Thursday 21 Nov 2013 by The Guardian Newspaper

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Vol. 30, No. 12,747

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Observers, others adjudge Anambra poll free, fair • Urge voters to participate in fresh exercise • APC, rights group decry detention of monitors From Kodilinye Obiagwu and Uzoma Nzeagwu (Awka), Seye Olumide (Lagos) and Abosede Musari (Abuja) TAKEHOLDERS yesterday Sgovernorship adjudged last Saturday’s election in Anambra State free and fair, just as they urged voters to participate in the forthcomCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Muazu is new NPC boss, Ewa-Henshaw heads NDDC - Page 5

Alleged Boko Haram members, Assistant Lecturer in Arabic and Islamic Studies, Kogi State University, Muhammed Yunus (spiritual leader and recruitment co-ordinator) (left); Umar Musa (head of operations); Mustapha Yusuf (armourer/chief courier); Ismaila Abdulazeez (foot soldier) and Ibrahim Isah (another foot soldier), as paraded by the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

Protesting students allege recruitment of unqualified teachers by Adamawa Poly - Page 5

Anxiety over failure of Nigeria’s neighbours to back anti-terror fight IGERIA’S fight against terN rorism is apparently being made difficult by the

• CAN alleges fresh killing of Christians in North by terrorists • Govt takes suspected attacker of Deeper Life Church to court • Ihejirika seeks more arms for battle against insurgents • SSS parades Boko Haram’s leader with Ph.D

failure of the country’s neighbours to actively support the campaign, The Guardian has learnt. Despite existing collaboration by Niger, Chad, Cameroun and Benin Republic for security in areas such as joint border patrols, an alleged absence of other clear-cut measures by these countries to help Nigeria win its anti-ter-

ror war has become worrisome. The development is more alarming because intelligence reports continue to identify Nigeria’s neighbours as places harbouring cells linked with distant terrorist organisations that engage in operations. trans-national And from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) came

From Oghogho Obayuwana, Lemmy Ughegbe, Nkechi Onyedika, Karls Tsokar (Abuja) and Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri)

the warning yesterday that the killing of its members in the North by Boko Haram was continuing despite the emergency rule. In a statement at the end of a special meeting, CAN listed new killings to include those involving eight victims in Ngoshe Village in Gwoza Local Council of Borno State on November 3, and during a mid-

night invasion of a Christiandominated village in Gwoza Local Council where two Christians were killed and three others abducted. CAN also alleged that more than 100 houses were burnt by the attackers. The statement by the President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and the General Secretary, Dr Musa Asake, read in part: “On the 3rd of this

month about 8.00 p.m., Boko Haram members attacked Ngoshe Village in Gwoza Local Council of Borno State and killed eight Christians: Baba Ayuba, Baba Bitrus and Baba Isa Biyabra, the security guard and four others whose names we are yet to get. “They burnt 11 houses owned by the Christians and three churches: EYN Church, Deeper

Life Bible Church and the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). We were informed that when the Christian community sought to meet the state governor on this issue, he said: ‘He does not have the time to see them until February next year.’” The association urged the Federal Government to take decisive measures to protect the lives and property of the people, particularly the Christians living in Borno and Yobe states and appealed to them to uphold the indivisibility of Nigeria even in the face of provocations. As part of its determination to check terrorism, the Federal CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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NEWS Thursday, November 21, 2013

APC, rights group decry detention of monitors CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ing supplementary poll. In the same vein, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, expressed satisfaction with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to hold supplementary election. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Network for Power Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN) have described as totally inexplicable and unjustifiable the continued detention of the 182 election observers who were illegally arrested in Imo State two days before last the governorship election in Anambra, even after INEC has publicly said they were duly certified poll monitors. Also, the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) has revealed some of the challenges faced by INEC) in the conduct of the election which so far, has been declared inconclusive. A coalition of observers under the aegis of INEC Accredited Organisations, Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) women’s wing and

the traditional ruler of Awka, Eze Uzu, Obi Gibson Nwosu, yesterday declared that the process of the election complied with internationally-ac-

cepted standards and best practices. Addressing reporters in Awka, spokesman of the coalition of INEC Accredited Organisa-

tions, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu of the Independent Domestic Election Observers, commended INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for conducting

‘one of the freest and fairest elections’ in the history of Nigeria, adding that his committed members of staff also were determined to make a

positive difference in the electoral process. Others at the briefing were AlCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Minister of State for Works, Bashir Yuguda (middle); Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), John Isemede (left) and President, Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Emeka Unachukwu, during the Nigerian-Belgian Trade and Investment Forum in Brussels, Belgium.

Ihejirika seeks more arms for battle against insurgents CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Government yesterday preferred charges against a suspected Boko Haram member, Abdulmannan Obadiki, for his alleged complicity in the attack against Deeper Life Church in Okene, Kogi State, last year. About 20 worshippers were shot dead during the midnight attack as gunmen stormed the church where the people were holding a vigil. In a six-count charge filed against him by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Obadiki is accused of engaging in terrorism and illegal possession of fire-arms. He allegedly committed the offences in collaboration with some others, said to be at large now. Obadiki, who was clad in a native outfit, was brought before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, by security operatives. But his arraignment was stalled because he had no lawyer to represent him. Justice Kolawole adjourned to December 12 for his arraignment. Yesterday too, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, stressed the need for troops of the Seventh Division of Nigerian Army in Borno State to get more weapons to fight insurgents. He told the soldiers during his routine operational visit that the Army had recorded some achievements in securing life and property from terrorists. But he stressed the challenge of replacing “military arms and hardware” lost to the insurgents in the last six months. The army chief noted that until this challenge was overcome, the war against terrorists in the country might not be won. Besides, a 44-year-old lecturer of Kogi State University (KSU), who holds a Ph.D in Arabic and Islamic Studies, Mohammed Nazeef Yunus, was alleged to be a spiritual leader and recruitment co-ordinator of Boko Haram.

He was paraded yesterday in Abuja by the State Security Service (SSS) along with four others, who the spokesperson of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar said, “were plotting to launch a violent attack on Igalaland.” According to Ogar, upon arresting Yunus, he confessed to have held preaching sessions in Ayingba and Dekina, where he had 120 and 80 respectively. Umar Musa, 37, was said to be the head of operations. He confessed to being a Boko Haram’s member with a degree in Islamic Studies. He said that he was a former teacher with the Kogi State Teaching Service Board and that he “joined the group accidentally, when a friend offered him a job as an alternative to his joblessness after he was unceremoniously sacked from the teaching service board.” He accepted and was paid N50,000.00 monthly. Twenty-one-year-old Mustapha Yusuf (a.k.a. Habib) confessed that he was the armour carrier of the group for the state. He said that he was trained at Sambisa camp in Maiduguri on the instructions of Yunus who directed Musa to take him there. Upon their return after the military invasion of the camp, they held several meetings at Asta Filling Station in Ayingba, during which the co-ordinator handed him two AK 47 riffles with 30 rounds of live ammunition for safekeeping. The two alleged foot soldiers, Ismaila Abdullazeez and Ibrahim Isah (alias One in Town), both hail from Olamaboro Local Council in Kogi State. While the former said he was indoctrinated by the latter, Isah said Yunus taught him the “workings of the Sharia system and its superiority to secular government, and how to exploit jihad and install it in Kogi State.” They were arrested in Zuba Mosque, near Abuja on their way to Maiduguri for training on “acts to propagate Islam.” Isah said “he was taught that if he died in the course of the holy war, he would enter para-

dise.” But according to Yunus, the Islamic religion does not allow the shedding of blood and he is not involved in any activity that is contrary to the teachings of his belief. The suspect said: “It is a setup. I believe it is a setup by Boko Haram because I preach against them a lot.” He said that the Chief Imam of Kogi State Polytechnic was the one that alerted him to the involvement of Musa in the group, when he sought to know his whereabouts, having not seen him for a while. While shedding tears, the scholar said he was wellknown in Jos for his teaching against Boko Haram and that he had tones of tapes to prove his claims. Though he was alleged to have facilitated the training of some of his adherents, he denied that he did not know them prior to the time of his arrest. Ogar said that an investigation into the matter continued and that this particular group had followership in Kogi State that must be arrested. She enjoined the co-operation of the public in the investigation. Since the terror waves hit Nigeria over three years ago, the Federal Government has reached a level of understanding with its development partners like the United States (U.S.), European Union (EU) and most recently the state of Israel, to step up the war against insurgency. But diplomatic watchers now fear that Nigeria’s neighbours are yet to fully support the anti-terror fight. About 3,000 people have been killed by insurgents, including Boko Haram in Nigeria since 2009. There is the fear that the sustained pattern of killing of foreign hostages by insurgents might put a strain on the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and certain Western countries. Nigeria has long, poorly demarcated and porous borders with its immediate neighbours: Benin Republic (773 kilometres), Niger Republic

(1,500 kilometres), Chad (87,000 kilometres), and Cameroun (1,700 kilometres). Well-established ethnic and religious affinities between Nigeria and these neighbours tend to make the war on terror even more difficult, as nondescript nationalities who claim to be Nigerian citizens, move back and forth along these common international frontiers freely. Following the renewed interest in neighbourhood diplomacy in Nigeria’s foreign policy drive, The Guardian since August this year sent an official inquiry to the embassies of Cameroun, Niger, Chad, and Benin seeking updates on progress (if any) regarding the collaboration that Nigeria is supposed to have with their countries on security. Specifically, the questionnaire sought information on the outcomes of the various joint border security arrangements by the countries and Nigeria “in view of current security threats as well as the external links to terrorism in Nigeria.” But none of the missions responded to the dispatched posers despite acknowledgements and reminders, thereby leaving room for anxiety as to how seriously the claim of collaboration with Nigeria in the anti-terror war is taken. In September 2011, The Guardian had exclusively reported that authorities in Nigeria needed to step up its campaign against terrorist organisations. It was the conclusion then that there was the need to look more critically at the countries lying on the northern belt of Nigeria. Over the months, findings have now shown that Nigeria needs to be a central element, not an outlier in efforts to improve security beyond its northern fringe, the Sahel, even though before the latest findings, the link between Boko Haram in Nigeria and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) as well as the Al Shahab in the Arabian peninsula and Somalia had been established since 2011 when Al-Qaeda publicly identified Boko Haram as an organisa-

tion it could do business with. At his meeting last month with the Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, President Goodluck Jonathan again sought the assistance of Israel in the ongoing war against terrorism and insurgency, a phenomenon shared by both countries. He said among others: “Combating the menace of terrorism is a challenge that we must address in partnership with all peace-loving countries and peoples of the world. “I seek the co-operation of your country to confront the security threat from terrorist groups that my country is now facing. There is no doubt that Israel has had decades of experience in combating terrorism. Nigeria can benefit tremendously from your experience in this area.” On what the country should be doing with its immediate neighbours in the fight against terrorism, a former Nigerian envoy to Venezuela, Ambassador Ayo Adeniran, told The Guardian: “It is good that the Federal Government has not hesitated to go into partnership with countries that are believed to add appreciable value to its programmes in diverse areas such as investment, infrastructure, and above all, in its war on terror... But given the porous nature of our inherited colonial borders, there is today the need for closer co-operation, beyond our immediate neighbours, among the 15 ECOWAS states on the war both for deterrence sake and also for the security insulation of Nigeria as the war rages.” Adeniran, who is now with the National Defence College, also called for the “operationalisation of the relevant instruments for security co-operation with our immediate neighbours. Happily, it has already started with the MoUs, but for the desired impacts to happen, it goes beyond signed documents.” International relations expert, Dr. Nwangu Okeimiri, also told The Guardian in this

regard that a periodic review of the effectiveness of the joint security arrangement by Nigeria and her neighbours had become imperative in view of the alleged presence of moles within the security apparatus of both Nigeria and the neighbours in question. He said: “There is the need for a periodic review of the collaborative instruments. Only such diligently carried out reviews could enhance border security and checks in preventing transnational crimes such as human and drug trafficking apart from the proliferation of small arms and light weapons... It must be emphasised now that it is in line with unavoidable reality that our security agencies must continue to seek strategic partnerships with our sub-regional neighbours in West Africa. This will discourage or make it difficult for terrorists to use their territories as launch pads for attacks on Nigeria or retreat to after launching terrorist attacks,” he added. Among Nigeria’s four immediate neighbours, Niger has the longest border stretch. Nigeria and Niger have a joint commission for economic cooperation as well as co-operation on security. At the end of the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission meeting which held in Abuja last week, the Secretary-General of Co-operation Establishment, Ambassador Abubakar Abdlujalil-Sulaiman, appealed to the authorities in both countries to develop the political will to drive the collaboration further. He disclosed that the secretariat of the commission had in compliance with the decisions of the sixth summit of the high authority last year in Niamey, put forward some administrative proposals expected to help reinvigorate the joint body as well as “help her build the much-needed capacity to face new challenges of the 21st century, especially in the areas of insecurity and climate change.”

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

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NEWS Thursday, November 21, 2013

Two jailed for defrauding bank By Bertram Nwannekanma N Ikeja High Court, Lagos A yesterday sentenced two fraudsters to nine years im-

Wife of Deputy Senate President, Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu (left); Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Thailand, Chukwudi Okafor and Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, during the unveiling of the Nigerian Pavillion at the ITU World holding at the Impact Centre, Bangkok.

Court adjourns ex-gov’s N11. 5b alleged fraud case From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan N Ibadan high court yesA terday adjourned hearing in the N11.5 billion fraud case involving former Oyo State Governor, Adebayo AlaoAkala, his erstwhile Commissioner for Local Government, Senator Hosea Agboola and Femi Babalola pending the determination of appeal filed by the accused persons at the appellate court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had dragged the trio to court over allegations of conspiracy, illegal award of contracts, obtaining money by false pretence and acquiring property with money derived from illegal act. At the court sitting yesterday, Justice Bayo Taiwo adjourned the case when Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) counsel to Alao-Akala and Olufemi Ba-

balola told the court that no decision has been taken by the Appeal Court on the matter. Fagbemi urged the court to wait for the final determination of the suit before proceeding on other matters. Agboola’s counsel, Mr. Richard Ogunwole (SAN) also aligned himself with the submission of Fagbemi. The accused persons had brought an application before the court seeking to quash the

charges preferred against them by the anti-graft agency. But the trial justice, Justice Akintunde Boade dismissed the application and held that the trio has a case to answer. The re-assignment of the case to Justice Taiwo was necessitated by the retirement of Boade on February 21. Taiwo had granted a temporary bail to Alao-Akala, Agboola and Babalola.

prisonment each, for defrauding Guaranty Trust Bank of $27, 000 (N4. 32 million. The convicts, namely, Adekunle Adetowubo and Olugbenga Adetayo were jailed by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo after they pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The duo had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge during their arraignment on June 14, 2011 and were remanded at Ikoyi Prison, Lagos. But yesterday, they changed their pleas prompting their conviction and subsequent sentence. In his verdict, Justice Onigbanjo sentenced the convicts

Media merit award holds in Ekiti Dec 6 By Gbenga Salau HE 2013 edition of the NigerT ian Media Merit Award (NMMA) will hold on December 6 and 8 in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, with Governor Kayode Fayemi as chief host. A statement yesterday by the NMMA General Administrator, Mr. Olusoga Basola, said that of the 54 categories, six would not be awarded, as entries did not score up to the 70 per cent benchmark. Accord-

Observers urge voters to participate in fresh exercise CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 haji Ali Abacha (Voter Awareness Initiative); Nweke Fidelis (Centre LSD); Emeh Friday Eleogo (Transparency Centre Network); Freed Madubike (Reclaim Naija) and Serah Onele (Justice and Equity). The group said among other things that “the election was hitch-free and that there were no incidences of violence recorded,… there were no instance of voter apathy.” Even though they also noted that “elections commenced relatively late due to logistic problems in terms of distribution and arrival of materials, they said that they were in support of holding supplementary polls in the state. The group also appealed to aggrieved candidates to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship as election was not a do-or-die affair, stressing that in every election, a winner must emerge. Also speaking in his palace, Obi Gibson Nwosu, while giving the governorship poll a pass mark, said: “I have never come across any one election that was so peaceful and well organised. “From reports received from my daughter whom I sent to observe events at the polling unit where I voted, there was no violence. If what happened in my ward is to be taken as a cue, the election was peaceful and security agents did their

work well. The President of ASATU women wing, Dr. Chinelo Okechukwu, said the voting pattern and the results declared so far reflected the wishes of the people in Anambra State, especially in Onitsha area where she cast her vote. She cautioned those calling for the total cancellation of the results to be reasonable and join hands to work for progress in the state. Umeh, who was the party’s agent in the election, said shortly after INEC’s announcement that his party has no reason to worry about the development. According to him, the supplementary election will further boost APGA’s victory. He said: “APGA is the only party that has the numbers. Where will they get the votes to upset our lead? We have the spread in the local councils and we have the votes. Neither the first runner up nor the third candidate has the spread. In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party expressed shock at the brazen contempt of court displayed by the police when the observers were brought before a Magistrate on Monday. It said even though the charges of conspiracy to commit misdemeanor, unlawful

assembly and conduct likely to breach peace were bailable, the police acted in such an irresponsible, unlawful and contemptuous manner just to ensure the suspects were not granted bail. ‘’Having brought the alleged suspects before a magistrate, one would have expected that the Imo police command will allow the judicial process to follow its due course. Rather, men and officers of the police command acted in a manner that tainted the entire Nigeria police and called to question their motive for arresting the innocent observers in the first instance. ‘’Just before the case was called, the police suddenly seized and took away some of the suspects. When this came to the knowledge of the lawyers representing the observers, they raised it with the presiding magistrates, who ruled that the court will stand the matter down for two hours so that the remaining suspects could be produced before the court. ‘’Shockingly, the Officer in Charge (Legal) - acting on ‘orders from above’ - brought out his gun and ordered equally gun-wielding men to forcefully return all the accused to the police cell, and right in the presence of the presiding magistrate and other lawyers, the suspects were taken away and were never returned, forcing the magistrate to adjourn

the case to December 6.” The party called on the police hierarchy, if it has any honour left, to sanction the officer and men involved in the contempt of court and perversion of justice, to serve as a warning to other policemen who are bent on turning Nigeria to a Banana Republic. Addressing a press conference in Lagos yesterday, the Programme/Advocacy Co-ordinator, NOPRIN, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, flayed the police for increasing partisanship and lawlessness in election, which he said, was a threat to Nigeria democracy. Chairman of IPAC, Tanko Yunusa, said in an interview in Abuja yesterday that many people could not vote because an electoral officer went away with the result sheet and did not return on time. Another cause of the problem, according to Tanko, was the mistake made in sharing voters’ forms among the polling stations. Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Peter Obi on Media and Publicity, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, has called on the people of Anambra State to remain calm over what he called the stage-managed protest against the November 16 election. Obienyem said that investigations showed that those who protested, especially women that pretended to be

to three years imprisonment on each count, which is to run concurrently beginning from June 14, 2011. According to the judge, the convicts had shown remorse for their actions and had repaid about $7,000 as restitution to the bank during the period of their incarceration. Onigbanjo further directed them to repay the balance of $20, 000 within a year of their release from prison custody, upon the completion of their sentences. The EFCC counsel, Mr. Kayode Oni, had during their arraignment said the accused persons committed the offences on May 13, 2010 at Apapa, Lagos. Oni said they had conspired with one Uche (now at large) to steal the amount from Apapa branch of Guaranty Trust Bank through an account number 204170869210. The offences, he said contravened Sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

crying, were imported from Osun State in five chartered luxury buses. “Ngige and his group wanted protest at all costs, but when our people, who already know him for what he is refused, they had to go to Osun State,” Obienyem stated. “Even yesterday, they imported some boys from Imo State to protest as students. The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, who has taken the university to great heights, Prof. Boniface Egboka, was alarmed. When contacted on phone, he had to rush down to that school for investigations. Having discovered that those involved were not his students, he said, ‘please beware of those evil men who lost. I’ve checked with all my relevant officials; the story of UNIZIK Students is fallacious! We have our respects, belief and integrity, more so, students are not in the school right now.’ “On further investigations and interrogation of the boys, they confessed that APC people paid them N1,500 each and chartered the buses that conveyed them from Imo State to Anambra.” Insisting that the November 16 election was one of the best in Nigeria, Obienyem wondered that while “the Igbo and all men of goodwill commend the election, only Ngige and his APC people are against it.”

ing to him, there were 952 entries from 632 entrants. One of the events slated for the award, he said, is a tour of Ekiti senatorial districts by media practitioners to witness and report the success and progress of development projects there, and the special night of tribute dedicated to late media practitioners and veterans. He stated further that this year’s special night would be in honour of the immediate past chairman of NMMA Board of Trustees, the late Alhaji Alade Odunewu. For him, the event will be the peak of all events, as it will have the crème de la crème of the media industry, government and chief executives of private and public organisations.

Court urged to sanction BPP over absence of council By Bertram Nwannekanma HERE are indications that T the current effort towards implementation of the national budget may face some hiccups as the court has been urged to declare the activities and operations of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) illegal. In the suit filed before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja by a lawyer, Yunus Abu, the plaintiff wants BPP’s operations to be declared illegal because of lack of a superintendent body, the National Council on Public Procurement since 2007. Named as defendants in the suit are President Goodluck Jonathan, Bureau of Public Procurement, Director General, Emeka Ezeh and the Attorney General of the Federation. According to an originating summons issued by the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Anthony Malik, the plaintiff, contended that the appointment of the Director General of BPP and other principal officers without the recommendation of the council as mandated by the Public Procurement Act 2007 is illegal, null and void.

Thursday, November 21, 2013 NEWS 5

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Plateau council poll to hold Jan. 2014

Lagos PDP blames Fashola, contractor for road accident

From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos

• Two die in Ondo mishap

HE Plateau State T Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has rescheduled January 30, 2014, for the conduct of fresh elections into local councils. The electoral commission’s Chairman, Mr. Peter Dalyop, stated this yesterday at a press briefing in Jos. According to him, “the Commission is happy to inform all and sundry that after due consultations with all stakeholders, we have fixed the local council elections in the state to hold on Thursday, January 30, 2014.” Dalyop further said that five political parties would be contesting in the forthcoming elections. The poll was initially slated for December 21 but was frowned at by both the stakeholders and religious leaders, who said fixing the election near Christmas would disrupt their preparations for the festival and the New Year. The PLASIEC, after due consultations with government and other interested parties, agreed with the political parties and the public to change the date.

From Niyi Bell (Akure) and Seye Olumide (Lagos) OLLOWING the killing of FIkota, five pupils in an accident at along the Lekki/Epe

Former Chief Medical Director (CMD), University College Hospital (UCH), Prof. Jide Ajayi (left); the CMD, Prof. Temitope Alonge; member, Board of Directors, Mrs. Laila Buhari and Emeritus Prof. Oladipo Ogunlesi, at the inauguration Ogunlesi Multi Purpose Hall to mark 56th year anniversary of UCH, Orita Mefa, Ibadan…yesterday PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

Protesting students allege recruitment of unqualified teachers by Adamawa Poly From Emmanuel Ande, Yola ROTESTING students of the Adamawa State Polytechnic, Yola, have called on the Minister of Education to probe the qualifications of the lecturers in the institution, alleging that unqualified persons were recruited to handled courses that are outside their areas of study. Some of the protesting students, who spoke with The Guardian on condition of anonymity yesterday in Yola, alleged that the institution last week hired some lecturers from other higher institutions and presented them as heads of departments during the visit of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) officials who were in the school to assess some departments for accreditation. They pointed out that the School of Agricultural Engineering is headed by an HND holder for years but that during the accreditation visit, a lecturer from Abubakar

Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi (ATBU) was drafted as the head of the department and that some staff were drafted from the Ministry of Lands and Survey to man some departments, which were selected to be visited by the NBTE officials. The students, who lamented that some of their lecturers

found it difficult to communicate with students in a language they understood, urged the Federal Government to set up a committee to investigate how such lecturers were employed. “We cannot continue to keep quiet when our future, which is built on quality education, is being murdered by some

selfish individuals because of religious or tribal sentiments. We are not against anybody; we are only fighting for our rights,” one of the protesting students said. When journalists contacted the Rector, Prof. Bobboi Umar, to comment on the allegations, he declined, saying “my visitors (NBTE officials) are still around, so we cannot com-

ment on that issue now”. The polytechnic has been in crisis for several years over non-payment of some selected lecturers and recruitments of teachers that are alleged to be unqualified to lecture in higher institutions. The management has also been accused of discrimination on religious and tribal sentiments.

Expressway, Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Babatunde Fashola and the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) of negligence and criminal breach of the road contract. Meanwhile, an accident at a particularly notorious section of Akure-Ilesha road in the Ondo State capital yesterday claimed two lives when a truck lost control and rammed into an on-coming taxi. The accident occurred two days after the Federal Government, through the Minister of Works, Mike Onolomemen, kicked off the reconstruction of the road that had taken scores of lives through mishaps. Blaming Fashola and the construction company, PDP reaffirmed that the original contract on the road, now under ‘buy back’, remains a monumental fraud in this administration. In a statement by the state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Taofik Gani yesterday, the party said several fatal accidents on the road may have been prevented if the contract agreement was dutifully monitored by the government. According to him, “Such accident preventive measure is the provision of pedestrian bridges on the road. This provision has been breached by the concessionaires company and now, the road users are dying innocently.”

Summit on local content ends, militants block Bayelsa road From Collins Olayinka, Yenagoa HE capability of the amnesty programme ending restiveness in the Niger Delta region has again been thrown into doubt as militants yesterday blocked the only access road linking Port Harcourt in Rivers State to Bayelsa and Delta states. The Guardian gathered that the angry militants may have seized the opportunity offered by the Practical Nigerian Content conference

organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to show their discontent. The militants barricaded the road at about 2pm yesterday to coincide with the time conference participants would be departing Yenagoa to Port Harcourt to board flights back to their respective destinations. There have indeed been some misgivings by some sections of the Niger Delta region concerning the impact of the

amnesty programme and how it has been allegedly hijacked to satisfy interests outside of the common good. The militants’ activities were unhindered by both the military and police personnel who looked on unconcerned even as commuters groaned for hours. It was learnt that the unfortunate incident may force the organisers of the conference to shift it to Port Harcourt next year, just as the Bayelsa State government offered

assistance towards the hosting of the annual event. The maiden edition of the conference was held in Port Harcourt owing to the restiveness in Bayelsa at the time. Most of the conference participants could not travel out of Yenagoa though the confab ended yesterday afternoon. Speaking at the confab Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, called for the development of what he termed “sub-Nigerian local content” where the indigenes

of oil-producing states or communities will specially be empowered not only to gain employment but also to be open to opportunities offered by the oil and gas industry. It was gathered that the blockage of the road at Mbiama shortly before the boundary between Bayelsa and Rivers states was caused by the alleged imposition of a certain candidate as the President of Ijaw National Council by Dickson.

Muazu is new NPC boss, Ewa-Henshaw heads NDDC From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja), Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu (Benin City) and Ann Godwin (Port Harcourt) RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has appointed former Bauchi State governor, Ahmadu Adamu Muazu, as chairman of the National Pensions Commission (NPC). He has also appointed Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw and Bassey Dan-Abia (AkwaIbom) as chairman and managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) respectively. The development came as the House of Representatives AdHoc Committee on the NDDC cleared the acting Managing Director, Dr. Christie Atako, of

• Senate clears Atako of contract scam • Group petitions Jonathan over Edo nominee alleged fraud in award of contracts. In four separate letters read to senators at the commencement of Senate session yesterday by its President, David Mark, Jonathan also asked the Upper Legislative Chamber to confirm former Edo State governor, Prof. Osarheimen Osunbor, as chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission just as he asked that M’fon Akpan be confirmed as the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The President also nominated four other persons to serve as

full-time commissioners in the National Pensions Commission. They are Chinelo Anohu-Amazu (South-East), Omotowa Reuben Gilbert (NorthCentral), Mohammed Ka’oje Abubakar (North-West) and Adesojo Olaoba-Efuntayo (South-West). He also nominated Itotenaan Henry Ogiri (Rivers State) to be confirmed as executive director (Finance and Administration) in the NDDC, just as Tuoyo Omatsulu (Delta State) was nominated to serve as executive director in charge

of projects. Eleven other persons were nominated as states’ representatives. A group, under the aegis of NDDC contractors’ association based in Niger Delta, had last week petitioned President Jonathan, the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the House of Representatives over alleged award of billions of naira contracts by the acting managing director to her family’s company, among others. Chairman of the committee, Mutu Nicholas, said in Port Harcourt yesterday that its preliminary investigation shows no truth in the allegation, adding that the “petitioner is

faceless and the petition is senseless. We want to appeal to the acting MD to continue with the good works she is doing in the commission”. The Deputy Chairman of the committee, Mohammed Garba, said since there is no group with the name NDDC contractors’ association, then “the petition is baseless and the issues raised are misleading.” Atako said the petition was a deliberate attempt to blackmail her and drag her name in the mud. Meanwhile, there is crisis in Edo South Senatorial District over a nominee, Peter Enogieru, from the senator representing the zone, Ehigie

Uzamere, presented to the Presidency as a possible commissioner in the Board of the NDDC. Uzamere’s nomination is believed to be different from the preferred candidate of Governor Adams Oshiomhole while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also forwarded three nominees for the same position. Some of the aggrieved stakeholders, under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society, through their counsel, Mathew Edaghese, said Uzamere lacked the moral capacity to nominate somebody into the Board of the NDDC, urging President Jonathan to reject his nomination.

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NEWS Thursday, November 21, 2013

FG appoints four new perm secs

Professional proffers panacea for skill deficit at workplace

From Anthony Otaru, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan has approved the appointment of four new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service. The Head, Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, who announced the approval on Tuesday, said the new appointments have been made to fill the slot for Yobe State, which became vacant following his appointment as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the retirement from Service of Permanent Secretaries representing Lagos, Zamfara and Kaduna states. A statement from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation said the new permanent secretaries include Abbas Mohammed from Kaduna, Adelakun Saheed Kayode from Lagos and Bukar Mohammed B. from Yobe states respectively.

By Clarkson Eberu UMAN Resource ManageH ment Consultant, Mrs. Titilayo Ajoke Akinsanya, has

President Goodluck Jonathan (right); the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and the Nigeria High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Ambassador Dalhatu Tafida, welcoming President Jonathan at the Luton International Airport in United Kingdom…yesterday

Senate asks govt to immortalise Akhigbe By Odita Sunday (Lagos), Bridget Chiedu Onochie and Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja) ITH an overwhelming and unanimous verdict that he was a true patriot who served Nigeria with zeal and passion, the Senate, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to immortalise the late Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe, who died on October 20, aged 68. The Senate also observed a minute silence in his honour. On its own, it would send a delegation to be led by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Chris Anyanwu, to condole with the family, government and the people of Edo State. In his tribute, Senate President David Mark, described Akhigbe as “a patriot in the true sense of the word,” noting: “Throughout his life, things that affected the nation worried him so much.” Mark stated that Akhigbe was an officer and gentleman, fearless and true to his words. “For those of you who know him personally, Akhigbe was an officer and a gentleman because all through his military career, he always had this disposition of being very benevolent, understanding and attentive, and he could listen for a very long time,” he said. “The most important thing about Akhigbe is that once he gives you his words, you can go and sleep. When we were hound men in the Defence

• Mark, Fashola, others eulogise him at lying-in-state Academy, I gave him the name, NNS Fearless because he came from a purely civilian background into the Defence Academy but did so many things that surprised those of us young stars from the Nigerian Military School in Zaria. And that name remained with him until the day he died.” The Senate, in a motion sponsored by Domingo Obende, Odion Ugbesia and Edobor Uzamere, observed that Akhigbe worked hard to attain a very fulfilling career and reached the pinnacle of his military career as the nation’s number-one naval officer. “He also served as equivalent of Vice President when he was the Chief of General Staff in the Military Government of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in 1998, and in 1999 when that administration willingly, unlike past military administrations, handed over to a democratically elected President,” the motion read. “That collective act of the gentlemen that was the tor of that administration gave us this democracy upon which we stand today.” Stating that Akhigbe’s life was defined by virtues of hard work, fearlessness, commitment and loyalty, the Senate described him as a conscientious and dutiful officer, who was in all respect admirably equipped for his roles in the military and the larger society, thereby meriting the national

honour, Grand Commander Order of the Niger (GCON), which was conferred on him. Meanwhile, as senators took turns to pay tributes, they all attested that Akhigbe was indeed a gentleman. Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, called him a man of principle, who made success of his career. He also identified him as belonging to “the political wing of the military.” “He belonged to Course Three, which represents the political wing of the military, and he also ended up as a comrade. He was a professional colleague, who went to read law after he retired from the military and made success of his career as a lawyer,” he said. “He was an exceptional person. I convey my condolences to you because you are one of the three musketeers in the military.” For Helen Esuene, Akhigbe “was amiable, charismatic and a personality one cannot but observe and recognise. He was detribalised and firm. Even though he was a military person, he had a lot of room for everybody’s feelings”. Ganiyu Solomon said the former governor of Lagos State was an achiever: “He served as governor of Lagos State in 1986. Amidst his tight schedule, he still found time to study and became a legal practitioner.” And it was tribute galore yes-

terday at the Service of songs for Akhigbe at the Nigeria Navy Ship Quorra (NNS Quorra), Apapa, Lagos. Mark led the chain of dignitaries who poured tributes to the late officer. According to Mark: “Mike and I met at the Nigeria Defence Academy as young cadets in 1967 and we became inseperable course mates, friends and confidants. Together, we confronted the challenges of those days with a very strong determination to make success of our lives. “Our brotherhood was so strong that colleagues and friends Mike, Tunde and I the 3 Musketeers. I was particularly close to him because while in the NDA, I had initially wanted to join the navy but fate would later place me in the army.Yet, there was never a distance between us. “He simply called me Dave and I gave him the name NNS Fearless. A nickname that later trailed him for the rest of his life. Mike was very brave,

‘Insecurity, unemployment threat to MDGs attainment’ From John Okeke, Abuja HE Senior Special Assistant T to the President on the Millennium Development Goals (SSAP-MDGs), Dr. Precious Gbeneol, has expressed deep concern posed by the twin

MASSOB cautions Aganga over Lagos Trade Fair complex From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka LANS to cancel the concesP sion of Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, won by an Igbo man in 2007, and transfer the facility to the Lagos State government is “unfair and uncalled for,” the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has said. In a statement yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, in reaction to the recent statement to that effect credited to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Uchenna Madu, said the minister’s decla-

ration was disturbing. According to him, such pronouncement is not only provocative but also “an open declaration of economic, ethnic and tribal war against Nd’Igbo,” arguing that Aganga should have known that the Lagos Chamber bided and lost the facility in 2007 to the eventual winner. Expressing concern that the minister has found no reason to develop the Enugu International Trade Fair Complex, the MASSOB spokesman recalled that when Ibeto Group ventured into cement business, it was made to pay more than it bargained for. Likewise, he said, the recent media war orchestrated against the

Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, was anchored on a “purported bulletproof car.” “This was actually meant to punish her for daring to develop and commission the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, against all odds, just as Prof. Barth Nnaji was unceremoniously ushered out of office for displaying an independent mind about investment in the power industry,” he said. Madu called for President Goodluck Jonathan’s intervention to stop Aganga from further harassing the Igbo nation, as “we shall no longer tolerate more insults of our people from agents of Nigerian gov-

courageous, compassionate, diligent, fearless, patriotic, magnetic and witty. “ He was more than a course mate to me. He was my brother, counsellor, confidant and comrade-at-arms. We shared in each others triumphs and moments of pain.Our families shared our friendship and comradeship.” Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola said Akhigbe contributed to the development of Lagos State as a military administrator. “Unfortunately, I do not share the same personal relationship that the Senate president shared with the Late Admiral.when he governed Lagos in the eighties, I was still an undergraduate when he governed Lagos. He was a patriot during his time. His contribution to the development of Lagos is not what we can quantify. May his soul rest in peace,” Fashola said. A representative of the Governor of Ondo State said: “When he was the governor of Ondo State, discpline was the order of the day. He repositioned Ondo State and made it what it is today. On behalf of the government of Ondo State, I wish his family God’s mercy.”

stressed for the umpteenth time that a chunk of graduates from the nation’s tertiary institutions are “woefully underprepared” for the workplace, saying they lack completely the requisite skills to enable them fit into the system. Delivering a presentation as guest speaker at the 11th annual lecture of the Lagos Island Personnel Practitioners’ Consultative Association (PPCA) recently in Lagos, she decried the shallow knowledge base of current graduates lacking in mentorship, analytical skill and basic work etiquettes. While appraising the lecture’s title: “Disconnect between Gown and Town: Change to Labour Market,” Akinsanya bemoaned the wide disconnect between the institutions of learning, as well as their products and the larger world of work, noting that the graduates only end up being fed with only theories only to find out that the practical aspect is a different ball game entirely. The human resource expert, however, canvassed the development of key competencies to make this generation of youths employable, adding that competencies are those behaviour that excellent performance exhibits more consistently than average performance. Akinsanya said the major disconnect manifests in the dearth of basic infrastructure of learning in tertiary institutions, failure of lectures to guide, mentor and prepare their products for the challenge ahead. To stem the tide, she asked employers to be supportive and take training and re-training very serious. Earlier, the host and Chairman of the PPCA, Reginald Robert Akujobi, had in his welcome remarks, advocated the establishment of institutions for specific needs to address the nation’s manpower challenge, noting that the current ones had proven inefficient in churning out a robust workforce for both the private and public sectors.

ernment.” He added: “Mr. President should use his office to protect Nd’Igbo, their lives, property and investments within Nigeria, and purge his cabinet of all agents of opposition and destabilisation.” However, the group called on Igbo residing outside their land to return and invest within their land, accusing the Federal Government of constant intimidation, harassment and blackmail of the people. MASSOB warned that, as the major organisation protecting the pride and interest of the Igbo nation, it would no longer sit and watch the affront against its people.

challenges of insecurity and unemployment to the attainment of the MDGs by 2015. Gbeneol, who made this remark on the occasion of World Science Day for Peace and Development in Abuja, also appealed to the public to embrace peace and heartily support the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure a secured society where the larger population can access meaningful and sustainable employment. In a statement signed by the Head, Information and Communications, Dr. Christopher Otabor, the Presidential Adviser noted that no meaningful development can be achieved in an environment that is threatened by insecurity and where the populace is not gainfully employed. According to Gbeneol, the security challenges in the country, especially in the north-eastern zone, have not only prevented the needed development, but have also drastically reversed the enormous gains earlier recorded by the government with regards to the attainment of the MDGs. Besides, he noted that Nigeria

has made real progress in the efforts to eradicate extreme poverty since the country, alongside other developed nations, adopted the MDGs in 2000. But insecurity and unemployment remain a major concern. “There is no doubt that improved growth performance and macro-economic stability have provided conducive environment for policies and programmes towards the achievement of the MDGs. But we, as a country, with everyone involved, must be committed to the course of security and development. Individuals and private sectors must support government efforts to create jobs for the people.” The presidential aide, who acknowledged the dogged commitment of President Jonathan and efforts of the Federal Government to create jobs through different initiatives like the Conditional Cash transfer (CCT), YouWin and other efforts, aimed at boosting the productive capacity in the Nigerian economy especially, urged support for the Agricultural Transformation

Thursday, November 21, 2013 NEWS

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True federalism, restructuring, graft to dominate planned confab From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja

• Falae seeks ethnic representation

HE nature of the compoT sition of the federating units in Nigeria, as well as

Also expected to be part of deliberations are the issues of indigene-settler relationship, Bakassi, security and corruption in the country. Meanwhile, former presidential candidate, Chief Olu Falae, has insisted that for the national conference to get the approval of the Nigerians, the committee must ensure that it uses the ethnic nationalities to pick the delegates that will repre-

the form of government that would be adopted to suit the country’s complex structure are expected to dominate discussions at the proposed national conference.

Senate raises panel on oil benchmark

sent them at the conference. Chairman of the National Dialogue Committee, Senator Femi Okorunmi, who disclosed this to reporters yesterday at the committee’s one day retreat in Abuja noted that the issues were dominant as presented by stakeholders in the 13 states visited. The committee chairman, who ruled out discussions

on the sovereignty of Nigeria in the proposed conference noted that it was only an insignificant minority of the Nigerians that have called for a Sovereign National conference, stressing that the majority of the citizens were not interested on a sovereign national conference but only want to sit down and discuss issues that could cement the unity of the country. Okorunmi added that the proposed conference would only discuss issues like

restructuring, true federalism, possible return to parliamentary government, issue of security and corruption, stressing that the issue of sovereign national conference is completely ruled out. On the how representatives of the people would emerge at the conference, the committee chairman said that it has invited experts on ethnic nationalities to enlighten it on how the various ethnic nationalities would be represented

at the dialogue, stressing that the committee would ensure fair representation. Falae, who presented a paper, titled “The National Question and the Feasibility of Using Ethnic Nationalities for Selection of Delegates” urged the committee to accommodate all the ethnic nationalities through the various local councils to nominate their representatives at the conference, stressing that was the only way to involve the people in the dialogue.

From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja HE Senate yesterday inauT gurated a six-man Conference Committee for the harmonization of 2014 oil benchmark. The committee, which is headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi , is expected to sit with its House of Representatives’ counterpart to decide an acceptable benchmark for crude oil in the 2014 fiscal year. Other members of the Senate Committee include Enyinnaya Abaribe, Ita Enang, Smart Adeyemi , Ayo Akinyelure as well as Bello Tukur. The early completion of their task would facilitate passage of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Papers (FSP) and consequently, pave way for the presentation of 2014 budget proposal to the National Assembly. The delay in presenting the budget was blamed on the discordant tune between the two chambers on the acceptable benchmark for crude oil in the year under review. While the Senate pegged the rate at $76.5 per barrel, the House of Representatives insisted on $79 per barrel as a way of curbing excessive spending by the executive arm of government.

Director, Institute of Education, Dublin, Ireland Andrew Kearns (left); Minister of State for Development, Republic of Ireland, Joe Costello and the Executive Director, Operations Bridge House College, Ikoyi, Foluke Abdulrazaq, during the signing of Cooperation Agreement between Bridge House College and the Institute of Education, Ireland Republic in Lagos.

PDP lists charges against Oyinlola, Baraje From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja

• I won’t honour invitation, says Osun ex-gov

ITH a plot that might ultimately determine the fate of its aggrieved members, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday directed its four recently suspended members to appear “unfailingly” before the Umaru Dikko-led disciplinary committee next Wednesday to answer to the charges against them. Yesterday, the party listed the offences allegedly committed by its four suspended members, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Abubakar Baraje, its former Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, and former Vice Chairman (North West), Ibrahim Kazaure. However, in a press statement by the PDP Deputy National Secretary, Onwe S. Onwe, who doubles as secretary to the Disciplinary Committee, it was made clear that the suspended persons “could appear in person or send their lawyers.” “The affected persons may

as well present their cases orally or in writing, either in person or through a counsel of their choice. They may also wish to call witnesses. They are invited to present their own side of the issues before the National Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday, November 27, 2013, at Legacy House (PDP Presidential Campaign Office in Maitama), Abuja, by 12 noon,” the statement added. Meanwhile, the offences, as contained in the statement, are: • On August 31, 2013, at the Special National Convention of the Party at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the above mentioned persons and others staged a walk-out in a manner contrary to Section 58 (1) (b) (g) and (h) of the Constitution; • On September 2, 2013, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola filed suit No. ID/704/2013 against the legitimate party leadership at the

High Court of Lagos State without first pursuing the internal remedies of the party, contrary to Section 58(1) (L) of the Constitution; • Since August 31, 2013, the persons mentioned above have granted interviews and made statements in the print and electronic media not only disparaging the national chairman and other national leaders of the party, but also unduly publicizing disputes/differences within the party, even in the face of the great restraint demonstrated by the national chairman and other national leaders against whom their calumny is targeted. This, clearly, contravenes Section 58(1)(i) of the Constitution; • On September 1 and 23, 2013, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola wrote two letters to INEC requesting the commission to recognize the persons above mentioned as the National Working Committee of the party, even in the face of the National Conven-

tion held on March 24, 2012, and August 31, 2013. This, also clearly contravenes Section 58(1)(b)(h)(i) and (j) of the Constitution of the party; and • Since August 31, 2013, the above mentioned persons have consistently maintained that they are of the ‘New PDP (nPDP)’, thereby promoting factionalization of the party, and in doing so, recruiting to their ranks members of the party in the National Assembly contrary to Section 58(1)(b)(i) and (j) of the Constitution.” However, the court-reinstated but suspended National Secretary, Oyinlola, vowed yesterday that he would not honour the invitation because the party’s disciplinary committee is “illegal.” In a statement by his Principal Secretary, Femi Adelagan, Oyinlola pointed out that the committee was not set up in line with the PDP constitution.

According to the statement, “as a law-abiding member of the PDP and free citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Oyinlola will not be an accomplice or accessory to constitutional violations, considering especially the fact that he swore to an oath of office stipulating that he will respect and protect the grundnorm of the PDP in his capacity as the custodian of the seal of the party.” It added: “Prince Oyinlola is conscious of the provisions of the PDP Constitution, which states without any equivoca-

tion that, ‘nominations to membership of the disciplinary committee at the national level shall be ratified by the National Executive Council of the PDP.’” Noting, however, that “Oyinlola has not received any correspondence from any quarters and would not honour any invitation from any illegal body since that would amount to violating the constitution of the party,” it added: “This reaction itself is being made out of courtesy for the media and its right to inform and be

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NEWS Thursday, November 21, 2013

Four die as police, insurgents exchange fire in Gombe From Ali Garba, Gombe POLICEMAN and three A attackers were confirmed dead following an early morning attack on a police station in Bojude district, Kwami local council of Gombe State on Tuesday. The Public Relations Officer of Gombe State Police Command, Fwaje Atajiri (DSP), who confirmed the attack to newsmen, also alerted the public that some of the insurgents escaped with bullet wounds into nearby bushes. According to him, the insurgents attacked the station with heavy arms at about 2a.m but were repelled, in the process of which a policeman and three insurgents were killed. He added that the police were already combing the bushes for the insurgents, urging the public not to panic.

Nigerian seeks intervention over travel restriction in Iran By Bertram Nwannekanma NIGERIAN and member A of staff of MTN Nigeria, who resides in Iran, Mr.

Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) General Manager External Relations, Kudo Eresia-Eke (left); NLNG GM Production, Chima Isilebo; NLNG Deputy MD, Basheer Koko; Finance Minister, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; NLNG MD, Babs Omotowa and NLNG Community Relations Manager, Ifeanyi Mbanefo, during the visit of the finance minister to the NLNG plant on Bonny Island.

Edo councillors stranded in Italy as Assembly suspends chairmen From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

O fewer than 12 councillors in Orhionmwon local council of Edo State are reported stranded in far away Italy alongside the council chairman, Roland Ibierutowhen, where they had allegedly travelled to for an unapproved retreat. Following the development, the Edo State House of Assembly has suspended the chairman and the councillors. Also suspended for allegedly attacking a councillor with suspected thugs was the Chairman of Uhunmwonde local council, Roland Alari.

• Monarch saves another from impeachment The councillors were alleged to have been in a meeting where they plotted the impeachment of the chairman. Besides, what would have been a prelude to the impeachment of the Chairman of Etsako West local council, Hassan Kadiri, was saved by the Auchi monarch, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, who persuaded the lawmakers to sheathe the sword. The council lawmakers had already started Kadiri’s impeachment process with the removal of the Leader of

the House, Miss Abibat Yakubu, who, as a strong supporter of the chairman, was said to have been receiving favour from him in order to put her colleagues under check. However, she was said to have run out of luck when 11 lawmakers unanimously endorsed her removal as leader during their sitting last Friday and immediately replaced her with the Chief Whip, Felix Ughiovhe. Among the allegations against her was her pursuit of personal interest.

Nevertheless, the monarch saw to her reinstatement after meeting with the lawmakers, the council boss and other leaders of the party in his palace last weekend. Meanwhile, the Orhrionmwon council boss, Ibierutowhen, was said to have rushed back to Nigeria when he got wind of his impending suspension sequel to a letter from Governor Adams Oshiomhole requesting the suspension of the council’s legislative and executive arms. Majority Leader of the House, Philip Shaibu, said the gover-

nor’s request to suspend the council boss and the 12 councillors was based on section 20 (16) of the Local Government Law 2000 as amended. More so, the suspension of Uhunmwode council chairman, Alari, followed the hearing of a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by Kabir Adjoto during Tuesday’s plenary. In his presentation, Adjoto disclosed that Alari, on November 14, 2013 stormed the legislative chambers of the council with thugs, who inflicted bodily harm on councilors with dangerous weapons.

Adekunle Awobodu, has written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, over his inability to travel back to Nigeria since March due to a “no travel order” issued against him by the Iranian Government. In a letter to the minister, dated October 31, 2013, and signed by Jennifer Aburime of Helory More Solicitors, Lagos, Awobodu alleged that the travel ban arose from alleged irregularities committed by MTN in the transfer of funds from Iran while he was in MTN Iran. The counsel, therefore, urged the minister to intervene and ensure that the integrity of Nigeria as a nation is protected, stating that citizens’ rights were being violated in Iran without any respect to international law and diplomacy. In the letter also copied to the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, the counsel urged the minister to intervene so that Awobodu, an innocent citizen doing an honest job, can return to his home in peace.

U.S. consul, Utomi, others task Nigeria on democracy, good governance By Bola Olajuwon and Ujunwa Atueyi NITED States (U.S.) Consul U General, Jeffrey Hawkins, on Tuesday joined eminent Nigerians in the academia, civil society and students in calling for improved electoral procedures and sustained commitment to democracy through the strengthening of democratic institutions and good governance, rule of law, constitutional norms and respect for human rights. Hawkins spoke at the yearly Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria lecture with the theme, “The Democratic Journey in Nigeria: Learning from the American Experience,” which also criticized last weekend’s inconclusive Anambra State

governorship election. Others at the event included Prof. Pat Utomi of Lagos Business School, former Deputy Vice Chancellor, the University of Ibadan and Director General, Obafemi Awolowo Institute of Government and Public Policy, Prof. Adigun Agbaje, as well as former Dean, Faculty of Law, the University of Lagos, Prof. Chioma Agomo. Hawkins noted that despite Nigeria’s giant step forward in democratic journey with the April 2011 elections, much remains to be done to improve electoral procedures and strengthen the country’s democratic institutions and governance. Reinforcing his position, he argued: “We all need to see a strong, vibrant and growing

Nigeria – because what happens in Nigeria affects us all – the United States, Africa and the global community. Nigeria is probably the most strategically important country in sub-Saharan Africa. “Nigeria is the largest oil producing state in Africa, the fifth largest supplier of crude oil to the U.S., and the tenth largest global producer. It is home to the sixth largest Muslim population in the world, and by far the largest country in the world with approximately equal numbers of Christians and Muslims.” He added: “In the United Nations, Nigeria is the fifth largest peacekeeping contributing country in the world. It is a crucial continental power broker in dealing

with African institutions and in resolving armed conflict. It is a vital player in the war on terror.” However, he explained that despite Nigeria’s progress, and international community’s optimism about its future, serious challenges remain. Some of them, according to him, are based on decades of ineffective governance and lack of accountability by elected officials, lack of integrity in the electoral process, continued pervasive corruption, security challenges, deeply entrenched poverty and escalating youth unemployment. To address these problems, he stated that free, fair and transparent elections should be held and the institutions established to ensure trans-

parency reinforced. Much so, “office seekers need to respect the will of the people and concede defeat without violence and undue protracted protests. Of course, democracy and human rights are about much more than holding elections.” Alluding to President Obama’s declaration in Ghana in 2009 that Africa doesn’t need strong men but strong institutions, he said: “This means independent courts, legislatures, and electoral commissions. “It means a free press, rule of law, and local civil society organisations with the room to operate and speak freely without intimidation from government authorities. And it means respecting opposition parties’ ability to hold

peaceful public protests and openly criticize those in power. “It means voting for candidates based on their political agenda and what benefits they hope to bring to the people rather than what part of the country they come from. Good governance is characterised by accountability, transparency, combating corruption, participatory governance, political equity, rule of law, due process, as well as free and fair elections. “The political and economic success of Africa depends a great deal on the effectiveness, sustainability and reliability of its democratic institutions. That means a focus on people, process and progress, not personalities and personal gain.”

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

WorldReport Church of England backs women bishops in principle

HE Church of England’s ruling body has voted overwhelmingly for proposals that could see the ordination of women bishops next year. The worldwide Anglican Communion’s mother church was plunged into deep soulsearching last November after moves to introduce women bishops were rejected by just six votes. The General Synod voted 378 to eight in favour of the move, clearing the way for a potentially historic vote next year which could introduce women bishops. England’s state church has been under intense pressure from the public and politicians to introduce female bishops since previous legislation narrowly failed to pass in the General Synod almost a year ago. Members of the Synod gathered in London were asked to give first approval to legislation introducing women bishops with a “declaration” by the Church of England bishops, setting out guidance for parishes which reject female ministry. The proposals would create an ombudsman to rule on disputes involving traditionalist worshippers who refuse to accept the authority of a woman. Clergy who fail to cooperate with the ombudsman’s inquiries could be disciplined. A leading supporter of women bishops, the Bishop of Rochester, James Langstaff, welcomed the result of the vote, but warned against “complacency”. “Though we are hugely encouraged... it is not a cause of complacency, there is a lot of work that still needs to be done,” he told a press conference. The Church of England came under more pressure when the Church in Wales voted in September to allow women bishops there.

Mali takes another step to consolidate democracy From Oghogho Obayuwana, Foreign Affairs Editor

•West African monitors named for parliamentary polls

S Mali takes another maA jor step to consolidate democracy after a bitter civil

ety organisations, among others, are being deployed to most of the country’s regions. According to reports reaching The Guardian, Bamako will serve as the operations centre for the mission, whose members would be adequately briefed before deployment across the country. The deployment is within the framework of relevant protocols empowering the commission through the ECOWAS Observer Mission (EOM) is also meant to assist member states holding elections as a means of deepening democracy and good governance in the region.. Mali is a largely conservative country with an estimated population of 16.5 million people. According to the

war, a 100-man West African Observation Mission is being dispatched to that country to ensure a credible parliamentarian election. Former prime minister, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, emerged in August this year as the new president of the troubled West African country after a hybrid international force broke the backbone of insurgents and separatists that threatened to take the country to the precipice. Ahead of the parliamentary election, following the return of relative peace characterised by the successful July/August presidential polls, in the aftermath of Mali’s political and security crises, the country’s ruling and opposition parties have now formed political alliances to field more than 1,100 candidates for the 147seat national parliament And for the parliamentarian polls scheduled for Sunday, Professor Amos Claudius Sawyer, former President of Liberia’s Interim Government of National Unity has been named by the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as the leader of the regional group’s observer mission with a clear mandate to ensure that the principles of fairness are not in anyway impaired. The mission, comprising election experts from National Election Commissions of member states, ambassadors and Council of the Wise, as well as representatives of civil soci-

Diplomatic watchers have correctly submitted that a successful parliamentary election in Mali on Sunday will mark the end of the political transition facilitated by ECOWAS and help the country consolidate peace, national healing and the process of national unity national electoral commission figures, out of the 6.5 million voters registered to cast their ballots in more than 20,000 polling centres for the parliamentary polls, 3.3 million are women. Diplomatic watchers have correctly submitted that a successful parliamentary election in Mali on Sunday will mark the end of the political transition facilitated by ECOWAS and help the country consolidate peace, national healing and the

process of national unity, reconstruction and recovery after the crises, which ECOWAS and international partners played a major part in resolving. It would be recalled that a 12,600-strong United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Mali (Minusma) was deployed to the country as France started the withdrawal of its 3,000 troops. Keita has been overseeing more than $4 billion in foreign aid promised for the rebuilding of Mali.

Bomb attacks kill 54 in Iraq, Egypt WAVE of attacks, most of A them car bombs targetting Shiite neighbourhoods of Baghdad, have killed 43 people in the latest bout of deadly violence to hit Iraq. Also, 11 soldiers were yesterday killed in car bomb in Egypt’s restive Sinai and another blast struck police in Cairo, amid a wave of unrest following Islamist President Mohamed Morsi’s ouster in July. The Iraqi bombings and shootings, which also wounded more than 100 people, came amid a protracted surge in bloodletting just months ahead of a general election that has forced Iraqi officials to appeal for international help in combating the country’s deadliest unrest

since 2008. At least eight explosions, including seven car bombs, went off mostly against Shiite Muslim neighbourhoods of the Iraqi capital, killing 36 people and wounding nearly 100, security and medical officials said. They came after similarly coordinated bombings in Baghdad on Sunday killed 21 people, and pushed the death toll for November above 300. Yesterday’s attacks struck in areas ranging from the city’s main commercial district of Karrada to the predominantly Shiite neighbourhood of Shaab, as well as Sadriyah, one of Baghdad’s oldest districts. But the Egyptian troops, according to Agence France Presse (AFP), were killed when an ex-

plosives-laden car blew up next to an army bus in North Sinai’s provincial capital ElArish, a security official said. The army confirmed the attack, saying nine conscripts and two non-commissioned officers died. In a separate attack, assailants hurled an explosive device at a checkpoint in northern Cairo, wounding four policemen including a major struck by shrapnel in his face and back, security sources said. The Sinai bombing, which also wounded 34 soldiers, was the deadliest in the region bordering Gaza and Israel since an August 19 ambush by gunmen on a convoy of security forces that killed 25 policemen in the North Sinai town

According to independent observers of the Malian polity, Bamako also need to urgently address the weaknesses in the country’s military. The jaundiced state of the Malian armed forces is held to be responsible for the effrontery of the separatist Tuaregs and Islamist militants in the north of the country who staged a rebellion early last year. Keita won last August’s runoff presidential elections by beating ex-Finance Minister Soumaila Cisse. The new leadership has been facing a huge task in repairing a largely broken country. Although Mali has enjoyed a stable democracy since 1992, its institutions were steadily run down, especially the education system, and poverty rates, according the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), remains high.

of Rafah. On September 5, a car bomb had targetted interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim in Cairo. That attack was claimed by Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, an AlQaeda-inspired group based in the Sinai which on Tuesday said it was also responsible for Sunday’s assassination of police Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Mabruk, who was involved in an ongoing crackdown on Islamists.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, November 21, 2013

PHOTONEWS

Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu (left); Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Ben Langat; Director, Special Duties, SON, George Okere and Head of Public Affairs and Communication, NBC, Yanju Olomola, during the courtesy visit of SON officials to NBC factory in Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: SUN-

Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) (left) and Chief of Army Staff, LieutenantGeneral Azubuike Ihejirika, during the service of songs for late Okoronkwo Ezekiel Ihejirika, father of the Army Chief at Ovim town in Isuikwuato, Abia State.

Camp Director, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Lagos State, Hannah Aladuge (left); Trade Marketing Manager, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Adeniyi Adedayo; State Coordinator, NYSC, Adenike Adeyemi and Senior Brand Manager, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Lanre Dasilva, at the Honeywell Wheat Meal Cooking Competition, at NYSC Camp in Lagos.

Chairman, Sector 10, Abesan Housing Estate, Ipaja, Kehinde Ogundimu (left), General Manager, GDM Consult, Funmi Ojo; Brand Manager, MORNING FRESH, PZ, Ifunanya Obiakor and Vice Chairman, Sector 10 of the estate, Funmi Yerokun, during the MORNING FRESH Demo Activation at Ipaja, Lagos.

Brand Manager, Close Up, Dexter Adeola (left); Category Manager, Oral Care, Oiza Gyang and Assistant Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nigeria Plc.,Â Grace Imaga, at the celebration of Close Up Brand of the Year Award.

HR Consultant, Kimberly Ryan, Chika Nnandou (left); Founding Partner, Future Project, Adebola Williams; General Manager, Kimberly Ryan, Isoken Okusami and Ugochukwu Nwosu of Microsoft, durPHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO ing the launch of an online employment portal in Lagos.

Country Manager, Mitsumi, Distribution, Rohit Banerjee (left); Country Product Manager, ASUS Nig., Simplice Zaongo and Marketing Manager, ASUS Nig., SergeÂ Nabyoure, during the ASUS Nig Global PTE media launch in Lagos.

Vice President, Global Sales, Arik Air, Trevor Henry (left); Sales/Public Relations Manager, Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel, Ubong Nseobot and Country Manager, Qatar Airways, Isaack Wambua, at the 2013 Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel golf tournament prize giving cocktail.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

POLITICS Thursday, November 21, 2013, 2013

Politics It’s national embarrassment to be talking of oil theft, says Oshiomhole Pomp and ceremony heralded the 5th anniversary of the administration of Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole of Edo State on Tuesday, November 12, 2013. It was an occasion to showcase his government’s development strides to the people of the state and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Signing off the ceremonies at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the Comrade Governor fielded questions from journalists, including Group Political Editor, Ehichioya Ezomon. and God for all of us. They can build private roads and send their children to private schools and fly private aircraft but for the government that is pro-people, you can fly your jet but you must pay tax. Look at the intra-city tram, which would have been done many years ago; it’s now happening in Lagos. Imagine if somebody had made up his mind to do 30 years ago what Fashola is doing now, life in Lagos would have been a lot more comfortable than it is! But we recognised that, the fact that we failed in the past is no reason we should fail now. Things have changed in Lagos. Ojuelegba used to be where we recruited our area boys when we wanted to make Lagos a bit less uncomfortable for the big people plying the roads. The last time I passed Ojuelegba, I couldn’t find area boys. Oshodi has been cleaned up; it was something that I could copy. As a result, I can say I went to Lagos, to proudly copy what works and I came back to Edo, to reengineer our tax system. We raised our locally generated revenue from about N285 million and at a point, we hit N2 billion, and we didn’t need to depend on Abuja to be able to do everything that we needed to do. It requires courage, clear thinking and a level of determination to be able to get the people to realise that citizens have obligation to the state to pay taxes so that in turn, they can become real stakeholders to do the things that we are doing in Edo State. If we are going to expand and carry out urban renewal like what they did in Lagos, you do need to sometimes get rid of certain things in order to restore the right of way and expand the roads.

T would seem as if he elaborate ceremony to Igovernment commemorate the 5th anniversary of your was a waste of state resources, isn’t it? We are not like any other government; our selling point is the trust line between the governed and the government and every responsible and honest steward must, as a matter of duty and obligation, account to his master. I am the steward of Edo State. I have the privilege to be entrusted with the management of the resources of the state, which is not made up of a few elite, but also of people in the rural areas, as well those in the urban areas. In terms of election, the people are more in number than the elite. And so, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary and the first year in my second term, as I have done over the past four years, it has become a tradition to face the people and tell them what has changed since November 2008 and today, but more particularly between last year and now so that they follow up the progress we are making. If you called that extravagance, well, that would be your choice of words but I call it practical accountability, open governance. In the trade union world, when you are elected at a certain period, you hold your meeting, you give a report of your achievement and where you have challenges, you explain it to the people. So, I don’t see what was extravagant (in the ceremonies); I didn’t see people drinking champagne or eating three-course meals; rather, I saw women under the sun and when we finished, a few people came to the Government House for lunch. My complaint when I was in the NLC was that politicians make promises at the beginning and in between they don’t render account. For me, at the heart of democracy is the commitment to report to your employers what you have done with the tools with which you were asked to work. And that is what we did today (Tuesday, November 12, 2013) and that’s what we had done in the past four years and God willing, we would do it over the next few years. I want to lay a foundation that a future government would feel obliged, year to year, to tell the people what they did with their mandate. The issue of borrowing by way of bonds is very much in the news in the states. How much has your government borrowed for its infrastructural development? I don’t know about borrowing. I think the only money was in N25 billion bonds, which we perfected in 2011 and every month, we pay about N550 million to service that bond. Of the N25 billion, we have repaid over N14 billion, which means the net we have will be under N10 billion. How have you coped with the shortfall in revenue to states, as some governors had complained bitterly about it? Well, I honestly think that it is a shame that we should be talking of oil theft because the volume that is stolen cannot be in jerry cans or drums but in vessels. And I refuse to believe that the Nigerian Navy can be incompetent that it cannot police our waterways or the combined force of the Navy and the Air Force cannot even drop a knockout on top of a rogue ship. I have argued this in official quarters and I believe that this is a national embarrassment — to talk about the volume of theft of our crude. It is not one of those acts of God (laughter); this is just failure of man. I had one of those opportunities to meet security agencies, and I said that the sovereignty of a nation is defined in terms of the capacity of the nation state to use the combined power of its armed forces to defend its territorial boundaries, including the waterways; and that we confessed to the level of theft, Nigeria was the only country going through that. We have demystified the State by conceding

Agreements are enforceable under labour laws OW would you react to the continued cloH sure of Nigerian universities? I have a particular difficulty on this matter and

Oshiomhole that small thieves are stronger than the combined force of the Nigerian armed forces. I do not believe that we can tell the world that we can’t control our inland waterways. When a woman is cooking for her husband or the family, it is typical that she does the first tasting and she puts some in her hand and probably adds a little salt; and in the process, she could mistakenly take the gizzard in the name of tasting. The gizzard is usually reserved for the head of the house because, as you aged, you may lose your teeth. And because the gizzard is boneless, the elders search for it. So, at that point (of the gizzard missing), there would be a local enquiry by the elders in the community. Hence, basically, I don’t believe that we should accept that we should lose between 400,000 and 700,000 barrels of oil per day; it is scandalous and it is not sustainable. I am even more worried about the amount of environmental damage long after the oil must have dried up. We may never have the resources to fix the consequences of the environmental degradation arising from the illegal refineries. And those foreigners, with their Nigerian collaborators that bring their ships here to cart away oil as if Nigeria is a banana Republic; I

wonder what they say when they get home! I think it is a national embarrassment. We copied from Lagos to advance our development HEN you were addressing the crowd, you spoke about copying certain processes from Lagos State, especially in the area of financial reengineering. What is the peculiar situation of Edo State? What I hate is that people don’t like to say they copy except when you talk about America and Europe. What I’m saying is that there are a lot of good things happening in the Nigerian environment and sometimes, you don’t need to go out to find what works and adopt it. There are a couple of things we copied from Lagos: The Land Use Charge, and Consumption Tax. I’m sure that some of you, at one time or the other had travelled outside Nigeria. Even those of you who had not traveled, but just watching debates in other countries, central to every election debate is tax policy, and tax defines the character of a government. The left wing government would want more taxes so that they can take from the rich in order to provide a robust social safety net for the poor. The right wing party believes everybody for himself

this is why I have not commented on it, and I don’t think I really want to comment on it because somehow, I helped in mediating, between the Federal Government and ASUU in 2009 the very agreement that is in dispute. All I will say for now is that under the Nigerian labour laws, agreements are enforceable because both the Trade Union Act and Labour Act recognise the status of collective agreement entered into between an employer and employee. The key issue is that both sides should act in good faith because making any statement for and against either side might not promote the course of peace. You had signed — some critics would say with reckless abandon — the death warrants for the execution of condemned felons. Why would you do that? I am sure you are familiar with the fact that the governor has the last input when a criminal or a suspect is apprehended. It goes through trials; the charges are laid before the court and he (suspect) is invited to come and defend himself before the prosecutors, to establish the guilt (or otherwise). Then the judge makes up his mind whether the case has been proven or not. Where he is convinced, he has that judgment and the suspect can appeal up to the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court is convinced that the person is guilty and hands out the death penalty, it is the requirement of the Constitution that the governor assents to it. If the Supreme Court found out that 20 people were guilty of murder and it sentenced the 20 people to death and the governor, in line with the constitutional requirement, signed the sentences, what is reckless in that? When a reporter files a story, it goes through newsroom: the sub-editor and the line editor look at it, and the editor signs up the paper; is that a reckless process?

Thursday, November 21, 2013 POLITICS 13

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

ABUJA 2013: LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT

Jonathan, Mark, urge vigilance over threats to democracy in Africa From Adamu Abuh, Abuja

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan P has reiterated the need for concerted effort to deepen democratic governance in the African continent. In a keynote address to participants at the first Africa Legislative Summit in Abuja, the president remarked that there still exist threats to democracy and good governance in spite of the removal of autocratic regimes in the continent in recent years. Similarly, the Senate President, David Mark, acknowledged that African democracy was at the crossroads, with mixed results of consolidation in some countries and regression in others. However, he stressed that democracy remains the panacea to the insecurity problems, declining economic growth, social exclusion, ethno-religious and communal conflicts and endemic corruption besetting the African people. To buttress his assertion, President Jonathan made reference to Mali, Guinea Bissau and The Central African Republic where democratically elected governments were dethroned by antidemocratic elements. Emphasising that Africans look up to their leaders and representatives, he identified religious intolerance, ethnic bias as other challenges be-devilling the socio-economic development of the continent. Reiterating his resolve to work assiduously aimed at ensuring a strong, independent and vibrant legislature in the polity, Jonathan also identified terrorism, cross-border and organised crime, drug trafficking and proliferation of arms and light weapons as challenges that must be addressed through joint legislative and executive actions. The president noted that it behoves on stakeholders, comprising legislators, government officials, business leaders and other stakeholders from Africa, Europe and America to reckon with such challenges and be vigilant to guard against the reoccurrence of ugly past of authoritarian and military rule that once plagued Africa. Meanwhile, Mark said there was the need to address the problem of misunderstanding confronting emerging legislatures in Nigeria and Africa in general. Drawing from his experience as the Senate President, he noted: “Nigeria is in her 14th year of continuous democracy after several years of military rule and we are still debating whether or not legislators should operate full-time, part-time or even exist at all. “However, the role of the legislature is well spelt out in our Constitution just as the Constitution is unambiguous about her powers. The citizenry can, therefore, not pick and choose the aspect of the Constitution to be obeyed.” The Senate President said that because of the long absence of the legislature, citizens still tend to pick and choose what to obey “or have not quite come to terms with the role of the legislature.” “It is also imperative to state at this juncture that there is an alarming misunderstanding of the role of the legislature in most emerging democracies,” he said. “Where the executive fails to deliver, the average citizen believes that the legislature owes him a responsibility to provide basic infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, potable water, etc. “This is also not helped by the fact

that legislators, during their campaigns, make promises that they would build such infrastructure and provide other social services.” Senator Mar distinguished another factor, which, he thinks affects the legislature, as the high rate of turn over. “In most emerging democracies, most legislators lose their seats after the first term” he said. “This creates loss of institutional memory and thus impacts negatively on the polity and governance. “The environment in which emerging African legislatures operate or function is challenging. These challenges include entrenched tradition of executive dominance and influence backed by a powerful public bureaucracy, weak internal capacities within the legislatures, especially on budgetary and oversight issues, high turnover rate during elections, entrenched culture of the politics of patronage, and overbloated expectations from the general public. “In addition, the paucity of well-trained legislative aides and high quality parliamentary staff further contribute to the challenges faced by the African parliamentarians. “The tasks are daunting enough to push the pessimists amongst us to throw in the towel, and to conclude that the future of the emerging legislatures in Africa is doomed.” However, Mark said that his deep personal conviction is that, despite the constraining and suffocating conditions under which the legislatures in Africa function, they have gained great respect and become viable institutions for the promotion of democracy. “Once considered a rubberstamp of the executive or non-existent during periods of military rule, African legislatures have progressively asserted their independence as players in the policymaking arena and as watchdogs over the executive,” he said. “Increasingly, they are cultivating mutually rewarding partnerships with civil society and have maintained common grounds on broad democratic principles and agenda ranging from constitutional reform to the tracking and monitoring of public expenditures, amongst many others.” Mark said his optimism was further strengthened by the array of legislators gathered at the summit to address the issues and deepen the parliamentary movement as a platform for rallying democratic ideals and practices. “As legislators, we must face up to the challenge of transforming our polity and society,” he said. Currently, the greatest challenge

Jonathan

Mark

in most African countries appears to be that of nation-building and national unity.

“We must, through our legislative power, aim to build truly multiethnic, multi-religious and multi-

cultural nation states. “We must aim to reduce poverty, ignorance, disease, unemployment, strife and conflict, amongst others, to the barest minimum.” He said as parliamentarians and the true custodians of democracy, it was the duty of legislators to ensure through their constitutional roles, in particular, on budgeting and oversight, that the people obtain the maximum derivable benefits from government. “This is not a simple task but it is an attainable one,” he said, that the legislature, as the arm of government closest to the people, remains a critical factor in transformational development throughout Africa. “We must, therefore, help navigate the continent out of the multifaceted challenges that it faces and set it on a path of economic growth, prosperity, greater unity, political stability and lasting peace.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

POLITICS Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Agreements are enforceable under labour laws OW would you react to the continued cloH sure of Nigerian universities? I have a particular difficulty on this matter and

Thursday, November 21, 2013 POLITICS 13

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

ABUJA 2013: LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT

Jonathan, Mark, urge vigilance over threats to democracy in Africa From Adamu Abuh, Abuja

Jonathan

Mark

in most African countries appears to be that of nation-building and national unity.

“We must, through our legislative power, aim to build truly multiethnic, multi-religious and multi-

14 | Thursday, November 21, 2013 www.ngrguardiannews.com

Agonizing wait for commissioning of Ejigbo-Ajao Estate Link Bridge By Tope Templer Olaiya, Assistant Lagos City Editor FTER much agitations spanning decades, A the long-suffering residents of Isolo, Ejigbo, Isheri-Osun, Ikotun, Abaranje, Igando, Idimu, Ijegun and beyond heaved a sigh of relief when the Lagos State government awarded contract for the Ajao Estate-Oke Afa link bridge to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in November 2011. The Oke-Afa community benefitted from the 2002 Ikeja cantonment bomb-blast disaster with construction of the bridge to pass over the Oke-Afa canal, even though it took the government nine years the accomplished that after the promise was first made in 2003 on the occasion of the first anniversary of the tragedy. With few months short of the stipulated period of 18 months, the 2.1km dual-lane road, which starts from the NNPC depot at Ejigbo

and ends at Chivita Avenue, Ajao Estate, was completed two months ago with modern-day road furniture, which included covered drainage on both lanes, a walkway for pedestrians, road barrier and streetlights. On completion of the project in September this year, the road was unofficially opened for public use even as the contractor waited on the state for the project handover and commissioning. However, though the road was only partially opened for test running, it was praise galore for the governor for shunning resistance from some quarters to make the project a reality. Residents felt reduced pressure on the agonizing Isolo-Ejigbo-Ikotun traffic, as commuting from that axis of the state to mainland Lagos was smooth sailing. But at the peak of the residents’ joy an incident spoilt the fun. An accident on the yet-to-be-commissioned

road, which broke the leg of a pedestrian, forced CCECC to abruptly shut the bridge and allowed only pedestrians to use the facility, forcing road users to endure the excruciating traffic on the busy Isolo-Jakande Estate road. After the incident, there were some readjustment to the project design as Oke-Afa residents and a group, Nigerians Unite For Road Safety (NUFORSA) pushed for more user-friendly road infrastructure like pedestrian crossing and speed bumps to protect the anticipated high pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the densely populated community. Faced with a new challenge, efforts are on to make sure critical road furniture, particularly road signage, are completed before the facility is ready for use. Some roads have already been designated one-way route and the directional signs are expected to make traffic diversion in Ajao Estate easier for motorists. The project supervisor, the state Ministry of

Works and Infrastructure, explaining why the commissioning of the link bridge is delayed, told The Guardian that after the accident, there were agitations by the communities – Ajao Estate and Oke-Afa – on the need for safety of road users. This resulted in the postponement of the commissioning to ensure all safety facilities are in place. “To avoid the situation that occurred at the Lekki-Epe expressway recently, where a truck killed some pupils and residents in the area requested for a pedestrian bridge, we decided to redesign the Ajao Estate-Ejigbo link bridge by first sending a memo to the Ministry of Transport to inspect the road and come up with possible recommendation,” an official of the ministry said. According to him, the project redesigning would be completed before the end of November or if there is delay, it would be first week of December,” he pledged.

Water-borne diseases loom in Ikoyi By Godfrey Okpugie T Obafemi Awolowo A Road, Ikoyi is a leaking water pipe. The artery pipe, which is inside a gutter filled with darkish nauseating water, is directly opposite the road at Fedelity Bank’s branch, near Federal Fire

Service Station, Keffi, Ikoyi. Leaking or broken water pipes in Lagos is no longer news but the sad information about this ugly development is that this particular leaking pipe from which water jets out through several holes, is inside a big gutter covered with dirty smelling

water. A research conducted on the increasing cases of waterborne diseases in Lagos had revealed that well and tap waters, which serve as source of drinking water in the mega-city were contaminated with one or more of bacterial pathogens.

The study disclosed that water in a pipe gets contaminated when the water in it, (such as this leaking pipe), is under full pressure, it would be gushing out through leakages and thus prevent the dirty water around the pipe from seeping in, but that when there is a low pressure, as usually is the case when there is no water from the water corporation, the external dirty water surrounding the pipe would continue to seep into the pipe.

It stated that whenever the water corporation restores water, the increased pressure of the water in the pipe would push the contaminated water that had seeped into the pipe (during low pressure) to taps at homes and offices for drinking and other purposes. That way it would spread water-borne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera and dysentery to the people. The Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC), which is the sole agency responsible for

public water supply to about 15 million inhabitants of Lagos State, is the major source of water supply to the highbrow community of Ikoyi and environs. To halt the spread of contaminated water to these areas, the concerned authorities is hereby implored to promptly repair the leaking pipes and also carry out constant check and monitoring of the pipes in the city to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases to the people.

Investigations still ongoing in Ogba pupils’ fainting, says LASEPA By Paul Adunwoke NVESTIGATIONS into the Iwhich cause of the incident, left 22 pupils in coma

Leaking pipe

PHOTO: GODFREY OKPUGIE

recently at Ogba Junior Secondary Grammar School, Lagos, are still ongoing, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has said. General Manager of LASEPA,

Mr. Adebola Shabi, told newsmen on Monday that findings arising from the ugly incident would not be swept under the carpet. “We are not limiting our investigation to the nearby photographic laboratory company, where the emission was suspected to have come from, but we are taking a holistic approach to get to

the root of this matter,” he said. He added that some of the affected students have been discharged from hospital and they are cooperating with the investigating team. He assured parents of the pupils and the general public that justice would be meted out on the matter to avoid future reoccurrence.

Thursday, November 21, 2013 GREATER LAGOS

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Lagos This Week: Funeral procession for the late Okusanya

Fraud, extortions rock Lagos Building Investment Company By Wole Oyebade ERIES of frauds, extorSticestions and sharp prachave been uncovered in the Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) that was charged with the responsibilities of managing the 16 estates and housing schemes in the state. LBIC’s officials and agents were alleged to have conspired to defraud members of the public of millions of naira, including disabled

women, who parted with the sum of N3.5million. Other allegations were illegal possession of LBIC funds, deprivation/withdrawal of apartments from applicants, among other sharp practices. The Lagos House of Assembly at Monday’s plenary adopted the report of the Committee that investigated the matter, though would not decide the fate of

Fashola warns LASTMA officials against arrest of traffic offenders AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola on Tuesday Lficsaid that the primary responsibility of the Lagos State TrafManagement Authority (LASTMA) is to keep traffic moving. The governor, who said this at the induction of new Special Traffic Mayors, added that the priority is not about arresting those who violate traffic laws but to keep the traffic moving. He advised that if any LASTMA official realizes that in the process of arresting a traffic offender more traffic bottleneck would be created, such a traffic offender should be allowed to go. He reminded them that if traffic were kept moving the quality of life of the average citizen would improve, as fewer hours would be spent in traffic and more money saved by the motorists and commuters on the roads. The governor described the reported case of an operative of LASTMA who was caught on tape by a member of the public, soliciting inducement as that of a bad egg that does not represent the true face of the agency. He disclosed that a manhunt was on for the runaway official who would be made to face the law for his act. He hinted of a soon-to-be implemented parking policy that would take care of problems associated with parking anywhere in the state. Chairman of the STF coordinators, Chief Segun Badejo, gave assurance of the readiness of all the coordinators to continue to do their work as they have been doing since the last five years that the scheme was established.

the embattled company based on recommendations of the investigating committee. But shocked by the level of racketeering in LBIC, the House Committee on Finance recommended that all the management team of LBIC be relieved of their positions and LBIC board disbanded. Other recommendation was that there was the need for improved supervision of LBIC by Ministry of Finance and related departments; and ordering that the company make some refunds to the defrauded victims. It was reliably gathered that the lawmakers left the matter inconclusive because of their uncertainty of what would become of the Housing agency (LBIC), into which the state government had just pumped the sum of N1.2billion to address its funding challenges. Lagos State government has 80.6 percent share in the company. During a hearing conducted by the House Committee, led by Adefunmilayo Tejuoso, Lagos residents, among which were Ajani Adedibu, Adeniji Olanrewaju, Johnson Atoyebi, Jimoh Akewusure, Ajarat Hussein and Sotuminu Ademola had testified, alleging various degrees of sharp practices against the company.

LAGOS ASSEMBLY DIARY

Ikuforiji canvasses independent legislature in Nigeria By Wole Oyebade PEAKER of the House, Adeyemi StheIkuforiji has reiterated that until legislative arm of government in Nigeria is fully independent, the law-making arm may not meet the hopes and aspirations of the people among other constitutional duties. He said it is only a sovereign legislature that would act in the interest of the masses because it is closer to the people than other arms of government. The Speaker, who said this while receiving a delegation of the Committee for the Defense of Human

Rights (CDHR) at the Assembly complex on Tuesday, noted that the Lagos Assembly prides itself as the only legislature in Nigeria that is close to being totally independent and in view of this, we (Lagos legislature) have given to the people of Lagos an institution that is worthy to be called a legislature in the true sense of the word. He declared: “We have charted a course for the 40 members to look up to the direction of the masses and they are better for it. If the legislature can perform its role, most of the problems we have in Nigeria will disappear. “The (Lagos) legislative house had

prioritized training of lawmakers and personnel, to continue the deepening of the democratic process through development of human capital. And that is partly why this (Lagos) Assembly is the number one among all the legislative Houses in the country. Number one, not in terms of just physical structures, but in terms of performance, exposure and delivery. “We have exposed our lawmakers and support staff to series of training more than any other House because I believe that the enlightened mind will give more to the society and do more for himself than the naïve one.”

Ikuforiji explained that though he belongs to the ruling class, he doesn’t, however, belong to the oppressive ruling class,” adding that he would not take any action that is anti-people. He said that there is a lot of misinformation around, which is why the oppressive ruling class will do all things possible to destroy those they perceive not tagging along. According to him, there is no way the nation will prosper if the leadership is enmeshed in sheer propaganda and aggrandizement; if the leadership fails to be honest in its activities. Leader of the delegation and

Chairman of CDHR in Lagos State, Olaitan Isiak, earlier observed that the rights committee had distanced itself from the ruling class because of the capitalists’ perception they often create, adding that they changed their minds after observing the different trend in Lagos Assembly. “And only recently, the speaker extended a hand of generosity to one of our members, who was seriously ill and in need of assistance. We were impressed and based on these and other observations, we decided to pay him a visit because of his spirit of always willing to help,” Isiak said.

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16 | Thursday, November 21,

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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 Budget: A benchmark of confusion

HE failure of President Goodluck Jonathan to present, for the second time in T two weeks, the 2014 Federal Budget to the National Assembly, is yet another advertisement of institutional failure jointly perpetrated by the President and the

LETTERS

Nigerian rulers’ five cardinal sins Nigeria is bedevilled by SedIR:five cardinal sins perpetratby the rulers. The original

sin from which the others emanate is indiscipline. The five cardinal sins identified national lawmakers. The attribution of what has become a perennial controversy here are corruption, politicisation of religion, election rigof fixing oil benchmark to facilitate a workable federal budget is itself conging, neutralisation of execudemnable, as it showcases lack of seriousness to governance issues. But for the tive members of workers’ unions, and mass media gaglack of agreement to harmonise their positions, the President should have presented the budget to the joint session of the Assembly on Tuesday. The indefinite ging. I don’t want to mention because favouring postponement of the address is a sad statement on the credibility and confidence ethnicism, “one’s own” seems all too natbuilding character of government on one hand, and an advertisement of official ural, which is the reason tardiness on the part of the executive and the legislature, on the other. The budg- Nigeria has the federal characet address is a matter of great public interest to which Nigerians looked forward. ter policy in place, unfortunately more in the breach What the President has done in effect was to break appointment with Nigerians than in compliance; worse of rather unceremoniously. This is an un-presidential habit, capable of seriously all ignoring rotational presiundermining the authority of the President in discharging his official duties. dency. Indiscipline of course means that you allow your The President literally owns the budget, but by his actions, he has belittled the process. He has failed to elevate to an appropriate pedestal what is supposed to be emotion and feeling to get rid of your right-thinking faculty a document of vision for the nation; and one which affects the lives of citizens. and so do wrong things, such Beyond that, the situation touches on the capacity of either party in the contrived as truncation of rotational disagreement to do the needful without employing blackmail tool at the expense presidency.

of Nigerians and the economy. At issue is the Senate’s earlier rejection of the President’s benchmark of $74 per barrel and raising it to $76.50 mark while the House of Representatives also kicked against $74 to up the price to $79 per barrel in tandem with last year’s figure. The President argues that it is not feasible for him to present the document in the absence of a harmonized position on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) as approved by the Senate before fixing $76.5 level. The House defends its position on $79, arguing that the MTEF ought to have come six months earlier. This needless controversy is a desecration of values, and raises a number of posers: why are both the executive and the legislative arms of government so comfortable with delayed budgets? Why does the country experience the hiccup on a yearly basis if there is no hidden agenda? Also, must the President keep shifting the bar on the excuse of differential figures with the lawmakers’ based on benchmark price of oil when he could do his own bit and wait for a possible reconciliation? What happens if the two chambers of the National Assembly also fail to reach an agreement on pricing until the New Year? Do the elected officials have the welfare of the people they are supposed to serve in mind at all? An unsavory angle has also been introduced to the saga following accusations that the opposition members in the House were out to stall the budget presentation. But the opposition House members charged that the budget had been deliberately designed to give a huge amount of money to the ruling party to prosecute the 2015 election agenda. This is a serious allegation which should not be merely waved aside. The opposition had reportedly insisted on $79 which the House adopted on the basis that MTEF is a three-year rolling plan and not a yearly guide to the budget. More fundamental, however, is its exposition that at the base of the current impasse is the Excess Crude Account (ECA) described as an illegal creation that has always been abused by the ruling party. In reality, the country does not need an ECA because it is a pool of corruption to which only a few people have access. It is more of an impediment to progress. Without the ECA, the benchmark would have posed no problems on budgeting. A reliance on ECA means institutionalizing corruption and freeloading money to generate discord in the economy. The ECA should be abrogated. Ordinarily, the assumption is that a budget revolves around exchange rate and the oil benchmark to fix the capital/recurrent expenditures. In reality, the budget is the arithmetic value and processes deriving from the President’s vision, to the collective wisdom of his cabinet and the entire apparatus of the government. Its significance is in being nearest to the State of the Union address, signposting the running of government affairs for 12 months, measuring job creation quotient, employment generation and other critical items of a serious government. Regrettably, the outgoing Budget 2013 has not been reviewed, let alone determining performance indices and failure rate. That has been the practice over the years. Clearly, to continue to argue over one issue on a critical national document amounts to holding the country hostage. It points to a democracy that is not working. This unacceptable anomaly has become endemic. The situation is more perplexing because the ruling party fails to utilise its significant representation in the National Assembly and control of the Executive to manage the process, and to produce a rancour-free document. There is need for a functional budget office in the National Assembly to constantly test the President’s figures on budget preparation and implementation. The country does not deserve the crossroads to which it is taken. For a President whose tenure is on a slide, a sense of reasonable urgency is demanded. Likewise, the lawmakers should prove that they are not anti-people or a stumbling block to the country’s progress.

Corruption is the number one cardinal sin built into the Nigerian system. Some parastatals are allowed to keep a percentage of their income for running cost. The percentage kept grows into millions and the Director helps to clear the excess one way or another. Or the Central Bank is allowed to keep “Social responsibility fund” and so donating buses, classrooms and halls, as deemed fit! Is that part of the working of a Central Bank in developed countries? Politicisation of religion is second on the cardinal sin list. It is explicit in Muslim leaders who claim that Islam is inextricably bound-up with politics. Meanwhile, some or many Christians keep saying Jesus is the answer to all problems, while some other Christians join in using religion to perpetrate corruption and political

destabilization of Nigeria. Not less virulent is the third cardinal sin, election rigging. The ruling party banks heavily on it, and so has staunchly resisted electoral reform toward a truly independent electoral commission. The fourth neutralisation of executive members of workers’ unions, is grave because it means that checks and balance are eclipsed. That is one clear area where Ghana is doing far better than Nigeria. What is democracy without checks and balance? All sell-out workers’ union executives and their buyers will face God’s wrath for chaining human beings to perpetrate exploitation. Ditto those who gag the mass media. All this is written to elicit repentance, positive reaction, or revolution. •Pius Abioje, University of Ilorin.

Ogbomoso wants more of Operation Burst A pragmatic step taken months in Ogbomoso, it strategic junctions and Kraal to StionIR:byinthe present administraappears the men of the under- check vehicles particulars and Oyo State to tackle the world particularly car snatch- chase vehicles carrying cattle menace of the armed robbers and other forms of insecurity and provide adequate security for lives and property of the citizenry in Oyo State was the establishment of the crime buster, Operation Burst. Since its inception, the organisation has lived up to expectation and the near absolute security being enjoyed in all parts of the state is consequent upon its effectiveness. The governor, Abiola Ajimobi deserves commendation in this regard. However, in the last few

ers have been having an upper hand because of the increase in the number of exotic cars snatched at gunpoint in spite of the presence of the Operation Burst and other security operatives in the town. The car snatchers are so emboldened that they operate in daylight. This scenario has forced many people to query the presence of the organisation in the town while the armed robbers are having a free day. Some people allege that the organisation was only feathering its nests at

while car snatchers are operating inside the town. We urge the security outfit to redouble its efforts in maintaining security in the town and form synergy with other security organisations like the Nigeria Police, Civil Defence Corps, Vigilante Group and residents in the area of information gathering which could help in foiling the activities of criminals. •Funso Adelana, Ogbomoso, Oyo State

Thursday, November 21, 2013

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Opinion Nigeria: Curse of the broken vessel By Akin Adeogun T is my humble opinion that a union of diIgood verse peoples – if voluntarily negotiated in faith, and with all fears – real or imagined – and interests taken account of on the basis of realism, mutual respect and empathy, equality, justice and fair play – affords a much greater chance of securing a finer quality of life for its constituent members than a collection of independent states possibly could. In view of this broad generalization, the obvious question that arises then, is why have so many of such unions failed [as, for example, in Yugoslavia] or failed to achieve their potential, and simply limped along [as in the case of Nigeria]. My answer to this is that political unions fail when they do not fulfil the caveat attached to my broad generalization : in our case, the union of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationalities – the building blocks of the Nigerian state – was not based on free will, realism, mutual respect and empathy, equality, justice and fair play. The critical series of constitutional conferences in the 1950s were a pale imitation of the sort of profound negotiations that were needed. These conferences were nothing but a deal done between the Colonial Office and the political parties representing, primarily, the major ethnic nationalities (even though they had members from some of the larger minority ethnic nationalities, added for effect), in which the narrow, selfish interests of the larger groups and, in particular, the British were paramount. For evidence of this, one need not look beyond the unsatisfactory way in which the Willink Commission resolved, in 1958, the question of the fears, aspirations, and interests of the minority ethnic nationalities. The late Justice Fatai Williams, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, recounted his experience before this Commission in his memoirs (Faces, Cases and Places, pp. 50-51) : “...The Commission was ‘to ascertain the facts about the fears of minorities in any part of Nigeria and propose means of allaying those fears whether well or ill-founded.’...Chief Rotimi Williams, T.A. Bankole Oki and I appeared for the Government of Western Nigeria during its hearings in Lagos, Ibadan, Oyo, Benin City, Ilorin, Enugu and Calabar. In accordance with our briefs, we pressed hard for the creation of more states in the country, pointing out, with supporting evidence, that the Federation as it was then was too lopsided. All our pleas fell on deaf ears. At one of the sittings, I think it was in Benin City, we got fed up at being so blatantly ignored and ridiculed by the members of the Commission, that we decided, with the approval of the Premier (Chief Awolowo), to withdraw from further proceedings of the Commission. It took some time before we were persuaded to go

back... Even though we returned, we had no doubt in our minds, partly because of the subtle caveat entered by the British Government in the Commission’s terms of reference, and partly because of the impatient attitude of the members of the Commission to our case, that they would make no recommendations for the creation of any more States in the Federation. We were, therefore, not surprised at the Commission’s Report which came out later in the year. Although the members of the Commission did say in their report that they found the existence of genuine fears on the part of the minorities, they, nevertheless, did not think that the creation of more States in the Federation the best means of allaying those fears. Instead, they recommended a series of ineffective palliatives. One wonders whether, if the Minorities Commission had recommended the creation of more States in the country, the stress which the Federation later found unbearable and resulted first in rigged elections, later in the final collapse of the First Republic, and finally the military takeover and the civil war would have appeared at all.” This tendency, on the part of the British government, create political unions from among disparate peoples, whilst under-estimating or glossing over the vast differences existing between them, was a consistent theme in colonial administration throughout the British Empire. It occurred in Africa, the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent and in the Far East, and, consequently laid the ground for much future instability in these parts of the world. A former British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, admitted this in the 4th volume of his memoirs, Pointing the Way, p.125 : “Nigeria, like many parts of Africa, has suffered from the careless, some might even say criminal, methods by which the different portions of the newly discovered parts of Africa were divided during the grab for colonies by rival European powers. One has only to look at the map to see how little account was taken of natural features or tribal groupings. There was thus imposed upon a large part of the continent an artificial system for which there was no basis of national loyalty....When the troubles began involving assassination and attempted secession, one could not be surprised.” I therefore believe that the Nigerian Union has not delivered on its promise because the colonial power, the United Kingdom, handed us at independence a “broken vessel”; we have since lived with “the curse of this broken vessel” that has completely proved unfit for the use for which it was meant. In order to undo the devastation wrought by this singular omission in our historical evolution, we need to understand, and sincerely come to terms with, the reality of our situation since 1947, when the representatives of all the

Nigerian peoples, for the first time, sat in the same legislative body. If we engage in this honest soul-searching, the following facts will emerge : (1) “If the Southerners want unity, let them first of all embrace the religion of the Prophet.” - Sultan of Sokoto (Hassan, 1931-38, or his predecessor, Abubakar) in the 1930s. (2) “If the British quit Nigeria now, at this stage, the Northern people would continue their uninterrupted conquest to the sea.” - Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, budget debates in the Legislative Council on the Appropriation Bill, March, 1947. (3) “Many Nigerians deceive themselves by thinking that Nigeria is one...particularly some of the press people...This is wrong. I am sorry to say that this presence of unity is artificial and that it ends outside this chamber... and we in the North look upon them as invaders.” - Balewa [in reply to Dr Azikiwe’s motion condemning the creation of illwill among the peoples of Nigeria and urging a united Nigerian outlook]. (4) “We despise each other...we call each other ignorant...the South is proud of Western knowledge and culture; we are proud of Eastern culture...To tell you the plain truth, the common people of the North put more confidence in the white man than in either their black Southern brothers or in the educated Northerners...The Southern press ridicule the Hausa and make disrespectful attacks on the emirs...there is a tendency to take the North for granted and assume that in a self-governing Nigeria the North would in effect be a background protectorate governed by Southerners.” - Abubakar Imam, at a meeting of the West African Students’ Union in the U.K., reported in the Nigerian Citizen, July 1, 1949. (5) “It would appear that the God of Africa has created the Igbo nation to lead the children of Africa from the bondage of ages...” - Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, The West African Pilot of July 8, 1949. (6) “I too, after conquering the South, will also divide Nigeria into two, to be taken charge of by two of my lieutenants.” - Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sunday Express, December. 20, 1959. (7) “...In April, 1966, the same Chief E.O. Eyo [former Chief Whip in the Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly in the 1950s, until he defected to the Action Group following a disagreement with Dr, Azikiwe] told both Ifeajuna and myself that he was first and foremost an Ibibio and then a Nigerian...” - Maj. Adewale Ademoyega, Why We Struck, p.129. (8) “I do not know about other nationalities in Nigeria, but not less than 95 per cent of Yoruba young men and women believe that what they should be working for is their own republic.” - “The Youths are Angry, and Chiefs Mislead Gen. Abacha” by Uncle Bola [Ige], The Sunday Tribune, February. 15, 1998. The foregoing, at first glance, may seem depressing and quite disturbing; however, in a country of many submerged nations such as Nigeria, it is only natural that different ethnic nationalities will have different fears, values and as-

pirations. It is also natural that they will strive to realize those aspirations regardless of what others may think, believing - and rightly so - that they have the right to control their destinies. This eternal truism explains the numerous crises that have continually bedevilled the Nigerian Union since its inception. Even the ongoing Islamist insurgency in the Northeast is, in its own warped way, an assertion of a community’s right to take control of their destiny [by insisting on realising their aspiration to have their lives governed according to the precepts of their religion]. In that sense, it is the latest in a continuum of events that include the “eight-point programme” of the Northern Nigeria legislature, in 1953, requesting for a confederation, in the aftermath of the bitter recriminations provoked by Anthony Enahoro’s self-government motion of that year; the agitation, in the 1950s, for the creation of states for the ethnic minorities in the Northern, Eastern and Western Regions; the crises in Tiv land and Western Nigeria during the First Republic; the riots in Northern Nigeria of May, 1966, and the Northern military counter-coup de etat of July 29, 1966, both provoked, in part, by the Ironsi’s government’s attempt to transform the country into a unitary state; the attempt to create the sovereign state of Biafra; the struggle for the validation of the June 12 elections; the insurgency in the Niger Delta over the control of the natural resources found there ; the sectarian conflicts in Plateau and Taraba states between the settler Fulanis and the indigenous p e o p l e s . With the convocation of a national constitutional conference by the Jonathan administration, the country has a chance – maybe the last one – to redress a 66 year-old omission, and engage, in good faith, in a negotiation that takes into account the fears, interests and aspirations of all ethnic nationalities, and which is based on free will, realism, mutual respect and empathy, equality, justice and fair play. If this is done, I believe the country will finally strike the right balance, and transform into a loose federation of largely autonomous component states, which, in the opinion of many constitutional law experts, is the only form of government that can successfully and happily accommodate a diverse collection of ethnic nationalities - with equally diverse aspirations - within the same country. Such an arrangement celebrates pluralism by allowing the different ethnic nationalities within a country to realise their conflicting aspirations, while, at the same time, partaking of all the advantages that a union of diverse peoples necessarily offers. If we are to be free of the “curse of this broken vessel,” and beneficially and peacefully co-exist, we must recast our federalism along this line. • Adeogun is a practising lawyer in the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State.

Uncle Festus, the struggle continues By Samson Iyayi RITING this eulogy is difficult and painful. I had dreamt of W scribbling my memoir to recount your achievements, and memories of brief moments we spent together at a time when you would have been gray and probably gone past a hundred years. November 12, 2013 has shred my dreams and I must tell another story, the story of a painful exit of an iconic international brand from Nigeria. I will strive to paint a picture; perhaps a picture of the brand you became to be left indelibly framed in the hearts of many Nigerians you touched with your forthrightness, humility, compassion and selfless sacrifice. The supreme price you paid for the struggle of the deprived is a mark of your character and the depth of your courage to face the irony of governance we call Nigerian politics. You always said, “ a man with convictions is not deterred even when he faces the maze alone. He knows he will always come out on the other side”. You were a man who died for your beliefs. A man who was multi-faceted and gifted. A man who believed that the effort of one was sufficient to propagate the needed change. I recall your references to the living legend Nelson Mandela and how you christened your struggle an experience akin to his battle for a transformed nation. Sadly, our nation has not understood what you stood for and the society you envisioned. Nigeria is a paradox; it is a country that has all the right plans but not the will to

actualize these. It is a nation blessed with saviours but sends them to the gallows of eternity. It is a nation that celebrates the stench of politics and the crass shallowness of public officers who claim they are serving our people. It is a paradox to see university dons in the state house prioritizing political reinstatement in 2015 for the standardized education of our youth, our own future. The future of our youth is hanging in the balance, on the gallows of signed agreements never implemented. You had to be extinguished for many to see your humanity and understand the depths of your care for the deprived, the less privileged and our unsung, unrecognized heroes. Sometimes we did not understand your activism and the risks you took to radicalize your sphere of influence. You made too many sacrifices and now, your passage was painful and the government of the day still, in its typical behaviour, sends post-humous accolades of recognition which it at first never really meant to give. In my final year at the University of Benin you urged me to make you proud by coming tops of my class. You had often pointed to my writing gift and assured me of the many benefits harnessing it for relevance would bring. You told me to pursue excellence and develop an unflinching character and passion to serve others. Success was not to be my goal but my selflessness in helping others. Your advice paid off. You were in sync with yourself; you were one with your word a rare quality in my generation today. The unsung heroes of Nigeria are proud of your efforts; your constant lash at the government of the day was their heartbeat and the oxygen of their existence. The even distribution of

wealth to all Nigerians was your vision. You stood for this and never stopped fighting until like your prophecy you were martyred. I am beaming with pride Uncle. That you died in active duty declaring your beliefs is the hallmark of integrity and greatness and the true character of a dependable general. You are indeed great, a noble soul and a true Iyayi brand that has international relevance and grace. You have set the stage for our clan to show our nation and the world what a true hero’s dance is. The dance step of a warlord is in his sacrifice. To Nigeria, I must say this...you are fond of killing your saviours, the divine answers for our collective national transformation. You will not provide sound education nor health care nor good roads but you squander billions on campaigns and re-election. Our roads are a growing network of graves, silent killers worse than Sergeant Rogers of the Abacha era and the polio epidemic in the North. You have sacrificed another saviour again. Dear Professor Festus Iyayi, you were my uncle, my friend, my coach and my teacher. You have fought the good fight to liberate our people, to give our children, my children a future and restore the professional sanity of our tertiary institutions. Your struggle is still on and shall not be in vain. This nation has vanquished many voices, but your voice shall continue to resonate and the music of your struggle will continue to be sung. We shall overcome someday. We will demand for justice. Adieu my hero. • Iyayi writes from Calabar where he works with EbonyLife TV as Head HR/Admin.

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Opinion Anyiam-Osigwe, leadership and genuine democracy By Temitope Ajayi HE recent death of Professor Festus Iyayi on T the Benin-Lokoja road while on a trip to Kano to attend the National Executive Committee meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Universities by a dare-devil driver in the convoy of the accident-prone Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada once again brings to the fore the quality of leadership that exists in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. It also calls to question the recruitment process and criteria for choosing our leaders. Terrorizing hapless motorists on highways and inner city roads has become a major hallmark of the big-man-syndrome particularly by the political office holders in Nigeria – both elected and appointed. Obeying basic driving and traffic rules are physical manifestations of societies that are working and thrive on the rule of law but here it is a symptom of a country constantly under siege. The biggest traffic offenders here are governors, ministers, commissioners, politicians, local government chairmen, top brass in the military, police and para-military organisations, officers and men of law enforcement agencies who violate with impunity all known traffic and driving laws. In many places where I have had the fortune and misfortune of discussing Nigeria with friends and colleagues my position has always been the bastardisation of the value system and public morality. A country where a serving minister forked out whopping $1.6 million on two armoured BMW cars without any scruples even when a case of criminal breach of procurement laws of the country has been established. Any society that no longer has culture of shame has become a banana republic where anything goes. That is where we are today as a country. We talk about deficit of infrastructure and other social amenities that make living and existence thrive in esoteric language that will even confuse all known social and economic theorists. We have turned having good roads, effi-

cient public transportation system, uninterrupted power supply, qualitative education and functional hospitals to rocket science. Those basic things that guarantee good standard of living are what we are still struggling with while citizens of less endowed countries take them for granted. No politician in United States and United Kingdom for example will come out to campaign on the basis of I will build roads and hospitals. Likewise a governor or a mayor in the mentioned countries and other countries where there are remarkable progress will not mount billboard everywhere announcing commissioning of one kilometre road because those things are seen as routine job for a governor or a mayor, the equivalent of our local government chairman here. A country deserves the kind of leadership it gets since leaders supposedly emerged in a multi-party democracy like ours as a matter of choice of the electorate. Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe in his treatises on sundry issues of development and governance is concerned about how social and economic progress have been hobbled in Africa and Nigeria in particular because of lack of genuine democracy. He averred that leaders are not emerging through a democratic process that is devoid of manipulation and brigandage. For Anyiam-Osigwe, democracy is not just about having different governments emerging with different political actors after periodic elections. He offered an opinion on what democracy should be and he asserts that it should be a system of government in which those who aspire to political offices and positions of authorities must as a matter of principle ride on the crest of unencumbered choices of the people. In other words, the people must not be coerced or induced to make those choices. It is when this happens that such leaders who emerged out of the unencumbered democratic process based on their visions and programmes of action will derive legitimacy and a mandate that are anchored on the sovereign will of the people. He posits that it is the lack of and the perversion

of this democratic ethos that has imposed on the continent and Nigeria the emergence of clientele and rent-seeking regimes with the attendant socio-economic paralysis that has made the country taken prominent position among countries that are failing in all indexes of measuring good governance. The recently released Mo Ibrahim Foundation governance index in Africa and the World Bank report on Nigeria clearly attest to our failings and lack of progress as a country. Development will remain stunted in Nigeria with all her potential in the views of AnyiamOsigwe until leaders and followers are willing to pay the price and the price for him is for all to imbibe democratic tenets and uphold these values in all aspects of governance and public administration. When the right price of enthroning and entrenching a democratic order that is self-regulating and self-cleansing in terms of adherence to the rule of law is paid then development within Africa will be accelerated and the citizenry at large we claim the prize when they get good and visionary leadership with a grand vision for societal transformation. It is very important to ask at this point what price are Nigerians paying in terms of getting the right crop of leaders who can harness all the human and material resources of this blessed yet so blighted country and deploy them for the good of all. It is obvious from the tone of public discourse in Nigeria, most especially, on cyber-space among those who should know better that we are not ready and willing to pay any price for the greatness of our country. Many Nigerians still feel comfortable hiding under ethnicity and religion as the basis for seeking political power and relevance. Nigerians deploy most uncivil, uncouth and unprintable languages against one another when discussing national issues and the emotion of ethnic and religious champions run weirdly. Rather than Nigerians to unanimously see corruption as an incubus that is antithetical to

development no matter who is involved it will be reduced to which ethnic group representative (s) is stealing most in government – a case of Yoruba loot or Hausa loot is bigger than an Ijaw man’s loot, therefore, the Ijaw man must fill up his own quota of the looting. Such is the tragic and low level we have sunk to as a people. Nothing shocks us again as long as the man or woman involved is from our ethnic group and share same religious belief with us. As the stage is set for the 14th session of the annual lecture series which is dedicated to the Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe’s all-embracing study of man as a manifestation of divine intelligence it is gratifying that the trustees of the Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation chose a worthy African leader of example in person of President Joyce Banda of Malawi as the keynote speaker. Banda since assumption of duty as President of Malawi has applied herself and her intellect into solving the hydra-headed problems of poverty and under-development of her country. She is about the first African leader to shun ostentation by selling off the Presidential jet and over 60 Mercedes Benz Limousines of different sizes and shapes her predecessor purchased for President’s use. She argued that she cannot in good conscience be flying an executive jet when the majority of her people are poor. She grabbed international media headlines for that singular patriotic act and it unlocked many doors that were hitherto closed against Malawi as a result of corruption, high-handedness and misplaced priorities of her predecessor. Joyce Banda I am sure will share her experiences in getting Malawi to work again after years of pariah status and also share insights with our own leaders on how a good leader with genuine people’s mandate can face and tackle the challenges of governance and deliver appropriate dividends of democracy to the citizens. • Ajayi wrote from Lagos.

Ogun as Nigeria’s fastest growing economy By Soyombo Opeyemi HE title of a report in the November 2, 2013 edition of The EconT omist reads: Many of Africa’s fastest-growing economies have not relied on oil or mining. It listed six countries in the continent as being in the enviable club of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. The publication, in my appraisal, listed, among others, prudence and ingenuity in public finance management, leading to higher revenues and enabling climate for private investment, leading to local and foreign investments. “Progress,” according to the story, “was not restricted to economic policy. The six countries in the IMF study are far better governed than they were in the mid-1990s. Based on indicators compiled by the World Bank, they are less corrupt, have better bureaucrats, enjoy more stable politics and are better regulated than their African peers.” (Emphasis supplied) Although these countries, the leading financial medium concludes, still have a lot to do, they are on the right track. The above is simply apt for the appraisal of Ogun State, Nigeria, which, last Wednesday in Lagos, was adjudged the fastest growing economy and first choice for industrialists and entrepreneurs among the 36 states in Nigeria by the Management and Board of Editors of the nation’s leading business newspaper, Business Day, at its States Competitiveness and Good Governance Awards ceremony. According to the Editor of the paper, Mr. Phil Isakpa, Ogun won the prestigious award “because it has the highest number of businesses establishing in its domain and that the government has made the environment more attractive to investors. Ogun also has the highest positive number of Gross Domestic Product in the last one year, the number of bank branches has increased more than that of other states in the last three years and its financial inclusion, particularly the embrace of cashless economy and use of Automated Teller Machine by residents had increased tremendously.” It is no longer news that before the advent of the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State was in a state of siege. Residents could not sleep with their two eyes closed. Freedom of speech suffered steadily. Banks were closing shops every now and then as insecurity became the insignia of the state. The climate was that of fear. Readers should only visit the libraries of Nigerian newspapers to refresh their memories of what became the story of Ogun, a state that was once a haven of peace and tranquility. Of course, under such a climate of anxiety, businesses would

close shops and move to other states; investors would avoid the state like plague; economy would plummet; unemployment would rise; crime and social vices would become the norm; development would be in abeyance; and life would become a restriction. That was the public perception of Ogun State before the inauguration of the current government in May, 2011. Matters were exacerbated by the fact that for about two years before May 29, 2011, there was effectively no government in Ogun, as one vital arm of government was completely paralysed while the other eclipsed by fear. It was a daunting challenge for any new administration. To the glory of God, insecurity has been fought to a standstill. Or when last did you hear of banks in Ogun closing business because of insecurity? That has become a thing of the past. The climate of fear has been removed as residents now move freely and enjoy their inalienable right of free speech. Some unions who agitate for Amosun to clear all the arrears of salaries his government inherited in one fell swoop rather than piecemeal and politicians who incite landlords with illegal structures, indeed, now understand the meaning of freedom. But freedom and responsibility, we must note in passing, are two sides of a coin… During the inauguration of another multi-billion naira investment, Wempco Steel Mills Co. Ltd, Ibafo, on April 18, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan said, “I congratulate the Governor, the Government and people of Ogun State on another landmark achievement in this great state. I thank you for sustaining a conducive and business friendly environment that promotes economic activities in the state. I look forward to coming again in the very near future.” The BusinessDay award is therefore an affirmation of what is generally acknowledged - even across party line - about Ogun under the current government. Among the multi-billion naira investments in Ogun in the last 30 months are May and Baker Nigeria Plc, Idiroko Road, Ota; Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc, Ewekoro II (Lakatabu); Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese; Metal Recycling Industries Limited, Ogijo and African Foundries Limited, Ogijo. All these are providing employment for thousands of Ogun indigenes. But the success of the Amosun administration is even more patent in the over 45,000 jobs created through direct and indirect employment. Through partnership with institutions like the Bank of Industry, thousands of youths have been taken off the streets and many SMEs established, hence the natural drastic fall in crime rate in the state. The Uplifting Project of the Wife of Governor, Olufunso Amosun, has been of tremendous help in this regard, as hundreds more are provided

free training on handcraft and empowered with start-off kits. Ogun could not have been known all over the country today as one huge construction site with only gravels, irons and earthmoving equipment in place. Thousands of jobs are equally generated through the construction work. The Olokola Free Trade Zone is receiving attention and the state is expected to reap maximum benefits from its rich deposits of bitumen, kaolin, limestone, phosphate, granite stone, gypsum, bauxite, feldspar, among others. The government is waging war against illegal taxes and fees while harmonisation of company taxes has been substantially achieved, with companies already enjoying the benefits. From a paltry sum of N700 million monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) it inherited, the Amosun-led administration has raised the IGR of Ogun to a record figure of N4billion per month. This is done essentially by plugging the loop-hopes in the old system, automating revenue collection processes, encouraging residents to pay their tax as prescribed by law and removing bottlenecks in the interface of the public with government officials. The administration has zero tolerance for corruption. For instance, officials recently indicted have faced the full wrath of the law. The fact that Amosun is a chartered accountant and highly experienced auditor has equally ensured that processes in government are less prone to corruption; workers are motivated through regular payment of salaries and provision of workfriendly environment. The first international investors’ forum organised by the administration, where rebates and discounts were announced for genuine entrepreneurs, has opened a floodgate of requests for investment in the state: 37 new industries (not SMEs) have already established their businesses in Ogun, 14 are at various stages of building their factories while 32, according to the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, have got approval for land allocation. These new firms will generate another round of thousands of direct and indirect employment in the state. The on-going investment in agriculture, road, ultra-modern markets, power, water, transport (contract for a light rail has been signed), education, etc, can only ensure one thing – Ogun State remains investors’ destination of choice. Although the Business Day award is well-deserved, Senator Amosun insists ‘we have just begun’… • Soyombo is Special Assistant on Media to Ogun State Governor.

THE GUARDIAN, www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, November 21, 2013

TheMetroSection Briefs Oshiomhole’s aide loses mother

Still so dark a spot...

HIEF (Mrs.) Scholastica C Alice Musa who died on September 3, 2013, at the

• Clifford Orji’s Apakun former kitchen, is now den-garden for criminals

age of 80, will be buried on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013 at Iraokho, Etsakor Central Council, Edo State. A thanksgiving service holds on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Iraokho at 8.300am. She is survived by many children and grand children, among whom is Mr. Ebomhiana Musa, Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Edo State Governor, Osh-

PHOTO: AYODELE ADENRAN

The dark spot By Abdulwaheed Usamah and Eniola Daniel OURTEEN years ago, the vast expanse of space in the Isolo area, beneath the Apakun and Toyota flyovers that lead to the airport and Oshodi, was the hunting ground for the suspected cannibal, Clifford Orji. It was in that area that Clifford Orji, who reportedly died in prison, was caught with suspected remains of human flesh, and leftovers from previous meals. That discovery shocked many people who wondered how such evil could have been going on under the noses of the hundreds of people who walk by each day as well as the many block-makers under the flyovers and their customers. For a while, the Apakun flyover looked as if it had shed its image of a dangerous area with the efforts of the Lagos State Government to beautify the vast space with ornamental plants, flowers and lawns. That was until a few weeks ago when a different kind of danger began lurking in the area. This time, while nobody was reported kidnapped

Musa or another Clifford discovered, life for Lagosians driving or walking past, especially from dusk, has been fraught with danger. Armed robbers have now turned the area into such a favourite hunting ground that it must now rank as one of the darkest spots in the Lagos metropolis. Tales of the horror that Lagosians have experienced in the area, abound. A gardener, Kelvin John, who mans a garden under the bridge, told The Guardian that the rate of crimes at the spot is worst and that even his brother, who had come on a visit from Ghana, was robbed by some men in the area. He said the robbery lasted for several hours, alleging that it was at full glare of police officers from a nearby station. According to Kelvin: “My brother was beaten black and blue before the hoodlums made away with his money and other personal belongings and vanished into thin air.” “Once it is dark, the whole under-bridge becomes

quite unsafe for anybody who walks around the area,” he told The Guardian. A block manufacturer working under the flyover, Akinjide Alao, testified to how people lose personal effects to unidentified men there on a daily basis if they mistakenly pass through the spot at dusk. He said robberies happen at night when most of the block makers would had gone home, explaining that he and his workers normally get the bad news from security guards and a gardener who works on the other side of the road when they resume work in the morning. “People have severally lodged complaints at the Airport Police Station, Ajao Estate and Oshodi.” A woman who pleaded anonymity also told The Guardian that those who commit crime in the place do not reside in the neighbourhood but come from other places to rob there. Efforts by The Guardian to speak with the Divisional Police Officer at the Airport Police Station as well as the management of the garden under the bridge on the issue proved abortive.

Photonews Don’t ask for whom the bell tolls… Death lurked on the service lane of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway,Lagos. This was so near the oﬃces of the new power distribution oﬃce between Five-Star Bus Stop and Iyana-Isolo, yet so far away no one saw it until yesterday evening. It was on a busy service lane along a major artery-Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, yet neither the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency, Mushin Local Council, nor any other responsible agency, had cared to take simple, necessary action of removing the death-trap days after the twin electric poles fell, partly blocking the road. Several cars and trucks had crashed into it before it was removed. That was death on the prowl. Don’t ask for whom the bell tolls… It tolls for ….

age of aged 103 , begin tomorrow with wake at her residence, 5, Odolofin compound, off Moshood Road, Odo-Oja, Ikere-Ekiti at 5.00p.m. She will be buried on Saturday after a funeral service at the Church of the Lord Aladura, Odo-Oja, Ikere-Ekiti at 10.00am. Entertainment of guests is at Amoye Grammar School, OkeOsun, Akure Road, Ikere-Ekiti. She is survived by many children, grand children and great grand children among who is Mr. Tope Oluwayomi.

HE Nigeria Leadership IniT tiative (NLI), a non-profit organization will host its fifth Christopher Kolade Leadership Symposium at the Sun Hall, Four Point, by Sheraton Hotel, Oniru Extension, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, November 21 and Annual Awards Gala on Friday, November 22.

rites for Mr. IgFwhoUNERAL natius Unozor (Ezeihezue), died on September 12, begin today, with a vigil mass at his hometown, Umubilo, Amanasaa, Umuchu, in Aguata Local Council of Anambra State. There will be requiem mass tomorrow at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Umuchuto be followed by interment at 10.00a.m.

PHOTO: ADENIYI IDOWU ADUNOLA

UNERAL rites for Chief (Mrs.) FBade-Afuye, Cecilia Oke Oluwayomi who died at the

Briefs NLI holds Christopher Kolade Symposium

Unozor, 69, for burial

The fallen poles ..

Bade-Afuye for burial

Unozor

Bade-Afuye

Prof. Ojo, 85, for burial HE death has occurred of T Prof. Simeon Oyediran Ojo at the age of 85. He was educated at the University College, Ibadan and the University of California, Los Angeles. After his doctoral degree, he served briefly in the University of Chicago, (USA) and Makerere University, Uganda before joining the University of Lagos. A foremost Climatologist, Ojo also served in various capacities, including Head of Department & Dean, Faculty of Environmental Science in the University of Lagos. A wake was held at Senate Crescent, UNILAG Estate, Magodo, Lagos State. Funeral service holds tomorrow at 10.30a.m. at Jehovah Jireh African Church, 10/12, Matthew Street, off Ojuelegba Road, Lagos to be followed by interment.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, November 21, 2013

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Business CAMAC Energy to raise $270m to acquire stake in Allied Energy By Roseline Okere AMAC Energy Inc has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the remaining economic interests that it does not currently own in the production-sharing contract covering Oil Mining Leases 120 and 121 (the “OMLs”) offshore Nigeria, which include the currently producing Oyo Field, from Allied Energy Plc. Already, CAMAC Energy has entered into a pact with the Public Investment Corporation Limited (PIC) of South Africa for a $270 million (N42 billion) equity investment, to fund the cash portion of the transaction with Allied Energy. The company said in a statement that it would issue 497,454,857 shares of common stock, pay $170 million in cash and issue a $50 million convertible subordinated note to acquire the interest. Allied Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of CAMAC Energy Holdings Limited (CEHL), the 57.2 per cent majority stockholder of the company. It explained: “To fund the cash portion of the consideration for the transaction with Allied and a portion of anticipated capital expenditures for development of the Oyo Field, CAMAC Energy has entered into a definitive agreement with the Public Investment Corporation (SOC) Limited (PIC) of South Africa for a $270 million equity investment through a private placement of 376,884,422 shares of common stock, representing an approximate 30 per cent ownership interest in the Company after completion of the transactions”. In connection with the investment by the PIC, the company has agreed to list its common stock on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). “These transactions are subject to stockholder and regulatory approvals and are each conditional upon the closing of the other transaction and listing on the JSE.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Director-General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Rasheed Adegbenro (left); Deputy Director, Industry, Osun State, Olusegun Oyedemi; President, NigerianDanish Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture, Prince Ben Koya Adako; Head, Regional South, Bank of Industry (BOI), Balarabe Hassan; Managing Director, Heidelberg Nigeria Limited and Honorary Danish Consul, Jakob Bejer ; and First Vice-President, Jide Bunmi-Nathan, at the Nigerian-Danish Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture November 2013 breakfast meeting, in Lagos.

FEC approves $100m loan pact with Indian bank for three states From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja HE Federal Executive T Council (FEC) has approved a $100 million facility from the Indian Import Export Bank (IIEB), to boost power distribution to Cross River, Enugu and Kaduna states. The council meeting, which was presided over by Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, had in attendance 14 cabinet ministers, with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim; Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF) Bukar Goni Aji; the Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Oghiadhome and his deputy, Mohammed Kachalla also present. President Goodluck Jonathan was away to the

United Kingdom for an investors’ conference in London. The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, who briefed State House correspondents after the meeting, said the loan would be disbursed to Cross River State for the Calabar Independent Power Project (CIPP); Enugu State for the electrification of 96 communities, commissioning of 33KVA and four 15KVA lines and the distribution of transformers and other accessories to the 96 communities in the three Senatorial zones of the state; while Kaduna State would utilize its own for the augmentation construction of the 70 kilometre transmission line from the Gurara Dam to Kaduna industrial area.

The facility would also be used for the construction of 132/33KVA substation power supply to Kaduna industrial area and 50 communities in the state will also benefit from solar electricity project. According to Ngama, Cross River and Kaduna states would have $ 30 million each, while Enugu would have $40 million for its electrification projects. “The facility which is coming at a concessionary rate, was taken at two per cent interest rate and would be repaid over a ten year period with three years moratorium, but there will be a commitment charge of 0.5 per cent of undrawn balance and 0.5 per cent for service charge”, the minister said. He confirmed that the loan facility had been approved by

both the National Assembly in the medium term borrowing plan and the respective State Houses of Assembly. “We believe this facility will go a long way towards transforming our industrial areas as well other communities as part of Mr. president’s economic transformation agenda.” The minister, who allayed fears that the nation was slipping back into the external debts that it exited in 2006, affirmed that the credit facility was different from the previous loans that led to the piling up of huge foreign debt stock. He noted that the loans then were commercial in nature, often initiated by private individuals, leading to high interest rates making Nigeria to pay over $40 billion for debt

servicing. “But under the current regime, government is getting development loans also known as multi lateral and bilateral assistance.” According to him, rather than worry about foreign loans, Nigerians should be more concerned about domestic debts, which normally attract higher interest rates. He said: “ Domestic debts are of greater concern to government with government borrowing at as high as 19 per cent. Government is now encouraging concessionary foreign debt.” He disclosed that debt to Gross Domestic Products (GDP) ratio was just slightly less than 20 per cent, adding that these loans were geared towards development of infrastructural facilities.

Automobile firms re-jig business operations as govt slams 70% duty on imported cars By Taiwo Hassan ITH the Federal Government’s decision to hike the import duty on vehicles into the country next year, automobile companies have started re-jigging their automotive business operations in line with the tariff regime. The move to hike the import duty was scripted to further push the automobile companies to commerce key investments in vehicle assembly plants in the country. Executive Director, Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), Kunle Ade-Ojo revealed that his

company has commenced the feasibility study towards floating an assembly plant around Lagos, in Epe, Lagos East Senatorial district. According to him, the new automotive policy directing the setting up of local assembly plants, in preparation for future vehicle production, was a good idea that needs to be embraced by automobile stakeholders. Ade-Ojo also explained that increase in car importation next year would bring about reduction in car shipments, while adding that government should be tightening the noose to further increase

• Buses to attract 35% the import duty for grey market or tokunbo cars. Executive Director, Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association, Arthur Olisa Madueke, said that the move to increase import duty on cars was a clarion call that has been long overdue, as Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has been at the vanguard of the policy, negotiations with past governments were without success. He said the automotive policy was the best move ever initiated by the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s

administration, adding that Nigeria is on the threshold of becoming car manufacturing nation. The Federal Government announced hike in import duty payable on both new and fairly used vehicles to 70 per cent next year from 20 per cent. A memorandum by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, sent to the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dikko Inde Abdullahi, last week, but made available to the media on Tuesday,

directed that imported fully built unit cars shall now attract 35 per cent duty and 35 per cent levy, totalling 70 per cent charges. The increase in duty, from the present 20 per cent, is in line with the Federal Government’s new automotive policy announced recently by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga. Aganga said the policy, which had attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians, is aimed at encouraging local production of vehicles and reviving the auto industry. The prices of imported vehi-

cles are expected to rise astronomically as a result of the increased import duty while some vehicle importers have expressed fears that the new policy could promote smuggling activities. Some analysts have predicted as much as 250 per cent rise in imported vehicle prices from January next year when the new duty regime comes into force. The Finance Minister’s memorandum also stated that the duty on buses has also been raised from 10 per cent to 35 per cent without levy.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BUSINESS Thursday, November 21, 2013

Jonathan puts telecoms industry growth at 30%, seeks more investments By Adeyemi Adepetun resident Goodluck P Jonathan has affirmed that the nation’s telecommunications sector has been growing at 30 per cent yearly, making it highly rewarding for invesors. Jonathan, while addressing the world at the on-going I n t e r n a t i o n a l Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday, said the telecommunications sector is still a virgin industry, which makes it open to more investors. The President, who was represented by the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, informed that the country is the gateway to the regional, West African, market (ECOWAS), stressing that it makes up 60 per cent of the communities 300 million population. Besides, he said Nigeria accounts for 47 per cent of the ECOWAS GDP; and over 50 per cent of the region’s manufac-

turing capacity. Jonathan informed that the country has the 10th largest oil reserves and 8th largest gas reserve in the world, “we are the seventh largest producer of crude oil globally and the largest producer of crude oil in Africa. Nigeria also has 34 exploitable minerals in commercial quantities, and of its 84 million hectares of arable land; only approximately 40 per cent is utilized.” Specific to Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), the president said Nigeria has one of the fastest growing mobile cellular markets in the World, saying that as at September, the country has over 121 million active SIM cards. Proof of this, according to Jonathan, is that while over $25billion has been invested in the telecoms market since the inception of GSM in 2001 to mid-2012; operators have committed to invest an estimated $6 billion in the (near) future. According to him, opportu-

• Consumer spending to hit $167bn by 2020 nities also exist in the data and Internet markets. He disclosed that Internet users in Nigeria have risen from 45 million in December 2011, to 48 million in June 2012, which were additional three million new users in just six months and presently firm at 52 million. While informing the participants at the forum about broadband opportunities in the country, Jonathan said he inaugurated a multi-stakeholder committee to develop a roadmap for how the country can achieve broadband penetration by five-fold by 2018. “Since that time, this Broadband Committee has completed its work and its output, National Broadband Roadmap, is galvanising investment in the ICT sector. A Broadband Council has also been inaugurated to track the implementation of this Roadmap; and important agreements and collabora-

tions have been established between government at all levels and telecoms operators. “We have also made progress with respect to generating demand for broadband services. Our initiatives to improve the process of ideation and innovation are building ‘companies, not code’ – that is, sustainable businesses that will bring about wealth and job creation by producing products and services that are relevant to the unique challenges Nigerians face and that fulfill their aspirations. “Demand for broadband is also being generated as we continue the implementation and expansion of our e-government initiatives and apply ICTs in the delivery of socioeconomic services. In her own speech, the minister of Communications Technology said that the telecommunications sector is the fastest growing of the

Nigerian economy and is the fourth largest contributor to the country’s GDP. Specifically, Johnson, who said the sector contributed 7.05 per cent to GDP growth in 2012, noted that sector currently contributes 8.53 per cent. She stressed that four undersea fibre-optic cables with combined design capacity of approx 10 TBps; 100,000km of terrestrial fibreoptic cable; 20,000 base transceiver stations; 52 million Internet users; 33 per cent Internet penetration and six per cent broadband penetration among others make the sector very attractive. The minister informed that the policy focus and priority of the Federal Government include increasing adoption of ICT tools by the population

and local participation in relevant sub-sectors of the industry. According to her, market Indicators showed that consumer spending in 2010 was $115 billion, which has been projected to increase to $167 billion by 2020. Johnson said that government is keen on accelerating roll-out of robust, reliable, and cost effective ICT infrastructure to increase citizen access to ICTs, stressing that opportunities exist for entities active in deployment of terrestrial fibre-optic networks (including fibre over power-line); deployment of wireless broadband infrastructure; satellite networks (in particular those providing connectivity to rural areas).

CAMAC Energy to raise $270m to acquire stake in Allied Energy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CAMAC Energy, Dr. Kase Lawal stated: “We are honoured that the PIC has placed their trust and confidence in us by investing in our organization. The Allied acquisition, investment by the PIC and secondary listing on the JSE will completely change the complexion of our company, and we look forward to beginning 2014 as a stronger organization with increased production, revenues and scale. “Being dual-listed on the NYSE and JSE will provide increased liquidity and transparency for our shareholders. With 100 per cent economic ownership of our highimpact, deepwater offshore assets, we will be well positioned to pursue our goal of producing approximately 14,000 barrels of oil per day once Oyo-7 and Oyo-8 are completed next year.” The statement added that in order to achieve the post-closing share ownership percent-

ages negotiated between the parties, the agreement with Allied requires the company to declare a dividend in the form of additional shares of CAMAC Energy common stock, equal to approximately 1.435 shares per share outstanding. It noted that the declaration of the stock dividend will not occur if the conditions to the transactions are not fulfilled. “As a result of the Allied and PIC transactions and the issuance of shares pursuant to the anticipated stock dividend, Allied and CEHL will own approximately 56.97 per cent (or approximately 57.15 per cent, including the shares owned by individuals controlling Allied and CEHL) of the outstanding common stock of the Company, PIC will own approximately 30 per cent and the existing public stockholders of CAMAC Energy not affiliated with Allied or CEHL will own approximately 13.03 per cent (or approximately 12.85 per cent, excluding the shares owned by individuals controlling CEHL and Allied).

Oando constructs fuel jetty in Lagos By Roseline Okere ANDO Terminals Limited (OTL), the newest division of the Oando Group, is pioneering the construction of a jetty in Apapa, Lagos, that will provide a more efficient platform for product receipt to all marketers currently using the Moman facility. The completion of the jetty, according to the company, is expected to vastly improve distribution efficiency and lead to higher margins with an estimated $36 million expected yearly in revenue. The facility, which is nearing completion, will have a halfkilometer subsea pipeline, and a 16” 3 kilometre onshore line, capable of delivering over three million tonnes a year. The infrastructure has been identified as an immensely valuable asset in the Oando stable as it will allow

45,000DWT vessels to berth and discharge their products without lightering and demurrage. The cost saving across the industry will be in excess of $120 million a year. The company said in a statement yesterday, that once operational, the subsea marina jetty will contribute significantly to Oando’s overall net profit as a result of tolling fees and substantial cost savings on imports and demurrage, while ensuring an increase in the utilization of existing storage space, and the significant reduction of constant delays caused by infrastructure constraints in the Lagos area. It added that despite a reduction in importation, Oando remains the largest indigenous supply and trading player in the sub-Saharan region and has a 15 per cent market share in Premium Motor Spirit importation.

Thursday, November 21, 2013 BUSINESS 23

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Group seeks collaboration with SON, others on consumer protection By Femi Adekoya HE Association of Systems Management Consultants has sought the collaboration of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and other key government agencies in the fight against sub-standard goods in the country. The group, while commemo-

rating this year’s World Quality Day with the theme, “Making Collaborations Count”, commended the leadership of SON for ensuring the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian manufactured products. The association which made the commendation in Lagos

during the celebration of this year’s quality day in a statement added that Odumodu and his agency have enhanced the competitiveness of locally manufactured goods through the introduction of both the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme

VConnect brings 800, 000 SMEs online, seeks improved infrastructure By Adeyemi Adepetun CONNECT Global Services, a search engine in Africa, has said that about 800, 000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) had through its platform, come online. Speaking at the just concluded 2013 yearly science and technology conference and exhibition held at the Lagos Business School, Ajah, Lagos State, the General Manager, VConnect Global Services, Rustagi Deepankar, who stated this, asserted that the platform was a localised search engine created to help Nigerians locate service centres and businesses around them rather than relying on information from limited sources, which sometimes, according to him, led to waste of time. Deepankar said that the search engine did not only provide information for emergency situations, but had gained the peoples’ trust, saying that more than 3,000 businesses were added and verified daily. “In ensuring trust to its registered businesses, VConnect carries out an intensive verification process on all businesses registered on its website to assure users they can do business with them,” he said. He cited the example of a VConnect business owner who while being interrogated at a foreign airport gave his business details and showed means of identification but when the immigrations officer was not convinced and asked for more proof, he referred him to the VConnect website. This helped establish that he was the owner of a legitimate business in Nigeria. According to him, VConnect was focused on helping SMEs in Nigeria by taking them online and building trust in their brands. Besides, he disclosed that a research carried out by Nigeria Communications Commission, found that there were about 50 million Nigerians online daily and according to SMEDAN, there were 17 million SMEs, four million of which were full structured businesses. He said that most SMEs were prone to using one-on-one sales methods, promoting businesses to their friends, neighbours, mosques and churches. “These businesses are the small giants waiting to erupt. Combined, they would make a big fish. This big fish does not have any power until we infuse the power of digital technology.” Deepankar further stated that VConnect intended to empower and nurture these businesses and transform

them by providing affordable means of advertising via targeted SMS, email marketing, lead generation, search engine optimisation, online business profile pages amongst other numerous options. He disclosed how a painter located at a popular mall in Lagos, who subscribed to the VConnect website and added

photos of his works had started receiving calls from buyers across the country as a result. The VConnect boss advised business owners to seize the opportunity of registering their businesses on VConnect.com and upload photos, videos and contact details of the owners or personnels to contact.

(MANCAP) and the standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP). The group however implored all government agencies, which have one thing or another to do with the enforcement of these regulations to work jointly with SON in order to ensure their successes. It added that as an association, it had been interfacing with SON, government agencies, international certification bodies and Nigeria service providers and manufacturers to ensure provision of quality service and products in environmentally friendly facilities that guaranty personnel safety and wellbeing. The statement read in part: “This year’s theme has always been our focus in ASMC as we have collaborated and are still collaborating with many organisations in various sec-

tors of the economy (oil and gas, manufacturing, banking, telecoms, security and government agency like Corporate Affairs Commission, and Federal Road Safety Corp) to achieve their quality objectives through the establishment, implementation, monitoring, auditing, certification and maintenance of effective quality management system that meets the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 Standard.” The ASMC said that it expected further collaboration with such bodies as the Council for the Registration of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Nigerian Society of Engineers, federal government, state governments and their contractors to ensure provision of solid and quality across the country, adding that its aim was to ensure quality infrastructure in the areas of transportation, housing, agriculture, petroleum

product refining, power generation and waste management to mention a few. The group added: “In summary, with this theme the Chattered Quality Institute is requesting every Organisation to establish, implement and maintain a Quality Management System that will meet the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 Standard as this will encourage collaboration with colleagues, departments, suppliers, contractors, regulatory agencies, most especially customers and every other Stake holders.” Referring to the definition of quality by the Internal Organisation for Standardisation, it said that it had become important for whatever product and service we provide to meet customers’ need and possibly exceed their expectation.

NEWSEXTRA Thursday, November 21, 2013

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I made statements under duress, says suspect in Osokogu murder case By Joseph Onyekwere KWUMO Nwabufo, 34, one of the defendants in the trial of killers of Cynthia Osokogu yesterday told a Lagos High Court, Igbosere that he was tortured to make statements. He said that the torture happened during the investigation of the murder of Cynthia Osokogu. Nwabufo said this while testifying at the trial within trial of four persons charged with the murder. The accused are Okwumo Nwabufo, 34; Olisaeloka Ezike, 24; Orji Osita, 33; and Ezike Nonso, 25. They were charged to court by Lagos State government. They allegedly chained and strangled 25-year-old Osokogu to death at Cosmilla Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos, on July 22, 2012. Nwabufo, while being led-in-

evidence by his counsel, Mr. Victor Okpara, told the court at the last hearing that he made statements under torture. At the resumed hearing, Okpara told the court that the case was adjourned to determine how statements were obtained during investigation. Nwabufo, after being placed on oath then told the court how he was allegedly tortured by the policemen that came to arrest him. “On the day I was arrested, up to 20 policemen broke into my apartment and asked for my name after which they called me a murderer and started beating me. “I was later blindfolded while I was putting on only pant and taken into their vehicle then we drove to the police station”, he said. According to Nwabufo, he

asked the police to allow him contact his lawyer or relatives, which they refused. “When we got to the police station, I was taken to the Area Commander, Mr. Dan Okoro’s office who showed me a lady’s picture and asked if I knew her, “I said yes, she is my friend and he immediately called me a murderer while he pinched the upper part of my left eye with a plier. “I was then taken to a room where I was chained and tortured to accept whatever they (the police) told us concerning the murder,” he added. Nwabufo further explained that it was during this torture that the police brought out a suspect and shot him on the leg to show that they would shoot us if we don’t comply. “One of the policemen released tear-gas into my left eye and I have not been able to see

with it since then”, he said. Nwabufo further told the court that it was the torture that led to his statement, which was dictated to him at different times. The second defendant’s counsel, Mr. Michael Ajayi also called out a witness, who is the second defendant to give evidence on how statements were obtained from

them. The first defendant’s counsel, Mr. Victor Okpara then told the court that he also has three witnesses. Olisaeloka Ezike also told the court that he was also tortured and statements were dictated to him. According to him, he also witnessed how a suspect was shot and he has no choice

than to succumb to the police request to accept the murder of Cynthia Osokogu. Both counsel, however, closed their argument and asked the court for an adjourned date. Justice Olabisi Akinlade, after listening to the counsel then adjourned the case to January 13 and February 27 for continuation of trial.

Ajimobi urges tobacco firms to promote healthy living From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has challenged tobacco companies, in the face of criticisms against their operations by rights groups; to show the world areas of their operations, which promote long life and healthy living among the people. Ajimobi, who spoke at the commissioning of the Recreation Centre of the British

• Commissions IITA facilities American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) in Ibadan, told the audience that with the increasing global campaign against cigarette smoking in the world, tobacco companies must show examples of their other contributions to the society. “Show the world how you have provided social services. What are you doing generally

about environmental, infrastructural support to government? Have you extended your environmental works to your neighbouring environment? What about road infrastructure? “What are you doing in the area of health? How are you partnering with us to reduce tuberculosis in Oyo State? Have you encouraged cooperative society of farmers? Apart from the area of planting of the leaves of tobacco which you have contributed significantly through synergy with our farmers, have you, for instance, acquired hectares of land, in partnership with IITA, for instance, in training young farmers?” the governor queried. He commended BATN as an example of sustainable Foreign Direct Investment that is working in Nigeria, stating that he was delighted that the manufacturing operations of the company are based in Oyo State. “BATN’s operations have been of great economic benefits to Nigerians, especially to indigenes of Oyo State, where the factory is situated,” Ajimobi said. In his response, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Keith Gretton, commended the government of Ajimobi for being a good host to BATN. “We want to appreciate your government for supporting us in our pragmatic search for pragmatic solutions to the challenges confronting our business,” he said. Meanwhile, the governor, on Tuesday, while commissioning the Clinic, Wellness Centre and Crèche of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, underscored the importance of such facilities in promoting and ensuring the health and well being of workers in particular and Nigerians, in general. Putting the commissioning in a larger perspective, Ajimobi cited striking figures that highlighted the need and benefits of such facilities for an agricultural research centre, and the nexus between healthy lifestyle and productivity. He said that, for example, the incidence of diabetes is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, with related health costs estimated at US$ 67.03 billion, or US$8836 for every diabetic patient. “I congratulate and commend the IITA Women’s Group and the Management of IITA for paying attention to the health and welfare of its staff. The Health and Wellness Centre could help us in reducing the costs associated with modernday illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. The Crèche, on the other hand, will help ensure that children of staff are well-taken care of while their parent or parents are working.”

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Appointments NCAA, others laud Aliu’s election as ICAO president By Wole Shadare and Chika Goodluck-Ogazi HE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other stakeholders in the industry have expressed satisfaction on the election of Dr. Olumuyiwa Babatunde Aliu as the first blackman to be elected president of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Council. Aliu was elected at the 38th Assembly of the member countries and he is the first blackman to head the world body. Speaking yesterday in Lagos, the DirectorGeneral, NCAA, Dr. Fola Akinkuotu expressed: “On behalf of the Management

and staff of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), I wish to express our profound congratulation to you on your election as the fifth president of the International Civil Aviation Organization Council (ICAO).” “We are very proud to be associated with your success and achievement in the Aviation terrain as you emerged the first black African president of the ICAO Council in the almost 70-year history of the specialised United Nations aviation agency”. He added, “while the agency is responsible for the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) and the over 10,000 interna-

tional civil aviation standards contained in the convention’s annexes, we are especially elated that you were appointed from NCAA where you were our pioneer Director of Air Transport Regulation (DATR).” Reacting to the election of Aliu, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh said that it signals the approval rating of all the efforts put in place by the federal government to improve air transport in Nigeria. “The election of Aliu is another major positive development in Nigeria’s aviation sector. It shows the world is seeing the progress being made in the

industry over the years and it also shows that while we attack ourselves at home, the world is taking cognizance of the improvement going on in our country’s aviation sector,” Udoh said. Industry consultant and the Chief Executive Officer of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe described Aliu’s election as very good development for Nigeria and said that over the years the world community had not seen Nigerian aviation as having improved until the last six years when government started making tremendous efforts toward improving safety in the airspace. “So today, the standard of the aviation sector is above

Chairman, National Income, Salaries and Wages Commission, Dr. Richard O. Egbule, Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters, Senator Aloysius Etok and Senator Tutari Umar, during the oversight tour of the Commission.

“Why we can’t give military training to youth corps members” By John Ogiji Minna

MID increasing requests A by Nigerians for one year military training to be included in the National Youth Service Corps Programme, the National Board of the scheme has ruled out the possibility for now. Chairman of the Board Alhaji Tijani Adekanbi told the acting Niger State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto at Government House, Minna during a courtesy visit that the Board met recently on the issue and suspended the matter for the meantime. According to Adekanbi, the primary reason the NYSC cannot give military training to corps members as is being requested is because after the

one year military training there is nowhere where the corps members will be posted. ‘If we give them one year military training we have to absorb them into any of the services,’ he said adding that if they are allowed to be on their own it will be dangerous for the country. The chairman of the National Board of the NYSC also disclosed that the scheme is currently working out a guideline that must be followed by all corps members wile embarking on their community development service to ensure that ‘over ambitious projects with huge financial demands are not embarked upon. While saying that those patronising the NYSC Community Development

Projects should scrutinise the projects properly and contact the NYSC secretariat before supporting the idea, Adekanbi opined that the Community Development projects embarked upon by Corps members have assisted in the development of the various communities where Youth Corps members are posted to. On the issue of fake NYSC camps and Fake NYSC certificates, he called for more vigilance on the part of employers of labour insisting that, that there was no way the NYSC discharged certificates could be forged. He, therefore, asked employers of labour to always before promoting any staff cross check the validity of the NYSC certificates tendered by the worker.

He also maintained that influential Nigerians, who try to make their children evade the mandatory one -year service are subjecting them to risk in the future, as they would not be eligible for employment or contest election without the discharge certificate. In his remarks the Niger State acting Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto said the NYSC scheme has assisted the state in the implementation of its education and health programmes through the provision of qualified manpower. The NYSC scheme has been able to make Nigerians know every part of this country, it has made our youths to know the true situation on the ground in the states where they served.

the world average and in Africa we can hold our shoulders high. Now, we have incidents and occasional accidents but in the past aircraft were dropping from the sky due to poor infrastructure. Those things have been taken care of. The air traffic control has improved; we have radar which helps to give the pilot the right course to his destination and our weather prediction has improved tremendously,” Aligbe said. Aircraft Engineer of Centre for Aviation Research and Safety, Sheri Kyari said that Aliu’s election is good for Nigeria and for Africa,which would create awareness for other African countries to improve air safety. “The election of Aliu as the president of ICAO Council is good for us as a country and for Africa. His being there will bring more confidence to African avia-

tion. He will also pressure Africa countries to sit up and key into the global aviation growth projection by IATA and ICAO. He might also bring about the employment of Africans into ICAO Departments,” Kyari said. Nigeria joined ICAO in 1960 and was elected into the Council of ICAO in 1962 as a Part II member State and the country has since remained on the Council and has continued to promote the interest of Nigeria and Africa on the Council as well as contribute to the sustainable development and growth of civil aviation in the region. Aliu has been representing Nigeria at ICAO since 2005 and he is highly experienced, having worked in all the areas of civil aviation, so he will bring his invaluable and vast experience to bear on his new position.

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APPOINTMENTS Thursday, November 21, 2013

Stanbic IBTC advocates pre-retirement planning By Yetunde Ebosele TANBIC IBTC Pension Managers Limited, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has advocated pre-retirement planning for retires. A workshop seminar in Lagos provided a platform for the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) to forge closer ties with its customers and enlighten the public on developments in the pension industry. The seminar, which had the theme, “Life renewed at 55 and beyond”, had over 450 stakeholders in attendance. Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers

Limited, Dr. Demola Sogunle said that as a service provider of repute and trust, the PFA would continuously offer innovative customer value propositions, part of which included creating awareness about the benefits of retirement savings and helping workers plan for that retirement. He emphasised that planning for retirement should commence early in an individual’s working life as it typically took many years to accumulate the necessary funds with which to live comfortably when the salary eventual-

ly ceases to arrive at the end of every month. “This seminar, besides celebrating you all who will soon become retired clients of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, will also provide an opportunity to address the concerns or anxieties you might have as retirement draws close. Among issues to be examined by seasoned professionals are preparation for retirement, how to access your retirement benefits, your health at retirement and investment opportunities for post-retirement,” he added. Sogunle said that the compa-

ny was backed by the requisite expertise and experience and strong and sound financial clout of the Standard Bank Group, ensuring efficiency in the management and safety of clients’ investments. “We believe that the support, experience and capabilities of the Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited belongs, have been instrumental in enhancing our expertise, resource base and general service delivery; thus reinforcing our goal of providing excellent service to all our customers.”

Innovations introduced by the PFA to enable clients experience excellent and convenient service delivery include the Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers mobile office which was launched in Lagos recently; the first 24-hour multilingual call centre with representatives who speak the three major Nigerian languages - Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa, and also Pidgin English, a footprint of over 200 branches of Stanbic IBTC Bank, where RSA clients can access pension service, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers’ nine regional

offices as well as selected branches of Zenith Bank where the PFA operates. Other access points include Stanbic IBTC Bank ATMs, online service for RSA holders, email, SMS and the Pension Notes which accompany the hardcopy RSA statements sent to customers quarterly. “In our eight years of existence, we have emerged Nigeria’s biggest PFA with over one million retirement savings account holders and assets under management of over N950 billion, paying close to N1.7 billion to over 29, 000 retirees monthly.

Govt explains civil service reforms HE Head of the Civil Service nation because of the critical T of the Federation, Alhaji role it was expected to play in Bukar Goni Aji has said that the initiation, formulation the purpose of the reform initiatives in the Federal Civil Service was geared towards repositioning the service for effective public service delivery, while enhancing its role of initiating and implementing government policies and programmes. Aji stated this at the interactive session between head of the civil service of the federation and federal civil servants in Nasarawa state, yesterday. In a statement made available to The Guardian, Aji, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dauda Kigbu said that the quality of a nation’s most valued asset (its human resource) was central to the development of that

and translation of government policies into tangible results for the achievement of national outcomes for its citizens. He said: “it is in recognition of this and particularly your pivotal role in translating Mr. President’s Transformation Agenda into reality that the Head of the Civil Service directed all federal permanent secretaries to interact with all state based federal civil servants and to acquaint them with the current changes taking place in the federal civil service. He noted that the reform would not lead to loss of job but personnel would be placed properly and fit into areas where their skills and experience could be better utilised.

Commissioner for Health, Abia State, Dr. Okechukwu Ogoh, General Manager Strategy Total Nigeria Plc, Jefferson Nnamani, Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, Total Upstream Company, Abimbola Shikoya, Permanent Secretary to the Abia State Govt, , Ochu. I.Ochu, representing the deputy governor, at the handing over of HIV AIDs Equipments to the Abia State Government at the HIV AIDs campaign programme organised by Total Group in Umuahia…recently.

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

ScienceGuardian Comet ISON: Daredevil or Kamikaze By J.K. Obatala you missed the celestial InotFdrama on the 3rd, all may be lost. It is possible that

Afterlife

Scientists ‘prove’ afterlife with quantum mechanics a question pondered by ItheT’S philosophers, scientists and devout since the dawn of time: is there an afterlife? While the religious would argue that life on earth is a mere warm up for an eternity spent in heaven or hell, and many scientists would dismiss the concept for lack of proof – one expert claims he has definitive evidence to confirm once and for all that there is indeed life after death. The answer, Prof. Robert Lanza says, lies in quantum physics – specifically the theory of biocentrism. The scientist, from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina, United States, says the evidence lies in the idea that the concept of death is a mere figment of our consciousness. Lanza says biocentrism explains that the universe only exists because of an individual’s consciousness of it – essentially life and biology are central to reality, which in turn creates the universe; the universe itself does not create life. The same applies to the concepts of space and time, which Professor Lanza describes as “simply tools of the mind”. In a message posted on the scientist’s website, he explains that with this theory in mind, the concept of death as we know it is “cannot exist in any real sense” as there are no true boundaries by which to define it. Essentially, the idea of dying is something we have long been taught to accept, but in reality it just exists in our minds. Lanza says biocentrism is similar to the idea of parallel universes - a concept hypothesised by theoretical physicists. In much the same way as everything that could possibly happen is speculated to be occurring all at once

across multiple universes, he says that once we begin to question our preconceived concepts of time and consciousness, the alternatives are huge and could alter the way we think about the world in a way not seen since the 15th century’s “flat earth” debate. He goes on to use the socalled double-slit experiment as proof that the behaviour of a particle can be altered by a person’s perception of it. In the experiment, when scientists watch a particle pass through a multiholed barrier, the particle acts like a bullet travelling

through a single slit. When the article is not watched, however, the particle moves through the holes like a wave. Scientists argue that the double-slit experiment proves that particles can act as two separate entities at the same time, challenging long-established ideas of time and perception. Although the idea is rather complicated, Lanza says it can be explained far more simply using colours. Essentially, the sky may be perceived as blue, but if the cells in our brain were changed to make the sky

look green, was the sky ever truly blue or was that just our perception? In terms of how this affects life after death, Lanza explains that when we die, our life becomes a “perennial flower that returns to bloom in the multiverse”. He added: “Life is an adventure that transcends our ordinary linear way of thinking. When we die, we do so not in the random billiard-ballmatrix but in the inescapable-life-matrix.” Lanza’s theory is explained in full in his book Biocentrism: How Life and Consciousness are the Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe.

Mystery humans spiced up ancients’ rampant sex lives EW genome sequences N from two extinct human relatives suggest that these ‘archaic’ groups bred with humans and with each other more extensively than was previously known. The ancient genomes, one from a Neanderthal and one from a different archaic human group, the Denisovans, were presented on 18 November at a meeting at the Royal Society in London. They suggest that interbreeding went on between the members of several ancient human-like groups living in Europe and Asia more than 30,000 years ago, including an as-yet unknown human ancestor from Asia. “What it begins to suggest is that we’re looking at a ‘Lord of the Rings’-type world - that there were many hominid populations,” says Mark Thomas, an evolutionary

geneticist at University College London who was at the meeting but was not involved in the work. The first Neanderthal and the Denisovan genome sequences revolutionized the study of ancient human history, not least because they showed that these groups interbred with anatomically modern humans, contributing to the genetic diversity of many people alive today. All humans whose ancestry originates outside of Africa owe about two per cent of their genome to Neanderthals; and certain populations living in Oceania, such as Papua New Guineans and Australian Aboriginals, got about four per cent of their DNA from interbreeding between their ancestors and Denisovans, who are named after the cave in Siberia’s Altai Mountains

where they were discovered. The cave contains remains deposited there between 30,000 and 50, 000 years ago. Those conclusions however were based on low-quality genome sequences, riddled with errors and full of gaps, David Reich, an evolutionary geneticist at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts said at the meeting. His team, in collaboration with Svante Pääbo at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, have now produced much more complete versions of the Denisovan and Neanderthal genomes - matching the quality of contemporary human genomes. The highquality Denisovan genome data and new Neanderthal genome both come from bones recovered from Denisova Cave.

nature32 will stage yet another spectacular display, late November to early December. Comet ISON is currently making its long-anticipated approach to the Sun, and will reach perihelion (its closest point) by the 28th. Depending on how tightly bound its components are, and the comets mass, the result could be a visual extravaganza that would rival the recent solar eclipse. Astronomers caution though that something far less spectacular could occur—because ISON is a sungrazer. Hurtling inward, from the outer solar system, these icy bodies sideswipe the Sun. They plow through the crackling-hot corona (up to several million K at places) and then skim the Sun’s roiling and seething photosphere. Some comets make it through, others don’t. The daredevil, Lovejoy, for instance, took the plunge and emerged intact, while Elenin turned out to be a kamikaze. Breaking up, it vanished into an ignominious void—to be remembered only as a disappointing dud. Countless variables come into play, including the objects history, chemistry and physical structure, as well as the mechanical forces affecting it. As loosely bound aggregates of rock, dust ices and organic compounds, comets are prone to disintegration. So you never know, quite what to expect. In a Science At NASA interview, Don Yeomans, of the California-based Jet Propulsion Laboratory, described cometic bodies to Dr. Tony Phillips as being “…fragile and loosely held together…So it doesn’t take much to get (them) to disintegrate”. Two per cent of new comets break up, Yeomans says. Nor is it only sungrazers. C/2010X1, as Elenin is known, officially, arrived from the distant Oort cloud (50,000 times farther from the Sun than Earth) in 2011 and shattered during a perihelion passage of 72 million km. By contrast, Lovejoy ploughed through the Sun’s superheated atmosphere (corona) for all of an hour, then passed just 120,000 km over its searing surface—and survived! The key, according to Karl Battams, a U.S. Naval Research Laboratory scientist (speaking to Phillips), was the size of its core. Lovejoy’s survival is even more “astounding,” to use Battams’ expression, when one considers the other forces at work on sungrazers. In addition to steaming

temperatures and the tug of powerful gravitational tides, an intruder is battered by plasma waves and bandied about in highly energetic magnetic fields. Actually though, Lovejoy is part of a short-period comet (less than 200 years return time) that has already broken up. Astronomers believe this happened sometime in the 12th century (1300s). Australian amateur astronomer, Terry Lovejoy, discovered the fragment in December 2011. Researchers quickly recognized the object as a “Kreutz Sunrazer”—a name derived, Science At NASA says, from German astronomer Heinrich Kreuetz, who first studied the normally 10-meter-wide and numerous cometary fragments. One falls into the Sun every few days. Unlike Japan’s kamikaze pilots, who crashed their flying bombs into U.K. and U.S. ships during World War II, ISON (discovered through the Russian-based International Scientific Optical Network) may not be on a do-and-die mission. At twice the size of Lovejoy, the one-time visitor from the Oort cloud could conceivably survive its close (1.1 million km) encounter with our Sun. NASA points out too, that ISON’s “pristine surface” contains lots of volatile matter, which it can eject during perihelion—to produce a spectacular display late this month and in early December. True to NASA prognosis, ISON has begun to do just that—reportedly exhibiting brilliant outbursts on the 13th thru 14th. Space Weather.Com offers to possible explanations: Either new veins of ice are opening up in ISON’s nucleus and “vaporizing furiously” as it approaches the Sun, or the comet is fragmenting. It’s too early to tell, the newsletter advises, whether ISON’s sporadic eruptions are death throes or “just the first of many brightening events…as it plunges towards the Sun for a close encounter on…November 28th“. Nevertheless, it reports naked-eye sightings of ISON from around the world. At the equator, where we are, monitoring the apparition means being outside around 5:30 a.m. and keeping a keen eye on the eastern sky until dawn. As a side note, three other comets are also visible in that region of the sky: LinearX1 and its short-period consorts, Encke and (Yes!) Lovejoy *which is reportedly visible to the unaided eye from a dark location). But ISON is still the comet of the hour—if not yet the “Comet of the Century”.

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Thursday, November 21, 2013 NATURAL HEALTH

Patients living positively with diabetes •Less meat, more vegetables cut risks •Disease not curable but could be controlled

Group of journalists from the Intercontenetal Region at Ketao Cooking School Frankfurt, Germany... inset (top left) are carrots and egg plant (top right). Below are persons living positively with diabetes- Heba (middle), Chelladurai (left) and Ernest PHOTOS: CHUKWUMA MUANYA Dr. Françoise Clavel- those in the bottom 25 per By Chukwuma Muanya to work, I thought I was feel- moved around, blood was Rome, Italy, Aldo Maldonato, ing better and she insisted being extracted from me for Senior Medical Director Chapelon’s team at the cent. R. Ernest Chipu from Meats can have a PRAL that ‘no, you have to go and tests and so on and so on. The Diabetes at Sanofi, Dr. Didier Centre for Research in South Africa, Mr and value as high as 13.2, cheeses see the doctor first, work doctor came in about lunch Halimi, and Senior Director Epidemiology Chelladurai Williams from comes latter.’ I said ‘I am fine, time to perform whatever he Diabetes at Sanofi, Catherine Population Health in Paris 26.8, and fish 10.8. In conIndia, and Ms Heba Rahhal I woke up, I can go. Then she wanted to perform and then Levy, Dr. Jean-Marc found that animal products, trast, fruits and vegetables from Jordan have one thing insisted lets go and see a doc- I was admitted to the hospiChantelot, Benedicte including meat, cheese, and have negative PRAL values. in common: they have diaErnest Chigbu, who is the tor and see what he is going tal. I stayed in that hospital Denieul, and Dr. Eckhard egg yolks, trigger stomach betes but living positively acids linked to the disease. head of legal counsel at the to say and then you can go to for two weeks. That was Leifke. with the disease. of Johannesburg work later. The took a tour of Sanofi Yet fruits, including acidic City when I heard terms like slidThey are unanimous after “When I walked in the office ing scale. Diabetes headquarters of fruits such as lemons and Metropolitan Municipality living decades with the conof the family physician, he Hoechst in Frankfurt and oranges, reduce the stomach narrated: “What happened “The doctor was saying to dition that “although diastarted performing blood the nurses, ‘you got to put were later taken through a acids before they can cause to me was … it was on a norbetes cannot be cured, it mal Sunday Afternoon. I was harm to the body. glucose test and then he cooking course at Ketao him on insulin on sliding could be controlled and Clavel-Chapelon said: “A out and about riding and immediately admitted me scale.’ I didn’t know what Cooking School and Event managed and patients could into hospital. He said four or that meant. They continued Location in Frankfurt by a diet rich in animal protein going to see friends. As I was lead normal lives if they folfive years ago my blood glu- to do what they were doing group of Chefs led by may favor net acid intake, driving about the area I live, I low doctors’ instructions.” while most fruits and vegeta- started feeling dizzy. This cose was about 29 or 32 (it cor- and two weeks later the docStephanie Becker. Ernest, Chelladurai and responds to above 500 ml, tor felt I was good enough to The journalists learnt how bles form alkaline precursors was preceded by concomiHeba told an audience, tant need to pass urine on a which is about five times be discharged and when I to prepare meals tailored for that neutralize the acidity. which included a group of “Contrary to what is gener- larger scale than before. I just higher than normal). got discharged. diabetics. The journalists journalists from the Immediately he asked me to were divided into four ally believed, most fruits thought that may be it is nor“I was then permanently Intercontinental Region and go to hospital. I still wanted to placed on insulin- quick actgroups and they made four such as peaches, apples, mal and there is no problem a team of medical experts drive my car. menu: grilled pumpkin with pears, bananas and even about that. So I did not take ing one and long acting from Sanofi Pharmaceuticals “He gave me a letter take to insulin. There was an individmarinated Mozzarella cheese lemons and oranges actually care of that. at a recent forum in “In that month of August reduce dietary acid load once the hospital, which is about in Vanilla and garlic dressual from one of the pharmaFrankfurt, Germany tagged three kilometres from his ceutical companies who was ing; parsnipsoup with the body has processed 2009 when I felt a bit dizzy, I ‘Sanofi’s Engagement in jut thought it will pass so I office. But what I asked the there to explain the insulin chopped Maryoram; medi- them.” Diabetes’ how they have The study involved near- didn’t really worry about it. I doctor was ‘can I go to work?’ works. You know I didn’t um grilled beef or grilled fish been coping with the disease I still wanted to go to work believe it. The doctor I think with mashed eggplants and ly 66,500 women (from the was also feeling terribly hunand everything one needs to and later go to the hospital. played with my mind oven carrots with rosemary; French center of the gry more than usual. When I know. Prospective get hungry, if I get home I ask But what he said to me, ‘at because he said to me, ‘No and cream cheese cake made European The Intercontinental your own risk. It is your okay sorry for this week. We with coconut flour and stevia Investigation into Cancer my wife to prepare someRegion is made up of four and Nutrition) over 14 years, thing I wanted to eat. It can responsibility. If you die at will see how it works and we with autumn fruit sorbet. zones- Eurasia, Turkey and work I am not going to accept will take you off the insulin A vegetable-based meal for with findings showing that but I never eat it because I Middle East, South Asia and responsibility.’ That started as you improve.’ That gave diabetics is supported by a those with acidic diets were did not have the appetite. Africa. saying something to me, me the hope that one day I large-scale new study pub- more likely to develop type 2 But I was hungry and I felt According to the very weak, so I slept, it was a ‘work wont stop let me con- will not be on insulin. But I lished last week in the latest diabetes. International Diabetes Scientists gave the subjects Sunday. centrate on my health first.’ issue of the journal think he was just playing Federation (IDF), the Region “In the morning of “So I went to the hospital mind games to make me Diabetologia, which found PRAL scores, referring to the has the highest burden of and immediately got admit- accept because I didn’t that cutting down on meat potential renal acid load in Monday, thanks to my wife diabetes. ted when I presented the note accept this kind of disease. and dairy products in favor their diets, with those with that insisted that I go and see The team of experts from from the doctor, I became a of fruits and vegetables could scores in the top 25 per cent a doctor or otherwise I “I was one of those people Sanofi included: a professor patient in the hospital. I was dramatically reduce the risk having a 56 per cent greater would not have gone. So I of endocrinology at Sapienza risk of getting diabetes than was preparing to get myself on drips and then I was CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 of diabetes. University Medical School,

Thursday, November 21, 2013 NATURAL HEALTH

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Eating more vegetables cuts diabetes risks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 who said, ‘not me, not me, I will never suffer from that.’ But you know you don’t make those choices, they are something that happens naturally. Maybe I would have discovered earlier if I paid a visit to the doctor because my mother passed away a year or two earlier from diabetes. “We knew because she was going through public health programme that she would collect medication. She was not on insulin as it were but she was on many doses of tablets and so on. So none of us, the children, decided to go and check for our selves. We didn’t just worry, we said, ‘it has ended with her and we are clear.’ “If not for my wife, I would not have gone that day and would have died because I was still feeling those symptoms of dizziness, lack of appetite but I was hungry.” Chelladurai experience was different. He explained: “I come from India, which obviously have the dubious reputation of being the world’s diabetic capital. According to the IDF, 62 per cent of the population in India is affected by diabetes that is equal to the total population of Great Britain and very close to Germany, which is 80.5 million. So we have a very large population and more dangerous. It is predicted that in the year 2030 it will cross 100 million and it is growing at a very alarming rate. “I retired as manager for Qantas Airline in India and my profession was not affected by my diabetes. I was a good sportsman. I played hockey for India. In fact I just missed 1972 Munich Olympics. I was a good sportsman. Even today I played squash three days a week. The other days I walk for about one hour. So I was thinking I was a tough guy. My parents did not have diabetes, so I did not know much about diabetes. “In 1995, due to my job I travel extensively, I was in Tel Aviv with my wife. That night I was very thirsty, each time I drank water I needed more. I thought it was something not good. Immediately when I returned to India I consulted a doctor. Doctor said, ‘oh you have diabetes and I will prescribe you some medicines. He put on drugs. I was very ignorant of diabetes. I thought diabetes is like cold or fever and it will go after having a tablet or two. I had heard about it but I didn’t know it would come to me. I didn’t expect it. I was living in fools’ paradise because I was affected. I took the drugs and I did not change my lifestyle. I was not smoker and still played sports actively everyday. Maybe my eating was a little bit too heavy so my diabetes was not controlled. “I did consult another doctor later and he put me on insulin and my lifestyle changed significantly. The lifestyle changes were amazing. You feel healthy, you feel good. I used to do a lot of hunting too so a started again. I was 9.9 HbA1 and now it is 6.1 HbA1 and that is because of insulin.” The HbA1c assay is the goldstandard measurement of chronic glycemia and measures the amount of glucose that binds to hemoglobin over a period of three months. The HbA1c Test is often pre-

scribed as a must-do blood test for pre-diabetic, type 1 diabetic or type 2 diabetic or even non-diabetics. Heba narrated her experience: “I was 22 when I discovered I had diabetes. I was a little bit older considering I have Type 1 diabetes. I was 22, I just finished my university education, my Bachelors degree. I was an athlete. I competed with the national team for fencing. So we just finished my participation in Pan Arab games and that was a high level competition in which we won the bronze medal for the team. “So I have been an athlete every since I was a child. I have played volleyball, I played track and field, high jump with the national team, school team and the university. For the past two years before that I have been practicing for about six hours a day. I just went out of the games, I was very fit, I was at my peak in my level of fitness. “So after the games we were in the transitional period. We were just relaxing in order to go back to practice. I continued practicing. I had some muscle pains, so I was going to the physiotherapist for sports medicine in order to deal with my issues. Then my weight started dropping and really fast and I had a very big appetite and I wanted to eat all the time. During my workout as I was getting up I had numbness in my feet and I did not know why. “My doctor took me to the lab and asked me to do some tests and I didn’t know why. He decided to add glucose test, it was a routine test, so I did that. We don’t have diabetes in my family so I did not bother. I knew about it, I knew it usually come to people who are older than 35 and 40. I had no idea of Type 1 diabetes and there is diabetes that come to children. “So when I went back to him with the test and he said to me, ‘I was wrong. The sugar level is in the 200ml, so they must have made mistake, you couldn’t have diabetes.’ He sent me the next

“One very important thing is that if you need insulin you should never stop. “If you need insulin, there is no food or herbs that can replace insulin.” day to test my sugar level again and they were right. They said okay may be you are exhausted let us do some more test. I had to go on diet for two weeks and test everyday until my doctor I was actually seeing, my physician told my father, ‘no, this is Type 1 diabetes, there is nothing we can do. This permanent.’ I was ok but bothered. “You couldn’t have imagined that somebody who was that fit, active and have played sports all life will be close to getting any disease. I was really healthy, living an active life. Then there was they saying, ‘you have Type 1 diabetes, you need to be taking insulin all your life and you need to control your blood sugar and everything will be okay. “When the doctor told me the situation, I accepted under three conditions. I told him I wont leave my sports team, I want to continue practicing with the sports team, I wont take injections and I want to eat what I want. Usually with diabetes people think you have to change all these thing. He sent my dad to get the insulin pen and he put me on a set of controlled system where I have to monitor my glucose level at every meal and according to the readings I will just take my insulin and he told me play sports as normal, just participate and practice, have the doses before the activity or exercise and he asked me to take a snack or milk before my work out. “I do believe the way my physician handled my situation helped me to continue living positively and even

sending messages to my coach, ‘train her the way you use to and she will be okay. I actually continued training with the national team until 2002, that was four years after. That was very helpful. It helped me live a life with diabetes. I did not allow diabetes to lead my way, you just change things and adapt to make it work for you.” Heba further explained: “With my decision in living an active life and continuing my sports career, I started communicating educationists about diabetes and they asked me to demonstrate fencing and use it to educate on diabetes and I did. At the event another patient came to me and the husband was having diabetes and she said to me, ‘you have diabetes and you are young?’ I said yes, ‘but you are young?’ I said yes. I was 23 at the time. ‘But you play sports?’ I said yes. “The way he reacted and I affected his life and the wife was always scared and living on the edge. I felt I have affected a life. Because I deal with the everyday situation with diabetes it makes me feel there is a message behind it. It makes me feel that I can actually be a role model in telling people that you can lead a normal life so also with Type 2 diabetes. “The biggest thing that hit me when I got diabetes was how children deal with diabetes. You know I was 22. I was lucky I wasn’t two days old or two weeks old. I was a grown up, I could take care of myself, I know how to handle my sweet requirements in eating sugar and candy. I can control my life, I wasn’t a

teenager and this brought me to a point when I decided I want to show people that you can live a normal life because I did. I still do and work on it. It is not easy, it is not like you will always be on the top of you game and living perfectly with diabetes. “It is a road of course and it has its up and downs but you can work around it, you can be positive and deal with every situation that comes. So I started doing that 13 years ago as an athlete and then I wrote My Diabetes Story and I became an ambassador with My Diabetes Story. This is to reach to more patients, reach to the community and children and tell them you can live an active life, to speak out about it because to speak out is very important not just to tell people that you may have special needs but because when you speak out and talk about your situation, it means that you are open about it and this helps you live a better life. “We recently established a Foundation, it is a Type 1 diabetes and children with Type 2 diabetes in Jordan. It is called Eradeh in order to be able get more involved with the education and touching lives. I love it because it makes me able to be a role model and to inspire people to live a positive life do what they want to do. There is no limitation. You can do anything you want to do in spite of having diabetes. For a child it is a life time. “The children look up to us. We have been involved in so many counseling sessions so they look up to us, they open up and they look at you as a role model. I am a grown up now and kids use to look up to grown ups and I just say to them I have diabetes just like them, my glucose level is checked constantly and I take insulin and I am living a long life. It opens up their mind regardless of the situation in their homes whether their parents are close about it, very picky or ignorant because you have all three

situations.” Reacting to herbal medicines and natural products as possible replacement for insulin, Maldonato said: “I am not knowledgeable enough about herbal medicines. My personal opinion is that herbs or other plant products have positive effects, which have been demonstrated by tradition but the problem is that it is difficult to associate dose and effect. With drugs you can measures effectiveness with dosage you give and drugs have well defined effects whereas there are so many natural products that you cannot always be sure of the effect. For example we have a legume in Italy, which is known to lower blood glucose. “One very important thing is that if you need insulin you should never stop. There is a case of a family of a 15-year-old diabetic girl who were advised to give her herbs. They stopped the insulin and she died. So when insulin is necessary it should never be stopped. This is the only sure very important thing.” Halimi was emphatic: “If you need insulin, there is no food or herbs that can replace insulin.” Sanofi, in partnership with IDF on World Diabetes Day November 14 launched an international campaign, and is working actively to increase disease awareness. “Daily physical exercise and better food hygiene can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 35 to 40 per cent,” Halimi. He added: “Through its patient outreach and support, Sanofi actively participates in the prevention of this global epidemic, which remains a threat to future generations. For nearly 90 years, the Group has been working to improve the lives of patients through innovation. Today, Sanofi is able to provide overall health solutions and customized services to people with diabetes.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SCIENCE & HEALTH Thursday, November 21, 2013

International accreditation of NAFDAC’s labs boosts WHO pre-qualification drive *Agency holds first regulatory conference in Lagos By Chukwuma Muanya HE recent international T accreditation of two major laboratories of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has boosted the country’s chances of helping some pharmaceutical companies produce World Health Organisation (WHO) pre qualified products. Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who dropped the hint on Tuesday said with the ISO 17025 accreditation of the two laboratories, valueadded agricultural exports tested and certified by the Agency will now be accepted worldwide without query. Orhii in a text message to The Guardian wrote: “My Brother, I just received the wonderful news that our NAFDAC Food Laboratory at Oshodi, Lagos has received ISO 17025 Laboratory Accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for test scopes in Mycotoxin and Pesticide Residues analyses. Formal notification and final test scopes are being expected.” NAFDAC in a statement signed by the Director of Special Duties, Abubakar Jimoh, said the accreditation project, which was sponsored by United Nations Industrial Development (UNIDO) has launched the two laboratories into the league of internationally recognized and respected laboratories. Orhii said this is a major boost to the country’s image and agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Government. He explained that all products analyzed for export purpose by the two laboratories will now carry a special logo making the commodities accepted all over the world. The Director-General said some other laboratories of the Agency are also undergoing international accreditation which would greatly boost current efforts to get some pharmaceutical companies to obtain World Health Organization (WHO) Pre-qualification. Orhii thanked UNIDO and the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation for the support and cooperation accorded NAFDAC in attaining this great feat. Meanwhile, NAFDAC recently held the first regulatory conference in Lagos. To reduce the disease burden in Nigeria through the use of quality medicines and products, NAFDAC has called for the collaboration of other government agencies and parastatals in the fight against fake and unwholesome products. At the forum held in Lagos, the agency signed a memorandum of understanding with its Sierra Leonean counterpart to boost information sharing on drug regulation and to also harmonise product registration between the two

countries and the rest of the West African sub region. Orhii said such collaboration has become necessary in order for the agency to achieve its mandate of safeguarding the health of the nation. According to the NAFDAC boss, it is not about who does the work but about the safety of Nigerians, adding that fake drugs when consumed, have a serious health implication such as system failure and even death. He stated that the agency has adopted a multifaceted and holistic approach in the fight against fake drugs and was also working tirelessly to ensure that some Nigerian pharmaceutical products attain WHO prequalification by 2014. Orhii who noted that NAFDAC was also collaborating with food and drug regulatory agencies of other countries in Africa to also tackle the problem at the regional level said the agency had deployed various cutting edge technologies to nip the problem of drug counterfeiting in the bud. He told the participants made of captains of food and drug industries, producers of NAFDAC regulated products, representatives of government agencies and ministries that the country will witness reduction in the fak-

Member, Niropharm Regulatory Committee, Mrs. Patience Fegbenro (left), Chairman, Quality & GXP Consulting, Samson Yomi Osewa, Director, Quality & GXP Consultant, Hakeem Oshiyemi, President, Niropharm, Lekan Asunni, Managing Director, Health Age, Mrs. Olayinka Oyeneyin, Executive Secretary, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (PMG MAN), Olakunle Okelola, Head, Niropharm Regulatory Committee, Bunmi Femi Oyekan at the training workshop for National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Officials organised by Niropharm in Lagos… recently ing of anti- malaria drugs also reduced the quantity of resources into drug counter- important forum that next year as result of the use products for sampling and feiting business, which is brought stakeholders to a of these cutting edge tech- laboratory test to allow for now a major challenge faced round table to discuss issues nologies which include efficiency in regulation. by regulatory agencies in that will promote the health He however stated that many countries in the world. of the citizenry. He noted Mobile Authentication Service (MAS), Truscan, the recent global offensive Chairman Association of that this will foster greater against illicit narcotic trade Food, Beverage and Tobacco collaboration between all Minilab among others. Orhii noted that the led by the United States and Employers (AFBTE), Mr. Fred the agencies involve in prodagency has increased its post Mexico resulted in drug Chiazor, commended NAF- uct regulation. market surveillance and has barons directing their DAC for organizing such an

IPAN tasks govt on national food policy From Wole Oyebade PPARENTLY worried by unwholesome food pracA tices in the country, the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) has tasked the Federal Government and related ministries to ensure to the completion of a National Food Policy for Nigeria. The institute also tasked government to inaugurate and empower the National Food Safety Committee (NFSC), in its’ quest of charting a new course for food safety, quality and nutrition sufficiency for the country. President of the Institute, Dr Dahiru Adamu, who made this call at the 18th mandatory Training Workshop of the Institute in Lagos, said the challenge of ensuring healthy food for the citizenry and have same acceptable in the world market, were increasingly becoming huge, especially where there is high poverty and ignorance. Adamu said, because of poverty and ignorance, substandard and unwholesome products are patronized, leading to unimaginable health consequence among the populace. The other side of the coin, he noted, is that Nigerian produce are usually rejected in the international markets “because maintaining quality and standards are not yet the culture of the industry.” Continuing, he said: “To safeguard our public health

and ensure global competitiveness, the issues of food safety, quality and nutritional sufficiency must be tackled head on. We have to appeal to our parent Ministry of Health and their counterparts on Agriculture and Rural Development, Trade and Commerce to fast-track the completion of the National Food Policy,” he said. Former President of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) and chairman of the

occasion, Roland Olawale stressed that food safety is a scientific discipline, which includes handling, preparation and storage of food in ways that prevent foodborne illness. He said: “When food endangers life, then it must have contain dangerous substances, technically called hazards.” Considering the enormity of the challenge, Olawale said, food safety must be shared responsibility among government’s Ministries,

departments and food-control agencies; all parties involved in the food chain including primary production, handling, storage, processing, packaging, transportation, distribution and sale of food products, and consumers of the produce. He advised that consumers be aware of the importance of food safety in protecting themselves against food hazards, both in the choice and preparation of food. According to him: “Food control system should be

developed and implemented in the transparent manner. The confidence of consumers in the safety and quality of the food supply depends on their perception of the integrity and effectiveness of food control operations and activities. Therefore, it is important that stakeholder, including consumers, are allowed to participate in reviewing food legislation, where appropriate,” he said.

Pharmacists move against sale of medicines in new Abia market From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia O ensure that the new modern Umuahia Market at Ubani Ibeku in Abia state is devoid of sale of drugs and adulterated foods in accordance with the extant law that drugs and medicines should not be sold in the open market, the new Executives of the Abia State Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) led by Chief Albert Opara as Chairman, has urged the state government and the Management committee of the new market not to allocate stalls or designate a section for Patent Medicine Dealers. Opara told The Guardian in Umuahia that on assumption of office as the 8th state PSN Chairman last month (October), he had pledged to ensure that

pharmacy is practiced in accordance with the relevant Laws and commended his immediate predecessor, Mr Emeka Ogbonna whom he said “ gave a straight fight to illegal practices in the state and won legal battles describing it as land mark victory for both the State and the Nation. “I express my most sincere gratitude to state governor Dr Theodore Orji, who is also our Grand Patron, Pillar of Security, Icon of Democracy and Peace Ambassador, for his landmark decision to relocate the Umuahia main market” “Abia state PSN is resolved not to allow the sale of drugs and medicines inside the new Ubani Ibeku market. My Executives and the Pharmaceutical Inspectors will soon visit the new mar-

ket to make sure that His Excellency’s decision is not flouted”. He also renewed the PSN call on the governor to establish the State Drug Distribution Centre (SDDC) in line with the new National Guideline on Drug Distribution so that Abians will know where to get their drugs when the new policy takes effect from next year. On his thirteen point mission agenda he said “I intend to join Abia State to the National Discuss on Pharmaceutical Care which is patient-oriented, with focus on Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) and carry out a survey on why Pharmacists and other Healthcare providers have not been effective in ADR reporting. This will help to reduce the number of

deaths as a result of ADR”. Adding that he will bid to host PSN Annual National conference in Abia State which is a gathering of all the Pharmacists in Nigeria and those in Diaspora, he said that the project will help to improve our state economy and image as more than three thousand people would be in our state for a week long activity, lodging in our hotels, eating our foods and buying our products. He pleaded with governor Orji to assist the PSN in this regard, in view of the fact that the implementation committees for the project will be visiting Abia State from time to time to assess and evaluate facilities on ground hence there is imperative need by the state PSN for functional bus and other necessary logistics.

36 SCIENCE & HEALTH Thursday, November 21, 2013

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

‘Why Optimal Specialist Hospital was shut by Lagos tax officials’ •Doctor petitions Fashola over closure •Tasks Nigerians on diabetes management By Chukwuma Muanya OINT Medical Director of Optimal Specialist Hospital, Dr. Ugochukwu Celestine Chukwunenye, has petitioned Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola over closure of Hospital on Tuesday last week by officials of Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) and their Tax Monitoring Agents (TAMA). Optimal Specialist Hospital Surulere, Lagos was shut on Tuesday November 12, 2013 for allegedly not remitting taxes amounting to N2.7 million on the call and shift duty allowances of doctors and nurses under their employment in 2009 and 2010. TAMA is one of the new strategies adopted raised revenue base of Lagos State. What steps is Optimal Hospital going to take to address the situation? Chukwunenye said: “We are going to do everything legally and within our means and power to make sure that they reverse this wrong decision. This decision is very unfair. It is still a further step towards trying to kill an innocent corporate citizen. “We want the State Governor to be well apprised of the facts of this case so that he will tell his officials to rescind their steps. So we will do everything to bring this matter to his knowledge and if he doesn’t do what we expect is his right steps to do, we would resort to the courts. There are courts in the land that arbitrate in matters like this.” Have you petitioned Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola? The obstetrician and gynaecologist said: “Yes we are going to petition the Governor. It is definitely one of the steps we are going to take. We are going to petition the Governor so that he will be in the know.” Is any organ of the State Ministry of Health involved in any way in this tax issue like the Lagos State Hospital Management Board? Do you have any issues with them? “No we don’t have any issues with Lagos State Hospital Management Board and Ministry of Health,” he said. Chukwunenye added: “Well I don’t see how they can upturn what the sister agency has done. The person that can do it is the Governor and we are going to appeal to him.” Don’t you think that going to court is going to be against the interest of your patients? Chukwuneye retorted: “So what do you advise us to do? We say we are going to petition the Governor. That is a quick way out if he is going to get his officials to have a rethink. But if he doesn’t what are the options that we are left with?” What other options have they given you? He explained: “They said we must pay the N2.7 million and we don’t have it. That is what they bargained for the 2009 and 2010 audit of our accounts. We have our documents.” You said they are taxing the call duty and shift duty allowances of your workers. Is

that obtainable in other hospitals? Chukwunenye said: “What I can say clearly is that in 2010 they also tried to harass some other private health practitioners in Surulere. What they agreed for them to pay as their annual professional tax, I was already paying double that amount as my own tax to the State. So that I know because I was at the meeting when they were discussing it. Since then I have maintained that profile. I don’t think there is in anyway we are paying less tax than any other private hospital in this state or here in Surulere.” How about the taxes on call duty and shift duty? Is it a conventional practice? “No they don’t do that. Throughout the time I was in the federal government employment my call duty allowance was never taxed and for the nurses I know their shift duty was never taxed, their inducement allowance was never taxed. So those are things we know,” he said. This N2.7 million excess tax is it from the call and shift duty allowances? Chukwunenye explained: “Yes! It is from the tax on the call and shift duty allowances. If they remove that we are not owing them a kobo. They are not taxable allowances. The N2.7 million they are demanding is basically the tax they have placed on our call, shift duty or maybe inducement allowances. If they remove these they will find out that there is no basis for saying we are owing a kobo because we are not. “On the taxable income of our staff they have paid appropriate taxes on them that is what we are saying clearly. So the general public should know that we are not evading any tax. We have always paid what is our appropriate taxes and our staff, they are complaining that many times when they compare the amount of tax they pay with their colleagues elsewhere that they are paying more. So coming to ask that we should make them pay even more is unthinkable. “This money is not going to come out from the company account. You must understand this. This money is going to come out from the salaries of the staff. It is Pay As You Earn (PAYEE). It has nothing to do with Optima as a registered corporate entity. As a corporate entity we pay company income tax to the federal government. That is a different issue. This is PAYEE tax of the staff of the Hospital. “So what we are saying is that the Hospital’s staff have paid the appropriate taxes and what the Lagos State Internal Revenue Services is doing is to impose obnoxious taxes on the staff of this hospital with a view of driving them away from working for this Hospital because they are already complaining that that they are over paying taxes in this hospital. In fact three of five years ago I had a mass protest from my staff

that they are paying too much taxes. I had to tell them that this is the tax law of the State and of the government and there was nothing I was going to do about it. “So to come here and now tell them to pay three of four times more, I think it is most unfair on them and state government has to look at this and have a rethink. The tax has nothing to do with Optima as a corporate entity. It is PAYEE tax, which the relevant document shows.” Assuming it is not only your hospital that is experiencing this situation, what does this portend for the health sector? He said: “I think that if they have extended it to many other hospitals in the state, it is grave and unfortunate. That means somebody somewhere does not care about the lives of citizens of the state. For tax issues there are many other ways to resolve these things. If for instance the state had gone to court and the court had looked into the issues on both sides and had given a position. That will be more tenable. But for an agency that is the accuser to be the judge and executioner of the judgement. “I think they are not being fair and they are not being democratic in their approach. So if they have done that to other hospitals it is really very grave. The other thing that is going to happen is maybe many more hospitals will go under worsening the situation in the country. Maybe price of services for those that are surviving will go higher and none of this is in the interest of the suffering masses of the state. The state should instead be thinking of ways of bringing down prices in private hospitals that are

Chukwunenye complimenting in providing services for the teaming masses of this state. That is what should be in the interest of the state.” Apart from the alleged default in tax payment, are you or have you been involved or found guilty of any medical malpractice? Chukwuneye said: “No! Capital NO. I am not under investigation for any medical malpractice. Optimal Specialist Hospital has practiced at the highest levels and we don’t have any malpractice issue and people don’t die very carelessly in my hospital. We are one of the few hospitals that can say for the last 15 years no pregnant woman has died in this hospital. None, night or day, we have always cared for them. “We are a very caring hospi-

tal. We look after our patients. That has been our strength and that is why we have been able to survive the onslaughts that the MCC put in front of us. If we don’t have strong following among our patients we would have died off with that kind of attack because people believe in us, they believe in what we are doing, they continue to come and they continue to patronize us.” Chukwunenye alleged that the Hospital is being victimized and there are grand plans to force it out of operations because of its proximity to Mother and Child Centre (MCC) of Randle General Hospital Surulere. The medical director explained: “Optimal Specialist Hospital was open to business on January 1, 1997 along Akerele Road but we moved

into this present premise at No 9 Gbaja Street Surulere on September 27, 2003. We are over ten years in this premise now. When we moved into this premises it was only a Primary Health Centre (PHC) that was into birth and death registrations and may be giving of immunisations was where the present MCC is located. “The present MCC is a part of Randle General Hospital, which is located many streets away from here. So it is in the wisdom of some people in the state government that they decided to move the maternal and child section of that hospital to almost opposite us knowing fully well that we are into maternal and child health services. So having done that and then going ahead to keep employing all our staff and our doctors it became very obvious that some people were hostile to the existence of this hospital. Those staff even before they left the Hospital, did a lot of damage to the Hospital. They sent a lot of our patients over to the other side before they eventually resigned or they were sacked and then employed over there. Even now we still have problems because they keep trying to attract our staff. “A few Sunday’s back when I came for service I found out that the technician in our pharmacy has locked up the Pharmacy. And where did he disappear to? The same hospital. I was very livid with him. If there was an emergency what would have happened. He did not tell anybody else here where he has gone to. So it has continued to be a sore point. But we are not deterred. They are a government hospital and we are a private hospital. We know that if they keep to the rules we will survive and they will survive. But using extra means to try to kill Optima is what we detest. Let everybody practice what they know how to practice.”

NHF educates Nigerians on healthy, heart friendly food intakes By Tony Nnwanne ETERMINED to reduce and eliminate different heart related diseases in the country, the Nigerian Heart Foundation have urged Nigerians to do away with heart unfriendly foods. This was said at this year’s edition of the healthy heart nutrition bazaar, put together by the Nigerian Heart Foundation, which took place on Sunday at the Muri Okunola Park Lagos. Speaking to kick off the event, the Vice Chairman, NHF, Dr. Femi Mobolaji Lawal noted that it is high time Nigerians learnt to monitor their food intakes, adding that not so many people do exercise, which is also important when it comes to the healthiness of the heart. The Healthy Heart Nutrition Bazaar according to Lawal underscores the importance of healthy diets as a catalyst to reduce heart diseases and stroke among Nigerians. With the team “Take the

Road to a Healthy Heart”, the exhibition had on display healthy and heart related food that has been certified from heart diseases. Exhibition of heart healthy brands to encourage consumers make healthy food choices. The Chairman of the exhibition, Dr. Funmi Akinloye, also while speaking on the importance of monitoring food intakes, she was of the view that it is also important to also keep the public aware of their healthy way of living. There is the need to sensitize people, making know that health is wealth and to also chose a better and healthy lifestyle. This year’s event focuses on the ‘life course’ approach to the prevention and control of CVD amongst all age groups, with a focus on women and children, as healthy children leads to healthy adults and healthy adults leads to healthy families and communities. Meanwhile, Dr. Toyosi Owoeye, from the

Physiotherapy department of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, noted that exercise is important for every human being, and that the three components of exercise, which are aerobic, muscular, and flexibility must be achieved. “Healthy nutrition is an important part of healthy nutrition, what people eat can make real difference in helping to lower blood cholesterol, low density lipoprotein that is bad cholesterol and blood glucose. It means that adequate attention needs to be paid to every form of intakes, which prompted the need for us to invite stakeholders from both nutrition, and domestic brand manufacturers to be available to harp on it”. According to him, “these three components, aerobic, muscular and flexibility is an integral part of exercise that helps the body to perform normal and Also, the President of the Blood Pressure Control Jacob Dr Foundation,

Nwachukwu, who is also a member of the NHF was of the view that the level of awareness among Nigerians in terms of heart diseases is very low, adding that events like this will create awareness on the medical advice to avoid any form heart diseases. “The heart is the main organ in the body that supplies to other parts of the body, and it’s supposed to maintain a certain measurement, and if the number is more than 140 over 90 above, we say the person is hypertensive.” He added: “So that is why Nigerians needs to be more proactive and careful. Ignorance and misconceptions abound regarding what constitutes healthy diet and how to source it. Expensive food is not necessarily more nutritious; unless people adopt hearthealthy living CVD will remain the single leading cause of death worldwide and by 2030 will be responsible for 23.6 million deaths each year.”

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Pharmacists want NASS to amend controversial section of National Health Bill By Chukwuma Muanya HARMACISTS under the aegis of the Pharmaceutical P Society of Nigeria (PSN) have again called on the National Assembly to amend the controversial sections of the National Health Bill. PSN in a communiqué released at the end of its 86th annual national conference tagged “Harmony 2013” held recently in Ilorin, Kwara “admonished the National Assembly to immediately amend the controversial section 1(1) which is in direct conflict with provisions in the existing Acts of Parliaments including the PCN Act, Medical Laboratory Science Council Act and Nursing and Midwifery Council Act to remove suspicions that the Health Bill is an attempt to forcibly remove the autonomy of other health professions in Nigeria.” The communiqué signed by the PSN President, Olumide Akintayo, and the National Secretary, Victor Okwuosa, also “counselled the National Assembly to open the frontiers in the borders of healthcare by removing the unconstitutional clauses in section 9 of the draft health bill which vests the headship of the proposed national institution in only one profession in a multi-disciplinary health sector.” The conference empowered the President of the PSN to join forces with other allies to enforce constitutional imperatives in this regards should anything contrary to the above arise in the months ahead. The conference received and discussed issues on research and economic development and how to link research into health development programmes; foresaw the rich potential of herbal medical resources and urged government to tap into these to harness benefits inherent in herbal medicines; and called on the government to further provide coordination among the health related research bodies in Nigeria. The conference challenged hospital and community pharmacists to adopt the right mental attitude and focus in matching expectations of the consuming public with regards to new roles in Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) as approved by the National Council on Health, appropriate drug labelling through the dispensing software initiative and other responsibilities as they emerge from on-going consultations with government at all levels. The conference “condemned in strong and absolute terms the extremely rude posturing of the President of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele who has never failed to show contempt, hatred and bitterness in comments against the profession of pharmacy and the leadership of PSN.” The communiqué reads: “Conference in particular decried the destructive mission of the Enabulele led NMA and his allies in the Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria who intimidated the management of Central Hospital, Benin into refusing access to the facilities of the

hospital to train pharmacy students who are citizens of Nigeria who will offer a benefit package to the indigenes of Edo State in future only on grounds of professional arrogance. Conference therefore renewed earlier calls that the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole step into the situation urgently with a view to redressing such aberrations in the long term interest of the citizenry.” The Conference appraised the totality of the strategies to reposition pharmacy practice in Nigeria and gave kudos to the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Council for some achievements in recent times; and acknowledged a need to

consolidate these gains and therefore recognised the fledging League of Pharmacist Directors of Nigeria as a support group in organised pharmacy. The Conference called on the Head of Service of the Federation and Chairman, National Salaries and Wages Commission to urgently review the remuneration, allowances and other professional privileges due hospital pharmacists in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice as this will boost morale while also guaranteeing reward for labour for these key personnel in healthcare in Nigeria. The Conference endorsed proposed amendments to the

PSN Constitution 2005 and gave approval for the use of a new PSN Constitution 2013. The Conference specially acknowledged with an award plaque the efforts of Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the executive governor of Kano for contributing to sanitising the drug distribution channel in Nigeria through the closure of the Sabongari drug market in Kano, Kano State and his genuine investment in manpower development in pharmacy practice in Kano and thanked the executive governor of Kwara State, the Emir of Ilorin and the good people of Kwara State for their hospitality which facilitated the success of the conference.

Akintayo

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SCIENCE & HEALTH Thursday, November 21, 2013

Ogun SACA boss urges Nigerians to stop stigmatisation of persons with HIV/AIDS ORE Nigerians will feel M free to undertake voluntary counseling and testing of their Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) status and when discovered to be positive, would come out openly to declare such status if they are sure others in the community would not discriminate against them, but give support, love and care for them at all times. Director, Ogun State Agency for Control of AIDS (OgunSACA), Dr. Kehinde Fatungase made this submission in Ikenne while flagging off a free and voluntary testing and counseling programme of the agency. Fatugase, who asserted that the greatest challenge in the fight against HIV/AIDS particularly in the third world remained the twin problem of discrimination and stigmatisation, explained that being HIV positive was not a death sentence but an opportunity for such people to make better choices and embrace healthy habits that would prevent further spread of the disease. He said when supported, shown love and care, people living with HIV could live active and productive life, would not lose purpose for living and be fatalistic about

life, but take steps necessary to take care of themselves and prevent outbreak of full blown AIDS. “Being HIV positive is not a death sentence. We should therefore avoid discriminating and stigmatising people living positively, doing so will make them feel unwanted and cause them to lose the desire to live. Let us show them love as people living with HIV can also live long and productive life,” Fatungase submitted. The OgunSACA boss recalled that his agency had already forwarded an antistigma bill to the state lawmakers, expressing hope that the when eventually passed into law and enforced, it would help protect the rights of such people against stigma and discrimination. He reminded that means of contacting the virus include sharing of sharp unsterilised objects; having unprotected sex and engaging in transfusion of unscreened blood, dismissing the myth that HIV could be contacted by sharing utensils, hugging and talking to an infected person. Other highlights of the programme were distribution of male and female condoms, as well as behavioural change communication materials such as fliers and handbills.

Rotary honours cancer fighters, Gloria Young, Dorcas Adeyemi By Bankole Shakirudeen Adeshina N recognition of their tremendous efforts against the deadly cancer disease, the duo of actress Gloria Young and the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital’s retired Matron, Mrs. Dorcas Adeyemi have been honoured by the Rotary Club of Lagos-West, District 9110 Nigeria Humanitarian Service Awards. At the same event, the duo were officially inducted as ‘Rotary Cancer/Polio Ambassadors,’ with specific obligations on creating the necessary awareness on how to efficiently manage the deadly diseases. For instance, current statistics by the Committee Encouraging Corporate

Philanthropy (CECP), show that among the 100,000 Nigerians diagnosed of different type of cancer infection annually, 80,000 of them ends up dead because of late diagnosis and lack of access to sound medical attention. By implication, it means that over 240 Nigerians die daily of the disease, including more than 30 women, who succumbed to breast infection category of the disease. While presenting the awards to the recipients, President of the Rotary Club, Mrs. Elizabeth Bakare said the gesture was to encourage them to intensify their efforts in an attempt to save lives from the killer diseases.

Only HEFAMAA is empowered to register health facilities, says Adeshina By Seye Olumide PECIAL Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina has said that the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) is the only regulatory agency empowered by law to accredit, register and license premises and locations where quality healthcare services are rendered, be it preventive or curative health services. Adesina, who disclosed this in Lagos at the second stakeholders’ meeting of health facilities operators and health service providers noted that the clarification on registration of health facility is necessary especially against backdrop of the need to dispel misconception of who is really empowered by law to register health facilities. She said, “the health facility monitoring and accreditation agency (HEFAMAA), was established in March 2006 by the Health Sector Reform Law of 2006. It took over the activities of the private hospital registration authority, which has been in existence since 1983. The Agency performs it regulatory functions to ensure that the minimum set standard by law are maintained thereby securing the safety of lives of the citizenry.” The special adviser explained that while the Medical And Dental Council of Nigeria, Nursing Council of Nigeria and the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria is concerned with the accreditation, registra-

Adeshina tion and licensing of doctors, nurses and pharmacist respectively, HEFAMAA concerns itself with registration of clinics, hospitals, maternity homes, convalescent homes, laboratories, diagnostic centers and mortuaries. Adeshina added that the HEFAMAA stakeholders meeting is meant to be an eye opener to see how many health providers are in darkness as to what the roles of HEFAMAA are and how grey issues concerning its activities can be addressed stressing the first stakeholders’ meeting which took place four months ago was very encouraging as it opened up windows, doors and avenues of interaction between HEFAMAA and all her clients on how to move the health sector forward. “Suffice it to say that we got

condition to lifestyle changes which resulted from urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, dietary changes among other factors. Iwuala warned that if not quickly handled that obesity could lead to several health risks like diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, cataract among others. Highpoint of the event was articulated walk engaged by hundreds of children, women and men from Idi-Araba to Masha-Kilo back to Idi-Araba- a distance of several kilometres. Managing Director of Managed Healthcare Services (MHS) Limited, Dr. Patrick Korie explained that the walk was necessary to avoid and raise awareness about obesity, a condition, which he said, is becoming prevalent among Nigerians. The public health expert

Bello added that there were cases where a facility was registered as a clinic and the operator opened another branch without the knowledge of HEFAMAA and was operating full-fledged hospital and maternity centre stressing that the aesthetic look of some facilities speaks volume in terms of dirtiness and very awkward arrangements. “It is unfortunate that barely four month after we had the first stakeholders meeting when we rubbed minds as to how we can move the health industry in the State forward, some health facilities and operators have not changed for the better as evident in worst scenario of events recorded in their facilities,” the chairman said. He vowed that HEFAMAA would do the needful to ensure that the minimum set standard by law are maintained by any health facility that operates within the state be it public or private adding that the aim of the stakeholders meeting is to involve all stakeholders in the business of providing care to collectively discuss ways of how to move the healthcare delivery system in the State forward. “HEFAMAA will not fold its arms when flagrant infractions are committed by stakeholders in the industry. As we speak, a number of health personnel are being investigated by the Personnel Management Board at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and Health Service Commission (HSC) for various offences as it relates to the management of patients,” Bello stated.

Restrooms, wards in LUTH betray hygiene standard By Abdulwaheed Usamah ASICALLY, since hygiene has been described by hygienists as preservation of health and cleanliness, it significant becomes essential to people and hospitals are most expected places where such is to be strongly promoted. Meanwhile, sanitary condi-

tion of toilet facilities including position of wards furniture and accessories at eyeshot in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) betrayed expectations of most patients and visitors on promotion of hygiene practices. A source, who works in the hospital told The Guardian that most of the clinic’s rest-

How to beat obesity, lifestyle diseases, by experts By Joseph Okoghenun XPERTS have recommended lifestyle modifications and regular exercise as means to overcome the challenge of obesity and various complications that go along with it. The various experts, who spoke in Lagos recently at walk against obesity exercise organised by Divine Physician and St. Luke Chaplaincy in partnership with Managed Healthcare Services (MHS) Limited, a health maintenance organisation (HMO), said obesity was becoming a rampant condition among Nigerians. Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)/College of Medicine Lagos University Teaching (CMUL) consultant endocrinologist, Dr. Sandra Iwuala, who spoke at the event, attributed the health

a lot of comments which was encouraging. It was really an eye opener to see how many providers were in darkness as to what the roles of HEFAMAA is and how and why we established HEFAMMA. We will continue to encourage this interactive session beyond today,” she said. The special adviser, however, noted there is an approval to set up ‘e-HEFAMMA,’ which is the electronic version of HEFAMAA that would enable health providers register, pay and make changes online without having to come to HEFAMAA office at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa every time they need to make any adjustment in their paper works. She stressed that the Agency is not established to witch hunt anybody but to regulate the activities of providers to meet up with the minimum set standards by law to ensure healthy citizenry. Earlier, the Chairman of the Agency, Dr. Tayo Bello expressed displeasure at the attitude of health care providers to clients who patronise their facilities stressing that the time has come when health providers should pay special attention and emphasis on improving attitude towards clients. Bello said, “we have incidence where patients complained of uncourteous attendance at both private and public health facilities. There is the case of a private facility that refused to attend to a stabbed security guard who was bleeding profusely until a deposit was paid, this trend is worrisome and HEFAMMA frowns at this.”

advised Nigerians to exercise at least 30 minutes three times a week to beat obesity, adding that his organisation was concerned about the wellbeing of Nigerians. Head Chaplain, LUTH-based Divine Physician and St. Luke Chaplaincy, Rev.Fr. Kwame Owiredu said the awareness was Christ-like way of looking after the physical wellbeing of people in general. Iwuala said, “obesity is the excessive accumulation of body fat to the extent that it may cause harmful effect to the person or affect the person’s health negatively. We usually define obesity as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kilogramme per metre square or more. “We get that by measuring the weight of a person in kilogramme and divide it by square of the height. For

instance, if somebody measures 70kg and the height is 1.6, to get the BMI, we say 70 divided by 1.6 times 1.6 to get the BMI. A BMI above 30 is obesity; a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is overweight. It is not just enough to say I am not obese; my BMI is not yet 30. If your BMI is still in the overweight category, you still are still at risk of having some of the complications that obesity can bring. “Obesity has lots of health implications. Fat is something not quiet but active; secrets hormones and doing lots of things to the body. It causes a wide range of disorders to the body, starting from the head to the toe. It can increase risk of cataract, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, asthma, sleep apnea, joint problems like osteoarthritis among others.

rooms and wards need facilities and accessories replacement as many of them were been fixed and in use for almost two to three decades ago. He said that there is no other way to attaining hygiene standard if essential daily public use facilities particularly edifice toilets in the clinic that have remain irritant to people they were build for refuse to use on shortfall in cleanliness, stating that, the management is aware of the constraint but could not shoulder the expenses alone. According to him, LUTH management has been receiving complaints particularly from visitor and other right thinkers of the society, who are frequent to the clinic but has just recently discovered that people living in community around the hospital snick in to make use of some of the toilets. “It is one of the issue which the management has been combating with, to ensure that when it put the restrooms and other commonly public used amenities properly under watch of usage and maintenance to meet hygiene standard,” he said. The source confirmed that the condition of most restrooms and other amenities in LUTH are below hygiene required standard except those ones that are private used and not place where pub-

lic have accesses to them. On whether the facilities were getting proper daily maintenance, the source told The Guardian that, there are janitors whom there oversight function is nothing but to mind the toilet and other similar facilities and ensure there are provide with daily need requirement. A visitor, Hamdalat Adebiyi, who spoke to The Guardian, said the state of one the restroom in the hospital she visited is not something she could write home about as most of them do not speak hygiene standard. She stated that one could easily contract infection in such state, saying that, if clinic such as LUTH could failed to exhibit little expectant of hygiene, that is cleanliness, then the management has a lot of work to do to correct shortfall in such important standard. “This is eyesore, thorn restrooms in a big and recognise hospital such as LUTH belittle the clinic for it lot achievement,” she said. Meanwhile, the hospital public relation officer, Mrs Hope Nwawolo informed The Guardian, when inquired about the clinic management position on the matter, that LUTH has enter into serous war to tackle the issue of depleting hygiene and refused to comment further on the situation.

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‘Why diabetes is biggest health risk today’ By Wole Oyebade AVE you ever wondered why some “healthy” people suddenly come down with chronic disease conditions like heart attack, stroke, kidney failure or a “strange illness” that soon leads to leg amputation or ultimately, death? Well, it may be for reasons not unconnected with diabetes mellitus, experts have said. Diabetes, unlike other noncommunicable diseases, has no warning signs, “which makes it worst,” says Dr Kunle Adeyemi-Doro, an Endocrinologist. According to him, “By the time the first set of symptoms show up, organs in the body are already affected, and in some cases damaged.” So, most patients that present in the hospitals, are first aware of their diabetic condition after they’ve had complications like stroke, kidney failure, heart attack, impotence, blindness and so on. “By the time they come to the hospital with these ‘signs’, there is very little we can do,” he said. Meanwhile, The Sonny Kuku Foundation (TSKF) has planned to set up Diabetes Clinics all over the six geopolitical zones of the country. The measure is enhance proper diabetes diagnosis, care services and education on the disease. Adeyemi-Doro, who spoke at a media workshop organised by Healthways Communication and TSKF, in commemoration of this year’s World Diabetes Day in Lagos, noted that diabetes is the biggest challenge for the health system today. But an accompanying challenge, which makes the problem worst, is lack of awareness and education about diabetic epidemic. The expert who spoke on the topic: ‘Diabetes epidemic: The epidemiology and care of people living with diabetes’ noted that though the problem was not exclusive to Nigeria alone, but the black race and developing countries are worst-hit by diabetes epidemic. Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. This leads to accumulation of glucose in the blood, which makes the blood function abnormally. Globally, it is one of the major health and development challenges of the 21st century. There are currently 371 million people living with diabetes and another 280 million are at high risk of developing the disease. Half a billion people are expected to be living with diabetes by 2030. Adeyemi-Doro, physician at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), observed that there is currently no family in the country that is not affected by the disease. It is quite interesting to note is that “everyone will have the disease, depending on how long we live.” So, “It, therefore, behooves on all to create the necessary awareness and right policies that will help in delaying the onset, early diagnosis and preventive measures in the communities. Larger number of people in the country are undiagnosed, not treated properly and that is where the major challenge is.” While Nigerian children that

Foundation plans clinics nationwide are affected by Diabetes Type I are not small in size, Type II diabetes, among adults and elderly, poses bigger challenge to the health system. In fact, Type II diabetes group, constitute 92 per cent of the entire burden. It is, therefore, instructive for “all Nigerians, especially men, above 40 years to check their blood sugar level once a year.” The advice also goes to those with family history of diabetes, as much as they must be wary of obesity, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension and high cholesterol level. Adeyemi-Doro said: “The most common symptom of DM is that it is asymptomatic. People with the condition would only show up when they have complications like

stroke, blindness, heart attack, kidney failure, impotence, and vascular disease among others. “But these are diseases no one wants. Which is why we have to detect them early and properly treat the condition. With needed insulin injection and its’ proper usage, our dia-

betic adults can live another 50 years or more in good health. “As diabetes incidences are increasing in developing countries like ours, it poses more severe problem for our future. It has no known cure, but kills faster than imagined. This is why we should not only focus on treatment, but preventive measures at the community level; providing good

infrastructure that enables physical activities, healthy eating habits, cutting down on fat and oil diet and clampdown on junk foods. The more obese we are, the more at risk we are at the mercy of diabetes,” he said. Given the enormity of the challenge, member of the TSKF Board of Trustee, Kunle Ogunsanya, added that the media had a major role to play

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. This leads to accumulation of glucose in the blood, which makes the blood function abnormally.

if the diabetes awareness campaign must be effective. He said the foundation would be unrelenting in its’ crusade against sickle cell disease, diabetes and other silent killers of children and young adults of the black African race. As part of this effort, TSKF has helped in training over 450 doctors and nurse on diabetes care, besides setting and running of a Diabetes Support Centre in Ikorodu general hospital and other institutions in the state, in collaboration with Novo Nordisk. Ogunsanya said: “In the days ahead, we plan to donate life saving medical equipment to health institutions across the country. We will be setting up diabetes clinics all over the six geopolitical zones of the country, while we facilitate the formation of sickle cell and diabetes club,” he said.

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NATURAL HEALTH Thursday, November 21, 2013

Arthritis, alternative medicine and water therapy (3) Management of arthritis by alternative medicine and water therapy EFORE we begin to consider the treatment of arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) it is important that we remind ourselves of the possible causes and risk factors of these diseases. Arthritis, as we had found out is a chronic degenerative disease of the joints, characterised by pain, swelling, stiffness and inflammation of the affected joint. I mentioned that the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown according to orthodox medicine. Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation of a joint caused by the immune system of an individual attacking the synovium and cartilage of a joint as though it were a foreign body. Why the immune system does so is not quite clear but it has been suggested that free radicals attaching themselves to these tissues in the joint may be a possible cause. I also said that dehydration, according to alternative medicine practitioners, is a cause of arthritis. Inside the joint are the two ends of the bones covered by cartilage. These two cartilages are separated from each other by a thin film of water by, which they glide frictionlessly against themselves. When the level of the water falls below what is optimum for that joint the cartilages begin to rub against one another with some friction. This is the beginning of arthritis. Injury to the joint is a frequent cause of osteoarthritis in younger individuals. There are other physical and natural factors that are considered risk factors for osteoarthritis and these are, age, gender, obesity, heredity and wrong alignment of the bones. Management of arthritis By far the most frequently seen cause of arthritis is dehydration. This is so because human beings do not drink sufficient water daily. I believe we are all guilty of this and the effect of this starts at an early age, say 20 years. This continues for another 20 years and ache in a joint continues to increase. At these initial stage the pain is a warning sign that all is not well with the joint. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water daily and maintaining it at that level would have ensured a complete restoration of the joint. Alas, this is not usually the case and we have the condition worsening, the joint becomes more inflammed, swollen and stiff, as movement of the joint becomes limited due to the pain and swelling. Food products, herbs and supplements in the management of arthritis Glucosamine is a non-vitamin, non-mineral amino

President Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele (third left), Secretary General NMA, Dr. Akpufuoma Pemu (second left), Dr. (Mrs.) Joan Enabulele (left) and widow of Prof. Festus Iyayi, Mrs Grace Iyayi, during a condolence visit to the family of the late former Academi Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) president at their Benin residence … recently

Burden of pre-mature births in Nigeria, by experts By Wole Oyebade HE burden of infant deaths in Nigeria was again brought to the fore recently as experts’ findings revealed that no fewer than 700,000 pre-mature babies are lost every year in the country. The deaths, due to premature related complications, places Nigeria second after India on the global neonatal mortality ratio of babies that die within 0 – 28 days of birth. At a walk and lecture, in commemoration of World Pre-maturity Day (WPD) 2013 in Lagos recently, paediatricians noted that the premature birth complications is the leading cause of newborn deaths in Nigeria, because of poor awareness, lack of specialised care and unaffordable cost of managing a preterm baby for most families. Pre-maturity or pre-term is the birth of a baby of less than 36 weeks gestational age. The cause of preterm birth is in many situations unknown. About 35 per cent (15 million) of babies born worldwide are pre-mature, out of which about two million are lost yearly, due to complications. A specialist in the study and management of newborn babies, Dr Elizabeth Disu noted that neonatal mortality ratio in Nigeria is 40/1,000 live births, for reasons not unconnected with cases of pre-mature births, birth asphyxia and infections. Disu, who teaches at Lagos State College of Medicine (LASUCOM), said the burden was huge, partly because of the country’s high population, but largely because the necessary awareness have not yet been created about pre-maturity among the public. Pre-term babies, she noted, have a lot of problems - both immediate and long-term problems - hence the need to create awareness.

According to Disu, “what you’d first note is that, because they are born too early, too soon and have immature organs, they are unable to maintain breathing. Their lungs are immature. The brain that controls breathing and temperature are also immature. So, they suffer from cold. You have to keep them in incubator and have them insulated. “They are also highly prone to infections, because their immune system has not developed. Once, they are cold, they are prone to a lot of problems and need extra glucose to keep breathing, stay awake and alive,” she said. Disu, who spoke at the commemoration, organised by Tiny Beating Hearts Initiatives (TBHI) at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos, observed that preterm babies were often brought to the centre cold and when there is nothing

specialists could to resuscitate. Continuing, she said, “some pre-terms are brought to LASUTH on okada! A father, right from Ajegunle, brought a pre-term who was delivered at home, down to LASUTH on okada. The baby was in a cartoon. They first went to Massey Street Children Hospital and Lagos University Teach Hospital (LUTH) but there was no incubator. By the time they got here, the baby was stone dead. “Whereas, all they would have done is to have the mother place the baby to her chest, skin-to-skin, to maintain her temperature, cover the head with wool and legs with stockings; the baby would still be alive. But this is part of the reason about 700 of them die daily in this country. Several of them during home deliveries,” she said. It would be recalled that a recent ‘State of The World

Mothers 2013’ report stated that Nigeria has the second highest burden (after India) of children that die on their first day of birth. The report had estimated that nearly 90,000 die, constituting nine per cent of the global total. Peadiatricians said the more pre-term babies are, the more their problems and lesser their chances of surviving. Besides their problem with feeding, they also, on the long term, often have issues with their sight, blindness, inability to hear, learning disabilities and motor functions of the limbs. “Their problems are indeed enormous and extremely costly to manage, hence the need to raise awareness on preventive measures like effectively planning pregnancy, attending Antenatal Care (ANC), seeking specialist’s help once a problem is suspected during pregnancy.

Lifebuoy, UNICEF partner to fight cholera IFEBUOY commences Lsaving another journey towards lives by partnering United Nation Children Education Fund (UNICEF) with donation of Lifebuoy soap towards basic hygiene practice aimed at preventing the spread of cholera in Nigeria. Speaking during the donation of Lifebuoy to UNICEF, Corporate Relations Manager, Mr. Yemi Adeboye stated the reasons for the donation, “we are aware of recent outbreak of cholera in Lagos, Ogun, Zamfara, Gombe and Jigawa, which has led to loss of more than 100 lives. More than 70 per cent of those who died are children below the age of five.” He said there is consistent evidence that handwashing with soap at critical times – before eating of preparing food and after using the toilet – can reduce Cholera risk

by 70 per cent and acute respiratory infections (ARI’s), by 50 per cent. Handwashing with soap has been cited as one of the most cost-effective interventions to prevent cholera. “Lifebuoy has been promoting hand hygiene awareness in Nigeria since 2011. Every year, employees of Unilever Nigeria Plc go out to schools to promote handwashing. Since the launch of Lifebuoy in Nigeria, more than 500 Unilever Nigeria employees have reached out to children in cities and towns across the country.” he added. Chief of UNICEF, Lagos Office, Mrs. Sara Nyanti noted that UNICEF is happy to be partners in progress with Unilever in areas of handwashing and other sanitation activities. The promotion of handwashing with soap has high impact in reduction of children deaths. The availabil-

ity of soap will make a difference in handwashing and proper hygiene. She added that UNICEF supports governments to fulfil the rights of children. “With this donation of Lifebuoy to UNICEF, we will reach out to households to make them understand handwashing and its practice. This is the first step of a bigger picture of behavioural change.” “Our aim is to improve and promote handwashing, the soaps are not for UNICEF but for schools, offices, house to house campaign on handwashing. The soap will definitely get to those who need it. We are partners in progress,” she said. The Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. David Okeme said Lifebuoy is today the world’s number one health soap, this is the vision of the founder of Unilever to create a brand

sugar, which supports the structure and function of joints. As a dietary supplement it is targeted at patients with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine helps to reduce the rate of degeneration of cartilage. It also relieves the pain of arthritis and improves the mobility of the joint. There are different preparations of this supplement such as glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. Glucosamins sulfate is the more effective form because it is better absorbed than any other. Some researchers have suggested that glucosamine sulfate should be used in combination with chondroitin for better effect. Chondroitin sulfate is a natural component of the structure of cartilage providing much of the resistance of cartilage to pressure. Chondroitin sulfate as a dietary supplement reduces the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. As a component of cartilage, chondroitin slows down its degeneration and indirectly, the progression of arthritis. Indeed, chondroitin has been said to be involved in the formation and replacement of cartilage. It enhances the retention of water and maintains the frictionless lubrication between the cartilages in the joint. Chondroitin may also be involved in inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down cartilage, preventing the destruction of same. Other supplements found to be useful in the treatment of arthritis are: Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the bone. In the elderly who are more prone to arthritis, absorption of calcium is reduced and calcium is therefore leached from the bones for other functions such as muscle contraction and the beating of the heart. If this condition persists, it can lead to osteoporosis, which can make the arthritis worse. To prevent this and provide sufficient calcium for strengthening the bones, calcium has to be taken as a supplement and from food products. Vitamin D3, promotes bone health and also helps in the absorption of calcium. It increases availability of calcium for the integrity of the bone and health of the joint. Turmeric, has curcumin as its active form. It is a root from which curry powder is gotten. Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that have been found to be useful in the treatment of arthritis. It also reduces the pain associated with arthritis and can decrease the stiffness of the joint, improving the mobility of the joint by so doing. More on management of arthritis next week Thursday.

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Concerns over professionalism, food safety threats in hospitality sector From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt XPERTS in hotel, restaurant, cafe, bakery and beverage (HoReCaBB) sector have raised concerns over the threats of food safety and professionalism in the industry. The experts, who spoke in Port Harcourt recently during the launch of the HoReCaBB industry’s professional certification programme from Global Foodservice Institute (GFI) at the State University of New York in West Africa by U.Sbased E.H. Manley & Associates (EHMA) and HoReCaBB Mentors (HM), Africa, said food safety issues in the industry is a global reality, which Nigeria and rest of West Africa has to prepare for. The certification programme, according to EHMA President, Mr. Ed Manley, is aimed at addressing food safety and operational concerns, as well as, expose the West African teaming workforce to international best practices needed to enhance the industry and check food safety in the industry. Manley pointed out that food safety is a serious global problem, adding that if food is not prepared in a good, hygienic and standard way, bacteria and other poisonous organisms could easily multiply and cause food poisons, which could lead to sickness, or death if not well handled. The former chairman of the oldest industry professional association, the International Food Service Executive Association (IFSEA)

based in the U.S. noted that realisation of such threat formed the partnership with HoReCaBB Mentors (HM) to roll out 9 different certification programmes, which include Master Certified Foodservice Professional (MCFP)- a certification that focuses on all aspects of managing foodservice and beverage operations, including customer service, food safety, purchasing, inventory among others. Other certification programmes include Certified Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Professional (CHP), which addresses food safety issues from farm to fork and Certified Beverage Professional (CBP). Manley said, “worldwide thousands of people die each year from food poisoning related cases. This spurred us to introduce this great programme to West Africa. Lots of money and expertise are deployed to research and development to creating these best practices in the U.S. Since 2003, we have been conducting these programmes with locations including the U.S White House, vice president’s residence, Camp David, ships and bases in Germany, Italy, Kuwait and Japan and across the U.S.A.” E.H. Manley and Associates is the training partner of the Global Foodservice Institute (GFI) at the State University of New York (SUNY), Morrisville, US and HoReCaBB Mentors (HM), Africa, is the programme training partner for

the African continent. Other certification programmes offered by the institute include Certified in Alcohol Service (CAS), which reviews issues concerning alcohol beverages ranging from maximum intake for healthy living and laws governing its service to reduce road accidents. Certified in Customer Service (CCS), Certified Culinary Nutrition (CCN), Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) and Master Certified Food and Beverage Director (MCFBD). According to World Health Organisation (WHO), food safety is a public health priority, as millions of people fall ill every year and many die as a result of eating unsafe food. WHO added that key global food safety concerns include: Spread of microbiological hazards (including such bacteria as Salmonella or Escherichia coli, e. coli); chemical food contaminants; assessments of new food technologies (such as genetically modified food) among others. Chief Operating Officer of HoReCaBB Mentors, West Africa, Mr. Mekwuye Eric said the programme launch is aimed at addressing these food safety issues and raising professionalism in general for the West African industry. Mekwuye, who has garnered enviable experience in the industry with a high level of hospitality education in Nigeria, Europe and the Middle-East said, “we have observed that people in the industry are not really proud of themselves and lack digni-

Chief Operating Officer (COO) of HoReCaBB Mentors, Mr. Mekwuye Eric; President, E.H. Manley & Associate, Mr. Ed Manley and MD, Sundry Food Limited, Mr. Ebele Enunwa, during the launch of the HoReCaBB industry’s professional certification programme from the State University of New York based- Global Foodservice Institute (GFI) for the West Africa sub-region in Port Harcourt …recently agers, product/menu develEnunwa said, “this is a welty of the profession. So, this opers, chefs, cake makers/dec- come development, it will professional certification orators, product suppliers inculcate international stanprogrammes from GFI at and workers were certified in dard in staff of the industry. State University of New York Lagos and in Port Harcourt, It will also help to increase is aimed at improving prodjoining the over 3700 certi- revenue. We are a very learnucts’ quality, professionalfied food, beverage and food ing organisation, that’s why ism and building great repusafety professionals globally. we embraced it. We crave to tation for the industry and The Managing Director of always improve. So when we its workforce. Sundry food Limited, owners see an opportunity to learn, “It will bring about expanof Kilimanjaro Fastfood, we embrace it wholeheartedsion in the industry, increase Sundry food catering services, ly and, I believe that this is a in revenue generation, proNibbles bakeries and Coral good programme that would motions and pay rise for the Blue seafoods restaurant and impact positively on the workforce and more employbar, Mr. Ebele Enunwa, industry and the country at ment because there will be described the training and large.” increase patronage by dincertification programme as a He, therefore, called on his ers, great financial flow and welcome development, counterparts in the industry speed in expansion.” adding that it would bring to embrace the prestigious During the launch, over 25 about improvement in the and coveted training and cerowners, operation manindustry. tification programmes. agers, quality control man-

Wednesday, November 21, 2013

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Education Why govt should allow tuition fees in public varsities, by Akanji One year after his assumption of office as the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT), Professor Musibau Akanji spoke to JOHN OGIJI in Minna on a wide range of issues Excerpts: Journey so far HE journey so far has not been smooth. The culture of universities is virtually the same, but there are variations here and there. For example, FUT is a technical University and it’s science oriented. So, the first thing you notice is that, the requirement for fund is intensive here per student. We have been able to look at various sources, where we can utilize our funds, but more importantly, we now make pragmatic use of the funds available to us. By and large, the senate of the University has been very supportive. I have presented a manifest to the senate, of what I intend to do as I move along. The current strike (by the Academic Staff Union of Universities) that has taken virtually 5 months from one year, has greatly affected our programme, but we are managing to be on course. What was the situation you met on ground when you assumed office. I met a fractious University. There was distrust between the administration and the generality of staff. That was the first problem I met. I have been able to solve it. I have shown that when you join a system, you are to work, regardless of your background, regardless of your religion and by and large, I have shown openness. I told certain members of staff, both the Senate and congregation that they must be able to challenge me. I am open. If they see me doing anything they think is wrong, they must challenge me and that has helped tremendously. One thing that I brought in is the publication of our financial records. Every week, we publish the money we received and the money we have spent so that people can see how money is coming in and how it is going out. The information I have is that this impressed them. The people are now asking questions, so it has helped to generate what a University should be – an open society. What have you focused on specifically since your assumption of office? My focus is to transform the university into international reckoning. By 2011 when the NUC (National Universities Commission) did its institutional accreditation, this university, together with one other university in Nigeria, had A1. That means that we are doing very well but nobody knows about us. Internationally, we are number 28 in ranking. In fact, in “metrics” we do not exist at all. So, my primary focus, because we know we have what it takes, was to find out why we are not known internationally when we are doing well locally. So I set up a con-

tent committee to look at our problems and since then, we have been rising progressively. From the 28th position, we moved to 21 within three months. After another 3 months, we moved to 14the position in ranking in Nigeria. We were not even existing in Africa at all. We were not among the first 600 in Africa, but in Nigeria, we are number 28. My plan is that, within two years, we should emerge among the first 100 in Africa. There were some of the challenges you faced before you came in, especially from the host community. How did you resolve the issues? I’ll say that my previous experience has helped me a lot. One thing I told the Senate is that this is a Federal University, located in Minna, so it belongs to everybody. It just has its location in Minna, and the advertisement says we should get the best person. Fortunately, the baseline is ten years old, that you must be a Professor for ten years. When I came here, I was 19 years as a Professor. Those who were complaining, none of them was up to ten years, so it means that they were not even qualified to apply. I guess that the community was not well briefed, because when I had an interaction with the chief servant, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, he was surprised and immediately, he expressed his support for the university and since then, he has been a major pillar in our effort to calm the society and the local community down and tell them that they did not win, not because they don’t have people, but because they (the aspirants) did not meet the baseline. If a university must do well, it must be universal. We are not competing in Niger State, we are not competing in Nigeria, we are competing internationally. As I’ve told you, we are not even among the best 100 in Africa, so we cannot be the best if we use ethnicity, religion to appoint university leaders, especially the chief executive who is the Vice Chancellor. So the senior members of the community, when they saw the facts, they have been very, very supportive. Now, if you interview them, you will see that they have taken it in their stride and they have charged their children to work hard. When it is five years, which is not far, and as you have said, I am already one year old, before you know, it will be four years and I will go and they will start to look for another Vice Chancellor. In view of your experience, what lessons are there for Nigerians? I would urge Nigerians to work hard wherever they find themselves. The appointment

Akanji of Chief Executives of Universities, Polytechnics and tertiary Institutions should continue to be advertised so that qualified people from anywhere can apply and that was the position of Federal Ministry of Education. You notice that the 12 new Universities that were established, none of the University vice chancellors comes from the local community and that is a very strong point because there are some decisions you may want to take, when you are not from the community, it becomes easy because you are affected by the best interest of the University. It will be in the best interest of the University. I think it was a very good step that the 12 new Universities established then had Vice Chancellors from States different from where the Universities are located. Has there been any improvement in the University’s infrastructure? People place a lot of emphasis on physical structures, but I believe that emphasis in the University should be on intellectual structures. We have been able to attract qualified, experienced lecturers on part time basis. People now want to visit us. One thing that we have been able to achieve is the issuance of certificates. If you interview a large member of our ex-students, they have problem with us. As I am talking to you, 2007 certificates are still being writ-

ten, I mean those who finished in 2007. Getting student’s transcript was a nightmare. But in the last one year, we have reduced the waiting period for transcripts to 3 -4 weeks, instead of indeterminate period. This has endeared us to our members because our members have a lot to contribute to the development of the University. But when they want something, as simple as a transcript, they don’t get it. It was a scandal. Our ambition is to reduce it to a week. We are still working very hard. The certificates, by the grace of God, from next year, 2014, we are working towards a situation when students will get their certificates on the day of convocation. That is what is being done worldwide. We have entered into an agreement with a reputable company abroad that would do our certificates for us, with 14 security features. So this will endear us to our students because hitherto, most of them have lost opportunities of scholarships for post-graduate placements because they cannot get transcripts, they cannot get certificates. We hope that by the next graduation, the Vice Chancellor would be able to tell the convocation that after this occasion, go to your school and get your certificate, that is what is done worldwide. This will improve our ranking, even within our-

If a university must do well, it must be universal. We are not competing in Niger State, we are not competing in Nigeria, we are competing internationally. As I’ve told you, we are not even among the best 100 in Africa, so we cannot be the best if we use ethnicity, religion to appoint university leaders, especially the chief executive who is the Vice Chancellor. So the senior members of the community, when they saw the facts, they have been very, very supportive

selves, our alumni and international body. Target for the next four years Number one, by the time I am leaving here, I want us to be one of the 30 in Africa. We are not among the 100 yet, but I want us to be among the first 30. It’s a very, very tall dream, but we are working assiduously towards it. Number two: we have a unique programme here – Cyber Security. There is a lot of cyber crime going on now. We have a new department of Cyber Security, it is a new programme in Nigeria. I want to consolidate on that programme. We have a unique School of ICT, our Flagship programme. It is new, about three years old, and I want to consolidate it. We are also planning to move Bosso campus to the Gidan Kwano campus, which is the permanent site. We spend a lot of money maintaining two campuses in terms of administration, so we want to move our School of Science because it is the largest in terms of students’ and staff population in the next 3 years. About 70 – 80 percent of the population would be on the permanent site. One other thing I want to achieve is for us to accommodate not less or 75 percent of our students in our campus. We have just subscribed to 45 Megabytes band wave, and it is wasting because after closure at 4pm when students are out, nobody uses it and we pay for it. The disciplinary problems that we have are usually committed outside the campus. The government in the 1990s, decided not to spend its money on hostel accommodation, so we have been talking with BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) partners and we are making progress. By October 2014, we will be able to accommodate about 40 percent. Now, with the stu-

dent population of about 15,000, we have only 1,300 bed spaces. We are talking with some people and in the next one year, we will have 5,000 bed spaces. We are just about signing the MoU. Having spent some time in a private University, what would you say is the difference between a private and a public university? There is a very large difference between a private and a public University. For example in a private University, you are not sure of where the money is coming from and how much is coming. The first set of proprietors of private Universities largely had the mind that, within a short period of time, there will be some profit coming in but a University is a capital consuming enterprise. They were shocked when they saw it, so there is serious problem. Azikwe University that I had the opportunity of pioneering was number 10. We were new then, and before the month gets to the end, the Vice Chancellor would have a high blood pressure over where the salary would come from. There is very small student population, but in Government, you are sure of personnel cost, and that gives you an opportunity to think of other things. In terms of funding, there is also a big difference between private and public Universities. But in the private, institutions, there are differences. Faith-based (Universities) are better than ordinary public-spirited University. Faith-based Universities find it easier to get money from their congregation, not that it is convenient, but it is better than the other set. But with public Universities, especially Federal Universities, you are sure of your personnel cost. Your problem will now be to establish viable programmes and look for lecturers to man such programs What effect do you think the springing up of private universities in the country would have on public Universities? This question is too heavy. But you see, for example in 2012, 1.7 Million Nigerian children wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and all the 128 Universities existing could only take 465,000. So there is problem of access, and government has realized it cannot do it alone, hence the decision to grant licenses. There is no alternative to public Universities. In fact, I’ve just returned from a meeting of West African Universities. In terms of access, Nigeria is not doing well at all, there is problem in Nigeria, and people are in humanities and arts, not in sciences and technology. You will notice that in all the Universities that are licensed, you must be 60/40, science and humanities. Here, we don’t have that problem, we are 100 percent in science and that is why we have challenges in getting students. Whereas, conventional Universities where they have everything, there is no problem.

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Lagos Assembly, others seek suspension of ASUU strike From Chuks Collins (Awka) and Wole Oyebade (Lagos) N honour of their colleague that died in the course of the struggle, Lagos State House of Assembly and a House of Representative member, Charles Odedo have appealed to the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend the strike. The industrial action is in its’ fifth month, during which a key member of the Federal Government/ASUU negotiating team, Prof. Festus Iyayi died in a road accident. The lawmakers argued that ending the strike would be a befitting honour to the “fallen hero.” In a related development, Odedo, who represents Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, Anambra State, has called on the Anambra State government to reduce tuition fees paid in public schools to enable universal coverage in the state. The Lagos Assembly, in a statement signed by its’ spokesperson, Segun Olulade, argued that since Iyayi was on a reconciliatory mission when he breathed his last, the Union should consider ending the strike action in honour of their late comrade.

The House added that the gesture would open a new window of opportunity, to address all contentious issues without industrial action. Iyayi died in an accident that involved the convoy of the Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, in Lokoja, while on his way to Kano for the National Executive Council meeting of ASUU. Odedo, spoke in similar voice, added that calling off the action now, would help arrest the social tension in the country, especially among parents and their wards, “some of whom have taken to various anti-social conducts due to prolonged idleness.” Speaking at the presentation of cheques to about 200 university undergraduates, selected from the 17 communities within the constituency, he blamed the Federal Government

(FG) for not tackling the crisis head on. He explained that it was somewhat inexplicable for the FG to dilly-dally over a valid mutually reached agreement. Odedo, however, urged the FG to step up action and implement the agreement it entered with ASUU, so that normal academic calendar in the country’s tertiary institutions would no longer be disrupted. In his words: “It is very unfortunate that both the FG and the ASUU hierarchy have evidently failed to appreciate the importance of re-opening schools. I put the entire blame on the FG. But the members of ASUU as responsible parents, teachers, opinion and character molders I personally appeal for them to consider reopening of schools as they meet today, even while the negotiation continues,” he said.

It is very unfortunate that both the FG and the ASUU hierarchy have evidently failed to appreciate the importance of re-opening schools. I put the entire blame on the FG. But the members of ASUU as responsible parents, teachers, opinion and character molders I personally appeal for them to consider reopening of schools as they meet today, even while the negotiation continues

ANCOPSS urges prompt release of fund, science grants to schools By Olalekan Okusan OR effective administraFConfederation tion, All Nigeria of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) Ogun State chapter, has urged the state government to ensure prompt release of running cost and science consumable grants to schools. In a communiqué issued at the end of the 33rd annual ANCOPSS Congress held Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive College in Ota, the body lauded the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration for increasing budgetary allocation to education in 2013. The communiqué signed by the President and Secretary, Mohadiyyu Kadir and Ayomide Fayemi respectively, challenged the government to be proactive in providing necessary infrastructural facilities, instructional materials and personnel. They added that other provisions should be made available to enhance full implementation of the new curriculum as well as facilitate accreditation of trade subjects by all external examination bodies. ANCOPSS also noted the efforts made by the state government on regular and prompt payment of salaries and leave allowance of workers as well as approval of promotion. The body lauded the government for its efforts at continual payment of WASSCE regis-

tration fees of bonafide students as well as resuscitation and rebranding of the rested Principals’ Cup tournament sponsored by GT Bank. However, in his paper, which dwelt on the theme of the congress; Revenue Allocation and Its Concomitant Effect on Funding of Secondary Education in Ogun State, Taiwo Edun of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) blamed the underfunding of education in Nigeria to concentration of resources at the centre. “There is no doubt that the concentration of resources at the centre is the root cause of under-funding of education as well as general underdevelopment and insecurity in the nation. The long-term solution to the under-funding of education and other nagging challenges is to establish true federalism in the nation. This will ensure self-determination and resource control whereby federating units will generate and appropriate their resources and only pay certain percentages to the centre. This arrangement will also enable the units to concentrate on their areas of comparative advantage to generate resources, reduce over-reliance on oil and generate the much-needed employment for our youths. For instance, since the centralization of resources, groundnut pyramids have disappeared from the North; Farm settlements have been abandoned in the Southwest while palm oil plantations have been overgrown with weeds in the South East. It is hoped that the proposed National Conference will address the several contradic-

tions in our system and return the country to the path of true federalism,” the Director of Education at OOU said. Edun added: “A short term solution to the underfunding of education and other key sectors of the economy is the review of the Revenue Allocation Formula between the federal government and the federating units many Nigerians believe that the Federation Account Act of 1982 is overdue for review. The review should ensure that the states put together have a higher percentage than the Federal Government since the states have more responsibilities. Closely associated with revenue sharing formula is devolution of power to make the centre less attractive. The race for the centre has be responsible for all the misgivings, agitations, violence and other heinous crimes in the country. Government at all level in the country should make concerted efforts to dedicate a minimum of 25 per cent of their annual budget to education in line with UNESCO recommendation. If Ghana, South Africa, Cote D’Ivoire and Uganda can achieve and even surpass the target, why not Nigeria?” “The process of budget development should be made transparent such that key stakeholders in each sector should make inputs into the budget before it is passed. In the same vein, non governmental agencies, unions and associations should constitute budget monitoring groups to ensure that government delivers on her promises,” he explained.

IUO holds inaugural lecture HE Vice Chancellor, Rev. T Professor Eghosa E. Osaghae on behalf of the Board of Regents, Governing Council, Senate and the entire staff of the Igbinedion University invites the general public to the 8th Inaugural Lecture of the University, to be delivered by Prof. Philip Babatunde Oshofisan, Dean, General Abdulsalami Abubakar College of Engineering, Igbinedion University, Okada on Thursday 21st

Prof. Oshofisan

November, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. prompt. The lecture entitled: “Automatic Control of Industrial Process: The challenge of optimization through fuzzy logic approach”, will hold at the University Main Auditorium. All professional Engineers and members of the academia particularly those involved in Engineering studies, technology, processes and automation research are cordially invited.

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Rivers launches monitoring committees for schools HE Rivers State T Government has launched the School Based Management Committees, to run and manage schools across the State. Commissioner for Education in the State, Alice Lawrence-Nemi, during the launch in Port Harcourt, said community participation in the management of schools would create a conducive environment for teaching and learning. Lawrence-Nemi explained that the rationale behind the establishment is for improved community ownership and involvement in school governance and maintenance of facilities. She added that quality learners are those who are healthy and supported in learning by their families and communities.

According to her, “Quality in education has always been measured on quality of content in curriculum and how well such fits the present and future needs of learners. The new concept of dimensions in quality relates to quality learners among other dimensions. “SBMC is intended to move education forward, especially at the basic level through a combined effort of the government, community, teachers and the children. The committees are established to act as a bridge between schools and the communities they serve and the purpose of their establishment is to achieve effective community participation in the management and governance of primary and secondary schools,” she said.

FUNAAB wins World Bank award HE Federal University of overall evaluation score in T Agriculture, Abeokuta Agriculture. Apparently delighted at the (FUNAAB), has won the World Bank’s Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) award in agriculture category. The university emerged winner after evaluation exercise, followed by a site inspection by the ACE Project Steering Committee, which recently held its final selection meeting in Dakar, Senegal. A breakdown of the result shows that FUNAAB is one of the seven ACE’s in Nigeria and the only one in the agriculture category. The project won by FUNAAB, would be implemented through the Centre for Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CADESE), having scored 75.2 per cent in the

award, FUNAAB’s ViceChancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, said the University would not rest on its oars, adding that more laurels would be won by FUNAAB soon. The World Bank, in collaboration with West and Central African Countries, launched the African Centre of Excellence Project, among other objectives, to promote regional specialisation among participating Universities in areas that address specific common regional challenges, strengthening the capacity of these Universities to deliver quality training and applied research, as well as meet demand for skills required for African development.

Babcock seeks parents’ commitment to child welfare HE Principal of Babcock T Schools, Elder Fasanu has tasked parents on the need to support their children’s academic vision, as the school expresses increased commitment of the school to same cause. Speaking at the inaugural Parent Teachers Association meeting in Babcock University School, Lagos, recently, the Principal sought increased commitment of the parents to activities of their wards in the school. He said: “We appreciate the love you have for these schools and your belief that Babcock University Schools are schools to be reckoned with in terms of academic standard, discipline and morals. I appreciate our parents who were able to make it to our open day and also

made observations. I promise you that our teachers will be more committed; the school will monitor the students the more. “More experienced teachers will be employed to add to the English and Mathematics teachers. There will also be periodic assessment of our teachers as to their competency. Hence, the school wants the parents to support us as we all train these young ones. A disciplined child will likely excel academically.” On the need to attain set goals, he noted: “The motivation of the students towards academic achievement and their welfare is of great importance to me. We will continue to pay good salary to our workers and retain only the good ones who have passion for the job and fear of God.

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Task force shuts 20 schools in Kano From Abba Anwar, Kano ASK Force in Kano has shut 20 private schools for reasons not unconnected with violation of regulations guiding private schools in the state. Chairman of the Task Force, Alhaji Baba Umar, disclosed this, during a special meeting with the proprietors of public schools in the state. Umar said, “No person will be spared, if he breaks our rules and regulations. No matter how highly placed he or she might be,” he warned. Some of the affected schools were Roll Foundation Academy, Jope Schools, Basic Education Academy, Nagarta Model

Schools, among others. Part of the charges against the affected schools was excess charges the erring schools had levied on enrollees for West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations. He challenged that it had come to their notice that some schools were charging N30, 000 per child for writing external examinations. “We are calling on all parents not to pay more than N20, 000 for their children to write WAEC and NECO examinations. We are also warning schools not to charge other extra fees after exams were written,” he

warned. Continuing, he said: “The Task Force will not condone any act of indiscipline from any school. We will not tolerate any disrespect for a constituted authority. Kaduna State closed down 644 schools, Edo closed 350 schools and Lagos shut about 3000 schools and nobody is saying anything. But because we are not respected by the schools, some people started shouting unnecessarily because we close just 200 schools,” he revealed. Baba stated that they have just started closing schools, adding that whoever breaks the rules would be punished accordingly.

EEPNL, NNPC lift varsities with geological equipment, funds By Ujunwa Atueyi FFORTS to improve geoscience education in Nigerian universities received a boost recently with the donation of field trip equipment and fieldwork logistics support funds to some selected universities by Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), under the University Partnering Programme (UPP). The UPP programme was conceived in 2006 to fund geological fieldwork in selected Nigerian universities for three years, with the aim of enhancing the quality of geoscience graduates, improving skills in making

and interpreting maps, and contributing to the production of quality geological maps of the country. At the end of the period, a new set of universities is adopted. The benefitting institutions under the 2013 programme are Akwa Ibom State University, Anambra State University, University of Jos, Federal University of Technology, Akure, University of Ilorin and the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun. Each of them received a brand new Toyota Hiace bus, seven brunton compass clinometers, 50 Silva compass clinometers, 10 Garmin GPS, 50 magnifiers, 30 pickle-head geologic hammers, 30 chisel-

head geologic hammers and sledgehammers. five Also, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, received fieldwork logistics support funds, 50 mosquito nets, industrial shaker and sieves and four high-resolution cameras for capturing outfield. the on crops Speaking at the handing over ceremony recently in Lagos, the EEPNL General Operations Manager, (Technical Geosciences), Mr. Andrew Ejayeriese remarked that the programme was intended to address the flop in Nigerian institutions, especially in geosciences, expressing hope that the effort would make a significant difference and improve the

Avi-Cenna holds school fair, gives N3.150m to kids with cancer By Felix Kuye T was fun and games recently as Avi-Cenna International School, Lagos treated its pulpils to splendid entertainment to, among others, reduce the boredom of learning in the classrooms and enhance their physical fitness. At the event held at the school’s premises at the GRA, Ikeja, Avi-Cenna presented a cheque of N3.150 million to the Children Living With Cancer Foundation (CLWCF) to assist in the treatment of kids afflicted with cancer who are on admission at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

The Foundation supports children of the less privileged who have been diagnosed with cancer, and whose parents cannot afford to pay for the treatment their children require. It cares for the children in conjunction with the Oncology Ward of the Pediatric Department of LUTH. Avi-Cenna Principal, Mr. David Ogburn, said the yearly School Fair is basically driven by the need to provide entertainment for the students and their parents, boost cordial relationship among students at various levels of study in the school and exhibit love for the less privileged.

The event which was characterised by lots of rides and games, including rock climbing and horse ridding in a carousel, dancing, raffle draw where everyone looked forward to winning a prize, also featured exhibition of various children products, including wears, toys, sunglasses, beads, and shoes by companies. different Also around were Mozaya Classic Burgers and French Caffe, among others, to sell burgers, snacks and other delicacies. Textbooks on various subjects were sold while interested customers availed themselves the services of participating educational companies.

Principal of Avi-Cenna International School, Lagos, Mr. David Ogburn (left); Business Manager, Mr. Mahmoud Foudeh (second left), Chairman, Mr. Darwish Foudeh (second right), Head of Primary, Mrs. Adesola Adesanya (right) and the Chief Executive Officer of Children Living With Cancer Foundation, Dr. Nneka Nwobbi (third right) at the presentation of N3.150m cheque to the foundation to support treatment of the cancer-afflicted kids during the school fair held at its premises in Ikeja, Lagos…recently

APEN insists on best practices in education system By Ujunwa Atueyi APID advancement in R technology and globalisation has made it imperative for education providers around the world to continually seek improvement and explore avenues for innovations, and “Nigeria will not be left behind.” Those were the words of the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN), Dr. Olufemi Ogunsanya, at the body’s recent three-day summit, which was declared open by the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye. Speaking at the summit, with the theme: “Leap, Achieve, Succeed,” Oladunjoye charged the resource persons and participants to work together in the area of timetable, calendar and harmonised curriculum

to achieve great results. For the past five years, APEN members have been working to ensure that education providers and managers in the Nigerian system remain relevant with international best practices. And through its yearly workshop and training, it offers memberschools, education stakeholders and other participants the opportunity to liaise with best brains on trends in quality education delivery. According to Ogunsanya, “today’s learners are exposed to information from an array of different sources. The challenge for educators is to rethink our current approach to ensure that leaners are equipped with necessary skills, tools and knowledge to become successful.” She added that the conference offers participants the opportunity to reflect on their past success and forge a new future for Nigerian edu-

cation, adding, “it is in this global forum that practitioners, researchers, educational leaders and policy makers will interact and share best pracschools. across tices “If we cooperate more and exploit the synergies that exist in our country, we can improve the education sector across the entire nation.” However, the Guest Speaker and Chief Executive Officer, Sahara Group, Mr. Tonye Cole, who observed that good upbringing plays fundamental role in the life of every individual, warned that the future would be tough if those who have the responsibility of inculcating right values in the young ones fail to do so. He urged participants to endeavour to identify every child’s potentials and innate skills and guide them to actualize them, adding that the virtues inculcated in him during his early years helped in shaping him into what he is today.

NGO institutes universal scholarship scheme By Ikechukwu Onyewuchi A NON-GOVERNMENTAL organization, Universal Education Support Initiative (UNESI) has announced the commencement of its Universal Scholarship Scheme Concept aimed at providing education funding assistance to Nigerian. The organization is providing scholarship to 200 pupils and students in all levels of education in 2013/2014 academic session, while providing others with educational materials, (computers, laptops Textbooks

and school uniforms). Speaking in a press briefing with newsmen in Lagos in a programme organized by the association to sensitise the general public Mr. Uchechukwu Michael Okoronkwo, Chairman UNESI Board of Trustee said scholarships are great way to help people acquire sound, effectual qualitative education, so many Nigeria are desirous of funding to help them attain their goal of world class education but don’t have the means of getting such funds.

UNESI’s Universal Scholarship Scheme Concept is designed to give all Nigerians the opportunity to achieve their dreams irrespective of their social class. He disclosed that Universal Scholarship scheme has four categories namely: Universal Gold Education Category; Universal Silver Education Category; Universal International Education Category; Universal Privilege Education Category, which contestants will choose from.

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MarketReport EQUITY MARKET SUMMARY

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‘NSE, emerging hub for African investors’ By Roseline Okere NVESTORS may have renewed confidence in Nigeria’s capital market, going by perceptions at the just concluded second yearly Africa investment summit, in Hong Kong. Indeed, former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, in his presentation, highlighted the positively changing fortunes and perceptions of African capital markets witnessed in the last decade. Speaking on “How Investible are Africa’s Capital Markets?” at the summit, General Manager, Listings Sales and Retention of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Taba Peterside stated that the bourse had delivered an over 30 per cent return on investments in the last two years. This, he said, was achieved through much enhanced regulatory oversight and cutting edge technology to increasingly make the NSE a natural hub for investors looking at Africa. According to Peterside, “the NSE seeks to open its doors to the dynamic Asian market. It has become nec-

essary to position the Nigerian bourse favorably within the financial global village.” The Africa Investment summit is the market leader event for facilitating Asian – African investment trends and flows. Turnout at the summit was excellent with over 250 African and Asian corporates, institutional investors, regional and global asset managers, as well as dealmakers gathering on 13th November at the Conrad Hotel in Hong Kong. Participants gained insights into the investment opportunities and emerging sectors across the continent. Portfolio managers already actively managing Africa-focused funds shared experiences, while useful investor perspectives were provided by private equity firms and major institutional investors overall, participants were able to meet and network with key bankers, investors, fund managers and African business leaders. The summit, co-sponsored by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), hosted participants from 250 African and Asian corporates.

World Federation of Exchanges moves HQ to London By Bukky Olajide

HE World Federation of T Exchanges [WFE] members have approved the

What Happened? The NSE All-Share index gained by 1.46% and closed at 38,815.64. This represents a year-to-date performance of 38.24%. Market Capitalisation also appreciated 1.46% Tt close at N12.415 trillion. Total value traded decreased 23.58% to N3.71 billion and total volume traded decreased 58.16 per cent to 329.00 million units.

Where? At the close of trading, the banking sector represented 41.67% of the total market value traded, while the breweries sector represented 7.74%. The Top 5 stocks as a % of total market value traded were: ZENITHBANK (10.92%), DANGCEM (9.88%), GUARANTY (7.92%), TRANSCORP (7.40%) and ETI (7.35%). On a volume basis, the Top 5 most traded stocks for the day were: TRANSCORP (56.51m), WAPIC (21.00m), UBCAP (20.53m), ETI (19.54m) and ZENITHBANK (18.96m).

movement of the headquarters to London, United kingdom. At the World Federation of Exchanges General Assembly which took place in Mexico city, the WFE delegates made a landmark decision to approve moving the WFE’s headquarters from Paris to London. The move to London will be completed by December. The WFE is the trade association for the operators of regulated financial exchanges. The WFE develops and promotes standards in markets, supporting reform in the regulation of Over-The-Counter (OTC) derivatives markets, international cooperation and coordination among regulators. WFE exchanges are home to more than 45,000 listed companies. Delegates at the WFE General Assembly in Mexico City made the landmark decision in Mexico city. According to the Chairman of the WFE Board of Directors ,Andreas Preuss, in a press release, explained that moving the headquarters to London will place WFE in closer proximity to a wider universe of our members and their customers. ‘’This will underpin our

strong commitment to maintaining an on-going dialogue with these key constituencies,” he said. The Chief Executive Officer of the WFE, Huseyin Erkan added that the ultimate goal is to transform WFE into a more outward-looking organization actively engaged with the financial industry. ‘’The WFE’s presence in London will place us in close proximity to many of our members’ operations, as well as to the global financial media, and will facilitate our interactions with the major sell-side and buy-side of the markets,”he said. The 53rd WFE General Assembly and Annual Meeting in Mexico City which took place recently brings together the chairmen and chief executives from more than 50 of the world’s leading exchanges and it is the largest and most widely attended gathering of global exchange leaders. Membership of the WFE is a key target for exchanges hoping to show they meet global standards. This week the membership rose to 63 regulated exchanges after the WFE General Assembly approved the membership of: Dubai Financial Markets, Hochiminh Stock Exchange, Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, New Zealand Stock Exchange, and Qatar Exchange.

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World Federation of Exchanges moves HQ to London By Bukky Olajide

HE World Federation of T Exchanges [WFE] members have approved the

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Friday, November 22, 2013

By Adewale Kupoluyi HE nation has been thrown into mourning T with the recent air crash involving an Associated Airlines conveying the dignitaries as well as the remains of the late Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, from Lagos to Akure, for the burial ceremonies. The 30-seater EMBRA plane 120, said to be carrying other 20 passengers, crashed less than a minute after take-off from the local wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. According to the Accident Investigation Bureau, the two black boxes of the plane have been recovered and they will be expected to give an insight into what really happened. Rescue agencies were said to have found some survivors among them Feyi, son of the late governor. Bodies of nine persons were recovered. Before now, it has always been repeated cases of crashes upon crashes. Late last year, a Boeing 727 cargo plane, belonging to Allied Air Nigerian Company, while attempting to land at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana, had its three-engine jet, rammed into the airport fence and smashed an Instrument Landing System (ILS). It also smashed a bus loaded with passengers, killing all the occupants. We will never forget in a hurry too, the Boeing McDonnell Douglas 83 aircraft, operated by Dana Airlines Limited, which crashed into a building at the densely populated Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos, less than five minutes to touchdown, killing 153 people. Going down memory lane, a Nigeria Airways BAC VC10 crashed on landing, killing 87 people on board while the Royal Jordanian Airlines’ flight 707, carrying 171 Nigerian Muslims, returning from Mecca and the five crewmen crashed in Kano, killing all on board. The Nigeria Airways’ F28-1000, too, crashed in Kano, killing 16 people. In December 1988, Skypower Brandeironte aircraft overshot Ilorin Airport’s runway, killing all the passengers while on February 24, 1991, a British Helicopter crashed in Eket, Akwa Ibom State. All the nine people on board died. Four months after, a Cessna Citation 550 of Ashaka Cement crashed, killing all on board and on June 26, 1991, an Okada Air Bac-11 did the same in Sokoto and killed three persons. The Nigerian Air Force C-130 plane, on September 26, 1992, crashed just minutes after take-off from Lagos. The 200 persons on board died while Harka Air Services Tupolev 34, crashed on landing in Lagos after killing 16 and five months after, a Nigerian Airways’ Boeing 737-2F9 crashed on landing in Kaduna, in which nine people died. The Aviation Development Corporation Airline Boeing 727-231, flying from Port-Harcourt to Lagos, on November 7, 1996, with 142 passengers and nine crew members crashed on landing, killing all on board as another SkyPower Express Airways’ Embraer 110 PIA, on January 31, 1997 crashed on landing in Yola, killing five while on October 26, 2000, a Dornier aircraft plunged into a thick bush in the Niger-Delta, injuring six occupants. About 105 people on board an EAS Airlines’ BAC 1-11-500, on May 4, 2002 crashed and burst into flames in a densely-populated suburb of Kano, killing 76 on board and 72 on the ground, bringing total casualties to148 just as spray aircraft,

Our airports remain bereft of the necessary infrastructure to drastically bring about a reduction in the litany of man-made disasters in the aviation industry. Our emergency response is ever poor and badly coordinated

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Stopping frequent air crashes

Scene of air crash belonging to Berfieex Nigeria Ltd, on March 6, 2004, crashed at the Bauchi Airport while the Pan African Airlines’ helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in Escravos, Delta State, killing four persons on board. A Bellview Airlines’ Boeing 737 with 117 people on board crashed shortly after take-off from Lagos in 2005, killing all passengers on board. A Russian aircraft belonging to Harka had crash- landed at the MMA, killing all the people on board. A Sosoliso Airlines’ DC-9 crashed in PortHarcourt, killing all the 103 on board. Another 18-seater Dornier 228 Air Force trans-

port plane, carrying 15 senior army officers and three crew members crashed in Benue State, leaving only three survivors. On October 29, 2006, an ADC Boeing 737, with 104 on board crashed minutes after take-off from Abuja’s airport with heavy casualty while another OAS Service Helicopter crashed in Warri, Delta State, killing four on board. A Bristow-owned helicopter crashed in Port-Harcourt and on March 15, 2008, a Beechcraft 1900D plane marked 5N-JAH, belonging to Wing Aviation crashed in Cross River State. A helicopter belonging to the Joint Task

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Nobody gets punished for corruption or negligence. Apart from the very old aircraft flying our airspace, the parlous security situation in the country has become increasingly complex by the day and this requires urgent attention and sincere plan of remedial action at stopping frequent air crashes in our country Force (JTF) crashed in Kabong, Jos, killing all members onboard including four senior police officers. On May 4, 2002, Executive Airline Services (EAS) BAC-1-11-525Ft aircraft crashed at Aminu Kano International Airport Kano, killing 70 people. Another Port-Harcourt bound Sosoliso Airlines’ flight 1145 crash-landed in Port Harcourt Airport, killing 109 passengers including 60 pupils. Earlier, a twin Engine Boeing 737, belonging to Bellview Airline crashed in Lisa Village, Ogun State, killing all the 117 passengers. After taking off from Abuja, another ADC aircraft crashed and killed 105 people on board. On November 10, 2006, a six-seater helicopter, belonging to Odengene Air Shuttle (OAS) crashed in Delta State and killed two people. An Air Force plane, on September 16, 2006 crashed in Benue State, killing promising army generals on board. In addition to the above scary records, we could still go on with more saddening history of crashes that have led to enormous loss of lives and resources in the country. It is sad that nothing much has been done to stem the tide. Our airports remain bereft of the necessary infrastructure to drastically bring about a reduction in the litany of man-made disasters in the aviation industry. Our emergency response is ever poor and badly coordinated. We still grapple with problems of poor supervision and control of imported aircraft, lack of proper certification of radio operators, inadequate and insufficient lighting of airfields and runways, inaccurate information by the control tower and epileptic communication services. Nobody gets punished for corruption or negligence. Apart from the very old aircraft flying our airspace, the parlous security situation in the country has become increasingly complex by the day and this requires urgent attention and sincere plan of remedial action at stopping frequent air crashes in our country. Recently, a stowaway kid on the Benin-Lagos plane and later three teenagers in Lagos were apprehended for attempting to illegally board some flights. It is worrisome that most of the nation’s airports do not have all-round perimeter fencing. This largely explains why humans and all sorts of animals stray and rove across the runways freely. Farmers and sundry rural dwellers often create footpaths, through which they gain unhindered access to airport facilities. A mentally deranged man was also said to have been found living inside an abandoned aircraft! We certainly cannot continue this way. While there is urgent need to upgrade our airports to international standards, it will also be crucial to implement the reports of investigations into past crashes otherwise, we will not be learning from our mistakes but for now.

Kupoluyi wrote from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, vide, adewalekupoluyi@yahoo.co.uk, Twitter, @AdewaleKupoluyi

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Sports ‘Lucozade Sport Fun Run route safe, secure’

We will oblige if Keshi needs technical assistance, says Bolaji Abdullahi From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja DVOCATES of a foreign techA nical assistant for the national team, the Super Eagles, may have to wait for a long time as the Federal Government yesterday declared that such was not on the table for now. But the government believed that if the Chief Coach of the team, Stephen Keshi, felt the need for more technical support to beef up his team’s performance, he would be given go ahead to achieve his objective. Sports Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi, who made the observation while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja yesterday, said while the government was interested in moving Nigerian football to a greater height, it was important to carry all the stakeholders along in taking such fundamental decisions. Reacting to arguments in some quarters that Nigeria required a foreign technical person to work on the technical depth of the Super Eagles ahead of the FIFA World Cup next year in Brazil, the minister said both the commission and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) were reviewing the team’s performance in the year in order to ensure it makes a greater impact in the

competition. The minister admitted that having done a good job since he took over the team right from AFCON to date, Keshi had demonstrated that he is capable of handling the team hence the commission and the NFF were confident of his ability to lead the team to the World Cup. The Sports Minister had earlier formally briefed the Council on the victory of the U-17 team in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirate (UAE) last week, which they won for the fourth time, in addition to setting a world record by scoring 26 goals by nine different players. The team also won the most valuable player ward, fair play award, the golden glove award and the silver boot award. Abdullahi said the Council was also briefed on last weekend’s encounter in Calabar where the Nigerian Super Eagles qualified for Brazil FIFA World Cup 2014 for the fifth time by beating the Ethiopian national team. His words: “I also noted in my brief to the Council that in all these achievements, including the AFCON we won in January after 19 years and the athletics championships in senior, junior and youth categories, all these put together has positioned President Goodluck Jonathan as the most successful President in Nigerian sporting history.”

Credible national junior tennis ranking now possible, says Kienka HE NNPC/Shell Junior par with those of the top tennis T Tennis Championship has nations in the world and the made it possible for Nigeria to have a credible junior ranking in four age groups for boys and girls, says Godwin Kienka, the director of the International Tennis Academy (ITA). Speaking on Saturday at the end of the NNPC/Shell Junior Championship, which attracted 152 junior players in boys and girls 10, 12, 14 and 16 singles events, Kienka said: “We now have four comprehensive junior championships which are open to players from all over the country in those age categories, with no limitations as to number of entries and we can now have one every quarter.” The four tournaments are the two NNPC Junior Championships played in the North and South, the CBN Junior championships and now the NNPC/Shell Junior Championships - all part of the NNPC/ITA Junior Circuit run by the ITA. The ITA director also said that the standard of the juniors in the four categories is almost at

fact that many Nigerian parents are now ready to support and travel with their children to tournaments will hasten the process of producing world class tennis players.

ARTICIPANTS in the first P Lucozade Sport Lagos City Fun Run have been assured of

Super Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi,

Golfers from Kenya, Ghana to grace 39th Ikoyi Ladies Open Championship By Eno-Abasi Sunday VER 200 amateur golfers, predominantly women, would tee-off tomorrow at this year’s Ikoyi Ladies Open Golf Championship, slated for the golf section of the Ikoyi Club 1938. And the host club has vowed to retain the trophy, which was last won by Alaba Adetunji of Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos. Of these numbers, five of the participating ladies would be sourced from Ghana, while two would be from Kenya in the 38-hole championship, which promises to be exciting. Making the disclosure in a media briefing at the club, Lady captain of the golf section, Funke Majekodunmi, said

making the tournament an international event was part of measures to expand the frontiers of female golf in the country. “We were expecting ladies from three countries that is Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. But the South Africans got their invite late and so could not come this time, but they would be around for the next edition. “However, having lost the trophy to Alaba Adetunji of Ikeja Golf Club last year, we are ready to put up a great performance that would see the trophy retained in the club this year. Our ladies like Candy Agu, Evelyn Oyme and Caroll Majoroh are some of those that

are capable of doing us proud any day,” Majekodunmi stated. She added that in the tourney, which is sponsored by UBA, Total, omoduni.com, Guinness Nigeria among others, about 80 gentlemen golfers would trade swings, most of them club members, sponsors guests and friends of the lady section. Today, apart from arrival formalities, participants would be engaged in final registration exercise, while the draw for the tourney would also be released. The tournament ends on Friday with a prize presentation ceremony at the upper terrace of the club house.

Imoke implores Cross River contingent to retain NSSF trophy ROSS River State Governor C Liyel Imoke yesterday charged his state’s contingent to the 2013 edition of the National Schools Sports Festival, which flagged off in Ilorin yesterday to bring back the trophy, which they won in the past two editions of the game. Imoke, who gave the charge during a farewell meeting with the athletes in Calabar, said: “As you go to Ilorin, you go with the flag of Cross River State and with the blessings of the Almighty God. You must win the competition and come back with more laurels because we want to keep the

trophy permanently here in the state. “I want you to show Nigeria and the world that you are champions. Show the world that these young men and women, boys and girls from Cross River State are the future of Nigeria’s sports and athletics.” Presenting what he called ‘Governor’s Pocket Money’ of N5, 000 each to the 254 sports boys and girls as morale booster, Imoke added: “You are wonderful children, not only that you are wonderful athletes, you are making Cross River State very proud in a manner that we the elders are

admiring you.” He pointed out that the children are celebrated because they do not only win their games but are well behaved, disciplined and all in schools to prepare themselves for the future. “We want to see you securing international scholarships to become world beaters in athletics,” he added. Earlier, the state’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Patrick Ugbe, who presented Team Cross River to the governor, revealed that the 300-man delegation comprises 253 sports boys and girls and 47 officials.

Ugbe maintained that it was the first time ever that a governor would bid a team farewell to a competition, stressing that the gesture demonstrated the commitment and zeal Governor Imoke has towards youth and sports development in the state and assured him that the children would not disappoint him. In her appreciation, captain of Team Cross River, Koyona Obeten, thanked Imoke for boosting their morale before the event, saying that the team would put in its best in Ilorin to make the state proud.

their safety and security on the route during the 10km race holding this Saturday. The organisers say they will be working with officers and men of the Nigeria Police, Civil Defense, Federal Road Safety Corps and Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) to ensure an accident free event. The Lucozade Sport Fun Run is a collaboration of the Lagos State government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and GSK Consumer Plc, makers of Lucozade Sport isotonic drink. The race is the first in a series of quarterly health and fitness programme introduced by the company to encourage healthy living amongst residents of the mega city. “The route from Marina to Muri Okunola Park has been secured and we have concluded arrangements with the relevant public service agencies such as the Nigeria Police, The Federal Road Safety Corps, LASTMA and the Civil defense to ensure safety of our runners and also provide security on the route”, an official disclosed. In line with requirements of international marathon races, the organisers have also teamed up with the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) to provide running tips before the race and first aid services along the routes, the start and finish points.

Niger targets top spot at National School Sports fiesta • Accreditation of athletes begins IGER State has never been N listed among the top 10 teams at the National School Sports Festival, but as the screening of athletes for this year’s tournament begins today in Kwara State, the team is poised to be among the top states at the end of the sports fiesta. At the last edition held in Port Harcourt, Rivers States, Niger finished 12th having dominated the handball events. However, the coordinator of school sports in Niger, Kudu Umar, said he is confident that the team would be among the top teams when the tournament ends on November 30. Umar told journalists from Minna yesterday that the team has concluded its one-week camping while they will be departing for Kwara today in order to acclamatise to the weather in Ilorin. “I know Niger State has not been among the top 10 teams but this year, we are ready to do better than our 12th place in the last edition. We have been in camp for the past seven days and we will be departing to Ilorin on Thursday (today). All our athletes are in top shape for the championship while the support we have been getting from the government has been enormous.”

78| Thursday, November 21, 2013

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Sports ‘Lucozade Sport Fun Run route safe, secure’

fact that many Nigerian parents are now ready to support and travel with their children to tournaments will hasten the process of producing world class tennis players.

ARTICIPANTS in the first P Lucozade Sport Lagos City Fun Run have been assured of

Super Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi,

78| Thursday, November 21, 2013

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Sports ‘Lucozade Sport Fun Run route safe, secure’

fact that many Nigerian parents are now ready to support and travel with their children to tournaments will hasten the process of producing world class tennis players.

ARTICIPANTS in the first P Lucozade Sport Lagos City Fun Run have been assured of

Super Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi,

Thurday, November 21, 2013

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SPORTS 79

NSC employs U.S. coaches for high performance centre From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE National Sports T Commission (NSC) on Tuesday signed a four-year contract with two United States (U.S.) coaches, who are saddled with the responsibility of transforming Nigerian athletics at the newly constructed National Sports High Performance Center in Abuja. The centre is expected to take off in January 2014. The coaches, Angie Taylor and Eric Campbell, who were former coaches of U.S. Olympics medallists, Sanya Richards and Allison Felix, as well as Justin Gatlin, are expected to prepare Nigerian athletes for high performance and podium position at the various sports meets. This is the first time in the history of Nigerian sports that national high performance directors have been engaged to oversee the devel-

opment of elite sports in the country. An excited Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated at the event that the need to be proactive and see Nigeria achieve podium level success in international competitions propelled the commission to employ the foreign experts to oversee the high performance system, which the commission has put in place. A high performance system is a science-based support system for elite athletes. The only High Performance Centre in West Africa is being built in Abuja, Nigeria and the minister stated that this would be completed in February 2014. He explained that the process of engaging the foreign experts, both of whom are from the U.S., was very rigorous, as they had to scale very tedious recruitment exercise conducted by sports

consultants Mackenzie. As National High Performance Director, Taylor is to oversee the development of elite athletes in five sports: Athletics, Boxing, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, and Wrestling. Performance Director for Athletics, Campbell, would work with Taylor to develop a programme to ensure that they achieve podium success in athletics. “What we are doing here is history”, stated Abdullahi. “The disappointment of London 2102 was what led to the unanimous decision to start doing things differently. One key lesson was that at this time and age, no country could hope to perform and achieve podium success at the global level without a robust high performance system that translates talent into excellence. In Taylor and Campbell, we have got the best possible hands we can get.”

WMRA officials arrive for Obudu race HREE top officials of the T World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) led by its Italian president, Bruno Gozzelino, have arrived for Saturday’s 9th Obudu International Mountain Race and the fifth African Mountain Running Championships . The other two officials, who are council members of the association, are Erhan Basoglu from Turkey and Bulgarian woman, Galia Puhaleva. The trio, according to Patrick Ugbe, the media chief for the race, are in town to give techni-

cal and logistic supports to the local organising committee for the event headed by William Archibong. “The WMRA trio are here to give us the necessary support for another successful organisation of the race,’’ said Ugbe, who is also the Cross River State Commissioner for Sports . Ugbe believes the presence of the top echelon of the body governing the sport worldwide is a further confirmation of the popularity of the race as well as its importance to the WMRA.

“The Obudu mountain race has become an important event in the calendar of the WMRA and its upgrading from an associate member race to one of the major races in the calendar of the association is a testimony of this,” he said. Ugbe is confident Saturday’s race will be the most hotly contested in the history of the event . “The quality of competitors this year will make it the most competitive in the history of the race. “We have the reigning world champion, Philip Kiplimo of Uganda here with three other Ugandans, who swept the men’s medals at the last WMRA championships in Poland last September.”

Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare (left); Jamaica’s Fraser-Pryse and America’s Jeter at the 2012 London Olympics. The high performance directors are expected to help Nigerian athletes win Olympics medals.

Umohette thanks Akpabio, Umana, presents UBF title to Nigerians in USA From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia IGERIA’s new Universal N Boxing Federation (UBF) international heavyweight boxing champion, Enobong Umohette, at the weekend formally presented his belt to Nigerians at the Four-Point Sheraton Hotels, Illinois, Chicago, USA. Umohette won on November 2 by defeating via a technical knockout the former champion, Dante Criang, in the second round of their 10-round fight in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. The Guardian learnt that Umohette was the guest speaker at the meeting that attracted reputable businessmen, professionals, sporting and academics from America, Nigeria and other parts of Africa. Among those present at the event were chairmen and board executives from the states of Illinois, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana and Wisconsin. Other attendees included Learning Centres of

Azeez targets another excellent Copa Lagos OST valuable player (MVP) M of the second edition of the COPA Lagos Beach Soccer

FCMB GMD, Ladi Balogun (left), presents the 2012 Copa Lagos trophy to Beach Eagles captain, Isiaka Olawale, and the Nigerian team.

How to make Eagles world beaters in Brazil 2014, by Suleiman right things in place and good

By Gowon Akpodonor

ITH the ticket to Brazil W 2014 World Cup now sealed and delivered, former sports minister, Yusuf Suleiman, says the task before the sports ministry and the Nigeria Football Federation NFF) is to fashion out ways of correcting the few lapses noticed in the Super Eagles during the qualifiers. Suleiman, who predicted before the game on Saturday that the Wayla Antelopes of Ethiopia would fall in Calabar, is so sure that the Eagles could pull a big surprise when hostilities begin next year in Brazil. But he insists square peg must be in square hole: “With the

preparation for the team, I see the Super Eagles surprising many big football playing countries in the World Cup,” Suleiman told The Guardian. “It is time an African country lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy at senior level, and I see the Super Eagles living up to that challenge in Brazil. But both the sports ministry and the NFF have to play their parts very well in making sure that the right thing is done and at the right time. “Just like the Golden Eaglets have proven as the best in the world, I am confident the Eagles can be the first African side to win the trophy for the continent,” Suleiman added.

Championship, Abu Azeez, says that Beach Soccer fans are in for a treat as the Sand Eagles continues their preparations to win a third consecutive title. “We have been champions twice but we want a third title badly,” said the youthful and popular Beach Soccer star. “We have a proud record in Copa Lagos and I know that by hardwork and luck, we will retain our title,” he added. He also had good words for the organisers, Kinetic Sports, saying: “It is a wonderful thing for Lagos to host this worldclass Beach Soccer tournament, which I believe is the only one in Africa”. Inspired by the phenomenal success and growing popularity of the game, Nigerian banking giant, FCMB, are one of the major sponsors supporting the event which seeks to enhance youth soccer skills through continued play and skill development. “Copa Lagos provided the opportunity to play for Nigeria and now other players can aspire. My performances on the beach helped me sign for Kwara United,” Azeez said, adding that he has a personal goal of scoring more than the three goals he scored last

December to emerge as the M V P . “It is not about personal glory but I hope to score the goals that will help my team retain the trophy,” he concluded. Copa Lagos, Africa’s biggest beach party kicks off on the Eko Atlantic beachfront from December 13 to 15 with Germany, Lebanon and Senegal battling Nigeria for the crown.

Chicago Chief Executive Officer, Rose Udoh, AIK Solar Enterprise CEO, Prof. Dike Okoro of North Western University, publisher of Nigeria Masterweb online, Charles Oketeke, and a cross section of American public and private sector chieftains. Umohette expressed his gratitude to Nigerians for their support, stressing that the positive impact of sports in youth development and nation building and as a neutral but coercive factor in the Nigerian socio-cultural fabric,

even as he added that sport is a medium for discipline, values and ethics. He specifically acknowledged the kind of support Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio and Umana Okon Umana, both indigenes of his state, who helped him “to cross a significant landmark not only as a new champion, but as a boxing promoter in a very adventurous,” adding, “doubling as a boxing promoter and fighting for a major title at the same time in one event is a rare feat.”

14 wrestlers for Commonwealth Championships in S/Africa By Olalekan Okusan S part of efforts to tune up A for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has called up 14 wrestlers for next month’s Commonwealth Championship in South Africa. According to the secretary general of the federation, Segun Oguntade, the wrestlers are expected to resume in Abuja for their visa processing while they will proceed to Bayelsa for their training ahead of the championship slated between December 5 and 7 in Johannesburg. The wrestlers are Odunayo Adekuoroye, Bisola Makanjuola, Aminat Adeniyi, Sammy Oziti, Blessing Okorodudu, Ifeoma Iheanacho, Esther Pam, Welson Ebikweminomo,

Daniel Amas, Clackson Sampson, Bibo Melvin, Dick Adibo, Sinivie Boltic and Tamarau Soso. “We want to use this tournament to assess our athletes for next year’s Commonwealth Games and to ensure that they are in top form before the games. We will only be taking part in the freestyle event, which is the only event at the Commonwealth Games. We are not setting target for ourselves at the South Africa tournament but we just want to ensure that our wrestlers are active as most of their opponents are also going to be in Scotland next year,” Oguntade said. The Commonwealth Wrestling Championships will be held in Johannesburg from December 5 to 7. The Barnard Indoor Sport Complex in Kempton Park, Johannesburg will host the tournament.

Greensprings, others battle for school sports laurel at Nigerian Sports Award ment.

ITH six days to the presti- of the coveted award. W gious Nigerian Sports According to the organisers, Greensprings Schools through Award, three schools - Greensprings Schools, Lekki, its yearly sports forum promotes Greensprings School Lekki, Keke High School, Agege both from Lagos State and Ogedegbe Primary School, Warri, Delta State are contending for laurel

Lagos was nominated for the school sports category of the award in recognition of the commitment of the management of the school to sports develop-

sports in the school as well as organise weekend academy programme in six sports, while its yearly Greensprings Kanu Football Camp is getting international recognition.

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By Samuel Akpobome Orovwuje VERY year thousands of desperate young Africans brave the sea in fragile small boats in search of a better life in Europe. They travel from the poverty stricken purgatory village life of Africa to hell of the high seas between Africa and Europe. Most times they die unnoticed and undocumented. But this year Lampedusa small boat disasters have received considerable international attention and elicited widespread emotional interest because they occurred in quick succession last month, claiming more than 339 lives of Africans. It was indeed a tragedy that needed media attention at home! This article outlines some of the issues and concrete solutions to reverse the trend of people dying yearly in an attempt to cross the seas of no return to Canary Islands, Spain, Italy and other European countries for a dream improved condition of life, or ostensibly to seek asylum. The real tragedy of most African migrants is that most times, they are kidnapped, carnally assaulted and worst still, out rightly killed by smugglers. The phenomenon of people migrating in search of safer and a more prosperous living conditions is as old as man and the right of any person to leave any country is enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But, the right of people to move freely is circumscribed by migration and border controls of receiving countries especially Europe. It is in the attempt to circumvent the strict immigrations laws that most young Africans resort to illegal means. In recent years, clandestine movement of people from Africa to Europe is essentially through trafficking and smuggling. Most illegal migrants borrow money from friends and family to pay smugglers to facilitate their departure but repaying these debts often becomes difficult if they cannot cross the Mediterranean Sea. The popular destinations for those prepared to take the risk of braving the seas include Italy, Spain, Tenerife and Canary Island. The question is why do most young people decide to leave? Of course, most migrants are lured by the prospect of a better future. They go to Europe to work with the hope of being able to help their families back home. They do menial jobs that Europeans would not do. Despite the assurances of good governance with consequential opening for enhanced opportunities for self-realisation, the jobs never really materialise — a failing of the various countries in Africa. As Africans we carry a share of the responsibility for the sorry state of affairs, including the toothless Africa Union (AU), the World Bank and its so called development partners, who pressed upon us Structural Adjustment Programmes and plans that have practically brought the African continent to its knees. One of the major challenges of international migration is the selective migration policy which demands the picking and choosing of the best and the brightest, particularly those that have knowledge and expertise which Africa, the homeland of the immigrants, needs. Those who do not have the requisite skills and cannot meet visa conditions then embark on small boat journeys at great risks.

One of the major challenges of international migration is the selective migration policy which demands the picking and choosing of the best and the brightest, particularly those that have knowledge and expertise which Africa, the homeland of the immigrants, needs.

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The tragedy of African migration

Rescued migrants on an Italian Coast Guard vessel arrived at the harbor of Lampedusa, Italy. PHOTO: REUTERS Even those that have genuine desires to travel through regular means are also denied visas, thereby encouraging smug-

gling and clandestine movements! With the migration the development of Africa continues to suffer.

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Efforts must be made to sanction perpetrators of such horrendous crimes. This means, in effect, that governments at national and community levels would have to focus on the organised networks to forestall recruitment of African youths for the journey of no return. It is also important that as a people we should understand the intersections between poverty, illiteracy and vulnerability to irregular movements. People should travel wherever and whenever they wish. Sadly enough, while Africans are denied such free movements, Africa’s leaders and politicians, particularly those of Nigeria, have open door labour migration policy that flings open our gates to all manner of charlatans from the West and Asia, in the name of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). These flood Africa, exploiting us without corresponding development indices and jobs for Africa’s teeming population. The African Union, through its leadership, does not seek to demand reciprocity which would encourage Europe and Asia to open its border to allow Africans to emigrate to work in their countries to balance the development equation in the globalisation age. The door of regular and labour migration even if it is to sweep the street and clear refuse must be opened wide! From human rights perspective, migration and indeed, clandestine movement are inherently risky ventures. The benefits of a better future are driven by individual desire with disregard to danger and the threat to the human person and the loved ones. There is no doubt that governments throughout the world now view human trafficking and smuggling as organised crime. Therefore, efforts must be made to sanction perpetrators of such horrendous crimes. This means, in effect, that governments at national and community levels would have to focus on the organised networks to forestall recruitment of African youths for the journey of no return. It is also important that as a people we should understand the intersections between poverty, illiteracy and vulnerability to irregular movements. The disadvantaged groups are always prone to criminality. The African Union should pay greater attention to the root causes of irregular migration among which are violent conflicts, lack of livelihood in the midst of plenty, loss of land tenure, violation of land rights, barriers to education, poverty, unemployment, human rights abuses particularly socio-economic rights and the encouragement of an open border regimes across the continent to improve trade and investment relations that will drive growth and development. Above all, adequate resources should be allocated to education rather than to political opportunism that has characterised the union in the last 50 years. Youth and adult education and vocational training need to be integrated into migration norms and protocols for safe migration within Africa and beyond. In addition, African leaders should take a second look at globalisation and its negative impact on African women and girls, most especially, poverty that encourages the exploitation of African women in the globalised world. It remains to be seen how much appraisal of the international norms and protocols will be called forth to bring about sweeping changes to influence North Africa to Lampedusa, the sea of no return, and improve on advocacy to set the agenda for safe migration within Africa and beyond. Orovwuje is the founder, Humanitarian Care for Displaced Persons, Lagos.

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Thursday, November 21, 2013 NEWSEXTRA

FG inaugurates panel on civil service reform From Anthony Otaru, Abuja ETERMINED to back its current reforms in the civil service with a capable and resourceful body of men with integrity and vigour, the Federal Government yesterday inaugurated a 34-member steering committee to ensure the success of the programme. The Steering Committee on Public Service Reforms (SCR) was first constituted in 2004, reconstituted on November 23, 2007 but met last in December 2008 until November 2013 when President Goodluck Jonathan directed that it should be reconstituted and approved the list. Inaugurating the panel on behalf of the government, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, called on members to attend meetings in person as government will

not tolerate proxies. Anyim also used the occasion to launch the Bureau of Public Service Reforms publications. According to him, the mandate of this committee shall include, among other things, provision of technical leadership for reforms, initiation of actions on reforms, monitoring and evaluating, implementation of the reforms, generating feedback to guide review, interacting with donor agencies and other stakeholders and informing the Federal Executive Council on reform implementation efforts on a regular basis. He said: ‘’Notwithstanding its temporary setbacks, the committee has recorded some remarkable achievements. They include the revision of the public service rules and the conceptualisation and initiation of the na-

Lecture on Igbo future holds Saturday in Abuja ORMER governor of old Fwuemeka Anambra State, Dr. ChukEzeife, is to deliver this year’s Orient Club Abuja annual lecture entitled, “Nigerian Politics: The Way Forward for Ndigbo,” slated for Saturday, November 23, 2013 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, by 1 p.m. A statement jointly signed by the club’s President, Cyril Sony Elobi, and chairman of the lecture’s Planning Committee, Phillip Udezue, said the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, would be the Special Guest of Honour while Eze Ibe Nwosu, the Igbo 1 of Abuja, would be the royal

father of the day. The occasion will be chaired by social commentator, Dr. Udenta O. Udenta, just as the event will also feature the investiture of the Chief Executive Officers of Anbeeze Construction Company Limited, Anayo Onwuegbu, and of Nworah Group Limited, Dr. Fabian Nworah, as patrons of the club. According to the statement, this year’s lecture topic was carefully selected to stimulate discussions among Ndigbo with a view to articulating a standpoint for the race in the forthcoming national dialogue.

tional strategy for public service reforms.’’ According to Anyim, the absence of the steering committee on reforms has limited government’s capacity to provide coordinated technical leadership and effective monitoring and evaluation of all public service reform efforts. Earlier in a presentation, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Joe Abah, said the new direction for the BPSR will focus on updating and refreshing the national strategy for public service reforms. The committee has Anyim as chairman, while Abah is the secretary. Others were drawn from across government MDAs.

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Ogun presents N210b ‘budget of consolidation’ From Charles Coffie Gyamfi (Abeokuta) and Joseph Onyekwere (Lagos) HE Ogun State GovernT ment has presented a proposed budget of N210.21 billion for the 2014 fiscal year, tagged “Budget of Consolidation,” which is N1.57 billion less than last year’s N211.78 billion “Budget of Sustainable Growth.” Presenting the budget on Tuesday, Governor Ibikunle Amosun told the 26member House of Assembly at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, that it comprised N117.51 billion capital expenditure (55.90 per cent) and N92.70 billion recurrent vote (N44.10 per cent). Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) ongoing special inquiry into the cases of demolitions and evictions in the South-West zone of the country continued on Tuesday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, with former Chief Whip of Ogun State House of Assembly, Musa Moruf, testifying against Amosun’s government. The panel, headed by the NHRC Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, is working to unearth facts on the alleged cases of illegal or unconscionable demolitions or evictions and make recommendations to the Federal Government. Explaining the basis of the appropriations, in which education got the lion’s share of N43.99 billion, Amosun stated: “Our commitment to investment in education remains a primary focus and accordingly, the amount allocated to this sector is N43.99 billion.” Health was allotted N21.11 billion, housing and urban renewal got N26.74 billion, while infrastructure was assigned N34.66 billion. Amosun went on: “We recognize the importance in our mass transit vehicle fleet to ensure sustainability of service quality. It is estimated that our various mass transit vehicles will, at full capacity, transport between an estimated 300,000 and 500,000 people daily, providing modern, reliable transport services at fixed price.” He stated that as a stakeholder in the Olokola Trade Zone, his administration would continue to drive development in “this critical project.” Therefore, he assured that the government would commence the development of the zone with the provision of infrastructure “as we expect the initial group of tenants to commence formal development of their sites.” His administration, he said, plans to purchase 200 fully fitted Hilux vehicles to support the security agencies. Amosun told his audience, which included former governors, traditional rulers and top government officials: “I can see an Ogun State that could rival any state in the developed

world. “The tasks are no doubt daunting and the challenges enormous, but we are encouraged by the support of our people and smiles of approval on their faces for the projects and programmes we have executed so far.” Reviewing last year’s budget, he said he was glad to announce that his government’s efforts at implementing the reforms it initiated had started to yield results. House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Suraj Adekunbi, said the legislators would ensure the speedy approval of the budget. Nevertheless, former lawmaker, Moruf, said the government demolished his property without compen-

sation, lamenting that his property situated at the Forestry Plantation neighborhood called Area J4 was demolished without any compensation whatsoever. The embattled politician, whose petition was initially sent to the NHRC by two non-governmental bodies, the Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), told the panel that the demolition of the building, which was meant to be a hotel, was nothing but “political vendetta.” He explained that when he got wind of the planned demolition, he rushed to court to stop it, but despite the matter being in court, the government went

ahead with the demolition in August 2013. “When I got to the site of my building on that day, I saw about 35 soldiers and 15 mobile policemen. They had nearly demolished everything,” he said. “It was then I ran to some eminent personalities in Ogun State to help me talk to the government.” Earlier, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu, who represented the state government, had said that a notice of revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy in respect of the land was earlier issued on August 12, 2012, to the complainant. She added that the land in question ought not have been issued or sold to

Moruf because it was part of the state’s Omo Forestry Reserve, and that the complainant must have used undue influence during his tenure as Chief Whip of the House of Assembly to get the land in the first place. Akeredolu also tendered a document called Forest Ordinance 1952 of the Western Region of Nigeria, which she claimed designated the area in contention as part of Omo Forestry Reserve. She added that Moruf had no building approval for the hotel and that “the more he was told to stop the building, since it was being illegally done, the faster he kept on building it.” When Odinkalu asked her

why the state government went ahead to demolish a building when matters were pending in court, she answered: “It is true that two matters were pending at the Ogun State High Court but there was no court injunction restraining the government from going ahead with the demolition.” Then he asked Moruf: “Is it true that you used your power as a big man to get the land, and drove away those occupying it; now that you are no longer in power and it is taken away from you, you are disturbing us?” He answered: “I did not use power to get the land, I paid for it and I have all the receipts.” Further proceedings con-

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