Oando is Recuiting

The Graduate Trainee Programme is designed to develop tomorrow's leaders today and guarantee a constant stream of highly skilled and professional employees with a good understanding and commitment to the Company's vision and mission.

Subsequent to a highly competitive selection process, short-listed candidates will undergo a structured, broad-based training programme involving formal learning and on the job attachments for 12 months. At the end of the programme, successful candidates will be considered for permanent positions in the company.

Requirements:
Prospective candidates will be professional, passionate, ambitious and able to demonstrate a high level of integrity. They will be team players, who have respect for other team members and must possess the following:

Bachelors or Masters Degree with minimum of Second Class Lower Division (2.2) in any of the following areas/disciplines:

Engineering, Sciences, Social Sciences, Arts, Accounting & Business Studies
NYSC Discharge Certificate
Minimum of 3 ‘B’s AND 2 ‘C’s in WASC, SSCE OR GCE 'O' Level in one sitting, which MUST include Mathematics and English.
Age: Not older than 26 years by the 31st of December 2009.
The programme is open only to graduates who completed their Bachelor's degree studies in the last four years.

How to apply:
If you are interested, kindly go to www.brassconsulting.net/gtp and complete the application form. Also attach a copy each of your:

Bachelor's degree and
WASC/SSCE/GCE Certificates only

NB:
The deadline for submission of all applications is Tuesday, 3rd, November 2009. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted through their email address and/or by SMS to the telephone number provided.

Genesis Food Nigeria: Centre Manager

The Genesis Centre is an ultra modern, mixed – use leisure, shopping and dining complex with a distinctive and unparalleled excellence in family entertainment provision for a full day out.

The Genesis Centre is looking for vibrant individuals to join our team that exemplifies service excellence and sets the pace for others to attempt to follow.

We are now looking for a Center Manager.

We are currently looking for a dynamic, commercially aware, financially astute, business professional with strategic management skills who will drive the profitability of the centre.

You will be expected to develop the commercial and financial areas of the business, while overseeing the smooth and efficient operational management of the centre and it’s tenants.
should also have the ability to spot market trends and opportunities for growth and possess a flair for marketing and guest service.
Effective communications at all levels with tenants, employees, agents and consultants is essential.

Qualifications-
With unlimited drive, energy, creativity and a passion for the industry being the key traits for our ideal candidate, you will have at least 10 years post – NYSC experience and a proven track record within the retail sector in department store management, commercial property, or in the leisure and hospitality sectors.

If you meet our requirements and find the positions interesting, please send in an application attaching your resume including your contact and email addresses not later than two weeks from the date of this publication to: vacancy@genesisfoodsng.com

Genesis Food Nigeria: Finance Manager

The Genesis Centre is an ultra modern, mixed – use leisure, shopping and dining complex with a distinctive and unparalleled excellence in family entertainment provision for a full day out.

The Genesis Centre is looking for vibrant individuals to join our team that exemplifies service excellence and sets the pace for others to attempt to follow.

Genesis Group’s commitment to developing a world class has created a high profile opportunity for a Finance Manager to drive the finance and accounting functions of the centre.

Your brief includes monthly financial control and reporting, review of profit & loss and balance sheet accounts, analysis – highlighting business performance against budgets and forecasts, improvement of international financial reporting processes, review and enhancement of management information quality and timelines.

We required a qualified accountant with at least 5 years post – NYSC experience and strong management accounting experience gained within the retail or hospitality industry.

If you meet our requirements and find the positions interesting, please send in an application attaching your resume including your contact and email addresses not later than two weeks from the date of this publication to: vacancy@genesisfoodsng.com

Meridian Technologies: Trainer / Faculty

Meridian Technologies Ltd is a mega IT Training and Education Company representing Aptech Computer Education in Lagos.

It is an authorized Oracle University partner, a Cisco Networking Academy, Microsoft partner, CompTIA member and has authorized Prometric and Vue Testing Centres.

Meridian Technologies has been a pioneer in delivering training on latest IT technologies and has been training students on the following courses :

1. Sun Java Courses : SCJP, Sun Certified Web/Business Component Developer.
2. SQL Server, ASP.net, C#, Perl, PHP, Apache, MySql

To meet its expansion it requires the following key staff: Trainers

Computer Science Graduates with NYSC discharged certificate, 2 to 3 years experience and having International Certifications in the related technologies need apply.

1. Sun Java Courses: Candidate should hold international certifications in SCJP, SCBCD & SCWCD and should have very good exposure and experience in delivering training on advanced Java technologies. The candidate should have good technical skills on the following modules :

All modules covered in SCJP (Sun Certified Java Programmer)
All modules covered in SCBCD (Sun Certified Business Component Developer)
All modules covered in SCWCD (Sun Certified Web Component Developer)
2. Programming, Database & Open Source Technology Courses: The candidate should be having very good technical skills on all of the following modules: SQL Server, ASP.net, C#, Perl, PHP, Apache, MySql

Candidates with additional certifications in other IT technologies than stated above will be preferred. IT training experience of more than 3 years will be an advantage.

Candidates must be dynamic, technically oriented, possess excellent communication skills and be willing to work on weekends.

After initial screening, short-listed applicants must qualify technical tests before being recruited.

The position offers a challenge of working with major international IT brands and offers a competitive salary package, performance based incentives, continuous training and an exciting long term career.

As the positions are based at Lagos, candidates residing currently in Lagos will be given preference.

Interested candidates should apply with their CV and passport photograph to career@meridian-nigeria.com.
Deadline is 24th October 2009.

FHI: Senior Monitoring / Evaluating Officer

Family Health International (FHI) is dedicated to improving fives, knowledge, and understanding worldwide through a highly diversified program of research, education, and services in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, reproductive health, and infectious diseases.

In collaboration with national governments, local communities and leading research institutions, FHI delivers services and conducts research in reproductive health, and other infectious diseases to improve the lives and well-being of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations

FHI is recruiting for a Senior Monitoring and Evaluating Officer

The Senior Monitoring and Evaluating Officer, under the supervision of the Associate Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, will assist in the design, implementation and supervision of the LAFIYA Management Information System (LAMIS) at national, zonal, and facility levels, and the creation and use of associated analysis products.

Responsibilities-
Ensure that LAMIS meets intended reporting and data output requirements for USG and Government
Provide technical assistance for the development and implementation of a systematic data analysis process of data outputs from the LAMIS, and linking the LAMIS to the DHIS
Coordinate and supervise the deployment of the LAMIS system to new sites as identified by the Director, M&E
Support the Zonal M&E teams in carrying out their local M&E activities
Provide technical assistance to partner M&E units and to the Government M&E counterparts
Coordinate all related research activities and contribute to FHI publications

Requirements-
MPH or similar degree in monitoring and evaluation or a related field (a Bachelors degree will be considered with 5-7 years experience)
At least 3 -5 years experience in M&E in reproductive health or HIV/AIDS programs in developing countries
Experience working on the development and implementation of a patient level health management information system
Sound knowledge of statistics and epidemiology
Experience working with local partners, including local NGOS and CBOS
Knowledge of the local context is essential and familiarity with USAID programs preferred

How to Apply-
Interested applicants should forward their suitability statement (application) and resume (CV) as a single MS Word document to: MandEjobs@ghain.org for Monitoring and Evaluation Department vacancies.
Deadline is 24th October, 2009.

FHI: Monitoring and Evaluating Officer

FHI is now recruiting for a Monitoring and Evaluating Officer

The zonal Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, under the supervision of the zonal Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, and Zonal Manager, and with technical oversight from the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, will be responsible for implementing monitoring and evaluation activities for the zonal office.

Requirements:
MBBS/MD and MPH or similar degree with 1–3 years experience in monitoring and evaluation in reproductive health or HIV/AIDS programs in developing countries
Experience working with local partners, including NGOs and CBOs and knowledge of the local context
Familiarity with USAID programs is preferred

How to Apply-
Interested applicants should forward their suitability statement (application) and resume (CV) as a single MS Word document to: MandEjobs@ghain.org for Monitoring and Evaluation Department vacancies.

Deadline is 24th October, 2009.

FHI: Community Health Specialist

Family Health International (FHI) is dedicated to improving fives, knowledge, and understanding worldwide through a highly diversified program of research, education, and services in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, reproductive health, and infectious diseases.

FHI is now recruiting for a Community Health Specialist.

The Community Health Specialist will provide technical assistance in the design, implementation, and evaluation of HIV/AIDS, STI and TS control activities at the LGA and state levels with primary focus on the LGA model.

Requirements:
MBBS with experience in community health practice and at least 3 years experience in care and support for HIV/AIDS, STI and tuberculosis at the primary health facility or community level
Postgraduate degree in public health
Sound understanding of the district health systems, LGA TB technical areas and experience with ART programs
Familiarity with the public sector health system, NGOs and CBOs

How to Apply-Interested applicants should forward their suitability statement (application) and resume (CV) as a single MS Word document to: Medservicesjobs@ghain.org for Medical Services Department vacancies.
Deadline is 24th October, 2009.

FHI Nigeria: Community Health Officer

Family Health International (FHI) is dedicated to improving fives, knowledge, and understanding worldwide through a highly diversified program of research, education, and services in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, reproductive health, and infectious diseases.

FHI is now recruiting for a Community Health Officer

The Community Health Officer will provide technical assistance to key stakeholders in the state ministry of health (SMOH) and local government area (LGA) in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the community component of HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health and TB control activities.

Requirements:
Registered nurse/community health officer with 2 – 3 years experience in community health practice and a minimum of 1 year experience in care and support for HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health and TB at the primary health facility or community level
Sound understanding of the relevant technical areas
Familiarity with the public sector health system, NGOs and CBOs

How to Apply-
Interested applicants should forward their suitability statement (application) and resume (CV) as a single MS Word document to: Medservicesjobs@ghain.org for Medical Services Department vacancies.
Deadline is 24th October, 2009.

FHI: Senior Inventory & Assets Officer

Family Health International (FHI) is dedicated to improving fives, knowledge, and understanding worldwide through a highly diversified program of research, education, and services in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, reproductive health, and infectious diseases.

FHI is now recruiting for a Senior Inventory & Assets Officer

The Senior Inventory Officer will be responsible for managing and coordinating office inventories.

Requirements-
BA/MBA or a similar university degree
Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in office/asset management, with at least 3 years in a supervisory role
Experience managing office services in a large private or not for profit entity
Experience using an inventory management software
Familiarity with US federal property management standards (22CFR226)

How to Apply-
Interested applicants should forward their suitability statement (application) and resume (CV) as a single MS Word document to: Sharedservicesjobs@ghain.org for Shared Services Department

CBN rolls out list of five troubled banks’ debtors

A LONG list of bank debtors – over 600 names in all – was rolled out last night by the Central Bank.

On the roll of multi-billion debts are frontline businessmen, corporate giants and manufacturers as well as notable politicians. They are directors of the debtor companies.

The apex bank, in a statement issued by its spokesman Mohammed Abdullahi, noted that the list is for the un-performing loans of N100million and above in Bank PHB, Wema Bank, Spring Bank, Unity Bank and Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB) as at June 30.

The list is published in an advertorial inside this paper today.

The CBN had on October 2, 2009 fired the Chief Executive Officers of Equitorial Trust Bank, Spring Bank, and Bank PHB. It ordered Unity Bank Plc to recapitalise before June 30, next year. WEMA Bank was also directed to recapitalise.

The statement reads: " In furtherance of the efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to assist the banks affected by the outcome of the recent CBN/NDIC Special Examination, we publish herewith the list of non-performing loans of N100m and above for Bank PHB, Spring Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank and Equitorial Trust Bank as at June 30, 2009."

The list cuts across the various sectors of the economy – oil and gas, import and export, construction and many others.

There are states and local governments. A minister is listed.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Tony Anenih is listed alongside Osahon Asemota as directors of Mettle Energy and Gas. The company is owing SpringBank N2.6billion.

Industrialist Kola Daisi is listed as director of National Lottery.

Labour Minister Prince Adetokunbo Kayode is said to be owing Bank PHB N122million. But the minister said last night: I’m not owing the bank. I have taken them to court in the last seven months before the reforms in the banking.

"It was a loan to buy shares. I was persuaded. They offered N80million to buy shares. I paid 20% of the loan. Ever since I have not seen a share certificate not to talk of dividend. They are owing me because my money is still with them."

Igbinedion University, which belongs to the Esama of Benin, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, is on the list. He is listed as a director.

Former President Atiku Abubakar is also listed in one of the directors of a debtor-company. So are the Vaswani brothers, who have been deported for alleged unwholesome business practices.

There are also former Wema Bank boss Adebisi Omoyeni, politician Fasawe and Kola Abiola, son of the late Chief Moshood Abiola.

Former presidential aspirant Prof. Pat Utomi is listed.

On the list are companies belonging to many prominent businessmen, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Otunba Mike Adenuga Jnr, Femi Otedola and Emeka Offor.

According to the CBN, Dangote Industry Ltd that is jointly owned by Aliko Dangote, Sani Dangote and Bello Dangote owe Equitorial Trust Bank N1,968,998,820.81.

Conoil Plc, of which Adenuga is a director, owes ETB N19,866,448,948.32 as at June 30.

Otedola’s firm, Zenon Petroleum Gas Ltd, owes Bank PHB N5,660,099,295.54 as at June 30.

Offor’s company, NIMEK Investment Ltd, owes Bank PHB N678,349.40 as at October 5.

Mr. Cletus Ibeto of Ibeto Petrolchemical Industry is owing Spring Bank N1.1 billion. Ibeto Cement is owing N1.7billion.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Mrs. Farida Waziri, will today relocate to Lagos for debts recovery.

A source said last night: "Mrs Waziri might storm Lagos with over 100 operatives.

"The list was handed over to the EFCC chairman on Wednesday evening by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

"On the basis of the list, the EFCC chairman has mobilised her operatives to shift base to begin the recovery of these debts. About 100 operatives might be involved.

"So, our team is moving to Lagos on Thursday. We hope the debtors will cooperate and pay up."

BANK PHB

•Ankara Overseas
10,948,141,375.19
•Cogipar Nig Ltd 3,573,092,889.77
•Delta Steel Ltd 4,078,178,535.66
•Falcon Securities Ltd 16,718,149,032.05
•Futureview Securities 3,606,149,329.46
•Gitto construzioni 4,187,899,087.96
•Springboard Trust 3,583,121,315.91
•Westcom Tech 8,116,050,052.49
•Zenon Petroleum 5,154,041,716.86

WEMA BANK

•Akwiwulease Acct-Elf 1,803,142,057.19
•Dekit Const. Limited 1,096,760,175.25
•Fernandes Patricks
5,521,161,627.00
•Frontage Com. Ltd. 1,003,549,473.22
•Global Fleet Acct 1,981,885,496.35
•Global Fleet Loans Acct 1,264,918,929.48
•Independent Sec. Ltd. 1,430,416,967.55
•Indept Securities Ltd 20,586,679,793.00
•Joseann Global Res.
3,636,250,623.81

SPRING BANK

•Netlink Digital 4,821,168,438.27
•Mofas Shipping line
3,053,633,054.57
•Baywood Continental 2,743,349,386.22
•Watyem-dks Ent. Ltd 2,556,930,297.06
•National Sports Lottery 2,369,131,266.17
•Mettle Energy & Gas
2,065,661,421.09
•National Sports Lottery 1,752,069,645.19
•Nsl Lotteries Mgt Ltd 1,479,913,736.58
•Victoria Con. Int. Ltd. 1,589,076,946.68

UNITY BANK

•Alpha Property & Dev 1,818,468,256.89

•Kola Abiola 1,405,198,221.31

•Waziri B. Mustapha 1,108,642,692.45

•Albarka Air Service 1,066,240,164.19

•Mbogason Int’l 943,327,039.24

•Sage Int. Nig. Ltd 1,055,028,853.94

•Acct-Gen. Plateau 865,695,994.50

•Okefena Limited 804,535,075.19

•LG Joint Acct (Bauchi) 676,232,072.60


ETB

•Conoil plc 19,866,448,943.32

•BYSJ project account 5,972,498,005.67

•Dangote Ind Ltd 1,968,998,820.81

•Globe Motors Holdings 3,031,530,569.82

•Hotel Excel Limited 1,244,241,246.48

•Bauchi State Govt 224,331,897.09

•Formosa Bottling Co. 1,027,057,797.66

•Michelle Nig. Ltd 1,021,487,383.38

•Igbinedion University

841,987,562.18

ASUU-Fed Govt dispute‘ll be over in two weeks, says Oshiomhole

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said all outstanding issues in the industrial dispute between the Federal Government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will be resolved within the next two weeks.

Oshiomhole, who brokered a truce in the industrial face-off, said: "The future of Nigeria was at stake. Everyday lost in academic is a day lost forever."

He hoped that education will be strengthened.

Speaking when the newly-elected Executive and members of the Edo State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited him, Oshiomhole noted that the nation’s future depended on credible elections.

He urged reporters to be factual and objective during elections.

Oshiomhole regretted that journalists were in the forefront in the fight for a better society but no one fights for their welfare.

Earlier, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Adewumi Faniran, said the crisis in the chapel has been resolved.

He praised Oshiomhole for brokering the truce in the Federal Government-ASUU face–off.

Also yesterday, The University of Calabar branch of ASUU urged students not to hurry back to school following the two-week suspension of the union’s nationwide strike.

It advised students to remain at home and monitor developments on the suspension of the strike, to ensure that "they do not rush to school only to move out again if the strike has to resume’’.

The branch Chairman, Dr. Chike Ekeopara, said in Calabar that the advice became necessary, because the ongoing negotiations were not conclusive yet.

"It is true we are back at work, but I won’t advise the students to come back now, because government may disappoint and we will resume the strike.

"The wise thing for them to do now is to remain at home and monitor what happens during and after the two weeks,’’ he said.

Uncertainty as students, lecturers returns to campuses

Activities pick up at UI, UNILAG

Virtually all public universities were yet to come back to life yesterday despite last Friday’s suspension of lecturers’ strike.

The classrooms remained empty, even with the presence of some members of staff and students.

From University of Lagos (UNILAG) to University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Osun State to University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), Ogun State to University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), there were no academic activities.

At UI, economic and social activities, however, picked up, with the return of workers and students.

Students, who returned to school in anticipation of resumption of academic activities, were disappointed. They could not gain access to lecture rooms.

When our correspondent visited UI, most offices were opened but the classrooms were shut, forcing lecturers to their offices.

The institution’s branch of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), however, said universities could witness uninterrupted academic calendars henceforth, if government commits itself to the new agreement with the labour unions.

UI SSANU Chairman Mr. Jonathan Omolona thanked the public for supporting the workers, stressing that they enjoyed enough sympathy from Nigerians throughout the struggle.

His words: "Let me express my appreciation to them because they stood by us; they prayed for us and they were agitating on our behalf. So, we appreciate them. We are not praying this struggle will repeat itself. The strike will not raise its ugly head on the university campuses. At least, for the next five years, we might have a smooth calendar and that will go a long way to help the country.

"Some of our leaders that are sending their children to Ghana and other neighbouring countries would now know that we have a stable calendar so they will ask their children to stay at home. Then, they too will feel concerned for whatever we are agitating for without going on strike."

Academic activities were yet to be in full swing at OAU. Returning students were also not allowed to stay in the hostels because there was no light.

Some final year law students were, however, seen receiving lectures.

The Chairman of the UNN chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Aselem Ibeanu, said in Nsukka that lectures could not start immediately because the students had not returned to campus.

"We are ready to start lectures but are we going to teach empty classes?

"It is unfortunate that students who have been pressurising us to call off the strike are yet to come back," he said.

Ibeanu said the strike would be fully called off as soon as the government and ASUU signed the necessary documents.

"ASUU has resolved its misunderstanding with the government, what remains is the signing of documents,’’ he said.

Kelvin Okoh, a student of the department of Physics, said some students were not in a hurry to return to school because ASUU said the suspension was for two weeks.

"We do not know if after two weeks, ASUU will continue with the strike.

"No student will like to come back to campus after two weeks and be asked to go home again.

"Government and ASUU should make it clear to the students that the strike has been called off without putting two weeks clause on it," he said.

There were partial academic activities at UNILAG where students of Chemical Engineering were taught.

Many of the students were excited to return to school.

An official at UNILAG’s Information Unit, Mr. Wale Olasunmade, said students resumed yesterday.

"We have resumed. Our students are back and lecturers are working," he said.

But some students of UNIABUJA were denied entry into the campus.

The securitymen only allowed 400 level and 500 level students into the institution after screening.

The securitymen turned back students of 100, 200 and 300 level students. The security officer, in charge of the mini-campus of the university, said the screening was to control the flow of students.

The official, who pleaded anonymity, said the 400 and 500 level students were allowed into the campus to enable them complete their project work and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) arrangements.

"The crowd will be difficult for us to control if we allow all the students in, considering the fact that academic activities have not started.

"Other trade unions in the university are still on strike; the libraries, business centres as well as other offices are still under lock and key.

"So, our resolution to screen them is to give room for law and order in the institution since academic activities have not started," he said.

Some students called for sincerity in the negotiations between the ASUU and the Federal Government.

Mr. Boni Okoh, a 400 level Economics student, said it would be difficult for students to return to school since ASUU was suspending the strike for only two weeks.

"I am very sure that most students will not come back because of fear of what step ASUU will take at the expiration of the two weeks.

"It will be painful to pack your load and come back to school and after two weeks you are back home again because of the same problem," Okoh said.

Arshavin desperate to stop Hiddink from Chelsea

Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin doesn't want to see Russia coach Guus Hiddink return to Chelsea.

The Arsenal midfielder has launched a campaign to keep Hiddink with Russia for the next few years.

Russia’s captain has two motives. He doesn’t want London rivals Chelsea to be a stronger force in the next few years, as he’s sure Hiddink’s return to Stamford Bridge would benefit the Blues.

Arshavin said: "I want Guus to stay, all the players are begging him to stay. In fact, the whole of Russia is desperate for him to continue working here.

"His charisma and understanding of us, has given Russian players a big boost. I hope he will be convinced it is better to sign a new contract with us."

48 lawyers for SAN interview

Forty-eight lawyers are being considered for the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title.

The public has been given till Friday to comment on the integrity and competence of the lawyers.

A statement yesterday by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary, Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC), Usman Musale, listed the shortlisted candidates as: Rotimi Jacob, Orji Nwafor Orizu, Dorothy Udeme Ufot, Chuwkuma Ekomaru, Joe Ojo Abrahams, Patrick Ocheja Okolo and Olusina Sofola, Mike Ozhekhome, Offiong Bassey Offiong, Akinlaja Moses, A.J. Owonikoko, Adekunle Ogunba, Oluwemimo Ogunde, Fredson Chijoke Okoli, C.O. Toyin Pinheiro, and O.O. Ojutalayo, among others.

The interview date is yet to be announced.

No fewer than 126 lawyers, 19 from the academics and 117 advocates applied for SAN last year.

After the screening and the interview, 61 advocates and three academics were found to have met the criteria for the award. Twenty-six were eventually appointed.

The appointment raised the number of SAN to 300

SAN is conferred on legal practitioners of not less than 10 years’ standing and who have distinguished themselves in their work.

It is the equivalent of the Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom, South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Canada (except Ontario and Quebec).

Several countries use similar designations such as Senior counsel, state counsel, senior advocate and president’s advocate.

A SAN is said to have been admitted to the "Inner Bar", as distinguished from the "Outer", where junior lawyers sit in court.

The LPPC, the conferring authority, comprises the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), as Chairman, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, a Justice of the Supreme Court who is chosen by the CJN and the Attorney-General (for a term of two years, renewable once).

Others include the President of the Court of Appeal, five states’ Chief Judges (chosen by the CJN and the Attorney-General for a term of two years, renewable once), the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and five legal practitioners who are SAN (chosen by the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General for a term of two years, renewable once).

The title was first conferred on the late Chief F.R.A. Williams and Dr Nabo Graham-Douglas on April 3, 1975.

CBN may cancel Bank PHB-Spring Bank deal

IF the authorities embrace the advice of the Minister of State for Finance, Mr Remi Babalola, Bank PHB may wave a final bye to its troublesome acquisition of Spring Bank.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is believed to be thinking of nullifying the 2008 deal.

The basis for the nullification is the report submitted by Babalola, following President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s directive. The President was said to have received many petitions from aggrieved shareholders of Spring Bank on the takeover, which many have defined as "hostile".

There were earlier indications in Istanbul, Turkey last week that the CBN was thinking of nullifying the takeover when CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi maintained that some of the aggrieved shareholders would be accommodated in the new scheme of things at Spring Bank.

But Sanusi did not say anything about the Babalola report, which a Presidency source described as indicting.

Sanusi said that from a practical view, "what will seem to be a most reasonable thing to do is seen in what manner some accommodation can be reached with the aggrieved shareholders and in what manner their interest can be taken into consideration in any kind of arrangement that Spring Bank gets into in the future. This is the only way I see this happening; otherwise, it’s going to be very difficult," he said.

Among the six reasons given by the report for condemning the acquisition is failure to execute post-merger adjustment, which is fundamental to the determination of the ownership structure of Spring Bank Plc, before any other interests or purported sale of shares in the bank.

The Babalola report also alluded to the joint CBN/NDIC Investigation Team, which it said should have been implemented on the position of the shares purportedly acquired under an explicit breach of banking practices by some of the then directors of Legacy Guardian Express Bank.

The Minister’s report examined the recommendations and directives made by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice on August 25, last year, but which the CBN ignored.

Babalola, a senior banking executive before joining the government in 2007, stated that the conduct of the interim management board of Spring Bank headed by Suleiman Ndanusa was not in good faith, professionally and impartially and that the CBN acted without due regard for the law in the conduct of its statutory responsibilities, despite the recommendations of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

It indicted the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for what it termed as tampering with the subject matter of the substantive suits before the courts and contravening the principle of lis pendis.

Babalola drew the President’s attention particularly to two suits: Abdul Wahab Muhammed & three others Vs Bank PHB plc, Spring Bank plc, CBN and SEC and Lord Chief Udensi Ifegwu and Emmanuel Okorie Vs Bank PHB plc & six others. These two suits, the report maintained, render any administrative decision subjudice at that stage and until their conclusion (or withdrawal), it will be difficult to resolve the various issues at stake.

SEC, according to the report, acted beyond its scope of responsibilities in the approval of the sale of shares of Springbank plc to Bank PHB Plc and Westcom Technologies. It urged the President to ensure that the directives of August 25, last year, made by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice are fully implemented.

It also recommended that the Ministries of Finance and Justice should convene a meeting of the CBN, SEC, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the principal parties involved in the PMA exercise to resolve all the outstanding issues within three months from the date of the meeting.

Besides, said the report, the CBN should invoke its powers under Sections 33, 36, 37, 38 and 39 of Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) should the PMA not be concluded within the said three months.

Incidentally, CBN then under Prof Chukwuma Soludo ignored the recommendations, the source disclosed - a situation which angered Yar’Adua, who then reportedly refused former Bank PHB MD Francis Atuche’s entreaties in the weeks leading to his sack by Sanusi. The Yar’Adua family owns substantial interest in Bank PHB.

Ribadu, el-Rufai threaten to sue govt over passports

The last may not have been heard about the Federal Government’s purported refusal not to renew the passports of former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nasir el-Rufai and pioneer Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chair Nuhu Ribadu.

It is likely they go to court to challenge the government’s decision.

Their lawyer Femi Falana claimed yesterday that his clients’ rights were breached by the directive.

According to him, the directive violates section 38 (1) of the Constitution, Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article three of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Community Citizens ratified by Nigeria.

He said the decision taken when Ribadu and el-Rufai’s citizenship was not in question, was reminiscent of the days of military rule in the country, adding that even the military "never went this far."

In the statement entitled: "Illegal directive on renewal of passports of Messrs Nuhu Ribadu and Nasiru el-Rufai," Falana said under section 38 (1) of the Constitution, every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to possess a passport to enable him/her exit the country at will.

Falana described the government’s action as "a primitive display of executive lawlessness", urging it to "reverse the illegal and unconstitutional directive without any further delay."

"The decision is a tragic reminder of the dark days of brutal military dictatorship when the confiscation of the passports of political opponents, human rights’ activists and pro-democracy campaigners was the order of the day. Even then, none of the military dictators ever directed Nigerian missions not to renew the passports of their opponents.

He cited the case of Director, State Security Service (SSS) versus Olisa Agbakoba (1999) 6 NWLR (PT 595) 314 where the Supreme Court held: "It is not in dispute that the Constitution gives to the Nigerian citizen the right to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof. It also guarantees to the citizen the right not to be expelled from Nigeria nor be refused entry thereto or exit therefrom.

" Section 38(1) of the Constitution which provides that every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom.

"It is matter of common knowledge that for a Nigerian to travel out of Nigeria to another country he must first hold or possess a valid passport issued by the government of Nigeria. See: Section 4(1) of the Immigration Act, Cap 171 LFN 1990 and the definition of the word ‘passport’ in Section 51 thereof. Without this document, he cannot leave Nigeria or be admitted to another country.

"It follows therefore, that without a passport a citizen of Nigeria cannot exercise the right guaranteed him by the Constitution, of egress from Nigeria. Can it, then, be said that the right to hold a passport is not one guaranteed by the Constitution? That is a question that calls for determination in this appeal."

Falana said he subscribed to the apex court’s position that possession of a passport makes exit out of the country possible, adding that "it follows that without it a citizen of Nigeria cannot enjoy the right of egress from Nigeria given him by section 38(1) of the Constitution.

"In my respectful view, therefore, to hold or possess a passport is anciliary to the right of egress from Nigeria given in Section 38(1). It is, as rightly held by the Court below, per Ayoola JCA (as he then was), concomitant to the right of egress from Nigeria. It is a concomitant right without which the right of egress from Nigeria becomes hollow or empty.

"In the light of the foregoing, the decision of the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Administration to strip Messrs Ribadu and el-Rufai of Nigerian citizenship by denying them of their constitutional right to hold Nigerian passports is a dubious violation of the provision of Section 38 of the Constitution and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

"Having regard to the fact that President Yar’Adua is the current Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS, the denying of passports and their renewal is a clear violation of Article 3 of the ECOWAS Protocol on Community Citizens which has been ratified by Nigeria."

Opposition threatens Iwu, Ogbulafor over Soludo

THERE were signs yesterday that the adoption of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Chukwuma Soludo as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Anambra may run into a big crisis.

Party members, particularly fellow contestants, are kicking.

The protests have spread to other parties, with the umbrella Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) threatening to sue.

It threatened to sue Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chair Prof. Murice Iwu and PDP National Chairman PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor.

Reason: The CNPP claims they have violated the 6pm deadline of October 9 (last Friday) to submit the name of the Anambra 2010 gubernatorial candidate.

CNPP, in a statement, objected to the "late" submission, adding that it is too early in the Anambra race for Iwu to start bending the rules in favour of PDP. It described the INEC chief as "an axe-man".

"We will contest this to the highest court in the land," the opposition parties said.

To the CNPP, Soludo had "wittingly or unwittingly" violated the PDP constitution as a beneficiary of an illegitimate mandate; hence PDP and their surrogates like Prof. Maurice Iwu, pose great threat of denying the good people of Anambra State the opportunity to elect a governor of their choice, under a free and fair election template.

CNPP said it recalled how "Mr. Fix" it; Chief Tony Anenih and other big- wigs of PDP hosted Soludo at a social function, the retention of Maurice Iwu and flagrant disobedience of court orders by Iwu on the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) issue without sanction from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa.

CNPP said it sensed a plot to manipulate next year’s Anambra State governorship election and indeed the 2011 general elections, with the recent moves by PDP members.

The statement, signed by CNPP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, read: "Pundits and lots of Nigerian democrats had predicted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Anambra State gubernatorial primary that took off penultimate week will show case free, fair and transparent election, hence internal democracy, that opportunity was lost; for it is trite law that you cannot give what you do not have nor build nothing out of nothing.

"To us democracy is a journey, not a destination. The violation and disobedience of INEC’s 6pm deadline of October 9, 2009 and lack of internal democracy from the so-called largest political party (PDP) in Africa calls for great concern, as robust practice of internal democracy and obedience to INEC rules are essential ingredients to electoral rule of law and procedure for free, fair and transparent elections.

"The failure to manage successfully a party primary holding in only one state and submit candidate’s name on time has paradoxically gazetted why PDP is growing as the largest political party in Africa; while the country it has ruled for nearly 10 years is dangerously sliding into a failed state.

"CNPP has for the umpteenth time maintained that PDP’s chronic phobia for election is synonymous with their inordinate ambition to transform Nigeria into one-party state and rule for 60 years; otherwise how can one explain the repeat of the 2003 and 2007 sham elections prototype fraud, violence and plethora of petitions, in a primary conducted by a regime which preaches electoral reform.

"The sordid outcome and failure of PDP to conduct free, fair and transparent gubernatorial primary, in spite of the deployment of soldiers, serving governors, ministers and the Speaker is that Professor C.C Soludo, emerged the candidate of PDP without the genuine votes of members of the PDP but that of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and fixers.

"PDP’s chronic phobia for election, even in this instance, is painful not only because it signposts 2011 election looming anarchy, but the main objective of intra-party primary to enhance and restore the inalienable rights of party members to choose the candidate of their choice and purify the electoral process, has been violently atrophied by party bosses, fixers and their machine.

"CNPP thus contends that the fundamental principle of democracy is substantially flawed in Anambra State PDP gubernatorial primary, for the PDP constitution was violated and INEC’s 6pm deadline violently disobeyed. Thus, to save Nigerian democracy and stop the manipulation of the 2010 Anambra State election; CNPP calls on the National Assembly to, as a matter of urgent national importance, fast track genuine electoral reform, in accordance with the Uwais Electoral Reform Committee Report."

But defending its choice of Soludo, PDP said it relied on the provisions of its constitution.

PDP spokesman Prof. Ahmed Alkali said: "With the pressure of time mounting on the party, the National Working Committee (NWC) invoked the provisions of Article 17.1 of the PDP constitution, which recognizes the powers of the National Executive Committee (NEC), exercisable by NWC, as the final authority for resolving all disputes relating to the choice of candidates for the party for any elective public office in the federation."

15,000 security police Eagles

Close to 15,000 security operatives kept vigil at the Abuja National Stadium before, during and after the match sensing that there will be reprisal attack on the players and coaches.

Every section of the stadium was cordoned off by plain clothes and uniformed police men all fully armed who were seen in their twos and threes walking around the premises.

Each of the nine exit gates had a retinue of officials as many as 15 all around the stand with pick-up vans ready to pick up anyone who misbehaves.

At the entrance of each gate, even though the traffic was not much as many as three plain clothes prior to the match took their turns to identify and search vehicles and those inside before allowing them in.

It must be stated here that after Nigeria’s 2-2 draw with Tunisia Abuja fans pelted missiles at the players and the bus that was conveying back to their Nicon Hilton hotel the security network was beefed up to avoid a reoccurrence.

Strike: Oshiomhole is a traitor - Varsity worker - As ASUU calls off strike for 2 weeks

THE 111-day-old strike declared by unions in the nation’s tertiary institutions, which has now been called off for two weeks by one of the unions —Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) — took a new twist on Thursday when former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, was disowned by three of the four unions involved in the strike.

Oshiomhole had been invited by the Federal Government to broker peace between it and the unions but the officials of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) said, in Minna, Niger State that the step taken by the Edo State governor was at variance with his comradeship position.

SSANU, NASU and NAAT members of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, embarked on a peaceful demonstration on Thursday where they said they no longer recognised the Edo State governor as a comrade.
The union leaders, Saidu Ndagi and Ibrahim Abdullahi, who spoke on behalf of others, blamed Oshiomhole for the alleged twist in the crisis in the universities and described him as a ‘sell out’.
They also described as ‘untrue’, the claim that ASUU was in the forefront of the three-month old strike, adding that “we all went on strike and it is very unfortunate that Oshiomhole and the Federal Government opted to talk to only ASUU.”
Scores of members of the unions involved in the peaceful demonstration carried placards, some of which read “no going back on this strike,” “what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander,” “we say no to salary disparity in the university.”

The gates leading to the university were blocked by the protesting union members while those that had business to transact could not gain entry into the institution.
NASU, SSANU and NAAT officials said they would ensure that the universities were made not to function until the Federal Government listened to and addressed their demands.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has been urged to ensure that it signed, without any further delay, the terms of agreement it recently reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in order to facilitate a genuine and final resolution of the crisis bedevilling the education sector.
The call was contained in a statement by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU, NASU and NAAT of the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD).

The agreements, according to the statement signed by the chairmen of the three unions at a JAC meeting held at the UNAD premises, bordered on university funding and genuine autonomy, improved condition of service and 65 years retirement age as earlier agreed with the Federal Government.
In a statement entitled “University strike-UNAD aligned with the National Joint Action Committee (JAC) decision “and signed by Messers Olaitan Akinwumi (SSANU), Julius Asaolu (NAAT) and Joseph Adegbola (NASU) and made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, the committee noted that the unions at all levels in UNAD had withdrawn all the concession services earlier granted.
“This action is premised on the action of the Federal Government that excluded the three unions from the resumed re-negotiation with ASUU as this runs contrary to the advice of the Committee of the Vice Chancellors and Pro-Chancellors.
“Consequent upon this, the JAC (UNAD Branch) (consisting of all cadres of non-academic workers in the university community), who had been providing skeletal services since the commencement of the three-month old strike, resolved to put a halt to their services with immediate effect,” the statement read.

It urged its members not to succumb to any form of intimidation or threat from any quarter while obeying the directive of the three unions, admonishing them to ignore what it called sponsored propaganda which might make them derail.

In another development, ASUU will today in Owerri Imo State, suspend for two weeks the about four months industrial action embarked upon by the union over the failure of the Federal Government to sign an agreement it entered into with the union.
ASUU President, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, who confirmed the development to the Nigerian Tribune, said the decision to open the doors of the universities to academic activities for only two weeks was to let the Federal Government hasten the release of the modalities for the return of peace to the nation’s university system.
He disclosed that the two weeks were enough to arrive at any meaningful negotiations aimed at ending the impasse.

TechnoGlass Nigeria: Head, Admin & Legal

Technoglass Industries, a world class company in the business of manufacturing high quality safety glass and glazing and in the forefront of promoting Architectural, Automative and domestic products through strategic alliances.

The company is seeking aggressive, dynamic and result oriented professionals to occupy the following position:

HEAD OF ADMINISTRATION/LEGAL

Qualification & Skills:

B.Sc or HND in secretarial studies, social sciences, or law
Minimum of 5 years experience in similar position; membership of CIPM is an advantage
Must be computer literate
Very good communication skills
Good initiative analytical skills
Maximum age of 35 years
Method of Application

Interested candidates can apply by sending their detailed CV to jobglass@technoglassng.com

Deadline is 13th October 2009

Audit Report: CBN ready to sack three bank chiefs

arring a last-minute change of mind, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will release the second leg of its Audit Report of banks today.

Three banks may be in trouble for insider abuse and huge portfolio of non-performing loans, it was learnt last night. Their managing directors may be asked to step aside.

The 14 banks awaiting the CBN Audit Report are: Zenith, Bank PHB, First City Monument Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Spring Bank, Access Bank, Wema Bank, Equatorial Trust Bank, Skye Bank, Ecobank, IBTC, Fidelity Bank and Citi Bank.

Of the three banks, two have recently mergd. The third has links with a telecommunications giant, according to sources.

CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and his management team finalised recommendations on the last segment of the Audit Report on Thursday after a 24-hour marathon meeting in Abuja.

A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: "The CBN management has been meeting in the last 24 hours on the recommendations on the observations of the Audit Team on the 14 banks.

"There are strong indications that the report might be released on Friday because the anxiety over it has been hampering banking activities in the country in the last few months.

"I also think that three banks might be affected following their unjustifiable huge portfolio of non-performing loans and insider abuse.

"There is likelihood that the managing directors of the three banks might be asked to step aside."

Responding to a question, the source said: "The banks would have been more but the CBN had to weigh a lot of factors and indices."

The source confirmed that the CBN might change its method of releasing the report.

He added: "I think this time around, the CBN may adopt a different approach to the release of the report. For instance, the apex bank has been engaging the boards of some of the banks on how to apply the recommendations without any shock.

"When our examiners completed their assignment in the 14 banks, they had exit meeting with their management on their observations.

"So, all the affected banks have fair insight into the findings of the examiners."

The highly-placed source in the apex bank added: "The report is going to be much better than the previous one. It is likely to be a corrective report.

"For instance, if a bank needs to recapitalise, the CBN will say so without necessarily wielding the big stick of taking over such a bank."

No CBN official was prepared to speak on the release of the report today.

A source, who confided in our correspondent, said: "Very, very soon, we will release the report. We are still meeting on the findings; it is too early to give you any date. There is no cause for alarm.

"I think the CBN may issue a statement, instead of an elaborate press briefing. The names of the debtors might also not be made public as the case with the first report."

It was, however, learnt that the release of the report followed the submission of brief on the Audit Report on the 14 banks to President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Sanusi on Tuesday briefed President Umaru Yar’Adua on the findings of the apex bank.

The President is believed to have been consulting his Economic Team on the findings of the management CBN.

The briefing at the Villa followed the exit interaction between the CBN Examiners and the management of the banks on the observations of the audit team.

Some sources in The Presidency confirmed the briefing.

A source, who pleaded not to be named because of what he described as the sensitivity of the matter, said: "Sanusi has briefed the President on the latest audit report on banks. The President is still studying the findings of the CBN.

"I think the President has been meeting with members of his Economic Management Team on the findings and their implications for the economy.

"A few think-tank in government too have also been put into confidence in analysing the findings of the CBN.

"I cannot say when the President will get back to the CBN on his views on the report. But the nation should be hopeful that the report might be made public soon."

Asked whether the report has been tabled before the Federal Executive Council, the source added: "All I know is that issues in the report are already being appreciated by the Presidency, including cabinet members."

The CBN leadership has been discussing the report with the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri.

They are said to be thinking of debt recovery ‘without any jolt’ on the economy.

A source said: "You know that Sanusi and Mrs. Waziri met recently in Saudi Arabia on the latest findings. There might a change of tactics in the release of the report this time around.

"Even the Presidency is aware of the new modalities for the release of the latest audit report."

There has been anxiety among the 14 banks over their fate.

A source said: "Some of these banks have been eager to know the contents of the full report but the CBN has been reassuring them that they have no cause to worry at all.

"In fact, as at Wednesday evening, the CBN management was still meeting on the findings and taking time to allay fears."