Thur 01 Aug 2013

The Guardian’s Greater Lagos section makes debut (Pages 4&5) promise (to Lagos), on February 3, 1976, when the then Head of State broadcast to the nation on the relocation of the country’s capital. He promised to make Lagos the country’s official comcapital. the country’s levers of political power now live. mercial The nation’s former capital has obviously been swindled by The late Kano-born leader, who was in a hurry to remake the those who have failed to keep Gen. Murtala Muhammed’s country, said the 1979 Constitution, then being developed, would AGOS was Nigeria’s capital until the early hours of December Lbangida, 12, 1991 when the then Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Bamoved the capital to Abuja where those who control

contain a provision that would have legalised the promise for Lagos.

The assassinated general said the Federal Government would sustain its investment in Lagos as a special area given the critical infrastructure at the Apapa ports. But then, 10 days after the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Vol. 30, No. 12,635

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Detained Majority Leader of Rivers House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd (middle), during his arraignment in Port Harcourt… yesterday.

INEC registers APC From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja), Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) and Tunde Akinola (Lagos) FTER much controversy, the All Progressives Congress (APC) finally got the approval of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be registered as a political party yesterday.

Three political groupings, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), merged into APC. Announcing the registra-

A

• Party thanks Nigerians, says it’s new dawn • Why we aren’t threatened, by PDP tion, INEC said that in considering the application, it found that the applicantparties met all statutory requirements for the merger, and accordingly granted their request.

Consequently, the commission has approved the withdrawal of the individual certificates of the applicantparties, and the issuance of a single one to the APC. Reacting to the develop-

ment, the APC congratulated Nigerians on the emergence of the new party. According to the party, with the birth of the APC, Nigerians now have an alternative to a ruling party that has taken the people

for “a bad ride in the past 14 years.”

In a statement issued by its interim National Publicity

More on Pages 3&12 Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Lagos yesterday, APC said its emergence was a victory for Nigeria and democracy, and that it had

‘Five northern govs didn’t ask for removal of Oduah, Alison-Madueke’ - Page 2 Representation squabble stalls trial of Rivers’ House leader - Page 6

now propelled the country to the league of top democratic nations with two major political parties.

His words: ‘’The journey has been long and tortuous. All sorts of obstacles were thrown into our path by antidemocratic forces, but we were painstaking, determined and unrelenting in our quest for a formidable platform that will allow our country, Nigeria, to achieve her full potential and join the league of respectable nations.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

2

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

NEWS

‘Five northern govs didn’t ask for removal of Oduah, Alison-Madueke’ From Madu Onuorah, Adamu Abuh (Abuja) and Tunji Omofoye (Osogbo) PRESIDENCY source yesterA day gave an insight into the meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and five northern governors last Saturday, saying they did not request for the removal of the ministers of Aviation (Mrs. Stella Oduah) and Petroleum Resources (Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke), as a condition for peace within the polity and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

But the source confirmed that the governors pointedly asked Jonathan to consider removing the Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

The governors, Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe) and Kashim Shettima (Borno), met with

• Court restrains PDP from appointing new scribe • Why we withdrew suit on convention, by litigants Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Meanwhile, the crisis rocking the PDP has taken a fresh dimension as an Osun High Court sitting in Osogbo yesterday granted a motion ex-parte stopping the conduct of election to fill the vacant position of national secretary of the party at its planned mini-national convention.

The order was consequent upon a suit filed by the ousted National Secretary of the party and former governor of the state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Justice Oyejide Falola granted the three prayers in the motion after listening to the submission of counsel to the applicant, Mr. Rilwan Okpanachi.

Oyinlola had dragged the Osun State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa and the PDP national leadership before the court, concerning the plan by the National Working Committee of the party to hold a mini-national convention during which some of the vacant positions in NWC, including that of national secretary, which was last held in substantive capacity by the claimant, might be filled.

Also joined as co-defendant in the suit is the chairman of the PDP mini-National Convention Committee, Prof. Jerry Gana.

Okpanachi, in his argument, told the court that his client, whose election as PDP national secretary was nullified by the

declaratory judgment of Justice Abdul Kafarati of an Abuja High Court on January 13, has a pending appeal before the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which is due for hearing in September.

He averred that despite having full knowledge of the pending appeal, PDP still went ahead to constitute a committee to plan a mini-convention during which position of national secretary will be filled.

The Presidency source accused those peddling stories of removal of the ministers as condition for peace as “just working to portray Jonathan as a weak leader who had lost control of his party. This will not work. Last Saturday’s meeting focused mainly on the activities of the PDP chairman and the

reservations the governors had against him.”

But it stated that the President “did not give any affirmative response to the demand for the removal of the PDP chairman even though he did not rule out the possibility of such removal if it becomes absolutely necessary.”

According to the source, “the President couldn’t have agreed to remove members of his cabinet as they were not in any way related to the touchy issues in the PDP. The outcome of the meeting of the President and the four PDP northern governors has been slanted curiously to include matters that were not on the agenda and never mentioned in the meeting.

One of such issues was the allegation that the governors demanded for the sack of Oduah and Alison-Madueke.”

And three PDP members who

recently withdrew their suit seeking to stop its national convention have disclosed that they went to court to strengthen the party.

At a meeting with the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson-led national reconciliation committee in Abuja, the litigants, Bashir Maidugu (a lawyer), Alhaji Yahaya Sule and Abba Yale, explained that things had taken a dangerous turn in the party, and they felt only the courts could check the trend.

They stressed that even the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised that there were problems within the PDP. Maidugu, who spoke on behalf of the litigants, disclosed that it took four days of frank negotiations with the committee to “arrive at where we are.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

The Guardian’s Greater Lagos debuts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 pledge, the man was killed.

Consequently, those who took over aborted the dream.

Today, Lagos remains to the leaders in Abuja an abandoned project! Look at the road to Apapa ports and the airport named after the man who took power away from Lagos. It is like the road to hell.

Despite this dis-service to it, Lagos remains the commercial capital of Africa’s West Coast.

Lagos makes the money that Abuja spends! If you don’t believe, ask the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) the city that consumes 60 per cent of the country’s subsidised imported fuel; or ask the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) the quantum of Value Added Tax (VAT) that is made from Lagos and sent to Abuja every month.

This is Lagos that The Guardian would like to give its pride of place through the Greater Lagos section… So, welcome to Greater Lagos. .Editor

President, ODU’ACCIMA, Mrs. Alaba Lawson (left); representative of National President, NACCIMA, Kayode Onafowokan and 2nd National President, Olatunji Osibamowo, during the yearly general meeting of Odu’a Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ODU’ACCIMA) in Ibadan…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

APC thanks Nigerians, says it’s new dawn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

‘’With the approval of our merger by INEC and the

emergence of APC, today marks the beginning of a new dawn for our country and her long-suffering people. We

thank Nigerians both here and in the Diaspora for standing by us. We thank the media for their fairness, and we commend INEC for doing the right thing and for not succumbing to pressures from phantom political associations that sought to force it to circumvent the law. ‘’We promise not to disappoint Nigerians who have reposed much confidence in us.

We say that contrary to the lies being peddled by the naysayers, we are not seeking political power for the sake of getting it, but in order to use it to empower our people and allow their long-nursed hopes and dreams to become a reality. ‘’And to those who have vowed to change their names if APC survives for a year, we hope they will live up to their

words.’’ APC said Nigerians could now look forward to a truly democratic party in the finest traditions of what the world considers as the best form of government.

The party promised to unveil, in the days ahead, its membership registration plans to give all Nigerians, “especially those who have become disenchanted with the way things are going in the country, the much-awaited” opportunity to be part of the country’s democratic process in the true sense of the word. ‘’We will also be unveiling our plans to turn today’s hopelessness into a time of great opportunities, to reverse the downward slide in our socio-economic development, and to ensure that every Nigerian benefits from

Our error N our story yesterday entitled “Sambo heads anti-terror panIGoverning el, ” Senator Anyim Pius Anyim was named as the head of the Board of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

Indeed, the Chairman of the ICRC’s board is Senator Ken Nnamani.

The error is regretted .

the commonwealth, instead of the present situation in which a few fat cats are milking the system dry at the expense of the citizenry,’’ APC said.

But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) believes its popularity and acceptance among Nigerians will not be threatened by APC. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Tony Okeke, the PDP said that APC was a mere change of flag from the ACN which it described as a party noted for dictatorial tendencies.

“We hope to see a vibrant opposition that will constructively engage the PDP on issues of governance in a way that Nigerians will be the utmost beneficiaries instead of overheating the polity by promoting violence and hatred among the people”, the PDP said.

The PDP “will continue to maintain its pre-eminent position in the polity”, it said, stressing that it remained the party with the widest acceptance and popularity among Nigerians across board.

The PDP noted that Nigerians were not deceived by the change of flag by the opposition. It said: “Such does not remove their dictatorial tendencies and penchant for deceit and propaganda for which Nigerians have rejected them irrespective of party name.”

But the PDP hailed the APC’s registration, adding: “The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) congratulates the leadership of the All Progressives Congress on the successful registration of their new party. This is very healthy for our democracy.

We hope that from now, the opposition will eschew all forms of bitterness and desperation and desist from politics of propaganda which characterised their former parties.

“We hope to see a vibrant opposition that will constructively engage the PDP on issues of governance in a way that Nigerians will be the utmost beneficiaries instead of overheating the polity by promoting violence and hatred among the people.”

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

3

REGISTRATION OF APC

Lagos PDP faults action, seeks probe

By Seye Olumide LLEGING abuse of due A process, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for a probe into the registra-

ACF, Umar applaud decision

tion of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on the issue yesterday, the state’s PDP Publicity Secretary, Taofeek Gani, said the probe “is imperative in view of the pending suit on the original ownership of the acronym, APC.” He added: “The suit is still pending and one would expect that actions must be stayed. Why should INEC

flout this judicial rule.”

The party stressed further that there is a skeleton in somebody’s wardrobe. This probe must thus start now and if the process of confirmation of the name is found to be tainted, then Professor Attahiru Jega should be sanctioned.”

The party however, stressed that the registration notwithstanding, the acronym APC

gives no advantage to the party, stating that the frustration that led to the re-branding would still manifest as the people are no longer cajoled by the name of a party but would look out for the personalities in that party.

He also queried why the parties rushed to merge and not adopt one of their original names. “It is because none of those names can sell any can-

didate again. Their only option is to re-brand. Unfortunately a bad product remains bad, even if its name changes.”

The PDP added that as far as Lagos was concerned, rebranding to APC is the worst mistake by the ACN because it has now lost its South West followership because of the over ambition to win the presidency.

From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief NORTHERN socio-cultural A organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and former military Governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd), yesterday commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that the decision would deepen the nation’s democracy.

They also pointed out that the registration of APC would also sound a wake-up call to the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2015 polls.

Speaking on the matter, the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, said that it was a blessing for the nation that APC came on board ahead of the new 2015 polls.

Sani remarked that the registration of APC as a political party “ is a healthy development needed for the growth of democracy” in the country.

Umar expressed happiness that INEC has finally taken the bull by the horns by APC’s registration.

Kwara CPC welcomes development

APC chief Muhammadu Buhari

Tinubu

Jega

Bamanga Tukur, PDP national chairman

From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HE Kwara State chapter of T Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has described yesterday’s registration of APC as the beginning of a new political era in Nigeria.

Besides, the CPC through its local chairman in Ilorin, Suleiman Buhari said the INEC has by the development showed itself as a true umpire in the nation’s democratic system.

Suleiman said Kwara State would be the greatest beneficiary of the emergence of the new party, noting that it would serve as a real alternative to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

“All along, we had never been under any illusion that the registration would be successful because we believed that having fulfilled the conditions laid down by the Nigerian electoral law, it will be inexcusable for INEC to refuse the registration.

“We thereby commend the courage and fairness displayed by INEC despite the pressure mounted by the PDP shenanigans that went to town with their evil plots to truncate the historic registration. We particularly commend Nigerians and Kwarans in particular for keeping faith with us all along,’’ he added.

Tinubu , Ribadu, El-Rufai, others laud action From Adamu Abuh (Abuja) and Tunde Akinola (Lagos) ARELY 24 hours after the B registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), mixed reactions yesterday trailed the action.

For the Action Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN) National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2011 polls, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, a chieftain of a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the registration is a welcomed development.

Similarly, the presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Party (NRC), Alhaji Bashir Tofa applauded both APC leaders and the INEC’s leadership for the registration.

However, former Minister of Transport and a Board of Trustees (BoT) member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said the registration of APC does not pose any challenge to PDP

• New party not a threat to PDP, says Babatope because the newly registered party is a “connection of strange bedfellows.”

Tinubu, also a former governor of Lagos State said the registration “signals the commencement of a new phase in the struggle to bring true democratic change to Nigeria.”

“Nigerians must give INEC a pat on the back for complying with the law of the land. What INEC has done is to follow the constitution and the electoral act to the letter. We hope INEC will continue in this spirit of independence and respect for the rule of law in all its future operations,” he said.

In a statement in Abuja, Ribadu congratulated key players in the merged parties for setting aside their personal interests in order to allow for the emergence of a pan-Nigerian party that can provide credible alternative to the ruling party.

Saying that 2015 elections would be a major litmus test for the opposition and all progressive Nigerians, he called

on Nigerians to resist manipulations of the electoral process either through whipping up religious or sectional sentiments or by the use of money.

El-Rufai said: “This is also the first time Nigerians would have a credible, nationwide alternative to the PDP inept administration. Now the hardwork of building the party, winning elections and saving Nigeria begins and we have just one and a half years to do it. We will not sleep, we will strategise and chart ways to deliver the true dividends of democracy to the people,” El-Rufai said.

Fani-Kayode said the registration of the APC is a welcome development because it portends “change” for democracy in Nigeria.

He said: “31.7.13 is a day the APC was registered in Nigeria; these are interesting numbers. This is the day the Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it. We give thanks to God for the registration. Now is the time for a

new beginning in our beloved country, now is the time for change.”

According to Adebanjo, the registration of APC by INEC is a good omen for democracy because he does not see any reason why any group willing to form a political party should be denied the right to do so.

Tofa noted: “I must congratulate INEC for their sense of justice and patriotism, which despite pressure from many powerful corners, summoned the courage to do the right thing. I do hope that they, INEC, will be similarly sincere in conducting all future elections, as these are even more crucial to our survival as a country.”

Babatope said: “I wish the party the best of luck but I am very sure it is a connection of strange bed fellows. That does not constitute any threat to PDP. We accept the challenge of their registration and we assure the new party that it can never match the PDP in all electoral battles ahead.

Osoba, Rep, Igbokwe, others hail INEC From Seye Olumide (Lagos) Leo Sobechi (Abakiliki) ORMER Governor of Ogun FDeputy State, Chief Segun Osoba, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Abdurahman Kawu and the Publicity Secretary, Lagos State chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Joe Igbokwe have commended the registration of All Progressives Congress(APC).

Also, Forum of Chairmen of merging political parties under the APC has expressed optimism that the registration of the party would sanitise the politics of Nigeria, stressing that the era of impunity and lack of internal democracy in the nation’s polity was over.

According to Osoba, “The face of democracy has changed since yesterday when the announcement was made. It is now clear that Nigeria is no more tilting towards one party state as the ruling PDP has been planning over the years.

“This is the first major breakthrough by the progressives in forming a merger and I am rest assured that the kind of landslide victory that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) recorded in 1993 Presidential election against the National Republican Convention (NRC) will re-occur in 2015.”

While thanking Nigerians for their unflinching support for the APC, Osoba noted that this is the first hurdle, “the next stage is for all Nigerians who aspire for positive change in governance come 2015 and beyond be ready to vote and defend their votes against those who will do everything to ensure votes are not counted.”

For Igbokwe, he described the registration as ‘‘a reward for hard work, determination and selfless service to salvage the country from bad governance.”

Assuring Nigerians that APC will perform, Igbokwe said, “We don’t have any other thing to prove that APC is a party for the people, what our representatives have done in their various states is a prove of our commitment and responsibilities to the people.”

On how it will change party politics, Igbokwe said, “the era where PDP goes about boasting it will rule forever has come to end. We will definitely give it the fight it deserves and ultimately send the party packing from Aso Rock in 2015.”

In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday, Kawu said, INEC has lived up to expectation by performing its constitutional responsibility despite daunting challenges.

“Nigerians can now heave a sight of relief in the polity since the APC is here to salvage Nigeria and Nigerians come 2015.”

However, I will like the leadership of our new born party, to ensure that the culture of impunity, lawlessness and disregard for laid down procedures which characterises the PDP is not replicated in the APC.

‘

4|

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Shameful five minutes to Nigeria’s The first thing that hits anyone who comes to Nigeria is the airport. The airports are in a very bad state. After leaving the airport, the next thing is the traffic gridlock, and then the environment. So if we as a nation want to improve the tourism sector, we have to touch everything, including the airport.

We are not asking for a Dubaitype of airport in Lagos. All we want is a clean and decent environment. Nigerians are the most welcoming and most friendly people in the world, but the unpleasant sight of petrol tankers, garages, police checkpoints, potholes and uncultivated trees and bushes cast us in bad light

’

By Tope Templer Olaiya, Assistant Lagos City Editor

W

HEN on July 16, 2003, Dickson Lee, a Briton arrived in Nigeria via the Murtala Mohammed International Airport for the first time to take up an employment with an oil firm, he was prepared for the culture shock that would assault his eyes and mind, but what he never prepared for was his forceful abduction for five days by armed men on the international gateway’s road by Mafoluku.

Although his kidnappers were waiting for any prey, Lee immediately became an instant target once the black Sportage SUV he was in was spotted. But the kidnap was easy for Lee’s abductors due to deplorable state of the road, particularly before Junction bus stop. At the spot, the threelane road has been collapsed to one, with more than half of the section waterlogged and riddled with car-wrecking potholes.

But if the Briton’s kidnap did not draw concerned authorities’ attention to the five min-

A section of Lagos airport road... yesterday.

utes of shame that is Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road, the downpour days after the incident, which has left a sour taste in the mouth of motorists and commuters, and exposed the ineptitude of government, has made it one of the most dreaded roads in Lagos, especially at night.

Weeks after a banquet was held at Aso Rock, the seat of government in Abuja to unveil a new tourism brand identity tagged Fascinating Nigeria, there is absolutely nothing fascinating about the nation’s window to the world, the first five minutes from the Lagos international airport.

To anyone visiting Nigeria, either for the first time or as a returnee, coming in through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos is the top choice ahead of Abuja and Port-Harcourt. Whether going to a five-star hotel in Ikoyi or wherever in Lagos metropolis, you can’t avoid passing through this eyesore of a road.

This is definitely not how other countries in Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean and

THE DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport road, Kenya

Africa welcome visitors. The road to and from Nigeria’s busiest international airport, accounting for more than half of her foreign flights and the first point of contact with the country’s road infrastructure by any visitor, is reflective of the shamelessness of the country’s leaders and their lack of pride in the Nigeria Project.

This is more disturbing when one draws a parallel with one’s home. No matter how unpleasant, dirty, poor or untidy one’s home might be, for most people with any self-worth, the sitting room or “parlour”, which visitors and guests see, is usually tidied up, arranged pristinely and presented nicely to give a good impression. This is notwithstanding the state of the rest of the house.

Successive governments have lost all sense of shame that they cannot see the eyesore that this stretch of less than five kilometres of road has become. Airport roads, in even the very poor countries, are well tarred, pothole-free, lined with trees and well lit with functional streetlamps. The Lagos airport road is anything but all of the above.

THIS IS LAGOS: A bad spot on the airport road.

This, unfortunately, is another symptom of the cantankerous relationship between the federal and state governments. The Lagos government was keen and willing to carry out the necessary repair works on the road to enable the state showcase the nation’s crown jewel, but because of seemingly rigid federal laws, the state is grossly disempowered to take any action.

The state governor, Babatunde Fashola, in a recent chat with newsmen, blamed the deplorable state of the airport road on politics. According to him, both the road and the airport belong to the Federal Government.

He said the state government’s failure to either rehabilitate or reconstruct the road was due to issues that had been politicized.

The governor regretted his decision not to modernise the 4.2km road when the idea first struck him, recalling that his plan was to expand it, provide service lanes and introduce tolls for motorists who opted to use the fast lanes.

It is not only Fashola, who is bemoaning the

PHOTOS: FEMI ADEGBESIN-KUTI

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

|5

busiest airport Imported rice being offloaded from a truck at Daleko market... recently

Desperate search for local rice at Lagos markets

By Godfrey Okpugie, Deputy Lagos City Editor

OLLOWING reports of claims by Fin government and organizations Nigeria of remarkable achieve-

shame that is the airport road. Former Cross Rivers State Governor, Donald Duke and a group of local and foreign businessmen have also added their voice to the lamentation. They spoke at the Nigerian Tourism Investors Forum held in Lagos.

Duke said it would be difficult for Nigeria as a country to attract foreign investors and tourists if nothing was done about the poor state of the Lagos airport. “The first thing that hits anyone who comes to Nigeria is the airport. The airports are in a very bad state. After leaving the airport, the next thing is the traffic gridlock, and then the environment. So if we as a nation want to improve the tourism sector, we have to touch everything, including the airport.

“We are not asking for a Dubai-type of airport in Lagos. All we want is a clean and decent environment. Nigerians are the most welcoming and most friendly people in the world, but the unpleasant sight of petrol tankers, garages, police checkpoints, potholes and uncultivated trees and bushes cast us in bad light.”

THIS SHOULDN’T BE LAGOS: Petrol tankers obstructing traffic flow on Lagos airport road.

ments in efforts to boost local production of rice, The Guardian, last week, embarked on the search for the domestically produced product in Lagos, the country’s heartbeat.

Alhaja Shade Obanikoro, a major distributor at Daleko Rice Market, Isolo, Lagos, said that, apart from the usual Ofada brand, there is no new local variety in the place.

She declared: “The rice we (dealers) often refer to as Nigerian rice here is the one imported through the Nigerian ports as opposed to those smuggled into the country through the land borders called Cotonou rice or Fayawo. But when you insist on buying the rice produced in Nigeria, the only one we readily have to supply is Ofada rice, which is very costly. The rice is measured for sale with empty 850 grams tin of De Rica tomato product. Such a tin costs N350, as against N180 for the parboiled imported variety. There are approximately 64 De Rica tins in a 50kg bag. If you need a bag of Ofada rice, 64 tins would be measured at N350 each and that would amount to N22,400 a bag but the best and high quality parboiled imported brand costs at most N14,800.”

Asked if there were no other varieties of local rice such as Mars from Aba, Shinkafa from Sokoto, and Ekpoma rice from Edo State, Mrs. Obanikoro said “no.”

According to her, even the quantity of Ofada rice in the market is small. “You can hardly get a supply of up to 20 bags of 50Kg at Daleko,” she affirmed.

When The Guardian got to Iddo, another major rice market in Lagos Mainland, sellers rushed forth to appeal for patronage, but when they were asked if they had ‘Nigeria local rice,’ they all said no and retreated. But a middleman directed The Guardian to Alhaji Usman Abubakar, who had a few (not up to six) bags of Minna rice in store.

He said the rice, which was packed manually in 100Kg of Dangote super sack, was brought from Minna in Niger State.

While disclosing that he obtained the little quantity from small-scale farmers in different villages in Mina and that to get another supply would require repeated visits to other villages in the same area, he said a bag costs N22,000.

In both Daleko and Iddo there were abundant varieties of imported brands of the product stocked in large warehouses even as carriers were seen offloading

fresh deliveries from trailers and lorries.

Among the many brands, with prices ranging from N8,200 to N15,800 per 50Kg bag, were Siamese (Thailand) Tomato (Thailand) Royal Stallion (Thailand) and others.

On impediments to local production, Abubakar disclosed that farmers normally complain of lack of funds to do large-scale agriculture. He stressed that they often hear that government released money to them to do rice cultivation but that such funds do not get to them who are the real farmers in the village but to those on the corridors of power, who normally corner it and divert it to other uses.

Some traders, who provided reasons for the unavailability of local rice in Lagos, blamed the flooding of the market with imported brands which, according to them, chased away the indigenous variety. The foreign brands’ invasion was also traced to the discouragement of the local farmers whose produce cannot compete favourably with the high quality and sophisticated brands.

Odumosu Jegede, also a trader, noted that Lagosians consume so much of imported rice partly to suit their urbane taste and because it is readily available.

“If it is banned, everybody will be forced to consume the local variety because it is not poisonous,” he said.

At a forum, last year, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, disclosed that Nigeria’s rice consumption was projected to hit 35 million tonnes by 2050, from five million tonnes currently, rising at the rate of seven per cent yearly, due to population growth.

He said that 500,000 tonnes of rice were being imported annually, assuring that conscientious efforts were being made under the Agricultural Transformation Action Plan (ATAP) to reduce importation to zero by 2013 and achieve 2.1 million tonnes local production over the next 12 months. The count–down to the 12 months started since midFebruary, 2012.

He said: “The country imports 500,000 tonnes of brown rice and our plan is to reduce that down to zero by 2013; which means the 500,000 metric tonnes of rice would be produced by Nigeria.

“But our strategy is between now and 2015, that Nigeria would have totally replaced the 2.1 million tonnes of rice that we are currently importing.’’

He added that past efforts by the Federal Government to boost the local rice industry had not yielded the desired results

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

6 |NEWS

Representation squabble stalls trial of Rivers’ House leader From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt

USTICE L.L. Nyordee of the Port Harcourt High Court has adjourned till August 6 to rule whether the Attorney-General of Rivers State can take over the prosecution of a case before the formal arraignment of an accused.

This was after a squabble over who is legally empowered to prosecute a criminal case prevented the leader of the state House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, from taking his plea in a six-count charge that included attempted murder yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Rivers State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party

J

PDP cautions Abe, others (PDP), Felix Obuah, says the party will no longer tolerate deliberate acts of indiscipline and disrespect to its rules by members, no matter their office or social status.

In a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media, Jerry Needam, Obuah said the decision was taken against the backdrop of recurring malicious utterances and actions by certain members of the party who are bent on creating dissatisfaction between the party and the general public.

The statement alleged that while the leadership was making efforts to quell the

raging internal political crisis in the state and calm all aggrieved members, persons like Senator Magnus Abe; Andrew Uchendu and Dakuku Peterside, among others, were busy throwing spanners into the wheel of progress through unguarded statements and divisive actions.

The party reminded dissidents of article 9 of the party’s constitution, which forbids members from acts that could portray the party in bad light, including publishing or distributing to the media any material that purports to be the view of any

faction or tendency within the party.

Shortly after Lloyd walked into the court, supported by two policemen, his lead counsel, Beluolisa Nwafor (SAN), raised an objection to the announcement of appearance of a police lead counsel, Mr. Donald Deewigwe (SAN), to prosecute the case.

He argued that since the matter was not a private case, the lead counsel to the police, who is not a police officer, should produce the fiat by the state Attorney-General authorising him to prosecute the case.

But Deewigwe contended that since the charges against the lawmaker em-

anated from the state Commissioner of Police, the case does not need a fiat from the attorney-general of the state, who was also in court yesterday. He added that the police could prosecute a case through any of its officers or even a private counsel.

Amid the arguments, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms, announced that he was in court and has taken over the prosecution vide Section 211 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

However, Deewigwe objected, insisting that Boms’ declaration was inappropriate because it was made in vacuum since the accused has not been formally arraigned.

Mouka Foam Nigeria Limited premises gutted by fire in Ikeja, Lagos…yesterday.

Court restrains PDP from appointing new scribe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 “Having extracted firm commitments from the committee to right the wrongs in the party, we were left with no option than to withdraw our suit,” he remarked.

“We are here to assure Nigerians that we have collectively, without any prodding, withdrawn our suit. We agreed that it is not good to set PDP on fire. No need to overheat the party. Since the committee has agreed to address our grievances, there is no need to continue in court.”

He thanked Dickson for leading the negotiations with “frankness”, noting that the PDP remains “the only democratic party where members can drag the party to court and get justice, where the party will feel concerned and reach out to know our grievances.”

Dickson thanked the litigants for “truly showing that they are good party men and patriotic Nigerians.”

He said: “This is the spirit we want to see in every member of our party, to subsume your personal interests in the generality because collective interest is more important than individual interest.”

FAAN chief apologises to Oshiomhole over airport crisis From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

Edo threatens to sue for contempt

HE authorities of the Federal T Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have apologised to the

“If we have obligations, we will meet them, and I hope that in the future if there are issues of misunderstanding, we will be able to talk about them quickly without them leading to delays and inconveniences to the public.”

He added: “So, Sir, we are here to re-assure you of our respect and desire to be good corporate citizens and partner the state government to deliver services to the people of Edo State.”

Reacting to their gesture, Governor Oshiomhole noted that the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax law, which FAAN defaulted in, was a federal law and that even the President and governors pay it. According to him, the State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) got a proper court order to seal the FAAN manager’s office, but that the manager on his own decided to seal up the airport to gain public sympathy.

He said the problem with Nigeria is not immunity but impunity, as people often violate the law and get away with it, insisting, however, that anybody who works and lives in the state must pay tax in contribution to the development

Edo State Government and air travellers over the incident that led to the closure of the Benin Airport on Tuesday.

A delegation of FAAN, led by the Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi, including the General Manager, Mr. Yakubu Dati; Deputy General Manager, Mr. Kolawole Adefomiwa; Chief Security Officer, Mr. Adeboye Festus and the Benin Airport Manager, Mr. Ayodele Sunday; told Governor Adams Oshiomhole that they were sorry over “the events of yesterday.”

Uriesi said: “We will like to find out how we can avoid a situation like this arising in the future, because it is neither in the interest of FAAN nor the Edo State Government for the airport to be closed down, because there was a lot of hardship and serious economic consequences as a result of the shutdown, and there is need to settle this matter.

“I want to assure Your Excellency that FAAN is a good corporate citizen. I am convinced that there was a misunderstanding and I want to get to the bottom of this so that it does not happen again.

of the state.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government had threatened yesterday that it would sue the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for reopening, without the authorisation of its revenue board, the agency’s administrative office, which was sealed on Tuesday for nonremittance of its employees’ personal income tax.

Chairman of the state’s BIR, Oseni Elamah, told journalists in Benin City that he was detained by the police because of the altercation between the

board and FAAN officials over the federal agency’s default in remitting the sum of N15 million.

According to Elamah, the state’s Commissioner of Police invited him on Tuesday to clear the allegation by the Benin Airport Manager, Ayodele Sunday, that his board shut the airport.

He noted that the board, in exercise of its powers under the law, obtained a court order to restrain the Benin Airport FAAN because it was not remitting the proceeds of its Personal Income Tax to the state, as backed by federal law.

Nigeria remains indivisible, says Jonathan From Madu Onuorah, Abuja Bureau Chief RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said disappointment awaits those working assiduously for the breakup of Nigeria.

Speaking yesterday while hosting youth groups from across the country at Abuja Sheraton Hotel, he assured that he would leave no stone unturned to ensure Nigeria remains a stronger and indivisible entity.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ahmed Bulak, he said Nigeria would survive the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group just as it did after the civil war, the Maitastine upheaval and the June 12 political crises.

Meanwhile, a youth, Asemota Aigbedo, who fled after renouncing militancy, has called for police protection.

According to a source, he has been receiving death threats from of his colleagues who want him back in their fold to resume militant activities on the ground that they are not benefitting from the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.

“But the man has embraced peace and Christianity but they won’t leave him alone.

That is why he fled and is hiding because his safety is not guaranteed as the militants say he knows too much about them and their operations.

They killed his cousin when they could not find him at home,” the source added.

The President justified the declaration of the state of emergency in the troubled states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, noting that the desired goal of the return to peace and tranquility in the affected areas would soon be achieved.

The President urged the youth to borrow a leaf from their counterparts in the troubled states that had to come together under the umbrella of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) to get rid of the menace posed by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Urging members of the youth groups, who thronged the venue in their multitude to eschew divisive tendencies, he said there would be no meaningful development if Nigerians were not at peace with one another.

Gulak, who is the national coordinator of the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) said: Poverty does not know religion, tribe or the region you come from. All we want is good governance and the availability of basic infrastructure like road, power supply, good rail network and qualitative education for all. I plead with you to take this message to the grassroots.”

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Eggon ethnicity withdraws from Ombatse killings enquiry From Msugh Ityokura, lafia HE judicial commission of T inquiry into the killing of security operatives in Alakyo Village in Nasarawa State by the Ombatse cult group yesterday suffered a major setback with the withdrawal of counsel to the Eggon people, who worship the deity.

Also, all documents filed by the counsel on behalf of their clients before the commis-

sion have also been withdrawn, having not been presented.

Speaking to newsmen in Lafia yesterday, counsel to Eggon community of Barki Abdulahi and Randa in Lafia Local Council, Ovye John, accused the commission of lacking integrity.

He further alleged that the panel was violating its own procedure for the proceedings, lamenting that there was “selective approach in determining which counsel

could cross-examine a particular witness, thereby violating the adherence to the fundamental principles of fair hearing, freedom from discrimination and exercise of right to represent his clients at the commission.

John further accused the panel’s chairman, Joseph Gbadeyan, of bias, stating that in view of all the aforementioned, his clients would not further participate in the inquiry.

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Why we can’t prosecute electoral offenders, by INEC From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Independent National T Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday explained

Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) National Reconciliation Committee and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson (left) and three members of the party who took PDP to court - Bashir Madugu, Alhaji Yahaya Sule and Abba Yale in Abuja…yesterday

Three primary school teachers abducted in Edo From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

‘91 per cent of teachers have deficiencies’ HREE female teachers of T Orogbua Primary School, Upper Ekenwan Road in Benin City, Edo State, were reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Tuesday.

They were identified as Mrs. Patience Osadolor, Momodu Aisha and Mrs. Patience Oroghene. The gunmen were said to have stormed the premises during the school hours and started shooting sporadically, in the process hitting a parent, who came to check on his kid.

Meanwhile, Governor Adams Oshiomhole has revealed that 91 per cent of primary school teachers in the state have one deficiency or the other, manipulated through discrepancies such as falsification of age and educational qualification, among others.

Speaking at an education summit organised by the state, he disclosed that only “nine per cent of the teachers have proper records,” adding that the reforms revealed that dead and retired teachers have been collecting salaries, just as teachers’ wage bill has remained the same even though they retire on a daily.

He blamed the abuse of the education process on officials of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the state Ministry of Education.

Ogun Waterside council ex-boss, official get six months jail term From Abosede Musari, Abuja ORMER Chairman of Ogun Waterside Local Council, Ogun State, Gboyega Bakare, has been sentenced to six months in jail without option of fine.

According to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), which prosecuted the case at the Ijebu-Ode High Court, Bakare was sentenced alongside his Administrative Officer 1, Mr. Mohammed Adeyemi Oke. They were convicted on a 15count charge bothering on misappropriation of N4 million meant for security. In his judgment, Justice Jipode found the accused guilty on all counts and sentenced.

However, the sentence will run concurrently.

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Ogun varsity teachers, govt differ on VC’s appointment From Charles Coffie-Gyamfi, Abeokuta

ECTURERS of the Olabisi L(OOU), Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, are quarrelling with the state government over the confirmation of the appointment of Prof. Saburi Adejimi Adesanya as the institution’s vice-chancellor.

The government, some weeks ago, confirmed Adesanya, who has been acting as the vice-chancellor.

But the lecturers are insisting that the manner the appointment was made was against the laws of the university and, therefore, must be reversed.

The institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Chairman, Dr. Adesola Nasir, who spoke yesterday on behalf of his colleagues at a press briefing, also urged the government to stop paying lip service to the provision of necessary infrastructure for the institution “as it has done for the past two years.”

Nasir stated that the VC’s appointment was neither processed by the university Senate nor the Governing Council as required by law.

“This violates in its entirety the laws of the university and the state on the procedures for appointment of

VCs. It is also in violation of the current government’s gazette White Paper on the Visitation to the University in February 2012.”

But the government has denied the allegation, insisting that confirmation of Adesanya’s appointment was not only done with the approval of the Governing Council but with that of the Ago-Iwoye community.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, who spoke on behalf of the government, also denied that the government has been paying lip service to the development of the institution.

FEC okays N2.9b contract for CalabarUgep-Ogoja-Katsina Ala road extension From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja HE Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the contract for the extension of the CalabarUgep-Ogoja-Katsina Ala road linking Benue and Cross River states to tackle the deplorable state of the road.

The Minister of State for Works, Bashir Yuguda and his Information counterpart, Labaran Maku, in their joint media briefing, told State House Correspondents that the Council was informed that following the success of the recent conference on HIV/AIDS in Abuja, the United Nations has decided to organise a minisummit on the sidelines during the UN General Assembly in New York later in the year.

According to Yuguda, the first phase of the CalabarOgoja-Ugep-Kastsina Ala road project was aimed at addressing the heavily distressed sections of the road for which contract was awarded in April 2009, while other sections not captured in the original contract scope of work would be addressed later.

Yuguda put the cost of the initial contract sum at N4.6 billion, while the sum of the latest addition stands at N2.99 billion, bringing the

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According to Yuguda, the first phase of the CalabarOgoja-Ugep-Kastsina Ala road project was aimed at addressing the heavily distressed sections of the road for which contract was awarded in April 2009, while other sections not captured in the original contract scope of work would be addressed later. total to be spent on that road to N7.6 billion.

It was awarded to Messrs Piccolo Brunelli Limited with a completion period of 24 months.

“The first phase of that road was awarded some years back and following the progress that has been made by the contractor handling it, the ministry brought a memo to extend and add a portion to the one that is being done, so that the contractor, on completing the first phase, would not pack out of sight, and therefore, creating more problems of giving the job to another contractor. So they brought a memo to Council today seeking total completion of the new extension to be done on the Calabar-Ugep_OgojaKatsina Ala road.

“Council studied the benefits that would accrue, especially as progress have been recorded in the first phase of that job, and approved this memo for the extension of the job to the contractor

working at site. The road is a very important one linking the South-South and NorthCentral parts of the country.”

According to Yuguda, “the present section of the road will be from Kilometer 48 to Kilometer 76. The original contract sum was N4.6 billion and the extra work to be done on the remaining portion that we presented to Council today is for N2.9 billion, roughly about N3 billion. So, the new contract sum is N7.6 billion.

“The expected completion period for the extra portion of the road is to be carried out in 24 months and the contractor is on site. The reason for segmenting the award of the contract was to save cost in mobilising a new contractor; the present contractor is on the site and he has achieved 80 per cent of the existing contract. So, we believe this is a very important road that is linking South-South to North Central parts of he country.”

why it has not been able to completely prosecute electoral offenders of the April 2011 general elections.

The commission stated that the number of those that were involved in different electoral offences was too high that it overwhelmed the capacity of its legal department to combine their prosecution with other cases that involved the commission.

While receiving the leadership of the Youth Alliance on Constitution and Electoral Reform yesterday in Abuja, the Chairman of INEC, Attahiru Jega, called on the government to look for a quick alternative by removing the responsibility of prosecuting electoral offenders from the commission, stressing that that would help a quick trial of offenders.

Jega, who disclosed that the commission had earlier prosecuted over 200 cases of electoral offenders noted that it recorded almost one million cases of double registration alone, adding that the legal department was faced with many other cases like election petitions before tribunals.

He, however, assured that the commission would continue to do its best in the prosecution of electoral offenders till the time that that responsibility would be taken away from it.

He stressed that the commission had charged its Anambra State office to be ready to prosecute any voter that would be involved in double registration, beginning with the review of voter exercise that would begin on August 15 in readiness for the state governorship election in November.

“Regrettably, for those electoral offenders, yes INEC has the responsibility of prosecuting those involved in such acts. Again, I am not giving excuses for our inability to carry out that task in full. What hap-

pened was post-election violence, which did not happen at the period of the election, so really, it is within the purview of security agencies in the area of the normal arrest and prosecution. And we have done our best, we do have what we call the interagency relationship with the security agencies, we meet periodically with the security agencies either before or after elections to plan, as well as to assess what happens after elections. Severally we have discussed this issue of prosecution of electoral offenders, especially those who have been apprehended and detained for their Kaduna, Niger etc.”

“I know that we have taken this issue to a serious length and put pressure on the agencies to prosecute those involved. From what I have been told, some have been prosecuted, but we also know the nature of judiciary procedures which frustrates and delay these cases.

“With regard to the actual electoral offences that were committed in the process of elections, we have had cause to prosecute some offenders.

This commission has successfully prosecuted over 200 electoral offenders. Before we came in as a commission in 2010, there was no record of prosecution of electoral offenders in this country. So we have done our best, but of course, what we have done is a drop in the ocean. Regrettably we do not have the capacity to successfully prosecute all the umber of electoral offences we have.”

He added: “On voters’ registration alone, which we did in February 2011, we have close to one million clear cases of offenders especially in the area of double registration.

But we are overwhelmed because we have very small legal unit in the commission. Most times that legal unit is overwhelmed by either prosecuting electoral offenders or involved in cases against it from politicians as well as electoral tribunals.’’

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

8 | NEWS

Pharmacists raise the alarm over activities of quacks From Anietie Akpan, Calabar HARMACISTS Council of P Nigeria has raised an alarm over the activities of unqualified pharmacists in the country, maintaining that this portends danger to the health of Nigerians.

Acting Registrar of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Mrs. Gloria Agumere, who made this call in Calabar on Tuesday during an advocacy visit to the Cross River State, charged the government to empower, support and also direct the State Task Force to commence enforcement activities in ridding the state of the menace of illegal drug shops.

Rights groups urge Lagos to lift restriction on tricycles

By Adeniyi Adunola GROUP of human right orA ganisations under the aegis of Concerned Human

Minister of Agriculture in Senegal, Mr. Balde Abdoulaye, presenting Humanitarian Award 2013 to Senator Oluremi Tinubu (left) during an international symposium on the role of women in agriculture and food security in West Africa at King Fahid Palace in Dakar, Senegal… yesterday. On the right is an unidentified official.

ASUU calls for Wike’s sack over strike From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti, Abiodun Fagbemi, ilorin and John Ogiji, Minna CADEMIC Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called for the sack of Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike over his alleged involvement in the political crisis in Rivers State, which the union said has prevented him from finding solutions to the lingering crisis in the universities.

The Coordinator of ASUU, Ilorin Zone, Dr. Adeleke Ayan, regretted that instead of Wike to be concerned about the nationwide strike and various crises bedeviling Nigerian universities, he is bogged down with local Rivers politics.

At a press conference yesterday in Ado Ekiti, Ayan, who is the Chairman of ASUU in Ekiti State University (EKSU), said it was lamentable that the minister had allegedly abandoned crucial national issues

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like ASUU strike and started indulging in local politics.

He called for immediate release of the N100 billion the government promised to turn around the country’s Ivory Towers around, saying “a lot of restoration will take place if the money is released in our universities”.

Describing Wike as a ‘roving minister’, Ayan declared that, “The involvement of Minister of State for Education in Rivers State crisis is an example of reckless abandonment of serious national issue for pecuniary pursuit. The Ilorin Zone grossly condemns this roving minister and calls for his immediate removal”.

ASUU threatened that it would no longer enter into any ‘unproductive’ agreement or Memorandum of Understanding with Federal Government, having reneged on the previous ones.

“The Previous MoU of March 2012 was so clear that if the Minister of Education and Na-

• FUT Minna post-UMTE may not hold • UniLORin VC seeks settlement of dispute tional Universities Commission (NUC) Executive Secretary have not sabotaged it through bureaucracy, there won’t have been any need for another strike”, ASUU said.

Ayan disclosed that government’s insincerity, particularly the Governor Gabriel Suswam-led Implementation Committee, had stalled quick resolution of the matter.

The ASUU leader advocated 26 per cent budgetary allocation to the education sector by government at all levels in consonance with the directive of UNESCO. In Niger State, prospective students intending to write the 2013 post-UTME examinations in the Federal University of Technology, Minna slated for Saturday may have their hope dashed because of the on-going strike by the ASUU. Speaking to newsmen at the main campus of the university in Minna yesterday, the Chairman of ASUU FUT Minna chapter, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh said the post-UTME exercise is

an academic exercise and it would be against the policy of the Union if its members participate in such activity when they have been warned to suspend all academic actions.

According to him, “PostUTME is an academic exercise and it is done by the academic staff, so ASUU members in FUT Minna will not participate in the exercise and as such we will not respect such admission. The students will not be recognised by the lecturers in the institution.”

Jimoh said that the result and the examination process will be faulted if it finally holds on Saturday, “if all academic staff are not on ground, who will oversee the conduct, marking and grading of the examination? Is it not the academic staff? So how will it be done without us, that is what we are waiting to see.”

Also, the lecturers of the institution have vowed not to recognise such students if the

institution decided to go ahead with the UMTE. ASUU, however, faulted the claim made by Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State who claimed that the strike will be over on Thursday (today), stating that the strike will only be called off when government implements all ASUU’s agreements.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali has urged members of the ASUU to return to the negotiation table with government to amicably resolve the lingering disputes.

Ambali while responding to questions during an (iftar) (shortly before a Muslim fasting is terminated) interactive session with journalists urged the two parties to reach compromise and find quick resolution to the crisis.

According to him, “where two parties are fighting, nobody will be 100 per cent right. I just want to urge the two parties to understand each other and come to an agreement so that students can continue their study in peace”.

Enabling law for French language village underway, says DG ROM the Director General, FVillage, Nigerian French Language Prof. S.O. Aje has come clarification that his administration has begun process of getting an enabling law for the institution, disclosing that a bill to that effect is already before the Senate and the House of Representatives and it has passed through the first reading.

In a reaction to media report on clamour by workers of the institution for an enabling law, a governing

council and his successor, Aje noted that he had officially announced to all heads of departments and units in the village in a joint meeting held on Monday July 1, 2013 that his tenure would come to an end on July 31, 2013. He also claimed to have told them that he had informed the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) of the need to start the process of finding a worthy successor to him.

“Though there is presently

no governing council in the village, the Director-General makes sure that at all times, matters concerning the institution are adequately reported to the ministry and NUC as the case may be,” he said in a statement.

The DG, who said he was not seeking tenure elongation, noted that both teaching and non-teaching staff have submitted report on work done and success recorded during his tenure from 2003 to 2013 to be compiled as a handing over note to his successor.

Right Nigeria has appealed to the Lagos State government to rescind it decision on restriction of tricycles in Lagos State.

The National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Declan Ihekaire said at a press briefing yesterday that the sufferings the restriction has inflicted on the masses are massive.

“Lagosians have been going through serious trauma to catch up with appointments owing to the restriction on okada’s in some areas in the state.”

Edo communities seek direct payment of derivation fund From Anthony Otaru, Abuja S agitation for the direct control of proceeds from the 13 per cent derivation fund continues, oil producing communities in Edo State have joined others to urge President Goodluck Jonathan to direct the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to discontinue forthwith the payment of the fund to state governors.

In a letter to the President signed by Mrs. Nowan Uhunmwangho, Elder Peter Agbonkoko, Donyegha Ben, Mrs. V. Potoki, Mr. Edwin Ikinbor, Pastor Reuben Milton, Pastor A. B. Imafidon, Brasana Ekomiyenyefa, Olu Oyeh, Comrade Segun Imafidon, Karaki Ebi, Victor Omoruyi, Hon. Jackson Ikinbor, Mrs. Queen Donyegha and made available to the media in Abuja, the group also urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the recently released report by the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) .

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WAVE trains youth on hospitality, retail business HE West Africa Vocational T Education (WAVE) has launched a pilot programme which focuses on the hospitality and retail sector training in a 150-hour skills acquisition.

A statement sent to The Guardian yesterday said the pilot programme would involve screening of unemployed youth with a minimum of West Africa School Certificate Examination (WAEC), after which the best performers would be placed in paid technical apprenticeships with hotels, restaurants, retailers and other hospitality companies that WAVE has formed partnership with.

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Lagos ACN assures non-indigenes of safety

By Seye Olumide (Lagos) and Uzoma Nzeagwu (Awka) AGOS State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has urged the Igbo and other ethnic groups in the state to disregard those behind ‘cheap and dirty politics that the state is no longer suitable for non-indigenes’.

Urging the Igbo particularly to go on with their businesses as the state will continue to grant them necessary support, the ACN, in a statement yesterday by the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the decision of the state government to move some homeless, indigent citizens to their home-states for rehabilitation, was not targeted at any particular ethnic group.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onitsha Branch, has condemned the expulsion of over 70 Nigeri-

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• Onitsha NBA flays expulsion ans from Lagos State to Onitsha, Anambra State, by people suspected to be agents of Lagos government.

The NBA statement, signed

by Mr. Dennis C. Maduachesi and Steve .O. Ononye, chairman and secretary respectively, and made available to The Guardian yesterday, added “it is totally deplorable that at the level of development in Nigeria when governments are building bridges of relationship, a government that should be seen as being responsible will be involved in such irresponsible act.

The NBA consequently called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to commence full investigation into the matter with a view to determining the identities of the people

behind such deportation together with the policemen who accompanied them to carry out such nefarious act.

According to Igbokwe, “ACN is particularly irked by the decision of some professional chance-takers and political opportunists to take advantage of the recent movement of some indigent, homeless and social miscreants to Onitsha for the purpose of re-connecting with their families when they have no tangible business in Lagos.

“To put the records straight, the Lagos State government, with its commitment to the interests of Lagosians and in its effort to build a functional modern mega-city, had long embarked on the decision to pick up the many derelicts, the homeless, beggars and social miscreants that in-

habit all parts of Lagos, clean them up, find means of livelihood for those that are employable and send those it cannot manage to their respective states”, the statement said.

According to ACN, the scheme has seen the practical reduction in the number of the beggars, street urchins and social miscreants that used to constitute real danger to lives in Lagos and has seen such people being moved back to their various states, mainly in the North.

We should note also that other states in the South, including South-West, have received such people and the Lagos State government has been careful to ensure that the number of people involved in such periodic movements are minimal and are only people who do not have where to stay in Lagos, who don’t have any real en-

gagement in Lagos and who constitute nuisance to other Lagosians.

Igbokwe said: “We also put the nation on notice that before the latest movement of some people to Onitsha, we notified the Anambra State government, which neither responded nor took action on our complaint. We also want the public to note that the Lagos State government was involved in similar deal with the Akwa Ibom State government when some indigent Lagosians were moved back from Akwa Ibom State to Lagos. We want Nigerians to note that such movements are common with nearly all states in Nigeria and are becoming an issue just because selfish politicians and ethnic reapers who were prominent in the despoliation of the country see it as new and worth cashing in on.

Commissioner denies killing Fulani cows From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi HE Benue Commissioner T for Works and Transport, Mr. John Ngbede, has dismissed as false the inciting statement credited to Secretary of Miyetti Allah in the state, Alhaji Garus Gololo, alleging that Agatu people have killed over 126 cows belonging to the Fulani herdsmen.

Ngbede, who is also an Agatu man, maintained that the wanton attack on his people last Sunday at Igya Ipanya, a village in Agatu Local Council Area, by persons suspected to be Fulani herdsmen during which 10 persons were killed and several destroyed, was sheer wickedness by the invaders.

S’East PDP seeks support for disciplinary committee From Gordi Udeajah Umuahia EADER of the Peoples DemLSouth-East ocratic Party (PDP) in the Zone, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), has welcomed the Alhaji Umaru Dikko Disciplinary Committee recently constituted by the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

Akobundu, while reacting to the development yesterday, canvassed support for the committee to enable the members, whom he described as capable Nigerians and men of integrity, to execute its mandate, restore discipline in the party and put it back on forward-moving track.

Why we oppose death penalty, by ANEEJ From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

XECUTIVE Director of E Africa Network for Environment and Economic Jus-

Deputy Comptroller of Customs Oyo/Osun Command, Charity Nkanu (left); Oyo/Osun Area Commander of Customs, Mr. Richards Oteri and Officer in charge of Operations, Mr. Johnson Akindele, while displaying some items seized by the Command in Ibadan… yesterday

‘Nigeria risks sanctions over failure to implement ECOWAS judgments’

By Bertram Nwannekanma OCIO-ECONOMIC Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has warned the Federal Government that “it risks regional sanctions if it continues to ignore or refuses to implement judgments by the ECOWAS Court of Justice demanding that the government provides education as a matter of human rights and to punish oil companies for causing pollution in the Niger Delta.

In a statement signed by SERAP’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation stated that “The ECOWAS Court has issued

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two judgments against the Federal Government in two cases brought by SERAP, the first being the 2010 judgment requiring the government to provide free and compulsory basic education for every Nigerian child. The second judgment delivered in 2012 unanimously found the government responsible for abuses by oil companies and makes it clear that the government must hold the companies and other perpetrators to account.”

The organisation threatened “to seek sanctions against the government if it continues to fail to implement the judg-

ments.”

The Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS can also impose economic and political sanctions under Article 77(1) for non-implementation of these judgments.

According to SERAP, “the government has refused to publicly acknowledge the judgments let alone effectively implement them. This amounts to a flagrant violation of the country’s obligations and commitments under the ECOWAS Treaties and Protocols and shows bad example to other countries in the sub-region that may wish

to undermine the authority of the ECOWAS and its court.”

“Since the free education judgment was delivered, more than five million Nigerian children of school age still roam the streets and have no access to primary education; 115 million adults are illiterates. Nigerian children still lack access to quality primary education in Nigeria.

Also, since the oil pollution judgment was delivered, major oil companies continue through their operations to cause devastation and human rights violations in the Niger Delta with almost absolute impunity,” the

organisation also said.

While Article 15(4) of the ECOWAS Treaty makes the judgment of the court binding on member-states, institutions of the community and individuals and corporate bodies, Article 76 (2) provides for the finality of the decision of the court. Also, Article 19(2) of the 1991 Protocol provides that the decisions of the court shall be final and immediately enforceable. The court can also refuse to entertain any application brought by the offending member-state until such a state enforces its decision.

tice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, yesterday said the reason why he and many other civil society groups oppose death penalty in Nigeria was because of many imperfections in the country’s investigative system, which over the years, have implicated suspected innocent persons.

Ugolor, who spoke during the conference organised by the National Association of Edo State Students (NAES), recalled how he was framed by the police over the killing of his friend and the Principal Private Secretary to Edo State Governor, Olaitan Oyerinde, emphasising “that if not for God, I would have been a victim of death penalty”.

2013 Breastfeeding Week begins today

By Wole Oyebade N respect of the strategic Ichild role breastfeeding plays in survival and general health, Nigeria today joins the rest of the world in commemorating this year’s World Breastfeeding Week.

The yearly event, commemorated in over 190 countries, is to draw attention to the importance of supporting nursing mothers in exclusive breastfeeding at least for the first six months of a baby’s life. Statistics show that compliance rate is still at 15 per cent in Nigeria.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

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Focus Tackling illegal loggers to preserve forests

By Dele Fanimo and Azeez Olorunlomeru ESPITE global outcry over the continued D depletion of the ozone layer and deforestation, illegal tree felling, appear to be on the increase, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Indeed, apart from few instances of private sector campaign on tree planting, backed by feeble government support, there appears to be no strong policy direction to discourage the depletion of the forest.

Specifically, government’s forest reserves have come under vicious attack in recent times by loggers who ravage what is left of the timbers in the forest.

This illegal tree felling is usually carried out in the reserves without due consideration for its effect on the environment.

The British colonialists, while being accused of exploitation, still left footprints in Nigeria, by ensuring the preservation of our forest reserves for future generations.

A case in point is the Akila Forest Reserve, which was established in 1862, which boast of exotic timber spanning over a century old.

Today, rampaging loggers, buoyed by government’s support in the latter’s quest to generate revenue have almost depleted the Akila Forest Reserve without any thought for replacement.

Today, more than anything else, Nigeria is faced with the task of making our nation greener in order to check the excesses of degraded environment, deforestation that resulted from over commercialisation of our forest resources without the thoughts of replanting the trees that have been felled and indiscriminately too.

Indeed, at a workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) in conjunction with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in Abeokuta, recently as part of activities marking the World Environment Day, participants were unanimous in agreement that urgent and concerted efforts were needed to tackle deforestation and its attendant consequences.

At the workshop, a renown afforestation campaigner, Bisi Rodipe, bemoaned the extensive damage visited on forest reserves by illegal loggers adding that the implications were too grave to be ignored.

He said that while the sing-song across the globe remained the protection of the climate and sustainable environment, some Nigerians were not ready to key into such trend, not minding the dire consequences of such action.

According to him, out of every 1, 000 hectares of forestland in Nigeria, some 400 hectares were mindlessly deforested every year, while only 26 hectares were poorly reforested.

Rodipe said” “Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) afforestation guideline recommends that at least 25 per cent of a country’s land space should be covered by forest. In 1960, at the time of independence, it was estimated that at least 30 per cent of Nigeria’s land surface was under forest cover; over time, either through national neglect of national recklessness we lost our forest.”

He, however, said that another CFAO country report in 2003 put the area under forest in Nigeria at 4.9 per cent. So much has been destroyed in the space of 50 years. More alarming was the fact that out of 4,456,000 hectares under forest, only 325,000 hectares were of planted forest, that is, the result of re-forestation or re-planting a mere 0.034 per cent of what was left of forest in Nigeria. As a percentage of ideal forest cover, it would be a minuscule 0.008 per cent! Worse still for the wood industry, valuable hard woods accounted for only two per cent of the forest cover left in 2003.

The situation today is much worse and alarming. It is sad that while Indonesia, Brazil and some other developing nations with sustainable forest management policy are protecting their forests and will be receiving billions of dollars for this. Nigeria, a rain forest country without protective laws, has been invaded by crude exploitation at a scale never witnessed before in the history of exploitation of the resource in the

Tree felling country.

In the last 15 years alone, we have witnessed the scandalous exploitation of our Teak forest.

Next is the Gmelina Forest Plantation that was planted for the Western Nigeria Forestry paper Projects among the objectives of their afforestation programme then. It’s these laudable afforestation projects that are being destroyed and shipped out of the country at a scandalous scale and without replanting programme. This is unfortunate at a time when other nations are being paid to protect their forest, for a better environment.

He, however, suggested that a fast-track nationally subsidised tree planting investment programme of one billion trees annually for 10 years to increase Nigeria’s forestland area from the present of four per cent to 40 per cent and have the sustainable forest management structure put in place is a solution to the ongoing mindless deforestation, and mismanagement of our forest.

From our practical tree planning experience that has spanned over 29 years, a budget of N24 million and 500 hectares free lands per each local government of planning one million trees will be required yearly between the federal, state government rural based local government and private investors to contribute as follows: • The federal government to contribute N6 million pre each of the 700 rural based local government annually a sum that is less than N4 billion.

• The state government to contribute N6 million for each of their rural based local governments and allocate 500 hectares free hold Land annually.

Forestry land should be regarded as a renewable resource land for the growth of the national economy especially the wood, wood products and paper industrial sector, including its diverse benefits for the substance of human life among which are sustainable environment, eco-tourism, industrialisation, medical plants/wild life habitat among others.

In a paper presented by the director, National Forestry Action Programmes Support Unit, FAD, Jean Clement, recently, said the most effective action to counter deforestation generally stem, from policies directed towards other areas such as population, land distribution, industrial development and trade.

He “Said If these constraints are to be eased, the importance of national forestry plans or programmes must be recognized at the highest political level and the programmes must be included in a broader development planning exercise. Politicians must be involved in the sectoral process; politically compelling arguments for forest conservation and sustainable forestry development must be found; and a "critical mass" of well-informed and highly motivated decision-makers committed to the plan or programme must be created.

Finally, programme implementation needs a mechanism to facilitate and monitor policy application and institutional efficiency in a more effective and transparent manner, as well as to ensure their evolution in light of the macroeconomic context and development priorities”.

According to Clement Forestry plans and programmes rely largely on a top-down approach

The situation today is much worse and alarming. It is sad that while Indonesia, Brazil and some other developing nations with sustainable forest management policy are protecting their forests and will be receiving billions of dollars for this. Nigeria, a rain forest country without protective laws, has been invaded by crude exploitation at a scale never witnessed before in the history of exploitation of the resource in the country.

to planning as well as execution, essentially because of two deep-rooted traditions: centralized planning in some countries, and the fact that throughout the world forestry planning is dominated by technocrats adding that there are still very few nations in which the local communities can actively participate in the selection of objectives, strategies and approaches, or are even consulted during the selection process.

One of the most obvious shortcomings of many forestry plans is their classic format of external assistance-governed projects that fail to take into account existing local constraints and dynamics, or offer incentives for local involvement or look into the most profitable ways of using development aid. In all too many countries, the government implements these externally funded projects, but has only limited intervention capacity. Donor dependence is therefore still heavy and development activities have little long-lasting impact.

The problems of capacity building stem partly from the predominant role of governmental institutions and the concomitant failure to direct action to the other essential sectors: private enterprise and non-governmental organizations directly linked to production.

Forestry authorities are often reluctant to involve the private sector in the harvesting, processing and marketing of forest resources, and the forestry extension potential of NGOs and community groups is not fully harnessed.

“One of the main obstacles to local capacity building is the common donor and funding agency practice of implementing projects and programmes outside the regular administrative channels, which are considered to lack efficiency and transparency. As a result, parallel structures are set up and co-opt the more capable technical experts”. the FAO Director said.

He stated further that Donors have often pointed to the lack of priorities as a major obstacle to the effectiveness of national forestry plans and programmes, but this charge cannot be generalized as donors have in fact often been seen to draw back from developing countries with clearly defined priorities.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

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WorldReport Yemeni girl, on YouTube, fights child marriage ADAL Al-Ahdal, a Yemeni N girl, whose parents were reportedly trying to marry

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe (left) of ZANU-PF casts his vote with his wife at a polling booth in a school in Harare … yesterday.

Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister, leader and candidate of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai (left), flanked by his wife, Elizabeth, casts his ballot in a polling PHOTOS: AFP station in Harare … yesterday.

High voters’ turnout in Zimbabwe’s knife-edge election MID persistent allegations A of rigging by President Robert Mugabe’s allies to extend his 33-year rule, crisisweary Zimbabweans flocked to polling booths yesterday to vote in the nation’s a fiercely contested election.

Counting was due to begin shortly after polls began closing in the knife-edge race between Mugabe and his longtime political rival Morgan Tsvangirai.

Voters started queuing in the dark long before polling stations opened, many lining up in the winter cold to cast their ballots in the first election since violent polls in 2008.

Mugabe, who is 89-year-old and Africa’s oldest leader, is running for office for the seventh and perhaps final time in an election his rivals hope would usher in a new era for the southern African nation.

However, Mugabe, while casting his vote in a Harare suburb, said: “So far so good…

I am sure people will vote freely and fairly, there is no pressure being exerted on

• AU observers laud polls, Tsvangirai’s party alleges rigging anyone.”

Also, African Union’s (AU) poll observers said the crunch presidential election yesterday had so far passed off peacefully.

With polls opening for around half their allotted time, the 69-member observation team issued an update report about the conduct of the vote.

“The processes at most of the polling stations observed by the AU observer teams were proceeding in an orderly and peaceful manner,” the organi-

sation said in a statement.

Elections in 2008 were marked by bloodshed and widespread voter intimidation.

The AU mission, which has been criticised by Mugabe’s challenger, Morgan Tsvangirai, for painting a rosy

picture of vote preparations – is led by former Nigerian leader, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Tsvangirai’s party yesterday listed a battery of irregularities – including two million of dead people on the voters’ roll.

“The greatest worry we have is the number of people that are being turned away,”

They are admitting that there’s still two million people who are dead on the voters’ roll, but they said because they’re dead, they can’t vote… Thousands and thousands of people are being disenfranchised by virtue of not finding their names on the voters’ roll.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti, a senior member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), told reporters.

He deplored mistakes on the voters’ roll, which still included the names of dead people, did not list others and assigned many to the wrong polling stations.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had discussed the mistakes in a meeting, he said.

“They are admitting that there’s still two million people who are dead on the voters’ roll, but they said because they’re dead, they can’t vote.

U.S. declassifies surveillance order amid new revelation by (a) detailed court order rorist organisations.”

RESIDENT Barack Deputy Attorney General, that the DNI declassified and P The move to confront Obama’s administration James Cole, under mounting released today,” Cole told growing public and congreshas declassified a court pressure from lawmakers, order authorising collection of millions of American phone records, even as it faced new disclosures about the reach of its secret electronic surveillance programmes.

The administration’s

said the newly declassified order spells out how the government can use the call data obtained from telecom giants like Verizon.

“The terms under which the government may access or use the records is covered

senators.

That primary order “provides that the government can search the data only if it has reasonable articulable suspicion that the telephone number being searched is associated with certain ter-

sional opposition to the secret programmes came as the administration faced new disclosures from Edward Snowden, the former intelligence contractor at the heart of the controversy.

Egypt’s cabinet orders police to end pro-Morsi sit-in HE rulers in Egypt yesterT day ordered a police crackdown on protests by ousted

• European diplomats move to ease tensions • Islamists defiant, prosecutors okay leader for trial

president Mohamed Morsi’s loyalists, as European envoys headed for Cairo to try to ease tensions between the armyinstalled government and Islamists.

The order to the interior minister raised the prospect of a dangerous showdown just days after 82 people were killed at a pro-Morsi protest

in Cairo.

It came as diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful way out of Egypt’s crisis gathered pace, with the EU and Germany sending envoys to urge a peaceful resolution to the standoff.

Adding to the tensions, however, judicial sources said prosecutors had referred the

Muslim Brotherhood’s supreme guide to trial for allegedly inciting the killing of protesters.

The cabinet’s announcement came in a statement, which said that pro-Morsi protest camps at two Cairo squares were posing a “threat to national security.”

“The continuation of the

dangerous situation in Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda squares, and consequent terrorism and road blockages are no longer acceptable given the threat to national security,” it said.

“The government has decided to take all necessary measures to confront and end these dangers, and tasks the interior minster to do all that is necessary in this regard, in accordance with the constitution and law,” the statement

said.

The order was met with immediate defiance by the Islamists who have been camped out for weeks calling for the reinstatement of Morsi, the Brotherhood’s elected president.

“Nothing will change,” said Gehad El-Haddad, a Muslim Brotherhood spokesman for the coalition protesting Morsi’s overthrow, dismissing the order as an “attempt to terrorise Egyptians.”

her off, is currently generating global attention in a nearly two-and-a-halfminute video uploaded to YouTube and quickly went viral.

In the video, the 11-year-old girl asked: “Would it make you happy to marry me off?”

“Death would be a better option for me.”

She explains how she doesn’t want to be one of Yemen’s child brides.

Nada also speaks on behalf of other Yemeni girls: “What about the innocence of childhood? What have the children done wrong so that you would marry them off like that?”

The video, now being viewed by millions of people around the world, has put a spotlight once more on Yemen’s child marriages.

It has also made Nada an online sensation, although questions have been raised about the truth behind her story.

But Nada’s parents have repeatedly stressed they have no intention to marry her off. And Seyaj, Yemen’s leading child-rights organisation, said they believed portions of Nada’s story were fabricated.

In deeply tribal Yemen, the issue of child marriage is extremely complicated.

‘Piracy, ship hijacking by Somali pirates decline in W’ Africa’ From Chuka Odittah, Abuja EW data released by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), suggests that incidents of piracy, especially

by Somali pirates in the oil rich West African Gulf of Guinea, is gradually on the decrease.

Studies of activities of the sea rogues carried out by IMB under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce indicates that, whereas 44 cases of attack by Somali pirates were reported as at June 2012, comparatively, only about four cases have been reported in June 2013.

The development is linked to concerted efforts of naval commands of a host of foreign countries carrying out surveillance activities in the Somali axis of international waters.

However, the study observed that kidnapping and piracy in the Nigerian periphery of the Gulf of Guinea was still high with 31 incidents, including four hijackings reported as at June this year.

The Nigerian international waters, it maintained, accounted for all the 30 crew kidnappings reported so far in 2013.

According to IMB, there have been 138 reported cases of piracy in the first six months of 2013, compared to the 177 recorded between January and June last year.

N

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Politics APC: Thorny road to registration

By Ehichioya Ezomon (Group Political Editor) IT looked like it would never come. The letters a were written. The papers were filed. The relevant documents were submitted. Better and further documents were requested and tendered.

Pleas were made. Threats were issued. Yet, there was no end in sight. Or so it seemed. What with the intrigues — obvious and imagined, and accusations and counter-accusations flying from interested parties!

But when all hopes appeared to have been lost, except one or two, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday did the needful, according to the law.

It registered the All Progressives Congress (APC), thus laying to rest, at least in the interim, speculations that the electoral body would not give its nod to the self-proclaimed opposition party, “that is poised to take power from the PDP in 2015.”

The options available to the APC, per adventure Tinubu the INEC had refused its registration, were: One, wait out the time frame for registration, which is 30 days from the day the application was submitted. And two, go to court to challenge INEC’s obduracy.

If the INEC had waited a second after midnight yesterday, the APC would have automatically become a registered political party, with or without the commission’s authorisation. But wise counsel prevailed!

Still, what informed this widely circulated supposition of the APC not going to be registered, as it was, except there was a name change?

The reasons were many but potently limited to two — the one flowing into the other: • The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was reportedly opposed to the APC being registered.

• There were (are) series of litigation against the registration of the association owing to its similarity in acronym with several other political associations seeking registration from the INEC. But why would the PDP not want — or allegedly work against — the registration of a new political party, especially one as formidable as the promoters want the electorate to believe?

Okorocha Well, as they say, self-preservation is the first law of existence. It is axiomatic that the PDP has been, and it is still the most dominant political to reject the registration of the APC. party since 1999 when Nigeria regained its demEnter two new associations: African Peoples ocratic status.

Congress and All Patriotic Citizens — both From Wards, Local Councils, States, Houses of claiming the ellipsis, APC. The All Progressives Assembly to the National Assembly and the Congress of Nigeria (APCN) joined them sooner, Presidency, it had held sway that any pending causing more confusion. election was always a headache, and eventual While the All Patriotic Citizens later withdrew heartache for the opposition. from the race for INEC registration, citing the Except in disparate places, and particularly in need to extricate itself from the intrigues playareas of their strongholds since 1999, the opposi- ing out; the African Peoples Congress remained tion parties have hardly marched into the PDP adamant, vowing fire and brimstone if the All terrain. Rather, the PDP has “captured” some ter- Progressives Congress was registered with the ritories from the opposition.

APC contraction.

For instance, when the parties set out in 1999, From arguing that it was the first to moot the the PDP won 21 states, the All Peoples Party (APP) idea of the APC, as an acronym; the first to write (All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)) won nine INEC a letter of intent as a political party; and states and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) the first to display its logo, manifesto, flag, con(Action Congress (AC)/Action Congress of stitution and national headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria (ACN) had six states. The PDP also won the association in time ended up in court. the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and the Joined by the All Progressives Congress of Presidency.

Nigeria, the African Peoples Congress was (as is Today, the PDP has 23 states, ACN 6, ANPP 3, the still) praying the court to restrain INEC from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) 2 and the registering the All Progressives Congress, as a Congress for Progress Change (CPC) one state. political party with the abbreviation, APC. The PDP retains the FCT and the Presidency.

The promoters of the African Peoples Congress So, technically speaking — and all things being had forgotten — or deliberately glossed over it — equal, if elections were to hold today, the PDP that the sponsors of All Progressives Congress will have the upper hand, with or without the had hammered the APC — the one finally regisaid and assistance of manipulation of the elec- tered by INEC — into the people’s conscioustoral process and outcome. ness.

However, in politics, remarkably the Nigerian Not in the days of the defunct Unity Party of variety, all things are not equal. Hence, the PDP, Nigeria (UPN) has Nigeria witnessed a most which prides itself as the largest party in Africa, vibrant, virile, articulate and potent opposition may want to put one or two huddles in the way organ for mass communication, and mobilisaof the APC getting registered by the INEC. tion.

In this way, it (PDP) will retain its dominance of The merging parties deployed this to maxithe political system and governance of the coun- mum effect, such that their critics derisively try “in the next 60 years,” as its leaders had described them as “Propagandists,” and their repeatedly boasted. organ a “propaganda machine.”

It could do this directly by influencing or presAnyway, to cut a long story short, the African surizing the INEC to grant its bidding, or infil- Peoples Congress and the All Progressives trate the opposition to “scatter their plans,” to Congress of Nigeria’s lawsuit was still pending use a local parlance. when the constitutional requirement for regisAnd this is where the second leg of the alleged tration of the All Progressives Congress, as APC, PDP plan to scuttle the registration of the APC caught up with the INEC in the eleventh hour: comes in: Sponsor other associations to adopt that is 30 days from the day the political associthe same or similar names and/or acronyms for ation applied for registration. registration as political parties. The main objec- The picture is like this: The APC applied on June tive: to cause confusion, and thus prompt INEC 12, 2013 for registration; INEC replied to the let-

Buhari

Onu

Jega

Tukur

ter, requesting additional documents, which the APC submitted on July 1.

The explanation by the political association was that having applied, with the relevant documents on June 12, its registration ought to commence on July 12.

But not so fast, said the INEC, which started calculation from July 1 when the APC finally submitted all that was required of it by the commission.

It ended up registering the APC yesterday, on the even of the party getting constitutional endorsement, with or without the INEC sanctioning it.

Why would the commission wait for the zero hour to perform its lawful duty?

It makes the average observer to infer that the electoral umpire’s role in the registration saga was more intriguing than the alleged conspiracy of the ruling PDP. All through the period of waiting for the registration, the INEC continued to spew mixed messages that the gullible public, and the ever-watchful opposition quickly concluded that the commission was out to do the spade work for the PDP to “rig” the 2015 general elections.

Their contention was that without a viable opposition, acting as a watchdog, the PDP would “force” itself into power in the elections.

Among the many seemingly missteps of the INEC was a letter of April 23, 2013 by its National Secretary, Mr. Abdullahi Kaugama, addressed to the leaders of the APC and their lawyers, suggesting a name change as an option for guaranteed registration as a political party.

Mr. Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, was quick to deny the reports that the commission had rejected a bid by some political parties to merge as APC. “The Commission has not written to stop the merger bid as APC,” he said, explaining that the letter of April 23, 2013 only declined an application by another association seeking to register as the All Progressives Congress of Nigeria (APCN), “for the reason that the acronym proposed by the association is similar to that of another already seeking registration.”

Despite the spirited efforts by INEC to deny its alleged underhand dealings in the registration process, many Nigerians remained sceptical.

To them: “Where there’s smoke, there must be

fire,” and that “INEC has been speaking from the two sides of its mouth.”

Questions upon questions were being raised over whose interest and what role was the electoral umpire trying to protect by publishing that it would not register the APC. The people wanted to know who were the brains behind it and what did they stand to achieve, and why the sudden appearance of other political associations sharing the same acronym with the “original” APC. Reacting then to some of the issues in the registration controversy, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said he remained curious why the merger attempt had attracted so much intrigues, controversies, interest “and also causing jittery in the camp of the opposition, particularly the PDP.” Talk of the hunter becoming the hunted, as the APC camp dubbed the ruling PDP as an “opposition” voice in the registration mess!

According to Mohammed: “I want Nigerians to understand why I have also been curious about the nature of controversies, interest and fear that the merger plan has generated within the camp of the opposition, particularly PDP. “Not long after we started the merger plan, we heard about another party, which bears the same acronym with us.”

Although Mohammed could not really fathom why PDP had been nervous about the APC, he said two things must have been responsible for it.

First, whether the ruling party was suspecting that the APC would become too strong for it to crush, “so it would be better to kill it in the bud,” or that, “the APC is taking the shine off the ruling party and has become very popular.”

Either or both could explain the alleged PDP interference in the registration of the APC, but the bottomline is that it had been registered and the ruling party and INEC could free themselves from the “orchestrated propaganda” of the ACN.” Case closed? The coming days and weeks would reveal that, especially with the subsisting lawsuit by the African Peoples Congress and the All Progressives Congress of Nigeria against INEC’s action yesterday.

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

TheMetroSection Crippled by Boko Haram in Kano…

• Police officer appeals for lifeline From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba

HEN Mr. Asiayel Wellington, 49, a crack police officer serving with the State Criminal Investigation Department, Kano went to work at the Bompai Police Station in metropolitan Kano on January 20, 2012, he never had any inkling of a tragedy.

In fact, his life was fully ahead of him when he was about heading home after the day’s work. But tragedy, lurking around the corner, was just waiting to happen a few minutes after he stepped out the gate. Even though a sense of doom hung over Northern Nigeria following the violent activities of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, he was still sure that harm will not come his way.

Shortly after he stepped out of the office, he heard the battle cry of the blood-thirsty jihadists. Before he could figure out what washappening, he heard the echoes of gunshots.

It was like an awe and shock military style tactics as bombs went off indiscriminately. Then, the barracks came under a sustained and ferocious attack by the Islamic sect. In a twinkle of an eye, the sprawling premises was turned into a theatre of war.

When the battle stopped and the smoke cleared, Wellington and several of his comrades in arms had fallen victim to the superior firepower of the bloodthirsty fundamentalists. All that mattered to them was the body count. The more,

W

Wellington Wellington...in hospital bed further treatment, as his case could the merrier.

Presently lying motionless on his hos- not be handled in any of the hospitals the country. pital bed in Effurun, near the oil city of in He said that promises made by the Warri, his pitiable sight would certainly melt a heart of stone. Helpless Inspector General of Police, Alhaji and hopeless, he now wears diapers Abubakar Mohammed and the Minlike an infant to urinate and defecate. ister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi It takes him a great effort to raise his Chukwu to urgently fly him abroad hands, which are already disfigured. In for surgery when they both came visgreat pains, he narrated his ordeal. iting during the heat of the crisis at Wellington said that his body was rid- his hospital bed remained unfulfilled dled with bullets, which affected his till date. Now the Assistant Superinspinal cord, turning him to an invalid. tendent of Police from rustic AyokoRushed to the Aminu Kano Teaching romo in Bururu Local Council of Hospital in Kano where he was hospi- Delta state has been abandoned to fate. talized for several months, it was quite his As his health progressively deterioobvious after a few days on admission that the team of doctors lacked the rated, he said that he applied to his skill and equipment to treat him. Over- bank from his sick bed for a loan of whelmed by the magnitude of his con- N2 million which was magnanidition that was gradually turning him mously approved. His problems into a vegetable, the doctors recom- seemed to be over when his family mended that he be flown abroad for members raised an additional N2

Ondo chiefs removed for selling community land From Niyi Bello, Akure OR allegedly “acting inconsistent to the oath of their traditional offices”, three lesser chiefs saddled with the administration of some communities within Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje local council of Ondo State, have been removed by the paramount ruler of the Mahin clan of the larger Ilaje sub-ethnic grouping, the Amapetu, Oba Lawrence Omowole.

The three chiefs, Juwon Semudara the Oloja of Kofawe, Charles Kehinde Temetan, the Baale of Lenrenren and Estrome Agbeni, the Baale of Ago-Agbeni, were removed from their offices by the Amapetu for engaging in illegal sales of community lands and refusal to answer to queries on the allegations.

Speaking on behalf of the paramount ruler, Chief Godwin Ola Balogun, who is also the Yasere and traditional Prime Minister of the kingdom, said it was imperative to remove the chiefs because they were already, by their actions, allegedly destroying the social and economic fabric of the communities they headed.

According to him, “even though they don’t have any authority, either for themselves or by conferment, to sell lands, the trio engaged in this illegal act to the detriment of the growth of the communities as many residents, by their actions, have been forcibly ejected from their properties.”

Besides, the chief alleged that the trio refused to respond to the invitation of the Amapetu and his in-council to explain the justifications for

F

their actions or even attend meetings of the traditional councils when invited, an action he described as “insubordination and gross disrespect” to the throne of the Amapetu and the body of traditional chiefs.

In a letter separately sent to the three removed chiefs and copied to the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, who has direct control over the communities in question, and other monarchs like the Odede of Igboegunrin and the Molokun of Atijere, the council and state authorities as well as law enforcement agencies, the Amapetu declared that “all transactions entered into by you including sales of land are hereby declared void and revoked.”

The letter signed by the Amapetu also declared that the certificates of appointments of the three chiefs have

been “withdrawn, revoked and rendered null and void” while warning them to obey the instructions or face the wrath of the law.

Investigations by The Guardian, however, revealed that the removal of the chiefs could have been as a result of the intervention of elites of Ilaje/Mahin extraction who were disturbed by the crisis rocking the area over whether the Amapetu still has the authority to appoint lesser chiefs for communities like Igbokoda whose monarch was recognized by the state in 2003.

The removal of the controversial chiefs by the Amapetu is seen by many as a truce to the crisis that had led to the killing of a youngster and the destruction of the palace of the Olu of Igbokoda property worth millions of naira had been lost.

Lions Club to build health, youth centre in Lagos

By Adeniyi Adunola HE new District Governor of Lions Club District 404B, Yinka BoT larinwa has pledged the club would provided good quality healthcare as well as alleviate the pain of the less-privileged, particularly youths during his tenure.

In his inaugural speech at presentation and fund raising programme in Lagos on Sunday, Bolarinwa said to actualize such goals, the club has secured a parcel of land from the Lagos State government on which to erect a multipurpose building.

He said the building would be designed as a Primary Health and Youth Empowerment Centre as well as permanent district secretariat from where direct management and supervision of the centre would be provided.

“The primary health centre will cater for the underserved community while the youth empowerment centre will impact positively on the lives of our young adults across District 404B through training and skills acquisition.” ''This year, we intend to impact on more lives than we have ever done before.

“Both the district and the club will carry out other important activities and projects such as preservation and restoration of sight, screening for diabetes, environmental improvement pro-

million. With that, he was flown to Fortis Hospital in India where he underwent a stem cell transplant as well as plastic surgery for a bed sore injury. He was scheduled to return to India six months later for further treatment but he could not for lack of funds and support from any quarter including the police authority.

Due to his inability to go back to the hospital in India to continue with the treatment after several months of returning to Nigeria, the plastic surgery earlier carried out on him ruptured because the wound did not heal well from the inside.

Hard fact is that the gallant policeman was dumped at the Effurun hospital just to mark time there, as he does not receive treatment of any kind. The clinic does not even have what it takes to be so called. It is a mere consulting clinic at best.

Notwithstanding the fact that he was serving in Kano, he passionately appealed to the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba to help him in whatever means he could, in the spirit of comradeship. He also appealed to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to come to his aid.

Almost in tears, he said: “I am appealing to the governor to help and save my life as a father. The problem I have, occurred while serving my fatherland.”

In his trial and tribulation, Wellington is also calling on Nigerians with an arm full of kindness come to his aid on 07030804364.

Briefs Gov’s wife, others commend Glo at concert ROMINENT citizens of Cross River State led by the wife of P the governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel-Imoke and other members of the Executive Council, have commended Globacom for its robust support for African entertainment and empowerment of the youths.

Speaking shortly after the Glo Slide & Bounce Concert in Calabar, which ended on Sunday, the governor’s wife said she enjoyed herself and described the concert as “great, wonderful and totally entertaining”.

She said as a loyal subscriber of Globacom, she had found it to be highly dependable and reliable in all ramifications.

Agnes Okon, an excited fan, said she could not resist Lagbaja’s drum beats, adding: “ I am a Glo freak. I dedicate my acrobatic dance on stage to Globacom. This is the best concert I have attended in Calabar. Glo is the best network in Nigeria.”

The graduate of Theatre Arts and a civil servant, said it was remarkable that all the advertised artistes for the Glo Slide & Bounce Concert were present at the Cultural Centre unlike other shows and ” we saw them, felt them and even related with them. It is absolutely mind blowing” The concert witnessed the added pep of an unexpected appearance by 12-year-old Ghanaian singing prodigy, Emmanuel Mensah who wowed the Glo X Factor judges with his voice and performance despite his ineligibility due to age.

Participants appreciated the rich entertainment menu dished out by Omawumi, Lagbaja, Waje, Flavour, Omawumi, NaetoC, MI, Burna Boy, Chee the Voice, Bez , Lynxxx and PSquare.

Other dignitaries at the concert included the Secretary to the State Government, Mike Aniah and his wife as well as the Cross River State Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Affa Ochinke.

From Calabar, the Glo Slide & Bounce train proceeds to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for the concert.

WGI holds free medical fair in Lagos OMEN of Global Impact (WGI) in collaboration with the W Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation will on Saturday, August 3, hold a free medical fair at the Holy Habitation Auditorium, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) International Headquarters, Obanikoro/Anthony Oke, Gbagada Expressway. WGI is an initiative of Dr Peace Okonkwo with the objective to create awareness for cervical cancer and provide free check-up among others.

Briefs Apostolic Faith begins camp meeting Sunday HE Apostolic Faith Church, T West and Central Africa District holds its yearly Camp Meeting with the theme ‘The Fruitfulness of the Righteous‘ from Sunday, August 4 through Sunday, August 25, 2013 at the Faith City, along Atan-Agbara Road in Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Council of Ogun State.

Ogunbajo, 82,for burial OTHER-in-Israel, Charllote M Aduke Omolafe Ogunbajo (nee Egbaiyelo), who died on June 17, 2013 at the age of 82, will tomorrow be buried at her residence, 4, Ogunbajo compound, Majidun Bus Stop in Ikorodu, Lagos after a funeral service at the same venue. Christian wake holds today at 5.00p.m.

Ogunbajo

Enwere, 67, for burial HE death has occurred of of T Mr. Monday Ezeanula Enwere (Ezinna) at the age of 67.

A statement by Collins Enwere, for the family, says a service of songs holds in Lagos tomorrow at 22, Circular Road Junction, Chevron Housing Estate, Satellite Town at 5.00p.m.while another service of songs holds on Thursday, August 8, at his compound, Ude Umuejeihe, Ofeme, Abia State at 4.00p.m. He will be buried on Friday, August 9, after a funeral service at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church at 10.00a.m.

He survived by his wife, chil-

Enwere

Felix Liberty loses brother OPULAR musician-turned P pastor, Felix Liberty, has lost his elder brother, Dr. Aigbe Liberty.

A statement by Lucky Liberty, on behalf of the family, said Aigbe Liberty was 67 years old and is survived by 25 children, brothers and sisters.

Liberty, who was a musician, a publisher and an activist, would be remembered for setting up the defunct Nigeria Union of Musicians (NUM), which was to rival the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria.

Burial arrangements will be announced by the family.

Church begins Super Fest today BUNDANT Life Gospel Church eight- day Super Fest 2013 begins A today and will end on Friday, August, 9 at church auditorium, along 69, Iju Road, Oyemekun Bus Stop, near Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos at 6.00pm daily.

Host is Jane Onaolapo.

Liberty

TheGuardian

14 | THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 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 Legislators’ unbearable jumbo pay HAT Nigeria cannot afford the financial cost it currently bears on democracy is an incontrovertible fact. The huge expenditure is unnecessary, insensitive and a flagrant betrayal of the expectations of all Nigerians. This then explains why the cost of governance in Nigeria, especially the jumbo pay of public office holders has been an enduring debate since the inauguration of the current republic. While the majority of Nigerians wallow in abject poverty, their elected representatives, not more than a few thousand persons, treat themselves so sumptuously that it rankles. This waste in government and the extravagant life-style of state actors, especially legislators, constitute such a drain on the common till that it is impossible for any country carrying such a burden to make progress.

This is further corroborated by the annual budget which allocates about 70 per cent of the entire appropriation to recurrent expenditure. Indeed, the emerging consensus is that those representing Nigerians in the National Assembly and their executive counterparts take so much from public coffers, with no such corresponding policy outcomes as could give joy to most Nigerians.

A recent report by The Economist magazine which ranked Nigeria’s lawmakers as the highest paid in the world has appropriately refocused public attention on the matter. The report revealed that the annual salary of legislators in several countries, which include Ghana, $46,500; Indonesia, $65,800; Thailand, $43,800; India, $11,200; Italy, $182,000; Bangladesh, $4,000; Israel, $114,800; Hong Kong, $130,000; Japan, $149,700; and Singapore, $154,000. The Nigerian federal legislator’s annual earning was put at about $189,000 (N30 million) annually. This amount, scandalous as it may seem, is nothing compared to what they get from the system through other means. The sensibility of the people may be further incensed when the various allowances ostensibly for running their offices which include oversight allowance, recess allowance, wardrobe allowance and the bizarre constituency allowance, among others, are computed.

Although the spokesmen of the National Assembly have called into question the latest assertion from the highly respected magazine as not representing the facts, but they lose the plot since they are yet to convincingly tell Nigerians exactly what their total remunerative package is. Worse still, they have not been able to explain the source of funds for their ostentatious lifestyle. Each of them has always dodged the questions about the actual salary and corresponding allowances that a legislator earns suggesting that there is something to hide. Even from the little information on the public domain, there is nowhere in the world where people who do so little get so much pay. There has not been any overly display of enthusiasm for public service but rather a disposition to self-aggrandisment.

The legislators are representatives elected by the people to create and pass laws, represent the people who elected them into office and also do oversight functions. These functions have complex dimensions so that they could become experts on complex public matters, scrutinize the budget, engross bills, and sit in commissions and committees. There is nothing evident in the activities of the legislators today to suggest that they are in office to represent the people who elected them and who desire the mythical ‘dividends of democracy’.

It is an irony that the National Assembly, which ought to be the gut of democracy and the legislative gendarme of the treasury, has derailed in its function. Instead, it constitutes a drain on the same treasury. Lawmakers draw salaries on first-line charge on the federation account. It has the onerous duty, through the public accounts committee, to scrutinize the financial transactions of government and through the approval of the report of auditor-general of the federation. These roles of ensuring transparency and accountability in government have been subverted through self-enrichment tendencies. It is this role that is funded heavily in the developed world where cost of governance is high with concrete deliverables and not on padded emolument of public officers. For example Netherlands spends about 47.7 per cent of national income on governance. Sweden, 42.8 per cent; U.S., 21.0 per cent and England, 37.8 per cent. All the political parties in the country today are guilty of the acquisitive tendencies to the detriment of their duties.

The legislators have not only lost their moral authority, they also have by their dealings transformed the National Assembly into an infrastructure of corruption.

The matter has today gone past the caution threshold. The National Assembly has itself become part of the problem of the nation’s young democracy and needs total restructuring. Not too long ago, the Senegalese government scrapped its Senate in order to free resources for the goals of development. In Nigeria’s case, the bi-cameral arrangement is not only expensive and unnecessary, legislative business must be made a part-time activity so that it is only those Nigerians desirous of public service who will take on public responsibilities. The logical corollary is a considerable cut down of salaries and perks of office that currently obtain. Amidst the abject poverty in the land, Nigerians can no longer tolerate a situation where a legislative clique feeds fat on the commonwealth.

T

LETTERS

When a man kills a soldier IR: I was almost sure the CNN name. Now when they play pol- between 2,562 and 3,325 people Sherself newscaster was thinking to itics with a man’s life in this in Pakistan, of whom between “what in the world are manner, a dangerous world is we doing, this is ridiculous” as she cast the news about one man who killed another on the street of London with the outrageous headline “Terror on the Streets of London”.

You won’t understand how much of a moron the person who choose this headline is until you consider that there are 350 knife crimes committed in England and Wales every day, one every four minutes.

How did just one knife crime amount to “Terror on the Streets of London?”

When you add this to the fact that David Cameron cut his trip short you are almost laughing in a bad situation. The same Cameron’s UK sent 46,000 of such young soldiers to Iraq on a pack of lies which has now been exposed and today the same country which pretends to care about this soldier that was killed has 9,500 soldiers excluding special forces in a supposedly sovereign country called Afghanistan dying pointlessly in an immoral war aimed at forcing evil down people’s throat. Since when did the UK start caring about the likes of drummer Lee Rigby?

All of the drama from CNN to Downing Street are done because it was discovered the attacker had a Muslim middle

created because there are a number of us who see no reason why we should join the worldwide grieve over the death of a soldier in the hands of a civilian in a world where the rape and murder of little Afghan girls of 10 years by soldiers of the same breed is not even discussed.

When we fall on top each other in the nauseating competition to outsmart ourselves with regards to the tough words we use on the “Mujaheed” guy, we just come off as hypocrites – hypocrites because between June 2004 and September this year, according to research by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, drone strikes killed

474 and 881 were civilians, including 176 children...who cries on the occasion of the death of a soldier and care less when 176 are killed except a wretched notice me hypocrite with a complex?

Yes Islam does not support Michael Mujaheed’s action neither does Christianity support David Cameron’s action of killing innocents so why expect every Muslim to be a model Muslim when they are dealing with people who are not model Christians?

It is high time we told ourselves the blunt truth because in the end God is only the side of truth hence truth will naturally bring peace.

• Eseoghene Ohwojeheri Benin City.

Weighty argument has been most gratify- when those most likely to be StheIR:ingBBCItand appropriate to see affected better understand announce the 8lb 6oz weight of the Royal Baby in Imperial units.

Sadly, the BBC seems to have such a love affair with Metric units that they are normally used even when public safety is at stake – as with the recent warnings of over-hot weather given repeatedly in Celsius

Fahrenheit.

If the Royal Birth has made the BBC reconsider their position on this, then it may well be time for cynical Republicans like myself to reconsider our stance on the monarchy.

• John Douglas, Edinburgh, U.K.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

15

Business Appointments P27 Govt unveils new framework for youth development Telecoms operators record mixed fortunes under number porting regime

By Adeyemi Adepetun ITH about 100 days into Mobile Number Porting (MNP) scheme in the country, it has been mixed fortunes for the telecommunications operators, going by statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Already, the April statistics showed that the country currently has 119 million active subscribers out of over 165 million connected lines.

Interestingly, the quartet of MTN Nigeria, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat, which are the GSM operators, control 117 million active subscribers.

Indeed, the NCC number porting statistics for the month of May and June showed that MTN had 10 per cent porting gain for the month of May and 49 per cent losses. Globacom had 17 per cent porting gain and 23 per cent losses; Etisalat 29 per cent gain and 17 per cent losses; while Airtel cornered

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Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, Dr. Umar Birdir (left); Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Dr. Hans Rudolf Hodel; Chief Executive Officer, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Dharnesh Gordhon; and Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Dr. Samuel Adenekan, during a press conference on Migration Partnership between Swiss Embassy and Nestle Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

Leeway to Nigeria’s economic development, by AU Commission

By Roseline Okere ITH the nation’s oil and gas industry’s plummeting fortunes, the Petroleum Monitory Committee (PMC), African Union (AU) Commission, has canvassed appropriate enabling legislation to stem the sliding profile.

The country’s crude oil production declined from 1.93 mbpd in May to the average of 1.861 mbpd in June, even as new investments in exploration activities have been waning.

Chairman of the commission’s PMC, Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah, said new laws that would bolster the strategic economic sector, with concomitant positive impact on job creation should be enacted.

Besides, Egbogah stressed that Nigeria’s plan to achieve the vision of becoming one on the leading economies in the world would be a mirage without proper focus on research and development.

Egbogah, who was the Special Adviser to the President on Petroleum Matters, believed that the country is lagging behind in research and development in Africa needed for the

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In Nigeria and Malaysia, technology is clearly the engine of growth. Within this framework, business and industry are the drivers, government is the catalyst and academia is the fuel. An integrated strategy, therefore, must link these stakeholders in the business of national development. Technologybased development can occur only with concerted efforts to revitalise education, develop personnel, and create integrated industries. development of its oil and gas sector.

Speaking at the ongoing 37th Nigeria yearly international conference and exhibition, organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineer (SPE) in Lagos, Egbogah also emphasised the need for the Federal Government to invest in human capital development.

According to him, the country can never develop with the low level and middle level manpower presently in the country. “Also, appropriate and enabling legislation is needed for the development of the country’s oil and gas industry.”

He attributed the high rate of brain drain in the country to the inability of the government to provide the needed jobs for the people. “There are 3.25 million Nigerians

working in North America, 150,000, are in the medical profession; 175,000, in the Information Technology sector; 87,000 are in the pharmaceutical sector; 50,000, in the engineering industry; and 250,000 professionals in the legal and real estate sectors”.

To tackle the high rate of unemployment in the country, Egbogah emphasised the need for the Federal Government to establish institutions, which would assist young entrepreneurs who wish to be selfemployed.

“The solution to unemployment in the country is to be self employed. The government cannot provide jobs for everybody. People should begin to think towards establishing their own businesses.

The government has been able to set up the micro finance banks, which are supposed to assist young entrepreneur in respect to funding.

Government should ensure that these institutions are performing the roles, which they have been establish to do”, he said.

He added: “The Federal Government has never has a sustained focus on the development and application of technology for transforming its national economy, and the education curriculum was not designed to deliver a leadership base in science and technology. But Nigeria would do well to follow Malaysia’s example.

“In Nigeria and Malaysia, technology is clearly the engine of growth. Within this framework, business and industry are the drivers, government is the catalyst and academia is the fuel. An integrated strategy, therefore, must link these stakeholders in the business of national development.

Technology-based development can occur only with concerted efforts to revitalise education, develop personnel, and create integrated industries”.

44 per cent porters and lost 11 per cent for the month under review.

The trend continued in the month of June, with Globacom gaining 29 per cent of porters and lost 19 per cent. MTN gained nine per cent of porters and lost 47 per cent.

Etisalat, with over five years of operation in Nigeria had 12 per cent porting gains and 23 per cent losses, while NCC statistics revealed that Airtel had 50 per cent porting gain and lost 11 per cent in June.

NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Tony Ojobo, who spoke with The Guardian yesterday, confirmed the traffic in the porting scheme, which was launched in Nigeria on April 22.

Ojobo said MNP has deepened competition so far and given subscribers a choice to switch networks without losing their unique number, describing it as one of the gains of the milestone 12th

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

16 BUSINESS

NAICOM scrutinises insurers against money laundering, terrorism financing

By Joshua Nse HERE were indications that inspectors of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have begun the scrutiny of compliance to guidelines of Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) manual in the insurance industry.

The AML/CFT regulations and “know your policyholders” guidelines seek to minimise the risk faced by companies of being used to launder the proceeds of crime and provide protec-

T

tion against fraud and financial risk.

The Guardian gathered that regulatory inspectors are on the field examining structures put in place in compliance with the AML/CFT guidelines.

The chief executive of an underwriting firm who spoke on condition of anonymity said regulators are currently scrutinizing compliance level in the industry. The guidelines, he said, require that operators must know their customers and the source of business that they underwrite.

He said: “The government reforms are very keen in the growth of insurance business in this country, and the commission is working very hard to enforce best practice in the conduct of insurance business as traditional risk bearer in the economy.”

According to him, “there are challenges in the industry. For instance, we are required to implement the International Financial

Reporting Standard (IFRS), AML/CFT guidelines, the ‘no premium no cover’ policy.

The impacts of these challenges are enormous because we are required to implement these reforms at the same time.

“Although, it is for the growth of the industry, you can realise the financial implications that are involved in the process of implementation.

The AML/CFT compliance manual is designed to provide international bestpractice guidance to companies on how to implement the legal regime. It covers design of AML/CFT policy; chief compliance officer designation and duties; customers due diligence; monitoring and responding to suspicious transactions; record keeping; and AML/CFT employee

training programme.

Companies are required to adopt a risk-based approach in the identification and management of their AML/CFT risk. Companies are also reminded that AML/CFT laws not only designate money laundering and predicate offences but also prescribe criminal sanctions for non-compliance.

Telecoms operators record mixed fortunes in number porting regime CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 year of commercial roll out of GSM services in Nigeria since August 2001.

MNP, which is the process that enables mobile telephone users to retain their mobile telephone numbers when changing from one mobile network operator to another, got into Nigeria a little behind schedule in 2013, when the about 35 million subscribers in 2004 have had to cope with the challenge of quality of Service provisioning in the country.

The Guardian had reported that Nigeria is the 64th country to port numbers, after the likes of Singapore, which pioneered it in 1994; New Zealand; USA; Ghana; South Africa among others.

Furthermore, investigations also revealed that the NCC has not jettisoned its

planned review of the various technicalities perceived to be hindering faster adoption of MNP in the country.

Indeed, beside issues around the process of porting, including the 90-day stay duration on a particular network before any other migration; the 48 hours processing period to port; poor awareness; especially in the hinterland; need for physical presence before porting; the preference for dual and multi-SIM mobile devices are some of the perceived challenges facing the scheme in the country.

At a post event interview in Lagos recently, NCC’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Services, Josephine Amuwa confirmed that there might be a review of the MNP rules as being canvassed in different quarters of late.

Amuwa, who also hinted that any operator found hindering the smooth flow of the process would be slammed with a fine of N200, 000 per a subscriber, noted that MNP is a key facilitator of consumer choice and effective competition in the telecommunications environment.

“A defaulting operator risk the sum of N200, 000 per a subscriber discovered to have been denied by porting”, she stated.

Executive Director, Corporate and Investment, Skye Bank Plc, Timothy Oguntayo (left); Executive Director, South East/Treasury, Amaka Onwughalu; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti; and Head, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos, Ngozika Obidike, at the launch of Skye Bank’s Customer Service Charter, in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

Plateau stakes N14b on agric projects HE Plateau Government T said on Tuesday that it had injected N14 billion into the agriculture sector to ensure aggressive transformation of the sector.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Steven Barko, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Jos. He said that the amount was spent in setting up Agricultural Services and Training Centres (ASTCs) in

the three Senatorial zones of the state to provide mechanised agricultural facilities to farmers; to ensure high yield.

He said that the centres were established in partnership with an Israeli company under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.

“The centres were equipped with modern machinery for mechanised agriculture, improved seeds, fertiliser, chemicals and other farm inputs. They have professionally trained personnel for periodic training of farmers on modern farming techniques.

“So far, the Plateau government has invested more than N14 billion in the centres to strategically reposi-

tion the sector for better performance.''

Barko said that the centres would provide training to farmers and other agricultural services to large-scale farmers from land preparation to harvesting with a triple yield assurance.

He also said that the projects, aimed at transforming the sector through aggressive application of modern mechanised farming technique to ensure high yield, was already yielding positive results.

“The yield of Irish potato has risen tremendously to 25 tonnes per hectare from an average of 10 tonnes to 12 tonnes per hectare.

“For maize, we are already approaching seven tonnes

per hectare from the national average of 0.15 tonnes to two tonnes per hectare.

“With the quality services the centres are providing to our teeming farmers, we are moving towards doubling or tripling our production output in almost all the crops produced in Plateau.''

The commissioner said that the initiative was already changing the lives of an estimated 1.9 million people out of the 3.5 million people in the state who depended on agriculture for their lively hood.

He advised the federal government and the states of the federation to key into such programmes to reposition the sector for better performance.

Association blames poor business in tourism industry on security challenges HE Federation of Tourism T Association of Nigeria (FTAN) has blamed the slow pace of business in the industry to the present security challenges being witnessed in the country.

Vice-President of the association, Tomi Akingbogun, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that the industry had lost about 30 per cent of its gains in the last few years due to insurgency.

“I can say that we have lost up to 30 per cent of what we gained in the sector in the last few years because of security problems, which affected businesses and subsequently income,’’ Akingbogun said.

The vice-president said that terrorism had affected indi-

viduals physically and mentally, adding that this had also led to a drop in productivity.

Akingbogun said that it would take time for international tourists, the private sector and individuals to regain confidence in the country, and stressed the need for government at all levels to address the situation.

According to him, there is the need for the government to accord priority attention to some areas in the sector with a view to reviving them.

He listed the areas to include; leisure and recreation, ecotourism and tour agencies among others. ``The leisure part of tourism

needs to be developed, the mind set of people needs to be improved by advising them to take breaks from work and involve themselves in recreational activities,” he said.

The vice-president called on tour operators to improve packages for tourists and travellers by cutting down on transportation cost to encourage more people to travel.

“Tour operators should make transportation cheaper from time to time for people to move around often.”

He appealed to the Federal Government not to allow the Wonderland Amusement Park in the FCT to waste as it could be converted to anoth-

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

BUsINEss

17

West Africa will be Africa’s fastest growing region in 2014, says AfDB HE African Development T Bank’s (AfDB) lead Research Economist, John Anyanwu, said that West Africa would be the fastest-growing region in Africa between 2013 and 2014, with 6.7 per cent and 7.4 per cent economic growth rate.

He made this known at the launch of the Africa Economic Outlook by the bank on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said: “West Africa is expected to continue its rapid growth with rates of 6.7 per cent in 2013 and 7.4 per cent in 2014, thereby becoming the fastest-growing region of the continent in the period under review.

“Growth in the region is not only driven by oil and mineral sectors but also by agriculture and services and on the demand side often by consumption and investment.”

Commenting on the continent, he said that in 2012,

growth performance varied widely, adding that oil-exporting countries achieved significantly higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth than oil importers.

This, he said, was mainly because of the rebound of oil production in Libya, noting that better growth performance of oil exporters would likely continue in 2013 and 2014.

Anyanwu said that Nigeria’s average growth was expected to continue growing by between 6.7 per cent and 7.3 per cent in 2013 and 2014 respectively, while that of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire would likely exceed eight per cent and nine per cent respectively during the period under review.

He noted: “In most countries of the region, growth is expected to pick up during the period under review, exceeding five per cent, but in a few

countries such as Benin, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau, growth will remain more subdued.

“Due to the resumption of oil production and exports, Libya’s GDP bounced back by 96 per cent in 2012, boosting growth in North Africa to 9.5 per cent, after the region’s GDP had stagnated in 2011.

“Given the political uncertainties and difficult international economic conditions in Egypt, growth is expected to remain subdued at two per cent and accelerate to 3.5 per cent, thus remaining below pre-revolution levels,” he said.

The research economist added that the Tunisian economy would be expected to continue growing at 3.5 per cent in 2013 and witness higher growth of 4.5 per cent on 2014, while Morocco and Mauritania would achieve solid growth at average rate of six per cent in the year under review.

Chairman, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Group Capt. Murtala Salami (rtd) (right) Group Managing Director, Mr. Adebola Akindele; Deputy Managing Director, Wale Sonaike and Director, Olabisi Akindele at the 8th Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos last week PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

BUSINESS

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Ekiti spends N14.7b on infrastructure From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti kiti State Government has spent N14.7 billion on infrastructure in the last 31 months, Special Adviser, Infrastructure, Kayode Jegede has disclosed.

Breaking down the amount yesterday in Ado Ekiti during a Ministerial Press briefing, Jegede disclosed that N5 billion was expended on water, N2 billion on electrification, N7 billion on legacy projects, while Information Communication and Technology (ICT) was boosted with N700million.

To checkmate the activities of criminals , the Special Adviser noted that government will soon install security cameras in strategic places in Ado Ekiti, the capital city to capture the faces of evil doers.

Jegede , who posited that water supply has improved tremendously since Governor Kayode Fayemi came on board, said the N2.5 billion expended on water provision under the Millennium Development Goals by the immediate past administration failed to yield any result because the project was wrongly conceived.

The Special Adviser urged the citizens and residents of the state to pay their taxes for government to have enough money to provide basic facilities that would improve their well-being.

In the area of ICT, Jegede stated that the Biometric payroll system introduced into the state civil service has helped in stemming the tide of corruption and other leakages in the Service .

He said the government will soon instal Fibre-Optics cable

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across the State that would make Internet services available to all citizens,saying this will engender e-learning and video-conferencing innovation in the Governor’s Office and the State Secretariat for optimum performance of the workforce.

The Special Adviser noted that government has invested billions in the expansion of the major Dams in the State , particularly Ureje Dam in Ado Ekiti for more water provision, saying this will be complemented by the establishment of water Kiosk that would be supervised by women to hawk water for Ekiti residents.

In a related development the Commissioner for Information, Tayo Ekundayo at a Town Hall meeting held in Ayedun Ekiti in Ikole Local Government, said over 700,000 Ekiti indigenes have benefitted from the free health mission of the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led Administration.

Ekundayo added that the State Government had encouraged the Federal University, Oye Ekiti , to establish the pre-degree programme in Ayedun Ekiti to expand its socio-economic development and people’s access to higher education.

The Information Commissioner assured that all the towns in Ekiti State will benefit from grant-in-aid of the present government to complete ongoing developmental programme, while their dilapidated roads and collapsed bridges will be constructed by government under the 5 kilometres road project .

Forum seeks improved ties between Nigeria, UK O further increase busiT ness and investment ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, the Nigerian London Business Forum (NILOBF) has concluded plans to hold its inaugural business-networking luncheon to such end.

According to a statement made available to The Guardian and jointly signed by NILOBF Country Representative Director, Nigeria, Dr Chris Onalo and London Administrator, Danette Gayle, the event seeks to bring top-notch business people from Nigeria and UK together to establish or renew business contacts, seek new investment opportuni-

ties, develop long-term business relationships or finalize existing business deals.

“The key objective of NILOBF is essentially to promote, attract trade and investments, support or oppose legislation or other policies and measures capable of affecting trade, investment, and business between Nigeria and UK, as well as representing the opinion of London based Nigerian business community on those matters and the economy as a whole.”

Scheduled to hold on August 30, Professor Pat Utomi is expected to speak on the topic: “The Power of Business, The Threat of Barriers.”

Guinness launches new campaign UINNESS Nigeria Plc, has G launched new campaign as part of the Made Of More proposition.

Made of more campaign launches with an emotive television commercial about Sam, an entrepreneurial sign writer who has come to the city to make a name for himself by making names for others. He works hard by day making signs, and by night he dreams. More people see what he can do, including his latest creation, the iconic red Arthur Guinness signature at a local bar showing that Sam

is like Guinness; Made of More.

Filmed in Nairobi, the new commercial is part of the global campaign for Guinness, conceived to celebrate the beer that is adored by millions across the world.

Produced by advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi and directed by Spanish Director, Nacho Gayan, ‘Made Of More’ joins the likes of the epic, long running Michael Power campaign, “Udeme” (Greatness campaign) and the most recent campaign, ‘The Ticket – come drink at the table of men’.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire (left); Group Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti; and the Managing Director of Lagos Metrolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dayo Mobereola, at the launch of Lagos card connect in Lagos.

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Access Bank woos investors to hospitality industry

By Chijioke Nelson CCESS Bank Plc has said that the untapped opportunities inherent in the hospitality industry and the audacity of Nigerian entrepreneurs in venturing and developing them are quite commendable.

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, who made the remark at the financial institution’s organized forum for its customers in the hospitality industry, said that the bank is now fully ready to close ranks with operators in investments.

Aig-Imoukhuede lauded entrepreneurs that have the courage and vision to run their own business in whatever sector they find themselves, adding that they make economies whatever they are globally.

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“We have always known this and we have always believed that the future of Access Bank relies in our ability to serve great entrepreneurs like you.

“In Access Bank, we tend not to do things until we are ready to do them and at a standard that is comparable to anywhere in the world. This is the first of our monthly series of forum, where we will interact with entrepreneurs across various sectors. These sessions are meant to be like a steroid injection into your business where you spend hours with intense discussions.

“We believe that business is something you take seriously and we are here to serve you.

Aside from credit and banking services, for the entrepreneur, the most important thing that your bank provides for you is advice, networking and just an ear to be there for you when you want to express

yourself.”

But the Head of Business Banking, South, Mike Nwankwo, who also noted that there are great opportu-

nities in the industry, considering the positive forecast in the economy, said “we also know that even with the opportunities, the challenges

are there.”

“The industry is capital intensive, there is no trust of employees and the turnover rate is much. That is why

Access Bank has put up this forum to interact with people like you to see how these challenges can be addressed to further enhance your business.

Akpabio urges Total to re-locate headquarters to A/Ibom OVERNOR Godswill G Akpabio of Akwa Ibom has urged Total Oil Company to relocate its headquarters to Akwa Ibom since 75 per cent of its operations are based in the state.

Akpabio said this at the weekend in Uyo during a gala night organised by the Akwa Ibom government in honour of the Consul-General of French Embassy in Nigeria, Francois Sastourne.

The governor noted that although TotalFina Elf, a French oil company, was drilling 75 per cent of crude oil

from Akwa Ibom, it has no office in the state.

“I will start to report that they don’t have an office in Akwa Ibom. So, you may wish to discuss with them that to whom much is given, much is expected.

“We look forward to working with a lot of French companies,” Akpabio said.

He also requested the ConsulGeneral to support the free and compulsory education policy of the state government.

“We have declared free and compulsory education for

basic education of our children.

“We have over 1.7 million children in just primary and secondary schools alone in a population that is less than five million.

“The facilities are overstretched, we have built thousands of classroom blocks, but we don’t have enough teachers to go round all.

“We need assistance in any way you can help us,” Akpabio said.

He said that the state government had the best e-library in Africa and needed to take the

facility to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

“We must ensure that every school, every community is linked so that our children can become ICT compliant.

“That is the only way we can produce children who will be employable in the modern society,” Akpabio said.

The governor also requested cooperation with the French government in the areas of healthcare delivery, agriculture and aviation.

Responding, the ConsulGeneral expressed the readiness of the French government to cooperate with Akwa Ibom government in education.

“Education is the key to the future, the key to development not only economic development but human development.

“So, we will try to improve the development of French language in the state,” Sastourne said.

He said that any French company wishing to invest in Akwa Ibom would do justice in the direction of financing education.

“We will also endeavour to have development exchanges between university from here and France, not only in the French language but in other fields like human science, Political Science and Engineering.”

Stakeholders hold conference to drive infrastructure investments O further drive infrastrucT ture investments between Africa and Australia, plans have been concluded to hold the Africa-Australia Infrastructure Conference (AAIC) to such end.

Scheduled to hold in Melbourne, Australia between September 2 to 3, conference will feature business opportunities, case studies and practical presentations from leading infrastructure experts and solution providers drawn from the ICT & Telecoms, Water and Sanitation, Mining Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics and Energy sectors.

According to a statement made available to The Guardian, the Africa-Australia Infrastructure Conference is an interactive forum that is strategically organised for African countries seeking infrastructure investments and Australian investors who are operating in Africa or looking to venture into Africa.

Amongst others, the conference will enable a collaborative platform for delegates to pool innovative ideas and learn emerging ways infrastructure investors can better overcome the business risks, sovereign risks, volatile regulations as well as other practical risk issues associated with doing infrastructure business in Africa.

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Appointments Govt unveils new framework for youth development From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja HE federal government has unveiled a new strategic framework that will serve as a roadmap for future engagement to the Nigerian youth and their aspiration of becoming self reliant and socially responsible citizens.

Unveiling the framework recently in Abuja, the Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa AbdulKadir, stated that the ministry would provide supportive structure, monitoring & evaluation for all on-going Employability & Entrepreneurship Development programmes at the federal, state and LGA or even at the levels NGOs and private sectors.

The minister stated that the unveiling of the programmes aimed to accelerate youth development towards the achievement of the Transformation Agenda and Vision 20:2020 of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He noted that the ministry would seek to establish the 360 Degree Leadership Principles as a paradigm which would serve as the foundation for self reliant and responsible citizen across the divers status age, class, etc of the Nigerian youth.

“While we engage multiple stakeholders to deliver different programmes such as

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inter college/university leadership challenge through debate and essay competition, leadership clinic for inter-generational exchange through dedicated channels on radio, television and social media, we will also strengthen Citizen and Leadership Training Centre to become primary leadership institute in Nigeria.

“The ministry will also establish a project based leadership development programme for the Nigerian youth parliament, the National Youth Council of Nigeria and other youth organisations, for the purpose institutionalising the 260 Degree Leadership Principle as a paradigm for self reliant and responsible citizenship among the youth.”

The minister further stated that the ministry had started the process of institutionalising a career assessment programme as a major component of the 21 days NYSC orientation camp.

“We have stated talking with private organisations to set up innovation HUBs in cities, collages and universities. We hope to have a pilot site here in Abuja by the first quarter of 20014,” he said.

He explained that the framework sought to leverage on social media as a critical platform for information, education and communication with Nigerian

Director of Finance, Evans Medical Plc, Shola Ogunwale (left), Group Managing Director (GMD), Bunmi Olaopa and Managing Director, Cipla Evans, Wale Oyenuga at a media chat on proposed reinvestment bid in Lagos…recently. youth adding that the purpose was to create a platform to aggregate youth voice on topical issues.

Acknowledging that government could not fund the programmes alone, he disclosed that the ministry hoped to mobilise strategic funding from multi-lateral, multinational, internation-

Servicom tasks Immigration Service over influx of illegal migrants From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HOUGH there are initiatives aimed at crumbling territorial barriers towards enhancing people’s free movement within regions, such movement integration must not be to the detriment of any country, the Senior Special Assistant to the President and National Coordinator of Servicom, Mr. Sylbriks Obriki has said.

The Servicom boss who stated this when he paid a courtesy visit on the newly appointed ComptrollerGeneral of the Nigeria Immigration Services, Mr. David Shikfu Parradang, in Abuja submitted that the service must work towards improving the image of the nation in the international community by checking the influx of immigrants who pose security threats to the nation.

He observed that the service needs high-level professionalism from its personnel in order to deliver on the mandate.

“I would appeal to you to ensure excellent professional conduct by officers and men of the immigration service so that they can deliv-

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er on their mandate and ensure effective border patrol to check illegal immigrants,” he said.

He further advocated a cordial inter-ministerial relationship between NIS and other agencies as it relates to immigration issues and trans-border movements.

“For you to succeed you have to identify who your key partners and stakeholders are and constantly consult and engage them in the delivery of your services,” the Servicom boss added.

Obriki further noted that the interfacing role between the NIS and the international community was critical as such all hands must be on deck to ensure that efficient service delivery was the benchmark in the service.

The NIS ComptrollerGeneral who appreciated the visit of the Servicom team, promised to remain focused and ensure sustained improvement in the services delivered by NIS, disclosing that before the year runs out, new passport cameras would be launched to improve the process of passport issuance across the country.

The Servicom chief has also charged Servicom Focal

Officers from state offices of the NIS to contribute their quota to the improvement of service delivery in their state offices as no nation is interested in investing in a country with poor service delivery.

Speaking with the officers during the Servicom committee meeting shortly after his visit to the comptrollergeneral, the coordinator enjoined them to check the falsification in data details by persons seeking passports, adding that such vices were compounding the nation’s image problems.

He noted that for service delivery to improve in the service there must be recognition of the points of service failures and where the numerous service takers encounter problems, with appropriate solutions proffered to mitigate them.

In her address, the Chief Servicom Officer Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli, reminded the Servicom Focal Officers of their respective roles in the service delivery initiative of the federal government, saying: “Servicom is urging you all to do right what you are employed to do because Nigerians have the right to be served right.”

al donor partners, Corporate Social Responsibility fund with interest in youth related issues through different approaches, which would include strategic top level leverage, public private partnership, programme endorsement philanthropy and other strategic partners.

Speaking at the unveiling of

the strategic framework, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, stated that the ministry was aware that there was a general cynicism among the youth regarding their future while adding that the ministry was ready to address the problem.

He noted that the new

strategic framework was poised to take youth development in Nigeria to the next level.

“Overall, our objective is to set a new goal with a renewed drive that will tackle the nature of the challenges that the youths are facing in the country,” he said.

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UNIDO tasks govt on job creation To partner govt on entrepreneurship training in secondary schools

By Tosin Fodeke ORRIED by the alarming rate of unemployment in the country, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) yesterday urged government on the need to reduce the trend.

The position comes on the wake of UNIDO’s proposal for federal government to include entrepreneurship studies in the secondary school curriculum.

Speaking at a one day entrepreneurship and career fair, Industrial Development

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Officer of UNIDO, Ms. Noriko Takahashi stressed that the federal government needed to create more avenues for youths to access job opportunities as well generate employment.

Takahashi stated that more platforms on a national scale had to be created for youths to discover new ways of creating employment and access the right jobs.

She also revealed that the organisation was developing a technical cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Education and the Nigerian Educational Research and

Development Council (NERDC) with the objective of introducing entrepreneurship curriculum into formal education system starting with Senior Secondary Schools.

Takahashi spoke at the fair organised by UNIDO in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment (FMITI) and Career Solutions Africa.

Takahashi added that its decision to partner in the organisation of a career fair was sequel to its recently

RTEAN moves to curb excesses among drivers From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE Road Transport T Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) is mapping out strategies to stamp out alcohol consumption in motor parks and mugging of unsuspecting commuters, the President of the Association, Musa Shehu, has disclosed.

Shehu was speaking in Abuja while receiving the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youths and Students Matters, Jude Imagwue, who paid a courtesy visit to RTEAN headquarters.

He added that he has set up monitoring teams in motor parks across the country to ensure no driver drink alcohol while on wheels and that the association was working

with security agencies to ensure the menace of ‘onechance’ phenomenon was eradicated.

He said: “I have said that my tenure as president, we are going to set up monitoring teams to monitor alcohol consumption among drivers.

The team will discharge any car whose driver reeks alcohol. It is part of my slogan and all my members have accepted it. I am happy today that the president is here with me because the president cannot divide himself. He has so many assignments and that is why he sent Comrade Maguey here to see us. We are happy that the president of the country counts us worthy of visit.”

While expressing displeasure about the corroding effects of ‘one-chance’ phe-

nomenon where commuters were robbed in commercial vehicles, Shehu said that the association was working with security agencies to stop the practice.

conducted a labour market survey for skill analysis gap and youth employability.

“Youth employment is a global issue and at UNIDO we recognise the immediate socio-economic challenges which young men and women face daily.

Earlier Minister for State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom explained that the fair, the first of its kind in Nigeria was aimed at providing support for policy makers to structure skills development to meet sectoral skills demands.

He added that other objectives included raising awareness of self-employment as a lucrative alternative to working for other people, providing career guidance, conducive physical and transparent avenue for interaction between employers of labour and those seeking employment.

EFCC has lost its value, says anti-graft activist From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt HE Economic and T Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has lost its value, anti-corruption activist, Auwal Musa, has said.

Musa, the National Coordinator of Zero Corruption Coalition, explained recently in Port Harcourt during the launch of the Niger Delta Anti corruption Network (NIDAN) that EFCC allegedly lacked the capacity to fight corruption in Nigeria.

According to him, most of the anti-corruption agencies appear to have lost the public confidence in the fight against corruption due to what he identified as lack of pro-activeness and effectiveness in the way and manner corruption cases are handled in the country.

Musa said: “EFCC has been abused to the extent that those who are involved in sharp practices are now the ones that urged you (victims) to call EFCC.”

S’African firm appoints country director for Nigeria OUTH African banking SAnalytics, strategy firm, Genesis has announced the appointment of Ada PhilUgochukwu, as country director.

Phil-Ugochukwu will focus on expanding and consolidating the firm’s presence in Africa’s second-largest economy by deepening relationships with existing Genesis

Analytics clients and expanding its presence into non-banking financial services.

She will also focus on enabling clients to benefit from leveraging off the firm’s sector and continental knowledge in order to improve business performance.

Genesis Analytics has been

operating in Nigeria since 2001, where it has been advising and supporting banks, financial sector regulators and development agencies with such services as market analysis, strategy and policy development, segmentation, value proposition development, operating model optimisation, pricing and evaluation studies.

He alleged that the war against corruption had been undermined by government officials, adding, “it is in our interest to ensure that corruption is dealt with and that corrupt people are not allowed to enjoy the goods they have looted but what we see today is different, those who steal government money will even be the one to tell you to call EFCC, because the agency is not doing what it’s expected to do.”

He regretted that the situation had denied many Nigerians access to good education, water, health, and road amongst others.

Musa, however, stressed the need to review the existing legislation on some of the anti-corruption agency to enable them deal with corruption squarely in the country.

Musa said: “There is need for them to rebuild their confidence in dealing with corruption in Nigeria. It is necessary for them to ensure efforts are made to deal with the issue of corruption. We need to review the existing legislation on some of the anti-corruption agency to give the agency the necessary powers to deal with corruption.

“Government needs to provide the enabling resources to deal with corruption, we need to ensure we have competent people with the required capacity that can investigate corruption, and we need to ensure that the judiciary is doing its work so that corruption is dealt with.

We need to ensure that the government is not playing games with the issue of corruption.”

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Kogi begins execution of N2billion SURE-P projects From Kolawole Timothy, Lokoja OGI State government has disclosed that it was set to begin the execution of its N2billion projects under the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme [SURE-P].

The disclosure was made at the end of Kogi State SURE-P Committee meeting presided over by the State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, who also doubles as the Chairman of Kogi state SURE-P. Briefing newsmen after the committee’s meeting, the spokespersons and members of the committee, Ali Atabor, who is the state NUJ Chairman, Dr. Idris Omede Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, Commissioner of Works and Transport as well as Dr. John Alabi, representing the private sector, said that the state’s SURE-P committee would also begin an inspection of about N651million projects, made up of 327 projects in the first phase of ongoing SURE-P projects spread across the twenty

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one local government areas of the state.

The inspection tour by committee was to ensure the judicious use of the 70 per cent of SURE-P funds already released to the councils.

Beside the committee after its meeting also disclosed that the State Governor, Captain Idris Wada had also approved the renovation of selected educational institutions across the state as well as rehabilitation and equipping of a general hospital each in every local government area and zonal health institutions in the state as part of state intervention using the funds accrued from SURE-P. Similarly, the state government, the committee disclosed would in the next few weeks resuscitate the state transport corporation through the purchase of buses for the operation of inter and intracity transport services as well as the building of designated bus stops across the state to serve as loading point for the transport corporation.

FAAN allays fears over workers’ pension scheme

By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi HE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has allayed the fear of its workers over the directive from the National Pension Commission (NPC) that the authority migrated from the Defined Benefits Scheme to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), in line with the Pension Reform Act 2004 of the federal government of Nigeria.

The directive, which stated that staff of FAAN opting to retire under the Defined Benefits Scheme should do

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so between now and March 31, 2014, it also implied that anyone who choosed to remain in service after the said date would be migrated to the Contributory Pension Scheme automatically.

According to FAAN, the management has assured the staff that it would get clarification from NPC on the exact transition period for the migration and other related issues that have given staff concern, promising to keep workers abreast of further developments on the issue.

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Wogu cautions board members against interference in running of agencies From Collins Olayinka, Abuja OARD members of government agencies and parastatals must not see themselves as alternate administrators but complimentary allies in the overall efforts at delivering quality service to the people, the Minister of Labour and P r o d u c t i v i t y , Chukwuemeka Wogu has said.

Speaking in Abuja while inaugurating the board of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Wogu stressed the need for board member to compliment the jobs managements of parastatals are doing and not constitute themselves into alternate management, thereby causing rifts between them and management of agencies.

Wogu who is chairman of the Board, called on the members to refrain from day-to-day interference in the administration of the directorate.

The minister has also described loss of gainful employment not just on the unemployed person, but a loss to the society in terms of stunted social progress and a threat to the enthronement of an allinclusive society.

While commending the consistent achievements of the Directorate since its creation, Wogu added that the NDE must therefore set targets, source resources, monitor implementation and deliver concrete output for the unemployed Nigerians.

Wogu highlighted that though he was not oblivious of funding gaps, he insisted that NDE must set priorities that blend with good policy formulation.

He hinted that between January and December 2011,

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about 182,797 unemployed unskilled youths were empowered through the various training programmes of the directorate.

In his remarks, the Director General of the NDE, Mohammed Abubakar, expressed his appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for constituting the board.

He submitted that boards were very important to agencies of government as they help in swaying government support for policy formulation and funding for the implementation of projects.

He said: “The importance of a governing board to an organisation such as ours, particularly in a democratic

dispensation, cannot be overemphasized.

Furthermore, no serious management of a government agency or parastatal would downplay the potentials of a Board in facilitating the process of attracting government’s attention to its organisation, thus guaranteeing the fast-tracking and optimum implementation of its mandate.

NIMN partners AMC on development of marketing profession

By Helen Oji HE National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) has entered into partnership with African Marketing Confederation (AMC) to accelerate the development of marketing profession in Nigeria and create value for members.

According to the institute, the partnership would afford graduating members the opportunity to have equal qualification with other African countries, adding that such recognised certificate would pave the way for members to secure jobs in any African country.

Speaking during the AMC’s delegates visit to the institute in Lagos recently, the interim President of the institute, Ganiyu Koledoye, said, “with the collaboration, our certificate is acceptable in any African continent because it is attached to AMC, which is acceptable in Africa.

He added: “It would afford marketing professionals the opportunity to exchange ideas and develop programmes that would grow marketing profession. It would also provide opportunity to focus more in Africa as an emerging market, as well as develop faculties that are African based.”

Koledoye pointed out that if

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marketing profession were well practiced in Nigeria, it would promote wise investment decision, which, according to him would ultimately attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

“No more bringing in expatriate to do work in Nigeria because the AMC would contribute their skill and expatriate experience to accelerate our growth.

We have reached consensus to work together to enhance the quality of programmes we offer here to create stronger organisations in Nigeria.”

On whether the institute plans to replicate what is obtainable in South Africa, in terms of creating a separate

university for marketing profession in Nigeria, Koledoye said the council of the institute is holding talks with the Federal Government on how to establish separate university for marketing in Nigeria, adding that it would be established as soon as government approves it.

“We were in Abuja to discuss how to establish a university to further the course of marketing in Nigeria and we would continue to invest time and resources to ensure that the authority assists us to replicate that, which is in South Africa. We would also exploit all the capabilities of IMM in South Africa to ensure that we provide value to our members.”

Defence College graduates 131 participants From Madu Onuorah, Abuja total of 131 participants A including 11 foreigners have been scheduled to graduate from Nigeria’s apex military institution, the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja this week. The NDC started in 1992 with 30 participants.

The foreign participants are drawn from Benin Republic, Bourkina Faso, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Gabon, Ghana, Niger, Togo, Sierra Leone, Togo, Guinea Conakry and Brazil. The

remaining Nigeria participants are from the Army (50), Navy (35), Air Force (24), two each from the Nigeria Police and Department of State Security and another seven from the federal strategic establishments.

Commandant of the NDC, Rear Admiral Thomas Jonah Lokoson, told journalists in Abuja recently that the college is expanding intake of international participants in its next Course (22). Towards this, a total of 18 foreign participants are expected.

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ScienceGuardian Fresh concerns over cell phones, cancer link CIENTISTS have long been Sharmful worried about the possible effects of regular cellular phone use, but so far no study has managed to produce clear results. Currently, cell phones are classified as carcinogenic category 2bpotentially carcinogenic to humans- by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

A new Tel Aviv University, Israel, study, though, may bring bad news.

To further explore the relationship between cancer rates and cell phone use, Dr. Yaniv Hamzany of Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department at the Rabin Medical Center, looked for clues in the saliva of cell phone users. Since the cell phone is placed close to the salivary gland when in use, he and his fellow researchers, including departmental colleagues Profs.

Raphael Feinmesser, Thomas Shpitzer and Dr. Gideon Bahar and Prof. Rafi Nagler and Dr. Moshe Gavish of the Technion in Haifa, hypothesized that salivary content could reveal whether there was a connection to developing cancer.

Comparing heavy mobile phone users to non-users, they found that the saliva of heavy users showed indications of higher oxidative stress- a process that damages all aspects of a human cell, including DNA- through the development of toxic peroxide and free radicals. More importantly, it is considered a major risk factor for cancer.

The findings have been reported in the journal Antioxidants and Redox Signaling.

For the study, the researchers examined the saliva content of 20 heavy-user patients, defined as speaking on their phones for a minimum of eight hours a month.

Most participants speak much more, Hamzany says, as much as 30 to 40 hours a month. Their salivary content was compared to that of a control group, which consisted of

Cell phone in use

Comparing heavy mobile phone users to non-users, they found that the saliva of heavy users showed indications of higher oxidative stress- a process that damages all aspects of a human cell, including DNA- through the development of toxic peroxide and free radicals. More importantly, it is considered a major risk factor for cancer. deaf patients who either do not use a cell phone, or use the device exclusively for sending text messages and other nonverbal functions.

Compared to the control group, the heavy cell phone users had a significant increase in all salivary oxidative stress measurements studied.

“This suggests that there is considerable oxidative stress on the tissue and glands which

are close to the cell phone when in use,” he says. The damage caused by oxidative stress is linked to cellular and genetic mutations, which cause the development of tumors.

This field of research reflects longstanding concerns about the impact of cell phone use, specifically the effects of radiofrequency non-ionizing electromagnet-

ic radiation on human tissue located close to the ear, say the researchers. And although these results don’t uncover a conclusive “cause and effect” relationship between cellular phone use and cancer, they add to the building evidence that cell phone use may be harmfaul in the long term, and point to a new direction for further research.

One potential avenue of future research would be to analyze a person’s saliva prior to exposure to a cell phone, and then again after several intense minutes of exposure.

This will allow researchers to see if there is an immediate

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Electronic waste: An accumulated time-bomb (2)

By Elo F. Okonkwo CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK Control measures in other lands Conscious of the danger posted to human beings and the environment by e-waste, some European countries in 1990’s banned the disposal of electronic waste in landfills.

According to the online encyclopedia, “Wikipedia” (website: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewaste), this ban has created an e-waste processing industry in Europe.

In Switzerland for instance, the first electronic waste recycling system was implemented in 1991 beginning with the collection of old refrigerators. Over the years, all other electric and electronic devices were gradually added to the system.

Legislation followed in 1998, and since January 2005 it has been possible to return all electronic waste to sales points and other collection points free of charge. There are two established PROs (Producer Responsibility Organizations); they are namely, SWICO, which mainly handles electronic waste

and SENS mainly responsible for that of electronic appliances. The total amount of recycled electronic waste exceeds 10kg per capita per year.

The European Union further advances the e-waste policy in Europe by implementing the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive in 2002, which holds manufacturers responsible for e-waste disposal at end-of-life.

In the United States, ewaste legislation is limited to the state level due to stalled efforts in the United States Congress regarding

multiple e-waste legislation bills (Wikipedia).

Nevertheless, concerted efforts are being made to curtail the improper disposal of e-waste. For instance, some recycling companies now guarantee in writing that the items dropped off will not be sent abroad for dismantling.

This is a good start and these companies are not alone. The Seattle-based Basel Action Network and the Human Rights Watch, for instance, run programmes to eliminate this trade (“SAN Diego Tribune”).

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ASTRONOMY With J.K. Obatala

The singularity is upon us (5) E are, in colloquial lan- with and, if necessary, fend W guage, “out of the off the looming threat of this loop”: No longer relevant emergent imperial force. to, or even aware of, the forces, ideas, processes and trends that affect the capacity of races and state systems to survive and compete on planet Earth.

Evidence abound. A pathetic instance is the woeful miss-education of my young friend from the University of Port Harcourt (and hundreds of others like him). Mentally sharp and alert, he is a final year (400-level) “Computer Science” student, who is courteous and disciplined.

He is also articulate, at least in the few subject areas where tutoring has been earnest and in the topics of his personal interest.

Otherwise, conversing with him is laborious—like trying to discuss abstract ideas with a carpenter or a mechanic. .

Moore’s law, in particular, is completely alien to him, as are the world of supercomputers and the racial implications of advanced artificial intelligence, based on the rapid escalation of computing power in the West.

The singularity is hotly debated globally. But in the Western world, concern has gone beyond debate. In 2006, Kurzwell, in collaboration with the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, inaugurated the annual Singularity Summit, which now attracts, on an average, 800 scientists.

A Singularity University was established in California, with support from Google and the U.S. Space Agency, NASA. “Technology is changing the world so rapidly,” an announcement declared, in 2009, “that even geniuses need help making sense of it all”.

That, according to the University World News report, is “the idea underlying Singularity University, an unconventional school based on NASA’s Silicon Valley campus that will host its first class of 30 graduate students this year”.

The involvement of gargantuan mainstream entities, such as Google and NASA, is impeccable assurance that the singularity is not an intellectual fad or a fringe social phenomenon.

It is also a clear indication that the stakes are too high for Nigerian intellectuals, academicians and policy makers to remain indifferent. Yet for all the attention it is getting here, the singularity might just as well be inscribed in Meroitic script!

Nigeria is the only Black State on Earth that harbors even the remotest possibility of developing the technological prowess to cope

That notwithstanding, some otherwise responsible individuals serious believe that Nigeria should be broken up—a recipe for racial suicide, if there ever was one.

Such irrational ideas are being floated, even as the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico amalgamate into a Caucasian mega-state!

If the world’s lone superpower, which stretches from the North Atlantic to the South Pacific Ocean, needs to be bigger, in order to sustain its global position, what is any tribe going to do with piece of Nigeria?

Issues like “secession,” “resource control” and “sovereign national conference” are diversionary. They are promoted largely by foreign interests, to distract Nigerians from the central task of industrialization—to lead us further, and perhaps fatally, out of the loop.

No national conference can fit the tribes into a modern state system. It’s the tribe that has to go, not the Nigerian state.

That’s because the tribe is an obsolete form of social organization, a relic from the preindustrial past.

African tribes have been obsolete for 500 hundred years—ever since the industrialization of Europe and the coming of technologically advanced conquerors.

Indeed, the subsequent history of the Black race, attests tragically to the inability of tribal states to compete globally.

A sad irony this is, because, as Africans, we are the undisputed aborigines of Earth— its earliest human inhabitants and, for a hundred thousand years or more, the only land mammals with any appreciable degree of sapience and social sophistication.

I refer specifically to land mammals, because whales and dolphins (formerly land-dwelling mammals) developed a language, intelligence and family structure long before modern humans evolved.

“Although the level of the dolphin’s intelligence has yet to be finally demonstrated,” wrote Bruce E. Fleury in, Cosmic Search, more than 30 years ago, “the available evidence indicates that it is high, perhaps the equal of our own”.

But, unlike the Cetaceans, Africans went beyond the development of language and culture, to provide the foundation for all Earth technology and science. Our ancient ancestors invented art, symbolic communication, fire-making, mathematics, engineering and astronomical observation.

TO BE CONTINUED.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

32 SCIENCE HEALTH

Early warning signals for sickle cell disorder captured

By Chukwuma Muanya new Book from an affected parent has captured the early warning signals for sickle cell disorder, which many couples ignore before marriage.

The 189 pages Book with 32 Chapters, “Sickle Cell Disorder: Early Warning Signals (the little fox that spoils relationships in marriage),” with its compulsively readable chapters on sickle cell anaemia complications shows that incompatibility in marriage is a cursed project.

The author, Emmanuel Dickson Ibekwe, who lost a daughter to the genetic disorder, is the chairman Board of Trustees of Dabma Sickle Cell Foundation, which he established in memory of the late child. “The book contains stories of sickle cell disorder with detailed excursion into predicaments. My heart almost stopped beating on the 22nd of August, 2010 when the cruel fate befell me and then soon afterwards it continued to beat furiously because providence egged me on. My poorly healed wounds open up again whenever I remember ‘Mama’ or hear the loss of a promising child through Sickle Cell Disorder. As you read this book you will do a neighbour some good by recommending a copy,” Ibekwe wrote.

Ibekwe dedicated the book to her daughter, late Angela Chidinma Dickson Ibekwe.

“Dedicated to my Jewel of inestimable value Angela Osta Dickson Ibekwe a fellow sufferer and companion, from whom I hid the information about the disorder while in courtship because of my love for her,” he wrote.

He advised: “I am giving a voice believing that the world would listen. This disorder is traumatic and should be avoided at all cost.”

The book is sold exclusively by the Dabma Foundation to support those with sickle cell disorder was edited by Dr. Olukayode Oyeleye and published by Sundos Mellinium

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Ventures.

This book is a touching story that not only amplifies the danger and devastation of marriages with incompatible genotype combinations but also underscores the need for people to understand that neither money nor science can yet cure the disorder and its complications.

Ibekwe in his introduction to the book wrote: “…Apart from having probably insidiously killed many infants and scattered many families, sickle cell disorder has eliminated a good number of youths that I know who may not be mentioned in this book. It thus leaves endless hurt and painful memories that throw families into mourning, creating anxieties where body languages expose the sense of dread of recurring hospital admissions.

“Let the book change people’s thinking about sickle cell disorder; this is my strong expectation. Pulling down an improperly built house may raise some noise and din. My experience as a marriage counselor shows that there are many points of conflict in marriage like finances, parenting, issues around in-laws, domestic violence, submission, family background and upbringing, infidelity, health concerns, stress, cultural differences, etc. Why add another red flag?

“Warnings are designed to arouse us to watchfulness.

Those unwilling to hear the messages and messengers of peace might as well be prepared for the messengers of war from sickle cell disorder.

Do not let the noise of other’s opinion drown out your inner voice. “… I desire to reshape people’s thinking so that they would be brave enough to think differently during courtship. Nothing can make my day more than getting an email or call from some persons in courtship with wrong genotype combination that they have called it quits. That will keep me going.”

ECODAS, TANIT promise engineered solutions to healthcare waste ORRIED about the effect W of untreated healthcare wastes on the people and the environment, ECODAS, a France-based Company, and TANIT, her sole representative in Nigeria, has introduced an alternative to the incinerator for the treatment of clinical wastes.

The medical waste project consultant to the partnership, Jolayemi Olakunle Isaac, in a statement said: “To reduce the burden of disease, health-care waste needs sound management, including alternatives to incineration. Health-care wastes in some circumstances are incinerated and dioxins and furans and other toxic air pollutants may be produced as emissions.

“Exposure to dioxins and furans may lead to the impairment of the immune system, the impairment of the development of the nervous system, the endocrine system and the reproductive functions.”

Isaac said that ECODAS had developed an innovative,

closed, and fully automated system that sterilised Regulated Medical Waste (RMW), reduces its volume by 80 per cent, and renders its components unrecognizable.

He explained: “Our patented process combines shredding and direct pressurized heated steam all in one enclosed system achieving complete sterilization of infectious materials. The final treated waste is harmless, unrecognizable, and safe for disposal, just like ordinary municipal waste.

“Our medical waste disposal solution consist first of shredding, which permits steam penetration and ensures that all waste is in direct contact with the sterilising steam. Then we utilise superheated steam (138C/ 280F) under high pressure (3.8 bars/ 55 psi) to destroy all forms of microbial life. This is a simple, efficient and cost effective operation to convert contaminated medical materials into harmless municipal waste.

GAVI, NPHCDA boost vaccines access with N3.4 b project Support ‘Saving One Million Lives Initiative’

Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Muhammad (middle) CEO Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), Mr. Seth Berkley (right), Director Disease Control and Immunisation at NPHCDA, Dr. Emmanuel Abanida, during GAVI’s delegation interaction with NPHCDA in Abuja… recently.

By Chukwuma Muanya Muhammad said: “Nigeria is taking great strides to S part efforts to boost vac- As part of this initiative, Nigeria has set the target boost routine immunisation cine access and partner- to increase routine immunisation coverage to 87 and is committed to reachship with the federal governing a target of 80 per cent by ment in tackling vaccine pre- per cent by the same period. This would provide the end of this year. Through ventable diseases through more than six million children with protection NPHCDA and the supply scaling up routine immuagainst a range of deadly and debilitating vaccine the chain improvement plan, nization, the Global Alliance which is implementation for Vaccines and preventable diseases, such as measles, meningifocused, quick wins are Immunization (GAVI) has tis, pneumonia, pertussis (whooping cough), being implemented. Now approved US$ 21 million to with GAVI’s support we can help improve vaccine supply tetanus, hepatitis, yellow fever and tuberculosis boost coverage and meet our chains in Nigeria. tating vaccine preventable Development Agency.

Chief Executive Officer diseases, such as measles, Berkley said: “Improving target of saving a million (CEO) of GAVI, Mr. Seth meningitis, pneumonia, per- cold chain equipment will lives by 2015. Strengthening Berkley, during a recent visit tussis (whooping cough), help bridge vital gaps that health systems and improvof a delegation of the tetanus, hepatitis, yellow currently exist in Nigeria’s ing data collection will ultiAlliance to the Executive fever and tuberculosis. supply chains. This will not mately lead to a virtuous Director (ED)/CEO National The NPHCDA boss said for only help Nigeria reach its cycle that will provide more Primary Health Care this to happen significant Saving One Million Lives tar- accurate evaluations and Development Agency improvements in the coun- gets by improving routine better delivery.

“We look forward to work(NPHCDA), Dr. Ado try’s vaccine supply chains immunisation, but it will Muhammad, said the funds are first needed. also play a crucial role in ing with the GAVI secretariat will be used by the Agency to Berkley said GAVI’s invest- Nigeria’s polio eradication and the government to procure vital equipment for ment would include the pro- efforts and set the stage for ensure that this investment storing vaccines and to curement of vital refrigera- forthcoming new vaccine realises the goal of increasing coverage and reducing improve data collection, tion equipment at key points introductions.” both of which have been of the supply chain, at the With one of the largest num- mortality,” said Jean Gough Country identified as key pillars in Federal, state and local gov- ber of vaccine preventable UNICEF protecting children’s lives as ernment area levels. deaths in Africa, Nigeria is a Representative in Nigeria. enshrined in the governMuhammad said the move priority for GAVI and one, “More than 23 per cent of ment’s Saving One Million comes as part of a broader which requires a tailored child deaths can be preventLives Initiative. partnership on health sys- approach. Since 2000 GAVI ed through immunization.”

The GAVI Alliance is a pubThe ‘Saving One Million tem strengthening includ- has committed more than Lives Initiative,’ launched in ing vaccine supply chain $670 million in vaccine sup- lic-private partnership com2012 by President Goodluck improvement, that is expect- port for the country, and this mitted to saving children’s Jonathan, is a scheme aimed ed to be complemented with latest effort to strengthen lives and protecting people’s at expanding primary support from other partners cold chains will play an health by increasing access healthcare in Nigeria to sig- including the European important role in protecting to immunisation in developnificantly reduce mortality Union (EU), United Nation that investment.

This ing countries. The Alliance by 2015.

Children Fund (UNICEF), the includes the provision of vac- brings together developing Muhammad said as part of Bill & Melinda Gates cines against yellow fever, country and donor governthis initiative, Nigeria has set Foundation, the Clinton meningitis A, measles and ments, the World Health the target to increase rou- Health Access Initiative, the the recently introduced five- Organization, UNICEF, the tine immunisation coverage Japan International in-one pentavalent vaccines - World Bank, the vaccine to 87 per cent by the same Cooperation Agency, the which combine diphtheria- industry, technical agencies, period. This would provide United Kingdom tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vac- civil society, the Bill & more than six million chil- Department of International cines with hepatitis B and Melinda Gates Foundation dren with protection against Development (DFID) and the Haemophilus influenzae and other private sector partners. a range of deadly and debili- Canadian International type b (Hib) vaccines.

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NIMPA begins wellness retreat on cancer HE Natural Integrative T Medicine Practitioners Association (NIMPA) in conjunction with College of Integrative Medicine Lagos, an institution established to train members of NIMPA, will today begin a two-day wellness retreat on the integrative medicine approach to the prevention, treatment

and management of cancer at Water Parks Hotel Toyin Street, Ikeja Lagos.

Guest Speakers at the Wellness Retreat include an Integrative Medicine Consultant, Dr. Emmanso Umobong, Mr. Femi Kusa, a prolific health writer and Dr. Godwin Ihesie of the Late Elizabeth Kafaru

International Organisation.

Also to talk are Chukwuma Muanya of The Guardian Newspaper and Vivien Irikefe of Television Continental (TVC).

The Distinguished Special Guest of Honour to deliver a Key Note Address is Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, Chairman Lagos State Traditional

Medicine Board (LSTMB).

According to the Organisers, the Wellness Retreat will afford participants the opportunity to grasp the Integrative Medicine intervention measures for cancer prevention treatment and management and participants will also benefit from health counseling sessions.

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

NaturalHealth Local plants for piles treatment identified

Scent Leaf IGERIAN researchers N have recommended regular consumption of special diet made predominantly with slightly cooked vegetables as effective treatment for piles.

The researchers from the Department of Plant Science and Applied Zoology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, have identified 143 local plants useful in the treatment of piles.

The results of the study published recently in Nigeria Scholars Research Library Annals of Biological Research showed that special diet that was recommended apart from the herbal recipes are vegetables, which should be slightly cooked. They include green spinach, Amaranthus viridis (Amaranth, Tete in Yoruba, akwukwo nri in Ibo), Celosia spp (Lagos spinach, Soko in Yoruba), and waterleaf (Talinum triangulare).

The use of Occimum gratissimum (scent leaf, Nchuanwu in Ibo, Effirin in Yoruba) as species in some soup is also very effective in the treatment of piles.

The herbal recipes or plants include among others Senna alata (Asunrun oyinbo in Yoruba, Ogalu in Ibo), Gongronena latifolium (Utazi in Ibo and Arokeke in Yoruba), Axonopus compressus (carpet grass), Anogeiessus leiocarpus (chew-stick, atara in Ibo, ayin in Yoruba and farin gamji in Hausa), Pteleopsis suberosa (wuyan giíwaá in Hausa), Tetrapleura tetraptera (Osakirisa or Oshosho in Ibo, Aidan in Yoruba), Khaya senegalensis (mahogany) and Allium spp

Aidan (garlic, onion, shallots).

Hemorrhoids are vascular structures in the anal canal, which help with stool control. They become pathological or piles when swollen or inflamed.

The study titled, “Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used in the Treatment of Haemorrhoids in SouthWestern Nigeria” was published by Mike O. Soladoye, Michael O. Adetayo, Emmanuel C. Chukwuma and Amusa N Adetunji.

Haemorrhoids also called pile is caused by increased pressure in the veins of the rectum or anus resulting from straining when trying to have a bowel movement or any activity causing straining, such as heavy lifting. As pressure increases, blood pools in the veins, increases and this causes them to swell thus stretching the surrounding tissue.

Haemorrhoids can be inside and/or outside the anus and they are not dangerous. Internal haemorrhoids may be located near the beginning of the anal canal or close to the anal opening. When it protrudes outside the anal opening, they are referred to as prolapsed haemorrhoids.

It is estimated that about one quarter of all Africans have had haemorrhoids at age 50 and that 50 to 85 per cent of the world population, could be affected at some time in their life.

Pile affect both sexes but the impact on males appear to be more of concern because of its effect on their sexual performance. This disease appears to be genetically inherited as some

Nigerian researchers have identified 143 local plants and vegetables useful for the treatment of piles or rather haemorrhoids.

CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes. children suffer this ailment.

Humans are prone to haemorrhoids because the erect posture of man puts a lot of pressure on the veins in the anal region.

According to recent studies, overeating and presence of unassimilated bulk foods are also known to cause haemorrhoids as well as intoxicating liquors, artificial flavoring or spices, white bread, cakes, all other white flour products, fried foods, sugar and all mineral drinks.

However, researchers at the

Department of Plant Science and Applied Zoology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, said they have identified 143 local plants useful in the treatment of piles\haemorrhoids.

The study titled, “Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used in the Treatment of Haemorrhoids in SouthWestern Nigeria” was published recently in Nigeria Scholars Research Library Annals of Biological Research

by Mike O. Soladoye, Michael O. Adetayo, Emmanuel C. Chukwuma and Amusa N Adetunji.

The researchers wrote: “Ethnobotanical survey of the plants used in the treatment of Haemorrhoids was carried out in SouthWestern, Nigeria. The herbalists, herb sellers and traditionalists were interviewed by the administration of questionnaires.

From the survey, a total of 143 plant species belonging to 58 families were found to be useful for the treatment.

“The most prominent among these plant families is the Leguminosae family with 22 species, an indication of the utmost impor-

tance of this family in the cure of haemorrhoids.

Other plant families include Euphorbiaceae (eight), Apocynaceae (six), Meliaceae, Compositae and Poaceae with five species each.

“In all, the commonest species in the recipes are Senna alata, Gongronena latifolium, Axonopus compressus, Anogeiessus leiocarpus, Pteleiopsis suberosa, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Khaya spp and Allium spp. All the plants identified in this work have been used severally by the herbalists and adjudged to be efficacious.”

The researchers noted during the interviews that if

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

Plant-based compound may stop HIV infection, study finds compound found in soyA beans may become an effective HIV treatment without the drug resistance issues faced by current therapies, according to new research by George Mason University, United States, researchers.

I is in the early stages, but

genistein, derived from soybeans and other plants, shows promise in inhibiting the HIV infection, says Yuntao Wu, a professor with the George Mason-based National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases and the Department of Molecular and

Microbiology.

Still, that does not mean people should begin eating large amounts of soy products. “Although genistein is rich in several plants such as soybeans, it is still uncertain whether the amount of genistein we consume from eating soy is sufficient to

inhibit HIV,” Wu says.

Genistein is a “tyrosine kinase inhibitor” that works by blocking the communication from a cell’s surface sensors to its interior. Found on a cell’s surface, these sensors tell the cell about its environment and also communicate with other cells.

Nasal spray made from ‘hot pepper’ eases shingles pain Shingles is caused by the initial chickenpox infection. nasal spray made from a months. In some cases, it can A compound found in hot reactivation of the chicken The virus then causes inflam- last ten years or more. peppers could be a new way pox virus (the varicella-zoster mation and damage to the The pain is variously to treat the severe pain associated with shingles.

Now United States researchers have developed a spray to tackle this when it occurs in the face. The spray is designed to block pain signals in the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for facial sensation.

virus). After causing chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in the nerves, where it is kept in check by a healthy immune system.

But if this is weakened because of advancing age, stress or disease - the virus ‘wakes up’. This can happen years, even decades, after the

nerves, triggering a rash and pain in the affected area - usually the chest or abdomen, though sometimes the face.

A bout of shingles lasts two to four weeks, but up to one in five people will develop postherpetic neuralgia severe chronic pain that persists for at least three

described as a burning, stabbing, shooting, aching or throbbing sensation; the area can also feel itchy. It is not clear why some people develop pain after shingles.

But the risk increases with age - postherpetic neuralgia affects one third of people aged over 80 at some time.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

34 SCIENCE HEALTH

40 drug firms sign on to NAFDAC’s Mobile Authentication Service From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is celebrating the success of its mobile authentication service.

At the last count, over 40 drug-manufacturing firms had signed on to the technology, according to statistics made available to The Guardian.

NAFDAC says the growing global problem of counterfeit medication poses a crippling risk to healthcare systems in developing nations.

World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that counterfeit drug prevalence rates fall between 10 per cent to 30 per cent in the developing world compared to one per cent or less in industrialized nations.

The United States (U.S) based Centre for Medicines in the Public Interest (CMPI) projects that by 2010, US $75 billion worth of counterfeit drugs will be sold annually. Fake drug sales are expected to grow at 13 per cent yearly till 2010, a rate significantly higher than the estimated 7.5 per cent annual growth for genuine pharmaceutical commerce. The battle against counterfeits in Nigeria is being fought by NAFDAC, who have legislative responsibility for tackling the problem.

Director in Charge of Special Duties at NAFDAC, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh said in an interview with The Guardian stressed that this new effort from NAFDAC and its partners allows anyone in Nigeria to check the authenticity of their medication with a simple text message.

Highlighting the success recorded in the mobile authentication service, Jimoh stressed that the technology had put the power of detecting counterfeit regulated products in the hands of more than 100 million Nigerian cell phone users, thereby enrolling them in the fight against counterfeiting.

On the companies that had so far signed on, he stressed: “This technology is making waves, trying to show other countries how we are doing it.

Once you get into a pharmacy shop, you scratch your pin just like the scratch card and a certain pin number is revealed.

Text it to 38353 and it gives you an instant answer whether it is genuine or it is fake. I must hasten to add now that not all drugs have been covered by the text messaging system. We are taking it in a thematic sequence. We started with anti malaria in 2010 and also antibiotics and some other life saving drugs like, Glucophage, an anti diabetic drug, which was the first major drug, which we used as a guinea pig in pioneering the technology in Nigeria.

“BIOFEM was the first firm to embrace it. We actually needed a company to volunteer itself to be used because when the technology came, many companies were sitting on the sideline. They were apprehensive. Nobody wanted to volunteer its products or company to be used as a guinea pig but a pharmaceutical company in Lagos brought out its product that was almost counterfeited out of business. That drug was the first drug that was used in pioneering this text messaging system and in looking

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back now; we have close to about 40 companies who have already started leveraging on our text messaging system for their products.

“The result is so remarkable and we have been able to see the size of the market. We have been able to retrieve the market from the hands of the counterfeiters who were almost chasing the genuine producers out of circulation.

Companies like GSK, Lonart, the Green Life Pharmaceutical Company and other companies have leveraged on this technology and are making waves. They have been able to show by the profit they were earning before and now that they took the right decision by embracing the technology as a yearning gap. They all give thanks NAFDAC for pioneering that technology and for taking the initiative and recuing them from counterfeiters.”

Stressing that NAFDAC had till September this year, he noted that President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu were very committed to the technology.

President Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration Nigeria (ACC), Tee Mac Iseli (right), Acting Consul General of the U.S. Embassy in Lagos, Dehab Ghebreab and Nollywood actor and ACC ambassador, Emeka Ike, at the launch of the Counterfeit Anti-malaria Medication Awareness Campaign (CAMAC) by the United States Government (USG) in partnership with ACC and the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos… recently.

Lagos, Reps task Nigerians on health insurance

By Tony Nwanne HE Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has revealed that the private sector is an important sector in any healthcare delivery in the country, adding that it not enough to focus only on the government, because the private sectors works hand in hand with the governments.

He noted that the transformation Nigerian healthcare needs depends on the major stakeholders, the private sectors and the government.

The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Femi Olugbile, said this during the official launch of the Avon Healthcare Limited into the leagues of other Healthcare Management Organisation in the country, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to him, “it is now pertinent for people to look out for quality health care that is seamless and accessible with ease and convenience. It is one that assures Nigerians that health plans are going to be met based on the health plan chosen from our portfolio of offerings.”

The company, a new one, poised to be the preferred choice for healthcare solutions, and will set new standards in the industry, new standards by way of real value to clients, enrolled members and providers; as well as new standards in service delivery.

Also, the Chairman House Committee on Health, Ndudi Elumelu, noted that Avon HMO has stormed the Nigerian health scene by setting new standards through real value to clients, enrollees, providers and in service delivery, reiterated its goal to be the preferred choice for managed healthcare solutions in the nation.

“One issue that we have identified within the Nigerian health system is the

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Avon kicks off operation lack of information and awareness about health insurance. We believe that the benefits of health insurance and being part of a health insurance scheme, is one that most Nigerians do not know about,” he noted.

Apparently, Avon HMO offers health insurance plans, health risk assessment, occupational health management, employee well being and other services to individuals, families, groups, companies and the government. Its full range of carefully designed health plans pro-

vides increasing levels of care, which cover typical ailments and procedures that are treatable within and outside Nigeria.

The Avon HMO’s CEO, Mrs. Simbo Ukiri, while giving her remarks at the event said that defining a new approach to managed care and health insurance in Nigeria is paramount to us, and the company aims to be the preferred choice for healthcare solutions, and will set new standards in the industry, new standards by way of real value to clients, enrolled members and providers; as well as new

standards in service delivery.

She said: “Avon HMO has adopted a completely different approach. We want our clients, enrolled members and partners to know that we listen, and that we have the right people, skills and technology to meet their healthcare needs at the right price and in the most responsive and efficient manner.”

Ukiri noted that “We don’t simply sell health plans; we give clients and members access to healthcare solutions that are relevant to their needs, improving quality of life and promoting soundness of mind and body

which accelerates productivity and enhances the creation of wealth.”

“We share NHIS’s passion under the leadership of Dr. Abdulrahman Sambo, for our country Nigeria, to achieve universal health insurance coverage.

Working together with all stakeholders, we believe this is possible sooner rather than later. We want to add meaningful value to the many people who will use our services, so that we are touching lives, even as we do our part to improve Nigeria’s healthcare industry.”

Nordica pioneers three-dimensional ultrasound in West Africa From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja IGERIA based Nordica Fertility Centre is pioneering the use of modern approach to ultrasound diagnostics in the West Africa with the introduction of three- dimensional technology.

To promote the use of the technology in Nigeria, the Centre is introducing the Vienna International School of Three-Dimensional Ultrasound (V.I.S.U.S.) course to the region, and only yesterday, trained Nigerian doctors in the use of the technology.

Medical Director of Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Abayomi

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Ajayi, said the 3D technology was the in-thing in ultra sound practice in the developed world.

He said that the course was a unique educational project aimed at medical professionals interested in developing 3D ultrasound skills in terms of theory and practice.

He said: “It is a more sophisticated three-dimensional anatomy of the fetus. It is a hi-tech ad high frequency probe. The resolution is unimaginable. It is like you are playing around with a high-resolution camera.

What you focus on is what you see.”

Ajayi said that the medical

tourism that Nigerians seek around did not necessarily translate to better medical service, noting that in many cases, some local services were far better.

He called on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to strive to educate patients on the strengths of Nigeria doctors.

He said: “ Sometimes, it is funny. They even go to worse places. I have gone to some of these places that they go in overseas. Honestly, they are worse because their level is not even as high as what we have in Nigeria.”

Ajayi said the 3D ultra sound facility at Nordica

had made the Centre offer one of the some of the most sophisticated diagnostic services to identify complex medical conditions.

On the V.I.S.U.S. course, he stressed: “I guess the problem is that we are not educating our patients enough.

They don’t even know what exists in Nigeria before they start going out. They can’t compare what exists in Nigeria with what exists in where they are going to.”

He said the issue of good scanning technology and skills were part of the problems Nigerian doctors needed to address, as such, the need for the training.

FCTA commences health insurance scheme From Terhemba Daka, Abuja HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the implementation of its Community Based Health Insurance Scheme (CBHIS) in 300 communities of the territory, the Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide has disclosed.

The minister, who made this known at a top-level advocacy on the health insurance scheme held at

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the Emir of Karshi’s Palace, said the scheme would improve access of FCT residents to quality and affordable health-care.

“The implementation of the Community Based Health Insurance Scheme in 300 communities of the FCT signifies the fulfillment of a dream. The need for a health scheme that will guarantee affordability, quality and access to a greater number of the people has been a priority for this

Administration.

“The FCT initiative is a collaborative effort between the FCT Administration, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the six Area Councils and is aimed at taking the scheme to every community in FCT, starting with 300 communities,” said Akinjide, who was represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Area Council and Resettlement, Alhaji Yusuf Tsaiyabu.

She added that 10,000

households had shown interest in the pilot scheme, which covered 50 communities, each from the six area councils.

The minister reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration in reducing maternal and child mortality rates, combating HIV/AIDS, especially motherto-child transmission of the virus as well as rolling back malaria and improving immunity against tuberculosis.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

SCIENCE HEALTH

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‘Weak legislation, insecurity, poor funding threaten blood transfusion services’ R. OLUWATOYIN SMITH is the National

A major challenge being faced by the NBTS is the fact that the service is not backed by legislation. This therefore means that the NBTS is not well positioned to carry out its regulatory functions with respect to blood transfusion practices in the country.

DCoordinator of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Abuja. Born on the June 29, 1960, Mrs. Smith comes from Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Ibadan in Oyo State. She graduated from the College of Medicine University of Lagos with a Bachelor of Medicine in 1983 and later obtained Masters in Public Health from the same institution.

Smith was posted to the NBTS in January 2011 as the Head of Clinical Services, a position she held until she was appointed the National Coordinator in January 2012. She is married to a Chartered Accountant and they have three grown children.

The National Coordinator of NBTS in an exclusive interview with The Guardian said the organization is struggling to meet its mandate due to absence of strong legislative framework that will empower it and make it more independent and resourceful, by being made an Agency.

She told CHUKWUMA MUANYA that the security situation especially in the North East and North Central zones of the country adversely affects the blood service, decried the very low budgetary allocation to health and called for dedicated funding to ensure that at the NBTS, all equipment and consumables required for operations are available, and operations in all NBTS screening and collection centres comply with international standards and are adequately manned by highly skilled personnel who are well remunerated.

CCORDING to the Revised A Nigerian National Blood Policy (November 2005), a National Blood Transfusion Service should be an integral part of every National Healthcare system. But blood banking and transfusion services in the country are still fragmented, uncoordinated and unregulated and safety not satisfactory. Why is this?

The NBTS is the division in the Department of Hospital Services of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) with the mandate to provide safe blood for transfusion purposes in Nigeria. It is responsible for setting the standards of blood transfusion practice and assists the states of the federation in establishing blood transfusion services in collaboration with NBTS centres within their states. The NBTS will provide technical support to any state that does not have an NBTS centre and is interested in establishing its own blood transfusion service by ensuring that the process is carried out in a quality assured manner.

The NBTS has 17 operational centres established in the six geo-political zones of the Federation. These centres are supervised directly by the NBTS headquarters in Abuja.

Through funding obtained from Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) annual budgetary allocation and the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the headquarters provides running costs to the centers on a monthly basis to carry out their activities in order to achieve the cardinal objectives of the NBTS. Why is NBTS still struggling

to meet these mandates?

A major challenge being faced by the NBTS is the fact that the service is not backed by legislation. This therefore means that the NBTS is not well positioned to carry out its regulatory functions with respect to blood transfusion practices in the country.

Another challenge is the security situation especially in the North East and North Central zones of the country.

This situation adversely affects the blood service, because all our centers rely mainly on mobile blood drives for the recruitment of voluntary blood donors and to obtain blood, which would be screened for use to complement units collected from hospitals through the Hospital Linkage Programme. During such crisis situations, voluntary blood donor recruitment exercises cannot be carried out optimally and on many occasions, such scheduled activities have had to be suspended or cancelled due to the prevailing violence.

Despite these challenges, will you say NBTS has made progress?

With regards to the achievements of the NBTS, tremendous achievement has been made in various spheres. Awareness campaigns via television, radio and the print media on blood transfusion and voluntary unpaid blood donation have been scaled-up in order to sensitize more people in Nigeria on the importance of safe blood and the role each Nigerian can play in this regard. Syndicated weekly radio programmes, an NBTS 30-minute documentary aired on various national TV stations (NTA, AIT and

Smith Channels Television) and editorials and human-interest articles have contributed immensely to the achievements in the area of public awareness.

The NBTS website has also been redesigned and made more user-friendly, interactive and integrated with various social media platforms to appeal to the interest of potential and regular voluntary blood donors.

Consequently, the blood collection profile of the NBTS has increased exponentially as more people have become aware and have decided to do something positive about saving the lives of fellow Nigerians.

The Honourable Minister of Health, Prof.

C.O Onyebuchi Chukwu donated blood voluntarily during the 2012 World Blood Donor celebrations. This demonstration of exemplary leadership provided a platform for others to do the same as His Excellency; the Executive Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu similarly led a Voluntary Blood Donor Campaign in Niger State by donating blood himself with some members of his cabinet.

The institution of regular supervisory visits to all NBTS operational centres has impacted positively on the general performance, effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery at these centres.

Regular training and retraining of staff in collaboration with our technical partners Safe Blood For Africa Foundation has ensured that

our staff are at the forefront of advances in Blood Transfusion Practices globally.

The Hospital Linkage Programme is an initiative by the NBTS that has also improved greatly.

The essence of this programme is to create linkages between the NBTS and hospitals where blood transfusion actually take place within their catchment areas. Hospitals would send blood units collect mainly through their ante natal clinics to the NBTS for 100 per cent screening for the four WHO mandated blood borne infections - HIV 1 & 2, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis. The exchange for units of safe blood is what we refer to as the Blood Rotation Programme. In this manner, the NBTS ensures that all blood units transfused to patients in their hospitals are safe from infections.

The Community Blood Donor Mobilisation Programme is another successful initiative of the NBTS geared at engaging our local communities to become more aware of safe blood transfusion and to donate blood voluntarily through community sensitization campaigns. It also ensures that through the Hospital Linkage Programme, NBTS is linked with government accredited hospitals that are accessible to these communities in order to provide increased access to safe blood for transfusion to members of the communities, consequently reducing the mortality rates from blood loss especially for their women and

Our expectation for the National Blood Transfusion Service is one that is fully functional, backed by legislation which will enable it fulfill its mandate of coordination, service provision and regulation; and which will also guarantee supply of adequate quantities of safe blood nationwide at all times.

anaemia in children.

What is the relevance of NBTS to quest for universal health coverage and better life expectancy?

The goal of universal health coverage is to ensure that people obtain the health services they need without suffering financial hardship while paying for them. This requires a strong and efficient health system; a system for financing health services; access to essential medicines and technologies; and sufficient capacity of well-trained and motivated health workers.

The NBTS in carrying out its mandate is working with the principles of universal health coverage through its commitment to the provision of safe blood to those who need it in a quality assured manner, a system of constant monitoring and supervision of operations at the various centres, haemovigilance at the hospitals, making safe blood available and accessible to both urban and rural communities, and its commitment to regular training of staff of the service. However, with enabling legislation and adequate funding, much more can be achieved in this regard.

By ensuring that safe blood is transfused to patients in need of blood to survive, the NBTS enhances the overall survival and quality of life of people who have received blood screened by the service. The global average of HIV infection transmitted via blood transfusion is 10 per cent representing those who were not able to access safe blood for transfusion and have most probably ended up with dreaded blood-borne infections.

At NBTS however, the issue of transmission of HIV from infected blood/blood products does not arise as only sterile equipment are used to obtain blood from donors, including the use of one unused and sterile blood bag per donor. The equipment is not re-usable and these guidelines are strictly adhered to by all our centres.

In addition, all blood units collected at our centres are screened 100 per cent for blood- borne infections, and stored under optimal temperature conditions.

In recognition of the fact that blood collection occurs in various other locations outside the NBTS, the NBTS is working tirelessly to secure the enabling legislation, which will empower the service to protect our people from the transfusion of unsafe blood. This has the potential of adversely affecting the life expectancy of any individual.

How about the issues of blood-transmitted diseases like HIV and hepatitis?

As mentioned earlier, at the NBTS, the issue of HIV and Hepatitis transmission due to infected blood/blood prod-

ucts does not occur because only sterile equipment are used in all our operations.

Our operational guidelines are strictly adhered by all our centres and regular audits, monitoring and supervisory visits to our centres ensures that the Standard Operating Procedures which have been set to guide our activities are adhered to.

In addition, all blood units collected at our centres are screened using the ELISA technology for HIV 1 and 2, Hepatitis B and also Hepatitis C in addition to Syphilis infections. The benefit of the ELISA technology lies in its high sensitivity and the fact that the window period of infections such as HIV and Hepatitis is much shorter; enabling it to detect the presence of infections which would have otherwise gone undetected by the Rapid Test Kits routinely used in many health facilities to screen blood for transfusion.

What are your targets and expectations?

Presently, the NBTS is set to host Stakeholders meetings in all the six zones of the Federation.

Participants expected at these meetings include State Commissioners for Health, Chairmen of Hospital Management Boards, Chief Medical Directors of our Tertiary health institutions and discussions will focus on the implementation of the Blood Safety Memorandum approved at the 55th National Council on Health in July 2012 which stipulates that the minimum standard for screening blood for transfusion purposes in Nigeria is with the use of the ELISA technology. These meetings would serve as a platform for ensuring the States utilize this screening technology as the only means for screening all blood collected and for transfusion purposes at the state level.

Our expectation for the National Blood Transfusion Service is one that is fully functional, backed by legislation which will enable it fulfill its mandate of coordination, service provision and regulation; and which will also guarantee supply of adequate quantities of safe blood nationwide at all times.

Dedicated funding to ensure that at the NBTS, all equipment and consumables required for operations are available, and operations in all NBTS screening and collection centres comply with international standards and are adequately manned by highly skilled personnel who are well remunerated.

These cannot be achieved without an improved annual budgetary allocation for health, which is currently very low, at four per cent to six per cent, falling far below the recommended benchmark of 15 per cent set at the Abuja Declaration of the year 2000.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

36 SCIENCE HEALTH

Experts alert on rising cases of liver cancer in Nigeria *Hepatitis, smoking, alcohol, herbal concoctions implicated

By Chukwuma Muanya EDICAL DOCTORS under the aegis of the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN) have alerted over the rising cases of liver cancer in the country.

SOGHIN yesterday at a press conference ahead of its Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting and to mark the 2013 World Hepatitis Day (WHD) blamed this on poor diagnosis, vaccination and treatment of hepatitis B and C as well as smoking, alcohol and herbal concoctions.

They, however, said hepatitis is an entirely preventable disease if detected early.

The theme of the two-day scientific conference to be held Thursday August 1 and 2, 2013 at Sheraton Hotels and Towers Ikeja, Lagos is “The burden of gastrointestinal and liver diseases in Nigeria” with sub theme “Viral hepatitis and liver cancer.”

The gastroenterologists said the fact that many infections are silent, causing no symptoms until there is irreversible damage to the liver, points to the urgent need for universal access to immunization, screening, diagnosis, and antiviral therapy particularly from public sponsored treatment programmes which unfortunately do not exist in Nigeria currently.

Chairperson SOGHIN Lagos Chapter and consultant gastroenterologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr. Charles Onyekwere, said liver cancer is one of the fastest rising types of cancer, and one with a poor prognosis.

Onyekwere further explained: “We are seeing more cases of liver cancer in

M

Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu our clinics caused by hepatitis B and C and most of them present very late. It is disturbing to note that infections with hepatitis B and C viruses cause an estimated 57 per cent of cases of liver cirrhosis and 78 per cent of cases of primary liver cancer.

“The greatest risk factors for liver cancer are chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections. One of the problems with this disease is that it does not develop symptoms or patients aren’t aware that they have the problem until the disease is very advanced, at a very large and untreatable stage.

“Of those diagnosed with it, four of five will die within five years, compared with people of the same age in the general population who do not have cancer.

“Against this background

we call on government to prioritise Hepatitis B response in the country by first having an established goal of eliminating Hepatitis B and declaring the epidemic as a national public health emergency.

That is exactly what it is! Or how else can we describe a virus that has affected over 20 million Nigerians and causing thousands of deaths each year?

“Out of the over 20 million Nigerians living with the virus, less than 500 thousand of them have access to treatment including quality treatment literacy hence our demand for publicly funded Hepatitis B treatment programmes across the country.

“We demand that treatment subsidy programmes be initiated by the Federal

and state governments as a way of reducing Hepatitis-B related mortality and the rate of infection. The time to act is now as delay means more needless loss of lives.”

Another consultant gastroenterologist and member of SOGHIN, Dr. Oladipupo Hameed, said: “Apart from smoking, hepatitis B has more chance of causing liver cancer. Everyday we see cases of liver cancer. Unfortunately most of them present very late when nothing can be done or when the chances of survival is minimal. The problem is here with us.

“Most people get infected with the virus very early in life and do not get to know because it is asymptomatic until the liver is damaged.

But is these people get to know their status through testing and change their lifestyle such quitting intake of alcohol and herbal concoctions, they may never develop liver cancer.”

Hameed further explained: “Just as people want to discover their HIV status, they should also try to know their Hepatitis status. The screening costs about N1, 000 and is available at most hospitals.

Without this first-line screening, doctors cannot move to the next stage of treatment which is determining the quantity of the virus in the blood and prescribing drugs before patients develop fullblown liver cancer or liver cirrhosis. If people don’t get screened, when they come for treatment after symptoms have developed, their liver already has cancer. It’s like medicine after death.”

Formed in September 2007, SOGHIN is a professional body made up of Nigerian physicians, surgeons, pathologists and allied health professionals dedicated to the advancement of knowledge on the recognition, prevention, investigation and treatment of liver and digestive diseases.

Student claims to prove gay marriage wrong with science

By Chukwuma Muanya CHEMICAL Engineering post-graduate student at the University of Lagos, Stanley Chibuihem Amalaha, claims he could use physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology to prove gay marriage wrong.

Stanley who is also the Science Editor of Compass

A

Newspapers also said in his findings, if one watches television in the dark, it could lead to myopia and other eye diseases.

When asked how he would use branches of science to disprove gay marriage, he said: “I will use mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology to nullify gay marriage. It

pains me that man has been marrying man. For instance when Nigerian Compass in early June reported that France is the 14th country that has legalized gay marriage, I deduced that is almost going global, and if Jesus tarries, more countries will still join. I know that those who are behind this are manipulated

by the devil.”

Of physics, Stanley said: “Physics, being one of the fundamentals of sciences, proves that gay marriage is wrong.

When you study a branch of Physics known as electricity and magnetism, you find that like poles do not attract, instead they repel themselves. “

FMC Abeokuta boss calls for special electricity lines for hospitals From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, HE Chief Medical T Director (CMD) of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Dr Dapo Sotiloye recent made a strong case for all hospitals in the country to be provided with special dedicated un-interrupted electricity lines by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) due to the sensitive nature of their job, which mainly is “saving lives”.

Besides, Sotiloye who spoke in Abeokuta, suggested that disconnection of power to hospitals by the PHCN should be the last resort after all avenues to collect hospitals that owe them have failed.

The CMD who spoke at the commissioning ceremony of a 500 KVA generating set was having in mind a situation where a doctor cannot perform a surgery on a patient at the appropriate time either due to lack of electricity or a light goes off during a surgery, adding “I therefore urge the PHCN to always exercise restraints in arbitrary disconnection of hospital electricity lines due to the sensitive nature of service hospitals render.”

The 500KVA generator, worth N12.5 million was donated by Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Nigeria to the FMC. Sotiloye insisted that electricity is the power behind any successful establishment, stressing “Without electricity you cannot make any progress and if you are lacking in electricity your services will run down.”

The CMD revealed that his hospital “cried for help and Emzor came to our rescue

by donating the generating set to us” and urged all other corporate institutions and individuals to emulate Emzor in doing the same thing. He stressed that hospitals were fertile grounds to “sow seed of assistance.”

Expressing his deep appreciations to the donors, Sotiloye said the gesture would go a long way in boosting electricity supply to the hospital.

His words: “It is imperative for private and corporate corporations to complement Federal Government’s efforts in its bid to better the lots of Nigerians, most especially in the area of provision of health care services”.

“I also want to use this opportunity to assure you that whatever you have invested in Federal Medical Centre, it would bring forth good fruits not only for Federal Medical Centre and our teeming patients but even for Emzor because each time people come around, we would say this was donated by Emzor, this was done by Emzor we need to partner with them too and by so doing many more things will be coming your way too”, he added.

In her response, the Emzor’s Executive Director of Finance, Uzoma Ezeoke said that the company was ready to partner with any institutions, stressing that the company’s was responding to the public private partnership call of the government.

She lauded the performance of the management of the FMC, especially in terms of infrastructural development, saying the Centre was worthy of emulation by other Medical Centres in the country.

Umuahia records 89,000 patients yearly

*Director states targets, handicaps From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia HIEF Medical Director of Federal Medical Center Umuahia Abia State Dr Abali Chuku has re-stated the target of the center under his leadership saying it is to reposition it into a medical center of excellence.

Addressing journalists when the state Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists paid him a courtesy visit on Monday, he said the centre was seeking accreditation for some of its colleges in which it faces the challenge of putting certain things and facilities in place.

He said one of the challenges and an obstacle to the desired target has been how to make all stakeholders do the right thing.

According to him, “We are doing our best given what we have but could do more especially as president Goodluck Jonathan administration insists that merit should apply in doing things”.

One of the innovations Chuku said his regime has effected is what he called SAFE. This implies staff identifying the area they want to attain excellence

C

for management to assist them with the necessary training.

He counseled Nigerians to embrace health insurance policy for themselves and families stressing that where this becomes the case, the subscribers would have access to Medicare in hospitals when in need.

On the seeming delays in attending to patients at the Centre whose staff strengths he gave as 1,500 with 79 Consultants in different specialties, he said the consultants share the available seven consulting spaces, adding that though the Center applied for 800 new staff and 400 approved, they were yet to be engaged due to unavailable resources to pay salaries.

Citing that the center does not owe staff salaries, he said if 25 per cent increase in their subventions is effected, then they can engage the approved staff.

“We record not less than 89,000 patients per year in recent time and do not owe staff salaries, when we engage locum doctors in time of need, we lack consulting rooms for their use”.

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Herbal therapies for piles unveiled CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 internal haemorrhoids is not treated, it could lead to external haemorrhoids.

This disease can be treated with both fresh and dry herbs.

They wrote: “Scientific studies on these plants too

would yield interesting results and help us in understanding the pharmacological actions of the active compounds found in these plants as suggested by Ramana.

“As clearly stated by Pei traditional medical knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses by indige-

nous cultures are not only useful for conservation of cultural traditions and biodiversity but also for community healthcare and drug development in the present and future.

“From the opinions of the 25 respondents that were interviewed, 52 per cent suggested that herbal tea is

Skipping breakfast may not lead to weight gain *But increases heart attack risk by 25% ECENT studies have found R that skipping breakfast may not lead to weight gain after all but increases the risk of heart attack by a quarter (25 per cent).

Researchers found that older men who do not bother eating after they get up are a quarter more likely to have a heart attack or die from coronary disease than those who do.

The researchers in a study published in the medical journal Circulation say missing a morning meal- or eating very late at night- may trigger changes in the body’s metabolism that lead to coronary heart disease. They say it may affect blood sugar and hormone levels that make heart disease more likely.

Meanwhile, another study of 24 normal-weight college students published in the July issue of the journal Physiology and Behavior suggests that people may actually consume fewer calories if they skip breakfast.

For years, people have been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and that missing it would encourage them to eat more later and pack on the pounds as a result.

But several nutritionists were quick to caution that there are other important reasons to eat breakfast every day, and that the new findings do not apply to everyone.

As part of the study, researchers either fed breakfast to or withheld breakfast from a group of students. Half of the participants ate breakfast regularly, while the other half did not. They then meas-

ured how many calories the participants consumed during the rest of the day. Lunch was served buffet-style, and they were allowed to eat as much as they wanted.

Students who ate breakfast regularly were hungrier on the days they skipped the meal, but they did not overcompensate by eating more at lunch or at any other time during the day. They actually consumed 408 fewer calories on the days they bypassed the morning meal.

Meanwhile, in a study spanning 16 years, the United States (US) researchers tracked the health of 26,902 male health professionals aged 45 to 82 and asked them to complete a series of eating questionnaires.

Altogether 1,572 men had a first-time ‘cardiac event’ during the period, according to the study reported in the medical journal Circulation. Men who skipped breakfast were found to have a 27 per cent higher risk of heart attack or death from coronary heart disease than breakfast eaters.

Even after accounting for modest differences in lifestyle, the link persisted.

The men who did not eat breakfast were younger than those who did, and were more likely to be smokers, employed full-time, unmarried, less physically active and to drink more alcohol.

Men who ate after going to bed had a 55 per cent higher coronary heart disease risk than those who didn’t, but it was a small minority of the total.

“If you are a breakfast eater and we take it away, you will

be hungrier, but you won’t overeat at subsequent meals,” said study author Dr. David Levitsky, a professor of nutritional sciences and psychology at Cornell University. “You can skip breakfast and not feel that you will become overweight.”

the most effective option in treating haemorrhoids, 16 per cent said herb powder (Yoruba -Agunmu), eight

per cent confirmed rubbing concoction while 12 per cent confirmed that herbal paste/lotion are more effec-

tive. Only eight per cent suggested herbal juice and the remaining eight per cent herbal gins.

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FOCUS ON DIAGNOSTIC AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT IN NIGERIA

Stakeholders Call For Better Services ver the years, Nigeria’s healthcare delivO ery system has witnessed a lot of positive improvements and challenges though several ideas have been mooted by notable stakeholders on how to further improve the standard of both primary and tertiary healthcare delivery system in the country.

Principal among the concepts put forward by many is the idea of setting up mega hospital projects in the six geo-political zones of the country.

Under the scheme, the government is giving the private sector the nod to mobilise resources to establish and manage the facilities in a selected state in the six zones.

According to a government source, the projects are part of the government’s renewed approach to bring affordable health services to Nigeria and arrest the exodus of Nigerians abroad for medical tourism.

At the inauguration of the panel headed by former United Bank for Africa (UBA) Tony Elumelu and 19 other members drawn from the leading private hospitals in Nigeria, the crew was given the mandate to draw up an implementable plan for the presidency’s vision of establishing at least one world-class private hospital in each of the zones before the end of the tenure of this administration.

According to the Health Minister, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, who inaugurated the panel, the task ahead is monumental as members are to conduct a critical analysis of low private sector investment in highend specialist hospitals and medical diagnostic centres in Nigeria. Hear him: “As many of you have observed, tertiary healthcare services in Nigeria have been largely in the domain of the public sector. However, inefficiency in resource management and service delivery, and the ever dwindling financial resources per capita for the health sector have made it difficult for many of the government –owned hospitals to keep up with global best practices.”

Since the event took place where Elumelu stressed the need to ensure that the report of the committee does not go the way of previous ones, charging that the panel

Prince Awofisayo

Mrs. Udu

would come up with implementable plans; not much has been heard about the progress of the mega hospital projects in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

At the moment, we still have some pockets of quack medical practitioners dotting our hospitals. According several people that bared their mind on this issue, many private hospitals still engage “nurses” that their credentials are questionable. They put on white uniforms as if they are qualified medical practitioners but little did they know about healthcare delivery system.

According to stakeholders, it is ripe for the government to take the issue of healthcare delivery system very serious by establishing mega hospitals or by sustaining the tempo of equipping the existing ones. Even some major health challenges that may gulp beyond the affordability of the citizens can be subsidized. For instance,” how can a poor farmer to pay a bill of a million naira and above by a poor artisan?”A curious observer questioned.

MANIVENTURES ANIVENTURES is primarily established to M provide total support to modern laboratories, pharmaceutical-manufacturing organisations, and assist clinicians and scientists achieve their optimum productivity in research, teaching, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The wholly-owned Nigerian company, commenced operation in 2002.

Adede W.T

Today they pride themselves as the most reliable, most consistent and most focused after-sales service support outfit in the medical, pharmaceutical and research laboratory field in Nigeria.

“We meet the demands of today’s laboratories with modern instrumentations, manufactured to the utmost modern specification that provide our customers with new levels of technical excellence as well as unparalleled reliability.” We also distribute and support in areas like equipment, service, reagents, consumables. Some of the most innovative, reliable safe and dependable products in this field. They offer unparalleled after-sales-service support every-time. Due to experiences garnered over these past years, and manufacturers’ implicit faith in their technical competences and capabilities, they have secured sole distributorship rights from renowened and acknowledged leaders in the industry with ease.

Mission Statement: A Results-driven Company striving to become Industry Leader by Providing Clients And Customers with Durable Instruments, Adequate User Training, Second-to-none service Support, and Superb Employee Motivation; Thereby Ensuring Total Satisfaction of All State-holders.

Vision: The vision is to become the preferred one-stop shop for quality laboratory equipment & instrumentation that assure clients & customers satisfaction; where real-

Mrs.Okpara G.E

time service delivery and support is first nature.

FINLAB NIGERIA LIMITED: Excellence in Science, Medical and Technical equipment supply inlab approaches 34 years of excellent Fequipment service in Science, Medical and Technical manufacture and supply in Nigeria. In the coming year, 2014, FINLAB, a household name in scientific support field in the country, will be 34 years old in business.

As a way to commemorate this, FINLAB has scheduled series of training for Lab Managers and Technologist across the nation to enhance productivity and professionalism in the science field. This is to show the company’s committed to ensuring harmonious supply of equipment that will meet the yearning of customers together with plural desire to train them for effective use of scientific equipment.

To ensure ready supply of equipment to institutions such as Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Research Centers and Industries, Finlab have stocked their warehouse in Lagos as well as showrooms in Lagos, Owerri and Abuja with various equipment to meet different needs of CONTINUED ON PAGE 43

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FOCUS ON DIAGNOSTIC AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT IN NIGERIA

Elder Olaleye T

Nwaije U

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42 their different customers besides, the company has also opened a new branch at Kano to prove that they are always ready to ensure prompt service and goods delivery to their customers in the North.

Finlab at the moment has new range of Furniture models derived from several years of experience in Laboratory Furniture and Fittings supply.

The models have been designed based on request and observation from their teeming and very satisfied customers over the years.

For instance, Finlab has several stocks of Alpha Models, Beta Models, Sigma Models and Gamma Models for various laboratories.

JAAGEE NIGERIA LIMITED Nigeria Limited was incorporated in JItAAGEE 1987 by the Corporate Affairs Commission. started full operations in 1992 to conduct

Dr. Ngodo

er learning, research institutes, oil and gas, united nations, independent analytical laboratories, SGS, and standard organizations in West Africa.

The company is reputed for supply of first class science and laboratory equipments and technical servicing. “Our company also offers outstanding performances, all at very reasonable prices. Because we are known for excellence and friendly disposition to customers, we became the toast of many leading manufacturers who manufacture state-of-the-art equipment based in South Africa, Europe and Asia.

Commenting further on what makes them glaringly superior to their competitors Mr. Famoriyo states that they enjoy tremendous technical support from their partners who supply parts and components on long term basis.

In addition, they have a team of qualified scientists and technologists who are professionals in their respective fields in offering a world-class customer service and prompt solutions.

TRAINING JaaGee provides adequate training involving handling of foreign and locally manufacture equipment for the staff by organization who patronize them. for instance their new laboratory is capable of carrying out of analysis of foods and other materials. It will also serve the purpose of hand-on training of clients on how to handle the equipment supplied.

Mr. Julius Gbolade Famoriyo who has

business of repairs, supplies, installation and consultancy work on Science Technology Equipments across several West African countries. Through the grace of God, they started small at Adekunle Fajuyi Road, Adamasingba Ibadan from where they moved to their present new office complex at JaaGee house Km 6, Ibadan-Ife Expressway Olode, Iyana Agbala Itural Ibadan. The company which has offices in Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Cote d’ivoire, Ghana and the United Kingdom (UK) is one of the leading supplies of laboratory equipments to: Food industries, health and pharmaceutical industries, manufacturing industries (vegetable oil, flour milling), institutions of high- CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

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FOCUS ON DIAGNOSTIC AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT IN NIGERIA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 been the President/ Chief Executive Officer of the company, is at present the President of the Scientific Products Association of Nigeria (SPAN) a fellow of the Institute of

Food Science and Technology of Nigeria and a member of the Nigeria Swedish Chamber of Commerce.

LABSTOCK NIGERIA LIMITED ABSTOCK Nigeria LimitLreputable ed is one of the oldest scientific equipment supply companies in Nigeria, having been incorporated in February, 1971 Labstock is a founding member of Scientific Products Association of Nigeria (SPAN), a trade association of recognized scientific equipment and laboratory chemicals producers and suppliers in Nigeria.

During the economic boom period of the seventies and early eighties, Labstock played major roles in supplying scientific instruments, laboratory equipment and chemicals to most of the old university institutions, including: University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Benin, University of Sokoto, University of Maiduguri and University of Nigeria. In 1978, Labstock was awarded an N 1.25m contract by the Federal Ministry of Education for the supply of laboratory equipment and chemicals to a total of 62 Federal Government Advanced Teacher Training Colleges located throughout Nigeria. The successful execution of this contract proved and established Labstock’s credibility and capability in handling big government procurement contracts.

By the late eighties, with the gradual decline of new business coming from the

universities, Labstock realigned its business to focus on Nigeria’s public and private sector industrial laboratories, many of whom are engaged in quality control analysis research and development activities. Consequently, by specializing on the supply of analytical and measuring instruments and products, Labstock has been able to put together an unrivalled product range and service offering what is capable of meeting the specific high quality needs of its target customer base.

Labstock is the exclusive representative of Shimadzu Corporation of Japan and the Exclusive distributor in Nigeria of the high-tech and high quality range of Shimadzu analytical instruments including, GC and LC Chromatographs, GC-MS and LCMS Spectrometers, UV-VIS, FTIR and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometers, ICPS and OBS Spectrometers, XRF, XRD and EDX analysers and Total Organic Carbon Analysers. Today, in Nigeria, industrial and research laboratories using Labstock supplied equipment include those operating within pharmaceutical, petrochemical. refinery, manufacturing and environmental analysis industries and in research institutes and quality regulating authorities, such as SON and NAFDAC. Labstock is proud to have exclusively represented Shimadzu in Nigeria since 1979. In recognition of the contribution of Labstock in creating brand awareness in Nigeria for Shimadzu products, Shimadzu Corporation at its 130th Anniversary on 31st March, 2005, presented Labstock with a Plaque with this citation: “We at Shimadzu wish to express our sincere appreciation for your outstanding contribution over the years to the successful development of our business, on this occasion, the 130th anniversary of Shimadzu Corporation”‘.

The Management of Labstock is headed by Dr. Nathan Nwachuku, who has been with the company since 1972. Dr. Nwachuku is a scientist with Ph.D. in Botany (with biochemistry bias) from the University of Aberdeen.

Prior to joining Labstock, Dr. Nwachuku was a lecturer in Botany for 10 years in both Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and in the University of Ghana at Legon.

Dr. Nwachuku has devoted most of his working life to developing Labstock and the Shimadzu brand name in Nigeria.

In order to provide effective sales support to Labstock’s Shimadzu customers, the company has a highly dedicated

team of Shimadzu trained sales executives located within Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja and Port-Harcourt. On the technical support side, the company also has an experienced team of its own Shimadzu trained instrument engineers who have received technical training at Shimadzu Sanjo factory in Japan where the instruments are manufactured. As a result of this staff strength, Labstock is able to offer Shimadzu customers excellent sales, installation, training, after-sales 2-year warranty and long-term maintenance support contract services.

ALLURE OF TUNNEX LABORATORY UNNEX Laboratory EngiT neering Limited, an established name in Science Education and Technology,\was incorporated in 1983 to provide functional, durable, safe, yet inexpensive Laboratories and Science Materials to Primary Schools, Colleges, Polytechnic, Universities, Research Organizations, Hospitals and Industries in Nigeria.

They have since developed into one of the World’s leading manufacturers/suppliers of top quality products due to their intensive technological development, abundant experience and well trained personnel. The unique services which they provide include: Laboratory design, Fabrication of furniture and Installation Services as well as suppliers of laboratory science equipment and chemicals from world-renowned manufacturers. Commenting further, the management said glassblowing machines can also be procured, supplied and installed in a jiffy.

LABORATORY DESIGN, MANUFACTURE & INSTALLATION Tunnex Offers a variety of laboratory designs from those physical Sciences to Quality Control laboratories and workshop benches. To meet these designs, they have commenced production of furniture units, which are available in modular form. These furniture units have been developed over many years top combine the use of modern materials and design with their traditional craftsmanship punctuated with maximum customized to individual requirement, taste and budget.

In consultation with Customer(s), the laboratory professionals could visit and evaluate one’s needs in relation to the available facilities and produce a preliminary laboratory layout based on Customers ‘Labflow’, the, instrumentation planned and anticipated growth potential.

SCIENCE EQUIPMENT AND CHEMICALS Tunnex holds very comprehensive and extensive stock of Science Equipments and Chemical at the most competitive pricing ever thought of. The products are carefully selected and stocked to meet the usual laboratory requirements for day-to-day use and research purposes. Each product is subject to strict quality control to ensure unbeatable quality at the right price.

“We will be delighted to quote for your requirement, whether small or big. while we trust you’ll enjoy the most courteous and prompt attention you deserve with a good bargain for your money on your visit to our Sales office.’’ The Managing Director Stated.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Explaining further, he said customers should avail themselves of the privileges of enjoying the unique services of Tunnex and get quality product that lasts into old age. You will never be left in the cold with their extra margin. Promising further that the company will continue to set the laboratory standard by which quality and service should be judge. No doubt according to him their innovation makes the difference.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

SCIENCE & HEALTH

45

Experts flay Africa’s poor access to global health funds NIMR spearheads training of researchers

By Chukwuma Muanya and Tony Nwanne EDICAL experts have decried a situation where African countries including Nigeria along with most developing countries have access to only five per cent or less of the Global Fund for AIDS TB and Malaria compared to their counterparts in the developed countries who receive 95 per cent of the fund.

To address the situation, the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) is championing the training of African researchers on grant writing.

Director General of the Institute, Prof. Innocent Ujah, at the opening ceremony of the ‘Training of African Researchers on Grant Writing” recently decried the poor quality proposals from Africa. Ujah said that the essence of the training was to build capacity for proposals that compete for international grants.

The NIMR DG explained: “I am a member of the Tertiary Education Trust (TET) Fund Research sub-committee and when we look at the proposal submitted for funding, we found out that only about 10 to 15 per cent could be judged to pass through the first hurdle for consideration.”

He continued: “What it means is that we need to train or build capacity of researchers and that is exactly what NIMR has started doing.

We must build research capacity for our researchers. If we don’t train and build capacity, we will not be able to budget.

So, we need to learn how to do budgeting for our proposals.

This is because all these are components that are assessed when you are seeking for grants. I believe that if we do that Nigeria will fall in line.”

The DG further said that there is need Nigerian researchers to increase their interest in competing for international grants rather than depend on government for funds, adding that the ability to do so is the mark of a good researcher.

Coordinator, Research Planning and Management, Dr. Oni Idigbe, said research engine for all development decried the low priority for research in Nigeria compared to other countries in the developed world.

Idigbe said: “In Nigeria, priority for research is very low compared to other countries in the developed world and we know that research is the research engine for all development. If today we have drugs or vaccines, all sorts of medication, all sorts of health interventions; all of these are efforts of research.

Unfortunately, in Nigeria the priority for research is very low, it is not funded, in fact, when we go for funds from the government or when they are doing their budget, research is hardly remembered.”

Listing the values of research, Idigbe said: “Health research drives health care delivery, health research drives development, but if it is not given priority, then of course, we have not started yet. I think what we need is for government to address is how government can improve research.”

He expressed optimism over increase in local budget in the country, based on a recent pledge by the Minister

M

of health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu to double the research allocation of NIMR and another research institute in Abuja in the 2013 and 2014 budget.

However, he stressed research in the country cannot survive on government’s provision urged for increased capacity to compete for international grants.

Idigbe said: “But these grants are very competitive, when there is a call for proposal for it is only in very few exceptions when they say this call for proposal is restricted for resource poor developing countries; otherwise the call for proposal is global, it covers everybody. So you can imagine you are writing for a proposal, people from US are writing for the same grant, people from Canada are writing for the same grant, people from South Africa are writing for the same grant.

“The last World Health Organisation estimate shows that there are lots of funds available for science and research, but you have to access these funds. And out of the huge funds that run into trillions of dollars, Africa and most of the developing coun-

L-R: Secretary to Lagos State Government, Dr . Oluranti Adebule; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Femi Olugbile; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adesina; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; and Commissioner for Health, Dr. jide Idris, during the inauguration of Alausa staff clinic Complex in Lagos…

PHOTO; SUNDAY AKINLOLU tries have only been able to access five per cent or less. So 95 per cent of these funds are

going to developed countries that already have most of their problems solved. If we

have to compete, we have to be able write good proposals and to be able to write good proposals, you need capacity

and to have capacity, you have to be trained. And that is why we are starting from now.”

Studies alert on rising cases of sickle cell, hypertension in ‘children’

By Chukwuma Muanya HE number of children born with sickle cell anaemia worldwide is on the rise with India, Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo topping the list of countries with highest burden.

According to the study published yesterday in the current issue of the journal PLoS Medicine, sickle cell anemia is increasing worldwide, and more than 404,200 babies will be born with the hereditary blood disorder in 2050.

The researchers, however, found that universal screening programs could save the lives of nearly 10 million newborns with sickle cell anemia worldwide, including 85 percent of those expected to-beborn in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Implementing basic health services for sickle cell anemia- such as newborn screening and vaccination- by 2015

T

• India, Nigeria, Congo DRC top list of countries with ailment • Predict 404,200 cases annually by 2050 could increase survival of more than five million newborns with the disease by 2050,” they noted.

Also, a new research in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, found that the risk of elevated blood pressure among children and adolescents rose 27 percent during a thirteenyear period.

The researchers said higher body mass, larger waistlines and eating excess sodium (table salt) may be the reasons for the elevated blood pressure readings; and that high blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.

They compared more than 3,200 children ages eight to 17 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination

Survey (NHANES) III in 19881994 to more than 8,300 in NHANES in 1999-2008. They accounted for differences between the two groups in age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass, waistline and sodium intake.

The researchers found: *Boys were more likely to have elevated blood pressure, but the rate increased more markedly in girls from the first study to the second. *More children were overweight in the second study, and both sexes, especially girls, had bigger waistlines. *Children whose body mass or waistline measurements were in the top 25 percent for their age group were about twice as likely to have elevated blood pressure as children with measurements in the bottom 25 percent.

*African-American children had a 28 percent higher risk of elevated blood pressure than non-Hispanic white children. *In both studies, children with the greatest sodium intake were 36 percent more likely than those with the lowest intake to have elevated blood pressure.

However, studies have linked excessive sodium (especially from table salt) in the diet to high blood pressure, and have suggested reducing sodium intake in children’s and adolescents’ can lower average systolic (top number) blood pressure by 1.2 mm Hg and average diastolic (bottom number) pressure 1.3 mm Hg. Sickle-cell disease is an incurable genetic disorder widespread in sub-Saharan

Africa and among descendents of Africans worldwide.

Sufferers have no visible symptoms, but periodically experience severe pain and are also highly prone to anaemia because the blood cells break down after only 10 to 20 days, rather than the usual four months.

A person can only inherit sickle-cell disorder if both parents are carriers of the genetic trait, and then there is a one in four chance of giving birth to an affected child.

In sickle cell anemia, red blood cells shaped like sickles, or crescent moons, can get stuck in small blood vessels around the body, blocking the flow of blood and oxygen.

It is estimated that 3.4 million Nigerians are currently suffering from sickle cell anaemia while about 40 million Nigerians carry the gene of reproducing sickle cell patients.

UNICEF reports 50% reduction in female genital mutilation in Nigeria, others

By Chukwuma Muanya GROUNDBREAKING new report by United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF) released yesterday showed a sharp decline in Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in numerous countries in which it is practiced, with prevalence dropping by as much as almost half among adolescent girls in Benin, the Central African Republic, Iraq, Liberia and Nigeria.

According to the UNICEF report, while much progress has been made in abandoning female genital mutilation/cutting, millions of girls are still at risk – and sets out key steps needed to eliminate the practice for once, and for all.

The report is titled “In Female Genital

A

•UN to raise WHO-led Interagency Task Force on non communicable diseases Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change.”

UNICEF compiled and analysed data from 74 nationally representative surveys that were conducted over a 20-year period in 29 countries across Africa and the Middle East in which FGM/C is practised.

Also, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) yesterday adopted a resolution requesting the UN Secretary-General to establish a United Nations Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control on Noncommunicable Diseases.

The Task Force will be convened and led by the WHO and will be created by expand-

ing the mandate of the existing United Nations Ad Hoc Interagency Task Force on Tobacco Control and the work to support the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). The resolution was adopted in ECOSOC’s 2013 Substantive Session being held in Geneva, Switzerland.

UNICEF Statistics and Monitoring Specialist, Claudia Cappa, said: “This report is the most comprehensive compilation of statistics and data analysis on FGM/C to date.

“It’s extremely important because it illustrates, for the first time, what we know about how widespread is the

practice is, the attitudes surrounding the practice and the reasons why this practice is continued. It’s also the first report that includes data for countries like Iraq for which we didn’t have national figures.”

“In most of the countries surveyed, majority of girls and women who have undergone the practice do not see benefits to it and think that the practice should stop.

“More mothers are aware that FGM/C can lead to their daughter’s, or a girl’s, death.

So, there is a better understanding of the consequences, which, in itself, is very important progress.”

Perhaps one of the most

striking revelations is the degree of discrepancy between the low support for FGM/C and the high prevalence of its practice. Even in countries in which most girls and women are cut, a significant proportion of the population opposes the practice.

The report sets out some key steps needed to eliminate FGM/C – one of which is finding ways to make attitudes that favour abandonment of the practice visible, so families know they are not alone.

More than 125 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to FGM/C in the 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East in which it is concentrated, and 30 million girls are at risk of being cut within the next decade.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

46 SCIENCE HEALTH

Effect of acid pH on fertility (2)

S I showed last week, an A acid pH in the body can cause infertility. In fact, this

Sales and Marketing Director, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Olugbenga Olayeye; Assistant Director, Policy Planning Research and Statistics, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Grillo Aderoju and General Manager, Marketing, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Ola Ijimakin, during the presentation of Astymin Brilliance Reward (ABR) bag at the 3rd edition of the programme in Lagos… recently

Vision 20:2020: How to boost local drug production, by Olaopa

By Wole Oyebade O near and yet so far’ may describe the Federal Government’s (FG) economic transformation agenda to become one of the 20 leading economies in the world by 2020.

With about six years to the 2020-hour mark, progress made tells of a vision belonging to a distant future. But to the optimists and few realists alike, the goals are achievable – only if the government is willing and able.

One of such optimists that believes that such vision – especially for the pharmaceutical and health sector – needs not belong to another 50 years is Bunmi Olaopa, and has proffered three “simple measures” - of provision, protection and patronage – to upturn the fortune of the drug manufacturing sector on the Vision 20:2020 hourglass.

Besides, one of the instances that has given a ray of hope to the pharmaceutical sector is the prospect of getting World Health Organisation’s (WHO) prequalification by some local companies – one

‘S

of them Evans Medical Plc – before the year runs out.

With the international certification, Nigerian companies and locally made products will competitive in the world market.

Olaopa, who doubles as the President of the P h a r m a c e u t i c a l Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) and Group Managing Director (GMD), Evans Medical Plc observed that the FG’s plan was in line with a current drive in West Africa and Africa for robust local manufacturing on the continent.

While Olaopa commended the regional initiatives, he said the onus really lies on FG to proactively address major challenges facing manufacturers in the pharmaceutical sector to domesticate the international drive.

Olaopa told reporters in Lagos recently that the current business clime with bank interest rate at about 20 per cent is rather too expensive. He said the government must realize the need for a funding scheme

like Special Fund for the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, similar to earlier intervention fund for the general manufacturers pegged at seven per cent interest rate.

In his words: “We are not asking for grant but a fund with an interest rate that is not so killing. Even if government cannot give N200 billion at a time, if it is only N30 billion, why can’t we start with that? If that is done, then we will have fund for the upgrade of factories as well as working capital. That will be the first stage of bringing down the cost of locally manufactured products in Nigeria,” Olaopa said.

He added the need for tarifffriendly regime on imported materials like Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) – especially for endemic disease areas like malaria, diabetes, hypertension and so on. “If we cannot make APIs and machineries duty free, then let the tariff not be more than five per cent,” he said.

The third leg is patronage of locally manufactured products. Olaopa noted that the experience in India and

China is instructive for Nigeria in promoting local patronage of made in Nigeria products.

“If India did not shut its doors to importation, they would not be where they are today. We also know that until recently when China decided to open its doors, they also shut their doors. In fact in India, the government supports export with a grant because they know what they are getting from it.

“We cannot be talking of poverty alleviation when every country keep dumping their products on Nigeria. Someone that is not working will remain poor forever! But if we are patronised, we will build more factories, employ more people, pay tax and do more corporate social services,” Olaopa said.

Equally disturbing the manufacturing sector is the inconsistency of government policies. A famous example was an earlier ban on importation of antibiotics in Nigeria, with government citing local capability and capacity.

Fidson, Lagos task pupils on academic excellence, nutrition

By Chukwuma Muanya HealthCare Plc and FhaveIDSON the Lagos State government tasked pupils in the state on need to strive for academic excellence and good nutrition.

Sales and Marketing Director, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Olugbenga Olayeye, and Assistant Director, Policy Planning Research and Statistics, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Grillo Aderoju, on the occasion of the 2013 Astymin Brilliance Reward (ABR) held over the weekend at Grange School Ikeja, Lagos, charged the pupils with the words of English writer, Sydney Smith: “the real object of education is to give children resources that will endure as long as life

endures; habits that time will ameliorate, not destroy; occupation that will render sickness tolerable, solitude pleasant, age venerable, life more dignified and useful.”

The Astymin sponsored kiddies reward programme, which berthed in 2011 is aimed at developing the mental and academic performance, while rewarding hard work and academic excellence amongst the pupils.

Astymin Forte has been specially developed to maintain general health and vitality in both men and women, and is specifically recommended in growing children.

Due to increased work pressure, stressful life, improper diet, alcholism, nutritional demand of amino acids and vitamins is increased in adults.

To cater the need of the age, Fidson designed Astymin forte a dynamic comprehensive combination of 19 nutrients.

Astymin formula includes essential vitamins such as A, C, and E, which play a number of key roles in the body and help maintain all round health and vitality. Supplies essential Bvitamins that are important for cardiovascular health and the production of energy and along with the various functions of amino acids.

Olaleye said: “The enduring experience we are giving to these youngsters is beyond the material rewards you will see today. We recognize the extra efforts put in their studies in order to excel above their mates; an acknowledgement of the extra moments cut out of play- time to brace

up their knowledge and capacity; an appreciation of that rare willpower and discipline to overcome peers pressure and influence; and above all a motivation to keep the spirit high and the flag flying in their future academic endeavours.”

He said Astymin is proud to be associated with the educational development of our children. “We believe strongly in the absolute necessity of education and the undoubtable impact of children’s education on the future of our country.

This is why we constantly renew our commitment to supporting children’s education by encouraging them to excellence and providing them with the right motivation to reach for height wish they have attained today,” Olaleye said.

is one cause of infertility that had not received too much attention until recently. There is a lot of ongoing research work at the moment, to show and confirm that indeed an acid pH does affect fertility negatively. As I said last week, causes of acidity in the human body include, dehydration, how we prepare our food and the foreign lifestyle of eating preserved, sweetened and colourised can food, that we adopted from other climes.

With these causes in mind, I shall now proceed to discuss how to eliminate the acidity and replace it with alkalinity, which is the perfect environment for optimal performance of the human body system.

Detoxifying the body is the first thing to do in this situation of over acidity and it is also appropriate to begin by discussing what to do to further reduce acidifying the system. Those types of food and beverages that are known to be strictly acidforming should be eliminated from our diet: foods such as refined sugars, white flower products, saturated fats, hydrogenated and trans fats, polished rice and white table salt.

Others are alcoholic beverages, caffeinated teas and coffee and cigarettes. Also, we should endeavour to stop over cooking our soups so as not to destroy the nutrients in them.

Doing so would ensure that acid we take in can possibly be reduced by more than 50 per cent.

Rehydration The next thing would be to make sure that you are drinking sufficient water on a daily basis. I have always recommended eight glasses (or 2 liters) of alkaline water daily. Being properly hydrated by drinking enough water always ensures that the circulation of blood moves fast enough such that elimination of acids and other wastes goes on unhindered.

Other things that you may want to do in detoxifying the body are as follows: Diet Eat a lot of raw and fresh leafy vegetables and fruits.

These contain plenty of both soluble and insoluble fiber which are necessary for the elimination of heavy metals from the blood stream and chemicals from the body. The insoluble fiber play a very significant role in flushing out all sorts of wastes, acids, bile salts with cholesterol from the gastro-intestinal tract.

Some examples of good detoxification foods are cabbage, broccoli, spinach, radish, beet root, spirulina, chlorella and artichoke.

Liver cleanse I have discussed liver cleanse extensively in the past and so there would be no further discussion on that here.

Dry skin brushing This should be done before having a bath. It helps to dislodge whatever may be blocking the sweat pores on the skin before washing them off to make sure that the pores remain open so that sweating can go on uninterrupted.

Sauna You can spend time in the sauna from time to time. The purpose is for the heat in the sauna to cause you to sweat.

Toxins are eliminated through the sweat.

Exercise The role of exercise in detoxifying the body is an all important one. Firstly, you may want to practice fast deep power breathing with the use of the mouth. Here you employ the diaphragm such that the abdomen distends when you breathe in and flattens out as you breathe out. This type of exercise increases the oxygen concentration in the blood circulation and increases the rate of carbon dioxide elimination.

The second type of exercise that you should do are the aerobics: brisk walking, jogging, cycling, rope skipping, swimming etc. This group of exercises cause an increase of the blood circulation and fast elimination of acid salts and other toxins through the kidneys and urine on the one hand and the sweat pores of the skin on the other hand.

There is increased oxygen intake and and utilization with a concomitant release of carbon dioxide and disposal of same. Breakdown and utilization of glucose go on at a high level, thereby regulating blood sugar levels perfectly.

Use of supplements Certain supplements play far reaching roles in detoxifying the body. Included in the list are antioxidants such as vitamins A, C E and selenium which come in to play in neutralizing the free radicals in circulation or in the tissues.

Also vitamin C plays an important role in the biosynthesis of glutathione, an important component in the cleansing of the liver.

In the concluding part of this article, to be featured next week Thursday, I shall be discussing natural herbs, vegetables and fruits that support fertility and those that can improve sexual performance.

GOD bless.

SCIENCEGUARDIAN 47

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Again, cell phones linked to cancer CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 response, such as a rise in molecules that indicate oxidative stress, Hamzany says.

However, a very big study published in October 2011 showed no link between mobile phones and cancer.

The study published in British Medical Journal found there is no link between long-term use of mobile phones and tumours of the brain or central nervous system.

In what is described as the largest study on the subject to date, Danish researchers found no evidence that the risk of brain tumours was raised among 358,403 mobile phone subscribers over an 18year period.

The number of people using mobile phones is constantly rising with more than five billion subscriptions worldwide in 2010. This has led to concerns about potential adverse health effects, particularly tumours of the central nervous system.

Previous studies on a possible link between phone use and tumours have been inconclusive particularly on long-term use of mobile phones. Some of this earlier work took the form of case control studies involving small numbers of long-term users and were shown to be

prone to error and bias.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields, as emitted by mobile phones, as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

The only cohort study investigating mobile phone use and cancer to date is a Danish nationwide study comparing cancer risk of all 420,095 Danish mobile phone subscribers from 1982 until 1995, with the corresponding risk in the rest of the adult population with follow-up to 1996 and then 2002. This study found no evidence of any increased risk of brain or nervous system tumours or any cancer among mobile phone subscribers.

So researchers, led by the Institute of Cancer Epidemiology in Copenhagen, continued this study up to 2007.

They studied data on the whole Danish population aged 30 and over and born in Denmark after 1925, subdivided into subscribers and nonsubscribers of mobile phones before 1995. Information was gathered from the Danish phone network operators and from the Danish Cancer Register.

Electronic waste: An accumulated time-bomb (2) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 Some fast facts on e-waste Considering the fact that most of the second handed electronics devices are sourced from outside the shores of Nigeria, it may serve our purpose to consider some statistics from overseas. Consider the following: [1] According to “Environment Canada”, an estimated 4,750 tonnes of lead is contained in personal computers and television sets disposed each year in Canada. Suffice to say that a huge chunk of this probably ends up in Third World markets.

[2] The International Telecommunications Union [ITU] estimates that as at the end 2007, about three billion people own GSM handsets worldwide. This naturally translates into high rate of disposal of handsets, an appreciable percentage of which find their way to the developing world.

[3] More than 140,000 tonnes of computer equipment, phones, television sets, stereos and small home appliances accumulate in Canadian landfills each year (“Environment Canada”).

Nigeria: A reputation going sour It is noteworthy that the Nigerian’s growing status as an international e-waste junkyard is not lost on the outside world. Perhaps the following story will serve to illustrate the country’s current status in the eyes of those outside our shores.

On Wednesday, the 18th of February, 2009, the Britishbased satellite television station, ”SKY NEWS”, featured a story which was indeed thought-stimulating.

According to the report, an American e-waste management company had assembled a collection of discarded electronic gadgets for proper disposal. Apparently aware

that a huge chunk of e-waste generated in the United States somehow find their way to the Third World, the waste disposal outfit decided to “track” the unwanted gadgets.

An electronic tracking device was fitted into one of the television sets. True to expectation, the TV set, among other gadgets, found its way to the Third World.

Even more interesting is the fact that the Third World country in question was Nigeria! More specifically, the tracking system brought the American investigator to Lagos, and to no other destination than the popular Alaba International Electronics Market!

The “drama” did not end there. Our American friend went on to bargain for, and eventually bought the television set. The process of bargaining and purchase gave the “customer” the opportunity to glance round the market. To his chagrin, he discovered that, because the traders lacked the requisite knowledge to service a sizeable percentage of the electronic gadgets, they embarked on the indiscriminate dismantling of the imported electronics, and the extraction of some components (with bare hands!), which they deem useful for recycling purposes. By so doing, they do not only handle dangerous (sometimes carcinogenic!) chemicals, but also inhaled hazardous gases! *To be continued next week • 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. e-mail: chetafrank@yahoo.co.uk

WHO issues travel advice on ‘killer virus’ for pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia

By Chukwuma Muanya ORRIED about possible outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) during pilgrimages to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued guidance to national authorities of countries from which pilgrims will be travelling in the coming months for Umra and Hajj for the prevention, detection and management of imported cases of the virus.

However, a report published July 25 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases suggested that MERS would not prove as dangerous as Severely Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The WHO in a statement, however, said” “At this time, the risk to an individual pilgrim of contracting MERS-CoV is considered very low.”

MERS-CoV, first reported in 2012, has affected nine countries to date. WHO is coordinating the global response to this emerging virus according to the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).

According to the WHO report, it is important for countries to use all practical and effective means possible to communicate information on a range of issues before, during and after Umra and Hajj to all key groups, including the following: travellers to Umra and Hajj, particularly vulnerable groups within this population; public health officials; health care staff responsible for the care of ill pilgrims; public transportation and tourism industries; and the general public.

MERS emerged last year in Saudi Arabia and nearly all cases of infection have been reported there, or in people who were infected with the virus there before traveling to other countries.

According to the report, between Sept. 1, 2012, and June 15, 2013, there were 47 confirmed cases (46 adults, one child) of MERS infections in Saudi Arabia and 90 MERS cases worldwide.

The investigators said an analysis of clinical records, laboratory results and other data revealed that older people, men and patients with chronic health problems are more likely to succumb to the disease.

Like those infected with SARS, people with MERS have a wide range of symptoms.

Most patients admitted to the hospital had fever (98 percent), chills (87 percent), cough (83 percent), shortness of breath (72 percent) and muscle pain (32 percent). Onefourth of patients also had gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Unlike SARS, however, nearly all of the cases of MERS occurred in people with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes (68 percent), high blood pressure (34 percent), chronic heart disease (28 percent) and chronic kidney disease (49 percent).

Study leader Ziad Memish, the deputy minister for public health from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said in a journal news release: “Despite sharing some clinical similarities with SARS (example, fever, cough and incubation period), there are also some important differences, such as the rapid progression to respiratory failure, up to five days earlier than

W

• Virus less infectious than SARS • High death rates among people with chronic illnesses, study finds

90 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported worldwide SARS. “In contrast to SARS — which was much more infectious, especially in health-care settings, and affected the healthier and the younger age group — MERS appears to be more deadly, with 60 percent of patients with co-existing chronic illnesses dying, compared with the one percent to two percent toll of SARS.” “Although this high mortality rate with MERS is probably spurious due to the fact that we are only picking up severe cases and missing a significant number of milder or asymptomatic cases, so far there is little to indicate that MERS will follow a similar path to SARS,” Memish added.

Study co-author Ali Zumla, from University College London in the United Kingdom, said that “the recent identification of milder or asymptomatic cases of MERS in health-care workers, children and family members of contacts of MERS cases indicates that we are only reporting the tip of the iceberg of severe cases and there is a spectrum of milder clinical disease which requires urgent definition.”

“Ultimately, the key will be to identify the source of MERS infection, predisposing factors for susceptibility to infection and the predictive factors for poor outcome,” Zumla said in the news release.

“Meanwhile, infection control measures within hospitals seem to work.”

In an editorial accompanying the report, Christian Drosten, of the University of Bonn Medical Center in Germany, said there is an urgent need to develop accurate diagnostic tests to help focus efforts to control MERS and to minimize the risk of it spreading from infected patients to other people.

The WHO said countries should advise pilgrims that pre-existing major medical

conditions (example chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic lung disease, immunodeficiency) can increase the likelihood of illness, including MERS-CoV infection, during travel; thus, pilgrims should consult a health care provider before travelling to review the risk and assess whether making the pilgrimage is advisable.

According to the WHO, countries should make information known to departing pilgrims and travel organizations on general travel health precautions, which will lower the risk of infection in general, including illnesses such as influenza and traveller’s diarrhoea.

The apex health body said specific emphasis should be placed on: washing hands often with soap and water.

When hands are not visibly dirty, a hand rub can be used; adhering to good food-safety practices, such as avoiding undercooked meat or food prepared under unsanitary conditions, and properly washing fruits and vegetables before eating them; maintaining good personal hygiene; avoiding unnecessary contact with farm, domestic, and wild animals.

The WHO said health advisories should be made available to all departing travellers to Umra or Hajj by working with the travel and tourism sectors and placing such materials at strategic locations (example travel agent offices or points of departure in airports).

It reads: “Different kinds of communication, such as health alerts on board planes and ships, and banners, pamphlets and radio announcements at international points of entry, can also be used to reach travellers.

“Travel advisories should include current information on MERS-CoV and guidance on how to avoid illness while

The WHO said countries should advise pilgrims that pre-existing major medical conditions (example chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic lung disease, immunodeficiency) can increase the likelihood of illness, including MERS-CoV infection, during travel; thus, pilgrims should consult a health care provider before travelling to review the risk and assess whether making the pilgrimage is advisable.

travelling.”

The statement noted that current WHO guidelines, or their national equivalents, on surveillance, infection prevention and control measures and clinical management of MERS-CoV should be distributed to health care practitioners and health care facilities.

According to the WHO, countries should ensure that there are adequate laboratory services for testing for MERS-CoV and that information on laboratory services and clinical referral mechanisms is known to health care providers and facilities.

The WHO also noted advised that medical staff accompanying pilgrims should be up to date on MERS-CoV information and guidance, including how to recognize early signs and symptoms of infection, who is considered to be in a high-risk group, and what to do when a suspected case is identified, as well as on simple health measures to reduce transmission.

The WHO said travellers who develop a significant acute respiratory illness with fever and cough (severe enough to interfere with usual daily activities) should be advised to: minimize their contact with others to keep from infecting them; cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and discard the tissue in the trash after use and wash hands afterwards, or, if this is not possible, to cough or sneeze into upper sleeves of their clothing, but not their hands; report to the medical staff accompanying the group or to the local health services.

The statement reads: “Returning pilgrims should be advised that if they develop a significant acute respiratory illness with fever and cough (severe enough to interfere with usual daily activities) during the two weeks after their return, they should seek medical attention and immediately notify their local health authority.

“Persons who have had close contact with a pilgrim or traveller with a significant acute respiratory illness with fever and cough (severe enough to interfere with usual daily activities) and who themselves develop such an illness should be advised to report to local health authorities to be monitored for MERSCoV.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Education Why WAEC should not be blamed for high failure rate, by Eguridu Many reasons have been adduced for the high failure rate in public examinations at the secondary school level in recent time, with some stakeholders putting the blame at the doors of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). However, the council’s Head of National Office (HNO), Mr. Charles Eguridu, thinks differently.

Eguridu attended St. Malachy’s College, Sapele and the University of Lagos, where he obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology in 1979 and 1981. He rose through the ranks and was appointed the Principal Assistant Registrar and Head of the International Examinations Department at the council’s Headquarters in Accra, Ghana in April, 1996. He was promoted to Deputy Registrar in 2002, and Senior Deputy Registrar in 2009. He was appointed Head of the Nigeria National Office in October, 2012. In this interview with ROTIMI LAWRENCE OYEKANMI last Monday, at the council’s headquarters in Lagos, the HNO dissects the various issues associated with the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), just as he proffers solutions to the high failure rate. Excerpts: Is the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) less challenging or more complex now than before? think it’s getting more complex. In the past, the major problem we used to have is the incidence of examination malpractice. In the past few years, we have been able to contain the leakage of our papers. What we now have are minor cases of examination malpractice, with candidates trying to exhibit abnormal pattern of behaviour, which, of course, is peculiar to candidates all over the world and not just to Nigeria alone.

We also face the challenge of movement of materials and examination papers from one part of the country to the other, because we can no longer trust third parties to handle the papers. In the past, we used to, but they betrayed us. So, what we do now is that, we sort of use a system whereby our office in Lagos and other branches across the country would be shut down to deal with the handling of examination materials. Our challenges now are also more complex because we now have to deal with the problems of insurgency, armed robbery and civil unrest in some parts of the country.

Conducting examinations in Nigeria has not been an easy enterprise. The past 10 months on the job have exposed me to a new level of reality, because the conduct of the May/June 2013 WASSCE was confronted with a lot of challenges. We lost three of our staff during an insurgent attack. They were shot dead and the other issue was that, even during the marking of last year’s examination scripts, one of our staff escaped death narrowly in Agbo, when he was caught in a cross fire between armed robbers and the Nigerian Police and we had to rush in to save him by sending him to Asaba for urgent medication attention.

It was quite challenging conducting examinations in a locked down area like Borno state. It was quite severe. The challenges of the office is such that, once in a while, you are summoned to appear before the Committee on Education at the House

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Eguridu of Representatives, or you get an urgent call by the Ministry of Education or other stakeholders. So shuttling between Lagos and Abuja is one challenge that I find quite awesome.

Some stakeholders have accused WAEC of not changing its mode of setting examination questions for years, such that it becomes easy for candidates to predict how questions are set. What will be your reaction to that?

The act of assessment is a science in itself. We don’t repeat questions for candidates. Besides, if you look at how our operations started in the early 50s, when the organization was formed, we have migrated from our traditional mode.

The examination conducted by WAEC cannot be compared with any other examination in Nigeria and indeed, the whole of Africa. We have examinations conducted by JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board). JAMB conducts a one-day examination, which is only based on multiple-choice questions. Those critics talking about changes, what do they know about assessment?

We test people, not on the basis of assumption, but on the basis of scientifically proved methods. Our exams have a practical component. The practical component tests the sensory motor skills of the individual, while the essay component looks at the cognitive, comprehensive and other domains of testing. We also have the oral test, complemented by multiple-choice questions. Our test patterns are formed along what is obtainable anywhere in the world.

We are gradually moving towards the Computer Based Test (CBT) method, but we cannot move ahead of our society because how many people have access to computers? If WAEC decides tomorrow to run the May/June examination based on CBT, I am sure the entire country would be up in arms against us. We are ready, but how many people have access to the Internet? So, those making those assumptions are doing so out of ignorance.

Some parents blame WAEC and the teachers for the high rate of failure in the WASCCE. Teachers blame both the students for not being studious and the parents for not playing their roles. Ironically, the students, too, blame for deliberating failing them. So, what is your take on this? Who will WAEC blame?

My take is simple. WAEC is like a mirror. If you

don’t dress well and you stand in front of your mirror, what your mirror would do is to reflect your image back to you.

WAEC is an assessment body. We are not the Ministry of Education. We don’t run the schools.

The stakeholders, including the government, develop the curricula. Our tests are informed by the contents of the teaching curricular.

Now, rather than the students reading for life, people just read to pass examinations and they now resort to self help by buying past examination papers to get answers. When they work outside the box and they fail, they blame WAEC. If you want to look at the issues that affect performance, we need to ask questions, such as, how many parents, today, spend time to supervise their children when they come back from school?

In those days, when we were in school, we had the privilege of being in the boarding house. We had specific periods for reading; we had periods for games and the teacher ratio was such that, you could have a teacher supervise about 20 students. But now, we have a situation whereby schools have as many as about 60 students in one class. So, the level of supervision has sort of dropped.

Parents living in Ikorodu and working on the Lagos Island; they leave home around 4am because of traffic and they return at about 9 to 10pm, when the children have gone to bed. There are no hostels in the schools; the students engage with blackberry phones and are watching African Magic. So, what do you expect when there is no supervision?

In those days, we had the Open Day, where parents come around and examine the books of their children, to know whether they are falling in line or not. But parents today are so busy looking for money. The blame is, on the one hand with the parents; and on the other hand with the society and of course, the schools.

Look at the Universities. The lecturers are up in arms and the students are at home. Useful time is being wasted on issues of agitation and if WAEC were to conduct the university examination and the students fail, would you blame WAEC? We have a standard and we cannot bring down the standard because our standard is comparable to those anywhere in the world. The issues are complex and I don’t think it would be fair to hold

WAEC responsible for poor performance, except you want to give WAEC an additional mandate to go and train students for its examinations. Our examination syllabuses are derived from the teaching curriculum. We don’t sit down and demand that students should learn in a particular way. We get the teaching curriculum and from it, we extract the examination syllabus, from where we set the questions.

In the Ministry of Education’s 2012 Report, the pass rate in WASSCE being conducted by WAEC was marginal – 25.56 percent in 2009, 23.36 in 2010, 30.9 in 2011 and 39 percent in 2012. But in the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination, the pass rate was 10.6 percent in 2009, 9.36 percent in 2010, 8.06 percent in 2011 and then 31.58 percent in 2012. Is there something NECO is doing to record this leap in improvement that WAEC is not?

I would not want to make any comment on NECO’s examination because it’s a permanent examination body and it would not be fair to say anything negative about the conduct of its examination. I have respect for NECO and its staff, but we are an international body. We conduct the same examination like some other African countries like Ghana, Senegal, the Gambia and Liberia, hence, we cannot decide to change the goal post for Nigeria.

Whatever we are doing in Nigeria is what we would do in Ghana, Senegal, Liberia and the Gambia. The performance in WAEC examinations is taken across international boundaries, so you would find out that for the past three or four years, Ghana has been winning the prize for excellence. They produced the best candidate in West Africa, which, of course, I see as a challenge to Nigeria. Is there something they are doing right in their system that we are not doing? That of course should be our concern and not whether people are passing NECO exams.

If Nigerians are writing the same examination with Ghanaians, Sierra-Leoneans, Liberians and people from the Gambia, how come the Ghanaian students have been excelling and picking the prizes for excellence, back to back? There must be something outrageously irregular in what we are doing in our system.

What is WAEC’s position on how to tackle the high failure rate public examinations, especially in the WASSCE? After each examination, WAEC invites the Chief Examiners to a meeting and this is supposed to provide feedback reports on the conduct of the examinations. Our contributions are well encapsulated in the Chief Examiner’s Reports. In these reports, we state all the issues as we observe them in the course of marking the scripts, and the schools are supposed to have copies of that report. We give model answers to the questions and analyse how the students performed in each of these questions.

In addition, the Chief Examiner goes the extra mile to bring out what we call remedies and these reports are made available to the schools. But what do we see? These reports are kept on the shelves in the principal’s office and they are not even made available to the teachers who should actually use them to improve on their skills.

We have stated that the schools need to be properly equipped. How many schools, especially the public schools, have libraries? How many of them have laboratories or vocational centres where the students can do practicals?

How many of the teachers, themselves, are competent or familiar with the contents of the curricular?

When you have somebody, who qualifies as an engineer teaching an art subject, how do you expect to get the best performance? We need to have a paradigm shift in our values.

The love and the quest for material wealth should be de-emphasised. The quest for paper qualification should be de-emphasised. That is why we go the extra mile to ensure that, in each of the papers, we do not rely on the judgment based on one paper, like the theoretical

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

50 | EDUCATION

Halifield graduates first set of students

By Felix Kuye T was pomp as Halifield College, Lagos graduated its first set of students recently.

Human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), who was the guest speaker at the event, advised the graduating students to use the opportunity of their education judiciously, describing them as lucky to have been educated in a country where, according to him, education remains a privilege rather than a right. “In a country where the United Nations recently reported that 10.5 million school going children are roaming the streets, children who are blessed with the opportunity of acquiring first class secondary education in a conducive environment like Halified College must do everything possible not to

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bring shame and disgrace to their family,” Falana said.

He urged the young graduates to live up to the vision of the school, which is to “Train a child for distinction.”

According to him, the graduating students should use the period of study at the universities of their choice to shape their lives, noting that the only restriction on them will be the one they place on themselves.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Joseph Ibikunle Folayan, implored the students to be the best in their chosen profession.

Mrs. Halima Oke, the director of schools, admonished them to serve God, imbibe virtues of integrity and discipline, stressing that with these qualities, success will come without much ado.

Agency organises PTE competition HE Bellaz Education T Services, in conjunction with the London School of Business and Finance (LSBF), is organising a PTE academic competition for students who need SELT-secure English language test for their admission process.

According to a statement by the agency, the PTE Academic test is computer based, which assesses listening, reading, writing and speaking abilities of prospective international students. It gives quick and accurate scoring in English proficien-

cy and “is recognised in the United Kingdom (UK), United States (U.S), Australia and Canada.

The statement noted that the LSBF plans to award 50 per cent scholarships to students with outstanding performance in the test.

Bellaz is an education agency which places students in institutions abroad.

It registers and prepares students for the PTE academic test. It “has successfully trained over 500 students since the PTE academic was launched in Nigeria.”

Kith and Kin college collaborates with UK varsities on teaching methodology

By Mary Ogar ITH and Kin International College (KKIC), Lagos, has announced its collaboration with Leads Metropolitan and Northern Consortium Universities, United Kingdom (NCUK), as part of its efforts to adopt the best practices in the teaching and learning methodology.

The School Administrator, Mr. Jonathan Adeoye, who spoke at the school’s graduation and prize giving ceremony held in Ikorodu, Lagos recently, said the aim was to internationalize the school’s operations and afford its students an opportunity of gaining admission to the 17 members of the NCUK, to pursue any of the 3000 courses available in the institutions.

Adeoye disclosed that the school was also set to commence the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) modular programme, that would prepare the students for their first year level, in undergraduate degree courses within the next 12 months.

He said: “All things being equal, we expect KKIC to, within the next 12 months, begin to offer the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) modular programme, that will prepare our students for the first year in the undergraduate degree courses. Our students will have a choice of streams in Business, Engineering, Humanities and Science (courses) and can study a combination of modules that fit in with their degree destination.”

He further stated that the school would also offer the

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NCUK International Diploma (ID), which “is equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate level programme, while successful students could advance directly to the second year of selected undergraduate degree courses in the UK.” Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju, who chaired the event, charged the graduating students to take exceptional steps and dare to be different even in the midst of challenges. He said: “History has documented how great men and women took unusual steps of faith and uncommon courage to face the peculiar challenges of their time and exploited the opportunities in those challenges.

What will history say about you? I challenge you all to see the opportunity in every challenge, to devise new methods for solving old problems, to innovate, create and determine to make a mark in your various professions.”

Also, Federal House of Representative member, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency and Chairman, Senate Committee on Nigerian in the Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa used the occasion to encourage the youths to seize every available opportunity to build the Nigeria of their dreams.

She said: “as you move into the world, remain focused. Be dedicated and have passion for what you are doing. Work hard and be contented with what you have.”

Nebo links economic prosperity to good education system, 1466 graduate at CU

By Ujunwa Atueyi F Nigeria could change its leadership style, transform its education system and the way it carries out its business, it would become a part of the world’s largest economies in the next 20 to 30 years.

And all that is needed, according the country’s Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, is for the country to embrace the principles of new economy, invest in knowledge and entrepreneurial infrastructure, encourage creativity and innovation, foster tolerance, flexibility and adaptability in the entire system.

Nebo made this submission in the paper titled: Transformational Leadership and the Quest for Global Relevance, which he presented at the 8th convocation ceremony of Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State, last week.

According to Nebo, the advantages that industrial nations have over others could be upturned, if developing countries ensure that their “educational and knowledge infrastructure are up to the

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stuff”.

The world, he averred, has evolved into a global knowledge economy with no patience for ignorance and indolence. And it is only those nations with new economy graduates, who possess the ability to develop, nurture and master complex dynamics, he declared, that would thrive and achieve economic success.

His words: “Brazil, Russia, India and China, the BRIC nations, have found new relevance. They have overtaken western nations in growth and are competing with them frontally with respect to economic scope and size. Then, countries like United States, Italy, Greece, Canada, United Kingdom and France, which were previously bastions of prosperity, went through grueling recession and their resurgence has been lackluster.

“Many of them are exploring new economic paradigms, having realized that the industrial economy, which had offered huge competitive advantage, is now contestable and waning fast. They are now realizing that the so-called new econo-

my is real. So, it is into this dynamic global market, where the focus could possibly shift to Africa, that Nigerian graduates have to function, thus, the need for ‘new economy’ graduates.”

He continued: “Sub-Saharan Africa is featuring robust growth and Nigeria is one of the growth leaders. SubSaharan Africa, as documented, is enjoying the longest period of sustained economic growth in her history. Around the globe, Africa is being looked at as a ray of hope; the next big opportunity, the place to invest and the bastion of growth. But these opportunities promise to come if we are able to bring about transformational change in our educational system and also a resolve to balance the new and old economy.

“An old economy individual is a hard worker, whose budget drives his vision and life, while new economy individual is a knowledge worker whose vision drives his budget and activities. You only need one of new economy individual to balance off 10,000 others that

cannot be like them. Someone has to create jobs and opportunities for others and these are the players that are going to connect Nigeria to the globe and grow our next economy.”

The Chancellor of the institution, Dr. David Oyedepo earlier stated that the discovery of leadership as Africa’s greatest challenge, led to an effort in instilling leadership traits in the students, through the institution’s Leadership Development Mandate.

To the graduands, he said: “You have been trained to among other issues, redeem the battered image of the black race and restore its dignity. Do not seek recognition, go after contribution; only those who make moves make news.

Behind every move is a mover.

We live in an ever-moving world and only those on the move will ever make the most of their life.

Out of the 1466 graduands, 114 made the First Class grade; 720 made the Second Class Upper division; 565 had Second Class Lower division, while 67 graduated with a pass.

MUSON centre graduates new music scholars

By Mary Ogar Chairman and curFof ORMER rent member of the Board Trustees, Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), Chief Femi Williams, has lauded the MTN Foundation for partnering with the MUSON School of Music to build the capacity of indigent Nigerian youths with talent in music, through the MTNF/MUSON scholarship initiative.

Speaking at the 6th graduation ceremony of music scholars, held at the MUSON Centre in Lagos recently, Williams said the foundation has been in partnership with the school in the last six years to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of indigent Nigerians with talent in music.

According to him, the support provided for the students by the MTN Foundation had led to the breeding of wonderful talents.

He said “I don’t know how we could have done it without the MTN Foundation in all

Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Kudirat Ladipo (left), Inaugural Lecturer, Mr Kehinde Babajide Osifala (an Engineer) from the Civil Engineering Department and Deputy Rector (Academics), Mr. Innocent Akhemonkhan at the college’s third Inagural Lecture titled: Bond, The Elixir of Strength, held recently. these years. Each year, the quality of the performance of the students has been an improvement over the preceding year. The investment in these young Nigerians has

been money well spent.

Williams implored the graduating students to be focused and embrace originality, creativity and innovation.

Chairman of the MTN

Foundation, Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu described the MUSON scholars’ initiative as a source of immense joy to the Foundation.

‘Why WAEC should not be blamed for high failure’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49 or essay paper. We also complement it with the practical papers, particularly in the sciences. So, our test covers the various domains of learning outcomes.

Do you think the students are, indeed, being saddled with too many things in the curricula?

I don’t think so. The challenge about the teachers is a societal one. WAEC cannot go and manufacture teachers for the schools. That is outside our mandate.

Few weeks ago, some people were asking me if I subscribe to the view that the standard of education has fallen and I asked, which standard are we talking about? Years back, when we were under the British colonial administration, the type of education we received was the one that would prepare our people to be good court clerks, who

would go and count the number of cocoa beans that were being exported. The school system did not prepare us to be good engineers and good doctors. People were able to speak Queen’s English and that was seen to be qualitative education. They were good at writing good letters and very few people had access to the schools.

But today, we have over 100 universities and there are schools everywhere. We have graduates who are competent. Nigeria, actually, is over resourced. The products of our universities are out there.

Go to Ghana. Doctors from Nigeria, trained in Nigeria, are manning the University of Ghana Medical School. So, why do we keep on hammering about standards?

We have graduates who are 21 years old, who are medical doctors and who are able to carry out complex operations.

So, when you say standard,

what standard are we measuring? I think the standard has improved, except that with a larger population, the tendency is to have a greater number of failures.

We shouldn’t concentrate only on those people that are not making it, but we should also look at the number of people that are making it. In a population, there is what we call the normal curve; 62.4 per cent of the population is normal.

It’s an assumption in statistics.

So, if 62.4 per cent of our population passes, how then can we say that the standard has fallen?

Years back, it was the British authority that was examining our people.

We had Cambridge examination syndicates coming to conduct examinations. Now, Nigerians are conducting examinations for Nigerians. Nigerians develop the papers, print and mark the scripts and issue out the certificates. So, what standard

are we talking about?

WAEC also cancel results en masse when a significant number of candidates cheat in an examination. But there is always a possibility that one, two or three candidates in the affected centre did not cheat; yet their results are cancelled with the culprits’. Is this really fair to such candidates?

That is a human issue. In an examination where you have 50 candidates and 45 of them were involved in mass cheating, any reasonable examination body would not validate that result. You will agree with me that the authenticity of our certificates is something that we should not toy with. We must act appropriately, to ensure that the credibility of our examination is not questioned. In such a situation, we will cancel the entire results, because these rules were made known to the candiCONTINUED ON PAGE 51

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Rufai challenges vice chancellors on African centres of excellence DUCATION Minister, E Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i has challenged Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian universities to come up with brilliant proposals that would ensure their emergence as African Centres of Excellence (ACE).

Rufa’i, who gave the charge during a one-day workshop for Nigerian universities on the establishment of the ACE project, held in Abuja recently, also said the Nigerian University System (NUS) was on the verge of commissioning the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN). Government and other stakeholders, she noted, had invested a lot of energy and resources in the NgREN to address some of the IT challenges of the NUS, in terms of teaching, learning and research.

Rufa’i informed participants that the ACE was a regional higher education project, aimed at promoting specialisation among participating universities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Health and Agricultural Sciences. It was designed, she explained, to address common regional development challenges and strengthen the capacities of the universities to deliver high quality training and applied research.

The Minister reminded guests that the nation was in an era when technological advancements defined how people lived, adding that there was a need for coordination and collaboration in

research efforts, to find solutions to the country’s challenges.

Rufa’i commended the efforts of the National Universities Commission (NUC) at encouraging research activities in the NUS, through the Nigerian Universities Research and Development Fair (NURESDEF), which sought to promote collaboration among researchers from different universities, the public and private sectors as well as International Development Partners (IDPs).

She expressed optimism that the experience which the Universities had gained over the years, would give them an edge over participants from other countries.

The Minister said that the call for proposals for the project offered a wonderful opportunity for Nigerian Universities to look inwards and develop proposals that would seek solutions to the biting problems confronting the country and the African continent. She urged the Universities to take advantage of the workshop to acquaint themselves with the procedures of the project and focus on areas of comparative advantage in drafting the proposals.

Earlier in a welcome address, NUC’s Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie, said that the goal of the project was to meet the demand for skills required for development in Africa and also contribute to the strengthening of the best African Universities within

science-based education.

This, he said, was in line with one of the goals of the Commission, which was to match research output with national manpower needs.

To achieve this, he said that institutions of higher learning (especially universities) and research institutes should contribute to the overall advancement of the nation, by collaborating in research work.

Okojie announced that the World Bank was willing to release as much as USD8 million, for each successful proposal. He charged the Universities to work hard on the proposals, assuring them that NUC would help them through the process. He stated that, apart from external funds, the Federal Government had, in the last five years, made concerted efforts to support research by providing funds and facilities. He, however, lamented that, despite available funds, Nigerian universities were not doing too well in research and publication, expressing regret that the NUS had gone from publishing in regional journals to individual university journals.

The NUC scribe informed participants that the outcome of the research was expected to improve the lives of the citizens, add value and knowledge to the education system and positively contribute to the overall development of the nation. He, therefore, urged them to challenge themselves to make new discoveries.

WAEC cannot release WASSCE results to third parties CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50 dates before the examination, that in the event of mass cheating, the entire result would be cancelled. If you choose to ignore the rules, then you should also expect to be punished appropriately.

Most parents would never tell you that their children could cheat. But let’s ask ourselves: the market woman who gives a half measure of garri for a full measure and collects the money, is she not a cheat? Of course, she is. If that kind of woman has a child, who copies that character from her, and goes to the examination hall to cheat and the same woman comes to say, ‘I know my child doesn’t cheat,’ is that logical?

Is WAEC ready to conduct examinations in the new trade subjects introduced recently by the Nigerian Educational and Research Development Council (NERDC)?

The Minister of Education brought up the issue when we met a few months back and it was discussed with all the state Commissioners of Education.

The states openly expressed their unreadiness to take the necessary steps towards facilitating the conduct of the examination, except a few states, which said they were partially ready.

The position of the examination bodies in Nigeria was simple: we are ready to conduct the examinations even if they want it tomorrow, with the proviso that the states must provide for us, the continuous assessment marks for these subjects, because the new Policy on Education insists that

70 per cent of the final exit examination should be based on the terminal examinations conducted by the examining bodies, then 30 percent must be based on the schools’ continuous assessment marks.

How long, precisely, does it take WAEC to release withheld results?

It depends on the complexities of the case behind that result. Some results are withheld, either because the candidates did not shade their names or index numbers properly, and we now have to resolve the issues manually to get the required information, or because the scripts didn’t carry the correct index number. You can have a situation where two people put the same number, so we have to find out the differences.

But I want to state here that WAEC does not intentionally withhold any result. In fact WAEC, today, has released certificates of candidates that wrote even the May/June 2012 and Nov/ Dec 2012 WASSCE. We have released certificates and we are making publications in the papers to say people should come and collect their certificates because our warehouses are filled with certificates.

Can a third party demand for a candidate’s WASCCE result from WAEC, especially of those who hold public offices?

The contract that we have is with the individual who registers with us for the examination. It is between WAEC and that individual. There is a level of confidentiality between our clients and us.

If you are a third party and you want to obtain the result of

another person, you would have to go to court and let the court make a declaration compelling WAEC to release the result. It would be unfair to expect WAEC to be releasing results to third parties. We can only do that at the request of the candidate, for example, if you wrote our examination about five years ago and maybe you are seeking for a job somewhere and you give authority to the organization or you inform us to make available your result to so and so organization, then we would do that. But not just somebody walking up to us and saying they want the results of an individual.

I have received some letters from some lawyers to that effect and I am stating emphatically that they are not empowered by law to demand on notice the result of another person. I won’t release any result to a third party unless I have the directive of the court of competent jurisdiction.

What is WAEC is doing for families of its staff members who lost their lives while on official duties?

We have employed wives of fallen colleagues and in addition, we have taken steps to pay their insurance premiums, because when they were on duty, they were covered by an insurance policy, aside from the death entitlements and other things that the families are entitled to.

Then, their death entitlements would be completed any time from now. And this is aside from the funds we made available to the spouses at the point of the incidence.

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NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at Wednesday PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 31/07/2013

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

CAPITAL MARKET 65

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 31/07/2013

LOSERS

PRICE GAINERS

AMCON bags stockbrokers’ award Stories by Helen Oji HE Asset Management Corporation of the Nigeria (AMCON) has received a Capital Market Institution award from stockbrokers, in recognition of the corporation’s contributions that The contributions that led to relative stability in the nation’s financial sector.

At its inaugural Capital Market Night in Lagos recently, the Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) honoured AMCON with the Capital Market Institution award, which has just been introduced by the brokers to recognise outstanding institutions that have made significant contributions to the development of the financial sector and economy in general.

Speaking on the award, the Chairman of ASHON, Emeka Madubuike, said the intervention of AMCON in the financial sector by buying off delinquent loans from banks cleaned up the balance sheets of banks and reposition them perform their role

T

of economic financing and development of the country.

He added that the forbearance package given to brokers that have to do with margin loan also complemented AMCON’s intervention in the banking sector.

“Without AMCON, no one knows where the Nigerian economy would have been

by now. The cleaning up of banks’ balance sheets impacted positively on the economy in general and the capital market in particular because the banking sector and capital market works together to grow the economy. In recognition of its contributions, ASHON decided to recognise AMCON as the

Capital Market Institution for 2013” he said.

Madubuike commended the leadership of AMCON and pledged stockbrokers’ cooperation with the bad bank as all stakeholders work towards the restoration of full confidence in the stock market.

The ASHON boss also urged

market operators should brace up for the changes coming with the market recovery.

He therefore, called for a lot of hard work, integrity, transparency and collaborative efforts to confront the obvious changes that lie ahead.

“We believe that by working together, all of our members

will survive in one form or the other. Our association –the front-line operators of the capital market, has gone through very difficult time in the last five years since 2008, but thankfully we are beginning to see a recovery, which gives us a lot of hope going forward,” he said.

Capital Bancorp shareholders approve 13 kobo dividend OR increasing their Fthrough returns on investment dividend payout, Shareholders of Capital Bancorp Plc have lauded the company’s directors, even as they approved the company’s 13 kobo dividend per share for the financial year ended December 31, 2012.

The dividend was paid to shareholders immediately on arrival at the Company’s 25th yearly general meeting held in Lagos recently.

One of the shareholders, Alhaji Olajubi, commended the company for the

dividend pay out, noting that the dividend payout was due to the company’s investment in some sectors which has increased their shareholding .He also advised the management to increase the company’s authorized share capital to N500 million in order to enhance profitability.

“I thank the board and management for making wise investment in MTN and WAMCO. That is a very good and intelligent investment. I hope our investment in WAMCO will

rise up to be better than other investments”, he said. Responding to a suggestion by the shareholder on the need to increase the company’s authorized share capital to N500 million, Olutola Mobolurin, chairman of the company said the suggestion has been noted adding that at the appropriate time the company will look into it within the context of the company’s strategies for improvement being put in place.

“Our company is on the path of sustainable growth and is

being positioned for improved performance in the years ahead”, he said.

However, the company’s gross earnings decreased from N567.684 million as at the March 31, 2012 to N405.361 million (annualized N540.481 million) as at December 31, 2012, representing 4.79 percent decrease when annualized.

Profit before tax decreased from N147.136 million in March 2012 to N41.934 million in December 2012, while profit after tax and before

extraordinary item decreased from N531.14 million to N43.504 million in the same period.

The sharp decrease, the Chairman explained that the sharp decrease was due to the deferred tax credit of N384.01 million recognized in the accounts as at March 31, 2012 as against N1.57 million as at December 31,2012.

Profit after taxation and extraordinary item therefore decreased from N531.14 million as at March 31, 2012 to N164.95 million (annualized N219.93 million) as at December 31, 2012.

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday August 1, 2013

U.S. maintains bond buying pace amidst risk of disinflation HE Federal Reserve said persistently low inflaT tion could hamper the economic expansion and pledged to keep buying $85 billion in bonds every month.

The committee recognizes that inflation persistently below its 2 percent objective could pose risks to economic performance, but it anticipates that inflation will move back toward its objective over the medium term,” the Federal Open Market Committee said today at the conclusion of a two-day meeting in Washington.

Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and his colleagues are debating when employment gains will be sufficient to warrant tapering bond buying that has swelled the Fed’s balance sheet to a record $3.57 trillion. Some policy makers have said the purchases, aimed at fueling growth and reducing 7.6 percent unemployment, risk creating asset-price bubbles.

The statement contained no new language on the conditions for maintaining the current pace of asset purchases. The Fed repeated the pledge it has used since September that it will continue the purchases until the U.S. labor market outlook has improved substantially.

“A September tapering announcement still seems likely,” said Mark Vitner, a senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina. The FOMC is next scheduled to meet Sept. 17-18 in Washington.

“The bottom line for the Fed is the downside risks for the economy are diminishing,” he said.

“If price gains decelerate to the point they worry about deflation, that might give them some pause” on tapering.

The Fed statement’s new language on the risks of too-low inflation language may have been included in part to satisfy Bullard’s concerns after his dissent at the previous meeting, Vitner said.

The central bank said its bond purchases will remain divided between $45 billion a month of Treasury securities and $40 billion a month of mortgage-backed securities. The Fed also will continue reinvesting securities as they mature.

Policy makers also left unchanged their commitment to hold the target interest rate near zero as long as the jobless rate remains above 6.5 percent and the outlook for inflation over one to two years doesn’t exceed 2.5 percent.

The Fed said that the economy “expanded at a modest pace during the first half of the year.” In the previous statement, it described the expansion as “moderate.”

Housing has been “strengthening, but mortgage rates have risen somewhat, and fiscal policy is restraining economic growth,” the Fed said in its statement.

Kansas City Fed President Esther George dissented for the fifth meeting in a row, continuing to cite concern record accommodation may create financial and economic imbalances and increase long-term inflation expectations.

Bernanke, 59, said on June 19 that the FOMC may start scaling down bond buying later this year and halt it around the middle of 2014 as long as the economy performs in line with the committee’s expectations.

In semi-annual testimony to Congress on July 17, Bernanke said the labor market is “improving

U.S. Federal Reserve building gradually” and that asset purchases “could be reduced somewhat more quickly” if the economy improved faster than expected. At the same time, he said the current pace of purchases “could be maintained for longer” if the employment outlook worsens.

None of the 54 economists in a July 18-22 Bloomberg News survey said they expected the central bank to alter the pace of purchases today. Fifty percent forecast that the Fed will first reduce bond buying at its Sept. 17-18 gathering.

Policy makers concluded their meeting today after a Commerce Department report today showed the world’s largest economy expanded at a 1.7 percent annual rate in the second quarter, more than economists forecast, as companies accumulated inventories at a faster pace.

Growth in the first quarter was revised down to a 1.1 percent rate.

The gain in second-quarter gross domestic product showed the economy is overcoming the drag created by an increase in the payroll tax that took effect in January as well as across-theboard federal budget cuts known as sequestra-

tion, which began in March.

Growth will quicken as the impact from budget cuts wanes, Bernanke said in his congressional testimony. FOMC participants growth of 2.3 percent to 2.6 percent this year. Given today’s GDP report, the economy would have to expand 3.2 percent in the second half to meet the lower end of Fed forecasts.

“We threw a pretty serious body blow to the economy this year in terms of the tax hikes and budget cuts,” said Josh Feinman, the New Yorkbased global chief economist for Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management, which oversees $400 billion. “That’s taken a toll on growth in the first half of the year, and it’s going to have some lingering effects into the second half.”

A Labor Department report in two days may show that employers added 185,000 workers to payrolls in July and the jobless rate fell to 7.5 percent from 7.6 percent, according to the median forecasts in a Bloomberg survey of economists.

“There seems to be an increasing perception that the domestic economy is doing quite well,” Andrew Wilkinson, the chief economic strategist at Miller Tabak & Co. in New York, said

before the FOMC statement. “That was really played out in payrolls.”

Payrolls have risen an average of 201,830 per month over the past six months. U.S. employers added 195,000 workers in June for a second straight month, the Labor Department said July 5, capping 12 months of advances above 100,000 for the longest such streak since May 2000.

At the same time, the jobless rate remains well above the Fed’s long-term unemployment forecast of 5.2 percent to 6 percent. Inflation is also lagging behind the Fed’s 2 percent goal: consumer prices rose 1 percent in May from a year earlier, according to an index followed by the Fed. Borrowing costs have risen on speculation that an improving economy will prompt the Fed to taper bond buying.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note soared to an almost two-year high of 2.75 percent on July 8 from 2.19 percent on June 18, the day before Bernanke said the Fed may consider reducing bond purchases this year if the economy performs in line with the central bank’s forecast.

The yield rose yesterday 0.01 percentage point to

the Federal Open Market Committee said at the conclusion of its two-day meeting in Washington.

Speculation about the Fed’s $85 billion in monthly bond purchases has whipsawed stocks since May, when Chairman Ben S. Bernanke first indicated policy makers could begin reducing the stimulus this year if the job market continues to improve.

The benchmark index tumbled 5.8 percent from a record high on May 21 through June 24. It then rebounded as much as 7.8 percent, reaching its latest closing record of 1,695.53 on July 22 as policy makers stressed that any tapering of stimulus depends on improving economic data.

Three rounds of bond purchases by the U.S. central bank, coupled with improving earnings and economic growth, has helped propel the S&P 500 up about 150 percent from its bear-market low in 2009. The central bank will begin to reduce its bond-purchase program in September, according to economists surveyed

by Bloomberg.

A Commerce Department report earlier today showed that gross domestic product, the value of all goods and services produced, rose at a 1.7

percent annualized rate, after a 1.1 percent gain the prior quarter. The median forecast of 85 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 1 percent advance for last quarter. Consumer spending, the biggest part of the economy, climbed 1.8 percent after increasing 2.3 percent.

Companies boosted employment by 200,000 workers in July, figures from the Roseland, New Jersey-based ADP Research Institute showed today. The median forecast of 40 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 180,000 gain.

The data come ahead of the government’s monthly labor report on Aug. 2, which may show payrolls rose by 185,000 after a 195,000 gain in June and the unemployment rate slipped to 7.5 percent from 7.6 percent, according to the median forecast of economists.

“The Fed has told us, ‘We’ve been a 100-mile-anhour tailwind for you; at some point we’re going to go to 80,’” Robert Doll, who helps oversee $117 billion as chief equity strategist at Chicago-based Nuveen Asset Management LLC, said “Corporate America has beaten earnings expectations. It’s the revenue line I’m watching carefully. That’s a reflection of the economy that’s good but not great.”

...Stocks sustain rally in July .S. stocks rose, sending the Standard & U Poor’s 500 Index toward its biggest monthly gain since 2011, after the Federal

Reserve vowed to maintain its monthly bond purchases and said low inflation was a concern.

Comcast Corp. climbed 5.8 percent after posting earnings that topped analyst estimates.

Facebook Inc. briefly rose above its $38 initial public offering price for the first time, before retreating. Mosaic Co. fell 3.1 percent, extending yesterday’s losses after OAO Uralkali decided to end production restrictions on potash that underpinned global prices. Visa Inc. lost 5.8 percent after a court ruling on debit-card fees.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.7 percent to 1,698.43 at 3 p.m. in New York, heading toward a record closing high. The benchmark gauge is up 5.7 percent for July, the biggest monthly gain since October 2011. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 65.73 points, or 0.4 percent, to 15,586.32. Trading in S&P 500 stocks was in line with the 30-day average during this time of day.

“The statement should come as no surprise,

the Fed will remain largely data dependent as to asset purchases, while noting persistently low inflation may be a risk to the economy,” Ryan Larson, the Chicago-based head of U.S. equity trading at RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc., said in an interview. His firm oversees $290 billion. “The mention of low inflation being a risk may push out expectations for tapering, but by and large, this statement reads as expected.”

The Fed repeated the pledge it has used since September that it will continue the purchases until the U.S. labor market outlook has improved substantially. Policy makers left unchanged their commitment to hold the target interest rate near zero as long as the jobless rate remains above 6.5 percent and the outlook for inflation over one to two years doesn’t exceed 2.5 percent.

The central bank said persistently low inflation could hamper the economic expansion.

“The committee recognizes that inflation persistently below its 2 percent objective could pose risks to economic performance, but it anticipates that inflation will move back toward its objective over the medium term,”

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Opinion The girl-child as bride

By Eriye Onagoruwa Y dear brother, long time. Biko what do you “M make out of this new bill that allows underage female children to be legally married? The bill has got most right thinking Nigerians outraged”.

“What is to be said? I am still yet to understand the rationale behind the passage of the bill. I wonder if there were grandparents and parents who voted in favour of the bill. It is not really clear what informed the passage of the bill”.

“O well, Senator Yerima, who is the chief sponsor of the bill gave a lengthy speech on why he believed in the efficacy of the bill. As far as he is concerned, early marriage is the solution to half of our problems. He blames societal decadence on the lack of early marriage and believes that rather than prostitution, it is safer for girls to marry early and contribute to societal development as government officials pick undergraduates from university car parks with coastal buses to wild sex parties and abortion can be performed for as little as N2,500. In fact, he said that if he has a nine or 13 year-old daughter he can marry her out because consummation of the marriage can only be done when the girl becomes physically mature and she gives her consent to it”.

“Interesting line of argument. I agree completely that societal decadence has reached worrisome levels. But thereafter, the argument seems to stand logic on its head”.

“You’ve started o! This idiomatic expression is too much for this conversation we are having naa.

He has told you that if a young girl is married at the age of nine, she would not be able to engage in immoral activities or adapt a promiscuous lifestyle. By virtue of being an underage wife, she would contribute meaningfully to socio-economic development and nation building which is really what is of paramount concern to the distinguished senator”.

“But what happens between the time the young woman is married and when she becomes mature enough to have children? And really, when a

lady is married, doesn’t that imply that she is mature enough to start having children of her own?”

“Ah, you can ask seemingly benign questions that are in reality downright inane”.

“Haba, it has not gotten to that level yet…”

“As a virile young man, he would go out and find happiness in the bosom of a young lady and be in danger of the same offence he so desperately accuses the society of committing”.

“But what laws have these distinguished senators passed that have been aimed at addressing the societal decadence they accuse people of? Is this really the most pressing problem in our society today? Do two wrongs make a right? That the society is morally bankrupt, creates an opportunity for men to marry underage children and deny them the benefits of a normal childhood”?

“He also said government officials go to universities to pick up these young girls. Who really are these government officials? Can he also be regarded as a government official? Did he mention any names?”

“Ah you are asking dangerous questions. He may have been misquoted. And the definition of a government official is not fixed and can be changed, coloured or amended depending on the circumstances”.

“Suffice to say that a government official is one who works assiduously for the good of the nation and donates coaster buses and other charitable items to helpless individuals just before re-election to public office”.

“I understand the senator representing Ondo State wept profusely as he tried to explain that he erroneously pressed the “No” button instead of the “Yes” button. He stated that he was voting about constitutional issues with respect to voting and not underage marriage”.

“Na wa. Nobody is indeed above human error as he rightly stated. But brother, do you think he would have made such an error if the bill had to do with increase in their allowances?”

“Chei, abeg don’t make me laugh. Even the com-

puter will reboot itself to correct such a monumental error. He can never press “No” instead of “Yes”. That would be a great disservice to the House and all that it stands for”.

“Perhaps, he did not understand the full implication of the purported amendment and bill”.

“Then what is he doing in the House representing his constituency? Public opposition to the bill was made known. There were several messages using the platform of social media to sensitize the general public on the implication of the amendment and the passage of the bill.

What then did he miss”?

“It is difficult to understand whether we are progressing, retrogressing, taking giant clay steps forward or just at a standstill. It is pathetic that at such a time when world leaders are embracing economic development on a wide global scale, we are bogged down with puerile issues such as the marriageable age of a lady. We have sad cases of preventable deaths, educational underdevelopment, endemic corruption, anarchy in governance and the house has not been able to pass any bill that seeks to address these ills and improves the welfare of its citizens.

The fact that the burgeoning unemployment in our country represents an implosion time bomb. These are issues that should cause any Nigerian to be worried, not whether a nine yearold or 13 year-old should be married or not”.

“You do not have to get worked up. I have repeatedly told you that government is working tirelessly to improve the welfare of its citizens.

Already there are reports that our GDP has improved significantly”.

“It is one thing to have a theoretical GDP figure that improves significantly on paper and another to look around at the glaring indices of poverty that abound in our nation today”.

“We would get there. My problem with you is that you are too impatient. These things take time. Our democracy is still at its infantile stages and we should ask what we can do for our nation”.

“When you talk like this, I feel like hitting you

with a broom honestly”.

“Ah, that is a much better feeling than using a mace on my head o!”

“I dey laugh o! I hear the honourable lawmaker has been flown to London-Bupa Cromwell Hospital for treatment”.

“And that is part of the tragedy. Rivers State and indeed most states of the federation have what it takes to have a “Cromwell Hospital” in their states. We do not have to go to London and improve their economy at the detriment of ours. It appears that people in government do not even believe in the country or that things can get better. The whole Nigerian re-branding project seems to be a farce.

“He needs the fresh air. The beating he received is not for underage lawmakers, I’m telling you”.

“Did you notice that the lawmaker who was beating his fellow colleague had his red cap firmly on his head throughout the shameful incident”?

“Na wa for you o. What has that got to do with anything?”

“Ah, a lot o! He has been long in the business of being a government official”.

“That word again. It appears it is a catch-all phrase”.

“I told you it depends on the circumstances of the case”.

“My dear, it appears you are hungry. Let us go and eat. This kind of suggestion is capable of heating up the polity and generating into a mace fracas”.

“You do not have to worry about any of that.

The Lord knows his people. One of my friends sent me a very assuring text that said that ‘when my enemies sit in their assembly today for the impeachment of my blessing, Angel Michael will appear like Chidi Lloyd of Rivers State House of Assembly with a mace and knack dem apako on their head!” Somebody shout hallelujah!

“Hahaaha! Me too, I dey laugh ooo! Trust Nigerians. Naija no dey carry last!”

• Onagoruwa is a legal practitioner in Lagos.

Confronting inter-regional disparities (1)

By Ayo Teriba ISPARITIES in endowments of agricultural, mineral and commerD cial wealth across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones determine the rates at which the different regions can grow. Economic activities and growth are concentrated in four regions, while the remaining two regions are largely excluded from the growth processes. This calls for urgent efforts to make economic growth more inclusive. Investing in fast and efficient rail links between rich and poor regions is suggested as a win-win national redistributive strategy that could bring resource-poor regions closer to needful inputs, ensure benefits of growth are more evenly distributed across regions without hurting any of the resource-rich regions, ultimately eliminate interregional growth disparities, and ensure the peaceful coexistence that is required to sustain growth. Nigeria needs a strong national economic intelligence apparatus like the defunct National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC) to, amongst other things, provide the foresight required henceforth to ensure that regional growth divergence is prevented rather than cured.

Resource endowments and growth From 19 states in 1980, the next two decades were to see the creation of 17 additional states (two in 1987, nine and the FCT in 1990, and six more in 1996) to arrive at the present 36 states and FCT in six geo-political zones or regions. The economies of all Nigerian states and regions had looked very similar in the stagnant 1980s and 1990s when weak global commodity prices inflicted deep contractions on the country’s economy. Oil production, agricultural and manufacturing output fell steeply and remained stagnant until 1999. Infrastructures, such as rail transport and power supply, deteriorated or collapsed over this period.

The nation’s economy however entered a recovery phase in 1999 when global commodity prices saw a broadly-based surge that has surprisingly been sustained for more than a decade, the brief contraction during the 2008/2009 global crisis notwithstanding. This has boosted agricultural, oil and trading output in Nigeria. Growth has however been concentrated in a few sectors as crops, oil, and commerce have contributed 90 percent of Nigeria’s growth. Each of these three activities is regionally concentrated, meaning that some regions are excluded from the growth process. This creates a challenge of making growth more inclusive.

Thus, regional growth incidence has been primarily dependent on regional resource endowments. States and regions are beginning to look very dissimilar, as growth has not been uniform across the regions. States/regions included in the growth processes are getting rich, just as those excluded from the growth processes, remain poor. Regions can now easily be grouped into the haves and the have-nots. If this trend continues, the rich states/regions will get richer, and the poor, poorer.

Recent growth patterns Southwest gross regional output grew the most in 2012 with an absolute nominal increase of N1.4 trillion (or 21.8 per cent nominal growth), followed by the Northwest with N1 trillion (16.38 per cent), and North-central with N800 billion (14.27 per cent). These are to be compared to regional output increases of N123 billion (10.89 per cent) in the Southeast and N100 billion (8.19 per cent) in the Northeast. Owing to a slight dip in oil price in 2012 after growing impressively in the preceding three years, oil-dominated South-south recorded a slight decline of about N268.9 billion (-1.69 per cent) in regional output in 2012.

The South-south still had the largest gross regional product, N15.65 trillion (38.6 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP), followed by the Northwest’s N8.4 trillion (20.65 per cent), Southwest’s N8.2 trillion (20.26 per cent), and North-central’s N5.7 trillion (15 per cent). Southeast’s N1.4 trillion (3.27 per cent) and North-central’s N1.2 (3.11 per cent) trillion were the smallest GRPs in 2012, each being even smaller than the increase in Southwest’s regional output that year. More importantly, Southeast and Northeast not only had the smallest economies in 2012, they also recorded the least absolute and percentage growths.

Output versus consumption The seeming advantage of the South-south’s output over

other regions has to be qualified that only a small fraction of the oil wealth created in the region is appropriated in the region. One third of the oil wealth is appropriated by multinational joint venture partners with the remaining two thirds heading into the federation account which only concedes 13 per cent of the oil revenue to producing states over and above what comes to them, like any other state, based on the revenue allocation. The non-oil output of about N1.9 trillion in 2012 is fully appropriable within the region, as with non-oil output in all other regions.

The consequence is that South-south ranks third, after Southwest and Northwest in total consumption spending, and ranks a distant fifth, only ahead of the Northeast, in consumption spending per head. The region’s domestic income is high enough to rank first; consumption is low enough to rank third; and consumption per head even lover to rank fifth. Worse still, food consumption per head in the region is the lowest in the country, while non-food consumption per head is the second highest; revealing the irony that, while the average person in the South-south spends less on food than persons in the other region, the average outlay on non-food items in the Southsouth is second only to the Southwest, and even higher than in the North-central! This anomaly suggests that derivation payouts funds luxury spending by few privileged government officials and their cronies, while the populace don’t have enough to spend on basic needs like food.

• To be continued.

• Teriba, a consultant on economics research, is CEO, Economic Associates.

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Opinion Restricted access to legal education

By Tony Anonyai CADEMIC pursuit in virtual learning environA ments is growing at phenomenal rate especially in developed economies where appropriate technologies for such learning environments exist. One of the overwhelming reasons in support of virtual learning environments is the massive access it provides to education, especially for the ‘old’ who by virtue of family and work commitments may not have been able to wholly abandon work in search of knowledge, as well as offering lifelong learning opportunities to those who ordinarily may never be opportuned. Other reasons include the flexible structure of the programmes and the net benefits on a cost-benefit analysis, amongst others.

At the heart of the arguments against e-learning is the comparative analysis that seemed to suggest that the traditional classroom model offered better standards. With a lot of emphasis now placed on pedagogical issues and effective assessment in virtual learning environments, educators and researchers have come to agree that the online learning model does not suffer value diminution, but may in fact be enhancing when viewed from social constructivism theory that advocates the philosophy of learning based on practical need and relevance.

Some few years back, the Nigeria Council for Legal Education had banned the admission of graduates from part-time law degree programmes into the Nigerian Law School for the Bar examination, automatically leading to the cancellation of part-time law degree programmes since legal practice in Nigeria is restricted to those admitted to the Bar. What the part-time law degree programmes offered most of the candidates who enrolled in it were: access to law education, convenience, flexibility and the eventual net benefits over related financial cost.

The argument was that the quality of the parttime programme may be compromised when

compared to the full-time programme. My first question: How is the quality of a programme endangered because the students are on parttime? What happens to curriculum management, pedagogical strategies, and accreditation as standardisation instruments?

I am however inclined to think that while genuine fears may have been expressed in some quarters as to programme quality, our primordial thinking, that the fewer the number of graduating lawyers, the better for those who are already there, may have been an overwhelming consideration. But that thinking is flawed in many respects as it were, and even more so today.

First, the common saying ‘the more the merrier’ holds true when considered from a sociopolitical and economic perspective. My view is that the more of a lawyer we all are (at least with respect to knowledge content, not necessarily practice) the better our society gets.

Secondly, given that eligibility criteria for parttime law programme were high with most candidates already degree holders which favourably disposes them to other qualitative requirements that are necessary for effective learning but normally lacking in fresh secondary school leavers – maturity, self motivation, time management, practical need and relevance, etcetera. It is difficult to expect that these values will be traded in for nothing in return that will add to programme quality.

Also, prior academic background in another discipline, as would be the case for most of the candidates, is an added advantage to the quality of lawyers Nigeria will be producing for both the Bar and the Bench. Given the increasingly diversified and complex environment we find ourselves today, the more broad a lawyer’s background is, the better. Here, the accountancy profession is an exemplar. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), for long, has opened wide its doors to those who wish to switch from their first course of study to ac-

countancy practice or who wish to become accountants for the sake of the sublime knowledge that accounting curriculum offers. This has drawn graduates from pure arts to physical sciences, medicine, and even law! And accountancy practice in Nigeria is better for it!

I am not a lawyer by training. But my experience from some of the law courses I took at school and discussion with some of my lawyer friends does not suggest that the very nature of legal education makes imperative full-time, face-to-face programmes. So, ahead of recommendations, let me return to virtual learning environments and how we can use its underlying features to mitigate the challenges perceived by the critics of part-time law programme. A blended structure that combines the traditional classroom (on a part-time basis) and takes advantage of the distinctive features of online learning can be an improvement on the narrow definition of part-time programme that was hitherto the status.

Technology is dominantly pervading every aspect of our lives, and even more so, is the Internet technology, the backbone of online education. If the argument was that lecturers are too few to cope with the high demand for legal education, technology enables scalability and massive access because of the instructional and delivery system that uses multimedia facilities for the transfer of knowledge. Additionally, technology aids learning through online group discussions that are highly interactive, promoting knowledge sharing and prompting active learning.

Whatever the reasons were for stopping parttime law programmes then, the possibilities that educational technology offer calls for a rethink given the obvious advantages of increased access to legal education for the vast majority of our people. Globally, with the advent of educational technology, things have dramatically changed.

Universities that were slow to acknowledge the role of technology are shifting and responding positively, with new online initiatives being

spearheaded by even the Ivy Leagues.

Recently, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology collaborated in jointly organizing a summit with the theme: Online Learning and the Future of Residential Education. The overriding message from the presidents of the two great institutions was “when it comes to online education, the future is now”. Massive access to education through virtual learning environments is an antidote to the moral and ethical questions that arises from the restricted access to legal education in our jurisdiction.

However, to ensure impactful learning, it is recommended that, pedagogical and assessment issues in virtual learning environments should be in the front burner since technology is not an end in itself. Accordingly, teachers should adjust to the new demands of their job and dispose themselves to acquiring the new skill sets through training and conferences. Institutions on their part should sponsor faculty for relevant trainings. Because Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure requirement for online learning is high, needing huge investments, government at various levels should therefore make appropriate investment in ICT. Our law teachers are equal to this task and the overall impact on our economic and socio-political life justifies the investment. This is a humble call on the Council for Legal Education in Nigeria to revisit this policy and review the structure and methodologies for the take-off of part-time law degree programmes in Nigeria again. It is on this note that I join other Nigerians in applauding and congratulating Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Executive Governor of the State of Osun for his e-learning initiative ‘Opon Imo’ and for being a leading light in the deployment of massive access to educational materials for his people.

• Anonyai, FCA, is a Financial Strategist based in Lagos.

Stemming of rampant building collapse

By Odunayo Joseph T would be recalled that an ex-Chairman of Lagos State Chapter Ilamenting of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, while the collapse of the upper part of a building which was preceded by the blowing off of a three year-old bungalow in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital sometime in April 2009 as reported on page 49 in Saturday Punch edition of May 2, 2009, opined that the use of sub-standard products in the course of structure erection, especially adulterated cement, has continued to be the bane of recurring building collapse in Nigeria. He also made reference to a young man who had spent so much on his house’s foundation, and who was able to raise the building to the lintel stage only for the building to collapse like a pack of cards two days after the completion of the lintel. The young man had no option but to start all over again.

He further recounted how the outcome of a research conducted by the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Building showed that walls that were constructed several years ago during the colonial period tended to withstand harsh weather condition more than the recently constructed walls. Again he traced the quality of cement as the main contributory factor to this finding.

Considering the rampant reports bothering on collapse of buildings in the Lagos metropolis, there is no doubt of the need for all stakeholders in the building industry in Lagos to come together and brainstorm, as a matter of urgency, on the views expressed by Mr. Awobodu with a view to preventing the growing loss of precious lives owing to building collapse in the state. With the abundance of eggheads in the building industry in Lagos State, much can be achieved in this direction so as to lend credence to the state’s acronym – State of Excellence.

There is need to complement the efforts of Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) starting from the grassroots in checking the menace of building collapse in the state. A tour around the Lagos metropolis, and possibly other areas, would reveal the abysmal low quality of blocks being churned out by some block makers who either consciously or unconsciously endanger the lives of users of their blocks which from mere looking is better described as mere moulding of sand together with the use of spoonful of cement to hold the sand together all in a bid at preventing the ‘blocks’ from collapse before getting to the unwary customers, who, for economic reasons often make do with the cheapest products in the market without giving consideration and a second thought to the side effect of their ignorant adventures. It is high time the appropriate and relevant state govern-

ment organs such as the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ministry of Housing, Lagos State Property Development Corporation, Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Environment sensitized all block makers operating in the state to search their conscience and see the money made from production of sub-standard blocks for public consumption as a clear example of ‘blood money’.

Also, all other stakeholders and professionals in the building industry in the state such as Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Builders and building contractors need come together and brainstorm on prevention of rampant building collapse in the state. They should take the supervisory aspect of their job with more seriousness.

With adequate job supervision, some, if not all untoward acts of cost cutting at the expense of job quality will be nipped in the bud and thus prevent the untold occurrence of calamity, arising from avoidable defective structures, that is presently the case today not only in Lagos but in Nigeria as a whole. Meanwhile, the move by the Lagos state government, as revealed in a joint press conference held on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 by the Commissioner of Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed and the Commissioner of Justice, Ade Ipaye to commence prosecution of those found to be culpable in a recent building that collapsed on Ishaga Road in Surulere, Lagos will go a long way as a warning that the day of reckoning for impunity, dereliction of duties and avoidable professional misconduct in the building industry in the state is around the corner. It is hoped that all other states and the Federal Capital Development Authority will take a cue from the Lagos State government in line with the age long adage that says that “prevention is better than cure”. Waiting to take preemptive measures after loss of precious lives of the people no doubt tantamount to prescription of drug after death.

Meanwhile, the proactive measure already embarked upon by the state government through the setting up of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) is laudable for aiming to sensitise landlords and tenants of the myriad of inherent dangers in living in distressed buildings which could collapse at any time with the resultant loss of precious lives. I will strongly advise the Lagos State government that this kind of important and educative documentary should be televised to the public on continuous basis for now during weekends when people are usually indoors especially on Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings. If possible it should be shown simultaneously by more than one station at the same time to create awareness to a greater number of people. In addition, there is need for the public to be aware of the agency’s telephone numbers and email address for communication with the agency.

In the last segment of the documentary during which the views

of some of the affected evictees from the distressed buildings already marked by the agency for demolition was sought, an old man of between 70 and 75 years who claimed to have been residing in his apartment in the low cost housing estate built by the Lagos State government, pathetically appealed to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola to provide those affected by the planned demolition exercise to, as a matter of urgency, an alternative housing. The old man (who, judging by nodding of heads, body movements and the rapt attention paid to him by the people around him could be said to be speaking the minds of the people) recalled that the carrot of alternative accommodation had been dangled before them times without number in the past by the state government but that no action has so far been taken in fulfilment of the avalanche promises and assurances. Governor Fashola and his team should give the man’s plea a humanitarian consideration to those living in the state’s low cost housing estates, including those building owners who have lived all their lives in Lagos, majority of whom have no other place to go.

We are in a country replete with less attention for the welfare of her old citizens. The writer goggled for ‘Old people’s Home’ on the internet and surprisingly it was found that it is only in Lagos State, to be precise, Yaba Local Council Development Area, that such home where welfare of old people are being addressed exist in the country. It is in this regard that Governor Fashola is implored to go a step further by considering payment of adequate compensation to landlords who fall victims of the planned demolition of buildings that have been found to be defective in the state and which no doubt pose danger to the live of the people living in such buildings. In the eventual taking over of land on which buildings demolished had been built by the state government, the government, while considering compensation to the affected landlords, should take cognizance of the prevailing maximum current value of such lands when taken over. By so doing, the pains, agony and hardship of the affected landlords that is bound to arise from the demolition exercise would have been mitigated and in the end make them to become resilient.

The government is advised not to stop at payment of adequate compensation alone but should also embark on immediate construction of affordable low cost housing either on the dispossessed lands or elsewhere in the state which can in turn be purchased solely by displaced landlords through compensation received from the state government.

• Joseph is Publicity Secretary, South-West Zone of Okun Dev. Association.

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For The Record Nigeria’s national security in an age of terrorism (5) Maiden Departmental Lecture Department Of Political Science Faculty Of The Social Sciences University Of Ibadan

By Aituaje Irene Pogoson, Ph.D Continued from Wednesday, July 24, 2013 HE idea of terrorism as an attack against the T existing political order gradually became prominent with international terrorism becoming a major issue in the late 1960s, when hijacking became a favoured tactic. The era also gave the contemporary sense of terrorism as highly visible, symbolic acts of violence staged by organized groups with specific political grievances. As the Cold War escalated in the 1960s and the world became polarized between the East and the West, a new dynamic was added to terrorism: state-sponsored terrorism, that is, governments exporting terrorism to other parts of the world for their own political interests. Iran supported Hezbollah; Libya supported Abu Nidal; and Iraq, Cuba, Sudan and Algeria provided training camps, economic and political support to other terrorist groups. The focus of terrorism moved to the Middle East, the Arab-Israeli / Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the U.S. supporting Israel and the Soviet Union supporting various Arab countries. The 1970s was the decade of air terrorism with more than 20 events of terrorism directed at European and American airlines involving hijackings, bombings and hostage taking. The 1970s also involved bombings, kidnappings and other types of terrorist activities throughout Europe. The 1980s was the decade of hostage taking and terrorism found a target in US interests around the world.

The last decade of the 20th century brought another change to the development of terrorism.

It brought to terrorism, indiscriminate killing and high mass casualty counts for its own sake.

Over the past 20 years, terrorists have committed extremely violent acts for alleged political or religious reasons. Political ideology ranges from the far left to the far right. For example, the far left consists of groups such as Marxists and Leninists who propose a revolution of workers led by a revolutionary elite. On the far right are dictatorships that typically believe in a merging of state and business leadership. At present, religiously motivated terrorism is considered the most alarming terrorist threat. Groups that justify their violence on Islamic grounds include Al Qaeda, Hamas, and Hezbollah. But Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and other religions have also given rise to their own forms of militant extremism.

The most prominent act of international terrorism in recent times occurred on September 11, 2001, in a set of co-ordinated attacks on the United States of America where Islamic terrorists hijacked civilian airliners and used them to attack the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Also other major terrorist attacks have occurred in New Delhi with the attack on the Indian Parliament; the Bali car bomb attack; the London subway bombings; the Madrid train bombings and other similar attacks. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, terrorism emerged as a matter ofglobal concern and was effectively brought to the forefront in international security discourse. September 11, 2001, Four U.S.A. commercial aircraft were hijacked in the USA. Two aircrafts crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City which later collapsed. Another was crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The final plane was crashed into a rural area of Pennsylvania near the town of Shanksville. The fourth plane may have been headed for the White House, the U.S. Capital or some other such target but for a successful passenger revolt .Death toll exceeded 3,000 and financial losses for just the destruction of the World Trade Center are estimated to be in excess of $83 billion. The hijackers were linked to a terrorist group known as Al Qaeda.

Cases of terror attacks since 2001 demonstrate that terrorism has increasingly become a common concern for everyone, and unlike the dimension of the 2001 attacks, where the attacks

Pogoson emanated from outside sources, terrorist attacks are increasingly coordinated by groups or individuals located within the domain of the targeted state, raising concerns about the ‘enemies that live amidst us’. Reports point to the fact that terrorist groups have devised a new strategy in striking targeted countries and instead of relying on agents sourced from the Middle East, they are increasingly relying on home grown terrorists. (United States Department of State, April 2000) A transnational phenomenon, terrorism has become a growing threat to life, state stability and international security.

National Security and Terrorism in Nigeria Nigeria, with an estimated population of about 140 million, is the largest country in Africa and one- sixth of the black population in the world. Nigeria’s polity is ‘ circumscribed by the complex nature of its domestic politics and the tense domestic environment of the nation, ranging from the high level of corruption in the society to the chaotic and volatile security situation in the country.

There are also widespread problems of communal and political violence in the country all of which signified a shaky and unstable domestic polity, which do not augur well for Nigeria’s international image’ (Pogoson, 2009 ; 72). Nigeria’s large population and landmass, its porous borders, cultural homogeneity with neighbours, has made the country vulnerable to one form of terrorism or the other. Indeed, since 1999, “the number and intensity of violent conflicts has tended to increase rather than decrease” (Pogoson, 2011; 32).

In recent times, Nigeria has witnessed an upsurge in terror-related attacks. Whilst the country is not new as a target of terror attack, the dimension it has taken and the nature of weapons being used by these terrorists are unprecedented. Terrorism started in the country as a form of state-backed violence, but today, it is commonly linked with political violence perpetrated by groups without the power of the state. Hitherto, according to regional figures, about 70% of all terrorist acts recorded annually for West Africa, like hostage taking, kidnapping and sabotage of economic infrastructures took place in the Niger Delta (Imohe, 2010; 242). The bombing of gas and crude oil pipelines by the militants in the Niger Delta and their threat to attack major infrastructural facilities threatened se-

curity in Nigeria. It has been estimated that Nigeria lost over $24billion in revenue in 2008 and a further $20 billion in 2009 to militant attacks (illegal bunkering, <http://www.compasnewspaper_onlinre.com/htm, 31 May 2011).

Worthy of note, is the “Christmas Day bombing attempt when 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian who had concealed plastic explosives in his underwear, attempted but failed to detonate them properly during a Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Detroit Airport in the United States. The flight was the target of a failed al-Qaeda bombing attempt (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/pe ople/a/umar_farouk_abdulmutallab/index.ht ml).

Also, Islamic fundamentalism is nothing new in Nigeria. In the 1970s a movement known as Maitatsine emerged as a result of the popularity of a Cameroonian Imam, known as Marwa, who was based in Kano and preached against perceived government oppression. Marwa was killed in 1980 by security forces and the group disbanded. The mention of Nigeria alongside Jordan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia in a tape allegedly released by Osama bin Laden, as a country where Muslims need to be liberated, intensified the fear that Nigeria could be used by covert terrorist networks as a platform to further their attacks elsewhere or even attack targets found in Nigeria, post 9/11, 2001 (Wellington, 2008).

Against the background of the existence of pockets of armed Islamist groups in parts of northern Nigeria, sects like the Hisbah, the Zamfara State Vigilante Service (ZSVS), AlSunna Wal Jamma a.k.a “the Nigerian Taliban” among others that were alleged to have established links with the al Qaeda Islamic extremism, northern Nigeria has been linked with international terrorist networks (Sampson and Onuoha, 2011). The sect dubbed “the Nigerian Taliban” which preached against Western culture and for the imposition of Sharia Law throughout Nigeria clashed with security forces and dissipated in 2004. The group called, Al sunna wal Jammaa engaged in the “purification of Islam”. Between December 2003 and January 2004, seventeen of the self –styled Talibans were killed by security operatives when they attempted to impose the so-called purification of Islam on a community where they set up their military-style camps. (Ibegbu,, 2007). Further more, in October, 2007, accor-

ding to the Nigeria State Security Service(SSS), it received a tip- off from the US intelligence network which led to the arrest of some Nigerians connected to the Taliban.

Thereafter, the SSS was said to have foiled an attempt by a Taliban group that attempted to bomb some strategic locations in Nigeria (ThisDay, 2007).

Boko Haram emerged around this time.

Boko Haram, whose name roughly translates as “Western teaching is forbidden,” or “Western education is sinful” in Hausa language was founded in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf as a social network designed to impose a strict Islamic lifestyle in northern Nigeria.

Originating in the Muslim-dominated northeast region of the country, the movement rejected everything deemed Western. Boko Haram instilled the group with extremist ideology, extolling a version of Islam where any interaction with Western society is considered a sin. Boko Haram grew its ranks by taking advantage of widespread anger in the north over the country’s wealth gap. After conflicts between the members of the sect and the Yobe state government over the application of unadulterated Sharia Law, the Yobe State Council initiated efforts to expel the sect from the state. The sect then relocated to Kanama, a remote village near the border with Niger Republic. (Tanchum, 2012) Motivated by the desire for revenge, the group waged a retaliatory attack on the residences of local government heads, regional officials, and divisional police in Yobe State on 24 December 2004. That attack paved the way for subsequent Boko Haram terrorist campaigns against Nigerian government authorities.

Figure 1: Boko Haram Insignia Source: F.C. Onuoha, 2012 ‘Boko Haram: Evolving Tactics and State’s Responses’, Tampa, Florida In July 2009, following Mohammed Yusuf’s declaration that democracy and Western education in Nigeria must be done away with, military forces stormed the compound of the Boko Haram in Maiduguri and captured Yusuf, its founding leader. Yusuf was later found dead while still in police custody (Omede, 2011; 5) The alleged extrajudicial execution, expected to signal the end of Boko Haram, has been their greatest recruiting tool. After the death of Yusuf, and since its radical operational metamorphosis in 2009, Boko Haram experienced a resurgence and a number of significant transformations (Uzoechina, 2011; 1-3). Boko Haram began its campaign of violent attacks against police stations and military installations. The failure to prosecute those security personnel who were responsible for the alleged extrajudicial killing of the Boko Haram leader became one of the primary grievances of the members of the sect, and was seen as contributing to the Boko Haram terrorist fled to Niger Republic and Chad respectively to regroup and mobilize more support. This form of mobilization “was one of the first indications of Al-Qaeda’s augmentation of Boko Haram’s capabilities as it refurbished itself in exile.” In January 2010, the head of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) , Abdelmalek Droukdel, publically offered to train and arm Boko Haram to wage attacks against infidels in Nigeria.( Omede, 2011). Specifically, Abdelmalek Droukdel in a communique to Nigeria’s muslim community stated; ‘ we are ready to train your children to use weapons and will supply them with all we can, including support and men, weapons, ammunitions and equipment, in order to defend our people in Nigeria and respond against the aggression of the Christian minority’. Thus, corroborating the ties between AQIM and Boko Haram (Sage, 2011). This situation has engendered deep concerns in Nigeria and the sub-region where these transnational terrorist organizations have become threats to the national security of the respective coun-

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For The Record Nigeria’s national security in an age of terrorism (5) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 71 tries.

Over the past years the group’s members have reformed under a new leader, and have increased the breadth and scope of their attacks.

Boko Haram has become increasingly sophisticated in its operations since first launching mass attacks in northern Nigeria killing over 3,000 people since the beginning of 2009, according to the Human Rights Watch. The net outcome is that Boko Haram directed its terrorist attacks on Christians, Muslims, media houses, the United Nations (UN) Headquarters and government structures in places like Maiduguri, Damaturu, Pokistum, Kaduna, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kano, and Abuja. These targeted bombing acts created not only a tense national environment especially amongst Christians who believe that they have come under an Islamist siege but also a growing belief that Nigeria is poised precariously at the abyss of political and social catastrophe (Maier, 2000).

Figure2: A relic of Boko Haram bombing in Kaduna

Source :http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/12/02/nigeria-boko-haram-militantsburn-churches-border-posts/

The political goal of Boko Haram is to create an Islamic nation in the 12 northern states of Nigeria, eventually spreading it to the rest of the country. From its inception, Boko Haram viewed Nigeria as a state run by non-believers and made the government its main target—even when the country had a Muslim president. As part of its “grand plans to Islamize Nigeria,” Boko Haram sought to transfer religious authority from the Sultan of Sokoto and other traditional leaders to Boko Haram’s religious leaders through a campaign of intimidation and assassination (This Day, 2012; Vanguard, 2012.). The Sultan, on the other hand, has condemned Boko Haram for “violating the sanctity and honor of Muslims,” while calling for “peaceful coexistence” between Christians and Muslims, an “end to the bloodshed,” and for “dialogue and communication” to address Nigerian Muslims’ grievances instead of “wreaking havoc on society” (Vanguard, 2011).

It must be noted that despite the Boko Haram’s claim that its call for the implementation of Sharia Law in Nigeria is approved by the Quran, the sect does not enjoy popular acceptance among conventional Muslims who Figure 3: Locations of Boko Haran’s Gun and Suicide Attacks in Nigeria (July 2009 - July 2012) Source: Global Terrorism Report cited in: F.C. Onuoha, 2012 ‘Boko Haram: Evolving Tactics and State’s Responses’, The Citizenship Initiative: Northern Nigeria : The Dynamics of Social and Political Conflict . Tampa, Florida maintain that such an interpretation neither suggests the need for the Islamization of Nigeria nor affirms the non-acceptance of the constitutional provision of the secularity of the state (Adesoji, 2010). Also, the sect, which was initially known for attacking churches and government facilities, became the subject of intense international scrutiny when a suicide bomber drove through the gates of the U.N. headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2011. The Boko Haram attack on the UN Headquarters in the capital led many to believe that the group has larger ends in mind than just the domination of Nigeria.

Since 2010, Boko Haram attacks have become vicious in Nigeria. Starting out as a religious sect in 2002, the group has undergone different phases. It has gone from a phase when it supposedly constituted no serious international threat to a phase in which the international community is beginning to take it more seriously. Indeed, the attack on the United Nations building in Abuja in June 2011 has helped in publicizing the group and its intent Figure 4:Source: https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Hol der/Documents/r028%20CFC%20Monthly%20T hematic%20Report%20(21-FEB-13).pdf internationally. In light of the fact that Boko Haram attacks are executed with great skill and competence, some observers have hinted at the possibility that the group has close collaboration with international terrorist groups.

Fighting terrorism in Nigeria has become syn-

Pogoson onymous with fighting terrorism in the the Sahelian nations of Algeria, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali and Chad. Figure 3 below illustrates the main locations where Islamist armed groups are prevalent in Africa.

Figure 4 : Main locations where Islamist armed groups are active in Africa* Source :0 * Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: Primarily active in Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger Boko Haram and ANSARU: Primarily active in northern Nigeria Al-Shabab: Primarily active in Somalia, has carried out attacks in Kenya Another militant Islamist group in Nigeria, ANSARU, has also proved to be a formidable threat to national security. Its full Arabic name is Jama’atu ANSARUl Muslimina Fi Bidalis Sudan (loosely translated it means, “Vanguard for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa”). ANSARU is suspected to be an offshoot of Boko Haram and is listed by the UK government as a “terrorist organisation” aligned with al-Qaeda in the Islamic M a g h r e b (http://industreetmusic.com/home/?p=1036 ). ANSARU released a statement in January 2012 to announce its existence and it rose to prominence about six months later through the release of a video in which it vowed to attack Westerners in defence of Muslims worldwide (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/worldafrica-21510767). This suggests that it has a wider regional agenda, marking it out from the more established Boko Haram group, which has focused mainly on bombings and assassinations in northern and central Nigeria since launching its insurgency in 2009.

ANSARU has proved to be a formidable threat during its short existence, using dynamite to penetrate heavily-fortified compounds and taking foreigners hostage. It abducted French national Francis Colump, in December 2012, following an attack on a compound in the northern town of Rimi, about 25km from Katsina city. It said the attack was to avenge “transgressions” by European nations in Mali and Afghanistan, where Western forces are battling Islamist insurgents. In January, ANSARU said it had carried out an attack which killed two Nigerian soldiers as they prepared to deploy to Mali. (The Nation, 2013) The UK government blamed ANSARU for taking a Briton and an Italian hostage in early 2012 in the northwestern state of Sokoto. The two died in March 2012 during a failed attempt to rescue

them. Nigeria’s government is likely to find it more difficult to end the Islamist insurgency now that two groups are operating within the t e r r i t o r y (industreetmusic.com/home/%3Fp%3D1036).

Alongside the Boko Haram and ANSARU insurgency in the country, Nigerian security agencies also have to contend with the challenge of the presence of suspected terrorists believed to have been trained by Malian rebels in Nigeria. According to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubike Ihejirika, most of the terrorists in Nigeria were trained in Mali. (The Punch, 2012) At the Council of Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, the Nigerian Minister cautioned members to tighten their borders as Boko Haram had gone international. He noted that the sect had affiliated itself to similar groups in the sub-region. As the Minister noted, “ The need to strengthen our border controls to curtail the inflow of small arms, drug trafficking and terrorist infiltrations has become imperative” According to the Minister, this is exemplified by the affiliations of Nigerian domestic terrorist group with similar groups in the neighbouring countries and beyond (The Punch, 2012).

President Goodluck Jonathan met with five other Heads of State and Government in N’djamena to discuss the security situation within the Lake Chad Basin, at the 14th summit of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). The President expressed concern at the spate of insecurity and threat to the peace around the borders of the lake, and the need to have in place restrategized security plans to address the increase in violence within individual national territories. (The Nation, 2012) President Jonathan also hinted at the international dimension of the Boko Haram insurgency in a letter to the governments of Britain and Italy after the unsuccessful attempt by security forces to free two expatriates from Britain and Italy, affirming that ‘the Nigerian government remains resolutely committed to facing up squarely to the challenge of terrorism on our shores and in the international community’ (see Vanguard , 2012; Andrew Walker, 2012 ; 8). Similarly, President Jonathan highlighted links between Boko Haram and Saharan Islamists and said that that relationship justified his decision to join efforts with French and West African forces to fight militants in Mali (The Guardian, 2013; Reuters, 2012).

When Boko Haram started around 2002, it modelled itself on Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. It is increasingly claimed that Boko Haram has connections with Al Qaeda in

the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and other international terrorist organisations such as Ansar Eddine and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) (Vanguard, 2012) of the Sahel region. The Sahel region is the newest front in Islamic terrorism because of the presence of the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). AQIM has its roots in the Salafist Group for the Predication and Combat (GSPC) that emerged during the Algerian Civil War that raged between 1992 and 1998 and killed more than 150,000 people. The group has claimed responsibility for attacks on state military forces in Algeria and Mauritania and kidnappings of Western tourists in countries such as Niger, Mauritania, Senegal, Nigeria and Mali.

AQIM is prevalent in territories just outside Nigeria. AQIM’s proximity to north-western Nigeria and the increased security measures multinational corporations are implementing in Niger to avoid kidnappings make Nigeria a suitable target for a new string of AQIM operations. There have been reports of Nigerians travelling north through Niger to northern Mali to join AQIM or MUJAO, as well as reports of Boko Haram members receiving militant training in Niger and setting up bases in southern Niger’s largest city, Zinder, which is 150 miles north of Kano ( Punch, July 15, 2012. A Nigerian intelligence report of May 2012 documented that nine Boko Haram members received training in hostage-taking from AQIM and that Boko Haram received the first instalment of $250,000 from AQIM to kidnap “white” expatriates in Nigeria, in order to demand ransoms for them or exchange them with AQIM for more money, weapons and ammunition (David Ignatius, 2012).

The radical Islamists consolidated their hold on Northern Mali. The area was initially seized by separatist Tuareg rebels, under the banner of the Mouvement national pour la libération de l’Azawad. (MNLA), shortly after the 22 March coup in Bamako. (http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/mont hly-forecast/2012-12/mali_2.php). Some Tuaregs served as mercenaries in the forces loyal to Colonel Qaddafi of Libya. After Qaddafi was overthrown in October 2011, the Tuaregs returned to Mali with substantial weapons and ammunition. They founded the MNLA to fight for secession of northern Mali.

The NMLA sought to establish an independent state for the Tuareg people in the Sahel region (Genocide Watch, 6 March 2012).

Soon after, however, Islamist militants belonging to AQIM and its ally, Ansar Eddine, which had been allied to the MNLA, took effective control and sidelined the MNLA. Another Islamist group that had been part of the separatist uprising, the Mouvement pour l’unité et le jihad en Afrique de l’Ouest (MUJAO), which has been kidnapping Western hostages and holding them for ransom, seized the strategically important town of Douentza in September and crossed into the central part of Mali, closer to the government-held south-west (http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2012-12/ mali_2.php). The Islamists, under the leadership of various terrorist groups have seized approximately two-thirds of Mali. They expelled the Malian army and attacked and defeated the Tuareg separatist rebels, whom they had previously supported (http://www.genocidewatch.org/mali.html).

Until the French and African peace support operations began in Mali in January 2013, the Islamists sought to establish a strict Islamic state in Mali.

In reaction to the Islamist invasion of Mali, various international and African regional actors agreed on an actionable plan for a military stabilization force in Mali. Resolution 2071 adopted on 12 October 2012 gave momentum to these efforts. The resolution requested the Secretary-General to “immediately provide military and security

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For The Record Nigeria’s national security in an age of terrorism (5) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 72 planners” to assist ECOWAS and the AU, in close consultation with the authorities in Mali and the neighbouring countries on the plan. On 11 November, 2012, ECOWAS announced its plan to deploy 3,300 soldiers to support the mission in Mali. The troops were to come from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.

On 14 November, 2012, the African Union, (AU) issued a communiqué (PSC/PR/COMM.2[CCCXLI]) endorsing a harmonized concept of operations fashioned by the AU and ECOWAS for the planned deployment of an African led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA). The Africa-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) is an ECOWAS-organized military mission sent to support the government of the ECOWAS member nation Mali against Islamist rebels in the Northern Mali conflict. The mission was authorized with UN Security Council Resolution 2085, passed on 20 December 2012, which “authorizes the deployment of an African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) for an initial period of one year.” http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sc1087 0.doc.htm UN-Resolution 2085 (2012) According to the AU communiqué, the force would assist the Malian authorities to “regain the occupied regions in the north of the country, dismantle the terrorist and criminal networks and restore effectively the authority of the state over the entire national territory.” It noted the decision of ECOWAS to maintain its standby brigade in advanced readiness for imminent deployment and also the agreement that other African countries, including the neighbours of Mali, be canvassed to support the mission in terms of intelligence, logistics and troops (http://www.peaceau.org/uploads/psc.353.com. mali.25-01-2013-self.pdf).

Initially the mission was to begin in September 2013, but after an unexpected advance by the rebel forces in early January 2013 and the subsequent French intervention, ECOWAS decided to immediately deploy the AFISMA forces which are expected to number more than 3,000 troops (MS/RISK The West Africa Report, 2013). Nigeria forms the backbone of the force. Nigeria pledged a total of 1,200 troops for the AFISMA, comprising a Nigerian Army battalion with the strength of 900 troops and a Nigerian Air Force contingent with the strength of 300 troops.

Other countries that have pledged troops include Ghana, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Niger (http://africajournalismtheworld.com/tag/frenc h-in-mali/). Chad, which is not part of the regional body ECOWAS, would also send 2,000 soldiers to work in co-ordination with French troops. On 17 January 2013, Nigeria began deploying air and ground forces to Mali. The first commander of AFISMA is Nigerian Major General Abdulkadir Shehu and Brigadier General Yaye Garba of Niger is the Deputy Force Commander (http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7 B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_pv_6905.pdf). In addition to the AFISMA troops, between 200 to 400 EU special-forces troops were to be sent to Mali to provide intelligence as well as training for local troops and ECOWAS forces ( http://africajournalismtheworld.com/tag/au-and-mali/) .

Linkages between Al Qeada, AQIM , MNLA, Boko Haram and ANSARU are quite worrisome. Boko Haram has transformed into more than a local problem, into one that is currently funded and trained by international terrorist groups.

Consequently, Nigeria’s security problem has become part of global Islamic jihad.

After nearly a decade of the current terrorist violence, Nigeria’s government still does not have an effective strategy for dismantling Boko Haram or ANSARU. Although the Jonathan government inherited the terrorist problem when it came into office, since acceding to office, President Jonathan has taken several steps to attempt to solve the problem. The government outlined a ‘three-pronged approach’ to addressing the menace of terrorism namely; strengthening of counter terrorism cooperation with

Pogoson neighbouring countries and international partners, openness to political dialogue with groups and individuals involved in acts of terror, and economic inclusion targeted at the disadvantaged and unemployed in Nigerian society, especially in the North East. Other attempts to stop terrorism by government include, the adoption of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011), deployment of military task forces, creating a special Joint Military Task Force to eliminate Boko Haram, temporary closure of borders, capacity building/equipment of security forces; installing numerous closed circuit televisions throughout the Federal Capital Territory and fully supporting AFISMA. Other steps include external collaborations with the establishment of multilateral and bilateral engagements. The government is said to be working with counter-terrorism experts from several countries — including the US and UK — in an attempt to neutralise the threat posed by Boko Haram and ANSARU, amid fears that they could worsen instability across West and Central Africa. Also, in a bid to bring an end to the deadly activities of the sects in the country, the Nigerian Army graduated a 277-man anti-Boko Haram and terrorism Special Force in 2012.

Clearly, the challenges facing Nigeria are serious, and the solutions are scarce. A local, domestic terrorist group has now grown into something larger and much more dangerous.

The expansion of al-Qeada from the Maghreb into sub-Saharan Africa is menacing and concerns not only Nigeria, but all other countries that could be a target of al-Qeada. Terrorism, is a factor creating an unfriendly environment for Nigeria’s security, thus constituting a problem that needs to be proactively addressed.

The tragedy inherent in terrorism points to the fact that Nigeria, as an important actor in a globalized world, is not insulated from its opportunities and challenges.

CONCLUSION: ENHANCING NATIONAL SECURITY AND COMBATTING TERRORISM In ending this lecture, let me highlight some areas that require attention to enhance our national security and overcome the current scourge of terrorism. The contemporary national security environment is dynamic. The global environment affects and determines the ability of any country to manage its national security. Many of these threats arise beyond boundaries. Globalization weakened some of the barriers which countries can use to protect their security interests. The changing pattern of global ideological and regional security relations has engendered fundamen-

tal ontological and epistemic reconstruction of the matrix of security in the conventional literature. While there are many different approaches to understanding national security, one thing is clear – the security of the individual or community is no longer defined exclusively within the realm of states and as a consequence of national security.

Our understanding of security sees human security as complementary to traditional approaches to state security. Even though security may be viewed from the individual, group, social, national and global levels, they are all linked.

Without the provision of effective national security, neither citizens nor societies can be personally secure in the broader sense of the term.

Without secure and stable countries and a body of practice or law – whereby countries regulate their interaction – individual, community, regional and international security remains elusive. Without good governance, national security, which is increasingly understood to be about development, justice and fairness, cannot be achieved. In addition to threats posed by lack of good governance, other national security challenges aside from terrorism, include, transnational crimes and conflict, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and cyber crimes. Terrorism has, however, proven to be one of the most prolific and perennial threat to the security of Nigeria today.

In the existing climate of economic challenges, mounting foreign debts and debt servicing obligations, trans-border crimes, and environmental degradation, security issues in Nigeria can be aptly described in the reverse as “high politics”.

After over five decades of independence and 12 years of continuous democratic government, the Nigerian state has failed to perform the three basic responsibilities of a state, which are maintenance of peace, security, and the welfare of its citizens. The improvement of the security situation in Nigeria, the enhancement of the ability of Nigeria to achieve her national security objectives and combatting terrorism remain the main challenges.

From the foregoing, it is evident that terrorism represents a subsisting danger to the stability of Nigeria. Terrorism is often undeclared covert warfare and it has plagued mankind for centuries but today it has moved beyond simple assassinations and bombings, it has multiplied its lethal capabilities many times and is capable of killing thousands of people at a time and threaten entire nations. Combating the threat of terrorism is high on the agenda of the Nigerian government as with most governments faced

with this problem.

Combating terrorism can no longer remain isolated national action programs; it requires a concerted and well coordinated international plan and response. Ideally, all nations of the world agree that terrorism is wrong and join together to combat it. Because the nature of the problem of terrorism is multifaceted and complex, it requires a clear and comprehensive policy and plan to combat it. It will need great understanding of the problem and a tough response involving a wide range of agencies and resources at a multi-level, multi-pronged approach. Combating terrorism is definitely not an easy task and it needs concerted effort by government which should include the people. Most importantly, international initiatives and diplomacy must be exploited to the fullest to achieve greater degree of prevention. A shared, agreed assessment is needed for the menace of terrorism and of strategies for countering it. It will provide a common foundation for international policy and action in support of such collective endeavour.

In the face of the gravity of terrorism in Nigeria, the Nigerian response to terrorism must be located in international cooperation through multilateral measures to monitor the flow of information, people and monies across her borders. There is thus the need for a new strategic thinking. For decades, national security decisions have largely been at the operational, ad hoc and non- proactive level. They have not been subjected to any systematic review though essential changes have occurred in national and global factors.

While the framework cannot be advanced here, clearly, any meaningful attempt at national security planning will have to address the various composite aspects of security and will have to be based on wide consultation among the stakeholders. Moreover, in the face of global, and regional system transformation, the security concerns of the state must take into account the changing character and structural deformities of the neocolonial state as the fundamental source of insecurity in Nigeria.

Also, capacity building for the nation’s defence and security forces in order for them to be able to cope with their respective responsibilities is imperative. In this sense, the intelligence capabilities of the services need to be strengthened so that accurate and timely information will be available to pre-empt threats before they develop. This can only be achieved through adequate force development and effective strategic operational planning. The challenges of unpredictable events and the scarcity of resources to cope with all the eventualities have to be factored into security considerations. The trend in the world is towards integration where regional or sub- regional allies work together.

Combating terrorism is a very difficult and complex task, it needs concerted effort by government and it should include the people as a part of the plan. Terrorists are not a very defined and structured enemy; their elusive nature makes it even more difficult to counter it. The war against terrorism, therefore, is not some sort of “clash of civilizations”; instead, it is a clash between civilization and those who seek to destroy it. A clear and comprehensive counter terrorism policy should be formulated by the state based on deep understanding of the nature, type of terrorism and threat analysis. The reality is that success in combating terrorism will only come through continued, persistent, and systematic application of all the elements of national power: diplomatic, economic, information, financial, law enforcement, intelligence, and military simultaneously.

We will defeat terrorist organizations through relentless national and international action.

CONCLUDED

74 | NEWS EXTRA

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Firm ordered to pay $1.7m tax to FIRS

By Bertram Nwannekanma

HE Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT), South-South Zone, has ordered a multinational oil company, Global Marine Baltic Incorporation, to pay $1,770,995 (N279.8 million) tax to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Chairman of the threeman tribunal, Mrs. Adenike Eyoma, in a judgment delivered on Tuesday in Benin City, a copy of which was made available to The Guardian yesterday, stated that the sum represented the firm’s Company Income Tax liability for 1997, 1998 and 2000.

Global Marine Baltic Incorporation had filed the suit following the additional tax assessment served on it by the respon-

T

dent (FIRS) on March 11, 2005, in respect of one of its subsidiaries, Global Marine Offshore Drilling Limited.

The company, through its counsel, Mr. Festus Onyia, had asked the tribunal for a declaration that recharges in respect of its subsidiary do not form part of its revenue derived from Nigeria for the purposes of taxation under Section 26 of the Company Income Tax Assessment (CITA).

The counsel had in the action sought “a declaration that the inclusion of the recharges as part of the taxable revenue/profit of the appellant derived from Nigeria amounts to double taxation and, therefore unjust, null and void.”

Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Benjamin Dikki (left); Chairman, Technical Committee, National Council on Privatisation, Atedo Peterside and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power, Beks Dagogo-Jack, at the opening of bids for the privatisation process of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company Plc and Afam Power Plc in Abuja…yesterday

Akinkugbe, others warn of imminent outbreak of chronic illnesses

By Chukwuma Muanya TEAM of medical experts A led by consultant nephrologist and Medical Director of Ibadan Hypertension Clinic, Emeritus Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe has predicted imminent health problems in Nigeria if nothing was done urgently to address the rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their complications.

Other members of the team include: Chief Consultant Nephrologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, Prof. Sunday

Bwala; Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Tennessee Health Science Centre, Memphis, United States, Prof. Sam Dagogo Jack; Medical Director and Chairman of the Country Medical Council, CMC, of Pfizer Worldwide Bio-Pharmaceutical Businesses, Dr. Kodjo Soroh; and Country Manager Pfizer Nigeria & East Africa Region, Carl Engleman.

To address the situation, the team yesterday at the Cardiovascular Summit organised by Pfizer Nigeria, Ghana

and East Africa Region called for a nationwide epidemiological mapping of NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, kidney failure, arthritis among others; and national programmes that will 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).

Akinkugbe said: “As night follows day, the so called NCDs are going to set in. A wise country is going to be proactive. It is already knocking at the door. It is going to be a health tsunami if we don’t take concrete steps to prevent it because the wherewithal to prosecute medical remedy is often not there.

The after events like kidney failure is often beyond the reach of developing countries even the developed ones are struggling. Therefore, if we can put measures to prevent these diseases, then we will be saving hundreds of millions…

“Adequate detection is extremely important. It is not just going to the teaching hospital and checking blood pressure but you have to go round the country, to the rural areas. That was what we tried to do 20 years ago. We went round the country to see 20,000 persons selected from rural, semi urban areas and we had a map of hypertension, diabetes. But the parameters today have changed.

We use

160/95mmHg for hypertension mapping and we found that four million Nigerians were hypertensive.

“The situation will certainly be worse today because lifestyles of the average Nigeria have changed. We are living more sedentary lifestyles and Western diets. Our own future must be in our own hands and the preventive measures are quite cheap.

“The risk factors are the same. One of the things we could do will be to set some targets even tie it to Vision 20:2020 that by a certain date we will be able to reduce cardiovascular diseases by a certain percentage. It is achievable and measurable.”

Akinkugbe said detection is critical and the country needs to update the epidemiological studies done 20 years ago.

“We need to define the situation and do it through a proper epidemiological study. Once you do that, then you begin to put in place measures. Four million Nigerians as at that time were with hypertension. Any measures to detect must be ac-

companied with measures to treat. Setting targets is important because there is need to update in detection and get to definite recommendations and the primary health centres are the Local Government Areas, they are the major engine rooms towards achieving this,” Akinkugbe said.

Jack said: “What you cannot measure, you cannot tackle.

There is need to make the LGAs operate as bureau of health statistics where they can train people with template from medical experts.

There is also need to partner with industries because most of the drugs are not manufactured locally and are very costly. The type of hypertension we have here tend to be salt sensitive so we need to watch our salt intake.”

Soroh said the aim of the Cardiovascular Summit is to improve awareness and management of common CV risks factors such as raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol, obesity and lifestyle by stimulating debate, discussion and education.

Pensioners threaten to curse govs over entitlements From Collins Olayinka, Abuja ENSIONERS across the P country have lamented alleged refusal by some governors and other government officials to pay their entitlements.

The erstwhile workers, under the aegis of National Union of Pensioners (NUP), said in Abuja yesterday, through their National President, Dr. Abel Afolayan, that they have been unjustly treated by the various tiers of government.

His words: “As elderly people, who have served this country, whoever we curse will be cursed, whoever we pray for, it shall be so. We don’t want to curse any state governor, but if any of them deserves our curse, we will curse him. If it gets to a frustrating point, and we open our caps and we curse them, they will not overcome the curse.”

Unveiling its seven-point agenda for the next four

years, the newly-elected National Executive Council led

by Afolayan, demanded a minimum pension and welfare package for the pensioners.

The NUP president, who decried the pitiable situation of pensioners, blamed some governors for the hardship the former workers are passing through.

The union commended some former and current governors, whom they said, have performed well in the area of pensions payment. It listed former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau; Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido and the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, as examples of those who deserve their prayers.

Afolayan said: “You look around, you see how old these people are. There are older people than many of us here. Look at that old papa there, he is close to 90.

There are pensioners like

that who cannot move around any more. There are also pensioners that are bedridden, who cannot move around beyond their rooms or the confines of their houses. Many of them like that are suffering in our states, and when we say we want to see these governors, they will run away. Some of them have devised methods of avoiding us.”

On their efforts, he stated that the state and zonal executives have been trying their best to work with their governors to address the problems, but added that the office of National Vice President for the zones have been constitutionally created.

He called for the constitutional minimum pensions to be paid to pensioners as he revealed that some pensioners still collect as low as N1,000 per month, with many receiving less than N5,000 in the country. He described this as inhuman.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

75

Sports Nigerian Police debuts at World Police Games in Ireland

Federations Cup

Enyimba pip Nasarawa, Warri Wolves thrash Pillars

A

• Lobi, Akwa United also celebrate From Christian Okpara, Abeokuta NYIMBA yesterday in Abeokuta lived up to their pre-match boast of adding Nasarawa United to the list of their victims in the 2013 Federation Cup with Kingsley Bobby Sokari the hero.

In Ilorin, Warri Wolves stunned Global premier League defending champions, Kano Pillars, 3-0, with all the goals coming in the first half, just as Lobi Stars of Makurdi ended the ambition of Akwa Starlets with a 2-1 victory.

In another high profile game yesterday, Heartland FC of Owerri were sent packing

by Akwa United. The game ended 5-4 on penalties in favour of Akwa Ibom after

E

both teams played 1-1 at regulation time.

At the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, Nasarawa United started the game like a team on fire, dictating the early proceedings, but they could not breech the Enyimba defence. The first half ended goalless.

But on the resumption for the second half, Enyimba upped the tempo, with Ifeanyi Ede and Semis Liadi coming more into the midfield.

The half was barely seven minutes old when Solaris got the goal off a deflection by a Nasarawa United defender.

The 2003/2004 African champions had the opportunities to extend their lead, but for poor marksmanship.

Omeruo gets work permit Eagles defender, StheUPER Kenneth Omeruo is set for glamorous English Premier League after he was granted a work permit, MTNFootball.com has reported.

A top Chelsea official told MTNFootball.com: “Kenneth has been granted a five-year work permit by the British Home Office. It’s a big breakthrough.”

Chelsea is believed to have used the “special talent” argument to ensure the 19year-old highly promising central defender’s application for a work permit was granted.

It was the same case used to get Mikel Obi into the EPL in 2006.

Omeruo is expected to fly into London this weekend from Nigeria and will begin training with the Chelsea reserves while awaiting the arrival of the main squad from a pre-season tour of the United States of America.

Since he made his full international debut in January, former U17 and U20 star Omeruo has established himself as the main stay in the Nigeria back four so much so that he has shut out skipper Joseph Yobo from the squad.

He was very much in the thick of the action, as Nigeria became African champions for only the third time in February in South Africa.

And he also featured for the African champions at the recent FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

It is now left to be seen whether he will be included in the Chelsea squad for the new season or he will be loaned out to another EPL outfit to gain the necessary experience of playing in England.

OBIL Producing Nigeria, M Operator of the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture has concluded plans to camp and train 165 students in the modern technics and styles of track and field.

Sponsor of the Akwa Ibom State /NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championships for the past thirteen years, the oil drilling giant has taken the event to another level by subjecting the champions of the competition in the last two years to an intensive two weeks camping that will afford them the benefit of modern coaching in the sport.

The co-ordinator of the event, Paul Bassey said yesterday in Lagos that by agreeing to subject the student winners to a rigid coaching programme by some of the best coaches in the land, MPN has once again pioneered a programme that is worthy of emulation.

One of the coaches invited for the programme is National Sports Institute (NIS) Director of Coaching, Solomon Abari. He is one of the coaches that guided Nigeria to gold medal in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Also on the card is veteran athlete and coaching guru, Armelia Edet, who is Nigeria’s Chief Athletics coach for so

many years.

Armelia was all praise for the programme saying that her dream is revolved around events like this.

“Until we start to not only catch, but coach them young, then we have not started. I am excited, I will give my all, but we should be ready to build on this initial attempt by regularly updating their knowledge.

Akwa Ibom State Director of Sports Coach, Aniedi Dickson said the programme would benefit the state as they prepare for the upcoming National Sports Festival for U17 athletes.

“I am into consultations with the organisers of the

programme to also allow my coaches benefit from the training programme that will be handled by experienced and tested coaches,” the Sports director said.

Students that will take part in the programme will benefit from the provision of spike shoes and other apparels that they will “ keep and train with.”

“We are taking them to the U. J Esuene Stadium in Calabar where they will train on tartan tracks for the first time, use starting blocks and so on. In fact, the coaches may spend a whole day teaching them how to get used to and run with spike shoes,” Bassey added.

Manchester United considers record bid for Cesc Fabregas ANCHESTER United has M not given up hope of signing Cesc Fabregas and are

Omeruo

Match involving Enyimba and Nasarawa during the quarterfinal match of the 2013 Federation Cup held at MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, yesterday.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Mobil plans athletics camping, training for 165 students in Akwa Ibom

By Gowon Akpodonor

From Karls Tsokar, Abuja S the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) kicks off today in North Ireland, 28 Athletes of the Nigerian Police Force would file out to contest with their counterparts from other countries for medals in the Biennial games tagged “Belfest 2013.”

The 34-man contingent departed the country on Tuesday ahead of the games, which would last for ten days beginning from today.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar has charged the Nigerian team “to conduct themselves creditably throughout their stay in Belfast, and distance themselves from drugs, as any athlete caught doping will be dealt with accordingly.”

In a statement from the Force headquarters yesterday, the biennial World Police and Fire Games is an athletic competition open to Police agencies throughout the world.

Athletes from 70 countries are expected at the 2013 Belfast Games, to compete in sixty-six sporting events, including athletics, football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, marshall arts like wrestling, Judo and taekwondo.

It stated that the Nigeria Police contingent led by the Force Planning Committee Chairman, CP Abimbola Macaulay and five other officials, would feature in eight events, including, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, golf, judo, table-tennis and taekwondo.

While reminding the contingents to be good ambassadors of the force and Nigeria as a whole, Abubakar said, “Nigeria Police athletes are not strangers to international sporting events, as some of them have represented Nigeria and made the country proud in similar Games like the Commonwealth Games, the All Africa Games, and even the Olympics.”

He further challenged them to improve on the record of their predecessors by winning more laurels, as impressive rewards would await those who would win medals for the Force and the country.

Expected back in the country on August 14, the IGP assured them of befitting welfare package during the Games to motivate them for better performance.

preparing to make a third bid for the Barcelona midfielder one that would exceed their £30.75m transfer record.

The Premier League champions have already had two bids, of £25m and £30m rejected, and been told the former Arsenal captain is not for sale.

But despite that, Fabregas remains a priority for new

Manager, David Moyes. The Spaniard would be open to a move to United should Barcelona accept the bid.

United’s current transfer record remains the £30.75m they paid Tottenham for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008. And despite new Barcelona Coach, Gerardo Martino, saying that a third bid for Fabregas - whatever its value - would be rejected, United still believe they can make the deal happen.

In his first press conference

since succeeding Tito Vilanova as coach, Martino said, “I’m not going to involve myself in the club’s accounts, but considering the club has already rejected two offers, I would guess it will reject a third. In other words, Fabregas will remain here.”

The Argentine’s stance was reiterated by the Barcelona vice-president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, who said, “it’s logical that we’ve had offers for Fabregas because he is a qual-

ity player, but he is not for sale.

Whatever offer United make, however big, we will say no.

Cesc Fabregas will stay a Barcelona player.

“That United shows interest in Cesc Fabregas is normal. He is a truly great player, it doesn’t annoy us. It gives us pride to have such a good player in our team that United want him because they are a great club, but whatever offer arrives from them we are not going to sell Cesc Fabregas.

“We are counting on him. I think Tata (Martino) was clear that he is counting on him as a player and Andoni Zubizarreta, the director of football, from the first day when we asked him about it, saying there was an offer, he replied ‘Cesc is not for sale’.

We are very happy with him.”

Were United to fail with their third bid, Moyes could turn to Everton’s Marouane Fellaini or Real Madrid’s Luka Modric.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

76 SPORTS

NSC, AFN trade blames over cancellation of athletes’ camping for World Championship

By Gowon Akpodonor HE Athletics Federation of T Nigeria (AFN) has told Team Nigeria’s brightest medal hope in Moscow 2013 IAAF World Championship, Blessing Okagbare to concentrate her energy on the task of getting a medal for the country at the Moscow 2013 14th IAAF World championships, which begins on August 10.

The advice came yesterday, just as AFN said that the National Sports Commission (NSC) is supporting its preparation for the Moscow 2013 IAAF World Athletics Championship.

Also, an official of NSC has exonerated the body of any

wrong doing in the alleged cancellation of the two weeks camping earlier planned for Nigerian athletes before the commencement of the World Championship in Moscow.

The Technical Director of AFN, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama told The Guardian in a telephone chat that the federation was in constant torch with Okagbare on her preparation and training programmes for the world championship, adding that the AFN had advised the athlete to limit her appearance in other events.

“It is good Okagbare took part in the diamond leagues because she has to be in good form for the world champi-

Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi (left) with AFN boss, Solomon Ogba

MOC commences media accreditation for Lagos International Table Tennis Classics HE Main Organising T Committee (MOC) of the first Lagos International Table Tennis Classics has commenced media accreditation for the tournament.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) approved championship will hold at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos from August 26 to 31.

According to the MOC, media practitioners willing to cover the tournament are expected to send their name, passport photograph and media to media@nttf.com.ng in order to facilitate the accreditation,

which closes on August 12.

The N6.5 million prize money championship, is the highest prize money tournament in Africa with winners in the men and singles events going home with N.8 million and N.6 million respectively, while all players that make it to the round of 16 will also get cash rewards for their efforts.

The championship is organised by the Main Organising Committee of Lagos International Sports Classics in collaboration with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), while players in the senior and junior categories, made up of 10 events, would play according to ITTF rules.

onship. Now, the Diamond League is on break because of the world championship and we have to let her know of the big task ahead. We have advised her to reserve her energy for the Moscow Games. She has done Nigeria proud and we are hoping that she will continue with that spirit when hostilities begin in Moscow,” Nesiama said.

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 at the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has said that the National Sports Commission (NSC) is supporting its preparation for the Moscow 2013 IAAF World Athletics Championship.

A statement by AFN Head of Communication and Media, Olukayode Thomas, said that the NSC is not only aiding the Federation financially, but also offering morally 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, even for the World Youth Championship, and other Championships, the Honourable Minister is ever willing to assist as soon as our file gets to his table. We therefore disassociate our Federation from reports insinuating that the NSC and the Minister is not supporting athletics,” Thomas said.

Speaking further, he said the AFN is getting full support from the NSC, for the Moscow 2013 championship and others saying: “In fact, for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Honourable Minister has started planning with us. He has secured a camp for our local athletes where we will do our build-up. He is also working on our overseas camp. All we need do is give him the financial implication of our preparation.’’.

Junior sensation, Agnes Onoja is one of the players expected to feature at the Lagos International Classics this month

Nigeria’s Gloria Asumnu (left) competes with Jamaica’s Campbell-Brown during the 100metres at the London 2012 Olympics

Registration for CCSF International Taekwondo Championship begins Aug. 7 HE registration of athletes T and teams for the second Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) International Taekwondo Championship begins on August 7.

According to Chief Executive Officer/ founder of CCSF, Chika Chukwumerije, the tournament holds on October 19 to 20 at Abuja Sheraton Hotel & Towers and it is expected to attract athletes within and outside the country.

“The CCSF International Taekwondo Opens aims to

bring together Nigeria and West Africa’s finest and developing athletes to showcase their skills, and vie for the honour of becoming the region’s best fighters. The inaugural edition was adjudged by participants and officials alike to be the best organized tournament in the history of Nigeria Taekwondo, and many benchmarks were in the course of hosting that edition,” the Team Nigeria captain to the 2012 London Olympics said.

He added, “the 2013 edition

promises to be even more interesting with exciting twists planned by organisers to add delightful surprises to both National and International participants eager for a repeat showing of the 2012 edition.”

Each athlete is expected to register with N5, 000, while the deadline for registration is September 20.

The first 200 athletes to register are entitled to CCSF Branded Taekwondo Uniforms, kicking pad and skipping rope

Anambra FA Cup: Neros explains delay in payment of winners’ prizes PONSORS of the Anambra SPharmaceuticals FA Cup, NEROS says it has not paid the winners in the 2013 edition of the competition because of issues that cropped up after the final game.

Reacting to a report in a national daily alleging that the firm has deliberately decided not to pay the winners of Anambra State FA Cup since the final of the competition on May 4, 2013 at NEROS Sports Stadium Nanka, the company’s Managing Director, Poly Emenike, said “it was a big shock to note the extent at which the write up was presented; it was never our intention to delay the payment till this moment.

“We usually gave the winners (first, second and third placed teams) their cheques at the match venues of the FA Cup Finals, but some issues cropped up that made us change the mode of payment.

“We now pay them through bank draft and the clubs’ account details are always sent to us by the State Football Association.”

He added, “as at now, I have not got the clubs’ account

details (names and officials of the clubs that are entitled with their prizes) to which their monies are meant to be paid in. Am I the one that should be running around requesting for the clubs’ account details?

“We have sponsored this competition for seven years now and on no year have we

delayed paying the lucky teams,” Emenike said.

Emenike, who spoke through his consultants, Scorecard Productions Limited, said the state FA could be engrossed in the organiscation of the Governor Peter Obi Unity Cup, hence the gap in communication.

Lobi Stars and Heartland players in action during the final of the 2012 Federation Cup in Lagos

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

SPORTS 77

Martins may consider Turkey transfer ANTAWAY Nigeria strikW er, Obafemi Martins, is open to meet officials from Turkish club Trabzonspor over a possible transfer.

Martins is needed by Trabzonspor to fortify their attack as they aim to shine in the forthcoming UEFA Europa League and so the Turkish club wish to meet with the Nigeria striker over a possible move.

According to Fanatik.com, the Nigeria striker is being considered as it seems Trabzonspor have missed out on Cote d’Ivoire star Salomon Kalou, who is wanted by EPL side West Ham

Martins

Enugu, P’Harcourt host ARS zonal championship HE championship play-off T matches of the Airtel Rising Stars (ARS), which kicked off last Thursday, will continue this week till tomorrow in Enugu and Port Harcourt.

The Enugu zonal matches will be decided at the University Stadium, UNEC, Enugu, while the Training Pitch of the Liberation Stadium will serve as the venue for the Port Harcourt zonal championship.

Aside determining the zonal champions, the play-offs double as qualifiers for the ARS national championship slated for Lagos from August 21 to 24th.

Already, Kaduna State male and female teams have booked their places in the Lagos National finals after seeing off challenges from teams from Sokoto, Zamfara, Jos, Kano, Jigawa and Plateau States during the Kaduna zonal championship decided inside the main bowl of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna last weekend.

The Airtel Rising Stars U-17 Tourney, in its third year running, is a pan-African initiative of Airtel Africa, designed to provide support for the development of football talents across African markets.

It is aimed at discovering tal-

ented students (male and female) of secondary school age and providing them the opportunity to polish their football skills and develop into soccer stars.

As part of the tournament, top teams from 17 African countries including Nigeria will compete against one another to determine the ARS African Champion, scheduled for Nigeria in September.

This will be followed by a weeklong football clinic with Arsenal FC of England for most outstanding male and female players discovered during the national championship.

Uyo 2013: Iquaibom tasks lifters on record RISBANE 82 B Commonwealth games silver medalist, Lawrence Iquaibom has charged the lifters competing in the on going Uyo 2013 national weightlifting champi-

onship to go for new national records.

Iquaibom said after two days of action he is not happy all the existing national records are still standing.

“I want to see records fall

A Nigerian lifter at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in China

here in Uyo. Agreed the performance here is encouraging, but I want to see new national records. I hope that will happen before the end of the championship on Friday,” were his words.

Iquaibom however blamed the lethagic showing of the lifters on the fact that they have not been competing regularly.

“This national championship is the first after Eko 2012. Most of the lifters went to sleep after the national sports festival since there are no championships. But with the new NWF board all that will change. Our lifters will now taste action regularly,” Iquaibom said.

Meanwhile action yesterday shifted to the male category with Edo and Plateau still showing class. Edo is now leading the medals chart with nine gold while Plateau has seven.

United.

Martins currently features for Seattle Sounders in the Major League Soccer (MLS) of the United States of America.

He has previously featured for Inter Milan (Italy), Newcastle United, Birmingham City (England), Wolfsburg), Rubin Kazan (Russia), as well as, Levante (Spain).

‘Obagoal’ will join up with former Chelsea stars, Flourant Mouluda and Jose Bosingwa at Trabzonspor, if this deal goes through.

Meanwhile, Turkish Super League club, Gaziantepspor are the latest club interested

in signing Nigeria international defender, Godfrey Oboabona.

Gaziantepspor are keen to fortify their defence before the new season kicks off and Oboabona is their number one target according to media reports in Turkey.

Oboabona is valued at a million Euros and recently turned down a trial at Arsenal. The Sunshine Stars captain, who has been a force in the heart of Eagles defence, is a subject of transfer speculations and has been linked to a rash of clubs in Ukraine, France, England and Germany.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

78 SPORTS

European Round-Off

Ramos endorses Real Madrid’s Bale pursuit Ramos has become Ser ERGIO the latest Real Madrid playto endorse the club’s move for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, declaring that the worldrecord fees being touted for the Premier League star are “not very expensive” considering his talent.

Los Blancos are stepping up their efforts for the 24-year-

old’s signature with the Welshman desperate for a move to the Spanish capital, though Spurs Chairman, Daniel Levy is reluctant to sell the club’s top player - even for a huge sum.

After Madrid and Spain team-mate, Iker Casillas backed the club to sign the PFA Player of the Year and

Young Player of the Year, Ramos also came out in support of a move, suggesting the club should always be looking for “great” players like Bale.

“The price of players is determined by the market.

He’s not very expensive from my point of view,” Ramos told reporters at a press conference.

The 27-year-old defender believes Madrid must prioritise securing the best young Spanish talent - the 39 million euro deal for Real Sociedad midfielder, Asier Illaramendi being a case in point - but says “great” play-

ers like Bale are always welcome. “It’s important that there are young, national players on this squad because a national core is very important,” he continued.

“But from there it’s wonderful to have great players. It’s a good philosophy and a good project.”

While there has been no official bid for Bale as of yet, Ramos insists the final decision will lie with the club’s hierarchy. “The President (Florentino Perez) and (Coach Carlo) Ancelotti will decide if he needs to come here.”

I feel cheated, Lewandowski reveals ANCHESTER United tar- saying it’s only about the M gets Robert transfer, but other things we Lewandowski says that he have discussed with managefeels ‘cheated’ by current club Borussia Dortmund.

The 24-year-old striker, who has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich this summer, is expected to stay for the final year of his contract at Borussia Dortmund.

But, speaking to Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, Lewandowski says he feels cheated by members of Dortmund’s management.

Lewandowski said, “if someone says something, he should keep his word. I’m not

ment and that has not materialised.

“It turns out that words spoken straight into my eyes were untrue. No matter how hard I will train and what I will do, the feeling that I’ve been cheated will still be there.

“Maybe that word is too much, so for now I will say I’m disappointed.”

Lewandowski featured in Dortmund’s German Super Cup win against Bayern Munich at the weekend.

Suarez understands Liverpool’s no sale stance, Rodgers insists IVERPOOL Manager, L Brendan Rodgers insists Luis Suarez understands why the club are not willing to listen to offers for the striker this summer.

It’s been reported that the Uruguay international is poised to hand in a formal transfer request in order to secure a move to Arsenal, who lodged a 42 million pounds bid for the forward on July 22.

But despite the speculation surrounding Suarez’s future, his Anfield boss believes the player is fully understanding of the club’s position – and even described the player as being “happy” with the situation.

“It’s a story that can keep running but for me there is no new news,” Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.

“Luis is happy. He totally understands the club’s point of view. He’s in a difficult position in terms of not being able to play because of his suspension - he will sit out the Bale

Six clubs can challenge Juventus for Serie A, Conte admits NTONIO Conte has stressed A that Juventus will face a challenge from six other clubs in the Serie A title race in 201213.

The Turin giant is looking to make it three in a row this season after back-to-back titles in the past two years, but Conte believes the growing potential of the likes of Fiorentina, Napoli and Lazio will pose a severe threat to the established elite in Italy.

“The values of clubs are changing and our rivals are all getting stronger. I think that it will be a very open Serie A campaign,” Conte was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport. “AC Milan and Inter have a lot of tradition, Napoli have spent a lot of money and have signed a great coach, while Fiorentina has legitimate hope as well. They do not only have Mario Gomez, but also have Giuseppe Rossi up front.

“Lazio have improved their squad again and Roma has done some great business with the sale of Marquinhos for that figure.”

Conte went on to stress that

Juventus is “ahead of schedule” as the club looks to establish itself as a major force on the continent.

“We are still catching up with the big European clubs, but we hope to reach them at some point,” he said. “We are already ahead of our own

Conte

schedule. When I came here, the plan was to win the Scudetto within three years.”

The successful coach also took the time to discuss new arrivals Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente and had nothing but praise for the attacking duo.

first six games and he will miss playing football.”

Suarez is currently four games into a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender, Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League clash on 21 April.

And while Rodgers suggests the time on the sidelines and the transfer speculation could have a detrimental impact on his player’s preparation for the season, he insists Suarez is remaining positive and is ready for the new season.

Lewandowski

Transfer Gossip OTTENHAM Chairman, Daniel Levy values Real Madrid tarTBale’s get Gareth Bale, 24, at a “staggering” £125m. future is in turmoil after it emerged the Welshman is

Barton keen to join Everton VERTON Manager, Roberto E Martinez has been approached over the possibility of signing Joey Barton by the QPR midfielder’s agent.

The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at Olympique de Marseille and has made no secret of his desire to leave QPR following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

A return to the south of France to rejoin Marseille on a permanent basis has been mooted in the media, but Willie McKay, Barton’s representative, has now revealed he would be keen on a move to Goodison Park.

According to McKay, Barton would take a pay cut to link up with the club he supported as a boy growing up on Merseyside.

“I spoke to Roberto to see if he would be interested in taking Joey,” McKay told the Daily Mail.

reluctant to risk his relationship with Tottenham fans by handing in a transfer request.

Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid’s sporting director, has told Tottenham to let Bale hold talks with them.

Tottenham will reluctantly agree to sell Bale to Real as long as Luka Modric is included in what would be a world-record transfer deal.

Levy hopes that his demands of £100m in cash for the club’s star player will be enough to ward off Real Madrid’s advances - particularly as the Spanish club still owe money on last summer’s purchase of Modric from Spurs.

Former Liverpool striker, Ian Rush, who had a failed spell at Juventus, believes Bale would be wise to stay at Spurs until he is 28.

Tottenham could stun north London rivals Arsenal by entering the race for Liverpool’s 26-year-old striker Luis Suarez, should Bale complete his move to Real Madrid.

Chelsea could take advantage of Real Madrid’s pursuit of Bale with a £20m offer for 26-year-old Germany midfielder Sami Khedira.

Arsenal will have to pay £55m if they still want Suarez after the striker dropped his pursuit of arbitration as a means of leaving for less.

Suarez has not requested Premier League intervention in his contract dispute with Liverpool, one week on from Arsenal’s club record bid of £40m plus £1 for the Uruguay international.

Tottenham target Roberto Soldado’s prospective move to White Hart Lane may not be as close to completion as first thought, with the 28-year-old striker keeping quiet over his future.

Queens Park Rangers midfielder, Joey Barton, 30, wants to play for his beloved Everton - and will take a 50% pay cut to make the move happen.

Liverpool face fierce competition from Borussia Dortmund for the signature of 23-year-old Rubin Kazan forward Salomon Rondon.

Everton are preparing a £15m offer for Wigan star James McCarthy even after being told the midfielder, 22, will not be allowed to leave for less than £20m.

Newcastle are intensifying their efforts to secure QPR striker, Loic Remy, 26, on a season-long loan deal after being deterred from a move for Lyon forward, Bafetimbi Gomis by the French club’s demands for a fee in excess of £6.9m for the 27-year-old.

West Ham are still in the market to sign Udinese forward Matej Vydra, 21, as they look to solve their striking problems.

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio plans to make Panathinaikos winger, Charis Mavrias, 19, his 10th summer signing.

Cardiff is bidding £8m for Tottenham defender Steven Caulker, 21.

Striker, Fernando Torres, 29, could be offered an exit from Chelsea after Valencia showed interest.

Former England Manager, Fabio Capello has warned that the Three Lions will never win the World Cup - because the players are always “running on empty” after a long season with no

SPORTS | 79

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, August 1, 2013

Okagbare won the 100m in London at the weekend

Okagbare, others to resume Diamond League battle after Moscow championship HE 2013 IAAF Diamond T League has reached a midseason break as the world’s best athletes prepare to compete at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow.

With just three meetings left in the series, there are still many events where the Diamond Race is wide open.

The Diamond Race has already been decided in seven disciplines so far – the men’s Triple Jump, women’s 400m, women’s 1500m, women’s 100m Hurdles, women’s 400m Hurdles, women’s Discus and women’s Javelin.

In the remaining 25 disciplines, however, it is still all to play for at the remaining meetings in Stockholm, Zurich and Brussels.

The closest contest is in the men’s 5000m where just two points separate Ethiopians Hagos Gebrhiwet and Yenew Alamirew. The Diamond Race

in that event will be decided at the final Diamond League meeting of the series in Brussels.

It’s similarly close in the men’s Pole Vault as just six points separate Renaud Lavillenie, Kostas Filippidis and Raphael Holzdeppe. With eight points on offer at the Diamond League final in Brussels, any one of those three athletes could realistically win.

The most wide-open event is the women’s 200m. Seven points separate the top 14 women in the Diamond Race for that discipline, so the final in Zurich could in theory see any one of those take the overall victory.

On the men’s side, the 110m Hurdles has 12 genuine contenders left in the Diamond Race. David Oliver currently leads with six points, closely followed by five other athletes

with four points each. There are two more meetings remaining in that discipline so the situation may become clearer after Stockholm.

There are several events where a victory in Stockholm could decide the Diamond Race. If Kirani James were to win the 400m in the Swedish capital, he would be crowned winner of the Diamond Race in his discipline. The same applies for Conseslus Kipruto in the 3000m Steeplechase, Aleksandr Menkov in the Long Jump, Francine Niyonsaba in the 800m and Caterine Ibarguen in the Triple Jump.

Other athletes, such as Ayanleh Souleiman in the 1500m and Ryan Whiting in the Shot, would secure the Diamond Race title with a win in Stockholm, provided some of their key rivals do not score any points.

Russia lists 119 athletes for Moscow Games IX of Russia’s nine reigning Sdefend World champions will their titles in front of a home crowd at the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow from 10-18 August.

In total, 119 athletes – 50 men and 69 women – from the host nation will compete in the Russian capital. Included in that figure are six athletes, who struck gold in Daegu two years ago – Yuliya Zaripova in the 3000m Steeplechase, Olga

Kaniskina in the 20km Race Walk, Mariya Abakumova in the Javelin, Anna Chicherova in the High Jump, Tatyana Lysenko in the Hammer and Mariya Savinova in the 800m.

Three of Russia’s reigning World champions – heptathlete Tatyana Chernova and race walkers Valeriy Borchin and Sergey Bakulin – will miss the World Championships.

Long jumpers, Aleksandr Menkov and Elena Sokolova

Stockholm announces World leader Oliver for IAAF Diamond league HE 2013 world season list T for the 110m Hurdles is currently topped by USA’s David Oliver. His focus now turns to the IAAF World Championships in Moscow – and then the DN Galan in Stockholm, the 12th leg of the IAAF Diamond League.

Oliver’s world-leading 13.03 came at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne, while his victory at last weekend’s Diamond League meeting in London moved him to the top of the standings in the Diamond Race in his event.

“I’m very much looking forward to competing in

Stockholm, which is one of my favourite cities,” said Oliver, who has competed in Stockholm on three previous occasions, finishing second each time. “I really hope to arrive in Stockholm after a successful World Championships.”

During this year’s outdoor season, Oliver has displayed consistency and has clocked 13.20 or quicker in his past six races.

Many of the world’s elite athletes will compete at this year’s DN Galan and as the event approaches, more top names will be announced.

guaranteed their places on the team after winning the 2012 Diamond Race in their events.

Aside from the defending champions and Diamond Race winners, there are several other medal hopes.

Olympic 400m Hurdles champion, Natalya Antyukh can never be discounted, nor can Pole Vault World recordholder, Yelena Isinbayeva.

Olympic 20km Race Walk champion and World recordholder, Elena Lashmanova will look to extend her winning streak by taking her first World title.

Two-time European indoor champion, Darya Klishina will contest the Long Jump, while European champion Sergey Shubenkov goes in the 110m Hurdles.

Olympic High Jump champion, Ivan Ukhov and Javelin world leader, Dmitri Tarabin carry some of Russia’s best chances of medals in the men’s field events.

Antonina Krivoshapka and Kseniya Ryzhova, the two Russian women, who have broken 50 seconds this year, have been named in the 400m. They are also part of a formidable 4x400m squad that also includes the likes of Tatyana Firova and Anastasiya Kapachinskaya.

‘

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Roberts Belema

ET’S face it, Nigeria is a country in distress.

We have been this way for a long time and we seem set to continue to toe the same path for a while still. There is evidence of our failure as a nation everywhere around us; utter and complete madness seems to have become the norm. Madness has become ubiquitous in Nigeria, in fact, we actively cultivate a culture of madness in our society – our leaders do it, and so do the rest of the citizenry. In Nigeria today, it is normal to have a mind that does not function after the normal fashion; madness is our ‘thing’ but unfortunately for us, our current, particular manifestation of it has incapacitated us so woefully that it seems as if our only hope of redemption is based on a benevolent God having mercy on us, as evidenced by the popularity of the vernacular refrain, ‘na only God go help Nigeria!’

Compared with other people from different parts of the world, it must be said, Nigerians are not ‘normal’ people by virtue of the fact that we have become renowned for doing the most uncommon of things, for performing the most extraordinary of feats, for advancing the weirdest and craziest of ideas, and yes, for somehow managing to survive and stay happy in the saddest and most depressing of circumstances.

Bafflement, amazement, astonishment, and befuddlement; these are only some of the words that may define the reactions of the rest of the ‘normal’ world to us as a people.

So, here’s a thought: Why not parlay our inherent ‘madness’ into a positive manifestation of success and progress for both ours and our nation’s benefit? Having a mind that does not think or function in the same conventional manner as other people’s minds does not necessarily have to be a bad thing, in fact, according to Aristotle, there is no great genius without a mixture of madness, and this mad writer is inclined to agree. A mad man may only appear so to others because they cannot see what he can or are unable to communicate at his level, but if they could suddenly see what he does see and were to become able to understand what he does say, he just might be hailed as a man with extraordinary foresight! A person needs a little madness, I believe, or else he may never dare to cut the rope that binds him and be free. I fervently wish that more Nigerians would discover the vast, untapped depths of the positive power of their inherent madness; too much of the negative side of it is currently far too evident in our nation, with devastating consequences.

The current unemployment and underemployment statistics in Nigeria are terribly depressing. Year after year, increasing masses of qualified graduates continue to languish in extreme hardship and frustration, growing disillusioned and bitter and blaming the government for their woes. I am not about to state here that they are wrong to do so – no, not at all! Blaming our imperfect government is the normal, conventional, rational thing to do. But in the midst of the prevalent rationality, one mad Nigerian man took stock of the situation and decided that one day soon, he would proudly bear the responsibility of employing one million Nigerians – that’s about 30,000 people in

The current unemployment and underemployment statistics in Nigeria are terribly depressing. Year after year, increasing masses of qualified graduates continue to languish in extreme hardship and frustration, growing disillusioned and bitter and blaming the government for their woes

L

‘

Compared with other people from different parts of the world, it must be said, Nigerians are not ‘normal’ people by virtue of the fact that we have become renowned for doing the most uncommon of things, for performing the most extraordinary of feats, for advancing the weirdest and craziest of ideas, and yes, for somehow managing to survive and stay happy in the saddest and most depressing of circumstances. Bafflement, amazement, astonishment, and befuddlement; these are only some of the words that may define the reactions of the rest of the ‘normal’ world to us as a people

’

Please send reactions and feedback for YOUTH SPEAK to:

editorial@risenetworks.org and 07067976667- SMS ONLY

Wanted: A crazy man here, a crazy man there!

each state of the Federation – and right now, he’s running six thriving, vibrant, growing and profitable businesses in Nigeria and responsible for signing the pay checks of an increasing number of employees, and certainly well on his way to achieving his mad dream. So this mad man saw a desperate situation, decided to solve it, tied it to his dream and is now currently successfully turning around a desperate situation while the rest of the rational and normal people continue to be dejected and rail at their government.

This mad man’s name is George Agbonlahor, and he is just 29 years old, in the same age range of most of the rest of the rational people.

So, you see, the capacity for the positive manifestation of a different kind of madness comes naturally to us as Nigerians if only we are able to provoke this madness into evidence in ourselves. And if the current state of the country and our projected, continuous downhill slide is not enough to provoke us as a people to break out of the conventional, dejected and

fatalistic acceptance of a dismal present, and to embrace a different kind of madness, then we may as well just give up now; let the world end and we with it!

Suppose another mad man like George decided to create a unique and incredibly innovative and affordable power supply solution that would enable consumers to effectively, and if I may add, happily reduce their dependence on the nation’s utility provider and also greatly reduce their expenses on the purchase of electricity generators and petrochemical fuel? I was pained by the general derisive reactions of a lot of Nigerians when the news broke a few months ago that some Nigerian teenagers had invented a urinepowered electricity generator. History is full of accounts of impossible feats becoming possible only because one ‘mad’ man decided to challenge the status quo! If some mad people came up with such a power supply solution as described in the foregoing, let’s see if the powers that be will not suddenly find themselves under immense pressure to fix up the country’s

The YOUTHSPEAK Column which is published daily is an initiative of THE GUARDIAN, and powered by RISE NETWORKS, Nigeria’s Leading Youth Development Centre, as a substantial advocacy platform available for ALL Nigerian Youth to engage Leadership at all levels, engage Society and contribute to National Discourse on diverse issues especially those that are peculiar to Nigeria. Regarding submission of articles, we welcome writers‘ contributions by way of well crafted, analytical and thought provoking opinion pieces that are concise, topical and non-defamatory! All articles (which are not expected to be more than 2000 words) should be sent to editorial@risenetworks.org To read the online Version of this same article plus past publications and to find out more about Youth Speak, please visit www.risenetworks.org/youthspeak and join the ongoing National Conversations’’.

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Thursday, August 1, 2013

ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

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moribund power sector or risk it becoming obsolete and useless to the citizens!

Suppose, as mad Nigerians, as mad youths, we decided to collectively identify, support and then go out and vote en masse, come 2015, for credible individuals with demonstrated integrity, and also to jealously guard our votes at the polling stations to ensure that we are not disenfranchised?

Let’s see if the quality of our leadership will not change.

Suppose our music artistes decided to plumb their reservoirs of positive unconventionality and actually begin to release music videos that can pass for something other than pornographic? Let’s see if a lot of impressionable, young Nigerians will not begin to have adjusted views and impressions about what success entails.

I believe I have made my point. Nigerians are a naturally unconventional people and we can make it work positively for us. If we are ever to move forward as a nation, away from our present distressing position, a different kind of madness is desperately needed to be evinced by as many of us as possible.

This is my challenge to the readers, especially to all young Nigerians: dare to think positively and break out from the fatalistic acceptance of stagnancy, unending hardship, and retrogression that has laid siege to our minds! We are continually apprised of accounts of young men and women outside Nigeria who accomplish extraordinary – yes, mad – things, and who also gain extraordinary influence and go on to make massive impact in their endeavours. Why then should our own ‘madness’ manifest itself in such an egregious fashion as is prevalent in our country today?

Like our parents have taught us to say and still always ask us, ‘do they have two heads?’

• Belema is an electrical/electronics engineer, in Mowe, Ogun State.