May Day: Labour in Limbo

Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Exit Date The U-Turn LETTERS

country and the delay by the ministry of obtained approval to pay relevant fées Shabby Treatment external affairs to provide a realistic rate demanded by school authorities based of conversion for expenses incurred in on the practice in Nigeria. This policy Whatever offence General Olusegun the local currency to the Naira for affected the children of all home-based Obasanjo, former head of state and purposes of making returns to officers in Buenos Aires. The officers General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, his one headquarters. It might interest your concerned of course had to pay all extras time deputy, might have committed, their readers to note that when we first went to outside the approved practice. I wonder manner of arrest, detention and the initial Buenos Aires in 1987, the local currency why the ambassador's daughter is being denial of military authorities that they was exchanging at three to one dollar. By singled out when the practice, which I were aware of the former's arrest goes in 1991, the rate had jumped to ten thousand incidentally inherited, covered all no small way to show that Nigeria, nay Australes to one US dollar. The embassy children of home-based officers. Nigerians do not have any iota of respect still had to file returns up to 1992 using The conference in New York in for their former leaders. (Cover March the conversion rate approved for 1988, August, 1992, was a Nigerian federal 27). thus giving the false impression of over government approved activity under the John A. Iwori, expenditure. auspices of the federal ministry of Port Harcourt. information and culture and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. I was I think it is time Nigerians asked to be invited, and obtained the ministry's left alone to think about their problems. permission to attend and deliver two The undue and heavily biased papers on the "Democratic Project in interference of some imperialist powers Africa" and the "African Elements in is getting out of hand. They cause more American Culture". I wonder how I could disaffection thanhelp solve our problems. have gone from Buenos Aires to New We appeal to them to preach peace and York and participated in a government unity and not set Nigerians one against approved activity without using the the other. embassy resources for air ticket and Ben Uwakwe, estacode. Nsukka, Documents on the purchase of the Enugu State. residence should show that the entire transaction and negotiation were handled Whoever wants to be aged should by the relevant officials of the ministry of respect aged, therefore if General Abacha foreign affairs. The property was properly wants to gain world recognition and inspected and chosen from 6 respect like General Olusegun Obasanjo recommended by the embassy and the after he might have retired from public cost of, including approved renovations office, he should release Obasanjo and which were handled by the landlord, other political detainees. was 1.25 million dollars. However, to Oluwatimiro Akindele, Indeed, the embassy never expended ensure faithful implementation of the Akure above its approved budget and amounts renovations and full documentation, remitted to it. Interestingly the embassy payment was broken into 3 installments: My Own Case had no access to overdraft facilities and 700,000 dollars for property as it was; an so could not be said to have made up the advance towards renovation; and 120,000 dollars final payment when all I was both shocked and embarrassed "imaginary" over-expenditure through renovations and documentation had been by parts of your story which appeared in that resource in a "cash and carry" completed. I am proud to say that I your magazine of March 27, most economy like Argentina. The false picture ensured full implementation of the especially as I have received no "audit of over-expenditure is, therefore, an arrangement, despite efforts by the query" from the ministry of foreign affairs "accounting problem" arising from the landlord, now "believe to be a friend of or the office of the auditor-general. inadequacy of the conversion rate for the the ambassador", to wriggle out of it. local currency given to the embassy. This However, pending receipt of such query Incidentally, we had to get the services of is a matter which was the subject of several and in view of the many calls and a lawyer to compel the landlord to fulfil correspondences between the embassy, expressions of disquiet by friends, all his obligationsbefore the finalpayment indeed, sister embassies in Latin America, associates and family members, permit was made. The rationale and wisdom of me to comment as follows: and headquarters. investing 1.2 million dollars to own a The claim that the embassy in Buenos The claim that the ambassador property on which the embassy was Aires overspent its approved budget in exceeded the approved limit of fees for paying an annual rent of about 100,000.00 1991 and 1992, when I was in charge, can his daughter is also misplaced. As a result dollars should be clear. only arise from lack of appreciation of the of the escalating cost of school fees in Okon E. Uya, turbulent currency fluctuation in host Argentina, the embassy sought and Calabar.

Typed reactions to the contents of Newswatch, should be addressed to Newswatch Letters, 3 Billings Way (Off Secretariat Road), Oregun Industrial Estate, P.M.B. 21499, Ikeja, Nigeria. All letters must bear the correct names, addresses and signatures of the writers. Newswatch reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and brevity.

Newswatch, May 8,1995 3 EQUITORIAL TRUST BANK LIMITED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER, 1994

BALANCE SHEET PROFIT AND LOSS ______ASSETS 1994 1993 1994 1993 N’000 N’000 N’000 N’000

Cash and short term funds- 541,536 495,945 Gross earnings 595,090 475,669 Balances with other banks 595,563 183,193 Profit before provisions for Treasury bills 603,000 640,000 bad and doubtful accounts. 151,648 86,011 Investment 2,000 2,000 Provision for bad and Loans and advances 957,859 504,378 doubtful accounts. (36,976) (21,270) Other assets 269,003 118,396 PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION 114,672 64,741 Equipment on Lease 9,414 13,436 Fixed assets 136,875 67,650 Taxation (25,495) (13,275)

3,115,250 2,024,998 PROFIT AFTER TAXATION 89,177 51,466

LIABILITIES APPROPRIATED AS FOLLOWS: Transfer to statutory reserves 26,753 15,440 Deposits and other accounts 1,443,546 1,192,598 Dividend 20,000 — Due to other banks 250,000 107,424 Retained profit for the year 42,424 36,026 Taxation 26,118 14,304 Other liabilities 1,164,491 548,754 89,177 51,466

2,884,155 1,863,080 Earnings per share 89k 51k

CAPITAL AND RESERVES Share capital 100,000 100,000 AUDITORS’ REPORT Statutory reserves 52,112 25,359 TO THE MEMBERS OF Retained profits 78,983 36,559 EQUITORIAL TRUST BANK LIMITED

SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS 231,095 161,918 We have audited the above financial statements and have obtained all the information and explanations, which, to the best of our knowledge and belief, were 3,115,250 2,024,998 necessary for the purposes of our audit. In our opinion, proper books of account have been kept at Head office and at each of the branches which accord with generally accepted accounting principles and CONTRA ACCOUNTS comply with the requirements of the Companies and Allied Matters Decree 1990 Acceptances, Guarantees and other in such a form as to explain and give a true and fair view of all transactions. We have examined the books at Head office and have received returns adequate for obligations on behalf of customers our audit from the branches not visited by us. and customers’ liability thereon 370,765 685,878 During the period covered by these accounts, the bank contravened Section 20(1 ) (a) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Decree 25 of 1991. This has been reported to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the particulars thereof and the penalty paid are set out in the detailed accounts. The financial statements were To the best of our knowledge and belief, there was no other contravention of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Decree, 1991 and all relevant circulars of approved by the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria during the year ended December 31,1994. Directors on the 5th of April 1995 In our opinion the assets have been properly valued and adequate provision has and signed on its behalf by: been made for any losses or diminution in the value thereof. To the best of our knowledge and belief, the company complied with the guidelines of the Productivity, Prices and Incomes Board during the period covered by these accounts. In our opinion, to the best of our information and having regard to the explanations Otunba Y. Adegbola (Mrs.) given to us, the accounts which comply with the requirements of the relevant Chairman Statements of Accounting Standard so far issued, have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies of the Bank and give the information required by the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Decree 25 of 1991 in the manner so Mr. A. A. Atekoja required, and give a true and fair view of the state of the bank’s financial affairs at December 31,1994 and of the profit for the year ended on that date. Managing Director Adetona laichei & Co. Chartered Accountants Lagos: April 5,1995

ICL ccpn/0051 °utiine Newswatch MAY 8, 1995 NIGERIA’S WEEKLY NEWSMAGAZINE VOL. 21 NO. 19

Nigeria: 16

Cover: 10 7,000 civil servants lose their jobs in* Kwara State following a strike action for more pay • A gathering of progressives in Port Harcourt was devoid of the Carte Blanche progressive elements

Africa: 22 Constitutional Conference After the massacre of Hutu refugees by reverses its earlier Tutsi soldiers, UN and Rwandan decision on the exit date authorities give conflicting figures of for the military, throwing death toll disengagement option to World: 23

the government Lionel Jospin's surprise victory in the first round of the French presidential poll puts him in a good stead to become the next president of France. Nigeria: 14 Summit: 28 Hassan Ahmed II, director-general and chief executive, Industrial T raining Fund, speaks with Newswatch editors on the May Day state of the civil service and other issues May Day loses its Sports: 34 symbolism of freedom University of Lagos swimmers haul celebration for Nigerian medals to put their institution at top of the medal table in the West African workers and becomes a Universities Games in Benin City distress signal

3 Letters Business + 6 Osundare Economy: 24 9 Editorial Suite Ok Not Ok 36 Passages 38 Newsliners Government says the economy has performed Cover well in the first quarter of this year but the organised Design by Tunde Soyinka private sector disagrees

Newswatch (ISSN 0189-8892) is published weekly by Newswatch Communications Limited, No. 3 Billings Way (off Secretariat Road), Oregun Industrial Estate, Oregun, P.M.B. 21499, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Telephone: 4960950. Fax: 962887. Telex: 27874 NEWCOM NG. AU rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in pari without permission, is forbidden. Printed in Nigeria by Academy Press Pic, Uupeju. COLUMN Nigeria’s ‘Image Problem’

HERE IS A PLAY IN Shonekan's earnestly interimist gamble, Kiswsahili by the Tanzanian Niyi Osundare and then the current insensitive despotism. playwright, Penina Mlama Our honourable minister of informa­ whose title translates roughly tion and culture should remember all into English as "No Amount of Incense this. In his lean days he used to be a can kill the Smell of Decay". I saw that teacher of history. And besides, he has play at the University of Dar es Salaam been part and parcel of Nigeria's political about ten years ago, and have never drama since the "Bandwagon 83", ceased to be struck by its subtle indictment "Verdict 83" days of the discredited of hypocrisy. The playwright's immediate Second Republic. Thus, Nigeria's "image concern was, of course, Tanzanian politics problem" started a long time ago, but its and its politicians, but the satirical cap of standing in the international eye has this intense play would fit the head of Those who keep deteriorated badly since the political any country in Africa where the art of thwarting our march treachery of 1993. Nigeria, a big country pretence is a national obligation and to democratic made small by little rulers, is now more problems are "solved" by sweeping them governance are the real or less a pariah nation in the outside under the carpet. world, a country which, even in this last Mlama's play reminds me forcibly of damagers of Nigeria's five years of the 20th century, still finds it Nigeria especially in the past couple of image impossible to master the simple logic of weeks. There are new "helmsmen" in the the ballot box. ministry of information and culture and means of livelihood by the government's All over the world today, the image that of foreign affairs. Both men, veterans brutal clampdown? What about us, the of Nigeria is that of a corrupt-ridden, of a sort, agree that Nigeria has an "image people of Nigeria, so violently denied disorganised, unstable, and shamelessly problem". They should know, for in more our right to choice of source of pretentious country.These vices are the ways than one, they have been active information? What sort of skewed and the true translations of FIFA's "cholera participants in the terrible conspiracies garbled information is the honourable and meningitis". FIFA started sending that have brought this sorely abused minister in charge of? What sort of out its signals at the very outset, but our country to its present pass. They are "culture" do we talk about in a country rulers are not the type that can pick up insiders, proudly privy to the inner ruled by bayonets and stone-age decrees, such subtle hints. When at last FIFA intricacies of the mask. a country in which traditional rulers jump thundered across its verdict, our rulers' One of them, Walter Ofonagoro, our over one another in their undignifying pastime of red-herring and scapegoatism honourable minister of information and race to Aso Rock for compulsive "solida­ began. FIFA shamed Nigeria because of culture, has since his assumption of office rity visits"? the "negative image" of Nigeria in the a few weeks ago, been so passionately, so But all these are fall-outs from a Nigerian media. According to their vehemently taken up with Nigeria's terribly major issue. The root of Nigeria's impeccable logic, FIFA would not have "image problem". The honourable mini­ current woes is a juggernaut called June seen all those garbage mountains along ster, for instance, cannot see any reason 12. That day (in case the honourable our roads if our newspapers and why the outside world should condemn minister needs reminding), over 14 magazines had not been unpatriotic Nigeria for muzzling the press and million Nigerians cast their vote in the enough to report them; our ill-stocked, routinely harassing journalists and other freest and fairest election ever in the medieval hospitals would have presented conscientious citizens who insist on history of Nigeria. No thuggery. No a different picture to the FIFA team if freedom and justice. The Nigerian press, rigging. No violence of any kind. Instead only those tabloid busy bodies had not the honourable minister contends, is the of the usual electioneering war songs, blown their whistle! "freest" in Africa, if not the whole wide what we had was joyous singing and In a country where patriotism is world. It is only those unpatriotic Nige­ dancing in the streets. For the first time defined by those who rule and rout by its rians bent on ruining the country's image (in my own memory), some prominent abused parameters, in whose dictionary who insist on thinking otherwise. members of the losing party voluntarily must the beleaguered citizenry look up But we, the people of Nigeria, though conceded defeat. And what's more, the the meaning of the word "image" as it long regimented into swallowing winning candidate won his victory across relates to their sullied country? M.K.O. dangerous lies and lethal half-truths from ethnic and religious lines. We were Abiola, Ken Saro Wiwa, Frank Kokori, government quarters, are not impressed beginning to witness the birth of a new Adeniji Adele, etc are powerful refrains by the honourable minister's casuistry. Nigeria when General Babangida and in Nigeria's current song of unfreedom. How "free" is The Punch ? We ask. How his clique crushed the dream. Since that Those who keep them under lock and free is The Concord? How free is The foul annulment of 1993 Nigeria has been key, those who keep thwarting our march Guardian? What about the over 10,000 be.having like a giant in a stupor, plodding to democratic governance are the real media-related workers deprived of their from one monstruosity to another. First damagers of Nigeria's image.B

6 Newswatch, May 8,1995 NEWSWATCH CARTOONS "QUOTES"

This Time U6T VEAft-. WHO tm-b VOO ? IT IS A The idea that government has to control everything, including eveiy aspect of FAOCÇl VOU EVEN USEb education is not working and therefore OUR SOURCE IS R6UA&LE. we must find a way of limiting the WESE PEOPLE ARg NOT OLb PHOTOGRAPHS I involvement of government. WERE bib Roi) INTeêl/iem —Ade Ajayi, professor of IN A IMRVTb CO”! history on the collapse of r) w«lr education in Nigeria. We're going to be wiped out in '96

— Senior US Senate Democrat, following the retirement of five senior Senate Democrats close to President Clinton.

We are in a stage where the rule of law should prevail rather than in a stage where those in power choose the right to govern because they have guns in their hands.

— Rotimi Williams, SAN, at the conferment of SAN on 14 persons in Abuja.

The tragedy in Oklahoma City must remind Americans of the obvious but insufficiently stressed reality that the end of the Cold War did not end the dangers that Americans face from their collective involvement in the world. —Jim Hoagland, in Blind Terrorism in a Threatened Land of Liberties

Those who are lost now belong to God. Someday, we will be with them. But until that happens their legacy must be our lives.

— Bill Clinton, US President, — IT* IS TRUE I in a nationally televised broadcast 0 on the Oklahoma bombing.

They (area boys) are unemployed. They look around them and see all the flashy cars. Because they can't reach those at the top, they reach the next person that is available on the chain of exploitation.

— Olisa Agbakoba, president of the Civil Liberties Organisation.

I saw the attitude of the typical Nigerian political elite on display. He is only interested in himself, or at best in his area, and that is that.

— Chris Abashiya, delegate at the National Constitutional Conference.

I will view it - if people suspected of involvement in any way in Hamas terrorist activity are released - as a grave step.

— Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli Prime Minister on Palestinian action on freeing suspected Muslim guerrillas.

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Constitutional Conference reverses itself on the terminal date, leaves disengagement option to the military

By Mike Akpan Anenih: Sponsored the motion

he constitutional of last week's motion sponsored by Tony They had been unrelenting in conference last Tuesday Anenih, former national chairman of the campaigning for a 1997 deadline. But last reversed its last defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, week, they got more than what they even December 6 decision and 36 others was a major victory for pro­ bargained for. The conference not only which fixed January 1, military lobbyists in the constitutional reversed its ea rlier decision but gave Sani 1996, as the terminal conference who had openly condemned Abacha, head of state, a blank cheque to date for the Abacha regime. The adoption the terminal date as unrealistic. determine when to go. Initially, according to T Newswatch sources, the plan was for the conference to accept the Gemade committee recommendations. This was later dropped becauseof a strong argument by the government side that the conference had no mandate to fix an exit date and that fixing an exit date would amount to delegates dictating to the federal government. It was then agreed that the motion should merely seek to reverse the December decision without opposition. This was achieved to the shock of the nation because everyone thought the issue had been closed. The conference said it came to the conclusion that the Provisional Ruling Council, PRC, would requireenough time to consider, study and adopt the draft constitution as well as its Delegates in session: Gave Abacha a blank cheque reports and recommendations

10 Newswatch, May 8,1995 COVER which include the creation of new states measures adopted by the conference Barnabas Gemade, former secretary for and local governments, power-sharing "which started with careful works and housing, had argued that a 24- and federal character, decentralisation of implementation of the findings of all the month transition period would enable the responsibilities of the federal probe panels set up by the government" the tension created by the political crisis ministries of agriculture and education contained in the February motion. of1993 to die down before elections could to states as well as return of federal Last Tuesday's motion was a big be organised successfully. The universities and other higher institutions relief to the government which since last committee's argument was rejected by to their catchment areas. December 6 had been campaigning the conference. Karibi-Whyte said later Lifting of ban on politics and seriously to get the delegates to reverse that he was embarrassed by the decision formation of political parties, the January 1, 1996 terminal date. On although he said as chairman he could reconstitution of national and state April 13, Tom Ikimi, the foreign affairs not disown it. electoral commissions, electioneering and minister, said in his address to the But the presidency was of the opinion conduct of general elections to all tiers of diplomatic community in Lagos that the he could have saved himself and the government were also cited as time- government the embarrassment if he had consuming. In the light of these adjourned sitting for one day when he recommendations, the conference noted knew the direction of the debate. This, that it would be unrealistic to expect the the presidency believed, would have military to conclude its assignments helped government to reach out to the before January 1,1996. delegates and prevail on them to accept Last February, there was an attempt the 24-month period recommended by to bring up a similar motion to reverse the committee on transition. the terminal date earlier set by the As soon as the conference decision conference. As Newswatch reported in its was relayed to the government, the February 20 edition, pro-military presidency started arm-twisting tactics conference delegates met in Abuja on December 7. Chairmen of the February 2, to consider a motion committees on political transition and presented to them by two former business were directed to return the cars ministers for their signatures. Those who attached to them. The excuse was that all agreed to sign were to be given N250,000 the vehicles were due for servicing. But cash. In addition, they were given Aso Rock sources said it was promises of continuous government government's way of saying "enough is patronage which would help to make enough." them political leaders in their various Even then, it was too late to control states. Moves to reconvene the conference the direction of the debate. But on in mid-February were dropped after the December 7, Paulinus Akpeki, a delegate Nèwswatch story. from Delta State, who had-strongly Last week's motion and the February spoken against fixing a terminal date for one have striking similarities. Both Karibi-Whyte: Relieved the military, reopened the debate. He motions argued that the January 1,19% argued that the conference should work terminal date, decision had received Abacha regime needed more time to draw out a transition time-table for the military. mixed reactions and outcry from up and successfully implement its That suggestion led to yet another round members of the public, majority of whom transition programme to ensure an of heated debate on the proposal. Again, openly condemned it as "impracticable, enduring democracy in Nigeria. He; it was defeated. unrealistic and unlikely to have the therefore, saw the January 1, 1996 The issue of a terminal date for the desired peaceful and purposeful handing deadline given to the government to hand military dogged the regime even before it over of power to an enduring democracy. " over to an elected civilian government as took office. During the planning stages of Both argued that the January date was unrealistic. the coup which ousted Ernest Shonekan arbitrary and irrational and not based on The adoption of the motion was also as head of state, there was no firm decision an implementable programme of action a big relief to Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, by the coup planners. The idea of a reasonably leading to the proposed the chairman, and Olusola Saraki, national conference was said to have been terminal date. chairman of the business committee of accepted as a ploy to prolong military Both motions listed consideration and the conference whom the presidency rule. David Mark, a brigadier-general, adoption of the draft constitution by the blamed for mismanaging the December told Newswatch April last year that some PRC, promulgation of the new 6 debate and allowing the conference to of the original planners of the Abacha constitution, creation of states and local fix January 1,19% as the exit date for the coup "objected to the fact that the governments, installation of democratic regime. The presidency was of the view conference was to be used by some structures, formation of political parties that the two leaders failed to do their perpetualists as a delay tactics." He said and electioneering campaigns as items home work properly, adding that it was if the military followed the original plan that required enough time to implement. their duty to sell the 24-month transition to leave office in one year, there would But last week's motion dropped the period proposed by the transition have been no need for the conference. He cancellation of the 1991 census figures committee to the delegates. said the conference was a ploy to keep and institutionalisation of anti-corruption The transition committee headed by Abacha in office till 1999.

Newswatch, May 8,1995 11 ■COVER

the constitutional conference and or a Another carrot the government dangled body of selected eminent Nigerians. In before some delegates was the creation of the partnership, the military was to run states and local governments. Most of the the government while the conference and delegates who supported the motion are the body of selected eminent Nigerians from areas asking for new states and were to monitor and supervise the more local governments. A promise by transition programme. government to grant their demands Again, the recommendations were bought their support for the motion. rejected by the conference. Anenih who Part of the deal may have to do with sponsored last week's motion had argued new moves to secure the release of then that the conference delegates would Moshood Abiola, detained for declaring have gone beyond their mandate if they himself president June 11 last year. becomepartof the transition programme. Newswatch learnt some delegates Worried by the posture of the supported the motion after extracting a conference on recommendations of its promise that government would release transition committee, the presidency set Abiola. Already the peace brokers have up two lobby groups last December to asked Abiola's family and associates not work on the pro-January 1,1996 exit date to make any further press statements in delegates at the conference. The lobby order not to jeopardise the new moves. groups were unable to penetrate the pro- An interview Kudirat, Abiola's wife, January 1, 1996 camp owing to the granted a magazine due for publication Ekwueme: Avoidably absent towering influence of Shehu Musa this week had to be pulled out on her Yar'Adua, a retired major-general and a request. A presidency source said Events so far have vindicated Mark. delegate from Katsina State. government may order Abiola's release During the sittings of the Gemade His arrest and detention in March to appease his supporters as well as the committee, government agents constantly this year for alleged political activities United States and Europe in order to gain hovered around the members in order to left the camp without a formidable leader. their support for the new decision of the influence the committee's recom­ This made it possible for the lobby groups conference. Another presidency source mendations. A member of that committee to penetrate the camp and win over many dismissed that feeling last week as told Newswatch last December that on of his supporters. Those who refused to speculative. three occasions, a former minister of state be won over remained indifferent in order Before last week's decision, the who acted as liaison between Abacha not to risk arrest and detention. The conference had begun to undo the 19% and delegates was given N50,000 naira biggest catch the lobby groups made was exit date. Scheduled to have concluded for each member of the committee on the conversion of Anenih, generally its deliberations since October last year, political transition. The former minister regarded as a strong Yar'Adua loyalist. the conference proceeded on three breaks reportedly used his discretion giving Anenih also succeeded in rallying other between October and last week thus N30,000 to some members, N20,000 to Yar'Adua supporters to the side of the delaying debates and recommendations others while some of the members government. on many issues before it. Even when received nothing from him. Some angry It was possible for the motion to get debates on certain issues started, they members in the committee went to A so an easy passage at the conference last were allowed to drag on unnecessarily. Rock to complain against government's Tuesday because some ardent proponents One of such was the issue of rotational use of intermediary to reach them. of the 19% terminal date were persuaded presidency as a permanent or transitional To win the support of the transition to stay away. As a result, Alex Ekwueme, feature in the constitution which nearly committee members, the government Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu stalled the conference. But the conference sold to them the idea that they would and others were avoidably absent. Other last week adopted the draft constitution play a role in the transition programme. hardliners like Sam Mbakwe, Ango without further debate. The members fell for the idea and Abdullahi, Abdulazeez Farouk, Last week, Akpeki said the failure of recommended that the constitutional Abubakar Atiku, Nduka Umokeand J.C. the conference to complete its job within conference and a body of other eminent Ogbonaya, who attended the session the four months earlier stipulated made Nigerians should meet once every three appeared indifferent to the motion either the January 1,1996 date impossible. Ali months to advise Nigerians on the out of fear of intimidation or because Sheriff, a delegate from Borno State, direction of the transition programme. they yielded to the persuasion of the welcomed last Tuesday's decision of the The committee arrived at its decision lobby groups not to do anything to hinder conference saying the reversal was "in based on three proposals. The first the smooth passage of the motion. the best interest of the country." He proposal favoured a complete civilian Newswatch learnt last week that there argued that the military needed time to transition government to last for five were many trade-offs between some conclude their yet-to-be announced years, another wanted a military delegates and the government to ensure transition programme. government for between one to four years an easy passage of the motion. For But other conference delegates while the third suggested a diarchy which example, southern delegates were lured insisted that it was dangerous to give the should last for between one and two years. into supporting the motion in exchange military an open-ended programme. The delegates chose a diarchy whose for government's intervention to stop Barnabas Baba from Kaduna State argued partnership would embrace the military, further debate on rotational presidency. that it was proper for the conference to

12 Newswatch, May 8,1995 ■cover

draw up a transition programme for the that the reversal of the December 6 Last December the administration military. He said die new conference decision was to correct an earlier error reinforced its decision to make things decision could give the military a licence made by the conference. He said the difficult for Nigeria to receive its to implement its transition for die next 50 conference went beyond its mandate last assistance and any from the World Bank years. Uzodinma Nwala from Imo State, year by fixing a terminal date for the and the International Monetary Fund, said die conference decision was likely to military regime. According to him, the IMF, by renewing its directives to officials create credibility problems for the new resolution "does not purport to give to veto any request made to it or the two delegates. He said the conference should the military a blank cheque." bodies. Trans Africa is actively have rather than reversing its earlier Smarting under last week's victory, campaigning for economic and decision maintained a dignified silence the pro-military delegates made another diplomatic sanctions against Nigeria and on die terminal date. move to push forward the date of the is currently persuading the US not to buy Outside the conference, critics said submission of the draft constitution to Nigeria's crude oil. The US is a major the manner the motion was handled die government from June 9 proposed by consumner of Nigerian crude oil. It also suggested that the decision was the chairman to June 27 to coincide with wants Nigeria's assets in that country to predetermined. Erne Awa, a professor the inaugural date of the conference. be frozen until the country returns to and former chairman of the National Justifying the decision, the pro-military democracy. If that happens, the national Electoral Commission, NEC, said the lobbyists argued that it was better for the economy will be severely hurt. delegates had proved cynics right that conference to give the agency saddled Angry with the development in the conference was set up to work for the with the printing of the document more Nigeria, the US is reportedly exerting prolongation of military rule. "I am not time than for the conference to set a date pressure on members of the European surprised by what thedelegates had done. that may later be postponed. They had Union, EU, to enforce the sanctions they It confirms my belief that those who think their way when the conference adjourned imposed on Nigeria since 1993. Conscious die military can give us democracy are indefinitely last Thursday. of the effects of economic and diplomatic day-dreaming," he said. The The move has confirmed an earlier sanctions, the government has started its Constitutional Rights Project, CRP, said story by Newswatch that part of the diplomatic offensive by sending in a statement last week that the decision strategy to give the military an extension emissaries to explain the political had confirmed fears that die conference of tenure is to delay the submission of the situation in Nigeria to its audience in was set up to be easily manipulated by draft constitution till late June when it Europe and America. die military junta to prolong its rule. would therefore make no sense for the Two weeks ago, Abacha gave his first Karibi-Whyte, tried hard to defend government to start its transition ever press interview to the CNN and the volte face of the conference last week. programme in mid-year. used that opportunity to dismiss When he met Pierre Gargigue Guyonn Apparently satisfied with its allegations that his regime was Aud, die French ambassador, in Abuja scheming, the federal military deliberately frustrating democratic last Wednesday,Karibi-Whyte explained government said last Thursday that it processes in the country. He told the would respect the decisions of the world that his government was conference and consider them in the committed to an orderly hand over to a interest of the nation. Oladipo Diya, a democratically elected government. lieutenant-general and chief of general The interview was a follow-up to staff, said when he met members of Club Ikimi's address to the diplomatic Abuja '94 in his office that the government community in Lagos. His speech was was satisfied with the decisions of the designed to sell the October 1997deadline conference which he described as a earlier canvassed by the government to resounding success especially against the the foreign envoys. backdrop of the initial skepticism with After the speech, some of the envoys which some Nigerians viewed its take­ were quoted as saying their home off. governments would have no option but While the government was in a support the conference decision and that jubilant mood throughout last week, some if the government wanted their support, Nigerians have already started to nurse it must get the conference to change the fears on the likely fall-outs of the January 1996 terminal date earlier fixed conference decision to prolong military by it. This assurance spurred the rule. government into intensifying its pressure There is no doubt that external on the conference delegates to re-open pressure on the regime would increase. the exit date issue. It was not clear last Already, Trans Africa, an Afro-American week whether the open-ended tenure lobby group in the US, has intensified its given to the Abacha regime would still campaign to force the Abacha regime to enjoy the support of the foreign envoys accelerate its democratic process. Randall going by their earlier assurance to stand Robinson, its executive director, said in a by the decision of the conference on the CNN interview last Thursday that the issue. Clinton administration was already Reported by Wale Akin Aina Diya: Satisfied with decision reviewing its policies on the government. and Kayode Olaokun

Newswatch, May 8,1995 13 NIGERIA

Sunday Times that government's take over of the labour unions was a way of curtailing their tendency to go on strike. "We want to ensure that the leadership that will emerge May Day! is such that can work for the welfare of workers and not concentrate on strikes." So far, foe sole administra tors have left no one in doubt of their goal to carry out a government agenda. One of these is government's plans to move the headquarters of foe NLC from Lagos to May Day!! Abuja in a manner suggestive that foe NLC is an arm of government. In a meeting with leaders of the 41 industrial unions of the NLC in March, Bur announced that the May Day becomes a distress signal for NLC's headquarters would have to move to Abuja. The industrial unions, 35 of which Nigerian workers, not a celebration have their headquarters in Lagos felt the move was part of a government's plan to symbolising their freedom take foe NLC headquarters out of their reach. They promptly issued a press statement in which they said the congress By Sam Olukoya can not be hurried to Abuja. They argued that since the proposed headquarters of the NLC in Abuja was still under T'S MAY DAY WITH A Gas Workers, NUPENG, and the construction there was no need for foe difference in Nigeria because Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff hasty movement. Besides, they could not labour is in limbo in the country. Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN. The understand why a government-appointed There will be no labour leader state councils of these two bodies were sole administrator will want to effect foe to take the salute at Workers' also dissolved. movement rather than allow a properly parade. There won't be a parade even. Government appointed sole constituted leadership to decide on the Arson Bur, sole administrator of the administrators for the unions, Frank Kokori matter. Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, saw it coming. He knew he could not take the salute because he is a government- appointed sole administrator. As a face saving measure, he recommended to the federal government to cancel the parade. There were indications by late last week that the nation-wide parade would be cancelled by the federal government. Even if government was willing to allow the parades, labour leaders told Newswatch, they would have boycotted them in protest against government's intervention in the affairs of labour unions and a t the same time to draw government's attention to the plight-of workers. May Day, is traditionally celebrated in most countries of the world as a symbol of workers' freedom. If it fails to hold in Nigeria this year, the failure will appropriately symbolise the loss of freedom by Nigerian workers. It certainly, will take a long time to forget the has since been in detention. The With government setting asideas much big blow inflicted by government with the government action crushed the strike by as N20 million for the movement to Abuja, dissolution of the leadership of the NLC, workers demanding the actualisation of its interest in the matter can be viewed the umbrella body of Nigerian workers, the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential with a degree of suspicion. Part of the August 17, last year. In a nation-wide elections believed to have been won by money will be used as rent for official and broadcast that day, Abacha also announced Moshood Abiola. The strike crippled the residential accommodation, transportation the dissolution of the executives of the country for several weeks. Usman Jalingo of the council's property and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural sole administrator of NUPENG, told the allowances of workers moving to the

14 Newswatch, May 8,1995 ■ NIGERIA

federal capital. "Such a gesture by kept, and government which has government, seems to make us a undertaken to fund the elections is yet to parastatal," Precious Kiri-Kalio, told make money available for it. Newswatch last week. Kiri-Kalio, But perhaps of greater concern is the spokesman for the 41 industrial unions fact that a number of administrative and general secretary of the NationalUnion measures have to*be implemented before of Electricity and Gas Workers, said there the NLC election can hold. Mohammad were dangers in relocation to Abuja under told Newswatch last week, that a measure a government-finance arrangement. "It was a constitutional amendment to be used will not give the NLC a good image as an for the elections. The amended constitution independent body," he argued. was sent back by the registrar of trade Bur, however, insists that unions because it did not conform with government's plan to help the NLC move laid down rules. its headquarters to Abuja was only an Labour experts warned last week that implementation of a request by its further delay in holding the elections could dissolved leadership to the Babangida result in very serious consequences for the administration. He argued further that country. Newswatch gathered that Nigeria government assistance would save the is sure to be barred from attending NLC a huge sum of money now that the meetings of some international labour Congress has serious financial problems. unions coming up soon if the elections are

Av reliable source, however, told Bafyau: Wants to be reinstated not held before the scheduled date of the Newswatchlastweek thatgovemmentfeels meetings. One of them is by the ILO and a strong need to free the NLC from what another by the Organisa tion of Africa T rade was described a s the considerablepressure Unions, OATU. The OATU secretary- it had been subjected to in Lagos. The general is a Nigerian. ILO could pressurise secretariat was obviously enmeshed in the some foreign governments to impose June 12 crisis as a result of its location. It sanctions on Nigeria. The body can also was attacked four times within a few ask workers in other countries to impose weeks. Government, said the source, sanctions on Nigeria. believes some of the actions the NLC took The rift between the NLC and in support of June 12 were not necessarily government, is not theonly problem facing informed by opinions of its leadership but the Congress. There is a serious in-fighting by pressure they were subjected to from between two rival groups. One group is the immediate environment. led by Pascal Bafyau, president of the Salisu Muhammad, the NLC's head of dissolved executive while the other is led information and public relations, feels that by Adams Oshiomole, Bafyau's former if the NLC moves to Abuja it would not deputy. Their feud centres on whether a come under any form of government fresh election should be conducted or control. "We were staying here in Lagos whether the dissolved executive should with the federal government and we were be reinstated. The Bafyau group favours a able to express ourselves," he said. He return of the old executive. cited asexamples, the 1981 and 1986 strikes. Bafyau told Newswatch last week that The dissolution of the executives of the since his four-year term was illegally NLC, NUPENC, and PENGASSAN has Oshiomole: Guns for NLC presidency terminated midway, he should be allowed seriously crippled the labour unions by to complete it before any fresh elections robbing them of a leadership to effectively year. But late December, government are held. Oshiomole wants fresh elections speak for the workers. Government clearly, argued the elections can'thold because the so he could contest for the presidency. He seems to be in no hurry to give them a unions had just submitted a report that told Newswatch last week that if a process democratic leadership. The move towards was supposed to form the basis for a fresh has been aborted it would be desirable for democratising the leadership of the election. those who are anti-abortion to have the affected unions looks like another endless In his budget speech January 15, child back in life, but the reality of abortion political transition programme. Late last Abacha directed Samuel Ogbemudia, at is that the life of the child has been year, government came under pressure that time minister of labour and terminated. "It is like crying over spilt from the 41 industrial unions and some productivity, to expedite actions on the milk," he said. international labour groups to conduct election of new executives for the affected While these drag on, workers are left at elections to fill the executive positions. labour units. Ogbemudia said that the the mercy of their employers. It is a bleak International Labour Organisation, accounts of the affected labour unions life for them. In Kalio's words, 'Labour ILO, and the International Confederation would be audited before the elections. really got battered." of Free Trade Unions, ICFTU, sent a nine- Unable to meet the February date, Reported by Wale Oladepo, man delegation to meet government government told a delegation of worried Chukwuetneka Gahia, officials. Government gave assurances that officials from the ILO, the elections would Emmanuel Ugwu elections would hold by December last be held by May 1. The promise was not and Inemesit Umoren

Newswatch, May 8,1995 15 ■ NIGERIA Vengeance Is lyam’s

Strike action for more pay puts Kwara civil servants in trouble. About 7,000 fired so far

By Wale Oladepo

ORKERS IN KWARA State have never had it this bad. When they went on strike February 9, this year topressforthe implementation ofW the 100 percent increase in transport and housing allowance which the federal government approved last year, little did they know that the state government would capitalise on the protest to sack them en masse. For the past two weeks, hundreds of letters of termination of appointment, retirement and outright dismissal, have been sent out bearing the signature of Haliru A. Kaiama, chairman of the state civil service commission. No fewer than 7,000 workers have been fired so far. This week, it will be the turn of sta f f in schools in the state. Principals were instructed last week by Dasuki Belgore, the commissioner for education, to send the list of teachers to be sacked or retired. Belgore, acting on the instruction of Kaiama was himself among the 3,000 workers fired in 1993 during a similar ■ ■■——------WÊ —WÊÈ ■■ IJWBWIh111 l. WÊÊm action by the civilian government of lyam: Speaking from both sides of the mouth? Shaaba Lafiagi. Last Tuesday, Kaiama's letters sent laid off already. The letters are usually distributed tears down the cheeks of about 150 In many ministries some departments towards the close of work. Sometimes workers of the State Teaching Service were almost wholly wiped out. At the those not at work have their letter Commission. Radio Kwara as well as the forestry department of the ministry of delivered to them at home. Kwara Printing and Publishing agriculture for example, only two workers The state government has resolved Corporation, publishers of Nigerian were left. The director, deputy director not to say anything about what's going Herald were not spared. Seventy people and the assistant director were swept off on. Raheem Olaoye, a former university were sent home from the Nigerian Herald, with others. lecturer and now the commissioner of prominent among whom were R.K. The story is the same at the quantity information, told Newswatch that the state Yusuf, general manager and Yusuf Ali, surveying department of the state executive council had decided not to say secretary of the state branch of the Nigeria ministry of works where all the top shots anything to the press anymore until the Union of Journalists, NUJ. In Radio were fired leaving only three junior hands. end of tiie action. Since it began three Kwara, 22 people were laid off. In a letter In some cases, husband and wife were weeks ago, contradictory statements have dated April 21, the civil service affected. been given by different government commissipri asked the state ministry of Ilorin, the state capital is mournful. officials. While Kaiama was sending out information to fire 20 additional staff of The state secretariat, usually a beehive of letters of sack, Adamu lyam, a group Radio Kwara. That letter, Newswatch activities is like a grave yard. The few captain and the state administrator, was learnt is causing consternation among workers who returned to work despite in Lagos telling the press he was not top management of the ministry who felt the strike usually heave a sigh of relief if aware of what Kaiama was doing. But in embarrassed at the number of people after the working hours they a re not fired. Ilorin, a source told Newswatch that the

16 Newswatch, May 8,1995 I NIGERIA administrator was only playing a hide- As a state in which ethnicity and. the civil service technical workers union and-seek game since he actually directed religious factors are foremost in the that, the stnke action continues. They the commissioners to implement the geopolitical calculations, some people in said the workers' position still remains executive council decision by sending Kwara are already saying that the lay off that the retrenchment letters should be the list of names to Kaiama's office. has some political undertone. So far, withdrawn. "The government J>y its Before the workers' strike reached a majority of the people who were either action, simply wants the state civil service boiling point, the state administrator dismissed or sacked are from the South to collapse, but we will never allow this unilaterally dissolved the state councils senatorial district which comprises to happen," they said. of the workers union, a step which drew Irepodun, Ifelodun, Ekiti, Oyun and Of fa The union leaders said that the the ire of the workers and Uba Ahmed local government areas. The people are retrenchment was vindictive especially the minister of labour and productivity. predominantly pro-south in their political as all labour leaders were sacked. They The workers, through Ibrahim Audu, orientation unlike the majority from the enjoined the workers to remain law- secretary to the Joint Negotiation Council four local governments in the Ilorin abiding as they have been since their wrote a letter on March 30 to the labour emirate and the three minorities from work-to-rule action began February 9. minister complaining about the Edu, Baruten and Kaiama local Both Fakayode and Ranti expressed dissolution of all unions in the state public governments who are predominantly optimism that government might service and asking for his intervention. moslems and are also pro-north in their reconsider its action. The Joint The minister made a quick visit to Ilorin political orientation. Negotiating Council they said, wrote the during which he told Iyam he had no Labour leaders who spoke freely administrator April 20 requesting for a power to dissolve the workers unions. about the trend, however, do not want to dialogue with him. "We said in the letter He was also able to extract from the be quoted because of its likely divisive that it was time both parties meet face-to- administrator a pledge to reinstate the effect on the weakened solidarity among face to resolve the crisis amicably. We dissolved unions and reach an amicable labour unions. Civil servants who also also said he should stop the distribution agreement with the workers on how to readily recount names of some retrenched of letters terminating people's resolve the crisis. directors and other two officials from the appointments explaining that even if The workers were happy in the hope south senatorial district are also scared of there would be any reorganisation, it that they had won the battle to earn what being quoted. should not be now". they considered their rights. They were Nevertheless, Bisi Fakayode chairman It is their hope that the administrator wrong. The next day, Kaiama's letters of the state branch of Nigeria Labour would enter into a direct dialogue with began to roll out. The union officials were Congress and Samson Ranti, chairman of the workers, that informed the optimism the first casualties. One of them, Musa the state joint negotiating council, told in Fakayode and Ranti's address to the Jabinta, chairman of the civil service union Newswatch last Monday after addressing workers. But as at last Wednesday, there branch of the ministry of commerce and a group of workers at the secretariat of was no hope of any response from the industry was dismissed. administrator. Neither Kaiama's letter of March also was there any likeli­ 31, reference No. S.274/ hood of a reprieve from Vol 11. to him, states in the office of Kaiama as part: "You are hereby more letters were sent out. dismissed from the It was not clear how service of the Kwara state the government intends to government pursuant to bear the burden of laying the provisions of Decree of f about 7,000 of its 22,000 17 of 1984. This is workforce. Many of those necessary because your affected in the 1993 purge service is no longer when 3,000 were sacked required in the state civil are yet to receive their service." retirement benefits which The decree was pro­ the labour leaders put at mulgated in the hey days N60 million. Now that of the Buhari - Idiagbon about 7,000 are added, the regime during which the pension bill of the state government wa s belie ved would perhaps be about to have hounded its half the monthly wage bill. perceived critics out of job Which was why both using the decree. Some Fakayode and Ranti said directors who are belie­ that if it were possible for ved to have been sympa­ the government to pay the thetic to the cause of the retirement benefits of workers were similarly those laid off, many would sent packing from the gladly accept their fate services of the state when the letters were government. Ahmed: Peace thwarted handed to them JÜ

Newswatch, May 8,1995 17 ■ NIGERIA Where Are They?

A gathering of progressives in Port Harcourt was in want of progressives but Abubakar says no sweat

By Kayode Olaokun

T WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A minister of transport and Mobolaji Newswatch learnt that politicians in gathering of the country's Osomo, former minister of state for the south-west are not eager to join any progressives. The advertisement establishment matters, would attend it. national political association for now in the newspapers and invitation A source told Newswatch that the former unless the issue of June 12 presidential letters indicated that. But when the ministers stayed away because of the elections of 1993 is amicably resolved. nationalI delegates convention of the cloudy political atmosphere in the south­ Attempts made so far to bring the South- National Unity Club, NUC, which its west. West politicians into the NUC fold has founders claim is the umbrella Izuogu told Newswatch that most of been unsuccessful. The Afenifere group organisation for the country's the progressives who were not yet in the which is the mainstream Yoruba political progressives, opened in Port Harcourt, fold would soon join the club. He said the group is committed to the actualisation April 22, it was a surprise to those who absence of politicians from the western of the June 12 elections. came to witness what they thought would part of the country, had to do with the Kebbi, Katsina and Bauchi states had be a unique gathering. Most of those who politics of the annulment of the June 12, no representatives at the meeting. The turned up were mainly friends and 1993 presidential election. "June 12 was a two delegates from Sokoto arrived "supporters of Abubakar Rimi, former set-back to the west. But we have started towards the end of the meeting. Izuogu minister of communications, and Jerry talking to them. I hope they will join us defended this saying it was not possible Gana, former minister of information and very soon." he said. for all members of the club to attend the culture. Port Harcourt meeting. He said people The other notable politicians who like Solomon Lar, former minister of attended the meeting were Ezekiel police affairs, and Emmanuel Nsan, Izuogu, a former governorship aspirant former minister of health, are active in Imo State in the abortive third republic members of the club although they were and protem chairman of the club, Sule not in Port Harcourt. Lamido, a former national secretary of For now, the major worry of the NUC the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, is how to penetrate the north. In the days Alexis Anielo, also a former SDP national of the SDP, the pa r ty wa s able to pénétra te secretary, Stephen Achema, the SDP the north through Shehu Musa Yar'Adua. governorship candidate in the 1991 Now Yar'Adua has floated a new political elections and Mfon Amana, a former association known as the Peoples governorship aspirant and member of Democratic Movement, PDM. Currently, the Constitutional Conference. he is detained for his alleged political The poor attendance at the meeting activities. was evident that there is, indeed, a big Rimi told Newswatch that the non- ; problem among the country's membership of Yar'Adua in the NUC progressives. Traditional progressives was not a problem for the progressives. like Sam Mbakwe, former governor of "I can assure you that a united forum of Imo State, Balarabe Musa, former true progressives in this country can win governor of Kaduna State, Adekunle a national election. And I can confidently Ajasin, former governor of Ondo State tell you that 90 percent of the progressives and Bola Ige, former governor of Oyo in the country are in the NUC," he said. State, stayed away from the meeting. Echoing Rimi's views, Gana said the There were no delegates from Oyo, Ondo, difference between the NUC and the SDP Ogun, Osun and Lagos states, the so- was that the former has no moneybag called homes of progressives. Before the founders and elders. He said the NUC meeting, there was speculation thatLateef was capable of winning future elections Jakande, former minister of works and in the country. housing, Ebenezer Babatope, former Izuogu: A stormy session Despite this optimism, Newswatch

18 Newswatch, May 8,1995 ■ NIGERIA

learnt that the progressives face a serious credibility problem. This was reflected during the question and answer session at the Port Harcourt convention. Rimi and Cana were virtually in the dock throughout the duration. A delegate from Edo State asked: "How do you think we can convince the people at the grassroots that this club is truly progressive when some of our leaders were and are still fraternising with the military?" Izuogu who was moderating asked the delegate to explain what he meant by "fraternising with the military". His explanation was that those who claimed to be progressives but turned round to take ministerial and other appointments from the military that annulled an election won by their party were not really sincere. Izuogu quickly passed the microphone to Rimi saying "thank God those directly involved are here." Rimi gathered himself together and asked: "Is the gentleman saying the people don't like the military?" The whole hall answered 'YES'. He then went into his long defence Rimi, Gana: In the dock saying: "Whether you like the military or not, they are the people in power. You At a point, Gana took the microphone until the meting had gone far. Several cannot drive them out. They are the ones to explain to the audience that Rimi was times when the master of ceremony saw that can say when they will go and I am only explaining his personal views and Gana along the corridor and announced sure they will soon release their transition not that of the NUC. He said he, for his arrival, the former minister refused to programme." example, was in support of rotational come in. An aide said he did not want to Rimi said he had no regrets serving presidency if it was the only thing that come in first in order not to be upstaged the military because he was invited to would make other Nigerians feel they by Rimi who would come in later. He serve the country. "I am happy I did my have a stake in the country. "Some of us waited until Rimi had entered. best to keep the country together," he believe that rotational presidency like Even in their keynote address, both explained. the federal character may not be the ideal politicians tried to outshine each other. Gana toed the same line in his defence. thing, but if it is going to be the thing that Rimi tried as much as possible to display He said all of them worked for the victory will assuage our brothers and make them details while Gana relied solely on his of Moshood Abiola, SDP's presidential feel as Nigerians, it is okay. If it will solve eloquence. candidate in the June 12 presidential our problem, then let it be", Gana said. In his address, Rimi highlighted his election, and only backed out of the It was obvious from their conduct at past efforts at winning support for the struggle when the country was on the the meeting that Rimi and Gana are in a club. He asked the delegates to shun intra­ verge of disintegration. "It was a period leadership race to control the NUC. Gana party squabbles over political posts and of national emergency. We had to let our was an SDP presidential aspirant. Rimi, urged them instead to work for the victory patriotic feelings override our party too, has since the annulment of the June of the party in the presidential elections. interest," he said. 12 election been scheming to run for the "When we win the race, there will be so Rimi was also taken to task over his office of the president. During the days of many posts to distribute and so many opposition to rotational presidency and the Interim National Government, ING, booties to share", he said. his role in the June 12 struggle. A delegate Rimi embarked on a nationwide Gana dwelt extensively on why the from Rivers State had asked him why he, campaign tour to sell his presidential progressives want to capture power. as a progressive, was opposed to ambition to his supporters. He reportedly According to him, the major objectives of rotational presidency while he is in received cold reception in almost wanting to rule is to be able to change support of federal character policy which everywhere he visited especially in the people's lives for the better and to ensure favours his "northern brothers". His south and was therefore forced to national unity based on fairness and social explanation that he is opposed to abandon the dream then. Now he has justice. He said only the NUC can ensure rotational presidency because it would resuscitated it. the attainment of these objectives. "I can not give room for the emergence of a Both politicians tried to upstage each assure you that you are in the right club. truly Nigerian president failed to impress other in Port Harcourt. For instance, both We are moving in the right direction and his predominantly Southern minorities of them arrived the Presidential Hotel by the grace of God we will achieve the who continuously shouted "No" to venue of the meeting long before the right objectives," he said.B ' subsequent explanations. meeting started but refused to go in first

Newswatch, May 8,1995 19 FIRST CITY MERCHANT BANK LIMITED Primrose Tower (6th-10th Floor), 17A, Tinubu Street, P.O.Box 9117, Lagos.

12th Annual General Meeting .CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT (A BRIDGED)

the government caused severe disruption to the economy and for nearly six months. Although his reasons for not renewing in addition had an increasingly negative effect on investment. his contract were understandable, as he planned to set up a Moreover, the political uncertainties as well as the strikes business of his own, Mr. Senbore's departure has been a per­ and violent disruptions caused by the annulment of the June sonal loss to me, as I have come to appreciate the degree of his 12,1993 election, combined to bring the country's economy to loyalty and the invaluable service which he gave to the bank. I virtually a halt and as at the end of the year, there was still no am sure you will all join me in wishing him every success in discernible satisfactory solution to this seemingly intractable his new and other future endeavours. situation. It is therefore with some relief that everyone seems Also during the year 1994, our Executive Director (Liabil­ to have taken the measures set out in the 1995 budget. ity Management), Ms. Bennedikter C. Molokwu, spent a simi­ lar period on the Federal Government Probe Panel on the Ni­ Operating Results gerian Telecommunications Pic. She has since resumed duties In spite of the unfavourable political and economic envi­ with the bank following the completion of the work of the ronment within which your bank operated, First City Merchant Panel. FCMB is particularly proud that two of our directors Bank Limited posted, once again, an excellent result for the were deemed fit by the Federal Government to be chosen for 1994 financial year. What is really significant about this result these national tasks, as we believe that this is a testimony to is the size of the percentage of improvement on the 1993 per­ the quality of the membership of the bank's board and the ex­ formance as indicated by the following indices. ecutive management. The Audited Accounts show that the net interest margin Mr. David Drumm, our former General Manager (Corpo­ and other banking income not only increased considerably rate Banking), was also in the course of the year appointed Ex­ above the 1993 level but also surpassed the targets which we ecutive Director with responsibility for operations and with a had set for ourselves for the year under review. Accordingly, specific mandate to ensure that the bank follows a very focused profit before tax increased by 72% from N105.6 million in 1993 strategy. to over N181 million in 1994. Similarly,, our profit after tax As I have stated in my reports in previous years, our Ex­ increased from N90.9 million to N135 million. I am also par­ ecutive Directors are hands-on Directors, whose direct involve­ Otunba Michael O. Balogun Chairman/Chief Executive ticularly pleased at the significant increase the bank has wit­ ment in the service and product delivery to our customers has nessed in the growth of fee-income from corporate advisory continued to give us an important advantage over our com­ services in 1994. petitors and this has been forcefully demonstrated by the re­ After transferring the sum of N40.5 million to Statutory sults we are publishing. "For FCMB, A year of Realisation Reserves, your Directors are proposing a capitalisation of N25 Towards the end of last year, at the insistence of a number million, at a ratio of one new ordinary share for every five of of shareholders and some of your directors, whilst they were and Surpassed Ambition" such shares held by the shareholders as at the dose of Decem­ congratulating me on the attainment of the age of 60, your ber, 1994. This will bring the paid-up share capital of your bank Board of Directors in recognition of my pioneering role and Introduction to N150 million, while the authorised capital was raised to N206 what they described as the exceptional leadership that I have There is no doubt that an appraisal of the performance of million in the course of the same year. given to the institution, invited me to nominate one of my sons your bank in 1994 will not be complete without some refer­ Your Directors have also considered that in view of this to fill a casual vacancy which occurred on our Board for a non­ ence to the unsatisfactory state of our operating environment, all round good performance, the shareholders should have the executive Director. With a great sense of humility, apprecia­ but I will be committing an almost unpaidonable offence if 1 benefit of an enhanced profit sharing, aRd hereby recommend tion and emotion on my part, 1 nominated my son, Ladipupo allow this backdrop to overshadow the exemplary and excep­ a dividend of 50k for every N1 ordinary share held by the share­ Oluwaseunfunmi Balogun, an Economist, who works in one tional performance of the management and staff of your bank holders as at the end of 1994, as against 25k for the year 1993. of the most distinguished merchant banks in the City of Lon­ in the face of a most daunting environment. This has been so Once again, I am particularly pleased that your bank has don for appointment and the Boaid enthusiastically gave its overwhelming that it will form a good part of my statement witnessed a continuing improvement in the quality of its risk approval. Since then the Central Bank of Nigeria has given its this year. asset portfolio and a growth in die number of top quality cus­ consent to the appointment. You will be called upon during Notwithstanding the unfavourable political and economic tomers with which your bank does business. this meeting to ratify the appointment in compliance with the climate, the impressive performance of your bank in the year We believe that besides fulfilling our major aim of also provisions of our Memorandum and Articles of Association. under review gives me such a great pleasure in welcoming you being a safe haven for depositors' funds, FCMB is one of the In accordance with clauses 92 and 93 of the Articles of As­ to this 12th Annual General Meeting of your bank and in pre­ few institutionsin Nigeria which are capable of delivering so­ sociation of the bank, one-thiid of the Directors are expected senting the Audited Accounts and Report of the bank as at the phisticated and innovative Financial services that meet the to retire in rotation. Accordingly, Godwin Adokpaye, Dr. (Mrs.) year ended 31st December, 1994. needs of companies and institutions based in Nigeria. Martina Nwakoby and Alhaji Tijani Hashim have offered to Let me, however, proceed by first of all commenting on Future Outlook retire and being eligible, have offered themselves for re-elec­ the general global economy as well as the domestic political First City Merchant Bank Limited has commenced its sec­ tion. and economic background. ond decade of operation on a sound note. Having virtually Conclusion Political and economic Overview cleansed our entire risk asset portfolio, we are now left with a Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is customary for Although the year 1994 was characterised by the contin­ healthy and good quality credit portfolio. The general strate­ me to end my address by expressing my appreciation to the ued robust growth of the economies of the seven most industr­ gic thrust of the bank will remain investment banking and as generality of staff for their performance. This year, I do not ialised nations of the world, for the less developed countries, such we will continue to de-emphasise the acquisition of risk think any superlatives I could use would fully exhaust the it was a particularly difficult year. assets. depth of my gratitude and pride for the outstanding perform­ On the domestic scene, the Federal Military Government Your bank is set to remain a dominant player in the Ni­ ance of the entire staff. The co-operation of everyone as well as in that same year resorted to re-regulation in the budget, at a geria banking industry and will continue to maintain interna­ the exceptional leadership provided by the executive manage­ time when most other countries of the world were following a tional banking standards. Moreover, an approval has just been ment, coupled with.the focus of the bank and the healthy com­ different path. However, most (if not all) of the Nigerian macro- granted by the Central Bank of Nigeria for the opening of a petition within and amongst departments have resulted in yet economic indices reached levels that differed significantly from branch office in Port Harcourt. This we intend to commission another outstanding performance. the set budget by the end of the year and the policies are now by the middle of 1995. The bank will, however, remain a com­ First City Merchant Bank Limited is now firmly set on the generally considered to have been ill-advised. pact and dynamic institution, with an emphasis on high liquid­ right track. It is my fervent hope that with this correct focus, There are three major contributory factors to these macro- ity and customer service. based on well thought-out strategies, the bank will continue economic developments. Firstly, government deficit spending Board of Directors to excel and remain among the leaders in the Nigerian bank­ followed the pattern of the previous year, becoming a major During the year, Mr. Olutola Senbore, the Executive Di­ ing industry. On my part, I would say that no leader can have contributor to the high inflationary trend of 1994, largely be­ rector (Business Development) retired from the Board and with­ a better satisfaction and for this I will continue to be eternally cause the bulk of the deficit was financed through Ways and drew his services from the bank with effect from the 15th of grateful to Providence for the inimitable support of all my col­ Means Advances of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Secondly, the April, 1994, at the completion of his three-year contract and leagues. fixed interest rate discouraged savings, thereby worsening the immediately after the completion of a national assignment as liquidity positions of most banks and reducing the volume of a member of the Federal Government's Probe Panel on the Ni­ Otunba Michael 0. Balogun loanable funds. Thirdly, the fixed exchange rate imposed by gerian National Petroleum Corporation on which he served Chairman/Chief Executive aapn0117 FIRST CITY MERCHANT BANK LIMITED pas© Primrose Tower (6th-10th Floor), 17A, Tinubu Street, P.O.Box 9117, Lagos.

BALANCE SHEET PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT as at 31st December, 1994 for the year ended 31st December, 1994 1994 1993 1994 1993 N'OOO N'000 N'OOO N'OOO Assets Cash and short term funds 1*70,102 730*50 Net interest income 133,228 71*21 Bills discounted — 96,295 Investments 12,634 70*41 Other banking income 241,106 144,9% Loans and advances 742,933 604,641 Advances under finance lease 66,683 94*48 Profit before taxation 181*27 105,606 Other assets 64,718 40*97 Fixed assets 66,403 41,623 Taxation (46*28) (14,663) 2*23,473 1,679,995 Profit after taxation 134,999 90,943 Liabilities Deposits and other accounts 1,058,581 962*54 Transfer to statutory reserve (40,500) (30,000) Other liabilities 935,688 462,136 Deferred taxation 2,400 1,200 Proposed dividend (62,500) (25,000)

1,996,669 1,425,690 Reserve for bonus issue (25,000) (23*00)

Capital And Reserves Retained earnings : For the year 6,999 12,443 Authorised: Ordinary shares of N1 each 200,000 150*00 17,112 4,669

• •• .-'i Issued and fully paid ordinary : End of year 24,111 17,112 Share capital 125,000. H100)300 Reserve for bonus issue 25,000 25,000 Eænungs per share (Adjusted) 108k 73k Reserves 176,804 129305 50k 20k Shareholders' Funds 326*04 .■*4,3* T i * i ■ 2,323,473 1*79,99$Jt 'f, Æ ft \

Confirmed credits and other Otunba Michael 0. Balogun, Chairman & Chief Executive obligations on behalf of customers Dr Jonathan A. D. Long, Managing Direçtor and the corresponding customers' liabilities thereon 86,346 63*47 Godwfat T..S, Adokpaye^ Director

REPORT OF THE AUDITORS TO THE SHAREHOLDERS

We have examined the financial statements of First City Merchant Bank Limited for the year ended 31st December, 1994, and we have carried out such auditing procedures and obtained all the information and explanations we considered necessary. Our examination of advances was carried out in accordance with the Prudential Guidelines for licensed banh. In our opinion, the bank has kept proper books. Assets have been properly valued and adequate provisions made for losses and diminution in the value of such assets. The bank contravened section 25(1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Decree 1991. The penalties thereon have been paid. In our opinion, the financial statements, which are in agreement with the books, give in the prescribed manner the information required by the Companies and Allied Matters Decree 1990 and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Decree (BOFID) 1991 and all relevant Statements of Accounting Standards and give a true and fair view of the state of the bank's affairs as at 31st December, 1994, and of the profit and of its source and application of funds for the year then ended. To the best of our information, the bank has complied with the requirements of the relevant Central Bank of Nigeria circulars, and from our examination of the books and records, no contravention of the Productivity, Prices and Incomes Policy Guidelines has come to our notice in respect of the year ended 31st December, 1994. Lagos Price Waterhouse 6th March, 1995 Chartered Accountants Directors: Otunba Michael 0. Balogun (Chairman/Chief Executive), Dr Jonathan A. D. Long (Managing); Ms Bennedikter C. Molokwu (Executive); David Drumm Esq; G.T.S. Adokpaye Esq; Ladi A. Jadesimi Esq; Alhaji Tijani Hashim; Dr (Mrs) M. A. Nwakoby; Chief Badru A. Olaogun aapn0117 AFRICA Death in The Camp

UN, Rwandan authorities give conflicting figures of Hutu refugees killed by Tutsi 'soldiers

By Emmanuel Ugwu

he government of massacre in "strongest terms" and Rwanda last week bowed demanded "an immediate end of the to international pressure atrocities". He also promised to send a and began an official special envoy to deliver a special message enquiry into the April 22 to the Rwandan government. massacre of Hutu refugees at the Kibeho The refugees were shot by soldiers of camp,T in the south west of the country. the Tutsi-dominated government. Boutros-Ghali: Condemned massacre Last Tuesday, Pasteur Bizimungu, the Donor nations and organisations are Rwandan president, announced that he threatening to withdraw all aid to the finish the fleeing ones. would set up an independent government except humanitarian The government defended the action, international panel to probe the massacre donations until details of the massacre saying the army acted in self-defence after he visited the scene of the atrocities. are given. The Rwandan Patriotic Front, following an attack by Hutu extremists Bizimungu insisted that only 300 RPF, government has depended heavily in the camp. By last week, more than people died. But the United Nations on foreign aid since it seized power in 100,000 refugees who survived the Mission in Rwanda, UNAMIR, put the July last year after winning a three-month massacre had fled to Butare, Rwanda's number at 2,000. UNAMIR had initially civil war, in which Hutu troops and second largest city, in the south. put the figure at 8,000 but revised it "after militiamen perpetrated a genocide, killing The Rwandan government had taking a more scientific count of the more than 500,000 Tutsi and moderate alleged that the refugee camps were number of deaths." Hutu. training grounds for the Hutu militiamen The UN mission said it could not There have been occasional clashes believed to have been behind the genocide defend the initial figure it gave. However, between the Hutu and the Tutsi since against the Tutsi last year. The April 18 aid agencies operating in the country then but the Kibeho massacre was the move by the army was to close the camps said both government and UN estimates worst so far. Trouble started when the and move the occupants back to their of the dead were far from being accurate. Tutsi-dominated RPF army moved in on villages. In spite of the massacre, the An aid worker said the official figure of April 18 to close the nine camps in the government is still determined to carry 300 deaths is a "contemptuous south sheltering about 250,000 internally out the forceful closure of the camps and government arithmetic." displaced Hutu. Four days later, the RPF rehabilitation of the refugees. Jacques The Organisation of African Unity, army-initiated "cordon and search" Bihozagara, Rwanda's rehabilitation OAU, last Tuesday urged the Rwandan operation for "screening and registration" minister, said the rehabilitation qf government to probe the massacre. In a of the refugees for an eventual refugees would be intensified, adding statement, Salim Ahmed Salim, the OAU resettlement in their homes turned into that the government would "help secretary general, said the government an armed confrontation between die army Tanzania and Zaire empty camps there". must act with restraint in order to sustain and the Hutu refugees. Observers said Hutu refugees are refusing to leave the confidence it has built over the recent the army used machine guns, mortars, the camps set up by French troops for months. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the UN rocket-propelled grenades to mow down fear of a revenge massacre by the Tutsi if secretary-general, condemned the the refugees. Soldiers used bayonet to they return home.B

22 Newswatch, May 8,1995 WORLD ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■Hi Gallop of the Dark Horse

Lionel Jospin, written off by political pundits, leads in the polls and may become next president of France

By Tunde Asaju, Paris

ionel jospin, the and unite around the best of our ideas and total ballots. socialist candidate, is going our forces and we shall soon triumph in the Robert Hue, the communist party into next week's tough run­ interest of all." Jospin 57, a former education candidate, scored 9 percent. Arlette Laguiller, off election for the French minister is the son of a French protestant the Trostskyite flagbearer, took 5.32% of the

presidency a confident man. educationofficial. Withhis rimless spectacles, votesr her highest in four runs. But it was Jospin shattered poll predictions, coming toused hair and rapid-fire delivery, he seems enough to leave the three other marginal from behind to defeat Jacques Chirac, die more like the university professorthathehas candidates, including her fellow female mayorL of Paris and the leading conservative been in Paris and Grenoble than a gregarious candidate of the Ecology Party, Dominique candidate in the first round of voting held politician. Vounet, who scored 3.32% at the bottom of last week He took 23.31% of the votes to He trained as a career diplomat at both the ladder. Chirac's 20.64%. the Institute of Political Studies and the elite The results of the election are clear but Eduoard Balladur, the prime minister National School of Administration in Paris. the battle is not going to be as simple as it could not make it beyond the first round, He became the Socialist Party's candidate for may appear come May 7. Not even the50,000 getting only 18.54% of the votes, three points president this year after Jacques Delors, the registered fortune tellers in France are behind poll ratings. Noble even in defeat, he former president of the European predicting what will happen next week called on his supporters to vote for Chirac in Commission, surprised his supporters in Analysts say it will depend on how well the the final round thus positioning his party, December by saying he did not want to run. two candidates can pull up in the coming the Rally for the Republic, RPR, for a possible Jospin was first written off in the French week. Although Balladur has asked his share in the spoils in the event of a Chirac press. His campaign was lacklustre and slow. supporters to vote for Chirac, analysts believe victory. The results, he said, show that "the But he confounded all expectations, coming voters are likely to look for personalities and French have made up their minds that it is ahead of the eight other candidates in charisma, rather than simply swap sides. Messrs Jospin and Chirac that should make Sunday's first round of voting. Conservative They think Chirac's well known the final round. In the second round, I will be candidates won 59% of the vote. So, the odds inconsistencies on issues might turn out to voting Chirac and I ask all those who are still against Jospin. In the attempt to get be a drawback for him. supported me thus far to do the same." the majority he would need to win the runoff Jospin who has the support of Mitterand Chirac waited for the prime minister to which will decide who will take over from and that of Jacques Santer, the former finish statement before giving his own President Francois Mitterand, whose term president of the European Commission, can reaction. Afterwards, he came on air full of expires May 20 after 14 years in office. also count on the support of partisans of kindred parties such as the communists and smiles. He said: "I thank those who made the Sunday's election was full of surprises, other small parties whose candidates have decision tonight to support me and notable the most remarkable of which was the figures been eliminated. received by Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the among them, Prime Minister Edouard Le Pen prepared the ground for that in extreme right wing National Front, FN. He Balladur. I appeal to all those who are piqued his brief speech on Sunday. Said he: "We by the spirit of freedom, the thirst for justice, scored 15.87% of the total votes cast. Le Pen's shall be there (second round) to stop the drift all those who believe in initiatives, and all slogan, "France for the French only" worked towards a right deadened by the programs patriots who have confidence in republican well forhimprovingthat most French people of Chirac and to stop the "third social return" values... Let us forget our past old reflexes are unhappy with the influx of immigrants promised by the trade unions." He has fixed and our partisan alliances. Together, let us into their country. It was in areas populated May 1 as the day he would announce his real construct a France for all." by immigrants from Africa that FN scored its favourite for the final. Where all that leads Jospin called on his supporters to rally highest votes. In places like Toulousse, the Jospin will be seen only after polls close May round his ideas. He said: "Let us rally round party swept the polls, carrying 27% of the 7.Ë

Newswatch, May 8,1995 23 BUSINESS + ECONOMY

According to Adamu, manufacturers, especially the small and medium-scale enterprises cannot obtain foreign exchange for the procurement of essential OK not OK imported inputs. Even those who could afford forex at N82 to $1, the rate at which the intervention was done, got their allocations three weeks after. "The result is that a few companies with stock of raw Government, organised private sector materials are fast running out of such stock. For the majority, their factories disagree on performance of the economy have shut down many lines of production. More and more firms are joining the rank in the first quarter of the dead as they find themselves compelled to close shop," Adamu said. To the government, however, the high By Jonah Achema exchange rate means two things: a deadly blow to the parallel market and higher OVERNMENT AND in several years, and maintain that the revenue to the government. The first the organised private economy has not known any respite. intervention, according to Ani, resulted sector don't agree on Hassan Adamu, president, Manufac­ in a surplus of N23.537 billion which has how the Nigerian turers Association of Nigeria, MAN, been transferred to a special reserve. "It is economy fared in the speaking at the annual general meeting the government's intention that this first quarter of this year. Government is of the association last week said there reserve will be built up and will be re­ happy with the performance as reflected was no relief for the industrial sector. "I injected into the system only as at when in the 1995 budget, but most industrialists am sad to observe that four months into necessary and even then, this injection have described as a "nightmare" the first the year, the emerging economic scenario will be in respect of the productive sector four months of the year. is distressingly discomforting". of the economy". Anthony Ani, the minister of finance, According to Adamu, the budget According to him, the important thing told the press April 21 while reviewing envisages the private sector as the engine is that government has taken over the the first quarter performance of the 1995 of growth with the government providing leadership of the economy (from the budget that the economy was reacting to the enabling environment for the parallel market dealers) and can call the treatment. "Ladies and gentlemen, operation of the private sector, shots when it desires. "The government whereas at March 31, 1994, the nation "unfortunately, the mode of implementa­ has now got the capacity to enforce had a budget deficit of about N20 billion, tion of the major instrument of the policy appreciation of the naira in the market I am pleased to announce to you today seems blind to the realisation of the but government is bidding its time to that as at March 31,1995, the nation was ca rdina 1 objectives of the budget". Ada mu allow the market regulate itself". about N8.41 billion in credit". said the first intervention in the There are, fears that this approach to Industrialists have refused to be autonomous foreign exchange market exchange rate management will fuel excited by the surplus which the "was a travesty of intervention properly inflation. The high rate of exchange in government has earned for the first time conceived". AFEM combined with the effect of the various new charges imposed on manufacturers according to Ada mu, have "staggering implications for production costs and the attendant inflation vitiate the whole objective of inflation control". Erastus Akingbola, managing director of Nigeria Intercontinental Merchant Bank also expressed that fear last week. "With the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN, intervening in the AFEM a t ruling market rates," he said, "I think it is necessary for the government to reduce tariff on all imported goods by at least 50 percent. This will effectively complement other anti-inflationary strategies and reduce the possible harsh effects of the intervention policy on the populace". But government does not seem to share this view. According to Ani, the withdrawal of currency from circulation Adamu: Poor implementation worked against budget (through high exchange rates) will

24 Newswatch, May 8,1995 ■ BUSINESS + ECONOMY

eventually assist in the reduction of the ear of its foreign creditors through the inflation and ultimately lead to the World Bank and the International appreciation of the naira in the forex Monetary Fund, IMF in its quest for market. The government is unlikely to do concessions. "It is envisaged that the IMF anything, about the duties being and World Bank would pay a visit to complained about by the manufacturers. Nigeria at the end of May to review our In the first quarter government earned programmes and the track record that we N5.38 billion from customs duties, a have built. After discussions and shortfall ôf N3.22 billion from the N8.60 agreements on the (home-grown Medium billion budgeted for the period. Term Economic1 Adjustment Pro­ According to Ani, the shortfall was a gramme), MTP, we shall negotiate for result of the use of N22 to $1 exchange debt reschedulement, waivers, etc, with rate in computing duty charges. "It is our creditors". expected that when business picks up in There are signs that the IMF is subsequent months and the proper tariffs impressed by Nigeria's performance in and exchange rates are used, the budget economic management so far this year. (of N34.40 billion for 1995) will be met". Ani: Budget did weii Agency reports quoted an unnamed The shortfall of revenue from this official of IMF last week from Washington source and NO.79 billion from companies promulgation of decrees to back up the as expressing satisfaction with the tax were the only grey areas in the repeal of the 1962 Exchange Control Act implementation of the budget in the first performance of the fiscal policies of the and the Enterprises Promotion Decree. quarter, said he: "The implementation of budget. In both revenue collection and During the first quarter, said the minister, the budget appears to be in line with expenditure management, government efforts were made to articulate Nigeria's what government has promised. The demonstrated a rare prudence. debt profile so a s to determ ine the curren­ news of tightening of the budget is The minister said in the pursuit of cies in which they are denominated, the encouraging and we expect them to fiscal transparency, and in order to amount of the original debt, the interest maintain that stance". capture all receipts to the government element, fines, etc. That information, he Many analysts see the quarterly account, government decided to stop the said, has finally been obtained up to review of the budget as a welcome operation of dedicated accounts. Said he: December 31,1991, and efforts are being development. The fear, however, is that "The ministry of finance, CBN and made to update this to 1995. it might stop when the performance is Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora- With such a good performance in the less encouraging. ion, NNPC have verified and ensured first quarter, government hopes to get Reported by Joseph Ode that all sales of crude oil, royalties for the period have in fact been credited to the government account maintained by the CBN," the minister said. ^ d* rf* {fr ^ d* d* d*d*d*d*d*d*d*d* Another achievement was the resolution of the nagging problem of cash calls (cost of funding joint venture $ American Connections $ operated by oil producing companies American companies looking for distributors, owed by the government). Government agents and representatives to market their said it had merged the arrears of the 1994 $ products such as clothes, watchs, used cars, $ cash call with the projected 1995 amount auto parts, medical equipment and much and had placed a standing order with the $ much more. Tell us what you are interested $ Central Bank of Nigeria. All the oil on and we can connect you with the compa­ companies are now to be paid $116.67 $ nies that deal on that particular product. We million monthly, and to be paid N1.5 $ can also help you contact schools, churches, million in cash calls, while the naira Pen Pals (male & female) or travel overseas. arrears of approximately N3 million are $ Just write to: Sam's • P.O. Box 1212, Jackson, TN 38302 • $ to be settled outright. g| U.S.A. • Phone (901 ) 661 -0008 Besides, the standing orders of FAX (901) 668-4129 $ January, February and March 1995 are said to have been paid by the minister Member while the amount due for April is expected $ Better Business Bureau to have been paid by April 18. Newswatch, We Ship Merchandise World-Wide however, learnt that the oil companies $ had not yet received the payment. Used Cars As Low As $100 Ani also said that considerable $ progress had been made in many policies enunciated in the budget such as the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, leasing of some government enterprises and

Newswatch, May 8,1995 25 BUSINESS BRIEFS

operations and individuals using recruited to strengthen the management. Ready for personal computers are losing huge sums Another 54 have opted for early of money. He said there was need to retirement, according to Eboigbe. Lagos Fair "pool resources and organise conference The statement last week was attempt and seminars in order to device technical by the bank to tackle the nega five publicity By Joseph Ode procedural counter-measures to the virus that it has had since elections of a new threat". His company is planning a one- board in Abuja late 1994 at which A.N. and Jonah Achema day seminar on PC maintenance and Bamali was elected chairman, succeeding computer virus for June 2, in Lagos. "The Sunday Adewusi, the last government- ROSPECTUS FOR THE 15TH seminar is designed to equip participants appointed chairman of the bank. Hakeem Lagos International Trade Fair was with techniques, skills and thorough Belo-Osagie was elected executive vice- launched in Lagos last week by understanding of PC maintenance and chairman. the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and the measures against destructive and In February, the bank sacked 62 senior Industry. The launching represents a dangerous viruses. It will also explain managers in a reorganisation of its formal invitation to participants to specific control techniques that can detect management. Those affected were mainly register for the biggest international trade and prevent the perpetration of virus and those who had served the bank for more fair staged in Nigeria annually. Last checklists that can be used to assess than 30 years or have reached the age of week's launching was largely a software malfunctions", he said. 55. diplomatic affair with a luncheon for Eboigbe also said last week that there commercial councilors and attaches of were no discrepancies in the shareholding foreign missions in Nigeria. UBA: Ready structure of the bank. He listed the major In a way, the chamber was inviting share holders of the bank as Banque foreign participants to return to the fair To Shine Nationale de Paris, Bankers Trust that they kept away from last year due to company of New York, Banca Nationale what a chamber official described "as the NITED BANK FOR AFRICA, del Lavaro, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, tense and unstable socio-political as well UBA, has announced a major FSDH staff co-operative society and New as economic environment". Abiodun restructuring of its manage­ Nigerian Development company. Adefehinti, chairman of the organising Ument. Ogie Eboigbe, principal manager,According to the statement, the bank now committee of this year's fair, who corporate affairs said in a statement last has 46,908 share holders with the described the level of foreign participation week that the restructuring was part of conclusion of its privatisation by the last year, as "predictably low" said 560 efforts "to position the bank for effective Technical committee on priva tisa tion and local exhibitors participated. Together and efficient services to our customers". commercialisation, TCPC.H with 15 states, the fair which attracted So far, 32 new managers have been about one million people according to Adefehinti, took up to 16,000 of the available 100,000 square metres of exhibition space. IN EKO WEEKLY The planning committee, said THIS WEEK Adefehinti, "has regularly found worthy partners in the diplomatic corps and media executives. This is why we now * War to break out in Nigeria iiM.K.O. is not released before June! solicit your usual co-operation and This is a divine revelation from Primate Olabayo. Read all the support as we prepare for the 15th fair". The 10-day event will kick off on Friday, details in Eko. November 3. * This is a season of thought-provoking predictioins. There is Red Alert another big one from Father Jacob from Abriba in Abia State. He says Aso Rock will be engulfed by fire that will destroy all its OKUNBO SMITH, MANAG- occupants. Who is Father Jacob? Check out this week’s Eko. ing director of Delphi Computers and Communications Limited * Plus all the regulars: Sports, Entertainment and Whispers. Thas said that viruses were infecting computers in Nigeria. "The number of viruses in circulation is growing at an Eko; Your way ahead weekly treasure. alarming rate and the skills exhibited by the perpetrators is becoming more sophisticated", he told reporters last Available nation-wide for just week. The consequence of this invasion, according to Smith, is that many companies that have computerised their

26 Newswatch, May 8,1995 PROFILE

the first students. On leaving the institute, he went back to the civil service as a permanent secretary in the ministry of Man at the Top establishments. He also had a stint at NIPSS as director of administration and assan ahmed, director-general and chief executive of the Indu­ strial Training Fund, ITF, never planned to become a primary school teacher.H But somehow, he did. He told

Newswatch editors at the magazine's well- Photo known summit: 'It was not that I planned to be a teacher. I just found myself in a teachers' training college." Ahmed confessed to have been attracted by the uniform of students of teachers' training colleges. He, therefore, did not feel too bad to find himself as one of them. He was educated at three teachers! training colleges. He did his elementary teacher training at the Teachers' Training Colleges, Bauchi. His next stop was the Rural Science Education College, Minna. For his grade II teachers' course, he went to theHigherTeachers'Training College, | tell Ahmed of his plans to appoint him finance. From there, he moved back to Ilorin. Thus equipped, he settled down to commissioner. Ahmed was not aware of the ITF as director-general. work. Then the rude shock. "Teachers who was being cleared as the new Though bom into a royal family, were so much disregarded," he recalled. commissioner. He was surprised about Ahmed's upbringing was extremely As headmaster of a senior primary school this because in his position, he should humble. In his time, the royal family did in Nasarawa, his hometown, he earned know. When Suleiman, then a group not believe in taking their children to £10.1 Os a month. A local dispenser earned captain, came back from Lagos, he called Koranic schools. Not so for Ahmed. He £3 a month. But he was more respected the secretary to the government who after did many other things that were out of than Ahmed. He could not quite under­ a brief chat with the governor, came out place for anybody from the royal family. stand the low esteem with which teachers to congratulate Ahmed. "I said what sir? "We carried water, we went to farm, we were held. He said you have been made a commis­ went to beg, we did all sorts of things." he He got his answer in a dramatic way. sioner. I said I don't like it." said. His father was a great disciplinarian He travelled in a lorry with the dispenser. Indeed, Ahmed walked into the who believed that a child should be made Ahmed paid the dispenser's fare but it governor's office and told him he would to do anything that he could to make his was he, not Ahmed, who was given the not like to be a commissioner. The life better. His father used to tell him: more comfortable and prestigious front governor refused to accept his decision. "Being from a royal family is not anything seat with the driver. Ahmed rode in the Ahmed had no choice but to accept. He that you should bother yourself thinking back with the crowd of local market men became commissioner for information. about because time will come if you don't and women. Ahmed still looks back at his decision to have the wherewithal and education, you Ahmed arrived home dirty and dusty. accept the post with regret. "In fact, I don't would be nothing even if you are from a He felt humiliated. That decided his next want to remember I was a commissioner," royal family." Ahmed has moulded his move. He dropped the chalk for the civil he said. "I am a civil servant through and life around that philosophy. service. through and I don't see anything much in But the major influence in his life was He began his civil service career as an commissionership. I don't know what his uncle with whom he grew up. Said executive officer in the provincial office, they (commissioners) are gaining." Ahmed: "My uncle had the greatest influ­ Yola, from where he moved to the His reservation about commissioner- ence on me. He did everything for me. I ministry of justice in the defunct Benue ship is that there is not much a took all my instructions from my uncle. Plateau State, as higher executive officer. commissioner can get done, apart from He was the one who decided what I did." He was secretary to Jos Local Government taking part in meetings of the executive Ahmed, from Nasarawa, Plateau Council before becoming principal council. "As a principal secretary of State, is married and has several children. secretary to the governor of the then government (at that time) I could exercise As director-general and chief executive Benue Plateau State. Ahmed loves the a lot of initiative. I made a lot of things to of ITF, Ahmed has won several awards, civil service so much that when he was happen." To him, a commissioner is like the most prestigious being the national appointed commissioner in 1977, he a big messenger of government. merit award for productivity. rejected it. A commissioner from his local He was glad when that was over. He He has similarly been honoured with government area had resigned. Dan went to the National Institute for Policy a traditional title which makes him one of Suleiman, the military governor, did not and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, as one of the top advisers of the Emir of Nasarawa.

Newswatch, May 8,1995 27 SUMMIT Our Way Forward

Hassan Ahmed II, director-general and chief executive, Industrial Training Fund, speaks with Newswatch editors on the state of the civil service, other issues. Excerpts

Newswatch:You have been most of your life a civil servant and following laid down civil service procedure, doing things with the civil service has undergone certain changes over the period, immediate effect; constitutional amendments, giving governors particularly the 1988 civil service reforms. Everybody is still and the president the right to appoint whoever they liked as complaining about unproductivity in the civil service. What permanent secretaries, instead of following seniority, I wonder exactly is the problem with our civil service? whether the present state of the civil service is not a direct Ahmed: First, what I think is wrong is that the present civil creation of the destruction of the civil service by the military. servant sees himself as Ahmed: I don't serving somebody. In my think so. Even early career as a civil the civilian servant I liked the service What is administrations and I thought I was were equally serving my country. wrong with guilty of what There were people who you have said. were my seniors, who the civil How do you were prepared to give me consider a encouragement if I did | service is that governor who well. But what I find in within seven the civil service is that | everybody days of getting everybody sees the place to office, ten of as a place where you can ! sees the place his kinsmen work and get money. To find their way to the extent that if you are I as a place the civil service not satisfied with the civil to the post they service, you have to do so where you can are not qualified many other things along for?. In fact, I with the civil service. Lack work and get have seen that of commitment to the the military has cause of the service. Lack money respected the of feeling about the civil service as it country, about the service is what is wrong with the service were, much more than the civilian governments. If you talk now. Worse still, lack of proper training in the civil service. In about the first civilian regime, maybe they did not interfere fact, my contribution when we had a meeting five or six weeks much with the civil service. But subsequent civilian govern­ ago, I said, my strong feeling and I was not joking, I am not ments were damaging to the civil service. You don't just bring under-estimating any problem that could be, I said everybody anybody in because he is your brother and say he is a director- in the civil service now should go back to school. There, you will general. Whom does he direct? What does he know about be told this is your country and this country belongs to you. If direction? If the military has done this, the civilians have also you do anything good, it is to this country and therefore, to you. done the same. And secondly, this thing you are doing, you don't know it, learn it. Everybody should find himself back in the classroom. Newswatch: But is it part of the military mentality? We need to learn the civil service. It is not a place you talk Ahmed: There is a military mentality of saying bloody civilian about your tribe, your religion, your associates and things like and that cuts across whether you are a civil servant or anything. that. It is a place where you sit down with your target, with your In the National Institute we discussed a lot about this. Some of work plan. You must do it and you work towards that. them saw that many of us were not bloody. You meet in the class, you know my worth, I know your worth. There is an area Newswatch: Part of what you are saying, seems to be related to where you have to contribute. It is not a matter that you are the attitude of the military towards governance, like not given time to go and write. They know that'some people are not

28 Nevyswatch, May 8,1995 ■ SUMMIT

bloody. But there is this unfortunate mentality of he is a bloody Newswatch: The changes then, must have damaged the system civilian, he cannot do it. When you ask them they have their along the lines you have talked about. But what is the role of reasons also; because whereas in the military, you have a target, corruption in damaging the civil service? you are told to go here, you just walk and go there and that is Ahmed: Extremely bad. For the past ten to fifteen years, an the kind of thing they always preach but if you are a civilian you average civil servant wants to believe that his salary is not probably want to go here first and go there next and take this enough. He does not see himself as a civil servant, he sees comer before you eventually find yourself there. They argue himself and still sees himself as a master. If you want anything that we have a way of delaying things. I think we are all done, you have to pay for it. This is no longer a secret. Go to any Nigerians first and foremost and we do certain things as of the ministries. The moment you come in, the person that Nigerians and we behave as Nigerians opens the gate starts saying "welcome sir, hello sir, how are you sir"? They are greeting and welcoming you because they want Newswatch: How much damage would you say the Babangida you to give them money. You go into the office and you see reforms did to the civil service? At that time, he said permanent people saying or doing filings short of asking you for money. I secretaries would be directors-general, they would go with the think that is very wrong. The civil servant should see himself as government that appointed them so that they can do what they a servant that should not expect money from anybody. That ought to do at that time. brings me to what I was saying. If you have a civil service that Ahmed: A lot of damage. You are talking of Decree No. 43 of is properly motivated and trained and the civil servant is 1988. A lot of what that decree did was truly damaging to the committed to the cause of his job and the cause of his country, civil service. You cannot do two bad things at once. You bring this issue of ten percent and the rest of them would be limited. out somebody and say he is a director-general, may be he comes That is why I feel it is necessary for civil servants to go back to from your place. This is somebody who has never read any civil the classroom and leam that they are not there to ask for money. service rules or regulations. There are strict guidelines which You are not there to hide a file until somebody brings out money you have to know before you bring it out. especially if you have to give the last word. Newswatch: There are It is very damaging to For the civil people who attribute the say that man is an rising incidence of accounting officer, service to be corruption in the civil because he can't be an service to that of insecurity. accounting officer. efficient, the rmm • 5 This goes back to the days of Secondly you are * \ l ' Murtala Muhammed when now saying that the operators must everybody was being directors cannot not only be chucked out. So the civil report to the director- servant does not feel secure general who is a trained, they any more. He wants to make professional and as much as he can before probably somebody must continue somebody wakes up one who rose along the day and throws him out. line and who knows to be trained This is what I mean when I all the things that are was talking of the tradition supposed to be known and be in the civil service having about the ministry for being destroyed by the example. And that the retrained military and not by the directors can report civilians. straight to somebody Ahmed: Well, it was the who is a total stranger, who is probably not even committed to military that started retrenchment in a very unorthodox way. the cause of what is happening, whose loyalty is probably only Definitely, what you say is very correct When I look at some of to the person who appointed him, I think that is very damaging. my colleagues that come to me to look for not only contracts. But again, there were few good things that were said in that Sometimes, but you cannot believe it, they are looking for decree but because of our Nigerian situation, they were not something to eat for that day. And some of these people rose to followed. So I don't know whether it is entirely the fault of the the post of director-general or permanent secretary. Somehow, decree. For example, decree No. 43 of 1988 is saying that 10 they are people who don't have anything now. Some of them percent of the amount of money available for allocation to any don't have a house. Even in the National Institute there are establishment or ministry must go straight to training. But some of my colleagues when they are coming for a meeting they people played on that and nobody went for training. If you say can you send me transport money? And they come in public pressurise me, I can zero my argument to the fact that most of transport and these people have been permanent secretaries. I what has happened in the civil service happened because think it is true that sufficient care is not taken even with the new people were not trained. If they were trained at all, they were incentive that the government is giving. Sufficient care has not not retrained. For the civil service to be efficient, the operators been taken by successive governments both civilian and military must not only be trained, they must continue to be trained and to see what happens to a retiree. Somebody who has given the be retrained. whole of his life to assist them, what does he fall back to? Some of them are falling back to nowhere. Those of us who are still in

Newswatch, May 8,1995 29 ■ SUMMIT

service are taking a lot of responsibilities to assist some of our organisations are not there because we have not been able to friends. meet our targets. Our objectives are very clear, and we have been following them religiously. Over the years, we have Newswatch: You have talked so much about training and re­ brought in new packages and new ideas into what we are doing. training, how well has your organisation done in this regard? If you go to any of the major companies in Lagos here, we are Ahmed: To answer this question effectively, one will be seen as very well known. You could go and pick names of those who if one is blowing one's trumpet. Decree No. 47 of 1971, mandated have attended courses with ITF. If you see the accountant there, us to indigenise labour and production in the economy. If you he will tell you the amount of money we pay. Very religiously go back to 1971, that is immediately after the indigenisation and promptly as a result of training. decree, which was a very good decree. The decree said most of these businesses be indigenised. But then people did not Newswatch: It appears one cadre of the bureaucracy is left out. remember that if you indigenise businesses, it was also necessary The ITF handles the middle cadre, the CMD and ASCON to indigenise people who are running these businesses. That handle the management cadre, but there is no provision for the was how we came about. So for you to find out whether we have lower cadre. made or have not made any impact, you have to look at the Ahmed: We cover the lower cadre. In their arrangement, ASCON businesses in this country is supposed to take before 1971. At that time, if ca re of the lower cadre you went round Lagos, if it is administrative. especially around Ikeja, We were Before we were Ilupeju and Apapa, you dissolved, the director would find that most of charged with of the ITF served on these companies right from the board of gover­ the lower cadres to the the respon­ nors of the CMD, NIM managerial status were run and of the National by either Ghanaians, sibility of Manpower Board. Indians, Pakistanis etc. That is one very Twenty-two years after improving on important area we that time, we have, in coordinate what we conjuction with other the middle are doing. We used to manpower development run annual confe­ agencies, changed this and lower rences where we feature completely. If you called all these people go to any of the companies cadre man­ including people from now, you will see that more the universities, poly­ than 70 percent of the people power in the technics, colleges of who are working in these education, ASCON, companies are Nigerians. economy CMD and even our That is what we were set up contributing emplo­ to do. We run direct training, we go to these companies and run yers. There, we x-rayed for a whole week our training activities. training, we invite them to do training, they train and we re- We sought to know what everybody was doing, how we could emburse them. And in conjuction with the universities, improve what we were doing, what further collaboration we polytechnics and other institutions, we have been able to can make and things like that. indigenise manpower supply. Newswatch: If a private agency develops a course and comes Newswatch: I asked that question because other organisations to the ITF, will you collaborate with such an agency? have taken the mantle in the job you are supposed to be doing. Ahmed: We have so many consulting companies. If you are an That is of organising seminars, workshops, training and all ex-civil servant, probably you form a consulting company, you such things. I thought it was because your organisation was not say you are an expert on something; if we need you as an expert able to live up to expectation. Some people are complaining that to come and run some of our programmes as an expert, of your courses are too expensive. course, we will invite you. But if you are bringing a package and Ahmed: This is the exact opposite of what is happening. We you want us to run it for you, we won't do that because we can were the first establishment to come into being. After us there develop our own package. was CMD, then there was ASCON. These three main federal Newswatch: If Newswatch for instance, wants to run an in- government organisations were assigned different house training programme, would it qualify for assistance from responsibilities. We were charged with the responsibility of you? improving on the middle man power in the economy including Ahmed: Yes. Because you are contributing to ITF, if you want the commercial and industrial undertaking of the nation. ASCON to run an in-house programme, you have to tell us first. We are was dealing with the administrative sector, the CMD was to going to find out whether the people you are going to train are take care of the management sector, the Nigerian Institute of Nigerians. If they are not Nigerians, we shall not be a party to Management, NIM, is also dealing with management. We have it, because primarily, we are to indigenise. We don't accept any completely different areas of operation. We don't clash non-Nigerian to the system. We also like to find out whether the whatsoever. In fact, in so many areas, we collaborate. These course is relevant to what you are doing. Then of course, we give

30 Newswatch, May 8,1995 ■ SUMMIT

you the go ahead. unexpected expenses, because of the rise in the cost of doing things, because of the almost impossibility in putting up a Newswatch: Nearly all parastatals are having one kind of building, that is why we say we don't have the money. What the problem or the other. What are your problems in ITF? contributing employers are paying, we reserve 60 percent for Ahmed: Our problem now is our inability to import up-to-date them. In case they train we give it back to them. The 40 percent and new training equipment. They are becoming very expensive. left is next to nothing. In fact, we have been agitating to Along with that also, we want to see if we bring this equipment government to consider whether we should be paying any re­ we are able to hire workers, technical people, engineers who imbursement again or whether the levy should now be increased will man some of these training equipment and improve the from one percent of annual pay roll to say three percent. training packages we give to our clients. So I can say that our problem now, we don't have the money, we don't have the Newswatch: How much has the burden of maintaining your capability because training equipment have become very staff contributed to your financial dilemma? sophisticated and become very expensive to buy even from Ahmed: As far as the federal government parastatals are overseas. concerned, we in the ITF have one of the best conditions of Another problem is that the government expects us to service. One must however, say that the kind of fringe benefit expand. But the that government came out provision of with and loaded over us is infrastructure is clearly telling on us. But don't becoming very Our forget that in the council of the difficult. Right ITF, most of the members are now, we have 22 problem the contributing employers Area offices across themselves and they are very the nation. We now is our mindful of how we spend our have offices in money. We don't spend nearly all the older inability to anything until we go to the states. Mind you in council and the council each of these import up- approves. So we try as much

offices, we have Akinyele Okundare as possible not to go into training develop­ to-date and money that does not belong to ment officers, us. The law says all employers accountants, admi­ new train­ of labour that have 25 people nistrators etc. and above must contribute one There is a lot of ing equip­ percent of their annual pay agitation for us to roll to the coffers of the ITF, expand further. It ment for the purpose of training. 60 is getting extre­ percent of that money belongs mely difficult for us to the employer. In other to put up some words, if he trains he gets back infrastructure because they are getting very expensive. When that money. Whatever we do, we try to do it within the remaining the idea came into being, we were building our offices ourselves 40 percent. But because of the increase ih wages and allowances and it was costing us nothing less than one million naira. We that government imposes on us, it is becoming very difficult for spent a lot of money in the last area offices built in Enugu, us. We have written so many letters asking the government to Makurdi and I think in Ibadan. We need money to continue to come to our aid, especially if the government is not prepared to build these offices especially because renting of properties is allow us to increase the levy we are collecting. becoming almost impossible. Here in Ikeja, we have our property. I don't know what would have happened if we did not build Newswatch: Apart from political considerations, what is the these places so many years ago. We still need money to go about necessity in maintaining offices in all the states of the federation? and get ourselves the necessary infrastructure. But we don't Ahmed: The more we diversify, the further we go into the have the money. hinterland and the better for us. As at now, there are few states that have no offices. The council members are représenta tives of Newswatch: When you say you don't have money, could it be states and each one of them always wants you to have an office that government is not giving you the subvention you need, or in his state. As a result, many of our offices are not viable at all. the companies that are supposed to be paying their dues are not Because we don't have many contributing employers there and paying and if they are not paying, have you found out why? the levy we collect there is nothing in comparison to what we Ahmed: When the ITF came into being, the government was spend in maintaining the offices as well as payment of salaries supposed to give us marching grant and they did. At that time to workers that are there. £500,000.00. For a long time after that almost about 20 years, government never gave us anything again. From the levy we Newswatch: If you are not viable is it nrit possible for you to do collect from contributing employers, we are supposed to keep a rethink and probably have the offices on a zonal basis? for ourselves 40 percent over the years. This has become most Ahmed: It is not impossible to do that, but that is beyond me as inadequate especially now with the fringe benefit imposed on us a public officer. That is a high policy issue. When we had an and which we are to apply very strictly and because of this office in Calabar, it was like we are breaking even, but political

Newswatch, May 8,1995 31 ■ SUMMIT

pressure made us have an office in Uyo. When our office in about politics but my attitude is that all of us, the so called elites Kaduna was taking care of Katsina, it was not like everything don't seem to be politically honest to the populace. We sometimes was going on well with us in Kaduna, but political pressure say one thing and do another thing completely. We have seen made us to have an office in Katsina. We were running an office how so many of us who have risen to high political status and in Ibadan, but political pressure made us to have an office in the way they behave. I don't think that is how politics should be Akure and Abeokuta. You can go on and on round the country played. But please, if you save me this kind of question, I will be like that. This is a matter that is beyond the competence of the very happy because I will just limit it to the fact that I am a civil director-general. If the council, the policy maker says you servant and want to remain a civil servant and I am not attracted should have an office somewhere, then you have to have an to politics at all. office there. Newswatch: Giving the bashing the economy is in right now, Neivswatch: I tend to look at the ITF as an insurance company as you said yourself that the last several years have not been where an insurance broker is trying to persuade people to good for some companies, unemployment is rising, etc. What insure. He does not draw your attention to the fine print which do we do with this economy because we seem to be going from gives the conditions you have one end to the other to fulfil before you make your end? Today it is claims. Rather, he merely tells The leaders regulation, you the advantages of tomorrow it is insurance. When it gets to the make some of deregulation, and point of making claims, they the impact is being draw your attention to the fine the rules and felt in the number print. we the folio- of people being Ahm ed: No, we do exactly the thrown out of job opposite. We run special wers abuse it, every day. What do programmes, we invite our we do to shape up contributing employers and example, the economy? train them, on how to submit Ahmed: I see our re-imbursement claims. We go despite the voyage as that of to them and teach them how political develop­ to collect re-imbursement strict rules, ment. I agree with claims. Every employer in you that some Lagos, for example, knows the dollar is still people are really conditionalities attached to being sold on... , suffering because of claims. We don't say you are the economic entitled to pay and later say the street problems. But I you are not. It may come to can't tell you I have you as news, I have just been the answer on what awarded a national merit award. I understand later on that one we are going to do to have our economy in the best way we want of the considerations given was because of the way we have re­ to have it. I see some of the attempts made by government, for imbursed our contributing employers. example, controlling the naira as a very laudable one and when I look at the 1995 budget for example, I say it is one of the best Neivswatch: Can you tell us the main achievements of ITF budgets planned. Perhaps they will have problem of execution. under your leadership? Maybe some of the guidelines given in the budget by limiting Ahmed: I will like you to judge this by yourself. When people ourselves to improving the infrastructures that are on instead of ask whatyou have been able to do, when you start talking, it will conceiving new ones, which you will start and stop halfway. By amount to blowing your trumpet. We have done in-house keeping strictly to our guidelines and perhaps looking at the training. We have provided a number of additional repayment of our debt and see whether it is necessary for us to infrastructure, we have had very open administrative policy, be given this large amount of money continuously which we we have taken everybody along with us, we have gone a long cannot account for and of course so many other things that are way in taking care of all the necessary incentive for motivating clearly stated in the budget, of course, except the training aspect our staff to do very well indeed. I cap it up by saying I am the of it. I think we will probably get somewhere. But I think if we first person to get the National Merit Award on the 21st of get the good leadership, we get the very good following, February and I think it is because I have done something. because the leaders make some of these rules and we the followers abuse it. What happens in Lagos, there are many rules Newswatch: You did not like your appointment as a and regulations about currency but you go to Lagos and on the commissioner, is it because you don't like politics? streets somebody will stop you that he wants to sell or buy some Ahmed: I am cut for civil service, and I still don't see anything dollars from you even when the rule is very strict. We must as good about commissionership. I am sorry, it is not that I am a people stop depending too much on what the leadership can underrating them. I don't like politics as such. give us I know it is very important to rely on the leadership and the leadership can go a long way to influence things, but what Newswatch: What is your attitude towards Nigerian politics? are the followers doing in order to make the leadership do what Ahmed: Again as a public officer, I am not supposed to comment is going to be good for the nation?B

32 Newswatch, May 8,1995 How to Manage Your Money

The times are hard. Every kobo you spend counts. Or, it should. So, you have N50.00 to buy a newsmagazine to keep abreast of important national and international news. Vendors confront you with an array of magazines and newspapers on your way to and from work daily. Newspapers and magazines with sensational headlines are pushed in your face. Like most people, you can’tresist. You pick a magazine or newspaper with the sensational headline. The vendor puts your hard- earned N50.00 in his pocket. Five minutes later, a strangled cry escapes from your throat. You have been had. Sorry.

Here is how to manage your money to get value for it:

» Don’t always accept the vendor’s judgment on what makes news. ♦ Pick the magazine of your choice, not what the vendor shoves in your face. ♦ Go for facts, not faction (Faction = a drop of facts mixed in ten buckets of fiction) • Shun sensationalism. You can’t get value for your money. • Don’t buy headlines. Big headlines do not important stories make.

This advice is given free by Newswatch. Because we care how you spend your hard-earned money. VACANCIES

NEWSWATCH COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED, a publishing Company located tn Ikeja/Oregun axis of Lagos, has vacancies for the following:

1. Assistant General Manager, Administration 2. Chief Accountan t

REQUIREMENT FORPÔSITION i ; Applicants must be holders of a 1st Degree or Its equivalent from any recognised University. Possession of a Masters Degree In Public Administration or MBA Will be an advantage. : : : v : ÿxx/V'x.yx Lx . ' çbxj; ::x xxjx x. : : ' •• < : . . : • x. ,:V: \ x:’'çx.. :x x'.Y. •. . .'xx'..:.. : x. /x •. . ïyj.ÿx MÊÉBIEIÎGÊ : Suitable candidates should possess a total cognate experience of not less than 15 years. He must show - evidence of sound, Independent Judgement initiative and drive.

REQUIREMENTS & EXPERIENCE FOR POSITION 2: Candidates applying for the 2nd position should be holders of ACCA and must have been on the job for not less than 10 years. - Benefits: Personal emoluments and conditions of service for the two positions are competitive and attracUve, depending on qualifications and experience. Should you consider yourself suitable for these positions, do not hesitate to apply with a detailed Curriculum Vitae and copies of relevant credentials, to:-~ The Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Newswatch Communications Limited, 3. Billingsway, off Secretariat Road, Oregon Industrial Estate, P.M. B 21499, Ikeja - Lagos. Closing date for all applications, is May 31, 1995. SPORTS Victory of The Mermaids

University of Lagos swims from the sixth position to the top of medal table in the West African Universities Games in Benin City

By Dotun Oladipo

WIMMING GAVE THE medals table and confirmed the new strategy 56.17 seconds. F. Darko of the University of University of Lagos, of winning with the swimming event. Cape Coast won the 400 metres men in 46.% Unilag, surprise victory in Unilag won a total of 24 gold, seven seconds to erase the old record of 47.36 theWest African Universities silver and five bronze medals. Its closest seconds. In the 800 metres, Abibetu Yakubu Games, W AUG, which ended rival, Uniben, had 16 gold, 21 silver and 23 of Uniben returned a time of 2:11:40 seconds at thëÛniversity of Benin, April 22. Unilag bronze medals. Ahmadu Bello University, as against the old record of 2:17:08 seconds won most of its medals from that event. ABU, Zaria came third with 14 gold, 17 silver for women while E. Michael of Enugu States Before the finals of the swimming event, and nine bronze medals. Obafemi Awolowo University of Technology won in the male April 18, Unilag placed sixth position on the University, OAU, Ile-Ife, which won the category in a time of 1:49:62 seconds. medals table. But all that changed when games at the University of Ouagadougou, Protests and administrative lapses nearly Dorcas Edomo won seven medals in the Burkina Faso, in 1989 placed ninth with just marred the games. Officials of the games swimming event alone. Kolawole Oneme, one gold, five silver and sevenbronzemedals. drawn mostly from the participating another swimmer from the university won Nineteen records were broken at the universities held up the games April 21 five medals in the male category. The medal games. Deji Aliu, a national athlete and 100 protesting the non-payment of their haul shot Unilag to the top of the metres gold medalist at the Federation of allowances. Also, the final of the football World University match played during the closing ceremony Games, FISU, who would have been disrupted but for the represented Unilag, pleadings of some Uniben officials and the returned a time of 20.68 presence of Abdulasalaam Abubakar, a seconds to erase the major-general and chief of defence staff, games' 200 metres old who stood in for Sard Abacha, head of state record of 21.68 seconds. and chief patron of the games; Bassey Calista Uba, a student Asuquo, a colonel and milita ry administrator of Uniben, improved of Edo State;J im Nwobodo, youth and sports on the women's 200 minister, and Gabriel Igbinedion, a metres record of 25.29 businessman and chief sponsor of the seconds returning a games. time of 23.18 seconds. Indications that the games would run Other records into hitches started unfolding on April 19 broken were by V.A. when officials of the games met and Ogene of Uniben in concluded that they might not be paid after both the men's discuss the games. They resolved to ask for their pay and shot put events. He before the closing ceremony. The organisers, threw a distance of however, did not take the threat seriously 49.48 metres and 15.76 until the officials held up the finals of the metres respectively. high jump, long jump, 800 metres and 100 Bisi Afolabi of the metres scheduled for Friday afternoon University of Ilorin set Andrew Onokerlppraye, vice-chancellor a new record in the 400 of Uniben, told Newswatch that he was metres women's event, shocked by the behaviour of the officials. He in a time of 53.02 said by the rules of international seconds. The old competitions, the officials "should not have Yusuf, Onokerhoraye: Shocked by officials record stood at the been paid till the end of the games."

34 Newswatch, May 8,1995 ■ sports

Emmanuel Ojeme, sports director, Uniben and secretary of the games' organising f— 9th West African University Games committee, said his committee was not Uniben ’95 expecting the issue of payment of a llo wances to arise "until the games were over because that is the normal procedure." Tijani Yusuf, Final Medal Table a deputy director of sports development in the ministry of sports and chairman of the GOLD SILVER BRONZE ministerial committee for the games, told Newswatch thaf he was also surprised by the 1. University of Lagos 24 7 5 attitude of the officials. "We were aiming at 2. University of Benin 16 21 23 doing everything that concerns the games as 3. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 14 17 9 it is done at the international level because 4. University of Ilorin 12 7 5 WAUG is an internationally-recognised 5. University of Ibadan 5 2 10 competition, but see what happened," Yusuf 6. University of Cape Coast 3 - 3 said. 7. University of National De Cote d'Ivoire 2 5 3 The organisers eventually agreed to pay 8. Lagos State University 2 4 1 the officials on Friday night. The organising 9. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife 1 5 7 committee worked out each person's pay at 10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka 1 1 5 N4,300.00. But the officials said there was a 11. Edo State University 1 1 4 gentleman's agreement that they would be 12. Delta State University 1 2 1 paid a flat rate of N5,000.00. The organisers 13a. University of Senegal 1 1 1 refused to budge. 13b. Enugu State University 1 1 1 Oil Saturday morning, officials fmm Edo 14. Rivers State University of Tech. 1 1 - State began another protest over the non­ 15. National Université Du Benin 1 3 payment of their transport allowance. At an 16. University of Port Harcourt 1 - 2 informal meeting with some of their 17. University of Uyo - 3 3 representatives, Ojeme said it was not agreed 18. University of Jos - 2 6 that officials from the state would be paid 19. Bayero University Kano - 2 3 - any transport allowance at all no matter 20. University of Ghana, Legon 2 1 what part of the state they came from. The 21. University of Sc. & Tech., Kumasi - 1 3 officials threatened to stall the closing 22. Fed. University of Tech., Yola - - 3 ceremony. They got the support of others 23a. Abubakar Taf. Balewa University, Bauchi - - 2 from outside the state who were yet to be 23b. University of Calabar - - 2 paid. When it became apparent that the issue Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka - - 1 was going beyond threat, the organisers -J agreed to pay the Edo State-based officials a released by the government with less than date was made public, contingents from other flat rate of N500.00 as transport allowance. two weeks to the games. With just two days countries had arrived Nigeria and had to be But there was no money. to the games, Nwobodo dissolved the Smart turned back. Newswatch learnt the cash flow problem Akraka-led task force set up by Sola Rhodes, Onokerhoraye was determined to host arose because the organisers of the former sole administrator of the National the games. A fund-raising for the games was competition did not know the actual number Sports Commission for the games. In its organised by the university council. The of officials they were supposed to pay. A place, he set up a ministerial committee highest donation of N3 million came from release signed by M.O. Omordia, chairman headed by Yusuf. The committee had no Igbinedion. But the money realised was not of the publicity, information and office on the campus. It operated from Yusufs enough for the hosting of the games. The documentation committee, put the number living room throughout the competition. In university then went to the government for of officials at 554. But Onokerhoraye said spite of this, Nwobodo sa id he was "satisfied money. Before help came, Onokerhoraye only 292 were officially invited. Ojeme had with the initial briefings given to me on the awarded contract for the construction of a no idea of the number of officials either. games" by the ministerial committee. swimming pool, a pavilion, and the This resulted in chaos. Endless lists were Onokerhoraye was obviously relieved at the regrassing of the pitch and general facelift for the mainbowl. Igbinedion lent a helping brought forward. There were even end of the games April 22. hand by making available the lawn tennis supplementary lists in most cases. At a stage, At the 1989 games at the University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Uniben, court of the Okada Wonderland and putting Ojeme had to reject these lists that were not 150 rooms at the disposal of the institution. ratified by the chairmen. This development accepted to host the next games scheduled for 1993. Grace Alele-Williams was then the Unibenstill owes the various contractors. had a devastating effect on the lean purse of Nwobodo has made it clear to the university vice-chancellor of the university. the organising committee which was already authority that he cannot guarantee any saddled with problems of coping with the Onokerhoraye said in an interview with further government support. Lasun Emiola, feeding and payment of allowances of Newswatch that on assumption of office he a professor of physical and health education, athletes which was done on a daily basis. found out that no preparation has been made University of Ilorin, said financing of sports While the foreign athletes got $20, their for the games. This led to the games being at higher institutions should not be left to the counterparts from Nigerianuniversities were postponed twice. First from May 2,1993, to university community alone. F.A. Amuchie, paid N150.00 daily. November of the same year. Later, it was also a professor of health and physical Funds for the games was a problem. The shifted to 1994. A third change of date was education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, university sent a budget of N150m for the caused by the strike of the Academic Staff feels thebest way out of the problem is for the games to the government bu-t only N50 Union of Universities, ASUU, which led to government to build a "permanent venue million was approved. A source told the closure of all Nigerian universities, for future games to save costs." News watch that only N30m was eventually including Uniben But before the change in Reported by Kay ode Olaokun

Newswatch, May 8,1995 35 ■ press

The press is facing difficult times throughout the world. More than 130 journalists around the world are in jail for Watching discharging their professional duties. It is alsobeingcelebratedagainstthebackdrop of the violent death of more than 100 journalists in 1994, in die course of duty. Kyazze said in a statement last week In Chains that issues like protection of journalists, people's right to information, press freedom as a measure of human rights and democratic culture, limitations of press freedom, press censorship, government- It’s press freedom day but the press is not free to media relationship as well as media mark it freedom and social responsibility will be examined by media watchers and human rights activists around the world during By Wale Oladepo the period. The idea of a world press freedom day emanated from a UNESCO- N TUESDAY THIS WEEK, newspaper publishing firms in Nigeria sponsored seminar in Windhoek, the United Nations Edu­ remain proscribed for nearly one year, Namibia in 1991. A proposal from that cational, Scientific and the occasion would be devoted to seminar was adopted in the 1991 general Cultural Organisation, examining the role of the press for peace conference of UNESCO before it was OUNESCO, will mark the second and tolerance. The conference will be endorsed by the Economic and Social anniversary of the World Press Freedom addressed by J. Kyazze, the UNESCO Council which recommended it to the Day. Coming at a time when three major representative in Nigeria. United Nations' General Assembly.■

PASSAGES Birthdays: Died: Chukwuemeka Ike, professor, novelist Eze Alphonsus Idigo III, the Igwe of and former registrar of the West African Aguleri, Anambra State, March 3. He Examination Council, WAEC, 64, April was one of the longest-reigning 28. Ike is famous for his novels including traditional rulers in Igboland having been Toads for Supper, The Naked Gods, Sutisetat on the throne for 35 years. He was 81. Dawn, The Potter's Wheel, Chicken Chasers, etc. Daniel Edo, elder of Belthezia Gospel Mission Church, March 29, aged 80. He was a pioneer trader and businessman from Igbide, Isoko, Delta State.

Onuoha Appointed Emma Onuoha, editor of Change magazine. Until his appointment, he was assistant editor of Quality magazine, Onuoha also worked with the Guardian.

Honoured: Idris Abdulkadir,professor ofveterinary Kaunda medicine and executive secretary, Kenneth Kaunda, former president of National Universities Commission, NUC, Zambia, author and teacher 71, April 28. with the "Eminent Service Award" of the He led his country to independence in Nigerian Library Association. He was said to have contributed immensely to 1964 and ruled for 27 years. library systems in Nigeria. Edo

36 Newswatch, May 8,1995