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Eagles Confident, As Nigeria Draw Argentina Again

THE Super Eagles were Friday at the luxurious Costa do Sauípe in Salvador, Brazil handed a group that contains perennial foes, Argentina in the 2014 World Cup draws conducted by FIFA’s Jerome Valcke. 

 Valcke was assisted by Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro, Alcides Ghiggia, Fernando Hierro, Sir Geoff Hurst, Mario Kempes, Lothar Matthaus and Zinedine Zidane, who were representing the eight World Cup winners.

  The 2014 World Cup would be the fourth Mundial that Nigeria will face Argentina in the opening round having met the South Americans at the USA 1994, Japan/Korea 2002 and South Africa 2010 editions of the Mundial.

  In all the three previous encounters, the Argentines had the upper hand a tricky combination of Maradona and Claudio Canniggia accounting for their 2-1 defeat of the Eagles, even after Samson Siasia had given the Eagles the lead in that game.

  At the Korea/Japan edition, a header by Gabriel Batistuta settled the game, while the Argies relied on a Gabriel Heinze header to win the game. And now, both teams will meet again in their last group game on June 25, 2014 at Porto Alegre.

 But the Eagles are not daunted by the presence of the South Africans once again in their group.

  Speaking after yesterday’s draw, the Eagles, who watched attentively to discover their opponents in the first round, agreed that they have a fair draw in Group F.

   The other teams in the group are Bosnia and Iran. 

  Nigeria will open its participation at the Mundial with a game in Curitiba against Iran on June 16 and travel to Cuiaba on June 21 for their game against Bosnia before the last game against Argentina.

  Super Eagles’ midfielder, Nnamdi Oduamadi, who rates Argentina as the only serious threat to Nigeria’s qualification for the second round, believes the game against Iran is the most crucial of the three group matches.   

  He said, “I am happy with this group and we are in the second round already as far as I am concerned. Argentina looks the toughest, but we are good enough to beat them.

  “the task is to beat Iran in the first game, get a good result against Bosnia before settling qualification with the Argentine game,” Odumadi said. 

    Efe Ambrose also believes that the draw is favourable, but he cautions the Eagles against complacency. 

    “This is a fair group. It won’t be an easy ride for us because every team in the group have chance to qualify, we will take all games with all seriousness needed,” he said.

   In the other groups of the competition, defending champions, Spain, will meet 2010 finalists the Netherlands in the so-called Group of Death.

  Spain, who defeated the Dutch 1-0 in the South Africa final, are also joined by Chile, world-ranked 15th, and Australia in Group B.

  England, the 1966 World Cup winners, also face a tough route to the second round of the Brazil World Cup next summer. 

  They were drawn with Uruguay, Costa Rica and Italy in Group D. The omens are not good. Uruguay defeated Brazil 2-1 in the 1950 World Cup final, the last time the tournament was staged in South America.    

  Five-time world champions Brazil, the host nation, have arguably the easiest draw, with Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon standing in their way of advancing to the knockout stage from Group A.

  Brazil v Croatia is the opening game of the June 12 to July 13 World Cup.

  Germany, who lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2010 World Cup semi-final, face Ronaldo’s Portugal, Ghana and USA in Group G.

  The draw not only revealed who will face who in the group stages of the 32-team tournament, but it also determined where the teams would play their games and how far they would have to travel from their training bases.

French troops kill fighters in fresh CAR's onslaught

FRENCH troops have killed several armed fighters in Central African Republic as Paris on Friday rolled out a United Nations-backed operation to restore security after a bloodbath that left dozens of bodies strewn across the capital.

The French army said its soldiers killed the armed men on Thursday in a dawn clash near the airport in the capital, Bangui.

"An armed pick-up opened fire three times in the direction of civilians and French troops. After the third time, we retaliated and destroyed the vehicle," a spokesman for the French general staff said.

On Friday, warplanes overflew Bangui, a day after at least 140 civilians were killed in the capital – many clubbed or hacked to death in violence that erupted amid international warnings that the country risked sectarian massacres.

 

The country has descended into chaos since a motley coalition of rebel fighters known as Seleka overthrew the government in March and installed their own chief, Michel Djotodia, as president  – the first Muslim leader of the majority Christian country.

 

It was the latest in a string of rebellions and coups in the impoverished, strife-torn country, where life expectancy is 49 years and the average income is less than $2 a day.

 

Reports from UN staff on the ground indicate the situation remains "very tense" in Bangui, with ongoing sectarian violence, said Adrian Edwards, a spokesman for UN refugee agency, UNHCR.

As Nigeria Prepares To Talk... The Germane Issues

 

CAN a nation possibly look forward without looking back? Is it not often said that “looking backward is looking forward”? It is also a truism that “the solution to every problem could be found in the source of that problem”. 

  One may be tempted to think that Kaufman had Nigeria in mind when he scripted “The Abomunist Manifesto” “which sought to outline a movement of semi serious protest against sacred cows and idols with feet of clay and heads of pure rock that may, if it attracts disciples rival Dada or Pataphysics”.

  There are about 14 items in the Abomunist Manifesto, but I chose to pick out only four in order not to bore the reader: Abomunists join nothing but their hands or legs or other same; in times of national peril, Abomunists stand ready to drink themselves to death for their country; Abomunists believe that the solution of problem of religious bigotry is to have a “Muslim” candidate for president and a “Protestant” candidate for Pope, “while the Catholics are on-lookers”; Abomunists’ children must be reared Abomunistly.

  Looking backwards some 61 odd years ago and precisely in 1952, one may begin to trace the source of some of Nigeria’s problems. Before 1952, otherwise known as “the good old days” it did not matter what native language you spoke, what food you ate or what marks you had on your face. Dress code was not restrictive rather all encompassing because nearly every Nigerian wore “Agbada, Danshiki or Baba Riga. The head gear was also not restrictive except for those signifying thrones, titles and religion.       

  At that time, to become a member of the House of Representatives, you had to first be elected a member of the Regional House of Assembly. This provision accorded the Regional House of Assembly pride of place and made it possible for most politicians to pay attention to grassroots people who in the first place are the purpose of democracy. At that political time the House of Assembly had a red carpet that separate the government of the day from the opposition and the Speakers Bench was at the centre; the party in government sat one side while the opposition sat over the other side and as at this time Lagos was part of Western Region.

  In 1952, there were elections to the Western House of Assembly, which included Lagos that was controlled by NCNC who had put up four candidates that included H.O. Davis, Adeleke Adedoyin, Olorunimbe and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. It was the defeat of Action Group in Lagos election by NCNC with its consequent control of Lagos by NCNC that seemed to be the genesis of what historical midgets fail to relate with. It is important to note here that NCNC was not an Igbo party. Indeed, it was founded by Herbert Macaulay, a true Yoruba. 

  It is also instructive to learn that in fact Awolowo was a member of NCNC who left the party to form Action Group. His leaving NCNC was not unconnected with his disapproval for Earnest Okoli’s leadership of Nigerian Youth Movement/Lagos Legislative Council as well as the direction of the constitutional debates during the colonial period particularly regarding the status of Lagos designated “no man’s land” as against his desired part of Western Region and not a colony. In fact it is worthy to note that Herbert Macaulay remains the only Nigerian that did not form an ethno-based Political Party. No body or group seem to have been able to emulate what Herbert Macaulay and his group did in August 1944 by weaving diverse organisations and nationalities together in founding NCNC. 

  It was pure political sagacity that saw close to 40 Unions, Associations and clubs come together to found the most formidable Political Party in Nigeria. These include Egbado Improvement Union, Ekiti Parapo Society, Edo National Union, Ila Patriotic Union, Igbanke Union, Ezii Welfare League, Bende Union, Council of Ijebu National Society, Yaba Estate Social Club, Bamenda Improvement Union, Akure Federal Union, Commercial Biz Leaque,  Ebute Butchers Union of Lagos, Calabar Improvement Leaque, Associated Press, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, National Democratic Party, Demobilised Soldiers Union, Lagos Market Women Union, Tailors Union of Nigeria, Nigerian Union of Students, Mbaise Union, Ahoada District Union, Enugu Divisional Union, West Africa Union of Seamen, Ekpoma Progress Union, Igbotako Progressive Society, Ijebu Igbo Patriotic Society, Iperu Improvement  Union, Youths Literary Improvement, Ishan Progressive Union, Council of Ijesha Societies, Farmers Committee of West Africa. Association of Master Tailors of Nigeria, Nigeria Reconstruction Group and Kwale Improvement Union.

  It is only fair also to note that Action Group (AG) was a transformation of Egbe Omo Odua while Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) transformed from Jam’Iyyar Mutanen Arewa which was a cross-fertilization of the old Baruwa Boys Alumni and Northern Teachers Association.  It also should be noted that out of the four candidates put up by NCNC, only one was of Igbo extraction while the rest were of the Yoruba extraction. This situation was not restricted to Lagos as NCNC had a very comfortable majority in the rest of Yoruba land and consequently in the western House of Assembly. Further to the provision of “must be a member of the House of Assembly before you can aspire for the House of Representatives” the constitution also had it that the leader of the party with the majority in the House would be the leader of the House and that when self government is achieved from the British, the leader would be designated PREMIER OF THE REGION.

  When the elections were concluded and NCNC enjoyed a comfortable majority in the Western House of Assembly with only ONE IGBO who represented Lagos, the leadership of Action Group would not have the election mandate. The real suspicion then was that even as it was only one Igbo that was elected, that his position in NCNC which he earned himself not as an Igbo but as a Nigerian, a freedom fighter, a pan Africanist and above all a detribalised Nigerian, the danger of the constitutional provisions would mean, that if allowed, an Igbo man would become the leader of the western House of Assembly and consequent upon that, one day an Igbo man would be the Premier of Western Nigeria. The Action Group leadership quickly mobilized the Ooni of Ife and several other Yoruba Obas who quickly bought into the provisions of the constitution as being dangerous for Western Region. 

  This message as true as it was hit home and hard too. The Yoruba members of NCNC came under very intense pressure and finally yielded to the vicious lobby to cross over to Action Group with a singular motive “To stop an Igbo man from becoming the premier.” The then winning NCNC on that fateful day being in the majority occupied the government side and the red carpet separated them from the losing Action Group. The Governor of Western Nigeria then was the Speaker/Chairman of the Western House. When the Governor took his seat, Chief Awolowo got up and said that he had an urgent matter to raise to forestall a situation that could lead to riots and anarchy which he said, many members of the House had decided to correct.

  Soon after that, one after the other, the NCNC members got up and said to the Governor “Your Excellency, I don’t want to be part of a situation where Yoruba land would be set on fire, so I am crossing over to the other side”. That was genesis of the infamous “CARPET CROSSING”.

  The first to walk across the Red Carpet were representatives from Ibadan led by Adisa Akinloye and followed by Adelabu, and Richard Akinjide. It must be noted that Mojeed Agbaje held to his democratic principles and refused to cross over. It should also be noted that all the people who came from Lagos with Azikiwe led by Adeleke Adedoyin crossed the Red Carpet.

  After the Carpet Crossing, the majority enjoyed by NCNC was reduced to a very poor minority and it was this situation that led to the “famous” cry as Okotie Eboh broke down in tears, crying uncontrollably.  It therefore was the introduction of this word “CARPET CROSSING” into the political lexicon of Nigerian politics that planted the seed of tribalism into Nigerian politics and has since grown in leaps and bounds from regionalism to tribalism, minoritism, statism, and these days, geo political zonism, religionism, cultism, separatism, and most recently terrorism, and politics of fear of domination.

TRIBALISM: 

Consequent to the already established carpet crossing was the dilemma faced by NCNC. It was the NCNC leadership that decided that it was no use for their party to allow Azikiwe to take up the leader of opposition in the Western House of Assembly. This decision was informed by the very poor minority that a previous very comfortable win had been reduced to. The NCNC in their wisdom decided that it was better for Azikiwe to go to the East where he came from to head the government of his own region. This decision by the leadership of NCNC was based on their understanding then that the politics of Nigeria had been reduced to a great absurd level of tribalism. 

 The same NCNC leadership in turn persuaded one of their members representing Onitsha to resign for Azikiwe to take his place at the House of Assembly of Eastern Nigeria. It was also decided by NCNC that Professor Eyo Ita, the then leader of Government Business in the Eastern House of Assembly, should resign for Azikiwe to assume that position. 

  This decision by NCNC leadership was resisted by Eyo Ita as he refused to resign. Eyo Ita was supported by Ubani Ekeoma, A.C. Nwapa and R. I. Uzoma all who were then Ministers at Enugu. When Azikiwe was pushed away from Ibadan, Yoruba land and eventually displaced Eyo Ita at Enugu, tribalism gained space in Nigerian politics. This regional politics as against national politics evidenced in 1952 reared Abomunistly in all pre-independence conferences, the falsification of 1952 census and false delineation of electoral constituencies.

  The 1959 federal elections perpetuated regionalism when the AG/UMBC scored a total of 1,992,364 votes that could earn them only 73 seats in the Federal House. The NPC scored 1,992,179 votes which are 185 votes less than the votes posted by AG/UMBC yet the NPC secured 142 seats at the Federal House, NCNC scored 2,594,577 votes and could only secure 94 seats at the Federal House why in 1959 did the British officer Sir James Robertson instruct Sir Belewa to form his Government even before the election was concluded.

  If not for the Abomunist Manifesto, one may want to ask, “Is Democracy about people or Land Mass?” How was Northern Laws adopted in the Amalgamation Proclamation? How come that the official gazette announcing amalgamation was published on December 27, 1913, during Christmas holidays, and within three days on January 1, 1914, when the amalgamation took effect, “A great Durbar of 30,000 horsemen was held on the great Kano Plain”. This Durbar was attended by Chief Moslem rulers from Sokoto to Chad to swear allegiance to his Majesty and to celebrate the amalgamation while the southern protectorate were yet to know what has hit them.

  How did the symbol of Ancient Fulbe find its way on modern Nigerian currencies? Why and what is the significance of returning the Attahiru flag captured by the British Force in 1903 back to the Sultan of Sokoto and in a ceremony in 1960. One may want to ask politicians like Femi Fani Kayode, looking at the 1959 election results, why AG and NCNC coalition could not have formed government? Is British parliamentary system with its attaining regionalism really an option when structural imbalances such as 40 Local Government Areas for Kano and 20 Local Government Areas for Lagos is manifest? 

 

Mandela To Be Buried On Dec 15 In Qunu

Jonathan Declares Three Days Of National Mourning

“DEATH is what we all know is  something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people, his country and the world, he can rest in peace. 

  “I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for eternity.”

  Those were the wishes of former South African President, Dr. Nelson Mandela in 1994. Mandela passed on at 8.50 p.m. Thursday, surrounded by his family and South African President Jacob Zuma.

   In the final years of his life, secret plans were made by the South African government, the military and his family, as they prepared for a befitting farewell for this great man.

  And it will climax on December 15 in Qunu, Eastern Cape Province, where his remains will be interred at a ceremony to be broadcast to millions of people across the world, and a very private farewell for those closest to him.

  In Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan has declared three days of national mourning for former South African President.

  According to Zuma, the 10 days of mourning would combine both Western traditions and those of the Thembu, Mandela’s native clan, although no formal public events were expected be held until five days after his death.

  Tomorrow has been declared a day of national prayers to reflect on the life and achievements of Madiba.

  There will be an official memorial service in his honour on December 10 at the FNB Stadium, also known as Soccer City in Soweto, to be attended by tens of thousands of people.

  FNB Stadium was where Mandela made his last public appearance during the 2010 World Cup final, amidst fears that he might be strong enough to show up due to his failing health.

   Between December 11 and 13, his body will lie in state for three days at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the seat of the South African government, where he was inaugurated as South Africa’s first post-apartheid black president on May 10, 1994. The first day has been reserved for dignitaries, while the public will be allowed to file past his casket on the remaining two days during daytime.

   Nine days after his death, a military aircraft will leave a Pretoria airbase and fly south to Mthatha, the main town in the Eastern Cape Province.

  Thembu elders and members of the Mandela family will make the journey with Mandela’s casket, with thousands of mourners expected to line the streets from Mthatha airport to watch as the military transports Mandela’s casket on a gun carriage to the remote village of Qunu, where the former leader spent his childhood years.

  Once at Mandela’s house, the military will formally pass responsibility for his remains to his family.

  The South African flag, to be draped over the coffin, will be replaced with a traditional Xhosa blanket, symbolising the return of one of their own.

  At dusk, African National Congress (ANC) leaders, local chiefs and Mandela’s family are expected to gather for a private vigil before a very public funeral the next day.

  The funeral and burial will be on the grounds of Mandela’s Qunu home, where thousands of people, including dozens of heads of state, will gather for the state funeral under a large tent nestled in the hills where Mandela ran and played as a child. The ceremony will be broadcast to millions of people around the world.

  At midday, when the summer sun is high in the sky, his remains will be laid to rest into the rocky soil of his homeland, specially built for him and where some of his long deceased family members are already interred.  The interment will be witnessed by only a few hundred close family members in what is traditionally regarded as a customary home-coming.

  The site is surrounded by rocky outcrops, hardy grass used for the grazing cattle and bright orange aloe plants.

   A statement issued by President Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati in Abuja said flags are to be flown at half mast across Nigeria during the period.

  The President urged all Nigerians to unite in solidarity with the brotherly people of South Africa as they mourn “the great liberator, freedom fighter and hero of the black race.”

  Jonathan also called for special prayers in mosques and churches in Nigeria during the period, which began yesterday, for the peaceful repose of Mandela’s soul.

  The statement added that a special inter-denominational memorial service for Mandela would be held at the State House Chapel Sunday.

U.S. firm stakes $130m on Edo’s power project

 

American Capital Energy and Infrastructure (ACEI) have expressed commitment to invest $130 million in Azura Power Holdings Limited, the company responsible for developing the Azura-Edo power project in Edo State.

 The company said in a media statement that with a goal of becoming the leading power development company in West Africa, Azura will utilize ACEI’s investment to fund the first and second phases of the Azura-Edo power project, pursue its Greenfield development pipeline and future acquisitions, expand its team, and grow its construction and operational capabilities.   

  It stated: “The Azura-Edo power project is a proposed 450MW open cycle gas turbine power station being developed near Benin City in Edo State and represents the first phase of a 1,000MW power plant facility.  Azura and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc signed a groundbreaking power purchase agreement on April 22, 2013, which is being used as a template for other project-financed independent power producers in the country.  

  “The transaction has been showcased by President Goodluck Jonathan as critical to the Nigerian power sector reform process. The first phase of the plant, which is targeted to reach financial close in early 2014 and come on stream in 2016/2017, is forecast to create over 1,000 jobs during its construction and operation. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the industrial and social wellbeing of the area, leading to further economic development and job creation”.  

  The Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of ACEI, Paul Hanrahan, stated: “We are extremely pleased to announce our investment in Azura, a good example of the type of investment in high growth platforms in the energy infrastructure space that we are targeting. Our investment is in recognition of the significant progress made by the Azura co-founders on the first phase of the Azura-Edo power project, the growth opportunities in the Nigerian and West African markets, and our confidence in the Federal Government of Nigeria’s power sector reform program.

“In line with our Power Africa efforts, ACEI is investing in the leading independent power producer platform in this key African market,” said Lisa Pinsley, ACEI Director of Africa Investments.  

“Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with one of the highest growth rates in the world.  With a current population of over 170 million, the seventh largest in the world, Nigeria’s expanding economy suffers from a lack of power infrastructure.  The United Nations estimates that Nigeria’s population will reach 230 million within the next 20 years, and the total grid-based power generation capacity must rise tenfold to 40,000MW to meet the demand. Azura is, and will continue to be, a key driver in this growth in capacity.”

 The co-founder of Amaya Capital Partners, the lead sponsors of Azura, Sundeep Bahanda, and Managing Director of Azura, Dr. David Ladipo,  said in a joint statement that ACEI’s investment will exert a transformative impact on our business and accelerate Azura’s drive to create a flagship, multi-asset, power generation company. 

  They said that the development of Nigeria’s electricity supply industry is a vast undertaking that requires a long term commitment from all parties.  “Together with ACEI, the Federal Government of Nigeria, state governments and our partners and advisers, we are committed to the creation of an indigenous world class business that will provide electricity to the people of Nigeria and, in so doing, will boost the country’s industrial growth, its job creation and its social welfare."

 

Nelson Mandela Dies, President Confirms

 

 

Nelson Mandela has died, South African President Jacob Zuma has confirmed.

Mr Zuma said "the nation has lost its greatest son", adding "he is now resting. He is now at peace."

He died surrounded by his family at his Johannesburg home at 8.50pm local time.

Mr Mandela, who was 95, will get a state funeral and national flags will be lowered to half mast, said Mr Zuma.

He had been receiving medical treatment for the last three years and for the last six months has been critically ill.

The anti-apartheid icon served as South Africa's first black president from 1994 to 1999, after spending 27 years in the notorious Robben Island prison.

Madiba - as he was affectionately known by many in South Africa - was released in 1990 and went on to guide his country to democracy.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "A great light has gone out in the world.

"Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time. I've asked for the flag at No10 to be flown at half mast."

US President Barack Obama said Mr Mandela had achieved "more than can be expected of any man" and that his journey from prisoner to president had inspired the world.

Amid protests from Rivers, Senate confirms new NDDC board

Senate yesterday brushed aside protests from two members to confirm the appointment of a new board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), led by Senator Bassey-Ewa-Henshaw (Cross River) as chairman.

Also on the board of the NDDC are Bassey Dan-Abia, Managing Director (Akwa Ibom); Itotenaan Henry Ogiri, Executive Director, Finance and Admin (Rivers); Tuoyo Omatsulu, Executive Director, Projects (Delta); Ball Turofade Oyarede state representative (Bayelsa) and Chief Ephraim Sobere Etete, state representative (Rivers).

Others are Etim Inyang Jnr. (Akwa Ibom), Adah Paul Andeshi  (Cross River), Sir Tom Amioku (Delta), Samuel Okezie Nwogu (Abia), Uchegbu Chidiebere Kyrian (Imo), Major General Suleiman B. Said,  Niger State, representing North-Central and Alhaji Abdulmalik Mahmud (Bauchi) representing North-East.

The confirmation came amid serious objections to the nomination of Itotenaan Henry Ogiri for the position of the Executive Director,  Finance and Administration as well as Ephraim Sobere Etete, as representative of Rivers State in the commission from Senators Magnus Abe and Wilson Ake.

The two senators contended that the slot, being that of Rivers State by right, the state should have been consulted on the nominations. Senator Abe formally wrote to register his objection but the chairman of the committee said he did not receive the correspondence.

Shortly after the chairman of the Committee on Niger Delta, Senator James Manager concluded his presentation and asked the Senate to confirm the nominees, Senator Ake quickly rose to protest the nomination.

 

Brazil 2014: Our fears for Super Eagles

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed concern over the preparation of the Super Eagles for the Brazil 2014 World Cup, lamenting that there is only one FIFA free window in March next year before the tournament.

Speaking to Daily Sunsports in his office in Abuja on the programme for the tournament, the General Secretary of the federation, Mr. Musa Amadu revealed that the Nigerian contingent to Brazil for the World cup draw would finalise the countries for the Eagles friendly.

Asked the programmes for the World Cup, Barrister Amadu said: “First, we have to understand that there are very limited matches that we can play before the commencement of the World Cup tournament. In fact, the only FIFA free window before the World Cup is in March 5 next year.

“The Nigerian representatives in the draw today will be able to pinpoint a particular country among those that qualified for the World Cup that we can play. We really want to have a feeling of what to face when the hostility starts in Brazil.

“Because of the league in Europe, the only release date for the national players would be from May 16 to camp until June 10. It is a window period of about 24 days that all the national team players have to train for the tournament, but the good thing is that by and large, it is going to be the same thing with all the 31 national teams.

“Of course, our home-based Eagles would be in South Africa for CHAN and about four or five of them may likely make the boys going into the final training camp before the selection of the final team for the World Cup. It is going to be a level playing ground for everybody and I don’t think any team will have any advantage over the other because of the choked international programme,” he noted.

 

The Nigeria Goverment approves $1.354bn for Lekki deep sea port

The Federal Government of Nigeria  has approved about N200 billion ($1.354 billion) for the construction of the Lekki deep sea port in Lagos State, South-West Nigeria.

The was announced made on Wednesday by the Minister,for Information Labaran Maku, while briefing the press at the end of the weekly meeting of the Executive Council of the Federation (FEC) presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

Maku said the port, expected to be completed in about four years, will put an end to the present congestions at the various ports in the country, including the Apapa port complex. He said the sea port, which would be the first in Nigeria, has been in the pipeline for several years after receiving anticipatory approval about ten years ago.

“The current administration, seeing the huge benefit of the project, had taken over the project to be executed under a PPP arrangement, while Federal Government also renegotiated the concessionary period in favour of Nigeria from 50 down to 45 years,” Maku said.

The funding for the project is to be provided by the Federal Government, state government, and private investors.

The Federal Government is expected to contribute 20 per cent equity; Lagos State Government, 18.5 per cent; while the private investors are to contribute 61.85 per cent.

The port is designed to handle the largest vessels in the world and is expected to cover an area of 90 hectares with room for expansion and 6 KM in length which will be dredged by the contractors.

Maku said the port is designed to handle 4 million tonnes of cargo. He said the width of the chanel leading to the port is put at 200 meters to be dredged to a depth of 17.5 meters, with a width of 300 meters making it the deepest in the West Africa.

The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, is also expected to garner over $9.3 billion made up of $2.6 billion from marines services and royalty and $6.7 billion from share of profits from the investments, over the 45 years.

Seme Customs record monumental seizure of artefacts

The Seme Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) recently intercepted 18 artefacts at the border between Nigeria and Benin Republic. Nigeria’s extreme south-western frontier is popularly, though erroneously, called Seme and that land borders Krake, the Beninese south-eastern fringes.
Apparently, the artefacts were about to be exported but the customs aborted the alleged illegal trafficking, as the objects’ trans-border freighting were not backed by relevant documents. Although contemporary artefacts may be taken outside Nigeria, provided such export is backed by an Export Permit, it is illegal to trade in antique objects.
If the seized objects, all metallic, which have since been transferred to Government Warehouse, Seme, are not priceless antique pieces, then they must be excellent imitations. Some of the items’ style hint at ancient Bini art.
From privileged preview by Travels, the artefacts, many of them very heavy, appear to be precious shrine/palace objects. The seized artefacts include a pair of leopards, a huge python, a bare-breasted maiden on her knees, bearing a present of kolanuts, a Portuguese soldier and an intricately crafted gong.
From Seme Customs’ PRO, Ernest Ollotah, Travels gathered that the items were intercepted on October 3, this year. Mr. Ollotah, a Superintendent of Customs, added that one suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure. However, he could not confirm whether the suspect had been arraigned in court or released.
According to a Chief Superintendent of Customs, Mr. A. Odediran, who is Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Government Warehouse at Seme, the haul is the first since he assumed duty as OC Warehouse, more than a year ago. As at Travels’ latest visit to Seme, on Friday, November 22, the artefacts were still in the custody of Seme Customs.
Before our departure from that frontier post, Lagos Museum Curator, Mrs. Edith Ekunke, could not be reached, despite dialling the lady’s number numerous times. Fortunately, we were able to contact the Director of Research, Planning and Publications at the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Dr Musa Seyi Hambolu; who assured that he would get in touch with Lagos Museum curator with a view to collecting the seized objects.
According to Seme Customs Area Controller (CAC), Othman Abdu Saleh, “the artefacts, which were detected and seized during an intensive search operation based on intelligence, is valued internationally at about $16,870 (over N2 million)”.
Meanwhile, Comptroller Saleh, recently declared that the local Customs Area Command “has intensified its anti-smuggling patrol to further prevent acts of smuggling this Yuletide period, when import and transit activities within the land frontier are expected to be on the rise”.
To facilitate his enhanced anti-smuggling drive the CAC has not only directed total deployment of all patrol vehicles, logistics and personnel; he has also ordered the cancellation of all passes and permits for absence to every personnel of the command.
Saleh said these were necessary because “the command could not afford to disappoint the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as Comptroller General of Customs, Dr Abdullahi Dikko Inde, who is committed to the realisation of the full potentials of the service”.
Saleh again: “The CGC has also reiterated the Customs Service Managements’ zero-tolerance to smuggling to all officers and men of the command, while urging them to strictly keep to duty shifts’ roster to ensure round-the-clock full presence of the command’s personnel”.
Saleh said this, while addressing senior officers of the command recently. He also emphasised the need to discharge customs duties at the border without compromise, even as he urged personnel “to rededicate themselves to the national goal”. Aside from the record artefact seizures, Seme Customs also aborted illegal importation of other items, including vehicles, textile, rice, vegetable oil, second-hand clothes, shoes and bags; according to Saleh.
Seme’s proximity to the commercial city of Lagos, “being the busiest border in West Africa and a hub in the Trans West African trade, places a great challenge on customs’ personnel serving at this frontier post. However, challenges are meant to be surmounted and we are professionally prepared” to contain every challenge, Saleh vowed.
Speaking further, Saleh remarked: “We must not be taken unawares at our duty posts either at this period or at any other time as management expects us to be very much at alert. We are expected, at all times, to discharge our duties with utmost vigilance and uncompromising tenacity”.
Concluding, Saleh enthusiastically remarked: “We wish to express our appreciation for the solidarity, co-operation and support from other security agencies in the Seme/Badagry axis. Worthy of note is the invaluable support received from officers and men of the Nigerian Army (242 Reece Battalion), Ibereko and 15 Field Engineer Regiment, Topo; the Nigeria Police (Seme Division); the Department of State Service (DSS); the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security organs”.

…Coal reserves can generate power for 30 years

 The Nigeria Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has commended the contributions of donor agencies in the ongoing privatisation of the sector.
He noted that the exercise would have experienced more hiccups but for the expertise, foresight and doggedness of these partners.
The minister spoke when the Donor Coordinating Group, led by the UNIDO Representative, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, paid him visit.
He described as critical the advice and support provided to all the arms of the power sector – regulatory, policy, executive, and technical to ensure a seamless privatisation.
When he received the Zuma Energy Group, led by its chairman, Dr. Innocent Ezuma, the minister said the quantum of coal deposit in the country was large enough to provide the nation with electricity for 20 – 30 years, with reserves unproven in the same region.
“Coal to Power initiative when fully explored will increase power generation capacity, thereby assisting the country to overcome persistent poor power supply as presently experienced.
As a pioneer in coal to power, the Minister commended Zuma Energy’s consistence in the pursuance of the coal project, while assuring that government will put in place a suitable framework for the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) as well as a Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) to ensure that, off-takers buy all the power generated from the company’s plant.
The Minister, who expressed optimism that the coal-power project would be a success, also disclosed that the African Development Bank (AfBD) had already indicated interest in the provision of Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) for coal to power project in the country.
Chairman of Zuma Energy, Ezuma assured that the company looks forward to a joint collaboration with the government for coal-power development with the hope of ensuring energy security for the country.
He briefed the minister on the project structure that is in three phases of exploration, mining and power development. He presented a proposal to the minister on Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the Zuma Energy and the Federal Ministry of Power.
Nebo disclosed that government had achieved 90% success in the payment of workers’ severance packages and pension and 40,093 workers have already received their pay with an additional 5,000 needing to be revalidated. The intention of the government, Nebo vowed government cannot helplessly watch unpatriotic individuals derail the process in transition, but will rather do all within its power to ensure that the objective of privatization is sustained.
The UNIDO Representative, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, said that the group which has the Minster of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo as chairman, is focused on providing support for the sector.

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Again Jonathan appeals to ASUU to end strike

For the umpteenth time, President Goodluck Jonathan has called on the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)  to sheathe their sword by calling off the strike and partner with the Federal Government to build a sustainable and effective educational system.
He made the call yesterday in Abuja at the occasion to mark the 50 years of existence of the Nigerian Law School.
Jonathan, who was represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, stated that the work of building quality lawyers rested on the nation’s universities.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar called on  the Federal Government to invest in legal education to have virile and crime free society

Ex-Eagles star, lloenyosi’s dad kidnapped

Just when many Nigerians seem to have relaxed and forgotten the tortuous experience of the kidnapp of John Mikel Obi’s father, another player has fallen victim. This time, the case of kidnap is that of former Nigerian central defender, Chikelue lloenyosi’s dad, Chief James Chikelue lloenyosi who is reported to have been kidnapped on Monday at his country home, Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The 83-year old man was picked up by armed men in a Toyota Camry car around 8.30am just two poles to the house on his way back from the Catholic morning mass service.
lloenyosi said the family has established contact with the dad’s kidnappers who have put forward a whopping N50 million price tag as a precondition for his release.
“My dad was picked up by men suspected to be kidnappers on Monday around 8.30am just two buildings away from his house on his way back from morning mass.
“The armed men came in a Toyota Camry car and scared neighbours who came out en masse to rescue my dad with ferocious gun shots.
“We’ve established contact with the kidnappers and even spoke with our dad who appeared unhurt as at the moment but passionately pleaded with us to act quick before something unsavoury happens to him.
“The kidnappers have tabled a staggering N50 million price tag for his release.
“We’ve appealed to them to come down on their demand but they’re unyielding insisting that we must cough out the sum if we wish to see our dad alive.
“We’re continuing with the appeal believing that something will touch their hearts to come up with an amount we could afford to get our dad released.
“My dad is not a politician as these men pounce on anybody that catches their fancy. We pray they’ll have a change of heart as we don’t have that kind of money they’re asking,” lamented the former Enugu Rangers man to supersport.com.

Social media will boost SMEs in Nigeria’

By OLABISI OLALEY
In order for the Small and Medium Enterprises to rise above waters, it must leverage on the social media, which is fast enveloping the  world like a wild fire as well as anchoring on other key factors, to get to the next level.
Other factors  include hiring a qualified accountant, being diligence, overall presentation, trust, honesty and neatness.
These and many were some of the presentations from notable speakers at oneday conference organized in Lagos by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA),the umbrella body for accountants for Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs) recently.
Tagged:  ‘Access to Finance for SMEs’ , the newly elected Chairperson of Women in Business(WIMBIZ),Mrs. Osayi Alile –Oruene,  explained that businesses these days need to leverage more on social media to get fresh ideas that will not only boost the business but inject sustainability.
She noted that Twitter, Face book, Instagram, LinkedIn, MySpace among others are powerful tools accessed globally by millions of people. These social media needs to be harnessed for a healthy growth in place. Aside visibility, it helps to send the right to anyone looking for such businesses to work with online and such will give mileage to the business.
ACCA’s Country Manager, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ademola, added that confidence, charisma and intelligence in business are parts of the overall success of any SME in the country. As such, business owners should exude confidence in public places, be able to dress properly to fit the occasion and  able to tap into the internet world in order to have first hand information on almost anything.
Speaking earlier, ACCA’s President, Martin Turner, explained that hiring the services of professional accountants is a strategic way of achieving business growth and sustainability.
“You are business people, and with accountants to support and advise you, you can flourish even more. You’re the experts in business, accountants are experts in finance. The two have a very close relationship, one that is very successful when used to its full extent.”
He noted that the SMEs sector  has been recognised as the driving force in helping to return the economy back to health since the big corporate companies have become victims of the global financial crisis, you have come through, and thrived, in the face of adversity. But that it has not all been plain-sailing for you, due mainly to the tax challenges you face in this country as small and medium-sized businesses.
“Starting up any business, and ensuring it runs smoothly thereafter, is a financial challenge in any scenario.  The taxation of investing in SMEs here, as well as the actual day-to-day running of things, is making it more difficult for you to help the economy. There are reasons for the tax regulations, as I am sure you are aware of taxation of small businesses have been implemented to regulate and ensure reputability in these testing times. The costs of these taxes are, of course, an extra strain on SMEs, particularly at the teething stage. This is where accountants come into play,” he said.
Turner, who stated that Nigeria and China are two major countries regarded as rapidly growing markets, said the SMEs, which are supposed to be the driver of the economic boom are faced with the challenge of taxation, competition and access to finance.
He said the body had urged governments to take greater policy action to help SMEs access finance at its Global Forum for SMEs, which is one of 10 forums that look at the challenges and opportunities for the accountancy profession. Adding that the ACCA’s recommendation that was in a publication entitled:  ‘Access to Finance for SMEs: A Global Agenda’ was issued in time for a meeting of the G20 earlier this year with the hope that it will help to positively influence the ongoing debate about the best way forward.
Turner said that ACCA, as a global body for finance professionals, trains its students to become accountants for business, ready for any task that may be thrown at them, increasingly tasks that are not traditionally within their remits.
The ACCA’s president noted that the implementation of an International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) for SMEs in Nigeria last year is helping to meet the business needs as well as identifying their core strengths.
“But we at ACCA know you need more. Not just from the government, but from finance professionals, such as those from the organisation I represent. Together we need to build sustainable companies, which will continue to stimulate growth in the local and global economies.”
Turner further stated that “together SMEs and finance professionals can help rebuild not just Nigeria’s economy, but the global economy too. The value of your businesses needs to be recognised fully in order for you to get the recognition you deserve for the work you have done.”
On reasons why SMEs die easily, another speaker, Mrs. Nwanna Joel-Ezeugo lamented that lack of accountability in terms of accurate financial records, using business loans to settle domestic issues that will not translate to income are what have caused the ruins and collapse of most businesses in the country.
This will help to boost the economy of the country. the expertise has totally accept the view to make SMES GLOBAL

Alhaji Remi Bello: Our products ’ll become competitive with stable power – Remi Bello, MD, Critall Hope Nigeria Ltd

By Bimbola Oyesola
Doing business in Nigeria, for those in the real sector of the economy, is a herculean task. The challenges, according to Alhaji Remi Bello, Managing Director, Critall Hope Nigeria Limited, are multifarious  and range from multiple taxation duplicity government agencies; power problem, influx of substandard products,  challenge of business credit as well as manpower deficit. Bello, who is also the Deputy President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), as well as President of Jericho Businessmen Club, could not hide his feelings that Nigerian university system could be part of the headache of the manufacturing sector as the graduates being produced by them leave much to be desired.
For a man, who steers the affairs of a company that pioneered the aluminium and steel products in the country in 1958, Nigeria is still a hub for  a genuine businesses to thrive despite all her challenges. The LCCI boss, however, said that the success of the sector was predicated upon the government creating an enabling environment for the local investors, who he insisted could compete favourably with foreign counterparts, if given the chance.
He speaks more on other issues affecting the sector. Excerpts:
Economy
It’s been very challenging. The challenges have always been multi-dimensional. We have the challenge of energy, which is now well known to everybody. But I believe if it’s well handled we would turn things around. We have the challenges of funding, credit management, getting funds from banks for the real sector. It’s not easy getting funds from banks especially with the latest policy on the 50 per cent Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) introduced by the CBN. But before then, we’ve always been having challenges of credit from banks, especially those of us in the manufacturing sector and this has its ripple effects on returns.
This is not unconnected with the high cost of operation. But in addition to funding crisis, we have mulitple taxes from related agencies: We have the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and all these affect my own business lately. As a manufacturing company, one has to deal with SON, and those agencies in the maritime sector when you want to import each time one is importing from any country. And without a certificate from the MANCARP, you need a waiver from SON, so one would have to pay, though not a fixed sum. But if one is a member of associations like LCCI, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), you would pay nothing less than N50,000 just to get a waiver, for getting SONCAP waiving certificate.
The big question then is, what’s the N50,000 being paid for? Is it for the issuance of the paper or what value have they given that I should pay the N50,000. This is a challenge. It is a kind of big task we are facing. So also we have the challenge of infiltration from the Chinese market and the issue of fake products, especially in the aluminium line. The quality of aluminium brought into the country is outrageously low, even though the unsuspecting public would not know the difference.
It is a well known fact that the metal is sold by weight world over. It is the content of the aluminium that determines the price of the aluminium products. Gold, likewise, is sold in weight. But the fake importers would sell hollow pipe to the unsuspecting consumers and before you know it, it would start deteriorating.
These are some of the challenges we are facing and again we have that of manpower and labour. Yes, we have men on ground, but the kind of people being produced by our universities leaves much to be desired. A situation where accountant will be thinking for an engineer is not good enough. That is a great challenge we face in the manufacturing sector.
Filling the gap
There is this great shortage of skilled artisans and technicians, that our technical colleges are not producing again. Today everybody wants to go to university. But Critall Hope has an agreement with Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Yaba Training Centre, where we send our apprentices to have two days theoretical experience weekly and three days of the week in our factory, all leading to certificate. Whatever we spent, ITF would subsidise or reinburse us with 50 per cent of the training cost. At the end of the programme, the trainees would be given certificates which would be well recognised. That is how we have been able to overcome some of these problems.
Expatriate quota
It is one problem that Lagos Chamber of Commerce has been trying to address in recent past whereby some companies would bring in all manners of staff under the expatriate quota. Some would even go into the open market, not to buy but to engage in retail sales that are meant for the local. This, we have  been drawing the attention of the  immigration authorities to because that it is something that should be addressed to protect the indigenous interest. Before you know it, they would overrun the economy, hence it is a real problem that should be addressed. Unfortunately, I am not sure if government is doing much about it.
LCCI efforts
As far as I am concerned, the best LCCI can do, apart from carrying placards, is to continue to advocate. We can’t carry placards. So the best we can do is to make our position known through quarterly press briefing of the president, as well as when we have the opportunity of hosting government agencies where we can equally express our views about the matter. But on this one, I am not sure if much is being done for now, the reason being that the economy is said to be open with our involvement in WTO, we need to open our border. Those are the things hampering effective combat of this issue.
Sub-standard products
It’s one of the challenges we are facing, but it shouldn’t have been much of a challenge if we had got an enabling enviroment. There is a limit to which we can continue to be protective, but we should have an enabling environment. The world at large is becoming global and smaller by the day. If a company fails to be effective because of government protection, the internet can offer a better alternative. But if the environment is right with effective power, companies here can become competitive.
If Nigerian companies are competitive, we would not be against any products coming in from abroad. Let them bring the products! Experience has shown that local products are always better that those imported products. We have seen it in the electricity industry, where Nigeria cable is seen to be better than the imported cable, that is an example of what can be achieved locally. The same thing in our metal industry.
A consumer can always seek redress if there are problems with the products bought in the recognised companies. For example, my company has been around since 1958. We see people that have bought our products 20 years ago still coming back. But if it has been imported products by a trader,  the moment the trader finished selling and discover he does not make much profit, he would move to other products. But this is a business we have invested so much in, the entry is so difficult, you can’t just vacate it that way.
What I am saying is that let there be an enabling environment, definitely the infiltration will fizzle out on its own when there is no patronage. If we are competitive in terms of price, the quality will always be  there because the products we are talking about are inferior, they are not good products. That is what we are saying, but we are not able to compete because we are standing at a disadvantaged position. There are some costs that have nothing to do with our operation that now have to be borne by us.
Think of all manners of levies and taxes that have nothing to do with our operations. If we don’t have to bear all these, we would be standing at a vantage position. Whereas those imported products are being brought in with laundered money, drug money, if it’s a real money like our own kind of money, I think with what government is doing with regards to money laundering internationally, interpol and the likes, I think there is a kind of reduction. What we are seeing is genuine infiltration that can fizzle out by good enabling environment for the locals. If we have good enabling environment, with power, labour and security well attended to, our companies will be in better position to fight all these infiltrations.
Foreign products influx
When we talk about losses, we should be talking of it as a nation, not as individual or a sector. We can know the level of loss through the level of our performance. Nigeria is supposed to be a rich country with the abundant resources we have and the oil money we are making. But the oil money is not giving us the kind of value it is supposed to deliver. As a nation, unless and until we are able to get these things right, the loss is unquantifiable. It’s so huge. It’s not something we can say N1billion, N2billion, but it can be seen in the level of poverty in the economy.
Over-reliance on oil
Any wasting asset is not a thing any nation should break her heart over. Oil is a wasting asset. What we have been given that is a natural endowment is our land. Agriculture, solid mineral resources and our manpower.
Those three brought together, we can never run out of nature. The only unfortunate thing is the way we’ve been talking of diversification into agriculture with all manners of programme but with little to show for it. That is where the challenge is, and we all realised it, we all know that the economy should be diversified and Ministry of Agriculture has been talking about this. The way out is our agriculture and solid minerals combined.  What I should expect is that the money we are making from oil should be re-invested into agriculture.
I always wonder what we are doing with such expanse of land we have in areas like Lagos-Ibadan expressway and other parts of Nigeria. Is it because there are no people to do it or we don’t believe in it or we’ve gotten so much land that we don’t need all those? We keep on talking about diversification, even if those lands should belong to individuals, what stops the government from leasing the lands for agriculture and return it to the owner whenever the owners want it back. But I don’t think there is anything like that. Under the Land Use Act, the land belongs to the government and so far there has been too much of talking with little action.
SMEs
Sincerely speaking, there is hope. The potential is very huge in this nation. If one is sincere and is a genuine business person, despite all the challenges, Nigeria is still a country to invest in. Why? The people. All this insecurity threat we are having is foreign to us. I am sure it’s going to fizzle out. It’s a matter of time. Just let the government address the fundamentals; make the environment to be conducive, things will work out. We have the numbers in terms of population. We have the market. So what are we talking about? Yes, there is inflation, there is poverty in the land, but despite that, there are genuine business people who still make their money. If one is genuine and sincere with what one is doing? I believe such a business will thrive.
Insecurity
It has to do with our values, something is fundamentally wrong, we don’t know what is worth dying for any longer. Everybody is after money and money is not everything. That is the greatest challenge and the more you run after money, the more people will be very aggressive. When we look at what has caused the insecurity, people have talked about environment; survival instincts, when people don’t have home, all these put together lead to the challenge we are facing. When I said value sense, in those days, when someone is caught stealing, it doesn’t end with the person, but goes down to that person’s family. People would not even want to marry from such family.
There is poverty in the land, how can you address poverty when you don’t create employment? We know the number of industries we used to have in Lagos, Ilupeju Industrial Estate, Ikeja, Apapa. Most of these factories are becoming worship centres. What do we think will happen? People that are supposed to be going to work are becoming idle. What is the major cause of Boko Haram insurgent in the north, it’s poverty and why are the people poor? Because the leaders have misplaced their priority. Their value sense is totally different. The money they supposed to use for the development of the states is being diverted. So all these put together, when you look at it, one will see that the greatest challenge we need to address is our value sense.
By the time our value sense is aligned like what Buhari/Idiagbon were trying to do during their days things will work better. If that is brought back, then people will be more accountable. People will then know that when you are in charge of office funds, you are keeping it in trust. Unfortunately, we all profess to the nation’s creed, forgetting that we will all account for our days in this life. But if the environment is conducive for good business, for people to work, and the value change is re-aligned, things would be better.
Unemployment
If the environment has been good, employment will be created. The rate that we are producing graduates is higher than the rate at which means of sustenance is growing. It’s not even growing. That’s the problem.
And that is even contracting. How many small businesses are we seeing around, like Critall Hope? How many of Critall Hope have we seen being established? Except one man business or the other. Youth unemployment will always be there if we don’t create employment and even in employment, when those in employment don’t leave and the numbers of graduates being produced annually is on the increase, the only way to address it is what I’ve said, make the environment conducive. Government don’t need to establish business. With good environment, businesses will be established and there would be employment.
Trees are never climbed from the top, the number one thing that should be addressed is enabling environment. If that is addressed, people will be able to establish business, when people establish businesses, they will create employment. Well an idle hand is a devil’s workshop. it’s because of the employment that is not being created, that youths are unemployed and what would they do? What would they turn to? They will turn to crime, that is the way out.
Insurgency
I want to believe it’s the way the system has been designed that has led to this. If the system has been designed otherwise, probably we would not have had this kind of experience we are having. One, why should the legislators be fixing their own remunerations? Is there no salaries and wages commission again? Those are the type of question we should ask. A former minister once said that we spent about N1trillion maintaining the legislature between 2005 and 2006. If that is the truth, what are we talking about, is that not the money that we are supposed to put into the industrial sector.
People have been talking about the type of the system we are running – presidential system of government – that it is expensive, but it’s the way that we are going about it that makes it expensive. Unless that is addressed, corruption would continue to be the order of the day. Again it’s still a matter of value sense, after amassing the wealth, what do they do with it? Do they go to heaven with it? They leave it behind, if the value sense is clear, they would know they did not need to amass all these wealth.
Staff rationalisation is not the best way out of crisis.
Multiple taxation
This multiplicity of agencies is only peculiar to Nigeria. I don’t think they allow it in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Most of these agencies are supposed to be a department under a big umbrella. Having NAFDAC, SON and others standing independently makes it more cumbersome and expensive as their chief executives would have to get all the pecks of office, that take so much from the national treasury. But unlike if SON has been the umbrella body, with others being a department, the cost of running the agencies would not be as much as we are having now. In the cause of sustaining the lifestyle of these CEO and agencies, they resort to all manners of internal funds generation (IGR). We are going to be at an advantage at the  long run if most of these agencies are merged because there would a kind of control from the top. I think we are going to be better off having all related agencies combined.
LCCI success
The remarkable success of LCCI is its voice. From the feedback we’ve been having from ministers, commissioners, even governors when we have opportunity of talking to them. They always looked forward to our report to gauge their performance.
The benefit to members on the other hand is like having an insurance, one does not appreciate insurance, until one actually needs it. It is when one has an issue with government or in the industry that one realise the importance. I have had an experience in the past when I had a challenge with one of the government agencies, and it was the LCCI that came to my rescue. We’ve had some of our members that have had issues with SON, and it was through LCCI that we knew that there was a desk in Lagos State that handles such industrial complaint.
2013 performance
The challenges will continue to be there because the energy situation has gone to the worst for the year. The first half has been very challenging, but we are hopeful, we hope we will be able to recover some lost glory before the year runs out. Energy still remain the major challenge for our company because our generators are on constantly. Before now the Federal Government said we’re generating 4,000 megawatts, but now it has dropped to 2,600. Definitely we are going feel it. There is no doubt that it is going to affect our profit margin, since we’ve been running at a very tight situation.
Rationalisation
We have done that in the past, but one has to look at all elements of cost and see the one that could be avoided. We have done it, even though staff rationalisation is not the best way out of crisis. The best way out is to look at how one can push up the revenue through sales. There is a limit to which cost can be cut. Cost cutting is not always the solution but how to improve your revenue base.
Power challenge
There is no two ways  about it but to privatise electricity. We have experienced it in the telecommunications sector. Let power sector be fully privatised. When the telecomunication started people were talking about cost, per second, per minute. Initially, MTN was charging us per minute, nothing like per second, but now it has come down. When there is competition nobody will tell the competitors  to stop. The way out of electricity problem is complete privatisation period. there is no two ways about it.

Obosi rerun: Ngige, Obiano share votes in 62 unite

…Low turnout of voters recorded

The rescheduled election in the 62 polling units in Obosi ward, Idemili  North local government  area of Anambra witnessed low turnout of voters across the area yesterday. The   Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could not conduct the exercise in the area on Saturday as result of some challenges.
Daily Sun observed that a  combined team of army, police and State Security Service, SSS  operatives  positioned their vehicles including an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, with Registration No: NPF8215C with stern looking security men  in the area. The heavy security presence  did not go down well with Obosi youths, who demanded that the security should be withdrawn.
In Obosi Town Hall, accreditation began in  the four polling units located there at 9.30am when INEC officials arrived the polling centres. However, the youths in polling unit No 007 at Obosi Town hall said the presence of security agents was responsible for the low turnout of voters.
At Umuota Primary school with four polling units of 013, 018, 047 and 048 accreditation could not start as at 10.30am because  the INEC officials in the two polling units did not come on time.
Similarly, at Odume layout, Obosi with a large population, accreditation began by 9.am and voting started by 12 Noon. Though there was low turnout of voters.
At Redemption Primary school, Ilo-Okoye-Odume layout, voting started by 1 pm in 029, 056, 030, 035, 029, 057 and 058 polling centres. Counting of votes began immediately by 2pm when it became obvious that all the  voters who wanted to cast their votes had done so.
During the counting, it was observed that the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Chris Ngige and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate, Chief Willie Obiano were running neck to neck in all the polling centres.
At Ilo-Okoye polling centres, APC got the highest number of valid votes cast while APGA came trailing very close with over 48 per cent.
At polling unit 029, APC got 36, APGA came second with 28, PDP and Labour Parties got 5 and 4 votes respectively. Also at the Redemption primary school, Ilo-Okoye, APC got 14, APGA, 11 votes.
Other results as recorded yesterday disclosed that at 059 polling unit, APGA got 9 votes, APC got 14, PDP got 4 and Labour Party got 1 votes. In 058 polling unit, APGA and APC shared the spoils with APC getting 16 and APGA got 11 votes while APC got 5 votes and APGA got 4 votes in 059 in Odume layout.

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