Yar'Adua Returns Home Next Week, Says Saudi Doctor

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua is billed to return to Nigeria next week, one of the medical doctors attending to the President at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, said yesterday.

The doctor told Deutsche Presse-Agentur, a German news agency under anonymity yesterday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that Yar'Adua was no longer in the intensive care wing of the hospital and was undergoing routine medical tests.


This development corroborates the claims of the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba Aminchi, that the president was fit enough to return to Nigeria anytime next week.

Aminchi told newsmen in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, that the call on the president to resign from office as a result of his ill-health was out of place.

"President Umaru Yar'Adua has been attended to by his doctor. He was given a week to recuperate after which he will be examined again. From the one week, he has just spent two days (Thursday). So, he still has five days to recuperate

"After one week rest, if he is certified fit and capable to return home and resume his work, God willing, he will be back in Nigeria by next week," Aminchi said. He dismissed insinuations making round among Nigerian pilgrims in Makkah that the president was brought to the Mount Arafat by Saudi medical officials to pray and take part in the Hajj rites.

The ambassador frowned at the spate of criticisms going on in Nigeria and the call on the president to resign from office, describing the euphoria generated by the president's trip for medical check-up as uncalled for. According to him, Yar'Adua could not become president of Nigeria if it has not pleased God or if God did not approve it, advising critics of the president to wait for their own time.

Aminchi thanked all Nigerians who had been praying for the president, especially Nigerian pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia and government officials. When contacted on the development, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, yesterday said he had no information to give.

Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Goje and his Edo State counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday took a swipe at politicians and other Nigerians calling for the resignation of the president from office. Speaking at Okada, Edo State, yesterday, during the 7th graduation ceremony of Igbinedion University, the governors said those making the call were seeking easy way to power.

Goje said: "If democracy is to be sustained, we should not be sentimental. We should pray to God to speedily give better health to Yar'Adua."

He said anything that would bring instability to the country was unpatriotic and admonished Nigerians to pray for the President because, "God who gives life and everything will save His people."

On his part, Oshiomhole said: "All of us have the duty to pray for our president. Yar'Adua has made contributions to ensuring the peace and stability of this country at very difficult times. I do not belong to the same umbrella with him but we belong to the same country.

"Yar'Adua is an asset to this country. He is a statesman. We are in a democracy and we have people who look at issues in terms of immediate political calculation. Unknown to many Nigerians, Yar'Adua has demonstrated certain qualities of leadership that are uncommon. I am speaking with authority because I have been privileged to interact with many leaders. That is critical to the growth and development of this country," he said.

Yar'Adua, 58, had suffered severe chest pain a fortnight ago and medical examination revealed that the President is suffering from acute pericarditis, (an inflammatory condition of the coverings of the heart).

Can an African Team Win the 2010 World Cup?

Close your eyes and try to imagine the scenes of jubilation across Africa if a team from the continent were to win the 2010 World Cup.

A celebration like no other, one billion people revelling in one of the greatest sporting and cultural achievements.

For the first time in its 80-year history, football's blue riband competition is coming to the world's poorest and most underdeveloped land.

How better to mark the occasion than with a first African champion?

"Winning the World Cup would be one of the proudest moments in the history of that country and our continent as a whole," former South Africa striker Shaun Bartlett told BBC Sport.

"Every African nation has its internal problems but football can do wonders for people and nations, which is a huge incentive."

Nobody is saying it is going to happen but the groundswell of opinion suggests South Africa 2010 is the best opportunity yet.

Unperturbed by his 1977 prediction that an African side would triumph by the end of the 20th century, Brazil legend Pele genuinely believes it can occur next year.

His namesake Abedi Pele, a former Ghana international, and Liberian George Weah, two of the greatest players to emerge from Africa and still highly influential figures within the game, are equally convinced.

Not only are the six African representatives competing on home soil but they will benefit from an advantage that the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and England will never have - the support of an entire continent.

"The idea that one of our sides could win the World Cup is not going too far," said former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh. "African players perform a lot on emotions and that will be a powerful force.

"When Nigeria played at the Olympics in 1996 we were not playing as Nigerians but as Africans because we had every African country behind us.

"We had this psychological edge and if an African nation gets to the semi-finals on home soil in 2010, I would not want to be in the team who plays against them."

All but five of the 18 previous World Cups have been won by teams from the host continent, while Brazil's victories at Mexico 1970 and USA 1994 and Argentina's triumph at Mexico 1986 were still in the Americas. There is little doubt that home advantage helped South Korea reach the 2002 semi-finals.

Former Charlton forward Bartlett suggested the "spirit inside every African" and the various expatriate communities in South Africa will ensure huge support for each home nation, with fans of one African side rallying behind another once their team has been knocked out.

Yet optimism stems more from the knowledge that, in terms of numbers, quality and experience, this is the strongest set of African nations to contest a World Cup.

Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria and Ghana constitute a fearsome quintet, while South Africa will be desperate to avoid embarrassment on home soil.

Ivory Coast are viewed as having the most talented squad but much will also be expected of Ghana following their impressive World Cup debut in 2006 and Cameroon, revitalised under ex-Rangers coach Paul Le Guen and making an African record sixth appearance in the finals.

Nigeria, Algeria and South Africa - the only African team who will be seeded - might be less fancied but all three are capable of reaching the knockout phase.

"African teams have matured a lot, they no longer want to go to competitions to make numbers; they want to make an impression," stated Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure.

"The difference between the teams from African and European countries is no longer vast. In the past, African teams were taken for granted in big tournaments but this time it's going to be different."

Since Zaire became the first African nation to qualify for a World Cup in 1974, the continent can lay claim to only two quarter-finalists - Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.

So what makes them better equipped in 2010? Increased experience, maturity and tactical awareness are sure to play a part but, above all else, Oliseh points to the number of Africans now mixing it with the best on a weekly basis.

"Nothing boosts a player more than playing at the top level each week and winning titles," added the ex-Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who rose to fame with a stunning goal for Nigeria against Spain at France 1998. "A lot of African players have won titles in the last four years.

"Samuel Eto'o and Yaya Toure won the Champions League with Barcelona and Didier Drogba and Michael Essien reached the previous final with Chelsea.

"They know what it takes to win at the very highest level of club football. If they can bring that mentality to their national sides they will be hard to beat."

All six of the African teams have their weaknesses - Bartlett mentions "poor goalkeepers", "occasionally catastrophic defending" and "a tendency to concede late goals because they can't concentrate for 90 minutes" - and a lot will depend on their ability to stay injury-free, especially with January's Africa Cup of Nations looming in Angola.

Yet that tournament will provide five of them (South Africa failed to qualify) with competitive game time to work on their plans - something that no other nation will benefit from between now and 11 June.

Which is just as well because South Africa 2010 promises to be one of the most fiercely contested World Cups to date, with every past champion in attendance and no genuine contenders missing.

The fact that no African team has gone beyond the quarter-finals does not bode well and they will be praying that Friday's draw treats them kindly.

At Germany 2006, the Ivory Coast were pooled with Argentina and the Netherlands and Ghana reached the round of 16 only to be pitted against five-time champions Brazil.

Good fortune also evaded Senegal in 2002 as they were eliminated on the golden goals rule and Cameroon in 1990 after they succumbed to England after two controversially awarded penalties. Serious question marks also surrounded Germany's 1-0 victory over Austria that knocked out Algeria in 1982.

"If the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Cameroon have good draw and a bit of good fortune, I can see them going as far as the semi-finals," commented Bartlett on the eve of the draw. "After that, the team who plays better on the day will go through so anything could happen."

If you look at the way they play, the quality of their squad and the teams their stars play for, it's clear the Ivory Cost could do the unthinkable by winning the World Cup

Although the altitude at Johannesburg's Soccer City could favour the Africans, this will be the first winter World Cup since 1978 so cold temperatures should make for neutral footballing conditions.

That will contrast sharply with the weather in Angola during the Cup of Nations, increasing the need for thorough and well-organised preparation - a lack of which has seriously damaged the African challenge in years gone by.

"There have always been problems off the pitch which prevent our teams from having that extra edge to go further," divulged Oliseh.

"In 2002 it took Cameroon two days to get to their base; they were the last team to arrive in South Korea. There were so many administrative problems, with things like travelling, flights and player bonuses, that the players weren't focused enough to win."

Bartlett added that "one or two African teams will still be fighting over money when the tournament starts, organisation is a huge issue".

If they manage to avoid such problems, we could be in for an absolute treat.

African nations have been punching above their weight for some time, their progress severely hampered by poverty and a lack of resources.

After battling against the odds for so long, who would begrudge one of their captains holding aloft the Jules Rimet trophy at Soccer City on 11 July 2010?

African Media Urged to Embrace Digital Revolution

Lagos — African media leaders ended their meeting in Lagos yesterday with a call on owners and operators of media organisations to embrace the digital revolution for seamless information dissemination on the continent.

The media practitioners under the umbrella of the African Media Leaders Forum (AMLF), whose founding Chairman, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY, met in Lagos to discuss developments in Africa amid a range of cutting-edge issues affecting the continent's media industry.

This is coming as the continent is contending with the impact of the global financial crisis, receding economic growth and the advent of new, social media technologies that are fundamentally altering existing media business models all across the globe.


Speaking in a keynote address with the theme, "Challenges and Opportunities in a Digital World: Envisioning New Media Business Models," Prof. John Lavine, Dean of Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, United States, tasked media owners to invest in journalism.

He said in the emerging digital world, understading the audience is very important and that the new future in the digital world is the cell phone.

Lavine noted that depending on the engagement of a story, the people would give their time and money to access it adding: "Our stories should impact deeply on the people's insights and their experiences."

He said the most valuable content is generated from traditional and unique sources and "it demonstrates how events impact audiences and relate to trends."

Lavine said illiteracy is not an obstacle to digitization because of the influence of radio that can transmit messages in various languages that can easily be understood even by those who can not read and write.

Lavine advised media owners to invest more in investigative journalism and smart use of data in stories.

He also canvassed for a system whereby the media can exchange information that could be relevant to the different communities of Africa.

Obaigbena declared that in this age of digitization, the licensing regimes in most African countries before entrepreneurs can set up broadcast stations have become obsolete.

He therefore called on AMLF to prevail on African governments to discount such licensing laws, which obviously inhibit free speech.

Also speaking on the issue, Chris Kabwato, director, Highway Africa, said the cell phone which is a veritable instrument of digitization is currently being used in Uganda for four purposes - voice calls, radio, SMS and getting internet generated information.

He said the majority of Africans are already accessing the internet for the first time on their mobile phones and not on computers.

Kabwato added that another opportunity would be the one offered the Diaspora African community to get in touch through services that the media is offering.

In her remarks on the subject, Ms Robin Sanders, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria stated that internet provides a broad range of opportunities for the media on the continent, which they can latch on to for the development of their countries.

Mr. Amadou Mahtar Ba, executive director, African Media Initiative noted: "By convening the forum in Nigeria, Africa's most populous democracy, we are sending a message that the strengthening of mass media systems is an urgent imperative for societal advancement, and needs the support of governments, business leaders and civil society."

An overarching objective of the forum was to explore ways in which the voices of the vast majority of Africans can be better mobilised to create a new narrative that is centred on wealth creation, away from the stereotypical view that emphasises problems and deficiencies at the expense of opportunity.

"Now, more than ever before, is the time to create a new wealth narrative that can help improve the everyday lives of millions of Africans who yearn for economic opportunity, knowledge and cultural expression," noted Eric Chinje, manager, Africa Region External Affairs at the World Bank.

In his closing remarks, Obaigbena thanked delegates who came to Nigeria to share enterprising ideas to shape the media in Africa.

He said next year's venue would be decided by the secretariat of AMLF and communicated to participants.

Nafdac Procures Device to Detect Fake Drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), yesterday joined the global effort in the use of a cutting-edge technology to fight counterfeiting in Nigeria.

The technology, a handheld device called Truscan would be used at borders and medical stores to detect counterfeit drugs on the spot.

Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who made the declaration yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the advanced computer training programme for NAFDAC management staff confirmed that the equipment have arrived the shores of Nigeria, stating that "we are the first Medicine Regulatory Agency in the world to purchase Truscan."

He however stated that the NAFDAC staff will soon be trained on its use and that the agency was also deploying "a text messaging technology to put the power of detection of counterfeits in the hands of Nigerian consumers thereby enlisting the entire Nigerian public in the war against counterfeiting".

This, Orhii said, would help detect counterfeit medicines in pharmaceutical outlets while covering the scope of its responsibility to safeguard the public.

To this end, he stated that the agency has embarked on full computerisation of its operations to improve efficiency, while noting that "for any regulatory authority to be successful, it needs to constantly review its actitvities, evolve new measures to build the capacity of staff, standardise operating procedures, with adequate funding and entrench a culture of fairness and be transparent in service delivery."

Information Technology (IT) skill, Orhii reiterated will no doubt improve competence of regulators in discharging assigned duties effectively.

Said he: "As the whole world is shifting towards e-technology, the health sector also uses IT technology to deliver better services to people. NAFDAC will not be left out, but will take the necessary steps to maintain its rightful position among other reputable international drug regulatory agencies."

FG Hopeful of Improved Budget Performance

Abuja — The Budget Office of the Federation in the Ministry of Finance said yesterday that the momentum recorded in the budget performance so far, was a strong indication that the implementation would improve in the third and fourth quarters of the fiscal year.

The office said the Second Quarter Budget Implementation Report registered a bright spot regarding implementation. The report, the office indicated, had revealed that , several key ministries showed strong performance during the period, stating that, progress was made in the execution of important road projects such as the East-West road, the dualisation of which is expected to be completed next year.


As exclusively reported by THISDAY, the Federal Government recorded a 42.92 percent overall implementation of the capital budget in the second quarter of the year as stated in the implementation report prepared by the office. The performance level represented an improvement over 21 percent recorded in the first quarter.

Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Bright Okogu, said the recently released Second Quarter Budget Implementation Report was prepared in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.

He said the quarterly budget review was an intrinsic part of the government's strategy to measure progress and infuse a sense of urgency in the pursuit of government's economic priorities encapsulated in the Seven-Point Agenda.

Okogu gave the assurances that, "in accordance with the vision of the President, the Ministry of Finance and the Budget office of the Federation are determined to work with the other MDAs to ensure that clear and visible progress is made in the areas which will improve the lot of Nigerians in a systematic and sustainable way."

He expressed the hope that, "given the momentum which can be seen in the budget performance, there is a strong basis for believing that the implementation rate will improve in the final two quarters of the year."

Okogu recalled that the capital budget implementation for the quarter averaged 42.92 percent, being N193.08 bn out of N449.88 bn cash-backed by the office of the Accountant-General of the federation.

This is an improvement of about 20 percent over the first quarter performance. The DG recalled that a capital vote of 93.2percent of the 2009 Budget was allocated to priority sectors like Transport, Power, Works, Housing & Urban Development, the FCT, Police, Food Security (Agriculture and Water Resources), the Niger Delta, and Human Capital Development (Education and Health).

The Report showed that some sectors are beginning to show visible signs of the attention being devoted to them. These include the FCT, Agriculture , Niger Delta, Education and Health.

"Of the 44 Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) assessed, 12 of them utilised over 70 percent of the capital vote

released to them. Three - FCT, Aviation and Niger Delta - improved from below average performance to 70.85percent, 77.25percent and 100percent respectively. MDAs which need to do more to meet their targets include Works, Power, Police, Education, and Transport," he added.

Nigeria: Deregulation - Court Hears Case Nov 26

Lagos — Justice M. A. Bello of a Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 26, 2009 to hear the suit instituted by a human rights lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Autru, challenging the decision of the Federal Government to deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry.

Aturu had dragged the Minister of Petroleum, Minister of Commerce and Tourism and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice before the court, asking it to declare that the decision to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry by not fixing the prices at which petroleum products may be sold was unlawful, illegal, null, void and a violation of the mandatory provision of section 6 of the Petroleum Act, cap P.10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He asked the court to restrain the ministers and their agents from deregulating the downstream sector of the petroleum industry or from failing to fix the prices of petroleum products as required by the Petroleum Act and the Price Control Act.

The human rights activist is asking the court to determine whether they can lawfully deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry by not controlling the prices of petroleum products as required by law.

He also wants the court to determine whether by the combined provisions of section 6 of the Petroleum Act, cap P10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and section 4 of the Price Control Act,cap P 28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the defendants are not under statutory obligations to fix or regulate the prices of petroleum products.

He is equally demanding to know whether the proposed policy of deregulating prices of petroleum products by the defendants was not in vicious and violent conflict with section 16 (1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution which provides that the government shall control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.

The plaintiff also wants the court to ascertain whether the attendant prohibitive hike in the prices of petroleum products would not make his freedom of movement and the generality of Nigerians as guaranteed in Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution illusory.

In the affidavit in support of the originating summons sworn to by on Anthony Itedjere, Aturu argued that if the defendants were not

restrained from deregulating the downstream sector and carrying out their decision not to fix the price of petroleum products, Nigerians would be adversely affected economically.

He contended that the current price of N65 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was at the moment beyond the reach of common people, adding that as a fact, all the defendants and other members of the Federal Executive Council do not spend their personal resources to buy petroleum products as same are purchased for them from the coffers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He submitted that failure to regulate the downstream sector and fix the prices of petroleum products would affect his movement within Nigeria as the prices of petroleum product will soar, cause inflation and become unaffordable as same will be left to the whims and caprices of independent petroleum marketers.

The plaintiff also argued that the law requires the defendants to fix and regulate the prices of petroleum products, saying that tit would amount to the defendants failing in their statutory duty to him and Nigerians in general if they are allowed to deregulate the downstream sector and fail to fix the price of Petroleum products.

The human rights lawyer is seeking the following reliefs: a declaration that the policy decision of the defendants to deregulate

the downstream sector of the petroleum industry by not fixing the prices at which petroleum products may be sold in Nigeria is unlawful, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever being in flagrant violation of the mandatory provision of section 4 of the Price Control Act, cap P28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

- A declaration that the policy decision of the Defendants to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry by not fixing the prices at which petroleum products may be sold in Nigeria is unlawful, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever being in conflict with Section 16(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 which provides that the Government shall control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.

- A declaration that that the policy decision of the defendants to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry by not fixing the prices at which petroleum products may be sold in Nigeria has the effect of making the freedom of movement guaranteed in section 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 illusory for the Plaintiff and the generality of Nigerians and is therefore illegal, unconscionable and unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever.
Source: THISDAY NEWS

Petrol price hike will fuel inflation, CBN warns

Opponents of deregulation got some institutional backing yesterday.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) feels deregulation – the Federal Government’s magic pill against the ailments of the oil industry’s downstream sector - is a risk to inflation in the short and medium term.

Besides, the anticipated general increase in prices has already worsened the critical nature of the policy dilemma that the apex bank faces.

The government says deregulation will save billions by plugging the holes in the system, but critics say the policy will send prices climbing and impoverish the masses.


Said CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who disclosed this yesterday in his communiqué on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Meeting in Abuja: "The committee observed that while inflation has decelerated, it is important to recognise that seasonal factors and the planned deregulation of the prices of the petroleum products pose a major risk to inflation outlook in the near to medium term. It is this context that heightens the criticality of the policy dilemma now being faced by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN."

According to Sanusi, providing further impetus to the current accommodative monetary policy could be inflationary in the short to medium term.

He said MPC discovered that "the inflation rate as measured by the year-on-year increase in all items consumer price index was 10.4 percent in September 2009. This outcome is lower than the headline inflation of 15.5 percent in December 2008 and lower than the average headline inflation of 12.6 percent for the first 9 months of the year. Food inflation has been between 12.5 and 13.0 percent in QIII of the year."

He went on, however, to state that the CBN had taken a balanced view of the measures required for fostering growth prospects and containing inflationary pressures. It will also further strengthen liquidity management.

The CBN governor said foreign reserves stood at $43.34billion as at the end of September 2009, an improvement of about $1.64billion over August, mainly owing to the receipt of the SDR allocation.

But Sanusi also noted that "as at October 30, 2009, foreign exchange reserves are provisionary, estimated to be US$43.05billion. Crude oil prices in the international markets have edged upward in recent weeks.

"If current oil price trend is sustained and if the expected recovery in both developed and emerging countries is realised, there will be further improvement in the level of foreign exchange reserves, with implications for liquidity and exchange rate management. The committee will continue to ensure stable exchange rates determined by market forces."

He said the committee decided to leave the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) unchanged at 6 percent and introduced asymmetric corridor of interest rate around the MPR.

"Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) – the rate at which the CBN lends to banks – will remain unchanged at 6 percent, but an asymmetric corridor of interest rates around the MPR is introduced," he said.

He however added that the rate on the standing lending facility will remain at 200 basis point above the MPR, while the rate on the standing deposit facility will be 400 basis point below the MPR.

Sanusi said there would be quantitative easing to bridge the gap currently estimated at about N500billion between the levels of the current monetary aggregates and the benchmark levels for 2009.

He said the modalities for the quantitative easing include investments bonds to be issued by the Asset Management Company (AMC), adding that the establishment of the AMC is, however, subject to the approval of the National Assembly.

Other modalities include the redemption of promissory notes issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance as well as by the CBN in connection with the retirement of debt and liabilities arising from purchase and assumption of failed banks.

Sanusi said purchase by banks under the AMC will be based on terms aimed at strengthening the balance sheets with a focus on asset quality; improving liquidity and capital adequacy as well as on reducing debt relating to the stock market to stimulate activity in the capital market.

According to Sanusi, the CBN has already presented the AMC Bill to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation but it will definitely be presented to the National Assembly by next week.

He pointed out that CBN is working to ensure that the AMC actualises the acquisition of loans in the capital market by next month.

With effect from November 16, 2009, the temporary ban placed by the CBN on the use of Bankers’ Acceptance and Commercial Papers will be lifted and the CBN will issue guidelines on this before the date, said Sanusi.

Sanusi went on: "In view of the fact that the audit of the banks has been concluded and adequate provisions have been made for non-performing loans and to stimulate credit growth and strengthen banks’ balance sheets, the 1 percent general provision on performing loans contained in the existing prudential guidelines is hereby waived for the year 2009 as a countercyclical measure. New prudential guidelines will be issued before the end of first quarter 2010."

He announced that there are presently 1000 Micro Finance Banks (MFBs) in Nigeria and the apex bank is already understudying Ghana, South Africa, India and Indonesia to adopt their model for MFBs management.

He gave the assurance that the apex bank would ensure that depositors of the micro finance banks do not lose their money.

Sanusi denied setting up any committee on the polymer note scandal, saying: "On the polymer note, I did not set up any committee. What I have said is that at this point in time we do not have the name of any Nigerian who has taken bribe in connection with the polymer transactions. A newspaper has reported that bribes were given in connection with the contract given in Nigeria. All the names mentioned are foreigners but in the event we get any information on any Nigerian involved, I will ensure that EFCC investigates the matter to a logical conclusion."

On the Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB), Sanusi said what he could assure Nigerians was that the management of the bank would not go back.

Asked whether he actually wanted the banks’ Chief Executive Officers (CEO) involved in financial misappropriation shot, Sanusi said he imagined the magnitude of the money involved and said N236billion was loaned to one person.

"I said look if not for law and order the offence is so grave that he should be shot. It is a statement. I don’t want to go back to all the issues we raised and why. But what do you do when you see an institution in which over N200billion goes to a corporate institution with the MD. N236billion, that is the amount we shared in the Federation in the month of September taken by one person you will say they should get him shot. That was the statement. I did not say that he should be shot. But I am sure that in a country like China they would have been shot."

Deriding the way Nigerians trivialise the enormity of offences while sentencing convicts, Sanusi said: "But in Nigeria, they will not be shot; may be they will get two years imprisonment."

Asked of his position on tenures for bank chiefs, the CBN boss noted that the regulators, including the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), would examine the matter before announcing any position.

He wondered why any chief executive officer would want to continue after spending 10 years in the position.

Sanusi said the Federal Government is not interested in owning the banks, adding that the apex bank is now at the stage of protecting shareholders and maximising their values.

Said he: "We are done with our primary focus; protected depositors and creditors. We are now at a point to protect shareholders and maximise their values. Some of the people that claimed to be shareholders in the banks were not shareholders. They took money from the banks’ balance sheets, bought shares and did not pay single kobo for the shares. Those shares should be cancelled."

Nigeria: EFCC Arrests Two Lawyers Over Alleged N10 Million Extortion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested the son of retired Supreme Court Justice Sylvester Oguwuegbe, Mr. Obinna, an ex-staff of the agency and Mr. Ndubuisi Nnoke, a Special Assistant to the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja, over an alleged N10 million extortion.

It was gathered that Oguwuegbe and Nnoke, lawyers, had told the management of the Customary Court of Appeal that there was a petition against it and that N10m was required to settle EFCC.

Nnoke was alleged to have informed the management on October 25 that he got the information from his friend and classmate that there was a petition against the top management of the court.


He was also said to have claimed that he had gone to EFCC to verify its authenticity.

The management was said to have invited Oguewuegbe where a demand of N10m was allegedly made to bribe EFCC officials to destroy the files.

Another meeting was fixed for October 27 at Wuse. It was then the court's Chief Registrar alerted EFCC officials and payment was negotiated for the next day at the National Stadium, Abuja.

The venue was, however, shifted to an hotel car park in the central area of the city. It was thereafter changed to Wuse where Oguwuegbe was waiting for the assistant court registrar to deliver the money.

It was said to have been kept in a carton. Immediately it was delivered, EFCC operatives swooped on the suspects and arrested them.

They are now in the custody of the agency and awaiting prosecution.

EFCC's spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said they "are actually in our custody and this should serve as a lesson to Nigerians to be wary of people when dealing with them on matters like this."

Nigeria: Oil Will Remain in Demand - Opec

The western collaboration in the search for fuel alternative to petroleum is no threat to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as no energy policy will diminish the dependence of world economies on hydrocarbon fuel in far future.

This is even as the group calls on members to use oil wealth to drive rapid industrialization of their economies before their output declines.

OPEC Secretary General, Mr. Abdalla El Badri who led the secretatiat staff of the organization on a working visit to Nigeria made it clear that the highly advertised crude oil revenue to member countries is ultimately spent in the industrialized countries.



He said OPEC members most of which are underdeveloped form the biggest markets for the industrialized countries of the world, expressing worry that if member countries missed the opportunity of driving industrialization they might find it difficult to sustain growth after the age of fossil fuel.

Mr. El Badri who spoke at a media chat with Nigerian journalists said the experiments with green fuel alternatives by and plans byn the United States to pursue independence from imported oil however do not pose threat to the market share of petroleum in the global energy mix.

According to him, oil would continue to be the dominant fuel in the world market in the foreseeable future.

According to him, talks, plans and experiments on alternative energy has been running for the past 30 years without any commercial volumes that could match the dominance of crude oil in the export market.

" I want to tell you that oil will remain the dominant energy for the foreseeable future. I have been hearing this from the United States presidents in the last 30 years; at least I am old enough to track this. There is nothing called independent energy.

"There is no way America will not rely on oil from the Middle East or any other exported oil," El-Badri explained, while responding to a question on President Barak Obama's policy on cutting down on America's dependence on imported oil.

Source: DailyChampion

Nigeria: PDP Leader Dies in CP's Office

Katsina — Confusion enveloped the political class in President Umaru Yar'adua's home state of Katsina yesterday when a prominent member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Tasiu Mashi, popularly known as Tasi Elder, collapsed and died during what was said to be a reconciliatory meeting in the state Police Commissioner's office.

Tasi Elder was a staunch supporter of the Katsina PDP's Abuja Faction led by Agriculture Minister Abba Sayyadi Ruma, which is fighting to wrest control from Governor Ibrahim Shema in 2011 under the name of "Seven Point Agenda".

State Police Commissioner Dan'azumi Doma told newsmen yesterday that Tasi Elder died during a reconciliatory meeting between him and some aggrieved members of the party in Mashi local government, following a bloody clash that occurred between the two factions last Saturday.

CP Doma said in the course of the meeting in his office, Tasi Elder suddenly became motionless and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina where he was certified dead. According to the CP, the incident occurred while one of the complainants who also is the Mashi Local Government Council chairman, Alhaji Surajo Mashi, was making a submission. Present at the meeting were the PDP chairman in Mashi Local Government, Alhaji Badamasi Yellow, the state director of the SSS, the Commanding Officer of the Nigeria Army's 35 Motorised Battalion, Katsina as well as several top police officers.

Doma said the meeting was called to discuss the clashes that occurred last Saturday between supporters of the chairman, who is loyal to Governor Shema's Tazarce PDP faction, and those of Tasi Elder, who is loyal to the Abuja Faction.

Our correspondent who was in Mashi gathered that last Saturday's fracas ensued when Tasi Elder mobilised hundreds of his supporters to line up the road and stage a grand welcome for Agriculture Minister Ruma, who was on his way from Katsina to Daura to represent President Umaru Yar'adua at the unbanning of Court of Appeal President Justice Umaru Abdullahi as the Walin Hausa. However, Governor Shema's supporters in Mashi, led by the council and party chairmen as well as House of Reps member Salisu Majigiri, mobilised their own supporters to welcome the governor. In the ensuing fracas, three people were seriously injured.

When our correspondent visited Federal Medical Centre yesterday, a senior nurse who pleaded anonymity told him that Tasi Elder was already dead when he was brought to the hospital. She said doctor on duty confirmed him dead, after which he was taken to the morgue.

Police commissioner Doma told reporters that an inquest will be undertaken to ascertain the cause of his death, and promised to keep reporters posted over any developments.

However, some members of Ruma's Abuja faction told Daily Trust last night that a day after Saturday's clashes, the police commissioner ordered the Divisional Police Officer [DPO] in Mashi to bring Tasi Elder to police headquarters in Katsina. They said hundreds of supporters accompanied him to Katsina, but that all of them were kept out and only Tasi was taken to the commissioner's office. They said "all the other officials at the so-called reconciliatory meeting" were Shema faction members.

According to the source, who asked for anonymity, about 20 minutes before he died, Tasi Elder emerged from the police commissioner's office and told his men who were stationed outside to go and get for him a lawyer. It was a sign, they said, that he was actually detained by the police, but that by the time the lawyer arrived, Tasi was dead. They questioned the police boss' account and insisted on a thorough investigation. The source also alleged that soon after Tasi died yesterday, Governor Shema despatched Mobile Policemen to Mashi town and immediately left for Abuja.

Malam Abdullahi Shuaibu, a member of the deceased man's family, who spoke to our correspondent in Katsina, called on the government to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of their father's death.

He said his father had no known ailment and was hale and hearty when he reported himself to the police. Shuaibu said the family cannot but surrender to the will of God and continue to pray for the repose of his soul.

The late Tasi Elder was the PDP chairman in Mashi Local Government until he was removed and replaced by the current chairman, a Shema loyalist.

Source: DAILYTRUST

Nigeria: Sustaining The Peace With Militants

Lagos — The indefinite ceasefire announced by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has obviously rounded off the success of the first part of the amnesty declared by the Federal Government to the Niger Delta militants.

The amnesty which ended October 4 had been embraced by virtually all the militant groups and camps in the region except the MEND, which issued fresh threats after the expiration of an initial ceasefire. This prompted the holding of other rounds of meetings with the leadership of the militants, led by Mr. Henry Okah.

Shortly afterwards, MEND sheathed the sword and declared an indefinite ceasefire in the region. Indeed before the ceasefire, peace and calm had largely returned to the region leading to the increase in the volume of oil production, resumption of construction works, return to abandoned oil platforms etc. Even the World Bank which had moved out of Port Harcourt as a result of the escalation of the crisis has returned to the oil city. Life is gradually regaining its rhythm in the region.

At last, the militants have given peace a chance. We commend their exercise of faith in the promises of the Federal Government, and in heeding the many calls to give peace a chance. The militants have demonstrated that given the right atmosphere and method, they are amenable to reason and constructive dialogue.

As we have always advocated on this page, peace is key to development. The ceasefire therefore is seen as a call to action for the Federal Government to rise to the occasion of meaningfully commencing developmental activities in the region.

Thankfully, for the first time, the Federal Government is showing greater sense of sincerity in addressing the lingering issues of the region. It is in pursuit of this that it just approved the N200 billion worth of projects in the region, including approval for the establishment of the Oil and Gas Polytechnic in Bayelsa State within the next two years. In the same spirit, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has also been empowered to award bigger contracts.

Further, the House of Representatives recently passed the contentious Local content Bill for the oil industry operation in the country. That will ordinarily mean greater access of Nigerians in general and people of the region in particular, to employment opportunities and contracts in the oil and gas industry.

And with a robust post-amnesty plan aimed at training and re-integrating the former militants, the hope of complete return of peace has been brightened.
For the communities and the militants themselves, we urge them to moderate their expectations. Development in an area with that difficult terrain is gradual.

Similarly, it will take some time to successfully rehabilitate the large number of militants. There is therefore need for co-operation by all stakeholders on the understanding that it takes greater care and time to construct or reconstruct than to destroy. Some patience is inevitable.

We are happy that the Niger Delta, after the boil, looks set for peace. Nothing should be done by any party to rupture this peace. All parties should keep faith with promises made.

Source: THISDAY

2011 Election: Iwu moves 50 ‘disloyal’ directors, others

Two months after chairman Maurice Iwu promised to purge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of "bad eggs", a mass transfer of senior officials began yesterday.

Moved from the Abuja headquarters are directors, deputy directors and other "disloyal" members of the staff.

It was learnt that the list of about 50 in the first batch was approved at a management meeting yesterday. It includes Mr. John Onaji, who exposed the N250million bribe scandal during the April governorship poll rerun in Ekiti State.

Prof. Iwu hinted of the shake-up on September 15 at a one-day conference by the Rights Monitoring Group in Abuja on how to consolidate democracy and credible electoral reform.

He said:" As the commission embarks on far-reaching internal reforms as well, it will take a detailed look at its personnel and the suitability of its workforce to better manage the electoral process.

"Civil society organisa-tions should equally be ready to play the crucial whistle-blowing role that will help rid the commission of compromised elements within our fold.

"At the moment, a personnel audit has been commissioned to review the entire workforce of the commission. The idea in all these efforts by the commission is to ensure that future elections and the mechanism for administering the electoral system are not only better but are seen as being so."

Initially on the list were 18 top officials, but the number was suddenly increased to about 50 before the management meeting began yesterday, The Nation learnt.

Although most of the affected officials were unaware of the move before they closed for the day, some of them were informed at home by some Human Resources Department officials.

Some of the affected officials are Director, Legal Services, Mr. Wole Uzzi; Deputy Director (Cash), Mr. Ezra Tidawa; Head of Civil Society Unit, Mr. Chuks Odepeh; Deputy Director, Compliance, Chidi Nwafor; and Assistant Director, Establishment, Nats Owhor and Onaji.

It was gathered that the full list might be made public today by the Director of Human Resources Department, Alhaji Dahiru Ibrahim.

A Human Resources Department official said: "We will release the list on Tuesday. Why don’t you wait till it is pasted?

"I can tell you that some of those on the list have just been elevated to deputy directors and they have to be transferred to states.

"There are other officials who cannot be entrusted with sensitive posts at the headquarters and they have been redeployed to some states."

A top official of INEC, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: "I think there are about 50 staff on the list. Those being transferred are directors, deputy directors, assistant directors and other grades of staff.

"They are staff that the INEC chairman has had cause to disagree with on issues bordering on due process, transparency, legal advice on controversial issues and strange contracts.

"We saw it coming because the INEC chairman has always disregarded the advice of some of these directors. In fact, the Legal Unit is the worst-hit. At a point, INEC opted for external consultants to keep away certain official matters from the Unit.

"The INEC chairman is not too pleased working with the Director of Legal Service, Uzzi, because he was employed during the tenure of his predecessor, Dr. Abel Guobadia. He sees Uzzi as a loyalist of Guobadia, especially after he was publicly criticised by the former INEC chairman.

"But Uzzi and some of these officials have not only pledged their loyalty to Iwu, most staff are pleased with their diligence, forthrightness and sound administrative judgment.

"The feeling of Iwu and some of his commissioners is that he cannot work with the affected officials during the 2011 polls. These officials cannot be used or manipulated for dirty jobs.

"That is why they are being posted to states outside the headquarters where they have privileged access to documents."

The source, who pleaded not to be named, went on: "Iwu and some of his commissioners have also accused the affected officials of being behind the leakage of documents of contract transactions to the press.

"For instance, the management is finding it difficult to forgive Mr. John Onaji, who raised the alarm over the N250m bribery that occurred during the governorship poll rerun in Ekiti State in April.

"So, it is now a sin to tell the truth in this country. Since April, Onaji has undergone humiliation at INEC headquarters. He has been floating as no desk was given to him.

"I can assure you that more heads will roll in INEC. This initial exercise may be a prelude to a mass purge."

Nigeria on the brink of collapse - Buhari

Former military head of State and presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), General Mohammadu Buhari yesterday raised the alarm on palpable threat to the Nigerian state.

“There is, clear present and an immediate threat to national security when raw and untrained youths are unleashed on a vulnerable society. In the long run, of course, Nigeria is effectively mortgaging its future, because it has failed to train its future leaders and managers of its economy who will be expected to operate in a fiercely competitive globalizing world.” Buhari told a cheering crowd at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers at a meeting of a new movement, National Democratic Initiative [NDI].

The former Head of State stated that after billions of naira had been allegedly expended on provisions of infrastructure like water supply, power supply the present government and the one before it still have nothing to show for it.

“In the past we had the dishonor of being one of the most corrupt nations of the world and since then we have remained among the five most corrupt in the world,” he noted.
Buhari who was the chairman of the occasion also said in his key note address that in spite of the short-comings of the Nigerian state, “no one seem to care about the unemployment, high inflation rate, low industrial capacity utilization and an economy on automatic pilot without destination.”

“With our elections rigged, our legislators very often more interested in a so called constituency projects than making laws and our judiciary really afraid of its own independence. This is a polity already thrown to the dogs. Corruption is growing in great leaps and bounds. The economy is sinking while democracy is slowly being killed in its name,” Buhari noted.

He said that the leaders of the new movement are propelled by the need to urgently salvage the Nigerian nation from collapse and are left with no option than to answer the call of duty “and accept the burden of history” and initiate and give leadership to a process of extensive consultation on the way forward.
According to him the emerging coalition is hinged on the principles of federalism and multi-party liberal social democracy and “we believe in and will always promote laissez-fair economic policy that is fully grounded in state welfarism.”

He said the failings of the government have made the emergence of the movement inevitable and called all progressives in the country to support their cause.
Those present at yesterday’s meeting include former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Atahiru Bafarawa, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Prince Tony Momoh, Tonye Princewill, Ben Obi, Olu Falae, Duben Onyia, Mike Ahamba, Great Ogboru, Usman Bugaje, Buba Galadima, Tom Ikimi, Lawal Keita and Supo Soyibare among others.
In a swift reaction the PDP has said that the new movement is ill timed and fraught with negative tendencies for the growth and development of the nation.

Corper killed again: Female youth corps member stranguled by her colleague, in Niger State

A female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Niger state, has been reportedly strangulated to death by her male colleague . Nigerian Tribune learnt that the deceased and her assailant were both from the South Eastern part of the country
During the on-going service year, according to the Nigerian Tribune findings, the two corps members developed interest in each other with a promise that they would end up before the alter to consummate their love in marriage.

However, according to findings, the female corps member later found another lover who was able to find her accommodation within the Army Barracks in Minna, the state capital.

It was learnt that anytime the male colleague called on a visit, he was always embarrassed to find other men in her apartment and he did not hide his dislike for the attitude of his proposed wife.

It was gathered that last Thursday, when the male corps member visited his colleague, he decided to “act” since the lady did not refrain from being in company of other men.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that late in the night, the male corps member used a pillow to gag his proposed wife and strangulated her to death before escaping.
this is coming after a female corper was recently raped to death
Female corper raped to death
National Youth Corps members serving in Borno State have been thrown into mourning following the gruesome killing of their colleague, Miss Grace Adie Ushang by unknown persons. Adie was allegedly raped to death last weekend and her body dumped beside a river at the Customs Area, Maiduguri.

DENGUE FEVER IN CAPE VERDE

As of 28 October 2009, the Ministry of Health has reported 3,367 suspected cases of viral diseases of unknown etiology in 4 islands: Brava, Fogo, Maio, and Santiago. This is the first reported epidemic of Dengue fever in Cape Verde.

The first samples tested, have been laboratory confirmed as dengue virus serotype 3 by the Institute Pasteur Dakar, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (VHF) and Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) partner.

It is important to highlight that an ongoing outbreak of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus has been circulating in the country since June 2009.

The Government has established a ministerial committee of vector control lead by the Prime Minister including all ministries involved in containing the outbreak. The measures taken include clinical management, vector control, and social mobilization. A rapid surveillance and reporting system through SMS messaging systems has been established by the MoH and the public IT agency with WHO collaboration.

On 26 October a team from the WHO Regional Office for Africa, Intercountry Support Team and the Institute Pasteur Dakar arrived to support Cape Verde in investigating the outbreak. The team will provide laboratory, entomology and epidemiology support and set up laboratory diagnostics at the Hospital Agostinho Neto. The team will further initiate vector control activities and the recording and analysis of epidemiological trends. The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) will provide additional assistance to health authorities in Cape Verde.

Former Reps member and former LGA Chairman prime suspect for ritual killing of 3 yr old

FORMER Gwaram Local Government Chairman Alhaji Auwalu Sule Kila is an accused in the murder of three year old Zaiban Tanimu Ayuba of Dazara village, police said in Jigawa yesterday. The state police commissioner Alhaji Abdullahi S. Fana, who disclosed this to Daily Trust yesterday also confirmed the arrest of three other suspects including the prime suspect, one Abubakar, a stranger who lives in the same house with late Zainab for one month before she was killed.

Auwalu, was a House of Representatives member from Gwaram constituency. He is currently at large according to the police commissioner.

The commissioner who confirmed the arrest to Daily Trust, said the prime suspect, Abubakar, Auwalu Umar and one Kaila Taura were arrested by the police in Gwaram Wednesday night.

The commissioner, who spoke through the command’s PRO ASP Abdul Jinjiri said the sponsor of the killing, who was the former chairman of the local government, Alhaji Auwalu Sale Kila, was said to be traveled to Abuja. Alhaji Fana explained that the suspects hinted police that they were hired to kill little Zainab by the former chairman at the cost of N3m, which would be paid after completing the assignment. They also told police that they were directed by the sponsor to take the deceased’s head to the residence of the present chairman, Alhaji Bala Sule Kila for reasons best known to the sponsor.

He further stated that the suspects also told police during interrogation that they already received N20, 000 out of the N3m pledged to them. Alhaji Fana added that the suspects who have been helping police in its investigation, also led a team of policemen to the place where they buried the Zainab after beheading her. It would be recalled that three-year-old Zainab Tanimu Ayuba was beheaded by the suspected killers and her head was taken to the chairman last Saturday. jiri said the sponsor of the killing, who was the former chairman of the local government, Alhaji Auwalu Sale Kila, was said to be traveled to Abuja. Alhaji Fana explained that the suspects hinted police that they were hired to kill little Zainab by the former chairman at the cost of N3m, which would be paid after completing the assignment. They also told police that they were directed by the sponsor to take the deceased’s head to the residence of the present chairman, Alhaji Bala Sule Kila for reasons best known to the sponsor.

It would be recalled that three-year-old Zainab Tanimu Ayuba was beheaded by the suspected killers and her head was taken to the chairman last Saturday.

Nigeria gets seven new additional private universities

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday in Abuja approved the issuance of provisional licences for the establishment of seven new private universities in the country. Nigeria currently has 96 universities, comprising 27 federal, 35 state and 34 private universities.

The seven private universities are Wellspring University, Evbuobanosa, Edo State; Paul University, Awka, Anambra State; Rhema University, Obeama-Asa, Rivers State; Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State; Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State; Godfrey Okoye University,

Ugwuomu-Nike, Enugu State, and Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Abuja.

Speaking at the post FEC briefing, which was chaired by Nigerian president, Umaru Yar'Adua, the Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili, and her Minister of State counterpart, Ikra Bilbis, said the Minister of Education, Sam Egwu, presented a memo to the council seeking the approval for the issuance of provisional licences for the establishment of the new private universities.

Mrs. Akunyili said FEC approved the memo after considering the country's rising population. "Considering our rising population and this administration's desire to improve skills and enhance standards as one of the seven-point agenda Council, therefore, considered and approved the issuance of provisional licences for the establishment of the seven (7) private universities," she said.

The Minister of State for Education, Aisha Duku, who also spoke at the briefing, said the universities had to undergo rigorous screening before getting the provisional licences.

Ms Dukku added that currently, out of the 96 universities in the country, only 34 are privately owned, and that more universities are needed to take care of the millions who need admission. She said that over one million candidates applied for university admission this year through the Joint Matriculation Examination and only about 220,000 could be accommodated.

She also said contrary to popular opinion that private universities are concentrated in one part of the country, the seven approved private universities are evenly distributed. Two of them are situated in each of the three zones in the South, while one is in the Federal Capital Territory.

The shame of the 2009 U-17 World Cup

The 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup is the second FIFA tournament being hosted by Nigeria. Exactly ten years ago in 1999, it hosted the U-20 World Cup.

For Nigerians who expected that ten years on, we would have perfected the techniques of successfully hosting a FIFA tournament, have been sorely disappointed. As far as organisation of tournaments go, many believe Nigeria 2009 has been a fiasco, its only saving grace being the quality of football played by the youngsters from the 24 countries participating.

Capitulating to rain

Indication that all was not going to be well with the tournament came early on. On the opening day, Saturday October 24, torrential rains marred the match between Argentina and Honduras.

The pitch lacking proper drainage became a pool of water making movement for players difficult. For Nigerians watching the match it was truly embarrassing that their National Stadium built at the cost of $360 million in 2003, lacked the elementary requirements found in stadiums built with far smaller budgets. The soggy pitch in addition to denying the Argentineans and Hondurans opportunity to express themselves, led to a late start of Nigeria's opening game with European champions, Germany.

The embarrassment was not limited to the National Stadium in Abuja. In Calabar and Enugu games have been severally disrupted for the same reason. At the Enugu centre, the match between Burkina Faso and New Zealand on Wednesday was suspended for more than thirty minutes with score at 1-1 in the 64th minute. It was later concluded more than one hour and forty-five minutes later. In Calabar, a similar scenario played itself out only this time the rains proved too heavy for the Group D match between Costa Rica and Turkey to be concluded. With scores at 0-0 the match was shifted to Thursday.

Sordid tales

It has not just been rain pock marking the organisation of championship. There have been cases of sloppy handling of basic functions by organisers of the tournament. One sticky point has been the accreditation of officials and journalists for the event. At the Lagos centre it has been a harvest of complaints as volunteers and journalists intending to cover the tournament have been left stranded.

At the Teslim Balogun Stadium, venue of the matches for the Lagos centre of the tournament, most of the volunteers for the tournament have had a harrowing experience. After a rather tedious selection process, which started just a little over a week to the tournament, many of them were told at the last minute that they were no longer needed.

For those who scaled the hurdle, the process of getting accredited and kitted for the job proved daunting. On Wednesday, one of the ladies who finally got selected said that three days into the tournament she was yet to be formally accredited:

"All I have been given is this uniform you see me wearing. I have yet to be formally accredited even though I have been going to the accreditation office since Monday," she said. For some others, the kits provided did not fit; they were either too small or too large. On Thursday, in response to a complaint made by a volunteer that she was given outsize short, an LOC official told her to take them to a tailor for amendment.

Not a media event

One thing FIFA, the world football governing body, prides itself in is that it is a media friendly organisation.

It often goes to great lengths to court members of the media, particularly during tournaments such as this. Sadly for them,

Nigeria 2009 has been one huge disappointment as the bulk of Nigerian journalists particularly those in Lagos where the majority of sports journalists reside, have lost interest in the event due to the attitude of officials of the Lagos sub-seat of the LOC.

The complaint made by most of the journalists centres on their inability to get accredited for the tournament despite having duly completed registration on the FIFA website and being issued with accreditation numbers. The accreditation of journalists in Lagos lasted only one day from Wednesday October 21 to Thursday. By Friday members of the media who wanted to get accredited waited the whole only to be told that the office had run out of material.

At the matches played so far in Lagos, only a few of those who managed to get accredited have turned up. One of the officials, who spoke under anonymity, said that in Lagos only about 700 people, 250 of them journalists, were accredited before FIFA shut down their operations on the weekend the tournament commenced whereas the Kano centre, which had only three matches allotted to it had accredited over 1000 persons and was still doing so as at Tuesday last week. Attempts to get clarification from Mondher Chaouachi, FIFA's Media Officer for Lagos, were unsuccessful as he declined to comment saying he was under instructions not to talk about such matters.

In a phone interview, the General Manager, Media Services, Emeka Odikpo, denied claims that journalists who filled accreditation forms on the FIFA website were not accredited:

"I'm aware about the problem of journalists not being accredited but the issue is that they did not apply when they were asked to apply. That is just the main problem, this is a FIFA competition and you know they are the ones controlling accreditation and not us (LOC), if they don't put your name in their system there is no way the accreditation people would accredit you," he said.

Saving grace

Despite efforts by the organisers to taint the image of Nigeria through their shoddy handling of the tournament, Nigeria 2009 has not been a complete disaster thanks to the young footballers who have entertained fans with their magical football skills.