THUR 08 AUG 2013

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Vol. 30, No. 12,642

www.ngrguardiannews.com

A scene of smoke billowing from the burning Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Kenya… yesterday.

Fire-fighters at the scene.

Stranded passengers at the airport.

An airport employee standing amid the debris. (Story on Page 8)

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PHOTOS: AFP

Pope, Jonathan, govs want Muslims to sustain virtues of Ramadan

By Our Reporters RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan, state governors and others yesterday urged Muslims to sustain the lessons learnt during the month-long Ramadan fast.

Pope Francis in a statement to Muslims world-wide urged mutual respect between them and Christians.

In a message on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President noted that as Muslims celebrate Eidel-Fitri and the end of Ra-

madan, they should continue to support his administration.

The message said: “President Jonathan seizes the opportunity of the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations to reassure all Nigerians of his resolute commitment to overcoming all distractions and delivering on his promise of good governance and national transformation.

“The President assures Nige-

rians that his administration will continue working tirelessly to build on the firm foundations for sustainable national development which it has already established in key areas such as public infrastructure, power supply, roads, transportation, aviation, agriculture, education, healthcare, youth employment and electoral reform.

“President Jonathan also urges other elected officials

at all levels of governance to avoid overheating the polity with unnecessary ethnic and political intrigues, and give the highest priority to fulfilling their promises of better living conditions for the electorate first, before turning their minds to plans and permutations for future elections.”

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) also enjoined Muslims to sustain the

ideals of Ramadan beyond the fast.

The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu who made the call in Minna in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, urged Muslims to remain steadfast in the worship of Allah and to follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as they did during Ramadan.

CBN debits banks by N1tr, inter-bank rates jump — Page 4

It said the end of Ramadan should not mean an end to the virtues of benevolence, good neighbourliness and tolerance which in the last one month characterised Muslims’ private and public life.

The forum called on Nigerians to use the period to pray to Allah to provide solutions to the security challenges facing the nation.

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

NEWS

Anglican primate rejects ICC trial for Boko Haram members Decries non-payment of priests, diocesan workers From Ezeocha Nzeh and Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja RIMATE of the Church of P Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, yesterday advised the Federal Government to reject any move by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take over the trial of captured members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

Describing the move as external interference, Okoh observed that Nigeria has a justice system that could effectively handle issues relating to the sect.

Speaking with journalists yesterday in Abuja, the Anglican Primate called on government to shun any foreign overture in the prosecution of the sect members, stressing that the Federal Government must not allow any international discussion that

concerns the trial of the insurgents.

“I have always advocated that Nigeria has the necessary instruments to punish members of the Boko Haram sect whenever it desires to do so,” he said. “We do not need anybody anywhere to prosecute criminals in Nigeria; we have the necessary laws to punish them.

“Nigeria should not allow the international community to interfere in the prosecution of Boko Haram members.”

Okoh, who also opened the church’s 2013 conference, urged bishops and members of the diocesan boards to take more interest in the welfare of their employees, warning that the non-payment of salaries of priests and other employees in some dioceses was unhealthy for the growth of the church and inimical to its aspirations.

President Goodluck Jonathan, (fourth left); Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (fifth left) and his family members, during the President’s condolence visit to the family over the death of Fashola’s father in Lagos… yesterday.

PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

Jonathan visits Fashola, Orji, Imoke mourn colleague’s father From Anietie Akpan (Calabar), Kamal Tayo Oropo (Lagos) and Gordi Udeajah (Umuahia) RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan yesterday paid a personal visit to the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, at the State House, Marina, his official residence, to commiserate with him over the death of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Demola Fashola, who passed on, on Monday morning.

Jonathan who led a delegation, comprising members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), said he felt a sense of responsibility to pay the governor a visit for the first time in his Marina residence to sympathise with him in his period of grief.

Those in the President’s entourage included the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke; At-

torney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke; Minister of Sports, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi; Special Adviser to the President on Inter Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi and the Chief Imam of the Abuja Central Mosque, Alhaji Musa Mohammed.

“When we heard about the death of the father of the Lagos State Governor, we felt very sad because I know that this is the period that we need his presence, most especially parents that will assist in handling a number of responsibilities. That was why I told my Chief of Staff that we must pay the governor of Lagos State and his wife a condolence visit.

“Immediately I heard the news that your father has passed on, I called your phone and I was told that you were airborne coming back from Saudi Arabia where you had gone for Um-

rah, the Muslim lesser hajj. It is a sad event for you to have lost your father at this point.

But we must also thank God for the life that he had lived”.

Jonathan, who later signed the condolence register, urged the Fashola family to take solace in the fact that their late father lived a fulfilled life and was able to give his children the right training to become the very best.

Governor Fashola, who received the President and his entourage at the living room, thanked him for deeming it fit to send the Minister of Sports to represent him at the burial on Tuesday, and for the love shown to him since the demise of his father.

“As if that wasn’t enough, you had deemed it fit to also come in person to pay a condolence visit. I understand, perhaps more than many, the pressure on time and I also understand

how many families suffer this kind of bereavement. We feel truly honoured that we are one of the few who will receive the privilege for our father, your personal presence, with members of your entourage,” Fashola said.

Meanwhile, Governors Theodore Orji (Abia) and Liyel Imoke (Cross River) have joined other eminent Nigerians to condole with Fashola over his father’s death.

Orji, through his Chief Press Secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue, urged Fashola, in a statement, to “take heart, hence death is a necessary end for every mortal.” He described the late octogenarian as a respected community leader who lived a life of emulation.

Also, in a statement, Imoke lamented that the septuagenarian passed on at such a critical period when his wise and invaluable counsel was most needed.

President, govs, others urge peace at Sallah CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 successful completion of the Ramadan fast and prayed God to accept the supplications made by the faithful during the period.

“The Ramadan fast has afforded us the opportunity to reconnect with our Creator and extend the hands of fellowship to our fellow men.

“However, as we celebrate, we should not forget the lessons learnt, to wit, the spirit of piety, alms-giving, of compassion and love for fellow men.”

To ensure easy movement during the Eid-el-Fitri, the Lagos State government is to provide a free bus ride to residents today and tomorrow.

The free bus ride, according to separate statements issued by the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola and Managing Director of LAGBUS, Tunde Disu, will in particular enable Muslim faithful have

easy access to different praying centres across the state.

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi congratulated the Muslim faithful in the state on the conclusion of Ramadan, and the celebration of Eid-el-Fitri.

The governor urged Muslims to continue with the spirit of love, joy and good neighbourliness that characterised the holy month.

Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed urged Moslem faithful to make enduring the lessons of kindness, fear of God, spirit of sharing with the less-privileged imbibed during the month.

According to him, if Muslims do not make the lessons of Ramadan a lasting experience through sustained devotion to God, upholding the teachings of the Quran and the Holy Prophet, the fast would be an exercise in futility.

Arewa Elders and the Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Ramalan Yero, urged all Nige-

rians to work together for the promotion of the nation’s unity and the end of the insurgency in the North.

In a statement yesterday, ACF enjoined Muslims to make the spirit of purification, forgiveness and mercy associated with the fast during Ramadan “to outlive the period and prevail in the daily lives of the faithful for the glory of God and for humanity now and for eternity.”

Others who issued statements to mark the Eid-el-Fitri included Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, his Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister, David Cameron and Foreign Secretary, William Hague.

Cameron and Hague in a joint statement by Head of

Press and Public Affairs Section, British High Commission, Abuja, Rob Fitzpatrick, expressed their warmest wishes.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has urged his men to double their efforts in providing adequate security in the country, just as he directed that roads should be free of blockades.

While sending out goodwill messages to all Muslim faithful in the country, he “ordered water-tight security across the country”, and directed all commissioners of police “to adequately deploy their personnel to guarantee free-flow of traffic and safe passage for all travellers and other road users.”

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the IGP also said: “Highway patrol teams, working in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, are equally directed to take adequate measures in preventing road accidents and rendering assistance to travellers, particularly those in distress.”

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

3

News WAEC releases results, 53% makes six credits

By Mary Ogar HE West African Examinations Council (WAEC) yesterday released the results of this year’s May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Though the actual number of candidates who made five effective credits could not be ascertained, but a breakdown of the candidates’ performances by Council’s Head of Nigeria National Office, Mr. Charles Eguridu, shows that out of 1, 671, 268 candidates that sat for the examination, 889, 636, representing 53.2 per cent made six credits and above, while 1, 074, 065 candidates, representing 64.2 per cent made five credits and above.

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• Insecurity affects candidates’ performance Also, 1, 225, 591 candidates (73 per cent) obtained credits and above in four subjects, while 1, 465, 581 (87.69 per cent) made credit passes in just two subjects.

Effective credits refer to passes in five papers, including Mathematics and English Language, which a candidate must obtain to qualify for admission to the university.

However, 145, 505 candidates would still have to wait for a few of their subjects to be fully processed, due to errors traceable to the candidates and the schools they registered.

Besides, the results of 112, 865 candidates,

about 6.75 per cent of the total, are being withheld over various cases of examination malpractice. Their cases are being investigated, while the report of the investigation would be presented to the Nigerian Education Committee in due course.

This notwithstanding, a total of 1, 543, 683 candidates, representing 91.3 per cent, got their full results.

Eguridu explained that some candidates, who wrote the examination in some northern parts of the country, would not have their full results, because their scripts got missing due to security

challenges, which claimed the lives of three WAEC staff members.

He said: “Most of the results were released, but we still have a few misplaced ones, due to insurgent attacks, where some of our officers were murdered and the scripts of some, but not all the subjects, were removed.

“WAEC conducted examination in all the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

We did not envisage these challenges. Our goal is to use some measures to track some of the results, based on statistics of general performance.”

While he assured that the council had statistical records to track some of the missing scripts, Eguridu, however, affirmed that candidates, whose entire scripts went missing due to insurgent attacks, would have no choice but to rewrite the examination, but at no cost.

On the performance trend, he said: “We cannot rule out the fact that the security challenges would affect performance and there might be a possible decline after the release of the final results. But this can be attributed to the emotional trauma associated with fear for students writing under such hostile conditions, where we even lost some members of staff.”

Military deploys troops in Darfur From Saxone Akhaine and Bashir Bello (Kaduna) HE Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika yesterday vowed that the military will soon bring the Boko Haram menace to an end, just as another batch of 800 soldiers on peace keeping mission have been deployed to Darfur.

Ihejirika, who spoke at the graduation of the basic counter terrorism course for soldiers in Jaji, near Kaduna, explained that the military has resolved to put an end to the insurgency that pervaded some parts of the North for so long.

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Groups caution against rights abuses From John Okeke (Abuja) and Toyosi Ajayi (Lagos) MID criticisms trailing the expulsion of some destitute from Lagos State to Onitsha in Anambra State, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged a probe to unravel the circumstances surrounding the existence of illegal and unconstitutional torture and detention centres run by state governments through their environmental task forces.

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‘Jonathan for this year’s pilgrimage’ From Msugh Ityokura, Lafia RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is scheduled to attend this year’s Christian pilgrimage making him the first serving president to embark on such a holy trip to Israel.

The President in a bid to ensure that a good number of Nigerians accompany him on the trip has subsidised N146 to the dollar to cushion the cost of travelling.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christians Pilgrimage Commission, Mr. Kennedy Okpala, who was in Lafia, Nassarawa State capital on a sensitisation visit on the importance of pilgrimage to Christian faithful.

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A scene of an accident at Ojuelegba in Lagos … yesterday.

S’East, S’South group backs Jonathan for 2015

By Isaac Taiwo HEAD of the 2015 polls, the South-East, South-South Traditional Leaders Association yesterday endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term.

At a media briefing in Lekki, Lagos, the group, led by the Chairman, Elders Council South-South Traditional Rulers Association, Dr. Sylvan Ebigwei and South-East Traditional Leaders Association led by the President, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Lagos, Chief Oliver Akubueze said their support for Jonathan was anchored on the developmental strides of the present administration.

The group also acceded to the fact that the economic indices have shown positive growth with the stock market showing some significant recovery while banks are now on solid foundation.

“We, the people of South East/South South Traditional Leaders Association unanimously hereby endorse Presi-

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dent Goodluck Jonathan to contest the next general election in 2015 so that he can continue with his good works as we have also considered it a national economic and political suicide to change a winning team.

“We also believe that the issue of leading this nation is not in the hands of any par-

ticular group.

“We use this opportunity to express our sad stance on the deportation of fellow citizens by the officials of Lagos State government to Anambra State, as such action is inimical to the relative cordial relationship existing among all Nigerians resident here in Lagos. We appeal to the Lagos

State government to correct this mistake and compensate the aggrieved parties accordingly.

“On the Rivers State crisis, we view both the governor and the President as our brothers and sons and we want immediate settlement to the imbroglio.

Governor Amaechi should heed the

advice of the Southwest governors and pay a visit to the President for reconciliation.

“We commiserate with the First Lady, Patience Jonathan for the loss of her mother and also sympathise with Governor Babatunde Fashola over the death of his father and pray that the good Lord will grant them eternal rest.

Passengers stranded in Lagos over inferno at Kenya airport

By Wole Shadare with agency report OLLOWING a fire outbreak FKenyatta at the arrival hall of Jomo International Airport, Kenya, which forced the closure of East Africa’s largest airport and the re-routing of all inbound flights, the country’s national carrier, Kenya Airways, yesterday cancelled all its international flights to and fro the country, including the ones from Nigeria.

Jomo Kenyatta International

Airport is a regional hub for East Africa and its closure has disrupted long-distance flights to other countries.

The cancellation of the flights has led to hundreds of airline’s passengers being stranded at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

However, it was gathered that late yesterday the airport was re-opened for domestic and cargo flights.

When The Guardian yesterday visited airline’s counters at the

Lagos airport, officials declined to speak as they were seen attending to people who came to acquire about the situation and the next line of action.

However, one of the officials, who declined to reveal her identity, disclosed that all the airline’s passengers emanating from Kenya to other airports in the world including Nigeria could not depart the airport as originally planned, but assured that they would be

taken care of pending when the situation would be brought under control.

She could not confirm if the airline would resume flight operations today but assured that the Kenyan Government was handling the situation with a view to resuming normal operations as quickly as possible.

Besides, the boarding counter of the airline was empty as its usual banner advertising its presence was conspicuously missing.

We lost seven officers not one in Borno attacks, say police From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri ONTRARY to reports that C only a policeman was killed in last Sunday’s Bama Mobile Police Base station attack in Borno State, the Police have disclosed that they lost seven officers while three others were still missing.

Speaking on the number of casualties yesterday at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), the State Police Commissioner, Lawal Tanko, who along with the State’s Deputy Governor, Zanna Umar Mustapha, visited five injured officers at the hospital, said contrary to the Joint Task Force (JTF) reports that a policeman and two soldiers were killed in the attack, the Force lost seven officers with three others still missing.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

4 | NEWS

Suspected robbers kill two policemen, civilian in Edo

Don urges FG’s withdrawal from control of primary, secondary education

From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

USPECTED armed robbers Smenyesterday killed two policeattached to the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on patrol around Egba Police station near the Benin-Auchi bypass in Edo State.

The incident was said to have occurred when the suspected robbers in a red Passat car trying to overtake a patrol van conveying the policemen opened fire on them on the highway at about 4:30 p.m.

The two policemen and the yet to be identified civilian reported to be in the vehicle with the security agents were said to have died instantly.

The bodies of the dead policemen were said to have been removed to an undisclosed mortuary in the state capital at the time of filing in this report. The patrol van was riddled with bullets.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Eguavoen, could not be reached for comments on the incident. A police source confirmed the incident just as he said the Commissioner, Folusho Adebanjo, had gone to the scene for on-the-spot assessment.

By Ajibola Amzat NIVERSITY of Edinburg U teacher, Dr. Babafemi Folorunso, has called for with-

Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru (left) and Chief of Staff, Directorate of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. John Agim, during a press conference on recent developments in the force in Abuja… yesterday.

CBN debits banks by N1tr, inter-bank rates jump

By Chijioke Nelson (With agency report) HE Central Bank of NigeT ria yesterday made good its decision to mop up excess liquidity in the economy when it debited all the banks to the tune of N1 trillion in line with the new Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR).

At the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja, the apex bank, besides holding the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 12 per cent, increased the CRR on public sector deposits to 50 per cent.

Specifically, it removed $6.27 billion from the system, debiting banks, which caused inter-bank lending rates to spike by seven per cent from Tuesday’s close of 12 per cent and failing to lift the Naira.

Inter-bank lending rates rose to around 19 per cent yesterday, up from around 12 per cent at Tuesday’s close, with CBN saying that the measure would be back-dated two weeks to tighten liquidity and support the Naira.

However, the Naira fell slightly against the dollar, closing at N160.10 to the dol-

lar on the inter-bank market, weaker than the N159.65 to the dollar it closed the previous day.

Dealers said the slight impact was because banks had already sold their dollar positions to meet the new requirement ahead of yesterday, so the impact had already been priced in.

A dealer said: “The CBN finally debited our accounts today, draining the market of liquidity and the overnight rate went up to 19 per cent.”

“The market had priced the effect of the huge cash withdrawal since the announcement two weeks ago, while fresh dollar demand and lack of dollar flows are expected to push down the value of the Naira next week,” another dealer said.

But analysts are saying that Nigeria will need to attract back foreign inflows for the CBN’s move to have a sustained positive effect on the Naira.

Nigeria had been a growing destination for foreign investors, but remained vulnerable to capital flight, while efforts to defend the Naira shrank foreign reserves to $46.96 billion by

end-July, from $48 billion in June.

On the bi-weekly foreign exchange auction, the CBN sold $248.45 million at N155.75 to the dollar, compared with $285 million sold at the same rate on Monday.

The bank has spent billions of dollars of foreign reserves over the past two months in keeping the Naira within its target corridor of plus or mi-

nus three per cent around N155 to the dollar.

Yesterday’s measure saw the secured Open Buy Back rise to 18 per cent from 11.5 per cent as at last Friday, six per cent higher than the Central Bank’s benchmark interest rate.

Overnight placement edged higher at 19 per cent from 11.5 per cent, while call money closed at 20 per cent, eight

per cent higher than the 12 per cent it closed on Friday.

Speculations are rife that the situation could escalate as dealers expect inter-bank rates to rise further early next week after the market reopens from a two-day Muslim holiday, but should moderate toward the end of the week on the back of additional cash-flows from matured treasury bills.

Shun political jobbers, industrialization crucial, Anambra guber polls aspirants tell voters From Uzoma Nzeagwu (Awka) and Tunde Akinola (Lagos) WO governorship aspiT rants in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah and Mr. Chinedu Idigo, have separately enjoined the electorate to shun political jobbers and embrace the need for industrialization.

Idigo, a Lagos-based lawyer who is of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), spoke at Umeze Anam, Anambra West Local governoment Area, while addressing party members in continuation of his sensitization tour of the state.

He said: “ You should vote for those who have been part and parcel of APGA and not political jobbers who come to the party as platform to actualise their selfish political interest.

I am an authentic APGA member since inception of the party.”

Ahead of the APGA governorship primaries, he stressed the need for members to protect the party as it represents the only vehicle for Igbo political identity.

He promised that if elected, he would vigoriously pursue youth and women empowerment programmes because of the pivotal roles they play in nation building.

Ubah, who is the Chairman, Capital Oil and Gas Ltd, and of Labour Party (LP), emphasised the need to expand and modernize infrastructure and industrialise the state if “real” development is to be experienced.

He said if elected in the November polls, his administration would run a government that would be economically viable and self-sustaining without being dependent on revenue allocation from the Federation Account.

Ubah in a statement issued yesterday decried the low level of industrial infrastructure in the state despite the industrious nature of its indigenes.

Thanks, but I’m comfortable in PDP, Jonathan replies APC From Mohammed Abubakar and Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja) RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan yesterday turned down an invitation reportedly made to him on Tuesday by the interim leadership of the newly-registered All Progressives Congress (APC) to join in their ranks, saying he is comfortable being a member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), where he intends to be.

Nevertheless, the President saw the invitation by the

leading opposition figures as an acknowledgement of his leadership capacity and capability, for which he remains grateful.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati in a chat with State House correspondents yesterday in Abuja, Jonathan viewed the invitation as a compliment.

For him, the invitation by the APC’s interim Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, has shown clearly that the leaders of the opposition party are also aware of the fact

drawal of the Federal Government from control of primary and secondary education on the basis that it “takes away local accountability in the area of curriculum development”, among other ills.

Folorunso who advocated universal and compulsory primary and secondary education for all Nigerian children, said no Nigerian child in any part of the country should be made to leave formal education until the age of 16.

The Edinburg don made this call yesterday during a lecture to mark 70th birthday of Prof.

Ropo Sekoni and public presentation of a book, Federalism and Cultural Democracy in Nigeria organised by Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

The lecture titled, “Make or Break: The Imperative for Cultural Democracy in Nigeria”, pointed out variance of social inequalities subverting the rights of Nigerians and occasioned by the current system of government best described as unitary system rather than federal system.

“Under Nigeria’s constitution, legislative and executive responsibility for education is shared among the federal, state and local governments. However, in practice, it is the Federal Government, through institutions such as National Universities Commission, National Commission for Primary Education, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and assorted non-departmental federal bodies that determine and regulate the contents of teaching and syllabuses, and also regulate qualifications from primary school certificates to university degree.”

that Jonathan is the best man for the job at present.

He however ruled out the possibility of joining the APC. Besides, he submitted that the leaders of the party might have suddenly realised that they did not have credible candidate to fly their flag, that accounted for why they have decided to extend an invitation to the president.

His words: “I think it (the APC’s invitation) is a compliment. What Chief Akande has said in essence is that President Jonathan is the

best man for the job. They formed a party only to realise they don’t have a candidate. We thank him for his acknowledgment of the President’s leadership qualities, but he (the President) is happy where he is.

“We thank Chief Akande for his expression of confidence in President Jonathan’s credibility but the President is happy where he is, as a member and leader of the PDP to which he remains loyal, and under the umbrella of which he is leading a transformation agenda for the betterment of the lives

of Nigerians.”

The PDP also said the APC lacked presidential materials.

In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Tony Caesar Okeke, PDP pointed out that “the leadership crisis rocking the opposition party just a few days after registration is an indication that the APC is a party of desperate power mongers whose only aim is to satisfy their egocentric interests.”

“Anambra people have what it takes to make the state the country’s industrial hub,” he stated.

According to him: “We intend to run a highly industrialised state that will target the patronage of over 160 million Nigerians and beyond. We will therefore tap into and utilise our people’s strongminded spirit of enterprise, industry, commerce and community.

“This spirit is presently waning because of bad leadership. We will also make commerce and industry a focal point of our leadership, by creating enabling environment for micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to thrive in Igbo land.”

Ubah also said the stateowned industries, especially farming settlements would be mechanised to reduce the current wastages of farm produce being presently experienced before the products get to the market.

He said his administration would activate the ailing and moribund industries the state has, and build new ones to enhance the economic output of the state and provide sufficient jobs.

“We will provide enabling environments for businesses to thrive. We will assist all the various parts of the state to advantageously produce the things they are knowledgeable in producing,” Ubah added.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 18, 2013

NEWS | 5

Doctors complete successful surgery on four-legged baby in Adamawa From Emmanuel Ande, Yola TEAM of 12 medical doctors A led by a pediatric consultant, Prof. Awal Abubakar yesterday successfully completed surgery operation on a baby girl born with four legs at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yola in Adamawa State.

The operation, which started Tuesday afternoon, was completed early morning of yesterday. This is the first successful operation of its kind in the medical history of Nigeria.

When The Guardian visited the hospital this morning, the baby girl was still being attended to by a team of medical workers at the pediatric ward of the hospital.

Father of the baby, 29-year old Mani Maigi told The Guardian at the hospital that he lacked words to express his appreciation to the hospital management for not only paying the hospital bills of his baby, but to ensure that the best medical team was selected to carry out the operation.

Civil society groups insist on councils’ autonomy From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi HE National President of T Coalition of Civil Society Organisation For Transparency in Governance (CCSOTG), Jacob Osaji, has said that the organisation would collaborate with the local councils across the country to ensure that the National Assembly grants autonomy to local administrations in the country.

Osaji, who made the vow in Makurdi yesterday when he led 21 members of other organisations to present Transparency Award to the Special Adviser to Governor Gabriel Suswam on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Solomon Wombo, lamented that some representatives see every act of law making as an opportunity to widen the gap between the rich and the poor.

Nasarawa NULGE goes on strike over poor pay From, Msugh Ityokura, Lafia HE Nigeria Union of Local T Government Employees (NULGE) Nasarawa State Chapter has commenced an indefinite strike following the state government’s inability to implement their promotion and other entitlements.

State chairman of the union, Adamu Eladoga and Secretary, Abdullahi Haruna said in Lafia that the union’s action was to press home their demands for their rights.

Eladoga said “the issue of the staff promotion and annual increment had been given a deaf ear for over three years,” adding that Governor Umaru Tanko al-Makura has not shown any concern over their plight, adding that efforts to resolve the issue have led to no fruition hence their decision for the action.

President Goodluck Jonathan addressing Moslem Foreign Ambassadors to Nigeria at the breaking of the Ramadan fasting at the State House, Abuja on Tuesday. With him are Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Mrs. Viola Onwuliri and the Camerounian Ambassador to Nigeria Amb. Salameddine Abbas Ibrahim.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Lagos slum dwellers protest planned cancellation of N3.2b World Bank loan

By Wole Oyebade ORRIED by the risk of W missing out of development, slum dwellers in Lagos yesterday petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly on the proposed cancellation of Lagos Metropolitan Development and Government Project funded by the World Bank.

The project, worth N3.2 billion is designed to upgrade the low level of human, social and infrastructural base of communities like Amukoko, Ajegunle, Agege, Badia, Ijeshatedo, Iwaya, Ilaje-Bariga and Makoko among others.

The slum dwellers, numbering about 100 stormed the Lagos Assembly to protest the plight of over 500,000 Lagosians living in slums and alleged plan by the World Bank office in Nigeria and state officials to suspend the project.

Led by the Centre for Public Opinion Monitoring (CENPOM), a coalition of 20 civil society organisations, the protesters drew the attention of lawmakers to “impending cancellation by the World Bank and possible transfer of the funds to other elite initiated projects being promoted by a cash and carry commissioner of

the state.”

The petitioners, in a letter addressed to the House, added “at the centre of the plan to truncate the redevelopment of Lagos slums is the Nigerian Country Director of the World Bank who has not hidden her dislike for the continuation of the programme beyond September 2013.”

They noted that while the Lagos State Government, the beneficiary of the loan and the Federal Ministry of Finance that executed the loan agreement of the project, had supported the continuation of the project through extension for another 18 months, “a move said to be supported by the Internal Task Team of the Bank, the Country Director has blocked the extension, preferring to transfer the remaining funds in the project to another one,” the statement reads in part.

Zonal Coordinator for CENPOM South West, Segun Adebanji, on behalf of the petitioners, urged the Lagos Assembly to prevail on the Country Director of the World Bank to stop her intention to cancel the project funding for a minimum of 12 months and allow for the completion of all outstanding projects currently

abandoned at different levels.

They also appealed to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to intervene in the matter, adding that if the matter is not nipped in the bud, the suspension of the project will affect youths and women.

According to Adebanji, about 17,000 pupils who are to benefit from the 450 new classrooms under the project would have their education in jeopardy; 60 per cent of the uncompleted road and infrastructure projects in these areas will be abandoned.

Besides, over 50 per cent of the water projects which will provide drinkable water for the over two million people are at risk and over two million people who are involved (60 per cent women and children) would continue to live in poverty and squalor, since all the social upgrading projects will be abandoned.

Receiving the petition letter, the Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji pledged to intervene to ensure that the project, designed to upgrade the low level of human, social and infrastructural base of the communities, is not

abandoned.

Ikuforiji told the demonstrators that the House was concerned about the plight

of slum dwellers and promised to engage the state governor and the World Bank to sustain the project.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

6 | NEWS

‘Diarrhea kills over 194,000 Nigerian U-5s yearly’ From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi HE Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, has lamented the high mortality rate among Nigerian children, disclosing that no fewer than 194,000 children of less than five years die yearly from diarrhea.

He urged Nigerians to see the alarming figure of deaths as a wake-up call to mothers to ensure that their babies are properly breast fed in their formative years to keep them from avoidable deaths.

Speaking in Makurdi, Benue State, where he presented a paper at the 2013 World Breastfeeding Year, Orhii said the deaths are avoidable with proper breastfeeding for two years because it helps them develop immunity against such diseases.

He maintained that scientifically, it has been proven that nothing equals breastfeeding in proper nourishment for infants, since breast milk additionally contains antibodies that protect the baby against many common childhood illnesses.

T

How corruption, insecurity, others undermine Nigeria’s growth, by U.S. envoy

By Bola Olajuwon and Chukwuma Muanya NITED States (U.S.) Consul U General, Jeffrey Hawkins, yesterday dissected the state of Nigerian-American bilateral relationship and declared that his home country wants to see the West African nation deliver on good governance and become an even more attractive place for business.

However, he listed corruption, insecurity, lack of good governance and inadequate power supply, among others, as the challenges undermining everything that could move Nigeria towards a brighter economic future.

Hawkins spoke yesterday at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos,

Commission to address regional security Bilateral trade hits $40 billion at a forum for exchange of views between Nigerian opinion leaders and civil societies on the U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship and their forthcoming Bi-national Commission holding in Abuja on August 15.

According to him, corruption “drains the federal treasury of funds that could do wonders in expanding and improving the education provided to millions of Nigerian children, which in turn would enhance Nigeria’s economic future.”

Nevertheless, while recognising that fighting corrup-

tion is primarily a Nigerian problem that requires Nigerian solution, he added that the U.S. government was partnering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide technical assistance in anti-corruption efforts.

And addressing the need for the U.S. to deny visas to corrupt politicians and government officials, he challenged Nigerian courts to convict the affected individuals first and the embassy and consulate would follow suit.

Meanwhile, Hawkins disclosed that solving Nigeria’s

electricity woes would unleash enormous levels of economic growth that would benefit both countries. He noted that apart from supporting the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to ensure the success of the power sector reforms, Nigeria is also in focus in President Barack Obama’s Power Africa Initiative, which aims at doubling the number of sub-Saharan African households with access to electricity.

To that end, the U.S. is investing $7 billion in the initiative to incentivise the private sector - and the move has recorded over $9 billion in ini-

tial contribution from private companies as General Electric plans to invest $1 billion and Heirs Holding, $2.5 billion.

Also, in recognition of the role of Nigerian troops in ensuring stability in West Africa and others, the envoy said the U.S. was investing in cuttingedge equipment and specialised training for the country’s peace-keepers, and will also include the nation in U.S. International Military Education and Training Programme.

Meanwhile, Hawkins told The Guardian that the forthcoming meeting of the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission would further the deep and multifaceted relationship between the two countries as well as regional security.

Jigawa pays N442m to varsity land owners From John Akubo, Dutse HE Jigawa State GovernT ment has begun payment of compensation worth N442,531,956.49 to residents of Magorawa community, who relocated from their native land for the Federal University, Dutse permanent site.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing, Urban Development and Regional Planning, Nasiru Muhammed Sani, who briefed newsmen while handing over cheques to the beneficiaries at the palace of Turakin Dutse, Alhaji Jamilu Basiru Sanusi, said the ministry has prepared a new settlement for the residents, noting that what remains is for them to receive their compensation for use to resettle themselves.

He thanked the people for their understanding and cooperation even as he advised them to relocate as soon as possible to enable the university start development in earnest.

In his remarks, the Turakin Dutse thanked the ministry for fulfilling the promise of paying the compensation this week, adding that the coming of the university would bring a lot of development to the community.

A cross section of Osun State indigenes in Lagos State boarding a free train to Osun. The scheme was sponsored by Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola to mark this year’s Eid-il-Fitr festival … yesterday.

Human-to-human transmission of new bird flu stokes anxiety

By Chukwuma Muanya, with agency reports

CIENTISTS are worried over Shuman-to-human the first evidence of transmis-

Ogun PDP cautions Daniel’s ex-aide over ‘lies’

By Seye Olumide EQUEL to the interview Sangranted to The Guardian by Ogun State former Commissioner for Information, Mr. Sina Kawonise, the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged him to stop twisting “indubitable facts of recent history.”

The party spoke against the backdrop of Kawonise’s claims that the former governor of the state, Gbenga Daniel, turned around the fortunes of the party when he joined it in 2001.

It alleged in a statement on Tuesday by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Waliu Oladipupo, that “former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the prover-

bial god who helped the likes of Daniel to crack their kernel.

“Even when he came, he personalised everything to the detriment of the party by promoting the OGD Forum and OGD Political Family, among others. No sooner had he found his footing than he began his war of attrition against the likes of Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye and exPresident Obasanjo - the very people who brought him to PDP.” The party said the people of the state were wiser than they were “in those better forgotten years of unrest, violence and other inglorious acts. We knew how much they were worth when they came into office and when they left.”

The latest World Health Organisation (WHO) data shows that the new bird flu virus, which was unknown in humans until February 2013, has so far infected at least 133 people in China and Taiwan, killing 43 of them sion of a new deadly strain of bird flu, which emerged in China this year.

The study published yesterday in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) gives the strongest evidence yet that the H7N9 virus can pass between people, as its analysis of a family cluster of cases of H7N9 infection in Eastern China found that it was very likely the virus “transmitted directly from the index patient (a 60-year old man) to his daughter.”

According to experts who commented on the research, while it did not necessarily mean H7N9 is any closer to becoming the next flu pandemic, “it does provide a timely reminder of the need to remain extremely vigilant.”

However, the scientists who led the study stressed that the virus does not yet have the

ability to transmit from person to person efficiently, meaning that the risk is too low to cause a human pandemic in its current form.

The latest World Health Organisation (WHO) data shows that the new bird flu virus, which was unknown in humans until February 2013, has so far infected at least 133 people in China and Taiwan, killing 43 of them. Most cases have been in people who had visited live poultry markets or had close contact with live poultry in seven to 10 days before falling ill.

The BMJ study, lead by Changjun Bao at the Jiangsu Province Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, did the father and daughter analysis in Eastern China in March 2013. The 60-year old man was said to regularly go

to a live poultry market and fell ill five to six days after his last exposure to the poultry.

He was admitted to hospital on March 11. However, when his symptoms became worse, he was transferred to an intensive care unit (ICU) on March 15 but died of multiorgan failure on May 4, the study reported.

His 32-year old healthy daughter had no known exposure to live poultry but provided direct bedside care for her father in the hospital before he went to intensive care.

She developed symptoms six days after her last contact with her father and went into hospital on March 24. She was moved to the ICU on March 28 and died of multi-organ failure on April 24.

Strains of the virus isolated from samples taken from each patient were “almost genetically identical” - a strong suggestion that the virus was transmitted directly from father to daughter, the researchers said.

TUC ex-boss, others advocate youth empowerment against crime From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City ORMER president of the F(TUC), Trade Union Congress Peter Esele, and several others yesterday called for economic empowerment of the youth as a way to reduce crime in the country.

Speaking at a symposium on “The Role of Neighbourhood Watch in Tackling Recurring Security Challenges in Nigeria,” organised by the Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Re-integration (IYAMIDR), Esele said there was need to enhance the capacity of the youth.

Esele, who was represented

by Julius Abure, noted in his paper entitled, “Poverty and Unemployment are Bye-products of Crime and Criminality,” that the vast majority of Nigerians are unable to afford basic needs of life, just as there is no employment for school leavers.

NEWS 7

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

Abuja primary healthcare gets committee From Terhemba Daka, Abuja ISTURBED by the dwinD dling standard of primary healthcare system in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), its Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide, yesterday constituted a 17-member committee headed by the Secretary for Health and Human Services, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, to rejuvenate the various health facilities in the FCT area councils.

A report of the committee set up in August 2012 to evaluate the functionality of the primary healthcare facilities in the FCT, which was submitted yesterday, indicated that the FCT Administration and other agencies in the healthcare development system in Abuja built 215 such facilities in the territory.

Of this, the report held, 13 are completely without operating members of staff, while most other facilities have only one official each, who is likely to be unskilled.

MASSOB urges S’East govs to improve states From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia HOUGH it stated that its T duty or programme is not to assess the performances of governors, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has tasked governors of the South-East states to pay more attention to improving the areas where people yearn for attention.

Reacting to a newspaper report of Monday credited to MASSOB Information Officer in Aba, Mr. Sonny Okereafor, who was reported to have said that the organisation heaped curses on the Abia State officials over the poor state of roads in the commercial city, the group’s National Director of Information, Mr. Uchenna Madu, told The Guardian that such assessment “should be left for God and the people, not MASSOB.” According to him, MASSOB’s mission is “to agitate for Biafra through non-violence,” adding: “We and South-East governors have mutual respect for each other but we urge them to improve in the areas where the people are yearning for more attention.”

He stated: “The said report is embarrassing because MASSOB is not quarrelling with any South-East governor or government. When we see things go wrong, we can make our comment but do not place curses, as doing so would create wrong impressions.”

Rivers’ House leader, Lloyd, gets bail From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt EADER of the Rivers State LLloyd, House of Assembly, Chidi walked out of the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Prisons at about 4:00 p.m. yesterday after he fulfilled all bail conditions as required by the Port Harcourt High Court.

Hundreds of his supporters, who thronged the prison yard in anticipation of his release, greeted him with joyous outburst as he walked out of the prisons.

Village heads at the first Africa Association of Military Christian Fellowships (AMCF), West and Francophone Africa Leaders Interactive visit to Tafawa Balews Local Council Area of Bauchi State on Tuesday.

NPC to spend N149b on 2016 census From Lillian Chukwu, Abuja OSSED in the ongoing T controversies over the credibility of past census figures, the National Population Commission (NPC) is set to spend N149 billion to ensure “a more accurate, credible and reliable” census in 2016.

This figure, however, is part of a tentative running cost estimated at N600 billion for a period of five years, from 2013 to 2017. NPC Chairman, Eze Festus Odimegwu, told journalists in Abuja yesterday that the total projected five-year budget comprises salaries, production of NPC policies and

other logistics.

“And it concludes so many things, but you know, these figures we are giving you are part of the N600 billion (precisely N546 billion),” he said.

“But when we go into implementation - we are already finding better ways to be more cost effective - eventually we will even spend less, but that was the budget (we presented at the Presidential Villa).

On “the census of 2006, they spent N139 billion and came up with this figure that is so wrong that they cannot publish it, figures that were compiled without taking census in most cases.”

Odimegwu regretted the

politicisation of his new efforts in a statistical organisation as the NPC by “lie peddlers, misinformed, retrogressive and corrupt officials.”

Earlier, the former chairman of the House Committee on Population, Farouk Aliyu, had flayed Odimegwu for justifying the rise in funding for the 2016 census “from about N40 billion in 2006 to N600 billion in 2016.”

Odimegwu stressed that there could be no progress unless there is accurate data to plan Nigeria for national development and global competiveness. He added: “You cannot make Nigeria work unless you have the

Police parade suspected killer, rescue monarch’s abducted wife From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri HE Imo State CommisT sioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Musa Katsina, on Tuesday evening paraded Emeka Osueke, alias Ogbanje, as the suspected abductor/killer of a prominent hotelier in Oguta Local Council, Emeka Esieme.

Osueke, according to the police boss, had led the kidnap and subsequent murder of Esieme in a nearby community, killing also two police officers last February, after which he was said to have escaped to Lagos.

According to Katsina, the bandit was caught after several hours of gun dwell with his men in a village hideout at Umutako, Ifakala, Mbaitoli Local Council, after his Command received information that the alleged killer had sneaked in.

He added that his anti-kidnap squad recovered one AK47, military assault riffle, 162

AK-47 live ammunition and four mobile phones, stating that on investigation, it was uncovered Osueke had returned to abduct a prominent woman in the area, who had returned home to attend the annual August

Meeting.

In a related development, Katsina said the police have rescued the kidnapped wife of Eze Basil Nwokeke, a monarch in the state, after an operation that lasted for two hours.

right data and statistics. As long as the figures in Nigeria are faulty and wrong, corruption will tide in the back of it.

“That was why in our presentation to President (Goodluck Jonathan), we told him

that the beginning and end of transformation is to create the right infrastructure that will drive social and physical infrastructure. You must have an accurate and reliable data before you can plan an organised Nigeria.”

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

8|

AfricanNews Chaos as massive fire guts Kenya’s airport AIROBI’S international N airport was shut down yesterday after a destructive fire forced the cancellation or diversion of scores of flights at the East Africa’s biggest transport hub.

The first international flights by Kenya’s national carrier will land early today in Nairobi, officials said, with immigration formalities and baggage processed through what is normally the domestic terminal as international arrivals were gutted in the four-hour blaze.

Cargo and domestic flights out of Nairobi resumed early evening yesterday.

It was not clear whether other airlines would also land as early as today.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, whose father Jomo Kenyatta – Kenya’s first president – the airport is named after, yesterday visited the charred terminal along with his top security chiefs to assess the damage caused by the “huge inferno”, the interior ministry added.

Kenyatta called the fire a “tragic event”, and promised all efforts would be made to resume normal operations “as soon as possible”.

The inferno, which started

before dawn, sent dramatic plumes of black smoke billowing out of the main arrivals terminal.

But by 9:00 a.m. (0600 GMT), firefighters had succeeded in stemming the raging flames, despite being hampered by a lack of water and equipment.

“Everything is being done to resume normal operations,” said presidential spokesman, Manoah Esipisu, speaking to reporters outside the gutted arrivals hall of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where flames had earlier lit up the pre-dawn sky.

International passengers were given priority to fly to Kenya’s second city Mombasa to connect to onward flights from there, while Nairobi’s domestic terminal was being prepared to handle international flights starting today.

Some 16,000 passengers usually transit through JKIA every day, Esipisu said.

The airport serves as a regional hub for East Africa, with many long-distance international flights landing there to connect to countries across the region.

Chunks of the roof of the international arrivals terminal had caved in.

Tens of thousands of passengers will be affected by the closure of the airport, while regional airports have limited capacity and will likely struggle to handle all the travellers unable to land in Nairobi.

Tens of thousands of passengers will be affected by the closure of the airport, while regional airports have limited capacity and will likely struggle to handle all the travellers unable to land in Nairobi.

Around 250 flights take off and land there every day, regional aviation sources said, adding some six million passengers used the airport last year.

The fire was reported to have begun at the immigration section at arrivals, but the cause is not yet known, with police chief, David Kimaiyo, saying that investigations had begun.

No casualties have been reported, but two people — an airport worker and a passenger — were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, Kenya Airways’ chief Titus Naikuni said.

The interior ministry was forced to issue public ap-

peals for Nairobi’s notoriously congested traffic to give way to trucks ferrying water to the airport after firefighters tackling the blaze ran “dangerously low on water”.

Soldiers and police even came with buckets to help put out the inferno, said Sylvia Amondi, who was at the airport to pick up a rela-

tive who had been due to arrive there.

“The airport fire brigade acted in good time but the personnel wasn’t enough, the army and some police came with empty buckets to manually put out the fire,” Amondi said.

“The international arrivals station has been completely destroyed, the roof has caved in and the floor is covered in debris and water.”

The blaze came two days after aircraft were delayed for several hours after the failure of a fuel hydrant needed for refuelling the planes.

It also came 15 years to the day after attacks on the U.S. embassy in Nairobi and in

Dar es Salaam in neighbouring Tanzania killed 224 people.

The United States has ordered two dozen of its embassies closed in the Middle East and some African countries because of fears of an AlQaeda attack, but not Kenya.

There was no suggestion the Nairobi fire was linked to any attack.

August is one of Kenya’s busiest months for tourism, a key industry for the country, as foreign travellers fly in to see its wildlife and the white sand beaches on its Indian Ocean coast.

The airport offers direct connections to Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and other African cities.

Clerics pray for ailing Nelson Mandela celled a foreign trip.

LERICS in South African C But since then, friends and yesterday led prayers in family members reported front of the hospital where critically ill former South African President Nelson Mandela is marking two months in care.

Also, yesterday, a group of 50 schoolchildren sang outside the gates: “Mandela we love you, there’s none like you.”

Archbishop Joe Seoka used the eve of the anniversary to urge South Africans to rally together.

“God is using Madiba, and his extended illness, to present to us a great challenge to unite behind the values that he represents,” the Pretoria archbishop said, using Mandela’s clan name.

Mandela was rushed to the Pretoria Mediclinic Heart Hospital on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.

Yesterday, the South African presidency reported his condition was still “critical but stable”.

The last two months have

Mandela seen a series of scares for the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and for the country where he is considered a living saint.

Early in his stay in the hospital, family testimony and court documents gave an indication of the seriousness of his condition. He was described as being in a “vegetative state” and depending on life support to survive.

On June 23, the presidency said “the former president’s condition had become critical over the past 24 hours,” as President Jacob Zuma can-

the peace icon’s health was improving.

Mandela’s 95th birthday on July 18 saw the family gathered at his bedside for a celebration.

Across the country there was an outpouring of charitable deeds, with many people offering 67 minutes of service for the 67 years he was in public service.

But despite recent upbeat assessments, there appears little sign of a much-wishedfor discharge from hospital.

Last month, U.S. network, CBS, citing unnamed sources, reported that Mandela underwent a surgical procedure to unblock a dialysis tube.

It also said that he had two scares, once when he failed to respond to his medications and on another occasion when his life support machine showed him in distress.

Egypt vows to move on protesters after mediation fails HE ruling government in T Egypt yesterday vowed to break up Islamist protest camps after foreign mediation failed, sparking fears of a violent end to the month-old standoff since president Mohamed Morsi’s ouster.

“The cabinet affirms that the decision to disperse the Rabaa Adawiya and Nahda sit-ins is a final decision, on which all agree, and there is no going back on it,” prime minister Hazem al-Beblawi said on state television.

Protesters have been camped out in two Cairo squares and insist they will stay until the Muslim Brotherhood’s Morsi is reinstated as president.

“We call on them now, anew, to quickly leave, and return to their homes and work, without being chased if their hands have not been soiled by blood,” Beblawi said.

“The government’s solicitude for the holy month of Ra-

madan ... in which it hoped the crisis would be resolved without the intervention of security, did not mean the cabinet had gone back on its decision,” he said, just hours before the end of the Muslim fasting month.

The presidency announced earlier yesterday that Western and Arab efforts to mediate an end to Egypt’s political deadlock had failed.

Its statement came hours after US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns left Cairo, having made no headway in finding a compromise between the army-installed government and Morsi’s supporters.

“The phase of diplomatic efforts has ended today,” the presidency said, referring to mediation by Burns and EU envoy Bernardino Leon, who were among other diplomats who had travelled to Cairo.

“These efforts have not

achieved the hoped for results.”

The presidency said it “holds the Muslim Brotherhood completely responsible for the failure of these efforts, and for consequent events and developments relating to violations of the law and endangering public safety.”

More than 250 people have been killed in clashes since Morsi’s ouster by the military on July 3, following days of mass rallies demanding the president’s resignation.

The government had already ordered police to end the sitins and protests, which it described as a “national security threat,” but held off amid intense diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution.

An airport official said Burns, in Cairo since Friday, left on Tuesday night after days of talks with the interim rulers and the Muslim Brotherhood.

9

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

WorldReport Obama cancels summit with Putin over relations, Snowden N what analysts are terming the likely return of the Cold War era, United States (U.S.) President Barack Obama yesterday cancelled a Moscow summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, with the White House citing a lack of progress in relations and ‘disappointment’ over the Edward Snowden affair.

A report by Agence France Presse (AFP) indicated that the rare decision to cancel the talks set for next month came after Obama accused the Russians of slipping back “into a Cold War mentality,” in an interview aired late Tuesday.

Washington, however, did not slam the door on cooperation with Russia, noting that a meeting of foreign and defence ministers scheduled for later this week would go ahead as planned in the U.S. capital.

In Moscow, the Kremlin said it was “disappointed” with the decision, saying Washington was not ready to build ties with Russia on an “equal basis,” and insisted the invitation to Obama still stands.

White House spokesman, Jay Carney, said that while the United States valued what had been accom-

I

• Kremlin ‘disappointed’ by action

Obama

Putin

plished with Russia in Obama’s first term, especially on Afghanistan and North Korea, there had not been enough progress to warrant a summit in early September.

“Given our lack of progress on issues such as missile defence and arms control, trade and commercial relations, global security issues, and human rights and civil society in the last twelve months, we have informed the Russian government that we believe it would be more constructive to postpone the summit until we have more results from our shared agenda,” Carney said.

“Russia’s disappointing decision to grant Edward Snowden temporary asylum was also a factor that we considered in assessing the current state of our bilateral relationship,’ he said.

The White House had for weeks hinted that the summit on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in Saint Petersburg was in doubt, as ties with Russia deteriorated.

Moscow last week granted a year’s temporary asylum to Snowden, a former U.S. intelligence contractor who revealed the existence of U.S. electronic surveillance programs that scoop phone and

Internet data on a global scale.

Snowden – who is facing espionage charges in the United States and whose passport has been revoked – was last week allowed to relocate to a secret safe house after being marooned in Moscow’s airport for five weeks.

Other troublesome issues in the U.S.-Russia relationship include Moscow’s support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and a split over how to deal with Iran over its nuclear programme.

The White House said Obama still planned to attend the G20 summit on September 5-6, and announced he would visit Stockholm before heading to Russia.

“Sweden is a close friend and partner to the United States,” the White House said.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel will still meet with their Russian counterparts in Washington on Friday “to discuss how we can best make progress moving forward on the full range of issues in our bilateral relationship,” the White House said.

Yemen foils Al-Qaeda’s plot on oil terminal as U.S. drone kills seven UTHORITIES in Yemen A have announced the foiling of an Al-Qaeda plot to storm a Western-run oil terminal, as a United States (U.S.) drone killed seven suspected jihadists in the country’s southeast.

The announcement of plot by the militant group was the first indication of the nature of the threat that prompted the mass closures of U.S. diplomatic missions in the region and farther afield from Sunday.

The jihadist network’s feared Yemeni affiliate plotted to assault the Canadian-run Mina al-Dhaba oil terminal on the Arabian Sea coast, and a nearby export facility for oil derivatives, and take hostage their staff, including Western expatriates, a government spokesman said.

They also plotted to seize control of the Hadramawt provincial capital of AlMukalla, a port city of some 100,000 people, as well as the Ghayl Bawazeer area to its north where Al-Qaeda militants briefly declared an Islamic emirate earlier this year, spokesman Rajeh Badi told Agence France Presse (AFP).

The militant had planned to carry out their raids disguised in military uniforms.

“They would demonstrate pretending to be guards demanding bonuses... and then storm the port,” he said.

“If they were to fail in seizing control of the facilities, the plan was to take foreign experts away as hostages,” he added.

The attack was planned for the 27th day of Ramadan, the fasting month for Muslims, which coincided with Monday, the second day of the mass closure of U.S. Middle East missions.

The plot was foiled around two days before it was due to be launched, Badi said.

Washington has closed 19 embassies and consulates in the Middle East and Africa, citing intercepted communications among militants, reportedly including an attack order from Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to the network’s Yemen affiliate.

While the closures span cities across the Arab world, the focus of concern has been Yemen, where American forces are fighting a drone war against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Both Washington and London pulled out diplomatic personnel from Sanaa on Tuesday citing intelligence reports of an imminent AQAP attack.

The latest U.S. drone strike killed seven militants in Shabwa province, to the west of Hadramawt, early yesterday, the second such attack in as many days, tribal sources said.

The early-morning attack in the town of Nasab destroyed two vehicles, the sources said.

Those who died were all AQAP militants.

It was the fifth U.S. drone strike in Yemen since July 28.

At least 24 suspected AlQaeda militants have been killed.

President Barack Obama hosted his Yemeni counterpart, Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi for White House talks on

August 1 on their joint struggle against the jihadists.

According to media reports, the trigger for the embassy closures came when US intelligence intercepted messages between Zawahiri and Nasser al-Wuhayshi, the leader of AQAP. The New York Times said the electronic communications revealed Zawahiri had ordered AQAP to carry out an attack as early as last Sunday.

Israel claims Iran expanding enrichment despite Rouhani’s election SRAELI Prime Minister Iyesterday Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran had expanded its sensitive enrichment of uranium despite the election as president of moderate cleric Hassan Rouhani.

“Iran has not stopped its nuclear programme, even after its presidential election” on June 14, Netanyahu said in comments broadcast by public radio.

“At the moment, they are using 7,000 new centrifuges, including 1,000 which are of a newer type,” he said on a visit to southern Israel.

“The Iranian president is trying to present a new image... but the nuclear programme’s progress continues.”

On Tuesday, Rouhani said Iran was ready to hold “serious” talks with the major powers without delay to allay

Western concerns about its nuclear programme.

But he underlined that Iran would not abandon uranium enrichment, the sensitive activity at the heart of Western concerns which it suspended when Rouhani was chief nuclear negotiator a decade ago.

Iran said in March that it intends to install around 3,000 new-model centrifuges at a nuclear plant near the central town of Natanz enabling it to speed up the enrichment of uranium.

Around 13,500 older-model centrifuges are already in place at the plant.

The UN Security Council has passed repeated resolutions calling on Iran to suspend all enrichment and has imposed four rounds of sanctions.

Cameron warns Spanish PM over Gibraltar spat RIME Minister David P Cameron of Britain yesterday warned his Spanish counterpart that the escalating titfor-tat over border tensions in Gibraltar risked damaging relations between their countries.

Cameron and Mariano Rajoy discussed ways to calm the situation in a call Britain described as “constructive” after tensions rose at the weekend when Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo threatened to impose steep tolls to cross the border.

Long queues of vehicles built up at the border between Gibraltar and mainland Spain yesterday, the AFP reported.

That echoed problems at the end of July when Spanish border guards searched every vehicle entering the peninsula, creating delays of up to six hours.

The British prime minister called Rajoy “to raise serious

concerns about actions by the Spanish at the border with Gibraltar and suggestions... that they may introduce further measures,” a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

“The PM made clear that our position on the sovereignty of Gibraltar and its surrounding waters will not change.

“He also reiterated, as the PM and Mr. Rajoy had previously agreed, that the issue should not damage our bilateral relations. However there was a real risk of this happening unless the situation at the border improved.

“Mr. Rajoy agreed that he did not want the issue to become an obstacle in the bilateral relations and that we needed to find a way to deescalate the issue.”

Gibraltar has accused Spain of deliberately creating border hold-ups in retaliation for the tiny British overseas territory dumping concrete blocks in the sea to create an artificial reef.

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

Politics th At 80 birthday, Anenih

By Ehichioya Ezomon (Group Political Editor) LEOPARD can never change its spots! This is the apt description of the conduct of Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih, CFR, the Iyasele of Esanland of Edo State, on Sunday.

On a day he marked a milestone in his sojourn on earth — 80th birthday anniversary, he did not disappoint those that had read him like the Bible over the years.

Instead, he set aside the solemnity of the occasion that called for sober reflection, and delved into the realm of politics — his natural turf, anyway.

When one of the guests at the reception noted that, “Ah, Chief has started his politics again, even on a day like this,” another guest jumped into the fray, querying, “what is Anenih without politics?”

Of a truth, Anenih epitomises all that is political, which he seems to, or actually breathes 24 hours of the day, seven days of the week, and 52 weeks of the year. He doesn’t seem to have a competitor in this regard!

Probably, his minders — he’s actually the minder of others’ endeavours — knew that he had something political on his card, which was why when it was announced at the thanksgiving mass earlier in day that he would make some remarks, the announcement was quickly reversed. Instead, he was credited to wanting to make a thanks offering, which he did amid a large following.

This way, he avoided bringing politics into the House of God. But was politics really, completely eliminated?

Well, at the entrance gate to the expansive premises of the Pro-Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria, Area 3, Abuja, venue of the thanksgiving mass, was a tall digital roll-up poster.

The Goodluck Jonathan Mass Mobilisation Movement (GLJ-M3) — a political pressure group of young Nigerians mobilising the people for a second term for President Jonathan in 2015 — erected the poster.

The artwork, headlined: GLJ Mass Mobilisation Movement GLJ-M3, stated: Chief Tony Anenih, Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, The Iyasele of Esanland, Our Great Daddy, Happy Birthday.

Earlier at Chief Anenih’s home, the same group had presented a similar roll-up poster, banners and souvenirs to the celebrant, and later placed the poster by the foyer to the two-floor building.

The group’s Director-General and also President, Niger-Delta Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Forum, Prince Felix Ihonre, did not mind bringing politics to bear on the birthday anniversary.

He told The Guardian: “We are here (Anenih’s house) to celebrate with our great daddy, an Icon of the Black race in political history and to commemorate him on his 80th birthday and to tell him that we are fully mobilising for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the 2015 elections.”

Further proof of politics being at play was the exhibition of a giant poster of the PDP, hung from the railing of the upper floor of the building.

With an emblazoned photograph of Chief Anenih, the poster’s message reads: “Project Reloaded, Peoples Democratic Party, Celebrating an Icon at 80, 4th August, 2013. Our Leader, Mentor, Patriot, Grand Reloader and Father of Nigerian Democracy.”

Informed sources hinted that “Project Reloaded” is the battle cry for the campaign and mobilisation of support for Jonathan ahead of the PDP presidential primaries for the 2015 elections.

Then came the goodwill message of the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, describing Anenih as, “a patriotic Nigerian, elder statesman, first-class nationalist, quintessential leader, emancipator, political strategist and an astute administrator whose vision is to make Nigeria one united and indivisible entity within an egalitarian status where there will be no class distinction.”

“Your business acumen is untrammeled, political sagacity unequalled, economic stance outstanding, social comportment and decorum overwhelming,” Tukur added.

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Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (left), President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar at Chief Tony Anenih’s 80th birthday celebration at the Abuja International Conference Centre, Central Area, Abuja… on Sunday.

much for a master strategist like Anenih. It was like the above bodies were baying for his action, politically.

So, when virtually all the guests, including President Jonathan, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF), Chief Godswill Akpabio and other heavyweights in the party at the reception restrained themselves from directly hinting at politics, the celebrant begged to be different.

Chief Anenih, who was the last person to speak by way of response to all the good things said about him, approached the issue without mincing words, particularly the campaign to get Jonathan a second term in office.

But the wily politician that he is, Anenih engaged the matter via the needed unity in the country, a refrain hammered home by President Jonathan, and earlier by Governor Akpabio in a moving speech that brought the audience to their feet.

Anenih said Nigeria might not be able to get to the Promised Land without unity, forgiveness and the spirit of give-and-take.

He said since all those who mattered in Nigeria were gathered in his honour, it would be in the national interest for all of them to decide to forget the past and resolve to move forward.

He was particularly thrilled by the presence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the church service earlier in the day, describing it as a sign of forgiveness.

To Anenih, the hydra-headed monster, Boko Haram, would have a rethink if its members saw leaders of the country coming together, and even visiting Aso Rock Villa to have meals with the President.

His words: “I want to appeal to Babangida, Abdusalami, Obasanjo and Danjuma that we need peace. They can give us peace. (These four retired Generals; former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Heads of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar and former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Danjuma were either at the thanksgiving mass or reception or both.)

“When you approach President Jonathan, you get disarmed because of his humility. If all of us are behind him and genuinely advise him, even our worst enemy, Boko Haram, will think twice if The Anenih treatise ITH friends like the PDP, GLJ-M3 and Tukur, the they see the three (four) of them. temptation to engage in politics would be too “I want to go to the Villa and find them eating together with the President; it is then I can go and sleep.”

And coming directly to ‘Project Jonathan 2015’, Anenih almost invoked the memory of former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, when he was seeking a second term

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When you approach President Jonathan, you get disarmed because of his humility.

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in office.

The reported consensus of those that mattered in the PDP then was that the governor had not performed to the expectation of the party people and the generality of Edo voters.

But the governor’s father, the renowned Esama of Benin, Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, pleaded his son’s cause, reminding the deciders of the political fate of the aspirant that if a child failed a class, he should be given a second chance to repeat that class. That was how Lucky got his second term in office!

However, this time, Chief Anenih wasn’t pleading for a renewed mandate for President Jonathan on the basis of poor performance.

If anything, he would rather score the President a “silent achiever” whose performances in various sectors of the economy, particularly roads, aviation, agriculture, transportation and power are not given adequate publicity in the media for the people to assess the administration.

Anenih’s was not ordinary politicking; it was like pleading a last wish, something like: ‘Just do this for me and I will ask for no other favour from you.’)

His remarks vividly bear this assumption out: “I want to go to the Villa and find them eating together with the President; it is then I can go and sleep.”

He was pleading for the acceptance of President Jonathan, as regards the 2015 general elections in the country.

What Anenih wanted from the quartet, and other notable Nigerians that seem to oppose a second term in office for Jonathan is support — total support — for the President to scale the huddles.

It is not that Anenih had not fought many political battles on behalf of other Nigerians. Indeed, like a conjurer, he had decreed “no vacancy in Aso Rock,” or in Government Houses in some states when Obasanjo’s re-election project almost hit the rock in 2007.

But for the moment, Anenih, the smart ‘Leader’ and ‘Fixer’, ostensibly deduced that the “stick” would not do the magic with the likes of Obasanjo, Babangida, Abubakar and Danjuma.

Rather, he is employing the “carrot” approach, and diplomacy to woo the “aggrieved” to the President’s side.

Even at that, he argued that two years in the saddle is too short to fully measure the governance potential of the President. Hence, he should be given another four-year term in 2015 while others take their turn from the 2019 polls.

According to him: “The President has just finished half of his first term. Let us take our time, wait for our time. Let us work together.

“Let us put our hands behind the President.

Tomorrow, it will be your time; today, it is his

(Jonathan’s) turn. God is with Jonathan. We have to reach out.”

Watchers of the polity are agreed that no one else in the PDP — or in the entire country — could have put the message across so well for President Jonathan, who spoke on the issue of unity of the country in spite of its diversities.

Anenih’s remarks were, nonetheless, a soothing balm to the President’s, part of which could have riled the very people that Anenih was trying to rally to the President’s side.

Jonathan’s comparison of Anenih to others HE President’s remarks went to the heart of the problems plaguing the country today: Insecurity, diversities and disunity. But in analysing these issues, he fingered certain persons, many of them in the hall, as being “fanning the embers” of discord.

He virtually did a comparative analysis of Anenih and the persons he had referred to, reserving only kind words for the celebrant.

“To many across the length and breadth of Nigeria, you (Anenih) symbolise the exciting possibilities, which lie ahead of us as a nation if only we commit to building bridges of love and harmony across the artificial divides that have been erected over the years,” Jonathan said.

He described Anenih as an epitome of the noble ideals of resilience, steadfastness, loyalty, patriotism, courage and committed service.

These attributes, the President said, were needed in the country’s quest for national transformation.

But he was to criticise some elders that, he said, made provocative statements capable of further dividing the country along primordial cleavages.

According to Jonathan: “When Nigeria was amalgamated almost 100 years ago, we had the North, South, West and East regions. You can see that we have primordial cleavages.

“Maybe 36 states were created because those cleavages were not bringing the desired unity to the country.

“But even after dividing us up to 36 states, we still exploit these cleavages instead of strengthening ourselves. This is not the best.”

The President was not done yet. He accused elders, whom, he noted, witnessed the Civil War, of making provocative statements in the polity.

“Even sometimes, such provocative statements come from elders, who witnessed the Civil War and are supposed to teach the younger ones the need for us to unite; the need to see ourselves as Nigerians,” Jonathan said, exonerating Anenih from such blame.

“For Anenih, you have not been associated with

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

POLITICS

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couldn’t let politics go such provocative statements and probably that is why this hall is filled up with all our former leaders, former CJNs, former and present governors and religious leaders,” he added.

The President premised the continued relevance of Chief Anenih, despite his age, on his refusal to join the said elders that always worked to divide the country along religious and tribal sentiments.

“When you are with Anenih, you will begin to wonder how he has remained relevant politically over the years,” he said. “It is not easy to be a politician to stay on top for a very long time.

“I see something in him, which is the advice I will give all of us. Anenih has shown that he is a nationalist. He has not shown that he belongs to one tribe or religion.

“In spite of the challenges of politics, he continues to stand tall. That is why I am using this opportunity that we are celebrating Anenih at 80, to plead with our elders to sing the song of unity in this country.

“They should not continue to celebrate the cleavages that probably supposed to have separated us.

Let us convert the cleavages to strength and turn Nigeria into one indivisible nation.”

Applause reverberated in the hall!

Anenih pulls the crowd HE celebrant is described as an embodiment of humility, which extends to his abode, at least externally.

A trait common among people of his stature is to renovate, add new structure(s) or give their buildings a new coat when preparing to celebrate a birthday.

But not so for Anenih! Save for the increased traffic to his house, the scores of tables and plastic chairs laid out, and several posters/pictures displayed in the compound depicting the occasion, the anniversary could have passed without notice.

One of the posters at the foyer of the two-story (two-floor) building proclaimed Anenih, dressed in black suit, as “The Duke at 80.”

Yet, another, in which he was in a white agbada, his right hand on the jaw, and beaming a smile, had the message, “Owanlen! Amonghon (meaning ‘Elder! Congrats’.)

It was an endless stream of visitors to his home for the 80th birthday anniversary. So, if there were any word to describe an unusual crowd other than “unprecedented, unparalleled, extraordinary, record, first-time, unique, exceptional or unmatched,” it would have befit the grand ceremonies.

The crowd was mammoth; it was huge, and massive, spilling into areas that normally don’t house audiences for such celebrations.

The thanksgiving mass was like a normal Sunday

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service of the church, with the main auditorium and the gallery fully seated. The two halls of the Abuja International Conference Centre, Central Area, venue of the reception, were almost bursting at their seams.

The likely inference is that Anenih is an extraordinary crowd puller, perhaps, more than any other personality that had celebrated a landmark in his earthly sojourn in recent memory.

It was an endless line of visitors to his home in the Asokoro area of Abuja.

Prior to the ceremonies, Chief Anenih played host to more visitors than previously, which, in any case, the street people described as “neverending visits by the mighty and those that matter in the society all year round.”

Even when he was out of the premises early on Sunday, the visitors continued to stream in, many bearing various gifts, some giant in size, for the celebrant.

He returned to the compound at 10.29am, in a black Mercedes Benz car, in time to receive some dignitaries and gifts from well-wishers.

The Minister of State for Niger Delta, Mr. Dickson Isiaku, an architect, came into the compound shortly after. He greeted the known faces in the compound and went in to pay homage to the celebrant.

The GLJ-M3 group presented its digital roll-up poster, banners and souvenirs to Anenih at 10.36am at the anteroom of the ground floor.

Captain of industry and the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, came in at 11.02am, driven in a black Chevrolet Suburban SUV, and left at 11.14am.

The Ugbesia Brothers — Odion and Akhere, arrived at 11.19am. The former, an ex-Minister and the latter, a Senator, are political godsons of Chief Anenih. They waited and joined the celebrant’s convoy to the thanksgiving mass at 11.58am, 32 minutes ahead of the 12.30pm service.

The thanksgiving mass NENIH, who boarded a white Coaster bus, registered KGK 28 AA, accompanied by family members and friends to the Pro-Cathedral, had tarried awhile till 12.25pm when he entered the church auditorium in a procession led by clerics. Press photographers had a field day popping and flashing their cameras.

Some personalities that came into the church later included Ijaw leader and former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark at 12.13pm; former President Olusegun Obasanjo at 12.30pm; Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State (12.36 pm); and President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience at 12.38pm.

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Already seated were the Clergy, headed by the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who was the Chief Host and Officiating Minister and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, president, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Others were: the Rt. Reverend Augustine Akubeze, Archbishop, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Rt. Reverend Bagobiri (Kafachan); Rt. Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah (Sokoto) and the Pro-Cathedral Administrator, Reverend Michael Gokum.

Mr. John Kennedy Okpara, secretary of the Christian Pilgrims of Nigeria, introduced some of the personages at the church, with several of them drawing special applause from the overflowing congregation when their names were announced.

They included President Jonathan and wife, Patience; Senate President David Bonaventure Mark; Chief Obasanjo (applause); Governors Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo-applause), Peter Obi (Anambra), Liyel Imoke (Cross River); and former Governors Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo) and Mr. Segun Oni (Ekiti).

Others were former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma and wife, Senator Daisy Danjuma; former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani; former Minister of Information, Prof.

Jerry Gana; Cardinal Onaiyekan (applause); Bishop Kukah (applause); Pastor Oritsejafor; Chief Clark; former Chairmen of the PDP, Col. Ahmadu Ali (Rtd) and Chief Barnabas Gemade; former Governor Andy Uba; and former Speaker of the House of Reps, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba.

Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, was introduced as leading the group of traditional rulers. Of course, there was consternation on the faces of the array of traditional rulers sitting to the right of the altar, as Igbinedion is not a traditional ruler but a titled Chief in the palace of the Oba of Benin.

Cardinal Onaiyekan delivered the Homily, drawing inference from the Gospel reading (Luke 12:1321), where Jesus spoke about the consequences of a man’s life consisting in the abundance of his possession, and not rich towards God.” He admonished Nigerian leaders to administer well, and give to the governed their due, especially pensioners, many of whom are known to have suffered untold hardship — a good number had died — while waiting to claim their stipends.

In a tribute by the Rt. Reverend Akubeze behalf of the Bishops Conference of Nigeria, he gave a personal story to illustrate the humanity of Chief Anenih.

President Jonathan (second left), his wife, Dame Patience (left) and Dame Patricia Anenih (right) assist Chief Tony Anenih to cut his 80th birthday cake.

PHOTOS: PHILIP OJISUA.

Anenih has shown that he is a nationalist. He has not shown that he belongs to one tribe or religion.

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The cleric said he stayed at Anenih’s house, in Edo State, for five years, with the landlord turning round to feed the tenant (Akubeze), who prayed that God should strengthen Anenih and grant him long life, to enable him continue in his kindness.

Thereafter, Anenih was to give a remark, but was substituted with a thanksgiving offering followed by a group photograph by the President, the celebrant and the officiating priests.

The President and his wife, chaperoned out of the auditorium by Chief Anenih, left the church at 2.48pm en route to the reception at the Abuja International Conference Centre.

Outside, in the church premises, Governor Akpabio’s Range Rover SUV, registered BM 467 KUJ, was mobbed by mainly what they label ‘Area Boys’ in Lagos. Really, they were average Nigerians looking for some manna.

After some pestering, the “generous” governor reenacted the scenario of the South-South Governors Forum meeting in Asaba recently, where he reportedly gave out N6 million for party executives in the zone to buy snacks for themselves.

Almost repeating that scene, Akpabio opened his side of the vehicle and threw wads of N500 notes to the milling crowd. The exact amount could not be ascertained.

There was bedlam, as the people struggled for a piece of the action. The Guardian witnessed the rush for the “Akpabio largesse.”

One of the lucky guys, a commercial photographer, though happy he had got N1,000 from the milieu, said: “I picked N1,000 but one of the N500 notes was cut into two. He displayed the halved note, smiling.

That mild drama closed the thanksgiving mass!

The reception HE reception for the birthday anniversary began well ahead of the appointed time of 3pm.

Many of the people at the church programme were there, joined by many more, including former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme; Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State; former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais and Justice Salihu Modibbo Alfa-Belgore, and members of the Federal Executive Council.

The crowd at the entrance prompted a you-pushme-I-push-you struggle to gain entry into the halls.

The inner and bigger one was already bursting.

Those who had the invitation cards, which admit only, were unable to have easy access, even as they waved the cards in the air to draw the attention of the security operatives, who, notwithstanding the tug of war, insisted on proper screening of the party goers.

But once one was in, the camaraderie handclamping and backslapping more than atoned for the frustration at the entrance. And there was enough to welt one’s appetite: assorted drinks and foods, and musical renditions by a live band and a disc jockey.

Besides pouring encomiums on him, all those who paid tributes wished God to continue to prosper and bless Chief Anenih with good health, and long life, so that he would continue in his good service to the nation, and to humanity.

For instance, the Senate President, David Mark, said, “it’s my sincere hope and prayer that God, in His infinite mercies, continues to grant you good health, wisdom and courage to always do the needful in the years ahead.”

Business tycoon, Aliko Dangote said: “We are proud to be associated with you and it is our prayer that the Almighty God will grant you continued wisdom, strength and good health in the years that lie ahead.”

Yet, if one thought it would be all sweet words and entertainment throughout the evening, it was sooner realised that matters political, which were KIVed at the church service, would be downloaded at the reception — a different setting peopled by more politicians than at the previous engagement.

That was how the celebrant, Chief Anthony Akhakon (Endurance) Anenih, did not go off politics, or politics did not let him go!

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THE gUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

TheMetroSection My story, by notorious armed robber Stories by Odita Sunday oToRIoUS armed robbery kingpin in the South West Abiodun ogunjobi, aka Abey Godogodo, was yesterday discharged from hospital where the Lagos State Police Command took him for treatment before he would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He spoke to newsmen immediately he was brought to the command and blamed his criminal escapades on improper home training and lack of parental care.

Godogodo who gave residents of Lagos, oyo, ogun and Ekiti States sleepless nights for over 14 years led most of the bank robberies and other deadly highway robberies in recent times.

In an interview with the suspect at the State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos, the suspect revealed that his parents abandoned him at early age to fend for himself.

The 36-year-old suspect said he was the eldest of his parents’ children and his mother whom he claimed was a sickler, died from the ailment. “ My father is a wayward man. He is a drug addict and a gambler. My mother is a sicker and she died after giving birth to my youngest brother. But my father, who got married to another woman, didn’t bother to take care of me. As a little child I struggled through primary school, picking bottles, iron and rubbers from refuse dump.”

He continued: “The little money I made was what I used in paying my school fees in primary school and after I left primary school, I went into the business fully. As a little boy I was sleeping on the street and my father didn’t care about me. All he cared about was to gamble with his money and smoke hard drugs. gradually I started stealing and when I grew up, I started robbing people at Katangua market, Iyana-Ipaja. But in 1999, I was arrested

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• My parents exposed me to hard life, says Abey Godogodo

Godogodo and sent to prison for fighting and when I came back some of the boys who were operating with me then had become bigtime robbers. I joined them and in one of our operations some vigilante men that accosted us in ogun State shot me on my eyes.”

“I ended up losing one of my eyes. I would say after that incident I became very careful. I don’t socialize, drink,

smoke or go after women. I lived a lonely life as an armed robber. I saw that thing as weakness that could give out a tough man. I had three children from three women, I ran away from my other wives because the police wanted to use them to arrest me.”

I also want to make it clear that I didn’t participate in all the robbery operations the police are accusing me of. People

like me because I am not greedy, I make sure everybody gets their own share after any successful operation. Some of these boys also go out on their own to rob and when they are arrested they will tell the police that they are my boys.” “ I can’t lie anymore have been arrested all I want is for the police to give me a second chance. I will assist police to arrest all the robbers in Lagos and South West,” he pleaded.

Meanwhile, a suspected armed robber, Felix Sunday, aka ‘K Money’, who took part in two bank robberies in Kwara State and a bullion van robbery, in ogun State, this year has narrated how Godogodo coordinated the robberies.

K Money, who was arrested in March 2013, after a deadly robbery attack at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, where he and members of his gang killed two policemen and carted away huge sums of money from Bureau de change operators at the airport, told newsmen that on January 2013, Godogodo and his top men, odun and Paul led us then to oro, Kwara State.

“We were 12 men and we went for that operation with eight Ak47 rifles. We struck at the banks around 5pm that day and we started shooting indiscriminately. People ran away for safety and a member of the gang who is a dynamite expert blew open the bank doors with his dynamite. We went into the first bank and carted away all the money in it and afterwards we struck at the opposite bank and did the same it. Nobody was killed in that operation because we operated unchallenged, after which we drove to ondo State, we shared our loot there. I got N500, 000 as my share and I was happy. Few weeks after that operation Godogodo called us for bullion van operation. We attacked the van along Ijebuode Shagamu Road in ogun State and opened fire on the van, which was not armoured.”

Family petitions Imo CP, seeks justice over rape of four-year-old girl EMBERS of the Nwaimo family of okwu Ife, in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Council of Imo State are stunned beyond belief at what the Investigating Police officer (IPo)Cpl. Joseph Nwakirike of Ezinihitte Mbaise Divisional Police officer is alleged to have done.

They are wondering why the IPo choose to ignore the fact confirmed by a medical report signed by a competent medical officer at general Hospital Aboh Mbaise that their four year-old daughter , Chidera onyekachi Nwaimo was brutally raped by 17 year-old Enoch Uwakwe.

Rather than charge Uwakwe for the actual crime of defilement of the little girl as clearly indicated in the medical report, Wakike charged the alleged rapist for indecent assault that carries a penalty far less commensurate to the crime of rape of a four year-old.

According to the brother of the little girl who was defiled, Nnaemeka Nwimo: “Would the IPo Wakarike have ignored the Doctor’s Report if the little girl were his daughter or sister?

“This is a case of grave injustice and my family is ask-

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ing the Imo State Police Commissioner, the wife of the state governor to step into this matter and ensure my little sister gets justice.”

In a petition addressed to the Police Commissioner ,

The medical report, which confirmed the girl was defiled

the family through Nwaimo recounted their little daughter’s ordeal at the hands of Uwakwe. “on June 13, 2013, at about 7.15 am, my little sister Miss Chidera onyekachi Nwimo, aged (4) four years was no where to be found.But after some hours, she appeared with blood on her private part and tears in her eyes.

“When I asked her , she managed to narrate her encounter with Mr. Enoch Uwakwe. “I took her to Ezinihitte Police Station where I was given a Police medical report form which is hereby attached.”

The aggrieved family laments that unfortunately , Cpl Joseph Wakarike allegedly connived with the suspect and for some reason yet unknown changed the charge from defilement to indecent assault.

They are asking the Police Commissioner, the wife of the state governor as well as child and human rights groups to ensure that justice is done and the alleged suspect properly charged and justice obtained for the traumatized little girl and the entire family.

NDLEA clears beauty Queen for Indonesia trip Manko sets up panel over drunken policeman HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has cleared the Most Beautiful girl in Nigeria 2013, Miss Anna Ebiere Banner for her trip to Jakarta, Indonesia for the forthcoming Miss World Beauty contest.

The Principal Manager Human Resources of Silverbird group, Emmanuel Amadi and Rights Acquisition Manager, Silverbird, Patricia Ndubuisi accompanied the beauty Queen who visited the Agency’s headquarters at Shaw Road, Ikoyi Lagos.

The Agency congratulated her for winning the 2013

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beauty contest and wished her success at the global beauty pageant billed to hold in Indonesia.

The warm regards of the NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu giade was conveyed by the Head of Public Affairs, Mr. ofoyeju Mitchell.

According to ofoyeju: “on behalf of management, I welcome you to the Agency’s headquarters. This crown is well deserved and I congratulate you for being the best.

I wish you flying colours at the Miss World Beauty Pageant. I am optimistic that you will fly the country’s flag high above others and ultimately make us proud.”

He added that her request for visa clearance certificate was approved on merit having met the stipulated requirements.

NDLEA visa clearance is a policy where Nigerians travelling to drug source countries are screened by the Agency and recommended to the Embassies for visa issuance. Such applicants are usually required to present two guarantors. The Agency is very strict with the process because of the need to protect the image of the country from being smeared by some unscrupulous persons.

AgoS State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Umar Manko yesterday set up a panel to investigate the circumstances behind the shooting of innocent citizens by a drunken policeman.

The committee would also investigate how the mobile policeman attached to Mobile 17,Akure, ondo state sneaked into Lagos with taxpayers’ riffle.

A police source told The Guardian that the killer policeman had fled and would not report to his squadron, as he knew the enormity of the of-

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fence he has committed.

“Why I am saying so is because he has not yet reported to the office and has switched off his two telephones. He was also on illegal duty when he committed the criminal act.”

He said his Squadron Commander has been ordered to spot him out and recover the Ak 47 rifle he escaped with.

“As it is now, the police are more interested in the gun than the man, so we will do everything possible to get him.”

The senior police officer said normally after

21 days the wanted policeman refuses to show up, he would be declared a ‘deserter’ and would no longer be seen as a policeman but a ‘rebel’.

When contacted, Lagos State police spokeswoman, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) confirmed that the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko has constituted a committee to look into the issue and has also contacted the Mopol 17 Commander who has promised to hunt for the killer policeman.

Briefs Shanu, 58, for burial tomorrow HE death has occurred of T Deaconess Felicia Tonade Shanu. Christian wakekeeping will hold tomorrow by 4.00pm at 21 Prince Adekoya Street, Iyana Cele bus-top, Shibiri, Lagos. Burial will take place on August 10 by 10.00am at the Christ Assembly Mission (Inc) on 6, Sheidu Street, Chemist Bus-stop, okokomaiko, Lagos. Interment follows immediately at the same venue for the wakekeeping at Shibiri.

Shanu

Church marks Thanksgiving HE seventh anniversary T thanksgiving of Thankgod Awaited Liberation Ministry comes up on Sunday, August 11 at 9a.m.

Venue is 91, Awolowo Way, off Balogun bus stop, IkejaLagos.

Urhobo College old students meet HE Lagos branch of T Urhobo College old Students Association (UCoSA), will hold its general meeting for members on Sunday, August 11 at Whitehouse Hotels & Conference Centre, 31 Joel ogunnaike Street, gRA Ikeja at 3pm. Host is class of 84

Randle family holds annual thanksgiving HE Randle family on SunT day July 28, 2013, held their annual Thanksgiving and Remembrance Eucharist at the Chapel of Corpus Christi College, oxford University, United Kingdom.

Chaplain of the College, Revd. Robert grimley, enjoined the family to continue following in the footsteps of their illustrious ancestors and not relent in sustaining their legacy of devotion to community service, selfless public service, philanthropy, integrity and patriotism in sports, education, youth development, music, art, literature and bridgebuilding without regard for creed, race or gender.

The church service was followed by a reception and dinner at oriel College, oxford. Music was provided by the D’Aranji String Quarlet and the vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Adebayo Randle, who received a post-graduate degree in Law [LL.M.] at the age of 24 from oxford University on August 3, 2013.

METRo 13

THE gUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

Photonews

Director-General, Centre for Democratic Governance, Dr. Dafe Akpocha (left); Chairman, Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited (MEMMCOL), Engr. Kola Balogun; Esther Ebiere Gboukumar and the Vice President (National) National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), during the presentation of awards by the two bodies to the chairman of MEMMCOL held at the company’s factory located along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Ogun State yesterday.

Council member, Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN), Okorie Kalu (left); BRIPAN’s President; Mr. Dele Odunowo; former BRIPAN’s president, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN); Legislative Planning Committee Chairman, Mr. Sola Oyetayo and the new General Secretary of BRIPAN, Mr. Victor Ihekweazu at the handing over of the draft BRIPAN Insolvency Bill in Lagos… recently.

Nweke, Sunmonu lambast parents over public theft obadare for burial August 17 From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt oRMER Minister of Information and Communication, Frank Nweke, has lambasted parents over the lack of accountability and transparency at all levels of government in Nigeria, saying the situation was responsible for the massive poverty and insecurity in the country.

Nweke spoke recently while delivering a speech at the 2013 graduation ceremony of the Bloombreed High School in Rivers State.

He warned that parents who steal from public offices were sowing evil seeds for their children, which according to him portends an abysmal prospects for their wards.

Meanwhile, the proprietress of Bloombreed High School and wife of the Managing Director of Shell, Mrs. olufunke Sunmonu, has

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expressed optimism that vocational training in schools would reduce the rising unemployment and corruption in the country.

Sunmonu disclosed that the school has planned to set up a

vocational training to further enhance the standard of education and the skills of young people.

The ex- Minister of Special Duties and Youth Development, disclosed that his father

Proprietor of Bloombreed College, Mrs. Funke Sunmonu (left) exchanging greeting with former Information Minister, Dr. Frank Nweke Jnr. at the school’s event in Port-Harcourt… last week.

warned him to shun corruption in his early days in public office and even threatened to disown him if he compromises his stance.

The threat, according to Nweke, helped him steer clear of corrupt practices but he regretted that some parents these days steal while in public office and even encourage their children to do likewise.

His words: “To be the best, you need to be disciplined, parents who steal from the public and private sectors are doing evil to their children and the country at large.”

It would be recalled that Shell Petroleum Development Company last month disclosed that the country was losing $1.6bn annually to oil theft.

The situation forced the company to shut down the Nembe Creek Trunklines, NCTL, in Bayelsa State, a facility which produces about 150,000 barrels

By Isaac Taiwo URIAL rites for the late B Worldwide general Evangelist and Executive Director, World Soul Winning Evangelistic Ministry (WoSEM), Prophet Timothy obadare, will commence tomorrow, Thursday, August 8, with a Lying-in-State/Service of Songs at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos by 12.00 noon.

Commendation Service comes up on Monday, August 12, at the All C.A.C. Co-ordinating Council Headquarters, Lagos at 4p.m, while another Lying-in-State/Service of Songs will hold on August 15 at Koseunti Prayer ground, opposite oyemekun grammar School, Akure, ondo State at 12 noon.

The Christian Wake holds on August 16 by 4p.m fol-

lowed by a Praise Night, which starts 7p.m till dawn at the New WoSEM International Conference ground, (WoSEM SHILoH), Ileki Area, Ilesa, osun State. Burial service holds August 17 at 10a.m followed by interment.

Late Prophet Obadare

TheGuardian

14 | THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011) Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816

Editorial Eid-el-Fitri: The message S all Muslims celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri today, marking the end of A the holy month of Ramadan or the end of 30 or 29 days of mandatory fasting, it should be the fervent hope of all Nigerians that this would not signify the end of piety, self-denial, morality and the consequent blessings of the period.

Although the holy period is over, Muslims and indeed all Nigerians have no reason to terminate the lifestyle and attitude of the Ramadan. This, in fact, is the admonition of God and the essence of Eid-el-Fitri. Having been spiritually purified by the exercise, the selfdenial, prayers and supplication of the past one month should continue. That is the only way all can be assured of the continued enjoyment of peace, progress and close affinity to God. That is the way to build Nigeria’s progress, in a spirit of purity. It is indeed important that the ideals of Ramadan be kept alive until the next Ramadan.

Amidst today’s celebration, a thought must be given to the tragic incidents of mindless destruction of lives and property inflicted on thousands of innocent Nigerians by a sect that professes Islam. It is tragic that the acts of destruction have been consistent for several years now; and it is more tragic that rather than abate during the Ramadan, they were rather intensified. Clear examples in this regard are the recent killings in Kano and Borno states, involving scores of lives, including those of children. These are not only condemnable, violence should have no place in the lives of Nigerians.

As in the past, these incidents constitute an assault on the sanctity of Islam, a religion of peace, and the spirit of Ramadan. Government therefore needs to meet the grave challenge of providing security, and ensuring an atmosphere conducive for peaceful worship of the Almighty God. As a country of multi-religious people, no religion must be allowed to enforce a particular doctrine on others.

At Eid-el-Fitri, the urgent need for the Nigerian state to sincerely fight the corruption, greed, selfishness and recklessness in public life must engage the attention of all Nigerians. Service to the people, eradication of poverty, re-distribution of wealth, provision of sound education, good medical care and social security for the less privileged should be emphasized. These are basic demands of Islam from anyone aspiring to lead. The Ramadan, and today’s celebration only serve as a reminder of the need for renewal. There is need for all Nigerians therefore, particularly those in leadership positions, to constantly bear in mind their obligations and responsibilities to the people.

Interestingly, some governments are in the habit of distributing food items to the poor only during the Ramadan, as if beneficiaries have no need to eat outside of the month. Ideally, government should do better to embark on measures to empower such poor people to feed themselves all year round.

In the spirit of Eid-el-Fitri and the Ramadan, people in government, at the federal, state and local levels, should embrace service to humanity and improvement of people’s welfare as a central theme of their governance activities. This, in any event, is also enjoined of them in the Nigerian Constitution (1999), which they swore to uphold.

In line with the humility underlined by the Ramadan, today’s celebration should not be elaborate, if only to appreciate the plight of millions of Nigerians in distress not just in Boko Haram-infiltrated states, but also in other places, and that is in the whole of Nigeria, coping with vices such as kidnapping, armed robbery, assassinations and general insecurity. It is equally important to sustain the health benefits inherent in avoidance of excessive intake of food and drinks, as attested to by health and nutrition experts.

Muslim faithful should remember always the need to perform the Zakatul-Fitri, an exercise in giving to the poor, the needy, and the less privileged. It is in line with Allah’s injunction that this set of people should be assisted to partake in the Eid celebration and given a sense of belonging.

All those leaders and followers – Christians and Muslims, who may have contributed in different ways to the political, economic and social adversity of Nigeria should, in the spirit of the season, reflect and change their ways. Nigerians must begin anew the work towards rescuing the country from the stranglehold of failure.

We wish all Nigerians a happy and fulfilling celebration. Eid-elMubarak!

LETTERS

NGF: The burden of democracy without democrats IR: Many of our compatriSandots have expressed shock disgust at the blatant rejection of the result of the last Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairmanship Election by the open losers in that election, Governor Jang, his supporters and sponsors. I am not surprised at all by the behaviour or misbehaviour of Mr. Jang and his friends. I will expatiate later. First, to be sure, in all democratic settings it is sacrilegious to question the procedure of an election in which one took part after the result of the election, particularly when the procedure is not known to have violated the constitution of the association or of any known democratic norm. It is therefore extremely childish, and irrationally so, that some people who claim to be governors can openly identify with the irrational rejection of the result of the NGF election. I believe no word can be too harsh to deprecate the unbecoming conduct of those governors who rejected the result of the election. I am only personally embarrassed that the governor of my own state, Dr. Mimiko has been reported to be part of the nonsense.

The NGF is nothing but an avenue for unnecessary waste of public funds. I have no problem with governors forming a social club; but by all means let them not fund their ‘extracurricular’ social

activities with our resources.

As it stands today, the Governors attend the NGF meetings with funds belonging to the states. This is unacceptable. The fact that such a social club exists in rich America is not a reason we must spend our lean resources facilitating club activities for our governors. The NGF is a reflection of the frivolous predilection of the ruling elite.

It is not different from such clubs as Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) and Civil Servants’ Wives Associations and similar idle organisations.

I would be glad to no end if

the undemocratic rejection of the result of its chairmanship election terminates the NGF, as we know it. Even, if it does not, we, as a people have the duty to ensure that we kill the NGF. I do not know any progressive purpose it serves. Indeed I can point to its reactionary politics and policies. Was it not the same NGF that supported or even incited President Jonathan to remove the mythical subsidies on the prices of petroleum product? So, let all the fora die, that is, let PDPGF, NGF and all GFs die. It is in the interest of our democracy that they die.

• Bamidele Aturu, deletobimp@gmail.com.

Agony of Kogi primary school teachers It is quite unfortunate SersIR:that primary school teachin Kogi State are passing through a trying time due to non-payment of their salaries.

The state government introduced bio-metric capture to ascertain the number of teachers on its payroll, with promise of paying the salary after the exercise. A strike action called by the teachers’ union to demand for some allowances resulted in noresumption of schools throughout the state, hence many children were not able to attend school for some time, only for private schools to have a field day, while the

public school are under lock and key.

Kogi State government should ensure that teachers in the state are treated well like their counterparts in other states.

Teachers worldwide are highly respected for their contribution to the training of future leaders in the society.

It is myopic to say that teachers’ reward is in heaven, they must enjoy the fruits of their labour while alive. Kogi teachers should not be subjected to further agony. The state government should redeem all pledges on their accumulated salaries and other emolument.

• Bala Nayashi, Lokoja.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

15

Business Appointments P25 ‘Why airlines don’t employ Nigerian pilots’

IFC to launch $1b local currency bond programme to support Nigeria’s capital market

By Helen Oji HE International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has concluded plans to work with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Nigeria to launch the first long-term, local-currency bond programme that will allow the corporation to issue a series of local-currency bonds totaling $1 billion (N159 billion), to deepen domestic capital markets and support private sector devel-

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•New commitments hit $1.5b opment in Nigeria.

Besides, IFC’s committed portfolio in Nigeria hit $1.5 billion, the largest country portfolio in Africa and the eighth largest globally.

Nigeria is a leader in the implementation of the IFC Pan African Domestic Medium Term Note Programme, which enables IFC to raise long-term, localcurrency funding for private sector development in the

region.

The Director-General of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh , while fielding questions from Journalists at the Nigerian Debt Capital Market Conference held in Lagos yesterday explained that IFC, which is a triple-A rated issuer and an innovator in promoting domestic capital market has being at the vanguard of ensuring that

they leverage their global experience to strengthen the Nigerian Capital Market, especially in the area of ensuring that the market provides medium to long –term funding for capital projects.

“SEC has spearheaded a number of reforms to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s domestic capital markets, and the IFC program is an important contribution to these efforts. It will enable regular domestic issuances by an international, triple-A rated issuer,

expanding the opportunities for investors and increasing access to local-currency finance for Nigerian businesses.”

IFC’s Vice- President and Treasurer Jingdong Hua explained that the $1.5b commitment represent 30 per cent of its overall commitment in the sub-Saharan Africa.

He said Nigeria has succeeded in attracting such huge investment due to the rapid development the country have witnessed in the past

Vice-President and Treasurer, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Jingdong Hau (left); Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunma Oteh; Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Uche Orji; and Acting Director-General, National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, at a one-day conference on Nigerian Debt Market in Lagos, yesterday.

New funding windows herald Islamic banking scheme

By Chijioke Nelson, with Agency reports HE profile of Islamic mode of financing may have hit the upswing as new operational windows are set to be offered investors in the country, very soon.

Already, besides Jaiz Bank- the foremost promoter of Islamic financing model in Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC and Sterling Bank, among others, have enlisted interest in promoting the initiative.

Indeed, Jaiz bank, has projected to raise its branch network to 100 by 2017, from the current 10.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been fine-tuning the rules to enhance its financial inclusive agenda, as the new banking system is expected to

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•First sukuk may come soon •Jaiz Bank to grow branch network to 100 by 2017 tickle the interest of stakeholders both in the formal and informal sectors of the economy.

Recently, a string of regulatory initiatives have set the groundwork for products such as Islamic bonds (sukuk), insurance (takaful) and interbank lending products, although there is still only a small number of local market participants.

The Special Adviser to the Central Bank Governor on Non-Interest Banking, Bashir Aliyu Umar, said "the potential is there, but the market is negligible in Nigeria because we have only one Islamic bank

and one window - but it has potential to grow," said There were also indication that Sukuk could come to the market soon, after rules for their issuance were approved in March by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the cocoa-producing Osun State plans the country's debut into such issuance.

Already, the apex bank had set up an advisory committee to regulate Sharia compliance, while the insurance regulator issued guidelines for takaful operators in April, as there are three takaful windows operating in Nigeria and up to five firms are now considering

entry into the market, according to a source.

"The financial market department is developing instruments that will be used between the central bank and the Islamic banks as well as on an interbank platform," said Umar.

Islamic banking is currently offered by a new window at Stanbic IBTC, a unit of South Africa's Standard Bank, and Jaiz Bank, a full-fledged Islamic lender, which has been operational since 2012.

The Abuja-based financial institution is now planning to obtain a national licence to expand operations beyond the North, which has been hit by insurgency as the proposed products to deepen the bank’s presence were halted.

Presently, Jaiz has grown its branch network to 10 from an initial three, with ambitious expansion plans to the tune of 100 branches by 2017, with its capital raising that attracted investors like the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank.

Also, Sterling Bank has been granted approval in principle for an Islamic window, while two more lenders have expressed interest in obtaining licences to operate Islamic windows, according to a source.

According to a report by Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access, there is an estimated 34.8 percent of Nigerian adults that do not use non-interest banking products were likely to take them up if they are made available.

The same report found that

few years, noting that this has drawn attention from international investors.

He pointed out that the federal government willingness to initiate reforms that would drive growth in the nation’s bourse as well as provision of market enhanced framework for bond issuances, as well as simplified disclosure rules for fixed income, among others has identified the country as a hub for investment destination among other emerging markets.

“A vibrant, local-currency capital market is essential for any country to achieve its full economic potential, and a cornerstone of our strategy to help countries achieve sustainable growth. Our desire to put in place a program for regular naira-denominated issuances reflects IFC’s commitment to the domestic capital markets in Nigeria, and our growing investment to support private sector development in the country.”

IFC had in February 2013, issued the first local-currency bond by a non-resident issuer in Nigeria, raising 12 billion naira ($76.3 million). IFC issues bonds as part of its regular program of raising funds for private sector development, and to support the development of domestic capital markets. In many cases IFC is the first, or among the first non-resident issuers.

Its strategy in Nigeria prioritizes infrastructure, especially power, which was identified as the key constraint to private sector development; agribusiness, the largest single contributor to GDP and the largest employer, especially within the rural poor; as well as the development of small and medium enterprises.

over 61.6 percent of adults borrowed from family and friends, while only 5.6 percent used deposit-taking banks and 9.9 percent used co-operatives.

But the Group Head of NonInterest Banking at Sterling Bank, Basheer Oshodi, said his bank is planning to roll out several products including a profit-sharing account and other investment products, in an effort to woo patronage to the sector.

"We are ready to go live immediately when we get the final licence. We will pilot with 10 branches and will end up using all 165 branches across the country thereafter.

"In reality, we will be having almost all basic Islamic banking products. We have also started to structure a couple of sukuk," he added.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

16 BUSINESS

MTN puts number porters at 22,000, NCC plans review of scheme

By Adeyemi Adepetun ROM MTN Nigeria came the startling revelation that about 22,000 subscribers have so far switched network operators, three months into the launch of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) scheme in the country.

Launched on April 22 in Nigeria, MNP is about giving subscribers the choice to switch network operators without losing their phone number, the introduction of which has been described as a demonstration of the rapid growth of the telecommunications sector in the country.

In a reaction to The Guardian’s enquiry on the recent porting statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which puts Etisalat as the network, that has garnered more subscribers than the other three GSM firms, including MTN, Globacom and Airtel three months into the scheme, General Manager, Corporate Affairs at MTN Nigeria, Funmilayo Omogbenigun, while appreciating the initiative, said no empirical study has been concluded on the impact of MNP in the Nigerian market so far, stressing that it will be premature to begin to draw conclusions.

Meanwhile, at the ICT Publishers Alliance Forum on MNP on Tuesday in Lagos, organized to look at the challenges confronting the scheme, fresh facts emerged that the NCC might eventually review some of the technicalities assumed to be confronting subscribers.

According to Omogbenigun, “In terms of adoption, indications so far are that about 22,000 subscribers across all networks out of an industry total of about 114 million, have exercised their right to port. This may indicate that current statistics fall far below initial predictions.

“Globally, porting figures are typically much lower than expected or reported

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and Nigeria is no different.

The recent percentage quoted in the media represent MTN's own percentage of the total number of subscribers who have ported and this is consistent with our market share. The number of reported ports across the network is only a negligible percentage of the total subscriber base of 114 million (22,000 ports industry wide out of 114 million subscribers industry wide).”

The MTN Nigeria General Manager, Corporate Affairs was however, silent about the actual number of subscribers that might have left the network for others and vice versa.

“As you know, MNP operations are governed by strict rules. This is sensitive information which MNP rules preclude us from disclosing.

Nevertheless it has brought a refreshing choice for subscribers and we are very excited about the possibilities and innovation that MNP will generate”, she stated.

On whether the scheme has deepen competition and mitigate the impact of poor telecoms services, Omogbenigun said QoS challenges in Nigeria are industry wide, stressing that all operators experience the various issues which impinge on QoS including power, multiple taxation, insecurity, vandalisation and other issues which affect QoS. According to her, MNP is not a silver bullet, which will "solve" QOS challenges. “We are hopeful that steps being taken by the industry, the regulator and Government in this regard, will soon yield positive results. Perhaps then, we can truly ascertain the extent to which MNP has stimulated competition”, she stated.

Meanwhile, at the MNP forum, it was stated that though the exercise is recording slow but successful progress in terms of the processing of porting requests by interested subscribers, a lot of bottlenecks, which had earlier been pointed out by the stakeholders, have now

been acknowledged by the commission.

The commission has thus found it imperative to undertake a critical review of the porting operations both from operators’ and sub-

scribers’ points of views for improvement.

It was learnt that the key areas that would be penciled for review include level of public education by the NCC; likely reduction of the cur-

rent 90 days lock-up time of subscriber on recipient network after porting; and also how to checkmate alleged denial of quick process of porting request by some operators, among others.

Speaking at the forum, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, said the mobile portability service would be subjected to constant reviews to see how it can be improved for sub-

President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Kabir Mohammed (left); Partners, SIAO, Robert Ade-Odiachi; Ituah Ighodalo; and Ladi Smith, during the courtesy visit of the Institute to SIAO, in Lagos yesterday.

PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

Chamber wants stiffer penalties for crude oil thieves

By Roseline Okere HE Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) has emphasised the need for the National Assembly to prescribe stiffer penalties for crude oil thieves and pipeline vandals in the country.

The President of N-BCC, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, said in a statement yesterday, that the seeming helplessness of government in dealing with the spate of what he described as organised, coordinated crude oil theft leaves no one in doubt that the menace is the business of the well connected in Nigeria.

Adefulu believed that there appears to be a conspiracy of silence because the tactics of

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oil bunkerers and thieves are well known and should not be a problem for the security forces in the country.

According to him, there is no political will from the government in dealing with the incidence of crude oil theft in the country.

"If there is political will to deal with this problem of economic sabotage which should ordinarily be visited with swift and the severest punishment, the country may continue to witness this terrible issue ".

Lamenting on the issue, he added: "The bunkering operation is putting enormous resources at the disposal of men of the under-world which they are investing in acquisition of political power

and heavily in acquisition of arms and ammunitions and constitute a serious danger to the national security of the country, which we cannot afford to play with".

Adefulu stressed that beside the economic effects, the activities of the bunkerers are also destroying the country's eco-system, the land and water which the oil and gas communities rely on for their sustenance and the value of this damage is unquantifiable.

On the way out, Adefulu stated: "There is need to re-establish a full accountability and transparency in the oil and gas industry. The government should introduce metering technology for monitoring of

oil production and export; increase monitoring of the network of crude oil pipeline and infrastructure in the Niger Delta".

He also called for implementation of Nuhu Ribadu report and other task forces' report on the challenges in the country's oil and gas sector.

Adefulu said it is necessary for the Federal Government to strengthen the local institutional, legislative, security capacity for dealing with the menace of crude oil theft.

He stressed the need to reach out to other friendly governments as well as to the International Oil Companies to engage them in finding appropriate solutions to the problem.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

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Crisis lurks as mortgage bonds pose economic threat in Denmark HE one-year mortgage bonds that helped T homeowners keep up debt payments during the toughest months of Denmark’s recession now pose a threat to economic stability, according to the head of a government commission investigating the causes of the financial crisis.

“There is a risk, and the risk is relatively large,” Jesper Rangvid, a professor of finance at the Copenhagen Business School who’s overseeing an 11-person commission due to release its findings next month, said in an Aug. 5 interview.

Denmark stands out as the Scandinavian nation to have suffered most during Europe’s debt woes. Its debate on how to wean households off cheap, yet potentially volatile, debt echoes a dilemma facing policy makers across much of the globe, where the response to over-indebtedness has been to feed demand for borrowing.

Refinancing their mortgages annually saved borrowers as much as 50 billion kroner ($8.9 billion) since Denmark’s housing market collapsed five years ago, the Association of Danish Mortgage Banks estimates. Still, Danes relying on adjustablerate mortgages took a hit in 2008, when the central bank sent rates to an eight-year high to stop krone assets being dumped.

The one-year bonds have been singled out by the central bank, Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings as being risky because they finance mortgages as long as 30 years. Rangvid’s committee will publish its recommendations in September.

Denmark’s $500 billion mortgage bond market is the world’s largest per capita.

Since their introduction in 1996, adjustablerate mortgage bonds have displaced traditional 30-year, fixed-rate loans to account for more than two-thirds of lending to owner-occupied properties. Loans that refinanced annually peaked last year at almost one-third of the $256 billion outstanding in residential mortgages.

“The amounts outstanding are so large, and the amounts that have to be refinanced yearly are so large,” Rangvid said. Though the fallout of Denmark’s housing bubble “would have been worse” if borrowers hadn’t been able to refinance and benefit from record-low interest rates, now is the right

time to scale back issuance of the notes, he said.

Doing so would “make the system safer” albeit at the cost of a “small” decline in house prices, Rangvid said.

Though Denmark’s public debt load is half the euro-zone average, helping transform its bond and currency markets into havens from the turmoil in southern Europe, the nation’s housing collapse has undermined consumer confidence and stunted economic growth.

The $355 billion economy stalled in the first quarter after contracting 0.5 percent last year. Denmark was also in a recession in the final quarters of 2011, according to the statistics office.

Danes bear the world’s highest private debt burden, at 310 percent of disposable incomes, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Though households also boast some of the world’s biggest savings in the form of pensions and home equity, a more-than 20 percent slump in property prices since 2007 has eroded the value of those assets.

Against that backdrop, the option of annual refinancing helped households reduce their interest costs. Rates on the one-year bonds sank as low as 0.35 percent at auctions last year, compared with 3.5 percent on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages.

The price of Nykredit’s bond maturing April 2014 fell to a 19-month low today in Copenhagen trading. The bond declined to about 101.10 as of 12:10 p.m. local time, according to Nykredit prices available on Bloomberg. The yield was at 0.26 percent.

Yet Moody’s and S&P argue the “substantial mismatch” between funding and lending maturities needs to be addressed.

S&P last month cut its outlook on the ratings of Denmark’s biggest issuers, including Danske Bank A/S (DANSKE) and Nykredit Realkredit A/S. Industry efforts to wean borrowers off the bonds may not be enough and regulatory intervention could be needed, according to S&P. A committee appointed by the government to identify Denmark’s too-big-to-fail banks said in March systemically important lenders should aim to comply with a basic stable funding level from 2014, a step that could exclude one-year financing. That’s

A cyclist rides her bicycle past residential and commercial properties in the Christianshavn district of central Copenhagen, Denmark. four years earlier than a net stable funding ratio to be set by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, which Denmark says it will incorporate into its final rules.

That’s not enough to bring about the necessary shift, according to S&P. The rating company criticized Denmark’s committee on systemically important banks for offering “very limited” guidance to the mortgage industry on how to meet stable funding requirements.

Some banks have indicated they’d welcome regulatory intervention rather than risk being the first to self-impose stricter funding rules. Mortgage lenders have already started scaling back issuance.

“The problem is that we cannot sit with all the main players around the table and agree, because this of course would be in violation of competition rules,” Eivind Kolding, chief executive officer of Danske Bank, said last week in an interview. That

may ultimately necessitate a ban, he said.

“We don’t think there is a need for regulation,” said Peter Jayaswal, deputy director at the mortgage association. “The banks are taking different actions to ensure they’ve got the right risk profile. It’s better that way than to have some kind of regulation that would not be that flexible.”

The government and Financial Supervisory Authority argue that a ban on one-year bonds risks undermining a nascent recovery in Denmark’s housing market. House prices rose 0.5 percent in May from April, and 3.9 percent from a year earlier, Statistics Denmark said July 31.

“The position of the housing market is a strong argument for taking a quite gradual approach,” Ulrik Noedgaard, director general of the FSA, said in an June interview.

Rangvid argues higher mortgage rates are an acceptable price to pay to rid the economy of the risk annual refinancings pose.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY 59

Africa's potash pioneers raise hopes amid uncertainty FRICA'S nascent potash A industry, often enjoying low costs and shallow deposits while standing to benefit from fast growth in local demand, expects to withstand an expected drop in the crop nutrient's prices better than emerging rivals.

The collapse last week of one of two global potash cartels is expected to take about 25 percent off prices, prompting questions over the future of projects such as BHP Billiton's $14 billion Jansen and the K+S Legacy mine - both in Canada.

Shares of small explorers and miners have been battered and financing, already tough, has become tougher.

But companies exploring Africa's emerging potash regions - the Republic of Congo to the west and Ethopia and Eritrea to the east - say a price drop could benefit those with lower costs and high ore grades, if it means output cuts in established mining regions.

Lower prices could also increase demand for potash in emerging markets and notably in Africa, where food consumption patterns are changing as population growth and increased urbanisation alter diets and boost demand for grain.

"The expected price fall affects general market sentiment, which could be tricky for the next few months," said Ed Marlow, Chief Executive of African Potash, which is working on the early stage Lake Dinga project in the Republic of Congo.

"But we are talking about world potash prices coming down as low as under $300 - if you are producing under $100 a tonne, there are still very good margins. There is not a lot that makes that sort of margin."

Ethiopia faces greater difficulty than Congo, due to a longer distance from planned mines to port.

But the shallow deposits in the parched Danakil Depression mean the region that has seen some of Africa's worst famines still hopes to cash in on the nutrient that will help the continent boost production and avoid such crises in future.

"We are going to have potash as a commodity in addition to gold, tantalum and gemstones," Ethiopia's Mines Minister Sinkenesh Ejigu said.

Just 12 countries produce virtually all the world's potash, with Canada, Russia and Belarus accounting for the lion's share.

While a boom around 2007 encouraged numbers of new mine projects, many were predicated on prices that now look distant.

The timing is more fortunate for Africa, which will not start producing significant amounts of potash before 2016 or 2017. By then it can hope prices will again be stable or rising as more of the world's population seeks more and better food.

The African industry's success will still rely on low costs.

"The major silver lining for us is that finally people will wake up and start looking at project economics," said Farhad Abasov, CEO of Allana Potash, working in Ethiopia on the $642 million Dallol project that aims to produce 1 million tonnes a year. Allana estimates costs of around the industry average.

Africa's new mines will initially be set up to export. But the lure of the continent's increasing domestic demand

- up from just 1 percent of global potash consumption today - will be vital to bring in investment.

This prospect has already attracted the attention of investors such as Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, Brazilian entrepreneur and former CEO of Vale Roger Agnelli and even industry heavyweights like fertiliser group Yara, which has a stake in an Ethiopian project.

Allana forecasts African potash usage could rise to between 3 million and 7 million tonnes by 2020 from demand of less than 1 million now.

"What has changed now... is the rapid growth of demand for potash in Africa. Some of our initial production will definitely be destined for Asia, into India, but 20-40 percent of our production will actually stay in Africa," Abasov said.

He said Ethiopia had announced a tender for 4 NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potas-

sium) fertiliser plants that would require 200,000 tonnes of potash a year.

Congo, meanwhile, stands to cash in on its logistical advantage - deposits 20 km to 100 km from the port of Pointe Noire, compared with distances of 1,700 km and more for certain mines in Canada.

Congo's planned mines appear to have ore grades of 20 to 25 percent, according to a 2012 World Bank report, making them comparable with Canada's Saskatchewan province. Crucially, they can be exploited at a depth of 300 metres, whereas deposits in Canada are explored at more than 1,000 metres.

The most advanced Congolese project is the 1.2 million tonne a year Mengo project, run by a company controlled by Chinese group Evergreen, and due to be completed at the end of 2015.

Elemental Minerals is due to produce at Congo's Sintoukola at costs of $79.70 a

tonne, according to a 2012 report - in an industry where costs are typically closer to $100 to $150 and against a spot price of closer to $400.

Marlow at African Potash

A block of potash

hopes his costs, and margins, will be similar.

The problem for most, though, remains finding cash now.

"If there really are low cost

options in Africa, perhaps they are possible, but you still have to get the financing and the capex costs are high," said analyst Sophie Jourdier at Liberum.

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Appointments

Jonathan

Akinkuotu

Oduah

‘Why airlines don’t employ Nigerian pilots’

By Wole Shadare

S Nigerian fresh pilots roam the streets in search of jobs, the Managing Director of AirFirst Aviation, Gbolahan Abatan, has explained the reason they find it difficult to be employed by commercial airlines in the country.

He disclosed that airlines

A

are very reluctant to recruit fresh graduates because the hours they have as at the time they graduated from school are too low for insurance cover.

He added that a situation where fresh graduate pilots roam the streets with 230 hours instead of having between 500 to 700 hours, which is required to fly cer-

• Expert bemoans dearth of flying clubs tain category of aircraft, is not good for the country.

The AirFirst boss pointed out that all the pilots in the world even those flying jumbo aircraft such as A380 and B787, started with smaller airplanes, adding that no pilot start with bigger air-

craft.

“Every single pilot you see in this world started flying from General Aviation.

Nobody just jump into Boeing 747 to become a pilot of Boeing 747. No, I have never seen that. You must fly these smaller air-

Govt to train, recruits 740 engineers for TCN, others • ‘New local content law to check influx of foreigners in privatised power sector’ From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja HE Federal Government is T fine-tuning work on a new local content law for the electricity power industry.

According to the Director General of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, Dr. Reuben Okeke, when the new policy comes on stream, companies who would operate in the emerging private sector run power sector, would be required to source their workforce mandatorily from Nigeria.

The new policy, Okeke said, would be akin to the local content policy currently in operation in the petroleum sector Speaking at an interaction with members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja, Okeke said where a firm feels it requires the services of an expatriate, it must first obtain a ‘no objection’ note from the regulator, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

He said NERC would only grant a ‘no objection’ note when it is satisfied that the skills for which an expatriate is required is not available locally.

Okeke said the President has given approval for the recruitment of about 240 skilled youths for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). He said the recruitment process would start in October, noting that NAPTIN would retrain the engaged youths before they are eventually absorbed into TCN. Meanwhile, he said government had started recruiting another set of 500 young Electrical Engineering graduates into the power sector.

It was not clear which agencies the 500 youths would work in, especially considering that government is currently privatising the generation and distribution utilities.

But the NAPTIN boss stressed that the process had commenced at the Ministry of Power. He said the youths would also be subjected to one month of rigorous training at his Institute to prepare them for the work ahead.

“NAPTIN has identified the skills that will be needed by the various power companies in the power industry after privatisation.

Consequently, there are needs for skilled workers at all levels and in all cate-

gories, including generation, transmission, distribution, instrumentation and controls, safety, project management, communication technologies, among others.”

He said government had approved the training of 1,000 young Nigerian graduates for careers in the Nigerian power industry after privatisation.

He said details of the training was being worked out with the Ministry of Power, noting that the training would be conducted under the Institute’s graduate skills development programme aimed at improving their potentials for rewarding careers in the electricity sector.

His words: “The power sector in Nigeria is currently undergoing massive restructuring by the government of Nigeria. Needless to say power development is the bedrock or engine upon which the development of the country is to be propelled for a sustainable economic growth.

“Three key inputs into electricity production and supply are physical infrastructure, fuel and skilled personnel. Of these three, skilled personnel is the most important as without it the other

two cannot be realized and effectively utilised. Some of the best-run electric utilities in the world are constantly engaged in trying to find the optimum combination of technology and human intervention in order to provide reliable and affordable electricity service to the consumers.

He went on: “In Nigeria, PHCN and its successor companies constitute about 90 per cent of the entire power sector personnel. A large proportion of these workforces are either unskilled or at best semi-skilled. The inability of the sector to meet the needs of the country has been attributed to several factors including aging power assets, long period of generation capacity stagnation and high human capacity development deficiencies.

“This lack of adequate capacity building in the power sector has led to deficiencies in skilled personnel in generation, transmission and distribution and also in the areas of management of regulatory and policy framework.”

He said NAPTIN was now strategically positioned to provide the ever needed and lacking capacity building and skills development for the growing Nigeria power sector and beyond in the long term.

craft for start. Cessna 172, Cessna 152 and other smaller airplanes are General Aviation aircraft. You must start with these aircraft before progressing to flying bigger aircraft and everybody started this way”, he said The Guardian had last week reported that about 300 pilots are not employed with dire consequences to the nation.

The implication is that in the next few months, Nigeria will have over 300 unemployed pilots who have been trained at a great expense but may not be employed. Investigation by The Guardian shows that there are about 200 foreign registered aircraft with Nigerian interest operating in and out of the country, and at least 75 of them are almost permanently based in Nigeria.

This means that there is a potential to employ about 225 at the least and about 800 pilots at the maximum for general aviation. This translates to keeping at least $96,000,000 within the country’s economy every year in pilots’ salaries.

Abatan noted that as far back as 2008, when he was in South Africa, the country already had about 1,140 private flying schools, adding that Nigeria with about 160 million people have just two training school and not a single flying club.

Abatan who combines his position as a pilot and aircraft engineer stated that in the United States, pilots from the flying schools do not look for jobs in bigger airlines such as Delta and United because they will not employ them because they do not have the required flying hours, adding that America don’t feel the effect

because they have a lot of general aviation aircraft.

He said instead these young pilots pay owners of aircraft, who are doing small cargo business from New York to New Jersey because they want to build hours.

To mitigate the problem, he however advocated for strong General Aviation (GA), adding that Nigeria aviation is having this problem because the country did not train pilots for a very long.

He added that while pilots were not trained, some of the airlines were busy employing foreign pilots to work for them because it was cheaper to secure their services.

To remedy the situation, he said the nation’s aviation must have a very functional GA, adding that in other countries general aviation is working but the absence of it in the country is creating problem for the country’s aviation.

According to him, “one of the first steps is the General Aviation. In most countries, they have general aviation functioning.

General Aviation is the beginning. It is like you having an educational system and scrapping primary school. You cannot start your education from secondary school, nothing says you cannot start really but you must get to a certain age before you can start secondary school. Do you want to leave a man to grow up to 15 years before he goes to secondary school? What are you going to teach him? That is why we were all taught from the kindergarten and the same thing with General Aviation” He lauded the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, for creating the General Aviation department and for making efforts to revolutionise the system.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

26 APPOINTMENTS

ILO seeks breastfeeding practice in workplace From Collins Olayinka, Abuja REASTFEEDING is good B for the society just at the global efforts to promote the practice in the workplace is starting to pay off, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has said.

The international global labour watch body said that more than 65 per cent of countries around the world

were having some sort of legislation entitling mothers to either remunerated nursing breaks or a daily reduction of working hours.

The ILO’s maternity protection and work-family specialist, Laura Adatti said that nearly a quarter of all countries still did not provide breastfeeding breaks in the workplace – especially in Asia, Latin America and the

Edo council boss advocates bottom-top administrative style From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

S the debate for local A government autonomy continues with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees embarking on a warning strike, the Chairman Etsako Central Local Government Council of Edo State, Emmanuel Momoh has advocated a bottom-top approach of administration in the local councils, a strategy he said would make council chairmen accessible to all strata of the councils.

Speaking to journalists shortly after a thanksgiving service to mark his victory at the council polls, Momoh however said he would abide by his party’s (Action Congress of Nigeria) decision to support or oppose the agitation for autonomy for councils as being agitated in some quarters.

He said “there is one thing I do that is very peculiar in carrying people along which is the bottom-top approach and not a top- bottom approach, because I am on the top, so I have to adopt that. This

decision makes people to be part of decision making.

Experience has shown that it help in bringing people together.

That is why you see that I am free with everybody and everybody takes me serious” On councils autonomy, he said “This is not the first time I am been confronted on the issue of autonomy, I am a man under authority, my party is involved and whatever the policy of my party is, that is what I will go by”, He noted.

He said in spite of the challenges of getting people of the Council in tune with his style of leadership he has been able to complete and asphalted 1.4 Kilometer road while attention are been paid to schools and rural centers.

“What has happened today has shown that the people are happy. The people here today are made up of the political and traditional leadership of the local government, so what that means is that both the people at the top and bottom appreciate what we are doing, am highly hon-

Caribbean – and this is something that needed to change.

Her words: “Legal information from our maternity protection database shows that increased efforts are needed to convince governments, employers – and sometimes even workers – that combining work and breastfeeding is not only possible but also essential for both mother and child, as well as for business and society as a whole.”

She added that having access to paid maternity leave and information was not enough, saying a workplace that was “breastfeeding-friendly” provided women with comfortable, private facilities to express breast milk, access to a

fridge to store it, a clean and safe environment, as well as day-care facilities and family-friendly working time arrangements for both women and men, if feasible.

The lack of support at the workplace is one of the main reasons why women stop breastfeeding before the recommended time.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this means six months of exclusive breastfeeding and then continued breastfeeding with the addition of nutritious complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.

“Even though the quantity and nutritional quality of breast milk are not affected when the mother is work-

ing, it is sometimes difficult for women to continue to breastfeed when they go back to work too soon after giving birth, especially when there is a lack of breastfeeding breaks and facilities at the workplace,” Addati added.

She argued that lack of longer, compulsory and well-remunerated leave policies for men and the attitude of employers and colleagues could also be an incentive to stop breastfeeding.

Addati stated that breastfeeding was not an obstacle to productivity but that research showed that women were more likely to stay in their job in the longer term, if they could breastfeed at work – which is a good way

of retaining skilled workers.

Supporting breastfeeding among employees only involves limited costs for employers, both in terms of the employee’s time and the infrastructure that it requires.

“Contrary to a common belief, informal workers also face problems in continuing to breastfeed when they return to work, as they are often unable to take their children with them to the fields, to collect firewood or water or to the employers’ household, in the case of domestic workers. When they do so, it often comes with risks to the child’s health and well-being and may lead to early involvement in child labour,” Addati explained.

Outgoing Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Public Relation (NIPR), Jide Ologun (left), incoming Chairman, Joe Okonmah, Justice Deborah Oluwayemi-Alli and Representative of National President, Dr. Rotimi Oladele, during the institute’s inauguration of new executives in Lagos…recently.

PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

NEMA trains 40 youths on grassroot emergency From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja its determined effort to IofNreach out quickly to victims disaster especially in the event of flooding, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has trained 40

volunteer youths and 30 personnel of disaster management agencies for grassroot emergency response and management.

The beneficiaries of the training drawn from Kubwa and Gwagwalada area councils of

the FCT were educated on the overview of disaster management, search and rescue/evacuation of flooded communities, camp management and coordination and first aid for drawn victims.

Speaking during the one-day

Kogi pensioners to stage demonstration over non-payment of gratuities From Kolawole Timothy, Lokoja IGERIA Union of N Pensioners, Kogi State council has issued a 14 days ultimatum to the state government to address the nonpayment of the huge outstanding accumulated gratuity of retirees.

According to the pensioners, if the government failed to settle all outstanding at the end of the ultimate, they would be forced to stage a peaceful protest across the state.

This was contained in a letter addressed to the State Governor, Capt Idris Wada, State’s Police Commissioner and made available to The Guardian in Lokoja.

The letter signed by the state chairman, Mr. Onu Abdullahi alleged that despite various actions taken to persuade the government to harmonise

the pensions of retirees, the government had failed to address the problems.

Besides, the pensioner accused the state government of failing to address the issue of outstanding gratuity owed them, adding that the state government had refused to release the required 15 per cent of the total emolument of serving local government employees to defray the gratuity of retirees from the local government sector.

Also, they alleged that two weeks after a High Court judgment was delivered against the appointment of politicians into the board of Bureau of both the state and local government pensions the state government had not respected or executed the judgment of the court.

The pensioners equally stated that they were prepared to

visit the father of the governor, Pa Wada Ejiga who is also a pensioner to request him to talk to his son on the plight of pensioners and to appeal for the governor’s favourable action.

Part of the statement reads: “A 14-days ultimatum is hereby given to the state government to address the grievances of pensioners over nonpayment outstanding gratuity to pensioners and other issues as it affects the welfare of pensioners.

“Therefore, after the end of the ultimatum if the state government fails to act, the union shall call for a peaceful demonstration by pensioners across the state, we are also going to mount pressure on the Head of Service of Kogi state to play his expected roles in seeing to the realisation of the dreams of pensioners.”

training and awareness raising programme, the Coordinator, Abuja operations office of the agency, Ishaya Isah Chonoko explained that what informed the choice of the two area councils was the discovery of the councils being prone to flooding based on the experience of the agency in the 2012 flood disaster.

Chonoko said that those who volunteered for the training did so in line with what was in trend globally where volunteerism was an integral part of disaster management.

He added that this made frequent training/capacity building imperative as a sure way of equipping the volunteers in carrying out the enormous task of saving lives.

Besides, he noted that management of disaster had become an issue everyone should be interested and involved in noting that impact of disasters that were naturally based could still be reduced with determination from the people.

His words: “All efforts are gathered to ensure that the scale of destruction of flood is reduced to the bearest minimum so that the energy and resources saved can be channelled towards other areas of human endeavours. This forum is an eye opener for the

volunteers as we intend to interact with them from time to time.”

Chonoko noted that the choice of the volunteers was borne out of the noticeable way the youths had been involved in rescue operations in their local environment. He said that building the capacity of the youth in relevant areas would equip them with the knowledge to render initial assistance to those in distress before government intervention as they were the closest to the communities at risk in times of disaster.

“This is like a pilot programme on the training of volunteers in each state under Abuja operations office, after here we intend to go to Niger, Kwara and Kogi states to do similar

training for volunteers.

Disaster management if not one person’s responsibility, after the 2013 prediction by NIMET, we had dwell in organising seminars and workshops and related programmes to sensitise people on how to mitigate the expected impact of the flood even if we cannot stop it entirely, at least let the impact be manageable and reduced. Most cases when disaster happens, the government agencies responsible for intervention may not arrive at the scene immediately, so that is why we are training youths who are residents in the grassroot to at least give the needed aid to victims before the arrival of disaster management agencies.

Council of Legal Education appoints director N Associate Member of A the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSAN), Mrs. Elizabeth Max-Uba, has been appointed the secretary and director of Administration of the Council of Legal Education.

The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of ICSAN, Dele Togunde, said that the

appointment of Max-Uba, who had occupied some other senior positions in the same establishment, was a round peg in a round hole.

“It is believed that Mrs. Max- Uba will bring her wealth of experience as a multi- skilled professional to bear on the operations of the council and improve its fortunes,” he said.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

APPOINTMENTS

27

Demoted varsity lecturer sues institution

By Joseph Onyekwere R. (Mrs.) Mojisola Olubunmi Nkiko, a lecturer in the Chemistry Department of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) who was recently demoted from lecturer II to assistant lecturer over alleged plagiarism has instituted a suit against the university.

She filed the action at the National Industrial Court, Lagos demanding N20 million as general damages.

The lecturer is also demanding for additional N2 million as cost of initiating and prosecuting the suit.

The university had in its bulletin, reference FUNAAB/VC/PRD.08/42 and dated May 10, 2013, demoted the claimant along with others over alleged plagiarism.

But, the claimant in suit NoNICN/LA/385/B filed by her counsel, Emeka Okpoko, is praying for an order setting aside the purported demotion and restoring her to the position of lecturer II with all rights and privileges attached.

The claimant is seeking for declaration that the consti-

D

tution, composition, procedure and the subsequent findings and decisions/ recommendation of the disciplinary committee were fundamentally flawed and constitute a breach of the terms of the condition of service and a gross violation of her right to fair hearing.

The claimant is also asking the court to declare that her purported demotion was wrongful, illegal, oppressive and null and void.

The claimant contended that her demotion from the position of lecturer II to assistant lecturer was tantamount to a tacit termination or forced termination.

She argued that there is no provision in the university’s Senior Staff Rules and Regulations for demotion of staff of the university from a senior rank to a lower rank.

The claimant maintained that she had 21 years of unbroken and unblemished academic trajectory without the slightest malfeasance or fraud.

The claimant averred that the research works in question was published in a reputable journal, which enjoys global visibility considering its online version.

The claimant averred that the alleged plagiarism emanated from an anonymous letter from the Chemistry Department in furtherance of vendetta targeted at Dr. Bamigbose and anybody who associated with her.

The claimant averred that the defendant’s publication in some national newspapers imputed plagiarism on her person based on unsubstantiated allegation.

She averred that based on the publications, she has suffered untold hardship, great injury mental agony, psychological trauma, adding that her reputation has been totally diminished before members of the public She swore in a 64-pragraph statement of claim that upon withdrawal of her service from Olabisi Onabanjo University, she was appointed in 2010 lecturer II enhanced (CONUASS 04 step 1) by the defendant.

The claimant stated that at the defendant’s university she diligently pursued her career applying due competency and efficiency required of her.

She added that upon her appointment at the defen-

Forum to partner youths on entrepreneurship development From Anthony Otaru, Abuja HE Nigeria Entrepreneurs T Forum (NEF) has indicated its willingness to partner the Nigeria Youth Chamber of Commerce (NYCC), with a view to developing the nation’s youths in entrepreneurship.

In a statement issued by NEF at the weekend, the forum also noted that preparing the youths for entrepreneurship engagements through capacity building would further enhance and accelerate the much desired overall sustainable economic growth and development of the nation, adding that collaborating with NYCC will, no doubt, enhance youths’ innovation in technology and creative arts, and then promote job opportunities and wealth creation in the society.

Speaking on youth entrepreneurship when the Founder cum National President of Nigeria Youth Chamber of Commerce and Special Assistant Technical Office of the Senior Special

Assistant to the President on Youth and Student Matters, Peter Ayim, paid a courtesy visit to Nigeria Entrepreneurs Forum in Abuja, the President of the forum, Dr. Sidney Inegbedion, pointed out that out of every six million graduate youths in the country, only about 10 per cent of this figure are able to secure jobs, with post graduation waiting period now up to five years.

Inegbedion added that the unemployment of the teeming Nigerian graduate youths has further fuelled the level of crime in the country. He said that entrepreneurship could be used to curb crime in the society, stressing that crime planned and executed by the educated elements in any given society could be worse.

He said: “In Nigeria Entrepreneurs Forum, we recognise that, in the past, the mistake made by our leaders was to emphasise on education, education for job. They refused to create opportunities and business-

es, but today for every six million youths out there, only one million are able to get jobs. What does this mean? It means that there is serious problem ahead. “If we do not start creating job opportunities and encouraging entrepreneurs to start their own businesses, it means that in the next few years, not far from now, we are facing serious anarchy, because the level of crime then is not just going to be the regular type, is going to be the crime of educated people, which will be more sophisticated.”

Inegbedion also disclosed that NEF is already working with some tertiary institutions in the country for the establishment of entrepreneurship clubs among the students, stating that the Bayelsa State chapter of NEF has started training National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on entrepreneurship as well as helping to set up student entrepreneurs clubs in the country’s tertiary institutions.

Foundation trains youths in leadership, others O instil self-confidence in T the younger people termed the “future leaders of tomorrow”, a Port Harcourt, Rivers State-based non-profit organisation, MIND Foundation, has held a one-week Leadership Holiday Camp for youths from resource-poor schools and other economically disadvantaged communities across the state.

Tagged: ‘Inspired to Lead’, the training was to empower and inspire Nigerian children and youths in becom-

ing change agents in their respective communities regardless of age and economic status.

The participants were exposed to skills bordering on leadership, ICT, creativity, entrepreneurship among other vital areas.

Speaking during the event which held between July 29 and August 2, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Olere Iluebbey, said “MIND Foundation is passionate about creating opportunities for disadvan-

taged children to gain the knowledge and skills that would enable them rise above their challenges and compete favourably with their peers from privileged backgrounds,” adding that the training had provided the participant with the necessary tools to turn their ideas into action.

She noted that the foundation has since 2007 been empowering disadvantaged youths with training and skills in ICT, Leadership and vocation.

dant’s university, she again came in contact with one Dr. (Mrs) J. T. Bamigbose who she had earlier met in University of Ibadan when she was doing her PhD programme.

The claimant added that she was assigned the sole responsibility to carry out data analysis involving kinetic and thermodynamics parameters along with one Dr. Ahmed Akinyele who allegedly edited the equation.

The claimant averred that she submitted her analysis to the team leader, Dr. Bamigbose who collated and coordinated the research works before it was

published in the African Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry Volume 6 (14).

According to her, few months after the publication, a faceless group masquerading as Stone Glasgow and Corruption Fighters wrote to the Vice Chancellor alleging plagiarism of the research work.

She added that the Investigation Panel that looked into the issue, informed her that she along with her colleagues plagiarised a paper titled “Biosorption of lead (II) and Chromium (II) on groundnut hull- Equilibrium and Thermodynamics study by Suleman Quausier (2009).

The claimant stated that she was amazed at the allegation and that she told the panel that she was not involved in any plagiarism and that her role in the coauthorship of the research works involved only data analysis.

She contended that despite her written and verbal explanation, the panel still recommended the demotion, accusing the chairman of the panel of having vested interest in the matter having previously warned her (claimant) from associating with Dr. Bamigbose – the leader of the research works.

NUT threatens strike over local councils’ autonomy From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE academic calendar of T primary schools may be disrupted when they resume academic work in September as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) may begin strike to protest the proposed autonomy to local government councils by the National Assembly.

The union observed that granting autonomy to local councils in the country would be tantamount to security breach as teachers at the primary level would no longer be assured of their salaries as at when due.

The NUT decision is at variant with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), even though both unions are affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which has also in principle supported local government autonomy.

Speaking in Abuja, the National President of NUT, Michael Olukoya, said: “The Nigeria Union of Teachers cannot afford to close its eyes against the approaching darkness that could soon envelop the country in the

event of abolition of Local Government Joint Account where alternative platform is provided for a stable primary education in Nigeria which would guarantee regular payment of primary school teachers salaries.

“Consequently, the union has resolved to stay off the school system as from the beginning of the next academic session as a temporary measure to secure the education of the less privileged constituting the masses of the population of this country. To be forewarned is to be fore armed.”

He warned that the already tensed security situation in the country could be exacerbated except the approval by the House is reversed.

Olukoya added: “We do not mean any threat, but the fact is, the security of this nation is on the precipice unless the National Assembly by its joint committee during harmonisation, reverse that position of the House of Representatives or take a middle ground in line with our second or third option.”

The NUT chief appealed to the 36 Houses of Assembly in

the states to reject any semblance of abolition of Local Government Joint Account and establish its right of oversight over the local government.

He submitted that if the State Joint Local Government Account is scrapped, the resultant fallout should be non-payment of salaries of primary school teacher’s nationwide, non-remittance of 7.5 per cent counterpart contributions from local councils to the pension funds of the primary school teachers nationwide, which will rubbish the spirit and contents of the Pension Reform Act 2004.

He was quick to add that the action could also lead to total collapse of the primary education, consequence upon uncontrollable industrial actions that will ensue in all local councils.

The union however proffered three options to checkmate the imminent disaster, saying that the status quo should be maintained and allow the State Joint Local Government Accounts to remain for the sake of guaranteeing the salaries of the teachers.

Jonathan to present productivity awards to 20 individuals, 10 organisations From Collins Olayinka, Abuja.

RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan would next week present the 2013 edition of the National Productivity Order of Merit Award (NPOM) to 20 individuals and 10 organisations.

This is in commemoration of the 2013 edition of National Productivity awards, which would be observed simultaneously by all the state governments nationwide as explained by National Productivity Centre ( N P C ) .

This Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chukwuemeka Wogu, who revealed the awardees in Abuja, said the award has serves as veritable tool for rewarding individuals and organisations who have deployed their expertise in optimal manners that have boosted the economic growth of the country.

Wogu argued that the award becomes imperative considering that no nation can enhance the quality of life of its citizens as well as be self reliant and competitive in

the international market without productivity improvement in all sector of its economy.

He added: “Productivity is indeed the most important determination of socio-economic growth, wealth creation, employment generation and overall improved standard of living. Given this cardinal role of productivity, it is imperative that the citizenry be consistently reminded on the need for developing a productive mindset that would ensure the growth of all sectors of the economy.”

The minister added that the objectives of the NPD include the institutionalisation of productivity consciousness and excellence in service among workers and organisations in both public and private sectors in Nigeria emphasizing hardwork, high performance, efficiency, discipline, dedication, humility and patriotism.

The other objectives are also to award workers and organisations proper and due recognition for hardwork, high performance, research

achievement and ensure a high level of effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of public policies and programmes of various public services.

“To also encourage and foster the spirit of healthy competition in production amongst workers, firms and companies in Nigeria; to build and encourage the spirit of self-reliance and to identify and reward the most productive workers and organisations in both public and private sector of the economy,” he stated.

The individual awardees are: Joseph Adeseluka, Ajose Kudehinbu, Mao Arukwe Ohuabunwa, Ndoma Akpet Nyambi, Omenihu Nwobwugwu, Dr. Emily Mieyefa, John Nwosu, Mohammed Mahmud Bana, Charles Ogbonna, Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, Abiodun Aiyerin, Dr. Ladan Sharehu, Sunday Iji, Godwin Eyarubere Omene, Promise Adewusi, Linus Ojimba, George Uriesi, Maimuna Bala, Shuiabu Oba Abdulraheem and Dr. Aliu M a ’ a w u y a .

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Focus How human resource spikes may scuttle Segun Osinowo, is the Director General, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA). In this interview with DELE FANIMO, he x-rays the likely spikes in the human resource component of the renewed Nigeria-China business relations, the recurring Academic Staff Union Of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) strikes and the way out, among others… Excerpts.

HY the sudden shift from the western counW tries to the Asian Tigers as shown in the latest romance between Nigeria and China? What are the implications?

The issue is so much about how we can promote growth and development in Nigeria at no extra cost by Nigeria. Because the shift is prompted by our quest for Foreign Direct Investment and those that will be willing to facilitate it without unnecessary caveat or burdensome conditionalities. And it is as if the Asian Tigers are fulfilling that expectation of providing this easy flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) without unnecessary conditionalities. So it is something that should be welcomed.

And in any case, when you look at the economic standard model for growth, investment – as a variable – is an important component. So we should really welcome that development. For now, I cannot see any conditionality that is onerous for us; so we should encourage it.

Looking at the cultural differences, an average Chinese is all work no play. There is the tendency for a Chinese firm to warehouse his labour from Beijing to Lagos. What are the implications especially when we are talking about expatriate quota abuse?

First, I want to challenge your premise that the Chinese is all work and no play. If a Nigerian should leave Nigeria for United Kingdom or China to work, he or she has been taken away from his/her area of social network. You can have ample time to yourself after work but the tendency is for you to deploy all that time to productive use.

As it is true for the Chinese in Nigeria, so it is true for the Indians, as well, true to some Europeans too. If you are left with ample time, you are not within the vicinity of your social network, which is why some of them will still feel comfortable coming to work on Saturdays and Sundays. I think that is also true of other nationals that have left the comfort of their countries for other climes.

But the aspect of it that we really need to look at critically is the one that, beyond the investment that will promote our economic growth and development, which is an investment that will resolve our unemployment issue? I think that is the aspect we really need to look at? What is the employment content of this investment?

Going by simple rule of economics, investment should promote economic growth and development. But the kind of economic growth and development that we are going to have, will it promote job content as far as Nigerians are concerned? I think that is where the Nigerian government should really come i n

Osinowo

and give life to its own rules and regulations, to ensure that beyond hard cash moving into this environment in terms of investment, that investment actually translates into decent work.

To a large extent, that might be the missing link in all of these. And I can understand why it is so. Because at a point in time of trying to encourage the would-be investor, the truth about it is that no government that has its’ head in its’ right place should be looking out for employment content. To certain extent, I can understand the disposition and strategy of the Nigerian government. Once the investment has been secured, there are various ways you can catch up with them in terms of taking a look at the employment content. That is why the various institutions that we have set up in Nigeria quickly have to wake up – the ministry of internal affairs and immigration services – have their guidelines in place and they must be complied with.

And that takes us to the issue of inspectorate. To what extent are these institutions up to their responsibilities? And it is in fact, to s o m e extent, the failure of these institutions that is now creating the basis for wrong institutions to want to take over that role.

The National Assembly has no

business looking at the issue of expatriate quota. It is not set up for that purpose.

Government has set up institutions for that purpose and maybe it is out of the recognition that these institutions are not living up to their responsibility that the Assembly is trying to look at these issues. But that does not still justify the actions of the National Assembly.

But they still have oversight function over these institutions?

Yes! I do agree, but it is over the institutions but not over the users of personnel and the expatriates. These are two different things completely. The oversight function of the National Assembly is over these government institutions that have been set up to ensure that users of foreign expatriates comply with the law of the land. Not for the National Assembly to be inviting individuals to come and justify their actions. It is for the National Assembly to invite the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Comptroller General of Immigration to bring the files of companies, for the Immigration head to answer questions relating to expatriate quota that has been given to those countries.

D on ’ t you

The National Assembly has no business looking at the issue of expatriate quota. It is not set up for that purpose. Government has set up institutions for that purpose and maybe it is out of the recognition that these institutions are not living up to their responsibility that the Assembly is trying to look at these issues.

But that does not still justify the actions of the National Assembly. think institutions concerned should be alerted to their responsibilities before these foreigners start arriving? Besides that, as the umbrella body of the private sector, should you not have an interface with these institutions?

There are two aspects to it. As a foreign investor going into a different terrain completely, I have a responsibility to carry out my risk assessment as far as my investment is concerned. It is my responsibility to take note of legal phrase of caveat emptor led by ICBS and also other challenges. All these will entail asking for a legal framework from that country.

The legal framework will include the labour law, immigration law, all information that will assist me on the way to go. I think all those coming in will do their homework and are aware of all these guidelines before they come.

What the Nigerian government should be asking itself is, the extant guidelines as we have it, are they in the interest of Nigerians, in the light of the dynamics of our labour market? Do you want to review it to make those investors equally take account of job creation content of the investment? That is a decision the government will have to take. And taking that decision, of course, the government must also be wary of the fact that our country is not the only investors’ destination. And if we want our country to attract investment, we’ve got to look at those rules and laws to determine if they are going to be of benefit to us. And of course, you know that we’ll have to look at comparative advantage.

But as employer really, the issue simply is that any employer in this environment – be it from the first, second or the third world – our own issue is the imperative for them to comply with the laws of the land in which they go about their business. From time to time, we have made the point known to our members that we would not defend any company that has violated the law of the land.

What is the attraction for investors given the security situation in the country?

Return on investment. Africa and Asia have been parading returns much higher than what the investors can get in any other places. And if you have to further break it down, look at the Nigerian environment. Our population is a huge attraction; what I’d call the burgeoning middle class in Nigeria is a big attraction for those investors. This is why Shoprite came in and other big players in that sector.

In the area of education, as an employer, what do you think is wrong between government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that there has been this perennial crisis?

It has become a vicious cycle really, which is eroding the quality of our education. And

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Nigeria-China business pact, by Osinowo for a long time, we’ve all been leaving the lines in terms of how to resolve it. It’s been fire-fighting approach. Each time the crisis comes, we are all-frenzy, all-anxious on having the student home for more than seven weeks. There are pressures from all angles and from education leaders that the government is ready to sign anything to have the lecturers back.

If you check the history of the strike, that has always been the trend, in which case, government puts pen to paper on things it does not really have the capacity to deliver on. I call it insincerity on the part of the government because the same government, two or three years down the line, would say ‘we don’t have the money and that is not what we intended.’

In resolving this particular crisis, government would have to be sincere. In collective bargaining, one basic tenet is the sanctity of collective bargaining. Once an agreement I signed, it is taken for granted that all the parties to the agreement will honour their obligation. From time to time, government have not respected that tenet or sanctity of collective bargaining, because it is always prompted by the tendency to solve the problem now and have the lecturer back, and it is to come back to the same issue two or three years down the line.

I believe the route to change is the evolution of industrial relations and collective bargaining in Nigeria, where the relationship between ASUU and the Federal Government is within the scope of collective bargaining and will have to take a new shape completely. The new shape is for all parties to recognize that the centralized collective bargaining structure can no longer work. I think that is the fundamental issue the government must be prepared to face right now.

Time was when all we had were just about 12 universities. Yes! During that time, the government could keep pace with centralized collective bargaining structure, but now we’ve lost count of the number of public universities that we have and you cannot bunch all the universities together and apply the same conditions to them. It is unrealistic.

Yes! Government still remains the major financier of these universities, but the circumstances and situations of each of these universities differ. The capacity of the University of Lagos to generate its own internal revenue is quite different from all others universities in the country. We need a situation where the collective bargaining is decentralized to the level of each university. In any case, the act setting up each of these universities recognizes that the employer of the lecturer is the governing council of the university. It is the governing council that has the statutory responsibility to determine the terms and conditions of this university. That is why I said we should move the bar-

We need a situation where the collective bargaining is decentralized to the level of each university. In any case, the act setting up each of these universities recognizes that the employer of the lecturer is the governing council of the university.

It is the governing council that has the statutory responsibility to determine the terms and conditions of each university. That is why I said we should move the bargaining structure to the level of each of the universities. Then let each university live within its resources. Those that can pay much higher will and for those that cannot afford it, the reality will be on ground for all the parties concerned to see.

gaining structure to the level of each of the universities. Then let each university live within its resources. Those that can pay much higher will and for those that cannot afford it, the reality will be on ground for all the parties concerned to see.

ASUU can then draw guidelines in terms of how to go about it in each of the universities.

But if current crisis is still resolved on the basis of continuation of the central bargaining system – mark my words – two or three years down the line, we will keep coming back to the same situation again.

And what will be the implication vis-à-vis development?

We are already experiencing the implication in terms of the work quality of graduates. But there are other aspects to it. Parents would be paying far more than they have to pay for their ward in the universities. They would have to stay much longer in the universities than planned, and that is the social implication.

Third, even for those students that want to continue their education abroad, they are further diminishing the quality of their certificates in terms of acceptability by international universities.

Is Labour not trying to overprice itself to the extent that those that are bringing in their investments will not be able to cope?

There is an inverse relationship between cost of labour and employment and nobody can dispute that. It is a standard economic principle that, as cost of labour is going up; you keep having more unemployment because people would be looking at alternatives to labour. You cannot fault that. But when you look at the context of Nigeria, I want to believe that things that drive up the cost of labour actually go beyond the minimum wage.

The cost of labour to an employer has many variables, part of which there are other costs that do not really translate to actual cash payment to the employee; like you pay one per cent of your payroll for workplace injuries; like seven and half per cent to Contributory Pension Scheme; one per cent to the Industrial Pension Fund. I think those are crazy components of cost of labour that people used to ignore, but it is coming from one purse, which is that of the employer.

In the private sector perspective, even collective bargaining set up, the employer and the union would always need to jointly look at that.

So, to a large extent, each company would determine what it can pay based on its ability.

But the aspect of it that companies do not have control over are those ones that have statutory flavor, like paying ETA, ICF and all manner of other stuffs, translating into the cost of running business. And those are the areas we really need to be careful about so we do not expand it beyond that.

For instance, the idea is already noted in some quarters that employers should also contribute to housing of workers. But I said ‘wait a minute, where are you really going to draw the line in all these?’ I know it is an idea but we are not going to allow it. Those are things that make cost of labour really very high and actually make investors look in another direction or make us look uncompetitive to other clime.

Why is the problem of power-supply so intractable and how is it affecting the employer of labour?

It still remains the biggest challenge to this economy. The inability of this economy to guarantee regular power supply is a big problem. At a point in time, people were made to believe it was due to the intractable labour issues. But I want to believe that to a large extent they have been able to get over that as the labour unions have accepted that privatization should really go on. Maybe it is still early days yet and we can simply hope for the best.

What one can say for now is that the framework is laudable but it is the implementation of it that is in need of a strong regulatory body to make sure that all the parties to it actually live up to the responsibility. And we can just hope for the best in terms of the reform, given the commendable framework that government has put in place.

Going by simple rule of economics, investment should promote economic growth and development. But the kind of economic growth and development that we are going to have, will it promote job content as far as Nigerians are concerned? I think that is where the Nigerian government should really come in and give life to its own rules and regulations, to ensure that beyond hard cash moving into this environment in terms of investment, that investment actually translates into decent work.

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ScienceGuardian ‘Weather extremes fuel human conflicts, infectious diseases’

Flooding ... linked to cholera outbreak, infectious diseases

Researchers have found how tempers flare, infectious diseases spread faster as temperatures rise across the globe and throughout human history. The results are consistent with growing body of researches suggesting that climate change somehow incites human conflict and fuels the spread of infectious diseases.

By Chukwuma Muanya, with agency reports HE verdict is out: The risT ing cases of human conflicts, wars, and infectious diseases worldwide are being fuelled by extreme weather event that is climate change.

Two recent studies have confirmed how shifts in climate change causes spread of deadly infectious diseases and human conflicts.

According to a study published August 1 in journal Science by an international team of leading disease ecologists, climate change is affecting the spread of infectious diseases worldwide with serious impacts to human health and biodiversity conservation. They propose that modeling the way disease systems respond to climate variables could help public health officials and environmental managers predict and mitigate the spread of lethal diseases.

Where human health is concerned, there is not only the direct risk from pathogens like dengue, malaria and cholera, all of which are linked to warmer temperatures, but indirect risks from threats to agricultural systems and game species crucial for subsistence and cultural activities.

Another new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and

Princeton University, United States, also published in Science concluded: “Shifts in climate are strongly linked to human violence around the world, with even relatively minor departures from normal temperature or rainfall substantially increasing the risk of conflict in ancient times or today.”

The researchers report that small changes in temperature and rainfall substantially raise the risk of conflict of many types, from interpersonal spats - such as aggressive horn-honking by automobile drivers - to full-blown civil war and societal collapse. They reviewed data from 60 studies on environmental change and human aggression that spanned six continents and more than 12,000 years.

The researchers found that a temperature rise of one standard deviation - which, in the United States today, occurs when the average temperature for a given month is about 3° Celsius higher than usual - increases the frequency of interpersonal violence by four per cent, and the risk of intergroup conflict, such as civil war or rioting, by 14 per cent.

Floods and drought also have an effect, although it is smaller than that of temperature, the researchers report.

And the effects are apparent worldwide, in developed and developing countries.

The results covered all major regions of the world and show similar patterns whether looking at data from Brazil, China, Germany, Somalia or the United States.

By amassing more data than any prior study, the authors were able to show that the Earth’s climate plays a more influential role in human affairs than previously thought.

The study data covers all major regions of the world and show similar patterns of conflict linked to climatic changes, such as increased drought or higher than average annual temperature.

Examples include spikes in domestic violence in India and Australia; increased assaults and murders in the United States and Tanzania; ethnic violence in Europe and South Asia; land invasions in Brazil; police using force in Holland; civil conflicts throughout the tropics; and even the collapse of Mayan and Chinese empires.

The new study could have critical implications for understanding the impact of future climate change on human societies, as many global climate models project global temperature increases of at least two degrees Celsius over the next half century. Refining the lens Although there has been a virtual explosion in the

number of scientific studies looking at how climatic impacts shape human conflict and violence, especially in recent years, the research stems from disparate research fields ranging from climatology, archaeology and economics to political science and psychology.

The latest study adopted a broad definition of conflict and used the latest research methods to re-evaluate what they found to be the most rigorous quantitative studies released since 1986 to examine aspects of climate such as rainfall, drought or temperature, and their associations with various forms of violence.

Meanwhile, the issue of climate change and disease has provoked intense debate over the past decade, particularly in the case of diseases that affect humans, according to the University of Georgia’s Sonia Altizer, who is the study’s lead author.

“For a lot of human diseases, responses to climate change depend on the wealth of nations, healthcare infrastructure and the ability to take mitigating measures against disease,” said Altizer, an associate professor in the UGA Odum School of Ecology. “The climate signal, in many cases, is hard to tease apart from other factors like vector control and vaccine and drug availability.”

Electronic waste: An accumulated time-bomb (3)

By Elo Okonkwo *Continued from last week Providing a panacea for the Nigerian situation: The imperative of chemical management N the light of the rather frightening information and statistics reeled out above, the need for a sound chemical management system for Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. It is in this light that one cannot but commend the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the instrumentality of the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with other stakeholders (including the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, ICCON), for recent developments in this regard. It is very gratifying that the government recently inaugurated a National Committee for the implementation of a National Chemical Policy. This policy is expected to be tailored along the lines of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)–sanctioned Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).

Equally heart-warming is the fact that the said Federal Government implementation committee is being coordinated by renowned Nigerian Chemists, including the pioneer President of ICCON and world-renowned Environmental Chemist, Prof. Oladele Osibanjo and a chieftain of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Prof. Babajide Alo. Both men are SAICM experts, and there is little or no doubt they will do justice to this crucial national assignment. A meeting of the Implementation Committee has already been held, with ICCON fully represented. The meeting mapped out strategies for the immediate future.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the issue of electronic waste should feature prominently in any policy aimed at chemical management in Nigeria. The menace of electronic waste in the country is assuming the status of a time-bomb waiting to explode. The health hazard to which human beings and the environment are being subjected to really gives cause for concern.

While not trying to pre-empt the learned personalities on the Government’s Implementation Committee, it may serve our purpose to point out some areas of priority as regards the thorny issue of e-waste. These include the establishment of environmentally friendly recycling mechanism, with the possibility of reverting electronic equipment to a raw material form; and hence, diminish the demand for virgin raw materials. The benefits of recycling end-of-life electronics cannot be over-emphasized; and these include recovering of useful metals for future use, prevention of pollution – since air and water pollution caused by hazardous disposal is avoided, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions caused by manufacturing of new products etc.

In addition, the Federal Government’s implementation committee on chemical management may wish to liaise with two principal players in the business of importation of electronics into Nigeria. One of the actors is the Nigeria Customs Service - whose job description entails checkmating the importation of unauthorized items into the country; and the other, is the authorities of countries like China from where all manner of electronic gadgets are indiscriminately brought into Nigeria.

There is also the need for a robust sensitization programme to enlighten the largely ignorant traders of the hazards of their daily business routines. They should be made to understand that regulations are not meant to put them out of business, but to provide safer and more environmentally friendly method for carrying out their businesses.

Conservative estimates put the number of computers that arrive Lagos ports on monthly basis at about 400,000; with about 75% of these being obsolete and unserviceable. Hence, they end up being dismantled, and the residual scrap taken to land-fills and other dump sites.

Now, beyond the quick money (by way of refurbishing and re-selling some of the computers) being made by the traders, one may literally shudder when the enormity of health hazards associated with this trade is considered. Is it the sea of disemboweled electronic gadgets that have been discarded, and have virtually taken over our landscape? Or the hazardous substances (including heavy metals) to which these largely ignorant traders are exposed to? Even when such discarded TV or computer parts find their way to dump sites, the sites themselves are usually set ablaze indiscriminately, with the burning metals producing fumes to be inhaled by all and sundry!

Conclusion/relevance of ICCON in fighting the menace The Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) is an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, established by Decree 91 of 1993 (ICCON Act Cap I12 LFN 2004). ICCON is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Health and is charged with the responsibility of regulating the teaching and professional best practice of Chemistry profession in Nigeria.

It follows that the mandates of ICCON is woven around the entrenchment of PROFESSIONALISM IN CHEMISTRY. The mandates of the Institute are rather sacred, since chemicals are substances that can be both beneficial as well as detrimental to man – depending on how they are used and who is using them. The electronic waste being discussed in this article is particularly hazardous because they are often laden with chemicals including heavy metals like lead, mercury etc.

• The author is a staff of the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON), Lagos, and Editor of “The Chartered Chemist,” a magazine published by the Institute. email: chetafrank@yahoo.co.uk

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NaturalHealth Living with chronic diseases in Nigeria They are silent killers. They cut down Nigerians in their prime. They are the major causes of sudden deaths in the country. Hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases or rather cardiovascular diseases and their attendant consequences of stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure are here to stay. CHUKWUMA MUANYA examines recent efforts towards finding solutions to the menace.

• Pfizer Summit charts path to detection, treatment

ZUBUIKE Mba was a 40-year-old banker with A one of the old generation banks in Lagos.

Azubuike stood at five feet six inches, weighed 130 kilogrammes with waist circumference of 46 centimetres.

Azubuike was married for 12 years to Ngozi, also a banker, without children. He drank at least four bottles of beer daily with sticks of cigarette to cap the habit.

He rarely exercised, but moved from his airconditioned house into his factory fitted airconditioned car then the office with equally cooler conditions, and back the same route after work.

Azubuike slumped and died in his office last month. Autopsy showed that he died of heart attack.

Azubuike represents millions of Nigerians with high risk of developing complications of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), chronic or rather degenerative diseases such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, diabetic leg ulcer, limb amputations, cancer, arthritis, among others.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 17.3 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2008, representing 30 per cent of all global deaths. Of these deaths, an estimated 7.3 million were due to coronary heart disease and 6.2 million were due to stroke.

However, medical experts, assembled by Pfizer Nigeria & East Africa Region (Pfizer NEAR), have identified hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia (high fat/cholesterol level), cigarette smoking, obesity and sedentary living as modifiable risk; while family history, age and gender as the non-modifiable risk factors.

The team of medical experts led by Consultant Nephrologist and Medical Director of Ibadan Hypertension Clinic, Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe, at the Cardiovascular Summit organised recently by Pfizer Nigeria, Ghana and East Africa Region recommended preventive strategies, which include control of high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure through the modification of dietary habits and government‘s support especially in the discouragement of western dietary habits through its food and health regulatory agencies.

The aim of the sixth Pfizer Cardiovascular Summit was improve awareness and management of common cardiovascular risk factors such as raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol, obesity and lifestyle by stimulating debate, discussion and education.

The Cardiovascular Summit provided a forum for the advancement of medical knowledge and patient care. The summit brought together international and local healthcare professionals to deliberate on the new and emerging trends in the nature, diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria.

Other members of the team included Chief Consultant Nephrologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, Professor Sunday Bwala, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Tennessee Health Science Centre, Memphis, United States, Professor Sam Dagogo Jack, Medical Director/Chairman of the Country Medical Council, CMC of Pfizer Worldwide BioPharmaceutical Businesses, Dr. Kodjo Soroh and Country Manager Pfizer Nigeria & East Africa Region, Carl Engleman.

The team predicted an imminent health

Regular checking of blood pressure and sugar levels is recommended to reduce burden of chronic diseases tsunami in Nigeria if nothing was done urgently to address the rising cases of NCDs and their complications.

To address the situation, the medical experts called for a nationwide epidemiological mapping of NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, kidney failure, arthritis among others and national programmes that would encourage physical activities like walking and sports.

They also called for integration of the fight against NCDs into Vision 20:2020 with establishment of set targets as well as timeframes in resemblance of the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs).

Dagogo –Jack said: “The ravages of hypertension and diabetes on the African continent can be seen daily in the faces of our people who have suffered a stroke or heart failure or developed kidney failure or lost a leg from amputation. These dreaded consequences could be avoided by preventing and effectively managing diabetes and hypertension. We have the knowledge to do both; the question is - do our leaders and society have the awareness and will to harness resources to tame the scourge of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and stroke in our land?”

Engleman reiterated Pfizer’s continuous commitment to education of physicians and the general public. “As the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, Pfizer is committed to working in partnership with healthcare providers, governments and stakeholders to improve patient care. Cardiovascular disease is a major threat to public health in Nigeria with significant impact on people and communities. The aim of the CV Summit is improve awareness and management of common CV risk factors such as raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol, obesity and lifestyle by stimulating debate, discussion and educa-

Incense smoke causes human lung cell inflammation, say researchers URNING incense, a popular cultural B practice in Arabian Gulf countries and elsewhere, generates indoor air pollutants that may cause inflammation in human lung cells, say researchers in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States.

“Hazard assessment of United Arab Emirates (UAE) incense smoke” appears in the August 2013 issue of Science of the Total Environment. Rebecca Cohen, master’s student in environmental sciences and engineering (ESE), her adviser, Kenneth G. Sexton, now retired ESE research assistant

professor and Karin B. Yeatts, research assistant professor of epidemiology, coauthored the study.

Previous studies, some by Yeatts and other UNC colleagues, have associated incense smoke with a number of health problems, including eye, nose, throat and skin irritation, respiratory symptoms, including asthma, headaches, exacerbation of cardiovascular disease and changes in lung-cell structure.

Indoor air pollution is an international health concern. The World Health Organisation estimates that more than one million people a year die from chronic

obstructive respiratory disease (COPD), primarily a result of exposure to pollutants from cook stoves and open hearths.

Burning incense releases similar pollutants, including carbon monoxide.

In the current study, the authors identified and measured the particles and gases emitted from two kinds of incense typically used in UAE homes. The testing was done over three hours, the typical timeframe during which incense is burned, in a specially designed indoor environmental chamber with a concentration of smoke that might be present in a typical UAE living room.

Blocking sugar intake may reduce cancer risk, study finds have shown why patients with Fer INDINGS metabolism-related diseases are at highrisk for aggressive tumours.

Blocking dietary sugar and its activity in tumour cells may reduce cancer risk and progression, according to researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine. The study, conducted in fruit flies and published in the journal Cell, provides insight as to why metabolism-related diseases such as diabetes or obesity are associated with certain types of cancer, including pancreatic, breast, liver, and colon cancers.

Professor of Developmental and

Regenerative Biology at Mount Sinai, United States, Dr. Ross Cagan, has developed a cancer model in the fruit fly Drosophila that allows scientists to evaluate diseases in the context of the whole animal and multiple genetic targets, rather than just looking at the connection of one gene to one disease.

In the current study, Cagan used fruit flies to understand the effects of diet and insulin resistance on cancer progression.

Cells use glucose for energy and to grow.

When a cell becomes insulin resistant, glucose builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cell, starving the cell and

leading to metabolic diseases like diabetes.

Because of this dysfunctional growth, scientists have been puzzled about how tumours can thrive in an insulin-resistant environment.

“Previous research has established a strong correlation between metabolic diseases and pancreatic, breast, liver, and colon cancers, but we have not determined how tumours grow so aggressively in this environment if they do not have the energy provided by glucose,” said Cagan, who is also associate dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Mount Sinai.

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SCIENCE HEALTH

Health ministry tasks NBTS on safe blood

By Chukwuma Muanya INISTER of Health, Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu, has tasked the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) on the importance of safe blood transfusion from voluntary nonremunerated donors in saving lives, even as the organisation decried absence of enabling legislation for its inability to ensure compliance to the National Blood Policy.

Chukwu, was represented by the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health, Ambassador Bala Sani, at the Blood Safety Stakeholders Meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, on Monday, urged stakeholders in blood safety issues to ensure that “all donated blood for transfusion must be screened for all the World Health Organisation (WHO) mandated Transfusion-Transmissible Infections (TTIs) before transfusion as provided in the National Blood Policy, and the utilisation of fourth generation ELISA Techniques as the minimum standard recommended for the screening of blood for TTIs in order to ensure that all blood and blood components transfused in Nigeria are safe.”

National Coordinator of the

M

NBTS, Oluwatoyin Smith, identified poor funding, inadequate sustainability plans, uncooperative altitude of healthcare workers coupled with resistance to change, deep cultural myths/misconception are as factors affecting voluntary blood donation in Nigeria.

The meeting anchored on the need of increasing public enlightenment on blood safety issues and providing avenue for relevant stakeholders to develop realistic, implementable and sustainable action plans on blood safety and instituting program ownership as well as strengthening NBTS mandate in ensuring the availability of safe, quality and adequate blood product in Nigeria.

This meeting is coming on the heels of the decision reached by the National Council on Health in July 2012 for to scale up awareness, sensitize and engage relevant stakeholders in the health sector and in the states on the use of EIA technology in screening blood units for transfusion purposes and to facilitate the development of state owned action plans to institute such mechanisms and the sustainability of the objectives of the approved memorandum.

WGI screens 1,000 at Lagos medical fair • Cleric harps on regular health check

By Wole Oyebade VER 1000 people in Lagos have benefitted from free medical screening and treatment at a health fair organised by Women of Global Impact (WGI) in partnership with the Lagos State Government.

The fair, held at The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) headquarters, Gbagada, Lagos, and had participants screened for different medical conditions, especially cervical and breast cancer among women.

Initiator of the programme and wife of the presiding Bishop of TREM, Dr. Peace Okonkwo, said the exercise was part of the initiative to screen at least 10,000 women for cervical and breast cancer, which has assumed a near epidemic proportion in the country.

According to her: “This is an initiative to prevent our women from dying. I have a burden in my heart to help women that are dying especially widows. Women don’t have to die because of cervical cancer that is treatable at early

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stage,” she said.

Okonkwo stressed, “what we need is improved awareness on the condition. I have had myself screening too. The people were surprised but I told them that no one is above sickness. I plead with people out there to screen despite their faith.

“Knowing your status does not mean death. The ‘prevention is better than cure’ adage is true. People should go to places where they can be screened and it should be every year. If they detect anything bad, they get it treated; you’d live your life to the fullest and eat the fruit of your labour. Don’t just die for other people to take your place,” she said.

Okonkwo said further that it is ignorance that still prevents many Nigerians, especially believers, from taking charge of their health, adding that it is God that gives doctors the wisdom to treat. “When you know what is wrong with you, then you will know where to direct your prayers,” she said.

The Lagos fair had about 150 members of the medical team in attendance.

Country Manager, Pfizer Nigeria and East Africa, Mr. Carl Engleman; Guest Speaker and Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Tennessee Health Service Centre, Memphis, TN, United State of America, Prof. Samuel Dagogo Jack; Chairman, Pfizer Cardiovascular Scientific Advisory Board and Emeritus Professor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Oladipo O. Akinkugbe; and Chief Consultant nephrologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, Prof. Sunday Bwala, at the 6th edition of the Cardiovascular Summit organised by Pfizer Nigeria and East Africa (NEAR), held at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos... recently.

PHOTO: CHUKWUMA MUANYA

Saliva tests could revolutionise diagnosis of chronic diseases ANCER and other lifeC threatening illnesses could be diagnosed by a simple saliva test within the next decade, according to experts.

Researchers say their research has the potential to revolutionise how heart disease, diabetes and cancers are diagnosed, meaning the conditions are discovered and treated earlier.

They say saliva samples could help save time and money for patientsA and doctors, as it means more people could access preliminary medical examinations by just sending their spit.

Research leader Professor Björn Klinge, of Malmo University in Sweden, said: “An early diagnosis has signifi-

cant implications for both patients and healthcare.

Instead of having to visit the doctor, patients will be able to swab the inside of their mouth with a cotton bud and send it away for analysis. If the test shows signs of illness, the patient will be called in to a doctor.”

Using saliva samples could help save time and money for patients and doctors, as it means more people could access preliminary medical examinations by just sending their spit.

Klinge said: “We are interested in public health and preventative action and we hope to get a broader spectrum of people getting diagnosed earlier.

“There are many people who are health conscious but there is quite a big group who for many reasons, including their socio-economic status, do not have the same level of access to healthcare and sometimes people have problem getting to a medical unit.

“It makes it so much easier if they can just send a saliva sample in a plastic bag. We will be able to reach parts of the population that we haven’t reached before, and that will increase our chances of detecting illnesses at an early stage.”

They believe the technique could be common practice among healthcare services within the next five to 10 years, by which time the technology will be more accurate in pick-

ing out different conditions that have similar characteristics.

Klinge said: “Today, we can use a saliva sample to determine whether a patient is suffering from an inflammatory disease, but we can’t say if the disease resides within the stomach or joints.

“Neither can we differentiate between prostate and bowel cancer, for example. It will be a matter of five to 10 years before we reach that level of accuracy.”

Illnesses that cause inflammation, like diabetes, heart disease and cancer, leave telltale traces in spit. However, natural processes in the body make it difficult to judge what stage a disease may be at.

‘Skye Bank’s breast cancer centre will improve access to cheap care’

By Chukwuma Muanya NON-GOVERNMENTAL A organisation, Care, Organisation and Public Enlightenment (COPE) Foundation has said that the provision of cancer screening and treatment equipment by organisations as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will help reduce the burden of breast cancer in Nigeria.

Founder, COPE Foundation, Mrs. Ebun Anozie, last week at the commissioning of two breast cancer screening machines donated by Skye

Bank Plc to the Skye Screening Centre at COPE facilities at 39b Adeniyi Jones Ikeja said the equipment will help reduce the cost of screening and care of women with breast cancer.

Anozie said with the equipment women can have screening for breast for only N1,000. “It is actually supposed to be free. The N1,000 is just for logistics and to make the programme sustainable,” she said.

She commended Skye Bank for the gesture and enjoined other organisations to borrow a leaf. “Skye Bank has

been supporting us for so many years now. One of our main areas as an NGO is breast cancer. We counsel women and provide help to the best of our ability.

Women have been besieging us for access to breast screening but we insisted that the equipment have to be commissioned before use,” Anozie said.

Anozie said the machines, Logi Q C2 and Mindray, are global standard ultrasound scan systems that enhance quality of diagnosis in clinical practices. “The machines would enable her organisa-

tion to offer free breast ultra sound scan to women at the Skye Screening Centre,” she said.

Anozie said the support from Skye Bank has given birth to a public private partnership between the bank, Lagos State Ministry of Health and COPE. Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said the machines were donated to enable women undergo early breast cancer screening to know what to do at the appropriate time.

Jonathan lauds Chevron over war on HIV/AIDS RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan has applauded Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, for its leading role in the fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

According to a statement signed by Chevron’s General Manager, Policy, Government & Public Affairs, Deji Haastrup, Chevron’s Social Investment initiatives was acknowledged at the three-day Special Summit of

the African Union on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which took place recently in Abuja when President Jonathan visited the company’s exhibition booth.

In attendance were other Presidents, Heads of government and major stakeholders who had gathered to review the status of the commitment made by African Governments to invest in the various national responses to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases (ORID).

Chevron stood out as the only private sector participant to join representatives of government and non-governmental partner organisations who made remarks at the Summit tagged “Abuja+12 African Leaders Summit on AIDS, TB & Malaria.”

The Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Fawthrop, highlighted Chevron’s global, regional and national programs in support of Health and its social investments in the fight against HIV, TB and Malaria in South Africa, Angola and Nigeria.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

NATURAL HEALTH

How I discovered bitter leaf-based cures for hepatitis, cancer, others Ben Amodu is a trained pharmacist with a doctorate degree in the field, and he is a lawyer with strong knack for herbal medicines. The civil servant with the Ministry of Defence has been in the news in recent times because of his recent breakthrough discoveries on ‘cures’ for hepatitis B and C, cancer, tuberculosis and Type 2 diabetes.

Amodu in this interview with The Guardian’s CHUKWUMA MUANYA narrated how he came about SAAAB and HAABS dietary supplement for hepatitis B and C, SAABFAT 7 for cancer, TABSAABS for tuberculosis, and DAABS-2 for type two diabetes, among other issues.

Excerpts: What prompted your interest in herbal medicine?

HE need to solve societal problem and in particular as that time in the 80’s there was an outbreak of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), when I studied as a pharmacist in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State we were told not to use anything that has more adverse effects than the useful effect.

So when I graduated and HIV/AIDS broke out, there was this AZT, which is the first chemical that was used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. It has more side effect than its useful effects, and I was not disposed to using it. That forced me to do research and I discovered county capsules from China, which have strong immune boosting properties. Thereafter I read a German scientific work, which says that out of salad that is cocktails of vegetables, one can naturally produce a drug that can cure HIV/AIDS. That enabled me start my research work and since then I have not looked back again.

You are now being celebrated for bitter leaf-based herbal supplement that ‘cures’ hepatitis, TB among other diseases, how did you come about the discovery?

Tell us more about the products?

I have just told you now that what forced me into the research are those white people who are doing the research, I think is the same brain that we have, that they have. So when I entered the research, as I told you, concoctions infused from cocktails of fruits, vegetables, barks, roots, nuts etc. It is from there that I have my lead drug. And don’t forget that I’m a pharmacist and I majored in Industrial Pharmacy, and that means I can own a manufacturing outfit and I’m glad today that I own one. So I don’t

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Amodu think it is difficult to know.

As for bitter leaf, from my research, there is a concept that bitters are better foods for life, is that singular phrase that bitters are good for life that made me centered my work on bitter leaf.

I am happy that we have been able to use it to achieve remarkable breakthrough in areas of care for hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, diabetes and cancer.

In addition, bitter leaf contains most of the major component of bioactive medical plant, for example tannins, saponins, flavonoids etc. So it should not be surprising that today in Nigeria we have gotten something out of bitter leaf and we have been peer reviewed by different learned international journalist.

To treat dengue fever, which’s an extreme form of fever, and as we speak, President of Hundoros recently declared a state of emergency because of the effect of dengue fever central to it devastating effects. So the world should know that we have solution for most of these neglected tropical diseases and these should come to the control to seek for solution. Even Cuba, we have sent them an email since we have our recent breakthrough in the treatment of dengue fever. We will give them the sample, let them analyse it in their Lab, if they are okay by it, we can now go into mass production to save humanity.

I have saabfsat 5,6,7, they’re all from African product for the treatment/management of most debilitating illnesses from our animal experiment (Phase1) and clinical trial carried out at the Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), it has been proved that with one product, cancer can be nipped in the bud, as those products are both prophylactic and curative.

You also claim you have cure

for HIV/AIDS, how true is this?

As it is, it will not be proper to project the message that we have cure for HIV/AIDS. We don’t want to send any info to the outside world for anybody to think that we want to jump the gun. What we have can be subjected to further study, and we are uniting with the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to do that.

So at this point, I don’t want to lay claim that I have cure for that. But, what the whole world recognised today is functional cure, and we can beat our chest that we have that cure. Functional cure as described by New York Times.

What is functional cure? It is a state whereby an HIV/AIDS client has an increase immune system, decrease or no opportunistic infections and has loss no man-hour (can do his work without help from another). This is exactly that our herbal supplements do; our supplements are at par with the conventional Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).

To that extent, we can say we have a functional cure. So, by and large we are not saying we have a total cure until we have finished all the required processes stipulated by law.

Our drugs have a repairing effect on the liver and kidney because they are purely sourced from natural fruits and vegetables. As a matter of fact, there are some kidney dialysis patients that use our products that got their rate of dialysis reduced drastically in addition to normalising their haematological indices.

You are a member of a special committee set up by NAFDAC to probe herbal cure claim. What do you think about the committee and NAFDAC’ plans for natural medicine?

Continued on Page 43

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

NATURAL HEALTH

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Bitter leaf-based cures Continued from Page 37 That is a welcome development and I doff my cap to the director general of NAFDAC because, as soon as he does that, he would be laying the basis of herbal medicine transformation for President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in the herbal sector through health because our drugs work in the non-communicable and communicable diseases which are the major diseases burden in the whole world. If we are able to deal with the number one killer disease in the whole world, which today is made up of cardiovascular diseases, exemplified by heart diseases, angina, myocardial infarction, hypertension, strokes, cancer, diabetes, and we have solutions to these ones in Nigeria.

By 2008, WHO reported that cardiovascular diseases as

the number one killer disease in the world which accounts for about 69 per cent of the death worldwide.

So if NAFDAC does and prove it to the world, it will be a remarkable achievement more so that the African Heads of State are on the way to setting up African Centre for Disease Control (CDC) for the management of the disease.

So if the NAFDAC boss does this, he will be adding another feather to his cap just as his name has been written in gold in the arena of stamping fake drugs from Nigeria, as evidence by his invitation by the United States Government.

Another big issue in traditional and herbal medicine is that of sustainability and availability of raw materials especially the plants. How are you ensuring this in your practice?

I own a farm entirely. So with that farm, is to increase capacity there, with effective partnership, we can increase our acreages. In one of my interviews, I said most of these raw material products in the market have the same yield with what we get from the farm, so we can try from the open market, the major thing is to test for pesticide, and heavy metals once this is done, we can effectively utilise those foods that are wasting.

These products are working and it should interest all that WHO has approved herbal medicine, even HIV, which we are donor limited, is now open to the herbal world. So why should there be any form of barrier anywhere again. We alone here cannot change the programme. The programme is that herbal medicine has become standard nobody

can change that. We alone here cannot change the programme. The programme is that herbal medicine has come to stay and nobody

can change that. So let us change our mindset about herbal drugs. Let us also join other nations of the world in making money from herbal

drugs, in development and manufacture of herbal drugs and the trade in herbal drugs, which is about $175 million.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

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NATURAL HEALTH

‘Synergy of health practices will provide cure for cancer’

Effects of acid pH on fertility (3)

ODAY, we shall be considT ering types of food, nutrients and herbs that support

Participants at a two-day wellness retreat on integrative medical approaches to prevention, treatment and management of cancers organised by the Natural Integrative Medicine Practitioners Association (NIMPA) with support from the College of Integrative Medicine Lagos and the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB)… last Thursday.

PHOTO: CHUKWUMA MUANYA

• NIMPA, Lagos plan probe of herbal cure claims • Insist on training, integration of traditional birth attendants

By Chukwuma Muanya ATURAL medicine practitioners under the aegis of the Natural Integrative Medicine Practitioners Association (NIMPA) has said that the cure for cancer will remain elusive to medical experts until there is a complete synergy of orthodox and unorthodox health practices.

NIMPA with support from the College of Integrative Medicine Lagos, and the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) at a two-day wellness retreat held last week in Lagos said that researches have shown that integrating medical approaches is the best way to prevent, treat and manage cancers.

Also, LSTMB said it plans to probe all herbal medical products to verify the authenticity of the cure claims especially those for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), cancer, diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell anaemia; and continue to empower Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in it efforts to reduce maternal and child deaths.

President NIMPA, Dr. Isaac Ayodele, said: “Countries that advance today in healthcare do so based on synergy between the gown people and the non conventional. See what is happening in China, Japan and India. They are growing and developing steadily in line with their tradition. There everybody is carried along.

Take the case of medicine for instance; every system of medicine is embraced. They know that no system of medicine is complete.

“We sure need the same kind of synergy in Nigeria that can harness all our

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resources both human and material together. We need to change some of our laws and educational curriculum that are not in conformity with the time we live. We need to be in tune with other parts of the world. Instead of winning arguments, let us focus on improving the health of our people. Let us see how we can engage majority of our conventional and nonconventional medical workforce in the new medicine that can make our society a better place to be. This is what NIMPA want to achieve in the wellness retreat and the College of Integrative Medicine, which is meant to train its members. This maiden edition of the wellness retreat is on cancer.

“A century ago, one in 33 developed cancer. Now one in two persons now develop cancer in a lifetime.

What has changed to cause this significant increase?

Some people say it is toxins.

More and more people die from cancer every year.

Why? We want this retreat to tell us the role of chemotherapy and the cancer industry, which is worth N50 million per patient.

“Is it true that chemotherapy drugs kill all cells, good or bad and that chemotherapy does not cure breast, colon or lung cancer? If it is true why do doctors still use chemotherapy and are patients not better off without chemotherapy?”

Ayodele said that the legal way to treat cancer was to burn it with radiation, poisoned it with chemotherapy and cut out body parts by surgery, yet, patients didn’t get well. “Why don’t we try natural or alternative treatments? Won’t recovery come from strengthening the body and not poisoning it?” he

queried.

The NIMPA President further explained: “Somebody said cancer is not a disease but the physical symptom of our body’s attempt to eliminate specific lifedestructive causes. He feels that cancer is an attempt to save one’s life. He also believes that most people are killed by the treatments than are saved.

“To me if one has cancer, it is not a cause for worrying.

Rather, connect with nature, breathe some fresh air, and enjoy the sunshine.

Be positive. You will also find the integrative medicine approach work well together. And today we may just discover in Nigeria a formula that can save the world of cancer. This is the prayer of this wellness retreat.”

The distinguished Special Guest of Honour/Chairman LSTMB, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, in a keynote address said: “There is need to harmonise traditional and conventional medicines in a very focused way. The conventional doctors don’t want us to move and that is natural.

They are just like carpenters that see only nails. India is making billions of naira from Nigeria and we can do the same here. The retreat is a welcome development. As we move further we can develop our health tourism just like India has done. I have a health resort where nature becomes because I believe that is our future.

“I advocate integrative approach using different methods in the treatment of diseases especially cancer. You have so many methods we can use such as yoga, homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathic medicine and osteopathy.

Our duty is to find a way to bring them under one

umbrella and in the process remove quacks.

“There is need for us to look for alternative method. Why do most men die after surgery for prostate problems? Most of them die within few weeks after surgery because conventional medicine does not have the answer.”

Omoseyindemi, who a conventionally trained medical doctor, said following the relevance of traditional medicine to the quest for universal health coverage, the World Health Organisation (WHO), last month, established a Foundation for the development of African Medicine in Nigeria. He said this has prompted the Lagos State government, which plans to investigate cure claims by herbal medicine practitioners in the state.

On the incorporation of TBAs into mother and child health project in Lagos State and the opposition to the programme by conventional doctors, Omoseyindemi said: “The patient to health professional ration in the country is very poor. We have 30 doctors to 100,000 patients; less than 100 nurses to 100,000 patients; less than 80 midwives to 100,000 patients and three laboratory scientists to 100,000 patients. We are under-developed based on inferiority complex by most traditional medicine practitioners.

“Most orthodox doctors are kicking against our practices. They say TBAs are causing more maternal and child deaths in the state.

They tried to talk Governor Babatunde Fashola out of it but he stood his ground. He said we have to train. We believe that we should introduce them to some modern practices like scanning. Since most of our pregnant women patronize TBAs, why not empower them to use equipment like that of measuring blood pressure and sugar levels. It is our duty and responsibility to boost what we have.”

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fertility and improve sexual performance. Sexual performance cannot be separated from child bearing because it is the pathway to procreation. Even if sperm cells are piped into the vagina of a fertile woman, chances are, that the woman can get pregnant.

However, in giving sexual intercourse to human beings as a gift, God expects that the man and the wife should both derive maximum enjoyment from it.

The total wellbeing of an individual determines how well the different functions of the different systems in the body of such a person can be carried out. For an organ or system in an individual to perform its role perfectly, the whole body of such a person must be in a perfect working order.

There may not be very many foods or herbs that may be useful for one part of the body only. These foods and herbs that we are going to be looking into, contain nutrients that may be more useful in certain parts of the body than others. The male or female reproductive organs, which happen to be the organs that we are considering today, for example, have certain nutrients that affect them more than other organs and systems.

There are yet certain nutrients that affect the reproductive organs and others almost equally. This has led doctors and some researchers to declare, for instance, that what is good for the heart is also good for the love life. Why not? The heart as the organ that pumps blood to all parts of the body has a very important part to play in sexual matters. It is also said that what is good for the gut is good for the sex life. The greatest source of acid in the body is the colon and proper care must be taken of it so that it can support the reproductive system to operate well.

Nutrients that support fertility and improve sexual performance Folic Acid Folic acid, a member of the B complex group of vitamins, is known to function in cell production. It aids healthy production of sperm cells and this makes it useful in cases of low sperm count.

Also known as favourite sex nutrient, it is particularly good for reproductive health.

Great sources of folic acid are green leafy vegetables, especially spinach and kale, citrus fruits, beans and avocado pear.

Zinc The mineral zinc is the most important mineral when it comes to synthesis of testos-

terone, the sexual desire hormone. Zinc helps to increase libido in men and women. It is also necessary for healthy sperm production.

High levels of zinc are found in oysters and shellfish, otherwise known as the ultimate aphrodisiac. Other sources are red meat, peanuts, cashew nuts, pumpkin seeds, red meat, poultry, pork and dairy products.

L-arginine This is an amino acid, which increases the blood level of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes the smooth muscles in the walls of the arteries, allowing more blood to flow to the penis and the vagina.

It increases the sensation in the penis and its environs during sexual intercourse and helps to maintain a strong erection for longer. It increases the libido in women and using a cream of L-arginine locally in the vagina heightens sexual stimulation in her.

Food sources of L-arginine are oily fish from cold fresh water like salmon, tuna, herring and mackerel. Other sources are nuts like walnuts, figs, oatmeal and dark chocolate.

Omega 3 This essential fatty acid dissolves plaques from the walls of blood vessels and prevents further depositing of same, generally in the body. By this function, omega 3 increases blood flow all over the body thereby increasing the libido, increasing sensation and preventing erectile failure.

Omega 3 supplies the raw material, cholesterol, which is used in the body for the production of the male and female sex hormones (testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone and DHEA).

Omega 3 increases the production of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is known to trigger off the arousal phase of sexual intercourse.

Other important functions of omega 3 are found in their role in energy production, its influence in determining the mood of an individual and in memory formation.

Omega 3 also helps in the absorption of L-arginine.

Best sources of omega 3 are cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, herring etc. and nuts and seeds – flaxseed, walnut, almonds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seed.

The omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA are essentially from the same sources as Larginine, with the former playing a significant role in the absorption of the latter.

Both of them are good in supporting the health of the heart and sexual wellbeing.

This gives credence to the declaration that what is good for the heart is good for the love lifestyle.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

46 SCIENCE HEALTH

Why breastfeeding is becoming unpopular, by mothers • As UNICEF, others advocate legislation

By Wole Oyebade HE recent revelation that T breastfeeding rate in the country has reduced to 17 per cent came to many as a rude shock. But not to Nigerians in the nutrition field and mothers themselves.

“The society deserves what it gets,” they said. According to them, a nation that fails to support nursing mothers at home, in the community and workplace environment is discouraging breastfeeding and would decline in motherly care.

A banker, Ayowunmi Bankole, is a typical example of the fate of most mothers in the country. She told The Guardian that breastfeeding practice is most important, but returning to work after three months of statutory maternity leave is the challenge.

In her case, she exclusively breastfed for two months instead of six. Bankole explains why: “It is just not feasible to exclusively breastfeed for six months. Is it that easy? Well, I’d like to do it, if I don’t have to work.

“Our workplaces are strictly for business, not for nursing mothers. If you still need your job, you’ll not take your baby into a bank. They’d tell you it is not a crèche and rightly so.

But you would not wait to hear that from your BM (Branch Manager), anyway.”

She added that the alternative practice of pumping and preserving breast milk did not work. “The milk easily sours and besides, it is better for the baby to suck directly from the source than be fed with a bottle. So, at two months, I had to stop exclusive breastfeeding – using infant formula along with breast milk when I’m available,” Bankole said.

Most banking organisation do advise nursing mothers on their employ to use nearby crèche and close earlier.

Bankole said: “I was allowed to close early – working from 9am to 4pm – from the usual 7am till when-your-BM-bidsyou-goodbye. But it was only for a month. Even within that period, there are times when nursing mothers cannot leave their desks because of busy schedule. So, tell me how possible it is to do six months exclusive breastfeeding?

“That is why some people are advocating longer maternity leave like six months. Though some banks would claim six months, but it is not true,” she said.

Another respondent, and staff of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Area Command Office, Abeokuta, Ogun State, noted that her workplace though “accommodates nursing mothers” but mothers still find it difficult to do exclusive breastfeeding.

NSCDC in its policy, gives three months maternity leave and allows nursing mothers to work between 8am to 2 p.m., with two breastfeeding break sessions to see their babies in a nearby crèche.

Though quite well informed on the health benefits of breastfeeding to the mother and her baby, the officer, who

spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Working and nursing are two different things.” Her breastfeedingwithout-bottle lasted for just three months.

Quite different from workrelated challenges highlighted by Bankole and NSCDC officer, a self-employed fashion designer, Emmy (not the real name) said exclusive breastfeeding flattens boobs and makes woman age faster.

Emmy, a mother of two, said: “Most men like women that have plump breast, with upward looking nipples – my husband inclusive. He once argued that a woman’s breast belongs to her husband and not the baby.

“More so, I have seen a lot of women whose breasts now look like slippers due to breastfeeding. It comes with aging and men don’t like old women. Child-bearing generally makes a woman age faster, but the earlier one stops breastfeeding, the better in my opinion.” Emmy’s husband wants his wife to always look ‘Sweet-16’ and she is working hard at it, she said.

While Aminat Bello is not worried about husband’s disposition to motherhood, her concern is public perception to breastfeeding. Bello, staff of an eatery in Lagos, noted that most women now think it is no longer fashionable to publicly breastfeed.

Her words: “Most women cannot imagine themselves breastfeeding under public glare. So, they introduce complementary feeding as soon as possible. I don’t think it is their fault to feel shy because the way some people would look at you when breastfeeding in public domain - especially in public buses – would make you feel like a villager and uncivilised.

Many women cannot stand this.”

Quite trivial as some of these reasons are, they are not limited to Bello and the likes.

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina, on Monday, noted that 60 per cent of pregnant women in Nigeria are unable to breastfeed their babies due to factors beyond their control.

Factors, noted by the Minister, include discriminatory workplace policies, the quest for economic emancipation, career choices and “modern grandmothers discouraging their daughters not to breastfeed their grandchildren.”

Maina, who spoke in Lagos at a breastfeeding summit, organised by Colostrum International, in commemoration of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, said it should therefore not surprise anyone that Nigeria’s compliance rate to breastfeeding has declines to 17 per cent, adding that “it is very sad as it impacts negatively on the health of both mother and infant.”

A statement by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in commemoration of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, also observed that Nigeria has made no improvement in breastfeeding over many years; and not far off from

Breast feeding

Most men like women that have plump breast, with upward looking nipples – my husband inclusive. He once argued that a woman’s breast belongs to her husband and not the baby. More so, I have seen a lot of women whose breasts now look like slippers due to breastfeeding. It comes with aging and men don’t like old women. Childbearing generally makes a woman age faster, but the earlier one stops breastfeeding, the better in my opinion some of the lowest rates in the world like Somalia, Chad and South Africa.

UNICEF, however, noted that the situation is not exclusive to Nigeria as only 39 per cent of children aged less than six months were exclusively breastfed in 2012 globally.

This global figure has improved very little for the past several decades, due in part to large countries where the breastfeeding rate is low, and to the general lack of a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.

However, countries with supportive policies and comprehensive programmes that reach all communities have been able to increase their breastfeeding rates sig-

nificantly.

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina, at one of the commemorative events in Lagos noted that while the national Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) indicated that the exclusive breastfeeding rate is 15 per cent, with the South west geographical zone rate at 27 per cent, Lagos State statistics indicated a range of exclusive breastfeeding rate for clients who attend the State primary healthcare facilities as 88 to 92 per cent.

She said while the state government has raised advocacy, designated Nutrition Focal Persons at the 20 LGAs

to address infant nutrition issues among others and nutrition liaison officers in all PHCs, Lagos is not resting on its oars to drive advocacy.

Yewande observed that there are many interactive social activities that give respectful status to breastfeeding, rather than the shameful status that the public often accrues to it. The deputy governor and First Lady lead the state campaign.

She added mothers indeed have very little excuse not to breastfeed. According to Adeshina: “There are ways you can breastfeed in the public without exposing the breast. I think it a mindset thing. We must also know that even if a woman does not breastfeed, her breast will still sag with age. A nulliparous (a woman that has never been pregnant) at the age of 60 will have pendulous breast. It has nothing to do with who manipulated it during the course of her life – the baby or the father.”

Continuing, she said: “In the new staff clinic, there is a facility provided for our workers to come in and take a breastfeeding break.

Because we want to discourage the travel-away exercise

Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi (left); Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina and Chief Nutritionist, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Abimbola Ajayi, at an event to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week 2013 in Lagos… recently.

from the office space, each ministry according to the service charter must provide a break room, where there are private areas to pump the breast milk, save the milk and take home later. It is a gradual process. We recognize that the woman must not be embarrassed to leave her workplace to attend to her baby,” she said.

Project Coordinator, Colostrum International, Dr Bunmi Ogundimu said there is need for policy change and promotion of legislations that accommodate longer maternity break for nursing mothers and the father too.

One of such proposals – the Child Rearing Bill – is currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The bill, proposed by Colostrum International, seeks a minimum of two weeks antenatal leave, 24weeks of exclusive breastfeeding leave, two weeks paternity leave, provision of crèche in organisations, nursing mothers’ empowerment scheme (to support home-made businesses) and establishment of Breast milk Banks among others.

Ogundimu urged all stakeholders to follow the course of the bill’s development in the state and similar bills in the country at large.

UNICEF, in similar vein, canvassed for higher prioritisation and commitment, targeted policies and greater consensus to engage in promoting life-saving and vital practice of breastfeeding.

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Geeta Rao Gupta stressed that there is no other single health intervention that has such a high impact for babies and mothers as breastfeeding and which costs so little for governments.

“Breastfeeding is a baby’s ‘first immunisation’ and the most effective and inexpensive life-saver ever.”

Studies show that children who are exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to survive the first six months of life than nonbreastfed children. Starting breastfeeding in the first day after birth can reduce the risk of newborn death by up to 45 per cent.

Apart from the benefits to the baby, mothers who breastfeed exclusively are less likely to become pregnant in the first six months following delivery, recover faster from giving birth, and return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner. Evidence shows that they experience less post-partum depression and also have a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancers later in life.

According to UNICEF: “Although breastfeeding is natural and may seem instinctive, it is essential to create an enabling environment for it to become the norm. Mothers benefit from the help of skilled health providers and community workers to support them to breastfeed, as well as culturally-sensitive communication, and protective laws and policies, particularly around the marketing of breast milk substitutes and

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

Education Proposed education law favours teachers in Rivers

Amaechi

Awolowo

Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi (second left), Secretary to the State Government, George Feyii, Chairman of the state’s Quality Assurance Board, Prof. Otonti Nduka and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Nimi Briggs, at the Flag Off of the Induction Course, organized for the newly recruited teachers, held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

By Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi

• 13, 201 new teachers begin induction course IVERS will soon become the best state in R the entire country to practice the teachEducation (UPE) in 1973 did not include the The chairman of the state’s Quality ing profession, going by the snippets of

information about a proposed Law, now in the works at the state’s parliament.

In what could be described as the best deal ever to be offered teachers in any state, the new “Rivers State Education Law 2013” stipulated that accommodation should be provided for teachers, especially those posted to the rural areas in the state. Not only that, those who teach in rural villages would also be paid special allowances as additional compensation.

The law makes regular payment of salaries and promotion of teachers sacrosanct, just as it asks the state government to provide the teachers with access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to enable them acquire proficiency.

Mr. Augustine Paul Ngo, who chairs the Rivers State House Committee on Education, broke the good news on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, during the flag off of the induction course organized by the State’s Ministry of Education, for the newly employed 13, 201 teachers.

Expectedly, the teachers reacted with a thunderous applause.

The induction course was the final in the series of activities lined up for the new teachers, who received their appointment letters last month. With the massive recruitment, which would cost the state N1billion as monthly salaries, the pupil/teacher ratio is expected to be 23:1.

Profound joy understandably enveloped the air at the venue of the ceremony, where the excited teachers, in their hundreds, openly praised Governor Rotimi Amaechi for “restoring dignity” to the teaching profession.

The course would expose the teachers to some teaching rudiments, such as how to make complicated abstracts in a subject meaningful to the pupils and how to ensure effective teaching.

Major stakeholders, including the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC), have praised Rivers state for taking farreaching actions aimed at improving its education sector. Its recent recruitment has also been described as unprecedented, when compared to past federal efforts in the primary and secondary sub sectors. The first attempt by the Military administration to introduce Universal Primary

plan to accommodate the required number of teachers, leading to emergency measures that culminated in the establishment of the National Teachers Institute (NTI) in 1976.

It has also been revealed that the second federal effort, the Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme, introduced in 1999, also did not include an elaborate plan to hire the required number of teachers.

In a somewhat sober reflection, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Nimi Briggs, told the audience that what Amaechi and the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi did for the people of Rivers state, could only be compared to what the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo did for the former Western Region people, when he introduced free primary education at that time. “That is why the western region, till today, remains the most developed in this country,” he affirmed. “No matter what you want to look at, check all the indices, the odds still favour the western region.”

He continued: “Amaechi came, looked around, and decided to give education priority. And he appointed this young, beautiful girl (Lawrence-Nemi) as his Commissioner for Education. If you look at her, she is small in stature, yet, her vision is big. We shall forever remember you.”

But he was quick to note that managing 13, 000 teachers would be challenging. He urged the state government to put proper structures in place to ensure that the current project does not fail.

To the new teachers, he counseled: “Don’t regard this new opportunity as just a job.

You must strive to be role models. Look, I have never forgotten my primary school teacher. In the same vein, do things that would make a lasting good impression on the little children put in your care.”

However, Ambassador Joe Keshi, who heads the BRACED Commission, advised the teachers not to resort to strikes to register their displeasure about any government policy they may not like. “Strikes (in the education sector) have ruined us,” he declared, just as he implored that state’s chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) not to introduce the strike mentally to the new teachers.

Assurance Agency, Prof Otonti Nduka, who started teaching in 1948, told the teachers to raise a new generation. His words: “We look forward to have you raise a new generation. Welcome to the noble profession.”

The Secretary to the state government, Mr. George Feyii, who represented Amaechi at the event, told the teachers: “Seize this moment and do your work well. Not doing so will amount to a disservice.”

The Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Education, Dr Richard Ofuru, while commending the transparency that accompanied the recruitment process, said the Rivers state government had proved that it was possible for a poor man’s child to get a job without having to press any button.

On how the Ministry of Education intends to supervise and manage the teachers, Lawrence Nemi told The Guardian in an exclusive interview: “That is why we have the Quality Assurance Agency, which the governor set up and the plan is that, by September they (agency members) should be in all the schools in the state, to ensure that the teachers have all been deployed and that they are teaching the right subjects.

“It is not just something they would work on from Port Harcourt. We have zonal offices in all the Local Government areas, because they know the system and all that has been put in place. It would not be business as usual, where they won’t know whether a teacher has been to school or not.

They are going through the grassroots and will not just sit in the office. They would have to get feedback from the foot soldiers, on what is happening in the local authority.

They will have people on ground to visit these schools – people who are already trained as quality assurance agency staff – they would know what an inspectorate is and what monitoring is, then, they would give the head office the feedback.”

On worries expressed in certain quarters about what could happen to the state’s education sector when Amaechi leaves office, the Commissioner said: “The bill by the state assembly is designed to cover education sector operations, including the rules and regulation. So, anybody can’t just turn around and say this is what I want to do. It would be difficult because there would be a

clause. We are going to run a 10-year education Master Plan, which will contain the policies, procedures and things you need to do. So, it would be very difficult for anybody to just come and say he wants to abandon this or that. We are going to get more people and train them because this is not a joke for anybody to just come in and give excuses.”

Asked if the state was already reaping benefits from its investment in education, Lawrence Nemi stated that while some benefits would take a long time to manifest, some were already being felt.

Her words: “In the model primary school, we did an assessment through a private consultant, to check on the achievement and other things every now and then, to see how our students have improved. The governor may not even be on seat to receive glory from this, but we have seen a lot of remarkable improvement.

“For instance, our students from public schools, went to represent Nigeria in the Presidential debate. Our children have also been to the United Nations (UN) to represent Nigeria and they have won a lot of awards. We are beginning to reap some benefits. We may not reap all the benefits, but at least, we are reaping some.

“On infrastructure, when you are starting, infrastructure alone could take sometime to be put in place. Then, you are talking about teachers, uniforms, discipline and others. It takes a lot and any state government that wants to really get education right has to start early, from the first day you are sworn in as the governor. There is so much work to do and with the decay in the system, including the fact that, while you are putting the teachers in the schools, you are also taking steps to constantly train them. It’s a very long journey.

“When you look at the tertiary institutions; those who have passed their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE); and then you send them out on scholarship, like what the governor is doing by giving them scholarships to universities, it is clear that we are reaping results. And quite a number of those sent abroad on scholarship are coming back. In fact, we are having 35 medical doctors that would join the Ministry of Health, including two First Class graduates, fully sponsored by the state government. We also have some engineers working in the ministry. So, already, we are beginning to reap. We may not reap all, but at least we are reaping some.”

54 Education

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

SEF pupils showcase talents at co-curricular fair

By Mary Ogar UPILS of Supreme P Education Foundation (SEF) Magodo, Lagos, treated parents and other spectators to an array of creative handcraft, inventions and culinary skills at the school’s just concluded co-curricular fair.

The event also featured exhibitions by the press, homemakers, bible, chess and scrabble, ICT and the barbing clubs respectively.

Executive Director of the school, Mrs. Nike Adamolekun said: “The programme was put together to create an awareness and showcase what children can do. In the next exhibition, more technological inventions would be showcased. I am impressed by the projects on display and this goes on to show that once you are creative, your hand can never fail you.”

She added: “Children can learn from simple to complex things. I saw a boy using a computer to paint.

Eventually, such a child would progress to using his hands to paint. That is the power of knowledge. No knowledge or skill is ever wasted.”

Director of Studies, Mr.Vincent Nkama explained that the school encourages a

stimulating educational experience where students are inspired to develop their interests both inside and outside the classroom. The purpose of the fair, he explained, was to appreciate what education could do in the transformation of the students, their families and the society at large, adding that the clubs usually meet every day to harness members’ talents.

Coordinator of the Young Chef Club, Mrs. Modupe Somade, who said cooking should be seen as a vocation, also implored parents to encourage their children, especially the girl-child, to cultivate the habit of cooking.

“I am a caterer and I have passion for cooking. Most parents do not encourage their children to come into the kitchen. There is a need for children to develop culinary skills early enough, so that when they become adults, it will not be difficult task for them,” she said.

Head of Department, Science, Mr. Olukayode Abatan, who is the Coordinator of the Scrabble and Chess Club, pointed out that when children play the game, it helps to develop their minds, boost their creativity, spellings in the English language, and stimulate their reading habits.

Don advocates overhaul of engineering curricula YABA College of A Technology don, Kehinde Babajide Osifala, an engineer, has called on supervisory agencies and professional bodies to redesign the curricula of engineering programmes in higher institutions of learning.

Speaking on the topic Bond: The Elixir of Strength, the Chief Lecturer in the Civil Engineering said that in order to get over the problem of falling standard, the credit passes required for admission should be obtained at one sitting for engineering courses. Besides, he was of the opinion that programme’s curriculum should be redesigned in such a way that they could be broken down into modules and each mod-

ule should be examined during the semester and not at the end of it.

Osifala also contented that no engineering class should have more than 35 students in a stream for close monitoring, supervision of assignments, laboratory works and projects, to adequately prepare them for future, and to meet the society’s challenges.

He advocated for the creation of trade centres and technical colleges, stating that tertiary education should be a two-tier system that is technician and engineers, so that attention could be focussed and unhealthy rivalry could be permanently eliminated.

He said: “we need engineers that are practical-ori-

ented and will be able to conceive and design structures that will resist the forces of nature and convert them usefully for the benefit of man, and at the same time, supervise and coordinate construction activities on site, fabricate mechanical tools and appliances in the factories.”

Osifala, however, expressed concern over the situation where students only read to prepare for the examinations, insisting that all the indices to measure standards, like performance of students in the industry, discussion of engineering issues as well as written English were still poor.

He called for the creation of technical degree-awarding institutions that would

afford the attainment of terminal degree, stating that engineers in the country should begin to use their brains and hands to solve problems.

The Chief Lecturer also submitted that, for Nigeria to continue to exist as a corporate entity, there was a need for bonding among various ethnic groups and tolerance between different religious groups. Justice, equity and fair play, he insisted, must also exist in the land.

In her welcome address, the Rector, Dr Kudirat Ladipo said that Osifala had broken a new ground with the discovery of vinyl chloride, which, she said, was a cheaper and more effective coating material.

AUN unveils MBA programme HE American University of T Nigeria’s (AUN) School of Graduate Studies, has introduced two new programmes; the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM).

A statement by the institution’s Deputy Director of Communications, Mr Innocent Nwobodo, revealed that classes for the new programmes would begin on August 23. The institution’s Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. John Leonard explained that

the MBA programme “is designed to equip aspiring decision makers with an American-style education that combines modern academic concepts with cutting-edge technology.”

The statement added: “AUN offers two other graduate degree programmes: an Executive Master in Information Technology and an Executive Master in Telecommunications. The IT Executive Master’s programme has 35 students who are expected to graduate in May 2014.”

Webster varsity gets Ghana’s approval HANA’S Ministry of G Education has accredited Webster University’s new campus in Accra, the country’s capital, following a rigorous review. According to a statement by the University’s Director of public Relations, Patrick Giblin, the Ghana Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has, since 1925, accredited the University. Once an application for a location is approved, Webster University graduates from Ghana would earn degrees recognised by both United

States (U.S.) and Ghanaian accreditors.

Gibling added that the University has selected graduate and undergraduate programmes for the Ghana campus, based on interest of students and employers in the region.

The first graduate programme will be a Master of Business Administration (MBA), while undergraduate programmes would include international business, international relations, and media communications.

Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) graduating students of Teenland College, Ojota. Lagos, during the school’s valedictory ceremony, held recently.

Ogunsan recommends exclusion of politicians from higher education issues

By Mary Ogar OR top tertiary executives Fof crisis to effectively address issues management, strikes, cultism and other challenges in higher institutions across the country, the Chairman, Executive Trainers Limited, Dr Ayo Ogunsan has called for the non interference of politicians in the running of education. Education, he insisted, should be treated as an independent body with the governing council empowered to direct the affairs of the institutions.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos recently to announce activities lined up to mark

ETL’s fifth anniversary, Ogunsan likened the business of education to investment which must yield dividends.

He said, “The day politics is taken out of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, that is the day we will have an enduring sector. I don’t know the business of a president, governors and other politicians in the administration of education in a country. Politics should be separated from our education sector.”

Ogunsan, who is actively involved in the training of Vice-Chancellors, Provosts and Rectors of tertiary institutions in Africa, recommended

FIIRO, Omokaro Foundation Sign MoU on Ageing HE Federal Institute of T Industrial Research (FIIRO), Lagos and the Dave Omokaro Foundation (DOF), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the promotion of health and nutrition of older persons.

Director-General of FIIRO, Dr. Mrs. Gloria Elemo, who signed on behalf of the insti-

tute at a brief ceremony in Abuja recently, observed that when proper attention is paid to the nutritional needs of the elderly, less medical care would be needed to keep them healthy. She regretted that many people shy away from the issues concerning the elderly, “whereas old age is an inevitable phase of every-

one’s life.”

According to her, the institute had conducted research into food and agro-allied products, some of which would serve the partnership with DOF well. She explained that the MoU would be operated as a Public-Private Partnership, with the scope of work covering research and

development projects towards empowering youths; identification and modification of commercialisable diets for the elderly to enrich their nutritive value; patenting of such projects in the name of the parties involved in the project and awareness creation through advertisements, among others.

that top executives of tertiary institutions should be trained on best practices, to bring about a transformed mindset on how to resolve internal crisis and other factors responsible for stagnation in the system.

As part of strategies to expose tertiary institutions to the best practices globally, he announced that ETL, as part of its 5th anniversary, would be signing an agreement with some notable institutions around the globe to add value to the education sector.

According to him, the focal point of the training programmes by ETL is to train people and change their mindset. Ogunsan who maintained that education should be devoid of political interference, criticized government’s policy of establishing more federal universities at the expense of quality.

Highlighting some benefits of the training programmes, he noted the firm was in New York in March with some top personnel’s in the university system where the issue of strike was addressed.

Also, he disclosed Prof Amy Edmondson, Novartis

Professor of Leadership and Management, Harvard Business School will be in Nigeria in September to train Nigerian Registrars. Besides, plans are also in progress for Nigerian vice- chancellors, provosts and rectors to participate in a training programme at Harvard titled Vision and Change to be facilitated by Professor Emeritus.

On reasons for taking vicechancellors, provosts, rectors and other top executives in tertiary institutions abroad for training, he said; “We take executives out of the shores of Nigeria at least for five days, so they could be trained without distractions. Even if the Minister or the President needs their attention, they may still need to count the cost of re-booking their tickets and the stress involved.”

He explained that in 2009, ETL commenced the first training at Oxford Brook, UK, which dealt with collaboration linkages between Nigerian tertiary institutions and their counterparts in the United Kingdom. He pointed out that about 30 vice -chancellors, rectors and provosts attended the training programme.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

Education

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Lagos varsity’s transformation on course, says Obafunwa

By Ujunwa Atueyi MIDST reports and specuA lations that the new fee regime introduced by Lagos State University (LASU) has not translated into any tangible improvement, the institution’s Vice Chancellor Prof John Obafunwa, has declared that LASU’s transformation is still on course.

Speaking at briefing last Monday in Lagos, on the progress recorded so far, Obafunwa said: “one of the biggest tasks of this administration, when we assumed office, was to ensure that all the courses formerly unaccredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) were accredited. And out of 17 initially unaccredited programmes some years ago, 16 have been accredited. Apart from that, another set of 18 programmes, some of which had interim status, were

recently presented for reaccreditation. Although official results are still being awaited from the NUC, and we remain optimistic.

“In terms of partnership and collaborations, we recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nigerian Air Force, to ensure effective training of personnel; promote scientific and technological development; encourage qualitative research works in Aerospace engineering; aerospace and Satellite Technology; Artificial Intelligence and Robotics by use of software; Weather Simulation Systems and Weather Remote Monitoring systems. And other universities outside the shores of the country are also in talks with us to explore areas of collaboration.”

He continued: “We received a donation by two

prominent personalities of the state - Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon – which will be used to upgrade teaching facilities and furnish some of the buildings and laboratories already completed.”

On infrastructural development, the vice chancellor observed that some projects were in different stages of completion, while some have just been awarded.

The misdeed that took place in LASU, Obafunwa pointed out, spanned over 20 years and “cannot be corrected in one-day. He said: “Our mission of repositioning LASU for qualitative education, conducive learning environment and robust service delivery is still on course. Since the inception of this administration, we have been working tenaciously to chart a way forward for the rapid growth

and development of our university.”

Dismissing the speculations that the institution’s plan to restructure its academic programmes would amount to job losses, he said” “It is indeed a surprise that government’s proposal for us to restructure our programmes and curricular content to meet the demands of the industrial society, could lead to such speculations. The intention of government is to ensure a mutual relationship of the town and gown and not to send any member of staff to the labour market.

“All this is based on the aspiration of the state government to expand the academic horizon of LASU. We will soon commence new academic programmes at degree levels in Aeronautic Engineering, which is first of its kind in Nigeria; Civil engineering; Agricultural Science

Gowon, dons counsel graduating students on cultism

By Mary Ogar S students of Good A Shepherd Schools, Meiran, Lagos prepare for a new academic phase in the university system, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) and two university dons have underscored the dangers of cultism in higher institutions across Nigeria.

In his address at the school’s Prize-Giving Day held recently, Gowon expressed concern that cultism was still on the increase in many tertiary institutions, despite efforts to curb it. But he implored the graduating students to be conscious of all the investments by their parents, families and teachers on them and avoid negative tendencies that could jeopardize their future prospects.

Represented by the incoming Chief Executive Officer of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Mr. Richard Ajiboye, Gowon advised the students not to join negative bandwagons and desist from all forms of cultism, to avoid ruining not only their future, but also the emotional stability of those who are dear to them.

He said: “The youths are

the leaders of tomorrow, and as such, they should lay good example for themselves when they get to the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

Students of Good Shepherd Schools have been empowered to be good ambassadors of the school wherever they may find themselves, and they must ensure that the discipline inculcated in them must not be allowed to wane by engaging in nefarious activities.

“Those of you going into higher institutions should beware because cultism reigns. Be careful and don’t be lost in the crowd. Know that you have been built morally, academically and spiritually so maintain those principles and values that you have been groomed.”

The school’s Director, Dr. Bayo Oyeyemi pledged that the school would continue to provide a conducive environment, devoid of immoral, lewd, abusive and destructive tendencies for students to learn. He urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the school.

The guest speaker, from the Department of Philosophy, University of Ibadan, Dr. Chris Agulonu

also decried “the rising cases of cultism in higher institutions” just as he appealed to the graduating students to shun the vice at all cost.

His words: “We should not allow our children to be caught in the web of cultism. Our young ones should take up the challenge and be light in the world. You should be an example of purity and of good moral standard. You must be youth of integrity and possess good conduct,” Prof Yemisi Obashoro from the Department of Adult Education, University of Lagos, also urged the youths to dream realistically for the future and ensure that they possess the drive to make such dream come to reality.

Speaking on the topic: Your Dream, Your Drive and Your Destiny, the university don said students must possess a unique drive that would propel them towards their destiny adding: “everybody has a destiny, but many people lack the drive to make their destiny a reality.”

She noted that a student’s dream must be personal, practical, possible, parallel, portable, powerful, profitable, pleasurable, purposeful and providential. She fur-

Proprietor implores Lagos to mitigate private schools’ burden

By Mary Ogar HE Administrative Director T of Covenant Child Academy, Lagos, Mr. Divine Olise has appealed to the Lagos state government to create an enabling environment for private education providers to operate without hassles.

Specifically, he implored the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and its Ministry of Education to prevail on the Lagos House of Assembly to pass a law, that would create a more conducive atmosphere for private schools to operate, acquire land and build structures without what he described as “undue encumbrances” that private schools in the state currently experience with

government agencies and feudal families.

Olise spoke at the commissioning of the school, which took place amid fanfare recently. In the same vein, the school’s Project Director, Mrs. Delight Olise also pleaded with governments at all levels to support the development of private schools through some form of subvention, since private schools also develop the intellectual capacity of Nigerian children.

She lamented that the burden of funding private schools had become cumbersome, because no form of support is given to them in financial terms. She said: “We appeal that conscious efforts be made by the government to reduce the financial harassment faced by the private edu-

cators in Nigeria. Instead, their efforts should be complimented, since the task of providing quality education is a laudable vocation which should be supported by all stakeholders.”

And as the management, staff and students of the school celebrated the dedication of the school’s new ultra modern edifice, Olise affirmed that the project was completed through “the grace of God.” Commending the school’s Parent, Teacher Association (PTA) for its support, She said the new building “is well equipped with laboratories, classrooms, a library and other facilities, intended to further motivate the well trained teachers and to promote effective teaching and learning in a more conducive environment.”

ther enumerated several obstacles such as fear, inability to take action, unwillingness to give up something, lack of serious desire and inability to arrive at a positive thing as impediments to realizing one’s

and Film and Cultural Studies”, he said.

On the report that low subscription to the institution was as a result of a hike in tuition fees, Obafunwa contended that in the current admission exercise, Medicine, which has the highest fees, still had over 400 Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates, more than other programmes with lower fees. Engineering and Law, he explained, had

100 and 150 candidates respectively.

He said: “The truth is that some programmes are poorly subscribed, while others are highly subscribed and the low subscription to programmes could therefore not in any way have been connected to the hike in school fees. Parents and student alike have already embraced the new fee regime, since it was So, the claims by some individuals would appear illogical and incorrect”

Akwa Ibom to host STAN Science Competition KWA Ibom state will, on A August 16, host primary and secondary schools’ pupils from the 36 states across the country, as they vie for laurels in the final National Science Quiz and Projects competition, being organized by the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN).

Preliminaries of the annual competition, which seeks to encourage the study of science subjects, will take place from August 12 to 15 at the Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The finals will hold at Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Hall, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo. The contest is STAN’s initiative, which has been enjoying

financial support from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), since its inception 18 years ago. The MPN is a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Speaking on the forthcoming event, the General Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Mobil Producing Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arinze, said MPN has sustained its support for the project over the years because of its philosophy of promoting and sustaining students’ interest in the study of science-based subjects at their early stages of development in primary and secondary schools.

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THE GUArDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

Students applaud Eko project, want more science teachers

By Mary Ogar ENEFICIArIES of the Eko B Secondary Education project, a collaborative initiative of the Lagos state government and the World Bank, intended to enhance learning outcomes in the 661 public junior and senior secondary schools in the state, have described it as commendable.

They spoke at an impressive ceremony, held in Lagos recently, where the state governor, Babatunde Fashola presented the third Governor’s Education Award of N256 million cheques, to 128 junior and senior secondary schools, for their improved performance over a period of time.

Abel Nwankwo, an SS2 student from Meiran Comprehensive Senior High School, said the project has brought about a huge improvement in his school, especially in the area of teaching, infrastructure and other resources.

He said, “The method of teaching has changed. We now do practicals and not just theory, that was the norm. Most of the classrooms used to have leaking roofs, but they have now been renovated.”

Nwankwo said he feels irritated when some people give the impression that nothing is happening in the Lagos public schools “The government is doing so much,” he insisted, “and my school is a testimony. Any normal student would be upset when people run down our school. Let them come in and see what is going on”.

However, Nwankwo wants the state government to provide more sport facilities to encourage students who have a passion for sports. “I am a great fan of tennis

but I don’t have anywhere to play or watch the game, so I want Governor Fashola to also provide the schools with sport facilities.”

Abosede Nejo, from Ivory Senior Grammar School, Amuwo Odofin said: “There are so many changes in my school. But the most exciting for me, is that our teachers are always in class on schedule now.

Most of them used to live very far away, but since staff quarters were provided for them as a result of the Eko project, they are always around and in class on time. This has greatly improved teaching and learning”.

A student of Itire Community Junior Secondary School, Esther Eze said the emphasis on science subjects had helped improve her performance in mathematics.

However, she appealed to the state government to deploy more teachers to the school, especially in the area of Basic Science.

Also, Peace Igweagu, from Imoye Junior High School said: “the introduction of Eko Project in my school has given me the opportunity to see new things. We now have a giant size skeleton in the laboratory. I have seen the equipment for sewage treatment and there are chemicals to do experiments in Basic Science. My favorite subject is English language, we are now being taught Phonics and other things that I only get to hear from my friends in private schools. But we need teachers in Yoruba and Computer.”

Meanwhile, Daniel Opara, from Temitire Senior High School, Tolu Complex wants the governor to facilitate regular training of teachers. He said: “The teachers should go for more training to gain more skills.” Particularly excited about

Fashiola the audiovisual form of learning, which has now been introduced in his school, Opara said: “Now, we can visualize what we are being taught. There are books in the library and as a science student, I am very fascinated by the resources in the laboratory.

Practicals have been made easy and this would go a long way to affect our thinking skills and make learning a lot more fun.”

Another student, Thelma Jennifer confirmed to The Guardian: “I have gone for a number of competitions with students from some of the elite schools and still came tops. There is no more fear or inferiority complex because we now learn in almost the same standard as they do, if

not better. I am an Art student and we have an exhibition hall where we can display our artworks. We are now being taught with a projector, so no more copying of long notes.

In his address, Governor of Lagos, state, Babatunde Fashola commended the entire students for their performance. He said: “This goes to show that if we give children the chance and point them to the right direction, they would not only look after themselves, they would also look after us.”

According to Fashola, the gathering, comprising of students, teachers, education managers, prominent educationists, entrepreneurs, representatives of development partners and other key stakeholders, provides an opportunity for all concerned Nigerians to prove to the children how important education is as a veritable tool against poverty and ignorance. He said: “We are the mirror through which these children see life. There is a burden on us, to prepare these children better than we were prepared, to enable them do better than we are doing. As long as I remain your Governor, my team and I will continue to carry that burden and with a smile on our faces.”

At the event, 128 lucky junior and senior secondary schools were presented with cash awards of two million naira each, to boost development, out of the 661 including the 19 new secondary schools, recently added in the six educational districts in Lagos State.

Fashola described the Governor’s Education Award, instituted about three years ago, as part of efforts to actualise the vision for education in state. He

was of the view that the initiative had also led to an improvement in students’ performance in public schools.

He said: “In 2008, only 10.4 percent of our students in our public schools achieved five credits in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

In 2012, the number has tripled to 38.5 percent. But that is not our destination and we are hoping that the results will continue to get better year after year, as they have been in the preceding years.”

With some recruited teachers currently undergoing documentation to be fully deployed in the system, he disclosed that plans were underway to convert the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education and the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education to degree awarding institutions, in affiliation with the Lagos State University (LASU), with specialties in primary and secondary education.

As part of the awards, 12 teachers and 12 principals are expected receive sponsorship for overseas training. The governor said the training would enable them acquire more knowledge and best practices, including administrative skills to improve their capabilities.

Also, 50 schools won the approval to start their own Power Kids Club, which would enable them enjoy guided tours to some power projects sites, for first hand experience on power generation.

Awards for the schools are given on the basis of students’ scores in WASSCE, the Basic Education Certificate Examination for Junior Secondary School and the Standardized Students assessments.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

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By Tope Templer Olaiya, Assistant Lagos City Editor

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KEEM Musbau, aged 13, is a stranger’s delight asking for directions in Oshodi. Having spent five years in Lagos, he knows all bends and corners of the city’s melting port of Oshodi and neighbouring settlements of Mafoluku, Ladipo, Orile-Oshodi and Ilupeju.

Any street name that doesn’t register in Akeem’s memory simply does not exist in Oshodi, a skill acquired after long days of wandering and later hawking on the streets of Lagos. After arriving the nation’s commercial city centre from Abeokuta, he found shelter in the old rowdy Oshodi before Fashola’s demolition squad cleared the market.

He temporarily lost his shanty abode and was forced to pound the streets every night looking for a place to lay his head after a long day joining other truants to pick pock-

Tired of playing Big Brother, Lagos bares fangs on the destitute ets and engage in petty crimes.

When Oshodi no longer became ‘safe’ to play pranks, he decided to be useful to himself. In 2009, he began hawking sachet water, sweets and biscuits, but returns were not encouraging. He determined to take up a regular job as a sales person, but was rejected when he failed to provide a reliable person as his guarantor.

Akeem braved the odds and hit the streets to clean vehicle windshield in traffic, but after being treated with the rough end of life, which saw some of his street-mates end up in KAI Black-maria, detention or sudden death, he is ready to sign off

wandering as a pastime.

According to him, he has escaped being bundled out of Lagos by Governor Fashola’s agents of ‘deportation’ by a tinge of mother luck and being street smart, but he is aware he could exhaust his good luck soon.

“I want to get a shop and start something, I am not too old to return to school.”

The presence of destitute children and beggars is an eyesore that does not add any beauty to the environment. On every highway, motor parks, markets and fun spots, many in their prime are seen in different shades of rags, coiling on a spot or loafing around to beg for alms.

A young boy cleaning a car’s windscreen to survive

They constitute great nuisance to the environment in many ways and are a security risk. In civilized societies, destitute children are usually not abandoned, but confined in places where they are taken care of, rehabilitated and reunited with their loved ones. If they are able to pull through, many of them stage a comeback to add value to the society and enhance the essence of humanity. But this is far from the norm in this clime, where they are left to rot away on the streets.

For every ‘Akeem’ roaming the streets of Lagos, there are at least 19 others who have had their dreams truncated by ending up with wrong companies and are, as the Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor on Youths and Social Development, Dr. Enitan Dolapo Badru, described them, “children in conflict with the law.”

At least, 1,708 beggars and destitute have been expelled from Lagos to their various states and countries since January. Badru told The Guardian that in line with the state government’s policy of ridding the streets of beggars and destitute, his office had consistently embarked on an aggressive raid of beggars, the mentally challenged and destitute from the streets, highways and under the bridges.

“In the last one year, a total number of 3,114 beggars/destitute/mentally challenged were rescued in day and night operations. 2,695 were taken to the Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Owutu, Ikorodu, where the state government has made provisions for facilities to help in turning the lives of the destitute/beggars around, while the mentally unstable are given medical attention.

“Forty-eight children and toddlers were transferred to the Child Protection Unit; another 48 street children cleaning wind shields at traffic lights were rescued and transferred to the Special Correctional Centre for Boys, Oregun; eight were transferred to the Child Transit Home, Idi Araba while 315 Persons (203 male and 54 female) suspected to be criminals were however handed over to the Task Force for prosecution. 403 persons were released to their relatives through written applications.

“We found out that a lot of children on the streets of Lagos come from outside the state thinking that Lagos is an Eldorado. It is unfortunate that many of them are underage and very vulnerable because they can be introduced to so many vices. When we rescue them, we try

as much as possible to carry out social investigation to know where they actually come from and why they absconded in the first place,” he disclosed.

According to Dr. James Ayangunna, a lecturer with the department of Social Work at the faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, destitution can be grouped under economic, financial and medical forms. “In this part of the world, what seems to be in vogue is the maxim of ‘everybody for himself, God for us all.’ If the wealthy individuals have failed in this regard, it is because government has failed much more in the area of welfarism for destitute.”

Defending the practice of expelling kids rescued from the streets back to their states of origin, Badru noted that normal international standard requires that the state reunite them with their family. “The end result is to reunite them back with their families. We are not repatriating them out of Lagos. Once we rescue, we cannot as a government hold a child under the age of 18 in custody without parental or guardian consent.

“Once we have them in our custody, we must take a court order to keep them since the law provides for that and we cannot keep them indefinitely, so we still need to send them back to their parents.

Once the social investigation is carried out and we are positive about their identity, we get in touch with the social welfare services of their state, which would in turn get in touch with the families.”

Badru’s linked the growing number of destitute children to polygamy. “When a woman goes into another man’s house taking her children along who has been previously married with children, some of the step children end up being maltreated by a hostile stepfather or step-mum. Such a child would try as much as possible to escape being abused.

“Motor parks are their first port of call once they arrive Lagos before they now move to under the bridges and uncompleted buildings. We can’t be raiding motor parks everyday; that would create unpleasant signals to those coming to Lagos. A child can travel genuinely and it is no offense for a child to travel alone. We don’t want to start harassing every child we see disembarking from a bus at motor parks when we are not at war.

“However, what is important is for the family to be together and start teaching morals. Parents should shun abuse of children whether biological or adopted, we should not be abuser of children. Once we can deal with issues at the home front, destitution would be drastically reduced. The fewer criminals out there, the better for us; we can sleep with our two eyes closed at

... Unveils Enterprise Day for graduates of technical colleges A

T different ages ranging from 18 to 30 years, students and ex-students of technical colleges in Lagos State recently converged at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) complex, Alausa.

Ultimately, their gathering was to unveil the Lagos Enterprise Day, an initiative designed to groom the next generation of captains of industries and create wealth for the jobless in the country.

They were not the only people within the vast sprawling auditorium with more than 2,500 seats. The impressive audience also included captains of industries, entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of economic interests and public servants of varying cadres.

From their faces, almost all the participants, especially ex-students of technical colleges and graduates of tertiary institutions, appeared agitated, perhaps seeking answers to many questions boggling their minds. Some sought explanation to their unfriendly business environment, citing diverse challenges arising from epileptic power supply, poor access to working

capital and sometimes political patronage, which some said, have become a standard for getting contracts from the public institutions.

Though hopeful, they complained about the system, which they said, did not allow fair play and non-partisan treatment. All these questions were directed at Governor Babatunde Fashola, who did not expect to stay longer on the podium, speaking convincingly of diverse programmes his administration had initiated to allay the fears of the state’s 43 per cent population.

Expectedly, Fashola tackled the issues headlong. For him, it is the curse of oil that has culminated in the intractable crisis of unemployment, which is undermining the country’s economic growth. But this dangerous trend is gradually changing, due to what he described as the state’s policy redirection, which placed emphasis on technical and vocational education with the aim of developing human capital required in a megacity like Lagos.

The governor lamented the rate at which the country was losing jobs to aliens. “We are increasingly losing jobs to technicians and arti-

sans from Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic among others, which reports in the past, said cost Nigeria about N960 billion annually. The challenge for us is how to create jobs for the graduates of technical colleges and vocational centres in the state. So, trading in traffic is a skill in a wrong place,” he said.

Beyond the explanation, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Mr. Olawumi Gasper, said the state government is driving curriculum re-alignment in technical colleges and vocational centres, as a means to highlight the importance of entrepreneurship, capacity building, involvement of industries and public private partnerships to meet emerging needs of a global economy.

According to him, one of the humble achievements of the state “is achieving social inclusion through the infusion of entrepreneurship education in the technical colleges, thus enabling the marginalized groups, especially girls and the poor, to engage actively in productive economic activities.

“This effort has seen the commencement of

the creation of a critical mass of competent and skilled youths with strong entrepreneurial spirit, managerial and technical knowledge that will start, grow micro-enterprises into small and medium enterprises, all towards enhancing the growth of the private sector. The aim is to enable young people to own their businesses and grow these businesses through mentorship.”

By estimate, Gasper said about 10,000 technical college graduates with entrepreneurial mindsets benefitting all sectors “will be produced. The benefit is not only to the students who have acquired the skills, but equally to their family members, communities and the private sector through the increased supply of qualified young enterprising persons.”

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, described the launch of Lagos Enterprise Day as the first in the series of innovative policies, which she said government had pioneered in the country.

NECA, an umbrella of the country’s employers, commended the initiative and pledged their support.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

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NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at Wednesday PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 7/08/2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 7/08/2013

lOSERS

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Fidelity Bank posts N11.2 billion half-year profit

By Chijioke Nelson Bank Plc has postFN11.2IDElITy ed a profit before tax of billion for the first half of its financial year ended June 30, 2013.

The unaudited result, which is compliant to the International Financial Reporting Standard, also indicated a 13.3 per cent growth from N9.88 billion that the bank recorded in corresponding period of June 30, 2012.

Further analysis of the result showed that its gross earnings increased by 17.4 per cent to N62.90 billion within the period under

review from N53.58 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2012 financial year.

Net interest income dropped by 7.1 per cent to N18.74 billion for the period against N20.18 billion recorded in June 30, 2012, while non-interest income grew by 28.1 per cent to N17.09 billion compared with N13.34 billion recorded in the last financial year, attributable to the bank’s continued linkage effect of its branch expansion.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Reginald Ihejiahi, while acknowledging the financial institution’s stride to record

the positive mark, said that “in the half year ended June 30, 2013, we built on the success of the last financial year by continuing to expand our tentacles across various markets and customer segments in the economy.”

According to him, “we have continued to record increase in footfalls in our branches, which continue to show in our non interest income and number of new accounts recruited.

“We are also pleased with the outcome in terms of new business generation and increased acquisition of key accounts in the various market segments.

“As we continue to seek positive outcomes from our cost management initiatives despite our drive for expansion in retail infrastructure, and uptake in our focused SME Business, which is expected to feed into our future, we expect the continued prudent management of our balance sheet to translate into improved financial performance and increased market share in the second half of 2013 business year, and the years ahead.”

Operating expenses inched up by 2.3 per cent to N23.72 billion in against N23.18 billion recorded in the previous year, despite the additional

impact from increase in industry resolution cost to 0.5 per cent from 0.3 per cent of total assets in 2012.

Cost income ratio dropped from 69.2 per cent from the last financial year to 66.2 per cent, while total assets of the bank increased by 5.6 per cent to N965.79 billion as at June 30, 2013 from N914.36 billion as at December 31, 2012.

The result however, indicated that total customer deposits dropped by 1.5 per cent from N716.75 billion as at December 31, 2012 to N706.17 billion as at June 30, 2013. The composition of low cost deposits to total

deposits was 64.8 per cent to date.

Shareholders’ funds was N164.58 billion as at June 30, 2013, while net loans and leases grew by 6.5 per cent to N367.98 billion as at date from N345.50 billion as at December 31, 2012.

The bank’s capital adequacy ratio, which measures a bank’s financial strength and capacity for future expansion, was 26.62 per cent, above the regulatory minimum of 10 per cent, while the liquidity ratio, was 50.68 per cent as at June 30, 2013, a 20.68 per cent above regulatory threshold.

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Opinion Understanding the current situation

By Edwin Madunagu (As I was completing the rough draft of this essay, the announcement came of the official registration of the new “merger-party”, the All Progressive Congress (APC). If this means – as I think it does – the effective dissolution of three previously existing main parties and their incorporation into the new party, together with fractions of some other parties then it this a new development in mainstream politics in Nigeria. Projections will follow after this opening segment).

EFORE I went on my last short break, I was tryB ing to catch up with, and making meaning of, the current political situation in our country. One of my objectives was to isolate the various elements of this crisis and see how they are linked to produce the current conjuncture. My refrain, I said, was: “Laugh not, weep not, but understand”. In the course of that exercise, I recalled (in the last piece before the break, Tales from our political history, July 18, 2013) two tragic-comical political events (1992 and 1999). I intend to continue from there.

From 1999 until a couple of months ago, the Nigerian Governors Forum was united: it had all the 36 state governors as members. In the group were state governors produced by the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and five opposition parties: Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Labour Party (LP). The forum is a voluntary association. It is not mentioned in the Nigerian Constitution and therefore has no constitutional role in this political dispensation. I don’t know if it was even registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Until recently, I did not know that the forum had a Constitution, a Secretary and a Director-General.

I did not know how the forum selected its leaders and spokespersons, but had observed that they had almost always been PDP governors who dominated the group numerically. But sometime last year Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, a product of opposition All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), addressed the press after a meeting of the forum.

Then I said to myself: “These people must be very liberal”. It was recently, during the current crisis that I knew that Peter Obi was the Deputy Chair of the forum and had addressed the press in that capacity.

Even now, as I write, I don’t know which came before the other: the national governors’ forum or the regional /party forums. However, in spite of my ignorance of, and disinterestedness in, the organizational details of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), I had recognized it as an informal group created to exert collective pressure on the “big brother”, the Federal Government. That made sense to me in a multi-tier hierarchical governance structure and a strong presidency that the country now operates. I also knew that the forum could, and would, be used for other things, and that new friendships and alliances, across party lines, could develop within the forum. The two projections have come to pass – transforming the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), a informal gathering, into a powerful factor in the current political crisis and power struggle in Nigeria.

The various conclaves of Nigerian governors, including the Nigerian Governors Forum played a critical role in General Obasanjo’s renomination as presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2003 general elections. I understand Obasanjo had to beg (some say, prostrate before) the PDP governors before he was adopted. Informed by experience, Obasanjo first had to “settle accounts” with the forums and their leaderships before imposing his choice of successor president on his party and the nation in the 2007 presidential election. The governors’ role in resolving the problem of successor to late President Yar’ Adua is well known.

What was the secret of the Nigerian Governors Forum or, rather, the PDP state governors’ power? There are two sources. First, PDP state governors are the leaders of the party in their respective states. They stand not in the state structures of their party, but above them, above the state executive committees of the party. In fact the PDP state governors largely determine the composition of the party’s state executives. As executive governors they have the “financial muscle”; this translates to having immense powers of patronage. The state governors largely control state delegates to national conventions and this translates to dominant influence in the composition of the National Executive Committee.

These powers are not possessed by governors of other parties. This is one of the differences between the PDP and other political parties active

in this political dispensation. These differences were not deliberately created by anyone; they were compelled by the unique origin(s) of the party (as a ruling class party) and its motive force.

An understanding of this uniqueness, –which I may call the existence in the PDP of multiple centres of gravity, rather than a single one (like in other mainstream parties) – will help us see, more clearly, the power struggle going on in the country – in particular what happened in the Nigerian Governors Forum and, above all, what is happening in, and to, the ruling party. I may here propose that the immediate political future of Nigeria will be determined more by how the current crisis in PDP is resolved, or resolves itself, than by any other factors we can see now. Just a small error or tactical miscalculation or accident may suddenly produce this resolution or self-resolution even as I write.

A certain ideological trend, strong and transcending class boundaries, has existed in Nigerian politics since the period of decolonization, that is, from around 1950. This trend has existed both on the Right and on the Left. On the Right it takes this form: “The country needs unity to overcome underdevelopment; thereafter we can talk of ideologies and ideological differences; for now there is no need for ideological politics because the country is not ripe for it. For this desired unity we need a non-ideological national party”. On the Left this ideology of “national unity” is expressed this way: “This is a period of National Democratic Revolution and not Socialist Revolution or even Popular- Democratic Revolution. This period calls for a national party of all virile social classes and forces, a national party in which the Left should strive to play active role and work very hard – preferably silently – for the next stage of the revolution, namely, a socialist revolution”.

I hasten to add that this “Left” ideological formulation of political necessity has been stoutly rejected by the Marxist Left – although I would concede that the trend has been able to cause disruptions and win “souls”, that is, co-opt prominent leftists, for “non- ideological” national politics. I shall not pursue this matter here – since it is not the focus of this article – beyond saying that it did not take long before the merger of the Right and Left formulations of “national unity” ideology. This “non-ideological” national ideology took a leap after the Civil War (1967 – 1970) which its ideologues on the Right and on the Left claimed

vindicated their positions. The ideologues rejected ethnic, tribal, regional, religious and socialist parties. Of course, they arrogated to themselves the exclusive capacity to identify “undesirable” political parties. The ideology of “national unity” was claimed to have informed the formation of the Second Republic’s National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and the present Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

How did the inspirers, founders and promoters of NPN and PDP go about their tasks? Basically the same methods although their formations were separated by 20 years (1978 and 1998): Political groups and prominent Nigerians of all ideological tendencies and regional or ethnic colourations were invited to join the “national effort”. Negotiations were conducted with every group or personage that came along. The usual question was: “What is in this thing for us and for the people we represent?” Something was always promised. If a group wanted “assurances” they were given; if a signed agreement was demanded, the group would be obliged.

What were the “somethings” that were usually demanded for the purpose of negotiation? Generally they included party and government positions and positions in institutions and parastatals already existing or to be specially created. In particular cases where a group or individual was bringing along a large and strong constituency, it could be promised a geopolitical sphere to control at certain levels. These latter promises were usually documented and signed.

Groups and individuals given promises of “control” constituted jealously guarded interim centres of gravity of the new party – to be confirmed at pre-inauguration caucuses.

As expected, disagreements and splits often occurred at pre-convention caucus meetings or even as late as at inaugural conventions. Splits occurred at the final stages of the formations of NPN and PDP, but the damage in each case was quickly repaired. Other mainstream political parties in the two political parties (that is, other than the NPN in the Second Republic and the PDP in this dispensation) were not formed the way these two ruling parties were formed: the former were usually fully-formed, with leaders, leaderships and structures, programmes, main organs, – and sometimes presidential and gubernatorial candidates - before open invitations for membership.

Each of them had a single centre of gravity.

• To be continued next Thursday

Greetings to my Muslim brethren

By Cornelius Omonokhua ERE, in my holiday in Paris, my heart longs for you in Nigeria H as you celebrate the holy feast of the “Eid ul-Fitr”. This year 2013, reminds me of my early days when the desire to sight the moon was like a competition. For true believers, the value of this feast goes beyond food and drink. To many in the context of our corporate existence, feasting after the Ramadan is an outward sign of that generosity that goes with a heavenly reward. Sharing food within a community of believers and with people of other faiths symbolizes the actual life of the peaceful co-existence that defines a true African. The Ramadan after so much prayer and fasting is believed to manifest in an exceptional way the African value for life that should be an act of faith in the community that has the capacity to give the joy that can heal a broken and wounded heart.

In spite of the hunger that may attend fasting, the Ramadan must never be a period for the tears that is deliberately caused by human agents. This is a practical demonstration of our proverb “that those who eat together from the same dish and drink from the same cup sign a covenant of love and vow never to do harm to each other and to one another.” This I believe is the contextual and spiritual meaning of the agape that marks the end of Ramadan.

The Muslim youths have rekindled this memory in me by marking the Ramadan with a seminar on “Religious Re-education” on Saturday July 27, 2013 in the National Mosque, Abuja. Let me use this medium to therefore address them: “Beloved brothers and sisters, accept my hearty congratulations! It was really interesting that you saw the need for the collaboration of the office of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in the preparation for this Ramadan seminar. That the Muslim and Christian youths can come together at this time gives a lot of hope for the future of our nation. That you got me involved in the planning and preparation of the seminar gives me more inspiration and encouragement that one day, religious mutual suspicion shall be history.

That one day, we shall be so liberated that the feeling of being strangers to one another shall vanish with the winds. It is my hope

that one day, it will be impossible for anybody in any position and in any situation to use you as agents of destruction while their children work and walk about freely in foreign countries without fear of tragic death. I believe that a day will come when you will deliver religion from our “Nigerian Machiavelli”. When that day comes religion will bring us together and will never be a cause of opposition. Then we shall see one another as children of one Nigeria.” Yes, I believe that one day we shall grow above ethno-religious affiliation with a name that will make us proud Nigerians wherever we go in the world.

May I use this opportunity to thank Prof. Ishaq Oloyede who on behalf of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) played a fatherly role in this initiative of the youths to come together for the common concerns that would be beneficial to Nigeria and the whole world! I am particularly grateful to the paper presenters who accepted the invitation at a very short notice. The presentations of John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Imam Fuad Ademola Adeyemi, Imam Abudulahi Karshi and Fr. Andrew Anana demonstrated that our nation can be great when the youths are properly directed with sound and proper education.

We can draw a SWOT analysis from this seminar that our strength is awareness through education; that our weakness is mutual suspicion; that our opportunity is the space and courage to come together as a family to talk heart to heart while our threat is the “dragon” and enemy of progress who often uses religion as a weapon of mass destruction. The participants in the seminar with their contributions have demonstrated that the future of our great nation cannot be compromised or sacrificed on the altar of ignorance especially when some of our children are technically conditioned to remain at the level of perpetual illiterates. Progress or scientific advancement can not be separated from the proper education and formation of the youths who deserve to grow gracefully and be formed to be fully alive. Some Nigerians need religious re-education to be debriefed of all forms of indoctrination and brainwashing. Our youths deserve freedom from mediocrity and idleness. They need the capacity to identify their

potentials and genuinely engage in a struggle for survival with the weapon of the “word” and not the “sword”. The word of God is the sword of salvation. Given that it is those who lack intellectual powers that recourse to physical violence, religious education should be made obligatory in our secondary schools. Nigeria is a unique country that should teach the outside world the African values that can not be separated from morality and religion even though the constitution defines Nigeria a secular state. The word “Secular” does not mean profane and lawlessness.

It is unfortunate that we experienced a serious bomb blast in Kano during this 2013 Ramadan. May the souls of the innocent victims rest in perfect peace! It is incomprehensible how bitter tears can be given the audacity to flow like the drizzling rain in a holy month that is dedicated to God. The July 29, 2013 Kano bomb blast is an abomination and a serious “haram”. Perhaps we need Abraham at this time to intercede for Nigeria like he did for Sodom and Gomorrah. For the sake of only a righteous person, God was ready to forgive and restrain his anger from destroying the cities. May God save Nigeria for the sake of those who mean well for Nigeria, and who irrespective of religious differences, strive to promote peaceful coexistence through studies, prayers and fraternal exchange.

My beloved Muslim brothers and sisters, you celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha every year. Eid-ul-Fitr follows the month of Ramadan while Eid-ul-Adha occurs during the month of Zil-Hajj in commemoration of Abraham’s attempt to sacrifice his son. As you celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr this year 2013, may your fasting for a whole month not be in vain. May your call to show a common goal of unity to the world be realized in all practical sense and purpose! May your Salat of two Rakats be taken to God by an angel of good tidings who can transform the universe into a “Jama’at” of perfect love, peace and unity! May your zakat and fitra like the sacrifice of Abel make your “Eid prayers” rain on us the peace and love of God! Brethren, happy feast day!

• Fr. Omonokhua is the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja and Consultor of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims (C.R.R.M), Vatican City.

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

Opinion Who is father of Nigerian journalism?

By Patrick Naagbanton LADE Odunewu (November 20, 1927- July 25, 2013), A generally called “Allah De”, was one of the wellknown journalists of the 1950s and beyond. Allah De (name of his satirical column in the Daily Times), died in a hospital in Lagos on Thursday, July 25, 2013, of old age related sickness. My sincere condolence to those he left behind. Alade’s input to journalism in Nigeria is great, especially in the sub-genre of ethics. Allah De’s death like any central character has spurred a central argument like that of Chinua Achebe (November 16, 1930 - March 21, 2013). The controversy was not caused

by Achebe, but his “camp followers”, by reinforcing that Achebe is the “father of African literature”.

The contention was over the place of Achebe, the notable writer, poet, teacher and pan-Africanist in the Nigerian, African or world literature. This forced Wole Soyinka, one of the principal literary practitioners of all times, to explode in that exclusive, polemical, lengthy and expository interview on Achebe and others.

The Soyinka’s interview entitled, “Achebe, a celebrated storyteller, but not father of African literature” was published by Sahara reporters, the New Yorkbased authoritative online news agency. Soyinka, still on the subject-matter, later wrote a personalized piece, “The Village Mourners Association”. Sahara reporters and several Nigeria’s papers, including Nigeria’s The Guardian on Saturday, June 22, 2013, page 43, published Soyinka’s article.

The Nigerian media, especially the print following the death of the veteran journalist were awashed with dirges and epics on the deceased. The Daily Sun, Friday, July 26, 2013, page 8, declared, “Father of Nigerian Journalism, Alade Odunewu dies”. The Daily Sun went on to report thus, “A completely fulfilled” journalist, Alhaji Odunewu picked interest in the profession at an early age wanting to write like the great Nnamdi Azikiwe and Anthony Enahoro. As a journalist, he rose from reporter/sub-editor in the Daily Times in 1950 to group publications controller in 1979”.

The Nation, Saturday, July 27, 2013, quoting Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State where Alade Odunewu hailed from, was also generous in its panegyrics for Allah De. Tinubu said, “An icon and journalist per excellence, hardly can anyone

in the journalism firmament of our country contest this position with him. He brought to journalism, finesse, intellectualism, humour and a rare sense of patriotism. If there was ever a Nigerian Journalism Hall of Fame, Odunewu’s banner must rise above all others because of his commitment to journalism and service to country”. Lots of leading Nigerian politicians mourned Allah De who died at the age of 85. They are President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State. Others are Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) amongst others.

Who is the father of Nigerian journalism? This is not a rhetorical question. In tackling this puzzle, we need to look beyond 1859, which marks the beginning of journalism in Nigeria. This was the epoch when the Iwe lrohin of the Rev. Henry Townsend and that of Robert Campbell of the Anglo-African held sway. The post Townsendian–Campbellian age saw some Nigerians led the journalism trade and laid the groundwork for further practice in the country.

Isaac Frederick Akporuaro Omu, 75, history teacher at the University of Benin, Edo State, who died three years ago, still remained an expert on press history in Nigeria. “Journalism in Nigeria; A Historical Overview”, is a well-researched paper published in the book, “Journalism in Nigeria; Issues and Perspectives (1996). The 310-page book (a collection of other equally well-written papers) was edited by Olatunji Dare and Adidi Uyo. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council under the leadership of Lanre Arogundale published the book.

According to Omu, “From 1880 when the African Newspaper Press was born to the outbreak of the Second World War, which ushered in new journalistic influences, over 50 newspapers of varied frequency and duration were published. The leading newspapers of the period were the Lagos Times (1880), Lagos Observer (1882), Eagle and Lagos Critic (1883), Lagos Weekly Record (1891), Lagos Standard (1894), Nigerian Chronicle (1908), Nigerian Times (1910), Nigerian Pioneer (1914), African Messenger (1921), Nigerian Spectator-African Messenger (1921), Nigerian Spectator (1923), Nigerian Advocate (1923), Nigerian Daily Times (1926), Nigerian Daily Mail (1930),

West African Nation Hood (1930), The Comet (1933) and the West African Pilot (1937)”, page 3.

“The period also saw the emergence of Yoruba language newspapers like Eko Akete (1922), Eteli Ofe (1923), Iwe Irohim Osose (1925), and Akede Eko (1928). A Hausa language newspaper appeared in January 1939 with the establishment by the then Northern Nigerian Government of the Gaskiya Tafi Kwabo based in Zaria. It was also during this period that provincial newspapers emerged in Calabar, Onitsha, Aba, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode and Osogbo”. Page 3. “…Adeoye Deniga, owner/editor of the Lagos Astrological Mercury (1909) (also hit the newsstands) Since he could not pay the printer’s bills, Deniga decided to practice his profession by writing his newspapers by hand… he circulated among a small circle of people… Adeoye Deniga’s branch of journalism may be dismissed as a ludicrous experiment and his subsequent journalistic outlets were in fact a story of failure and poverty”.

“However, there were other more successful contemporaries who distinguished themselves as eminent journalists. The roll of honour should include George Alfred Williams Johnson, James Bright Davies, (Nnamdi Azikiwe later called him doyen of West African journalism in his autobiography) Ernest Sesei Ikoli, (first editor of Daily Times of Nigeria), Richard Akinwande Savage (of the Nigerian Spectator), Herbert Macaulay and Duse Mohammed Ali (a radical Egyptian Pan-Africanist of The Comet newspaper)” Page 3 and 4.

“The list would not be complete without the mention of John Payne Jackson and his son Thomas Horatio Jackson whose careers most exemplify the militant and crusading zeal of the pioneer journalists. The Jackson family dominated Nigerian journalism for 39 years precisely from 1891 to 1930, and their achievement epitomizes the pivotal plane of journalism in Nigerian history”-page 4.

Omu argued that the advent of Nnamdi Azikiwe, one of Nigeria’s famous journalists and politician marked the decline in journalism, page 6. Omu’s statement is rather paradoxical, because the appearance of Azikiwe brought about a new brand of journalism to Nigeria. Azikiwe had spent 32 months (from November 1934 to July, 1937) in Gold Coast (Ghana) and returned to Nigeria to start his jour-

nalism. Azikiwe stated this at page 272 of his 452page memoir, My Odyssey (1970).

Nnamdi Azikiwe wrote; “On the day before publication of the maiden issue (West African Pilot), I reminded my colleagues at our editorial conference that we were entering the field of competitive journalism to do two things; revolutionise journalism as it had been practiced from 1859 to 1937, and demonstrate that journalism can be a successful business enterprise, just as any other field of human endeavour” Page 291. Omu described the West African Pilot as “ Vivid format, dynamic and combative style and ideological salience anchored on a campaign against racial superiority and domination aimed at restoring the dignity and self-confidence of the black man, served notice of the intervention of a new and formidable journalistic force”- Page 6.

After 16 years of active journalism career and publishing, Nnamdi Azikiwe said, “I feel proud that during my 16 years service as managing director of the Zik Group of Newspaper, I was able to give theoretical and practical training in journalism to over 60 of the most eminent journalists and leaders of our country” – page 308, My Odyssey (1970).

People like Anthony Enahoro, Babatunde Jose, Mobolaji Odunewu (Alhaji Alade Odunewu’s elder brother), A. Dokubo and many others who turned out to be great Nigerian journalists, anti-colonial activists and leaders were trained by Azikiwe.

Even Nnamdi Azikiwe, despite his contributions to the growth of journalism in Nigeria and beyond, in page 291 of his book, admitted, “I was guided by the ideas of the great journalists who had preceded me”.

The late Alade Odunewu started his journalism practice in the 50s. His efforts to the development of Nigerian journalism cannot be wished away through “that monotonous, hypocritical aura of deprivations lament, orchestrated by those who, as we say in my part of the world, dye their mourning weeds a deeper indigo than those of the bereaved”. He deserves his peace.” Wole Soyinka has lamented in his interview above. It is also applicable in the case of Alade Odunewu. History has always been an impartial judge.

• Naagbanton lives in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Margaret Benson-Idahosa turns 70

By Andy Aken’Ova HEN Benson Andrew Idahosa, the founding Archbishop of W Church of God Mission International passed on 15 years ago, exactly six months shy of his 60 birthday anniversary, not a few th

adherents and onlookers saw it as the end of an era or an anti-climax of sorts. His admirers and even critics were dazed by the incident, considering that on that fateful day he was seen by many doing his pastoral rounds and priestly duties and no one had an inkling that he was about to take the eternal bow.

The church is presently under the leadership of his wife, Margaret.

It is however instructive that she got married to this man because she was convinced (and still is) that God wanted it so; even though she left no one in doubt at that time that she never wanted to tie the nuptial knots with a pastor if she had the choice. At the point of proposal, she even more or less accused him of bamboozling her into marrying him.

After marriage and four children, she had fully warmed up to the idea of being a pastor’s wife and had begun to carve out a niche for herself when this happened, so her exasperation was understandable. She said this much in one of her recent books, Born naked but not empty, “I remember when Papa left without preparing us for the task ahead, I remember that great and numbing sense of loss, I remember that void that threatened to swallow me up, I looked at the children and I looked at the ministry…”

In her distraught state, it was a herculean task to keep the church afloat in the midst of jostling and contending forces that probably saw the possibility of ascendancy of a woman to the leadership of the church as unheard of or preposterous. The sanctimonious ones even saw it as sacrilegious and there were subtle threats. This probably explains why a sprinkling of notable ministers moved on when she was appointed Presiding Bishop while others remained with a wait-and-see posture.

With the benefit of hindsight, one of the groups the late Archbishop spoke and prayed with few hours before his demise, were the women of the church and he was reported to have made allusions to the fact that leadership of the ministry was devolving to them and that they should accept it. His wife was not at that prayer session and she was never known to have played on these sentiments. This understanding of his pronouncements probably made the women more animated and vociferous than their men-folk in

their near fanatical support of the emergent leadership of the mission.

Margaret Benson-Idahosa, a compound name she deliberately adopted after her husband’s passing, has metamorphosed over the last 15 years as the head of the ministry. She has successfully navigated the minefields of rabid criticism of church-folk within the ministry, Christendom at large and bystanders who hold on to the age-old superstitions about women not donning the clerical collar in a male-dominated calling. Whenever she stands in front of her congregation to declare the counsel of God she has incrementally put nails to coffin of the revulsion society has to the emergence of female ministers. The battle became so fierce that she had to write several well-researched books in defence of women in ministry, namely: Women in Ministry: A justification, Tearing the Veil, Breaking Barriers, Dealing with Opposition among her countless publications; some of which have been used in tertiary institutions as recommended texts for certain courses. Her focused advocacy spanning the last 15 years has led to the emergence of several female ministers, many of them acknowledging her as their mentor.

She has not only smothered the embers of confrontation that ensued on her emergence with the aforementioned scholarly documents but also deployed personal charm and maternal instincts.

She is known to forgive easily and never imposing herself unduly.

She is Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, but she is only comes there on invitation. She has said to her flock for the umpteenth time, “I don’t want to go to hell and I will not allow any of you to drag me there”. This has become her popular refrain in recent times in her bid to eschew bitterness and rancour and see people the way God sees them. She is known to always make excuses for people’s faults and many consider this the talisman with which she has traversed the sometimes murky waters of church politics.

Under her watch, several branches of “model churches” have been opened to cater for the special needs of the young people who would probably have voted with their feet in response to the ageing and antagonistic ranks of priests. She has encouraged talents in every conceivable manner. A mother of four biological children, in many of her books she is always heard acknowledging them for their understanding in allowing others who persistently see her as her as mother to snuggle. Even the elderly are not left out. She was heard recently drawing the attention of the congregation to the incidence of prostate enlargement and cancer and after the health

tips she never failed to pray for all men in this regard. She is generous with information on the health of her congregation believing that divine healing is God’s responsibility but their health is in their hands. In the light of these she would interject from time to time with trending health habits like eating “living foods” and drinking lots of water to prevent kidney stones. Like Paul she has not relented in her bid to be all things to all men. Even the legendary Mike Murdock of the Wisdom Centre USA said of her recently, “I don’t know how she does what she does”.

The women-folk have not ceased to draw on inspiration that she exudes effortlessly to better their lots in gaining spiritual growth and socio-political influence. They have excelled in various fields of human endeavour. Women much older than her find it easy to defer to her leadership without blinking. The men have not only followed suit but come to terms with the reality of her leadership.

She has done an incredible balancing act in this direction by making the men part of the ministry, which has earned her the appellation and chant, “the Man called Mama”. Her staying in the shadows of her husband (and talking like him) appears to have made things easy for her. If the revered Benson Idahosa were alive he would most probably have been doing what she is presently doing with the ministry.

Her love for Nigeria is honest and palpable. The entire world may be her mission-field but she practically rushes back home after any of her journeys outside Nigeria to preach and teach. She triumphantly and joyfully returns home to relate her spiritual escapades to her congregation who are always eager to hear. Her yearly celebration of the nation’s independence with elaborate pomp and fanfare and the positive things she continues to say about this country leaves no one in doubt about her love for country. She has repeatedly prophesied that by the year 2025 this country one of the most desired places on the earth.

On July 29, this amazing woman Archbishop Margaret BensonIdahosa, who seems to have combined the steely resolve of Margaret Thatcher, the unafraid pioneering effort of Margaret Ekpo, the literary prowess of Margaret Atwood and the sacrificial piety of Queen Margaret of Scotland turned 70. The nation celebrates this remarkable septuagenarian, this ever-learning teacher and life-coach, who at her age preaches routinely from an electronic tablet and carries on with profuse elegance and grace.

• Aken’Ova wrote from Benin-City.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

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For The Record Legal issues in university governance in Nigeria versities have each Staff Disciplinary Committee and Student Disciplinary Committee for this purpose. It is important to remind Council that these Committees in their proceedings must observe the now widely acclaimed principles of natural justice encapsulated in the two Latin maxims as follows: • Audi Alteram Patem (Hear The Other Side); and • Nemo Judex In Causa Sua (No One Shall Be A Judge In His Own Cause).

These principles which have since attracted a plethora of judicial authorities have also received constitutional impetus by their entrenchment into the fair-hearing provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and it is important to observe that the enabling Law of each university also enjoins Council to observe these fundamental principles of fair-hearing.

The enabling laws also provide for students discipline for various reasons with the Vice-Chancellor conferred with power to take any of several disciplinary actions including expulsion from the university, for misconduct. There is a provision for a student dissatisfied with the Vice-Chancellor’s decision to appeal to the Council which may confirm, set aside or modify the decision as the Council may deem fit in the circumstance.

Another very important reminder to Council in this regard is that the contract of employment of senior staff of the university is not regulated by the common law principles of mere master and servant relationship. It is a contract of employment with statutory flavor which is required by law to comply strictly with the procedure prescribed for its determination under the enabling law. Failure to so comply would entitle the court to declare such determination of the appointment by removal, dismissal or otherwise as unlawful, null and void and order a reinstatement.

By P. Ehi Oshio Continued from Tuesday, August 6, 2013

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T is to be observed that no Law had expressly specified any fixed tenure for these Officers between 23rd August 1993 when the Tenure System was abolished and 11th May, 2012 when The Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions)(Amendment) Act 2012 re-introduced the Tenure System for these officers in the university system. Unfortunately, some universities continued to operate the tenure system erroneously relying on the provisions of Act No. 11 of 1993 which had since been repealed. It is submitted that such appointments were not backed by any law. Some of these appointments are however, subsisting and their legal position under the new Act is discussed in the next subhead.

The Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions)(Amendment) Act 2012 This Act now prescribes a single term of 5 years for other Principal Officers namely, the Registrar, Bursar and the University Librarian.

The Act is not retrospective but takes effect from 11th May, 2012, the date it was signed into Law by the President. Secondly, unlike the case of Vice-Chancellor, there is no transitional provision in the Act in respect of existing appointments which is a clear indication that the Act does not take cognizance of them.

What then is the legal position of the two-term tenure appointments of these officers made before this Act which purported to have been made under sections 5 and 6 of the Principal Act No. 11 of 1993 which had since been deleted from our statute books with effect from 23rd August, 1993 by virtue of sections 1, 2 and 3 of Act No. 55 of 1993?

These appointments were made under the mistaken belief that the provisions of sections 5 and 6 of Act No. 11 of 1993 still subsisted whereas at the time of such appointments those provisions were no longer in existence having been repealed. Consequently, these appointments were adversely affected by a mistake of law and therefore unenforceable.

Legally, they are not enforceable against the Council and the latter is therefore not bound by these appointments and may repudiate them at will.

However, where these officers are still in office on the basis of these appointments, Council may adopt any of the following options: • It may repudiate the contract forthwith without regard to whatever term the officer is.

• It may allow the officer who is on the first term to finish that term only, relinquish the office and be redeployed to other duties in the university.

• It may allow the officer who is already on the second term to finish that term, relinquish the office and be redeployed to other duties in the university.

One major flaw of this Act however, is that unlike the case of the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, it failed to provide for the removal of these officers contrary to the expectation of a modern legislation on tenure.

However, any Council may make provisions for this in its statute.

Control of University Finances.

Each enabling law of the universities contains copious provisions on the power of the Council over finances. These include power to manage the general fund of the University and the authority to cause audit of the accounts of the University. There is established by each Law a Finance and General Purposes Committee of the Council for the proper control of univer-

Prof. Rugayyatu Rufa’i, Education Minister sity expenditure. These provisions are reinforced by Section 2AAA (2) of the Universities Autonomy Act 2003 which also enjoins the Council to ensure that the disbursement of funds of the University complies with the approved budgetary ratio of – • Personnel cost; • Overhead cost; • Research and development; • Library development; and • the balance in expenditure between academic vis-à-vis non-academic activities.

Power to make Statutes Section 25 to 27 of the Law empower the Council in conjunction with the Senate to make Statutes to regulate a variety of issues concerning the University (including admission of students, their discipline and welfare, staff appointments and conditions of service, constitutions, functions and procedure of the authorities and constituent bodies of the university, etc.) and to amend or revoke them where necessary. This is known as delegated legislation or subsidiary instruments. A very important requirement for the validity of such statute is that it must comply with the provisions of the enabling law failing which it will be declared ultra vires and void. It is to be observed however, that quite a number of these statutes have not been updated for a long time in some universities and have become obsolete and incapable of regulating their subject-matter in a modern university. This is especially true of statutes of some universities on Staff Con-

ditions of Service some of which have not been updated for upwards of twenty years or more!

Power to Discipline Staff and Students Council has vested in it general powers in relation to appointments, discipline and removal of academic and non-academic staff of the university for various reasons including misconduct, and inability to perform the functions of his office or employment, after due process. The uni-

These appointments were made under the mistaken belief that the provisions of sections 5 and 6 of Act No. 11 of 1993 still subsisted whereas at the time of such appointments those provisions were no longer in existence having been repealed. Consequently, these appointments were adversely affected by a mistake of law and therefore unenforceable.

Legally, they are not enforceable against the Council and the latter is therefore not bound by these appointments and may repudiate them at will.

Visitor and Visitation Section 7AA of the Act provides for a Visitor for each University and empowers him to cause a visitation to each University when necessary, at least every five years. These provisions are not entirely new as they are also contained in the enabling Laws of the Universities. The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is the Visitor of each University.

However, the provision of subsection 3 of this section is new. It requires the Visitor to make the Report of the Visitations and White Paper thereon available to the Council and mandates the latter to implement the Report.

This is commendable as a Visitation Report normally serves as a mirror of the past, a lesson for the present and a guide for the future.

It is important for Council to implement the Report with dispatch before some of the recommendations become irrelevant or otiose!

Conclusion Admittedly, the power and responsibility of the Governing Council of a university on governance under the enable Law are so enormous and broad that no discussion in a single contribution can attempt to comprehensively deal with them exhaustively. Members of the Council are however enjoined to use the foregoing discussion as a guide to further study the laws to assist them perform their duties creditably.

• Concluded • Professor Oshio, Barrister, Solicitor and Legal Consultant, is a Visiting Professor of Law, National Universities Commission.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

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Sports Countdown to Moscow 14th IAAF World Championship

Okagbare’s entry for multiple events worries Nigerians

By Gowon Akpodonor HE decision by Team Nigeria to register the nation’s brightest medals’ hope at the Moscow 2013 IAAF World Championship, Blessing Okagbare, for four events has become a major concern for the country’s athletics faithful.

Okagbare became the first Nigerian and African woman to duck under 10.80 seconds in the women’s 100m dash when she smashed the African women’s 100m record twice on her way to victory at the London Anniversary Games two weeks ago. Her performance on the track this season has given Nigerians hope of medals in the world championship.

The Nigeria team arrived Moscow in batches two days ago following the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) decision to call off an earlier planned two-week camping programme due to the Sports Ministry/National Sports Commissions’ (NSC) failure to provide the needed fund.

A total of 20 athletes, made up of 12 women and eight men, made the Moscow team.

A check on the list of athletes entered by the top countries like United States, Great Britain and Jamaica for the championship yesterday showed that Okagbare is the only athlete to feature in four

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events.

While Team Nigeria registered Okagbare for four events, including the Long jump, 4x100m relay, 200m and 100m, her American rival, Jeter Carmelita, is registered for the 100m only. Team USA also registered Funmi Jimoh for the women long jump event only to preserve her energy in her anticipated battle with Okagbare.

The closest to Okagbare’s record four entries is Jamaica’s speed star, FraserPryce Shelly Ann. She will compete in three events, including the 100m, 200m and 4x100m. Even Jamaica’s workaholic, Usian Bolt, will compete in three events only.

These are the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay.

Some analysts said yesterday that registering Okagbare for four events at such a high profile championship could be counter-productive.

“I expected Team Nigeria to enter Okagbare in three events and not four. We know that she is good in the long jump, 200m and 100m. To me, the idea of registering her for the 4x100m relay is wrong.

Our officials must be very careful because greed could do a great damage to our quest for at least a gold medal in this championship,” one athletics coach told The Guardian yesterday.

Felix explains decision to concentrate on 200m, relays PRINT star, Allyson Felix said Sbeing yesterday she was enjoying elder stateswoman of the U.S. squad as she prepares to concentrate on her favourite 200 metres event at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow.

Felix, 27, has performed at 100m, 200m and 400m during an illustrious career, but the majority of her medalladen success has come in the half-lap discipline, which is her sole focus in Moscow.

“I am excited to be back at the world championships and focus on the 200, which I have not done in quite some time, get back to where I started from and enjoy the World Championships,” the London Olympic 200m champion told reporters in Moscow.

“I also hope to be on both relays here,” she added.

Felix is aiming to reclaim the world 200m title she lost in Daegu two years ago when finishing third, having gone into that championship as the triple world champion at her best event.

Felix, for so long the young standard bearer of U.S. athletics, also said that it felt strange to be one of the oldest athletes

in the U.S. squad and to serve as a mentor to the younger ones.

“I am old now!” she said laughing. “It is very weird, time is going by... and it’s a lot of fun to see the younger athletes come up.

“It is great to be able to give them advice, make sure they stay focused and enjoy the journey and all that. They have blank pages in front of them, it is the beginning of their careers.

Blessing Okagbare competing in one of the 100m heats at Beijing 2008 Olympics. She is Team Nigeria’s brightest medals’ hope in Moscow 2013 World Championship

Owumi wants masterminds of scuttled MTN sponsorship deal prosecuted

By Eno-Abasi Sunday COUPLE of years after A opposing forces saw to the cancellation of a league sponsorship contract by MTN Nigeria Ltd, former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Davidson Owumi wants key actors in the saga prosecuted for the disservice they did to the domestic league.

In his reasoning, had the sponsorship deal not been scuppered, the gargantuan burden of unpaid players’ salaries, sign-on fees and sundry entitlements perhaps would not have been there.

He also wants the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, to campaign for more fundamental reforms that would make the Nigerian league sustainable, as against just calling for the non-registration of clubs that are incapable of settling their indebt-

edness to players for next season, which he said amounts to a cosmetic solution.

He stressed that for any progress to be made, “those that truncated that contract/sponsorship we had with MTN should be prosecuted because they have committed a very serious crime against Nigerian football. They are the ones who do not love Nigerian football because if the sponsorship money was going down to the clubs (from that time to this year, which the contract would have ended), then the indebtedness to players perhaps would not have occurred and the story would have been different.

Maintaining that asking the clubs to pay players’ salaries by fiat was not feasible, he stressed, “that the main reason I am saying that this directive is not implementable is because all clubs

NFF asks Okon to compile Super Falcons’ list for Japan friendly From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja ORMER Chief Coach of Nigeria’s Under-20 women team, the Falconets, Edwin Okon looks set to become the chief coach of the Super Falcons, as he has been directed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to compile the list of players for camping ahead the two international friendly matches against Japan’s women national team in Osaka.

Okon, who is the Chief Coach of Rivers Angels, was in charge of the Falconets that

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got to the semifinals of the last edition of the FIFA U-20 women World Cup in Japan.

The coach, who held talks with officials of the NFF technical department on Tuesday in Abuja, The Guardian gathered, has been tipped to lead the Super Falcons to the international friendly, which is scheduled for September 22 and 26 respectively in Japan.

Confirming the mandate on Okon, an official of the NFF technical department told The Guardian yesterday that the coach has not been engaged

officially for the Super Falcons job, saying he has only been assigned the temporary job of leading the Super Falcons for the friendly pending the appointment of a substantive for the team.

The source also revealed that a technical committee meeting, which was scheduled for yesterday, was postponed because of the Muslim celebrations, adding that the committee would meet to formalise things and approve the list when work resumes after the public holidays.

in this country, in all leagues, both the amateurs and professionals are owing their players salaries. So I would appreciate it if the minister starts treating the root cause of the ailment and not worrying about the symptoms as anything short of this is cosmetic.”

Speaking further, Owumi said, “Jackson Obaseki started a revolution in our Professional League. By 2009/2010 season, the League was worth well more than N2b. When I took over from him, in a matter of months, I was able to raise the worth of the League to about N5b, (that is N3b for the League and N2b for activation).

“But some people, who call themselves football house

people moved strongly and truncated the dream. If they had allowed the contract/sponsorship arrangement with MTN to stand, N5b would have been expended on the Nigerian domestic league by the end of the contract, which would have been sometime this year. Now tell me what kind of salary that amount would not have paid the players.

“How can we reject a contract that would have brought in so much money and put us in a position to negotiate a new one, which would have been in the region of N10 billion, to be celebrating the N1.6 billion that Globacom brought to the table? Can we really say we have made or are making progress?” he questioned.

Ikpeba tips Mikel, Emenike, as Glo-CAF releases categories for awards INNER of the 1997 Africa W Footballer of the Year award, Victor Ikpeba, has tipped Emmanuel Emenike and Mikel Obi to be crowned the continent’s best player this year.

Ikpeba said with the performance of the Super Eagles at the 2013 Nations Cup, Chelsea stars, Victor Moses and Mikel Obi, as well as, Emmanuel Emenike and Sunday Mba will be among the top favourites to win the prestigious African gong.

“I think it’s time for Nigeria to win the Africa player of the year after winning the AFCON 2013. And I think four players,

Victor Moses, Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike and Sunday Mba can win the title,” he said.

However, Ikpeba was quick to warn that the players must sustain the tempo at their clubs.

“Winning the Nations Cup is not enough for you to win the Africa footballer of the year, so I must warn these players that they need to continue the good run in their clubs,” said Ikpeba, who is on the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Nigeria’s other previous winners of the CAF Award were Nwankwo Kanu, Emmanuel Amuneke and Rashidi Yekini.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

SPORTS 71

NPFL clubs share N208m Glo sponsorship money HE League Management T Company (LMC) has released about N208 million

Kanu Nwankwo (second right), surrounded by children from his charity and their parents, cuts his birthday cake in Lagos.

Kanu renews commitment to charity, seeks funding for foundation UPER Eagles’ Captain to the SSouth 2010 FIFA World Cup in Africa, Nwankwo Kanu has asked for improved financial support for his novel Heart Foundation from corporate Nigeria and governmental agencies, even as he pledges his life to charitable work.

Speaking at the occasion of his birthday anniversary, which was marked with fanfare with kids with heart-related ailments, as well as, several others that had benefited from the KHF in the past, Kanu said it was about time Nigerians came to aid children in dire need of help, adding that he was touched by the passionate appeal made by children and parents.

The well-attended gettogether at the former African Footballer of the Year’s posh Hardley Suite Apartments in Victoria Island, Lagos, afforded him the chance to make renewed clarion call on individuals and corporate organi-

sations to come to the aid of his organisational.

“I feel so happy to be in the midst of these children because they can see that we are doing our best for them at the Foundation,” said Kanu, who survived a career-threatening heart ailment before launching the Kanu Heart Foundation in 2000.

He added, “there are still several children on the waiting list, who need help immediately and we cannot do this on our own and that is why we are begging the government and our friends in corporate organisations to be of help and support our efforts.”

Since the inception of the KHF 13 years ago, over 500 children with various heart-related problems have been operated upon in the UK, Israel and India and recently, there was a fund raising ceremony to build a Cardiac Specialist Hospital in Abuja that will offer free surgery services for children from 1-12 years while adult patients will be highly subsidised.

Supersport begins search for Pidgin commentator O meet the yearning of Nigerians, SuperSport yesterday announced that it has commenced the search for Pidgin commentator with the launching of “Follow Ya Mouth.”

Speaking at the official launching of the initiative in Lagos yesterday, General Manager of SuperSport West Africa, Felix Awogu, said it became imperative to use the popular language that every Nigerian understands, adding that this was what inspired the idea.

“We are looking for Nigerians, who can play with typical pidgin words on air and are also passionate about the league. It promises to be a unique experience for every participant,” Awogu said.

Being the first of its kind in Nigeria, the exercise will provide the winner the opportunity to run commentary on the Glo Premier League, which he said now, boasts several stars in the Super Eagles.

He said that auditions would hold in Lagos and Port Harcourt for participants

T

within 21-36 years of age.

According to him, contestants are expected to demonstrate versatility and command of Pidgin English.

He however, said that the eventual winner would be offered a one-year contract by the organisation.

to the 20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs for the current league season.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the amount represents what was due to the clubs as sponsorship earning for the season.

Chairman of Kwara United of Ilorin, Bamidele Aluko told NAN that the LMC had released N10.4 million to each of the 20 premier league clubs in the country.

Aluko said the money was released to them before Monday’s N25 million cheque presentation to the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) in Abuja by the LMC. “There was an agreement that whatever the LMC makes from Globacom they will give NFA five per cent.

They have given the clubs their own N10.4 million each, so it was the turn of the NFA to take its own on Monday, and we can’t say no to it,’’ Aluko said.

He said the LMC appeared to be living up to the clubs’ expectation, but added that they (clubs) would not hesitate to act accordingly if they (LMC) go contrary to any of their agreement.

“By principle, if the LMC agrees to work the way we want them to, we will have no other choice than to support them.

“From what we can see, they

have the ability to get more money for the league and if what they do is what we have in mind it means there won’t be problem.

“The Chairman of the LMC, Nduka Irabor said that they are the messengers of club owners and that they are not working alone.

“He also said that they are working in line with the yearnings and aspirations of NPFL clubs. That is the agreement we have and in as much as they are doing that, there won’t be problem among us but if they do things without our consent,

then, there will be disagreement.

“I want the LMC to remain the messenger of the club just as the LMC chairman has said.”

Globacom in March sealed the sponsorship rights of NPFL after confirming a N550 million deal with the LMC for the 2012/2013 league season.

The deal was completed after Globacom paid N100 million to Total Promotions Limited as compensation for agreeing to an out-of-court settlement in the title sponsorship disagreement.

NFF plans Beach Soccer League HE increase from four clubs T to 16 in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Beach Soccer Challenge Cup has forced the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to launch a national league.

Head Coach, Super Sand Eagles, Adamu Ejor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), via telephone yesterday that the CBN Cup would hold between September 6 and September 8.

The coach added that the league would take off in the last quarter of the year, and that the CBN Cup was scheduled to herald it.

“The second CBN Beach Soccer Challenge Cup, billed for September in Abuja, will serve as a prelude to debut the national league.

“The two-day competition will act as a springboard for the proposed league. With the participating clubs increasing from four to 16, it is only ideal to commence the league later this year.

We now have a sizeable number of clubs to kick-start the league,” Ejor said.

Ejor, however, added that another championship— the 2013 Copa Lagos— was also expected to hold before the league, to also prepare teams for the league.

The coach said the CBN Cup had been in dire need of sponsorship in spite of good performances exhibited by the national team at international competitions.

Kwara United Kelvin Kpakor (Right) scores the first goal for the Ilorin side against Sunshine Stars in the last game of Super Four.

Kwara United’s former boss canvasses support for restructuring programme From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin.

FORMER Chairman of A Kwara United of Ilorin, Olanrewaju Jaji has urged the supporters of the club to back the state government’s efforts at sanitising the administration of the team for better and prudent handling of its finances.

Jaji, a former footballer, told The Guardian yesterday in Ilorin that any team that suffered financial recklessness,

Chief panel of judges, Deji Omotoyinbo (left); General Manager, SuperSport, Felix Awogu; one of the judges, Tega Onojaife, and General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Multichoice, Martins Mabutho, during the launch of the SuperSport ‘Follow Ya Mouth’ Pidgin Commentator Search in Lagos…yesterday

no matter its scintillating performances, would very soon suffer crisis and extinction.

On the wisdom of the government sacking the management of the team at the middle of the on going professional league competition and replacing them with the Toyin Sanusi’-led protem committee, the former chairman of the Ilorin-based team said proverbially, “no wise man goes to sleep with his house on fire.”

Jaji added, “now that Kwara United is currently among the leading teams competing for continental honours, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the winning mentality is sustained in the players and their technical crew.

“For the government to have sacked the management of the team at this period, there must have been a justifiable reason for its decision. Therefore, all we need now is total support for the protem committee and the club. This appeal goes to the supporters club in particular.”

In a related development, the Kwara State government has presented two buses to the club with a pledge to fully support the club’s quest to

win the continental tournament this football season.

The State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who made the pledge while presenting the buses to the team at Government House, Ilorin, added that government would reposition the club to make it one of the best in the country.

He admonished the team to live up to the expectations of its fans and the state government, stressing that additional support will be provided to strengthen the team for higher performance.

Government, he said, was determined to restore Kwara’s sports glory through strategic management and support for all sporting activities in the state.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Protem Management Board of the team, Sanusi has dispelled rumours of a crisis in Kwara United Football Club.

Addressing a news conference on the state of Kwara United before the presentation of the bus, Alhaji Sanusi said the ad-hoc committee was only charged with the responsibility of looking into the expenditure and revenue of the club in order to ensure proper management of the funds.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8 2013

72 SPORTS

Lagos International Table Tennis Classics

Edem vows to avenge defeat by Congo’s Xing • Stakeholder praises visionary new NTTF board From Anietie Akpan, Calabar FRICA’S former table tenA nis queen, Offiong Edem, has vowed to defeat Congo’s Han Xing at the fast approaching Lagos International Table Tennis Classics to avenge the defeat she suffered in the hands of the Chinese-born current continental champion at the African Championship in Congo Brazzaville.

Edem blames the defeat by her Congolese arch-rival at the June event on luck, saying the game was evenly placed until its last moments.

Chatting with newsmen on Tuesday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Edem promised to trounce her

opponent and lift the trophy in the Lagos International Open Table Tennis Classics, which is scheduled to take place between August 21 and September 1, 2013.

Edem said “the game was a very close game of 9/9 game, which anybody could have won,” adding that each time she got to the finishing point, she could no longer gather steam and eventually lost all the three sets at 9/9 points to the Congolese.

The Canaan Queens, which Edem is leading, would meet with the Congolese Team again at the Lagos Classics, and Edem promised to rekindle her fire and shock the Congolese contender out of relevance as was the case in

the All Africa Games.

Edem said, “I promise to come back with the trophy and the prize money which is why I am training really, really hard.”

Also speaking on the tourney, Vice-Chairman of the Cross River State Table Tennis Association, Usen Umoh, who was training with the trio of Edem, Janet Friday and Cecilia Otu-Ime Akpan, all national champions and members of the Canaan Queens of Cross Rivern commended the President of the Nigerian Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi, for putting up the Lagos International Open Table Tennis Classics barely three months of assumption of office.

…As MOC confirms 27 umpires for tournament Edem Offiong is one of the Nigerian stars hoping to glow at the Lagos Classics this month

Ezeemo rues collapse of sports in Anambra State From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja NE of the aspirants in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, Godwin Ezeemo says it is unfortunate that the state, which has produced many champions for Nigeria.

Ezeemo, who is contesting the Anambra State Government House on the platform of the newly-registered All Progressive Congress (APC), regrets that the state has been forgotten in the sports considering the caliber of famous men and women it has produced in he past.

Speaking to journalists yesterday in Abuja, the publisher of Orient magazine, who has been organising sports competitions for youths and secondary schools in the old Aguata Local Government Area of the state for the past five years, said he would declare an emergency on the sports sector, noting that it could provide employment

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for the states teeming population.

“I am really worried that our state has been missing in sporting actions despite the fact that Anambra State has produced leading sportsmen and women in the past. But all hope is not lost yet. If we can organise ourselves very well, I am sure that sports can take a large number of the population of the state and thus reduce crime by engaging the youths in sports activities.

“Our talented boys and girls should have the opportunity of showcasing their talents and become celebrities through sports.

We can restore the sector to its lucrative position.

“It is unfortunate that Anambra State that has produced great stars like Emmanuel Okalla, Sylvanus Okpala, the late Alloy Atuegbu and a host of others cannot boast a standard sta-

dium, not to talk of a football club in the Nigerian league.

But by the grace of God, all this will come to an end and sports will bounce back in the state as soon as I become the state governor,” he said.

nature of Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike.

The transfer will cost €13m, two years after Emenike left for Russia for €10m without playing a game for Fenerbahce.

The Turkish club announced to the stock exchange that the Nigerian has until August 12 to pass his medical before the transfer will be completed.

Emenike has not hid his admiration for Fenerbahce following his hurried departure last year after signing from Karabukspor for €9m due to match fixing allegations. He has been cleared of all charges. “ Emenike recently revealed that he dreams of returning to Fenerbahçe.

My dream is to play for

Fenerbahçe at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium,” Emenike said.

“When I was playing for Karabük I always told myself I would play for Fenerbahçe one day but when I finally achieved my goal I was forced to leave.

“Since then I have always hoped of returning to Fenerbahçe.”

Fenerbahçe will have to sell a foreign player to accommodate Emenike as the Turkish Football Federations will only permit 10 foreign players perclub in the 2013-14 season.

The Yellow Canaries currently have 11 non-Turkish players on their books.

Fenerbahçe signed Emenike from Karabükspor for €9 million in 2011 but the Nigerian international was sold to Spartak for €10 million without playing a sin-

Tennis Classics has confirmed that 27 umpires will be on duty at the tournament.

According to the Competition Manager, John Peters, the umpires were selected from the 16 states, which have qualified officials, adding that they are expected to handle proceedings throughout the competition.

To acquaint the umpires

Espanyol, Adidas to partner Akpabio Cup ORE international organisaM tions have continued to identify with the 7th edition of Godswill Akpabio Under -18 Boys international football tournament. The latest is Espanyol Football Club of Catalunya, Spain.

The representative of Espanyol’s Director of Football, Ben Glass stated the readiness of the Catalan giants to select the best 16 players in the football tournament to be taken to Spain to help develop their playing career.

The competition, organised by the Grassroots Sports Federation (GRASOF) South-South Zone, is set to take place from Saturday 14th September to Sunday 22nd,

Emenike rejoins Fenerbahce for €13m ENERBAHCE has reached FSpartak an agreement with Moscow for the sig-

HE Main Organising T Committee (MOC) of the first Lagos International Table

gle game for the Yellow Canaries.

Emenike

2013.

The competition, which enters its 7th edition this year, is organised annually to celebrate the epitome of Akwa Ibom State uncommon transformation, His Excellency, Sir Godswill Akpabio for his unflincing penchant for human capital, infrastructural and economic development.

Participants will be drawn from twenty (20) states of the federation and from four foreign countries of Ghana, Mail, Togo and Cameroon during the epoch-making tournament.

In his remarks, the SouthSouth co-ordinator of GRASOF, Ekpenyong emphasised the readiness of his organisation to attract more international partnership during the tournament announcing that sports wear giants Adidas has also indicated interest to partner GRASOF during the tournament.

with the new rules of the game, a one-day seminar will be organised for the umpires on August 21, prior to the kick off of the preliminary for Nigerian-based players holding on August 22 and 23 at Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

Peters, who is one of the three International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) blue badge umpires in Nigeria, however, said another seminar would also be organised on August 24 to 25 for all the umpires that will be on duty during the main event, which will commence on August 26 to 31.

To complement the umpires, some umpires that will accompany some of the participating will also be part of the officiating.

Egypt’s Nabil Mamoud is the tournament’s referee while Nigeria’s Cecilia Arinye has been appointed as the deputy referee.

Also,

Cameroun’s Lamadjeha Djihe Didier is the racket controller and Assistant Competition Manager for the classics.

So far, Egypt’s Omar Assar, who is the continent’s number one player and current African champion has been confirmed for the tournament, while other countries that are expected to be part of the championship are perfecting their entries before the deadline on August 13.

Main Organising Committee of Lagos International Sports Classics organises the championship, which has been approved by ITTF, in collaboration with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF).

The total prize money for the championship is $39, 700 with winners in the men and women singles getting &5,000 and &4,000 respectively.

Players that make it to the last 16 will also get cash reward for their efforts.

NOC endorses Nigerian Sports award HE Nigerian Olympic T Committee (NOC) has endorsed and ready to partner with the Nigerian Sports Award as a very credible award for recognising and rewarding outstanding Nigerian sports men and women in the varied sporting events including football, athletics, basketball etc.

This was disclosed by

General ManagerUnmissable Incentives Limited, organisers of the award, Kayode Idowu, who stated that NOC has concluded arrangement to host the IOC Annual Trophy with the Nigerian Sports Award and will be presenting the 2013 IOC Trophy to the deserving winner at the event in November.

The IOC Trophy is an award given every year for various member countries to confer on deserving persons, clubs, institutions, athletes, coaches, sponsors, administrators etc., who have contributed to the promotion of OLYMPISM and left a LEGACY in their respective territories Idowu noted that the IOC award comes with different themes from year to year and the 2013 edition is in honour of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics in celebration of the 150 years anniversary of his birth Idowu noted that the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) has been very supportive to the Nigerian Sports Award. He mentioned that the President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, Alhaji Sani Ndanusa was present at the first edition of the award.

SPORTS

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

Cruyff casts doubt over Neymar, Messi partnership OHAN Cryuff has suggested JMessi Barcelona stars, Lionel and Neymar are too young to forge the type of partnership, which is expected of them this season.

The 21-year-old made his long-awaited debut for the Blaugrana recently following his €57 million move from Santos earlier in the summer, but is yet to start a game

alongside the Argentine in preseason.

Cryuff, who enjoyed a fiveyear stint with the Catalans as a player, admits both are “geniuses” but believes the world may not see the best of them in tandem for a couple of years.

He told Peru-based publication The Trade: “They are both geniuses, but first we must

see how they play with each other and with the rest of the team. Two captains on a ship could bring problems.

“If the board makes a decision it must be respected, but I’m just making an observation that it may have been better to wait a few more years before putting them together. I had hoped to see them together when Messi was a little older and see how it worked. Neymar has many qualities as a player, but at 21 he is not fully developed yet.”

The former Netherlands international, who coached the Spanish giants for eight years until 1996, went on to criticize the current board at Camp Nou for what he believes was a knee-jerk appointment of new Coach Gerardo Martino.

“As Tito was sick, everything was done in a hurry. It was an appointment done without preparation and the decision was made in a hurry,” Cruyff said.

When asked, who his best “student” was throughout his eight-year stay in Catalunya, the 66-year-old named Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola, who “sees the game as God intended” and Frank Rijkaard, a former Barca player and coach.

“I would say my best student was Pep, especially because he is now at a very high level and then Rijkaard,” he continued.

“Pep has done things very similar to what I did when I was a coach, not just for style but also the type of club he has coached. He is a great coach, very smart, see things as God intended.”

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I was ready to retire before Juventus move, Tevez admits UVENTUS striker, Carlos Jconsidered Tevez has admitted that he retiring from football this summer.

The 29-year-old joined the Serie A champion from Manchester City in June, but revealed that a falling out with former City boss Roberto Mancini almost forced him to quit.

“I always said I wanted to retire aged 28, and I was close to doing so after falling out with (Roberto) Mancini,” Tevez told ESPN. “I was really tired. I had won the Champions League and the Premier League with Manchester United, and the FA Cup with Manchester City. I won everything I felt I could

and there was a time I had had enough of football and wanted to retire. Then Juventus came along, one of the biggest clubs in Europe, and they made me change my mind.”

Tevez also says that, as far as he sees it, his international career is a thing of the past, having not played for Argentina since 2011.

“My career with Albiceleste has ended,” he added. “I have told you all about the national team before and I have nothing else to add. It’s over now and is in the past.”

Tevez made 62 appearances for his country between 2004 and 2011, scoring 13 times.

Treble winners, Bayern, target five titles REBLE winners, Bayern T Munich believe they can win all five titles they will

Neymar

Transfer Gossip IVERPOOL’S American owner, John W Henry has told the Lnotclub’s supporters in Norway that striker, Luis Suarez, 26, will be sold.

However, Suarez has not given up hope on moving to Real Madrid, raising the prospect of Arsenal missing out on their prime transfer target.

Manchester United Manager, David Moyes has launched a bid for 25-year-old Everton midfielder, Marouane Fellaini - signalling the end of the club’s pursuit of Barcelona playmaker, Cesc Fabregas, 26.

United’s England international striker, Wayne Rooney, 27, will seek a move abroad if a deal to join Chelsea cannot be finalised.

Everton face competition from Fiorentina in their bid to sign Hellas Verona midfielder, Jorginho, 21.

Tottenham Director, Sir Keith Mills says the club are almost powerless to keep Gareth Bale, 24, if he wants to move to Real Madrid, even though he signed a new four-year contract only last summer.

And the removal of Wales international Bale from Tottenham’s official Twitter account page has further intensified speculation over his future.

Real Betis winger, Alvaro Vadillo, 18, is the latest name on Tottenham’s list of possible replacements for Bale.

Barcelona is planning a £35m bid for Chelsea’s Brazil international David Luiz.

Leeds United’s Ross McCormack is the subject of a bid from Middlesbrough, with Blackpool also interested in the 26-yearold striker.

Luis Suarez has told Liverpool he does not want to play in any pre-season friendlies for Liverpool until his future is resolved.

Real Madrid and Barcelona could soon be forced by the European Commission to relinquish their privileged status as member-owned clubs and are likely to become publically listed companies, losing one of the key advantages behind their dominance of Spanish football and success in European competition.

Real Madrid Coach, Carlo Ancelotti has refused to answer questions about the club’s ongoing pursuit of Gareth Bale for fear of further upsetting Tottenham boss, Andre Villas-Boas.

Manchester United midfielder, Darren Fletcher is concerned by reports of Wayne Rooney leaving the club. “You do worry he might leave because he’s a fantastic football player,” the 29year-old Scotsman said. “I hope he stays and we achieve more things together for United.”

QPR is chasing the signature of Estudiantes’ Duvan Zapata after West Ham pulled out of a deal to sign the 22-year-old Colombian striker because of work permit issues.

Tottenham could struggle to revive their bid for Vlad Chiriches. The 23-year-old Steaua Bucharest defender instead

compete for this season and become the first team to defend their Champions League crown, sports director, Matthias Sammer said yesterday.

Bayern, who also won the domestic double last season, enjoyed a record-breaking campaign under former Coach Jupp Heynckes, becoming the first German team to win the treble.

The club has spent more than 60 million euros ($79.9 million) on transfers in the close season under new Coach Pep Guardiola and will be competing in the European Super Cup and the club World Cup in December in addition this season.

“We want to achieve something that has not been done in Europe before,” Sammer told Sport Bild magazine. “We want to go after the treble again and on top of that we want the European Super Cup and the club World Cup.” Bayern has brought in gifted Germany midfielder, Mario Goetze from rivals Borussia Dortmund in a 37 million euro deal, as well as, soughtafter Spain Under-21 international Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona.

A deal for Dortmund striker, Robert Lewandowski fell

Suarez

through with the Ruhr Valley club blocking the move repeatedly.

Bayern’s biggest transfer coup, however, was signing former Barcelona Coach, Guardiola on a three-year deal.

“We want to become even stronger,” Sammer said. “That is why I do not understand any discussions about being satisfied.”

He said last season’s treble win was in no way damaging motivation.

“It’s about pulling up our sleeves and getting to work.

Tevez

Alves angered by Barcelona’s treatment of Abidal ANI Alves is angry over D Barcelona’s treatment of Eric Abidal, who was released on a free transfer this summer, after battling his way back from cancer.

The 33-year-old, now a Monaco defender, fought his way back to full match fitness

after a liver transplant in April 2012.

However, the Frenchman was deemed surplus to requirements, much to the disappointment of Alves.

“Abidal’s exit was a very unpleasant surprise. The decision to release him really annoyed me after all he’d gone

through and done,” the Brazil international told RAC1.

“I wanted him to continue at Barca after all that had happened and how he fought his way back. Yet when he got back he wasn’t given a new deal.

“If Barcelona are more than a

Arsenal’s Suarez move is ‘on standby’, Wenger explains RSENAL Manager, Arsene A Wenger has admitted the club’s pursuit of Luis Suarez is “on

standby”

following

reports the Liverpool striker is considering taking legal action to force a move.

The Gunners have already seen two bids for the Uruguayan rejected, the more recent being upwards of 40 million pounds to trigger a supposed release clause, while Suarez is adamant the club said he could leave if the Anfield outfit failed to qualify for the Champions League last season.

“At the moment the situation is on standby,” Wenger told Al Jazeera Sport. “I heard that (Suarez is considering legal action to force a move) but this is sometimes linked with things that you don’t know as a potential buyer.

“That is the story between Suarez and Liverpool and I don’t know what has been said, what has been promised and what has been written and that is only Suarez and Liverpool that can decide that.

“It’s nothing to do with us.

We have been told that the player wants to leave Liverpool and that’s why

we’ve acted.”

Asked on the latest regarding Suarez after the striker pulled out of Liverpool’s travelling squad for a friendly in Norway, Wenger admitted. “I really don’t know, that’s for sure, I really don’t know what will be decided by Liverpool.”

The Frenchman is now playing the waiting game, and has admitted to frustration with the augmented transfer market following big-money moves by Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, for Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao respectively, but promised fans the club are pursuing a marquee signing.

“It’s going slowly,” he continued. “Slower than expected (because clubs have) more money than talent and the clubs with talented players don’t want to lose them.

“Some clubs acted very early so the choices were reduced, plus there is more competition coming from France. PSG buy big players for huge amounts of money so it’s tough and difficult and slow.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

SPORTS

Team Nigeria’s bumpy flight to Moscow

By Gowon Akpodonor NE of the country’s biggest track stars in her days, Linda Eseimokumoh, hissed endlessly, while reacting to the cancellation of the camping programme earlier planned by Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for Team Nigeria ahead of the 14th IAAF World Championship in Moscow.

The AFN had planned to camp the athletes for a period of two weeks in a country with the same weather condition with Russia, before the commencement of the World Championship, which begins on August 10.

The idea was for them to have their final preparations, particularly the relays, where the nation is hoping to pick medals, in addition to others.

While the athletes were eagerly waiting for the commencement of the camping exercise, the AFN called it off over what an official described as ‘fund constraint’ following the inability of the supervising ministry, the Sports Ministry/National Sports Commission (NSC), to provide the money needed to carry out the exercise.

Since then, there has been a series of blame game from one end to the other. While some officials of the NSC are insisting that the AFN should be blamed for submitting its budget for the championship late, some top members of the athletics’ body are accusing the NSC of insensitivity to the needs of the sporting federations, claiming that the sports ministry was only concerned on how to fund the male football teams, irrespective of the competitions they are featuring in.

A worried Eseimokumoh is of the view that Team Nigeria may have shot itself on the foot even before the commencement of the Moscow championship with this cancellation.

“It is not done that way,” the Bayelsa Stateborn Eseimokumoh told The Guardian in a telephone chat. “Our athletes need to train together for a period of time so that they can perfect their baton exchange. We all witnessed what happened in Warri during the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Golden League/Relays, where two of our USbased female stars, Gloria Asumnu and Regina George, failed to exchange their batons properly.

“Apart from the relay teams, I strongly believe that our athletes actually need the camping exercise to do well at the World Championship,” she said.

The US-based Eseimokumoh was a junior athlete, when she was included in the nation’s team to Los Angeles ’84 Olympic Games, though, she did not participate in the main event. She captained Nigeria’s junior team to Accra, Ghana, for the 1984 West African Games, where she won a gold and a silver medal in the 100m and long jump events. She got a scholarship from the late pillar of sports in Africa, Chief Moshood Abiola, on return to Lagos.

As a senior athlete, Eseimokumoh was part of Nigeria’s team to the 1987 All African Games in Kenya, where she picked a silver medal. She also made the World University Games’ team to Yugoslavia that same year and returned home with silver.

In her active days in Nigeria’s athletics,

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Regina George

Eseimokumoh teamed up with the likes of Mary Onyali-Omagbemi and Beatrice Utondu, her schoolmates in Texas Southern University in the United States, to win some relay medals in international competitions for Nigeria.

“As at that time, Nigeria had a pool of sprinters to select her relay teams from whenever there were major sporting events. Then, about four or five star athletes were together in one university and it was always easy for them when competing in the relays against their counterparts from other parts of the world during competitions because they would have perfected their baton exchange for so long before hitting the competition venue.

“The situation is different today because we have athletes coming from different training backgrounds to compete in the relays.

“For instance, in this Team Nigeria contingent to Moscow, our relay team is made up of home-based and their foreign counterparts.

In this situation, the athletes must train together for a period of time for the country to achieve good result. But all the same, we will continue to pray for their success in Moscow. We just have to bank on luck,” Eseimokumoh stated.

Former Nigeria’s track queen, Tina Iheagwam, could not understand why issues of funding should stop Team Nigeria from training together in a camp for a period of time before the commencement of the World Championship.

Iheagwam was a two-time All Africa Games medalist for Nigeria. She also won medals for the country at other championships, including the World Junior Championship in 1986, as well as the 1987 edition of the World University Games.

She lamented the cancellation of the camping programmes earlier planned for Moscow, saying: “I was so disappointed when one of the athletes called me to say that they would go straight to Moscow and that the camping programme was cancelled. How come? How does our government want our athletes to perform in Moscow? Magic?

“Soon we will hear that a large number of government officials travelled to Moscow.

Why is Nigeria always different whenever we have big sporting events at hand? If by luck any athlete wins a medal in Moscow, the entire country will claim the glory. No one will remember that is the personal effort of the athlete. They will line up red carpets here and there. It is very unfortunate,” Iheagwam stated.

Team Nigeria named its 20-man contingent for the Moscow 2013 World Championship last week with the current African women’s 100m record holder, Blessing Okagbare, leading the team.

Technical Director of AFN, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, said while unveiling the list that Nigeria would compete in ‘our’ area of specialties like the men and women sprint, the quartermile and the relays.

Conspicuously missing from the 20-man list to the World Championships is Doreen Amata, who made it to the final of the last edi-

Egwero

Okagbare...hoping for a better outing in Moscow tion in Daegu, South Korea.

The African women high jump champion has been struggling all through the outdoors season and was unable to make the 1.92m B entry standard for the Moscow 2013. Amata’s season best so far is the 1.91m she jumped in Texas some months ago. She leapt 1.90m to win the Cross River/All Nigeria Open Championship in Calabar, which served as the country’s trials for the Moscow Games last month.

While Okagbare is gunning for medals in the women’s 100m, 200m and long jump, her fellow sprinters, Gloria Asumnu and Stephanie Kalu, were entered for the 100m and the 4x100m relay. Junior athlete, Uko Peace, will complete in the 4x100m relay quartet.

The quarter-milers in the team include Regina George, Omolara Omotosho, Patience Okon and Josephine Ehigie.

Ajoke Odumosu and Ugonna Ndu were also listed for the quartermile barrier event, while Ibukun Mayungbe and Bukola Abogunloko are for the 4x400m relay alone.

Only eight male athletes made Team Nigeria’s squad to Moscow. The list includes Nigeria’s fastest man, Ogho-Oghene Egwero, who is listed to compete in the 100m event, which is almost the exclusive right of Jamaica’s Usain Bolt.

Gloria Asumnu

Even if the multi-talented Bolt false-started in Moscow, as he did in Daegu two years ago, Egwero’s chances of making it to the final remains very bleak because of the array of stars in the sprint.

Noah Akwu, who is trying his luck in the longer sprint, the 200m, is listed for the event and the 400m, while Tosin Oke (triple jump) and Momoh Leoman (800m) are the other none quartermilers for the party in Moscow.

Gerald Odeka, Tobi Ogunmola, Isah Salihu and Abiola Onakoya complete Nigeria’s 20man squad for the championships.

Los Angeles ’84 bronze medalist in the 4x400m, Sunday Uti, experienced quartermile trainer, Tony Osheku, national long jump record holder, Yussuf Alli are among the coaches leading the Nigerian team to Moscow.

The Guardian learnt that the Nigerian contingent started jetting out in batches from Lagos last weekend. The last batch, which was included the home-based athletes and some coaches, joined on Monday from London.

Despite the wide criticism and condemnation that greeted the cancellation of the athletes’ camping for the Moscow Games, the AFN Head of Communication and Media, Olukayode Thomas, said in a statement that the minister was supporting AFN’s preparation for the Moscow 2013 IAAF Championship.

According to Thomas, the NSC is not only aiding the Federation financially, but also offering moral support.

“The NSC under the leadership of Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has been supporting us in every way. The Honourable Minister requested for our plan for the World Championship and we have submitted the plan. We don’t have any problem with the NSC or the Honourable Minister,” Thomas said.

Such statement from a board member of the AFN is seen in some quarters as a ‘desperate move to please’ his masters in the NSC The last time Nigeria made it to the podium at the IAAF World Championship was in 1999 in Spain, where the duo of Gloria Alozie and Francis Obikwelu picked silver and bronze medals in the women’s 100m hurdles and the sprint respectively.

However, the duo were forced to pick the nationalities in Spain and Portugal respectively after discovering that their career could be jeopardized by some Nigerian officials in the sports ministry.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

SPORTS 75

Ahead 2013 World Athletics Championship Urhobo narrates his encounter with Coach Innocent Egbunike after Nigeria’s good outing at the Atlanta Olympics, saying that the nation invested heavily to get two gold medals.

He lamented that the country has not done anything since 1996 to replicate the Atlanta feat, adding, however, “I am happy that an Olympics gold medalist like Daniel Igali has become the president of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF).

“This is somebody who competed at the highest stage and won laurels for Canada and now that he is the head of the sport in Nigeria, I am sure he understands what it takes to do well at the big stage.

“I read that he had told everybody that he is not promising gold at the 2016 Olympics because he understands that there is nothing on ground that will point to this. I know what he has is like a 10-year plan, which he believes will indeed help to produce champions.

“Aside Igali, it is unfortunate that those in charge of the federations are most times people that know next to nothing about the sport they govern.”

Ajoke Odumosu will compete in the 400metre

We have never been serious about major competitions, says Urhobo Former AFN boss, Tony Urhobo, is one of the few administrators worried by the dwindling fortunes of Nigerian sports, especially athletics. From being a former athlete, Urhobo, who rose to become the athletics boss in Nigeria, is still passionate about the sport that brought him to limelight. As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to compete at the IAAF-organised World Championship holding in Moscow, Russia, Urhobo vents his disappointment at the country’s preparation, which he said has been haphazard at several occasions. He told OLALEKAN OKUSAN that Nigeria never attached any seriousness to major tournaments unlike nations like Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa, who are indeed medal hopefuls in Russia.

HE order that every Nigerian contingent T to international competitions must win medals to justify their participation in such competitions is a huge joke when juxtaposed with the country’s usual lackadaisical approach to preparation for major events.

That is the opinion of some stakeholders in Nigerian sports, who know what it takes to excel at the international arena.

Nigeria will join the rest of the world in competing for honours at the World Athletics Championships, scheduled for Moscow, Russia, this month, but there is nothing on ground to show that the country is going to the Eastern European country to win medals.

Safe for Blessing Okagbare, who has been prepared by nature with enormous talent, none of the athletes waiting for the action to begin in Moscow is sure of being among the first five in his event.

But it hasn’t always been this bad. Time was, in the rest past, when Nigerian athletes stood shoulder to shoulder with Jamaican, American and European athletes on the tracks, with athletics faithful knowing that safe for a major disaster Nigerian entrants would get to the final of their respective events. But such days are distant memory.

Looking at Nigeria’s build up to the World Championships in Moscow, AFN former boss, Tony Urhobo, is saddened by the attitude the country’s administrators to planning and preparation.

Urhobo said, “I cannot specifically speak for AFN concerning the country’s preparations for the World Championship because I may not know the kind of preparation they had put in place for the team. But it is obvious that competitions like the World Championship is second to the Olympics and Commonwealth Games as most organised nations attach seriousness to such competitions.

“It is a major competition in the world and it is the best in the world that attend this kind of championship. It is where the powerhouses in sports are made and determined. Nations that understand the politics of sports in the world know the significance of this type of tournament. It is not a fun game but it is a show of strength for any serious nation. So preparation is key to such country.

“Unfortunately, most Third World nations, especially in Africa, never see it that way except some serious nations like Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa, who understand what it means to compete at such big stage and are also considered.

“Nigeria has never been reckoned with at that stage in the last one decade except from the epileptic performance by some of our athletes. And this is possible because of the personal sacrifice and efforts of such athletes and when the athletes do well, it is the nation that will take the glory.

“In this part of the world, our major prob-

lem has been lack of conscious national efforts for preparation. We rely on luck and where has it carried us? There is no doubt that we have potentials to be among the best but it is just that we have not done much to fully utilize our potentials.

“For the World Championships, the pressure is now on Blessing Okagbare to perform and nationally, this girl has not been backed and I know this has to come from AFN, who are the eyes of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

“Apart from the individual support that Okagbare has been getting from Delta State, I don’t think this lady has gotten the needed support. This happened before the London Olympics and since then nothing has changed. It is disheartening that we are Tosin Oke will carry Nigeria’s flag in the long jump banking on an athlete to win medal for us as event a nation. This is bad and I think the federation has a crucial role to play in sourcing for sponsors for these athletes.”

Urhobo reiterates that athletes need financial and other material support for them to do well, adding that all their needs must be met if they are to excel.

In the face of the inadequate preparation, Urhobo is worried that the country might not have the personnel with the necessary experience to deal successfully with the country’s ad hoc approach or inadequate preparation for competitions.

“I also want to ask if we had the personnel with the technical knowhow to handle some of these athletes? This is a question that we need to answer.

“Most nations that perform well at major competitions understand the techniques, that is why after any major competitions like the Olympics, they begin to support their athletes with whatsoever they need to get the needed results.

“What do we do in our own case; we most times go to sleep after major championships when others immediately commence preparation for the next competition. We cannot continue like this and expect things to change. We have been doing same thing for years and we are getting the same result and until we began to do new things that news things will start hap- Urhobo, not particularly impressed with Team Nigeria’s pening to our sports.” build up to Moscow

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 8, 2013

76 SPORTS

By Gowon Akpodonor OR several years, Nigerian sports adminisFvassed trators and ex-internationals have canfor a new method to reposition sports at the schools’ level.

Some analysts believe that the discovery of young budding sports talents for the country can only be facilitated through the schools’ system. To make headway, they suggest that it is only through planning and collective efforts that the nation could regain its footing in sports, since “government cannot do it alone.”

A pronouncement by Mobil Producing Nigeria, Operator of the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture to camp and train 165 students in the modern techniques and styles of track and field in Akwa Ibom State during this holiday period has been applauded by some well meaning Nigerians, who see the move as not only timely, but key in the revival process.

The exercise will run from August 11 to 24, a very strategic period for athletics followers all over the world. It concedes with the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championship, ‘Moscow 2013,’ which runs from August 10 to 18.

While the students do their holiday camping/training in Akwa Ibom, they would retire to their camp later to watch live transmissions from Moscow, where Team Nigeria athletes will race against the world’s best, like Jamaica’s Usian Bolt.

The glorious days of Nigerian Sports witnessed a large pool of elite athletes coming from the school system.

Then, the country had a thriving sports culture that saw athletes being groomed from early age to international stars. That was the golden era the country boasted world-class athletes like Linda Eseimokumoh, Mary Onyali, Innocent Egbunike, Falilat Ogunkoya, Tina Iheagwam, Chioma Ajunwa, Chidi Imoh, the Ezenwa brothers (Osmond and Desmond), late Sunday Bada, among others, who were discovered from the schools.

But as in every aspect of the nation’s economy, things began to take a retrogressive step gradually and the once bubbling Nigerian track and field became a shadow of itself.

Mobil, the oil drilling giant, has been the sponsor of the Akwa Ibom State /NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championships for the past 13 years. But the management has decided to take the event to another level by subjecting the champions of the competition in the last two years to an intensive two-week camping that would afford them the benefit of modern coaching in the sports.

To Professor Lucas Ogunjimi Lucas, a professor of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Mobil’s plan to camp and train secondary school athletes is the beginning of a bright future for track and field in the country.

“I have to join a lot of athletics buffs in Nigeria to celebrate what Mobil is about to do with secondary schools athletes,” he said during the week. “If we do this regularly, throughout the country, then we are soon going to be guaranteed a pool of young and talented athletes well brought up to excel.”

Ogunjimi, who is also a specialist in Athletic Training and Health Education, is a holder of the Lecturer 1 License of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) since 2007.

He was the first Nigerian to obtain the Area Technical Official (ATO) License of the IAAF, and currently a technical official training consultant to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

At the moment, Ogunjimi is the only Anglophone West African on the IAAF 2012–2014 Panel of Area Technical Officials for Africa.

To achieve good result at the holiday camping by Mobil, Ogunjimi advised that best coaches should be engaged and the students handled in such a way that even when they leave camp, they will be monitored continually.

He said: “For us to reap from this exercise, we should put together a mechanism that will continually track the athletes, especially those that will distinguish themselves during the training period.”

Other analysts also believe that the revival of school sports is not only through blackboard coaching in the classrooms, but also through physical training, where talented athletes are developed.

The Director of Coaching at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Solomon Abari, is one of those invited for the Mobil camping/training programme for the 165 students in Akwa Ibom.

Abari was part of the coaching crew that guided Nigeria to gold medal in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Also on the card is former athlete, Amelia Edet, who has been

Young athletes competing in a recent athletics event at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. All is set for Mobil’s holiday camping/training for students in Akwa Ibom State.

‘Mobil’s holiday camp, an impetus for revival of school sports’ Nigeria’s Chief Athletics coach for many years.

The duo praised the management of Mobil for the initiative of the programme, which they believe will be a turning point for the nation’s athletics.

“My dream revolves around events like this,” Coach Edet said. “Until we start to catch them young and give them basic coaching at youth level, then we have not started. I am so excited for this Mobil initiative and I will give it every thing I have.”

Edet said the NSC, AFN and NASCOM must be ready to build on the programme by regularly updating the knowledge and skill acquired by the students at the end of the camping exercise.

Akwa Ibom State Director of Sports, Coach Aniedi Dickson, stated during the week that the programme would benefit the state in many ways, especially as they prepare for the upcoming National Sports Festival for U-17 athletes.

He said: “I am into consultations with the organizers of the programme to also allow my coaches benefit from the training programme that will be handled by experienced and tested coaches.”

The coordinator of the event, Paul Bassey, has disclosed that students that will take part in the programme would benefit from the provision of spike shoes and other kits, which they will keep for future use and training.

“We are taking them to the U. J Esuene Stadium in Calabar where they will train on tartan tracks for the first time. Some of them may not have seen the starting blocks and so, the trip to Calabar will afford them that opportunity. In fact the coaches may spend a whole day teaching them how to get used to and run with spike shoes,” Bassey stated.

The gospel for revival of school sports in the country has been ongoing for long.

Veteran Nigerian Olympian, Sam Igun, declared at the end of the African Youth Athletics Championship in Warri, Delta State earlier this year that for the country to record another boom in sports, all efforts should be made to reviving school sports.

Igun, a jumper, was among the first set of Nigerian athletes that participated at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Italy and then followed up with other appearances in Tokyo ‘64, Mexico ‘68 and Munich ‘72.

He stated that though there was modern infrastructure in Nigeria today, there has not been a commensurate performance from Nigerian athletes compared to his days, when there were no tracks and other equipment for them to use.

He said that athletics development nosedived because school sports were neglected. “We have a lot to do if we are to make our young boys and girls future champions. Grassroots develop-

We are taking them to the U. J Esuene Stadium in Calabar where they will train on tartan tracks for the first time. Some of them may not have seen the starting blocks and so, the trip to Calabar will afford them that opportunity. In fact the coaches may spend a whole day teaching them how to get used to and run with spike shoes

ment now is different from what we have then. It was Games masters that brought us to national schools competitions. But now you see national coaches coming with the athletes.

“We have to revert to the way we used to organize school sports in Nigeria. We have so many talents in the country and if we don’t give them the opportunity to express themselves, then it will all come to a waste.”

Part of the effort to revive school sports in Nigeria gave birth to the new board of the Nigeria Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM), which was inaugurated earlier this year by Sports Minster and Chairman of the NSC, Bolaji Abdullahi.

At the inauguration, Abdullahi stated that the reconstitution of the board of NASCOM was part of his administration’s effort and strategic plan to reposition sports at the schools’ level to facilitate discovery of young budding sports talents from schools system.

The newly elected President of the Track and Field Coaches Association of Nigeria, Coach Gabriel Okon, believes the holiday camping for athletes planned by Mobil is in line with the various plans by the NSC to revive school sports.

Okon has thrown the association’s weight behind the exercise. “My only regret is that at that period, I will be away to Moscow for the IAAF World Championship, if not, I would not have missed this land mark event.”

The coaches’ boss believes that the Mobil programme, which is a graduation of the yearly championship, should be emulated, hailed, sustained and designed in such a way that it is not made a one off thing.

He said: “Mobil’s track record of support for athletics is global, so Nigeria should not be an exception. I wish this programme is national.

It is such a massive and huge step in the right direction.”

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TheGuardian

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Ameh Ejekwonyilo N the usual characteristic of the Nigerian political elite, the Nigerian Senate took an egocentric stand against the greater good of the Nigerian people, as the lawmakers overwhelmingly voted against local government autonomy but endorsed life pension for the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

What is clear from this self-serving action is that, our collective interest as a people is never paramount to these so-called representatives.

Having conducted a public hearing in various constituencies across the land during which Nigerians overwhelming advocated total autonomy of the local government and expressed their views on other constitutional matters, one would have expected our senators to allow the wishes of the people to prevail.

Rather, they chose to be on the inglorious part of history, dissipating their energies in promoting mundane desires instead of solving the peoples’ ultimate desire – welfare.

Local government is the closest tier of government. It is therefore the government most likely to address the dire infrastructure deficits that plague the grassroots. The lawmakers instead of freeing them from shackles voted for a recommendation seeking life pension for the principal staff of the National Assembly; when it is now an open secret that Nigerian lawmakers are among the highest paid in the world, that they even earn more than the American President and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Perhaps, it is imperative to share with our esteemed readers the breakdown of what a Nigerian senator earns yearly. Below is the breakdown of the monthly earnings of a Nigerian senator: Basic Salary – 2,484 245.50; Hardship Allowance (50 per cent of B.S) – 1, 242, 122.70; Constituency Allowance (200 per cent of B.S) – 4, 968, 509.00; Newspapers Allowance (50 per cent of B.S) – 1, 242 122.70; Wardrobe Allowance (25 per cent of B.S) – 621, 061.37; Recess Allowance (10 per cent of B.S) – 248, 424.55, Accommodation (200 per cent of B.S) – 4, 968, 509.00; Utilities (30 per cent of B.S) – 828, 081.83; Domestic Staff (70 per cent of B.S) – 1, 863, 184.12; Entertainment (30 per cent of B.S) – 828, 081.83; Personal Assistants (25 per cent of B.S) – 621, 061.12, Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (75 per cent of B.S) – 1, 863, 184.12;

I

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Nigeria’s self-serving legislators

Senate President, David Mark Leave Allowance (10 per cent of B.S) – 248, 424.55; Severance Gratuity (300 per cent of B.S) – 7, 452, 736.50; Car Allowance (400 per cent of B.S) – 9 936 982. 00—Every four years.

Senators’ salary per month – N 2, 456, 647.7; Total = N 29, 479, 749 × 109 Senators. Grand Total = N 3, 264, 329 264.10 Going by the breakdown above, one will understand the reason why the National Assembly members were asking for the head of Lamido Sanusi Lamido, the Central Bank

governor, who once said that the Federal lawmakers take about 50 per cent of our National Budget. If you juxtapose the above figures with our current budget, you will see clearly that the National Assembly members are the albatross of Nigeria; because they legislate on, and appropriate public funds to themselves, thereby looting the masses blind.

Equally disturbing was the argument that ensued between the Senate President and Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara State.

The latter who saw the bill to criminalise early child marriage as anti-Islam and reprehensible, vehemently opposed the idea. By this position, Yerima has again brought to the fore his penchant to marry under-aged girls when he married a 13-year-old Egyptian girl, the daughter of his driver. Senators Ahmed Yerima and Danjuma Goje, who were state governors of their respective states for eight years, did not have much to show for it; have often used religion to push their political agenda in the country. Islam as we all know is a religion of science and knowledge, and cannot not sacrifice a child’s rights for early marriage without education. Therefore, the action of Senator Yerima and his cohorts have further pushed back the total implementation of the Child Rights Act that seeks to protect children from all forms of child abuse that is prevalent in the country.

Comparatively, the local government administration from 1999 to 2007 was far better than its current emasculated condition. Things started deteriorating when there was change of guard in 2007 with the coming on board of new state governors. Between 1999 and 2007, local government chairpersons could award contracts for the construction of brides and

boreholes as well as provide transformers for electricity and primary health centres in communities. For instance, it was in these glorious days that the current Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, held sway as the council chairman for Okpokwu Local Government in Benue State, where he performed creditably.

That was what gave him the impetus to contest the PDP gubernatorial primaries in 2007. But what we have today are local governments that cannot award contracts for the construction of culverts let alone monkey bridges. Sadly these days, some state governors have never held local council elections in their states since they assumed office seven years ago. The case of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State comes to mind. Despite his much touted financial prudence in the management of Anambra State resources, he has refused to conduct local council elections; he would rather use caretaker committees.

The reasons for this abysmal failure at this third tier of government lies with the state governors and federal lawmakers who have literally turned the councils into their private business empires, from where they draw public funds at will. The councils are at their mercy because those who superintend over the affairs of the councils are their stooges, who have confined them to the payment of staff salaries and mobilising party members to attend party conventions and nothing more. After all, the council chairmen were hand-picked and foisted on the people and cannot, therefore, resist the instructions of their political benefactors.

That is the pathetic and disgusting state of local government affairs in our country. What is, however, more reprehensible and anti-democratic in the recent rejection of an amendment to the local government Act by the senate, is the speed with which they chose to endorse life pension for principal officers of the National Assembly. Their action can best be described as a travesty of democracy.

It clearly demonstrates the height of political insensitivity to the plight of the ordinary Nigerian. Therefore, the task before the people is to use the power of the ballot box bestowed on them by the constitution to vote out these self-seeking lawmakers and their collaborators – governors, in the next general elections come 2015 if our votes will count! ejekwonyilo@gmail.com

Biotechnology: A key platform for sustainable economic growth (2)

By Chizoba Aninwoya Continued from last Monday HE Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) in another report also highlighted recent advancements in agricultural biotechnology in Nigeria as three biotech crops are currently undergoing Confined Field Trials. These biotech crops include the Bt-cowpea, bio-fortified sorghum and the bio-cassava Plus. The trials for the Bt cowpea and bio-fortified sorghum are said to be going on at the Institute for Agricultural Research, ABU, Zaria, while that of Bio-Cassava Plus is being conducted at the National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike. Although, the development of these three biotech crops were said to have been with significant participation of Nigerian scientists, none of the three biotech crops was developed in Nigeria. The transgenic cassava was developed by the Danforth Plant Centre in United States, the cowpea in Australia while the biofortified sorghum is being developed by Africa Harvest Biotech International Foundation. This goes to show that none of Nigeria’s research institutes including the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), the Nigeria’s main centre for modern biotechnology research housing the country’s most advanced biotechnology laboratory, is equipped enough to conduct fruitful biotech research and development. This again shows how poor facilities and inadequate funding for Nigeria’s research institutes can impede the development of biotechnology in the country.

The next phase after the field trials should be the commercial testing of the biotech crops and afterwards their eventual deployment to farmers once the crops are found to be safe.

However, the biosafety bill which should provide the necessary legal framework for such progress is yet to be signed into law by the President. This biosafety bill, if signed into law, should ensure that the practice of modern biotechnology and the handling of its products (GMOs) are safe for the environment and to human health.

T

There have been various agitations for and against the endorsement of the biosafety bill. Whether the biosafety law will achieve its much touted benefits and ensure the safe application of agricultural biotechnology for the attainment of food security in Nigeria will greatly depend on the effectiveness of the regulatory system. Adequate regulatory measures must be put in place to avoid over-importation of GM products as this may negate current efforts to reduce the billions of naira spent yearly on food imports and plunge Nigeria into a new form of slavery – over-dependence on foreign seed companies or research institutes. The biosafety law must rather promote the application of agricultural biotechnology to the improvement of indigenous crops through providing the necessary infrastructure for research, development and commercialisation of biotech products. The regulatory agencies must be manned by highlytrained staff to ensure product safety during trials as well as product quality and standardisation throughout the process of commercialisation and marketing of biotech products in Nigeria.

A number of other measures are recommended to ensure agricultural biotechnology delivers significant economic, social and environmental benefits to the millions of poor Nigerians. The government must embark on nationwide capacity building and equipping of all the nation’s research institutes and universities with state-of-the-art biotechnology equipment and facilities.

Nigerian scientists on their part must also brace up and take up the challenge of applying their knowledge and research work towards solving the nation’s problems. The efforts of the researchers, however, must be protected and rewarded through intellectual property rights and payment of royalties as this will serve as a huge source of encouragement to both present and future scientists.

There is need for intensive enlightenment campaigns by the government at both state and federal levels. This will help create awareness of biotechnology and its benefits among Nigerians but most importantly among the youths who need to be inspired to pursue careers in biotechnology research or to engage in any part of the biotechnology business “value chain” such as farming, food pro-

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cessing, retail or wholesale of biotech products etc. Biotechnology enlightenment programs must be restructured to better target the youths. For instance, existing programmes such as the open forums on agricultural biotechnology need more publicity and youth participation.

The curriculum of the Nigerian educational system must be redesigned to prepare the Nigerian child to take biotechnology development to the next level. Basic science subjects in elementary schools and “Introduction to technology” subjects in secondary schools must be designed to stimulate the Nigerian youth’s interest in biotechnology. Biotechnology departments must also be established in Nigeria’s numerous universities with the curriculum of the universities updated to meet the needs of the country’s biotech-based industries.

The application of biotechnology to animal husbandry is also needed to achieve food security in Nigeria through producing higher quality (and quantity) animal products.

Biotechnology will thus help in creating employment opportunities for youths not only in agriculture but many other industries.

For instance, the upgrading of local food processing methods with the use of biotechnology will help to improve the quality of food products to meet export standards.

Biotechnology processes can also be applied in the treatment of agricultural and municipal wastes as well as in the generation of cheap renewable energy from the wastes.

Development of pharmaceutical biotechnology can also help address the nation’s need for vaccines for various human and livestock diseases. In conclusion, capacity development and support of the Nigerian youth remains critical to achieving sustainable economic development through biotechnology.

Concluded.

• Aninwoya is a Masters Graduate of Biotechnology, Bioprocessing and Business Management from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom; and is based in Lagos.