monday, december 30, 2013

Anambra poll: Ngige drags INEC, Obiano to tribunal

Vol. 3 N0. 754 Monday, December 30, 2013 N150

UDEME AKPAN

The poor power supply situation nationwide may worsen, as the supply of commercial gas

to Egbin and other thermal plants has been cut off by Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, to enable repairs on the badly vandalised west-ern gas pipeline.

The major pipeline was

again shut on Saturday, when a team of engineers which carried out initial rehabilitation work at one breached point realised that the facility was vandalised

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Female suicide bomber kills 14 in Russia

Free inside

External reserves fall $6bn below target

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No premium, Nocover policy may reduceprofi tability next yearInsurers

OBIORA IFOH AND SOLA ADEBAYO

The fortune of the rul-ing Peoples Demo-cratic Party, PDP, is set to deem further as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal is set to formally decamp to the rival All Pro-gressives Congress, APC, in January.

The Speakers deci-sion came as a shock to the leadership of the PDP,

Power situation worsens as NGC shuts gas supply to Egbin, other plants

BUSINESSTHE SECTION

Free iie insiiinsinsideddededede

Aero plane's tyre bursts on landing at Lagos Airport

P.A5,A7CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Three die, others injured in Ogun multiple accident

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Stability critical for sustenance of investors confidence, economic progress

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Nebo

President Goodluck Jonathan (3rd left); Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (right) and leaders of the Apostolic Faith Church during yesterday's church service at the regional headquarters of the church in Jabi, Abuja. PHOTO: NAN

Rising political tension, bad for economy, OPS warns

Ngige

Tukur denies dragging NEC to court...opposition closes ranks to fi ght ruling party

Shocker for PDP: Tambuwal to join APC



who earlier in December had extracted commitment from the House leaders that members defection will no longer be tenable.

This is as PDPs National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur denied that he was filing a legal action to pre-vent the National Executive Council, NEC, of the party from removing him.

Our correspondent gath-ered that the Sokoto State chapter of the APC has mandated its Tambuwal Local Government chapter to formally present a mem-bership card to the Speaker who has been asked by the state Governor, Aliyu Wa-makko to formally declare his stand.

Tambuwal has been seen as a beautiful bride by both APC and PDP, and has at-tended meetings with both parties.

It was gathered, however, that Tambuwal would re-

UDO ONYEKA

The Organised Pri-vate Sector, OPS, has warned that the growing tension in the polit-ical space as pre-election ac-tivities gather momentum and heating up the polity can have dire consequences for the economy.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, the biggest arm of the OPS, said that political stability is critical for the sustenance of investors confidence and the progress of the economy, adding that the omens in the outgoing year are not good enough and have created some dis-comfort among investors. In its Economic and Busi-ness Review for 2013 made available to National Mir-ror yesterday, the LCCI ap-pealed to the political class to avoid desperation in their quest for public office and play by the rules.

While calling on politi-cians not to overheat the system, the LCCI said it was also critical that the cred-ibility of the electoral pro-cess was not compromised.

In the statement by its President, Alhaji Remi Bello, the chamber noted that institutions critical to the integrity of the process should be above board to in-spire the confidence of the

citizens.These include the In-

dependent National Elec-toral Commission, INEC, the security agencies, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. These institu-tions have vital roles to play in preserving the credibility and integrity of the elector-al process.

It is instructive that most of the crises on the African continent have their root in the qual-ity of electoral process. This should not be allowed to happen in Nigeria. The chamber said evolving global energy market dy-namics suggested an urgent need to take a sober look at the Nigerian oil and gas subsector in particular and the energy sector in general, especially given the impor-tance of the sector to the Ni-gerian economy.

The LCCI also expressed worry about the situation in the oil and gas industry, stressing that the extreme dependence of government finances and external trade balances on proceeds from the sector exposes the na-tion to significant risks from oil price and production shocks.

It said the permanent hedge against the impend-ing oil market glut is a sub-stantial diversification of the economy from oil to non-oil activities, adding that

in the short term however, enacting a competitive, pe-troleum sector legislation, such as the Petroleum In-dustry Bill, is germane.

It acknowledged however that though the passage and implementation of the right PIB will not entirely eliminate the problem; it would expand investments in the sector while curbing corruption and other forms of fiscal leakages would fur-ther stabilise the economy.

While noting the prog-ress made so far on the power sector reform partic-ularly on the privatisation of the sector, LCCI said the

power situation has contin-ued to pose even more se-vere challenges to business operators.

According to the LCCI, There are complaints across all sectors of high energy costs especially high expenditure on diesel and maintenance of electricity generators. This has contin-ued to take its toll on the bot-tom line of investors in the country. We hope 2014 hold a positive outcome for the power sector on the back of current reforms.

The LCCI, also said it was worried over the disconnect between the GDP growth in

2013 at over six per cent and productivity, quality of life and employment.

It said even though GDP growth in 2013 was strong at over six per cent in line with International Monetary Fund, IMF, projections and Federal Governments es-timates, other major global rankings released in 2013 rated Nigeria poorly.

Whereas Nigerias GDP ranking by the IMF was 37th out of 187 economies profiled; global competive-ness ranking by the World Economic Forum rated the country 137th of 183 econo-mies reported and the Hu-

man Development Ranking by the UNDP, Nigeria was 153 out of 187 countries pro-filed.

However, LCCI said the year on year inflation rate in 2013 which trended at single digit up until October 2013 with an inflation rate of 7.8 per cent was very impres-sive and in line with Cen-tral Bank of Nigerias as-pirations of a modest price level in the country and expressed hope that this trend is sustained in 2014 be-cause stability of the price level remains a key factor for doing business.

Shocker for PDP: Tambuwal to join APC


CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

L-R: Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih and his wives, Dame Patricia, during the 80th birthday thanksgiving mass for Chief Anenih at St. Anthonys Catholic Cathedral in Uromi, Edo State, at the weekend.

tain his seat as Speaker due to the numerical strength of the opposition party if he decides to decamp.

It will be recalled that the defection of some members of the House of Represen-tatives elected on the plat-form of the ruling party into APC has brought the number of the federal law-makers of the opposition party to 172. The PDP pres-ently has 171.

The likely defection of Tambuwal will further al-ter the equation in favour of APC in the House, with its membership increasing to 173, with PDP coming down to 170.

It was being speculated that other members of the House were also planning to join Tambuwal to pitch tent with APC.

Tambuwal was elected on the platform of the rul-ing party from Sokoto State.

Already, his colleagues from the state have followed

the path of Governor Wam-mako to decamp.

One of the principal offi-cers of the House, who con-fided in our correspondent, told National Mirror that Tambuwal had perfected the plans to move into the opposition party.

The Speaker of the House (Tambuwal) is mov-ing into APC and that move-ment is sure. The speaker is to formally declare for the opposition party as soon as the House reconvenes from recess.

But Mr. Speaker is go-ing to retain his seat as he is set to tap the numeri-cal strength of APC in the House to retain his seat. The defection of Mr. Speak-er is going to alter the politi-cal equation in the House substantially because many other members of the House are likely to join him to move to APC.

The speaker has made up his minds and he has

perfected the strategies with the leaders of APC and he is not likely to go into APC alone as some of his colleagues in the House have also decided to follow him into the opposition party.

The transition of Mr. Speaker is going to be smooth and his seat is not going to be threatened in any way. The movement of the speaker is going to deal a death blow on the rul-ing party. Just let us wait for the outcome of the suit challenging the defection of some House members into APC by the leadership of PDP.

There is going to be exo-dus of members, including members of the National Assembly, out of PDP, if the court judgement allows de-fection," added the federal lawmaker, who craved ano-nymity, the source said.

Reacting to the defec-tion plot, Special Adviser

on Media to the Speaker, Imam Imam said that those reports remain rumours and as a matter of rules, they have refused to react to speculation.

He said: "The Speaker is in PDP, he remains a PDP member and there is noth-ing to suggest that he is moving to another party.

"All of those reports re-main speculation and like you know as a matter of policy, we do not react to specualtions. The Speaker has not defected."

In a related development, Tukur, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Prince Oli-ver Okpara, denied insinu-ation that he plans to sue the partys NEC.

The national chairman disassociated himself from such move, describing it as unthinkable and unimagi-nable.

He wondered how he could initiate such an ac-tion against a body he is

part of and an organ of the party that has the highest say and policy making body in the party.

His words: How can somebody destroy his own house? The intended legal action only exists in the minds of the writers of the false story. I am a mem-ber of the PDP NEC and I respect the body and the members.

Meanwhile, the Presi-dency has said that unprec-edented policy decisions were taken and major proj-ects executed for the good of Nigerians in spite of pockets of distractions dur-ing the year 2013.

The Senior Special As-sistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe stated this in a state-ment issued in Abuja yes-terday.

Okupe noted that con-trary to impressions being created by the opposition,

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net2 Monday, December 30, 2013News

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 3Monday, December 30, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net4 Monday, December 30, 2013 Photo News

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

One of the aircraft in the fleet of Aero Airlines, a Boeing 737 yesterday had an incident at the Mur-tala Mohammed Airport, MMA, Lagos.

The aircraft, which had departed the Nnam-di Azikiwe Airport, NAA, Abuja around 9am suffered a burst tyre on landing at the Lagos Air-port.

One of the over 100 passengers onboard the plane was the former Minister, Federal Capi-tal Territory, FCT, Abuja, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who tweeted that upon landing in Lagos, our Aero aircraft lost a tyre. The pilot did a great job of braking to a halt. My phones flew under seats.

One of the directors of the airline, who did not want his name men-tioned, however, con-firmed the incident, but said that the burst tyre

Aero aircrafts tyre bursts on landing at Lagos Airport

Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (left) congratulating one of the newly sworn-in High Court Judge, Justice Aminat Ladi Ishiaq at Government House, Ilorin at the weekend.

L-R: Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Obas, Oba Adamo Babalola; Onisan of Isan Kingdom, Oba Sunday Ajiboye; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi, during the 2013 edition of Isan Unity Day ..on Saturday.

Former Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Joy Emordi (left) praying for her son-in-law, Chijioke Ilozue and daughter, Chibogu, at their wedding ceremony in Onitsha, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Acting General-Secretary, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Uni-versity College Hospital Ibadan Branch, Dr. Victor Makanjuola; Branch Chairman, Prof. Juwon Arotiba and Vice Chairman, Dr. Abass Abdulsalami, at a news conference over the non-pay-ment of their allowances in Ibadan at the weekend.

National News

FEMI OYEWESO, ABEOKUTA

Four persons have been confirmed dead, while several others were critically in-jured in two separate ac-cidents, which occurred in Ogun State over the weekend.

The first accident, which occurred yester-day, involved members of the Ahmadiyya Mus-lim Jammat, who were returning to Abeokuta after their 3-days annual congress held in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Gov-ernment of the state.

National Mirror gath-

ered that one of the rear tyres of the passenger bus conveying members of the religious sect burst while on speed, which made the driver to loose control.

One of the occupants of the bus, who sustained injuries told our cor-respondent at the State Hospital in Ijaye, Abeo-kuta, where the injured were being treated that the incident occurred shortly after the vehicle had passed the cement town of Ibese.

He explained that the vehicle somersaulted trice before it eventually landed on the road, kill-

ing the driver on the spot.As at the time of fill-

ing this report, the actual number of the occupants, who were mainly women and children, remain un-certain.

At the hospital, it was observed that the identi-ties of the victims were being kept away from rel-atives, who besieged the hospital to ascertain the welfare of their kinsmen.

Relatives were also seen, awaiting the arrival of a bus conveying other victims from the scene of the accident.

In another accident, which occurred late Sat-urday night at Ikereku

area of the Abeokuta metropolis, two persons were crushed to death, while four others were critically wounded when a truck rammed on them.

The truck, marked (LAGOS) AKD 443 XA, allegedly driven by an underage driver was said to have lost control at the Adatan area of the metropolis and rammed over a car.

In an attempt to escape justice, the driver alleg-edly sped off the scene and ran over two cyclists popularly called Okada at Ikereku, killing them in-stantly, while one of the passengers was critically

had been replaced imme-diately by the engineers of the airline.

He explained that the airline was currently waiting for the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, for the aircraft

to be returned to opera-tions, but insisted that it was a minor incident, which is normal in air-craft operations.

An online statement signed by the spokesman for the aviation agency, Mr. Yakubu Dati gave the

aircraft brand as a Boe-ing 737-500 with Regis-tration No 5N-BLC.

Dati stated that the aircraft landed safely at the airport, following the loss of pressure in one of the tyres.

The aircraft, which

landed at 10.50am, had a total of 104 passengers and crew members on board.

He added that the aircraft has since been towed to the apron and Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, has com-

Three die, many injured in Ogun multiple accidents

menced investigation into the incident.

We wish to assure all air travellers of their safety and caution against magnifying a manageable incident out of proportion, the state-ment added.

injured.The development drew

the anger of the youths in the area who attempted to set the truck ablaze be-fore the arrival of police, the State Traffic Manage-ment agency, TRACE, as well as officers of the mili-tary special security outfit, OP MESA.

The driver and his truck are currently being de-tained at the Adatan Police Divisional headquarters.

When contacted, the state Police Public Re-lations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi said the Adatan Divisional Police Officer (DPO) was yet to brief his office.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 5Monday, December 30, 2013 News

at several other locations.Consequently, the engi-

neers of NGC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, could not re-stream the facility following the leakage of pressure and confirmation of many leaks occasioned by vandalism.

A reliable NGC source, who did not want his name men-tioned said: We could not put back the pipeline into proper

use because of serious pres-sure leakage at several points.

The pipeline has been shut again for further inves-tigation and maintenance. This means it will take a little more time for us to complete the rehabilitation of the facility. It also means that the expected improve-ment in gas supply is no more possible at this time.

Investigations showed that the development had already affected the capacity of the thermal stations, including

Egbin, the largest single plant in Nigeria to generate maxi-mum electricity for transmis-sion and distribution.

Consequently, electricity gen-eration that fell from 4,600 mega-watts to 4,000mw last weeks, further crashed to 3,464mw, which is about 6,446mw below the 10,000mw estimated daily national requirement.

The Managing Director, Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Mike Uzoigwe, could not be reached for comments as he did not respond to text messages sent

by our correspondent. He had, however, said at

a lecture delivered last week in Lagos that vandalism and low gas supply were some of the main problems which affect commercial electric-ity generation in the nation.

He had said: If you visit Delta, Sapele or Afam power stations, you will notice several gas turbines lying idle. About three of them in-stalled at Ijora power station by Chief Olusegun Obasan-jos first regime to supply

power to Dodan Barracks are also laying waste.

Other earlier power sta-tions have been decommis-sioned and do not produce power anymore. Calabar power station is decommis-sioned, same as Oji and all later installed power sta-tions at Ijora-Lagos.

Uzoigwe said of the six units of 120 mw each origi-nally installed at Sapele power station, only one remains available and can generate or is available for a maximum of 90mw.

He said: The Egbin power plant installed about 30 years ago is the only plant that is still showing good signs; with an initial installed capacity of 1,320mw, it has managed to remain available for 1,080mw as at today.

Uzoigwe, who decried recent vandalism of gas pipelines that affect sup-ply to power generation,

said these and other chal-lenges culminated in low reducing the nations power consumption per person to about 17.6 watts.

He said: If we represent the real consumable power when our output is 3,000mw, then our power per capita electricity consumption will come as low as about 14 watts, so very poor.

However, many Electric-ity Distribution Companies, DISCOs have intensified efforts to meet the demand of consumers in different parts of the nation.

For instance, the new management of Ikeja Elec-tricity Distribution Compa-ny (IKEDC) has held inau-gural Town Hall meetings across its various locations in its bid to establish a road-map towards providing un-interrupted quality power supply to all its customers in the nearest future.

L-R: Former Lagos State Military Administrator, Gen. Buba Marwa; Deacon John Dara, and father of the groom, Mr. Adeoye Ro-luga at a wedding reception in Abuja at the weekend.



Power situation worsens as NGC shuts gas supply to Egbin, other plants


Shocker for PDP: Tambuwal to join APCNigeria under President Goodluck Jonathan has moved significantly for-ward in many sectors than it was in 2011.

The Presidential aide said the transformation, which has taken place in the area of transportation, agriculture, power and oth-er critical sectors are the routes which all developed nations had taken before now but which unfortu-nately had not been taken by Nigeria before now.

Okupe said: It is an in-controvertible fact that Ni-geria under Jonathan has reduced its food imports by about forty percent and in-creased its local production of rice, cassava, sorghum, cotton and cocoa in percent-ages ranging from 25 to 56 in the last two years.

For the first time since independence, the Nige-rian agricultural sector is attracting unprecedented Foreign Direct Investment. Over the past 2 years, the sector has attracted $ 4 billion in private sector executed letters of com-mitment to invest in agri-

cultural value chains, from food crops, to export crops, fisheries and livestock.

The number of private sector seed companies grew from 10 to 70 within one year. Over $7billion invest-ments from Nigerian busi-nesses have been made to develop new fertilizer man-ufacturing plants, which will make Nigeria the larg-est producer and exporter of fertilizers in Africa.

It is also noteworthy that agricultural lending as a share of total bank lending has risen from two percent to six percent in two years.

According to him, the major component of the power sector reform, which is the privatisation of the generation and distribution of the sector, was success-fully accomplished in 2013, thus putting Nigeria on a sure path of steady power supply in no distant future.

He explained that with the completion of the pri-vatisation process this year, as well as the completion of 10 National Integrated Power Projects, NIPP, Ni-geria for the first time, has moved away from vertically

integrated state owned and poorly managed electric-ity industry to a modern private sector-led fully regulated market with the right incentives capable of attracting new investments to kick start the re-industri-alisation of the country.

Other major achieve-ments of the Jonathan administration in the out-going year, according to the Presidency, include the recovery of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which was made possible by a combi-nation of sound fiscal and monetary policies as well as a transparent conduct of state affairs in a manner which has rekindled inves-tors confidence in the Nige-rian market.

Okupe said those who al-ways seek to use the security challenges in some parts the country as the only barom-eter to measure the present administration are not being fair to the President, consid-ering the fact that the war on insurgency and terrorism has never been a quick fix anywhere in the world.

While reminding the public that bombings and

killings by insurgents hap-pened in Kano, Kogi, Ni-ger, Yobe, Borno, Sokoto,A damawa and the Federal Capital Territory in 2011 and 2012, the Presidential aide noted that terrorism has been largely contained and restricted to one or two states in 2013.

Yes, we are not where we hope to be but it will be sheer mischief to insist that we are where we were or as some wickedly say we are worse than we were. Definitely, their position is not based on facts and so should be ignored by Nige-rians Okupe stated

While reiterating the de-termination of President Jonathan to remain stead-fast in his pursuit of acceler-ated economic growth and stability, peace and develop-ment of all parts of Nigeria, Okupe said the Federal Gov-ernment will consolidate on the growth recorded in the outgoing year by complet-ing all ongoing projects as well as initiating new pro-grammes and projects, es-pecially in sectors that will create jobs and empower Nigerian youths.


The naira exchange rate also fluctuated within the set bound of N160/dol-lar, plus and minus 5 per cent, throughout the year. We are satisfied with the apex banks efforts at ensur-ing exchange rate stability and we hope that this is sus-tained in 2014. Our concern is the continued protection of the exchange rate on the back of high interest rate with the attendant negative outcomes for businesses, output, employment and growth, it said.

Also LCCI said foreign reserve peaked at $48.2 bil-lion in August before it mod-erated to $43.9 billion at the end of 2013, a drop which the chamber said was due to the falling receipts from oil sales.

The chamber said it hoped to see a more respon-sive fiscal management and diversification of the economy as a response to the growing fragility in the global oil and gas market.

Commenting on the gen-eral business environment, the LCCI noted that all was not well.

It said: The Business Confidence Index, BCI, indi-cator that measures invest-ment sentiment of business operators in the country moderated to 17 per cent towards the end of 2013. The index had maintained a steady improvement over

the first three quarters of the year, 10.5 per cent in Q1, 16.5 per cent in Q2 and 24 per cent in Q3. The modera-tion of the BCI score in Q4-2013 suggests that business leaders are likely going to be softer towards expand-ing their investments in the early months of 2014.

SMEs and the manufac-turing sector remains the most troubled sector as evidenced by the negative investment sentiments expressed by the opera-tors throughout the year. The most disturbing fac-tors affecting business are infrastructure limi-tations, unabated influx of imported and substan-dard products, poor ac-cess to credit, high cost of doing business, and the inhibitive activities of government regulatory/monitoring agencies in the country.

FG budget approval delays and poor imple-mentation of capital proj-ects remains a major con-cern for the private sector. In an economy where government accounts for a major component of expenditure, early passage and proper implementation of budgets are very crucial. Going into 2014, we hope to see a more responsive bud-get approval processes and improved implementation of the budget at both the states and the FG levels.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net6 Monday, December 30, 2013 News

State House budgets N197.5m for kitchen equipment, others

How we arrested 1, 590 oil thieves in 2013 Abolurin

N255m cars scam: Weve played our part, says House Committee

2014 budgetll be treated on its merit House

TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

There are strong in-dications that the Coordinating Min-ister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is gradually losing the battle to instill discipline in pub-lic finance.

This is because the 2014 appropriation bill provided for some bogus provisions for State House expendi-tures that can hardly be justified if the government is committed to cost of gov-ernance reduction.

For instance, barely a year after about N112.5 mil-lion was provided for food stuff and catering equip-ment, a proposed budget of N76, 375, 000 is already forwarded to the National Assembly for purchase of crested cutleries, flatware and glassware in the 2014 appropriation bill.

In 2013, N112, 500, 000 was proposed for the same line item.

This is even when an-other N131, 750, 000 is also proposed for the purchase of Canteen/Kitchen Equip-ment (Code 23010120) in the 2014 financial year.

Also in the 2014 appro-priation, Wildlife Conser-vation is proposed to gulp N37.5 million even as there is also a provision for N14, 500, 000 to be used to pur-chase 2 Nos of wildlife un-der Code SH23001769 of the bill.

In addition, Renovation of Horses Stables/Pad-dock (Code SH002301769) is proposed to cost N15 mil-lion while upgrading and Maintenance of Villa Zoo (Code SH002301772) is to cost N8 million if the bill now before the National Assembly is passed into law.

Other proposals in the 2014 appropriation bill

OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has disclosed how it arrested a total of 1, 590 oil-related criminal suspects in 2013, with about 44 of them al-ready convicted.

Commandant-General of the corps, Dr Ade Abol-urin, who stated this in Abuja added that of the figure, 1, 549 are currently undergoing prosecution in various courts of law across the federation.

Giving the breakdown

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

Chairman, House Committee on Avia-tion, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has said that with the submission of its investigations and report on the N255m bulletproof BWM Series 7 cars to the Federal Government, the House has played its part.

Onyejeocha said it was now left for the Presi-dency to implement the report submitted to it by the House, saying that as lawmakers, they had played their role through the investigation and sub-mission of their report to the Presidency.

Onyejeocha, who stated these in her home town, Isiochi in Abia State, shortly after presenting some gift items to the peo-ple of her constituency, said that the constitution of the country must be duly followed on the is-sue no matter whose ox is gored.

She said; Well, for me the Constitution of the

Federal Republic of Nige-ria is very clear, all of us worked to protect the con-stitution of the country. So, whether you are an ex-ecutive person or you are a parliamentarian or in the judiciary, the constitu-tion is the primary things you need to protect.

Why cant we say the truth, we need to say the truth no matter whose ox is gored at any time and so for me, the primary responsibility of any law-maker is to God; after here what do you tell your cre-ator and so, once you have that at the back if your mind, you do your work diligently.

Our work ended with the submission at the floor of the House and the House had done its recom-mendations, it is not our business what happens after. We have finished our work, it is now left for the executive to act and of course what the constitu-tion empowers us to do is to investigate the sup-posed corruption, it is not our duty to implement the recommendations.

TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

The Chairman of Pub-lic Accounts Com-mittee of the House Representatives, Hon. Solo-mon Adeola Olamilekan (Lagos-APC), has assured that the 2014 appropriation budget sent to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan would be treated on merit for the betterment of the country.

Hon. Olamilekan, who represents Alimosho Fed-eral Constituency of La-gos State in the House of Representatives, assured

his constituents during an end-of-the-year party and score-card rendering ses-sion that issues in the bud-get proposal will be treated on merit.

He said: As lawmakers, we will always be at the side of the people who vot-ed us into office, we have received the 2014 Appro-priation Bill from the Mr. President, though it came rather too late, but I can as-sure you that immediately we resume from our break, we will start work on it, we will treat it on its merit for the betterment of our people.

Youths from Ezinano community, protesting the alleged sale of their land by speculators in Awka, Anambra State, yesterday.

that appeared bogus and which the National As-sembly may need to look critically into before pass-ing for enactment include the N1.5 billion provision (CodeSH22001755) for up-grade of facilities in the Vil-la and purchase of laundry equipment (SH009001526), which is also to cost N23, 750, 000. One Steel Cover for Cadover (CEA C005) is to gulp N470, 000 of tax pay-ers money.

Although, the 2014 ap-propriation bill is yet to be considered by the legisla-ture, analysts are already raising questions on the increasing level of funding of some items in the Presi-dency and the State House that ordinarily should not be recurring.

Some have queried why another N76 million is being proposed for the purchase of crested cutler-ies and glassware when a whopping N112.5 million

was provided for the same line item in 2013.

Similarly, the plan to spend N1.5 billion on up-grade of facilities in the State House is also another item some finance analysts would want the National Assembly to look into prop-erly and ensure that the specific items for which the amount would be spent are listed as additional notes on the bill before it is passed.

Reacting to the provi-sions in the bill, a leading advocate of transparency and accountability in pub-lic finance, Auwal Ibrahim, described the appropria-tion bill as nothing but an attempt to keep deepening corruption in the country, adding that with recurrent expenditure becoming big-ger than the capital budget proposal, it is clear that government is not sincere in it claims to alleviate pov-erty in the country.

Ibrahim, who is also the

of the achievement of the NSCDC in the outgoing year, Abolurin said 813 illegal oil refineries were destroyed.

According to him, items recovered included 241 trucks, 148 vehicles, 52 mo-torcycles, 15, 051 drums of AGO as well as 33 vessels loaded with crude oil.

Others included 1, 271 boots, 12, 532 kegs of AGO, 92 barges loaded with crude and 1, 056 tanks loaded with PMS.

He said in the year under review, the corps success-fully carried out several anti-vandalism operations through its tactical and strategic efforts by using its security architecture and apparatus in curbing activities of vandals, crimi-nals and saboteurs of the nations economy.

Abolurin added that 176 criminal suspects were ar-rested by the corps in re-lation to vandalisation of

PHCN facilities, railway in-stallations, telecommunica-tion and water infrastruc-ture, while 156 suspects are undergoing prosecution and 20 have been success-fully convicted.

The items recovered from the criminals by men of the NSCDC include transmission cables, PHCN armoured cables, water pipes, metal cables, four cable wire of transformer, among others.

executive director of Civil Society Legislative Advoca-cy Centre (CISLAC), one of the leading anti-corruption advocacy organisations in Nigeria, said that it was curious to see in the bill that the Office of the Gov-ernment of the Federation (OSGF), the Niger Delta Commission and other MDAs would get bigger al-locations than Agriculture, Education and Health sec-

tors despite governments policy statements on its commitment to boost non-oil sector growth, create jobs and alleviate poverty.

According to an analysis by National Mirror on pro-visions that have to do with upgrade of facilities at the State House in the bill, there are more than 50 line items for which substan-tial sums of money were provided.

Purchase of two wild animals to gulp N14.5m

7National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Monday, December 30, 2013

ROTIMI FADEYIABUJA

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday blamed the prob-lem confronting the coun-try lack of love and unity among the citizens.

Jonathan, who spoke at the last Sunday service for the year held at the Apos-tolic Faith Church Regional Headquarters in Jabi area of Abuja, said progress and development of the coun-try could only be achieved when the people are united to work towards a better na-tion.

The President explained that he had no formal ad-dress to read to the congre-gation, stressing that he could be misquoted by the media.

He said: I dont have a

formal address because for those of us in politics, these days are not the best days to make speeches because any statement we make, people look at how to paint it. The next day when you read the newspapers, you start doubting if that is what you said. So, any statement we make is always used against us.

Though the President admitted that Nigeria was facing a lot of challenges, he stressed that the coun-try would soon overcome them.

According to him, the situation could have been worst if not for the prayers of religious leaders and all Nigerians.

Jonthan said: As a na-tion, we have our challeng-es, no doubt about that and anytime I look at the histo-ry of Nigeria and the chal-

lenges we face and when I read parts of the old state-ment about when the Isra-elites decided to move out of Egypt to the Promised Land, we have something quite similar.

As you are getting closer, you meet more ob-stacles and thank God for the sermon we heard and of course the songs showed that the greatest problem we have is love and unity.

He said the amalgama-tion of the Northern and Southern protectorates by the colonial masters in 1914 was not a mistake.

Jonathan said: By Jan-uary 1, next year, Nigeria, as a state will be 100 years old, but I totally agree with our man of God that it was not by chance, it was ordained by God. If God didnt will it at that point, the North and South would

not have come together.According to him, the

coming together of North and South made Nigeria a great country.

The President urged re-ligious leaders to continue to pray for the country, stressing that his admin-istration would work hard to ensure the development of the country through its transformation agenda

In his sermon, Reverend Bayo Adeniran said that Nigeria would return to greatness if the people re-pent and turn away from their evil ways.

He urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the success of the government in its efforts to ensure de-velopment in all sectors of the economy.

Adeniran prayed for the President, the peace of the nation and the citizens.

CHIDI UGWUABUJA

Minister of Infor-mation Laba-ran Maku says stamping out insurgency remains the priority of the Federal Government.

According to him, the Federal Government has succeeded in containing the terrorism confronting Borno and Yobe states in the last one year.

Maku spoke while giving the scorecard of the Fed-eral Government in 2013 in a phone-in programme on Radio Nigeria which was monitored in Abuja at the weekend.

He said the massive de-ployment of men and mate-riel through the establish-ment of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri had stemmed the tide of attacks by insur-gents in the North-East.

Maku, who is also the Supervising Minister of Defence, said due to the huge investments required to set up an Army Division, the Federal Government prioritised the provision of funds to construct military barracks and other forma-tions as well as the training of personnel o wipe out the activities of insurgents in the North-East.

The minister acknowl-edged that insurgency in form of urban and rural guerrilla warfare could not be eradicated overnight through military inter-vention as experience had shown in other countries

with similar challenges, adding that it required concerted efforts by the government and citizens in intelligence gathering and the provision of useful information by members of the public for security agent to flush out the insur-gents.

Maku said: The Federal Government is intervening in the economic recovery of the North-East following the devastation and socio-economic setback suffered by the sub-region due to the insurgency.

The President, in the Economic Forum on the North-East, unfolded a new agenda for the economic support of the region. From the budget, some pro-vision is now being made to really give the North-East support.

He said despite the in-herited security challeng-es which he claimed were mainly induced by local politics in the North-East, with severe consequences on the economic growth in the region, President Jonathan recorded tre-mendous successes in eco-nomic and social devel-opment in the last three years.

The minister said the exchange rate remained stable; foreign reserve grew to over $45 billion; domestic production, par-ticularly in agriculture and industries increased while inflation decreased from 12% to 8% in 2013 as a result of stable macro-economic management.

UDUAKABASI PATRICKPORT HARCOURT

The factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assem-bly, Evans Bibi, has denied the insinuations by some members of the public that he and his supporters were planning to impeach Gover-nor Chibuike Amaechi.

Bipi, who spoke in an in-terview in Port Harcourt, the state capital, said he had no reason to impeach the governor.

He said: What has the governor done that would prompt me to plan his im-

peachment? The basic thing I want from the governor is that, he should recog-nise me as the duly elected Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and if he does, I will also recognise him as the governor of the state and that will help us work together take the state to a higher level.

It was, however, learnt that the visit of the First Lady, Dame Patient Good-luck Jonathan, to the state recently was to intensify Amaechis impeachment process.

But Bipi said the First Lady is an indigene of the

state and that she had the right to visit her home state.

He said: It is wrong and disrespect to the First Lady for anybody to associate her with impeachment of the governor when it is clear that the woman does not have such in mind.

Bipi, however, explained why he and group were yet to sign the bond issued by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, for the reopening the Assembly complex, claim-ing that he was yet to be served with a notice to that effect.

He said: Whenever I am

served with the paper, I will go with my group to sign the papers. But I have not been served yet and I am still waiting for the police invitation. Maybe, the po-lice know the real trouble makers.

Bipi stressed that the court order restraining him from parading himself as the Speaker of the House was of no effect, adding that the order expired after sev-en days of its issuance.

He said: The Ahoada court from where the order was obtained does not have any jurisdiction over the Assembly.

SEKINAH LAWAL

Parents have been called upon to be-queath good moral values on their children as a way of taming the en-demic corruption in the country.

Making the call yester-day was the President of Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP), Al-haji Kamorudeen Oladosu, while asking Muslims and non-Muslims to inculcate good moral upbringing in their children in order to ensure a corruption-free society.

Speaking at the 3rd an-nual Sisters Seminar of the AMP, he urged parents to discharge their God-giv-en responsibilities for the children.

Also speaking, the Ami-rah of the AMPs Sisters Circle, Alhaja Rasheedat Ajiboye, called on parents, especially mothers to be their childrens best friends and allow them to express themselves on all issues bothering them.

One of the guest lectur-ers and a Counsellor, Al-haja Ganiyat Sulaimon Olo-kodana, advised couples to trust one another, commu-nicate appropriately and discussed all issues.

She said: If there are problems in marriages, keeping quiet is not the solution, couples should seek for help in appropriate quarters.

Alhaja Olokodana asked Muslims to emulate Proph-et Muhammed ,who she de-scribed as the best example for mankind.

Stamping out insurgency, FGs priority Maku

Abia State Governor Theodore Orji flanked by his wife, Mercy (right) and the Prilate Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Uche (left) and other clerics during the dedication of St. Charles Methodist Church built by Chief Onyema Ugochukwu at Umulenso, Ohuhu in Umuahia, yesterday.

Lack of love responsible for Nigerias problems, says Jonathan

Bipi denies plan to impeach Amaechi

Bequeath good moral values on children

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net8 Monday, December 30, 2013 News

HAKEEM GBADAMOSIAKURE

A month after the demise of the traditional ruler of Akure kingdom, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, the tra-ditional chiefs of the town yesterday installed his first daughter, Princess Adetutu Adesida- Dike, as the regent of the town.

The development, which came almost a month after the monarchs demise, was part of the traditional rites to fill the vacant stool of the ancient town, pending the selection of a new monarch

for the town.The traditional instal-

lation of the regent took place at the palace of the town late Saturday evening and was carried out by the chiefs.

Speaking at the palace after the rites, the regent expressed her readiness to work hand in hand with the chiefs and the people of the town and would do her best to contribute to the de-velopment of the town dur-ing her regency, saying; I take it up where my father stopped with the help of the Almighty God.

Adesida-Dike, who was

called from America to oc-cupy the stool said; The regency can not disturb my role as a mother and wife and as a career woman, I have also taken leave of absence from my place of work in the United States, my husband knows that I am a princess before he agreed to marry me and he also knows that anytime my father died as a king, I have to assume this posi-tion, so there wont be any problem.

I know this is a duty I have to perform, so I have called on God to help me succeed in the journey and

also by Gods grace, I will assist the kingmakers to choose the right person to be the next king, she stat-ed.

She then called on the state government and the entire people of Akureland to give her their supports in other to succeed in the task before her.

Adesida-Dike, a United States of America-based pharmacist will be on the throne until the installation of a new monarch.

Oba Adesida passed away in his palace, during a brief illness, at the age of 63.

KEMI OLAITANIBADAN

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, yesterday called for renewed prayer for the country as the 2015 gen-eral elections draw nearer.

His call came even as a cleric, Prophet Moses Kasa-li, also called on the ruling class to be more prayerful in the new year.

He described 2014 as a

year of change of leaders, adding that the wind will blow some politicians away. I urge them to move more closer to God.

Oba Sijuade, who spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he inaugu-rated two new projects of the Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry Worldwide, Ori-Oke Alaseyori, founded by Prophet Kasali, said the country has turned upside down.

He congratulated the congregation and the peo-ple, saying; Only prayers can save Nigeria. It is up-side down. This Prophet Moses is the Biblical Moses of Nigeria.

He described Kasali as a unique prophet; ordained by God, saying you will live long.

He then implored Proph-et Kasali and other men of God like him, to pray for the nation more than ever

before.The Ooni also congratu-

lated the prophet, his wife, Olubunmi and the entire congregation for the sev-enth year convention of the church just as he vol-unteered to be a member of the church forthwith.

At the occasion were the Deputy-Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-To-mori, a deputy inspector-general of police, Adedayo Adeoye, and wife.

ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

Osun State govern-ment, at the week-end, said some commercial banks operat-ing in the state is owing it over N1 billion and gave them till December 31, 2013 to pay the debt into the coffers of the state government or be sanc-tioned.

Acting Chairman, Osun State Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Mr. Dayo Oyebanji, who made this known in Osogbo, said the said debt owed were taxes deducted from their staff and other rates that they had refused to remit to the state government.

Oyebanji threatened not to take it lightly with the af-fected banks as the govern-ment would do all it could to discourage such unholy act and checkmate all other un-wholesome practices in the banking sector.

He further affirmed that; Your banks failure to regularise these anomalies on or before 31st December 2013, could force the state to be left with no other option than to immediately de-list your bank as a revenue col-lecting agent for the state.

The government also directed all banks collect-

ing money and taxes on its behalf to within the same period, 31st Decem-ber 2013, integrate into the new e-payment system and ensure that all monies and taxes are promptly paid into the state government account for automatic rev-enue receipts to payers.

The delay in posting revenue collected on be-half of the government through the e-payment system into the general revenue account impedes the flow of income; and the government has resolved that non-compliant banks shall be delisted from the list of revenue collection agents of the state govern-ment.

The State Internal Reve-nue Service (IRS) in a warn-ing letter sent to banks and entitled: Demand Notices on Liabilities from Backdu-ty Investigation on PAYE, Withholding and Develop-ment Levy for the PAYE (Amended Liability 2012), and signed by Dayo Oye-banji, dated 13th December 2013, said that; Please be informed that our board would be left with no other option than to disdain your bank provided you failed to settle your backduty liabili-ties mainly on PAYE and withholding taxes for the year 2012.

Osun workers receive 13th month basic salariesADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

Civil servants in Osun State would celebrate the new year with joy and happiness as the state government said it has paid their 13th months basic sala-ries last week.

State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Eco-nomic Planning, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, who made this known at the weekend in Os-ogbo, said that; This month of December alone, the state government was able to pay November salary, December salary and the 13th month as bonus to all categories of workers in the state.

Governor Rauf Aregbe-sola took the step because of the priority he accorded the public servants in the state and the state government wishes the workers well in the celebration of the New Year and solicited for their unalloyed support and co-operation in 2014, especially

in providing services to the people and improving the economy of the state.

The state government made good its promise to public workers on the pay-ment of bonus or 13th month basic salaries despite the challenges being faced in the collection of revenue from the federation accounts.

Government did not only pay 13th basic salary to workers based on their new minimum wage, it also in-creases it from 50 per cent to 100 per cent and at the same time paid the bonus before 25th of December 2013 while December salaries of the workers were paid on 27th December 2013.

The commissioner added that the delay in the pay-ment of the November sal-ary was as a result of the switching from manual process of payment to elec-tronic payment system and the hitches did not however affect the local government staff.

2015: Women groups urge Amosun to seek re-electionFEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

Various women groups across Ogun State over the weekend urged the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, to persuade her husband to seek re-election in the

2015 governorship elec-tion in the state.

The women made their plea at the end of the year party organised in their honour by the governors wife that was held at the Government House, Isale Igbehin, Abeokuta, the state capital.

The women said they

were well convinced that Governor Amosun had a genuine passion to re-build the state going by his achievements in the last three years of his coming on board as the state governor.

The women groups in-cluded professional and trade associations such

as the Nurses and Mid-wives Association, Nige-ria Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Po-lice Officers Wives As-sociation (POWA), mar-ket leaders, Girls Guide, NASFAT women, among others.

L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor on Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson; Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; former Commissioner for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson; Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, during the unveiling of the plaque and handing over of the reconstructed Simbiat Abiola Road, Ikeja at the weekend.

Late Dejis daughter installed Akure regent

Ooni, cleric call for more prayers over 2015 polls

Commercial banks owes Osun govt N1bn

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 9Monday, December 30, 2013 South West

10 Monday, December 30, 2013 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netSouth West

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

The National Pen-sion Commission (PenCom) has or-dered the management of the Federal Airports Au-thority of Nigeria (FAAN) to immediately engage the services of an actuary over the pension entitle-ments of its employees as the agency prepares to mi-grate to the new pension scheme.

An actuary is a statisti-cian who calculates insur-ance premiums, risks, div-idends and annuity rates.

PenCom ordered FAAN to ensure that the process is concluded within a six weeks period.

A letter signed by the General Manager, Public Sector Pensions, Mrs. G.E. Usoro, sent to FAAN Man-aging Director, Mr. George Uriesi, on December 5, 2013, said that the N28.9 billion accrued rights de-termined by the actuarial valuation earlier carried out as at June 30, 2004 by the agency was now ob-solete and overtaken by events.

The letter said in a bid to be up-to-date by the management, there was a need to determine more realistic pension entitle-ments of the employees under the old scheme.

The letter stated that in a meeting held between it

and PenCom on December 2, 2013, it was agreed that a revised actuarial valua-tion should be carried out as at December 31, 2012 for all employees who were in FAAN as at that date.

The letter noted that the employees of FAAN were very apprehensive about losing their pension entitlements under the Defined Benefits Scheme (the new system).

The letter stressed hat this was so as most of them (staff) had put in significant number of years working under the old scheme, but stated that following the assurances that the pension benefits of employees under the Defined Benefits Scheme would be transferred to their various Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) to form part of their ter-minal benefits under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), their fears were allayed.

The letter added: In con-sideration of the financial implication of funding the accrued rights of the em-ployees, it was agreed that there was need to carry out a demographic analysis of the retirement of the em-ployees. It was considered necessary for the FAAN

PenCom orders FAAN to engage actuary over staff pensions

KEMI OLAITANIBADAN

The son of the late Afenifere leader, Mr. Yinka Adesan-ya, has claimed that many so-called progressives had abandoned the philos-ophies left behind by his father, Senator Abraham Adesanya.

He spoke at the week-end during a meeting held in Ibadan by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant for the seat of Oyo South Senatorial Dis-trict in the 2015 election,

Mr. Mark Muyiwa Akin-yode.

Yinka, however, added that he was not in the posi-tion to criticize any of the political associates of the late Afenifere leader, but could only advise them to place the interests of the Yorubaland and Nigeria above their personal in-terests.

He said he decided to support Akinyode be-cause of his personal con-viction on the readiness of the politician to serve his people selflessly.

According to him, the

decision followed his real-isation that what matters in Nigerian politics now is personal qualities of indi-vidual politician, and not political affiliation as it used to be in the past.

Akinyode, however, promised to ensure qual-ity representation and rapid development of all the nine local government areas that made up the Oyo Senatorial District, if given the opportunity.

He said that he decided to venture into politics because of the love and

passion that he had for the Nigerian masses, es-pecially the people at the grassroots.

The meeting was at-tended by a two-time member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and former Chairman of Ido Local Government Area, Hon. Isiaka Adeola; for-mer state House of Assem-bly member and Ibadan South-West Local Govern-ment chairmanship candi-date, Hon. Ayoola Olawale; and many other promi-nent political leaders.

FEMI OYEWESOABEOKUTA

The Ogun State E x e c u t i v e Committee of Labor Party (LP) has described the suspension of its chairman, Simeon Olabode, and other members of the committee by the national chairman of the party, Dan Anyanwu, as null and void.

The Olabode-led executive committee said Anyanwu lacked power under the partys constitution to suspend Olabode.

National Mirror recalled that the LP national headquarters last Friday announced Olabodes suspension over the crisis rocking the Ogun State chapter of the party.

In a letter dated December17, 2013 and signed by the LP National

Secretary, Alhaji A. A Salami, Olabode was accused of engaging in anti-party activities.

Following his suspension from, the letter further directed Olabode to appear before the partys disciplinary committee at its national headquarters.

In what appeared as swift reaction to the suspension, other members of state executive committee

of the party, however, described the suspension as a grand design intended to cause disaffection among its members, the electorate and the good people of Ogun State.

In a statement signed at the weekend in Abeokuta by Olabode and the LP Secretary in the state, Mr. Sunday Oginni, they condemned the suspension and described it as null and void.

Many progressives have abandoned Afeniferes ideology Adesanyas son

With effect from January 2014, traders in all the 33 local government areas of Oyo State will have ac-cess to N300 million inter-est-free loan.

Governor Abiola Ajimo-bi disclosed this in Ibadan at the weekend at an inter-active session he held with market men and women at the House of Chiefs, Parlia-ment Building, Secretariat, Ibadan.

To ensure effectiveness, the governor said that the loan would be coordinated by members of the execu-tives of the six umbrella bodies of the market asso-ciations in the state.

Each of the bodies, ac-cording to the governor, would receive N50 million, even as he urged the asso-ciations to ensure that the loan revolved among mem-bers.

Ajimobi said that no few-er than 20 neighbourhood

markets would be complet-ed in 2014 to cater for trad-ers who were banned from selling their wares along the road.

The President, Oyo State Markets Association, Al-haji Dauda Oladapo, ex-pressed the appreciation of the traders to Governor Aji-mobi for the loan arrange-ment, assuring that the marketers would ensure prompt refund of the loan.

You are a different gov-ernor. We have never had it so good. Your tenure has witnessed a lot of good things for the people of the state. Once you make promises to the people, you ensure you fulfill them, Ol-adapo said.

The traders also pledged their support for the second term ambition of the gover-nor, adding that every legit-imate thing would be done to ensure his re-election for the continuity of good gov-ernance in the state.

Ajimobi plans N300m interest-free loan for traders

Dan Anyanwu lacks power to suspend our chairman Ogun LP

L-R: Femi Thomas; Toyin Tejuoso; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Osile Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; Ogun State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Dr Lanre Tejuoso, at the traditional wedding ceremony of Femi Thomas and Toyin Tejuoso in Abeokuta, at the weekend.

management to identify those staff that were due to retire in 2014, 2015 and so on, as well as their en-titlements under the old scheme.

This information, it was agreed, would assist in determining a realistic amount, which the FAAN management would be re-quired to transfer to the Pension Fund Administra-

tors, PFAs, on a monthly basis towards meeting the entitlements of those em-ployees that were due to re-tire on a priority basis.

Consequently, it was agreed that FAAN man-agement should forward a report of the staff retiring within the first five years and their entitlements, on a year-by-year basis, to the commission. This report

was to reach the commis-sion not later than seven days from the date of the meeting.

However, both parties agreed to convene another meeting slated for January 30, 2014, envisaging that by then, the actuarial valuation would have been concluded and the financial implica-tion also determine from the demographic analysis.

It will be recalled that National Mirror sometime in June reported the appre-

hension in FAAN over the new pension scheme and the fears of workers.

Our correspondent then said that about 30 per cent of its 6, 000 workers were considering tendering res-ignation letters following the new pension scheme propelled by the PenCom.

PenCom had earlier or-dered FAAN management to migrate from its internal pension scheme to the new scheme of PenCom latest by March 31, 2014.

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the controversial Anambra State governorship elec-tion, Dr. Chris Ngige, have dragged the Independent National Electoral Commis-sion (INEC) and four others to the Anambra State Gov-ernorship and Legislative Houses Elections Petition Tribunal at Awka.

Joined as respondents in the petition were the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Prof. Chuk-wuemeka Onukaogu; the All Progressives Grand Al-liance (APGA), Chief Wil-lie Obiano, the APGA can-didate in the election and the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD).

Subsequently, the tribu-nal has ordered that Obi-ano and APGA be served by substituted means by pasting the petition on the tribunals notice board. The order was made on

December 22 while the re-spondents are expected to respond within 14 days.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Tony Nwoye; has also filed a petition at the tribunal. Mr. Nwoye was one of those disenfran-chised during the election, as he and several members of his family did not find their names on the voters register used for the elec-tion, though they had their voters cards.

In the petition filed by their counsel, Messrs Roti-mi Akeredolu, George Uwe-chue and Emeka Ngige, all Senior Advoctaes of Nige-ria (SANs), among others, the petitioners were ask-ing the tribunal to nullify the controversial election, claiming that it was viti-ated by substantial non-compliance with mandato-ry statutory requirements and irregularities and that none of the candidates in the said election was en-titled to be returned.

The petitioners said they were aggrieved with the declaration of Obiano

as the winner of the elec-tion, arguing that while the APGA candidate did not satisfy the mandatory re-quirements of the 1999 Con-stitution and the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended; the election was conducted in a manner which was mani-festly and substantially not in compliance with the pro-visions of the constitution and the Electoral Act.

Among the declaration sought by the petitioners from the tribunal were: that Obiano was not duly elected or returned and that his election was void; the determination whether the use of an invalid voters register rendered the elec-tions of November 16, 17 and 30 invalid by reason of non-compliance with provi-sions of Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

Other declarations sought from the tribunal by Ngige and the APC included that: the election was in-valid by reason of corrupt practices and/or non-com-pliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended; Obiano was

not qualified to contest the election in question as the APGA candidate; Obiano was not duly elected by ma-jority of lawful votes cast at the election and that the APGA candidate did not receive 25 per cent of votes cast in two-thirds of the 21 local councils of Anambra State as required by the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The petitioners there-fore seek a declaration by the tribunal that; The elec-tion and return of the third respondent be nullified and a fresh election be ordered amongst the parties and candidates who contested the said election save third and fourth respondents. Contending that the elec-tion was invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended and the INEC Manual for Elec-tion Officials 2013/2014, the petitioners argued that the election was marred by var-ious acts of corrupt practic-es and that Obiano was not elected by the majority of lawful votes cast at the elec-tion, adding that the APGA

CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

Imo State Deputy Gov-ernor, Prince Eze Madumere, has denied rumours of a rift between him and the state Gover-nor, Owelle Rochas Okoro-cha, saying it was a deliber-ate attempt by mischievous makers to sow the seed of discord between them.

The deputy governor, who arrived at the Sam Mbakwe Airport at about 5.00pm on Saturday after a one-month medical trip

to the United States, said there was nothing like mis-understanding between him and the governor.

Addressing journalists shortly on arrival, he de-scribed the imagined rift as a speculation fuelled by mischief makers who should be ignored.

I am glad to say that it is a rumour. When you are a public officer, there are so many things you hear and I dont think anybody should listen to such rumour or take them serious, it is one or

two individuals or group trying to be mischievous.

I think the best thing to do is just keep quiet, you dont respond to them when you hear them.

He assured that the union between him and the governor is still very strong and intact.

The deputy governor added that his trip abroad was purely for medical reasons, which accord-ing to him; he sought and got the approval of the governor before he trav-elled to treat the knee

injury, which he said he sustained during the 2011 election campaign.

Those of you who are close to me and had watched me very closely during the rigorous cam-paign period that made government to get here would have noticed that I had always had this nib-bling knee problem that the governor and I dis-cussed and he approved that I should go and treat it once and for all, that was why I went to USA to have it treated.

candidate was not qualified to contest the election.

Ngige and APC contended that the election was funda-mentally and irredeemably flawed as the voters regis-ter was deficient, defective, inflated, undermined, inac-curate and therefore unre-liable, adding that the said register did not conform to the provisions of Elec-toral Act 2010 (as amended), thereby rendering the entire results arising from the said election void.

The petition also said that the INCE boss, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had three days before the election, is-sued an electronic copy of the voters register to par-ticipating political parties, and INEC claimed that it re-placed the register with an-other register because the earlier register had reduced the ages of voters by two years, a claim which the pe-titioners claimed they dis-covered to be untrue, adding that not only were the ages

of some registrants reduced by more than two years, the voters register was riddled with photographs of mi-nors and blurred images.

Other defects that af-fected the controversial election, according to the petitioners, were miss-ing pages from the voters register; void votes aris-ing from non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and INEC Man-ual for the Conduct of the 2013 Anambra State Governorship Election; result sheets arising from improper accreditation of voters; lack of transpar-ency in the state collation of results; late arrival of materials and attendant late commencement of ac-creditation/voting in vari-ous places; corrupt prac-tices, and highly inflated number of voters.

It will be recalled that Okeke was Obianos run-ning mate in the election.

Deputy gov denies rift with Okorocha, blames sycophants

Gregory varsity to make Igbo language compulsory for students

The Director, Igbo Renaissance at the Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Abia State, Prof. Ihechukwu Madu-buike, said at the weekend that the university would soon introduce Igbo lan-guage as a compulsory course in the second year.

Madubuike announced this at Uturu during the sixth edition of Igbo Cultur-al Carnival, which was held at the university.

In the next two years, the university plans to intro-duce the Igbo language as a compulsory subject for all students in the second year.

Whether you are Yo-ruba, Hausa or Efik, you must take Igbo as a com-pulsory subject, in spite of your area of specialisa-tion, he said.

Madubuike described the Igbo language as the Soul of the culture of Ndigbo, adding that the disappearance of the lan-guage would mean the ul-timate death of the culture.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of Oko in Anambra State, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, has called for concerted ef-forts by the people of the South-East to save Igbo language from going into extinction.

Ekwueme, who was the chairman of the carni-val, expressed regret that

the language was under serious threat, due to the decline in its usage as a means of communication in various families.

He noted that many families of Igbo origin pre-ferred to communicate in foreign languages, especial-ly English language, with their children.

More often, nowadays, you find many parents communicating with their children and relations in the English language, rath-er than the Igbo language, he said.

Ekwueme regretted that the development was ca-pable of endangering Igbo language, if not promptly checked.

The monarch, who was a former Minister of Education, commended the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Greg Ibe, for initiating the carnival.

Prof. Barth Chukwuezi, a director at the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, expressed delight that the Igbo cultural heritage and artefacts could be found in abundance in Uturu.

Chukwuezi, who is the Head, Educational Services and Training, said that the commission often encour-aged the people to commu-nicate in their native lan-guages during its outreach programmes.

Monday, December 30, 2013 National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 11South East

Anambra 2013: Ngige drags INEC, Obiano to tribunal

Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Enugu State University of Science and Technology chapter, Prof. Gab Agu (with microphone) his wife, Edna and their children Eze (left) and Ernest, during a thanksgiving service in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

A National Institute of Construction Technology is to be established in Uromi, Edo State, by the Federal Government.

Uromi is the country home of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih.

Approval for the estab-lishment of the institute was announced at the weekend by Vice-Presi-dent Namadi Sambo on the occasion of a special thanksgiving mass at the St Anthonys Catholic Cathedral, Uromi, for the 80th birthday of Anenih.

The birthday had earli-er been celebrated in Abu-ja on August 4, this year.

Sambo said the estab-lishment of the institute was in appreciation by the Federal Government of Anenihs invaluable contributions to the socio-

political and economic de-velopment of the nation.

The vice president hailed Anenihs life of commitment and dedica-tion to the service of God and humanity, adding that his life personified hard work and resilience.

According to him, An-enih is a staunch believer in truth, pointing out that his exemplary life of hard work, commitment, sin-cerity and love of God is worthy of emulation.

Sambo said: As a mark of appreciation for the contributions of this great man, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has gra-ciously granted approval for the establishment of the National Institute of Construction Technology in Uromi.

Responding, Anenih said he could not thank God enough for keeping him in good health at 80 and expressed his deepest appreciation for the ges-ture by the Federal Gov-ernment.

Delta State Gover-nor Emmanuel Uduaghan has warned those planning to use violence or play up ethnic sentiments to get into public office to desist forthwith as it would not yield them the desired re-sult.

Speaking at a Warri North Peoples Demo-cratic Party (PDP) lo-cal government rally at the weekend, Uduaghan cautioned aspirants for political offices against resorting to violence or ethnic sentiments to achieve their goal, adding that force and violence do not get anyone into office but only breed chaos and anarchy.

As against violence

and ethnic politics, he urged the aspirants to endear themselves to the people by their words, deeds and actions, reiter-ating that whoever would emerge winner in an election must be through the ballot box and not be-cause of the ethnic group they belong.

According to him, power belongs to God and no matter the violence one employed or the eth-nic sentiments resorted to, whoever God decides would emerge winner.

Speaking earlier when he paid a courtesy visit on the Olaraja (leader) of Koko community in War-ri North Local Govern-ment, Chief Victor Nana, the governor urged youth

councils and traditional rulers across the state not to get their different institutions involved in partisan politics.

He also asked those interested in politics or holding political offices not to hide under commu-nity youth platforms or traditional institutions, stressing that such per-sons should feel free to excise themselves from such bodies to play par-tisan politics. Uduaghan, however, said the duali-sation of the 36 kilome-ter Ugbenu/Koko Road would be completed and commissioned in 2014, de-scribing the road as stra-tegic as it would facilitate the movement of goods from the Koko Port to oth-

er parts of the country.The governor added

that plans were on way by the government to set up community-based com-mittees to manage differ-ent water projects across communities in the state.

While noting that his administration has re-corded successes in the area of water supply, Ud-uaghan stressed that the water committees were essential to ensure that the projects last through proper maintenance and management.

In his remarks at the rally, PDP Chairman in the state, Mr. Peter Nwao-boshi, said Warri North was unique to the party because it yields high number of votes.

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has stressed the need for eco-nomic integration be-tween South-South and South-East regions to fast-track their development

and mutual co-existence. Akpabio, who stated

this at the weekend in Nnewi, Anambra State, after he was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Omelu-Ora by Igwe of Nnewi, His Royal High-

ness, Igwe Kenneth Orilu III as part of activities concluding a week-long celebration of the Igwes 50 years on the throne, said great sons and daugh-ters of South-East and South- South must make

conscious efforts to unite the two regions.

He said: By this ges-ture, we have re-united the South-South and the South East, which is something myself and Governor Peter Obi of

Anambra State have been trying to do in the last six years.

These regions must be united and that is why we started the South-East and South-South Gover-nors Forum and today, we are having a meeting to bring about economic in-tegration of the regions. When we have a united South-South and South-East, we will have a great-er voice in the comity of states in Nigeria.

Akpabio commended the Igwe of Nnewi for the honor done him, saying: I receive the title because your background and your pedigrees are well known to all. I found out that you are a grand pa-tron of the Mens Fellow-ship of Anglican Church. That shows that you have brought Christianity into governance, you have brought God into your throne. That is why I asso-ciate with you because ev-ery authority comes from God and that is what you are practising.

He described Nnewi town as the spiritual head-quarters of Igbo land, sayin: Nnewi town is the spiritual headquarters of Igbo land because here is the soil of the great icon,

Odumegwu Ojukwu. I want to congratulate the people of Nnewi for keep-ing this culture and for embracing other Nigeri-ans.

My presence here to-day is not because I am your great in-law. It is be-cause of the efforts of my administration in the last six years, turning things around in every section of Nigeria. That is why the Nnewi man appreci-ates progress. The Nnewi person is a person that believes in development, the Nnewi child is a child that believes in progress and foresightedness, that is why you decided to hon-our me.

Governor Peter Obi, who said the conferment of Omelu-Ora chieftain-cy title on Akpabio by the Igwe-in-Council was justi-fied, described Akpabio as a true Nigerian commit-ted to the total transfor-mation of the country.

Obi said: This man is one who is committed not just to the transformation of Akwa Ibom State, but Nigeria.

Akpabios wife, Unoma, was also honoured by the Igwe with the chieftaincy title of Ada Eji Eze Mba of Nnewi town.

Vice-President Na-madi Sambo yes-terday said the Federal Government had spent N600 million on renovating the old Ahmadu Bello Univer-sity Teaching Hospital, ABUTH, premises at Tu-dun Wada, Zaria.

The vice-president said this in Zaria, Kaduna State during the second Annual General Meeting/Launch-ing of Zazzau Emirate De-velopment Association, ZEMDA.

Represented by Alhaji Tahir Umar-Tahir, Special

Adviser to President Good-luck Jonathan on Islamic Affairs and overseer of Aso Rock Mosque, Sambo said the renovation had reached an advanced stage.

The work included the renovation of wards, labo-ratories and restoration of some facilities, among oth-ers, he said.

The vice-president said a substantial part of the 2014 budget proposals was for enhanced health care ser-vices across the country to demonstrate governments commitment to the sector.

Sambo, therefore, ap-

pealed for the support and co-operation of all Ni-gerians to enable the pres-ent administration deliver dividends of democracy to their doorsteps.

In his speech, Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State said the state govern-ment had made adequate arrangements for a total overhauling of secondary schools in the state.

Yero, who was represent-ed by the Chief of Staff, Ka-duna Government House, Alhaji Yahaya Aminu, said the overhauling was aimed at ensuring a conducive

teaching and learning envi-ronment.

Earlier, the National President, ZEMDA, Dr Isa Abdullahi-Shika, said the focus of the association since inception had been the promotion and protec-tion of the social and politi-cal aspiration of Zageza-gis.

He identified some of the associations achieve-ments in the outgoing year to include general security of lives and property with particular focus on Zaria and Sabongari Local Gov-ernment Areas (LGAs).

FG spends N600m on old ABUTH renovation, says Sambo

FG approves National Institute of Construction Technology for Uromi

Uduaghan urges political offi ce seekers to shun violence

Akpabio seeks economic integration between South-East, South-SouthNational Mirror

www.nationalmirroronline.net12 Monday, December 30, 2013 South South

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) greeting Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, at the Iwere Kingdom annual Thanksgiving in Warri, yesterday.

ical and economic growth.Saying that it remem-

ber with nostalgia the na-tionwide jubilation which heralded the registration of the APC on July 1 by the Independent National Elec-toral Commission, INEC, a jubilation predicated on the birth of a broad based alternative political party to the PDP, the CNPP said: In sum, we had fervently prayed for Nigerian democ-racy to attain the zenith of liberal democracy, where two dominant political parties and compromise prevail. In other words, a liberal democracy where no political party will win 2/3 of the seats in the Na-

tional or state Assembles and where no party wins the presidential election with more than 53 percent of the votes cast. This is true democracy.

TONY ANICHEBE UYO

Leader of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Okpolupm Etteh, has charged youths to eschew violence and other anti-social vices that propagate disunity and dis-harmony, especially in this season of celebrations.

Etteh stated this at the weekend when he received

members of a frontline socio-political group in the state, Ikpoto Akwa Ibom, who paid him a Christmas visit, saying they should strive, at all times, to live up to the virtues of peace, harmony, unity and hospi-tability for which the state is known for.

The lawmaker, who rep-resents Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency in the House, thanked the group

for choosing to visit him and urged them to promote a genuine bond of brother-hood in the state by sup-porting what is good, what is right and what is true.

Charging the youths to be focused, hardworking, loyal and diligent in their duties, Etteh stressed that the reward for such knows no limit, urging them to showcase the state positive-ly to the rest of the world.

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

An advice has gone to the All Progres-sives Congress, APC, to stop admitting de-campees from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, into its fold.

Speaking through its Na-tional Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, the Con-ference of Nigerian Politi-cal Parties, CNPP said in a statement made available to National Mirror that whereas, the CNPP ad-mits that its very tempting to give unfettered admis-sion to political decampees from other political parties;

L-R: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori: Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun; President, Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU), Ambassador Rasaq Shiyanbola, and former OPU President, Alhaji Ajadi Badmus at the presentiom of the Best Governor in Nigeria (2013) award to Aregbesola in Osogbo at the weekend.

CNPP to APC: Stop admitting PDP decampees

Lawmaker charges youths to embrace unity, hardwork

PDP has failed Nigerians Baraje

OBIORA IFOHABUJA

The National Audi-tor of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, at the weekend debunked a statement credited to a former mem-ber of the party, Chief Al-ani Akinde, that the PDP was already dead in the South-West zone and that the alternative to it was the Labour Party, LP.

Addressing news men in Abuja at the weekend, Alhaji Adeyanju dismissed

the 2015 general elections, we will deliver the zone to the PDP hundred per cent, noth-ing will stop us, our leaders are on the field embarking on a total reconciliation of the aggrieved members and the reports reaching us at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja are very encouraging.

He said that if truly the PDP was dead in the South West, how come a dead party keeps receiving defec-tors from other parties on a daily basis in all the states of the zone, including the so called Labour Party?

While urging party mem-bers in the zone to remain

however we humbly call on the All Progressives Con-gress, APC, to stop forth-with further admission of PDP decampees.

It added: We are making this clarion call in the col-lective interest of our dear fatherland, so as to forestall the return of one party sys-tem and consequently abso-lute powers post 2015 general elections.

For we cannot forget in a hurry the granite saying of Lord Acton that power corrupts and absolute pow-er corrupts absolutely; as evidenced by the imperial posture of the PDP led Fed-eral Government in the last 14 years which stifled polit-

transformation agenda to a logical conclusion for the benefit of all and sundry.

On the recent letter written by the former Pres-ident Olusegun Obasanjo to President Jonathan on the state of the nation, the PDP National Auditor re-fused to comment, saying that it bothered on na-tional security.

public and the population of the country. And this is exactly what has happened.

The PDP has failed the people and I make bold to say that. The PDP that I know, that I chairmanned, that I was its National Secretary is no longer the PDP that was when I was there, when many of us were there.

Asked at what point the party derailed, Baraje said: It derailed the moment it failed to fulfill the promises in its manifesto. We told the people who voted us into power that we are going to give them economic free-dom, we are going to give them employment, we are going to give electricity, we are going to give qualitative education, we are going to give food in abundance, you and I can answer to these whether we have been able to do these.

He added: The PDP has the right to say what they like but the law of the land overtakes anybodys opinion. There is a law that guides de-claring seats vacant. So people should go back to the law but if the PDP is saying it is the law, it is the alpha and omega, that is part of not satisfying the aspiration of people.

focused and resolute in their support for the ruling party, which he said was trying its best to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people as promised, Adeyanju said: What Nigerians need now is patience, perseverance, and peace so that the PDP-led administration of Presi-dent Goodluck Jonathan will be able to pursue his

WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

Former acting Nation-al Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, at the week-end in Ilorin, Kwara State, said that the ruling PDP has failed the people of Nigeria.

Baraje, in a media inter-action said: Let me tell you, every politician, either in Ni-geria, Africa and in America have one thing in common - aspiration and expectation. Once your aspirations and expectations are not being met, which may largely be as a result of differences in ideology, you dont have a business being in the group that is no longer adequately representing your ideology, your belief and which may eventually transcend into your aspirations.

Therefore, if the PDP is no longer satisfying the interest and aspiration of people that are there, who are largely politicians, it is normal to change; to go and f

monday, december 30, 2013

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