23rd June 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

nigeria’s most informative newspaper no 16,530

THURSDAY, 23 JUNE, 2016

Senate suspends screening of ambassadors

www.tribuneonlineng.com

—P2

•Summons Foreign Affairs minister, AGF •PDP senators withdraw support for APC govt

Nigerian Tribune

Oyo govt/ Labour face-off goes to industrial court —P34

@nigeriantribune

TribuneOnline

States have bastardised local govt system —OBJ —P6

Nigerian Tribune

n150

I know nothing about alleged forgery —Saraki —P4

Inability of 27 states to pay salaries disgraceful —Buhari •Says security agencies after currency racketeers •Laments billions of dollars wasted on power since 1999 •FAAC shares N305.1bn for May—P2,7

Multiple accidents lock down Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, 7 feared killed —P7

OAU shut indefinitely

•As NASU dissolves OAU branch committee —P34

From left, Fred Edevbiri of Legal Department, Globacom; Ike Oraekwuotu, Coordinator, Commercial, Globacom; Dorothy Udeme Ufot, Chair, Conference Organising Committee; Alexis Mourre, President, International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration; Mrs Gladys Talabi, Executive Director, Legal Services, Globacom and Kamaldeen Shonibare, Head, Corporate Sales, Globacom, at the first ICC Africa Regional Conference on Arbitration, sponsored by Globacom, at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

Hijab: Osun CAN files stay of execution —P34

EFCC allegation: How my —P4 election was funded, by Fayose

“I wish to state further that if it becomes evidently clear that those who willingly provided money for my election can no longer stand by what they did, may be because of threat from the EFCC, I will not hesitate to name names.”

news

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Inability of 27 states to pay salaries disgraceful —Buhari

•Asks states to diversify revenue sources • Laments billions of dollars wasted on power since 1999 •Says security agencies after currency racketeers •All fraud must stop, he adds

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, said the inability of 27 states government to pay monthly salaries of their workers is disgraceful to Nigeria. President Buhari, according to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), stated this in Abuja, while addressing staff of the Presidential Villa. He expressed dismay that in spite of the initial bailout funds given to some states, workers in those states were yet to receive their salaries. “The matter that may shock you is that 27 out of the 36 states could not pay salaries. This is a disgrace to Nigeria; it’s a disgrace. Up till now, some of the states cannot pay salaries. “What happened to all that we have been getting all this time? We looked left, right, centre, up and down and said; any savings? There was nothing, because we developed a consumption that we were not supposed to have developed,” he said. Buhari, therefore, advised state governments to diversify their revenue sources to strengthen their financial positions. He pledged that his administration’s ongoing war against corruption would be sustained to rid the country of the debilitating effects of the wanton looting of public funds. “I have never in my life from class monitor to here, for the second time in different form - believed in corruption. “With what we are doing, if we made any mistake along the line of compromising our integrity, the country would have been further dragged back by blackmail and other things. We’ll not touch anybody that did not touch public funds. “If you behave yourself, you may not have houses in Abuja or in Europe or in America, but you will sleep soundly and your children and families will enjoy respect,” he said. President Buhari also reiterated the determination of his administration to stop all forms of fraud in the country. He said security agencies had been alerted to apprehend persons engaged in currency racketeering in the country, adding that “for those who have plenty of naira and use bankers and others to stamp papers and buy the dollars and take them outside, we will have to do something else, because we are alerting all security

agencies. “All fraud must be stopped. This exercise will continue as long as this leadership is here. “Whoever takes anything that does not belong to him and is not entitled to him and he is caught will be documented and taken before the court.”

He assured that he would continue to lead the country with patriotic zeal, integrity, dedication and commitment to improving the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians. “As I said 30 years ago, we have no other country than Nigeria; we are determined to rehabilitate

the country for coming generations. “The process of change is not easy, but with your dedication, we can deal successfully with the issues that currently confront us,” he said. Buhari regretted that in spite of billions of dollars spent on the power sector since

1999, there was no visible improvement in the sector. “Look at power, how much did we spend on power? From barbers to factories, shops, we all depend on power. There is virtually no improvement from 1999 till now, no matter how many billions they have spent,” he said. He blamed the current

economic hardship in the country on the failure of past administrations to save when crude oil price was high. “What (oil price) used to be an average of $100 from 1999 to 2014 went down to $30. What should concern us and the rest of the Nigerian elite is how we can continue to sustain ourselves in terms of materials and security,” he said.

Buhari cancels breaking of fast with NASS leadership Leon Usigbe -Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari, addressing the staff members of the State House, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Senate suspends screening of ambassadors Summons Foreign Affairs Minister, AGF Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja The Senate, on Wednesday, resolved to stand down consideration and confirmation of ambassadorial nominees until satisfactory explanation from the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) are provided. Not satisfied with the lopsidedness in the list of nomination of the ambassadorial-nominees, the Senate summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema and the SGF, Babachir David Lawal. President Muhammadu Buhari, last week, sent 47 names of career civil servants in the foreign service to the Senate as Ambassadorsnominees to be screened and confirmed as career diplomats. The duo, who would appear on Thursday, at 11.00 a.m. at Room 303, would answer questions and explain the alleged lopsidedness in the nomination of the 47 ambassadorial designates list and the omission and irregularities observed. This was sequel to a motion moved by Senator Joshua Dariye (PDP Plateau Central) on alleged lopsidedness of ambassadorial list. The Senate, however, agreed that many complaints had trailed the nomination which had become embarrassing and required urgent correction in the interest of the country. It, therefore, mandated its

committee on Foreign Affairs to ensure that the minister and the SGF disclosed the criteria used in selecting the nominees. However, some senators, whose states were shortchanged in the selection drew attention of the Senate to the omission of their states, including Ebonyi, Ondo and Bayelsa states. The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, remarked that the rule of transparency should be complied with in the process of appointing career officers as ambassadors. According to him, “I think a number of senators prior to this motion have raised this observation and I too have received a lot of petitions in my office on this same matter. “I think it is very important to say that because they

would be career ambassadors, we must, therefore, ensure that the process is transparent, especially as they are going to be ambassadors and the number of petitions we have received this time is a bit more than usual. “It is important that the Foreign Affairs Committee quickly invite the minister and the SGF, so that they can explain the processes of how some of these names came about. “That can be done before they even begin to consider the nomination for screening. The matter is referred to Foreign Affairs Committee and we give them maximum of one week to be able to come with a report on it.” However, the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sena-

tor Shehu Sani, on his part, said: “I am responding as the vice chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Actually, we have received series of complaints from different states on how skewed the list that was presented to us here from the Presidency is. “The complaints were so much to the effect that the credibility and integrity of the list is being put to question. “So, we are working on those very complaints and I think those that were not able to forward such issues to us should be able to do that. “But in the mean time, the question we have is that it is either we screen those who are here on that list and then we await the second list before we take action in the whole thing?”

A scheduled Ramadan breaking of fast with leadership of the National Assembly was called off by the Presidency on Wednesday evening. President Muhammadu Buhari has, since the beginning of Ramadan, engaged in breaking of fast with selected Nigerians from all walks of life. It was the turn of the leadership of the National Assembly on Wednesday, but it was learnt that the occasion was called off at the last minute. When the Nigerian Tribune contacted the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed that it was indeed cancelled but added that “I don’t know why.” Speaking with Nigerian Tribune on the invitation to the Iftar with the president, chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, AbdulRasaq Mathas, said there was no problem, adding that the invitation received was later postponed and that as of press time, “we are still waiting.” He, however, reiterated that both the National Assembly and the Executive are one.

We will no longer cooperate with APC govt —PDP Senate caucus Says freezing of Fayose’s account political Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared, on Wednesday, that it would no longer cooperate with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government, in view of the ongoing intimidation/ persecution of the opposition party particularly the PDP. The party also added that the freezing of account of the Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose was clearly a political witch-hunt. Briefing the newsmen after the PDP Senate Caucus

meeting the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwatcha, stated the party condemned “in totality the orchestrated plot to remove the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, through an illegal means. The deployment of state instruments of coercion to intimidate an independent arm of government like the legislature is now a major threat to the survival of our democracy.” He, insisting that the glar-

ing witch-hunt of perceived opposition elements in the polity is invitation to anarchy adding “the war against corruption should not be selective, must be fought with sincerity and not the politics that is being played now with ‘war against corruption.” The lawmaker informed that since the war against corruption has devolved into probing campaign funds believed that “it should be extended to all parties, APC inclusive.”

Subsequently, he warned the executive arm of government to act with caution on matters that had the potency to subvert our democracy, adding executive “must, therefore, desist from these acts of lawlessness that are only typical in a military dictatorship.” He, however, advised the APC-led government to concentrate on the existing economic and security challenges that were threatening the survival of the nation.

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

POWER SECTOR FACTS

4 T C A F VANDALISM

...Destroy gas pipelines;

...Steal power cables; ...or Damage transformers, ...Customers suffer blackouts???

Vandalism is a crime against the nation. Vandalism is economic sabotage. If you see something, say something!!! REPORT THE VANDALS! ANED...Positioned to emPOWER Nigeria

Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors

news

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

EFCC allegations: Fayose opens up on election funding

Buhari on revenge mission —PDP From Sam Nwaoko, Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji

kiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, has opened up on the source of funds for his election two years ago. According to Fayose, in a statement made available to newsmen, on Wednesday, his election was “funded two years ago by the Zenith Bank Plc, fundraising, donations from friends and associates, as well as sales of campaign souvenirs.” In the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, Fayose also denied that he received any funds from the office of the national security adviser to fund his election. Fayose said: “I have no financial transaction whatsoever with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) and former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, either by cash, cheque or electronic transfer.” Fayose challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to “publish statements made by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, his son or any other person associated with money from the NSA office where they claimed they gave him money for the election,” saying “EFCC is only acting a movie scripted, produced and directed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Muhammadu Buhari just to silence me being a major opposition voice in the country.” The governor said “the management of Zenith Bank, which majorly funded my election, called me to a meeting, where I was assured that fund would be provided for my election. I was asked to nominate a trusted ally to be related

with and I nominated Mr Abiodun Agbele. “All the payments into Abiodun Agbele’s account domiciled in Zenith Bank were directly from Zenith Bank. In actual fact, the account was opened by Zenith Bank hurriedly at that time and Abiodun Agbele’s identity card which ought to have been collected before the account was opened was only collected last week in the bank’s desperation to perfect the account obviously after submitting to the intimidation and harassment of the EFCC. “Most of the funds posted into Agbele’s account were through the Ibadan, Akure and Lagos branches of the Zenith Bank and sometimes; they brought cash. “Assuming but not conceding that cash moved from Lagos to Akure as being claimed by the EFCC in its usual manner of media trial, was meant for my election in Ekiti, why was the cash not moved to Ado Ekiti branch of Zenith Bank or the cash handed to me directly? Why was it deposited into Zenith Bank, Akure and did the bank make any report on the transaction to the appropriate authorities? Why did the bank send its bullion van to move the money from Akure Airport to their Akure branch if it was illegal money? “I must say it categorically that I don’t have any link financially with Obanikoro and I know as a fact that he (Obanikoro) has not and cannot mention my name, as beneficiary of whatever money any company in which he has interest could have gotten from the ONSA if truly Obanikoro collected money from the ONSA as being claimed by the EFCC. “Therefore, bringing Obanikoro and his son’s narrative or that the Zenith Bank is telling different stories, having been blackmailed and coerced into

RAMADAN MESSAGE Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salat (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty,false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden). And those who pay the Zakat. And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts) Except from their wives or (the captives and slaves) that their right hands possess, for then, they are free from blame; But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors; Those who are faithfully true to their Amanat (all the duties which Allah has ordained, honesty, moral responsibility and trusts etc.) and to their covenants; And those who strictly guard their (five compulsory congregational) Salawat (prayers) (at their fixed stated hours). These are indeed the inheritors. Who shall inherit the Firdaus (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever. —Surat Al-Mu’minun verses 1-11

submission by the EFCC is a joke that will not fly. “I wish to state further that if it becomes evidently clear that those who willingly provided money for my election can no longer stand by what they did, may be because of threat from the EFCC, I will not hesitate to name names.” The governor, who challenged the EFCC to also beam its searchlights on the funding of APC elections, especially that of President Buhari, said: “Since we are now in the era in which financial assistance from Nigerians to fund elections is being criminalised, the international community, especially those funding EFCC must insist that the commission probes the funding of APC elections before further funds are released to the commission.” “Most importantly, Nigerians are interested in the $60 million allegedly

donated to the APC campaign by Sahara Energy, on which EFCC has been forced to suspend investigation. He said it was obvious that he has become the main headache of President Buhari’s government, adding that “what they are doing now is part of their grand plots to intimidate and harass me into submission, but I am not someone that can be cowed by threats of incarceration and death. “I advise that they should keep their gun powder dry and wait till the end of my tenure in 2018 and I want to assure them that I will be available to answer any of their questions, no matter how unreasonable. “Furthermore, Nigerians should know that I have been persecuted by the EFCC before, using phantom N1.2 billion poultry scam and I came out victorious. I was not only acquitted, I got N10 million

judgment against the EFCC and my impeachment that was orchestrated by the EFCC was quashed by the Supreme Court. “Nigerians should recall that it was part of this plot to get back at me because of my critical stance on Buhari’s government that the Ekiti State House of Assembly was invaded by men of the Department of State Service (DSS), placement of travel ban on me and lately, illegal frozen of my account by the EFCC. “I therefore make bold to state that in the overall interest of democracy and well-being of Nigerians, I will continue to speak my mind on issues bordering on governance in Nigeria. I will not be intimidated!” Meanwhile, Ahmed Makarfi-led national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has observed that the freezing of the Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose personal ac-

count by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was a politically-motivated witchhunt. In a statement issued on Wednesday by Prince Dayo Adeyeye, member, PDP National Caretaker Committee in charge of publicity, the party had observed with dismay, “the dangerous trend of politically-motivated trials and tyrannical administration” of President Buhari and the APC. PDP demanded that the ruling party must stop the witch-hunt in the interest of peace and stability of our nation. The statement described the freezing of the personal account as “unlawful, undemocratic, autocratic, oppressive, draconian and to say the least, the height of desperation by the Buhari- led administration, to cover up for its failure to deliver on its campaign promises to Nigerians.”

I know nothing about alleged rule book forgery, says Saraki Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, disclosed on Wednesday, that he knows nothing about how the rules adopted in the inauguration of the eighth Senate on June 9, 2015, was formulated. Saraki added that the ongoing efforts to drag him into a case of forgery before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, was just another phase in the orchestrated persecution he had faced since he emerged Senate President a little over a year ago. The Senate, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that he was not a part of the leadership of the seventh Senate that made the rules in question and prior to his unanimous election as Senate President on June 9, 2015, he was merely a senator-elect like all his colleagues, and, therefore, was not in a position to influence the rules that were to be used in the conduct of the election. “The police, in their investigation, were conscious that the incumbent Senate President was not in office prior to June 9, 2015 and that was why in their letters inviting some individuals for their investigation, they only mentioned officers of the seventh Senate. The last of the letters was written to the Clerk of the National Assembly on June 7, 2016 and he was not among those invited. “Those who decided to smuggle the name of the Senate President into the charge sheet after the fact

knew perfectly well that only the leadership of the seventh Senate were invited for investigation, but they needed to implicate him in keeping with their declared vow to ensure that even if their current efforts to nail him through the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) fails, they would find other ways to carry out their vendetta. “This so-called forgery case is another wanton abuse of the judicial process and making a mockery of the institution of justice. As the Senate earlier stated, the sponsors of this plot are not only gunning for Dr Saraki, what they have just launched with this latest antics is a grand onslaught on the foremost institution of our democracy. The only institutional difference between dictatorship and democracy is the presence of the legislature. Therefore, by seeking

to cripple the National Assembly, they have declared a war on our hard-won democracy and aimed for the very jugular of our freedom. “Let us restate the fact that the senators, who initiated the police investigation in the first place had raised the same matter on the floor and were overwhelmingly overruled. They also filed a civil suit and were told by the court that neither the judiciary nor the executive can interfere in the internal affairs of the legislative arm. “The Senate President recognises the sundry problems bedeviling our nation today food insecurity, devaluation of the Naira, inflation, unemployment, failing national infrastructure, insurgency in the North-Eastern part of the country, restiveness in the oil producing areas and general insecurity, among others - and believes that

finding solutions to them should be the priority, at this period, for every individual in government, not the pursuit of narrow political objectives. That is why these needless distractions will do nobody any good. In fact, it will not help in delivering on the promise of bringing positive change to the lives of our people who voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last elections. “The Senate President does not see what value this current attempt to shut down the Senate by dragging its presiding officers before a court for a phantom allegation of forgery will add to the attempts to solve the problems confronting the nation. “Dr Saraki will, however, explore all legal options necessary to ward-off this fresh case of persecution and distraction,” the statement added.

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Thursday, 23 June, 2016 news 6 Grazing bill resurfaces in Senate, scales through first reading Ayodele Adesanmi-Abuja

he national grazing reserve agency bill, sponsored by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (APC Kano Central), passed through the first reading at the Senate, on Wednesday. However, another bill, entitled: “National Ranches Commission Bill,” sponsored by Senator Barnabas Gemade, also went through the first reading The national grazing reserve bill, it will be recalled, is a subject of disagreement in the Southern part of the country and some parts of the North, especially against the backdrop of the requent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers across the country, which has led to loss of lives, kidnapping and wanton destruction of property. The bill, according to Kwankwaso, sought to establish grazing reserves and stock routes for cattle rearers in all the states of the country. The grazing reserve bill was first sponsored by Senator Zainab Kure in the seventh Senate, but was not passed into law. However, most of the state governors, especially in the Southern states, have expressed reservations about the desire of the Federal Government to scale through the bill, forcefully acquire lands in the states for the exclusive use of the Fulani cattle rearers. The national grazing reserve commission bill is charged with the responsibility of using funds received from the Federal Government to acquire lands in all states of the country and develop them through the provision of boreholes, water reservoirs and other necessities for the use of cattle rearers. The bill, it was learnt, would help to end the recur-

ring conflicts between nomadic Fulani herdsmen and farming communities in different parts of the country. The bill was indifferent to the earlier stance of the Sen-

ate, which had denied the existence of such bill when the issue began to generate heat in April this year. The Senate, however, on April 19 this year, denied

Nigeria’s former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Wednesday, said he wished he could help the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), over the allegation of insensitivity levelled against state governors, over the state of all the 744 local governments areas in the country. Speaking this while receiving the national president of the union, Comrade Ibraheem Khaleel, at his Hilltop residence, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, he said some state governors had rendered local governments impotent, and described such governors as “usurpers and hijackers.”

The chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Babajide Omoworare, said then, that senators had been inundated with the request

Outgoing Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase (right), handing over to his successor, Idris Ibrahim, in Abuja, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

by members of the public concerning the pendency of a national grazing bill in the Senate. Omoworare, in statement then, said “Several distinguished senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have been inundated with the request by members of the public concerning the pendency of a National Grazing Bill in the Senate. “This is to clarify that no such bill has been presented by the executive arm of government and none has so far been filed by any senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the eighth Senate. “For the avoidance of doubt, a “National Grazing Reserve Establishment and Development Commission Bill” (SB. 60) was presented by Senator Zaynab Kure (Niger Central) during the 7th Senate (2011 – 2015) which has now expired by the operations of law on the 6thJune 2015 in furtherance of Section 64(1) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended,” the statement added.

Acting IGP raises the alarm over increasing rate of crime Chris Agbambu-Abuja

The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has expressed concern over what he described as the increasing cases of crime and criminality in most communities in Nigeria, and vowed to tackle it headlong, He said his administration would, in the next few days, reorganise and restructure the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) in all the states’ commands across the country. Idris stated this when taking over the mantle of leadership as the 19th Inspector General of Police, in Abuja, on Wednesday. He took over from Solo-

mon Arase, who retired from active service, following the attainment of the retirement age of 60 years. Idris further noted that his management team would establish criminal data base in all police divisions across the country. He further noted that: “Effective criminal database in police divisions will enhance police capacity for effective investigation of criminal cases in Nigeria. This administration will establish database in all police formations.” The acting IGP added noted that he would establish Joint Operation Centres’ in police commands across the country.

States have bastardised LG administration —OBJ Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta

having a bill before it seeking to establish National Grazing Commission either as private bill or from the executive arm of government.

Obasanjo said the vision and mission of creating the third-tier of government had been encroached upon by the state governments, saying “In 1976, we carried out local government reform, because local governments had no structure, as well as allocation from the national purse. “Sadly, the state authorities, without any exception, have bastardised, usurped and hijacked the duties of local governments. Local governments are supposed to be a functional third tier of government; they are supposed to be run by democraticallyelected executive and legislative members, but the states have usurped those functions by putting in place caretaker committees.

“How will the states feel if the Federal Government is doing the same thing they are doing to the local governments? Because it is unconstitutional, Federal Government will never do that and I wonder why the states are making the local governments non-functional.” Obasanjo, who said he lacked the executive power to correct the anomaly, however, urged lawmakers both at the federal and state levels, to observe the sanctity and constitutionality of local governments in the country, adding that “we should continue to call on Nigerians and relevant authorities to cajole the state governments to allow local governments perform their duties as stipulated by the constitution.”

He said coordination with other security agencies was very critical at this period of security challenges in the country and, therefore, shall be established in every police command headquarters a joint operation centre for effective coordination and synergy with other security agencies to adequately respond to major crisis 24/7. This, he noted, would bring our daily operations closer and will build more trust and confidence amongst us. Also, in order to enhance the investigative capacity of the Nigeria Police, Idris disclosed that his management team would establish forensic laboratories in the six geopolitical zones of the country. In his valedictory remarks, the outgoing IGP, Solomon Arase, noted that the journey might have been tortuous, “but looking back, we should all be proud today, through an incusive leadership strategy which I adopted, the Nigeria Police has acquired very strong intelligence, investigative and operational capability which can and have of late been deployed to crack any crime at any location within our national geographical space. He added that the dignity of an average Nigeria Police officer has been restored. He further stated that: “like other Police Forces across the world, we in the Nigeria Police can beat our chests and make clear and

bold statement to criminal elements threatening our national value that if you commit any crime, we now have the capacity not only

to arrest you, but to bring you to deserved Justice in the most prompt, professional and rule of law-compliant manner.”

N500bn aviation intervention fund: Jimoh Ibrahim, UBA disagree at Senate panel Ayodele Adesanmi-Abuja

There was disagreement, on Wednesday, during the Senate Joint Committee on Aviation and Anti- Corruption public hearing over the mismanagement of N500 billion Aviation Intervention Fund. The disagreement ensued when the former chairman of the defunct Air Nigeria, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, denied collecting N35.5 billion from the Bank of Industry. However, the Group General Counsel of the United Bank for Africa, Mr Samuel Adikamkwu, corroborated the position of a former Executive Director of Finance of Air Nigeria, Mr John Nnorom, and insisted that Ibrahim actually applied and obtained the loan through the UBA. Nnorom, former employee of Jimoh Ibrahim informed the committee that he did due diligence on the loan and secured necessary documentation while in the employment of Air Nigeria before he decided to be servicing the loan with N228 milion monthly for nine months before the airline collapsed.

Nnorom made it known that the moment the N35.5billion intervention fund was paid into the Airline’s account through the UBA, it disappeared into one of the private accounts of the owner without any amount from the fund injected into the Airline “thus paved the way for its eventual collapse.” He added: “The Aviation Intervention Fund was taken by Air Nigeria. In my capacity as the Executive Director of Finance, to pay the loan, I needed document to pay and I did due diligence and I discovered that Air Nigeria actually took the loan. “Jimoh Ibrahim said he did not take a loan. He said he acquired Air Nigeria and paid the money 100 per cent and he was given a clean bill by the UBA. But you cannot finance a loan if it is not bad after some time. “The question is how that loan entered the account of Air Nigeria again. It is the intervention fund that was transfered back to UBA, which the bank is now servicing even after the airline was no longer in existence.”

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Multiple accidents lock down Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, 7 feared killed From Olayinka Olukoya, Olalekan Olabulo, Chukwuma Okparaocha and Gbemi Solaja

GAIN, tragedy struck at Ibafo area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, as no fewer than seven persons were reportedly killed when a fuel-laden truck crashed and caught fire. The individuals who were said to have lost their lives in the development were said to have been burnt beyond recognition, but Nigerian Tribune could not independently verify this claim as of the time of filing this report. When giving accounts of how the accident happened, witnesses at the scene of the incident said the explosion was caused when the truck, which was full of highly inflammable petroleum product, tripped on an object on the road and fell, around 10.00 p.m. on Tuesday. According to an eyewitness, some sellers of black market petrol at the roadside were caught in the explosion, as a number of them sustained severe injuries in the process. Needless to say, the incident led to gridlock on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, as travellers and some residents living on the axis got trapped in the ensuing gridlock for hours, from Tuesday night when the accident occurred till Wednesday morning. Some commuters were seen alighting from the commercial buses conveying them and opting to finish the rest of their journey on foot. Mr Dare Ogunjobi, Assistant Corps Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mowe Unit, said as a command, they had not been able to ascertain the number of casualties involved in the incident. “After the clearing of the traffic, we are going to visit some of the private hospitals in the neighborhood to ascertain the injured and the dead, but as of now, we have not received any report from the Hausa community about any casualties, therefore, no death has been reported to us officially. “We have not seen the driver of the vehicle since Tuesday night after the crash, even passers-by have not come to report to us about any victims, we are still investigating the cause of the accident,” he added. Mr Olusola Ojuawo, the unit commander-in-charge of Mowe-Ibafo Unit of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), also confirmed the accident. Like Ogunjobi, he also said he had no records of casual-

ties from the accident and blamed the ensuing gridlock on drivers driving against traffic, in a bid to avoid it. He said the accident hap-

pened at about 11.00 p.m., but that his office got the information at 3.00 a.m. and immediately rushed to the scene.

Meanwhile, Mr Khalifa Muhammad, the Ogun State treasurer of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum said they lost some of their

members who, he said, were caught in the explosion on Tuesday night. “When we rushed the victims identified as Abdul-

Wreckage of a tanker which exploded after an accident at Kara-Ibafo, on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, on Thursday. PHOTOS: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Vehicles caught up in the explosion at the accident scene.

The bus that sped through the spilling fuel, causing the spark.

FAAC shares N305.1bn for May Sanya Adejokun -Abuja THE Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), on Wednesday, distributed a total of N305.128 billion to beneficiaries for the month of May 2016. Beneficiaries of the federation account include Federal Government, 36 state governments, 774 local government and area councils, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Of the amount, gross statutory revenue (mineral, taxes, customs and excise) contributed N237.466 billion; N65.116 billion came from value added tax, while the N2.546 billion gained from exchange rate variance made up the remaining. Federal Government took N122.567 billion; states got N88.485 billion, while local governments collected N66 billion. The 13 oil producing states shared an additional

N16.738 billion as oil derivation fund. The FIRS got N2.978 billion, being four per cent cost of collection; NCS was allocated N2.350 as seven per cent cost of collection, while DPR collected N1.220 billion also as four per cent cost of collection. The $2.261 billion in the

Excess Crude Account was maintained with no additional fund deposited and nothing was withdrawn. According to FAAC chairman and Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the gross statutory revenue of N237.466 billion received for the month was higher than the N213.817

billion received in April by N23.649 billion. She said crude oil production dropped by about 2.3 million barrels in February 2016 due to Force Majeure declared t Forcado Terminal, shut-in and shut-down of pipelines at other terminals for repairs and maintenance.

lahi Umar, 22; Issa Yahaya, 24; Sallah Muhammad, 23 and Adam to a private hospital in the community. The doctor was demanding N100,000 for each of them before admitting them. “We could only pay N130,000 for Adam, while the rest were brought back home for treatment,” he said. Muhammad, therefore, appealed to the Borno and Kano state governors to come to the aid of the victims and pay their hospital bills. A passenger identified simply as Andrew was said to have jumped through the window of the luxurious bus conveying him and others to Plateau State, but died in the process. Meanwhile, commuters on the Berger end of the Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway groaned for hours as a result of ensuing gridlock. A traveller who identified himself simply as Taye said he left Ife in Osun State about 6.30 a.m. on Wednesday but got to the Sagamu Interchange on the road at around 4.00 p.m. due to the traffic. However, when Lagos Metro got to the scene of the accident, official of the FRSC and TRACE were seen trying to control traffic, and normalcy had been returned. The wreckage of the truck and other burnt vehicles (about five in all) were cleared at around 3.30 p.m. Meanwhile, some commercial buses and commercial motorcycle operators, popularly called okada, made brisk business by charging passengers exhorbitantly. The commercial buses charged N300 per passenger from Prayer City Gate to Berger, a journey of about 20 minutes that ordinarily cost N50 on a normal day and N100 at peak periods. The okada riders charged between N500 and N1,000 per passenger, depending on the distance the passenger wanted them to cover.

Reps set up ad hoc panel to probe N2.9trn TSA Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja THE House of Representatives, on Wednesday, set up an ad hoc committee to liaise with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and any other agencies of government that has official role in the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to ascertain the actual amount realised so far. The committee is also to ascertain the government’s plans on its spending and the various government agencies, from which such

funds were obtained, including a comprehensive list of abandoned projects from which such funds accrued. The House resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Honourable Adamu Kamale “need to ascertain the proceeds of the TSA to enhance transparency, accountability and good governance.” The House, however, commended the Federal Government for implementing the TSA as a strategic device to curb corruption and enhance accountability in the management of public

expenditure. While moving the motion, the lawmaker noted that the TSA was a financial policy being implemented by the Federal Government to consolidate all inflows from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) into one single account maintained by the CBN, with the aim of ensuring accountability of government revenues, enhance transparency and avoid misappropriation and misapplication of public funds. He also contended that the introduction of the TSA

had helped to improve the process of collection of revenues and would engender prompt settlement of matured government commitments which might eventually facilitate project completion and service delivery on schedule; When the motion was put to vote by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, it was unanimously supported. The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, had reported that from the execution of the TSA, a balance of N2.9 trillion had been accumulated from the MDAs.

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

news

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Ese Oruru: Court takes evidence in private

•Ese’s parents, journalists, others barred Austin Ebipade-Yenagoa

ournalists and parents of Ese; Rose and Charles Oruru, were, on Wednesday, barred from the court room as the Justice Njiya Ngajiwa-led Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, began taking evidence from the minor in private. Justice Ngajiwa, on Wednesday morning, “stood down’’ the case for about four hours to allow him dispose off all other matters for the day before acceding to the prosecution’s plea for the teenager’s evidence to be extracted in camera. At the time of filing this report at about 4.00p.m., Ese who was brought to court and was heavily shielded from the press, was still being grilled by lawyers to Yinusa Dahiru, his alleged abductor, who reportedly impregnated her. At the court where the minor’s evidence was taken in private, Only lawyers representing Dahiru, who is facing a five-count charge in case NoFHC/YNG/17c/2016, between the Inspector General of Police (IGP) versus Yinusa Dahiru and the legal team representing the Federal Government, were allowed inside the chambers. Dahiru, a Kano State indigene, is being accused of abduction, inducing Miss Oruru 14 years, by the use of deception and coercion, illicit intercourse, sexual exploitation and unlawful carnal knowledge. While the IGP was represented by Mr Kenneth Dika, Deme Pamosoo and Joy Wokpe of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, a non-governmental organisation, stood in for Miss Ese. The defendant, Dahiru, also known as Yellow, was represented by Mr Kayode

Olaosebikan, Abdul Mohammed and Oyebiyi Towo. Before the private session, Dahiru, who was jokingly asked how he was feeling after he heard that

Ese had given birth, insisted that Ese was his wife. “I don’t want to talk, but she’s my wife,’’ he told newsmen, before he was kept shut by the prison of-

Following the failure of the Federal Government and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to resolve the lingering differences on Tuesday, health workers in all Federal Tertiary Health Institutions will commence strike today over unresolved disputes. In a communique issued on Wednesday, in Abuja, JOHESU had directed all its members in Federal Tertiary Health Institutions to proceed on a seven-day warning strike. “Having consulted widely with members nationwide and having shown consistent understanding since February 2015, the leadership of JOHESU, hereby, directs that all members in Federal Tertiary Health In-

chambers, as they waited outside the court premises, while their daughter’s evidence was being taken. Miss Ese recently gave birth to a baby girl and is

still in the protective custody of the Bayelsa State police command, which had taken responsibility for her upkeep, in collaboration with the state government.

Tension in Anambra community, as Igwe-nominee dies 2 days after nomination •Community in court Suzy Oruya-Onitsha

A radical lawyer and the immediate past PresidentGeneral of Utuh Development Union in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr Emeka Aghanonu has dragged the leadership of the town union to an Nnewi High Court, following the death of the Igwenominee two days after his nomination and what they alleged as a breach of the community’s constitution. When the matter came

up on Monday, before Justice O. M. Anyaechebelu of Nnewi High Court 1, the plaintiff told the court that the matter before him was predicated upon the fragrant abuse of office and breach of the town’s constitution by the incumbent president of the town in the process of selection of their traditional ruler. In a 33-paragraph affidavit in support of his originating summons brought to it, and pursuant to order 3 rule 6 laws of Anambra State, among other things, for a

declaration, that nomination of members of selection committee of the new Igwe/ Obi of Utuh by officers of the union and chairmen of various villages is inconsistent with the provision of Utuh Development Union constitution and therefore null and void abnitio. “That it is the right of the Central Representative Assembly or Annual General Assembly in any of their various meeting to nominate two members each from the three quarters of the town:

namely Enugwu, Amakom and Ebenator as the members of selection committee of a new Igwe/’Obi of Utuh and not officers of the union or the village chairmen, or any other person or group among others.” In his reply, the defence council and the Legal Adviser of Utuh Development Union, Mr Charles Elodi, told the court that he had a preliminary objection, but the plaintiff denied report of service. The presiding justice,

Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki (right), assisted by the Police Liaison Officer to the National Assembly, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, decorating the Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to the Senate President, Superintendent of Police (SP), Na’ábu Usman Dunguza, with his new rank, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Health workers begin strike Soji-Eze Fagbemi-Abuja

ficials who accompanied him to the court. Parents of the alleged victim, Charles and Rose, were unhappy that they were not allowed into the

stitutions should proceed on a seven-day warning strike from 12:01 a.m. of Wednesday June 22, 2016,” the communique signed by the JOHESU chairman and national president of Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN), Comrade Bio-

•JOHESU directs members to stay at home

belemoye Joy Josiah and eight others said. However, the unions appealed to Nigerians to bear with the workers and impress it on the Federal Government to meet their demands. The communique read:

“We, hereby, appeal to the general public to please bear with us and impress it on the Federal Government to meet the demands of the unions to prevent the warning strike from becoming a full-blown indefinite strike.” JOHESU said it observed

lack of seriousness on the part of the Federal Government during the meeting, adding that the government representative feigned ignorance of all that had been done earlier to resolve the issues in contention.

US deports 41 Nigerians

•Italy, Australia to deport another 50 today Shola Adekola-Lagos

Few days after 162 Nigerians were deported from Libya to the country, following their inability to cross to Europe, another 41 Nigerians were, on Wednesday, deported from the United States of America (USA) through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, La-

gos, for various offenses. Most of the deportees were guilty of various criminal offences in the foreign land. This was just as the information reaching the Nigerian Tribune indicated that another 50 Nigerians would be deported back to the country today from Italy and Australia. The 41 deported on

Wednesday were all males. The aircraft that brought back the 41 deportees, named Miami Air International and with the registration number N733MA, touched down at the airport at exactly 12:20 local time. Nine of the deportees were repatriated into Nigeria for drug-related offences, 26 for police case, while the other six were

returned for immigration offences. As of the time of filing this report, those with criminal offences were still being held by the respective agencies while those with immigration offences were released to go to their various destinations after going through profiling by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

at this juncture, directed them to go and complete their report of service, saying all motion and interlocutory injunction or motions should be taken together and adjourned the matter till 13, July 2016 for continuation. In an interview shortly after the court proceedings, the defence counsel, Mr Elodi, told journalists that the crux of the matter was that their traditional ruler died in 2014 and had been buried. He said after the burial, there arose the need to set up a committee for the selection of a new traditional ruler based on the constitution and other processes for the selection. “Because of this, there was a need for the amendment of the constitution to be in tune with the popular demand and to remove certain objectionable obstacles that are obsolete and clauses that will be an impediment to the selection and installation of the new traditional ruler.” Suffice it to say also that the process followed was contained in Section 38 of the constitution which provided for amendment when the need arises. But while the process was going on, the plaintiff, Mr Emeka Aghanonu, filed a counter motion challenging the amendment, which was enclosed by many after it was put to vote and over 99 per cent voted in favour. According to him, the plaintiff was contending that certain section of the constitution has been breached and certain people who are not valid members of representatives Assembly voted. On his part the immediate past President-General of the town and the third plaintiff in the pending suit, Mr Jimmie Asoegwu, alleged that he was nominated to Igwe-in-Council from his Ebenator Village. “The whole thing is that when people refuse to respect the rule of law, what you find is impunity,” he asserted. The committee is expected to screen the person and rectify, instead, they wrote to their late Igwe’s uncle to nominate one person and forward to the town union, but unfortunately, the person the uncle nominated died after two days, so they were in a dilemma.” he alleged.

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

businessnews

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Finance ministry staff give Adeosun 7-day ultimatum to pay N1.7bn allowance Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

taff of the Federal Ministry of Finance along with their counterparts in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAFG) and Ministry of Budget and National Planning on Wednesday gave a seven-day ultimatum to finance minister Kemi Adeosun within which to pay their outstanding N1.2 billion piled up allowances. The workers have been protesting within the Ministry of Finance since Monday but Adeosun eventually appeared in the ministry at about 8am on Wednesday when she was forced to disembark at the gate and marched into the premises amidst boos and jeers. All entreaties from her to address the staff inside the ministry’s auditorium were rebuffed as the workers insisted that she addressed them in the open. Addressing them, Adeosun told the angry staff that there was no money to settle the accumulated arrears but staff insisted that the money was in the account of Accountant General of the Federation in the Treasury Single Account (TSA) The obviously more experienced staff told her to deploy “below the line option” to get the money out within seven days and pay them. When she told them that the term “below the belt option “was a strange term to her, the civil servants promised to teach her. Nigerian Tribune

however, gathered that “below the line option” is a civil servants’ alternative

of doing things. It will be recalled that the ministry on Monday

The Bank of Industry (BoI) on Wednesday said allegations over the misapplication of the cement funds which had prompted investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had now been resolved. Addressing journalists at the bank’s head office in Lagos, the Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Waheed Olagunju, said he did not evade arrest by operatives of the EFCC. According to him, operatives of the commission was well aware that he was attending stakeholders’ forum on the Nigerian Automotive Industry in Lagos and delegated top management of the bank to convey BoI’s position to EFCC. This is contrary to claims by a section of the media that on knowing that the agency was after him over

were not backed up by any circular of government.

Segun Ajibola, President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (left), being administered the oath of office by Honourable Justice Adesola Oguntade (Rtd), during the CIBN 2016 AGM/Investiture as the 19th president of the institute recently.

Capacity building, staff welfare top Ajibola’s agenda as new CIBN president By Ruth Olurounbi The new President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Segun Ajibola, has said in building on his successor’s achievements while in office, his administration’s focus will be to provide a platform through which the identified skills and knowledge gaps of industry practi-

tioners at all levels can be bridged and to enhance the Institute’s technical, mental, physical and managerial capacity to deliver on its mandate to the banking and finance industry. Ajibola, who spoke in his acceptance speech recently, said his focus, code-named “the seven Cs mandate,” touches on every aspect of “our life as a frontline Professional Body and a

BoI, EFCC have no disagreement over N13.2bn CITN funds —Acting MD Chima Nwokoji -Lagos

issued a statement declaring the staff protest as baseless as their demands

transactions relating to Cement Company of Nigeria’s cement development funds, the Acting MD escaped. He clarified that parties to the transaction have now addressed the concerns raised. He further explained that new terms had been reached on how to manage the funds which had grown from N9 billion in 2011 to N13.2 billion as at Wednesday. BoI was appointed in 2009 to manage the fund that accrued from levies on imported cement for the development of Nigeria’s cement industry. According to documents presented to the media, “As and when the funds were released since its inception, BoI granted loans to entrepreneurs in the cement value chain, specifically for investment in risk assets in the cement industry’s value-chain. Between

2011 and 2015, the federal government transferred N9.6 billion to BoI based on earlier scheme as approved by the federal government. “When the Cement Institute of Nigeria (CTIN) was later established, BoI was in 2013 asked to transfer the fund to CTIN’s account with a private commercial bank. A directive that was not carried out by the then management of the bank. In late 2015 the CTIN petitioned the Presidency following which an investigative panel was established. “However, BoI management had since resolved the matter amicably with CTIN since late February 2016 during which it was agreed that an interest rate of eight per cent should be applied to the fund retroactively to previous releases based on which the fund grew to N12.3 billion as at December 2015,” he said.

revered Institution in Nigeria.” Saying that “a distinct feature” of his regime would be its openness to new ideas and the “adoption of superiority of ideas and arguments as a cardinal instrument of management,” Ajibola said his office would do “everything possible to key into the dynamics of the global environment so as not to fall prey to the postulation of Mark Twain,” which was: “twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than the things you did.” Accordingly, “all the necessary machinery” would be set in motion to commence the implementation of his focus, which he said was capacity building, certification, codification, constructive engagements, communication, creativity and consolidation. He added that during his

tenure, more attention would be devoted to the Compulsory Continuous Professional Development Programmes (CCPD), “to ensure they are in tune with the demand of the time,” saying that a new template to measure the effectiveness and relevance of the body’s programmes under the CCPD would be evolved. Ajibola said the institute would continue to provide hands-on tailor-made training programmes to the various stakeholders and explore the possibility of introducing cross sector training modules, with main focus on public and real sectors of the Nigerian economy, adding that his administration would look at the possibility of harnessing cross-border training opportunities especially within the West African sub-region.

Nigerian Tribune

BEDC signs load shedding pact with Ondo military cantonment Against the backdrop of the dwindling low power generation to the national grid and the debts owned electricity distribution companies, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) and the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian army, Owena Cantonment, in Akure, Ondo State has agreed on a regimental load shedding and energy saving programme to reduce cost of electricity and ensure efficient energy allocation. The agreement, according to a statement signed by BEDC Chief Corporate Services Officer, Mrs Kunbi Labiyi, was reached on Monday by Brigadier General Charles Ofoche, Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade and Chief State Head, Ondo/Ekiti States for BEDC, Ernest Edgar. It will be recalled that in recent times, generation has dropped to 1,500 megawatts nationwide, making it difficult for BEDC to increase supply to operational areas given its allocation of nine (9) per cent, even as the drop in power generation has affected BEDC’s ability to circulate power to customers despite its installed capacity. According to the terms of the agreement, there will be relocation and improvement of electricity network for efficient power supply; installation of three feeder pillars with breakers; training of officers and men of the brigade on operation and management of equipment installed in the cantonment. With this agreement signing, the cantonment would be able to reduce and efficiently manage power consumption from 160,000KW to a monthly minimum of 50,000KW, with a view to save cost for the Nigerian Army from a monthly average bill of N6 million expended on electricity bills to just N2.5 million.

Naira gains as CBN boosts dollar supply

Naira strengthened against the dollar, heading for its first gain since starting to trade without a peg three days ago, as the central bank sought to stabilize the market by selling dollars. The naira rose 0.7 percent to N282.5 per dollar by 5 p.m. in Lagos, the commercial capital of Africa’s largest economy, after earlier dropping as much as 0.5 percent. The regulator has intervened in the market by selling foreign exchange since it ended the currency’s

16-month fix of N197-199 per dollar on Monday. It sold $4 billion in the spot and forwards markets that day to clear a backlog of demand for hard currency, and followed that with about $100 million of sales on the spot market on Tuesday. Bloomberg quoted Sewa Wusu, head of research at SCM Capital Ltd.,as having said by phone from Lagos that “The market expects the central bank to continue to intervene on a daily basis for now as it is easily the only source of dollar sup-

plies. Foreign direct investment and portfolio flows are yet to start flowing in as investors wait on the sidelines to watch for liquidity, price discovery and stability.” Analysts at Johannesburgbased Rand Merchant Bank, including Celeste Fauconnier and Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana, said in a note to clients, that “the monetary authority will be a regular participant in the interbank market, at least in the short term, to ensure that sufficient liquidity is available to facilitate two-way trade.”

editorial

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

The festering hijab crisis in Osun

EW days ago, the hijab controversy in Osun State exacerbated when some female Muslim students and some Christian students of Baptist High School, Adeeke, Iwo, allegedly wore hijab and church garments respectively to class accompanied by some adults who stood outside the gate of the school to observe the reaction of the school authorities. But for the intervention of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Akanbi, the hot arguments by those masquerading as faith champions would have snowballed into violent confrontation. The Oluwo had reportedly visited the scene of the incident and invited the warring parties to his palace where he reportedly held a peace and reconciliatory meeting with them. Apparently, the hijab crisis which many thought had been laid to rest, especially in the midst of chronic financial crisis besetting the state, owes its resurgence to the recent judgment by Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court that it is legal for Muslim students to wear hijab to school. Members of the Christian community, on the other hand, took the law into their own hands by encouraging their wards to wear church garments to school which is a clear breach of the dressing code for students in the state. They might argue that hijab was not part of the dress code for students but today, the law, by that judgement, permits it in the state. Whether the judgment is bad or good is a different matter entirely. The good thing is that the court which seemingly legalised hijab is not a final court of arbiter; it is a High Court, and so its verdict could still be tested in the higher courts by parties that are dissatisfied with the judgment. Therefore, the alleged physical presence of some religious bigots from both faiths at Iwo Baptist High School to enforce the dress codes of their choice for their wards is ridiculous and very embarrassing in a clime where there is supposed to be law and order and the dramatis personae are expected to be exemplary in promoting peace and orderliness. Some adherents of the Islamic faith were also said to have latched onto the court pronouncement to assume the function of the executive arm of government to enforce

the law. This is evidently wrong. If the Muslim students felt that the school authorities in Osun were denying them the profit of the judgment, they should have reverted to the court for remedy rather than resorting to self-help. Ironically, Osun State is in the South-West, a region reputed to be the bastion of religious tolerance in the country. The sociocultural perspective of the Yoruba nation necessarily promotes tolerance among different religious groups. In every extended family in the region, you are most likely to find practitioners of at least two of the principal religions, namely traditional, Islamic and Christian. It is therefore in appreciation of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enlightened self-interest that South Westerners abhor religious intolerance and any attempt by any misguided persons or group to introduce it to the region should be resisted. Political leaders at their wits end sometimes appeal to primordial sentiments including religion but posterity hardly favours them. No one should create problems where there is none. Public schools in Osun State are under the government and uniforms should be complied with. However, since the judiciary is already involved in the matter at issue, the judgment of the Osun State High Court should be appealed by the respondents if they are not satisfied with it. It is ironic that the hijab issue which has been laid to rest in more prosperous states with huge Muslim populations is what is still engaging the attention of stakeholders in Osun State, while more fundamental challenges are taking the back seat. To be sure, the real issues that need to be tackled are those of the financial quagmire that the state is enmeshed in, perennial strike by workers in the state including teachers, poor performance of students in external examinations, how the state can be self-financing on a sustainable basis, among others. These and many more issues are not what the hijab distraction can sweep under the carpet. Government, religious leaders and indeed all stakeholders in the state are enjoined to address and resolve these fundamental challenges rather than the misguided focus on the outward appearance of students ostensibly in the defence of God who judges the heart.

AFRICAN NEWSPAPERS OF NIGERIA PLC Founders: Chief Obafemi Awolowo GCFR, SAN (1909 - 1987)

Chief (Dr) H.I.D Awolowo CON (1915 - 2015)

Chairman Rev. (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran Co-Chairman Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Edward Dickson Controller (Business Development) Fola Oke Chief Accountant Oluremi Olufisayo, ACA

Ibadan Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08077227269; 08034135733 Lagos Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08055333067; 08033013177 South South Regional Office: No. 50 Ikwerre Rd., Mile 1, Diobu, P/Harcourt, Rivers State

Snr. Manager (Advertisements) Kayode Titiloye Sales Manager Omotayo Lewis, Ph.D Consultant/Director Segun Olatunji, Ph.D

GOT NEWS?

Abuja Office: Suites G2. 05-07, PEB04 Plaza, Plot 2027, Dalaba Street, Beside NAPTIP Headquarters, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja Advert Hot Lines: 08033199716; 08078891797 Kaduna Office: AN 20, Lagos Street, by Keffi Rd., Kaduna. Ikeja Marketing Office. Block C, First Floor, Motorways centre, Opp., 7up Alausa, Ikeja.

Contact: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com or call:08055069471, 08116954630

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

SEND YOUR SHORT MESSAGES TO: 08054005323, 08055001746

yournews

•Dignity of labour. PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

Economic crisis: Cut legislators’ jumbo pay

HE huge salaries and allowances which Nigerian legislators earn is really infuriating Nigerians, especially at a time when things are hard economically for the majority of the citizens. It is so unfortunate that Nigeria tops the whole world in the salaries and allowances it pays to its legislators, even in the light of the dwindling fortunes of the economy. President Muhammadu Buhari should, therefore, make it one of his priorities to reduce the enormous costs of governance in the country; and the obvious place to start is with

the legislators. In the spirit of change, for which the nation massively voted last year, the President should work with the leadership of the National Assembly to agree on a new, more reasonable, less insane pay scale and allowances for the ‘honourables.’ It is funny that Nigeria’s federal legislators earn more than the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the Leader of the America Congress. Also, our lawmakers earn more than the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the United States President, Barack Obama, and this is a nation

where more than 80 per cent of the people live on less than one dollar a day; where university graduates

ates are unemployed or underemployed. The solution to reducing unemployment in the country is through making vocational skills compulsory in secondary and tertiary institutions. When we have graduates

funds being used to service the legislature should be diverted to the people, who have suffered enough over the years. Political

office holders should not earn more than the civil servants. •Balogun E. Funsho, 07034444976

Oyo CP, come to our aid at Igbo-Oloyin FIRST, I want to commend the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade, for the good work he is doing in the state. The CP has also made it easy for members of the public to communicate with the top hierarchy of the police command as friends. Having said this, I want to call on the police boss to come to our aid at Igbo-Oloyin area in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state. For

Towards reducing unemployment in Nigeria THERE is high unemployment rate in this country. All the steps taken by government towards reducing this have not achieved anything tangible. It is believed that over half of Nigeria’s gradu-

can’t find jobs, and those who do haven’t been paid for several months. It is important that the

who are skilled in certain professions, they won’t rely much on searching for jobs after leaving school. This is one area the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Education can partner. Tinuke Omideyi, 08030461538

some time now, the people of Igbo-Oloyin have been having sleepless nights as a result of the activities of men of the underworld. I hope the CP can assist in setting up a new police post in this area, since the

police station that oversees Igbo-Oloyin is very far from the area. I also hope that more police vans should be put on patrol in the community. I know CP Oyebade is a man who has warmed

himself to the people of the state through the steps he has been taking, and I believe he will also come to our aid at Igbo-Oloyin community. •Jimoh Mumin, 08034435211

Still on Osun Hijab controversy TO begin with, I personally think there is no cause for the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Osun State chapter to react with the measures it did on the Hijab issue. The sudden adoption of wearing choir robes and religious attires to school is alien and not cultural to Christian norms. Morality in the Christian context is evaluated on both internal and external features. Modesty, particularly in

dressing is not synonymous to wearing certain dresses. But, wearing dresses that basically do not offend morality and religious values. That being said, it saddens one to see the religious folks rigmaroling on Hijab-adoption controversy. A policy that is arguably less beneficial to the socio-economic wellness of the state. The same policy is causing rowdiness in the educational atmosphere of the

state. This, of course, is an avoidable embroilment. To really be frank, a state that is renowned for indebtedness needs more of economic reforms than the pettiness of religious dressings. At a perilous time like this, the government and religious bodies are expected to be more concerned with life-impacting policies that would be beneficial to all. •Sunday O. Oladepo, 08136449554

opinion

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Why would anyone want Post-UTME retained? By Israel Abiodun

exercise for sifting candidates. Any sincere member of a tertiary institution management would admit that there was no sifting being done with the exercise and that if anything, it was a fund raising activity that doubled as a strategy for manipulating admissions to ensure that institutions have the cover to practice cronyism without being found out. If the institutions are able to sift their intake with Post-UMTE, how come we are ending up with so many unemployable graduates? It is unfortunate that the comments of a university founder on the scrapping of the Post-UMTE has now been appropriated as a catch all license by those who want to sustain a practice that exploit prospective students monetarily, while exposing them to the risk of travel they do not need to undertake in a country with high road accident mortality. The university founder, who was instrumental to the introduction of Post-UMTE, spoke about what was obtainable and the condition that led to the introduction of the exercise. Had the situation remained the same since the time the likes of the revered Nigerian were in charge, we should have collectively questioned the sanity of not just the entire country but of our individual selves. Similarly, to suggest that since most of the universities organising the questionable tests are privately-owned and thus beyond JAMB’s or the Federal Government’s jurisdiction smacks of mischief. Would the people pushing this argument also canvass that commercial banks stop being under the jurisdiction of the Central Bank of Nigeria simply because they are privately

E must, of necessity at some point, collectively agree to break tradition, and the tradition I speak of in this instance is the penchant to place material gains over other life-impacting imperatives. In this instance, the imperative is for us to agree what constitutes quality education and what amounts to sheer profiteering dressed as quality assurance and control. My position is in direct response to an article in a newspaper that sought to defend the extortion racket that tertiary institutions embark upon in the name of conducting Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UMTE). The patriotic demand to point out potential pitfalls, however, trumped my fear of the backlash that could come from challenging a stereotype that has been carefully crafted over the years. The write up in question dismissed the scrapping of PostUMTE tests as if the exercise is itself picture perfect and was the best thing since the introduction of mobile telephony, although the direct opposite is the truth. In declaring the scraping of post-UMTE by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu as presumptuous, the article conveniently glossed over the context and circumstance under which the declaration was made. It has simply outlived its usefulness when an agency responsible for conducting entrance examination repositioned and woke up to its responsibilities. Specifically, the minister spoke at a meeting at which the cut-off point for the year’s tertiary institution’s admissions was agreed to. That meeting, convened by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), had vice chancellors, rectors and provosts of tertiary institutions in attendance and there has so far been no one of them who came out to express a minority opinion after it was reported that they were in support of the decision to scrap the tests, which not a few stakeholders had described as exploitative. By the way, several of these institution heads had, before that meeting, muted the idea that Post-UMTE was no longer necessary given the advancement that JAMB has made, particularly with its Computer Based Test (CBT) which significantly ruled out cheating. Instead of acknowledging this advancement, it would seem the intention was to justify why prospective students should continue to pay what is nothing short of the “corruption fee” that the Post-UMTE had become under the guise of being an

owned? It is ironic that the ills of ‘miracle examination centres’ can be demonised in the same piece that cast several aspersions on JAMB, when these same dubious centres have been the ones that launched the most attacks on the organisation since it conducted the UMTE with CBT. The singling out of the last examination, which was incidentally the first that was wholly CBT, thus tend to prompt the suspicion that the entire piece could be at the behest of the miracle examination centres, but some possibilities are just too outrageous to ponder. This is even more so when one read the part that was not appreciative of JAMB and the vote of confidence it got from Malam Adamu. The teething problems associated with the first use of the CBT were definitely not enough to condemn JAMB in favour of the extortionist Post-UMTE tests. For those who have forgotten, Post-UMTE tests have had their own share of randy lecturers leaking questions to candidates to score some hits that have no correlations with academics. It is the same tests that are so badly organised in some schools that they eventually have to arrive at the final admission lists without recourse to them. It is also the same examination that some government schools have used to side step the requirements for equal opportunities as enshrined in the federal character principle. And private schools have been known to use it as a cover to ensure they got enough revenue paying clients, who end up emerging with First Class degrees, even when they originally failed the UMTE. It is alright for tertiary institutions to want to protect their revenue stream, but it is barely one step away from being irresponsible to try twisting the facts in a desperate attempt to overturn a government policy their leaders adopted when it was announced. It is definitely disheartening that an article is deployed in defence of those whose only interest is making more money out of hapless candidates, even when the relevant organisation has taken the necessary steps to save them the hardship. JAMB has already stopped those playing games with Nigeria’s future in their track and it is now left for the government to make sure it is not brow beaten by the pro-Post-UMTE lobby to reverse the backing it is giving to the examination body. Those trying to revive the Post-UMTE tests are sheer profiteers who have no business running schools if they cannot abide with a lawful directive. •Dr Abiodun, an educationist, lives in Ibadan.

Of Brexit and Jo Cox’s murder By Kennedy Emetulu

THE death of Jo Cox, the 41-year old Labour MP murdered while going about her duty in her constituency in Birstall, UK is sending shockwaves around the world. Here was an excellent MP who was celebrated by her constituents and colleagues for her vision, warmth, industry and open-door policy gunned and hacked down in broad daylight by a 52-year old Mr Tommy Mair. This man, a fellow Yorkshire resident described as a loner was reported to have shouted “Britain first!” as he hacked her down. So, while this brutal killing has pushed to the fore the debate about security of MPs, the more telling impact is that it has brought the BREXIT campaign closer to the consciousness of the people because Jo Cox was a passionate campaigner for the Remain Campaign. Okay, the investigations are still ongoing and it may well turn out that Mr Mair has mental health issues. In fact, there are unconfirmed reports that he was a patient at the Mirfield-based Pathways Day Centre for adults with mental illness before 2010. But whether or not he has mental health issues, with the BREXIT referendum just a few days away no one is pretending that people are not looking at this incident as a possible determinant of where their vote will go. To me, whether or not the fellow is sane, he could not have felt that strongly about the issue to the extent of killing the MP if there was no prior talk with others. There are also reports that he’s a white supremacist with clear links to white extremist groups. For instance, he is said to have been a long-time subscriber to a pro-Apartheid extremist magazine, “S. A. Patriot” up till 2006. The UK-based publication, which campaigns against “the fall of civilised rule” in South Africa, was edited by former National Front member Alan Harvey. Now, I’m not saying any group of people set him up to do this, but they may have created the condition that influenced his troubled mind (if indeed, troubled) to push him to go out there and kill an MP that has been a staunch campaigner for Brit-

ain to remain in Europe and one of the more progressive politicians on the immigration front with her work with refugees all over the world and her serious activism over Dafur, Syria and Palestine. I mean, since the Leave Campaign has focused its main case against remaining in the EU on immigration, it is not out of place to imagine that unstable supporters would do what this fellow has done, especially with the neo-racialist tone of the Leave Campaign when discussing immigration and immigrants. Here is a man said to have lived in the Birstall area for more than thirty years and who, despite being a loner has not been known to be violent before now. The only thing they know him for is that he’s the one that does the gardening for the locals for a living. What could have triggered his mind except the viciousness of this campaign? I know that the politicians are being cautious now, so that no one accuses them of playing politics with this death, but it’s worth observing that Neil Coyle, the Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark has, while paying tribute to Jo Cox, broken ranks already by saying clearly that the Leave Campaign “risks inspiring extremist elements”. While Mr Coyle is being rounded on for playing politics with this, it is important that the rest of us, especially those of us who are ethnic minorities, look closely at those the Leave Campaign and its leading promoters are empowering with their rhetoric. I say this, because whatever

the reason the killer did this and whatever the ultimate outcome of police investigation, as an ethnic minority in the UK, the whole tone of the debate and this killing worry me. In fact, if I was thinking of voting Leave, at this point I would be doing a rethink because a Britain out of Europe I see is a very dark place. With Nigel Farage strutting around with a sick smirk on his face and Boris Johnson seeking frantically the keys to No 10, I see a Britain where the far-right rules and where the civil liberties and freedoms won over the years will be eroded in pursuit of the false objective of making “Britain first!” As Samuel Johnson once famously said, patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel and I see a lot of them now wrapping themselves around the Union Jack. Honestly, Jo Cox’s death has left me really sad and I just cannot muster the strength for now to make a proper analysis of this future I see if we leave Europe, but suffice it to say when you read the statement by Brendan Cox, Jo’s husband and his insistence that we must defeat hate, you get the idea that he has an idea where this whole hate is coming from, especially when we consider that he himself is a staunch supporter of the Remain Campaign who had consistently complained about the hate coming from the Leave camp before this incident. So, yes, this hate is not coming from Muslims or immigrants; it’s coming from people who think they have an entitlement to Britain by virtue of their White skin and their supposed indigenousness. It is coming from people who have been brainwashed into thinking that immigrants are the devils coming to take over their land and their jobs and that they are left no choice but to use violence to stop them. They are the people who people the white extremist groups and even though there are many decent people who want Britain out of Europe for other reasons, these extremists are today hiding under the sovereignty argument to push the idea of Britain leaving the EU as mainstream. •Emetulu lives in the UK.

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216,

Tuta Absoluta: Plant science experts offer lasting solutions Chistian Okeke-Abuja PLANT Science experts, under the auspices of CropLife Nigeria, have offered solutions to the unfortunate incident of Tomato Leaf Miner, otherwise known as Tuta Absoluta, which has drastically affected tomato production in the country. The experts stated that since Tuta Absoluta was controlled in other countries of the world, there was no reason why it cannot be controlled in the country with insecticides that had been scientifically tried, tested and proven and which include Lambdacyhalothin, Imidacloprid, Cypermethrin, Emamectin Benzoate and Chlorphyrifos. They, therefore, said that they observed with a lot of dismay the helplessness of stakeholders in the agricultural industry on the outbreak of the tomato disease. In a statement, president and the chairman, technical committee of the group, Mahmood Tauhid and Dr Abdullahi Ndarubu, disclosed that the Tomato Leaf Miner was a pest of great economic importance in several countries of Latin America, the Mediterranean and Africa, precisely in Egypt, Ghana and other neighbouring African countries. They noted that effective and sustainable control of Tuta absoluta involved cultural, behavioural, biological and chemical option which required allowing a minimum of six weeks from crop destruction to planting the next crop to prevent carry-over of the pest from the previous crop. Other measures include control of weeds to prevent multiplication of the pest in alternative weed hosts, use of pest-free transplants, use of only certified seeds as well as seal green house with high quality nets suitable for Tuta Absoluta. Yet, others, according to them, include always inspecting the crop to detect the first signs of damage as well as removal and destruction of attacked plants.

From left, Chief Commissioner of Public Complaints Commission, Honourable Emmanuel Ogbile; Coordinator/Director, Alhaji Abba Aliyu and Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs Evelyn Oriaku, during the presentation of scorecard of the Chief Commissioner’s one year in office, in Abuja, recently. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

Plans underway to adopt rail option to end agric losses Chistian Okeke-Abuja

ORRIED by the quantum of agricultural products that are lost owing to the length of time it usually takes before they reach various long-distant markets, transport experts, mainly drawn from the rail sector, and farmers in the country, have taken steps to end current post-harvest losses through rail system. Part of the plans is to evolve ways of encouraging farmers to begin transporting their produce by rail so as to reduce time and cost.

The efforts are being co-ordinated by Connect Rail Services Limited, in conjunction with Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL.) Confirming this to Abuja Xtra, the chief executive officer of Connect Rail Services, Edeme Kelik ume, noted that now that more rail projects were due for commissioning, it was expected that stakeholders begin to develop roadmap on how to key into it to reduce or eliminate current post harvest losses. He said although the country’s rail sys-

Public Complaints Commission vows to address reported injustice Chistian Okeke-Abuja THE Public Complaints Commission has pledged its readiness towards addressing all cases of injustices reported to it by aggrieved members of the public. In making the pledge, the commission urged all members of the public to endeavour to report all issues of administrative injustice, corruption and social injustice which affected them to the commission. The chief commissioner at the commission, Emmanuel Ogbile, while speaking in Abuja, urged all aggrieved individuals to always avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the commission. He recalled that the commission successfully investigated previous complaints against ministries and private organisations on various issues that include non-payment of pensions, wrongful termination of appointment, delay in payment of terminal benefits and unfair labour practises. Ogbile pledged that the commission would intensify efforts to reach out more to the public.

To achieve results, he said the commission had launched a call centre with toll free number so that members of the public could swiftly reach it with their com-

plaints. He noted that through previous intervention of the commission, peaceful coexistence was restored to communities.

NUJ plans N100m endowment for children of ex-chairman Chistian Okeke-Abuja THE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, said it was to launch a N100 million Education Endowment Fund for the children of its immediate past chairman, Chuks Ehirim. Ehirim died last week on a day he was to celebrate his 50th birthday. He was chairman of the council between 2012-2015. In a statement, the current chairman of the council, Paul Ella Abechi, said the council had declared seven days of mourning for the late Ehirim, whom he described as a fearless journalist who used his journalistic career to entrench democratic tenets and was a strong advocate of freedom, justice and equity. He said that the council equally planned to institute a public lecture to be entitled:

“The Chuks Ehirim Lecture Series” in order to raise awareness on the pitiable working condition of journalists and the need for an institutional framework to protect journalists. According to him, the seven days of mourning would terminate at the special valedictory congress of the council scheduled for June 25. Abechi described the late Ehirim as a versatile journalist who would be remembered more importantly as a detribalised Nigerian, who believed in the unity of the country and always put the country first. He said: “Colleagues on social media are encouraged to use his picture as their profile picture while comments on social media should go with the hash tag #RememberingChuksEhirim.

tem was not yet developed up to what it should be, the current status was significant enough to assist in reducing food losses. Kelikume lamented the amount of money lost by farmers who had limited incentives while struggling to move their farm produce to the various markets scattered across the country. The chief executive officer described rail system as the most effective land transport system available. He urged governments at all levels to consider giving specialised incentives to farmers so that they could produce more, while also expediting action in the area of provision of additional infrastructures that support food production and distribution. According to him, without such infrastructure, farmers would keep producing more and wasting more in the process. He said: “What stops Nigeria from exporting rice in the next two, three years, why can’t we start exporting beans? “We have the best qualities of these foods, but we can’t do that without having efficient backbone and that is rail system,” he said.

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 6. Ajayi Joseph syntacticjoe@yahoo.com 08107754190 Abuja Xtra email & GSM: abujaxtra@ gmail.com 08054501406

Thursday, 23 June, 2016 With Adewale Oshodi tribunearts@yahoo.com 08054005323

•Theatre professionals, Chief Jimoh Aliu (second right), and Madam Iyabo Odukanmi (left), administering the oath of the theatre profession on the students.

•New performing arts students during the induction.

Songs, dance as OOU inducts performing arts’ students By Adewale Oshodi

T was a day of dance, songs and drama as the Department of Performing Arts of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, last week, inducted its new set of students in the theatre profession. As it is the practice in departments of theatre in institutions across the country, new theatre students must be ‘baptised’ before they can begin to perform on stage, and according to the Head of Department (HOD) of Performing Arts of the institution, Professor Bode Sowande, “the whole idea of the induction of the first year students is to introduce the students to the dos and don’ts of the theatre profession. “In short, the induction is a dramatised ceremony to welcome the new students, and through this, they will be made familiar with the code of conduct guiding the profession, but the performance centres mainly on cultural displays. “This is also a process that will first open the student’s eyes to how it is to perform on stage in the presence of audience; this induction is definitely their first time of performing before the audience on stage, and it is a whole new experience for them. “We ought to have done this induction earlier, but due to some circumstances, we are just having it now, but it will definitely expose the students to how the theatre works,” Professor Sowande, who is also a dramatist and playwright, said.

As soon as the stage opened, senior students of the department, filed in on stage, all clad in white, to perform the opening prayer. Like a scene when Ifa adherents offer prayers to Orunmila, the students prayed for the success of the event, as well as for the new entrants who are being inducted into the theatre profession. After the opening prayer, the new entrants filed in on stage, and for the next three hours, they took the audience on a journey of songs, dances and drama. Most of the songs are indigenous songs from different parts of the country, with most of them preaching the need for Nigerians to unite. They also sang of their love for the theatre profession. The highlight of the performance was when professional theatre artistes, Chief Jimoh Aliu and Madam Ronke Odukanmi, emerged to admin-

To say the audience was held spellbound by the the performances is an understatement.

ister the oath of the profession on the students. To say the audience was held spellbound by the performance is an understatement, as the inductees moved from one song and dance to the other effortlessly. They definitely must have spent a lot of time on stage, practising all the dance moves, and speaking on this, the staff adviser for the Performing Arts Students’ Association (PASA), Mrs Oluwakemi Odule, admitted that it took the effort of the lecturers to achieve the excellent performance given by the students this year. “The induction is an annual programme by the department to welcome new students into the theatre profession; this also takes place in other institutions that have theatre departments. “The main essence of the induction is, therefore, to introduce the students to the world of the theatre; the induction used to be called initiation, but due to the negative meaning people read to the word ‘initiation,’ we changed it to induction. “So what we are just doing in essence is to teach them the ethics and norms of the theatre profession, and this will make them stand as theatre and cultural ambassadors in the university community. The chairperson for the 2016 Performing Arts induction committee, Wuraola Ijegbai, admitted that “it actually took us a while before we were able to put the performance together,

•Professor Bode Sowande but the excellent display revealed how much work we put into organising the induction. “Everybody gave his best, and we can see the response of the audience to the performance; I am happy that we have been able to successfully introduce the students to the world of theatre through their induction,” Ijegbai said. In a show of solidarity, there were cultural groups from the Theatre Arts Department, University of Ibadan, as well as from the Dramatic Arts Department of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Theatre and Music Department of the Lagos State University, all in attendance. It was, however, not all cultural displays, as there were also hip hop performances, comedy shows, drumming performances, among others.

arts&review

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Ingenuity: Children convert wood to fashion items

T was a day of creativity on May 29, which was the Children’s Day, as Nigerian children were taught how to use wood materials to make handbags and other fashion items instead of animal skins, which has been described as cruelty to animals. In a bid to promote the theme of the 2016 World Environment Day, which is: ‘The fight against illegal trade in wildlife,’ the innovation brand department of Chibok Wood Haute Couture had organised the enlightenment programme for school pupils to celebrate the day. The event, which took place at Treasure Park, Lagos, was attended by 45 primary and secondary schools in Lagos and Ogun states respectively. The children were first shown a picture movie of cruel practices done to animals in the process of using their skins for fashion, and afterwards, they were given prac-

tical training on how to use wood materials for handbags. Speaking at the event, the Head of Innovation Department of Chibok Wood Haute Couture, Mr Adesina Oluwadamilola Phillip, said “our country has one of the most incredible wildlife on earth, but it is sadly, fast disappearing. Nigerian children are the only hope to save our precious nature for future generations.” Reiterating that the kids should join the United Nations’ global fight against illegal trade in wildlife and desist from using animal leather bags, he unveiled the Chibok Wood Haute Couture handbags to them, saying, “these bags are valid alternatives that will render cruel killing of animals for fashion unnecessary. The children collection is tagged Girl-Child and is handmade from woods to promote the theme of the United Nations’ 2016 World Environment Day, and the bags will be

•The Director, Chibok Wood Haute Couture, Ms Olapeju Olayemi (second right), displaying handbags made from wood after training pupils in Lagos State recently. given out freely to children,” he said. Mr Phillip stated further that “this initiative is intended to

destroy the market for the products of poaching and to improve protection for threatened Nigeria wildlife populations. We

Towards x-raying corruption and its challenges A review of Yusuf Ali (SAN)’s book, Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria by AKIN ADEWAKUN. NO time could, definitely, be more apt to publish a book with a thematic focus on corruption in Nigeria than this period when the war against graft seems to be at the crescendo in the country. Therefore, Yusuf O. Ali’s ‘Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria,’ can not be more than welcome, especially when the society is actually looking for a way to stem the tide of corruption, which seems to have developed a life of its own in the country. A compendium of different write-ups, from different contributors, including the current Minister of Justice, AbubakarMalami, this 468 –page book

provides an insight into the issue of corruption, which has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation’s social, political, cultural and religious lives.

Giving reasons for the insightful book, the author, in the book’s Preface, explains that the need to properly give the issue the seriousness it deserves and find lasting solution to this ill actually informed the book. Describing corruption as a hydra-headed monster, which has ravaged the country for too long, the author believes this scholarly endeavour will go a long way in changing the socio-cultural milieu of all Nigerians, especially if all the remedies provided by these contributors are put into practice. From the first chapter to the concluding one, the author delves into the definition of corruption, its various species like breach of trust, nepotism and influence peddling, while also highlighting the causes and the historical background of corruption in Nigeria.

While giving the way forward, the author, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, believes that whatever fear-factor law enforcement agencies may deploy as weapon in the anti-corruption warfare, the principal weapon against corruption is people with high personal moral standard and a disdain for crass materialism. ‘Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria’ represents the author’s contributions to this topical issue, especially at a time when the nation seems to be on its knees, due to the corrupt activities of those entrusted with public office in the past. Perhaps, taking cognisance of some of the recommendations of this consummate legal practitioner and teacher of the law, the book, will help the relevant authorities, and the country at large to successfully prosecute this anti-graft crusade.

Why children should fall in love with their mother tongues By Aramide Shanu THE National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, recented celebrated the annual Children’s Day with the theme “You and Your Language.’’ Although the celebration was to simply to engage children through entertainment, the National Museum, however, capitalised on the day to remind children, and particularly parents, on the need to renew their commitment towards the promotion and projection of their mother tongues. Children’s Day is one of the notable days that is celebrated internationally, where different cultural performances by different ethnic groups are used to entertain children, but this year’s event was a great opportunity by the National Museum to promote the Nigerian culture and tradition, with the Head of Department, Educational Unit, Mrs Rebecca Agbogun, admit-

•Children in cultural attires during their performance ting that “the purpose of this year’s event is to promote and preserve the various indigenous languages in Nigeria. “When we lose our languages, then culture is greatly weakened; the truth is that language is the pillar of culture and foundation based on oral traditions.

“It is, therefore, so sad when the majority of our younger ones today cannot speak their mother tongues; this is a sad development which must be reversed. “That is why we at the National Museum took it upon ourselves to project the impor-

tance of the mother tongue to the sustenance of culture in the country,” Mrs Agbogun said. The Educational Unit HOD also adviced parents to encourage their children to love their mother tongues, since these children are the ones who will take our culture to the future.

will visit schools to enlighten students on animal free fashion, establish fashion innovation start-up centres and inaugurate animal-free world fashion innovation week at Nigeria game reserve where the kids can go for excursion.” he disclosed. In her speech, the Chief Executive Officer of Chibok Wood Haute Couture, Ms. Olapeju Olayemi, stated that the brand was founded to create valuable works of wood fashion innovations, borne of genuine creativity as excellent instrument for promotion of peace and environmental action. She explained that “the future of the world wildlife belongs to the children of today. These children include over one million children in Northern Nigeria that have been displaced from their homes as a result of attacks from the boko haram terrorist group over the past few yearsand more than half of these children are under the age of five years. It is truly alarming to see that children are still killed, abducted and used, without knowing, to carry bombs that were strapped to their bodies and denoted remotely in public places.” She lamented that victims of this insurgency are facing serious hardship. “It is not enough to leave Nigeria government and international community to give psychological care and monetary support. Corporate bodies and NGOs should collaborate with the government to support these victims of insurgency. As part of our corporate social responsibility, our brand will donate all the proceeds from the sales of its Elephant Portrait Bags to IDPs camps once the bags are unveiled on World Environment Day,” she said. She described Chibok Wood Haute Couture as a total agent of change for positive action and that their handbags are made with environmentally friendly materials which are manufactured and processed in Nigeria and they are to serve as substitute for animal leather bags so as to stem the use of animal skin leather bags. “Today, we are unveiling the maiden edition of our free GirlChild wood handbags. The free 219 bags we are distributing at this programme is a reminder for us not to relent in our prayers and advocate for the safe return of the remaining 218Chibok schoolgirls out of the 219 girls that were abducted on April 15 2014. We are also giving out free oil palm seedlings to you for you to plant to replace tree materials used for the wood handbags given to you. This is in line with the United Nations campaign for Trees for the Earth” she explained. Miss Adebambo Toluwalase from Bethel Gemini Group of School, Ogba, Lagos, spoke on behalf of the school children. She thanked the organisers for offering them a lot of excitement and enlightenment that would make them desist from wearing animal product fashions.

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

education

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

Polytechnics to still screen admission seekers after UTME Biola Azeez, Ilorin

Olusola Oluwagbuyi handing over a copy of the lecture to the rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Taiwo Akande, after delivering the 20th Professor E. K. Obiakor Inaugural Lecture at the university, entitled ‘Accounting and Accountability: The Bedrock of Sustainability and Consolidation in public Sector and Corporate Organisations’, recently.

My 10-point agenda for OAU – Salami, new VC By Laolu Harolds

ROFESSOR Ayobami Salami will tomorrow (Friday, June 24 2016) assume duty as the 11th vice chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. Named as the head of the 54-year-old institution by the university’s governing council on June 6, 2016, the new vice chancellor has promised to execute a 10-point agenda to uplift the institution in the next five years to position it as one of the best, not just in Africa, but also globally. In his presentation to the governing council entitled ‘Moving Great Ife a Notch Higher (2016-2021), Professor Salami said, “There have been 10 vice chancellors since the establishment of the university till date. This implies that that the 11th signifies the dawn of a new decade in the leadership of the institution. “History beacons on the new vice chancellor not only to be able to sustain the gains of the past, but to also capacitize the system for innovative strides at the onset of a new ‘decade’ in the annals of governance of the university.”

He promised to pursue and execute vigorously Information and Communication Technology (IT). Under what he termed ‘technovation’, Professor Salami promised to harness a lot of value-added services from the university’s bandwidth. As part of this process, he intends to reengineer resultsprocessing software. Tribune Education recalls that during the parley organised in the buildup to the appointment, Salami had promised to gradually move the university “from the manually driven processes to the e-based processes, like e-Senate, e-Faculty Board, e-Governing Council,” and so on. He also promised what he called “academic renaissance, which will involve a comprehensive review of the curricula in all faculties and departments in line with global realities.” Salami listed physical development as part of areas that will also receive his attention, saying that he would open up the OAU campus Phase 2 around Tonkere gate, as well as make the university an entrepreneurial and responsive university to make the training of every student not only focused on obtaining degree, but making them have the entrepreneurial mindset.

The new vice chancellor also said he would work on new strategies for improving the internally generated revenue by attracting non-subvention funds from both public and private sources as well as the international organisations. He promised to promote industrial harmony by laying emphasis on staff and students’ welfare. He also promised to be committed to campus aesthetics and to reposition and reinvigorate the university’s town and gown committee, where committed and knowledgeable members of the host community and experts in the area of culture and tourism in the university will chart appropriate line of action to boost and develop the cultural heritage of the people for sustainable development. Until his appointment, Professor Salami was the deputy vice chancellor (academics) in the university; and since his appointment, he has gained the support of the university’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Students Union, though the process leading to his appointment has been protested by the local chapters of the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

LASU rewards 160 First Class students Naza Okoli, Lagos THE Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, last week awarded cash prizes to a total of 160 students who had a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50 or above after the 2014/15 academic session. The students, drawn from across the various departments and faculties of the institution, received a cheque of N25,000 each at the 3-in-1 Building, Faculty of Education, main campus, Ojo, with the School of Medicine recording the highest number of beneficiaries.

A total of 31 medical students made the scholars’ list, with the overall highest student coming also from the department. The Department of Biochemistry and that of Banking and Finance each produced 11 students. Nine students made the list from the Department of Sociology, while Psychology, Business Administration, and Chemistry each had eight students According to the management, the initiative, which would be an annual event, was designed to “promote hard work and healthy competition among students of the institution.

THE chairman, Association of Rectors of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria (COHEADS), Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu, has said that polytechnics and colleges of technology in Nigeria will still conduct another screening for their prospective students after the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The Federal Government recently stopped tertiary institutions across the country from conducting postUTME tests. But speaking with journalists in Ilorin at the weekend, the COHEADS chair, who is also the rector, Kwara State Polytechnic, said his school would conduct “pre-admission security and certificate verification screening” for those seeking admission into the polytechnic. The screening, according to him, is necessary to avoid admitting applicants of questionable character. “We need to be careful in order not to admit students who had been expelled from other institutions and as well ascertain the genuineness of applicants’ certificates,” he said. Elelu said the institution devised the new method of screening applicants “based on its experience.” He said the screening was to guard against admitting students with fake certificates or cultists expelled from other schools. Asked if the screening would be free, Elelu simply said it would have “financial implication.” The rector also announced that the Kwara State Polytechnic would soon begin a clampdown on operators of cyber cafe on its campus, following the arrest of one of them with the school’s forged audit stamp and document carrying forged signature. He said the cyber cafe operator was arrested following intelligence gathering from the institution’s internal security network. The suspect, he said, had been handed over to the Department of State Security Services (DSSS) for further investigation. Elelu warned that any staff or students found culpable in the issue would not be spared. As part of the polytechnic’s anti-corruption crusade, the rector said two members of staff of the institution had been sent to the headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) for training.

education

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Falling standard of education : We are all guilty —Ogun NAPPS boss is, how many schools can the government fund and equip their ICT laboratories?

The president of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ogun State chapter, ALHAJI RILWAN OLABODE HASSAN, in this interview with WOLE EFUNNUGA speaks on the falling standard of the nation’s education and why it became imperative for NAPPS to intervene. Excerpts:

S a stakeholder in the nation’s education sector, what would you attribute to the falling standard of education and how can the nation get it right? I think it is a two-way thing. It is falling in certain areas just as it has increased in standard in some areas. Frankly speaking, I believe we have all contributed to the falling standard of education in Nigeria. How do I mean? Let’s take parents for instance. A lot of parents these days don’t have time for their children. The home trainings that we had in those days are no longer there. Our own parents had time for us. When we returned from school, our parents would ask what we did in school. Even those of them who did not have Western Education still found time to go to school to inquire about the performance of their wards. Again, home discipline was there. Our parents did not leave everything into the hands of teachers. Nowadays, immediately a woman leaves the labour room, she wants to entrust the care of the baby to handlers, claiming that she has to report in the office. In those days, it took our mothers years to win a child. Today, the story is different. That is for the parents. On the part of the governments, it appears they are biting off more than they can chew.

The so- called free education is not free in the real sense of it. During Papa Obafemi Awolowo’s free education policy, some of us gained a lot then. These days, those who claim to be giving free education found it difficult to give students two to three text books. And if a student is unfortunate to miss one of these books, the parents are in trouble. What is the need in giving a student textbooks that he/she cannot take home to read? In most government schools, there are no sufficient textbooks, even note books. Governments are just playing politics with the whole thing. And now, to the classrooms. Though government has qualified teachers in the classrooms, the students’ population is another thing entirely. In some classes, there are over 100 students in a class. The infrastructural facilities are decaying and yet the government will tell you it wants to embark on new projects. Years after, they are yet to complete them. The old structures are there unrepaired. Some of these structures are collapsing and killing people.In addition, there is no more discipline in schools. Not that one is encouraging corporal punishment, but there is need for discipline. Were these points you highlighted reasons that gave birth to NAPPS?

It appears all is not well among proprietors in Ogun State. What is the bone of contention? The problem we are having is basically that of personality issue. Some members felt disgruntled over the administrative style of the former president, Dr Abayomi Jiboku. They were not in tune with the way he was running his administration, rather than come together for dialogue, they shifted base and decided to run a parallel administration.

Yes, the falling standard in government schools was one of the factors that gave birth to NAPPS.We saw the need for us to correct that and those of us who had the means to fund formation of schools rose to the occasion. We saw it as a social responsibility and we decided to take the bull by the horn so as to salvage the situation. To what extent would you say you have achieved this desire? If you go by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) standard, over 70 percent of trophies being given to best students went to those from private schools. That shows the standard that the private schools are made of. This record is as a result of qualified manpower and the technology that the private schools injected into their curriculum. The question

So, there is division in Ogun NAPPS? I will say there is an issue we are trying to resolve and we will soon resolve it and come together. As you are aware, where we are holding this interview is the state secretariat and there is a leadership in place, headed by my humble self. The issue we are resolving is still in court and I will not want to go into a matter that is before the court. What is the relationship between NAPPS and state government like? For about three years now, we had good, solid relationship with the government especially under Mr Odubela as the state commissioner for education. There was no decision the government took without consulting us as stakeholders. Today, the situation is changing and we do not like it. There had been series of letters from us protesting some policies. We are not pleased with this and we urge the government to reconsider its position in the interest of all.

FG partners UNESCO on Nigeria’s education data Clement Idoko, Abuja THE Federal Government is set to collaborate with the Institute of Statistics of the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) with a view to addressing the challenges of data collection and analysis in the education sector in Nigeria. Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, disclosed this when he received the regional adviser of the Dakar-based UNESCO Institute for Statistics, Mr Yacouba Djibo Abdou. He acknowledged the significance of data collection and analysis in educational planning and development, saying lack of accurate data has hampered effective development of the sector. Adamu listed some of the challenges facing

data collection to include funding, capacity building, infrastructural development and inadequate collaboration at various levels. The minister called for the continued support of UNESCO and its member states in ensuring improvement of the quality and analysis of data globally. He described the visit of Mr. Djibo as timely, coming at a time Nigeria has joined other countries of the world in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Malam Adamu used the occasion to seek the support of UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) in the area of capacity building on data management, development of indicators for Sustainable Development Goals reflecting Nigerian’s policy needs and priorities.

Speaking earlier, the regional adviser to the institute, Mr. Yacouba Djibo, said his organisation provides services such as collecting and disseminating statistics in education, science and technology, as well as culture and communication. According to him, his institute is also involved in setting and applying standards to compare data internationally; helping member states to improve the quality and analysis of their data; monitoring progress towards international development goals, especially concerning gender; designing new indicators to better reflect the policy needs of developing countries, and promoting wider use of data for policy making. He pointed out that the institute, in its bid to improve the quality and analysis of data, has supported Nigeria with capacity

JABU holds 2016 entrepreneurship conference Naza Okoli, Lagos The vice chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, Professor Sola Fajana, has described entrepreneurship as a vital force for the revival of the country’s ailing economy. Fajana made this remark at the opening of the 4th edition of ‘Think Entrepreneurship Conference’ hosted recently by the university. The conference, which was first organised in 2012 has, over the years, featured entrepreneurs, speakers and administrators such as Melinda Britz of the London Business School of Finance, Niyi Ad-

esanya of 5th Gear Consulting, Jimi Tewe of Inspiro Consulting, Lagos, and Opy Onas from the United Kingdom; as well as participants from universities, including Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife; Ajayi Crowther University, Osun State, and the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Organized by the university’s alumni association in partnership with the management, the conference is designed to train young entrepreneurs by providing them with the needed mentorship and finance to be able to pursue their goals. Speaking at the event, the CEO of Finnese Consulting, Mrs Fola Ogunsola, said people who “must succeed as entre-

preneurs must possess the spirit of entrepreneurship.” Also speaking, the CEO, Fola Ogunsola Foundation, said the “fruits of the spirit of entrepreneurship” would include “innovation, dogmatism, problem solving, perseverance and hard work.” Earlier in his address of welcome, the Chairman of JABU’s alumni association, Mr Deji Aiyesimoju, described entrepreneurship as the “solution to the anomalies ravaging the economies around the world.” The conference was also attended by the chairman of JABU’s governing council, Professor Anthony Imevbore.

building programmes for Nigeria Education Management Information System (NEMIS) staff, the National Bureau of Statistics as well as other agencies responsible for collating data in education, science and technology, culture, and communication. Djibo said the institute has been working closely with relevant MDAs in Nigeria over the years to ensure the production of accurate and reliable data.

FUTA’s class of 2016 begins pre-departure ceremony Final year students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) have begun a pre-departure ceremony from the institution. The students of the class of 2016 have taken out time to unwind and celebrate their last lap at the institution. The twoweek affair, which comprises various activities like traditional attire week and a bonfire night, kicked off with a photo shoot. Speaking on behalf of the students, former president of the Students’ Union and final year student of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Mr Ashaolu Oluwaseun Daniel, expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of their university education. He also appreciated the vice chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, for his fatherly role and for making the welfare of the students his number one priority in the scheme of things.

education Stakeholders laud return of Nigerian students abroad to study at home 21

Clement Idoko - Abuja

HE executive director of Education Rights Initiative (ERI), Dr Joe Edem, has described as a welcome development the returning of Nigerian students abroad to study in institutions in the country. He noted that the scarcity of foreign exchange has compelled many parents to send their children studying abroad back home to complete their programmes in Nigerian institutions. Edem said apart from the forex crisis, the rising wave of terrorism around the world and sophistication in the recruitment of terror organisations like ISIS were enough reasons for parents to be circumspect about where their children go to study. The chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Senator Binta Garba, recently revealed that Nigerians spend about $2 billion annually on education abroad, describing the trend as embarrassing. According to her, the sum is used to service the fees of the elite who crave for foreign education. She said: “Capital flight from education in Nigeria is about $2 billion. This is something we must work hard to stop. We at the National Assembly are projecting that before 2019, there should be a very drastic reduction of such funds going out of the country.” The American University of Nigeria (AUN) has confirmed that it has received transfer request from some Nigerian students studying abroad because of the scarcity of foreign exchange. Assistant vice president, digital services, AUN, Yola,

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Mr Julius Ayuk-Tabe, made this known to newsmen at the 16th annual graduation and awards event of Global International College (GIC), Jabi, Abuja. He said the students were returning because most parents are realising that the quality at home could train their wards to be at par with those abroad. Ayuk-Tabe, who is also the Chief Information Officer of AUN, said that the forex crisis contributed to the return of the students. He also disclosed that

AUN is host to 27 girls from Chibok, preparing them for university education and giving them hope for a bright future, and that the institution has professors from over 37 countries. According to him, the university has students from America, the United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Cameroon and Nigeria, with study-abroad opportunities in 48 universities across Europe, the United States and Columbia.

He said: “The Nigerians in the Diaspora are sending their children back home because even they now are realizing the potential back home to train their children at par with those abroad. Especially with the value of the naira today, parents don’t have any other option than to bring their children back home. “We are doing that already. We have received students from America; we have received students from England. It makes economic sense and more

Renowned poet, Professor Niyi Osundare, being presented with a gift after speaking at the 4th Annual Poetry Presentation and Seminar of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto-Ijanikin, Lagos State, recently.

OVER 200 pupils from primary and secondary schools across the country took part in this year’s Yomi Otubela Mathematics Competition. The examinations, which took place last weekend at centres in Lagos, Ibadan, Gombe, Enugu, Rivers, Kano and Abuja, simultaneously, drew the highest number of participants in Lagos and Ibadan. Speaking to journalists after the examination at the Lagos centre, Chief Abayomi Otubela, founder of Yomi Otubela Foundation (organisers of the competition) said the foundation

cer, GIC, Mrs Bolaji Osime, said that the institution is a university preparatory school and not a secondary school, disclosing that the number of students who applied to foreign universities drastically reduced this year.

Pro-chancellors of state varsities converge on TASUED THE 4th Biennial Conference of pro-chancellors of state universities in Nigeria is set to hold on the campus of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State. The conference, with the theme ‘Current Challenges Facing State Universities in Nigeria and the Way Forward’, will come up between Monday, 27 and Thursday 30 June, 2016 at the TETFUND 2012 Hall of the university. It will be declared open by the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and will be chaired by His Royal Highness, Professor G. I. Akenzua, the chairman, Conference of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities. The event will be hosted by the pro-chancellor of TASUED, Professor Olufemi Bamiro.

Reposition polytechnic education, Ogun Speaker charges ASUP By Gbenga Olumide THE Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable Suraju Adekunbi, has charged stakeholders in the polytechnic sector to be more proactive by ensuring the immediate review of the Polytechnic Act, so as to reposition

the sector to take its pride of place as the bedrock of technological development of the country. Adekunbi gave the charge at the 84th National Executive Council meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun

State. He explained that tertiary education, especially the polytechnic, remained a pivot of national development. The speaker noted that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration had accorded priority to qualitative and affordable

Over 200 participate in Yomi Otubela Maths competition Naza Okoli - Lagos

importantly to the parents, I can speak as a parent. I have children in the US and I have children who studied at the American University. They are at par in terms of the quality of their instruction, faculties and infrastructure. “When parents realise that the quality back home is worth making their children to be globally competitive, and for financial reasons it makes logical sense for them to bring their children.” The chief executive offi-

was moved by the need to address the growing fear of Mathematics among schoolchildren. “We noticed that there is a phobia for Mathematics

among schoolchildren in both primary and secondary schools,” he said. “To encourage children to go the extra mile and fight the fear and do well at Mathematics,

we decided to concentrate on mathematics. We are also aware that nearly every aspect of life needs some level of calculation, no matter how small.”

education, hence, the allocation of over 20 per cent of its annual budget to the sector. He assured the ASUP executive members that the legislative arm in the state would partner with them to ensure that polytechnic education is accorded its rightful place in the socioeconomic development of the nation. Earlier in her address, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Modupe Mujota, described the union as a watchdog and engine that drive human resources, as well as preserves cultural

EKSU alumni give scholarship to indigent students THE Alumni Association of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has given scholarship award to 50 needy students of the institution to assist them in their studies. The National President of the association, Professor Matthew Ayeni, said the gesture would reduce the financial burden of the beneficiaries.

Ayeni, who spoke while handing over N10,000 cheque to each of the students during the second edition of the alumni scholarship scheme, urged the students to be focused and develop clear-cut vision around what they do best. Professor Ayeni promised that the scope of the programme would have

been widened by next session. He challenged members of the university and other well-meaning Nigerians to consider giving scholarships to indigent students as part of their contribution to supporting the cause of the needy in the society and building a veritable future for them. Ayeni said the selec-

tion of beneficiaries of the scheme was “meticulously and painstakingly done” by the counseling unit of the university. He reiterated the determination of the association to partner with the vice chancellor, Professor Samuel Oye Bandele, to move the university forward to attain the goal of becoming a world class university.

heritage and values of the society. Mujota enjoined the union to show more concern in the lives of the youth by inculcating the right values in them. Also speaking, the national president of the union, Comrade Usman Dutse, said the mandate of the union as stakeholders in technical and vocational education was to assist in diversifying the nation’s economy. He called for the review of the Polytechnic Act by the National Assembly to further strengthen its activities, reduce internal crises within the system as well as promote more development in polytechnics across the nation. In his remarks, the rector, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Professor Oludele Itiola, commended the state government for providing the necessary support for the institution to continue to produce technologically sound graduates who had been contributing to the socio-economic development of the nation.

education

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Ganduje to re-introduce corps members’ state allowance Kola Oyelere - Kano

ANO State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has assured corps members serving in the state that the state government would soon commence payment of their local allowances, so as to compliment

Cleric harps on proper upbringing of children PASTOR Segun Idowu has said that the society would be better if every child enjoys proper upbringing in their childhood age. The cleric made the remarks at the presentation and launch of a book ‘You Are Young Only Once’, at the Banquet Hall of the Premier Hotel, Ibadan, last Tuesday. The 87-page book was written by Mr Gbade Sanda, a former Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos chapter. Pastor Idowu called on government to ensure that the right of every child to qualitative education is upheld and a conducive environment provided. “Once a child gets it right from childhood, the society will be better for it,” he said. He said that education is a fundamental human right of every child. He then called on stakeholders in the education sector to play effective roles in the advancement of education in the country. “Parents should protect and guide the children aright. The teachers should give adequate and quality training, while de-emphasising certification in upbringing of students. “Government must be flexible with policies embraced to promote excellence, while the owners should join hands with other stakeholders towards uplifting the quality of education,” he said. The cleric also urged government at all level to accept responsibility of providing quality education to the citizenry, adding that funding, provision of conducive environment and infrastructural facilities were responsibilities of government. Reviewing the book, Mr Yemi Oginni said that the book stressed the need for children to be focused on a goal at this time when many of them were discouraged by inherited poverty of the mind. Oginni cautioned the children against evil communication, which he said corrupts good manners.

the Federal Government’s assistance. This is just as the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf Baba said that a total number of 2,256 corps members were posted to Kano State The governor, represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Muhammed Garba, gave the assurance on Wednesday during the swearing-in ceremony of the ‘2016 Batch A Stream II Corps Members’ orientation course at the NYSC permanent orienta-

tion camp, Karaye, in Kano. Comrade Garba gave the assurance, while fielding questions from journalists in respect of the need to reintroduce payment of corps members’ state allowance in Kano as demanded by a corps member during the recent town hall meeting organised by the Federal Gov-

ernment in the state. According to him, the government officials are working out modalities to compile the statistics of the legitimate corps members and would thereafter forward the list to appropriate quarters for final approval. Speaking earlier, Alhaji Yusuf Baba, Kano State co-

ordinator of the NYSC, said out of 2,256 corps members posted to the state, 1,142 were male while 1,114 were female. He added that the corps members have already adjusted themselves to the camp environment and are determined, as they have exhibited in these few days,

Cross River speaker laments dwindling reading culture Anthony Ubong-Calabar THE Speaker of the Cross River State House of As-

sembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo, has lamented the dwindling reading culture among Nigerian

youths. Lebo, who described the ugly trend as catastrophic also said that the intellec-

From left, Professor Muyiwa Sanda; chairman of the occasion; Baale Ekotedo, Chief Taiye Ayorinde;Father of the Day, Chief Bode Amoo; the author, Chief Gbade Sanda; Princess Ayooluwa Osunfisan and former Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Adegboyega Arulogun, during the launch of the book ‘You Are Young Only Once’.

Students of Pacesetters Group of Schools, Ashipa, Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan during the school’s 2016 Cultural Day celebration.

Don canvasses use of e-books in Nigerian Languages FIRST female Professor of Computer Science in Africa and lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Professor Adenike Osofisan has called on publishers in the country to make provision for Electronic books in Nigerian Languages with a view to encouraging the youth to speak their mother tongues and also revive reading culture among them. The don made the call in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, in her keynote address titled ‘IT and You’ on the occasion

evidence to brace-up to the rigorous and regimentation of camp life. He further admonished the corps members that their mobilisation to this call should be viewed as an opportunity to provide their own modest contribution to solving developmental challenges in the country.

of the public presentation of Evans Electronic Books. While commending Evans Brothers Nigeria Publishers Limited for its initiatives in devising e-books on various educational curricula, Professor Osofisan raised an alarm at the rate at which some languages in Nigeria are going into extinction. She particularly lamented that Yoruba language stands the risk of being a forgotten language if the ugly trend at which indigenous languages are being relegated to the

background in primary and secondary curricula in the country, is not checked. Professor Osofisan then urged governments in Nigeria to sanction those private schools that place embargo on the speaking of mother tongues in their schools during schools hours as she saw the action of such school proprietors as antithetical to national good. In his address, the Managing Director of Evans Brothers Nigeria Publishers, Alhaji Lukman Dauda

remarked that the organization had ventured into e-books to further improve education standard in the country through the provision of easy access to books at affordable prices. The e-books initiative, he explained, is complementary to the schools’ effort at ensuring outstanding performances by pupils and students and should, therefore, be keyed into by the government, owners and management of schools as well as parents and guardians.

tual future of the country would be bleak if the situation was not reversed. Addressing a delegation of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Cross River State chapter, in his office, the speaker observed that reading helps to sharpen intelligence and builds capacity as well as informs and educates. He called on the youths to embrace reading and sustain a culture of reading as it was necessary tool for the future, submitting that the globe was already transforming into a knowledge economy which was radically shaping the present and future. The Speaker urged the youth to be good ambassadors of the state and role models to younger generations while eschewing acts capable of smearing their image in the mud even as they strive to further develop themselves through reading. He encouraged the youths to enlist into the Calabar Readers’ Club, which he founded to help remedy the declining reading attitude of youths, remarking that the club would help them re-activate the habit of continuous reading. Rt. Hon Lebo added that NYCN must create novel programmes and youth development activities if it must be taken seriously. Speaking, Chairman, Cross River State chapter, NYCN, Comrade Prince NdiyoNdiyo, commended the speaker for his inclination to youth development and the numerous initiatives to this end. He solicited for more space for youths in governance and also the support of the House of Assembly through the enactment of a law to encourage employment of more youths of the state into companies operating within the state. Lebo also made a case for capacity building programmes and projects for youth of Cross River by the state government and other stakeholders, and appealed for support to enable the council organise debate and essay competitions which he said would help to develop the intellectual and social acumen of the youths.

Thursday, 23 June, 2016 Editor:

health

Sade Oguntola sadeboguntola@yahoo.com 0805 506 9260

Olumide Adenmosun is an Adjunct Instructor for General Microbiology and Microbiology for Health Services at Florida Atlantic University, USA. His ongoing research on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is towards producing a Condom for “AS” Couples called spermaSORT “Hb-A”. He speaks with VERA ONANA on the research which may help AS couples birth children without sickle cell disease.

sickle cell sperms while the non-sickle cell sperms can freely swim through the opening to fertilise the egg waiting. The conceptual design can be found on our biotech startup’s website.

HAT exactly is “spermaSORT Hb-A Condom”? Will it be the Holy Grail for carriers of the sickle cell gene? SpermaSORT is a concept idea which I developed after working as an Embryologist Trainee and IVF-PR-consultant for a few IVF clinics in Nigeria. It is a device or biomaterial which we hope to better develop for couples who might be at risk of birthing babies with the actual sickle cell disease(SCD). Usually those common risk groups are couples with the AS/AS; AC/AS; AS/SS or AC/ SC as the husband and wife’s blood genotype respectively.

Don’t you think that sorting and killing certain ‘babies’ is a bit unorthodox? I am pro-life and I believe that life also starts from conception which is why I hope this study becomes successful and avails us a more ethically acceptable method of selecting embryos without the sickle cell genes. While we hope spermaSORT can become the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) version of the methodology, for those with excellent sperm parameters; we are also working on an in vitro laboratory guided method that can be utilised in a novel “IGSI” technique (Intracytoplasmic Genotypically-selected Sperm Injection) which we also hope to introduce someday.

What spurred your research? The major reason why I started working on this project was because I belong to the AS/AC genotype risk group. While I worked as an Embryologist Trainee, I remember we had some clients in similar risk groups wanting to consider assisted reproductive options to prevent the recurrence of a sickle cell birth – in situations where not knowing their individual genotypes, they might have already given birth to a child with SCD; or for those who knew their genotypes, but seeking to minimise their risks of an SCD conception. The only available assisted conception procedure for couples in such categories is called IVF/ PGD – which is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis following In vitro Fertilisation. Using that procedure, eggs fertilised by the husband’s sperm outside the womb in Petri dishes or via Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) can be genetically tested at about day three to five of embryonic development. Embryos’ genotypes can be determined by PGD and healthy embryos without the sickle cell genes (or at least not in the homozygous state) will only be transferred back to the womb to give them a shot at establishing pregnancy.

“

So what happens to those embryos that carry the sickle cell genes? Well, they could be cryopreserved perpetually, donated ethically for stem cell research or out-rightly discarded. And there’s the dilemma right there. So I thought, rather than tamper with those embryos, some of which may be eventually discarded; why not create a methodology that enables one to ensure that the sperm cells that harbour the sickle cell genes are sorted out from the mix and fertilisation can only be completed with those sperms bearing the “Hb-A” gene; then all embryos will be viable for transfer except for those that don’t make it naturally. Hence the name spermaSORT “Hb-A” condom. The idea was to create a voided condom (one with an opening) that is capable of filtering sperm cells with the “Hb-A” gene only. How far into this research have you gone? Though the idea seems like a holy grail, it does not certainly seem very practicable scientifically because the hemoglobin gene is not expressed in sperm cells and being able to characterise a sickle cell sperm may become a life-time scientific inquiry on its own. However, it is being hypothesised that there might be biomarkers present on the sperm membrane that may be able to give us that distinguishing information to help select for sickle cell sperms. So our research team started with a blind characterisation attempt with sickle cell monoclonal antibodies which we got from some scientists from another

We are still very far away from perfecting spermaSORT as it is still in its early stages of research

spermaSORT,

relief in the offing for ‘AS’ couples? university – despite knowing that we should not find hemoglobin proteins on a sperm cell. Our preliminary results were inconclusive, but we observed some selective tagging of sperm cells with sickle cell monoclonal antibodies under a fluorescent microscope – a study we decided not to publish yet until we had perfected the methodology and repeated the study.

What makes SpermaSORT different from regular condoms? We are still very far away from perfecting spermaSORT as it is still in its early stages of research; but the conceptual design has it as a kind of a condom with a filterable opening and a conjugation chamber with monoclonal antibodies that can trap and immobilise

IVF/PGD is almost always very expensive, are your condoms going to be cheaper? The last time I checked, IVF/PGD costs about N3.6 million for one cycle at a top IVF clinic in Abuja. It might be too early to prospect for spermaSORT, but I hope it may be quite accessible and affordable for the at risk groups that need it when it becomes available and approved as being safe to use. I understand that normal condoms are not 100 per cent effective in preventing pregnancies, is your Hb-A above missing the target? The condom will only reduce the chances of having an SCD conception. Without any other control measure in place, an AS/ AS couple for example has a 25 per cent chance of giving birth to a sickle cell baby. We are not certain that spermaSORT can efficiently screen through an ejaculate with an average of 20million spermatozoa from a heterozygous subject (AS genotype) and filter out all the sickle cell sperms. But we surmised that any control measure that further drops the chances below 25 per cent is worth working on.

Experts express concerns on the ‘condom research’ AGAINST the backdrop of the ongoing research, spermaSORT Hb-A condom for sorting preferential fertilisation in ‘AS’ couple, reproductive health experts have given various reactions. Chief Medical Director, Medical Art Centre and Mart Medicare, Lagos, Professor Oladapo Ashiru said it only becomes an invention for use after such is well studied and published in peer review journals. According to him, “such a science is yet to be published and until it is published in international peer review journals, it should not be given credence to in order not to confuse people.” Meanwhile, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, also a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and the Managing director, Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, said that although science is moving on, he doubted if a condom would be able to sort out a sperm that bears the sickle cell trait. According to him, “Transmission of sickle cell disease is by a single gene mutation and as such that there is a condom that would be able to sort out sperms that would bear sickle cell disease from the multitude is very remote.” Given the Nigeria’s large number of people living with sickle cell disease and the importance of such a research, he declared, “people should also go to the internet and see if there is anything

like that in the offering.” Also reacting to the research, a fertility expert, Dr Tayo Abiara, of the Bridge Clinic, Lagos said “Science has done a lot with chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis. However, if the unborn child is affected, the parents have to decide to have a termination or face having a child affected with sickle cell disease.” The expert assured that pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has increased hope of AS couples having babies without SCD, especially now in Nigeria. Given that PGD is expensive and the couple have to go through assisted reproductive techniques to achieve it, she declared spermaSORT to be worth researching into since it is likely going to be less expensive and will make the conception process closer to natural. However, before it can be introduced into clinical practice, she said a lot of research has to be done to guarantee its effectiveness, safety and efficiency. Abiara declared “Medical research takes time and money, but it is indeed worth doing. More so, a young Nigerian has studied and thought of this admirable and needed technology especially in this part of the world.”

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Dr. Ben Ajayi 0805 400 5447

you-and-eye@gmail.com

Certain changes in eye structure can cause vision loss

T was just as good that 15-year-old Boro had been chosen to lead the discussion at today’s United for Vision Club’s meeting. I wasn’t feeling well – possibly from exhaustion. Secretly, I wished we could find some excuse to call off the meeting. Unfortunately there was none! Having heard about the fluctuating levels of Dr. Johnson’s vision caused by diabetes, everyone wanted to know more. “He was lucky to have regained his sight completely with the control of his diabetes,” they all had said. Now they wanted to know why some visual changes become permanent for some people, even without diabetes. “Boro,” I called out. “Please take the stand?” He sauntered majestically to the front of the class carrying a large carton containing some stuff. He placed it gently on the table and like a skillful speaker tried to get the attention of everyone by cracking a joke. It fell flat! Undaunted, he asked, “Can everyone in this room close his eyes just for two seconds?” We all did wondering where this little brat was taking us. “You may now open your eyes?,” he commanded again. We complied. He smiled and said, “Between the darkness created when you shut eyes and the brightness in the room when you opened your eyes is a wide range of sight.”

There was pin drop silence. He had captured the attention of his audience. My fatigue evaporated. Now I, like others present, was waiting for the next word and the next sentence. Slowly and gently, he unfolded the flaps of the cardboard carton and brought out a calendar; placed it at the distance and asked me to read out loud the quote at the bottom of the page. It was a struggle to read, from the back of the class where I was seated, “Working together, we can eliminate avoidable blindness in our midst.” Then Boro went for the light switch to which he had connected a device. “This is to control the amount of light in this room,” he explained as he turned the device clockwise. The lights were brighter and now I could read not just the sentence, but also the name of the author which was written in smaller prints. Then as he turned the control slowly anticlockwise, the wordings of the quote gradually faded away until even those on the front row could not read it again. Boro paced up and down and announced gleefully, “I have just demonstrated that it is not only the distance from an object that determines its visibility, equally important is the amount of light on the surface of the object. It is this light on the surface of the object that is directed to the eye and makes it possible for us to see. When the light in the room is inadequate, the light

on the surface of the object is also reduced proportionately and visibility is poor. Certain changes in the structures of the eye can reduce the brightness of an object and eventually make it impossible to be seen at the same or even nearer distance than we used to see it clearly before. I admire the young man. He demonstrated a good knowledge of the subject. It was obvious from the delivery that he understood the underlying principles. As if he could read my mind he declared with confidence, “Once you understand this process of light being transmitted to the eye from the surface of objects, then you already know what things can cause a change in what you see.” He opened the carton once again and brought out the model of an eye. “There are three transparent struc-

It is not only the distance from an object that determines its visibility, equally important is the amount of light on the surface of the object

tures through which light from an object must pass through before registering the information on the retina,” he said, demonstrating the structures as he talked. “These are the cornea, the lens which is inside the eye behind the iris which gives colour to the eye and then the jelly-like mass called vitreous humour.” Like a master lecturer, Boro concluded with a question “Isn’t it, therefore, obvious that anything that reduces the transparency of these three structures would reduce visibility and be a danger sign of an eye problem? Opacities of the cornea or lens or vitreous would interfere with the light reaching the retina. Such opacities in the early stages may not be very visible to the naked eyes but may be picked up by special instruments. Most of the avoidable causes of blindness in our country are at the level of the cornea or lens. He walked towards me. Then suddenly, facing me, Boro said, “Sir, from my studies, the problem in our country started with the changes in the structure of the nation. We need to revisit this so we can have our vision back.” I was stunned and speechless! This little brat wasn’t even born when the various structural changes were visited on our nation. But then, “Have you never read, “’From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” Matthew 21:16.

UCH extends advanced laboratory services to private practitioners By Sade Oguntola UNIVERSITY College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said it is opening up its PPP laboratory to private medical doctors in the state to support and improve their patient care. UCH’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Temitope Alonge stated this at the hospital - wide grand round, which was partly to inform on advanced laboratory services now available in the hospital. Alonge said the hospital’s PPP laboratory which had just been upgraded to provide advanced laboratory services was established to ensure that patients can have prompt emergency investigations done to support their care. The laboratory, which in its first three years of operation generated N307 million, he said was expanded with another N100 million from Fidelity Bank, its partner. He said “the expansion became necessary to ensure that the hospital has a bigger and more robust laboratory tests, all at the same time”. Alonge, saying that UCH is a reference point, declared that the hospital’s patients ought not to be going to other laboratories to do viral studies and other tests requested for by their physicians. While assuring that the loan would be repaid within two years, he assured that

we believe that you can offer a better clinical care in your hospitals and also that people in the state will have the privilege of accessing good care,” he said. Jesse Otegbayo, a professor of medicine in an overview of advanced laboratory diagnostics in healthcare delivery, said that 60 to 70 per cent of treatment decisions are based on laboratory investigations. According to him, its advent has opened up new vistas in improvement of diagnosis of diseases and therefore patient care. “With these new machines, we will be able to make apt, accurate diagnosis and therefore target treatment and in Professor Temitope Alonge, CMD, University College Hospital the long run bring in cost effectiveness,” he said. the fees charged by laboratory will remain Dr Olukemi Adekanbi, an infectious disthe same as those from the hospital’s othease expert, assured that advanced laboer routine laboratories. Alonge said the results from this laboratory services leaves out trial and error in ratory would also be electronically sent to patient care, saying that in Nigeria several febrile illnesses oftentimes are mistaken private practitioners if they so desire. “With this, you can look after your pa- for each other. “We have a lot of viral infections that tient without having to go back and forward picking up the results. That way, we are not able to diagnose and then we

go from treating malaria to typhoid fever and so on. But if we able to pinpoint exactly what is going on in our patient, we are able to save money because we then can go right ahead to treat the problem,” she said. However, Dr Modupe Kuti, a consultant chemical pathologist said laboratory physicians have a big role to play in preventing medical errors that occur due to wrong selection and interpretation of test results. “A document just released by the Institute of Medicine indicated that medical errors are killing more people than breast cancer and HIV in United States of America, a contributory factor in diagnostic errors,” he said. Dr Kuti however said that test selection and ordering; test result interpretation and clinical actions are areas most likely to contribute to diagnostic errors that lead to adverse patient outcomes. He said that just as this could lead to financial hardship for the patient due to wastage on unnecessary testing, some patients had ended up damaged for life. The PPP laboratory manager, Mrs Olufisayo Famuyiwa said the laboratory since its inception had carried out 17,598 clinical diagnosis and had been involved in few research studies since its establishment in 2012.

healthnews

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

NAFDAC to enforce global listing scheme in December, warns supermarket operators Newton-Ray Ukwuoma Lagos THE Acting Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Yetunde Oni, has said the agency will commence the enforcement of the global listing scheme of supermarket items on the 31st of December, 2016, charging supermarket operators to ensure prompt compliance. Oni, who made the statement during a meeting of stakeholders in Lagos, warned fast food chains, embassies and international organisations, who sell imported and unregistered products that all provisions of the global listing scheme will be “fully enforced” by December.

Stipulating the guidelines for the listing, she noted that products registered by the agency, products on the import prohibition list of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and mandatorily fortified food items will not be listed during the exercise. She, however, said that listed imported items “can only be retailed and distributed within the supermarket chain” and that “supermarket operators can only register two products per 100 items imported. “The quantity of each item to be imported into the country,” she said, “should not exceed 2500 cartons of a product per annum”. Mrs. Oni also enjoined supermarket operators to patronise made-in-Nigeria products as the products compete favourably with their foreign counterparts.

Bridge Clinic births Nigeria’s first cryopreservation baby By Vera Onana A fertility centre, the Bridge Clinic, Lagos, has recorded the first live birth of a baby boy, using the oocyte cryopreservation protocol in the country. The outcome of the process carried out in the clinic earlier this year, was a healthy baby boy called Tiwatope. Oocyte cryopreservation is the cooling of female eggs to sub-zero temperature in order to stop all biological activity and preserve them for future use. According to Dr Emmanuel Owie, a fertility doctor at the clinic, Tiwatope’s birth was significant in many aspects as it puts Nigeria on the global map in the practice of oocyte cryopreservation. “Before his birth, this new practice seemed to be an exclusive preserve of the developed world of Europe and North America. It is even more significant considering the fact that since the report of the first pregnancy through this protocol in 1986, the practice has resulted in the birth of only about 5,000 babies worldwide.” The doctor explained further that the mother of the infant had her eggs frozen using the vitrification, also known as flash-freezing process (the cutting edge technology in cryobiology, where the eggs or oocytes of a woman are dehydrated and the water content replaced with “anti-freeze” solution (cryoprotectants) before freezing).

The Coordinator, Corporate Communications and Client Services, Dr. Ekundayo Omogbehin, stated that with this accomplishment in fertility processes, Nigerian women need not go to foreign lands in search of fertility options. Omogbehin said, “We hope that this will make Nigerians realise that they can get what they travel abroad for in Nigeria at cheaper rate with the same standard. We also hope that more Nigerian women who have conceived through novel IVF techniques can come out and talk about it to give other fertility challenged couples hope.”

From left: Dr Samuel Alori, representing Dr (Mrs.) Modupe Olaiya (Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service), Pastor Carlton Williams, and Mrs. Tosin Osofisan, Donor Care Manager of the National Blood Transfusion Service, Abeokuta Centre at the Soft Launch of LifeBlood Nigeria recently in Lagos.

5% of Nigerian women physically abused in pregnancy —Expert By Sade Oguntola

N expert in reproductive health, Dr Iyabode Olusanmi has called on women doctors to contribute to the reduction of gender based violence, saying that five per cent of Nigerian women experience physical violence while pregnant. Olusanmi spoke on Gender Based Violence (GBV) at the general meeting of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Oyo State branch in Ibadan. The medical expert, describing gender based

violence as the most widespread but least recognised human right abuses in the world, declared that recent efforts to deal with its root causes and improve reporting was still a long way to go. She declared that in Nigeria, nearly three in 10 have experienced violence since the age of 15 and seven per cent has experienced sexual violence. According to her, “the report on gender based violence in the media was a tip of the iceberg. World over, one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their life-

time. Overall, five per cent of Nigerian women said that they have been subjected to physical violence while pregnant. “ Although gender based violence sometimes occur due to differences in power between males and females that are rooted in cultural norms, she said that it sometimes take sexual, psychological, physical and socio-cultural forms. “Sexual, physical and psychological forms of violence accounts for 36 per cent of all violence in the community especially among women,” she declared.

Lagos to sanction banks using uncertified transfusion blood Newton-Ray Ukwuoma Lagos THE Lagos State Ministry of Health has warned against the use of uncertified blood for transfusion by private and public blood banks in the state, stating that erring banks would henceforth be sanctioned. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who issued the directive during the 2016 World Blood Donor Day held in Lagos, stated that the new directive would ensure that quality and credibility of blood is not compromised during transfusion.

He also enjoined blood bank operators in the state to register with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service for the effective monitoring and control of blood used for transfusion as the logo of the State Government would be used to identify certified blood. Speaking on the significance of having blood services as a community service, Idris reiterated the state government’s commitment towards creating awareness about regular and voluntary donations. He said that the process would give rise to self-sufficiency in safe blood demand.

He also stated that voluntary blood donors are known to be the foundation of adequate supply of safe blood due to their lower prevalence of Transmission Transmissible Infections (TTIs), adding that voluntary donors can walk into any of the 21 public hospitals as well as three stand-alone blood donor centres in the state to donate blood. Idris, who explained that the state requires a cumulative average of 70, 000 units of blood annually, also revealed that 32, 619 units of blood were donated in public health facilities

in 2015 with only 4, 175 units, that is about 13 per cent, sourced from voluntary donors while 33 per cent and 54 per cent were gotten from replacement and antenatal donors respectively. To boost the campaign for increased blood donation, the commissioner also issued directive to place a bloodmobile vehicle at the Ikeja City Mall to serve as an additional blood donation centre to the stand-alone centres in General Hospitals, Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHET) and Alimosho General Hospital, Igando.

The medical expert, while describing female genital mutilation also as a form of gender based violence, said such these forms of violence were also a contributory factor to Nigeria’s HIV prevalence of 3.2 per cent. She said: “Rape, unwanted sex and risky sexual behaviour contributes to 3.2 per cent prevalence of HIV /AIDS in Nigeria. The fear of violence hinders women’s ability to use condoms and keep them from voluntary HIV/AIDS counselling and testing. “Aside that women may be at risk of violence after disclosing their HIV status to their partner, cultural norms do not permit a wife to refuse her husband sex.” Even though consequences of gender based violence could be both fatal and nonfatal, she said as far back as 2012, South Africa’s lost between 0.9 and 1.3 per cent of its GDP to gender based violence. Therefore, she urged the medical women to be on the lookout for victims and signs of abuse as well as provide support to women and children suspected to have been abused. While urging them to also develop their skills to offer sympathetic listening, be non-judgemental in attitude and avoid wrong counselling, she asked that the problem should be addressed through community dialogues and orientation for men and women.

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Okra: Why diabetes patients should be careful By Sade Oguntola

RE you diabetic? Do you enjoy taking okra soup with Eba or fufu? Well, much as we all eat different foods to maintain body processes and keep healthy, but for diabetics, experts are cautioning against taken their diabetic medications immediately after a meal containing okra. In a study, experts found okra may improve blood sugar control but should not be taken concurrently with metformin hydrochloride a common diabetes drug used in controlling diabetes mellitus. For the study, the scientists used five groups of rats. The rats of all groups except the normal control group were fasted for 24 hours and fasting blood glucose levels were determined. Metformin tablets are taken with meals to reduce its strong gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and increased flatulence. The experts assessed whether it is safe to take metformin with meals that contain any source of soluble dietary fibre such as okra under laboratory conditions. As it is taken with meals, there is a chance of metformin interaction with foods altering its effectiveness. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common problems challenging the public health in the 21st century. It is a disorder marked by high blood sugar level which occurs when pancreas cannot produce enough of insulin or the body cannot effectively use the produced insulin. Treatment measures of diabetes include diet control, physical exercise, and use of oral medications for type 2 diabetes only or use of insulin in type 1 Diabetes. Green fruits of okra are popular all over the world as a vegetable for its nutritional values and health benefits. Okra’s pods are full of nutrients like minerals, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, enzymes and large amount of mucilage which contains soluble dietary fibres like pectin and guar gum. Traditionally, okra has been used as an alternative treatment for diabetes. It is assumed that this effect of okra is

due to the presence of large amount of soluble dietary fibres which retard glucose absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, the possible interaction of the soluble dietary fibre fraction of okra with oral metformin has been a matter of concern because this vegetable is being widely used by diabetics as an adjunct to the diabetes treatment. In the study, water-soluble fraction of okra fruits made by soaking sliced okra pods in water for 10 to 15 minutes and collecting its filtrate significantly reduces the absorption of glucose. The 2011 study was published in the journal, Pharmaceutics. In addition, they found a strong interaction between water-soluble fraction of okra and metformin which results in nearly complete loss of blood sugar lowering (antihyperglycemic) effect of the drug. When metformin was administered alone, the blood glucose level of the diabetic rats was reduced from 32.0 to 14.9 mmol/L within four hours. When metformin was co-administrated with water-soluble fraction of okra in the diabetic, the effect of metformin is almost lost. Blood glucose level changed very little in this group of rats from 33.5 to 32.2 mmol/L at four hours. But, in the animals which did not receive water-soluble fraction of okra with metformin, glucose level dropped to 14.9 mmol/L within

They found a strong interaction between water-soluble fraction of okra and metformin which results in nearly complete loss of blood sugar lowering effect of metformin.

natural

health four hours. At two hours, the average blood glucose level in the rats that received only glucose was 7.2 mmol/L but when the same amount of glucose was administered with 0.2 mL of WSF in FGF group rats, the level reduced to 4.7 mmol/L. The researchers suggested that the water-soluble fraction of okra entrapped metformin, thus made it unavailable for absorption. Also, they said that its high viscosity may also contribute to this effect by inhibiting the diffusion of metformin from the dosing mixtures. Meanwhile, they said further studies are required to elucidate the effects of other fibre-containing foods on the effect of antidiabetic drugs. Given that this study was done in experimental rats, to properly interpret these interesting findings, they said more studies would still need to be done using human subjects. National treasurer, Endocrinology and Metabolism Society of Nigeria, Professor Babatope Kolawole however would not agree that diabetes patients should be careful in taking metformin with a meal that contains okra given that it was an animal study. Kolawole, a diabetes expert at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, said such factors as the type and dose of metformin used as well as the amount and caloric content of the food item can all affect blood sugar level in a diabetic. According to the expert, where a slow releasing type of metformin is taken along a diet that contains okra, the effectiveness of metformin will not be affected since it is not released all at the same time. Although diabetics can eat many food items, he said that they are always cautioned against eating food items that cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels like soft drinks and high amounts of fruits like bananas. However, Kolawole said that foods rich in soluble fibre such as okra has been found helpful in maintaining good health given that they cause a gentle rise in blood sugar level, support good bowel movement and help to prevent diseases such as colon cancer.

sex,sexuality

&your health With Monica Taiwo

strictly adult teenagers, adult & geriatric sexual well being

08187754992 (sms only) taiwomonica@gmail.com

Male genital examination and grooming AS stated last week, the penis is undoubtedly a man’s most guarded and revered appendage. As such, the penis commands a level of care and respect. We’re all familiar with the importance of wearing condoms in certain situations, but proper penis health care certainly doesn’t end there. Here are some tips on how to keep you and your unit rising happily each morning. Regular maintenance

a safe bet. The best bet is using a simple razor with mild shaving cream or soap followed by a mild moisturising aftershave lotion or warm salt water. Avoid chemical removal techniques and electric razors if you opt to take it all off, as with both you risk wreaking havoc on your scrotum.

Grooming For many men, genital grooming is a simple part of their penis health care routine, while for others it may be nothing more than a part-time annoyance. Keeping genitals hairless does have its benefits, but there are still definite pitfalls to both shaving and waxing that might not be immediately apparent: Pros •Improves cleanliness/reduces moisture •Inviting/sexually stimulating •Can increase sensitivity during sex •Facilitates skin examination •Can be a fun partner experience •Makes you look bigger Cons •Tedious •Painful (waxing)

•Expensive (waxing) •Can cause irritation •Can cause new or spread existing infection Some women find a polished; manscaped man erotic and even the act of shaving can be incorporated into foreplay with the right girl, of course. You should know, however, that both shaving and waxing can cause irritation or folliculi-

tis, and can spread viral infections, such as genital herpes or molloscum contagiosum. Even nasty bacterial infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, have been linked to the use of razors, more specifically, the sharing of razors among sports participants. All these contradict good penis health care. If you wish to avoid shaving or waxing, a simple trim with an electric razor is always

Washing Your member is a sensitive organ, a point that should always be kept in mind. For some odd reasons, many men feel the need to vigorously scrub their units with powerful soaps or disinfectants to keep clean. Simple washing with warm water and, if necessary, a mild soap or non-soap cleanser is more than satisfactory. Uncircumcised men should slide the foreskin back and wash the head of the exposed penis simply with warm water, not soap. Then, be sure to dry the area very well. Both infrequent and too-frequent washing have been associated with balanitis; an inflammation of the penis or head. If you do notice irritation, avoid scented soaps or shower gels and try warm salt water instead. New clothes or even new laundry detergents can also cause irritation. If irritation persists, see a doctor. To be continued

Thursday, 23 June, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

HE tempo of preparations for the governorship poll in Ondo State in November is rising by the day. The major stakeholders have upped their games with the major political parties and their gladiators in frenetic activities to mobilize eligible citizens of the Sunshine State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had scheduled a five-day Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in the state. The Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Olusegun Agbaje, while announcing the dates, said the exercise was part of the commission’s preparations towards the conduct of the election. He spelt out those qualified to participate in the CVR exercise and the criteria, saying the exercise was strictly meant for the registration of citizens of the state who had just attained 18 years of age after the last Voter Registration exercise or those who who for one reason or the other, could not register in the previous exercise. According to him, eligible person must be a citizen of Nigeria, and have attained 18 years on or before the registration day or above 18 years and must not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote under any law, rules or regulations in force in Nigeria. Agbaje also called on those who previously registered with the commission but were seeking transfer of their voter card from one polling unit, ward or local government area or state to another, to visit the registration areas during the five-day exercise. He explained that “they only need to fill transfer form that will be issued to them by the Documentation/Distribution officer at their respective registration area during the exercise” The INEC boss warned that there was no room for registration by “proxy: adding: “Anyone who wishes to register, must appear in person at the CVR centre. He warned against double registration. “It is important to emphasise that double or multiple registration is a very serious offence punishable under Section 117 (C) of the Electoral Act 2010 ( as amended),” he said as anyone who engaged in such act was liable to a minimum of one year imprisonment or N1m fine or both. The REC said the commission had however put a lot in place in terms of preparations for the CVR exercise which include configuration of 396 Direct Data Capturing Machines for register action areas and 193 voting points, while about 792 Assistant Registration Officers made up of youth corps members have been recruited and trained for the exercise. To this end, all stakeholders in the forthcoming election, including political parties and their members, as well as the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and many others have commenced serious sensitisation programme across the state and educating the eligible citizens on the need to partake in the exercise. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has embarked on a series of activities, which include radio and television jingles to keep the people abreast of the need to register. Some aspirants of the party have also spread the CVR gospel to the nooks and crannies of the state, espe-

Faboyode

Agbaje

Kekemeke

Ondo gov: As PDP, APC woo voters

The Continuous Voters Registration will commence in Ondo state on Wednesday, June 22, HAKEEM GBADAMOSI looks into the efforts of various stakeholders in ensuring success of the exercise in the state.

cially the people at the grassroots. Speaking on the mobilisation efforts of the party so far, the state publicity director of the PDP, Ayo Fadaka said the party realised the importance of the exercise and had put in place committees across the 18 local government areas in the state to coordinate activities at the local government levels. Fadaka said various jingles had been placed on radio and television stations to educate and orientate the young adults who have come age to register. He said: “the CVR is actually centered on registering those that just attained the voting age and others that have not probably registered all along. To that extent, as a po-

litical party, we have been encouraging all young adults, who have just come of age, to take their franchise very seriously as it will continue to determine who becomes either governor, President, lawmakers or anybody at all that aspires to rule over them. “This will give them the opportunity to have a say on how they are going to govern them. To that extent, we are embarking on public campaign awareness to make them realise that being a responsible citizen is a must for all of them and that their responsibility as a citizen is only complete when you take your franchise serious. “Jingles have been on radios and television, and we have been sponsoring radio

We are challenged by the riverine terrain to ensure that INEC gives the local government some special considerations in terms of ensuring that logistics like voter cards are made available because of the special terrain.

and Television programmes as a tool to pursue public awareness programme to let young adults know that being registered is one of the obligation they owe this country.” Similarly, one of the party’s aspirants and Commissioner for Environment in the state, Sola Ebiseni, said the leaders in the Southern Senatorial District of the state have held meetings in respect to the mobilization of the people of the area for the exercise. He said a committee had been set up by the local government chairman to coordinate the activities in the local government. He said: “We are challenged by the riverine terrain to ensure that INEC gives the local government some special considerations in terms of ensuring that logistics like voter cards are made available because of the special terrain. Again, there have been jingles on community radio composed in Ilaje dialects to bring awareness to the people and also to ensure the success of this exercise” The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state is not left out in the awareness campaign. The state chairman, Honourable Isaccs Kekemeke, on Monday, during a meeting of the State Executive and governorship aspirants of the party educated members of the party on the essence of the registration.

politics&policy

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Buhari should approach N/Delta Avengers with care—Salis Chief Owolabi Salis, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is a United Statesbased lawyer and chartered accountant. He speaks with journalists on issues of national importance. BOLA BADMUS brings excerpts:

OW would you assess President Muhammadu Buhari’s first year in office?

It is difficult to do an assessment because the intention of President Buhari is not being carried out by those who are supposed to be working with him. I know the President has good intentions, I met him in Chicago in 2004 and was able to assess him and to judge how passionate he is about the less-privileged people. To be a good president, one thing you have to learn is how to delegate authority. There are so many things that are salient that I have studied. The exchange rate has gone up, but somehow, there is some level of stability in pricing. I do a lot of travelling between United States and Nigeria. I was around this time last year. This year when I travelled, it’s like half of the air fare because last year I paid $1600 but this year, it’s about $862. Usually when you are travelling to Nigeria, it is very expensive. I came into Nigeria few days ago and discovered that the price of cement is what it is supposed to be. Something is going on, like curbing corruption which is hidden. I know the president has very strong, good intentions Critics have said he lacks a vibrant economic policy, do you agree? It still borders on the people working with him. For me, I have a definition for saying his economic policy has been successful. An eco-

nomic policy is linked to many factors, jobs, GDP. Except for security, every other thing is involved. Principally, Nigeria’s economic policy is shaped by two major factors – inflation which every country experiences and the exchange rate, but then we are consumer nation, so our exchange rate is linked to the dollar. Nigeria is shifting towards the Chinese Remimbi which means people’s money. It’s a challenge to the Western world but then, the world is bi-polar. I have been to China, Malaysia, Singapore and many others, and I found that they have different economic systems somehow. On the western side, they have the dollar. Asians have the Remimbi and the eastern Europeans have the Euro. One thing Buhari needs to do right now is to take advantage of the multitude of Nigerians in the diaspora. I don’t know what the weekly exchange rate purchase is, but it can be funded by Nigerians in the diaspora. How do we do that? You have to open the dollar entry because as far as I know, the Office of Foreign Affairs Control in the US allows banks to move money; so they can open the economy for the dollar to come in. There are a lot of Nigerians in the US and I know Nigerians could do a million transaction; a day because they have to give back to the society. The minimum transaction people want to do is a hundred dollars. Some will do more than that. Before the end of the week, you know what that will mean. The argument about a dollarised economy by the former Governor of Central Bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, now Emir of Kano, is hollow is zero. It made a lot of Nigerian in US to hold back their money and people began to do round-tripping. If the president really wants to keep the exchange rate stable, he must make things open, may be through Western Union to collect dollars, to enable them get it at the right rate. This will make the market to be flooded with all the dollars they probably need and there will be less pressure on the official exchange rate. Quote me, Nigerians in the Diaspora have a

Salis lot of projects that are doing back home. They want to send dollars to their families every week. I was reading a World Bank report that said Nigerians repatriated $24 billion. They could do more if we open in the market. Believe me, it will help Nigeria a lot and help to stabilize the economy. Some of the challenges we have are connected to the exchange rate. There is ongoing crisis in the NigerDelta occasioned by the activities of a group, called Niger-Delta Avengers, who have resorted to bombing of oil pipelines, what is your reaction to this? The president needs to look at that area very carefully because the resource control issue has been a challenge. I went to the NigerDelta in the past to have a firsthand knowledge, as far back as 1991/92. I was given a job by Schlumberger to do a retirement training for some of their staff. Then I was practis-

ing at Fadeyi, Lagos, and there were about four of us. We travelled down to Benin, from Benin we moved down to Warri–Patani. You can see that the whole area was devastated and the roads were terrible. Honestly, I started feeling for the Niger-Delta people. When I left Nigeria for the US in 1997, I joined the campaign for the Niger-Delta people and eco-democracy. Now, caution needs to be applied because they are not getting resources from their land, not only from the Federal Government, even from their people. We have the NDDC, we have the 13 per cent derivation. We have two things there, but there is a lot of corruption by the leaders. There are warlords who have also come up for selfish reasons. The Niger Delta Avengers are now saying they are the genuine ones but it requires caution from the people because it could lead to war. The people have access to the international waters and lots of oil is being stolen for arms. Besides, there is international conspiracy. Buhari should look at this theory in the light of the Remimbi issue and dollar issue. The Avengers might have international support. How would you assess the challenges posed by Fulani herdsmen? This is something that beats my imagination. It’s in order to feel elated that their son is onboard, but they should not make it look like Buhari is sectional. Everybody in the country wants to make sure their people are not marginalised, which is in order. We heard that some people from outside the country are behind these killings. It may be to embarrass the president. What I want Mr. President to do is to carry out thorough investigation on it. It’s a very tough thing. I hope it’s not true that the Fulani are just killing people and taking their land. If that be the case, that is not the right thing to do and Mr. President needs to look into it.

I’m in the gov race to eradicate poverty in Ondo —Adeogun Ade Adeogun, a retired security expert, is a governorship aspiranton the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State. He speaks with HAKEEM GBADAMOSI on the security challenges facing the country, his current political ambition and other issues. Excerpts:

AS a security expert, how do you think the sundry security challenges confronting the nation, especially, the herdsmen/farmers’ clashes and the resurgent militant activities in the Niger Delta can be meaningfully tackled? Poverty is at the root of all the security challenges we face in Nigeria, be it in the North-East, South-East, South-South or the South-West. Insurgency, militancy, herdsmen/farmer clashes, separatist agitations and other challenges are the product of poverty and unemployment. In a prosperous nation, cattle rearing would be restricted to ranches or grazing fields, rather than the nomadic movement characteristic of herdsmen in Nigeria; militia activities would be under control, because the underlying issues that breed militancy would be eliminated. The solution to all these challenges is the elimination of poverty. Governments across the length and breadth of Nigeria and at all levels of governance must strive to provide good governance and create an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth.

There are over 40 aspirants for APC ticket from Ondo North senatorial district, which by the zoning arrangement should produce the next governor of the state. How do you think this will affect your chance and indeed the Northern zone? In my interaction with delegates from the entire 18 local government areas of the state, it is obvious that what they desire is a youthful and charismatic leader, who has the capability to steer the state from its near bankruptcy state to economic prosperity. They do not care where that person comes from. My political aspiration is founded on the need to serve the state and restore prosperity to its communities and people.

Adeogun

I am not a zonal champion, but one of the leaders of a state-wide political platform. My chances are bright because my campaign is not based on zonal support, but on the support of delegates from across the state. I think the fear that votes from the Northern zone would be balkanised among the candidates during the primaries emanates from a premise that delegates would vote according to senatorial districts. The assumption fails to take into cognizance the different interests of the leaders and electorates across the state. The Ondo APC Elders’ Forum is alleged to have endorsed one of the aspirants from the Northern zone? Or any hope for possible level-playing field? The allegation that the APC elders have adopted a candidate is false. When I met with Papa Aiyegbusi, who is the leader of the Elders’ Forum, he assured me that there was no such thing. Pa Aiyegbusi is a man of integrity and I believe him. On the issue of a level-playing field, yes I do envisage one. The party is aware that the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), lost the 2012 gubernatorial contest because of alleged external interference and so, to avoid a repeat of history, Ondo APC, in collaboration with the national headquarters of our great party, is doing everything possible to allow for a fair contest this time around. With the way things are in the APC, how prepared are you to support whoever emerges, if you do not pick

the party’s ticket? My involvement in this contest is not about me. It is about a people who have been denied good leadership; a people whose prosperity was wasted by sons and daughters, who were entrusted with leadership. It is about restoration. If, in a fair contest, I am unable to secure enough delegate votes to win the primaries, I will congratulate whoever wins and offer my hands of fellowship and support to ensure that our great party wins the gubernatorial election. If you are given the opportunity to govern Ondo State, how would you bring about the Ondo State of your dream? The Ondo of my dream is a state with a robust economy anchored on the intellectual property of its citizens; a state that serves as an outsourcing destination for corporate entities in the fields of Information Technology, engineering and manufacturing. The state of my dream is a state where the natural needs of citizens, such as food and shelter, are met and the people are given free expression to incubate ideas into businesses and contribute to the economic growth of the state in particular and Nigeria in general. I dream of a state with green forests of cocoa and cassava farms, where the value chain of all natural resources are exploited to keep every citizen and resident productive and prosperous. I dream of a state which all sons and daughters would proudly call home and all other Nigerians would see as a place to do business and rest from the toil and hassles of other places.

PHOTO

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Ayodamope Oluwabukunmi, daugther of the Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Professor Niyi Gbadegesin, said I do to her sweetheart, Olawale Samuel Adeyemo, on Saturday 18th June, 2016 at Abraham’s Faith Apostolic Church, Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State.

PHOTOS: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

7 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Olawale and Damope cutting their wedding cake. From left, groom’s father, Mr Sulaimon Adeyemo, bride’s mother, Mrs Lanrewaju Gbadegesin, the new couple, Mr and Mrs Olawale Adeyemo, groom’s mother, Mrs Adenike Akingbade and bride’s father, Professor Niyi Gbadegesin. From left, bride’s father, Professor Niyi Gbadegesin; Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Alhaji Olalekan Ali and the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole. Chairman on the occasion, Professor Wale Omole and his wife. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka and Dr Massin Bello. From left, representative of Timi of Ede, bride’s father, Professor Gbadegesin (middle), Mrs mabel Omobolanle Coker (fourth left) and the bride’s mother, Mrs Lanrewaju Gbadegesin (right). Father and daugther dancing at the reception.

Nigerian Tribune

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Chrisolam / www.chrisolam.com

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

edonews Oshiomhole accuses PDP of recruiting thugs 33

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

APC, Oshiomhole are apprehensive —PDP Banji Aluko - Benin City

HEAD of the September 10 Edo State governorship election, verbal fireworks between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have started as Governor Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday, accused his Delta State

counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, of recruiting thugs and hooligans from Delta State to register as voters in communities sharing border with Edo State. Governor Oshiomhole, through his Commissioner for Information, Prince Kassim Afegbua, alleged that 40 political thugs have been dispatched to each of the border villages with the aim

of registering them as voters before engaging their services to perpetrate violence during the September 10 election. In the signed statement, Afegbua said “we wish to place the security agencies on notice of this untoward intention of the Delta State government with their Edo PDP collaborators to cause a breach of security in Edo

State. “The fact that our people are generally known to be peace-loving should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness, it is just to make the point that we believe wholesomely that democracy is a game of contestation of ideas and not one of contestation with guns and bullets. “We have put our people

on notice to keep an eagle eye on their environment and resist any infiltration or attempt to undermine the peace and security of the state. However, PDP said that Governor Oshiomhole had concluded plans to register northerners in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps as well as others transported from Kogi and Kano states to boost his party’s dwindling political fortune. In the reaction signed by

the state Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, the PDP said Governor Oshiomhole was up to a sinister move and that Edo people would not fall for his deceit and lies as they are prepared to vote his party out in the September 10 election. “There is no truth in the allegation of Governor Oshiomhole and it actually tells more of the apprehension APC and Governor Oshiomhole is feeling as an inevitable rejection and defeat stare them in the face.”

APGA fixes June 30 for primaries

From left, Comrade Peter Esele; Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole; All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki and the APC chairman, Edo State, Honourable Anselm Ojezua, during the inspection of the ongoing asphalting of the dual-carriage of second East Circular road in Benin City, on Wednesday.

Why I won Edo APC primaries —Obaseki Banji Aluko - Benin City GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said he won last Saturday’s primaries of the party because he was able to form a bond with the delegates of the party. Fielding questions from journalists during an interview in Benin on Wednesday, Obaseki said nobody gave him any chance of winning the APC primaries, adding that he had to come up with a plan to help him achieve victory on Saturday. He said “The attitude made me sit back and come up with a plan to start meeting with each delegate in every ward in the 18 local government areas of the state. When Governor Oshiomhole cast his lot with me, people tagged it imposition. But imposition cannot take place when democracy is about choice. “Since most people recognised me, it was easier for them to vote for me when they saw my photograph on the ballot paper. I ran the delegates’ election like a full blown election.”

Speaking on efforts to reconcile with some of his co-contestants at the primaries, Obaseki said he had already met with the state Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu and General Charles Airhiavbere (retd). He said he would soon meet with other co-contestants to achieve total reconciliation for the APC ahead of the September 10 elec-

tion. The APC governorship candidate, while welcoming his PDP counterpart, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on board, advised that they should conduct their campaigns in a civilised manner adding “in my campaign, my duty is to convince the Edo people why I am the better candidate.” He disclosed that the issue

of his running mate would be decided by the party at the appropriate time. On what he would do if elected, Obaseki said he would use technology to run government to create efficiency and save cost. “My administration will create the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and create employment.

PDP congratulates Ize-Iyamu Hails INEC, security on roles Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated its gubernatorial candidate for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu, on his emergence. In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Prince Dayo Adeyeye, member of its National Caretaker Committee in charge of publicity, described the primaries that took place last Monday as “free, fair, credible, and a victory for those who cherish freedom of choice depicting the democratic

culture of the PDP.” Noting that “it is indeed a triumph of a popular candidate and victory for democracy,” the statement said the outcome of the election in Edo “which is one of the best elections so far in Nigeria has proved to the opposition in the state that the PDP is a one united house built on the principle of delivering power to the people and the sustenance of our democracy at all levels irrespective of our various differences.” It stated that the leadership of the party under the chairmanship of Senator Ahmed Makarfi commended the Electoral Commit-

tee led by Mr Dave Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State and thanked all the leaders and members of the party in the state, especially the delegates and other aspirants that participated in the poll. It assured them of the support of the national headquarters to bring positive change to the people of the state through the forthcoming election. The PDP noted with gratitude what it said was the immense contributions from the Commissioner of Police in Edo State and other security agencies for providing security during the election.

THE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday said election to determine its candidate in the forthcoming governorship poll in Edo State would be conducted on June 30. The National Director of Publicity of the party, Mr Ifeanacho Ogbuejiofor, made this known in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. Ogbuejiofor said that the party fixed the date for the primaries following the timetable for the election recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He, however, said that

only one person had so far bought the expression of interest and nomination form of the party for the primaries. He maintained that APGA would participate in the election, adding that the party would cooperate with INEC to conduct credible poll. Ogbuejiofor disclosed that the cost of the nomination form for the election was N6 million. NAN reported that Mr Osaro Onaiwu, immediate past Director-General of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, obtained APGA’s nomination form for the Edo election on Tuesday in Abuja.

Unpaid police allowance: ECOWAS peace keeping officers appeal to FG SOME police officers who went on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) peace keeping mission from Nigeria to Guinea Bissau from July 2014 to December 2015 have appealed to the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as other relevant authorities to pay their outstanding salaries and allowances. According to their spokesperson, Inspector Ganiyu Adeowu, the third and fourth batches of contingent were

the victims of the unpaid salaries, adding that both batches were being owed 18 months salaries. “Even police officers that went to Liberia after we have returned from Guinea Bissau have been paid twice. We are now appealing to President Buhari to assist us so that we can leave a meaningful life,” he said. Inspector Adeowu said that each officer’s money per month was $950 and that 280 officers were involved.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Salako Adedayo now SALAKO TEMITAYO ADEDAYO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Kate Louis now KATE IROH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known as Bello Abiodun Tajudeen, I want Abiodun to be removed from my names. Henceforth, I want to be known and Addressed as BELLO TAJUDEEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Atilola Gbolagade Adisa Fatai, am the same person bearing Alhaji Atilola Gbolagade Adisa, Fatai Gbolagade Atilola, Gaaf Nig Ltd and Atilola Fatai Gbolagade. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Atilola Gbolagade Adisa Fatai. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC and general public take note.

south-westnews

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Oyo govt/Labour face-off goes to industrial court Accord Party inciting NLC against Ajimobi —APC By Wale Akinselure

HE National Industrial Court sitting in Ibadan, will today, examine an ex-parte order sought by the Oyo State government to restrain the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) from

embarking on the ongoing industrial action. The state government, just before the commencement of the indefinite strike declared by the national leadership of the NLC on June 7, had approached the court, challenging the legality of the

strike action of the labour movement. The court failed to grant the government’s request for an ex-parte order restraining the strike action but rather served a motion of notice to both parties, asking them to appear in court today to present their

arguments. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) were drawn as defendants in the case. The plaintiff and the defendants confirmed on Monday that their various legal teams

would be in court today for the hearing of the case. The state government is arguing that the decision of the NLC to declare total strike contravenes labour laws and conventions, noting that there was no existing labour dispute or ultimatum given to the government. On the other hand, the NLC has maintained that its actions have been in line with labour laws where strike is one of its tools of engagement. Meanwhile, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, has hinted that government is set to communicate another meeting date to the labour movement for dialogue over the

ongoing strike. In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that the leadership of the Accord Party was inciting the labour movement against the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, epitomised by the ongoing industrial action of the NLC. The Accord party had earlier on Wednesday, in some sections of the media, condemned Monday’s solidarity rally by artisans, traders, students’ unions, for Ajimobi in Ibadan as uncalled for. The party, through its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, chided the Accord Party’s recent condemnation of Monday’s solidarity rally for Ajimobi staged in Ibadan.

OAU shut indefinitely over NASU/SSANU protests •NASU dissolves OAU branch committee Oluwole Ige-Osogbo

Chief Afolabi Sodunke (middle), cutting his 60th birthday cake. With him are: the Balogun of Egbaland, Chief Sikiru Atobatele (left); the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo (second left); the celebrant’s wife, Abiola (second left) and the Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable

Authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Wednesday evening, shut down the institution indefinitely over the prolong protests and strike action embarked on by members

Judgment on hijab: Osun CAN files appeal, stay of execution As South West CAN offers solidarity support Oluwole Ige - Osogbo Osun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Wednesday, filed a stay of execution on the June 3 judgment of an Osogbo High Court, allowing Muslim students in all state public schools to wear Hijab. This disclosure was made in Osogbo by the state CAN chairman, Reverend Elisha Ogundiya, during a solidarity visit to the state CAN headquarters by the South-West leaders of the association. CAN representatives from Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo states stormed the state to give solidarity to the state’s Christians on the judgment delivered by Justice Saka Oyejide Falola and also expressed their readiness to fight against any form of alleged Islamisation agenda by Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Addressing the gathering, the secretary of SouthWest CAN, who spoke on behalf of the association’s zonal chairman, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Rev Alfred Aro, warned

that any attempt by Muslim students to wear hijab to schools after the appeal had been filed would mean that CAN too would ensure that all forms of Christians religious garments are worn to schools in the state. He noted that Falola’s judgment negated the spirit of secularism of the nation “and it violates the religious rights of the original owners of the mission-

ary schools as agreed upon when the schools were taken over by the then government of Oyo State in 1975.” The South West CAN also expressed their concern on the ban of morning devotions and assemblies in schools in some states in the country, saying the action must be rescinded. According to Aro, “we note with dismay, despite several appeals as a law abiding association, the

ban on morning devotions and assemblies in some schools in Nigeria especially South-West Nigeria, based on flimsy reason on insecurity is still subsisting. “Now that President Muhammadu Buhari had confirmed the end to insurgency, we urge all states to unban the unfair decision within the next one month. CAN urges all its members to write to their state gov-

TASCE lecturers not on strike —Management Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta THE management of the Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), OmuIjebu, has faulted claim credited to two members of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) that lecturers in the institution were on strike over unpaid salaries. This was contained in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abeokuta, on Wednesday, that the state government had suspended activities of all staff union in the institution.

Nigerian Tribune recalls that one Dr Dan Oludipe and Modupe ObaAdenuga, as chairman and secretary respectively, wrote a letter that staff of the first tertiary institution in the state were being owed salaries running into several months. The management did not deny the fact that government owed salaries and that the issue would be resolved soon. The statement said, “The management is not aware that the staff is on strike because majority of the staff

do come to the office regularly and attend meetings. To confirm this, is the release of the final year results to enable the graduands of the College secure universities’ direct entry admissions for the 2016/2017 academic session. As for the commencement of the second semester lecture, 145 out of 184 academic staff as at Thursday, last week, indicated their willingness to commence lectures immediately in order to retain the old students and attract new intakes.

ernors immediately. Failure to rescind the ban, we implore CAN in the states concerned to take appropriate actions. “Besides, the association condemned the ban of Religions Knowledge and History in schools, saying it was a ploy by government to use it as an attack on other religions. Such approach does not allow for moral training, upbringing and character moulding in our children who are leaders of tomorrow.” The representative of the outgoing National CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Ven Nelson Fadoju, who is also the association’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, commended the state Christians for their unity in the face of oppression and for standing solidly behind their leaders in the state. Despite the heavy security presence of the police and other security agencies around the premises of the meeting, CAN leaders from across the state’s 30 local governments and Ife-East Area Office, Modakeke, attended the parley.

of the Non Academic Staff of Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). Both members of NASU and SSANU, OAU chapters have shunned work and embarked on protests for over a week, to kick against the recent appointment of Professor Ayobami Salami as the new Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university. They vowed to make it impossible for the new VC to officially resume duties on Friday, contending that processes, culminating in his appointment was allegedly fraught with irregularities and cannot stand. Meanwhile, the national leadership of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has announced the dissolution of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Branch Committee of the union. NASU in a letter dated 21st June, 2016, ref no. NASU/ UV/5/Vol.XVII/102, signed by its General Secretary, Mr Peters Adeyemi, premised the dissolution on persistent violation of the content of the union’s constitution by the OAU Branch Committee. Holding on to the powers contained in Rule 22 (1 & 5c) of the NASU Constitution, the union dissolved the OAU Branch committee and directed immediate handover of all NASU properties to the NASU State Secretary. NASU decried that the OAU branch committee had continued its industrial action and protest, despite the branch pleading for leniency of the national headquarters for embarking on the action without express permission of the National Executive Council (NEC).

south-westnews

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

OSOPADEC projects: Lawyer drags commission, Ondo govt to court Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

Human Right activist and legal practitioner, Mr Adeyemi Nejo, has dragged the Ondo State government and Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) before a Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, over its failure to provide information on how fund meant for capital projects were being spent by the commission and the state government. Nejo dragged the state government and com-

mission before the court over non-compliance to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2011 that makes government accountable to the masses. In the Suit No: FHC/ ABJ/CS/706/15, Nejo filed a legal action against OSOPADEC over its refusal to grant information on the capital projects in the mandate areas, the exact locations of the projects, the exact amount earmarked for the projects and the state of execution from 2010 to 2014. The applicant noted that “crude oil extraction/exploration activities have

been carried out in Oroto town, Awoye, Ilowo Obe etc; towns within Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State,” stating that “my family compounds have been drastically affected by these exploration/extraction. “That as a result, the Federal Government, in order to ameliorate our pains and to provide succour to those of us living within the oil exploration/extraction areas, provided a fund for the development of our area known as 13 per cent oil derivation fund.” “Ever since the commission was established in year

2003, I have not noticed any meaningful development in the area where my family compound is located, but rather oil exploration/extraction has been on the increase with its attendant pollution and land devastation.” Nejo, who specifically sued OSOPADEC and the governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, also joined the Attorney-General of the state, the Minister of Finance, Federal Ministry of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents respectively for failure to

grant his first application on June 15, 2015. According to him, the commission, which is under the control of the 2nd respondent, keeps part of the funds allocated to the state under the 13 per cent oil derivation fund, and failed to carry out its functions as clearly spelt out in Part II Section 6(i)(vii) of the law establishing OSOPADEC in 2003 that was marked as “Exhibit A.” He said “The law says the commission should receive and exclusively administer 40 per cent of the 13 per cent oil derivation fund on EseOdo and Ilaje LGAs, and also gives other 16 LGAs of the state some fringe benefits. OSOPADEC and Ondo State government have failed to point to

where these funds were used, and whatever projects they have done with them.” In his Written Address in Support of Application, Nejo argued that “the refusal by the respondents, especially the 1st respondent, has occasioned breach of applicant’s right to be informed upon request and he is therefore, entitled to damages and the Order of Injunction and indeed all other reliefs sought by him thereof.” The case, which was recently transferred from Abuja to the Federal High Court, Akure Judicial Division; and was billed for hearing on Tuesday, for submission of all applications under Justice Folashade Olubanjo, who was unavoidably away to Abuja for official assignment.

Reps want ministry, FERMA to tackle gully erosion in Osun Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawoel Daniel-Abuja

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to con-

WAEC: Osun’s

position worrisome

— Osun Pdp From left, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; the Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife, Oba Adesesan Ogunkoya and Olori Olayinka, during the 20th coronation anniversary of the Ajalorun and official commissioning of his palace in Ijebu-Ife, on Wednesday.

Private school proprietors protest multiple taxation, levies in Ogun Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta

Proprietors of private schools in Ogun State on Wednesday protested against alleged multiple taxation in form of levies and charges by the state government. The proprietors under the umbrella of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools

(NAPPS), also faulted government over 150 per cent increase in the charges for the First Leaving Certificate examination from N500 to N2000 and Basic Education Certificate Examination from N2,500 to N5,000 by 50 per cent. The protesters, at the Iwe Irohin house, Abeokuta, carried placards with in-

scriptions such as ‘Don’t kill private schools with multiple levies, dues and charges, the economic downturn affects us and the parents too,’ ‘Do not destroy our educational system by destroying private schools,’ ‘Private schools need government, if not let us be’ and ‘Do not kill our private schools with levies upon levies,’ among others.

Ogun govt denies diversion of bailout fund Olayinka Olukoya, Abeokuta

The government of Ogun State has denied the allegation of diversion of bail out fund meant for payment of outstanding allowances and dues for workers of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune said the fund from the Federal Government was judiciously committed to the payment of arrears of

salaries, co-operative deductions to all categories of workers. He blamed the allegation on lack of communication between government and local government administrators, submitting that the state was given a clean bill by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), who monitored the disbursement across the country. The SSG said government on the contrary had to source for funds elsewhere to augment the

bailout to the councils. “What was due to local government councils from the total package we got, was N9.1 billion, from which we promptly cleared arrears of salaries, cooperative deductions of primary school teachers and Local Government staff. “We are clear in our mind that not a dime from the money was used for anything else other than local government administration. We used bailout funds wholly to discharge the obligations we got if for,” the SSG said.

The protesters, led by the president of the association, Alhaji Rilwan Hassan, who also explained that there was disparity between fees and charges payable by the public and private schools to the state government on the two examinations. Hassan said pupils in the public secondary schools pay N1,000 while their colleagues in the private schools would be paying N5,000. He said, “We have come to appeal through you and the general public to help appeal to His Excellency, the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to give respite over issues affecting us as owners of private schools and the parents who entrust their children in our hands, who are also tax payers. “We want the government to reverse decisions on charges for BECE, FSLC, signage, tenement rate, renewal fees and multiple taxes.

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described recent placing of the state on the 29th position on the performance chart of West African Examinations Council as worrisome. The party, in a statement signed by its state publicity secretary, Mr Sunday Bisi said it was quite unfortunate that a state which had always been among the first 15 states on the WAEC ranking would suddenly nosedive into the 22nd position in 2014 and now 29th, just six years after Mr Rauf Aregbesola came into office as governor. “It is particularly worrisome that less than 19 per cent of students who sat for the SSCE exams in2015 had five credits and above and those students were mostly from private secondary schools. Worse still is the embarrassing fact that Osun is now grouped with states like Yobe, Zamfara, Gombe, Sokoto and a few others which had always been categorised as ‘educationally disadvantaged state’ in the last 35 years and had looked up to the South-West for leadership in the educational sector,” the statement added. It called on major stakeholders in the Osun project to rise up and salvage the future of the by calling Governor to account on this sector.

struct proper drainage system along Sabo/Fajuyi/llesa Road. The House also asked the government agencies to create channel for water flow from lIare, Sabo, College, Fajuyi, Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Road in lIe-lfe to the canal behind Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, lIe-lfe, Osun State. The House resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Hon Albert Abiodun Adeogun, entitled “urgent need to save the souls of people of Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun State from the Devastating Effects of Gully Erosion.” The lawmaker maintained that, he believed that immediate action needs to be taken to avoid further loss of lives and destruction of properties. While moving the motion, the lawmaker noted that Ife Central Local Government consists of many communities, amongst which is Oni-lIare Line 1 Community which is inhabited by about 60,000 people. He also said that Sabo/ Fajuyi/llesa Road is a Federal Road that was constructed without proper drainage facilities, thus leading to serious occurrence of gully erosion which constitutes serious danger to the lives and properties of the people. The gully erosion, he added, has separated one community from the other, leading to disintegration and inability to effectively carry out commercial transactions, including impediment to vehicular movements as well as the collapse of schools, houses, shops and fences.

news Illegal detention: EFCC to pay Nyako’s son N12.5m 36

Sunday Ejike - Abuja

Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay N12.5 million, being exemplary damages in favour of Alhaji Abdulaziz Nyako for unlawful freezing of his account and illegal detention. Justice Gabriel Kolawole who made the order while delivering judgment in the fundamental rights enforce-

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

ment suit, held that the applicant, son of former governor of Adamawa State, was detained in EFCC custody in excess of the period prescribed by law. He berated the anti-graft agency over what he described as “reckless tampering with the rights of citizens in the name of discharging statutory duties.” The court also held that by declaring the applicant wanted without evidence of crime amounted to a breach to his fundamental human

rights, even as it accused the commission of embarking on a judicial fiat which is unpardonable exhibition of ignorance of the law as the National Assembly never intended to give it the powers of an accuser and a judge. “The reckless tampering with the rights of citizens in the name of carrying out statutory duties is an act to subvert not only the letters, but the spirit of the constitution,” he said. Justice Kolawole further held that the EFCC acted

illegally beyond its powers to have frozen Nyako’s personal account for two years without a valid court order, saying, “the action of the respondent (EFCC) amounted to usurping the powers of court by entering a final determination of guilt on the applicant.” He said the proof of guilt can only be undertaken by courts of competent jurisdiction and not by any agency including the EFCC. “It is only after a conviction that the court can make

a final order of forfeiture as the rights of suspects are not determined by exparte application without hearing from them.” Justice Kolawole said the National Assembly cannot, therefore, empower any agency or statutory body to act in defiance to the constitution. In the instant case, the applicant was in the custody of the respondent between February 12 and 17, 2016 and released on February 17 without being charged to court. No matter the date, the question is, has there been a violation of his right? “I hold that there was an infringement of his fundamental human rights because he was detained for three days in excess of the period prescribed by law. “I hold that the EFCC acted with a guilty knowledge just to injure the applicant’s status and pride as son of a former governor,” Justice Kolawole held.

Delta assembly approves N14.16bn FG loan for Okowa Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba

From left, Deputy Director, Public Relations, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Abdulrauf Akinwoye; Managing Director, Mr Fidet Okhiria and the Director of Operations, Mr Niyi Alli, during a strategic inspection and trial run of the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge coach, in Abuja, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN.

NRC conducts trial run on Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge THE Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) on Wednesday commenced its maiden free trial run aboard the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail track. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the corporation took delivery of three 80-passenger capacity standard gauge coaches, one 56-passenger capacity executive coach and one Parcel/Guard van coach on March 2. The trial ride, which took off from the corporation’s Idu Station in Abuja at 8:27a.m. traversed the NRC stations at Kuchibon, Asham, Jere, Gidan, Rijauna, Dutse, Kakau and arrived in Rigasa in Kaduna at 12.42 p.m. An individual standard coach which is 1,437mm as against the 1,067mm of the narrow gauge in width has a 57.2 tare weight with 150 km/h speed. Mr Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, who described the trial as successful, said that the purpose was to perform strategic inspection and attract passenger traffic.

“It is the first time we are running passenger train on standard gauge and that makes it unique. I can say so far, so good, the ride was smooth. “The speed is going to be improved upon from 100 Km/h to 150 Km/h when the passenger locomotives

come, say, September, because the locomotive we are using now is the one used for construction. “We delayed the train because we were carrying out some strategic inspection to find out what is not in the station presently and what we need to add.

“We need to add more seats, not for the passengers (because that one is in place) but for comfort of our staff,’’ Okhiria said. “However, from now till the commissioning date we invite people to ride in the train from Abuja to Kaduna and Kaduna back to Abuja.”

I borrowed only N53.5bn in a year —Ortom Johnson Babajide - Makurdi BENUE State governor, Samuel Ortom, has disclosed that his administration has only borrowed N53.5 billion since inception. The governor made this disclosure during his town hall meeting with stakeholders at Katsina-Ala, Gboko, Adikpo and Vandeikya. Governor Ortom, who debunked reports that he had borrowed over N100 billion within one year, said all the loans he took were in the interest of the state and judiciously utilised. Governor Ortom explained that when he took office, he inherited a deficit treasury and had to borrow

N10 billion to pay May and June 2015 salaries and facilitate take off of his administration. The previous administration in the state, throughout its eight years, borrowed N18 billion loan through bonds which he said was used for developmental projects. Governor Ortom, while giving the breakdown of the loan borrowed within the last one year, said that Federal Government offered the state loans of N28 billion and N10 billion respectively to clear four months salary arrears at the state and local government levels as well as provide critical infrastructure. He stated that his admin-

istration also took a N5.5 billion facility to pay counterpart funding for joint projects with development partners including the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). According to the statement signed by special adviser to the governor on media, Mr Tahav Argezua, the governor said the administration partnered with various agencies which included Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), FADAMA 1, 2 and 3 as well as others who have embarked on numerous projects in the state.

DELTA State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, approved a N14.16 billion Federal Government loan facility for the state. The approval, which was sequel to a letter to the speaker of the house by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was approved at a plenary session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Friday Ossai Osanebi who read the governor’s letter to members. The facility is a Federal Government arrangement to support states in meeting their obligations at this critical period of the nation’s history. In the letter, the governor said: “the facility is to enable the state government bridge some critical funding gaps in connection with the financing of infrastructural development projects.” The governor said that the facility would attract an interest of nine per cent with a moratorium of one year for 10-year tenure. According to the governor, Delta State has met the conditions for the offer adding that the disbursement plan will entail the release of three tranches of N1.39 billion over a period of three months to be followed by N1.11 billion over nine months .

Nigerian Tribune

EFCC arraigns Nyako’s aide, others over fraud Sunday Ejike - Abuja THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, arraigned Ja’afaru Maliki, an aide to former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, before Justice Balkisu Aliyu of a Federal High Court, Yola, Adamawa State, over alleged fraud. He was arraigned along with Vwapamkai Bafyau, Director of Rural Access Mobility Project/World Bank; Farouk Abdullahi Tarja, Director, Civil Works; James Zarma and Suleiman Mohammed, both deputy permanent secretaries, and Mamman Malgwi, a permanent secretary. They are facing a ninecount charge bordering on procurement fraud and diversion of funds to the tune of N700 million. The funds were meant for the development of the Yola bye-pass Phase 1 road project awarded to Nasser & Associate Global International Limited. The defendants ran into trouble when a group, Adamawa Awareness for Change petitioned the EFCC, which subsequently investigated the allegation of fraud and misappropriation of funds levelled against them.

Amosun charges teachers on poor performance in Maths MATHEMATICS teachers have been called upon to map out strategies that would address poor performance in Mathematics at internal and external examinations across the Ogun State. State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who made the call at the first annual conference of the Mathematics Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State chapter, at The Bells University of Technology, Ota, said statistical evident revealed that students performed poorly in the subject. Governor Amosun, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Modupe Mujota, described Mathematics as the mother of all subjects, saying that students need to be grounded in it being pivotal to having a career in science, engineering and other fields involving calculations. He urged teachers of Mathematics to come up with a method that would make the subject more interesting.

news

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Decomposed body of kidnapped Otukpo Catholic priest found Johnson Babajide, Makurdi

HE abducted Catholic priest, Reverend Father John Adenyi, Vicar- General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese, has been found dead by the police in a bush, a few kilometers away from the main road. The vicar-general was abducted on April 24, by unknown persons on Otukpa - Enugu Road, while returning to Otukpo, his base, after a church service in Otukpa area of Ogbadibo Local Government Area. Sources said the decomposed body of the priest was found at Odoba in Otukpa area of Ogbadibo, saying ‘‘what was seen was cassock and sandals on the skeleton, which suggest that it was the remains of the kidnapped priest. The state police spokesman, ASP Moses Yamu, told newsmen that police, on receiving information about the decomposed body found in the bush near the area the priest was abducted, cordoned off the place, adding that forensic anthropology would be conducted before they could give useful information. However, the state governor confirmed the discovery of the decomposed body of the Catholic priest on Wednesday, during a town hall meeting held with Igede people, at the College of Education, Oju, as part of his ongoing stakeholders meeting. He said the Reverend Father’s skeleton was discovered on Tuesday, in

Otukpa, three kilometres away from the road, adding that he had already directed the police and medical personnel to collect the skeleton for postmortem. Paying respect to the soul of the departed priest, the governor asked the people to observe a minute silence

for the repose of the soul of Adenyi. He, however, vowed that the abductors of Adenyi would be brought to book. It will be recalled that family members of the Catholic priest had paid the N2 million ransom requested by the suspected kidnappers three days

after he was kidnapped, but the suspects later switched off all contacts. After fruitless efforts at rescuing the priest, the state governor had, a few weeks ago, announced N5 million reward for information on the whereabouts the of the priest.

DAMILARE Amosun, a baby boy of about eight months old, was deliberately abandoned by a suspected insane woman on the roadside the road on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, on June 4, 2016, at about 12.01 hours. All efforts to locate the mother of the baby proved abortive.

Gunmen abduct 5 UNICEM contractors, kill One Anthony Ubong, Calabar

Unidentified gunmen, on Wednesday, allegedly killed one and abducted five expatriates of MacMahon, a contracting firm with the United Cement Company of Nigeria (UNICEM), a subsidiary of Larfarge Plc, located in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The incident, which occurred in the morning at Akansoko community in Calabar Municipality Council area of the state, is coming barely a week after one of the host communities of UNICEM, lamented alleged marginalisation and neglect by the cement company. An impeccable source told the Nigerian Tri-

bune that gunmen, stormed Akansoko community, in a commando style by shooting sporadically, after which they attacked a vehicle conveying four expatriates of Mac Mahon. He said the driver of the vehicle was killed during the attack. According to a source, “This morning ,as we were going to work, when we

•As multinational forces launch operation Gama Aiki to flush out terrorists A senior US military general, on Wednesday, said the terror group in Nigeria, Boko Haram, had been fractured internally. Lieutenant-General Thomas Waldhauser, the nominee to lead US military’s Africa Command, disclosed this in Washington during his nomination hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He said the problem in the group resulted from some members splitting from shadowy leader, Abubakar Shekau, over his failure to adhere to guidance from the Iraq and Syria-based Islamic State. Waldhauser said the internal division was illustrative of limits of Islamic State’s influence over Boko Haram so far, in spite of the West African group’s pledge of allegiance to it last year. “Several months ago, about half of Boko Haram broke off to a separate group because they were not happy

Abandoned babies

TOLANI Amosun, a girl of about four weeks old, was found abandoned in the bush at Image II Street, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, on May 17, 2016, at about 13.00 hours. Hence, the baby girl was found when she was about a day-old with a deep cut at the back of her neck.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, on Wednesday. PHOTO: nan

Boko Haram fracturing over Islamic State ties —US General Chris Agbambu-Abuja

Reacting to the report, the Secretary General of Opiatoha Idoma, Mr Adoka Adaji, said, “it is unfortunate there is no security in Idomaland, otherwise, the kidnappers of Adenyi would have been exposed. The Idoma people are no longer their brothers’ keeper.”

with the amount of buy-in, if you will, from Boko Haram into the ISIL brand,’’ he explained. Meanwhile, the headquarters, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), has launched Op Gama Aiki to clear remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in its general area of responsibility. This step, according to MNJTF, is aimed at preventing the terrorists from establishing new sanctuaries and hideouts in the Lake Chad region. The Op Gama Aiki involved the MNJTF troops and the National Air and ground forces from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroun and Niger Republics. The Nigerian Tribune gathered that since the launch of the Op GAMA AIKI, appreciable operational successes had been recorded in the frontlines. Also, some fierce encounters with the terrorists such as Doran Nairi, Faide-Jimba, Yebi-Tasugia, Yebi-Jemi, Alli Kanori, Yebi Tumanba

and Alagarno villages, including Doron Naira along Sector 3 (Nigeria) axis had been cleared. During the encounters, MNJTF troops neutralised 31 terrorists, seized and destroyed large quantity of equipment and cache of arms and ammunition. Among the equipment captured were 1 x Hilux mounted with Shilka gun with 97 rounds of 21mm (AA), 14 AK 47 rifles, 4 RPG Bombs, 6 x Mortar Bombs, 2 GPMG rifles, 1 HK 24 MG, 1 AKM MG and 8 Bandoliers, among other equipment destroyed in suit.

The MNJTF lost two soldiers while 12 others wounded are currently receiving medical attention. In a related development, troops of the 81 Battalion and 251 Task Force Battalion deployed in an observation post have intercepted 69 fleeing family members of Boko Haram from Sambisa, comprising seven men, 18 women, seven grown -up boys and 37 children. The rescued persons were sighted while approaching a checkpoint at Liwanti Village located on DamboaBulabulin Road in Borno State.

got to the bridge on Jonathan Bypass at Akansoko , gunmen suspected to be militants, attacked the vehicle conveying MacMahon company staff, killed the driver and kidnapped five white men. “Although one of the white men escaped, the body of the driver who was shot in an attempt to escape with the white men is still in the area. “Although the victims are not direct staff of UNICEM, MacMahon company is one of the companies working in UNICEM ,which is like one big family, so ,this development is very sad for all of us in UNICEM.” When contacted, UNICEM’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Ayi Ita Ayi, confirmed the attack. He said “it is true because there were gunshots but I can’t ascertain names of those attacked but they were staff of Mac Mahon.’’ Also, UNICEM Communications Officer, Viola Graham-Douglas, confirmed it, assuring that MacMahon was working with security agencies to ensure the safe release of those kidnapped.

Anyone with useful information about the whereabouts of their parents/ relatives of their mothers, should, please, contact the nearest police station or the Directorof Social Welfare Services, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Seminar Chritian Theological Seminar, Ibadan, Oyo State will host Professor Dayo Idowu Akintayo, the provost, college of Managment Sciences, osun State University, Osogbo, for a leadership summit on ‘‘Professional teaching ethics and seminary education: Issues and challenges” on Monday by 9:00 am, at the seminary headquarters, Sawmill market Area,Old Ife Road, Ibadan.

Soldiers kill 9 bandits in Zamfara The 224 Light Tank Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Gusau, said it has killed nine bandits in Madaka Village in Dansadau Emirate of Zamfara State. The Commanding Officer of the battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Adamu Aliyu, who made the disclosure while addressing newsmen

on Wednesday, said the bandits were killed during exchange of gunfire with soldiers on Monday. He also said soldiers were combing suspected black spots in search of those who escaped with bullet wounds. Aliyu said three AK 47 rifles, four magazines, five rounds of ammunition and

one machete were recovered from the fleeing bandits. “The soldiers also destroyed 14 out of the 24 motorcycles seized from the bandits. ‘‘The command would sustain the combing the entire area to apprehend them and bring to an end their menace,’’ he added.

Professor Dayo Akintayo

fortherecord

Thursday, 23 June, 2016

Judgment of Hon Justice S.O. Falola on use of Hijab in Osun public schools

Continued from yesterday

“It is the view of my learned brother Obaseki, which I fully share with respect, that, it is the universal concept that all human beings are brothers and assets to one another. He applies this to ground locus standi. That we are all brothers is more so in this country where the Socio-Cultural concept of ‘family’ and ‘extended family’ transcend all barriers. Is it not right then for the court to take note of the concept of the loose use of the word ‘brother’ in this country? Brother in the Nigerian context is completely different from the blood brother of the English language”. In this instant case, the 2nd and 3rd Applicants are corporate institutions to which the Applicants and the female Muslim Students belong. Nobody has denied that the Female Students affected do not belong to either or both the 2nd and 3rd Applicants. Under the provision of Section 596 Companies And Allied Matters Act, only the Incorporated Trustees and not individual members of such organization are capable of suing and being sued on behalf of their members. The law provides; “596 (1) From the date of their registration, the trustees or trustee shall become a body corporate by the name described in the certificate and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name—” On that ground, it is obvious that the case of Dr. SOFOLAHAN & ANOR VS CHIEF (MRS) FOWLER (Supra) is not applicable to this case. And to put the matter finally beyond reproach, the subsisting law, Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules which was enacted in 2009, several years after SOFOLAHAN V FOWLER case (supra) was decided provides, by Section 3, (a) and (e) 3. “The overriding objectives of these rules are as follows: 3(a) “The Constitution, especially Chapter IV, as well as the African Charter, shall be expansively and purposely interpreted and applied, with a view to advancing and realizing the rights and freedoms contained in them and affording the protections intended by them”. 3 (e) “The court shall encourage and welcome public interest litigation in the human right field and no human rights case may be dismissed or struck out or want of locus standi. In particular human rights activists, advocates, or groups as well as any non-government organization may institute human rights application on behalf of any potential applicant”. In human rights litigation, the applicant may include any of the following: 1. Anyone acting in his own interest 2. Anyone acting on behalf of another person 3. Anyone acting as a member of or in the interest of a group or class of persons 4. Anyone acting in the public interest, and 5. Association action in the interest of its members or other individual or groups”. While it is obvious that the 1st and 4th Applicants are qualified to bring the application under items 1, 2 and 3 above, the 2nd and 3rd applicants are qualified to bring this application under item 5 above. Therefore, based on the above premise, I hold that the Applicants have locus standi to institute this action on behalf of themselves and Muslim female Students in Public Primary and Secondary Schools in Osun State. The First issue is resolved in favour of the Applicants. 2. It is obvious that the Applicants are challenging the policy of government which they feel it is against their interest. Under the 1963 Constitution, the government at all levels enjoyed the “Kabyesi syndrome” that is, “the action of government cannot be questioned”. However Chapter 2 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) has demystified that concept and put the actions and inactions of government at the door step of courts for scrutiny. In particular the Applicants are aggrieved that the rights guaranteed them under S. 38 (1) of the Constitution have been taken away by the provisions of Article 8 2(v) of the Guidelines (supra) promulgat-

Every Nigerian that is aggrieved over policy of government should be encouraged to approach the court to seek redress rather than slamming the doors of civil redress against him.

ed by the 1st – 3rd Respondent and implemented by the 4th and 5th Respondents. The law provides; “38 (1) Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion, or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance”. The Applicants are also complaining that their Wards are only permitted to propagate their religion by wearing Hijab in some Schools but are denied of that right in the others amount to discrimination under S.42 of the Constitution. The main Respondents, that is 1st – 5th Respondents did not only admit this fact, they did not deny the fact that indeed Muslim female students that insist on their right are sanctioned by exposure to assault, reprimand, humiliation, suspension and other forms of embarrassment. There is a clash between the Applicants who insist on claiming their right expressed in Chapter 24 verses 30 – 31 of the Glorious Qur’an on the wearing of Hijab to School, and are therefore seeking refuge under the Constitution on one hand, and the 1st – 5th Respondents who have by their Guideline created different category of Schools and the concomitant rights a Student can enjoy there on the other hand. The situation has become porous now that the Muslim Female Students no longer have the right to choose the School they wish to attend because the 1st – 5th Respondents claim to have responsibility of placing students to any School, and that in recent times the new education policy of the State government has brought about merging of many Schools together and so, many students from different background now study within the same School environment. In the case of EFIOK V GOVT of CROSS RIVER STATE (2011) ALL FWLR (Pt 593) 1993 it was held that an enactment that amount to a total or partial usurpation of judicial powers vested in the courts by the Constitution (S.6 (6) (b) or one that purports to divest the courts of the exercise of judicial powers shall be struck down. Also in OKEREKE V YAR’ADUA (2008) ALL FWLR (pt 430) 626 it was held that, the jurisdiction of all Superior Courts of record is Constitutional, some having been donated by the Constitution and cannot therefore be circumscribed or limited by any other statute. The conclusion I have reached therefore is to hold that the Applicants have genuine grievances, cognizable and recognized by law, which the court can inquire into. It is laden with constitutional flavour, therefore it is the responsibility of the court to intervene in such dispute. Every Nigerian that is aggrieved over policy of government should be encouraged to approach the court to seek redress rather than slamming the doors of civil redress against him. Otherwise he may, out of frustration, recoil to the trenches and from there levy war against innocent members of the public. This issue is also resolved in the positive, in favour of the Applicants. 3. The next issue is on the provisions of the Glorious Qur’an and the entitlement of Muslim Female Students to wear Hijab in Public Primary and Secondary Schools in Osun State.

It is the case of the Applicants that Chapter 24 verses 30 – 31 of the Glorious Qur’an makes it compulsory for their female Muslim Students to wear Hijab. That portion of the holy book provides; “Enjoin believing men to turn their eyes away from temptation and to restrain their carnal desires. This will make their lives purer. Allah has knowledge of their actions. Enjoin believing women to cover their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s father, their sons, their husband’s Sons, their brothers or their brother’s Sons or their sisters’ sons or other women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain bliss”. This Qur’anic injunction has been given judicial interpretation by the Court of Appeal Ilorin Division in the Unreported case of THE PROVOST, KWARA STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ILORIN & 2 ORS VS BASHIRAT SALIU & 2 ORS Appeal No CA/ IL/49/2006 where it was held, per Hussein Mukhtar, JCA, at page 15 – 16 of lead judgement: “— The foregoing verses of the Glorious Qur’an and Hadiths have left no room for doubt on the Islamic Injunction on women’s mode of dress, which is clearly in conformity with not only the Respondent’s veiled dress but also the controversial article J of the 3rd Applicants’ dress code — The use of veil by the respondents, therefore qualifies as a fundamental right under Section 38 (1) of the Constitution”. The Court of Appeal further held per Massoud AbdulRahman Oredola, JCA at page 2 of the concurrent judgement; “The right of the Respondents to wear their Hijab, veil within the School campus and indeed anywhere else is adequately protected under our laws. Human rights recognizes and protects religious rights. Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guaranteed freedom of religion to all and sundry. Thus things that lawfully constitute open manifestation, propagation, worship, teaching, practice and observance of the said religion are equally and by extension similarly guaranteed and protected by the Constitution. Indeed the Hijab, Niqab or Burqa, being part and parcel of Islamic code of dressing and by whatever standard a dignified or vividly decent one cannot be taken away by any other law other than the Constitution” Both the Applicants and Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) as an Amicus Curiae subscribed to these religious and judicial pronouncements. The two sets of Respondents and Christian Lawyers Association of Nigeria (CLASSFON) the other Amicus Curiae though apposed this position failed to site a direct superior case law or statute to cancel out or derogate from the specific pronouncements of the Court of Appeal on this point. I have no choice other than to submit to the Superior authority and wisdom of the Court of Appeal and apply the statutory provision. That issue is also resolved in the positive. 4) With respect to issue 4 it is obvious that from my holding above, especially the pronouncements of their Lordships of the Court of Appeal that wearing of Hijab by Muslim Female Students in Public Primary and Secondary Schools in Osun State qualify as a right to be protected as envisaged under S.38 (1) and 42 of the Constitution. The Court of Appeal per Massoud AbdulRahman Oredola JCA at pages 3 – 4 of the concurrent judgement held further; “I am of the firm but respectful view point that sticking to the fundamentals of one’s religion does not and cannot make or transform someone into either an extremist or a fanatic. Continues tomorrow

tribunepools

ALUMNI NAP – 08154836338 (14X 24) AVONDALE! AVONDALE!! AVONDALE!!! Avondale Away 19 in weeks – 50’2014 & 50’ 2015 Week 50’2014–14x 23x 45xxx 19x-11drs

Week 50’2015-01x 24x 43xxx 19x -5drs Avondale Home 19 in weeks – 46’2014 & 50’ 2016 Week 46’2014 – 16x 22x 44xxx 14x 24 Week 50’2016 - x x x - 14x 24x When records speaks other protocols must be duely observed. Alumni winning pay point- #25,000. Good luck. LUCKYMAN 08054352685 (24 SURE 29) Luckyman 1-2-x guide and Luckyman one sure draw are the two fortune papers that you will need for Aussie forecast grab your own copy today and see the wonders of 1-2-x forecast you will smile to your bank on Monday with our 3 Aussie draws cost N2000 MTN Card you must win and win well best of luck to your all. THE – LILIES 08086944309 (17 MUST 18) 3 SUSSIE DRAWS FOR GRAB= N3000 MTN CARD We are really set to help you win on pools all our last week callers smile to their bank another 3 Aussie draws await all our fans send N3000 MTN Card and win Big Jackpot on pools stick to is weekly and let fortune smile on your face. MISTER – DRAW 08030415683 (14XXBK) Capalaba a super draw plus 2 super draws cost N2000 MTN Card winning is wonderful win now. INNOCENT NAP = 08095602590 Wk 50 No 24 xx Bk 25 xx Wk 49 FREE NO 3x 7x KEY Every week 50. Blue Bank St. Albans to Draw No. 25. Bank Niger No 24 to draw wk 50 No. 24.25. Plus 4 Others cost N6,000 check wk 50 2014, 2015, 2016 wk 50 blue = 2014 No 14 x 15 x 30 x 42x with 23 x 24 x = 5/5 Wk 50 Blue 2015 No lxl9x29 x43xwith24x29x=5/5wk5OB1ue2O 16NoNAPNAPNAPNAP with 24.25 wk 51 Red = 2016 No NAP NAP NAP NAP with NAP NAP Time town pool thus wk 50 as Innocent NAP 4. Special this wk 50 will play 6 over 6 correct two Bankers cost N3,000 send M.T.N. Card. JOSEPH INITIATIVE WIN – 08167278061 1 3WEEKS IN AUSSIE SURE NAP/ WIN. Week 47 – 9x 49xx - 34x 36f Week 48 – 39x 49xx – 36x 34f Week 49 – 29x 49xx - 34x 36x Now set for another 3weeks bumper Full Aussie Naps TIGERS F.C and MONARO. P- 48 & 49 Alternating Home and Away on Nos 48 and 49. Also TIGER F.C ON TUGGERUTD AT HOME & AWAY. The setting approved our 3 fixed matches (NAPS) cost #50,000 initiative win. Good luck. YEWA GAMES – 07064660296 (01 MUST 41) Your 3 fixed draws after a while silence is now ready. Call for details now. Goodluck DOSA 08072216644 (43 PAIR 44) Grab my 3 banker draws and a pair this week 50 and smile to your bank on Monday to save your winning money on pool staking send to Dosa N5, 000 MTN recharge card and say halleluyah to God this week 50. PETER NAP 23 PAIR 24 (08076546261) All is set for another 3/3 and 4/5 in this week of Aussie. The weekly release cost just N25, 000. 00 pay to savings acct No. 3023114822 First bank in person of Mr Onaolapo Peter a. and call on 08076546261. Meanwhile 23 or 24 for X. MID – WEEK GIVES 46/47 (08087176217) The Juicy Mid – Week international gladly offers 46/47 in continuation of the menu which we are priviledge to give out. We say Aussie is bread and butter. Our 1Bk still costs only N1, 500. 00; 2 Draws cost N3, 000.00 and 3 Bks sell for N15, 000. 00 this Aussie on 08087176217. Best of Luck!

DANDENONG.C.SYSTEM = 19.24 09038460009 = 09084916233 = 4.special draws = 2013. Wk 50 no 17 x 23 x 25 x 28 x with 19F 24 x 4. special draws = 2014. Wk 50 no 14 x 15 x 27 x 42 x with 19 x 24 x 4. special draws F 2015. Wk 50 No 1 x 19 x 29 x 43 x with 19 x 24 x 4 special draws = 2016. Wk 50 No. NAP NAP NAP NAP with 19.24 4. special draws = 2016 wk 51 No. NAP NAP NAP NAP with NAP NAP KEY: Every wk 50, Bank Niger No 19.24. To draw plus, 3. others cost N6,000 wk 50 =2015 19x 24x 43x with 19.24wk50=2016 NoNAPNAPNAPNAPwith 19-24 following wk 51 to control 4. Special draws cost N6,000 Wk 51 No NAP NAP NAP NAP = 4/4. VICTORIOUS VICTOR – 08126994034 We are head bent on your winning. 19x 05x 09x 14x 24x 29xxx Again the 3 direct draws from the above free permutation games cost #10,000. Win BET now. Good luck. SAM AYO NAP - 08109152433 (23XX 30) Aussie specialised winning team is now ready to enrich stakers this week 50. Call for details

EDITOR’S PLACE: 09 - 48

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE POOLS PAGE

THE WINNERS CHOICE GET A COPY AND WIN

PLEAID DE MAXWELL – 09099968585 BRUNSWICK. MUST DANDENONG.C

Congratulations since the inception of 2016 Australian season this is the second week we are having full Aussie fixtures on coupon. The first appearance of full Aussie teams was in week 48 controlled with BONNYRIGG.W home No 1 and other settings with 11 draws. Last week glut of draws on 3 days played matches with 17 draws that spoilt stakers winning dividends, Never mind we are having full Aussie with full payment this week, play it anywhere the above 2 teams is sure for a least draw. Draws are likely at Rockdale, Sydney O, Bonnyrigg at NSW Premier league, Gold coast, Avondale, Brunswick. C, Dandenong C, Eastern L and North Geelong in the Victoria division. West Australia is always a barren place but Inglewood, Perth & Balcatta are draw favourites. Watch TAS Premier league for draws. Tiggers F.C vs. Tuggers Utd for a draw. Contact De Maxwell clinic for your winning.

AMUKO & ASSOCIATES ON AVENGE MISSION 07014686970 – 19 CBK XX

WEEK 50: MUUST WIN is to take vengeance for week 49 glut draws. No HIDDEN PLACE AGAIN. WEEK OF FULL ODD. IN AUSSIE PROPER CONGRATULATIONS. HISTORY WINNING RECORDSWeek 47’ 2014 – Inglewood Utd vs Floreat Athena= 07x 14x 43xxx – 26xxx 7 draws Week 48, 2016 – Floreat Athena vs Ingleweeod = 05x 23x 41xxx – 26x – 11draws Week 50 ‘2015 sure win again. Week 50 ‘2015 – Heldelberg. U vs Avondale = 24x 29x 43xxx – 19x- 5drs Week 50 ‘2016 – Avondale vs Heldelberg = X X X-19x 19SURE19BET. 19XXCBK - 10drs Taste winning today and experience the beauty in triumph. Winners celebrates – N50, 000= welcome winners. NAZAR MASTER REMAIN ON TOP, PROMISES HIGH DIVIDEND 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 this Aussie 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 Benchmark. Invest and win big. He promised higher dividend in Aussie 2016 and prompt payment on fixed odds. OLA – CITY BOAST OF 3 DRAWS AGAIN This week 50 must correct 3 draws week 50 pair 48xxx 49xxx Phone 08140575314, 08085005634. The Compiler of ola – City International Australia Draws Wizard assures Stakers of his 3 fixed Draws for this week 50 cost N10, 000 cash. Pay to First Bank plc in the name of Olafenwa Ramoni Ola – City Account Number 3033318854 and collect the 3 draws on Phone after confirmation of your payment. He promise to launch his U.K Wizard Key for 2016/2017 English season. Cost N30, 000 cash in week 5 with Arsenal vs Liverpool on coupon No 1. August 13, 2016. Interested stakers to pay to First Bank Account No 3033318854 in the name of Olafenwa Ramoni Ola – City text your Address after confirmation of your payment. Phone 08140575314 08085005634. God Bless you all. MR. SOLUTION AUSSIE WIN – 08072974729 (05 SOLVE 19) BLUE! BLUE!! BLUE!!! 2 YEARS 2015/2016 WINNING AFFAIRS ON AUTHENTIC WINNING INSTRUCTION SYDNEY O & SYDNEY U SYDNEY. O . AWAY 5 in 2015 – 2wks SYDNEY UTD. AWAY 5 in 2016 – 2wks Week 46’2015 – 21X 24X 27XXX = + 3 winning (05/43) Week 50’2015 – 19X 24X 29XXX + 5 winning (05/43) Now, week 50’2016 and week 2’2016 = 05 FREE 19 and 3 other fixed Naps of full payment. Call, win & win N50,000 = strictly on current winning rights. OBINYAN READY TO ENRICH STAKERS. The wizard of 1.2x in Africa,The Chairman managing director of kings & George group of forcast papers CHIEF EHI OBINYAN assures stakers of good win in 2016 Aussie despite the hidden place. He therefore enjoined stakers to browse through his fortune papers for regular win this Aussie. Buy, study and keep records of the group of the fortune forcast papers for your winning assurance, the papers are Pools Telegraph, Zeters Pools Guild, Shoot Pointers, Murphy sports, The New Dream and Final Result. MALLAM BAWA MUSA SET AGAIN 08052506287 WK 50 PAIR 1,2 WK 48 = 4X,39X,43X. PAIR 13F,14F WK 50 = BET,BET,BET. PAIR 1,2 Congrats to all my new and old customers who got my special release for week 48 which played 3/3 Nap correct on 4x,39x,43x, Pair 13f,14f. Adamstown R. is set at No 14 home under the bar again in week 50 for another 3 unfailing Nap draws, cost #10,000 cash. Payments at Access Bank to Mallam Musa Ibrahim Bawa, Acct No 0042075587. WISDOM AUSSIE APPRAISAL 07088103080 (43XX 41) Annual week 50 Winning Gazett 2015/17 Hammilton. O – Adamstown. R – 2015 Adamstown. R. – Hamilton. O – 2016 Week 50 ‘2015 – 01x 19x 29xxx – 43x Week 50’ 2016 – X X X - 41xx 43 Alternate win on the position of the 2 teams in 2015 and 2016= 43xx 41 (Must). Strictly on foreign book makers assisted winning project directives. Welcome to the winners world – N50, 000= Wisdom – WWW@Goodluck.aussie ISREAL BAIL OUT NAP REMAIN INDIVINSIBLE 09085712800. BLACKTOWN, C and BANKSTOWN. c At home in week 49’ 2015. and Blacktown. C At away in week 50’ 2016. Whao! what a gazzetted/ fixed draws programe - stop all doubts ‘Be - Bailed Out’ Watch Blacktown C./ Bonnyrigg on No 1 in the 2 stated weeks. study/ confirm before call. Note: Australia full fixture// teams on coupon this week, confirmed winning week Let’s celebrate you - N50, 000= FORTUNE DONOR DONATES 20/30 (08099111828) The selfless and hardworking fortune Donor International happily donates coupon Nos 20 and 30 for 1 super draw this week. Combine the duo with our 1Bk and get your 2/3 unfailingly. Do not doubt, our 1Bk sells for only N1, 500, 00, 2Bks sells for n3, 000. 00 and 3drs cost N15, 000. 00 only in Aussie. Use 20/30. You are a winner!

NEW CURRENT INFORMATION KEY 08038633666 = 08166222529 Wk 50 No. 1 xx 48xx plus 4.Others cost N8,000 two Bankers = N4,000 4. special draws N8,000 wk 49 No 14 x 29 x 34 x 47X with. 2 X 49 X 4 SPECIAL DRAWS N8,000 WK 50 Blue No Nap Nap Nap Nap Nap with 1.48. 4. Special Draw N8,000 Wk 51 Red No. Nap Nap Nap Nap with. Xx two Bankers N4,000 wk 49 no 14 x 34 x Pair 47 x 49 x Two Bankers N4,000 wk 50 No Nap Nap Nap Pair . 1.48 stakers try Key Letter B.B. at Home and a way No 1 and letter S.S. at Home and away No. 5 to control 4. Special draws this wk 50 Blue cost N8,000 and two bankers cost N4,000 following wk 51 Red to control 4 . special draws cost N 10,000 two bankers cost N5,000 send M.T.N. Card 08038633666—08166222529. MBA EXPERT (08104694618) PAIR – 34XX 35. The matches at Inglewood vs. Perth G. And Perth SC vs. Stirling M. Form a formidable pair this 2nd week of full Aussie season fixtures. The Inglewood/Perth connection is on course again as it was in 2014. It re-surfaced again in wk 48 and No 26. Now what can the 2 Sydney’s and Weston W. do this weekend? Find the clue by SMS or CALL – 08104694618. HOPE NAPS & CO. 08107128449 WK 50. BANK NO 29 PAIR NO 40 Hope do Assure all pool stakeholder and all fans that this Wk 50. We are to give you 3 solid draws which will make you feel fine, Wk 51 & Wk 52. Call Hope for details and pays to First Bank Plc. On Acc. Num. 3088328923 in person of Mr Gbadebo Stephen. A. While the week releases will be sent to you on phone via text message. Bank No. 29 pair No 40. Must for results God Bless. Thanks. JACOBSON THE AUSSIE MANAGER (07065292905) ON 4WEEKS WINNNING DIRECTIVES B- B –B –B AT HOME NO 1 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. 43/49 Week 48 – Bonnyrigg Home No. 1 = 5X 16X 39X - 43 Week 49 – Belgium Home No.1 = 7X 14X 36X - 47x 41 Week 50 – Bonnyrigg Home No. 1 = X X X - 41x 48 Congratulation our 2016 Aussie assured Naps started well with the above winning illustrations. Draws are fixed on scheduled and gazette winning directory. Welcome to the wise stakers abode – N50, 000 -N250,000 . Good luck. WEEK 49 XRAY. Another bumper harvest on our pools page from most of our seasoned experts. Our 2 banker series compilers are OlaCity, The Lillies, Innocent Nap and the Editors place whao! It gave our esteem reading bigger winning dividends. MBA Expert, Midweek fulfilled their paired promised and reliable Mrs. Henry. Narrow missed at New Emirates, Magic kingdom, Zion,Triple spice from their free win. In a chat with of compilers they all promised fruitful winning weeks ahead. Call & win their games and appreciate them, Aussie draws are always fixed on Authentic winning informations.

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

Thursday, 23 - 29 June, 2016 DR. J.K POOLS 070329275802 (01XX 23) 5 – 19 – 24 – 40 – 41 Welcome to Australia 2016 season proper. As from this week 50 try to keep accurate records of Thursday Tribune and watch my forcast and those who enrolled will get their direct forcast through text message. Now, all stakers and registred customers should please get ready for sure winnings. Now pick two bankers from 5 – 19 – 24 – 40 – 42 and add to the above bracket games. Good luck says Dr. JK Pools. SORRENTO SYSTEM 08162705220 09084916233 KEY .8x KEY 48 xx 3 Bankers = N4,500 wk 49 No. 14 x 34 x 44 x Pair 2 x 49 3 Bankers N4,500 wk 50 No Nap Nap Nap Nap Pair. 8. 48 3 Bankers N4,500 wk 51 No Nap Nap Nap Pair Nap Nap 2 Bankers N3,000 Wk 49 No 34 x 44 x Pair 3 x 49 X 2 Bankers N3,000 Wk 50 No Nap Nap Pair .48. 49. 2 Bankers N3,000 Wk 51 No Nap Nap Pair Nap Nap. KEY LETTER.T.T. AT HOME NO 48.49 TO CONTROL 3. Bankers this wk 50 Blue cost N4,500 two bankers cost N3,000 following Wk 51 Letter T.T. Must set at away No 47 to control 3 special draws Wk 51 Red cost N4,500 two bankers cost N3,000 send M.T.N. Card 08162705220. ADEOTI SYNDICATE 07051327960 NOS. 33, EDBK. 34, XTIP, 36, BKD, 50, XOB. Nap the 4 games above if you like take 01x, 02x perm them to give you 4 over 6 and ready for our 2 weks operation release weeks. 51 & 52. Week 51 free Pair:- WT. BIRKALLA – W. ADELAIDE. (38X 37X) Send your N5, 000 cash. Each week to Ahmed Shafiri A/C Nos:- 2001788431 Zenith bank, Ibadan. All members should expect their gift next week. Membership registration N25, 000 eash. Thanks & God Bless.

SOLOMON RESORT AGAIN – 09091118000 (23 SURE 24) The wise annual week 50 SURE NAPS for 2015-2017 TUGGER UTD HOME 49. Reference to week 50’ 2015 of 5 draws. Week 50’ 2015–01x 19xx 29xxx 23f 24x Week 50’ 2016 - X X X -24xx 23x Welcome to the wise Solomon of our time on annual week 50 SURE WIN and forget your past loses. #25,000 irresistible resort place. MAGIC – KINGDOM – 08056753098 / 07085060512 NAP – 38X 39X 40XXX PAIR 28X29 Congrats, our much awaited week is here with the key of No. 17XX drew for 2 weeks, to play / draw the above games to prepare you for weeks 51 and 52 Naps, cost N10,000 each week. Payment to Balogun Adesina Kamoru. FCMBank No – 0279550010, Wema Bank No – 0206965116 and G.T. Bank No – 0115505082. Note – Our Aussie 2016 winning booklet still in stock for sales N100,000. Stop your doubt & win. AKIN MR AKIN- 07067202291 (01 MUST 02) ADD TO PROMOTERS WOES BUT GLUT OF DRAWS SAVE THEIR SOUL. NO HIDDEN PLACE THIUS WEEK. Week 48 – 16x 26x 36xxx -4x 5x Week 49 – 14x 34x 44xxx - 3x 2x Week 50 - X X XXX - 01x 02x #25,000= Affordable guaranteed winning contact on serial calculated assurance Naps. Good luck. MADAM EMILIA – 08068523407 The winners choice of pools stakers Release for week 50 = 5XX 19XXX 23XXX PAIR 17 and 27. I am using this opportunity to inform all stakers that “am fully back.” Promised nothing but winning. You can only get this from Nigerian Tribune, every Thursday. So get your copy and make a choice of your best Bankers and win keep smiling. To weeks 51 and 52 with 3 Nap draws and a pair costs N25,000.00. goodluck to you. For more details contact or pay through this account number 0118159857. Emilia Effiong G.T.Bank. Goodluck. ODESCO SUPER WIN08186673842 32X 38X 42XX for 2 draws. BONNYRIGG VS. BLACKTOWN. C on No 1 On full Australian fixtures, this week 50 I’m ready to enrich stakers with 3 direct naps and a pair. Nap cost #5,500. Payment to Odesola S.B at IBTC Bank no-0001361916. Congrats. MADAM DE MADAM – 08023329191 CONGRATULATIONS BLUE AND DATES OF PLAY WINNING INSTRUCTION = 25TH AND 26TH WITH BALCKTOWN.C ON NO 1 = HOME & AWAY. Reference to week 2’2015 of 6 draws. Week 2’ 2015–19x 23x 30x 43xxx = 6drs Week 2’2016 - x x x x = 9drs Number of draws to be calculated with Dandenong T. Meeting letter ‘N’ fist digit number = 09xdrs. Authentic winning at the Madams place this week again. Call our media manager for details (Mr. Joshua). Congrats once again - #50,000. Good luck. HEAD MASTER 08032747136 Nap= 5, 17, 23, (NAP 24, 27, 29) This is your week Naps to deal with promoters, don’t waste time to play these two ways NAPS against week 51 release its time for you to win Aussie.

WEEK 50 STATUS

SUNDAY MATCHES 02-06, 11,14,16,19,26,30,35,36,4042,44-49.

NAP 24XX NAP 24XX NAP 24XX MRS HENRY 08170779623 & 08071554934 Congratulation! Congratulation!! Congratulation!!! On last week result on nos 17xx 18xx 47xx pair 7xx and 24f and 7xx 17xx 29xx pair 35xx and 37xx. KEY:- Sorento at no 31 away bank on MORELAND. Z at away as a fixed draw on coupon and two others. I am calling on all interested stakers that Mr. Robinson (the president of ppa) is authority in pool. Win pool and laugh. Cost price - #100,000 only (one hundred thousand naira only) NOTE: Please call only if you are interested and with your money. Week 50 release ends around 3pm on Friday. CALL 08170779623 & 08071554934. MRS HENRY REMAINS STAKERS HOPE. CALL & WIN

ALHAJI SADIKU. 08062978995 TALK OF THE TOWN RELEASE. Please note that in this current Aussie season, “whenever BONNYRIGG is at NO. 1 HOME, it is a classified authentic key to promote 3 sure Nap draws and strong pair” WK. 48 = 39X, 41X, 43X. Pair 16X, 23X WK. 50 = NAP, NAP, NAP. Pair X, X. Cost price = N20,000 cash. Pay at any G.T.B, to Alhaji Sadiku Adedoja, accts No. 0030411077. Call 08062978995 or 08183573342…N.B. I don’t publish or advertise expect I am sure of my Nap

WITH FULL AUSSIE TRIPLE OFFERS (1-18-30-46-10/20) FOR REGISTRATION (AUSSIE ONLY)

08035324990

Take it, don’t leave it. Aussie offers special menu. Registration for the remaining Aussie weeks is #500,000. Use what we offer you to register now. You are a special breed. Call 08035324990 from Monday for details of payment. Preperatory win for 2016 Aussie Reg. = 01-18-30-46-10/20.

AMUKO & ASSOCIATES – THE AUSSIE MANAGER – 07014686970 Contact us and win with special revealed week 50 annual winning (NAPS). We only speak CUP & AUSSSIE Language N50,000

WISDOM AUSSIE APPRAISAL – 07088103080 (41X 43)

Hamilton. O - Adamstown. R - 2015 and 2016 gazetted Win at welcome you to the winners world. Read our advert for details. MR SOLUTION INTERNATIONAL WIN 08072974729

2 Years Blue coloured winning instruction on SYDNEY. O & U away no 5. Call & win N50, 000

NJOROGE MR. ASSURANCE – 08177474535. ANNUAL 2015 &2016 WEEKS 48 &50 WIN. APIA – LEICHARDT HOME NO 1 WKS 48 & 50 – 2015 BONNYRIGG W.E HOME NO 1 WKS 48 & 50 – 2016. Our previous 2 weeks performances in 2015. Wk. 48’ 2015 – 12x 22x 43xxx / / Wk. 48’ 2016 16x 36x 49xxx Wk. 50’ 2015 = 19x 29x 41xxx / / Wk. 50’ 2016 x x x Now, 2016 Bonnyrigg @ home wks 48 & 50. NOTE: Tugger U or Tiger M Letter ‘T’ must be at home 49 (must). Full payment.Congrats the Assurance family that won with us last week on 16x 39x 41xxx. No release in week 49, so GET PREPARED for wk 50 FINAL 2nd round win = N50,000 /N100,000. at NJOROGE your winning is sure.

SIDELINES

no 16,530

n150

THURSDAY, 23 june, 2016

A street beggar in the United States now on the run reportedly murdered 17-year-old boy who offered him $2 on the premise that the donation was an insult. If one may ask, was the beggar after survival or becoming an entrepreneur like his Indian counterpart, Pappu Kumar who has been giving out loans to traders from street begging after boasting of having $15,000 in various banks?

Post UTME: A rescue mechanism

S I stated last week, it must always be borne in mind that the post-UTME exercise was conceived as a rescue mechanism in response to the falling standard of education in Nigeria. Notwithstanding the fact that the exercise must of necessity involve some financial implication, there is justification for retaining it. Prof. Dibu Ojerinde of JAMB must be congratulated for informing the Vice Chancellors, Registrars and others that screening exercise must continue. The fact remains that JAMB is the greatest beneficiary of Post UTME screening exercise. The credibility of JAMB has increased because anybody who obtains fake result from JAMB knows that he or she is expected to face screening exercise. The screening exercise has remained a touchstone for testing the veracity of the JAMB results. Before the introduction of Post UTME, it was a fact that many students who entered the university with high marks ended up average or were expelled because of poor academic performance. The introduction of screening exercise saw instant reduction in the number of students parading fake JAMB results. Nigeria is a part of the world community. Screening of students by universities who pass the accepted national examination for admission is the normal practice all over the world. However this universal practice was overlooked in the pronouncement of the Minister that the post UTME should be abolished. THE MAKING OF LAW OR REGULATION All over the world, laws and regulations are made by government or accredited bodies or representatives. However no law or regulation, or amendment or repeal of an existing law or regulation is ever made orally. Even when Nigeria was ruled by the military, laws or regulations were not made orally. They were made by Decrees Under the civilian dispensation, laws, regulations, amendments and or repeal of existing laws or regulation can only be made through government gazette. In other words the existing regulation establishing Post UTME cannot be repealed orally. I am not persuaded that the oral pronouncement of the Honourable Minister of Education can ripen into law or legislation until the accepted practice is followed.

U-17 Basketball:

OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D, D.Litt

afeonthursday

aareafe@gmail.com

Minister’s pronouncement to scrap Post-UTME exams: A serious mistake (3)

In going through the newspapers, the main reason why most people are opposed to Post UTME is that some Vice Chancellors have turned it into money making venture. They are opposed to the payment of about ten thousand naira after they had paid money to JAMB. My response is that education is an expensive enterprise. The money paid to JAMB has nothing to do with the all important screening exercise. The JAMB is only set-up to conduct examination on academic matter, the result of which would determine the academic ability of the student. Screening exercise on the other hand deals primarily with suitability of those who pass JAMB for the chosen courses. The JAMB is not equipped or meant to carry out the time honoured practice of screening students for universities. Screening exercise is meant to identify the following: i. Students who have been rusticated from other universities, ii. Those who forged their JAMB results or obtained JAMB results fraudulently. iii. Those who have been involved in criminal. iv. Those who do not have the requisite competence to study the courses they applied for. v. Those who are not interested in their courses but are pushed by their parents. When we proposed the conduct of screening exercise in 2003, we believed the exercise would improve the quality of students that would be admitted to the university. I say boldly that we have succeeded. Money paid for screening exercise is expected to meet the following: Honorarium • • Centre facilities • Screening logistics for producing materials Security travelling expenses to cen•

tres close to applicants It is not in doubt that the exercise is necessary and is in consonance with the practice all over the world. The question is: Who should bear the expenses? My answer is: The student. We in Nigeria believe that government should provide everything. All Nigerians have to do is to produce children and donate them to government to train. The government and politicians should be courageous enough to tell Nigerian that quality education costs money. Finally, I am of the firm view that any regulation which deprives their right to screen students who pass the JAMB examination will run fowl of Nigerian university statutes which empower the universities to regulate admission of students to the various universities and ipso facto, the autonomy of the university. COMMENTS FROM READERS: I thank readers for their contributions. I regret that I cannot publish all the contributions sent to me. However, I publish the following for the benefit of our readers: “Good evening Sir, your powerful write-up in the Tribune Newspaper on the Scrapping of POST-UTME EXAMS is highly diagnostic and cerebral! My name is Gbenga Adebambo, a Youth columnist in the Saturday Guardian, international youth coach and the Dean of Schools at the Educational Advancement Centre in Ibadan, Oyo state. I have been so much fascinated about the laudable initiatives that you have pioneered in the educational sector. In the face of dwindling educational standard, you have been a beacon of hope in revitalising the educational sector. We must vehemently refuse to lower our standards in order to accommodate mediocrity in all form. I believe strongly that your initiative of leading pro-chancellors and

Vice-chancellors in 2003 to critically analyze the loopholes in the JAMB exam with the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was a ‘life-saver’ to the dwindling and degenerated JAMB exercise back then. I wrote a piece in the Guardian Newspaper titled “EDUCATION FIT FOR THE FUTURE: JOINT ADMISSION MANIPULATION BOARD! We are seeking your might to help us reject this unholy MANIPULATION in high places! We are so proud of you Sir. I have copied the link for my write-up for your perusal”. —Gbenga Adebambo Dear Chief, I read about your criticisms of the FG’s cancellation of Post-UTME tests last week and its repeat in “Hardball” at the back page of today’s nation newspaper. University teachers and administrators would totally agree with you on this important matter..... I hope this academic drawback is not allowed to go without a fight that has already been spearheaded by you. —Prof. Makinde, OAU Sir, with due respect I writes to object you on the issue of post UTME scrapping. You’re a father and I reserve utmost respect for you. I read from a news paper few days ago about your comment on it and today I read again about it on page 40 of Nigerian Tribune. Firstly, I will like to say it’s a good idea in the first place to have post UTME but at long run it has turned out to be what I termed “extortion of the highest order”. I am of the opinion that after sitting for JAMB UTME if the respective institutions must conduct tests it should be orally arranged and should not be as high as 10,000 Naira. —Toba Atolagbe

NBBF writes FIBA on Nigeria’s withdrawal

As NAPTIP denies involvement in visa denial of players By Ganiyu Salman & Clement Idoko-Abuja the president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Tijjani Umar, has written to FIBA over Nigeria’s withdrawal from the FIBA U-17 Women’s World Championship in Spain as a result of visa hitch. Umar confirmed in a letter sent to FIBA that, despite the federation taking all the necessary steps in due course to obtain the visas, they were denied them. As a result of their absence, and in line with FIBA’s rules, Nigeria will be credited with forfeits for Wednesday’s game against Canada and Thursday’s game against Japan. After the second forfeit, all of the results of their games

shall be nullified. The Nigerian girls would have played against Canada yesterday and faced Japan today, while their last group A would have been against Latvia. Meanwhile, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has denied reports indicating that Spanish Embassy denied the players of visa based on a letter from the Agency. A statement by the Public Relations Officer of NAPTIP, Mr Josiah Emerole on Wednesday described the reports as false and misleading. He said: “The attention of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has been drawn to the news indicating that the Nigerian National U-17 Basketball

Women team billed to participate in the FIBA U-17 World Championship in Zaragoza, Spain have been denied visa by the Spanish Embassy based on a letter from the Agency. “We deny this report in its entirety. NAPTIP never wrote to the Spanish embassy or anybody at all on this matter. “It is true that the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) through a letter signed by its Secretary-General, Okeke Patrick. wrote a letter to the Agency seeking assistance for the team. Calls were made to the Secretary-General to visit the Agency to clarify the type of assistance needed. “He said he will not be able to come but that he will send his deputy. Till today, nobody came from NBBF on the matter and there was no ba-

sis to write to anybody or Embassy on it. “When the news broke a while ago, my Ag. Director-General, Alhaji Abdulrazak Dangiri and I called the Embassy of Spain in Abuja, to confirm the information and we were pointedly told that NAPTIP had nothing to do with the visa denial. We were also informed that the visa application was denied based on three issues: “The application was full of irregularities; the application came late and; the person who signed the application was late and couldn’t have signed such an application. “It is important that the Basketball Federation informs the nation the true position of this matter and not look for anybody to put the blame on. This is the true position,” the statement said.

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. 23/06/2016.