Vol. 3 N0. 632 Thursday, May 30, 2013 N150

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NSE to introduce securities lending next month

AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST AND OMEIZA AJAYI

The Defence Head-quarters, DHQ, yes-terday in Abuja said that anti-aircraft weapons mounted on vehicles had been destroyed in the ongo-ing war against terrorists.

The weapons, according to Defence sources, were meant to attack military aircraft deployed in the op-eration to battle the Boko

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Troops destroy terroristsanti-aircraft weapons

Shekau releases video, threatens more violence...arrest more insurgents

Emergency rule:

Mid-term report card:

P.13

P.41

P.2,9

Jonathan lashes at critics

P.23

A special package on Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti

P.41

Africa lost over $1.3trn to illicitfi nancial outfl ows Report

Officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation trying to remove a derailed train at a rail crossing in Agege, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: OKANLAWON JOHNSON

Subscribers shun Mobile Number Portability

18 students die in Bayelsa auto crash

KUNLE AZEEZ

One month after the launch of mobile number portability, MNP, the service adoption by telecoms subscribers in the country has been unim-pressive.

National Mirror gath-ered that in spite of the com-

mercial messages creating awareness on the mobile number portability service, most telecoms consumers shunned the services due to

P.4Dana crash: House to invite NCAA over compensationReps probe Works Ministry over N200bn abandoned projects...scores self high on economy

Omobola

Dickson

Students speak about life on the

campus

Redeeming Redeeming Nigerias Nigerias lost glory in lost glory in educationeducation

Afe Babalola UniversityAfe Babalola University

A3, P.25A10, P.32

A4, P.26

From bush to a bustling city With ABUAD, I can see a better Nigeria -VC

SPECIAL REPORT

Thursday, May 30, 2013

...fi ve killed by generator fumes

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net2 Thursday, May 30, 2013News

Mid-term report card: Jonathan lashes at critics

Troops destroy terrorists anti-aircraft weapons CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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L-R: Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alpha Belgore; National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; wife of the Vice-President, Hajiya Amina Sambo; her husband, Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan, First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Senate President David Mark; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, at the 2013 Democracy Day celebration in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Haram Islamic sect in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, where there is emer-gency rule.

DHQ also narrated how its specially-trained dogs aided the arrest of 50 ter-rorists who were allegedly planning to infiltrate Mai-duguri, the Borno State capital, and other towns in

the North-East.The DHQ said the dogs

had been very helpful in its cordon-and-search opera-tions.

Defence spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, in a statement yesterday said: Trained military po-lice dogs are participating in the cordon-and-search phase of the Special Opera-

tions against terrorism in the country.

Various attempts being made by the insurgents to escape and enter towns and cities in the North-East as troops dislodge them from their forest bases have been foiled by the dogs.

The efforts of the spe-cially trained dogs have so far led to the arrest of over

TOLA AKINMUTIMI AND ROTIMI FADEYI

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that his admin-istration had performed creditably well in many sectors of the economy.

He noted that in spite of security challenges, his government had at-tracted Direct Foreign Investment, FDI, into the country.

Jonathan, who was pre-senting a report of his two years in office to Nigerians, challenged critics of his ad-ministration to come out with the criteria for which his gov-ernment was being assessed.

President Jonathan stressed that businessmen were eager to invest in the nations economy.

While presenting the 224-page mid-term report on his administrations Trans-formation Agenda, entitled, Taking stock, moving forward, the President ex-plained that the assessment of his government by a sec-tion of the media was not based on any criteria.

Only on Monday, one of the dailies did an assess-ment of the ministries and performance of ministers. The first thing I looked for but didnt see was the cri-teria that were used to as-

sess the performance of the ministers because when people mark you, they mark with marking scheme, Jonathan said.

The President noted that some of the comments and assessment about the per-formance of this adminis-tration were based on the heartbeat of people.

Sometimes people as-sess governments based on their heartbeats. Two min-istries - National Planning and Trade and Investment - were given average; these two ministers performanc-es in the last two years are unprecedented.

In spite of our security challenges, so many busi-nesses want to come to Ni-geria. Before now, Trade and Investment Ministry was like a dead end, but that has changed.

Until Usman Shamsu-deen came on board before 2011, we never even knew we had a planning minis-try: that is why I asked what was the criteria.

I plead with those who want to write and assess to prepare a marking scheme and compare with previous governments. Develop your marking scheme and mark us, he added.

President Jonathan said that the economy had con-tinued to show improve-ments when analysed

within macroeconomic and other performance assess-ment indicators with FDI inflows standing at $95bn by end of February this year.

The Mid-Term Report of the Transformation Agen-da 2011-2013 catalogued the achievements of his admin-istration in all facets of na-tional life.

The President said that many countries were cur-rently going through worst crises following the spill over effects of the Asian, American and Eurozone

turmoil, but the Nigerian economy remained stable as a result of the various policy intervention and re-form measures adopted by government.

The report stated: The nominal GDP grew from $166.53bn in 2009 to $243.99 billion and $257.42bn in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The country earned an im-proved global GDP ranking from 44th position in 2010 to 36th in 2012. Similarly, fiscal variables performed GDP well, as a result of the fiscal

consolidation stance of the administration.

The budget deficit to GDP ratio was reduced from 3.25 per cent in 2010 to 2.81 per cent in 2012. Fiscal buffers (ECA/SWF) have improved tremendously from $10bn in 2010 to $9.5bn in February 2013.

Developments in the monetary and financial sec-tor have remained stable. Active and predictable ex-change rate policy imple-mented. The monetary policy operating target also

shifted to the inter-bank rate, with the monetary policy rate (MPR) as the in-dicative rate, it added.

On major achievements of some of the sectors, the report indicated that sub-stantial mileages had been covered in the provision of infrastructure where the administration said it had invested massively in rail, road and water infrastruc-ture, through the SURE-P just as it stated that signifi-cant progress was made in

50 terrorists who were try-ing to infiltrate Maiduguri.

He added that more than 15 of the suspected terror-ists were arrested with arms concealed in their body or properties.

Olukolade added that the cordon-and- search ef-fort had been intensified as the forests in the North-East were being combed for terrorists.

At Deseri forest, three Hilux vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns were destroyed, one Volk-swagen Golf car and four motorcycles were also re-covered, he said.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, has threatened more violence with journalists, police, military and politicians as major targets.

In the one-hour video message made available to newsmen, Shekau vowed to continue the campaign

for the Islamisation of the country, saying the plan was irreversible.

He accused the politi-cians of massive corrup-tion, adding that they and members of their families would pay dearly for that when members of the sect descended on them.

Shekau denied reports that many of his men had been killed in the recent onslaught carried out by soldiers in the North-East states where emergency rule had been declared by President Goodluck Jona-than.

There is no truth in that claim. It is only pro-paganda. In all, we have only lost seven members while the soldiers cannot count the number of their men killed in the confron-tation.

He warned that those who had been exposing the Boko Haram members and their activities to security

agents should wait and see what would happen to them.

He accused the media of dishing out falsehood against the sect, especially on casualty figure of its members.

In the video, Shekau also displayed a military patrol vehicle purportedly seized by the militants and some captured and dead soldiers.

We have been dealing with the soldiers; we have killed most of their men, so the report by the media that we have been subdued by the military men is in-correct, they are only us-ing the press to fight us.

They cannot get us be-cause we are doing Allahs job and He is behind us, otherwise we would have been rounded up by now. We are fine and succeeding in our plans.

In another development,

Thursday, May 30, 2013National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 3

Photo News National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, May 30, 20134

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

The House of Rep-resentatives is set to invite the lead-ership of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Author-ity, NCAA, over the slow payment of compensa-tion to the victims of the ill-fated Dana air crash of June 3, 2012.

The Assembly said it was not satisfied with compensation paid so far by the airline.

The Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeo-cha disclosed this in La-gos yesterday.

Also, the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, may next week re-veal to the entire world, the primary cause of the crash, which killed 163 people, including all the passengers and crew members onboard and on the ground.

National Mirror learnt that the AIB is planning to hold a press briefing on Monday

to commemorate one year anniversary of the crash, which occurred at the Iju-Ishaga Area of Lagos.

Onyejeocha declared that the House would soon wade into the air-lines compensation with a view to addressing the issue.

She said that the com-mittee would invite NCAA to examine what has been done by the management of the air-line since the accident occurred.

She said: We need to invite NCAA and know how far they have gone. I read in the papers that only few families have been compensated and I felt very bad. I know that the National Assembly will wade into it, espe-cially the House of Rep-resentatives. We are ap-proaching June 3 and it is like a nightmare.

Hon. Onyejeocha not-ed that the only way to console the families of

the victims of the crash was for the authorities to perform their duties ac-cording to international best practises, adding that the accident could have been avoided if things were done rightly.

She explained that Nigerians have learnt lessons from the crash, maintaining that there are hopes for the indus-try.

The briefing by AIB is specifically to shed light on the primary cause of the crash.

The International Civil Aviation Organisa-tion, ICAO, recommends that the investigative State (AIB) should re-lease the final investi-gation in the shortest possible time, if pos-sible and if the investi-gation is not concluded within the 12 months period, the investigator is expected to brief the nation on the progress made so far.

Annex 13, section 6.6

of IACO on Aircraft Ac-cident and Incident In-vestigation, states that, The State conducting the investigation should release the Final Report in the shortest possible time and if possible, within 12 months of the date of the occurrence.

Commenting on the progress made so far, the Head, Public Affairs, AIB, Mr. Tunji Oketun-bi said that the bureau would tell the nation the progress it has made so far on the investigation of the ill-fated crash.

He was however si-lent on the speculations that the bureau would release to the public the primary cause of the ac-cident next Monday, but said the agency would comply with the ICAO recommendations on ac-cident investigations.

He explained that ICAO recommends that A State conducting investigations of acci-dents or incidents shall

address, when appropri-ate, any safety recom-mendations arising out of its investigations to the accident investiga-tion authorities of other State(s) concerned and when ICAO documents are involved, to ICAO.

He recalled that the loss of the data recorder of the aircraft, prompted AIB to explore other means of carrying out its investiga-tions on the cause of the accident, which he said led to the release of the preliminary cause of the accident.

He said: The en-gines of the aircraft were flown to the Unit-ed States of America, where they underwent teardown. I dont want to pre-empt what would be released to the public by next week. The loss of the two engines is unusual. So, a lot of re-searches are still ongo-ing on that.

It will be recalled that AIB had barely a month

after the accident said that the Flight Data Recorder, FDR, of the crashed aircraft melted, thereby making it dif-ficult for it to know the exact cause of the acci-dent.

According to AIB also said that the Cockpit Voice Recorder, CVR, was in good condition and retained only 31 minutes of audio infor-mation prior to the ac-cident.

It stated that both the CVR and FDR were analysed at the facilities of the National Trans-portation Safety Board (NTSB), Washington, D.C.

The Bureau said that future investigative ac-tivities would include the detailed examina-tion of the engines, fur-ther testing of fuel sam-ples, continued factual gathering of relevant historical, operational, maintenance and perfor-mance information of the aircraft in addition to other similar airplane models.

Dana air crash: House to invite NCAA over compensation

L-R: Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan; Chairman, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh; Rep-resentative of the 1st Lady, Sen Helen Esuene; Author, The Making of an Oracle, Mrs. Yemi Kolapo and Deputy Governor, CBN, Dr Tunde Lemo, during the public presentation of the book in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson; Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch; Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Governor Babatunde Fashola; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu I; wife of the Gov-ernor, Dame Abimbola and former Secretary to the Federal Government, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, at the official commissioning of the new Cable Bridge in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R : Ace Broadcaster, Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede; Guest Speaker/President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Director, Eagles Online, Michigan, USA, Dr. Samuel Koranteng-Pipim and Honorary Consul, Republic of Liberia, Chief (Dr) Opral Benson, at the Public Presentation of Woman of Substance Nigeria in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: ERC Primary School building donors, Pastor and Pastor (Mrs.) Agu Irukwu; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his wife, Florence during a visit to the governor in Ibadan yester-day.

National News

AIB may reveal cause of accident on Monday

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 5South WestThursday, May 30, 2013

TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

House of Represen-tatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has called on President Goodluck Jona-than and other leaders to be transparent while discharg-ing their duties.

He urged the leaders to build institutions that would enhance the provi-sion of good governance to the people.

Tambuwal spoke yes-terday through his Special

Adviser on Media Affairs, Mallam Imam Imam, at the Democracy Day celebration in Abuja.

Urging Nigerians to pro-tect the countrys democra-cy by participating actively in governance at local, state and federal levels, he said: One of the cardinal principles of democracy is openness and transparency. Therefore, those in author-ity must be open and trans-parent in the conduct of their activities at all times.

On his part, Tambuwals deputy, Hon. Emeka Ihe-

dioha, congratulated Nige-rians on their patience and resilience in preserving the countrys unity and integ-rity.

Ihedioha said: Citi-zens have continually been tasked to make sacrifices for the country and for be-ing so responsive and un-derstanding; they deserve commendation and encour-agement from leaders and those in authority.

He, however, urged the leaders to double up efforts in providing good gover-nance to the people.

Tambuwal to Jonathan: Be transparent

FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State yesterday at-tributed the achievements recorded by his administra-tion in the last two years to the support from the people and favour of God.

Amosun, who said this during a broadcast in which he gave the steward-ship of his administration, described the period as full of challenges.

He said the mercy of God and the peoples co-opera-tion facilitated his success.

Amosun, who said that he was particularly thrilled by the enthusiasm showed to his administration, stressed that the policies he adopted were meant to lay the solid foundation for the transformation of the state.

With specific reference

to education and health, the governor said the policies adopted in the two sectors were meant to build solid foundation for the produc-tion of the manpower need-ed for the socio-economic development and industri-alisation of the state.

He, however, promised that his administration would continue to com-plete all projects on time, adding that measures would be put in place to ameliorate the attendant inconveniences.

Amosun urged members of the public to take owner-ship and protect the proj-ects like they would do to their personal assets.

Giving a sectoral ac-count of his achievements, Amosun recalled that he had delivered on his prom-ise on free education, with the abolition of tuition fees and other levies in public

primary and secondary schools.

He added that his admin-istration allocated between 22 and 25 per cent of the states annual budget to ed-ucation in line with UNES-COs recommendation.

The governor said N3.2 billion was spent on the purchase of free textbooks, exercise books and other instructional materials distributed to all public pri-mary and secondary school pupils, while N5.44 billion was paid as monthly sub-vention to all state owned tertiary institutions from 2011 till date.

He said: The construc-tion of 15 of the proposed 28 model colleges across the 20 local government areas in the state is on-going and we want to ensure that they are ready to admit students in the next academic session beginning in September.

Peoples support behind my success Amosun

ALIUNA GODWIN EBONYI

Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi yester-day asked Nigerians to be mindful of the way they abuse President Goodluck Jonathan, describing such abuse as threat to democracy.

Elechi spoke while ad-dressing the people at the Democracy Day celebration held in Abakaliki, the state capital.

Speaking on The impera-tive of freedom in a Democ-racy, he said democracy did not grant Nigerians the free-dom to abuse those in power.

He said: It is regrettable that for some uninformed or uncharitable minds, free-dom has degenerated to licentiousness both in utter-

ance and in behaviour, lead-ing ultimately to substantial abuse of freedom.

The way the President is abused, forgetting the dig-nity of his office and what he means to the country, is a sad reminder that some of us do not either know the meaning of freedom or have forgotten the journey that brought us so far.

Public institutions and offices, in so far as they repre-sent the public will, deserve to be respected and, through constructive criticisms, be enabled to flourish. This is our permanent task as citi-zens of a freedom nation.

There is also a backward slide in the display of hones-ty as corruption is taking the centre stage in public life.

Elechi, however, advised

Nigerians to follow the foot-print of the nations forefa-thers.

He said: If, from a very harsh background and from challenging beginning, our forefathers laboured so hon-estly to bring us to where we are today, then we of the present generation has no excuse for a backward slide.

The governor told the people that he would soon conduct local government election.

Elechi said: As we brace up for the next local govern-ment election, coming up in a few months time, let our political gladiators know that this administration will go any length to ensure prevalence of peace borne out of the imperative of the peoples right to freedom.

Elechi asks Nigerians to stop abusing leaders

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net6 Thursday, May 30, 2013News

Mid-term report card: Jonathan lashes at critics

Subscribers shun Mobile Number Portability CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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Pupils of Mary Virginia Nursery/Primary School, Irebe, performing at the Democracy Day celebration in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

a number of factors. While some subscribers

said they were comfort-able with their carrying multiple Subscriber Iden-tity Modules, SIMs, around, others who wanted to port, said certain bottlenecks in the switching process was discouraging them.

These bottlenecks in-clude the 48 hours required for the porting process to complete; the 90 days lock-up time which a subscriber is subjected on a recipient

network after having port-ed from a donor network; and non-transferability of available airtime credit for voice and data on the donor network for use on the re-cipient network.

A trader on Lagos Island, Mr. Bamigbe Badmus, said the 90-day lock-out a sub-scriber is subjected to when he or she ports to a new net-work is a constraint, which Badmus spotted as deter-rent from porting.

Also, a trader at Ojodu area of Lagos, Miss Chris-

tiana Charles, believed that the two days processing for the porting service should also be reduced to a number of hours.

Two days is long a time to complete the process while the idea of going to an operators customer cen-tre all because you want to port from another number should also be made more flexible, she said.

Highlighting other fears subscribers have in taking up MNP service, a banker, Mrs. Nkem Okwudili, said:

It is said that MNP will give subscribers the power to port from one network to the other when they are not satisfied with the services rendered by their various networks, but what hap-pens now that all networks are poor?

However, a chemical analyst, Mr. Tajudeen Raji, said: Nigerians should recognise that if there is a mass exodus from one net-work perceived to have a poor quality of service to one with a perceived high

the achievement of the hu-man-capital related MDGs in the last two years.

On successes of the Ag-ricultural Transformation Agenda, the report indi-cated that at least 2.2 million jobs were created in 2012/early 2013 while 2.2 million MT of dried cassava chips were exported in 2012 which is 1.3 million MT ahead of the 2015 planned target. The report also added that in 2012 alone, eight million MT of ad-ditional food was added to the domestic food supply, indicat-ing about 70 per cent higher than the 20 million MT target by 2015.

According to the report, the manufacturing sector has also witnessed the complete development of a National Sugar Master Plan, NSMP, to provide roadmap for 100 per cent local production of sug-ar; development of NIRP with the focus on the entire value chain of sub-sectors where Nigeria has comparative and competitive advantage.

Other landmark achieve-ments of the administra-tion, according to the re-

port, are transformation of the Onne Oil and Gaz Free Zone with $6bn invested in the project where about 150 companies are operating and over 30,000 jobs creat-ed. It was also reported that various water projects were also completed to boost ag-ricultural and livestock production, provide potable water and increase capac-ity for hydro power gener-ating plants in the country.

Corroborating the Presi-dents position on the per-formance of the economy, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Min-ister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, explained that it is globally acknowl-edged that Nigerias econ-omy remained one of the fastest growing globally with 6.58 Gross Domestic Product, GDP, rate, add-ing that job creation drives are also yielding desired results, particularly the SURE-P component.

In his remarks, Vice-President Namadi Sambo urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of patriotism and commitment to build

a strong and united nation.According to him, all

hands must be on deck to make the country a better place.

Sambo said: We have ensured the effectiveness of the public service, pro-motion of fundamental hu-man rights and the rule of law, he added.

The Vice President noted that the Federal Government has laid solid foundation for the progress of the country, stressing that the present ad-ministration would ensure a nation that would meet the needs of the citizens.

In her own presentation, Okonjo-Iweala said the na-tions economy was doing very well, stressing that the country has started retir-ing its debt.

According to her, the policy of the administra-tion was to repay the na-tions debt on time instead of rolling over such debt to be paid at a later date

Our objective is to keep our debt at manageable level, especially domestic borrowing by both the Fed-eral Government and the

states, she added.Speaking on the avia-

tion sector, the minister disclosed that 22 airports are being refurbished at the same time while other fa-cilities are being upgraded.

In his welcome address, the Secretary to the Govern-ment of the Federation, Sen-ator Anyim Pius Anyim said the mid-term report was to enable the President render account of his stewardship

He noted that in the last two years, the government has been able to guarantee the rule of law and the integ-rity of state institutions that create the environment for physical structures to thrive.

Former President of Liberian Interim Govern-ment of National Unity, Prof. Amos Sawyer, urged Nigeria to implement poli-cies that reduce marginali-sation and increase equity as the nation prepares for its centenary celebration.

He noted that Nigeria must continue to uphold social justice and empower its citizens in order to en-sure the sustainability of democracy in the country.

four foreign nationals from the Middle East are being questioned by military au-thorities over the intercep-tion of large consignment of arms and ammunition in a mini-warehouse locat-ed in Bompai area of the Kano State capital.

The owners of the com-plex where the dangerous weapons were seized, sim-ply identified as a Lebanese, is also a guest of the military over the shock discovery.

As at the time of this re-port, the building on Gaya Road in Bompai was under heavy guard by military personnel.

Spokesman for the mili-tary Joint Task Force and 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, said journalists would be

briefed on the issue today, even as he declined com-ment on the incident which occurred on Tuesday.

You would get the de-tails tomorrow (Thursday). Because of the Democracy Day celebrations, we have decided to talk to you after the break, Iweha said.

Security was beefed up in Kano ahead of the cele-brations with increased ve-hicular patrols by the JTF and the police as part of the measures to sustain the relative peace in the city.

Some of the areas with increased security pres-ence include Kurna Asabe, where two persons were reportedly killed last Fri-day by unknown gunmen, Hotoro Mariri , Yankaba and Badawa, all suspected hideouts of gunmen.

Troops destroy terrorists anti-aircraft weapons

QoS, the former might im-prove as a result of reduced load while the latter might suffer due to increased load.

Another subscriber, Ayo-mide Oluwajuwon, howev-er, argued that the MNP did not appear as a service that many phone users would be willing to use because Ni-gerians already are used to carrying multiple SIM cards and also because the quality of service on the operators networks is still poor.

He said: I am somewhat sceptical over the success of the scheme, from the look of things. Customer loyalty would never have been an issue to a single network if networks are steady. As it is now, in as much as I look forward to porting my number, I dont see any net-work I am eager to port to. The network providers owe me and other subscribers a responsibility to make their networks steady. We cannot keep paying for nothing.

Expressing an optimistic view on the mobile num-ber portability, another subscriber, Chidi Ebenezer retorted: It should, indeed, be an exciting period for the consumers, because no operator will force subscribers to remain on a particular network against his/her wish but the infrastructural decay which is bedevilling the sector however worries us.

None of the four Global

System for Mobile Com-munications (GSM) opera-tors telecoms operators contacted yesterday were ready to disclose to Na-tional Mirror regarding porting activities on their respective networks.

I cannot disclose to you how many people have port-ed from or to our network. The MNP is still very early to begin to say it is not being taken up by Nigerians, said one of the officials of the GSM firms, who refused to be identified.

Also speaking with Na-tional Mirror on phone, AL-TON President, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, said: For new idea or innovation to dif-fuse, there must be aware-ness stage, interest stage, evaluation stage trial stage and adoption stage, stress-ing that the MNP was still at awareness stage.

Meanwhile, the NCCs spokesman, Mr. Tony Ojobo, had disclosed that 4, 000 ported within two days after launching mo-bile portability service, saying that the Commis-sion would soon get rel-evant data from the Inter-connect Clearing House Limited, a neutral umpire implementing the MNP re-quests.

The Commission said the data for the first month after MNP launch would be made public, which will show whether or not MNP is making impressive prog-ress.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 7Thursday, May 30, 2013

Senate Leader, 7th Assembly

It is often said that some people were born great while

some achieved greatness by dint of hardwork. However,

it is often rare to see a man with both qualities as most

often, men who were born great rode on the fortunes of

their parents to become great and they usually never

greater than their parents.

However, one great man who conveniently combines

the two attributes is Victor Ndoma-Egba, a lawyer of re-

pute and a versatile lawmaker.

Currently the Leader of the 7th Senate, Ndoma-Egba

holds two National honours, Officer of the Federal Re-

public (OFR) and Commander of the Niger (CON) and

in recognition of his contribution to the legal profes-

sion, he was elevated to the rank of the Senior Advocate

of Nigeria SAN in 2004. Consequently, he became the

only lawmaker to have been so honoured outside the le-

gal profession and the academia.

Born in Ikom, Cross River State on 8th March 1956,

his quest for knowledge saw him briefly at the Universi-

ty of Nigeria, Enugu Campus from where he proceeded

to the University of Lagos where he obtained the LL.B

(Hons) Degree in 1977, and was called to the Nigerian

Bar in 1978.

The 1978 set is famous for having produced the

highest number of Supreme Court Justices and Senior

Advocates of Nigeria.

Still not satisfied with being a degree holder alone,

even in those days when it was a great thing of pride

to be a University Graduate, the Distinguished Senator

proceeded to the University of Calabar and obtained

his LL.M.

He got various certificates from the Irish Develop-

ment Institute, Shannon Ireland, Stanford and Havard

Universities in the United States of America, and for

several years extensively practiced law in all the Supe-

rior Courts of record for.

Since a golden fish is said not to have any hiding place,

the senator was appointed Commissioner for Works and

Transport in Old Cross River State (Cross River and

Akwa Ibom States) at the prime age of 27!

In the Third Republic, he served as the Director of

Cross River Basin Development Authority and his con-

sistent ingenuity over the years has saw him chairing

the Boards of Companies in the private sector with in-

terests ranging from banking, construction and manu-

facturing.

In 2003, in recognition of his humane activities, the

people of Cross River Central Senatorial District elect-

ed him into the Senate. As stated earlier, just a year into

this position, he was elevated to the rank of Senior Ad-

vocate of Nigeria.

Again in recognition of his robust representation

of his constituency, he was re-elected to the Senate in

2007 and 2011 respectively. He became even more famous

with his appointment as the first Chairman of the Sen-

ate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the 5th

Senate.

As a member of the 6th Senate, his sterling leader-

ship qualities were recognized as he was appointed the

Deputy Senate Leader. Interesting, he is currently the

Senate Leader of the 7th Senate.

His versatility and dexterity in the art of lawmaking

has saw him facilitating or sponsoring over 22 bills in-

cluding the famous Freedom of Information Bill which

is now an Act and currently in operation.

Other prominent bills he sponsored include the Legal

Aid Council Act, Abolition of Discrimination Against

Women Act, Prison Act, River Basin Development Au-

thority Act, Chartered Auctioneers Registration Coun-

cil Act and Elimination of Violence in Society Act and

many others.

He is very widely travelled and was leader of the

Nigeria Delegation and member of the Association of

Senates, Shooras and Equivalent Councils in Africa

(ASSECAA). He is currently leader of the Nigerian del-

egation to and member of the Pan African Parliament,

Midrand, South Africa and was a delegate to the 50th

General Assembly of the United Nations.

A man of many parts, the Senate Leader is married

to Amaka and has three lovely children. He says in his

spare time, he reads, writes and plays lawn tennis.

Apart from holding several Chieftaincy titles and

awards, Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba is

a proud recipient of the Kwame Nkrumah Leadership

Prize.

VICTOR NDOMA-EGBA: A SENATOR PAR EXCELLENCE

Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN (OFR)

Akpabio pays tribute to martyrs of democracy

put the fear of the Al-mighty Allah in all ac-tivities for democracy to stand.

Meanwhile, a mem-ber of the Electoral Re-forms Committee, Fes-tus Okoye, yesterday charged politicians to do what is right as the era of military intervention is not over in the country.

Okoye said those poli-ticians that think that the military will never take over power again in the country will be surprised if they continued in their undemocratic ways.

have been able to move Abia out of darkness. It is an achievement. There was no democracy before now, it was just govern-ment of family by one family, we have stopped that and now we have democracy where con-sultation is done before things are concluded, Orji said.

The governor said that his administration has laid a good foundation for the development of the state, saying that be-fore now there was none.

appealed to the Federal Government to create job opportunities, revive collapsed industries and enhance the agricultural sector, among others to ameliorate the plight of the people.

The statement called on Muslim Umma to pray for the survival of democracy and the na-tions peace despite the challenges.

JNI said: We appealed to the executive, legisla-tive and judicial arms of government to always

church service held to mark this years Democ-racy Day anniversary in the state.

According to Gover-nor Orji, before his ad-ministration, what ob-tained in the state was government of one fam-ily by one family, say-ing that he has changed that to government of the people for the people by the people, which he said represents true de-mocracy.

We have moved Abia State nearer to God; we

WOLE ADEDEJIILORIN

Kwara State Gov-ernor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, yesterday urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by the current intimidating challenges threatening the countrys democracy.

He was optimistic that the challenges are tempo-rary setbacks that would make the countrys resil-ience stronger.

The governor spoke this in Ilorin, the state capital, at the occasion of the 2013 Democracy Day celebration and the second anniversary of his administration.

He said: As we look back at the last 14 years and re-flect on our current situa-tion, some may be discour-aged by the challenges that threaten to overshadow our democracy.

I wish to state with all

emphasis that our resil-ience is stronger. We will overcome these temporary setbacks.

As I speak, thousands are gathered across the country to hear their lead-ers extol the gains of de-mocracy. Some will recount their successes; others will focus on the challenges that currently confront us as a people.

Like us, some will choose to celebrate their strengths and look to the future with optimism. As someone who recognises the supremacy of the peo-ple in our democratic expe-rience, I choose to celebrate you, the good people of Kwara State for your unal-loyed support and for keep-ing the faith.

In that mode, I look for-ward with you to a brighter future. A future filled with peace, equity and prosper-ity for us all.

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

Chairman of the Caretaker Commit-tee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South-West, Chief Ishola Filani and two-time PDP governorship aspi-rant in Lagos State, Chief Owolabi Salis, yesterday appealed to Nigerians to rally round the present administration in its ef-forts at repositioning the country.

Speaking yesterday in Lagos during a Democra-cy Day road-show across the state, the duo said the day is worth celebrating,

considering that Nigeria has experienced uninter-rupted democratic gover-nance and institutions in the last 14 years. The road-show was organised by the Lagos State chapter of the PDP in conjunction with Owolabi Salis.

The party chieftains also urged Lagosians to consider PDP as an alter-native to the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the state by voting for PDP come 2015.

Filani said: Democracy means a situation where we are self-governing and that is what we are enjoy-ing now. So, it is worth celebrating. It is worth cel-

ebrating that democratic governance and institu-tions have been in place uninterrupted in the last 14 years.

Despite the security challenges that we face as a nation, the Goodluck Jonathan administration is on a sure but steady footing in laying the foun-dation for a better Nigeria.

Let us do away with the lack of continuity, consis-tency and commitment of the past and rally round the present administration in its efforts at reposition-ing the country, he said.

In his address, Salis commended Nigerians for making the countrys de-

mocracy to survive despite various crises across the country.

I give pass mark to our democracy so far in Nige-ria. The democracy day is worth celebrating, consid-ering how we have been able to survive in the last 14 years despite the vari-ous crises in the country.

This road-show is aimed at galvanising members of the party ahead of the 2015 elections in the state. Lagos PDP is on course. We are united and organised to offer a credible alternative to Lagosians as against the present misrule in the state, he said.

AZA MSUEKADUNA

An Islamic or-ganisation, the Jamaatu Nasril Islam, JNI, yesterday called on the Federal Government to, as a mat-ter of urgency, find a lasting solution to the current hardship being faced by Nigerians.

In a Democracy Day statement by the Chair-man of JNI Kaduna State chapter, Alhaji Ja-faru Makarfi, the body

GEORGE OPARAABIA

Abia State Gover-nor, Theodore Orji, yesterday enumerated the achieve-ment of his administra-tion in the last two years, saying that they have been able to bring the state out of darkness and led the people into real democracy.

The governor spoke yesterday at the Umua-hia Township Stadium in an interdenominational

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday paid tribute to Nigerians who were martyred in the course of enthroning de-mocracy in the country.

Akpabio, who was ad-dressing Akwa Ibom State citizens at Ibom Hall grounds, Uyo at the occa-sion marking the grand finale of this years De-mocracy Day, said such Nigerians include the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola, Alh-aji Shehu Musa YarAdua, Chief Alfred Rewane and journalists, among many

Challengesll make us stronger Ahmed

Nigerians should rally round this administration PDP chieftains

others.The governor recalled

that without these Nige-rians, who lost their lives during the struggle for democracy, the country would not today be enjoy-ing this system of govern-ment.

He continued: It is a common part of the worlds wisdom that life does not give you what you deserve, but what you de-mand. In the darkest days of dictatorship, we, a sad-dened people, placed a de-mand on life for democracy, and dared to hope that this country of ours can ring again with the harmonies of liberty, instead of the haunting drone of marshal music and military boots.

According to Governor

JNI tasks FG on poverty, lackWeve moved Abia out of darkness Orji

Akpabio; This invigorat-ing dawn of unbroken democracy, which 14th anniversary we celebrate today, therefore, bears elo-quent testimony that truth is resilient, that hope never fails and that mind is stron-ger than matter.

We have cause to cel-ebrate this freedom and

democracy because we have taken our destiny in our own hands and foisted upon ourselves the govern-ment of the people, for the people and by the people.

Stony was the road and agonising the path we took to democracy. It was a path which was watered by the blood, toil and tears of pa-

triots, and paved with bro-ken hopes and shattered dreams. Today, let us spare a thought for those who paid the supreme sacrifice in our march to democracy and let us spare a prayer for their families, the gov-ernor averred.

Akpabio submitted; We must also remember that

in marking this day, we are also marking six years of our administration of this state. Half a dozen years ago, we began an unlikely experiment in this state to find out whether God still rules in the affairs of man-kind, and whether His will can serve as a compass in the journey of a people.

Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, at the Democracy Day celebration in Ilorin, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, May 30, 20138 News

TORDUE SALEMABUJA

The Public Ac-count Committee of the House of Representatives is in-vestigating the Minis-try of Works for alleged abandonment of projects worth N200 billion across the country.

Besides, the ministry, according to the House committee, will answer queries on another allega-tion that N17 billion was paid to contractors for a job that was abandoned.

Chairman of the com-mittee, Hon. Solomon Ol-amilekan Adeola, made this known to journalists in Abuja when the offi-

cials of the ministry, led by the permanent secre-tary, Dr. A. K. Moham-med, appeared before the committee over the 28 queries raised against it by the office of the Au-ditor-General of the Fed-eration (AGF).

The committee said that it uncovered another over N17 billion reportedly paid

out to contractors as mobi-lization fee but later aban-doned the site, while anoth-er contractor, JMK Nigeria Limited, was accused of receiving about N2.2 bil-lion from the ministry as mobilization fees only for it to sub-let the same contract to another contractor.

The committee, howev-er, directed its secretary

Reps probe Works Ministry over N200bn abandoned projectsThe committee then

gave the ministry up till Tuesday next week to sub-mit relevant documents on the over N200 billion abandoned projects from 1999 to 2008 to assist it on the proposed investiga-tion while all engineers connected with the af-fected projects should be produced before the com-mittee unfailingly,

According to Hon Ade-ola, the relevant docu-ments include the list of the contracts, the list of the contractors, the contracts values, the amounts of money al-ready paid till date, the percentage of the jobs done, the dates the con-tracts were awarded and when they were aban-doned and the engineers involved, among others.

from Anambra State, have claimed ownership of the drugs. They also stated in their confessional state-ments that they were enticed by the monetary reward offered by their sponsors.

According to NDLEA, Okwuchukwu, who claimed to have lived in Monrovia for the past five years, said that he worked in a cinema in order to sus-tain himself and family.

He was quoted as say-ing: My problem began when I lost all my savings to the war in Sierra Leone. I have been living from hand to mouth. My situa-tion was bad that I agreed to smuggle the drugs for $2,000.

Obianwo has a wife and four children living in Lagos.

The other suspect, Oka-for, said that he lost $87,000 to fraudsters.

He said: I am an im-porter of baby clothes. My business was flourishing until I lost $87,000 to fraud-sters. In fact, I am yet to recover from that tragic incident that reduced me into a beggar. I was smug-gling the 2kg of cannabis for a fee of $1,400. It was carefully packaged, but unfortunately the officers detected it.

Reacting to the arrests, NDLEA Chairman, Ah-madu Giade, said that stiffer penalty is one of the effective strategies of drug control.

NDLEA arrests two over drug traffi cking at Lagos Airport

ISE-OLUWA IGEABUJA

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has flayed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for deliberately and reckless-ly disobeying its order.

The court had, on June 5, 2012, issued a perpetual order against INEC and Prof Jega barring them from further using trans-parent ballot boxes for election without the con-sent of the patent right owner.

The court also threw out the application brought by INEC and Jega to stay the execution of the 2012 judgement, say-ing they could not seek the indulgence of the court having flouted its positive orders

Justice Adamu Bello had, in the judgement de-livered on June 5, 2012, held among others, that the plaintiff, Bedding Holding Limited, owned valid and subsisting pat-ent rights over trans-parent ballot boxes and electronic collapsible transparent ballot boxes being used for elections in the country.

The judge voided the rights over similar inven-tions purportedly issued subsequently to three firms - Emchai Limited, Tambco United Nigeria Limited and Anowat Proj-ect and Resources Lim-ited - by the Registrar of Patent for being illegal.

Justice Bello also grant-ed an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and any other person from utilising or dealing with the patented boxes of the plaintiff ex-cept with the express and prior consent, license and authority of the plaintiff to that effect.

But after flouting the court order by conducting the last Edo State gover-norship election without seeking the consent of Beddings, INEC and Jega approached the court to stay the execution of the judgement.

Dismissing INEC and Jegas application, the judge held that the reliefs granted in the judgement were mainly declaratory and were incapable of be-ing stayed.

Justice Bello flayed INEC and Jega for acting in disregard of the courts order.

He frowned at the deci-sion of the electoral body

and its chairman to de-ploy the same ballot boxes for the governorship elec-tions held last year on July 10 in Edo State and on October 20 in Ondo State without the consent of the plaintiff and in disregard of the courts subsisting order made on June 5, 2012.

He held that it was funny that INEC and Jega would approach his court for an indulgence, having willingly disregarded and flouted its order.

Justice Bello said: The use of the ballot boxes has soiled the applicants hands. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. They cannot therefore seek the indul-gence of the court having flouted its orders.

The judge, however, granted an order stay-ing proceedings in the contempt case pending against INEC and its prin-cipal officers for using the ballot boxes without the patent rights owners con-sent.

The stay is to subsist pending the determina-tion of the appeal by INEC and Jega.

Justice Bello also dis-missed a similar applica-tion by Emchai for lack-ing in merit.

Ballot box dispute: Court fl ays Jega, INEC for disobedience Emchai had sought an

order setting aside the June 5, 2012 judgment on the ground that it was given in default of appear-ance.

It also sought the set-ting aside of the order of substituted service grant-ed the plaintiff.

Justice Bello held that the judgment was given on the merit because trial was conducted.

The judge also held that he exercised his discretionary powers in ordering substituted ser-vice of processes on the applicant, having been convinced by the evidence presented by the plaintiff.

He also refused to set aside the judgment, as prayed by Emchai, on the ground that setting aside the judgment would ren-der worthless the pending appeal by INEC and Jega.

L-R: Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; former President Shehu Shagari; former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, at the 2013 Democracy Day celebration in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

to write to the Corpo-rate Affairs Commission (CAC) to furnish it with necessary information about the JMK Nigeria Limited.

The chairman, who said the committee was not out to harass any con-tractor or the officials of the ministry, also alleged that the site and district engineers of the ministry connived with contrac-tors to swindle the Feder-al Government of several billions of naira on jobs not done over the years.

He said: It is time we started recommending the erring engineers for trial because they are the ones to see that all neces-sary things are done after which they will sign per-formance job certificates before money is paid.

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) yester-day at the Murtala Mo-hammed International Airport (MMIA) in La-gos arrested two men in connection with unlaw-ful exportation of nar-cotic drugs.

The first suspect was arrested with 3.700kg of narcotics hidden in a false bottom of luggage.

The drug, according to a statement by the Head, NDLEA Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, was detected during the outward clearance of Arik Air passengers to Monrovia.

The second suspect, If-eanyi Okafor, was arrest-ed with two kilogrammes of cannabis concealed in dried bitter leaf during the search of goods meant for export on board Qatar airline flight.

The statement reads: A 53-year-old Obianwo Josiah Okwuchukwu concealed 1.700kg of methamphetamine in his luggage on his way to Monrovia, Liberia, while Ifeanyi Okafor, 38, con-cealed 2kg of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis sativa in a bag containing dried bitter leaf meant for export to Doha, Qatar.

Both suspects, who are Jega

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Thursday, May 30, 2013 9News

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday tasked political leaders to adopt practical measures to ac-celerate effective utilisa-tion of human and natural resources for sustainable development in the coun-try.

Obasanjo gave the chal-lenge while speaking at the maiden Jigawa Economic and Investment Summit in Dutse, the state capital.

The summit was organ-ised by the state as part of the activities to mark the 2013 Democracy Day cel-ebration.

The major highlight of the summit was to encour-age investment on agricul-ture, information and com-munication technology

(ICT), solid minerals and small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

Obasanjo said that Ni-geria was endowed with abundant natural and human resources, which could be transformed to the social and economic ben-efit of the people.

Nigeria is a land of op-portunities and it is blessed with all it takes to develop, it has been stagnant for so long, it is about time to change these opportunities to actuality.

There is no reason why we should not do that, we must invest in education to save the larger population of the country or else our population will become a li-ability, he said.

The former president

said that for Nigeria to at-tain sustainable develop-ment, children must be trained, educated and be skilled in every sector to be self-reliant.

Obasanjo said it was nec-essary for the government at all levels to adopt proac-tive measures to translate the improvement recorded on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the well-being of the people.

He explained that such improvement could be translated to provide em-ployment opportunities, wealth creation and pover-ty reduction in the society.

According to him, a conducive and friendly business environment was necessary to attract invest-ment opportunities.

Obasanjo commended the state government for its developmental stride in education, describing it as vital tool for development.

In a speech, a member of British Parliament, Lord Boateng, said it was good for the African countries to address the problem of capacity building and poor policies to attract invest-ment.

The challenge is to build capacity and commu-nicate a message to move sentiment to strategy and turn dreams into reality, Boateng said.

He said that for African states to attain sustain-able development, they must invest in agricul-ture, education and infra-structure.

EZEKIEL TITUSBAUCHI

Tragedy was yes-terday recorded in Misau Local Govern-ment Area of Bauchi State as two people lost their lives when a fire incident destroyed 25 houses as a windstorm wrecked havoc on at least 150 houses in two separate incidents on de-mocracy day.

The incidents, which rendered many residents homeless with many in-jured, was said to have oc-curred in the early hours of yesterday.

It was learnt that the two incidents caused seri-ous stampede among the people who were desper-ate to escape from the fire

and windstorm even as residents now packed their belongings outside and in makeshift houses.

A victim of the fire in-cident, Mallam Dan Bau-chi Umar, lamented the destruction wrought by the incident, saying it was a strange fire never wit-nessed in the area since about 200 years of the com-munitys existence.

National Mirror was in the area and reports that most of the victims lost their belongings to the inci-dent and had been rendered homeless without an option of where to lay their heads.

In Gubdori, where two people died, it was the same story as about 150 houses were blown off by the wind-storm, including the only

primary school in the area with properties worth more than millions involved.

The Village Head, Mal-lam Jauro Idi, who spoke to journalists in tears, said several people were injured and are now receiving treat-ment in Misau General Hospital with a charge on government to intervene in the situation.

Jauro commended the proactive and bold mea-sures taken by the Caretak-er Committee Chairman of Misau Local Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri Za-dawa, for donating a colos-sal amount to resettles vic-tims in spite of the harsh economic problems faced by the council.

Speaking to the chair-man shortly after the in-

spection tour, Alhaji Ibra-him Waziri Zadawa, said the council received the news with shock and was greatly disturbed by the damages recorded during the two incidents.

I had to cut short my meeting with the deputy governor to inspect the areas affected by fire and windstorm to sympathise with the victims in line with Yugudas priority to ensure the safety of lives and prop-erty, Zadawa fumed.

The council boss added that the Isa Yuguda ad-ministration has been collaborating with the council to provide suc-cour to the people ravaged by national disasters with a donation of N0.7million to the victims.

ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has said that the state has the capacity to pilot the broadband proj-ect planned by the Federal Government.

The governor hinged his optimism on the set goals of the partnership between the state govern-ment and ipNX Limited on Information and Commu-nication Technology, ICT, which is in tandem with the Federal Governments plan.

Fayemi spoke yesterday while signing a Memoran-dum of Understanding, MoU, between the state and ipNX, a Nigeria-based ICT firm, to establish a mechanism to plan coop-erative maximisation of ICT potentials.

The partnership is tar-geted at bettering the lot of Ekiti State indigenes and improves governance in the state.

Fayemi said the gesture was borne out of the state

governments commit-ment to ensure that the state was ICT-driven in all spheres.

The governor described the MoU as a welcome opportunity that would bring about a new dawn on broadband and fibreop-tic operation in the state since it would benefit Ekiti State University as well as private business owners interested in ICT.

Fayemi, who said that ipNXs original limited engagement with the state government has now been transformed into a wider partnership, said the com-pany would be playing a critical role in helping government realise its ICT objectives.

He expressed optimism that the company was well-placed to do the work given its professionalism and commitment.

The governor said that his Special Adviser on Infrastructure and Pub-lic Utilities, Mr. Kayode Jegede, was a member of the Federal Government Committee on Broadband.

HAKEEM GBADAMOSIAKURE

Eight police officers from the Ondo State police command were injured in the protest that erupted in Ile Oluji, the headquarters of Ile-Oluji /Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of the state.

State Police Public Rela-tions Officer, PPRO, Wole Ogodo, who confirmed this, said some of the officers who sustained varying degree of injuries were taken to the Obafemi Awolowo Univer-sity Teaching Hospital in Ile Ife, where they were at-tended to.

He listed the injured offi-cers to include the divisional police officer in the town, but said no life was lost during the two-day protest carried out by youths of the town.

Ogodo, however, said that the state police command is on top of the situation, urg-ing law abiding citizens to go about their normal activities even as he promised to ar-rest any offender found to be disturbing the peace of the town.

Meanwhile, the state gov-

ernment has constituted a four-man Judicial Commis-sion of Inquiry to look into the crisis that erupted in the town on Monday. The com-mission was mandated to submit its findings within the next 14 days. The com-mission is headed by Hon. Justice Nelson Adeyanju.

The constitution of the panel was contained in a re-lease signed by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Rotimi Adelola, who said that the judicial com-mission of inquiry will look into the remote and immedi-ate causes of the disturbance that occurred in the town.

The commission was also saddled with the re-sponsibility of identifying those involved in the cri-sis and the extent of such person(s) involvement and recommend appropriate sanctions.

The SSG also said in the statement that the commission is empow-ered to make appropriate recommendations to gov-ernment on the subject of the terms of reference or any other matter connect-ed with the crisis.

Two die as fi re, windstorm destroy 175 houses

Ekiti can pilot FG broadband project Fayemi

Eight policemen injured in Ondo protest

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net10 Thursday, May 30, 2013 News

Obasanjo tasks leaders on social, economic development

Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, addressing members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during a road show in commem-oration of Democracy Day in Umuahia, yesterday.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 11Thursday, May 30, 2013 South West

Fashola eulogises YarAdua, inaugurates fi rst Cable Bridge

Ajimobi promises more infrastructure Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, yes-terday pledged to serve the state with renewed vigour in the remaining two years of his tenure.

Besides, the governor also promised to ensure infrastructural revolution that would further propel the socio-economic develop-ment of the state.

Governor Ajimobi gave the pledge yesterday during his state-wide broadcast to mark the second anniver-sary of his administration.

He said his achievements in the first half of his ten-

ure that had attracted wide applause notwithstanding, he would do more to ensure better life for the people of the state.

Specifically, Ajimobi said the remaining part of his tenure would see the con-struction of the 110-kilome-tre Ibadan Circular Road, which, he said, would serve as the epicenter of the de-velopment of the new Oyo State.

In the area of economic development, the governor

said he would pursue the development of a Cargo Airport to serve not only the state, but also other neigh-bouring states.

We shall also continue our programme of infra-structure development and a holistic transformation of our education, energy and health sectors, he said.

While admitting that the journey of the last two years had been eventful and that the road had been rough and tough, Governor Aji-

mobi, however, attributed his modest achievements to the grace of God and the support of the people of the state.

Two years down the lane, the governor said that peace and security, which were necessary conditions for development, had been ensured, thus changing the status of the state from one afflicted by violence, thug-gery and brigandage to one of the most peaceful states in the country.

Chief Imam languishes in Kirikiri over N5m bail

Ekiti 2014: PDP opts for consensus arrangement among aspirants

WALE IGBINTADE

The Chief Imam of Langbasa Central Mosque in Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Alhaji Aki-bu Alarape Adam, is still languishing in Kirikiri prisons seven days after he was granted bail by an Ig-bosere Magistrates Court.

The Imam and four oth-ers were arraigned before the Magistrate Court for allegedly damaging the fence of an estate belong-ing to Archbishop Felix Alaba Job.

National Mirror gath-ered that the Chief Imam is still in the prisons fol-lowing his inability to meet his bail conditions.

Alhaji Alarape along-side four others; Alhaji Oseni Falana, Chief Shamisudeen Elegbeleye and Tunde Ashafa, were alleged to have conspired together to destroy the fence of a 10 acres of land located at Langbasa Estate in Eti Osa Local Govern-ment Area of the state.

ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

Indications emerged yesterday that the Ekiti South Senato-rial District of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, is rooting for a consensus arrangement among its numerous gov-ernorship aspirants.

Sources within the party in the zone said the arrangement was targeted at streamlining the aspi-rants from the zone so that it would be able to produce the partys candidate for the governorship election billed for next year.

A source within the party told journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday that the party leadership in the district would soon sum-mon a meeting of the aspi-rants to unveil the process of streamlining the num-ber of aspirants.

It was gathered that among measures to use in pruning down the number was slamming a N10 mil-lion levy on the aspirants to determine their finan-cial competence, thereby eliminating pretenders among them.

A source close to the

PDP in the zone, who said the numerous aspirants from the zone was capable of weakening the emer-gence of one of them as candidate, said something urgent had to be done for the area not to lose out again.

According to the source; The recalcitrant posture of the contenders for the governorship candidates slot has compelled the zone to have a rethink to ensure that power shifts to the south this time around. Naturally, it is our turn, but we do not have to leave anything to chance.

PDP governorship as-pirants from other zones including former Gover-nor Ayodele Fayose; Sena-tor Ayo Arise; Dr Peter Obafemi; Otunba Davies Olaosebikan; former Special Assistant to for-mer President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mr. Bodunde Ad-eyanju and former House of Representatives mem-ber, Hon. Wale Aribisala, have consistently faulted the clamour for zoning as they said what the party needed was a strong candi-date who could defeat the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, candidate.

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi (2nd right), acknowledging greetings from a cross section of members of the Landlords and Tenants Associations in Ado-Ekiti shortly after a town hall meeting, on Tuesday.

MURITALA AYINLA

Lagos State Gover-nor, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday made history with the inauguration of the first cable bridge to link Lekki and Ikoyi axis of the state, giving special tribute to the late President, Alhaji Umar YarAdua, over his role in the execution of the project.

Fashola said two Federal Government buildings were affected by the construc-tion of the bridge which the late President ceded to the state government to ensure a speedy execution of the project.

He quoted the late Presi-dent as saying: Our party differences cannot stand in the way of our people.

Governor Fashola, who also listed the toll to be paid by all categories of motor-ists, banned commercial motorcycles, tricycles, also

known as Keke Napep, trail-ers and commercial buses, from plying the bridge.

Also prohibited from us-ing the bridge are heavy duty trucks and buses with more than 26-seat capacity.

On the amount to be paid by motorists plying the bridge, Governor Fashola said: Users will have to pay a toll each way as fol-lows; Class 1 saloon car, N250; mini-van, SUV and light pick-up van; N300; non-commercial bus with maximum seat of 26 per-sons; motorbike of 200CC capacity, N100.

The governor, who de-bunked the rumour that the delay in commissioning the bridge was due to litiga-tions involving it, described the rumour as a campaign of calumny orchestrated by mischief makers to cause disaffection among the peo-ple of the state.

He said: No court action or order has prevented us

from opening this bridge.The governor described

late President YarAdua as one the first set of people who worked so hard to ac-celerate the turning of the wheel of progress on the completion of the bridge.

He continued: He was in my view, the first build-er of this bridge. When the design of the bridge was completed and shown to me, it was obvious that four properties will have to give way at the Ikoyi end.

This was after we have amended the first design to reduce the number of the buildings that will have to be removed.

Fashola quoted the late President to have said: SGF, there is this bridge in conception by the Lagos State government. It will affect some properties over which we have a dispute with the state government in court, please without prejudice to the outcome of

the case, please release the two properties to them.

Our political difference cannot stand in the way of our peoples develop-ment. That was President YarAdua as a statesman not as a politician.

While expressing grati-tude to the late President and his family, Fashola commended Alhaji Yayale Ahmed for implementing the late Presidents decision on the properties removed and those who voluntarily removed their properties to pave way for the construc-tion of the bridge.

The governor said he had remained optimis-tic while his colleagues thought it might not be possible since the buildings belong to the Federal Gov-ernment which is controlled by another party.

This was the same Presi-dent who released our seized funds. When I showed him the design in his office in

Abuja, he simply picked up his intercom and invited Al-haji Yayale Ahmed to join in the meeting.

Meanwhile, state lawmak-ers yesterday said it is illegal to collect toll on the bridge until the bill on the plan is passed by the House and duly signed into law.

They also flayed the late presentation of the bill seek-ing to legalise the toll collec-tion.

The lawmakers, had on Tuesday, had a stormy ses-sion following heated de-bate over the planned toll collection. They argued that the state executive needed the endorsement of the House to introduce a toll system through due process.

They wondered why toll would be collected on the 1.358km bridge. They also pointed at the voluminous nature of the bill which needed time to study.

The bill, with the title: Concession Agreement for Electronic Tolling System, ETS, of the Lekki- Ikoyi Toll Bridge was moved through a motion by the Leader of the House, Hon. Ajibayo Ad-eyeye and seconded by Hon. Sultan Adeniji-Adele.

Bans Okada, Keke NAPEP, others

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netSouth East12 Thursday, May 30, 2013

NWABUEZE OKONKWOONITSHA

Anambra State Urban Development Board, ASUDEB, has de-molished a storey building on Udogu Street, Abubor Nnewichi, Nnewi, thereby rendering 15 occupants of the house homeless.

ASUDEB, according to a source, demolished the build-ing the occupants had left for the days work.

But officials of ASUDEB said the house was demol-

ished because it was an ille-gal structure.

The owner of the house, Chief Innocent Nwajidenze, a trader at Nkwo Nnewi mar-ket, told journalists yesterday that he came back home on that fateful day with his ap-prentices only to see his house had been demolished while his five children who had come back from school and his wife were hanging outside.

Nwajidenze said witness-es told him that a combined team of ASUDEB officials and policemen swooped on

the house when everybody had gone out.

He said: They pulled down the fence, knocked off the padlock at the gate before they gained entrance into the compound.

They broke open the walls of the house and gained access to the sitting and living rooms at the ground floor.

Property in the living room, including television sets and air-conditioners were destroyed and I did not see the money I kept in my house.

You are a pressman and you have seen for yourself how the whole place was dev-astated and ransacked. Are we under a military rule?

On whether he was noti-fied before the was demol-ished, Nwajidenze said: I was only invited by the Town Planning Authorities in Nnewi North Council Area not long ago, requesting me to come and register my build-ing which I agreed to do but pleaded with them to give me time to prepare for the regis-tration.

Anambra demolishes house, renders family of 15 homeless

CHRIS NJOKUOWERRI

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State yesterday defended his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Rotimi Amaechis victo-ry at the just concluded Nigerian Governors Fo-rum, NGF, election.

This is as the gover-nor called on the people of the South-East to em-brace the yet-to-be reg-istered All Progressive Congress, APC, to once again become relevant

in the country.Okorocha said con-

trary to the erroneous impression created by some governors opposed to Amaechis re-election as NGF chairman, the

Rivers State governor ac-tually won the election.

The governor, who stated this in Owerri, the state capital, said those opposing Amae-chis re-election as NGF

Amaechi won NGF election, says Okorocha

CHRIS NJOKUOWERRI

Imo State Government said it had concluded plans to set up a trust fund to cater for Ndigbo killed by Boko Haram in the North.

This is as the Igbo tra-ditional rulers in the Di-aspora yesterday accused a former chairman of the traditional rulers of being the architect of the crisis rocking the traditional in-stitution in the South-East.

Speaking during a cour-tesy visit to Imo State Gov-ernor, Rochas Okorocha, at the Government House, by the National President

of the Traditional Rulers in the Diaspora, the Eze Nwabueze Ohazuruike, Eze Npume II of Lagos State, said the self-acclaimed chairman of South-East Council of Traditional Rul-ers, in pursuit of selfish agenda, destabilised the unity of the Igbo living in other states of the federa-tion.

He said the unity of Ndig-bo in the country remained paramount and must not be jeopardised by a self-seeking and power drunk politician parading himself as a tradi-tional ruler.

According to him, Eze Ndigbo in the Diaspora re-mains an institution that

has continued to promote unity and welfare of Ndig-bo outside the South-East.

The monarch applauded Okorocha for his monu-mental achievements in the state, especially in the areas or infrastructural develop-ment and road construc-tion.

Ohazuruike described as unacceptable the constant killing of Ndigbo, espe-cially in the North and ap-pealed to Okorocha to reach out to the families whose loved ones were killed by Boko Haram.

He also commended the governor for the estab-lishment of Community Government Council in

the state and asked him to extend same to those in the Diaspora.

In his response, Okoro-cha urged Ndigbo and Ezes in the Diaspora to always ensure peaceful co-existence and unity in their host states.

He also disclosed plans by his administration to give them proper staff of of-fice to enable them operate and coordinate Igbo in the Diaspora effectively.

The governor promised to liaise with other gover-nors in the South-East to put up a trust fund to help those affected by the un-fortunate killings by Boko Haram.

NWABUEZE OKONKWOONITSHA

Electricity consum-ers in Onitsha, Anambra State, under the aegis of Fegge Community Youths As-sociation, FCYA, yester-day stormed the Ogbaru Business District of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, to pro-test unending perennial power problems and high billing system.

The protesters, led by their Patron, Hon. Sylves-ter Emeka Okafor, their President, Hon. Kenneth Aloka and Secretary, Hon. Uche Madubueze, were attended to by the Business Manager of the District, Engineer E. O. Anyalezu in his office.

In separate speeches, the leaders told Anyal-ezu that the entire Fegge community was discon-nected for the past one week for the peoples in-ability to clear the back-log of their arrears, just a day after the April bill was distributed to them by PHCN officials.

They also complained that other surrounding communities had been given the prepaid me-ters, while in their own case they were given es-timated bills of between N7,000 and N8,000 per an-alogue meter, in breach of the earlier agreement they reached with the district to pay a flat rate of N3,000 per meter, per month.

They promised to as-sist the district in collect-ing the revenues from the people, only if they their power lines were recon-nected and the N3,000 monthly flat rate per me-ter was maintained.

Responding, Anyalezu pledged to cooperate with the people, under the on-going promo by PHCN, provided they were ready to fulfil their own part of the obligation.

He said a situation where the consumers were owing PHCN a lot of money as backlog of unpaid bills would not augur well for the cor-porate existence of the company.

Boko Haram: Imo plans trust fund for victimsOnitsha residents protest PHCNs crazy bills

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, with Igbo traditional rulers in the Diaspora after the inauguration of the Movement for the Survival of Igbo People (MOSIP) in Owerri, recently.

chairman should adopt other strategies instead of peddling unfounded falsehood that there was no election.

He said: I cant imag-ine it in my life that any-body will come and say that we did not conduct an election.

There was a free and fair election and the win-ner of that election was Amaechi.

Okorocha condemned the alleged plot by the Presidency against Amaechi, because such development, according to him, portends danger for the countrys politics.

He described the NGF as a forum which should not be driven by party sentiments but a rally-ing point that should promote good gover-nance towards building a better nation.

Okorocha also assured Nigerians that APC would return Nigeria to the path of progress.

He said It is a clear fact that our dear coun-try under the rulership of the Peoples Democrat-

ic Party, PDP, for 14 years has not fared well.

The formation of APC is not only timely but an intervention that will balance the political equation in Nigeria.

The ruling PDP has no doubt taken all of us for granted for the 14 years it has governed Nigeria and that large-ly informed the reason why the progressives are presenting APC to Nigerians as an alterna-tive platform that will enthrone good gover-nance.

Okorocha took a swipe at the PDP for relegating the people of South-East to the background in the power equation of the country.

He said: It is regretta-ble that PDP has relegat-ed all of us in the South-East to the background.

It is true that Igbo man is not occupying any of the five principal positions in the country which includes the Pres-ident, vice-president, Senate president, Speak-er of the House of Repre-sentatives and National chairman of the party.

Asks Ndigbo to embrace APC to regain relevance

L-R: Chief of Staff to Delta State Governor, Dr. Festus Okubor; Commissioner for Works, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, during the commissioning of Government House Road to mark the 2013 Democracy Day in Asaba, yesterday.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 13Thursday, May 30, 2013

EMMA GBEMUDUYENAGOA

It was a black Democ-racy Day celebration in Bayelsa State yesterday as no fewer than 18 students died in a head-on collision between two 18-seater com-mercial buses.

The incident occurred at about 8:03pm on Amas-soma Road in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

The deceaseds bodies have been deposited at the Niger Delta Univer-sity Teaching Hospital in Okolobiri.

Over 11 injured occu-pants of the buses are cur-rently receiving medical treatments at a private hos-

HAKEEM GBADAMOSIAKURE

Former militants in Delta State yester-day issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government for the payment of their al-lowances, which they al-leged have been stopped since 2010.

They threatened to use violence to pursue their demand if the Federal Government failed to lis-ten to them.

The threat was con-tained in a communiqu made available to jour-nalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The communiqu was signed by their coordina-tor, Eric O. Ajagidi; secre-tary, Soroh Dorwei Travel and publicity secretary, Prince Degbe Jonah.

The former militants

claimed that after em-bracing the Federal Gov-ernments amnesty and undergoing non-violence training in Obubra in Cross River State and other trainings outside the country, their month-ly allowances had not been paid.

They said that they had been facing serious hardship and frustra-tions for the past three years over the unpaid allowance. The former militants claimed that all efforts to prevail on the government to pay the allowances failed to yield desired result.

They, however, alleged that the amnesty had been hijacked by those they described as un-scrupulous leaders by di-verting the money meant for the payment of the

allowance to their per-sonal purse.

According to the mili-tants, most of them were taken abroad for train-ing while others were trained in Nigeria and after the whole exercise, their monthly allowanc-es was stopped.

They said: We believe the money has been hi-jacked or cornered by some selfish and heartless lead-ers within our group.

They, however, threat-ened to use violence to achieve their demands if the government failed to listen to them.

The communiqu read: We agreed to sur-render our arms and ammunition because we wanted to be good and law-abiding citizens. We embraced the amnesty programme of the gov-

ernment. We expect that the government should always keep to its words and not unnecessary force us to accept am-nesty. If the government wants us to shun mili-tancy, it should keep to its promises.

We are disappointed that after the amnesty programme in which most of us were taken out of the country and other within the country, the federal government has refused to pay our al-lowances.

What does the gov-ernment expect us to do? How does it expect us to live? We are giving the federal government a 14-day ultimatum to pay all our outstanding allow-ances or else we will go back to the creeks and start blowing up oil pipe-lines.

The customs of seizing property belonging to de-ceased married men and subjecting their widows to practices such as shav-ing of the head and mak-ing them drink the water used to clean their late husbands, among others, have now become illegal and an offence in Akwa Ibom State.

The state govern-ment, in a bill passed by the House of Assembly and signed by Governor Godswill Akpabio, out-lawed the customs which maltreat widows after the deaths of their hus-bands. The law declared the practices as unlawful and inhuman.

In his Democracy Day speech yesterday, the

governor declared that it had become unlawful for widows to be maltreated in Akwa Ibom State, saying defaulters of the law would risk a pen-alty ranging from fines to three years imprison-ment.

While reacting on the law, Akpabios wife, Ekaette, commended the Assembly and the gover-nor for the pro-women law and described it as a breakthrough for women.

She said: I appreci-ate the House of Assem-bly and the governor for standing with the wom-enfolk through this law. Akwa Ibom State has, in the last five years, shown itself as pro-masses and pro-women govern-ment.

EMMA GBEMUDUYENAGOA

An advocacy group, Leader, Peace and Cultural Develop-ment Initiative, has con-demned the persistent kid-nappings and sea piracy on the waterways and creeks of Bayelsa State.

The groups national president, Reuben Wilson, who spoke with National Mirror yesterday in Yena-goa, shortly after a meeting of the body, said governors of Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ondo and Riv-ers states had initiated moves to tackle the menace and other violent crimes in their respective states.

Wilson asked security agencies to double their ef-forts so as to tackle the in-cidents of kidnappings and sea piracy in Bayelsa.

He said that former mili-tants were willing to offer

their knowledge of the creeks and waterways by complementing the efforts by the police and the Joint Military Task Force to tack-le the menace.

Wilson said: We com-mend the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, for the clear and focused display of zero tol-erance to crimes with the various youth empower-ment initiatives embarked upon by his administration in the last one year.

He, however, congratu-lated President Goodluck Jonathan and the six South-South governors on the 14th anniversary of the nations democracy cel-ebration.

Wilson said: The gov-ernors must sustain the ongoing efforts at ensuring a peaceful and proactive development plan in the South-South.

Governor Emman-uel Uduaghan of Delta State has warned that anybody who destroys any govern-ments project would be prosecuted.

Uduaghan gave the warning to ensure that gov-ernments projects are pro-tected and remain in good condition.

The governor, who inau-gurated different projects in Asaba and its environs as part of activities mark-ing this years Democracy Day, said it was a crime to

destroy projects executed by government.

He said anyone caught destroying or disrupting projects being executed by government would, hence-forth, be prosecuted.

The Democracy Day activities began in the state on Sunday with an inter-denomination-al church service at the Flock of Life Bible Church, Effurun and the finals of the first edition of the Governors Foot-ball Competition Cup for secondary schools.

18 students die in Bayelsa auto crash

Ex-militants threaten violence over unpaid allowance

Akwa Ibom outlaws maltreatment of widows

Group condemns persistent kidnappings, sea piracy

Well prosecute govt projects vandals Uduaghan

South South

Generator fume kills woman, four kids

Issue two weeks ultimatum

pital in Yenagoa, the state capital.

It was learnt that an ex-pectant mother was among the survivors of the crash.

An eyewitness, Mr. Inai-kozia Fumgbe, said the accident was caused by one of the 18-seater buses, which was on its way from Yenagoa to Amassoma, as the driver attempted to overtake another vehicle.

According to Fumgbe, the bus, which he claimed did not have functional headlamps, collided with an oncoming bus.

When our correspon-dent visited the scene of the crash, carcasses of the two buses were seen on the spot.

The buses were marked

Rivers KNM 141 SA and Rivers SP 269 KPR.

Governor Seriake Dick-son, who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admi-ral John Jonah (rtd.), at the 14th Democracy Day celebration in Yenagoa, assured residents that the blackout being experienced in the st