Fani-Kayode, ACN fault Jonathan on Boko Haram, Odi invasion

TOLA AKINMUTIMI AND ROTIMI FADEYI The nations real gross domestic product growth

rate grew by 6.48 per cent in third quarter of the current year as against

the 7.37 per cent record-ed in the corresponding quarter in 2011.

This is just as efforts by government to keep infla-

P.5,6SFU arrests six MDs over N24.6bn subsidy scam

Vol. 1 N0. 115 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 N150 Vol. 2 N0. 495 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 N150

FG revokes Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concessionROTIMI FADEYIABUJA

The Federal Govern-ment yesterday ter-minated the conces-sion of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway granted to

Bi-Courtney Consortium on May 8, 2009 by the late President Umaru Musa YarAdua for poor perfor-mance.

Addressing State House correspondents in Abuja,

DMO says nation needs more loans for faster growth

CONTINUED ON PAGE 50>>Jonathan

Alison-Madueke

Total sells Nigerian offshore oil stake for $2.5bn

I wont reply critics over private jet Oritsejafor

Fasholas ex-aide shot dead

CJN vows to deal with corrupt judges

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P.4Budget 2012: Senators angry with Okonjo-Iweala

GDP growth drops to 6.48%, infl ation rises to 11.7%

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FG must clean up oil sector Ribadu

Enugu govs aide dies of poisoning

Contract re-awarded to Julius Berger, RCC FG blames education woes on poor research

L-R: Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Niyi Otunla; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, during the Debt Management Office meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, said that the termination of the concession agreement was due to the failure of the company to close financial agreement among other reasons.

The concession was for N89.53bn for a period of 25 years under a Design, Build, Operate and Trans-fer, DBOT, scheme.

The minster announced that the Federal Govern-ment has engaged the ser-vices of Julius Berger Plc and RCC Nigeria Limited to commence work immedi-ately on the reconstruction of the expressway.

According to him, due to the senseless carnage on this important expressway, which is part of Arterial Route A1, the Federal Gov-ernment has also decided to embark on the emergency reconstruction of the ex-pressway.

Onolememen, who ad-dressed journalists along-side Minister of State for Works, Bashir Yuguda and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, further said: While Ju-lius Berger would handle Section 1: from Lagos to Shagamu interchange, RCC Nigeria Limited will be responsible for Section II: from Shagamu to Ibadan.

The Federal Govern-ment wishes to assure that while it will continue to uphold the sanctity of con-tracts entered into by the Federal Government, it will not shy away from imple-menting provisions of the contract agreement dealing with non-performance on the part of the contracting party, Onolememen said.

President Goodluck Jonathan had on Sunday during the Presidential Me-dia Chat aired live on the network of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, and radio gave the hint that government would take de-cisive action on the conces-sion agreement.

Jonathan said, On the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Bi-Courtney lacks the ca-pacity to carry out the job. The country is held to ran-som. We cannot continue that way. Well intervene on that road, adding that the government would also fix the Benin-Ore road.

That road has been with Bi-Courtney since we came

on board in 2007 and I think we are going to take the fi-nal decision on the matter because it is like the com-pany is not in position to do it and I dont think as a responsible government, we can allow Nigerians to continue to suffer.

It is the busiest road in this country and it is beyond the South-West. Because that is the busiest road in this country and all of us in government, we feel pained that the country is held to ransom because of a transaction that prob-ably was not handled prop-erly because of some kind of issues. But we cannot continue like this, we will intervene on that road, Jonathan had said.

While speaking on the legal implication of ter-minating the concession agreement yesterday, On-olememen said: The legal implications of this termi-nation have been carefully considered by both the Fed-eral Ministry of Works and indeed the Federal Govern-ment. If you recall we have been on this issue for quite sometime now and we have meticulously followed the concession agreement, the provision of relevant claus-es of the agreement.

We have complied fully with the provisions of this agreement. We have had cause even in the past to write the concessioner to detail the breaches which it had committed in this agreement in this particu-lar transaction and we have also followed the minimum and maximum number of days the contractor was expected to remedy the situ-ation but failing which the Federal Government had no alternative but to take this course of action.

In terms of percentage payment so far, this is a con-cessioned project. In other words, it is different from the normal EPC contracts, so the Federal Government in a sense did not make any direct payment to Bi-Courtney in this particular transaction. Bi-Courtney was supposed to raise fund, he would have been able to raise the fund from the private sector and apply it to the construction of this expressway and toll it for as many as 25 years, to recoup his investment and this has not happened, and that is why today the concession has been terminated.

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FG revokes Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession

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CJN vows to deal with corrupt judgesL-R: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Pastor John Kennedy Opara; President Goodluck Jonathan; wife of visiting President, International Full Gospel Businessmens Fellowship, Vangie and her husband, Mr. Richard Shakarian during their visit to the State House, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, has threatened to deal with magistrates and area court judges found to have compro-mised their judicial oath of office.

Justice Mukhtars warn-ing was contained in an address she delivered yes-terday at the opening of the 2012 biennial conference of the All Nigeria Judges of the Lower Courts, organ-ised by the National Judi-cial Institute, NJI, Abuja.

The CJN said that mag-istrate, area and customary courts were the closest to the masses and the most pa-tronised by the public.

She, however, regretted that reports concerning some judges of the courts left much to be desired as allegations of corruption and bribery especially in

exchange for grant of bail are almost becoming ram-pant.

The CJN, who is also the Chairman, NJI Board of Governors, threatened that Commissions of various jurisdictions will not hesi-tate to administer appropri-ate sanctions to any judge of the lower courts found wanting.

Heads of courts receive reports and petitions con-cerning some judges of low-er courts which are rather difficult to believe.

There have also been complaints regarding some of you on laziness in the discharge of judicial du-ties, lateness in sitting and non-sitting at all and so on, she said.

As a way out, Justice Mukhtar stressed the need for reform as captured in the theme of the confer-ence: Judicial reforms and the administration of Jus-tice.

This is even as she in-

sisted that we should let the reform start from the hearts of individuals con-cerned

You reform yourself and allow yourself to be re-formed by amending your conduct that bring dishon-our to the Judiciary as an institution. Let your con-duct be seen to be both ethi-cal and impeccable.

She said: Sit promptly, be fair to litigants and other patrons of your courts; lead your staff by example and by so doing, the image of the Judiciary will continue to receive high rating in the opinion of the public.

NJI Administrator, Justice Umaru Eri (rtd), stressed the importance of technology to the dispensa-tion of justice in the country.

He said: The increased use of ICT among judi-ciaries around the world evinces to us that our judi-ciary must be in a position to respond to the techno-logical, socio-economic, cul-

tural and political chang-es, which impact on the growth and development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 21st century.

On the issue of remand, Justice Eri wondered why courts give in to requests for remand on mere presen-tation of First Information Report by the Police.

The administrator noted that the judiciary is partly responsible for prison con-gestion, warning that this development must stop.

Year-in-year-out, we are gathered to talk-shop about congestion in our prisons. The truth must be told, that we share in the blame as well and this must stop forthwith.

From statistics, and my practical knowledge of the prisons, 50 per cent of the warrants of those awaiting trials are signed by judges of the lower courts, that is to say Magistrates, Area Courts and Customary Court Judg-es, Eri disclosed.

For your information, under this concession the construction period is sup-posed to last for four years and the four years will come to a close in about six months time and right now there is nothing on ground to suggest that the company is capable.

On whether it was a mis-take giving the concession to Bi-Courtney, the Minis-ter said: I would not want to say that it was a mistake, because though I was not in the office as at that time, perhaps at that time they had the most responsible bids, the details are best

known to the then Minister of Works and his team that handled the project. But again it is not out of place to give Nigerian companies opportunities to handle projects of this nature. This is our country, whoever has the ability and the capacity to do projects of this nature we believe should be en-couraged.

On the percentage of work done on the road, On-olememen said: I will leave that for those who use the road. As far as we are con-cerned, the terms of work have not been complied with.

The poor condition of the road has been a major concern to the Federal Gov-ernment and governors of the South West states con-sidering the frequent rate of accidents on the road re-sulting in the loss of many lives.

The governors had met with the President in May over transport infrastruc-ture and Lagos-Ibadan ex-pressway expressing disap-pointment with the state of the road and had called for a review of the concession agreement.

The road, which is a vital link between the nations

commercial capital, Lagos and other parts of the coun-try, was handed over to Bi-Courtney on May 26, 2009 to expand, modernise and maintain for a period of 25 years.

Its scope of work involves the full reconstruction of the existing carriageway from Lagos to Ibadan; the provision of two additional lanes in each direction be-tween Lagos and Sagamu Interchange, making it four lanes.

The reconstruction was in four phases and planned to last four years.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net2 Tuesday, November 20, 2012News

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 3Tuesday, November 20, 2012

L-R: Vice-President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Isa Aremu; Financial Controller, United Nigerian Textiles Ltd, Mr. Leo Poon and NLC Legal Adviser, Comrade Femi Aborisade, at a roundtable and presentation of research report to mark 2012 African Industrialisation Day, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Bert Ronhaar, United Nations Special Envoy on Financial Inclusion, HRH Princess Maxima of Netherlands and Managing Director of Hasal Microfinance Bank, Mr. Rogers Nwoke, during the envoys meeting with some customers of the bank shortly after the launch of National Financial Inclusion Strategy in Abuja, recently.

L-R: Group Managing Director, Skye Bank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti; Deputy Governor, Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka and Mrs. Olufemi Ogun, at the investiture of Ogun as the ninth President of the Professional Ladies Insurance Association of Nigeria in Lagos, at the weekend.

L-R: President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, Mrs. Bunmi Oke; Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Mabe Thabo; representative of the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Mosunmola Junaid and Brand Building Director, Unilever, Mr. David Okeme, at the re-launch of Vaseline in Lagos, at the weekend.

ble to work based on the funds available to us, the minister said.

But Ibrahim said: If the money is not available, why does the Ministry of Finance keep lying to us that 75 per cent has been released. This is a difficult thing to understand.

He expressed fears that projects might not be com-pleted by December.

Ibrahim added that though the National As-sembly had received a N22 billion proposal for the Ministry of Lands, Hous-ing, and Urban Develop-ment, it appropriated and passed N41 billion for it to be able to execute projects listed in its 2012 budget.

The Ministry of Fi-nance, however, made re-leases not up to what was

WOLE ADEDEJIILORIN

Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mal-lam Nuhu Ribadu, yester-day said the problem in the oil sector could only be solved if there was a general clean up in the system.

Ribadu spoke with jour-nalists in Ilorin when he went to commiserate with the family of the late Dr. Olusola Saraki.

He said: In the (oil) in-dustry of course, some im-provements and changes must be made. Hopefully,

with what we have done in the probe, implementation will take place and I be-lieve changes will come to the industry. The govern-ment wisely came up with reforms, part of which is that it invited people to come and contribute and participate like we did.

Ribadu also spoke on the nations polity and its inherent problems.

He said: There is hope for the country. If you see the enthusiasm, the inter-est that is around, you will definitely conclude that there is hope for this coun-try. People believe in Nige-ria. People are worried, people are concerned.

appropriated by the Na-tional Assembly.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Uche Chuk-wumerijie, expressed dis-appointment over the low level of implementation in his speech when the Ministry of Education appeared to defend its 2013 budget.

He said: It is regret-

table however that the level of implementation of budget has remained below 50 per cent. While this holds true for all the sectors, its impact on the educational sector is most severe. It is there-fore of utmost impor-tance that the executive appreciates the impera-tive of releasing funds as at when due.

They want a better life and if you have a popula-tion like that with inter-est and passion, certainly you will say there is hope. We are working hard and if you work you will see result. Today, all of us are concerned; all of us want to see a better tomorrow for Nigeria. This is why I say there is hope. The be-lief is that tomorrow will certainly be a better day than today and that we will work hard to make tomorrow better than yes-terday.

Certainly, there is hope in the sense that people want a change; they want something better and I am

encouraged daily. I believe if we clean up the rot in the sector; if we do what is right and proper; if the in-discipline in the sector is removed, I believe it is big enough to go round.

Eulogising the late Saraki, he said: As a fa-ther, he did his own part to build the democracy that we are enjoying today. We are proud of him. We owe it a duty to celebrate his life by way of condolence. We are also to testify that he did extremely well. We have seen clearly through his offspring by what they are doing; those are the people that he brought up, his political associates.

FG must clean up oil sector Ribadu

Budget 2012: Senators angry with Okonjo-IwealaAs MDAs decry low funds release

GEORGE OJI AND EMMANUEL ONANI

Ministries, De-partment and A g e n c i e s , MDAs, which appeared before the Senate yester-day to defend their 2013 appropriation proposals decried the insufficient release of funds for the implementation of the 2012 Appropriation Act by the Finance Ministry.

The allegation was lev-elled by the ministers of Education, and Housing and Urban Development.

This was as senators also frowned at the way the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Min-ister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, disregard-ed the 2012 Appropriation Act, a development which accounted for the low bud-get performance of below 50 per cent recorded by the MDAs.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Devel-opment, Bukar Abba Ibra-

him, while querying the Minister of Lands, Hous-ing and Urban

Development, Mrs. Ama Pepple, sought to know why the minis-try could not realise the completion of projects to a performance figure well above 50 per cent be-fore the expiration of the fourth quarter.

He said: I dont un-derstand why your min-istry has been able to execute only 43 per cent of projects at this time, and we are in the fourth quarter now.

Responding, Pepple ex-plained that the ministry was hindered by releases not yet received in the fourth quarter.

She also said that quarterly releases made were not in line with quarterly figures appro-priated in the 2012 Ap-propriation Act.

We dont give out projects until the mon-ies are made available. Presently, we have not received any money. We also try as much as possi-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netTuesday, November 20, 20124

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Representatives of the sacked concessionaire had blamed the slow progress on the construction work on delays in getting final ap-proval for the project design from government, which was finally approved on May 10, 2011; difficulties in securing the Right of Way; the long period required for the mobilisation of materi-als and equipment; involve-ment of banks and techni-cal partners to make the project a success.

The concessionaire had mobilised four gangs for the immediate rehabilita-tion of the highway last December following bicker-ing between it and the Ogun State Government over the ownership of the site of its Asphalt Plant Site located in Shagamu; and two weeks

after the Minister of Works, issued an ultimatum to the firm to complete the repairs of the expressway within 60 days. The company had patched some bad spots of the road at that time.

The Federal Government had been considering the cancellation of the conces-sion since the beginning of the year but was slow in act-ing for fear of incurring huge legal penalties enshrined in the concession contract.

The Infrastructure Con-cession Regulatory Com-mission, ICRC, had in a March 7 presentation to the Federal Executive Council, FEC, concluded that virtu-ally all public infrastruc-ture concession granted in recent times were perform-ing poorly and should be reviewed.

Other concession proj-

ects noted for poor perfor-mance in the presentation made by the Director-Gen-eral of ICRC, Alhaji Man-sur Ahmed, include the TBS National Facilities, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex and Apapa Ports among others.

The DG had told the FEC that three years after the signing of Bi-Courtney agreement the project was yet to achieve financial close.

He had identified inade-quate project development, non-competitiveness of the procurement process, lack of design or evidence of fi-nancing during the signing of agreement as part of the problems for which lessons must be learnt and taken into account in granting similar concessions in the future.

He had also pointed out

that there was not enough due diligence (technical and financial) by grantor and that roles of other stakeholders were not tak-en into account at project development.

On the way forward for poor performance of PPP projects in Nigeria, Ahmed had advocated that adher-ence to guidelines for PPP (development, procure-ment, and implementation) must be made mandatory, while project selection and prioritisation should be consistent with the Nation-al Planning Framework.

He had also urged that project procurement must remain transparent and com-petitive to sustain confidence in the Nigeria PPP market and that risk analyses must be undertaken for every proj-ect and properly allocated.

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FG revokes Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession

Fani-Kayode, ACN fault Jonathan on Boko Haram, Odi invasion

L-R: Administrator, National Judicial Institute, Justice Umaru Eri and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, at the Conference of All Nigeria Judges of the Lower Courts in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 5Tuesday, November 20, 2012 News

AYODELE OJO AND FELIX NWANERI

Loyalists of former Pres-ident Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday faulted President Goodluck Jonathans claim that the 1999 Odi military operation did not solve the killing of security person-nel and innocent civilians in the Niger Delta area by militants.

They said that the Presi-dent must have forgotten the facts or he was misin-formed.

The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, described the conflicting statements emanating from the Presi-dent and his spokespersons as a credibility deficiency syndrome that raises ques-tions over who indeed is in charge.

President Jonathan had during Sundays presiden-tial media chat said the mil-itary operation in Odi, Bay-elsa State, by soldiers on the order of former President Obasanjo did not solve the problem and stopped the crisis in the oil-rich region then.

He added that what he saw in Odi after he went there on an official visit as the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State then were dead bodies of old people and children.

The President added that none of the militants re-sponsible for the killing of the soldiers and policemen, which led to the military invasion was killed by the soldiers.

But the former Minis-ter of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, in a statement made available to National Mirror faulted the claims.

He said: With the great-est respect to Mr. President this is factually incorrect. He has either forgotten the relevant facts or he has been misinformed.

Whichever way he is mistaken and it is im-portant for those of us that proudly served the Obasanjo administration to respond to him in order to clarify the issues, clear the air and set the record straight for the sake of his-tory and posterity.

I had the privilege of being briefed about all the facts by President Oluse-gun Obasanjo himself and Col. Kayode Are, the former Director-General, DG of the State Security Service, SSS, immediately after the Presi-dential Media Chat and I

believe that it is appropri-ate to share some of those facts with members of the Nigerian public given the grave assertion and serious charge that President Jona-than has made. Those facts are as follows.

Five policemen and four soldiers were killed by a group of Niger Delta mili-tants when they tried to en-ter the town of Odi in Bay-elsa State in order to effect their arrest. This happened in 1999.

After the brutal killing of the security person-nel, President Olusegun Obasanjo asked the then governor of Bayelsa State, Governor Diepreye Alami-eyeseigha, to identify, lo-cate, apprehend and hand over the perpetrators of that crime.

The governor said that he was unable to do so and President Obasanjo, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, took the position that security personnel could not be killed with impunity under his watch without a strong and appropriate response from the Federal Government.

Consequently, he sent the military in to uproot and kill the terrorists and to destroy their operational base which was the town of Odi.

The operation was car-ried out with military pre-cision and efficiency and its objectives were fully achieved. The terrorists were either killed and those that were not killed fled their operational base in Odi, were uprooted, were weakened, were demor-alised and were completely dispersed. That was the purpose of the whole exer-cise and that purpose was achieved.

The truth is that the killing of security agents and soldiers with impunity by the Niger Delta militants virtually stopped after the operation in Odi and re-mained at a bare minimum right up until the time that President Obasanjo left power eight years later in 2007. I advise those that doubt this to go and check the records.

Fani-Kayode also re-called that the same thing was done in Zaki Biam, Benue State, in 2001 after 19 soldiers were murdered by some terrorists from that area.

He said that the Odi expe-rience was akin to the Feder-

al Governments strong mil-itary response in Zaki Biam which stopped the killing of security personnel with im-punity in the area.

Fani-Kayode said: The objectives of the military operations in both Odi and Zaki Biam were to stop such killings, to eliminate and deal a fatal blow to those that perpetuated them and to discourage those that may seek to carry out such barbarous butchery and mindless violence in the future.

Those were the objec-tives and nothing more and clearly those objectives were achieved. There is no doubt that after Odi there was still unrest, agitations, protests, kidnappings and the blowing up and sabo-tage of oil pipelines in the

Niger Delta area but there were hardly any more at-tacks on or killing of sol-diers and security person-nel by the terrorists and militants because they knew that to do that would attract a swift and forceful reaction and terrible retri-bution from the Nigerian military.

The former minister said that Obasanjo had no other objective in sending soldiers to the areas than to stop and deter attacks and killings of security person-nel, which was achieved.

He saidL: President Goodluck Jonathan was therefore in error when he said that Odi did not solve the problem of killings in the Niger Delta area by the Niger Delta militants.

He added: Not only did

the action stop the killings, it was also an eloquent tes-timony of how to deal with terrorists, how to handle those that kill our security personnel with impunity and how to deter militants from killing members of our civilian population and thinking that they can get away with it.

If President Obasanjo had not taken that strong action at that time many more of our civilian popu-lation and security person-nel would have been killed by the Niger Delta militants between 1999 and 2007. By doing what he did at Odi and Zaki Biam, President Obasanjo saved the lives of many and put a stop to the killings and terrorism that had taken root in the Niger Delta area previous to that

time. On of Boko Haram, Fani-

Kayode said it was unfortu-nate that Obasanjos com-ment was misconstrued. .

What he said was that a solution ought to have been found or some sort of action ought to have been taken sooner rather than allow the problem to fester over time like a bad wound and get worse.

There can be no doubt that he was right on this because, according to Presi-dent Jonathans own Chief of Army Staff, no less that 3,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram in the last two years alone, he said.

This figure, he further stated, represents approxi-mately the same number CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

anchored on the adminis-trations transformation agenda.

The forum said it be-lieves that President Jon-athan has a lot more to offer Nigerians and called on all citizens to join hands with the President to move Nigeria forward.

The forum prayed God to grant President Jona-than excellent health,

courage and many more years of selfless service to Nigeria and humanity.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan leaves Abuja today for Islam-abad, Pakistan, to attend the summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of Eight Devel-oping Nations (D-8) which opens tomorrow.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media

and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said that Jonathan would be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambas-sador Olugbenga Ashiru, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Besides participating in the summit of the D-8 which was established in

1997 to foster developmen-tal cooperation amongst member-countries, Jona-than would also hold bi-lateral meetings in Islam-abad with the Presidents of Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Iran and Egypt, whose countries also be-long to the D-8.

The President would also meet with Nigerians living in Pakistan before returning to Abuja on Fri-day.

6 News Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Jonathan at 55: Expect more dividends of democracy, NSGF tells NigeriansROTIMI FADEYIABUJA

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday paid tribute to President Goodluck Jonathan, who turns 55 today, just as it asked Nigerians to expect more dividends of democ-racy.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Muazu Baban-gida Aliyu, said within a space of two and a half years, President Jona-than has touched the lives of Nigerians in many positive ways and has stamped a seal of excel-lence in all the spheres of

our national life.In a statement signed

by his Chief Press Sec-retary, Danladi Ndayebo, Governor Aliyu said the forum is proud of Presi-dent Jonathans land-mark achievements and remarkable leadership qualities which he has wonderfully exhibited in accelerating the growth and development of Nige-ria and the African conti-nent as a whole.

The statement made reference to the progress made in critical sectors of the economy as agri-culture, wealth creation, education, citizen diplo-macy and other laudable programmes that are

L-R: Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike; Peoples Democratic Party National Women Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe and Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, at the inauguration of the National Education Innovations Exhibition in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

FRANCIS SUBERU

The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) yes-terday said it has arrested the Managing Director/Chief Execu-tive Officers (MD/CEOs) of the six oil companies referred to it by the Presi-dential Committee on Oil Subsidy.

The arrested MD/CEO include MD Eurafric Coast-al Services, Mr. Odjegba Onoriode; GMD Caades Oil & Gas Ltd; Mr. Ejiofor Inno-ma Chikadibia; MD/CEO Prudent Energy & Services Ltd; Mr. Sowami Abuwasin Olatunde; MD Somerset Oil & Gas Ltd; Mrs. Gladys Amaefule; MD Imad Oil & Gas Ltd; Mallam Bashir Ad-amu Gusau and MD Dozzy Oil & Gas Ltd, Sir Daniel Chikwudozie.

In a statement released by SFU Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Isintume-Agu, investigations have re-vealed that the companies

benefitted in an illegal oil subsidy at different times between 2010 and 2011.

According to the state-ment, a total subsidy amount of N6.130 billion was paid to Eurafric Coast-al Services Ltd; based on 85, 519 million litres of fuel im-ported between November, 2010 and 2011, in six trans-actions.

The statement reads in part: A total amount of N9.935 billion was due to Caades Oil & Gas Ltd, based on 13.501 million litres of PMS imported in Decem-ber 2011 which comprises two transactions.

A total subsidy payment of N1, 360, 898,638.10 was paid to Prudent Energy & Services Ltd; based on a single importation of 18, 316, 767 million litres of PMS.

A total subsidy payment of N2.690 billion was paid to Somerset Oil & Gas Ltd; based on 40.165 million li-tres of PMS imported in two transactions.

N24.6bn subsidy scam: SFU arrests six MDs

EMMANUEL ONANIABUJA

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday, adjourned till November 23, ruling in an applica-tion brought by an inter-vener/applicant, Olalekan Bayode.

The intervener, through his counsel, John Olufemi, had filed a motion seeking to be joined as interested party in the ongoing suit to determine the owner-ship of the $15 million al-legedly offered as bribe

to the Economic and Fi-nancial Crimes Commis-sion, EFCC, by former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori.

Ibori, who is serving a jail-term in the United Kingdom, was said to have offered the said amount with the inten-tion of compromising inves-tigation on money laundering allegations by the anti-graft agency.

However, when the matter came up yesterday for argu-ments on the motion for join-der, counsel to the intervener/applicant, Olufemi was absent in court, having written a let-

ter to other parties and the court, asking for an adjourn-ment on health grounds.

The presiding judge, Jus-tice Gabriel Kolawole, while warning counsel to desist from addressing their corre-spondence to the judge, as Olu-femi did in the instant case, sought the opinion of respec-tive parties in the suit on the letter seeking adjournment.

While the Attorney-General of Delta State, Mr. Charles Ajuyah (SAN) and counsel to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ogar Obeyah, urged the court to deem the appli-

cants motion as properly adopted, as provided for under Order 22, Rule 9 of the Federal High Court rules, prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) asked the court to strike out the motion.

Iboris $15m bribe: Court to rule on application for joinder, Nov 23

KAYODE KETEFE

The Lagos Division of the Court of Ap-peal yesterday or-dered the Nigerian Mari-time Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, to pay into the account of the court N6.8 billion being a judgment debt be-longing to Hensmor Nige-ria Limited.

In a unanimous ruling

by the three justices, the appellate court ordered NI-MASA to pay the sum into the Registrar of the Court on an interest-yielding account domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria, Plc; within seven days of this ruling.

NIMASA had on March 14, 2006, arrested the com-mercial vessel belonging to Hensmor Nigeria Ltd. laden with kerosene and had kept it in custody, this

had prompted Hensmor to institute the suit it eventu-ally won at the lower court.

In the ruling delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, to which the other two jus-tices concurred, the appel-late court ordered NIMASA to pay the judgment sum into the banks account while it adjourned the mo-tion for appeal filed by NI-MASA against the substan-tive judgment of the trial court till February 11, 2013.

NIMASA gets seven days to pay N6.8bn into courts accountEMMANUEL ONANIABUJA

Attempts by the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Are-gbesola, to have a Fed-eral High Court sitting in Abuja to dismiss a suit al-leging insanity on his part failed yesterday.

A Non-Governmental Or-ganisation, NGO, had insti-tuted a suit where it claimed that Aregbesola is insane, and

so not fit to govern Osun State.In his ruling yesterday,

the trial judge, Justice A.R. Mohammed, held that; The court cannot entertain the first defendants application to strike out the suit, because hearing notice was not served on the plaintiff as ordered.

Counsel to the governor, Mr. Ebuka Nwaeze, while moving the application to strike out the suit, informed the court that the plaintiff and its legal representatives

were absent in court, even when they were aware that the matter was slated for hearing.

Nwaeze urged the court to apply order 19 rule 3 of the Federal High Court proce-dure to strike out the suit.

Before adjourning hearing on the matter till December 10, Justice Mohammed re-quested that the bailiff, who failed to serve processes as directed by the court, be transferred.

Alleged insanity: Abuja court refuses Aregbesolas application

As President leaves for D8 meeting in Pakistan

Ibori

KAYODE KETEFE

A judge of a Federal High Court sit-ting Lagos, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, yes-terday rejected a contract document sought to be tendered as evidence to support the case of two accused persons standing trial for unlawful importa-tion of firearms to Nigeria from Iran, Azim Aghajani (Iranian), and Ali Jega.

The accused persons are standing trial on a five-count charge of unlawful importation of firearms

and explosives to Nigeria.At the proceedings yes-

terday, the defence lawyer, Mr Chris Uche (SAN), sought to tender a docu-ment which he said was a proof of a contract agree-ment between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Gambia.

Uche sought to ten-der document through the first witness of the defence, Mr. Bavharan Mohsen, (an official of the Iranian Ministry of For-eign Affairs) as he opened the defence of the accused persons yesterday.

In his evidence-in-chief,

FEMI OYEWESOABEOKUTA

The ancient city of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, yester-day stood still as the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedo-tun Aremu Gbadebo, hon-oured the National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with chieftaincy title of Aare Ago of Egbaland.

Asiwajus wife, Sena-tor Oluremi Tinubu, was also honoured with the chieftaincy title of Erelu

Aare Ago of Egbaland at the ceremony held at the Alakes palace.

The conferment of the chieftaincy title on the former governor of Lagos State formed part of the activities lined up to com-memorate the 7th anniver-sary coronation of Alakes ascension to the throne.

Eminent Nigerians that thronged the Alakes palace to rejoice with the Tinubus included the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate in the April 2011 general election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,

IJEOMA EZEIKEABUJA

Federal Government yesterday admitted that there are myri-ad of challenges in the na-tions education sector.

The government, how-ever, attributed the phe-nomenon to poor research and innovations churned

out by tertiary institu-tions nationwide.

President Goodluck Jonathan spoke while opening this years edition of National Education In-novations Exhibition in Abuja.

He decried the dearth of home grown research in the education system, a trend, he said accounted

L-R: President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; author of the book, Legislative Drafting in Plain English and the Director, Legal Services National Assembly, Mr. Daniel Tongvadem and Senate President David Mark during the public presentation of the book in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Buhari, Ribadu, others storm Abeokuta, as Alake honours Tinubu

FG blames nations education woes on poor research

Mohsen told the court that there was an agree-ment for the importation of firearms between Iran and Gambia which was re-duced into writing.

He added that the arms were meant to be trans-ported to the Gambia government for use by her military, but had to be shipped through Nigeria as a transit point before onward transfer to the fi-nal destination.

Mohsen said: It is very rare to find a ship in the ports in Iran going direct-ly to Gambia. Therefore, you will need a port of

transit between Iran and Gambia

Mohsen also defended the concealment of the arms on the grounds that if they were not so con-cealed they were would be at risk of through the onslaught of pirates and terrorist, whom he said usually confiscates such ammunitions at sea.

After that, Uche sought to tender the contract document as evidence of the transaction between the two countries, but the measure was opposed by the prosecution repre-sented by the Director of

and the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Also present on the occa-sion were former Speaker of the House of Represen-tatives, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; Senate Minor-ity Leader, Senator George Akume; House of Repre-sentatives Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as former governors of Lagos and Ogun states, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Aremo Segun Osoba.

Speaking at the event, Osoba said the chieftaincy title of Aare Ago of Eg-baland would have been conferred on Tinubu since seven years ago, but for the non-disposition of the administration in power which opposed it.

for huge budgetary alloca-tions to the sector in the last few years.

The President, repre-sented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqa-yyatu RufaI, said stake-holders ought to entrench a system of innovations right from the basic school level, if the quest for a dynamic and eco-

nomic driven society must be achieved.

He said: Fellow Nige-rians, my administration recognises the challenges that the Nigerian educa-tion sector have been fac-ing over the years, it is for this reason that we have consistently continued to improve budgetary alloca-tion to the sector.

Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs. Fumilayo Fatunde.

Fatunde argued that the alleged contract document between the two nations does not bear the signature and seal of either nation.

She, therefore, said the document was not legally admissible and urged the court to reject it.

Fatunde said: Although a letter of authorisation allows a witness to testify on behalf of a country be-fore the court on certain documents, but it is not this type of document.

Under Section 149 of the Evidence Act, pre-sumption does not come into play unless and un-

til parties ratify that this document would be ad-missible in their country of origin without proof of seal and signature authen-ticating it.

There is no such proof of authenticity before my lord and as such, my lord is not in a position to ac-cept this presumption. I urge my lord to reject this document in its entirety

In his short ruling, Jus-tice Okeke said the docu-ment was not relevant in the case as it showed that the agreement was be-tween two companies in Iran and Gambia, and not between the government of the Iran and Nigeria.

The Federal Govern-ment has pledged to build better sys-tems and procedure that would strengthen the ca-pacity of relevant agen-cies and halt mismanage-ment, inefficiency and lack of transparency in the extractive sector.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who stated this yesterday at the opening of the retreat for members of the National Stake-holders Working Group (NSWG) of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) held at the Le Me-ridien Hotel and Golf Re-sort, Nwaniba, noted that his administration was ready to actualise trans-parent extractive sector, where the revenues are accounted for and used for the benefit of Nigerians.

Dr. Jonathan, repre-sented by Akwa Ibom State

Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, hinted that in the weeks ahead, he would strengthen the Inter-Min-isterial Task Team (IMTT) by re-inaugurating it with senior government offi-cials identified as a key to the reforms of the extrac-tive sector to implement the remedial issues aris-ing from the NEITI audit findings.

The President lauded the theme of the retreat: From Transparency to Accountability, urging NEITI to move from its present position of en-throning transparency to recording measurable and visible impacts in the lives of Nigerians.

He said: I consider this theme very fundamental in the view of the impor-tance of our natural re-sources to the economic and social well-being of Nigerians.

KAYODE KETEFE

Tribute has con-tinued to pour in on the demise of the late former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Kayode Eso, as a renowned lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), de-scribed the deceased as his mentor.

Sagay said the Supreme Court of Nigeria during Eso tenure was among the best in the World.

Sagay, who spoke in an interview with National Mirror, lauded the intel-lectual capacity of the departed jurist and be-

moaned his death, which he described as a great loss to Nigeria.

He said men like Eso come in short supply in Nigeria.

Another Senior Advo-cate of Nigeria, Chief Bo-laji Ayorinde, described the late Eso as a great legal icon who believed in using law as an instru-ment to make the society better.

Sagay said: Those who know me well will read-ily say Eso is my mentor. He was a jurist par excel-lence and of the best jus-tices that had ever sat on the bench of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

We target transparency in extractive industry Jonathan

SCourt in Esos time among worlds best Sagay

Arms importation: Court rejects suspects evidence

Gbadebo

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Tuesday, November 20, 2012 News 7

FEMI OYEWESO AND MURITALA AYINLA

Former Special Ad-viser to Lagos State Governor on Health, Mr. Toyin Hamzat, was late Sunday night assassi-nated in Shagamu by yet to be identified gunmen.

He was said to have been shot dead by the as-sailants in front of his female friends house at about 9:30pm in Shagamu while preparing to return to his Lagos home.

Though the motive be-hind his assassination was yet to be established by security agents, National Mirror gathered yester-day in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, that the kill-ing might not be uncon-nected with his persistent visits to the female friends house which had previous-ly brought him into open

confrontation with the womans husband.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Muyiwa Ad-ejobi, confirmed the death of Hamzat, but ruled out political assassination as being speculated.

Adejobi said the inci-dent was purely a murder case that has no political undertone.

He said that five per-sons, including the female

friend, her husband as well as three drivers of the taxi owned by the husband were already in the police custody in Abeokuta.

Adejobi told journalists that evidences available to the police indicted the hus-band of the female friend, hence the need to arrest him for interrogation.

In a related develop-ment, Adejobi confirmed the death of two police of-ficers killed yesterday in Abeokuta by armed rob-bers who attacked cattle

dealers in Olodo Interna-tional Market in Ayetoro in Yewa North Local Govern-ment Area of Ogun State.

He added that two other officers were injured when the robbers attacked the police post at the market and dispossessed the cat-tle dealers of undisclosed huge sum of money.

Decrying the uncoopera-tive attitude of the cattle dealers to strictly adhere to police advice on move-ment of cash at the market, Adejobi said the Commis-

Ex-Fasholas aide assassinated in friends house

L-R: Guest Speaker, Dr. Jerry Wolcson; Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Dr. Mike Okonkwo and his wife, Peace, at the opening ceremony of Kingdom Life World Conference 2012, tagged: Grace, Grace, at the TREM Cathedral in Lagos, at the weekend.

ABIODUN NEJOADO EKITI

The Peoples Demo-cratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Mohammed Abuba-kar, to transfer the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sotonye Wakama.

The PDP Media and Communications Director General in the state, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, said the call became impera-tive to arrest violence in the coming days.

Aribisogan told jour-nalists yesterday in Ado-Ekiti that the inability of Wakama to rise to the spate of violent activities perpetrated by the sup-porters of the ruling Ac-tion Congress of Nigeria (ACN) showed that he has abdicated his responsibili-ties and continued to play politics with the lives and property of the people.

He listed the crimes to include disturbances over chieftaincy matters at Ilasa-Ekiti and Egbe Iro; the disruption of meetings organised by former Governor Ayodele Fayose; the attack on Fay-oses driver on Ire-Ekiti Road and the accident and death that culminat-ed in the closure of the state-owned university.

PDP wants Ekiti CP transferred

Dugbe market. Coker said: What

baffled us more was the burgling of our stores and the carting away of our wares by the YES-O cadets on Sunday afternoon. The goods were bought with loan obtained from SEAP and LAPO which was yet to be repaid.

It is at Dugbe Market that we make money to finance our students ed-ucation. Many of these traders are widows and single mothers who fend

for their families. Now, where do we go now?

Governor Abiola Aji-mobi must not scatter Dugbe market during his administration. His late mother once traded in the market. We closed down the market when he came to campaign. He removed his shoes and promised that he would never dis-turb us. In turn, we mo-bilised our members to vote for him. Now, he has pounced on us. God is watching.

identified injustice as the major causes of conflicts in human societies.

The governor warned that any attempt to forc-ibly deny the people their rights could por-tend danger for the na-tion, adding that there was the need to ensure equity among the peo-ple, while the rich must refrain from oppressing

the poor.He said: A situation

in which 90 per cent of societal resources are concentrated in the hands of one per cent of the people is gross injus-tice that can only breed class antagonism and escalation between the rich and the poor and the rich risks violent re-volt from the poor.

Oyo traders protest alleged demolition, looting

Aregbesola advises judiciary on responsibility

ABIODUN NEJOADO EKITI

The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev Felix Femi Ajakaye, has decried the spate of fetish sac-rifices in some parts of Ekiti State, describing it as waste of resources and taking the state back to the stone age.

Ajakaiye, who noted that the numerous sac-rifices at junctions and crossroads were baffling, said: It is primitive and does not portray us as civilized people who have total belief in God.

The cleric, who spoke at the thanksgiving service of Ekiti Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Week 2012, also decried the ritu-als that local government workers and teachers en-gaged in during their dis-agreement with the state government.

He said: I saw a whole ram at a junction in Usi-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Gov-ernment Area, garnished with salt and palm oil. Apart from being unsightly and un-healthy, I see it as a waste of resources because I believe there must be people in that community who had not eat-en meat for some time.

such a violent end.Former Lagos State

Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, decried the rising insecurity in the country, even as he described as shocking the killing of Amzat by gunmen.

He said: Early this morning (yesterday), I re-ceived the shocking news of the death of one of our most illustrious sons and progressively minded poli-ticians, Hon. Toyin Amzat, former chairman of Ikeja Local Government Area.

Urging relevant au-thorities to arrest Amzats killers, Tinubu asked secu-rity agencies to wake up to their responsibilities.

sioner of Police, Ikhemefu-na Okoye, had directed the Area Commander in Ilaro as well as all the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the state to ensure that the robbers were apprehended.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday described the incident as shocking, saying it was a supreme irony of life that such a man of peace who gave so much in the service of his nation and community could come to

Too many rituals in Ekiti Bishop

Lams death, Oyo people suffer; YES-O steal after demolition; ACN, call Ajimobi to order, defied the police barricade at the entrance to the sec-retariat and chanted war songs.

Led by the Otun Iya-laje of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Coker, the traders lamented the non-service of demolition notice to them before the government mobilised its agents to pull down their means of livelihood at

versal purpose at the swearing in ceremony of the state Acting Chief Judge, Justice Gloria Er-hioyovwe Oladoke.

Aregbesola pleaded with judges, who he de-scribed as representa-tives of God in their vari-ous courts, to ensure that the purpose of justice is served in all their pro-nouncements, even as he

KEMI OLAITANIBADAN

About 200 traders yesterday dis-rupted activities at the Oyo State Govern-ment Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, protesting the al-leged demolition of their stalls and looting of their goods by agents of the state.

The traders, carry-ing placards with vari-ous anti-government in-scriptions such as After

WALE FOLARINOSOGBO

Osun State Gover-nor Rauf Aregbe-sola has urged the judiciary to always dis-charge its responsibilities as expected.

He spoke yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, while delivering a speech entitled: Justice is a uni-

Governor, Tinubu mourn

Fayemi

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netTuesday, November 20, 20128 South West

L-R: Acting Chief Judge, Justice Gloria Ethieyorwe Oladoke; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Abraham Aladeseye, at Oladokes swearing-in-ceremony in Osogbo, yesterday.

The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Demo-cratic Party (PDP) and the Olusola Oke Cam-paign Organisation have ac-cused Governor Olusegun Mimiko of evading service of notice of the petition filed by the governorship candi-date of the PDP at the tribu-nal.

In a statement released by the Special Adviser on Me-dia and Publicity of Chief Olusola Oke, Kunle Ade-bayo, the organisation berat-ed the governor for evading service of the notice of the petition three times, which should have signified the beginning of the trial.

Adebayo described the action of the governor as contempt for the rule of law and an uncharitable con-duct.

The PDP candidate and his party had earlier ap-proached the tribunal to challenge the victory of Mimiko on account of mal-practices, manipulation

of INECs vital documents and substantial non-compli-ance.

Adebayo said on three occasions, the court bailiff had met a brick wall in an effort to serve both the La-bour Party (LP) and Gover-nor Mimiko the petitions. On these occasions, he said the governor was reported to be busy with state matters while the offices of secretar-ies and officials dedicated for the governors mails were re-portedly under lock and key.

Efforts by the court bailiff to also serve the LP through its state secretariat in Akure and its national secretariat in Abuja, Adebayo said also proved abortive as both offic-es were reportedly deserted.

According to Adebayo, the reason why Governor Mimiko and the LP are dodging notice of service is to enable them work on the petition which Adebayo said was allegedly leaked by Wole Uzzi, Director of legal services of INEC to Chief

Tunde Atere, of the Ondo State Law Commission to enable them beat the 14 days deadline.

This is regrettable and unacceptable as according to him, It is an act of cow-ardice and panic fueled by the guilty conscience of a governor who allegedly procured victory under the basest, most corrupt and most shameful circum-stances ever seen in history. Which state matter should be more important than defending the legitimacy of government? Adebayo asked.

One would have expect-ed the man who claimed victory with clean hands to jump up with genuine ex-citement and enviable con-fidence and walk up to the temple of justice with dis-patch and pride, he said.

We are not surprised at all because the truth about all the lies perpetrated dur-ing the election is oozing out like smoke before fire.

AROWOSOLA TOSIN

The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has lambasted the Peoples Demo-cratic Party (PDP) in the South-West for alleging that Governor Babatunde Fashola and the ACN are manipulat-ing the appeal case in the Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA.

The party said it is not sur-prising that such falsehood is coming from the South-West PDP, which it advised to warm up to the fact that its imposed reign in the South-West is done and over for good.

In a release signed by the party in Lagos, the state Publicity Secretary, Joe Ig-bokwe, said the party un-derstands why it is arduous asking PDP to substantiate its allegation since the party believes in forging and mar-keting falsehood for its exis-tence.

The ACN said the PDP in the South-West is founded on such falsehood and has ceased to surprise anybody by the intensity and hollow-ness of their falsehood.

Our reaction to the latest falsehood is to laugh it off as yet another smear effort by the PDP to cash in on the intelligence of a people that have proved for the ump-teenth time that they are

ACN blasts PDP over allegation of manipulation of LCDA appeal case

Ondo guber: Mimiko dodging notice of petition -PDP

Lagos begins child health intervention

Labour Institute honours Fayemi, Orji, others in Ilorin

Institute lauds FG over stance on Boko HaramMURITALA AYINLA

The Institute of Strate-gic Management of Nigeria (ISMN) yes-terday lauded the Federal Government for ignoring the negotiation offer by the deadly Boko Haram sect, de-scribing the move as a good strategy meant to resolve the countrys security chal-lenges.

The experts argued that there was no way the Feder-al Government would have a favourable deal with the sect since its members still operate under cover, adding that dealing with unknown sect such as Boko Haram re-quires strategic approach.

Briefing journalists at the Ladi Lawal Press Centre, Alausa, on the end of year activities of the institute, the Registrar and Chief Execu-tive Officer of the institute, Adeyemi Mapaderun, said

the Federal Government might not likely have the up-per hand at the purported negotiation table.

According to the regis-trar, the outcome of the ne-gotiation might not favour the Federal Government since the members of the sect still remain largely un-known.

His words: Negotiation is not the answer to Boko Haram insurgency because the members of the sect have upper hands than the Federal Government. Also, since nobody has been able to pin point their members, they will be in control of the negotiation.

So, we have to adopt a better strategy to tackle insecurity problems in the country.

The institute called on the Federal Government to adopt a strategic issue on the array of problems confront-ing the nation.

WOLE ADEDEJIILORIN

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, is to be conferred with the fellow of the Michael Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies (MINILS) this week at an annual la-bour relations summit of the institute in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The summit, which will also feature the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed; Abia State Gover-nor, Chief Theodore Orji, as well as the Labour Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu, is said to be in recognition of their immense contribution to sound labour relations in the country.

National Mirror gathered that the summit, with the theme; Social Policy, Labour Relations and Transforma-tion Agenda: Extending So-cial Protection in Nigeria is to focus on the contribution of critical stakeholders in la-bour matters in the country.

The former National President of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Prof. Festus Iyayi, will among other prominent speakers, speak on the topic and the Issues, Prospects and Chal-lenges of Social Protection in Nigeria.

The former Director of International Labour Or-ganisation (ILO) Regional Office for Southern Af-rica, Harare, Zimbabwe, Prof. Tayo Fashoyin as well as the pioneer Direc-tor-General of MINILS are also billed to be award-ed, the source added.

As the second round of this years Mater-nal Newborn and Child Health week celebra-tion begins in Lagos State, the state government says it has designated 729 health posts made up of 287 fixed posts and 442 outreach posts for the statewide exercise.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina, who disclosed this at the week-end, urged families and care-givers to visits these posts along with their un-der five children during the week-long celebration to avail themselves of the ser-vices that would be provid-ed, which she described as

high-impact, low-cost ma-ternal, newborn and child health interventions.

Her words: The ma-ternal newborn and child health week was introduced with the objective of im-proving the healthcare seek-ing-behaviour of the whole family, especially mothers and care-givers of children under the age of five years.

The week is being cele-brated with the provision of an integrated, high-impact preventive and promotive services to the whole family and these services include routine immunisation, Vi-tamin A supplementation with growth monitoring and promotion as well as

wiser than their antics. When we saw the body of

their allegation and noticed that there was nothing link-ing either Governor Fashola or the ACN to the laughable allegation, we felt vindicated in our age-old contention that PDP in the South-West is a huge aberration.

We would be expecting more from them if we expect them to prove their allega-tion, for that is the lifeblood that sustains the party at present.

For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Fashola and the ACN give no heck about Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA going

to the PDP in a free and fair contest, but we feel that PDP cannot just be patronised be-cause they are very desperate.

Even in our contention, we feel the judiciary still re-mains the best institution equipped to settle every elec-toral dispute, which is why we are still submitting to the primacy of the court in this matter.

Neither Governor Fashola nor the ACN has done any-thing to sabotage this process and we remain firm that the lower tribunal erred by disal-lowing our legitimate votes and approving PDPs own votes.

screening of under five chil-dren for malnutrition.

She added that other specific objectives of the celebration are the need to promote the utilisation of health facilities by preg-nant women, newborn and children and to mobilise pregnant women to attend four focused antennal care visits.

It is also to deliver teta-nus toxoid to eligible women of productive age, provide children six to 59 months with vitamin A every six months, distribute and pro-mote the use of long lasting insecticide treated nets for under five children, preg-nant and lactating women.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 9Tuesday, November 20, 2012 South West

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net10 Tuesday, November 20, 2012South East

Eze Nri, His Majesty, Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh (right), exchanging greetings with the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Sports and Women Affairs, Dr. Peter Deshi, after conferring him with the title of Ezinwanne Na Nri, in Nri, Anambra State, at the weekend.

APGA crisis: Umeh accepts CANs dialogue offer with Obi, BiancaDENNIS AGBOENUGU

The National Chair-man of All Progres-sives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, has accepted the offer by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to dialogue

between him and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu on the partys linger-ing crisis.

Umeh, however, warned that his acceptance of the of-fer should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness or sur-render, but as a mark of re-

Ex-APCON boss, Nzeribe, is dead

300 Nigerians protest deportation from Bostwana

Anambra varsity denies owing govt N8m taxesCHARLES OKEKEAWKA

The management of Anambra State University has denied that it owed the government N8 million unremitted taxes de-ducted from workers salaries.

The universitys Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Fidelis Okafor, said all the de-ductions made from

workers salaries were being remitted to rel-evant agencies and that he was not aware that the school owed such an amount.

He repudiated the claim that the univer-sity was in default of remitting taxes to the appropriate authori-ties when he spoke with journalists on various issues affecting the in-stitution in Awka, the

state capital.The vice-chancellor,

however, said the uni-versity would admit 3000 fresh students for next academic session.

He decried the situ-ation whereby the uni-versity does not have enough money to pay salaries, adding that at times, the management was compelled to bor-row money to pay sala-ries.

ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

A former chair-man of Advertis-ing Practitioners Council of Nigeria (AP-CON) and the only black African recipient of the International Advertising Association (IAA) Medal of Merit, London, Dr May M. Nzeribe, is dead.

He died at the age of 75.Nzeribe 75 was the

chairman and founder of one of the earliest indige-nous advertising agencies, Sunrise Darcy.

He was described as a man who devoted large portion of his working life to assisting in internalis-ing practice standards in the advertising industry.

He contributed to pro-moting an enabling envi-ronment for adequate con-sumer protection.

Reacting to his death,

the chairman of Troyka Group, Mr Biodun Soban-jo, described it sad news. Sobanjo said: Very, very sad. I picked the news this morning (yesterday). May his soul rest in perfect peace.

APCON Registrar, Alh-aji Garba Bello-Kakanrofi, said the association would make a public announce-ment as soon as the council finishes discussion with the family.

DENNIS AGBOENUGU

No fewer than 300 Ni-gerians living in the Republic of Botswa-na have been deported to Ni-geria in the past few months after the authorities refused to renew their permits.

The angry deportees want President Goodluck Jona-than and the National Assem-bly to quickly look into the re-lation between Bostwana and Nigeria in order to ascertain the true conditions of Nigeri-ans living in that country.

The deportees, most of whom had lived and worked in the Southern African coun-try, said since Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, assumed office, Nigerians living in Bostwana had been subjected to dehumanising conditions and racial abuses.

Alleging that Gen. Khama planned to get rid of innocent Nigerians do-ing genuine businesses in Bostwana, efforts to make the countrys authorities understand that they were peace-loving and not inter-ested in criminal activities

fell on deaf ears.The Bostwana Govern-

ment was only interested in sending us out without any reason, they said.

Speaking on the ordeals of Nigerians in the hands of the Botswana officials, Mr. Kingsley Ndubuisi, an indigene of Anambra State, who returned to the country without his belongings in September, said all Nigerians whose permits expired were forcefully deported, leaving their property, wives and chil-dren behind.

The most annoying of

all the troubles Nigerians are facing in Bostwana is the incessant stamping of (PI), meaning Prohibited Im-migrant on the passport of Nigerians by the Bostwana authorities. The implication is that such a person cannot enter that country again, Ndubuisi said.

He said some of the vic-tims of the flush Nigerians policy were doctors, phar-macists and businessmen.

Ndubuisi claimed that all these Nigerians were escort-ed to the airport in handcuff and leg chains like criminals.

SOLA ADEBAYOWARRI

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pas-tor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday declined comment over the insinuations that President Goodluck Jonathan bought a private jet for him as a gift to mark the 40th anniversary of his call to service.

The General Overseer of the Later Rain Bible Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, also called for a bloody revolution to deal with some clerics, who have acquired expen-sive private jets.

Oritsejafor, in a telephone interview with National Mirror, yesterday, how-ever, said that he was not ready to glorify his critics with a reply.

National Mirror recalls that Oritsejafor joined the elite league of Nigerian clerics, who own private jets on Saturday, Novem-ber 10, 2012 when his church, Word of Life Bible Church, announced a gift of a Bombardier Jet in honour of the flamboyant cleric, who marked 40th anniversary of his call to evangelism.

Jonathan was on hand at the churchs headquarters in Warri, Delta State, when the announcement of the multi-million dollar gift was made by the leaders of the church.

The plane, valued at over $40million, according to re-ports, is a Canadian-made

Bombadier Jet with US reg-istration number N431CB. The reports further indi-cated that the jet was manu-factured in 1994 and hitherto owned by two individuals in the United States.

It was gathered that the plane was used in New Jer-sey by CR BARD IN of Mur-ry Hill, New Jersy, before it was listed for sale in July 2012.

Bakare stirred controver-sy over the jet when he called for a bloody revolution be-cause some religious leaders have acquired private jets.

The controversial cleric said that a bloody revolu-tion that would consume re-ligious leaders, who acquired private jets, would soon break out in the country and called on their congregations to challenge the clerics to ex-plain to them where and how they raised the money to pro-cure such expensive jets.

Already, CAN has cleared Oritsejafor, describing the critics of Oritsejafor as evil minds.

But the Oritsejafor, who was contacted by National Mirror yesterday to speak on the lingering controversy over his private jet, said he was not ready to take issues with his critics.

I have no comment. I cant be talking about such matter at this level. Please leave me alone over that matter. I cant glorify any-body with a comment over such matter, he said.

I wont reply critics over private jet Oritsejafor

spect to the Christaindom.He commended CAN, par-

ticularly its Chairman in the South-East, Bishop Emman-uel Chukwuman, who Chief Umeh said has consistently remained passionate on is-sues affecting Ndigbo and Ni-geria in general.

Umeh said that CANs of-fer was the first time a credi-ble group would be offering to dialogue among the warring factions in the party crisis,

adding that since the gladia-tors are predominantly chris-tians, I and my colleagues, including the non-Christians have agreed to present our-selves to dialogue by CAN.

The APGA chieftain said that he was emotional about the party, having recorded second term victory for Gov-ernor Obi, first term victory for Rochas Okorocha in Imo, and others in the National Assembly in the 2011 general

elections.People have just started

trooping into the party after the victories and the crisis started and if peace now returns to the party, it will become even stronger. And I can assure you that after the crisis, our people will get the kind of leadership they desire, Umeh told journalists yesterday in Enugu.

He, however, urged Obi

and Bianca to open their hearts to the dialogue, re-calling that without his leadership of the APGA, the party would have long ceased to exist.

I am ready to forgive and they too should be ready to forgive too. I thank Bishop Emmanuel Chuk-wuma for being outspoken on issues of Igbo interest and I encourage him to restore peace in APGA, Umeh said.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 11Tuesday, November 20, 2012 South-South

The Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in the Niger Delta on Monday described as false and baseless allegations that its personnel were bribed by oil thieves in the area.

Some members of the public had alleged that personnel of the JTF had been compromised by oil thieves to regain freedom and carry on with their escapades.

Brig-Gen Tukur Bura-tai, the Commander, 2 Bri-gade of the Army and Sec-tor 2 of the JTF, denied the allegation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Buratai denied the alle-gation on the sidelines of a 12-kilometre road race organised in the state by the Nigerian Army.

He said soldiers of the

JTF had always main-tained discipline without any form of prejudice and corrupt practices in car-rying out their duty of eliminating illegal bun-kering in the region.

``Im hearing this alle-gation for the first time; I dont believe men of the JTF will do that (collect bribes).

N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g , since you brought it to my notice, I will investigate; but I dont believe our Sol-diers will do that.

Anyone (illegal bun-kers) that is arrested and brought to my notice, no-body goes free. We take them straight to the court through the Nigerian Se-curity and Civil Defence.

Buratai called on the public to report anyone involved in oil theft and il-legal refining of crude oil to security agencies in the state.

TONY ANICHEBEUYO

Youths across the five local government ar-eas of Oron in Akwa Ibom State yesterday rose from a stakeholders meeting to laud the effort of the Rec-tor of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Joshua Okpo, in his determination to reposition the institution.

The group condemned a recent petition by some peo-ple from the area to black-mail and cause disaffection

between the school and the Federal Ministry of Trans-port.

The petition, according to the group, was skewed to cause distraction in the on-going reforms and transfor-mation programme being implemented by the rector.

President of Essu Nlap Oro Development Organi-zation Apostle, Etim Ante, said in the past one year, the rector had impacted positively on the people of the area and had brought his wealth of experience to

bear in the management of the school.

The Oro youth leader, who stressed that the ad-ministration of Mr. Joshua Okpo had taken steps in en-suring relative peace among members of the schools host community, described the rector as a patriotic and philanthropic Nigerian who should be encouraged rath-er than being vilified.

He listed the achievement of the rector in the last one year to include provision of steady power and water to

the institution, increased se-curity, provision of hostels, building new staff quarters, construction of modern Jetty, building of new class-rooms, construction of med-ical centre for both students and staffs and installation of modern Simulators for training of Cadets.

Apostle Ante added that apart from the physical de-velopment, the rector also provided regular local and international training pro-grammes for junior and se-nior workers of the school.

L-R: Member, Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, Hajia Fatima Abdulrahman; Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole; Co-Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and spokesman for the displaced persons, Mr. Omogbako Amabi, when the com-mittee visited the displaced persons at Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday.

Tambuwal

JTF denies taking bribe from oil thieves

Youths hail Maritime Academy rectors performance

SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

The Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Reha-bilitation yesterday visited camps of displaced per-sons in Edo State, donating relief materials worth mil-lions of naira to them.

Co-Chairman of the Committee and President of Dangote Group of Com-panies, Alhaji Aliko Dan-gote, who led the team, said Edo was the first in the list of affected states to be vis-ited.

Sympathising with Gov-ernor Adams Oshiomhole

and the people of Edo State over the devastating im-pact of the flood, Dangote said: This committee is made up of heavyweights from the various profes-sions. They are not here to make money out of the situation. We are trying to see if we can raise one hun-dred billion naira.

We had a fundraising at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and we have actu-ally raised twelve billion. I want to assure you that the displaced Nigerians would not be left to suffer. We will come to their rescue. We will make sure that they would be better off than

they were before.Responding, Oshiom-

hole thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for providing the leadership necessary to galvanize support for the displaced persons on the face of an enormous challenge posed by the flood.

Oshiomhole said: I want to appreciate Mr. President for putting up such a high-powered com-mittee whose members have laboured to get to the level where they are and whose compassion to share part of their resources in a coordinated effort towards mitigating the sufferings

of those affected and giv-ing them hope is not in doubt.

Mr. President has done extremely well. He has helped to tell us, as Nigeri-ans, that we should be our brothers keepers in our time of need.

The challenge of the flood is enormous. In the short run, we want to make sure that our brothers and sisters are not allowed to die of starvation, after having been displaced al-ready by the flood; their farmlands and livestock destroyed and family life destabilised.

Expressing joy over the

CHINEDUM EMEANAPORT HARCOURT

A Non-Governmen-tal Organisation (NGO) in Rivers State, Peoples Encouragers Initiative (PEIN), has called for the removal of the im-munity clause for Presi-dent and governors from the nations Constitution.

Speaking on the ongoing debate on the review of the

1999 Constitution, the Ex-ecutive Director of the or-ganisation, Mr. Chukuma Abraham, told journalists in Port Harcourt that the removal of the immunity clause became necessary to curb the widespread cor-ruption among all catego-ries of public office holders in the country.

He said that recent de-velopments in the country demonstrated that gov-ernors should be probed while in office.

Abraham said: Remov-ing the clause may not to-tally eradicate corruption, but will definitely reduce the brazen embezzlement going on in the country.

The practice of true federation and resource control has become impera-tive in Nigeria to facilitate healthy competition among

Dangote to fl ood victims: We wont allow you to suffer

Group demands removal of immunity clause

positive reaction of Nige-rians, Oshiomhole said he was encouraged by the way Nigerians have so far reacted across the length and breadth of the country.

He said: This is a posi-tive indication that Nige-rians have shown that we are one and the same. It is important in terms of the politics of national unity.

The governor com-mended Dangote for show-ing a personal interest in the industrialisation of Edo State and for devoting time to his humanitarian efforts.

He said: I am confident that the additional relief materials, which I hear is quite a lot, will go a long way to make the camps

more comfortable. I want to assure you

that only those who de-serve to benefit will ben-efit. Your visit will give them a lot of psychologi-cal relief that the people they have heard of and have not seen, but which this disaster has brought, have been to the local communities.

The committee donated 1, 500 bags of 5kg rice; 1, 500 bags of 5kg gari; 1, 500 cartons of noodles; 3, 000 bags of 1kg bags of salt; 2, 000 bags of water; 1, 500 1 li-tre packs of palm oil; 7, 500 1kg bags of sugar; 750 sani-tary packs; 250 mattresses; 1, 000 blankets; 700 clothing materials for men and 700 ankara materials.

the component units of the federation.

The present system not only deprives states of au-tonomy, but reduces them to beggars.

The federating states do not enjoy the autonomy they deserve to have con-trol over their resources and how they are adminis-tered.

WOLE ADEDEJIILORIN

Former Nigeria mili-tary rulers, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abubakar Abdulsalam, yesterday paid condolence visits to the family of the late Kwara State political icon, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki.

They were accompa-nied by Alhaji Babagana

Kingibe, former Chairman of the defunct Social Demo-cratic Party (SDP) and Sec-retary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who broke down and wept openly during the visit.

Earlier in the day, another former military Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari, was in the house of the Sarakis, accompanied by the former Speaker of the

House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari with Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who came shortly after.

In his condolence speech, Babangida, who spoke in Hausa to beat the curiosity of journalists and the crowd of the political family of the late Saraki on behalf of the entourage, said the late Kwara politi-cian was a man of honour

and dignity who lived an ex-emplary life with a unique style of politics.

His words: Waziris (Saraki) death is not a loss to the people of Ilorin alone, but to Nigerians at large. He has touched so many lives. In fact, Im a beneficiary of the late Sarakis humour, he tried so much. He said; That is the only thing that one can be best remem-

bered for after ones death.Saraki came into this

world, we saw what he did, people talked about his deeds and it is my belief that with these testimonies, God will grant him eternal rest, he added.

The immediate past Act-ing National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Abuba-kar Kawu Baraje, who gave

the vote of thanks on be-half of the Saraki family, described the two former military of Heads of State as great men of honour.

He particularly extolled the humanitarian lifestyle of General Babangida who like the late Saraki, had also touched the life of poor people through personal sponsorship of their educa-tion.

INUSA NDAHIMAIDUGURI

United Nations Chil-dren Fund (UNI-CEF) Field Office in Bauchi has expressed wor-ry at the increasing case of defecation in open places, advising the country to put an end to the menace as it has the potential of causing serious health-related dis-eases in the society.

In a press release issued by UNICEF Communica-tions Officer, Mr. Sammuel Kaalu, at a one-day work-shop marking the World Toilet Day, with the theme: Ending Open Defecation is Possible, said lack of toilet remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among children.

He said in Nigeria, it is estimated that diarrhoea kills about 194,000 children under five every year and in addition, respiratory infec-tions kill another 240,000. These are largely prevent-able with improvement in water, sanitation and hy-giene.

Globally, he said, UNI-CEF is supporting 50 coun-tries, including Nigeria to implement the Community Approaches to Total Sanita-

JAMES ABRAHAMJOS

The Federal Govern-ment yesterday al-layed the fears of Nigerians that there will be food shortage in the country following the re-cent flood that wrecked havoc in different parts of the country.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Bukar Tijani, who gave the as-surance while flagging-off the Food Relief Materials to Families of Flood Vic-tims in Jos, said Presi-dent Goodluck Jonathan has approved N17.6 billion for flood affected states to address the immediate challenges of displaced persons.

The minister further said that in order to alle-viate the problem of the flood victims, the Presi-

dent, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has put in place a National Flood Recovery Food Pro-duction Plan, adding that they will ensure that the immediate food security needs of the affected area are guaranteed as efforts will be made to address and double up production to ensure that national food security is not threat-ened.

The minister further said that the Federal Gov-ernment will procure and distribute fertilizers to farmers at a highly subsi-dised rate.

According to the minis-ter, a total of 40,000 metric tonnes of food items that include maize, sorghum, garri and millet are ex-pected to be distributed to victims affected and that Plateau State will receive 1, 500 metric tonnes.

HENRY IYORKASEMAKURDI

Indication emerged yesterday that the crisis between Fu-lani herdsmen and Tiv peasant farmers in Guma Local Govern-ment Area of Benue State is not yet over as the parish priest of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Udei, Rev. Fr. Christopher Utov, told National Mirror yester-day that scores of vio-lence leading to the kill-ing of innocent peasant farmers are still taking place silently by invad-ing Fulani herdsmen.

Utov narrated how the farmers are still being traumatised as suspect-ed Fulani herdsmen in-vaded the villages at the wee hours of the night armed with dangerous

weapons where they wreck havoc on unsus-pecting peasants.

The parish priest told National Mirror that se-ries of efforts aimed at resolving the lingering crisis appears to fall on deaf ears as the herds-men still carry on their attacks unmolested lead-ing to the loss of many lives and destruction of property.

The cleric said despite concerted efforts by in-dividuals, including the Benue State government to resolve the issue, the problem has defied solu-tion.

Several attempts to get the comments of the Benue State commands police public relations officer on the hostilities could not yield any re-sult as he was not avail-able for comment.

tion (CATS) such as com-munity-led total sanitation aimed at empowering com-munities to identify their sanitation challenges and take necessary actions to end open defecation.

According to a joint UNI-CEF and World Health Or-ganisation report of 2012, it is estimated that 34 million Nigerians practice open defecation and that Nigeria is among the top five coun-tries in the world with the largest number of people defecating in the open.

Community-led total sanitation aims to make all

communities free of open defecation by focusing on social and behavioural change and the use of af-fordable, appropriate tech-nologies.

The emphasis is on the sustainable use of sanita-tion facilities rather than the construction of infra-structure and the approach depends on the engagement of members of the commu-nity ranging from individu-als, to schools, to traditional leaders.

Communities use their own capacities to attain their objectives and take a

central role in planning and implementing improved sanitation.

He added that in Nigeria alone, UNICEF in partner-ship with relevant govern-ment ministries, depart-ments and agencies, as well as donors such as the European Union and the UK Aid, is supporting the implementation of commu-nity-led total sanitation in 30 states and over two mil-lion people living in more than 3,000 open defecation free communities are esti-mated to be using toilets as a result.

IJEOMA EZEIKEABUJA

Some students of the University of Abuja yesterday protested the failure of the university authorities to secure ac-creditation of the three pro-grammes suspended by the Federal Government with the six months of grace.

The protest disrupted se-mester examinations in the main campus of the uni-versity, along Airport road, Gwagwalada.

This is even as the au-

thorities have dismissed