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Budget: Okonjo-Iweala confronts Senate today

N164bn refund: We’ll sell Akingbola’s properties –Sanusi P.32

Tax evasion: Tribunal orders firm to pay N49bn

AYO OLESIN AND ROTIMI FADEYI

Vol. 2 N0. 417

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he Federal Gover nment yesterday said that the Coordinating Minister

Battle of the First Ladies:

for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>>

Thursday, August 2, 2012

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Patience, Turai land dispute deal collapses WHEN THE GOING WAS GOOD

EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

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he much-anticipated out-of-court settlement over a disputed parcel of land between the former First Lady, Hajiya Turai Yar‘Adua, and her

successor, Dame Patience Jonathan, has collapsed, as both parties failed to shift grounds.

National Mirror learnt from inside sources that Mrs. Yar‘Adua rejected the offers of two alternative CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

NOW

‘Zakat’ll generate N73bn in Lagos’ Dame Patience Jonathan (left) with Turai Yar’Adua at a public function.

How we killed Oshiomhole’s aide –Suspects Nigerien, five others in custody P.5

Oyerinde

P.50

Jonathan’s adviser stands surety for oil subsidy suspect EFCC docks five others Three-storey building collapses on Lagos Island

P.2 P.6

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Patience, Turai land dispute deal collapses CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

plots located at the Central Area District, near Akwa Ibom Lodge and another one situated on Airport Road, Wawa District.

The Central Area plots, with N0: 818, measures 5,333 square metres, while the one on Airport Road, marked No: 3,367, measures 2. 1 hectares.

The land tussle is between the Women and

Youth Empowerment Foundation, WOYEF, a nongovernmental organisation, NGO, being promoted

by Turai and the one in which Dame Jonathan is the chairperson, African First Ladies Peace Centre.

The centre is planning to erect its secretariat on the land.

At the botched meeting, which held at the Ministry of Justice, represen-

tatives of WOYEF from the law firm of Adamu, Ahmed, Ibrahim & Co. had offered to waive all the costs incurred in the ongoing litigation if the Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, and other title documents were restored fully.

They predicated their rejection of the two plots of land on the basis that the first plot lies within a

green area, while the second is an unapproved layout of the city.

The alternative parcel of land was offered Turai’s NGO by the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, a department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration that is responsible for the allocation and revocation of land in the FCT.

Symphatisers at the scene of the collapsed three-storey building at 3, Anikantamo Street, Adeniji Adele, Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Jonathan’s adviser stands surety for oil subsidy suspect K AYODE KETEFE

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Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Inter-governmental Affairs, Mrs. Mariam Ali, yesterday, obtained the court permission to stand as surety for one of the oil marketers standing trial before an Ikeja High Court, Christian Taylor.

The presidential aide is also the wife of the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and one-time chairman of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, Dr. Ahmadu Ali. Taylor’s nationality is in dispute, having claimed to be a Sierra Leonean, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which described her as “an unstable character”, said he had earlier claimed to come from Edo State.

Taylor and the son of Mrs. Ali, Mamman Nasir Ali, had been arraigned by the Federal Government through the EFCC last

Thursday and had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The three-count charge against them comprised the offences of conspiracy and obtaining N4.4bn from the Federal Government under false pretence.

The two defendants are some of the individuals and corporate organisations accused of collecting N13.4bn from the Federal Government to import petrol, which they allegedly failed to deliver.

The presiding judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, had earlier granted Taylor and Mamman Ali bail in the sum of N20m and two sureties in like sum, one of who must be his blood relation with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

But at the proceedings yesterday, Taylor, who claimed to be a Sierra Leonean, applied for a variation in the bail conditions handed down by the court.

His lawyer, Mr. Kolade Obafemi, prayed the court to accept “a reputable and responsible Nigerian in place of a blood relation” which the judge had ear-

lier requested for.

Obafemi added that Dr. Mariam Ali, the mother of the second defendant, Mamman Ali, is ready to stand surety for him and use her landed property in Surulere, Lagos, as part of the bail conditions.

The prosecution lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, queried the propriety of the substitution.

He notified the court that Mrs. Ali had not made any deposition before the court.

At this, Obafemi replied: “Mrs. Ali is a reputable public servant and Special Adviser to the President on Inter-governmental Relations.”

The prosecution opposed the application for the variation of the bail conditions on the grounds that Taylor was trying to misrepresent fact, having allegedly earlier claimed in his extra-judicial statement that he was a native of Edo State from Okpe Local Government only to contradict himself by claiming before the court that he is a Sierra Leonean.

Jacobs added that a character who is so unstable in his utterances might jump bail and, therefore, urged the court not to vary the bail conditions.

Taylor was, however, lucky as Justice Onigbanjo ruled that refusing the application for the variation might defeat the purpose of bail granted to a defendant.

The judge, therefore, varied the bail condition and substituted with “a reputable and responsible Nigerian with landed property.” in the place of “a blood relation with a landed property” as part of the bail terms.

This development paved the way for Mrs. Ali to now stand as surety for Taylor.

Reprieve also came the way of five other oil marketers standing trial for sundry economic offences before Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Ikeja High Court as the judge granted them bail on varying terms.

The marketers included Abdullahi Alao, son of CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror gathered that the warring parties would soon return to court to continue the legal battle in suit number FCT/HC/CV/2591/2010.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, had approached an Abuja High Court for an out-ofcourt settlement.

Adoke, who is named as the fourth defendant in the suit, told the court, presided over by Justice Peter Affen, that the Federal Government wanted an amicable settlement of the dispute, saying all parties had promised to explore the option.

Other defendants in the suit are the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Abuja Geographic Information System, AGIS. The suit is in respect of the revocation of Plot No. 1347 located at the Cadastral Zone A00, which measures approximately 1.84 hectares and bounded by beacons numbers PB 48, PB 1596, PB 1599 and PB 6827.

The disputed land is covered by an accepted Offer of Right of Occupancy dated February 19, 2010. It lies in-between NANET Suites and Federal Secretariat, Shehu Shagari Way, Central Area District, Abuja.

Already, Mrs. Jonathan has hosted all African First Ladies on the land between July 24 and 27, 2012, even as work has commenced on the development of the edifice.

The revocation, which Mohammed said was done “in overriding public interest”, formed the basis of the suit and the subsequent interlocutory order “restraining the defendants whether individually or collectively by themselves, their servants, employees, agents, privies, subsidiaries, departments, agencies, officers or otherwise howsoever from acting on the notice of revocation.”

Moving the motion on behalf of the AGF for settlement, Baba Saidu told the trial judge that: “there are arrangements to settle the matter out of court and we have reached out to counsel on all sides. In the circumstance, we urge your Lordship to grant us convenient adjournment to report back to this honour-

able court.”

He had expressed confidence that fruitful results would be achieved from the proposed dialogue option, against the backdrop of the interest shown by the plaintiff and other defendants, when they were approached.

The plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Innocent Lagi and the counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, Mr. Felix Ibanga, had expressed their readiness to settle the matter out of court.

They told the court that the AGF had actually reached out to them on the need to cooperate to end the rift.

Consequent upon the motion, Justice Affen adjourned the matter till September 24 “for report of settlement.”

Justice Affen had earlier turned down an attempt made by Lagi to move an exparte motion for the leave of court to serve defence forms 48 and 49 (contempt charge and committal to prison).

The foiled contempt charge was consequent upon a subsisting order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from acting on the notice of revocation dated November 2, 2011.

Adoke had filed a motion on notice brought pursuant to Order 7 Rule 7 (2) of the FCT (Civil Procedure Rules 2004), where he urged the court to discharge the restraining order, saying “the previous allocations were duly revoked and a fresh allocation made out to the African Peace Mission in overriding interest.”

He also contended that “the invitations to the members of the African Union’s First Ladies Peace Mission had already gone out and it would be most humiliating for Nigeria in the diplomatic circle to make an about-turn at this time, given the time constraint to effect any other changes in venue.”

Accordingly, the AGF had formulated two issues for determination to wit: “Whether this honourable court may not set aside its injunction where such injunction is against public interest or policy; “Whether the court is deprived of its jurisdiction to determine a matter where there is a breach of the fundamental principle of fairhearing.”

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Photo News

Thursday, August 2, 2012

L-R: Former Governor o Rivers State, Chief Celestine Omehia; former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana and Guest Lecturer, Chief Edwin Clark, during the 2nd State of the Federation Lecture of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in Abuja, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, Rivers State chapter, Dr. Bonas Harry (left) and Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi during the NMA Annual General Meeting in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Chief Launcher, Mr. Lanre Sagaya; Emeritus Prof. Olu Akinkugbe; Editor, Prof. Abolade Awotelu; his wife, Chinyere; Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. Akinyinka Omigbodun and Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Temitope alonge, at the launch of the book, Asthma in Africa, in Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Commissioner, Government and Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Alhaji Abba Ibrahim; Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi and Commissioner, Market Competition and Rates, Engr. Eyo Ekpo, during the press briefing on the Methodology for the Determination of Connection Charges for Electricity Supply effective 1st of August 2012 in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

National News CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

appear before the Senate today to clarify issues on the 2012 budget performance.

Speaking on the budget performance and the summons issued by the Senate on Okonjo-Iweala to appear before the upper legislative arm, Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, noted that the government was ready to avail the legislators facts and figures regarding performance of the budget to douse the controversy trailing it.

The House of Representatives had on Tuesday, July 19 threatened to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan if he failed to achieve 100 per cent implementation of the 2012 budget by September.

The Senate also backed the decision of the House of Representatives and summoned Okonjo-Iweala to appear before it to explain details on the performance of the budget.

The House claimed that the budget had only been implemented by 34 per cent, while the Senate said the implementation levels was 21 per cent based on information obtained from the Accountant General of the Federation.

Okonjo-Iweala was to appear on Tuesday before Na-

Budget: Okonjo-Iweala confronts Senate today

tional Assembly joint committee on Appropriation and Finance on the Budget 2012 implementation but did not show-up as she was on official trip to London to represent President Goodluck Jonathan at an investment forum.

But yesterday, Maku said the Federal Government was committed to proper implementation of the 2012 budget to ensure economic growth of the country and in the interest of all Nigerians.

He stated: “The Minister of Finance should be appearing before the Senate tomorrow (today) to clarify.

It is better we stop the persistent controversies, legislature says this, Executive says that. I think that it is really distracting the process of implementation of the budget”.

“What is most important at this time is to tell you that we are working our asses out to execute the budget.

That is our mandate, that is our job and that is why we are appointed and to serve the people of Nigeria and I am sure that as ministers we know our duties, we know what to do,’’ he said.

Maku said Nigerians should avert their minds

to the fact that the budget was passed by the National Assembly in March and assented to by the President in April He also identified the strict procurement process which made it mandatory that due process were followed in the award and implementation of any contract as another reason for the delay.

Clarifying the minister’s position last night, her Senior Special Assistant, Media, Mr. Paul Nwabui-

kwu, said the legislature appeared to be dealing with a different set of figures insisting that the 56 per cent implementation mentioned by the minister referred only to cash-backed releases for the first and second quarters of the year.

The minister, he said had pointed out that out of the total capital budget of N1.3trn for 2012, N404bn had been released while the cash backed portion stood at N324bn.The percentage of cash backed portion that

has been utilised is 56 per cent.

This means however that the implementation ratio based on the entire capital budget is just 13.9 per cent or N181.4bn The minister had explained that the improvement in implementation ratio from 39.2 per cent by the end of May to 56 per cent utilisation of cash backed resources by June 20 was made possible by the direct leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, who is

personally leading the drive for better budget performance.

According to him, the minister is confident that “there will be further improvement in the level of implementation before the end of the year” stressing that in order to maximise results, the ministry is being careful and methodical in releasing funds to MDAs and that given the rate of utilisation, there is still room for more implementation.

Tax evasion: Appeal Tribunal orders foreign company to pay N49bn EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

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he Tax Appeal Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, yesterday ordered a foreign contracting firm, TSKJ 11 Construces International Sociaade UNIPESSOAL to pay N49bn to the Federal Government, being the companies’ tax liabilities for 2008 and 2009.

TSKJ 11 Construces International Sociaade UNIPESSOAL constructed the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG plant.

The construction firm had approached the Tribunal praying it to hold that

assessment of tax made by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS was contrary to the relevant tax laws in Nigeria.

It, therefore, urged the 3-man tribunal headed by its acting Chairman, Nnamdi Ibegbu, SAN, to set aside the action of the FIRS. Consequently, the aggrieved firm filed three appeals, two of which were later consolidated.

In a unanimous judgment, the tribunal dismissed the consolidated appeals.

It said: “This Tribunal hereby dismisses these two

appeals filed by appellant in the consolidated case TAT/ ABJ/APP/006/2006 and TAT//ABJ/APP/2010 and order with respect to TAT/ ABJ/APP/006.

The tribunal thereafter ruled that the appellant pay its tax liabilities for the period in contention.

“The appellant’s tax liabilities for 2008 and 2009 tax years as computed in the self assessment forms submitted by the Appellant to the Respondent in respect to those years being the sums of USA 550, 556. 74 respectively and the tax liabilities have not been fully paid, but the appellant shall

pay tax as assessed by the Respondent.

“Assessment of tax made by the respondent on the appellant is hereby upheld and the Appellant shall pay same forthwith to the respondent as contained in the respondent’s Notices of Additional Assessment No. PRBA 09 dated 19/02/2008 the sum of $2, 770, 689, PRBA 12 dated 19/02/2008 the sum of US3, 269, 488 and another PRBA amounting to US3, 763, 313.

The cost of the appeal is also fixed at N100, 000 in favour of the respondent against the appellant,” the tribunal said.

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How we killed Oshiomhole’s aide –Suspects OMEIZA AJAYI AND SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN

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he Department of State Security Service, SSS, yesterday paraded six suspects arrested in connection with the murder of the former Principal Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde.

Among the suspects is a Nigerien, Sani Abubakar.

Others are Mohammed Abdullahi, Raymond Origbo, Chikezie Edeh, Saidu Yakubu (a.k.a Imam) and Hassan Bashiru.

SSS Deputy Director, Public Relations, Mrs. Marylyn Ogar, said investigations revealed that careless statements made

by Ali Ihade, the security guard of the late Oyerinde, at various times about his master’s position in government, attracted the attention of the prime sus-

pect, Abdullahi.

She said among the items stolen from Oyerinde’s house were four blackberry phones, one Ipad, two galaxy pads, one laptop, wedding ring and an unspecified sum of money belonging to Oyerinde’s brother-in-law, Adeyinka Oletubo.

“Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde was murdered in cold blood by the trio of Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullahi, Raymond Onajite

Origbo and Chikezie Edeh.

“The three other suspects, Saidu Yakubu (a.k.a Imam), Sani Abdullahi Abubakar and Hassan Bashiru are habitual buyers of stolen items.

“On the day of the robbery, Abdullahi specifically instructed other gang members to tie up Ihade before they entered Oyerinde’s residence so that Ihade will not see his face.

“According to the robbery gang, Oyerinde was

L-R: Suspected killers of the Principal Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the late Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde: Mohammed Abdullahi, Raymond Origbo, Chike Ede, Saidu Yakubu, Sani Abubakar and Hassan Bashir, being paraded yesterday at the State Security Service headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.

shot and killed by the prime suspect, Mohammed Abdullahi, when he ran into his bedroom and attempted to go underneath his bed.

“Abdullahi said he believed Oyerinde was reaching out for a gun under the bed and therefore shot him.

“The murder weapons, comprising three guns used during the robbery, have all been recovered.

“The suspects are all currently in SSS custody and would be handed over to the police for criminal prosecution,” Ogar said.

Origbo, however, faulted an earlier claim by Abdullahi, who tried to exonerate himself of the killing.

“I am not the one who killed him (Oyerinde).

I only shot up when the man ran to his bedroom and Abdullahi went back to the man’s window and shot three times, saying he thought he was trying to bring out a gun underneath his bed”, Origbo told journalists.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, had earlier on July 11 disclosed that four suspects had been arrested by his men in connection with the murder.

Meanwhile, some Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, in Edo State yesterday protested the continuous detention of the Executive Director of the Africa Network on Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the protesters described as “spurious” the allegation of murder made against Ugolor for which the State Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, currently investigating the human rights activist.

The protesters included the Deputy Executive Director of ANEEJ, Mr. Leo Atakpu and the counsel to the detained activist, Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi.

They said: “We have examined the situation and reached the conclusion that some faceless persons, who feel threatened by the lawful activities of Rev. Ugolor and his organisation have planned to dent his image and rope him with the murder of Comrade Olaitan.

“Such persons should know today that such action will raise the profile of Rev. Ugolor against their selfish desires and wicked plot.”

Jonathan’s adviser stands surety for oil subsidy suspect CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

an Ibadan-based business mogul, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao.

The other four who were granted bail in separate proceedings are Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi, Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer, Ezekiel Ejidele and Walter Wagbatsoma. Wagbatsoma had also been charged along with his company, Ontario Oil and Gas Limited.

The defendants were arraigned by the Federal Government through the EFCC. It will be recalled that the arraignment of Wagbatsoma, Ugo-Ngadi, Babafemi Ebenezer and Ejidele was stalled last Thursday because of the absence of Wagbatsoma.

They were, however, arraigned and pleaded “not guilty” yesterday before applications for their bail were entertained by the court.

Justice Abiru yester-

day granted bail to Alao in the sum of N100m. He is required to produce two sureties who would enter into bond in the like sum.

The sureties are required to be resident in Lagos and also to have landed properties in Lagos. They are also required to produce a clearance evidencing payment of tax to the Lagos State government.

The court also restrained Alao from travelling abroad throughout the time of his trial without the permission of the court.

He was ordered to deposit his international passport with the chief registrar of the court.

Wagbatsoma was granted bail in the sum of N150m. He is to produce three sureties who must be resident in Lagos.

At least two of the three sureties must have landed properties in Lagos.

Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi was

granted bail in the sum of N100m. She is to produce two sureties who must be residents in Lagos and also have landed properties in the state.

Ebenezer was granted bail in the sum of N10m; he is also required to produce two sureties who are both resident and have landed properties in Lagos.

Ejide was granted bail in the sum of N10m. He is to produce two sureties who are both residents in Lagos and have landed properties in Lagos.

The court ordered that the chief registrar of the court must verify the title documents of the landed properties of all sureties.

Also, all defendants must not travel outside the country during the pendency of the trials and they were ordered to deposit their travel documents with EFCC. Justice Abiru subsequently adjourned the

trial till October 22, 2012.

However, one of the defendants standing trial before Justice Onigbanjo, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo, was not so lucky as the court rejected his bail plea.

Ogunbambo, who is being separately tried along with Habila Theck and Fargo Energy Limited, was ordered to be remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending the commencement of his trial.

They had been arraigned on a six-count charge, comprising the offences of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, forgery and use of false document to obtain N976, 653, 110. 98k from the Petroleum Support Fund of the Federal Government.

The EFCC had opposed Ogunbambo’s bail application on the grounds that he had allegedly jumped bail before and that he kept changing his identity by representing

himself with different names.

The arraignment of all the defendants was sequel to the probe of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Payments, which allegedly indicted about 70 oil marketers.

Alao had been arraigned along with his company, Axerenergy Limited, before Justice Abiru on a seven-count charge, comprising the offences of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences, use of forged document and forgery.

In the charge dated July 20, 2012, Alao was accused of having used forged documents “with intent to defraud” to facilitate obtaining N1,168,172,064.44 from the Federal Government, by false pretences.

Alao had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

One of the counts in the seven-count charge slammed on Alao reads:

“Abdullahi Alao and Axernergy Ltd, on or about December 28, 2011 at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud and order to facilitate your obtaining the sum of 1,168,172,064,44 by false from Federal Government, used a false document titled “Tankers Bill of Lading” which you purported to have been issued by Mercuria Trading N.V dated September 16, 2011.”

One of the counts in the separate nine-count charge against the remaining four defendants reads: “Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi, Ontario Oil & Gas Nigeria Ltd on or about July 7, 2010 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, by false pretences and with intent to defraud, obtained from the Federal Government of Nigeria, the sum of N340,178,111. 231k by false pretences from the Federal Government.”

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Investors applaud Jonathan’s transformation agenda – Okonjo-Iweala ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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President Goodluck Jonathan (right) and the Nigerian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Musa Jen, during President Jonathan’s meeting with the Nigerian community in Trinidad and Tobago, on Tuesday.

PHOTO: NAN

25 escape death as building collapses in Lagos MURITALA AYINLA

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t least 25 people escaped death when a three-storey building located on 3 Anikatamon Street on the Lagos Island caved in, injuring one.

It was learnt that the collapsed nine-year-old building was among the 120 structures marked by the Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Authority, LSPPDA, to undergo integrity test in 2008 in the wake of the cases of collapsed buildings in the

state.

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, the LSPPDA, Red Cross, the Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, Rapid Response Squad, RRS, had a hectic time controlling the sea of sympathisers who besieged the scene.

LASEMA officials and a few volunteers made frantic effort to ascertain that nobody was trapped in the building.

A witness said the building caved in around 12:30 pm when many residents

had gone out.

One of the residents, who escaped unhurt, Mr. Godday Onasanya, 43, said occupants of the building had complained to one Baba Luku, who is the developer of the house.

He said: “We did not see any sign that the building was going to collapse except that we noticed that the house vibrated when there was a street party.

We complained to our developer. The developer was about patching part of the collapsed portion of the pillar of the house when the building caved in. We

told him to stop hitting the pillar of the building and about two minutes later it collapsed. About 25 people are living in the building.”

The Deputy Director of the LSPPDA, Mr. Rufai Adekunle, confirmed that no life was lost in the incident.

He said: “We have told them to conduct integrity test on the building and some other ones in the area. The buildings around the place may have to undergo integrity test after which we may have to demolish them if they failed the test.”

Four kidnappers, armed robber die in Delta SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

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emesis caught up with four suspected kidnappers yesterday as they died in a shootout with the police in Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

Also yesterday, an armed robber was roasted to death by aggrieved members of the public at Estate area of Warri, the headquarters of Warri South Local Government Area of the state. The bandit was a member of a two man-gang apprehended by some residents.

The second bandit was, however, lucky as he was rescued by some policemen attached to “B” Divi-

sion in Warri metropolis.

It was learnt that the kidnappers, who met their waterloo in Eku, had earlier abducted an employee of Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, (names withheld), on Refinery Road, Effurun, the headquarters of Uvwie council about 7:30am.

Men of the Anti-kidnapping Squad of Delta State Police Command, who acted on a tip-off, later stormed the hide-out of the hoodlums in the Urhobo community.

The kidnappers opened fire on the police team, which sparked a gun battle between the two sides.

A police source, said that the hoodlums were eventually overpowered.

The victim was rescued

unhurt.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka, who confirmed the bloody encounter in a telephone interview with our correspondent last night, said the kidnappers merely sustained injury in the gun battle.

He said: “They died

while the police team was taking them to the hospital.

They were fatally wounded in the ensued gun fight with the police. We tried to save their lives but they couldn’t make it.”

Items recovered from the hoodlums, according to the PPRO, include three cut to size guns, one G3 rifle and two vehicles.

articipants at an Investment Conference in London have endorsed the economic policies and the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said this at the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday.

At a post-FEC briefing by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, leading investors that attended the recent investment conference expressed confidence in the economy of Nigeria and interest to invest in the country.

Maku said the minister of finance also told FEC that the world was appreciative of ongoing reforms in Nigeria, as the country’s macro-economic policies were some of the best in the world, and that Nigeria was becoming the first choice investors’ destination in Africa.

Maku noted that the spe-

cial investment conference on Nigeria, which was put together by the Bank of Industry in partnership with other institutions, was attended by Nigeria’s ministries and departments concerned with providing infrastructure and easing investment procedures.

He said: “The Coordinating Minister of the Economy told us that the world is very appreciative of the present reforms taking place in Nigeria. Specifically, she said global investors believe that the micro-economic policies of Nigeria are presently some of the best in world.”

The Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, also briefed the FEC on Tuesday’s close of bidding for power generation and distribution companies in which 79 firms showed interest.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

FCTA rakes in N1.47bn through IGR OMEIZA AJAYI

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inister of State for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Ms. Olajumoke Akinjide, has disclosed that the administration recorded an Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of N1.472bn in July.

She described the figure as a 34 per cent increase over the preceding month’s figure of N1.101bn.

The minister, who disclosed this in Abuja at the FCTA Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee, JAAC, meeting,

said the IGR rose by about N371m, adding that the increase would be used to stimulate more economic activities within the territory.

She said: “We are working very hard and partnering with the area councils chairmen to raise the present level of revenue. This will ultimately result in more money being available for the area councils.

“We are also going to put in place, before the next meeting, mechanism such as biometrics to eliminate ghost workers and track the number of workers in the six area councils of the territory.”

Coroner views video clips of Dana plane crash WALE IGBINTADE

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Lagos State Coroner’s Court conducting inquest into the June 3 Dana plane crash, yesterday watched video clips of what occurred at the crash site.

The video clips of the event were provided by two media houses summoned by the court namely; Channels Television and Television Continental, TVC. During the proceeding, a witness from Channels Television, Mr. Oreoluwa Shonibare, told the court that he

was on duty when he got a call from his director that there was a plane crash at Iju-Ishaga.

He said he arrived at the scene about 3:30pm and met a large crowd and a thick smoke which made the site almost impossible to penetrate.

Shonibare gave a vivid description of how the plane plunged into a two-storey building and a bungalow.

He, however, said he was not aware of any casualties, adding that at a point it was tough seeing people burning so he had to help the rescue team.

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Thursday, August 2, 2012

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N2.6 bn pension scam uncovered in Oyo KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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yo State government yesterday said it has uncovered a pension fraud in its Local Government Service Pensions Board totaling N2.6bn.

Chairman of the board and the Local Government Service Commission, Chef Lasisi Ayankojo, who said this while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the state capital, said the interim investigative report of the commission into the ac-

count of the board between September, 2010 and March, 2011, which unearthed the fraud, had indicted 10 civil servants who were allegedly involved in the scam.

He said eight of the alleged perpetrators of the fraud were at present being detained by the police while two of them had absconded.

He said upon the receipt of the report of the committee, the board met with Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who ordered that the board should get to the root of the scam immediately.

Ayankojo while delv-

ing into the mode of the perpetration of the fraud disclosed that the board discovered the fraud after complaints by retirees from local government workers and teachers, who claimed that their pensions had not been paid to them by government.

He said upon the receipt of the complaints, the board set up a committee to look into the details of the retirees’ grouses, stating that the committee, in the process of its work, discovered that monies were indeed collected by civil

servant intermediaries working in the commission and never were remitted to the pensioners.

He said the total amount of the money involved in the scam was collected via issuance of cheques to the affected civil servants in their own personal names, rather than through e-payment into the accounts of pensioners, a situation he said made the fraud to sail through easily.

The Local Government Service Commission boss while giving a detailed account of how the suspects

allegedly stole the state money, said the then executive secretary and director, finance and administration of the board, between September, 2010 and November, 2010 withdrew by cash the sum of N680, 430,646.69 from the Local Government Staff Account meant for pensioners, while these same two individuals withdrew the sum of N1, 353,868,062.60 from the Teachers Account of the board.

He said the two officers of the board had at present absconded and all efforts made by the police to ap-

prehend them had failed.

He also said that the two officers of the board, alongside seven other top civil servants of the board equally collected the sum of N173, 800,000 from the pensioners’ accounts between September, 2010 and March, 2011.

Ayankojo alleged that another staff of the account department of the board (names withheld), at various times within the period, personally withdrew the sum of N401, 300, 000 of the board’s money earmarked for pensioners.

Madam Osinubi for burial August 18

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L-R: Director of Nutrition, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Abimbola Ajayi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Yewande Adesina and Director, Nurition and Family Health, Dr. Modele Osunkeye, during a news conference on activities to mark the 2012 Breastfeeding Week in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

50 million people afflicted by asthma, says expert KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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medical expert, Prof. Olusola Ogunniyi, yesterday warned of the rate at which asthma is spreading all over the world, saying that no fewer than 50 million people are currently afflicted by the disease.

He made the disclosure at the launch of a book titled; “Asthma in Africa,” written by Prof. Abolade Awotedu, of Walter Sisulu University, South Africa, held at the College of Medicine, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

He said not less than 20 percent of those affected by the disease die in Africa yearly, stating that it is a killer disease if it is badly managed.

Speaking to an audience that includes medical gurus across the country such as Emeritus Professor,

Olu Akinkugbe, the Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge; Ogunniyi said all precautious steps must be taken to prevent it.

He disclosed that while treatment of the disease in the United States costs $7.2bn annually, the deadly disease is not a health priority in Africa, especially in Nigeria.

The university teacher advocated prolonged breast feeding to prevent the disease in children and listed its causes to include smoking, cockroaches and inhaling of mosquito coil and hereditary factor from parent who smoke.

He also said lack of exercise, middle distance race could induce it while engaging in swimming, dancing, marathon race among others could help to prevent it.

He said the time has come for the leaders in the continent to do all within their power to see to the

health care needs of the people, insisting that there is no disease now in the world that does not deserve special attention, more so when such can lead to the death of many people.

Editor of the book, Prof.

Awotedu, said he was motivated to write the book because he is a carrier of the disease while he also lost a

son to the disease 20 years ago.

Dignitaries at the event include former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu; former ViceChancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof.

Olufemi Bamiro; Prof.

A. A. Awotedu, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi and Justice Bola Babalakin.

he burial programme of Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Olawunmi Osinubi, who died on June 11, 2012 at the age of 91, has been announced.

A commendation service will hold on Wednesday, August 15, at the Methodist Church, Fakorede Street, Shomolu, Lagos, at 10am.

On the same day, a service of songs will also hold between 5.00 and 7.00 pm at Hoare’s Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Sabo, Yaba.

On Friday, August 17, at the Methodist Primary School, Imososi, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, a Christian Wake will hold between 5.00 and 7.00 pm while the funeral service and interment will take place on August 18 at Methodist Cathedral, Imere, Ago-Iwoye

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of Sunday, August 5, with events lasting just for a day; however a commemorative fanfare should be expected in the first week of November.

He said Sunday’s prayers will be led by the Anglican Bishop of Egba Diocese, Rt. Rev. Daisi Adekunle and Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu and that it will hold at the club’s premises by 1.00 pm.

The anniversary com-

Madam Osinubi

Four jailed for drug peddling in Ogun

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he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ogun State command, yesterday said it has secured life imprisonment jail terms for four drug traffickers between April and June this year.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency

Abeokuta Club celebrates 40th anniversary ctivities to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Abeokuta Club were unveiled yesterday. The Chairman of the anniversary committee, Chief Adeniyi Lasaki, said the club will observe the milestone with a special meeting of members, prayers and a discourse.

Lasaki, at a press briefing disclosed that the club will celebrate the anniversary on its actual birthday

at 10.00 am.

A reception for guests will be held on the grounds of Methodist Primary School, Imososi, Ago-Iwoye, immediately after the internment.

The late Mrs. Osinubi is survived by Mrs. Oluyemisi Jaiyeola; Dr. Abiodun Osinubi; Mr. Olusegun Osinubi; Dr. Titilola Benedict; Mr. Ademola Osinubi; Mrs. Oladunni Taiwo and Mrs. Anuoluwapo Odumosu.

mittee chairman said one of the past presidents of the club, Chief L. A. Sofenwa, will be the facilitator of the anniversary talk; “Raising the Next Generation of Egba Leaders,” to be followed by narrative recollections by members of the club.

These, he said, are meant to be in tandem with the theme of the 40th anniversary: “Celebrating the Past, Shaping the Future.”

of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta, the state Commander of the agency, Alhaji Mohammed Mohammed, said another trafficker received a 15-year jail term.

He said that 25 other suspects were arrested during the period under review and are facing trial.

Mohammed said a total 1,655 kg of cannabis were recovered from the suspects, regretting that drug abuse and trafficking in the state was on the increase.

He pledged that the command would not rest until the state was free of illicit drugs, appealing to the state government to support the command with logistics and funds.

“I want to appeal to our dear governor to please support us in term of logistics. There is hardly any crime committed without the influence of drugs.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: One dies as police, robbers exchange gunfire FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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commercial bus driver was killed yesterday, while three passengers were critically injured when armed robbers numbering about 10 engaged men of the Ogun State Police Command in a gun duel at Sapade junction on the

Lagos - Ibadan Expressway.

The driver, according to witnesses, died on the spot when the robbers started shooting sporadically in a bid to escape from the police who foiled their operation.

Speaking on the incident, the Ogun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Abayomi

Police arrest man for killing lover in Oyo

KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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olice in Oyo State have arrested a man identified as Kunle for the alleged murder of a 21-year old lady, Tolu Esiola, said to be his lover.

The deceased was burnt beyond recognition and found lying face down on her bed in Oyo town.

It was gathered that the trained health worker from the School of Health Technology in Osun State was hale and hearty and preparing to resume work at the Momoh Hospital, Oyo, where she had been employed, until the evening of July 24, when the room where she slept was engulfed by fire.

It was also learnt that the fire, which ravaged the two other adjoining rooms in a two-wing bungalow at Akeetan Baale Compound, started around 10.30pm, but was not noticed by the neighbours until about 11p.m.

But triggering suspi-

cion that she was murdered was the fact that she was lying face down on the bed and did not move till she was severely burnt.

It was learnt that Tolu was the only one in the building that night because her mother and other siblings had travelled while her father was away in Ogbomoso, where he works.

Members of the family of the deceased are suspecting her estranged lover, Kunle formerly known as Aafa Yakubu before Tolu’s father converted him to Christian faith and became a member of the Deeper Life Bible Church.

Kunle had walked into the Ojongbodu Police Station, Oyo to lodge report that he had been defamed by some people, who alleged he was responsible for Tolu’s death.

He was believed to be a lover to Tolu, although unknown to her parents until a misunderstanding erupted between the two.

Omiyale, told newsmen that the commercial bus with registration number Lagos XZ 271 FKJ was heading to Ibadan from Lagos when the incident occurred about 10a.m.

He explained that the robbers shot at the driver intentionally which made his vehicle to swerve into the bush before he died, leaving three of the passengers critically in-

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Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, would begin on August 6 and would last for about 60 days.

He said the completion of the first phase was expected to bring added advantage to the terminal.

Omolale-Ajulo added that the first phase involved the upgrade of the capacity of two of the four-unit generators supplying power to the terminal.

He said: “BASL hopes that all the relevant agencies and bodies will cooperate to ensure the success of this project.

confirmed the incident.

He disclosed that the robbers operated with AK 47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons.

Adejobi added that the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, had directed the divisional police officer at Ishara to fish out the robbers who escaped with bullet wounds within the next 24 hours.

L-R: Representative of Commanding Officer, NNS Beecroft Apapa, F. M. Ture; Lagos State Director of the State Security Service, Mr. Ben Olayi; Commander 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, Brig.-Gen. Pat Akem; Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations Lagos State, Mr. Tunde Sobulo and Commander 435 Base Services Group, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Tony Omenyi, during the briefing of State House correspondents at the Lagos House in Marina, after the State Security Council meeting chaired by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, yesterday.

Lagos commits N45bn to pension scheme - Fashola MURITALA AYINLA

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overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said his administration had committed about N45bn to Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS.

Bi-Courtney begins multi-billion naira power upgrade at MMA2 n line with its determination to provide a comfortable environment and make the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, MMA2, Lagos, the most patronised in the country, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, said it was embarking on a multi-billion naira power enhancement project at the terminal.

The company’s spokesman, Steve Omolale-Ajulo, said in a statement that the first phase of the project, which would sustain alternate power supply to the

jured.

Omiyale said that the corpse of the driver had been deposited at the morgue of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, OOUTH, in Shagamu while the victims were receiving treatment at the same hospital.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, also

“The project became necessary to ensure and guarantee continuous uninterrupted power supply, which is one of the best qualities MMA2 is known for since it began operation five years ago.

“It is also our desire that airline operation is undisturbed and airport concessionaires and users have a comfortable place to operate from.”

“Having been used to uninterrupted power supply in the last five years, we cannot offer users of MMA2 anything less.”

The governor said this yesterday while presenting retirement bond certificates worth N2.8bn to 464 retired employees of the Lagos State Public Service under the old pension scheme.

The event was held at the NECA House, Alausa in Ikeja.

Fashola said that his administration remained committed to the welfare of retirees.

He added that Lagos was the only state in the country which had established a fully automated pension commission and the only state to issue retirement benefit bond redemption certificates.

Presenting the bond certificates to the retirees, Fashola said the government had continued to ensure that retirees under the old pay-as-you-go pension received their pension entitlements regularly.

He said: “In fact, the ac-

crued pension rights of N2,788,368,394.27 under the pay-as-you-go scheme, have been paid into the accounts of today’s 464 retirees.

“You may now choose whether you want a programmed withdrawal provided by your pension fund administrators or an annuity for life provided by licensed insurance companies selected by the Lagos State Government after rigorous screening.”

Fashola, who spoke through the Head of Service, Adesegun Ogunlewe, said that in October 2010, the government commenced the payment of accrued pension rights into the retirement savings accounts opened by public servants with their chosen Pension Fund Administrators.

He said: “Since then, we have credited the retirement savings account of 1,471 retirees with accrued pension rights of N7,544,922,856.70.

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Crisis: Ondo community, Navy resolve differences HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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he people of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State said yesterday that they were not in support of the call that the Navy should vacate the area following a face-off with some former militants.

The people dissociated themselves from the call at a stakeholders’ meeting between the parties involved in the crisis.

At the end of the parley, the communities and the authorities of the Nigerian Navy resolved to work and live together peacefully to ensure security of lives and property in the area.

The meeting, held at the secretariat of the local government in Igbokoda, was attended by officials of the Nigerian Navy led by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, the traditional rulers in the area, led by their Chairman, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, the Chairman of the council, Banji Okunomo and leaders of the youth.

Also in attendance was the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Sola Ebiseni, and the member representing Ilaje Constituency I in the state House of Assembly, Oyebo Aladetan.

The stakeholders, in the resolution which was read by Okunomo, expressed regret over the crisis which led to the death of two people, saying steps would be taken to prevent future occurrence of such crisis.

Okunomo explained that the stakeholders agreed to set up a board of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the ugly incident.

He said: “Pending the investigation, the youth and stakeholders agreed to go about their activities without any molestation or harassment from any quarter.”

Speaking at the end of the meeting, Ikioda disclosed that the officer responsible for the shooting had been identified.

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South East

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Anambra commissioners to be assessed quarterly CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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ommissioners working with Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, will now face a quarterly assessment of their performances, the governor has said.

The assessment, which will be done by the governor at the end of every quarter, is designed to en-

sure that the targeted objectives and expectations of the government in the remaining 18 months of its tenure are met.

The readiness of the governor to subject the commissioners to a quarterly assessment exercise was announced by the new State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Chief Joe Martins Uzodike, in an exclusive interview with National Mirror. He said the

assessment, which will be a continuous exercise will take place throughout the remaining months of the administration.

His words: “We have 18 months to go and everybody has to make his impact felt, the assessment will be individually based and every person will be assessed in his field and how far one has fared.” He added that the governor has made it clear that if

one does not perform well; he will be dropped or transferred to another ministry.

Among the commissioners who are to be assessed include, Mr. Vin Ezenwajiaku in charge of Special Duties; Callistus Ilozumba, Works; Lady Henrietha Agbata, Women Affairs; Prof. Stella Okunna, Economic Development Budget and Planning; Engr. Patrick Obi; Housing; Mrs. Ngozi Okoye, Fi-

nance and Mrs. Azuka Enemuo, Local Government Ministry, among other political appointees who are expected to perform well or face sanction.

The information commissioner, a legal practitioner and former manager of Rangers International Football Club, Enugu, also gave insight in to the direction of the government in the coming months.

His words: “The direction of the government is straight, and that is to complete all ongoing projects and to ensure that new ones are put in place and to ensure that the development process going on in Anambra State remains unequaled and that is why the governor has said that we should be working hard and that there will be a quarterly assessment of the commissioners.”

Orji blames LG officials for poor IGR GEORGE OPARA ABIA

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bia State governor, Dr Theodore Orji, has blamed the apparently low profile of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) on the inactivity of certain state ministries and accused some key officers of the council areas of tampering with the state’s IGR. Specifically, Governor Orji called on the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Planning, Hon. Donates Okorie and Engr. Emma Nwabuko, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, local government treasurers, heads of town planning authorities, NULGE officials and chairmen of Aba South and North council areas for a meeting yesterday at Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, the state capital.

During the interactive session, the governor accused town planners in the 17 local government areas of the state of revenue leakages and sleazy administration. Others accused include; local government treasurers and heads of finance, NULGE officials and chairmen of Aba South and North council areas.

Also, the governor said the treasurers have not been remitting PAYE which goes as revenue to the state government. In his explanation, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs said it was until November, 2011 that the treasurers started remitting the payee into the state coffers as internally generated revenue.

It is even worse to know that the local government planning authorities have not been generating rev-

enues to the state as confirmed by the commissioner for lands.

Orji accused all those officials in the cartel of misappropriating government revenue of becoming secret millionaires only to pretend that they are poor civil servants, when in reality they have investments everywhere.

Orji’s words: You are secret millionaires who come to office to pretend.

If you do not change, regard your appointment as terminated. IGR is now our salvation because what comes from the federation account is unsteady. So, you have to work hard.’

However, the governor urged them to change from tampering with government revenue, generate revenue for the state or be shown the way out, he said.

L-R: South-East Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Bandele Onimode; representative of Enugu State Government, Mr. Chidi Ezenma and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kester Agbowo, at the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency Stakeholders’ Forum in Enugu, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Stakeholders tasked on condition of prison inmates CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he Chief Justice of Imo State, Justice Benjamin Njemanze, has tasked the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and human rights activists in the country to find a permanent solution to the deplorable conditions of inmates in the nation’s prisons.

Justice Njemanze gave the charge while on a

visit to Owerri prisons on Tuesday.

He noted that both the state NBA and human rights activists should always take a visit to the prisons to have a better knowledge of life and conditions of the inmates there.

Njemanze said such knowledge would help them ascertain whether those in prison are really enjoying their basic human rights as stipulated

in the constitution or not.

The chief justice further said that it was high time lawyers and activists rise up to their responsibilities for the good of the society.

“It is not about talking or writing on human rights but being involved in the practical aspects of it. Go right into the prisons and see things for yourselves.

“It is part of the inmates’ rights as humans

to be tried, it is a very big punishment keeping somebody who may not know his offence so long in the prisons and lawyers should take more interests in what is happening in these prisons,” he advised.

The chief judge also said that some files of some inmates under custody for five years had not reach the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

He said the child right law will soon be comprehensively implemented in the state and that Abia State is committed to its partnership with UNICEF and is prepared to fulfill its obligations to the agency.

In his speech, the Chief field officer, UNICEF Enugu, Mr. Charles Nzuki, said the signing of the 2012 programme imple-

mentation agreement is a definitive expression of the commitment of UNICEF towards the wellbeing of the children in the state.

He maintained that one of the fruits of the co-operation between the state government and UNICEF will be a definitive progress in the efforts to reduce child mortality.

Abia signs MoU with UNICEF GEORGE OPARA ABIA

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bia State government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have signed the 2012 programme implementation agreement to strengthen collaborative intervention in matters affecting children and women in the

state.

At the event, Governor Theodore Orji said he was pleased with the achievements of the joint intervention between the state and UNICEF towards the well-being of children in the state.

The governor implored UNICEF to increase its assistance to the state in the area of early child health-

care, and immunisation as well as to give more assistance to the state planning commission and the state emergency management agency to improve response to emergencies.

Further, Governor Orji said the classification of Abia by UNICEF as a low burden state is erroneous and requested it to classify the state appropriately.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, August 2 , 2012

Edo council workers threaten strike over unpaid salaries SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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risis is brewing between workers and administrators of local governments in Edo State over unpaid salaries.

Already, the state chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, has told its members in five councils to prepare for a three-day warning strike

over the three-month salary arrears.

The union gave the directives in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of the state executive council on Tuesday.

The communiqué, made available to journalists yesterday, was signed

by Edo NULGE President, Comrade Patrick Okeralen, and secretaries of the 18 councils in the state.

The affected local

government areas are Oredo, Uhunmwonde, Orhionmwon, IkpobaOkha and Esan-West local government areas.

The NULGE issued a seven-day ultimatum to the defaulting councils, following which the union said it would commence warning strike in the affected councils on August 13.

The communiqué also condemned some NULGE members trying to extend

their stay in the civil service.

The union also resolved to embark on a peaceful protest on August 7 to register its displeasure over the issue.

Efforts made to clarify the true position of the situation from the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, Chief Lucky James, were not fruitful as he could not be reached on his mobile telephone.

R-L: Sales Manager, East-South, Pfizer, Mr. Sebastine Osakwe; Deputy Director, Graceland Montessori Nursery/ Primary School, Port Harcourt, Mrs. I. E. Essien and Director, Group Capt. E.U Essien (rtd) during the graduation of pupils of the school in Port Harcourt, recently.

PDP wades into fresh crisis in Bayelsa Assembly EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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ayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has stepped in to resolve the fresh crisis rocking the state House of Assembly.

It was gathered that a closed-door meeting of the party held on Tuesday in Yenagoa was attended by Governor Seriake Dickson, who was disturbed by the crisis in the Assembly.

Just last Wednesday, for-

mer Deputy Speaker, Fini Angaye, and the Speaker, Konbowei Benson, almost exchanged punches in the Speaker’s office over the former’s unpaid allowances.

But the timely intervention of other lawmakers prevented what would have become an embarrassment to the Assembly.

Investigation showed that Dickson had invited the lawmakers to the Government House for a peace meeting the penultimate

week, but the issues were not resolved.

It was learnt that Angaye, former Speaker Nestor Binabo and some lawmakers are boycotting plenary sessions of the House because of the fresh ‘war’.

At the PDP meeting, the governor told the lawmakers that no elected member of the party should be seen to be above the party, adding that the party remained supreme in all cases.

Also, Dickson lauded the

local government chairmen of the party and their executives for their hard work and called on them to learn to work together as a family by supporting one another. He urged them to extend the same to party leaders in the state.

Earlier, the state Chairman of PDP, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd), harped on party discipline among members to ensure the realisation of the objectives of the restoration agenda of the government.

Court stops EDSIEC from conducting LG polls SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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Benin High Court yesterday stopped the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, from conducting local government elections in the state.

The court said EDSIEC should not conduct the council elections because it was not properly constituted by the current administration of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Justice A. Edodo-Eruaga ruled in the case filed by Messrs Caroline Ewohinmi, Robert Oghafuoso, Saliu Jeremiah, Friday Ojo, and Eric Uhunmwangho against Edo State governor, the state Attorney General, the state House of Assembly and the eight members of the re-constituted EDSIEC chaired by Solomon Aigbuoibo Ogoh.

It was gathered that elections into the 18 councils of the state were to be

PORT HARCOURT

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ne of the objectives of the massive investment in the education sector by the administration of Governor Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi is to rid Rivers State of expatriates.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Alice Lawrence-Nemi, disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of UCSI University in Malaysia, where some of the students sponsored by

the state government graduated with first class.

The commissioner charged the fresh graduates to contribute their quota to the development of the state, stressing that the state wanted to get rid of foreign expatriates.

Mrs. Lawrence-Nemi noted that they were now experts in their various fields and qualified to take over from the expatriates working in several sectors of the state.

She said: “The government of Rivers State is now

expecting you to put all your knowledge into practice; you were sent here because the state wants to stop bringing in expatriates into our country. The purpose of our investment on you is for you to assist the government in reviving most of our dilapidated industries.”

The commissioner also said that the present administration in the state was committed to making it the hub of education in the country.

Mrs. Lawrence-Nemi

said primary and secondary education was free and compulsory in Rivers State.

She added that the government had provided an enabling environment for academic excellence through the provision of solid infrastructure in primary and secondary schools across the state.

Mrs. Lawrence-Nemi said that the schools had facilities like Information and Communication Technology, ICT, sports facilities, libraries, among others.

conducted at a yet-to-be-announced date in December.

The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, said that the government had already appealed the judgment.

He said: “We have already filed our notice of appeal immediately after it was delivered. We are definitely appealing against the ruling.”

The judge granted the relief sought by members of the dissolved commission that their dissolution was wrong as they were duly constituted on June 20, 2007 and that their tenure should have elapsed on June 19, 2012.

The court also set aside the appointment of all the new members into EDSIEC. It also ordered that all the arrears of salaries, allowances and other financial entitlements of the former members during the period of their removal be paid.

Deals with S’Africa must bear fruits, ACN tells Dickson EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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ction Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has asked the administration of Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson to exhibit sincerity in its bilateral talks with South Africa to fast track development in the state.

The party said the current business deal the government claimed it had with that country should not be another windowdressing show to score cheap political points.

This is contained in a statement issued yesterday

We want to rid Rivers of expatriates –Commissioner CHINEDUM EMEANA

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She said: “The governor of the state, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, since assumption of office, has transformed the sector by building solid and lasting infrastructure, libraries, ICT facilities and also award of scholarships to deserving Rivers State students.”

Governor Rotimi Amaechi

by the state Public Secretary of ACN, Christopher Abaraowei.

Abaraowei recalled that previous administrations in the state had used such bilateral relationships and frivolous foreign trips to hoodwink indigenes of the state.

The party spokesman regretted that several years after such claims were made; there was nothing to show for the funds spent under the guise of attracting foreign investors to the state.

He said: “The ACN lauds the move by the Bayelsa State Government to strike a business relationship with the South African Government. But we must quickly add that the people of the state witnessed so many bilateral talks by previous governments from which nothing came out.

“We wish to also recall that countless foreign trips were made by previous governments in the name of wooing foreign investors to the state but as it is obvious today, no foreign investment existed in the state in spite of the public funds spent on such trips that turned out to be jamborees.”

12

North

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police chiefs meet over Plateau violence OMEIZA AJAYI

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enior police officers met in Abuja yesterday to fashion out new ways to end the recurring violence in parts of Plateau State, which last month claimed Senator Gyang Dantong and the majority Leader of the state House of Assembly,

•IGP threatens to sanction AIGs, CPs, others Hon. Gyang Fulani.

At the meeting, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, ordered the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Zone 4, Mike Zuokumor, and the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ayeni, to evolve practical ways of halting the trend and for-

ward such proposal to him on or before August 14.

He said: “You must let me know before the close of work on Tuesday 14th August, 2012, what new things we must do to restore permanent peace to Plateau State.”

Abubakar said since criminals were becoming

more sophisticated in their approach to crime, the force must step up its operations and change its crime prevention strategies.

He disclosed that there would be a commensurate reward and punishment for officers who excelled and those who performed below expectation.

Bomb experts detonate high calibre explosives in Kano AUGUSTIINE MADU-WEST KANO

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omb experts yesterday were busy with detonation of explosives recovered from Kabuga, a few kilometres from the main campus of the Bayero University, Kano.

The anti-bomb squad had a day earlier detonated assorted local explosives

planted by unknown persons inside the Federal College of Education, FCE. The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, confirmed yesterday’s exercise in an interview with our correspondent.

Idris said his men detonated four high calibre explosives.

According to him, the police decided to detonate

the bombs where they were found to avoid accident as recorded in some states.

He said: “We decided not to evacuate them to the traditional spot where live bombs are defused to avoid an accident.”

Idris disclosed that no one was hurt neither was any damage done to structures in the vicinity from the impact of the explosions.

Governor Kwankwaso

“I will therefore not take kindly with Commissioners of Police who stick to traditional policing methodology which no longer yields desired results without taking new initiatives to combat emerging trends of criminal activities.

Neither will I tolerate lukewarm (attitude), docility, incompetence, and lack of capacity to drive the Reform Agenda of this Administration by any Commissioner of Police.

“I only demand and insist that our actions must depart from the old ways and reflect unambiguously, our readiness to serve the Nigerian public with respect and

Kogi commissioner dies a few days after inauguration ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

O

Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Kankara Local Government Area, Katsina State , Alhaji Abdulhadi Abdullahi (left), presenting working materials to representatives of vigilance groups in the area, yesterday.

NCF decries coordinator’s killing in Taraba

T

he Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF, has condemned last Thursday’s gruesome murder of its Taraba State Project Coordinator, Mr. Ashimi Tirimisiyu, by suspected gunmen in Jalingo.

The NCF Public Relations Officer, Mr. Kunle Olawoyin, said in a statement that Tirimisiyu, 46, was shot at close range by the gunmen at a place where he went to break his Ramadan fast.

He added the gunmen also stole the project vehicle, Tirimisiyu’s laptop and other personal belongings.

Benue Assembly summons commissioner over delay in salary HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

B

enue State House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, to appear before it next Wednesday to explain the poor financial status of the state which has resulted in the delay of payment of salaries to some civil servants, including members of the Assembly in the last three months.

He was also directed to come with the status of the account of the state Internally Revenue Generated, IGR, and the federal alloca-

tions so far received by the state.

Hon. Baba Odeh, who raised the motion summoning the commissioner during the House session yesterday, said that all the related documents pertaining to finances of the state should be presented to know why the workers have not been paid as at when due.

Odeh representing Otukpo/Akpa state constituency, told the House that for some time now, salaries of civil servants, including Assembly members, had not been paid.

He added that teachers had not been paid in the last

five months.

The issue raised heated debate among members, who also lamented the refusal of the finance commissioner to appear before the House to explain why their names were omitted in the payroll of the state in the last three months.

Speaker David Iorhemba put the matter to vote and ruled in favour of the majority who voted that Oklobia should appear before the House on August 8.

Recently, there were rumours that the state account had been frozen.

But Oklobia debunked the claims in a text message sent to journalists.

strictly within the provisions of the law,” Abubakar said.

The IGP also cautioned policemen against demanding payment for bail, warning that on no account should any Nigerian be subjected to bail conditions outside those statutorily allowed by the law.

He said: “I must warn you that defaulters will be severely sanctioned while CPs within whose commands such acts are perpetrated will face administrative actions.”

He added that compliance with his directive must reach his office by return signal not later than August 10.

ne of the newly appointed commissioners in Kogi State, Mr. Simon Ige Olutimayin, is dead.

Olutimayin, who was the commissioner for budget and planning, died barely six days after the inauguration of the State Executive Council by Governor Idris Wada.

The Commissioner for Information, Mallam Yabagi Gbologi, who addressed journalists immediately after the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House in Lokoja, described Olutimayin’s death as tragic and unfortunate.

Gbologi said Wada had expressed his deepest sympathy to family of the deceased and the

people of Yagba-East Local Government over the sad event.

A family source said Olutimayin died on Tuesday night at a private hospital in Lagos.

Born in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State in April, 1950, Olutimayin was an alumnus of the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, where he graduated with a BSc degree in Economics in 1980.

Olutimayin joined the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and rose through the ranks to the position of an Assistant Director in charge of other financial institutions before retiring in 2010.

Until his appointment

by Wada, the deceased was the Managing Director of the Lagos-based Alpha Concept, a private firm.

FG must establish relationship with Saudi Arabia -Aliyu PRISCILA DENNIS MINNA

G

overnor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has advised the Federal Government to establish a bi-lateral relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reap mutual benefits.

Aliyu made the call during a visit by the National Hajji Commission led by its Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, in Minna.

He said for over eight years, efforts were made to

establish the relationship without success.

The governor explained that currently, Nigeria was enjoying the bi-lateral agreements reached with various nations of the world and wondered why the same had not been established with Saudi Arabia.

Aliyu reasoned that Saudi Arabia was benefiting from Nigeria because of the huge number of pilgrims who visited that country to perform the yearly Hajji pilgrimage among others.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Furore over single term tenure proposal

14

EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

I

jaw leader and former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark yesterday accused some unnamed persons who had threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable, as being behind the spate of bombings perpetrated by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

Clark gave the damning verdict while delivering a lecture entitled “2012 State of the Federation Lecture,” organised by the Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS in Abuja.

He said: “People who said they must make Nigeria ungovernable for President Jonathan must be behind what is happening,” even as he challenged the government to muster the political will to deal

with such persons, saying “nobody is bigger than the government.

“In the Niger Delta, our agitation is for 50 per cent derivation, what is their own grievance? President Jonathan is the President of Nigeria, he is not the President of the Niger Delta, he is not the President of the Ijaw.”

He called for state of emergency to be declared in those volatile states ravaged by Boko Haram bombs and explosives, saying: “I appeal to governors, instead of devoting themselves to meeting every month, to go home.

They should be made to understand that if they don’t perform state of emergency will be declared in their states – for six months you will not be a governor.”

On the recent moves by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Insecurity: Can Dasuki make a difference?

16

Insurgency sponsored by forces against Jonathan’s govt – Clark Babangida to find a lasting solution to the insecurity situation in the country, he doubted Babangida’s initiative, saying: “IBB said he would wear a uniform and fight for Nigeria’s unity at 72. He should first

stand up and condemn Boko Haram from the bottom of his heart. Obasanjo has gone to Maiduguri to meet the people. Why has he (IBB) not gone?”

On 2015: “I also wish to appeal to certain poli-

ticians in the country to sheath their swords in their ambition to take over the presidency in 2015. I think it is too early in the day to think of 2015. The President himself has warned his functionaries not to talk

of the politics of 2015 but to concentrate on the development of the country. Once again, I repeat let us not talk about the politics of 2015 because the current president has about three years more to go.”

ACN lacks moral ground to call for Tukur’s resignation – PDP OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

T

he Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Lai Mohammad, lacks the credentials to raise any moral question over the trial of Mahmud, the son of the national chairman of the PDP, Bamanga Tukur.

The party, speaking through its State Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, on behalf of the state chairman, Olatunji Shele, gave Mohammed a seven days ultimatum to prove his moral uprightness by making public his assets declaration records before and after his service in the administration of former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The reaction and demand is coming on the heels of the call by Mohammed for Tukur’s resignation as national chairman of the PDP over the involvement of his son, Mahmud in the ongoing fuel subsidy scam and trial of al-

leged scammers.

The PDP said: “Apart from the diabolism, absurdity and ignorance of the law expressed by Lai Mohammed, we wonder what credentials the ACN spokesman posses to raise moral issues when in actual fact he is still carrying the moral burden of explaining to Lagosians the source of his monumental wealth just after serving as Chief of Staff to Bola Tinubu in a government that remains the symbol of huge misgovernance and embezzlement.”

Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu receiving some publications from the Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Mallam Mohammed Bello, during a courtesy visit at the Government House, Minna.

Court order meant to cripple APGA – CNPP FELIX NWANERI

T

he Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has faulted the ex parte order granted by an Enugu State High Court, extending by 48 days the interim injunction it

granted on July 25 restraining the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh from running the party.

Describing the order granted by the Enugu State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike as a ploy to

Akeredolu describes Mimiko as an alien in Ondo FELIX NWANERI

T

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has described as contemptuous, the statement credited to Governor Olusegun Mimiko that Ondo people should not allow themselves to be polluted by aliens.

Akeredolu, in a statement through his cam-

paign orgainisation, signed by its Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, described the assertion by Mimiko at the commissioning of a night market at Idanre Town, as unbecoming of a governor, who instead of basing his campaign on issues, is trying to deceive the people.

It said: “Indeed, if there is anybody that can be described as alien in Ondo State, it is Mimiko himself against the background of the claim by many people

of the state that the man has his origin firmly rooted in Igbiraland in Kogi State as his name Mimiko is an alien Yoruba name. It is a notorious fact that his grandfather’s name is Atiku which is not a Yoruba name.”

The ACN maintained that despite the fact that it wants the campaign to be an issue-oriented one; the party will not hesitate to go deep into history to debunk any false claims by the present administration in the state.

cripple the party, the CNPP in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Chief Willy Ezugwu, however commended the decision of the National Chairman of the party to challenge it.

The conference said the appeal will expose the political manipulation behind the order. He therefore urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Alooma Mukhtar and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the ruling.

It said: “As noted by Chief Umeh’s Counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), the plaintiff, Jude Ejike never applied for an extension of the ex parte order and the judge proceeded to extend it by another 48 days in clear violation of the High Court Rules of Enugu State 2006, which only allows for ex parte order of seven days, subject to an additional

seven days of extension on application.

“The order extending the duration of the ex parte order is in violation of Order 39 Rule3(4) of the High Court of Enugu State, 2006.

So, where did the learned justice get his own 48 days order ex parte from? This is just part of a grand plan by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prevent APGA from meeting to strategise on how it will expand its membership base nationwide.”

The CNPP noted that it is a good thing that the APGA chairman is asking for the vacation of the order to allow the party to carry on with its regular activities since the judge erred in law by granting an order of such duration.

It warned against manipulation of the judiciary to cripple political parties from functioning.

14

Politics

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Furore over single term tenure proposal SINA FADARE reports that the National Assembly Committee on the Constitutional Review has a daunting challenge in their hands on the five-year single tenure for the president and governors.

P

erhaps those who were agitating for a national dialogue are right after all, as indication in the political firmament is pointing to the fact that the country needs one, in order to forge ahead as a nation.

Prominent Nigerians recently met and called for a dialogue that will allow Nigerians to sit down on a round table and discussed all their fears and how they want to be governed. However, the Senate as well as the House of Representatives in unison kicked against such a decision, declaring it a no go area, because such idea may disintegrate the country.

Ironically, the reality on the ground on virtually everything, be it security, faulty constitution, monumental fraud, executive and legislative rascality, unemployment, agitation for state creation and true federalism are pointing to the fact that a further delay of such a dialogue, could be disastrous.

The recent Senate retreat at Asaba, the Delta State capital, discussed among other things the proposed five-year single tenure for the president and the 36 state governors.

The Senate Committee on Constitution Review had suggested a five-year single tenure for the offices of president and governors in order to deepen democratic culture and ensure sustainable development in the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan had shortly after he was sworn in as president on May 29, 2011 proposed single term tenure for president and governors. His proposal was greeted with mixed feelings.

Shedding more light on the proposition, the chairman, Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, pointed out that President Goodluck Jonathan and the incumbent governors would not benefit from the proposed five-year single tenure.

Ekweremadu noted that the single fiveyear tenure for the president and governors was not the idea of the committee but a proposal by a consultant to the committee and from memoranda submitted by various groups.

The memoranda according to him, is a pointer to the fact that Nigerians would be more comfortable with single tenure.

He said: “It is the opinion of our consultants that single term will not be available to those who are in office presently.

If you are in office as president or governor, either on first and or second term, you will not benefit from it.

“If you are on first term as a governor or president, you will have to make the sacrifice of surrendering your rights for second term. If the proposal succeeds, only those who are not in office as governor or President can vie for election for a single term.”

Jonathan

The Deputy Senate President said its proponents believed that once politicians got elected, they would start preparing for the second term, thus relegating to the background the purpose for which they were elected in the first place, which is to provide good governance for the populace.

National Mirror gathered that should the proposal sail through, the five-year single term would run for 30 years as it would be rotated among the country’s six geo-political zones.

Two school of thoughts emerged on the issue. The first school of thought tailored its thinking along that of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, with the submission that the five-year tenure will give the governors or the president the opportunity to concentrate and be focused on their mission.

Championing this line of thought is the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), who argues that there was more sense in the proposal, but added that it requires careful thinking.

According to him, a single term would allow whoever comes into office in those capacities to focus on the job rather than focusing on re-election, noting that, “reelection bid creates problems as too much money is amassed by office holders for it.”

Agbakoba asserted that the country’s constitution requires substantial modifications to cope with the enormous challenges facing the nation.

Speaking in the same vein, the founder of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, described the proposed five-year single tenure as a good development for Nigeria.

His words: “It is better for us as it will reduce the tendencies of elected public office holders to illicitly amass wealth.

Rather than eight years of looting, Nigerians could endure for five.”

The second school of thought, which comprises the 19 Northern governors, argues that the proposal was a plan to give President Jonathan a leverage to spend more than the constitutionally approved eight years of two terms in office. This school of thought therefore insisted that

Ekweremadu

IT WILL REDUCE THE TENDENCIES OF ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS TO ILLICITLY AMASS WEALTH.

RATHER

THAN EIGHT YEARS OF LOOTING,

NIGERIANS

COULD ENDURE FOR FIVE the present constitutional provision of two terms of four years should be maintained.

Speaking after the meeting of the governors, the chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, noted that the forum took this position based on the submission made by the secretaries to the governments of northern states and attorneys-general on the review of some aspects of the 1999 Constitution.

The NSGF submitted that, “the extant provision of the constitution that provides for two terms of four years for president and governors be maintained.”

National Assembly sources told National Mirror that under the proposal, “each of the six geo-political zones would have a shot each and by then, it is hoped, democracy would have stabilised in Nigeria.

“After the 30-year period, the country could then consider going back to the two terms of four years for the office of President, governors and their deputies.

The main purpose of this arrangement is to maintain a stable, national system of democracy for Nigeria.”

However speaking to National Mirror on the issue, Akin Oyebode, a professor of International Law at the University of Lagos, said that the issue at hand is beyond amending the constitution, saying that there should be a process of making a new constitution that will give Nigeri-

ans a sense of belonging.

According to him, the 1999 Constitution was forced on Nigerians by the military, therefore there should be a national dialogue, where all the stakeholders will sit down at a round table conference and all these inadequacies discussed.

Oyebode lamented that “a constitution that attracts about 62 amendments, is worst than a terrible constitution. What we need is a brand new constitution that will address the fundamental crisis that afflicts Nigeria. Nigeria had a wrongheaded quasi-federal structure where too much power has been concentrated at the centre.

We have to engage in devolution of power and unscramble the Nigeria federation, re configures it, the 62 items amended need to be revisited and reconsidered.”

The former Vice Chancellor of the old University of Ado-Ekiti argues: “There is no amount of panel beating that can clean up the malady of the self-imposed military constitution we are operating. Everybody that will face the reality knows that the constitution we are operating is deficient and we have to redress the imbalances.”

Sharing a similar view with Oyebode, Senator Gbenga Kaka said that Nigerians should stop dissipating energy where it is not necessary, adding that one do not cross the bridge until one gets to it.

Kaka, who spoke with National Mirror, noted that it is not the numbers of years that a public official spent in office that matters, but the ability to bring governance closer to the people by solving their immediate problems, that is more paramount and important.

His words: “If you give a mediocre 100 years, he would be perambulating on a spot without moving forward, the quality of the man who is going there as a governor or president is what matters.

Mandela spent only a term of four years in South Africa and till today his impact can never be forgotten.

“The late Head of State, Gen. Murtala Mohammed spent only six months in office, till today, his achievements are in the hall of fame. Therefore, we should focus our attention on personalities who can deliver good governance, not just to go to government house for going sake, which is what we have witnessed in our immediate past.”

The senator representing Ogun- East in the National Assembly said that the common man on the streets care less about how many years a public official spend in office, but their concern is rather on who can provide basic necessities like food, shelter, employment opportunities and good governance for them.

“These are the issues we should be discussing. There is a lot of poverty and penury in the land. We should avoid dissipating our energies on irrelevances,” he said.

As the debate ranges on, it is obvious that the expectations of Nigerians are far beyond the amendment of the constitution; they are on the search for who can give them the elusive dividends of democracy and who would guarantee the provision of transportation, electricity, health care delivery, shelter and good quality of live.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Former governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, recently led a faction of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the national headquarters of the party over the lingering crisis bedevilling the party. He speaks to OBIORA IFOH over the mistake of making Akwe Doma, his successor, governor and what the PDP should do to return to power in the state. Excerpts: What is the genesis of the problem in Nasarawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?

The genesis was the crushing defeat of the party in the 2011 General Elections. Essentially, the message was a protest by voters in the state and we are desirous of rebuilding our party so that we can deliver; we have done it before, we can do it again.

The spirit the national chairman and the National Working Committee are bringing on board for reconciliation, rebuilding and repositioning of our party has motivated us to come out, stand out and share with the national leadership the problems of Nasarawa State PDP, with the hope that a solution would be found.

All that we are asking for is that there was a contravention of the constitution of our great party, there was a contravention of the instructions or guidelines that the PDP gave out to its members by the Nasarawa State chapter and they made sure that every rule known in the guideline were broken. All they wanted was to retain the positions and they just made sure they annexed all offices to themselves and gave no other person a chance to do anything.

And everybody who had a stake was denied the opportunity to contest election in the last congresses that took place and we do not want to raise eyebrows, we do not want to start fighting and we just kept our cool and waited. All we are asking is for the national leadership of the party to give us the permission to start the process of reconciliation and rebuilding and repositioning of the party in the state.

We took the PDP to Nasarawa State, God has spared our lives we are still there, we will do it again, but we ask the national leadership to dissolve without any condition or whatsoever the people who are now parading themselves as the working committee of the party of the state at various levels or structure of PDP in the state.

There was this believe in some quarters that the PDP lost Nasarawa governorship election because of the problem between you and your successor, Akwe Doma?

As a Muslim, what I am going to tell you now have a place with the teaching of the holy prophet; he warned us to beware of the treacheries of the beneficiaries of our kindness, some of us are victims of our kindness. Politically, I have no quarrel with Akwe Doma, God wanted him to be governor of the state, I supported him with the machineries of the party in the state, the machineries of government in the state and God enthroned him as the governor. Whether he lived up to his promises to the party and his followership and

15

I was stoned for trying to make Doma gov – Adamu positions among themselves, swapped positions among themselves and they are the same people, that led PDP to failure.

Adamu

his programme, you are a living witness and you can find out yourself.

On what grounds are you asking for the dissolution of the state executive?

The PDP from the presidential caucus to the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party resolved sometime early this year, January or February that elections would be held at the various levels of the party’s national structure, from the ward down to the convention, in accordance with the constitution of the party.

Now, if you hold office for eight years, you are no longer supposed to want to go back and contest, but if you held office for four years and you are desirous to continue for another term and the party followership want you to, of course you can contest again and be voted for. The executive that we had in the state would not want this to

I HAVE NO QUARREL WITH AKWE DOMA, GOD WANTED HIM TO BE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE, I SUPPORTED...

WHETHER HE LIVED UP TO HIS PROMISES TO THE PARTY AND HIS FOLLOWERSHIP AND HIS PROGRAMME, YOU ARE A LIVING WITNESS AND YOU CAN FIND OUT YOURSELF

happen, they are so entrenched to their interest, and because they have this frustration building up even before the election of 2011 and after the 2011 elections, the party lost after 12 years in government. It is not fatigue for followership of PDP, it is a protest and when this happened, the followership said: ‘look let’s get our pieces together, let’s see if we can rebuild our great party, we made mistake, let see what we can do.’

The executive has been part and parcel of that failure, they would not want to move, they want to continue with all that brought failure to the PDP; that brought the loss of ground to the party.

Before we came to the national secretariat, series of meetings were held and it was agreed on the need to make progress, a committee was set up under the leadership of the current Secretary, BoT to see how a committee that would organise primaries in the various level in the state can work and ensure that the two contending groups have representation.

There was an agreement to the effect that was signed by those who represented various groups in the committee and it stood until the eve of the primaries, the outgoing chairman of the party now said ‘he would not comply with the agreement and that anybody who did not want to take it can go.’

That was what happened and so when the door was closed they knocked and knocked and it would not open. They went to court to seek redress in a democratic fashion and the court came out with an injunction and they would not even allow the injunction to be served on them, but unfortunately, everything in Nasarawa PDP was closed and they came and served the national secretariat. In spite of the service, the state chapter refused to comply and went ahead and held the congresses and just alloted

Would you agree that the political differences between you and your successor led to the present woes bedevilling the PDP in Nasarawa State?

First and foremost you can check what I am telling you, I supported the governor right through the election. In fact, there were reports in the newspapers, when I was campaigning for myself and for him, for our President, Goodluck Jonathan and our House of Representatives’ candidates; anytime I mentioned his name in the course of my campaign, when I am on the podium, people will start hissing at me, people would stone me, it happened not in one, two or three places, but I went on all the same to show my support for my party’s candidate to the very end. But of course he could not hold the people back, in their minds, he was not doing what he was supposed to do. The PDP has built edifices in the state that he was supposed to inherit and build upon, he did not do so.

I did not say so, the people said so. These people who led the party to failure cannot be trusted to lead the party to success because it is unbelievable that you have a government, you have all the instrument of governance at your command, you can’t deliver, is it now they will deliver?

Sometimes in January, before the immediate past NWC, you had pleaded that the executive should be allowed to stay and you are here now asking that the executive should go?

I don’t know any other way I could answer that question, because I have answered it before. The beauty of democracy is this exchange of ideas. Let democracy prevail, let strong argument in the situation we have on both ends prevail. As far as I am concerned, I have never, ever disowned Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, but I don’t play God, I am not God, God had ordained he would be governor and God has ordained that I will have a hand in his governorship.

I did just that, I am not denying that and I did apologise publicly, I did everything in good fate, for the interest of the PDP. What is on the ground today is that the party is down, we want to pick the party from where it is today and put it back where it was before. We took it there, we took the party to the state and I know what we did to build it. Most of the guys going up and down now were only beneficiaries of our sweat; it is as simple as that; it was in the nature of service. When you serve you don’t expect that you will exclude any person from the benefit of what the fruit of the service has brought forward. So, they are in the PDP, we accept them, we are very, very inclusive. PDP has the greatest followership in the country, you can’t deny that and when you have the greater chunk of any community of any people belonging to a platform, then everything that is in that society is in that platform. So, all the good people you can imagine are in PDP.

16

Politics

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insecurity: Can Dasuki make a difference?

Would the newly-appointed National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) make a difference in the war against terrorism where his predecessor fails to make any impact? Asks OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU:

WILL THE EMERGENCE OF

DASUKI AS THE NSA HAVE ANY POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE SECURITY CHALLENGES FACING

T

aking the battle to the backyard of the recently appointed National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, the Boko Haram Islamic sect was probably sending a clear message not only to the NSA, but to the Federal Government: We are not placated by your actions, we are yet to be placated and we can strike whenever and wherever we want.

The sect claimed responsibility for two coordinated suicide bomb attacks in Sokoto on Monday, where four persons – a police corporal, two suspected suicide bombers and a hair dressing saloon operator – died.

The attacks were targeted at the Zone 10 Police Headquarters and Unguwar Rogo Divisional Police Station. Eight policemen and one civilian were reported injured in the attack.

Boko Haram’s insurgency, which began like a child’s play in Bauchi State years back has today assumed a larger than life dimension and has snowballed into full scale terrorism, with the Federal Government and its security apparatus stretched beyond limit without any profound solution in sight. The Sokoto attack has also added another dimension to the whole terrorism activities of the sect.

It is instructive to note that from a gang engaged in street fights with security operatives in Maiduguri township, the Boko Haram Islamic sect has, under the former Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed and the immediate past National Security Adviser, Owoeye Azazi’s watch grown to become as potent and formidable as Al-Shabab in North Africa and the AlQaeda in some of its formations. In fact, in many quarters in the Northern part of the country, the fear of Boko Haram is the beginning of wisdom.

With the phenomenon the sect has become and the invincible toga it has put on, it was therefore not surprising when on June 26, President Goodluck Jonathan relieved both the Minister of Defence, Mohammed and NSA, Azazi of their duties.

Jonathan immediately replaced Azazi with Sambo Dasuki, a retired Army colonel and former aide de camp (ADC) to former military president, Ibrahim Babangida.

The Federal Government, in justifying the sack of Mohammed and Azazi, said that the ingenuity of the sect in its activities has necessitated the adoption of a new tactical approach to combating the menace.

Perhaps, not many were surprised with Azazi’s sack, because he had been having running battle with the powers that be following his faux pas in Asaba, Delta State, where, while delivering a lecture, he put the blame of the spate of bombings in the Northern part of the country on the door steps of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the party’s brand of politics, especially the manner in which its

THE NATION AND PUT AN END TO TERRORISM AND OTHER FORMS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES TO A STOP?

Dasuki

candidates for elections emerge, is partly responsible for the terror being unleashed on the country and its citizens by the sect.

Azazi was roundly condemned for his utterance and to political analysts, his days in office as NSA were numbered and his axe in June came to no one as a surprise.

President Jonathan, alluding to the sack of Mohammed and Azazi said it has nothing to do with their competence but for the fact that the insurgents had devised new methods of operation and his government needed to change the dynamics of the times to be able to confront the sect frontally.

But a school of thought opines that the duo were relieved of their tour of duties because they kept on using the same strategies, that have consistently failed to confront Boko Haram at a time the sect had changed its tactic. It argued that the over-confidence the president displayed when he boasted that the Boko Haram insurgency would be contained in June was as a result of the under-assessment of the security situation and unfettered optimism the duo displayed.

The spate of bombings perpetrated by the sect had claimed lives going to almost 2,000 and properties which value cannot be quantified destroyed in the process.

But will the appointment of Dasuki as the new NSA have any effect on the terrorist activities of the Boko Haram? Can he make a difference where others have failed?

A school of thought holds the opinion that Dasuki’s appointment was a sort of appeasement of the North by the Jonathan presidency, because the Boko Haram menace is felt more in the North, but another school of thought casts doubt on the ability of Dasuki, who they claimed was not steeped in intelligence genre during his military career.

But with the recent activities of the sect extending to Sokoto State, which experienced its first baptism of fire from the sect, it is evident that Dasuki’s appointment as NSA has not really had any effect as insinuated in certain quarters.

Jonathan had been accused of pampering his Ijaw ethnic stock with juicy appointments, including the NSA and it is seen that the appointment of Dasuki is to assuage

such feeling, especially in the North where the Boko Haram terrorism has grounded almost all economic and social lives.

But Dasuki’s appointment has thrown up many issues in the Boko Haram saga than solving any. It is on record that there is an intense rivalry between the Hausa/ Fulanis on the one hand and the Kanuris on the other hand. The rivalry is even more deep-seated and rooted in historical undercurrents and observers are of the opinion that it would be difficult building any confidence between the new NSA and the NorthEast.

It is on this basis that analysts wonder whether there are no competent retired military officers from that zone that can hold the office and do the job better. According to the United Nations’ code of humanitarian negotiation, and even bringing the psychological angle to it, terrorist groups tend to relate and negotiate with people they can trust and this may be missing with the deep animosity between Dasuki’s Hausa/Fulani and Boko Haram’s Kanuri connections.

But the new NSA had hit the ground running. He has visited the trouble spots, the first of its kind by any top ranking government official since the insurgency began and escalated to high proportion.

He has visited Yobe and Borno as well as Plateau, Katsina, Kano states and he has disclosed that he has gotten the contacts of key Boko Haram leaders as the first step toward the negotiation mantra of the Federal Government, saying that he will meet with the leaders of the sect.

The visit to the troubled spots, which was received with acknowledgement by residents of the areas visited, was the first to be embarked upon by a top government official of the NSA calibre and it has also further raised hope of all stakeholders that perhaps, this time around, a critical and decisive action would be taken by government not only to nip the spate of terrorist activities in the Northern part of the country in the bud, but also bring to end the protracted reign of Boko Haram in the region to an end.

The big question, begging for answer however is: “Will the emergence of Dasuki as the NSA have any positive impact on the security challenges facing the nation and put an end to terrorism and other forms of criminal activities to a stop?”

Perhaps to put this question in perspective, it is instructive to look at the function of the NSA. This is because a lot of responsibilities, outside the mandate of the NSA is expected from him by stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

A major actor in the botched 1990 Gideon Orkar coup against Babangida, Colonel Tony Nyiam, said that the misconceptions about the duties of the NSA has raised the expectations from the occupant of that office to what he described as “ridiculous” level.

He disclosed that the NSA is neither the head of security agencies, given the fact that the President is the Commanderin-Chief of the armed forces, nor is he the head of the intelligence community or the nation’s spy master. He is also not the country’s chief security officer.

According to Nyiam, the role of the NSA is advisory. He handles the strategy and policy for national security and also ensures the implementation of the policies and also serves as the intermediary between the civilian political leadership and the security agencies.

From this background, there is a difference between planning strategy and policy and implementing such strategies and policies. Therefore one can safely conclude that tackling the insecurity challenges as personified by the Boko Haram sect is not the function of the NSA alone, but the collective responsibility of the government.

But one major albatross the NSA is bringing to the job is his own personality and background. Past NSAs have always been retired Generals and the leadership of the security agencies, including the armed forces are generals, analysts wonder how, as a Colonel, Dasuki would relate with the service chiefs and other high ranking echelon of the security apparatus who are higher than him in rank.

Another one is his relationship with former military president, Babangida.

And if the recent spate of attacks and killings, especially in the North-East as well as the killing in Plateau, where last month, over 200 lives were wasted are anything to go by, one can say Dasuki’s appointment is what medical doctors call ‘dead on arrival’ (DOA).

But on the other hand, Dasuki could probably use his family background and the caliphate connection to reach out to Boko Haram and call a truce.

The general consensus, however, is that there is the urgent need to call a halt to Boko Haram’s reign of terror as well other criminal activities going on in the country, as well as bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.

This is as it is believed that President Jonathan has not been able to effectively respond to the security challenges and put forward a credible and working strategy to curtail the insurgency in the North.

For now, all eyes are on the newly appointed NSA. But with Monday’s attack in Sokoto by the sect, it seems the sect has taken the fight to the NSA’s homefront and whether or not he would be able to bring about any positive change in the war against terrorism in the country or not would only be revealed by time. For now, he needs all the ‘good luck’ he can muster so that he won’t go the way of his predecessor.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, August 2, 2012

17

Jonathan and the looming impeachment threat IT MIGHT BE EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

IMPOSSIBLE TO

100 PERCENT IMPLEMENTATION, BUT ACHIEVE

FRY

NDUBUISI

WE SHOULD TRY TO

fryndubuisi@nationalmirroronline.net (08023016709 SMS only)

T

he threat by the House of Representatives to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan for poor implementation of the 2012 budget is raising dust. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN Lagos), Minority Leader of the House, championed the cause of impeaching Mr. President if by the end of September the budget is not fully implemented.

The poor implementation of the budget is seen as the cause of the hard times Nigerians are passing through and the reason for the deficit social infrastructure provisioning. The Reps were of the view that by neglecting to implement the budget provisions President Jonathan has violated the 1999 Constitution, which he swore to protect; and going by the provision of Section 143 of the Constitution, he is liable to be impeached.

The strong argument against Mr. President is that he has no cogent reason not to implement the budget as passed. This is because the benchmark of $72 per barrel used for preparing the budget has been

L

GET CLOSE TO THAT surpassed. So paucity of funds could not be a factor for poor implementation. There is no justification for the less than 35 percent implementation of the budget.

There have been sundry reactions to this development. The Special Adviser to the president on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emordi, refuted the planned impeachment of the president, and warned the media against unnecessary over heating of the polity through sensational news reportage and publication of what she called ‘uninformed comments’.

In an ironic twist the ruling PDP, in a statement credited to its national deputy chairman (South South) initially said the move by Reps was in order. It was in this context that the South South leaders accused the party of conspiracy with the House of Representatives to impeach President Jonathan. The president of the Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of Niger Delta, Professor Kimse Okoko, described the comment purportedly made by the PDP as a “conspiracy theory”.

He maintained that unless the accusers of President Jonathan say what errors he has committed that the statement is not only unfair but “irresponsible “.

The unfolding scenario is quite interesting. The mover of the motion is of the opinion that if by September 18 the budget performance did not significantly improve, the House will, on the strength of the provision of Section 143 of the 1999 constitution, move for the impeachment of the president for “gross misconduct”.

In official response, however, the federal government through the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, argued that 100 percent implementation of budget was not practicable adding that this year’s budget could attain above 80 percent implementation level. She was emphatic that nowhere in the world is such ideal feasible. She identified the obstacles inherent in budget implementation to include inadequate time frame that needed to get the designs and carry out feasibility studies for constituency projects and other new projects in the budget.

This is beside the problem of movement of funds by the National Assembly from one vote head to another.

While the intrigue continues, the Senate has distanced itself from the controversy. Its spokesman, Enyinnaya Abaribe, in a recent interview, stated that members of the upper house would not be part of the process and that the upper chamber has not had cause

to take such a line of action. It is, however, being speculated that the upper legislative chamber may have to write Mr. President to intimate him with their displeasure over the pace of the implementation of 2012 budget.

This is big deal. The House of Representative believes its move is in the general national interest. The members maintain that lethargy in the implementation of budgets has been the bane of this country. Indeed, it is really sad that the nation enters every budget year with a lot of hope and excitement that fizzle out almost immediately implementation commences.

In the current instance, it is not as if the fund required for implementation is not there, as our oil is still doing well in the international market. We deserve the full benefit of the budget implementation. This should reflect on our roads, power supply, job creation, healthcare delivery, improved education and the general well being of Nigerians.

It might be impossible to achieve 100 percent implementation, but we should try to get close to that. Nigerians will immediately feel such impact if that is done. While the move by the House could be seen as over- reaction and the impeachment threat premature, it is in the general interest of the nation to call on Mr. President to speed up the pace of budget implementation because the Appropriation Act is a law.

Prof. Ndubuisi, an attorney at Law, is of the Dept of Philosophy, UNILAG

Gone is Nigeria’s table tennis power

ast Sunday would go down in the annals of Nigerian table tennis sporting enterprise as a black one. It was the day the last athlete in that sporting event, Aruna Quadri, was embarrassingly knocked out of the ongoing Olympics, after all the other three male and female competitors had suffered the same fate. In all honesty, where the game of table tennis is concerned, the Nigeria’s expectations at almost all the Olympics had always been average, but this year Olympics had offered an above-average hope for the ping pongers.

This optimism was hinged on the fact that the country boasts of some of the most experienced players in the game. The arrowhead of our squad, veteran Segun Toriola, was competing in his sixth Olympics in London, while Funke Oshonaike was in her fifth. Since very few countries could boast of that kind of experience, it was thought Nigeria would translate this comparative advantage into a medal or two in that event, but all that had dissolved into thin air.

What made the total failure of the Nigerian team in this event very painful is that all our representatives were booted out within 24 hours of the commencement of the table tennis event. Nigerian last hope, Quadri (who lost 4-2 to Turkish, Bora Vang) was reported to be so distraught by his shocking elimination that he blurted out, “I can’t believe I am out of the Olympics” in helpless soliloquy.

Bu the woeful performance at the Olympics is only a tip of the icebergs of woes that had befallen Nigerian fortune in table

tennis. Nigeria used to be the most powerful and indomitable force in that game in Africa and even among the greatest in the commonwealth. At present no Nigerian is rated among the top 100 players in the world! This is a country that had produced legends like Atanda Musa, Olawunmi Majekodunmi, Waheed Ekun, Yomi Bankole, Lasisi Kasali, Bose Kafo, et al, all of whom had been African champions at different times, having been brought to limelight through Asoju Oba Cup tournament.

Times were when Nigerian men and women would win all available gold medals as well as all the available silver medals and condemned other countries to be fighting for bronze medals at continental championships. Then the challenge began slowly, when the crafty Egyptians began the plot to crush what they reckoned as unacceptable total domination by the Nigerians. They commissioned a project focusing on developing youth table tennis and gradually became a formidable force.

Such was the extent of their development that in the last All Africa Games, Egypt eventually overthrew Nigeria as the best table tennis nation in Africa winning four gold, two silver and four bronze medals compared to Nigeria’s three gold, five silver one bronze. In men’s singles for instance which used to be our birthright, Egypt claimed all the available gold, silver and bronze medals!

This is not the first time Nigeria would squandered good fortune in sporting excellence. Remember the Tessema Cup for the U-20 footballers of those days. Shortly after the biennial competition was inaugurated

NIGERIA USED TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL AND INDOMITABLE FORCE IN THAT GAME

KAYODE

KETEFE

IN AFRICA AND

EVEN AMONG THE GREATEST IN THE COMMONWEALTH and the trophies of the first and second editions claimed by Algeria and Egypt, Nigeria simply seized the crown with imperial authority winning the cup for four consecutive times in 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1989.

But then she relapsed into an ignominious slumber from 1989 till 2005 when Samson Siasia successfully led a talented team of youths to reclaim the title. There is also the case of African Women Championship, Nigeria kept winning all the biennial championships from 1991 till 2008 (a whopping seven titles!) when she allowed Equatorial Guinea to dethrone her.

Although the nation reclaimed the title from Equatorial Guinea in the 2010 edition, the fact that Ghana and Cameroon prevented the Super Falcons from competing in the last All Africa Games and the London Olympics respectively might be a pointer that Nigeria’s domination is getting to an end.

Apart from the Egyptians, the Congolese conceived the idea of sneaking into

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

the powerhouse of African ping pong and began a programme channeled into gradual nurturing of Congolese talents via acquired expertise of imported professionals. Soon, Congo, too, had started winning medals.

What makes our dwindling fortune in table tennis painful is that while Nigeria was dominating the game, Egypt was dominating swimming, amassing incredible numbers of gold. Alas, while Egyptians have found answers to our table tennis domination, we still look with awe when the Egyptian “water mermaids” leap into water, we have never put in place strategic plan to challenge their domination and it continues triumphantly till today.

Nigeria needs to re strategise to save our table tennis; a comprehensive youth development programme has become imperative.

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The $5b oil-spill fine on Shell

he Federal Government’s imposition of $5 billion fine on Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) for oil-spill pollution is a strong signal that, at last, the FG is mustering the much needed political will to diminish the culture of impunity of multinational oil firms degrading the nation’s environment. The December 20, 2011 spillage of 40,000 barrels of crude occurred at Shell’s deepwater facility in Bonga, Rivers State.

The oil spill, though did not affect the shoreline as had been the case with past spills, did however, affect about 950 square kilometers beneath the seabed. Shortly, after the Bonga spill, the largest then in 10 years, President Goodluck Jonathan had hinted that the FG might demand compensation from Shell. The crisis in Ogoniland, we recall, is traceable to attempts by communities devastated by oil spills to halt the culture of impunity of oil firms, apparently encouraged by the FG which, during the military era, deployed soldiers to forcibly quell agitations for compensation for damages occasioned by reckless oil spillage. The late Playwright and environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, who led the agitation to stop Shell from further despoiling Ogoniland, and eight other kinsmen of his, were on November 10, 1995, executed by hanging by then Gen. Sani Abacha military junta over nebulous

charges, for instance. Roughly 17 years after, the United Nations’ reports indicate that it would take about 30 years to clean up the numerous spills in Ogoniland at hundreds of billions of dollars. This is despite the numerous health hazards - terminal cancers, stillbirths, deformities, respiratory diseases, etc.; trailing the past 50 years of oil exploration in the country.

Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency (NOSDRA), Dr. Peter Idabor, confirmed that the $5 billion ‘administrative’ fine slammed on SNEPCo was approved by President Jonathan. Idabor said: “This administrative fine is different from compensation, because investigations are still ongoing, and Shell may also pay compensations if we determine more damages”. He said communities located 120 kilometers to Bonga were also affected through “contamination of the open water, loss of employment as the people are mainly fishermen, and this has led to the incidence of people migrating from these communities in search of fresh (unpolluted) waters”.

However, SNEPCo’s Managing Director, Mr. Chike Onyejekwe, has vowed to resist paying the fine, which he described as illegal and baseless. In his words: “SNEPCo will challenge any attempt to impose such a penalty”. His firm, SNEPCo, he insisted, responded

SANCTIONS FOR CORPORATE MISDEMEANOR HOLDS THE KEY TO A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE OIL

INDUSTRY. IT DOES NOT MATTER THAT THE FG

REALIZED IT RATHER LATE professionally and diligently to the incident, and worked with relevant agencies, including NOSDRA, in the process. Onyejekwe blamed the fine on “some parties that alleged the spill badly affected shoreline, creeks, and rivers”.

It is nevertheless instructive that Amnesty International has backed the FG decision and urged Shell to pay up. Meanwhile, President Jonathan has set up a Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) to implement the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) assessment report on oil spill disaster in Ogoniland, for which Shell is the major culprit, as Nigeria’s biggest crude export partner with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Nonetheless, the government must remain firm in its resolve to get Shell to pay up. Reports attest to the fact that none of the oil multinationals can

contemplate, let alone perpetrate the kind of reckless oil spills they inflict on Nigeria in their home countries and go scot free. Their impunity in the country is legendary and an end must be put to the era. It is high time the oil companies came to terms with the reality, though bitter. The United States President, Barak Obama, aligned with his people when, in 2010, he spearheaded a campaign to extract compensation from Shell, the largest European oil company, for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Obama’s demand nearly caused a diplomatic row between the US and the United Kingdom governments. In China, the government suspended the operations of ConocoPhillips, US oil major, over oil spill of a lesser magnitude when compared with the killer spills in Nigeria.

In effect, the strict enforcement of sanctions for corporate misdemeanor holds the key to a socially responsible oil industry. It does not matter that the FG realized it late.

We commend the government and advise that the existing laws on oil spill require strict enforcement to deter impunity. The relevant monitoring agencies should persevere in diligent checks on the environment, as well as expose the corrupt inclinations that struck the nation blind and allowed the culture of oil firms’ irresponsibility and impunity thrive. Nigerians deserve protection from the inhuman predilections of multinational oil giants.

ON THIS DAY August 2, 2005

August 2, 1990

August 2, 1943

Air France Flight 358 landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport; ran off the runway and caught fire, leaving 12 people injured and no fatalities. The Airbus A340 airliner was from Paris, France, to Toronto, Canada, with 309 people aboard – 297 passengers (two of them infants, without seats) and 12 crew members – all of whom survived. The accident highlighted the role played by highly-trained flight attendants during an emergency situation.

Iraq invaded Kuwait, eventually leading to the Gulf War. The Persian Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – February 28, 1991), codenamed Operation Desert Storm, commonly referred to as the Gulf War, was a war waged by a United Nations-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq’s invasion and annexation of Kuwait.

The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf War, Gulf War I, or the Iraq War, etc.

Rebellion in the Nazi death camp of Treblinka. Extermination camps (or death camps) were camps built by Nazi Germany during the Second World War (1939–45) to systematically kill millions of people by gassing and extreme work under starvation conditions. While there were victims from many groups, Jews were the main targets. Killing operations at Treblinka II were ended on October 19, 1943, following a revolt by its Sonderkommandos. Several German guards were killed when 300 prisoners escaped.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Education Today

JAMB seeks Benue’s support on e-exams 20

You have no power to suspend varsities’ licenses ...Reps tell NUC BIYI ADEGOROYE

T

he House of Representatives has declared illegal, the suspension of the operating licenses of seven Nigerian universities, including Lead City University, Ibadan, by the National Universities Commission, NUC, and directed the commission to desist from further disruption of their activities.

In a letter from the House to the NUC, signed by the Clerk of the House, Salisu Maikasuwa, dated July 25, 2012, the House stated that “The suspension order of the license of the Lead City University and others by the NUC is null and void, ultra vires, and of no effect.”

The House in the letter with serial number NASS/CAN/105/Vol 17/209, titled “ Report of the Public Petitions Committee in Respect of Petition by the Lead City University, against the NUC on the suspension of their operational licenses,” directed “NUC not to take further steps that will in any manner interrupt the normal academic programmes and activities of the accredited courses of Lead University and others” , and called on the commission “to carry out a forensic audit on the affected universities and advise the Federal and State governments as required by law.

The Lower House’s action which was sequel to a petition to the House by the Lead City University, also declared that the NUC Act 2004, did not empower the commission to suspend or withdraw the licenses of any university, but, “that the Section 4(1) (C)-(I) of the Act only grants NUC powers to investigate, recommend to and advise Federal and state governments on the best way to advance the course of university system in the country.”

The decision was the resolution on the floor of the House on July 19, 2012. The House stated that “purpose of the letter (to the NUC), this is to convey the above resolutions to you for your information and necessary action.”

A copy of the votes and proceeding of the House on the meeting day was attached to the letter sent to NUC, at its Wuse 2 Head Office in Abuja.

The Committee on Public Petitions, which was said to have earlier examined the case, observed that the subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court in the case of CETEP V. NUC in suit no: FHC/AB/M/489/06, while delivering judgment, Justice A. 0. Ogie, declared the suspension unconstitutional, ultra vires,

Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Repsentatives

null and void, to wit: It stated that, “it is trite law that a power to function is derived from the Act creating it. It is clear that the respondent (NUC), in its statute empowerment lacks the power to suspend, even if it’s a regulatory authority. It, therefore, means that it acted ultra wires its powers and its

Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary NUC

decision is liable to be quashed” The committee further observed that “The issue of mutual antagonism between the two parties has apparently assumed the character of incurable malady that has tended to polarise their relationship,” and “called for truce for the good of the innocent students.”

NUC had last month suspended operating licenses of seven private universities. They were Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State; Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State; Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), IkejiCONTINUED ON PAGE 20

NUC ACT 2004 DOES NOT EMPOWER THE COMMISSION TO SUSPEND OR WITHDRAW THE LICENSES OF ANY UNIVERSITY, BUT THE SECTION 4(1) (C)(I) OF THE ACT ONLY GRANTS NUC POWERS TO INVESTIGATE, RECOMMEND TO AND ADVICE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS ON THE BEST WAY TO ADVANCE THE COURSE OF UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY

Licence suspension: JAMB stops candidates’ redistribution TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

A

gainst the earlier instruction, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has stopped forthwith the redistribution of qualified candidates seeking admission into the seven private universities whose operational licences were recently suspended by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for alleged impropriety.

It will be recalled that NUC had temporarily suspended the operational licences of Lead City University, Ibadan; Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State; Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun

State; Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State; Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State; Caritas University, Enugu and Obong University, Obong, Akwa Ibom State over sundry infractions like “unwillingness to comply with NUC’s regulations, inappropriate governance structure, conduct of multiple admissions exercises in a year, unjust expulsion of students, violation of students’ rights to freedom of worship, among others. It will also be recalled that following the act, the commission had directed JAMB to consider qualified candidates in the affected institutions for admission elsewhere based on their second or

third most preferred choice.

But JAMB told National Mirror yesterday that based on the development, especially as some of the affected universities such as JABU and Achievers University had resolved their differences with NUC; it had stopped the redistribution exercise.

JAMB’s spokesman, Mr. Timothy Oyedeji, explained that although there was no official directive from NUC that asked the board to stop, it is obvious that the unfolding events on the matter have overridden the earlier decision.

He however, noted that board was yet to give any candidate an admission on that arrangement.

20

Education Today

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UNILAG alumni rise in support of varsity University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, was last Friday a beehive of activities as both former and serving governors, senators, ministers of God and of government, and academics all flooded the campus for the Golden Jubilee Alumni Distinguished Award Dinner to reward deserving members and seek support for the institution’s continued growth and development. MOJEED ALABI reports:

W

ithout gainsaying, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, on the ocasion, witnessed impressive turn-out of its alumni, who are today successful in their respective fields of endeavours. There is hardly any sector of the economy that was not represented.

Unlike those held in the past, the turnout of this year’s award ceremony was far beyond imagination and this, participants said, could not be unconnected with the golden age the ivory tower is celebrating and the raging issue of its name change as proposed by the Federal Government.

Whatever the reason may be, it was according to the university’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rahman Bello, a timely response by the alumni to “continue their support for Nigeria’s best university.”

Bello, who was full of pride for being so honoured, praised the alumni association for what he called its constant support and encouragement.

And to assure them of the university’s qualification for their further support, he proudly announced the recent Webometric ranking result released on July 16, which rated UNILAG the first in Nigeria and 16th in Africa; “the best ever achieved by any Nigerian university lately.”

“The university would like to appreciate the leadership of the Alumni Association for making real the alumni building project, which when completed, is bound to foster better cooperation between the

L-R: Provost, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwole Atoyebi; Acting Vice-Chanellor, Prof. Rahman Bello and the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Gamaliel Onosode at the event.

alumni and the university,” Bello said.

He listed Sir Adebutu Kessington Medical Laboratory; Arthur Mbanefo e-library; mass communication building donated by Chief Biodun Shobanjo; central research laboratory being constructed by the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry (MFM), among others as some of the projects either facilitated or built by members of the alumni.

Speaking on the alumni building project, the association’s President, Prof. Olaide Abass, said, the project which is in partnership with Guaranty Trust Bank, would accommodate a digital library and several other academic facilities and that the association’s commitment was about N350 million.

The award ceremony Abass revealed was to reward the contributions of some of the alumni members not only to the association but also to the larger Nigerian society and the globe. It was also according to him, to flaunt the richness of the university in terms of human resources “to hasten the drive to rank the university first in Africa and a force to reckon with globally.”

To this end, one of the set of students to receive the first lecture on October 3rd, 1962 when the university was officially opened and now the country’s High Commissioner to UK, Ambassador Dalhatu

Tafida; the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; the first female student to enrol in the university, Prof. Ajesola Majekodunmi; Pastor Tunde Bakare; the National Chairman of All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, were among the tens of dignitaries awarded by the association.

There were others like the wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Ibikunle Amosun and the university’s Dean of Faculty of Science, Prof. Oluwole Familoni, who were recognised for building educational legacies. While Amosun was awarded for what the organiser termed her investment in children education through community services and school project, Familoni was distinguished for his innovations at the faculty.

“Within my tenure as the dean I have produced not less than 20 professors for the faculty and we have created a lot of partnerships with local and foreign academic and nonacademic institutions for the growth of our university. For instance, the P&G Company in association with the Pan African Society of Chemistry just gave us some laboratory facilities and offered one of our PhD students’ internship in their foreign office. Maybe, these are some of the things

they saw that qualify me for the honour,” Familoni said.

Also commenting, the Presiding Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Dr. Tunde Bakare, said; “It is a thing of joy that in the last 32 years that I have graduated from this university I have not brought its name into disrepute and I therefore feel great to be called back for this award.”

All the awardees, particularly the Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Oladapo Ashiru and Bakare enjoined other alumni to continue the rebuilding efforts at the university and to take it to the “first position it belongs in Africa and a force within the global world.”

Kaduna adopts micro method to boost teaching A ZA MSUE, KADUNA

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he Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has adopted micro teaching method in primary schools just as it organised Federal Teachers Scheme (FTS), a capacity building workshop for over 700 teachers in the state to boost their work.

The Executive Secretary, Kaduna SUBEB, Mr. Ishaya Akau, said the introduction of FTS had assisted in reducing the shortage of holders of National Certificate in Education (NCE) graduates in the basic education subsector.

He stated this at the workshop organised by the board to sensitise teachers on FTS in Kaduna, adding that the initiative had reduced the poverty level and also exposed young NCE graduates to practical trainings in their various fields.

The SUBEB boss said the programme would inject participants a new spirit of dedication to duty with serious mission to achieve the objectives of Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme.

Mr. Akau added that some of the activities to be carried out during the training period would include lectures, tutorials, as well as the practice of primary school method under micro teaching conditions.

“I urge you to seriously take advantage of this singular opportunity and make the best use of it as the board will follow you up to your respective schools to see how the knowledge and skills acquired by you in this training are put into use,” he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Kaduna SUBEB, Mallam Ibrahim Sambo, said government would continue to construct new classrooms and rehabilitation, as well as recruitment of additional teachers.

NUC lacks power to suspend varsities’ licenses, says Rep CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 Arakeji, Osun State; Tansian University, UMUNYA, Anambra State; Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State; Caritas University, Enugu and Obong University, Obong, Akwa Ibom State over sundry infractions like “unwillingness to comply with NUC’s regulations, inappropriate governance structure, conduct of multiple admissions exercises in a year, unjust expulsion of students, use of corporal punishment, violation of students’ rights to freedom of worship, and imposition of illegal fines on students.”

In particular, the commission accused Lead City University

of commencing academic programmes like nursing and postgraduate programmes without requisite approval of NUC which is contrary to the terms and conditions of the operational license, and multiple admissions during each academic season.

The House, however, refused to dwell on the legality and status of the university’s Law programme because it is the subject of a subsisting law suit.

The suspension which was greeted by various reactions was later followed by the restoration of licenses of some of the universities, including JABU and Achievers University. But LCU petitioned the Lower House for intervention.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, August 2, 2012

21

Parents seek 26% of 2013 budget for education sector BIYI ADEGOROYE AKURE

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s the preparations of the 2013 budget is underway across the country, Federal and state governments have been urged to devote allocation of 26 percent of the annual budget to servicing education, as purportedly stipulated by the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO).

The National Vice President of Parents Teachers

Association, Pastor Joseph Olaribigbe, who stated this in Akure, added that attention should also be given to vocational education in order to ensure that graduates possess entrepreneur skill capable of making them self-employed.

“Both federal and state governments should improve on the physical structures in the schools, make provision for expansions to accommodate thousands of annual intakes, take care of teachers’ welfare and make the schools very

conducive for learning,” he said.

Olaribigbe also said the universities, monotechnics and polytechnics should be well-funded to enable students have access to practical training as against the ages where only theoretical aspects were taught in these colleges. “If these students are well trained in various fields, unemployment will reduce significantly in the country.”

He appealed to the Federal Government to “look inward and promote skill

Lagos schools’ valedictory activities in pix

acquisition in our higher institution of learning, let the students have a skill.

Also the colleges should be conducive too for students to learn with ease and provide equipment to train them in their various field “As it is now, we cannot say that the Federal Government has done enough, it has not. This also applies to most of the states across the nation, but if you come down to Ondo State, traditionally, not because I am from the state, but education is our industry right

from the old Western Region. Ondo State has been leading in education development which they still maintain till now.

He described the terrorist attacks as by-product of unemployment, adding that, that informed the earlier appeal to the Federal Government to have a special budget to revive all the moribund companies across the country to provide employment.”

Olaribigbe commended the House of Representatives’ intervention on

This is the season of graduation and valedictory ceremonies organised by various primary and secondary schools in Lagos to honour their final year students. National Mirror presents some of the events in images.

A cross section of graduands from Crescent Schools, Victoria Island, Lagos Graduands of Goodvine Nursery Primary School, Ketu, Lagos, at the school’s 3rd graduation ceremony & Prize Giving Day, recently

WELLSPRING UNIVERSITY BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

A cross section of graduands of Ronik Comprehensive School, Ejigbo, Lagos in a procession at the15th Veledictory ceremony on Monday.

Students’ choir of Jextoban Nursery and Primary School, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos, performing during the graduation ceremony of the school, recently.

posting of youth corps members to trouble zones in the country, adding that, it was thoughtless for the National Youths Service Corps to have contemplated it in the first place.

“I led a team to the State Director of NYSC last year when they brought corpses of about eight youth corps members killed in the post election violence in the North. So, government should not wait until our youths are wasted over a non –issue,” he said.

Candidates who did not choose Wellspring University in the 2012 UTME should apply.

Students of Lead Forte Gate Schools, Ogudu GRA, Lagos on their graduation day recently

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Education Today

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Firm reiterates commitment to IT-driven education

JAMB seeks Benue’s support on e-exams

KUNLE A ZEEZ

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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omputer Warehouse Group has reiterated its commitment in promoting the use of Information and Communications Technology in driving quality education in the country.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to IT education during the official presentation of personal computer to the best graduating students of the Computer Science Department of the University of Lagos, Akoka, for the last two academic sessions.

CWG’s Head, Human Relations and Administration, Mrs. Olapeju Ayo-Fisher, made the presentation at the university recently to Abdulwahab Ibrahim and Okoilu Ruth who graduated as the overall best of the computer science department in 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 respectively.

According to Ayo-Fisher, CWG remained committed to promoting and encouraging academic excellence and would continually make significant investments in personal and community development.

She said the company at the moment was discussing with the university on the creation of Information Technology Park on campus to enhance academic research and learning.

She also added that apart from supporting IT education at UNILAG, CWG had extended this support to other universities in Africa where she has physical presence.

Barachel, Uncle Bayus hold graduation ceremony BANKOLE FAMUYIBO

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he Barachel Secondary School, Ifako, Lagos, will today holds its 2012 edition of its annual valedictory service and graduation ceremony for its final year students.

According to the school management, the event which is scheduled to hold at the school premises will also serve as avenue to reward brilliant students, who have demonstrated their academic excellence within the last academic session.

The school also noted that stakeholders, including parents, guardians, teachers and the management would use the opportunity to address cogent issues about the development of students in preparation for next academic session.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga is billed to chair the graduation ceremony of Uncle Bayus Private School, Ikorodu.

The ceremony, which has been scheduled to hold this Saturday, will feature the 10th anniversary of the secondary school and the 15th edition of the graduation ceremony for the nursery and primary category.

According to the Director of the School, Mr. Solomon Adebayo, the celebration was aimed at reviewing the progress recorded so far by the institution and to “ascertain what impacts it has made on the lives of the people of the grassroots where it has been operating.”

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he Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB), Prof. ‘Dibu Ojerinde, has sought the support of Benue State government in the realisation of the objective of instituting e-examination, which the Board is planning for its 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The registrar restated that such a move was necessary to checkmate examination cheats and their agents in all public examinations in the country.

Speaking at the Benue State Government House while on official engagement in the state, Ojerinde acknowledged the concern of the Government of Benue for academic excellence which has reflected in the robust funding enjoyed by its state- owned university – Benue State University, Makurdi.

He enjoined Gabriel Suswan not to rest on its oars, just as he promised to support the proposed expansion in facilities and by extension carrying capacity of the university.

Prof. Ojerinde in a statement by the board’s spokesman, Mr. Timothy Oyedeji, said no legacy could be passed on to the future generation that could be greater than the on-going huge investment in education by the state government, adding that posterity would remember the state’s leadership positively for the effort.

Responding, Governor Suswan urged the registrar and his team to pursue etesting with vigour as it would eliminate the existing challenges candidates faced while writing JAMB examinations every year.

He noted that Benue State was hospitable and safe for investors in education, as well as other sectors of the economy.

FEDOFFA produces ‘Rector of the Year’

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he Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo, has again been honoured for his exemplary contribution to the development of the education sector in the country.

He was recently conferred with the ‘Most Outstanding Rector of the Year Award’ at the Nigeria Outstanding Leadership Award organised by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The award ceremony held in Abuja had former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, who also chaired the occasion; Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqqayatu Rufa’i; Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Paulin Talen; former National President of NANS, Chief Segun Okeowo and a host of others, in attendance.

In his speech, NANS’ President, Mr. Dauda Mohammed, stated that the conferment of outstanding personality’s awards on Nigerians with landmark achievements in their chosen fields was aimed at promoting good leadership and integrity in the society so as to encourage younger generation to do likewise.

He stated that Olatinwo was recognised for the honour based on his exemplary leadership qualities and conscious efforts in transforming the polytechnic.

Earlier in his remark, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, commended NANS’ efforts in upholding the culture of integrity and the will to strengthen it. He urged the association to do all within its power to redirect the minds of Nigerian youth to course that are beneficial to the nation.

On her part, the Education Minister, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i lauded the gesture of NANS to reward outstanding works even as she particularly expressed happiness about what she called “spirit of oneness existing among them.

She however, commended the awardees for the feat and urged them to see the award as a challenge to do more.

Other award recipients in academic circle include Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, (VC of the Year); Provost, Federal College of Education, Okene, Kogi State, Prof. Ajayi Iyela (Provost of the Year); and Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i (Democratic Advancement Personality Award of the Year)

L-R: Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai; Award recipeint and Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo and former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, at the award ceremony in Abuja.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Bank donates books to Katsina schools JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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s part of its corporate social responsibilities, Ecobank Nigeria Limited has donated some text -books to secondary schools in the 34 local government areas of Katsina State.

A statement from the bank said the donation was part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility activities to reach out to citizens within the area where the bank does business.

Presenting the books to the state’s Deputy Governor, Alh. Abdullahi Faskari, the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Jibril Aku, represented by the Regional Head, Domestic Bank (North West), Alhaji Saidu Umar, said the bank’s vision was to build a world class Pan African bank and contribute to the economic development and financial integration of Africa.

He added: “Our main focus is to give back or contribute effectively to the societies in which we operate. We project Ecobank as a responsible and caring corporate citizen; assisting communities and underprivileged groups to enhance their lives; we also encourage creativity and excellence among Africans and foster integration within the continent,” he said.

Receiving the book on behalf of the schools, the state’s deputy governor expressed appreciation and commended the bank for its contribution to the growth of education in the state.

He said the bank’s action showed the way corporate organisation should support the development of the society.

“We appreciate the bank for this lofty gesture and hope that others will emulate it, especially by investing on students, who are the future of the country.”

Rotary promotes reading culture in schools

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he Rotary Club, District 9110 Agege, Lagos, has embarked on a programme tagged: “Bringing back the reading culture to our schools.”

The President of the group, Agness Omotunmbi, said the club embarked on the project as part of its social responsibilities having observed that most students, especially in primary and secondary schools in the country were no longer interested in reading textbooks and other relevant materials, particularly at home.

She said the club had randomly selected in Agege environs Sango Primary School, Amosun Primary School and Ore –Ofe Primary School as beneficiaries of what she called the pilot scheme.

She said through the scheme, beneficiaries would not only be given free textbooks and novels, they would also be enlightened on what they stand to gain by reading, disclosing that the club had earmarked N1.1 million to execute the project.

While urging parents and guardians to encourage their wards to cultivate habit of reading at home and in schools, Omotunmbi told the pupils to make good use of the books distributed to them.

On the types of novels donated, the Vice President of the club, Mr. Agboola Adeniyi named among others. ‘Greedy hunter and Mustapha the great leader.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Benue varsity rated high on service delivery

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AMB Registrar, Prof.

‘Dibu Ojerinde, has commended the authorities of Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, for the land mark achievements that have placed it ahead of its contemporaries in terms of scholarship, facilities and stable academic calendar.

Speaking at the Makurdi

campus of the institution where he was received by the university’s principal officers recently, Ojerinde said it was interesting to know that the university which is just at the threshold of its 20th anniversary could favourably match the first generation universities in the country.

He said JAMB was

grateful to the institution for good working relationship which had equally informed the readiness of the university to play host to the second leg of JAMB’s admission exercise at a very short notice.

Responding, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Charity Angy, represented by her deputy in charge

of academics, Prof. Ogah Ajene, said JAMB should continue its good work as part of contribution to the development of education sector. He urged the board to liaise with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and increase the university’s carrying capacity to commensurate with the facilities on ground.

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

organised for students in tertiary institutions in the country.

By the victory, the university will represent Nigeria at the SIFE’s World Cup competition scheduled for September 30 in Washington DC, United States in addition to the

cash award and a golden trophy received locally.

About 40 public and private universities and polytechnics in the country participated in the competition which saw Bayero University, Kano, and the Federal Polytechnic, Idah, as the First and

Second runners-up, respectively.

The two other schools which participated in the final round held in Lagos last week were University of Ibadan and Benue State University, Makurdi, which both won category awards.

On the competition, each of the participating schools showcased their respective developmental projects as they impacted on lives of thousands of people in their locality, as well as on the environment.

The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, according to SIFE’s country director, Mrs. Ifedi Adesuwa, has expressed the willingness of the US Department of State to partner with SIFE, a non-governmental organisation in co-hosting the world event.

SIFE, she stressed, was a global initiative to promote entrepreneurship skills and creativity among undergraduates across the world.

FUTO to represent Nigeria in SIFE World Cup

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he Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), has emerged winner of this year’s edition of Students In Free Entrepreneur (SIFE) competition

Students of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, at the SIFE competition final in Lagos, recently

Teachers commend Airtel for supporting school

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eachers of Oremeji Primary School 2, Ajegunle have praised leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria for its commitment to the empowerment of less privileged children across the country.

Speaking during the presentation of a brand new set of musical equipment to the school by officials of Airtel, Head Teacher Mrs. Adunni Animashaun expressed appreciation to the company for turning the fortunes of the school around from dilapidation to beauty, saying the telecom had demonstrated both passion and commitment towards uplifting the less privileged children in the country.

She explained that “Before now, we are usually not comfortable coming to school during wet season and our set of drums had equally gone bad and now we thank Airtel for the donation

of all the items as they will help us greatly.“ Presenting the musical equipment, Human Resources Director, Airtel Nigeria, Jubril Saba said the gesture and others before it was a way of contributing to the development of education at the primary level Also speaking, the Secretary of the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local

Government Education Authority, Adeogun Adewale lauded Airtel’s gesture, describing it as a good seed sowing in the lives of future leaders.

He however, used the occasion to call on other business organisations in the country to emulate Airtel in contributing to the development of education.

Human Resources Director, Airtel Nigeria, Jubril Saba presenting over the set of drums donated by Airtel Nigeria to the Head Teacher, Oremeji Primary School 2, Ajegunle, Lagos, Mrs. Adunni Animashaun, and the Secretary, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Education Authority, Mr. Adeogun Adewale, in Ajegunle, Lagos.

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Our focus is not on paper qualification - Grenville BANKOLE FAMUYIBO

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renville Schools, a privately owned institution in Ikeja, Lagos, has restated its determination to provide all-round education for students passing through the group of schools.

The Chairman of the school, which comprises primary, secondary and International Degree Foundation Programme, Mr. Jide Babalola, stated this at the recent graduation ceremony of the school. A total of 17 students across it’s three arms graduated.

Babalola said Grenville Schools did not focus on certification of pupils alone as the school’s management was determined to impact total education that would involve vocational and technical skill acquisitions to its students so as to enable them to start thinking of becoming self-employed after completion of their education in future.

While tasking other school administrators in the country not to depend solely on govern-

ment for provision of all education needs, Babalola stressed that, the students of Greenville School were exposed to quality teaching and infrastructure, as well as qualitative instructional materials that are helping them on their studies.

He described the graduation event as a celebration of academic excellence by the school and its products, adding that the school’s focus was to provide affordable qualitative education in line with the best international practice for its students.

In her remark, Mrs. Josephine Imade, Head Teacher, secondary school section, said the school as part of policies did not compromise excellence in their operation, stressing that explained why the school had decided to reward deserving students in areas they showed proficiencies.

On their part, the graduands expressed joy for the feat, saying the quality training they were given by the school would help them greatly on their future academic pursuits.

Head Teacher, Secondary School section, Mrs. Josephine Imade(middle) with some of the graduands at the event.

Mismanagement: Unions want Ogun Poly Rector sacked FEMI OYEWESO, ABEOKUTA

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he Staff Unions of Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo, in Ijebu North Local council area of Ogun State has called on the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun to remove the Rector of the institution over alleged financial impropriety.

The union, under the aegis of Joint Action Committee (JAC) demanded the removal of the rector, Mr. Zacheus Banjo, whom they accused of running foul of rules and regulations guiding the daily activities of the polytechnic.

The aggrieved staff also called for the payment of 30 per cent salary arrears

amounting to 10 months which was allegedly being held by the rector.

In a statement jointly signed by the leaders of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the polytechnic, the unions alleged that the manner in which the Rector is running the institution may affect its fortune.

The statement was signed by leaders of the six unions, namely: ASUP chairman, Olufemi Akintade; ASUP Secretary, Olalekan Sorunke, NASU chairman, Adeeko Idowu and others.

They further alleged that

Banjo appointed the government officials as special consultants to the institution as a way of siphoning the resources of the polytechnic.

Meanwhile, all efforts to get the Rector to respond to the allegation were unsuccessful but the Bursar, Oluseyi Taiwo told newsmen that the rector was seriously indisposed.

The polytechnic’s spokesman, Onadeko Seun, also declined comment claiming that he was in the dark.

However, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Segun Odubela also denied all allegations against government officials, describing them as false.

24

Education Today

Thursday, August 2, 2012

FROM OTHER LANDS

School teacher quits over humiliation

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Harrow schoolteacher humiliated when pupils found topless photographs of her has spoken of how she had to give up work because she could not escape the notoriety of what she had done.

Joanne Salley, 33, said she was able to return to teaching because her students were “so respectful” but finally quit after realising the stigma was never going to go and had left her “half the person she was”.

In her first interview since being thrust in to the spotlight last year, Miss Salley, also revealed how she felt suicidal in the days after the incident and spent a week in the school’s medical centre.

Miss Salley, a former model

and beauty queen, was working as an art teacher at the exclusive £30,000-a-year public school in March last year when the compromising images emerged.

The photographs, which showed her semi-naked, had been taken by teacher friend and head of photography at the school, Fiona Corthine. But pupils found the images on a memory stick left in the photography studio and they were quickly distributed around the school and then around the world.

Miss Salley, a former Miss Ireland and Cambridge graduate, was initially signed off work for six months in the wake of the scandal but has told how she returned out of a sense of duty to her pupils, who had exams coming up at the end of the term.

She said stepping back in the classroom was hard, adding: “I wanted to be invisible.”

But she said the boys were “amazing and so respectful, they know that I don’t stand for any nonsense”.

However, returning after the summer break she said: “I felt I was half the person I had been; this awful thing that had happened to me was never going to go away.

“I wanted to be known for the other things I have done in my life – not just for that.”

She said she finally resigned last December knowing she would regret the incident forever.

She has now returned to modelling and pursuing a career in broadcasting Culled: Telegraph

tabled by two senior SNP MSPs, including the convener of Holyrood’s education committee, and is thought to reflect the minister’s views.

Last month, he expressed his frustration at the pace at which access is being widened at Scottish universities and said it was necessary to “step it up”.

St Andrews University, in particular, has faced criticism after the National Union of Students reported that only 13 students from the poorest backgrounds won admission last year.

But Mr. Russell was last night warned against making a scapegoat of universities for ministers’ failure to drive up standards in schools in deprived areas.

Alistair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, said the higher education sector has already

signed agreements with the Scottish Funding Council to widen access.

“However, the biggest obstacle to widening access to university and one which must be overcome if we are to see a step-change in access at university, is to close the attainment gap caused by poverty in children from as young as five,” he said.

“The Education Secretary has previously stated he wants to see action on access to university but prefers a carrot, rather than stick, approach. We think this is the right approach.”

Tory education spokesman, added: “The way to sort this out is not targets for universities but to improve the school system so they don’t have this problem in the first place.”

Culled: BBC.

national Student Affairs, said the UK, despite these figures, “is still one of the safest places to study in the world”. However, he warned that institutions need to continue to ensure adequate safety briefings, “especially for those who might not otherwise know where to turn for help”.

Compiled from official police data, the ranking of all universities in England and Wales paints a picture of the crime risk across 103 universities.

Official data for crimes affecting students are not available, so the Guide has selected three crimes as most relevant to students – burglary, robbery and violent crime. The ranking is based on the cumulative rate of all three crimes.

The data are for all offences in the three categories recorded by the police in council wards falling wholly or largely within a threemile (4.8 kilometre) radius of the university’s main campus. The ranking is essentially a guide to exposure to risk if you are a student at one university or another.

Kingston said: “Our new methodology allows potential students to assess the risks for individual

institutions with much greater precision, at least for England and Wales.”

He said that although burglary, robbery and violent crime are the three most commonly perpetrated crimes against students, the figures relate to all victims, not just students, because there is an absence of data for crimes affecting students specifically, either on or off campuses.

He said it would be reassuring for university applicants and their parents if such information were readily available from universities.

A 2002 study of student safety in the East Midlands, published by the Home Office, showed that one in three students became victims of crime, mainly theft, burglary and criminal damage.

About 20% of student robberies occur in the first six weeks of the academic year, according to the Guide.

Birmingham’s universities – Aston, University College Birmingham and Birmingham – had the highest number of robberies.

Aberystwyth, Trinity St David and Durham had the lowest.

Culled: World University News

Scottish varsities sanctioned over admission

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cottish universities are facing heavy fines if they fail to admit enough pupils from poor instead of middle class backgrounds, under radical proposals to be debated by the SNP. Mike Russell, the Education Minister, has said he wants to rapidly increase the proportion of pupils from deprived areas entering higher education, using “carrots and sticks” without providing details.

But a motion earmarked for debate at the Nationalists’ autumn conference calls for the introduction of statutory “widening access agreements” to force universities to recruit more.

If they fail to make speedy enough progress, it urges Mr. Russell to consider “financial penalties”. The motion has been

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

IQ tests: Women score higher than men - Research

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omen have scored higher than men in intelligence testing for the first time since records began.

The findings represent a dramatic twist in the battle of the sexes, as in the past 100 years of IQ testing, when women had lagged behind men by as much as five points. But now the gap has closed and females have stolen the lead.

The results have been published by James Flynn, a worldrenowned expert in IQ testing, who believes the demands of the modern age are raising standards of intelligence.

He said: “In the last 100 years, the IQ scores of both men and women have risen, but women’s have risen faster.

“This is a consequence of modernity. The complexity of the modern world is making our brains adapt and raising our IQ. One theory for the result is that the demands of juggling family life and building a career have made women more intelligent.

Another theory is those women have always had the potential for higher results, but are only now realising it.

Flynn, who will publish the

findings in a new book, added: “The brains of modern people are growing differently and showing increased cognitive complexity which we measure as increases in IQ. “This improvement is more marked for women than for men because they were disadvantaged in the past.”

But he said more data was needed to explain the trend.

Supporting the notion that women are more than capable of taking on the stereotypically-male hunter-gatherer role, is Helena Jamieson, 33, a consultant who studied English literature at Cambridge.

On her marriage to stay-at home father Luke, 37, she said: “We have done the role reversal.

I’m definitely the more intellectual person in the relationship and I’m at work full time while he is raising our daughter.

“I think women probably always knew deep down that they were the more intelligent ones – but as the gentler sex we were quiet about it and let men continue to believe they ruled the world.”

Culled: The guardian

London students face worst risk of crime

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niversities in the Greater London area exposed to the highest rates of crimes that are most relevant to students – burglary, robbery and violent crime – with London Metropolitan University faring worst and Kingston best, according to the latest ranking of institutions in England and Wales.

Outside London, students at Manchester’s universities are exposed to the highest crime rates, together with the University of Leeds.

The University of Buckingham, the UK’s longest-established private university, emerged with the lowest cumulative exposure to crime, followed by the universities of Aberystwyth and Durham.

The ranking of the best – and worst – universities in England and Wales in terms of exposure to crimes relevant to students was published on 19 June by The Complete University Guide.

Dr Bernard Kingston, founder of the Guide, said the issue “is clearly a matter of considerable concern when considering where to study as an undergraduate”.

But Dominic Scott, chief executive of the UK Council for Inter-

Transgender pupil sit exam in skirt

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school has been forced to allow a transgender pupil to sit a GCSE exam dressed as a girl, because of equality laws, it was reported.

The school backed down after telling Ashlyn Parram, 16 - who was born a boy but is undergoing gender reassignment treatment that the teenage could not sit the paper because he was not wearing boys’ uniform.

Ashlyn, who was wearing a skirt, claimed to have showed headmaster Chris Walls a copy of the Equality Act 2010, which gave the right to be treated the same as other pupils.

But the teenager - who was wearing hair extensions and make-up, as well as a girl’s uniform - said on returning to the hall to sit the maths exam he was made to sit at the back of the room 40ft from other pupils.

Ashlyn, who used to be called Lewis, told a newspaper: “The whole way through the exam I felt like bursting into tears, and

it was around 15 minutes before I even started the exam because I was so upset.”

The teenager added they felt “like a freak” at Giles Academy in Boston, Lincolnshire. Ashlyn has now left the school and is hoping to to go to college to study maths.

“It’s sad that people can’t be more open-minded,” the teenager told the Daily Mail.

Ashlyn’s mother, IT worker Miranda Johnson, 42, made a complaint which was investigated by the chairman of the school governors and dismissed in a letter in whicgh he said all the allegations had been rejected.

She said: “We don’t want a penny of compensation. It’s not about the money - it’s about protecting other children and educating people.

“To be made to sit on your own during an exam is horrendous.

If Ashlyn had been black or disabled there would have been uproar.”

Culled: Telegraph

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with Mojeed Alabi mojeedalabi2@yahoo.co.uk or mail@mirroronline.net

TASUED students storm Lagos to mark Rag Day MOJEED ALABI

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tudents of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, on Tuesday stormed Lagos streets in

25

Thursday, August 2, 2012

their hundreds seeking donations from passersby for what they called charity activities on their campus.

The programme, known as Rag Day, is part of the activities to mark

on the streets for tokens to be dropped in their containers designed as piggybanks.

At the LAGBUS terminus, Berger, one of the students, who preferred anonymity, said the decision to engage in the practice is to help the students in

need of financial aids to complete their studies “or to address their welfare.”

“This is part of our students’ union annual week celebration which started on Monday and marked as Cultural Day with displays of different cultural

activities. Today, we are in Lagos dressed in these attires to attract people’s attention and get their donations which will be remitted to the students’ union’s account or handed to the treasurer.

This is to help the union to address the issues of indigent students.”

the 2012 edition of the university’s students’ union week. Dressed in odd and dirty attires, the students who were from various departments and levels in the university accosted men and women

TV College students’ associations receive N.5m MUSLIUDEEN ADEBAYO

T

he various students’ associations of National Television Authorities Television College (NTATVC), Jos, Plateau State, recently received a sum of N500,000 from the school management to run the affairs of the associations for the next academic session.

The sum, which was offered to them by the college’ Rector, Dr. Ayo Fasan, was done after the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected leadership for the various associations.

The associations which include; Television Production Students’ Association

(TEPSA), Television Journalism Students’ Association (TEJOSA) and Television Engineering Students’ Association (TEESA), elected about 25 members to steer the activities of the organisations.

The election, which was held with the supervision of the college’s authority, saw the emergence of Lenshak Gotodok as TEJOSA President. He spoke on behalf of his colleagues and thanked the college management for giving them the support throughout the electioneering process. He, also, urged his colleagues to emulate corporation and common goal in moving the school forward.

Addressing the new of-

ficers, the Rector of the college, Dr. Ayo Fasan, advised them to fulfil their campaign promises and pursue excellence in order to reposition their various associations.

Fasan urged them to be role models by being punctual in class, shunning cultism, examination malpractices, drug abuse, among other vices, in order to attain the peak of their careers.

The Television Journalism Students’ Association (TEJOSA) got about N200, 000, from the sum while the Television Production Students’ Association (TEPSA) also received about N200, 000.

The Television Engineering Students’ Association (TEESA) was reported to have received the least.

EKSU commiserates with Ghana, congratulates new President

T

he Vice-Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Prof.

Oladipo Aina, has commiserated with the new President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. John Dramani Mahama on the passing on of the country’s immediate past President, Prof. John Atta Mills.

The VC, who expressed shock at Mill’s sudden death, urged the new President to carry on with the legacy of the late leader.

Prof. Aina

•As varsity inaugurates students’ transition committee He also congratulated the newly sworn-in President, Dr. John Mahama, on his assumption of duty as after the exit of his former boss.

Mahama was conferred with a honorary doctorate degree of the university in March during the 30th Anniversary of the university.

“As a distinguished alumnus, we share with you the joy and hope of this important and auspicious elevation and we pray that you will continue to flourish and prosper,” Aina said.

Meanwhile, to prepare ground for a democratically elected students’ union executive in the university, the students’ union transition committee has been inaugurated by the VC. He also advised them to

provide a link between the University Management and the entire students population and as well as more along with the vision of the University.

Members of the Committee are; Aribasoye Adeoye – Chairman; Osai Florence – Deputy Chairman; Asere Ruth-Deputy Chairman 2; Olaniyan Folarin – General Secretary; Oshinui KayodeFinancial Officer; Adeleye Oluseyi – Financial Officer 2; Abe Olatunji – Public Relations Officer; Ajisafe Opeyemi – Social Affairs Officer; Oladiran Quadri – Sports Coordinator and Agbadaola Olabode – Welfare Officer.

Prof. Aina urged them not to hesitate in making suggestions, when necessary, through peaceful

Students of TASUED at LAGBUS terminus, Berger, Lagos during the Rag Day

LASU Muslim students deny opposition to beauty contest

•Say ‘We only ask for postponement for the sake of Ramadan’

T

he leadership of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State University (LASU) chapter, has refuted the claim that it opposed the planned beauty contest on the campus.

The President of the organisation, AbdulMojeed in a telephone chat with National Mirror, said the body was not satisfied with the story due to the prevailing atmosphere in the country, which he said had made all utterances and actions of any Muslim to be subjected to scrutiny.

The president otherwise known as Amir in the religious parlance, said what the organisation had simply raised with the Stu-

dents’ Union President, Durojaye Akeem, was to seek for postponement of the programme due to the ongoing fasting by Muslims all over the world.

“We felt very bad to have read the story in National Mirror, because it was just an advisory action that we took. Everyone knows that Muslims all over the world are currently observing Ramadan fast and it is ideal as known to everybody that we maintain absolute purity during this period.

But how do you achieve this when nude postures surround you?

“We understand that we live in a secular society but as members of the students’ union who also pay

dues regularly, we feel we are entitled to such rights of expression of opinion and we don’t think what we have suggested was too much from us as stakeholders in the union,” AbdulMojeed said.

Meanwhile, the union’s Social Director, Jerry Kabiri, has revealed that the event would not tolerate nudity in whatever form and that the union might not be able to postpone the August date already scheduled due to the involvement of sponsors.

However, the Muslim students have also suggested a change of venue, especially somewhere outside the campus.

AJOBIEWE TOLULOPE

A total of 11 recruits were drilled on various physical and mental training using paramilitary method accompanied by music rendition in a very exciting manner. The training was tagged: “Build the man; build the nation.”

Speaking to National Mirror, the Chief

Training Officer, Ayyatu Habdallah said it was a tradition for recruits to undergo such training as it was meant to keep them fit for the challenges “life may throw at them.” He explained that each of the recruits is expected to successfully accomplish 41 tasks before they can be qualified for induction into the command.

Man O’ War trains new members in FUTMINNA

T

he Man o’ War command of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State has conducted training for its new members at its Secretariat on Bosso campus of the institution.

26

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News from Africa

“V

ARIOUS speakers at the occasion called on the government to….” (AIT 4 P.M. World News, July 29, 2012) Sharing the African experience: on the occasion.

“Jonathan issues marching order to cement producers” (THISDAY, May 17) Truth and Reason: marching orders.

“LASAA’s double standards” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, May 16) Fixed expression: double standard.

“This is crucial because our steps have been faulty from the onset (outset).” (DAILY CHAMPION , May 12) The next four blunders are from Nigerian Tribune of 14 May: “…the noise pollution that accompany (accompanies) the use and subsequent rise in the level of stress.”

“I am usually on (in) my farm and I don’t think you….”

“He spoke on Supersports about his achievements and experiences on the saddle of CAF Champions League second round….” Sports: in the saddle. “…Idoko has commended the board of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) over (for) the successful organization of the first round of the 2011/2012 league season.”

“UNIBEN alumni commends INEC” (THE GUARDIAN, May 12) UNIBEN alumni commend, but UNIBEN alumni association commends. No muddle.

“Sometimes (sometime) ago, twenty-three wise men met at….”

“As police beams (beam) searchlight on some formal groups, associations and organizations.”

“In his sermon at the occasion.…” Get it right: on the occasion.

“In 1996, ASUU, apart from demanding for the review…” Military and varsity education: delete

‘for’ in the interest of grammatical sanity.

“The Yorubas like I said on this platform last Friday.…” This way: The Yoruba, as (not like) I said, on this platform last Friday…. “… the good foundation laid for take-off and hopefully with what we have read and saw (seen) in the media….”

“He sacked the Shonekan administration and assumed the reign of power as Head of State.”

Get it right: reins of government.

“They like parading themselves in state-of-the-art cars, leaving (living) in mansions and dictating the economy (how?) of the country with their loots (loot).” Do we resort to vernacular, in the light of the foregoing morphological tragedies?

“Thrown into panic, the driver of my vehicle managed to find a save (safe) haven from the portion of the road lawfully meant for Abuja-bound motorist (motorists).” “… talkless of (let alone) those actually chased into them by the escorts of the ‘big’ men.”

The next outrageous error is from Vanguard of May 19: “We urge that investigations be launched into the circumstances that led to the embarrassment and ask that those involved be brought to book to forestall a reoccurrence.” Let us foreclose a recurrence of ‘Eze-goes-to-school’ blunders.

“The Real Madrid coach got the marching order on the 44th minute into the crucial competition.…” In brief: marching orders.

“The last but not the least is….” An extra: the last but not least. That is the correct expression.

“She is an alumnus of the popular… .“ Standard style: alumna.

The next six blunders are from the sports pages of the Saturday

WHEN LIVES ARE LOST IN ANY VEHICULAR MISHAP, IT IS A FATAL (NOT GHASTLY) ACCIDENT

Newspaper: “Flying Eagles (Eagles’) sloppy play bothered (bordered) on the fact that.…”

“I seized the opportunity (sic) to congratulate him for (on) the very great successes at the recent Edo polls.…” “…the smallish player was the life wire (sic) of the Flying Eagles….” Nigeria ’99: livewire.

“The screening of the prospective footballers continued with the captain playing the role of the ball boy, perhaps with the believe that.…” Change ‘believe’ to ‘belief ’.

“President Goodluck Jonathan has joined the bandwagon of progress.” Progressive English: climb or jump (not join)/get on/ aboard the bandwagon. Also, get on/get off.

The next two blunders are from the CHAMPION of May 18: “Today, the Whiteman’s problem has been fully entrenched in the dark continent, especially south of the Sahara.” Standard expression: on the Dark Continent “Abia police warns (warn) on tinted windscreen” “3 state-own industries to begin production soon” This way: state-owned industries.

“Drivers of luxurious (luxury) busses are not so often stopped or extorted.”

“Such accusation leveled on (against/at) the FRSC is, however, an exception rather than the rule.” “…the commission was poised to enforce all road violations.”

This is sheer linguistic monstrosity! Perhaps, it is only in Nigeria– where anything is plausible – that violations (instead of laws and

regulations) can be enforced.

“Banjo had been involved in a ghastly motor accident that claimed the lives of over five people almost immediately along (on) the popular Ibadan-Lagos expressway.” When lives are lost in any vehicular mishap, it is a fatal (not ghastly) accident.

“Some few years later after I had almost forgotten about the Navy….” ‘Some‘and ‘few’ cannot co-function.

“So when this new uniform group was set up in 1988 by the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida administration, I have (had) no doubt in my mind (where else?) that this would certainly work because of the calibre of people behind it.”

“People in power in this country atimes amuse me by their thinking.” This way: at times. “…disregard to traffic signs….“ Disregard for/of, depending on context. “…I always doff my hat for (to) the electoral commission.”

“Let me advise a rethink into (on) the matter.”

“Let the police remain on its (their) own….” “…power surge had resulted into (in) sparks which had in turn resulted into (in) sparks which had in turn resulted into (in) fires with dire consequences.”

“A group that has transformed into one of the most powerful thuggish agency (agencies)....” “… the accounting firms also copy themselves (one another) such that it is difficult to tell the originator of such statements.” “…tankers drivers (tanker drivers) who can now hold every-

body to ransome at the least conceivable excuse.” Petrol watch: ransom.

“Yorubas warm up to Obasanjo” Formal usage: Yoruba worm up (take note) to Obasanjo.

“Ironically, his administration has not fared better with regards to.…” Either: as regards or with regard to.

“Ridiculous as it may sound, employers do lure workers to call off a strike action....” Get it right: a strike or an industrial action (preferably). ‘Strike action’ smacks of illiteracy!

“As at Monday only half of the 36 states in the federation have (had) agreed to pay the TSS….”

Next on feature is THISDAY of May 18: “The euphoria among workers over this year’s May Day find (finds) expression in the fact that they can now take their destiny in their own hands.

“It was an unenviable task given the palpable hostility that rented (rent) the air.”

“ACN senator advises colleagues to brace-up for the next republic” Politics Today: phrasal verbs do not take hyphenation.

“The lack of adequate knowledge of the areas have (had) often made past exercises to be.…” “…execute programmes and policies which they promised the electorates (electorate) before being voted for.”

“The redeployment of the sports administrator comes in (on) the heels of sweeping changes presently (sic) going on in the federal civil service.” Yank off ‘presently’ in the interest of purity! “…we are assuming that among the privileged specie (species) of homo sapiens….”

“A major platform under (on) which banking regulation has been carried out in Nigeria over the years has been through the use of statutory regulation.”

QUOTES •Why Nigerian universities have not invented alternative power supply is because power generation itself is a big business and universities are not built for that. They are to engage in research activities that will produce alternatives and this we constantly do only that government doesn’t value our suggestions• Prof. Omotayo Fakinlede, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka

•Age status is an important factor when considering somebody for responsibility. At age 16, a person is expected to have been matured to an extent, in intellect• Prof. Daniel Okorie-Uguru

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

Sport

I have not withdrawn my feet from the pedal. I will work as hard as I did in the last season - Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Toure

Accord match: Badminton body axes eight players 30

XXXTH OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

London 2012

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI REPORTING

July 27 - August 12, 2012

I’ll prove men boxers wrong–Ogoke

N

igeria’s remaining boxer and the only female entry for the sport at the ongoing London Games, Edith Ogoke, has vowed to prove the saying that “what men can’t do, women can do better.”

Her two male colleagues have returned home after their miserable performances here. But Ogoke, who is the first Nigerian woman to box in the Olympics, is brimming with confidence ahead of her fight on Sunday.

Aware of the huge task on her shoulders, Ogoke said yesterday that she would not give anybody any chance to tell her stories.

“Right now, I am hot, red-hot. I am sad that the two male boxers have lost. I am going to fight their battle with mine. I pity the girl from Azerbaijan,” she said moments after her training.

Ogoke is billed to fight Vy Stropova Elena of Azerbaija on Sunday in the Women’s 75kg (Middleweight).

“I’m ready to prove that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in women boxing. I will not give my opponent any chance. It’s either I go for knockout or box in a way that nobody can play any tricks,” she added.

Ogoke is reputed to have a dangerous hook that is difficult to cope with by other ladies. Her punches are more severe than male boxers. She has an amazing foot-work that enables her to dance away from trouble and combines her left and right fists in lightning flash, while absorbing punches without going on the canvass.

T

D’Tigers Tony Skinn (in green shirt) dribbling against Rimantas Kaukenas of Lithuania during their preliminary round game on Tuesday

D’Tigers face Dream Team challenge

N

igeria’s basketball team, the D’Tigers, will today face their greatest challenge towards a London 2012 Olympic Games medal as they confront the Dream Team of the United States of America.

Playing in a group that is difficult as winning Olympic gold, D’Tigers, the surprise package from Africa, defeated Tunisia, the continental champions 60-

Korean fencer gets reprieve

he Federation International d’Escrime (FIE) fencing’s world governing body, has offered South Korean Shin A-lam a special medal following her controversial elimination from the Olympic epee semi-final.

“The FIE will give an FIE medal to Shin A Lam,” a spokesman said.

The exact date, location and who would make the presentation have not yet been worked out yet.

“It will probably occur during the Olympics,” the spokesman added, giving the first official indication that the FIE recognised there was a prob-

Shin A Lam

lem with their timing systems.

The inscription is to say: “For aspiration to win and respect of the rules.”

On Monday a weeping Shin staged a one-hour protest and had to be physically escorted off the fencing piste following her loss to Germany’s Britta Heidemann.

Her protest created one of the ongoing London Games’ more unsightly images of an athlete slumped over and distraught but forced to endure the eyes of over 7,000 spectators while sitting alone on a dramatically spot-lit piste, pristine in her white uniform.

The row erupted when two double-touches were recorded with a second to go and Shin thought she had triumphed.

However, a single second was put back on the clock after some discussion.

Heidemann then unleashed a blistering surge forward, hitting Shin while also avoiding her blade.

56 in their opening game, before losing to Lithuania 72-53 on Tuesday.

Today’s game against the United States will determine if the D’Tigers will qualify from the group that also comprises Argentina and France.

Currently, the Americans are topping the group, followed by Argentina and Lithuania. Nigeria, France and Tunisia follow in that order.

Although D’Tigers are the underdogs in this game, analysts here believe that if they re-enact the can-do spirit and

form they displayed in Venezuela early last month to pick the Olympic ticket, the American Big Boys will be given a good run their money.

Meanwhile, Coach Ayo Bakare has said that his boys have learnt from their mistakes that gave Lithuania, who they beat on the way to London, victory on Tuesday.

“We are the underdog, but we won’t concede victory cheaply to the Americans,” Bakare said yesterday as the team rounded off training.

LOCOG boss downplays Phelps

S

equel to the United States’ Michael come what he called the ‘’great global Phelps’ feat of a 19 gold haul in pub debate’’, saying everyone had differswimming, the London 2012 Or- ent opinions. ‘’I don’t know if he is the greatest, you ganising chief, Seb Coe, has said that the American is not the greatest as claimed can go around the whole room and come up with different interpretations,” the in many quarters.

Coe indicated that individual Olym- LOCOG boss further said. pic performances may be greater than simply accumulating the most medals. ‘’Modesty prevents me from toeing the popular path,” Coe said yesterday before nominating five-time gold medal rower Sir Steve Redgrave, his close friend, British decathlete Daley Thompson, and the great US runner Jesse Owens as possible contenders for the title.

Coe, however, said the issue could be- Phelps

Sport

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Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thoughts on London 2012…

XXXTH OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

London 2012

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI REPORTING

July 27 - August 12, 2012

Ade Adefeko

I must be very modest about my thoughts on Nigeria’s medal prospects at the London 2012 Olympic Games because in all honesty, we have never had a long term plan as a nation for the games.

Of course, other contending nations began their planning just after the Beijing Olympics in 2008. But we always leave ours till the last minute and this has not been different from the past.

As always, though, we have been reduced to hoping and praying that God be a “Nigerian” once more, that is, to help us to turn impossible the possible in London.

On our medal hopes, let me adopt some caution. But I would expect medals in taekwodo, going by the preparation that Chika Chukwumerije has put into this quadrennial event, as well as from Blessing Okagbare in the 100m and 200m races, considering that she is in her peak at the moment.

I will also be cautious on our Basketball team coached by the indefatigable Ayo Bakare. The team qualified against all odds but has been impressive with a win against Tunisia, even though the loss to Lithuania on Tuesday proved some setback, as it were.

But I can’t be sure if D’Tigers will not crumble to the Americans in today’s game. But the Nigerian team certainly has its work cut out-go there and make a lasting reputation by winning or succumb easily and get the deserved beating.

I had expected our table tennis players to shine, if not to at least get into the knock-out stages.

But unfortunately the veterans we paraded just couldn’t turn on their advantage against mainly inexperienced teenagers that contested with. It is as well that the table tennis federation will look deeply in the direction of a comprehensive grassroots development in view of the challenges that lay ahead.

Coach Daniel Igali has proved worthy in motivating our wrestlers. But in honesty, I do not see the wrestlers hauling medals in London since they are for all practical purposes “work in progress”. We can begin to count on them at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Of course, we might win a medal in the 4x100 and 4x400 events. However, this will happen only if the America, Jamaica and Barbados don’t sweep the stakes and if our penchant for false baton exchange does not rear its ugly head.

•

Adefeko writes from Lagos

Felix Ekpo competing in the men’s 77kg weightlifting yesterday

Ekpo raises Nigeria’s medal hopes

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eightlifter Felix Ekpo lifted the gloom surrounding Team Nigeria in the wake of the woeful performances of her athletes at London 2012, with a stunning performance in the 77kg yesterday but had to wait until contestants in the A group began their competition at press time yesterday to know if his performance was good enough to land him a medal.

Competing in the B catego-

ry of the weightlifting competition, the 31-year-old lifted a combined total of 331kg to finish second behind Perez Mata of Spain.

If Ekpo had done better in the clean and jerk, he could have topped the group after out-lifting others in the snatch with his 151kg performance.

However, Mata, who placed second behind the Nigerian by one kilograms in the snatch, made up for it in the

clean and jerk with his 188kg lift, which was eight kilograms better than Ekpo’s.

In the end the Spaniard’s combined total lift of 188 was just seven better than the Nigerian’s.

Kazakhstan’s Kirill Pavlov placed third with a total lift of 322kg.

The A group is made up of some of the world’s top lifters from notable weightlifting countries like China and South Korea.

Dillard gets due honour

T

Pistorius

Pistorius makes breakthrough

A

fter a four-year battle to qualify for the Olympics as the first double amputee runner, Oscar Pistorius has overcome yet another obstacle ahead of his first race at the London Games.

Pistorius will be allowed to run any of the four parts of the Olympic 4x400-meter relay and will not be held back by concerns his carbon fiber blades would endanger others once runners leave their lanes after the first lap. As a slow starter, he is better suited to running in the later stages of the relay.

“I don’t know which leg I am going to run, but I am ready to run whichever leg they will ask me to run,” the South African said.

he oldest 100m Olympic champion is back in London for the games-only this time as a celebrated athlete, not a scrawny kid from Cleveland who botched the hurdles only to win the gold in 1948.

Harrison Dillard, 89, was honoured yesterday at Britain’s Foreign Office where the 1948 torch from those London games in on display.

“It’s heavy!” the man, also known as `Bones’ because of his lanky youthful appearance, said as he held the silver torch.

As a world record holder, all eyes were on Dillard in 1948 to win the 110m hurdles.

But when the day came, the American knocked down several hurdles and failed to finish the race.

He tried again in the 100-meter dash, winning in 10.3 seconds-a surprise to his teammate and favorite Barney Ewell, who did a premature victory dance thinking he had actually won.

Four years after London,

Dillard went on to win the 100-meter hurdles in Helsinki.

The 1948 games were the first time that Olympic judges had the benefit of using photo finish technology, which helps the naked eye in determining who crossed the finish line first.

Dillard, who now lives in the Cleveland suburb of Richmond Heights, said today’s athletes such as Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt have benefited from advances in technology, equipment, medical knowledge and nutrition.

Dillard

‘Idowu can’t win Olympic medal’

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B Athletics chief, Charles van Commenee, believes Phillips Idowu’s chances of winning an Olympic medal have been compromised by his Games preparation.

Van Commenee revealed that triple jumper Idowu has not seen or spoken to his coach Aston Moore for a fortnight.

“I find it bizarre. Aston finds it bizarre.

We have to deal with the situation as it is presented to us,” the athletics official said yesterday.

“First he has to show up, and we don’t know when he will. Where he sleeps when he shows up, we have no idea.”

Idowu, who was world champion in 2009, is one of Britain’s big hopes for athletics gold. But he has not competed in two months and confusion has surrounded his fitness as the days have ticked away before London.

The participation of the 2008 silver medalist was called into doubt last week when he failed to attend a pre-Games training camp in Portugal, which led to the British Olympic Association requesting medical records for a reported nerve problem in the 33-year-old’s hip and back.

“Phillips decided not to join and in my eyes that compromises his preparation,” van Commenee said, adding however, “We will support him when that is needed, as we always have.”

Van Commenee and Idowu first fell out last summer when the triple jumper pulled out of the European Team championships. After a subsequent public row about Idowu’s use of Twitter, the two have not spoken since.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Thursday, August 2, 2012

29

FROM THE LONDON 2012 LENS

XXXTH OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

London 2012

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI REPORTING

July 27 - August 12, 2012

Allison Pineau of France attempts to score in their women’s Handball Preliminaries Group B match against Sweden

Blair Hopping of new Zealand is challenged by Gurwinder Singh Chandi and Sardar Singh of India during the men’s preliminary Hockey match

Marina Alabau Neira of Spain competes in the women’s Sailing

Rank

Country

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Total

1

China

15

8

4

27

2

United States

10

8

8

26

3

France

5

3

4

12

4

South Korea

5

2

3

10

5

North Korea

4

0

1

5

6

Germany

3

7

2

12

7

Italy

3

4

2

9

8

Kazakhstan

3

0

0

3

9

Russian Federation

2

3

5

10

10

Great Britain & N. Ireland

2

2

4

8

11

Ukraine

2

0

3

5

12

South Africa

2

0

0

2

13

Japan

1

4

9

14

14

Australia

1

4

2

7

15

Romania

1

3

2

6

16

Netherlands

1

1

1

3

16

Brazil

1

1

1

3

16

Hungary

1

1

1

3

19

Slovenia

1

0

0

1

19

Lithuania

1

0

0

1

19

Georgia

1

0

0

1

22

Colombia

0

2

1

3

Deepika Kumari of India competing in her women’s Individual Archery eliminations match against Amy Oliver of Great Britain

Jihae Jung of Republic of Koera jumps to throw at goal against Norway

Dominic Breazeale of United States (l) and Magomed Omarov of Russia during the men’s Super Heavyweight Boxing

Former US athlete, Harrison Dillard, left, the oldest living 100 metre gold medalist, poses with British Government Minister Alistair Burt in London

Alex Morgan of USA clashes with Kim Myong Gum of DPR Korea during the women’s Football first round Group G match

Rowers Helen Glover and Heather Stanning of Great Britain celebrate with their gold medals during the Victory Ceremony

Qin Kai and Yutong Luo of China competing in the men’s Synchronised 3m springboard final.

Photos: www.london2012.com

30

Sport

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tennis: Williams powers into quarters

T

hree times on a single point, Serena Williams hit a serve that clipped the net cord before plopping into the service box for a let, a sequence that drew giggles from the Centre Court crowd yesterday.

But there was no way to slow down Williams as she hit 12 aces and repeatedly rocketed groundstrokes past number thirteen-seeded Vera Zvonareva to win 6-1, 6-0 and reach the Olympic quarterfinals after rain delayed the game.

Swinging lustily with almost every shot, the number four-seeded Williams hit 32 winners to three for the Russian, who also lost when they met in the 2010 Wimbledon final. Williams swept the last 10 games and was done in only 51 minutes.

Williams hit a Wimbledon record 102 aces en route to her fifth title at the All England Club last month, and the shot remains a dominant force, especially on grass. She hit three consecutive aces against Zvonareva and lost only seven points in six service games.

In the second set, the crowd tried to coax a comeback from the Russian. But when she began tossing her racket in frustration, cheers for her turned to jeers as the fans applauded Williams’ domination.

“We love you, Serena!” a spectator near the top of the stadium shouted during the final changeover.

Williams, who has lost only 10 games through three rounds and a third-time Olympian, has won two gold medals in doubles as well as 14 major titles but has yet to win a singles medal.

Serena Williams

Some of the players on court on Tuesday

Accord match: Badminton body axes eight players

E

ight female badminton players were thrown out of the Olympics yesterday for trying to lose matches on Tuesday, the Badminton World Federation announced after a disciplinary hearing.

The players from China, South Korea and Indonesia were accused of playing to lose to face easier opponents in future matches.

The Indonesian and South Korean pairs appealed the decision, the BWF said, and a decision on their appeals was expected at press time yesterday.

The eight players concerned had all qualified for the quarterfinals of the tournament before the final matches of the group stage on Tuesday night.

But the results of the last group matches mean the Chinese pair; Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang- ranked number one in the world-avoid potentially facing another top Chinese duo until the final on Saturday.

The two lack-lustre contests in London angered the watching crowds while British sports fans going into the

XXXTH OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

London 2012

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI REPORTING

July 27 - August 12, 2012 Olympic Park yesterday called it “shocking” after seeing parts of the matches on television.

“It’s not in the spirit of the thing”, Kevin Button, from Ashford in Kent, just outside of London, said in anger.

Armstrong claims time trial gold

K

Helen Glover (l) and Heather Stanning

H

Rowing: GB duo claim gold

elen Glover and Heather Stanning broke Great Britain’s golden drought yesterday morning in emphatic fashion as they rowed gold at Eton Dorney.

The women’s pair led from start to finish to become Britain’s first ever female Olympic rowing champions, and get the host nation really involved on the medal table with the first gold of London 2012.

After setting a new Olympic record in making the final, Glover and Stanning shot out of the start and quickly moved ahead of a high quality field-taking a lead they never looked like losing.

Cheered on by a boisterous Princes William and Harry and the Princess Royal, Glover and Stanning kept their tempo up throughout and the only race was behind them for the minor placings.

British duo Emma Pooley ristin Armstrong powered to a second consec- and Lizzie Armitstead were utive Olympic title yes- roared on by the home crowd to terday after claiming gold in sixth and 10th places respectively, Pooley placing herself in the the women’s time trial event.

The American rolled down medal mix during the race but the ramp last and once again fading slightly towards the end. put in a commanding performance, fastest through both intermediate time checks en route to a final time of 37 minutes and 34 seconds.

That time proved to be 16 seconds quicker than her nearest rival Judith Arndt, the German and reigning world champion unable to fend off her more experienced rival on the London roads.

Olga Zabelinskaya (Russia) set a strong early benchmark of 37:57, a time which held up well to ensure the road race bronze medallist replicated that result Kristin Armstrong to cap a successful games.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Business & Finance Nigerians should be looking at the positive development that is taking place; four years ago, nobody could confidently say this is how much a state owed domestically, what it borrowed from banks or capital markets, pension arrears and so on.

Over the years, we’ve had this issue of non-implementation of the budget and the reason they usually give revolves around the area of National Assembly input.

DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT, SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE, DR. ABRAHAM NWANKWO

Nigeria’s telcos lose N100.2bn potential revenue monthly –Investigation KUNLE AZEEZ

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lobal System for Mobile Communications operators and their counterparts in the Code Division Multiple Access and fixed line segments lose an estimated N100.2bn in potential voice revenue monthly, National Mirror investigation has revealed.

The loss followed the overt under-utilisation of the installed capacity on their respective networks which finding showed has resulted in over N100.2bn eluding the telecoms firms on a monthly

basis.

According to investigation, the telecoms operators including the GSM, CDMA and fixed line operators have recently increased their combined industry network capacity to accommodate up to 201 million active telephone lines.

But according to the latest statistics released by the telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, the operators currently have total active telephone lines of 101.8 million on their network, leaving an installed capacity that can accommodate about 99.2 million telephone lines unused.

It was gathered that on the average, the telecoms firms generate an average of N102.9bn as voice revenue from their currently 101.8 million active telecoms subscribers, going by the current industry’s Average Revenue Per User of N1, 011.

The industry ARPU was contained in a 2012 second quarter report on the Nigeria’s telecommunications industry by the Business Monitor International Limited, a research and consultancy firm.

ARPU is the financial benchmark used globally by telecoms companies to measure the aver-

L-R: Marketing Manager, Strategy, The La Casera Company Ltd, Mr. Abraham Benson; Head, Strategy Business Unit, Distribution, Mr. Guna Sekaran; Marketing Manager, Execution, Mr. Bayo Obarotimi and General Manager, Marketing, Mr. Dave van Rensburg, at the media launch of the new Nirvana Soda and Tonic Water in Lagos, yesterday.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE Air Nigeria

age monthly or yearly revenue generated from an average subscriber.

However, National Mirror gathered that the remaining 99.2 million latent telephone lines, which operators currently do not have on their network, in spite of available capacity to accommodate them, amount to a monthly loss of about N100.2bn that operators could leverage as potential voice revenue.

Industry analysts observe that, while operators’ ability to accommodate additional 99.2 million potential telephone lines presents huge revenue opportunities for the them, aggressive marketing is required by respective telecoms firms to bring more subscribers on their networks to maximize the current installed capacity of over 201 million lines.

Commenting, the President, Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, said in recent times, telecoms firms have mapped out clear roadmaps for them to boost their network capacity.

He, however, tasked them to maximize their network potential in order to turn the current losses being recorded on their network as a result of huge latent subscribers which they have network capacity to accommodate, to boost their income, especially from voice revenue.

Naira declines to N160.9 per dollar on demand pressure ADEDEJI ADEMIGUJI

WITH AGENCY REPORT

T

he naira declines against the U.S. dollar yesterday on the interbank and the bi-weekly foreign exchange auction as

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strong demand for dollars by importers put pressure on the local currency.

The naira closed at 160.90 to the dollar on the interbank market, compared with Tuesday’s close of 160.80 naira.

Dealers told Reuters that the market had adjusted to the reduction in the net open position for lenders an-

nounced last week by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Last week Tuesday, the CBN raised the cash reserve requirement for lender from 8 percent to 12 percent and reduced net open foreign exchange positions to 1 percent from 3 per cent to sustain the naira.

“There is significant demand in the market ... (but) dollar inflows from oil com-

N164bn judgement: Akingbola’s property may be sold –Sanusi

32

panies and offshore interest in local debt have kept the naira in bound, otherwise it would weaken further,” a dealer told Reuters.

Dealers said the local unit of Chevron sold $24mto some lenders yesterday was not enough to support naira.

Dealers said most importers had brought forward their obligations

International (Lagos - London) Los- LGW (VK293): Tue, Thurs, Fri & Sat 11.55pm LGW-Los (VK292): Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun 10.50am

Arik Air Los-Abj: 07:15, 09:15, 10:20, 15:20, 16:20, 16:50, 18:45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) Abj-Los: 07:15, 09:40, 10:20, 12:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat); 12:15, 15:15, 16:15 (Sun) Los-PH: 07:15, 11:40, 14:00, 16:10, 17:15, (Mon-Fri) 07:30, 11:40, 15:50 (Sat) 11:50, 3:50, 17:05 (Sun) Abj-PH: 07:15, 11:20, 15:30 (Mon-Fri) 07:15, 16:00 (Sat) 13:10, 16:00, (Sun) PH-Abj: 08:45, 12:50, 17:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:45, 17:30 (Sat) 14:40, 17:30 (Sun) Abj-Ben: 08:00, 12:10 (Mon-Fri/Sat) 08:55, 12:10 (Sun) Ben-Abj: 09:55, 13:30 (Mon-Fri/Sat) 10:50, 13:30 (Sun)

Aero Contractors Los-Abj: 06:50, 13:30, 16:30, 19:45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 12:30 (Sun) 16:45 (Sat).

Abj-Los: 07:30, 13:00, 19:00 (Mon-Fri/ Sat) 10:30, 14:30, 19:30 (Sun) 18.30 (Sat) Los-Ben: 07:45, 11:00, 15:30, (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12:30 (Sun) 15:30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) Ben-Los: 09:15, 12:30, 17:00 (Mon-Fri/ Sat/Sun) 17:00 (Sat), 14:00 (Sun) EXCHANGE RATES

to take advantage of the initial appreciation in the naira due to the CBN policy measures meant to strengthen the currency, thereby adding to dollar demand.

“We see the naira crossing the 161 mark to the dollar level in the coming days if NNPC does not come to the market soon,” another dealer said.

New target to fasttrack broadband penetration

35

WAUA

234.6271

USD

155.84

CHF

159.2642

SDR

235.0535

CFA

0.2924

GBP

244.1701

EURO

191.3715

OIL / GAS FUTURES ICE BRENT

$123.39

-0.78

NYMEX

$108.45

-0.11

OPEC BASKET

$122.86

+1.16

NATURAL GAS

$2.83

-0.03

Disappearance of coins weigh down on pricing system

37

32

Business & Finance

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

N164bn judgement: Akingbola’s property may be sold – Sanusi ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

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he Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, has said that the properties of erstwhile managing director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, would be sold if he fails to settle the N164bn judgement debt given against him by a British court on Tuesday.

The court had ordered Akingbola to refund the money to Access Bank Plc in its judgement delivered in a suit brought by the bank seeking to recover vast sums of money converted by Akingbola.

Sanusi, who spoke in London on the sidelines of the Nigeria Business and Investment Summit, with the theme: New World Nigeria: The world’s most vibrant market, said Akingbola’s properties would be sold to defray the debt.

He said, “We have a ruling for N164bn against Akingbola. This means that we can sell all the assets he has in the world until we recover the money. So if he doesn’t have that, we will sell everything

he has to get that”.

Delivering the verdict, Justice Burton directed that Akingbola should refund the funds being proceeds of unlawful share purchase scheme and fund misappropriated and converted into personal use by the ex-bank chief.

The refunds include N145bn in respect of an Unlawful Share Purchase Scheme; N16bn in respect of payments made to his companies in the Tropics group and about £10.5m in respect of money illegally transferred to the law firm Fuglers Solicitors in London.

In the 66-page judgment, the court said there was incontrovertible evidence that Akingbola converted the funds of Access Bank.

Akingbola, who is one of the bank chief executives removed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in August 2009 is currently standing trial at an Ikeja High Court in Nigeria on charges of defrauding the defunct Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank ) about N47bn.

Access Bank had dragged Akingbola to the London court along with five companies namely, Kayman Company Ltd, Verndale Prop-

L-R: SME Segment Manager, MTN, Mr. Sharaf Mohammed; Regional/SME Sales Manager, Mr. Leke Adekunle, presenting a gift pack comprising of an Ipad3, GSM Wireless Modem, Nokia Asha Phone and an MTN Lyte phone to Yetunde Oyeleke of Ringier Media Nigeria, at the MTN MyOffice customer reward prize presentation ceremony in Lagos, yesterday.

erties Ltd, Jasmine Properties Ltd, Caelum Ltd and Sanami Ltd seeking recovery of the funds.

Access Bank had in the suit linked the collapse of the Intercontinental Bank to Akingbola’s activities and untoward financial dealings.

Specifically, it claimed that the collapse of Intercontinental Bank

IGI refutes PenCom’s non recapitalisation claim OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

F

ollowing the announcement made by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) that it may revoke the operating license of IGI Pension Fund Administrators in 28 days for failure to meet the N1bn re capitalisation requirement, the parent company, Industrial and General Insurance Plc has described the claim made by the commission as a falsehood.

In a statement made yesterday

by IGI management in Lagos, the company expressed dismay over the impression created that it failed to meet the minimum capital requirements of N1 billion set for licensed PFAs.

The Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Rotimi Fashola, said the company recapitalised to over N1bn as required by PenCom but only had issues that dwell on administrative issues relating to going concerns which the company is expected to address within 28 days.

He described the claims as unfair, embarrassing and misleading.

He said, “The company actually re capitalised as required by PenCom by pooling together cash and assets which amounted to far more than the specified sum of N1bn.

“It is unfair and erroneous to make the public believe that IGI PFA failed to meet the recapitalisation requirement when, in fact, the company capitalised up to N1.5bn, in cash plus property. This amount

is N500m above the mark set by PenCom. “For the avoidance of doubt, let me state categorically without any fear of contradiction that it is outright falsehood that our PFA license has been revoked. Our licence is intact and we remain a leading player in the industry.”

Fashola stated that the commission raised some administrative issues relating to going concerns which the company is expected to address within 28 days.

“It is true that PenCom has sought clarification from us on some matters, but the process of re certification is ongoing and every grey area will be resolved before the 28-day deadline given by PenCom in accordance with the law.

FG distributes improved rice, maize seeds to farmers MESHACK IDEHEN

T

he Coordinating Director of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Mr. Olusegun Olatokun, has said the council has begun the distribution of improved seeds to farmers in the country in order to fast track the implementation of the Agriculture Transformation Programme of the Federal Government.

NASC in a statement issued yesterday said government decided to give out the improved varieties of rice and maize seedlings for free to farmers under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), to

enhance productivity level of farmers in the country.

According to him, the rate at which Nigerian farmers asked for seeds under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme were low, adding farmers should take advantage of the scheme.

The NASC director said officials of the GES have discovered in a field review that most farmers are only interested in fertiliser and chemicals, saying further that most farmers believe they can plant grains in place of seeds.

He explained that the distribution of seeds started since last month, after two weeks of publicity and sensitisation of farmers in all the 36 states of the country, while also saying that the free distribution

of 50kg of rice and 40kg of maize in various redemption centres had ended since July.

Olatokun said that any farmer who failed to collect his allocation of seeds within five weeks will have to wait till next year, adding, the sensitisation has helped enlighten farmers on the benefits of planting improved seeds.

“If a farmer does not plant improved seed, there is no amount of fertiliser that will make the yield better and if the yield is not good, then we are going back to the old era of low productivity level, Right now, the average yield of old variety rice seeds in Nigeria is between two and three tonnes per hectare and this is because farmers are still planting grains with a lot of fertiliser.

was due to very substantial loss after taxation in the period up to September 2009 of approximately N321bn, the equivalent of about £1.3bn, at the material exchange rate, being approximately N250 to the pound and the consequence that IB could no longer survive as a free-standing bank and had to be acquired and merged into the Claimant.

Prior to its collapse, IB was one of Nigeria’s top four banks, it employed some 20,000 people and it had some 350 branches. The Court held that Akingbola devised and oversaw the implementation of the strategy to buy the bank’s shares.

In its judgment, the London court found Akingbola guilty of misappropriation of the bank’ funds.

EU approves N16bn for Nigeria’s water, sanitation project TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

T

he European Union has approved the sum of 80 million Euros (about N16bn) to finance the implementation of the second phase of the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Project (WSSSRP 11) in the country.

The project is being implemented in six EU-focal states namely, Anambra, Cross river, Jigawa, Kano Osun and Yobe. The implementation of the project is expected to further consolidate on the achievements of the first phase of the project in the country.

Earlier According to available figures on EU water and sanitation intervention projects under the first phase indicated that about N17bn was spent on the various programmes in the six states, even as it also partnered WaterAid Nigeria to provide sanitation facilities in six communities of Enugu State.

The primary aim of the project is to improve the health of rural poor population through reduction of water-borne and environmentally communicable diseases in four local government areas within the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts of Cross River State.

Under its Improving Water Supply and Sanitation Provision for Small Towns in Nigeria Scheme, the EU is also committing about N510 million to water and sanitation projects in 12 small towns of Enugu and Jigawa States as part of

its agenda of contributing to MDG of reducing by half “the proportion of people living without safe drinking water and adequate sanitation by 2015, for six Local Government Areas of Igbo-Etiti, Nkanu, Udenu, Sule Tankarkar, Gumel and Maigatari.

It could be recalled that about two months ago, the Federal Government and the European Union signed financing agreements on five EU-funded projects totalling 197 million euros (about N43bn).

The projects cover government’s reforms in key areas of justice, water supply and sanitation, electoral cycle, fight against drugs and related organised crimes in the country.

A breakdown of the funding portfolio on project by project basis showed that support to Justice Sector (EU27m); Support to the Fight Against Drugs and Organised Crime; water Supply and Sanitation Sector Programme Phase 11 (WSSSRP-11) (EU94 million); Support to Federal Government Reform Programme (SUFEGOR) (EU20 million); and Support to Electoral Cycle (EU20 million).

The signing of the financing pact by the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman and the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, His Excellency, Dr. David Macrae, came on the heels of a similar agreement for a similar EU project supporting the fight against corruption in Nigeria singed early March this year.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, August 2, 2012

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Business & Finance

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NAICOM sensitises Reps to insurance bill Main One supports SME to drive OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

T

he National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has said that the existing legal framework for the nation’s insurance industry often creates uncertainty in underwriting processes, regulatory inconsistencies, conflict of laws, among others.

NAICOM’s Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel disclosed this recently during a two day sensitisation retreat organised by the commission for members of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance.

In his welcome address, Daniel noted that the presence of the committee members was a great support to the Commission’s initiative to re position the insurance sector in order to realize the objective of making insurance industry play a pivotal role in the development of the nation’s

economy, Daniel informed the gathering that the objective of the retreat was to provide a platform to interact with the honourable members with a view to having a better appreciation of the challenges posed by weak legal framework for the regulation and supervision of the insurance industry in Nigeria.

He noted that a similar retreat was held in December 2011 in Calabar, for members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to apprise them of the new draft bill.

According to the commissioner, the realisation of the various initiatives and reforms being embarked upon by the commission is constrained by poor legal framework, poor public perception of the sector, low awareness amongst the populace, etc.

He said, “To address the constrain occasioned by poor legal framework, in March 2009, the

Minister of State for Finance inaugurated a committee to review all laws and regulations relevant to insurance in Nigeria under the chairmanship of Professor Joe Irukwu. The Committee had since submitted its report and a new insurance draft bill is presently being reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The draft bill is expected to be passed to the Federal Executive Council soon for onward presentation to the National Assembly.

Daniel noted that the review of existing insurance laws in the country became imperative specifically by the need, amongst others, for a robust legal and regulatory framework that will ensure that the Insurance sector contributes positively to the principal objective of the Financial System Strategy 2020 (FSS 2020) to make Nigeria Africa’s financial hub and one (1) of the twenty (20) largest economies in the world by the year 2020.

broadband connectivity KUNLE AZEEZ

N

igeria’s first submarine cable company offering open access, wholesale broadband capacity in West Africa, Main One Company, has expressed its commitment o supporting Small and Medium Enterprises in the Information and Communication technology space to boost broadband internet access to the people.

The Head of sales, Main One, Mrs. Bolanle Ogundogba, made the promise during the launch of Oxygen Broadband Networks Limited, a IT company focused on providing wireless fidelity, Wi-Fi, services to busi-

VConnect hits 2 million views on YouTube in one week KUNLE AZEEZ

V

L-R: President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Mr. Tola Faseru; Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and National Public Relations Officer, NCAN, Mr. Anga Sotonye, at the Nigerian Cashew Industry Transformation meeting in Lagos recently.

Organised labour condemns lawmakers planned pension, gratuity bill MESHACK IDEHEN

O

rganised labour has said it is kicking against a bill that is currently before the House of Representatives, seeking pension and gratuity for lawmakers.

Labour said further that they are insisting the planned bill was illegal, and that legislation was not a career in Nigeria, and hence should not attract pension and gratuity.

The Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Promise Adewusi while reacting to the bill which was conceived by the member representing Apapa Federal Constituency in the House, Mr. Babatunde Adewale, said there was no need for such law.

Adewusi said as a unionist that he strongly believes that an employee should enjoy the benefit of the sweat of his labour, adding however that in the case of political office holders, including legislators that they cannot be called employees, within the contemplation of the law, saying also that employees do not fix their own salaries of their own accord.

“The concept of pension presupposes compensation for full time job in a contract of service, whereas, what a political office holder has is a part time job in a contract for service, which ought not to attract any pension since it is a contract appointment for a fixed period, albeit renewable.

Therefore, for legislators to contemplate pension for themselves is not only insensitive but an insult on the sensibilities of the

toiling Nigerian worker who is not sure of his pension after slaving for 35 years meritoriously.

Some of these retired workers are known to have dropped dead in queues, to receive the pittance they get paid while our legislators look the other way.

“More importantly, part of the reasons legislators give for fixing jumbo salaries and allowances for themselves is their non entitlement to pension and gratuity. So if they contrive to squeeze pension out of our common till, what happens to their over-sized pay package. Is their proposed pension going to come under the ambit of the Pension Act 2004, which imposed a regime of contributory pension? One would expect a more serious disposition from our lawmakers,” Adewusi added.

nesses and individuals at the Ikeja Computer Village and environs.

Ogundogba, said contrary to believe in some quarters that Main One was focused on partnering with big organisations, the company was actually interested in partner SMEs to distribute capacity ion the submarine cable across the country.

She said the need to take the massive broadband facility at the sea shore to the last mile where it can be accessed by the generality of Nigerians irrespective of their locations in the country has informed the decision of the company to partner with any company ready to work with Main One.

Connect- Nigeria’s largest local search engine and leading Information service provider has recorded amilestone achievement with its latest video tagged ‘VConnect Fever’ fast becoming one of the most viewed video on YouTube with over two million views within a week.

The ‘VConnect Fever’ Video available on VConnect channel for both desktop and mobile phones is a promotional musical video for VConnect in which two humorous characters gate crashed into the studio of acclaimed Nigerian music producer OJB Jezreel who was in company of top video director, DJ Tee. They started a pidgin rap demonstrating that all their accessories were purchased searching through VConnect before OJB Jezreel and

DJ Tee could have them thrown out.

As part of the viral marketing initiative to connect the ‘VConnect Fever’ song and video to the users, VConnect stunned the huge crowd of shoppers, and fun seekers at the popular Silverbird Galleria in Lagos last weekend with a flash mob activation in which a troupe of 100 dancers stormed the Atrium on the ground floor as well as other floors of the mall thrilling the crowd with exciting dance steps.

Shopping and Business activities were going on normally at the ever-busy shopping mall with large turnout being a weekend until about 6.34 pm when the dance troupe appeared from nowhere dancing to the ‘VConnect Fever’ song with different dance aerobatics. The thrilled crowd could not comprehend what was going on until the dancers took off their shirts to reveal the VConnect branded T Shirts.

Quackery: NIESV to set up Multiple Leasing Service soon DAYO AYEYEMI

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n a bid to check the activities of quacks and ensure that clients get value for money, a professional body under the auspices of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), has disclosed plans to set up a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for members in Nigeria.

This, according to the president of the association, Mr. Emeka Eleh, would be a common platform for members to list their properties for the public to buy or let in the institution’s server thus making it difficult for quacks to come in.

Justifying the setting up of MLS, Eleh said the platform was to ensure ease of transaction,

faster closure of transactions and distinguish registered professionals from quacks.

On the maintenance of public infrastructure, the NIESV boss observed a wide infrastructure gap and the dilapidated nature of available ones, calling on the government to refrain awarding huge construction contracts while doing nothing to maintain existing ones.

Eleh also called on government to develop basic infrastructure in the country, saying high cost of infrastructure couple with its deficit contributes to high cost of housing in the country.

He said, “If the nation has good infrastructure such as good road, rail system, it will be easy for houses to be constructed in the suburbs where land is cheap and move people en-mass to workplaces to and fro.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

InfoTech

Thursday, August 2, 2012

35

New target to fast-track broadband penetration GOVERNMENT’S INTENT IS TO PURSUE, BY THE END OF 2017, A FIVE-FOLD INCREASE IN BROADBAND PENETRATION OVER THE

Omobola-Johnson

Juwah

A new target of 10 per cent broadband penetration has been set by Nigeria. However, to achieve the target, Nigeria is expected to focus on deepening broadband investment, strategies regulator framework and creating demand for broadband services. KUNLE AZEEZ reports.

T

he need to boost Nigerias broadband penetration has again been brought to the fore by the Federal Gover nment which recently set a new target of up to 10 per cent broadband penetration for the country by 2017.

The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, while disclosing the new target in opening remarks at the Nigeria Inter national Broadband Forum convened by the Nigerian Communications Commission, the telecoms industry regulator, spoke on the gover nment policy direction for broadband penetration in the country.

According to her, “Gover nment’s intent is to pursue, by the end of 2017, a five-fold increase in broadband penetration over the 2012 penetration rate.”

With the current broadband penetration still hovering at about two per cent, stakeholders have inferred that the new target for 2017 would be 10 per cent.

Clearly stating the objectives for broadband in Nigeria in relation to the new target, Johnson said, the objective is to accelerate the penetration of reasonably-priced broadband inter net in the country; foster broadband usage for national development; and ensure the rapid development of a broadband policy support and implementation framework.

According to experts, with exponential growth in the voice telephony where telecoms subscriptions had increased within the last 11 years of telecoms deregulation, from a paltry 400, 000 telephone lines to 101.8 million active telephone lines as at the end of May 2012, the next revolution that will position Nigeria as one of the leading economies come 2020, is prevalent broadband inter net access.

Broadband, means the availability of highspeed inter net access to the generality of the people, businesses, gover nment institutions and

other orgainsations as most activities in the country move online.

Currently, inter net penetration is still adjudged low at 28 per cent (45 inter net users). Of this, only 14.5 million people, representing nine per cent of the population, are actually direct inter net subscribers, while others access the inter net through café and other public places. Yet, inter net connection through broadband is abysmal at less than two per cent.

Meanwhile, the country is witnessing slow inter net growth, especially inter net penetration through broadband infrastructures, in spite of the huge inter net broadband capacity of about 10 terabits lying on the Nigerian shores through the Sat-3 cable, Main One submarine cable, Glo 1 cable and the MTN’s West African Cable System, believed to have landed in the country.

According to industry experts, about one per cent of the total inter net capacity obtained on the inter national submarine cables are currently being utilised in the country due to a number of challenges, leading to low broadband penetration.

However, it is ironical that Nigeria has been witnessing this snail pace in its broadband penetration, a midst recognition by stakeholders that having ubiquitous inter net capacity and a national backbone that provides critical Infor mation and Communication Technology infrastructure to carry data traffic to all parts of the country is as important as having power, transportation and water infrastructure in today’s globally-connected and increasingly knowledge-based world.

Pointing out this recently, also, the minister noted that all over the world, broadband or more importantly, universal access to broadband was becoming a significant indicator of development and competitiveness amongst nations.

Stressing the important of broadband further, she said, “Broadband has the potential of

2012 PENETRATION RATE

enabling entire new industries and introducing significant efficiencies into education delivery, health care provision, energy management, public safety, gover nment/ citizen interaction, and the overall orgainsations and dissemination of knowledge.”

Also, empirical studies have shown that every 10 per cent increase in access to broadband in developments, such as Nigeria, results in a commensurate 1.38 per cent increase in Gross Domestic Product.

With these statistics providing the impetus for Nigeria to meet broadband demand and create demand, if it does not exist, Nigeria has decided to pursue activities that will engender the cob tenuous growth of broadband by creating demand for broadband services and providing incentives for interested investors, willing to play in the nation’s broadband sub-sector.

Consequently, the gover nment has unveiled a number of strategies it would pursue to bring the 10 per cent broadband penetration to fruition in the next five years.

The gover nment’s strategies include, periodic reviews of the broadband penetration targets in order to deter mine further action for broadband expansion; promotion of both supply and demand side policies that create incentives for broadband backbone and access network deployment; facilitation of broadband development and deployment, leveraging on existing universal service frameworks.

Other strategies include, provision of special incentives to operators to encourage them to increase their investment in broadband rollout; promotion of e-Gover nment and other e-services that would foster broadband usage and enhancement of equitable distribution of the vale and benefits of telecoms infrastructure in general and broadband in particular amongst economically-active members of the Nigerian population.

“Further more, broadband will be delivered through an appropriate mix of fixed/fibre, wireless and satellite technology and investments required to deliver this target will come from both the public sector through direct funding, subsidies and the private sectors through domestic and foreign direct investment and public private partnerships,” the minister said.

Listing the investment strategies being adopted for the country, the Executive Vice Chair man, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, disclosed that the Commission was driving utility model, equal access model and passive infrastructure model as Open Access Model to being adopted for broadband infrastructure deployment in the country.

On the strategies to boost broadband services demand, the for mer president, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwen, said there was the need to look into issues of awareness, access, availability and affordability for broadband services.

“There is need to create demand through solutions-driven applications in areas of national security, education, health, banking and finance and so on. With broadband solutions the address consumer needs, pool of latent demand in the country for broadband services would be created,” he said.

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InfoTech

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Broadcasters to vacate 2.5GHz spectrum for telcos by 2015 KUNLE AZEEZ

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he Federal Government has decided to re-allocate the 2.5GHz spectrum band currently being used broadcasting stations to telecoms operators.

The decision, which has been taken by the National Frequency Management Commission, was to ensure maximal utilisation of the spectrum to effectively drive broadband deployment.

The spectrum, which, in other countries, is often allocated to telcos, was hitherto in the custody of the Nigerian broadcasters for which relevant stakeholders had called for its retrieval from the broadcasting sector and its reallocation to telecoms companies.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah, who reiterated the decision of NFMC on the planned re-alloca-

tion of the spectrum band, said, “The 2.5GHz is already being used by the broadcasting stations but NFMC has decided that by 2015, the broadcasters must vacate the 2.5GHz spectrum for telecoms players.”

He also disclosed that NCC had mandated the Code Division Multiple Access operators to vacate the 800MHz band so that it can be effectively utilised by those operators that want to deploy broadband services on the spectrum.

Nigeria currently has pent-up demand for broadband services but the spectrum to deploy this which allow for Long Term Evolution or 4G network which can give efficient internet speed is not yet available in the country.

With Nigeria broadband penetration still estimated to be less than 2 per cent when average broadband penetration in Africa is estimated about 4 per cent, the EVC said the NCC would fast-

track regulatory intervention to increase broadband penetration.

“In doing this, we shall incentivize the provision of broadband infrastructure and service across the country; provide a clear guideline and regulatory framework for broadband provision and ensure effective enforcement of the regulation,” he said.

Highlighting the benefits the nation is bound to derive from access to broadband services once the spectrum is available to adequately drive its ubiquitous access, Juwah said, “Availability of broadband services would engender the growth of a highlyskilled workforce with relevant ICT skills; engender the growth of the globally-competitive industrial and service firms driven by ICT tools; facilitate the growth of a modern ICT-driven educational system and contribute to growth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.”

L-R: Consultant Paediatrician, Kubwa General Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Ali Francisca; Consultant Nephrologist, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Jacob Awobusuyi; Chief Medical Director, Kubwa General Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Ahmed Danfulani and Senior Manager, Governmental Relations, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Austin Iyashere, during the MTN Foundation community health screening exercise, held in Abuja recently.

KUNLE AZEEZ

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bout 54 per cent of the 810 Ministries, Departments and Agencies, of the Federal Government lack online presence.

The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, disclosed this at a presentation at the 2012 Web Jurist, an annual programme organised

by Philips Consulting to assess the status of the website of Nigerian businesses using certain key criteria.

The minister decried the poor presence of MDAs on the web, though acknowledging that her ministry is putting measures in place to ensure that the MDAs, whose presence was yet to be felt online, get digital presence with interactive features going forward.

“Federal Government of Nigeria’s institutional presence on the web is inadequate in breadth and functionality,” she said.

Assessing the online web pres-

‘54% of MDAs lack online presence’

ence of the MDAs in the country, Johnson said 440 or 54 per cent MDAs did not have online presence while only while only 370 or 46 per cent of them have online presence.

Explaining further on the 370 MDAs with online presence, the minister said, “255 or 31.48 per cent are MDAs with information only services; 23 or 2.84 per cent are MDAs with information and interactive services only; another 28 or 3.46 per cent MDAs are with information and transactional services only, while 64 or 7.9 per cent MDAs are with interactive and transactional services only.”

On the assessment of the 36 ministries in the country, Johnson revealed that there were only 21 ministries, representing 57.5 per cent, with online presence while the rest 15, equivalent 41.6 per cent, lack web presence.

Of the 21 ministries with presence, only 18 or 50 per cent are with information-only services; 2 or 5.56

per cent ministries are with interactive services only while only 1 or 2.78 per cent is with interactive and transactional services only.

Johnson, however, stated that plans were ongoing to ensure there are standardised and intuitive domain names for MDAs; ensure standardised design and format with a single point of entry leveraging Nigeria Country Code Top level Domain, ccTLD, .ng.

She said in the arrangement, there will be a content managers in each MDA with Ministry of Information given the overall responsibility for content on MDA websites while the Ministry of Communication Technology has the responsibility for design, technical architecture, hosting through Galaxy Backbone, the ministry’s public-sector focused ICT company.

She added that new national portal for MDAs would be delivered in phases commencing from the first quarter of 2013.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tech Box WINDOWS PHONE 8:

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he last couple of days have been really big for Microsoft, especially since it is known that it will be releasing Windows 8 on the 26th of October this year.

Shortly after that news came to light, another rumour doing the rounds details the release date of the Windows Phone 8 devices to take place by November.

Reports have announced several release dates of Microsoft products, most notable of which include the general availability of the Windows Phone 8 devices.

One of the report states that along with the availability of Windows Phone 8 handsets, Microsoft will release Office 15 by February next year, Microsoft Dynamics NAV by October this year, Visual Studio 2012 and Windows Azure updates by September of 2012.

Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore claims that many of the new capabilities available on the Windows Phone 8 OS comes

NORTON ANTIVIRUS 2013

N

orton AntiVirus from Symantec is one of the best anti-virus software titles in the world. It allows PC user to enjoy the security of automatic protection against viruses, malicious ActiveX controls and Java applets, and other dangerous code.

The antivirus protects user while surfing the Internet or getting information from floppy disks, CDs, or a network. It also automatically scans incoming attachments in the most popular

New device awaiting launch from the Windows OS for PCs. Windows Phone 8 is based on the same core technologies that power Windows 8. As a result, Windows Phone 8 will come equipped with a new wave of features that will suit consumers, developers and businesses.

The Windows Phone 8 OS also comes with a flexible new Start screen. Microsoft states, “We’re making Windows Phone 8 even more personal, with a new palette of theme colors and three sizes of Live Tiles, all of which are under your control. We know Live Tiles are one of the things current owners really love about their Windows Phones, and we wanted to make them even more flexible and unique.”

The other highlighted features of Windows Phone 8 include multi-core processor support, ability to support bigger and sharper displays, more flexible storage capabilities, NFC wireless sharing, Internet Explorer 10, Wallet, better maps and directions, improved apps and games.

There are a variety of manufacturers set to unveil Windows Phone 8 smartphones and some of them include Nokia, Huawei and HTC.

Developed for maximum PC protection email programmes.

It is extremely easy to keep updated, with automatic retrieval of new anti-virus definitions from Symantec as often as once a week.

Basically, the antivirus stops online dangers without sacrificing performance; lets user’s email, chat, and surf the Web without worrying about cyber criminals; stops viruses, spyware, and other threats before they can do damage; and scans email and instant messages for suspicious links, attachments, and other scams.

Other benefits include are that it prevents crime-ware from being secretly loaded onto user’s PC; provides help when user needs it with free technical support by email, chat, and phone; and fixes even severely-infected PCs with Norton Rescue Tools.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Brands & Marketing

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Disappearance of coins weigh down on pricing system The unofficial relegation of the use of coins in everyday transactions has fostered a pricing system that is tantamount to systemic rip-offs to drain unsuspecting and unassuming consumers. ELLA OLAMIJU writes on the need to revisit the use of coins to curb fraudulent pricing trends that eats deep into consumer budgets.

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ricing undoubtedly plays a critical role in the overall success of a brand or business. It is no new knowledge that inspite of the quality of a product or service, right or wrong pricing can make or mar marketing objectives as well as business goals. Little wonder then that price is one of the essential Ps of marketing, others being promotion, place, product, packaging, positioning, and people.

Talking about pricing, it is an observed fact that while it is easier to determine the exact prices of goods and commodities in some climes due to the use of currency denominations including the coins that allow for more accurate pricing , costing, budgetting, expenses and the likes, the unofficial abrogation of the coins from the Nigerian currency has given rise to an economy thriving on approximate pricings and systemic issues of over-charging much more than under-charging. These days, it is not uncommon to see price tags as N1,499:00 or N899:99; while N1:00 or one kobo may seem insignificant to the average Nigerian consumers, a calculation of accumulated deductions would reveal the true state of extorted cash which otherwise would have been beneficial for budgetary purposes or even savings. For example, a N1:00 overcharge on a hundred pieces of goods equals N100:00 and where it is a bulk purchase of up to 500 or 1,000 pieces, these amounts to more significant sums of N500 and N1,000 or even more as the case might be.

This is more prevalent in departmental stores where though prices may indcate one, two, three or four naira savings on products, the non-availability of these denominations many customers are unable to take advantage of small discounts.Truth is that nothing sells for one, two , three or four naira in Nigeria right now , the best you can have are candies selling for two for N5 as there are no means of giving change to consumers who want to buy just one candy. The recent removal of subsidy on fuel in January 2012 has aggravated the situation where the commonnest product sold on Nigerian streets, the sachet of drinking water popularly known as “ Pure water” hitherto sold at N5.00 per sachet automatically began to sell for N10:00 a 100 per cent increase in price where only about 50 per cent acrued to the price increase due to the subsidy removal on fuel. The major reason for this as stated by a trader Mrs Abodunde is, “ We don’t have change to give customers that was why we started to sell two pure water for N15:00 and three for N20:00 but there was problem so now, it is N10:00 for one pure water.” Some consumers attested to what could be termed “swindle pricing” though the source of the anomaly may not be attributed to traders and sellers, the loophole has become a genuine means of rounding-off product/service prices not to under-charge but to ever over-charge. A respondent, Mr.Rotimi Omololu had offerred, “ It is of course a rip-off but it looks like we consumers are enjoying it because nobody is saying anything about it, of course, I usually have to leave the change when it is less than N100:00 but it also depends on how much time I have. Sometimes, I insist but you know it is a societal thing how much of it can you fight?”

The scenario is also often played out at fuel stations where it was observed that majority of custom-

The most recent coins released in 2007

WHILE THE NIGERIAN CURRENCY OFFICIALLY STILL READS N (NAIRA) AND K (KOBO) THE COINS HAD LONG BEEN SUBTLELY WITHDRAWN , THE MOST RECENT BEING IN 2007 ers buy by amount and not by litres. Quite understandable, reason being that a litre of fuel now sells for N97:00. Most customers said they prefer to by the amount because “ if you buy according to litres there will be problem with change” A motorist, Okey Odumegwu offered to speak on behalf of some customers. On whether they get full value for their cash, he said, “ What will you do as there is no way to get the change in cash form, I just forget it”. Odumegwu lamented the hopelessnes of the situation saying “It is a shame that it was the same Nigerians that complained about carrying coins around and now those of us who were not bothered about it are being made to suffer losses of all kinds, sometime we think it is not much but when you add it up with time you will realise something is being taken out of you, I still wonder what happened to our coins.” In other terrains as the United States, the United Kingdom and other developed nations, the coins remain a significant and tangible part of their currencies. While the Nigerian currency officially still reads N (Naira) and K (Kobo) on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s website, with official information on our currency stating, “The currency structure comprises three coin denominations (50 kobo, 2 Nai-

Nigerian currencies

ra and 1 Naira) and eight note denominations; 5 Naira, 10 Naira, 20 Naira, 50 Naira, 100 Naira, 200 Naira, 500 Naira and 1000 Naira)”, the coins had long been subtlely withdrawn , the most recent being in 2007.

Speaking on the disturbing development, a financial advisory consultant Mr. Ayo Arogbo lamented the situation and explained that, “The major reason the CBN withdrew the coins aside the fact that people complained a that it was heavy for them to carry around was that the value of the metal content from which the coins were made was higher than the face values of the coins, so some people resorted to melting the coins to make money, so if this should be revisited as I subscribe to, given the inflationary effect, the CBN has to devise a way of making the metal material used in producing the coins less valuable than the face values on the coins so that the same problem does not arise.”

While it is easier for the society to sacrifice the long term positive effects of exact pricing and use of the coins for short term gratifications as “not having to carry loads of coins around” , it is obvious especially to those who are aware of what obtains in more developed or even developing climes as Ghana that the unavailability of the coin and lesser naira denominations creates more harm than good. In those climes, no amount is too small even a cent could count for much in the long run or with bulk purchases; and yes, you could buy something valuable with even 99cents in these climes! Disadvantages of the void of coins and low value naira notes beyond the tangibles include the fact that it makes it difficult to teach the younger generations about savings culture and has birthed a dangerous business ethics culture of “ no change”.

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Brands & Marketing

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Johnie Walker’s Keep Walking Nigeria campaign debuts, endorses Siaisia ELLA OLAMIJU

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remium scotch Whiskey brand, Johnnie Walker known for its global “ Keep Walking”, mantra of over a hundred years has initiated the Nigerian version of its “Keep Walking “ campaign.

Tagged, Keep Walking Nigeria , the country version of the renown motivational campaign just as the reputed global version seeks to inspire Nigerians to keep walking towards their goals inspite of challenges and odds. Over time, the Johnnie Walker

brand had highlighted the uncommon strides of striving brand ambassadors as Kofi Amoabeng, Haile Gebrselassie, popular artiste Manu Dibango, and Sir Richard Branson amongst others.

For the Keep Walking Nigeria campaign, former Super Eagles player, skipper, and coach Samson Siasia emrged the first Johnnie Walker brand Ambassador in Nigeria.

Speaking about the campaign, Johnnie Walker Brand Manager, Mr. Amaechi Okobi, said, “Johnnie Walker is proud to

L-R: Asst. Publicity Secretary, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Olakanmi Amoo-Onidundu, MD/CEO Insight Grey, Mr. Jimi Awosika, AAAN President, Mrs Bunmi Oke, Vice President, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu and Ex-Officio, Mr. Sam Osunsoko during AAN’s visit to Insight Grey recently.

NIPR, Lagos hosts 1st international PR conference in US

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he Lagos State Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations hosts her maiden edition International PR Conference, August 13th– 17th, 2012, in Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America Speaking about the event , the Chapter’s Executive Assistant Secretary and Conference Coordinator, Ms Chika Idala-Allison, stated that the NIPR International Conference provides unparalleled opportunity to Network with prospective business partners, as well as exploring networking opportunities in the PR industry worldwide. “The conference will feature the opportunity to interact with so many individuals, companies and professional bodies like the Public Relation Society of America (PRSA), “ she said.According to the chapter chairman, Barrister Jide Ologun, the conference’s theme, Sustainability of Corporate Social Responsibility, is a contemporary topic, as social investment is no longer an option but a crucial prerequisite in measuring business success.

He further described the conference as a brilliant window for cross pollination of ideas with professionals, as public relations skills are engaged to aid the Nigerian development drive through good governance advocacy.

The conference is expected to attract delegates from both public and private sectors.

be associated with Samson Siasia; striker, coach and proud Nigerian as he continues his journey through life. Like many of us, he has faced obstacles and challenges on his journey, but his determination to overcome these hurdles to achieve his goals, epitomizes the Johnnie Walker philosophy to keep walking.”

He added: “ In his role as a Johnnie Walker Giant, Siasia joins other African Giants, Manu Dibango, who has released over 25 albums over the course of his musical career and in 2004 was appointed a UNESCO Artist For Peace; the incredible Ethiopian long distance runner, Haile Gebrselassie whowas named a Giant in honour of his unprecedented accomplishments, which have encouraged thousands to follow in his footsteps;and Ghanaian Prince Kofi Amoabeng, who as a successful entrepreneur, has been chosen as a Giant to inspire the younger generation of entrepreneurs. “ The Johnnie Walker premium status drink is recognised as a mark of class in over 150 countries around the World and the number one choice of the World’s Scotch whisky experts. The Johnnie Walker brand overtime has epitopmised personal progress, strriving spirit and positive attitude towards nursing a dream and expressing the courage to pursue it relentlessly.

Amaechi added that Siasia would remain the Johnnie Walker brand ambassador as long as he continues to exude the qualities that the “Keep Walking” campaign stands for and promotes.

AAAN president meets with past presidents, senior practitioners

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he newly elected president of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), takes off her duty with consultation with senior practitioners ahead of the inaugural this new executive board.

According to Oke, the visit is intended to discuss her administration’s plan, advertising Industry reform and other issue that affect the practice of advertising as well as seek advice and counsel.

On the president’s visitation team is the Vice President of the association, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu and the association’s Executive Director, Mr. Lekan Fadolapo.

The consultation was kicked off

with a visit to Mr. Jimi Awosika, (CEO Insight Communications), Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi (APCON Chairman,) Mr. Funmi Onabolu, (Past President) and Mr. Ayo Owoborode (Chairman, AAAN Board of Trustee), other senior practitioners will be consulted in line with the new administration’s policy of participatory approach to industry issues.

During the visit, Oke reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to repositioning the association through her programme of continuity, consolidation and revitalisation, she noted that her administration will strive to revitalise the industry through support and participation of member agencies.

Facebook ad revenue slowdown considered mobile problem

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acebook’s inaugural results perceived as being underwhelming, and Facebook looking to mobile to grow revenues, the challenge of how it monetises people’s usage of its network over mobile phone continues to be a primary concern for investors. According to leading independent digital marketing agency, Greenlight. If a phone is not part of its plans, Facebook has a mobile problem on its hands.

“If a Facebook phone is now not on the cards, Facebook remains without a solid answer to its mobile problem, says Andreas Pouros, COO at Greenlight. “Yes, new ad formats have been and will continue to be launched by the company for mobile users, but there is a serious question over whether Facebook can integrate a compelling advertising offering on the smallest of screens which users will be comfortable

with and that does not interfere with their Facebook user experience. Suffice to say, yesterday’s earnings call shows Facebook to be a great company that can make lots of money, but in the mobile battle, Google and Apple remain far ahead of the pack.”

Late last year, Facebook stated that over 425 million monthly active users accessed Facebook on a mobile device, approximately half of all of Facebook’s monthly active users. Whilst this has increased Facebook usage, it means that users are accessing the social network increasingly on devices which Facebook has less control over, with less opportunity to make money from with advertising, mainly because these devices have less space for advertising, are influenced by third parties (Apple, Android, etc), and Facebook delivered via apps, like Flipboard, are much harder to infiltrate with advertising.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nobel Carpets excites customers with reward scheme

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s part of its strategic customer satisfaction thrust to continue to engage, reward and build customers’ brand loyalty, Lucky Fibres, PLC, Nigeria’s leading carpet manufacturer and makers of Nigerian premium brand of Nobel Carpets and Rugs, has introduced a new reward scheme tagged the ‘Customer Appreciation Campaign’ by splashing different gift items on the customers across the country for making Nobel their carpet of choice in their homes and offices.

The brand loyalty appreciation campaign which will be carried out in identified key cities within the nation, has already kicked off in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State where customers and users of Nobel’s range of premium quality and durable carpets and rugs are being rewarded with special branded gift items by Nobel brand ambassadors who are visiting their neighbourhoods.

Commenting on the loyalty reward drive, the General Manager, Lucky Fibres Plc Mr. Kunal Malhotra, noted that the Customers Appreciation Campaign is another way through which the company is rewarding the teeming esteemed customers for their patronage and loyalty by making Nobel Carpets their brand of choice.

“We have rolled out this customer’s appreciation campaign to reward our numerous customers for their continued patronage and loyalty for making Nobel Carpets & Rugs number one brand in Nigeria” he said.

Malhotra explained that Nobel Premium brand of Carpets and Rugs has become a very significant household brand in Nigeria as most homes, offices and place of worships like Mosques and Churches are adorned with various beautiful designs and different kinds of quality Carpets and Rugs produced to meet the specific needs of the customers.

It would be recalled the Nobel Carpets & Rugs recently unveiled a new range of high quality high traffic carpets specially made from quality yarn and specifically designed for places with constant human traffic like Offices, Lobbies and Receptions, into the market.

Mouka launches Dial-a-mattress support programme

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eading manufacturer of mattresses, pillow, beddings and other polyurethane products, Mouka Limited, has reinforced its leadership in delivering innovative solutions and adding comfort to lives of its customers as they can now get comfort delivered to their homes free of charge with the introduction of Mouka ‘Dial-AMattress’concept.

The concept of Dial-A-Mattress is designed to give easy and convenient access to Mouka quality products for all customers. By dialing the dedicated numbers, customers get advice on the appropriate products to purchase to meet their specific needs and get the products delivered to them free of charge.

Commenting on the concept, the Head of Commercial, Mouka Limited, Mr. Jude Abonu, said that Mouka DialA-Mattress provides ease for busy professionals or persons who want to buy mattresses but want to avoid the hassles of delivery and risk of fake products.

Abonu further said that the desire to put customers and stakeholders of Mouka first in all dealings had motivated the company to embark on this initiative, “Customers are just a phone call away from getting our trained customer service personnel recommend the best sleep and comfort solutions in Nigeria,” he added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, August 2, 2012

NIMRA commends TNS-RMS on success of Edo poll survey ELLA OLAMIJU

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he Nigeria Marketing Research Association (NIMRA), has applauded the nation’s foremost market research firm TNS-RMS on the successful outcome of the controversial survey submissions preceeding the recentlyconcluded Edo State gubernatorial poll.

The survey had given victory to incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomole contrary to the submission of an unknown research firm FASTRACK , which survey predicted otherwise.

On the successful outcome of TNS-RMS’ survey NIMRA pres-

ident told National Mirror that “ The controversy surrounding the differing surveys from both companies had put the industry on its toes, it was a challenge for the industry, and though we are yet to ascertain the identity of the FASTRACK company which is worrisome, we are glad that TNS-RMS, the firm recognised

by NIMRA won the victory”.

In the statement to TNSRMS, NIMRA President , Fasakin had said, “While unfolding events emanating from the differing survey submissions of TNS-RMS and FASTRACK have been both challenging and spotlighting for our industry, the Nigerian marketing research industry , it has further proven

the supremacy of those who know their onions . I wish to extend my most heartfelt congratulations to TNS-RMS on the success of its accurate poll survey submissions on the just concluded Edo governorship election.”

TNS-RMS in response also expressed worry at the professional slight that the purported FASTRACK research firm had adorned the industry and bemoaned the proliferation of quacks in the delicate industry.

NIMRA president called for better verification on the part of clients for practical and positive results ; this will go a long way in saving client’s heartaches and losses in every way”, he said.

ad VA NT AG E icon

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e is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rinet Advertising and often desrcribed as a professional who knows his onions.

His passion for the advertising profession has won him accolades for quality and professionalism within the advertising circle as well as amongst leadership for across countries.

A graduate of Graphic Arts from Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi in Edo State and an MBA (Master of Business Administration) graduate from Lagos State University. Fillius Osubor’s working life spans through Oasis Advertising, Concord Press of Nigeria Ltd, African Guardian Osubor Newspapers Ltd, Type DESRCRIBED AS A Technologies Limited and casers advertising Ltd, PROFESSIONAL WHO now known as DDB. KNOWS HIS ONIONS

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L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Lagos Chapter, Mr Jide Ologun, Corporate Social Responsibility Consultant from Boston, Ms Deborah Leipziger, and initiator of the Nigeria SERAs Awards Dr. Ken Egbas of TruContact at the media briefing announcing the 2012 SERAs in Lagos on Tuesday.

Brands and changing market realities

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often marvel when brand experts propound theories without backing it up with practical evidence. This is because the dynamics of the market are changing and no one can predict the market especially in terms of consumer expectations. Some years back, Quick Service Restaurants (QSR’s) only for the top notch in the society but today, TFC has an outlet in Agege while Sweet Sensation opened two outlets very close to each other at Akowonjo.

Companies need to have a bulwark for their brands not slipping into decline and being irrelevant in the market.

It becomes imperative for a brands to continuously defend added value that is constantly being challenged and undermined by competition. A good case in point is Mr Biggs. The brand has occupied the Quick Service Restaurant

for decades as the major brand.

However the tides changed and the market leader started scampering to retain it pedigree. It embarked on an aggressive communication campaign and other brand thematic activities to shore up its strong hold on the market. The entrance of Tantalizers, Sweet Sensation, Tastee Fried Chicken challenged Mr Biggs brand despite its huge frame in terms of capital and resources. Mr Biggs later ventured into franchise and also embarked on strategic partnership with a foreign brand and established Village Kitchen in some of its outlets.

The above scenario clearly reflects the essence of brand continuously adapting to meet changing demands in the market place. It is also important to introduce new concepts by projecting into the

.

As a founding managIS PASSION FOR ing director of Rinet which THE ADVERTISING opened shop in 1994, OsuPROFESSION HAS bor has worked on so many WON HIM ACCOLADES accounts and ran many management courses both FOR QUALITY AND within and outside Nigeria.

PROFESSIONALISM He is a senator of the Chamber of commerce, Florida. international leadership Osubor equally serves as the organisation, Junior Chamber International (JCI) and has at- Vice Chairman of DABMA Sicktended numerous conferences in le Cell Foundation of Nigeria as Nigeria, Africa, Europe, United he considers social work of sigStates amongst others. He is nificant prioprity. He is married a member of the Miami Dade with three children.

Brand X-Ray with Ayodeji Ayopo Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: mayomipo@yahoo.com future to sustain growth for the brand.

I engaged a colleague in discussion on brands within the liquid bitters category and he informed me how a particular brand could not sustain it growth and as a result, diminished in the market.

My colleague’s agency handles another brand in the same category. I quickly added that the brand managers are to blame for not proffering strategies for such a brand with multinational backing.

The major challenge is that some brand managers cannot effectively comprehend the changing dynamics in the market. Without incisive knowledge of market dynamics, there is no way they can develop

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strategies to enhance the positioning of the brand in the market.

Brands should continuously engage in innovation to promote intrinsic growth in order to respond proactively to changing market realities. I equally want to state that brands can escape the effects of time and daunting market realities by evolving a cohesive strategy that resonates with the audience on a consistent basis.

The truth is that brands are also subjected to the changes that occur in the society as well as the market. When Eva water noticed the infiltration of the market with other brands and even the pure water segment, it positioned itself as the “pure one” you can see

through with the bottle. The brand was later repackaged to retain a strong presence. Today, Eva stands tall in the water category.

It is also interesting to note that some new entrants destabilize the balance of added value of established brands, forcing them into a continuous cycle of improvement.

The sudden entrance of Super Bite, Beefie rolls, Rite, Meaty sausage rolls changed the equation for Gala even as it celebrates the its 50th year in the market. The new brands embarked on innovation to gain a good share in the market and now, Gala is struggling to cope with the serious competition.

Brands that have been associated with a particular niche need to sustain their presence through continuous brand building programmes to remain active in the market. This is coupled with the fact that consumers are becoming more sophisticated and they expect innovative brands that meet their needs and aligns with their aspirations.

40

Capital Market

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at August 1, 2012 1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, August 2, 2012

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Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Flour Mills seeks shareholders’ approval to buy rival J OHNSON O K ANL A WON WITH AGENCY REPORT

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lour Mills of Nigeria said it will seek shareholders’ approval to acquire a controlling stake in privately-held food manufacturer Rom Oil Mills, as it looks to boost its market shares in Africa’s most populous nation.

The company, which is also a pasta maker said in a notice to investors yesterday that it would seek approval at its Annual General Meeting on September 12 to buy a 90 per cent stake in Rom Oil Mills, based in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Flour Mills, whose interests include cement and fertilizer manufacturing and has a 40 per cent market share in flour milling, did not disclose how much it was offering for the stake in the vegetable and edible oil refining business.

In 2009, the company acquired a 51 per cent stake in privately-held rival Eagle Flourmills with a capacity of 850 tonnes per day.

Industry sources say total flour demand in Nigeria is over two million tonnes per annum and the country has 23 flour plants.

Analysis of the company’s result for the financial year ended

March 31, 2012 showed a profit after tax of N8.38bn, a decline by 11.35 per cent when compared to N9.45bn recorded in the same period of 2010.

The company turnover, however, rose by 8.16 per cent in the review period, from N238.8bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2011 to N258.3bn in 2012.

According to the result, cost of sales rose to N218.7bn, as against N198.61bn in 2011, while distribution, selling and administration expenses stood at N21.18bn.

The value of plant and equipment within the period stood at N103.7bn, as against

N71.80bn in the previous year.

The company’s working capital stood at N32.5bn in 2012, from N18.41bn in 2011, while net assets rose to N82.34bn, as against N49.99bn posted in the same period of 2011.

The company in its third quarter result ended December 31, 2011 recorded significant improvement in its bottom lines, announcing a 307 per cent growth in its profit after tax to N870.5m.

The company’s turnover in the quarter also rose by 24.35 per cent to N26.19bn, from N21.06bn recorded in the same period of 2009.

PZ profit dips 55%, GSK nets N1.3bn in H1

P

Z Cussons Plc has declared a profit after tax of N2.54bn for the financial year ended May 31, 2012, a decline by 55.4 per cent when compared to N5.22bn recorded in the same period of 2011.

The company’s turnover, however, increased by 9.5 per cent, from N65.9bn in May 2011 to N72.2bn in the review period, while taxation dropped to N1.77bn from N2.33bn in May 2011.

The company’s cost of sales dipped by 18 per cent to N55.9bn in 2012, from N47.4bn in My 2011, while gross profit stood at N16.2bn, from

N18.5bn in May 2011.

The value of the company’s stocks rose by 28.1 per cent to N22.4bn in 2012, from N17.5bn in May 2011, while net assets marginally depreciated by 0.7 per cent to N42.9bn, from N43.2bn in May 2011.

Also, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has declared a turnover of N12.8bn for the half year ended June 30, 2012, an increase by 26.1 per cent when compared to N10.2bn recorded in the same period of 2011.

The company’s profit after tax rose by 15.1 per cent to N1.31bn, from N1.14bn recorded in the

2011 half year, while taxation stood at N621.3m in 2012, from N506m in the corresponding period of 2011.

According to the result presented on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, cost of sales increased by N7.76bn in the review period, from N5.87bn in the 2011 half year.

Further analysis of the company’s result showed net assets at N8.98bn in 2012, compared to N9.15bn in the 2011 half year, while the book value stood at N6.42bn in the review period, from N4.69bn in the same period of 2011.

CAP posts N578m profit in half year JOHNSON OKANLAWON

C

hemical and Allied Products Plc has declared a profit after tax of N577.8m for the half year ended June 30, 2012, an increase by 43.5 per cent when compared to N402.7m recorded in the same period of 2011.

The company’s turnover rose by 28.9 per cent to N2.53bn in the review period, from N1.96bn recorded in the same period of 2011.

According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, taxation increased by 41.5 per cent, from N191.9m in the

corressonding period of 2011 to N 271.6m in 2012, while cost of sales also rose by 26.9 per cent, from N1.4bn in 2011 half year to N1.32bn in 2012.

Further analysis of the company’s result showed 19.1 decline in net assets, from N1.59bn in 2011 half year to N1.29 in 2012, while total assets stood at N2.92bn in the review period, from N3.13bn in 2011 half year.

The company’s chairman, Mr. Larry Ettah, had in July said that the company is poised to expand market penetration by opening additional inspiration colour centres.

He noted that the company will embark on projects

that aim to increase consumer base, brand equity and loyalty.

He pointed out that volume ramp up and efficiency are expected from the planned to upgrade the company’s manufacturing capacity, adding, “we will further ensure that our corporate values are upheld and that more of our colour champions and strategic employees are given exposure to further improve their skills and competency.”

According to him, the company is positioned to take the advantage of the opportunities that the projected growth in the country will offer in 2012.

Meanwhile, trading in equities returned green on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, halting the preceding day bearish trend, as some investors took advantage of the relatively prices of stocks.

The All-Share Index gained 1.16 per cent to close at 23,329.34 points, compared to the decline by 1.03 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 23,061.38 points.

Market capitalisation rose by N85.3bn to close at N7.42trn, compared to the depreciation by N76.7bn recorded the preceding day to close at N7.34trn.

“We plan to introduce more innovative products and services, working with AkzoNobel to invest more in our flagship brand with a view to further consolidating our leadership position in the decorative paint market,” he said.

He explained that the strategic expansion of the company’s distribution footprint continued with the opening of additional three Dulux Colour Centres in Ibadan, Festac in Lagos and Abuja.

He reiterated the company’s emphasis on health, innovation, safety and environment in the year, which according to him, was critical to ensuring high quality products and services to customers.

Source: NSE

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 23,329.34 points Market capitalisation 7,425trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

PORTPAINT

3.16

3.31

0.15

4.75

LIVESTOCK

1.38

1.44

0.06

4.35

SMURFIT

0.99

1.03

0.04

4.04

RTBRISCOE

1.50

1.56

0.06

4.00

DNMEYER

0.50

0.52

0.02

4.00

ZENITHBANK

14.40

14.96

0.56

3.89

DANGCEM

114.00

118.00

4.00

3.51

ROYALEX

0.58

0.60

0.02

3.45

UNILEVER

35.00

36.00

1.00

2.86

FCMB

3.13

3.20

0.07

2.24

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

GTASSURE

1.60

1.52

0.08

-5.00

CCNN

4.48

4.26

0.22

-4.91

OKOMUOIL

30.00

28.55

1.45

-4.83

UPL

4.35

4.14

0.21

-4.83

ETERNA

2.08

1.98

0.10

-4.81

CUSTODYINS

1.49

1.42

0.07

-4.70

LONGMAN

1.99

1.90

0.09

-4.52

IKEJAHOTEL

1.34

1.28

0.06

-4.48

AGLEVENT

1.15

1.10

0.05

-4.35

SKYEBANK

2.91

2.79

0.12

-4.12

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

34,888.90

13.85

26-Jul-12

182-Day

83,229.89

16.10

26-Jul-12

364 -Day

50,000.00

9.06

26-Jul-12

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

62 Days

14,116.00

14.50

2-Jul-12

63 Days

55,629.87

14.50

2-Aug-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$250m

N/A

$250m

30-Jul-12

$200m

N/A

$200m

25-Jul-12

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, August 2, 2012

43

44

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Day Goldenline school feted pupils TAI ANYANWU

I

t was an exciting time out with the minors, as pupils of Goldenline International Schools, observed their First Graduation and Prize Giving Day, at Sunny Villa on the Lekki axis of Lagos State, on Saturday, July 21, 2012 and residents of the serene estate woke to a cloudy weather. But full of expectation, the kids of the school firmly anchored their hope in God and clear weather.

As they gathered with great anticipation, they danced dancing to the rhythm of the disc Jockey’s blaring music.

Those chosen to entertain the guests with displays of special skills, talents or learning, took time to observe last-minute-rehearsals in the classrooms.

As the parents began to arrive, guests disregarded earlier threats of rainfall to make the day worth the while for the minors.

As chairman of the occasion and other distinguished took their places on the raised dais, very tiny toes presented a welcome song with delicate voices.

Going beyond expectations to recite full stanzas of Nigeria’s National Anthem, the youngsters left every guest in pleasant amazement.

Many parents confessed that they could not perform the feat; but that was just a tip of the iceberg.

Guests saw very tiny toes, reciting Nigeria’s states and capitals impeccably.

Guests were dazzled as the kids fluently read newspapers in a drama presentation that depicted them actually teaching the current happenings in the country to two illiterate parents.

There was also a keenly contest debate session in which the kids tried to determine if it was a better option to pursue education or become a business person.

Speaking, chairman of the occasion, Rev. William Bendega, remarked: “The beauty of a dream is in seeing it unfold and unravel in various spheres. We thank God that we are here to identify with the young ones and have seen a sign of their intellectual prowess,” he added.

Goldenline Schools is an annex of ‘The Lord Worshippers Assembly’ whose General Overseer is Rev. Callistus Nkwo.

Mrs. Helen Nkechi Nkwo, wife of the founder, said her husband established the school to give back to the host community.

She said: "Summer is time when children always get into trouble at home, they are vulnerable. Parents go to work and they are allowed to be around on their own.

"We felt if we brought them together, we can teach them good morals, affect them academically and make them better citizens of Nigeria."

Nkwo added that the parents on their own requested for the school to be established.

FELA 15 YEARS AFTER

His Legacy His Artistry His Ideology His Wives His Proteges

ire Emp From alakuta to K e New to th Shrine a Afrik

The pupils entertaining their guests

“They said they believe a school under the spiritual environment where their kids were taught, will actually make them better citizens. That was actually how the school started with 15 pupils who attended the free summer school; today we have 50 pupils. We offer scholarship basically to the less privileged,” she stated.

She added that Goldenline International School was different in the sense that from the first day, the watch word had been excellence in environment, appearance and quality of education.

For the average school in Nigeria, and given our standard, you have to have pay high bills; But Goldenline came out with a clear mandate to offer quality education for the less privileged, and make it accessible at every level.

Unlike other schools, if you must access quality education you should be ready to pay. So we are different in that we are offering quality education at very subsidized fee”, she said.

Highlight of the event was the awards to many pupils who excelled in different areas.

The awardees include Chukwuemeka Destiny, Best Academic Student in Kindergarten category; Appolos Raymond, in the nursery category and Khalid Rukayat, primary category.

Best Presenter Award went to Kaiso Abasiannie in the primary class and Edwin Samson in the secondary category.

Other awardees include Oko Praise, Best English student in primary class; Gabriella, KG and Nkanta Stephanie, secondary class.

Khalid Munirat won the Best Science Student and Neatest Student awards; Best French Student went to Favour Nkwo; Best Creative Student in KG class went to Marvellous Bisong; Okezie Favour, nursery; Garba Michael, primary and Nkanta Stephanie, secondary category.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Why is sugar white?

M

Rasheed Gbadamosi on Fela’s last hours The problem between MKO and Fela - Kola Abiola Fela and the contentious HIV/AIDS toga EGYPT 80: A memorial band endures

any people understand that sugar is white because most that are available in grocery stores and supermarkets are white. Not all people are aware that the original color of sugar is actually brown. This basically explains why some people encounter brown sugar and white sugar in the market, for example. The refining process is what makes brown sugar turn into the white variety which most people are familiar with.

Under normal conditions and standard processing, sugar will come out as brown because of the molasses content.

Basically, raw sugarcane is pressed for its juices and undergoes several processing stages and the end result is the formation of brown sugar crystals.

But by adding other chemicals or substances and introducing a new stage in the sugar-making process, sugar can be made powdery white in colour.

One such process is through adding sulphur dioxide to the juice extracted from the raw sugarcane. Before the juice is processed for evaporation, sul-

phur dioxide is mixed with the cane juice to literally cause a bleaching effect on the mixture. With this procedure, the sugar crystals to be produced will be white.

Another procedure to make sugar white, involves additional processing to remove the brown or outer coating of sugar crystals. This process will make the brown sugar whiter, and even become whiter if chemicals such as calcium hydroxide are added to the mixture. This particular chemical will act to absorb various impurities in the mixture resulting in the whitening of the sugar.

Some manufacturing companies also use phosphoric acid for this purpose while others prefer carbon dioxide. With these substances, the molasses content that makes the sugar brown will be removed and thereby result in white sugar crystals. So basically, the additional refinement procedures are done to make the sugar appear white rather than brown.

- Knowswhy.com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, August 2, 2012

45

Young people tasked on entrepreneurship KEHINDE RASHEED

A

motivational speaker, Comrade Mubarak Adegoke, has urged the youths, particularly graduates to put a stop to the era of searching for white collar jobs that are not in existent, but should think of how to be job creators.

He also pointed out that the current educational system should focus on self reliance of the graduates to be employers of labour by establishing small and medium scale industries.

No fewer than 700 students of higher institutions in Osun, Kwara, Ekiti and Oyo states were at the event organised by the student’s wing of the Rotary Club and held at the Royal Spring Hotel, Konta-Ijabe, Osun State.

Delivering his lecture entitled, "Leadership, Democracy, Good Governance and Entrepreneurship" as part of his Pass It On, PIO, Mandated Programme of the non –Governmental Organisation, NGO, Adegoke maintained that the

graduating students should strive to lay a solid foundation for their future as they will be the leaders of tomorrow.

He also urged them to participate in the democratic process in order to ensure good governance at all levels of government.

He advised that they let their voice be heard through the printing of leaflets, fliers, and letters and as well contribute meaningfully to the growth, development and progress of their various communities.

He told them to develop their entrepreneurial skills by applying new strategies, which implies that creativity is essential for an entrepreneur, adding that they should concentrate more in the production unit (entrepreneur) and not consumption unit (people).

Adegoke urged the youths to be ready to face the challenges associated with the initial loss in business for profit maximisation later, stressing they should also be able to identify their hidden talents and develop it.

A cross section of students at the Rotary Club event in Osun State recently.

He viewed education as a key to enlightenment, information, acquisition and dissemination, noting that only a literate community can emancipate itself from poverty, ignorance, squalor and disease.

He said an enlightened society would create a foundation for mutual respect and understanding and provide basis for peaceful co-existence and socio political harmony in a multi-ethnic society such as Nigeria.

Winners emerge in FATE’s entrepreneurship KUNLE A ZEEZ

W A cross section of secondary school students during the opening of Samsung Engineering Academy at the Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, in Lagos, recently.

Group to convene youth-oriented presidential roundtable TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

A

n organisation, PDP Dialogue Initiative Group, PDP-DIG, has concluded plans to convene the first International Roundtable between President Goodluck Jonathan and emerging young Nigerian leaders, at home and in the Diaspora.

According to the Chief Convener and Director General, PDPDialogue Initiative Group, Hon. Ayo Thomas, it will be the first of its kind in the country, and will be a high-tech platform for constructive interaction on government developmental efforts from policy development to implementation and delivery stages.

Thomas said the roundtable

was designed to enhance the capacity of the youth, who are the future leaders and would be broadcast from Abuja to five international live telecast centres namely; New York, London, Accra, Shanghai and another centre to cover the rest of the world including, facebook and twitters.

The programme tagged, “First Emerging Young Leaders’ Roundtable with President Goodluck Jonathan” is aimed at bringing together emerging young leaders and eminent/ legendary Nigerian leaders and top government functionaries to create enabling environment for high-level interaction during which meaningful and functional views and opinion of young generation of leaders, on

the state of the nation would be brought to bear and shared with the leaders in the face of daunting challenges currently facing the nation.

“The event is set to hold on October 2, 2012 as part of this year’s Independence celebration in Abuja. It would also kick-start the active participation of Nigeria’s promising Young Leaders in the process of developing and stabilising the country.

Participation in the Presidential Dialogue is drawn from young and emerging leaders across political, social, business, religious, ethnic and professional bodies, youth/students, government, academia, international bodies, notable individuals and civil society,” he stated.

inners have emerged in this year’s edition of the FATE Business Plan Competition, a platform for building innovations among young entrepreneurs in the country.

In the competitions which took place at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos recently had seven contestants on the list.

Chief Executive Officer, Macwills Security Limited, Sir Williams Park emerged overall winner of the 2012 Business Plan Competition.

He won the grand prize of a return ticket to Europe for N700, 000, and a free Information Technology Solution Services for one year from Netserve Africa.

Adekemi Deborah of Frais, a company focused on juice production, emerged second winner and took home N400, 000 cash prize.

The CEO, Gemia Leather Works Enterprise, Mr. Alhassan Babangida, an intriguing entrepreneur with a compelling story, came third and was awarded N200, 000 cash prize.

Despite his limited education in secondary school, Babangida attended the Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme, which has contributed to his business success. Gemia Leather makes shoes for male and female, and leather bags among other things.

Others participants included the Chef Executive Officer,

Oshea, Mrs. Margret Attah; CEO, Chambs Coating, Mr. Chamberlin Wiro; CEO, Molisoft Ventures, Mr. Ilori Olalekan and CEO, Nimbus Media Limited, Mr. Wale Adegoke.

The event, sponsored by Access Bank Plc, Renaissance Group, Air France KLM, and Netserve Africa, had three of the contestants from FATE branch in Port Harcourt while the others were from Lagos.

The competition was judged by accomplished entrepreneurs and corporate executives including Pioneer Consultant, MCS Consulting, Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede; Founder, SME Club, Mr. Daniel Bassey; Head of Advertising, Access Bank, Ms. Aiki Odiawa; General Manager, Finance & Admin, Laplace Technologies, Mr. Ken Okolo; and CEO/Chief Consultant, Stephen Claire Associates, Mr. Bayo Bakare.

The contest, was attended by more than 150 people to witness aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to investors and compete for the grand prize.

The FATE Business Plan Competition is an annual event to reward outstanding alumni who exemplify positive business prospect through a competitive business plan presentation.

In her opening remarks, Head, Human Resources at FATE Foundation, Mrs. Bisola Ikusagba, congratulated the contestants for coming this far in the competition, urging them to pursue their goals so that their respective businesses stand out.

46

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Outrage over FG’s cautions on use of social media

LEONARD OKACHIE

L

ike a torrential rainfall, Nigerians, especially the youths, have been pouring comments on the social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, blogs and others, to vent their anger over a statement credited to the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties and Social Development Matters, Mrs. Sarah Pane on the use of social media.

They lambasted Pane and queried why she should turn against the social media platform which President Goodluck Jonathan used extensively during his presidential campaign.

Pane had last Wednesday, at the Discovery Empowerment Programme for National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC), in Abuja, said that the negative use of the social media by Nigerian youths is impacting negatively on the country's image.

She added that demeaning Nigerian leaders through the medium has become a pastime of the youths to the extent that the Nigerian President has become the most insulted in the world, adding, "This is not the type of record we want. Let's use the social media for positive interaction."

However, no sooner had she made the comment than the youths took to various social media to pour their venoms.

Okechukwu Ofili, an award winning motivational speaker, blogger, success coach and author of How Stupidity Saved My Life posted a reaction on his blog with a title, “Dear President Social Media Is Not the Enemy.”

Ofili said he originally thought the statement was from a Chinese government official when he stumbled on it on the internet but felt sad upon reading that it was from Nigerian government.

He said: “Statements like this worry me, because it makes me realise that in this day and age…people (politicians and businesses alike) still don’t get social media. Social media is not a magical tool that alters your character when it feels like and neither is it like print media where you can pay millions of manipulative naira to get adverts touting your good work when you have not done .

“Rather, social media is a truth amplification tool, one that works to amplify your true characteristics and traits… whether positive or negative. So, if you are an asshole in real life, social media will simply make you a bigger asshole, it cannot and will not transform you into an angel.

“Alternatively, if you have done positive things for your community, state or country, social media will share those positive things you have done with the world but at an amplified rate. This is why social media has been so successful in political revolutions of late, because

Jonathan

Mark

it simply focuses on the truth.

“It cannot be controlled; bought or silenced…you can only influence it, by what you do in real life. It will not and does not operate like a generator (point intended) that can be switched on and off when one feels like. In other words, you cannot turn social media on when you want to get elected and then turn it off when it seems to be hampering your re-election chances. (Another point intended).”

Kwaji Peter on his Facebook post said “There is nothing she can do about it, they should continue with their insincerity and deceit on their monopolised and controlled local media: the likes of NTA, FRCN, VON, BON.” Ponfa Binchan on Facebook put it this way: “The social media is just a way of

venting out the nonsense being carried out in the country. It is well known that freedom of speech is not regarded even if it is in the constitution, that government doesn't follow anyway, unfortunately today we have these tools at hand, government need to accept it has come to stay. They should do what's right more often, as they only get 'denigrated' over wrong and immoral doings, the truth cuts both ways!”

For Silas Stephen, social media is a platform for the voiceless, adding: “Madam adviser can you focus on advising your boss and leave Nigerians to do theirs which include criticising the government where necessary. Whichever way they choose to do it is their business not yours. Yours is to advise your boss. Since u will not allow that

in all other media which has been hijacked and reduced to instrument of government propaganda. Facebook therefore, offers a platform to the hitherto voiceless.”

Similarly, social media users also took a swipe at Senate President David Mark over his comment on the abuse of social media.

Mark, had last Thursday, called for a check on the menace on social media on the Nigerian society, saying that people now use them to denigrate their leaders.

The Senate President who spoke in Umuahia, Abia State, while declaring open a two-day retreat for Senate Press corps, noted that it was necessary to check the social media as they do not have the avenue for retraction of whatever they had done.

Explaining that the media has come to stay, as part of the process of governance in the country, he cautioned: “The emergence of social media like facebook, twitter, blackberry messenger, YouTube etc have changed the face of media practice by making information sharing easier, faster and quicker. But this is not without its demerits. Social media has become a threat to the ethics of media practice and good governance because of its accessibility and absolute freedom. Every freedom carries a responsibility. Even in advanced democracies, where we all agree that good governance is practiced, there is no absolute freedom.

“I, therefore, believe that there must be a measure to check the negative tendencies of the social media in our country. I say this because media practice, particularly journalism, process its news gathering and dissemination.

It also operates a feedback mechanism and where the practitioners err there is room for rebuttal. But in the social media a faceless character can post any information that is absolutely false and misleading but will never retract it. At the end of the day, one is bombarded with questions over what one has no business with.

“I suggest that schools of mass communication and journalism should review their curricula to include the operations of social media".

Irked by the statement, Agba Jalingo in his Facebook post said thus: “Attention: Occupy David Mark. The senate president must be stopped from his moves to restrict the use of social media in Nigeria, as it has been done in militarised countries of the world. He has been quoted as saying the social media is being used to insult leaders. We are not in North Korea, this is a democracy...”

Some who took to Twitter recalled that when Mark was the Minister of Communications, he said that telephone was not for the poor. “When Mark was a minister, he said telephone wasn’t for poor people. Today, he says social media should be banned,” one Chidi tweeted.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, August 2, 2012

47

TV personality Illrymz debuts music video for single

A

Gabriel Akinadewo

Steve Nwosu

Armed robbers’ onslaughts on journalists STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

A

gain, the Nigeria media is under attack. In less than one week, two Nigerian newspaper editors have been attacked by dreaded armed robbers, indicating the worsening state of insecurity in the country.

Last week Wednesday, the Editor of The Sun newspaper, Mr. Steve Nwosu narrowly escaped being killed by armed robbers who shot him in the head while he was driving in his car on his way from a bank in Festac Town, Lagos.

The robbers who trailed him and got him at Ojo Road because of traffic jam, snatched the N250, 000, and shot him close to one of his eyes in broad-day light. They shattered the glass of his Honday Odyssey. He was rushed to hospital for treatment.

Barely four days later, it was the turn of the Editor of Compass newspaper, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo. Akinadewo fell victim to the men of the underworld by 10 pm on Sunday.

The hoodlums who dressed

in police uniform dispossessed him of his Toyota Avensis 2008 model, at Amara Olu Street, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

Akindewo reportedly said: “Immediately I was through with my schedule in the office, I took my leave. On my way home, I drove through the Business Club Road, near Femi Anikulapo’s Shrine and suddenly, four men blocked my way with their car, so I decided to go through Amaraolu Street linking the bank.

“As I approached the bank, I saw the four men again in police uniform in front of the bank. They flagged me with a torch that I should stop. I did and greeted them, thinking they were policemen.

“They asked me, ‘Can we see your boot?’ As I got down to open the boot, one of them suddenly whispered to me, ‘We are not policemen. It is better for you not to shout. So, cooperate.’ Another one grabbed my car key and ordered me to sit at the back seat sandwiched by two of them. One drove my car and the last one sat in the front with the driver...”

Only last Friday, the Nigerian

Guild of Editors (NGE), had expressed shock at the state of insecurity in the country following attack on one of its own, Nwosu.

The editors had in a communiqué issued at the end of its 2012 second quarter Standing Committee Meeting in Lagos, voiced concern over the state of security in the country and called on the government to urgently address it.

Similarly, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed, had, after the attack on Nwosu, urged media house owners under the umbrella of Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), to be more serious with the issue of comprehensive insurance scheme for working journalists.

He described the robbery incident as an unfortunate development and an indication of the disturbing level of crime and criminality in Nigeria.

However, there is anxiety in the media industry over the recent development as many wonder why journalists who are performing their legitimate duties should be the target.

fter a popular behind the scenes footage and teaser, popular radio and TV personality Illrymz recently released the highly anticipated Teacher, Teacher video featuring Afro-Beat legend Femi Kuti.

The video which blends the fiery energy of Femi Kuti with the cool flow of Illrymz was directed by Contagious Collective and shot at the famed New Afrika shrine Already, the video has been the recipient of critical and commercial acclaim from industry watchers and the OAP/ artiste explains why. “We tried to delicately but boldly fuse these two genres,” Illrymz stated. “Teacher, Teacher is an experimental sound with a broad message for everyone. I am humbled by the response the video is getting across all boards.” he added.

The video which captures the live performance feel is steadily climbing the charts in Nigeria and is beginning to find its way in international music channels. Currently, the song is riding in the top 10 countdowns on popular urban stations like Soundcity, Nigezie and the Pepsi Top 10 amongst others. It is also set to debut on other international platforms including Trace Africa, MTV Base and Channel O. The video also recorded over 5, 000 downloads within days of release and is popular on mobile platforms.

The video is available on Youtube and other websites and blogs. From his handle @illrymz, the popular urban personality continues to thank his fans for enjoying his music. “We intend to wow Nigerians, Illrymz promises.

“In a few weeks, a club banger is in the works!” He adds. The popular presenter who is regarded as a pioneer of Nigeria’s new cool has also been nominated as OAP of the Year TV for The Future Awards and

MC of the year at The Nigerian Event Awards. From this multi-talented urban personality, there is definitely more than meets the eye.

Currently the host of Nigerian Idol, Illrymz cut his teeth in broadcast in 2007 as the host of the now rested Nokia First Chance. In late 2007, the nowin-demand TV host signed on to popular urban Nigerian music and lifestyle channel Nigezie where he gave the channel its first feel of international celebrity interviews bringing on Grammy Award winners - Black Eyed Peas, Lil Kim, Brick & Lace, and Amerie.

In 2008, Soundcity came calling with a lucrative television deal. This platform would be where the multi talented Ill rose to become a household name in television circles.

He was also presenter of the hugely popular Global Countdown show, Sprite Triple Slam, and One on One - the celebrity interview show.

He also produced and presented Soundcity’s most popular program in 2008 - The Nokia Express Music show! His interview credits with Soundcity include: Tuface, DBanj, Don Jazzy, PSquare and many others. International celebrities the prolific TV host has interviewed include Jarule, NAS US rapper - MIMS of This Is Why I’m Hot fame, Sean Kingston, Sisqo, SWV, Shaka Khan, the hugely popular South African acts Jozi, Freshly Ground, Wyre from Kenya and lots more.

Illrymz

Media Abroad

Tanzania bans weekly indefinitely

T

he Tanzanian government has banned indefinitely the critical Swahili-language weekly MwanaHalisi, accusing the paper of publishing seditious articles, according to local journalists and a statement by the information ministry.

According to a report by CPJ (Committee to Protect Journalists), the ministry claimed that MwanaHalisi's four July editions contained seditious and false material but did not specify particular articles. Under the 1976 Newspaper Act, Tanzanian authorities can suspend

a newspaper at will if they deem that it has "seditious intent," according to CPJ research. MwanaHalisi Chief Editor, Jabir Idrissa told CPJ that the paper is considering filing an appeal.

Idrissa and other local journalists said they suspect the ban is related to a series of articles in MwanaHalisi concerning the kidnap and torture in late June of physician Steven Ulimboka. Unknown assailants kidnapped and beat Ulimboka on the outskirts of the main commercial city Dar es Salaam after he led a doctors' strike, according to news reports. Mwa-

President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania

naHalisi's reports suggested involvement by authorities, citing phone records of an alleged security officer, Idrissa said.

Tanzanian security services and Presi-

dent Jakaya Kikwete have denied government involvement, according to local and international reports.

"Once again, Tanzanian authorities have wielded an archaic newspaper act and vague, unsupported accusations of sedition to censor reporting that is merely critical of the government," said CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes.

"Authorities should reverse this ban immediately and allow MwanaHalisi to report on the Ulimboka case without fear of reprisal."

Over the past year, Tanzanian authorities have called MwanaHalisi's editors in for questioning every two or three weeks over their articles, Idrissa said.

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Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror Traditional ruler proposes bio-data collection for security

“I have lived through Nigeria’s independence era but I don’t recall things being as bad as this, not even during the civil war which I lived through.”

PROFESSOR PAT UTOMI

49

Enugu residents bemoan bridge collapse

DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

S

ince June 6, when the Abakpa-Nike metropolitan main bridge, linking the largest populated suburb with Enugu, caved due to heavy rainfall, it has been hard times for the over one million residents of Abakpa, Trans-Ekulu and environs.

Though residents of the coal city have been agitating for the dualisation of the Nike road and construction of pedestrian bridges over junctions like Texaco and liberty bus stops, to ease traffic in the area, their plights have worsened with the collapse of the 37 year old bridge, built after the civil war.

Worst hit are students and teachers of Nike Grammar School and Army Command School located across the bridge.

For now the students have to wait in single file to cross the Ekulu river on a make shift bridge.

Even at that, some urchins have taking over the make-shift bridge to engage in brisk business of collecting tolls of N10 per person for crossing the river. Story was told of a girl who refused to pay the toll and was almost pushed into the fast flowing river but for others who volunteered

to pay on her behalf.

When Community Mirror visited the scene, it was discovered that the urchins constructed the makeshift bridge and which was reason they are collecting toll on it.

The aspect of the bridge collapse affecting every road user is the serpentine traffic gridlock on the Nike Lake road. For now, it remains the only route in and out of the densely populated suburb.

Whereas, residents of TransEkulu make use of the road and with the opening of the new Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka road through the same axis, commuters now experience nightmares on the single lane road.

Motorists interviewed pleaded with government to dualize all roads leading to Abakpa and environs, stressing that the local contractor asphalting the road has compounded the pains of commuters by abandoning parts of the drainages, while slabs erected have collapsed within few months. The Ugbene road was given as example where holdup has continued to build daily because of inefficient job by the contractor.

Visit to the site of collapsed bridge indicates that work has been going on smoothly by Arab Contactors with new piles being

erected to give further support to the old bridge but no one knows when the work would be completed for normal activities to resume on the road.

The Enugu State Commissioner for Works, Goddy Madueke, had said on the day the bridge collapsed that the government would commence constructions of other roads leading to Abakpa through Federal housing and CBN road but not much has

People trying to cross a make-shift bridge on Abakpa river in Enugu State.

FRSC cautions against re-treaded tyres NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

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he Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Onitsha Unit Command in Anambra State has cautioned commercial drivers against using re-treaded or expired tyres in their vehicles.

The unit commander, Mr. Fred Okoh, who sounded the warning while decorating three officers of the command in Onitsha, said the unit had carried out extensive awareness on inherent dangers associated with use of re -treaded tyres in motor-parks and markets.

Okoh disclosed that the unit is desirous of collaborating with relevant regulatory bodies to ensure the quality of tyres sold in Onitsha markets.

On the promoted officers, the unit commander said the officers

had helped in achieving numerous successes in its mandate of reducing road crashes in Onitsha.

“I feel very elated, that under my stewardship, three officers were promoted; that shows the kind of work they are doing here and the management had recognized their hard work. And that is why they are being promoted “.

It is hard work, dedication and promotion exams because it is not enough to say you are qualified for promotion. You must sit for an exam and pass it. And when you pass, it is still not automatic, if there are vacancies, of course, you will be promoted.

But basically it is earned on hard work”, he enumerated.

“I want to believe that, first and fore-most the people promoted, merited it and it would serve as a kind of spur for them to do more”, he stated. He said, for

been seen in that regard.

The commissioner said that part of what happened was caused by residents who he accused of using the bridge and its banks for refuse disposals.

“This is a natural disaster and what we observed is that there is an abutment brush out and not a collapse of the bridge. The abutment of the bridge washed and as a result the road behind it collapsed. It was due to the heavy

those not promoted, it will make them work harder.

Responding, one of the promoted officers, Mr. Effiong Etim, thanked the FRSC for the promotion and decoration, adding that it had been long awaited.

“We are fully aware of the new challenges and responsibilities this promotion carries with it. And we are assuring the management that we will re-double efforts in moving the commission forward”, he stated. He further said that they will apply the principle of dedication, fairness to all and above all, team spirit to carry those officers and men along in the daily discharge of our duties.

The officers, who were promoted from the rank of Assistant Route Commanders to Deputy Route Commanders, included,Mrs. Uzoamaka Umeileka, Mrs Bridget Ofogeli and Effiong Etim.

rains and the volume of the river increased.

“It is a three span bridge but because of dumping of refuse, it blocked half of the bridge span and so the water changed course and the water started going into the abutment ,thereby exposing the piles and the pile cap. So, water behind the pile caps started eroding and eventually washed down and as a result the road collapsed,” said Madueke.

PHOTO: DENNIS AGBO

Monarch urges roles for traditional rulers FRANCIS SUBERU

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he Onigogo of Igogo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Oba Sunday Olusola Adewumi, Okinbaloye I, has urged the Federal Government to ensure that more constitutional roles are given to traditional rulers in the country.

Oba Olusola Adewumi who said this in Gbagada, Lagos, noted that giving monarchs’ constitutional roles will not only banish violence in communities and the polity, it will also see to fair dispensation of justice and development at the grassroots.

According to the monarch; “Obas have always played advisory roles, advising local, state or federal governments on what to do to ensure better life for the citizens. The Obas have always been the benchmark of refer-

ence, but what we are looking at now is to give us more constitutional roles to play in the task of nation building.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and the Sultan of Sokoto have brought a lot of monarchs together to ensure peace at the grassroots. We have a lot of roles to play in the political structure of Nigeria. See what is happening now like the Boko Haram issue, Obas can play vital roles at achieving enduring peace”.

The briefing held preparatory to the 2012 Igogo Day celebration, will hold from August 26 to September 1, in the ancient town of Igogo-Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

Oba Olusola, said Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse I, would be leading a host of traditional rulers to the event.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror

Thursday, August 2, 2012

49

Traditional ruler proposes bio-data collection for security DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

T

he traditional ruler of IbeagwaNike community in Enugu East Local Government, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu, has called for the setting up of Neighbourhood security watch to collect bio-data of residents in every community.

The monarch who out-

lined this in a proposal to the Commissioner for Police and Commissioner for Poverty Reduction and Human Development, seeks for every tenant to enter into security contract with the landlord and neighborhood watch by filling clearance form that must contain finger prints, occupation and should be endorsed by the traditional ruler of his indigenous

community, fed into a data base before being given accommodation.

Igwe Ugwu said the idea is meant to curb crimes through having adequate information on every resident and could be easily identified in case of any security breach.

Citing his community as case study, Ugwu said there are many landlords who accept unknown persons

into their houses without knowledge the person or persons. “Some will commit offence in one place and relocate to another town.

When the culprit masters the domain, he gears up his action against the neighbourhood and relocates again. But if we embark on collecting bio-data of tenants, it will help the state and country,” the monarch noted.

The monarch further proposed that community leaders partner with the police and State Security Service, SSS, in sharing and implementing all demands of the bio-data. “Looking at the form which is virtually working in my kingdom, it will be difficult to habour a criminal or anyone without the consent of the traditional ruler, while the councilors representing the

urban areas shall embark on house to house implementation of the project,” he said.

The monarch, who is Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Traditional Rulers’ Council, also said the data will resolve the problem of farm settlers who are indigenes but pretend to be farmers while accommodating hoodlums who operate in disguise.

Council boss decries poverty in the north EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

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Pedestrians using the covered bridge at Onipanu bus stop during a heavy downpour in Lagos.

Drivers decry menace of fake revenue agents NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

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he Nigeria Lorry Drivers Association, NILODA, an umbrella body has decried the incessant harassment and extortion of its member on the nation’s highways by fake government revenue agents.

The president of the association, Comrade Chris Chisco Nwokoye, who said this after he and other elected executive were inaugurated, vowed that his administration would tackle the menace, as they would no longer fold their arms and watch their members exploited with reckless abandon.

Nwokoye who was sworn in alongside eight-member

others including Mr. Hamza Danladi Akush from Nasarawa State, Vice President; Hon. Ngozi Chukwumah Okeke, Secretary; Mr. Peter Enibe, Assistant Secretary; Mr. Peter Nwoba, Financial Secretary; Mr. Albert Ejiogu, Treasurer; Mr. Sunday Onyemekwe, Public Relations Officer and Mr. Calistus Ochuaka, Provost, disclosed that his administration would initiate dialogue with government agencies in charge of revenue collection, with a view to restoring sanity to the system and forestall harassment of their members.

Nwokoye pledged to work assiduously towards uplifting the association and gave assurance that the executive would work

according to the constitution.

He also pledged to run an open-door administration, adding that welfare of the members would be placed on top priority.

According to him, “my administration will tackle the menace of fake revenue agents with a view to protecting our members and we are going to fight these monsters until they are flushed out of our highways”.

In as much as we are not supporting nonpayment of revenues to the government, I am appealing to various federal, state and local government agencies to put their houses in order and dialogue with us on the appropriate revenues we are supposed to

pay to enable the executive enlighten the members accordingly”, he stated.

Earlier at the inaugural ceremony, chairman of the board of Trustees of NILODA, Chief Emmanuel Ezenwuba, assisted

by Hon. Okwudili Ugwu, Zonal chairman of National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, South East Zone and Sir Eugene Anene, zonal patron of NILODA, and representatives of federal and states governments, had charged the Nwokoyeled newly elected executive to live above board.

Ezenwuba also urged them to be transparent and avoid engaging in corrupt practices, adding that both the government and entire Nigerians are watching.

Group urges investigation into murder KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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social-political organisation, the Oduduwa Justice Group, has called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, and AIG Zone 11, to ensure that justice is done on the death of a sup-

porter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Ogbomoso, Mr. Isiaka Ademola, who was killed during the aborted April 2 ,2011 National Assembly elections .

The appeal in a release signed by General Secretary of the group, Mr. Bada Kazeem, is coming on the heels of the arrest in Ibadan of a

suspect, Mr Adetunji Adegboyega, who has been on the run since the elections.

The group alleged that Adegboyega led hoodlums believed to be supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to disrupt the peace at Gbede in Surulere Local Government Area, when the accreditation of voters was going on, lead-

ing to the death of Ademola while four others were seriously injured in the attack .

According to the group, the four injured persons were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment while Ademola died some hours and his corpse taken to the Police Area Command in Ogbomoso, where a formal report was made.

he care-taker chairman, Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Sadiq, has attributed the prevailing insecurity in the north to poverty, especially among the youths.

The chairman made the declaration while speaking in Bauchi, said the insecurity situation has seriously affected the region’s socioeconomic and political activities considered as the bedrock of development.

Sadiq blame the situation on the lack of political will to empower the youths, especially by politicians having failed to consolidate on the gains of democracy while in office.

In recognition of this menace, Sadig added that since assumption of office, Dass council management has remained committed to providing jobs to youths and women whereby more than 100 of them had benefited through various training on skill acquisitions.

Sadiq stress that he had given priority to sponsoring of youths to various tertiary institutions, while other areas like social amenities have received same attention to stimulate growth and development.

The council boss applauded Governor Yuguda’s commitment and demonstration to tackle the prevailing insecurity in the state compared to others with a charge on the people to rally in support of the administration.

50

Ramadan Special

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Zakat will generate N73.3b in Lagos alone –ZSF SEKINAH LAWAL

I

f government is involved in the collection of Zakat, it is capable of generating a total of N73.3b in Lagos alone which is far above the federal allocation coming to the state.

This was made known by the Executive Director, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), Mallam Abdullahi Shuaib in an interview with National Mirror. According to him, based on the Zakat Nisab, which is the minimum value/amount a Muslim must have before he/she is eligible to pay Zakat for the year1433AH/2012 which is N586, 500 with the expected Zakat of just 2.5% of N586, 500 amounting to N14, 662.50k.

“If we make a brief calculation with the current population of Lagos State for instance which is put at about 18million, if only five million of this figure are Zakatable Muslims, 5million multiplied by a minimum of N14, 662. 50k, will give us a total of N73.3b in Lagos alone which is far

above the federal allocation coming to the state.”

He said the Zakat will be collected by government and distributed to the needy. It is because that is not yet obtainable here that a non-governmental organization like Z&S Foundation has taken up the challenge. “Government must be fully involved in the issue of Zakat collection.

If they can be involved in other pillars of Islam like Hajj, there is no reason why government should not be involved in Zakat collection and administration.”

He stated that with the needed laws to back this up, it will go a long way in alleviating poverty and boosting the economic activities of the citizenry and governance too. “All they need to do is to set up the Zakat Board just like we have the Hajj Boards and ensure that they recruit professional Zakat workers not on party basis but those who have the fear of Allah as well as the wealth of experience in Zakat management.”

Allah has prescribed Zakat as an obligatory charity prescribed in order to cleanse the individual’s

wealth, heart, and by extension the society in general, of the baser characteristics of miserliness, selfishness, greed, and materialism and replace them with higher qualities of generosity, love and care, and mutual help.

Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam. It is a duty to Allah that obligates every wealthy individual to share with the needy a portion from his/her wealth, building a society on higher moral and spiritual values. “It checks the baser instincts of greed, miserliness, and selfishness, which lead to materialism.

It promotes mutual caring, love, and generosity leading to gratitude to Allah.”

For those who receive assistance from Zakat, it reduces their economic burden and they are enabled to pay attention to the family, social, and spiritual aspects of their lives.

Though Zakat is an act of sharing, it is discharged, as a duty to Allah and in that respect is distinct from an act of normal charity.

Z&SF is a non-govern-

mental organization established to provide humanitarian and welfare services through a number of Islamic windows/ product portfolios. Ultimately every individual is personally responsible for discharging this obligation and must take care of this every year.

He urged Muslims to see wealth has a creation of Allah as many Zakatable Muslims are depriving the poor of their rights and blessings. “Such situation breeds insecurity and creates an environment of tension. Not paying Zakat fans the ember of insecurity in any society. One can only imagined what the situation of things will be if all those who are supposed to be paying Zakat are made to do so through the state apparatus.”

Zakat payment will benefit Muslims and humanity in general, bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, re-awaken the spirit of social responsibility among Muslims and ensure even distribution of wealth for the empowerment of the downtrodden ones.

JNI decries terrorist attack AZA MSUE KADUNA

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he Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) yesterday decried the spate of terror attacks during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement signed

by JNI Secretary General, Dr.Khalid Abubakar Aliyu said the evil doers should be put to shame.

While commiserating with the people of Sokoto, Kano and Kaduna states over the attacks, JNI called on governments to device durable proactive measures that would protect the lives and properties of citizenry and further called on Nigerians to be securityconscious stressing that the nation must rise above board to nip the reoccurring upheavals.

The statement reads in part “Jama’atu Nasril Islam received with shock the unfortunate orchestrated multiple bomb blasts and gun shootings that occurred in Sokoto, Kano and Zaria in Kaduna state.

L-R: Administrative Secretary and Executive Director, Zakat and Zadaqat Foundation (ZSF), Ma’aruf Ahmed and Imam Abdullahi Shuaib during a vist to Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home School, Akoka, Lagos in the spirit of Ramadan recently.

Day 14

Amosun slashes Hajj fare FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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gun State Government has approved the sum of Five hundred and seventy thousand naira (N570, 000) as fare for the Year 2012 Hajj exercise.

The Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board (OGMPWB), Alhaji Sefiu Rasheed disclosed this during a media chat with National Mirror in Abeokuta, the state capital during the week.

Alhaji Rasheed stated that the figure was arrived at following a drastic reduction of the amount on the orders of the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun as part of his commitment to the welfare of pilgrims from the state.

Also, all intending pilgrims for the year 2012 Hajj exercise who had earlier made initial deposit were directed to balance up their payments within the stipulated time in order to guarantee a hitch-free Hajj.

Also a statement from

the Information Officer of OGMPWB, Alhaji Qudus Kafidipe revealed that the state government had approved the sum of Five hundred and seventy thousand naira (N570, 000) as fare for the Year 2012 Hajj exercise.

He added that the decision was borne out of Amosun’s avowed commitment to the welfare of the pilgrims, particularly citizens from the state. Pilgrims from the state are therefore, advised to ensure that they balance up the payments on or before Friday, 10th August, 2012, stressing that the figure remains the cheapest in the southwest region of the country.

Rasheed also requested the pilgrims to pay additional minimum of One hundred and eight thousand, seven hundred and fifty Naira (N108, 750) for Seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750) or sum of One hundred and forty-five thousand Naira (N145,000) be paid for the One thousand dollars ($1000) maximum as Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA).

‘Include religious leaders in governance’ LATEEFAH IBRAHIM-ANIMASHAUN

T L-R: Chairman, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), Alhaji Sulaimon Olagunju, at the Iftar Soim (Feeding of fasting Muslims) held at Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque, witnessed by the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, his deputy and other dignitaries.

he Federal Government of Nigeria has been charged to include scholars from different religion to act as advisers to the President on pressing issues affecting their individual religion as

it said to help improve decisions of the government on religious affairs.

This call came from Grand Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisation, Ustaz Dhikrullahi Shafii during a Ramadan Tafsir held at Dawah Centre, Ijesha Lagos on the best way to utilize the holy month of Ramadan.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, August 2, 2012

51

Alleged N557m fraud: Ehindero, Obaniyi know fate Sept 21 EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

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Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court yesterday, fixed September 21, to deliver ruling on separate preliminary objections raised by a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Sunday Ehindero and his then Commissioner of Police in Charge of Budget, John Obaniyi.

The trial judge, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, adjourned for ruling after their counsel adopted their

written addresses to the objection raised by the former IGP and his ex-Budget commissioner.

Justice Oniyangi also held that the two accused persons should continue with their bail which the court had earlier granted.

In adopting his written address to the preliminary objection, counsel to Ehindero, Mr. Benson Igbanoi, who stood in for Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the six-count amended charge preferred against the 1st accused by the Inde-

pendent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the ground that it lacks jurisdiction to try the accused person.

Igbanoi informed the court that his objection is predicated on 12 grounds supported by a 19-paragraph affidavit. He added, in his oral submission that he dutifully formulated five issues for the determination of the court.

On the basis of this, Igbanoi urged the trial judge to ‘decline jurisdiction and accordingly proceed to

dismiss or strike out the amended charge preferred against the 1st accused.’

Adopting Igbanoi’s submission, counsel to Obaniyi, A.S. Odariko, argued that there was the compelling need for the court to quash the amended charge against his client on the ground of lack of ‘competency,’ more so that no prima facie case has been established against the 2nd accused person to warrant him being put on trial.

He hinged his argument on section 185 (b) of the Criminal Procedure Code

(CPC) and sections 26 (1) and 26 (2) of the Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Act. In opposition to the objection, counsel to the ICPC, Paul Ameh Basi, said there is only one Corrupt Practices Act, which is the 2000 ICPC Act. Basi pleaded with the court to dismiss the separate applications and proceed to assume jurisdiction in the criminal case, in order for the accused persons to take their plea for trial proper. This was even as he urged the court to ‘dis-

countenance the affidavit evidence brought by the accused counsel and only look at the materials placed before it by the prosecution in seeking leave for prosecution.’

The anti-corruption agency is alleging that the accused persons, Ehindero and Obaniyi had conspired between the months of May and November, 2006, in their capacities as IGP and Commissioner of Police in charge of budget, respectively, to defraud the Nigeria Police of the sum of N557 million only.

FG to use prison inmates for agricultural development OMEIZA AJAYI

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he Federal Government yesterday inaugurated a committee that will maximise the potentials of the over 200, 000 Nigeria prison inmates in the development of the agriculture sector, in what it said is part of measures to enhance food security.

Known as the Steering Committee of the Prisons Agricultural development Project, the government said the committee is to establish larger agricultural farm sites across the country through utilising the physical labour force of the inmates.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, said the inmates, who will constitute the majority of the workforce will be placed on monthly salaries which will be paid to them at the end of their prison term.

While emphasising that the project will give the prisoners the requisite reformation skills, the minister also stated that the project will serve as a source of employ-

ment opportunity for the country’s teeming unemployed youths.

“It may interest you to know that presently in South Africa, it earns more than $84 million annually from a similar project. This underlines the fact that the scheme when fully operational would earn our country Nigeria, millions in dollars.

“In addition, the prison inmates, who will constitute the major the workforce, would earn the much needed salaries which would be paid to them at the end of their prison term, in addition to acquiring requisite reformation skills.

Abdullahi Alao of Ax Energy (left) and EFCC official at Ikeja Lagos High Court premises, yesterday.

Police commission appoints Leha to replace John Haruna OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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he Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Philemon Leha, to the position of a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in a bid to replace the late DIG John Haruna, who died in a police helicopter crash few months ago.

The commission said it

acted based on the recommendations of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, for the promotion of some senior officers of the Nigeria Police to fill existing vacancies.

The commission also approved the promotion of an unnamed sergeant to Assistant Superintendent of Police II. Chief Information Officer in the Commission, Ferdinand Ekpe, in a state-

ment made available to National Mirror said the commission also approved the promotion of eight commissioners of police to the rank of assistant inspectors-general of police.

He listed the new AIGs to include Christopher T. Degab; Aliyu Musac; Bala Hassan; Mohammed J. Abubakar; Tambari Y. Mohammed; Ibrahim Abdu; Julius A. Ishola and Alex Emeka Okeke (AIG Medical Services).

N2bn not found in my residence, ex-Perm Sec insists

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former permanent secretary in the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Abubakar Atiku Kigo, yesterday insisted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) never found N2bn cash in his

residence in the wake of the police pension scam.

A statement issued yesterday by an Abuja-based lawyer, Yakubu Musa Argungu, said it was unfortunate that many Nigerians had already believed the story.

Argungu, who was

quoting Kigo’s lead counsel, Yahaya Mahmoud (SAN), said since the false and libelous story was first reported, Kigo had denied the purported discovery of N2bn in his house, and had challenged anyone with proof to the contrary to come

forward.

“This denial is also contained in a submission Kigo made to the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, which investigated the pension scam currently rocking the media.”

Al-Mustapha’s mother, 70, dies in Kano AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

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other of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Hajia Fatima, died yesterday in Kano at the age of 70, after a protracted illness.

Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, lost both parents while in detention.

Hajiya Fatima died at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and was buried at about 5.00 pm after funeral prayers for the repose of her soul.

It will be recalled that before her death, she had repeatedly sought the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan for the release of her son, Major

Hamza Al-Mustapha, who has been in detention in the last 14 years over his alleged involvement in the murder of the late Kudirat Abiola, the wife of Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election.

Al-Mustapha’s father also died sometime ago without realising his last wish of seeing his son before his death.

Al-Mustapha

52

North

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

60-year-old woman gives birth to baby boy ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

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60-year-old female teacher in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, yesterday gave birth to a male child after several years of childlessness.

Christie, an Isoko woman from Delta State but resident in Lokoja, had been looking up to God for the fruit of the womb until God answered her prayers and she became pregnant. Her pregnancy was later confirmed by a

medical doctor in one of the hospitals in the state.

The woman, who was said to have been divorced by her late husband over her childlessness was said to have thrown a lavish party for the people of the area to rejoice with her over her new status.

“Her house has become a Mecca of sort as people continued to troop into the place not only to rejoice with her but to witness the wonder of God.” As at the time of filing this report, the father

of the child was not yet known to the public.

All efforts to speak with her failed as the new mother was busy attending to her guests and relations.

Meanwhile, no fewer than five people were on Tuesday killed in an auto crash that occurred in Kogi State. The accident, which occurred at Zariagi

by Kabba Junction along the Lokoja- Abuja highway, left at least eight other people injured.

Eyewitness account said the accident, which

happened at about 12.00 noon, involved four vehicles, a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number NEN 120 XA; a Toyota Seina with registration number with XJ 902 THE; another Toyata Corrola with number XV 125 SUA and a DAF truck with registration number XD 287 KWL respectively.

He said the accident happened when one of the vehicles heading towards the southern part of the country overtook another one dangerously and in the process collided with a ve-

hicle coming from the opposite direction while the two other vehicles rammed into them from behind, killing five persons and injuring eight others on the spot.

The Kogi State Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission, Muhammed Garba, who confirmed the accident, blamed it on dangerous overtaking.

He said 31 people were involved in the accident and that five persons died while eight were injured and the others escaped unhurt.

Aliyu harps on provision of quality education PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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iger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday stressed the need for stakeholders to jointly accord the education sector the attention it deserves to ensure quality education for the children of the state.

Speaking at the sixth graduation, speech and prize giving day of the Kowa International Schools in Minna, Governor Aliyu said the need by all stakeholders to get involved in the business of education was because it is the only tool that can bring about effective change in the society, especially towards the path of sustainable growth.

The governor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Susan Gana, said; “Education is everyone’s business; therefore everyone has a role to play, especially in the education of their wards to wipe away illiteracy from the state, so that it can move forward.”

L-R: Secretary, Five-Based Community Progressive Youth Development Association, Comrade Murtala Muhammed; Chairman, Comrade Hassan Auta and Social Director, Comrade Tanko Simon, at a news conference on pollution around villages in PHOTO: NAN Kaduna, yesterday.

Jega canvasses successful LG poll to strengthen democracy WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

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hairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has advocated for a free and fair conduct of local government election in the country as a way of strengthening democracy in the nation.

Jega, who spoke at the second INEC/SIECs (State Independent Electoral Commissions) conference, held in Ilorin, said democ-

ratisation of local government in the country is at the very heart of democratic consolidation in the country.

His words: “Indeed, it will not be an exaggeration to say that if we get elections right at the local government level, we have a better chance of getting elections right at all levels.”

He therefore charged the conference that as bodies charged with election at the local government level; “SIECs have a major role and responsibility in

building our democratic system.”

This he said they would do ‘by conducting credible election which will provide the basic blocks that would deepen democracy in Nigeria.’

He said between 1999 and now; “Hypothetically, the 37 election bodies (INEC and SIECs) in Nigeria ought to have conducted almost 450 elections, with INEC conducting 16 and SIECs conducting about 432.”

Earlier, Chairman of the Forum of State Inde-

pendent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECON), Alhaji Alhassan Sadiq, had praised the idea of a good partnership between INEC and SIECs, which he said Prof. Jega has adequately nurtured.

He commended the INEC chairman for making an improvement in the conduct of elections in the country and stressed the need to improve in all it takes to assist SIECs in their responsibilities for local government election.

‘Katsina may not pay workers’ N11bn salary arrears’ JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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atsina State may not be able to support the payment of over N11bn in accrued salaries following the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Also, most of the state’s 34 council areas are faced with the problem of inadequate monthly subventions which is hardly enough to pay salaries, as some have negative balances after payment of their monthly salary package.

This was made known in a report submitted to state governor, Ibrahim Shema, by the committee on assessment of salary arrears of the state’s civil servants, local governments and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

The committee, headed

by Dr. Samaila Iro, said a total of 58,390 workers at state, local and SUBEB levels were being owed N11bn.

Iro said arrears accruable to both state junior and senior civil servants stood at over N1.89bn, while arrears of both junior and senior staff stood at over N3.66bn.

He said junior staff of SUBEB arrears and those of their senior colleagues stood at over N5.36bn and that other employees who left the state’s service before the implementation of the new wage were owed N73.39 million.

He lamented that the current state’s revenue cannot support payment of the accrued arrears due to dwindling resources from the federation account, while council areas’ subventions have negative balances after payment of salaries.

‘Sambo committed to Nigeria’s economic progress’ PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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he Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has described the life of the Vice-President, Alhaji Muhammad Namadi Sambo, who turned 60 today as one totally committed to the socio-economic prog-

ress of Nigeria and its people.

The forum described Vice-President Sambo as a man, whose life is devoted to the pursuit of excellence and good governance which have impacted positively on the lives of Nigerians.

Chairman of the NSGF and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida

Aliyu, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, said the forum is proud of his legacies as the governor of Kaduna State, especially the setting up of ‘Operation Yaki’, a special task force that has become a huge success.

The forum recalled that as a member of the NSGF

then, the vice-president contributed to major decisions of the forum which brought succour and prosperity to our people.

According to forum, the former Kaduna State helmsman, before occupying his present position, had a distinguished carrier in the construction industry and went on to preside

over the capital of the defunct Northern region during which period he showed rare vision, courage and exemplary leadership.

The forum then prayed God to grant Vice-President Sambo excellent health, courage and many more years of selfless service to Nigeria and humanity.

Sambo

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, August 2, 2012

53

World News

“We are calling on all parties to exercise utmost restraint... to distinguish between civilians and [combatants] in this conflict” - UN Mission in Syria Spokeswoman, Sausan Ghosheh

Suicide bombers strike as Somalis agree on constitution PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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wo suicide bombers attacked a conference in Somalia yesterday but failed to stop delegates agreeing a new draft constitution that is meant to help the violence-torn East African country return to stability.

One bomber killed six security officers, while the other was shot and killed before he could detonate his bomb, police said.

Al Shabaab, Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked group, said it was behind the attack and that it had succeeded in killing Somali and African Union troops.

“The two bombers wore government uniform,” Colonel Mohamed Ali, a police officer, told Reuters.

“One jumped over a wall opposite the conference building but he was shot dead outside the gate.

Then another bomber jumped from another wall and his bomb exploded where government soldiers stood.”

Delegates at the Mogadishu conference continued with their discussions and later adopted a provisional constitution, seen as a step forward on the road to national recovery.

“We were behind the bombing. Two Mujahideen suicide

Somalis reacting in favour of their country’s new draft constitution, in Mogadishu, Somalia yesterday

bombers did it. We have killed a number of AMISOM and Somali troops,” Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, the spokesman for Al Shabaab’s military operation told Reuters.

“We had also targeted the conference with a landmine explosion before. We shall target the constitution conference and its members one by one.”

Although weakened, al Shabaab is the most powerful of an array of militias spawned by the conflict in Somalia, where armed

groups have a history of wrecking attempted political settlements and perpetuating war, instability and famine.

The African Union’s peacekeeping force in Somalia hopes to drive the militants out of the country’s central and southern regions this month, when the U.N.-backed government’s mandate expires.

Under the terms of a political road map, Somalia must establish a legitimate government seen as inclusive by the country’s

PHOTO: AP

fractious clans, as well as a new parliament and constituent assembly to replace institutions plagued by corruption and infighting.

The 825-member National Constituent Assembly, which has been sitting in Mogadishu for the last week, approved the provisional constitution by a show of hands.

It will replace an 8-year old Transitional Federal Charter and lead to the conclusion of the transition process on August 20.

Africa must live up to democratic promise – Clinton

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.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Africa yesterday to recommit to democracy, declaring the “old ways of governing” can no longer work on a continent boasting healthy economic growth and an increasingly empowered citizenry.

Clinton, launching a sevennation Africa tour, praised her hosts in Senegal for overcoming tensions to hold elections in March that saw President Macky Sall defeat long-time incumbent Abdoulaye Wade, reinforcing the country’s credentials as one of the most stable democracies in the continent.

But she said democracy was too often on the back foot in Africa despite decades of economic progress.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) shaking hands with U.S. Embassy staff members during a visit in Dakar yesterday.

PHOTO: REUTERS

“There are still too many Africans living under autocratic rulers who care more about preserving their grip on power than promoting the welfare of

their citizens,” Clinton said in a speech at Dakar’s University of Cheikh Anta Diop, noting that coups and power grabs had reduced the count of full electoral

democracies on the continent to 19 in 2012 from 24 in 2005.

“The old ways of governing are no longer acceptable. It is time for leaders to accept accountability, treat their people with dignity, respect their rights, and deliver economic opportunity. And if they will not, then it is time for them to go,” she said.

Constitutional order has been restored in Niger and Guinea following recent coups, while Benin, Cape Verde, Liberia, Nigeria, Zambia and Togo have all held credible elections over the past year.

But Clinton warned that sobering alternative paths were being taken by Mali and GuineaBissau, saying the latter risked becoming “dependent” on Latin American drug traffickers.

WORLD BULLETIN Obama announces new Iran sanctions Barack Obama has announced new US sanctions against foreign banks that help Iran sell its oil, saying the new measures will raise pressure on the Islamic Republic to meet its international nuclear obligations, Al Jazeera has reported.

The new penalties by the US president were announced on Tuesday and would target China’s Bank of Kunlun and Iraq’s Elaf Islamic Bank.

In a statement, Obama said the sanctions made clear that the US would expose any financial institution that assists “the increasingly desperate Iranian regime” to access the international financial system.

Obama is also extending sanctions to the purchase or acquisition of Iranian petrochemical products. The sanctions are authorised in part for those who provide support to the National Iranian Oil Company and the Central Bank of Iran.

Gore Vidal, celebrated author, playwright dies Gore Vidal, the author, playwright, politician and commentator whose vast and sharpened range of published works and public remarks were stamped by his immodest wit and unconventional wisdom, died Tuesday at age 86 in Los Angeles.

He might have been president, or even king. He had an aristocrat’s bearing — tall, handsome and composed — and an authoritative baritone ideal for summoning an aide or courtier.

But Vidal made his living — a very good living — from challenging power, not holding it. He was wealthy and famous and committed to exposing a system often led by men he knew firsthand. During the days of Franklin Roosevelt, one of the few leaders whom Vidal admired, he might have been called a “traitor to his class.” The real traitors, Vidal would respond, were the upholders of his class.

More deaths in Ugandan’s Ebola outbreak The Ugandan president has called on people to limit physical contact with each other, after the death toll of a deadly outbreak of the Ebola virus climbed to 16.

Two cases have been reported in the capital Kampala since the outbreak began, President Yoweri Museveni said, and one victim is reported to have died in Kampala’s Mulago Hospital.

“The Ministry of Health are tracing all the people who have had contact with the victims,” Museveni said in a state broadcast on Monday.

54

Insight

Thursday, August 2, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rich yesterday, poor today: How Nigerian The recent death of ex-Super Eagles’ striker and Nigeria’s highest goal scorer of-all-time, Rashidi Yekini, raises the question of how Nigeria’s sportsmen and women spend their resources in retirement. ANDREW EKEJIUBA brings to the fore, the plight of rich sportstars of old who later live in penury and die unsung.

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igerian sportsmen and women amass wealth during their active years, but only for many of them to misuse their earnings and later die wretched.

A recent case in point was the1993 CAF African Footballer of the Year, Rashidi Yekini, who according to sources allegedly blew N60 million in two months before his death on May 4. Nigerians are still confused on what really transpired, whether the legendary attacker really died a pauper or not.

Yekini was alleged to have withdrawn N1 million daily for about 60 days from his savings account in an old generation bank at Dugbe area of Ibadan.

Reports following his untimely demise quoted one of his siblings, Mrs. Rafiat Adetunji, as confirming that there was no money in the ace striker’s account as at the time the family took him away for treatment, when his health started failing. He was later buried in a shallow grave in a slummy part his family’s compound in his village which is considered unfit for someone of his stature.

Etim Esin Another ex-Super Eagles striker, Etim Esin, is hale and hearty, alive and kicking, but is feeling the cold weather of lack.

Esin is one of the few stylish Nigerian exinternationals who endeared himself into the hearts of football lovers in the country following his ingenious style of play, which was similar to that of ex-Argentine soccer legend, Diego Maradona, whom he was nicknamed after.

To say the least, he was one of the finest footballers ever to come out of Nigeria’s rich soccer reservoir in the early 90s.

Born on November 15, 1969 in a famous aristocratic polygamous home in Akwa Ibom State, with some of his siblings lawyers as well as successful businessmen residing in Europe. His father who actually married four wives was a former adviser to the late Governor Clement Isong.

Esin began his football career with Calabar Rovers and moved to Flash Flamingos and later to Iwuanyanwu Nationale now Heartland of Owerri in 1987.

He came to national limelight on the eve of the Chile 1987 World Youth Championship, when he was shot by armed robbers on a street in Surulere, Lagos after sneaking out of national under 20-camp. He later faced a rape case in Belgium that brought an abrupt end to his professional career.

“Another problem that worked against my career was racism. Till date, there is still racism in football and my generation was among those that suffered colour-dis-

crimination in Europe. The rape case I had in Belgium was in the early ’90s.

“It was a racial treatment- from a white family called Pedofiles. I was dating one of their daughters unknown to me that her father was also having a sexual affair with her. But because I was a black man dating a white lady, my girlfriend’s parents became mischievous,” he explained.

Today, Etim Esin feels neglected. “Even if the entire country does not appreciate my contribution, Akwa Ibom, my state of birth, should have given me a sport appointment. I am sad that this is not so, but I believe in God’s time,” he said.

Jerry Okorodudu At the height of his sports stardom, the Jerry curl hairdo was synonymous with Jerry Okorodudu, who earned a pride of place in Nigeria’s boxing history with his amateur rank exploits. Born on May 24, 1969, he was one of the few boxers that represented Nigeria well at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles in the middleweight division, defeating Pekka Lassanen of Finland, 5-0 and Tom Corr of Ireland, 4-1 to reach the quarter-finals before losing to South Korea’s Shin Joon-Sup 1-4.

He later got married to an American admirer, the American has returned to her country with the couple’s children because Okorodudu is in distress, especially after he was relieved of his national team’s coaching job by the National Sports Commission in circumstances not befitting his ex-Olympian status.

Grace Akindele (nee Ebunkuyo) Mrs. Grace Akindele (nee Ebunkuyo), was a former Commonwealth Games gold medalist who won laurels for Nigeria during her active years as an athlete and is one of the surviving heroines of Nigerian athletics.

Today she is unhappy, forgotten and left to wallow in her agony as a result of illhealth and want. The situation has left her in penury and confined her to the four-wall of her home with no help in sight.

During her heyday, fans often referred to her as being antelope-footed because of her speed on the tracks and in 1993, her people in Ikale, Ondo State bestowed on her an award tagged, ‘The Ikale Sports Award (ISA) to show appreciation for her contributions to sport development in their state and Nigeria at large.

Grace Akindele (nee Ebunkuyo), embraced athletics when she was in the secondary school and even during inter-house sports competitions or inter-school sports competitions, in which she distinguished herself so well, from there, her interest in athletics grew according to a reliable source and she started representing Ondo State, before moving to the national level to represent her country.

Born in Ejoo Oke to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ebunkuyo, in Ikale, Ondo State, she got married to Mr. Sunday Owolola Akindele, the same year she won two gold medals at the Ondo State Sports Festival.

As part of her achievements, she won two gold medals for Ondo State at the National Sports Festival in 1973 and in 1974, and also won gold medal at the Commonwealth Games at Christ Church New Zealand for Nigeria. She remembers with nostalgia her achievements.

Rashidi Yekini

TODAY SHE IS UNHAPPY, FORGOTTEN AND LEFT TO WALLOW IN HER AGONY AS A RESULT OF

ILL-HEALTH AND WANT.

THE SITUATION HAS

LEFT HER IN PENURY AND CONFINED HER TO

THE FOUR-WALL OF HER HOME WITH NO HELP IN SIGHT “I would say that during my days as an athlete, I represented my state and country well. We won medals and brought honour for our various states and the country .

“I remember in 1975, when I won silver medal at the National Sports Festival for my state, and in 1977 during the Ondo State Sports Festival where I won two gold medals. Same year, our country hosted the West African Games in Lagos, where I also won a gold medal in 100 metres race,” she said.

Speaking about illness, Akindele said, “According to medical tests, which I underwent, it was discovered that I was diabetic and also hypertensive may be as a result of my past athletic activities, which I never regret till now.

My not being able to get the kind of treatment I need, boils down to paucity of funds, because my husband and I had spent all we have on my sickness. Even my in-laws have contributed as much as they can, but to no avail.

As of now, my family and I cannot afford about N3 million needed for my treatment aboard as our family medical doctor suggested.” She added.

Haruna Ilerika Remember him? Ilerika played for the Nigeria national football team between 1971 and 1976 and spent his entire career with Stationery Stores FC of Lagos.

He joined Stores FC in 1971 after a brief stint with the defunct Metal Construction Football Club (Apapa) after having led the Zumratul-Islammiya Grammar School, Lagos to victory in the 1970 Principals’

Sam Ojebode

Cup competition for secondary schools in Lagos State.

Nicknamed the “Master Dribbler”, Ilerika wore the No. 9 jersey in his time with the national team. He mesmerized football fans with his deft ball control, silky, effortless dribbles and his immaculate passing skills. He scored many beautiful goals too.

Before his death on December 4, 2008, he was quoted as saying, ”It is just now that the former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu and his successor, Raji Fashola, are helping me out. If not for their support, a national hero like me would be living like a pauper.” Until his demise, he was Vice Chairman of Lagos State Football Association.

Though diminutive in stature, but as a player he was of considerable stature. Usually clad in oversized shorts, he could so expertly dribble the ball with his natural left foot that he was the toast of musicians including the great Juju Juju Maestro, Ebenezer Obey; and there were songs in his praise pleading with him to have mercy on his opponents.

Ilerika once told Adokiye Amiesimaka that the only encouragement he and his colleagues received for winning the football event of the 1973 All Africa Games was mere, ”Well done boys, the nation is proud of you,” from Nigerian sports officials and the federal government.

Raymond King Raymond King is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most revered goalkeepers, though he did not feature prominently in major matches at the international level, but his exploits in the domestic league endeared him to many of the football fans of his era.

The Akwa Ibom-born striker turned

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, August 2, 2012

55

sports stars live in affluence, die in penury

Late Haruna Ilerika

Etim Esin

THE FORMER STATIONERY STORES OF LAGOS PLAYER AND LATER COACH, WAS SAID TO HAVE SUFFERED TRIPLE STROKE BEFORE HIS DEMISE WHICH LEFT Grace Akindele.

goalkeeper lived all his life in Lagos, Ibadan and Abeokuta but very few people knew that he was from the South-South state.

His career in football started from his primary school days in Lagos at The Seventh Day Adventist, Abule Oja. According to him, he did not start his career as a goalkeeper but as a striker as his physical attribute and the challenges he faced in school sports took him to the top of his game.

“I started football as an outfield player but I found that I was better at goal keeping than playing. One of my primary school teachers introduced me to goalkeeping when no one in the team was willing to man the post at an interschool competition,” he recalls.

He started his career as an amateur footballer with Rapid Fire FC in Ibadan in 1976 before joining Memco Steel FC in 1977. He later moved to Coop Giants in 1978 to start his professional career, and in 1979, he joined Wema Bank FC immediately after the National Sports Festival in 1979 in Oyo State. According to King, his stint with Abiola Babes proved to be the most cherished in his career.

“I joined Abiola Babes in 1983 but I left them due to some problems. The problem started when I went with the Flying Eagles as an ambassador to the 1983 U-20 World Cup in Mexico. I was not aware that my registration form was not submitted to the league board and nobody told me about it.

“I noticed I was not featured in the league games, and whenever I asked the coaches, they would say they were keeping me for the FA Cup matches. They paid me match bonuses but I was not satisfied because I wanted to play.”

King later joined Stationery Stores of Lagos in 1987 after Abiola Babes were disbanded.

“The late Eyo Essien, Emmanuel Okala and Best Ogedegbe were inspirational to my career. Three different goalkeepers

HIM INCAPACITATED of almost the same era, but I learnt from them all,” he said.

King relied on his raw talent until he met Prof. Raul Calleso, the assistant to Otto Gloria, coach of the Green Eagles in 1981.

“That man brought out the best in me.

He showed me books on goalkeeping and thought me many things I knew little about,” he said.

Six years after losing the African Club Champions Cup final to Zamalek while in Shooting Stars King moved higher in his career, by joining Tonnere Kalala of Cameroun in 1989 before moving to Greece in 1990.

“I could not return to Greece without a passport and while I was looking for a way out, my contract expired. So I joined Lisabi Warriors for eight months and retired. What happened was a big blow to me and I could not continue. There was nobody to help me, I was financially down and frustrated, I had nothing to live on. I am the son of Okon Willie King in Akwa Ibom State and because of the way I was raised, I could not be a burden to anybody so I stepped over to the next phase of my life,” he added.

He is presently eking out a living as a goalkeeper trainer with Gateway FC of Abeokuta.

Austin Ofuokwu Another Nigerian international, Austin Ofuokwu, battled to stay alive after quitting football coaching and doing what he knows how to do best, transforming talents.

The former Stationery Stores of Lagos player and later coach, was said to have a suffered triple stroke attack which left him incapacitated before his demise.

His then employers, Union Bank FC abandoned him, thus forcing his church, Baptist Academy , Obanikoro to come to the rescue of the ex-Nigerian captain.

According to sources, Ofuokwu’s re-

Jerry Okorodudu

Raymond King

sources were almost spent on his medical bills and even on his sick bed he was said to have wondered many times on why the sports ministry and NFF keep abandoning players who served their fatherland diligently. He also wondered what precedent they are setting for younger players as he went further to appeal to well meaning Nigerians to come to his aid before he passed on.

The sight of the former Nigerian International then at his residence in Palm grove, Lagos, would no doubt make any sportsman or woman aspiring to wear the national colour at international competitions think twice. Like Ofuokwu’s case, many of Nigeria’s retired stars have been forgotten and left to face the realities of life after serving their fatherland diligently with every drop of their blood during their active years.

The sick ones among them were not even remembered as they were left to die wretched. But there are cases of others, who frittered away their resources before it was too late to make amends.

In this category are boxers, track and field athletes and footballers who made fortunes especially in the last two decades but are now waiting on the authorities to rehabilitate them with coaching jobs at the Ministry of Sports/National Sports Commission and cannot account for their fabled wealth.

National Mirror had reported in an earlier publication ,about other ex-internationals who had died in the past with little or no financial aid to rescue them from the grip of death and needless to say , a lot of them died wretched after serving the country well.

Noticeable names among these group of people were; Sam Opone, Elkanah Onyeali, Amusa ‘Bulldozer’ Shuttu and Etim Henshaw to mention but a few.

tion.

While in the national team, Ojebode played alongside the likes of goalkeeper Joe Erico, defenders Sanni Mohammed, Muda Lawal, Baba Otu Mohammed, Felix Owolabi, Segun Odegbami, Thompson Usiyen, late Aloysius Atuegbu, Godwin Odiye, Kunle Awesu, Kelechi Emeteole, Idowu Otubusin and Patrick Ekeji, who is now Director General of the National Sports Commission.

He amassed wealth and fame during his playing career, but all of these vanished prior to his death on July 4, 2012 at the age of 68.

Ojebode died at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. He died of cancer of the lung after being bedridden for almost two years.

On retirement from active football, Ojebode coached Shooting Stars Sports Club, and also served as the Chairman of the team’s Board.

Prior to his death, there were calls by friends and fans of Ojebode to assist his family pay his medical bills because the sickness took a toll on the finances of the family.

Some urged Federal and state governments to come to Ojebode’s aid in giving him a better medical care to save his life.

Even, if it needs taking him abroad to save his live.

The deceased’s son, Olumide Ojebode, while speaking with National Mirror, said he and the entire family would miss his fatherly care, saying that despite the deterioration of his health for some months till he breathed his last, he did not allow the challenge to weigh him down, as he took great interest in the welfare of the entire family.

He disclosed that his late father suffered a lot before he died, as “the cancer dealt a blow on his health such that he was moving in and out of hospital in order to get cure for the cancer of the lung ailment.”

The entire Ojebode family would continue to cherish the good name his father left behind and were happy that his death came at the time God believed that his time was up on the planet earth.

His words: “Because of the health challenges that he faced in the last few months, he really suffered before he died as the pain he underwent was too much.

“His death was good news to us in the sense that he was not mad before his death.

There is nothing we can do about it; God knows why He took him away from us at this time. He was a good father to us. He also tried his best for the development of football in the country both at the local and national levels.

Sam Ojebode The history of Nigerian football cannot be complete without the mention of this great soccer icon, Sam Ojebode. Born in 1945, he came into limelight when he played for IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, now Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), and won the 1976 African Cup Winners’ Cup, the first continental honour by a club from Nigeria.

Ojebode was deputy skipper of the Green Eagles at the 1976 African Cup of Nations finals in Ethiopia, but wore the captain’s armband in Nigeria’s first three matches in the forced absence of Christian Chukwu. He also appeared in four FIFA World Cup qualifying matches for Nigeria, playing at the left full back posi-

WORLD RECORD

Oldest weekly magic magazine Vol. 02 No. 417

T

Our descent into savagery

he frequency of the massacre of innocent lives in Plateau State, in the seemingly internecine war of supremacy between the Hausa/Fulani and the Beroms, is terribly embarrassing. In fact, these endless killings breach the teachings of both Islam and Christianity, which place high premium on the sanctity of human lives. Why has life become so valueless? Can war replace peace? In fact, can war tackle the issue of historical grudges? Again, can we even do our everyday business or worship our God in a permanent state of war?

Why are we pushing our luck too far? And finally, can these warring groups in Plateau State be saved from themselves?

In the famous words of Rev. Martin Luther King, “if we cannot live together as brothers and sisters, we shall perish together as fools.” If reason doesn’t ultimately rule the heads of these warring groups in Plateau State that fate may inevitably

S

N150

Thursday, August 2, 2012

uper Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi, yesterday invited 25 players for camping ahead of the international friendly against the Mena of Niger Republic, scheduled for the Seyni Koutche Stadium, Niamey on August 15.

Surprise striker, Chibu-

Abracadabra, first edited by Goodliffe (UK), became the world’s only international weekly magic magazine when it was first published on 2 February 1946 in Birmingham, UK. Currently edited by Donald Bevan (UK), issue 3,029 was published on 19 February 2004.

Guest Columnist

Na-Allah Mohammed

Zagga

befall them. If we kill again and again without achieving peace and effectively addressing the perceived grudges, can’t we rationally change tact to end the brutal murder of innocent victims, including defenceless women and children? For years, these warring groups had lived in relative harmony and respected their differences.

One of the impressive legacies of the late Premier of the old Northern Region, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, was to build a formidably united North.

Today, however, such unity is a myth and the late Sardauna of Sokoto himself will be turning in his grave at this catastrophic and needless destruction of lives and property by Christians and Muslims, driven by the frenzy of religious and ethnic antagonisms. The late Sardauna successfully made northerners see themselves as one family, regardless of their ethno-religious differences. He was able to achieve this because he never discriminated against anyone on the basis of his religion or ethnicity.

Unfortunately, the mutual respect and tolerance that Muslims and Christians of the North once had towards each other is now lost in the flames of hatred. The death of Senator Gyang Dantong while attending the burial of the victims of the recent massacres had a twist of cruel irony to it.

This was man who had dedicated himself to the efforts of encouraging the belligerent forces in Plateau State to bury the hatchet and allow normal life to pick up once again. Tragically, this gentleman was

THIS IS NOT THE PLATEAU STATE I ONCE KNEW OR WHOSE SERENITY I HAD EXPERIENCED consumed by the same flames of hatred that he was set out to extinguish. Dantong’s death underscores the endless journey into madness, which the forces of intolerance have needlessly dragged Plateaus State into. My heart bleeds at the thought of life being treated with such reckless disregard.

In the words of Mark Twain, the humorist American writer, “the animals’ inability to distinguish right from wrong confirms their intellectual inferiority to man. But a man’s capacity to do wrong, despite the ability to distinguish good from evil, confirms his moral inferiority to animals.”

As one reflects deeply on Mark Twain’s arguments, you cannot help agreeing with his logic. The Boko Haram scourge and the endless ethnic and religious violence in Plateau State and elsewhere in the North have confirmed the lowest level of depravity to which man has sunk. I watched a documentary of wild life on the National Geographic channel in which a leopard killed a female monkey but never touched her new born baby. Instead, it was nuzzling at the innocent baby monkey and eventually abandoned it without causing any harm to it!

Innocence doesn’t, however, exist in the dictionary of the warriors of hatred and intolerance who have denied the people of Plateau State any peace. This is not the Plateau State I once knew or whose serenity I had experienced. When I was a student at the Television College Jos in the 80s, Muslims and Christians were living harmoniously. A Christian could proudly introduce his Muslim friend to his family members and he was received with open arms. In the same vein, Muslims had no difficulty introducing their Christians friends to their families.

Northern unity was once the envy of southerners so much that they frequently talked about the “monolithic north.”

This perception is now a myth with the eruption of ethnic and religious violence in the region, leading to a heavy toll on human lives and destruction of property.

In fact, it is no exaggeration to describe the situation as killing fields. In Plateau State today, Muslims and Christians live in the mortal distrust of each other. Travellers on each side have to divert to safer routes to avoid being waylaid and sent to kingdom come! In the city of Jos and elsewhere, both sides of the ethnic and religious divide avoid each other’s areas. As you step out of your home, you must look over your shoulders. Such is the extent the people there have become captives of fear.

What then has gone so wrong that peace is now a flower that seems difficult to grow in the North? To my mind, the selfishness of the leaders of the warring groups largely explains the intractable crises. The late Ahmadu Bello emphasized political unity above ethnic and religious differences among northerners. Today’s leaders, however, seek relevance by accentuating our differences for their selfish gains.

To be continued Zagga, muhazagga@yahoo.com, is an Abuja-based journalist and public affairs analyst

Sport Extra

Friendly: Keshi calls 26 Eagles for Mena zor Onyekwelu of Fame Academy, will be joined by goalkeeper Chigozie Agim, Daniel Akpeyi, Moses Ocheje and new invitees Osuchukwu Ogonna, Kwambe Solomon, Francis Benjamin, Ezekiel Henry and Umar

Zango while regulars Azubuike Egwuekwe, Papa Idris, Juwon Oshaniwa and Godfrey Oboabona are also included, as well as Reuben Gabriel, Izu Azuka, Sunday Mba, Ejike Uzoenyi, Uche Kalu, Henry Uche and

Obinna Nwachukwu.

Christian Ofili, Solomon Jabason, Kabiru Umar, Chibuzor Onyekwelu, Sanusi Sani, Sibi Gwar and Philip Asuquo complete the list.

Spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation

(NFF), Ademola Olajire, told National Mirror that the players would commence training on Monday.

“There is no more time to waste as we prepare for the bigger game against Lone Stars of Liberia in Monrovia on September 9,” Olajire said.

Stephen Keshi

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