Thur 25 July 2013 by The Guardian Newspaper

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Vol. 30, No. 12,628

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Race to Alausa 2015: Christians, indigenes battle power brokers • How religion, indigeneship may influence choice of guber candidate • Developmental issues may be ignored By Ehichioya Ezomon (Group Political Editor) and Seye Olumide ARELY two years away, isB sues of religion and indigeneship are already influencing the race to Alausa, the seat of governmental power in Lagos State. Pointedly, issues of development may be relegated to the background, as the Christian community, and indigenes move to choose the chief executive of the state from among themselves.

DETAILS ON PAGES 6, 10 & 11 The zoning of the governorship is another problem confronting the political parties, particularly the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), so as to avoid being outwitted by the opposition camp led by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

A cross section of participants during the fifth session on migration and terrorism in West Africa in Abuja… yesterday.

‘How senators were blackmailed into voting for child marriage’ From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja UST a day after the Senate Jdorse explained that it did not enan early marriage law, it offered a different position yesterday. The Senate admitted yesterday that members actually voted on the issue and those in support of the early marriage law won the day. The upper legislative chamber’s Deputy President and Chairman of its Committee on Constitution Amendment, Ike Ekweremadu, on Tuesday defended senators against the allegation that they approved an early marriage law. He said that they only voted on the renunciation of citizenship. But Senate President David Mark yesterday owned up to the fact that lawmakers were blackmailed into reversing their stand to delete the controversial Section 29 (4) (b) of the 1999 Constitution. Mark, who made the confession yesterday when a civil society group under the umbrella of Gender and Consti-

• Senate to revisit issue, says Mark • Shifts passage of amendment bill till today tution Reform Network (GECORN), led by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina, visited him, said the Senate would have no reason not to revisit the issue. Pleading for the understanding of Nigerians, he said his colleagues took the step in that direction in the interest of the people. “That is the fact. Because it is in the open, I cannot hide it and nobody could hide it. They were simply blackmailed, and on that day, if they didn’t do what they did, nobody knows what the outcome would be or how the consequences will be today, because the people outside can say this man, you are a

Muslim and didn’t vote for something that is of Islamic interest, because if we don’t hit the nail squarely on the head, we may never get it right”, Mark said. According to him, the Senate is on the side of the people as far as the afore-said section of the constitution is concerned. He said that lawmakers were the first to observe the anomaly in the clause and moved to delete it but unfortunately, they failed narrowly to achieve that. He went on: “We are on the side of the people; that was why we put it that we should delete it. That was what the people wanted. We, in fact, are the first people that put the step in the right direction

of deleting it. It didn’t go through because of other tangential issues that were brought in on the floor of the Senate, total inconsequential issues, unconnected issues that were brought in. “We wanted to remove it but it failed, we were a total of 101, 85 voted and about six or so abstained. There was hardly any dissenting votes but it got mixed up with so many other issues and it didn’t get the required 73 votes anymore. “So, first of all, I think the castigation outside is done out of misunderstanding but because a religious connotation was brought into it, which is a very sensitive issue and you must agree with me

that in this country, we try as must as possible not to bring issues that involve faith to the floor of the Senate and indeed the chamber, we keep religion completely out of it because what is good for a Christian is also good for a Muslim. “The good of the country is for everybody and not for a particular religious sect. I think the bottomline is, when people get more educated, then we can probably, if the Senate agrees, go back and see whether we can get the required number once more, because that is the solution. Let me also talk to my own brothers and sisters who are senators, who were probably blackmailed. “Why we voted publicly was so that everybody will know the stand of every senator on every issue. I think the problem is not whether we can delete this Section 29(4) (b)

Ibadan strange fish was baby octopus, say police — Metro Page 13 Pate quits Jonathan’s cabinet, joins U.S. varsity — Page 8

or not. That is not the issue; it is whether we can get the number to be able to delete it. With all due respect, the entire Senate is being castigated because there was and there is still a complete misunderstanding of what the Senate had tried to do.” Earlier in a presentation read by Saadatu Mahdi, the women called for outright removal of the section, which they said, indirectly provides that young Nigerian girls who are not old enough to vote or to obtain a driver’s licence could be old enough to renounce their citizenship. “It is generally accepted that there is an age where mental capacity is presumed and as such, to provide a basis where girls without this mental capacity can renounce their citizenship not only unfairly discriminates against females but also trivialises this treasure gift,” they said. The group maintained that there should be no basis for CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

NEWS

Rivers, NGF crises no threats to democracy, says presidency From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Karls Tsokar (Abuja) and Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt) from the fear expressed Fin byARRivers some people, the crises State and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) pose no threats to peace, good governance and democracy, according to the Presidency. Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday , Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, said that contrary to the impression created by five northern governors, including Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso of Kano, Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, that the crises in NGF and Rivers State were capable of destroying democracy, peace and good governance in the country, they would have no effect on the life of Nigeria and civil rule and practice. According to him, the five governors have a hidden political agenda for which they have continued to engage in “some political moves, which are clearly intended to create fear, despair and sense of apprehension among the citizenry. “While we note their current political moves, they should be mindful that in all they do as political leaders, they ought to put the interest of the nation and our democracy first. This, indeed, is the hallmark of true patriotism.” Besides, the Leader of the House, Chidi Llyod and his lawyers at 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday reported at the Police Force Headquarters. A statement by the Police Public Relations Department yesterday in Abuja, said Llyod “is currently helping police investigators in efforts at unravelling the circumstances surrounding the crisis that occurred in the hallowed chambers of the House of Assembly.” Meanwhile, former Petroleum Minister, Prof. Tam David-

• Accuses Kwankwaso, Lamido, three other govs of hidden agenda • Rivers House leader answers IG’s summons • David-West wants five lawmakers charged with treason West, has advocated that the five House of Assembly members whose failed attempt to oust the leadership of the legislature triggered violence should be tried for treason.

He warned that if the political crisis, which the five lawmakers capitalised on to breach the 1999 Constitution as amended was not checked and it spread to other parts of

the country, it would explode and compromise the country’s democracy. The former minister told The Guardian yesterday that it was wrong for the Inspector-

General of Police to have invited Lloyd, who was subsequently detained in Abuja without arresting the five lawmakers who he said breached the constitution in an attempt to effect a leadership change. David-West suggested that the only way to end the crisis was for President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife and Minis-

ter Nyesom Wike to desist from meddling in the affairs of the state. The former minister who linked the crisis in the PDP and Rivers State in particular, to the President’s 2015 reelection ambition, said the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) must first ensure that all aggrieved members have justice.

Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) (left), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), during a meeting on Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission (DAWN) at the Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan… yesterday. PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

Senate shifts passage of amendment bill till today CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 compelling a girl to deal with matters of such importance as the renunciation of citizenship merely because married. is she “Citizenship is and must remain gender-neutral and safeguarded from any cultur-

al, religious or social interpretations or connotations. The harm of maintaining Section 29 (4) (b) which is open to manipulation arising from its ambiguity, far outweighs any arguable benefits a few females might arguably obtain”, it said. The Senate has been under severe criticisms since last week

over its vote on Section 29 (4) (b). The public viewed the Senate’s inability to delete that section of the constitution as an attempt to legalise early marriage. Yesterday, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, called on the lawmakers to quickly rescind their decision and respect the wishes of the people. According to a statement by the Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu, any attempt by the Senate to hold on to its position would mean giving consent to an obnoxious provision that found its way into a military-engineered constitution which deprives many a girl-child the right to grow into healthy and productive adults. “The argument that their decision is not about child marriage flies in the face of reason because if they agree to define adulthood by marriage they automatically approve the action of the lecherous old man who marries a 13-year-old girl and make her an adult when by the same constitution, she cannot vote in an election. Such children are denied their childhood and made victims of vesico-vaginal fistula because their bodies are not ready to carry or nurture babies. Pregnancy and motherhood are not conferred by obnoxious laws but nature prepares the woman for them,” he said. “Our children deserve to have access to qualitative education and opportunity for selfactualisation. Unless the Senate rescinds its resolution, it would have failed woefully

in protecting our children and giving them the opportunity to realize their potential to the fullest. The Senate should be passing resolutions to the effect that all children below 18 years of age should be in school rather than legitimize child abuse and all sorts of health complications that arise from child marriage through this ridiculous resolution.” According to him, by consenting to child marriage in this way, the Senate has bruised the sensibilities of decent people across the nation and all religious divides who have condemned this resolution. He urged the Senate to expunge Section 29 (4b) as it not only amounts to truncating the future of children, it also contradicts other parts of the same constitution. Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday shifted ground on its initial plan to pass the amended 2013 appropriation bill till today to allow members study the input of the Committee on Appropriation. Following the successful reading of the bill on Tuesday, it was referred to the relevant committee, which was mandated to return it within 24 hours for the clause-to-clause consideration and accelerated passage. However, the Senate yesterday postponed the consideration and passage till today to allow members go through the document. The upper chamber had earlier vowed not to consider the budget due to some differences with the Presidency on some areas of the proposed amendments.

Race to Alausa 2015: How religion, indigeneship may influence choice of guber candidate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The Guardian’s investigations reveal that these issues have been dormant since they were first mooted at the inception of the current dispensation in 1999. But those leading the agitation for their adoption say the time for implementation is 2015, reeling out arguments and figures why they should not only have their say, but also their way. According to findings, the Christian community is being mobilised, and the Omo Eko gan gan ni are being enlisted for what a respondent referred to as “the ultimate showdown with the powers that have held us down.” It’s a blame game all over, but the findings will prove and/or disprove misinformation, misrepresentations, half-truths, and outright falsehood being peddled by proponents and opponents. However, the ruling party has warned against “fanning the embers of discord” and setting the state on fire with religious and ethnic sentiment that could reverberate across the country.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

News Minister visits Indonesia, Philippine over Nigerians on death rows From John Okeke, Abuja INISTER of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru on Tuesday travelled to Indonesia and Philippine to intervene over Nigerians on death row in the Asian-pacific countries. Meanwhile, Ashiru has charged media practitioners to desist from reports capable of tarnishing the image of the country. He also urged them to embrace the professional practice on development journalism that foster growth and the development of the country. According to the Director in the Minister’s office, Sola Enikanolaiye, who disclosed this to reporters in Abuja said that the visit was a follow-up to an earlier one in February by the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang-Yudhoyono, to Nigeria, where the issue of clemency for Nigerians on death row was discussed.

Dickson accuses oil firms of environmental pollution

Marketers forged documents to obtain N1.1b subsidy payment, says witness By Bertram Nwannekanma N Ikeja High Court, Lagos was yesterday told by a prosecution witness, Mr. Oliver Chineke, that three oil marketers, Opeyemi Ajuyah and Olarenwaju Olalusi, forged documents to obtain N1.1 billion fuel subsidy payment. In his testimony before the court presided by Justice Lateefat Okunnu at the ongoing- trial of the marketers and their firms - Majope Investment Ltd. and Axenergy Ltd., Chineke said about 4,000 metric tonnes out of the 15,000 metric tonnes were brought in by a vessel, MT Brave at the Lister Jetty in Apapa between January 22 and 23, 2011. Chineke, who was led in evidence, said he sent one of the

company’s surveyors, Mohammed Adedapo to inspect the vessel after he was contacted to inspect the vessel on behalf of Majope Investment Ltd. The former Lagos branch manager of Q and Q Control Marine Services Nigeria Ltd, who was led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Mr Francis Usani told the court that his company was contracted by Oando Oil and Gas Plc to inspect the quantity of products brought in by a vessel, MT Brave on behalf of Majope Investment Ltd. Chineke said he had sent one of the company’s surveyors, Mohammed Adedapo to inspect the vessel. The result of the inspection, he stated revealed that the vessel brought in 15,000 met-

ric tonnes and discharged about 4,000 metric tonnes at the Lister Jetty in Apapa between January 22 and 23, 2011. “The remaining quantity on board was taken away by the vessel, prompting Adedapo to write a protest letter to the ship’s captain,” he said. Chineke further said that the EFCC later wrote the company to verify the documents tendered by the defendants showing that 15,000 metric tonnes was discharged. He said: “When I looked at the Shore Tank Certificate in our file, it showed that about 4,000 metric tonnes was discharged. “The copy forwarded to us by the EFCC was showing that 15,000 metric tonnes was discharged.

“It is not feasible to have two Shore Tank Certificate with different figures from the same inspectorate company.” Chineke said it was on this basis that he wrote a letter dated August 22, 2012 to the EFCC confirming that the documents with 15,000 metric tonnes did not emanate from the company. The letter was admitted by the court as Exhibit P8. Under cross-examination by the defendants counsel, Messrs Oludare Falana, O. Awonuga and Dada Awosika, the witness admitted that there was no unique feature in the certificate. He insisted that the company thoroughly cross-checked the figures and quantity of the transaction before sending its report to Oando Oil

From Kelin Ebiri, (Port-Harcourt) and Willie Etim (Yenagoa) OVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State yesterday in Yenagoa, the State capital berated oil multinationals operating in the state over the destruction of its ecosystem. He also accused the oil companies of applying double standard in the modalities adopted in oil exploration activities and community development efforts among oil bearing communities. In the same vein, the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, has said that the only way the country’s oil revenue could be meaningful was to ensure openness and transparency. Dickson, who stated this yesterday when the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Ambassador Bert Ronhaar visited him, stressed that the application of double standards by multinational oil companies contributes significantly to the impoverishment of the environment and people of the region.

Reps adopt manual voting on constitutional amendment

From Terhemba Daka, Abuja GAINST all expectations, the House of Representative yesterday adopted the manual voting system in the final clause-by-clause amendment of some sections of the 1999 Constitution, which started work effectively in September 2011. The House had suspended voting on the constitution for the second time in a week in favour of electronic voting system. But the process was not without hitches yesterday as the officials of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat) led by its Director General, Ahmed Rufai contracted to facilitate the exercise could not fix the voting devices installed in the chamber. After several failed attempts to configure the devices provided by the experts to conduct the exercise electronically, the House resorted to manual voting by the 327 members present, a process that was cumbersome, compelling the chamber to sit for several hours.

Abia communities want direct payment of derivation fund From, Anthony Otaru, Abuja IL producing communities in Abia State have joined their counterparts in other oil producing states in clamouring for the direct payment of 13 per cent derivation fund to the communities. This time, however, the communities are insisting that in line with the constitution, 13 per cent derivation fund is first line charge on the federation account. These were contained in a memorandum sent to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and signed by 10 leaders of the communities namely Chief Jones Udeogu, Barrister Chinedu Elechi, Chief Onyema Olujie, Prince Sam Nwogu, Obinna Ememenna, Nwaloziri Ignatius, Barr Emma Ukaegbu, Hon. Ugochukwu Ekpo, Reginald Ezenta and Maduka James.

and Gas Plc. Meanwhile, the judge has granted Olalusi permission to travel to the United Kingdom for two weeks for business purposes. In granting Olalusi’s application, the judge said there was no evidence before the court showing that he would abscond if his application to travel was granted. Okunnu therefore, ordered the court’s chief registrar to release his international passport to enable him embark on the trip. The judge ordered Olalusi to return the international passport to the chief registrar on the next working day after his return. The matter was adjourned till October 21 for continuation of trial.

Environmental Pollution: Burning disused tyres along Ewekoro-Abeokuta Expressway... yesterday.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

FEC okays N22.6b for infrastructure in FCT district From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja HE Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday rose from its weekly meeting approving N22.6 billion for the provision of infrastructure at Guzape District, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Similarly, the Council also directed government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) not to henceforth entertain variations in government contracts beyond 15 per cent of the original contract sum, warning that violations of the directive would attract severe

• Warns MDAs on contracts variations sanctions. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and his Information counterpart, Labaran Maku, while briefing State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting, said the decision was to open up the District, which is expected to mainly take care of the diplomatic community. According to the minister’, “In our efforts to continue the expansion of the infrastructure in the FCT, the ministry tabled a memo to seek

council’s approval for the provision of roads and engineering infrastructure to new layout and diplomatic area as Phase II contract of the ongoing Guzape Lot II district infrastructure. “The areas were laid out and allocated in 2005 to meet the aspirations of members of the National Assembly, well placed Nigerians, diplomatic missions and some members of the general public. “The projected employment generation opportunity that would emanate from construction activities following

the implementation of the project is expected to be in the neighbourhood of 600 employees. “After deliberations and consideration, council approved the provision of roads and engineering infrastructure to New Layout and Diplomatic Area Phase II contract of the ongoing Guzape Lot II District Infrastructure in favour of Messrs Gilmor Engineering (Nigeria) Limited in the sum of N22,609,597,253.04 with a completion period of 30 months.” Maku told reporters that the directive to the MDAs not to entertain any contract varia-

tion that beyond 15 per cent of the original contract sum was arrived at following observations that some government agencies were found of bringing her variation than original contract sum. “As a result “Mr. President gave a directive to all members of council to henceforth not bring any augmentation to council that is beyond 15 per cent of the original cost of the projects. The President frowned at a situation in which sometimes augmentation or variations of contracts end up being higher than the original contracts awarded.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Issues in the News

Race to Alausa 2015: Religion & Politics may dictate colour By Ehichioya Ezomon (Group Political Editor) and Seye Olumide

T has been a subtle agitation right from inception of the current dispensation in 1999. But the campaigning has taken a din of some sorts, as 14 years on — it will be 16 years by 2015 — concerned indigenes, and the Christian community of Lagos State have not seen any significant changes from the status quo. If anything, according to the aggrieved voting public, there appears a deliberate policy of the power brokers in the state to keep the two segments of the society in perpetual second-fiddle standing in the political arena. Thus, they have vowed, according to numerous sources, that come 2015, the existing state of affairs would be reversed “in the interest of peace, belonging and togetherness.” Besides these two hot potatoes — Christian versus Muslim representation, and indigene versus non-indigene candidacy — is the lesser, but also contentious issue of which senatorial district will produce the aspirant(s) of the ruling party or other parties. This is the colour of politics in Lagos that agitators are canvassing, and presenting to the movers and shakers of power in the run-up to the 2015 elections.

Zoning the governor’s seat OR sure, the Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) (and the other political parties for that matter) will face not one but the identified three challenges, and perhaps more, in looking for a credible and acceptable successor to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola. First, the party will need to resolve which of the three senatorial districts will present the aspirants, among which the candidate will emerge for the election and, all things being equal, clinch the governorship to assume power in 2015. Lagos Central had produced two governors: Bola Ahmed Tinubu (1999-2007) on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and later Action Congress (AC); and Babatunde Raji Fashola (2007-2015), on the podium of AC and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and probably when registered, completing his tenure under the fledgling All Progressives Congress (APC). The Second Republic governor of Lagos, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who served on the stage of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) between 1979 and 1983 emerged from Lagos West, leaving Lagos East, which is clamouring to have its turn, the only senatorial district yet to present a governor. In the choice of its candidate in 2015, the ACN would also need to consider the interests of other political parties involved in the ongoing attempts to merge into APC. However, being the dominant party in the state among the ones in the merger arrangement, the ACN may not have any difficulty convincing the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to cede the governorship slot to it under the APC. Except, of course, the merging parties would not give cognisance to political strongholds of their respective platforms, and thus throw open to the participating

• Christians, natives battle for governorship slot • Issues of development may take the back seat

Tinubu

parties the contest for elective offices in all the states of the federation. Still, the ACN needs to consider the strategies of other political parties outside the merger, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition party in Lagos State at present. Where is the PDP, acclaimed for its zoning formula, picking its governorship? Is it from the same Lagos East that is harvesting the clamour for power shift? And what other things are the opposition parties doing to undercut the electoral advantage of the ACN in the governorship election? Cry for a native chief executive OMING down to the brass tack, both the Christian community and indigenes of Lagos State categorically say it’s about time their own mounted the seat of power in Alausa. But that is where the convergence seemingly stops. While the Christians want to see a “practicing” member in the true sense of the word in the saddle, “the indigenes, first and foremost, want a native, a local, an ‘aborigine’, if you like, to be the governor of Lagos State in 2015,” a respondent told The Guardian at the weekend. For emphasis, the source said: “Our people (indigenes) want the governor we can call our own; a ‘son of the soil,’ a Lagosian, not just born and bred here, but also one that his or her forebears had roots in the place. “In other words, we want Omo Eko gon gon ni; Omo Eko pataki for governor in 2015.” On this score, there is no discriminating between a Christian and a Muslim governor; what the indigenes want is a governor of Lagos origin. However, they would not mind flowing

‘

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Politics and religion go hand in hand. There is no way you can divorce politics from religion. A true Christian should realise that he has a divine obligation to render service. Politics is about rendering service; it is about sacrifice. Anybody who cannot sacrifice should not think of going into politics.

Fashola

with the mood of the majority — if that majority favours the emergence of a Christian governor, “so long as the person is an ‘original’ indigene of Lagos.” Agitators of the enthronement of an indigene as governor are not in short supply; they peopled mainly by those who have been out of power since 1999. Thus, weighing on the instant issue, one of the Lagos PDP governorship aspirants in 2011, Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi, condemned a condition where Lagos indigenes are relegated while citizens of other states are appointed as commissioners, elected into the State House Assembly, National Assembly and other positions. “Some of these people got financially empowered and later return to their states to contest,” he said. “How many of them can allow what they’re doing in Lagos to happen in their states of origin? “If non-indigenes continue to consume what belongs to indigenes to their exclusion, on the spurious and wicked grounds that Lagos is a ‘no man’s land,’ as they used to say, or that Lagos ‘belongs to all,’ indigenous Lagosians, who are being deliberately and insidiously excluded from governance, will react.” Gbadamosi added: “The sad thing is, even the Federal Government is playing this perfidious game of excluding Lagos indigenes from participating in the Nigerian project. “Lagos currently has no indigene in the National Executive Council (NEC), contrary to the provisions of Section 147(3) of the 1999 Constitution.” But statistics quoted by a source during our investigations present a different picture from the prevailing Christian-Muslim, indigene and non-indigene arguments, at least, in the Lagos State executive council and the permanent secretaries cadre. The source from the Office of the Head of Service, said out of the 41 members of the state cabinet, 24 are Muslims, 17 Christians, 31 indigenes and 10 non-indigenes. “Out of the 55 permanent secretaries, 35 are Christians, 20 Muslims while 41 are indigenes and 14 non-indigenes,” the source said.

Also giving statistics with reference to the 2013 Lagos State Diary, the source disclosed the Judiciary comprises 52 judges out of which 34 are Christians, 18 Muslims, 33 indigenes and 19 non-indigenes.” Two spokespersons of the ACN commented on the subtle allegation that the leadership of the party is sidelining the indigenes of the state to the advantage of non-indigenes, who enjoy political appointments and elective positions. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and the Deputy Publicity Secretary of the ACN in Lagos State, Mr. Funso Ologunde, warned yesterday that those trying to use religion and ethnicity as a weapon to achieve their inordinate ambition must be careful. Urging people earning their livelihood in Lagos never to buy into such sentiment, they prayed that the residents should not experience what is happening in Plateau State between the “indigenes” and so-called “settlers.” Harping specifically on the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, Mohammed, who did not deny the inclusion of non-indigenes in elective and appointive positions said, “it is near impossible to disregard the presence of non-indigenes in Lagos, to talk of sidelining them.” Noting that people, who left the ACN, would not reveal the real reason they left, he said “it always takes a lot of consultations and persuasion by the leadership of ACN before taking any decision pertaining to Lagos State because of its cosmopolitan nature.” “For instance, the senator, representing one of the districts in Kaduna State, is an indigene of Nasarawa. There is even another example of a senator representing Kogi State, who is an indigene of Osun State. “So, what is the basis of the subtle campaign based on religion and ethnicity? No country or state has ever survived by sidelining non-indigenes. It is not possib l e . ” “We must be careful to avoid using religion and ethnic sentiments to campaign. Are

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

NEWS | 7

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Oshiomhole denies signing new death warrant From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole yesterday refuted reports said to have been aired by a television station to the effect that he has signed fresh death warrants for two prisoners on death row in the state. He, however, said he would not shy away from carrying out his constitutional responsibilities all the time. A statement yesterday by Oshiomhole’s Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, said: “We wish to inform the general public that the Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole did not sign such death warrants and that the news item is false in its entirety. “We advise the general public to ignore the said news

The Association of Vice-chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) held a dinner in honour of recently disengaged VCs in Abuja at the weekend, an occasion also used by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to thank VCs who served as electoral officers. Present at the event were Mrs. Ann Awonusi (left); Prof. Attahiru Jega (INEC chairman); an honoree, Prof. Segun Awonusi; (ex-VC, TASUE), and Mrs. Afolabi-Odejayi.

FCT indigenes allege police crackdown on protesters over poor representation From: Itunu Ajayi, Abuja RIGINAL inhabitants of O the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have alleged that security agencies fired live shots during their protest yesterday at the National Assembly complex against poor representation in government, among other grouses. The protesters alleged that the military, comprising contingent of the Nigeria Army and the police, opened fire on the protesting original inhab-

itants yesterday at the National Assembly complex who had converged there as early as 6 am for a peaceful demonstration against the decision of the Upper House to throw out the bill for the demand of appointments into the administration of the FCT. No life was, however, lost. General counsel to the group, Musa Baba-Panya, who bemoaned the action of the Federal Government, said the action taken by the military at the National Assembly com-

Jonathan lauds Ado Bayero at 83 From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan has joined other well-wishers to felicitate with the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, on the occasion of his 83rd birthday, which comes up today, describing the event as a watershed in the life of the monarch. In a congratulatory letter to the Emir, President Jonathan extolled his “uncommon leadership qualities” and prayed that God Almighty will grant him many more years of service to the people of Kano and Nigeria. “As you mark your 83rd

birthday anniversary, which comes up on Thursday, July 25, 2013, (today), I write, on behalf of my family, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to extend warm felicitations to Your Highness. “Only recently, you marked 50 years of unqualified success on the throne as the Emir of Kano. Your uncommon leadership qualities and evident faith in the peace, unity, progress, and prosperity of our dear nation, have combined to make you one of the most highly respected monarchs in Nigeria today.

Abia ex-officials asked to return number plates By Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia EMBERS of Abia State M House of Assembly have decried the practise of some former political office holders and retired public officers still retaining the government vehicle number-plates attached to their official vehicles while in service. Consequently, they directed the affected officers to return such number-plates to the appropriate offices or risk the consequences of not doing so. This was made known to journalists by the Deputy Speaker, Allwell Asiforo Okere, in his July press briefing, adding that within the past one month, the House passed four bills into law. Some of the passed bills, he

said, were amendments to the existing laws.

plex is a clear indication that the government of the day is not ready to dialogue with the inhabitants. He added that

staging a peaceful protest obtains in all civilised society, noting that Nigeria should not be an exception.

Police dismiss corporal for allegedly killing UNIBEN student From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City HE Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, has dismissed a police corporal, Amadi Idahosa, who allegedly confessed to pulling the trigger that killed 22-year student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ibrahim Momodu, on suspicion of being an

armed robber. Ibrahim was shot on May 27, 2013, by a team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ogida Police Station, CSP Carol Afegbai, and was hurriedly buried, but later exhumed for autopsy after serious agitations and protests by civil society groups and students bodies.

A’Ibom SSG to run for gov seat ECRETARY to the Akwa Ibom SUmana State Government, Mr. Okon Umana, has broken his silence concerning his aspiration to contest the 2015 governorship position in the state, just as the Akwa Ibom Professional Forum (AIPROF), South west zone called on the indigenes home and abroad to rally round Umana’s ambition. Umana made his intention to vie for the highest state office public while answering questions from newsmen in Uyo on his reported withdrawal from the race due to his nomination by the state government for the position of managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Umana said that it had become important to make known his position to assuage the overwhelming wish of the greater majority of Akwa Ibom people, who have stoutly urged him to take a position on the matter, having for a long time pressured him to run for the office of governor. According to him, “I have decided to make public my intention to run for the office of governor of Akwa Ibom State in response to the overwhelming pressure from the good people of the three senatorial districts for me to declare my interest in the race. I wish to assure our people that I will run for the office of governor of Akwa Ibom State come 2015.”

Falana petitions UN over alleged violation of Nigerian’s rights By Joseph Onyekwere IQUED by the alleged inhuP man treatment of a Nigerian immigrant by officials of the United States of America (U.S.A), human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has sent a petition to the United Nations’ (UN) Council on Human Rights against the U.S. government. The victim, Jacob Ajomale, was said to have been badly maltreated by the United States Immigration and Cus-

toms Enforcement (ICE) officers, who forcefully inserted a tracking device in his body through his anus. The tracking device, which is otherwise known as chip, was said to have been inserted in Ajomale’s body since December 2010. Falana, who is representing the victim, is praying the UN in the petition to direct the United States to get the tracking device removed from Ajomale’s body with immediate effect.

Ajomale has also sued the United Airline and the Nigerian Minister of Internal Affairs before the Federal High Court in Lagos demanding $100 million and N100 million damages for the violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of human person and right to mental and physical health as guaranteed by Sections 35 and 41 of the Constitution and Articles 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

item as it is a figment of the imagination of the authors intended to cause disaffection against the governor and government of Edo State. “However, we wish to state that the governor will not shy away from carrying his constitutional duties when the need arises. We advise media practitioners to always take steps to verify information from the Media Unit of the Governor’s Office when in doubt.” Meanwhile, Islamic clerics in the state have said they are in full support of the execution of three out of four persons whose death sentences were signed late last year and their executions carried out few weeks ago, saying it was “in accordance with the laws of God.” The clerics, led by the Chief

ICPC arrests PHCN manager From Abosede Musari, Abuja RINCIPAL Manager of the P Power Holding Companies of Nigeria (PHCN) in Abuja, Omololu Olusesi Gabriel, has been arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged collection of bribe for the release of two transformers to a consumer. Gabriel was arrested in a sting operation where he allegedly collected marked money with which the ICPC operatives were able to nail him. He had allegedly demanded that the petitioner part with N100,000 before the transformers which he applied for could be released. Information released by ICPC yesterday read that the petitioner had applied for one 100 KVA/33/0.415 KV and a 50 KVA/33/0.415 KV at the Wuse Zone 4 office of PHCN

where Gabriel is the principal manager. The PHCN manager is alleged to have demanded a bribe of N100, 000 for the release of the transformers, and had subsequently taken half payment of N50, 000 from the petitioner. “Infuriated by Gabriel’s insistence on collecting the balance of N50,000 as condition for releasing the second transformer, the petitioner then turned to ICPC for succour and the commission arrested the suspect after a sting operation when he collected marked money as balance”, ICPC said.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

8 | NEWS

VCs seek policy to address challenges of higher schools ROM the Committee of FianVice-Chancellors of NigerUniversities has come recommendation that necessary policy interventions be made to address the challenges of universities and other higher institutions in the country. Secretary General of the committee, Prof. Michael Faborode, told the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the policy is necessary due to the challenges of weak governance structure and process in the Nigerian higher education sector. “This has contributed to disruption of academic calendar owing to the constant bickering between the academic staff union, other staff unions, university management and government. This has also stunted the culture of robust debate and collaborative engagement and members of staff for a common vision and progress, among others,’’ he noted.

Ambassador Theophilus Shodipo (left); Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa and a presenter, Prof. Aderanti Adepoju, at the 5th Special Brainstorming Session on Migration and Terrorism in West Africa in Abuja…yesterday

Judge wants N’Assembly to restrict application of FoI Act FEDERAL High Court in A Abuja, presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, has called on the National Assembly to amend the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, 2011, to prevent persons who do not need information for specific reasons from applying for it. The judge said the Act, at present, has created legal rights without a corresponding legal duty, adding that this would “create a situation where scarce public resources, time and energy are permitted to be squandered in attending to a request for information, which the person applying for it need not show that he needs.” Justice Kolawole expressed the views in a ruling in which he declined to grant leave to a non-governmental organisation, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), in a suit seeking an order of mandamus to compel the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, to disclose to the organisation detailed information on the multi-million dollar contract awarded

sometime in April 2013 to an Israeli company, Elbit Systems, to monitor internet communication in Nigeria. The Stop Impunity Nigeria (S.I.N.) Campaign filed a motion ex-parte on behalf of Paradigm Initiative on June 5, 2013, seeking leave of the court to apply for: • A declaration that the denial of access and refusal to make available to PIN detailed information on the contract awarded to Elbit Systems, a company based in Haifa, Israel, for the supply of the Wise Intelligence Technology System for Intelligence Analysis and Cyber Defence for Nigeria by Abati without an explanation, constitutes an infringement on PIN’s rights guaranteed and protected by Section 1 (1) of the Freedom Information Act, 2011; • A declaration that the continued refusal of Abati to make the information available to PIN despite the organisation’s demand violates Section 4 of the Freedom Information Act; and • An order of mandamus compelling Abati to make the in-

formation available to PIN. PIN’s lawyer, Mr. Kelechi Nnajiaka, argued the motion on June 6, after which Justice Kolawole adjourned his ruling to enable him “garner sufficient judicial decisions” on the provisions of the “novel” legislation. Ruling on the motion, Justice Kolawole noted that in his written address, Nnajiaka had referred to the provisions of Order 34 Rule 3(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009 and submitted that under the Freedom of Information Act, an applicant “needs not demonstrate any specific interest in the information being applied for.” Disagreeing with the view, the judge said unless adequate statutory safeguards are embedded in the Act, the underlying intention of the government, when it enacted the law, may be undermined or subverted as “irate individuals or busy-bodies will abuse the rights, which it has created with regard to information on public administration.” Saying he should not be “seen as an advocate for a re-

strictive or secretive process in public administration”, Justice Kolawole claimed that “there is no country in the world where access to all forms of public records are thrown open even to an applicant who is not required to show any specific interest in the information requested from a public body.” He insisted that “the responsibility to use the Act by Nigerians responsibly as an instrument to ensure transparency in governance should not be left so loose and at large without any form of checks and perhaps, balances.” According to him, “The checks or safeguards may be legislative in nature or judicial in form as was the case in the provision of Order 34 Rule 3(4) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009, which requires an applicant for any of the prerogative orders for judicial review to demonstrate that he has sufficient interest in the subject matter to which the application for leave relates.” Noting that the “safety valve as a judicial instrument to

prevent abuse of a resort to the provision of Order 34 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009, has been exempted from the operation of the Freedom of Information Act,” Justice Kolawole stressed: “It is my view that it is also part of transparency that rights created by enactments such as the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, are themselves not abused by irate litigants or those one may describe as ‘busy-bodies’”. He said: “I really cannot see any logic in terms of correlative duties and of jural relations between an Act that creates and vests a right in a person on the one hand, and the same Act, on the other, states that such person does not have to demonstrate any specific interest in the information being applied for! “The Act has created legal rights without a corresponding legal duty. This is to create a situation where scarce public resources, time and energy are permitted to be squandered in attending to a request for information, which the person applying for it needs not show that he

needs it if he is excused by the Act from showing that he has any specific interest in the information being applied for.” Justice Kolawole called on the National Assembly to undertake “a review of the Act so as to ensure that access to information is only made available to such applicants who genuinely need it for specific purpose(s).” The judge noted that reading through the processes filed on behalf of PIN in the case, the applicant merely stated in paragraph (iii) of the statement filed that the respondent is the “Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity” but did not state that the respondent in that capacity was being sued as one who awarded the contract in issue. The judge also questioned whether it was sufficient for Abati to be sued for being a “Special Adviser” to the President on Media and Publicity, when he has not been shown under any law to be involved in the award of the contact on which information is being requested.

Pate quits Jonathan’s cabinet, joins U.S. varsity From Mohammed Abubakar and Emeka Anuforo (Abuja)

INISTER of State for M Health, Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate, yesterday voluntarily resigned his membership of the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan. The resignation, which has since been accepted by the President, took effect from yesterday. In a resignation letter dated July 22 and addressed to Jonathan, the minister said he was leaving the cabinet to take up the position of Professor in Duke University’s Global Health Institute in the United States of America. He said in that new capacity, he would participate in a university-wide Africa initiative and will also serve as Senior Adviser to Bill and

Melinda Gates Foundation based in Washington DC. Pate, however, offered to continue his service, on part-time basis, as the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication and the publicprivate coalition for Saving One Million Lives Initiative. Jonathan described the elevation as a good omen, saying the position was well merited. The outgoing minister attended his last cabinet meeting yesterday when he watched the President presiding over the decoration of the 2000 Olympic gold medalists in Sydney, Australia. The team initially came second, but was upgraded to gold medalists following disqualification of the U.S. team on account

of drugs. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, told State House correspondents that in accepting the minister’s resignation, Jonathan was highly elated that his star-studded cabinet was attracting required global attention. According to Abati, the President saw the appointment as a plus for the administration and the country at large. Abati said Jonathan commended Pate for the integrity and competence he brought on board while carrying out his duties first as the Chief Executive of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and later as a minister.

The Presidential spokesman said it would be recalled that another cabinet member, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was one of those shortlisted for the position of the World Bank’s President last year. He said: “The minister’s new commitment is seen by the President and his cabinet as good news. It is a further proof that this cabinet is full of stars. “The cabinet is full of very distinguished men and women; people with not only national but also international recognition. “The President congratulated the minister and accepted his offer to continue to serve on a parttime basis as honourary adviser.”

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

WorldReport How global gangs rake in $870b yearly, by UN official EAD of the United Nations H Office on Drugs and Crime, Yury Fedotov, yesterday appraised the global criminal network and lamented inability of police to compete with international crime syndicates who rake in $870 billion a year via activities from drug trading and human trafficking to identity theft. Federov disclosed in an interview with Agence France Presse (AFP) that the sum raked in by criminal gangs “is an enormous amount of money.” He noted that if crime syndicates were classed as an industry, their collective clout would rank them among the world’s top economic players. Crisis-era cuts have widened a longstanding financial gulf between criminal gangs and those who fight them, Fedotov said.

• 22 killed in coordinated attack on Mexican police

Gangs are better funded than any law enforcement institution. That is clear, and especially if we compare the huge amount of illicit revenues with limited budgets of many law enforcement institutions. “Gangs are better funded than any law enforcement institution. That is clear, and especially if we compare the huge amount of illicit revenues with limited budgets of many law enforcement institutions,” he said. But funding is just part of the problem, Fedotov explained, as law enforcement agencies struggle to keep up with shape-shifting networks that move faster than the traditionalist mafias of the past. “Contemporary organised crime is also sophisticated and highly adaptive,” Fedotov

said. “We should be more flexible, and not only follow the flow, but also prevent and anticipate developments in terms of organised crime,” he added. He explained that cybercrime is a major growth area, given that around one third of the world’s population now has active access to the Internet. Claiming that the yearly proceeds of online identity theft alone are estimated at $1.0 billion, he observed that the amount still outstripped by $20 billion generated by

British royal baby named George Alexander Louis RINCE William and his wife, P Kate, have named their new baby boy as George Alexander Louis, Kensington Palace announced yesterday. “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son George Alexander Louis. The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of

Cambridge,” the palace said in a statement. Meanwhile, the Queen has paid a half-hour visit to Kensington Palace to meet her new great-grandson, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The new parents left St Mary’s Hospital in west London on Tuesday evening where the duke said they were yet to name

the third in line to the throne. The family spent the night at the palace and the three were seen leaving at 13:00 BST. Other visitors to the palace included Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton. The Queen visited without her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, as he continues to recover from abdominal surgery.

ECOWAS’ election observers to Togo charged on neutrality By Bola Olajuwon HEAD of their deployment from Lomé to Togo’s five regions, members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Observation Mission for the country’s parliamentary elections have been urged to perform their duty with utmost neutrality. Meanwhile, the international community and politicians at home have sold the presidential election on Sunday in Mali as a crucial turning point, but analysts have warned that the impoverished West African nation’s woes are just beginning. But Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntosh, while addressing the 80 observers on Tuesday, enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the community and to adhere strictly to their mandate. “As observers your role is to observer and feed your observations into the mission’s report in line with the regional texts governing elections in the region,” a

• Mali to remain ‘on life support’ after polls, experts claim statement by ECOWAS quoted the vice president as affirming. McIntosh also informed the observers that that in furtherance of its mandate to support member states in their electoral processes and to strengthen democracy and good governance in the region, another ECOWAS’ observation mission, which includes the president of the commission, Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, was heading for Mali for that country’s crucial July 28, 2013 presidential polls. Members of the observation team are being deployed to the 30 constituencies in Togo’s five regions – Maritime, Plateau, Central, Kara and Savanes – where some 3.3 million registered voters will cast ballots in 7,600 polling stations. Some 1,174 candidates from the ruling and opposition parties are contesting for the 91 parliamentary seats in the country of six million inhabitants. It is generally believed that

the outcome of the parliamentary polls will impact on Togo’s presidential election fixed for 2015, and especially given that control of the parliament will determine the trajectory of several crucial reforms contained in the preelection peace accord, which paved the way for opposition parties to drop their initial poll boycott threat. Responding, the Head of the ECOWAS Observation Mission to Togo, Ambassador Leopold Ouédraogo, pointed out that EOWAS normally sent observers for presidential elections in member states. He explained that the decision to dispatch an observer mission to Togo for the parliamentary election was not only peculiar but underscored the importance, which the organisation attached to the electoral process in the country. “The aim,” he said, “is to support Togo during a trying period as part of efforts to deepen democracy and good governance in the region.”

trafficking in endangered species. According to him, narcotics trade is now a focus of concerns, owing to the rising number of designer drugs. Fedotov also flagged worries about rising drug trafficking via the troubled Sahel and West Africa – notably through lawless Guinea Bissau, which he dubbed the “weakest link”. The trade through the region has been stoked by notoriously violent Central American cocaine-running gangs whose North American markets have shrunk. Meanwhile, heavily-armed men yesterday assaulted Mexican federal police units in a carefully planned attack in which 22 people were killed, most of them assailants, in six towns, the government announced. The gunmen concealed themselves in hills above checkpoints in Michoacan state, a western area tormented by drug cartels, and blocked at least four sections of highway before swooping on their targets, wielding grenades.

Pope decries money, power ‘idols’ in first Brazil mass OPE Francis has, in his first P large mass since returning to his native Latin America, decried “ephemeral idols” like money and power at Brazil’s most revered shrine. “It is true that nowadays, to some extent, everyone, including our young people, feels attracted by the many idols which take the place of God and appear to offer hope: money, success, power, pleasure,” he said at the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida basilica. “Often a growing sense of loneliness and emptiness in the hearts of many people leads them to seek satisfaction in these ephemeral idols,” he said. The 76-year-old pontiff, who arrived in Brazil on Monday for a weeklong Catholic youth event, has championed the cause of the poor since becoming Latin America’s first pope in March while trying to re-energise his young flock. Thousands of pilgrims had braved the cold and rain hours before the Argentineborn pontiff joined them at the sanctuary in the state of Sao Paulo. The pope landed early yes-

terday at the shrine in southeastern Brazil, where he will celebrate his first mass outside Italy as pontiff and seek to energize faithful in the country that is home to the world’s largest Roman Catholic population. On the third day of his week-long visit for World Youth Day, a biennial Church gathering being celebrated in and around Rio de Janeiro, Francis will preach to faithful in Aparecida, Brazil’s most important Catholic shrine. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the service about 162 miles west of Rio, a locale long venerated in Brazil as a shrine to the Virgin Mary and site where Francis, as an Argentine cardinal during a 2007 visit by Pope Benedict XVI, cemented his place as a leader of the church in Latin America. The ongoing World Youth Day events, which are expected to attract more than one million people from around the world, are an effort by the Vatican to galvanise young Catholics at a time when rival denominations, secularism and distaste over sexual and financial scandals continue to lead some faithful to abandon the church.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, Iuly 25, 2013

Issues in the News

Race to Alausa 2015: Religion, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 they saying people, who have lived over 100 years in a particular state, have no constitutional right to participate in politics? Mohammed recalled that, “during the Civil War, Lagos was the only place where the Ndigbo did not abandon their properties. (Meaning that those who left the state on account of the war, came back to their properties unhindered). “It is important that Lagos is a cosmopolitan state,” he said, adding that, “I want people to take the census of indigenes and nonindigenes representing the state, to know the exact position of things.” According to Ologunde: “Nobody within the rank and file of the party is harping on ethnic divide in respect of appointments, and elective positions, among others. I wonder why now and what they want to achieve? “I want to believe that some people outside the party are bent on destabilising Lagos State ahead of 2015. God, in His infinite mercy, will not allow it.” He said Lagos is a melting pot of culture, where different ethnic groups had survived, intermingled and did business together for hundreds of years. “Those behind this unholy campaign will not like the consequence,” Ologunde said. “I pray God not to allow their evil wish; otherwise, even the farthest villages in the country, far beyond the shores of Lagos, will feel the impact of the slightest ethnic or religious crisis here in Lagos.” Still the arguments and canvassing continue. Campaign for a ‘Man of God’ no more ‘rumour’ he agitation that the ACN must present a Christian as its governorship candidate in 2015 may no longer be wished away, as in the past. For instance, the subject is reportedly generating crisis within the rank and file of the ACN, where there are conflicting responses among the members. Approached for comments, a senior member of the party, considering carefully what to divulge, simply said: “I don’t want to talk on this matter because of its sensitivity.” His reason is that, “we have many non-Lagos indigenes that are Christians, and they have been supporting us, but you cannot also overlook the economic impacts of the Christians.” He revealed that, “as a matter of fact, this issue came up during Tinubu’s tenure and it was so controversial to the extent that a census of Muslims and Christians in the Civil Service and political appointments was taken.” “I don’t know how it was later resolved. But I am too sure the ACN will not be doing itself any good if it pretended or glossed over this issue,” the source said. But Funso Ologunde dismissed as rumour that the issue is generating crisis within the party. “PDP is the brain behind the campaign and they will fail,” he said. He noted that the PDP had presented more Muslim candidates than Christians for the governorship elections in Lagos since 1999. “I wonder who is behind this matter? It is a deliberate attempt to

Archbishop Martins

Mohammed

distract (Governor) Fashola and set the state on fire,” Ologunde said. Stressing that the Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) “has been very supportive to the ACN administration since 1999,” the party mouthpiece argued that, “if at all such agitation will come, it’s coming too soon, as if the ACN has been in power for more than 100 years and did not present any Christian (governor).” Ologunde said that the party was yet to begin the process of looking for Fashola’s replacement, as “there is still time. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not set up election programme for 2015; so, why the distraction now?” He said the ACN has been preaching and encouraging Christians across the country on the need to participate in politics. But “that should not be turned into a cheap blackmail to attract religious division in Lagos,” he warned. He appealed to all leaders in the state to dismiss and disregard the insinuation (agitation for a Christian governor in 2015), noting that, “the stand of the ACN is to ensure the best candidate govern Lagos and we remain committed to that policy.” Toeing the same line of argument, a lawmaker representing Lagos East Federal Constituency, Mr. Lanre Odubote, dismissed the agitation that a Christian must become the next governor of Lagos. Wondering why the issue of competence, equity, justice and loyalty must be jettisoned for religious sentiment, he said it was a dangerous precedent to introduce religious sentiment into Lagos politics. “This could be very dangerous, not only for the state, but also the Southwest zone and Nigeria in general,” he said. “Any attempt to distabilise Lagos is tantamount to trying to distabilise Nigeria. “Lagos, unlike other states, provides opportunity for anybody born and bred here to participate and aspire for any political position, irrespective of religion, their backgrounds, ethnicity and others. Our focus in Lagos is basically

merit.” Odubote contented that “what is important is that the 2015 governorship slot should go to Lagos East; it must not be determined by religion.” On the senatorial district to present the flagbearer of the ACN for the election, he disclosed that, “contrary to the belief that Tinubu emerged governor on the ticket of Lagos Central, the former governor and leader of the party used the slot of Lagos West.” “Fashola came through Lagos Central, although they were both Muslim but their spouses practise Christianity. Therefore, the issue of religion is a mere campaign of calumny,” he said. Christians pick up the gauntlet T was gathered that some members of the Christian community in the state have commenced the campaign for a Christian to emerge as the ACN governorship flagbearer in 2015. They argue that since 1999, and despite their large population, economic impact and enormous supports for the party, “Christian aspirants in the ruling party were always edged out whenever election was drawing close.” Indeed, the Director of Political Affairs of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland of the Anglican Communion, Venerable Folarin Shobo, sounded a note of warning to politicians, who are ridding roughshod in Lagos, that it would no longer be business as usual in 2015. He said the state could not afford to continue with the present arrangement in which public officers and elected officials are largely people of a particular faith. Acknowledging that Governor

Fashola has done well in improving on the infrastructure in the state, the cleric said: “It is time for power to shift. It is time for us to have people who will continue to rule with the fear of God and respect for the rule of law. “There is a strong need for genuine internal democracy among the parties that will produce a credible (Christian) candidate in 2015.” However, Shobo urged Christians in the state to show interest in partisan politics and not be intimidated by the status quo. “Christians who have a calling to go into politics should begin to prepare for the 2015 elections because power has to shift,” he said. While explaining that getting political power is not a do-or-die affair, Shobo said, “we just have to get to a point that we must stop dancing to a particular tune all our lives.” “It is not fair to have a government that is largely tilted to favour people of a particular religion. Christians over the years have been magnanimous enough. “We have worked for people who are not of our faith and we have supported them to be in government. It is now time for us to come out and take the bull by the horns.” But he admitted that the campaign would “take patience, perseverance and strong will.” “It will take fasting and praying and it will take the readiness of men and women who have the calling to go into politics,” he said. Shobo, who served as accredited monitor and observer during the 2011 elections in Lagos State, said the call for Christians to join the political bandwagon was not a call

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The ACN needs to consider the strategies of other political parties outside the merger, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition party in Lagos State at present. Where is the PDP, acclaimed for its zoning formula, and the other political parties picking their governorship? Is it from the same Lagos East that is harvesting the clamour for power shift?

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for mediocre “but a call to people with integrity who have the heart to serve.” “We trust God and we are working assiduously to ensure that the next governor of Lagos State after Babatunde Raji Fashola is someone who is a Christian and who has a heart to serve,” he said. Most Lagosians believe that Fashola, who has his roots in Surulere, is a native of Lagos, even as some are not so sure, insisting that he is a “settler.” According to Shobo: “Politics and religion go hand in hand. There is no way you can divorce politics from religion. “A true Christian should realise that he has a divine obligation to render service. Politics is about rendering service; it is about sacrifice. Anybody who cannot sacrifice should not think of going into politics.” The priest called on church leaders to begin to sensitise their members, to take up the gauntlet and vie for political positions in the state. “Asking for a Christian governor in Lagos at this time is not out of place. It is long overdue and it is time we began to do something about it,” he said. Those penciled for 2015 RE those concerned in the ACN actually taking note of the agitation for a Christian governor in the state in 2015? Well, indications on ground suggest a no and yes response. Going by speculations, there are fears that only one among those penciled down to replace Governor Fashola is a Christian. Some of the names being bandied include a former threeterm commissioner and current National Legal Adviser of the party, Dr. Muiz Banire; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; the Commissioner for Works, Obafemi Hamzat; and a threeterm lawmaker, Senator Ganiyu Solomon. Others are: Senator Gbenga Ashafa; Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Gbolahan Lawal; the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a Christian and wife of Asiwaju Tinubu, who recently said that she was not cut out for the governorship. Venerable Shobo seized on this disclosure and said that, “it is unfortunate that of all the people that are being tipped to take over the state from Fashola, none is a Christian.” “We are not going to be forceful but we are going to make our case and continue to mobilise our people to present themselves for service,” he said. “The days of seeing politics as a dirty game are gone. If it is dirty, we (Christians) should go into it and clean it up.” Nonetheless, an inside source in the ACN said the issue of a Christian governor “is already generating controversies.” “The party leadership is deliberating on it and seriously looking for a solution,” the source said even as it added that, “it is a mere rumour that the ACN is wooing Mr. Jimi Agbaje, a Christian and top member of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) into the governorship race.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Issues in the News

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Politics may dictate colour ’

Contrary to arguments that Christians are generally apathetic to politics, hence the alleged imbalance in the Muslim-Christian structure in the Lagos political and public service, investigation reveals that the problem has to do with imposition of candidates in the ACN. And quite naturally, all blames are being heaped on former Lagos governor and leader of the party, Chief Bola Tinubu. “There is nothing like that. If it becomes inevitable for the party to present a Christian candidate in 2015, there are many credible Christians in the party,” it said. It was learnt that but for his Christian faith, Agbaje was to be supported by ACN powers in 2007 to emerge candidate, and governor of the state on the party’s pedestal. In the current case however, the source divulged that consideration is being placed on the likes of the Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler or Mr. Tayo Ayinde, who are Christians. The source said it would not be fair to accuse Tinubu and other leaders of the ACN of nursing any bias against the Christian community in Lagos. “Tinubu always acknowledges the support he enjoyed from the Christian community since 1999,” it said. “For instance, he is aware of the support from the Christian community during his travails with former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the withholding of Lagos council funds.” Still, the source agreed that there is, indeed, imbalance in the number of Muslims and Christians serving in the State Executive, elected officers in the State House of Assembly, the National Assembly and at the council level. “Over 75 to 80 per cent of members of the State Executive, State House of Assembly and representatives of the state in the National Assembly are Muslims,” the source said, adding; “therefore, it is very clear there are more Muslims public officers, political office holders and appointees than Christians. And the inevitable question: Has the leadership of the ACN in Lagos adopted a deliberate policy to frustrate or stop Christians from aspiring to govern the state? As a respondent analysed the situation, “the development within the ruling ACN has suggested nothing but the fact that anytime a Christian aspires to contest for the party’s governorship ticket, they are either frustrated or shown the way out of the party.” The source cited instances of former Deputy Governor under the Tinubu administration, Mrs. Kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor, her successor, Mr. Femi Pedro; and the first Deputy Governor under Fashola, Mrs. Sarah Sosan. While the State Assembly, on the alleged instigation by Tinubu, impeached AkereleBucknor, Pedro and Sosan were dropped from their positions under unclear circumstances. Scores of others like the late Funso Williams (formerly of the AD), Jimi Agbaje, former Senators Olorunnimbe Mamora and Adeseye Ogunlewe (later a former Minister of Works) were either relegated in the AD/AC/ACN affairs or forced to leave the party under controversial conditions. Roll call of Lagos governors by faith INCE Lagos came into existence on May 27, 1967, through Decree No. 14 promulgated by the Federal Military Government, 13 administrators had governed the state — nine military and four civilians executives. Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson, a Christian, became the first governor, followed by Commodore Adekunle Lawal, a Muslim, who was succeeded by Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu, another Christian. Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, a Christian, took over from Lawal from 1978 to 1979, and handed over to Lateef Jakande, a Muslim, as

the first democratically-elected governor on the platform of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). In 1983, a military coup disrupted the Second Republic, which gave room for another military administrator, Air Commodore Gbolahan Mudashiru, a Muslim. Navy Captain Mike Akhigbe, a Christian, took over from 1986 to July 1988. Brigadier-General Raji Rasaki, a Muslim assumed office from 1988 to January 1992 before handing over to another civilian governor, Sir Michael Otedola, a Christian, who ran on the platform of the National Republican Congress (NRC). It was obvious that the bickering within the rival Social Democratic Party (SDP) gave Otedola the seat. Interestingly, the two candidates of the SDP in 1992 — the now deceased Prof. Femi Agbalajobi and Chief Dapo Sarunmi, who were later disqualified for over-heating the political arena of Lagos, and thus the entire transition programme in the country, were Muslims. The Third Republic was aborted in 1993, paving way for the emergence of another military administrator, Colonel Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a Christian. In 1996, Colonel Mohammed Buba Marwa, a Muslim, handed over to another elected governor, Senator Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim, who won under the AD in 1999, handed the baton to incumbent Governor Fashola, a Muslim, in 2007. Blame imposition of candidates ONTRARY to arguments that Christians are generally apathetic to politics, hence the alleged imbalance in the Muslim-Christian structure in the Lagos political and public service, investigation reveals that the problem has to do with imposition of candidates in the ACN. And quite naturally, all blames are being heaped on former Lagos governor and leader of the party, Chief Bola Tinubu. One of the leaders and indigenes of Lagos (name withheld) accused Tinubu of being the brain behind the systematic relegation of Christians and indigenes of Lagos from

benefiting in the running of the state affairs. “I must confess to you; there is a civilian coup against Christians and Lagos indigenes and Tinubu is the one behind it,” the source said. According to the source, “the injustice started since 1999 when Tinubu became governor.” It alleged that the plan was “hatched and finalised” somewhere outside the country “among some Muslim leaders and top government officials.” “A situation where the three serving senators and majority of the lawmakers are Muslims is worrisome,” it said. The source continued: “Imagine a former Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate, Olorunnimbe Mamora, a Christian, was dropped and replaced with a Muslim, Gbenga Ashafa, while Senator Ganiyu Solomon, a Muslim, who has been in the National Assembly for the third time, is allowed to continue. “These are issues we need to examine critically before 2015. There was nothing like religious discrimination in Lagos until it was introduced under the ACN.” A founding member of Lagos State chapter of PDP, Chief Olayinka Amos, called on Lagos indigenes to wake up and challenge the alleged excesses of Tinubu, whom he accused of “indirectly trying to turn himself into a tin god of the state.” Similarly, Chief Gbadamosi said, “as an indigene of Lagos from a multi-religious family background, my first instinct is to dismiss the religion argument in politics.” “However, a closer examination of the allegation against the ACN does lend it some merit. “There is a significant indigenous Christian population in Lagos State, who must not be made to feel like second-class indigenes in their own state, especially considering their numerical strength,” he said. According to him: “Each of these individuals had their specific issues with the owner of ACN, arising almost wholly out of his now obviously insatiable need to utterly dominate his environment, and directly control all others totally. “I can say this for Senator Bucknor-Akerele, Chief Femi Pedro and the late great Engr. Funso Williams, who all refused to be tools in the sleazy hands of a despot.” However, coming to the defence of Tinubu, Lai Mohammed described the allegation as “malicious and capable of plunging the state into a religious war.” Fielding questions via the telephone, he cautioned the citizens of Lagos and Nigerians to be careful “and to have at the back of their minds that no nation has ever

fought a religious war and survived.” Specifically on the allegation against Tinubu and the ACN, Mohammed said: “If Tinubu has any bias against Christians, he wouldn’t have returned Mission Schools (in Lagos) to the Churches in 1999. “I could remember, as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff then, that the return of the Mission Schools generated a lot of criticisms from the Muslims, and even within Tinubu’s immediate family. “But he dammed it and went ahead to return the schools. Should we now stand and accuse such a man of nursing religious bias?” Mohammed noted that it was under the administration of Tinubu that a church was built in the State House, Marina. “When we took over in 1999, we met a mosque that was in the State House but Tinubu built a church to balance the equation. “Beyond that, there were several Christians in his cabinet like Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Wale Edun, Yemi Kadoso, Leke Pitan, Opeyemi Bamidele (now a member of the House of Representatives from Ekiti State), Prof. Sobowale and many others. “And this same Tinubu has a wife that is a Christian and a pastor in the Redeem (Christian) Church of God and likewise, Fashola, whose wife is a Dame in the Catholic Church.” The ACN scribe urged politicians not to promote religious sentiment, as “the country and its politics will definitely outlive all the active players now.” “It is, therefore, necessary that we show serious and unrepentant caution to introduce religious sentiment into politics.” Mohammed challenged Nigerians and particularly the people of Lagos State, to carry out a thorough research on the number of serving Christians and Muslims in the Lagos cabinet from 1999 till date, stressing, “I can assure you there is nothing like what PDP is insinuating.” He said: “When we formed Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1998, the leading figures in the party were all Christians; they were Abraham Adesanya, Olanihun Ajayi, Chief Olu Falae, Ayo Adebanjo, Pa Fasoranti, Akinfenwa and others. And nobody questioned their authority based on religion. “It is, therefore, unfair and very dangerous to encourage this type of sentiment.” On the claim of Muslims leaders in Lagos State having a pact with the Caliphate, Mohammed said, “whosoever has the copy of the pact should produce it or anybody who was in the meeting or privy to names of those in attendance should speak out.” “Our party does not encourage religious sentiment and it is unfair to accuse Tinubu based on that,” he said. Everything considered, will the situation change in 2015? Will a Christian and/or indigene eventually assume the political power in Alausa? Put succinctly, can the ACN pick a Christian as its gubernatorial candidate for the election? The answers are blowing in the wind!

‘

If Tinubu has any bias against Christians, he wouldn’t have returned Mission Schools (in Lagos) to the Churches in 1999. I could remember, as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff then, that the return of the Mission Schools generated a lot of criticisms from the Muslims, and even within Tinubu’s immediate family. But he dammed it and went ahead to return the schools. Should we now stand and accuse such a man of nursing religious bias?

Gbadamosi

Ologunde

’

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

TheMetroSection Agony on Shagamu-OgijoMosinmi-Ikorodu Road

Briefs Ikoyi Rotary to install new president HE Rotary Club of Ikoyi T District 9110, Nigeria, will on Saturday,July 27, 2013, by 12:30pm at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, install Rotarian Loye Akinbami as the 29th President of the club and inaugurate the Board of Directors. Akinbami, a graduate of computer Science from the University of Lagos, has been an astute member of the Club for so many years and demonstrated an uncommon commitment to the service of humanity.

• Motorists lament deplorable state of the 51-year-old road, seek govt’s intervention

Olayinka is new President of Rotary Club of Ikeja By Isaac Taiwo

NEPA Bus Stop By Seye Olumide PPARENTLY, many Nigerians are not aware that the 25-kilometre Shagamu-Ogijo-Mosinmi-Ikorodu Road was the first major expressway that linked Lagos State, the commercial nerve of the nation, to other states and indeed, other West Africa countries. Constructed in 1962 by the Western Region government, before the LagosIbadan Expressway was built under the military administration, the road has served as the major route from Lagos through Shagamu, Ogijo and Ikorodu. But today, the same road, which is an alternative route to Lagos, apart from Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, remains a shadow of itself. As some of the road -users put it: “It is appalling that the once vibrant road remains without any major maintenance for over 51 years, after its construction.” It is, indeed, a road that depicts rot in the entire country, “where necessary and vibrant institutions are left to rot.” According to a commercial driver, Salisu Ajayi, “The Shagamu-OgijoMosinmi-Ikorodu Road could be best described as a death trap, where

USOLA Olagoke Olayinka B has emerged as the 47th President of Rotary Club of

A fallen truck on the road many have died, property worth billions of naira destroyed and several man hours wasted in harrowing traffic, all due to its deplorable state.” Unfortunately, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is at present carrying out some palliative repair of the road, “Is that what we need now on a road that is in a total state of collapse?” a road-user asked. Many commuters plying the road, while commending the Federal Government for reconstructing the LagosIbadan Expressway with an additional one lane, expressed dissatisfaction over the complete neglect of Shagamu-Ogijo-Mosinmi-Ikorodu Road. To majority of them: “There is nothing to rejoice over because the additional one lane will soon take us back to where we were.” The growing population, new property, which now spread from Ikorodu through Odogunyan, Ogijo, Simawa, Mosinmi to Shagamu towns, bring to question: “Why should any nation, which cares about the well-being and security of her citizens and development, abandon such strategic and important road to become an eyesore and a death trap?” Recurrent disaster and pains com-

PHOTOS: SEYE OLUMIDE

muters go through while plying the roads reveal that at any drop of rainfall, numerous portions of the road, would become a “sea”. “From Odogunyan to PZ, Itaoluwo, Ogijo to Lukosi are overtaken by flood. Vehicular movements also become impossible. Many calamities befall commuters on the road as school children were sometimes swept by floodwater. On Sunday, June 10, two children were reportedly swept away by the flood along the road.” Describing another portion of the road, which a commuter referred to as ‘junction of disaster’ a few meters before Ogijo Bus Stop, Ogun State axis, a tanker driver, Rafiu Aremu, said: “Hardly a week would pass away without one or two tankers loaded with fuel or other articulated vehicle somersaulting here due to the bad state.” The Guardian further gathered that on several ocassions, many articulated vehicles had rolled back and crushed vehicles coming behind while trying to climb the hilly part of the road. A pregnant woman was once crushed to death inside her car when a tanker that was trying to climb one of the hilly parts of the road rolled back and

crushed her. Some federal and state institutions situated along the axis include the Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos State Farm Estate, PZ, Lagos Waste to Wealth Fertilizer Company, Larfarge Cement Company among others. These explain the density of population and vehicular moment on the road. The lawmaker representing Ikorodu in the House of Representatives, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who spoke with The Guardian on the state of the road, said it was disheartening to see a road like this in Nigeria in 21st Century. Dabiri-Erewa added that the lawmakers representing Lagos and Ogun states were not resting on their oars in the National Assembly. The Senator, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Gbenga Ashafa also described the state of road as appalling. Meanwhile, two years ago the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) intervened by constructing a link road from Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to the Shagamu-Ogijo-MosinmiIkorodu Road through Lotus-Simawa-Lukosi, which has given motorists and road –users some relief.

In Akure, NAFDAC arraigns couple over impersonation From Niyi Bello, Akure HE National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday dragged a couple, Mr. Fredrick Famiyesin and his wife, Ayobami, before an Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court for impersonating its officials to defraud the public. The couple, in the charge preferred against them by the Police, had allegedly defrauded the people of Okitipupa in the Okitipupa

Local Council of Ondo State of millions of Naira while pretending to be officials of NAFDAC. The couple, aged 42 and 52, offered fake appointment letters to unsuspecting job seekers in the council area, thereby committing offence contrary to laws of the state. The charge read: “That you Famiyesin Ayobami and Famiyesin Fredrick sometimes in the month of October, 2012 at Okitipupa, in the Akure Magistrate District did conspire together to commit

felony to wit obtaining money under false pretence, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap B36, vol 1 laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006. The duo were also accused of taking N200.000.00 and N1million from Ogungbemi Damilola and Melehan Temidayo “with the promise that you will secure appointments for them at NAFDAC, an offence punishable under 419 of the criminal code cap 36, vol 1 laws of Ondo State of

Nigeria.” When the case came up for hearing yesterday, the Police Prosecutor, Isah Atanegbe stood in for the police while Mr. B. Simeon represented NAFDAC. Messrs. Jide Italoye and O. J Ikudaisi represented the accused. Atanegbe told the court to issue bench warrant against the couple and their sureties because they were not present in the court to answer the charges prefer against them. However, the counsel told the court that the accused

had fatal accident on their way to court and were receiving treatment in various hospitals in the state. They pleaded with the court to give them a date within which to produce the accused. Although the Police Prosecutor kicked against the application on the ground that there was no medical report to back the claim and that the sureties should show up to present the claims, the Magistrate, however, fixed August 21 for hearing.

Youths block Makurdi - Gboko Highway as vehicles kill three From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi. RATE youths of Tyo Mu, a suburb village in Makurdi, close to Airforce Base, Makurdi, yesterday blocked the Gboko-Makurdi Highway while protesting the death of three residents that were crushed by motorists on Tuesday. The Guardian gathered that the first car had hit an elderly man, Orkuma Ukagye in the early hours of Tuesday. He later died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, while the second car; a Volvo station wagon, had again, killed two persons and injured another at about 8.00p.m.

same day. Sources named those that died on the spot to include Iorundu Angbem and a tractor operator, who was simply identified as Jaki; while Iorbume Ingyough is still receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi. The angry youths had blocked the highway with stones, fallen trees, electric poles and other objects, thus hindering free -flow of traffic for hours. Speaking with The Guardian at Tyo Mu, Makurdi Local Council where the incident occurred, the spokesperson for the community, Ingyough Em-

manuel, said “so far, the community has lost about 12 persons to road accidents in the last one month and called on the government to erect speed-bumps on the road to check the ugly trend. He explained that the driver of the Volvo station wagon that hit and killed the two persons had taken to his heels abandoning the damaged vehicle and fled the scene of the incident. The Police Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, Daniel Ezeala, also confirmed the accidents, saying three persons died.

Ikeja, District 9110. In his valedictory message, the immediate past President, Olaniyi Osidele enumerated some of the projects completed to include Donation of e-learning centre which include 52 laptop computers to Ikeja Senior High School, construction and commissioning of entrance gate of Isolo, donation of gate to Isolo Community estate, scholarship award to University of Ibadan student on peace and conflict resolution among others. Olayinka promised to continue from where his predecessor stopped by ensuring donation of incubators to Ikeja General Hospital, carrying out fee eye test and donation of eye glasses at Alade market, sinking borehole for two communities in Oregun Village, donation of books and pens to Ikeja Senior Grammar School, donation of SME equipment to Community of Oregun, provision of medical equipment to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), donation of waste bins at Alade market, donation of sewing and hairdressing as well as grinding machines among others.

Eternit opens in P.H. FIRM, Eternit Ltd., leading A producer of roofing and ceiling products, recently opened its ultra-modern PortHarcourt office, as part of its new strategy to deliver complete building solutions and assert its position as household name in building material production. The event, which brought professionals and stakeholders from all spheres of the built industry, began with an exhibition at the 2013 Architecture week the previous day. The company said the PortHarcourt outlet had become paramount in view of the economic importance of the city in the South-South region of Nigeria and the country Nigeria as a whole. The Managing Director, Dirk Modderman, noted that given the new wave of concern about the quality of building materials used for construction in Nigeria, the company decided to promote the toprange products for everyone’s reach.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25 , 2013

METRO 13

Photonews

Ibadan strange fish was baby octopus, say Police HE Commissioner of PoT lice in Oyo State, Mohammed Ndabawa, on Wednesday described as untrue the story of a fish with human parts reported in Ibadan on Tuesday. The Oyo State capital was thrown into confusion on Tuesday when a middleaged woman, Ramota Salawu, raised an alarm that a fish she bought at Gege area of the town suddenly turned into a half- human. Hundreds of residents trooped to Akindele Compound, Gege, to catch a glimpse of the ‘miracle fish’ in a bucket where it was kept. But the police boss, while addressing reporters in his office in Ibadan on Wednesday, said it was a baby octopus, assuring the residents that they had no reason to fear. He said people were merely spreading falsehood on the Internet concerning the

Graduating pupils of Imaginations School, Ilupeju, Lagos at their graduation ceremony ...recently.

fish. Ms. Salawu, who claimed to have bought the strange fish at Oke Ado, claime that “it developed into a living being shortly after it defrosted.” To debunk her claims, the

state police boss displayed the fish to journalists on Wednesday. He also said the woman was placed under protective custody and would be released when “tension within the town is doused.”

The strange object

Group brings succour to 200 widows, single parents By Wole Oyebade O commemorate this year’s International Widows’ Day (IWD), no fewer than 200 widows and single parents in Lagos have benefited from a programme, tagged: ‘A-day with the widows, single parents and lessprivileged’ held in Lagos at the weekend. The event, organised by Society for Development and Sustainability in Africa (SODSA) in conjunction with Help and Care Ministry of The Church of Ascension, Anglican Communion, Badore, Lagos, was to meet the needs of the vulnerable group – women and children – in Ajah, develop their capacity for self dependence and raise awareness on health and their rights under the constitution. Partnering with some organisations such as Mr. Chef,

Assistant General Manager, Media, Nigerian Electrical Regulatory Commission (NERC), Maryam Yaya Abubakar , Chairman, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, Founder, Albino Foundation, Jakes Ekpelle and Commissioner, Government and Consumer Aﬀairs, NERC, Abba Ibrahim during the presentation of the National Policy/Implementation Guideline on Albinism in Abuja...on Wednesday PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

United Bank for Africa (UBA), good spirited individuals, the group gave away food materials, household items, medications, clothing, corporate gifts (courtesy UBA) among others to the delight of the participants. Founder of SODSA, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Dr Comfort Ani said the programme was to bring IWD 2013 nearer home to the vulnerable in the Ajah suburb (comprising of Badore, Langbasa and Ado) of the State – many of who are widows, single mothers and girlchild that are either school dropouts or absconders from homes. Ani said: “They are the people that are often unaccounted for in statistics, unnoticed by researchers, neglected by national and local authorities and mostly overlooked by civil society or-

ganisations. “But we have to care for them as essential part of our society. And that is what we have started doing today. This is to give these people a sense of belonging, make them feel needed in the society. And today, we have achieved that in our own little way,” she said. Ani added that the next step is to form the widows and single mothers into cooperative groups, to empower them with resources. United Nations observes that abuse of widows and their children constitutes one of the most serious violations of human rights and obstacles to development today. Millions of the world’s widows endure extreme poverty, ostracism, violence, homelessness, ill health and discrimination in law and custom.

Three in police net for alleged murder of 18-year-old girl Marketing Manager, Eternit Ltd., Kayode Adeniji (left); Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Architects, Rivers State chapter, Dike Emmanuel and Managing Director, Eternit Ltd., Dirk Modderman at the official opening of Eternit in Port Harcourt, Rivers State…

From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi HREE persons suspected to be responsible for the death of 18-year-old Adiyetu Tijani of Iga-Okpaya, in Apa Local Council of Benue State, have been arrested by the police. Eyewitnesses told The Guardian that the deceased was sent to the farm by her mother on July 18, to fetch some crops, but she was allegedly attacked, murdered and buried in a shallow grave by unknown persons. Sources further intimated

JCI Eko Executive Vice President, Admin., Gladstone Awoniyi ( left), Consumer Activation Manager, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Femi Atoyebi, Clean Up Lagos project Chairman, Fumi Ayodele, Nollywood Actor, Yemi Solade, musician, Kenny Saint Best, JCI Eko President, ‘Jide Adeyemi and another celebrity musician, Eedris Abdulkareem after participating in the JCI Eko Clean-Up Lagos exercise held at Ojuwoye Market, Mushin over the weekend

PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Segun Aganga (third left), Council member Business Recovery& Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN), (left), Mr. Ayodele Akintunde, former President of BRIPAN, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), BRIPAN’s President; Mr. Dele Odunowo (FBR), General Secretary; Mr. Victor Ihekweazu and Director of Legal Services , Ministry of Trade & Investment, Mrs. Uju Aisha Hassan-Baba at meeting on the Nigeria Insolvency Reform …recently

that when Adiyetu failed to return home from the farm, members of the family raised an alarm and the community dispatched a search team, which went to the farm. On reaching there, the team discovered that she was killed and buried. The search team subsequently, exhumed the corpse and deposited it at the General Hospital in Ugbokpo, while the police have begun investigation into the alleged killing. Confirming the develop-

ment, the Otukpo Police Area Commander, Mr. Samuel Darakoji, said the Apa Command has been charged to properly investigate the incident and urged the public to avail them with useful information. But the state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ezeala while confirming the incident said three persons had been arrested in connection with the murder of the girl and are facing interrogation at the state Criminal Investigation Department, in Makurdi.

TheGuardian

14 | THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

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

Editorial Nigeria’s quest for an agro-based economy

LETTER

Uduaghan, Okobia Road and wicked neglect

T a time when governance in Nigeria has become a competition to parrot “transIR: My concern for A formation” while doing everything to hold the economy back and when ministers have far greater mastery of media manipulation than of their portfolios, the Shumanity in stimulating this piece is because of

Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina, stands out as a public servant who is truly dedicated to making a change. Even those who may be negatively affected by some of the policies he promotes, for instance importers of certain agriculture products, tend to argue about the economics rather than question his patriotism or integrity. Adesina is a one-man policy dynamo, ever throwing up initiatives. His drive may be bearing fruit as evidenced by the recent announcement by President Goodluck Jonathan that “in the last one year alone over N80 billion of private sector commitments have been made to the agricultural sector…” However, given decades of policy experiments and billions of naira worth of public interventions in Nigerian agriculture, it is important to review current policies in the sector. This is to ensure that the government knows the difference between what it can do to attract the investment required to “make agriculture a business” as it now frequently announces and initiatives designed to improve current output which may be popular but turn out to be an ineffective diversion if not counterproductive. An area where the Minister of Agriculture has recorded a great achievement is in the administration of the system of distributing subsidised fertilizer to Nigerian farmers. Hitherto, the system was riddled with fraud. Under Adesina, it was revolutionised so that it no longer depends on government contractors to deliver fertilizers to farmers. Rather, farmers were given vouchers which they could “spend” on fertilizers at private vendors. Successive ministers had refused to copy this innovation despite the urging of international development agencies. The drastic reduction if not complete eradication of the endemic fraud in the system of fertilizer subsidy is an eloquent example of the change a single honest and determined public official could make. A far more profound policy change that the Minister of Agriculture recently has begun is the repeal of the Land Use Act of 1978 which he has advanced as a prerequisite for the inflow of “massive investment” in agriculture. He has rightly argued that “unless we transform agriculture, our economy can’t grow”. This is a fact that often escapes policy makers. Increased investment in agriculture and the growth of agriculture productivity and income is one of the most assured means to industrialise and transform the Nigerian economy. Increased rural productivity and growth will not only reduce the drift of rural populations to towns in the short term, it will also create a massive demand boost for Nigerian manufactured products. The repeal of the Land Use Act which has long been held as an impediment to investment in Nigerian agriculture is therefore essential for this evolution. Other agriculture sector policies, newly initiated or inherited by the current regime, do not appear very well thought-out. These include the steep increases in tariffs on palm oil, wheat and rice imports and the announced plan to gradually phase out the importation of frozen fish in four years. The ostensible rationale of these policies is to protect local producers and save foreign exchange as local production rises and replaces imports. Concerning the promotion of cassava bread, for the sake of which tariffs on wheat imports have been raised, some experts aver that the technology to blend cassava with wheat isn’t widely available in Nigeria and that the high quality cassava required is also in short supply. It therefore doesn’t seem feasible that cassava would constitute 40 per cent of the flour in bread by 2015 as dictated by the new policy. The proposed ban on frozen fish which currently constitute about 55 per cent of current Nigerian consumption of fish is even more unconvincing. Fish, which is one of the cheapest sources of protein, currently constitutes about 41 per cent of the total animal protein of poorest Nigerians who rely on imported frozen fish that on average costs N80 per piece. Nigerian-farmed varieties like catfish costs N600 per piece on average. According to figures from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, Nigerian per capita consumption of fish is currently 11.2kg short of the average global per capita consumption. It seems clear that the Minister of Agriculture is not receiving good advice on this issue. If the government wants to save foreign exchange, it should raise tariffs on imported champagne, canned foods and similar luxuries. Any ban on frozen fish import will simply take protein off the tables and diet of majority of Nigerians. About 63 per cent of Nigerians are employed in agriculture, as opposed to 2.3 per cent in France, 38 per cent in Indonesia and 41 per cent in Thailand. Forced import reductions through sky-high tariffs or bans are a tried, tested and failed promotion means of raising the output of Nigeria’s small-scale farmers. They are liable to merely resulting in higher consumer prices and as is being witnessed in the case of rice and palm oil, the replacement of legal imports with smuggled goods and loss of import duties. They also create a racket in import waivers which allow politically connected individuals to still import the banned products and sell at far higher prices. The authorities in agriculture should therefore devote more energy to those policies which will attract agriculture investors who produce for global markets and which assist existing producers to become more effective. Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are big agriculture exporters not because they have banned imports but because they have the credible and supportive land tenure, fiscal regime, infrastructure, transportation and even educational policies that engender progress. This is the way Nigeria should go to build an agriculture-based prosperous economy.

a town called Okobia in Okpe Local Council Area. It was founded around 1170 A.D and has remained in a state of troglodyte backwardness cocooned by arrant underdevelopment and forgotten by the march of civilisation. We have only a dilapidated 3room primary school, in short, no school, no water, no light and no road. The only accessible road through Adagbrassa, Okwetolor and Okuegume is an eyesore and we live like bathophilous organisms and Kafkaesque rejects. We have been in this situation right from independence in 1960 through the Nigeria / Biafra civil war (19671970), down through the creation of the Mid Western Region, Midwest State, Bendel State and now Delta Sate. Okobia town has become the quintessential exemplification of sordid and

wicked socio-economic neglect, right from Sir Comodore Luke Ochulor (1991-1992), Olorogun Felix Ibru (1992-1993), Col. Bassey Asuquo (1993-1994), Col. Ibrahim Kefas (1994996), Col. John Dungs (1996-1998), Navy Capt. Walter Feghabi (19981999), Chief James Onanefe Ibori (1999-2007), Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan (2007-the present day). Okobians are peasant farmers who voted for Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Umoru Musa Yar’Adua and now Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, with nothing to show for the trust. The list also goes through our various Okpe leaders/Okobia sons and daughters who horridly pragmatised our underdevelopment and effected the pauperisation of our franchise. One wonders at what propelled Okobians to vote for these same destiny-

destroyers. It was Senator William E. Borah (18651940) that said “The Marvel of history is the patience with which men and women submit to the burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments”. We should be able to say boo to a goose and drive the political bull out of our china shop and like the Roman hero, Horatius, asked, “And how can a man die better than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers and the temples of his gods”. We call on our amiable Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to please come to our aid in Okobia and do something to the long neglected Okobia road. And from Aghalokpe, Igun, Aragba to Okobia and from Sapele, Adegbrassa, Okwetolor, Okuoegume to Okobia Town. Finally, we take solace in prayers and God’s intervention through Governor Uduaghan. Bobson Gbinije, Mandate Against Poverty (Map), Warri, Delta State

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Business Appointments P27 ‘Nigeria not likely to meet 2015 poverty target’ MAN seeks harmonisation of regulatory functions of agencies By Femi Adekoya HE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has advocated harmonisation of regulatory frameworks among agencies, to address duplications and multiplicity of rules governing business operations in the country. Specifically, the manufacturers noted that overlapping functions among the agencies have made it difficult for stakeholders to address challenges relating to standardisation and quality control of made-in-Nigeria productsas well as imported items. Speaking at a business luncheon organised by the MAN, Apapa branch for Chief Executives and top management of member-companies in Lagos, yesterday, the Chairman, John Aluya, said members were worried about the conflicting roles of key regulatory agencies like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in respect of business operations. He said: “Members have

Registrar/Chief Executive, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Deji Olokesusi, (left); Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Marketing Management, South Africa, Peter Bezuidenhoudt, President/Chairman of Council, NIMN, Ganiyu Koledoye; and Vice-President African Marketing Confederation, Nigel Tattesall during an announcement of Koledoye as the Vice-President of African Marketing Confederation, in Lagos. PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF

PHCN’s 17 successor firms may be listed on the Exchange By Roseline Okere and Helen Oji

•BPE tasks private sector investors on infrastructure development

HE 17 successor companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) may after all be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) “in the nearest future”. This was disclosed yesterday by the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Benjamin Ezra Dikki, who explained that the remaining government’s shareholding in the power distribution companies (Discos) that are currently being privatised through core investor sale strategy, will be divested through the Exchange. “The generating companies (Gencos), will come by different public offers later. We also expect many of them to come to the capital market to raise long term finance”, he added. Meanwhile, the bureau has called on the private sector operators to take advantage of the opportunities being offered by the current reforms in the housing, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), Abuja Commodities and Stock Exchange, National Parks, stadia, media enterprises and the health sector. Dikki also explained that a good number of enterprises are currently being assessed for public offering in the mar-

ket, after which they would be ready for listing on the floor of the NSE. Some these companies are Eleme Petrochemicals, Sahcol, Transcorp Hilton, Nicon Luxury, Nigerdock among others. Dikki, who assured capital market community that the present administration is poised to grow and increase the depth of the market and liquidity, said ”realising that for many of the enterprises privatised, the lock in period of five years will soon expire without them being ready to come to the market, the core investors were committed in the SPA to do different public offers at a later date when the fortunes of the companies improved.” He added that companies in the oil and gas sector would approach the market after the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill and the set up of an appropriate legal and regulatory framework. The Director-General, who pointed out that the Federal Government, recognising the role of the capital market in providing long term funding that would drive investment in the transport sector, explained that the roads, railways, inland water ways and port harbour bills will be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval and transmission to

the National Assembly for enactment. He pointed out that once enacted and relevant regulatory agencies set up, it would create an enabling environment for private sector investment in concession and private public partnership contracts. The BPE boss added that similar reform initiative in the housing and agricultural sector through privatisation of the Abuja Commodities and Stock Exchange would throw up vast investment opportunities for the capital market to finance. Dikki beckoned on the private sector operators to invest in infrastructural development when the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation was on an oversight visit to BPE in Abuja. He said that the optimum objective of the bureau was to create an enabling environment to make private sector the engine room to drive the country’s infrastructure. He noted that when the infrastructure sector in particular has been liberalised to make the country attract foreign direct investment into the economy. Dikki told the Senators that the reform bills will separate roles of policy making from regulation and operation,

adding that the intention was also to liberalise the sector by abrogating the outdated laws in those sectors that restricted private sector participation. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Senator Gbenga Obadara, said that if President Goodluck Jonathan is able achieve 50 per cent of the programmes enumerated by the Bureau, he would have written his name in gold in the annals of Nigeria history, as the country would have been put on the path of rapid economic growth. He noted that the pro-activeness of the National Council on Privatization (NCP) and its secretariat, in driving sector reforms and privatization, has set the country on the path of economic prosperity. The Chairman pledged the committee’s support to the reform and privatisation agenda of the Federal Government, adding: “we will support anything to help grow the economy. We will support you (BPE).” He praised the Bureau’s roles in creating enabling environments for businesses to thrive in Nigeria, promising that his committee would offer the necessary advice on the pending reform bills whenever they are tabled before the National Assembly

expressed their anxiety over the conflicting role of SON and NAFDAC and would be glad to have a clearer pronouncement on the areas of overlapping functions. We have chosen to collaborate with these agencies and invited them to provide explanations on these grey areas. “We share a common commitment with the various agencies of government to improve the general wellbeing of the citizens by providing employment, security and revenue through payment of our taxes and levies. Apart from the obvious limitations to the growth of manufacturing of which lack of infrastructure accounts for over 70 per cent, it is imperative to stress that overbearing posture of some government agencies are really a clog in the wheel of progress for our members. “Therefore, we challenge the leadership of SON and NAFDAC to be the bull in the pack by distinguishing themselves through timeline services, reduction of service cost, and collaborative development of research and development in

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Lagos counts losses to six-year legal battle over hotels’ regulation By Kamal Tayo Oropo HE Lagos State Government yesterday said it lost over N4.5billion from hotel licensing in the last six years as a result of a court action filed by the Federal Government in 2007. State Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-governmental Relations, Oladisun Holloway, revealed this while briefing newsmen on the recent judgment of the Supreme Court on control of tourism and hotel regulation. The Supreme Court had dismissed the case of the Federal Government, which contend-

ed that only the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation(NTDC) can regulate, register, license and grade the hospitality industry. But the Supreme Court ruling put to rest the six years court battle and thus paved the way for state governments to take full control of tourism regulations and development within their respective jurisdiction. Holloway, however said that levies that would have accrued to the state government from hotel registration and grading fee by over 3000 hotels yet to register with the

State Government was stalled by the court action. "We stopped sharing funds from the NTDC in July 2007 and in Lagos, we believe we have on the average about 3000 establishments, exclud-

ing the five star and other hotels. If we are to take an average, N250,000 and multiply by 3000 establishments, for the six years the case lasted, that would have given us N3.5billion".

But Holloway said the revenue the state government generates from hotel licensing was not the most important benefit of the Supreme Court judgment, but the opportunity to restructure

the tourism industry in the state. The Commissioner, however, called on hotels yet to register their hospitality businesses with the state government in accordance with the law to

MAN seeks harmonisation of regulatory functions of agencies CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 industries.” Aluya however urged government to adopt a policy framework that will enhance development and encourage business enterprise. According to him, our interest has been and will continue to revolve around the concept of growing our economy with greater interest in increasing patronage of made-in-Nigeria products and this can be achieved through responsive partnership with various agencies of government. The Director-General, SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, while presenting a paper on “Increasing product acceptability in the Nigerian market through quality checks and standardization”, emphasized the need for standardization and quality control of products in order to aid their global competitiveness. Odumodu, who was represented by the agency’s Sectional Head, Consumer

Complaints, Mosun Samuel, explained that increased product acceptance is based on trust and confidence built on standardization and quality of products, an initiative SON is driving through various certification programmes. She added that the agency is vested with the responsibility of standardizing and regulating the quality of products in Nigeria, thus protecting consumers’ interests. On his part, the DirectorGeneral, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhi, represented by the agency’s Deputy Director, Adedeji Akinwunmi, reiterated the agency’s commitment to regulating food and drugs administration in the country. He added that the agency was working in close synergy with the food and drug manufacturing sub-sectors of the economy to promote the production of quality, safe, efficacious medicines and other wholesome regulated prod-

Legal Adviser, AOE Event Entertainment Limited, Prince Damola Aderemi (left); Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director, Chief Nike Oshinowo; Managing Director, Arik Air, Chris Ndulue; and Associate Vice President, Global Sales & Distributor, Arik Air, Trever Henry, during the signing of contract of Arik as official Airline for Nigeria’s centenary pageant in Lagos, on Tuesday. PHOTO: SOLA OJEDOKUN

NESG boss tasks SME operators on corruption By Joe Adiorho HE Director-General of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Frank Nweke Jnr, yesterday, in Lagos, charged all the operators of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to collectively form a strong force against corruption that had permeated all fabrics of Nigerian life. He said that since SMEs are young and emerging business

organisations that form 95 per cent of business activities in the country, the operators could effectively tackle corruption at the youthful age, to create conducive atmosphere for operation when the companies have become large. Nweke made the call during a breakfast meeting with the theme: “How SMEs can escape the web of business corruption”, organised by NESG, in collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact

(UNGC). He stated that the United Nations was commissioned in 1945 to make the world a better place devoid of wars, child labour and discrimination and desirous that businesses should work against corruption in all its ramifications including extortion and bribery. He explained that Boko Haram seed was sown many years ago when he was growing up in Maiduguri and observed the germination and growth. He said that even though corruption has become endemic and systemic in the country, it was still possible to tackle it if the people in the business

world could come together to fight it with determination. According to him, “we have to face the new emerging businesses so that the ethical question and integrity would be dealt with from the beginning so that when they become big, you will not have the problem of corruption”. The Managing Director of Venia Business Hub, Kola Oyeneyin, who was the guest lecturer at the occasion, said that corruption was one of the greatest factors militating against businesses concerns in the country. According to the statistics he presented, the world rating placed Nigeria at 139 out of 178 most corrupt nation in the world.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

20 BUSINESS

Minister assures on 2015 completion of Abuja light rail project From Terhemba Daka, Abuja ARRING any unforeseen circumstances, the Abuja light rail project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will be completed in 2015. This came as construction work commenced recently on 12 railway transit stations under the first phase of the project. The administration, on Tuesday, also signed a N19.4 billion water supply agreement with an Abuja based

Signs N19.4 billion for satellite town water project construction firm, SCC, for the provision of water and other infrastructural development for Karshi, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory. The Federal Executive Council (FEC), two weeks ago, approved funds for the project under the national and statutory budgets and was expected to be completed within a 30-month period.

Minister of State for the FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide disclosed yesterday that the firm had already been fully mobilised. The light rail project itself, which commenced in 2007 had witnessed several setbacks, allegedly due to paucity of funds, but the Federal Capital authorities has assured that work on the 27

per cent project would be completed in the next two years. FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, who gave the indication during the ground breaking ceremony for the project in Abuja, stressed the economic importance of the project, adding that there were currently 3,500 indigenous workers and would grow to 20, 000 upon its completion. Mohammed added that while the 2010 demand study for the project showed a daily ridership of about 470, 000 passengers daily, the current growth rate in the territory would translate to having over 700, 000 passengers riding the trains daily. According to Mohammed, “the first phase of Abuja Light Rail project consists of approximately 45 kilometres of double-track rail line traversing the Central Area to Abuja International Airport,

through Idu and from Idu to Kubwa. “The network concept is made of six lots covering a total distance of about 300 kilometres.” FCT Secretary for Transportation, Jonathan Ivoke said that the level of progress so far on all aspects of the project was 27 per cent, adding that the project had 16 stations. “Rail stations are places of high economic activities, boarding or alighting, rail transit management and operations, commercial and tourism activities. The locations of these stations are strategically designed to connect the transportation network to districts and Area Councils,” said Ivoke. The Minister of State in the FCT in her remarks noted that the service of a major mass transit rail line, as well as the investment corridors that the 12 stations would open, would usher in massive multiplier effects on the economic and social life of FCT.

“A major benefit, of course, will be the transformation of Abuja into a key business, sports and tourism hub for Nigeria in particular and Africa at large,” she stated. Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Smart Adeyemi lamented that the wave of insecurity that had confronted the Goodluck Jonathan administration since 2010 had robbed the nation of many masses-oriented projects as more funds were deployed to maintaining internal security at the detriment of providing critical national infrastructure. He said that the about N2 trillion spent on internal security in two years was enough to provide more railway facilities in the country as well as fix all major road networks across the federation. “There is no government that had been faced with the challenges and obstacles towards good governance, peace and security of our nation than this government.

Ekiti reads riot act to tax defaulters From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti KITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has declared that his administration would no longer condone tax evasion by citizens and agencies in a bid to generate more funds to execute more capital projects in the state. The governor, who stated this on Tuesday while declaring open a two-day retreat for the officials of the judiciary and Internal Revenue Service

at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, warned that relevant laws would be invoked to ensure that the state was not robbed of taxes due to it. Fayemi disclosed that his administration was able to increase the internally-generated revenue from the N109 million mark he met on assumption of office to over N600 million monthly because of mechanisms put in place to plug the loopholes through which money due to

the state illegally found their way into private pockets. He also clarified that his administration hads not increased taxes payable by the various segments of the population urging individuals and corporate organisations doing business in the state not to shirk their civic responsibilities of paying their taxes. The governor also used the forum to clarify that the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) being criticised by the academic staff of the state university was not the making of his administration but was passed by the National Assembly stressing that he was duty-bound to enforce it.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

BUSINESS

Borno spends N15b on agriculture HE Borno State governT ment has spent more than N15 billion on agriculture “to ensure an aggressive grassroots socioeconomic development in the state.’’ Governor Kashim Shettima said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Tuesday. Shettima pointed out that the money was used to purchase agricultural implements to prepare ground for an agricultural revolution in the state. “We (government) have invested over N15 billion in agriculture. We have acquired 600 rice mills from Thailand. “We have also invested in many schemes like the centre pivot irrigation, the sprinkler irrigation, the green house and so on.’’ Shettima said that the action was part of his administration’s effort to address the underlining causes of the Boko Haram insurgency in the state. “For us to address the Boko Haram crisis fully, we have to address the underlining causes which have to do with abject poverty. “We have to be merchants of

Shettima hope, we have to create jobs, we have to empower the youths in order to bring the problem to a final conclusion,’’ he said. Shettima added: “I belief public works and agriculture will provide veritable platforms for engaging the youths.’’ He said the state had great potentials in agriculture because it had the largest landmass in Nigeria. “We are the largest in the federation in terms of land mass and I belief when properly harnessed, it will produce optimal result in agriculture. “We have a programme that

Why Nigeria’s power problem persists, by expert By Bertram Nwannekanma N energy law expert, Soji A Awogbade, on Tuesday, hinged the nation’s persistent power problem on the inability of past administrations to integrate electricity generation and distribution into Nigeria’s long-term development plans. The lawyer, a partner and energy law expert at a Lagosbased law firm - Aelex, said power generation process is so fully integrated that merely buying of turbines or sacking power ministers will not solve the problem, “because no minister can manufacture turbines.” Speaking at a media briefing to herald the Aelex 9th yearly lecture, scheduled for Lagos, with the theme: “In God’s name: Politics, Religion and Economic Development”, the lawyer said power outages remain because “our leaders take their eyes off the ball.” Awogbade however urged the government to come clean on why power problem remains rather than making promises they cannot fulfill. He said: “If you put turbines there, you generate power. If there’s no transmission grid, you’re dead. If both exist and there’s no gas or fuel to power the plants, it’s the same story. “They don’t realise that we are supposed to be, and we are in fact, one of the fastest developing economies in the world. One prominent feature by which you measure development is per capita consumption of power, because with development you must use power.

“But somebody forgot, maybe in the 70s, 80s, 90s or 2000 that they will need to include power into development matrix. Anyone who comes in 2009 cannot correct that overnight. “Our leaders should take the pain to explain to people about their constraints. They should stop making promises to people that they cannot keep. There are things that need to be put in public domain for everybody to understand,” he said. On insecurity in the country, Awogbade recommended a national dialogue to resolve the fundamental issues. “We have never really identified the central issues to our nationhood. You must understand what it is that will keep unit East, unit West and unit North together in a union. You cannot take it for granted. “We like God very much and He likes us too, but we can’t leave that to God to work out. You have to sit down and discuss the principles of your nationhood,” he said. Awogbade said Nigeria’s leadership problems will not be solved until the people decide the type of government they want. “The people have to be sure what they want, by the way they vote and how they react to government policies and actions. I should vote my views at any opportunity. I should make sure that my votes count. The people of Nigeria must decide. “We have unfortunately allowed our leaders to believe that we don’t know what we want,” he said.

will banish poverty from this part of the world,’’ Shettima said. He said: “Our major trust in the next two years, and if, God’s willing, we get another mandate from the people, is an aggressive grassroots socio-economic empowerment programme with agriculture occupying the centre piece.’’ Shettima said that the government was also making efforts to unfold a post conflict management programme to take care of the post-Boko Haram crisis in the state.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Focus Impact of tradition on maternal, child health By Wole Oyebade atmosphere in Ringim town on the afternoon underscores the importance of the matter. THE It was an unusual call by the Emir and the town crier had

Women on the queue to immunise their children in Ringim... recently. Sali Ibrahim Abubakar is the Director of Gunduma Health Council and coordinator of all health activities in the area comprising of four LGAs – Ringim, Babura, Garki and Taura. He noted, “People are still delivering at home. Maternal and child mortality is something itching to us. The level of ANC has now reached 70 to 80 per cent, but the delivery is the issue. Delivery in the hospitals is too poor. It is quite alarming,” Abubakar said. The coordinator observed that a lot of myth surrounds childbirth in the hospital. Sometimes, it is blamed on poor attitude of personnel and sometimes, community say a woman cannot deliver in the hospital, unless she is from the weak family. “There are lots of factors affecting this but we can clear their doubts when the leaders are made to understand the issues. The point is: by using the facilities, their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters would deliver in safe hands. “Again, people should know the type of services offered in their community and they are to access them free of charge. We need to have at least 80, if not 100 per cent, particularly in the area of delivery, primary health care, immunisation and so. That is one of the areas where this forum will create a lot of awareness for mothers to come to the facilities to deliver,” he said. What is the level of care services available in a state like Jigawa? It would be interesting to note that several declarations for health have been signed in Nigeria – one is the Abuja Declaration where African countries agreed on 15 per cent of yearly budget to health; another is late President Yar’Adua initiated 15 per cent annual budget to health signed by the 36 state governors. Today, Jigawa state is the only state in this country that has made that contribution to health. Egboh noted that of the five states where the DFID funded programme (PATHS2) is working – Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Lagos - “Jigawa is our star state.”

‘

We indeed have to put health on the front burner of political agenda in this country. That is why today we have politicians, traditional and religious leaders and development partners all among us. We have been working hard in this country to provide minimum services but we have not achieved it.

‘

taken his summon to nooks and crannies of the ancient town: the Emir has a message for his people. In the conservative north, the Emir wields more authority than elected politicians and a word of his is a command. Ringim town in Ringim Local Government Area (LGA) of Jigawa State would not be an exception. Beginning from the dawn of the D-day, both young and old thronged to Durbar ground, Emir Palace where a carnival-like atmosphere was waiting. Even a political rally could not have been more colourful. Well-dressed dignities equally took their decorated seats close to the coming Emir. As morning gradually snowballed to noon, praise-singers and drummers gave way to a loud blare of Kakaaki – a traditional horn – announcing the moment they all have been waiting for. The Emir of Ringim, Sayyadi Abubakar Mahmoud Ringim strolled regally on the red carpet with a silver-tipped staff and a jeweled turban that looks like a disco ball, as commoners bow and scrape in his wake. Resplendent in his flowing red robes and turban, he is surrounded by dozens of courtiers and advisors, and protected from the sun by a large white ceremonial umbrella. Palace guards and heavily armed policeman stood at attention as he passed. There is a small ceremony prior to his sitting. His courtiers and advisors form a barricade with their colourful flowing agbada to ensure the Emir is not seen as he takes his sit on the golden chair. And again, he would not sit until he is advised to do so. Seated now, in larger than life posture, his courtiers and advisors took their perch on the prepared mat – regardless of the scotching sun – as they formed an oval shape around the powerful Emir. A succession of local dignitaries approached to pay their respects to the Emir who neither showed expression nor utter a word in return. The Emir has come to commune with the people on finding lasting solution to maternal and child mortality, coupled with poor health in the kingdom. And that was all mattered. Speaking by proxy – another turf of tradition that forbids the Emir to directly speak with the people – the Emir thanked all gathered, especially the dignitaries and government representatives. He – as the English interpreter later revealed – observed that the government has brought a lot of innovations in healthcare and midwifery system, and therefore wanted the people to patronize them. He stressed that they are services to better lives and health of the people. The Emir needs not say more before his people jostled for a place at the nearby health stand for child immunisation, Antenatal Care (ANC) for pregnant women, nutrition services, and health screening. Most of them have never attended any medical facility! But the king has spoken and his word their command. The health stand was immediately filled to capacity. National Programme Manager of Partnership for Transforming Health Systems II (PATHS2) and organiser of the Community Mobilisation for Health Services in Ringim LGA, Dr Mike Egboh noted that behavioural change of the people was the essence of the programme. Egboh recalled that even before modern political system there has being the emirate system, and emirs still politically relevant till date. According to him, “Their words are authority in the kingdom and we are leveraging on that to make people see why they should use these services. The village heads present here today can go back and call their people together, tell them that ‘no one should be allowed to die.’ The onus is on leaders to tell their people what to do. And that is what you have seen done here today,” Egboh said. In many parts of the country like Ringim where tradition is sacrosanct, there are taboos that retard progress. One of such traditions in Ringim is the norm for pregnant women to give birth at home. “Only weak woman delivers outside of her husband’s home,” an elderly informant said. While the informant could not explain the logic behind the norm or its origin beyond “how our forefathers had done it,” it is still a common believe in Ringim. It is a tradition that apparently ignores danger signs of pregnancies and possible complications during childbirth. A woman that is so unfortunate, is by tradition weak. And such home deliveries and attendant high risk, has been the bane of most maternal and infant mortality in the country, including Ringim. It is therefore a little wonder that maternal mortality ratio in Jigawa was over 2000 per 100,000 live births at a time when the national average was 585:100,000. The downside in Ringim is that modern healthcare services are still hardly patronized despite huge investment in infrastructural development and services provided at the centres. With daily scenario of maternal and infant deaths, it is therefore a source of worries for the authorities and the respected Emir.

Jigawa, in the last few years, has quadrupled its health facilities with doctors increasing from 40 to over 200. With the aid of PATHS2, the state was able to employ 40 midwives and 20 doctors using recreation-funding system. Jigawa now boosts of a state-of-the-art college of nurses and midwifery. Human Resources for Health Officer, PATHS2 Jigawa State Office, Dr Hamza Abubakar observed that the state government had been receptive to intervention programmes and making good use of it. “Now, services are being delivered in a more effective and efficient manner in different areas. And the indices are improving now. But we want people to access the healthcare services and the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) – that have been refurbished and their workers trained. “You can build the best hospital or health system but if demand for services does not match the supply, then there will be issues with service delivery,” Abubakar said. Egboh added that once maternal mortality ratio (over 2000 per 100,000 live births) was terrible, but today it is coming down. Health facilities have improved, and human resources have gone up, in the state. Amidst this achievements, however, Ringim – that has been in history of the country for business and trade pre-independence; produced former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Minister for Education and the current Chief of Staff for Jigawa State - still lags behind. Egboh said the task of reaching zero maternal and infant death in Ringim, Jigawa and the country at large is by concerted efforts of the government, its development partners, traditional, religious leaders and the people. “We indeed have to put health on the front burner of political agenda in this country. That is why today we have politicians, traditional and religious leaders and development partners all among us. We have been working hard in this country to provide minimum services but we have not achieved it. “You’d be shock if we are to produce health statistics of each LGA; how many people have died this morning alone. Unless it touches us, we may not know. It is important to us to ensure that not a single life is worth losing. One life is important; it could be that of a president of this country or next Emir. So, every life is worth protecting. We all therefore have roles to play. “The state government’s role is to provide the facilities and ensure that the information coming from the facilities is used to plan for the state. PATHS2 has done its bit is refurbishing the facilities. Our approach is to shoot for the optimum and achieve the minimum and I think we have gone beyond the minimum in Jigawa State. We refurbished facilities and provided drugs, retrain nurses and mobilise communities to access these good services. “Traditional institutions have major role than the government. Your royal highness, the district head, the village head and the ward heads – it is our responsibility to ensure that when a woman is pregnant, she gets the services available at the hospital. It is our responsibility that no woman dies in the process of giving birth to another life,” Egboh said.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Appointments “Nigeria not likely to meet 2015 poverty target” From John Okeke, Abuja OVERTY in Nigeria P remains significant despite high economic growth. Nigeria has one of the world’s highest economic growth rates (averaging 7.4 per cent over the last decade), a well-developed economy and plenty of natural resources such as oil. However, it retains a high level of poverty, which according to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2012 report, reported that 112.519 million Nigerians lived in relative poverty conditions. The concern over increasing poverty levels in Nigeria and the need for its eradication as a means of improving the standard of living of the people has led to the conceptualisation and implementation of various targeted or nontargeted poverty eradication and alleviation-programmes. Both the Nigerian government and donor agencies have been active in efforts in analysing and finding solutions to the increase of poverty leveling the country. Concern about this problems as well as efforts made to eradicate or at least reduce it cannot be said to be new. While major reductions in poverty level have been made in developed countries, developing countries, Nigeria inclusive, have been battling with poverty, from one poverty alleviation programme to another eradication programme, but all to no avail. In an effort to curb the challenges of poverty in Nigeria,

National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) was created in 2001 under the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration with the mandate to reduce absolute poverty by creating employment for youths in the automobile industry, provide training and other vocational trades as well as support internship to them. Unfortunately, the issues of poverty eradication have proved to be the most difficult challenge facing the country where majority of the people live in absolute poverty. At the 2012 World Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which had as its theme “Ending the Violence of Extreme Poverty”, the Coordinator, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Malam Mukhtar TafawaBalewa assured Nigerians that the organisation’s war against poverty would be successful “We are optimistic that the good days will come sooner than expected; the president has shown enough political will and unwavering commitment to the welfare of all Nigerians.’’ He said that there was considerable progress in the drive to put an end to extreme poverty by 2015 Tafawa-Balewa said that the theme was an indication that the world was taking the issue of fighting poverty “as a governance issue that requires deliberate policy thrust. “As the Transformation Agenda of this administra-

Mr. Xin Zongi of Sinohydro company China( left), Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Counsel to AMA a Nigerian indigenous company, Mr. Sola Arifayan during the signing of partnership agreement between the two companies in Beijing China...recently. tion gets underway and improvement in our GDP and expansion of our domestic productivity, we shall achieve significant success in our fight against the scourge of poverty. “We at NAPEP wish to assure the nation that we shall not spare any effort in seeing to the realisation of the president’s agenda of transformation.’’ Meanwhile, against the backdrop of meeting the poverty target by 2015, the technical validation workshop group for MDGs targets

PHCN successor firms pledge to create 16, 200 jobs in five years From Abiodun Fagbemi,Ilorin

UCCESSOR companies in SCompany the Power Holding of Nigeria (PHCN) have promised to create 16, 200 employment opportunities for skilled technical manpower in the next five years with immediate requirement of 8, 400 technical manpower in generation, transmission and distribution companies. Speaking recently in Ilorin during the presentation of admission letters to 15 Kwara state youths, who are part of 500 beneficiaries of graduate skills development Programme under the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), the secretary to the state government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold, said Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved N20 million to sponsor the training Programme of the youth from the state.

The SSG, who said the 15 graduates were selected from the three Senatorial districts of the state for the one-year programme, added that the Programme is aimed at positioning the beneficiaries for employment in the power sector in view of vast employment opportunities in the sector. He said the N20million approved for the programme was meant to cover tuition fees, accommodation and other logistics, adding that the beneficiaries who are mostly first class graduates in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering were selected from the state’s unemployed youths’ data base. The scheme, Gold added, would provide the graduates the practical knowledge and skills in the generation, distribution and transmission chains of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and position them for employment opportuni-

ties in the sector. He said: “We have given the beneficiaries adequate support to be comfortable in that programme. We will be monitoring them to ensure they are successful in the programme. “We believe when people go to school and pass very well, we should not allow them to roam about the street. In line with the state government’s youth empowerment programme, we will continue to look for available jobs at the federal and state levels to fix our people. This is what we have been doing since the inception of this administration”, he added. The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Sakariyau Babatunde, explained that apart from the graduate beneficiaries, the governor has also approved the training of non-graduates in the institute for skills acquisition.

in Abuja during the last weekend while ex-raying the extent of attainment of Millennium Development

Goals (MDGs) targets which is less than three years, in their submission lamented that Nigeria was lagging

behind in meeting the Goal I of MDGs which was the poverty target adding that it had done well in hunger.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

28 APPOINTMENTS

EFCC trains 62 new operatives From Abosede Musari, Abuja N its renewed quest to Icrimes, eradicate econimic the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), recently graduated 62 new operatives into its system. The new officers who have been under training at the EFCC Academy in the last six months were admonished to uphold the tenet and core values of the Commission. Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde charged the new recruits to uphold the ethics of the EFCC. “The agency that you are about to become a part of, is not your regular government agency. If you have not gotten that in the past six months, then you do not deserve to be here. We do not entertain or manage second-bests here; if there is any bar set in the public service for professionalism, EFCC surpasses it and if there is any bar set for integrity, EFCC easily scales it. Therefore, professionalism, integrity and discipline must be your watchwords at all times”, he said. The Detective Assistant Cadet Course made up of 62 officers is the first set of operatives employed by the Commission at this level. “By this exercise, we are making an effort to tackle some potential vulnerability inherent in the

Commission’s current personnel structure. We are attempting to fill a vacuum in our guard and security detail personnel, which is presently being filled by gallant men of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force. It is hoped that following the intensive training and the years of mentorship that will follow in the field, these young men and women would form the resilient foundation of a corps of EFCC guard and personnel security that would not only do the Commission but the nation proud,” Lamorde stated.

The EFCC boss, who congratulated the operatives for their success, commended the Commandant of the EFCC Academy and his team for successfully leading the operatives through training. “I am impressed by the rapid transformation of many of those passing out today, as attested to at various time in the course of their training within this Academy and by the assessment of some of the agencies where certain aspects of the intensive training were conducted,” he said. The Commandant of the

Academy Ayo Olowonihi, thanked the chairman of the Commission for his effort in making sure the programme was a success. According to him, the journey which began on the 3rd of January, 2013 with 67 young cadets has come to an end with 62 of them successfully completing the course. The best cadet, Basi Barika Victor Essien thanked the Commission for the opportunity presented to him to serve the nation, admitting that the training was not easy. “I’m grateful to God that we are passing out today” he said.

Firm faults protest, to improve welfare package for workers From Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh Uyo HE Management T of Universal Energy Resource Limited has described the recent protest by its workers over poor condition of service as unnecessary, pointing out that the company had concluded necessary arrangements to improve on their welfare. According to the company, once all necessary consultations are concluded, its workers would enjoy the best salary structure obtainable in the oil and gas industry. The management said this after the workers under the

auspices of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSEN) staged a peaceful demonstration at the corporate office of the company in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to protest what they called “the dehumanising condition of service’’ offered by the company. But speaking after the protest, the Chief Operating officer (COO), Uffort Ebong, said that the management was putting together what he described as best salary structure and had scheduled a meeting in Uyo, the capital where the final

approval was to be given before the union went on strike. “The fact is that we met a dysfunctional organisation and we are trying our best to reposition the company. According to him, the company recently signed a medical insurance scheme for its entire staff, making it possible for them to access free medical services with their spouse. The chief operating officer further said that the company had approval the sum of N50million worth of project to its host communities as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Science, technical inventors get financial support From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja RESIDENTIAL Standing Committee on Invention and Innovation (PSCII) has empowered 29 science and technology inventors/innovators across the country for 2012 scheme. Selected across the six geopolitical zones, the inventors received financial grants ranging from N500, 000 to N1, 000 0000 Naira to boost their enterprises. Presenting the grants to the beneficiaries recently in Abuja, the Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Ita Ewa noted that the PSCII was set up by the federal government in October, 2005 in order to encourage and promote inventions and innovations in science and technology from both the formal and informal sectors of the economy, while also stimulating the interest of Nigerians to use Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) tools for national development. The minister explained that since setting up PSCII, 103 inventors/innovators had benefited from the scheme. “Since the inception of the PSCII in 2005, a total number of 103 innovators/inventors have so far benefitted from the federal government grants nationwide, across the six geopolitical zones after satisfying the due process of selection,” he said. Ewa also said that collaborations with relevant stakeholders such as Education Trust Fund (ETF), Petroleum Development Trust Fund

(PDTF), National University Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Planning Commission (NPC) shall assist in achieving the ultimate goal of the PSCII programme in providing “a solid foundation for a technological break-through in the country as well as improving the socioeconomic well-being of Nigerians.” The minister advised the recipients to further their creativity, inventions and innovations using the grant stressing that the initiative forms the critical factor in national development, economic growth and global competitiveness. Earlier in her speech, the Chairman of the PSCII/Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Rabi Jimeta said that 209 applications were received for the 2012 year while 29 people emerged meritoriously. “For the 2012 year, 209 applications were received from inventors/innovators across the six geopolitical zones of the country by the committee and after the screening exercise, 29 emerged as the best to benefit from the grants,” she said. The committee was set up in 2005 in order to encourage invention and innovation in technology, examine any research claims and possibly commercial level and suggest how funds could be sourced to finance the various stages of development from inception to prototype level and finally to commercialisation stage.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Yobe empowers 2,710 women with subsidised grains From Njadvara Musa, Damaturu HE Yobe State Women E m p o w e r m e n t Programme (YWEP) has distributed various empower machines and tools to 2,710 women. Under the scheme, 12, 030 bags of grains and tools such as grinding and sewing, machines, knitting and spaghetti making machines and deep freezers have been subsidised by 50 per cent of their unit prices. According to the state Governor Ibrahim Gaidam,

601 metric tons of grains are to be distributed free to widows and orphans, while civil servants and other organisations are to pay N1, 500 per bag. Gaidam explained that no meaningful development could take place in the state without fully empowering the women with soft loans and other working tools. According to Gaidam, YWEP gulped N98.8 million while the 601 metric tons of grains cost the state government N100 million.

Jang reiterates commitment to tackle poverty From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos ife of Plateau State Governor, Ngo Talatu Jang, recently reiterated the resolve of the Federal and state governments to tackle poverty. In her welcome address during the fifth and sixth joint graduation ceremony of her pet project, Women in Agriculture and Youth Empowerment (WAYE) foundation, Ngo Talatu said the state government was determined to make life comfortable for the people. WAYE Foundation, a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), is a skill acquisition centre founded by Talatu. During the ceremony, she also issued certificates to 450 graduating trainees. The figure, revealed at the ceremony at its headquarters in Doi, Jos South Local Government

brought to 1091 the total number of people that the Foundation has trained since its inception. Ngo Talatu who traced the history of the foundation to June 2007 when it was established and 2010 when the first set of 75 trainees graduated, expressed her gratitude to God for the success the skills training programme had recorded despite limited financial resources. Governor Jonah Jang, who said his administration has never contributed any money to the sustenance of the foundation, congratulated his wife on her determination to make a success of it. Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, said the foundation has been able to empower women to help themselves and contribute to the economic development of the state.

APPOINTMENTS 29

ITUC, ILO laud G20 over job creation initiatives From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE new steps outlined by the G20 Labour and Finance Ministers have received commendations from both the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and International Labour Organisation (ILO). Reacting to the meeting, which ended in Moscow, Russia, recently, Secretary General of ITUC, Sharan Burrow, expressed hope that the declaration will be backed up by policy action. However, the ITUC was quick to warn that the crisis of unemployment and inequality has reached critical levels and requires an urgent action plan to drive investment and create jobs. Burrow stressed that the shared concern about the worsening jobs outlook voiced by both Labour and Finance Ministers should be a warning to G20 Leaders meeting in St. Petersburg in September to deliver a plan for investment and job creation. Her words: “Over 200 million unemployed, growth forecasts down, families struggling to put food on the table with low wages, yet there is no sense of urgency amongst our leaders. G20 leaders must acknowledge the urgent need to take action to address rising unemployment and inequality.” For his part, the General

Secretary of Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC), John Evans, said: “Year after year the social and economic situation for working people has deteriorated; however, government policies of the G20 countries are failing. Having Labour and Finance Ministers meet is a first step to getting them to work together towards policy coherence and should be continued under the Australian Presidency of the G20.” He added that the rising unemployment and inequality are unacceptable, saying: “We therefore need a clearer

commitment to a Jobs and Investment Plan into green, inclusive, fair and sustainable growth, with macroeconomic changes away from austerity towards demand-enhancing policies. ” He argued that while the failed policies of austerity have attacked fundamental labour market policies, G20 Labour and Finance Ministers have recognized for the first time that implementing labour market and social investment policies that support aggregate demand and reduce inequality with social protection, a minimum wage

and national collective bargaining systems will support economic growth and employment. Evans insisted that in the face of this glaring and unambiguous reality, too many structural policies by national governments contradict the reality. While Labour Ministers showed support for aggregate demand to drive economies, Finance Ministers do not recognise people-centred recovery, which shows that much more is needed to achieve real coordination of policy.

Group mobilises youth against money laundering. nter-Governmental Action ILaundering Group against Money in West Africa (GIABA) will organise the seventh edition of its Open House Forum at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown, Republic of Sierra Leone, on 25 July 2013. GIABA is the French acronym for the InterGovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering. The objective of this event is to mobilise youths against organised crime by targeting their attitudes, behaviors and beliefs. The 2013 edition will also provide an opportunity for

youths to embark on advocacy by helping to disseminate AML/CFT messages among their peers and political decision-makers, thereby becoming important policy advocates. Carefully selected, the 150 youths from different sectors, are expected to attend the seventh edition on the theme “Mobilising Youths against Organised Crime”. The target audiences of the Open House Forum are youths from Universities and Institutions of higher learning, sports and cultural associations, political parties and religious associations. Other secondary beneficiaries will include representatives of civil society organisations and professional associations, banks, insurance companies, media houses, the Diplomatic Corps and so on.

The Open House Forum is designed to provide GIABA with a platform to sensitise and involve the youths as part of concerted efforts aimed at combating organised crime, which has become a major threat to development and security in the West Africa region. Protecting the youths and guaranteeing them a future in an economically prosperous region have become the priorities of ECOWAS in the wake of regional integration. Thus, developing the capacity of the youth and empowering them for future leadership would require concerted efforts at both national and individual levels. It is important that youths are therefore educated and sensitised on the essence of combating organised crime in all its forms and ramifications.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

ScienceGuardian Nigeria intensifies plan to put astronauts in space by 2015

Nigerian engineers have built satellites with the help of British engineers

• To begin recruitment of candidates before end of 2013 • Develops special centre for building satellites • DG appointed Professor of Remote Sensing and Geo-Spatial Science • Partners INEC on GPS to track ballot boxes By Chukwuma Muanya ESPITE teething challenges, efforts toward actualizing the country’s 25year road map for space technology development have intensified with the plan to recruit possible candidates for the first Nigerian astronauts to be sent to space by the end of 2013 and the development of Assembly Integrated Testing and Design Centre (AITDC), which will enable Nigerians build satellites at home. The roadmap was kicked-off last year with the hand over of NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X Earth observation satellites to National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja by the Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Bassey Ewa Ita. The 25-year roadmap for space technology development approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) include: satellite technology development and launch (Earth observation, communication, and radar) between 2003 to 2015, launch a satellite manufactured in Nigeria by the year 2018, and launch from Nigeria launch

vehicle made in Nigeria by the year 2028. Also, NASRDA, announced that it is willing to work with the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) to attach Global Positioning System (GPS) to ballot boxes to prevent the illegal movement of ballot boxes during voting. Director General of NASRDA, Professor Seidu Onailo Mohammed, during a recent visit of the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, to the Agency said a collaboration between the two bodies will help fast track election court cases, as the GPS will help track the location of bal-

lot boxes especially in cases where boxes are moved, stressing that the boxes can also be used in controversial polling stations as evidence during litigation. Mohammed, who was last week appointment as a Professor of Remote Sensing and Geo-Spatial Science by the Kaduna State University, told The Guardian: “By our roadmap we are supposed to have our astronauts prepared by 2015. The issue is that there are some few question marks because we are not part of the International Space Station. “The countries that are part of them, United States and

Russia have recently changed their policies. In America, private vehicles now service the International Space Station, which means it is a little bit difficult for us. We are still discussing with us but at the same time looking at other alternatives so that we can actualize this dream of our space programme. We are already talking to China and Russia, and of course, U.S.” Practically when can Nigerian astronauts be in space? Mohammed said: “The fact is that it is dependent on a number of issues, which we have no control over. So we assume as soon as these countries give us the go ahead we will be ready. But all the same before the end of the year, the recruitment of astronauts will begin so that we have them handy and as soon as we get the nod we can

CONTINUED ON PAGE 45

Electronic waste: An accumulated time-bomb (1) By Elo F. Okonkwo

KENNA is a young man in Ifrom his early 40s and hails one of the states in the southeast zone of Nigeria. Several years ago, he had completed his primary education at the age of twelve and decided to join his maternal uncle who owned a flourishing electronics trade business in the coun-

try’s economic nerve centre of Lagos. Apparently captivated by his uncle’s obvious wealth (as typified by the latter’s fleet of automobiles and landed property in different locations), the young lad apprenticed himself to the wealthy trader and moved over to the bustling city of Lagos in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece.

After almost eight years of enduring apprenticeship, Ikenna was adjudged by his master as being worthy of “settlement.” Consequently, the young apprentice was given a take-off capital to begin his own business, and he thus “graduated” into being a master of his own, and was looked upon as a potential

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

ASTRONOMY With J.K. Obatala

The singularity is upon us (4) HERE are, of course, with some controversial assistance. weightier arguments human T The computer could anaagainst the singularity. But this is not the place to review them. Any allusion to the opposition is mainly to provide a backdrop, a context, for the opinions shortly to be expressed. First though, a brief digression: Many readers may have noticed last week (in part “3”), that I.J. Good’s initials appeared as “I.G.” and the term “technological singularity” was attributed to him. But while Good popularized the concept, Vernor Vinge coined the phrase in 1983. This anomaly occurred when, under pressure of deadline, I accidentally mailed an uncorrected draft of “(3)” to the Editor—and failed to detect the mishap before pages closed. An apology is certainly in order. Before moving away from the singularity debate, I’d like to call the reader’s attention to a pertinent exchange between Ray Kurzwell and Paul G. Allen, cofounder of Microsoft, in the MIT Technology Review (October 12 & 19, 2011). What recommends this discourse is that Allen, a towering figure in the computer industry, distances himself from Kurzwell’s radical “Law Of Accelerating Returns”— which predicts, among other things, that exponential changes equivalent to 20,000 years will occur in one century. Allen, who shared authorship of the article with Mark Greaves, agrees that our planet will, in time, undergo a transformation that could amount to a “singularity”. But he scoffs at Kurzwell’s prognosis that it will arrive by 2045. “This prediction seems to us quite far-fetched,” they wrote “... We acknowledge that it is possible but highly unlikely…If the singularity…[arrives] by 2045, it will take unforeseeable and…unpredictable breakthroughs, and not because the Law of Accelerating Returns made it…inevitable…” Be that as it may, one thing is certain: A major transformation of human society is in the works. The impact may be more or less farreaching than that Kurzwell, Vinge and other singularity enthusiasts postulate. Nevertheless, a profound planetary change is already demonstratively underway. The epicenter is in the industrialized states, particularly the U.S.A., the European Union, Russia China, Canada, India and Australia. In the U.S.A., for instance, supercomputers, capable of millions of calculations per second, are commonplace. In 1997, an International Business Machine (IBM) computer named “Deep Blue,” beat world chess champion Garry Kasparov—

lyze 200 million positions per second. Yet Deep Blue was then only the world’s 259th most intelligent computer! Its “seniors” were in places like the Rand Think Tank, the Pentagon, the Central Intelligence Agency CIA) and NASA. In 2011, another IBM supercomputer appeared on the U.S. television quiz show Jeopardy! And defeated two former champions—this time without human intervention. “Watson” listened to questions in natural language and was not plugged into the Internet. But Deep Blue and Watson are already obsolete. They are the technological equivalent of the abacus, compared with a new generation of supercomputers, based on quantum physics and nanotechnology, which are coming on stream. The escalation of artificial intelligence is impacting the foreign and domestic policies of Western states and giving rise to weapons technology that most individuals in unindustrialised nations cannot even imagine. According to The New York Times, this includes drone aircraft designed to look like moth, butterflies or bees. These miniature drones can carry cameras or lethal weapons. They can be used for espionage or to distribute deadly pathogens in a country to create a viral epidemic. This is tame stuff, though. Consider what computergenerated nanotechnology is doing for the “Army After Next”—the new high-tech U.S. military. Uniforms made of materials with “transformation optics” built in, can bend light around soldiers, making them invisible. What African intellectuals, policy makers, public officials and scholars don’t seem to realize, is that the utterances and actions of diplomats, heads of state and leaders from the industrialized states is dictated largely by artificial intelligence—supercomputers. Their handshaking, speeches and public posturing are merely a facade. The policy initiatives that emanate from the U.S.A., in particular, are usually derived from advisors steeped in mathematically based and computer-generated game theory, genetic logic and psychology. These new technologies, and the power they confer, are as alien and incomprehensible to the average Black person—on either side of the Atlantic—as the likely impact of the singularity on human society is to futurists. In this sense, the “singularity” has long been a reality for us.

TO BE CONTINUED.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

SCIENCE HEALTH

Polio emergency operation centre intensifies surveillance of high-risk states • Malnutrition, diarrhoea slow eradication efforts in Nigeria

• Non-compliance, vaccine rejection persist • Nigeria to switch from oral remedy to injectible soon • No polio case recorded in three weeks By Chukwuma Muanya ETERMINED to ensure that the country continues to record no case of Wild Polio Virus (WPV), the Polio Emergency Operation Centre (PEOC) in Abuja has intensified 24 hours, for seven days of the week, monitoring and surveillance of the twelve high-risk states of Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano and Niger with at least two Monitoring and Accountability (M&A) officer assigned to each state. Besides Abuja, the PEOC has also established centres in Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Borno and Yobe and plans to extend to the other six high-risk states before the end of the year. The PEOC was commissioned in November 2012 by the federal government through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Presidential Taskforce on Polio Eradication (PTPE) and is run in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF), United States Centres for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), United States

Agency for International Development (USAID), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary International, management support from Mackenzie Foundation, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Nigeria Inter Faith Action Association (NIFAA), among others. The Guardian gathered after recent interaction with the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Ado Gana Muhammad; Chief Medical Officer in NPHCDA and Head of the PEOC, Dr. Andrew Eshano; Deputy Director with NPHCDA and Communication Analyst for PEOC, Unice Damisa; and eleven of the M&A officers that the high prevalence of malnutrition and diarrhoea in the high risk states is slowing down the efforts to boost the population immunity hence the eradication efforts. They identified non compliance, vaccine rejection, poor team performance, insecurity, delay in release of counterpart funding, circulation of anti-polio materials by some Islamic Scholars and University professors as some of the major challenges faced by the team. Muhammad said to address the problem of low popula-

Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), wearing cap, during a routine early morning meeting with the Monitoring and Accountability (M&A) officers for the 12 polio high risk states at the national Polio Emergency Operation Centre (PEOC) in Abuja... last week Tuesday tion immunity occasioned type one WPV (WPV1) report- ing vaccine-derived wild diarrhoea where as soon as by malnutrition and diar- ed in the past week, Somalia, polio virus type two you drop the OPV the child rhoea in the high risk states, according to the latest edi- (cVDPV2). How many times passes it out you need to give the government plans to tion of the Weekly Polio can a child take the polio vac- more doses. That is what hapchange from the Oral Polio Update published by the cine in one year? How many pens in these environments. Vaccine (OPV) to Injectible Global Polio Eradication drops or rounds is safe say You know we have high number of malnourished chilPolio Vaccine (IPV); and that Initiative (GPEI), has the maybe in a year? Nigeria children needs at worst polio outbreak anyThe NPHCDA ED said: “It dren so the capacity of the least eight rounds of polio where in the world. depends on the sero-conver- physiology of that child to campaigns, which amounts Until May this year, Somalia sion because by the time a sero-convert. By the time you to 16 drops of OPV to get full had not had a case of polio child gets a drop of OPV there give him four doses it may protection against polio. for nearly six years. But in the is a certain percentage he not give him 30 per cent Meanwhile, with 20 cases of past few months, the virus sero-converts to give him because he is malnourished. immunity. With OPV, the So what it means is that you has come back. According to the GPEI, the 20 first dose gives you about 30 give additional doses. “Secondly, in this countries new cases reported last week per cent sero-conversion. The in Somalia brings the total second dose gives you anoth- 47 per cent of children are number in the Horn of Africa er 10 to 15 per cent making it stunted or malnourished so to 73. The rest of the world 45 per cent then the third that is why we have to give combined has tallied only 59 dose takes you to about 65 extra. Also diarrhoea disper cent. By the time you eases, we have 45 million cases so far this year. Health workers are worried have four to five doses it episodes of diarrhoea in this that the virus could gain a takes you to about 100 per country every year. Most of foothold in the Horn of Africa cent in a normal environ- these diarrhoea diseases happen in areas that also have and jeopardize the multibil- ment. “But there is a problem polio. So what it means is lion-dollar effort to wipe out because in an environment that since is oral and by the the virus worldwide. It is feared that overdose of where you have malnutri- time you drop it because of OPV can lead to the circulat- tion, where children passes

CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

NaturalHealth Book unveils keys for healthy living By Chukwuma Muanya NEW book, Keys For Healthy Living, has unveil the ABC for perfect health with tips on how to feel better, live longer and overcome health-related problems through balanced diet, positive approach to life and having enough rest, sleep and exercise, among other things. The 120 pages Book by Mrs. Ewa Aruk, a retired Chief Nursing Officer from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, where she worked for 29 years, deals with solutions to family problems, maximal satisfaction through knowledge of ingredients, principle of marriage, sexual interactions and God’s plan for marriage. It enlightens people about reproduction and puts an end to the confusion about who determines the sex of the baby. The 14-Chapter Book was first published in 2013 by EmmaEsth Printing and Publishing and designed by Boye Art, Ogun State, also prepares people for successful childbearing: before pregnancy; during pregnancy; and delivery and after delivery. According to Aruk, “it is an eye opener for some healthrelated problems, prevention, early detection treatments and management that would go a long way in preventing the complications. It deals with infertility, staphylococcus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), family planning, menopause, obesity, body odour, prevention and coping with them.” The author did not leave how best to prepare soups like ‘Edikang Ikong’, ‘Afang’, ‘Ewedu’ and ‘Oha’ and secrets of success and possibilities of God’s power. Chapter One is captioned, The ABC of Perfect Health. It focuses on the ABC of perfect health that is from the head to under the soles of the feet, importance of exercise, sleep and rest. It noted: “If one finds it difficult to sleep, bath with warm water and read books or magazines, Bible, tracts, or other interesting books.” Aruk’s son, Dr. Ewa Bassey, in a preface to the Book wrote: “People in underdeveloped and developing countries suffer mostly from preventive diseases. Most of these diseases have been eradicated in developed world. Many diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and HIV/AIDS are life threatening with adverse impacts on health. “This book is God sent to bring people out of ignorance, bring changes into their lives and create awareness to the issues of life. It will be useful to everyone regardless of age, sex or class and would provide useful information’s to make the right choices as regards to healthy living.

Bitter leaf-based drugs ‘cure’ hepatitis, cancer, diabetes, TB

Alcohol, pregnancy and offspring’s memory ATERNAL alcohol conM sumption during pregnancy has detrimental effects on fetal central nervous system development. Maternal alcohol consumption prior to and during pregnancy significantly affects cognitive functions in offspring, which may be related to changes in cyclindependent kinase 5 because it is associated with modulation of synaptic plasticity and impaired learning and memory. Prof. Ruiling Zhang and team from Xinxiang Medical University explored the correlation between cyclin-dependent kinase 5 expression in the hippocampus and neurological impairments following prenatal ethanol exposure, and found that prenatal ethanol exposure could affect cyclin-dependent kinase 5 and its activator p35 in the hippocampus of offspring rats. The findings were reported in the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 8, No. 18, 2013).

Calcium linked to increased heart disease, death risk in kidney patients IDNEY patients who take K calcium supplements to lower their phosphorous

Aloe barbadensis IGERIAN researchers are a N step closer to a universally accepted cure for hepatitis B and C, cancer, diabetes and tuberculosis with the development of bitter leaf-based dietary supplements that have shown great promise in clinical studies. The researchers from Halamin Herbal centre, 10 George Innih Crescent, Apo District, Abuja and Department of Histopathology and Cytology, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) Jos found that poly herbal preparations with bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) as the active ingredient strengthen the immune system through many cytokines and chemokines regulations. Other constituents of poly herbal preparations include: Sesamum indicatum (sesame), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), Aloe barbadensis (popularly known as aloe vera), Saccharum officinarum (sugar cane), Allium sativum (garlic) and Amaranthus caudatus (green amaranth, inine in Ibo, tete abalaye in Yoruba). The poly herbal preparations include: SAAAB and

Bitter leaf

Nigerian researchers have in clinical trials demonstrated how poly herbal preparations made predominantly with bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) provide cure for chronic form of hepatitis B and C co-infection, cancer, type 2 diabetes and tuberculosis. CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes. HAABS dietary supplement for hepatitis B and C; SAABFAT 7 for cancer; TABSAABS for tuberculosis; and DAABS-2 for type two diabetes. The researchers led by a leading researcher in plant

extracts and natural medicine and pharmacist, Dr. Ben Amodu, have shown that there is a cure for the chronic form of hepatitis B and C. Amodu is also a member of the committee inaugurated

recently by the Director General of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, to champion the development of herbal medicine through scientific validation of all the cure claims. The study titled “Clinical Activity of SAAAB and HAABS Dietary Supplement on Hepatitis C and B Markers,” was published in the Continued on Page 48

First water treatment techniques using apple, tomato peels out NE of the most crucial O problems affecting the world today is the scarcity of potable water. In a bid to make clean water available at low cost, Mr. Ramakrishna Mallampati, a PhD candidate at the National University of Singapore (NUS), experimented with water treatment techniques using materials that are easily

available, and came up with novel ways to purify water using the peels of apples and tomatoes. This is the first time that the peels of the two fruits have been used to remove different types of pollutants in water. The findings are published in the American Chemical Society journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces in May

2013. The studies were conducted under the guidance of Associate Professor Suresh Valiyaveettil of the Department of Chemistry at the NUS Faculty of Science. The NUS team hopes that their water purification methods can benefit communities living in places Continued on Page 48

levels may be at a 22 per cent higher risk of death than those who take other noncalcium based treatments, according to a new study by a physician at Women’s College Hospital at the University of Toronto, Dr. Sophie Jamal. The study, published Monday in the Lancet, calls into question the long-time practice of prescribing calcium to lower phosphate levels in patients with chronic kidney disease. The researchers suggest some of the calcium is absorbed into the blood stream and may expedite hardening of the arteries, leading to a higher risk of heart disease and even death. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death for people with chronic kidney disease. “Doctors commonly prescribe calcium supplements to prevent elevated phosphate levels, which can damage the body, but a growing number of studies have shown calcium supplements may actually increase the risk of heart disease,” explains Dr. Sophie Jamal, a physician at Women’s College Hospital and an associate professor of medicine at the University of Toronto. “Our study validates these claims and, for the first time, shows the long-term consequences of taking calcium supplements can be dangerous for patients with kidney disease.”

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

34 NATURAL HEALTH

Pharmacy council harps on research for local production • Tasks manufacturers on post-market surveillance By Wole Oyebade HARMACISTS Council of Nigeria (PCN) has urged drug manufacturers in the country to intensify research on natural resources to boost local production of pharmaceutical products that are currently imported. The regulatory council said the proactive measure would enhance locally sourced materials, as well as active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for use by the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria. And in the process, fast-track Federal Government’s plans for health in the Vision 20:2020 agenda. Besides, the council also tasked manufacturers to step up post market surveillance of their products and properly audits their distributors to ensure guidelines are strictly adhered to. Acting Registrar of the council, Gloria Abumere, who spoke at an official visit to Pharmatex Pharmaceutical Industries Nigeria Limited, Lagos, said the inward-looking approach was in line with the government’s National Drug Policy. The policy aims at the provision of safe, effective, qualitative pharmaceuticals that are easily accessible and affordable to the general populace. Abumere, who led a nineman delegation to the industry, said it is beyond doubt that the synthesis, compounding and manufacturing of medicines and pharmaceuticals are capital intensive. She, however, added that time has come for the manufacturing industries to proactively strengthen their research and development (R&D), looking inwards at the vast natural resources that are abundant in Nigeria. He words: “I believe this will boost locally sourced starting materials, as well as APIs for the industry thereby pro-

viding job opportunities, build capacities and reducing the demand for foreign exchange that is currently so implicitly needed in the importation of starting materials for finished products,” she said. Abumere added that expedients used in manufacturing – most common is starch – are available in the country though currently not at pharmaceutical grade. “The starch, for instance is available in the country yet still imported. Why can we not refine our starch to pharmaceutical grades to be used as expedient? “We are encouraging our pharmaceutical manufacturers to look into how they can pull resources together, and in alliance with the Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) to develop pharmaceutical grade starch for expedient.” She noted that the Federal Government had put in efforts to encourage local manufacture of medicines – particularly the indigenous companies – through interventions that are expected to impact positively on the sector. Worthy of note, is the funding to be made available through the Bank of Industry (BoI), the commitment of government to local purchase of pharmaceuticals at the federal level and the recently launched policy document on streamlining drug distribution for enabling environment among others. While these are at the various stages of planning and implementation, she noted, the government is also liaising with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to assist local industries in improving standards, so as to benefit from Global Fund’s outsourcing of pharmaceutical products.

Group urges action against stroke By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku HE Stroke Action Nigeria in partnership with The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has raised alarm over the rising cases of stroke and its relapse in Nigeria even as they called for urgent action, which they tagged ‘FAST’. Acting ‘FAST’ according to them means checking to know whether there is any changes in the Face of any collapsed person around you, weakness in their Arm stretch, change in the way he/she Smiles, and if all these are noticed, the person should be taken to the hospital because when ‘Time is wasted, brain is lost’. The group at stroke awareness workshop organised by the Men’s Fellowship (Heart of David) of Rose of Sharon Parish, RCCG Ikeja disclosed that Nigerians with statistics of 700,000 cases of stroke yearly have a very low survival chance from stroke with 90 percent mortality and the remaining 10 percent likely to suffer second stroke. The CEO, Stroke Action Nigeria and a UK trained

Nurse Consultant in stroke care, Mrs. Rita Melifonwu, said that acting FAST and taking the patients immediately to the hospital is the best way of saving the lives of people struck down by stroke because it is a medical emergency. She said: “stroke is a brain attack and a medical emergency which requires prompt intervention for there to be chances of saving the life of the patient. “We have to know that stroke is preventable. We have the power to stop it by doing the right things but if someone is unfortunate to have a stroke, they can leave a normal life and that is why the FAST test is very important to take the person to the hospital immediately. “If the person is taken to the hospital and starts receiving treatment, the person can recover; he may not be the same person again because sometimes, they might have a little bit of short term memory, depression, weakness on their arms or leg but the person can go back to work, become a dad, a mom again and live their normal lives.”

Access to family planning will reduce maternal mortality by 30%, says Osotimehin Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin is the executive director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). He was appointed on November 19, 2010 for a four-year term. Osotimehin assumed the position on January 1, 2011 and became the organisation’s fourth Executive Director. He holds the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. Previously, he was the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and later appointed the Minister of Health. He left the office as Minister of Health in March 2010 when President Goodluck Jonathan dissolved his cabinet. Osotimehin in an interactive session with journalists at a side event of the Special Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria tagged Abuja + 12 held last week in Abuja said that 90 per cent of the funds for the treatment of these diseases in Africa is from external sources and that African leaders must allocate more resources to health. Osotimehin said access to family planning for women will reduce maternal mortality by 30 per cent, the solution to the health problems in Nigeria will come from the states, UNFPA is not in the business of population control, among other issues. CHUKWUMA MUANYA was there. Excerpts: The health sector in Nigeria has continued to record poor outcomes with marginal improvements. As a former Minister of Health why is this? would say Nigeria is running a vibrant health system where there are always arguments as to what professionals want as against what government can provide. I want to stand on record as in my time as health minister we did not have a strike, and it was because we engaged with the people to prevent strikes. At the end of the day, the solution to the health problems in Nigeria will come from the states. They must begin to take control of the health of the people. The federal government can make all the overarching rules, but when it gets to day-to-day administration, the states have to step up. Recent report from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on the Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) indicates reduction in maternal and child deaths. How can Nigeria strengthen the scheme? I am happy that is working well, and I was part of it as minister of health in my time. It just goes to prove that if you want to reduce maternal mortality, there are probably two or three things you need to do: human resources for health, making sure commodities get to where it is required, and ability of people to pay for their services. We see that in Ethiopia where they have deployed 40,000 of these people, they have crashed maternal mortality by half. Let us step it up, make sure we can train more people, deploy them to communities to they are close to people and make sure they have all they require to provide services. Let us also look at payment for services. Once people have to pay and they don’t have the resources, they don’t come. But if we make sure there is a social protection floor and they can pay, people will go there. When that happened in Sierra

Leone, we had an increase of 400 per cent uptake and a reduction of more than 60 per cent in maternal mortality. We know what to do, so let’s just go do it. The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target date is just two years away? Any plans for implementation to meet set targets? There are eight MDGs, and we have done well with many of them: education, gender equality, access to water. There are some areas we have not done well: maternal mortality reduction and universal access to reproductive health services. And there is a reason for that. In 2000 when the MDGs were put in place, that particular target wasn’t part of it. It only came in 2007, so we have only seen six years of universal access paradigm to family planning. Given the last 900 days of the MDG we need to accelerate it and make sure we can reach more women. In the past years, there has been increase in availability and resources for family planning and I believe we are going to make a difference. We must remember that once women get family planning, we reduce maternal mortality by 30 per cent. In addition, domestic resources must go to it, and we must ensure governments take responsibility for all of this. Family planning and population control is very controversial. What is UNFPA doing to push the advantages? We are not in the business of population control. What we continue to talk about is the empowerment and freedom of the woman to make choices. There is evidence that when a woman has choice, information, access to services, she actually has fewer children. That is what we require to get so that every woman will have the number of children she can afford when she wants it and the space in between. It has also implication for the health of the children and mother. We know

Osotimehin for fact that when a woman has access to family planning, we reduce the incidence of maternal mortality. In many developing countries, many young girls die from unsafe abortion because they have no access to information. We need to be able to give them information about their bodies, what they can do, how they can prevent these unfortunate incidents. What does UNFPA bring to the Abuja+12 summit? We are here to review how far Africa has gone. The outstanding thing we did at the time was for governments to commit to raising health spending to 15 per cent of their budget. We need to congratulate ourselves in Africa. First of all, we have reduced considerably the prevalence of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and reached many more people with treatment. We have almost 10 million people in the world on treatment. In 2001, when we started, hardly was anybody on treatment. We have also reduced malaria deaths and provided many people with insecticide-treated nets. Tuberculosis has also reduced. But we cannot look at them in isolation, because 20 per cent of maternal deaths in Africa are due to HIV. Pregnant women also die from malaria. In terms of specificity and broad movement of an integrated approach, we have done a great deal but there are still challenges. We need to reach the more vulnerable people; inequalities have grown in many of our societies; people who cannot afford services are still not getting it. We also must ensure governments actually allocate more resources to these issues. More than 90 per cent of treatment of AIDS in Africa is still funded from external sources. That introduces a sense of insecurity in my view. Shared responsibility is something we have to do. Going forward, some greater integration of those specific disease entities and the greater concept of the healthcare delivery system that address holistic health will have to do so that we can further reduce

maternal mortality and ensure family planning is available to women who want it. 222 million women in the world today want family planning and they are not getting it. All of that contributes to the disease burden we are talking about. Our contribution as UNFPA to the conversation around integration to ensure we can bring to the fore the specific things we do as co-sponsor of UNAIDS looking after prevention and ensure we can reduce infection and make sure the larger maternal mortality is also reduced on the continent. Recent report from the Joint United Nation Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) suggest that Nigeria has the highest Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS burden in the world. How can the situation be addressed? Intensify our efforts. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is something we know how it works. We already have deployed resources to do it, and I think it is a question of going out there and making sure it works. Again, let’s disaggregate; where are the cases so we can target them. Where are the cases? Nigeria is large, complex, but Nigeria also is simple, if you address the issue on a case-by-case basis. What changes does the UN want on the continent, not just on the three diseases but a holistic reach that will improve the lives of Africans in the face of dwindling resources? The world today is looking at a new development agenda, which is going to be global. As we go toward 2015, it is nice for us in Africa to come up with ambitious goals, not based on just disease paradigms but holistic. How do we ensure we have health education, preventive health, systems that respond to our health, public and primary health that respond at the level of communities? We want to see Africa define wellbeing of our people so that they can live a better healthy life.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

SCIENCE HEALTH

Pharmacists petition ministry over promotions, others By Chukwuma Muanya HARMACISTS under the P aegis of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have petitioned the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health over the stagnation of many Pharmacists who are Heads of Departments (HODs) in Federal Health Institutions (FHIs), non implementation of Drug Revolving Fund (DRF)/allowance to pharmacists in government hospitals, and approval for the Department of Food and Drug Services to facilitate the Annual Peer Review Meeting of Committee of Heads of Pharmacy in Federal Health Institutions (COMHPFHI). The DRF scheme was established in the 1980s to ensure sustainable supply and distribution of cost effective and good quality medicines to patients in all zonal hospital in Nigeria. COMHPFHI is a platform created by the Heads of Department of Pharmacy in all the tertiary health institution across the country for the purpose of advancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria. They hope to achieve the above objective by meeting periodically. The PSN in one of the three different letters dated July 22, 2013, and signed by the President, Olumide Akintayo, prayed the Permanent Secretary to graciously give relevant directive to the affected institutions in order to remedy this situation by promoting pharmacists and direct chief executives of the FHIs to the effect that pharmacists should be allowed to rise to the highest ranks in the Pharmacy Cadre as provided in the Federal Scheme of Service 2003. The PSN in a letter captioned “Re: Stagnation of Pharmacists in Federal Health Institutions (FHIS) Across Nigeria,” with reference number, OUR REF: 2013/180/PR/PSN, reads: “…Over the years, many of the Pharmacists have not been promoted. Many have been stagnated on the Rank of ADPS. “We are glad to put on record that your circular letter Ref C.5516/Vol. II/T2/87 of 26th March, 2013 on promotion of Health professionals from CONHESS 14 to 15 has a tendency to improve the wretched situation pharmacists hitherto contented with. “From a survey, which was carried out recently, we wish to inform you that out of 54 tertiary hospitals, over 60 per cent are still been stagnated on rank below Consolidated Health workers Salary Scale (CONHESS) 14. “…As a follow-up, it will be important that there is a standardisation/regulation of the ranks of Pharmacists HODs.” The PSN also in another letter to the Permanent Secretary asked for the approval for the Department of Food and Drug Services to facilitate the Annual Peer Review Meeting of Committee of Heads of Pharmacy in Federal Health Institutions (COMHPFHI). The letter also dated July 22,

2013 with reference number, OUR REF: 2013/181/PR/PSN, reads: “The COMPFHI in the light of new realisations is a peer review group aiming to standardise hospital pharmacy practice with a strong commitment to institutionalise pharmaceutical care as provided for in the National Drug Policy 2005. “Sir, it is our hope that you will use your good offices to help us to achieve our aims and objectives. “The Department of Food and Drugs Service of your ministry is hereby requested to partner with COMPFHI to facilitate this annual meeting. “We wish to thank you, your Ministry and the Director of Food and Drug Services for responding to our com-

plaints on the state of Narcotic distribution. It is now possible to source Narcotic analgesics more easily particularly liquid morphine which we can prepare in our hospitals.” The PSN in the third letter captioned “Haphazard/Non implementation of DRF Incentive/Allowance to Pharmacist in Government Hospitals,” wrote: “… The DRF policy document made provision for the payment of 15 per cent of basic salary to operators of the DRF. “However, from the time of commencement till date, only 10 hospitals have complied or partially complied with the policy. The other hospitals do not pay any form of DRF incentives to the operators ...”

Polio high-risk states get emergency centres CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32 peristalsis of the intestine, it flushes out, it does not retain. So it retains some little quantity. So what it means is that it may not be able to sero-convert to the percentage as physiological demonstrated in other places. “Thirdly, children spit it out. These are reasons why we do so many rounds. We did a study in Kano in terms of sero-conversion and what we have seen is that it will take at least between seven to eight doses, a dose is two drops, for a child to be fully protected.” On plans to switch from OPV to IPV, Muhammad added: “I appreciate the fear about the cVDPV2 but we are now about to switch to IPV. Unlike the OPV as soon as you give IPV it takes the immunity to about 65 per cent and by the time you give the second dose the child is protected. Then the issue of the child vomiting and diarrhoea is no longer there because it is no longer oral. It also has another advantage because irrespective of the nutritional status of the child it gives some kind of rapid sero-conversion. “But the switch comes with a lot of issues. Because it is injectible you have to train people unlike OPV that anybody will be able to administer just two drops. You also need cold chain in terms of storage and also have waste management issues because

it is injections and you have to dispose it. It comes with a lot of issues so we are working towards transiting to IPV.” What is the maximum drop a child can take in a year? Muhammad said: “The study we did in Kano showed that we need about eight doses for a child to be protected.” What causes cVDPV2? “The vaccine-derived polio happens only with OPV, it does not happen with IPV,” he said. Vitamin supplementation used to be part of the polio immunisation. Is that still the case? He said: “In fact we don’t give vitamin A to go with OPV. What we do is that we give pluses but we also have what we have as Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) week every six months in every local government across the country and twice in a year. It will interest you to know that is a high impact intervention in which we administer OPV, vitamin A, we give routine immunisation, we give worm tablets and syrups, we give multivitamins and then we also carry out our health education. We get about 66 million children in every round.” On what is used, Muhammad said: “We use sweets, biscuits, whistles, balloons, among other things. We are beginning to see new

Director General of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii (left) presenting public enlightenment materials to Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, when he paid a courtesy visit on her... recently. approach to it with Dangote. tamin, paracetamol and anti- hours you are on your feet, you are looking at the comDangote has said he is going malaria,” he said. Damisa said: “We have five pass, you are giving directo give us noodles, sugar, salts. That will attract and states emergency centres, tives, analysing what is hapencourage more families to which is domiciled here in pening on the field, maintain bring forward their children Abuja. The whole idea is to direct contact and giving for immunisation because have a team of experts from direct guidance on what government and partner should work. We work based people rush these items.” Are drugs as part of the plus- agencies such that they will from feedback we are getting es? “Yes we give drugs like concentrate the polio eradi- from the field. Our feeds here paracetamol and multivita- cation initiative (PEI) and not are the states and LGAs as you min but not house to house. be distracted by bureaucracy. know. We work everyday of “What we do basically here is the week including weekThe drugs are in fixed post so people get to fixed post and we use world room approach ends. they are being given multivi- here. This means that 24

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

36 SCIENCE HEALTH

PathCare, Cycology cycling club hold health awareness campaign By Tony Nwanne S part of efforts to increase A the campaign on healthy living in the country,

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr. Femi Olaleye (left), representative from FHI 360°, Dr. Flora Nwagbagbo and Managing Director, Initiative for Peacebuilding and Social Change (IPSC), Mrs. Otinu Gbarada, at a recent programme on Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV, HCT)/Breast and Cervical Cancer prevention and education organised by IPSC where out of 73 registered attendees, 56 received voluntary HCT.

Govt removes tariffs on medical equipment to boost care delivery From Emeka Anuforo and Itunu Ajayi, Abuja. its bid to encourage prisector participation in ItheNvatehealth sector and discourage external medical tourism, the federal government has put in place incentives that would boost investments in medical diagnostic centres and world-class hospitals around the country. To this effect government has removed import duty on all diagnostic equipment for investors who want to install them in diagnostic centres. President Goodluck Jonathan gave this indication in Abuja recently at the official commissioning of Lifebridge Medical Diagnostic Centre. He said that as part of his administration’s readiness to make medical treatment accessible and affordable to Nigerians, investors wishing to establish world class hospitals and diagnostic centres could be sure of duty free import on such equipment. He, however, sounded a note of warning that such largesse was not applicable to those who wanted to import for the purpose of selling them. He charged Nigerians and foreigners alike who might want to invest in the health sector to interact with appropriate authorities to negotiate the incentives and discuss whatever areas that would facilitate their intents. The president who was represented at the occasion by the minister of health Onyebuchi Chukwu added that it is the desire of the federal government to reduce external medical tourism, to this effect, he said efforts are being made to encourage doctors in the Diaspora to return to the country for their practices. He added that his administration is determined to reverse the trend and looking at the possibility of having foreigners come to Nigeria for medical treatment. His words: “A lot of Nigerian doctors are out there making their marks in foreign hospi-

tals. If Nigerians would have to travel outside the country to be attended to by a Nigerian doctor abroad, why is it that we don’t believe in Nigerian doctors who are actually at home? There is no country that does not have issues.” While on a facility tour of the centre, Onyebuchi explained that Nigerians who had been mismanaged while in search for medical treatment outside the country had in recent time bombarded the federal government through

the Ministry of Health with series of complaints. He pointed out the ministry would work out a modality to addressing these complaints in collaboration with the Medical and Dental Council and the attorney general of the federation in other to help the complainants. “The government is beginning to encourage our people in the Diaspora to come back to this country not only to establish but to fully par-

ticipate in the health sector. The number of Nigeria’s health practitioners outside this country is almost higher than the ones we have in the country. They are not only in the United State of America, but also all over Europe, Asia countries and even in African countries. Many of the doctors working in Southern Africa are Nigerians. What is intriguing is that orders are placed on Nigerian doctors from abroad because they are adjudged to be the best in the world.”

Pate, others seek quality healthcare for patients By Joseph Okoghenun INISTER of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate and his Senior Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, were among several other experts who advocated for quality healthcare at fourth annual conference on patient safety organised by the Society for Quality in Health Care in Nigeria (SQHN) in Lagos recently. According to Health Institute of Medicine, quality healthcare is the extent to health services provided to individuals and patient pop-

ulations improve desired health outcomes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says quality healthcare should be effective, accessible, patient-centred, equitable and safe for patients. According to SQHN, Nigeria healthcare system lacks standards, which make it difficulty for a concrete understanding of the realistic state of patient safety and quality of care. But Pate said that it was high time the health sector focuses on quality care for patients. The health minister

said, having realised the importance of quality healthcare to the patients’ total wellbeing, the Federal Government was making quality healthcare a focal point in health institutions across the federation. Pate said that the resolve was borne out of a harrow experience in a tertiary institution where a pregnant woman slated for caesarean session fell off hospital bed in the operating theatre two years ago, a painful experience, which, he said, later led to the woman’s psychosis.

PathCare in collaboration with Cycology cycling club, last weekend cycled out on a Know Your Numbers ride to raise the public awareness about various health problems plaguing the country. Over 40 cyclists from different walks of life took off from the Astro Turf, Ikoyi through the Third Mainland Bridge to Yaba, Adekunle and back. There were also free health screening and a healthy talk to participants. Know Your Numbers campaign aims at ensuring that Nigerians understands the risk involve thereby taking responsibility for their health, a unique health initiative created by PathCare laboratories, one of Nigeria’s pathology service providers. What prompted the event, according to the organizers, many Nigerians takes health-

care for granted, in spite of the fact blacks in particular, are prone o an increased and uncontrolled blood pressure and diabetes. This in turn is responsible for the high rate of stroke, kidney disease and heart attacks that are prevalent in the country today. Speaking during the screening, Martha Maha, Head Clients Services, PathCare noted that, the campaign aims at providing an exceptional opportunity for people to obtain credible health information from experts, at the same time providing a free Know Your Numbers health card. “We want to encourage people all over Nigeria to collect this card as it showcases all the essential health numbers everyone should know. It has a unique bold pressure chart which enables individuals to understand the difference between normal, pre-hypertensive levels which helps them know how to manage their blood pressure.”

Igbobi Hospital graduates orthopaedic nurses By Joseph Okoghenun N order to raise the quality of orthopaedic care and treatment in Nigeria, School of Post Basic Nursing Studies, operated by the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos (NOHIL), has graduated nurses from its Post Basic Orthopaedic Nursing Programme and Post Basic Accident and Emergency Nursing Programme. Speaking at the convocation ceremony for the graduating students in Lagos recently, NOHIL Management Board

Chairman, Dr. Gbola Adetunji, said that the need for the programme could not be emphasised as Nigeria was recording high rate of accident and emergency cases. Adetunji said that when such emergency cases arose, nurses often played the role of key integrators, care coordinators and efficiency experts who redesigned the patients experience for the better, adding that the board would continue to support the development of the training schools for quality healthcare.

10,000 to benefit from treatment of cataract in Delta From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba VER 10,000 patients in Delta State have been penciled down to benefit from the first phase of its free treatment for cataract and other eye diseases under the Eyesight Restoration Intervention Scheme tagged ‘MTNF EyeRIS Projecte’. The Director of the MTN Foundation, Mr. Akinwale

Goodluck who disclosed this at Central Hospital, Agbor, Ika South Local Council of the state during the flag-off of the exercise said that 2,000 cataract surgeries would be conducted on patients, 2,000 reading glasses and 2,000 drug packs would also be provided free of charge to patients for treatment of allergies/infections.

African nations synergise on postgraduate medical training By Mary Ogar HE future of postgraduate medical education in Anglophone West Africa came under focus recently at the 11th Quadripartite meeting as member nations have expressed concern over issues such as the decline in government support, unwillingness of patients to be used for teaching purpose, lack of infrastructure and the rising challenge of brain drain amongst others. The meeting, which comprises of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, The national Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, The West African College of Surgeons and the West

African College of Physicians, also seek to address common challenges faced by member countries. Held at the Postgraduate Medical College, Lagos, some of the resolutions reached at the meeting includes the implementation of ICT based learning strategies by sister colleges, link with the respective Ministries of Health to recognize the membership qualification in their career structure, decentralization of examinations as well as strengthening existing collaboration among the sister colleges. In an interview with The Guardian after the meeting, Professor of Pathology at the

University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital/President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Prof Victor Wakwe described as worrisome the negative attitude of patients especially in being used for teaching purpose. With the dearth of infrastructure, which has hindered efforts by the college to effectively carrying out its mandate, he is advocating for the setting up of a Clinical Skills and Simulation Laboratory to be used for training and examinations as getting patients is increasingly proving to be a difficult task. On efforts made so far, he

disclosed that the college has sent proposals to the Federal Ministry of Health hoping for an inter ministerial discussion with the Ministry of Education to prevail on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) to fund the project. On the benefits of the simulation laboratories to the system, he said: “we find it difficult to get patients for teaching. If you go to a teaching hospital now it is very hard to get patients to accept to be used for teaching purposes. In our time after a doctor has finished examining a patient, he calls his students to come and examine that same patient by way of teaching

but these days, most people don’t like to be used for teaching, its even worse to get patients for examination because to examine you have to use patients. What developed countries have done is that they now use manikin, a life-sized anatomical human model used in education that can simulate any medical condition. These manikins can be made to simulate any clinical condition and we can now use that to teach and examine. In that case we don’t have to use actual patients, by the time the students finish learning with these manikins they can now translate what they have learnt to the human patients.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Electronic waste: An accumulated time-bomb (1) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

master to future apprentices. Several years down the line, Ikenna was doing appreciably well in business. Apart from having choice property and family of his own, he also became a huge source of relief to his widowed mother and younger siblings. This was the state of affairs until recently when Ikenna fell ill. His condition was getting worse by the day to the extent that he occasionally gasped for breath. Naturally, he went to hospital and was subsequently referred to a cardiologist. After some tests were run on him, a disturbing discovery was made: His system was laden with heavy metal well above biochemically tolerable level. It then became necessary to probe into the trajectory of the young man’s life (past and present) with a view to determining the circumstances that led to the accumulation of such abnormally high level of metal in his blood stream. The truth soon became established. Ikenna’s multiple years in the electronics business (both as an apprentice and subsequently an “independent” trader) had taken a toll on him. His erstwhile master imported both new and used electronic gadgets – computers, refrigerators, handsets, laundry irons etc. When dealing with the second-hand variety (popularly referred to as Tokunboh or “Belgium” in the Nigerian market), if the gadget concerned is deemed to be unserviceable, apprentices like Ikenna were required to wash and extract useful components from the said electronic devices with bare hands! These extractable components included condensers from refrigerators, hard disks from computers, heating elements from laundry irons etc. By so doing, Ikenna and co were exposed to abnormally high levels of heavy metals, including mercury and lead. In addition, they (naturally) inhaled air that was contaminated with the said metals. It was in the course of medical examinations that Ikenna’s attention was drawn to the blemishes on the skin of his hands and palms, signs that he had chosen to ignore over the years. He was equally made to understand that the toxic level of heavy metal that had accumulated in his system over the years could lead to nervous, renal, respiratory, alimentary and even reproductive disorder if not well managed. Ikenna’s case is undoubtedly one out of a myriad of similar cases in the country. The term electronic waste (or e-waste) includes all types of obsolete, discarded or unwanted electronic equipment. Thus, computers, unwanted cell phones, radio sets, refrigerators etc

constitute e-waste. These items produce complicated multi-material waste with different proportions of metals, plastics and glass. They can be polluting if they are not adequately treated before disposal. A visit to a typical electronics market in Lagos, especially the ones dealing with the Tokunboh variety, leaves much to be desired. Nigeria has literally been turned into an international dumpsite for all manner of electronic junk. For purposes of illustration, a report published by the U.S. – based “San Diego Tribune” newspaper on December 2, 2005. (Website:www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051202/news) revealed that up to 80 percent of electronic waste generated in the United States meant for recycling is quietly exported to other countries. These include some 350 million computers in use in the U.S., which are fast becoming obsolete. The recipients of these exports are mostly Third World countries where, in the words of the newspaper, “environmental restrictions are lax and economies poor…” According to the report, computers, radios and television sets are dismantled in crude fashion by child labourers likely unaware of the hazardous materials on which they are working. It is particularly worrisome that the health hazards resulting from accumulation of e-waste transcends the labourers working with the electronic devices. It is currently the practice for dealers in second-hand electronic gadgets to dismantle perceived unserviceable items, extract valuable metals from the equipment and send the remaining scrap to landfills or incinerators. Consequently, both the labourers dismantling devices in the second-hand electronics market as well as scavengers and members of the public within the vicinity of the landfills (or dumpsites) are exposed to many chemicals and their negative health effects. The incalculable damage done to the soil within the vicinity of the dumpsites is better imagined than experienced. The significance of this trend can be better appreciated when viewed against the frightening reality that just one-seventh of a teaspoon of mercury contaminates 20 water acres of lake, making the fish unfit to be eaten! Perhaps a more specific perspective of health hazards associated with heavy metals will lead to a greater appreciation of our subject matter. For instance, two studies commissioned by the Canadian environment group, “Environment Canada” (Website: www.ec.gc.ca/envirozine/en glish/issues/33/feature1) in 2003 highlighted the fact that exposure to high levels of lead, cadmium and mercury in the environment has been linked to adverse effects on human health

and wildlife. These include subtle neurobehavioral effects for lead, chronic kidney damage for cadmium, and sensory or neurological impairments for mercury. In Canada, several major brand owners of electronic products have identified that they are committed to developing, financing and administering nationwide programmes to divert ewaste from disposal by ensuring that it is properly recycled. This concept, commonly referred to as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), places the onus on producers to properly manage their products at the post-consumer stage. EPR has rapidly gained much popularity, both in Canada and other parts of the world, because it has a potential to stimulate producers to design

longer lasting, less hazardous, and more recyclable products. • To be continued next week

• The author is a staff of the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON), Lagos, and Editor of “The

Chartered Chemist,” a magazine published by the Institute. e-mail: chetafrank@yahoo.co.uk

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

SCIENCEGUARDIAN 45

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Space programme gathers momentum CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 pick from that number.” On what have been the challenges especially in implementing the country’s 25year Road Map to Space development, Mohammed said: “Of course there are challenges, not just money. You space programme is a comprehensive programme. It is a step-by-step programme that we need to put in place. Some of the facilities are not yet here. In terms of capacity building, there are some vital areas we are yet to cover and we are in the process of doing that. Thirdly because of lack of culture of science and technology in Nigeria sometimes it is hard for us to get support. We are not surprised at this because even in the United States people still criticize the space programme. The programme that brought satellite communication and has revolutionised GSM and the way people talk all over the world, people still criticize it. “All the same we believe that such criticism is to the extent of the people’s knowledge and we must promote this technology to make sure people are aware and people must understand that is the n thing for the world and we have no choice as far as this technology is concerned and we must work together with our people to enable us to actualize the space programme. “Firstly, when we talk about budget for agriculture, it is not just the budget for the ministry of agriculture that is meant for agriculture alone. The fact that we use these images to monitor crop yields and do soil characterization it should also be part of budget for agriculture. People must understand that we use this thing to also monitor pollution across the country. We use that to look at coastal problems, we use that for disaster monitoring and the rest of them. Each time there is disaster in this country because we are members of the space disaster we invoke the charter and maps are made available by the second or third day through which people are rehabilitated. “People must look at all these areas so that they know that we have no choice as far as space programme is concerned. That is the only way we can get things done be it in food production, for national security, surface and sub-surface water monitoring, for pollution, for environmental monitoring even in our seashores where illegal fishing is still taking place everyday and the theft of oil. All these things can now be monitored by satellites and some of them are covered by cloud but with synthetic aperture reader in satellites will be able to help Nigeria in terms of surveillance in those places.” The decision to appoint Mohammed as professor of Remote Sensing and GeoSpatial Science was taken at the 45th Governing Council meeting of the university held on Wednesday July 3rd, 2013, in recognition of his

exceptional and scholarly merit and distinguished service to Nigeria. Mohammed is the Second Director-General of NASRDA, which is regarded as the leading space agency in Africa and one of the fastest growing across the globe. As a distinguished scientist, Mohammed has over fifty local and international research publications to his credit. The NASRDA boss is an expert in Space Technology Application, an alumnus of Twente University, Enschede, The Netherlands; he also holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Environmental Remote Sensing from Bayero University, Kano and was a recipient of Dutch fellowship in 1987. Mohammed is currently a Fellow of Nigeria Radio and Planetary Sciences and a member of International Research and Development Institute as well as a council member of the International Institute of Astronautics. Mohammed who was recently re-appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term as the DG of NASRDA said his new focus is the development of AITDC. He explained: “We have a 25year Road Map for the development of space science and technology. Mr. President has specifically charged me and I am going to focus one, on the development of AITDC, which is the heart of space programme. That will enable Nigerians build satellites from here. You see as we have always said, space programme is not only about building satellite but the best way of fast-tracking development in high technology areas. “So in that light if you have that kind of assembly testing and integrated centre, all the high tech machines can be calibrated and tested here. So it will go a long way. Our biggest problem is the fact that we are yet to emphasize on high technology and that will give us a prime opportunity. Secondly, we need to apply this technology for the development of all in the sense that we are talking of now how space technology can help the common people. “We are coming up with a project, An Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development, so that we look at the application in thematic areas. Look at how we can solves problems for instance the issue of desertification, which has been the main based of poverty in most part of Africa. Because most families are not able to produce food, there is deterioration in the environment, which also leads to poverty. “We need to deliberately monitor these things that the money government is dedicating to a forestation programme is actually monitored in terms of the trees that are being planted and informing government appropriately the extent of trend and movement of sand dues. Also, to assess and look at areas where sand has stabilised and sees how the

Mohammed planting can take place. This is not only common to us but the belt of the whole of Africa.” Another issue is that of security. Images from the three Nigerian satellites NigeriaSat-1, NigeriaSat-X, and NigeriaSat-2- released

recently by NASRDA on the extent of damage caused by military intervention at Baga, Borno State, showed remarkable difference with that published on April 30, 2013 by the Human Rights Watch (HRW). How is NASRDA applying

space technology in terms gathering security intelligence and solving the many security challenges being faced by the country? Mohammed said: “This one out of several thousands of things we do. All over the world satellite images provide a unique opportunity of getting information ordinarily ‘eyes’ cannot get. “We had to come out at that time because we believe that HRW did not come out with the right information. Secondly, those data processing were just desk top operation and was not detailed. Thirdly, that people who were doing it have no knowledge of the area. Four, they had no grounds person. That is an area we are very conversant of because we have done resource inventory of the whole country. “We brought out the images and showed in black and white for people to see all over the world the true picture. Issues of security are those we provide support for the stakeholders such as the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police Force but I may not be able to give you the details of what we cover for obvious reasons.” Meanwhile, Mohammed

said that NASRDA engineers and scientists were willing to work with INEC to develop a package that would ensure rapid relay of election results after voting had close. This according to him would ensure that only authentic results were communicated after elections. He, therefore, recommended that a technical committee be set up comprising of NASRDA engineers and scientists and INEC officers to work out modalities for the implementation of collaboration between the two organisations. Jega commended NASRDA on its activities, saying it was doing an excellent job that needed to be commended and taken advantage of. He said that NASRDA was doing a lot more than what the public was aware of and there was need to harness the resources of the agency for the benefit of INEC as well as the country as a whole. Jega said that the called for collaboration was a welcome idea, and he therefore accepted the recommendation for a technical committee and said that he would make it a priority and would follow up on it to see to its logical conclusion.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

SCIENCE HEALTH

‘Nigeria not investing enough in malaria control’

asked that when they are pregnant and they register early for antenatal, they should endeavour to take the Intermittent Preventive Treatment n Pregnancy (IPTP). You find out that some people are not aware or even when they are aware they don’t demand, because it is for you to demand what is your right. You know what happens some people don’t what to discharge their responsibilities until you remind them. So if you remind them, you are more likely to get that intervention. There are so many issues. I want to state it and it should be on record that we are not investing enough even as a country. I think we should do better in that area. The issue of counterfeit drugs too is another big one. You hear people say they are taking drugs and they are not working, meanwhile what they are taking is no the correct thing. So that discourages them from even taking the right one when they are given. Like

a few moments ago somebody told me that its chloroquine that he is still taking and I said, “are you still talking about chloroquine at this age?,’ because we are no longer even using chloroquine. They keep telling me that when they use the recommended Artemisinin based Combination Therapy (ACT) it is not working. It is either they did not have malaria in the first place or even if they had malaria probable it is the fake one that they are using. You as government we will continue to try. I am sure you are aware of the Mass Authentication System that has come up by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) that is supposed to check counterfeit drugs. Have far with the programme and the deadline for the implementation, which has been shifted from January 2013 to an indefinite date? What happens is that as I said, most of our programmes are supported by donors, and the donors that are helping us, already, placed others that did not arrive before the deadline. So they now approached us and said we should obtain a waiver for them. The first waiver was given but all the consignment did not come, the one that were produced. So we now with NAFDAC dialogued and said they were going to suspend the implementation until September. So come September this year enforcement will be in earnest. What is NCMP doing to tackle these problems or rather overcome them? We are trying to step up awareness to make people see the reason why they should uptake the interventions that are even known to be working. That is one area we are looking at. The other area we are looking at like this issue of counterfeit drugs, we are collaborating with NAFDAC because we at NMCP, we cannot enforce. Enforcement is with NAFDAC, so we are collaborating with them in the area of pharmacovigilance and also in the enforcement of some of these policies that are trying to check counterfeit drugs. Basically we work in collaboration, even at state level, we

try to bring them abreast of what is happening so that they too can take the message further down to the grass root. We are also trying to build their capacity so that they will disseminate the information the interventions that are on ground. The AMFm was supposed to make ACTs available and cheap but it the initiative has failed because the branded drugs are not in stock? The AMFm is a financing mechanism intended to expand access to affordable and effective antimalarial medication ACTs. It works primarily through the commercial private sector, in addition to the public and non-governmental organisation sectors, which are the more traditional routes for development assistance in malaria control. Its goal is to drive down the price of the most effective malaria medicines so that millions of people can afford to buy them. The programme has been called “one of the most important recent advances in fighting malaria” and “a triumph of international cooperation.” The AMFm is hosted and managed by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Geneva, Switzerland. I cannot say it has failed because it has also been documented through operational research that there has been a reduction in price of ACTs through that programme. But I think granted there was a time there were some challenges, which might have probably delayed and disrupted the supply chain a little bit but that is not to say it has not worked. It has worked because if it did not work, the Global Fund will not still be interested in it. But how far with the implementation of theAMFm project because it seems not to be on ground? No it is on ground. I am surprised you are saying it is not on ground. I can tell you categorically one of the first line buyers I ran into him and he told me he was placing an order for that programme. So what you are telling me now is like a disconnect. Like I said there was a little bit of disruption in the supply chain which might have accounted for the alleged scarcity but give it another two months.

freezer, heating them up to thaw before eating, make even our own cooked food very acidic. The human body was created by God to be alkaline except for the vagina and the stomach. The vagina is highly acidic (pH is below 4) and this acidity, created by the secretions and normal bacterial flora in it, cleanses and protects the vagina from attack by harmful and unfriendly bacteria. In the male, the seminal fluid, which carries spermatozoa to deposit in the vagina during sexual intercourse, is alkaline. At the time of ovulation, when at least an egg is released from the ovary, the vagina becomes less acidic. Not only that, the cervical

mucus, which traps and directs the seminal fluid and the sperm cells into the womb through the cervical os (the opening into the uterus) becomes more alkaline. These changes during ovulation, is for the protection and survival of the sperm cells in their passage through the acidic vagina into the uterus.

There is a common cause of infertility known as hormonal imbalance. This is caused by the production of substandard hormones by the ovaries and prostate gland in a body that has generally become more acidic than alkaline. The cause of this acidity is the increased ingestion of acidic foods as I mentioned above.

• Govt sets Sept. deadline for anti-faking device on drugs

• AMFm has not failed, says Ezeigwe Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe is a Fellow of the Medical College of Public Health (FMCPH) and consultant public health physician. With a bias for global environmental health sciences, she has an additional degree in environmental and occupational health from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, United States. Mrs. Ezeigwe was appointed National Coordinator of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) in September, 2012. The public health physician spoke to The Guardian’s CHUKWUMA MUANYA on why Nigeria tops the list of ten countries with the worst malaria burden. Ezeigwe said that malaria control programmes in the country are mostly donor driven because the government is not investing enough. Contrary to the situation on ground, Ezeigwe said the cheap malaria programme, Affordable Medicines Facility–malaria (AMFm), championed by the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has not failed but only experiencing some hitches and that the Federal Government has set September 2013 deadline for all malaria drugs in the country to carry anti-faking features. Excerpts: HAT is the malaria situaWThetion in Nigeria? average prevalence of malaria in Nigeria now is 42 per cent by Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). But then when we use the microscope to check which is more sensitive, the prevalence rate now is 35 per cent and that is a very big improvement from where we are coming from in 2000, when it was more than 50 per cent. Basically why the ‘noise’ malaria? Why the big investment? The point is that malaria is the number one public health problem in Nigeria with very high burden and when you look at the fact that Nigeria is a country of over 160 million people where 90 per cent of that is at risk of getting the disease, then you begin to appreciate. When you check the prevalence against the population you see what the problem is. Apart from that malaria is responsible for 30 per cent under-five child mortality. It is also responsible for 11 per

cent maternal deaths in the country and in addition to this it causes a lot of manhour lost from sickness, absents from work places, from schools and other areas of social endeavour. It has been calculated and found to cause a loss of about N480 billion every year. So when you look at this you will now know that actually we are not even investing enough into the control of malaria. What essentially is the problem why Nigeria is not making enough progress despite the huge investments? In fact it is multi-factorial that is to say there are so many factors that are contributing to it. But I just want to tell you, I do not think as a country we are investing enough into malaria control. Most of the finances that have been use so far are donor supported and that is one of the issues that have come up from the Abuja + 12 Summit of AIDS, TB and Malaria. Having said that, a lot of resources have been committed and then there

Ezeigwe are several challenges. One is issue of compliance of patients to drug dosage. We have recommendations in the malaria treatment policy but you find out that people are not following the policy. For example now the policy is for any suspected case of malaria should be tested before treatment so that you can even be sure whether you have malaria because from all indication malaria is coming down and everybody is like over treating malaria by going to the chemist/patent medicine store and buying just drugs at their own leisure. That is one, secondly the interventions that are even working like the use of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), you find out that some people they have the nets but that not using it. Then one begins to wonder is it that they don’t understand that this something that will prevent them from having malaria? So that is it, people are not complying. Is it pregnant women that we have

Effect of acid pH on fertility N the last 30 to 40 years, Ichanges there has been a lot of in lifestyle of Nigerians (Africans). We have become more and more attracted to the western ways of living. This is particularly obvious in the kind of food that we now eat back at home. Three to four decades ago it was customary for us to eat fresh and raw vegetables from the gardens at the back of the houses where we lived. The vegetables came directly from the gardens to the pot of soup only with a brief stopover in the sink for washing. Even the salad vegetables, which along with other plants in the garden were planted without fertilizers were eaten fresh from these gardens.

Today, those gardens have all disappeared because we have become more interested in the preserved foods that Europeans and Americans eat. These are foods that are laden with chemicals and are attractive because they can be prepared faster than cooking our own kind of food. In this same period under consideration, the rural, urban migration reached an all time high. There is hardly anybody left in the village to maintain the gardens and the cities that we have migrated to, are so congested that there is no space for those little gardens. In any case, one gets too busy in the cities to even think of such gardens. What with the traf-

fic congestion which makes people to leave their homes very early in the morning and return late at night? This lifestyle that a lot of people have adopted, known or unknown to Nigerians, has come with their own adverse effects, which have led to certain diseases and illnesses. Cases of barrenness have gone up in the last 30 to 40 years. The reason is not farfetched. These westernised diets that we now blindly follow, being full of sugars, trans and hydrogenated fats with other unhealthy fats and oils. preservatives, colourings, sweeteners, refined carbohydrates and so on, render the human body acidic. Also, the practice of storing cooked food in the

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Bitter leaf-based extracts ‘cure’ hepatitis co-infection, others Continued from Page 33 January/February 2013 edition of the Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences. Previous studies have shown that hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection is not uncommon as a result of similar routes of infection. Patients who are co-infected represent a unique group with diverse serologic profiles. Combined chronic hepatitis B and C leads to more severe liver disease and an increased risk of hepato-cellular carcinoma. Until now, co-infected patients represent a treatment challenge but the researchers have discovered how the liver can be toned by

some herbal extracts to an extent of making hepatitis C becomes infinitesimal and render hepatitis B markers anergic. The researchers wrote: “With the abundant presence of tannins, phlobatannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, saponins and cardiac glycosides, which are the most important bioactive constituents of medicinal plants, the poly herbal preparation is able to reverse hepatitis B envelop antigen (HBeAg) reactive to HBeAg non reactive and makes the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus anergic within a span of three weeks.” They concluded: “In conclusion, this study has shown that there is a cure for the

chronic form of hepatitisHBV and HCV. The total clearance of HBeAg and HCV upon administration of SAAAB and HAABS for three weeks and one week respectively is a testimony to this fact. Therefore, since prevention still remains the key to control, efforts must be made to strengthen strategies aimed at increasing awareness and encouraging people to take seriously the issue of vaccination. It is also important for the vaccination to be made mandatory for all unvaccinated adolescents and adults. “Furthermore to cure and improve the quality of life of people infected with the chronic form of hepatitis, the novel supplements- SAAAB and HAABS should be allowed

to be dispensed in hospitals and pharmacies across the length and breathe of the country and beyond.” The researchers in another study published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention found that the presence of blocking bioactive activities of SAABFAT 7 with Vernonia amygdalina as it active ingredient opens new perspectives in the treatment of cancer by means of the use of blocking or specific modulators of these radicals. The study is titled, “Phytochemical and Biological Study on Saabfat 7 with a Focus on Vernonia Amygdalina.” They concluded: “The affectation in the expression of

First apple, tomato peels water treatment technique developed Continued from Page 33 where there is little electricity or resources to set up a water purification plant. Scarcity of clean water The scarcity of clean water is expected to worsen in the future due to over usage, lack of conservation methods and dwindling natural supply of clean water, even in countries with significant water resources. Many hazardous pollutants enter the water supply through many channels, including waste disposal, industry effluent release or rain water drainage. Such pollutants need to be

removed before the water can be consumed. However, most water purification technologies are not accessible to economically disadvantaged people around the world. The challenge for scientists is to develop robust water purification methods that could carry out water treatment at low cost, with minimal energy consumption and using less chemicals in the process so as to reduce negative impact on the environment. Tomato peel: an efficient adsorbent for water purification Tomato is the second most consumed vegetable in the

world, with approximately 30 per cent consumed as processed products. The disposal of the tomato skin and its other fibrous materials is an economic waste for many food processing industries. Ramakrishna evaluated the effectiveness of tomato peel as an adsorbent by using different pollutants. He also studied the structure of the tomato peels to assess their efficiency as biomaterials to remove toxic metal ions and organic pollutants from water. In addition, factors such as the pH, nature and amount of adsorbent used for extraction were considered to establish the opti-

mum conditions under which tomato peel could remove various pollutants from water. His study revealed that tomato peels can effectively remove different contaminants in water, including dissolved organic and inorganic chemicals, dyes and pesticides, and they can also be used in large scale applications. The results were published in the Royal Society of Chemistry journal RSC Advances in September 2012. Apple peel: a biomass for water purification In addition to tomato peels, Ramakrishna also explored the viability of using the peels of apples for water purification, as apple peels are easily available as biowaste from food processing industries and they are biodegradable. Similar to tomato peels, apple peels can also remove a range of dissolved water pollutants through the adsorption process. In order to enhance the ability of apple peels towards extraction of negatively charged pollutants, Ramakrishna immobilised naturally occurring zirconium oxides onto the surface of apple peels. Zirconium loaded apple peels were found to be able to extract anions such as phosphate, arsenate, arsenite, and chromate ions from aqueous solutions. This method of water purification can also be used for large scale applications. Research findings to benefit communities living in remote villages Both Ramakrishna and Assoc Prof Suresh hope that the findings on the use apple and tomato peels for water purification can be applied to benefit economically and technologically disadvantaged farmers living in remote villages, who depend on contaminated ground water or local rivers for their daily water needs. They intend to work with non-governmental organisations to transfer their research findings and knowledge to benefit the people. Ramakrishna and other students in Assoc Prof Suresh’s research group are now looking into the use of other fruit peels and natural fibers for water purification.

these radicals and other important markers in tumoral cells of epithelial origin confirms the antitumoral effect and they reaffirm to this cocktail of natural antitumoral products as a novel and attractive alternative in the treatment of cancer.” Cancer is considered at the moment one of the main causes of death worldwide. The current tendency in the treatment of cancer pursues to obtain a more successful treatment that do not increases alone its effectiveness but rather it diminishes its adverse effects. According to the researchers, one of such that provides a better alternative is naturaceuticals, tagged as natural products. They are able to scavenge free radicals, induce detoxification, inhibit stress response proteins and interfere with DNA binding activities of some transcription factors. In these new therapeutic slopes the treatments are included that modify the biological answer, starting from emergent pharmacological agents able to modulate the transduction of signs inducing a selective death of the tumoral cells. Ben Amodu and his team of researchers have also conducted an open label 12-week descriptive cross-sectional survey in a large number of patients to determine the efficacy of TABSAABS: an ethnomedicinal polyherbal formulation for the radical rapid cure for tuberculosis. The constituents of TABSAABR include: Sesamum indicatum (sesame), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), Aloe barbadensis (popularly known as aloe vera), Saccharum officinarum (sugar cane), Allium sativum (garlic) and Amaranthus caudatus (green amaranth, inine in Ibo, tete abalaye in Yoruba). The results of the study published in International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention showed that the patients in this descriptive cross-sectional survey responded positively to the ethnomedicinal herbal formulation resulting in 100 per cent recovery level in the females and 98 per cent recovery level in the males without any toxicity or side effects observed in the patients for the eight weeks monitoring period. The study is titled “Tabsaabr: A Novel Ethnomedicinal Polyherbal Formulation For The Radical Rapid Cure For Tuberculosis.” The subjects in this study were 270 males (60 per cent) and 180 females (40 per cent) who were clinically diagnosed to have a mixture of Multiple-Drug Resistance tuberculosis and ExtensivelyDrug Resistance tuberculosis. The subjects were placed on TABSAAB, the ethnomedicinal herbal formulation for the treatment of tuberculosis for a period of 12 weeks, and the subjects were monitored for a period of eight weeks for possible relapse of signs and symptoms. The researchers concluded: “In conclusion, this study has shown that there is a cure for Tuberculosis be it Multi Drug Resistance or Extensively

Drug Resistance Tuberculosis. The total clearance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis upon administration of TABSAAB for three months is a testimony to this fact. Therefore, since prevention still remains the key to control, efforts must be made to strengthen strategies aimed at increasing awareness and encouraging people to take seriously the issue of vaccination. It is also important for the vaccination to be made mandatory for all unvaccinated adolescents and adults. Furthermore to cure and improve the quality of life of people infected with Tuberculosis, the novel supplements- TABSAAB should be allowed to be dispensed in hospitals and pharmacies across the length and breathe of the country and beyond.” Amodu told The Guardian that four capsules of TABSAABR (480mg extracts/capsule) is taken 12 hourly for three months for the treatment of both Multiple Drug Resistant (MDR) and Extremely Drug Resistant (XDR) tuberculosis. It also can be taken two capsules 12 hourly for the treatment of malaria, waist pain, arthritis, rheumatism and as adjunct for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). The result of yet another study by the researchers showed that the administration of bitter leaf extracts decreased blood glucose by 90 per cent compared to the placebo treated diabetic animals respectively. The study published in IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences is titled, “Daabs-2r: A Novel Ethnomedicinal Polyherbal Formulation For The Management Of Diabetes Mellitus.” The researchers wrote: “This research was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of DAABS-2, a novel ethnomedicinal polyherbal formulation on Insulin Depended Diabetes mellitus and non Insulin Dependent Diabetes mellitus by using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic laboratory animals and the result showed that the administration of 180mg/kg and 100mg/kg with the corresponding DAABS-2 extracts decreased blood glucose by 90 per cent compared to the placebo treated diabetic animals respectively. “In summary, the present study results indicate that single i.p. injection of STZ 180mg/kg and 100mg/kg with the correspondent extracts produced no diabetes of any form, while the same i.p injection of 180mg/kg and 100mg/kg with the corresponding placebo produced type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes, however, the latter failed to produce diabetes mellitus. The severity and mortality of diabetes with STZ 180mg/kg is more in comparison to 100mg/kg. The long-term complications of diabetes mellitus and the characteristics of progressive diabetes mellitus in the group with the placebo could be studied.”

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Education Budget Releases to the Federal Ministry of Education and its Parastatals in 2012 Institution

Budget

Released Funds

1. Federal Ministry of Education 14, 942, 387, 157 6, 500, 503, 239.87 2. Computer Professionals Reg. Coun. 163, 581, 206 110, 061, 002 3. JAMB 2, 491, 506, 374 2, 089, 767, 962.80 4. Lib. Reg. Coun of Nig 237, 086, 338.04 220, 874, 200.68 5. Nat. Board for Tech Educ. 1, 543, 653, 900 965, 523, 652 6. Nat Bus and Tech Exam Board 2, 538, 515, 806 1, 054, 181, 120.56 7. Nat Comm for Colleges of Educ 1, 138, 553, 332 859, 472, 494.04 8. Nat Comm for Mass Educ 1, 305, 626, 843 945, 684, 968.78 9. Nat Comm for Nomadic Educ 1, 305, 626, 843 999, 996, 567.58 10. NERDC Not Available 1, 783, 822, 106.39 11. NECO 6, 817, 045, 655 5, 627, 615, 655 12. NIEPA 1, 219, 207, 563 753, 320, 624.35 13. National Library of Nigeria 4, 513, 707, 364 2, 956, 055, 727 14. National Teachers’ Institute 4, 846, 873, 315 3, 316, 056, 638 15. National Universities Commission 2, 584, 671, 033.79 2, 271, 381, 638.70 16. Teachers Registration Council 1, 120, 903, 882 609, 176, 262.40 17. Tertiary Educ Trust Fund 457, 015, 252 447, 872, 103.30 18. Universal Basic Educ Comm 68, 095, 847, 274 66, 157, 950, 612 (*) 19. WAEC 3, 400, 166, 590 2, 794, 932, 129.99 Note: (*) includes N63, 117, 316, 830. 00 Statutory Transfer SOURCE: Federal Ministry of Education Rufa’i

Issues in 2012 Education Ministry Report By Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi ARSH economic circumstances may have, at H last, persuaded the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), to come to terms with the reality that the federal government cannot continue to bankroll public tertiary institutions alone. An indication that students may, in no distant future, be asked to pay some form of tuition fee at the tertiary level, was given in the Ministry’s 2012 Annual Report released recently, where the FME confirmed that it was taking “an exploratory look” at the guidelines for cost sharing in education sector funding. According to the report, “this is with a view to developing workable systems and alternative sources of funds for higher education by both the government and the students.” The federal government had, for many years, shied away from introducing tuition fees at the tertiary level. But it has also not been able to properly fund its universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, leading to serious deterioration in infrastructure, frequent industrial actions and brain drain. However, many renowned academics, who could see through it all, had over the years, advised the federal government to consider the cost sharing option. But they have also asserted that their suggestions should not be used as an excuse by the government to introduce high tuition fees in the universities by fiat. Some of the respected academics in favour of cost sharing at the university level include: Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Oladipo Akinkugbe, who clocked 80 recently; Emeritus Professor of English, Ayo Banjo and Professor of Science Education, Peter Okebukola. Akinkugbe served as vice chancellor at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and the University of Ilorin. Banjo was vice chancellor at the University of Ibadan, while Okebukola was vice chancellor at the Lagos State University (LASU). He also served as Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC). This school of thought believes that students would take their studies more seriously, when their parents pay fees, with an added advantage of a possible extinction of cultism. However, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been vehemently opposed to the cost sharing idea. It has always insisted that it was the federal government’s responsibility to fund higher education. It had

also, over the years, lampooned the World Bank for encouraging the federal government to privatise tertiary education. In the new plan, the FME intends to form what it described as “greater partnership” with the private sector, non-governmental organizations, faith based organizations and even individuals, with the aim of, among others, encouraging them to invest in quality education. The report noted: “Though, investment in the (education) sector continues in earnest, the enormity of the challenge means that more still have to be done for greater impact. The lack of shared responsibility in the financing of education, especially at the tertiary level, means that the Federal Government bears the responsibility for the funding of the tertiary institutions. As a result of this, it spends about N500, 000 per year per student.” But the report seemingly contradicted itself when, on the one hand, it declared that one of the key challenges facing the country’s education sector “is the untimely release of funds,” which brings with it “delays in the execution of relevant projects;” while on the other hand, it affirmed that “attention will be given to the take off of new Federal Universities in states without the presence of such institutions.” The states are Yobe, Kebbi and Zamfara. The universities have, indeed, been established, bringing to 13, the number of new federal Universities established between 2011 and this year. But intense controversy has been trailing the establishment of the first nine new federal universities in 2011, in the face of overwhelming challenges facing the existing ones. Critics have described the decision as both “purely political” and “ a mockery of the university system.” An academic (names withheld) offered a philosophical analogy of the scenario: “If the federal government did not establish those universities,” he told The Guardian, “some politicians would steal the money. So, let the government establish more universities, so that there will be less money for the politicians to steal.” Yet, the facts speak for themselves. A heartrending Needs Assessment Report, put together by an 11-member (including Mr. Femi Memefa who served as secretary) committee, recently revealed that public universities are in dire straits. It covered 27 federal and 34 state universities. Specifically, the

committee found that physical infrastructure for teaching and learning were inadequate, dilapidated and over stretched. The laboratories and workshops were found to have old, inappropriate furnishings; poor power and water supply systems, and outdated equipment. At the Universities of Uyo and Jos, kerosene stoves were being used as Bunsen burners. Some Engineering workshops were operating under zinc sheds and trees while many science – based faculties were running what was being referred to as “Dry Lab,” due to lack of reagents and tools to conduct real experiments. It was also discovered that less than 10 per cent of the universities have video conferencing facility; less than 20 per cent use interactive boards; more than 50 per cent do not use public address systems in their lecture theatres, and none of the universities had fully automated library resources. In fact, many library resources were found to be outdated, while less than 35 percent are partially automated. The report equally revealed that there were a total of 701 physical development projects across the all the public universities, 163 or 23.3 per cent of which have been abandoned. About 538 or 76.7 per cent are on-going. Some of them are 15 years old and 60 per cent of them are being funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). Besides, the report revealed that many of the universities are grossly understaffed; they rely heavily on part-time and visiting lecturers; have under-qualified academics and no effective staff development programme outside TETFund’s intervention and the Presidential First Class Scholarship programme. The report also affirmed that there are 37,504 academics (83 per cent of which are male) in the country’s public universities, out of which 23,030 or 61 per cent are employed in federal universities, while 14,474 or 39 per cent are in the state-owned universities. The result has been a very high teaching staff/student ratio in many universities, with the University of Abuja having a ratio of 1:122; National Open University of Nigeria, 1: 363 and the Lagos State University (LASU), 1:114. The report revealed a serious crisis of manpower. Instead of having 100 per cent academics having doctorates, only 43 per cent have the qualification, while 57 per cent don’t. Again, only seven universities (Imo State University, Universities of Uyo, Port Harcourt, Ilorin,

Calabar, National Open University of Nigeria and Ondo State University of Science and Technology) have 60 per cent of their academic staff with PhDs. The Kano State University of Science and Technology, established in 2001 was discovered to have only one professor and 25 Ph.D. holders. Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, established in 2006 has only two professors and five Ph.D. holders. The Ondo State University of Science and Technology, established in 2008 has only 29 lecturers. The Gombe State University has only four out of its 47 Professors as full-time staff, while all the 25 Readers are visiting. In the Plateau State University, 74 per cent of the lecturers are visiting, while in the Kaduna State University, only 24 out of the 174 Ph.D holders are fulltime staff. In fact, out of the 37,504 lecturers in the public universities, only 28, 128 or 75 per cent are engaged on full time basis. The remaining 9, 376 or 25 per cent are recycled as visiting adjunct, sabbatical and contract lecturers. The committee made a total of 189 recommendations, none of which the FME is yet to deal with. Stakeholders are now asking: if the existing federal universities are still battling with so many unresolved problems, why establish new ones? And if the existing ones lack the required number of academic staff, where will the new ones get their academic staff, especially Professors? But the FME blamed the states for the slow progress recorded in basic education. The report submitted that with education on the con-current list in the constitution, state governments are mostly responsible for the provision of basic education. It observed that the 36 states do not have a uniform approach to tackling the problems at that level, leading to “differences in approach and commitment to the management of education.” For instance, the Ministry referred to the lack of accurate and reliable data in most states as one of the reasons why decision making at the federal level has been difficult. It also blamed the states for not providing their counter-part funds on time, which had led to their inability to access funds provided by the federal government. “States have also been slow in the implementation of the policy Early Childhood Education,” which it said had been affecting enrolment at that level.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

50 | EDUCATION

ICPC set to prosecute perpetrators of sexual harassment, corruption in varsities By Mary Ogar ANDy university lecturers, who are in the R habit of sexually harassing their female students, will soon be made to face the full wrath of the law. Besides, indolent non academic staff members, who derive pleasure in treating students’ requests for academic transcripts with levity, thereby frustrating such students’ efforts to secure admission in foreign universities, will also, in due course, be made to face the consequences of their actions. According to the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta, the bogus excuse – Matured Consent – which some university teachers rely on to perpetrate immoral acts, will no longer be acceptable in the new comprehensive legal framework, being put together by the ICPC, to address the several lapses discovered in the university system. Briefing journalists in Abuja last week, Nta revealed that several complaints and petitions by stakeholders to the ICPC, informed its decision to carry out a University System Study and Review, code-named USSR, which led to startling revelations. Section 6 (b – d) of ICPC’s enabling Act, empowers it to undertake a comprehensive review of the Nigerian university system. But Nta was quick to assert that the commission was not seeking to regulate the tertiary education system, but only seeks to work with a key regulator like the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other stakeholders like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TTFUND). Among the serious challenges discovered in the universities, according to Nta, were abuse and utter disregard for stipulated rules, policies and procedures in terms of admissions, examination management, recruitment, promotions, contracts awards and infrastructure. The commission also discovered several cases of sexual harassment of both staff and students, examination malpractice, falsification of official documents like transcripts, nepotism, plagiarism and contract manipulation among others. The pilot study was carried in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Olabisi Onabanjo University, AgoIwoye (OOU) and Salem University, Lokoja. The commission’s fact finding mission also led to visits to the University of Ibadan (UI), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State and the Osun State University. As a result of the findings, the commission has produced a “Template for Prevention” of systemic corruption in the universities. The idea is to ensure that Nigerian tertiary institutions comply with the basic tenets of higher education management and also conform to international best practices. “Our role,” Nta stated, “is limited strictly to correcting and preventing corrupt prone processed and procedures, as provided in Section 6 (b-d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.” He affirmed that at the conclusion of the review exercise, a new system of operation would be established, which universities must follow. Any deviation from the rules, he warned, would attract prosecution, just as regular monitoring and evaluation exercises would be carried out without prior formal notice. Speaking extensively on sexual harassment, Nta said: “We know some of the pressure that our young girls go through in the university system. At the end of this exercise, even if some would say, yes, they are consenting adults and that they can be in love with their lecturers, this will not acceptable. you would have to hold on to that “love” until you graduate, because you are in a master-servant relationship. There is no way such a relationship would not affect the grading of your paper.” Commenting on the challenge of obtaining transcripts from the universities, he said: “Issues of missing transcripts occur because someone has misplaced the file deliberately. We are going to help the universities to come to an agreement on how things should be done and we intend to give a time frame, within a number of days, that transcripts must be produced when students apply for

Nta such. Corruption thrives when you have discretion over whether to respond or not (to requests for transcripts), but when we make it part of the regulation, that you must respond within four days, and that if you don’t respond within those four days, there would be a problem, then institutions would sit up.” The commission also discovered many illegal degree-awarding institutions across the country. Besides, there was a revelation that even approved institutions run unaccredited programmes, the true status of which the hapless students may not know. His words: “When we visit, we demand for documents and equipment that have been listed as existing in the various universities. We will not treat this as a minor breach because the intention is very clear, which is to deceive or defraud. If money was appropriated for the procurement of certain equipment, why would a university go and borrow during an accreditation exercise and then return them after accreditation.” The ICPC boss disclosed that the commission was able to close down 20 illegal degree-awarding mills, including those with acclaimed foreign affiliations without proof. According to him, out of the 41 identified illegal degree mills scheduled for

investigation, some of them voluntarily closed shop and went out of business. The exercise, which was carried out in Lagos, Abia, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta, Edo, Kano, Nassarawa, Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Osun, Benue, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, has so far led to series of arrests and arraignments in court. Nta said: “The commission is taking every legitimate step to ensure that only the indicted individuals are prosecuted. Arrangements are also being finalized to ensure the re-opening of four institutions earlier closed down and to also ensure that their names are delisted from the NUC’s list of illegal universities.” He continued: “Some of these institutions claimed to be representing institutions abroad. And while we had to make contacts with the ambassadors of such countries, some ambassadors were even surprised.” According to him, there is an urgent need to re-orientate the parents on the seriousness of the situation. “The desperation of some parents is actually contributing to pushing children into the wrong places,” he observed. “When you begin to send children between the ages of 15-17 to countries like Ukraine, where they would have to learn a new language, it brings about unintended conse-

We know some of the pressure that our young girls go through in the university system. At the end of this exercise, even if some would say, yes, they are consenting adults and that they can be in love with their lecturers, this will not acceptable. You would have to hold on to that “love” until you graduate, because you are in a master-servant relationship. There is no way such a relationship would not affect the grading of your paper.

quences. If it’s a boy, it can be controlled. But you can imagine a 16-year-old girl in Ukraine, just because you want the child to read medicine abroad, in a society that is obviously racist; where jobs are not available even for the local people; and where they look at these students as aliens.” On examination malpractice, Nta said: “When there is news that students are arrested for examination fraud, have we ever gone behind to find out the condition of the schools where these students learn? We did a study on the background of the schools the students are coming from and most of them don’t have laboratories and teachers. When the law says arrest students, in such a situation, whom would you be arresting? Is it not better to arrest the person, institutions or agencies who put such schools in place than to arrest innocent children?” Also under the new template, universities would be required to report to the commission, students that they have punished for examination malpractice so that their records would be included in the Commission’s database of offenders. As a result of various stakeholders’ meetings held with institutions in respect of their operations and virements in their budgetary statutory allocations, the ICPC Chairman revealed that some institutions were already returning unremitted balances of personal votes, based on the circular that all institutions and agencies must return the remnants of their personnel votes, if they were not utilized. His said: “We promised we were going to prosecute any agency that did not return such money and we are in the process of verifying. I am happy to state that quite a number of our institutions complied and are returning money to the treasury and we are compiling the records”. Also in the course of the review, Nta stated that it was discovered that certain utility sub-heads, like power and water supply on campus, were conflicting and may prove difficult to manage. He however insisted: “The government regulation is that you cannot take money from one subhead to fund another sub-head. One major outcome of our findings showed that, there was a need to adequately fund the provision of outsourced services, like security and cleaning; utilities like power, water, communications and others. So far, our findings and recommendations have been communicated to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office for consideration.” However, Nta pointed out that the most powerful weapon in the ICPC Act is prevention. “If we prevent someone from stealing N1billion naira,” he explained, “it may not attract much response. But when we arrest someone for stealing N100, 000, it would be on the front pages of newspapers. But in terms of effect, the prevention approach would yield a better result in future. Even during system review, we tell the institutions that we have not come to arrest but to help them develop the system.” Meanwhile the National Values Curriculum (NVC), jointly formulated by the ICPC and the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will soon be unveiled as a weapon for attitudinal change of Nigerians, through education. The NVC, which also comes with a Teacher’s Guide, is applicable at all levels of education and is geared towards exposing the Nigerian child to sustained good values and ethical issues from the early years to young adulthood. On the response in some of the institutions the commission has interacted with, Nta was very emphatic that ICPC’s officers do not condone any form of welfare package. He said: “The universities complained bitterly about Visitation Panels, not from the NUC, but from different bodies. When they (panels) come, they expect the institutions to provide accommodation, transport and make all kinds of demands. We have put that in our reports. We are now going to make it public.”

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

U.S bound Nigerian students attend pre departure orientation HE EducationUSA office at T the Public Affairs Section of United States Consulate General-Lagos on Tuesday, organized a pre-departure orientation session for students departing Nigeria to attend various U.S. universities this fall. Some of the students have scholarships to attend prestigious universities like Harvard, MIT, Duke, the University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, University of California at Berkley and Tufts University. In the past three years, students in the Lagos area have obtained over $7,000,000 in scholarships to study in the United States. The theme for the pre-departure orientation was Educating Nigeria’s Future Leaders. The speakers were all EducationUSA alumni currently studying at some of the most prestigious universities in the United States. They dis-

cussed a range of topics, including succeeding as an undergraduate and graduate student and returning to Nigeria to contribute to nation building. The EducationUSA office offers Nigerian students access to accurate, comprehensive and current information about educational institutions in the U.S. In addition to providing free counseling sessions every Wednesday morning, it offers free services to academically excellent, indigent students through the United States Student Achievers Program (USAP) and the Opportunity Program. EducationUSA encourages young Nigerians interested in studying in the United States to take advantage of the services they offer at the United States Embassy Abuja and the United States Consulate General in Lagos.

NUC restores suspended programmes at UNIABUJA From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja T last, reprieve has come to A the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) as two of its three programmes suspended last year have been restored, following the full accreditation they received from both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the professional bodies. The Federal Government was forced to suspend the running of the College of Medical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and Engineering as a fall out of the denials of accreditation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Veterinary Registration Council of Nigeria as well as the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), which sparked off series of students’ protests. Announcing the decision to bring back the programmes

at a press conference at the university’s main campus yesterday, the institution’s ViceChancellor, Prof. James Sunday Adelabu said two of the programmes suspended last year received full accreditation. They include the College of Medical Sciences and Agriculture, while the Veterinary Medicine received interim accreditation. Adelabu explained the Veterinary Faculty failed full accreditation and instead settled for interim accreditation because of the deficiency discovered in its library facilities, noting that the professional body had given the institution up to two years, during which it should rectify the shortcoming. As regards the Engineering Faculty, Adelabu said the programme, which has secured the NUC’s approval, would now admit students beginning from the next academic session.

Lagos Assembly regrets poor funding of public libraries By Wole Oyebade AGOS State House of L Assembly has frowned at poor funding of 11 public libraries owned and managed by the state government. And until the libraries are made attractive to Lagosians, the lawmakers observed, other interventions like the Federal Government’s campaign on reading culture, and state government’s investment in new books, would amount to little in the state. Chairman House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Wahab AlawiyeKing, at a meeting with officials of the Lagos State Library Board management noted that perennial poor funding of the vital part of the society was unacceptable, especially at a time when the reading culture is being revived. He said his committee unanimously agreed that the next year capital expenditure budget must be looked into to allow the board performs excellently in the coming years. Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Board, Tajudeen

Ajani Lawal had earlier explained that the persistent paucity of funds had drawn the public libraries behind. Lawal noted that the libraries in Ikeja, Yaba, Isolo, Ilupeju, Ajegunle, Ipaja, Agege, Amuwo-Odofin, Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry are currently understaffed amid other administrative challenges. The reason, according to him, is that the board has not done any recruitment since 2009. “And there is very little a monthly subvention of N500, 000 can do for 11 libraries. We have been on this amount since 2001,” he said. Lawal observed that holiday summer programmes for students between the ages 6-12, training programs for workers and effective up keep of the public facilities are among important plans that had been stalled due to poor funding. Besides, records by the board showed that 238, 000 signatures was captured for the 11 libraries in 2012. The Chief Librarian, Asimiyu Oyadipe confirmed that the figure was of the total number of visits and not persons who visited the libraries.

Cross section of graduating students of Towergate Private School, Ipaja, Lagos during the schools Valedictory ceremony held recently

Aliyu faults state varsities’ participation in ASUU strike From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri and Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan HE Niger state Governor, T Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has said that lecturers in state universities should not join their colleagues in federal universities to embark on strike. Aliyu said this in Minna on Tuesday when he received members of the Governing Board of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, who paid him a courtesy call at government house. He said in a federation, what obtains at the federal level should not necessarily obtain at the state level, especially if the issues of the aggrieved lecturers are not the same. His words: “The union at the centre cannot ask people in the states to go on strike. State universities are like private universities. They cannot go on strike just because their colleagues in the federal universities are on strike.” And as the strike action embarked upon by university teachers entered its third week, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has asked the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector to address the rot. The union’s National Treasurer, Dr Ademola Aremu also urged the federal government to teach the younger generations good moral lessons, by imple-

menting what it agreed on with the university teachers. “Ghana is now the home to Nigerian students and children of the elite in particular, because Ghana shut down the education system for two years and now they are enjoying the gains of the struggle,” he said. “We may have to borrow a leaf from them and put our education on sound footing to stop outsiders from making us a laughing stock. Nigerians pay close to N100 billion to access education in Ghana.” Aremu, who is the immediate past chairman of the University of Ibadan (UI) chapter of ASUU, spoke on a television programme monitored in Ibadan. He accused the government of paying lip service to education, saying this accounted for the rot in the system. “We cannot continue to churn out poorly educated graduates again. We cannot condone the lip service being paid to education by the Nigerian government officials, the majority of whom train their children in foreign universities. We are calling on Nigerians to rise up

and challenge the federal government to prioritize education and develop the country. The Asian tigers developed because of education. Students, parents, and well meaning Nigerians must rise up and tell the federal government that enough is enough”. Meanwhile, the UI management has directed its students to proceed on two weeks mid-semester break following the strike action by ASUU. The university authorities had in a bulletin signed by the Registrar, Olukoya Olujimi directed students to vacate their halls of residence by noon and proceed on two weeks mid-semester break in view of the prevailing circumstance in the education sector. However, University teachers of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) on Tuesday resolved to remain on strike until the demands of the union’s central body are met. Briefing journalists in Owerri, the chairman of the branch, Dr. Ikenna Nwachukwu, accompanied by the Secretary of the body,

Dr. Felix M. Eke, and other officials of the union, said Nigeria has continued to lose about $300 million foreign exchange annually to other West African countries, owing to university fees, maintaining that the two –year negotiation (2007 2009) which culminated in the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement must be respected. Nwachukwu, who faulted the alleged usurpation of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) responsibility, in setting cut off marks, insisted that it was JAMB’s duty to determine cut off points of candidates. Receiving five indigenes of the state that finished the basic course in Seafaring in Cairo, Egypt, Aliyu said he was dissatisfied that NIMASA, which went into the agreement for the training of the seafarers is now reneging on some parts of the agreement. He noted that as a result, the state government would consider the wholesome training of its children in seafaring and directed the Head of Service and the Secretary to the Government to work out the modalities.

We cannot continue to churn out poorly educated graduates again. We cannot condone the lip service being paid to education by the Nigerian government officials, the majority of whom train their children in foreign universities. We are calling on Nigerians to rise up and challenge the federal government to prioritize education and develop the country. The Asian tigers developed because of education. Students, parents, and well meaning Nigerians must rise up and tell the federal government that enough is enough.

Children of Africa organizes campaign on nutrition By Mary Ogar N awareness campaign to A encourage children adopt proper nutrition habits, was organized recently in Lagos by a child advocacy group – Children of Africa – in collaboration with Blue Band from the stable of Unilver Plc. Over 7000 children, selected from both private and public schools in Lagos participated in the programme. Speaking at the event, the Consumer Activation Manager, Blue Band, Mr. Oluwafemi Atoyebi noted that

the campaign for proper nutrition among children must be taken to every home in the country. He said: “We need to have children that are nutritionally sound. Blue Band supports this annual programme because it focuses on the wellbeing of children, which is of great importance to our company.” According to him, the slow mental development of some children could be blamed on nutritional deficiency. “When a child is given balanced diet, he will be mentally sound and do better in his academic work,” he said.

National Coordinator of Children of Africa, Mr. Kunle Alaba, said over 30,000 children participated in this year’s annual Children’s Day rally, held at different times in 15 states of the federation. Expressing delight that the rally has become an annual ritual for children nationwide, he explained that the vision is to inculcate positive values in the children and instill the spirit of Godliness in them. Alaba also expressed concern with the rising number of outof-school children, currently estimated at 10million in the country. He regretted that the

children’s rally, earlier scheduled to hold in some northern states in the north had to be cancelled due to the security challenges. “We have been on our knees praying for the nation,” he said. “We pray that peace would return to the troubled areas because children in those places are suffering. Two years ago, we held a children’s rally in Kano, but this year, we couldn’t go there because of the insecurity.” The event featured choreography and competitions among others during which students from different schools won gift items.

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THe GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Teachers’ salaries should be first line charge, says ANCoPSS President From Adamu Abuh, Abuja He had been keen on becoming a Stoday, pilot in her formative days. But Hajiya Fatima Abdulrahman is happy that she settled for the teaching profession. She is also fulfilled, haing risen through the ranks to emerge the first woman to be elected the National President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCoPSS) in the country. With 25 years experience as a teacher, Abdilrahman, who hails from the Abaji council area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is already looking forward to a return of the days, when the payment of teacher’s salary would be on the first line charge of the federation account. She says this would curb the recurring delay in the payment of teachers’ salary in some part of the country. “Government should place priority on the welfare of our teachers because if you want the teachers to put in their best, their welfare must be taken care of,” she stated. “Teachers don’t have any other avenue of surviving other than their salaries. So, if this salary is coming as at when due and when all allowances due to them are paid as at when due, they would put in their efforts and really provide leadership in their respective schools. She continued: “In fact, the teacher’s salary should be on the first line charge in the budget. We have met the education committee of the House of Representatives on the idea and we made a submission to the committee through the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). It should be a first line charge now that there the debate as to whether we should grant autonomy to the local governments or not. “What we are saying is that if we can grant the local councils autonomy, the teacher’s salary should be on first line charge. We want to avoid the situation that we faced in the 90s, where teachers’ salaries were not paid for about one year. We don’t want that to

come back again.” Urging government to invest heavily in education, she says there is no basis of comparing present day secondary school standard to that of the good old days. Her words: “education is a capital intensive project. education is a project that when you put money in it, you don’t realize it immediately. It would take years before you see the outcome. So, if government puts money in education and really monitors how it is being implemented and how such money is being spent, you are going to get the best. “The society as you are seeing it today is growing; the population is growing in a geometric progression and you should remember that during our days, there was no population progression as we have now. Government was able to manage the funds effectively to really meet the needs of the school. But today, we have population explosion and even with the effort government is putting in place to make sure that they bring education to the people especially at the basic level, we are still having some challenges.” Reminded that the problem could be due to corruption, in view of the fact that Nigeria is earning more money now than in those days, she retorted: “and we are producing more children now than in those days! That is not to say corruption is out of our country. Corruption is still there and we still have cases of lack of patriotism from those who should be doing the right thing. We also have the problem of policy summersault. You see, when a government comes and brings out laudable programme and another government comes in, instead of continuity, they would try to do away with that and try to bring in a new policy, that might not be carried to a successful end. So, the issue of continuity of education policy is very important. Today we say 6-3-3-4 system. Tomorrow we say 8-4-3, and the day after tomorrow we say a different thing. At least, we should be able to implement a policy for some years and see the output.” Disagreeing with the notion that the

Abdulrahman emergence of the privately owned schools led to the decay in the public owned schools, she argued: “I will not subscribe to that school of thought because if all the infrastructure are provided in the public schools, there is no reason why they cannot perform wonderfully. But in a situation where schools lack manpower, facilities like standard library and you want it to perform miracles, how on earth would that miracle be performed if there is no conducive learning environment for the students, no instructional resources for students and

teachers to work with, how can miracle be performed?” on the reason for the mass failure in WAeC and NeCo examinations across the country, she said: “ one of the major reasons is that our students have a lot of distractions in our society that is not making them to concentrate in their academic endeavours. These days, you see students leaving their homes to go and watch football. You hear them talk about Arsenal, Manchester United and what have you, instead of sitting down to read their books. You see a student going to

watch football for hours instead of reading his or her books. They don’t want to work hard to pass their exams. “Then there is the issue of corruption and the wrong values in the society. We are trying to tell our students that they must achieve their goals with hard work, but when they move into the society, the society is telling them that there are shortcuts to success. So, you find out that our students have conflicting values to imbibe. Here, they have the impression they don’t need to work hard to make it in life and that is why they engage in examination malpractices; this is why you see students running away from our schools to other states where they can engage in examination malpractices. “So the society itself has not given the children the right orientation to really concentrate in their studies. All they think about is short cuts. Parents are now aiding and abetting examination malpractices. So, when you have students whose mentality has been geared towards not working hard, what do you expect? That is why they are lazy.” on the problem poor enrolment of the girl-child education in the north, she said: “We are still having challenges, a lot of challenges in the north. You would agree with me that there is educational inequality between the boy child and the girl child in north compared to the south. It is now that our girls are coming up. In an average village in the north, it is difficult to see a girl child that is a graduate due to early marriage, religious restriction, poverty and other cultural limitations. “There is the belief that women education ends in the kitchen. Some parents don’t even want to invest on the girl – child, they prefer to invest on the boy –child because they believe that the girl-child would be married out and there is no use investing in her. But that is not true because when you educate a woman, you educate the nation. An educated mother would be able to bring up a child and rear that child very well.”

Foreign Service Academy graduates 69, Minister harps on professionalism By Mary Ogar oNCeRNeD over the decline in the quality of C service delivery, professionalism, commitment, hard work, discipline and integrity posed by the lack of training within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister, olugbenga Ashiru has called on graduates of the 20th Regular Course of the Foreign Service Academy to advocate policies that would promote national development and create wealth for the country. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Academy’s graduation ceremony, held in Lagos recently, the Foreign Affairs Minister stressed the need for capacity building for Nigerian diplomats, to help the country attain its foreign policy objectives, in the face of the enormous challenges. He averred that the plan by the Ministry, in collaboration with the University of Lagos to redesign the existing curriculum module of the Academy, would incorporate a training framework that would endow the newly recruited Foreign Service officers with adequate competencies and skills. Ashiru, who emphasized the need for student officers to imbibe knowledge and qualities that would enhance their performance in the highly competitive global arena, also disclosed that the training had become imperative against the backdrop of re-current and emerging challenges and issues in the global arena. The 69 outgoing student officers are the pioneers of the Master’s Degree programme in International Relations and Strategic Studies (MISS) from the University of Lagos. The Minister described the training as part of ongoing reforms to retool the system of training of all categories of staff in the Ministry, both at home and abroad. He said: “When I assumed office as Minister, there was a yawning gap in internal training opportunities to build the capacity of staff. We then took it upon ourselves to revamp and revitalize these systems and mechanisms by infusing novelty into the train-

ing module of the ministry and making the systems and mechanisms work more effectively”. With mass training going on at various levels, the minister also disclosed that the ministry was the in the process of repositioning the Academy for new challenges of sharpening the skills of Nigerian diplomats. “The Academy will be equipped with the necessary tools to bring its activities to acceptable global standards. A programme for upgrading the ICT and Language Laboratory is also in the works, while considerations would also be given to upgrading its library, such that student officers can better utilize the period of training to widen their scope and intellectual depth,” he said. He disclosed that the Foreign Affairs Ministry has started creating the necessary synergy in its collaboration with Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Australia, Argentina and the Philippines, in the area of capacity building. Ashiru further confirmed the Ministry’s determination to examine the entire training programmes to promote the country’s foreign policy and drive the economic diplomacy paradigms. As part of repositioning the Ministry, he revealed that a reward and punishment template that would fair, just equitable and transparent is being introduced. His words: “Under this dispensation, we are ensuring that more deserving career officers are appointed Ambassador/High Commissioners In-Situ, as motivational and encouraging tool for excellence, merit and hard work”. To the graduating officers, Ashiru said: “We have expended a lot of resources on you. It is therefore incumbent on you to harness the opportunities offered in this training programme by being on top of your game to compete against the very best on the international stage.” According to him, the goal of the ministry is to bequeath a result oriented and competent foreign service that would meet the aspi-

Ashiru rations of Nigeria as ell as reposition the country on the centre state of international diplomacy. Calling on the graduates to shun corruption, temptation and acts that might bring disgrace or disrepute to their career and the country, he stressed that the good image of he country should form the core of all their engagements. In line with the government transformation agenda, he encouraged the students to take due cognizance of ongoing measures to deploy the country’s foreign policy to assist in the promotion of national development, agenda of wealth and job creation for Nigerians including the building and u-grading of infrastructures. “We have also directed the orientation and

focus of our diplomatic out-posts towards trade and investment drives, by giving them targets and benchmarking their performance on the targets in line with subsisting performance contract enunciated by the President,” he said. Ashiru explained that a joint and Bi-National Commission with key countries such as Germany, United States of America and Canada have been re-invigorated with a view to creating more business opportunities for the private sector so as to grow the national economy and expand prospects for job and wealth creation. As Foreign Service officers, he urged the students to imbibe excellence and a correct appreciation of Nigeria’s national interest at all times. With the 69 graduating students undergoing a 12 month- training at the academy, the minister, who was also once a resource person at the academy, stressed the need for training and retraining as the only way to get rid of lazy ones and monitor performance. “We are proud to bequeath to you a rich and enduring legacy, to develop your intellectual capacity and prepare you for a life long and exciting career. That is what you owe the service, Nigeria and posterity,” he added. In his address, the Director of the Academy, Mr. Tiwa Adelanwa, said the MISS programme was carefully crafted and introduced with the purpose of imparting the critically needed capacity to the newly recruited officers. According to him, the expansion of the scope of the Academy’s curriculum through the MISS programme and other interventions, would further enhance the competencies and skills of the students for greater performance. While the activities of the 20th Regular Course was also expanded to a study tour of the Republic of Benin, he affirmed that a deeper understanding of some of the neighbouring countries would further expose the students to other socio-economic and political developments, as well as cultural milieu and bilateral platforms that would foster deeper cooperation and understanding between Nigeria and other countries.

Education 55

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Orientation course: Lagos corps members, officials defy rain By Ujunwa Atueyi OUTHS obey the clarion call; let us lift our nation high; under the sun or in the rain; with dedication and selflessness; Nigeria is ours, Nigeria we serve”. This chorale was not only chosen by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to express patriotic feelings; it was last Tuesday demonstrated, as heavy down pour got the corps members and their officials drenched at the terminal parade of 2013 Batch ‘B’ Orientation course, held at Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos. Both Commissioner for Special Duties, who doubles as Chairman of the NYSC governing board, Dr. Wale Ahmed; the State Coordinator, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi with over three hundred corps members on parade ground defied the rain which poured heavily till the end of the ceremony. Adeyemi, who gallantly executed all her official assignment under the pour, expressed that the present batch of corps members has demonstrated willingness, commitment and dedication to duty as they utilized the training opportunity to maximum capacity. She assured that the NYSC culture of innovation, continuous improvement and operational excellence will certainly be sustained and the host communities will definitely feel the impact of the batch. Her words, “Their ability to think and act strategically as displayed during the interplatoon competitions is worthy of commendation and if the dawn truly signifies the day, the this service year bears the mark of an excellent one judging from the performance of the corps members. I therefore implore you to cooperate with and support your employers by delivering efficient, timely, effective and transparent service”. While commending the effort of the state government in ensuring the welfare of the corps members, she appealed to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’ led administration to

“Y

HE Nigerian Bottling T Company Limited (NBC) and its franchise partner, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited (CCNL) once again demonstrated their commitment to youth development in Nigeria as they hosted 50 students from different tertiary institutions across the country to a two day workshop at the 11th edition of the biannual Campus Life workshop held in Lagos. The workshop themed “Building a drug-free and non-cultist generation” was organised in collaboration with The Nation Newspaper for student journalists who are also campus correspondents in their respective higher institutions of learning. Speaking at the workshop, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, urged students to shun cultism and other forms of social vices, as only on this ground can they build integrity and a Nigerian state that would

By Toyosi Ajayi and Eniola Ekundayo HE principal of Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted children, Sister Jane Onyeneri, has admitted that it had not been an easy task for the school to carry out its functions to educate the visually challenged children. But she insisted that visually impaired students also have the capacity to excel in all aspects of life and should be continually encouraged to pursue their dreams and achieve great feats. Speaking at the school’s 45th graduation ceremony held in Lagos last week, Onyeneri stated that in spite of challenges, the school has been doing its best to positively affect the lives of its students, by teaching them to write legibly, read effectively, engage in creative activities, imbibe healthy habits and adopt living skills before they graduate. She explained that the graduation ceremony was intended to celebrate the students who have put in between seven and eight years, learning various things. She disclosed that it was the school’s vision to ensure that visually impaired students make good use of their God’s given talents. According to her, the school also tells the students never to have the impression that they cannot make good use of their talents, just like other normal human beings. “In every disability, there is

Adeyemi help the scheme with a more spacious and permanent orientation camp befitting of the State. Presenting Fashola’s address amidst the heavy pour; Ahmed who deliberately refused to take cover under the umbrella made available by his aides, challenged the corps members to be the change the nation is looking for in their various places of primary assignment by contributing immensely in health care delivery, environmental sustainability and beautification; provision of social services; campaign about HIV/AIDS and Millennium Development Goals. He said the need to transform rural communities is a national assignment, which the NYSC has contributed immensely to over the years. The involvement of youth corps members in the development process of the Nigerian nation, he also added has proved to be very rewarding, owing to vibrant, energetic and resourcefulness of the youths. While urging employers of corps labour to warmly accept the corps members and integrate them into the main stream of their communities and establishment, he reminded corps members of the need to be security conscious especially in the face of the present security challenges in the nation.

Campus journalists hold workshop By Emmanuel Amolo

Encomiums for teachers, as Pacelli School for the Blind holds 45th graduation ceremony

help them develop better. “To change the society, the youth have to be convinced that the society requires a surgical operation and must be ready for sacrifice”. Falana, opined and further challenged the student journalists to be the agents of change which Nigeria and the larger society desperately needed. Also at the event, Mrs Stella Ngwoke, Assistant Director, Drug Abuse Preventive Education, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, spoke to the students on “Causes, Signs and Consequences of Drug Abuse”, educating them on the dangers of drug abuse, which she described as a ‘brain disease’. She acknowledged that there may be no legislation against the production or sale of most alcohol-ladened beverages, but advocated that the youths be at the frontline in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse as key stakeholders in the quest for a clean society.

Cross Section of graduating students of the Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted, at the school’s valedictory ceremony, held in Lagos at the weekend. an ability. God created them and they should make good use of their talents,” she declared. The Archbishop of Metropolitan Sea Lagos, Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins, in his opening remarks, explained that the ceremony was organized to rejoice with the graduating students and those who have extended their generosity and contributed immensely towards the development of the school. He eulogized the teachers for their willingness, devotion and time to build and inspire the children over the years.

He urged the teachers to remain focused and continue with their good works, saying that through their actions, they were obeying God’s commandments. He reminded them of God’s words, which encourage the faithful to be grateful for the gift of life and be uplifted in the spirit in spite of deficiencies in everyday life. He told the graduating students: “Never feel less than any human being. Be proud (of your achievements), because this great celebration will remain evergreen in your minds.” One of the graduating stu-

dents, Temitope Olanrewaju described the occasion as “one of the happiest in my life.” He implored other visually impaired and blind youths, who have been deprived of the normal school experience, to come to Pacelli, which he described as a school established to motivate, inspire and help visually challenged students accomplish their goals and aspirations in life. Another graduating student, Niyi Balogun, affirmed that Pacelli had affected her life positively and had enabled her to overcome the challenges of life.

Trinity College urges new graduates to be problem solvers By Mary Ogar MIDST prayers, thanksgiving and admonitions, the 2013 graduating class of Trinity College Ofada, Ogun state were treated to an elaborate send-off ceremony with the school management charging the graduands to be students of distinction, work hard and ensure that the morals and academic standard imbibed during their stay in the school is not compromised. Speaking at the 13th Valedictory and Graduation ceremony held recently, member of the TRICOL Board, Prof (Mrs) Mbang Femi Oyewo who represented the chairman Mr. Samuel

Olatunji described the 2013 set as a set of favour. Oyewo who titled her message to the students “ How excellent is your God Emmanuel” entrusted the students to take charge of their destiny by going forth to excel in their various field of endeavour. She said: “You cannot be in a school that is in partnership with Christ and he will not care for you. Your have been well trained and equipped to go out and be great. As you go out, be conscious of what you do and always consolidate on the foundation that you have been brought up with”. In her address, the executive Director, Mrs. Folasade Phillips describe the passage

from secondary school as a very big deal as it as the strongest foundation for their future is being laid at that level. According to her, any progress made would further determine how the students proceed, their next level destination and how well they are able to apply all the knowledge acquired at wherever their destination may be. Phillips who has mentored the students in the last six years said “: You have been taught inside and outside the classroom, at the assembly ground and during sermons at Sunday service. It is well known that learning does not only happen in the classroom

Cross section of the graduating class of Trinity College, Ofada, Ogun state, at the institution’s 13th Valedictory ceremony held recently

with black or white boards. A lot of it takes place outside”. In her message, which she called Course 601 and titled “Hints for Navigating the Future Successfully” she stressed the need for vision and planning. She said: “You must have vision and pray that the vision be clear. See it, write it down and run with it. Be focused. Be determined where you want to be in the next 5-15 years. Do not be short sighted. Have a long term plan and put strategies for achieving the plan”. Phillips also laid emphasized on the significance of seeking knowledge and applying it adding that knowledge not applied is not known. “Learn from the past to improve the future. We all make mistakes. Learn from your past mistakes because each failure is an opportunity to grow if we learn from it” she added. As part of life long assets, Phillips who encouraged the graduating students to build good relationships by associating with the right people and choosing good friends also implored them to treasure their relationship with parents, relatives, fellow students and friends. Imploring the students to consolidate on the traditions of the college to groom students as members of one big family, she encouraged the students to look out for one another and make every effort to repair damaged friendship.

THE GUArDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Education

NUC recognizes Jigawa state varsity HE National Universities Commission (NUC), on T Wednesday, 17 July, 2013, recognised Jigawa State University, Kafin Hausa, as the 39th state university and 129th in the country. The Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Mohammed Mahmud, who represented Governor Sule Lamido, received the letter of recognition from the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius A. Okojie, OON, at the NUC Secretariat. Presenting the letter, Professor Okojie remarked that, with the population of

Nigerians seeking university education, more universities were needed to cater for the increasing number of applicants. The Executive Secretary said that he was always delighted each time a new university was established, noting that tertiary education was crucial to human capacity development in any nation. He said that setting up a university was a big business and required thorough planning which some prospective owners failed to recognise, observing that some state and private universities found it difficult to pay salaries anytime there was adjustment in salary structure. He charged the Governor to be ready for

Stakeholders decry dearth of infrastructure in schools By Taiwo Hassan MINENT Nigerians have decried the dearth of infrastructure, capacity building and standards of learning being experienced at the nation’s educational system, tasking the Federal Government to declare a blueprint for the revival of the educational sector. According to them, the standards of learning at the secondary schools, especially the public, religious and government-owned schools are falling without no recourse to stakeholders revive them, thereby calling for Federal government and PublicPrivate Partnership intervention to resuscitate these schools. They said that sound educational system remains the only citadel for measuring any country’s economy and developmental growth, adding that government and private sector must not fold their hand to allow the deterioration of infrastructure in the secondary school. Stating this at the

Government College Ibadan (GCI)’s restoration project fund raising in Lagos, the eminent Nigerians said it was dismayed that the lopsided nature of sharing revenue from the Federation Account has really contributed to the crippling of education at the state level, which in turn led to poor funding of education at all levels. Those who spoke included former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and the Chairman, Subsidy reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SUrE-P), Dr. Christopher Kolade; former chairman, Nigerian-British Tobacco Plc, Prof. Oladipupo Akinkugbe; Co-founder, St Nicholars Hospital, Dr. Sunny Kuku; Chairman, Bi-Courtney, Dr. Wale Babalakin; renowned architect, Senator, Femi Okunnu; President, Government College Ibadan Old Boys’ Association (GCIOBA), Biodun Jolaosho; Chairman Planning Committee of the Old Boys Association, Yomi Jones; and Chief Bayo Lawal.

the daunting task of running the University and to be sure the state had a clear vision of what it intended to achieve. Okojie, who gave a summary of university education in Nigeria, said that it was NUC’s responsibility to ensure that all academic programmes mounted by universities followed the Commission’s Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS). He acknowledged that Jigawa State had enormous resources that could assist in developing the University to become an avenue for greater development of its manpower. The Executive Secretary advised that the Institution be planned in such a way that it would be uniquely focused on the needs and aspirations of its environment. He said that, with 128 universities, more expansion was expected, especially from the states and the private sector, to expand access. In running the University, the NUC Scribe advised the State Government not to make unrealistic promises, with regards to operating a tuition-free education system, stressing that the time had come for cost sharing at the tertiary education level. The Executive Secretary urged the Government to start the University on a small scale, to guarantee standards and relevance, rather than carrying large faculties that might distract it from its main focus and vision. While presenting the university documents to the Executive Secretary, the Deputy Governor said that the Government found it necessary to establish the Institution following the admission of only 26 per cent of its youths into neighbouring universities. He remarked that the University would address the challenge of access alongside the Federal University, Duste, noting that

Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmud (left), receiving the Letter of Recognition for the establishment of Jigawa State University at Kafin Hausa, from the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie at a ceremony in Abuja recently. the State no longer needed to funds for the new University Elders’ Committee, Alhaji rely on sister institutions to and also assist the Federal Umaru Zandam and Jigawa cater for the yearnings and University, to ensure greater Forum, Alhaji Faruk Wangara. included some aspirations of its university capacity and improvement of Others university education in Senators, members of the admission seekers. Alhaji Mahmud said that the Nigeria. He added the State House of representatives from University would be a conven- welcomed individuals and Jigawa State, Honourables tional one, which could cater corporate organisations to Mohammed Nakudu, Bashir for all areas of human endeav- establish private universities Adamu and Tijani Ibrahim, our, stressing that the State and was ready to provide members of the University’s House of Assembly had earlier incentives to ensure the suc- Implementation Committee passed a Bill for its establish- cess of such institutions. He and some heads of tertiary the Executive institutions. Also present were ment, to which the Governor thanked of NUC Secretary for his untiring members had assented. He also told the Commission that about 400 efforts in moving university Management. Meanwhile, Minister of hectares of land had been pro- education in Nigeria to Education, Professor greater heights. vided and a comprehensive Academic Brief as well as The Deputy Governor’s ruqayyatu Ahmed rufa’i, OON, challenged ViceMaster Plan had been devel- entourage included the has Chancellors of Nigerian uniSpeaker, House of Assembly, oped. He added that contracts had been awarded for the con- rt. Hon. Adamu Ahmed versities to come up with brilstruction of new buildings, Sarawa, Chairman, House of liant proposals that would while a number of academic Assembly Committee on ensure their emergence as staff were already undergoing Education, Hon. Nasiru African Centres of Excellence postgraduate training, both in Mohammed, Alhaji Aminu (ACE). Professor rufa’i, who Nigerian and foreign universi- Ibrahim (Dallatun Dutse), gave the charge during a oneties and assured that the Alhaji Muhammed Ibrahim day workshop for Nigerian Institution would take-off on (Danmadamin Dutse), Special universities on the establishAdviser, Student Matters, ment of the ACE project, on 16 its permanent site. Danjani, State July, 2013, said the timing of The Deputy Governor said Umar that the University had a four- Chairman, Association of the workshop was apt, as the phase development plan, with Local Governments of Nigeria Nigerian University System each phase spanning five years (ALGON), Alhaji Muktari (NUS) was on the verge of comand covering 2013-2033. He Ibrahim Gonga, representa- missioning the Nigerian said the Government was tives of the Council of Ulama, research and Education ready to provide adequate Mallam Bala Musa Kazaure; Network (NgrEN).

Educationist underscores importance of mother tongue By Chukwuma Muanya OrrIED by the growing moral decadence in the society and inability of most children especially in cities such as Lagos to speak or

write their Mother Tongue, an Okota, Isolo-based private school that caters for children between three months to eleven years, Dawn Michaels School, has prom-

ised to graduate children that will not only model Christ but will be able to speak and write their local language. School Director of Dawn

Parents canvass change in curriculum at Greensprings’ exhibition By Ujunwa Atueyi ENIOr Special Adviser to Minister of Tourism, Culture & National Orientation, Mrs. Chika Balogun, has called on Federal Ministry of Education to implement an educational curriculum that emphasizes creativity among school children. Besides, all Teachers Training Institutes and Colleges of Education must endeavour to churn out teachers that understand experiential learning and all that it connotes and be able to use new method of teaching that brings out creativity in children. At the 2013 Elementary Art Exhibition of Greensprings School, Anthony Campus, Lagos, Balogun who is also a parent of the school, added

that all government need to do in line with its regular format of teaching, is to retrain the teachers and ensure that practical aspects of all creative subjects are carried out. Expressing admiration at what the pupils have on display at the exhibition stand, she regretted that such opportunity for young minds to express and explore their ingenuity is mostly found among pupils in private sector, which does not in real terms represent Nigerian child. She said, “Creativity is life, when you bring out creativity in a child it goes beyond just art, it flows into every other thing they do because the creative juice has been raised in them; it makes them think harder; they are always inquisitive, wanting to create and explore. Art is something that

comes from within, it is vast and can only be expressed by the author, and it transcends every other sector of life”. “And since creative industry is the only sector that guarantees inflow of cash at all times, government should ensure that creativity subjects are often taught in practical forms to ensure these children have the opportunity to express their inner mind. I use to love to write, but some of us lost out in the ability to bring out our creativity because nobody pushed it, the little poems I wrote then died in my notebook because there was no encouragement, probably because of ignorance on the part of my teachers, so government need to establish this in their curriculum and set standard that every training institute must train in that regard”.

Michaels School, a Christian School located at Ago in Okota Isolo area of Lagos, Mrs. Uche Ndulue, in an exclusive interview with The Guardian said: “Dawn Michaels started in September 2012. We intend to graduate children who will model Christ. People exiting Dawn Michaels School should be able to read properly, write and compete in best of their abilities. They should posses a life love of learning. Then we would have instilled an increased understanding of acceptance of diversified winners, to demonstrate respect and care of the universe and they respect people from all ages, ethic groups, religion and from all background. “Here we do both Ibo and Yoruba. We encourage our children to speak these languages. We do cultural day. We celebrate cultural days and we expose them to different cultures in Nigeria. We have clubs were we encourage the children to speak their mother tongue.” Dawn Michaels School is a Christian Nursery and Elementary and excellent

and disciplined school focused on hard work and upholding core Christian values of Godliness and character in developing the total child. Uche Ndulue is a graduate of Physics Electronics from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka with a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Education from the University of Lagos and a certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Montessori education from Arlington University Texas, United States. Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori based on her extensive experience in special education. Montessori education is practiced in an estimated 7,000 schools worldwide, serving children from birth to eighteen years old. Montessori education is characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological development. Are there provisions for music classes, science laboratories, sports, cultural groups, dance groups and

all those things that make a child complete in Dawn Michaels School? “Yes! We call those co-curricula activities. We do that. We do music, we do fine arts, of course we have science lab. We do swimming, Taekwando, Bale, dancing, drama among other activities,” she said On how and why she established Dawn Michaels School, Uche Ndulue said: “At a time I started having this yearning that I should make a change in education because I found out that what enjoyed then, our children are no longer enjoying them in terms of morals in schools. Also, our children are slowly forgetting our values. So I said lets do this, lets help our kids, lets bring back a little of the old tradition education and of course fine tune it to suit today’s education. So I started this dream. I was still working and was picking things I needed. I was to relocate to Port Harcourt so I had to resign but my husband was later transferred back to Lagos and then I had already resigned so I decided to now pursue this dream.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

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C-Ceramica: Home of World Class Tiles

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solution by focusing on providing high quality products that add value to our customers in the region. Value As a company, and as individuals, we value integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism. Continual self development and mutual respect. We are committed to our customers and partners and have a passion for technology. We believe in efficiency, we take on big challenges and pride ourselves on seeing them through. We hold ourselves accountable to our customers, shareholders partners and employees by honouring our commitment, provided results and striving for the highest quality in all that we produce. PORTFOLIO: Access Bank Head Office,Ilorin Central Juma’at Mosque project (Kwara State),Dangote Group, Yaba College of Technology, Arab Contractors CCECC Plc, Kwara State University, ITB Construction, Eko Hotel and Suites Enterprise Bank Head office. Inspiration Whether you are buzzing with ideas or stumped for inspiration. You have come to the right place to spark your imagination for tile design ideas. The company not only supply the right materials to make your project a success, it also want to help keep you up to date with fresh ideas and the latest trends in interior design for your walls and flooring. Sometimes, you need a little bit more input in your interior design project than a few lists of wall tiles

that will help you achieve what you want with a chosen kitchen, bathroom or other areas in your home. However, C-Ceramica tiles want to help you on your quest to improve your living space, giving you some great visual ideas to let you create the best possible look with excellent tile designs. As one of Nigeria’s largest tile specialist, it wants to supply the right materials to make your project a success while also keeping you up to date with great ideas, responding to the latest trends in interior design along the way. Whether you want great complementing colours, accessories and fittings to match bathroom floor tiles or you simply want input on which work tops and cupboards to choose when fitting a kitchen, look no further than us for your ideas. Its customers are people who value beauty, elegance and perfect quality. For them it provides pieces allowing to express oneself as an individual, and at the same time make the human living space friendly, functional and beautiful. The broad selection of products helps with that from mosaics to large format ceramic tiles which means that C – Ceramica can be used both in residential housing, industrial facilities and highly prestigious investments. C-Ceramic has helped thousands of people to achieve their dreams with residential and commercial projects. Visit C.Ceramica today for a uniquely different bathroom experience that reflects your styles, exclusivity and class.

foreign companies and products have thronged the Nigerian market with their top-of-the-end design to compete favourably with the local players. Among the leading tiles, marbles and interior outfits are C.Ceramica; Systems Interior and Westafco.

SYSTEMS INTERIOR LIMITED: Providing Quality Products at Affordable Prices YSTEMS INTERIOR LIMITED, an indigenous company with an eye for quality, was established a few years ago and headquartered in Lagos. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Joe Nwoko, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, “Systems Interior is proudly Nigerian but has a number of Italian partners who support us and we enjoy a very good business relationship with them. Hence, the bulk of our marble and tiles are of Italian origin.” Concerning the marble and tiles market in Nigeria and the expectations of the stakeholders, Mr. Nwoko said “one of the major challenges is the ability to convince a large proportion of project developers in the local building industry to buy quality products.” To him, this is an urgent need to create more awareness, especially with the recurrent cases of collapsed buildings across the federation. Although, high quality products cost more when viewed initially. However, whether in commercial or private use they save money in the long run, enhance the value of the projects, as well as save lives and properties.

Nwoko Joe,CEO,Systems Interior Limited:

Furthermore, he noted that the right people with the right skills are needed to do the job at systems Interior Limited, the deep knowledge of our range of products enables us to give our numerous customers high level of service and unbiased professional advice when it comes to the choice of products for their projects,” Nwoko explained. Lastly, the marble and Tile expert lamented the poor state of infrastructure in the country and also the unnecessary bottlenecks and unwholesome conduct of law enforcement officers at the port. In all these, Nwoko believes the government can do a lot to turn around the situation.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

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Honeywell Flourmills records N46 billion turnover, N2.8b profit in 2013 By Helen Oji ONEYWELL Flourmills H Nigeria Plc has posted a turnover of N46 billion its audited result for the year ended March 31,2013, against N38 billion achieved in 2012. The company’s profit after tax also increased from N2.6 billion to N2.8 during the year under review. According to a statement by the company, the percentage increase in turnover is 20 per cent while profit rose by six per cent. Earnings per Share (EPS) also increased to 36 kobo from the 34 kobo recorded in the previous period while in terms of its Balance Sheet, growth in total assets rose by 16 per cent to N55.4 billion when compared to the N47.9 billion at

the comparable date of 2012. Based on the improved performance, the directors of the company have proposed a N1.3 billion dividend payout to shareholders while retaining N1.5 billion for future business expansion. It stated that the company’s earnings were boosted by the coming on stream of additional milling capacity occasioned by the recent completion of the food producer’s ‘E and F Mills’ with a combined flour production capacity of 1,000MT per day, thus bringing the overall capacity to 2,610MT per day. The Company completed this expansion project towards the end of the financial year, adding that full impact of this project will be felt in the 2014 performance.

During the year, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. carried out an internal restructuring which resulted in the merger by absorption of Honeywell Superfine Foods Ltd, formerly a wholly owned subsidiary and manufacturers of pasta and noodles. This integration was completed after all court and regulatory approvals, and had as its key objective, the further extraction of value from the already exiting forward/vertical integration between the two businesses. It added that the company is taking its expansion drive several notches further as it recently acquired about 64 hectares of land along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway from the Ogun State Government within the newly created industrial zone

known as Flowergate Scheme in the Sagamu Local Government Area, Ogun State. The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Office (EVC) of the Company, Mr. Babatunde Odunayo, explained that it will continue to produce bread flour and other wheatbased food products at its existing factory located at Tin Can Island, Apapa, Lagos because of its proximity to the Port. However, the Honeywell Integrated Foods Complex in Sagamu will open several food production and processing factories with the emphasis on manufacture of value-added human and animal food products which utilise significant quantities

of locally sourced raw materials like maize, cassava, soybeans and sorghum. This will help us to meet consumers’ increasing demand for Honeywell brand of quality food products. He said, “a key thrust of our foods expansion strategy is to support local farmers to grow larger quantities of grains and crops via out grower programmes for which we shall guarantee produce off-take. In this manner, we will be supporting the realisation of the Government’s Agriculture Transformation Agenda which is aimed at achieving food security and creating thousands of jobs for Nigerians”. The Honeywell Integrated Foods Complex will directly employ about

3,000 workers in technical, sales, administrative and management functions and the project is expected to be completed over the next three years.” Commenting on the results, the Company’s Chairman, Dr. Oba Otudeko CFR, stated “the Company has yet again shown its readiness and ability to thrive in challenging economic conditions due to its committed team of professionals who demonstrate willingness to pursue and achieve the Company’s long term vision of sustainable growth. An improved performance is expected in the coming years as activities are underway at a rapid pace to develop and complete the Honeywell Integrated Foods Complex in Ogun State”.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Opinion Jonathan, Amaechi and Julius Caeser’s rubbles (1) By Okachikwu Dibia HAT you are about to read is an analogy emW anating from the disquiets between Mr. President and the Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) and Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi respectively on the one hand and the story of Julius Caesar of the Roman Empire on the other hand. Jonathan and Amaechi were citizens of the old Rivers State created by General Gowon on May 27, 1967; now separated by the creation of Bayelsa State by General Abacha in 1996, to which Mr. President is a native citizen. Both of them belong to the Nigerian ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which delineated Nigeria into six geo-political zones and both personalities fall under the South-South zone. Mr. President is the national leader of the PDP. Both of them are alumni of the University of Port Harcourt. Before we dig deep, let us briefly state the basic characters of both personalities. Mr. President is a kind, humble, caring and soft-hearted man. But he is an Ijawman and a Nigerian politician. Mr. Governor hails from Ikwerre and he is also a Nigerian politician, however he may be a direct opposite to the rest of the parameters. Let me give you an example: I wrote a book on Ikwerre development and sent a copy each to the President and Governor Amaechi. While the President acknowledged his copy and supported my effort, the Governor did nothing; despite that it was a book on how to develop his Ikwerre ethnic group. His answer would be that he is not tribalistic and he is governor of Rivers State not Ikwerre. How naïve! This could go a long way to assess these characters on how they relate with those other citizens under them they do not know. So what are the issues between them that could not be amicably resolved to the extent that the President is being accused of killing democracy in his former state and the Governor accused of disrespecting the President? It had been alleged in the media that Amaechi disrespected the President by nursing Vice Presidential ambition

(under Alh. Sule Lamido, governor of Jigawa State who would be expected to contest as the Presidential candidate come 2015 elections) without consulting the President who may have presidential ambition come 2015. But I also heard that Amaechi had refuted the newspaper claim even though I have not read it. Nigerian politics is still very undemocratic and immature and that is why some people may ask: why should Amaechi be available to those who do not want the President in 2015? In any case, it would have been nice if Amaechi had first consulted the President on his VP ambition knowing that consultation and lobbying are political strategies. President’s Jonathan’s anger is understandable since PDP’s zoning principle would not allow them contest in those capacities at the same time. This was my understanding that made me to write a personal letter to Amaechi advising him to quickly personally go and reconcile with the President for not consulting him on his (Amaechi) purported ambition or deny it. If he had done this at that initial time when the rumour was fresh and new, Nigeria and indeed Rivers State would have been saved from all these anti-democratic actions being unleashed. In politics, at times you must stoop to conquer. I know that some people would argue that Amaechi has every right to aspire for any political position in Nigeria. But given the pseudo-nature of Nigerian politics today, how many of us in the President’s position would easily or happily accept Amaechi’s opposition? Nigerian politics since 1960 has never been about issues or ideas which Amaechi is playing to represent; it has been about personal interest in the core but hidden under regional or sectional interest. Prior to this issue of political ambition and immediately thereafter, Amaechi has been suffering some indignities as a governor. First, his “official” aircraft was suddenly grounded by the Nigerian airport authorities. Next, the PDP Rivers State executive under Amaechi as state party leader was sacked by a court of law. The sacking was believed to have been master-

minded by the central leadership of the PDP. In retaliation, the Rivers State House of Assembly under Amaechi sacked the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council for purported corruption. This was a case of the pot calling the kettle black: because over 98% of Nigerian politicians are very corrupt. The central leadership of the PDP responded by suspending the 22 Rivers State House of Assembly members who are loyal to Amaechi for sacking the Obio/Akpor Council. Later, Amaechi himself was suspended from the PDP. As if these were not enough, the PDP formed the PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF) probably to reduce the political importance of Amaechi among the governors as Amaechi was the Chairman of the original and authentic Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF): a nebulous forum unrecognised by the Nigerian Constitution, but which provided a clearing house of ideas on common issues. After all, they have the right of association. Still not satisfied to have frustrated Amaechi well enough, the PDP recognised and supported governor Jang’s aberrational caricature NGF, formed by the anti-Amaechi governors who in June 2013 lost to Amaechi during the elections in the original forum. While Amaechi got 19 votes, Jang got 16 votes. Today, and within the PDP circle, the minority 16 votes now rule majority 19 votes! Thoroughly undemocratic indeed! So, the PDP is now well pleased to be in control of two governor’s forums: PDP Governor’s Forum led by Governor Akpabio and the aberrational right-wing NGF led by Governor David Jang, all loyalists to the central leadership of the PDP. As the national leader of the PDP, it remains extremely hard to be convinced that in all of these, the President has nothing to do with them and therefore does not know they happened. Back in Rivers State, early in June 2013, the President’s wife visited Rivers State and went round soliciting for electoral support for her hubby’s 2015 presidential ambition thus further making Amaechi anti-Jonathan and heating up the Rivers State polity the more. Next, the security

personnel attached to Amaechi and the Speaker of the House of Assembly were withdrawn. The five anti-Amaechi members of the Rivers State House of Assembly (made up of 32 members) and tacitly supported by PDP’s central leadership attempted to impeach the Speaker on July 9, 2013 but 22 pro-Amaechi members refused. On July 16, 2013, four governors (Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Kwankwaso of Kano State, Nyako of Adamawa State and Aliyu of Niger State) from the North went to Rivers State on a solidarity visit to their fellow governor Amaechi and they were embarrassed by the presence of Rivers youths demonstrating at the Port Harcourt airport against their visit. Is the PDP central leadership not killing the fly with a sledgehammer? I think these are getting extremely too far, aren’t they? Quickly, may I ask: was Amaechi’s only sin that of his vice presidential ambition under Sule Lamido? In any matured and progressive politics, this may not be a sin against the President’s 2015 presidential ambition, just like the late Abubakar Rimi contested for the presidency in 2007 against late President Umaru Yar’ Adua, all of the same PDP. This is why the alleged sins had become more worrisome. Moreover, some say Amaechi had sufficiently refuted it. I think the rebuttal was not well publicised; I am yet to find a national newspaper where this rebuttal was published. Notwithstanding, for the umpteenth time, Amaechi needs a world press conference on this matter at least to reiterate emphatically that he did not have such ambition or that he has, so that the public can sufficiently know the bases of his travails. This would reduce the speculations, insinuations and dangerous sentiments built around the issue. On the other hand, the President also needs to tell the world what exactly had Amaechi done to him to deserve all the embarrassments the PDP is causing Amaechi, so that the whole world can understand the basis of his anger against Amaechi. PDP central leadership could not have been acting out on Amaechi without the President’s knowledge and approval. Impossible! • To be continued. • Dibia wrote from Abuja.

Dangerous country to be a mother By John Awe UNGEE jumping is a crazy sport where people jump off cliffs B and other lethal heights with ropes tied to their ankles. You would think that is insanely dangerous, right? Newsflash: bungee jumping is several times safer than delivering a baby in Nigeria! It’s not hearsay; it’s statistically established. There is one death for every 500,000 bungee jumps, whereas there is roughly 500 to 800 deaths for every 100,000 live births in Nigeria. A few more grim facts to pour a bucket of cold water on Nigerian husbands tonight: 11, 600 women lost their lives during childbirth in the first three months of this year according to the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria. Last year the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reported that maternal mortality had been halved in the last 20 years in most regions of the world, but regretted that sub-Saharan Africa, led by Nigeria continued to lag behind. In May, the United Kingdom’s International Development Minister, Ms. Lynne Featherstone, on a visit to Nigeria announced that Nigeria currently accounts for 10 per cent of the world’s maternal mortality. This news would absolutely scandalise us as a nation if we weren’t otherwise so busy seeing to the fertilisation of the surviving child-bearing female adults. And these dreadful statistics are only from reported cases. How many more women die quietly of pregnancy-related complications in their homes, unregistered maternity centres, some dingy rooms of iya abiyes (local midwives) or even in some of the so called private clinics with poor equipment and poorer personnel all over the country? Many would argue, quite justifiably, that nearly as many as the reported maternal deaths go unreported across Nigeria. To provide some insight, WHO’s records for 2003 suggest that two-thirds of the births in Nigeria in that year occurred at home. In the face of the horrible statistics, it takes the stoic fatalism of Nigerians to keep the maternities and neonatal clinics bustling with activities every day, all year round. To many, the statistics are distant and even unreal; just cold figures. But like the American journalist and author, Paul Brodeur, once famously remarked, statistics are human beings with the tears wiped off. These numbers actually represent needlessly wasted mothers, daughters, daughters-in-law, aunts and sisters of living people. They repre-

sent dashed hopes, destroyed destinies and deeply-seated sorrow and pain in many hearts scattered across the country. To those whose relatives, neighbours, friends and colleagues have recently swelled these statistics, the import of Brodeur’s remark will ring home more stridently; as those who very nearly become part of the statistics themselves. Belonging to the latter category is one Mrs Cordelia Ifechukwude, whose story was reported in the media a couple of weeks ago. Ifechukwude had a protracted labour in a private hospital in Alakuko, a suburb of Lagos. The baby ultimately went into distress and none of the nurses on duty noticed. It ultimately died and the mother’s womb was infected. The lady was in the throes of death when her husband decided to rush her to Ayinke House, General Hospital, Ikeja, where her life was saved. Ifechukwude’s case illustrates how very easily an otherwise healthy pregnant woman can lose the battle for life in many of the hospitals in Nigeria today. There is nobody ensuring that anyone who opens a hospital is qualified or equipped to do so. Long term hospital cleaners and auxiliary nurses have been known to open medical practices in Nigeria with no one to challenge them until they commit blue murder, literally. It is only then that there is a circus of government officials, medical authorities and policemen, threatening fire and brimstones on quacks. Even where a doctor has the competence to open a private practice, shouldn’t there be a body to go round regularly to ensure that they have basic equipment and competent support medical personnel at all times? In Ifechukwude’s case, for instance, the hospital owner was said to be a qualified doctor, who had a regular employment elsewhere in Lagos, with the result that he was hardly available to monitor his patients. In his absence, the nurses held court, and some of them, according to Ifechukwude, were so crude that they believed assisted delivery entailed aggressively pressing the protruding belly of the mother to force the baby out. Sad still is the fact that when there are cases of blatant medical malpractices against some of these hospitals there are no visible repercussions that others can learn from. Ifechukwude, for instance, alleged that she filed a petition with the medical council to no avail. The hospital was only in the news again after a fresh scandal was blown open by another patient. All these factors make private hospitals in Nigeria a dangerous gamble for women seeking to deliver babies.

The public hospitals are by far safer in Nigeria. For one thing, the chances of being delivered of a baby by an iron bender are quite remote. For another thing, even when you are unlucky to have an inexperienced house officer handling your case, there is always a roaming professor or senior consultant, with a dozen medical students in tow, who comes in at the nick of time to save the day. Of course the public hospitals have their own problems. They are obviously underfunded, overstretched and over-burdened; probably the same reasons for which they tend to breed a rich specimen of impatient, grouchy, and nasty medical personnel. The nurses particularly treat the patients and their relatives as though they were some of the ailments the hospitals were set up to cure. And by some queer arrangements the nastiest of the nurses get sent to the neonatal wards. It would shock many to know that in this day and age pregnant women admitted for delivery still have to sit on straight-backed chairs overnight in the absence of bed-space in Lagos General Hospitals. They call it ‘sitout’; their colleagues in other climes would no doubt call it shameful. But many women are opting to endure this and be alive to hold their babies than take a gamble with their lives in the practically unregulated private medical practice space in Nigeria. How hard can it be for a government to supervise the quality of care being rendered to its citizens? How difficult is it for government to ensure that the public hospitals have the basic amenities to dispense care to the citizens? How difficult is it to set up a few world-class public hospitals that women in sub Saharan Africa can flock to for safe delivery of their babies? Why is it that no state governor has made a priority of having such a hospital till date? The Lagos State Government deserves some commendation for building new General Hospitals, but if pregnant women are still being turned back or having to sit-out for lack of bed space, it is clearly not doing enough. Anyone who could have done something to prevent Nigeria from getting to this sorry pass has blood on his hands. So do all those who can do something now, but choose not to. It is a crying shame that a matador being ushered into an arena with an incensed 600kg bull stands a far better chance of emerging alive than a pregnant woman being wheeled into the labour room of a hospital in Nigeria. •Awe wrote from Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Opinion Portfolio investors in power plants privatisation By Ahmed Umar N Nigeria where the public sector has notoriety for abandoned projects, the sucIcessful construction of 10 gas-powered plants by the Federal Government through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) in less than a decade has shown that with determination and openness in public conduct, the system can work. It has also demonstrated that when competent Nigerians are appointed and given the free hand to operate by the powers that be, they can deliver. In fact, the feat of the NDPHC through the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) since its inception in 2005 is commendable. Having completed the power plants, it is not yet Uhuru because this achievement has not translated into adequate power supply for Nigerians as they still live most times in darkness. Their businesses and social life are yet to pick up because power supply is till inadequate if not elusive. A gauge of public perception of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has shown that Nigeria primarily rates him on his performance in the power sector and until he delivers on it, they believe that the government has not fared well. It is against this backdrop that the NDPHC and its co-travellers in the ongoing reforms in the power sector must not go to sleep until most Nigerians can have electricity for their domestic and industrial chores for a minimum of 18 hours per day. Considering the Nigerian factor in public business, it is heart-warming

that President Jonathan has approved the NDPHC’s move to sell the power plants to the private sector. The performance of the private sector in the telecommunication sector, which has enabled virtually every adult Nigerian to have access to telecom services has reinforced the belief that government has no business in the provision of services that the private sector has a comparative advantage. So, in the second stage of the power reform, the government must be seen to be transparent in the sale of the power plants. It is advocated here that more checks and balances be introduced into the exercise to prevent it from being hijacked by portfolio businessmen, who are already shopping for the “foreign investors” they intend to use as fronts to acquire the power plants. The NDPHC and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), which handle the sale of the thermal plants must not allow their names and integrity to be soiled by selling the plants to incompetent and emergency investors. There must be a structure to drive the process transparently to the end to avoid the landmines and pitfalls which were noticed during the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and sale of its assets. It is also suggested that the government must do everything possible to avoid the power plants sale experience of the former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji saga during the privatisation of PHCN assets, where the minister had to quit the stage unceremoniously and halfway into the exercise be-

cause of his private firm, Geometric Power Limited’s attempt to acquire the Enugu Distribution Company, one of the PHCN firms. The president should therefore allow best global practices to prevail in the sale of the NIPP infrastructure and demonstrate the political will to stop career politicians from using their cronies and allies through the backdoor to acquire the plants. Whenever a breach of due process is noticed, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo, must act fast by cancelling such bids, as it did in the Nnaji’s case. The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, should learn from Nnaji’s fall and resist the temptation of the usual Nigerian factor and the slippery banana pill to influence the pace and course of the privatisation exercise. He should know that as a notable clergyman, his reputation is at stake, while God whom he serves, will weigh his actions and judge him accordingly. Since Nebo has assured that the government would adhere to the rules of the game to make the exercise open and transparent, as a technocrat who enjoys local and international credibility, he must not squander that goodwill, but use it to attract international agencies to participate in it. Again, the issue of timeline in the sale of the plants must be well-handled. The time table released by CPCS, the transaction adviser to NDPHC and BPE for the submission of bids for the plants by prospective investors and the date fixed for short listing of bidders as well as others, must be duly followed. Where

there is need for adjustment of such dates, the public, especially the bidders must be adequately and promptly informed of the reasons behind the change. This exercise must not also for any reason be allowed to go beyond the June 2014 date for the new owners of the plants to take possession of them. The government must refrain from shifting the goal post and changing the rules of the game after bidders have keyed into the programme. It is advised that the government for no reason should change the equity structure of 80 per cent for the core investors and retain the 20 per cent reserved for the shareholders - the three tiers of government - in order to convince the investors of its confidence in the scheme. Because of the critical role foreign development partners play in the ongoing power sector reform, the government should strive to sustain their confidence in the sale of NIPP assets. Such development partners include the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Department for International Development (DFID), the European Union (EU), the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It is on record that most foreign investors rely heavily on information and advice of these international bodies in taking investment decisions. • Umar, a public affairs analyst, lives in Abuja, FCT.

INEC and Ondo governorship election By Clement Kolawole HAT the Independent National Electoral Commission T (INEC) conducted the Ondo State Governorship election on October 20, 2012 using a highly compromised voters register is no longer a secret. Though the candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and Olusola Oke alleged and pleaded this in their petitions before the State Election Petition Tribunal and the Tribunal did not see that in its judgement, the Appeal Court, in the judgement delivered on July 1, 2013, did not only confirm that there was an injection, it went ahead to establish that the compromised voters register was used in the election which returned the incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party as the winner of the election. Although both the election tribunals and the Appeal Court had given their judgment on the petitions, there is no doubt that the legal battle over the election rages on as the ACN and PDP candidates have proceeded to the Supreme Court to seek a review of the judgment of the Appeal Court in their quest to seek judgement. I, in this piece, would like to draw attention to matters arising from the judgment of the Appeal Court from the angle of a layman, who though is fairly educated and can read between the lines, can be termed not to be ‘learned’. Let me hasten to state that my position in this piece is informed by the fact that I have had the privilege of reading the judgment of the Appeal Court in the ACN case and what the Nation newspaper published sometimes last week. In the judgment delivered on July 1, the judges of the Appeal Court, Akure Division agreed that the voters register contains some ‘viruses’, which to me was injurious to whatever cause the voters register might have been used. Curiously, the quantum of the virus was not ascertained, the complainant or appellant had indicated that there were over 160,000 illegal voters injected into the voters register which was used in the October 20, 2012 election. In the casual arithmetic done by the Appeal Court, it arrived at 100,725 names which were illegally injected into the voters register but it disagreed with the Tribunal that saw the issue raised by the appellant as ‘a pre-election matter’ by noting that: It appears to me that what the Tribunal has stated at pages 3113 – 3115 of the Records, in its judgment, is what while the making of the

Voters register is a pre-election issue; the use made of its contents is a post-election issue; and goes on The Electoral Act is the only enabling statue for compilation and use of the voters register. By dint of Section 138 (1) (b) of the Electoral Act, 2010, where it is alleged that the voters register, used in the election the subject of the petition, was improperly compiled or not properly compiled in compliance with the Electoral Act, and that it was done to give undue advantage to one of the parties, and that the voters register was used to conduct the election; then I think, in my humble view, that Section 138 (1) (b) Electoral Act, 2010 has been invoked. By the said Section 138 (1) (b) of the Act, therefore, the election Tribunal, including the instant Tribunal, has jurisdiction to entertain such a complaint, (pp17-18). Arising from the above, it is apparent that the lower court misinterpreted the law when it refused to examine the merit of the complaint on the illegality of the voters register used in the election. I thought that the Appeal Court then had a strong ground to do justice instead of finding a reason why a clearly established pervasion of justice by the Election Tribunal would be sustained as it went ahead to do in its judgment delivered on July 1. More interesting and curious is the position of the Appeal Court on the display of the voters register. In their words: In tandem of this simple definition of compliance or non-compliance, it is my view that an election conducted using voters register not compiled in accordance with or in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act will, in the circumstance, fall within the jurisdiction of the Electoral Tribunal under Section 138 (1) (b) of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended. The National Assembly, through the Electoral Act, has not given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) free hand or powers to conduct elections any how or in any arbitrary and capricious matters. All powers vested in INEC to conduct elections, including compilation of voters register, are circumscribed and must be exercised in compliance with the Electoral Act, (p. 18). The Justice of the Appeal Court further affirmed that: In my humble view the Tribunal, in the instant appeal, was not right when it held that it has no jurisdiction to entertain issues bordering on non-compliance of the voters register with the Electoral Act. The register, criticised for its non-compliance with the Act, was used in the election, (p. 19). In taking the decision above, the Court considered two issues that are critical to the determination of the appeal in the appellant’s favour. (i) that the registration/injection of more names into the voters register was done secretly or surrepti-

tiously and that it was not publicised, and (ii) that the voters register to be used in the October 20, 2012 was not displayed or published for public scrutiny as required by Sections 19(1) and 20 of the Electoral Act, 2010, (p. 19). Why, if I may ask, did the Court of Appeal not take a decision on the infraction it has established by the statement of the learned judge quoted above? Could it be that its hands were tied or that it simply looked the other way as it seems in the final decision it took on the appeal? This is because one is not sure whether the Appeal Court is trying to imply that an illegal voters register, compiled anyhow by INEC, in utter contravention of the law, can be validly used to conduct an election in Nigeria. It can further be questioned that how valid would an election conducted with an invalid voters register be? Is the court trying to reverse itself by making something stand on nothing as it is being done in this current case? I agree that I am not a lawyer, but I can raise issues that may interest lawyers by asking what further burden the appellant has to prove to the Appeal Court to show that the illegality committed by INEC had negatively affected the election of October 20 irrespective of who stands to benefit from the illegality and the election should be so invalidated. If I am not ‘learned’ and do not understand the law, but the statement made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega quoted on page 57 of the Nations newspaper of Friday, July 19, 2013 clearly showed that the organisation appreciates the need to have a credible and reliable voters’ register if the results of elections conducted with the register is to be valid. According to him: As we are all aware, the credibility of the voters register goes a long way to assure the credibility of the elections. In this regard, we have left no stone unturned in order to clean up and have a very credible register for Anambra State before November Now that the case has been taken to the Supreme Court, it is my expectation that the Court will save this country from a major constitutional crisis by taking judicial notice of the danger that the decisions of both the Election Tribunal and the Appeal Court in this case pose to the overall well being of Nigerians, our nascent democracy and Nigeria now that we are preparing for governorship elections in some states and a national election in 2015. If the Supreme Court does not take a firm stand to address this political holocaust, then all sorts of voters’ registers would be compiled and used in the elections. A stitch in time saves nine is a common maxim. • Professor Kolawole is Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Sports Countdown To South Africa 2014 CHAN Qualifier

Awarding World Cup to Qatar was blatant mistake, says FIFA committee member

Injury knocks out Gambo, as Keshi names 18 stars for Abidjan From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja Eagles’ Chief Coach, SsaidUPER Stephen Keshi, yesterday the sudden injury to top striker, Mohammed Gambo, has forced the technical crew to change its plans for the second leg of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire this weekend in Abidjan. Kano Pillars top striker, Mohammed was ruled out of the game yesterday when team doctors informed Keshi that the player would be out of action for six weeks because of a muscle tear he sustained during the team’s training on Monday. The technical crew has quickly drafted junior international, Alhaji Gero, as replacement for the injured Mohammed. Speaking during the team’s weekly parley with the media in Abuja, the former Super Eagles captain said

Sterling Bank partners Arsenal

that even though the team could always provide a ready replacement for Gambo, he would have preferred a situation where all his top players were fit and ready for the match because he believes that task ahead will be tough on Saturday. Keshi said, “they are mentally ready for the game. I can see it in their faces, they want to do something to make themselves and Nigeria proud. We have no reason to entertain any form of fear, we are going to Abidjan to play and do our job.” “It was very difficult picking the18 players because after staying together for more than two weeks, the boys have become very sound. So, it was difficult letting the others go, but we had to do it. I had to free myself from the task by letting coaches Amokachi, Shorunmi and Valerie to talk to the dropped players.”

WARDING the 2022 soccer A World Cup to Qatar’s desert state was a “blatant

Moses

Mba, Oboabona lead 16 others to Abidjan

Bank has • Team departs from Lagos today SwithTERLING announced a partnership EGULARS Sunday Mba, from home to the encounter. Arsenal Football Club to Injured top striker and R Godfrey Oboabona, issue co-branded debit cards Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kano Pillars marksman, in Nigeria. The three year partnership, the first financial agreement of its kind for Arsenal in Nigeria, underlines a significant and continued commitment by the Club to its millions of fans in the country. The card will offer a range of Club-related benefits and incentives to Sterling Bank’s customers and Arsenal fans in Nigeria such as official merchandise and tickets to see the team in action at Emirates Stadium in London. In addition, Arsenal Soccer School coaches will undertake a youth coaching clinic on behalf of Sterling Bank in Nigeria. Vinai Venkatesham, head of Global Partnerships at Arsenal Football Club said of the partnership, “we are delighted to be partnering with Sterling Bank, who are a highly respected financial establishment, to offer Arsenal branded debit cards to our millions of fans in Nigeria. We look forward to building a strong and successful relationship in the years to come.”

Chigozie Agbim and Daniel Akpeyi were the notable names in the 18-man list released by Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, yesterday ahead of Saturday’s second leg, final round of the CHAN qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan. The Eagles take a 4-1 lead

Gambo Mohammed, who was dropped due to a muscle tear he copped on Monday during the team’s routine training session, is replaced in the team by Warri Wolves’ Etebor Oghenekaro and junior international, Alhaji Gero of Enugu Rangers. The duo are expected to battle for

Gambo’s shirt with Ifeanyi Ede, who showed flashes of competence in the team’s last test game against TEAP FC of Abuja. The team is expected to depart Lagos this morning and arrive Abidjan at noon on time for a training session. The full list of the 18 players for the Abidjan trip is as follows: Chigozie Agbim, Daniel

Akpeyi, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Godfrey Oboabona, Solomom Kwambe, Kunle Odunlami, Benjamin Francis, Chibuzo Okonkwo, Sunday Mba, Ayo Saka, Olufemi Oladapo and Etebor Oghenekaro. Others are Gomo Onduku, Ifeanyi Ede, Ezekiel Mba, Gero Abdulahi, Joseph Osadiaye and Rabiu Ali.

Keshi appears before Eagles’ bonus panel From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja UPER Eagles Coach, Sappeared Stephen Keshi on Tuesday before the Segun Adeniyi-led ministerial probe panel on the Super Eagles bonus row with a call on the panel to ensure that it comes out with a report that will put to a permanent end the re-occurring incident that rocks Nigerian football. Keshi appeared before the panel alongside his two players, Godfrey Oboabona and Sunday Mba, who were among the players that

revolted against the bonus slash by the Nigeria Football Federation that almost marred the team’s trip to Brazil for the Confederations Cup. The Eagles coach, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja noted that the panel must first of all look at how the whole issue started, stressing that there was the need for them to know everything thing about the row to enable them come out with reports that would solve the problem. While expressing confidence in the ability of the pan-

el to do a good job, Keshi warned that the problem would continue to re-occur if they fail to present a thorough report that would put an end to the crisis. “Yes, I appeared before the panel yesterday. I was not drilled in the first place. I was questioned by the panel on how to move forward. I do have great faith in the panel that they will do a good job. “The issue is how it started in the first place. It was in the interest of all the team. It has happened before in the national team. They have to

do a good job to prevent it from happening again because if it is not properly taken care of, it will happen again. If it is not properly done, there will be crisis,” Keshi warned. Speaking further, the coach said, “we have to inform people ahead of time about what is going to happen in the team. We must all be carried along in certain decisions that affects the team. It is not when we are far away there that you come up with such decisions. It is not good for the team.”

mistake” FIFA executive committee member, Theo Zwanziger said yesterday, adding that staging the tournament in winter would be just as big a problem. German Zwanziger’s attack on the decision to give the tiny energy-rich Gulf state the world’s biggest single sports event comes after FIFA President, Sepp Blatter repeated his view that the finals could not be played in the traditional summer slot. “It was a blatant mistake,” Zwanziger, formerly head of the German football federation (DfB) told Sportbild magazine, referring to the decision taken by world soccer’s governing body in December 2010. Zwanziger, who joined the FIFA executive the following year, also said shifting the tournament to the winter months would put the unity of German football in danger. “Changing the World Cup to the winter is going deep into the structures of European national federations and also amateur football in Germany.” “A change in playing schedules does not only affect the Bundesliga but continues affecting lower divisions due to the link with promotion and relegation. The game pyramid is in danger and so is the unity of German football.” Moving the World Cup to the winter would have a seismic effect on soccer scheduling in Europe. Many leagues outside Britain have a winter break but would need a hiatus of at least six weeks to accommodate national teams preparing for, and playing at, the World Cup finals. The English Premier League, despite not having a winter break, has repeatedly voiced its strong disagreement with moving the tournament to the winter months. “A winter World Cup would mean public viewing with ice skating boots in freezing temperatures,” said Zwanziger. “If the decision was really a mistake it should be lifted and should not become an even bigger burden for those who are not involved by changing it to the winter.” Moving the World Cup to January or February would also have an impact on attendances and television viewing figures for other sporting events like the Australian Open tennis tournament, skiing and the Winter Olympics.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

SPORTS 71

Suarez to hold talks with Arsenal striker, Luis LwithIVERPOOL Suarez wants to hold talks Arsenal over a potential move to the London club. He believes Arsenal’s offer of just over £40m - which has been rejected - triggered a clause in his contract that allows him to speak to suitors. Liverpool Interpret the clause differently, but Suarez will inform the Reds of his wish to meet with Arsenal. The Anfield side has now turned down two offers from the Gunners, who are keen to boost their attacking options.

Real Madrid forward, Gonzalo Higuain is another of their targets, but the Argentine looks set to complete a move to Serie A side Napoli. Suarez made his first appearance for the Reds this summer yesterday, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute and setting up Iago Aspas for his team’s 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory in Australia. Arsenal’s unusual bid of £40,000,001 was designed to trigger a clause in the player’s contract that stipulates

I’m heading to the Emirate, Suarez seems to tell Liverpool fans

Villas-Boas counting on Bale to stay NDRE Villas-Boas says he is A counting on Gareth Bale to stay at Tottenham, amid reports in Spain that he is set to join Real Madrid. Spanish daily Marca suggested the La Liga club is closing on a six-year deal for the 24-year-old forward. But Spurs Manager, VillasBoas insisted Bale is not for sale. “He’s a Tottenham player, he’s one of the most fantastic players in the world at the

moment and we are counting on him for the future,” said Villas-Boas. “He’s a player that we are willing to continue to have.” Bale, who scored 26 goals for Tottenham last season, is under contract at White Hart Lane until 2016. In May, his agent Jonathan Barnett told a Spanish television show that the winger would listen to an offer from Real Madrid if they agreed a fee with Tottenham.

Man City new signing Navas turned down Arsenal in 2010 EW Manchester City signN ing Jesus Navas has revealed that he once turned down the chance to sign for Arsenal.( ( The Spain international moved to the Etihad Stadium in June, ending a 10-year association with La Liga side Sevilla, but things could have turned out differently if the 27-year-old had made another call back in 2010. “When Arsenal came in it was the year when Sevilla won the Spanish Cup,” he told The Sun. “I was still winning things and achieving things at Sevilla and

therefore it wasn’t the right time to move but we haven’t won anything for two or three years and I feel now is the right time to move on. “I always demand 100 per cent from myself so for that reason it was the right time to go. It’s an exciting time to be joining City and I’m confident we will enjoy the season and do great things together.” Navas is joined at City by fellow former Sevilla player Alvaro Negredo and he is delighted that the forward has joined Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Liverpool must consider any offer in excess of £40m and give Suarez the option of talking to the club. However, the Reds maintain they will not have to sell the Uruguayan. Following Arsenal’s most recent approach, a post on Liverpool owner John Henry’s Twitter page read, “what do you think they’re smoking over there at Emirates?” It is unclear whether Henry is talking about Arsenal’s attempts to sign Suarez or their valuation of the player. While Liverpool remain determined to keep Suarez, who scored 30 goals for the club in 44 appearances last season, their resolve is likely to be tested if the bids continue to rise. Real Madrid, now managed by Carlo Ancelotti, also remain interested in the player but have yet to make a formal offer. Should Arsenal persist and have an improved bid accepted, it would more than double their previous highest initial outlay on a transfer. The Gunners, whose first offer for Suarez was £30m, paid £17.5m to Sevilla for Jose Antonio Reyes in 2004. Rodgers last week said he considered Suarez to be at least as valuable as Edinson Cavani, another Uruguayan striker, who recently joined Paris St-Germain for £55m.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

72 SPORTS

European round-up

Barca’s new coach, Martino, to be presented tomorrow ARCELONA has B announced that new Coach, Gerardo Martino will be officially unveiled at the club tomorrow. The 50-year-old Argentinian was confirmed as the new Barca boss on Tuesday, succeeding Tito Vilanova, who stepped down from the role on Friday after one season in charge as he continues his battle with cancer. Martino is due to fly into Barcelona today afternoon and will pose for the traditional photo outside the club’s offices at 1830 local time, the Catalan club have announced in a statement. He will sign a two-year contract with the Primera Division champions tomorrow morning before holding his first official press conference as club coach at 1300

local time. Like Barca superstar Lionel Messi, Martino is a native of Rosario, and he spent 14 years of his playing career with local club Newell’s Old Boys, the club Messi played for as a junior before moving to Barcelona aged 13. Martino also led Newell’s to the Argentinian Clausura title last season as coach before stepping down from the post, and last night he held a farewell press conference in Rosario, in which he declared his belief that Messi and his father Jorge played a key role in Barcelona appointing him as Vilanova’s successor. He said, “I have no doubts that Messi spoke with the club directors. I’m sure that Jorge and Leo have had some weight in this decision.

Mourinho backs City buys OSE Mourinho believes Jlions Manchester City’s milhave been spent wise-

Messi and Fabregas waiting to receive new coach tomorrow

Ivanovic targets early United clash RANISLAV Ivanovic B believes Chelsea’s match at Manchester United next month offers the opportunity to inflict a damaging psychological blow in the Barclays Premier League title race. The August 26 Old Trafford meeting comes amid sugges-

Baptista on the move, Falcao denies fake age claims Baptista has left Malaga an amicable agreement on sive start at Malaga, scoring JtoULIO after reaching an agreement Friday 19th July to terminate nine goals in 11 games after rescind his contract with the striker’s contract. The club joining from Roma during the the Primera Division club. The 31-year-old Brazil international, who has been with Malaga for two and a half years, now looks set to join Cruzeiro in his homeland. A statement on Malaga’s website today read: “Julio Cesar Baptista and Malaga reached

and the player came to an understanding following his last match against German side, Kaller SC. “Malaga would like to wish the Brazilian the best of luck for the future and his new career with Brazil’s Cruzeiro.” Baptista enjoyed an impres-

2010/11 January transfer window, but was hit by injuries in his second season and made just four league appearances. He returned to action in the second half of last season, playing 18 times in all competitions while scoring four goals. Baptista has also played for

tions Jose Mourinho is playing mind games with new United boss, David Moyes and while Chelsea bid to recruit striker, Wayne Rooney. “It’s very important for us psychologically to start the season well,” said Ivanovic in Jakarta today, ahead of tomor-

Arsenal, Real Madrid, Sevilla and home-town club Sao Paulo. Meanwhile, new Monaco, Radamel Falcao says there is no truth in a bizarre story to have circulated about his age. The Colombian joined Monaco earlier in the summer for £53million, with Manager, Claudio Ranieri recruiting a striker whose age was listed as 27.

row’s final match of the Blues’ Asia tour. “I think it can give us extra confidence and after that we can play game by game. The season is very long. We have to be ready for every challenge.” Asked specifically about the Old Trafford contest, Ivanovic said, “it’s very important, more mentally, because it’s the beginning of the season. “That game will not decide who is going to be champions, but it will decide a lot of things about the confidence and about the team.” After six matches against United without a win, the momentum in the fixture has turned in the Blues’ favour, with three wins and a draw in the last four matches. Ivanovic knows, though, that small incidents can prove crucial in such a clash.

ly this summer, as the Portuguese bids to beat the opposition and claim Chelsea’s first Barclays Premier League title since 2010. Success has followed wherever two-time Champions League-winning boss Mourinho has gone - at Porto, in his first spell at Chelsea, at Inter Milan and Real Madrid - but winning a third Premier League title is now his target. Defending champions Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are all considered rivals, but City, the 2012 champions, are a significant obstacle in the way, particularly after recruiting Jesus Navas, Fernandinho, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic for a sum reportedly in excess of £100million this summer. “I think they’ve bought very, very well,” Mourinho said. “They have the money to buy, but they have also the knowledge, they have people in the club who know a lot about football. “They are players at the top of their careers, experienced but still young. If you see their age, their maturity, they are in the perfect moment of their career to go to England - no need for adaptation, no need of work to learn the project.” Mourinho believes it would be an achievement to rank above all his others if Chelsea can win the Premier League title this term. “I always say that the best trophy you have is the last (most recent) one,” he said. “(But) if we win something important with this group, it will be the best for many reasons.” Chelsea’s squad is young, with an experienced core, which includes Ashley Cole. He made a rare media appearance in Jakarta ahead of the third and final match of the Blues’ Asia tour. The England left-back stated his belief that he owes Mourinho for under-performing during the Portuguese’s first spell in charge, which ended little more than a year after the defender’s controversial move from Arsenal. Mourinho disagreed with Cole’s assessment and is thrilled to be reunited with the defender. “He is the kind of player that you are always wishing can be your player again,” Mourinho said. Cole has often been subject of criticism for off-field behaviour, but the public persona of Cole is at odds with the man Mourinho knows. “With me I don’t remember one single action that made me feel that he wasn’t that professional,” Mourinho added.

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THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

Olympic gold medalist, Joshua turns pro LYMPIC gold medallist O Anthony Joshua will begin plotting his path to

Joshua (left) battles Italy’s Roberto Cammarelle during the London 2012 Olympic Games. He was given the decision in the clash

professional glory this week after finally announcing his decision to turn his back on the amateur code. Joshua’s decision to sign with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom organisation was fully expected if long in coming, and raises the prospect of the 23-year-old making his debut on a big pay-per-view show later this year. Joshua tweeted: “I’d like 2 thank Finchley ABC & I’d also like to thank @gbboxing for everything they have done for me. The time is upon us!” Joshua has not fought since his thrilling countback win over Italy’s Roberto Cammarelle on the final day of last summer’s Games, and will be keen to kick off his career as soon as possible. The Londoner could fight on the undercard of David Haye’s heavyweight clash with Tyson Fury at the end of

U.S. government overlooked drug allegations, says Armstrong YCLIST Lance Armstrong C has called for a federal lawsuit by the United States government against him to be dismissed. The suit argued that the 41year-old defrauded the public by insisting he was not using drugs during his seven Tour de France wins. However, Armstrong, who was stripped of the titles last year and admitted doping this year, has questioned the government’s motives after claiming it overlooked allegations of drug-taking at the time because his team were sponsored by the US Postal Service. “Although the government now pretends to be aggrieved by these allegations, its actions at the time are far more telling,” Armstrong’s motion states. Armstrong, who was riding for the U.S. Postal Service team

at the time relating to the lawsuit, ended years of denial in January during an interview with chat show host Oprah Winfrey in which he described doping as part of the process of winning the Tour. The Texan rider asked an American judge to dismiss the justice False Claims Act lawsuit on Tuesday. “Did it suspend the team

pending an investigation? Did it refer the matter to its phalanx of lawyers and investigators at the Department of Justice for review? It did not,” his motion continued. “Rather than exercise its right to terminate the sponsorship agreement, it instead renewed its contract to sponsor the team. “The rationale behind the government’s decision is obvi-

The American rider, who won the Tour a record seven times between 1999 and 2005, was last year exposed as a serial drug user in a US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) report that plunged cycling into crisis. The cancer survivor, who insisted for years that he did not take performanceenhancing drugs, was stripped of his Tour titles and banned from the sport for life.

Tiger Woods’ niece, Cheyenne, wants to make a name for herself HEYENNE Woods has set C her sights on making a major impact as she aims to prove her uncle is not the only family member, who excels on the golf course. Cheyenne, niece of 14-time major winner, Tiger Woods says she is honoured to be

related to the men’s world number one. But she is intent on making a name for herself, starting by qualifying for the British Open in early August. “It’s an honour to have the last name Woods but I want to be known for my own golf,” the 23-year-old told BBC Sport.

RITISH cyclist, Sir Bradley B Wiggins will make his return to racing at the Tour

The American is embarking on her first full season as a professional as part of the Ladies European Tour. But she has a big few days ahead of her if she is to make the Open and will attempt to clinch a place at St Andrews at the Ladies European Masters at Buckinghamshire Golf Club between 26-28 July. If she is unsuccessful then she faces an anxious day in final qualifying at Kingsbarns Golf Club on 29 July. “It will take some time for some people to get used to the fact that I am Tiger Woods’s niece and I’m playing professionally now,” she admitted. “I am always reminded of it

of Poland. The 33-year-old 2012 Tour de France champion and four-time Olympic champion has been named in Team Sky’s squad for the race, which begins on Saturday. Wiggins withdrew from May’s Giro d’Italia with a knee injury and chest infection, which then ruled him out of the 100th Tour de France. Team-mate, Chris Froome inherited his Tour title in Paris last Sunday. Wiggins is joined in the Team Sky squad by Britons Luke Rowe and Ben Swift, Colombian duo Sergio Henao and Rigoberto Uran and American Danny Pate. The first stage takes place in Italy, with Krakow the finish seven days later.

Cheyenne Woods

Wiggins to make racing return at Tour of Poland

Armstrong

ous. Armstrong had recently won the 2000 Tour de France. The government wanted a winner and all the publicity, exposure, and acclaim that goes along with being his sponsor. It got exactly what it bargained for.” Armstrong has also argued that the government’s case is too old to move forward because it is barred by the sixyear statute of limitations.

but I’m so used to it.” As both lead busy schedules, Cheyenne sees little of her uncle but he is never far away from her thoughts. “The one piece of advice he has always given me is to trust my ability,” she said. “That’s been huge for me just for my confidence on the course. We’re both extremely busy but he keeps up with events - especially with me playing in Europe. “He’s aware I’m out here and doing my thing on tour. Maybe if I qualify for the Open then I’ll get a tip or two from him. But if I ever need something I know I can always reach out to him.”

September, but is more likely to appear on the bill of Carl Froch’s Matchroom-promoted clash with George Groves later in the year. The British Amateur Boxing Association said in a statement: (BABA) has confirmed that the 2012 Olympic superheavyweight gold medallist, Anthony Joshua MBE, will not be part of the GB Boxing squad in the 2013-17 Rio cycle. “His contract with the BABA finished at the end of the 2009-2013 London Olympic cycle and he has now left the World Class Performance Programme to pursue other career opportunities.” Great Britain performance director Rob McCracken said: “Anthony is a very talented sportsman who has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become Olympic champion, less than four years after he first began boxing. “Naturally, it is a disappointment for us that Anthony has decided his future lies away from the GB Boxing programme, but he departs with our very best regards and we wish him every success in his future career.” Joshua had been training at the Great Britain squad’s gym at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield while he considered his options in the wake of his Olympic triumph. They included interest from both Matchroom - who recently signed Joshua’s fellow gold medallist Luke Campbell - and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy organisation in the United States. Great Britain chiefs had harboured the increasingly slim hope that Joshua would elect to stay amateur and sign up instead for the new APB series run by world governing body AIBA. But the recent axing of the British Lionhearts franchise from the World Series of Boxing effectively ended any possibility of Joshua deciding to remain in the amateur ranks. Furthermore, the Amateur Boxing Association of England is currently under a provisional suspension by AIBA, leaving England boxers’ future participation in major tournaments in doubt. Joshua will not be short of future targets in a burgeoning domestic heavyweight division headed by Haye and Fury.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

74 SPORTS

I am still a Warri Wolves’ player, says Agbim Eagles home based ShasUPER skipper, Chigozie Agbim said he remains a player of Warri Wolves on loan to Enugu Rangers International until contractual terms are sorted out by both clubs. Agbim was reacting to reports in a section of the media, which quoted him as saying that he is a full Rangers player and owes his allegiance to the Enugu side. “In the first place, I never said that, all I said was that Rangers and Warri Wolves are still negotiating over my future and at the end of the day they will tell the world what agreement they have. Now I have been misquoted

over what I never said.” The fast growing goalie said he has no personal disagreement with Wolves but only sought a transfer as normal players do and will not want the media to create a crisis between him and the Warri side. The same scenario played out in the case of Sunday Mba, which has since been resolved in favour of Warri Wolves and Agbim declared on Tuesday that he does not want a similar problem as both sides have been very good to him and are at the moment negotiating on the best way forward for him.

Lagos unveils athletics’ timing device, to host World Championships qualifiers By Olalekan Okusan HE Lagos State government yesterday unveiled the latest track and field timing device, as the state host the final qualifier for the IAAF World Championship holding in Russia next month. According to the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Oshodi, the equipment would help the state athletes acquaint themselves with current global practice. “It is very important that we acquaint or athletes with the latest in track and field and for us in Lagos, this device will help to ascertain the performance level of our athletes. We are very pleased with the enormous support we are getting from Governor Babatunde Fashola, at ensuring that our athletes are at par with their foreign counterpart. This is a state-of-the-art facility that is used all over the world,” Oshodi noted. Chairman of Lagos State Athletics Association, Tunde Makanjuola said the equipment would help reduce human errors. “With this equipment, we are not going to rely on hand timing as we will now have accurate timing for all our athletes. This will also help us

to assess the performance of our athletes in line with what obtains at global level as it will tell us automatically the result without any error,” he said. Meanwhile, athletes within and outside the country that are still hoping to make it to the 2013 IAAF World Championships holding in Russian next month will burn the track on Thursday at the Lagos Open Championship/ Eko Grand Prix. The two-day tournament is being organised by the Lagos State Athletics Association will hold at the University of Lagos Sports Complex with athletes expected from Ghana and other neighbouring countries. “At least 25 clubs have signified interest in taking part in the competition and we are ready. All logistics have been put in place to ensure a smooth organisation of the tournament. Good prize money will be given out to athletes from Lagos State, who excel in their respective events at the end of the day. “I want to thank Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola for the initiative of this Quarter Inter Clubs Competitions because it will make our athletes ever ready for national and international meets,” said Makanjuola.

Olowora (right); competing for Lagos State in a recent competition. The state government says it will develop young athletes to achieve their dreams of becoming world stars

Goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim in action for the Super Eagles… He is pleading with Nigerian journalists not to between him and his club, Warri Wolves.

Cameroon, Gabon CHAN 2014 match cancelled again ESCHEDULED for this comR ing Sunday, the 2014 CHAN qualifier between Cameroon and Gabon has been cancelled again. Cameroon’s Coach, Emmanuel Ndoumbe Bosso had called up 25 players to start preparing for the

encounter yesterday, but has been asked on Tuesday night by his management to call off the preparation. “I am currently at training in Bamenda, with my club Yong Sport Academy. My management has informed me on Tuesday around 20h00 that

Gabon refused to play, as the money allocated for that match had already been spent and they were already focused on preparing for the CHAN. “Gabon also stated that they cannot be informed on a Wednesday about a match in

Yaoundé the following Sunday,” told Bosso to MTNFootball.com. As a result, the national coach decided to send back all the players already present in Yaoundé, and informed the others that the match had been called off.

Afrobasket: D’Tigers begins final preparation in U.S RESH from a third place FContinental finish at the Stankovic tournament in China, the national Men’s basketball team, D’Tigers has departed for Orlando, Florida in the United States where the final Afrobasket preparatory camp begins. The Nigeria Basketball Federation had held screening camps in Abuja and Los Angeles for the China trip and those, who stood out have been earmarked for the next phase of preparations. Already Mark Mentors forwards, Stanley Gumut and Abdul Yahaya are in Orlando to join the rest of the USbased players some of whom were earlier excused to tidy up their contract status or try out with NBA teams. Some of the regular players expected in camp are the Aminu brothers, Alade and Al Farouk, Ike Diogu, Derrick Obasohan, Chamberlain Oguchi, Olumide Oyedeji, Mike Umeh as well as newcomers Andy Ogide and Stan Okoye. The coaching and medical staff includes Head Coach, Ayo Bakare, Assistants Sani Ahmed, Ayinla Johnson, Abdulrahman Mohammed, Ogoh Odaudu and team physician Dr. Sulaiman Ohida. In a related development, the NBBF is hosting a threeday screening camp to select Nigeria’s representatives at this year’s Basketball Without Borders Camp in August/September in South Africa. The camp will take place at the National Stadium, Package ‘B’, Abuja from July 26 to 29 with 30 prospective kids in the appropriate age

group from across the country, slugging out for slots. The camp will be conducted

by coaches like Mike Akuboh and Emma Odah and they will be supported by Fubara

Onyeanabo, Sani Turi as well as NBBF grassroots Coach, Alex Uwajeh.

Nestle IAAF Kids’ Athletics flags-off today in Lagos By Gowon Akpodonor HE maiden edition of the Nestle kids’ athletics programme will be flagged-off this morning in Lagos by Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi. The event scheduled for 10am will take place at the Opebi Model Primary School. Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola is also expected to grace the occasion. Some top officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and members of the committee for the Nestle Kids’ Athletics, including Vice President, Tunde Abdulkareem and Technical Director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama relocated to Lagos yesterday in preparation for today’s event. Other members of the committee include former Africa queen of the track, Mary Onyali-Omagbami. Nestle, a partner of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), supports one of the organisation’s flagship projects - Kids’ Athletics - through its ‘Nestle Healthy Kids’ programme. The initiative aims to encourage school-age children to develop positive physical, health and social skills by engaging in sporting activities while, at the same time, enhancing the development of future athletes in that country. The programme is being implemented in partnership

with the AFN, which has been promoting the development of athletics in schools. Managing Director of Nestle Nigeria, Dharnesh Gordhon said yesterday that all arrangements have been put in place for a hitch free event. He noted that Nestle is pleased to provide financial support for the further development of IAAF Kids’ Athletics programme. “Beyond supporting the programme, we believe that this partnership will further enhance Nestle Healthy Kids programme in Nigeria, which has as its aim improving the Nutrition, Health and Wellness of school-age-chil-

dren through better eating and greater physical activity,” Gordhon said. President of AFN, Solomon Ogba said Nestle’s expertise in Nutrition, Health and Wellness would not only help promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle for children, but also augment development of athletics in Nigeria. Nestle’s support for the Kids’ Athletics complements the company’s Healthy Kids Programme. The Nestle Healthy Kids initiative was launched in Nigeria in 2011 and reaches more than 15,000 children between 6 and 12 years old in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.

Young children like these will be part of the IAAF Nestle Kid’s Athletics Programme, which will flag off in Lagos this morning

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

SPORTS 75

Ramsey expects Fabregas to stay at Barcelona RSENAL midfielder, Aaron A Ramsey expects Cesc Fabregas to remain at Barcelona despite Manchester United’s interest in the former Gunners playmaker. The defending Premier League champions are set to make an improved 40.6 million euro offer for Fabregas having already had two bids the latest worth 35 million plus add-ons - rejected. Ramsey admits he was not surprised to see the Spaniard linked with other clubs but believes he will choose to fight for his place at Camp Nou. “I’ve seen the stories but I don’t know what’s going on there,” Ramsey told the Daily Mail. “He’s a quality player and he will be linked to a few different clubs. “I don’t know exactly what will happen but he’s a great player and he’s still at

Barcelona and he said earlier in the year that he wants to stay, fight for his place and become a regular there.” Having cemented his place in the Arsenal team during the second half of the 2012-13 campaign, Ramsey is optimistic about the season ahead and hoping to contribute more goals from central midfield. “I think I was very happy with my form at the end of the season,” he said. “I was

playing in central midfield, that’s my favorite position and I still think there’s more to come from me and I was pleased with the way I played and my contribution to the team. “I think I proved a lot of people wrong, showed exactly what I can do and there’s a lot more to come from me. Scoring goals is one thing I need to improve on and hopefully I can do that this season.”

Milan criticises Constant for anti-racism walk-off C Milan has criticised A Kevin Constant for walking off the pitch over racial abuse during the club’s friendly with Sassuolo. In a similar scenario to what happened to Kevin-Prince Boateng at the start of 2013 in the winter break, the Milan full back reacted to a torrent of abuse in a friendly match, however the whole team did not follow him this time. Rossoneri CEO, Adriano Galliani believes the abuse was disgraceful, but felt his player reacted in the wrong way when the incident occurred. “The racist chants are

Djemba has joined Partizan Belgrade on a two-year contract, the Serbian champions said. The announcement came hours before Partizan host Armenians FC Shirak in the return leg of their Champions League second qualifying round, with the first leg having ended in a 1-1 draw. “After negotiations that lasted all day on Tuesday, the two parties hammered out the contract details today and the player will be eligible to play for Partizan in the Champions League should the club advance into the third qualifying round,” Partizan said on their website (www.sr.partizan.rs). The 32-year-old defensive midfielder had two patchy seasons at United from 2003 to 2005, failing to break into the first team before moving to Aston Villa where he made just 11 league appearances from 2005 to 2007 and was loaned to Championship side Burnley.

ORMER Argentina internaFbelieves tional, Jorge Valdano that the presence of

Rodgers

Djemba Djemba joins Partizan Belgrade ORMER Manchester Fmidfielder, United and Cameroon Eric Djemba

Messi is holding back Alexis, Valdano insists Lionel Messi has prevented Alexis Sanchez from fulfilling his potential at Barcelona. The Chilean joined Barca from Udinese in the summer of 2011, but has so far been unable to replicate his scintillating Serie A form for the Blaugrana, prompting rumors of a potential exit from the club. Valdano believes the 24year-old could be affected by playing in the shadow of talisman Messi, telling Radio Cooperativo: “Alexis seems to be missing confidence. He always used to have a lot of flair and took on opponents. Now he seems to prefer the safe route and pass to a teammate. “Maybe Messi’s presence overwhelms him. You don’t know how the mind of certain top players works. I still remember Ariel Ortega at Valencia. He used to do very well, but then Romario came onto the scene and Ortega just went missing all of a sudden.” Alexis has made 54 La Liga appearances so far for Barcelona, scoring 20 goals in the process.

unspeakable and outrageous, but he shouldn’t have left the pitch,” Galliani told Sky Sport. “Although it was terrible behavior by the crowd, the rules are for the player to go to the referee. He then goes to the fourth official, who alerts the police officers. The game is then suspended. “You cannot leave the pitch.” Milan subsequently released a statement reiterating their desire to see its play-

ers speak to the referee before storming off the field of play in future. It read: “This was not a decision he [Constant] should have taken upon himself to make. “And, despite his more than understandable reasons and the anger he must have felt, AC Milan would like to remind everyone that the only people responsible for intervening against any manifestations that offend the human dignity, which includes racial discrimination, are the referees in charge of the match and the head of public safety.” FIFA also wanted to stress that, though the organisation wants to see racism stamped out of football, walking off is not a viable solution for players. “FIFA is monitoring the situation and awaiting the result of the investigation launched by the Italian FA,” it said in a statement to Omnisport. “ FIFA’s position on the issue of racism is unequivocally clear, there is no place in football for racism or for any form of discrimination.

Constant

Transfer Gossip ARCELONA midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, 26, is considering his B future with the Spanish club after Manchester United made a second bid for him.

Sanchez

Liverpool ready for top-four challenge, says Rodgers place this year. Manager, League place this season. LtheIVERPOOL “I hope we can make a big Brendan Rodgers believes The Northern Irishman says Reds are ready to chal- that the club now have the push this year. Playing in lenge for a Champions right type of players, who can help them to finish in the top four and expects an improvement from his team in 201314. “We can get into the Champions League with players who are hungry – players, who have that hunger to succeed,” he told The Anfield Wrap. “With the right profile of player and the right level of coaching we can achieve that. We all want stars but the most important thing is you want players who are hungry to become stars. “That’s what we have at the club now - players who are hungry. If we bring them in with a certain profile I think we’ve shown we are able to compete - and I would expect us to make a much better fist of competing for a top-four

Europe is what this club is all about, it is what the history of this club is built on, and that is the aim.” Rodgers also feels that the Reds have moved on from last season and have offloaded players who were holding the team back. “I’ve seen a change - we’ve tried to grow the club in the last year and make sure we’ve got a real base to build on,” he explained. “There was a much bigger job last year in terms of trying to get the balance within the squad right. We had players who needed to move on, really. “We had big wage earners within the football club who weren’t contributing and we knew we had to move them on and find the right profile of player - and that’s what we have now.”

Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, 27, would consider signing for Arsenal if a transfer to Chelsea falls through. Real Madrid have warned United off Cristiano Ronaldo, with president Florentino Perez insisting the 28-year-old forward will sign a new deal to end his career at the Bernabeu. But Tottenham has urged Real Madrid to “back off” as the Spanish side continues their chase for forward Gareth Bale, 24. Valencia have told Tottenham that striker Roberto Soldado, 28, can leave, but only if his 30m euros (£26m) release clause is met. Striker, Jackson Martinez, 26, a target for Spurs and Liverpool, has ruled out a move from Porto. Manchester United striker, Angelo Henriquez, 19, is wanted on loan by Spanish side Real Zaragoza. Liverpool is considering a £10m bid for Palermo midfielder Josip Ilicic, 25. West Brom is considering a £2m bid for Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner, 26. West Ham is hopeful of agreeing a deal with QPR to sign 26-yearold striker Loic Remy. Benfica want 40m euros (£34m) for winger Eduardo Salvio, 23, as they attempt to ward off interest from Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham. French league club, Monaco has made a new move for 26-year-old Manchester United winger, Nani. Tunisia international striker, Saber Khelifa, currently with French side Evian, is a possible transfer target for Celtic. But Celtic will only move for Khelifa if a bid for Hamburg forward Artjoms Rudnevs proves unsuccessful. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has pledged to help England qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Mourinho has also suggested Manchester City will be under greater pressure to win the title than his own Chelsea side having out-spent their rivals in the transfer market this summer. English clubs’ earnings from the Champions League last season were dwarfed by those in Italy, Spain and Germany, UEFA figures have revealed. Manchester United Manager, David Moyes has a week left to sign Marouane Fellaini, 25, for £22m before the buy-out clause in the Everton midfielder’s contract expires. Chelsea is set to end speculation linking playmaker Juan Mata, 25, with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer as they prepare to offer the Spaniard a lucrative new contract. Sunderland Manager, Paolo Di Canio has described his spending spree as a “revolution”, predicting midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini, 28, signed for £7m from Juventus, will be “one of the best” players in the Premier League.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

76 SPORTS

British ‘true tennis ambassador’ Keothavong retires NNE Keothavong is confiA dent she is leaving British women’s tennis in a healthy state after announcing her retirement. The 29-year-old, who reached a career-high ranking of 48 four years ago, is joining BT Sport as part of their team to cover the WTA Tour. Keothavong said, “I have given my decision a lot of thought and I believe this is the right time to move on to the next stage of my career. “I have had some magical moments along the way and I would like to thank my family for their unwavering support and encouragement, the LTA for their fantastic backing, my Coach, Jeremy Bates and also (former head of women’s tennis) Nigel Sears, who have both been very influential in my tennis career, and, of course, the great tennis fans in Britain and all over the world. “I think I am leaving tennis in excellent shape with both Laura Robson and Heather Watson leading the way for Britain in the women’s game. “I am now focusing on my exciting new challenge with BT Sport, where I hope I can provide insight and analysis for tennis fans.” Keothavong and Elena Baltacha set the standard for current British number one Robson and Watson to follow.

Powell vows to return after positive drugs test ORMER 100m world record Fwants holder, Asafa Powell says he to return to the track as soon as possible after his failed drug test. The 30-year-old tested positive for banned stimulant oxilofrine at the Jamaican Championships in June. At the time he said he had never “knowingly or wilfully taken any supplements that break any rules” and has reiterated that stance. “This has been the most difficult week of my athletic career,” said Powell. “The supplements I took formed part of a very strict and rigid training regimen,” he added in a statement. News of Powell and American sprinter Tyson Gay’s failed drug tests emerged 10 days ago and both are now awaiting the results of their ‘B’ samples. Powell said checks done by his team “told us the supplements were fit for consumption by professional athletes. I have retained legal counsel and as such I cannot now discuss all the details of the case,” he added. “I will say, however, that I have requested that my ‘B’ sample be tested and I await the results. Should this sample return adverse results, my team and I hope that the hearings will happen as fast as possible so as to allow me to return to my team, to once again represent my country, and to make my family, friends, and fans proud.” Powell was the last man to hold the individual 100m record before compatriot, Usain Bolt broke it in 2008. He later helped Jamaica to win 400m relay gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

When Keothavong broke into the top 50 early in 2009 she was the first British woman to reach the milestone for 16 years. The Londoner, who also made five WTA singles semifinals, was hampered by two serious knee injuries, the latter of which cruelly halted her progress in 2009. Keothavong bounced back well, returning to the top 100, but she has endured a miserable season in 2013, with her ranking slumping to 285. Her last match was a seventh successive defeat, to Spain’s Garbine Muguruza at Wimbledon, which at least saw her bow out on Centre Court. Keothavong, who earned approximately £850,000 in prize money during her 14year career, achieved her best grand slam result by reaching the third round at the U.S Open in 2008 and four times made the second round at Wimbledon. Lawn Tennis Association Chief Executive, Roger Draper and Fed Cup captain Judy Murray both paid tribute to the 29-year-old, who learned to play on public courts in Hackney. Draper said, “Anne has been

a true ambassador for British tennis, both on and off the court, during her entire career. “Always proud to represent Great Britain internationally, her determination shone through in 2008 and 2009 when she broke into the top 50, becoming our best player since Jo Durie in the process. “Anne’s courage was evident in coming back from not one but two challenging knee surgeries. “A journey that began on the park courts of Hackney led to her being an inspirational role model for young girls everywhere, as well as to our current generation of players. We wish her well in the next chapter of her life.” Murray added, “it’s been a real pleasure for me to work with Anne as part of the Fed Cup team. You couldn’t ask for a better, more committed team member - a great professional, who represented her country with huge pride and passion. “She’s a fabulous role model for the young players and a lot of fun too. I’ll miss her fashion advice, as well as, her presence but I’m sure she has a very bright future ahead of her.”

Keothavong

Montgomerie’s heart ‘bleeds’ for Westwood after Open OLIN Montgomerie says C his “heart bled” for Lee Westwood after the Englishman was overhauled by Phil Mickelson on the final day of the Open. Westwood, 40, is yet to win a major tournament but took a two-shot lead into the final round at Muirfield, only to finish four adrift of Mickelson. Montgomerie, Westwood’s Ryder Cup captain in 2010, never won a major. “I have always wanted Lee to win a major. If anyone deserves it, he does,” the 50-year-old said. “He was two shots ahead and had a golden opportuni-

Powell

ty, we know that, but he was beaten. I was glad he was beaten and didn’t beat himself.” American Mickelson called his final-day 66 “the round of my life” while Westwood closed with a 75, his worst of the championship. He has now finished either second or third at a major eight times in his 62 attempts. Montgomerie won the European Order of Merit eight times, but the closest he came to winning a major was five second-place finishes. The Scot, who takes part in the Senior Open for the first time at Royal Birkdale this

week, believes the fact another major - the U.S PGA Championship at Oak Hill starts on 5 August is a good thing for Westwood. He added, “it was strange because we always talk about Lee’s chipping and putting

letting him down in many ways and his tee to green game being so good. “But it was the opposite that last round and he didn’t play well enough and I think because of that he will not take any scars away.

“We all wish him well when the next major comes around and he is lucky that it comes around in three weeks’ time. He has now become the best player in the world to never win a major and we wish him well.”

World champion, Green to miss London anniversary games ORLD 400m hurdles champion, Dai Greene has pulled out of this weekend’s Anniversary Games in London through injury. The 27-year-old also withdrew from the Diamond League meeting in Monaco with an inflamed Achilles tendon. “So disappointed that I’m having to withdraw from the Anniversary Games this weekend. Hopefully it will pay off at the World Champ,” Greene tweeted. The World Championships start on 10 August. Greene’s management company had earlier confirmed the Welsh athlete would not compete at the Olympic Stadium this week. “World champion, Dai Greene will not compete in London after failing to recover from a slight niggle in his leg,” Definitive Sport tweeted. Greene has been included in the Great Britain team for the World Championships in Moscow to defend the title he won in Daegu in 2011. The injury is the latest setback to befall Greene in a season, which has been plagued by fitness concerns and illness. The Welshman’s start to the season was delayed because of a double hernia operation in March and he finished fifth

at the Birmingham Diamond League meeting at the end of June. There he lost to Welsh rival Rhys Williams, the first time he had been beaten by a fellow Briton in five years. That performance followed defeat by unfancied German

Green

Silvio Schirrmeister at the European Team Championships in Gateshead. Greene looked like he was getting back to his best as he ran a season’s best on 15 July to win the British Championships before suffering his latest setback.

SPORTS 77

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

NFF redeploys NNL, NNWL secretaries, promises to implement decisions on match fixing • Denies owing Obuh N28m From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE alleged match fixing T scandals that recently rocked the two cadres of the Nigerian Leagues, the Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nigeria Nation Wide League (NNWL), took more casualties yesterday as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has ordered the redeployment of the secretaries of the two league bodies. The Guardian gathered that the NNL Secretary, Ayo Abdulrahman and his NNWL counterpart, Emmanuel Adesanya, have been recalled to resume work at the NFF Secretariat, while Lawrence Katken of competitions’ department and former Secretary of the U-23 team, Shola Ogunowo, have been posted as replacements for the two officials in what the NFF referred to as an internal re-organisation. The federation had earlier slammed series of sanctions, ranging from 10 years to life, on the clubs, players and officials that were involved in the scandalous 146 goals recorded at the Bauchi zone of the Nigeria Nationwide League (NNWL) Division Three play off, which involved four clubs, while the NNL has already inaugurated a fiveman committee to investigate the allegation of match fixing by some clubs in the league. Confirming the internal reorganisation to the media in Abuja, NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu said it was intended to make the leagues, as well as the federation, better in the interest of the clubs and the generality of the fans. Amadu, who assured that the federation would implement the decisions of the disciplinary committee to the final letter, said it could require a plastic surgery for the involved players to beat the federation and play football again in the world, stress-

…Mourns late Abubakar HE Nigeria Football T Federation (NFF) yesterday expressed deep shock and sadness at the death of Architect Abdullahi Shime Abubakar, a leading promoter of the game of football, especially beach soccer, in the country. Architect Abubakar died in his home in Abuja yesterday at the age of 55, only three days after returning from India where he had gone for medical attention. He designed and supervised the construction of the NFF’s FIFA Technical Centre, which is situated at Package B of the National Stadium, Abuja. Last year, the chief executive of Sports Solutions Limited, a fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Architects (FNIA), organised a beach soccer clinic for kids and was already into partnership with some corporate organisations to stimulate the growth of the game of beach soccer in the country.

ing that the full implementation of the decision would serve as a deterrent to other clubs and players, who may have the intention of bringing Nigerian football to disrepute. “Let me first of all say that the decision of the NFF Disciplinary Committee on the scandalous result in NNWL play off is highly commendable, and that will be enforced to the last letter. “We are happy that they arrived at such decisions. This will serve as a very strong deterrent to other clubs and players who may have anything like that in mind. The federation will ensure that the decision and documents are sent to all the state FAs,

clubs, SSS and other security agencies in the country. We are going to be very strict in the implementation of the decisions. Any club that uses any of the banned players stands to be sanctioned and will also lose the three points of the match that they played,” Amadu said. Meanwhile, Amadu has denied claims by former U-20 team Coach, John Obuh, that he is being owed N28 million of unpaid salary and allowances by the federation. Obuh, who recently resigned his appointment as chief coach of the Flying Eagles after leading the team to the second round of the recently concluded FIFA world Youth Championship

(WYC) in Turkey, has been pleading with the NFF to pay him his debt, which he said, was to the tune of N28 million. But Amadu stated that the federation was doing all within its reach to pay the coach his dues within the shortest possible time, adding, however, that the NFF does not owe the coach the staggering amount he is claiming. “I have to confirm from the accounts. I know that the federation owes Obuh some money, but I know definitely that it is not up to N28 million. We will sort this problems out, and pay the coach his entitlements and we will wish him the very best in his future assignments,” Amadu said.

Obuh

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

SPORTS

Old Western Region plans Awolowo football tourney From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti REGIONAL under-19 footA ball competition in memory of the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, will soon kick off among the states that made up the Old Western Region. In a statement issued in Lagos, organisers of Obafemi Awolowo Football Cup said the under-19 football event will draw young football players from Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Ogun states in the bid to re-enact the spirit of unity among people in what used to be one political and cultural bloc. The Old Western region was created in 1953 by the colonial administrators based on common history and culture. The Governor’s office in Ekiti State is the coordinat-

ing headquarters of the event. According to the statement signed by the Special Adviser on Regional Integration in Lagos State, Adetunji Adebiyi and the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs in Ekiti State, Adewale Adeoye, the football competition named after the late statesman and first Premier of the old Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo, will further unite the people of the South West, rekindle the spirit of brotherhood and constructively engage the huge population of young often idle children. The statement added that the competition would also generate and recreate wealth, while revealing that soccer maestro, Segun Odegbami, is head of the

Technical Committee of the competition. “The event is also expected to raise the consciousness of the people on the link between sports and good health apart from promoting football talent hunt among young people under 18 years,” it added. “The competition is conceived to have not less than 48 matches, home and away with a grand finale. It is one of the most outstanding ways state governments can engage younger people irrespective of political, cultural or religious divides,” it said, adding, when younger people are constructively engaged, the risks of their being associated with social vices like kidnapping and terrorism will be drastically reduced.

President Goodluck Jonathan (fourth right) with Sydney 2000 Olympic Games’ 4x400 metres gold medallists, Jude Monye (right), Fidelis Gadzama, Aniefok Udo-Obong, Mrs. Sunday Bada (third left), who represented her late husband, Clement Chukwu and Nduka Awazie at the presentation of the gold medal to the Presidency at the State House, Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: PHILLIP OJISUA

Football fans thank Jonathan for honouring Dankaro From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo RUMS of various shapes D and colours were at the weekend rolled out by football fans in Taraba State to appreciate President Goodluck Jonathan for deeming it fit to give honour to whom it is due by naming the newly built football house after the first indigenous Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), now NFF, late Sunday Dankaro. Born in 1930 to the family of Dankaro in Takum Local Council of Taraba State, the late NFA boss was the first chairman under which the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations was first won by the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Among the ardent fans of the round lather game that stormed the streets of Takum in appreciation of the hands of friendship extended to the family and the state at large by the nation’s president were the family members of the Dankaro, including Aliyu

Sunday Dankaro. The N337 million structure, which will serve as the administrative headquarters of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), was Thursday last week commissioned by the President at the Package B of the National Stadium Complex in Abuja. Expressing the feelings of the family, Aliyu Dankaro said, “it means that the great achiever who died since 2006 still lives and is being celebrated today for his good labour to Nigerians, Africans and the globe at large.” An elated Dankaro added, “I believe his soul would be smiling where he is presently resting with the Lord.” The Managing Director of Dasali Nigeria Ltd on behalf of the family and Tarabans at large praised President Jonathan for his decision to honour past heroes like Dankaro, stating that “we are happy to see our father’s name beautifully adorning the nation’s all important sports house.

Dart Federation donates equipment to Cross River State From Anietie Akpan, Calabar N its bid to further popuIyoung larise and encourage more people to embrace darts, the Darts Federation of Nigeria (DFN) has donated state-of-the-art equipment to Cross River State Government. The equipment includes three sets of darts boards and four complete sets of arrows. The equipment and kits were handed over to Dr. Jude Amadi, the state’s director of Sports at the conference room of Cross River Sports Commission by Dr. Abubakar Gaiya Haruna, the DFN president, who was accompanied by Toju Matt Tuoyo, the Technical Adviser of the federation. The Darts Federation of Nigeria boss said the equipment should be used to nurture potential darts buffs ahead of the 19 National Sports Festival (NSF) to be hosted by Cross River in 2014. Haruna, who is also the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in

Kaduna State, disclosed that darts was capable of fetching 15 gold medals for Cross River at the 19th NSF if it was part of the events at the fiesta and urged the state’s sports administrators to ensure that darts featured among the 15 optional sports to be included in the NSF 2014 events. Haruna also gave the assurance that the federation would provide technical support to Cross River towards the 2014 NSF, as “we at the darts federation were not happy that it was not part of the events at the 18th NSF in Lagos.” He said, “I would not know what the problem was. But I implore and I am sure that you (Sports Administrators in Cross River) will ensure that darts is listed as one of the sports at the 19th NSF to be hosted by your state in 2014. Darts can fetch you 15 gold medals at the fiesta and we will train your athletes in the sports and provide more equipment and technical support.

THE GUARDIAN, Thursday, July 25, 2013

TheGuardian

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Nicholas Anakwue HENEVER the issue of corruption in Nigeria is brought up, there follows in its wake, a very passionate feeling of indignation and angst largely due to the obvious and striking paradox of its consequence - “the rich becoming richer, and the poor yet becoming poorer”. Conscious of the incontestable fact of the inevitable, but yet revolting presence of these evils amidst the essential structures of societal life, the bane of the entire matter, that has got everyone’s knickers in a twist, is the awful audacity with which these most inhumane acts are perpetrated. One needs but reel in a long list of such atrocities, ranging from pension fund scam, to fuel subsidy scam, further down to clandestine dealings in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), audacious election rigging, bribery, nepotism or godfatherism, embezzlement of the nation’s coffers, insincerity of our leaders in the execution of the affairs of the state, not to speak of the flagrant consistency with which these are daily committed, to fully grasp the enormity of the problem. Following considerably Achebe’s point in attributing the trouble with Nigeria to the problem of leadership, or the inability of our leaders to rise up to the challenge of personal example, which, he describes, of itself, is a hallmark of true leadership, Nigerians, in turn, have blamed the whole mess of corruption on the impotence of the Nigerian leadership and resultant inhumanity of the leaders. However, is this, it seems, not rather a clear case of passing the buck? Does the issue of corruption not have farther reaching influences? Is it simply restricted to the dark hallways of government offices? Or can it not also be found in the shady and covert ambience of private offices? If our conception of leadership should extend further than the commonplace reference to political leadership, then it is to be reckoned, that the nagging issue of corruption plagues considerably, all the leadership spheres in social institutions in the Nigerian space, as well as the political institutions. Consequently, a viable option in eradicating this widespread anomaly of corruption, would, therefore, entail a change in mindset both from the wider sphere of political leadership, as well as from the more proximate spheres of leadership in various facets of the Nigerian economy. First and foremost, it is to be noted that the concept of leadership denotes, in theory, the ability of a person or a group of persons to persuade others to act by inspiring in their confidence in the rightness of one’s purposes, courage in their collective execution and obedience in the threat of resistance. The aim of every leadership is geared towards the achievement of a collective goal among individuals of like-minds. The various nuances of a heroic, reconciliatory, transformational and trans-

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Nigerian corruption and role of youths in its eradication actional leadership, all, still reflect the particularly important aspect of self-effacement and self-sacrifice, as essential to the concept of leadership. Based on the foregoing, the leader is understood as possessive of the necessary factors of ‘imagination, creativity, discipline, courage and integrity’. It is within this sacred calabash of leadership that the sweet smelling sacrifice of professional and leadership competence, enabling proper application of noble means towards achieving noble ends with knowledge, skill and talent, make for the provision of a more humane society, where the negative fixations of materialistic egoism and crass pursuit of wealth, find no place. It is, however, disheartening that this aforesaid ideal of leadership is far from its application in praxis in Nigeria, so much desecrated by gross corruption within the established hallmarks of competence and integrity, pervading rather the nauseating odor of insincere leadership exemplified in a mock-celebration of mediocrity over proper standard In an attempt to have a handle on this macabre situation, an understanding of corruption is apposite. Generally, corruption is seen as the forced diversion of material wealth into private hands intended for the effective achievement of socially desirable ends, resulting in deprivation and impoverishment of the many to the advantage of the few. The underlying themes of greed, selfishness and lust, then play out remarkably, rendering in tatters, the entire sacrosanct mainstay of the common good, on which rests the edifice of democracy. Reacting most indignantly to the foregoing, Karl Kraus points out clearly that corruption, as a crime against humanity, was worse than prostitution, for while the latter endangers the morals of an individual, the former endangers

Lamorde the morals of an entire country. Given the cliché that “nothing succeeds like success”, one could speak ditto, though, in an opposite vein, of the case of the Nigerian problematic, for particular cases of corruption initiates a vicious circle of chain reactions that only results in more corruption and decay. The most gargantuan Gordian knot to cut stands out as the expediency of stalling this fast developing trend of corruption. The daily scenario offers credence to this conclusion, as the stench of corruption lingers from the top cadre of leaders, down to the ordinary working person. An offender against the law, even in cases of corrupt embezzlement of funds, utilises ill-gotten wealth to bribe through the police, the jury and the ‘impartial’ judge and to secure a most ludicrous acquittal. It is, then, not at all strange to realise

that the most notable contribution of Nigeria to the English vocabulary is the entry of “419”, expressing the punishable crime of corrupt practice, as is contained in the Nigerian criminal code, dealing with fraud. Statistics show sadly that more than 90 per cent of Nigerians are involved in one form of corruption or the other. The inevitable question then arises, what is the way out of this mess of affairs, if there be any? Are we condemned to an “eternity” of this unfortunate circumstance, or is there any reprieve in the bleak distant future? While interrogating a handful of eager youth on this aforementioned issue, I was taken aback by their response, with regards to offering a viable solution. Their conformist reply was essentially in line with the notorious maxim – “if you can’t beat ‘em, you join ‘em”. Some argued blindly that if the opportunity of leadership were to present itself, it would be but an avenue to rightly grab one’s share of the hitherto denied proverbial National cake. Sincerely speaking, this mindset does not seem alien to a good deal of Nigerians, as we seem caught up in a blind love of self, to the detriment and even, worse still, annihilation of the common good. It is from this backdrop, that the best solution to the issue of corrupt leadership in Nigeria would entail, totally disabusing our minds from the erroneous philosophy of myselfism and re-defining our commitment towards a more altruistic determination in achieving the collective aim of general welfare. It is this altruism, which seems more evidently lacking on the African continent that requires a renewal of practice. The youth, particularly, need to be at the forefront of this calm revolution of ideas because the very essence of the youth is vivacity and a sign of renewed vigor. The youth, as leaders of tomorrow, must be positioned towards an optimistic assessment of our present predicament. It is only this optimism that can furnish us with the required tools to solving the problem of corruption. Let us seek to grasp our country out of the shameful predicament she seems enmeshed in, for we share a common heritage, built on a single standard of ‘unity and faith, peace and progress’. From this argument, therefore, the effort towards eradicating the rot of corruption and sanitising our system is a good deal more demanding and encompassing than is generically assumed, when viewed within the meager context of only political leadership. It requires a renewed commitment to diligence and integrity in all spheres of leadership within the state. It is only in this way that we can truly forge a country of true and exemplary leadership. • Anakwue, a Capuchin Franciscan friar, wrote from Ibadan.

So much for an ‘ordinary’ national diploma By Edison Iboyi RDINARY” National Diploma (OND), so “O they term the end product of a two-year programme undergone at a polytechnic. But, if the truth be told, getting a national diploma from any of our institutions is not so easy for it to be called ‘ordinary’. I know you would be tempted to ask what’s in a name. According to a Directory of Polytechnic and Colleges in Nigeria, in addition to the number of universities, there are 17 federal and 26 stateowned polytechnic colleges in the country. These are established to train middle-level technical manpower. They are non-degree awarding institutions. They are to award the Ordinary National Diploma to deserving students on completion of a two-year programme in any chosen course. Higher National Diploma follows after another two years on the same programme. The OND, recognised as the best among all nondegree certificates below the HND, according to a Jamb UTME blog, serves two purposes. First, it can be used to work in multinational companies (though with a very low pay).Secondly, it can be used as an entry qualification straight into 200 level in a degree awarding institution. Also, one can use it to apply for the Higher National Diploma (HND) in polytechnics scattered across the country. Simple and easy as it may seem, this OND programme costs a lot. All for the acquisition of this certificate, a lot has been ongoing, causing a rot in our educational and socio-cultural system. Acknowledged to be the last resort for the ever increasing number of candidates yearly seeking admission into universities, Nigerian polytechnic institutions are now reputed for charging high fees bordering on financial exploitation of vulnerable young men and women seeking admission into polytechnics after fruitless efforts to gain same into universities. They start

with bulk sales of admission forms even when they know they do not have adequate facilities and capacity to accommodate the vast number. Then comes entrance examination. Those who fail, after greasing the palms of unscrupulous staff, are given admission. Some who pass simply find that their spaces have been sold. After all the money and energy sapping, the next stage is clearance process. The new student gets into school and experiences a world beyond the ordinary. Students are made to pay N1,000 more for recommended textbooks for inexplicable reason. When you do not buy their textbooks perhaps as a result of financial handicap, it is either you cannot submit your assignments or you forfeit 10 marks from your Continuous Assessment (C.A).This is worse when a lecturer happens to be the author of the recommended textbook or one of those who hopes to get commission from the sales

of the book. Not buying a lecturer’s recommended textbook could fetch one a ‘carryover’ in his course, or even more. Just for an ‘ordinary’ national diploma, we pay school fees higher than the minimum wage state governments have refused to pay our civil servant parents. To afford the high fees, most female students disappear into big cities to make money by all means, largely by hawking their bodies just for the pay. Some date staff especially, lecturers, mainly to get financial favours or what is generally referred to as STDs (“Sexually Transmitted Diplomas”). The male students are not left out. Some of them are involved in reckless cult activities, terrorising the lives of fellow students on the campus or even the entire polytechnic community. Some mount pressure on course mates to get their assignments or tests done for them in their absence while they go hustling for the money to meet their financial obligations

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(though not all are financial constrained). But, it is all for an ordinary national diploma! Students are made to cram to please difficult lecturers as most of them would require students to reproduce pages of their textbooks verbatim during examinations. Little wonder why most OND holders are hardly regarded in the labour market. Cramming is such a temporal learning process; it is not the same as reading for advancement as it is only to pass exams. Those who find it laborious and a burden to cram, resort to examination malpractices. Sometimes as their bailout they get mercenaries (master crammers) to impersonate them. Maybe we should consider how some lecturers acquire money from final year students (ND II) assigned to them as project supervisors. These are demigods they become overnight, are the ones the students must appease with their own financial resources or even with sexual gratification (for girls) before they approve project topics, read project write-ups or even approve finished chapters. A student may even be lucky not to be handed project topics for which the lecturer already has ready materials for which, of course, the student pays. A student who turns down such topics risks not graduating when he ought to. These hurdles amongst many others passed through by students, are not ordinary. So I wonder why the certificate awarded at the end should be called ‘Ordinary National Diploma. It makes a mockery of efforts of virtuous and hardworking students and trivialises, if not dashed their hopes. Notwithstanding, we still are proud of where we are because we know the future holds everything good for us as holders of ‘Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and we can stand our ground anywhere, anytime and any day. • Iboyi is a student of Mass Communications, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.