, Government House,
Asaba, Chief Francis Agboro and Director of State council for Arts and
Culture, Mr. Steve Moeteke. Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor,
Professor Ginigeme Mbanefoh lamented the poor state of infrastructural
facilities in the university which according to him, had hindered its
advancement. He listed some of the problems facing the school as
abandoned projects, like the Nnamdi Azikiwe library complex, inadequate
and dilapidated physical structures as well as serious infrastructural
problems in the areas of roads, water supply and electricity. The
Vice-chancellor noted that Delta State is one of the catchment states
of the institution as it enjoys a certain percentage of admission
quota. Professor Mbanefoh explained that the visit was essentially to
brief the governor of the plans to celebrate the 40th anniversary of
the founding of the university and requested the presence of Chief
Ibori at the Friday, April 27 events which include, a fund raising
luncheon and the special convocation ceremony for the award of honorary
degrees holding on April 28.

Governor James Ibori has re-affirmed the irrevocable commitment of the
present administration to the development of education at all levels.

Governor James Ibori has re-affirmed the irrevocable commitment of the
present administration to the development of education at all levels.
Chief Ibori stated this when the pro-chancellor and Chairman of the
Governing council of the University of Nigeria Nsukka UNN paid him a
courtesy call at Government House, Asaba. The governor promised to
assist in the development of the University adding that government
needed the support of the academic in its determination to bring the
dividends of democracy to the people. Chief Ibori particularly asked
the University to assist in manpower development in order to ensure
good governance and meet the development aspirations of all Nigerians.
The governor decried the activities of students in institutions of
higher learning across the country and called for necessary steps to be
taken to redress the situation. The pro-chancellor and chairman of the
governing council of the university, Professor Fabian Osuji told the
governor that Delta State is catchment area of the university and
called for the assistance of the state government in the
infrastructural development of the institution. Professor Osuji
announced that the university would celebrate its 40 anniversary next
month and appealed for assistance. Also speaking, the vice-chancellor
of the university .Professor Gmigeme Mbanefo expressed concern over the
poor state of infrastructural facilities in the university and asked
the state government to come to the aid of the institution in order to
restore the lost glory of the first indigenous university in the
country.

Governors of states in the southern part of the country have called on
President Olusegun Obasanjo to carry out far reaching consultations on
the issue of deregulation

Governors of states in the southern part of the country have called on
President Olusegun Obasanjo to carry out far reaching consultations on
the issue of deregulation before going ahead with it. This is contained
in a thirteen point communique read to journalists in Benin- City by
Governor Lucky Igbinedion at the end of the 3rd summit of the southern
governors. The governors expressed support for section 197 of the 1999
constitution and asked the Independent National Electoral Commission
INEC to remain focused and committed in the task of properly grounding
the nation's nascent democracy. Participants at the summit emphasized
the need for a proper definition of the federal nature of the Nigerian
nation. The governors asked all Nigerians to see themselves as
stakeholders in the affairs of the nation and proffer durable solutions
to some nagging problems such as scarcity of petroleum products and
poor electricity supply in the country. The communique stated that the
decision of the federal government to award contracts for UBE class
rooms was against the spirit of the 1999 constitution pointing out that
the action undermined the integrity and competence of the states. The
summit adopted the definition of resource control as the practice of
true federalism and natural law in which the federating units would
express their rights to control the natural resources within their
borders and make agreed contributions towards the maintenance of common
services of the nation. The communique insisted that beyond the basic
requirements of the federal government, every state in the federation
should be entitled to retain wealth accruable to it naturally and
through the industry of its people. The communique was signed by all
governors of states in the southern part of the country including
Governor James Ibori.

The seventeen southern governors have endorsed the use of a hat as the
symbol of the solidarity struggle for resource control

The seventeen southern governors have endorsed the use of a hat as the
symbol of the solidarity struggle for resource control and practice of
true federalism in Nigeria. Governor James Ibori told newsmen in
Benin-City at the end of the third summit of the Southern Governors
that the adoption of the hat was a demonstration of the unity and
determination as well as an expression of the common identity of the
southern states as a people with a common mission. The governor stated
that the governors of the seventeen southern states as stakeholders and
indeed all those in support of the struggle for resource control would
wear the hat to the supreme court any time the legal battle between the
state and federal government commences. The hat which has a white
background is decorated with the Nigerian coat of arms as well as a red
and green stripe to March.

The State House of Assembly has adopted a resolution directing its
committee on Legal and Judicial matters to visit all judicial divisions
in the state

The State House of Assembly has adopted a resolution directing its
committee on Legal and Judicial matters to visit all judicial divisions
in the state to identify constraints in the administration of justice
and make recommendations to the House. The motion which was unanimously
adopted was moved by Honourable Gibson Akporehe representing Uvwie
constituency. In an interview with a DBS Assembly correspondent, Gordy
Onokpite after the session. Honourable Akporehe said the measure was
necessitated by the need to ensure optimum performance by judicial
officers in the dispensation of justice. Describing the quick
dispensation of justice as the bedrock of democracy, Honourable
Akporehe, a lawyer, noted that the current delay in the disposal of
cases by the state's judicial system had become a source of concern.
The committee, headed by Honourable Kress Njokuemeni representing
Aniocha North constituency was given a month to complete its
assignment.In a related development, two committees also submitted
their reports to the House today. They are the committee on Public
utilities, Lands and Surveys which submitted its report on the Bill for
the Delta State Urban Water Board and the committee on Health which
submitted its report on female circumcision and Genital Mutilation. The
Committee on Health recommended the passage of the bill prohibiting
female circumcision and genital mutilation. The Chairman of the
committee. Honourable Emmanuel Ighomena stated that the recommendation
of the committee was based on the memoranda it received and the out
come of its public hearing on the matter. He noted that none of the
memoranda was against the bill.

The two-day official tour of Navy formations in Delta State by the
Minister of Defence incharge of Navy

The two-day official tour of Navy formations in Delta State by the
Minister of Defence incharge of Navy, Mrs. Modupe Adalaja originally
scheduled to begin today has been postponed. The information is
contained in a statement by sub-Lieutenant Ben Charles Anioke of the
Public Affairs Directorate of the NNS Umalokun on behalf of the
Commanding Officer, Navy Captain John Kpokpogri. According to the
statement, the postponement was necessitated by the death in a motor
accident of Alhaji Adamu Augie, a former Chairman, of the Senate
Committee on Defence. Alhaji Adamu was until his death, a leading
member of Mrs. Adelaja's entourage. The statement regrets the
inconveniences the postponement may cause the public adding that a new
date will be announced in due course.

The legislative Arm of Isoko South Local Government has invited the
chairman of the council, Chief Mike Ugbuku for an official discussion

A report from Oleh says the legislative Arm of Isoko South Local
Government has invited the chairman of the council, Chief Mike Ugbuku
for an official discussion. The leader of the legislative Arm,
Honourable Rockson Igelige says the council chairman is required to
explain how the sum of over 250-million Naira accruing to the local
government from the Federal government and state Allocations since
January last year has been spent. The Councilors expressed displeasure
over the slow pace of development projects execution in Isoko South
Council area and advised the people to be patient, as steps were being
taken to remedy the situation. In another development, the legislative
Arm has passed a vote of No confidence on the Head of Personnel
Management of the council and consequently urged the local government
service commission to effect his immediate transfer.

The State Government has awarded contracts for the construction of more
than ten roads and drainage in Ughelli

The State Government has awarded contracts for the construction of more
than ten roads and drainage in Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North
local government area. The construction of the roads has commenced with
two already completed. They are Olori Street, off Isoko road to link
Ughelli Patani road, and Uduere Street Otovwodo to link Agbarha
junction also on the Ughelli Patani road. The projects are being
executed by the State Direct Labour Agency DLA. Other roads presently
under construction include Dortie, Oduaran, Oniemor, Sdoge, Evueta,
Esegin? Ahoron and Blacky Street extention.

The Wife of the State Governor, Mrs Nkoyo Ibori has advised athletes In
the state to endeavour to be worthy ambassadors of the State

The Wife of the State Governor, Mrs Nkoyo Ibori has advised athletes In
the state to endeavour to be worthy ambassadors of the State In any
sports competition, Mrs. Ibori made the call in Asaba yesterday while
addressing athletes at the final trials in preparation for this year's
second Nkoyo Ibori under-20 female athletic championships, scheduled to
hold in Lagos next week. . Mrs. Ibori who is the Sole sponsor of the
competition urged the athletes to conduct themselves with the highest
degree of decorum Mrs. Ibori assured the athletes that those who
perform well would represent the state and the country in international
competitions. About female athletes took part in the trials today
during which twenty two athletes were selected. The team of twenty .two
athletes and other officials are billed to travel to Enugu for one
week-camping before the competition scheduled to hold in Logos on the
6th and 7th of next month. In another developmethirtynt, the wife of
the Governor, Mrs. Nkoyo Ibori, initiator and founder of the Delta
Manna Foundation also donated the sum of thirty thousand Naira on
behalf of the Foundation to the Akwa I born community in Asaba to
enable them convey the remains of three of the corpses of the|r five
members who were burnt in a kerosine explosion in Asaba last weekend.
Mrs. Ibori said that it was sad that a whole family who left their
state able bodied should die in such a mannor and expressed her
sympathy to the Akwa-lbom community. Earlier, the Executive chairman of
the Akwa-lbom progressive Union, Asaba branch Mr. Ime Willie explained
that the family was trying to lit a lanter when the explosion occured
at about 11.p.m Mr. Ime Willie said that the explosion instantly left
the husband and the two children dead while the mother and the house
maid later died in the hospital adding that the two children had been
buried. He thanked Mrs. Ibori for her quick response

The Wife of the Governor, Chief (Mrs) Nkoyo Ibori has on behalf of the
Delta Manna Foundation donated the sum of one hundred thousand Naira

The Wife of the Governor, Chief (Mrs) Nkoyo Ibori has on behalf of the
Delta Manna Foundation donated the sum of one hundred thousand Naira to
the twins with the knees defects, Chibueze and Ghigozie Ekechi.
Presenting the one hundred thousand Naira cash to Mrs. Grace Ekechi,
the mother of the twins, Mrs, Ibori expressed sympathy over the
Childrens predicament. She promised to help her solicit for more
assistance from the ministries of Health and women Affairs. Receiving
the money, the mother of the children Mrs. Grace Ekechi, thanked her
Excellency for the kind donation. She explained that her husband had
long abandoned them since the birth of the children. The twins with the
Knee defects which featured at NTA network news last Sunday with their
mother had earlier appealed to Mrs. Ibori for possible assistance

The Edosoma of Akumazi Chief Dennis Ositadimma Agbakoba and the entire
Akumazi-clan in Ika North East Local government Areas

The Edosoma of Akumazi Chief Dennis Ositadimma Agbakoba and the entire
Akumazi-clan in Ika North East Local government Areas congratulated
Honourable Basil Ganagana on his election as the new speaker of the
State House of Assembly. Chief Ositadimma described Honourable Ganagana
as a friend and brother, and urged him to give selfless service inorder
to endear himself to the entire Deltans and Nigeria as a while. The
Edosoma of Akumazi-Clan prayed God to continue to guide and protect the
speaker in the Onerous reponsibilities of the new job.

Media practitioners in the state have been urged to publicies the
enviable achievements of che Ibori administration.

Media practitioners in the state have been urged to publicies the
enviable achievements of che Ibori administration. The General Manager
of Delta Broadcasting service Mr Ephraim Osubor made the call when
members of the press week committee of the State council of Nigeria
union of Journalists paid him a courtssy call. Mr Osubor said the Ibori
administration had done a'lot to improve the living standard of the
people through the provision of basic infrastructure, stressing that
the press owed it a duty to tell the world about recent developments in
Delta State. He advised journalists in the state to use their media to
assist in checking the restiveness of the youths by highlighting their
problems and suggesting possible solutions to them Mr. Osubor assured
the press week committee Mr at Delta Broadcasting Service, would
identify with the ideals of the programme, especially in the area of
publicity. The chairman of the press week commttee Mr. Kingsiey Azu
solicited the support and co-operation of Delta Broadcasting Service,
in publicising the forth coming activities of the union Mr. Azu said
the press week was being organised to promote the practice of
journalism in the state.
---------------------------

Wednesday, March 28, 2001

Southern governors to challenge revenue formula in court

STATE governors of the Southern geopolitical zone of the country have
vowed to henceforth go to court for the enforcement of Section 162
subsection (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. The Section 162 (1) talks about Revenue Allocation Formula.
This came on the heels of the governors' review in its third conference
in Benin city of the series of difficulties encountered by the state
governments in sharing of the federation account at successive
federation account and allocation committee meetings since the
inception of the current democratic dispensation. According to Governor
Lucky Igbinedion, who read the communique at the end of the two day
meeting, the relevant section of the constitution section 162 (1) says:
"The federation shall maintain a special account called the federation
account into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the
Government of the Federation, except the proceeds from the personal
income tax of personnel of the armed forces of the Federation, Nigeria
Police Force, the ministry or department of government charged with
responsibility for foreign affairs and the residents of the Federal
Capital Territory, Abuja". The summit also requested that Federal
Governments maintained a monthly publication of revenue accruable from
all sources to the nation. While defining resource control as "the
practice of true federalism and the natural law in which federating
units express their rights to primarily control the natural resources
within their borders and make agreed contributions towards the
maintenance of common services of a sovereign nation state to which
they belongs with 36 states of the federation as federating units and
federal Republic of Nigeria as the sovereign. The summit maintained
that beyond the basic requirements of the federal government, every
state in the federation should be entitled to keep all the wealth that
accrued to it by natural resources or the industry of its people. It
went further to adopt the welcome address of Governor Lucky Igbinedion,
the new chairman of the summit and the quest for true fiscal federalism
based on the principles of national interest, need, most importantly
derivation and flayed the federal government's legal rather than
diplomatic approach in settling the disagreement over resource control.
While acknowledging the statutory provision for INEC, the summit urged
the body to remain focused and committed to nurturing the existing
parties to ensure proper grounding of the nascet democracy in Nigeria.
The summit called for proper definition on the federal nature of
Nigeria with justice as the hallmark. On deregulation the summit called
for wide consultation by the Federal government on the issue.

Delta legislators oppose 4-yr tenure for LG chairmen

THE Delta State House of Assembly yesterday made true its threat to
oppose the Senate in respect of its move to extend the tenure of local
government chairmen from three to four years. The House which passed a
motion condemning the adoption by the Senate of its committee on the
subject, described the action of the Senate as ultra-vires of the
powers of the National Assembly. The motion came under a matter of
urgent public importance and was moved by Hon. Gibson Akporehe (Uvwie
constituency) and seconded by Hon. Akpor Pius Ewherido, the Deputy
Speaker (Ughelli South). Hon. Akporehe urged the State House of
Assembly and other State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria to join in
condemning the National Assembly for what he described as an
unconstitutional act of incursion into the powers of State Houses of
Assembly to make law for the composition administration, finance and
other matters of local government as guaranteed by the 1999
constitution. The legislator who relied on relevant sections of the
1999 constitution said there was no provision in the statute book where
the senate derived its power to legislate on the local government
administration. The Deputy Speaker who had earlier threatened legal
action against the Senate if it insisted on the alleged
unconstitutional amendment, condemned the National Assembly for
allegedly usurping the powers of the State Houses of Assembly. Hon.
Ewherido said that the Senate "cannot do that until the constitution is
amended", stressing "even the amendment of the constitution is still
beyond the powers of the National Assembly without getting the consent
of two-thirds State Houses of Assembly. He said that just as the Delta
State House of Assembly was not opposed to the four year tenure per se,
the proposed move must have the blessing of the states which have the
powers to make laws for local government administration. Hon. Misan
Kubeyinje (Warri North) and both the House Minority Leaders, Hon.
Solomon Funkekeme and Hon. Lucky Okperi (Isoko South I) said the
attitude of the senate was nothing short of a meddle in the powers of
states to make laws for local government administration. They described
the trend as very dangerous to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
Therefore they said, the subterranean move which calls for suspicion
must be checked promptly before they (the Senate) can come out with
another proposition to erode the power of the State Houses of Assembly
to make law. The voice which rose in opposition to the motion was
suppressed. When the question was put the aye had it. Meanwhile, the
House will on April 3, 2001 hear the report of the Bill on Female
Genital Mutilation, otherwise called female circumcision. The report
which was billed to be heard yesterday failed because the committee
requested for a short extension to enable it put finishing touches to
the draft.

Five sub-committees have been Inaugurated to fortify the Machinery of
the State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Five sub-committees have been Inaugurated to fortify the MachInery of
the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The chairman of the party,
Retired Captain Plus Sinebe,who Inaugurated the committees, charged the
members to take their assignments seriously In order to refocus the
party for victory In future elections. The committees are to over-see
publicity, project monitoring, youth and women mobilisation as well as
planning for the party. The State PDP Chairman, Retired captain Plus
Sinebe is the Chairman of the public committee while the party's State
Secretary Chief Uche Ugbomo Is the head of the State and locol
government areas project monitoring committee, Mr. Edward Apule Is the
Chairman of the State planning committee, Dr. Emeka Tadiodi Chairman of
the youth Mobilisation Committee and Mr. Anene Chibue, Chairman of the
youth mobilisation committee

Bulu-Angiama Community in Patani Local Government Area has sent a
congratulatory message to Honourable Basil Ganagana

Bulu-Angiama Community in Patani Local Government Area has sent a
congratulatory message to Honourable Basil Ganagana on his recent
election as the speaker, Delta State House of Assembly. The message was
signed by the traditional ruler of the town, Forward Osuobeni
Amdndnaowei, on behalf of himself and the entire community. The people
described Honourable Ganagana as a humble and illustrious son of
Bulu-Angiama, and prayed God to Imbue"him with the strength, health and
wisdom to steer the ship of the State Legislature. The Community also
congratulated of the House for their oneness of purpose, and appealed
to them to continue to work as a team, for the rapid and overall
development of the State. also The Delta Consultative forum has
congratulated the new speaker of the State House of Assembly Honourable
Basil Ganagana on his well deserved election to the exhalted position.
The forum likened Honourable Ganagana's choice to a round peg in a
round hole and expressed confidence that his tenure would augur well
for the Assembly and the state. It wished the new speaker Gods guidance
and protection.

The Governor Delta State Chief James Ibori has been commended for
siting the already completed state owned Apshalt plant at Agbara-Otor

The Governor Delta State Chief James Ibori has been commended for
siting the already completed state owned Apshalt plant at Agbara-Otor
Ughelli North Local government area. The commendation was made by an
Asaba based contractor Chief Jonas Obiora Bialonwu while conducting
newsmen round the multi-million Naira project plant. Chief Bielonwu
stated that with the Aphsalt plant now In the State, It could boast of
producing enough Aphsalt for the construction of roads. He praised the
state Direct Labour Agency for Supervising the project to its logical
conclusion and appealed for the payment of the Job which according to
him has been test run and certified fit for production.

The State Government has reaffirmed its preparedness to promote the
standard of education at all levels in the state.

The State Government has reaffirmed its preparedness to promote the
standard of education at all levels in the state. Chief Emmanuel
Ejiofor, Special Adviser to the Deputy Governor, made the declaration
at the 14th Annual Inter-House Athletics Competition of Ezemu Girls
Grammar School, Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South Council Area. Chief Ejiofor
affirmed that the recent promotion of some Principals and other
categories of teachers in the state was an indication of government's
resolve to enhance the status of teachers. He enjoined school
administrators in the state to be patient with government in their
agitation for the improvement of their schools. The Special Adviser
later commissioned a statue erected by the school as a symbol for the
advancement of learning. Earlier, the Principal of the school, Mrs.
C.O. Mordi, listed a number of constraints facing her school jto
include absence of Principal quarters and College Van and appealed for
public support in that regard.

The President of Calvary World Outreach Ministries, Abuja, Reverend
Christopher Eruemulor, will be leading a team of religous Ministers on
an Invasion crusade in Asaba

The President of Calvary World Outreach Ministries, Abuja, Reverend
Christopher Eruemulor, will be leading a team of religous Ministers on
an Invasion crusade in Asaba, beginning today . Reverend Eruemulor told
but Correspondent that the crusade would focus on healings and
deliverance to pave the way for a better society. The guest Minister
stated that the forces of darkness in and around Asaba.would be made
unconfortable, and advised the witches, wizards and occult members in
the area to change from their evil ways or be doomed He disclosed that
a number of activities have been lined up to liberate Asaba and assured
that Asaba would not remain the same after the crusade. Reverend
Eruemulor called on the inhabitants of Asaba and the environs to be
part of the changing crusade.

Newly recruited staff of the Delta Agricultural Development Programme
(ADP) have been asked to consider themselves important in achieving the
overall objectives of the establishment,

Newly recruited staff of the Delta Agricultural Development Programme
(ADP) have been asked to consider themselves important in achieving the
overall objectives of the establishment, The Programme Manager, Mr.
Emmanuel Odume, made the call at the opening of an induction course for
the new entrants. Mr. Odume who was represented by the Director
in-charge of Technical Services, Mr. Emmanuel Nwandiogu, said the
induction course would help to accelerate the process of adjustment and
adaptation of the new staff to their job, and work environment. The
Programme Manager stated that the establishment would depend on the
efficiency, effectiveness, loyalty and dedication of the workers to
achieve set goals. The Director of Human Resource Development at the
ADP, Mr. Julius Omunizua, said the new entrants were being initiated
into the establishment so that they would be acquainted with the Civil
Service rules and regulations as well as their expected roles in the
organizational set up.



The 17 governors of States in the Southern part of the country have
resolved to go to court.

The 17 governors of States in the Southern part of the country have
resolved to go to court for the enforcement of section one hundred and
sixty-two subsection one of the 1999 constitution. In a thirteen point
communique issued at the end of the 3rd summit of the governors in
Benin, they expressed disatisfaction with State difficulties
experienced by State government in the sharing of the federation
account since the inception of the present administration. The Edo
State governor. Chief Lucky Igbinedion who read the communique
explained that the summit adopted the guest for true fiscal federalism
based on what it called the principles of National Interest need and
derivation. In the communique, the Southern governors declared their
displeasure with the federal government for going to court over
resource, control stating that the step would make a purely political
matter a legal one with its attendant dire consequence

The State Governor, Chief James Ononefe Ibori will today answer
listener's Questions

The State Governor, Chief James Ononefe Ibori will today answer
listener's Questions In another round of the Executive Phone- in-
Programme The programme will be broadcast live from six to seven In the
evening on both Radio Deltan and Delta Television, Members of the
public wishing to ask the Governor any question should call any of the
following numbers. They are 056-281607. The phone-in-programme is an
opportunity for Members of the public within and outside DeIta State to
have direct occess to the governor to ask questions on various Issues
about happenings in the State

Directors in the State civil service have been advised to ensure that
government was presented with the best options and most cost effective
strategies

Directors in tne State civil service have been advised to ensure that
government was presented with the best options and most cost effective
strategies for achieving set goals and targets. The Head of the state
Civil Service Mr. Sylvanus Mordi stated this yesterday in Asaba while
declaring open a three day workshop on problem Analysis and Decision
making,organised for Directors on grade levels 16 and 15 in the State
Civil Service,by the Directorate of Establishments and Pensions in
collaboration with AGROVOG Limited Lagos in Asaba of the State capital.
The Head of Service stressed that the primary objective of the three
day course was to expose the officers various new ideas and techniques
of problem it identification, analysis and decision making, inorder to
improve their performance on their job.He explained that the choice of
officers selected to participate In the workshop was deliberate
because, as senior management staff, they were expected to be good
managers of men materials and financial resources. During the
programme, organised by the directorate of Establishment and Pensions
in collaboration with Agrovog Limited Lagos, participants would be
exposed to the task of problem analysis, problem of categorisation,
problem classification and problem solving among others. Speaking
earlier the managing Director of AGROVOG Limited Mr. Gabriel Oviogbodu
assured the head of service that the participants would be entirely and
permanently transformed for good,at the end of the course. Mr.
Oviogbodu stated that a well trained workforce would enhance the people
oriented programmes of the present administration in the stated

... attack FG on UBE

GOVERNORS of Nigeria's Southern states yesterday ended their crucial
summit in Benin, Edo State, with a strident attack on the Universal
Basic Education (UBE) and the Federal Government's activities relating
to it so far. They particularly attacked the federal government's award
of contracts in relation to the UBE, saying it was a violation of the
spirit of Nigeria's subsisting constitution. In a communique after
their two-day summit in Benin, the governors also said that the
contract awards eroded the integrity and competence of state
authorities who had the constitutional responsibilities for local
governments. The governors claimed that state governments had a deeper
and more reliable knowledge of "local geographical terrain and material
and labour costs of the villages in which these schools are situated."
It stressed that "if the federal government was interested in assisting
in the development of basic education in Nigeria, it can grant-in-aid
the state governments with joint supervision of its implementation."
President Obasanjo launched the UBE in Sokoto State shortly after his
presidential inauguration, holding it out as one major plank in the
battle against academic illiteracy for which Nigeria had attained
global infame. But the programme soon walked into a load of grief on
account of the lack of an enabling operational mechanism. The federal
government, eager to kick start the programme, recently awarded
contracts for the erection of its enabling infrastructural mechanism,
thus triggering the ire of state governors, some of who frontally
attacked it yesterday.

Delta legislators oppose 4-yr tenure for LG chairmen

THE Delta State House of Assembly yesterday made true its threat to
oppose the Senate in respect of its move to extend the tenure of local
government chairmen from three to four years. The House which passed a
motion condemning the adoption by the Senate of its committee on the
subject, described the action of the Senate as ultra-vires of the
powers of the National Assembly. The motion came under a matter of
urgent public importance and was moved by Hon. Gibson Akporehe (Uvwie
constituency) and seconded by Hon. Akpor Pius Ewherido, the Deputy
Speaker (Ughelli South). Hon. Akporehe urged the State House of
Assembly and other State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria to join in
condemning the National Assembly for what he described as an
unconstitutional act of incursion into the powers of State Houses of
Assembly to make law for the composition administration, finance and
other matters of local government as guaranteed by the 1999
constitution. The legislator who relied on relevant sections of the
1999 constitution said there was no provision in the statute book where
the senate derived its power to legislate on the local government
administration. The Deputy Speaker who had earlier threatened legal
action against the Senate if it insisted on the alleged
unconstitutional amendment, condemned the National Assembly for
allegedly usurping the powers of the State Houses of Assembly. Hon.
Ewherido said that the Senate "cannot do that until the constitution is
amended", stressing "even the amendment of the constitution is still
beyond the powers of the National Assembly without getting the consent
of two-thirds State Houses of Assembly. He said that just as the Delta
State House of Assembly was not opposed to the four year tenure per se,
the proposed move must have the blessing of the states which have the
powers to make laws for local government administration. Hon. Misan
Kubeyinje (Warri North) and both the House Minority Leaders, Hon.
Solomon Funkekeme and Hon. Lucky Okperi (Isoko South I) said the
attitude of the senate was nothing short of a meddle in the powers of
states to make laws for local government administration. They described
the trend as very dangerous to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
Therefore they said, the subterranean move which calls for suspicion
must be checked promptly before they (the Senate) can come out with
another proposition to erode the power of the State Houses of Assembly
to make law. The voice which rose in opposition to the motion was
suppressed. When the question was put the aye had it. Meanwhile, the
House will on April 3, 2001 hear the report of the Bill on Female
Genital Mutilation, otherwise called female circumcision. The report
which was billed to be heard yesterday failed because the committee
requested for a short extension to enable it put finishing touches to
the draft.

DELSU, Anwai campus to enjoy NIPOST special services.

THE Delta State Univer- sity (DELSU) Abraka, Anwai campus in Oshimili
South local government area of Delta State is now to enjoy special
delivery and postshop services of Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) as
part of the universities effort to enhance its communication system.
The Provost of the Anwai Campus of DELSU, Prof. Bright U. Ekuerhare
arrived at the consensus with the management of NIPOST to operate its
special delivery and postshop services when a NIPOST delegation from
Asaba paid a courtesy call on him in his office. Prof. Ekuerhare who
commended the management of NIPOST for such a timely visit, said the
university community had perpetually been cut off from the rest of the
world as a result of little or no communication. According to him, the
university has been operating without telephone and post agency
services. The Provost, while assuring that the institution will respond
positively in respect the financial involvement for the installation of
the postshop and special delivery services, also advised NIPOST to
extend electronic mail (E. Mail) and internet services to the
university environment. He commended the management of NIPOST for the
tremendous improvement in their mail delivery services, saying "it is a
reflection of a new beginning in the services of NIPOST." Earlier in
his address, the Postal Manager NIPOST, Delta Territory Mr. O. J.
Akogun called on the provost, staff and students of the institution to
give them their total support in order to increase their patronage of
NIPOST services. According to him, since the launching of the current
National Mail Route Network by President Olusegun Obasanjo, NIPOST mail
delivery services have greatly improved. He said that with the
co-operation of the university management and its students, they will
be privileged to receive their new services which include, postshops,
special delivery service for corporate organisation, E-mail and
internet services, and repackaged mobile post office. Others are the
EMS/Speedpost, the couriers arm of NIPOST, pick-up service, the monthly
credit facility and special discount on volume and value prepaid
service. He emphasised the need for students of the school, to improved
the habit of letter writing in order to enable them gain from NIPOST
effective mail delivery services. According to Mr. Akogun, the number
of postal establishments in Delta State has increased over the years to
210 postal establishments, made up of 10 Head post offices, 48 post
offices, 24 sub-post offices and 118 postal agencies.

Southern governors oppose on-shore, off-shore dichotomy

IN striking terms, the gov ernors of Nigeria's Southern states,
yesterday defined their operational perception of resource control, the
agitation for which has pitched them in a high heel legal battle
against federal government. They opposed the dichotomy between on-shore
and off-shore oil wealth and backed state control of natural resources
in their areas and the benefit of their people's industry. In a
far-flung communique after their crucial meeting in Benin City, Edo
State, the governors also discredited the federal government's resort
to the legal option, as a first-line action, in relation to the
resource control agitation. They held out the agitation primarily as a
political, rather than a legal issue. The summit defined resource
control as: "the practice of true federalism and natural law in which
the federating units express their right to primarily control the
natural resources within their borders and make agreed contributions
towards the maintenance of common services of the sovereign nation
state to which they belong. "In the case of Nigeria, the federating
units are the 36 states, and the sovereign nation is the Federal
Republic of Nigeria," it added. Consequently, the summit opposed the
dichotomy between on-shore and off-shore oil wealth. Besides, it
stressed, "that beyond the basic requirements of federal government,
every state in the federation would be entitled to keep all the wealth
that accrues to it by natural endowment of the industry of its people".
The governors also requested for a monthly publication of the figures
of the total revenue that accrues to the nation from all sources.

Christians urged to surrender their lives to God

THE Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has called on
all Christians to remember God and identify with His work on earth and
surrender their lives to Him. Chief Ibori made the call during the
launching and fund-raising ceremony of N2.5 million for the building of
Auditorium and Pastorium in Avenue Baptist Church, Ediagbor Avenue,
Kokori Inland. A total of N372,880 was raised on the spot. Governor
Ibori who donated N50,000 on behalf of the state government and was
represented by the director, inspectorate division of the Ministry of
Education, Rev. Josiah Nsaka enjoined christians to lay their treasures
in Heaven, rather than putting their eggs in one basket here on earth.
He implored all christians not to hide their talents as every talent
God has given to them is brought together for the common good. The
Executive Secretary, Delta State Baptist Conference, Rev. John E.
Amromare said that the Delta State Governor, is a listening Governor
and enjoined all Nigerians who want to see the dividends of democracy
to come to Delta State. The Chief Host, Rev. John Amromare (JP) who
believed that God has the ability to raise millionaires said that God
would use every fund raised for the benefit of mankind, saying that
with God all impossibilities could be made possible. Earlier the
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Gilbert Oshevire who donated N150.000
said that "what we have belongs to God" and enjoined everyone to give
generously for the propagation of the gospel of Christ. Chief Oshevire
who described the Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori as
reliable and hard-working, said that Deltans in Nigeria and Overseas
are satisfied with all aspects of development projects in the state and
appealed to all Deltans anywhere in the world to pray for a second
tenure for the governor. In his address, Pastor Edah Iweta on behalf of
Avenue Baptist Church, Kokori, appealed to all God-loving persons to
come to their aid as their small place of worship could no longer
accommodate them. The Chief launcher, Chief Benson Edoja who was
represented by the Delta State House of Assembly Minority Leader, Hon.
Gibson Akporehe, donated N100,000 and promised to be good ambassador of
Christ as God is the giver of fortune. Ethiope East local government
Chairman and guest of honour, Chief Ochuko Unuagba who was represented
by the leader of the Legislative arms of the council, Hon. Andrew
Akpomudjere, said that God is the giver of life and that he would
always contribute to the building of the house of God.

Obasanjo congratulates Sonny Odogwu

PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo has congratulated the Ide Ahaba, Chief
Sonny Iwedike Odogwu on his 70th birthday. In a message sent to the
Ide, President Obasanjo lauded Odogwu's contributions in the industrial
development of Delta State and the country as a whole. Chief Obasanjo
regretted his inability to be physically present due to already
arranged state commitments, but wished him a bountiful celebration. In
the same vein Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, also identified with
Chief Odogwu during his 70th birthday celebration, held recently in
Asaba, at which the cream of society was present. In his congratulatory
message to the Ide, Atiku eulogised Odogwu's commitment to making life
better for the poor and the less privileged in especially the
unemployed in the Nigerian society. Another congratulatory message from
the Governor of Delta State Chief James Ibori also flew to the Ide.
Governor Ibori noted that the Ide had done Delta State proud by two of
his key establishments SIO industries and Grand Hotels, Asaba. Governor
congratulated the Ide on behalf of himself, his family and the entire
Deltans.

National Assembly set to repeal Decree 52

DECREE 52 of 1993 promulgated by former President Ibrahim Babangida
which vested control of all coastal land in Nigeria on the federal
government, may soon be repealed by the National Assembly. The decree,
which contradicts the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, was
promulgated on July 21, 1993 in the twilight of Babangida's
administration. The House of Representatives read the bill for the
repeal of the decree and referred it to its committee on Justice and
Legal Matters for further consideration. The bill, for the repeal of
the decree is known as: "Lands (title vesting, etc) bill and was
sponsored by Mr. Adekunle Fasinro (AD Lagos). Moving a motion to
discuss the bill, Fasinro stressed the need for the National Assembly
to modify all existing laws in the country to comply with the spirit
and letter of the Nigerian constitution. "A systematic modification of
existing laws to comply with the spirit and letter of the constitution
of the Federal Republic remains a pre-requisite for a functional
democracy and the duty of the legislature", Fasinro said. He added that
the National Assembly could not afford to have inconsistent set of land
laws for Nigerian and urged his colleagues to support the bill for the
repeal of the decree to protect and guarantee the integrity of the land
use and management decree. Fasinro stated that decree 52 was
arbitrarily promulgated by Babangida when he was head of state and that
its promulgation resulted in allocation of land to private interest as
against public interest. NAN reports that most members who spoke on the
bill called for the repeal of the decree, saying it was
unconstitutional. Rep. Ita Enang (PDP Akwa Ibom), said that the decree
contradicted the provisions of the land use act and should be repealed.

The South-South struggle

I am not surprised that president Obasanjo is in the Supreme Court of
the Federation to seek for the interpretation of constitutional
provision over resource control. Not dumbfounded because it was the
same Obasanjo who as a military dictator fashioned out the obnoxious
Land Use Decree, which robbed the Niger-Delta people of their God-given
resources. Now, Obasanjo is a democratically elected president, but the
soldier in him won't allow him to do things in a democratic manner.
That he is locked in a legal battle with the South-South governors goes
to show that though he is democratically elected president, he is still
the same Obasanjo of old. Not much has changed in him, and at his age,
I am afraid he cannot be changed. But Obasanjo as an old soldier and an
old prisoner of war should know that things have changed over the
years. He should know that Nigerians, especially Niger-Deltans cannot
tolerate him over as they did when he was the Lord and law between 1976
and 1997. Read my lips Obasanjo is still having some throwback of the
military era, but I am encouraged by the struggle in the South-South.
No giving up. Obasanjo must give to the South-South governors their
dues in a true federation. He smiled away with his Land Use Decree, but
he should know that he cannot win this new war he has declared against
the South-South over resources control. I am very sure that this is one
battle Obasanjo cannot win and like what the arrowhead of resource
control, Governor James Ibori of Delta State said recently, the
South-South is sure of victory at the end of this oily struggle. I
believe the governor. Governor Ibori, who oversee the affairs of a
state that is largest producer of the wealth of this nation on February
27 during a phone-in-programme relayed simultaneously on the radio and
television arms of Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) said the clamour
for resource control in the South-South must be pursued to its logical
conclusion. The arrowhead of the resource control held out that the
issue, contrary to the Federal Government's postulation is more of
politics than the law. To Ibori, the resource control is a very serious
matter as far as the South-South governors are concerned. "I will not
succumb to blackmail on this issue because I know what I am doing " the
governor said and stressed the need for Niger Delta to be calm and
steadfast. "Be patient and peaceful because nothing good comes easy",
Ibori said. Methinks that the best thing for Mr. President is to
withdraw the suit against the South-South governors, but instead
presidents Obasanjo talked tough over the resources control last week
in Bayela while on tour of that state. Talking tough is not going to
help the Federal Government. He cautioned all advocates of resource
control and reminded them that the last civil war was caused partly by
craze for resources control. He would want to apostles of resource
control to remember the sacrifice made by those who fought for the
unity of the country. "When we fought the civil war for the country you
people were small. I pray you do not see war in your life-tile. Don't
forget that the war we fought was partly resource control war. If
Biafra had won that war it would have been a different story. I know
that I would not have been alive because I fought on the side of the
Federal Government, I would have been dead". "Since the resource we are
talking about was fought for with all due respect with the blood of all
Nigerians. I am not saying that those who by the grace of God have that
resource located in their are should go hungry but bear in mind that
the civil war was partly war of resource control," the old soldier and
former prisoner of war said in Bayelsa. My mind tells me that old
soldier is not tried yet of war, because it is those who are war
thirsty that would rob people of their resources and then head for the
Supreme Court. What happen if they cannot have their day in the law
court? Those who are clamouring for resource control are the true
friends of this country, they do not want war. But those who feel that
they can continue to serve their fellow men with crumbs from their
table are the enemies of the nation, and they are ready to fight
another civil war if only to have their day in the sun. It truly
president Obasanjo love that Niger-Delta region, the shouldn't have
been saying that after the Supreme Court's interpretation of the
constitutional provision over the resources control, there would be a
political consideration of the issue of derivation pegged on off shore
oil earnings. If it is true that the president loves me and fellow
Niger-Deltans, and sincerely want to put the sad memories of the civil
war behind him, then he should give to Caesar what is due to Caesar.
That is what rue federation is all about and there lies also the beauty
of democracy. But I do know that soldiers whether young or old are most
times enemies of democracy it is rather unfortunate. My mind tells me
too that victory for the apostle of resource control would; come sooner
than expected, because the South - South struggle is a just struggle.
Let those in Abuja take it or leave it.

-------------------------

Tuesday March 27, 2001

The State Government has approved the establishment of six new
secondary schools in the State

The State Government has approved the establishment of six new
secondary schools in the State in a bid to decongest existing schools
in some local government areas. The new schools are Gbaregolor Girls
Secondary, Gbaregolor in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Ubeji
Grammar School, Ubeji in Warri South local government, Erho Grammar
School Erho-Abraka in Ethiope East local government. Others are Adaka
Grammar School, Ugboren, Sapele local government. Saint Thomases
College Ibusa in Oshimili North and Abari Secondary School, Abari in
Patani local government area. A statement from the Ministry states that
the bulldozing, landscaping and construction work on these new schools
will commence soon.

The federal government said it has put in place mechanism for the
smooth take off of the 'Universal Basic Education Programme

The federal government said it has put in place mechanism for the
smooth take off of the Universal Basic Education programme UBE through
the co-ordinating team. The state Chairman of the Primary Education
Board Chief Efe Akpobi who spoke to a correspondent in Asaba said due
to the mobilisation programme embarked upon by the UBE team a total of
eleven million pupils have been registered for the first year of the
programme. Chief Akpobi said he was particularly impressed with the
interest and support of the state Governor Chief James Ibori in the
provision of durable infrastructures for the successful take off of the
programme in the state. He noted that Chief Ibori like his counterparts
in other states is eager to assist the federal government to make
primary schools models for child development programme

The Chairman of the State Urban Water Board, Mr. Arido Muoboghare says
the attainment of water supply for all in Asaba will take sometime to
materialize.

The Chairman of the State Urban Water Board, Mr. Arido Muoboghare says
the attainment of water supply for all in Asaba will take sometime to
materialize. Mr. Muoboghare who was reacting to complaints of
inadequate water supply in some parts of the state capital, said some
of the water distribution pipes were laid many years ago and cannot be
easily reached for repairs. He spoke of the possibility of some of the
pipes, which have now been covered by tarred roads, having burstages
which obviously disrupted water distribution. The Chairman also cited
the on-going construction of roads in Asaba, with its attendant
destruction of pipes, as another factor militating against effective
water distribution in the state capital. The Urban Water Board Chairman
said all the Headworks in Asaba were functional and pumping at full
capacity, stressing that the problem of inadequate supply to
residential houses had to do with distribution network. He assured the
residents of Asaba that the Board would not relent in its efforts to
improve water distributors and appealed to them to be patient.

The Obi of Aboh, Obi Imegwu the second has expressed satisfaction with
the on-going development projects in Ndokwa land,

The Obi of Aboh, Obi Imegwu the second has expressed satisfaction with
the on-going development projects in Ndokwa land, especially the
Ashaka-Aboh road project. Obi Imegwu stated this when the executive
members of Ndokwa National Union led by retired Justice J.A. Obi paid
him a visit. The Obi thanked Governor James Ibori for his people
oriented programmes and called for more support for the government to
achieve more. The Obi however called on government to appoint Ndokwa
sons and daughters as commissioners in the new ministry and also site a
higher institution in Ndokwa land. The Secretary of Ndokwa National
Union Engineer StanleyAgba, stated that no State and federal presence,
Is being felt In the area 1n terms,of tertiary Institution, noting that
Ndokwa land deserves.better deal as a major contribution to the
National Income.

The Minister of Defence (Navy) , Mrs Modupe Adelaja is expected, in
Delta State on Thursday in continuation of her tour of Naval formations
and units in the country.

The Minister of Defence (Navy) , Mrs Modupe Adelaja is expected, in
Delta State on Thursday in continuation of her tour of Naval formations
and units in the country. A programme of the visit reveals that the
Minister will arrive at the Benin Airport in Edo State by 9.40 in the
morning. She will be received, by the Commanding Officer, NNS Umalokun,
Navy Captain John Kpokpogri. Mrs. Adelaja will thereafter inspect Naval
facilities and projects in NNS Urhiapele and NNS Umalokun as well as
Naval facilities offshore. On Friday,the Minister will address a news
conference at the Osubi Airport from 5 P.M. Meantime, Sub-lientenant
Ben Charles Amioke of the Public Relations Directorate, has appealed to
journalists to give the Minister's visit the widest publicity.

An Induction Course for newly recruited staff of the Delta Agricultural
Development Programme, ADP,

An Induction Course for newly recruited staff of the-Delta Agricultural
Development Programme, ADP, will take place The ceremony is scheduled
for ten in the mornging at the ADP headquarters, Ibusa. The programme
manager, Mr. Emmanuel Odume, has directed all the affected staff of the
establishment to attend the course.

special anti-robbery squad (SARS) recorded another success

In continuation of its war against armed. robbery and car snatching in
the state, the police Command through its special anti-robbery squad
(SARS) recorded another success Briefing newsmen in his office, the
State Commissioner of police, John Hamza Ahmadu said on the 27th last
month a driver attached to fortune Bank in Warri identified one James
Ogbebor at the banking hall as an armed robber who had earlier robbed
him at gun point of his company's Honda Accord attached to tne branch
Manager Warri. The police Boss said the alarm raised by the driver, led
to the arrest of the suspect who was taken to Ekpan police Station. On
interrogation, James Ogbebor confessed that he belonged to a
car-snatching syndicate that help disposer expensive cars snatched in
Warri to buyers in Lagos. The confession of Ogbebor led to the arrest
of Uro Samuel Moshshe, a final year student of electrical engineering
at the University of Lagos.Samuel Mosheshe was alleged to have given
him a 'bank cheque of eighty thousand, naira which he went to cash at
fortune .Bank before his arrest, The police also recovered a Honda
Accord Car which was registered in the name of Uro Samuel Mosheshe. The
cars recovered from Mosheshe include Honda Accord Car, a peugeot 406,
one Daihatsu unregistered car, Mercedes Ben 500EL.. Men of SARS also
recovered seven computer units from the car snatchers. Answering
questions from journalists Samuel Mosheshe said his ai arrest was a
frame-up from one of his sisters whom he had misunderstanding with.

Traffic on the Kwale-Asaba road was stopped for several hours yesterday

Traffic on the Kwale-Asaba road was stopped for several hours yesterday
when protesting Kwale youths blocked the road at Otagba-Ogbe Technical
School, Kwale. The youths who carried placards with various
inscriptions said they were protesting what they called marginalisation
by the present administration in the state, They made bonfires and
forced motoriests to turn back, the vehicles waiting to pass the road
stretched several kilometres from the "blickade. The protesting youths
said, Kwale as an oil producing area, ought to be considered for the
siting of higher institutions of learning and other social
infrastructure as well as appointment into government positions. The
State deputy governor Chief Benjamin Elue whose convoy was not allowed
to pass through the road, told the protesting youths that it is not
true that the state government was marginalising the kwale read of the
State. Chief Elue spoke on a number of road, electricity and other
social infrastures intended by the State government to improve the
living standards of the people of the area. Chief Elue urged the youths
not to take the laws into their hands and later invited their leaders
to Asaba for further discussion, an invitation that was turned down
immediately by the youths. meanwhile the youths have reportedly removed
all blockades on the road.

The chairman of Ndokwa West local government has apolgised to the State
Deputy Governor Chief Benjamin Elue over the embarrassment caused, him
by Kwale Youths

The chairman of Ndokwa West local government , Chief Emeka Ukepe has
apolgised to the State Deputy Governor Chief Benjamin Elue over the
embarrassment caused, him by Kwale Youths who barricated the Kwale
-Ughelli expressway yesterday. Chief Ukpe who was speaking with a DBS
correspondent in Asaba, said the action of the youths was uncalled for
He said it was erroneous for any one to described Kwale as a
marginalised area, pointing out that the present administration had
touched the lives of the people more than any other administration in
the state, Chief Ukpe who also regretted the embarrassment caused
Motorists, advised the youths to always channel their grievances
through appropriate quarters as anything to the contrary could bring
them in confrontation with the law enforcement agencies.

The wife of the governor Mrs. Nkoyo Ibori has urged the contractors
handling the construction of the Warri Township Stadium to expedite
action on the project

The wife of the governor Mrs. Nkoyo Ibori has urged the contractors
handling the construction of the Warri Township Stadium to expedite
action on the project. She stated this yesterday in an interview with a
Staff reporter Jeyere Ugbeye, shortly after inspecting the progress of
Work at the Stadium. Mrs. Ibori said there was need for the job to be
completed on schedule in view of the importance the state government
attaches to the stadium. The governor's wife who was conducted round
the Stadium by top football officials in the State.was accompanied on
the visit by the State deputy governor Chief Benjamin Elue, the Sole
administrator of Sports Chief Solomon Ogba and Chief Emma Ejiofor
special Adviser to the deputy governor

The coordinator of the national Association of civil War soldiers has
appealed to the Federal and Delta State Governments

The coordinator of the national Association of civil War soldiers,
retired Major Brown Njokarma has appealed to the Federal and Delta
State Governments to better the lot of the members of the association.
Major Njokanma who was speaking in Ogwashi-Uku, said the soldiers who
fought and survived the Nigerian Oivil War deserved a better deal in
view of their sacrifice towards the enthronement of peace in the
country. He said some of the ex-soldiers could be useful in security
services and peace keeping operations and urged the goverrment to
create employment for members of the association in these areas. The
ex-soldiery reminded members of the association at the local government
level about the on-going registration which will end on Thursday and
advised them to avail themselves of the Opportunity.

The State Government has re-emphasized its commitment to the develop of
sports.

The State Government has re-emphasized its commitment to the develop of
sports. The State Deputy Chief Benjamin Elue stated this at the finals
of the Delta Football Association. under-14 football competition for
local government areas in the state. He explained that in pursuance of
this goal that the state government upgraded the status of the youths
and sports department to a full ministry. Chief Elue spoke on a number
of plans by the state aimed at developing sports especially football.
He said an ultra-modem sport stadium is being constructed in Warri. Two
similar stadia, according to Chief Elue being constructed in Asaba and
Sapele while the rest of the twenty-five local government areas in the
state are to be provided with a mini-stadium each.Two similar stadia,
according to Chief Elue fe being constructed in Asaba and Sapele while
the rest of the twenty-five local government areas in the state are to
be provided with a mini-stadium each. The Sponsor of the competition
Mr. Alfred Okoigun stated his resolve to sponsor the tournament for
another four years. Mr. expressed satisfaction at the standard
exhibited by the teams and declared his intention to sponsor the
winners to represent the state in France and Sweden.

Mosheshe’s son linked to car snatching syndicate As police round them
up

THE Delta State Police Command claimed yesterday that it had smashed a
car snatching syndicate allegedly led by Uro Samuel Mosheshe, son of a
Warri-based multi-millionaire, Evangelist, Prince Cousin Mosheshe. But
the alleged ring leader is denying the charge, saying he was set up by
proximate interests. Briefing newsmen in Asaba, the state Commissioner
of Police, Mr. John Ahmadu said the incident that led to the arrest of
Samuel Mosheshe started on February 27, 2001 when "a driver attached to
Fortune Bank in Warri identified one James Ogbebor at the banking hall
as an armed robber who had allegedly robbed him at gun point of his
company's Honda Accord on January 30. The Honda car was attached to the
Warri branch Manager of the farm. The commissioner stated that James
Ogbebor was arrested and during interrogation, allegedly implicated
25-year-old Samuel Mosheshe whom he alleged, gave him a cheque for
N800,000 which he went to cash at the bank on the fateful day. He
alleged that the syndicate specialises in the snatching of exotic cars
and called on parents to monitor the activities of their children. Cars
allegedly recovered from the syndicate included a Honda Accord car
formerly with Reg. No. Delta AB 968 JRT now allegedly changed to Lagos
MB 644 SMK which was reportedly stolen at gun point from Universal
Trust Bank Plc of 106, Effurun/Sapele road, Effurun. The commissioner
disclosed that "the vehicle was later registered in the name of Uro
Samuel Mosheshe which he obtained in the same way as Honda Accord car
with Reg. No. Lagos AT 821 EPE which he obtained in the name of Mrs.
Florence Mosheshe, a peugeot 406 with Reg. No. Lagos BW 825 EKY bought
in the name of Prince J. O. C. Mosheshe, while a Mercedez Benz 500 E
with Reg. No. AQ 476 KSF, peugeot 306 with Reg. No. Lagos AQ 476KSF and
a Honda Civic with Reg. No. Lagos AT 821 EPE, seven computer units were
also recovered in Lagos, allegedly based on the confession of Samuel
Mosheshe. One unregistered Daihatsu was also allegedly recovered from
James Ogbebor, the commissioner said, adding that a Edek Okon, Ajayi,
Kingsley, Ntoro and Nicholas were other suspected members of the
syndicate yet to be arrested. While thanking members of the public for
given prompt and correct information to the police, Mr. Ahmadu noted
that efforts were on to trace the original owners of all recovered
vehicles and to arrest other members of the syndicate. Answering
questions from newsmen, 25-year-old Mosheshe who said he is the father
of five children and is a final year electrical electronics engineering
student of University of Lagos (UNILAG) alleged that he and his friend
were being set-up, stating that he is not a thief but manages the
business of his father, Prince Cousin Mosheshe of City of God Church,
Airport Road, Warri. In a related development, Commissioner Ahmadu said
the police on surveillance last weekend, ran into robbery syndicate
that was operating on the road. In the gun duel that ensued, three
members of the gang were shot dead while one of the policemen sustained
injury in the incident. He disclosed that a letter allegedly written by
one of the robber's mother was used to identify one of the robbers as
Efe, a University undergraduate. Based on the letter which he read to
newsmen, it was learnt that a day before the incident, Efe's mother had
warned him to desist from his bad habits and turn to God quoting some
passages from the Bible for Efe to read.

Pandemonium at Ika N’East secretariat

THERE was pandemonium yesterday at Owa-Oyibu, headquarters of Ika North
East local government area of Delta State when armed mobile policemen
arrived the council secretariat and fired gun shots and tear gas to
scare workers away from the secretariat. It was alleged that the
policemen were at the secretariat, allegedly at the instance of the
suspended chairman of the local government, Barrister Joseph Ojobu to
allow him gain entry to his office. Some local government workers
resisted the chairman’s entering his office because he has been
suspended by the legislative arm of the council. Contacted the acting
chairman of the local government, Hon. Evangelist Anthony Nzuwuogwu
described the incident at the secretariat as "a surprise". He said the
workers scaled the fence while some locked up themselves in the office
when the mobile policemen were firing their guns. The acting chairman
told The POINTER that a councillor, Prince (Hon.) Bright Efeziomor was
shot at but escaped unhurt as the bullet narrowly missed him. According
to the acting chairman, before the incident, three men had come on a
surveillance exercise and they were caught and handed over to police.
Hon. Nzuwuogwu stated that they were arrested because they could not
explain their mission.

Akpore, PDP stalwart murdered

MR. Boye Onome Akpore, son of a former Deputy Governor of the defunct
Bendel State and Treasurer of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in
Ughelli North local government area of Delta State, has been shot dead
by gunmen believed to be hired assassins. The second son of the deputy
governor during Professor Ambrose Alli's administration (1979-1983) was
returning from a late night political meeting in Warri, when the gunmen
said to have moved ahead of him in Kombi-bus, struck at Oku-Okoko near
Agbara, on the Warri/Ughelli road. The 38-year old PDP stalwart had
first beaten the gunmen with a dramatic U-turn' in his Mercedez Benz
car. However, the gunmen about six in number, reportedly pursued him,
spraying the body of the car with bullets from behind. The young
politician swerved off the road in an apparent effort to make good his
escape through the swamps of the nearby stream, at Oku-Okoko but before
he could escape from the car, his assailants opened fire, killing him
on the spot. His co-traveller, Mr. Igho Oboh, a childhood friend and
also a co-PDP stalwart who beat the gunmen to the race, is now lying
critically ill in hospital as a result of bullet wounds. News of the
tragic incident was broken to newsmen at Orogun at the weekend, his
elder brother, Chief Jomo Akpore, one of the late Chief Demas Akpore's
three sons in the American Army but now in the country on leave. The
army officer, lamented that his brother, Boye had money on him which
did not interest the callous killers. Like his father, Chief Demas
Akpore and all his brothers, Boye attended the Government College,
Ughelli, and on completing his secondary school education, proceeded to
the Auchi Polytechnic to read Mass Communication. He worked with the
Nigerian Observer and some other Nigerian dailies, before branching out
to politics. He was a former Supervisory Councillor for Education in
Ughelli North local government council before his election as treasurer
of the PDP in the local government area, a position he held till his
death.

Govt'll identify with community self-help

THE Delta State government has assured communities in the state that it
will continue to identify itself with any community which embarks on
self-help development projects in its area. The Permanent Secretary,
Directorate of Youths and Sports, Governor's Office Asaba, Chief Dr.
(Mrs) C.T. Ejofodomi gave the assurance in Sapele while presenting the
Delta State government community development grant-in-aid to three
communities in Sapele area in recognition of their self-help
development efforts. The benefitting communities are: Ugborhen, Okuovu
I and II and Okuovo community. Ugborhen community received N25,000.00
for the renovation of a block of three classrooms; Okuovu I and II got
N22,000.00 for embarking on construction of three kilometre earth road
while Okuoke community received N23,000.00 for executing an
electrification project. The permanent secretary who was represented by
a director for community development in the directorate Mr. Isodje
Adams noted that government recognises the immense contributions which
self-help activities and projects make towards accelerating government
efforts at development. Dr. (Mrs) Ejofodomi said that communities which
accepted the concept and practices the will in the long run, move from
subsistence to technological economy, and from poverty, ignorance and
diseases to prosperity as well as good health. The permanent secretary
commended Ugborhen, Okuovu and Okuoke communities for realistically
initiating and implementing the self-help development projects to
complement government development efforts in the area. She explained
that the grant-in-aid is meant to encourage communities and not to
repay them for all the money they might have spent on the projects. Dr.
(Mrs) Ejofodomi announced that the ban on community development
associations in the state has been lifted and implored communities to
register their associations so as to gain recognition for grant of
social amenities. In their separate address of welcome, the benefitting
communities thanked the state government for presenting them with the
grant-in-aid in recognition of their self-help development efforts. The
communities, however, appealed for more federal, state and local
governments' presence in their areas in order to improve on the
socio-economic development of their communities. The perment secretary
had paid a courtesy visit on the Chairman of Sapele local government,
Chief Monday Ovwigho Igbuya in his office. Chief Igbuya thanked the
permanet secretary for the visit but appealed to the state government
to discourage the use of monetary award in showing appreciation to
communities that embarked on self-help development proejcts.

Politician lauds Ibori's dev strides

A politician, Hon. Frank Enegide had lauded the developmental strides
of the Ibori administration, saying the award of contract for the
Obiaruku-Amai-Ogume-Kwale road project was the best thing that had
happened to Ukwuani people since the beginning of the new millennium.
The Obiaruku-Amai-Ogume-Kwale road valued at over N200m and currently
under construction, was one of the major roads approved by the Delta
State government in the 2001 fiscal year. Hon. Enegide, in a chat with
The POINTER, said the award of the road contract positively attested to
the responsive nature of Governor James Ibori to the yearnings for
infrastuctural development, by the generality of Deltans. Enegide, a
leader of thought and councillor representing Amai community in Ukwuani
local government council, said the reconstruction of the road that
links Ukwuani hinterland, was worthy of commendation given that the
road had been abandoned for more than a decade. He noted that the
people suffered deprivations occasioned by the abandonment of the road
because for a long time they were cut off from the rest part of the
world. “Basically, this road, once completed, will certainly help to
develop our area because it would be motorable and then our people
would be able to move farm produce to major centres”, Enegide remarked.
According to him, there was no denying the fact that the pitiable level
of underdevelopment to which Ukwuani land had been enmeshed in recent
times, was partly engendered by the absence of good roads in the area.
The councillor also spoke on the level of development in Ukwuani local
government council and commended its chairman, Ogbuefi Eric Anigala for
the positive initiatives that have characterised the council's
administration since the inception of the democratic dispensation. He
stated that the effective manner in which the local government
administration was being run has resulted in the smooth and cordial
relationship between the executive and legislative arms of the council.
Hon. Enegide who is the Chief Whip of the Legislative arm, said it was
gladdening that despite cases of acrimony in various local government
of Delta state and the country in general, the situation in Ukwuani had
been that of one family knitted by common aspirations and shared
objectives.

--------------------------

Monday March 26, 2001

Governor James Ibori has called for closer co-operation among the
federating units in the country

Governor James Ibori has called for closer co-operation among the
federating units in the country in order to build a strong, united and
indivisible nation. Chief Ibori made the call at a dinner and command
perfomance organised by the state government in honour of thirteen
state governors from the various geo-political zones across the
country. The governor stated that as operators of the system the well
being of the federcting unit should all times be reflected in the
actions of the leaders and the people. Chief Ibori reminded the
governors that it was in recognition of the heterogeneous composition
of the nation that prompted its founding fathers to fashion out a
federal system of government which confered relative autonomy and
flexibility on the federating units. The governor therefore asked the
present crop of leadership in the country take steps towards ensuring
justice, love and peace in the polity Chief Ibori remarked that the
desired confidence of the people in the National Project.could only be
realised in an atmosphere devoid of ethnic, party affiliations and
zonal groupings. Responding on behalf of other governors, the Kogi
state governor. Prince Abubakar Audu stated.that there is no substitute
to democracy adding that politics in the country had grown beyond
ethnic, religious and party affiliations. Prince Audu re-affirmed the
irrevocable commitment of the people to the continued unity of the
nation and called on the political.class to protect and promote the
ration's fledging democracy.

Wealthy and privileged members of the society have been adviced to
apply their resources to the advantage of mankind.

Wealthy and privileged members of the society have been adviced to
apply their resources to the advantage of mankind. The Bishop of
Issele-Uku Dioceses Bishop Emmanuel Otteh gave the advice yesterday in
a homily to mark the 70th birthday anniversary of Chief Sonny Odogwu at
the Saint Josephs Catholic Church, Asaba. Bishop Otteh reminded the
congregation that wealth comes from Crod and should therefore be
applied to the advantage of the less privileged in the society in order
to attract more blessings from the Almighty God. The officiating
minister condemned the greed, selfishness and wickedness prevailant in
the society and asked Nigerians to turn to God. Bishop Otteh also
called on political office holders to give Nigerians the dividends of
democracy through the execution of projects with direct bearing on the
lives of the people. The service was attended by the cream of the
Nigerian society including Governor James Ibori, the former Vice
President, Dr. Alex Ekewueme the Asagba of Asaba and representatives of
the Ooni of Ife.In arlated devlopment President Olusegun Obasanjo has
paid. glowing tributes to Chief Sonny Iwedike Odogwu, Ide Ahaba, for
his outstanding contributions to the development of Asaba, the State
and the nation. He made the observation in a congratulatory message to
the business icon at a ceremony to mark his 70th birthday in Asaba.
President Obasanjo attributed the large turn out of Well wishers at the
occasion to the many lives Chief Odogwu had touched in a positive way
over the years. The president's message was personally delivered by
Chief Chris Agbobu, the Minister of State, federal Ministry of
Agriculture Chief Agbobu also delivered a similar message on behalf of
Vice president Atiku &Abubakar - The State Governor, Chief James Ibori
was represented at the birthday party by Dr Joshua Enueme, the
Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives In a message.
Governor Ibori described Cheief Sonny Odogwu as an embodiment of
hardwork and honesty and wished him many more years of useful service
to the State and the nation.

The wife of the Commissioner for information and Culture Mrs Mini
Igbrude, has asked women especially Christiana mothers to be alive to
their responsibilities

The wife of the Commissioner for information and Culture Mrs Mini
Igbrude, has asked women especially Christiana mothers to be alive to
their responsibilities and avoid giving excuses to justify acts that
are not edifying'. She made the call yesterday delivering a sermon to
mark this year's mothering sunday at Saint Philip's Anglican Church,
Asaba. Mrs Igbrude who dwelt on the virtuous womanurged women to always
allow themselves to be controlled by the spirit of God in everything
they do. The Commissioner's wife noted that Christian mothers must
imbibe attributes that would engender good report them. . Mrs Igbrude
sued for modesty in the Lifestyles of Christian mothers especially
their dressing patterns to enable, them be at par with their husbands.
The service, which featured special prayers, for women and the nation
was attended by many dignitaries. including the commmissioner for
Information and culture, Barrister Young Daniel Women have been.
asked,to emulate the exemplary life of Mary the mother of God.The
Priest incharge of Church of the Assumption, parish Zappa, Asaba,
Reverend. Father Peter-Claver Ugoagwu, made the call yesterday at the
celebration of this year's mothering surroary in the .Parish. Father
Ugoagwu said. Mary was humble, unassuming and. righteous which
qualified, her to be the mother of God He advised mothers to show love
and. carf, to every one around, them and. to help improve the spiritual
life of their children to make them responsible members of the society.
The church service featured, special thanksgiving by members of the
Catholic Women Organisation of the parish.Speaking later at a reception
organised "by the women, the wife of the General Manager of Delta
Broad-casting Service, Mrs Theresa Osubor, urged them to reflect on the
essence of the Mothers Day Celebration. Mrs Osubor who spoke on the
topic "What have we done as Christian mothers" advised the women to
show love and care to the less privileged in the society in additon to
their role in the home.

The seventh coronation anniversary of the Ovie of Ughelli ' Kingdom,

The seventh coronation anniversary of the Ovie of Ughelli ' Kingdom,
His Royal Majesty Oharisi the third comes up According to the lyasere'
Prince Freeborn Oharisi the celebration which will be low keyed will
hold at the Ovie's Palace, Ughelli. All sons and daughters as well as
well wishers of Ughelli Kingdom are invited to the coronation
anniversary

The National President of the Warri Ladies Vanguard. (Inter- national
Chief Patience Uku, has sued for meaningful trust

The National President of the Warri Ladies Vanguard. (Inter- national
Chief Patience Uku, has sued for meaningful trust and cooperation
amongst the diverse ethnic groups in the state Chief Uku explained,
that such, mutual understanding was necessary to promote peace which is
a very essential ingredient for overall development. Chief Uku made the
declaration over the weekend in Sapele during an enlarged meeting of
the vanguard. she enjoined members to show increased conmitment to the
actualization of the goals of the Movement which include the provision
of succour to needy persons in its areas of operation Chief Uku praised
the peace initiatives of the presen/L adJainistration in the state and
enjoined Deltans to remain the vanguard for the rapid development of
the state. She revealed that her movement had provided relief materials
to some persons affected by conflicts in the Niger Delta Region. This
is in addition to the establishment of Vocational Centres to enable
women in the area to acquire some skills. Also speaking, the public
relations Officer of the Vanguard., Chief Julie Coker revealed that
members of the vanguard had established a modern hospital at
Ode-Itsekiri to compliment State Government healths programme.

Ibori urges cooperation among Governors

DELTA State Governor, Chief James Ibori has canvassed the need for
governors of the geo-political zones to co-operate with one another in
order to build a strong, united and indivisible country. Chief Ibori
who spoke at a dinner/command performance held for 13 visiting state
governors at Grand Hotel, Asaba on Saturday night, said the governors,
as operators of the system, owed it as a duty to be vanguard of unity
and beacons of hope for the people. He stated that Nigerians are
desirous of a situation in which the people would have confidence in
Nigeria as a nation. "It is in a condition of brotherly interactions
devoid of ethnic, party affiliations and zonal groupings that the
desired confidence in the national project can be realized," he
emphasised. The governor said such realities and values should inform
the programme of business for the gathering of state governors, be it
informal or formal. "I wish to reiterate that ours is a unique destiny.
We must, therefore, take big steps in the direction of ensuring
justice, love and peace in the polity. "We need one another and we
should always strive to carry everyone along in all our national
pursuits," he advised. Chief Ibori note that the confidence reposed in
them by the people and their expectations for the improvement of their
lot should always constitute the motivating force in the policies,
programmes and undertakings during the tenure. The visit of the
governors, Chief Ibori explained, is unique, being a reminder that they
share a common vision and faith in one indivisible and indissoluble
sovereign and true democratic country. "As we have all just emerged
from the long period of military rule, we owe it a duty, as apostles of
democracy in the fourth republic, to uphold the cherished values of
democracy," the governor said. He pointed out that Nigeria is a
heterogeneous society comprising people of different cultures,
ethnicity and religious, adding that it is in recognition of the
positive diversity that the founding fathers put in place a federal
system of government which, according to him, confers relative autonomy
and flexibility on the federating units. Governor of Kogi State, Prince
Abubakar Audu, who responded on behalf of his colleagues, said politics
in the country had transcended beyond ethnic groupings, religious and
political affiliations. Prince Audu affirmed that there is no
substitute for democracy and that the gathering of the governors, from
different religious and political class are prepared to protect and
promote the nascent democracy. He re-affirmed the commitment of
politicians to resist any attempt to scuttle democracy in the country
and called on Nigerians to support the democratic process by rising up
against all anti-democratic forces. Prince Audu said they were in Delta
state to commiserate with the government and people on the death of the
Speaker of state House of Assembly, Hon. Francis Megbele as well as
congratulate his successor, Hon. Basil Ganagana. Other governors
included Zamfara, Alhaji Sanni Yerime; Akwa Ibom; Obong Victor Attah
(Akwa Ibom), Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwanso, (Kano); Alhaji Abdullahi
(Nassarawa); Abia, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia). Rear Admiral Mohammed
Lawal (rtd), (Kwara), Alhaji Abdullahi Kure, (Niger); Alhaji Adamu
Alisu, (Kebbi), Alhaji Bukar Ibrahim (Yobe); Alhaji Attaihiru Bafawara,
(Sokoto); Jigawa, Alhaji Ibrahim Turaki (Jigawa) and Chief Achike
Udenwa (Imo).

New Revenue Formula to be released in July

THE Revenue Mobilisa tion Allocation and Fiscal Commission is expected
to release a new revenue sharing method devoid of manipulation among
the three tiers of government by the end of July this year. Chief
Ejiofor Onyia the Delta State Commissioner in the commission disclosed
this in Asaba at the weekend. He said the new formula will make it
difficult for any form of manipulation. He said, "the horizontal which
is the indices that are used for the allocation is where you can
manipulate but the commission has come up with new formula for indices,
which we have just presented to all the states and that the new method
has made it impossible for any manipulation any more that is what we
are trying to do now and as soon as it is ready we shall make it public
probably by the end of July.. On the issue of determining the boundary
position with regards to location of oil wells, he said “we never
addressed the issue of boundary but what we addressed is when the
presidential committee on oil wells toured the states we did not
discuss boundary, he added;” What we looked at is where these oil wells
are located whether they are in state A or state B. We are not
discussing issue of boundary we are not a boundary adjustment
commission.”

Southern Governors in crucial meeting in Benin: Highlights-• Resource
Control • True Federalism • New Pol Parties • Deregulation

GOVERNORS of Nigeria's Southern States today begin a crucial two-day
meeting in Benin City, Edo State, with the topical issues of resource
control, the principle of true federalism, new political parties and
the deregulation of the critical downstream arm of the strategic oil
sector, as part of a crucial agenda. Host Governor, Chief Lucky
Igbinedion said the meeting would enable the governors harmonise their
position on the agenda, some of which had pitched them against the
federal government. The federal government had gone to court seeking
the Supreme Court's judgement on the dichotomy between the off-shore
and on-shore oil wealth and the level of derivation principle
applicable thereto. Some of the Southern States - Delta, Akwa-Ibom,
Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo and Abia - belong to the enviable
club of oil-bearing states, which have become the arrowhead of the
resource control agitation, which triggered the federal government
resort to the legal option. But governors of the oil-bearing states, as
indeed, some other interests, have held out the issue as more of
politics, than the law, and have urged its diplomatic resolution.
Already, some of the states - Akwa-Ibom for instance, have filed a
legal response to the federal government's suit. In the face of the
tendency of the federal government's suit, today's meeting is expected
to provide a platform for the governments' to re-oil their battle
machinery on the vexed issue. Governor Igbinedion admitted that much in
his interaction with newsmen. Aside oil-related disputes, the governors
are expected to harmonise their views on the federal government
controversial proposal for the deregulation of the oil sector. The
proposal has attracted the ire of organised labour which has mounted
nationwide antagonistic rallies, but has drawn the endorsement, in
principle, of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) which says it could
help end the pangs of fuel scarcity that has become a negative national
index. The governors' endorsement of the proposal would be a moral
boost for the federal government which had gone hoarse in trying to
sell its proposal, in the face of a strident labour antagonism. A thumb
down for the proposal would strengthen labour's arm and deflate an
already hard-hit federal government. No fewer than three of the
governors had in the last one week, titled towards labour on the issue.
The issue of new parties, already controversial on account of the
INEC's admission of its disability in registering new parties, citing
legal encumbrances), is also on the agenda of the meeting. Inspite of
the controversy of the agenda, governor Igbinedion told the press he
was optimistic that the meeting world "go a long way in translating to
reality, they yearnings and aspirations of the people" of the region.
Meanwhile, state is now wearing a new look in readiness for the meeting
of the Southern governors' which kicks off today. Some of the major
streets in Benin City through which the visitors are likely to pass on
their way to the meeting venue have received a face-lift which the
state government house, venue of the meeting, was also not left out in
the clean up exercise. As at press time, the state Commissioner for
Environment and Solid Minerals, Mrs. Kadir and Oredo local government
Chairman Dr. Nosa Ehima were still going round the streets to ensure
that thorough cleanliness was maintained while pail leaders were seen
evacuating refuse, especially around Oba market, Lagos Street and Kings
Square, in readiness for the visitors. Already, advance parties of many
of the states have arrived Benin-City. Speaking on preparation so far,
Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, state Deputy Governor, said adequate measures
had been put in place to ensure fruitful and memorable stay in Benin of
the governors. He disclosed that adequate security measures have been
taken to ensure an uninterrupted session for the visitors. Chief
Oghiadomhe explained that the meeting would afford Edo State the
opportunity to continue to host the gathering of the governors where
issues affecting the geo-political zones with a view to moving her and
indeed the country forwards.

... calls for true federalism

Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori has called for a concerted
effort by all Nigerians to eradicate all forms of obstacles militating
against the practice of true Federalism in the country. The governor
canvassed the position in Benin City, in a goodwill message to
political and community leaders of South-South geo-political zone at
South-South peoples conference (SSOPEC) at the weekend. Chief Ibori who
spoke through his Special Adviser on the Niger Delta, Hon. Peter P.Y.
Biakpara, explained that true Federalism would accelerate
socio-economic growth and development of the federating units. He
lamented that Nigerians' optimism that with the dawn of democracy as
against military rule, all forms of unitary practices in the political
system inhibiting the progress of the federating units would be laid to
rest seemed to have become on illusion. The governor who made it clear
that the call for true federalism had nothing to do with any movement
towards secession, pointed out that the people of the South-South share
a common desire for the unity and survival of the country, with their
brothers and sisters in other parts of the country. He, therefore,
urged the leaders of SSOPEC and indeed all Nigerians the Federal
Government to critically re-examine all state policies which inhibit
the practice of true Federalism, with a view to meeting the yearnings
and aspirations of the people. Chief Ibori also commended SSOPEC
leaders for sensitising Nigerians to the plight of the zone and
amplifying the common grounds and goals of the peoples' struggle for
true federalism and resource control as well as the political
emancipation of the people. Governor Ibori who described the
conference's contributions as "often relatively unbiased, based on
strong patriotic fervour and clear ethical principles," urged the elite
in the South-South to see it as a duty to remain united in order to
bring to an end the scourge of poverty, dilapidated infrastructures
ill-equipped health and educational institutions as well as poor
electricity and communications facilities which had become the bane of
the region. While expressing disgust that the people's call for social
economic justice rather than attracting dialogue has been misconstrued
for diversionary reasons, he charged SSOPEC to enlighten the Federal
government on the advantages of seeking a just solution to the plight
of South-South zone. Also speaking the chairman of SSOPEC, HRM
Dappa-Biriye said the conference was irrevocably committed to a truly
united Federal Republic of Nigeria where justice in all its
ramifications reigned. He frowned at the persistent scarcity of
petroleum products and this on insincerity of purpose on the
authorities charged with tackling the problem. Earlier, Edo state
Coordinator of SSOPEC, Mr Edwin Aimufua lamented the marginalisation of
the people of South-South by successive regimes despite the huge
contributions of the zone to the political, social and economic
development of the country. Dr Edwin Clarke, in his speech, also called
for redress of the injustice perpetrated on the South-South people by
previous regimes. At the end of the meeting HRM Dappa Biriye and Dr
Clarke re-emerged chairman and Deputy respectively while six vice
chairmen were drawn from various units of the zone. Five ex-officer
members including Senator Fred Brume and other officers were appointed
officials.

NDE gets new mandate on poverty eradication

THE federal government has given the National Directorate of Employment
(NDE) a new mandate for the implementation of its new National Poverty
Eradication Programme (NAPEP), meant to empower Nigerian youths toward
being gainfully employed, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Under the new dispensation, the NDE will train youths nationwide to
acquire skills under the Youths Empowerment Scheme (YES) of the
programme. "The NDE, under the new policy, will provide training
opportunities based on skills acquisition, such as the National Open
Apprenticeship Scheme (NOAS) for unemployed youths,:" a source close to
the directorate told NAN in Abuja yesterday. The source said that the
directorate would also recruit and train unemployed youths under the
Capacity Acquisition Programme (CAP) and Mandatory Attachment Programme
(MAP) nationwide, nothing that those to be trained would be given a
stipend, to enable them to meet up their daily requirements. NAN
reports that the NDE would further be involved in the mobilisation of
youths and attaching them to "master-craftsmen" and Small-Scale
Enterprises (SMEs), where they are expected to acquire skills in
relevant trades. Its head of information unit, Mr. Kim Nwosu, told NAN
that the directorate would embark on capacity building for
master-craftsmen and women. According to Nwosu, "we are going to
generate data on employment opportunities, productivity improvement,
enterprise promotion, job counselling, and allied duties, to promote
and participate adequately in the new National Poverty Eradication
Programme (NAPEP)." NAN learnt that NDE is to commence the registration
of 5,500 master craftsmen and women nationwide, as trainers for its
youths skill acquisition programme.

Delta Force ambush Dodan Warriors

DELTA force male bas- ket ball team on Saturday defeated a Nigerian
army male basket ball team, the Dodan Warriors of Lagos in the on going
basket ball premier league by 83 to 74 baskets. In her first home match
about two weeks ago in the same venue, Delta force neutralised the
bombs of police bombers of Lagos b 77 points to 70 to garner the two
maximum points at state. Dodan Warriors went into an early lead but
were immediately overwheled by the home team and sustained their
leading position till the end of the first half with 42 points to 34.
Drawn in Atlantic conference, Delta force will today according to the
captain of the team Peter Bright travel to Lagos and square up with the
islanders, the Nigerian police team and the arrived forces dragon. The
match maker of task Saturday's match was Blowing Ghanwei who defied all
odds and neutralised the Dodan Warriors with ease and kept on the
pressure. The 7Up sponsored premier league is drawn into two
conferences, the Atlantic and savannah conference. The first four teams
from each conference will play the final eight. Delta force will on the
31st of this month play their third home match in the multi purpose
indoor hall at the Asaba township stadium. Dodan Warriors also lost
their first match against customers and will play her third match today
against the Akure team.

Multi-Nationals told to be environment-conscious

MULTI-National compa- nies and organisations have been advised to
inculcate environmental impact assessment into their operations to
enhance cordiality in their operational locations in the country. The
Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue gave the advice in
his office when a nine-member of International Association for Impact
Assessment (IAIA) based in America paid him a courtesy call on their
two-day visit to Delta State. Chief Elue who noted that after many oil
companies carry on their daily activities without considering the
environmental degradation of their host-communities, urged IAIA to
educate the companies on impact assessment as it can be used to proffer
solutions to their conflict with host-governments and communities. The
deputy governor who spoke on behalf of the state Governor, Chief James
Ibori opined that it is disheartening when the environmental and living
standards of the host communities in Niger are compared with those
abroad emphasising that communities where the national wealth is
generated are so neglected that they lack the basic needs for a
worthwhile living. He stressed that for the host communities bearing
the impact of the environmental degradation, adequate remuneration and
compensation by way of provision of health, education, potable water
supply, electricity, transport facilities and employment opportunities
should not be considered luxuries. He pledged the willingness of the
state government to work harmoniously with oil companies within its
borders and urged IAIA to also harmonise its programmes with the
organisation, nationally and internationally for improvement as per
their past contributions to the economy of the state. Earlier, Chief
(Prof) Charles P. Woff, the International Co-founder of IAIA disclosed
that they were in the state to visit institutions and reverine
communities to assess the impact of dredging on them and how they can
be compensated adequately. He noted that in some of the areas earlier
visited, the communities were either not properly represented or
compensated for the impact created in their environment, adding that
such mission has resulted in the organising of workshops and visits to
Bayelsa and Akwa-Ibom States. The National President of IAIA, Chief
(Dr) E. A. Akpofure disclosed that the association has planned to
organise education and fact-finding workshops in Delta State early
October and appealed for the state government's assistance and
co-operation.

Naira rain in Kokori girls inter-house sports

OBUKOWHO house sporting yellow emerged overall winners at the 8th
Annual inter-house Athletics competition of Kokori Girls secondary
school, kokori inland in Ethiope East local government area of Delta
State. Obukowho house with 124 points beat Bolokor House with 105
points to the second position Idama House 98 points, and Onokurefe
House with 87 points respectively. The Inter-House Sports Competition
which attracted a large crowd was under the distinguished chairmanship
of Chief Mike Omeru (JP) the Chairman Board of Directors Niger Cat
Construction Company Nigeria Limited. In a welcome address the
principal of the school, Mrs. Augoye E. I disclosed that the Sidney
2000 Olympics Games Silver medalist in weight lifting, miss Ogbeife
Ruth was an old girl of the school was founded twenty-one years ago
with three class room blocks that have never been floored, plastered,
cemented or painted. Mrs. Augoye further disclosed that electricity was
yet to be connected to the school premises. Other problems facing the
school according to her include the absence of laboratories, and water.
She therefore solicited for the cooperation of individuals and
corporate bodies to support in cash or kind in solving most of its
adding that the school required a face lift. The chairman of the sports
fiesta Mike Omeru assured the principal that work on the three
classroom blocks will begin with immediate effect and awarded the
contract to an indigent to commence work. On electricity chief Omeru
disclosed that Income Eletris Nigeria Limited will electrify the
school. He gave out N5000 for each best athletes in the four houses
that competed and N10,000 to the principal for her efforts. Other
donors included the president of Kokori Elite Club, Chief Mattias
Deuiran who doled out N25,000 for the construction of water system
toilets for both staff and students. He also pledged to suik ring well
and awarded the contract on the spot by paying N10,000 to the
contractor to commence work immediately and also gave N500 each to the
best four athletes in the four Houses. Hon. Emeyeseh. A. S. Chairman
creation of new local government council committee Delta State House of
Assembly ably represented by Mr. Amos Arunaye donated N20,000.00 for
the upliftment of sporting activities in the school.

College House tops Agbon Teacher's College inter-house Sports

THE importance of Sports in our schools can not be over emphasised, the
principal of Agbon Teacher's College, Mrs. J.K. Avwenagha has said.
Mrs. J.K. Avwenagha made the disclosure during the 9th inter-house
sports competition over the weekend at the school's play ground in
Isiokolo, the headquarters of Ethiope East local government area of
Delta State. The school according to her is noted for the pace it
always set for other schools to follow in sports activities and
academic performance. She thanked the Ethiope-east local government
Council Chairman, Chief Ochuko Unuagba for his wonderful contributions
towards the sustenance of sporting activities, the general progress and
development of the school. Mrs. Avwenagha pointed out that apart from
the financial and moral supports the council chairman gives to the
school, he has also provided some social amenities such as the
reactivation of electricity supply to the school after the
vandalization of the school's electricity lines some years ago,
provision of accommodation for the year 2000 members of the practical
teaching team from the State's Ministry of Education and the sinking of
a bore-hole in the school to provide water for the teaming population
of the school. She thanked the Governor of Delta State, Chief James
Onanefe Ibori who through the Ministry of Education renovated the
school hall which has now been converted to classrooms due to lack of
classroom blocks and the provision of seats for the teaming students
population. The principal however solicited for more assistance from
individuals and the state government in the areas of accommodation, and
sporting facilities which she said are the most pressing problems
facing the school now. Towards this end, the Ethiope East local
government council chairman, Chief Ochuko Unuagba donated the sum of
N20,000.00 cash while the chairman of the occasion, Chief Tony Oboro
donated the sum of N30,000.00 among many other donors. At the end of
the sports competition, college house took the first position with 177
points to emerge as the over-all winner while Agbon house bagged the
second position with 160 points, Ethiope house occupied the third
position with 138 points and Abraka house was however beaten to the
last position with 84 points.



=====
http://www.kitua.com/ Information Brokers

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/?.refer=text

SUNDAY,  APRIL  1st,   2001

Free-for-all fight at Eagle Square •Anenih, Lamido, Adeojo
attacked•Gemade’s 4-yr tenure splits PDP


By Jide Ajani, Political Editor, Sufuyan Ojeifo, and Olamikan
Olugbemiga, Abuja

PANDEMONIUM broke late Friday night at the dinner party organised for
the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic party, PDP as its
national vice chairman, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo was mugged by a group of
irate party members, just as two ministers, Anthony Anenih and Sule
Lamido were molested at the entrance of the dinner venue.

Although the exact cause of the bedlam could not be immediately
ascertained. Sunday Vanguard, however, witnessed the physical
molestation of Alhaji Adeojo at the Eagle Square venue of the special
dinner.

At about eight o’clock Friday night, the already tense atmosphere which
pervaded the ground was further heightened when a crowd of irate party
members reached for Alhaji Adeojo who had just made his way into the
Eagle Square for the party.

His cap was the first casualty as it was yanked off his head.

Donning a white Babanriga over a black buba and sokoto, the national
vice chairman was at the mercy of the unruly crowd as he was pushed
back and forth, just as attempts were also made to remove his flowing
Babanriga.

It took the belated intervention of some security personnel to rescue
Alhaji Adeojo from the mob.

Earlier in the afternoon, a similar occurrence of a mob action was
averted at the WADATA Plaza National Secretariat of the PDP.

Scores of party supporters had besieged the party secretariat earlier
in the day singing and chanting party slogans declaring "Woe to the
betrayers."

But that was not all.

The dinner almost turned sour as Minister of Works & Housing, Anenih,
and his Foreign Affairs counterpart, Lamido were molested by armed
securitymen at the entrance of Eagle Square.

Even the fashionable Aviation Minister, Madam Kema Chikwe received
embarrassment from the securitymen at the gate of Eagle Square.

Senator Ahmed Tijani Ahmed, from Kogi Central was physically stopped at
the gate and initially prevented from coming in.

Two other Senators, G.M. Zannah Burah, Yobe East, and Maina Ma’aji
Lawan, whom Sunday Vanguard had told about the stampede at the entrance
of Eagle Square simply turned back, went into their cars and left the
vicinity of Eagle Square.

It took the personal intervention of Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, the PDP
national secretary, who had to climb the barbed fence of the Eagle
Square gate to explain that accreditation-card-carrying persons should
be allowed into the ground.

Even at that, Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State spent the better
part of sixty minutes in his car waiting to be allowed in. His Kano
State counterpart, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had to walk some tens of metres
before he could get to the gate of Eagle Square.

Although the immediate cause of the stampede could not be ascertained
as at the time of going to press, the remote cause remains the issue of
amendment of the two-year tenure of members of the PDP NEC to a
four-year tenure which some members frown at.

Chieftains attending the party’s national convention in Abuja were
divided last night on the plan by the Chief Barnabas Gemade-led
National Executive Committee (NEC) to extend its tenure and that of
party executive committees at all levels from two to four years.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the Presidency quietly supported the plan
by the Gemade-NEC to extend its tenure without recourse to a fresh
election at the scheduled November (this year) National convention.

The support was inspite of the clear signals from within and outside
the party that the plan by the NEC to railroad the convention into
approving the extension of the executive committees, nine months to the
expiration of their original two-year tenure, was unpopular because of
alleged undemocratic nature.

A group of twelve NEC members, comprising among others, Hon. Emmanuel
Ibeshi, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo, Dr. Marshal Harry and Alhaji Abdullahi
Magaji, had stoutly opposed the plan for automatic extension and stated
its opposition in a counter motion.

The group said it was morally wrong for the current executive
committees to extent their tenure and posited that the right thing to
do was for them to submit themselves for election at the November, 2001
National Convention at the expiration of their current two-year tenure.

But the Gemade NEC whose position was defended by the party’s National
Secretary, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, fought back, although from a
disorganised defence. Nwodo first said in a letter to the Group of
Twelve that its counter motion was filed out of time which Gemade
thereafter stated there was no such motion for automatic extension.

Sunday Vanguard gathered Friday that many delegates to the convention
at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, which is expected to be
concluded this morning, supported the position of the Group of Twelve
to the effect that even if there must be an extension, it should take
effect from this November.

But there were anxiety till yesterday afternoon, amongst opposition
groups that the national chairman and secretary supported by Works and
Housing minister, Chief Tony Anenih, were involved in last minutes
moves to swing the pendulum in favour of automatic extension.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that Gemade, Nwodo and Anenih reached out to
PDP governors to actualise the automatic extension with a view to
guaranteeing their (governors) automatic second term tickets.

Feelers indicated that the Presidency found the Gemade NEC useable to
achieve an Obasanjo presidency in 2003, hence the quiet support it
(Presidency) gave the Gemade group.

It was gathered that although the Presidency held the view that it was
undemocratic and morally wrong for the NEC to extend its tenure, it
expressed the fear that Gemade might not be able to retain his position
as national chairman at the November convention.

Sunday Vanguard investigations revealed that a great number of party
leaders and party chieftain within and outside government perceived
Gemade as a weak national chairman who cannot call the president to
order.

National Vice Chairman, South-South, Dr. Marshal Harry said "Chief
Gemade is a weak chairman and what we need for a vibrant party and PDP
government is a strong chairman that can call an excessive president to
order".

Analysts contended that whichever way the PDP National convention ends,
the outcome will be informed largely by calculations and scramble for
elective posts in 2003 elections for which current office holders are
purportedly being endorsed by their people.

However, there were indications that should the PDP force the planned
automatic extension of the tenure of the excos it may expose the unity
and cohesion that could have been ensured by election convention in
November to irredeemable threat and danger of total disintegration.

This possibility, a source told Sunday Vanguard, was responsible for
the "passive" role of President Obasanjo whose supporters also dominate
the group opposed to automatic extension of Gemade’s NEC.

Analysts contend that the PDP’s handling of the tenure issue would
either make or mar the party ahead of the 2003 polls and amidst feelers
from INEC on registration or more parties.

------------------------

Electoral bill backs Obasanjo’s sole candidacy —Agbakoba*• Asks
National Assembly to reject it



By Wale Akinola

Lagos lawyer, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), says the electoral reform bill
now before the National Assembly gives the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) sweeping powers that could be employed by
the ruling party to perpetuate itself especially now that arguments are
being canvassed for sole candidacy for President Olusegun Obasanjo in
2003 presidential election.

Agbakoba, in a letter to the Senate and House of Representatives, is
asking the National Assembly to reject the bill, citing
unconstitutionality as reason.

The lawyer, in another letter to INEC, is asking the electoral body to
withdraw the bill, threatening litigation if it failed to acquiesce to
the demand.

The senior advocate, who wrote both letters on behalf of the Human
Rights Law Service (HURILAWS), which he heads, contended that the bill
was deficient on the following grounds:

* It seeks among other flaws, to close the democratic space through
anti multi-partisan provisions;

* The constitution of Nigeria, 1999, which should serve as basic
document on the issue was imposed on Nigerians by a military regime,
whose decrees on electoral issues had always been exclusionist in
approach.

Agbakoba, quoting sections 97-103 of the electoral bill, pointed out
that powers earmarked for INEC was overbearing and could be used by
government party to perpetuate itself.

Said he: "In sections 97-103, INEC gives itself overwhelming powers:

* Every registered political party shall give the omission at least
seven days notice of any convention, conference or meeting for the
purpose of electing members of its executive committee, other governing
bodies, etc.;

* For political party to change its registered name, it has to be
approved by the commission;

* Every registered political party must renew its registration on/or
before 31st December following every presidential election on a payment
of fee to be prescribed by the commission. Failure to comply leads to
disqualification,

* For two or more political parties to merge, strict requirements must
be met for the commission to approve it".

"The Draft Electoral Bill gives INEC so much powers, INEC could be
employed by the party in power to perpetuate itself, especially now
that the argument for sole candidacy is being resurrected"., the lawyer
said.

To curtail INEC’s power and further open the democratic space, he asked
that these sections of the bill be expunged.

Agbakoba also demanded that Sections 41 and 90 be deleted, saying it
prohibited independent candidacy in contrasts to sections 221 and 222
of the constitution.

"The provisions are against the spirit of participatory democracy as
they whittle down opposition which is the beauty of democracy", the SAN
averred.

According to him: "Section 90(F) of the Bill which provides that a
party must have branches in at least two third of the State, including
Abuja, is wholly unnecessary and discriminatory. The provision will
encourage the setting up of huge campaign finance which will corrupt
the system in thus enabling the few rich to hijack elections. The
sub-section contradicts section 222 of the 1999 Constitution.

On INEC’s power to register or to derecognise political parties, the
lawyer recommended that in order to open up the democratic space, "it
is crucial that INEC’s powers be restricted to recognition of political
party as Ghana has done".

Agbakoba noted that as a result of bad leadership and the country’s
inability to harness the potentials of her people, many Nigerians had
emigrated to countries abroad in search of greener pasture.

"To encourage their homecoming, they would like to see a responsive
government in place, they would like to participate in the election of
a god and responsive leadership.

"The new electoral law must contain a provision to enable citizens of
Nigeria abroad to register. Adequate arrangements must be made for the
proper registration of this class of Nigerians with clear proof of
citizenship", he added.

----------------------------

PDP CONVENTION: Gemade goes in November•Fresh elections okayed•It's now
4-year tenure for NEC

By Jide Ajani, Sufuyan Ojeifo, Abuja

NATIONAL Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Barnabas
Gemade and other members of the party’s executive committees at all
levels are to go in November this year to pave way for new executive
committee members that will emerge from the National Convention
scheduled to hold then.

This followed the acceptance by party members at yesterday’s
ratification convention in Abuja that the tenure of the National
Executive Committee (NEC) and excos at other levels be extended from
two to four years, effective from November this year with new excos.

But Gemade and his members can recontest if they so wish. The November
convention will ratify the proposed extension which was overwhelmingly
accepted yesterday at the convention that held at the International
Conference Centre.

Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Abubakar Iro Dan Musa moved
the motion for acceptance of the proposed extension of tenure and was
seconded by Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu.

The development represented a significant victory for the Group of
Twelve NEC members led by Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi (National Publicity
Secretary) and Mr. Gbenga Olawepo (Asst. National Publicity Secretary)
who opposed the plan by the NEC for an automatic extension of its
current two-year-tenure to four years.

Delegates from across the nation had stormed the African Hall of the
International Conference Centre stretching its facilities to their
limits.

Tension had built up in expectation of voting but President Olusegun
Obasanjo’s address doused the tension.

But Obasanjo did not spare the party when he said that it lacked
cohesion, order and tradition: "If a party is to be of value to the
society, that party must be:

* Cohesive about its political aims and objectives;

* Organisationally propelled by strict discipline;

* Ideologically inspired by the highest human ideals and a sense of
solidarity; and

* Socially motivated by unity of purpose and love of the fatherland.

"Can we in all honesty say that we are such a party? I have my doubts.
At best it could be said that we are a movement whose singular
achievement has been our ability to weather a difficult and challenging
transition process, from military rule and democracy and emerging
victorious.

"But in reality, we are no more than a dynamic amalgam of interest
groups. And what has held us together - if anything at all - is that
our party is in power and there is a strong expectation of patronage.

"Our party lacks cohesion, we have no order or tradition to speak of,
and our rank and file seems devoid of simple decency and respect, which
are hallmark values of the African society".

Obasanjo also said on the occasion that: "I must ask earnestly at this
convention, that those of us who wear the mantle of leadership, the
NEC, the Board of Trustees, members of the National Assembly, the state
executive of the party, state executive and state legislature, and
myself with National Executive of the Federal Government - in addition
to the mandate you have given us, must all be given your full support,
to make the most of this party; so that at the next convention, we will
have a party that is wholesome in every respect, strong, cohesive,
disciplined, focused, decent and respectable. In other words, a real
party, not just a motley of interest groups. I am determined to play my
own role in this task of positively transforming the party".

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba in
his speech, seen as representing the views of the conservative elements
in the party, slammed the party as having no agenda.

According to Na’Abba, who drew overwhelming applause "the founding
fathers of PDP with due respect, while they were preparing ground for
the PDP and working hard for its victory, they may have inadvertently
forgotten to provide a vision for it (party)".

"So what we now have is a party without an agenda", he stated, among
others.

Yesterday’s convention witnessed the rejection of the offer of
resignation by Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Alex Ekwueme. The
convention overwhelmingly endorsed his continuation in office.

Chief Solomon Lar, former party chairman got the convention to respond
to Ekwueme’s offer.

But while it was a day of glory for Ekwueme, the occasion turned awry
for Senator Albert Legogie, Board of Trustees member from Edo State as
he was voted out by delegates from the state and replaced by General
Samuel Ogbemudia (rtd).

The delegates, believed to enjoy the sponsorship of Works and Housing
Minister, Chief Tony Anenih, protested Legogie’s membership of the
Board. It was so rowdy and vehement that Obasanjo asked them to decide
on the matter right there.

Ogbemudia’s name was put forward against Legogie and the delegates
voted for Ogbemudia (voice vote), thus edging out Legogie who had
fought on the side of the Chief Sunday Awoniyi group against injustice
of the 1999 Convention.

----------------------------

Oil Money: FG faces fresh court action


By Sam Ogbeifun and Evelyn Oisa, Abuja

The Federal Government is facing a fresh threat of legal battle over
oil monies accruable from the federation account as the Bayelsa State
Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha resolved last week, to use the
court to recover its share.

The governor said that he was heading to the court to recover all the
monies the federal government has denied his state over the years.

The Governor who spoke with newsmen in Abuja said, aside fron the
decision of the southern governors to go to court to enforce Section
162, sub-section one of the 1999 Constitution, he was prepared to flex
legal muscle with the federal government to get all monies, rightfully
belonging to Bayelsa State.

According to him: "As far as I am concerned, I don’t believe in
marginalisation again. I will get what belongs to me. I will take it
and use it to develop my people".

"If you take my money wrongly, I will pursue it till I get it back. I
will get it constitutionally. It is provided for in the constitution",
he maintained.

He continued: "Afterall, the Federal Government took us to court, we
can also use the same mechanism to get what we want".

Speaking at a dinner organised in honour of two sons of Bayelsa State,
Engineer Charles Dorgu and Amb. S. Egbuson, recently appointed
Executive Secretary of FCDA and Ambassador designate to Brazil
respectively, the governor refused to comment on the suit filed by the
Federal Government against the governors seeking judicial determination
over ownership of resources located in onshore / offshore parts of the
country.

Chief Alamieyeseigha, however, said that the Federal Government "is an
integral part of this country, so the court has given every citizen,
every corporate body the right to redress a wrong and the only place to
do that is the court of law".

--------------------------

Councillors threaten chairmen over council law


By George Onah, Calabar

Councillors in Cross River State operating under the aegis of
"Councillors Forum" have warned local government chairmen in the state
to obey the provisions of the states Local Government Law 2000 or face
unpleasant consequences.

The councillors, in their resolutions in Calabar, condemned "the
reckless and unguarded spendings of the chairman" an action which they
said was not backed by law.

Conveying their anger in a communiqué after their meeting, the
councillors drew attention to the fact that three months into the new
year, the council helmsmen were yet to present their 2001 appropriation
bills to the legislative arm, contrary to the local government law.

And what that meant, according to them, was that the councils were
operating without budgetary plans thereby creating "avenue for the
chairmen to spend money anyhow", without consultations.

Tracing the source of the anomaly, the councillors fingered the
department of local government in the governor’s office which "directed
that all the 18 councils submit their estimates for vetting" as the
source of the problem.

They said that practice obtained only during the military regime,
pointing out that the new local government law, set that aside,
insisting that the department of local government did "not have the
locus standi to direct otherwise".

To demonstrate their anger as well as send warning signal to the
chairmen, the councillors removed the leader of the forum, Mr. Obi
Joseph Bisong, who they accused of hobnobbing with the chairmen to
their disadvantage.

The men accused the chairmen of lacking vision, saying this was
responsible for their inability to present their budget to the
legislative arms of government.

---------------------------

N161bn FG projects in 24 states grounded*Panel raises alarm


By Yinka Olusanya, Abuja

President Olusegun Obasanjo administration’s bid to improve the lot of
the people by providing infrastructure and welfare services through
some capital projects may come to nought owing to huge debts owed on
them.

75 of such projects in 24 states have been grounded following failure
to meet payment commitment to contractors, according to the report of a
panel raised by the federal government to monitor its projects
nationwide.

Only N10billion of the N161 billion estimated cost of the projects have
been paid, the report said, adding that the projects have been
abandoned apparently due to inadequate mobilisation.

Affected projects are sited in Plateau, Kogi, Ogun, Delta, Abia, Kebbi,
Imo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Akwa-Ibom, Niger and Ekiti states.

Others are Benue, Kaduna, Adamawa, Cross-River, Rivers, Edo, Zamfara,
Bauchi, Enugu, Oyo, Osun and Bayelsa states.

The breakdown of the projects showed that 10 each are in agriculture
and industry sectors, six in energy, seven each in environment and
health while 31 are in water supply.

The report said returns from the 12 remaining states were still being
expected.

In the report submitted to government in February, the panel warned
that the projects might end up as white elephant projects unless work
resumed on them.

The panel urged government to release funds to contractors involved in
the projects to enable them complete the jobs.

---------------------------

Madueke bemoans few states in south-east


By Kingsley Anaroke

Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (rtd) has said that few states in the
south-east is denying Igbos their fair share of the federal resources.

Madueke, who spoke last week in Lagos at the monthly meeting of Inyi
Development Union (IDU), regretted that Igbo had the fewest number of
states despite their population and position as one of the three major
tribes in the country.

However, he blamed the development on what he described as
short-sightedness of Igbo people "who out of sheer patriotism after the
civil war objected to creation of more states in the east which was
then called East central state with Enugu as the capital city."

According to him, under that state creation exercise by the then head
of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the Igbo people got two states which were
Anambra and Imo while the old Western region got five states with the
north having more number of states.

He said it had since become apparent that the creation of state is
politics which is a game of numbers.

He hailed the concept of autonomous community introduced by Enugu State
government, recalling that it was practised in Imo state under his
regime as military governor.

He added that it would restore peace especially in crises-ridden towns
and villages as well as where chieftaincy problems were rampant.

Madueke disclosed that the federal government had awarded N100 million
contract for the rehabilitation of Umuagu-Inyi Oji-River road. He also
assured his people that electricity would be restored in the community
as some transformers had been purchased and stored in a safe place
awaiting installation.

He further assured that the glory of Inyi Town must be restored as the
committee had embarked on series of other projects such as provision of
pipe-borne water, provision of drugs and medical facilities.

--------------------------

Lagos govt. accused of disobeying court order


By Wale Ajao

Lagos State has allegedly disobeyed a court order barring it from
collecting annual dues from private schools before allowing them to
enrol their students for the National Common Entrance examination,
according to the Chairman of Association of Proprietors of Private
Schools (APPS) in the State, Mr. Sakiru Raji.

Raji, who spoke last week at a congress of APPS, said the state
government had been collecting sundry levies from private school
operators despite the court order.

He alleged that all efforts by the association to resolve the dispute
with the State Ministry of Education had been in vain. He said what
bothered the association was that annual dues payable to the ministry
was always on the increase every year up to the point that each school
was told to pay N25,000 before they could submit their list of
candidates for the 2001 National Common Entrance to be conducted by the
National Examinations Council (NECO) in April this year. He said the
ministry exerted so much pressure on the proprietors that about 593
proprietors were forced to pay the levy just to allow them submit the
list of their students for the examination.

He thanked members of the association who refused to pay the money and
said those who refused to pay had won the battle since the special
adviser to Lagos State government on Education, Professor Idowu
Sobowale had intervened while the ministry allowed the proprietors
submit their forms. He praised Somolu and Ifako/Ijaye chapters of the
association for their loyalty and steadfastness during the struggle.

He said the association was equally unhappy that the ministry is asking
the proprietors to pay N300 per candidate to process the continuous
assessment scores which goes into compilation of the results of the
common entrance examination.

Mr. Raji disclosed that the association is ready to withdraw the court
case if the ministry makes significant moves to ensure that the
proprietors would no longer be forced to pay compulsory levies which
are always being increased annually.

Speakers at the congress asked the association to examine the
possibility of dealing directly with NECO.

--------------------------

Resource Control will stimulate positive competition among the States—
Senator Omu


By Emmanuel Aziken, Abuja

Agitation for resource control will rub off positively on the nation by
stimulating a competitive spirit in the states, Senator Stella Omu, the
Senate Chief Whip has said.

"One of the positive effects of resource control is that the present
over-reliance on one product by the entire nation would shift while
states would focus their attention in developing their own human and
natural resources", Omu said.

The senator spoke at the inauguration of Isoko Positive Agenda, a
socio-political body with the aim of promoting political awareness and
tolerance among Isokos of Delta State.

At the occasion which attracted messages from Senator Ibrahim Mantu,
the deputy senate president, Governor James Ibori of Delta State and
top dignitaries, she along with some other top Isokos were honoured.

According to her, the exploitation of the country’s rich endowment of
natural resources was being hampered by the entire nation’s over
reliance on oil.

"Let us assume that the oil finishes today, what would the other States
of the nation fall back on? Would they then start from the beginning to
develop their natural and human resources?" Omu queried.

She appealed to Nigerians to take a cue from the "Tiger nations" of
South East Asia which developed their nation without natural endowments
prevalent in Nigeria.

She argued that the drive for resource control was "not a selfish
effort by the Niger Delta people who would want to be their brothers’
keeper, but for the inadequacies of the present to be amended".

"Contrary to the views of other people in the country, our resolve to
call for resource control should never be viewed as selfish as we
indeed want to be our brothers’ keeper", the senator said, adding, "In
as much as the legislation currently in force vests control of
petroleum resources in the hands of the Federal Government such
legislation can be amended as necessary to suit the needs of the oil
producing communities, who have borne the brunt of oil prospecting
activities for over 30 years".


-------------------------

IGP petitioned over alleged shooting of motor dealers

By Albert Akpor

Chairman of United Berger Motor Dealers’ Association Site ‘E’, in
Lagos, C.C.I. Akudu has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr.
Musliu Smith, following Wednesday’s shooting of four of his members by
a combined team of mobile/military men working with Lagos State Traffic
Monitoring Unit (LASTMA).

In a four-paragraph petition, copied to Governor Bola Ahmed Bola
Tinubu, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, Area ‘B’ Commander,
Apapa, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Trinity Police Station and
the General Manager (Chairman) LASTMA, HQ. Ilupeju - Oshodi, Akudu
claimed he still could not comprehend the reason behind the shooting
and the alleged carting away of his N400,000.

Said he: "On the 27th March, 2001, at about 10.30 a.m., as I was
parking behind my office after I had earlier gone to a nearby NBM Bank,
Berger Branch to withdraw the sum of N400,000 in company of my
relation, Mr. Ejiofor Okafor, who incidentally just visited Lagos for
the first time about six days back, I noticed a combined team of Mobile
Police and soldiers of LASTMA (Traffic Monitoring Team) with about five
towing trucks. The officer were shooting sporadically and there was
pandemonium everywhere. I then moved to go and speak with leader of the
team to stop the shooting in a market place of such magnitude, but he
pushed me aside and proceeded to my car with his team with the
intention to towing it.

"On getting to my car, he demanded that the occupants of the car to
hand over the bag of money to him but when his order could not be
complied with, "Action" ordered a mobile policeman with the team to
shoot Ejiofor Okafor as he was walking away from them.

"He was shot and he fell and they carried him away with the money
including another victim of the gunshot to an unknown destination. I
later learnt that Mr. Ejiofor Okafor was dumped at Ikeja General
Hospital where the second victim was pushed out of a moving vehicle on
Maryland Bridge".

---------------------------

States Assembly speakers carpet senate on usurpation of power


By John Ighodaro

Speakers of Nigeria’s State Houses of Assembly rose from their
three-day conference with a resolution to take legal steps to address
the issue of usurpation of power of the States assemblies by the
Senate.

According to a three-page communiqué which was issued at the end of the
5th Conference of the Speakers, held in Lagos, last week, the speakers
have set up an ad-hoc committee under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.)
A.O. Mamora, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly to this effect.

The six-member committee "would explore legal option to resolve the
issue of usurpation of power of the states assemblies by the senate
through the proposed law on the review of local government system
particularly its tenure", the communiqué stated.

While the speakers opposed the move to deregulate the petroleum sector,
they cautioned "the masses of the country should not be made to suffer
for the inefficiency of the system in respect of management of the
petroleum resources."

On the desirability of a forum for interaction among state legislators
in Nigeria, the Speakers, resolved that it should be carried out under
the aegis of Conference of Speakers.

--------------------------

North, West, East: Plots to grab power


By Dayo Benson

INSIDE the imposing bowel of the International Conference Centre, Abuja
last February 22 hosted the re-convergence of Second Republic political
personalities. They had come to honour former President Shehu Shagari
who elected that day to launch his autobiography. While guests were
streaming into the venue, a brief political drama played out inside.
Shortly after former military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) walked
in accompanied by a sizeble crowd, a chieftain of PDP stopped by to
exchange banters with Second Republic Senate President Dr. Joseph
Wayas.

As the former made to go he said "We are coming to South-South in 2003"
to which Dr. Wayas merely smiled and retorted "oh! it’s okay". The
import of that brief exchange was not lost on those who were within
hearing distance particularly journalists. The former Senate
president’s interlocutor whose identity could not easily be ascertained
is of Hausa-Fulani extraction.

He had indeed spoken the mind of his fellow Northerners on the likely
new power equation in 2003. If the message was ambivalent to those who
heard it that day, it was brought home clearer by North’s official
political organ, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) last month. The
group was unequivocal when it said it would not have anything to do
with Afenifere and Ohaneze politically because of their tribal
irredentism posturing. Rather, ACF said North has found a new political
ally in the South-South. Apparently, the bottom line of the
North/South-South new found political romance is the nation’s
presidency. Lately, the North is not pretending that it is interested
in who occupies Aso Rock after the next polls.

That the North has suddenly turned in the direction of South-South is
not unexpected. Recently, the South-East leaders led by governors from
the zone have been shouting themselves hoarse on the need for Igbo to
produce Nigeria’s next president. Some of them have been threatening
fire and brimstone if this earnest desire is not actualised. On its
part, the South-West which virtually would not touch President Olusegun
Obasanjo with a ten-foot pole during the May 1999 presidential election
has suddenly realised that the once rejected man is one of its own.

While the Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere is tacitly supporting
Obasanjo, its rival group Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has gone a
step further. It has endorsed him to run for a second term. The
political scenario playing out presently is a peculiar tug of war
involving three contestants. At one end is North, at the other end is
South East with South West in the middle.

Few months after President Obasanjo was sworn in, his Northern backers
who gave him the presidency on the platter of gold discovered much to
their chargrin they were not dictating the tune as the ones who paid
the piper. Their muffled grumbling soon grew to loud protestation and
allegation of deliberate marginalisation. The president had been
accused severally of pandering to the interests of his Yoruba folks who
disowned him during the presidential election. That President Obasanjo
choose to be his own man rather than do the biddings of those who
enthroned him is his greatest sin against the North. Less than two
years into the life of the administration, the North had since resolved
to get back the political power which they voluntarily let go in the
interest of peace.

It is within this context that its opposition to zoning is better
understood. The prevailing political mood in the North is return of
power to it at the next elections. Even if some individuals believe the
South should still have a second term of the presidency before it comes
northward, general opinion points to the contrary. "People here feel
that the government has not done much for them. So, the North wants
power back in 2003" said Alhaji Liman Ciroma, one of ACF’s founding
leaders. Even the group itself has voiced its opposition to the idea of
power shift which precluded North from contesting the 1999 presidential
poll. Its opposition stems from the claim that no benefits have accrued
to the North for its political magnanimity in allowing power shift.
Already, ACF has begun subtle mobilisation of the entire 19 Northern
states citizens to ensure power return to it in 2003.

The new interest which North is showing in the presidency constitutes a
direct opposition to Igbo’s quest for same after President Obasanjo’s
first term expires. The grounds of South-East claim to the presidency
is familiar. The kernel of it is the cry of marginalisation around
which ancillary issues are woven. However, a new twist has been
introduced to the clamour for Igbo presidency. The declaration by
Anambra State governor, Chief Chinwoke Mbadinuju that there would be no
peace if the Igbo do not produce the next president bears a ring of
blackmail and intimidation.

Analysts have reasoned that the zone may have resolved to adopt the
type of political bravado that gave the presidency to the South-West.
The logic among Igbo leaders is that having been denied the presidency
for so long, the demand for it is akin to asking for a right. It is
probably for this reason that other Nigerians are being blackmailed
with self-inflicted persecution complex. It is a widely held view in
the South-East that the people have not been forgiven for the civil war
they waged against father land. "As long as they have not forgiven the
Igbos, I do not think an Igbo man can be the president because it will
take the South-West, the South-South and the North to vote for an Igbo
man" said Mbadinuju.

More as it desires power at all cost in 2003 and the obvious threat the
North poses, the South East would rather horse-trade with other zones
in the South than allow power turn to North so soon. The calculation is
that all interested zones in the South would produce a candidate each
out of which a single candidate will be presented and supported with a
block votes that would ensure an inevitable victory at the poll.

Political watchers are agreed that such a permutation may not take the
South to promise land considering the much touted numerical advantage
of the North over the South. The argument is that with 19 states in the
North as against the 17 in the South it may be difficult to defeat the
North when the chips are down.

Between the North and the East is the South-West which is the
president’s constituency. During the 1999 presidential election the
South-West was united against their own who they regarded as a
potential puppet of those who propped him up to contest the election.
However, the president as it turned out stunned his kinsmen when he
exhibited independent mindedness rather than being dictated to by a
section of the country. With a conviction that he would be his own man,
the Afenifere changed its earlier position and declared its support for
President Obasanjo. The Yoruba Council of Elders, which came up later
is even more direct in its support for the president.

It has gone ahead to canvass a second term tenure for him. Even with
Afenifere’s objection, YCE’s position is a reflection of the thinking
of prominent traditional rulers in South-West. Sunday Vanguard learnt
from inside sources that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade has been
trying to convince his counterparts in the North and the East.

The Ooni, it was gathered has been impressing it upon the Emir of Kano,
Alhaji Ado Bayero and the Obi of Onitsha Okagbue Ofala who are his long
standing friends that it is in the interest of the nation that Obasanjo
should have a second term. The ultimate aim is for the two royal
fathers to persuade their zones to drop the idea of having the
presidency for now.

The authoritative source told Sunday Vanguard that the parley appears
to be having a head way as the Emir of Kano and the Obi of Onitsha are
somehow seeing reasons with the Ooni.

But there is a snag. A view widely gaining ground among Northern
political leaders is that as far as they are concerned President
Obasanjo is already having a second term having served the nation in
his capacity as a military head of state between 1976-1979. The North
is sticking to this and it is not likely to change its view at least
for now. With this mindset, it may be difficult for the Emir of Kano to
persuade the North to drop the idea of having the presidency back.
While all these are on, each zone is perfecting plans on how to either
grab or retain power at the next elections. As the plots thicken, the
months ahead promise to be politically eventful.

--------------------------

Obasanjo's second term is on—Aminu Tijani,Arewa chieftain


By Leon Usigbe

Turaki Zazzau, Alhaji Aminu Tijani was one of the 10 "wisemen" asked to
restore order to the North when recently there was proliferation of
elders groups in the region. Tijani worked under Alhaji Lawal Keita to
ensure the unification of the elders groups, giving birth to Arewa
Consultative Forum (ACF). He has since been made a member of the ACF’s
board of trustees. This northern leader who claims that he has retired
from politics, runs a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which is
essentially political in nature. The NGO, The Democracy Watch Movement
(TDM), seeks to develop, strengthen and guide democratic institutions
in Nigeria and Africa.

In this exclusive interview with LEON USIGBE, Assistant News Editor,
Kaduna, the Zaria chief bares his mind on the ACF’s attitude towards
2003 election. He also speaks on President Olusegun Obasanjo’s
re-election, saying he is already spending his second term in office,
among other issues. Excerpts:

I’ve seen the mission statement of your non-governmental organisation
(NGO), The Democracy Watch Movement (IDM). Looking at the mission
statement and your strategies for achieving your objectives, do you
think the present political dispensation provides the necessary
atmosphere for the realisation of the objectives?

I think one would speak candidly and admit that, so far, my
organisation is very disappointed in the achievement that has been
realised so far. It falls short of our expectation. I think we should
have been behaving better politically. We should have been able to do a
lot more for the society than we have been able to do so far. So, I
don’t think the atmosphere is ripe for achieving 100 percent of what we
hoped to achieve in a democratic setting. So, a lot has to be done in
order to achieve that goal.

One of your objectives is to develop, strengthen and guide democratic
institutions, such as political parties, the electoral commission and
government to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people. When
you look at the fact that you are an NGO, one begins to wonder how
possible it is for an NGO to take upon itself this responsibility and
think that it can make any impact?

Well, it’s not difficult, provided those in charge of the political
affairs throughout the country appreciate what we want to do. This is
why we started out, of course, by sending out this mission statement in
large numbers, in order that people would understand our direction,
people would appreciate what we want to achieve and so that they would
be able to cooperate with us.

It is a task that requires a lot of cooperation, particularly from the
politicians and people in government. Without their support and
cooperation, it isn’t going to be easy. But if the government itself
has promised, as the politicians themselves claim, if they are desirous
of achieving and establishing democratic system in our polity, if it is
true, then we don’t fear lack of cooperation from them. If it is true
that they want to enthrone democracy in our society, then we feel they
would support our effort in every respect, so that we would be able to
help them to achieve what they claim they strive to do.

You also talk about the fact that political parties don’t have
strength, vibrancy in the ideological coloration to withstand rigours
and play their expected roles, that electoral commissions lack courage
and the way to firmly organise and conduct free and fair election. But
there are people that will not agree with you, that the parties, we
have appear to be vibrant, infact the electoral commission is referred
to as Independent National Electoral Commission. This position
obviously contradicts what your NGO has observed?

You must remember that we were talking at the beginning of this
administration. We realised the position of this institution, the
political parties were new at that time, the electoral commission has
just been set up and obviously the people that would be recruited to do
the job, some of them had no experience. The institution itself would
be learning, the government itself would be making some mistakes and
correcting them. It is from this kind of stand point that we made this
statement. Obviously, no statement would be supported and agreed with
by all and sundry. There would be a few who would disagree, but by the
time we made it, it was certainly true. Up till now, there are certain
issues that the INEC had not been able to address properly and people
are urging them to make changes that would bring the political parties
in line with the democratic system we want to see enthroned in our
polity.

The parties themselves, I know have been operating for about two years
now. But you will agree with me that they too are fumbling in the dark.
Many of them have not been able to assert themselves in some areas.
They have not been able to attract membership. There are quarrels
within and between the parties. So, these are some of the thing we were
hoping that with their cooperation, we would be able to help them to
sort them out. Because, we are not involved, because we are not members
of their political parties, we felt that we would be able to help sort
out the problems. So, this is the situation.

One point I find very interesting is that your NGO hopes to prepare
people for the defence and advancement of the democratic system. I find
it interesting because Nigerians are largely seen as being indifferent
when it comes to fighting for their political rights. If you look at it
that way your NGO definitely has an herculean task in this direction.
How easy do you think it is for you?

It is an herculean task certainly. But nothing is impossible. What we
are doing and what we hope to continue to do is to educate the people
in various ways: running seminars, conducting conferences, running
training courses for groups, and instilling knowledge into them, so
that gradually, though it may take years, it would come in bits. Few
people have and they would begin to become aware of their rights, the
rights of the citizens of Nigeria and they would then understand how
they would demand for their rights. Unfortunately, what we find very
difficult now, which is making our work much more difficult is the fact
that the economy is so weak and everybody now that you see is more
after finding his daily bread. They don’t have the time to spare to
attend conferences, seminars or training and so, it becomes even more
difficult for us. But we are not daunted. What we hope to do is to
continue, like what we are doing with you now, is part of the
information we are passing on to the public. Those who read and
understand would learn one or two things. We would continue to write,
talk on radio and television. These are some of the ways we want to
train people to become aware and fight for their rights.

You are a retired politician. But I want to believe you are still
active in politics especially because of your NGO which is basically
focusing on politics in Nigeria and in Africa. Is there anything that
you found particularly repulsive which made you to quit politics on
active level?

I have been in active politics for about 30 years. I made my little
contributions. I enjoyed doing what I did but I find out a bit
discomforting that after so many years, we never seem to be progressing
politically. The genesis of Nigerian politics seem to be for a long
time, a matter of money. With money, it’s like dealing with the devil,
you can never gauge how far you can go with people if money is the
consideration. And very often, you find that people make forecast about
the outcome of this or that political arrangement and at the end of it,
people feel disappointed. The reason is simply that people take money,
more than anything else, as their main consideration.

And I felt that it would be very difficult and very long before this
can be connected and I thought I should take now, a new stand, where I
would be one of those who, in a very small way, would help to eradicate
this kind of consideration And this is why I have chosen to create this
NGO so that through it, by the grace of God, one day we may look back
and say, yes, this is the path we have passed and we have made this
sort of contribution and today, in the polity of Nigeria, money is
really not the object. So, this is what I found. This is the experience
I ‘ve had and I felt that all the little things that I have learnt I
would be able to apply it through this NGO and help to entrench a
better polity in Nigeria.

I believe you were a member of the Unity and Development Foundation
(UDF) one of the elders groups in the North, which gave birth to the
present Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). Looking at that period and now
that ACF has come to stay, do you see any significant changes?

I was never a member of the UDF. I was first a member of the Turaki
Committee. When it was established during Babangida regime, I was a
foundation member and you will recall it operated for some time and it
went under. Then, some crisis arose towards the end of Babangida’s era
and there was the need to have another NGO, especially during
Shonekan’s period. That is what gave birth to Northern Elders Forum
(NEF). I was a very active member too. Infact, I was the chairman of
the information committee of the elders forum.

Since the time of our chairman, the late Abdulraman Okene, I advocated
the merger of the Elders Forum and the Turaki Committee. At that time,
UDF had not been established. My own idea was that we needed to have a
formidable, responsible and responsive organisation to speak for the
north and for Nigeria as a whole.

Because I felt that what we are doing, although it’s from the
standpoint of the north, it was going to be for the good of the whole
of Nigeria. We were chewing what we could swallow, so to speak, by
taking the north rather than the whole of Nigeria. I felt that we
should come together to be able to understand our problems and proffer
solutions to them. If we are able to keep the North clear of problems,
political or otherwise, we should be able to help Nigeria progress
better, afterall the north is larger than all the other parts of the
country.

So I did that by advocating that we should form a bigger and one
organisation. It took a long time, especially since UDF came to be. The
need was glaring for us to come together. Otherwise, we would be having
so many organisations all over the country. It would not be god for
what we want to achieve. Thank God this idea caught on and I was one of
the nine or ten people that were elected to go round and seek the
opinion of people as to how the merger should take place. This was
under the chairmanship of Alhaji Lawal Kaita. We went all over the
north, spoke to people and we submitted that report which in the end,
the other elders and traditional rulers also deliberated upon and
decided that there was going to be one organisation, which came to be
ACF.

I am a member and from the way I see it, I think there is more dynamism
in ACF than there was in Turaki Committee or Elders Forum. I think
simply because now there is the need for coming together more than
before. Now people have learnt a lot and they would want to better
their lot. And the claim of the majority now is that there is this
question of marginalisation. It may be psychological, it may be true,
whatever it is. Since the people believe that there is, then they feel
that there is the need to come together and remedy the problem of
marginalisation. I think at moment, we are being registered. We are
having committees of different things and I am a member of the board of
trustees of the ACF and I know that we speak with one voice, our focus
is sharper and we would take steps to do a lot of things. There is a
Rapid Results Committee, so to speak.

So, these are some of the improvements that have been made which are
better than what they used to be under Turaki Committee or under Elders
Forum, so we thank God that we are progressing.

Now, what do you say about the view in some quarters that the existence
of these socio-ethnic blocks has only come to highlight the differences
in Nigeria and as nation. And it may even get to a point where it
becomes a serious problem for the unity of the nation?

I don’t have any fear for that. If these groups are sincere in what
they claim to stand for, they will but help the political leadership of
this country. I would speak only for the ACF that I know. I am involved
in it, I know the thinking, I know the actions being taken. Our efforts
is directed towards sensitizing the society. When you sensitize the
society, you make it easier for the political leadership to rule and be
able to do what the political leadership is supposed to do for the
country economically. And this, I think, is what at least ACF stands
for. It never claims to be competing, it wouldn’t dare to compete with
the political leadership because they have the legitimate authority to
do and undo where necessary. So, there is no doubt that if it is
conducted properly with the fear of God, with sincerity, certainly
there is no fear of making things difficult. They are not political
parties, they cannot therefore come out and fight politically.
Obviously, if they are not sincere on the other hand, they would do a
lot harm, especially they would make the goings of the political
leadership very sluggish, very difficult and therefore these need to be
looked into properly and be checked from to time if necessary.

Should there be some sort of relationship between say the ACF,
Afenifere and the Ohaneze Ndigbo, because they all appear to be pursing
the same interests but in different backgrounds?

There should be consultation, provided that they have the same
psychology and spirit. That is, if their intention is honest and good
for the country as a whole. Each is catering for the interest of its
own zonal grouping and the society within the zone. But if they do not
go against the grains of the law of the country, with the political
planning of the nation diabolically, there is nothing wrong in it. They
should consult themselves, sort out things, make things easier for the
various governments and especially for the Federal Government. I think
that can be very useful.

Recently, the ACF went into some kind of discussions with the
South-South Peoples Conference. And it was seen as the development of
an alliance which may be useful during the 2003 election. What is the
position? What is the relationship between the ACF and the South South
Peoples Conference?

Well, I don’t know, but all I can say is that every relationship should
be seen as a positive development between some individuals and between
groups. This certainly would help to pave the way for better polity and
better political practices in the future. Whether it leads into
something regarding the elections in 2003, I think is a matter of
accident. For ACF, the basic principle is to ensure that we as groups
of people and tribes within Nigeria, live in harmony. What the
politicians make of that is up to them. But I can tell you
authoritatively that the ACF’s main basic intention is to see that
there is harmony existing between ACF or people of the north and people
in the south-south, as we hope there would be a similar sort of
relationship between people of south-south and south-west, north and
would-west. That is the ultimate objective. I’m sure that is the
beginning of what we want to see.

But you have not opened similar discussions with Afenifere or Ohaneze
Ndigbo. Why choosing the South-South conference alone?

Of course, we have. There is no known group, responsible group that ACF
has not extended its hand of fellowship to. It is part of our own
philosophy to extend hands of fellowship and friendship to all groups
that are responsible and that are likely to better the lot of our
society. We have made approaches, we have met with some of their
leaders, we have had useful discussions certainly.

Now, the issues that appears to have claimed the forefront now in the
north is this issue of power shift. In recent weeks, the acting
secretary-general of the ACF has come up with several statements,
pointing out that the north is no longer interested in power shift and
would like to claim power back by the year 2003. And this appears to be
making other sections of the country uncomfortable. How come the north
which prides itself as helping to enthrone a southerner is no longer
interested in that gentlemanly agreement all of a sudden?

I don’t know if you are well informed about the genesis of this power
shift. But obviously I support the acting general secretary of the ACF
but what I would comment on now is my personal view. If it agrees with
him fine, if it doesn’t agree with him, it’s my own personal opinion.
As far as I recall, this agreement on power shift was not anything
formal. But from recollection, what I understand was agreed from the
beginning was because of the problem at that time that seemed to
becloud the whole political atmosphere, especially the June 12 crisis
Many people developed certain kind of sympathy or some thought now we
should concede it to the south. They didn’t say to the south-west. To
my understanding, it was "let’s concede it to the south".

If conceding to the south means the south as a bloc, it’s not saying
south-west now, then tomorrow south-east. Then it means that after one
shift term or two terms or whatever, it would go back to the north. But
many people also have come out with the view that what was said was
allow them one term and after that term, it should go back to the
north. In any case, it is a practice that would be for a whole. We
should reach a situation where we don’t even need to be zoning the
leadership of this country to any tribe or to any zone.

Let it be open to competition so that we would come of age, anybody,
Hausa, Yoruba, Gwari, Urhobo, that is qualified should be seen as the
right leader for the whole country, not necessarily coming from any
quarters. So, the hope is that after this one, this is my own personal
opinion now, maybe, after Obasanjo, we would now be looking to a
situation where people would come out, no matter what region or tribe,
would compete and be elected as the president of Nigeria. He should be
such a person that commands respect and is knowledge able enough to be
able to address issues that would arise in his capacity as the
president of this country.

That is my hope and I think most Nigerians should look forward to that
kind of a situation. It is one step that I think would help to kill and
these tribalistic, zonalistic sort of claims for the leadership of this
country. May be if people want to be tribalistic, they should go and
become chairman of local governments. Even as governors, I think tribe
should be out of it especially for the president of Nigeria.

The incumbent President is entitled to a second term. When you say
after Obasanjo, are you talking about after his first or second term?

I don’t know about his entitlements, I don’t know. This is
controversial, this is debatable. Many people think that he would do
one term, some say that he can do two terms. If you ask me, I’ll say
he’s in his second term now. He was once the leader of this country. If
he goes by this eight year term, people like you would never have the
chance to become the president of this country. Because after two terms
you are already about 50 or over 60. What chance would you have? To me,
the presidential task force on the constitutional review had come up
with this idea of one term of five years.

I would buy that. Somehow because it would seem to allay some fears, it
would seem to address certain lapses in our polity. For instance, if it
is agreed, Obasanjo would have an extra one year, he should be
satisfied. It gives him an extra time to be able to do any other thing
he might not be able to do in four years. It would kill this idea of
not doing things until second term. The society would benefit more, the
economy will fare better. And secondly, I think in a big society like
Nigeria, you need to give chance to as many people as possible. So this
five year term would help plus the fact that if you now say it is not
zoned at all. Let anybody fight. Let people like you now find it
convenient to go and train yourself, groom yourself to hope to be the
president of this country one day.

--------------------------

Phobia for the Plateau newbreed


By TOMA DEBE

I READ the full text of a purported press conference recently addressed
by Senator V.K. Dangin, a supposed elder statesman of Plateau State.
The conference, to say the least, is shallow, contradictory and
contains high value of mischief. A careful study of Senator Dangin’s
approach to issues reveals that he has the penchant for pouring venom
on his perceived enemies. He is equally vindictive. These well-known
trade marks of the Third Republic senator, whose tenure saw the passage
of no single bill, since 1992 which Sir Fidelis Tapgun, who assisted
him to win the senatorial primary election against present Senator
Silas Janfa and eventually the senatorial election for his zone, turned
out to be one of his major enemies.

Indeed, he is known to have founded a newspaper called The Rake
specifically to attack the Tapgun administration following the
replacement of his wife who had served under two military
administrators as accountant general of the state. He published
classified government documents, throwing caution to the wind. The
magazine died a natural death after that diabolical publication.
Indeed, it had nothing more to publish or insinuate thereafter.

Neither Colonel Mohammed Mana nor other administrators that came after
him escaped Dangin’s penchant for unprovoked attack. The attack on the
military administrators could have been read within the context of
hatred for military dispensation. But Senator Dangin is not known to be
allergic to military regimes because he stands out as one of the major
beneficiaries of military patronage, ranging from juicy contracts to
plum board directorship appointments. In the case of his unprovoked
attack on the less than two-year-old administration of Chief Joshua
Chibi Dariye, this does not only amount to biting the finger that fed
him but scattering the collective gains of an endeavour that he is
supposed to be one of the main architects.

Senator Dangin on assumption of office by Dariye was appointed the
special adviser on economic matters even when he has no track record of
achievement in such field. Up till the time of his press conference, he
had not told the public how much contribution he made to the economic
development of the state only for him to go on air to attack the
government which for over one year he was part and parcel of. Has he
forgotten that experience is the greatest teacher and the words of
elders are words of wisdom or in the adage that silence is golden?

Two things come clearly to the fore. It’s either Dariye did not know he
was di ning with a viper or his attack on the governor amounts to
generational fight for supremacy. The latter suggestion is valid to the
extent that Dangin’s press conference which confirmed his hatred for
government was preceded by an equally vitriolic attack on the governor
by Professor Dakum Shown, former special adviser on political and
legislative matters to the governor, who went to the ridiculous extent
of suggesting that Nigerians below the age of 50 years should not
aspire to the office of a governor and that the office of secretary to
the state government which he keenly sought to be appointed be
abolished.

I used to have some regard for Senator Dangin but his pedestrian
approach to issues as contained in that ill-motivated press conference
casts sufficient doubt on his integrity.

First on the debt of Plateau State which reportedly stands at about
four billion naira, making it the second most indebted state in the
whole country after Imo State calls for serious concern. It is not only
capable of stalling the development of the state but has sentenced
generations yet unborn to deprivation as the amount is deductible at
source by the Federal Government. It is quite amazing that the senator
could go so low in comparing the debt profile of Plateau State to that
of the whole nation or the United States of America which, he says, is
the biggest debtor on earth. There is no basis for such comparison. He
is even being economical with the truth as even a primary school pupil
knows that President Olusegun Obasanjo has been campaigning from one
city in Europe and America for debt reduction, cancellation or
rescheduling of payment.

The senator averred in his press conference that the government of
Nasarawa State is not complaining over debt burden. Such comparison is
misplaced as the problems of Nasarawa State is starting on a clean
slate, Plateau State has the burden of maintaining old structures.
Dangin also deliberately feigned ignorance of the debt sharing formula
between Nasarawa and Plateau states which is in the ratio of 47 per
cent to 53 per cent respectively. He deliberately ignored the fact that
these loans have matured for payment under Chief Joshua Dariye who is
not even allowing it to bother him but is forging ahead to make Plateau
better than he met it. The rationalisation programme which affected, as
the governor revealed, 2,5,14 people rather than the 7,000 people the
likes of Dangin are insinuating is part of the effort. Not doing it at
all amounts to postponing the evil day. Moreover, the governor, I read,
has stated that he would not want to be remembered for being able to
pay only salaries during his tenure but for service delivery.

Senator Dangin’s accusation of the governor playing father Christmas
role to federal institutions such as University of Jos and NTA Jos is
most unpatriotic and to say the least spurious. As an elder in Plateau
State, the senator ought not forget that both federal institutions and
the Nigeria Standard stand as the key symbols of the collective
struggle of Plateau people. Besides, they serve first the interest of
Plateau State where they are located. It is for this reason that Dariye
has taken keen interest in the activities of University of Jos and is
leaving no stone unturned to ensure continuous patronage of the
University while insisting that an indigene be appointed as
vice-chancellor.

To say that the assistance to these key institutions is to the
detriment of PRTVC, the Nigeria Standard and Plateau State Polytechnic
amounts to indulgence in mischief and falsehood. Everybody is aware of
the structural and philosophical revolution going in these
institutions. While the Nigeria Standard titles have gone into colour,
PRTVC has expanded its reach. Plateau State Polytechnic is having more
courses accredited in addition to the attention being paid to security
through the fencing of the Jos campus and construction of classroom
blocks.

Another area of concern to Senator Dangin is his alleged high number of
special assistants to the executive governor and ministries. I do not
want to believe that Senator Dangin is not aware of the demands of a
democratic setting. For stability and speedy execution of his
programmes, the governor needs as many hands as possible to enable him
cope with the demands of his office. Moreover, the number of special
assistants which Dangin puts at 40 is grossly exaggerated. The governor
has reduced the number of his special assistants from 25 to 15.

The number of ministries which Dangin puts at 13 rather than nine under
the military, only reveals that he is yet to be in tune with the
democratic dividends and need for balancing. While the military
administrators rule by fiat, with a single command chain, it is not the
same with democracy. How I wish Plateau State could have 17 ministries
according to the number of local governments to ensure a complete
balancing act. He failed to tell us which of the ministries is
irrelevant.

The likes of Senator Dangin must be told in unequivocal terms that they
should stop pulling the wool across the eyes of the peace loving people
of Plateau state. The orchestrated attempt to undermine the authority
of the popularly elected governor must be resisted. Their hidden agenda
which border on fear of the new generation is not lost on the people. A
spade must be called by its name. He who lives in glass house should be
afraid of a stone even when no attempt is made to throw it.

The state is tired of venomous and pretentious people like Senator
Dangin. He is best qualified as a specialist in Ph.D (pull him down)
especially when it comes to the youths. Or how else can we explain the
conclusions of the Dangin commission, which rather than attempting to
proffer suggestions that will build Plateau state of our dream, ended
up insulting individuals thus reducing his job to a glorified
witch-hunting exercise. If the government had not exercised restraint
in the implementation of the report, incalculable damage would have
been done to the collective psyche of the people of the state. The
report is there for everybody to see and whether Dangin, given his
performance, is a hero or a villain. Never in the history of our state
have we experienced a fact finding committee being converted to a tool
to serve the whims and caprices of its head as did Dangin. The younger
generation deserves to be saved from the clutches of this gadfly. I
urge the governor to forge ahead with his re-engineering programme. The
enemies of progress of Plateau state are known to the people and they
will be exposed for what they really are. He who wants equity and
justice must come with clean hands. To Dangin, the best way to cap his
attitude is "E tu Brutus".

•Dema, a public commentator and an indigene of Plateau state, wrote in
from Minna, Niger State

-----------------------------

Govt shouldn't return schools to missions— Adegbite


By Dr. Lateef Adegbite

I HASTEN to respond to Dr. Dele Sobowale's open letter to me which
appeared in his usual column on Page 7 of Sunday Vanguard of March 25,
2001. In the letter he vehemently disagreed with my expressed
opposition to the planned return of schools taken over by the Lagos
State Government some three decades ago, to the missions and others.
Happily, he recognised that I was not alone in the spirited opposition
to the misguided Lagos State Government policy. He made reference to
Alhaji Lateefa Okunnu’s own strident criticisms of the policy. I may
add to the list of objectors by citing Professor Babs Fafunwa whose
informed and expert views on the matter cannot be faulted. He may wish
to note too that the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) is strongly
opposed to the return of schools to the missions.

There are three main grouses highlighted in your letter which probably
informed his reactions to my position: • the falling standards of
eduction in public schools; •the "ethical implications", by which you
presumably meant the neglect of moral education in schools; •the
supposed injustice of the original take-over of the schools which he
angrily termed "armed robbery".

With respect, his submissions deliberately ignored those factors which
compelled the take-over of the schools by the government in the first
place: the mismanagement of the institutions; discriminatory practices;
religious intolerance, irregular payment, and at times non-payment of
teachers’ salaries, and generally poor conditions of service which
alienated many teachers from the voluntary agencies

We all deplore the widespread fall in standards of education at all
levels in the country. However, the solution is not for the state
government to abdicate its social responsibilities for these schools to
improve standards. Rather, government should take measures to improve
standards by allocating more funds for education to ensure better
conditions of service for teachers as well as seeing to it that schools
are well equipped. He may wish to note that the missions sooner than
later would find that the funds needed to maintain the returned schools
would be hard to come by, unless they charge exorbitant fees thus
putting education beyond the reach of numerous children of poor and
lowly placed Nigerians.

As for the ethical factor, he appears to hold the view that only
missions schools could effectively impart moral values to pupils. I
disagree with him. Just as the missions could employ competent ethical
instructors, so could the government employ and remunerate adequately
qualified teachers of Religious Knowledge. Indeed, the latter should be
treated as a core subject in schools accorded the same status as
English Language, Science and Mathematics. He belaboured the issue of
presumed injustice meted to the missions when the schools were taken
over, an exercise which he described as robbery. Here he conveniently
ignored the malpractices, some of which I identified above, and which
the take-over sought to eradicate. Indeed, the take over was carried
out in the public interest and was backed by law, precisely a Decree of
the Federal Military Government. A property publicly acquired in
accordance with the law cannot be described as stolen property. It is,
therefore, patently erroneous to describe the exercise leading to the
take-over as "armed robbery". Thus only recently the Supreme Court of
Nigeria in a case before it re-asserted the principle that whatever the
law permits cannot be described as unjust or immoral.

However, this is not to say that the government should refuse to pay
compensation for the assets of the missions taken over at the material
time. The Nigerian Constitution provides ample opportunity for an
aggrieved citizen to initiate judicial process to recover compensation
for his or her property publicly acquired by the government. It is thus
valid for him to argue that failure of government to pay compensation
if demanded by the missions amounted to injustice. By the same token it
would be an act of injustice for the missions to take back the schools
that have been expanded ten-fold in many cases. This will be a case of
unjust enrichment and the Lagos State Government has no right to give
public property away to some sections of the community to the detriment
of others.

Equity demands that the disadvantaged sections should be compensated,
if need be in monetary terms. A condition could be imposed that they
invest such compensation in education. Otherwise, the excess sums, that
is the difference between the value of the schools at the time of the
take-over and the value at the time of the return should be paid into
government coffers. Furthermore, the Muslims are apprehensive of the
religious cleansing which would follow the return of schools with
Muslim children being forcibly converted to Christianity, or shown the
way out of the schools as was the practice in the pre-take over days.
Why cannot the missions be satisfied with the opportunities which they
and others now have to establish new schools? This level playing ground
should meet the needs of all. But if the Lagos State Government is hell
bent on shirking its educational responsibilities by giving away the
schools, let them privatise them, sell them to the highest bidders and
the proceeds paid to the state treasury. The missions and other
interested parties would be free to bid for the schools. He portrayed
Muslim children as dullards who "usually bring up the rear" in the
schools. His reference must be to fringe Muslim children. True Muslim
kids would have in their very early years been exposed to Quranic
learning and have their intellect well-sharpened before proceeding to
schools where many of them would perform very well above average, while
a good number would top their classes. In any event, the few who
perform poorly or drop out of school suffer this misfortune not because
they are Muslims per se, but more because they would most likely have
come from poor homes, with their parents financially unable to meet
their school requirements such as purchase of books and other
materials, which contrary to the obligation of the state government to
the people are never supplied free to them. Yet government continues to
claim that the children enjoy free education. Perhaps the return of
schools to the missions is intended to drop the pretence that
government is running or will continue to run free education in Lagos
State.

Finally, I thank him for extending best wishes to me on my special
birthday anniversary, assuming he sincerely meant it. It was obvious
from his observation that he would feel at ease had I "retired into
silent obscurity" at my age. I regret that I would have to disappoint
him for a very long time to come Insha Allah. For contrary to his
conclusion "that old age is catching faster than expected" on me, I
feel mentally and physically fit, and ever alert to serve Islam, my
country and humanity with increased vigour. Here, I am full of
gratitude to Allah Most High for so empowering me.

•Dr. Lateef Adegbite, CON, Seriki Baba Adinni of Egbaland; Sec. Gen.,
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

-----------------------

Suspension as hurdle to Nwuche's governorship dream


By SAM ONWUEMEODO

NIGERIANS woke up Thursday morning to hear about the suspension of the
Deputy-speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche,
from PDP by the party’s executive in his ward.

According to the suspension letter, signed by the chairman and
secretary of the party in his ward, Messrs David Ake and Prince Opoto,
Nwuche was suspended for alleged "anti-party activities." Recent
activities of the deputy-speaker were said "not to be in the interest
of the party."

Other reasons adduced for suspending the Rivers State born politician,
were that he "challenged openly the decision of the state PDP congress
as it affected the endorsement of Governor Peter Odili and that his
alleged disparaging utterances against party members and leaders amount
to disloyalty."

The notice further stated, "for this reason, Prince Nwuche’s continued
membership of the party has become questionable since he no longer has
respect for the decisions of the party’s highest decision-making body,
which is the congress."

The deputy-speaker was told to "appear before a seven-man disciplinary
committee set up by the PDP executive in Ahoada East local government
area, (LGA), within 14 days, to defend himself or the allegations." The
state executive committee of the party met last Wednesday night and
ratified the suspension.

To Nigerians outside Rivers State, Nwuche’s suspension might be a
surprise. But to watchers of political events in the state, the
suspension, was bound to happen. What they could not predict was the
time it would. Nwuche has been on the "danger list" of the PDP
leadership in the state who were prepared to go naked if that would
guarantee the second coming of Odili.

The governor's loyalists had, for several months now, been monitoring
the political activities of the deputy speaker, owing to his alleged
governorship ambition. Nwuche has been on the "danger list" of the PDP
leadership in the state who were prepared to go naked if that would
guarantee the second coming of Odili.

The governor’s loyalist had, for several months now, been closely
monitoring the political activities of the deputy-speaker, owing to his
alleged governorship ambition. Nwuche knew the odds against him, and
played a fast game by pitching tent with those opposed to Odili’s
government. Opposition to Odili’s administration started as early as
six months in office. By the end of last year, the political division
had become apparent between those who believed in Odili and his ideals
and those who did not believe in him. On one side, were pro-Odili
elements and on the other side were the likes of Alabo Graham Douglas,
Nwuche, Dr Marshall Harry and Chief Sergeant Awuse.

When Odili was linked with the N4 million bribe scandal in the House of
Representatives, pro-Odili elements concluded that it was Nwuche who
masterminded it to stain Odili. The governor’s supporters view was that
the deputy speaker wanted to drag Odili’s image in the mud simply to
pave his way to the Brick House in 2003. That was the beginning of
Nwuche’s problem in the state vis-a-vis the PDP. To drag the point
home, at the zonal meeting of the governors and National Assembly
members held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, two weeks after
the bribe scandal, the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly,
Chief Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, a member of Odili’s camp, told the
deputy-speaker that he should apologise to not only the governor but
also the entire people of Rivers State over the N4 million bribe
scandal.

What could be regarded as the last straw that broke the camel’s back
were the utterances of the deputy-speaker on the PDP state congress
which took place March 3, at which Odili was adopted by the party for
second term. Nwuche in his reaction to the adoption, said in an
interview, that it was an "act of stupidity because the congress was
not designed to adopt anybody but to elect delegates to the national
convention and approve the party’s audit report."

It was Nwuche’s reaction that opened the door for more condemnation of
the adoption. Awuse said the adoption was a "disgrace to party
politics." Harry said the adoption was "unconstitutional and not in the
best interest of the PDP in the state".

The reaction to the adoption was the excuse Odili supporters were
waiting for to nail Nwuche. And the chairman and secretary of PDP in
his ward did not hide the fact that they suspended him because he
"openly challenged the decision of the state PDP congress as it
affected the adoption of Odili."

Political analysts had said a storm was brewing for Nwuche when a
delegation from his area paid a solidarity visit to Odili five days
after he condemned Odili’s adoption. It might not be a coincidence that
the same Wednesday, March 28, that Nwuche was suspended that the state
House of Assembly wanted to summon Harry over a letter he wrote to the
governor on financial matters.

To analysts, the die is cast. In other words, Odili’s supporters appear
to have resolved to go all out to fight their opponents. So, the
suspension of the deputy speaker is only serving the dual role of
informing Odili’s antagonists that there is no hiding place for them.
If the deputy speaker could be suspended who else would be spared?

The suspension obviously is meant to nip the governorship ambition of
Nwuche in the bud. Nwuche himself and his co-travellers in the
anti-Odili project must have also realised that the suspension was
afterall designed to cow them and perhaps ensure that the deputy
speaker does not advance politically. Already, Harry has described the
suspension as a "huge joke," saying it violated the PDP constitution.

Harry, who is the national vice-chairman of the party, South-South
zone, stated that the suspension was of no effect and should be
disregarded. The image maker of Nwuche, Mr. Yinka Oduwole, in his
reaction, said, "the suspension was alien to the guidelines and
constitution of the PDP, as well as the provisions of the 1999
constitution." Oduwole added, "as a national officer of the PDP, it is
incontrovertible that no officer of the party at ward local government
or state level has the mandate to suspend the honourable deputy speaker
for any reason whatsoever."

Like the adoption, Odili's supporters have again ignited controversy.
But the truth of the matter is that it is creating tension in the
state.


---------------------------

Shagari: Beware of tainted gift


By Dele Shobowale

"Rightly, to be great is not to stir without great argument ... when
honour’s at stake"

ALHAJI Shehu Shagari, first executive President of Nigeria has already
entered history; it all remains for him to decide whether posterity
will remember his name with fondness and pay the homage due to him or
scorn him. These are dangerous times for the gentle ex-President. A man
over the age of 70 is likely to be remembered for his last great act
because he has very little time to make amends if he falters.

Recently, Alhaji Shagari launched his memoir, to a gathering of the
creme-de-la-creme of Nigerian society. And as usual the roofs were
raised by the huge amounts various public servants paid to launch the
book. Don’t get me wrong? I have nothing against people launching books
with money because that is the only money the author will most likely
receive in this country where the reading culture is dead. And anybody
else can be forgiven for hustling for money.

But Shagari is not just anybody. He is a former Head of State ranking
in every respect with Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton, Mitterand. He
has become denationalized. As an international figure, he should find
certain things unacceptable to be associated with him. For instance, it
would be unimaginable that Clinton could write a book and President
George Bush Jr. will go and launch it with $50,000, even if it is his
own money. It will certainly appear lunatic to Americans, if Governors
of States and Secretaries serving under Bush were to launch the book
with $5 million, $2 million or $1 million. Yet Shagari; a world figure,
sat and allowed the Stone Age Governors, Ministers, and other public
servants in Nigeria play the fool while launching his book with N5
million, N2 million or N1 million or whatever. Did the man feel
embarrassed at all? Was he amused? Did he wonder where the loot came
from? And most important will he keep the money irrespective of source?

Unless Shagari answers all these questions, he would have lost a great
deal of our collective esteem.

Nigerian students, who have been deprived of any serious issues on
which to agitate have seized upon this one demanding to know where all
the money came from President Obasanjo had declared the source of his
donation to a "good cause", N50,000 came from a personal account.

The modesty of that donation by the President perhaps could earn the
respect of any right thinking person since we have more or less
institutionalised book launching. Other donors were not so thoughtful.
That is being polite. Infact, the sensibility to the plight of fellow
Nigerians who now live in abject poverty. What purpose does it serve to
heap more lucre on a man who is sitting on a mountain of gold?

Certainly, the expatriates in the audience must be having a good belly
laugh at Nigerian leaders. "If gold rusts; what will iron do". If our
greatest leaders exhibit such lack of common sense on money matters
what can anybody expect of ordinary civil servants? The Senate
President was there too!

Still the bottom line remains: will Shagari keep the loot irrespective
of source. I wonder.



Vice-President Atiku of PDP or Nigeria

I hope it is not true. There was a newspaper report, still undenied,
alleging that Vice President Atiku had instructed the Minister of
Education that only PDP members should benefit from contracts under the
Basic Primary Education (BPE) Scheme. Now, it is trite law that
allegation is no proof and I personally hold Vice-President Atiku in
the highest regard because he has so far conducted himself as the Vice
President of all Nigerians and not just a few. But if the VP has
actually issued those instructions, he would have damned himself and
should be damned by all patriotic Nigerians. Nothing has turned
Nigerian politics into the deadly game it has become than the
"winner-takes-all" attitude that holders of transient power bring into
it.

When a leader of government decides to reward supporters and punish
those who chose to vote for another candidate, he had invited the
others to find another government to support or another leader who will
provide for them. Exclusion of so-called non-supporters has almost
always bred the call for the over throw of governments whatever means
possible. An intelligent and enlightened VP like Atiku is expected to
know that and he should never have been party to it. Furthermore, not
everybody is interested in or has the stomach and time for partisan
politics. In any country worldwide no more than two or three percent of
the citizenry can be regarded as active party members. The others vote
their preferences at election time and thereafter want to be left
alone. Yet irrespective of one’s political activism or lack of it,
every citizen deserves to be treated equally by an elected government
after the elections, all contractors with or without party affiliation
deserve the right to bid for government contracts just as they have the
right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Nobody, not even
a Vice President, has the right to say otherwise.

I am not an active party member of any political party, I am not even a
contractor. But after VPS alleged memo, I shall bid for contracts under
the BPF and determine for myself if the government of Nigeria has taken
my right as a citizen from me by deeming me unfit to execute a contract
simply because I don’t carry a party card. Thereafter, I shall conduct
myself as a stateless person; courtesy of Vice President Atiku, who
like most temporary holders of power, apparently doesn’t know yet that
all power belongs to God first and the people next irrespective of
party affiliation or even without party affiliation. I still hope it is
not true Atiku wrote such a memo.



Senatorial rascality

A leopard never changes its spots. That’s not original. I know.
However, it is the best adage that comes to mind when contemplating the
matter of Senator Arthur Nzeribe who reportedly has formed an
organisation of like-minded individuals designed to ensure that all the
three political parties adopt Obasanjo as the sole candidate, and this
in a democracy.

Nzeribe is not yet 70, but senility seems to be catching up to the
Senator from Oguta Senatorial district of Imo State; a senatorial
district whose population probably needs more psychiatrists for sending
the same political rascal to the Senate each and every time there is
voting. Someone has described insanity as "doing the same thing over
and over again while expecting a different result". Nzeribe was once
Project Manager of a group urging Babangida to perpetuate himself in
office. The satanic group was called Association for Better Nigeria
(ABN). IBB ended up "stepping aside", under duress and has lived in
infamy ever since. Next Nzeribe had convened a meeting of elected
Senators and House of Representatives members for June 9, 1998 to
propose adopting Abacha as the sole candidate for the Presidential
election of 1998. Abacha died on June 8, 1998. Now, the same Nzeribe,
who has failed to get Obasanjo impeached wants him adopted as sole
candidate. That is political rascality of the highest order. Perhaps,
it is mere coincidence that anybody Nzeribe backs for sole candidacy
either ends up in disgrace or in the graveyard. Still Obasanjo cannot
take chances. At best he should treat Nzeribe’s offer as a Greek gift
designed to undo him and his government given the reputation of the man
bringing the present. Nzeribe has never done anything on the political
landscape which is not induced by motives with which only a combination
of Machiavelli and Satan can be associated. Certainly, it is not in the
best interest of the Nigerian Republic to propose a sole candidate for
any office.

All of which takes me back to senility. I know an 89 year old man who
keeps repeating the same gestures all day long. Nothing harmful,
really. He just keeps asking every passersby if he wants to share a
piece of stale bread with him. The answer is always the same: "No thank
you". But that doesn’t stop him from asking the next one. He asks even
if you are carrying a fresh loaf of bread bigger than his own piece.
And no matter what people say, he keeps on asking.

Nzeribe’s sole candidacy for 2003 is like that stale piece of bread; he
had offered it to every Head of State since 1986 and he just can’t seem
to stop. He probably would have offered it to Shonekan, if the Head of
Interim National Government has lasted more than 82 days. General
Abubakar received a watered down version of Nzeribe’s "stale stew
warmed up and served in new plates" (apologies to Babangida) and the
good General wisely rejected it. (Sorry about mixing metaphors. Nzeribe
does that to me). Abubakar must have noticed what happened to his two
predecessors who gave it a try. Poor Arthur Nzeribe; the man really
needs a check up.

------------------------

Bankers dock the judiciary over debtors


By Kingsley Anaroke

THE distress syndrome that ravaged the banking industry in the 1990s
could be likened to a healed wound that left a "beautiful"scar to
enliven the memory. After many years, its consequences and experiences
are still haunting banking practitioners who have severally docked the
judiciary for alleged delay in debt recovery moves of banks.

What seems to be a common belief among the bankers now is that the
banks caught in the web of the distress paid a price for the existing
ones, a viewpoint that has lent credence to the philosophical assertion
of the empirical school of thought that experience is the best teacher
in a being’s existence.

That dark moment in the life-cycle of the nation’s banking history that
saw many banks collapsing and liquidated, depositors' money trapped,
jobs lost and the integrity of the bankers questioned, has today become
a subject of discourse from which solutions to other myriads of
problems affecting the sub-sector are found. It is in a bid to
facilitate the recovery of debt by banks through the judicial system,
sensitising the judges on the catalytic role of the banks in the
economy that a novelty three-day seminar was held in Sheraton Hotel and
Towers, Abuja, recently.

The seminar entitled: "National seminar on banking and allied matters
for judges," was jointly organised by the Chartered Institute of
Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and National Judicial Institute (NJI).
Perhaps, the president of CIBN Prince Kola Odubanjo, set the tone of
the seminar stating thus: "a situation where banks lend money to
borrowers and such funds are unpaid drags the wheel of economic growth
backwards. Worse still, where banks collateralise their lending and
such collaterals cannot be foreclosed upon when borrowers default, the
interest and confidence of bank to lend more will wane. In the long run
, the economy suffers."

But according to him, "it is unfortunate that banks in Nigeria are
wallowing in huge non-performing debts and a sizeable percentage of
such debts are fully backed by perfected collatorals." Drawing from the
experience of the distress era, there were a total of 116 licensed
commercial and merchant banks operating in Nigeria out of which 45 were
distressed or potentially distressed.

Available data further showed that the total loans and advances
portfolio of all the licensed banks was N109 billion out of which N47
billion was classified as non-performing. This represents 43 per cent
of the total loans and advances of the classified funds. The figure was
over 50 per cent higher than the maximum prudential ratio of 20 per
cent prescribed by the regulatory authorities which are the Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation
(NDIC).

It underscored poor asset quality in the banking sector and further
illustrated the systemic distress that had permeated the banking
environment, necessitating an urgent cleansing by jumping the
conventional court system which gave birth to the promulgation of the
Failed Banks (Recovery of Debt) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Act
(FBA) No. 18 of 1994. According to NDIC, N6 billion was recovered as a
cumulative amount from the tribunals and the government indebtedness,
excluding money repaid by individuals and corporate bodies which also
ran into billions. But in May, 1999, the tribunals were dissolved and
that has given rise to the renewed interest of the banking industry
operators for the vacuum to be filled with effective legal mechanism
especially, against the background of the increasing number of banks
now in the country.

The governor of CBN, Chief (Dr) Joseph Sanusi, decrying the phenomenon
said, "a situation where bank customers are granted credit facilities
which they promptly neglect, or refuse to pay is not only morally
wrong, but also economically harmful to our national growth and
development. Sometimes, banks are forced to take their burden to the
judiciary as a last resort. Despite the usually long judicial process
and eventual determination of such cases, the level of repayment or
recovery has not been encouraging. The banks particularly find it
distressing that even in cases where they have perfected the security
covering the lending, it is often very difficult to foreclose on such
collaterals when the customers default. This situation has called into
question the wisdom of accepting and perfecting securities for bank
credit facilities."

To him, evolving enduring solutions to the problems would further
encourage the banks to extend additional credit facilities to the
productive sectors of the economy. And the inherent benefits include,
enhanced capacity utilisation, reduction in unemployment and the
enhancement of per capita income.

In Odubanjo’s submission of how the problem could be resolved, he said
the judiciary, banks and the investing public are partners in progress
and should complement one another to get the needed result, emphasising
that judiciary as the last hope of the common man is expected to uphold
the rule of law and ensure that equity and fairplay are maintained in
any system. He called for the creation of an environment driven by
adherence to ethical norms such that all parties would always live up
to their moral and professional obligations.

The call for the establishment of a specialised court that will handle
with dispatch all cases involving commercial/banking matters such as
non-performing credits, dud-cheques and frauds in banks was reiterated
by the CIBN president. He explained that it was necessary and would be
effective, citing the success of failed bank tribunals within a short
period as a reference point.

The managing director and chief executive of NDIC, Mr. G.A. Ogunleye in
his paper titled, "Overview of recovery of debts through the failed
bank tribunals: the NDIC experience," stated," we have no doubt that
the establishment of dedicated courts, either as an appendage of the
Federal High Court or otherwise, would go a long way towards ensuring
safe and sound banking environment in the country."

He stressed that, "it is my humble opinion that such a court, if
established by an act of the National Assembly, would be inferior to
the Federal High Court and the State High Court both of which were
established by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Therefore, the courts would exercise supervisory jurisdiction over the
special court and the objective for the establishment might be
defeated.

According to him, however, the legal mechanism designed to recover bank
debts must not only be efficient and effective by itself, but must be
well supported by strong political will- power, logistical and
financial facilities to achieve the desired objective.

Alhaji Shettima M. Bulama, the managing director and chief executive of
Bank of the North Limited, adopted a variegated approach to his
solutions, as he talked about re-orientation and persistent
sensitisation of all the parties which are the investing public, bank
and the judiciary. According to him, conscious efforts should be made
by banks to reduce bad debts, by ensuring that the larger proportion of
their credit portfolio is in the performing class.

"This should be so because it is a banking fact that bad debts can only
be reduced and not eliminated. Bad debts are inevitable consequences of
landing. Eliminating them may lead to the suppression of earnings by
banks. So, some balance should be maintained between prudent lending
practices and adequate utilisation of assets."

He recommended that a more effective sanctions system be put in place
to address the banking in related offences. While calling for a review
of litigation process in banking related offences so that it would be
shorter, less cumbersome and less expensive, he added that violators of
acceptable standard practices be speedily tried "and adequately
punished where found guilty." As members of the judiciary are educated
on the various aspects of banking processes and practices, the Nigerian
populace should be effectively re-oriented to shun and avoid corrupt
practices.

However, the judicial class objected to the claims of the banks that
the court system delays debts recovery efforts especially, in favour of
the customers.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice M.L. Uwais said, "it is often
said that the courts act against the interest of banks by stopping them
from recovering debts from their creditors when they take steps to do
so. The duty of the courts is to hold the scale of justice in a balance
until it is tilted by the weight of the evidence adduced by either of
the parties."

---------------------------

JODLIC unfolds training programme for dockworkers


By Kingsley Anaroke

THE Joint Dock Labour Industrial Council (JODLIC) will soon unfold a
comprehensive training programme for Dockworkers in the nation’s major
seaports.

The Executive Chairman of JODLIC, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Ramilan, who
disclosed this, said the proposed training programme for the
Dockworkers is to be executed jointly by the council and their
employers, in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA),
the Dockworkers Union of Nigeria and other stakeholders.

He chairman who stated this at a 5-day orientation course organized for
officers of the council by CEEDEE Ventures Limited, and Reaps
Consulting Ltd., and holding at Snake Island.

He appealed to all Dock labour employers to actively join hands with
the council this year by investing in the training of their respective
staff and permanent dockworkers as a matter of corporate interest,
priority and responsibility.

Ramalan reiterated that the council at both its management and board
levels has recognized its mandate of ensuring the training of
dockworkers and is core personnels, which compusol both its
administrative staff and the dockworkers as a very important key to the
overall port reform policy objective of the federal government.

In a release signed by Mr. I. A. Suwaid, head, information and public
affairs of JODLIC, Ramalan enjoined all participants to the course to
take advantage of their sponsorship by the council by acquiring new
skills and knowledge from their trainers, and expressed the hope that
the course contents will yield the expected positive results on the
productivity levels of the participants.

While urging the training consultants to strive to impart the relevant
expertise and practical skill to the participants, the Executive
Chairman, implored the trainers to justify the investment of the
council in the course. About 35 officers of JODLIC trainers from the
council’s departments and units such as operators, port monitoring
committees and officers, administration, security, pools and public
affairs are taking part in the training.

The course contents include amongst others the evolution of Dock Labour
Industry in Nigeria, Understanding the Decree 37 at 1999 from legal and
operational perspectives, and integrated cargo handling system in
Nigerian ports as well as facility tours of the ports of Lagos,
container Terminal and Roro.

--------------------------

Emeritus Professor S.A. Babalola, NNMA


By Dele Shobowale

Everyman who proposes to grow eminent by learning, should carry in his
mind, at once, the difficulty of excellence, and the force of industry;
and remember that fame is not conferred but as the recompense of
labour, and that labour vigorously continued has not always failed of
its reward."                    Dr. Samuel Johnson

HE set out early in life determined to be a great scholar right from
his birthplace of Ipetumodu and he showed promise of great intellect
right from primary school and at Igbobi College, Yaba, which he entered
in 1938 as a form one student. At Igbobi; he made it quite clear that
he was there for scholarship, to excel and to leave an indelible track
record. He ended up by scoring Al distinction in all his nine subjects
for which he was entered at the Cambridge school certificate
examination in 1943; a record which might have been equalled but has
never been surpassed.

After Igbobi College, he went on to Achimota College, Ghana, and later
Queen’s College, Cambridge where he took first degree. He then returned
to his alma mater, Igbobi College, as a senior tutor and from that
point, his leadership potentials started showing. Although he was not
the only graduate on the staff of Igbobi College, his seriousness of
purpose and stern discipline soon brought him to the notice of the
governing council of that great institution which hitherto has been led
by expatriate principals.

The last was Reverend Parker.

When Reverend Parker was about to retire in 1957, he was asked by the
governing council, if he had a successor in mind. He did not hesitate
to name Solomon Adeboye Babalola. And so, on January 1, 1958,
educational history was made as a Nigerian took charge of a school
which expatriates have nurtured into excellence. And the country waited
to see what would happen. And what happened was more excellence.

Solomon Adeboye Babalola, fondly and reverently called SAB (Sebu) by
the students made clear from the first day that he wanted from every
student excellence in learning, manners, civic duties, personal and
environmental hygiene as well as punctuality; not just sometimes; all
the time. No drill sergeant in an army could have been more strict;
nobody else. I, and most students who passed through him, has come
close in terms of self-discipline and leadership qualities. He was
painstaking in everything and took note of the minutest details. He
knew every student in the school and could spot anyone from over 200
meters with uncanny accuracy.

The Igbobi College he ran was not just a citadel of learning of the
best kind for secondary school boys; it was a spotlessly clean
environment, with well-manicured lawns, a beautiful orchard and playing
fields with grass cropped to the correct height and few bald spots. His
work output was phenomenal; he rose early; up by 5.30 a.m. and slept
late marking papers.

He was not just a principal; he was a teacher as well, taking on forms
one to five in subjects ranging from English language and Literature to
Yoruba and Geometry; he was a master of all. And he challenged his
students to do better. It is on record that few of his students scored
better than 40 per cent, especially, in English language and Yoruba;
the few who managed to consistently score 40 per cent invariably got
distinction at Cambridge School Certificate. His Yoruba class was
especially taxing; no word of English was allowed; every student was
forced to speak unadulterated Yoruba. Little did we know that this
budding world scholar has already set his sights on propagating the
Yoruba language and culture throughout the world. Nobody before or
after, so far, has carried the Yoruba language and culture to as many
parts of the world.

He was principal from 1958 to 1961 during which Igbobi College recorded
100 per cent success in the school certificate exam for three years and
nothing less than 96 per cent in the years after. He did not depart
without making two great achievements. First, he persuaded the
governing council and the two missions (Methodist and Church Missionary
Society) to build the most modern and best equipped science laboratory
in a secondary school at the time and he expanded the school to take on
students for the higher school certificate examinations. That
investment in science and the encouragement he gave in that regard has
resulted in the training of over 1,000 eminent Nigerians in every field
of science known to man.

But the scholar was restless; he wanted more learning. So, he resigned
in 1961 and went off to the University of London, School of Oriental
and African Studies where his proposed thesis for his Ph.D was no
novel, there were few lecturers to teach him anything. So, in effect,
he was not only self-taught; something rare at University of London; he
was in effect teaching his supervisors a lot of things they never knew
about African culture. His doctoral thesis published by Oxford
University won the Amaury Talbot prize for the best work on West Africa
in 1966. He has since published over seven books which are now required
reading in several universities round the world under their African
studies programmes.

At different times, he has been appointed as Dean, School of African
and Asian Studies; Professor of African Languages and Literature; Dean
Faculty of Arts, Professor Emeritus, African Languages and Literature
at the University of Lagos. He was for fifteen years, Vice-President
for African, International Society for Fold Narrative Research
(1969-1984) and council member, West African Linguistic Society
(1983-86).

He was awarded the Nigerian National Merit Award on October 1, 1982, by
President Shehu Shagari in recognition of his contributions towards the
development of African culture and literature.

------------------------

We forgive erring progressives—Oyegun

By Emma Amaize

Former civilian governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun,
explains what the progressives who regrouped recently at Abuja are
doing to mobilise their colleagues nationwide. He says the movement is
ready to forgive all the progressives that went astray in the past as
long as they genuinely repent, saying a new code of conduct is in the
offing to check the mistakes of the past.

How can the progressives avoid the mistakes of the past in this bid to
float a new progressive party?

I DON'T know what you mean by the mistakes of the past. But I know that
basically, we are gong to insist on discipline, very very important. We
are going to insist on a certain basic code. Basic principles that all
members must believe in that we will be speaking on the same issues
with one voice. The bane of progressive movement has been the tendency
for its principal members to sound off, to speak authoritatively,
regardless of party policy on their own personal inclinations and this
gives an appearance of indiscipline within the system. These, of
course, are things we are going to tackle because we are going to have
a basic set of principles and beliefs to which everybody who wants to
be a member must adhere to. Once you do so, everything you do,
everything you say, must radiate around those basic principles,
otherwise, of course, you are out.

Has this code you are talking about been formulated and agreed upon?

It is one of the key points that will be discussed at the meeting. What
is important at this point in time is the process of gathering the fold
which is still underway. It is the number one priority. We want
everybody, all the key progressives in this country and by progressive
these days, we don’t mean that you have adhered to left or centre of
politics in the past. We mean that as at today, you believe that there
must be good governance, you believe that this country will not be
business as usual, not by way of just lip service but by actual
practice and actual determination to bring it about. And, of course,
critical to it is that we are going to be very willing to forgive the
past. Some notable progressives have stepped out of the line in the
past. So long as there is genuine recognition cause and that in future,
things like that will not happen without the basic authorisation of the
new platform, we will accept them.

How did the idea of this movement come about and how will Nigerians be
sure that this is true progressive movement?

I know where you are going to. As a matter of fact, it is not a
question of Nigerians being sure. It is a situation that Nigerians are
the ones forming this new movement. They are the ones who from all
parts of the country, almost autonomously, they said enough is enough.
Let us get together and work in our own interest, in the interest of
the people of the country. So, it is not a matter of the leaders, as I
know you are wont to suggest, sitting together and asking the people to
come. It is the people now saying we cannot have this any more. So, you
are going to see all the manner of people, top level politicians,
ordinary politicians, trade unions, activists, all of them in this
group.

Have you people considered the options to take if INEC refuses to
register a new political party?

I am glad that you used the word ‘if’. Let me make that very very
clear. There is absolutely no decision or consideration about whether
we will be a political party or not. How we are going to act within the
political system to ensure the interest of the majority of suffering
Nigerians is a matter that we still have to sit down and discuss. If in
the wisdom of the members of the new platform, they consider that they
can only act by converting it into a political party, so be it. Then,
the issue of INEC will then come into play. But as at now, that is not
an issue at all.

Looking at the 1999 Constitution, do you think INEC has the power not
to register new parties that meet the guidelines?

Let me put it this way, even without reference to the provisions of the
Constitution, the worst case scenario is that there will be conditions
for recognising and registering new parties. The best case scenario
which most Nigerian democrats are advocating is that if somebody forms
a party, informs INEC, decides to contest election, he should be so
allowed and let it be the vote of the people that decides whether it
survives as a party or not. So, the answer, of course, is that parties,
as a necessity, must be registered. It is the conditions that are the
problems. There cannot be a law that says only those three parties, no
new party will ever be. I mean that will be totally unacceptable and
certainly, that won’t happen. So, there must be provision for
registration of new parties. We just hope the conditions will be very
light.

Have co-ordinators been appointed to mobilise progressives into the
Movement and who are they?

The answer is yes. One of the things it had done is the appointment of
a contact committee, which has already swung into action and they are
spreading the net even wider. Secondly, co-ordinators were appointed
for the various geo-political zones. I happen to be co-ordinator for
the South-South and I am acting with the cooperation of Emmanuel Nsan,
the former Federal Minister of Health, Chief Isemin, former governor
of, I think, Akwa Ibom State, and Senator Francis Okpozo. The three of
us incidentally are members of the contact committee.

Let us take South-East first ...

South East has to be Chief Sam Mbakwe, former Imo State Governor and
Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu, I cannot think of any other person. South West must
be either Dr. Otegbeye or one Commissioner that came from Ondo State.
You are forcing me to mention names, I don’t have the names even that
of the zones in the North, I can’t remember now. You can ask me for
their names later.

Will the presence of Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, who is now nursing a
presidential ambition not affect the working of this new group?

Well, again, that is speculation. First, Alhaji Rimi has not personally
attended the meeting, he sent apologies and so until he attends, I
cannot speak on that issue.

Secondly, we are not yet a political party. If he has presidential
ambition we wish him the very best of luck but until we are a political
party, we are not talking of presidential candidates. However, when we
are a political party, and we have every member wanting to become
president, it is fine. It will then be left to the party to choose who
its candidate will be, but the issue hasn’t come up at all.

You are a close political ally of the elder-statesman, Chief Anthony
Enahoro and in recent times, wherever, he is, you are. Many believe
that you are his forerunner in this new progressive group?

No, I am actually on my own. But you are right, I am very glad and
proud to have Chief Enahoro as my political mentor. Unfortunately, he
was away when this movement met. He has been briefed. I can only claim
that he becomes one of the fathers of the movement. It will be a
tremendous lift for the efforts that are now underway.

I am still worried about how the progressives you are talking about are
going to stay together. It is this same people that came to float the
PDP, they left to start APP, deserted it for the AD and now they are
still scattered. Can the progressives really stay together?

Well, I wasn’t a principal participant in the party formation at the
time you are talking about but you must know what happened at that
period, the rush with which parties were formed, the attempt to make an
amalgam of strange bedfellows.

Of course, a few of the more hardline progressives refused to accept
the situation that was what led to the formation of AD. But as you said
much earlier, you did allege that some parties were hijacked, it means
that some of these major parties turned out to have been hijacked and
what is going on in this country today is a direct result of the fact
that those in control, actually behind the scene in those parties, have
their agenda already fulfilled which is power.

They have power, so their agenda is fulfilled. What is happening today
is that the progressives in the PDP, AD and APP are not happy and are
not proponents of let’s get power, end of story. No. They are
proponents of power for the benefit of the people. Proponents of better
governance, a new style of governance, a new ethic in this country and
that is what is going to make all the difference.

-------------------------

Deregulation won't trigger fuel price hike — Hon. Ige


Alliance for Democracy (AD) member in the House of Representatives,
Honourable Ropo Ige (Ekiti), in this interview, asks the Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC), spoiling for a showdown with government over the
planned deregulation of the oil sector, to sheathe its sword as he says
it would not trigger fuel price hike. Excerpts:

How do you see the current fuel scarcity in the country?

The fuel crisis in the country is not a good development, nobody is
happy about it, but it has come, it has come. Nonetheless, it is an
unwelcome development which nobody really expected.

It has been on for quite a long time, but it is my belief that a
lasting solution has to be found to the problem once and for all. If
all Nigerians are sincere, I believe we should be able to proffer
solution to it.

What in your view is the way out of this imbroglio?

This problem was created by Nigerians and not foreigners. I think it is
as a result of some people trying to form themselves into a cartel and
monopolise the market. Looking at this problem from the point of view
of Nigeria, being the 6th largest producer of oil in the world, I
believe we are supposed not to experience this kind of abject
suffering.

But looking at organisations and parastatals managed by government,
they are normally run at a loss, they are not profit making. So also is
the case of NNPC, many people may capitalise on the bureaucracy to
create problems. Having said this, I think the only way out is for
government to consider the option of deregulating the oil sector.

But many people believe that deregulation will be counter productive
and will also lead to increase in the price of petroleum products?

Well, one does not need to be an economist before one can understand
what deregulation is all about. Deregulation, simply put, is
privatisation, where you allow people to invest their money in order to
find lasting solution to a particular problem. So, I don’t think
deregulation will lead to increase in price. There are lots of factors
that could necessitate an increase in the price of any product. You
look at demand and supply. Though, there are other concessions to some
of these things, I believe if we did not deregulate, it will amount to
encouraging monopoly.

But the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has said it will fight if the
deregulation of the sector is effected?

NLC officials should be fair to Nigerians, they should be truthful to
Nigerians and join those people that are trying to proffer solution to
these problems. They must realise that the NLC is not only there to
protect the interest of the workers alone, but they are also to protect
the interest of Nigerians.

I wouldn’t know who the NLC is really out to protect, is it the
government, is it the union, is it the masses or is NLC officials out
to protect the black marketers, because I don’t believe there is
scarcity of petroleum products in Nigeria. We see these products along
the road everyday, but not at the appropriate filling stations. If
anybody wants to buy and if you can afford the black market rate, you
will get all these products within a reasonable distance.

What is your comment on the recent controversy generated by the call by
the 17 governors from the South for resource control?

The President, as a Nigerian, is entitled to express his own opinion
for the simple fact that the constitution guarantees such a right. That
is just President Obasanjo’s view. But as far as I am concerned, if it
has pleased God to give me something and it has pleased the same God to
give another person something else, I think we should all be grateful
to God. A situation where people feel that I should not be in control
of what God has given me, or what I have laboured for, then you know
that it is a complete misplacement of natural ethics.

Some people have fuel and the fact that they have petroleum in their
area, there are some other social disadvantages this crude oil inflicts
on them. If you want to share of their wealth, are you going to share
of their suffering?

These are the issues. These people cannot fish, they cannot farm, their
land is more or less useless, the whole ecosystem is completely
destroyed. As a result of this, I believe that he who pays the piper is
supposed to dictate the tune. Those who have their resources should be
in control of the resources. There are different kinds of resources, we
have natural resources, you can develop human resources and definitely
these people will need expatriates and if you are working as an
expatriate there, whatever you are earning can be transferred to your
own area.

How do you see the renewed call for state police in the country?

I don’t support state police. Going by the nature of politics in
Nigeria and Africa generally, we believe that when power is given to
us, more often than not, we abuse it. Those advocating for state police
today may not have that intention of intimidating their opponents with
state police, but you can only talk for yourself, you can only stand
for yourself, you are not sure of what other people will do later.

So if you put a structure in place, and already it is in the law, a
bill is enacted, I think you get what I am saying, but when you leave
office, notwithstanding how good a person is, you are not sure whether
a dictator will come later.

It is not only a military government that can be dictatorial, you have
a lot of civilians in government who are even worse than military, who
don’t have any mind of forgiveness and who believe that if you can’t
beat them, you crush them. So if this kind of people come to power in
the near future, I am sure they are going to abuse state police to
suppress, and oppress their perceived opponents.

With this encomium on President Obasanjo, would you vote for him in
2003?

President Obasanjo has not finished his term, we don’t know what he
will do within the next two years, maybe he will become a dictator, or
he will do better. So it is too early to conclude whether one will
support him or not.

--------------------------

An Eastern reunion


By Obi Nwakanma

ONE of the important developments, in my reckoning, of the last ten
years is the clarification of certain historical untruths about the
Nigerian state; by certain irreconcilable events in our polity. Modern
Nigeria has thrived on great falsehood. These untruths were
carry-overs, from the last war when a massive propaganda machinery was
deployed by both sides of the Nigerian conflict, to win popular
support. As an instrument of war, propaganda is effective if only to
engage and rearrange our sentiments. But it does seem that the
principles that constructed Nigeria's propaganda strategy from 1967 to
1970 were not reviewed in peace time. They were not reviewed because
Nigeria went into a constant state of warfare. The federal army, the
vandals - was in drunken elation. The soldiers were still in the
battlefield, raping, killing and destroying the Nigerian state. The
victims were Nigerians.

The war situation and its mentality was fuelled largely because, a
clear, honest and just civil process did not go into the resolution of
the conflict. The reconstruction process did not lift from the paper
upon which it was conceived. The soldiers who negotiated the end of the
war, still in their battle gears, saw not a proper state, but a vast
prebendal booty: oil fields, money to be made in the heady years of
petrodollar boom, huge defence contracts, cement armadas and such
things that tempted and convinced them that any reorganization towards
a sane society would limit their stake in the entire business. So,
therefrom, not statesmen but buccaneers, emerged to direct the proper
obituary of Nigeria B a country still writhing in pain from the effects
of the three-year war, several years after the last shots rang.

The issue of reconstruction was obscured by the dilemma of choice
between the rulers of Nigeria whose personal ambition for power and
wealth had to be served: it was in this period that an array of
bureaucrats and administrators converged like hawks around a burning
fire, to design power in their own image. Among some of the instruments
were public policy statements and laws which inscribed the perpetual
enslavement of the Nigerian people. One of these, the Petroleum Act of
1969, anteceding the law creating the twelve states, disempowered the
active units of the union. That law, was a deal-makers act, which
virtually handed Nigeria's vast oil fields to friendly, multinational
oil corporations.

Of course, later on, many of these men of power, who designed and
pushed that process, found themselves on the boards of these
international oil companies. (Many are still there, and are still
pushing the decimation of Nigeria, with the deregulation bogey. But
that is another story). Before too long, however, it became clear that
the critical alliance that won the war, including their civilian
collaborators, would have to invent a reason for keeping Nigeria one.
That reason would simply obscure the true reasons why the war was
fought in the first place. Most Nigerians were, in fact, not aware,
that the Nigerian civil war was fought over these same oil fields,
located mostly in Eastern Nigeria. Other factors were merely ancillary.

One ludicrous reason which the Federal Government, prosecuting the war
on no other justifiable basis found, was its claim that it fought to
free the Eastern minority peoples from the oppression and stranglehold
of the majority Igbo ethnic group. This was its second most important
mantra after the "to keep Nigeria one" fallacy. But the truth came out
last week, from no other figure than the president and commander in
chief of this flawed country, General Olusegun Obasanjo. On a visit to
one of those scenes of war, now called Bayelsa State, General Obasanjo
who also saw the final liquidation of Biafra as commander of the Third
Marine Commando, reminded the people on the folly of their agitation
for equity, and resource control.

Obasanjo warned them not to forget the last war and its causes: It was
a war fought to deny the East of Nigeria the resources on its land. The
collaboration of other parts of Nigeria would be understandable, seeing
that by 1964, the Eastern region was already touted as the fastest
growing economy in the world by secret research reports commissioned by
the World Bank and by Harvard University in the United States.

The Eastern Nigerian Economic reconstruction plan (1954-1964) - the ten
year plan - drawn by the visionary Zik, and the eminently brilliant
Mbonu Ojike, the most acute economic mind of that generation of
argonauts, and later fully implemented by the inimitable Michael
Okpara, had placed the East on a development route, that by the 1960s
all the talk of "Igbo domination" was merely a metaphor of the progress
in the East.

But as it happened, group envy led to war. The irony is that Easterners
of the minority ethnic groups, became collaborators in the liquidation
of their own society. So thoroughly propagandized to "hate and fear"
their Igbo neighbours, many have sold their birthrights - the resource
under their feet - in a bid to achieving an imponderable form of
phyrric victory . But it is gratifying, however, that a shift is taking
place: the M. T Mbu group that is reconnecting the Eastern peoples to
once more glimpse their common dilemma, is a proper challenge. All the
new geographies invented to limit Eastern Nigerian capacity to
reorganize and challenge the impoverishment of their landscape must be
reviewed, by the people themselves.

It is only when ablutions are made, of past misdeed, and truths told,
of how the people have been used against each other, that the real
nature of the marginalization and destruction of Eastern Nigeria as
both a political and economic unit will crystallize. As to the Mbu
initiative, I say welcome to the Eastern re-union.

-------------------------

Southern govs are short sighted-Mbang


By Sam Eyoboka

PRELATE Sunday Mbang, the president of Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN) needs no introduction. Recently, he drew the ire of fellow
clergymen when he openly vowed to campaign for President Olusegun
Obasanjo’s re-election come 2003. Mbang hails from one of the oil
producing states of the country - Akwa Ibom - whose governor has joined
forces with others to press for resource control. He is a strong
advocate of true federalism but the cleric is opposed to the current
clamour by southern governors for resource control. In this interview,
Mbang advises the governors to push for increased revenue allocation
instead. He also says there is no alternative to deregulation of the
oil sector. Excerpts:

Despite opposition from various quarters, the Federal Government is
bent on deregulating the petroleum sector. What does that portend for
the people?

I think you have to look at the programme as a whole. My problem is
that people are not looking at the programme. They are only looking at
the effect of the programme. What we are being told is that the problem
of petroleum is that monopoly is given to the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and because of that we have problem. To my
mind, I believe the monopoly should be broken to give room to some
other operators. But then the federal government should control the
price.

I don’t want to throw away the baby with the water. This is what
everybody is doing. And whenever I read the comments of people, they
don’t tell us the alternative. Even the Labour people don’t seem to
have a case as they are not telling us the alternative to deregulation.
We know in this country that once you have only one agency, then you
definitely will have problem. NEPA is one agency, we are having problem
with electricity because of its monopolistic nature. They have broken
the monopoly of NITEL because it can not cope with the problems in the
telecommunications sector.

But the government should be able to make sure that fuel prices new
operators want to offer to people are not such that will affect the
masses adversely. Just like they did to the airways. So, I would think
we should take part of what the government is saying and on the other
hand we should advise them that they should not just hand them to every
Tom, Dick and Harry. They should come and regulate the prices.

There are fears that licences may be granted to political cronies who
will hijack the entire process to the detriment of the ordinary
Nigerian...

I won’t say so. What they did with the GSM licences shows that they can
do better. People always like to doubt every government move. Let us
see whether they will do it. If there are evidences to show us that
they will not do it well, then most of us will come in. But if they are
going to make other people come in, I think we should give them the
opportunity.

But the Labour is arguing that it’s the masses who will bear the brunt.
For instance, the president has said the price of petrol will not be
more than N40 per litre. How does the economy accommodate such?

I have said the president can say that but we are not sure. Let’s have
other people to be involved. I travel a lot in Nigeria today but there
was a time I couldn’t travel. Now, we have planes everywhere. There’s
the one you can pay N5,500 and go to Abuja. There are others that
charge N6,000, N6,500 and N7,000 to take you to Abuja, and you choose
whichever you like. And I believe that if you throw the thing open,
that N40 per litre may not be there because those who want to sell
their petrol will bring it out. We may even buy it cheaper.

There was this argument by one human rights lawyer that each time
government does anything, there will always be a cartel that will
control the prices...

Throw it open. If you put your money on something, you won’t look for a
cartel. Do it. Give everybody opportunity. You think in the airways
there is a cartel making the operators not to get their money? We are
just afraid of what is not there.

You advised that government should regulate the prices. Can you suggest
how best to go about that?

I think they have regulated the fares of airlines. Sometimes, the
airlines come up with proposal to charge N12,000 per flight to Abuja
and government tells them they can’t. In fact, today what the people
are charging is even lower than what the government asked them to
charge. So leave it to market forces. That is what everybody is saying.
The prices will regulate themselves.

In this case, the market forces will even be the government who will
offer the crude to refineries at the international rate...

I don’t know, but I’ve just come back from Akwa Ibom State where they
are building their own refinery. And the Chinese are the ones building
it. How is government going to disrupt somebody’s investment?

Government says it will offer the crude at the prevailing international
rate...

You see, let many people come, the story will be different. That is my
attitude.

The Southern governors are currently crusading for resource control. Do
you see this as a just battle?

I don’t know whether all of them are true to themselves. You see, we
always think that when people say things, that is what they believe in.
Are you sure all those southern governors believe in what they say.

But, even if they all don’t believe in it, do you support their cause?

No, I don’t. Because, we are living in a funny country. Those who are
pushing for resource control may have the resources today. Do they know
tomorrow? The southern governors pushing for resource control because
it suits their purpose at the moment are short sighted. If the oil for
which they are pushing for the control gets exhausted today and
tomorrow something more valuable is found in the north, what happens?
They go to the north to beg them to reverse the situation? Why don’t we
continue sharing it so that if our own finishes we share with other
people.

The argument is that those producing the oil do not benefit as much as
those without oil...

Ask for more percentage of revenue allocation. Please try and get more
percentage for it. But don’t talk of controlling resources because when
you start the resource control grammar, you don’t know where it will
end. If it is in my backyard, I will also control the resources in my
backyard, not the state. Now it is the state, before you know it, it
will be local government. Before you know it, it will be community. I
live in Nigeria, I know what Nigeria is. We are not united. I come from
Akwa Ibom and I can assure you if you press for resource control in
Akwa Ibom, the local government where those things are located will
soon say they should control same. And there will be no end to it. So
let us be careful. What I am advocating is that we must be careful when
are asking for this because we don’t know how it will end. Rather I
will ask that we share, as we have been sharing so that those who
produce it, have far more than they currently receive.

You ‘ve been an advocate of true federalism and these governors are
saying that this is the only sure route to restructuring the country
but you are now saying no. Are your views not conflicting.

No! No!! No!!!. Nigeria is not an easy country that you can just
dismiss one day and go to sleep. What you think you are doing well may
cost you sleep tomorrow. We live in a corporate world.

Tell me sincerely, those who don’t have now, supposing God gives them
tomorrow and you don’t have, will they be willing to share with you? Or
if they don’t have now, is it right for us to deny them?

But the cry for resource control was borne out of allegations of
marginalisation in some parts of the country...

By some people in that area, not all. Few people. I have travelled
around Nigeria, you won’t believe it, but the northerners are poorer
than their southern counterparts. Only very few of them are rich.

Now, you want to punish those people because of the few rich?

There is also the argument that there are more roads and infrastructure
in the North than the South that produces the wealth.

It is not true. There is a difference between what happens in the
South. When you give somebody contract in the South, he uses the money
to marry more wives and he won’t do the work. The northerners will use
the little money you give them

and do the road properly and it stays for a long time.

Will you say the Igbos are justified to lay claim to the Presidency
come 2003?

Everybody who has lived in Nigeria would know that what they are
calling for is meaningless. Presidency is what you have to fight for,
not standing akimbo and playing on sentiment. It’s not a donation. You
have to convince everybody to vote for that Igbo who is going to be
president.

Recently, you vowed to campaign for Obasanjo’s re-election and some of
your colleagues were very critical of that view. How do you respond?

That’s their headache. Everybody has his mind. I talk to this man
regularly in my office. I see his programmes. Tell me, ever since we
came to this country, has anybody talked about corruption? He is
talking about it. He is dealing with NEPA and he is trying to privatise
NITEL to make things work. My attitude is that we should give him the
opportunity to stabilise what he has begun, so that you don’t start
somewhere and then somebody else comes and destroys everything he has
done. That is my argument. If they have stronger arguments, let them
come up with it.

Will you say that you are satisfied with the government’s
anti-corruption crusade?

I am. Because corruption is not what you can heal in one day.

Has the Lagos State Government released the instrument for the handing
over of returned mission schools?

I saw the governor a few days ago. He has been out of the country. I
want to meet with him and find out what it means to hand back schools
to us.

When will the Ecumenical Centre in Abuja be completed

We are working on it. We had some problems with the builders. So we are
tidying up those problems. Somebody who was in charge was charging us
more money. A committee was set up and it discovered that they were
charging us more money. We are trying to sort that out and that takes
time.

-------------------------

‘FG’ll emerge from resource control suit worse off’


By Austen Ogwuda, Asaba

Mr Peter Nwaoboshi, Special Adviser to the governor of Delta State on
political matters, in this interview, says the Federal Government will
come out of the suit it has filed against the state governments on the
resource control agitation worse off. Excerpts:

Recently when the governor addressed the press, he was asked to clear
the air about the rumours of his second coming. He said he is not Jesus
Christ that would be talking about that now. What is the true position?

The governor, if God keeps him alive, will come back for a second term.
Let nobody deceive himself about that. And if he says he is not coming
back, Deltans will force him to come for a second term. There are no
two ways about that. And if there is anybody who feels that he has a
better idea, let him come, the people will judge. If the anybody is in
doubt as to whether Ibori is coming for a second term, let him not be
in doubt, he has done enough to get the people’s mandate for a second
term and he is going to come back for a second term.

You said he has performed well. But many people are saying he has done
nothing. Surely a big fight for the office in 2003 is coming.

Which fight, by whom? The question is, who is going to fight?

Some other interested persons eyeing the governor’s seat?

From which party, within PDP or outside PDP?

Maybe within the PDP

Well, let us see the person. You see the governor is not afraid of
challenge. What he has done will market him. He has been tested, he has
served this state. Kefas has been here, Ochulor has been here and so
many of them. They have had time to serve this state. This young man is
serving the state right now and his achievements speak for themselves.

The Deltans are not asleep. I have said it before and I am saying it
again, the governor is not afraid of challenge. If you think you can do
better than him, when the chips are down, we shall go to the PDP to
seek nomination. We shall go also to the electorate to seek their
mandate. So, let nobody deceive himself, just wait, you will see when
the time comes.

A school of thought believes that some of the pro-Ibori groups were
formed for selfish interests by members intent on using them to make
money.

People are free, freedom of association, freedom of movement are all
aspects of a democratic set up. But I want to say that the governor
does not need any political grouping for his second term. All he needs
is to perform which the people of Delta State have acknowledged. What
he needs after performance in his political party. He does not need the
groups. But let me make it clear to members of PDP whether you are a
member of CDI, or a member of Ibori Vanguard or you belong to any club
that at the end of the day, we judge you by your performance or on your
personal merit.

No amount of CDI, Ibori Vanguard or any club, you belong will save you
from the people’s judgement. So, if people are deceiving themselves by
thinking that belonging to CDI, they are sure of winning election to
the House of Assembly, House of Representatives or the Senate, to use
the governor’s name to get there, they are deceiving themselves. The
governor does not even need them. He does not need all these people.
They are only trying to climb on the man’s popularity to achieve their
selfish goal and the governor is very much aware of that. And he is not
somebody you can just clap and you think that when you make those
statements, you are going for the second term, that you will win your
nomination, no way. But they can go ahead if they like, let them even
dance naked on the streets, when the chips are down, we shall judge
them, that is, the party will judge them.

The governor’s entourage was recently attacked at Oghara, the
governor’s home town. Some blamed it on security lapses. What actually
happened?

The governor was not attacked per se. I don’t think that any

PDP member in the state has anything against the governor because we
hold him in high esteem. He has performed well, both as an
administrator and as a party man The party owes him a lot of gratitude,
he has been carrying the party along and he is seen as a symbol of PDP
in Delta State. So I don’t think that any PDP man will have the courage
to attack him. The Oghara issue, the governor was not attacked. There
had been some misunderstanding between the political leaders in that
local government.

This jostle had been on, so the governor went to the area as the issue
was getting out of hand, to discuss with the two groups and bring them
together. He assured them that whether you are a floor member of a
party chairman, that as long as you are a member of the PDP, your
interest would be protected. One faction was led by the party chairman
while the other faction was led by the council chairman and when the
governor went to worship in the church, one of the factions came to
that place (church) looking for the council chairman. As no reasonable
leader will be there when his council chairman is about to be killed,
the governor came out of the church and said gentlemen, stop this, stop
this, I called you, we re going to meet, we are going to talk. In the
meantime, members of both groups exchanged hot words and they started
fighting. The governor was not attacked and no PDP man in Delta State,
unless he is not a PDP man, will have the courage to fight the governor
because he is the symbol of our struggle to improve the lot of the
people.

How do you see the issue of Federal Government taking the states to
court over resource control. As a lawyer, do you think the states
actually stand the chance of winning the suit. What is the way out?

I am a strong believer in democracy and judiciary is one of the three
arms of government. I believe that the judiciary has not been fully
utilised in this present dispensation to the extent that constitutional
issues have not been taken to the court to be tested. There has been
much emphasis on dialogue, negotiation, consultation, but the facts are
there. The people have been saying let us negotiate. So I think going
to court which the federal government has done, if they think that is
the best way to reconcile the matter, so let it be. It is a democratic
process. But let me make it clear that something inside me tells me
that the federal government will be worse off at the end of the case
because we are going to open a lot of issues at the Supreme court.

Supreme court is going to interpret so many issues, we are going to
join issues with them on so many things they have been doing. Of
course, our governor has said so many times that researches are being
made on the suit and a lot of other related issues. The issue of
resource control is our birth right.

---------------------------

No crack among Southern govs —Igbinedion


By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, Benin

Congratulations for successfully hosting the third southern governors
conference, do you think your colleagues will remain resolute on the
decisions?

Our resolve is stronger, our co-operation understandably more amicable.
We have been able to define many areas of co-operation and you can see
the meeting took much longer than any other one we have ever had. This
is because we took some time to discuss things in detail.

The issue is whether some governors will not go their separate ways on
this issue of resource control when the battle gets tougher?

You know that it is only the tough that gets going when the battle gets
tougher. The battle is tougher today than it was yesterday and we, the
17 southern governors have resolved together to tender a common
argument on the issue of resource control. We are all taking a common
stand and our attorneys-general are going to meet within the shortest
possible time to foster that common stand.

But the Osun State governor, Chief Bisi Akande and some other governors
are still opposed to the resource control stance?

Who are the other governors. You saw them at the meeting, who amongst
them told you that he is opposed to resource control. As for Chief
Akande, I respect him like other governors. He contributed
intelligently to the meeting just like any other person. However, I
expect you to know when somebody is just making a political statement.
He is not against the practice of this federalism which has resource
control as one of its tenets. These were all discussed at the meeting
and I believe he saw reason with us.

But he said resource control is a jargon that cannot be defined?

You are equally aware that we came out with a working definition of
resource control. Did you ask him later whether it is still a jargon.
We all know why he argued in that manner but I know all of us are
better informed after the meeting. You see, the point was made very
clear that we should face the realities and avoid legal gymnastics in
this matter because it will lead us to nowhere. Resource control is an
idea which time has come and we cannot run away from it except we want
to throw this country into turmoil. You heard the Enugu State Governor,
Chief Chinwoke Nnamani when he said that if democracy prevails in this
land, the sons and daughters of the Niger Delta will control their
resources. It is not a matter of sentiment. It is a constitutional
matter and every patriotic Nigerian should stand by the truth.

But the fear is that a time will come when the South-west governors and
South-east governors may go their way on this matter and leave the
South-south to carry their cross?

Are you guessing or you are saying a factual thing. Look, this is a
serious business. This is not the time for anybody to pull wool over
the eyes of the other. It is not a question of blind folding anybody.
We discussed everything and there is no such fear and we did not come
to guess. We reviewed the issues and our inescapable conclusion was
that together, all of us will struggle and not yield to any
intimidation and blackmail.

So, you people were intimidated?

Well, the difficulties placed on our ways were very glaring and I need
not go into them. What is important is that we have resolved not to be
intimidated.

Your decision to go to court was well received by many Nigerians but
the fear is that the governors may abandon the option as they did with
a similar resolution at Enugu in January?

Let me make this point very clear. We did not abandon our resolution at
Enugu, to take the Federal Government to court for violating many
aspects of the constitution. This is democracy and we all believed that
as representatives of the people, including the president, we can all
sit down and thrash out issues. Before the Enugu meeting, we all tried
to get the president to see reason with us and after our meeting as you
(pressmen) had rightly reported, moves were made by the Federal
Government to appeal to us to leave the court out of the matter.

Our primary objective is not to go to court but to resolve our
differences amicably and we agreed reluctantly to give the Federal
Government time to amend its ways but events that unfolded later
pointed clearly to the fact that the Federal Government was not in a
hurry to resolve the matter amicably and since we know our rights, we
resolved again that having given him a chance and more and he failed to
utilise it, the best thing is to go ahead with the demands of our
people, that is the entrenchment of true federalism, which is
guaranteed by our constitution.

I believe that the Almighty God put us (the governors) in the position
we are holding to create a better Nigeria for Nigerians and we cannot,
with our level of education and knowledge, sit down and watch the
nation continuously being misruled. What will we tell the younger
generation, our children. That we were not aware that the system is
wrong or that the system is wrong and we foolishly decided to coast
along. Count me out of such bandwagon movement. That was not what Edo
people elected me for, that is not what Enugu people elected their
governor for, the same with Osun, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, and other
governors.

We were elected to defend the rights of our people and the country, and
that is what we are doing. It is not just our wish, we have been
consulting with them and I tell you, they even feel we should take
tougher measures. Let me tell you, if it is not that the governors are
applying political wisdom, the people of the South-South states would
have taken over the control of their resources long ago. All these
delays do not even please them and that is the more reason the Federal
Government should be very serious. It is a matter that affect their
lives and they do not want anybody to toy with their lives.

We are not ready to toy with the lives of our people. I hope you can
see the fact now. So, we did not abandon the court option. Our deciding
to go to court afresh can even tell you that it was never abandoned, we
only decided to allow the Federal Government to take the easy way out
but since it has remained stubborn, the stubborn fly follows the corpse
to the grave.

Supposing the Federal Governments wins you people on this
interpretation of Section 162, Sub-Section (1) of the Constitution?

Win us how? Is it going to bend the constitution, the president has
also read it and the position of the law is very clear. Okay, let us
see the court which is going to bend the constitution. We are not
talking about losing here. What is there to lose in what is as clear as
daylight, we are talking about obedience, compliance to the
constitution.

The point is that the constitution is not being obeyed and we are gong
to the court to ask the Federal Government to obey the social contract
that bound all of us together. That is why in our communiqué, we said
our collective desire was to put an end to the rules of the thumb. Of
course, as an informed journalist, I know you are aware of our battle
with the Federal Government in Federal Allocation meetings, the revenue
formula being used now is not equitable and the indices are being
manipulated. We cannot continue to go in this way.

But the President said this kind of agitation for resource control
could lead to civil war and his fear is shared by Northern leaders?

The governors have said that none of them and their people are
interested in the break-up of this country. You saw when we went to
visit the Oba of Benin, Omo N’oba Erediauwa, I mean the governors who
came to Benin. He told us that our struggle was in order but that we
should not take any decision that would lead to the break-up of this
country. That is the mandate of our people. They want resource control,
not break-up.

We did not tell anybody that we want break up. Those who are opposed to
true federalism either out of a genuine lack of understanding of our
patriotic motives, our out of selfish desire to continue to flourish
without fully exerting

themselves at the expense of others should know that chickens have a
way of always coming home to roost. They should study history very
well. We are guided by history. By the way, was fiscal federalism not
practised in this country by the old regions? Was that not resource
control? Did it break the country?

Having accepted the onerous responsibility of steering our country in
the path of equity, justice and progress - essential ingredients for
true greatness - it is our further responsibility to explicate our
stance to our brothers and sisters who do not yet share our vision and
thus, we are doing. We have sought a proper definition of the Nigerian
nation as a federal entity and have submitted that a fundamental
pedestal of true federalism finds expression in the system of
allocation of revenue adopted between the central government and the
states. Fiscal federalism based on the principles of national interest,
need and above all, derivation.

We are not saying that the Federal Government should not have enough
funds to enable it effectively perform such functions as are contained
in the exclusive list of the 1999 Constitution. What we are saying is
that all revenue accruable should be disbursed according to the manner
spelt out by the constitution and our stance is predicated on a desire
to see the Federal Government grow from its present point where it
epitomises that old definition of a baby with as an alimentary canal
with a huge appetite on one end and no sense of responsibility on the
other.

What we preach is fiscal responsibility. And that is why we demanded
that the Federal Government should as a matter of course, publish
monthly figures as to total revenue that has accrued. This will be a
giant step in the direction of imbibing the system with transparency.

So what next if the Federal Government refuses as before to bow to your
demands?

I will like to find out from you whether the Federal Government is
above the laws of this country. Is the government not bound by the law
too? As I have said before, our battle is for the law to be complied
with. We are not saying anything more than that. When a government
refuses to govern according to the laws of the country, I want you to
tell me what happens. It is not a question of what the governors will
do. I cannot even tell you now, but those who elected us know what to
do. I can assure you that.

One of the governors was reported as saying that he was ready to die
over this resource control matter. Are you ready to die for it too?

He did not mean physical death. What he meant is that he believes in it
and will not let it go. And that is exactly what we have all shown in
our Benin meeting. We reviewed all the problems and said we have put
our hands to the plough and we are not looking back. We have at our
disposal a synergy of the wisdom of age and the sparkle of youth; the
power of steel beneath the gutter of gold. The triumph of the will is
assured with the level of committed dedication which the governors have
all demonstrated thus far.

Will the governors not soft pedal again when the president in his usual
manner talks to them to leave the court option?

Has he not taken us to the court. So, why should he be asking us to
leave the court option. We want this matter settled and I think it
should be settled once and for all.

You have become quite vocal in recent times on this resource control,
in what ways has it affected your relationship with Mr. President?

Believe me, I still maintain a good relationship with Mr. President. I
speak to him whenever I want to but that doesn’t mean, I cannot and
have not told him that this is where I stand on an issue as a governor.

-----------------------------

Gov. Kalu's offensive on Obasanjo:Abuja group fights back• Raises
Abia’s temperature


BY Vincent Ujumadu

POLITICS in Abia State has assumed a dangerous dimension following
attempts by politicians in the area to arrogate to themselves the power
to chart the course of events. In their quest to have a firm grip on
the masses, they have, perhaps unknowingly, polarised the people more.
Now the situation is such that, if care is not taken, open
confrontations might soon result.

The fight here is between the Abuja group, represented by Ministers
from the State and other federal political office holders on one hand,
and the home front, represented by the State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor
Kalu and other public office holders and politicians in the area on the
other.

Although, the cold war has been on for quite sometime the climax was
the recent interview granted to a national newspaper by the Transport
Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe in which he was quoted as saying among
other things that it is idiotic to talk of an Igbo President in 2003,
which is a cause being championed by Governor Kalu. He was quoted
further as saying that Kalu would not be re-elected in 2003 because he
has not done much for the people of the State. Expectedly, these
statements set the agenda for the unhealthy politicking that has
continued in the State. Those who usually benefit from squabbles have
since been having a field day.

On March 24, what could have led to a major clash in the State was
avoided by sheer divine intervention. The occasion was the conferment
of traditional titles on three prominent indigenes of the State,
namely: Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Minister of Transport, Prince Vincent
Ogbulafor, Minister for Economic Affairs and Special Projects in the
Presidency and Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Chairman of the Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC). The ceremony was performed by Eze
Bernard Enweremadu, the traditional ruler of Ngwa Ukwu in Isiala Ngwa
North Local Government Area.

To a curious observer, the choice of the recipients was loaded with
politics especially when considered that the traditional ruler himself
had been at logger-heads with the State Governor since he was dropped
as the Chairman of the State Council of traditional rulers by Kalu.
That Saturday’s outing was his first since Kalu became governor.
Apparently, to scuttle the ceremony, State government officials decided
to fix their own programmes on the same day and in that same town at
the same time. For instance, the Orji Uzor Kalu free medical scheme
which was introduced by the governor last year was fixed for launching
at the same Isiala Ngwa.

Another rally was also planned to take place in Umuahia at the same
time. State government officials also planned to drag Vice President
Atiku Abubakar to commission the newly completed conference centre in
the State capital at the same time he was billed to be at Asaga,
Ohafia, Ojo Maduekwe’s town to lay the foundation stone of Prof.
Ezera’s skills acquisition centre.

But unknown to the Umuahia group, the Abuja group had carefully
prepared the vice-president’s itinerary in such a way that no time
would be spared for him to attend to any programme outside theirs. And
this led to the near flop of all the state functions fixed for the day.

The Chairman of Isiala Ngwa North Local Government, Chief Friday
Onukwue, and leader of the Council’s legislature, Hon Ginger
Onwuasoibe, led different camps during the Vice-President’s visit.
While the Chairman was the organiser and Chief host of the launching of
Orji Uzor Kalu health scheme in the Council, the leader of the
legislature led other lawmakers to castigate the governor for putting
Isiala Ngwa in disarray.

Onukwue said as the chief security officer of the local government, he
was supposed to be informed of any ceremony taking place in his
council, but explained this was not done in the case of conferment of
titles on Maduekwe and others. His stand was not a surprise to
political watchers because he had been at daggers-drawn with Eze
Enweremadu since the present administration came into being. However,
the leader of the legislature led other lawmakers into an
extra-ordinary session during which he condemned the State government’s
action for fixing another event on the day Eze Enweremadu was hosting
the Vice President, Federal Ministers and senators.

Hon. Onwuasoibe told Sunday Vanguard a day before the ceremony, "Isiala
Ngwa people are not happy with the politicking going on in the local
government area. Vice President is here for the purpose of honouring
these illustrious sons of Abia. But we have heard that the governor is
coming here to launch the free health care scheme.

That scheme has been on for a very long time and they have been in this
local government twice. The question is why must they launch it the day
the Vice President is coming to the Ezeukwu’s palace? Again, why must
it be in Isiala Ngwa North and why must it be launched on a Saturday?
And why should they not inform us, the legislators, of the plan?
Because of the situation, we decided to summon a special session and
passed some resolutions condemning the State Government’s action".

"Isiala Ngwa people are not happy about the development, we had
expected the governor to accord Isiala Ngwa North people that respect,
afterall the governor went to Enugu Ukwu and was honoured. During that
ceremony, nothing was fixed in Abia on that day", he stated.

The leader of the legislature added: "Our worry is that at the end of
it all, the visitors would go and we in Isiala Ngwa will start settling
disputes fuelled by outsiders".

But the council chairman said the councillors were the ones blowing the
whole thing out of proportion.

Onukwue’s main complaint was that those organising the ceremony in
Isiala Ngwa never reckoned with him as the head of the local
government, adding that if anything happened to any of the visitors, he
would be the one to be queried, as the chief security officer of the
LGA.

With this setting, those loyal to the governor pitched their tents at
the venue where the free medical scheme was launched. Among them were
the state’s commissioners and advisers, some local government chairmen,
traditional rulers from Ngwa land opposed to Eze Enweremadu, as well as
political groups and women organisations who sang and danced in praise
of Kalu.

At Eze Enweremadu’s palace, the might of the federal government was
very noticeable. Students from various institutions of higher learning
were mobilised and they stormed the arena in vehicles belonging to
parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Transport where Maduekwe is
in charge. Banners of all sizes in praise of Maduekwe were
conspicuously displayed while hand bills from various groups flew from
place to place, all praising the Minister.

Vice President Abubakar who watched the drama delivered one important
message to the people of the State and that is that they must unite in
the interest of peace and harmony.

To Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, who was one of the recipients of the
traditional titles: "I think there has been an attempt in this State to
rubbish Mr. President and those who work for him".

"I don’t think any of these people was competing for office with the
governor, but one thing we must acknowledge is that we should respect
offices and those who occupy them whether we are older, younger or more
creative than them", Ugochukwu said.

The NDDC Chairman continued: "I would like to respect my governor at
every time. And I would also expect that my governor respects the
President of the country whether he likes him as a person or not. When
we begin to breach courtesies, we tend to create confusion. In Abia ,
it got to a point where these things were breached and we have had a
lot of bad blood which is unnecessary. One would hope that we can sort
out our problems in Abia without carrying on in this unnecessary
aggressive manner. Abia is God’s Own State, we don’t need to shed blood
here".

According to him: "Igbo marginalisation which the governor is talking
about did not start with Obasanjo. It’s been there over the years.
Obasanjo came along and began to solve these problems and nobody has
given him credit", he stated.

"Enugu State Governor, Dr. Nnamani said in a recent interview that he
has no problem with Obasanjo because Obasanjo has done so well.
Governor Mbadinuju of Anambra in an interview said Obasanjo has done so
much for his State. Dr. Egwu of Ebonyi State says Obasanjo has done so
much. Udenwa in Imo hasn’t spoken. So does Obasanjo hate Abia
particularly? Obasanjo has tried to do for the Igbos what nobody has
done for them", Ugochukwu stressed.

"Let’s start with the express road which our governor talked about. It
was Obasanjo that built the Port Harcourt - Enugu express way and the
Onitsha - Enugu expressway when he was the military head of state in
1979 - 80. There was no other expressway he built apart from the Lagos
- Ibadan and Shagamu - Benin which the Igbos use most. We should
remember history. However people allowed that road to decay and he’s
repairing them now. One of the busiest roads in the country is the
Ibadan -Ogbomosho which he didn’t dualise. People must be fair to
Obasanjo. And going beyond Obasanjo, when a governor says the President
hasn’t done anything, what has the governor done? When Obasanjo became
president, he changed the allocation for the states and today, Abia is
getting 400 per cent more than what it used to get. That is the truth.
We are getting between N700 to N800 million every month whereas we were
getting below N200 million before Obasanjo came around. That is the
dividend of democracy. We have open accounting system which is putting
more money in the hands of the governors. What does our governor do
with the bigger amount coming to him? So it is not enough for a
governor to say the President hasn’t done enough. The President has put
a lot of money in the hands of the governors to enable them meet the
aspirations of their people".

However, some of the people residing in Abia State think that Kalu has,
more or less, performed magic in the State within the two years he has
been their governor. For instance, they said that if it is true that
the governor receives only N800 million a month from the Federal
Government, then he must have been spending his own money to develop
Abia State going by the level of development. Indeed, the statement may
not be far from the truth. By last week, no fewer than 93 roads have
been rehabilitated in the commercial city of Aba while almost all the
streets in Umuahia have been tarred. Most of the water schemes
abandoned in the State, even when it was part of the old Imo State,
have been rehabilitated and for the first time in the State, public
taps have been installed. Similarly, many rural roads connecting
various local government areas have either been completed or are under
construction.

Mr. Sam Eze, a political analyst, said one must frown at the reckless
pronouncements of some Igbo people who find themselves in top
positions. According to him, there is no reason for the Abuja group to
join issues with Kalu because of his call for an Igbo man to be elected
president of Nigeria in 2003. Speaking specifically about Maduekwe, who
he said was spearheading the attack on Kalu, Eze said Igbos had
expected the minister to be the one to champion the cause of the Igbos.
He continued: "The governors of the South Eastern States support the
call for an Igbo Presidency in the year 2003, in consultation with
leaders of other geo-political zones in the country".

"It is therefore unreasonable for the Minster to think that Ndigbo are
asking for a President outside the context of Nigeria or that they
could go about it all alone without the co-operation of other parts of
the country. That notion would be idiotic to misconstrue that the call
is for an Igbo President who is not a Nigerian", the analyst said.

He added: "Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu grew with the people, knows the people at
the grassroots, understands them and is well versed in their language.
By his actions and people-oriented programmes, he touches the people in
almost all aspects of their lives.

"For example, people who have not seen any roads being constructed or
even reconstructed, since the war ended 31 years ago, are happy at Dr.
Kalu’s achievements in under two years. Free quality medication is
quietly reaching all nooks and crannies of the State. People-oriented
programmes are being formulated and executed one after another, with a
speed that cannot go unnoticed by the recipients", Eze said.

According to him: "Even the Honourable Minster is known to have been a
frequent visitor to the Government House, Umuahia. And as he brazenly
attacks the person of Dr. Kalu, a road passing Chief Ojo Maduekwe’s own
village, Asaga Ohafia (Okun-Asaga) Ndibe Road) is being tarred by the
government of Abia State. One is tempted to believe that Maduekwe has
refused to acknowledge the remarkable transformation in Abia State or
that he is not in touch with the reality in his home state. If the
latter is the case, then he is in trouble".

As it turned out, the Abuja group had its day in Isiala Ngwa on March
24, using Eze Enweremadu as its conduit. Whether Kalu and his aides
would merely swallow the pills will be known in due course.

-----------------------------

Why we want Nwachukwu as President— Okeke


By Kingsley Anaroke

It appears the Odenigbo Forum is now more than ever before, interested
in the emergence of an Igbo President in 2003?

The quest for Igbo Presidency is a compelling aspiration. Looking at
the political spectrum of this country, we found that we have to do all
that is within our power in a democratic setting to ensure that an Igbo
man emerges the president of this country in 2003. And our presenting
Senator Ike Nwachukwu for the office was to ensure that the people of
Nigeria got acquainted with the kind of Nigeria we have in mind.
Nwachukwu has served this country in various positions as governor, as
minister, served as a general in the Nigeria Army, and in all those
positions, he was not found wanting. Now, he is a senator, having won
an election and he is doing well in the Senate. He is the chairman of
the South-East Senate caucus. And he has been performing as the
Chairman, Power and Steel Committee of the Senate. So, we have every
reason to have confidence in him. We also found out that he is very
much at home with all the major tribes in this country. His mother is a
northerner, his father is from the South-East, Igbo land, his wife is
from Yoruba land and has good relationship with the South-South.
Therefore, this is one Nigerian that is very much at home with all the
sections of the country and has the exposure to rule Nigeria. So, we
have presented to Nigerians to see that an Igbo man who will be
president is not going to rock the boat of this country. He is not a
person that comes from a questionable background. He is not the type
that will come with the idea of breaking up this country, neither will
he implement policies that will marginalise any section of the country.
He is a broad-minded Igbo man who suits the expectations of any part of
the country.

When the call for Igbo Presidency is made, the feeling among people is
that it is undemocratic, because it is akin to imposing a candidate on
the country?

Remember that we are coming from many years of instability and the
constitution we are even trying to amend now was prepared under the
military regime. And inspite of that, we still had an understanding of
rotation to ensure that the presidency was not monopolised by any one
section of the country, no matter how strong in terms of voting
strength. The constitution, therefore, requires that every section of
this country can produce the president, and should be able to rule at
the highest level of this country. And that is one way of securing
stability for the political system. So, democracy already implies
arrangement or agreement as to how to sustain stability. There is the
rotation understanding to ensure there is peace, justice and stability.
And for the Igbos, we have to do something when we know it is time for
us to produce the president. We came up with a candidate after detailed
consultations with various social groups and politicians. So, we came
up with somebody who does not discriminate against any class or region.

This is like laying a benchmark for the selection of president in
Nigeria?

From what we have seen, it is good when people suggest who will be
president, that person should have a diverse background and a
sufficient exposure, should be concerned about people. We see in this
government where anti-people policies are being implemented. Whether
the policies are financed by the World Bank or IMF is not the issue.
The issue is that the people in power are not concerned about the
welfare of the people and that is why we are looking for an
alternative. And this is exactly what we have done.

Is he coming in as President to protect the interest of Igbos as an
Igbo President because they have always complained about being
marginalised?

We decided that we should have a shot at the presidency so that an Igbo
president should be able to set an example of what the president of
this country should be. We want to demonstrate what we are talking
about because an Igbo president will not alienate any group. We are not
going to marginalise any group, we are not going to dominate any group.
We will ensure that there is full participation by all sections of the
country in government.

We are not going to isolate groups for two or three years to only
remember them when it is time to begin campaign for another term in
office. We will begin from the beginning to carry people along. We want
to note that it is possible to involve people and still make success in
government.

A school thinks that Ike Nwachukwu, being a former military man, is a
minus for him, especially now that we are being re-orientated towards a
true civilian dispensation.

I will not agree with that school. It is not a continuation of the
military. If Nwachukwu were still in government as a military man, it
would have been a different thing. I believe that his being interested
in running on behalf of the Igbos is a demonstration of his concern for
his people, not his concern for self.

By all accounts, he is comfortable and we will all agree that if he
needed anything from this present regime, they will oblige him. But his
concern is that the people are not being carried along, that
deregulation of the oil sector is not the only option left for this
government.

If government goes ahead with the deregulation, the people of Nigeria
will suffer and many more people will die of hunger, many will be
thrown out of employment, many will be frustrated.

Although Nwachukwu is a retired military officer, it is not a
continuation of military regime if he becomes the president.

A retired military officer can contest election and win. Examples
abound all over the world. The decision rests with the people. The
Odenigbo Forum with other groups that came together to make Senator Ike
Nwachukwu the arrowhead of our campaign for Igbo Presidency had decided
that a populist choice will be the answer to the nation’s problems.
This results from our broad-based consultations.

Compare our endeavour with President Obasanjo who was brought out by
retied generals, and since then, Obasanjo has carried on as a military
general, having no obligation to anybody but to his sponsors. We want
to change that situation.

But the conservative Igbos will tell you Nwachukwu’s diverse background
does not make him a true Igbo man, that he may not meet the aspirations
of Igbo people especially in an attempt to please all the regions?

That is well taken. But I want to remind such conservatives that
Nwachukwu contested an election as a senator and won. It is important
to note that. And anybody that has gone through the rigours of
politicking is no longer a baby or a visitor to politics. So, I want to
assure you that Ike Nwachukwu stands between the conservative elements
and the masses.

He is coming against the backdrop of disappointment with a regime that
has taken Nigerians for a ride for two years. He is coming from a
background of having grown up in the north; having his father, brothers
and sisters in the East having his in-laws in the West and Rivers and
then Cross River states, that is being a true Nigerian.

And carrying this advantages to become president, he will have sympathy
for every section of this country. I want to tell you that President
Obasanjo is having problem in this country, not only because he has
failed to understand what the fundamental issues are in government but
he did not enjoy the confidence of majority of Nigerians, yet they
voted for him. But that was based on the fact that we wanted to come
out of the years of military.

Would you now say Senator Ike Nwachukwu is being prepared for 2003
Presidential election?

He is being prepared and we are talking with all the parties. Talking
with all the groups in other parts of the country. We have sent out
fillers and we are receiving positive response. He is competent and he
knows all his people and he knows what the responsibility is, because
we expect that he should be a consensus candidate.

-------------------------

Where is the HEADMASTER?


By Ademola Olajire

AS I made to walk past him in the press gallery during interval of the
Ghana-Nigeria World Cup 2002 qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on
March 11, a Ghanaian sports journalist Ibrahim Sannie accosted me.
"your midfield is simply non-existent. By the way, where is your
headmaster?"

The moment he mentioned headmaster, I know he meant Mutiu Adepoju, the
hardworking midfleid trojan who does most of the dirty jobs without
appearing to impose himself on the environment.

I managed to inform my Ghanaian friend that Adepoju had not been called
up since the Nations Cup finals ended in Lagos last year, that he had
left Real Sociedad in Spain after his contract was not renewed and that
he is now in Saudi Arabia. But as I walked back to my seat, it struck
me that the question Ibrahim Sannie asked was one very few Nigerian
journalists has asked in the past one year.

Where is Mutiu Abiodun Adepoju?

To be honest, I happen to be one of those with the opinion that the
former Shooting Stars’ ace midfielder actually struggled at last year’s
Cup of Nations finals. As usual, he worked hard, in the area of
man-marking and ball-winning. But once he won the ball, he gave it
away. He got most of his passes wrong, could not find the net with his
famous head, and generally looked tired.

I also supported the decision of the technical crew to leave him out of
the subsequent World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifying matches.

At that time, Adepoju was trying to sort out his club, and as the Real
Soceidad people obviously needed him no longer, he took off for Saudi
Arabia.

The Saudi Arabian league is not exactly in the same class as any of the
leagues in Europe. Nigerians see it, as well as the other leagues in
Asia, as where the tired go to wind up their career and make some good
money.

It was to Saudi Arabia that goalfather Rashidi Yekini went when he and
could no longer cope with the demands in Portugal.

Yet, the match in Accra, in which Nwankwo Kanu, Sunday Oliseh, Garba
Lawal and Austin Okocha were largely anonymous on a day they were
expected to impose themselves on the game, right invites the question:
Where is the headmaster?

It is a recognition of Mutiu’s versatility that even though Hansa
Rostock’s Victor Agali has scored two of his three goals at senior
level with his head, the media was more eager to name him the new
goalsfather after the legendary Rashidi Yekini) than the new headmaster
(after Mutiu Adepoju).

Adepoju not only scored with his head, he thwarted opponents’ moves
with the same head and equally launched onslaughts. He can play in all
departments (only that he was never tried in goal) and worked hard
everywhere.

Can we say that of any of the mainguard at the moment? The answer is
no.

And as the World Cup race becomes more tricky by the day, the question
is whether Mutiu Adepoju should not get another chance to prove
himself.

Come to think of it, how many Super Eagles excelled during the Nations
Cup finals in Nigeria last year? Goalkeeper Ike Shorounmu is more
remembered for the cheeky goal he gave Cameroon’s Patrick Mboma in the
final match and for not making good enough attempt to stop even one of
Cameroon’s five kicks in the penalty shoot-out.

Nwankwo Kanu, in the real sense of it, played only one match — the
opener against Tunisia. After that he was no longer in the
championship. Garba Lawal was as mediocre as ever, and Benedict
Akwuegbu never really got into the flow.

All these fellows have been regularly called up ever since. Why should
Adepoju not get another chance.

Ever since he started with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria
(CRIN) in Ibadan, from where he was invited to the Shooting Stars,
Mutiu, the son of a farmer local government chairman in the Oyo State
Capital, has always demonstrated full commitment to the cause of
football. And when he broke into the national team, he carried with him
loyalty and dedication to industry.

It was at Shooting Stars that the midfielder who hails from Idi Ape
local council in Ibadan first got the alias ‘headmaster,’ as he scored
regularly with his head, combining goalscoring with tenacity in
midfield. Later, some of his close friends would simply refer to hm as
Agbon (Coconut) in reference to the power of his head.

As the national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles crashed out of the African
Youth Championship in Ethiopia after a woeful first-round performance,
commentators recalled that the last time Nigeria made an impact at the
World Youth Championship was in 1989.

That year, the Flying Eagles were runners-up to Portugal in Saudi
Arabia, thanks to three classy goals by Mutiu Adepoju.

His first was against the host team in the opening match, a headed goal
that brought Nigeria level for the Saudis had gone ahead in the first
half. Then Christopher Ohenhen cracked in a last minute free kick and
Nigeria were manners.

Mutiu performed excellently at that championship, scoring the two goals
that saw the back of the feisty Americans in the semi finals. Apart
from Ohenhen, Adepoju was the only Nigerian player to score three goals
at the championship.

It was therefore a surprise that he did not make the team to the 1990
Nations Cup finals in Algeria. But when he debutted at the Senegal’92
finals, he was adjudged the best Nigerian player at that championship.

His close control skill was on display, just as his strength and
stamina, and the ability to shield the ball from the opponent. He
capped a glorious championship with a great (yes, with his head)
against Ghana’s Black Stars in the semi finals. The Ghanaians
eventually won the match but Adepoju won the hearts of African football
followers and returned home with a bronze medal after another excellent
showing against Cameroon in the third place match.

From then, he become a fixture in the senior team, won the Cup of
Nations gold in Tunisia in 1994 and joined hiss colleagues for
Nigeria’s debut at the World Cup finals, in USA the same year.

Adepoju scored in the opening game at the Nations Cup in Tunisia
against Gabon, but had a somewhat muted World Cup as Dutch coach
Clemens Westerhof preferred to use him as a sub.

He was not one of the invitees to the U-23 team for the Atlanta games,
so missed an Olympic gold medal. But he should claim his own special
medal as one of the very few Nigerians footballers (the list also
includes Uche Okechukwu, Stepehen Keshi, Augustine Egquavoen, Rashidi
Yekini, Ben Iroha, late Muda Lawal and Findi George) to have won the
Nations Cup gold, silver and bronze. A rare collection for any African
player.

Adepoju, born three days before Christmas in 1970, will also pride
himself on being one of those who names are in the record books as
World Cup scorers. His goal (again, with the head) against Spain in the
group D opening match in Nantes, at the France’98 World Cup, gave the
Eagles the confidence to always come from behind and eventually win the
match. Spain’s 3-2 defeat in that match led to the retirement of great
goalie Andoni Zubizareta from international football.

Mutiu Adepoju might still have some fire in him. The Super Eagles
technical crew should consider giving him another chance.

------------------------

Ghana seek to keep AYC trophy


By Ademola Olajire

GHANA will keep the African Youth Championship trophy if they defeat
Angola in the final of the 12th African Youth Championship at the Addis
Ababa National Stadium today. It would be their third triumph,
following victories in 1993 and 1999, and that comes with a right to
keep the cup.

Angola’s Young Negras thrashed our Flying Eagles 2-0 in the final match
of group B last Sunday, throwing Nigeria out of the championship. Ghana
had earlier beaten Stephen Keshi’s wards 4-1 in another group B match.

But make no mistake about it, there is s gulf of difference in pedigree
between Ghana and Angola in international football.

Unlike West African brothers Nigeria who get bashed now and then by
Angola youth teams, Angola have never beaten Ghana at junior level
since that central African nation gained political independence 26
years ago.

Nevertheless, today’s game will be fiercely contested. The Black
Satellites seek to keep the African junior trophy the way they retired
the African Nations Cup in 1978. But the Angolans also seek a first
continental title at national team level.

The Ghanaian team, coached by Emmanuel Afranie and with national team
arrowhead Ishamel Addo leading the search for goals, have so much in
their favour, including history, the cohesion of a matured and
disciplined squad and the psychological advantage of having beaten the
Angolans 1-0 in the opening match of group D.

The Black Satellites also remember that they whipped the Angolans 5-0
in a group phase at the last championship hosted by Ghana. The Ghanaian
U-17 team, Black Starlets also trounced their Angolans counterparts 3-0
in a group B game at the 1999 African junior championship in Guinea.

--------------------------

Aku sacks securitymen


By Eddie Akalonu

ALL fifteen Sports and Social Development Ministry security personnel,
except one, who were deployed at the National Stadium Surulere, have
been sacked by the minister, Ishaya Mark Aku.

Their duties and functions have been handed over to the private
security company Jederm Hong a company allegedly linked with the family
of the immediate past Sports Minister Damishi Sango.

The dismissal of the ministry’s security staff members was announced
last week by one Mr. Idalu, an assistant director in the Personnel
Department on behalf of the minister.

Strikingly, the sledge harmmer of sack spared one Mr. Amalari, the
chief security officer, who has been assigned the function to
co-ordinate all operations of the private security company.

Soon after the sack order was conveyed to the security employees, shock
and disbelief was their countenance as the reality of life next in the
unemployment marked dawned on the men.

But Idalu appeared to have soothed their nerves soon after when he
announced the Ishaya Mark Aku has directed that those of them who have
interest could re-apply as cleaners and grass cutters, another category
of personnel where he said the ministry has vacancies.

As at the time of writing this report, it was not known if any one of
the sacked staff have indeed re-applied as cleaners. Most could not
find enough words to describe their condition.

Sequel to the sack order, the ministry has also widened the operational
base of the private security company Jedam Hong. The company has had
its contract sum trippled and it is to reinforce its workforce at the
National Stadium more than three-fold.

Furthermore, the private security company has had its base extended to
cover other Federally-owned stadia in Ibadan, Kaduna, Bauchi and Enugu.

The move has sent jitters down the spines of many who doubt the
capability of the private company to really safeguard property at all
the facilities.

-----------------------------

Weightlifters bag N•2m largesse from Transproject boss


By Eddie Akalonu

BULGARIAN construction magnate Bojil Bojilov has given a boost to the
Nigerian Weight-lifting Federation sponsorship drive for the
development of youth weight-lifting.

Bojilov, who is the Managing Director of Transproject Nigeria Limited,
gave a cheque of N200,000 to support the Weight-lifting Federation to
prepare newly discovered young talents in the sport both for next
year’s Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the 8th All Africa Games to
be held in Abuja.

Transproject, the company he heads, is specialised in sports facilities
construction in Nigeria. The Bulgarian, a footballer, referee and
weight-lifter in his youth days, said at a short ceremony that he had
been moved by the achievements of Nigerian weight-lifters at African
and world competitions which had prompted his desire to contribute
something to develop the young ones for a better tomorrow.

Mrs. Kofo Nwokedi, president of the Nigerian Weight-lifting Federation
who received the donation, thanked Mr. Mojilov for taken the first step
to support the weightlifing development in Nigeria.

Top sports officials who graced the donation ceremony included Chief
Dr. Frank Okonta, president of the Nigeria Cycling Federation and
Brigadier General Fred Chijuka (trd) chairman of the Nigerian Amateur
Shooting Association.

Top sports officials felt very elated at the gesture from transproject,
believing it would help in uplifting weight-lifting to greater height.
They also hoped the move would draw other equally capable companies in
Nigeria to come to the aid of the association in the face of sports
rising profile intentionally.

Way back in 1999, Nigerian female lifters took Africa by storm by
winning all 27 gold medals put for grabs at the 7th All Africa Games in
Johannesburg, South Africa. Their male counterparts also managed with a
gold medal.

Nigerian females were to continue the strides two months later when
they won three bronze medals at the world championships in Athens,
Greece. Then Ruth Ogbeifo capped the marvellous 21st century
performance by picking a silver medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
in the 78 kg class.




=====
http://www.kitua.com/ Information Brokers

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/?.refer=text

Sunday, April 1, 2001
Obasanjo, Na'abba Condemn PDP's Internal Squabble


Party adopts 4-year term for national officers
From Martins Oloja and John-Abba Ogbodo

Abuja

PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na'Abba yesterday took a sober
reflection on the activities of the ruling Peoples Democratic
Party(PDP) with a verdict that all is not well with it.

Obasanjo and Na'Abba, both members of the party, spoke at the party's
third national convention in Abuja.

The President noted that despite the winning streak of the party, it
was no more than a dynamic amalgam of interest groups.

His words: "But in reality, we are no more than a dynamic amalgam of
interest groups. And what has held us together, if anything at all, is
that our party is in power and there is a strong expectation of
patronage, our party lacks cohesion. We have no order or tradition to
speak of and our rank and file seems devoid of simple decency and
respect which are hallmark values of the African society. All good
products of traditional African upbringing will show respect for
authority. Any one among us, who has no regard for these moral values
and qualities casts doubt on his cultural background and upbringing as
an African".

Listing the qualities of a good political party as cohesiveness,
organisation propelled by strict discipline, ideology-based human ideas
and solidarity and socially motivated unity of purpose, the president
rhetorically asked whether the PDP met those criteria, saying "can we
in all honesty, say that we are such a party?"

He provided the answer:" I have my doubts. At least, it could be said
that we are a movement whose singular achievement has been our ability
to weather a difficult and challenging transition process from military
rule to democracy and emerging victorious.

Obasanjo said if the PDP must meet the aspirations of the people as a
political party, then much work should be done to put it on course. " I
believe that if this party is to play the role that it is meant to
play, and I am convinced that it should be the foundation of all
governments that will make Nigeria great in the foreseeable future,
then we must demonstrably put our house in order".

President Obasanjo expressed hope that the convention would be used as
an avenue by party members to turn a new leaf.

" I sincerely hope that the overall conduct of individuals and groups
within the party will now turn for the better. And that at all levels,
local government, state and national, there will no longer be excuses
for condoning anti-party activities or malpractices, disgraceful
behaviour and conduct unbecoming of people from whom leadership is
expected. Whatever may have been the reasons for the lapses in the
past, those reasons are no longer tenable and we should declare zero
tolerance for all manifestation of such misdemeanour," he declared.

He equally expressed hope that the amendment of the party constitution
would go a long way to strengthen the party and instil discipline,
stressing that "any human organisation which cannot discipline itself
deserves no respect, neither can it be relied upon to achieve great
heights."

Also speaking at the convention, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na'abba, noted with dismay that
squabbles within the party have impeded its ability to deliver the
needed democratic dividends.

He also said the wounds created by the battle for presidency between
Obasanjo and former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekwueme as well as the
battle for PDP chairmanship between Barnabas Gemade and Sunday Awoniyi
had not been healed.

Na'abba called for genuine reconciliation, saying "there is need to
intensify reconciliation efforts, to do all it takes to build
confidence."

He advised that party members should focus attention on issues and
separate their persons from official positions.

He also castigated the PDP for not discouraging the self-succession bid
by some political office holders.

The chairman of the party, Chief Barnabas Gemade, deplored indiscipline
exhibited by some members, stressing that the amended constitution
would put the party in good stead to sanitise the system. The party
adopted the amended constitution which extends the tenure of national
office holders from two to four years.

The convention also saw the replacement of Albert Legogie with Samuel
Ogbemudia as a member of the board of trustees.

The PDP convention which ended by 4.30 p.m yesterday at the
International Conference Centre, Abuja might have been markedly
misunderstood by many state delegates whose presence was unusual and
remarkable.

Most of the delegates including journalists who were locked out before
11.00 a.m when the president arrived assisted the spectators who were
'imported' into Abuja by politicians.

Most of the delegates who even wore accreditation cards from different
states appeared oblivious of why they were in Abuja.

The most ignorant were the other 'delegates' who were hired by
politicians as praise singers to showcase their Project 2003.

Three groups were distinguished for their campaigns: the Rimi group,
the Orji Kalu group and the Ebonyi governor's group of hired cultural
dancers.

The credit goes to the Rimi group noted for it's bold banners, Sai
Rimi: Rimi for president 2003. The group members and their cheer
leaders even had their own accreditation card which read: PDP power:
Vote Rimi for president. Same for the Orji Kalu group with theirs: His
Excellency Orji Kalu welcome: Igbo na asi gi nnoo banner. The Ebonyi
group too was visible. The number of the Ebonyi delegates was
remarkable and by 4.52 p.m. while the Governor Dr. Sam Egwu was coming
out of the Convention Centre, he acknowledged his courtiers' cheers at
the gate.

The other visible group noted was made up of women who were rooting for
one Erelu Sola Obada as governor of Osun 2003, as their poster and
banner screams.

Surprisingly, even the poster of the new FCT minister emerged as
'guber' aspirant for Borno State come 2003. Alhaji Mohammed Abba-Gana's
poster freely distributed reads: "For peace, justice unity and
development of Borno State", the colour poster screams: "Vote for the
right person to do the right job as governor''. Abba-Gana's picture
adorns three-quarter of the space with a caption: "he is the right
candidate."

Even opponents of deregulation raised a group with a loud poster
peddled outside the convention centre. It simply reads: "We say no to
deregulation." Other groups not so strong as Rimi and Kalu's are
Kwakwanso and makarfis'. Their town criers for 2003 election tried to
disturb every one with their poor quality posters but they were
shouting Sai Kwakwanso for Kano 2003 and Sai Makarfi for Kaduna 2003.

The rhythm of the campaigners for 2003 was affected around mid-day when
the blazing sun became more pronounced.

As if prayers were answered, somebody sent down a van conveying cartons
of SWAN water into the conference centre. The van was descended upon by
the 'delegates' outside helped themselves. Even police officers who
were expected to restrain the hoodlums joined the fray and helped
themselves too, preventing the van from entering the centre after all.
------------------------

Akesode Laid To Rest Amid Grief, Encomiums

By

Oladipo Fetuga

Staff Correspondent

AMID encomiums, solidarity songs laced with defiance by students of
Lagos State University (LASU), the remains of Prof. Fatiu Ademola
Akesode, the Vice Chancellor of LASU, were interred yesterday at Abari
Cemetery, Lagos.

The corpse of the Vice Chancellor who died early Friday morning was
lowered to earth at about 4.30 p.m. in the presence of Governor Bola
Tinubu of Lagos State, Governor Segun Osoba of Ogun State, Senator
Wahab Dosunmu, Alhaji Babatunde Jose and other dignitaries. Muslim
rites which included chanting and prayers were performed by the clergy
after the lowering of the body.

The students of Lagos State University who came in droves sang as
follows:

When I remember Akesode

Water run away in my eyes

When I remember LASU

Water run away in my eyes

The Lagos State governor described Akesode as an accomplished
administrator who did so much to uplift the state university. "I didn't
hesitate to re-appoint him for the second term," said Tinubu.

The Lagos State government, through Prof. Idowu Sobowale, Special
Adviser on Education, said Akesode was totally committed to the growth
and development of the state university. "He charted a path of peace
and progress and trod that path with diligence and singleness of
purpose," said Sobowale.

Dele Seteolu, out-going secretary of ASUU branch of Lagos State
University, described him as warm, kind and gentle.

Former Lagos State governor, Brig.-Gen. Raji Rasaki (rtd), described
him as a friend and father. "He was hardworking and loyal to his
duties. I'll miss him as a friend," said Rasaki.

The corpse of the late medical scientist who hailed from Okepopo area
of Lagos Island was accompanied by his four children who were dressed
in blue lace materials. One woman in blue Ankara described as his
sister amid tears kept wailing: "Why did you leave us now, my brother?"
Most people described him as warm, kind, gentle and accessible.
Governor Tinubu, like others, called him Olori Ebi, that is, family
head.

Former Lagos State governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Molade
Okoya-Thomas, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, Chairman, AGIP; Mr. Lanre
Towry-Coker, Lagos State Commissioner for Works, Chief Olawale Edun ,
Lagos State Commissioner for Finance; Prof. Babs Fafunwa, former
Minister of Education and Chief Kekere-Ekun, were in attendance. Oba
Oyekan of Lagos, Oba Elegushi of Ikate and Oba Ajiran sent their
personal representatives to register their presence.

Earlier, Akesode's body had been laid in state at his Ilupeju residence
and prayers offered at Ansar-U-Deen Central Mosque located in Ajao
Street, Surulere.
-------------------------

Olashore Assesses Economy, Suggests Panacea For Growth

By

Kemi Onasanya

OBA Oladele Olashore, the Aloko of Iloko Ijesha, has critically
analysed the state of the nation's economy from which he predicts what
will ensure its growth in the 21st century.

Olashore, a former chief executive of First Bank plc, who was speaking
to participants of a senior executive course of the National Institute
of Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru near Jos said: "Before Nigeria
can aspire to any available position, she must first tackle a series of
questions".

According to him, the "questions" border on energy crisis, weak
industrial base, economic diversification and the national question.

On energy crisis, he said the aggregate index of energy consumption
declined by 7.6 per cent four years ago contrary to an increase of 31.3
per cent the previous year. Also, 28.6 million tons of coal were
consumed, representing a decrease of 4.7 per cent against a rise of
23.1 per cent in 1996. The shortfall was accounted for by reduced
consumption of petroleum products, natural gas and hydropower by 6.8,
3.1 and 2.9 per cent respectively.

According to him, the decline reflected the unprecedented energy crisis
in the country as the nation-wide shortage of petroleum products and
power outage persisted even this year with poor collective performance
of the manufacturing sector- with many of them stopping operations
owing partly to inadequate funding.

Another bane of strong industrial base, according to him, is the
nation's mono-cultural economic base. "The economy must of necessity be
diversified and transformed to meet with the challenges of the 21st
century".

. The Niger Delta crisis has some significance for resolving the
national question as well, he said. The government must facilitate
accountability, equality and justice in revenue mobilisation and
allocation., Olashore explained.

Assessing the current state of the nation's economy , the monarch said:
"The economy is still basically under developed, with low income per
head, low level of productivity, a circumscribed and fractured
industrial base, and a high dependence on primary export commodities,
high degree of illiteracy and low level of life expectancy."

----------------------

Council Polls For April

From

Joseph Ollor-Obari

Port Harcourt

FORUM of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON)
at the end of its one-day meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the
weekend, directed that a "full-scale local government council
elections" be conducted throughout the country on April 13, 2002.

Alhaji Ja'faru Mohammed Zagga, FOSIECON's national chairman, who read
the communiquŽ at the Banquet Hall of the Hotel Presidential, the venue
of the meeting attended by representatives of 23 states that have
created their independent electoral commissions and the Secretary to
the Lagos State Government in observer capacity, said that states would
liaise with the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce
voters' register for the purpose of the council elections in a year's
time.

But Zagga said that members also created a high-powered committee to
assess the constitutional powers of the commissions set by various
states.

In his keynote address at the meeting, Zagga had appealed to the
critics of the constitutional provision for the creation of state
electoral commissions to give them a chance to prove themselves
indispensable to the democratic structure of the country.

"What SIECs need is full support and co-operation. Given the chance,
SIECSs will deliver the type of elections of everybody's dream. SIECs
members are as well patriotic stakeholders in the local government
dispensation. They are close to the local people and are therefore part
of the system. FOSIECON strongly believes that with SIECs in control,
election malpractice's will be a thing of the past," he said.

Zagga pointed out that there was a solid constitutional basis for the
existence of the commissions set up by states, with some of the states
through laws of their Houses of Assembly specifying a three-year tenure
for councils, while in some states, the electoral commissions have
successfully conducted bye-elections.

On the formation of the SIEC forum, he argued that it was primarily the
desire of the pioneer members to strengthen the local councils.

Chairman of the Rivers State IEC, Senebo Sam Sam Jaja, stressed that
the controversies that have so far trailed the setting up of the
commissions in some of the states were uncalled for, saying that as
justified as the fears might be that the commissions could be
manipulated by the governors that created them and that the political
structure was not mature for it, denying the constitutional provisions
would negate the goals of federalism.

"If the governors can influence members of the State Independent
Electoral Commissions, it follows that the president can as well
influence the members of the (National) Independent Electoral
Commission. If we lack credibility to conduct elections into the lower
tier of government, where then lies the credibility to conduct
elections into the higher tiers of government?" Jaja argued.

The governor, Dr. Peter Odili was represented by his deputy, Gabriel
Toby, at the opening ceremony.
------------------------

IG Decries Fraud

THE Inspector General of Police, Musiliu Smith, is unhappy that fraud
has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation's economic life which has
resulted in large amount of cash stolen and diverted into wrong hands.

He made this assertion at a seminar on "Fraud Prevention and Control"
organised by Tukod Associates for the audit department of Nigeria Ports
Plc. in Lagos. The inspector general's address which was read by Israel
Ajao, the Commissioner of Police, anti-Fraud Section (CID), Lagos.

Smith said that the incalculable damage done to the country and its
economic well-being by fraud and forgeries can therefore not be over
emphasised.

"Fraud as we understand it in Nigeria embraces a wide range of illegal
activities which include tax evasion, bank and insurance fraud,
counterfeiting and trafficking, false invoicing, smuggling,
embezzlement, corruption and money laundering,"he said.

He noted that the issue is of great concern to the federal government
because of the tactics used by the criminals.

"Firstly, as in "419" cases (Advance fee Fraud), the victims and
perpetrators of fraud often claim to have had talks with top government
officials and also those of the banking or oil industries and obtained
documents from the bank and government parastatals regarding their
purported contracts and expected financial gain."

Fraud, in recent times, the inspector general explained, has been
extended to include any dishonest, unethical or unprofessional conduct
which results in financial loss to someone or institution for the
benefit of another. On what the police is doing to combat this menace,
Smith said the anti-fraud section and Special Fraud Unit (SFU) were set
up as arms of the force criminal investigation department of the
Nigeria Police force to combat specialised fraud cases in financial
institutions and the banks. "The government also provides legal
framework through its institutions for the law enforcement agents to
combat fraud." He said it was the resultant number of cases from police
investigation that made the federal government of Nigeria to establish
special courts for the trial of cases involving financial malpractices
in banks and other financial institutions
----------------------

AD Endorses Resources Control

By

Chukwudi Abiandu

THE demand for resource control by the southern governors has received
a major support form the Alliance for Democracy (AD) which says that
the demand of the governors is in accordance with the AD constitution.

AD national Publicity Secretary Chief Rafiu Jafojo told The Guardian in
Lagos that the governors demand is the wish of the people. He said.

"AD supports southern governors' demand for resource control. The
demand is in accordance with the AD constitution. That is the wish of
the people.

"We in AD believe in improving the lot of the masses. Why should I be
producing something and not derive any benefit form it."

Decrying the state of neglect and underdevelopment to which the oil
producing states have been subjected despite the wealth in national
resources produced by them, Jafojo said.,:

"The AD cannot fold its arms and watch fellow citizens suffering in the
midst of plenty. Take a trip to the state and see the level of
underdevelopment and environmental degradation there"

Jafojo also cautioned that the PDP government of President Olusegun
Obasanjo against increasing the fuel pump price because it will affect
the welfare of the common man.

"My advise to my good friend president Obasanjo is that he should bot
increase fuel price because it will affect the common man.

"He should also be cautious about deregulation because it is going to
affect the economy very badly."

Jafojo also criticised the recent visit if the senate local government
reform committee for undertaking a mission that is not its
responsibility.

Pointing out that the senate local government committee should be
disbanded, Jafojo explained:

"Local government reform is not for the federal government, but for the
states. The constitution is very clear on local government matters. So,
the senate should not dabble into matters that are not its
responsibility.

"That committee should be disbanded. They should stop spending our hard
earned resources on fruitless exercise because whatever may be their
finding, the senate has no means of implementing it.
-----------------------

Bakassi Warns Police Over Harassment

From

Gordi Udeajah

Umuahia

ABIA State Vigilante Group, also known as Bakassi has issued a two-week
ultimatum to the state police command to stop attacking its members,
warning that should such persist, they may suspend their operation.

Chairman of Bakassi, Chief Onwuchekwa Ulu, while briefing reporters in
Umuahia, stated that the police, penultimate Saturday, stormed Bakassi
Headquarters in Aba and set free 50 suspects detained there.

According to him, the police had in recent times, launched attacks on
his members in the course of which they freed suspected detainees and
even detained some Bakassi boys instead.

Bad eggs, Ulu accepted, exist within the group but expressed optimism
that such bad eggs will soon be sent packing in the on-going
reorganisation exercise

He threatened that if the society continues to support police attitude
to Bakassi, "we will have no alternative than to suspend our operations
to let the public fight crime themselves."

He pointed out that public also believes the propaganda unleashed by
criminals and their supporters both in and outside the state that
innocent people were arrested and killed by his men. These, he said,
are false and malicious.

He warned the public to stop reporting civil cases to them.
--------------------

Tertiary Institutions Tasked On Relationship With Companies

PRESIDENT of Mirth Agricultural Services Limited, John Obalowu Hassan,
has expressed the need for the authorities of all Universities and
Polytechnics to involve their various faculties and departments in a
working partnership will well-established companies that will serve as
practical training group for their students.

This, Hassan noted, will no doubt help in a very big way in improving
the standard of education which has fallen in the last ten years. He
made this suggestion recently during a courtesy visit to the
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Ayodele Falase.

He added: "Many people including the international community are not
happy with the present standard of our education which is not through
the fault of our teachers but due to the fault of the governments that
refuse to fund education adequately."

Responding, Professor Falase thanked Hassan for the help he has
rendered in the past to the University and its students. He then
assured Hassan and his team that the authorities of University of
Ibadan will study his proposal and inform him accordingly.
---------------------

Corruption: Utomi, Falana Recommend Good Values

By

Samson Adeoye

THE chairman of Platinum Bank Limited and renowned social commentator,
Dr. Pat Utomi, has offered "a values campaign'' as a major solution to
corruption which has dogged the country for over 20 years.

At the seminar on corruption in Nigeria organised by Life Theological
Seminary, Ikorodu recently, Utomi ,who spoke on 'the impact of
corruption on Nigerian socio-economic life,' said the country could
curb the ubiquitous menace of corruption by encouraging hard-work and
patriotism in public and private practices. "There has been no society
that has suffered for being a moral society,'' he added.

He proffered other solutions which included "decentralisation'' and
"major public service reform.'' He argued that the central government
had controlled too much of the country resources for a long time,
restricting the people from using their initiatives to make their lives
better.

Human rights activist and Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, who also spoke
at the seminar blamed the embarrassing upsurge in corruption on the
failure of many religious institutions to instil the fear of God in
their members. While corrupt public officers and identified criminals
should be ex-communicated from churches and mosques, he advised that
the incorruptible should be honoured . "Those who refuse to be
corrupted,'' said Falana," deserve to be identified and given national
recognition so that they can serve as role models for our youths.''

He dismissed the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Act, 2000
as "totally uncalled for'' since the country had enough potent laws
against corruption. There laws, he said, include Recovery of Property
Act (Cap 389) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 which attracts a
sanction of 21 years imprisonment as against the new one which attracts
a maximum of seven years.
------------------------

Group Provides Computer Training Centre

GOOD Samaritan Society of Nigeria, an affiliate of the Good Samaritan
Society of America, has lent a helping hand to the free education
programme of Oyo State Government by setting up a well equipped
Computer Training Centre for teachers and students at Fiditi town in
Afijo Local Government area of Oyo State.

The free Computer Training scheme is part of the Good Samaritan Society
of Nigeria's aims and objectives at improving the lot of the rural
teachers and students in order to put them at the same par with their
counterparts in advanced areas of the country.

The President of the Good Samaritan Society of Nigeria, Elder Michael
Aderinkomi said that what the society is trying to do in Nigeria is to
bring the American standard and ways of doing things into Nigeria.

According to Elder Aderinkomi, "what is obtainable in American Schools
and Colleges is that you find a student to a Computer which enabled the
students to be married to their Computers".

He said, "we are in Computer age. Therefore, our various governments
should invest heavily on the training of our students in order to have
well trained, cultured and visionary leaders for tomorrow."

Speaking in the same vein, the American Chief Instructor of the
Computer Institute, Sister Rhoda, said that since she arrived Nigeria
some months ago, she has trained about ninety-five secondary and
primary school teachers the rudiments of computers and how to be
Computer literate.
----------------------

Chief Oduenyi Passes On

A notable community leader in Aku, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of
Enugu State, Chief Vincent Okechi Oduenyi, is dead. Aged 65, Oduenyi,
who was four years ago bestowed with the traditional titles of
Alunaefungwu and Enyiduru in appreciation of his selfless service to
his community, passed away on Wednesday March 21, 2001 after a brief
illness.

A funeral programme released by his family indicated that an all night
wake keeping will take place in his country home in Aku on Wednesday
April 4, 2001. The next day Thursday April 5, 2001 by 11am there will
be a church service in his compound to be followed immediately by
interment. An outing service at Saint James Catholic Church Aku on
Sunday April 8, 2001 will draw the curtain on the funeral rites.

Oduenyi is survived by his wife Lolo Bridget Oduenyi, seven children
and a host of other relations among whom are Mr. Princelyn Oduenyi of
Primefaith Group and Mr. Chuddy Oduenyi of The Quadrant Company.

------------------------

National Assembly May Return INEC's Draft Electoral Bill

By

Austin Edemodu

Staff Reporter

THE National Assembly may return the draft electoral bill submitted
last week by the Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria (INEC), if
the legislative body accepts arguments by a non-governmental
organisation, the Human Rights Law Service (HURI-LAWS), about the
unconstitutionality of the draft bill.

The draft Electoral Bill 2001, presented to the National Assembly last
Wednesday by INEC Chairman, Dr. Abel Guobadia, among other things,
provides guidelines and regulations for the registration of new
political parties, government funding of parties, etc.

But HURI-LAWS, at the weekend, alerted the National Assembly that the
draft bill is in conflict with Sections 222-224 of the Constitution of
Nigeria 1999.

Specifically, the pro-democracy group in a letter dated March 30,
addressed to the Senate President, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na'Abba, said the
draft electoral bill imposes INEC as a regulator of parties, whereas
the constitution merely recognises the commission's role "as the
statutory agency responsible for registration of parties who meet
criteria set out in the constitution."

Stressing that any law (including those made by the National Assembly)
inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution, is
unconstitutional, HURI-LAWS in the letter signed by Olisa Agbakoba
(SAN), asked the lawmakers to seek legal opinion with a view to sending
back the draft bill to INEC.

Agbakoba said INEC had equally been advised in a separate letter to
withdraw the draft bill or face litigation.

"This is to give the National Assembly notice of litigation as a
friendly interested party. The proposed litigation is designed to test
the constitutionality of INEC's action as a hostile party," he
declared.

Arguing the superiority of the nation's ongoing constitutional reform
over electoral reform, the group said: "The constitution of 1999 does
not provide for independent candidates but it may turn out at the end
of the day, that new amendments will allow it." This, it added, would
affect the draft electoral bill submitted by INEC.

In a separate document sent to the National Assembly, the HURI-LAWS
highlighted several sections and provision of the draft bill which
conflict with the 1999 constitution.

According to the nine-page document, "Amendment proposals for the
Review of the Current Electoral Regime in Nigeria" for instance, the
independent candidacy disallowed by the draft bill, is not expressly
prohibited by the constitution.
----------------------

FHA Workers Declare Trade Dispute With Management

From

Alifa Daniel

Abuja

THE Senior Staff Association of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has
declared a trade dispute with its management over the "unmerited and
unjustifiable punishment" of its branch executive.

In the notification of trade dispute sent to the Minister of Labour and
Productivity, the association accused the FHA management of issuing
official letters of serious warning to the victims and that "the
management continued to give unfulfilled promises to withdraw the
warnings."

The 12 executive members of the Senior Staff Association were penalised
over a strike action that paralysed the activities of the FHA for
several weeks in 1999.

It was learnt that the decision of the association to renew the battle
for the withdrawal of the letters of serious warning follows the
intention of the FHA management to lay off about 700 of the workforce.

One of the criteria for the sacking of staff is that those with
warnings will be laid off.

The staff complaint is coming against the backdrop of the plan of the
FHA to rebuild and complete not less than 2,300 abandoned houses in
Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Under a novel arrangement, two private companies, ADKAN and CITEC, are
to complete about 2,000 houses at the Gwarimpa Housing Estate in Abuja
while BAUCHAUS is to complete 400 houses in Port Harcourt.

According to the FHA Managing director, Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha, the
private companies will share the profits from the sale of the houses
with the FHA on a 60:40 per cent ratio.

He said that the new federal government initiative is part of efforts
to align with the private sector to provide housing for Nigerians.

The new romance with the private sector, it was learnt, may have
informed the decision to keep the staff strength fit and trim.

The staff who are fighting the planned retrenchment of 700 out of the
1,800 staff of the authority said in a protest letter to the
Presidency, National Assembly and senior government officials that had
the management of FHA being prudent in the past, there would be no need
for incessant lay-off of staff.

The managing director insisted that the retrenchment exercise will be
carried out but added that the management will go over the list of
those to be sacked with union officials.

Mustapha said that it was unacceptable that in the Lagos Office, about
700 staff are being retained in an office that less than the figure is
required. "Tell me, what activity is really going on in Lagos today as
far as FHA is concerned?" he asked.

"We want to be sure that all our staff have the same privileges that
staff of other organisations of similar nature enjoy but we cannot do
this in FHA because the wage bill is so high. We are spending about N40
million monthly on salaries while we get only N11 million as
subvention", he added.

But the staff are insisting that the 37 criteria being used for the
retrenchment exercise border on the unfair and illegal.

On the alleged N240 million (about $2.1 million) fraud perpetrated in
the purchase of iron rods for housing projects of the FHA as disclosed
by the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and
Government Owned Companies, Mustapha exonerated the present management.
"Already, the Minister of Works is handling this particular matter," he
said.
------------------------

GSM To Provide Partial Solution To Telephone Problem In The Country,
Says Expert

By

Emma Eke

THE deployment of Global System on Mobile Phone (GSM) will not provide
telephone services to all parts of the country in the first two years
of its operation, according to Mr. Godfrey Ekata, a United States based
GSM engineer. The problem the operators of the digital mobile system
will encounter will include not having adequate cell sites to enhance
transmission and reception of calls made through the system, he
contended.

He said that presently what the country has are facilities which can
only ensure telephone service through the land lines.

The telecommunications engineer said that for all parts of the country
to enjoy the GSM services, more than 2000 cell sites will have to be
constructed with a number of base station transmission stations (BIS)
to boost reception of signal from the original call to receiving
terminals.

"I do not foresee some less economically viable areas of the country to
be serviced by the three GSM licences in the first phase of their
service period," he said.

He added that since the companies, Econet, MTN and the Nigerian
Telecommunications Ltd (NITEL) have spent $285 million each to acquire
a licence for the GSM, they would not be interested in going to areas
where there may not be enough subscribers to patronise them.

He said that despite the fears being expressed, the country will soon
be better off if the government would facilitate privatising NITEL for
more funds to be injected into the company.

"In most other countries, even not as developed as Nigeria,
telecommunications investors are thinking of deploying the third
generation telephone, 3G facilities in readiness of what is expected to
be in vogue in the next four years," he said.

According to him, at the first half of last year alone, about $17.3
billion was spent by some of the private companies in the United States
to acquire equipment for 3G.

He expressed fear that if the telecommunications investors in Nigeria
fail to acquire 3G-compliant equipment, they will soon find out that
what they have will not suit the mood of the industry. On the real cost
of acquiring GSM service in Nigeria, the expert said that there is no
way that the cost will be cheaper than what the analogue mobile phone
is costing currently.
----------------------

FMBN Depositors Cry Out Over Depodsits

By

Godfrey Okpugie

Business Reporter

DEPOSITORS whose millions of naira have been trapped in the old Federal
Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) have cried out for government's
assistance to retrieve their hard-earned money from the bank, which
since 1993 has been spilt into two entities.

The depositors at the weekend in Lagos told The Guardian On Sunday that
they are fast running out at patience with the bank, whose division
into two had further compounded their efforts at retrieving their
savings.

One of the affected depositors, Prof. Ekanem, epidemiological lecturer
at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos,
said he saved more than N50,000 with the bank before the bank was split
into two.

Since the split, he and other members of his family who also had
savings with the bank have been unable to withdraw money from the bank.

A female executive of a Lagos-based company also complained of her
inability to withdraw a kobo out of the more than N45,000 savings she
had with the bank.

According to the lady, she was persuaded to open an account with the
bank because of the perceived federal might behind the bank.

Investigations by The Guardian On Sunday revealed that the old Federal
Mortgage Bank of Nigeria which was a bank set up to perform retail
banking functions pertaining to mortgage matters was de-consolidated in
1993 during the tenure of Chief Barnabas Gemade. The bank was divided
into two with the new FMBN assuming the role of the apex regulatory
body of the then nascent Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs). The
other division which is now Federal Mortgage Finance Limited (FMFL) was
charged with the role of offering sundry mortgage functions, which of
course included acceptance of deposits from members of the public. The
FMFL also inherited the obligations the old FMBN owed its depositors.

Investigations revealed that the FMFL problems started immediately it
opened for operations as a primary mortgage institution. Right from
inception, the young company was unable to honour obligations to
depositors' as well as pay backlog of salaries of staff.

This development was discovered to be responsible for the winding up of
several of the organisation's branches in many parts of the country.

Efforts to get the company's view on the depositors' complaints were
not successful given that those competent to speak on the issue are in
Abuja where the compamy's head office is located.

But a manager in one of the bank's branches in Lagos told The Guardian
On Sunday that they have started to honour depositors obligations since
the beginning of last month.

She advised those with documentary proof of operating accounts with the
old FMBN to come forward to activate such accounts by opening a new
account with the FMFL into which the balance in the old account would
be transferred.
------------------------

Defeated Candidate Complains Of Sharp Practices

From

Sunny Igboanugo

Enugu

DR Chinedu Ogbuagu who lost in last Friday's election into the Enugu
West senatorial seat has described the whole exercise as not only
laughable but a huge fraud.

Ogbuagu ,who contested under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy
(AD), blamed the PDP, Enugu State government and INEC for his travails.
Said he: "The election was never tailored to present the people with
the opportunity of actually choosing who to represent them in the
Senate where their seat had remained vacant for almost two years.

"You notice that there was extremely low voter turn-out. The apathy was
noticeable everywhere you went in Enugu West. And there were two
reasons for that. The first reason being that a date was fixed
previously for the election and that was March 31. And that date was
published in the newspapers and broadcast. It was circulated to
everybody including the political parties involved.

"But for some inexplicable reason, that date was changed almost at the
last minute. That was one big area of confusion which created poor
voter turn out. And secondly, we have never in the history of
electioneering in this country fixed a day other Saturday, or a weekend
for elections. But in this particular occasion Thursday was chosen as a
replacement date. Remember that was not the original date.

"Thursday, as you know is a week day. It is not even a Friday, it is
almost like the middle of the week. And many people would normally be
in their wards to vote. Few people will be available to vote because
perhaps they have gone to schools, perhaps they have gone to their
civil service jobs or their private jobs, perhaps they have travelled
till the weekend", he said.

Blaming the Enugu State government, he said, if it had wanted to be
sincere, it would have employed its media to sensitize people on the
new date, which he argued gave them the opportunity to doctor the
figures of the election.

On his next line of action, Ogbuagu said, those who looked forward for
a free and fair election would be consulted in addition to his allies
at the party level.

But Ndu, basking in his victory told reporters that the whole thing was
the handiwork of God, adding that God would never allow injustice
anywhere it was perpetrated.

Said he: "Some people said I forged my certificate. I may have a forged
certificate, but I am going to the Senate. It is just that Nigerians
especially the press who write these things never investigate.

"They have never called me to say let us look at your certificate. It
was this certificate that I presented when I contested as a deputy
governor candidate. It was the same certificate I presented to NEC,
NECON and INEC and I was always cleared.

"I am going to Abuja to take my seat and represent my people. And
people are going to see what it means to be a senator because I am
going to represent my people well, no matter what anybody says," he
said.

Mum was the word at INEC yesterday over the various allegations as none
of the staff including Dr. Sam Iwuora, the Resident Electoral
Commisioner, was interested in talking on the matter.
------------------------

The Ultimate Leveller's Handiwork

THOUGH it has been with man since the beginning of time, we still find
it difficult to reconcile ourselves with it. Death stalks us every
moment of our existence. Every hour, it finds victims to consume in
every part of the world. And it comes in different ways. It could be
the assassin's bullet that would herald it. Or a prolonged illness. Or
an accident. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter which way
it comes: the end result is the same.

There is no doubt that each person will face death as the ultimate
encounter in this life that we live in. Even before we die, we confront
it in several ways. Our friends, colleagues, loved ones pass away, and
we are torn into shreds by sorrow. A lot of the time, we think that we
cannot go on with life. But God is forever wonderful. It is when we
think the end of the world has come that he renews our hope in living.
When persons valuable to us die young, we are dazed, wondering why God
allowed it to happen. In spite of the fact that death doesn't
discriminate irrespective of age, sex, religion or race, we still find
difficult to reconcile ourselves with its inevitability.

The way we scramble for material things; the way we allow our selfish
interests to influence our judgements, even in matters that are of
public concern; the way we want to play God, you would think that some
human beings have found a way to live forever. But it is all vanity. We
came with nothing and we will go with nothing. It is, however,
important for each of us to ask ourselves: Where do we go from here?
What memories would people have of us? Will they be happy that we are
no more? Or will they have fond remembrance of us? Would we have
contributed our own little quota in making the world a better place?
When we had the opportunity, did we help in feeding the hungry? Did we
take care of the sick? Did we help somebody to find a respectable
shelter? Did we help to pay the fees of somebody who is bright but
couldn't afford the cost of going to school? Did we help the widows? A
lot of people that engage in wasteful spending can actually do better
things with their money. In any case, what is the end of greed?

The death of three prominent Nigerians last week has prompted this
musing. They are Senator Adamu Augie from Kebbi State, Mr. Elizabeth
Kafaru, the woman who put a great deal of respectability on traditional
medicine, and Professor Fatiu Akemode, Vice Chancellor of the Lagos
State University (LASU). Each death was shocking. Even Mrs Kafaru who
was ill, not many people knew of her condition. Though each of them
lived what could be termed a fulfilled life, there is no doubt that
their families and friends will sorely miss them. But they can take
consolation in the fact that they lived beyond the life expectancy age
of the average Nigerian. For at 57, Mrs Kafaru was the youngest of
them.

It is very easy to preach that people should take heart. The truth is,
it is not easy to take heart, especially if you lose a loved one or
somebody who has been very useful to you. For death is a personal thing
in so many respects. If you have gone to the mortuary to look at your
loved one lying cold; if you have been to the mortuary to collect the
remains of the person dear to you, death becomes a personal enemy. For
you cannot but wonder at what might have been. The memory of your loved
lying lifeless in the mortuary or being put inside a casket stays with
you forever. I know because I have had the burden of organising the
burial of my beloved sister and a nephew in the past three years.

But neither case shocked me with so much force as the news of the death
of my colleague, Tunde Oladepo. That was in February, 1998. The
previous evening, sitting across the table, we had joked, and he told
me he would be coming late to the office the next day because of a few
engagements. The afternoon of the next day, Charles Cofie Gyamfie, our
colleague in Abeoktuta, phoned and amidst tears announced that Tunde
was dead. I screamed at him that he was totally mistaken. Tunde
couldn't be dead. He was hale and hearty the previous evening. Charles,
tell me something else. But that was the cold truth: He had been killed
by robbers the previous night in his home in Abeokuta. And it was like
I was stricken by thunder. Hours later, as I managed to gather myself,
I drove home, shaking.

The death of Professor Akesode last Friday was also such a shocking
development. On Wednesday morning, I had gone to see him at his Ikoyi
home. I had never met him before then. A friend of mine who worked with
him had fixed the appointment. I was wondering why the man was facing
so much opposition from his colleagues. I thought he must be doing a
few things wrong to generate such an enduring hostility. We agreed that
I meet him informally to hear his own side of the story. I quickly
seized the opportunity because it would afford me the chance to put in
one or two words for some persons close to me who wanted to get into
some programmes at LASU.

I got there before my friend, but as soon as the Vice Chancellor saw my
card, he asked me to come up. There were a lot of people waiting to see
him. We agreed that we wait for my friend to come before we begin our
discussion. By the time we finally got to discuss, I could see that he
wasn't feeling very well. He kept on touching his forehead, saying that
he had a slight headache. I was in a bit of a hurry to conclude our
talks, concerned that I was taking too much of his time. He was in no
hurry. We were sitting on the balcony upstairs. At a point, his wife
came out of the house and signalled that she was going out. If she had
any concern about the health of her husband, I didn't notice it. As our
talks continued, I told him that given some of the lofty dreams he was
nursing for the university, that we have a brief interview, which he
willingly granted. It turns out to be his last interview. As we spoke
that day, I never saw death in his eyes. As he spoke of transforming
LASU, he never thought that death was lurking in the corner.

That is the way of death: it sneaks into our presence when you least
expect it.

It is the same with the death of Senator Augie. He died in an accident
on his way to his home state, a day after coming to Lagos on a national
assignment. I never met him, but I always admired him from a distance.
It all began in 1979 when he moderated the NTA transition programme,
Verdict '79. The sense of maturity which he brought to bear on the
programme throughout the elections of that year was admirable. There
was balance in presentation. There was hardly any trace of partisanship
on the part of the presenters and moderators. The sense of fairness was
unmistakable. When you compare what Augie and his colleagues did in
1979 with the mercenary work that was put on display on NTA in 1983,
you would almost weep for the terrible depths journalism sunk in those
heady days of the Second Republic.

For sure, Augie moved to greater heights after 1979, and everywhere he
was, you could see the evidence of a well cultivated man. His election
into the National Assembly along with a few other journalists was a
sign of encouragement for some of their colleagues who also nurse the
hope of entering the muddy waters of Nigerian politics.

I was never close to Mr. Kafaru. But I did read a lot of what she
wrote. And I must confuse that I lacked the discipline that was
required to meet up with her health standards. I always admired her. In
those days, she will come into The Guardian newsroom, quietly work on
her column, politely answer people's greetings and leave. She walked
with admirable grace.

At the end of it all, that is life. We all have a story. And may we
live well that our obituaries will make our children proud.
-----------------------

Who Really Cares?

By Uba John Ofei

I DID not realize that I had gotten so emotional and so easily
affected. I was shocked when tears trickled down my cheeks almost
unknowingly as I watched on the television the random interview of
different people on the effect of the scarcity of petrol in the land. A
particular woman made a deep impression, though a sad one, on me. She
literally poured out her heart amidst tears all over her face. "We said
Abacha is not good, now, who is better? Tell me. For the past three
months, no NEPA in our house, no water and now this petrol scarcity. I
stood under the scorching sun for a long time to get a bus and this
with a lot of struggle."

What kept ringing in my mind is the question: who really cares? The
woman is right. We said Abacha and the military were no good. Do we
have a messiah now? "Now, who is better?" in the words of the woman. A
young man was equally asked his opinion on the fuel scarcity. The
camera person was excellent. This vibrant young man was literally
drowned in sweat. He answered the interviewer with rhetorical
questions. "What kind of country is this for God's sake? Look, I am a
graduate. I did my NYSC for this country. Right now, I have a master's
degree but no job. I know how much I spend every day going from place
to place job-hunting. Since this fuel crisis, the money I now spend has
tripled and you cannot blame the danfo-bus drivers. What kind of
country is this? What kind of human beings are ruling us? Do they
realize that we voted for them? Do they realize that we chased the
military away? Do they appreciate the fact that God made away with
Abacha so that they can take care of this country? The best thing is
just for us to die and go and rest. What is all these eh?" Again, the
querying muse descended on me. "Who really cares?"

Many people lost their lives for democracy to be enthroned. Now, who
really cares? Many people lost valuable properties in the struggle to
sanitise the society. Now, who really cares? Many people trouped under
inclement conditions to cast their votes for those now in power. Now,
who cares about them? Who really cares? Some of us even monitored the
so-called elections (because some call it selection). Today who cares
about us?

The resilient nature of the average Nigerian ought to have been
instructive enough to our rulers, that it is so simple to please us
with just the essentials of life; and the essentials of life are never
difficult to provide. We have enough for our need but not enough for
our greed!

God is angry with Nigerian rulers. The voice of the people is
oftentimes the voice of God. The tears and groaning of mothers who see
their children die for no other cause but hunger have ascended to the
altar of God for judgement. The wailings of a family whose son died in
a car accident with a master's degree certificate in his wallet
travelling between his village and Lagos on the one hand and his
village to Abuja on the other in search of a job have reached the ears
of God and God's wrath must descend on the guilty. The hypocrisy of
various programmes and projects which are more of self-serving
exhibitions but done in the name of assisting the needy is exposed to
God.

I can hear the echo of the words of Amos from the desert, "Let justice
run it course like water and righteousness be like an ever-flowing
river."

In a world that the Creator has made so simple, down-to-earth and
possible, a cunning few have made it complex to establish excuses for
their manipulation to grab, grab and keep on grabbing at the expense of
the poor. Haba! How can God hear the prayers of such predators? God is
angry indeed with the powers-that-be in Nigeria, that have cornered so
much wealth while majority wallow in poverty, feeding from dust-bins,
sleeping under the bridges and uncompleted houses and many dying for
lack of medi-care. "The luxury of a few is an insult to the destitute
poor," says a theologian commenting on the book of Amos. But who really
cares about the destitute poor? Who really cares?

What is most manifest in Nigeria today even to the most apolitical
person, is the celebration of diversionary tactics! All over the place
are seminars and commissions of various shades, a gang-up of
South-East, North-South, West-East, under-50 upstarts, Northern Elders
Forum, Southern Youths Council, Eastern Forum, and recently akin to the
Abacha days, cacophonous voices from left, right and centre endorsing
the President or a particular governor for a second term (because they
are the best and indispensable). These celebrations of diversionary
tactics are doomed to failure because they are as contradictory as they
are false.

Nigerians are resilient and do not bother if the President or a state
governor or a local government chairman has uncountable number of cars,
incredible number of mansions and other vanities, so long as the basic
essentials of life are available. The average Nigerian does not care
about unnecessary luxuries. My optimism and hope for our great country
sky-rocketed a few days ago when three grown-up children informed their
wealthy dad that they were no longer interested in the cut-throat
competitive life-style of the family. "What are you interested in?"
their dad asked them. And at once came their reply that they were
interested in satisfying their needs and not their wants, that they
wanted to empathise with the needy and not celebrate their advantage
over them and finally that a life that is worth living is one's
positive contribution to commonwealth rather than what one accumulates.

Somehow, somewhere and sometime soon, I do believe that our political
agenda of chop-chop chorus would give way to sharing in solidarity. I
do believe that justice would be enthroned and equity shall reign
supreme. I do believe that our rulers would have a change of heart to
see the vanity in their preoccupation and become God's instruments to
establish a nation where no one goes hungry and others throw away
left-overs. Amen and Amen.


Rev. Fr. Uba is with the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria
-----------------------

Nigeria And Her University Graduates

By Fred Nwokobia

ONE recent event opens the can of worms which portends that under
incompetent technocrats, Nigeria will ever remain underdeveloped, never
to attain the status of a developing country. The report on "Labour
Market Prospects for University Graduates in Nigeria" says it all. This
report, produced jointly by the World Bank and NISER, was the subject
of a scathing but dispassionate editorial carried by The Guardian.

Some of the grim conclusions contained in that report were that the
average Nigerian graduate of a university or polytechnic is not worth
the qualification which his certificate purports to affirm, lacking
skills, having a poor command of the English language, the principal
mode of communication in the country, and being poorly trained and
largely unemployable.

In fact, the report is credited to have postulated that Nigeria needs
10 times its current number of graduate products to attain parity with
global competition. As if this was not enough to worry about, see what
solution our exalted policy-makers at NUC and the Federal Ministry of
Education proffered to this debacle in our educational system. The
National Universities Commission, with the approval of the former
Minister of Education, probably half-baked products of this system,
appeared to have concluded that the most damaging aspect of the report
was the discovery that the comatose Nigerian economy has an absorptive
capacity of only 78 per cent of the university graduates. Therefore,
they opted to close down all university satellite campuses so that the
universities would not produce so much of these half-baked graduates.
What a solution! Ingenuous! They might have thought. To call this a
case of myopia would be too much an act of generosity on my part. Had
those policy-makers possessed the competence and requisite intellectual
capacity to grasp the enormity of the full implication of this report,
their major focus would have been on raising the educational quality,
maintaining that quality and expanding the system by designing and
incubating a macro-educational system tailored to the need of an
upwardly mobile or developing country. This should involve the
consideration that a credible educational system is a living organism.

Furthermore, those technocrats should have considered that the Nigerian
economy steadily shrinked throughout the period of military rule. The
umbrella organisation of Nigerian manufacturers had reported that over
60 per cent of their members has closed down in the last 15 years, and
the survivors are producing at an average of less than 40 per cent of
installed capacity.

A logical explanation of the ineptitude and incompetence of those
policy-makers involved could be that they are products of the present
decrepit tertiary institutions and had acquired their "expertise'' from
outdated textbooks and anachronistic journals. Their solution can find
justification only on the premise that:

(a) the Nigeria economy will permanently remain prostrate, and

(b) that the global economy will, instead of expanding, contract or
shrink to a level comparable to the Nigerian economy.

Are such assumptions not asinine? Today, the norm outside Africa is
that universities set the pace for industries and not the opposite.
Universities are establishing business incubators in partnership with
private industries. Our tertiary institutions must accept that the age
of business incubators is upon us. We either swim with the tide or be
drowned. Observe current trends: the University of Wisconsin has in the
last few years developed a research park that has generated an
estimated 74 business entities through technology transfer. The
University of California, San Diego has spun off 80 new companies and
more than 7,000 jobs in biotechnology. During the same period,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has spun off nearly 200
companies and over 14,000 jobs. In the last one year alone, the
University of Minnesota established seven business incubators in a
continuing process of expansion and re-engineering to meet changing
needs. The closing-down of university satellite campuses is an option
that should never be contemplated under any circumstance, for the
consequences of such action are most retrogressive and debilitating.
Thus, our educational system should be geared towards the production of
well-qualified and skilled graduates in excess of the total graduates
that will give us a competitive advantage over other developing
countries in a global economy.

But what would happen when our tertiary institutions produce more than
10 times as many as they produce now, given the condition that such
graduates possess the appropriate skills and requisite knowledge, with
good command of the English language? In the short term, there will not
be jobs available for all of them. What does that portend but that
those graduates with skills, will be eager to apply or demonstrate
their acquired knowledge and skills but will find no immediate
opportunity to do so. Under such a situation, the graduate will
manifest a frustrating and often noxious disequilibrum. And since
incongruity is the generic source of motivation, the person channels
all his energy towards resolving the disequilibrum. Thus if he cannot
find a job, a job will find him.

Our education policy-makers and technocrats should wake up to the
reality that current level of funding of our tertiary institutions can
only meet about 25 to 30 per cent of their needs to bring them to
civilised world standards. If the current miserly funding trend is not
reversed, and quickly too, in a foreseeable future, the dearth of
high-level manpower will be so acute that our administrators and
politicians with itchy fingers will not see much to steal because there
will be fewer people to produce such national wealth.

And now, it has just been reported that the present Minister of
Education has started off by putting a temporary halt to the order to
close down all the university outreach campuses. A pleasant surprise it
is. But let us watch and see what follows next.
--------------------------

Our Hearts Bleed For The 23 Bwalbwang Girls

Bisi Amagada

WHEN the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) network reeled out the
news that 23 girls in a government girls secondary school in Bwalbwang,
Plateau State were burnt to death following an outbreak of fire in
their hostel, shock-waves echoed throughout the entire country.

What actually happened? Reports from different quarters have been
conflicting. One report had it that the young girls were observing a
night vigil singing choruses, clapping, dancing and praying when some
of them observed the presence of a young boy in their midst. When
questioned, he was reported to have told the girls that he was
attracted to their midst by their song. By the time he left them, very
shortly after he left actually, according to the report, the onset of
fire was observed in the hostel. If this is true, then a number of
questions come to mind:


At that time of the night, (about 10.45p.m, we're told) how did a boy
find his way to a female hostel, close enough to be able to hold
conversation with them?

Was he a relation of one of the school officials e.g., the matron or
one of the teachers? If yes; how is a boy allowed to live so close to a
female hostel?

Was the boy an agent of the devil, bent on attacking innocent girls who
were praying?
Night vigil is not a play thing. It is very serious business which
needs to be conducted by well-trained, experienced ministers of God who
must have sought God's face before embarking on spiritual war-fare,
because night vigil is all about war-fare and breaking down the
stronghold of Satan and his henchmen and uprooting them so that they
can take to flight. It is not a child's play. It is very serious
business that must be handled and conducted with very strong sense of
responsibility. If indeed these girls were conducting night vigil, who
authorised them to organise it? Were there elders involved in the
programme or these girls just embarked on it on their own?

What about hostel rules? Are teenage girls no longer obliged to go to
bed after lights out and remain in bed till the wake-up bell rings for
them to get up next morning?

In one of the reports in the papers, the matron of the hostel was said
to have been brought out unconscious from the inferno, (I hope that's
true) if this was so, was she part of the night vigil or what? Exactly
how are boarding schools run these days? Is there only one door leading
to the hostel?

We read from the papers that the main entrance to the hostel was
"heartily fortified with iron bar and the gate paddled". There are two
possible explanations for such tough security measure in a female
hostel:


to protect the girls from the attack of robbers and hoodlums.

to ensure that the girls remain sleeping in their hostels throughout
the night.
I can understand the first reason, virtually even home is fortified by
burglary proofs and hearing from gates to keep off night marauders. The
second reason still puzzle my middle aged mind. Why do I need to turn a
hostel into a virtual prison to ensure that my daughter really and
truly spends her nights on her bed? A friend of mine told me "Female
boarders are not like we were in our time when we were their age. Many
of them sneak out at night to spend some good time with their male
friends outside the school. Some of them even scale the fence to escape
to freedom".

Nobody is claiming to be a saint or an angel in disguise, we all know
what pranks we played as teenagers and adolescents, but for goodness
sake, scaling the fence or sneaking out of the boarding house to have
fun was certainly not one of the pastimes of my generation or
contemporaries. In a highly reputable girls school, in one of our large
cities, a group of girls, all boarders, were sent on suspension because
they were caught watching blue films during siesta in their
dormitories. Their excuses? They were in the last lap of their
secondary school career and nobody was going to stop them from having
fun their way! Thank God, the principal had her head screwed in the
right direction and she slammed a month-long suspension on these silly
girls. Many of the parents were caught unprepared to have their girls
going from home to write the school certificate examinations and the
affluent ones threatened fire and brimstone on the school and the
principal in particular. The principal had her way and the girls never
saw the inside of the boarding school again before they left school
finally. When such blue-film loving girls gain admission into
universities where they take their destinies into their hands, what
kind of life will they be living with the unlimited freedom
universities offer students? We were talking about the 23 unfortunate
girls who were burnt to death in their hostels; many mothers must have
shed tears just hearing the news about the fire or reading about it in
the newspapers.

The untold agony these girls went through is better imagined than
described. Some of these girls were sleeping, we were told when the
fire started. It is unbelievable to think that there was no adult close
by to think of getting the key to at least open the door or gate for
them to escape to safety. It is so painful to think that an avoidable
situation has been allowed to claim 23 (or even more than that by now)
lives just like that. Our hearts bleed for these innocent girls and we
pray for the repose of their souls. Our condolence go to the school
authorities and their parents. We pray that the Plateau State
government will bear the loss of these girls with fortitude. And do
what they can to assist the parents and the school to reconstruct the
burn hostel. It is very nice to hear that a commission of inquiry has
been set-up to probe the immediate and remote causes of the fire. We
hope that a thorough job will be done.

Whoever was responsible for this unfortunate incident must be made to
face the music squarely. There must under no circumstance be a sacred
cow in this exercise. The guilty must be brought to book and the
careless must pay for their carelessness. On a more permanent note, the
Minister of Education, Professor Borishade needs to set up a committee
to look into the facilities in boarding schools throughout the length
and breadth of this nation; this also includes private schools. The
least we can do for our young people is to ensure that we give them
very conducive and safe abode for learning. As for the dare-devil girls
and boys who stow-away to have fun, there is another day to talk about
them today, our hearts go to those burnt girls who were denied the
chance to live to adult-hood or even old age. Perhaps if someone had
not been indiscreet, the girls would still be alive today. May their
gentle souls rest in peace.


---------------------------

The Intigues Of 'An Inflated Contract'

BY Oghogho Obayuwana

IF you fire your cook for one thing or the other and he goes to
complain to a neighbour who now calls your steward who has been busying
sweeping to come and answer for your actions how would he look like?

The above statement by aviation minister, Dr. Kema Chikwe, was made
during her re-appearance at the Open hearing by the House of
Representative on the radar contracts award procedure of the Nigeria
Airspace management Agency (NMA).It captures the intrigue and
grandstanding that attend efforts to unravel the circumstances
surrounding the alleged contract inflation, in the equipment meant for
the Murtala Muhammed airport Lagos.

After two appearances, the message seems now to be "my hands are tied"
thus making the show of wits look like a needless one ,after all .

Every other activity in the House of Representatives last week was
virtually at the zero-ebb due to the public interest the hearing, which
borders on corruption and the integrity of the former NAMA boss chief
Rochas Okorocha,generated.

She was made to read the section of Constitution 67(2) and 88 (1b)which
states inter ail that any head of a government agency etc can be
required to turn in papers, documents etc that will assist the
lawmakers in discharging their responsibility.

And this precisely is the issue. There are three parties involved at
the allegation matter (The president, the information minister and the
supervisory ministry)

Dr. Kamei Chichi smiled after reading to the hearing of all men, as a
member of the public shouted from the background:" Democracy on trial."

The minister's defence was a letter from the secretary to the
government of the Federation, Chief UFO Equate, which she tendered
before the committee. It precluded the release of the documents on the
contracts without the express approval of president Obasanjo.

The committee appears to be reading between the lines now with the
re-invitation of information minister, Professor Jerry Gana. The
minister had apologised for his inability to honour an earlier house
invitation as he was billed for a foreign trip with the president.

Now that he is coming back to answer questions, assembly watchers are
of the opinion that the matter will drag on to Aso rock because the
minister is likely to say that he is just a messanger whose duty is to
inform the people about government policies and programmes.

And taking the issue to the president was the song Dr. Chikwe sang
persistently during the latest public hearing.

Constantly consulting her aides( among whom was her legal adviser,
Lagos-based attorney, Anthony Idigbe SAN), the minister admitted that
there could have been anomalies in the contract procedure but provided
no further clues. She insisted that it was beyond her sphere to divulge
information on a matter bordering on national security.

Just as many in the crowded hearing Room 3 thought the dust was
settling ,committee chairman Anwal Tukur opened another aperture,
disclosing that NAMA managing director Ibrahim Auyo had in his
testimony said that there was no noticeable trace of inflation and
interference in the radar contract papers.

But the minister insisted. "The fact that NAMA submitted documents to
my ministry for consideration does mean it is perfect. There could be
other extraneous factors that can interfere. A contract even when not
yet awarded is still vulnerable until approved.

Asked by Nze Chidi Duru why she did not query the contract process
before forwarding it to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in
accordance with the procedure, she said: "The contract was processed
through the normal procedure, but the ministry does not give judgement
on the transparency of the process. The most important aspect of the
whole thing is that anomalies were detected"

A pertinent follow up question to this therefore was whether FEC
consulted her before accusing Okorocha of inflating the contracts sum
of $14 - $15 million got a quick response. "Apart from this being
speculative, the president has the ears of the public. The issue
concerns four contractors as well as other details that are relevant to
the matter. The president must have his own reasons for doing what he
did."

It was here actually that constant references were now directed to Aso
Rock in a manner suggesting that the minister was tired of the home
inquisition since she was only busy sweeping the house when the cook
did one thing or the other."

She told a stunned audience: "My duty is to protect the sanctity of the
contract. It is the executive, which takes the final decision. It is
the interest of everybody to protect the system if the president who
has the authority has done this ,I don't see why a subordinate like
me(should) go and question it. If it concerns an individual that I did
not appoint I should try and mind my business and protect my job. I
don't want to contradict the submission of one who made the allegation.
The decision was taken by a higher authority ;it will not be right for
me to come here and trivialise it

Reminded by the committee that she had earlier been granted an option
of executive session (closed door without the press and public) to
enable her disclose the "issues behind" to the committee ,the minister
said "Yes", but insisted : "I am a third party in this.The president
has done something and you are coming to ask me... yes, with regard to
my official reaction, I want to say that I subordinate it to the action
of the president. The questions you are asking me are such that should
be answered by somebody else. Go to the source."

This went on for over three hours and, no thanks to a protracted stormy
period of cross-examination , the minister eventually missed her
appointment with president Obasanjo last Thursday. She had appealed to
the committee for speedy proceedings but the session eventually rose at
about 2.25 p.m. Her scheduled appointment was for 1.p.m.

That the public hearing has become the gauge were politically laced
altercations tested the legislators' enduring capacity, is to put it
quite mildly. At a point the minister appeared too hot to handle even
as most committee members sat aghast. Only Mr. F.U. Okeke , Chidi Duru
and Victor Lar shook themselves out of the lethargy.

Tukur acknowledged that the committee couldn't question the power of
the president to hire and fire, but said the house was worried about
the infraction in the allegation, which borders on corruption.

The point the committee wants made is that if it can not be proved in
the open that Chief Okorocha inflated the Lagos radar project cost,
then he deserves his name to be cleared, or if otherwise ,he can be
dragged to the anti-corruption tribunal. The political ambition of the
Imo high chief is hanging in the balance.

At the same time, the committee can move forward with the information
already supplied by Dr. Chikwe (bearing in mind the "hand-tying" letter
from the SGF) and really expand its scope of investigations.

But Tukur did not leave the venue of the public hearing a quite
satisfied man last week .

He told the Guardian on Sunday: "Transparency, honesty and openness are
the hallmark of this administration. The world is watching us. We do
hope that we'll get to the root of the matter at the end of the day."

Asked what would be the committee's next line of action if stalemate
continues, he offered: "well, ours is to do a thorough job within our
powers. We will simply submit our report to the house which asked as to
do this job in the first instance".
----------------------

Those Campaigning For A Second Term For Obasanjo Are His Enemies

Mrs. Sarah Jibril, a presidential aspirant in the Third Republic spoke
with Staff Reporter, Temitope Ogunsi, on the need for women to take
their political destiny in their hands and to prepare early for 2003
elections.

Excerpts:

YOU mentioned that you deliberately stayed away from politics, what
were you doing then?

Yes I did make a press statement that I did not understand what was
happening towards the end of the Babangida era and during the Abacha
and Abubakar governments. So I decided to stay off and to observe and
to really validate my observation and to strategize for the future.
While I was doing that I attended international conferences, even after
Beijing. The United States African Development Council spotted me and
when I visited the U.S. in 1996 I met with them and they wanted me to
be their Ambassador-at-large. This is more of Black America and African
Diaspora and member organisations that had recognition with the OAU and
that want to work towards the communications network that would help
bring Americans to talk with Africans. Particularly the women. To help
the Black American woman relate to her fellow African women. Business
men etc. All these were at the back of their mind and they felt that
they needed to prepare the grounds and three of us were appointed...
One in the U.S., one for the Caribbean's and one for Africa. And I was
appointed for Africa. Meanwhile, at the same time I was involved with
peace education process. We're involved with international civic
education for world peace. We promote peace education programs in the
curriculum.I'm one of the Vice Presidents for the organisation for
Central and West Africa. Now I need to take my leave of absence since
I'm going back to practising politics and I'm gradually relinquishing
my responsibilities to face the search for solutions in Nigeria, my
home country.

Are you in any of the political parties because you hinted on starting
a party for women? Is it that you pulled out of a party because you
were dissatisfied?

No, after the SDP episode I did join the NCPN which was not supposed to
be a government sponsored party. But we all saw how the party
facilitator, Chief Etiebet, had to abandon the party and join the UNCP.
You could see all the ridiculous manipulations that were going on.
After the NCPN got into crisis, I felt I shouldn't ridicule myself
further. And when that was over, people were encouraged to hurriedly
put parties together.... In three weeks and that was another ridiculous
situation. As I said, if people couldn't put up the party structure
with all the money given them for 13 or more years, how do you expect
them to put their ideology together in three weeks? I felt it was too
hurried, we could have given ourselves time, but you see, people just
wanted the military out. Anyway, what happened was expedient to meet
the demands of the time and I just felt I should be more prudent than
to just join any party. I realise that Nigerians are seeking
alternative solution. They want technically minded leadership in the
politics of this country and definitely I believe this is what they
want. That's why after observing everything we thought we should we
came up with People's Democratic Alliance. It is the psychologically
and thoroughly thought out line. But with our own brothers in the PDP,
APP, AD. It is a combination of the three political parties so that if
you cannot answer PDP or APP, AD, you can answer PDA as an alternative.
The progressives called us for a meeting recently and we might end up
with an alliance or a common front party if it works out, but I believe
our people are determined to go on with the PDA. Because the women by
the time they are well mobilised and informed will want to come out
with a party where they have principal say and the youths also want to
go with their mothers. So the PDA is the party for the women and the
youths, the handicapped and the professionals because that way those
who go ahead with us may still go back and form a conservative party.
Because if we can have 17 parties in Benin Republic, there's no reason
there can't be more parties than three.

I feel we should stop being archaic and operating on multiple
standards. I feel we should be practical about the situation. And again
what is happening is that people still want the President to run for a
second term. I'm saying in the name of the Almighty God, Let Mr.
President note that anybody that is campaigning for his second term is
his enemy. They want to kill him. They are the enemies of Nigeria,
truth and democracy. Let him, if he wants to be a respectable
statesman, quit politics. He has been a military statesman that handed
over to democracy, good. He should not spoil it by wanting to stay in
power forever. If he's going too do a John the Baptist job, let him
clear the way, honourably, and go home to be the father of his
children.

But the moment he wants a second term he has completely demolished
whatever credibility he has tried to establish over the years. I'm
talking as a well-wisher of this country and to him, let him know that
whoever tells him to go for it, be it on whatever grounds, ethnic or
religious sentiments, they are his enemies.

And he should know that if the progressives started off with the PDP
and got hijacked by the conservatives, the progressives cannot eat from
the crumbs of the conservatives. There is a name being given to some
characters who call themselves progressives and I was shocked to hear
this. They're called (AGIP) - any government in power and they call
themselves progressives but they are sell-outs, political push-overs.

I cannot believe people will be progressives for all weather. If I run
for the presidency of this country, people expect resolute decisions,
consistency as ridiculous as it may seem to some. But it is wise to be
prudent. People felt I was being arrogant at first, but I think I was
preserving an integrity for others. Holding it in trust for the youth
and women of this country. That's what I've done by taking a recess. I
hope my staying off and the emergence of a new political party would
have vindicated the decision to go on a recess. Even if it will first
be termed a resolute motivation, I'm satisfied it has taken place and I
hope people are going to be so equally courageous and resolute in what
they believe in.

You said the PDA will be like a part of the three other parties?

No, it is like the honey that is extracted. We believe that there are
still good people in the PDP, APP and AD and we're extracting these
good ones out of the mess of the crises in these parties.

In extracting, will you be concentrating on the women's wing of these
parties?

We're giving women substantive executive positions. We're not going to
have women leader in the PDA. In the constitution of the PDA, we have
the chairman, the executive deputy chairman and under him for manifesto
implementation and mobilisation we're having the following deputy
chairmen: Deputy chairman, men and elders; deputy chairman, woman and
elders; deputy chairman, students; youths; the Diaspora and
international affairs; and then deputy chairman, special citizens,
i.e., the handicapped; professionals. Within these groupings we have
various clubs which will be taken care of. Then every zone will have a
vice chairman. We have opened up positions in order to reduce hassling,
the women are going to sit properly.

Can we have an idea of the people behind the PDA?

The people are not really known persons. They're a collective of
students and a few people who believe... Mrs. Jibril go ahead, this is
what we want. I'm yet to go and start looking for individuals. We only
have a draft constitution. But as people are thinking alike they will
associate with us and we can now call a meeting. To ask who and who is
there, I don't want to start giving names, but definitely I'm not
acting on my own.

How far have you gone with the registration of this party?

What the public must understand is that we're not talking of
registration yet. We need to get structures in place, get our
executives, call a nascent convention. We may not run the party if
we're to go alone until sometime in June. By then we would have gotten
the structures on the ground at all levels. Then, present our papers to
INEC. And campaign vigorously to win local government elections. That
will be the starting point since you'll have to win five local
governments to be registered as a party and I believe we can do that.

What should women be doing now to get ready for 2003?

Begin to scout for a credible political party and not to sit and expect
any good to come out of these existing parties. Stop believing in the
crisis ridden political parties, they are not going anywhere.
-----------------------

Democratic Gradualism And The Nigerian Possibility

By

Udenta O. Udenta

WHEN Daniel Arap Moi became the president of Kenya upon the death of
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, he declared that his administration will be no
different from that of Kenyatta; that he hopes to maintain and achieve
continuity through the single-minded affirmation of the policies,
programmes, and visions of the previous regime; and that in effect, the
philosophy of Nyonyoism, meaning 'following the foot steps of' will be
the ideology of the new order. Without regard to the changing and
changed social, political, economic and cultural circumstances of his
day; and with a near complete inalertness to ethnic and provincial
complications which his coming to power engendered, and the resolution
of which required a qualitatively and quantitatively new way of looking
at and doing things, Nyonoism became caricature ideology, a political
movement that became arrested in time and space, lacking in
originality, creativity and dialectical momentum.

The debate over the desirability of a Sovereign National Movement (SNC)
in Nigeria has become the tragic victim of an Nyonyoist mentality for,
if anything, the present debate is nothing but a product of
follow-follow, copycat attitude of mind and thought, and to such a
pathetic degree that it has virtually lost its cogent appeal and
significance to all but the gullible segment of the population. This
tragedy pertains to the ability or outright unwillingness of its
promoters to situate the debate within the context of existing
political and social reality by adopting shallow and superficial themes
and methodologies that were only viable a couple of years ago. Like all
follow-follow movements, the call for a SNC in this day and age is
vigorously, if not aggressively, pursued by those who seem to have
ceased to think, to generate new values and to work out practical and
realistic strategies as the nation undergoes a near quantum leap, in
quality and quantity, from one order to another. The tragedy of this
debate equally stems from the fact that in a nation that is possessed
by intellectual laziness, the easiest path to fame and political
stardom is via a mindless repetition of popular ideas learnt by rote
and by deploying one's intemperate energy towards the search for
charismatic themes that are lackadaisically examined and understood.
The mere fact that a political leader or a social commentator is able
to mouth some SNC phrases is enough to endear him to the people, and
though such endearment establishes his pride as relevant and credible
on the stage of national discourse.

I have searched in the popular press repeatedly for any deep,
thoroughgoing analysis about the idea, content, institutional setting
and practical modalities of a Sovereign National Conference, and I have
searched in vain. I, and the millions of Nigerians who read the current
arguments in favour of a Sovereign National Conference are only told
what an SNC means and why if it is not convened the nation will keep on
lurching from one political and social disaster to another, until
national disintegration becomes the logical end product of the
contradictions which only an SNC can resolve. Beyond this passionate
declaration is the reign of emptiness and quietude about the space SNC
ought to occupy in the new political order, the step by step process
that will lead to its convening, the institutional scenario with regard
to inter-ethnic representation, the structural format of the
conference, the issue of multiple or conflicting sovereignties, the
practical modalities that underpin its debate and discourse processes
and the time estimate for the realistic implementation of its sovereign
declarations and core resolutions. Rather than get a coherent insight
into these searching issues and more, we are merely inundated with
emotive tirades and perjorative insults against all perceived opponents
of the SNC, and against previous proponents of the idea in the past who
now call to question the nyonyoist frame of mind of its present day
sponsors.

I have been closely involved in the debate over the call for an SNC
since 1993 in my practical involvement with the political campaigns of
the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU) and the National Democratic Coalition,
(NADECO) and during my tenure as the founding National Secretary of the
Alliance for Democracy (AD). I am equally aware that the issue of an
SNC and a Government of National Unity (GNU) were high on the agenda in
the two major discussions between NADECO and the Gen. Abubakar regime.
I state it is a matter of fact that when NADECO leaders demanded the
effectuation of these two principal demands of the anti-Abacha,
pro-democracy movement by the regime, Gen. Abubakar replied that, one,
he has no mandate from his military constituency to proclaim an SNC,
and, two, that with Abacha's death, any idea of GNU will be lacking in
legitimacy because it wil