9th June 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,520

THURSDAY, 9 JUNE, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

TribuneOnline

Nigerian Tribune

N150

STEPHEN KESHI, THE BIG BOSS

(1962 - 2016)

•How he died —Family •His final moments in Benin •Osinbajo, Saraki, Hayatou, world footballers mourn —P13, 36, 37, 38, BP

FG commences recruitment of 500,000 for teaching jobs •Details of how to apply on page 11 Buhari, 3 ministers sick —SGF —P6

•Osinbajo, ministers pray for their quick recovery

Senate summons Ngige, Emefiele over banks' retrenchment —P8

Avengers blow up Chevron well —P12

•Say 'we are not in talks with govt'

From left, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Odu'a Investment Company, Mr Adewale Raji; Executive Director/CEO, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Segun Awolowo and the DirectorGeneral, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission (DAWN), Mr Dipo Famakinwa, during the presentation of 'Achieving Zero Oil in Nigeria' by NEPC to DAWN, at the Cocoa House, Ibadan, on Wednesday.

PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

Hijab judgment: Our students will wear church garments to school if..., CAN tells Aregbesola—P35

2 news 12 hours after FG’s peace move, Avengers strike Thursday, 9 June, 2016

•Blow up Chevron well Ebenezer Adurokiya -Warri

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ARELY 12 hours after a committee was set up by the Federal Government to dialogue with the rampaging Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), the group has blown up another oil facility in Delta State.

This came also in spite of the Federal Government’s call for a two-week ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from the troubled Niger Delta region to open dialogue with the group.

In its Twitter handle early Wednesday, the group boasted that it had successfully blown up RMP 20 Well belonging to Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL).

The well, according to the tweet, was just 20 metres away from Dibi Flow Station around Usor community in Warri North Local Government Area of the state.

“At 1:00a.m today, the @ NDAvengers blow up Well RMP 20 belonging to Chevron located 20 meters away from Dibi flow Stattion in Warri North Local Government Area,” the tweet read.

This is obviously in line with the group’s earlier threat to resume the destruction of flow stations belonging to oil multinationals in the region.

The group, however, in another tweet early Wednesday, debunked claims that it had sheathed its swords to negotiate with the Federal Government.

It denied entering into any agreement or negotiation with the Federal Government or any committee set up in that regard, let alone acceding to a cease fire.

“This is to the general public; we’re not negotiating with any committee. If the Federal Government is

•Say they’re not in talks with FG

discussing with any group, they’re doing that on their own’’ the group warned.

A prominent activist from the area, Comrade Graham Abulu, confirmed the incident when contacted.

He said after the attack, what followed was explosion, which brought shivers down the spines of local residents of the area.

Meanwhile, a source from the area said the bombed flow station went up in flames after the attack.

A senior officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS DELTA), Warri Naval Base, confirmed the incident, adding that the force had deployed its men to the area to assess the extent of damage.

It will be recalled that to give a conducive room for the proposed negotiation to take off, the Federal Government, on Tuesday, relaxed the military siege on communities in the region.

The group seemed to have taken a break between Saturday, June 4 and Tuesday, June 7 after the last economic sabotage perpetrated last week Friday against Shell’s 48-inch Forcados underwater export terminal pipeline located at Ogulagha and Odimodi communities in Burutu Local Government Area of the state, until it resumed another onslaught on Wednesday.

Leaders from the Niger Delta region believe that to avert an impending total military offensive on the region, President Muhammadu Buhari need to urgently open dialogue with all genuine stakeholders from the Niger Delta.

The president should also immediately commence the implementation of the report of the last national conference held in 2015, by

Oil price rises to $51 OIL prices jumped to the highest level in eight months on Wednesday, due to ongoing supply disruptions in Nigeria and strong Chinese oil demand data.

Industry data had shown a larger-than-expected drop in United States (US) crude inventories on Tuesday, indicating an easing of the supply glut, and a weak dollar which also boosted prices.

Global benchmark Brent crude futures rose to the highest level since October 12, up 32 cents at $51.76 a barrel at early trading. It earlier touched $51.83 a barrel.

US crude futures climbed 20 cents to $50.56 a barrel, after reaching $50.67 earlier, also an eight-month high.

“The market sentiment is

positive; the trend and the momentum points to further gains,” said Carsten Fritsch, commodities analyst at Commerzbank.

Supply disruptions caused by a string of attacks by the Niger Delta Avengers has brought Nigeria’s production to the lowest in 20 years.

On Tuesday, Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum, said output had dropped to below 1.3million bpd from 2.2 million bpd at the start of the year.

At the same time, Chinese trade data showed, on Wednesday, that its May crude oil imports made the biggest year-on-year jump in more than six years.

This has added to hopes that the economy of the world’s second-largest oil user may be stabilising.

the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, in order to put the country on a solid footing.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, a Niger Delta

leader, Chief Favour Izoukumor, who spoke in Warri, enjoined the Buhari-led administration to carry out an amendment of the local content policy in order

to make provisions for host communities and contractors in the region.

According to him, this is to be coupled with the immediate take-off of the halted

Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) in Okerenkoko/ Kurutie in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, which is one of the grouses of the NDA.

Reps okay bill on youth participation in politics •Independent candidacy bill also for second reading Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel-Abuja THE House of Representatives, on Wednesday, passed for second reading a bill that sought to allow youth participation in politics, as well as independent candidacy for elections.

The bill, which scaled through second reading, sought to alter Sections 65, 106, 131 and 177 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to reduce the age qualification for candidates seeking elective offices in the country.

According to the proposed bill, qualification into the office of the president should be reduced from ages 40 to 30 years, while that of the office of gover-

nor from 35 to 30 years, the Senate from 35 to 30 years and the federal and state houses of assembly from 30 to 25 years.

The bill, sponsored by Honourable Tony Nwulu, also sought to mainstream independent candidacy into the country’s electoral process.

According to him, ‘’It is pertinent now to amend the constitution to make room for independent candidates to widen the democratic processes in our elections, and above all, to encourage our young ones to fully participate in all elective offices.’’

In his lead debate, the lawmaker noted that “countries like the United Kingdom Parliament decided

in 2006 to lower their age of candidacy from 21 to 18, which had existed since the parliamentary elections Act 1695,’’ stressing that,”an age candidacy of 25 would encourage greater youth participation in politics.’’

When the bill was put to vote by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara it was passed and referred to the House ad hoc committee on Constitutional Review.

Meanwhile, the House, on Wednesday, introduced 100 bills for first reading.

The bills included the 54 submitted by the Housesanctioned committee of the review of existing laws of the Federation.

Some of the bills that scaled first reading were

Elder Person (Protection Bill); National Commission for Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees and Migrants; National Gas Resources Development Agency Bill and Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Others included the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Dispute (Enforcement of Awards) Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2016; Statutory Corporation Pensionable Officers (Retiring Age Limit); Treaties (Making Procedures) Act Amendment Bill and National Gas Resources Development Agency Bill, among others.

SERAP threatens to sue FG over naming of looters Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin -Lagos THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to take legal action against the Federal Government if it refuses to disclose the names of looters, and the specific funds recovered from some highranking public officials and private individuals.

According to SERAP, it

had sent a Freedom of Information request to the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, asking him to use his good office to, within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of the request, provide information about the names of high ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered and the circumstances under which funds were recovered, as well as

Babangida speaks from Germany, says ‘I am alive’ Fixes new arrival date FORMER military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, has spoken from Germany, where he has been in the last few weeks.

IBB, as he is fondly called, said he is alive, contrary to reports that he had passed on.

Babangida, speaking on a Television Continental programme on Wednesday, said he would soon return home.

The Lagos-based television programme, Journalists Hangout, was quoted by online medium, African Examiner, as where Babangida called in to dispel the rumour of his death.

He told TVC crew: “I am alive.”

As of press time, journalists were still laying siege to his Hilltop Mansion in Min-

na, Niger State, for news on his whereabouts.

Also, his personal assistant, Captain Jalingo, on Wednesday, said the gaptoothed General is expected in Nigeria on Sunday.

Jalingo, while addressing journalists who had laid siege to the Hilltop Mansion area on Wednesday, waiting for Babangida’s arrival, said: “General is alive.”

According to him: “he is supposed to be back today (Wednesday), but he did not come.

“General Babangida is alive. Insha Allah, he will be back on Sunday.

“If IBB comes back, there would be a press briefing that same day or the following day. He will address the media.”

the exact amount of funds recovered from each public official.

“If we have not heard from you by then, the Registered Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions under the Freedom of Information Act to compel you to comply with our request,” the letter read in part.

“While we believe that suspects generally are entitled to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, SERAP opposes blanket non-disclosure of names of high-ranking public officials from whom some of the funds were recovered.”

“SERAP insists that the public interest to know is greater than any other legitimate interest that the government might wish to protect. The Nigerian government has an obligation to balance the risk of harm to the legitimate aim (that is secrecy of ongoing corruption investigation and presumption of innocence)

from disclosure of the names of public officials is greater than the public interest in accessing the information.”

“According to public interest test, even if the government demonstrates that the publication of the names of public officials would substantially harm a legitimate interest, it is nevertheless obliged to disclose the requested information if, as it is the case here, the public interest in disclosure is sufficient enough to overweigh the harm.”

“SERAP believes that the recoveries, specifically from high-ranking public officials (and not private individuals), are matters of public interest. Publishing the names of those public officials will provide insights relevant to the public debate on the ongoing efforts to prevent and combat a culture of grand corruption and the longstanding impunity of perpetrators in the country.”

RAMADAN MESSAGE O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger he has indeed achieved a great achievement. Truly, We did offer the trust to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it. But man bore it.

Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results).

---- Surat Al-Ahzab verses 70-72

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Thursday, 9 June, 2016

POWER SECTOR FACTS

MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES (Federal, State and Local government) Debt accumulated over 3years= N93Billion

How much is provided in the 2016 Budget???

Answer = NONE…(Zero Naira)

MDAs PLEASE PAY YOUR BILLS!!!

So we can serve Nigerians better

,

.

Positioned to emPOWER Nigeria

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Thursday, 9 June, 2016

Why FG hasn’t released N350bn to reflate economy —FEC

•Says impact of budget’ll be felt from 3rd quarter Leon Usigbe -Abuja

T

HE Federal Government has given reason it has not been able to release into the economy the N350 billion as it promised, to enable construction firms to go back to sites and also recall sacked workers.

Government had promised that immediately President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the budget, the sum would be release to reflate the economy.

But almost six weeks after the signing of the budget, the money is yet to be released.

Addressing State House correspondents after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma, explained that there was a process to be followed, part of which was deliberated upon by the FEC meeting, presided over by acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

He said minsters had been directed to fast-track the process of releasing money for projects as provided for in the budget.

He said while it was easy to release money for ongoing projects, it would not be so for new ones because of the public procurement requirements.

He said: “As far as the N350 billion which was indicated, the money is available, but there is a process and this is part of the reasons we briefed council and there is need to fast-track those processes, so that very soon, most of those monies will be released.

“We expect in the Ministry of Works, they should have quite substantial release in the next week or so.

“It’s easier for us for exist-

ing projects, but new projects are a bit more difficult, because of the public procurement.

“For the public procurement you have to advertise and you have to wait for six weeks and so on. So, new

projects will take a bit longer.

“But existing projects that have already gone through the public procurement process will be faster and I believe that you will soon start seeing the impact of

the budget.

“So, what we will do is to be giving numbers from time to time. So, I’m sure within the week, we should be able to give you numbers,” he said.

The minister debunked

From left, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Chief of Staff, State House, Alhaji Abba Kyari and the Minister of Solid Minerals and Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, in Abuja, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

Tribunal dismisses LP’s petition against Gov Bello We owe Kogi people good governance —Gov Yinka Oladoyinbo -Lokoja with agency reports

THE Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for Kogi State sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed the petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) for failing to substantiate its claims.

Tribunal chairman, Justice Halima Muhammad, in a two-hour judgment, dismissed the petition, saying it lacked merit.

According to her, there were not enough evidences to prove the allegations

made by the party in the petition.

Muhammad said the evidence given by a witness of the petitioner that he did not write a report after monitoring the election, closed the case of the petitioner.

She also said the allegation of corrupt practices by the petitioner during the conduct of the election could not be substantiated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the party had alleged that there were issues of irregularities during the conduct of 2015

Court grants N1bn bail to Jonathan’s cousin, wife THE Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, admitted former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Mr Azibaola Roberts and his wife, Stella, to bail in the sum of N500 million each.

The Roberts were arraigned on Tuesday, on a seven-count charge, bordering on money laundering of $ 40 million.

The money was alleged to have been paid into their company, One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited, by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, had listened to arguments from both parties on Tuesday, as to why bail should or should not be

those releases.”

While noting that some money had been released since signing the budget, Udoma promised that government would begin a process of publishing how much it had released from

granted.

Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Aliyu Yusuf, had argued that the defendants should not be granted bail and that the court should rather order an accelerated hearing of the case.

Defence Counsel, Chris Uche, however, urged the court to grant them bail since the offences for which they were standing trial were bailable offences.

Dimgba, in his ruling, held that there was no material evidence before the court to show that Roberts or his wife would jump bail or frustrate their trial.

He said that the “Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, enjoins

that the bail conditions shall not be excessive.

“All things considered, I grant the defendants bail on the following terms— the defendants are admitted to bail in the sum of N500 million each and two sureties in like sum.

“The sureties shall, in turn, enter a bail bond of the sum of N500 million; the sureties must be owners of property in Asokoro or Maitama District of Abuja,’’ Dimgba said.

The judge also said that the defendants would remain in prison custody until their bail conditions were met.

The commencement of hearing in the case was adjourned till June 28, July 4 and July 5.

Kogi governorship election.

Labour Party also alleged in its petition that Governor Yahaya Bello, the first respondent, was not validly elected and that his election was not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act. It said Bello did not participate in all the stages of the election and did not have a running mate before the conduct of the election.

The party also alleged that Bello had no valid nomination from his party.

Reacting to the judgment, Counsel to Labour Party, Mr Reuben Egwuaba, told newsmen that the party would study the judgment and file a notice of appeal.

“Constitutional qualification of Governor Bello is not grounded in law; we will study the judgment and file a notice of appeal,’’ Egwuaba said.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has hailed the judgment of the state governorship election petition tribunal, saying the victory at the tribunal was a call to give good governance to the people of the state.

Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Kingsley Fanwo, on Wednesday, said it was obvious that the All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded victory at both the November 21, 2015 general election and December 5,

2015 supplementary election and that the change the people voted for would spur his government to transform the state and empower the people.

This came as the Special Adviser to the governor on youth, sports and students affairs, Eseyin, urged party members, irrespective of the faction they belonged to and the people of the state to continue to support the present administration in the state.

The governor’s aide, who congratulated Bello for the victory, noted that the judgments were continuous reaffirmation that the mandate was a divine one, enjoining the youth and students of the state to continuously support this “divine, unblemished and sacrosanct mandate.”

Bello, however, paid tribute to the late leader of the party, Prince Ab ubakar Audu, who died in the course of the election, describing Audu as a political martyr, whose spirit would help enliven the new direction resolve.

He promised to ensure the protection of the rights of the people of the state and to open up new economic frontiers for inclusive empowerment, saying government was building a reliable database for payment of wages and improved workforce for effective service delivery to the people of the state.

claims that the present government had no coherent blueprint to revive the economy, saying there was an elaborate plan already being implemented.

He assured that the effect of the 2016 budget would be felt from the third quarter of the year.

Udoma also explained why the Federal Government was against the ongoing retrenchment in banks, saying government was aware that the economy would bounce back.

He said those workers being laid-off would still be required by the banks.

He said: “With regards to the plea to the private sector, it is because we know that by the time the economy picks up, they will need those people again.

“We know the economy is going to pick up. We are confident about that. That is because of our plan. The plan was conceived because we knew that this was the trajectory we will move into.”

Buhari, 3 ministers sick —SGF Leon Usigbe -Abuja THREE ministers have been reported sick and unable to attend the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

This was disclosed in the course of opening prayers offered by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir Lawal, at the meeting presided over by acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mohammed, who offered the Muslim prayer, was the first to pray before the SGF, asking for quick recovery of the three ministers, who were not in attendance at the cabinet meeting due to one sickness or the other.

He also prayed for Allah’s guidance for the meeting to take good decisions.

He similarly committed President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said was on medical vacation in London, into the hands of God, for quick recovery.

Thereafter, he mentioned the Women Affairs Minister, Aisha Alhassan, who he said was recuperating in America, where she had surgery.

He also mentioned the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, asking God to heal him of back pain he was having.

The other minister mentioned the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman, who was also said to be sick with an undisclosed ailment.

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Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Traditional ruler, son held over socialite’s murder Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

The arrested suspects in Oshodi.

14 arrested in Oshodi raid Olalekan Olabulo

F

OURTEEN miscreants were, mid day Wednesday, arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), during a raid on criminal hideout in Oshodi area of Lagos State.

A source at the RRS, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects to Lagos Metro, said the raid was part of the efforts of the police to sustain the peace in Oshodi and neighbouring environment.

The police source told Lagos Metro that the commander in charge of RRS, Olatunji Disu, had promised that the raid in Oshodi would be a continuous exercise.

The arrested suspects, 12 males and two females, were

found hibernating around the motor parks in Oshodi and could not explain their mission at the scene of the arrest.

The police source told Lagos Metro that “more than 25 of them were initially arrested but after preliminary

investigations, those with verifiable sources of livelihood were released.”

Lagos Metro gathered that the raid on Oshodi was as a result of the rising report of activities of hoodlums hiding under the dark to attack passengers waiting to board

buses.

The police at RRS, while confirming the arrest of the suspects, said they were immediately transferred to the Special Task Force on the Environment and other Related Offences for prosecution.

A traditional ruler of Temidire xommunity, Agbado Oke-Odo, Alhaji Nojeem Abioye and his son, Wahab Abioye, were, on Wednesday, arraigned before an Ikeja High Court, in connection with the killing of one Tunji Alaso, popularly known as Alhaji Gay. Tunji Alaso was reportedly killed in Temidire community in Alagbado, last year, during a protest allegedly led by the Baale (traditional ruler) of the community.

Alhaji Gay was allegedly murdered during the protest by landlords and residents in the community, over allegations of land grabbing.

The protest was reportedly peaceful until Tunji arrived at the venue and began to record events on video.

The angry protesters were said to have rushed towards him, with the deceased allegedly ordering his driver to speed off, hitting one Mr Raheem, alias Denge in the process.

The deceased had reported the matter at the police station and the police had

Lagos @ 50: Funding will determine scope of celebration —Soyinka Gbemi Solaja CHAIRMAN of Lagos @ 50 Planning Committee, Professor Wole Soyinka, on Wednesday, said the organising committee was doing a great job to achieve its master plan for the celebration, despite lack of fund.

While briefing journalists

on the agenda for the celebration, he stressed that though efforts are ongoing to raise fund, the success of the celebrations would largely depend on the fund available to run the programme.

According to him, hands of help had been stretched

to other bodies apart from the Lagos State government, who was said not to be the major sponsor of the event.

He added that the celebration was even more imperative, in view of the country’s current political, social and economic state, noting

that culture was a political weapon that must be insisted to win war against negativity.

To him, political issues go beyond unemployment and failure of government to cater for social needs, but had to be conquered by cultural insistence.

5 arraigned over missing 614 bags of sugar Olufunmi Iseotan FIVE men have been arrested by the police for stealing and receiving stolen goods property of SKG Pharmacy Ltd. The accused, identified as Ayomide Kentomahun, 34; Lekan Oyenusi, 39; Isek James, 42; Abaije Lawrence, 29 and Haruna Abdulah, 65, allegedly stole 614 bags of sugar valued at N4.9 million.

The police accused Haruna Abdulah of recieving and retaining the bags of sugar, knowing it was unlawfully obtained from the company.

During their trial, the witness, Mr Orji, tendered evidence against the accused, which included an issue note which was falsified by one of the defendants.

According to him, 514 bags of sugar was missing in 2014 and between January and April 2015, 100 bags of sugar were also declared missing.

He said the monetary value of the sugar as of the time of the incident was N4.9 million but now the market value is N6 million.

The case was adjourned till September 21.

accompanied him to the venue, only for the deceased to be attacked with a shovel and was allegedly stabbed several times by one Taofeek Olori who is at large.

The father and son were arraigned before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo on a twocount charge.

The judge subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kirikiri Medium Prison custody and adjourned the matter till June 23.

Cynthia Osokogwu:

Defence lawyers frustrating trial —Judge Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

JUSTICE Olabisi Akinlade has expressed displeasure over the delay tactics of the counsel for four people accused of murdering a lady they met on Facebook, Cynthia Osokogwu.

The judge pointed out that it was the defence counsel that had been delaying the case from proceeding, adding that people were interested in knowing the outcome of the case.

“People always think that it is the court that is delaying the matter not knowing that it is the defendants’s counsel.

“At the last adjourned date, I gave you 14 days to file your written addresses and gave the prosecution three weeks to respond to all the addresses. The first and second defendants who have been in prison since 2012 are still presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Justice Akinlade said.

The judge further stated that she was going to give a specific order as to when they were to file their written addresses, as the defence counsel could not continue to waste the time of the court.

Osokogwu’s murder case trial had suffered several adjournments.

Corrigendum

From left, Chief (Dr) Michael Olawale-Cole; Co-Chairman, Dr Rasheed Gbadamosi and the Chairman, Lagos at 50 Planning Committee, Professor Wole Soyinka, at the press briefing. PHOTO: OVADJE ELLIOT

THERE was a slight mix -up in the headline of our Wednesday story on the electrocuted WAEC candidate. The firm involved was Ikeja Distribution Company (IKEDC) and not Eko Distribution Company (EKDC). We regret all inconveniences.

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168 million children in child labour —ILO

•It is unacceptable —Ryder •ILO to provide experts to train Nigeria factory inspectors; review labour laws Soji-Eze Fagbemi -Geneva

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HE International Labour Organisation (ILO) said, on Wednesday, that 168 million children were still in child labour, while 85 million of them were in hazardous work.

However, the DirectorGeneral of ILO, Guy Ryder, declared that this was unacceptable, adding that acting together, “it is within our means to make the future work without child labour.”

In reality, he pointed out that today, child labour remained widespread in supply chains.

Rider said: “It is unacceptable that there are still 168 million children in child labour, 85 million of whom are in hazardous work. Child labour is found in agriculture (99 million) to mining, from manufacturing to tourism, producing goods and services consumed by millions every day.

“Child labour occurs predominantly in the rural and informal economies, beyond the reach of labour inspection, the protection of workers’ organisations or the governance benefits of employers’ and producers’ organisations.

“It’s not just the lack of institutional protection in the rural and informal economies that increases the risk of child labour in supply chains; in household production and on family farms, children are often highly vulnerable because parents’ incomes are insufficient or because small family enterprises and farms cannot afford to replace child labour by hiring adults and youth. Piece rate production increases the risk with child labour helping parents to make up quotas and to assure family survival when parents are not earning a living wage.

“Global supply chains can offer opportunities for inclusive development for supplier firms, workers and host countries, but targeted action is needed to assure just outcomes.”

He stated that many child labourers were also found in supply chains producing for local and national consumption and they must not be ignored.

“There are encouraging signs of a will to act and to prevent child labour, to achieve greater transparency and visibility along supply chains, as well as more effective enforcement of relevant laws,” he added.

Meanwhile, the ILO is also set to give Nigeria the

technical assistance to train factory inspectors and other professionals in the ministry to ensure the attainment of decent work and sustainable development.

The ILO has also offered to assist the country with ex-

perts in labour laws to help in the review and easy passage of existing labour laws in the country.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, had made the request when he led Nige-

ria’s delegation to the ongoing International Labour Conference on a visit to the Director-General; that the ILO should assist Nigeria in these areas.

Also, the Deputy DirectorGeneral, Governance and

Tripatism of ILO, Moussaka Oumarou, stressed the need to put more emphasis on “train the trainers.”

He assured that the ILO would do its best to assist Nigeria to get back factory inspectors and assist in oth-

Banks mass sack: Senate summons Ngige, CBN gov, others Threat to withdraw banks’ licence reckless —NECA From Taiwo Adisa, Ayodele Adesanmi and Soji-Eze Fagbemi THE Senate, on Wednesday, summoned the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Dr Godwin Emefiele and other bank chiefs over current gale of retrenchment in the banking industry.

The summon, sequel to a motion moved by Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, on Wednesday, is to enable the minister and the CBN governor to explain the reasons behind the mass sack ongoing in the banks.

The summon, according to the motion, would also enable stakeholders clarify the threat issued by the government to withdraw the operational licence of the banks if the mass sack of their workers was not halted.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Ibrahim, told the Senate that the Minister of Labour made a statement on Tuesday, in Geneva, in which he threatened the banks to stop retrenchment of their staff, because they were not the only ones suffering the economic downturn in the

country.

He also said the statement sounded misguided and needed to be clarified.

He said: “Banking is a very sensitive industry and any misguided statement can have a throwback on the industry; it can create a run on the banks.

“As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and Finance, we want to invite the minister, the CBN and the banks to know if they are talking about retrenchment and what will happen.

“We want to know the basis of the directive and the basis of the threat.”

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, did not throw the matter to the floor for open debate since he stated that Senator Ibrahim came under order 43 which deals with personal explanation, directed that the Committee on Banking should summon the Labour Minister, CBN governor and other bank executives over the looming crisis.

He said: “Senator Rafiu Ibrahim brought this matter to me and he has come under personal explanation over which there would be no further debate.

“They will come and meet before your committee at anytime decided by the

committee.”

In a related development, Director-General (DG) of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, (NECA), Mr Segun Oshinowo, has described the threat by the Federal Government to withdraw operating licence of banks which flout its directive to stop mass sack of their employees, as reckless.

Speaking to journalists covering the ongoing 105th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, the NECA DG, said the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who issued the threat was arrogating to himself “the entire sovereign power of the Federal Government in giving directive.”

According to him, the minister cannot act beyond the power given to him by the law; and cannot force on himself the entire sovereign power of the Federal Government.

Oshinowo said: “The real issue for us is, are the parties following the law? Are the parties following structure for engagement that is on ground? When we are talking about parties, it includes the minister.

“The minister cannot act beyond the power that has

Again, FG seeks ‘masking’ of witnesses in Dasuki’s trial THE government has again applied for the protection of witnesses, who will testify against Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser, in his trial over alleged unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering.

In a fresh motion on notice brought to the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, the government prayed for an order to shield the identities of its witnesses.

It also asked that the record of proceedings in the trial should not to be made available to the public.

In the motion filed by Oladipo Opeseyi, counsel for the Department of State Services (DSS); the prosecution, the applicant asked for an order for the witnesses

to be addressed by pseudo names in the cause of the trial.

In February, Adeniyi Ademola, the judge, dismissed a similar motion on protection of witnesses brought to the court by the DSS on the grounds that it was baseless and unwarranted.

The judge held that the government could not ask for protection of witnesses having filed the charges and proof of evidence along with their names.

But in the fresh motion premised on 10 grounds, among which were that “Dasuki, as a former NSA, a retired senior military officer and a crown prince of the Sokoto caliphate commands large followership throughout the length and breadth

of Nigeria who maybe aggrieved by his trial.”

The DSS also claimed that most of the witnesses were security agents, who had expressed fears of being identified by members of the public, who were sympathetic to the case of the accused.

The secret agency further argued that the security of its witnesses would be blown up if they were made to testify publicly without any protection.

However, counsel for Dasuki, Joseph Daodu, told Ademola that he had just been served with the motion that he needed time to respond to it.

Ademola, subsequently, adjourned hearing of the motion till June 23.

been given to him by the law. The minister cannot force on himself the entire sovereign power of the Federal Government in giving directive. I really find it reckless for the minister, at this age and time, will be threatening employers with withdrawal of licence.

“The global community is looking at his language and his disposition. That is not the way to go. He is arrogating to himself the power of the Federal Government.

He has to be careful in respect to some of these comments.”

By issuing the order, Oshinowo said the minister confirmed that he lacked basic knowledge regarding industrial relations.

He stated that NECA was not informed by the ideological consideration or an interest concentration because Nigerian employers are equally Nigerians and they are interested in the welfare of Nigerians.

er areas of need put forward by the Nigeria delegation.

Senator Ngige also told the ILO that Nigeria was planning to revive the Labour Advisory, which has been dormant for over five years, in order to ensure industrial harmony in the country.

The minister pointed out that the Nigerian government would also strengthen the child labour law in the country and carry out lots of sensitisation.

But he stated that the country would need lots of technical assistance available at the ILO to do that.

He also listed other areas where the country needed technical assistance from the ILO, as in the area of capacity building to strengthen the National Industrial Court (NIC) and to strengthen labour laws in the country.

Ngige explained that out of five labour laws before the National Assembly, only one had been passed into law, while the other four were now obsolete and required reworking to bring them in tune with modern realities.

He said the bills, currently before the National Assembly, were drafted with the assistance of the ILO with only the Employees Compensation Scheme sailing through legislation successfully.

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Thursday, 9 June, 2016

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI Km. 8.5, Afe Babalola Way, P.M.B 5454, Ado-Ekiti www.abuad.edu.ng

2016 recipient of AFRICA INNOVATIVE AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD &

AFRICA FASTEST GROWING PRIVATE UNIVERSITY

ADMISSION INTO ABUAD 2016/2017 UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES AND PRE-DEGREE AND DEGREE FOUNDATION FIRST SCREENING EXERCISE - DATE: 18TH JUNE, 2016 - TIME: 10:00AM

GENERAL INFORMATION The following candidates are hereby invited for screening exercise on 18th of June, 2016.

Category A (i) Candidates who have chosen ABUAD as first or second choice, (ii) Candidates who did not choose ABUAD in the UTME and are seeking change of institution, and (iii) Direct Entry candidates.

Category B Candidates who scored below 180 national cut-off mark and are seeking admission into Pre-degree and Degree Foundation Programmes at Afe Babalola International Study Centre, Ibadan.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES Accredited NUC courses offered at undergraduate level in ABUAD are listed below: (1) COLLEGE OF LAW (5years) – LL.B LAW (2) COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES (i) Medicine and Surgery (M.B.B.S) – 6 years, (ii) B.NSc Nursing Science – 5 years (iii) Medical Laboratory Science (B.MLS) – 5 years.

(3) BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES – 4 Years (i) B.Sc Anatomy (ii) B.Sc Physiology (iii) B.Sc Human Nutrition and Dietetics (4) COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING (5years) (i)B.Eng Mechanical Engineering (ii) B.Eng Mechatronics Engineering (iii) B.Eng Electrical/ Electronics Engineering (iv) B.Eng Petroleum Engineering (v) B.Eng Civil Engineering (vi) B.Eng Chemical Engineering (vii) B.Eng Computer Engineering (viii) B.Eng Agricultural Engineering (5) COLLEGE OF SCIENCES (4 years) (i) B.Sc Microbiology (ii) B.Sc Human Biology (iii) B.Sc Agricultural Science (iv) B.Sc Biochemistry (v) B.Sc Chemistry (vi) B.Sc Industrial Chemistry (vii) B.Sc Computer Science (viii) B.Sc Mathematics (ix) B.Sc Geology (x) B.Sc Physics with Electronics (xi) B.Sc Biotechnology (xii) B.Sc Petroleum Chemistry COLLEGE OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES (4 years) (6) (i) B.Sc Economics (ii) B.Sc Accounting (iii) B.Sc Banking and Finance (iv) B.Sc Business Administration (v) B.Sc Tourism and Events Management. (vi) B.Sc Political Science (vii) B.Sc International Relations and Diplomacy (viii) B.Sc Peace and Conflict Studies (ix) B.Sc Intelligence and Security Studies (x) B.Sc Media and Communication Studies (xi) B.Sc Social Justice (xii) B.Sc Marketing (xiii) B.Sc Entrepreneurship (7) PRE-DEGREE AND DEGREE FOUNDATION PROGRAMMES (i) All programmes listed under undergraduate programmes above are available at Afe Babalola International Study Centre, Ibadan as Pre-Degree and Degree Foundation Programmes. (ii) Diploma in Public Health CANDIDATES QUALIFIED TO ATTEND SCREENING EXERCISE Candidates that qualify to participate in the screening exercise are: 1. Those who possess relevant 5 Credit passes in WAEC O/L or its equivalent and have sought admission into 100 Level through 2016 UTME and who met the 180 national cut off mark.

2. Those awaiting SSCE, NECO, GCE, NABTEB, IJMB results and also participated in the 2016 UTME. 3. Those seeking admission into 200 Level (Direct Entry) with minimum of 2 A/Level passes in relevant subjects or NCE/OND/HND in accredited courses listed in the JAMB Brochure except for Law, Medicine and Surgery. (Note: HND holders seeking conversion to degree shall undertake 2-3 years study depending on the course of study).

4. Direct Entry into Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc – 4 years): Those who possess NRN/RM are eligible to apply.

5. Direct Entry into all Degree Programmes in Engineering is available – Minimum requirement: ND/HND with Credit Pass.

6. Direct Entry into Medical Laboratory Science (B.MLS – 4 years) – Holders of B.Sc in Physiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, MLT, HND in SLT with minimum of Second Class

Lower are eligible and must possess Credit Pass in 5 O'Level relevant subjects.

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS Applicants must bring to the Screening Centres, the following documents viz. a. Print out of 2016 JAMB UTME Result Slip b. Completed Bio-Data Application Form. c. Copies of the Ordinary Level Result (If Available) d. Original copy of Birth Certificate e. Testimonial from last school attended. f. Reference Letter from a well known/reputable public figure to vouchsafe the candidate's character of good conduct. g. Two (12) Recent Passport Photographs h. Writing Materials (Pencil, Pen, Eraser, and Non Scientific Calculator) i. Evidence of payment (Bank tellers) for Centre Screening (The cost covers honoraria for centre facilitation, logistics for producing screening materials and security) j. Completed Form for Change Of University (for applicants changing to ABUAD) CRITERIA FOR SCREENING AND MODE OF ASSESSMENT The mode of screening for candidates during the exercise shall include a Personality Assessment Interaction (PAI) and a qualitative assessment as follows: (1) COLLEGE OF LAW: Knowledge of current affairs, verbal, analytical and perceptual reasoning (CAVAP) (2) COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES: Knowledge of science, spatial, numerical and perceptual reasoning (SSNP) (3) COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING: Technical ability, numerical reasoning and acuity skills (TANAS) (4) COLLEGE OF SCIENCES: Knowledge of science, analytical skills and perceptual reasoning (SASP) (5) COLLEGE OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES: Acuity, spatial, analytical skills and perceptual reasoning (ASASP) Note: All candidates are advised to be properly dressed. This is essential at the Personality Assessment Interaction (PAI). All Applicants should also arrive at the screening venue at least 30 minutes before the exercise commences.

SCREENING CENTRES The designated screening centres for the applicants are: 1. MAIN CAMPUS: Afe Babalola University, Km. 8.5 Afe Babalola Way, P.M.B 5454, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State 2. ABUJA: Garki Secondary School, Area 10, Garki, Abuja 3. LAGOS: Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos 4. PORT HARCOURT: Rivers State College of Arts & Science, Rumuola Road, Port Harcourt 5. WARRI: Montessori International College, 66 Airport Road, Opposite Delta Career College, Warri 6. IBADAN: Afe Babalola International Study Centre, AB Plaza, Oshuntokun Avenue, Bodija, Ibadan 7. CALABAR: Government Technical College, Main Avenue, Calabar 8. ENUGU: Bishop Otubelu Juniorate Secondary School, Hill View, Trans Ekulu, Enugu For further enquiries, please visit our website, www.abuad.edu.ng, Or admission.abuad.edu.ng to print out your preferred screening centre OR CONTACT: Office of the Registrar, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). Available Hotlines are: 08127772121, 08054300473, 08038521163, 08030706711, 08033509150, 08034402771.

WARNING: Applicants and parents are hereby strongly advised to contact only the listed telephone numbers and/or visit the university's website: www.abuad.edu.ng directly.

Signed

Lady Christie Oluborode Registrar

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Thursday, 9 June, 2016

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Thursday, 9 June, 2016

FG commences recruitment of 500,000 for teaching jobs •Opens web portal June 11 Leon Usigbe - Abuja

T

HE Federal Government will commence the collection of applications to recruit 500,000 unemployed under its N500billion social investment programme.

Towards this, it will, on June 11, launch a web portal named N-Power to take the online applications for positions in direct teacher jobs scheme.

The portal can be accessed through the web address

“npower.gov.ng.”

While the portal would be live on Saturday, June 11, applications are expected to start coming in on June 12.

The 500,000 Teacher Corps named N-Power Teach on the portal, is one of the three direct job creation and training schemes the presidency said Nigerians could start applying for from June 12.

Others are N-Power Knowledge which will train 25,000 Nigerians in the area of technology, and N-Power Build, which will train another

75,000 in the areas of building services, construction, utilities, hospitality and catering, automotive vocations, aluminium and gas services.

All trainees would be paid for the duration of their training.

The N-Power Teacher Corps initiative, which will engage and train 500,000 young unemployed graduates, is a paid volunteer programme of twoyear duration.

Unemployed Nigerians selected and trained will play teaching, instructional, and advisory roles in primary,

and secondary schools, agricultural extension systems across the country, public health and community education-covering civic and adult education.The presidency explained on Wednesday that besides their monthly take home pay estimated at about N23,000, the selected 500,000 graduates will also get computer devices that will contain information necessary for their specific engagement, as well as information for their continuous training and development.

Also, persons enlisted un-

der the scheme will gain work experience and acquire key competencies through academic and nonacademic capacity building programmes intended to improve their competitiveness in the workplace.

The presidency has explained that under the NPower Knowledge scheme, there are three aspects: Creative, Technology Software and Hardware.

These three sub-divisions will train 25,000 young Nigerians in all.

Five thousand of them would be trained in Animation, Graphic Design, PostProduction and Script writing.

The N-Power Knowledge scheme also has a technology category in two aspects: hardware and software.

Ten thousand Nigerians would be trained and equipped in the area of software development, including web designers, and another 10,000 in hardware expertise including to repair, maintain and assemble mobile phones, tablets, computers and other devices.

My comment on Decree 2 mere joke —CCT boss From left, representative of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Emeka Ifezulike (left); Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Waheed Olagunju and the Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on N1 billion enterprise development fund for entrepreneurs, in Umuahia, Abia State, on Wednesday.

12 million motorists carry fake vehicle insurance policy —Survey •Senate to probe it Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

THE Senate has directed its Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions to organise a public hearing to investigate a current survey which revealed that over 12 million vehicles insurance policy in circulation are fake.

The Nigerian Tribune learnt the committee would equally invite stakeholders and experts in the insurance sector of the economy to rub minds on ways at ensuring the implementation and compliance with the six compulsory insurance schemes as provided in the Act The committee is mandated to submit its report within two weeks.

This followed a motion by Senator Ahmed Ogembe (PDP Kogi Central Senatorial) titled: “the implementation of the Compulsory Insurance in Nigeria as provided in the Insurance Act and Regulation, 2003”.

Ogembe in the motion

informed that at a recent research in his possession out of the 16 million vehicles in Nigeria, only four million were properly insured.

The lawmaker explained that section 3(a) (b), section 4(1-4) of the Insurance ACT, 2003, expressly provides the conditions for the registration of an

insurance company in Nigeria, adding that yet, the provisions were frequently flouted.

He added that there are currently 58 insurance companies registered with the National Insurance Commission, noting that there were uncountable numbers of unregistered insurance institutions sell-

ing worthless insurance certificates to unsuspecting members of the public.

According to him, “This reprehensible act is mostly manifest in the third party motor/vehicle insurance scheme where such unregistered institutions connive with relevant law enforcement agencies to perpetrate their act.”

Ex-Immigration Comptroller-General denies knowledge of 2014 recruitment A former Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr David Parradang, on Wednesday, told a Federal High Court, Abuja, that he was not aware of the 2014 recruitment exercise in the service.

Parradang, the first prosecution witness, made this known at the commencement of the trial of former Interior Minister, Mr Abba Moro.

The NIS boss told the court that he was shocked when he saw reports in the media about a recruitment

exercise by the service.

“In September, I was referred to a publication in one of the dailies that NIS was recruiting officers into assistant superintendent cadre, inspectorate and assistant inspectorate cadre.

“I was surprised about the recruitment exercise because as a comptroller-general, I was not aware of it,” he said.

Parradang further told the court that he called two board members to ask whether they were aware of any recruitment advert for the NIS, but they too said

they were not aware.

At this point, the defendants objected to his evidence, saying that it was mere hearsay.

Moro’s counsel, Chris Uche, in his objection, said that by rules of evidence, a witness could not give evidence as to what he was told but only on what he knows.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Aliyu Yusuf, attempted to tender a letter written by the comptroller-general to the board as evidence but this was also objected to by the defence.

THE Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr Danladi Yakubu Umar, has clarified that he was only joking with his advocacy for the return of Decree 2 to regulate the practice of journalism in the country.

Mr Umar said that contrary to the impression created in the media, he did not advocate for the decree to harass, intimidate or arrest journalists or any Nigerian for whatever reason.

In a press statement, released by the Public Relations Officer of the Tribunal, Ibrahim Alhassan, the public was urged to regard the statement as a joke made in good faith and not to obstruct the practice of journalism in the country.

“The statement by the chairman was made out of joke, not to intimidate any member of the Fourth Estate of the Realm in this country from observing their statutory functions as mandated by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as anchored in liberal democratic society like ours.”

“The chairman only cracked the joke following his discovery that some media organisations had, in their reports, claimed that his tribunal had adjourned the trial of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on false declaration of assets indefinitely.”

Nigerian Tribune

Osinbajo, Soyinka, Tinubu, others to lay wreath in memory of MKO Abiola Bola Badmus -Lagos EMINENT leaders from all walks of life are set to storm the Lagos residence of the late Moshood Abiola come June 12, to pay tributes and lay a wreath of honour in memorial of the supreme sacrifices he paid for the actualisation of the current democratic governance that is in place in the country.

They include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is expected to represent himself and President Muhammadu Buhari; Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu.

Others are Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa; Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Professor Pat Utomi, Professor Itse Sagay, among others.

This was disclosed in a press statement made available on Wednesday to newsmen in Lagos by the June 12 Democracy Movement; the central conveners of June 12 Democracy Day anniversary, in collaboration with other pro democracy allies.

In the statement signed by Alhaji Shettima Yerima and Mr Abdumumuni Abiola, chair of the 2016 planning team and host respectively, the group said this year’s commemoration, which is the 23rd edition, would feature the traditional tribute session, prayers for the nation as well as the laying of wreath of honour at the Tomb of Bashorun MKO Abiola.

4 die in Edo lone accident Banji Aluko - Benin City A lone accident on Wednesday on Sapele Road, Benin, has left four persons dead.

Three of the accident victims reportedly died on the spot while the other person died before he was attended to by doctors at the Benin Central Hospital.

It was gathered that a Toyota Hiace bus they were travelling in somersaulted after one of the tyres burst.

Survivors of the accident were treated at the hospital.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps used two hilux vans to convey the victims to the hospital.

Sapele Toad Unit Commander of the FRSC, Omotosho Lasisi, who confirmed the incident, said 11 victims were taken to the hospital, adding that the vehicle involved had been removed to ease traffic flow.

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businessnews

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Zero oil: NEPC targets $100bn earning from non-oil exports

By Tunde Ogunesan

T

HE Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has set a long term target of achieving a $100 billion earnings for Nigeria from non-oil exports to salvage the country from its over reliance on oil and fill the current financial hole created by the fall in oil price.

This was made known on Wednesday by the Executive Director\CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Olusegun Awolowo, while presenting a paper “The ‘zero oil’ plan and an export revolution” during a Development Agenda for Western (DAWN) Commission/ NEPC dialogue on economic diversification with some representatives of six south west states, at headquarters of DAWN commission, Cocoa house, Ibadan.

Awolowo said the council is on a mission diversify the country’s economy, buoyed by the words of President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment to a delegation of manufacturers last year that “Nigeria must begin to behave as if we have no oil”, and achieve government’s priority on economic diversification. He said “Nigeria must think big to achieve big in the course of actually making huge revenue from exports.”

According to him, President Buhari’s comment had shaped Nigeria’s “zero oil economic agenda, and is essential to build a strong Nigerian economy for the future. For years, Nigeria has imported thousands of goods worth over US$50 billion a year, which we pay for mainly with crude oil proceeds of over $70billion each year. Our fears have now materialized, in the past two years, crude oil prices have fallen 60 percent and Nigeria’s earnings have likewise fallen by at least $35billion, inevitably leaving a financial hole in the economy. The pressing question now is how to fill this funding gap- and the answer is simple: Nigeria must quickly find an alternative to oil revenue.

“If Nigeria broadens and grows its export basket, a positive chain reaction ricochets throughout the economy. The logic follows- when you grow exports, national output (agriculture, industry, solid minerals) will also grow; local businesses will grow; supporting infrastructure will expand; and jobs and investments will definitely follow. The overall macro impacts result in growing foreign reserves (from export forex) and a more resilient economy.

“At Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), first, we set a long term goal of earning over US$100 billion from non-oil exports, that is 20 percent of today’s GDP. When compared with Export to GDP, ratios of other emerging market countries, this is reasonable- China’s is 24 percent, Brazil 12 percent, South Africa 31 percent and Malaysia 76 percent.

Nigeria’s long term goal is however further broken down into two mid-term targets- which is to grow non-oil exports from US$5 billion today to $18billion by 2019 and $30billion in non-oil exports by 2025.

Growing non-oil exports

six fold in nine years will be a feat indeed, but then, again, these are extraordinary times, and we need extraordinary economic action.”

Awolowo added that in implementing this plan, hundreds of thousands jobs will be created every year from numerous activities of non-oil economy.

‘The zero oil plan identifies 21 priority countries as markets for Nigerian products, termed ‘Export 21’, and 11 strategic export products with high financial value to replace oil. These include petrochemicals, palm oil, cocoa, soybeans, rubber, to name a few. To achieve this, Nigeria must scale up do-

mestic production to levels unprecedented and create competitive channels to move cargo and get goods into foreign markets.

“The plan envisages increases in total non-oil export volumes in Nigeria which should grow by 70 million tons, clearly a logistical challenge that would require upgrades on major transport corridors to get goods from Nigeria’s hinterlands in every single state of the federation to ports in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

The plan facilitates export aggregators to source products from millions of micro, small and medium sized enterprises, which

ensures our grass roots, youths and households also feel the feel the economic impact of exports,” he said.

Awolowo, who exhibits confidence in the success in the diversification of Nigeria’s oil driven economy to non-oil export said as a council, they are prepared for the task of achieving this lofty mission.

“We are not starry-eyed optimists, as moving a Nigeria with zero oil will not be easy. But we should remember that we once had a country that was zero oil. The questions to ask are: what happened to our proud history in palm oil, cocoa, ground nuts, cot-

Chairman on the occasion and Sokoto state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; (2nd right), Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe(right),Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), Waheed Olagunju, 3rd left), Director, Global Trade & Regulatory Policy,ARLA Foods,Casper Thromod-Nielsen(2nd left),and Corporate Affairs Director,Friesland Campina,Wamco Nigeria Plc,Ore Famurewa, during a Retreat on Livesstock and Diary Development in Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI

Chaos in Nigeria leaves refineries cold, oil unsold amid outages REFINERIES from India to the United States are backing away from buying Nigerian oil amid heightened uncertainty about deliveries as the country squares up to militants in the restive Delta region.

Reuters reports that the reluctance to buy is limiting the prices Nigeria can get for its oil even as there is less of it – another hit to the finances of a country battling its worst economic crisis in decades.

A group calling itself the Niger Delta Avengers has staged a number of attacks on oil installations belonging to Shell, ENI and Chevron, pushing output in what is usually Africa’s largest crude exporter down past 20-year lows last month.

Some oil facilities have clawed back output, but the Avenger attacks have continued and the group has vowed to bring Nigerian production to “zero”.

“Not everybody wants

to be caught up in that, so they will avoid it,” said Olivier Jakob, managing director of PetroMatrix in Switzerland. “The refineries will walk away from it.”

India’s HPCL was forced last month to cancel a vessel it chartered to carry 2 million barrels of West African crude due to the Qua Iboe force majeure.

India’s state-run Indian Oil Corp. Ltd – a major buyer of Nigerian grades over the past year – has stated in its recent tenders that it would not take

grades under force majeure. Qua Iboe remained off the list in its latest tender, according to a document seen by Reuters, an extremely unusual development in its requests for sweet crude.

Indonesia’s Pertamina, another frequent buyer, also chose not to buy Nigerian grades in its recent tenders, favouring Congolese Coco, Angolan Girassol and Saharan Blend from Algeria instead.

Traders said Pertamina had shifted its prefer-

ences since the violence and uncertainty escalated, although Daniel Purba, senior vice president of ISC Pertamina, told Reuters by text message that Pertamina is “monitoring” Nigeria, but “currently it’s still not affecting crude purchasing.”

Four of Nigeria’s oil grades – including the largest stream, Qua Iboe – have been under force majeure in the past month – a legal clause that allows companies to cancel or delay deliveries due to unforeseen circumstances.

Naira drops to N367/$1 From Sanya Adejokun and Chima Nwokoji

WITH scarcity of United States dollar hitting the parallel market, naira exchanged for 367 for dollar on the black market on Wednesday.

This is a 1.6 percent depreciation against the dollar as delays by the central bank in explaining how its new flexible forex policy would work increased

speculation on the currency.

The naira traded at 199.40, within central bank’s pegged rate band on the official interbank market.

Last month, the central bank said it would abandon its naira peg to the dollar and introduce a flexible currency regime. It has not said how this would work, though, which has un-

settled investors worried about getting caught in the middle of a devaluation.

Demand for the greenback has increased amidst growing scarcity as uncertainties created by the new policy, has caused individuals to start to stock dollars, Aminu Gwadabe, head of Nigeria’s bureaux de change association, said.

ton? We were the toast of the world, where are these products now? We know in good days Nigeria typically makes over $70billion annually from crude oil exports, but the world is bigger than oil. Only three of the top 20 exporters in the world depend heavily on oil exports, and today even those three are fast diversifying. Indonesia makes over $18billion from only palm oil exports (we understand the Indonesians took their first plan seed from Nigeria over 50 years ago); Brazil makes $17billion from soybeans; Saudi Arabia makes over $30 billion from petrochemicals Nd Bangladesh makes $5billion from T-shirts,” he added.

The Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, who revealed that most African countries, in particular Nigerian trade is informal enjoined each state in the Federation to select one priority export product under one of its campaign One-stateone product programme.

He said if each state, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), could key in to the scheme, Nigeria already has at least 37 nonoil exportable products.

“Plainly put, with the zero oil plan, Nigeria will be a very different place in the next five years. We are a resourceful people, this is the time to dig deep and create an economy to work for us today, as well as pastor generations to come.

“As everyone talks about the crash in crude oil prices, from Saudi Arabia to Venezuela, and from Russia to the United States; for Nigeria we seek to go beyond oil. One of Nigeria’s responses is to restructure and drive our economy through non-oil exports. Many emerging market countries have walked this road successfully and thrived. The zero oil plan sets our country on this path as well. Now, we need the conviction to execute and the courage to stay thin course. Time to export, export and export,” Awolowo maintained.

He thereby proposed a four point plan on partnership with DAWN commission, namely as adopting Nigeria as the regional DAWN agenda for export diversification; governance and administration, sectorial support and support on key zero oil thrusts.

The Director General DAWN commission, Dipo Famakinwa assured Awolowo that the commission was ready to support and partner the council, noting that “NEPC is strategic to diversification of Nigeria’s economy.”

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editorial

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Stephen Keshi: Exit of the Big Boss

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ANY Nigerian deaths, even of nonagenarians, are typically described as shocking. But the passing away of Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, former Super Eagles captain and outstanding coach, truly earned that epithet. For one, Keshi had bubbled with life and suffered no known illness. For another, many Nigerians had expected that, like his predecessors, he would one day again take charge of the Nigerian national team which he led to glory at the 2013 AFCON tournament, returning Nigeria to the acme of African football 19 years after captaining the team to glory at the 1994 AFCON tournament, before narrowly missing out on a World Cup quarter-final place the same year. The multiple awards-winning footballer and coach was in fact billed to return to his base in the United States when, in yet another event that emphasised the mortality of humanity and the supremacy of the divine will, he took his last bow in the early hours of Wednesday in Benin City, Edo State, aged 54. Nicknamed the “Big Boss” for his leadership skills, Keshi is the fifth member of the glorious 1994 team to pass away, Uche Okafor, Thompson Oliha, Rashidi Yekini and Wilfred Agbonavbare having all gone before him. The nation is still in shock.

A product of St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos, Keshi started his playing career at at ACB Football Club, and later played for New Nigeria Bank, Stade d’Abidjan, Africa Sports, Lokeren, Anderlecht, RC Strasbourg, and a host of other clubs. At age 20, he represented Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations in 1982 subsequently becoming the longest-serving captain of the Super Eagles and lifting the AFCON trophy in 1994 which was his fifth appearance at the prestigious continental showpiece. Both for club and country, Keshi was renowned for scoring vital goals from his position as a central defender. Indeed, the defence line he headed in 1994 remains the best the senior national team has produced till date, and had been described as “impregnable” by the Bulgarian coach during Nigeria’s first competitive game at a World Cup, an occasion where the Eagles announced their arrival on the global stage in elegant fashion, ensuring a 3-0 routing of the Bulgarian senior national team.

After a playing career spent mostly in Belgium, Keshi moved to the United States to acquire certificates in

coaching. His exploits included leading the Togo national football team to its first World Cup tournament in Germany in 2006, and, on 18 November 2013, becoming the first African coach to successfully qualify two African nations (Nigeria and Togo) to the World Cup finals.

Keshi also helped Nigeria to become the first country to achieve an African Cup of Nations trophy and World Cup qualification, both in 2013, and led Nigeria to the second round of the the 2014 World Cup. He also managed Mali.

In addition, Keshi, the only Nigerian coach to have won the African Cup of Nations, was also the second person to win the trophy both as a player and a coach, following on the heels of Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary. That is not all. As a footballer, Keshi is one of the legends credited with pioneering the move of African footballers to the elite European clubs, and was always on hand to advise up and coming footballers on how to sign profitable deals and avoid being ripped off. Thus, he was hugely admired and loved across the continent.

More profoundly, one fact that emerged after the Big Boss’ death, namely his devotion to his wife of 33 years even in death, speaks very clearly of Keshi’s personality as a shining light of family life and an exemplary human being and athlete for whom personal discipline and fidelity to marriage were non-negotiable. According to those close to him, Keshi had simply found life unbearable after the demise, on December 10, 2015, of his beautiful wife, Kate, with whom he has now reunited, yet he had ploughed on with courage. Distinguished sportsmen, the world over, particularly the current generation of athletes who earn sums of money that their predecessors could never have contemplated, are not known for a discipline marital life, and there are surely valuable lessons to learn from Keshi’s noble example.

Although death, as the English bard William Shakespeare reminds us, is a necessary end that will come when it will come, the nation is comforted by the fact that the former Eagles’ coach imprinted his name on the sands of time.

Although he had his own fair share of human foibles and could have managed certain situations better than he did, there is no doubt that Keshi loved football with a passion and was a committed patriot. He will be sorely missed.

May his soul rest in sweet repose. Adieu, the Big Boss!

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Avengers: FG must talk to MASSOB, IPOB too IF the Nigerian government will talk to the Niger Delta militants, then it should also speak with

leaders of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the Indigenous People of Biafra

(IPOB), as well as the Boko Haram militants, as what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

What I am saying in essence is that talking with the militants will only encourage violence in other parts

Time to revisit Jonathan’s national confab report THE truth is that this country is structurally and politically defective; the recent bombings of oil installations, the cry for secession by the Igbo people, as well as the Fulani herdsmen’s attacks on farmers in the Southern part of the country reveal why it is important for the Federal Government

to implement the national confab report which we had during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s ten-

ure.

This is the best time for the confab report to be implemented, as it highlighted

how each region wants to be governed in the country.

If the Federal Government agrees to this, then it will go a long way in solving the myriad of problems facing the country today.

•Jimoh Mumin, 08034435211

of the country.

While I am not in support of war breaking out in any region of the country, I feel that it is not fair enough for government to be speaking with some disgruntled elements.

Even the United States does not speak with Al-Qaeda and other violent Islamic groups when they seize its citizens.

While many may be saying that speaking with the Niger Delta terrorists will help solve the problem of

pipeline bombings, it will only shift our evil days forward. These militants will never allow peace to reign in that region; once they feel a government is not doing what it wants, then they will return to blowing up oil installations.

I, therefore, feel that the Federal Government should look for another way through which it can bring about a lasting solution to these bombings.

•Tumini George, 09095687489

FG should dialogue with Niger Delta Avengers I am really happy with the manner in which the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, invited former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan to discuss ways through which the country can end the bombing of oil pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

I believe the meeting would have opened up President Buhari’s eyes to how he will tackle the situation.

Former President Obasanjo will advise him on the need to reach out to the Niger Delta militants, while former President Jonathan, a Niger Delta son, will help him dialogue with the militants.

I am really happy that President Buhari does not feel he has the monopoly of knowledge; I hope that in the next couple of weeks,

the situation would have been resolved, while the blown pipelines will quickly be fixed by their respective oil companies.

Finally, I want to use this opportunity to tell the Niger Delta militants that whatever they might be fighting for, blowing up of oil pipelines will only lead to further degradation of the region’s environment.

Today, oil spillage has destroyed marine life in most of the region, and blowing up of oil pipelines will only add to the misery of the Niger Delta people. Whatever the militants are fighting for, they are doing more damage to their environment and people than they can ever image. Dialogue is, therefore, the best way to channel grievances to those in positions of authority.

Vincent Kadiri, 08030461538.

Govt should focus on education The super power of Sango. Photo: Tommy Adegbite.

Changing Nigerians’ mentality

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NE thing that I discovered about Nigerians is that for our country to develop, we need to change our mentality. We have come to see corruption as a way of life, and we don’t see any big deal when someone steals from public

coffers. It has reached a situation whereby those who are criminals are celebrated as long as they can part with money.

We have turned money into a god which we worship; we have forgotten the values instilled in us by our forefathers. I

could remember that my grandmother once told me that in the olden days, sellers didn’t need to stay with their wares. They just put the money value of the items by the wares, and people would buy and put the money there, and in the evening, the seller would return to take the

money. This is definitely not possible again in the country. Everybody is looking for the opportunity to steal.

However, it is high time something is done about this negative attitude of ours.

•Sanmi Adekunle, 08191143941.

Whenever a politician wants to give back to members of his constituency, he buys motorcycles, grinding machines, stoves, among others. Most of our politicians are so uninnovative. They should look at policies that will empower the people for years to come.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s free education policy is a good example. Politicians should make lasting impression on the lives of the people, and this can only happen through education. Again, we are having the problem of insur-

gency, both in the North and in the Niger Delta, this can be eradicated if adequate attention is given to education.

Education has a way of liberating people, and this is what our politicians can give us, not Okada or grinding machines.

I hope our politicians will stop insulting our sensibilities with those petty items which they give to the people, rather, they should focus on education.

•Stanley Umoh, 08029518875

opinion Of blasphemy, jungle justice and lies 15

By Obo Effanga

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AST Friday, the news across the country, and which was “celebrated” on social media, was that irate mob in Kano beheaded a woman on the claim of blasphemy against Islam. The narrative went on and on with a particular photograph going viral. The photograph showed some of the mobsters carrying what looked like a human head, supposedly that of the victim. But 24 hours later, it turned out, from the testimony of the deceased woman’s widower, that she was killed no doubt, but not beheaded. The widower said he was there with the police when his wife’s body was taken to the morgue. So, the social media again was deployed to lie and blow up the story.

From all that has been gathered, the slain woman, Mrs Bridget Patience Agbahime, aged 74 years, was a trader at the Kofar Wambai Market in Kano. She was at her shop that evening when a Muslim man came to the front of her shop to carry out ablution, preparatory to observing his prayers. The deceased woman then reportedly objected to his doing so in the precinct of her shop for which an argument ensued. And that, apparently, was what the man claimed amounted to blasphemy. Before long, the matter degenerated and a mob action led to the murder of the woman.

The police have since arrested two persons they believed to have participated in the heinous crime, adding that it was their “prompt response” that saved the widower from being lynched too.

This incident is beastly, condemnable and barbaric in every dimension. It is shocking that such an incident could happen in 2016 Nigeria. It also begs the question how equipped and prepared the security agencies, especially the police, are to responding to spontaneous incidents such as mob action. It would be necessary to know how many police personnel were drafted to the scene and with what equipment to have prevented the loss of life and property. Again, the issue of the police-citizens ratio comes to the fore. One also recalls an incident in the same Kano last year where a blood-thirsty mob nearly ran down a court and police station with the intention to seize and lynch a man accused of blasphemy.

There are many more questions to be asked and facts stated here. There is no part of the applicable laws in Nigeria where death or lynching is assigned as penalty for “blasphemy”. The closest thing to blasphemy in our laws is reference to insult to a religion, which is described as a simple offence or misdemeanour, carrying jail term. Blasphemy, at best, would be a sin under

various religions. Even assuming without conceding that the late woman committed blasphemy, to what extent could citizens be allowed to take the law of execution into their hands on the allegation of commission of a crime? Our laws do not, under any circumstance, permit of such. At best, the law allows for private citizens to arrest an alleged criminal or someone about to commit a crime and hand over to the police immediately.

How long shall we live with conceding that certain people can commit heinous crimes in the name of culture and religion and we go gentle with them? Why is Kano often so combustible and so easily known for mob actions? We see this at different times and arenas, including in sports. I recall the reports of postmatch criminal activities outside a stadium in Kano during one of the FIFA tournaments Nigeria hosted. Kano State authorities sure need to do something about its teeming number of idle residents who could so easily be recruited, mobilised or sentimentally drawn to violence, even without knowing why they are deployed to such violence. Not just Kano, but other states need to address the same in their locations. And this includes the use and abuse of drugs and other psychotropic substances.

After I heard of the incident, I posed the following questions to some Muslim friends. What does the religion say about the following: What amounts to blasphemy of the religion or the Prophet? What is the nature of proof of actual blasphemy thereof and what is the appropriate punishment and how it should be carried out?

Somebody responded that negative statements against Islam and Prophet Muhammed could be what these young people refer to as blasphemy. He admitted that there are numerous examples of such statements which were made about the Prophet to his face without such negative consequences as we see now.

He also added that some of those people became Muslims later on in their lives. He added that Islam does not give any individual the authority to alone complain, judge and execute an accused. If one is aggrieved and deems anybody’s statement or action blasphemous, one can only report to the authorities.

Some statements at best will be adjudged inciting or a provocation. None of my respondents claimed knowledge of death

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

sentence for blasphemy. In fact, one person said, “the people who referred to the prophet as “majnoon” or a lunatic to his face were not condemned to the best of my knowledge. I don’t know what gets more blasphemous than that”.

My Muslim friends further said that Islam has no place for jungle justice but ignorance has allowed many un-Islamic and anti-social behaviours to be given Islamic colouration. They say Islam has processes and authority levels for handling offences/ crimes. Certainly, an individual not representing the law has no authority to take life for any offence except where it is a clear cut case of self-defence.

As for the nature of proof, I am informed that Islam accepts oral evidence from four “credible witnesses” as sufficient proof.

But credible witnesses are not easy to come by. For instance, “if you eat while walking on the street, you are deemed not credible enough to be a witness”, says one Muslim friend. Similarly, joblessness, history of telling lies, history of ever not keeping promise etc. can be used to discredit someone as a credible witness in Islam.

It is apparent that many who claim to carry out some of the atrocities we see in the name of religion have no proper knowledge of the religions they lay claim to and on whose behalf they purport to act. We have for too long allowed charlatans to take over our faiths while the enlightened members of society and of the faith stand aloof, so as not to be accused of heresy. We have seen this over and again, especially among the major religions in Nigeria. Some practices which clearly are against human rights to life, human dignity etc. have been practised under false claims of religion.

The custodians of these religions have to do more to sensitise and indoctrinate their followers on the essentials of their faiths. They must also speak up, punish and support the state to punish for any crime committed in the name of their faiths, rather than try to protect their own or justify and explain away wrongdoings.

The Nigerian state owes the murdered Senior Citizen Bridget a duty to bring justice to this case. Such justice must reflect the three prongs of justice to the deceased, justice to the accused persons and justice to the society. Her death is a shame to our country. It should not have happened. This cold-blood murder must not be discarded into that bin of unresolved crimes. Some people have to take responsibility for it. Every life is sacred. We cannot, therefore, allow some citizens to commit sacrilege in the name of responding to alleged blasphemy and get away with it.

•Effanga is a public affairs analyst.

Rebuilding the North through education

By Ayodele Lawal Adio

Northern elders and the elite class have been quite vocal in the last couple of years, giving a louder voice to national issues, particularly that which affects their region. However, the sad reality is that they have focused on issues that massages the ego of the elite class and deepen the pockets of a selected few, turning a blind eye on the more threatening issues eating up the region.

The dominant lexicon, revenue allocation, as to who gets a better share from the national purse seems to take a sizable share of their mind, thereby, ignoring the bigger elephant in the room. If increase in allocation translates to better distribution of wealth across the social strata and an improved living standard of the average Northerner, then they stand on holy ground but the evidence proves otherwise. The lack of regional purpose, poorly articulated vision, an incoherent strategy and a continuous mismanagement of resources is the cradle upon which the parlous situation of today’s North was bred.

The huge textile industries in Kano and Kaduna that employed thousands of young Northerners gradually slid into extinction without any of our leaders attempting to thrown in a rescue rope. There is no doubt that the North is home to the richest man in Africa and a couple of other billionaires, what logical explanation could one then give to the widespread poverty on the larger populace rather than the earlier assertion on the region’s focus on building strong individuals at the expense of stronger communities. It is this widening gap between the rich and poor that has gradually metamorphosed to the insecurity we are experiencing today. How could we not have known that economic repression breeds strife and contempt. The North is today making the headline for all the wrong things.

The challenges in North and its opportunities are tied to a single yet critical word, education. It is the level of awareness of a people, their skills and cerebral sophistication that determines the kind of community they build. There is a strong relationship between education and economic prosperity. When Egypt became the centrer for global education, they consequently became an economic world power, this trend extended to Greece, Rome, Britain and today, the United States, where seven of the top ten universities in the world are resident.

The North accounts for the highest rate of illiteracy in the country, way below the national average and worst ratios for girl child education in the country. The national demographic and health survey puts the illiteracy rate for women at 21 per cent in the North West compare to a national rate of 50 per cent, the 10 states with the highest number of girls out of secondary school are also found in the North. Eight states in Northern Nigeria have the country’s worst girl child education and health indices namely, Kebbi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Katsina, Gombe and Yobe. If this trend continues, how will we ever produce an Okonjo Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, Ibukun Awosika, or Bola Adesola.?

Education contributes directly to the growth of national income by improving the productive capacities of the labour force.

A recent study of 19 developing countries, including Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia, concluded that a country’s long term economic growth increases by 3.7 per cent for every year the adult population’s average level of schooling rises. Education, hence, is a key strategy for poverty reduction.

Taiwan, in the 1960s, was exporting mushrooms, by 1990, the country had emerged a power house in semiconductor and was exporting electronic goods. Paul Krugman, in his explanation of this phenomenal results by the Asian tigers, said their rapid growth was a natural and automatic consequence of the rapid increase in input made through education and massive investment in physical capital.

Finland was known for lumber but became a power house of mobile phones in the 1990s. Kenya was only known for its coffee but today a leader in mobile technology. The secrets of these countries lies in their acquisition, domestication and expansion of local technologies and a vigorous pursuit of entrepreneur ship.

Now, the North must adopt a regional educational policy that

emphasises access and quality education. The operation word is quality, which will necessitate the equipping of colleges of education to produce standard teachers and an improved welfare of the teachers. People should aspire to teach but for them to dream of teaching, the profession must have poise and ensure a decent livelihood. A massive investment in the infrastructure of the schools and its facilities, an overhaul of its curriculum and an effective monitoring machine that ensures compliance from teachers and all stake holders. This can be achieved by allocating the required 26 per cent of the budget of state governments to education as stipulated by the United Nations.

The technical colleges and institutes can be transformed into the bedrock of innovation in Nigeria by opening them up to partnerships with the private sector, international exchange programmes, hands on experience with local projects and new funding windows. It is a shame to note that the North also has the least internet penetration in the country and as such, are excluded from the global community, trends and the conversations that could shape their tomorrow.

The National Council for the Welfare of Destitute puts the current population of almajiri at about seven million, a figure that must be translated to an opportunity other than a bomb on speed dial. These young Northerners, usually within the ages of 11 and 19, can be engaged in a carefully-designed programme by Northern governors in collaborations with local government officials, traditional institutions and religious leaders at the grassroots. They can be empowered with vocational and technical skills alongside a basic education in Mathematics.

The subjugation of women and their exemption from socioeconomic issues is one that must be reversed if the region will make any progress. It is counter productive and economic lunacy to exclude close to half of a population from active participation in politics, policies and governance and expect to grow.

Northern governors must begin a region-wide campaign to get girls into school and ensure they finish. Northern girls should be encouraged into the sciences and other professional courses, but most-importantly, must be supported to reach their fullest potential and highest aspiration.

•Adio, a journalist, lives in Abuja.

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Thursday, 9 June, 2016

Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216

Abuja IDPs’ camp loses 10 inmates Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja

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BOUT 10 inmates of one of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in the Federal Capital Territory have lost their lives due to lack of adequate medical care.

Woman leader of the camp located at Area 1, Durumi District for indigenes of Gwoza/ Bama Borno State, Mrs Liatu Ayuba, disclosed this when members of the Abuja Cranfield University Alumni Association visited the camp and donated food items and other essential commodities to the inmates.

According to her, although various individuals and organisations donated drugs for the camp, there were no enough medical personnel to administer the drugs to the inmates which resulted to the untimely death of about 10 of them.

Mrs Ayuba, while commending the kind

gesture of the Association, pleaded with the FCT administration, the National Emergency Agency (NEMA), various organisations and spirited individuals to come to their aid to prevent further loss among the inmates.

Speaking earlier, the President of the association, Mr Simon Adesina, said the

association believed that the gesture would help prompt others to reach out to those in need and to further remind the displaced people that the society shared their plight.

Adesina told the inmates that the association was already in touch with the Abuja branch of the Nigerian Medical As-

sociation (NMA) to see how its members could be of help to the inmates.

Also speaking, the secretary of the association, Mrs Grace Falogbe, pleaded with Nigerians irrespective of their tribe or religion to come to the aid of inmates in the various camps in order to give them sense of belonging.

Target is to transform Nigeria to knowledgebased economy —Minister From left, Director, People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Mr Ibrahim Umoru;Chairman, Global Fund Nigeria cOuntry Coordinating Mechanism, Dr Dauda Sulaiman;Country Director,AIDS HealthCare Foundation,Dr Adetayo Towolawi and Coordinator, Project Hope, Mr Steve Aborisade during the tuberculosis community forum in Abuja recently. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

Adegbite Lafia-Abuja MINISTER of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has said that efforts are ongoing to transform the country from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.

He stated that his ministry was making vigorous efforts to help achieve food security so that the country could feed her citizens, provide security and uninterrupted power supply which would engender rapid industrialisation and encourage the use of locally-made goods and services.

Speaking at the 15th Committee on Science and Technology (COMSTECH) General Assembly meeting held in Islamabad, Pakistan, the minister further noted that efforts were on to close all technology gaps that previously hindered economic growth.

According to him, the ministry had, in the past one year, intensified efforts in the area of commercialisation of research findings by encouraging the protection of intellectual property through patents.

He hinted that research and innovation work was going on in many areas including biotechnology, chemical technology, information technology, renewable and efficient use of energy, protection and preservation of the environment, herbal and alternative medicine, nuclear research for peaceful purposes as well as space science and technology.

Minister woos private investors into water sector Adetola Bademosi-Abuja MINISTER of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, has called on private sector and all development partners in the country to invest in the country’s water sector.

He said the investment would boost Federal Government’s effort in the area of improving hydropower and municipal water supply in the country, The minister made the call in Abuja during the 23rd regular meeting of the National Council on Water Resource.

He lamented that the country failed to reach the millennium development goal’s target of 75 per cent improved water supply and sanitation coverage by the year 2015 due to low funding and lack of proper framework for its implementation.

The minister disclosed that the ministry’s public and private partnership unit was interfacing with the private sector towards the development of water infra-

structure in the country.

He said: “The huge water impounded in various dams nationwide is available for investment especially by the private sector and development partners for hydropower, irrigated agriculture, fisheries, tourism and municipal water supply

We lack govt’s presence, Lugbe residents cry out Adegbite Lafia-Abuja RESIDENTS of Lugbe community (Across) in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have decried lack of government presence and called on both the Federal Government and the council chairman to come to their aid by providing good roads, maternity centres and boreholes in the area.

Abuja Xtra noted that with the outset of rainy season, roads in the area have been rendered impassable, thereby sub-

Indigenous products: SON, MAN charged on strict enforcement of standards Christian Okeke-Abuja STANDARDS Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have been tasked to ensure standardisation of locally-made goods and services in the country.

Promoter of the forthcoming exposition aimed at encouraging purchase of madein-Nigeria products and scheduled to hold in the Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Jumai Ahmadu, who made the appeal, said

achieving that would boost local manufacturing of goods and services.

Speaking in Abuja, Ahmadu observed that despite efforts made by previous governments, the country had for long been operating what she described as a cargo economy that remained mainly import driven.

Mrs Ahmadu, who lamented the high rate of consumption of foreign products by consumers, assured that the expo would correct such negative tendency.

through concession.

“This provides opportunity for stimulating the nation’s economy for employment generation and poverty alleviation.

“Currently, the ministry has undertaken the concession of Azara Jare irrigation project and 40mw Hydropower project of Dadi Kowa Dam.”

She called on other relevant stakeholders in the manufacturing industry to key into the project as it would scale up local manufacturing aimed at making the country’s economy great.

She said: “Proudly Nigeria Expo indeed requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, public, private sectors including SMEs, manufacturers, importers, exporters, chambers of commerce, business community as well as governmental and non-governmental bodies to succeed.

jecting the residents to serious hardship.

The central chairman of Lugbe Community Development Association (LCDA), Prince Adeyinka Mustafa, while speaking on the poor infrastructure, urged the government to fulfil its campaign promises to the people of the area.

He said: “We need good roads, maternity centres, motorised boreholes and public toilets in our market, so that we feel the impact of the present administration.”

Crew 1. Christian Okeke chidiabujatribune@ yahoo.com 08030947856 2. Clement Idoko idokoajiga@yahoo. co.uk 08034412281 3. Kolawole Daniel kolawoledaniels@yahoo.co.uk 08030763782 4. Adetola Bademosi gloriaadetola@ gmail.com 08182214290 5. Collins Nnabuife chideraacollins@yahoo.com 08039521408 Abuja Xtra email & GSM: abujaxtra@ gmail.com 08054501406

17

Thursday, 9 June, 2016 With Adewale Oshodi tribunearts@yahoo.com 08054005323

Meet lady who tells stories with photographs

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MILY Nkanga is a bundle of talents. The 21-year-old graduate of TV and Film from American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State is a photographer, filmmaker and writer.

Last year, the young lady who calls the shots at Emily Nkanga Photography decided to showcase the plight of internally displaced persons in the North East with photographs. She also started an initiative; ‘Keep Hope Alive’ which gives back to the community a percentage from any of her photographs sold.

In further expressing her creativity, Nkanga recently published a book entitled, ‘The caged and the free spirited,’ where she reveals her storytelling talent using images. The book, a product of her personal experiences in relationship, contains mainly photographs of a model and quotations that reflect two extreme sides — a soul in bondage and a freed one. It is also spiced with darkness, tears, pain, colour and smiles.

Explaining her reason for writing the book, she discloses: “It wasn’t just enough to connect with people on a personal level; I needed something that would actually connect to people. So, there was a time when I had a personal experience. This book was done from a personal experience.”

On photography as her career choice, she says she finds it “very challenging because you don’t want to repeat the same creative idea all over again. If not, it will get boring and people will get tired of it.

So, if you have about 10 clients, you need to create 10 different ideas for them. Interestingly, my major clients are in the music industry, maybe because that is where I started off.”

Though her ultimate dream is to be a cinematographer, she believes that a good photographer is capable of being a great cinematographer. So, instead of going into film, she chose to start with photography.

According to her, when she eventually becomes a cinematographer, she would have great experience from photography.

Interestingly, Nkanga is no stranger to the entertainment industry. At an early age, her mother introduced her to the church choir where she played the clarinet. “I was actually in an orchestra. But it was more of an all-women gospel orchestra in a Redeemed Christian Church.

It was mostly elderly women, but my mother drafted me in,” she recalls.

On what attracts her to movies, she says “It is an art. Basically, my foundation is to tell stories. If you check most of my projects, there has to be a story. I can’t just say I am putting out images; there has to be a story behind it. So, for

me, it is just like storytelling and the ability to tell the stories is what inspires me towards filmmaking.”

Though she agrees Nollywood still has several challenges, she describes it as a success story that can still be improved upon. She says, “In fact, Nollywood has improved. I watched some of the new age movies and I told myself that there is hope. In fact, hope is here. But, I think apart from proper technology, it also has to do with proper training. People feel they can go ahead with something without wanting to go the extra mile. But modern filmmakers know their onions and are seeking to improve.”

•Emily Nkanga

Of tradition, individual talent and cosmopolitan vision A review of Abdul R. Yesufu’s poetry collection, Visions and Recollections.

After over a three-decade experience in the literati vocation of researching, writing and teaching literary writings in English Language expression (in Africa, and United states), Abdul R. Yesufu has graciously published his long overdue volume of poetry.

Before identifying the cosmopolitan motifs in the text, I wish to appropriate the title of T.S Eliot (1916) essay, “Tradition and The Individual Talent,” to briefly review the form and order of VISIONS and Recollections [2016]. In his essay, Eliot has opined that: “No poet, no artist of any art has his complete meaning alone. His significance, his appreciation is the appreciation of his relation to the dead poets and artists… I mean this is a principle of aesthetic… poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion.”

This position is reinforced by the author’s commentary on the form and meaning of the collection. In the preface, Yesufu excuses the widely-held notion of the “academic and highly allusive tenor of the pieces” in the light of his exposure to “an extensive diet of poetry of all kinds and qualities – from the oral of several climes and ages to the highly symbolic variety of the high modernist mode of the Western tradition, and several other types in between.” The poet also says: the poems are steeped in the socio-political realities and encompassing weltanschaungen of the environment they attempt to recreate.”

In view of this background, VISIONS and Recollections appeals to the reader as a work of art inspired or envisioned by

poetic impulses of a highly-talented artistic word-smith. At another level, it is a composition from the various deposits of literary conventions of the verse mode.

One striking aesthetic appeal of the poems is the heightened almost spontaneous expression of the language. For example, the first poem “ The Year’s End [1997]” which to me foreshadows the writer’s “VISIONS and Recollections” showcases condensed poetic craftsmanship “The year trudges towards the last bend / On the road to its transient decease / Heavily loaded / Knock-kneed / Back bent by knapsacks of memories / Of profits / Of losses / Of visions and revisions / Of dreams and deferred dreams / … Elegiac canticles / Dripping from festive voices / Rebound on the cavernous arches of the house of God… /” (1) Another attribute of the verses in the collection is their intertextual appeal. This comes out very strong in the “The Weaverbird (A Tribute to Okot, after Laban Erapu)” Who made the Hills of Roma (Af-

ter William Blake)”. The illusion of Renown (After James Shirley)” Viande – Ronge et Blanche (After T.S.E) “The Machine of Isando (after J. P. Clark) and several others. For instance in “The Weaver Bird” the poet quizzes: Did you say that the bird is gone / Weaver of songs and mirth / Never to be seen or heard again? / That it has taken wing on the wind / And flown into the ‘unreturnable’ distance? / But distance is not absence / Except measured by span and sight… / unflagging in their voluble disputations / Lawino, Ocol, Prisoner, Malaya / Proxy voices of eternity now / Speak to us in their master’s voice (8) Moreover, VISIONS and Recollections is also remarkable for its eclectic Romantic ethos. This is well signified in poems such as “The Full Moon” “Circles of the Seasons (Nigeria)”, “An Afternoon Rainstorm (After Rubadiri)”, “The August Break”, “The Hills of Roma” and “En Route Main South I at Night”. In these poems, Natural phenomena are invested with various shades of philosophical worldview. We also note that the volume is spiced with Haiku poetic modes. This perhaps demonstrates the artist’s affinity with the Japanese literary convention.

Above all, Abdul R. Yesufu may have been a Nigerian born, African bred scholar and writer, yet his vision in this collection is clearly cosmopolitan. The poetic personae wears the mask of cosmopolitan narrator, observer and societal gadfly. And like the Mask’s camouflage of the ancient city of Benin “… confluence of ancient and modern / where the musty and the glossy / like two master wrestlers / Are locked in a perennial duel …. Yesufu’s lyricism is Romantic, yet elegiac about Man’s rites of passage and seasons of life. His use of language like “The Full Moon” is ripe wellrounded by Fecund Time / Like a plump pumpkin.

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arts&review

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

Pathway towards a better Nigeria

A review of Usman Sabitu Akanfe’s book, Global Correction and Peace Book for Noah and incoming Generations, by Olusakin Babalola.

On page 45 of the book. He says “God sent me to the then Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Operinde that all traditional rulers must ensure that Chief M.K.O Abiola did not die in detention, but should be set free. The message is that the Obas should meet General Sani

P

ROPHET Usman Sabitu Akanfe is the President of Tijaniyyat of Yorubaland. He is a retired army officer who left the service in 1991 for spiritual assignment.

He has, therefore, compiled a book, Global Correction and Peace Book for Noah and incoming Generations, to share his personal experiences, as well as the divine messages he got regarding how to make Nigeria greater.

He explains on page 36 of the book that his enlistment into the military during the Biafra/Nigeria Civil War was to enable him see and experience “what is exactly happening on the war front, and after acquiring enough trainings and digested all happenings, it gave me the necessary impetus to serve the country with all my resources.”

On page 30 of the book, Usman reveals how, after a period of spiritual confinement, he was told of his spiritual assignment. “While I was at home for several days, I started fasting and praying and later discovered in my dream that I was ringing bell all about and preaching God-sent messages where I was mandated to go and meet prominent Obas, Obis in the Esatern part of Nigeris and Emirs in the Northern region with Godsent messages. I also saw myself flying all over the sky globally with feather attached to my shoulder with the shouting of ‘Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar’ Praise the Lord- that is the big call. I decided to pray for God’s guidance on how to carry out the assignment which I received from God above.”

The book is, therefore, a compilation of messages sent by God through Akanfe to the world, and Nigerians in particular. Though a Muslim, he prefers to be referred to as ‘End Time Global Correction Prophet’, “because I am sent to the people of all faiths, be they Christians, Muslims or traditional believers.”

The 445-page book, apart from revealing the messages sent to the nation’s traditional, religious and political leaders, also highlights the problems of insecurity, political instability and unemployment currently facing Nigeria. He identifies disobedience to the word of God as the cause of the problems confronting the nation.

Like the disobedience of Israelites to the ordinances of God, particularly on the sin of idolatry, Prophet Akanfe stresses in the book that the 1977 FESTAC, which was attended by many international leaders, brought idols into the country, admitting that from then, Nigeria has known no peace.

He says in the book that Nigeria will know no peace unless the messages contained in his book, which are being ignored by successive governments, are taken with all seriousness and implemented fully.

His messages, as earlier said, covers

education, politics, religion and security of the country and the world. The messages have been dispatched to world leaders aside Nigeria for corrections.

The book highlights the problems of insecurity, political instability and unemployment currently facing Nigeria.

Abacha and canvass for the release of M.K.O Abiola from prison. I told him that if Abiola should die in detention, there is going to be problems in Nigeria, and that no government will record any meaningful achievement.”

Concerning education, Prophet Akanfe points out that the expected solutions to the continued downward trend in our educational system will not be found easily, but it is high time education stakeholders came together to find a lasting solution to the problems facing the sector.

On the controversies regarding cattle herders, the author says that cattle herders are not new in the country, pointing out that the new but negative trend which they now assumes is dangerous and calls for government intervention.

In short, Prophet Akanfe’s book focuses on the ills in the country and how we can go about solving them.

It is hoped that this book will guide our leaders on the steps to take if they truly want a better Nigeria.

Of language and symbolism in Akin Adejumo’s Possessed

By Abiodun Awolaja Like his previous works, Akin Adejumo’s Possessed is a powerful x-ray of the Nigerian condition, this time on the domestic front. On an existential plane, perhaps the highpoint of the novel is the moment the 50-year-old Lola Atobemen, until this moment emotionally circumscribed by the tragic loss of her husband and her non-consideration of a new relationship arising from the depth of her love and dedication to him, for which reason she had in fact ploughed on with a marriage doomed to produce no children arising from his low sperm count, discovers that a pregnancy has resulted from her rape by Eric, her lecherous brother-in-law and principal tormentor. This pregnancy is therefore symbolic of the duality of the human experience, the inextricable link between good and evil. The question, “What does a good woman do with the pregnancy of an enemy?” is intriguing, and Adejumo poses it once again.

Enjoy these lines, crafted in the Free Indirect Style method (on which, see Mick Short’s Exploring the Language of Poems, Plays and Prose (1996) or Elizabeth Black’s Pragmatic Stylistics, (2006), what I have elsewhere tagged double consciousness, a technique where the mental voices of the omniscient narrator and a character merge: “She would have loved to die a nullipara than bear the foetus, let alone the foetuses, of a rapist. For her, foetal twins were double tragedy, double trouble, double shame. How could God have treated her this way? What had she done to deserve this? How was she going to handle this at her age? How was she going to handle this at her age? How would she go through it all? Too many questions scared of answers.”

Significantly, rape, a central theme in

the novel, is also symbolic of the wheel of justice. On page 95, we read: “Kemi Adeleye, daughter of Justice Francis Adeleye, arrived Nigeria full of expectations. She had left Nigeria about three years ago for a PhD degree in law and international relations at the University of Sussex...She was determined to have her PhD before marriage and her fiancée, Ola George, was most willing to wait.”

A significant device here, and throughout the novel, is the deployment of short sentences, much in the style of Ernest Hemmingway, creating a climate of speed and fleeting passions in the novel, yet it is to the novelist’s credit that a network of complex events are compacted in only 151 pages.

More important, the symbolism of the doctorate degree holder being raped by

Ayomide Afolabi who has earlier been cleared of rape by her father in the case of Lola’s adopted daughter is not lost on the implied reader, and the conversation between Lola and Justice Adeleye in prison only a few weeks later represents the maturity of emotions and development of character, an irony of fate, in the novel. And neither is the symbolism of the death of Wale at the hands of his son Ayomide whom he has helped to evade justice in the past less symbolic of the wheel of justice.

Strategically, Possessed deploys various schematic mechanisms to advance the narrative, but the poetic strategy is occasionally tainted by a lack of conciseness. For instance, the novel opens with a depiction of the bereavement of the main character and hero, Lola, as follows: “It was a season of dense darkness for Lola. Life was beginning to show the other side of her constitution; the distasteful side. Usually when she does this to her rich lovers, especially those raised in cradles of gold, she takes them by surprise; leaving them perplexed and depressed, wondering and whymeing.”

The poetic build up here would appear to be rather clumsy. For one, the phrase “the distasteful side” and “leaving them perplexed and depressed, wondering and whymeing” appear superfluous, but then this kind of language, the type that the renowned critic Arthur Gakwandi has described as “self-conscious” in relation to Chinua Achebe (see The novel and contemporary experience in Africa. London : Heinemann. 1977) is few and far between in the novel, and the deployment of poetry in the novel succeeds as a vehicle for dramatising social maladies.

Unfortunately, we are constrained by space and must shift further discussion on Possessed to another date.

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Thursday, 9 June, 2016

education

Editor: Laolu Harolds 08111845016 tribune.education@yahoo.com

Ado Poly makes skills acquisition prerequisite for graduation •Matriculates 3,690 students

Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti

I

T is now mandatory for students in the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, to acquire a skill as a condition for obtaining their certificates.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Theresa TaiwoAkande, who disclosed this, said students at both the Ordinary and Higher Diploma levels would have to pass various entrepreneurship courses attached to them before they can graduate in their original academic programmes.

Dr Akande made this known at the matriculation ceremony for the institution’s new students for the 2015/2016 academic session.

She told the 3,690 students that this had become necessary in view of the determination of the polytechnic to produce industry-compliant graduates.

Mrs Akande said the decision was in line with the federal government’s policy of ensuring that today’s graduates aspire to become job creators rather than job seekers.

According to her, it was for this purpose that the polytechnic recently established a special faculty known as the Centre for Entreprenurship Development and Vocational Studies.

“We are determined as an institution to ensure that at the end of your OND or HND, each of you must have learnt at least one trade or the other or develop a business prototype that will stand you in good stead in future.

The Rector warned the new students to

be weary of the type of company or friends they keep by facing their studies squarely.

She also warned them against indulging in negative activities such as destruction of property, illegal sale or transfer of their bed spaces, or harbouring of strangers without prior knowledge of the school au-

Staff, students reject provost’s third-term bid Isaac Shobayo - Jos MEMEBRS of staff and students of the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Jos, Plateau State, are currently protesting an alleged plan by the provost of the college, Obong (Dr) Sunday Etukudoh, to seek a third term as the chief executive of the institution.

This is a fallout of the leadership crisis rocking the institution.

Addressing newsmen in Jos, the state capital, the spokesman of the group, Mr Philip Thomas, said the Federal Government of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 89 dated 11th October, 2012 Vol. 89 is clear on the tenure of provost of the school, and that no individual is allowed more than two tenures of four years each.

The protesters insisted that “Etukudoh

has completed two tenures of four years each as the provost of the college and is, therefore, not qualified for another term.”

They accused the provost of victimising some of his senior staff of the college that had dared to challenge his alleged plan to seek a third tenure.

Meanwhile, a Civil Society Organisation, the League for Human Rights, has also petitioned the Minister of Health on the matter, saying the provost’s move for a third tenure at the expiration of his second term in office is abnormal and contrary to laid down procedures.

“We write on behalf of some senior staff of the Federal School of Medical Laboratory, Jos, who have been on the receiving end of the activity of the provost, whose appointment took effect from 27th May 2008, for a four-year tenure and which was renewed for

How to stem brain drain in health sector —Provost Oluwole Ige - Osogbo The provost, College of Health Technology, Ilesa, Dr Fritz Olaoye, has said that more investment in healthcare facilities and proper remuneration of personnel by all tiers of government remain the effective panacea to checkmate medical tourism and brain drain in the health sector.

He made the disclosure while addressing graduands and dignitaries during the institution’s 12th convocation ceremony.

According to him, medical and health experts trained in the country are never

thorities.

She warned that any student, whether old or new, that contravenes basic instructions and laid down rules would be summarily dismissed, while any member of staff that collaborates with them would be sanctioned.

inferior to their colleagues abroad, but poor remuneration and obsolete facilities account for low productivity of many medical and health experts working in the country.

Olaoye, however, lauded Osun state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, for paying attention to the needs of the institution despite poor revenue accruing to the state.

He observed that sustained efforts by government and all stakeholders to improve the quality of facilities for training and instructors available in the institution were gradually yielding expected result, considering the

approval of Environmental Health Technology students of the institution to participate in National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; chairman, Osun House of Assembly, Dr AkinyinkaEsho; and Hon. ‘LekeOgunsola, in separate remarks, restated the desire of Osun State government to always provide conducive academic environment in all its tertiary institutions.

Over 5,000 students, drawn from seven departments in the institution, formally graduated at the event.

a further four years in 2012 and ended on 28th May 2016.

“Even before his appointment, he had acted for two years. It means he has been on the same seat for 10 years continually. This appointment was published in the Federal Government of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 89 dated 11th October, 2012 Vol. 89.”

According to the petition, signed by the Director of the CSO, NankinBagudu, Etukudoh is accused of dividing the union into two factions.

“He caused a faction to prepare a letter to be sent to you (minister) passing a vote of confidence on him. This, we believe, will allow him to continue in office for another four years. The letters are to be signed by a section of the management, a few students and a faction of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Jos chapter,” the petition reads.

The group urged the minister to take appropriate action on the matter, saying that “Etukudoh has resorted to open victimisation; this he did by setting up panel to try some lecturers, all against due process.

“He has resorted to the use of threats and intimidation and witch-hunting of staff perceived to be against him and who are not toeing his path. He wants to stay at all costs to cover allegations of corruption and malpractices which are before a court of law prosecuted by the EFCC.” All efforts to reach the Provost on his phone proved unsuccessful while none of the members of staff of the school was willing to comment on the issue.

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education

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

Babcock varsity law faculty emerges best overall

By Kehinde Adio

T

he Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Professor Ademola Tayo, has stated that Babcock University faculty of law has emerged first overall out of 45 Law faculties in Nigeria in the 2015 Nigerian Bar examination and equally emerged first in legal advocacy. He gave this information last

Sunday during the institution’s 14th graduation ceremony Professor Tayo stated further that one of the students in the Accounting Department of the institution made the best overall in the last Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) examinations in Africa, another student emerged second overall best student in the 2015 Institute of Chartered Ac-

countant of Nigeria qualifying examination.

While the Vice Chancellor attributed the success story of the institution to the collective innovation and creative efforts of all stakeholders in the university, he said that the institution had continued to build productive and distinctive networks, bringing together key individuals and organisations to tackle the complex issues faced in education, health,

economy and the challenges of an increasing population of those denied access to justice and basic social needs.

According to him, these cannot be addressed by one organisation acting alone, but “as a university, we are uniquely placed to contribute to the future success of this country. Our stakeholders have helped to shape our priorities, and this is absolutely critical, he said”

Speaking further, he said: “Babcock University has continued to partner and collaborate with reputable academic and industrial institutes, as well as professional bodies across the globe with a view to expanding the intellectual horizon and broaden the service opportunities available to students in the institution.

“Babcock’s MOU with ACCA London makes it possible for the University’s Accounting students to operate in 180 countries after certification. Already, the university has been granted seven exemptions, which is the first in Africa. This will ensure our students gain global recognition upon graduation.

“However, in a related development, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has accredited Babcock University Teaching Hospital for the training of up to 24 House Officers. Babcock University also received a two-year interim accreditation from the West African College of Surgeons.”

“The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria has given Babcock a five-year full accreditation for the training of Medical Laboratory Science undergraduates. The council also increased our admission quota into the programme from 50 to 70, while our students also performed very well in the 5th MBBS Exams.”

NUC ranks FUTO 8th best university in Nigeria Joe Nwachukwu-Owerri

Teachers and students of Oasis Int’l High School, Odo-Ona Elewe, Liberty Academy, Bota Estate, Idi-Iroko, Ibadan, during their excursion to Tribune House, Imalefalafia, Oke Ado, Ibadan, recently.

Teachers and pupils of Treasure Land Nursery and Primary School, Diamond Community Oloogbo, Off Eruwa Road, lbadan, during their Children’s Day and excursion visit to Tribune House, Imalefalafia, Oke Ado, Ibadan, recently.

Don condemns Niger Delta Avengers’ attacks on oil facilities Biola Azeez-Ilorin A Professor of Performing Arts, University of Ilorin, Abdulrasheed Abiodun Adeoye, has condemned new Niger Delta militia on its continued onslaught on oil installations in the region.

Speaking with journalists during the annual production of Theatre Fiesta of the Department of Performing Arts of the university, which was

kick-started with “Knotted from Adam to Adam”, a dance drama written by Rudolf Kansese in Ilorin on Thursday, the don, who queried the rationale behind the hostility, said that the current attacks on oil facilities by the armed bandits violated rules and regulations of God. The militia under the name, Niger Delta Avengers, had for weeks, launched severe attacks on oil installations akin to re-enactment of hostility on oil facilities in

the region few years ago.

The Unilorin don explained that the latest attack by the militants was not justifiable in any form, saying self-made law in a constitutionallygoverned country was a total aberration.

He traced the multifarious challenges bedeviling human race to the refusal of mortals to obey simple instruction from God, maintaining that it was impossible to follow rules set by man when that of God was not adhered to.

Adeoye, who is Head of Department of the Performing Arts, opined that it was only a society of just with those who tread on the path of due process that would always surmount any challenges before them.

“If you carry arms against the state, you are not following rules and regulations. Some people are calling themselves Avengers.

Avenging what? Because if you take law against the state, you are violating the constitution of that state.

The Chairman of the 10th Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Dr Emmanuel Enemuo, has commended the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Cyril Chigozie Asiabaka, for taking the institution to an enviable level during his tenure.

Enemuo gave the commendation at a valedictory colloquium in honour of Professor Asiabaka, whose tenure expires 19 June, 2016 as the sixth substantive vice chancellor of the institution.

The outgoing vice chancellor, who hails from AwoIdemili, in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, took over the mantle of leadership of the university from the late Professor Celestine Onwuliri in 2011, and is expected to hand over to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Francis Chukwuemeka Eze, as his successor.

The Pro-Chancellor, Enemuo said that the institution, which is the nation’s premier University of Technology, established in 1980 by the Shehu Shagari administration, is now the sight in the ranking of universities in the country by the National Universities Commission, (NUC) as against its former 48th position.

According to him, Professor Asiabaka has brought about monumental physical and infrastructural development into FUTO and the university is now being governed with strict sense of discipline, “there are no more examination malpractices, selling

of handouts, sexual harassment, and cultism is now a thing of the past in FUTO,” he added.

He, however, attributed the modest achievements of the out-going vice chancellor to the unflinching support and cooperation of the members of the university’s Governing Council, while enjoining them to extend same to his successor.

AAUA VC charges administrators on professional etiquette The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, has emphasised the need for administrators in the institution to reshape their administrative skills in line with best global practices for effective service delivery.

Professor Ajibefun gave the charge last Monday during the opening ceremony of a seven-day training workshop for all administrative staff, entitled: “We Can Do Better”, organised by the Teaching and Learning Centre of the university.

The VC, who spoke on “Expectations of the Administrative Staff of the 21st Century University”, said, “Administrators are undoubtedly the chief drivers of the achievement of the university brand. Administrative staff must have strong and impeccable communication skills – expressive and receptive – and strong writing skills to function optimally.

21

education

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

FG adopts UNILORIN don’s oil spill clean-up tool

T

HE federal government may have adopted a local oil spill management product developed by a University of Ilorin Professor of Chemical Engineering, Sulyman Age AbdulKareem, in its renewed efforts to clean up the oil-

Grassroots education: NOUN seeks support of NASS

soaked lands of the Niger Delta.

Professor Abdulkareem disclosed this recently in Ilorin, saying that the product, on which he received a patent in 2005, is capable of saving the country substantial amount in foreign exchange.

The renowned scientist, who was the winner of the Best Researcher of

the Year award in 2005, commended the federal government for showing renewed commitment in tackling oil spillage in the country through the use of local resources.

Professor Abdulkareem disclosed that he made the product from disposed water sachets, adding that “the material has the property of selectively picking

up oil and organics and leaving water intact.”

He said: “When I got that product, I related it to what I was doing in the United States. In the US, we were buying fresh polymers to make a material that was used for oil spill management in the West.

But immediately I was able to get this product from the disposed water

sachet, and investigated the properties, I was actually excited that it could be the same thing that a whole unit was set up to do in the US, and that was what started it.

“Of course, former President Olusegun Obasanjo gave me the Best Researcher’s Award in 2005, but since then even though the federal govern-

Naza Okoli - Lagos The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, has urged members of the National Assembly to help create awareness in their different constituencies on the advantages of Open and Distance Learning (ODL).

Adamu made this appeal while paying a courtesy call on the Senator representing Kano North Senatorial Zone at the National Assembly, Abuja, Senator BarauJibrin.

A statement issued Monday afternoon by the Director, Media and Publicity of NOUN, Malam Ibrahim Sheme, noted that such a campaign would also help stem the tide of low enrolment of women and female children in schools across the country: “This became necessary in view of the need to bring on board young girls and women who, as a result of cultural practices peculiar to their communities, have been denied access to education over the years.

“Such cultural practices had relegated the womenfolk in the northern part of the country to the background and denied them their pride of place in nation building,” he said.

In response, Senator Jibrin expressed his readiness to partner with the authorities of the university in spreading the potential inherent in studying through the open and distance learning mode of education among his constituents.

He disclosed that he had earlier sponsored a bill to further position NOUN as an ICT institution.

The senator explained that the bill, which is currently going through second reading in the National Assembly, when passed will enable the university to “operate in tandem with modern technology obtainable in other ODL institutions around the world.”

The graduating students, Taiwo and Kehinde Oni (middle) flanked by their parents, Dr and Mrs Biodun Oni and Mr and Mrs Kunle Aderemi during their graduation ceremony at Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, last Sunday. Photo-Yemi Funso-Oke

Cowbellpedia: Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto top enrolment •As NECO releases 2016 math qualifying results The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2016 Cowbellpedia mathematics qualifying examination conducted on Saturday, 19th March, 2016, with three states recording the highest enrolment growth.

The states are Kaduna, 214 per cent; Kebbi, 164 per cent; and Sokoto, 146 per cent.

A total of 46,698 students, comprising 4,892 (junior category) and 22,443 (senior category) sat for the qualifying exam in 235 centres across the country. This year’s enrolment is forty per cent higher than last year’s figure.

From the 46,698, enrolment figure, 108 students (54 each for junior and senior categories) are to proceed to the second stage, which is the Television Quiz Show. This figure is made up of the top 20 for the two categories; and 34 best scores, based on one per state.

The second stage, which will be in a quiz format, will be further sub-divided into preliminary, semifinals and finals. The show will be serialised into 13 episodes and will be aired on 14 television stations

across the country.

The Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olivier Thiry, acknowledged the support given by NECO, state ministries of education, school principals, teachers, the press and other partner agencies over the years.

He explained that the company has significantly

increased the prize money for the finals for both students and teachers.

According to him, this year, the top prize student winner in each category will go home with N1 million, in addition to other prizes; while the teacher will be awarded N400 thousand.

The winner this year will

go home with a cash of one million naira, a medal, a trophy and an all-expense paid vacation. The first and the second runnerup will smile home with N750,000 and N500,000 respectively. There will also be a plaque, mathematics textbooks and a desktop computer for the winners.

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly identify fields of mutual interests and create opportunities to coordinate, as well as promote researches into financial accounting and management requirements of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

As a major feature of the collaboration, ANAN has established a Centre known as the Linking Accounting with Business of Developing Economics (LABODE) Research Centre in the University.

Other areas of the collaboration are in the areas of

academic activities such as holding of annual conferences; executive training; consultancy; dissemination of research findings in academic journals, conference proceedings, working papers, workshop/seminar series, newsletters; exchange of information and expertise; joint presentation of papers and publications, among others.

The MoU also provides that LABODE will be managed by an advisory board, which would comprise a director, who would be an academic staff in the Department of Accounting, College of Management Sciences (COLMAS) of the University, who would also be a member of ANAN; and where there is no ANAN

member to occupy the position of the director, FUNAAB would be required to appoint a coordinator for the centre for a period not exceeding two years.

The President of ANAN, Mr. Anthony Nzom, who was represented by the immediate past president of ANAN, Alhaji (Dr.) SakirudeenLabode, stated that the centre was the fifth to be established by the body, adding that ANAN looked forward to having a robust relationship with the University.

Responding, the vice chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, described the collaboration as a ‘win-win’ situation, saying it would be beneficial to both ANAN and the university.

FUNAAB, ANAN collaborate to promote research

ment showed interest; the different parastatals that I had to deal with did not show the same enthusiasm that I had or that the government had. Eventually, the effort of getting it forward just dwindled down, but with the advent of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, there is renewed interest in looking inward to see how we could save our foreign exchange or stop wasting our money importing what we can make here.

“Almost on weekly basis, I am going to two or three ministries or parastatals to again convince them we have a product that can do the oil spill management.

I don’t know how the Vice President’s Office got to know about it; but since we got a letter from the Office of the Vice President about three months ago, there have been increased interests.

“Actually it has gone beyond Nigeria now; we are getting calls from Ghana, from Sudan. It has been mentioned at some fora that a Nigerian could do this thing.”

The scientist is the Director of the University of Ilorin Laboratory to Product Centre (LABTOP).

AfeBabalola to deliver EKSU’s Convocation Lecture FOUNDER and proprietor of the AfeBabalola University, Ado-Ekiti, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare AfeBabalola, is expected to deliver the Convocation Lecture of the 21st convocation ceremonies of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, 23rd June 2016.

He will speak on ‘University Administration: The Role of Stakeholders’.

Speaking on the choice of the legal icon as the guest lecturer, the EKSU vice chancellor, Professor Samuel OyeBandele, said Afe Babalola was chosen for his unmatched contributions to humanity, the rule of law, truth and justice, and for being a man who founded a university considered to be of high standard in Nigeria and abroad.

EKSU’s 21st convocation ceremonies will, among other things, feature the investiture of the chancellor, the Alara of AramokoEkiti, His Royal Majesty Oba Olu Adegoke Adeyemi, as well as conferment of honorary degrees on some eminent dignitaries.

22

education

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

‘Confer national awards on farmers, researchers’ Biola Azeez-Ilorin

T

HE Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences, Landmark University, Professor Gideon Agbaje, has advocated the conferment of national awards on researchers and farmers to boost agriculture.

Agbaje made the call while presenting the university’s first Inau-

gural Lecture in OmuAran, Irepodun Local Government,Kwara State.

He spoke on the topic ‘Agro-Innovation: Medicament for Farmers’ Predicament and National Food Security’.

The don maintained that such awards would go a

long way to encourage and motivate others to invest in agriculture as a business and vocation.

He said such award would spur practitioners to have positive mindset on the viability of the sector as the most promising option to fight poverty and

promote food security.

Agbaje also urged government to make the purchase of locally produced raw materials mandatory, especially agriculturebased, so as to promote and encourage the citizens’ preference for local contents.

He suggested the placement of high import tax on agricultural commodities that can be produced locally.

According to him, such policy will discourage the indiscriminate dumping of food products, jute sacks/ bags, pulp, and oil spill ab-

Federal Ministry of Education lauds FUTA’s infrastructure devt

Government urged to improve reading culture among school children Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja GOVERNMENTS at all levels have been urged to promote reading, especially among primary school children, to improve literacy and ensure all-round development in all sectors of the economy.

This was the submission of the Head, Apapa Family, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, on the occasion of the ‘Excel 2016,’ held last week in Lagos.

The event, organised by the church as part of efforts to contribute its quota towards the establishment of a vibrant reading culture among school children in Nigeria, featured donation of books and shelves to primary schools in local governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

The local governments that benefited from the programmed included Apapa, Ifako Ijaiye, Surulere, Lagos Island, Ikeja, Kosofe, Epe, Ikorodu, Ibeju Lekki, Eti Osa and Iru-Victoria Island.

Pastor Iluyomade disclosed that the church had spent about N15 million so far on the project, adding that “the goal is to bridge the gap between public and private schools. The Lagos State government has tried, especially in terms of education, but more needs to be done.”

Speaking on why the church decided to give books to schools, Iluyomade stated that “the project started last year with the goal of equipping 500 schools with 200 books each.

sorbent among others.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Aize Obayan, in her remark disclosed that the institution had recently achieved a major breakthrough in the production of high variety of tomatos as well as in its brown rice from Fadama project.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola (second left); Director, Professor Sola Agbede (first left) and Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folasade Yemi Esan, at the Julius Okojie Central Laboratory of FUTA.

Representatives of local governments, school children and church officials, during the book presentation of ‘Excel 2016,’ an initiative of the Apapa Family of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), held in Lagos State, recently.

UK firm partners Wesley University on skills development Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure AS part of efforts to reduce mass youth unemployment, a United Kingdom firm, ‘Ahead Strategies,’ London, has introduced acquisition of basic skills for paid employment and self-employment to tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Speaking on the importance of the programme during a two-day seminar organised for the final year students of the Wesley University of Technology, Ondo (WUSTO), Ondo State, tagged ‘Graduate Employability’, the lead consultant of the foreign firm, Mr. Benjamin Taiwo,

said the seminar became imperative in order to expose the students to how to sustain their jobs after securing employment in the labour market.

“Seven out of 10 employers say that they employed the wrong people and would have to fire them within the first six months of being at work. More than 50 per cent of the businesses start folding up within the first three to five years,” he disclosed.

He explained that the training was aimed at helping the students to stand out in the job market and help them not only to get a job but also to

sustain the jobs that they get through certain techniques.

“We as a country concentrate too much on paper certificates. Employers are sick and tired of very fantastic results, but zero industry experience. What we are teaching will ensure that paper certificates they have will get them the job and help them to keep the job.

He said the organisation can only provide skills and training for the students to attract good investors that will partner with them or invest, but could not afford to give money to the youth to start their own business.

He said, “We are able to link people that will have the skill to keep a business and grow it with the right investors locally and across the world, through the training that will make them attract the right employers and to also become the right employers.”

Mr Taiwo disclosed that the central data of the organisation enables them to monitor the youth and provide necessary aids, mentorship, feedback mechanism; and most importantly, “allows employers to go into our website to look for candidates and match candidates with employers.”

THE Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr FolasadeYemi Esan, has commended the rapid infrastructure development at the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

MrsYemi Esan gave the commendation while on a working visit and project assessment tour of STEP-B projects at the university.

She praised the management for making judicious use of funds allocated to the institution, adding that the ministry is not only concerned about structures, but also the quality of the products of tertiary institutions.

“This is my first visit to FUTA and I am impressed with what I have seen. The environment is calm and serene, and the students are well behaved. The university is on the right track of being a technological hub,” she said.

While appraising ongoing projects, Mrs Esan commended the university’s management on the architectural design and quality of the 1,000-seater theater and blocks of classroom project.

At the Julius Okojie Central Research Laboratory, she expressed satisfaction with the state-of-the-art equipment and asked the management to market the facilities as they were an asset to the university, industries and other research institutes.

She also visited the Green House, hatchery, Teaching and Research Farm and other ongoing STEP-B projects in the university and asked management to liaise with her office in the event of any challenges that may arise in the course of completion of the projects.

23

Thursday, 9 June, 2016 Editor:

health

Sade Oguntola sadeboguntola@yahoo.com 0805 506 9260

Latex-Fruit Syndrome: Why you may be allergic to some fruits

Unusual but real, some people are allergic to some kinds of fruits. VERA ONANA writes to highlight fruits that can induce such allergies while bringing to the fore the causes, symptoms, treatments and prevention of such allergies.

F

RUITS are good for the health.

Nutritionists always clamour for the inclusion of a good proportion of fruits in diet. In fact, to lose weight, oftentimes, people are advised to go on a fruit fast but for Blessing Lawrence, and several other people like her, some fruits could be dangerous.

It started with a slight itch in her throat, minutes after eating a bowl of a smallsized pineapple that was cut into tiny bits.

A few hours later, the scratch became a severe pain coupled with hoarseness of her voice. At that point, it felt as though she was being gagged. She could not breathe and her chest became heavy. On getting to the clinic, she was diagnosed of pineapple allergy and was placed on antihistamine.

Why would anyone develop allergic reactions to a sweet fruit like pineapple, one may wonder but nutritionist, Efemena Okeze of Riqueza-treats, Lagos, says “fruit allergy is not restricted to pineapples alone. A good number of other fruits can trigger allergies as well not just pineapple.

It is a broad phenomenon and is referred to as latex fruit-syndrome.”

According to experts, approximately 3050 per cent of individuals who are allergic to natural rubber latex show an associated hypersensitivity to some plant-derived foods, especially freshly consumed fruits.

This association of latex allergy and al-

lergy to plant-derived foods is called latexfruit syndrome. An increasing number of plant sources, such as avocado, banana, pineapple, chestnut, kiwi fruit, mango, passion fruit and strawberry have been associated with latex-fruit syndrome.

Speaking about the syndrome, Adewale Adekunle, an immunlologist said “the prevailing hypothesis is that allergen crossreactivity is due to IgE antibodies that

recognise structurally similar epitopes on different proteins that are phylogenetically closely related or represent evolutionarily conserved structures.”

“Several types of proteins have been identified to be involved in the latex-fruit syndrome like chitinases. Furthermore, patients with allergy to plant-derived foods and associated pollinosis show a high frequency of IgE reactivity to the pan-

Fruit allergy symptoms can range from being harmless to being life threatening. Presentation may include mild mouth rashes, anaphylatic reaction, red rashes on the body minutes or few hours after eating the fruit

allergen profilin, which may cause positive serum IgE determinations to natural rubber.” “Although there is much information about the plant-derived foods and some data about the allergens involved in the latex-fruit syndrome, it is not always clear whether latex sensitisation precedes or follows the onset of allergy.”

According to Dr Oyetunji Olajide of the Federal Medical Centre, Kastina, “fruit allergy symptoms can range from being harmless to being life threatening. Presentation may include mild mouth rashes, anaphylatic reaction, red rashes on the body minutes or few hours after eating the fruit, swelling, burning sensation, itching or hives on some parts of the skin, contact dermatitis, tightness of the throat, nausea, swelling of the tongue, lips and other parts of the mouth, breathing difficulties, wheezing and sudden drop in blood pressure.”

He added however that though the syndrome is mostly induced by the response of the body’s immune system to the latex present in the implicated fruits, it could also be genetic. “For instance, if one of your close relatives suffers pineapple allergy symptoms, you may have to be mindful of your body’s reaction to the fruit as well as other latex-containing fruits like banana, avocado, mango and also latex material.”

Dr Oyetunji stated that aside from people who eat fruits that contain latex, some other people who are exposed to the latex material like people who work in rubber production plants or hospitals are equally at risk of developing the latex allergy.

Also, people that have had previous allergic reactions are vulnerable.

Speaking on the treatment options, he said “the first thing to be done is the removal of the source of allergy, that is, whatever fruit causing the reaction. Normal saline can be administered in mild cases. Epinephrine, hydrocortisone or antihistamines can also be used depending on the severity as prescribed by a physician. Also, prevention is important, once it is detected, it is better to avoid any form of contact with the allergy.”

He however admonished that drugs should be taken only after a certified medical practitioner has confirmed that the patient is indeed allergic to the fruit or fruits as the case may be. Adding that most times, a good number of people believe that they are allergic to certain fruit, but only a few people actually have allergies.

SEX, SEXUALITY&YOUR HEALTH

NATURAL HEALTH

Acupressure, excellent way to help prevent breast cancer

Page 26

Things men should know about sex during periods Page 26

24

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

Dr. Ben Ajayi 0805 400 5447

you-and-eye@gmail.com

Floods and Tears – two of a kind

F

RIDAY, August 26, 2011 was a red-letter day in Ibadan when a devastating flood swept through the city. I was far away in a mission hospital in Iseyin, a rural settlement in Oyo State, when it all began. At about 8.00pm, while in the operating theatre, with my eyes glued to the microscope, I noticed the floor was wet and in a jiffy, the entire room was flooded. “Matron,” I yelled, “someone has left the tap running!

Please, do something quickly about it before we get drowned.” Everyone burst out laughing and chorused, “It’s raining heavily outside.”

I took my eyes off the microscope and surveyed the surrounds. Yes, indeed it was raining heavily. I heard for the first time the strong musical clatter of rain drops on the window panes. I plodded on with the surgeries taking care not to get my feet wet. By 12 midnight when we finished, there was no sign that the rain was going to give us any respite.

Tired, I managed to get to my room and slumped into my bed. The combination of the cool weather following the rain and fatigue provided a perfect sedation for a good sleep. I woke up about 7.00 in the morning, refreshed. I had my

bath and got ready for the post-operative ward round. The patients were all fine and after a late breakfast we set out for Ibadan through Eruwa, The serene atmosphere and orderliness in Iseyin did not prepare us for what we were about to witness in Ibadan. As we got to the fringes of the town, some unusual sights caught our attention. There were collapsed perimeter fences here and there and debris from gutters which had spilled onto the roads. As we drove down the slope to the bridge spanning the river before the densely populated area, the traffic came to a standstill. There were crowds of people, many with tears streaming uncontrollably down their faces. From the distance, I could guess the cause of their distress. It was a scary sight! All the houses previously standing proudly along our side of the river had disappeared. I got out of our vehicle to get a better picture. “Doctor, there were six houses out there on the plain that you are looking at. They were all swept away with the occupants,” said a man from amongst the crowd of teary eyed sympathisers, who had recognised me. On the other side of the river some of the houses had parts torn off and cars thrown here and there in awkward positions.

“Why should floods occur in Ibadan, a city naturally endowed with beautiful hills and valleys which provide natural drainages? The city town planners and local government officials are in a better position to provide the answers. As I looked at the sad faces, many dripping tears, I could identify the basic features of a good drainage system. The upper and lower lids sloped gently, almost imperceptibly towards the nose where they meet. Inside each lid margin, a few millimetres before the union, is a hole which collects tears into a tiny pipe. The upper and lower pipes unite to form a bigger

As I looked at the sad faces, many dripping tears, I could identify the basic features of a good drainage system.

pipe which drains into a pouch or receptacle called lacrimal sac. From the lower part of the sac another bigger pipe arises which channels the excess tears into the nose.

“Floods” naturally occur when more tears attempt to flow through the drainage channel than the channel can cope with. This happens when there is irritation of the eye or when we cry. There should ordinarily be no flooding outside these two conditions. Unfortunately, it occurs when things go wrong like the great Ibadan floods of August 26, 2011 and earlier ones, in particular that of 1980. A distortion of the lid margin will throw the drainage hole out of alignment and make it impossible for it to collect tears. Similarly too, an obstruction at any part of the drainage channel or the orifice in the nose would cause an overflow of tears.

The lesson is clear; you can’t stop water from flowing! If you do not make provisions for its free flow, it will create a path for itself and may bring tears to our eyes. Bad planning or failure to plan; poor living habits and lack of maintenance of the drainage channels are the common causes.

Dr Abayomi Ajayi

ivf &you

info@nordicalagos.org

0700 6673422

Fertility tales II: My life as an infertility patient Continued from last week

WHY IVF? Isn’t that the method for older people that can’t have kids? Is IVF not for women who wait too long while they’re busy pursuing their careers and then change their minds and realise they want to have children after all? I’m 24 for God’s sake! My husband is 27. Our life is just beginning. We are young. We have done everything right. This wasn’t supposed to be our fate. So many questions ran through my mind. What if IVF failed?

There were certainly no guarantees. Were we prepared to adopt? Could we live child-free? More questions than answers.

I returned to work after the appointment and somehow made it through the day. Certainly I was still in shock. I went home at the end of the day, locked myself in the room and cried harder than I’d ever cried before. I wept in the realisation that I may never have a baby. I may never have someone to call me “Mummy”. I may never see my husband as a Daddy.

I was mourning for the life I was terrified I would never have.

The year that followed was a blur of doctor’s appointments, diagnostic tests, pills, blood tests, needles, injections, hormones, suppositories, speculums, vaginal ultrasounds, sperm tests, painful

procedures, operations, bloating, flu-like symptoms, headaches, weight gain and exhaustion.

Month after month, I went through the same vicious cycle; the same physical and emotional roller coaster. I would go through another painful round of procedures and tests, endure all of the sideeffects that go along with the hormones I was injecting, and get my hopes up until I received the call from the nurses at the clinic with my pregnancy test results. No, I was not pregnant. The treatment failed yet again. Would I like to try again next month? Yes, I guess I would. Hope is a powerful drug.

And so we continued to try. The longer it went on, the more hopeless I became.

The more depressed I became and the more I retreated into my own cocoon. I distanced myself from most of my friends because most of them either had babies or were pregnant. It was hard not to feel jealous. I stopped going to baby celebra-

tions. I stopped going to Church where there were babies and pregnant women everywhere.

Seeing babies was a painful reminder of the life I thought I may never have. I started making up excuses as to why I couldn’t attend this event or that event – even places where I thought I might encounter the talk of babies or pregnancy were off limits. The mere mention of babies felt like a physical blow to the abdomen.

All the more so, hearing young mothers complain about their children’s behaviour, their lack of sleep, their inability to go out at night anymore, blah, blah – was enough to make me want to scream.

I couldn’t stand hearing comments like: “You’re so lucky you don’t have kids, you still have your freedom.” To me, these seemingly innocuous comments felt like the most cruel words anyone could ever utter and it took all my strength not to burst into tears when I heard them. And

I couldn’t stand hearing comments like: “You’re so lucky you don’t have kids, you still have your freedom.”

so I avoided them altogether.

While I used to live for the weekends, I now couldn’t wait to get to the office on Monday morning. Work was my escape from all things baby - a place where I could leave the world of infertility behind; where I was judged by my performance and not by my inability to procreate.

The day I finally found out I was pregnant (one year and eight months, two fertility clinics, five intrauterine insemination procedures, two IVF operations and at least N3 million later, I was in absolute shock.

Even though fertility clinics advise against it, I took an at-home pregnancy test. The moment I saw that second pink line, I rushed to call my husband and as soon as he picked up I burst into tears and immediately started hyperventilating while forcing out the words: “There are two lines! There are two lines! I think I might be pregnant.” That moment of pure joy - that will be forever etched in my memory - was second only to the actual birth of my daughter.

And now, one year later, as I look down at my beautiful baby girl and watch her smile up at me and laugh her adorable little laugh, I know that I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

25

healthnews

FG calls on African countries to manufacture HIV/AIDS drugs NIGERIAN government has urged African countries to work towards production of HIV/AIDs drugs locally to reduce the amount of money spent on importation of the drugs.

The Hon. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole represented by the Director Family Health Dr. Wapada Balami made the call while meeting with a delegation from CHAMPION FOR AN AIDS –FREE GENERATION IN AFRICA led by the chairman Festus Mogae, former President of Botwana who were on advocacy visit to Nigeria.

Adewole said that African countries, be it regional or as a whole should look at the possibility of manufacturing indigenous HIV drugs.

“Countries procuring HIV drugs from outside Africa are taking large amount of resources to other parts of the world, but if we manufacture indigenously we would reduce cost because importing is more expensive than manufacturing”, he said.

He advised the delegation to seek the support of WHO’s pre-qualification in the production of HIV drugs locally. He said if at least one African country is manufacturing other countries may procure from there and the cost would be reduced.

While assuring the People living with HIV/AIDs of Federal Government’s commitment to provide adequate care, he called for increase in the budgetary allocation to HIV and AIDs considering the fact that the number of people living with the virus in the country is high.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, said that political commitments from top government officials are prerequisite for achieving the fight against HIV/AIDs. He said that leaders must be involved not only in treatment, but also in preventive measures. There should be proper coordination among federal, state and local governments as well as all agencies working on HIV/AID.

A champion for an AIDSFree Generation is a distinguished group of former presidents and influential African leaders committed to an AIDS-free generation. They support regional leaders towards ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat.

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

Wasting, stunting still prevalent in Nigerian children with sickle cell anaemia

By Sade Oguntola

A

SIDE the challenges of growth failure, wasting and stunting, all indication of malnutrition, a study has found prevalent in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) living in Lagos.

The study, which involved 233 children with sickle cell disease attending Paediatric Haematology Clinic of the

Lagos University Teaching Hospital, found about one in 10 and one in five of these children aged between two and 17 years, had stunting and wasting respectively.

Wasting, stunting and overweight or obesity rates were 22.7 per cent, 11.6 per cent and 1.7 per cent, respectively according to this study carried out between October 2014 and September 2015.

The medical chart of each child was reviewed and the parents questioned about the age at diagnosis, history of sickle cell-related complications such as stroke, chronic leg ulcers, priapism and kidney disease. Also, their heights and weights were measured.

In the study, researchers found that stunting and wasting were more common and severe in males and

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and the executive governor, Niger State, Alh. Abubakar Sani Bello during flag off of the rehabitation of Primary Healthcare Centres in Minna, Niger State, recently.

One in four malaria drugs in Enugu substandard —Study AN analysis of malaria drugs on sale in Enugu, Enugu State, has indicated that no less than a quarter of them may be of poor quality, a study has said.

Researchers’ analysis of samples of antimalarials containing artemisinin, ACTs, from outlets in Enugu, including pharmacies, patent medicine vendors and public health facilities, found that a quarter of them were in fact degraded.

Artemisinin is the component that makes malaria treatment effective. Poor quality antimalarials, including falsified, substandard and degraded drugs, are a serious health concern in malaria-endemic countries such as Nigeria.

Nigeria is the single most heavily malaria-burdened country in the world, with 48 million cases and 180,000 deaths per year.

In a new study, the re-

searchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine tested for long-term stability and loss of the active pharmaceutical ingredients in 2,880 tablets, each of ACTs artemether/lumefantrine and artesunate/amodiaquine over a three year period.

According to the study published in the 2016 edition of American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, these malaria drugs degrade extensively when stored at 60°C for up to 21 days.

Degraded drugs are defined as good quality formulations that are degraded by storage in the presence of heat, light and humidity after they leave the manufacturer.

Within the brands identified to contain degradation products, 38 packages of 152 (25.0 per cent) were found to contain degraded

tablets, six (3.9 per cent) contained substandard tablets, and 108 (71.1 per cent) were of good quality.

The degradation for artesunate (AS) in co-formulated artesunate/amodiaquine tablets was also higher when the tablets are exposed directly (perforated blisters) to conditions of high heat and humidity.

That the isolated degradation products had negligible antiplasmodial potency against two recent African isolates of malaria parasite, they said, indicated that severely degraded ACTs will be ineffectual for malaria treatment.

Patients that take such malarial drugs are also at risk of not receiving the correct treatment dose and this potentially contributing to the development of resistance to the main drug used to treat malaria.

They stated that degradation of ACTs may account

for a high proportion of drugs previously classified as substandard or indeed those suspected to be falsified.

According to them: “The natural ageing study indicates that quality-assured drugs from WHO prequalified manufacturers are stable in tropical climates for periods up to and well beyond their expiry dates.

“However, some brands of tablets purchased in Enugu reclassified to be degraded were from nonWHO prequalified manufacturers. This observation warrants further investigation to determine if all brands of ACTs are stable in tropical climates.

“Furthermore, manufacturers are to be encouraged to attain WHO prequalification status, and followup studies are warranted to uncover factors that may have an impact on drug stability.”

adolescents despite increasing coverage of SCD-related health maintenance therapies.

The 2016 study, published in the Italian Journal of Paediatrics, involved Christopher I. Esezobor; Patricia Akintan; Adebola Akinsulie; Edamisan Temiye and Titilope Adeyemo.

According to the study, boys and children from low socio-economic class were 3.25 and 2.42 times more likely to be wasted respectively, while both wasting and stunting were more common with increasing age.

Also, boys were three times more likely to be wasted than girls, the researchers linked to the higher resting energy expenditure in boys compared to girls and the increased likelihood of boys to be involved in outdoor physical activities.

Children with wasting were shorter than children with normal weight while those with stunting were more likely to be wasted than children with normal height.

Based on their finding, they suggested that older age, male gender and low socio-economic status could be good and strong predictors of wasting and stunting in these children with sickle cell disease.

The consistency of this observation in several other studies, they said, identifies males with SCD as a group requiring additional nutritional intervention such as increased daily calorie intake.

However, the study did not find any association between nutritional status and markers of severity of SCA such as sickle-related complications, hospitalisation and bone pain rates in the previous year and haemoglobin level.

Also, sickle cell-related interventions such as daily oral penicillin and hydroxyurea were only weakly protective against wasting and stunting.

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is associated with growth failure and delayed puberty.

However, recent reports indicate high rates of overweight or obesity among children with SCA in developed countries.

Similar to the general population, growth failure in SCD has been associated with adverse events including higher hospitalisation rate. With improved care, children with SCD are living longer compared to life expectancy several decades ago.

26

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

Acupressure, excellent way to help prevent breast cancer

By Sade Oguntola

A

RE you worried about developing breast cancer? Do you know how to carry out self breast examination to pick out any lump that could be suggestive of a breast cancer? To many women, regular self breast examination may be a burden, especially if not done by a woman that knows her breast very well. But for breast cancer, acupressure offer another alternative to detect breast cancer and other things that could be ailing the body.

Acupressure is a medical treatment used in traditional Chinese medicine, in which tight pressure is applied to specific points on the body that corresponds to various organs and muscles. The science is based on the belief that the entire body is made up of vital energy called “chi”or “qui” that flows through the body along invisible lines or “meridians”.

Left untreated, stagnant energy can lead to a host of medical problems, from minor ailments, such as insomnia and headaches, to diseases, including breast cancer.

Chief Boluwade Ogunbodede, an acupressure specialist at Akawaye Naturopathic and Herbal Services, Iyere-Owo, Ondo State, said acupressure can detect diseases such as breast cancer by merely applying tight pressure to specific points on the palm because different organs of the body are connected to points on the palm and the sole of the feet.

Ogunbodede said, “diseases in certain

parts can be ascertained by checking some pressure points on the palm or sole of the feet. Most of these points are located in the same place on both the left and the right side of the body.

“This is indicated in a chart. For instance, the hand valley point, which is situated be-

Chief Ogunbodede

natural

health

tween the pointer finger and the thumb, helps to get rid of stress, migraines, headaches and shoulder tension.

“The fleshy part of the palm that falls between the index finger and the thumb is where this acupressure point for diabetes lies. The point on the left hand close to the small finger represents the heart and when this is pressed and it gives pain, it is suggests that there is something wrong.”

Ogunbodede declared that if the centre of the palm is pressed and a woman feels sharp pain, such is likely to have a breast cancer.

“I have asked people to get tested for breast cancer after they experienced pain at the centre of their palm. The cases had ended up confirmed as breast cancer,” he said.

Nonetheless, Ogunbodede said acupressure can be used for treatment of many ailments either solely or alongside herbs.

“There are different points in the body that will be actuated twice daily in women with fibroids. This, alongside herbs, will make the fibroid to resolve in a treatment that will last for about three months,” he stated.

According to him, the herbs given will assist the acupressure to work faster.

How does acupressure work? According to him, “if any ailment is detected early, the appropriate point on the palm or sole of the feet, for instance, can be actuated to alleviate the condition. For instance, a roller can be used to apply pressure at such points on the sole of the feet.”

To hasten digestion, he said applying little pressure on stomach point just below the index finger on the palm help quicken it.

Early stage studies have also found that acupressure may ease breast cancer-related pain and fatigue. Scientists suggested that pressing on tiny seeds taped to the ear just three times a day appears to greatly relieve pain and fatigue in women with breast cancer.

According to the study published by an American Cancer Society granted in the September 2015 online edition of the journal Cancer Nursing, this is an easy and inexpensive way to help them relieve their pain at home.

Specific points on the ear correspond to specific areas of the brain, and these areas have a reflex connection with specific parts of the body. Stimulating the ear points can signal the brain to prompt reactions in the body to relieve symptoms such as breast cancer-related pain.

Also, a recent study in the journal of General Internal Medicine which evaluated acupressure for treatment of constipation found that it actually did. It tested whether training patients to massage the perineum, the area between the vagina or scrotum and the anus, would improve their reported bowel function and quality of life at four weeks after training.

A previous research presented at the European Society of Cardiology EuroHeart Care Congress revealed that medical yoga and acupressure reduce blood pressure and heart rates in patients with irregular heartbeat, a condition that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other serious complications.

sex,sexuality

&your health With Monica Taiwo

strictly adult teenagers, adult & geriatric sexual well being

08187754992 (sms only) taiwomonica@gmail.com

Things men should know about sex during periods HAVING sex during that time of the month is a personal choice, and there is no reason you cannot enjoy intimacy during that period. However, you always need to take certain precautions even during her menstrual cycle. These tips by well-known gynaecologist Sangeeta Agarwal, will help you be more comfortable with her in bed during her periods.

Place a towel or cloth on the bed You cannot deny that sex during menstruation is a little too messy. And your white sheets can take a beating if you do not use anything to catch the mess. So it is a good idea to place a dark towel or a bed sheet under her pelvis before you get going.

Clean yourself up after sex Also, be prepared with a warm wash cloth or wet wipes to clean up right after your romp session so that you don’t drip. A quick shower can also be helpful.

Maintain good hygiene When you have sex during periods, you not only put yourself but even her at a risk of potential yeast infection. So make sure that you clean your private parts properly, even before sex. It is imperative to wash the top of the penis as not washing it can result in a buildup of smegma, dead skin cells that can

lead to infection and irritation.

Don’t try every sex position Your partner may not be comfortable with every sex position as certain positions that touch her cervix, like the woman-on-top, can be uncomfortable and even painful.

So make sure you stick to positions where she is lying on her back like the missionary.

Having sex while she is lying on her back can also help reduce the bleeding and lessen the mess.

Have protected sex Just because you are having sex during her periods does not mean that it is safe. Having unprotected sex even during her periods can translate to contracting STDS. Also, the

likelihood may be minuscule, but pregnancy can still be a concern even during menstrual periods. It, therefore, can be a good idea to use protection whenever you have sex. Unprotected sex can also lead to these 6 dangerous things.

How to stay clean and healthy.

Use contraception. When you’re on your period, you’re at higher risk for STDs and pelvic infections[2]. What’s more, you’re less likely to get pregnant, sure, but it’s not impossible.[1] So if you thought this was your ticket to ride, sorry -- you still gotta stay safe. Here are some of your options: •Diaphragms do double-duty as birth control devices and as menstrual cups to inhibit flow. Sometimes, diaphragms can be felt during sex, and removal can be messy. However, they are generally easy to use because your gynecologist will provide a diaphragm fit exactly to your cervical measurements.

•Contraceptive sponges are foam devices soaked in spermicide that are inserted into your vagina during sex. They can prevent pregnancy and have the side benefit of absorbing flow, although they don’t prevent STDs. •Male condoms will help prevent pregnancy, block STDs, and keep blood from getting on your partner’s penis.

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Thursday, 9 June, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

Eight Senate: How far so far?

Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA, examines the activities of the 8th Senate, inaugurated exactly a year ago.

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HEN it was inaugurated on June 9, 2015, it was clear to many that the Eight Senate had landed on a rough patch. The political establishment of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had set its eyes on particular candidates as Presiding and Principal Officers but as things turned out on the inauguration day, none of the party’s preferred candidates made it. It was thus apparent that the Senate set up was in confrontation with the APC hierarchy, an affront the party is sure to respond to. Indeed, no one can easily predict the outcome of such reaction.

Certainly, leaders of the APC, who got defied through the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President and the unimaginable emergence of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP’s) Ike Ekweremadu as his Deputy immediately set out for ‘war’ and the Eight Senate became endangered. While many political watchers contended that it was not the first time a presiding officer of the National Assembly would emerge against the grain of opinion in the majority party, (the PDP suffered a similar fate when Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal emerged Speaker in 2011), such observers had expected the APC to adopt the PDP template in handling the imbroglio.

That was, however, not to be, as APC leaders practically took up arms against the new structure in the National Assembly. A top leader of the party was quoted as saying that the scenario in the Senate amounted to handing over the National Assembly to the PDP. The anger, having been compounded by the emergence of Hon Yakubu Dogara as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Dogara, like Saraki, was also not the preferred candidate for that seat.

Born into crisis. How will the Senate wade through the legion of battles? That was the constant question on the lips from June 9, 2016. The fact that the chamber was also sharply divided into three camps, the Senators of the PDP who are 49 in number and the two wings of the APC-the Like Minds Senators (LMS) loyal to Senate President Saraki and the Senate Unity Forum (SUF) which is loyal to the APC hierarchy further thickened the clouds. The LMS and the PDP Senators however found a way of working together, an agreement believed to have yielded the Saraki/Ekweremadu leadership.

Instantly, the spokesman of the SUF, Senator Kabir Marafa shot to the limelight as the leader of opposition against the Saraki leadership. He raised points of Orders almost on a daily basis. It was clear his intent was to reverse the composition of the Senate as it happened on June 9 and then nullify the election of that day based on allegedly ‘doctored’ Rule Book. He also raised the issue of a clerical error in the Rule Book which indicated that the Senate would seat from 2pm rather than between 10 am and 2pm as another weapon.

Even when the Senate adjourned late in June due largely to the troubles being thrown up by Marafa on behalf of the SUF, it again resumed on July 21 to another round of crisis also instigated by Marafa. The crisis was getting out of hand and not many gave the Saraki-led Senate any hope of survival. The situation threatened to get worse when in September, the Federal Government filed a suit against the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), accusing him of false asset declaration when he served as the governor of Kwara State. According to insiders in the administration, the move against Saraki, an escalation of the internal crisis in the APC, was aimed at ensuring that he did not preside over the screening of Ministerial nominees whose names were expected to land in the Senate at the end of September 2015.

But like the proverbial cat with nine lives, Saraki has continued to wade through the huddles and at the moment, he appeared to have eke out some achievements, which ordinarily would seem unattainable even under a Continues on pg28

Saraki

Ekweremadu

Lawan

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The issues, the contentions Continued from pg 27

serene atmosphere.

As stated earlier, the expectation of the Saraki traducers was that he would throw in the towel once the challenges got heaped on his lean shoulders. And besides the internal wrangling that has largely divided the Senate, his opponents ignited the CCT fire. Rather than raise his hands to the air in submission, Saraki however decided to burrow through the mined field. He rallied the majority of the Senate to grant him two quick votes of confidence, within the first 100 days of his reign. At each instance, more than 80 senators signed the confidence pledge.

In fighting back, however, the Senate President also showed the determination that his decision to contest the number three seat in the land was to enable him give back in concrete ways to the society. Thus, rather than adopt a tit-for-tat approach, he appeared like brushing aside the jabs thrown at him to keep an eye on the ball.

First came the ministerial nominations. The President chose to release the names of the 36 nominees in batches and at the end of the day, it was clear that most of the names were directly picked by the President. Even the nominee from Saraki’s Kwara State was named without his input.

Unlike the usual tradition, where the leadership of the ruling party and the President of the Senate would have their preferences among the Ministers, President Buhari compiled his list without going through such established conventions. The list included two political enemies of the Senate President; former Governor of Rivers state, Chief Rotimi Amaechi and the former spokesman of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who hails from Kwara, like Saraki. The Senate President was take his pound of flesh by working to disqualify the ‘unwanted’ nominees.

Contrary to wide expectations, Saraki made peace with Lai Mohammed and also stalled the bid by the PDP senators to stop Amaechi. Indeed, all the nominees got cleared, even though sources in the Senate insisted that at least five of them should have been dropped but for the pleas by the Senate President. The ministerial nomination was followed by the 2015 Supplementary Appropriation bill. Again, Saraki ignored the widespread expectations and those urging him to “fight” by ensuring the passage of the bill as proposed by the executive. Rather than confront the executive, which is believed to be behind his legal travails, Saraki has consistently held off the push and ensured nerves are calmed at the series of closed/executive sessions he has held in the chamber, which sources said he has employed to spiritedly plead for calm at critical instances. Indeed, a source in the Senate said that the current chamber has had almost the equal number of closed sessions the Seventh Senate under Senate President David Mark had in four years.

With executive bills drying up at the start of the Eight Senate, the chamber has to rely mostly on consideration of members’ bills and motions. As at the last count, the chamber has received 167 bills and all have passed through First Reading. 39 of those bills are at the Second Reading stage, while six are ready for Third and final reading. As for motions so far taken, the chamber has 162 to its credit and has taken resolutions on all of them.

Some of the resolutions included the consideration of the ban on Nigeria’s agricultural products, relief for Nigerians in Internally displaced camps, succour for erosion victims and other disasters such as the lead poisoning in Niger community as well as the increment in electricity tariff among others. The chamber has also intervened in different aspects of life of Nigerians including treating some 125 petitions through the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which has concluded work on 32 of the petitions. At least 54 existing laws are also being looked into at the level of different committees in line with the announced Senate’s legislative agenda aimed principally at helping Nigeria enhance her global business attractiveness index and fight corruption.

Saraki said in an interview during the week that the Senate is out to ensure that the corruption war is not only being fought, but also transparently so that the citizens can scorn at, rather than embrace the convicted.

One of the laws being reviewed by the Senate is the Railway Act, which is aimed at opening up the sector to investors and the private sector. Another is the ongoing effort at amending the Public Procurement Act 2007 to enhance Made in Nigeria goods. After attending the Made in Aba Trade Fair organised by Abia’s Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, which was staged in the Federal Capital, Abuja, in February, Senator Saraki became an instant poster boy of Made in Nigeria goods. He posted pictures of Made in Aba wares on the Facebook and tweeted several comments about the ingenuity of the Aba entrepreneurs. He

Ndume

Abaribe also has an ally in Senator Ben Murray Bruce, who also displayed Made in Aba wares on the social media.

The amendment to the Public Procurement Act which was sponsored by Senators Sam Egwu and Enyinnaya Abaribe is seeking to provide for and adopt a Local Content Policy and timely completion of procurement processes that would enhance made in Nigeria goods. The bill is also seeking to compel Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) to purchase certain percentage of made-in-Nigeria goods. In his lead debate, Egwu said the amendment of the Act had become necessary in view of the need to encourage Nigerians to patronize locally made goods and until it is amended, there would be a gap between the consumption of locally made goods and foreign goods.

While that Senate intervention is bound to enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria and enhanced local production of goods, the Senate has also pulled through a major feat in the judicial sector when last month, it passed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Act (Amendment) Bill 2016, to

The eight Senate has waddled through hard times to eke out some notable achievements notwithstanding the personal travails of the principal officers.

increase the number of judges in the FCT High Courts from 37 to 75. The new law is certain to aid the administration of justice in the FCT. Senator David Umaru, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary told the chamber while presenting the report that the new law would reduce workload of judges in the High Court of the FCT, while also aiding quick dispensation of justice. “We conducted a public hearing and stakeholders unanimously agreed to the increment in the number of judges for quick dispensation of justice,’’ Mr. Umaru said.

Besides, the chamber has also within the last 366 days ensured the passage of the Electronic Transaction Law to fight cybercrimes in the country as well as the enactment of the Insolvency and Debt Recovery Bill, some of the bills considered as critical to the nation’s economic stability.

But the lawmakers have also taken another critical step forward in the economic front. The restart of the Petroleum Industry Bill(PIB) is one critical step considered as capable of moving the nation’s oil industry forward. Businesses in the region of millions of US Dollars were said to have been stalled as a result of the non passage of the PIB, which has become a sort of an abiku in the National Assembly. In April, the new bill passed the first reading in what the Senate has said is a determined process aimed at ending the vicious circle the bill had gone through since the days of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The new bill, re-christened Petroleum Industry and Governance Bill (PIGB) and sponsored by Senator Donald Alasoadura, Chairman. Senate committee on Petroleum (Upstream.) was recently harmonized by the two chambers of the National Assembly, while the two chambers were said to have reached an accord to work together and salvage the bill this time. The lawmakers The first reading of the bill it was gathered was the outcome of its harmonization by both chambers of the National Assembly and making it the third time the bill would pass first reading in the Senate. The PIB has been in the National Assembly since the Sixth Senate, which failed to pass it after series of drama. The Seventh Senate again started work on the bill and it ran into bad weather as lawmakers from the North objected to the host community fund contained in the bill.

Despite the controversy that dogged the passage of the 2016 Budget, the Senate led by Saraki will go into the records as doing its utmost to temper a very bad situation. When the executive submitted a budget document considered as overtly flawed to the National Assembly, a number of Senators were inclined to exposing the errors of the government to the people directly.

Saraki however pleaded at different closed sessions to play along with the executive. It was clear that even when reports of the discussions behind the closed doors leaked to the media, the Senate Leadership still found a way of mitigating the effects of the bungled budget document. At a stage when the Senate spokesman expressed frustrations about the complaints from the executive on the budget document, the Senate President still found a way to make peace.

Such disposition apparently informed the declaration of some of his closest allies in the PDP, Senator Peter Nwaboshi, who stated in an interview that Saraki was being APC than the APC leaders themselves. It has however not been all smooth sailing in terms of achievements for the 8th Senate. The chamber has come under criticisms for the purchase of its project vehicles and what some have called its opaque budget pattern. Though Saraki has promised to release the budget details and adopt transparency in line with the legislative agenda, not many Nigerians really understand the budget of the National Assembly.

The lawmakers also recently got on the wrong side of many commentators when it emerged that the red chamber was moving to amend the Acts setting up the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The Tribunal is currently hearing the suit brought against Senate President by the Federal Government.

Many of the critics attributed the move to a ploy to change the rule in the middle of the game and probably weaken the Court. But Saraki’s senate immediately withdrew from the amendments.

In its first year, the eight Senate has waddled through hard times to eke out some notable achievements notwithstanding the personal travails of the Principal officers. The chamber is on record as one Red Chamber to have worked closely with the civil society thus far, preached transparency and conciliation with the executive. Rather than look back, the chamber must continue to push ahead. The nation could stand to benefit heavily from its constant interaction with the civil society.

Making positive progress in the Budget and Constitution amendment processes could stand the chamber out significantly at the end of the day.

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Makarfi-led committee visits PDP NASS caucus, affirms INEC recognition

It remains illegal —Sheriff group Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi, Abuja

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HE chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said on Wednesday, that the caretaker committee has secured the recognition of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Makarfi, who spoke at a meeting with the National Assembly caucus of the party, said that the committee had met with INEC, adding that the invitation was a sign that his committee had gained the recognition of the commission. He said: “Yesterday (Tuesday), we attended our first official engagement after taking over. It was a meeting convened

by INEC. And for us to attend a meeting convened

by INEC and make useful contributions, that should tell everybody what that means.”

The former Kaduna State governor, who met with the senators and members

of the House of Representatives at the Senate wing of the National Assembly , said his committee would not do the bidding of any interests, adding that its assignment was to reconcile all aggrieved members and conduct the national convention.

The deputy Senate Presidnt, Ike Ekweremadu, who also spoke at the meeting, said that they were happy to receive the caretaker committee.

“We appeal to you to carry everybody along, let

all the stakeholders be involved to ensure that we are really democratic. Nigeria expects so much from us and we should not disappoint them. We want to assure you of our support, our solidarity.

In his remarks, the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, commended the committee for being selfless and having the best intentions for the party.

Meanwhile, the Ali Modu Sheriff camp of the PDP has disclosed that it is set to initiate contempt pro-

ceedings against the caretaker committee headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

The party’s national secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo and the deputy national legal adviser, Bashir Maidugu, said the caretaker committee remains illegal and lacks powers to run PDP’s affairs.

Sheriff, Oladipo and the national auditor, Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju, had obtained an order of interlocutory injunction re-

straining PDP from conducting any election into the offices of the national chairman, national secretary and national auditor, which they occupy, pending the hearing and determination of their substantive suit pending before Justice Ibrahim Buba.

However, while the order was subsisting and the suit pending, the caretaker committee was appointed.

Oladipo, in a statement on Wednesday, described the caretaker committee as a group of lawbreakers.

THE Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, fixed June 16 for ruling on admissibility of the alleged confessional statement of Obi Nwabueze, on the Abuja 2010 Independence Day bomb blast.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned ruling in the case after parties concluded their trial-within-trial to ascertain the veracity of the statement.

Nwabueze, the second defendant in the case, had alleged that the statement he made in the DSS custody, was obtained under duress.

He was arraigned by the DSS alongside, Charles Okah, on charges bordering on conspiracy and terrorism.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Forgery trial of Edo NASS member stalled again

NSCDC deploys 800 to provide security at worship centres in Borno

THE Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 800 personnel to provide security in worship centres, during Ramadan, in Borno State.

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, on Wednesday.

Abdullahi said that the deployment became necessary to ensure that the public and the mosques were protected during prayers.

He explained that the officers, include the Anti-riot squad, Bomb Detection and Disposal Unit as well as Intelligence and Detective Unit.

He gave assurance that the command and other relevant security agencies would continue to work toward protecting lives and property of the people.

“We, therefore, urge all citizens of the state to be vigilant during prayers; they must identify people coming in and going out of the Mosque.

“We don’t want what happened in the past to happen again where we are constantly faced with attacks on worship places,” he said.

Terrorism: Court rules on admissibility of Okah’s statement June 16

Mr Clement Ekaun of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc and his wife, Olajumoke, after their wedding at Kwara State registry, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ilorin, recently.

Crown Prince Eheneden concludes funeral rites for Oba of Benin

As white bead sellers enjoy huge patronage CROWN Prince and Heir apparent to Benin Kingdom, Eheneden Erediauwa, on Wednesday, concluded the burial rites of Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) repor-

ted that the burial rites, which lasted for 15 days as announced by the Iyase (Prime minister) of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, began on May 25, and was rounded up on Wednesday morning.

The traditional groups, which included Iwebo,

Ibiwe, Iwas, and Iwegua among others, took their turns to pay obeisance to the Eheneden, who is the Edaiken of Uselu, during the wake keep with incantations.

The wake keep, which began on Tuesday 12 midnight, saw the crown

Police arrest 4 suspects over murder of army officer in Kaduna Chris Agbambu - Abuja FOUR suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with the kidnap and subsequent murder of an army officer, Colonel Samaila Yunusa, in Kaduna, on March 27, 2016.

The suspects were arrested bythe Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team, in conjunction with the Kaduna State Command SIB operatives.

A statement from the Force headquarters, which confirmed the arrest, noted that the four suspects arrested in connection with the crime and currently in

custody of the Force, will soon be arraign before a competent court of law for criminal charges preferred against them while effort to arrest the fleeing members of the gang is ongoing.

The statement noted that sequel to the kidnapping and killing of the army officer, the IGP IRT deployed technical and human intelligence assets of the Force, which led to the arrest of a Prison warder, Abdullahi Adamu, who is a close associate of one of the prime suspects, who was using a Tecno mobile phone stolen from the slain officer.

It hinted that further in-

vestigation led to the arrest of the prime suspects: Ibrahim Kabiru and Ebele Precious, while the gang leader, Emeka Okeke Cyprain and one other member of the syndicate, Chijioke Ugwuanyi, were later arrested.

According to the statement, items recovered by the police from the gang, which specialised in car snatching and truck hijacking in the state and selling same to unsuspecting members of the public, include one AK 47 rifle, two magnum pistols, one Nissan Pathfinder Jeep and documents of six houses located in Anambra State.

prince, wearing a traditional white attire and going round designated spots within the palace ground before he departed for his palace at Uselu on Wednesday morning.

NAN reported that a number of cultural groups and musicians performed all through the night, while guests were entertained with assorted drinks and foods.

Also, a palace statement

by Donald Odwmingie, said the funeral rites in honour of Oba of Benin, were concluded with the Isuerhanfue rites of passage.

Meanwhile, bead sellers in Benin are recording increased sale of white beads following demands by mourners of Oba Erediauwa.

The Benin Traditional Council, had banned the use of the popular traditional coral red beads during the mourning period.

The council had directed that “all chiefs and palace functionaries cease to wear beads.

Banji Aluko - Benin City TRIAL of the House of Representatives member representing Etsako Federal Constituency of Edo State, Honourable Philip Shaibu, over forgery of tax clearance certificate, was again, stalled on Wednesday, at a Benin High Court.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, a witness and acting executive chairman of the Edo State Inland Revenue service (EIRS), Emmanuel Usoh, told the high court that he was indisposed and was not “medically fit” to testify.

Honourable Shaibu is standing trial on a six count-charge preferred against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), bothering on alleged forgery of tax document in 2006 in order to contest election into the Edo State House of Assembly.

The EIRS boss, who was adorned in a black sun glasses, denied knowledge of subpoena regarding the trial, though, he claimed to have received a copy of an application, which he displayed before the court and apologised for his lateness.

After listening to the various presentations, the trial judge, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, warned the chief prosecutor of ICPC, not to abuse the privileges of the court.

She, thereafter, adjourned the case till July 14.

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Hon. Akintayo Amere gives back to his constituency

Principal of Baptist Secondary School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr Bello Ishola, inaugurating the borehole donated by the 1995 set of the school

BASSOSA 1995 set donates borehole to alma mater AS a way of giving back to the society, specifically the school that groomed them for six years, the 1995 set of the Baptist Secondary School, OkeAdo, Ibadan, recently donated a borehole to the school.

At the commissioning ceremony which attracted members of the Parents/ Teachers Association (PTA), representatives of the state’s Ministry of Education, students and members of staff of the school, the President of the alumni body (1995 set), Mr. Tomiwa Oyerinde, stated that the bore-

hole project is his set’s own way of contributing to the development of the school and giving back to the system.

He said: “We consider it a great privilege to be able to come together after 21 years of leaving the school to execute and eventually hand this project over to our great alma mater, it is our own little way of showing our appreciation”.

While commending the gesture, the principal of the school, Mr. Bello Ishola, expressed his appreciation to members of the 1995 set for the project which, he noted would, will alleviate

the suffering related to lack of access to potable water in the school.

He also expressed his joy for the privilege to commission the laudable project at the twilight of his career in the civil service.

From second left, Member Representing Iwo, Ayedire and Olaoluwa Federal Constituency, Honourable Abdulgafar Akintayo Amere presenting one of his hundred computers to the beneficiary at L.A School Iwo, Osun State recently.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Anthonia Orji now ANTHONIA NWOSU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Oyebamiji Bashiru Adunoye am the same person as Oyebamiji Alade Bashiru. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OYEBAMIJI BASHIRU ADUNOYE. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

A cross section of sewing machines given to the beneficiaries at the event.

5

A cross section of motorcycles given to some youth in his federal constituency.

A cross section of grinding machines, cars, tricycles and other items that were given out to people by Hon. Akintayo Amere in front of his Ultra Modern Secondary School Building at Iwo.

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Hijab judgment: Osun students will wear church garments to school if... —CAN tells Aregbesola Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

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EACTIONS, trailing last week Friday’s court judgment, allowing female students in Osun public schools to wear hijab took a twist on Wednesday, when the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) declared that Christian students will start wearing church garments to schools should Governor Rauf Aregbesola implement the judgment.

CAN's position was contained in a communiqué statement issued and signed by its chairman, Reverend Elisha Ogundiya, at the end of an emergency meeting of the body's executive committee, Heads of Blocks and Heads of Churches, held in Osogbo.

According to the communiqué, "the crucial meeting deliberated on the outcome of the hijab case with particular reference to the June 3, 2016 judgment of Hon Justice Saka Oyejide Falola of the Osun State High Court, sitting at Court No 5 Osogbo and resolved on a number of issues."

The communiqué reads in part, "Osun CAN states that it finds itself unable to agree with the judgment in its entirety as we have reasons to believe that it represents a study in premeditated adjudication that runs against the printed grain of legal submissions made before him. We have unanimously decided to appeal the judgment.

“Specifically speaking, Justice Saka Oyejide Falola, deeply violated the principle of fair hearing when he refused and or failed to hear, let alone

rule, one way or the other, on the application to be joined as party in the case properly filed and brought to his attention in open court by the interested parties whose schools were taken over forcefully by the government and stood to be affected by the judgment he later proceeded to deliver.

“Further, Justice Saka Oyejide Falola made an an-

cillary order which was not based, anchored or premised on any submission or prayer canvassed by the parties before him that by saying by way of ancillary order, the Muslim female students hijab shall be in the colour and design already approved by the first to third Respondents and currently in use by Muslim Female Students in Public Schools or any other de-

processes in the suit."

“That the judgment read severally that Hijab is a means of propagation of Islam which he said is a fundamental right of Muslim girls and ladies. This declaration violates the religious right of the original owners of the missionary schools as agreed upon when the schools were taken over by the then government of Oyo State in 1975.

From left, Miss Ifeoluwa Adeagbo, Professor C.B.N. Ogbogbo, Dr Omo Aregbeyen, Dr B. Oyedeji, Dr Stephen Lawani, Mr Chris Edeimum, Professor Ayo Olukotun, Dr Tunji Olaopa, Dr Akeem Amodu, Dr Adesina Afolayan and Dr Festus Adedayo, at the inauguration of a multi-disciplinary Technical Core of the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP), in Ibadan, on Wednesday.

Labour leaders beat up senior civil servants in Ekiti Police deploy men, APC SOME members of the task force set up by the labour unions in Ekiti State to enforce their ongoing strike were said to have physically assaulted some of the senior civil servants that were mandated to report to work on Tuesday.

Following the alleged beating received by the workers, said to be officers on Level 13 and above, the

police in the state deployed officers and men in some of the government offices to forestall a breakdown of law and order and a repeat of the assault.

Armoured personnel carrier and anti-riot policemen were deployed in the entrance of the governor's office, the Old Governor's office, the secretariat and at the state's House

Ibadan School inaugurates Think Tank Group THE Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP) has inaugurated its multi-disciplinary Technical Core Think Tank.

The group, which has 25 members, was inaugurated on Wednesday, at the school’s boardroom in Bodija, Ibadan.

The Think Tank is made up of experts on governance, media, institutional reform, macroeconomics, energy economics, trade and tariff policy, demography, social statistics, local government and rural development, legal reforms and jurisprudence, science and technology policy, crime, criminality and security, foreign policy, labour and industrial relations, education, youth activism, gender, ICT, spirituality, religion and ethics, entrepreneurship, business and investment analysis, banking and finance, among others.

sign recommended by the first to third Respondents.

“We maintain that since none of the parties in the case canvassed for such order, he went out of the processes to descend into the arena to suit the desire of his fellow religious faithful. It is, for now, better left to the imagination where Justice Saka Oyejide Falola came by this detail extraneous to the filed

While inaugurating the body, the school’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Tunji Olaopa, explained the mission of the school which he said was to rethink the governance space in Nigeria and Africa, so as to “get government to work better.”

According to him, in this era of change when the nation is seeking to migrate from the bad policies of the past, the school, which he said is research-driven, will mobilise expertise to get those in government to perform optimally.

Dr Olaopa said the aim of the school was to grow to become a national think tank and resource centre for policy makers.

He said that The Think Tank was at two difference levels, one with Professor Akin Mabogunje as chairman and the other which was being inaugurated.

Among others, he said,

the terms of reference of the group was to “brainstorm on topical issues deemed relevant for understanding of Nigeria’s development and democratic challenges and rethinking the direction around which issues of development and democracy can be crafted.”

of Assembly complex.

Following the development, the Head of Service (HoS) of the state, Dr Gbenga Faseluka, has condemned the alleged physical assault on senior civil servants by the leadership of labour unions in the state.

Dr Faseluka said in a statement on Tuesday that the act was in “breach of administrative regulation which bars unions from picketing non-members."

In the statement on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Establishment and Training, Mr Banji Ojo, Faseluka described the ugly incident as “unwholesome development and condemnable."

The statement alleged that the leadership of labour

unions in the state stormed the state secretariat as well as the Accountant-General’s office and allegedly assaulted some senior civil servants who were exempted from the ongoing industrial action.

Faseluka stressed that extant labour laws exclude management staff from going on industrial action; hence, the presence of the assaulted staff at their various duty posts was normal.

He added that it was "unbecoming of any labour leader to prevent management staff from discharging their duties," and urged all accounting officers, officers on grade level 13 and above, administrative officers and officers on essential duties to report for duties without fear of molestation.

Why we shut bank premises —Ekiti govt EKITI State government has said it shut down the premises of Ecobank Nigeria Limited over the failure of the management of the bank to submit all the documents relating to Withholding Tax charged on interest deposit accounts of their customers like Savings Account, Fixed/Term Deposits, among others, to the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue.

The explanation was given by the Special Adviser on Economic Mat-

ters to the governor, Mr Folu Oguntoyinbo, during an interview on radio and television stations in AdoEkiti.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, on Wednesday, quoted Oguntoyinbo as saying the action by the state government was in line with an order of a competent court of jurisdiction.

"The state government got an ex parte order signed by the state Chief

Judge to shut down their business premises until all the required documents are submitted to the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue (EBIR)," he said.

Oguntoyinbo said all the commercial banks in the state were involved.

"Earlier, three banks’ business premises were sealed but have since been re opened because they have complied with the judgment of the court," he added.

Oyo NUP condemns quizzing of scribe by SIB THE Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State chapter, on Wednesday, condemned in its entirety, the action of the officers of the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), Eleyele Police Headquarters, Ibadan, quizzing the union secretary, Comrade Olusegun Abatan.

This was contained in a press statement, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune and signed by the acting chairman of the union, Pa Gbadegesin Akande and assistant state secretary, Mr Bamiji Koleosho.

However, the Union has appealed to Governor Abiola Ajimobi to alleviate the suffering of the retirees by paying their gratuities and other entitlements of the pensioners.

The Union also stated that they have become endangered species in society, while many of them are dying daily as a result of their inability to buy drug for their health.

Oyo CP cautions citizenry against violence B y T unde A degbola

THE Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade, has warned individuals or groups of people in the state to desist from any activities that may cause violence which could breach peace of innocent citizens of the state.

This was contained in a press release issued and made available to Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu.

According to the release, “Credible intelligence at the disposal of Oyo State Police command indicates that some disgruntled elements, whose activities are antithetical to the peace, progress and development of the state, have concluded sinister plans to cause unimaginable violence for reasons best known to them.

“Whatever is the reason and whatever is the grouse of such individuals, group of individuals, it behoves on them to direct their grievance to the right channels and carry out their activities in the most lawful and civilised manner.

“These individuals or groups who have lately embarked on campaign of calumny, have caused breach of peace, and have destroyed public property.

“To curtail their activities, the Oyo State Police Command has put necessary machinery in motion.

36

Thursday, 9 June, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

How Keshi died

— Family Banji Aluko - Benin City

F

AMILY members of the late captain and coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, have narrated how he died, disclosing that the late tactian died on Tuesday and not Wednesday as widely speculated.

They also disclosed that Keshi was not ill before his sudden death at about 11:45 on Tuesday night.

While the late Keshi’s cousin, Ebuka Ofuoni, who was with him when he passed away was too emotional to speak, Keshi’s brother-in-law, Richard Aburime, spoke with journalists at Faith Mediplex Hospital in Benin, where Keshi was pronounced dead by doctors.

Aburime, who described Keshi’s death as sudden and shocking, however said Keshi had regularly complained of pain in the leg, something he said reccurred on Tuesday night.

“He had complained of pain in his leg for some days and they kept massaging it for him. When he

complained of it yesterday (Tuesday), they massaged it for him again.

“About one and half hours after the massaging, he was in serious distress and was gasping for breath.

“Ebuka and others who were with him quickly came around and immediately decided that his situation called for medical attention. That

The late Keshi (right) with Ahmed Musa during his reign as Nigeria coach.

was how we rushed him to the hospital (Faith Mediplex), a distance of about 20 minutes.

“By the time they arrived at the hospital, the doctor certified him dead. That was between 11:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.

“It was the nurse that first came out. She checked for pulse and said there was no

pulse. Doctors later came and do all the stuff they do, but nothing came out of it,” he said.

Aburime cautioned that people should not speculate on the cause of Keshi’s death until an autopsy is conducted, adding that the family was interested in finding out the cause of Keshi’s death through an autopsy.

aware of a statement by an associate of Keshi, Emmanuel Ado on his death, but that such thing was not in Ado’s place to do.

He, however, said that Ado’s account of Keshi’s death was largely correct save for “one or two discrepancies,” adding that the family would address the press at the proper time.

Nigeria has lost a super hero—Pinnick Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday expressed deep shock over the death of the former Super Eagles captain and coach, Stephen Keshi, describing his demise as a loss of a super hero.

According to a statement made available to Tribunesport by NFF Head of Communications, Ademola Olajire, NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, was too shocked for words, saying, “This is devastating. We have lost a super hero.”

Pinnick confirmed he had been in contact with the family and would lead a del-

egation of some NFF board and congress members to Benin City today (Thursday), assuring that the federation would be fully involved in the burial of the former international, nicknamed “Big Boss”.

“The NFF board will meet and decide on the best way to honour Stephen Keshi.

We will be fully involved in the arrangements for the fi-

nal burial rites,” Pinnick was quoted to have said.

The statement added that the NFF had informed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the world body, FIFA about the passing of the legend.

In a related development, the League Management Company (LMC) has directed that a minute silence be observed in honour of Keshi

then to Belgium, which later led to other Nigerian players taking their trade to the European country, which no doubt helped the rapid development of our football, that made our team very strong at that period.

“When he retired and took to coaching, he did not revolutionalise the game only in Nigeria by winning the Afri-

before the kick off of Match Day 21 fixtures of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

The league body also directed all players to wear black armbands in honour of the departed ex-international.

A statement by the LMC described Keshi as “a pathfinder, courageous athlete who remains one of the inspirational stories for

young Nigerian and indeed African players.”

The statement made available to Tribunesport in Abuja stated that the late Keshi was one of the players who made the the then Nigerian amateur league shone brightly, adding that he demonstrated love for father land as a player and later the Eagles captain for a decade.

FG will immortalise him—Dalung THE Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death of former Super Eagles head

coach, Stephen Keshi.

The minister, according to a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Mrs Nneka Ikem Anibeze, assured that the government would seek

He revolutionised Nigerian football —Lulu FORMER president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sani Lulu has said the late Stephen Keshi started the revolution of Nigerian football.

“It may interest us to know that the revolution that Nigeria football witnessed in the earlier 1980’s started with Stephen Keshi, when he moved to the Ivory Coast and

He said the autopsy would be carried out in a few days by a consultant pathologist with the Nigerian Police Force, Dr Wilson Ohiakhu, and that Keshi’s body would be moved to Stella Obasanjo Hospital in Benin for better preservation.

Aburime, who is the elder brother of the late Keshi’s wife, said the family was

can Nations Cup as a player in 1994, and also won as a Coach in 2013. He took Togo to qualify for their first and only World Cup in 2006. He also made an impact in Mali as a coach. We also saw how he was able to manage the Super Eagles team to play up to the second round at the 2014 World Cup. “He is a legend of African football, and his death at this time

is not what we expected, but who are we to query God. He is the omnipotent, and omnipresent. He gives and he takes when he deems fit. We should all take solace with the maximum impact that Keshi made while he lived.

I mourn Stephen Keshi, and pray that God grant his soul eternal rest,” the former NFF boss stated.

ways to immortalise the legendary coach.

“It is with a heavy heart but gratitude to the Almighty God, that I, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Federal Government of Nigeria sympathise with the family of coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (MON) and the entire Nigerian football family over the untimely death of our amiable, dedicated and outstanding hero.

“I was really shocked by the news of his death. He was one of Nigeria’s heroes whose contributions to the development of football and Nigeria’s sports in general cannot be quantified,” Dalung said.

He noted that both as captain and coach of the Super Eagles, Keshi contributed greatly to the development and popularity of football in Nigeria.

Dalung stated that he would formally inform the Federal Government of Keshi’s death.

“I will formally inform the government of the death of this great Nigerian and I want to assure Nigerians that government will seek ways to immortalise him.

“I join millions of soccer followers across the world to mourn this illustrious son of Nigeria, Africa and the world.

I pray for the repose of his soul.”

37 STEPHEN KESHI (1962-2016)

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

FIFA boss, Infantino, others mourn Keshi

PERSONALITIES, celebrities, serving and retired footballers and football stakeholders across the globe have paid glowing tributes through the social media to the late former Nigeria captain and coach, Stephen Keshi. Some also spoke with Tribunesport by phone to convey their condolences to the Delta State-born Keshi, who was the second man to have won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title both as a player and a coach.

The world soccer governing body, FIFA, in its tribute to the Big Boss’ through its president, Gianni Infantino said Keshi’s demise was a loss to the football fraternity.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA President I would like to express my deepest sympathy on hearing the news of the loss of the Nigeria great Stephen Keshi. On behalf of the international football community, please allow me to extend my deepest condolences to the football community of Nigeria and, most importantly, to Stephen’s family, friends and love ones. We hope that, in some way, our words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness.

Adegboye Onigbinde, Ex-Eagles coach This is too much of a shocking news for me to hear.

I am so very sad and pained with this news coming just months after the death of his wife. Keshi was a man who did everything with his whole heart and his death is a big loss for football.

Kalusha Bwalya (Ex-Zambia captain) Woke up to the sad news of the passing of my brother Stephen Keshi. I can’ believe it. I am in shock. I can’t believe it. Keshi and myself started almost at the same time in Belgium Sad sad.

Words can’t explain. Big man with a big heart Keshi was.

Brown Ideye This is one of the saddest days of my life. I will never forget the happy days, you coached me. RIP Big Boss.

Nnamdi Oduamadi Still in shock. Keep resting Great Legend you are. Rip STEPHEN KESHI. Onazi Ogenyi I just can’t believe big boss is dead, rest in peace my LEGEND.

Sani Toro Keshi’s death is a big shock to me. This is a big loss to Nigeria football.

Leon Balogun That’s how I will always remember you BIG BOSS! Thx for making me a Super Eagle!

RIP Coach Keshi.

Oparanozie Desire Waking up to this is a shock I’m yet to get out of it. My heart bleeds, I have no words right.

Alloy Agu Since the news of his death came in and hit me, I have not spoken to anyone until now. How do you digest this kind of news? All the pictures of our time together as team-mates and friends are now playing back in my head.

Asisat Oshoala Another Legend Gone To Rest......Rest on The Big Boss #RIP #SAD.

Bright Dike It saddens me greatly to hear Stephen Keshi is no longer with us. The Nigeria coach that made many of my dreams come true. RIP friend.

Peterside Idah Ex-Eagles goalkeeper As the captain of the Eagles in our days, Keshi was more influential than any NFF PRESIDENT. He told me a story of how a girl held him captive in the lift of Sheraton Hotel, Lagos and he told the girl “I love my wife.”

William Troost-Ekong A Man who did so much for the Super Eagles as captain and coach, and who believed in me one year ago. Taken too early. RIP Stephen Keshi.

Okechukwu Uche I am saddened by this news and I am lost for words.

Oby Ezekwesili (Former Education Minister) What a shocking news to read this morning on #StephenKeshi’s passing. We just lost an incredibly valuable member of our Nigerian family.

Sunday Oliseh, Ex-Eagles Coach Horrible news and sad day as our legendary captain and brother Stephen Keshi dies. May his blessed soul rest in peace. We lost an iconic hero today.

Confederation of African Football RIP Stephan Keshi, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May your soul be at Peace.

Vincent Enyeama The sting of death and victory of the grave. RIP Big Boss. A legend, a captain, a leader, hero, one that brought so much smiles to the faces of people. I can’t believe this is true.

Kanu Nwankwo Our captain, our coach, our leader, our hero, our legend, I don’t know what to say but thanks for all. R.I.P THE BIG BOSS.

Amodu Shuaibu, Ex-Eagles Coach I would love to wish this away, but each time I do so, the news keeps flashing everywhere and the reality that Stephen is gone keeps coming back. Stephen was a brother, friend and colleague and he did his best everytime. His candour was one thing that stood him out. No matter what he remains a legend to us.

Odion Ighalo R.I.P Big Boss, Thank u for everything.

Henry Nwosu We started together playing football. We played together in Lagos as teenagers and then we Christian Chukwu went ahead to play as team-mates in the senior national team. He was such a selfless person and At times when events like this happens, you can only take stock of life. I am a brother to me. Keshi was a football man to the core. He did and gave everything for football. really really pained. Keshi was a fresh breath of hope to our football at some His commitment and passion were never in doubt. There are too many memories as team- point because he was different in many ways. But he’s gone now and what we mates that I can’t talk about because his death is a painful one for me. have left are the memories he has left us. May his soul rest in peace.

Emmanuel Amuneke, Ex-international Death to a loved one is always a painful experience. This is painful news to hear. I still find it hard to believe this, but my condolences to his family especially children.

For me, he was not just a team-mate but a big brother and a leader. I am happy he lived a fulfilled life though, it was short.

Ajibade Babalade When I woke up this morning, I went to my Facebook page and I saw a breaking news ‘ Stephen Keshi is dead’. It was so sad because I have lost my great mentor, he was my room-mate on several occasions in the national team then.

He was a leader, he taught me a lot of things during the time we spent together in the national team. I wept like a baby this morning. I saw him last during his wife’s burial early this year, so sad, we have lost a hero.

Kenneth Omeruo You weren’t just a coach to me, You were a father, You believed I had what it took to play for ...

Ike Shorunmu I’m short of words because last Wednesday, I spoke with him by phone on my way to Bauchi and we even joked during the chat. This morning, somebody just called me that we lost the Big Boss, I couldn’t believe it. I had to call one of his relatives who also confirmed it, Keshi was so dear to me.

Mutiu Adepoju, Ex-international I spoke with him last month and he sounded strong and healthy. I have not been able to get my act together since I heard the sad news. It’s a very sad one for Nigeria, Africa and the world of football. I was shocked when I woke up this morning hear the news. My heart bleeds, it’s a great loss. We have just lost another great legend of Nigerian football. I still cherish some memories of him. I remember how he used to encourage us when we were young in the Super Eagles. He was a born leader and we called him the Big Boss.

Emmanuel Emenike True Legend, the only man that believed in me, the only man that made me in the Super Eagles, the only man that has never stopped believing in me, the only man that surprised me on the day I needed him most during my dad’s burial, the only man that has never stopped advising me when he calls me. You will forever stay in my heart the Big Boss RIP.

38 tribunesport

Thursday, 9 June, 2016

STEPHEN KESHI (1962 – 2016)

Saraki, Mark, Hayatou, others mourn Keshi

D

R Bukola Saraki (The Senate President) “Keshi was an excellent star. His soccer artistry and leadership skills remain unparalleled. His days, while donning the national colours and his stint as a National Coach of the Super Eagles could rightly be regarded as ‘Nigeria’s golden moments’ in both national, continental and world soccer. As a player and coach, he was instrumental in superlative victories for the national team.

He was a great source of inspiration to his contemporaries, teammates and the younger generation who took to football and are still active in sports across the world today. He shall be sorely missed.

Senator David Mark (Ex-Senate President) Keshi was one of the greatest and most successful footballers Nigeria has ever produced. Till date, no one has beaten his record.

He was forthright and outspoken. He was steadfast.

He never compromised his position especially on professionalism no matter whose ox was gored. Keshi was to African football what Mohammed Ali was to Boxing.

Only a very few men in the world has such an intimidating credential. We cannot question the Will of the Almighty creator, but this is one death too many.

Keshi’s death is akin to one death more than a hundred massacred in a pogrom. Keshi was one of our greatest footballers.

He lived and worked for Nigeria. He certainly left a huge vacuum that would be difficult to fill.”

Issa Hayatou (President, CAF) His other enviable record is being the only African trainer to have steered a team to the second round of the FIFA World Cup, with Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He had achieved the same feat as a player with the Super Eagles at their maiden participation at the Mundial in 1994, in USA. Dr Rafiu Ladipo, President-General, Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) Keshi achieved the same feat as Clemence Westerhof who won the Nations Cup for the first time for Nigeria

as the Super Eagles Coach in 1994 in Tunisia.

When I heard of Keshi’s death, it baffled me because he showed no sign of any sickness. Nobody knows or heard that he was sick.

We learnt of his death this morning, it’s a very big loss to Nigerian football, a very big loss to Nigerian sports and to Nigerians

Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta State governor) The remarkable achievements recorded by Nigeria in 1994 and 2013 were unarguably due to his indefatigable role as the captain and coach of the Super Eagles in those glorious years culminating in the winning of the African Nations Cup. Delta State and indeed Nigerians have lost a great man whose contributions to the football world can best be described as legendary.

He will be sorely missed by all and sundry whose lives he affected in several ways. I therefore urge all who mourn the demise of Stephen Keshi to take solace in the fact that his was a life of great accomplishments and service to humanity in which we give thanks to the Almighty God for the indelible footprints of his achievements in the sands of time.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (Edo State gov) He was a thoroughbred professional, a complete gentleman and a good citizen of Edo State where he lived quietly and peaceably with his neighbours before he gave in to the cold hands of death. His death is most painful not only to football lovers but to those whose lives he impacted positively.

While we mourn Keshi, we celebrate his many contributions in bringing joy to millions of homes across the nation and the world with his football skills which were honed during his days as a player with the defunct New Nigerian Bank (NNB) of Benin.

His name will undoubtedly be written in gold as a great Nigerian Ambassador who brought glory to the country and left an indelible mark in the sands of time.

Dr Orji Kalu (Africa’s Pillar of Sports) I remember vividly the superlative performance of Keshi in his early days

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick signing the condolence register in honour of the late Stephen Keshi at the NFF Glass House, Abuja. as a defender in the Super Eagles.

“Having served in different capacities in sports, he committed his life to the development of sports in Africa and beyond. His accomplishments in the football world are worth celebrating. Keshi left this world at a time his professional expertise is needed.

However, we take solace in the fact that he made indelible contributions to Nigeria especially in the area of sports.

Uche Jombo I am in shock. #RIP to a true legend of Nigerian football #RIPKESHI. Mido What a sad news..

Stephen Keshi has passed away..#RIPKeshi?

Joseph Yobo I am too shocked for words. Stephen Keshi is gone #RIPKeshi #RIPBigBoss. You opened the door for all of us.

Nuhu Ribadu While still mourning Muhammad Ali, the greatest sporting sensation of our generation, it’s time up for another great sports icon. #RIPKeshi.

Victor Ikpeba My brother, my friend, my captain. You will defend and lead in heaven #RIP-

Keshi #RIPBigBoss.

Godfrey Oboabona I can’t believe you are gone. My encourage-able coach. Rest in peace big big bossssssss.

Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi (Chairman Osun State FA) This news is disheartening and a national disaster.

It’s a sad moment and big loss for Nigerian football.

Keshi gave his entire life to Nigeria football, he was my captain when we played together against Morocco. It’s a big loss to football family, and he deserves a national burial by the Federal Government.

Elder Dickson Adejube (Ex-NFF executive committee member) I sympathise with the football family and he coaches association and I will implore the Federal Government to name the National Stadium, Abuja after Keshi.

Joe Erico (Ex-Nigeria goalkeeper) I have lost a son in Stephen Keshi I have actually lost one key members of my family. Keshi lived with me and actually grew up before me throughout his school and early football playing days I saw him as my own child.

I actually named my first

son, Stephen after him, that tells you how much I loved him. Keshi grew up to be a good child just mention my name to him he will say my father. He called me father so there is a father-son relationship between us.

Yesterday (Tuesday) unconsciously I brought out a group picture I took with him and Yaya Toure to make it my phone wall paper and today (Wednesday) the same person is gone.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu (Deputy Senate President) His death is a big blow to us as a nation. Keshi de-

serves our prayers for the peaceful repose of his patriotic soul; and he indeed deserves immortalisation by a country he served so fervently, patriotically, and unreservedly.

Atiku Abubakar (ExVice President) It saddens my heart to learn of the stunning news of the death of the Golden Boy of Nigerian football.

His departure is more touching when one recalls that Keshi also lost his loving wife of 33 years, Kate, to cancer late last year, thus rendering their young children hapless orphans.

...He never recovered from wife’s death —Brother BROTHER and manager of former Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi, Emmanuel Ado said the late tactician never recovered from the death of his wife, Mrs Kate Keshi.

He revealed that Keshi was in Nigeria to attend to the grave side of Kate who died of cancer last December.

They were married for 33 years.

“Keshi never recovered from the death of Kate; they were inseparable. He has gone to meet Kate.

“Since the wife died Keshi has kept on mourning and has been in sorrow. All these

time Keshi has been acting, giving the impression that he was fine and man enough to bear the sorrow but the truth actually is that he was down and in pain over the death of his wife.

“From companionship to cooking and other domestic matters nobody could be like his wife to him; they were irreplaceable. The man just went to join her,” Ado said..

He stated that “It’s very painful, but it is what God has destined. Not even 10 million soldiers would have stopped it. But we give glory to God.”

39

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JACOBSON THE AUSSIE MANAGER. 07065292905.BONNYRIGG = 33XX24 ON 4 WEEKS WINNING DIRECTIVES. B-B-B-B AT HOME NO 1- READ, CALL & WIN. Controlled tabulated, calculated & compilated winning directives as directed by our newest Aussie Managers on fixed matches.

Week 47 – Brazil Home No 1= 01x 12x 47xxx. 32 Week 48 – Bonnyrigg Home No. 1= X X X – 33x 24 Week 49 – Belgium Home No 1= X X X – 34X Week 50 – Bonnyrigg Home No 1= X X X – 35x Congratulations our 2016 Aussie assured Naps staked well with the above winning illustrations.

Draws are fixed on scheduled and gazette winning directory. Welcome to the wise stakers above – N50, 000= now. Goodluck.

NAZAR MASTER APPRECIATES STAKES Nazar Master Pool company Limited, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Pools Company was lauded for its first class services to stakers, agents, collectors and other critical stakeholder coupled with promoters winning and big dividend declared on its Treble chance to end the season.

According to ‘NAZAR MASTER’ we are encouraged by the commendation we have been receiving from stakeholder on the Pools industry. We have no choice than to maintain the standard and we shall never lower the benchark.

He promised higher dividend in Aussie 2016 and prompt payment on fixed odds.

OLA-CITY GOT 3 DRAWS CORRECTLY AGAIN In week 47 on Nos 9x 20x 32x sure to get all correct Again this Wk 48, Wk 49, Wk 50 week 48 Pairs. 12xxx 22xxx.

Phone 08140575314, 08085005634 The Compiler of Ola-City International Australia Draws Wizard who got his 3 Draws correct in week 47 on Nos 9x 20x 32x assures staking public of his 3 Australia Draws Wizard fixed for week 48, Week 49, and week 50 cost N10, 000 cash each week.

Be sure of your winnings Again Pay your N10, 000 cash to First Bank Plc Account Number 3033318854. Account Name OLAFENWA RAMONI OLA – CITY and collect the 3 Draws on phone after confirmation of your payment. The game will be send to you by text message. No Agent order Direct Phone 08140575314, 08085005634.

OBINYAN ASSURES STAKERS IN 2016 AUSSIE.

The paymaster, the Chairman managing director of Kings & George group of forecast papers CHIEF EHI OBINYAN assures stakers of good win in 2016 Aussie despite the fixtures on coupon he said promoters has no hidden place.

He therefore enjoined stakers to browse through his fortune papers for regular win this Aussie. In week 47 numbers 44 and 49 was ambiguously exposed in all his papers as 2 bankers and the pair region got it correctly.

Buy, study and keep records of his group of papers for your winning guarantee,he advocated,the papers are Pools Telegraph, Zeters Pool s Guild, Shoot Pointers, Murphy Sports, The New Dream and Final Result.

TRIPLE SET THE BALL ROLLING WITH (21XX – 31XX – 43XX) 34XX/35 AND (43XX) 34XX/35, AS WE NOW OFFER 15/25 – (08035324990) Your Indomitable Triple Spice International was on song with 3/5 on (21XX–31 –43XX) 34XX/35 AND ON IBK WITH (43XX) 34/35.

It’s good to join the winning train as this Aussie season promises a good tiding.

Our IBK costs only N1,500.00, 2BKS cost N3,000.00 and 3 good draws sell for N10,000.00 on 08035324990. Join us now!

MADAM DE MADAM RULES THE WORLD. Your darling seasoned Madams Empire splited fire on free 2 bankers Naps = 01X 13 32XXX 21X Records or don’t read for fortune. Be wise. Promised kept again last week through our amiable compilers on fixed draws management.

Full Aussie teams on fixture this week guaranteed your confirmed winning MUST. PURPLE – PURPLE – PURPLE 3/3 YRS. KEY – AVONDALE HOME 12 IN PURPLE Week 52, 2013 – 18x 34x 49xxx 37xxx.

Week 48, 2016 - X X X 39X 40 Playford must Western S. Call Mr. JOSHUA OUR RELAIBLE MEDIA MANAGER FOR YOUR WINNING DETAILS N100,000.

DR. M.M. PROMISE IS BACK FOR AUSSIE...... 08037174526 PAIR 11, 12.

Dr. M.M. promise, Nigeria’s foremost pools compiler, fondly called the paymaster will be releasing 3 totally sure and authentic nap draws to kick start the Aussie with absolute winning to his teeming fans, customers, and the entire stakers in weeks 48, and 49.

Cost price is N20,000 CASH WEEKLY. The legendary compiler is assuring all and sundry of 3/3 Nap draws correct in both weeks. Any interested serious minded stakers should pay at UBA, to DR. Maxwell M. Promise, ACCTS NO. 1003610591. Goodluck and welcome to all.

FRED WISDOM – 07088103080 (03 MUST 24) Weeks 43 to 47 = 5 weeks winning right Red to Red = coloured coupon fixed number draws Aussie or no Aussie. Draws are fixed on tabulation & calculation 01X 02X 13X 32X 43X 49XXX = 6 standing numbered draws for 5 week of 43 to 47 red to red. Only the wise unveiled the naps on winning directives. Call & Win. WEEK 48 – WIN – SURE – NAP on current full AUSSIE 2016 winning programme it takes ‘WISDOM’ and perseverance to win pools. (FULL ODD WEEK).

COST N50,000 = IT’S AUSSIE AFFAIR.--24 O.K 03. Congratulations.

MBA EXPERT – 08104694619 (23XX35) Now that the full Australia Football Season kicks off in earnest this week 48 expect a season of windfall. Let us start with the pair of Whittlesea .S . vs Adelaide Hills. There are 2 hidden draws in NSW ditto Victoria with a likely draw at Edge worth in Northern NSW. Call & win Goodluck SUNDERLAND SYSTEM 42XX 46 09038460009= 2 NAP 36 4. Special draws N6, 000 Wk 47 No 2x 20 20x 32x 43 4. Special draws N6, 000 Wk 48 No Nap Nap Nap Nap= N6, 000 4. Special draws N6, 000 Wk 49 No Nap Nap Nap Two Bankers N3000 Wk 47 No 2x 32x Pair 1x 5 Two Bankers N3000 Wk 48 No Nap Nap Pair Nap Nap Two Bankers N3000 Wk 49 No Nap Nap Pair Nap Nap Time to win pool this Wk 48 Sunderland system 4 special Draws this Wk 48 play 4/4 correct to get your copy today two Bankers cost N3000 Wk 47 to 2x 32x Pair 1X Nap 5Wk 48 No Nap Nap Pair Nap Nap 4 Bankers Wk 48 Nap Nap Nap Nap. Send MTN Card 09038460009.

HOPE NAPS & CO 08107128449.

WK 48 SPECIAL PICK YOUR DRAW BANKER (18 OR 38) BANKER (18 OR 38) BANKER (18 OR 38)= wow We use the above pair to welcome you to new Aussie season. Our three draws this wk is just N25, 000. Call hopes for detail all payment to Mr Gbadebo Stephen A. while the Wk. releases will be send to you on phone. God bless, thanks.

NJOROGE MR ASSURANCE – 08177474535 ASSURED WINNING AT NJOROGE (03X 03X 24X 24X) ANNUAL 2015 & 2016. WEEKS 48 & 50. WIN. (1) APIA – LEICHHARDT HOME WKS. 48 & 50. -2015 (1) BONNYRIGG. W.E HOME WKS. 48 & 50 – 2016 Our Previous 2 weeks performances in 2015 Week 48’ 2015 – 12x 22x 43xxx Week 50’ 2015 – 19x 29x 41xxx Now, 2016 BONNY RIGG @ Home Wks. 48 & 50.AGAIN NOTE. TUGGER U OR TIGER M= LETTER ‘T’ must be at home 49 (MUST) At Njoroge your winning is our PRIDE. Welcome to Mr Assurance New Era winning contact. Sure Ride to 2016 Aussie= N40, 000= in week 48 and N250 in week 50. ‘2 weeks guaranteed winning starts Now. ADEOTI SYNDICATE OF NIGERIA 07051327960 FULL AUSSIE SEASON START THIS WEEK STIRLNG LX CAMPBLTOWN X. (29X33) MUST FOR 1 DRAW. The Managing Director of Adeoti Naps & Syndicate Alhaji M.A Adeoti welcome you all to 2016 Aussie – pools season. I am now set again for this week 48 – 49 release. Any result like that comes out on Saturday there must be a winning from my release by the name of God amen. Payment to Ahmed Shafiri A/C NOS. 2001788431 Zenith bank Ibadan. N5,000 cash, each week 29xxxbk. 1-1. 33xxxbk 0-0. With three others. Goodluck & God bless.

WEEK 48 STATUS. SUNDAY – 3,5,6,10,17,21,3 4,41,42,43,47,49 PANEL – NONE YET NB: - COUPON CLOSES ON FRIDAY 10­-06-2016.

WERRIBEE.C TWO BANKER WK 47 N3,000 X13X X34X WK 48 PURPLE NAP X NAP X

MODUPE – (08033566694) 9X 24X 43XXX — 2 DRS Call for winning details. Goodluck.

MELBOURNE AUSSIE – 07069009601 (21XX 24) 2 TIMES SEASON NAP=2014 & 2016.

BAYSWATER HOME 27 – 2014 BAYSWATER AWAY 27 – 2014 BAYSWATER AWAY 27 – 2016 Refrence to week 46 and 50 – 2014 at Home and week 48 and 51 – 2016 at Away.

Wk 46-2014-16x 24x 25x 44xxx-4/4 Wk 50-2014-15x 23x 24x 45xx – 4/4 Wks 48 and 52= 2016= XXXX. Melbourne is the capital City of Australia= Join the winners= N25, 000

4 MEMBERS. 4 BANKERS= 08162705220= 32XX 35XX 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 47 NO 20X 32X 43X 47X 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 48 KEY NAP NAP NAP NAP WITH NAP NAP 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 49 KEY NAP NAP NAP WITH NAP NAP 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 50 KEY NAP NAP NAP NAP WITH NAP Key every week 22 BLUE Bank NIGER No 7. 11. To draw plus 3 others` Blue 2015 No X Nap Nap 4/4= N6, 000. To Draw plus 3 others N6, 000.

MID – WEEK STARTS WELL WITH 30/34XX AND NOW GIVEN 8/11 – (08087176217) The juicy Mid – Week International has started well as promised. We told you that Aussie is bread and butter. We are vindicated. Our 3 draws also supplied 3/5 on 4 – 21XX – 43XX – 30/34XX. You really need us this Aussie season. Our registration for Aussie is only N300,000.00.

Call now for details and continue to smile weekly. You will be glad you did.

KARMARK SUPER – 08186673842 27X 22X 23X 33X BALCATTA VS COCKBURN Under the bar No. 24 winning galore, to produce 3 direct Naps and a pair. All interested stakers are to pay N6,500 for the Nap & N5,500 for the permutation at IBTC Bank. No. 0001361916. Odesola S.B. Goodluck DR. EKONDO (08034483290) NAP 14XXXX BK DRAW Plus 2 others cost you N10, 000 = cash or N500,000 = payment after winning for your information every 1st full Australian season my 3 draws must 3/3 comes what may. It’s 3 weeks operation week 48 – 49 50. Call the above number and be connected before 12 noon on Friday 10/06/2016.

Try and see,draws are fixed. Good luck.

MALLAM BAWA MUSA SET FOR WK. 48...

08052506287 HOT 13 OR 14 I am ready and prepared for the Aussie season with 3 sure unfailing Nap draws in weeks 48 and 49, cost price N15,000 cash weekly. Payments at Access Bank to Mallam Musa Ibrahim Bawa, ACCTS NO. 0042075587.

EASY LIFE – 07088694992 Easy way to success Release free for week 48 BANKER – AVONDALE NO 12XXX HOT PAIR-(24 and 48) OR (27 & 33) Success doesnt come by chance but by utilizing every opportunity that comes your way. So, join the winning line (4) weeks colour system operation with guarantee (3) Nap - draw and a pair cost N35,000.00 each week welcome you to Aussie 2016 Football season. Call for more information. 07088694992 MAGIC KINGDOM – 08056753098/07085060512.

21X 22X 23XXX PAIR 27 and 23 KEY – WHITTLILESEA .R. vs.

DANDENONG.C On top of bar controlled the above winning/nap cost N25,000 in weeks 49 & 50 win now. Payment to Balogun Kamoru at FCM Bank, No 0279550010, Wema Bank No 0206965116 or G.T.Bank no 0115505082. Call for details. Good luck.

FAITHFUL AUSSIE WIN 07082899957 (21XX24) Arrived with 3 weeks Nap from the capital city Australia in Sydney = No much story the above pair is a MUST and other 3 specially designed NAPS - N25,000.

LEKE INTERNATIONAL 09091798611 (13 BET 36) Welcome to the Aussie season with 3 guaranteed gazette draws directs from my compilers in Australia in weeks 48, 49, 50. Do not miss any of these 3 weeks winning operation. Cost #25,000 cash per week. Phone me for my acct details.

Call 09091798611.

GET VICTORIOUS WELCOME AUSSIE WIN =08126994034 03X21X 24X 27X 23X 39X Absolutely free in preparation for weeks 49, 50 & 51. Naps cost N50,000 each week, invest wisely now.

FORTUNE DONOR ON THE PROWL AS WE GIVE 1/8 (08099111828) The taste of the pudding is in the eating.

So the old adage says. This Australia season portends good omen for any risk taker. We are really sure to make you financially strong and wealthy. Just stick to us.

Our registration cost N250,000.00. OUR IBK STILL SELLS FOR N1,500.00,ST N15,000.00 on 08099111828. You have won!

IKE & BROS. AT IT AGAIN – 08168157259. (23XX 24XX) Annual unfavourable week 48 nap only ike & bros. have the solution.

Wk 48 – 2014 – 8x 21x 29xxx= 21= 5drs Wk 48 – 2015 – 12x 37x 39xxx 22= 7drs Wk 48 – 2016 – X X X = 23x 24= 9drs Start winning now with N25, 000= below the purchase fee but just for your benefit. Join now before next week HIKE. goodluck

BALCATTA

TWO BANKER WK 47 N3,000 X20X X47X WK 48 PURPLE NAP X NAP X

MODBURY

TWO BANKER WK 47 N3,000 X02X X12X WK 48 PURPLE NAP X NAP X

SEND MTN CARD TO 08162705220

MRS HENRY: PAIR 33XX 39XX 08170779623 & 08071554934 Congratulation! Congratulation!! Congratulation!!!

On Nos 32xx 35F 47xx pair 1xx and 43xx which played 4/5.

KEY:- BLACKTOWN at No 5 away open to previous week, Bank on BRAZIL, SUTTHERLANDS S, LAMBTON.J, Bank on WERRIBEE C, DEGERFORD which played 4/5. The following week Bank CAMPBLTOWN and PLAYFORD as pair. I am calling on all stakrs to win pool this week and smile.

DON’T WAIT TILL THE RESULT IS BEEN PUBLISHED. Cost Price-N70,000 (Seventy thousand naira only).

NOTE-Metro stars is a fixed draws on coupon, wk 48 Nap 3/3 and respect the President of PPA in person of MR. ROBBINSON. C a ll- 0 8 1 7 0 7 7 9 6 2 3 & 0 8 0 7 1 5 5 4 9 3 4 .

JACOBSON THE AUSSIE MANAGER - 07065292905.

NOW SETTLE FOR AUSSIE 2016 PROPER. CALL AND WIN. WE HAVE DONE IT IN WEEK 47

OLA-CITY INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA DRAWS WIZARD

3 FIXED DRAWS FOR WEEK 47, WEEK 48, WEEK 49, WEEK 50.

COST N10,000 CASH EACH WEEK. BE SURE OF YOUR WINNERS AGAIN WEEK 47 N10,000 9XXXBK 3/3 20XXXBK 32XXXBK

WEEK 48 N10,000 WEEK 49 N10,000 WEEK 50 N10,000 (A) XXXBK (A) XXXBK (A) XXXBK 3/3 (B) XXXBK 3/3 (B) XXXBK 3/3 (B) XXXBK (C) XXXBK (C) XXXBK (C) XXXBK

Account number 3033318854. Account name: OLAFENWA RAMONI OLA-CITY and collect the 3 draws on phone by text message after confirmation of your payment.

NO AGENT ORDER DIRECT.

PHONE: 08140575314 & 08085005634.

PETER NAP (23 PAIR 24) 08076546261 Congratulation to all those that got my release last week as they won with 1XX, 2XX, 13XX, though the two banks.

1xx, 2xx was published free last week. Meanwhile another 3/3 and 4/5 this week cost just N25,000. 00 pay to saving acct no:3023114822 First Bank in person of MR ONAOLAPO PETER. G. meanwhile 23 or 24 for one. GOOD LUCK.

VIC – DESTINY WIN AUSSIE NAP 3/3 CONGRATS! CONGRATS!! CONGRATS!!!

3 WKS NAP & WIN OPERATION IS GOING ON WEEK 46 NAP 13X 32X 33X PAIR 19X 26F = 4/5 WEEK 47 NAP FAILED 2/3 = FAILED WEEK 48 NAP = 3/3 CANNOT FAIL COST N20,000 PER WEEK. AUSTRALIA FAN FEE IS N160,000. GRAB YOUR COPY NOW! CALL FOR YOUR DESTINY - 09099813819

DRAW COMMANDER TWO BANKERS N3,000 WK 47 X32X X44X PAIR X02X X02X

WK 48 NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP

WK 49 NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP

BEST ENGLISH MAGIC TWO BANKERS N3,000 WK 47 X20X X32X PAIR X21X F22F

WK 48 NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP

WK 49 NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP

JOINTLY 4 SPECIAL DRAWS N25,000. FOUR BANKERS WK 36 NO 20X 23X 32X 38X. SEND MTN CARD TO 08095602590.

JOSEPH INITIATIVE WIN – 08167278061.WIN IN 2016 AUSSIE

WK 47 KEY: – MELBOURNE V & MONARO P ON SAME DIGIT = 12X 21X 43XXX PAIR 39X 49X = 4/5.

WK 48 KEY: - STIRLING LIONS & SALISBURY U ON SAME DIGIT TO DRAW = X X X PAIR 29X 39X = 4/5. N25,000

HOPE NAPS & CO – 08107128449 ( BANK 18X XX38) Welcome to 2016 Aussie Season. Let’s start with good win. On unequal winning contact. @ Hope Naps International. Payment to Gbadebo Stephen. A. First Bank acc number 3088328923. Wk 48 -N25,000. Good Luck.

WEEK 47 XRAY. Unlimited winning spree welcome our readers to 2016 Aussie season. Madam De Madam standing free wins left injuries to promoters finance.

Israel Bail Out, bailed many stakers out of their financial crux. Peter excelled on 2 bankers series. Our pair managers fulfilled their promises the likes of Amuko, Triple Spice, Akin Mr Akin, Midweek, Innocent, Ola-city, Tottenham, Fortune Donor, Jacobson, Mrs. Henry and Mr. Njoroge added to our readers winning dividends.

With full Australian teams on board our Experts promised good winning week. Contact and appreciate them in this sandwich Aussie season.

SIDELINES

NO 16,520

N150

THURSDAY, 9 JUNE, 2016

“Most importantly, the introduction of Post-UTME examination has rendered the jumbo marks hitherto obtained by unscrupulous students from JAMB useless and irrelevant. Its revocation will pave way for the return of the abominable practice that damage the image of JAMB .”

N the 2nd June, 2016 the Honourable Minister of Education was reported to have announced at the combined policy meeting on administration to higher institutions in Nigeria the scrapping of the post-UTME examination conducted by Nigerian Universities for the purpose of admitting fresh students to higher institutions. The Minister of Education was reported to have declared that the Federal Government and other stakeholders had absolute confidence in the examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, and that there was no need for other examinations to be conducted by universities after JAMB exams. He quoted to have stated that: “As far as I am concerned, the nation has confidence in what JAMB is doing, the universities should not be holding another examination and if the universities have any complain against JAMB, let them bring it and then we address it.”

Before proceeding to address the numerous issues thrown up by this statement, it is pertinent to state that this is not the first time that the conduct of the post UTME exams has come under scrutiny. In October, 2011 the country’s highest law making body, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria passed a motion brought by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiori, Bayelsa West and co-sponsored by 35 Senators including Smart Adeyemi, Ayogu Eze, Zainab Kure, Chris Anyawu and Dahiru Kuta declaring illegal the post-UTME examination conducted by Nigerian Universities for the purpose of admitting fresh students to the institution. The motion was not passed by the House.

I have made reference to the 2011 incident for two reasons. Firstly the argument made at that time on the exclusivity or paramountcy of exams conducted by JAMB mirrors the statement credited to the Minister about governments confidence in the abilities of JAMB. Secondly the counter argu-

O

OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D, D.Litt

General Douglas MacArthur counsels leaders never to give orders that cannot be obeyed. Had Dr Chris Ngige, Labour and Employment Minister, heeded this advice he would not have directed that banks should reverse the sacking of their staff or risk the revocation of their licences, a statement which the Senate frowns at and for which it has summoned the minister.

afeonthursday

Minister’s pronouncement to scrap Post-UTME exams: A serious mistake ments made at that time by proponents of the post UTME exams, which included references to facts and data, showing just how the exams conducted by JAMB could not be relied upon as a singular yardstick for admitting students are still very much relevant today. As I will subsequently show, nothing has changed since the decision by the Federal Government to permit the post UTME exams and the present moment. Indeed recent events and challenges met by students taking the examinations conducted

by JAMB make the retention of post UTME exams more imperative than ever. In stating this I am not unmindful that Minister and the Registrar of JAMB Professor Dibu Ojerinde were reported to have stated that the Universities would still be free to “screen” prospective students. The question must nevertheless be asked as to how a University will be able to screen a student who seeks admission without some form of testing?

Is the said screening supposed to take the form of individual interviews alone? How will such address the salient issues raised over the years on the unreliability of the exams conducted by JAMB? Most importantly, the establishment of Post-UTME examination has rendered the jumbo marks hitherto obtained by unscrupulous student from JAMB useless. Its revocation will pave way for the return of the abominable practice that damage the image of JAMB. The purport, scope and powers of JAMB under Section 5(A), (C)(II) of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Act, CAP J1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 To address this issue it is important to examine the powers of JAMB as provided by las.

Section 5(1)(a) of JAMB Act, provides for the

functions of the Board as follows: 1. The general control of the conduct of matriculation examinations for admissions into all Universities, Polytechnics (by whatever name called) and Colleges of Education (by whatever name called) in Nigeria Section 5(1)(b) provides as follows: 2. The appointment of examiners, moderators, invigilators, members of subject panels and committees and other persons with respect to matriculation examinations and any other matter incidental thereto or connected therewith The combined effect of Section 5(1), (a) and 5(1)(c)(ii) is that the JAMB is statutorily empowered to set and conduct examinations, appoint examiners and other invigilators for the purpose of the examination set by the board.

There is nothing strange in this practice.

The world all-over, each country usually sets standard for admission to universities in the country. What is in issue is whether the JAMB board is the all in all or one stop shop with regard to university’s admission process OR do the universities have no role to play in admission process?

Put in another way, is it the position that anybody who passes JAMB examination must be admitted willy-nilly to university of his choice?

The answer is emphatic NO. The admission of everybody that parades JAMB results would certainly further damage the quality of tertiary institutions in the country. The JAMB Act is very clear on the role of JAMB in admission process. To gain admission into any university, there is more than mere passing of the JAMB examination. This is clear from the provisions of Section 5(1)(c) (ii) of JAMB Act which provides that: The placement of suitably qualified candidates

ACTING President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has said that Nigeria is saddened by the news of the sudden death of the former Supper Eagles captain and coach, Stephen Keshi.

He noted that Keshi’s feats within and outside the country left a rich legacy which would “live on in our hearts”.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to the media in Abuja on Wednesday, Osinbajo said as captain and

coach of the national football team, Keshi’s service, dedication and achievements, including lifting the African Nations Cup both as a player and then as a coach, remain a great testament to the value of hard work.

Osinbajo observed that his personal triumphs and pursuits as a world-class professional footballer inspired many young talented sportsmen and women around Africa to strive for excellence.

He noted that his great work with the nation’s youth and senior national teams unified the country and brought joy to many

shall be in collaboration with the tertiary institutions after taking into account1. the guidelines approved for each tertiary institution by its proprietor or other competent authority; It is clear from the JAMB Act that the guidelines approved by each university by its proprietors are essential factors in the placement of students. The universities are not meant to be arm-chair participants in the admission process.

Thus every university has statutory right to screen the candidates it wants to admit.

Before the introduction of Post-UTME, the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, under my chairmanship in 2003 met in Abuja, x-rayed the cankerworm and recommended to the government under President Olusegun Obasanjo that JAMB should be scrapped, because the integrity of its examinations has been called to question.

It is a historical fact that the introduction of Post-UTME was not decided by the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities alone; the matter was thrown open, with contributions from stakeholders and interested and concerned members of the different strata of society. The decision to establish the Post-UTME exercise was made at the Executive Council Meeting.

Hence the Minister was careful in the choice of his words: “As far as I am concerned, the nation has confidence in what JAMB is doing, the universities should not be holding another examination and if the universities have any complain against JAMB, let them bring it and then we address it”.

In the circumstance, we are back to status quo ante. …to be continued

NPFL Match Day 21 results

Keshi left a rich legacy —Osinbajo Leon Usigbe -Abuja

aareafe@gmail.com

compatriots.

He added: “On behalf of the people and Government of Nigeria, I commiserate with the family of Mr Stephen Keshi on this tragic loss.

“Our thoughts are with his children at this time of sadness especially so soon after the loss of their mother.

“We send our deepest condolences to them and also to the countless friends he made in a lifetime of service. We pray that God grants the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

MFM, Lagos 2 Nasarawa Utd Lobi Stars

0

2 Shooting Stars 1

Akwa United 3 Sunshine Stars 3 Abia Warriors 1 Ikorodu Utd

1

Wikki

1 El-Kanemi

0

Warri Wolves 2 Heartland

2

Rangers

1 Kano Pillars

0

Tornadoes

1 Plateau Utd

0

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 09/06/2016.