Thur 12 June 2014

World Cup begins in Brazil • Threat of protest hangs over games From Christian Okpara and Gowon Akpodonor, Sao Paulo, Brazil HE long wait is over. The T 2014 FIFA World Cup begins in Brazil today.

For the government of Brazil, the commencement of the Mundial may mark the end to a series of protests in the

country.

Brazil has seen a year of protests against bad governance and perceived excessive spending on the World Cup. And for the past one week, the city of Sao Paulo, which will host today’s opening match CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth Thursday, June 12, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,949

www.ngrguardiannews.com

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On June 12, Nigerians want N’ Assembly named after Abiola

By Abiodun Fanoro (Lagos) and Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan) IGERIANS yesterday N urged the Federal Government to name the National Assembly after the late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola in appreciation for his contributions to the development of the country.

Those who spoke with The Guardian as they mark this year’s anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Abiola took cogCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

A section of Itaquerao Stadium, Sao Paulo in which the opening match of the World Cup between host Brazil and Croatia will be played today. Inset: Two members of Nigeria’s team during training... yesterday

Abiola

APC zones posts, holds primaries tomorrow From Adamu Abuh (Abuja) Samson Ezea (Lagos), Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri) and Isah Ibrahim (Gusau) HEAD of the All ProgresA sives Congress (APC) national convention slated for Abuja tomorrow, the party leaders are said to be divided over whom to support for the national chairmanship slot.

• Leaders split over choice of party’s chairman • S’West backs Odigie-Oyegun, North okays Sylva • Seven delegates die in auto crash Meanwhile, the party was yesterday thrown into mourning as seven of its members from Borno State died in an auto crash along the Damaturu-Potiskum

China, W’Africa agree on ‘strategic mechanism’ for co-operation - Page 4

Road.

The accident occurred around 10:00 a.m. when the vehicle conveying the party delegates collided with a Golf Volkswagen car.

Religious extremism threatens Nigeria’s unity, say Hausa Fulani Christians – Page 5

An eyewitness, Yakubu Isa, said: “We were beside the road under this tree, when two vehicles collided, and we heard screeches of tyres with a bang, before the Federal

Road Safety Commission (FRSC) came and removed the bodies of six delegates including a woman.”

Confirming the incident yesterday in Damaturu, the FRSC’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mallam Yusuf Sani attributed the crash to dangerous driving and lack of patience by the drivers.

Lagos govt reduces LASU fees, students kick – Page 7

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OURGIRLS

Court bars suspended lawmakers from Edo Assembly – Page 8

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2 | NEWS Thursday, June 12, 2014

Seven APC delegates die in auto crash CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 At the end of its caucus meeting yesterday held in Abuja, the party also decided to zone the positions of the deputy national chairman, national financial secretary and the national legal adviser to the South West while the positions of national organising secretary, national auditor, deputy finance secretary and deputy women leader were allotted to the South East.

The positions of the national publicity secretary, national women leader, deputy treasurer and deputy welfare secretary was zoned to the North Central zone while the North East was allotted the positions of the national secretary, national youth leader and deputy national auditor.

The North West was allotted the positions of the deputy national chairman, welfare secretary, national treasurer and deputy national organising secretary while each of the six geo-political zones will produce one zonal national vice chairman, one zonal women leader, one zonal youth leader and one ex-officio.

Already, there were indications that the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipreye Sylva, may emerge as the national chairman of the party.

The Guardian learnt that the 16-member progressive

governors forum led by Governor Rochas Okorocha was more predisposed to Sylva’s emergence as the helmsman of the party than the former Edo State Governor, Mr. John Oyegun, the preferred choice of Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

Also in the race for the chairmanship position is an erstwhile Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi.

As at Tuesday, one of the aspirants, Dr. Sam Jaja, had not returned his form, raising questions as to whether he was still interested in the race.

As at yesterday, Tinubu was said to be prevailing on the party chieftains to endorse Oyegun and Alhaji Kashim Imam as the national chairman and secretary of the party respectively.

The purported bid for the presidency at the 2015 poll

by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State may have erased the prospect of former national chairman of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Ogbonnaya Onu from emerging the national chairman of the party.

It was also learnt that the position of the party’s national secretary zoned to the North East could be clinched

by Alhaji Tijjani Tumsah

who is currently occupying the position on an interim basis.

As at yesterday, chieftains of the party drawn from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the ANPP were finalising moves to present candidates to fill the aforementioned positions of the party.

A chieftain of the party who sought anonymity said going by the decision to zone the party national chairmanship to the South-South, it was certain that the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the party would surely come from the North and South-West part of Nigeria where the party appears to enjoy massive support.

Expressing concern that the South-East had almost lost out in the scheme of things as far as allotment of key positions of the party was concerned, he wondered why Onu who would have been a much more formidable candidate for the chairmanship position was schemed out of the equation.

Also, a National Assembly lawmaker and member of the party’s national caucus who preferred anonymity, told The Guardian

that the Northern governors and major stakeholders from the zone and those of South-South with the exception of Edo and Rivers were backing Sylva, while Edo, Rivers, Southwest and Southeast with the exception of Imo State were backing Oyegun.

“Initially Tinubu and Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi were backing Jaja, who is said to be Amaechi’s political ally.

“At that point, Oyegun was enjoying the support of the South-South, South-East and the majority of the northern stakeholders, but immediately the northern stakeholders discovered that Tinubu and Amaechi have abandoned Jaja to support Oyegun, they withdrew their support and started rooting for Sylva. This is despite agitations from major party stakeholders, especially from the South that Sylva was not better than Oyegun for the position.”

It was disclosed that Amaechi and Sylva had engaged in a shouting match at one of the caucus meetings following Sylva’s accusation that Amaechi had been working against his candidature.

On Ikimi’s fate and why the Northerners withdrew their

support for Oyegun, the lawmaker said that Ikimi was not favoured by any of the camps, and that the North, especially the governors were wary of the “domineering political antecedents” of Tinubu and Amaechi.

The source added: “The North, knowing that the party’s presidential ticket will be ceded to them want a national chairman they can trust and hold on to without undue interference from the likes of Tinubu and Amaechi.

“The party national caucus will meet again today night (yesterday) to see how the contentious issue of who emerges chairman will be resolved so that it will not raise bad blood in the party ahead of 2015. The development calls for concern as it has put the party in a fix ahead of the convention. Unless the issue is resolved amicably, the outcome of the convention may be crisis-ridden.”

On why the South-East lost the chairmanship position, the interim zonal national publicity of the party SouthEast, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, told The Guardian that Onu was already propped up to contest for the position before the zonal leader of the party and Okorocha said at a zonal caucus meeting that the zone could not run for

chairmanship and the president at the same time.

It was disclosed that with the national organising secretary position zoned to the South-East, Okorocha’s political ally and former senator, Chief Osita Isunazo, who had been in the position since the party was formed would retain the slot with Okosupport. rocha’s The Guardian’s investigation reveals that all the inscheming and trigues trailing the national convention were not unconnected with who picks the party’s presidential ticket and the choice of his running mate.

Already, it has been confirmed by sources close to the trio of Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwanso, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and ex-Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, that they would contest the party’s presidential ticket in 2015. A source close to Atiku disclosed that he would declare for the seat, after the national convention.

It was revealed that Okorocha was already positionas emerge to ing Kwankwaso’s running mate, while Oshiomhole may be picked as Atiku’s running mate if he wins the ticket. It is not clear who Buhari is rooting for as his running mate.

On June 12, Nigerians want N’ Assembly named after Abiola CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 nizance of how he made sacrifices for the nation, spending his wealth and paying the supreme sacrifice for the sake of democracy.

Among those who spoke with The Guardian were the National Chairman of the revived Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Dr Frederick Fasehun, Executive Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Mr. Debo Adeniran, National Secretary, Afenifere

Renewal Group (ARG), Ayo Afolabi, Executive Director, Centre for Socio-political and Economic Rights (CSER), Popoola Ajayi and two civil rights lawyers, Messers Bamidele Aturu and Ebun Adegboruwa.

The majority of the respondents called on the Federal Government to name the National Assembly complex, Abuja after Abiola who they said was the progenitor of the democracy which had helped to guarantee regional and continental peace and security.

Insisting that nothing was too much to give back to the winner of the June 12 election, they further urged the government to announce the day as Unity Day during which a national holiday would be observed every year.

Though they commended President Goodluck

Jonathan for naming the University of Lagos after Abiola, they noted that the president should appreciate the general opposition to the decision on the grounds that the monument was too sectional to be named after Abiola.

To some of them, recent acknowledgements by some prominent Nigerians including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and the Chairman of the electoral body that conducted the poll, Prof. Humpry Nwosu, that Abiola did not only win the election but that indeed he was a unique patriot who willingly paid the supreme sacrifice, had vindicated the views of millions of Nigerians over the years.

Specifically, Fasehun and Ajayi urged Jonathan to muster enough courage, as he did over the national conference, to name the Nation-

al Assembly Complex after Abiola.

But for Adegboruwa, Abiola’s immortalisation should exceed naming a physical structure after him. Rather, the government should posthumously inaugurate him as president and decorate him with the country’s highest award.

Meanwhile, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has described the June 12, 1993 presidential election as a watershed in the annals of the country, saying that the election laid the foundation for the existing democratic experiment in the country.

The governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo subsequently declared June 12 as public holiday in the state.

The governor regretted that 21 years after the election adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the history of Nige-

ria, the ideals which the winner of the election, the late Abiola, stood for had yet to be realised.

In 1994, Abiola declared himself the lawful president of Nigeria in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island, after a successful foreign tour where he sought the support of the international community for his mandate.

After announcing himself president, he was declared wanted and was accused of treason and arrested on the orders of the Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Abiola was detained for four years, with a Bible, Qur’an, and 14 guards as companions. The sole condition attached to his release was that he should renounce his mandate, but he bluntly refused.

Abiola died under suspicious circumstances on the day that he was due to be released, July 7, 1998, shortly after a meeting

Football fiesta begins in Brazil today CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 between Brazil and Croatia had become the scene of protests, street fires and teargas, as striking subway workers brought chaos to the city.

The strike, which disrupted half the metro stations and worsened traffic in South America’s most populous city, had been a major headache for the government, FIFA and football lovers around the globe.

But Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff welcomed visitors to the country with an assurance yesterday that “the pessimists” had been defeated by the determination of the Brazilian people.

In a TV address, Rousseff said that this year’s FIFA World Cup would leave a lasting legacy of infrastructure.

“I hear and respect those opinions but I don’t agree with them. It is a false dilemma.”

Rousseff, who faces re-election in October, has declared security to be a priority, suggesting unnamed forces are conspiring against her.

“Today, there is a systematic campaign against the World Cup – or rather, it is not against the World Cup but rather a systematic campaign against us,” she said.

Rousseff said yesterday that visitors would not be taking away infrastructure projects “in their suitcases”, which

would instead remain in the country as a benefit for everyone.

She defended the $11billion expenditure on the tournament , calling it a “false dilemma” that World Cup spending somehow diminished investments in health and education.

The budget for these areas between 2010 and 2013 was many times greater than the investment in stadiums, she added.

“Rest assured of this, the World Cup accounts are being meticulously scrutinised by the country’s auditing institutions,” she said.

Her clarifications followed criticism by local residents

who say that many promised development projects have been delayed or never materialised.

Also yesterday, the head of the Brazil 2014 World Cup local organising committee, Ricardo Trade, insisted that Brazil would deliver. He said that while a strike would be “a nightmare”, the authorities were prepared and “inside the stadium, it will be a show.”

However, there were threats last night by union leaders to resume a metro strike to disrupt today’s opening game in Sao Paulo if their demands were not met. The industrial action followed a march recently by about 10,000 activists on the Arena Corinthians.

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Thursday, June 12, 2014 | 3

4 | NEWS Thursday, June 12, 2014

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Amaechi signs amended High Court law From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt HE Rivers State Governor T Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi yesterday gave assent to the state High Court (Amendment) Law 2014 which amended the Section 40 of the Principal Law of 2001 which was also passed into law by the state Assembly.

The amendment, which was passed by 17 lawmakers states that: “Where the Office of the Chief Judge is vacant and it is impracticable to appoint an acting Chief Judge, or a Chief Judge, the Chief Registrar shall assign cases to any judge and perform other administrative duties until an acting Chief Judge of a Chief Judge is appointed.”

Earlier in the day, Federal lawmakers and youths had stormed the Rivers State Judiciary Complex in Port Harcourt to protest against the appointment of Justice Daisy Okocha by the National Judi-

• Chief Registrar empowered to assign cases to judges, PDP condemns action • Lawmakers, youths protest over Justice Okocha’s appointment as Rivers CJ cial Council (NJC) as an administrative judge of the state.

But the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers State Chapter, has condemned the protest, saying it was borne out of selfishness and irresponsiveness to the yearnings of the masses.

In a statement signed by Special Adviser on Media to the state PDP Chairman, Jerry Needam, the party expressed disappointment over the “involvement of those who claim to be leaders and representatives of the people, including the senator representing Rivers SouthEast Senatorial District, Magnus Abe, in the protest, believing that if such persons truly represent the people, they would not abandon the people’s mandate and

pursue an unpopular course, championing issues of retrogression and of no development effect on the state and the electorate.

Abe, who led thousands of youths to the judiciary complex in Port Harcourt, predicated the NJC’s appointment of Justice Okocha on a purported plan to use six PDP state lawmakers to unconstitutionally impeach Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

The lawmaker, who was accompanied by other federal legislators from the state as well as caretaker committee chairmen from the 23 local councils, said there was no provision in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, for the NJC to sit in Abuja and appoint a Chief Judge for Rivers State through the backdoor.

He explained that already,

Justice Peter Agumagu, whom Governor Amaechi had sworn in as a Chief Judge, but was later suspended by the NJC, had filed a suit challenging his suspension. According to him, the rationally legal thing to do would have been for the NJC to await the outcome of the matter.

The lawmaker explained that the protesters, who caused traffic on Azikiwe Road to Station and Court roads respectively, were miffed by the allegation that Justice Okocha, aided by security men, had on Monday forced herself into the state judiciary complex which had been under lock and key due to the ongoing industrial action by judiciary workers, in a bid to assume office as an administrative judge. He in-

sisted that the judge’s action was aimed at executing a scheme, which is to constitute a panel for the impeachment of Governor Amaechi.

“The reason they (NJC) are desperate to impose a Chief Judge on Rivers State is that we have clear information that five lawmakers would want to impeach the governor and handover the script to her. That is the mission she is being sent here to do and it will not work. The elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly with their certificate of return from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are alive; elected

by Rivers people. There is no way six people will impose their rule and their will on 32. That is not democracy.

That maybe the Jonathan version of democracy where 16 is more than 19. But in Rivers State, we respect the

Police can’t stop rallies over abducted Chibok girls, court rules • Restrains security agencies from arresting Melaye From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja N Abuja High Court yesA terday knocked the police out of its self-ascribed powers to outlaw rallies and peaceful demonstrations in the country.

The court held that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) was bereft of the powers to prevent or stop rallies or processions with regards to the abducted 270 students of the Federal Government College, Chibok, Borno State.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Abubakar Talba, the court declared that the Public Order Act, Cap 382 Laws of Nigeria 1990, which the Police purportedly relied on, “does not authorise men of the NPF to disrupt rallies or processions on the issue of the abducted Chibok girls.”

This was the highpoint of Justice Talba’s verdict on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by rights activist and former House of Representatives member, Dino Melaye, challenging the disruption on May 9, 2014 of the rally he led in Abuja in relation to the girls abducted by Boko Haram.

The judge declared as unconstitutional the arrest of, and assault on Melaye by men of the NPF during the May 9 rally in Abuja.

The judge held that since the respondents failed to file any counter process to the one filed by Melaye, there was an admission of the allegations made against them by the applicant.

Consequently, he ordered the IGP and CP, FCT to “tender a written apology to the applicant as provided for under Section 35 (6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The judge also granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further “harassing, molesting, intimidating, abducting, arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant in respect of peaceful rallies or procession in Abuja or any part of Nigeria.”

majority and we will stand by the majority”, said Abe. Surrounded by teeming supporters of the governor drawn from all the local councils, Abe said every Nigerian knows that the appointment of a Chief Judge is done by the governor of the state on the recommendations of the State Judiciary Service Commission and the National Judicial Council, subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.

He explained that the governor of any state is at liberty to accept the recommendation of the NJC. According to him, it was on this basis that Governor Amaechi rejected the NJC’s recommendation of Justice Okocha, but instead opted for Justice Agumagu.

The senator explained that the state government had forwarded Justice Agumagu’s name to the NJC, but the council rejected him on the ground that he was President of the State Customary Court of Appeal and not a judge of the State High Court. Abe, therefore, insisted that the Nigerian constitution does not provide that condition.

The PDP’s statement continued: “The PDP is of the view that rather than disturbing the fragile peace in the state on an issue that has been dispassionately addressed by the most revered and highest judicial body, the NJC, in an attempt to save our democracy and protect the peace of the state, the Rivers State government and the APC leadership would have considered public opinion and respect the decision of the eminent jurists, who constitute membership of the body, and also show adherence to the rule of law which the party claims to be doing.”

Prof. Femi Kayode, board member, Philip Asiodu Economic Initiative; John C. Nwabueze, director general/CEO; Dr.Hassan Adamu, Wakilin Adamawa, chairman Advisory board; Chief Philip Asiodu, chairman Board of Trustee; Dr.Shamsideen Usman, board adviser and Dr.Joe Keshi, board member, at the Board Member of Philip Asiodu Economic Initiative, held in Lagos.

Oluwadara, 24-year-old, gets Ph.D in Mathematics

China, W’Africa agree on ‘strategic mechanism’ for co-operation

By Ujunwa Atueyi

By Oghogho Obayuwana, Foreign Affairs Editor HINA has agreed to a new “strategic mechanism” with West African states following the growing need to match economic growth with security provisions for development.

Apart from assuring economic stability in the long run, the mechanism aims to ensure, among others, the cracking of terror cells and clampdown on trans-national crime, the latter being one of the banes of West African regional integration.

This is coming barely a month after China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which obliged the Asian giant to provide $5 million in “deployable headquarters equipment” to the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF).

After a working visit to the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja by a three-member Chinese delegation led by the DirectorGeneral, African Affairs Department in the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lu Shaye, both sides agreed to establish a strategic consultative mechanism that “will provide a holistic framework for defining and implementing their cooperation for greater effectiveness.”

Other related and disparate

C

areas already identified by the delegation for effective collaboration with the regional group include enhanced political co-operation, peace and security, the fight against terrorism and trans-national crime, economy as well as expansion of trade between them, which has now reached about $33 billion.

In addition to the strategic mechanism, China has now offered $200,000 in capacity building support to the subregional group, as one of the five priorities identified to enable it realize the objective of completing its ongoing institutional reform and repositioning the body for greater efficiency.

Lu also called for increased

co-operation with ECOWAS to strengthen the ESF “through personnel training, joint exercises and material assistance,” as a way of realising the joint efforts at collective regional collaboration in the fight against insurgencies in Nigeria and elsewhere.

Vice President Toga Gayewea McIntosh, who led the ECOWAS Commission’s delegation, lauded the burgeoning relationship, which covers co-operation with member-states and the community.

While noting the region’s efforts to promote peace, stability and prosperity through various initiatives, the most recent being the Vision 2020 document, McIntosh acknowledged China’s effort in

securing international support for the region’s political initiatives, including the deployment of peacekeeping troops.

He recalled the recent visit of a Chinese technical team to West Africa in February to evaluate portions of the regional coastal road corridor that require the country’s support for rehabilitation.

He also expressed hope that the Lagos-Dakar Road corridor project being pursued by the community would be accommodated within the support for priority infrastructure projects in Africa, promised by the Chinese premier during his recent visit to the continent.

Police call for vigilance at football viewing centres From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja S the 2014 World Cup beA gins today, the Nigeria Police yesterday called on operators of viewing centres and football loving fans to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement and objects conspicuously placed in public places to security agencies.

Speaking yesterday at the National Briefing Centre, Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, urged owners of

viewing centres to ensure safety of football lovers in the country.

His word: “Owners of viewing centres have been advised and are still being advised to go the extra miles of trying to secure the viewing centres. We expect persons who are operating large viewing centres to establish synergies with local security officials within their areas: it could be the police, the DSS, or any other security agencies within their area. We ex-

pect them to have a working relationship.

He also advised Nigerians who live close to viewing centres to watch out for strange faces in their locality and report such to security agencies.

“Individuals who want to visit viewing centres are expected to exercise a lot of caution; we expect them to be vigilant and we equally expect that in your going to viewing centres, you are not expected to come there with large bags”, he added.

TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD A Olaoluwa Hallowed Oluwadara yesterday received a Ph.D award in Mathematics at the convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for 2012/2013 academic session.

Oluwadara, whose thesis was adjudged the best in Engineering and Science, having made Cumulative Grade Point Average of 5.0, was described as the youngest Ph.D holder in Africa. He was able to finish the programme within the three years of stipulated period.

He got two first and second degrees in Mathematics (Pure Option) and Physics in 2007 and 2008 respectively, at the age of 18, from the Universite de Bangui, Central African Republic.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Oluwadara said his achievement was not only “a personal triumph but a triumph of Mathematics as a useful subject of study in Nigeria.”

Oluwadara

NEWS Thursday, June 12, 2014 | 5

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News NYSC restates ban on postings to N’East From Tina Todo Calabar IRECTOR GENERAL of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brig. Gen. Johnson Olawumi yesterday restated the ban on posting of corps members to Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, affirming that for the past three years, no corps member has been posted there.

The Director General, who revealed this at the official opening of the NYSC annual management conference in Calabar with the theme; “Evolving Dynamic Operational Strategies to Tackle Present Challenges in the NYSC,” pointed out that current corps members serving in the affected states, went there voluntarily.

According to him, “we are very mindful of the situation facing the country and the state where we have security problems. We deliberately did not post corps members to those states. The few members who served there volunteered on their own but we do not post corps members to those states any longer.”

D

Religious extremism threatens Nigeria’s unity, say Hausa Fulani Christians

From Saxone Akhaine Northern Bureau Chief HE Hausa-Fulani Christians in Nigeria rose from a meeting in Zaria and maintained that activities of religious extremists are the major problems threatening the peace and unity of the nation.

National President of Tarayyar Masihiyawan Nigeriya (TAMANI), umbrella body of Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri

T

Christians in Nigeria, Major General Ishaku Ahmed Dikko (rtd) said at the 2014 national convention of the organization held at Saint Francis Theological College, Wusasa, Zaria that unless the problem of religious extremism was addressed, Nigeria will experience continuous and aggravated security problems.

Gen. Dikko stated that as Christians and Northerners they were guided by the dic-

tates of their religion, stressing that for centuries members of the group have cohabited peacefully with their Muslim brothers without any misunderstanding.

Said he: “Recently, being the minority in the North West, North Central and North East, some religion extremists launched unprovoked attacks on our people, killing many of them. However, I always tell people that these people do

not understand the principle of Islam very well. Islam is peace and Christianity teaches that you love your neighbour as yourself.”

“Therefore, if you are talking of love and peace there is no room for extremism and that is what the federal and state governments should strive to wipe out if Nigeria is to enjoy peace and progress”.

Dikko also argued that the Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri

NLC seals off Port Harcourt DISCO over workers sack, others From Anietie Akpan Calabar HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Cross River State yesterday sealed off the headquarters of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company over the sack of 134 union leaders and the abolition of trade unionism in the company.

Ushie, in an interview with newsmen in Calabar, said the union has commenced the picketing of PHEDC throughout the South-South and South West until the government meets their demand.

He said, “there is nowhere in the world an organization takes over and want to abolish trade union activities, we will continue to picket the company, it is our duty to defend the interest of the workers.”

According to the NLC Chairman, “we want to correct some anomalies going in the defunct PHCN and now PHEDC. A lot of people have not gotten their severance allowance as promised by the electricity company and to worsen matters, they have no regard for trade unionism. We called them for meeting thrice, they refused to attend.

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Confab seeks scrapping of pilgrims board From: Terhemba Daka and Karls Tsokar, Abuja HE National Conference has voted to gradually phase out the Pilgrims Welfare Board with the establishment of a specialised body empowered with the appropriate mechanisms to check the abuse of religion and promote the religious rights of all Nigerians.

Also, except for a slight amendment in one of the proposals put up by the National Conference Committee on Religion, the entire report hitherto set aside for more than one week due to initial dissensions has being adopted wholly.

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German Minister for Economic Co-operation and Development, Dr. Geah Mueller, administering polio vaccine to a child at the Oke-Ilewo Primary Health Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, during his visit to the state.

19 feared killed in Plateau attacks

From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi Jos; Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu Benin City; Njadvara Musa Maiduguri; Emmanuel Ande Yola and Ali Garba Gombe HERE was a pre-dawn attack yesterday at Bachit, Rim, Jol villages all in Riyom Local Government Council of Plateau State, which left no fewer than 19 residents dead.

There were however, conflicting casualty figures by the Special Task Force (STF), who said eight died with the Police maintaining that nineteen people died in the attack.

According to the spokesman of the STF, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, “eight people including three STF personnel died in the gun battle. Many houses were burnt including a church. But the casualties would have been heavier but for the STF who went there promptly to repel the unknown attackers.

No arrest was made but intensive patrols are going on.”

But the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Joseph Dominic Esin, said nine people were killed, while many houses were burnt. He added that the gunmen arrived the villages simultaneously and started shooting

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• Boko Haram fighters launch reprisal raids in Borno, crisis claims 12, 000 lives in Adamawa • Gombe gov orders headcount of households, monarch against election in troubled areas sporadically and set houses ablaze, adding that investigation into the incident was on going, and five people were injured. Esin said security forces have launched a manhunt to fish out the felons.

Member representing Riyom Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Daniel Dem, confirmed the sad incident to journalists. He decried the killings in the community describing it as unfortunate.

In Borno State, Boko Haram fighters have launched multiple reprisal attacks on the military post at Bitta village, 171 kilometres south of Maiduguri, in retaliation for 50 insurgents killed by troops of the 7th Division of Nigerian Army last weekend.

Residents that fled to Maiduguri yesterday reported that the insurgents have regrouped and laid siege to Bitta, 48 hours after soldiers withdrew from the village.

Security sources told The Guardian that over 250 insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades believed to have come from Sambisa Forest attacked the military post at Bitta village, 171 kilometres south of Maiduguri.

A top security source said:

“Yes, the terrorists re-mobilized and attacked Biita after the heavy casualty they recorded at the weekend.

Our troops had withdrawn for strategic reasons only and not out of fear. Remember we recorded huge success against them on Saturday and Sunday.”

A resident of Bitta said, “the Boko Haram gunmen, who were kitted in military fatigues came in about 25 vehicles and dozens of motorcycles. They also had Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC).”

Meanwhile, there was pandemonium among residents and other security personnel stationed at the border town of Dikwa, Borno state when expired solar street lights batteries exploded on Tuesday by 11.35am.

Residents, who spoke to journalists when situation had calmed down claimed that people thought members of the Boko Haram sect, had stormed the town to detonate explosives.

A resident, Bakura Goni told The Guardian on telephone, “The terrorists have attacked the military station in Dikwa

with guns and explosives and the fight is ongoing. Most of our people have fled for now and only God knows how the fight will end,” owing to the town people’s wrong impression over batteries explosions.

However, a top security personnel who spoke on condition of anonymity refuted the incident, stating that; “the explosion was caused by faulty solar batteries for street lights. There was no attack on Dikwa by the insurgents.

Rather the people were actually scared off when they heard bangs like a bomb blast; which was caused by a some solar light batteries kept in a store.”

Immediately after the ‘blast’ troops in Dikwa fired friendly shots into the air and the residents mistook the development and fled.

The military source also assured: “Many people took to the bush because they thought our men were engaging the terrorists. I want to assure you that normalcy has returned. There was no Boko Haram attack in this town; as carelessly and unprofessionally reported by the BBC.” Dikwa Council Chairman, Ali

Christians in the Northern region have declared unequivocal support for President Goodluck Jonathan “not because they are rebels from the zone but because Jonathan is on the throne today and as Christians we are admonished to pray and support those in authority.”

“Every time, we pray for our state governors, we also pray for our President and declare our support for him because if God wants it, He can remove him overnight. So, we believe that it is God that gives power and takes it away.”

Reacting to the agitation for a Northern Christian Presidential candidate, Gen. Dikko remarked that those making the agitation were mostly from the Middle Belt, saying that “Hausa-Fulani, and Kanuri Christians know that it will be very impossible to produce a Christian from the North especially among the Hausa/Fulani Christian considering their small number.”

“Those of us who are Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri Christian know that unless by divine intervention, we know that it is very impossible to produce a Christian president among us. If the Middle Belt is bent on producing the next Christian president of the nation they should come and consult us so that we can agree on a common candidate. Without that I doubt if such agitation will see the light of the day because politics is all a game of numbers.”

Modu Goni also debunked the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service report, which claimed to have spoken with him in an interview and said.

Goni said: “I was in Dikwa throughout Monday, I even swore in all my appointed ward councilors in line with the constitution peacefully, but all of a sudden, people started calling me on phone Tuesday morning sympathizing with me that Boko Haram attacked our town and set ablaze local government secretariat and chased soldiers away, claiming that they heard it on BBC Hausa service.

This is untrue.

Meanwhile, the Otaru of Igarra in Edo State, Oba Adeche Saiki has called for total implementation of the state of emergency in three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states with the removal of all democratic structures and appointment of sole administrators to enable military and other security personnel take full charge of security of the states.

Besides, he advised that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to conduct election in the affected states.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

6 | NEWS Thursday, June 12, 2014

NEWSSPOT

Fond memories as FEC pays Akunyili tributes From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja OR the late former Information and Communications Minister and erstwhile Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili, it was a moment of recognition for patriotism, hard work, passion for work and conviction, as her former colleagues in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) took turns to pay glowing tributes to her.

Meanwhile, the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has assured Nigerians that the late Prof. Akunyili would be given a befitting burial.

Obi was speaking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly before he received her body on arrival from India yesterday, accompanied by her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili and her younger brother, Dr. Anayo Edemobi.

Her remains were conveyed to a mortuary in Abuja.

Obi, who said that burial plans would commence, assured Nigerians that it would be a collective decision, in collaboration with her family.

Describing Akunyili as an uncommon Nigerian, he said she made all possible sacrifices for the health of the country and her people.

“Those who visit the social media told me that Akunyili was one prominent Nigerian, that all comments about her on social media were pouring encomiums on a life lived for others amidst genuine regrets about her demise.

“These show us all that she was a wonderful woman that should be seen as a role model by us all. To show you the depth of her love for Nigeria, when I visited her in India, she was full of concern for challenges facing our country and appealed for the release of Chibok girls. She prayed for God to strengthen President Goodluck Jonathan in his resolve and efforts to lead the country aright”, Obi said.

Those that joined Obi at the airport to receive her body were Rev. Dr. Williams Okoye, former Aso Rock Chaplain; Mr. Chidi Agbapu, Ejike Imoka, Uche Ekwunife, Chumah Nzeribe, Chinwendu Iloh, among other admirers and well-wishers.

Prof. Akunyili, former NAFDAC boss and Federal Minister of Information and Communications, died in Indian Specialist Cancer Hospital on Saturday, June 7, after a two-year battle with cancer.

At the cabinet meeting, which was dedicated entirely to the late former minister, President Goodluck Jonathan, who presided over it, opened the floodgates of eulogies and described the late minister as a remarkable person, an astute administrator and public officer per excellence.

As a mark of respect for the late Akunyili, the Council observed a moment of silence, following a motion raised by Akunyili’s former subordinate and current Information Minister, Labaran Maku

F

Body arrives in Abuja

Husband of the deceased, Dr. Chike Akunyili (third right), Peter Obi (second right) and others, on arrival of the body of Prof. Dora Akunyili from India at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Internationa Airport, Abuja…yesterday and seconded by the Water Resources Minister, Sarah Reng Ochekpe.

Council members eulogied the late Akunyili and condoled with the President, the family of the deceased and women folk in the country over the loss.

The valedictory session was made open to journalists, as some members of the Council took their turns to eulogise the late NAFDAC boss.

Jonathan, who recounted his first counter with the late Akunyili while he was deputy governor of Bayelsa State in 2003, recalled that when he had the opportunity of seeing her, the first observation she made was to rebuke his stewards on the need to assure that they served him warm bread.

“I first met her when I was deputy governor of Bayelsa.

She was a very upright woman when she was Information Minister, a very courageous person. A role model per excellence, I believe so many young ladies would emulate her. Her impact in NAFDAC was more than in information. But her passion was unique. She was a virtuous woman. This is how God wants it. God saved her life from the deadly bullets of evil men. He could still have saved her life from cancer if He had so willed”, he noted.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, in his tribute, said Akunyili’s death is a great loss to the country as “she was a patriotic and dedicated Nigerian. NAFDAC is a sanitised institution because of her”, adding that she developed a system through which the country would be re-branded.

Also at the session was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, who revealed that the last contact he

had with the late former minister was on May 30.

He recalled that he was at the Enugu Airport when he received a text message from Akunyili seeking assistance to enable her travel to India for treatment. But he said after the text message, he was unable to establish contact with her after several attempts, only to hear that she had been moved to India.

Similarly, the Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Bukar Goni Aji, commended the late former NAFDAC boss for the high level of visibility and popularity the organisation enjoys today, as well as her hard work and dedication.

According to Aji, under her tenure as the helms persons, NAFDAC was adjudged as number one out of the 10 government agencies that deliver first-class service by her exemplary character and leadership and was now rated one of the best worldwide.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, in her tribute, said: “It is a sad time for us as we remember her. A woman of strength and conviction who fought hard to ensure that drug counterfeiting became a thing of the past. NAFDAC was consistently voted as the best agency of government during her time. She was a committed mother and devoted wife, an excellent Nigerian woman whom many looked up to”.

The Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Mohammed Musa Sada, in his tribute, said described Akunyili’s demise as a great loss not only to her immediate family, her state, but to the whole nation given her cosmopolitan nature. To him, Akunyili was “A patriot from whom one always wants to learn. Even at the ex-

pense of her life, she didn’t look back at what she believed in. She lived for Nigerians. She was an extremely intelligent person”.

Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, noted that the late former minister became a full-fledged professor shortly after he assumed duty as the vice chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

His words: “I met her before I became VC and she became a professor during my tenure as the vice chancellor. She was a woman of courage. She was courageous enough to speak up at a trying moment of our national history; a religious and prayerful woman. The cold hands of death have taken away a woman very hopeful in all situations. Very conversational. As a country, we have lost a gem and we pray that God gives us such a woman of honour and respect”.

Labour Minister, Emeka Nwogu, said Akunyili’s death came to many as a rude shock.

She was courageous, fearless and honest. As DG of NAFDAC an attempt was made at her life but she remained undeterred. She resigned from FEC to contest senatorial election.

Her departure at the FEC was evergreen and wished the Peoples Democratic Party victory in 2011 elections. Her last appearance at confab would remain indelible. Her impacts would not be forgotten in a hurry”.

He recalled how during the early stage of the cancer that eventually claimed Akunyili’s life, when the result showed that the situation was not as bad as to warrant operation, Akunyili, who was a director with the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) had to return the $12,000, which the organisation approved for her for the operation. This singular honest act, he said, endeared

The late Prof. Dora Akunyili her to the Chairman of PTF and former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who has continued to hold her in high esteem.

Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, said: “A woman blessed with uncommon courage. A great woman and above all, a woman of history. I couldn’t recognise her at the confab. I was almost in tears when I recognised her there”.

Works Minister, Mike Onolememen, said Akunyili was always alive to her responsibilities, while the minister for Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, said “she served Nigeria well. She was honest, fearless. Drug counterfeiting reduced from 60 per cent as at the time of her appointment to 16 per cent. She was one of the most iconic figures in the 100 years history of this country”.

Minister of Police Affairs, Abdul-Jelil Adesiyan, described her as a “quintessential woman of virtue and a detribalised Nigerian. She stood to defend the constitution of the country during the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s health challenge moment”.

Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, said her death “is a dark moment in the life of this country. She demonstrated competence and patriotism. She represented hope for an average Nigerian in re-branding Nigeria”.

Moro also told the Council members of how he intervened by putting pressure on the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria to ensure that they granted travel visa for her to India for treatment.

He said his intervention was based on the telephone call he received from her family to intervene with the Indian High Commission.

He said, while she was going, Akunyili was full of hope that

she would come back to contribute in building a virile Nigeria, but he noted that, that was not to be.

Information Minister, Labaran Maku, who worked with her as Minister of State for Information and Communications, in his tribute, described her as an outstanding public servant. “She put her life on the line. She took the world to Anambra to battle producers and importers of fake drugs because she wanted the best for her nation. She took me as a junior brother and we worked together. She showed me great work. She permitted me to jointly address the press after FEC. We have never stopped the Rebrand Nigeria Project.

The jingle of Good People, Great Nation continues.

“It is not getting appointment that matters but making an impact with it. She was outstanding in making things happen, a warm and friendly person. She was exceedingly beautiful woman, disciplined. She served Nigeria until death. Nigeria has lost one of the African brilliant women. She was very cosmopolitan”, he said.

Maku further moved a motion for special and deep condolences to Mr. President, the women of Nigeria and the Nigerian fashion industry, who through her, promoted a national dress code, and to Nigerians, for the loss of a mother in public service; and to the Igbo nation and to her family.

Ochekpe said she knew Akunyili when the deceased worked with her husband, as both of them were staff of PTF. She said: “Since both Akunyili and my husband were pharmacists, they were always doing the analysis of most of the drugs together and in most cases, she would always send the samples of their findings to my husband for confirma-

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, June 12, 2014 NEWS | 7

Govt reduces LASU fees, students kick

By Kamal Tayo Oropo HE Lagos State government yesterday approved a reduction in tuition fees of Lagos State University (LASU) to between 34 and 60 per cent.

The government also expressed optimism that the resolution of the issue of fees will prompt the staff unions of the institution to call off their strike to enable normal academic activities commence.

But events in the coming days would determine

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Director General, NCWD, Lady Onyeka Onwenu (left); Vice President, Africa Department, Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), Mr. Hiroshi Kato (middle), Chief Representative, JICA Nigeria Office, Mr. Tetsuo Seki, during their visit to NCWD.

JTF arrests kidnapper’s armourer, others in Delta From Willie Etim, Yenagoa UTHORITIES of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) code-named Operation Pulo Shield yesterday announced the arrest of Pearce Oyikobat, the armourer to the arrested Niger Delta most wanted criminal and kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Ibruvwe.

Oyikobat, who was declared wanted alongside Ibruvwe and others last year, was arrested at Okpara Inland in Ethiope-East Local Council Area of Delta State.

According to a statement issued by the Head, Joint Media Centre of the JTF, Lt.-Col.

A

Mustapha Anka, “The suspect has been on the run as he was alleged to be the armourer of a notorious kidnap kingpin, Mr. Kelvin Ibruvwe, who has since been handed to the Police for proper prosecution”.

The operatives of the JTF, had in a separate operation, foiled an attempt by a group of suspected kidnappers to abduct a woman at Eku in EthiopeEast Local Council Area of the state.

According to JTF, “This was as a result of a distress call, which we intervened in conjunction with the Nigeria Police, to rescue the victim

unhurt. The rescue operation witnessed was a gun duel that claimed the life of a suspect while others escaped.

Items recovered include one Berretta pistol, a locally-made short barrel gun and a mask.”

“The corpse of the suspect and recovered items were handed over to the Police at Isiokolo in EthiopeEast Local Council Area of the state. Similarly, the JTF on a tip-off rescued an employee of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Johnson Erewa, from being kidnapped. Suspects that attempted the kidnap were

handed over to the Police.”

Meanwhile, the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) announced that it has recorded a series of success in its activities against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region with the discovery of an illegal oil refinery at Egbokodo Itshekiri general area in Warri South-West Local Council Area of the state.

According to a statement by Lt.-Col. Mustapha Anka, the items recovered in the security operations include three locally-made boats, one pumping machine and a water hose.

Jonathan cautions politicians against unguarded utterances From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja

Seeks return of discipline in Civil Service

S Nigerians and political A parties prepare for the 2015 general elections, Presi-

looked up to them for guidance. Expressing confidence that Alkali, a former national publicity secretary to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was equal to the task, the President said given his past antecedents, he would not disappoint Nigerians.

His words: “As the Political Adviser, you are like the group managing director to Mr. President on Political Issues. You are not new; you took us round the whole country during our 2011 campaigns. So, you are already a well-known person.

“You have worked as a member of the NWC of the PDP. Your appointment is key because you are the chief spokesperson of the President on political issues. When one listens to some of the comments that we politicians make, sometimes they could be terrible and do not portray the character of good politics.

“We are supposed to be nation-builders. Even though it is extremely difficult to agree that a politician could be a statesman because we tend to be partisan, at least in our utterances we should give Nigerians hope that this country will be together and that we must unite and collectively forge ahead to develop our nation.

“You are a very mature person and I believe that in your conduct, your utterances, your actions and inactions, you will portray a good character; a character that politicians and young people will

dent Goodluck Jonathan yesterday appealed to politicians to guard against utterances that are capable of disuniting the nation. He said that rather, they should work towards building a united nation, using all available opportunities.

Jonathan also called for the return of discipline in the Civil Service, as well as strict guidance to merit as the basis for appointment into offices. This is with a view to promoting efficiency and dedication to work, as he believed that the absence of discipline in the Civil Service was the major factor that had engendered rot in the system.

The President gave the admonitions while swearing-in his recently appointed Special Adviser on Political Matters, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali; a member of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) from Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Simon James Etim and three recently appointed Federal Permanent Secretaries: Danjuma Nanpon from Plateau State, Binta Adamu Bello from Katsina State and Dr. Tope Ajakaiye from Ekiti State.

Jonathan described the appointment of Alkali as apt, saying that it was coming at a time when politicians were expected to observe decorum in their utterances.

He noted that Nigerians

use as role models. I congratulate you and I know you will not disappoint, not just me but all Nigerians”.

To Etim, who until his appointment was a Commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission in January this year, the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Assembly Service Commission, Jonathan urged him to join his colleagues to bring about the much-needed reforms that would create jobs for Nigerians irrespective of their backgrounds.

According to Jonathan, “You are now a member of the Federal Civil Service Commission, that is the number-one body that recruits Nigerians into the Federal Civil Service.

Before now, the Commission recruited almost everybody, but now because of the various laws, some departments and agencies of government recruit directly.

“But the Commission is key and we want to change the mentality in this country that a young Nigerian must know somebody before he gets the job. The present Civil Service Commission is doing very well and I believe you are joining them to also imbibe the culture that people who are qualified for employment should get it irrespective of who they know. No matter how highly placed you are as the President, Vice President or members of the National Assembly, we were voted by all Nigerians.

“So we all owe Nigerians our

service and of course, we must make sure that whatever is available in this country gets to everybody irrespective who he knows.

That is the key and that is the message and the key component of our transformation agenda.”

President Jonathan, who spoke extensively on the discipline in the Civil Service, stressed the need for the Permanent Secretaries to work towards returning the service to path of glory by ensuring discipline.

His words: What people complain about these days is poor academic standard that reduces the quality of the service. I believe you have the courage to discipline people under you whose conduct does not reflect what is expected of a good public officer. One of the key problems we have in the service is that unlike in those days when people were given queries, these days, the impunity is so high that nobody queries anybody.

“A system that you don’t issue queries means that there is no quality control. If any factory is producing any good and if there is no quality control, definitely the product will lack the desired quality. So as permanent secretaries, you must have the courage to query your directors, deputy and assistant directors if you think they have done things that deserve query. If you need to refer to the Federal Civil Service Commission guidelines, you should do so because without discipline as a nation, we cannot go anywhere.”

whether or not this shift on the part of the government proves significant enough to bring succor to the beleaguered institution. President, Student Union Government (SUG), LASU, Mr. Nurudeen Yussuff, dismissed the gesture, saying it is a “joke”.

Speaking with The Guardian, Yussuf insisted that the government is just playing games. “When the fees were increased in 2011, they mandated the governing council to look into the issue. There was a report, why are they not resurrecting it?

Yussuf stressed that anything below N45,000 and N50,000 will not be acceptable to the students, even as he urged the government to “stop playing politics” over the issue.

Reading a 17-point resolution of the ad-hoc committee meeting as approved by the State Executive Council headed by Governor Babatunde Fashola, the Special Adviser on Education, Fatai Olukoga, said the government has agreed a reduction of the tuition fees ranging from 34 to 60 per cent across the different faculties and courses.

Olukoga revealed the decision of the state government while addressing State House Correspondents alongside the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba; the Special Adviser on Information, Lateef Raji and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello.

The reduction is coming after a series of protests by students and lecturers, as

well as lingering crisis that had rocked the institution in recent times, largely owing to increase in tuition fees in 2011.

Olukoga, however, assured that the reduction in the fees would not affect government’s commitment to enhanced scholarships and bursary provisions, stressing that the Research Fund sponsored by government would also be maintained to foster a culture of research and innovation in the university.

“It is hoped that all students and workers of the university would immediately resume their respective activities and join the state government to bring LASU to a pre-eminent position”, Olukoga said.

On the fate of students arrested and currently facing prosecution for protesting and disrupting public peace, Commissioner for Information, Lateef Ibirogba, said the state government was not responsible for their arrest neither did it drag the students to court.

Ibirogba, however, said government notwithstanding would, through the Ministry of Justice, liaise with the court to see if it could give the embattled students soft landing.

Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Lateef Raji, said government’s decision to welcome the students’ submission goes a long way to reiterate that it is not an inflexible government nor is it resistant to change where such is justifiable.

8 | NEWS Thursday, June 12, 2014

Students protest as TASUED stops debtors from writing exams From Charles Coffie-Gyamfi, Abeokuta

TUDENTS of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, IjebuOde, Ogun State, on Tuesday evening went on rampage, protesting the institution’s management decision not to allow students who were yet to pay their fees to participate in the on-going examinations.

The aggrieved students, numbering about 200, commenced their protest at 4.30 p.m., immediately after writing their day’s examinations.

There was open confrontation between the protesters and the school’s security men, forcing the security men to shoot severally into the air to scare the protesters.

The situation led to pandemonium as students, visitors and passers-by ran for their lives. No life was, however, lost.

One of the students, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian: “As we finished our papers around 4:30 pm, we just saw some students, over 200, chanting protest songs and everybody ran for safety”.

It was also gathered that the institution’s management had earlier shifted the examinations date twice so as to allow those yet to pay their school fees do so, but some students still did not pay the fees.

The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Olusegun Odubela, confirmed the incident, saying: “We are doing everything humanly possible to resolve the issue.

We are working on it, we just heard about it. The management is on top of the situation”.

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‘Nigeria may lose tourist site, oil wells to Cameroun’ From Azimazi Momoh, Abuja HE Senate has expressed worries about the likely loss of huge revenue, including the Agbohim Water Falls tourist site, by Nigeria to Cameroun through the ongoing land adjustment exercise by the United Nations (UN).

Senate Majority Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, said in an interview with journalists in Abuja yesterday that residents of the affected communities had become restless and apprehensive.

He said: “Well there is some boundary delineation exercise going on as a result of the Green Tree Agreement. The agreement necessitated some boundary adjustments and the UN Team is insisting on taking a straight line, but the communities believe that if they do a straight line as they want to do, then they would be losing some communities, including the famous Agbokim Water Falls, to Cameroun.”

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Court bars suspended lawmakers from Edo Assembly From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City HE crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly conT tinued yesterday with nonresolve of their differences after over four hours meeting in the hallowed chambers under the watchful eyes of the Commissioner of Police, Folusho Adebanjo.

Both members of the two factions, Speaker Uyi Igbe and his other 13 supporters and his deputy, Festus Ebea and his eight supporters, had stormed the hallow chambers apparently to both get access and there was a free-for-all inside the chamber that led to the destruction of the door of en-

try into the chambers and that into the lawmakers’ offices. It was gathered that some policemen were sent from outside the state to provide security for Ebea and his members.

As at the time of filing this report, the lawmakers were sitting round the table presided over by Igbe to express their feelings.

Journalists were not allowed into the chamber but were looking through the glass door that separated the chamber from the entry point. It was observed that all had expressed themselves, but there was no conclusion and they resorted to sitting and frequently making

telephone calls to political associates.

However, while the parley was going on, an injunction was obtained barring the four members who were suspended on Monday plenary from entering the chamber.

The court said: “An order of interim injunction is hereby given restraining the defendants by themselves or agents, assigns, privies or other persons acting for, through or by the defendants from forcibly gaining entrance into the premises and legislative quarters of the third claimant pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

The court further ordered

substituted service of the summons by advertisement in a National paper and a local publication within 48 hours. “By the publication, the 3rd to 6th defendants shall be deemed as having been properly served” The case was adjourned till June 23 for the hearing of the Motion on Notice.

Meanwhile, some youth groups protested around the town calling a resolution of the crisis in the state House of Assembly.

The Edo Youth For Good Governance (EYFGG) in a press conference urged the political gladiators in the state to sheath sword and allow development to take place in Edo.

President of the group, Osaro Iyamu, urged the lawmakers to embrace peace and continue in the way and manner they have been carrying out their legislative functions.

Similarly, the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGOs) led by its president, Jude Obasanmi and Director of Administration, Destiny Enabulele, called on the legislators to make their primary duty of making for the good of the state their priority.

Mu’azu tasks PDP leaders on unity ahead party primaries From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja ATIONAL Chairman of the N Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, has

Chairman, St. Edmunds Eye Hospital, Dr. Edmunds Akinocho, Chairman, Lawebod Ltd, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Consultant Ophathamologist at UCH Ibadan, Dr. Bode Ogundipe, and Executive Consultant, Guardian Newspapers Ltd, Barr. Ayebanji Awosanya, at the inauguration of the new board of Trustees and governors of the Eye Bank, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital MRC building (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO

urged party leaders and members to unite to conduct free and fair credible primary election ahead of the February, 2015 general elections.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the weekly meeting of National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, Mu’azu said: “We should be united to conduct free, fair and credible primaries as that would enable the party win elections.”

The NWC also congratulated Mu’azu on his 59th birthday.

The national chairman as well refuted reports that he intended to gag the press.

Mu’azu in a statement by his Senior Assistant on ICT, Akin Oyegoke, was reacting to what he called “yet another misleading article” in one of the online media on June 9 2014 which reported that Mu’azu “ will not tolerate any negative report from the media when he resumed office.”

Kano palace remains locked as new emir rules from Govt House From Murtala Muhammed (Kano) and Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh (Uyo)

HREE days after the anT nouncement of a new emir, the ancient Kofar Kudu Palace of the Emir of Kano remains locked up and guarded by heavily armed security men.

The new king, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has been operating from the comfort of the Kano State Government House, where he took up temporary residence even before his appointment.

A combined team of Mobile Police, Army and men of the Civil Defence Corps has been keeping vigil at the palace since the announcement of the new emir on Sunday, preventing access.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Akwa Ibom State chapter, Bishop Cletus Bassey, has queried the rationale behind the speed in crowning the new Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, when there are alleged criminal issues hanging on his neck.

Bassey made this observation yesterday in Uyo, the state capital, while fielding questions from journalists after meeting with paramount rulers from the 31

• Lamido Sanusi is king, Kwankwaso insists • Cleric queries haste to swear in monarch council areas on the need to be extra vigilant against infiltrators into their domain.

However, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has debunked rumours that the new emir has been dethroned. He told newsmen yesterday that the information was false, malicious and remained the handiwork of enemies of Kano.

Kwankwaso, exercising his prerogative, chose the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi, from the three names submitted by the four kingmakers Sarkin Bai, Sarkin Dawakin Mai Tuta, Madaki and Galadima.

The new emir received his letter of appointment and the traditional insignia, including the tagwayan masu (royal spear), bakan dabo (dabo bowl) and royal swords, which symbolize the emir’s s authority and remain the emir’s age-long traditional heritage since the time Kano was under the Caliphate of Usman Dan Fodio.

Though Sanusi has been receiving district heads,

traditional leaders and dignitaries on condolence visit at the Government House lodge, the eldest son of the late emir, Sanusi Ado Bayero, is yet to visit him.

Nevertheless, Kwankwaso, speaking through the Commissioner for Information, Danburan Abubakar, has cautioned rumour peddlers to cease circulating the false information that the emir has been removed, positing instead that Sanusi’s appointment was based on “merit, and by the will of God,” adding: “Nobody can remove him.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of local hunters and vigilantes in Kano have relocated to the Government House since Monday, a development that might be connected with the withdrawal of many security men, including the army, State Security Service and Mobile Police from the Government House.

According to the presiding president of Destiny Ministry International, since the new Emir does not have immunity, it would be shameful if he is found culpable in the allegation

against him in the court, adding: “It would be a shameful thing for him to be the first Emir to be deposed if found guilty in court”.

Bassey further expressed disappointment in the way and manner the Emir was sworn-in, especially when the court, the National Assembly and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) are yet to conclude their investigations on the matter that the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor brought to the fore.

“My only take in the whole thing is why they must be in a hurry to appoint Sanusi when he has questions and issues to answer, which he has not answered? What is in their mind, what is the motive behind it? Tomorrow, if he is found guilty, he would be the first Emir to be jailed, because he does not have immunity.

“If this matter has not yet been resolved by the court and National Assembly has not finished deliberation on the matter; and you rush to install him, it is giving criminality a place in the traditional institution”, he said.

On the incessant cases of

insurgency in the country, he urged Nigerians not to exhibit nonchalant attitude towards activities of Boko Haram, noting that with the way and manner the sect operates, the group could penetrate any state of the federation.

“We should not say that it is only happening in the North-East. If we do not stand up to the challenge of insecurity, we will be surprised how close it is to us”, he said.

He noted that Boko Haram was both religious and ethnic war and not political as people are made to believe, adding that all hands must be on deck to stop this war from spreading across the country.

“Those enlightened members of their Islamic faith should be able to talk to their people to lay down their guns and allow Nigeria to be one.

“The church and the traditional rulers must come together to address insecurity in the country because as it is now, when it happens, it does not say you are a traditional ruler or you are a church person; everybody is involved. Look at how they killed an Emir the other day, security is for all of us”, he pleaded.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, June 12, 2014 | 9

PHOTONEWS

Mr. Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe; Honorary Consul of Malawi to Nigeria, Mr. Michael Anyiam-Osigwe, President, Republic of Malawi, Peter Mutharika, and Mr. George Anyiam-Osigwe, after meeting with the new Malawian leader in the State House, Lilongwe.

Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji (middle); flanked by his Deputy, Sir Emeka Ananaba (right), and President, Ohaneze Disability Forum, Barr. Ihekwuaba Paul, in a group photograph with the forum when they paid him a courtesy visit in Umuahia.

Representative of Chairman, Eredo LCDA, Mr. Tajudeen Anibaba, representative of Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chief Olawale Mogaji, Head, Environmental Health Unit, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Jonanthan Ogun, representing HC Environment, and Chief M.B. Somori, Bobagunwa of Epe, at the 2014 World Environment Day held at Odo Obara Senior High School, Epe,

President, Association of Vice Chairmen of Lagos LGAs and LCDAs, Mrs. Opeyemi Akindele (second left); Civil Right Activist, Dr. Joe Odumakin, Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Alhaja Omolara Dada Kudirat, Speaker, House of Assembly, Lagos State, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and other women during the public launch of the Not Again Campaign by WARDC in Lagos… yesterday

HRH, Igwe Nelson Esimai, Igwe of Onita (right); crowned Princess Stella Oduah, as Ada Chukwu, at the Ogbaru Grand Reception and Award in honour of Oduah.

Co-ordinator, African Public Relations Association (APRA) Summit, Kayode Yeku (left); Secretary General, APRA, Yomo Badejo-Okusanya, and MD/CEO, Black House Media Group, Adekunle Ayeni, during the APRA Mauritius 2014 post conference Media briefing in Lagos

Mr. Owhologbo Oghenemaro Daniel and his wife, Mrs. Rebecca Ighokoweroro (nee Eto) Owhologbo, at their wedding in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Executive Director, Business Development for D’Banj, Mr. Tony Nwakalor (left); Mr. David Oyebanjo, D’Banj; Executive Director, Ivory Banking, Heritage Bank, Mary Akpobome, and, Head, SME, Bayo Ogunnusi, during the media parley to announce the partnership between Heritage Bank and D’banj on the Nagropreneur Project, held at Four Point, Lagos

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

10 | Thursday, June 12, 2014

AfricanNews Icon of Egypt’s 2011 revolt sentenced to 15 years court yesterday convicted A a prominent activist from Egypt’s 2011 uprising for demonstrating without permit and assaulting a policeman, sentencing him to 15 years in prison.

The sentence against Alaa Abdel-Fattah is by far the toughest against any of the liberal, pro-democracy activists behind the 18-day uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak’s 29-year regime.

It is also the first conviction of a prominent activist since former army chief AbdelFattah el-Sissi took office as president on Sunday.

In the 11 months since el-Sissi ousted the country’s first freely elected president, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Morsi, authorities have launched a massive crackdown on Islamists, detaining at least 16,000 and killing hundreds. That crack-

down has overshadowed another, albeit smaller, campaign against secular activists opposed to what they see as the return of Mubarak-era policies.

Security officials said that while Abdel-Fattah was convicted and sentenced in absentia, he did turn up at the Cairo courtroom later yesterday and was detained by police. The absentia sentencing means that he now faces an automatic retrial, although the conviction stands in the meantime.

The case against AbdelFattah dates back to late last year when he was accused of taking part in an “unauthorized” demonstration against a controversial law that places rigid restrictions on street protests.

According to prosecutors, Abdel-Fattah was accused of taking part in an illegal

demonstration, using force to take possession of a twoway radio held by a policeman and blocking traffic.

Twenty-four defendants in the same case were also convicted and sentenced to 15 years in jail in absentia.

El-Sissi has said that he intends to uphold the protest law and that freedom of speech will have to take a back seat while he gives priority to restoring security and reviving the nation’s ailing economy.

Libya’s interim Premier Abdullah al-Thini (left), with officers, non-commissioned officers and members of the Libyan army as they ready to leave for the United kingdom on a training course from Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli…yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

South Sudan rivals ‘vow to end fighting’ HE government and rebels T in South Sudan have agreed to end fighting and form a transitional government within 60 days, Ethiopia says.

The regional Igad bloc, mediating the conflict, has threat-

ened sanctions if they fail to abide by the agreement.

It follows a rare meeting between President Salva Kiir and rebel chief, Riek Machar in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Previous deals to end the vio-

lence have been broken by both sides, compounding the worsening humanitarian crisis.

Thousands have now died in the conflict that started as a political dispute between Kiir and Machar, his sacked deputy, but escalated into ethnic violence.

More than a million people have fled their homes since fighting erupted last December.

Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn announced the new agreement on Tuesday, after President Kiir and Machar met on the sidelines of an Igad summit on Tuesday, “If they don’t abide to this agreement, Igad as an organisation will act to implement peace in South Sudan. On that, we have different options including sanctions and [oth-

er] punitive actions as well,” he said.

“There has been a growing tendency to continue with the war,” he added, criticising both sides for breaking a previous ceasefire agreed on 9 May. It is the first time South Sudan’s neighbours have issued such a warning, reflecting a growing frustrating with the South Sudanese leaders, correspondents say.

The United States has already imposed sanctions on both sides of the conflict, singling out commanders loyal to both President Kiir and Machar.

The violence began in December when Mr Kiir accused his sacked deputy of plotting a coup.

Machar denied the allegation, but then marshalled a rebel army to fight the government.

C’Africa requests ICC investigation into violence HE Central African governT ment announced yesterday that it had requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the most serious crimes committed during more than a year of violent unrest.

“The intervention of the International Criminal Court appears to us indispensible in seeking the prosecution and conviction of those who have carried out the most serious of these crimes, which will not go unpunished,” said Minister of Justice, Isabelle Gaudeuille in a statement read of government radio.

The government lodged an official request with the ICC on May 30 “to investigate the situation that has been continuing in CAR since August 1, 2012”.

“CAR is confronted by cycles of violence and reprisals that never seem to stop.

Unfortunately, our determination to get on with the task is greatly undermined,” she said, adding that years of unrest and violence had left local courts unable to effectively carry out the investigations.

On February 7, ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda opened a preliminary investigation into abuses committed

between March 2013 and January 2014 when the Muslim Seleka rebels had temporarily seized control of the country. An ICC team visited the country in May. It is also looking into violence committed by the mostly Christian anti-balaka militia that has led reprisals against the Seleka and wider Muslim community.

Pope slams ‘death merchants’ over refugee drownings OPE Francis warned “merP chants of death” yesterday that they “will have to answer to God”, amid an increase in the number of boat refugees placing their lives in the hands of traffickers.

“Do you think that the corrupt, those who traffic people and weapons, are really happy?” he asked the crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square for his weekly general audience.

“They are not, because they know that in the afterlife they will have to answer to God. They will not be able to bring with them money, power or pride,” he said.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, June 12, 2014 | 11

WorldReport Palestinians seek action against Israel over detainees SENIOR Palestinian official A has called for international action against Israel over the detention without charge of more than 100 Palestinians who have been on a longterm hunger strike.

“I am writing on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and president Mahmud Abbas to request your immediate intervention on behalf of the approximately 130 Palestinian detainees and prisoners currently on hunger strike in Israeli prisons,” Saeb Erakat said in a letter obtained by AFP yesterday.

“We call on you to call on Israel to annul the policy of administrative detention and to condition deepening your bilateral ties with Israel pending Israel’s fulfilment of all its obligations,” he wrote in English.

Administrative detention is a procedure dating back to the pre-1948 British mandate under which military courts can hold suspects without charge for periods of up to six months, which can be renewed indefinitely.

The letter, issued on Tuesday, was sent the European Union’s member states, Brazil, South Africa and India.

It was also sent to United Nations Security Council members, but not to non-permanent member Australia, which recently said it would no longer refer to annexed

east Jerusalem as “occupied,” infuriating the Palestinian leadership which wants it as capital of their future state.

Israel Prisons Service told AFP there were currently 250 inmates refusing food, 90 of them for over six weeks of whom 75 had been hospitalised.

IPS spokeswoman, Sivan Weizman said this was the longest-ever mass hunger strike of Palestinians held by Israel.

Some 5,000 Palestinians are being held in Israeli jails, with nearly 200 in administrative detention.

UN chief, Ban Ki-moon has urged Israel to either charge or release the striking prisoners without delay.

Meanwhile, Israel pushed forward with plans for a bill to enable doctors to feed hunger strikers against their will.

Parliament on Monday approved the bill in its first reading, ahead of a series of debates in a committee and two further plenum votes before it passes into law.

But the draft legislation, composed by the internal security ministry, has raised objections not only among leftwing, liberal and Arab lawmakers, but also from the Israel Medical Association which has urged Justice Minister Tzipi Livni to block the bill.

Bangladesh rescues 300 migrants stranded at sea HE Bangladesh coastguard T on Wednesday rescued a stricken boat in the Bay of

Supporters of Afghan presidential candidate, Abdullah Abdullah, during a gathering on the last day of campaigning in Kabul…yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

Japan accuses China of ‘dangerous’ flights amid dispute accused China of flyJly”APAN ing fighter jets “dangerousclose to two of its military planes over the East China Sea yesterday, as bilateral tensions simmer over the countries’ territorial dispute.

Two Chinese SU-27 jets flew as close as 30 metres (100 feet) away from the Japanese defence aircraft at about 11am local time (0200 GMT), the defence ministry in Tokyo said.

Defence Minister, Itsunori Onodera told reporters his ministry had lodged a diplomatic complaint with China over the incident.

It was the second time in less than three weeks that Tokyo accused Beijing of “dangerous” flights by Chinese fighter jets against Japanese military planes.

The alleged incident

Thai junta vows to arrest illegal migrant workers HAILAND’S junta threatened yesterday to arrest T and deport all illegal foreign workers, as border officials reported an exodus of Cambodian migrants following last month’s military takeover.

Labourers from neighbouring Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have played a key role in Thai industries such as seafood, agriculture and construction, but they often lack proper work permits.

From now on any illegal migrant workers found in Thailand “will be arrested and deported”, Thai army spokeswoman Sirichan Ngathong said.

“We see illegal workers as a threat because there were a lot of them and no clear measures to handle them, which could lead to social problems,” she said.

Since the May 22 coup, at least 10,000 Cambodian workers have crossed back, according to Neth Serey, an official at the Cambodian consulate in the Thai border province of Sa Kaeo.

Activists said the migrants were transported in trucks and dumped at the border.

“They feel scared. Some were crying,” said Soum Chankea, a coordinator for Cambodian

rights group ADHOC, who met with some of them.

Many of the migrants, including women and children, are effectively stranded at the frontier with no money to pay for their journey home, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

There are usually 100 migrants coming through the main AranyaprathetPoipet border checkpoint each day, said the IOM acting chief of mission in Cambodia,

Leul Mekonnen.

“But we are already seeing more than 1,000 a day and we do not know what the coming days hold.”

Construction worker Chea Loeun, who returned from Thailand on Wednesday, said Cambodians feared being arrested by the Thai army.

“They said Cambodian migrants joined protests there,” the 34-year-old told AFP by telephone from Poipet.

“Cambodia workers dare not stay in Thailand anymore.”

Denmark ends forced sterilisation for sex change HE Danish parliament yesT terday scrapped a law requiring people to be sterilised as part of the sex change procedure before they could be legally recognised as another gender.

As of September 1, all Danes over 18 will be able to apply for a legal gender change simply by stating that they belong to the other sex, after which they must complete a six-month “reflection period,” the Danish government said.

They would no longer have to undergo the physical sex change procedure before obtaining a new gender on

their identification card.

“Today we have dropped the requirement of sterilisation when transgendered people need a new personal identification number as part of a legal sex change,” Minister for Economics and the Interior Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

“It will make life easier and more dignified for the individual, for example when you are asked for ID in shops,” she added.

The Danish government added that the move could be seen as part of an international trend towards “easing the conditions for legal sex change(s).”

occurred over the open seas near the disputed waters where China’s stated air defence identification zone overlaps with that of Japan.

The area is about 200-300 kilometres (125-190 miles) north of the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which China also claims and calls the Diaoyus.

Defence Minister Onodera called the Chinese aircraft’s manoeuvres “extremely dangerous flights that could have

led to an accident.”

“We cannot allow this to happen,” he said, urging Beijing to preventing a recurrence by establishing a hotline between their defence officials.

In an apparent tit-for-tat move, the Chinese defence ministry said on May 29 that two Japanese fighter planes came within 10 metres of a Chinese transport aircraft over the East China Sea in late November last year.

Bengal packed with 300 nationals who were trying to flee to Malaysia, an official said.

At least four bodies were on board the Malaysia-bound boat, which was being towed to a Bangladeshi island in rough seas, the official and one of the passengers told AFP. Bangladeshi coastguard commander Shahidul Islam told AFP that the remaining 300 passengers were safe.

“They told us that there are four dead bodies in the ship.

We haven’t searched the ship yet. We’re bringing it to the Saint Martin’s Island,” he said.

Islam could not confirm how the four died, but one of the passengers told AFP from aboard the boat that they were fired on as they tried to leave Bangladesh’s southern coast near neighbouring Myanmar.

Bangladesh and Mynanmar share a land border and tensions are high. Last month a Bangladeshi border guard was killed following clashes with Myanmar border police.

“The Myanmar people fired at us,” passenger Ziaur Rahman said by phone without saying if the military was behind the shootings.

12

Thursday, June 12, 2014 www.ngrguardiannews.com

FG’s ir(re)sponsibility to Lagos 1 • Promises/Obligations unfulfilled

As the Lagos State claim brings to fore the challenges of federal and state collaboration, the access road to Murtala Mohammed International Airport sticks out as a sore thumb in this nation. The environs of the road leading out of n airport generate the first impression of a country for any visitor from abroad. What obtains now is a canvas of squalour. Nigeria’s effort at attracting foreign investment may well founder on account of this eye-sore. Even an offer by the Lagos government to fix the road has not succeeded in getting Abuja out of its endemic lethargy.

SOURCE: The Guardian Editorial, June 7, 2014 Shameful state of road leading to the international airport, Lagos.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

WORDS ON MARBLE The state of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport road is unfortunately another symptom of the cantankerous relationship between the federal and state governments. The Lagos State government was keen and willing to carry out the necessary repair works on the road to enable the state showcase the nation’s crown jewel, but because of seemingly rigid federal laws, the state is grossly disempowered to take any action, since the road belongs to the Federal Government. This is notwithstanding the N59 billiob the Federal Government is owing us for works carried out on other federal roads in the state. The state government’s failure to either rehabilitate or reconstruct the 4.2km road was due to issues that had been politicized. Our plan was to expand it, provide service lanes and introduce tolls for motorists who opt to use the fast lanes.

Governor Babatunde Fashola

The new 10-lane Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Expressway leading to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, June 12, 2014 13

Lagos APC members protest impositions

CITYSHOT

By Wole Oyebade MARTING from last week showdown by students of the Lagos State University (LASU), office of the State governor on Monday hosted another set of angry protesters — this time, members of governor Babatunde Fashola’s party, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC).

The protesters, numbering over 500, stormed the Alausa office and Lagos State House of Assembly to condemn what they described as “the culture of imposition and lack of internal democracy” in the State ruling party.

Dressed in red vests, the protesters, under the aegis of New Lagos Movement – a coalition of Civil Groups in APC, knocked down the Alausa corridor with hired passenger buses, which had conveyed them from different local governments of the State.

Security personnel at both the governor’s office and Lagos Assembly had tough time controlling the crowd to forestall breakdown of law and order.

Their placards had inscription: ‘APC is our party, not ‘my party’- Eti Osa West; ‘No to imposition; Leaders, not rulers’ - Igbogbo Bayeku; ‘No to imposition’, ‘No more Oga sope’ - Somolu; ‘The voice of the people’; ‘Autocracy is not democracy’ - Onigbongbo.

‘No more masquerades as democrats’ - Mosan Okunola; ‘No to consensus candidate’ and so on.

About 45 minutes into the demonstration, members of the State Executive Council appeared to hear their grievances.

President of the coalition, Niyi Akinsiju said they had come in defence of their fundamental rights as Lagosians and genuine members of the party.

As members, he said, they had been committed to the ideals of internal democracy as prescribed by the provisions of the APC constitution in order to make Nigeria an ideal place to live in.

He declared amid protesters’ cheers: “We have tolerated sufficiently and for too long the unenviable and anti-democratic culture of imposition of party leaders and political leaders on our people as practiced in Lagos State since the past 11 years.

“We have endured the denial of majority’s aspirations in the interest of a few, who consider themselves the custodians of our electoral rights and to whom our electoral decisions matter not.

“It is this tendency that we have been complaining against in the past few weeks that

S

JUNE 12... 21 YEARS AFTER A FADING HERO?... Statue of Chief MKO Abiola at OjotaJune

LAGOS ASSEMBLY DIARY

House debates amendment to urban, regional development law

By Wole Oyebade BILL for a Law to amend the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010 was one of the highlights of proceedings at the Lagos State House of Assembly this week.

The bill, read for the second time at Monday’s plenary, sought to amend sections bothering on qualifications for an appointee into the General Manager’s (GM) office, of one of the three agencies covered by the law.

Prior to the debates on the bill, the House read the Lagos State Mortgage and Property Bill for the first time.

Also on that afternoon, there were seven outstanding reports. They include: report of an investigation into demolition of uncompleted shops in Alaba area of the state, a petition against Ijede Chiefs in the Egbin town dispute and another petition against Onigbanko of Iredeland.

Others were: report on Lagos State Safety Regulations on Swimming pools 2013; petitions on unlawful dismissal of Babatunde Aborowa by Union Bank; an allegation of forceful acquisition of land by Oba of

‘A

• As Committees lay outstanding reports • Commemorates third-year anniversary today Idimu and a petition on abuse of office by Mushin council chairman. All reports are to be debated by the Committee of the House.

Meanwhile, ahead of its retreat slated for next Monday, the House will today commemorate its’ third-year anniversary.

The Seventh Assembly was three-year-old on June 4, 2014.

Explaining contents of the bill — House of Assembly Bill No. 41— House Committee Chairman on Regional and Urban Planning, Mufutau Egberongbe said the bill aims to amend Section 50, which limits appointment of Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority (LASURA)’s GM to Town Planners alone.

New proviso in the amendment plans to open eligibility to other professionals in the building industry. The bill also proposes to reduce years of experience from 15 to 10.

Egberongbe, however, opined that 10 years post-qualification experience would be too small to amass adequate maturity for anyone to drive the building agency.

He added that a person that gets into the service on level 8 would only be on level 12 in 10 years. “I think that is too small a level to head an agency of government,” he said.

While some members agreed with Egberongbe, others, led by the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji thought otherwise.

According to Ikuforiji, 10 years’ work experience should be sufficient to pilot the affairs of such offices. He observed that history of public administration in the country is replete with young individuals that had performed outstandingly well in different capacities, adding that two years was enough to have a mastery of Legislative functions in the Lagos Assembly.

The Speaker urged his members to thread with caution in setting age or experience limit to public appointments.

Apparently at a deadlock, the House resolved to pass the bill to its relevant House Committee for appropriate recommendation on the matter. Report of the committee is expected at today’s plenary

the outcomes of our congresses, which held between April 5 and 26, 2014 were nothing but serial impositions by our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as he annulled genuine electoral results and planted his men in party offices.”

He explained that imposition of candidates would not allow the electorate the rights to hold any representative accountable. “So we are here to tell the governor that we no longer accept candidates by consensus. Everyone should come as aspirants, and only through election and convention should they become candidates. We say no to indirect elections and selection,” he said.

Publicity Secretary of the group, Gbenga Fakoya added that a recent declaration, in which their national leader was alleged to have unilaterally zoned the 2015 gubernatorial ticket to a particular religion and a zone in the state, was abominable as it denies them the opportunity of electing the most qualified in the state.

Fakoya said: “It is incontrovertible that the best aspirant from one faith or zone might be the least qualified when the people have the opportunity to determine their governor from the entire state.

“It is in the light of this that we demand full guarantee of internal democracy in APC Lagos without imposition of party officials and candidates.

“We also demand immediate reversal of the unfortunate zoning declaration and a full guarantee of democratic right of all persons who are qualified under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to contest,” he said.

Member of the group, Gboyega Ogunosun told The Guardian the protesters had stomached these misgivings for so long, and were now ready to demonstrate until their demands were met.

Ogunosun said that the New Lagos Movement reposed enormous confidence in the governor and Lagos lawmakers to prevail on powers that be to ensure collective freedom, liberation and democratic emancipation, adding that a stitch in time saves nine.

Having listened to their pleas, Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello, appealed to the protesters to be patient, as he assured them that their petitions would be communicated to the governor and leaders of State APC. Deputy Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, Taiwo Kolawole also urged the group to calm down and await action from the party’s leadership.

A section of the protesters at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

14 Thursday June 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Politics The National Conference Debate

‘Confab, one of heaven’s greatest blessings to Nigerians’ Prof. Obiora Ike, former Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, is the Deputy Leader of the Southeast delegation to the National Conference. He spoke to Lawrence Njoku in Enugu on some of the recommendations from the committees at the conference and other issues.

ONTHS into its sitting, Nigerians still M doubt the National Conference has the capacity to move the country forward. Do you have a contrary view?

This conference started with its inauguration on March 17 in Abuja, following the clamour by Nigerians that after 100 years of existence with several challenges threatening the unity of the country, there was need to talk on how we want to live.

The conference was, therefore, composed with virtually all classes of Nigerians, both with physical disabilities, trade unions to politicians, clergymen, elders and delegates of states, women groups and civil society organisations.

Since it started, it has been very great with members trying first of all to know themselves, discussing the speech of the President, going into committees that addressed the entire Nigerian constitution as it is brokered down.

There were 20 committees and they have finished their work and submitted to the plenary and the debates are going on right now and by July, we will wound down the conference. It is hoped that it will not be one of the conferences that is ineffective and its resolutions not implemented.

In fact, the calibre of Nigerians at this conference gives credence and credibility to the ability of this conference to engage Nigerians and transform and answer the political equations of this country. We think that from the various parts of the country, consensus-building will give us a new Nigeria.

The President gave only one caveat – we should not discuss the unity of Nigeria being a topic for debate; that we should take it for granted. But any other thing is open for debate and we would have the President enact a policy or edict that will put some of the conclusions of the debate into action or give them to National Assembly for approval or send some parts to a referendum.

The Southeast came as a group; all the others came as a zone. For us, it’s been a tremendous experience and we are poised to give the country a leap forward.

The foregoing question came because, since the conference started, the spate of insecurity has increased.

There’s hardly a time there was Boko Haram bombing since the conference started without observing a minute silence and prayer for those who had died.

The conference has used every legitimate word in the dictionary to condemn this heinous act by criminals who answer Boko Haram. The conference has been able to limit them to non-religious group because the Muslims have said they are non-Muslims, that they are even anti-Islam because they burn mosques and churches, and they fight government as they fight soldiers. So, they are an insurgency group that is determined the fight the Nigerian federation.

I do not think that Boko Haram insurgency has escalated since the conference started but Boko Haram has been there since year 2002 and that was when a certain (Modu) Sheriff was governor in Borno State.

They have also become more violent in years 2008 and 2009 when Yar’Adua was in power and they continued their engagement of the police and Nigerian military recently. But with the imposition of emergency rule in the area, there have been some restraints.

It is very clear that the group is not a war for the President or Nigerian army but a war for all Africans and, indeed, the whole world.

We have seen what they are doing in Central African Republic, in countries like Mali where the USA has just pulled out all its citizens; we have seen how they are moving in Sudan, the Darfur region; how they occupied Timbuktu, and destroyed many monuments.

Ike

And these are criminals that have found coalition in being bandits. They have nothing to lose because they own nothing; they live for nothing and die for nothing. And it is not even money that is their concern; they just want to destabilise.

The Nigerian army and President Jonathan have tried; the security is infiltrated and this makes the Boko Haram fight a little bit difficult. Terrorism has not won any war anywhere and if the Nigerian people are united, I do feel it is a phase in the Nigerian history and the people should stand up to it.

There has been a lot of investigation going on over the Chibok incident and the international community has become part of it and I don’t think anybody can win a war against the whole world.

How true is the information that went out recently from the conference that churches and places of worship should be taxed?

The fact is no committee recommended taxation for the Church or any religious group.

The only committee that may have recommended that may be the Committee on Religion, but I am in the committee and we did not even discuss it.

Religious institutions are voluntary, nongovernmental institutions and non-profitmaking institutions that add value to the life of a people.

Religious groups in Nigeria belonging to the Muslim and Christian confessions try to build a moral so that people will begin to live according to their faith and beliefs, according to standards that observe discipline, and according to service to man and God. So, where do they make money to pay a tax?

Generally, after the submission of the report on religious committee was brought to the general assembly, normally people will have opportunity to air their views.

There was an opinion by one member, out of 492, whether religious institutions should

not pay tax if they engaged in revenue-generating ventures. It was just a question or proposal that religious institutions should pay tax if they ran hotels, if they ran bakeries, if they ran universities and other such things that make money.

And the person asking the question was trying to know why should religious institutions be owning jets if they were not making money. He did not refer to any specific religious group.

Nonetheless, the confab did not take this item as an acceptable topic. I do have a personal opinion, of course, and that is that religious institutions are sacrosanct by virtue of what happens in different countries. But if religious institutions go into business, as business and they must register such business as business, then they must pay taxes on those businesses, which are income earnings as business.

That will be a very fair and level playing ground if it is proven that this organisation is making money from running ventures that give money; then paying tax is a civic obligation.

WHAT is the Southeast zone taking away from the conference?

I will like to share with you, very gladly, that every zone went to the confab with a lot of expectation and before the conference took off, there had been discussions at the various levels.

If I look at the Southeast with five states whereas other zones have six and seven, the Southeast felt that it was a fundamental injustice to reduce the number of states in the zone and, of course, what accrues to it.

So, they went to the conference with an expectation that there must be one extra state created for the Southeast; there must be fiscal federalism within Nigeria; there must be serious devolution of power from the centre to make Nigeria a working federation; there must be clear distinction

between religion and state, as religion and state could not be understood to be identical.

There were questions that concerned economic justice; that we have to do a population (census) that has to be realistic in Nigeria, and not where we fathomed any numbers, etc.

Of all the 20 committees, the Southeast had an expectation. They demanded a Nigeria that is free and fair; a Nigeria where the conference deliberations will not be put on the shelves.

These were expectations with which they went into the conference and also to dialogue with other Nigerians and build networks with other regions of the country and to ensure that moving Nigeria forward, you had a majority consensus in terms of the topics.

I must say that the Committee on Restructuring of Power in Nigeria approved one more state for the Southeast. It will now come to the general conference for confirmation.

If the general conference approves, it will now left with the President to implement it and I must say that on that one, for example, with General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd.) being the co-chair, they were able to get that one through.

Local governments do not belong to a Constitution, they belong to the management in an area and therefore should be removed from the Constitution and put into the state where they belonged and states will have the right to create as many local governments as they would wish and could fund.

Of course, money comes to the centre; money also comes to the states; so, there will be no need to have a specific number of local governments in the Constitution and the committee unanimously approved this provision.

This means that if at the plenary it is approved, this entire thing about states having massive population but cannot be allowed to create local governments will no longer be an issue of injustice in Nigeria but states will now create as much as possible, the number of local governments they can fund and needed and the monies going to the local governments could now go to the states. This is also an issue that the Southeast came with an expectation among other states of the country and they got it.

One that was an issue was whether the federating units in Nigeria would be the states or the zones and on this one, the Western Nigeria (Southwest) came with one clear identity: that the federating units in Nigeria to be the zones.

The Northern states did not want it, the South-South did not want it, and the Southeast wanted it. But when it was time to vote, one state in the Southeast joined the rest and out of the 22 members of that committee, about six or seven voted in favour and that one was not carried.

Nonetheless, that committee has recommended — and I am quite happy about it and it looks like there would be an opportunity for zones to arrange among themselves — that there would be zoning.

The zoning policy is already accepted in Nigeria but it is not constitutional but now, it will be constitutional that zones exist and this is the number of them, then they will agree to either collect their money as a zone, or do whatever thing they wanted as a zone.

But that has to be done by their Houses of Assembly and then they are bringing it to the National Assembly and making it a national affair.

Right now, the zones will be operating as zones but the federating units will go to the states.

The Southeast is also going with other agen-

CONTUNED ON PAGE 15

Thursday June 12, 2014 POLITICS 15

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Rights group petitions UN over media repression

By Abiodun Fanoro HERE is no let up in the criticism of the milT itary assault on newspaper vans and vendors.

Among the organisations that slammed the media onslaught are the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Projects (SERAP), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), and a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Sunday Akinmola.

Indeed, SERAP has followed up its disapproval with a petition to the United Nations, asking it to prevail on the Nigerian government to end the media siege.

The petition, dated June 9, 2014 and signed by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, was addressed to the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Mr. Frank La Rue. SERAP urged him to “urgently issue urgent appeal and measures to stop the government of President Goodluck Jonathan from continuing harassment and intimidation of several media houses and newspapers.”

“Unless the Special Rapporteur takes action urgently, the effective enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom will continue to be under grave threat,” SERAP said.

It said the clampdown constitutes infringements on the rights of expression, information dissemination and the right of the people to know what is happening in government, as well as government’s obligation to accountability and transparency “This demonstrates the government’s increasing intolerance for the peaceful exercise of the rights to expression, opinion, information, association and assembly by the citizens,” it said.

“There can be no freedom unless thought is free and unrestricted; not free thought for those who agree but freedom for the thought others or we ourselves dislike.

“It is only from the clash of ideas that truth can emerge; for the best test of truth is the power of thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market of ideas.”

The group stressed that the right to freedom of opinion and expression is a core right of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights both of which Nigeria has ratified.

“This right is important not only for protecting the citizens against undue infringements of the State but also guaranteeing effective participation of individuals and media houses in political life,” it said.

The organisation noted that “the Security Council resolution 1738 (2006) has condemned deliberate attacks against journalists, media houses and professionals and associated personnel even in situations of armed conflict and called upon all parties to put an end to such practices.

According to this resolution, all States, including Nigeria, “are to respect the independence of media houses and to comply with the relevant obligations under international law to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for serious violations of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom.”

The MRA, through its Executive Director, Edetaen Ojo, while condemning the media repression, expressed its firm belief that the Jonathan administration, like others, which tried it before him, would not succeed in repressing the media.

“It was quite sad that the Jonathan Administration has learnt nothing from the history of the media in Nigeria, particularly the lesson that the Nigerian press cannot be suppressed, as the most repressive military governments that ever ruled this country failed woefully and totally in their efforts to suppress the media,” Ojo said.

“It is shocking that rather than addressing the real and pressing security challenges facing the country, which has resulted in most citi-

Mumuni zens living in perpetual fear, the Federal Government has chosen to chase shadows by unleashing its military and security agencies on the media.”

Ojo said the MRA was not at all persuaded by the government’s excuse that the action of its security forces, in obstructing the operations of media workers all over the country and harassing them for no legitimate reason, is a routine security exercise.

“There can be nothing routine is such widespread and systematic violation of the rights of media workers and the flagrant breach of Nigeria’s international obligation to respect and uphold the rights of its citizens, including

the media,” he said.

Ojo advised the government to immediately back down on its “anti-media mission” by calling its security forces and law enforcement agencies to order, as their actions would only reinforce the widely held view by both the international community and Nigerian citizens that “this is a lawless government, which acts with impunity and muzzles the media.”

In an interview with The Guardian, Mr. Akinmola, a former Vice Chairman of the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, described as unfortunate the way President Jonathan was treating the media, which, he noted, played a very crucial and indelible role in his (Jonathan’s) emergence as president, especially in the struggle that led to the Doctrine of Necessity, which enabled him to emerge as acting president.

“This is not the best way the Jonathan administration should pay back the media,” he said even as he warned the media to be circumspect before fighting for any individual.

In its own reaction, the APC, speaking through its Southwest Interim Director of Publicity, Ayo Afolabi, said President Jonathan has finally turned into “a despot who is hurt by the mere cry of a baby.”

The party stated: “If the president could declare war on the media and roll out tanks against it, then other civil organisations should be prepared for a tough time ahead while Nigerians should be prepared for harder and hasher times.”

The APC bemoaned what it said was the increasing intolerance of the Jonathan administration to the harmless activities of civil organisations like the media.

The party said it was not surprised that the government embarked on the clampdown because “the recent ban on protest seeking the release of the abducted Chibok girls, which was later reversed, is an indication that the government could no longer tolerate opposing views and that it feels threatened by everything, including its own shadow.”

Boko Haram not war for Jonathan, army alone CONTUNED FROM PAGE 14 da matters — census is being debated and there is going to be a new census in Nigeria in which all the items that were neglected in the previous censuses will become items.

One other thing that is also important is not your indigeneship but your residencyship makes you have rights, privileges and duties wherever you are. For instance, if I am born in Lagos, though I live in Kano and I pay tax in Kano, I am a citizen of Kano after five to seven years, and I can aspire to the highest political office in that state.

So, residency right becomes a very serious matter and the committee has brought it to the plenary and it will now be looked into. It gives you the opportunity to migrate to any part of the country to live.

One problem came out at the plenary, which is contentious and that is, what do we do with the nomads and herdsmen who move all over the country and create situations that cause problem.

It was very contentious because the law and even people, who come from the South, were very vocal and clear: that any nomad should stay in his nomadic environment.

There was even someone who said we are in the 21st Century and we eat meat produced in other countries and you don’t see cows moving around the streets of New York.

But those from the North said even if they must accept ranches, the state and local governments should pay for the ranches and people from the South said no.

Well, we ended without consensus and the next day, a motion was brought and asked we should give a five-year period for the nomads to customise to see that the cows don’t move around again.

So, the Southeast can really say they have something to cheer about at the end of the conference.

Despite these efforts, many Nigerians say it is mere waste of time to organise a conference of this nature.

Doubting Thomases are important in any society and it is their doubt that makes those who are optimistic to keep going. Those of us who read history are very much aware that the best history is that which was never written.

This National Conference is one of the greatest blessings of heaven to the Nigerian people. This National Conference has doused, and removed from the executive all the pressure of governance at this time.

This National Conference has come out as a let out and avenue for Nigerians to speak out their grievances and the calibre of the people at it is enlightening. It is the best that Nigeria has best brains and people not looking for job.

These are independent thinkers and I believe it is one that is really thought out.

A bill is in the National Assembly to appropriate the discussion and resolutions of the conference into the Nigerian Constitution.

The President of Nigeria does not need the Senate or House of Representatives to appropriate some of the resolutions that may emanate from the conference because they may be policy directives and government decisions at that level.

The people of Nigeria are waiting to be asked in a referendum to make a choice on what the National Conference will bring up and the conference, by way of its moral weight, has become a voice for the people of Nigeria, whether there is law or not.

But definitely, the conference is not a talk show and the people there are not wasting their time.

We are looking at how to develop the country and move it forward.

THERE are opinions that the conference should take a cue from

a country Ethiopia that gives people the opportunity to move away from Ethiopia if they are not satisfied. Do you advocate secession for the enterprise called Nigeria?

Nothing stops a people to have the right to self-determination. It is already in the Nigerian Constitution; it is in the conveyance of states; it is in the United Nations agreement and Nigeria is a signatory to this — that people have a right to self-determination to advancing themselves. It is in our Constitution and has to be done constitutionally and the zoning arrangement makes it possible.

I don’t think that Nigeria looks up to Ethiopia as a model. Nigeria is a leading country in Africa and Ethiopia, with Eritrea and with all its wars cannot be looked up to. We can look up to the Ethiopian airlines but in other things, they look up to Nigeria. Ethiopia is not our model and if it is a country of emperors, we have many of them here.

We should be looking at democratic ideals of nations that have advanced in technology like the UK. We believe that secession exits; it is there but we must also believe in Nigeria and make it what it should be.

Nigeria should not be going into disintegration but merger and after 100 years with several languages, I think it is very difficult.

All of them believe in the oil in Nigeria; they believe in foodstuff that comes from all over the country and all what we eat here comes from all parts of the country.

So, there is no reason to ask for secession but what should be uttermost is the justice question that must be addressed. When people talk about state and regional police, it is being discussed and that is to say, people can live in their domain taking care of their own security.

It is also very important to add here that the National Conference will become a substance to a new Constitution.

Part of the problem identified by people is the take-home package of those in elective positions; that if we make these positions less attractive, the country will be better.

It is a crime in a country like Nigeria, where very many people live on little less than three dollars a day and very few earn more. But if the system makes it possible, it must be changed and the system that can make that possible is a tricameral legislature.

Now, the confab has said we must reduce the Senate and House of Representatives into one House.

You don’t need two Houses where, after deliberations, you still go and meet the president; it is not necessary.

Why not collapse them and reduce the number and that is how you reduce cost of governance, and besides this, you reduce corruption. And to reduce corruption, you increase your potency and potentiality in matters concerning the rule of law.

When we mention corruption, it is so general that those trying to fight against it are like swimming the tide; yet, we know that the cost of governance in this country is so high.

The ongoing National Conference is not where you earn money. The Federal Government brings people to a place, and it must give them hotel rooms; and what it gives is meager; there is no sitting allowance.

The confab budget is very minimal but if Nigeria can spend three days of oil money to make Nigeria work, then it is worth it.

Can you throw more light on the unicameral legislature you talked about?

We are going to have a unicameral system whereby the Senate and

the House of Representatives will be one House. We will no longer have a president picking his vice during the campaign, but a situation where he will go to House and pick who will be his vice.

We will no longer have you appoint commissioners or ministers from anywhere, but the appointment will be done from serving legislators in government.

These are already at the level of the plenary and this will be voted soon at the conference. It has nothing to do with the present National Assembly because over 70 per cent of them are going next year.

These ideals have been wellthought out; there has been comparative study on them; experts have addressed the various committees on these and the people knew quite clearly that what kept Nigeria behind for many years is the number of bureaucracies and every bureaucracy is corrupted.

If we continue with this rubbish, we will have an implosion. Nigeria has all the potentials for greatness and we must do the sacrifice to reposition this country where it rightly belongs.

What is the conference saying about expunging the Land Use Act from the Constitution?

The report of the Land Committee to the plenary is that the Land Use Act should be expunged. And I do think that one take away from the conference is that the Act should not be in the Constitution anymore.

First of all, you don’t need it in the Constitution; it can be a decree and we feel it is disenfranchising the custodians of the land. It has provided opportunity for corruption and caused under-development.

It is like the funding of pilgrimage and we think it is not right for government to pay money for people to attend pilgrimage because nobody funds the traditional worshippers and religions. It is a very unfair practice.

TheGuardian

16 | Thursday, June 12, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

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 Africa and the election ‘fever’ ITH three presidential elections in a month, and a few more to W come before the end of the year, it is not out of place to say this is a season of elections in Africa. The regret, however, is that these elections are not necessarily evidence of democracy as the continent’s politicians have found a way to give democracy a corrupted meaning. The urgent hope is that this trend would not continue and real democracy would take root on the African continent so that the people can experience real development. Indeed, elections have been used in many African countries to disguise authoritarianism and camouflage impunity. In such instances, elections are nothing more than mere rituals in which voting takes place without necessarily guaranteeing participation, competition and legitimacy. Such elections are often characterized by all sorts of fraud and violence, including vote buying, thuggery, assassinations, and falsification of results, among others, leading to outright rejection of results by opposition forces, which in turn, result in political instability.

The recent elections on the continent most notably in GuineaBissau, Malawi and Egypt, as much as they have given the impression that democracy is alive on the continent, largely fall into this categorization: democracy-demeaning elections. In Guinea-Bissau, for example, where former Finance Minister Jose Mario Vaz of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) was officially declared to have won presidential run-off election with 61.9 per cent of votes, the other candidate, Nuno Gomes Nabiam, an independent candidate who comes from the Balanta ethnic group, reputed as the country’s largest, rejected the results. His next course of action, according to him, would be to seek constitutional means of ensuring that the results are annulled, especially through the elections commission and courts over what he called instances of serious fraud in several regions. While Nabiam’s decision to pursue the case within legally permissible framework is commendable, if not handled with care, it could drag the country some steps backward in the struggle to shrug-off the crisis of unstable civil-military relations that has plagued the country in recent times.

The situation is not any better, if not indeed worse, in the case of Malawi where though a new President has been sworn in, an uneasy peace still pervades the air. In the fiercely contested presidential election, incumbent President Joyce Banda had said the election was marred by ‘serious irregularities’, thereby declaring it ‘null and void’, ordering a rerun within 90 days, with a proviso that she would not partake in the rerun. Although Malawi’s electoral commission admitted problems in the election, especially the fact that the number of votes cast is greater than the number of voters in some places, efforts to stage a recount were not successful, following a court order denying such a recount at the instance of the leading opposition leader, Peter Mutharika, who has now been sworn in as President.

In the Egyptian presidential election which has been won by former Chief of Defence Staff General Al-Sisi, the consensus is that his emergence is not an end to the political crisis in that country.

Even Nigeria that still has close to a year to begin the conduct of the 2015 elections has been caught in the election fever, especially given the security challenges confronting the country at the moment, and the violence that has ruled the on-going test-run in Ekiti State.

Obviously, these cases do not bode well for the future outlook of democratization by elections in Africa. There is, therefore, an urgent need to pay more attention to the effectiveness of electoral governance in the continent. This demands a genuine commitment to a comprehensive reform of the electoral systems, beginning from the electoral laws, the regulation of political party finance, election security, vote tabulation and announcement of results, among others. There is also need for a broader engagement by the civil society with the democratization process in general and the electoral process in particular.

LETTERS

An appeal to National Assembly IR: This is to appeal to the SHonourable Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the entire members of the National Assembly to call the Nigeria Police to order on the current harassment and extortion of Nigerians driving vehicles with tinted glasses.

There is no doubt that the average citizen of this country is almost at a dead end from official exploitation under different guises. While people are still generally grumbling and struggling to raise money, often up to N30,000 to change to the socalled new number plates, the police are slamming “tinted glass permit’’ on them

again.

Many tinted cars driven by Nigerians are factory-fitted and cannot be removed. So, of what value would the exploitative permit be? It’s just another way to exploit the citizens who are generally living from hand to mouth. Obtaining a permit could not possibly debar criminals or curb crime as the object of permit – tinted glass – remains.

Many parts of the country experience hot or fairly hot weather for much part of the year. Hence, tinted car windows or glasses often provide a great relief or succour from the scotching heat of the sun for one’s family to and from schools, and while travelling.

The National Assembly

Amosun, the change agent My first contact with class strategies and policies SandIR:Senator Ibikunle Amosun that can transform their comhis amiable wife was in munities. This conscious and December, 2000 when he hosted the Students’ Union Executive of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta to an end-of-the-year party at his house in Ikeja. A quick assessment of him revealed he would like impacting the younger generation.

Afterwards, I unconsciously joined those that see him as a role model and believe in his ideology. SIA, as he’s fondly called, has ideas that have been transforming lives in Ogun State and beyond. He identifies with and networks visionary people with world-

scientific method facilitates and delivers visible change in the shortest time frame.

A chartered accountant of repute, Amosun believes people are endowed with capacity for change. Therefore, Omo Oye Omo Ajiri (his epithet) took up the challenge to reorientate and lead the people by courageously joining active politics in 1998.

Ogun State’s history has shown that its true sons and daughters are progressive in nature, imaginative and courageous. They are passionate about setting the

should please intervene to stop this one permit too many. Just as a tinted car could be used for crime, untinted cars have been known to have also been used for criminal activities. Do we then remove all cars from the roads?

Police should be prevailed upon to stop this permit and only ensure proper check on any suspicious tinted vehicle.

Alternatively, with the new evehicle registration, a column to note that a particular vehicle has factory tinted glass should be included in the information provided on car particulars during registration or renewal.

•AbdulMajid Lawal, Kuje, Abuja.

pace by uplifting others, helping them to make a responsible choice in life.

My testimony about SIA’s character is visible to the world through his achievements in the last three years of his administration in Ogun State. No doubt, the tax payers, business community and indeed the prayers of the good people of the state have helped him to attain this feat of transforming Ogun from ancient to modern state in such a record time in Nigeria’s democratic h i s t o r y .

• Seyi Enitan-Olubode, SA, Public Communications, Ogun State

Thursday, June 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

17

Opinion Pope Francis’ courage to remake history

By John Cardinal Onaiyekan N the weekend of May 31 to June 1, 2014, Pope Istressed Francis was in the Holy Land on pilgrimage. He the fact that he was going on pilgrimage as a religious exercise, to visit the Holy Places associated with the events of the Holy Bible, and especially with the life, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Like other pilgrims, he visited Nazareth in Galilee, Bethlehem in Judea and the holy city of Jerusalem.

During his pilgrimage, he undertook a series of important and historic encounters. He was not just an ordinary pilgrim: he was the Pope. He was not visiting just any sacred place but the Holy Land of Israel, a land of great spiritual significance to three main religions of the world; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It was also a land of thousands of years of history of tumult and conflict, glory and splendour. Each of his encounters was fraught with danger and opportunities. Some Roman journalists said he was walking into a diplomatic land mine. With simple but powerful words and gestures, he walked his way safely through the land mines. He also successfully drew the attention of everyone to the crucial need to pursue the common objectives of peace and solidarity in a land that has become almost synonymous with conflict and sectarianism all across the board. At the end, he

achieved the awesome feat of bringing the presidents of the states of Israel and Palestine to a “joint prayer session” in the Vatican gardens, an event that took place this past Sunday of Pentecost. This was indeed history in the making.

The declared main purpose of the pilgrimage was to celebrate 50 years of the historic embrace of Pope Paul VI with the Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras in Jerusalem in 1964. That meeting started the journey towards the reunion of the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, after about one thousand years of separation. The meeting of Pope Francis with Patriarch Bartholomew marked a major stage forward in this journey of faith and love. A history of separation was being remade along the way of unity and common witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. A significant positive fall-out of this new era of rapprochement was the gracious presence of the Patriarch at the Vatican gardens in support of the Pope’s initiative of prayer for peace, along with the presidents of Israel and Palestine.

In his visit to the Kingdom of Jordan and to the states of Palestine and Israel, Pope Francis seized on every opportunity to meet with the Muslims of the Holy Land, culminating in his encounter with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem in the building of the Great Council on the Esplanade of the Mosques. This is quite a long way from the bloody history of Christian-Muslim struggles for the con-

trol of the Holy Land. The Second Vatican Council already called for a healing of the sad and bitter memories of the past. Furthermore, this also gave him an opportunity to draw much needed attention to the precarious plight of the indigenous Christians of the Holy Land. We tend to forget that they too share the same fate with their Arab brothers and sisters of the Muslim faith in the tragic drama of the Arab-Israeli conflict, whether they are under Israeli or Palestinian state.

His visit to the state of Israel was perhaps the most delicate part of his “pilgrimage”. The programme clearly laid emphasis on the religious dimension of his visit, with prayer at the Western Wall and courtesy call on the two Chief Rabbis of Israel. But what captured the attention of the world media was his handling of his outreach to the political leaders of Israel. In simple but well calculated words and gestures, he succeeded in winning the admiration and trust of his Hebrew hosts without letting down the Palestinian Arabs. The Holy Spirit was certainly at work.

But even the Holy Spirit works through human beings ready to be used as agents. In the momentous event of the prayer for peace in the Vatican gardens on the evening of Pentecost Sunday, we all saw the Spirit of God working in everyone involved in the historic event, espe-

cially the Pope and the Patriarch, and the two presidents of the Holy Land. This was not just another “peace talk initiative”. The two presidents were not facing one another in confrontation or debate. On the invitation of the Pope and the Patriarch, they both lifted up their faces to God in heaven in prayerful supplication for peace. It is most refreshing to see religion at its best, calling on the One God to rescue his children from self-destruction.

All this speaks volumes to the situation of our nation, Nigeria. Whatever the past may be, we can always remake history, seeking common grounds on which to build a better future for those coming after us. Pope Francis reminds us that it requires more courage to build peace than to foment conflict. President Shimon Perez says that to build peace is a duty we owe to our children. We should not allow ourselves to be discouraged by the difficulty of making a new history of mutual recognition, acceptance and respect. In the Vatican gardens, Jews and Arabs, Christians and Muslims, Catholics and Orthodox have sincerely embraced and prayed together. May the God of history grant us the courage and wisdom to reach out to one another beyond our historical baggage of mutual suspicions and across our present diversities of creed and culture!

• Cardinal Onaiyekan is the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Abuja. This piece is the sixth in the series of his “Letters from Rome.”

This crisis must not be wasted

By Chidi Odinkalu HE call to #BringBackOurGirls has gained voice as a grassroots T movement across Nigeria and beyond. This is an organic and grassroots organizing effort that began from the abduction of hundreds of teenage girls whose only crime was using their holiday break to read for a high school examination. Their abduction is a war crime.

Before this, we’d been somewhat disorganized in the face of the onslaught of a mass-casualty insurgency. From it, a movement has emerged which gives us all common cause.

As Nigerians, we must agree to elevate some things above partisan politics. One such thing is public safety. Another is the wellbeing of our children and our future. A third must be the defence of our hard-won democratic space.

Today in Nigeria, we have a rampaging youth bulge; a dearth of jobs and skills; poisonous political rhetoric; social media to purvey it; abysmal public ethics; incapable public institutions; and a public space dominated by corruption, impunity and perverse incentives for both. These feed a growing divide between narrow identity groups defined by faith, sect, status; between rich and poor; haves and have-nots.

This difficult watershed for our country must compel us to take the wellbeing of our youths and the health of our political space seriously.

These Chibok girls are young people. As our next generation, they are the guarantors of the continuity of our race and country.

They’re, therefore, not just “our” girls; they’re our future. If we cannot protect our future, then we fail ourselves and our ancestors.

54 days into these crimes, there’re many things we still don’t know: • How many of our girls were indeed abducted?

• How could the abduction of so many young women happen in an area under emergency without as much as the discharge of one bullet in their defence or honour?

• How could their abductors go from Chibok to their hideouts without meeting any resistance?

• Why did the authorities expose these girls to the hazard of undertaking these examinations under circumstances of clearly inadequate security?

To these questions we still do not have clear answers. From these questions it’s clear that there’s a lot of blame to share. Evidently, there’ve been errors at various levels, state and federal. But that’s no reason for the path of divisive and defensive rhetoric that some public officers at both federal and state levels and politicians on all sides have chosen. If anything, it should force all levels, institutions and parties of the public space to re-double efforts for joinedup leadership.

The #BringBackourGirls movement cannot answer these questions. Instead, it is the responsibility of government to answer them. With every sense of responsibility, I admit, they are right in raising these issues. I also believe that we owe the movement a duty to support it: for without it, these girls, their families and communities could easily have been forgotten.

There’re intrinsic, practical, functional, and legal reasons why I say the #BringBackourGirls movement is right and deserves our support to continue to pose these questions and make these demands in the manner that it does.

Intrinsically, only citizens who care would bother to ask these questions. Those who don’t will simply carry on with business as usual. It’s in our national interest to foster citizenship that cares.

As a practical matter, these questions go to the heart of how we conduct public business in Nigeria. It’s a matter of painful shame for us all as Nigerians that we cannot say how many of our children were abducted. If we cannot count hundreds of missing girls, how can we be trusted to count tens of millions of votes or hundreds of millions of people or thousands of billions of public

money accurately?

When a country is threatened by an existential adversary such as we confront today in North-East Nigeria, it is the function of leadership to unite civic assets against a common adversary. This problem doesn’t just threaten the North-East or its peoples. When any part of Nigeria suffers, we all suffer. The #BringBackourGirls movement has brought home this message in a manner that no political leader in the country could manage.

As a matter of law, Section 14(2)(b) of our 1999 Constitution solemnly declares that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” It is for this reason that we have security agencies and we ask all to support our security agencies because their work is difficult but necessary. Section 24 of the Constitution also requires citizens to “respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of others and live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common brotherhood” and to “render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order.” #BringBackourGirls executes this constitutional duty.

This is why I think that asking the #BringBackourGirls movement to channel its demands to Boko Haram rather than to government demeans our country and impoverishes our values.

When a citizen suffers burglary, they report to the Police not the burglar. Similarly, we don’t tell a rape victim to channel their grievance to the rapist rather than the Police or the hospital.

So, we must not allow it to be heard that we’re asking our citizens to channel their demands for the wellbeing of our girls to entities clearly recognised as terrorist organisations. To do so is to deny our government and its leadership the legitimacy it deserves as the institution to which we owe obedience. This is wrong. And it’s shameful.

Nigeria belongs to all who live in or come from it. Government must, therefore, be comfortable with hearing alternative views from Nigerians that it may not agree with. Irrespective of how we describe them – opposition, critics, or supporters – anyone who chooses the path of peaceful or public debate is fully paid up as a subscriber to a democratic Nigeria. Even when we don’t like or agree with their views, we must support their right to air them.

Those who seek to brand peaceful disagreement as a crime or deny it airtime on public media violate our laws and do serious dis-service to this country.

It is the responsibility of democratic government to support citizens who can dis-agree and make articulate demands on government.

These are unusual times. Our security agencies are indeed stretched and require collective support in order to do their best work. The adversaries we confront are also determined. We must not underestimate their murderous capacities. What they would love most is for Nigeria to fall apart; for bickering and blame-gaming to divide us. We must resist the urge to grant them their wish and recognize that we’re all on the same side.

Protest organisers should liaise regularly with security agencies.

Open and amicable conversations must be had. In January 2012, the National Human Rights Commission issued an advisory with guidelines on how to manage the competing demands on security agencies when policing protests. Those are still valid.

While it is the primary responsibility of our police and troops to secure the country, we all have a duty to work with them to defend the public sphere and the right to peaceful protest. Without it, elective government in our country does not have a future.

To achieve independence, our people protested continuously against colonial government.

When the military nullified a free and fair election in 1993, our people protested continuously.

To achieve the elective government we enjoy today, our people protested continuously against military rule.

To achieve peaceful handover from an ailing President to his

deputy in 2010, Nigerians protested continuously until we got a legitimate transition of power.

This is why the right to peaceful protest is constitutionally guaranteed.

Today, in the face of mass-casualty insecurity, the #BringBackOurGirls movement protests continuously for action by all who can guarantee the high constitutional entitlement to a safe and secure country.

This country is our common patrimony.

I personally don’t want to go down as the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission who could not stand up in defence of the right to peaceful protest.

Nor do I want to end without acknowledging the women who provide the spine and leadership of this movement. United in compassion, empathy and pride as Nigerians, they have inspired a global outpouring of civic and human solidarity with our country in our time of difficulty.

It is cheap slander to accuse them - as some have done - of doing this for vainglory or political reasons. Such slander should not go unanswered. But while they lead this public service beyond the call of duty, we must spare them the indignity of having to respond to such flippancy.

In inspiring the #BringBackourGirls movement, these women also teach abiding lessons in both citizenship and leadership. They show that leadership can come about without seeking or holding elective office. They teach that in a time of national trouble, leadership is also a call to healing, empathy and compassion. They demonstrate that times of national difficulty are also indeed opportunities to renew one another and discover common cause.

This crisis must not be wasted. That’s what we do when we spend energy demonizing those demanding urgent action to bring #BringBackourGirls rather than investing fully in rescuing the girls or bringing their abductors to justice. Many things must change: • More than two years into the life of this murderous insurgency, we need a credible humanitarian plan for North-East Nigeria that all interested can buy into. This must include elements of trauma care for victims and accountability for perpetrators of war crimes.

• We also need a credible plan for the defence of access to education in North-East Nigeria, for this is a war not just against the country but against education as the guarantor of our future.

• We must invest in restoring the credibility and capability of our defence and security institutions confronting asymmetrical conflict against a rampant and indiscriminate domestic adversary.

• We cannot win this war by being soft on corruption and impunity.

So, we must restore credibility to the fight against corruption.

• Above all, insecurity is not an issue from which political parties – ruling or opposition –S at any level should score cheap points. At this time, we need senior political and security sector leaders who understand when to put the country first.

• Welcome as they are, international assistance and regional co-operation to #BringBackourGirls will not achieve much without these changes. We can’t conduct politics, public policy or counter-insurgency as if Nigeria’s biggest problem is an inability to abuse one another enough.

• This situation requires involved citizens and communities.

That’s why the example of the #BringBackourGirls movement deserves to be supported across our country. We need to adopt its values of citizen leadership and make them ours.

As an act of stake holding by citizens in the most difficult issue of our times, it’s courageous and it’s right: to keep asking that we all in our various roles, do all we can to #BringBackourGirls – now, safe, alive, with urgency. And ultimately, to root out the greater insecurity that afflicts our land.

• Odinkalu, Chair, Governing Council, National Human Rights Commission, delivered this as Keynote remarks to Women for Peace & Justice, SOS (Speak Out Saturday), Marina, Lagos, June 7, 2014.

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Opinion Implementing Emefiele’s Central Bank agenda

By Boniface Chizea E commend the new Central Bank Governor for the timely manner he released his agenda for the Central Bank under his watch.

He produced such a comprehensive document detailing what he considers the complement of goals he would wish to achieve while occupying the position of the Governor of the Central Bank within two days of his assumption of duty. This is clear testament to the fact that he had spent the time between the announcement of his appointment, his appearance before the Senate for clearance productively in thinking through what he sees as the challenges that he would have to confront and probably successfully overcome during his tenure.

The Governor in three short words has characterised what should hallmark the Central Bank under his watch; Professionalism, apolitical, and people centeredness. If the Central Bank is going to pride itself for its professionalism in his time it would have implications for focus and clear appreciation of the Bank’s core mandate reflecting a thorough grasp of where the boundaries are drawn. It would mean for instance that the line would be clearly drawn with regard to distress resolution in the banking sector between where the mandate of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Cooperation stops and that of the Central Bank begins. The recent experience particularly in adopting the Bridge Bank option gave the impression of blurred understanding of mandate in this connection probably because it is the first time in recent memory such a strategy would be adopted. It is of course obvious that the NDIC being a child of the Central Bank is at a disadvantaged position even if it wanted to assert and begin to complain that its turf was being encroached upon.

It would also imply that the Central Bank going forward would take its time and be deliberate regarding the information it releases to the public. A situation whereby the Central Bank produces information with far reaching reputational implication hurriedly only for a torrent of rebuttals to follow would no longer be countenanced as it has the potential to undermine the integrity of the Central Bank.

An apolitical Central Bank is a goal which the new Governor must advisedly consciously and tenaciously pursue and stick to. All the problems that the bank experienced under the immediate past administration was due to the

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fact that it over reached itself by dabbling into purely political matters. In fact, the attempt made to revisit the autonomy of the Central Bank with the proposal to appoint a Chairman other than the Governor was a comeback due to this ill advised foray into the political arena. The thought of a review of the structure of the Central Bank it would appear has not been perished but no doubt we do not have a choice as a nation in the matter other than to allow sleeping dogs to lie as we have explained severally that Nigeria cannot be rated the largest country in Africa and the 26th in the world and yet be inclined to adopt measures and take steps that would project it in very poor light in the comity of nations. The way the Central Bank of Nigeria is structured now is best practice which aligns with the structure of most Central Banks in the world and therefore should not be tampered with.

The Governor showing some sensitivity to the prevalent worry in the economy has declared that the Central Bank under him will be people focused and therefore in addition to the developmental initiatives included in the agenda the Governor has specifically indicated that the data on unemployment would be part of the complement data which would be included to assist the MPC in its deliberations. This is commendable and a clear departure from the recent past except that one is at a loss how the Central Bank would find current data for such purposes. There is often a time lag in the provision of such data. And already the omen is not looking too good. Fiscal authorities indicated that the quantum of jobs created in 2013 is 1.6 million while this figure in the agenda document is specified as 1.2 million jobs! But nothing could be more pro poor than the maintenance of price stability.

Inflationary spiral is a deadly cankerworm that affects mainly the poor who are in regular employment as they do not possess the clout to insulate their income from the ravages of inflation. And the productivity enhancing activities arising from the targeted intervention funds if deliberately made accessible would most certainly boost the availability of employment opportunities. The general complaint now is that where such funds already exist, they are onerous to access.

The attention of the Governor is thereby invited to re-interrogate such funds to remove any obstacles on the path of those who might wish to access them. The indication that small

An apolitical Central Bank is a goal which the new Governor must advisedly consciously and tenaciously pursue and stick to. All the problems that the bank experienced under the immediate past administration was due to the fact that it over reached itself by dabbling into purely political matters. borrowers requiring to borrow not more than fifty Thousand Naira will be able to do so without collateral under the umbrella of organized cooperatives has tremendous potential to alleviate poverty and most certainly people focused.

We salute the Governor for his stand regarding the gradual reduction of the level of interest rates in the economy. Any engagement with the Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises would highlight the fact that one of their major complaints about doing business in the country is the high cost of capital.

If the Governor is going to provide support to the fiscal authorities by growing job opportunities, reduction of interest rate is an area deserving of his focused attention. It would send the correct signal if for instance the Governor at the next MPC meeting would reduce the MPR which has remained at 12 per cent over a period of 16 MPC meetings now albeit notionally. One does not think that if we tweak slightly the MPR that this would result to sudden enhanced demand for risk capital.

Also often we argue that it is difficult to pursue foreign exchange stability while at the same time pursuing a reduction in interest rate. This argument is premised on the rationalization that if interest rates drop, there would be a surge in loan demand which would enable economic agents to put pressure on the exchange rate through increased demand for foreign exchange. But we should be asking ourselves if that really is the experience in this country. Sometimes this argument is extended to the effect that you could not control all three indices of inflation, interest rate and exchange rate stability at the same time. But my argument in this connection is that both interest rates and exchange rates are both factor costs which if moderated would directly impact the inflationary level.

We commend the Governor for removing the charges on deposits under the cashless policy regime. This is so as the Governor observed that it is in the best interest of the economy to deliberately shrink the informal sector by reducing the money in circulation

outside the banking system. When the financial market is deepened through this process, the effectiveness of monetary policy is at once enhanced. But we have some worry with the recommendation that the charges on withdrawals would be retained in the interim. The fact is that the cashless infrastructure is fraught with problems of network availability that reliability is often challenged. It is therefore necessary that attention is averted to making the cashless operations more reliable. And once that is done, economic agents would need no further cajoling to do business without carrying cash about.

The Governor is advised at all times to build on the success of his predecessor and one of these areas is exchange stability. And it is also reassuring that he has continued to take a stand against devaluation. Devaluation is an ill wind which will not do this country any good in its current situation. It would import inflation, result in the worsening of the misery index and take the Naira into a free fall mode without anyone being able to hazard how it would bottom out. We agree that we should continue with the current practice of managed free float. The Central Bank should at all times keep its eye focused to checkmate the arbitrage opportunities arising from parallel market premium to stem the temptation to round trip.

Fears have been expressed that if we reduce the market yield on fixed income securities that it might result in reversed capital flow and that reduction in deposit rates might in fact negatively undermine the current attempt by the Central Bank at financial market inclusion.

The resolve to black list serial bad debtors if faithfully implemented will inculcate the desired discipline amongst borrowers and help clean up the balance sheets of banks resulting in a more robust financial system. One just believes that what is important is to track developments in the market as the measures are implemented for quick intervention as negative signals manifest.

• Dr. Chizea is Managing Director, BIC Consultancy Services, Lagos.

Matthew Mbu and limits of arbitrariness

By Kunle Fadipe HERE are many things I find intriguing about Matthew Mbu, T the controversial Commissioner of Police, FCT. He appears to take delight in doing the hatchet man’s job anywhere one exists and feels no scruple about it in the least. In doing so, he ends up cutting a terribly bad image for himself. There is hardly any enlightened Nigerian who does not know Mbu albeit for the wrong reason: his audacious conduct in Rivers State; before then, his controversial performance in Oyo State led to his redeployment from the state upon the outcry of the people. He seems comfortable being on the wrong side of history and falls in the category of people whose unsalutary conduct nearly jeopardised the birth or success of democracy in Nigeria.

Although there are 36 Commissioners of Police in Nigeria under the same Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar, Mbu is the most problematic of them all. Although he is a law enforcement officer by virtue of the office he occupies, he has lit-

Although there are 36 Commissioners of Police in Nigeria under the same Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar, Mbu is the most problematic of them all. Although he is a law enforcement officer by virtue of the office he occupies, he has little regard for the law he is paid to enforce. What is important to him is not the correctness of his behaviour as a police officer as the Police Act demands of him in Section 340 but how pleased his political godfathers are with him and his obnoxious conduct.

tle regard for the law he is paid to enforce. What is important to him is not the correctness of his behaviour as a police officer as the Police Act demands of him in Section 340 but how pleased his political godfathers are with him and his obnoxious conduct. History is replete with cases of such opportunists and state officials who lack character and integrity and what finally became of them. A thorough bred officer who is conscious of the judgment of history as opposed to momentary gain which his office offers will be extremely reluctant to take orders that will set him on collision course with the law from politicians who will be in office only for a short period of time.

As CP Rivers State, Mbu behaved more like a partisan politician than a police officer. His undisguised partisanship evidenced by his sustained onslaught and diatribe against the elected governor of Rivers State increased the tempo of agitation for state police. As he was redeployed, tension in the state became doused and normalcy returned. A seasoned and reasonable officer could jolly well do the unholy bidding of his paymasters in a way that the result intended would still be achieved without making it so obvious that his actions and inactions are not altruistic. Mbu’s conduct was so uninspiring that no state governor was willing to have him in his state. He was deployed to FCT under the watchful eyes of the police high command. But he bared his fangs once again like a military dictator, when he roared that no more ‘bring back our girl’ campaign would be tolerated in Abuja. In other words, Nigerians should put behind them the ugly incident of the loss of over 100 young girls.

The Constitution of Nigeria guarantees the right of peaceful assembly which the #bring back our girls’ campaign represents. Such arbitrariness begets indignation on the part of the citizenry and could lead to breakdown of law and order. By his

conduct in Rivers State, Mbu actually undermined the goodwill and electoral potential of the people he is trying to help. Thank God Mbu has been disowned by the police authority in clearly unmistakable terms on the issue of the ban imposed on the “bring back our girls’ campaign’’ meaning that he is on his own.

For a man who has conscience, that is embarrassing enough and calls for sober reflection. It calls for a review of his combative approach to issues in the discharge of his duty. Perforce, he must change his strategy from that of a war-time police commissioner to one content with maintaining law and order in peace time. He should leave politics for the politicians or leave uniform for those who know the limits of their allegiance to politicians.

If I were the IGP, I will start thinking of posting Mbu out of the FCT. FCT is too strategic to have the likes of Mbu as its CP. The damage he will do to the image of the force, peace and tranquillity in the country will be more than what the police and Nigeria stand to gain from his being the CP of the command.

Rumour is that his mentors did not mind having him in Abuja because of his ‘meritorious services’ in Rivers State. He will be a useful tool in dealing with all those who are ‘troubling” the nation, for instance through the Chibok campaign. But is anyone bigger than Nigeria’s constitution or her ordinary law? Is there any wish that should override that of the constitution? That is the research Mbu must do urgently to preserve his professional carrier. He must hold the law more dearly, sincerely and closer to his chest. That is the surest insulation against infamy and looming humiliation in the horizon. May he have the courage to take a break from the errors and indiscretions of the past.

May he begin to be law abiding in all his actions and outbursts.

• Fadipe, a lawyer, is a visiting member of The Guardian Editorial Board.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

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TheMetroSection Briefs

‘We need traffic light’

Church begins convention

• Motorists give Lagos State govt kudos for opening up Alimosho Road while demanding traffic light to avert accident

By Isaac Taiwo HE motive behind the opening of the median between Pako and AdeAlu Bus Stops along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, near Iyana Ipaja, to enable motorists coming from Ikeja and Oshodi access Alimosho Road without getting into the constant gridlock at Iyana Ipaja, has been commended by travelers plying the route.

The opening also allows motorists coming from Egbeda and Ipaja axis heading to Abule-Egba and Sango route to avoid the Iyana Ipaja roundabout headache and pass through Alimosho to link up with Oshodi-Ipaja-Sango Road.

If there was any spectacular “miracle” the opening up of the median has performed in the area, it was the disappearance of what had become permanent heavy traffic every night at Iyana Dopemu towards Shasha and Egbeda axis.

The miracle spot has also solved, to a very large extent, the stubborn and inexplicable traffic jam at Iyana Ipaja, which at times started from Adealu Bus Stop. Apparently, it often puts off motorists going to Ipaja, Ayobo, Command among others who had to opt for Egbeda route. Now, they can easily navigate through Alimosho Road and get to their destinations without the usual sweat.

However, to complete the gesture, there is the need to erect traffic lights at the new thoroughfare for effective traffic control.

The LASTMA officials are always there during the day doing a very

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Traffic snarl on the axis

PHOTO: ISAAC TAIWO

bridge leading to Iyana Ipaja roundgood job, but their absence at night about despite the presence of traffic after they have closed for the day often create confusion occasioned by officers. These set of motorists who, because of the usual traffic jam at impatient drivers.

A senior officer who lives in Gemade Iyana Dopemu through to Egbeda, Estate, Egbeda-Okunola Local Council used to opt for Iyana Ipaja can now heave a sigh of relief as they are saved Development Area, and works in a from Iyana Ipaja trauma and can now reputable company along Oshodipass through Alimosho Road.”

Apapa, Expressroad, Mr. Ajayi “Those of us who on our own were Adamolekun, commended the auused to passing through Iyanathority for opening up the median.

“I give kudos to the brain behind the Dopemu en-route Egbeda are also relieved to a very large extent.” opening of the median which has solved a lot of problems for residents “Robbers do take advantage of traffic and motorists living in Egbeda, Iyana jam to rob innocent drivers and I have been a victim twice on Dopemu Ipaja, Ipaja, Ayobo, Command, Aiyetoro, Ishefun among others who, bridge and also within Alimosho area and I cannot tell the countless drivers after close of work, had to pass through Iyana Ipaja which more than who have suffered the same fate.”

“Therefore, the opening of the median often was chaotic right from the

has solved a lot of problems to many of us living in Alimosho, Ipaja axis.”

“While appreciating the development, l have also spoken over the traffic radio, not only to leave the median open because of the problems it has solved but also advanced the need to erect traffic lights at the spot, to help those of us moving late at night because of the nature of our work. We were most of the time saved by whiskers from impatient drivers who always wanted to have their way without consideration for others, more so as there were no traffic officers to control them. Well done, Lagos State Government,” he said.

Another civil servant living in Abesan Estate, Ipaja who preferred to remain anonymous also commended the opening of the median.

“Sincerely, the problem the opening of the median has solved cannot be quantified. When I ruminate on the relief the opening of the median has proffered, either the removal of every night traffic from Iyana Dopemu to the bridge or the Iyana Ipaja traffic that has held me down till almost mid-night and on an occasion I had to drive back to take Iyana Dopemu when everything was at a stand-still at almost 12.00 midnight, I give thanks to God.” “In fact the lesson it has taught me is that there is no problem without a solution if we can commit all problems to God and think. He will definitely show us the way out,” he said.

T was an honour well deserved last Sunday as the Empowerment for the Less Privileged (ELP), a foundation with the vision of giving hope to the less privileged across the nation, held it first Partners Award Night & Dinner at the Banquet Hall of Pearl Garden Chinese Restaurant, Victoria Island.

The event was designed to recognise individuals and organizations who have partnered ELP in the past 11 years to actualize the vision of helping to empower the less privileged in the society.

Founded in 2000 by Dr. Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), the foundation was officially registered in 2003.

Formerly known as Mike Okonkwo Foundation, ELP also promotes ethical standards and assists in imparting of vocational skills to the Nigerian youth.

Since its inception in 2000, ELP has given over 3,551 students different vocational skills with the assistance of its partners.

Explaining what motivated him to set up the foundation Bishop Mike Okonkwo said: “At times when I see children selling pure water on the road, it makes me feel sad. All a child needs is to go to the vocational school to learn some trade, the level of poverty in

I

Founfer, ELP, Dr. Mike Okonkwo (second left), his wife, Peace and Chairman of ELP, Mr Alex Okoh (right) with the awardees at the first ELP Partners Award Dinner held at the Pearl Garden Chinese Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos this country is too high. The barbing, soap making, cateramong who were wife of idea of ELP is to be able to reing, fashion designing, metal Lagos State Governor Dame ally touch one’s life and except Abimbola Fashola, Oba of works, computer training, if God touches somebody’s beads & hat making amongst Lagos Rilwanu Babatunde Akiheart for one to look above others. olu I and Cakasa Nigeria Limsentiments and reach out to They also have preparatory ited. another person, the situation classes designed to equip stuProfessor Ibiyemi Olatunjicould be hopeless.” dents with knowledge for sucBello received the award on According to him the situacess in WAEC, NECO, GCE and behalf of Dame Fashola while tion in the country today was JAMB examinations and more a representative of the Oba of the motivating factor. “It has than 1,160 students have gone Lagos Oloye Nurudeen Agoro, not been easy, but at the same through this tutorial free of Ojon of Lagos, received the time we are very committed charge. The centres have literaward on his behalf. to giving hope to the less priviacy classes to enable interSince inception, the foundaleged,” ested adults learn to read and tion has established vocaAwards were given to certain write. The foundation has also tional centres in Lagos eminent personalities and orawarded scholarships to fidevoted to teaching people ganisations for partnering nancially challenged but various self-help entreprewith ELP in the past 11 years gifted children for various neurial skills such as hair

tagged The Encounter 2014 holds Thursday, June 12 to Sunday, June 15, 2014.

According to the General Overseer and host, Prophet Niyi Odutayo, the theme is Blessing for Greater Multiplication and it will feature Holy Communion on Thursday, Miracle Service on Friday, while Saturday will feature Divine and Prophetic Encounter. Sunday service will be for impartation and anointing.

Guest ministers are Pastor J.T. Kalejaiye, Rev. S.O. Olubiyo and Prophet Olowoporoku.

Final burial for Dawodu funeral rites for Most FwajuINAL Rev. Moses Adetayo OlanreDawodu begin with a Christian wake on Friday, June 13, 2014 at Wesley School, Oko II, Ita Oba, Sagamu, Ogun State at 5.00p.m .

He will be buried on Saturday, June 14 after a funeral service at Wesley School, Oko II, Ita Oba , Sagamu at 10.00a.m.

Dawodu

JOGS 74/79 set meets HE monthly meeting of T Ijebu-Ode Grammar School Old Boys’ Association, JOGS

Roll call of honours at ELP Partners’ Award Night

By Nike Sotade (Metro Editor)

HE ninth year convention T and anniversary celebration of The World Prophetic Church,

courses of study in Nigerian universities.

In healthcare, the foundation has donated over 240 wheelchairs to governmentestablished health institutions such as National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, State Specialist Hospital, Abeokuta, State Specialist Hospital, IjebuOde, State Specialist Hospital, Osogbo, State Specialist Hospital, Adeoyo Hospital, Ibadan, University College Hospital, Ibadan, State Specialist Hospital, Akure, State Specialist Hospital, Ado-Ekiti and Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria.

The Chairman, Organising Committee of ELP Foundation Lady Yemisi Rufus Giwa remarked that “ELP is a good cause because it is all about touching the lives of the less privileged and this is important because when you give to the needy, God will reciprocate more than what you have given.”

While appreciating the support of their partners over the years, the Chairman of the Foundation, Mr Alex Okoh, also called for the support well-meaning individuals and corporate organizations to come to the aid of the foundation to help actualise its vision of giving hope to the less privileged across the nation just as he observed that government alone cannot do everything.

1974/79 set, holds on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at 2.00 p.m.

According to the General Secretary, Mr Adeola Adelana, the event will take place at No 7, Ayotola Ogunnaike Avenue, Animotu Bus Stop, along Isasi Road, Ikosi-Akute, Ogun State while host is, Medical Director KingSmith Hospitals, Dr Dolapo Ajanlekoko.

Pat Igbokwe for burial rites for Lady Pat FPatUNERAL Benson Igbokwe (nee Ndidi Usobi), who died recently at the age of 38, begin today with a Service of Songs at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 7/8 Okoduwa Street, Kirikiri Industrial Estate, Kirikiri, Lagos at 4.00p.m.

A statement by Sir Benson Igbokwe says: “A Christian wake holds tomorrow at Tender Crowns International Schools, 8, Comfort Oboh Street, Kirikiri Industrial Estateat 2.00pm. Funeral Service holds on Thursday, June 26 at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Mgbidi, Oru-West Local Council, Imo State at 10.00am. to be followed by interment.Outing Service holds on Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Mgbidi, at 10.00a.m.

Igbokwe

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Thursday, June 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Obasanjo, Alake, others honour former CBN boss, Lemo From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta HE Egba kinsmen of former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank (Operations), Rev. Tunde Lemo, at the weekend held a grand reception to welcome him back home after 10 years of meritorious service at the apex bank.

At the reception, held at the prestigious OK Centre, Abeokuta, Lemo, who is a Pastor of the Foursquare Gospel Church, was honoured with the “Egba Excellent Award.”

Eminent personalities at the ceremony included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Egba Monarch, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, Senator Femi Okunrounmu and the former Primate of the Anglican Church, Most. Rev. Pete Akinola. Many other eminent personalities within and outside the State graced the occasion.

All those who spoke poured encomiums on Lemo, saying they were glad that with his clean record at the apex bank he had made the Egbas proud and urged younger Egba sons and daughters serving at various capacities to emulate Lemo’s achievements.

Obasanjo described the former apex bank chief as efficient, hardworking, humble and respectful.

Explaining why he put aside all other engagements to attend the ceremony, Obasanjo said: “When a distinguished man like Lemo is being hon-

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oured, the least one can do is to make his own contribution to honour him.”

He recalled how Lemo, 55, was appointed as the Deputy Governor of the apex bank.

“When Tunde was to come to the CBN from the WEMA bank, we (his government) searched and found him to be the right man. But we found out that the salary he was getting at WEMA bank was six times the salary he was to receive as Deputy CBN Governor,” Obasanjo said, adding, “so I felt if I told him (Lemo) his salary as CBN Deputy Governor he would reject the offer. But Tunde gladly, gladly accepted the offer.”

According to him: “We tackled it but even after that the salary was still too low. But because he wanted to serve his country, he accepted the offer.”

Stressing that the celebrant was a very humble person, the former President disclosed that Lemo worked with two Central Bank Governors but none of them had any cause to complain about him for anything while other staff members were sacked because of irreconcilable differences between them and the Governors.

Oba Gbadebo told the audience that he was glad to accept the invitation to attend the ceremony “because it is only a bad father that does not celebrate achievements of his child.”

He mentioned loyalty, in-

NEMA establishes camp to resettle 1,227 IDPs in Borno From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri O cope with surging number of Internally Displaced T Persons (IDPs) from four villages affected Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has established a central camp in Maiduguri to “accommodate and resettle” 1, 227 insurgency victims, before they return to their respective villages, after security situation improves.

Speaking yesterday in Maiduguri, the Northeast Coordinator of the Agency, Mohammed Kanar, disclosed that out of the displaced persons, 600 were children with over 100 women at the Dalori Estate Primary school premises.

“With the assessment of the number of displaced persons from the four villages on shores of Alau Dam, the next task of the Agency was to establish a central camp for the Boko Haram victims and that would enable us provide some relief materials, before they return to their respective villages,” said Kanar.

He said NEMA has so far registered 1,227 displaced people from four villages who are currently taking refuge at the Dalori Estate Primary School.

According to him, the affected people are from Yawuri, Mainari, Modumari and Gmabari villages in Konduga Local Council of Borno State.

The Guardian also learnt that most of the displaced persons were sleeping on plastic mats, stating that they fled their villages because of the Boko Haram attacks and killings of last week that claimed many lives and property.

New Birth Int’l holds programme LL is set for the monthly programme of New Birth MinA istries International tagged: Hour to Receive at 1, Abiodun Jagun Street, off Ogba Bus-Stop, Ikeja, Lagos. åt will on Thursday, June 19 at 5.00.pm. and on Friday, June 20, 2014 from 11.00p.m. till dawn. The theme is “Grace For Greatness”.

Chief host is Bishop Francis C. Anunobi.

Banks partner Needlekraft on women empowerment S part of their commitment and support for Corporate A Social Responsibility (CSR), Zenith Bank Plc, FCMB and others have partnered with Needlekraft Couture to provide free sewing machines to some less-privileged women who have completed their free fashion skill acquisition programme, courtesy of Needlekraft Fashion School.

The presentation of the free machines, which will take place on Sunday, June 15, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, will be witnessed by the wife of Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola as the Special Guest of Honour as well as celebrity catwalks on the runway featuring Monalisa Chinda, Ini Edo, Clarion Chukwura, Uti Nwachukwu,Chidi Mokeme, Fredrick Leonard, Alex Ekubo, Zack Orji and host of others

Lemo, his wife, Oluyemi and Oba Gbadebo at the event tegrity and dedication as some of the virtues of Lemo.

“We are proud of him that is why we are celebrating him so as to encourage other Egba sons and daughters to excel in their chosen profession.”

“Nigeria still needs him so one should be surprised if sooner or later he is called for higher office,” the Egba King affirmed A family member, Mr. Shogo Ajayi, who spoke on behalf of the family, stated: “When he (Lemo) told me about the salary he was to receive at the

CBN, I told him not to accept the offer, but he replied that if one is chasing money and he meets honour, it is wise to go for honour.”

Ajayi said after accepting the offer Lemo promised the family that he would not disappoint them “and I am glad he did not let the family down.”

Amosun who was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa said: “We are not surprised about all the encomiums poured on Lemo

because he only followed the footsteps of our eminent personalities who had gone before us.”

The Governor appealed to all Egbas to be united “and also ensure that wherever you are, keep the banner of the State high.”

The celebrant in response thanked the organisers for the honour done to him. He commended Governor Ibikunle Amosun for transforming Ogun State.

According to Lemo: “Many eminent Egba sons and

daughters have set an excellent record before us so let us sustain that tradition. We should also try to be united and try to maintain it at all times. In the past no Egba son or daughter cared about wherever you come from in Egbaland. Either you are from Ake, Gbagura, Owu or Oke-Ona, nobody cared about it and let us try to maintain that”.

The former CBN boss appealed to Nigerians to not only be patient with Jonathan’s administration, but also support him.

Man arrested with fresh human head in Lagos

By Odita Sunday

White sand area of Orile, arrested the suspect with the OLICE operatives in Lagos human head. have arrested a man in The Lagos State Police possession of a fresh human spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a head.

Deputy Superintendent of PoThe suspect, 38 years old, lice, said the suspect was still was arrested at the Orile being interrogated by detecarea of Ajegunle, by Antitives with a view to unveiling Robbery Policemen atthe source of the fresh human tached to the Orile Police head.

Station.

Braide said: “The incident oc“A police team led by one In- curred when a police team atspector Bernard Oyinlade, tached to the Orile Police while conducting a ‘Stop station on “stop and search” and Search’ operation near duty stopped the suspect

P

while walking along the road with a polythene bag. The team suspected him and immediately searched the bag and a human head was discovered.”

“He immediately took to his heels but he was chased and was eventually arrested.”

“The suspect is still undergoing interrogation. He will soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba for further investigaLagos Police Commissioner, tions.”

Umar Manko

Pandemonium over explosion caused by expired solar street-light batteries From: Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri

township for three seconds,” said Umaru.

ESIDENTS, troops of 7 Di- Residents who spoke to vision of Nigerian Army journalists claimed that and other security person- members of the Boko Haram nel stationed at the border sect had stormed the town town of Dikwa in Borno and detonated explosives beState on Tuesday panicked fore engaging troops in a and scampered for safety gun-duel for half an hour. when expired solar street “The terrorists attacked the light batteries exploded military station in Dikwa with a deafening sound for with guns and explosives three seconds at about and the fight is ongoing.

11.35a.m.

Most of our people have fled Dikwa is a border town for now and only God knows with Cameroun, and about when the fight will end,” 85 kilometres east of Maid- said Bakura Goni in a teleuguri, the state capital. phone chat on the exploSome of the soldiers, acsions. cording to an eyewitness, However, a top security perGrema Umaru, consesonnel who declined identiquently fired sporadically fication refuted the incident, into the air for several min- stating that, “the explosion utes, to scare off perceived was caused by faulty solar terrorists who had attacked batteries for street lights.

Teachers College and Coun- There was no attack in cil Secretariat complex, Dikwa by the insurgents, Dikwa early this year. rather the people were actu“There was confusion ally scared when they heard around that time, leading a scaring bang like a bomb to mass exodus of people, blast, which was caused by a including women and chil- some solar light batteries dren in Dikwa town after a kept in a store.” thunderous blast across the

R

Immediately after the ‘blast,’ troops in Dikwa fired friendly shots into the air and the residents mistook the development and fled.

The military source also assured: “Many people took to the bushes because they thought our men were engaging the terrorists. I want to assure you that normalcy has returned. There was no Boko Haram attack in this town, as carelessly and unprofessionally reported by the BBC,” describing the report as “baseless, unfounded, untrue aimed at misleading the public and giving terrorists a cheap publicity.”

The Dikwa Council Chairman, Ali Modu Goni also denied the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa service report in which they claimed to have spoken with him in an interview, and said: “The military and other security operatives ran away when the terrorists invaded Dikwa before they set ablaze the council’s secretariat

complex.”

On the security situation in Dikwa, Goni said: “I was in Dikwa throughout yesterday (Monday), I even swore in all my appointed Ward Councilors in line with the constitution peacefully, but all of a sudden, people started calling me on phone sympathizing over Boko Haram attack, which they said had set ablaze local government secretariat and chased away soldiers, claiming that they heard it from BBC Hausa service. It is quite is unfortunate.”

“In as much as the constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, such freedom must not be misused to give Boko Haram cheap publicity as well as tarnish the image and integrity of our security forces who are doing their best to ensure peace and tranquility to our dear nation, particularly the Northeast sub-region, which has been suffering from terrorists activities for more than four years now.”

Thursday, June 12, 2014 21

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Focus Experts advocate change in Nigeria’s foreign policy OLALEKAN OKUSAN writes on the deliberations at a two-day colloquium, where the need for a review of Nigeria’s foreign policy was strongly emphasized

remained essentially the same over the years, but stakeholders are now insisting that it should be reviewed to meet contemporary challenges.

Under Jaja Wachuku, the first Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations, the country’s foreign policy had been characterised by a focus on Africa as a regional power and several fundamental principles, which include: African unity and independence; capability to exercise hegemonic influence in the region: peaceful settlement of disputes; non-alignment and non-intentional interference in the internal affairs of other nations; and regional economic cooperation and development.

In carrying out these principles, Nigeria participates in the activities of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the NonAligned Movement, the Commonwealth and the United Nations. But with what is currently happening in the country, stakeholders insist that the policy needs an appraisal.

At a recent two-day retreat tagged Aspect of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in Contemporary Times held in Lagos, former ambassadors, members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and scholars among others, brainstormed over specific and general issues.

According to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Matthew Nwagwu, the forum was meant to examine some aspects of the policy in the face of the ever-changing world Declaring the retreat open, Senate President, David Mark described foreign policy as a fundamental element of any government’s strategy, which could not be underestimated.

To him, foreign policy was much more than a nation’s diplomatic strategy in communicating with other countries.

He said: “It (foreign policy) is indeed the collectively chosen self-interest strategies by the state, agreed upon by law, to be used to defend national interests, protect citizens and foster national development and international relations. It is central to a country’s operation, survival and growth as a sovereign state.”

Mark, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Ambassador Anthony Manzo, however, admitted that the strategies have to be revisited and improved upon

in the face of changing times and pressing challenges.

For Nwagwu, the shaping of a country’s foreign policy “is a dynamic process, which involves interaction between internal and external environments.”

He explained: “The challenges facing Nigeria today which have attracted global attention to our country, requires all and sundry to critically address some of these ills, for us to make adjustments on some aspects of our policy that will enable us participate favourably in global politics. As you are all aware, the Nigerian Foreign Policy bequeathed to the nation at independence in 1960, has remained essentially consistent over the years with very few adjustments to meet the challenges of the time.

“The outcome of the Committee’s oversight visits to Missions, as well as series of interactions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were revealing as to the poor conditions of our Missions abroad, as well as some inherent challenges inhibiting the effective conduct of our foreign policy.

This ranges from the Big Brother Syndrome without corresponding benefits, inadequate and epileptic funding of the MFA/Missions; poor welfare package/condition of living of our Foreign Service Officers and their security; lack of enough facilities available to our officers like housing, office space and utility vehicles among others.”

For his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, the policy has been the subject of many varied conversations, which she said could be attributed to its ineffective articulation.

“In a world that is currently faced with global insecurity, the links between Nigeria’s foreign policy and her defence policy, climate change policy, migration policy, and development policy must be intertwined and articulated to reflect the interdependency of the above and the mutual importance of all; not one acting in isolation of the other, or giving more prominence to one than the other. This will probably be the most profound pronouncement of the interdependency between Nigeria’s foreign policy and development policy,” she said.

Director General, NIIA, Professor Bola Akinterinwa, said the review of Nigeria’s foreign policy had been long overdue, considering the present challenges facing the country.

Akinterinwa, whose paper was titled Nigeria’s Foreign Policy That Has Not Been, examined the inadequacies of the principles within the framework of the protection of Nigeria’s national interest.

“It is important to begin

Jonathan

Mark

with the understanding of the central objective of Nigeria’s foreign policy, as conceived in 1960, which is to provide leadership for and in Africa. For what purpose is Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa? The vision of Nigeria’s leaders in 1960 was to have Nigeria provide leadership for Africa and the black people of the world. To that extent, foreign policy has been tailored along that direction. This explains, in part, why the NIIA had to be established in 1961.

“However, Nigeria’s leadership has not been situated within the context of national grand strategy. In fact, it is difficult to talk about any foreign policy grand strategy in terms of nation building.

Thus, Nigeria’s foreign policy that has not been is precisely about the lack of foreign policy grand strategy. It is about what ought to have been, but which have not been, in both foreign policy making and implementation. In fact, it is more about foreign policy of a Greater Nigeria, a foreign policy that will ensure domestic happiness, regional acknowledgment, continen-

tal leadership, and global respect.

“In other words, there is the need for a foreign policy that will be befitting of a regional power, a regional hegemony that Nigeria really is. Nigeria has to behave like a great power in Africa, especially in terms of having the most powerful military in Africa that will be able to respond to conflict situations rapidly, be economically solvent in such a way that Nigeria will become the centre of attraction for business entrepreneurs from the West and Central African regions.

“And more important, with Nigeria having the biggest concentration of black people in the world, there is no reason why Nigeria should not be an inspiration, a source of sweet inspiration to all the African and Black people of the world.”

In his paper titled, A Note On Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Principles and Institutions, R. A. Akindele of the Nasarawa State University, acknowledged that there was a number of principles that underpinned the conduct of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

“

Nigeria’s substantial commitments in human and material resources to back up her foreign policy decisions and actions, especially in peace support operations have not yielded the desired respect and influence. Neither have they yielded any significant dividend, in terms of investment opportunities in the countries that benefitted from her support

“

IGERIA’S foreign policy, N since independence from Britain on October 1, 1960, has

He said: “Management of Nigeria’s external relations requires the need to take into cognizance, the relationship between principles and situational realities in the processes of bilateral and multilateral diplomatic transactions.

Such realities sometimes call for and compel an ad hoc reinterpretation of principles without, of course, necessarily resulting in their abandonment. Principles send signals and endow policy behaviour with predictability.

“They are handmaids in the conduct of public policy; but their excessive rigidity, particularly in the field of foreign policy, may be counterproductive. The cliché, that in the conduct of foreign policy and management of external relations, there are no permanent friends and permanent foes but permanent interests, is a warning against belief in the excessive and absolute sacrosanctity of principles in the market of foreign policy.

“Given the fact that institution-building is absolutely necessary for the conduct of policy making and implementation, attention needs to be invested in institutional infrastructure for the making and implementation of Nigeria’s foreign policy,” Akindele said.

For the Chief Of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal, Alex S Badeh, Nigeria has become an important player in international relations, an assumed potential leader of Africa and a major contributor to international peace support operations both regionally and globally.

He however observed that converting the perception into reality has so far not been achieved.

“Nigeria’s substantial commitments in human and material resources to back up her foreign policy decisions and actions, especially in peace support operations have not yielded the desired respect and influence.

Neither have they yielded any significant dividend, in terms

of investment opportunities in the countries that benefitted from her support.

He said: “Many factors may have contributed to this predicament, among which is the non-coordination between the Foreign and Defence Policies of Nigeria.”

For Badeh, there must be consistency in defence and foreign policies, both in content and application. His words: “an effective and sustainable foreign policy is also dependent on a stable political and economic domestic setting as well as deeply entrenched institutions and processes.”

He stated that the defence policy of a nation “is usually an offshoot of its foreign policy objectives while defence policy objectives are strongly shaped by foreign policy goals and priorities.”

He however admitted: “There are challenges of coordination between the foreign and defence policies in realizing the foreign policy objectives of Nigeria. These are: insufficient coordination between ministries, Peace Support Operations matters, Continental security architecture and sub-regional security. Others include the Gulf of Guinea Commission and internal security challenges.

“The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence lack coordination in many areas, including joint policy formulation and review, planning, conduct of Peace Support Operations (PSOs), activities in foreign missions.”

To ensure a workable and viable foreign policy, Badeh said the foreign policy objectives need to be repositioned, the domestic socio-economic and political foundations strengthened, while the machinery for its execution reformed and reinvigorated for enhanced coordination.

Nwagwu however, said that the outcome of the retreat would be forwarded to the Senate for consideration and further action.

22 Thursday, June 12, 2014

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Thursday, June 12, 2014 23

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Business Hope dims for Nigeria as OPEC extends scribe’s tenure

By Roseline Okere HE hope of a Nigerian T emerging the SecretaryGeneral of the Organisation Petroleum Producing Countries (OPEC) by December was dimmed yesterday, after the tenure of Abdalla El-Badri, was extended by six months, starting from January 1, 2015.

The decision to extend El-

•Member countries sustain daily production of 30mbpd Badris tenure was reached at the end of the 165th meeting of the conference of OPEC, in Vienna, Austria.

Besides, the organisation has agreed to keep unchanged its crude oil output target of 30 million barrels a day.

El-Badri’s tenure was due to expire in December 2013,

but he was, however, asked to continue in office for one more year after Saudi Arabia and Iran, two of the five founding members, failed to come to a consensus on a possible successor.

He has now been asked to stay in office for another six months till June next year.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has

already presented the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, to succeed the long-serving Abdullah al-Badri.

But Iraqi Oil Minister, Abdul Kareem Luaibi, said that that his country had continued to back its own candidate and that the

issue remained unresolved.

Badri’s latest term in the office was to have ended in December.

At the end of the conference, the oil cartel reviewed recent oil market developments and world economic growth, as presented by the Secretary General, in particular supply/demand projections for the second half of the year, as well as the out-

The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele (left); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Umaru Ibrahim; and Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mrs. Lola Abiola Edewor, during NDIC officials’ visit to the CBN boss in Abuja, yesterday.

look for 2015, noting that the relative steadiness of prices during 2014 to date is an indication that the market is adequately supplied, with the periodic price fluctuations being more a reflection of geopolitical tensions than a response to fundamentals.

The Conference observed, however, that, whilst world economic growth was projected to reach 3.4 per cent in 2014, up from 2.9 per cent in 2013, downside risks to the global economy, both in the OECD and non-OECD regions, remain unchecked.

It noted, moreover, that whilst world oil demand is expected to rise from 90.0 mbpd in 2013 to 91.1 mbpd in 2014, non-OPEC supply is projected to grow by 1.4 mbpd, with OECD stock levels, in terms of days of forward demand cover, remaining comfortable.

In light of the foregoing, the conference again decided that member countries should adhere to the existing production level of 30.0 mbpd.

In taking this decision, OPEC unanimously agreed that Member Countries would, if required, take steps to ensure market balance, which is so important to world economic activity.

Member countries, in turn, reiterated their willingness to firmly respond to developments that might jeopardize oil market stability.

The conference decided to extend the tenure of HE Abdalla S. El-Badri as Secretary General for a period of six months from 1 January 2015.

The conference decided that its next ordinary meeting will convene in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, November 27.

CBN projects double-digit growth with infrastructure upgrade

By Chijioke Nelson HE Central Bank of T Nigeria (CBN) may have projected a double-digit growth for the nation’s economy if the lingering infrastructure crises are resolved.

According to the apex bank, resolving issues around the power sector, renewable energy, building of refineries and reforms in agriculture sector, would all combine to help the country achieve the desired growth.

The Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, CBN, Dr. Sarah Alade, made the observation at the outreach programme, jointly organised by CBN and Institute of International Finance (IIF), in Lagos, on Tuesday.

Alade pointed out that the cost of doing business in Nigeria, which is still high compared with developed economies or some emerging and developing coun-

tries, was due to the poor state of infrastructure.

“I would like to stress the point that a lot of the ongoing power sector reforms would be needed to bring down inflation, as power expenditure that goes into production is quite significant. CBN’s intervention in the power and aviation sectors is expected to bring down interest rates and encourage a long loan tenor,” she said.

She acknowledged the need to ensure that the financial sector contributes to real sector growth, adding that studies showed that while a strong financial sector is critical to a country’s early and intermediate stages of development growth, once the financial sector becomes too large, and not linked to the real sector, it can slow growth and increase financial volatility.

The CBN chief also noted that as the apex bank work to strengthen the financial

system and expand its growth, a good area of collaboration with IIF will be in capacity building and sharing best practice experiences.

To her, this would help in managing the introduction of innovative products and practices in the banking sector and more crucial in areas of cross border supervision and crisis resolution framework.

Another area of cooperation with IIF, she said, would be to encourage financial stability and balance the need between profitability and economic growth by developing the right set of policies that is best suited for our environment through collaborative research and information sharing.

Noting immense stability risks that could result from cross border expansion, the Deputy Governor said the supervision of foreign bank subsidiaries must be ade-

...A lot of the ongoing power sector reforms would be needed to bring down inflation, as power expenditure that goes into production is quite significant. CBN’s intervention in the power and aviation sectors is expected to bring down interest rates and encourage a long loan tenor...At the moment, the main challenge for policy is that of sustaining and deepening the outcomes of existing policies. quate, with a set of wellestablished principles of effective oversight, which the collaborative research and international experience of IIF, would bring to bear.

“Nigeria’s domestic economic environment has remained stable, with strong outlook and sustaining this will require both the maintenance of a sound financial system and strong real sector that can generate employment and empower the private sector to play its role. At the moment, the main challenge for policy is

that of sustaining and deepening the outcomes of existing policies,” she said.

Alade however, explained that CBN as an institution has evolved various policies to aid the effective management of the economy, especially in payments system and financial inclusion.

“CBN identified the challenges to financial inclusion in Nigeria to include, among others, irregular income, lack of employment, low financial literacy, long distance to access points and lack of appropriate means of identification.

To address these challenges, the bank launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy for Nigeria in October 2012, aimed at reducing the financial exclusion rate from 39.7 per cent to 20 per cent by 2020 in accordance with its commitment to the ‘Maya Declaration,’” she added.

This financial inclusion strategy has so far been implemented through the simplified Risk-based Tiered Framework to transform the Know-Your-Customer regulation; agent banking regulatory framework; and national financial literacy framework; consumer protection framework; Others are the mobile payment system and Cashless Policy; introduction of credit enhancement schemes and programmes; and strengthen linkages between conventional and unconventional financial institutions.

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24 BUSINESS Thursday, June 12, 2014

ECOWAS countries to harmonise renewable energy agenda From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja OUNTRIES within the C West African sub-region, having identified see the

potential of renewable energy as complementary to conventional energy generation, are moving towards setting a common agenda in

this regard.

This was part of the resolutions of West African participants who attended the United Nations Sustainable

Stakeholders push for gas-to-power scheme’s implementation

By Sulaimon Salau TAKEHOLDERS in the gas Snational sector have called for full commitment to developing gas infrastructure that would aid power generation in the country.

The experts, who spoke at the Business Forum of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) in Lagos, yesterday, said for the Federal Government to realize the goals of increasing power generation through gas, it should continue to encourage use of gas due to its benefits.

Among the concerned stakeholders was the Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar Plc, Abdullah Sule, who said the government should aim at stopping gas flaring and create environmental friendly, and cost effective framework to encourage more Independent Power Projects (IPPs) to boost power, and provide the much needed support for economic growth, and guaranteed returns on investments.

Sule noted that huge investment is required for gas project off-take, while credit risk management as become an issue for potential investors in the sector, hence, the need for government support.

Urging the stakeholders to explore and maximize the vast opportunities that abound in the gas sector, he said the private sector also has a critical role to play for the success of the gas-to-power projects.

He was worried that Nigeria, a country with huge gas reserves, despite the power sector reforms, still lacks sufficient gas supply for domestic use.

This, he said has led to gas supply disruption to the few functional power generating companies in the country, as well as the futile efforts of some state governments to increase generation through IPPs and the approved construction of four thermal power plants.

According to him, domestic gas consumption has been on a steady increase as a result of the on-going power sector reforms, and consumption by industries among others. In view of this, he said the major gas suppliers such as Gaslink Nigeria Limited, Oando Plc, and Nigerian Gas Company, among others, needed to brace up for the challenges ahead.

He said the support for IPPs will boost electricity supply but will provide the necessary infrastructural support for economic growth, such as Egbin Power Station.

"Egbin thermal plant applies heat through the combustion of gas to produce steam, which extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam, amongst other processes to generate power. The Egbin thermal plant system is similar to our power generation process at Dangote Group," Sule said the Dangote Group generates about 262MW power, such that Dangote Sugar generates 16MW, Dangote Cement, Obajana (135MW), and Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese – 111MW. He puts Dangote Sugar's monthly gas consumption at about 9,000,000 scm, adding that this effort with other government and IPP projects have helped reduce gas flare by about 70 per cent from the proportion flared before the reforms.

President Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), Saidu Mohammed, expressed optimism that the current spate od development would boost gas-to-power in the country, urging the Federal Government to fast track the completion of the major pipeline projects.

He also charged the private sector to be committed to gas utilisation projects, in other to convert the abundant gas resources to national growth.

SE4ALL conference held in New York.

Ministry of Power said in a statement in Abuja, that the conference had in attendance ministers of power from more than one hundred countries.

Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil was quoted to have said: " We met and agree to pursue a common agenda that will see our various countries working faster to implement renewable energy projects. This will build on the commitment of our respective Presidents who under the regional body have signed onto the renewable energy declaration".

Wakil added ministers from the ECOWAS sub-region met and resolved to push this common agenda in their respective countries in line with the resolution of the conference that countries all

over the world should adopt a strategy that would fast track various initiatives on renewable energy.

"Governments across West Africa are working on a common renewable energy agenda, the focus being to fast track adoption and development of various forms of green energy in the sub region, to counter the growing demand for this sustainable energy form," Wakil said.

At the national levels, he said respective governments were doing many programmes in the renewable energy sector, adding that the new initiative was intended to create a regional framework to guide and propel faster action in the energy sector.

Wakil went on: "Each national delegation itemized various initiatives in the sector.

For us in Nigeria, it is a priority sub-sector to which President Goodluck Jonathan is committed. We are fully in support of the regional agenda as green energy is the way the world is going now.

"We all agree on the need to speed up programmes in the sector and exchange ideas.

We all accept the importance of green energy and its beneficial effect. More importantly, we all see the potential of renewable energy as complementary to conventional energy generation."

He explained that a follow up meeting will be held at regional level while expressing optimism that the initial discussions in New York will propel each national government to speed up work on the creation and implementation of renewable energy programmes.

Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Akin Opeodu (left); Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, Mamman Tsafe; and Group Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, during the commissioning of Mutual Benefits Police Badminton complex donated by the company at the Police College in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: GABRIEL IKHAHON

Telecoms operators connect 63m Nigerians to the Internet

By Adeyemi Adepetun ETWEEN 2001 and now, B over 63 million Nigerians have been connected to the Internet.

The Minister of Communications Technology Dr. Omobola Johnson, disclosed this information at the closing out session of the 2014 Nigeria Internet Governance Forum held in Lagos, yesterday.

NIGF is a coalition formed among the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, the Information Technology development Agency of Nigeria (NITDA) the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), as the Nigeria Internet Registration Council of Nigeria (NIRA).

Johnson, represented by the Director, Telecoms and Postal Services in the ministry, John Ayodele, said the country is witnessing a huge transformation in its sociopolitical and economic lives with the increased access to

the Internet by Nigerians, stressing that the ICT sector has contributed significantly to the country’s recently rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which ranks telecommunications as the fourth largest contributor to the economy.

“Before now, the story was many did not have access to the Internet. Today, not only do we have the internet access and availability, we are also witnessing gradual growth in speed of the internet and latest statistics has shown that over 63 million Nigerians are connected to the internet,” she said.

She said the government was working with all necessary stakeholders to ensure that more Internet infrastructures were deployed much easily by the operators towards ensuring that affordable and easily available Internet access was provided to the growing rate of Internet users.

Johnson said through the National Broadband Plan

(NBP) approved by the government, the plan was to achieve 80 per cent Internet penetration by the end of 2018 more than the current 32 per cent penetration.

“In terms of the actual broadband penetration, there is currently about six per cent broadband penetration and we hope to deepen this by 30 per cent by 2017,” she said.

She promised the ministry support to hosting the NIGF, stating that it provided a common platform for all stakeholders in the industry to consolidate their position on the global Internet governance Forum.

Going forward, the minister said that the government would ensure that broadband infrastructure gets to the nooks and crannies of the country.

“Furthermore, in our quest to extending the use of internet services to rural and underserved areas, as well as schools, Government agencies such as Nigerian

Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will continue to provide facilities to Public Access Venues (PAVs) funded by Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and NITDA,” she said.

Also she noted that the Ministry’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Research and Education Network (NgREN), a World Bank sponsored project has reached advanced stages. The project is to provide connectivity to 27 Federal Universities in the first instance with plans to expand to others soon, she stressed.

“Our ‘Getting Government Online’ initiative is geared towards ensuring that government deploys technology as a mechanism to transforming the way government operates and enhance the effectiveness of service

delivery for the benefits of its citizens,” Omobola stressed.

NIRA President, Mrs. Mary Uduma stressed that Internet has become a force without which a country can achieve economic development. “It is this realisation that has informed our theme for this year’s forum which” Harnessing MultiStakeholders Framework for Internet Governance and Economic growth.”

She stressed on the need for Nigerians to adopt the use of the Nigeria’s country code Top Level Domain name. ng, which she described as a secure Nigeria’s identity on the web while also calling for increased local contents on the web. “NIRA’s .ng is fortified with necessary security that shields users against cyber attacks. It is our own and we need to adopt it for economic development,” she added.

Director General of NITDA, Peter Jack, who was represented by the Head of

Standard, Guidelines and Regulation, at the agency, Nye Kem-Abonta, harped on the needs for a concerted effort to ensure security and cost reduction of the internet for the growing umber users being recorded in Nigeria.

According to jack, who also espoused the multi-stakeholders approach to ensuring internet governance was a good one that will make Nigeria internet ecosystem grow faster and position Nigeria as a key player in the global internet space.

Former NITDA boss, Prof, Cleopas Angaye, also stressed the need for Nigeria to take the issue of Internet security more seriously.

“Nigeria has been said to be rated second in terms of the high rate of cyber insecurity and with the growth in the user-base of the internet in Nigeria, I think the time has come for us to take the need to protect our cyber space more seriously,” he said.

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Thursday, June 12, 2014 Business | 25

Nigeria’s mission in UAE supports participation in GITEX

By Adeyemi Adepetun IGERIA foreign mission in N the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has assured of support for the country’s participation in the GITEX Technology Show scheduled to hold in Dubai, United Arab Emirate, November 2014.

The Nigeria’s Ambassador to the UAE, Ibrahim Auwalu gave this assurance earlier in recently when members of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the team of consultants charged with ensuring a successful Nigeria’s participation paid him a courtesy visit at the country’s embassy in Abu Dhabi.

“We will do all within our powers to ensure Nigerians and friends of Nigerians are drawn to actively participate in this event. We believe this is a major boost at attracting positive foreign interest in

our country; not only in the ICT sectors but other areas.

Nigeria is ready for business and has proven to be the one of the fastest destinations for investment in the last few years. This GITEX event will further prove that point. I assure you of the support of me and my staff,” said Auwalu.

The NITDA team consist of Director of Finance at NITDA, Abdulsalam Raheem Olalere, NITDA’s Acting Head of Corporate Strategies, Dr.

Olatunji Vincent; Head of Corporate Communications Department, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, among others.

According to a statement from the organizing committee, the team had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Head of Consulate of Nigeria in the United Arab Emirates, Ambassador Dr. Mike Omotosho in Dubai where the Consul General gave successful outcome for Nigeria at the

GITEX Technology Show.

Ambassador Omotosho said the Consulate was recently opened to address the teeming needs of thousands of Nigerians actively engaged in the UAE. He assured that the Consulate in Dubai would rally round support for the Nigeria Investment Forum and the Invest-in-Nigeria Dinner, some of the key features of the Nigerian Pavilion at GITEX 2014.

To drive local participation and effective organisation, the Nigeria government through the NITDA recently inaugurated the GITEX Local Organising Committee (LOC) tasked with managing a successful outcome for the event where Nigeria is the official Country Partner. The Director General of the NITDA, Peter Jack, inaugurated the LOC. GITEX Technology is the premier Technology event in the

Middle East Africa and SouthAsia (MEASA). The technology trades show organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), occupies over 78,000 sqm of space, and records over 145,530 trade countries in 2013.

Also, more than 35,000 visitors came from Africa in the 2013 edition of GITEX where Nigeria premiered its presence by setting up the Nigerian Pavilion, which was promoted by the NITDA.

Firm lauds CBN over cash-less policy AN-AFRICAN integrated P payments company, Interswitch has applauded the Central Bank of Nigeria for the successful implementation of the cashless policy across all states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

The CBN announced recently that the cash-less policy had been extended nationwide.

The cashless policy was first introduced in January 2012 in Lagos State and by the end of 2013 had been extended to the FCT and Kano, Rivers, Ogun, Abia and Anambra States.

In a statement issued over the weekend and duly signed by the Group Managing Director, Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, referred to the flagship policy of the CBN as the “cornerstone” of Nigeria’s economic development, without which millions of Nigerians would be unable to feel the benefit of strong economic growth.

According to him. “It is essential that all Nigerians, especially the young, can take advantage of new opportunities presented by strong economic growth. The cashless policy is vital to realizing this vision. It is the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic development and will ensure that all are able to access modern payment and banking technologies.

Elegbe said: “As the market leader in payment processing, providing companies and government in Nigeria with a transaction infrastructure, Interswitch has worked hard to ensure that the full benefits of the cashless policy are felt by the many and not just the few.

However, “We have strived to introduce ATMs and POS terminals in towns and cities across the country. There are now more than 11,200 ATMs and close to 120,000 POS nationwide. New online and mobile platforms are also allowing even the remotest of communities to share in greater prosperity.

“While today is a cause for celebration much more still needs to be done and we will continue to support the CBN and place financial inclusion at the very heart of our business.”

Immediate past Odua Group Managing Director/Chief executive Officer, Dr Adebayo Jimoh (left); former Odua Chairman, Prince Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi; and Odua Group Managing Director, Adewale Raji during Raji’s visit to Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi yesterday.

Flobal Trust partners Rivers on capacity building for workers LOBAL Trust Limited, a Flicensed capital market operator by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria, in collaboration with Klass and Korporate Consultant, an international consulting firm has handed over tools to ensure that civil servants in the Board of Internal Revenue of the state have a secure future.

The event took place in Port Harcourt at the end of a

training workshop held for the civil servants.

Speaking at the workshop, the Chief Operating Officer of Flobal Trust who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Klass and Korporate, Barrister Mrs. Omoefe Siakpere enjoined participants to appropriately budget their finances in order to spend wisely, save regularly and invest prudently.

“Planning for the future

entails an extensive process of the various elements of a financial plan that should be integrated into our overall lifestyle which outlives our physical existence to include our Estate. This takes sensible planning and years of persistence.

“Early planning is therefore critical because it typically takes many years to accumulate the necessary funds to live comfortably when you

no longer enjoy the advantages of a salary. If you begin your investing early in your working life, it will allow funds to accumulate and grow over the subsequent decades, so that you have substantial resources for navigating your retirement years and the administration of your estate after your lifetime,” she said.

She noted that no one can predict the future, but

stressed that “if we leave unanswered questions about how to settle our affairs, wishes asset, finances and estate after we are gone, life for those we love could be even more difficult. That is why answering questions and formalizing in a Will is an important step. Therefore, people should appropriately budget their finances in order to spend wisely, save regularly and invest prudently.”

CIBN tasks govt on improved income distribution

By Faith Oparaugo HE Lagos branch T Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Lagos branch, Bolade Agboola has called on the Federal Government to improve income distribu-

tion and per capital capacity Nigerians.

He pointed out that these would engender improved economic well being of the citizens.

Speaking on the sideline of the yearly general meeting CIBN in Lagos, Agboola said since Nigeria economy is

the biggest in Africa, “we need to work on the critical sectoral problems being faced in the country”.

According to him, “as a nation we ought to be bigger but regarding the size or not which has something to do with the indices and well being of the people, we need

to address the mindset of people”.

He decried the increasing difficult environment under which the Nigerian banks are currently operating in the country.

He noted that the gradual phasing out of Commission on Turnover (COT) charges

NPA can handle emergencies, says MD

By Moses Ebosele HE Managing Director of T Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Habib Abdullahi, has assured port users and other stakeholders of adequate protection.

Welcoming members of the House of Representative Committee on Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness, who paid him a courtesy visit

in Lagos, Abdullahi said NPA is fully prepared to combat any emergencies and disasters that may occur at any of the nation’s seaports.

Represented by the Executive Director,Marine and Operations, David Omonibeke, an engineer, Abdullahi said NPA’s Fire Service Department has become a reference point in Lagos State for its swift response to distress calls from

public and private agencies in the state.

The Chairman of the Committee, Ifedayo Abegunde, told the Managing Director that his committee is saddled with the constitutional responsibility of formulating pre-emptive policies on search and rescue operations in maritime and air transport industries.

Abegunde explained that the

committee visited NPA to carry out on the spot assessment of the fire and lifesaving facilities within Nigerian Ports to ascertain if they are in line with International Maritime Organisation and International Standard Organisation standards.

Members of the committee, according to a press statement issued by NPA, were also conducted round some facilities.

and increase in the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria’s levy being paid by the banks have contributed to the decline in the revenue of the financial institutions.

He pointed out also that social infrastructure should also be looked into because it will enable the income to be more effectively distributed.

“Infrastructural underdevelopment, like unstable power supply and inconsistent government policies are naking operating environment a tough climes”, he said.

Meanwhile the institute which Agboola added that for banks to lend to the real sector and improve the SME’s fortune they would have to nuture and understand them.

26 BUSINESS Thursday, June 12, 2014

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Emerging paradigms in measuring

By Ikenna Nwosu HE Nigerian Bar Association’s Section T on Business Law (SBL) Committee on Competition should be commended for

putting “Competitiveness” in the front burner, because before 2013 (when the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria was established), the Committee on Competition Law of the SBL has been the major (if not only) private sector driver of competition/competitiveness issues, complemented, perhaps by the existence of a Department for Competitiveness in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (MITI), and a Department for Policy Advocacy and Competitiveness in the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

This is really an auspicious opportunity to further discuss the issue of global competitiveness as 2014 marks centenary anniversary of commerce and business development in an amalgamated Nigeria.

Besides, Nigeria has just successfully hosted the World Economic Forum for Africa 2014 and is now a global bride for investors worldwide.

Nigeria has already established the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN), headed by Chika Mordi and the organization has sprung into action to ensure level playing environment for competition in the country, and competitiveness of Nigeria on the global stage.

This year’s conference is holding at a time when global competitiveness of nations is of utmost importance in international affairs post global economic crises of 2008/2010.

There is a more positive global outlook (despite some complicated uncertainties). The US did not fall off the “fiscal cliff”; the Eurozone did not breakup. In Europe, there is significant narrowing in sovereign bond differentials; and the “hard landing” fears in China have seriously reduced.

“Competitiveness” simply means “productive potential”.

According to the World Economic Forum, “we define competitiveness as the set of institutions policies, and factors that determine the level of productivity of a country”.

The prosperity of a nation is measured by its productivity in terms of goods and services, a fundamental driver to economic growth rate of the nation.

Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment

The impact of this productivity in improving the diverse sectoral value chains, ensuring sustainable rise in the income of the nation’s population, and determining the rate of return on investment for foreign and domestic investorsall combine to determine how “competitive” a nation is to attract further investments – whether domestic or foreign.

“Competitiveness” thus incorporates static and dynamic components.

With the high impact of the financial crises of 2008 and 2010, nations now fervently compete with each other to attract investment resulting in the phrase: “Global Competitiveness” gaining much popularity in international circles as a basis for comparing the attractiveness of competing investment destinations to enable final investment decisions by businesses.

Currently, major international country rankings are done through Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) by World Economic Forum (WEF); Ease of Doing Business Index (EDBI) by The World Bank; and Social Status Index (Human Development Index) by UNDP. Globally, The Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) has consistently been the recognized ranking of the competitiveness of nations, and a tool for benchmarking countries strengths and weaknesses.

The past decade and a half has witnessed improvements in the methodology of preparing these country rankings, to wit: 2000 – Professor Jeffery Sachs introduced the Growth Competitiveness Index, which was based more on academic foundation in economic growth theory; 2000-Professor Michael Porter introduced a companion Business Competitiveness Index (BCI) with focus on the microeconomic drivers of socioeconomic prosperity; and in 2004,Professor Xavier Sala – Martin.

Introduced a Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) incorporating both macroeconomic and microeconomic benchmarks of competitiveness.

Since 2004, the GCR publishes both the GCI and the BCI and the nation rankings are based on comprehensive analysis of macroeconomic indicators; microeconomic indicators; and executive opinion surveys.

Challenges and trend analysis of GCI Because of the multitude of factors and data that need to be considered and ana-

lyzed in undertaking country rankings; the individual shortcomings of the respective ranking mechanisms, and the crying need to formulate an all encompassing methodology that addresses the identified combined shortcomings; and due to the traditional distinction between “developing” and “developed” nations is becoming increasingly irrelevant as a basis for investment decision – rapidly being replaced by the parameter of “innovation rich” or “innovation poor”, there is extreme difficulty in disentangling the combined impact of these diverse factors on productivity.

Also posing as challenges are the rising importance of national growth being simultaneously “qualitative” and “quantitative” – mandating the incorporation of new concepts such as “social and environmental sustainability” by businesses in their economic decision – making, thus introducing new parameters into global competitiveness benchmarking; Besides, there are key and diverse complicated uncertainties in various parts of the world, to wit: Europe - e c o n o m i c recovery challenges, rising unemployment, “uncertain” eurozone future, tighter credit conditions limiting domestic demand); China- credit crunch, projected slower growth rate; Turkey/Brazil/Thailand- social protests; United States, fiscal battles between the executive and congress (fiscal cliff) /eventual halt of quantitative easing; and Japan- incomplete structural and financial restructuring; projected slower growth rate.

Back home in Nigeria, we have rising and persistent terrorism in Africa’s largest nation by population and market – despite sustained success in civilian – to – civilian transitions; and rising unemployment, despite huge investment opportunities.

At continental level, in Africa there is rising terrorism by AL Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM), despite opening of new opportunities.

Because of the increasing realization by policy makers and investors that education is now a major parameter for measuring competitiveness – arising from the fact that a complete “systemic review” of the education system/framework of a nation will respond effectively to avoid skills gaps in the economy, provide labour market requirements, and guarantee availability of well – trained human capital to support investment / business

Chika Mordi

activity and simultaneously develop entrepreneurship and innovation capacity, a new paradigm has emerged in the international competitiveness and benchmarking network, exemplified in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2013 – 2014, which applies new parameters in measuring competitiveness of nations.

Emerging paradidgms: The 12 pillars of competitiveness under GCI The World Economic Forum’s GCR 2013 – 2014, taking into consideration the current socioeconomic/political challenges, emerging trends in the world today, and the inadequacies of previous methodologies for competitiveness rankings, undertook a diagnostic study and now enunciated twelve pillars of competitiveness as follows: First, the fairness and soundness of the legal and administrative framework within which governments, firms and individuals interact to create wealth (Quality of institutions determine distribution of costs and benefits of development strategies and policies).

Second, attitude of Government towards freedoms and markets – overregulation, corruption, excessive bureaucracy, lack of transparency, efficiency, in providing required services for business, dishonesty in dealing with public contracts, political dependence of the judicial system, etc – are all parameters to be measured.

Third, proper Management of public finances.

Fourth, private sector institutions’ transparency (especially in the light of corporate scandals that led to the global economic crises) – accounting and reporting standards to prevent fraud/mismanagement, sustainable investor – consumer confidence, ensuring good governance in the private sector.

Infrastructure • Efficient and extensive infrastructure is critical for sustained, effective functioning of the economy and for economic decision – making (The type of business and its location).

• Transport, (airports, roads, rail, seaports), power, telecommunication infrastructure properly in place enhance value chains.

Macroeconomic environment • Stability is key CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

BUSINESS Thursday, June 12, 2014 27

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global competitiveness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 • Exchange rate, inflation rate, interest rates, MPR, GDP, External Reserves, Credit risk rating, growth rate, budget stability/fiscal deficits; etc., are all benchmarked.

Health and Primary Education • National/Private investment in the provision of efficient and available healthcare services is vital because a healthy work force is critical to productivity and competitiveness.

• Basic/Primary education significantly increase the efficiency of individual workers in the economy especially in adapting to advanced production techniques and processes, otherwise they become a constraint to development and value-chain optimization.

Higher Education And Training • Current globalization mandates sustenance of a well educated workforce, especially in promoting crossborder value chains/competitiveness.

• Quantitative: Secondary and tertiary enrolments rates are measurement criteria.

• Qualitative: Quality of higher education is key. . Quality of staff training (vocational/onthe-job) is critical.

Goods Market Efficiency • Efficient goods markets are vital in producing the right mix of products and services relative to domestic supply and demand conditions (customer orientation/buyer sophistication) and simultaneously guarantee effective trading and company focus on innovation/customer orientation in producing higher quality goods/services.

• Healthy market competition must be promoted based on level playing field.

• Minimum government intervention is a prerequisite to guarantee open markets for exchange of goods/services (no burdensome taxation; no expropriatory or restrictive rules limiting foreign ownership or international trade). Further justifications are that: Domestic Protectionism reduces overall economic activities; and the extent to which growth depends on open markets and the high level of interdependence of nations’ economics were evident during the recent global financial/economic crises.

Labour Market Efficiency • Labour markets must be efficient, flexible and incentivized to promote merit.

• Enforcement of equity between men and women so as to attract talent to the country.

Trainnes at a skill acquisition centre

Vehicle assembly plant Financial Market Development • System Efficiency – allocating resources for productive uses with highest rates of return • Thorough and proper risk assessment framework.

• System sophistication required to attract further private capital for investment.

• Well regulated securities exchanges/ banking sector/ venture capital, etc.

• Transparent, trustworthy and sound banking sector.

Technological Readiness • Measures the agility with which a nation’s economy adopts new technologies to improve industrial productivity.

• Government and private sector need to have guaranteed access to usage of new / advanced ICT products and blue prints.

Market Size

• Large markets permit firms to rely on economies of scale – hence market size impacts productivity (and logically competitiveness).

• Trade openness is vital because of globalization wherein international markets COULD be substitutes for domestic markets (especially where countries have small domestic markets). – thus giving exports pre-eminence in measuring market size, e.g., in the European Union, there are many countries, but with a single common market, which ECOWAS is emulating.

Business Sophistication This pillar has two elements: Quality of a nation’s overall business networks Measured by the quality, quantity and level of interaction of local suppliers, such as in a cluster. (Improves efficiency promotes innovation in processes/prod-

ucts, and reduces entry barriers for new companies); and quality of individual firms’ operations and strategies Includes marketing, distribution, branding, production of unique/sophisticated goods and services, and advanced production strategies – which have a spill – over impact in modernizing business processes across all sectors resulting in increased sophistication.

Innovation This pillar has two elements wherefrom it could develop: Non-Technological Innovations, including organizational working conditions, skills, know-how (which is closely related to business sophistication); and technological innovation- which has been the basis of major productivity advancements (industrial revolution of 18th century, invention of electricity/steam engine; digital revolution, among others); creates competitive advantage; and requires investment in research and development, wellequipped scientific research institutions, collaboration between university and industry.

Interrelation of the foregoing, vis–a –vis Development Stages and The Weighted Index: • They are not independent but mutually reinforcing such that weakness in one pillar could negatively affect other pillars.

• Measurements are reported separately for the 12 pillars.

• Ultimately, the results of the measurements of the 12 pillars are aggregated into a single index • The most appropriate ways for countries to improve their effectiveness differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction depending on the nation’s stage of development.

- Stage one – Factor driven (countries compete based on their factor endowments) - Stage Two – Efficiency driven (wages rise, so efficiency in production must rise as prices cannot rise) - Stage Three – Innovation driven (new and unique processes imperative to remain competitive, as wages have peaked) • Allocating countries into stages of development is based on two criteria- level of GDP per capita at market exchange rates; and share of exports of mineral goods in total export of goods and services.

• Dr Nwosu, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mooregate Limited, presented this paper at the recent eighth yearly Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, held in Lagos.

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Govt to establish market corporations for agricultural value chains HE Federal Government T will establish Commodity Trade and Market Development Corporations for agricultural value chains in the country.

Dr Uche Nwafor, Regional Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday.

Nwafor said the proposed corporation would be fallout of the success of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the government.

He said the corporation would be private sector-driven to promote the various agricultural value chains. ``This will coordinate the entire value chains in Nigeria and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness, while expanding and stabilising income for our farmers,’’ he said.

The regional director said ATA had boosted Nigeria’s agricultural exports and earnings as well as created much jobs since 2012.

He said that agricultural exports and earnings increased by 821,588 tonnes and N759 billion, respectively with an import reduction of N857 billion in 2012.

Nwafor said no fewer than 2.2 million jobs out of the projected 3.5 million by 2015 had been created since the introduction of ATA. He said the scheme had developed strong value chains for agricultural produce such as cocoa, rice, sorghum, cassava, cotton, oil palm, cattle, poultry, fish sheep and goat. ``The operations of the ATA, according to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, are based on prioritisation of commodity value chains along comparative advantage in the zones,” he said.

He said the cessation of government in the involvement of the procurement, supply and distribution of fertilisers and seeds to farmers had been the fulcrum on which the scheme revolves.

Nwafor said that the over 10 million farmers so far registered in the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme was an indication that Nigeria was on the march to achieving food security.

Finance Director, Emirates Holiday, Roger Vakayil (left); Executive Director, South-South, Skye Bank Plc, Ibiye Ekong; Divisional Head, Information Technology and Service Delivery Channels, Merkie Idowu; and the Managing Director, Tour Brokers International, Uloma Egbuna, at the launch of Skye Emirates Holiday package in Lagos on Monday.

Audit reports non-implementation responsible for challenges in oil, gas sector TAKEHOLDERS, including Sin civil society organisations, the oil and gas sector on Tuesday said the non-implementation of its audit reports was responsible for the challenges in the industry.

This submission was made in Abuja at a capacity-building workshop on Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Audit Reports and Remediation Issues organised for the media.

The workshop was facilitated by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with OXFAM International, a non-governmental organisation.

The stakeholders said more than one billion naira was spent on various auditing in the sector between 1999 and 2011 but that the reports were

yet to be implemented.

They said that instead of having improved situation on some identified challenges militating against the growth in the sector, ``the reverse is the case’’.

One of the stakeholders, Mr Segun Adeniyi, said that apart from lack of political will to implement the audit reports, ``Nigerians don’t demand for accountability from authorities. It is worrisome that people don’t challenge those in authority over some actions or inaction even when the report is made public for them to see,” he said.

He said that until Nigerians learn how to question their leaders over some of their activities there would be no changes in the ways things were done. ``The more audit reports we

have the more you see increase in the violation of the recommendations, especially on the issue of tax and other critical issues in the sector,” he said.

On his part, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Mr Auwal Musa, said that it was appalling the way the Federal Government had continued to spend money on auditing the oil and gas sector without results. ``I am not sure it is good to use public fund to do this auditing,” Musa said, adding that there was no need to identify problems without political will to execute or implement recommendations on them.

He expressed concern on what he described as ``lukewarm attitude” of the antigraft agencies in the country in fighting corruption in the

Agbaja iron ore mining to last 100yrs, says minister HE Minister of Mines and T Steel Development, Mr Musa Sada, has said that Agbaja iron ore deposit in Kogi can last for more than 100 years when mining operations begin in the area.

Sada made the fact known in Agbaja in Lokoja Local Government Area on Wednesday during a facility tour of Kogi Mines Limited, a private company, operating in the area.

He said that so far the company had delineated more than 500 million tonnes of iron ore in the area.

The minister said the Federal Government had introduced policies to encourage investments in

the solid minerals sector in the effort to achieve the National Industrial Revolution Plan.

He said the mining sector was expected to provide employment opportunities for many Nigerians.

Sada said it was important the country diversified its economy from oil to the solid minerals sector.

The minister advised the company to comply with mining and environmental regulations by treating and relating well with the host community to avoid any conflict.

Kevin Joseph, the Executive Director of the company, said that the firm would begin mining of iron ore in

the area in the last quarter of 2016. ``It should be noted that anywhere in the world of mining, any project of this size, from start to production is a 10-year cycle. ``If the current support for the actualisation of the project is maintained from all quarters, we will succeed in doing so within six years,’’ Joseph said.

He said the company which started exploration in 2009, had carried out many social responsibility projects for the host community.

The executive director promised that the company would comply with environmental rules and communi-

ty development agreements reached with the host community.

Samuel Alabi, a senior geologist with the company, said the firm would provide employment for more than 700,000 Nigerians when it began production in 2016.

Alabi said that about 90 per cent of the project was carried out by the Nigerian experts, while their foreign partners supervised the work.

However, Alhaji Muhammed Baiyerohi, the Olu of Oworo, appealed to the Federal Government to review the Environmental Impact Assessment Report in the interest of the local environment.

sector.

Celestine Odeh of OXFAM, said the political will to tackle the oil thieves was lacking at the state and Federal Government levels.

Odeh said it was unacceptable for a country like Nigeria that is richly endowed with natural resources to be living in poverty.

He, therefore, called on the key stakeholders in the oil sector to join in the fight against oil theft.

NEITI’s Director of Communication Ogbonanya Orji expressed concern over funding challenge the antigraft agencies.

Orji said the operations of the agencies had been hampered by dwindling funds.

Over 43,000 farmers to benefit from FG’s cotton value chain in Bauchi O fewer than 43,669 N farmers will benefit from the special cotton value chain initiative of the Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme in Bauchi State.

The Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Yusuf, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Wednesday.

Yusuf said that under the scheme farmers would receive inputs such as fertiliser, seeds and agro-chemicals at subsidised rate.

He said each farmer would receive three bags of fertiliser, 20kg bags of cotton seeds and a litter each of bio-stimulant and sharpshooter.

The director said the farmers would only pay 20 per cent of the cost, while the Federal Government would pay the remaining 80 per cent. ``We have concluded all arrangements and hoped to commence the distribution in a matter of days,’’ Yusuf said.

He said the scheme, which

started with 1,500 tonnes of seeds in some selected states in 2012, grew to 3,950 tonnes in 2013 and hit 10,000 tonnes, this year, reaching 156,000 farmers.

According to him, the measure is to restore the past glory of the commodity which turnover was in excess of 8.9 billion dollars in the 1980’s and employment generation of over 700,000 people. ``Employment generation in northern Nigeria underwent a precipitous fall due in part to the collapse of the cotton and textile industry. ``This has also led to the attendant social unrest, economic strain and increasing rate of poverty,’’ he said.

The director recalled that the Federal Government had in 2012 entered into partnership with the West African Cotton Company (WACOT) to reposition the cotton industry in the country.

He said target was to raise productivity from 150kg to 450kg of lint by 2015 and double production from 120,000 tonnes of seed cotton to 760,000 tonnes in 2015.

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Thursday, June 12, 2014 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY 29

Germany’s CEOs lament over lost innovation ERMANY has rejected genetically modified G crops, nuclear power and magnetic levitation trains. Now, the country that invented the modern car and X-ray technology is adding fracking to the list of innovations it’s wary of.

Business leaders had lobbied for the extraction method, which injects water and chemicals underground, to lessen Germany’s dependence on Vladimir Putin’s Russia where a third of its natural gas supply is derived. Last week, the government started preparing a law to limit fracking to rare cases, unlike in the U.S. where the practice is widespread.

The restrictions are a setback for executives, who say policymakers bow too easily to concerns in the population that new technologies will harm the environment.

Germany, which has the most powerful Green Party in Europe, is missing out on industries worth more than $200 billion globally, or about six percent of its gross domestic product, including nuclear power and fracking.

Executives argue the risk-aversion hampers the competitiveness of a nation that discovered nuclear fission used to detonate atomic bombs, and has been led by a trained physicist, Angela Merkel, since 2005.

“If we habitually reject risk, then we’ll run our society into the grave,” said Karl-Ludwig Kley, the chief executive officer of the world’s oldest chemical and pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA (MRK), in a May 13 panel discussion in Frankfurt.

Germany is not alone in rejecting extensive fracking, genetically modified crops and nuclear power in the face of widespread political, scientific and popular concern over their environmental impact.

Fracking is banned in France and the U.K. government, while supportive of the practice, has faced opposition from numerous groups such as the Green Party and Greenpeace.

Genetically modified crops, widely grown in Asia as well as North and South America, are also spurned by France and Austria. Italy and Greece had already rejected nuclear power before Merkel decided to shut down all German reactors by 2022 following the Fukushima plant accident in Japan three years ago.

“With fracking, there are still too many questions that haven’t been answered yet,” said Volker Bouffier, the prime minister of the federal state of Hesse, which last month backed a

BMW Chief Executive Officer Norbert Reithofer decision to uphold the current ban of the practice on concern that chemicals could seep into drinking water. “Every politician has to ask him or herself the question: Can I take responsibility for this?”

Still, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) Chief Executive Officer Norbert Reithofer uses the term “German Angst” to explain the paradox of the country’s innovation ability on one hand and its reluctance to embrace technological change on the other.

“German Angst refers to how, when it comes to making radical changes, we in this country like to engage in long and fearful discussions, because we Germans tend to see more problems than opportunities,” Reithofer said.

The situation is similar with electric vehicles.

Munich-based BMW offers both an electric and a hybrid plug-in car, yet adoption of such models has been slower in Germany. In Japan,

20 percent of new car sales are hybrids, compared with 5 percent in the U.S. and less than 1 percent in Germany, according to researcher ICCT. The experience of war waged within its borders, destroying the country’s cities and infrastructure, as well as dictatorship under national socialists and communists has bestowed a deep-seated skepticism of any planning or control on the way Germans live, said Tilman Allert, a professor of sociology and social psychology at Goethe University Frankfurt.

The willingness to sacrifice benefits of new technologies such as shale gas also stems from a strong sense that nature needs to be protected as Germans live in a densely populated country, he said. By contrast, the U.S. has a “settler identity,” meaning a sense that land is boundless, Allert said. However, Germans

are more reflective of risks, which can be regarded as positive, he said.

The country’s economy and companies continue to outperform competitors in the European Union. Economic growth accelerated in the first three months of 2014 even as expansion cooled in the 18-nation euro area overall. Germany’s benchmark DAX index, comprising the country’s 30 biggest listed companies, on June 5 rose to an intraday record, climbing over 10,000 for the first time.

BASF SE (BAS), the world’s biggest chemical company, has experienced first-hand the rejection of technologies. Fed up with public hostility and political intransigence to genetically modified crops, the Ludwigshafen-based company quit research in the science in Europe and in 2012 moved remaining operations to the U.S., where the technology is wide-

U.S. students’ debt burden takes stage in Washington Day spends 12 percent of her Ja ENNIFER monthly take-home pay on debt that funded master’s degree in urban and regional planning, money she’d rather be saving toward a home.

“I spend $364 a month for student loans,” said Day, 33, who conducts market research for the hospitality industry at a consulting

firm in New Orleans. “To me, that is a down payment or ultimately savings down the line.”

Under a bill sponsored by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, Day would save about $75 a month on her payments. The legislation, which could reach the Senate floor as soon as

tomorrow, would let borrowers with federal and private loans refinance their balances at lower interest rates.

Alleviating the burden on student-loan borrowers, who have amassed more than $1.2 trillion in debt, has been a focus this week of Democrats concerned about their drag on the economy. President Barack Obama issued an

Interns from around the city gather signs before a protest on the Senate steps to urge the Senate to act on a House passed bill, Smarter Solutions for Students Act, which would prevent student loan interest rates from doubling.

executive order yesterday to expand a program easing student-loan payments.

He also endorsed Warren’s bill, which would help former graduate students like Day, whose federal loans typically carry higher rates than those on undergraduate loans, with some as high as 8.5 percent.

The bill, co-sponsored by Democratic senators including Al Franken of Minnesota and Dick Durbin of Illinois, would be paid for by imposing new taxes on wealthy individuals. It would let borrowers refinance using 20132014 interest rates set for their type of loan.

For example, someone who took out an undergraduate Stafford loan in the 2011-2012 year at a 6.8 percent interest rate could refinance at the 2013-2014 rate of 3.86 percent.

To advance the measure, Democrats would need the support of at least five Republicans.

Democrats control 55 seats in the 100-member chamber and 60 votes are needed to move it forward. Senator John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said he has concerns about the bill, including that it doesn’t help current or future college students.

“The thing that people who have college debt need right now more than anything is a good job,” said Thune, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate. That’s where Congress should focus its attention, he said.

Day is already enrolled in one federal program that lets her pay less each month by stretching out her payments to 25 years. Her loans have interest rates of 6.8 percent and 7.9 percent. She’s rarely missed a payment, yet her balance of $46,749 has barely budged from when she graduated four years ago because most of her payment goes toward interest. Day had no debt from her undergraduate years at the University of WisconsinEau Claire.

Under a different program, the 2010 “Pay as You Earn” law, borrowers make repayments of no more than 10 percent of their monthly income. The benefit applies to those who started borrowing after October 2007, shortly before the recession began. Obama’s executive order would widen the eligibility to people who took out loans before then.

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Appointments Labour chides new electricity owners over lingering power crisis From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja HE organized Labour has T chided the new owners of the privatized electricity utilities, hinging their failure on a privatization process that was allegedly poorly thought out.

Labour also took a swipe at the Federal Government over its recurrent excuses hinged on gas, noting that the issue of gas had been with Nigeria since the 70’s, wondering why the problem has persisted.

General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, Joe Ajaero, whoo spoke at an interaction with the management of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in Abuja, called for a more consultative approach to the issue of tariff increament or adjustment, as the case may be.

He was particularly miffed that power had failed to improve despite the huge promises about privatization being the hope of the electricity industry.

“I know that there are issues with handing over to the private sector when there is no steady power supply. I know that there are issues clearly, and I have argued it.

“At least those of you that handed over to them know that they are supposed to have at least three basic qualifications: managerial ability, technical competence and financial muscles. I make bold to say that all of them borrowed to buy the facilities. If they borrowed money to buy the facili-

• As NERC moves to build partnership with Labour, CSO over sector regulation ties, no matter the interest of the banks, customers and consumers are the ones who will pay.”

On tariff, he stressed: “No matter the tariff you are working on for them, they are not there to lose. They make their own profit, and then whatever is the interest, they pass it on to the consumer. That was the whole essence of trying to make sure that they have the financial muscle ab inito.

Now that they have borrowed to buy, what would pay the interest? That is the issue. The private sector man is not going there to do ‘Father Xmas’ for you. You have to be ready to pay for the interest and at what return on investment are they doing business?

“When we look at all these things, I have now understood the pressure your organization is passing through. I know that you privatized based on certain assumptions that by 2014 you would have about 9000MWs. As at this morning, I know we have 3490 MW, whereas we did everything on the assumption that by 2014, we will have 9000MWs. I am equally worried about the assumption that you had about the exchange rate, I don’t know how you got that, being at about N178 by 2014.

“This is part of the assumptions you had. But I know that the exchange rate as at today, is not N178. If you look at all these assumptions, and the

How to ensure transparency and accountability in public finance From John Okeke, Abuja RANSPARENCY and Accountability is very important in the management of the resources of any country.

It is only through the efficient management of a country’s resources that it can deliver social and economic benefits to its citizens.

To ensure the transparency and accountability in public finance in Nigeria, it is necessary to address the budget process, payment system, Government accounting and financial reporting.

Speaking in Abuja at the High level stakeholders meeting on revenue and public finance in Nigeria organized by ActionAid Nigeria, the Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Otive Igbuzor stressed that for the country to witness an unprecedented growth that there is need for better management of public finance a across the country through transparency process.

According to him, the principle of transparency requires

T

openness from Government to provide citizens with a right to know what is going on in governance.

He said “The main ingredients for successful finance management are transparency and accountability providing opportunity to general public especially to scrutinize how the money is collected and spent while at the same time allowing everyone to know what is expected. “ “Whenever public finance is weak, there will be leakages and poor service delivery.” He said.

Otive also stressed the need to have strong institutions adding that it is only in the context of institutions that individual agents can be accountable.

He noted that the development indices of the country are very bad comparable only to countries in war.

“This is why it is important that all Nigerians must work to ensure transparency and accountability in public finance in Nigeria.” He expressed.

fact that even if it is N1 increase, and the fact that you just had a fresh market that you just handed over to the private sector, and Nigerians are expecting improvement in power, and what they are

getting is excuses, gas, and so.”

He went on: “ These are problems that are there from the 70’s for which Nigerians are now that if we are gong to privatize, let’s us do it. So, if you are now privatized and you

are giving the same reason of gas and others, it is troubling.

I think we should work hard, give Nigerians adequate power supply, and if we are now talking about appropriate pricing, or economic price, we look t it very well. I am among the people that say

there must be availability of the product for it to be affordable, and then we must march accessibility with affordability from the beginning.

“It is one thing to announce tariff increase or adjustment or reduction, and you don’t

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Chairman, Workshop Organising Committee, Adebayo Adeleke; National Coordinator, lndependent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (lSAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu; Managing Director, MRS Oil Nig. Plc, Paul Bissohong; Chairman, Pielle Consulting Group, Peter Walker; General Manager, Finance/Company Secretary, Neimeth lnternational Pharmaceuticals Plc, Mrs. Florence Onyenekwe and Deputy Commissioner, National Insurance Commission, George Onekhena at the lSAN&PR Plus Workshop on AGM Management in Lagos.

Nigeria canvasses protection for global migrant workers From Collins Olayinka, Geneva, Switzerland ITH youths making up of W about 35 per cent of its population coupled with about $20billion, Nigeria has a big stake on how global migrant workers are treated abroad, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chukwuemeka Wogu has said.

Speaking yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland at the annual International Labour Conference (ILC) by the International Labour Organization (ILO), he said Nigeria is worried by the subhuman treated its citizens are subjected in some parts of the world due to largely mobile Nigerian youths.

He added: “There is no doubt that we have benefitted from this phenomenon especially in diaspora remittances, but we have also experienced the challenges of discrimination, harassment and other forms of social exclusions in the world of work.”

The Minister stressed that government is taking steps aimed at managing the challenges of migration as a sending, transit and destination country.

He listed the framework adopted by Nigeria to combat migration to included the evolution, development and ownership of a stakeholders’ National labour Migration

Policy; the adoption and implementation within the ECOWAS sub-region of the passport of Sane Migration Project and the National Voluntary Return and Reintegration Settlement Assistance; the entry into bilateral and multilateral memorandum of understanding with several European and African countries for mutual management of labour migration; participation and implementation at highest levels, the resolutions of the United Nations’ International Roundtable Discussion on migration.

The Minister submitted that the world must unite against unfair treatment of migrants to safeguard their rights wherever they choose to work.

On his part, the Director General of the ILO, Guy Ryder said migration is too often associated with the abuse of vulnerable workers and poses major policy challenges around the world.

He said: “Migration is taking place on a large and growing scale. Its patterns are becoming more complex, its nature is evolving. We all agree that is has the potential to contribute very considerably to

growth and development.

Lamentably it continues in too many cases to be associated with the unacceptable treatment and abuse of some of those who are the most vulnerable women and men in our labour markets.”

With an estimated 232 million migrant workers around the world, the report points out that ever more people are crossing borders in search of employment. It sets out policy recommendations that respond to globalization, demographic shifts, conflicts, income inequalities and climate change.

NSC, NJI train judges on maritime laws

By Chuka Odittah, Abuja HE Nigeria Shippers Council T (NSC) in conjunction with National Judicial Institute (NJI), on Tuesday held a one-day seminar for Supreme Court judges as well their High Court counterparts across the country.

Chairman Committee on Maritime Seminar for Judges, Justice Ibrahim Auta, said the seminar was designed to discuss contemporary issues in maritime law from across the globe, with a view to imbibing international best practices in the industry in order to achieve optimum development in the maritime sector.

He stressed that this year’s sem-

inar examines issues related to maritime law and admiralty jurisdiction, piracy, armed robbery at sea and maritime boundary and how to sustainable Development in the Maritime Sector in Nigeria.He urged participants to give attention to Marine Insurance, an aspect of the maritime industry that Nigeria was yet to harness to advantage.

In his remark, former Nigerian President, Chief Earnest Shonekan said that the global population increase has scaled up the volume of trade carried out on the sea, and called on industry stakeholders to catch up with new technologies to

enter the international maritime market.

The former President noted that the maritime sector has for centuries played important role in the economies of nations, adding that in the world today, about 90% of trading activities are carried out on the sea.

“The increasing volume of trade in the maritime industry and the complexities of trading activities have brought to the fore new ideas and new thinking in the maritime industry.

In particular, it has brought to the fore the need for sustainable development in the sector,” he said.

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APPOINTMENTS Thursday, June 12, 2014

ILO seeks global commitment to job creation initiatives From Collins Olayinka, Geneva, Switzerland ITH high level of youth W unemployment and inequality reigning supreme in Africa, combating the challenge requires firm commitment and policies aimed at promoting job-rich growth for the African continent development, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has said.

In its observations preparatory to the Ouagadougou +10 Summit billed for September, the global labour watch body said this becomes necessary to meet about 18 million new jobs required annually by the African continent.

Both the African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs, Mustapha Kaloko and ILO Director General, Guy Ryder unanimously called for a strong commitment to job creation ahead of an Extraordinary Summit on Employment, Poverty Eradication and Inclusive Development in September in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Dubbed “Ouagadougou +10”, the Extraordinary Summit will aim to catalyse action by governments, employers and workers, as well as regional and international stakeholders, for new commitments and contributions that will help Africa shift towards a concrete roadmap for the decade 2014-2024.

Koloko said: “We call upon Members States, as well as partners to think and do things differently,” while inviting the ILO and other partners to play a more active role in implementing the

Ouagadougou Plan of Action 2014 and Africa’s economic transformation agenda.

The Plan of Action is proposing a revised policy framework for the next decade on labour, employment and social protection. Ouagadougou +10 Summit is also aiming at concrete, time-bound and resultsoriented actions with strong partnership.

African leaders are expected not only to make a comprehensive review of progress and constraints in the implementation of the 2004 Ouagadougou Declaration and Plan of Action but also propose and adopt new policies and programs on employment, poverty eradication and inclusive growth for sustainable development.

The region’s growth has increased significantly over the past decade but it has not translated into job creation and poverty reduction.

Informality and vulnerable employment remain the reality for the vast majority of young workers in Africa with, according to ILO estimates, a total of 214 million working poor living in the region.

For his part, Ryder stated: “Ouagadougou +10 is therefore a priority for the Organization and our role is to support African countries in partnership with the African Union and the strong mobilization of the tripartite constituents. The multi-faceted challenge for the region is to make sure that the economic growth is sustained and better shared, while efforts are geared toward effective followup and accountability in the implementation of the

Ouagadougou+10 process.”

The Summit will provide an opportunity for the African continent to reach a consensus that will hopefully allow the issues of employment and poverty eradication to be included in the post-2015 development agenda of the United Nations.

The Summit will take place on 6 and 7 September 2014 at the International Conference Centre of Ouaga 2000. It will be preceded by a ministerial

meeting (Foreign Affairs, Labour, Finance, Youth on 4 September 2014) and by the meeting of permanent representatives committee and ambassadors (3 September 2014).

There will also be a Social Partners’ Forum scheduled for 1-2 September 2014 in Ouagadougou that will address the theme: “Sustainable Development and the African Common Position on the post-2015

Security agents train volunteers on safety measures From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos ECURITY agents in Jos Slantes trained aid groups and vigimembers on best security practice and safety measure in arresting the dangers of insecurity.

The training according to the organisers was meant to build the capacity of the participants on the current security predicament in Jos and Nigeria at large train the participants on Identification of Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) and handling of suspicious persons and objects by the State Police Command, Personal Security Challenges by the Directorate of State Security Services (DSSS), Role of aid group/vigilante in maintaining law and order by the Special Task Force (STF), importance and best ways of crowd control during emergency and role of aid group/vigilante in emergency situation by National

Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Speaking at the event, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Shedrach Best, represented by SA to governor on Islamic Affairs, Nasiru Goshi, said that security issues is responsibility of all and Government alone cannot provide it without the cooperation of communities.

He thanked the organisers and promised that the government would continue to support any genuine step that will help in tackling security challenges in the state.

The workshop which was organised by the Nigeria Aid Group of Jamaatu Nasril Islam, Plateau State Branch engages over 200 participants from different aid groups and vigilantes across the city center with the aim of complimenting the security agents in the maintenance of law and order.

development agenda: the perspective of the social partners”.

The call to action was made during an information session on Ouagadougou +10 by Guy Ryder on the margins of the ILO’s annual International Labour Conference in Geneva.

The session was moderated by Aeneas Chuma, ILO Regional Director for Africa, and attended by more than 500 African tripartite delegates and development partners.

Ondo begins recruitment for pensions scheme board NDICATIONS have emerged IContributory to the effect that the Pension Scheme for retirees in Ondo state would soon become operational, as recruitment into the board has commenced even as plans have been concluded on the inauguration of the Scheme’s board.

The state’s Commissioner for Information Hon. Kayode Akinmade dropped the hint while speaking with newsmen in Akure on the Contributory Pension Scheme, which was recently signed into law by the state Govertnment.

The Commissioner said pensioners in the state would soon begin to savour the joy of retirement more than ever before as the governing body of the pension Scheme is expected to be inaugurated anytime soon.

According to the him, staff of the board was currently being recruited adding that, the recruitment exercise is already nearing completion While signing the Contributory Pension Scheme, the state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko had explained that the decision of his government to fully implement the

Contributory Pension Scheme as witnessed by the signing into Law the Bill passed by the House of Assembly, was borne out of the desire for the workers to get their retirement benefits as and when due.

He assured that the state government would keep faith with its responsibilities under the scheme adding “It must be said that all over the World, Pension Schemes have experienced a lot of troubles due to the mismanagement, unfavorable demographic trends and fiscal indiscipline among Governments”.

He however registered that government would remain committed to workers’ welfare, adding that his administration had made a deliberate investment in the development of human capital as greatest contributors to the Gross Domestic product of the country.

He thus implored workers in the State to sustain their loyalty and double their supports for his administration, adding that with the cooperation of the workers, the vision of his administration to lift the State to an enviable position would be achieved.

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725 Nigerian Citi volunteers engaged in global community day N commemoration of its IDay, yearly global Community more than 700 Nigerian Citi volunteers were part of the over 500,000 volunteers in 479 cities spanning 93 countries around the world that got engaged in service activities to benefit their local communities, Working side-by-side, Citi colleagues, alumni, family and friends demonstrated the company’s commitment to supporting and improving communities by leading and participating in more than 1,200 service projects focused on local needs including urban revitalization, financial literacy and education, housing, health and human services, environmental conservation and disaster relief.

In Lagos, Citi volunteers served the students and teachers of Lagos State Model College, Badore by refurbishing the school’s library.

This involved painting the building, providing books, donating chairs and air conditioning. Citi employees, family and friends also engaged in gardening as they beautified the school grounds with flowers and cleared out the school’s field.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director and CEO, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Omar Hafeez stated that, across Nigeria, more than 700 Citi volunteers today, are working with secondary school students in the country to support their academic performance, inspire their career

aspirations, and draw out their natural talents. ‘’For 30 years in Nigeria and over 200 years globally, Citi has remained committed to providing our communities, stakeholder and clients with the best responsible outcomes, which we will continue to do”, he said.

Also present at the event in Lagos were officials of the Lagos State Model College, Badore including both Principals of the senior and junior secondary schools, Mrs. Z.I Abdulkareem and Mr. F.A Lawal, the Vice Principal Administration, Mrs. Oshunloye, the Vice Principal Academics, Mrs. Jeboda along with several other teachers of the institutions.

In Abuja, Citi Volunteers provided community services to Government College Mabushi by revamping the school’s library. This likewise involved painting the facility, donating books, chairs, fans, air conditioning and window fixtures.

In addition, Citi helped to paint the school’s administrative block.

In Port Harcourt, Citibank Nigeria Limited aided the students of Community Senior Secondary School, Oroworokwo to renovate the schools physics, chemistry, biology and agricultural laboratories whilst providing essential equipment for necessary practicals. Citi volunteers also engaged in environmen-

tal sanitation by sweeping the school’s grounds and washing laboratory materials.

While Citi volunteers have a strong tradition of engaging in community service yearround, Global Community Day is an annual opportunity for Citi colleagues and other participants to join together and use their time, skills and expertise to make a difference in their cities.

Since its launch in 2006, more than 500,000 volunteers have participated in Citi Global Community Day activities, creating lasting impacts on cities around the world and reinforcing the idea that active corporate engagement is an essential component of a livable city.

Council chairman lauds SURE-P grassroots initiatives From John Akubo, Lokoja HE chairman of Kogi Local T government Area, in Kogi state, Ibrahim Labara, has acknowledged the positive impact of the Subsidy Reinvestment And Empowerment Program, (SURE-P), on the ultimate rural dwellers in his domain.

The chairman who stated this in Koton-Karfi, headquarters of the council yesterday, when he conducted a team of journalists who were in the area to inspect SURE-P projects executed by the council, maintained that several lives of rural dwellers have been touched positively by the intervention.

Labaran noted that the provision of motorized boreholes, road rehabilitation and construction, youths and women empowerment among other projects were made possible with the fund coming to his council from the SURE-P headquarters and promised prudent management of fund to his council for the projects.

The chairman promised to always take the welfare of staff of the council seriously He called on the workers to be patient saying that the inability to pay full salaries to the workers by councils was due to the dwindling resource from the federation account.

He commended president

Jonathan for the initiative, saying that the local governments being the closest to the people at the grass roots needed adequate funding to enable them meet their obligation to the citizenry.

He also commended the Kogi state governor, Captain Idris Wada on the efficient handling of the program in the state.

The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kogi state council, Comrade Ali Atabor, who led the delegation, said that what the people want to see is value for their money, hence the need to execute quality projects that can stand the test of time.

Labour chides new electricity owners over inability to improve supply CONTUNED FROM PAGE 35 have the capacity to enforce it.

That is not what is charged out there, because you don’t have the appropriate metering mechanism. People there will use estimation. If you say it is N1 per kilowatt-hour, they will charge N5 by estimation in order to improve their profit.

They will not even provide meters, because that will not give them the required money.

“So, how do you say tariff is this amount, and then what is charged there is different? We have to sit down clearly and harmonize this and not a question of announcing before. We ill challenge it, and we are challenging it until the right thing is done.”

Chairman of the Nigerian electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Aamdi said the purpose the interaction was to build a sustainable relationship with the civil society and labour for better regulation of the sector.

He assured that any money borrowed by investors in the sector was well regulated to ensure that consumers don’t bear the burden.

He said: “The kind of feedback you are giving us now is the reason we want to hear from you. I want to clear two things.

Yes, before we do the tariff change, we do a lot of consultations. This is what is called automatic adjustment. It is already in the process that this is how it would happen.

“On borrowing, we have already provided. It is not that they borrow at any percentage and we take it. It is already

provided for. Cost of money is already regulated. Everything in this market, government or private will come to us once it comes to borrowing money.

For instance, NIPP is a government owned. They are trying to contract somebody to build a gas pipeline and they came to s, and we are going through the fees. Wherever they borrow money from, there is an interest rate that is allowed, and there is a limit on what they can pass to consumers. “ On the relationship with Labour, he stressed: “NERC has always had very close relationship and the entire labour force. Not because they understand the issues very well. In Most cases they have reacted, they have disagreed with us but we have always believed that our primary function is to protect the consumer. And Labour is a very important component of that.

“Throughout the process of building tariff order or tariff, we always consult them, and they have raised objections, but they have raised it in the spirit of cooperation, they have not have been obstructionist. The electricity workers union has been very responsible in all the engagements that they have had with us and I say it before and behind them that they have been responsible. Nevertheless, it is always expected that there would be disagreements either in terms in mathematics in achieving common algebra or mathematics arithmetic. , We could disagree on the outcome; talk more o something like tariff of electricity.

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Women acquire entrepreneurial skills in Akwa Ibom From Ayoyinka Jegede, Uyo OT less than 220 Akwa N Ibom women entrepreneurs have been sensitised on how to access funds, build and nurture business relationships to grow their enterprises from micro to macro levels, following the difficulty they face in raising finance for there businesses.

Declaring open a one -day sensitization workshop organized for women entrepreneurs in the state by the office of the wife of Governor in collaboration with Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP), the Governor’s wife, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, said the theme of the workshop: empowering Akwa Ibom Women through entrepreneurship was apt and appropriate.

Akpabio, in a keynote address, said the workshop sought to sensitize and support women entrepreneurs in the state to benefit from the micro, small and medium enterprises Development Fund (MSME-DF) recently established by the Central Bank of Nigeria with a seed capital of 220 billion, out of which 60% or 132billion is for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria as well as other funding windows.

According to her, the objective tallies with her mission of providing livelihood options for women at the bottom of the economic pyramid, which she has been doing through the Family

Life Enhancement Initiatives (FLEI), noting that over 5,000 women have received skills, business start-up equipment and economic lifelines over the past seven years.

The Governor’s wife, whose message was delivered by the commissioner for women affairs’ and social welfare, Dr. Glory Edet, said, “in family life enhancement initiative (FLEI) we have always been an advocate of women empowerment, be it politically or economically, because we believe that a women is and will remain a powerful tool in our society.

“There has never been a greater need or time for women to start businesses.

We need their abilities, experiences and skills more than ever in the very competitive world of commerce today” and encouraged the participants to be self-confident and develop more skills, say good bye to the words like “I can’t make it or I can’t do it”. The Governor wife expresses the hope that women in Akwa Ibom would through the workshop, learn how to benefit from the fund and be able to change the status quo in financing their businesses, maintaining that collaboration with AKICORP would further the mutual goal of empowering Akwa Ibom Women economically.

Special Adviser and Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP), Chief Senas Ukpanah, said the

workshop was to sufficiently sensitize and motivate participate to appreciate the business opportunities in Akwa Ibom And the requirements for accessing MSME funds, to enable them start up new businesses or expand their ventures.

Ukpanah assured that AKICORP was well positioned and equipped to provide the required post-workshop business management and support services.

“We assure members of our informal as well as the organized private sector that thestateinvestmentcorporation, through sensitization and empowerment programmes, will continuously work to

increase the capacity and growth potentials of Akwa Ibom entrepreneurs”, he stated. The chairman on the opening session, Mrs. Asuama Sydney, urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunity, saying “what you take from this workshop can take you the rest of your life: Sydney, who is the coordinated, family life enhancement initiative (FLEI), while giving recipes for businesses success, encouraged participants to show commitment, avoid idea killers, and work with those who would encouraged them, in addition to calculated risk taking.

Govt urged to adhere to national gender policy From Omotola Oloruntobi, Abuja HE Nigerian Women Trust T Fund has called on the federal and state government as well as civil society organizations to take the lead in adhering to the National Gender Policy.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Ayisha Osori, made the call in Abuja during a press conference on the ‘create her space project’.

Aisha also called for more action that will move Nigeria’s 7% female representation in the National Assembly to the 30% it committed to under the

Millenium Development Goals (MDG’s) According to her the ‘create her space’ project is to encourage more women political participation, adding that Nigeria has the lowest percentage of women in parliament in Africa.

“As you all know Nigerian women are not doing very well in politics in terms of numbers. Around the globe and regional average for women in legislature is 22.2% even here in Africa when you take the statistics, the average is 22.9% meanwhile ours is about 7% and that is very low.

Imoke seeks support for less privileged people From Tina Todo, Calabar IFE of Cross River State W Governor, Mrs Obioma Liyel Imoke has assured the Exquisite Ladies Foundation of her NGO’s readiness to partner with any organization that has passion for alleviation of suffering for the less privilege in society.

Imoke, stated this in Calabar during the 20th anniversary of Exquisite Ladies Foundation as she was honored with Award of Excellence in recognition of her continuous service to humanity.

The governor’s wife who was also inducted as a life member of the foundation, expressed appreciation for the honor given to her by the organization and pledged that her two Non-Governmental Organizations; Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realization (POWER) and Mother’s Against Child Abandonment (MACA) were prepared to partner any organization with the passion for alleviation of the sufferings of the down-trodden and the less privileged in the society.

She described members of the Exquisite Ladies Foundation as women of proven integrity who are committed to impacting skills acquisition projects.

The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Noble Lady Valerie Ebe, commended members of the Foundation for being focused in providing quality programs and projects to the less privileged for over 20 years.

Lady Valerie Ebe, represented

by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Eno Sampson encouraged the women not to relent by keeping the flag flying.

In a lecture titled, “Impact of the Nigerian Woman in the last 100 Years” A professor of Education in the University of Calabar, Prof. Daniel Denga, noted that the impact of women cannot be ignored in view of their monumental contributions to the sociopolitical and economic development of the state and nation and praised the present administration for implementing the 35percent affirmative action which has seen many women occupying various political positions in Government.

He lauded the Exquisite Ladies for organizing the lecture and commended Mrs. Obioma Liyel-Imoke for her initiatives which he said, have empowered women to become selfreliant.

Earlier, the president and founder, Exquisite Ladies Foundation, Lady Lawrencia Ene Ita explained that the foundation deemed it pertinent to honor some personalities who have contributed immensely to Exquisite Ladies Foundation’s numerous achievements which included award of scholarships to over 100 indigent students in the state, regular visits to Motherless Babies and the Good Samaritan homes, capacity building on GirlChild Education, topical heath issues Legal Rights and the proposed skills acquisition centre for the youth.

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ScienceGuardian Scientists advance plans to eliminate malaria • Infection in disease-transmitting mosquito discovered *Vector wiped out in lab with genetic method that creates male-only offspring

Female Anopheles mosquito...scientists have tested a new genetic method that distorts the sex ratio of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, the main transmitters of the malaria parasite, so that the female mosquitoes that bite and pass the disease to humans are no longer produced.

have made three StheCIENTISTS major breakthroughs in search for better treatment and control of malaria and the transmitting vector, female Anopheles mosquito.

The latest of the three new findings is the modification of mosquitoes to produce sperm that will only create males, pioneering a fresh approach to eradicating malaria.

Scientists from Imperial College London, in a study published in the journal Nature Communications, have tested a new genetic method that distorts the sex ratio of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, the main transmitters of the malaria parasite, so that the female mosquitoes that bite and pass the disease to humans are no longer produced.

In the first laboratory tests, the method created a fully fertile mosquito strain that produced 95 per cent male offspring.

The scientists introduced the genetically modified mosquitoes to five caged wildtype mosquito populations.

In four of the five cages, this eliminated the entire population within six generations, because of the lack of females.

The hope is that if this could be replicated in the wild, this would ultimately cause the malaria-carrying mosquito population to crash.

This is the first time that scientists have been able to

manipulate the sex ratios of mosquito populations. The researchers believe the work paves the way for a pioneering approach to controlling malaria.

Also, a research team at the Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Faculty of Medicine and the Centre for Biological Signalling Studies BIOSS at the University of Freiburg, Germany, led by Prof. Dr. Carola Hunte has succeeded in describing how the antimalarial drug atovaquone binds to its target protein. The scientists used xray crystallography to determine the three-dimensional structure of the protein with the active substance bound.

The drug combination atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) is a medication used worldwide for the prevention and treatment of malaria. The data and the resulting findings concerning the mode of action of ato-

vaquone could lead to improved medications against the tropical disease.

Hunte and her team conducted the research at the Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Faculty of Medicine and the Centre for Biological Signalling Studies BIOSS at the University of Freiburg.

The scientists published their findings in the journal Nature Communications.

Also, researchers have found the first evidence of an intercellular bacterial infection in natural populations of two species of Anopheles mosquitoes, the major vectors of malaria in Africa. The infection, called Wolbachia, has been shown in labs to reduce the incidence of pathogen infections in mosquitoes and has the potential to be used in controlling malaria-transmitting mosquito populations.

The study appears online June 6, 2014 in Nature

“

Scientists have modified mosquitoes to produce sperm that will only create males, pioneering a fresh approach to eradicating malaria. Since 2000, increased prevention and control measures have reduced global malaria mortality rates by 42 per cent, but the disease remains a prevalent killer especially in vulnerable sub-Saharan African regions. Malaria control has also been threatened by the spread of insecticide resistant mosquitoes and malaria parasites resistant to drugs.

“

By Chukwuma Muanya with agency reports

Communications. Anopheles mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on the planet. They are responsible for transmitting malaria, which causes more than 600,000 deaths each year and puts half of the world’s population at risk for diseases.

Wolbachia infections spread rapidly through wild insect populations by inducing a reproductive phenomenon called cytoplasm incompatibility (CI), and 66 per cent of arthropod species are infected. However, it was commonly thought that Anopheles mosquitoes were not natural hosts for Wolbachia infections, and attempts to identify infections in these mosquitoes in the field had failed.

Malaria is one of the most dangerous tropical diseases in the world. Anopheles mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium species – unicellular parasites – transmit the disease by biting.

Atovaquone blocks a protein of the respiratory chain in the mitochondria, the power plants of the cell, thus killing off the parasites. However, the pathogen is susceptible to mutations so that drug resistant strains are arising and spreading.

Indeed, since 2000, increased prevention and control measures have reduced global malaria mortality rates by 42 per cent, but the disease remains a prevalent killer especially in vulnerable sub-Saharan African regions.

Nigeria eyes reduction in construction costs with new technology From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja IGERIA is set to join the N league of countries exploring alternative technologies to achieve a reduction in costs of constriction of houses and infrastructure.

The Ministry of Science and Technology announced yesterday that Nigeria’s pilot plant for pozzolana production is at an advanced state of completion at the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) in Ota, Ogun State.

Supervising Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson said at a housing summit in Abuja yesterday, that the nation had recorded a major milestone in research and development into pozzolana cement as alternatives to the hitherto conventional Portland cements.

“Pozzolana cements are products of locally sources, readily available raw materials with cementing properties which will serve as partial replacements to conventional cement. Pozzolanas are known to have the advantage of being more eco-friend,to and are sustainable as their production process entails less harmful emissions into the atmosphere.”

She said the commencement of production from the Ota plant would be a “ major leap towards augmenting Nigeria’s alternative cement needs, a veritable consequences of which will be a reduction in costs of constriction of houses and infrastructure.”

Stressing how meeting housing needs is bedeviled by economic constraints, she noted that construction is a financially intensive endeavor and most Nigerians may not comfortably embark in building construction and finish within the basic means of their income.

“This is the primary reason

why most housing schemes hitherto embarked upon by government failed to see the light of the day. It is essentially because miss Nigerians did not qualify for various financial and mortgage options available in the system. Thus sourcing and deploying of materials for building, where the land to build is available, is an onerous and herculean task to achieve. In instances where the project finance is available, acquiring tenured land is often a challenge for individuals,” the Minister noted.

She went on: “ Again, the quest for greener pasture has also constituted a major problem or cause of escalating deficits in the housing subsector. This is because our urban centers are inundated by an influx of job seeking rural- urban who end up living in squalor situations just to make ends meet.

Researchers have affirmed, for instance, that on daily basis, only about 10% of visitors to Abuja ever want to travel back; most come with the intent of staying permanently.

“This is no doubt an alarming situation because this rate of influx is both unprecedented and unplanned. The influx has given rise to a heightened urbanization growth rate in Nigeria, currently put at 5.8% per annum and adjudged one of the highest globally. For this reason, our urban and semi- urban infrastructure has been over stretched, turning some of these settlements into squalor and unkempt neighborhoods.

“We must therefore explore avenues of alleviating these acute housing shortages in addition to the fact that housing is another integral component of the critical infrastructure to accelerate economic development and forms a substantial part of the Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) of most developed countries.”

Wood-waste biofuel to cut greenhouse gas, transform shipping industry sustainable biofuel made A from Norwegian forest wood waste could help transform the shipping industry and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

Alternative sustainable fuels are urgently needed in the marine transport sector due to stringent upcoming regulations demanding reduced sulphur and carbon content in diesels and oils from January 2015.

Aston University (UK) scientists are involved in the ReShip project, which will use low quality wood waste, chippings and unmerchantable wood left in forests after logging has occurred to produce new biofuels. Via the process of fast pyrolysis, where material is heated in the absence of oxygen, the wood will be converted into crude pyrolysis oil.

Compared to petroleum-based oil, however, crude pyrolysis oil cannot be used for direct use in

diesel engines as it is too unstable.

To counter this, the Aston team, led by Professor Tony Bridgwater, will look to stabilise freshly produced pyrolysis biofuel through mild, rapid, low temperature catalytic hydrogen treatment. In cooperation with the Paper and Fibre Research Institute in Norway they will also seek to blend the bio-oil with conventional diesel and surfactant to form a multi-component fuel.

The most promising fuels will then be engine tested to assess their quality and use for potential marine transport.

Professor Bridgwater, Director of the European Bioenergy Research Institute at Aston University, said: “This project will establish a knowledge platform for cost-effective production of all new sustainable fuels which have the potential to completely alter marine travel.

40 | SCIENCE GUARDIAN Thursday, June 12, 2014

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‘Access to safe blood key in maternal deaths’ prevention’

By Chukwuma Muanya HEAD of the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) 2014, on Saturday June 14, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) are leading the call for all countries and national and international partners working on blood transfusion and maternal health to develop an activity plan to highlight the need for timely access to safe blood and blood products in the prevention of maternal deaths.

According to WHO, more than half a million women die every year during pregnancy, 99 per cent of them in the developing world. The most common cause of maternal mortality is haemorrhage during or shortly after delivery, contributing to 34 per cent of maternal deaths in Africa, 31

A

• NBTS decries high cost of processing products per cent in Asia, and 21 per cent in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The NBTS, however, decried the high cost of processing blood in Nigeria, which it puts at N100,000 to produce a unit of blood screened with ELISA technology for four bloodborne infections, namely HIV, Hepatitis B and C viruses and syphilis.

ELIZA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is a test that uses antibodies and color change to identify a substance.

WHO recommends that all blood donations should be screened for infection prior to use. Screening should be mandatory for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis.

It has been shown that blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, but many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood.

WHO and NBTS recommend that all activities related to blood collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution should be coordinated at the national level through effective organization and a national blood policy. “This should be supported by appropriate legislation to promote uniform implementation of standards and consistency in the quality and safety of blood and blood products.”

According to a statement from the WHO, the focus for this year’s WBDD campaign is “Safe blood for saving mothers”. “The campaign will increase awareness about why timely access to safe blood and blood products is essential for all countries as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent maternal deaths. The event raises awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood,” the statement reads.

Coordinator, Blood Transfusion Safety at WHO, Dr. Neelam Dhingra, in a paper titled “Making Safe Blood Available in Africa” said: “Blood transfusion is frequently central to the management of lifethreatening anemia, but blood shortages are experienced throughout Africa. These have a particular impact on women and children.

“Globally, more than half a million women die each year as a result of complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Of the 20 countries with the highest maternal death rates, 19 are in sub-Saharan Africa where the risk of maternal death is one in 16, compared with one in 2800 in rich countries. The most common cause of maternal death is severe bleeding, which can kill even a healthy woman within two hours, if unattended; in Africa, severe bleeding during delivery or after childbirth contributes to up to 44 per cent of maternal deaths. Many of these deaths could be prevented through access to safe blood.”

According to the WHO, Nigeria is one of the 73 countries that collect more than 50 per cent of their blood supply from family/replacement or paid donors, and one of the 110 countries that do not produce plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) through the fractionation of plasma collected in the country, but rather

Smith import PDMPs from abroad.

National coordinator, NBTS, Dr Oluawatoyin Smith, told journalist that the actual cost of processing blood is high.

She said: “It costs about a N100,000 to produce a unit of safe blood screened with ELISA technology for four bloodborne infections, namely HIV, Hepatitis B & C viruses and Syphilis. The N2, 000 fees that the service collects from hospitals or individuals for a unit of blood is at a highly subsidized rate: “The act of screening is capital intensive. We have to screen a unit of blood for four different blood-borne infections. Even if the hospitals want to venture into screening blood units, it might be difficult for them to sustain because the process is capital intensive. So what we do is to advise hospitals to partner with us because it doesn’t make any economic sense for everyone to collect and screen blood.”

According to the Country Director, Safe Blood for Africa, Dr. Idris Saliu, about 1.5 million units of blood are required annually to take care of the estimated 170 million Nigerians.

However, a National Baseline Data Survey on blood transfusion recently indicated that only about half a million units of blood were collected from private and public sources.

Coordinator, NBTS, Abuja centre, Dr. Omo Izedonmwen, told journalists that Abuja and its environs require about 3,500 to 4,000 units of blood monthly to meet the blood needs of patients. He added that currently the centre gets about 600 units of blood every

month, which is far less than what is required for one month.

Izedonmwen said: “This year alone we have got close to about 600 units of blood every month, which comes to about 2,400 units from January to date. I must quickly add that this is less than the requirement for one month.

Abuja and its environs require about 3,500 to 4000 units of blood every month to meet the blood needs.”

According to the WHO and NBTS, blood saves lives if the blood itself is safe. To ensure that blood is safe, stringent measures should be put in place to screen blood before it is transfused into patients.

They insist that an adequate and reliable supply of safe blood can be assured by a stable base of regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors. These donors are also the safest group of donors as the prevalence of bloodborne infections is lowest among this group.

The World Health Assembly resolution (WHA63.12) urges all Member States to develop national blood systems based on voluntary non-remunerated blood donation and work towards the goal of self-sufficiency.

Smith said these challenges led to the emergence of the NBTS. She said efforts to establish a national blood transfusion service in Nigeria date back to the early 60s. Smith said these efforts were geared towards adequate provision and equitable distribution of safe blood throughout the country in order to eliminate

the hazards associated with a de-centralised, hospital-based and an unregulated blood transfusion service.

Smith said the NBTS also conducts a lot of advocacy to hospitals so they understand that the Service serves as a blood bank. She explained: “We also recruit voluntary blood donors. We visit institutions, churches, markets, mosques; we go where students gather, like the NYSC camps for example. We sensitize them on the benefits of blood donation. Ours is to ensure that blood for transfusion is safe and also to have it in large quantities. If we wait for people to walk in and just donate freely, we might not be able to meet the blood needs of our people.”

Izedonmwen decried the policy that set up the NBTS, which does not enable it regulate blood transfusion practice in the country. “At the moment, there is no law in the country regarding blood donation. The National Blood policy is yet to be backed by legislation. So as it is now, it is a free-for- all,” she stated.

According to Smith, in order reduce the burden on the patients in need of blood; a meeting was held last year between the NBTS and some private and public hospitals in the country on how they could access blood from the service at the rate of N2, 000 per unit.

During the meeting, it was agreed that since the hospitals could access a unit of blood from the service at the rate of N2,000 they should make it available to their patients at a reasonable rate of between N2,500 to N5,000. However, while some hospitals have kept to that agreement, others charge much more than that.

WHO recommends that all countries have transfusion committees to implement national policy and guidelines on rational use of blood in hospitals and a national haemovigilance system to monitor and improve the safety of the transfusion process.

Smith further explained: “We are aware that some of the hospitals charge more than that and we have written to those of them that we investigated and found to be charging N10,000 per unit, even after having accessed it from the service at the rate of N2,000. We wrote them to reduce the fees charged. In the absence of enabling legislation, we can only appeal to the doctors and hospitals to stop making unnecessary gains at the expense of their patients.”

For this reason, Saliu called for a law establishing the Blood Transfusion Services.

NAFDAC destroys N120m fake drugs, foods

By Joseph Okoghenun N the spirit of reducing drug adulteration in Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake drugs and foods worth over N120 million.

Speaking at the destruction site at Sagamu in Ogun State recently, NAFDAC Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii, who led the operation, said while some of the drugs where seized from manufacturers, importers and distributors in Lagos State, oth-

I

ers expired ones were willingly turned in to NAFDAC by some compliant pharmaceutical companies for destruction.

Orhii, who was represented by NAFDAC Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. Garba Macdonald, said the fight against counterfeit drugs was a global one, adding that Nigerians should “join in the fight by providing the agency with valuable information about any suspicious activities noticed within their environment.”

The DG added that the agency’s effort in the fight against fake and counterfeit products was yielding tremendous success, saying that “ we have continued to aggressively pursue the goals of ensuring that only genuine medicines and wholesome food of the right quality is imported, exported, manufactured and distributed.”

Some of the drugs and consumables destroyed included regulated herbal drugs, insecticides, infant milk products,

power drinks, diapers and various brands of drugs.

Orhii said: “ We are succeeding in the war against counterfeiting in Nigeria, in the sense that we have been able to curb the re-introduction of spurious , counterfeit and unwholesome products from finding their way back into the market. Ads you are witnessing today, NAFDAC destroyed counterfeit and unwholesome food products seixed from unscrupulous individuals and also damaged, expired products voluntarily submitted by companies.

Thursday, June 12, 2014 | 41

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NaturalHealth Father’s alcohol status could influence son

Furore over detoxification therapies

TRONG links have already Ssusceptible been found between how an individual is to

• Studies identify local recipes • Fasting triggers immune system regeneration

alcohol use disorders and the drinking habits of their parents, but a new study examining mice suggests that a father’s excessive alcohol consumption could influence the effects of his son’s drinking, even before their conception.

Earlier this year, Medical News Today wrote about a drive from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase levels of alcohol screening and counseling in order to combat high levels of drinking in adults. The CDC reported that at least 38 million Americans drink too much, a figure that includes binge drinkers, those with high weekly alcohol use, and any alcohol use by pregnant women and those under 21.

Research indicates that genetic factors do influence alcoholism. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) state that the children of alcoholics are about four times more likely than the general population to develop alcohol problems.

Grants from the NIAAA funded the new study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, which was published in PLOS ONE this week. The study aimed to test the authors’ hypothesis that alcohol drinking and neurobiological sensitivity to alcohol are influenced by ancestral alcohol exposure.

Newborns exposed to dirt have lower allergy, asthma risk NFANTS exposed to rodent Igens and pet dander, roach allerand a wide variety of household bacteria in the first year of life appear less likely to suffer from allergies, wheezing and asthma, according to results of a study conducted by scientists at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and other institutions.

Previous research has shown that children who grow up on farms have lower allergy and asthma rates, a phenomenon attributed to their regular exposure to microorganisms present in farm soil. Other studies, however, have found increased asthma risk among inner-city dwellers exposed to high levels of roach and mouse allergens and pollutants.

The new study confirms that children who live in such homes do have higher overall allergy and asthma rates but adds a surprising twist: Those who encounter such substances before their first birthdays seem to benefit rather than suffer from them.

Importantly, the protective effects of both allergen and bacterial exposure were not seen if a child’s first encounter with these substances occurred after age one, the research found.

A diagram showing fruits, vegetables and water often used in detoxification programmes

They are in vogue, they promise to remove toxins from the body, prevent onset of degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and infertility, induce weight loss, and boost the immune system. But another school of thought says detoxification treatments are not just a waste of money but they can actually harm the human body. However, recent studies have validated drinking enough water, fasting, exercise and local herbs such as bitter kola and bitter leaf for therapeutic detoxification. CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes.

OME scientists claim detoxiStrendy fication diets, such as the juice fasting, is nothing but a waste of time and money.

Sense About Science, a United Kingdom (UK)-based charitable trust determined that most commercial products’ detoxification claims lack any supporting evidence.

The group say that instead of subsisting on raw fruit and vegetables and shunning sugar and caffeine to cleanse the body of chemicals, all people need is a glass of water and a good night’s sleep.

According to a report published by DailyMail UK, a mythbusting guide on the chemicals that form part of people’s everyday lives states that the human body is perfectly capable of protecting itself from life’s excesses. And it is a myth that the process can be speeded by special diets, body wraps or pills.

“The gut stops many potential poisons getting into the system in the first place. And the liver deals with those that do,” the report stated.

But the Joint Medical Director of Mart-Life Detox Clinic, a modern Mayr medical spa, based in Ikeja, Lagos, Prof.

Oladapo Ashiru, differs. Ashiru fears that though the human body has an amazing cleansing system for eliminating toxins that accumulate in the body, it can also become inefficient and allow toxins to build up and be stored, especially in

body fat.

Ashiru explained: “Detoxification aims at removing harmful substances from the human body through a combination of holistic health concepts.

These chemicals are simply not going to go away, but we must fight them and eliminate them from our system through the process of detoxification, based on the modern Mayr medicine, which has been in existence for about 100 years now.”

Modern Mayr medicine, established by an Austrian Physician Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr over 100 years ago, is a combination of different holistic health concepts whose objective is to successfully guide people to lasting health and enhanced performance over the long term.

However, several herbal detoxifiers have been identified but some come with undesirable side effects. For example the popular zobo drink made from the calyx (flower part) of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) has been successfully used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases such as cough, hypertension, stomach disorders, loss of appetite, upper respiratory congestion, nerve and heart disorders and menstrual difficulties.

But recent studies suggest that although it could be used to reduce the risk of kidney

damage in diabetics, high doses could lead to kidney damage.

The study titled: “Toxicilogical effects of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on the liver and kidney,” was published in Journal of College of Medicine.

Scientifically validated local detoxifiers without unpleasant side effects include: bitter kola, bitter leaf, water, carrots, leafy green vegetable juices such as fluted pumpkin (ugu in Ibo), turmeric, apples, among others.

Also, a study in the June 5 issue of the Cell Press journal Cell Stem Cell shows that cycles of prolonged fasting not only protect against immune system damage- a major side effect of chemotherapy - but also induce immune system regeneration, shifting stem cells from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal.

According to Wikipedia, detoxification is the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, including, but not limited to, the human body and additionally can refer to the period of withdrawal during which an organism returns to homeostasis after long-term use of an addictive substance. In medicine, detoxification can be achieved by decontamination of poison ingestion and the use of antidotes as well as techniques

such as dialysis and (in a limited number of cases) chelation therapy.

Many alternative medicine practitioners promote various types of detoxification such as detoxification diets.

The Making Sense Of Chemical Stories guide states: “This process does not occur any more effectively as a result of taking ‘detox’ tablets, wearing ‘detox’ socks, having a ‘detox’ body wrap, eating nettle root extract, drinking herbal infusions, following a special ‘detox’ diet or using any of the other products and rituals that are promoted.”

It adds: “Save your money: Have a glass of tap water and a good night’s sleep.”

Although detoxing is particularly common at New Year, it is still popular at other times among those who feel they have over-indulged.

They hope that by avoiding ‘poisons’ such as sugar and caffeine and purifying their systems, they will lose weight and gain energy.

Television presenter Carol Vorderman has written a book about a 28-day diet plan and Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow has extolled the virtues of a £50 hot chocolate.

But Alan Boobis, a toxicologist at Imperial College London, who contributed to the guide, said: “The body’s own detoxification systems

are remarkably sophisticated and versatile. They have to be, as the natural environment that we evolved in is hostile.”

Others experts were more blunt. Dr John Hoskins, an independent consultant toxicologist, said: “The only thing that loses weight on a detox diet is your wallet.”

John Emsley, a chemical scientist and popular science writer, dismissed the idea of taking herbal teas or ‘fancy’ bottled waters as “nonsense”.

Catherine Collins, an National Health Scheme (NHS) dietician, described detoxing as “a marketing myth” and a “silly concept”.

The guide, which was compiled by the charity Sense About Science, also urges people not to automatically assume that because something is a chemical it is dangerous.

It says that everything is made of chemicals – and that apples are made up of many more compounds than some brightly coloured children’s sweets.

Fasting induce immune system regeneration In the first evidence of a natural intervention triggering stem cell-based regeneration of an organ or system, a study shows that cycles of prolonged fasting not only protect against immune system damage- a major side effect of chemotherapy- but also induce immune system regeneration, shifting stem cells from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal.

According to the study published in Cell Stem Cell, in both mice and a Phase 1 human clinical trial, long periods of not eating significantly lowered white blood cell counts.

In mice, fasting cycles then “flipped a regenerative switch”: changing the signaling pathways for hematopoietic stem cells, which are responsible for the generation of blood and immune systems, the research showed.

Herbal detoxifiers Nigerian researchers have demonstrated how a mixture of bitter kola (Garcinia kola) and honey protects the liver from damage caused by the consumption of toxic substances and drugs.

The study published recently in Nigerian Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is titled “Protective Effect of Garcinia kola Seed and Honey Mixture Against Paracetamol-induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats.”

The researchers concluded: “Garcinia kola seed (GKS), honey or a mixture of both acted as anti-hepatotoxic agent because it was able to significantly reduce the elevated serum total bilirubin concentration and enzyme activities in rats exposed to paracetamol treatment. The observed anti- hepatotoxic activity might be linked to

CONTINUED ON PAGE 47

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42 | NATURAL HEALTH Thursday, June 12, 2014

‘Why tooth picking is bad for oral health’ • Dentists brainstorm in Lagos

By Wole Oyebade HE health hazard inherent in the use of toothpicks or other sharp objects on the teeth may be more severe than most Nigerians thought.

Besides there link to most oral discomforts, they are potential recipe for grave diseases like mouth cancer, dentists have warned.

The dentists, under the aegis of the Nigerian Dental Association said this at a briefing to herald their biennial general meeting, currently holding in Lagos. Theme of the conference is: “Nigeria at 100 years: The dentistry perspective.”

Scheduled for discussion at the scientific conference are challenges like low oral health awareness and a huge need for oral health care among the populace; misconceptions and absence of coordinated system for collective oral health date in the country.

Others are inadequate manpower to meet the oral health needs and inadequate distribution of available oral health facilities.

Member of the association, Dr Evelyn Eshikena observed that several of the dental issues today have their origin in common bad habits among the populace.

Among the habits are use of toothpicks, pin, biting on hard substances like bones; all of which damage the enamel – a hard thin calcium-containing layer that covers and protects the crown of a tooth – and cause cracks.

“Tooth picking is a bad habit,” she said. “We don’t advise the use of wooden picks or pins to pick in-between your teeth.

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Marketing Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Friday Enaholo (left); General Manager, Marketing, Mr. Ola Ijimakin; and Corporate Services Manager, Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo, during the press presentation of the new Gascol Sugar-free Variant held at Fidson Healthcare Plc’s corporate head office in Lagos

Fidson introduces sugar, saltfree antacid, Gascol, for dieters

By Chukwuma Muanya ETERMINED to meet the needs of dieters especially persons with diabetes and hypertension, Fidson HealthCare Plc has introduced a sugar and salt free antacid, Gascol, that promises relief from constipation, ulcer, bloating in 10 minutes.

General Manager Marketing of Fidson HealthCare Plc, Mr. Ola Ijimakin, and the Marketing Manager, Mr. Friday Enahoro, at the media launch of Gascol sugar-free antacid containing Magaldrate & Simethicone in Lagos, last week, said the product is uniquely different.

Ijimakin said Gascol sugar free is specifically formulated for persons on low sugar diet, ideal for all health conscious persons and combines rapid and sustained symptom relief with excellent safety profile.

Ijimakin said that it provides relief of gastric pain associated hyperacidity in heartburn, gastric reflux and indigestion as well as relief of hyperacidity- induced pain associated with gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis and peptic esophagitis, and pregnancy-related acid reflux.

Ijimakin further stated: ““5ml to 10 millilitres taken 30 minutes after a meal or at bed time and as and when required will provide more rapid and sustained symptom relief than conventional antacids, is deal for persons on sugar restricted diets, diabetics, and has better safety profile.”

Enahoro described antacid as a substance, which neutralizes stomach acid and provides relief from acid-related pain.

He said the efficacy of antacids measured by three indices: quantity of the antacid required to provide relief from acid-related pain; extent of relief from such pain; and length of time that the patient stays pain free, which in medical parlance is referred to Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC).

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Enahoro said Gascol is effective in low doses that is possesses a large ANC, produces sustained relief and does not cause bloating, does not cause diarrhea or constipation, have a low sodium content, has no drug-drug interactions, is readily available, and cost effective.

According to United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Magaldrate is unique chemical combination of aluminium and magnesium hydroxides, has rapid onset of action and a large ANC; Simethicone is a potent deflatulent that prevents gas accumulation in the gut.

Enahoro said Gascol is uniquely formulated to provide coating effect due to supplementary non antacid ingredients in the suspension that is

viscosity and coating (Proprietary SAIITO Process).

He said Gascol is presented in four exciting variants designed to meet the uniqueness of every patients: Classic; Banana; Strawberry; and Sugar-free.

Why Flavors? Enahoro explained: “Several clinical trials confirm that the taste/flavor of a medication influences compliance and a pleasantly flavored medication improves compliance and clinical outcomes.

“Gascol sugar free is the first antacid in Nigeria specially formulated for persons on low sugar diets. Does not contain sugar or any artificial sweeteners. Specially formulated for persons on sugar-restricted diets. Suitable for all healthconscious persons.”

According to MedilinePlus, “antacids help to treat heartburn (indigestion). They work by changing the stomach acid that causes your heartburn.

You can buy many antacids without a prescription. Liquid forms work faster, but you may like tablets because they are easy to use.

“All antacids work equally as well, but they can cause different side effects. If you use antacids often and have problems with side effects, talk with your doctor.

“Antacids are a good treatment for heartburn that does not happen very often. Take antacids about 1 hour after eating or at the time heartburn usually happens after you eat.

If you are taking them for symptoms at night, do not take them with food.”

Ikuforiji, NGO launch campaign against maternal mortality

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku campaign titled “Not Again” which is geared towards mobilizing a mass army of women and maternal health activists from both the civil society and the government to increase the momentum towards the reduction and eventual elimination of preventable maternal deaths has been launched.

Initiated by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and supported by MacArthur Foundation, the formal launch which was performed in Lagos on Monday by the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji brought together over 100 women from all walks of life including pregnant women and some notable women like human right activists, Dr. Joe Odumakin; Mrs. Ogunnaike who represented Director, Ministry of Women Affairs, Lagos State; Vice Chairmen of different Local Governments in Lagos among others.

Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director, WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi said

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that the campaign is “to improve the health of women and children in Nigeria as far as more attention and action is needed to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to raise maternal and child health of underdeveloped and developing country countries to a level equitable with the rest of the world.”

Afolabi who revealed that Nigeria rates second to India in maternal mortality stressed that even the reduction at 630 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in Nigeria remains unacceptably high stating that motherhood should be a positive and fulfilling experience which should not be associated with ill health or death that are easily preventable.

This she said necessitated the campaign “Not Again”, a slogan that captures the essential vision of the nationwide advocacy campaign: “Not Again should another woman die needlessly at childbirth, Not Again should children be orphaned by maternal death, Not Again should their developmental and life chances be stunted by maternal death, Not Again should a woman die

while giving birth. Every woman matters. No woman should die while giving life. Not Again!”

Abiola revealed further that the organisation intends to promote the discourse that maternal health issue is a human rights concern and that government has the obligations to ensure that women’s human rights are respected, promoted and protected. She said that they also intend to joint efforts with the government and health professionals to create and increase public awareness on maternal health issues as a human rights concern for public discourse, demand provision of quality maternal health services which will contribute to significant reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity in the country.

Part of these she said the organisation wants to achieve through a strategic approachto educate, organize, and mobilize women across the country and from the small local community to the national level as an active force in the campaign which will run at the national and, state and local level to reach the maximum number of people possible.

When you do, you tend to damage the gum and widen the space between the teeth.

By the time you keep having food particles packing inthere, it cause diseases to the gum.

“What we advocate is the use of dental flosses – tiny ropes – that can be used to clean inbetween the teeth together with the use of tooth brushes to prevent food packing inbetween the gun as well as health of the gum,” she said.

Eshikena added that another bad-habit that should be condemned is eating in-between meals, especially sweet things. Most ideal is to eat fruits, which also help in teeth cleansing. She advised that the mouth should be rinsed properly with water after eating.

Tooth brushing. “A lot of people go to the market to buy any type of toothbrush for use, including hard brushes that are just not right for everyone. But if you visit your dentist, he or she would be able to tell you the state of your teeth or oral health and prescribe the adequate type of brush that suits your need.

“Soft brushes are good for children and adults that have had damages to their teeth, those that had over the years used hard brushes and have damaged their enamel with attendant sensitivity.

Medium-textured tooth brushes are advised for many people. Harder tooth brushes are advised for those who have stains on their teeth, like those who smoke or take a lot of coffee. The dentists have to teach you how to use them properly, so as not to cause further damages.”

NEIMETH launches novel drug combo for hypertension

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku EIMETH International Pharmaceuticals Plc, an N indigenous pharmaceutical company with a history for innovation and customer-centricism has again delved into the antihypertensive market with the launch of a novel product, Norduet.

The product, whose action at lowering blood pressure is synergistic, is an antihypertensive that combines the vasodilator action of Amlodipine with the diuretic actions of hydrochlorothiazide. It is indicated for mild to moderate hypertension, and is contraindicated in patients with known sensitivity to dihydropyridines, thiazides or any of its ingredients.

Speaking at the launch of the product at the company’s head office, Ikeja, Lagos, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Pharm. Emmanuel Ekunno said that the product is formulated particularly for the black man as a result of his difference in clinical cause and outcome from that of the whites in handling sodium, and dedicated to the fight against hypertension.

According to him, “this is the first time in black Africa such a drug is launched. It has been shown that the clinical cause and outcome of hypertension in the black man is different from that of the whites- don’t forget that salt is foreign to the blacks; the white man handles

salt more, they eat it more genetically. So, because of this history and genetics, the black man is not very comfortable in handling sodium and so, the black hypertension has what we call water or sodium implications. In other words, if you don’t add a particular kind of drug like diuretic in managing the black hypertensive, you won’t get the kind of a result you want and that is the problem.

“So, this drug has diuretic.

Diuretic means something that will make you urinate more and reduce salt and water from the body.”

Disclosing the launch of Fight the Good Fight Against Hypertension (FITGAH) by the company last year which he noted is the company’s “reversed marketing innovation aimed at reducing the cost of antihypertensives by 50percent in order to use affordability to drive therapeutic compliance in hypertensives”, Ekunno who revealed that the company who fight the scourge at three fronts with awareness, availability and affordability has through the launch of Norduet added to the arsenal of their key antihypertensives which are Miniplus, Normoretic and Amlovar.

He was optimistic that the product would be of immense benefits to prescribers noting that its synergistic mode of action combines the needed qualities required in effective management of hypertension.

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Chukwu, Ejionueme, Babalola, others eulogise Akunyili From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Ado Ekiti), Abiodun Fanoro and Chukwuma Muanya (Lagos) ORE eulogies have continM ued to pour in for late former Minister of Information and Communication, and Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili.

Minister of Health Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, while expressing a deep sense of loss and pain over the untimely death, said: “Prof. Akunyili was an internationally renowned pharmacist, pharmacologist, erudite scholar, administrator, accomplished defender and protector of public safety.

“She served her country in numerous strategic positions including as Director-General of NAFDAC, Federal Minister of Information and Communication and most recently as a delegate to the ongoing National Conference.”

Meanwhile, the foremost legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has described the late Minister of Information Prof. Dora Akunyili as a woman of character with integrity.

Former Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Leke Pitan, lent his voice tributes, saying successive government and people in the State would for ever be grateful to the late Akunyuli for her bold and landmark effort in reducing the menace of fake and adulterated drugs in the state during her stewardship as DirectorGeneral of NAFDAC. For Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), under Bunmi Olaopa, she was an icon of selfless service and deep commitment to the promotion of general wellbeing of her countrymen.

In similar vein, former Director of Enforcement at NAFDAC, and Akunyili’s right hand man in the war against fake and counterfeit drugs, Barrister Dioka Ejionueme, has expressed shock and disbelief on the death of his erstwhile boss.

Ejionueme, who is also a pharmacist, better known for his courageous exploits, has retired from NAFDAC into active legal practice and consulting. He said that by Akunyili’s death Nigeria has

lost one of her most patriotic and passionately committed citizens.

Continuing, Chukwu said: “Her appointment as the Director-General of NAFDAC in April, 2001 was a game changer; by dint of hard work, an uncommon personal commitment to duty, honesty and fearlessness even in the face of assassination attempts, she brought NAFDAC out of relative obscurity into what has now become a household name, with the ubiquitous ‘NAFDAC Number’ assuming an iconic status in Nigeria, nay, all over the world “During her tenure as Director General of NAFDAC, 2001-2008, the production, importation and circulation of fake, substandard and counterfeit or adulterated drugs, medicaments and foods dropped significantly from over 60 per cent to about 16 per cent thus contributing in no small way in the saving of an unquantifiable number of lives in Nigeria. This was simply revolutionary. She set the stage for the new mantra of Zero Tolerance to fake, substandard, counterfeit or adulterated foods and drugs in the country.”

The minister in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dan Nwomeh, said he was deeply pained and devastated by the untimely death of the outstanding patriot who believed so much in the innate goodness of Nigerians and still had so much to offer to our dear country.

He maintained that Prof.

Akunyili was one of the iconic figures in the 100 years of Nigeria.

Chukwu extended his deepest sympathy to her family, loved ones, numerous admirers, her community and the government and good people of Anambra State and indeed Nigeria in general.

Ejionueme, in a statement, sympathized with Dr. Chike Akunyili and the entire Akunyili and Edemobi families of Agulu and Nanka respectively in Anambra state.

Considering that Dr. Akunyili, Dora’s husband is an experienced doctor, Ejionueme said he felt part of the obvious harrowing experience he had watching his wife being gradually eaten away by an agoniz-

Dora NkemAkunyili, has been a woman after my heart in many ways, particularly as our paths met during her determined and unbending war against the manufacturing and or importation as well as sale of fake and counterfeit food and drugs during her stint as the DirectorGeneral of NAFDAC which began on April 12, 2001.

“What stands this Professor of Pharmacy out is her patriotism, determination, selflessness and her strength of character to use her office, and indeed, her all, for the achievement for the good of the majority.

“The life and times of Dora Akunyili, a renowned academic and robust administrator, present a cornucopia of lessons for Nigerian leaders. I was very close to the departed star as the lawyer to NAFDAC during her tenure as DG, NAFDAG and I affirm that she was bold and courageous: for it is only a bold, courageous, determined, focused and selfless person that will continue a battle after she escaped death by the whiskers after the assassin’s bullet pierced her head-gear on Boxing Day in 2003.

Uzodinma lauds Jonathan on investment in health sector From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HAIRMAN, Senate C Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodimma has said that the Goodluck–Jonathan administration has made more investments to improve the healthcare sector than any previous administration in the country.

Presenting the first public lecture of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, titled “Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria; Challenges and Prospects”, Senator Uzodimma, disclosed that as part of efforts to check the polio menace in the country, the government had doubled

the funding of polio eradication activities to N4.7 billion, while a Presidential Task Force on polio eradication had been constituted.

He said government had ensured the introduction of new vaccines for the management of cerebrospinal meningitis, which confers a 10-year protection and pentavalent vaccines (PPT, HB, Hib).

According to him, “These vaccines will help our children against additional diseases, (childhood pneumonia and Hepatitis B), in addition, the federal ministry of health got approval from GAVI for the introduction of pneumonoccal conjugate vaccines in 2013 to prevent pneumonia and meningitis”.

On cancer control, he disclosed that federal government had established new national cancer screening centres in Federal medical centre, Gusau, University of Port – Harcourt Teaching Hospital, National Obstetric Fistula Centre Abakaliki, Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Federal Medical Centre, Ebuta metta, Lagos and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.

To demonstrate government’s concern to check the spread of malaria in Nigeria under its Roll Back Malaria Programme, he said the federal government recently distributed additional 7 LLINS, bringing the total to N51.7 mil-

DEVCOMS Network trains journalists on maternal, child health

By Chuka Odittah,Abuja non governmental organiA zation,Devcoms Network has trained health reporters on maternal and child health reporting in the country, saying the media remains the most legitimate watchdog to hold policy makers accountable for their actions.

Speaking in Abuja at the one-day workshop, Ayodele Adesanmi, Programme Officer of the Network, said the training was important to stem the tide of child birth related maternal death in the country, especially in the rural areas where access to health care delivery is poor.

According to him, until the media takes responsibility for following up on developments in the heath sector, impunity would continue leading to death of many women.

He said that accountability begins with national sovereignty and the responsibility of government to its people and the global community at large,emphasizing that the media must be on its toes to

monitor promises and results that impact on rights of women, children and all citizens to affordable health care services.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Segun Adeoye from the Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Nigeria, stressed the need for health reporters to all keep abreast of issues and policies statements in the sector, to be able to drive accountability and monitoring of the crucial sector. He said the media must be in the lead by constantly studying healthcare policies.

He decried the poor coverage of maternal and child mortality issues in the media, saying the emphasis on politics is a distraction to issues of maternal deaths which involves the daily loss of women of all ages in child birth related cases. He said until the media scales up reportage of maternal mortality by closely following up on current data across various communities, Nigeria would continue to top the list of countries with one of the highest maternal death glob-

Procter & Gamble promotes fitness, healthy living RUSTED leaders in con- ucts. “As suppliers of family T sumer goods, Procter & consumer products, we Gamble this weekend, encour- always encourage a healthy

Late Dora Akunyili ing and terminal illness.

Referring to his days in NAFDAC as one of the very visible directors under Prof.

Akunyili’s, Barr. Ejionueme said that: “Dora’s NAFDAC took Nigeria like a whirlwind in unprecedented, transparent and passionate five-star performance in public service’.

According to him, ‘for once in a very long while, a Nigerian system worked and everybody, whether big or small, was made to fall into line. As a consequence, millions of lives were saved by the effective strategies put in place by Dora to implement existing laws, rules and regulations pertaining to NAFDAC mandate.’

Ejionueme said “Prof. Dora’s death is very painful but Nigerians will never forget her and the impact she made on their lives especially as the DG of NAFDAC.” Paying tribute to Mrs Akunyili, the Founder of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado Ekiti said, “Our departed heroine and protagonist of action, discipline, orderliness and decency, a citizen of the world of African descent, Prof.

43

lion, even as memorandum on the integrated test, treat, cure and larviciding project had been sent to the federal executive council in 2012.

Senator Uzodimma, said a lot had been achieved on the Sure – P maternal and child health programme, as more than 3,960 healthcare workers been recruited by the federal government and deployed to mostly rural communities that had suffered neglect previously, adding that the workers comprised of 929 midwives, 1,983 community health extension workers and 1,248 female village health workers for North-East and North-West zones of the country.

aged Nigerians by setting the pace for healthy living with their Family Funfair day. The fun fair which held on Saturday June 7, 2014 at the Fun Factory, Lekki, hosted families to a day of healthy games and outdoor activities aimed at fostering active lifestyle in Nigerian homes.

Hosted by ex-Super Eagles stars, Peter Rufai and Mutiu Adepoju, the event was spiced with World Cup trivia games, mini tournaments, health talks and fitness drills administered by the World Cup veterans, who are also marking 20 years of their first appearance at the World Cup through the event.

Speaking, Ayotomiwa Ajewole the Brand Communications Manager at Procter & Gamble described the event as the company’s way of encouraging fitness in line with the oncoming world cup in all users of their prod-

lifestyle through both our products and our activities as an organization. The family fun fair is our way of practicing what we preach,” he said.

The producers of Gillette, Safeguard, Vicks and Duracell focused on healthy and active living especially during this season of the world cup to further promote quality of life ensured by their products as well as generate more support for the super eagles.

Peter Rufai former Goalkeeper for the Super Eagles team described the effort made by Procter & Gamble as admirable and a step in the right direction.

“This Fun Fair brings to mind the fun times I had while I was on the National team and the joy every win brought us” He said, “ It also reminds me that keeping fit is the first step to winning and any organization that promotes this way of life amongst Nigerians should be applauded”

GSK announces five-year vaccines prize freeze for Nigeria, others SK announced recently that it of prices in developed countries.

G will freeze the prices of its vacSpeaking recently at a cines for five years for developing European Commission/GAVI countries that graduate from GAVI Alliance support. By committing to offer GAVI Alliance prices for vaccines against pneumonia, diarrhoea and cervical cancer, GSK will support developing country governments as they transition to financing the full cost of their local vaccination programmes.

GAVI Alliance (formerly the “Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation”) is a public-private global health partnership committed to increasing access to immunisation in poor countries.

Since its formation in 2000, the GAVI Alliance has helped to fund the immunisation of 440 million children in some of the world’s poorest countries. GSK is a long-standing partner of the Alliance and reserves its lowest prices for GAVI-eligible countries, which can be as low as one-tenth

Alliance event in Brussels, Sir Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GSK paid tribute to the GAVI Alliance leadership and its partners including governments, donors, charities and vaccine manufacturers which together have enabled millions of children in the world’s poorest countries to receive innovative, life-saving vaccines.

Sir Andrew Witty said: “The achievements of the GAVI Alliance are remarkable with six million lives saved since its formation in 2000. Successful vaccination programmes have no doubt also helped countries to develop in this time. For countries that are doing well and are moving out of GAVI, I’m pleased that we are able to offer governments a price freeze to help ensure that children continue to be protected by national immunisation programmes.

44 Thursday, June 12, 2014

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45

‘A national health bill to rescue, save all’ • Stakeholders tasks Reps’ on passage After several years of bitter rivalry and bickering on its provisions, stakeholders in the Nigerian Health sector may have agreed on a National Health bill – a work plan to revamp the system in the interest of all Nigerians. Wole Oyebade reports. assassins shot SlocalUSPECTED assistant News Editor of a newspaper in the wee hours of Sunday September 20, 2009. They left their victim in cold blood, needing emergency care to survive.

The victim’s neighbours quickly recovered from the shock and rushed him to a hospital. It was a race against time and fortunately, he made it to the biggest specialist hospital in the area. Hope brightened he would not die.

But the neighbours confusion was further worsened when their fellow was rejected by the hospital – for lack of police report to treat the gunshot wounds!

All entreaties fell on deaf ears.

The victim did not make it to the next hospital; he died on the way.

Christiana fell into labour seven months into the pregnancy. She barely managed her way into Alimoso General Hospital, where she had been attending Antenatal Care (ANC).

Medical checks revealed complications that must be referred to a more sophisticated General Hospital, some kilometres away.

Travelling the bad roads and traffic snarls in IkotunEgbe area of Lagos ensured she arrived after four hours.

The patient was tired and exhausted. But Christiana’s woes worsened when she was told there was no bed to take her emergency Caesarean Section (CS).

Referral to another hospital was tabled. Gradually passing out, Christiana was sure she would not make it to another hospital alive. She was dying!

With almost the last gasp, she phoned, to bring in the Chief Medical Director of Alimoso General Hospital who persuaded the authorities to save her life. At the eleventh hour, Christiana was delivered a stillbirth – several hours of labour killed the baby.

Christiana recovered two days later to hear she would not see her baby alive. She told herself to be grateful.

After all, her best friend had died in similar circumstance during a recent industrial

action by doctors in public hospitals.

These scenarios are instances of what Nigerians go through almost on daily basis – in a country without a coordinated and functional health system.

Besides non-provision for basic healthcare in the 1999 Constitution – exclusive or concurrent lists – there is also no clear definition of roles or responsibilities of different tiers of government on health matters.

Thus, no one can be held responsible for poor health.

Today, all tiers are involved in all aspects of health system, resulting in ineffectiveness and inefficiency; inadequate funding; absence of effective linkages and referrals.

One of the outcomes is Christiana’s near-death experience. Though she was lucky to be alive, her baby is one of those unfortunates that die out of every 10 live births in the country. Even when they survive difficult birth circumstances, two out of every 10 don’t see their fifth birthday. In such system, under-five deaths from malaria are as high as 258,000 every year, while 65,758 women of childbearing age die from HIV/AIDS yearly.

Such statistics, though gory, is better understood within a bigger picture.

Over 65 per cent of the 170million Nigerians pays out-of-pocket for their healthcare. Yet, estimate has it that 70 per cent of the same population earn less than one dollar (N160) per diem, with vast majority concentrated in rural-poor settlements. It therefore sets the stage for one of the worst health indices in the world!

Senior Advocacy Manager, Save the Children Nigeria, Dr David Olayemi observed that Nigerian health system is “one of the weakest in the world today” because a clear guideline for healthcare is missing since independence.

For instance, it is hard to tell or hold any tier of government accountable for

Chukwu primary healthcare because the constitution does not provide for basic health of the populace.

Apparently worried about the challenges – given abundant resources at the beck and call of the country – stakeholders rallied to prepare a National Health Bill (NHB) back in 2004.

It was a bill to provide a framework for the regulation, development and management of a National Health System and sets standards for rendering health services in the federation, and other matters connected therewith.

After several tortuous amendments, Senate and House of Reps passed the bill in 2009. Harmonised version was also passed in May 19, 2011. But excited stakeholders and Nigerians had to delay the party.

Reason: Mr. President did not sign the bill into law for reasons not unconnected with inter-disciplinary rancour on few clauses bothering on which profession (doctors, pharmacists, nurses and so on) is most eligible to head certain health institution. The bill remains unaccented till the end of the tenure – bringing several years of sweats on the health bill to naught.

Turn of a new tenure on May 29, 2011, saw the NHB resurrected by the Senate Committee on Health. The committee either removed or amended contentious clauses to douse tension among health workers (that should work as a team). The effort paved way for NHB

passage at February 19, 2014 plenary of the Senate.

The passage rekindled hope among stakeholders, with high expectations that the House of Representatives would follow suit before election year.

The bill, made up of 65 sessions establishes and defines the National Health System; defines responsibilities for health by stakeholders and creates right to minimum packages by all citizens coupled with the roles and responsibilities of Federal, State and LGA in the National Health system.

Most critical of the bill, Vera Onyeaka of PATHS2 observed, is the “right to a minimum basic healthcare for all Nigerians irrespective of status.”

The bill provides for persons living in Nigeria the best possible health services within the limits of available resources. It also sets out the rights and duties of health care providers, health workers, health establishments and users; and protects, promote and fulfill the rights of the people of Nigeria to have access to health care services.

On proper funding, 50 per cent of the fund shall be used for the provision of basic minimum package of health services to all citizens, in primary health care facilities through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS); 25 per cent of the fund shall be used to provide essential drugs for primary healthcare; 15 per cent of the fund shall be used for the provision and maintenance

Erring doctors under trial as MDCN Tribunal begins three-day sitting in Abuja From Anthony Otaru, Abuja.

HE Medical and Dental T Council of Nigeria (MDCN) on Tuesday resumed a three days sitting yesterday even as the Medical Doctor to Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State was absent. The Governor’s Medical doctor, Dr. Zakari Aliyu who was also the Chief Medical Director at the Taraba State Specialist Hospital is undergoing trial at the tribunal in the case of improper professional conduct.

Aliyu is facing one count charge of divulging information regarding the health record of Governor Suntai which was published by

media houses.

According to the charge sheet, Aliyu’s conducted himself “infamously in a respect contrary to rule 44 of the code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria 2008 edition and punishable under section 16(1)(a) and (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap. M8 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

The tribunal has the status of a High Court as it’s judgement can be appealed only before the Court of Appeal.

Aliyu who was also absent at the first sitting in his letter to the tribunal requested that his matter be shifted to a latter date.

The former Chief Medical

Director who has relocated to the United State (US) in his letter explained that the nature of his work in the university it would be difficult for him to appear before the tribunal during these period and therefore want the tribunal to pick a new date for him to appear.

Expressing his regret, Aliyu further explained that he was in the country at the last proposed date but unfortunately, the tribunal did not sit as a result of the public holiday declared by the Federal Government for the World Economic Forum (WEF).

His absence, he said was due to the fact that could not get another international permit

within a short period.

Shortly after reading his letter which was accepted by the members of the tribunal, his legal team announced their withdrawer from the case.

Aliyu’s counsel led by Barrister Bulus Solomon said they would prefer that subsequently he (Aliyu) be served directly.

Though, it was not known if he (Aliyu) has appointed a new counsel, the tribunal however turned down the application saying since they have access to him, they will still remain the only source through which the notice paper will be served.

of facilities, equipment and transport for primary healthcare; and 10 per cent of the fund shall be used for the development of Human Resources for Primary Health Care.

Besides Section 46 prohibiting medical tourism for public officials (except duly approved by Health Minister or Commissioner for Health), Session 45 mandates that no industrial action or disruption in the health system shall last more than 14 days – citing that “health services shall be classified as Essential Services.”

Apparently excited by these provisions, Olayemi said: “We therefore have to make all stakeholders understand what is in the bill, especially the fact that it is in the interest of all Nigerians. Unless we have this legal and policy provisions, to ensure that mothers really know what their rights are, then we are not ready for progress.”

He gave kudos to Nigerian Senators for the courage to review the NHB. He urged all Nigerians to rally behind the National Assembly to ensure the House of Reps rapidly passes the bill.

Olayemi is not alone in such optimism. Meeting at a Civil Society Organisation (CSO)/media workshop recently in Lagos, stakeholders were unanimous that the bill was the most needed step to revamp the health system and put end to all unnecessary deaths.

And leading the campaign is the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC) – a civilsociety platform and organiser of the workshop.

Supporting the bill are: Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), Partnership for Transforming Health Systems II (PATHS 2), Save the Children International (SCI), Evidence for Action (E4A), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Federation of Muslim Women of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Advocacy Nigeria and Nigerian Urban

Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI).

Others are National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), White Ribbon Alliance, Nigeria (WRAN), National Council of Women Societies (NWCS), State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI), IPAS, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Allied Health Professionals, UNICEF, Heath Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) among others.

Also contained in the bill, are rights and duties expected of users and providers, and if implemented, no more shall any dying patient be rejected by any hospital – public or private.

According to a provision: “A health care provider, health worker or health establishment shall not refuse a person emergency medical treatment for any reason; No health care personnel shall be discriminated against on account of his status and duties.”

The stakeholders persuaded the House of Representatives to ensure quick passage of the bill, before proceeding on twomonth recess July 18, 2014.

Country Director E4A, Tunde Segun reasoned that early passage was important, to allow the bill scale through before 2015 election activities go full swing, coupled with Presidential approval – giving Nigerians the biggest dividends of democracy before this tenure ends in May 2015.

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Local detoxification therapies identified CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41 activity might be linked to the presence of flavonoids in both GKS and honey.”

The study researchers include D. G. Eminedoki, A. A. Uwakwe and Gloria O. Ibe of the Department of Biochemistry, University Of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Aqueous extract of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) could be used as adjuvant in the management of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS); and for restoration of skin colour and form as well as calming and vitalizing the body.

A recent study on the immunological effect of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract and immunace® (nutritional supplement) on HIV infected patients taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) found that it could serve as a nutritional supplement in a HIV-infected or immuno-compromised condition such as cancer or diabetes patients.

The study was published in Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine.

Researchers have demonstrated a regular diet including spices such as turmeric, garlic, ginger, cabbage, onion, green tea and apiaceous vegetables like carrots reverses damage caused by aflatoxin (produced by a fungus) poisoning and its complications; as well as reduce breast cancer risk in women exposed to hormone replacement therapy.

Benefits of recommended detoxification Ashiru, a professor of endocrinology, said: “Once this natural cleansing system begins to work more efficiently, reactions can occur. These reactions result from the stored toxins, which begin to release faster than the liver, kidneys, skin and lungs can remove them from the body.

The reactions can include loss of appetite, nausea, headaches and swelling in various lymph glands throughout the body.”

“These chemicals are simply not going to go away, but we must fight them and eliminate them from our system through the process of detoxification, based on the modern Mayr medicine, which has been in existence for about 100 years now.”

Ashiru, who is also the joint pioneer of Test Tube Baby/In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), said he has discovered that many cases of infertility are due to the accumulated toxins in the body which, if not eliminated, may prevent a couple trying for child from achieving their goal.

Ashiru further explained: “Many things. To start with, detoxification aims at removing harmful substances from the human body through a combination of holistic health concepts.

“Detoxification is the core element of any treatment at the Mart-Life Detox Clinic, with an emphasis on rest, strict cleansing of the digestive system of debris and toxins, and reeducation of clients on healthy eating habits.

“Detoxification also prevents critical diseases like diabetes and hypertension; while

many of the clients who had the diseases before undergoing detoxification were either taken off their drugs or had the dosages halved by their physicians because of the healing nature of the treatment. It also offers sustainable weight loss programme”.

Secret to ageing gracefully Do you want to be attractive, beautiful, young and healthy in your 60s? You may have to go for regular detoxification with fasting, drinking vegetable broth and increasing your physical activity.

A Mayr nutritionist and Managing Director of Martlife Detox Clinic, Mrs. Idowu Ashiru, who just marked her 60th birthday in an exclusive interview with The Guardian said: “The secret is the Detox Clinic. When you remove all the toxins from your body, then all your face and body becomes fresh and vibrant.

“Well you should fast once a week, detox once a week, maybe every Monday after you must have indulged over the weekend. If you do that, it will be 52 days in a year and divided by seven you can have an idea how many weeks. If you do that in a year, that will be very helpful. You can imagine that the body does accumulate toxins very fast.”

When you fasting, how do you break it? Is it with fruits?

Ashiru said: “No. We do not do so much fruits because although fruits are very healthy, they have vitamins and so on but the same fruits they were eating before are not the same we are eating now. Look at this pineapple, it is sweet. You might as well be eating raw sugar. So you can imagine that the health benefits are nullified by the amount of sugar. So there has

been so much genetic engineering of fruits so that they will be so sweet. People do not want to eat sour or bitter foods. So how healthy is that.

So we do not do so many fruits.

“If you fast once a week you can go on herbal teas; we have some herbal teas, we have some special herbal teas with a little bit of honey. We have broth, which is lots and lots of different vegetables, you put a lot of water into it and then you just remove the water and drink it. So you can imagine that all the vitamins and minerals and water from the vegetables you are able to get it.

“We do not eat the vegetables, it is just the water. We boil the vegetables for about an hour, we get all the nutrients and then we drink the broth. You can do that all day and plenty of water. Of course by the time you starve your-

self for one day then you would not want to spoil it the next day and start eating the whole house.”

How about the place of exercise? The nutritionist further explained: “It is very important. We do exercise but not too much because if you do too much exercise you can make your muscles sore and you develop lactic acid, which is toxic. Every day I like to walk may be for 45 minutes just around my area which is very hilly and that is it.”

What other things do you thinks besides detoxification that Nigerian men and women should do to keep optimal health as we age? She said: “Yes in this day and age that there is so much cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, all these ailments are due to toxins. Gone are the days where we had infectious diseases like cholera and

tuberculosis. They have cured all that. The ailments we have now are caused by our lifestyle especially what we are eating.

“Dr. Mayr was an Austrian doctor who lived a 100 days ago in Austria and he treated all these people with high blood pressure, diabetes and so on. He looked at them and said, ‘let me do an experiment and I believe I will be right. Let me remove food from these people.’ So he put them all in a fast and in every single case they got better.

“So he realised it was the food, the way they are eating the food, the way that they are cooking the food. So he started doing different kinds of food and different kinds of experiments to cure his patients and that was how the Mayr protocol in Medicine developed.”

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Thursday, June 12, 2014 SCIENCE HEALTH

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Group seeks sickle cell control policy

By Paul Adunwoke on sickle cell ShaveTAKEHOLDERS and genotype Foundations tasked Nigeria government to make policy for sickle cell. They also urged government to invest more on healthcare and provide enable environment for private healthcare operators.

They also informed Nigerians to always know their genotypes whenever they want to choose their live partners to avoid increase on those living with sickle cell in the country.

They said that many people in Nigeria who suffer sickle cell take wrong medications on daily basis.

The stakeholders said this during a press briefing organized

by Dabma Sickle Cell Foundation held in Ikoyi Lagos.

Towards creating awareness about sickle cell, Dabma Sickle Cell Foundation in collaboration Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Lagos have decided to present a one-day public enlightenment pro-

gramme, to mark world sickle cell day on Thursday June 19 2014, with the topic sickle cell drugs management versus addiction. The programme will hold at NTA Lagos, Network Centre, Ahmadu Bello way Victoria Island, Lagos by 10.00am prompt.

The Chairman board of pastors, Dabma Sickle Cell Foundation, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, said the Foundation is looking at the issue of drug abuse or misuse, which comes with negative consequences on the victim of sickle cell.

“The experience has shown that because of the persistent complaints about painful crisis, those living with the disorder tend to give themselves all sorts of pain relievers to reduce pain through self-medication, as a result the individual becomes addicted to none prescribed drugs or opiates and the addiction accentuates symptoms of anemia.

He continued: “The side effects include euphoria,

drowsiness, nausea, respiratory compromise, depression, coma and sometimes death.

We want the issue of drug addiction to be addressed.

There is also case of breakdowns of patient providers trust and poor hospital pain management that occasionally lead to self-discharge based on staff-patient dispute. All these issue need to be addressed. People living with sickle cell disorder experience overdose of prescribed and none prescribed drugs especially a class of opiods used to treat pains of severe intensity.

This results into addiction which always requires inpatient hospitalizations”, he said.

The executive director Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI), Ms. Oluwatoyin Adesola, said many people living with sickle cell die because of wrong medications and information from doctors. She said those living with sickle cell would

live above 50 years if properly managed. “Many people are in psychiatry units of various hospitals for abuse of substance, some of these addictive behavior compromises even the doctor’s ability to diagnose and treat complications”.

Many people die out of ignorance, those living with sickle cell should live above 50 years.

But they should avoid misuse drugs. Doctors and nurses should be very careful on how to give medications”.

She continued: “We want government to help us to regulate healthcare system in Nigerian.

There many people who are not qualified to be a medical doctor but they practice as doctors. We also want uses this medium to educate those living with sickle cell that they can live above 50 years only when they patronize qualified doctors.

“We also want advice people to know their genotypes whenever they want get married, to avoid sickle cell”, she said.

Exercutive Director Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative(SAMI) Toyin Adesola,National Co-cordinator Health and Longevity (FOPPEV) Pastor Emanuel Ibekwe and Pastor Trinity House Church Ituah Ighodalo at the Press Conference in preparation for the World Sickle Cell Day held at the Siao office 18b Olu Holloway Steet Ikoyi Lagos, Photo,CHARLES OKOLO

Traditional leafy vegetables: Africa’s hope for tackling malnutrition OOD, often regarded as one Fmankind of the basic needs of seems to be a scarce commodity in many households in Africa. The state of malnutrition, especially in some poor rural communities, usually affects the health of children resulting in illnesses such as stunted growth, goitre, blindness and kwashiorkor.

This, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is directly or indirectly responsible for about 3.5 million child deaths every year in Africa, a situation which is partly attributed to low vegetable and fruit intake.

Sadly enough, global measures to reduce the menacing effects of this phenomenon on the continent appear to be towards the introduction of food supplements which are usually expensive and inaccessible to many poor households. It has therefore become necessary to explore alternatives that offer poor households cheap

source of essential micronutrients.

As part of the efforts to address the frightening impacts of hidden hunger on the African continent, several international and local institutions continue to encourage research on undervalued, neglected, and under-utilised species that abound in many communities. One of such institutions is the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA).

UNU-INRA, the only UN University presently in Africa, has released two research reports that affirm the potentials of some traditional plant species in tackling malnutrition, particularly among poor populations in Africa. The first research, conducted by Dr. Muibait O. Bello, a Visiting Scholar to the Institute, reveals that the leaves of baobab tree, locust bean tree, and black plum tree contain high levels of fibre, calcium, zinc and magnesium.

The study, which was car-

ried out in Nigeria, also shows that, monkey orange fruit contains five times the iron and vitamin C of conventional fruits like orange and guava.

Similarly, in the second research report, Dr. Catherine V. Nnamani, another Visiting Scholar to the Institute, affirmed that black nightshade leaves, another underutilised plant species, contain higher nutritional values among the 15 other traditional leafy vegetables in her research. Her findings indicate that the leaves of black nightshade contain higher protein values than exotic species like garden lettuce, which is usually cherished and expensive in Africa.

The fact is that findings such as these are potential sources for reducing malnutrition, especially among poor rural households in Africa.

It is in this regard that the research reports are reiterating the need for people to

consume these traditional vegetables and fruits to ensure adequate intake of micronutrients, dietary fibres and a host of essential non-nutrient substances that could help in preventing major non-communicable diseases and malnutrition in many African communities.

This, in fact, is where lies the need for advocacy on these under-utilised plants species in our communities in the fight against malnutrition and hunger. It is also important that health institutions and other stakeholders incorporate the use of these locally available plants into policies as an alternative nutritional supplement for poor and food insecure households.

As the only UN think tank currently in Africa, UNU-INRA continues to empower African institutions and researchers to carry out relevant research, such as this one, in the area of natural resources management to inform policies for sustainable development.

Boosting depressed immune system with micronutrients, water N narrowing down our disIwater cussion to the effect of and micronutrients in boosting the immune system pre-supposes that a deficiency of these suppresses the immune system. In fact, water is the most abundant nutrient in nature, yet it is the most deficient nutrient in the human body, simply because we do not drink enough of it.

It has been found out that lack of water is the most significant and commonest cause of immune system suppression. In a state of dehydration, as we are aware, histamine is the first of the neurotransmitters released in order to redistribute water to the five vital organs. Excess histamine as in a state of dehydration suppresses the production of white blood cells in the bone marrow.

The white blood cells as we saw last week Thursday, are the main components of the immune system cells; the lymphocytes. Furthermore, the bone marrow is the main site of production of the white blood cells.

Suppressing their production in the bone marrow will definitely lead to a suppression of the immune system.

Moreover, histamine causes increased production of a chemical known as vasopressin, a well known immune system suppressor.

Apart from this, histamine in excess in the body blocks the production of interferon, an important anticancer chemical. All these negative effects of dehydration on the immune system to suppress it, can be avoided by drinking sufficient amount of water (alkaline water) daily, so as to adequately hydrate the body.

Water is a known immune system booster. Having said that we will now look at the micronutrients to see how they function in boosting the immune system.

Micronutrients are vitamins and certain minerals that function in the metabolic and other processes in the body in very small amounts.

Some of them function in the production and differentiation of the immune system cells and deficiency of such will cause a suppression of the immune system. Among the phagocytes for example there is a lot of oxidative stress taking place with the release of free radicals which join in the destruction of pathogens. A situation such as this is commonly seen where there is vitamin E deficiency.

Vitamin E functions in the balanced production and differentiation of the T-helper and T-suppressor cells. T-suppressor cells as we saw last week Thursday, is responsi-

ble for controlling the inflammatory response to prevent damage to the surrounding cells not involved in the inflammation.

Deficiency of vitamin E suppresses the immune system by causing damage to the surrounding cells, a phenomenon that may lead to what is known as autoimmune response whereby the immune system is said to attack and destroy the host cells and organs.

Vitamin E deficiency may be due to failure to absorb it in the intestines due to the mal-absorption syndrome or in the elderly in whom absorption reduces with age.

Common sources of vitamin E are vegetables such as spinach, pumpkin, broccoli, red pepper, carrots and fruits – mangoes and paw paw.

Other sources are sunflower seeds and nuts. Apart from these that should form part of our diet, the immune system can be boosted by taking vitamin E supplements.

Vitamin C has been found to improve the first line defense of the immune system by enhancing the function of the phagocytes. There is a lot of ongoing research work on the ability of vitamin C to boost the immune system with evidence that vitamin enhances various aspects of the immune system. As I stated last week Thursday, vitamin C helps to regenerate vitamin E thereby extending the immune system enhancing effect of vitamin E. Vegetable sources of vitamin C include Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, kiwi, broccoli, kale, red and yellow peppers, moringa oleifera and sweet potatoes. Fruits that have a high concentration of vitamin C are mangoes, oranges, grapefruit and other citrus fruits, paw paw, strawberries and berries in general.

Due to the constraint of space, I will close this article by listing all other vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system and these are; vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin D, the carotenoids and B-carotene, Coenzyme Q10, glutathione, selenium, zinc, iron and copper.

All these vitamins and minerals, except vitamin D can be sourced from fresh raw vegetables and fruits, which should be eaten as such or slightly steamed. The vegetables should never be overcooked so as not to destroy the nutrients in them. They are all available as supplements and it is advisable that such supplements be taken on a regular basis, especially by the elderly to enhance the immune system.

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Education Intrigues behind Njodi’s emergence as UNIMAID’s VC From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja N Tuesday June 3, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, assumed O office as the ninth vice chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, (UNIMAID) succeeding Prof. Mala Mohammed Daura, whose tenure expired on Monday, June 2, thanks to the intervention of the supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, who spearheaded the resolution of the protracted disagreement between the ProChancellor/Chairman and members of the Governing Council of the university, over Daura’ successor.

At a meeting, which the minister convened in Abuja barely three weeks ago, between the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Governing Council, Mallam Lawan Bukar Marguba; principal officers of the university and some top officials of the ministry to resolve the stalemate that trailed Njodi’s appointment at a special council meeting at Kanem Suites, Abuja, on May 20, Wike, a lawyer was reported to have directed Marguba, who has been stoutly opposed Njodi’s emergence to respect the decision of the majority of the council members who voted to appoint Njodi. Marguba was also advised to go to court, if he held anything against the new vice chancellor.

Shortly after the meeting with the minister, the council in a two-paragraph statement in Abuja, signed by the school’s Registrar, Babagana Muhammad Aji affirmed the Njodi’s appointment.

The statement said the appointment of Njodi, a professor of Physical and Health Education, and immediate past deputy vice chancellor (Academic Services) of the university takes effect from June 3, for a non-renewable period of five years.

The statement further stated that the appointment was “duly certified” by the Governing Council of the university at a special meeting it held on May 20th, 2014, having emerged the overall winner out of the 11 candidates interviewed for the position.

The minister’s intervention came on the heels of steps taken by the Federal Character Commission (FCC), which has been actively involved in the selection process and the eventual certification of the newly appointed university helmsman.

The commission’s stamp of approval was contained in a Certificate of Compliance with Ref FCC/099/S.5E/19/11/267, dated May 23rd, 2014. The letter addressed to the University of Maiduguri entitled, “Authority to Issue Letter of Appointment to Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi as the Vice Chancellor of University of Maiduguri.”

According to the document, “On no account shall the name of the approved candidate be substituted/replaced, altered without prior written consent of the commission.”

Marguba has been in serious disagreement with his other council members since the commencement of the selection process in April. The acrimony stirred up fresh debate about the “indigenisation” of the appointment of vice chancellors for federal universities.

Though the current leadership of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and even the one before it has been working towards eradicating it from the Nigerian university system, the trend, it appears, would continue to haunt the nation for some time to come.

The process of appointing a new vice chancellor for the school began well, but when it was apparent that the candidate anointed by the powers that be was far from the clinching the coveted office, things began to get awry.

In line with the legal requirements of the laws establishing the university, the council on January 23rd this year advertised the position of the vice chancellor, thus marking the beginning of the process of selecting a new helmsman.

The law also requires the university to constitute a search team and a selection board from its statutory organs, made up of the Governing Council, the Senate and the Congregation.

Members of the search team and selection board were elected accordingly. Legally, the process leading up to the selection of a vice chancellor is a joint task executed majorly by the Governing Council and the Senate of the institution.

The joint council and Senate selection Board comprises two external members of the council, appointed by the Federal Government; two professors from the Senate, who are not members of the council, with the Pro-Chancellor as the chairman.

Accordingly, Dr. Paul Attah and Chief Innocent Oparadike, a journalist, both of whom are representing public interest in the council were elected as external members on the Joint Selections Board, while profs. B. R. Badejo and Abdulrahman Tahir represented the Senate of the university and Marguba chaired the panel as stipulated by law.

Over a period of three days from April 22 to 24, the Joint Council and Senate Selections Board met and successfully interviewed all 11 applicants. Both the Education Ministry and FCC sent in representatives to observe the process. They were Mrs. Oluwatofunmi E. Akamo, a deputy director while Mr. Haruna Mamuda Gadam stood in for FCC. At the end of the three-day exercise, the board recommended three top candidates for final selection in order of their performance at the interview.

Njodu On the score sheet, Njodi amassed 90.1 per cent and was followed by professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isa Hussaini Marte who scored 71.2 per cent. Prof. Abubakar Kundiri of the Faculty of Agriculture came third with 69.5 percent.

At a special meeting of the council convened on April 25th to consider the report of the exercise, Marguba, who had signed the final report of the selection suddenly, aborted the meeting claiming to be in receipt of an anonymous petition against one of the applicants, apparently, the candidate with the highest scores.

Against convention, he held on to the report and ordered that a summary, without the scores be presented to council members, on the excuse that he was going to investigate the anonymous petition. Of course members objected and sensing that he would not have his way, he allegedly decided to unilaterally announce the adjournment of the special meeting with no decision reached by the council.

Not long, some groups including the University of Maiduguri Alumni Association, Concerned Stakeholders and Concerned Professionals of Borno State petitioned President Goodluck alleging corruption and forgery in the selection process.

In their petition to the minister, signed by one Prof. Shettima Dala, the UNIMAID Alumni Association alleged that bribery, perjury and corruption have tainted the performance of the council. They further alleged that the Federal Government’s nominees on the council had compromised their positions and as such, were promoting the emergence of a candidate with questionable credentials.

The association therefore, demanded for a transparent selection process; immediate disqualification of one of the candidates “involved in illegal promotion and forgery,” in the petition, which was addressed to Jonathan.

On their part, the Concerned Stakeholders of Borno State called for the “prosecution of the compromised members of the governing council.” Their real intentions were, however, unfolded as they both made a case for Marte, the first runner up, who they described as “the most qualified candidate for the position.”

Njodi, who obviously was the target of the groups denied the allegations of forgery and sundry crimes leveled against him by the groups, saying that the groups were doing that as a ploy to sully his image and question his high scores.

But at the resumption of the special council meeting at the same venue in Abuja on May 6, the report of the board was presented and adopted, but not without Marguba coming up with a written petition on alleged irregularity against Njodi in his elevation from reader to professor.

Even though most council members were not convinced about the authenticity of the documents, a very reliable source confided in The Guardian that they decided to give it the benefit of the doubt, in order to have a credible selection process that

would not be faulted anywhere.

Consequently, council members resolved to constitute a special panel to investigate the allegations, and it was to submit its findings on May 20th, 2014. Members of the panel were Alhaji Abubakar Adamu Waziri, Prof. Alhaji Maina Gimba, Dr. Ahmadu Brono and Mrs. O. E. Akamo.

But while the panel was investigating the allegations at the university, Marguba called them to say that he had received a letter that the police was also investigating the same matter as such they should stop the process. Waziri who chaired the investigation panel declined insisting that the police could go ahead with their investigations, as theirs was an internal thing.

Besides, he insisted the chairman had no powers to stop the work of an investigative committee set up by the council.

A document obtained by The Guardian on some of the resolutions of the May 20th special council meeting informed that, “The Report of the council committee found out that all allegations made against Prof. Njodi were false and baseless.

Council therefore, cleared Prof. Njodi of all the allegations against him.”

However, in spite of Njodi’s clearance by the council, Marguba strangely tried to scuttle the meeting again, insisting that investigation was inconclusive as the police was still investigating Njodi.

But the outgoing VC, on receipt of his own copy of the police letter, sought legal opinion from the university’s external solicitors, who said the police investigation should not affect the council’s work, and that the police could take whatever course they liked latter, but that council had the powers to do what they were doing.

Though Daura made this legal advice available to the relevant authorities, Marguba told members that he would not participate in the special meeting for the conclusion of the appointment of vice chancellor because of the police investigation. He said the council could go ahead, but without him.

He then left the meeting, despite pleas from members urging him to stay and conclude the process.

In view of the above, Council, in accordance with the University of Maiduguri decree No 83 of September 28, 1979, Schedule 3, Article 6 (as amended), having formed a quorum, and mindful of its responsibility decided to act in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations by nominating a chairman in the person of Oparadike to serve as acting chairman and continue with the meeting.

The council relying on powers conferred on it by Decree 11 of 1993 as amended by the University Miscellaneous Act (2003), after having cleared Prof. Njodi of all allegations, went ahead to confirm his appointment with effect from June 3, 2014, after which Marguba went ahead to issue a statement dissociating himself from the outcome of the special meeting and describing the selection by some members of the council as “totally wrong and unacceptable.”

According to Marguba, he and some members of the council had objected to the consideration of the report of the selection board, which had recommended the appointment of Prof. Njodi as VC, due to the police investigation and the alleged absence of the inputs of the school’s registrar.

He noted that the Borno State Police Command had written to him, demanding that the process of selecting a new VC be halted as it was investigating allegations of illegal promotions of Njodi, adding, “As a law-abiding citizen, I had no option but to comply with the police order and instructed an earlier set up by the council to investigate the allegation to stay action in the interest of peace and tranquility.

“However, the panel refused to comply with my directive and went ahead with their activities and submitted their report to the council’s special meeting, which held on May 20, 2014,” adding that despite his objection and walk out on the meeting on that day, other members of the council proceeded to announce that Prof. Njodi had been selected as the VC for UNIMAID. Marguba in his statement added that, “If the police investigations were not completed before the end of Daura’s tenure, an acting vice chancellor would be appointed for the university.”

However, the ministerial order penultimate weekend effectively annulled that position hence Njodi’s confirmation.

The university on its part quickly denounced Narguba insisting that he had no powers to unilaterally annul the decision of the council in respect of the May 20 selection of Prof. Njodi as the new VC, which was in line with extant laws, regulations and due process of the university.

A statement by the University’s spokesman, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed said the constitution and functions of the university and its constituent bodies, including the Governing Council, were contained in the University of Maiduguri Act CAP U10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He said the clarification had become necessary to clear the air on the purported unilateral cancellation of the appointment of Prof. Njodi as the new Vice Chancellor of the university as approved by the Governing Council at its Special meeting on May 20, 2014 by the Pro-Chancellor.

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To improve learning, Rainbow College partners Deptfordgreen, others

By Emeka Nwachukwu HE quest to widen students’ T horizon through global learning experiences informed

Chief (Mrs.) Mojisola Ahonaruogho (left), assisting her husband and chairman of the organising committee of the Victory High School/Victory College Old Students’ Association homecoming and foundation stone laying ceremony, Chief Richard Oma Ahonaruogho (left) to present a plague to the keynote speaker, Dr. Omoniyi Blessing Fagbemi during the event…recently

Stakeholders urge review of criteria for award of postgraduate degrees From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja TAKEHOLDERS in the tertiSdecried ary education sector have the inability of most postgraduate students to write good thesis. This is as they are calling on the Federal Government to urgently revisit the criteria for training and awarding of postgraduate degrees in the Nigerian universities.

Speaking at the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Book Development Fund (BDF) intervention meeting in Abuja recently, chairman of the sub-committee on book publication, Prof Charles Aworh, said the nation’s tertiary education sector has degenerated to a point that most postgraduate students cannot write good theses.

Aworh, who is of the University of Ibadan said in an effort to end the ugly trend, they have decided to work with the National Universities Commission (NUC), which has the mandate to oversee education at the tertiary level.

“We want the NUC to ensure that postgraduate training is strengthened, that the

process of examination of PhD theses is corrected because that is where the problems l i e s . ” Prof Aworh described as unfortunate, a situation where panels find faults in theses that had been accepted by the universities years after thy were accepted, insisting that “this is a big problem, and the NUC has to intervene in that aspect.

“Unfortunately, there are so many poorly written theses.

We looked at over 200 written theses of which we selected about 50 that we thought would meet the criteria for conversion into books, but by the time we sent these theses to Nigerian professors, they came with damning reports on most of them and of the 50, only 11 were found worth converting into book. That tells of the sorry situation in which our universities are if we are producing PhD theses that are fault-laden. This means that we are really in trouble in this country. So we need to revisit the issue of postgraduate training in our universities.

He said TETFund set up the book publication initiative, to address the problem of paucity of books in Nigerian terti-

ary education system.

The university don, who lamented that the nation’s universities do not have sufficient books for students, staff and for research purposes, added that the quality of books available do not meet the expected standard, a development he said led to the decision by TETFund to intervene by encouraging the publication of books that are written by seasoned Nigerian professionals for our tertiary institutions.

He informed that in this first phase of the project, the committee has been able to convert eight theses into book and has also published an additional 12 books written by well-known Nigerian professors thereby taking the total number of new books injected into the Nigerian tertiary education system to 20.

“This is just the first part, and it is hoped that it would be a continuous process. With funds available, within five years, we should be able to make our nation self-sufficient in terms of high quality books not only for Nigerian universities, but for foreign universities because people who can write the books are here, all

that is left is just to create the enabling environment.”

He, however, regretted that the nation has over the years allowed the universities to degenerate to the extent that their publishing houses lost their mandate to generate books, stressing that “other than publishing books, they were more interested in producing calendars and such materials for universities.”

Aworh expressed hope that the intervention would strengthen these university publishing houses, so that they would be able to do their jobs, as most of their staff members were not trained in modern methods of publishing.

Also speaking the chairperson of BDF, Mrs Patricia Donli said the Nigerian government cannot continue to import books into her tertiary institutions whereas it can look inside and use what it has.

“We have a lot of intelligent professionals here. All they need is to be encouraged and that is why TETFund’s coming in is actually a motivational intervention to encourage people to publish books among others.

Why RCA School of Business is partnering with Regent varsity, by Madubuko

By Eno-Abasi Sunday HE need to give young T graduates and business leaders the required training to enable them think out of the box, fulfill their potentials, upgrade their skills as well as keep pace with their contemporaries the world over, were some of the reasons that informed the Revival Christian Assembly (RCA) School of Business to partner with the Regent University, United States.

General Overseer of the church, Apostle Anselm Madubuko, made the revelation in Lagos ahead of the recent launch of partnership with the U.S.-based institution.

According to Madubuko, the

rationale behind this “is about building up and making people better. The kind of education we run in this country makes it very difficult for young graduates to do many things. I would personally suggest that every young graduate be part of this programme, as it would help them to be more effective in whatever profession they find themselves.”

In making the move, the cleric said he was “just driven by this passion for excellence and learning, and learning the right way. So, this programme is meant to totally impact on peoples thinking, their style and businesses. Most people just open shops and sit down there operating day-by-day.

This programme will help equip them for success. So in a

way, this is like putting grace and success into their businesses.”

Courses to be taught in the school, which is online based and which would also feature live streaming from the U.S. include the Art of Effective Negotiation, Time Management and Organisation for Managers, Emotional Intelligence for Effective Leadership Practice, Managing Workplace Communication, Entrepreneurship and Business Launch and Digital Media and Web Design among others.

In her remarks, Assistant Vice President of Professional and Continuous Education, Regent University, Dr Julianne Cenac, who said “Regent University is

currently and will ever be a faith-based institution and we teach all of our courses from Biblical perspectives,” stressed that “we are not doing this partnership just for the sake of doing one other initiative. We are actually doing it so that every student that comes through it would have an encounter that would enable them to be transformed and neer be the same again.

“Some of them that would come for the programmes have ideas and visions they are pursuing but they simply need the training to equip them with the right skills to get financing, draw up business plans and generally get transformed so that they can in turn go out and make impact here in Nigeria and around the world.

the tri-partite relationship between Rainbow College, Lagos, Deptfordgreen School, London and St. Kizito School Uganda, so says the principal of the Lagos based school, Mrs. Christiana Ebiari.

Ebiari gave the hint in Lagos, recently during a briefing to unfold activities and intents of the partnership, which she said were concentrated on curricular, extra curricular and co-curricular benefits as well as joint projects and publishing.

According to her, the Global School Partnership Programme, which has as its theme “Connecting Classrooms”, was an initiative of the Deputy Head of Deptfordgreen, Mrs. Wendy Bisiker, who started the programme 10 years ago, in her bid to bring schools together and share resources, which are available to them, under the platform of British Council.

“The partnership programme is designed to help young people learn about global issues and become responsible global citizens. It is also designed to give them the required skills needed for working in a global economy. It offers school partnerships, professional development courses for educators, school accreditation and opportunities for policy makers to share best practice with international counterparts.

“This programme has various activities and indeed everything you need to bring the world into your classroom and encourage your students to develop as global citizens.

Right from September 2013 when we joined this partner-

ship, it has been of utmost benefit to our students and teachers as well.

“Deptfordgreen sent us two teachers who have been assisting us and sharing their experiences as well as their curricula with us. They have been really helpful and contributive, they have impacted so much in the lives of our students positively and we hope to have more of them in the coming years.”

She said, they have embarked on several global projects like food crisis, changes and effects; impact of HIV and youth sensitisation; geographical comparison of the three countries, Nigeria, Uganda and London; and joint artwork exhibition, where the three schools came together in Uganda.

“For each of these projects, there was usually a face-to-face encounter, which allows each of the three schools to come together and share experiences. It was really a wonderful period for both students and teachers as they collaborate directly with their international peers, bringing challenging global issues to life and creating meaningful cross-cultural relationships,” she stated.

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VC denies withholding lecturers’ check-off dues, alleges sabotage From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja ICE Chancellor of University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), Professor James Adelabu, has denied withholding the check-off dues of lecturers in the institution.

While describing the teachers’ reason for embarking on the strike action as an act of insincerity, he also alleged that the teachers were doing so with the ulterior motive of sabotaging the successes so far recorded by his administration.

The vice chancellor, while played host to journalists lamented that the university has not conducted any convocation ceremony since 2004, pointing out that the current strike might frustrate the planned convocation.

He said the check-off dues demand by the union members, as reason for embarking on the ongoing strike was a blatant lie and a ploy by ASUU

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members to deceive the public.

According to him, “ASUU owes the public the responsibility of telling them the truth. As far back as April last year, before the government made an announcement to that effect, I had stopped the issue of check-off dues, which we helped to collect directly from source and remit to them. These monies are paid along with their salaries and the union knows very well that check-off dues are paid alongside their salaries to them individually.

“There had earlier been a directive regarding check-off during strike, and the document is there for all to see. But up till now, that has not been repealed. So, I wonder how they came up with the latest allegation that I refused to remit their check-off dues. If they as individuals owe the union, they already have their

salaries paid in full, so why don’t they take it and pay to the union?

“Some members of the union even alleged that I opened a bank account to deposit their check-off dues, the same money, which has been paid to them their through salaries. Its very sad when you see academics talking ignorantly as illiterates,” he stated.

The UNIABUJA Chapter of ASUU last Monday announced an indefinite strike to draw attention to what they called “developments in the institution over the non-visible work of the visitation panel,” and non-remittance of their check-off dues by the vice chancellor.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government on July 16, 2012 constituted a visitation panel to resolve issues affecting the institution but the white paper of the report is yet to be released.

Education takes front burner at Y’ello 21 days of service

By Florence Utor HE 2014 annual staff volunT teerism programme of mobile telecommunication firm, MTN Nigeria Ltd titled “21 Days of Y’ello Care” is focusing on education.

Themed “Education in the Digital World,” this year’s edition, which commenced on June 1, will have staff of the firm engage in a number of activities aimed at promoting a conducive learning environment as well as draw attention to the fundamental role of education in the development of the nation.

Reiterating the firm’s commitment to giving back to communities in which it operates at the flag-off of the programme in Lagos, Corporate Services Executive, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, described education as a vital tool for social and economic development.

“The weeks ahead are filled with various initiatives that will enable MTN, through the 21 Days of Yello Care programme, continue to contribute its quota towards improving educational standards in Nigeria. Under the Digitech Classroom Project, digitally equipped classrooms will be established across the country to drive access to digital learning. Access to the

Internet and education will position a great number of pupils on the same platform as their counterparts in other developed countries, helping to ensure that they do not suffer learning disadvantages even though they live in a developing country,” he said.

Initiated by the telecommunications company in 2007, the annual programme encourages staff members across its 21 operations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East to volunteer their resources, time and skills to help others and the communities where they live and work.

Also featuring among projects lined up for implementation, is the company’s Adopt a Girls’ School Project, which will see each unit within MTN adopt an all-girl school towards empowering the girl-child and promoting gender equality in education.

Other initiatives include Vocation is Education, which is aimed at elevating vocational education in Nigeria, and Y’ello Tutor, which entails the creation of an online learning hub that will be made accessible to students in primary and secondary schools across the country, providing them access to learning materials, tutorials, examinations practice questions and other edu-

cational resources.

MTN will also be partnering with Non-Governmental Organisations to provide relief materials to the northern part of Nigeria where the learning infrastructure gap is most acute. The initiative tagged, The Y’ello Aid Initiative, will also raise funds for the Chibok Scholarship, which aims to move school girls from Chibok to schools in other states.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, Mr. Olawunmi Gasper, lauded MTN for acknowledging the importance of education in a growing community.

“I am delighted to be part of MTN’s contribution to promoting education amongst our children. Education is very vital, and inculcating reading habits in children is the way to go. This programme is laudable as it also encourages vocational training and skills acquisition by our children. Gaining an education or learning a form of trade will definitely alleviate poverty within our communities as individuals would be able to fend and provide for their needs with ease and convenience,” he said.

Construction of aeronautics/aircraft maintenance school takes off at FEDPOLY, Oko From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka.

HE Federal Government has T commenced the construction of an ultra modern School of Aeronautics/Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at the permanent site of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State as part of efforts to improve the education sector.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday at the site at Akili-Ozuzo, Ogbaru council area of Anambra state, the former Aviation Minister, Ms. Stella Oduah said the project, which was initially estimated to cost N250m would be completed on time and according to specification.

While commending President Jonathan for efforts aimed at transforming the education sector, she declared that the aim of the government was to help inculcate practical and technical knowledge in students of the school and Nigerians in general.

Mrs. Oduah said, “When completed, the school will among other things, afford the students the technical and practical knowhow, open doors for more employable youths, as well as make them acquire practical experience.”

Oduah said the school would contribute immensely in equipping Nigerian children needed skills and practical knowledge that would make them employable in the near future, stress-

ing, “I am a beneficiary of this noble federal government project, which I am sure will help the students to be better people in future.”

The former minister expressed optimism that the project would help enrich the administration’s education policy in the sector, especially in Anambra State, adding that the country stands to gain a lot from graduates of the institution.

Speaking to newsmen later, rector of the institution, Prof.

Godwin Onu said the project was a fulfillment of part of the promise he made upon assumption of office to establish a School of Aeronautics and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering as well as a School of Marine Engineering.

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60 EDUCATION Thursday, June 12, 2014

LBS alumni association celebrates years of excellence, achievements

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku HE role of the alumni association of the Lagos Business School (LBS) in bringing prestige and international recognition to the institution has been underscored.

The school, which is in its 23rd year, has achieved quite a number of recognitions and accreditations by international organisations.

Dean of the school, Dr. Enase Okonedo, while speaking at the 20th President’s Dinner of the Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA), at Eko Hotels and Suites, said achievements recorded by the school would have been impossible without the alumni association.

She said that the school has every reason to celebrate the alumni association, which she disclosed has, in the last 20 years, contributed to the prestige of the school as well as the building a great institution.

According to her, the school boasts an alumni association that makes it proud; an alumni association, which contributes its quota and in an exceptional manner, not only in public service, but also in the private sector.

She stated that the most impact, which members of the alumni association are making, is through their social responsibility projects, considering the fact that we live in a society, where people tend to focus only on their selfish interest when they attain position of importance and responsibility.

She said: “But then, we have a

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Over the past years, LBS has aimed and been able to achieve quite a number of things. For the eight consecutive years, we have been ranked among the top 55 schools by the Financial Times of London. This year, only recently, we have been accepted as members of Global Network for the Advancement of Management, a body that has only 25 top business schools in the world; LBS became the 25th member of this prestigious group.

A few days ago, we were accepted as a full member of the topmost accrediting body in the world, the European Federation for Management Development growing number of alumni who have passed through the Lagos Business School, who see management as a way to transform the society… Most of the things that we have done as a business school would have been impossible without you, our alumni.

“Over the past years, LBS has aimed and been able to achieve quite a number of things. For the eight consecutive years, we have been ranked among the top 55 schools by the Financial Times of London. This year, only recently, we have been accepted as members of Global Network for the Advancement of Management, a body that has only 25 top business schools in the world; LBS became the 25th member of this prestigious group. A few days ago, we were accepted as a full member of the topmost accrediting body in the world, the European Federation for Management Development.”

Meanwhile, immediate past president of the alumni association Mr. Demola Aladekomo, who however, handed over to a new president on the night, urged members to make a difference in the society with the knowledge that they have acquired from the school.

At the event Mr. Wole Oshin took over as the new president of the association for the next two years. He heads a 20man executive committee.

Mr. Olu Onakoya, the first indigenous Chairman/Managing Director, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc clinched the president’s award while former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi got the distinguished alumni award with Mr. Godwin Eselwi Ehigiamusoe for their astounding achievements in public office and banking sector respectively. The AMP 22 class won the best class award for the fourth year running.

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Thursday, June 12, 2014 EDUCATION

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Oando Foundation appointed to judging academy for global teacher prize HE recent appointment of T Oando Foundation, an independent charity, launched by Oando Plc, to the judging academy of the Varkeys GEMS Foundation Global Teacher Prize is filling the foundation with extreme excitement, so says its Director, Tokunboh Durosaro.

The academy, which consists of head-teachers, educational experts, commentators, journalists, public officials, technology entrepreneurs, company directors and scientists from the United Kingdom, the United States, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Austria, Pakistan, Philippines, Netherlands, Thailand, Kenya, South Africa, Japan, Nigeria, Uganda, Singapore, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, India and Turkey, will award $1m in November 2014 to an exceptional teacher, selected from a pool of global candidates, who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession.

Speaking on the foundation’s selection to the academy, Durosaro said, “We are extremely delighted by our selection to join the academy for the Global Teacher Prize, and are cognizant of the increasingly important role teachers play in today’s society.”

Expressing happiness that these very important professionals were by this award given the prominence, which they deserve, she said, “This award seeks to recognise, celebrate, and strengthen the teaching profession, and I

would like to encourage all of us to nominate a trulyrewarding teacher.”

Oando Foundation established in 2011, is an independent charity launched by leading indigenous energy solutions providers, Oando Plc. It aims to support the Nigerian government to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to achieve universal primary education as well as radically improve the quality of teaching and learning in Nigerian schools and communities, by ensuring access to world-class basic

THMAN Nuha and Vivian Kenneth, both Senior Secondary School (SS) Two students of Eric Moore Senior High School, Surulere, Lagos, have emerged winners of the 2014 Enoch Adejare Adeboye Mathematics Challenge.

The keenly contested event, which is designed to encourage secondary school students to embrace the study of mathematics, saw the last 10 schools battling for supremacy for over five hours.

To emerge champions, the duo of Nuha and Kenneth defeated their counterparts from the Lagos City Senior College and Lagos State Model College, Badagry. The schools finished second and third respectively. A total of 300 schools took part in the preliminary stages of the competition.

Speaking to The Guardian on their victory, 15-year-old Nuha, said, “This is surprising; we were almost cut off in the first round, where we had the least mark, but suddenly, God turned everything around in our favour.”

He continued, “Even at the preliminaries, which held in 10 centres across the state on the May 10th, we didn’t know that we would make it to the final 10 due to the large number of students that turned

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impact they have on all of our lives by being part of the Global Teacher Prize academy. I believe teachers must be returned to their rightful position as the most respected profession in society, which is properly rewarded and celebrated.”

The Global Teacher prize will be given to a teacher who has achieved exceptional results in student learning, and has won the respect of parents and the community through activities beyond the classroom.

He/she would have provided

a role model to other teachers through charity, community work or other cultural achievements, and will also have opened up access to quality education for children of all backgrounds, enabling them become “global citizens,” comfortable with peers from different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

The award, the equivalent of a Nobel Prize, will operate under the patronage of the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the

Prime Minister, and ruler of Dubai. It will also underline the importance of the teaching profession and symbolise the fact that teachers throughout the world deserve to be recognised and celebrated.

According to Honorary Chairman of the Varkey GEMS Foundation, President Bill Clinton: “Attracting the best people to teaching, developing and supporting their skills, and holding our teachers in high regard are all critically important to achieve excellence, both in teaching

Young entrepreneurs’ ideas, propositions marvel British Council, Virgin Atlantic

By Ujunwa Atueyi S the 2014 “Enterprise A Challenge Competition” hits its third and final stage, the British Council and Virgin Atlantic Airways, organisers of the challenge have expressed satisfaction with the propositions of young Nigerian entrepreneurs at the ongoing contest.

The competition designed to promote the development of entrepreneurial skills among Nigerian youths, recorded about 2000 entries at the preliminary stage, which the Regional Manager, Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan, British Council, Adetomi Soyinka, said was a Herculean task bringing the number down to 100 in the second phase.

The shortlisted 100 applicants, she added would be further narrowed down to 10 from

Nuha, Kenneth win Enoch Adeboye mathematics contest

By Ujunwa Atueyi

education systems.

The nomination of the foundation to the judging academy means that the foundation’s work within the education sector is recognised and presents the foundation with another opportunity to improve the status of teachers in Nigeria.

Also commenting, Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkeys GEMS Foundation said, “I’m extremely pleased that Oando Foundation has joined me in drawing attention to the achievements of teachers and the enormous

out. We were pleasantly surprised when we got the qualifying letter for the last contest. So, it has been surprising from day one, and I thank God for everything.”

For emerging victorious, Nuha and Kenneth have won for their school, a set of HP desktop computer, and a laptop each for themselves. The prize for the second place winner is a HP desktop computer for the school and a set of Android smart tablet for the students. The same applies to the third position.

Chairman, organising committee of the contest, Pastor Akin Odejayi, remarked that the competition was gathering momentum as the number of participating schools keeps increasing.

“At first we started with just six schools; last year, over 200 schools participated and this year, we have over 300 schools that took part. The overall aim of the competition is basically to promote the study of mathematics among students. There is need for us to encourage the study of mathematics owing to its importance for those that want to major in the sciences and also for admissions into tertiary institutions. Our General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye is a mathematician, who studied the subject up to doctoral level before dropping the chalk for the church.”

which two winners will emerge, the number, she added is likely to expand with more sponsorship.

Her words, “I was humbled by the scale, ideas and propositions the participants have put in and what they are actually doing. The first phase was actually to define something they have done in the past or future aspiration or what they are doing presently, and I tell you, these people actually have fantastic ideas.

“It was really difficult reducing the entries to 100 and it will also be tough narrowing the 100 to 10. We are not easily impressed though, but I tell you, the 100 were pretty good.

In this third phase, they are facing a panel to defend their projects. And the board will examine their creativity, inno-

vativeness, communication skills and how commercially viable their ideas are,” she explained.

The challenge is an online competition for young, brilliant Nigerians with entrepreneurial minds domiciled either in Nigeria or those studying in the United Kingdom, who fall within the 18 to 35 year age bracket.

Soyinka who, however, hinted that the higher percentage of entries came from those resident in Nigeria explained that participants stand the chance of winning flight tickets to the United Kingdom on Virgin Atlantic Airways; meet and be mentored by one of UK’s foremost entrepreneurs and Chairman of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson; and also a

N6m grant donated by Zenith Bank.

She added that the two eventual winners, who would be based in the country and the UK, would split the grant into equal halves.

The Country Manager, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Rachel Coffey, stated that the competition was targeted at young people and aimed at “ensuring that they are equipped with the right skills since youths are tomorrows business leaders.”

“The Nigerian market is an important part of our network, and we want to ensure that young people do not just have education, but also have the skills required for the nation’s economy to thrive. So this exercise is important for us, as there is need for people to have

the needed skills to work for us and other companies. So it is all about development,” she submitted.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Director of Education, British Council, Brian Wilson, said that the British Council through its series of programmes and initiatives has demonstrated its interest in the employability of young Nigerians.

He said the competition came out the desire of the two organisations to equip young people with skills for the 21st Century workplace and give them access to great mentors and business leaders.

“The exercise offers young Nigerians an international platform to share their ideas for innovation and change.

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EDUCATION Thursday, June 12, 2014

Electronic learning, 21st Century solution to dwindling education standards, says Oyelola

By Ujunwa Atueyi ITH the conviction that e-learning has the capacity to play a pivotal role in improving the state of education in the country, Information Technology (IT) solution firms- Tutor.NG and Sterio.me, have organised a one-day workshop for education managers in the state.

And at the workshop, Assistant Director of Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Elizabeth Oyelola, in her presentation, posited that electronic learning was the 21st Century solution to declining state of education in the country in particular and Africa as a continent.

Oyelola, a senior trainer of Intel Education therefore, stressed the urgent need for schools across the continent to adopt new innovations in e learning using IT tools and applications.

Various educators and content developers from different sectors, who converged at the Enterprise Creative Hub in Lagos, were exposed to various software for creating compelling learning contents, with e learning platforms and mobile devices.

Head of Product and cofounder of Tutor.NG, Fehintolu Olaogun, in his presentation on “Video Usage in Quality Content Delivery,” explained the importance and techniques

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of adding visuals to learning contents.

He advised educators to always create captivating and quality videos as part of their tools to delivering compelling contents.

The Chief Executive Officer of Sterio.me, Chris Pruijsen, whose presentation centered on “Delivering Learning Content Through Mobile

Phones,” expressed that such solution could help education delivery, where there is very low access or no internet connection, especially in the rural areas.

He said the SMS and voice content could be accessed from any type of phone, as it does not require Internet access.

Both firms announced their

willingness to form a strategic partnership with the aim of launching a full-stack mobile learning experience across the country, including SMS and voice based VAS mobile education services, using the Sterio.me platform and elearning via the mobile web and Tutor.ng app.

Speaking on the partnership, Pruijsen said, “The best way to

solve some of the biggest societal problems of our age is to form strategic partnerships.

In a country with lack of access to Internet and power, soaring education problems and high levels of illiteracy, educational solutions that can function seamlessly without reliance on data, smart phones and adequate literacy levels have high potential.”

“With the joint offering, more people irrespective of their class or location will be able to have access to education as long as there is a GSM signal in their community.

“We are excited about this partnership and believe it will enable us to deliver learning content to everyone with mobile access,” said added Olaogun.

Jonathan lauds private sector’s contribution to education development

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has commended the private sector for complementing government’s efforts in catering for the education needs of her citizens.

While appreciating the quality of education offered by some of the institutions, he also noted with delight, the fact that these institutions, especially those owned by faith-based organisations have also succeeded in instilling discipline in the students’ population.

Jonathan, while speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Eagle Heights University, Omadino, Warri, Delta State, noted that without the private sector, government at all levels can never create enough spaces in tertiary institutions for the teeming youths of the country, adding that it was only a few

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So, without the private sector coming in to assist, we cannot provide enough spaces for our children. That is why government is quite passionate about universities being built by the private sector, especially religious bodies because one advantage of universities owned by religious bodies is discipline and moral education. And they are what they are because of that background training they have, not just the academic training. In these universities owned by religious bodies, we’ve seen a high degree of discipline both among the staff and the students Nigerians that get admitted into tertiary institutions yearly despite the number of government and privatelyowned institutions in the country.

Eagle Heights University is floated by the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Senior Pastor, Word of Life Bible Church and current Pastor Ayodele Joseph Oritsejafor last week.

The president, who thanked Oritsejafor for delving into the academic world to help

solve the shortcomings and inadequacies in the sector, noted that most students of faith-based schools have an edge over their counterparts in the government schools, not only academically, but also morally and otherwise.

Said he: “I have seen that without the private sector, government alone will not be able to create enough university spaces for our children.

Within a short period, we have had 14 new universities, but we still have so many

Nigerians who are not able to get admission. In fact, if you go to Ghana, Nigerians are almost taking over the whole Ghanaian universities.

“So, without the private sector coming in to assist, we cannot provide enough spaces for our children. That is why government is quite passionate about universities being built by the private sector, especially religious bodies because one advantage of universities owned by religious bodies is discipline and moral education. And they are what they are because of that background training they have, not just the academic training. In these universities owned by religious bodies, we’ve seen a high degree of discipline both among the staff and the students.

“So, we must work out ways of encouraging private universities in terms of infrastructure because they are helping to create platforms and institutions for our children. These are responsibilities of government. We have 50 private universities in the country. Assuming we don’t have this number of universities, how many of our children would have been roaming the street without hope,” the President questioned.

He urged the institution to offer courses that would have direct and positive impact on it host and surrounding communities as well as help to groom professionals who would be able to handle the challenges facing the environment.

Meanwhile, Oritsejafor says the university would be at the forefront of academic transformation of the country and the continent because according to him, the institution is not established to join the league of already existing private institutions, but established to revolutionise the country’s academic landscape.

The CAN President said establishing the school was in fulfillment of the mandate handed him by God to, “take His word to the world and to build the people who would build the nation,” adding that “this is just one of the ways to show my deep yearn-

ings to improve the lives of my people.”

He stressed that the school would help to correct the imbalanced noticed in the average Nigerian graduate, whom he said is “socially and politically independent, but mentally dependent.”

He said most Nigerian youths want to be productive and contribute to the growth and development of our society, “but have not been adequately equipped mentally to deliver what they have in them. The battle of life generally begins in our minds and curiosity about the uncertainty of life has driven many into joining cults and use of harmful drugs.

“We are ready to revolutionise the academic landscape of our nation for good.

Eagle Heights University, Omadino, Warri is today at the threshold of the revolution…”

Oritsejafor revealed that the institution, which is the first private Christian institution in that part of the country, will be a much desired university that would serve as an engine room of socio-economic development and spiritual renewal of youths, while building on the three main pillars of leadership, entrepreneurship and most importantly, theology.

He called on Nigerians to join him in bringing excellence to the education sector and change in the society, saying that the process of educating a child was not a responsibility that could be borne by an individual alone.

In his remarks, Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan commended Jonathan for his commitment towards the development of the country.

He praised Pastor Oritsejafor and his wife for their initiative in bringing the project to the rural area of Omadino saying such step would spur infrastructural development of the area, open it up and also help in eradicate poverty in the area through the jobs it would provide to the indigenes.

He noted that with the university project, the Maritime University and the Gas City all situated within reaching distances of each other, the future of the community was very bright and they would move from backwardness to an educational belt of the state.

Meanwhile, the overjoyed host community say their love for education saw them giving out the land for the proposed school free of charge to the church.

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Thursday, June 12, 2014 EDUCATION

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Repositioning education with ‘Cross River State Standard’ initiative From Anietie Akpan, Calabar N assumption of office in O 2007 as governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, moved to reposition education in the state and accord it a priority status. Consequently, a model known as the “Cross River State Standard” was introduced to, not only lift the standard of education in the state, but also remove permanently, the hitherto educationally backward or disadvantaged state toga.

Over the years, the model has recorded some highs as well as succeeded in taking the state from an embarrassing low position in the West African Certificate Examination (WAEC) to the 15th position in 2008 and now the sixth position in the country.

“This model worth is emulating,” said Mrs. Helen Ofem, a secondary teacher. “We are excited with what is going on and because of the model, teachers in the state have benefited from various training programmes.

“As you can see, we have also received laptops to further enhance our computer literacy skills and the students under our watch have also improved a great deal. In the past, there used to be these miracle centres, where most students preferred to write their WAEC and the National Examination Council (NECO) examinations so that they would be assisted.

That is no more happening and such fraudulent students have moved to other states were such centres still exist.”

Thus, during a recent facility tour of projects embarked upon by the Imoke administration in the state, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Offiong Offiong revealed that the state’s performance in external examinations using the WAEC as standard, has improved tremendously.

In giving reasons for the state’s improved performance at the basic education level, Offiong said, “I think that it has to do with the passion of our governor, Senator Liyel Imoke. He has left no one in doubt about his passion for education and the need to reposition education sector in the state. That has led us first to identifying our challenges in the education sector, which he did upon coming into office. I also embarked on a need assessment exercise that

lasted for six months.”

It was the state’s approach to addressing the observed problems that gave birth to “what we call the Cross River State Standard. And in repositioning the sector, we did not just limit our efforts to addressing problems of infrastructure.

We also touched on the quality of teaching and learning. So the infrastructure is one component.”

“In improving the teacher’s capacity, we have also institutionalised training and retraining programmes for them. Through our very strong and robust inspectorate system, we have intensified monitoring and inspection of schools. We have also reduced the level of indiscipline in schools in form of absenteeism and absconding from duty.”

“In addition to this, we have to put in place a compulsory prep class for all our examination classes. The classes start from 2pm to 4pm. We try to make it mandatory and for all exam classes, and under the supervision of principals or teachers appointed by the principal. So, with this, we are able to cover the entire syllabus for examinations and the students have been very cooperative and their parents supportive of the initiative because they have seen the result.”

As part of the Cross River State Standard initiative in the education sector, Offiong said, “For us to build a school, that school must have adequate number of classrooms for enroled students; an assembly hall, which also doubles as examination hall; staff room in each block; three laboratories for physics; chemistry and biology, as well as Information Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory. So, all the comprehensive renovated schools have the same facilities. In addition to these, there must be recreation facilities for the students. That is in terms of infrastructure.”

“In terms of teaching and learning, we use the national curriculum. In addition to that, we also ensure that students in our school must acquire ICT skills. That is why we started the e learning in our schools through the provision of ICT laboratory and the provision of computers to our teachers. So far, we have given up to 10, 000 laptop comput-

ers to our teachers in both primary and secondary schools. In addition to the provision of laptops, we have trained up to Microsoft basic literacy certificate level. These are just some of the aspects of the initiative.”

He further explained that, “What we have done essentially is to lay a very solid foundation for the evolution of an education system in the state that would meet the needs of Cross Riverians, and ensure that the products of our educational system can compete with their peers in the world. We are conscious of the fact that education without skills is inadequate, and that is why we also believe that every child that comes out from an educational institution must be able to acquire one or two basic skills.

That is why as a state, we have also embraced the new National Senior Secondary School Curriculum very well because it makes provision for entrepreneurship and trade subjects for senior secondary schools. That truly is in line with our vision for our education sector.”

On the number of schools so far affected by this new initiative, he said, “We have done comprehensive infrastructural development of 62 schools, and we have also taken 20, partially.

That is, we have been able to give them classrooms but yet to give laboratories and other components of the state standard. We believe that even if we are unable to complete them the next administration will do it. But it is our hope that we will be able to go beyond that 62 by next year.”

Shedding light on how leakages and sundry fraudulent practices, that usually compromise the integrity of examinations have been done away with, Offiong who is the longest serving Education Commissioner in the state said, “I think it has to do with the quality of processing our examinations are subjected to. By computerising our examination, we have reduced cases of students who got promoted to the next class after they failed, or people who were not really qualified to register for WAEC after the SSCE mock examination, which is a state conducted examination. We have been able to get people to be screened before the WAEC examination by ensuring that they pass the SSCE mock examination before they are regis-

Fakunle old students laud Aregbesola over school relocation From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head South West Bureau) LD students of Fakunle O Comprehensive High School, Oshogbo, Osun State, have expressed their gratitude to the Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, for heeding their calls and relocating their alma mater to the Unity School, Oshogbo.

In a letter addressed to the governor and signed by Professor Akinwale Akinbode and Mr. Olalekan Adeleke among others, they lauded Aregbesola for taking the bold step to assuage the curiosity of many residents of the state, who kicked against

the outright scrapping of the school.

They, however, sought to know, “if the existing Unity School (which is a girls’ school) would be renamed “Fakunle Comprehensive Unity School” and be made co-educational, which the Fakunle Comprehensive High School was, or whether a new structure would be constructed within the premises of Unity School to house Fakunle Comprehensive High School.

“We believe that the governor has the powers to do any of the above alternatives and whatever alternative the Governor eventually decides

on will be okay with us as long as the name Fakunle Comprehensive High School and the composition of the students (as a mixed school) are retained.

“We would like to also categorically state that the governor has the powers to use the existing Fakunle Comprehensive High School land, which is a public property for another project of public interest, but definitely not for private interest.

“We sincerely hope that the governor will commence the implementation of his pronouncement soonest so as to allay the fears of our members and finally lay the issue to rest.”

Imoke tered to write WAEC. “Private schools in the state are also not spared in the scrutiny. But in the whole of this, we are mindful of people trying to impress us through examination malpractice. So we have intensified monitoring of our state and external examinations so that what we get as result is truly the real performance of our students.

These are just the few strategies we have put in place that have moved the state to be the number six best performing state in WAEC, given the WAEC 2013 result. We are also anxiously waiting to see the WAEC 2014 result, which we are very optimistic that the performance of the state will be good.”

“After this administration came into office in 2007, we noticed the first lift in 2008.

And by 2012, we had become the seventh best performing state and in 2013, we became

the sixth best performing state.

This development has filled principals and students with immense confidence that truly the state can perform better than we have done. And we are trying to consolidate on some of these strategies that have made us to reach this level,” the commissioner stated.

Reacting to allegations that applicants seeking employment, as teachers into the state service were required to pay a N2, 000 levy, Offiong said, “Well, there are always some basic things to be done in processing of applications. The interview we intend to give to the teachers this time will also require some teaching demonstration, in other words, the teachers to be, would have to demonstrate their teaching skills. It is a very comprehensive interview, but I can’t recall exactly what fee the board was charging. However, I can assure you that it’s something very minimal and very affordable.”

On the general school enrolment in the state as well as available manpower, Offiong said, “The enrolment in our public primary schools is approaching 250, 000.

Presently we have 253 secondary schools and 1, 018 primary schools. In the secondary school, (grammar and technical schools), we have about 6, 000 teachers. Many of them have been retiring and the governor has approved the recruitment of over 500 teachers for

the secondary board and sixty for technical teachers for our technical colleges. And at the primary level, we have about 13, 000 teachers.”

Offiong, who opined that there were a lot of potentials in the state educational system, said “the only limitation we have, which in my own opinion is going to be temporary is resources. A lot is being done by this administration since it came into office and I would start at the tertiary level. When we came into office, we had only one tertiary institution, which is the Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH), with a student population of about 5, 000.”

“Today, the student population of CRUTECH is over 11, 000. We have provided an expansion for admission into tertiary institutions. In addition to that, we also re-established the Cross River State College of Education, which its first batch of graduands has passed out. Today, we have a student population of over 5, 000 in that college. We also provide opportunities for those who ordinarily could not secure admission into any other tertiary institution. We are also working tirelessly to open the Institute of Technology and Management in Ugep, a technical institution that would also offer opportunities for Nigerians to be trained by the best in technology, entrepreneurship as well as engineering and that institute would also be opened in the state soon.”

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70 | POLITICSEXTRA Thursday, June 12, 2014

My roadmap for Ekiti’s Continued from yesterday CHAPTER 9 RBAN AND REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION AGENDA The whole Ekiti State composing of 66 towns and villages requires a holistic transformation agenda in the area of Urban and Regional Planning. This is necessary in order to change the life style, enhance the living standard and improve the overall healthy wellbeing of individuals and families. This calls for environmental summit to discuss issues bordering on the followings: a.Existing Housing characteristics and methodology for upgrading existing structures; b.Location, citing, relocation, regrouping of some Transport related services industries; c.Protection and maintenance of public utilities, community services and infrastructure; d.Adoption of best Environmental waste management practices methods and techniques (The present method of refuse collection once in three weeks is inadequate, and unsatisfactory. This could lead to out break of diseases); e.Mainstreaming Environment in land use development activities to achieve environmental sustainability is necessity which will be pursued with vigor; and f.Ecologising all our manufactured capital stocks (such as schools, roads, public and private buildings, place of worship, industrial and commercial institutions in order to prolong their life span and prevent them from environmental devastation will be given adequate attention. For instance Ekiti State Secretariat which is aesthetically nil will be given a priority; and g.Economizing the ecology, preservation and conservation of the eco-fragile zones in Ekiti State so that our people can continue to enjoy ecological/environmental services produced by these various eco-fragile zones.

B. Almost all the settlements in Ekiti State are rich and endowed with one or more ecosystems which are thickly wooded while some appear as parkland.

With a comprehensive regional studies recreation parks, tourist attractions of international standard will be developed at Efon, Itawure, Aramoko/Erijiyan axis.

Through this comprehensive regional planning (studies), and the preparation of thematic maps on eco-frigile zones particularly on floodable areas, water lodge zone and stream/rivers in Ekiti State, we shall also preserve and conserve some specific areas like elemi (Igede, Ipole water fall, etc) for tourist attraction.

C.Development of Ado –Urban Ring Road:The construction of a ring-road at the outskirt of Ado metropolitan area to pass through Atlas (Ado-Ikere Road) busting out at the Federal Polytechnic (Ado Ikere Road) and linking Ado/Afao Road. The continuation of the road to link Ado/Iworoko Road just after Bawa Estate and it will go through Olorunda Estate to Ado/Iyin Road (just before the Trade fair complex, from there it will link up with new Ado/Iyin road (after the Central Bank Building under construction) and Ado/ Ilawe Road (a location between Iya medi Estate and Odo village). From this point, the outer ring road bye pass will be constructed to join at Ado Ikere road at Atlas Hostel which is the original starting point: The importance of this ring road which cannot be over emphasized include; i.Reduction of traffic congestion within the Central Business District (CBD) of Ado Ekiti; ii.Reduction of the vehicular air and noise pollution of passer-byes having no business at Ado Ekiti; iii.

Vacant land abutting the proposed ring road would be schemed to provide adequate spatial allocation for the relocation and regrouping of transport related services that are found allocated with inconvenient locations, road setback and on dangerous places within residential areas in Ado Ekiti; iv. Ease of movement of goods, services and travellers having nothing to do in State Capital will be is ensured; and i. Ring-roads provide better location for the establishment of industrial and commercial ventures.

D. Construction of Over head bridge Ado Ekiti, one of the oldest town in Nigeria, has its history dates back to a period before the advent of Ewi dynasty in 1310 AD. At this period compound houses were built in close

U

Opeyemi proximity to each other for social welfare, interaction and for protection in case of insurgence of war.

Foot-paths as the means of transportation between the compound buildings were later developed and the forest land between Ijigbo, Odo-Ado, Irona and Okesa gradually disappeared as a result of urbanization.

With recent development before and after the creation of Ado Ekiti as a State Capital, the road cross-junctions of these areas now have more than 32 traffic conflict points.

To reduce traffic congestions at Okesa crossjunction and at Mugbagba/Ejigbo cross junctions two separate over –head bridges will be constructed in these areas.

E.Urban Planning at each of the Local Government Headquarters Family land owners, societies, Local Government Authorities will be compelled to team up to prepare schemes, layouts for orderly development of Local Government Headquarters. This will ensure accessibility to all houses and also prevent demolition of houses during future provision of infrastructure for the community.

To make this a reality, the Ministry of Housing, Physical and Regional Planning and the office of the Surveyor General (SG) will be mandated to assist the communities concerned. Details of this will be worked out later.

CHAPTER 10 ENVIRONMENT, SANITATION AND SUSTAINABILITY Ekiti people are a decent, good-mannered and proud people. They are neat both in appearance and character. However, the commercial and industrial growth envisaged for Ekiti State in our Charter of Prosperity will nonetheless result in increased refuse dumps on Ekiti streets and liquid waste products in the residential areas, industrial estates and in the market arena as the price for the convenience of modern life is the generation of a lot of waste. There is also a growing need to protect and conserve our bio-diversity for the sake of sustainable development to enable the present and future generations of Ekiti people benefit immensely from the environment. For this reason among others, we will establish EKITI STATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY that will be saddled with the sole responsibility of maintaining a clean and hygienic environment in the entire length and

breadth of Ekiti State, the enforcement of environmental laws, part of which is the observation of the monthly sanitation exercise and weekly market cleaning exercise, the protection and conservation of the aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna and the control of erosion, drainage, flood and other environmental challenges.

Of great importance to us is the fact that a very large part of our residential areas have been ravaged by gully erosion and flood over the years, especially during the raining season. In our determination to combat these challenges head on, we have considered it a critical imperative that we encourage a sustainable synergy of public and private efforts and donations from all stakeholders including the Government, the organized private sector, individual philanthropists, international development partners and local voluntary organizations.

To this end, we will establish EKITI ECOLOGICAL TRUST FUND which will be manned by Ekiti men and women of proven character and integrity to manage the funds accruing from different quarters and advise the Government on the relevant areas of concern. It is our belief that these funds will complement the proceeds from the national ecological fund.

We realize that comfortable lives require a lot of energy, including electricity, gas and gasoline. Producing electricity and operating machines in the urban and rural areas by burning fuels like oil and coal results in the release of carbon dioxide and other gases into the air which leads to global warming and air pollution. Therefore, our sensitivity to the impact of climate change effects on the environment has made us to be more comfortable with clean forms of energy production which do not result in emission of gases. On this note, our administration will lay much emphasis on solar, wind and geo-thermal energies and we shall provide the enabling incentives towards the realization of these novel energy production initiatives.

As part of our solid waste management strategies, we will encourage regulated Private Support Services/PSS operation in industrial and commercial areas as a way of creating opportunity for self-employment for our youths, whereas Government efforts in the area of environmental control is being complemented in this regard. Our ad-

ministration will encourage a recycling culture in which things are used sparingly and can be used again and again instead of being thrown away. To prevent the growing mountains of garbage in our cities, we will partner with private, local and foreign investors to establish recycling plants for the recycling of domestic, commercial and industrial wastes.

CHAPTER 11 LAW, SECURITY AND ORDER The realization of the avowed goals set out in the Charter of Prosperity would be a tall dream without the enactment of a peaceful, harmonious, virile and decent atmosphere where the rule of law, social justice and fair play take their prime of place in governing the conduct of both the government and the citizenry. The quality of the performance of our legal system remains an essential determinant of our prospects for consolidating democracy and development in Ekiti State, just like the way it is in every other clime. It is therefore instructive to note that an efficient legal system affords more effective protection of human rights, freedoms and liberties of the citizenry. Also of importance is the salient fact that a viable and virile legal system promotes business growth and rising incomes to the extent that where there is no rule of law, where the security of lives and property is threatened and where formal contracts and legal agreements cannot be respected and enforced, potential investors are not likely to risk their financial and material resources.

The situation of perpetual insecurity in Ekiti State has brought home the very compelling need for us to overhaul our legal and security system and fashion it in such a manner as to help in creating a befitting and enabling environment for viable business, steady growth and sustainable development. It is imperative we must design a positive organic policy that aims at curbing corruption, inefficiency and disorder. Our Government will transform the criminal justice system in Ekiti and our legal sector will be reformed in a way that will prioritize the mechanization and computerization of higher courts of record in emulation of the fast- track system, which is designed to accelerate judicial output, thereby decongesting our detention cells and adjudicating justice without let or hindrance.

Of more importance is the need to sanitize other key legal sector agencies such as the lower Courts and State Ministry of Justice; the upturning of the legal and regulatory frame-

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development, by Opeyemi work for doing business in Ekiti as well as the reform of our land tenure system to expand the existing opportunities for the modernization of agriculture and wealth creation through a sustainable agrarian revolution.

Aside the more compelling need to equip and strengthen our law enforcement agencies, we will see to it that our criminal process is invoked against citizens not because of their political leaning or allegiance but because of their involvement in alleged criminal activities, on grounds of reasonable suspicion. This is in conformity with the motto of our great party, the Labour Party, ‘’Equal opportunity and justice’’. To apply the rule of law to the contrary amounts to the subversion or perversion of justice.

Our administration will not only resourcefully engage the security agencies on a regular basis with a view to strengthening our synergy towards maintaining peace, order and tranquillity in Ekiti State, we will, more than any government in the past, devote attention and state resources to security intelligence as a pro-active approach, capacity building to meet global best practice standard and acquisition of modern technology.

It is my candid opinion that our law enforcement agencies must be incorruptible, fair, educated and exposed adequately enough for them to carry out their statutory functions, and to ensure this in Ekiti State, we will invest State funds in projects capable of complementing the subsisting incentives, conditions of service and the social security scheme already provided by the Federal Government. Our Government will ensure that such practice of policemen using their personal telephone lines for official communication, spending their personal money to procure uniforms and fuel to run patrol vehicles, among other logistics challenges becomes a thing of the past in Ekiti State.

Civil Society organizations such as Human Rights groups, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Union of Journalists, Nigerian Union of Teachers, National Union of Local Government Employees, other trade and interest unions as well as Community-based pro-democracy and social advocacy groups will be accorded their pride of place as critical stakeholders in the governance process.

Given our passion for the protection of the rights of citizens, especially the poor, the less privileged and the vulnerable people, our administration will establish Legal Aid Centres (LAC) in each of the 16 Local Government Areas in Ekiti State to enable these categories of citizens have access to justice without delay since justice delayed is justice denied.

CHAPTER 12 PUBLIC/ CIVIL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION The State Civil Service (SCS) is an arm of the many units of the State Public Service (SPS).

The State Public Service includes, apart from the State Civil Service, the office of the Clerk and Staff of the State House of Assembly; the Local Government Service; Staff of Government owned University; College of Education and other Tertiary Institutions; Staff of Statutory Corporations, Boards and Agencies; Members and Staff of State Judiciary, Members and Staff of Commissions, Councils and other Statutory Authorities.

The Civil Service works directly with the Government of the day and hence is referred to as the engine room, which is used to process government policies and translating such to realizable programmes and projects. It is a known fact that the present crop of the public service is disillusioned and less motivated. In fact, they are not promoted as at when due. Neither are they given their rights in terms of allowances and benefits.

Our incoming Government will pay serious attention to both the Civil and Public Service, so as to ensure that the service is made up of professionals that are well trained and motivated. The Government will: Provide enough fund to the agencies that will enable staff enjoy benefits such as car loans, housing loans and land loan without delay; Introduce once again induction courses for new staff; send the old ones for training and re-training; Provide conducive environment that will enhance performance; Provide Information Technology to all policy makers and ensure that they are linked with the internet; Discourage the use of Consultants that have taken over the work of some government agencies and ministries that had reduced the work of the staff to zero; Ensure Staff are promoted as at when due

and that no staff suffers any disadvantage; Ensure the regular release of Running Grants to Ministries, Departments and Agencies regularly to enable them have tools to perform their duties; Ensure that the corrupt Staff are shown the way out of the service; Adhere to the provision of the Civil Service rules and financial instructions and other circulars issued by the Department of Establishment and Training; Ensure that both the Internal and External Audits perform their duties professionally; Make sure that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Assembly perform her statutory roles once again; Adhere strictly to the provision of the budget; Introduce enlightenment campaign against official corruption through Jingles on both Radio and Television; and Check-off dues from staff salaries are paid back to the appropriate agencies such as Banks, co-operatives etc. However, a probe will be set up on happens to the check-off dues already deducted from salaries of Staff and have not been directed to the right agencies for same.

PENSIONERS The old pensioners especially those who retired before year 2007 are being paid very poor and ridiculous pensions. This class of retiree should be paid something higher. To this effect, a strong committee will be put in place to look into this problem and make necessary recommendations to the State government.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION We attach a great deal of importance to grassroots governance and development.

Our commitment to good governance at all tiers of governance and the realization that democracy is tangential to enacting a participatory, all-engaging, responsive and responsible leadership at the grassroots level makes us to pledge our dedication to conducting free and fair elections for the 16 local governments of Ekiti State within the first six months of our stay in office so that each of the sixteen Local Government Councils in Ekiti can be democratically governed by elected Chairmen and Councillors in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Our administration will consciously work towards financial autonomy that will ensure that the Local Governments are able to perform their statutory roles. To this end, the relationship between the State and Local Governments will be well spelt out to enhance co-operation and not confrontation. Much as we believe solemnly in the doctrine of true federalism, we will not entertain any policy or programme that is capable of incapacitating our Local Government administration either financially or otherwise. We shall therefore grant them some measure of autonomy to formulate and implement sound policies and engender development-driven programmes and activities in line with the objectives of our administration and without prejudice to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as other statutory rules and regulations governing local government administration in Nigeria.

However, for appropriate checks and balances on actions and inac-

tions at the local government level, the State House of Assembly will be encouraged to intervene where necessary especially in the settling of disputes while the State’s Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs shall monitor and supervise the activities of local government councils.

We will review the roles of our traditional rulers and principal Chieftaincy title holders and ensure that they are given a better placement in the governance system while their remunerations and social welfare package shall be revisited to ensure they are given a befitting and rewarding treatment at the State and Local Government levels.

In order to enhance even development of both the State and Local Governments: The Local Government would be made to remit to the State Government the Pay As You Earn income deducted by the Local Government Authorities (LGAs); The State Government under our administration will remit 10% of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the Local Governments in accordance with the law; The State Government and the Local Governments would work together towards the harmonization of the process of Revenue collection so as to remove over taxation and double taxation.

CONCLUSION Our aspiration is to create a new, united, prosperous, peaceful and virile Ekiti State where the lofty dreams nurtured by its founding fathers and for which they worked so hard for its creation almost two decades ago could come to reality. We are persuaded that the attainment of these laudable goals lies in

the enactment of an atmosphere of new understanding, new vision, new determination and a new spirit that requires the genuine integration and enduring input of all stakeholders in the collective rebirth of our dear State.

Ekiti Charter of Prosperity, more than any previous blueprint on Ekiti growth and development, emphasizes the need for every citizen of Ekiti to see himself or herself as a moral agent for the urgent rescue and elevation of our dear State from the valley of abject poverty, political instability, mutual hatred, misplacement of values and priorities as well as the endemic crisis of leadership, which has been the bane of Ekiti in the last decade. We are poised to place Ekiti on a higher pedestal where it will become the cynosure of all eyes, the pride of Nigeria and the envy of the modern world.

Sector by sector, I have outlined the policies and programmes by which my team and I solemnly seek to intervene and make a marked difference in the living standards of our people. Through this blueprint, we are offering Ekiti people a statement of promise that if given the governorship mandate, we will not only ensure that all the human and material resources with which Ekiti is endowed are scientifically and prudently harnessed, we will also ensure that more opportunities are created where every citizen will have equal access to a chance for wealth creation. This is based on the motto of the Labour Party, ‘’Equal opportunity and justice for all’’.

On this premise, I, most earnestly, enjoin all well-meaning sons and daughters of Ekiti State, home and abroad, to repose their faith in this solemn assurance of a new, united, peaceful and prosperous Ekiti and join their hands together with us to reinvent governance, engender freedom and democratic ethos, create jobs, eradicate poverty, build infrastructure, sustain businesses, secure lives and properties, reenact the essence and value of peaceful co-existence among (Ekitikete) and restore the lost glories, hope, faith and confidence of our people whose heart had been broken by failure of leadership. I am convince that broken heart can be healed.

I, therefore, pledge to dedicate my talents, my time, my resources and my unusual wealth of political, legal and administrative experience in ensuring that these lofty goals are realized, to the utmost salvation and prosperity of Ekiti people.

So help me God.

CONCLUDED

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MarketReport EQUITY MARKET SUMMARY

AS AT 11-06-2014

PRIMERA AFRICA www.primera-africa.com

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MArKET iNDiCATOrS

AS AT 11-06-2014

PriMErA AFriCA

GSK’s shareholders task technical partner on bonus issue Approve N1.2b dividend

By Helen Oji HArEHOLDErS SConsumer of GlaxoSmith Kline (GSK) Nigeria Plc, yesterday, stressed the need for the company’s technical partner to be more sensitive to the environment it operates, to ensure declaration of bonus issue in the next financial year.

The shareholders, who expressed dismay at the unduly attitude meted on Nigerian Shareholders by GSK UK, however, commended the company’s board for improving the overall performance of the company and increasing shareholders’ value on investment through dividend payout, even as they approve a total dividend of N1.2 billion.

This translated to N1.30 kobo per share due to every investor of the company for the 2013 financial year.

Specifically, the General Secretary, independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Adeleke Adebayo, expressed the need for the GSK UK, the majority shareholder to be sensitive to the yearnings and interest of their partners.

He explained that Nigerian Shareholders are due for a bonus issue from the company from the company’s accumulated reserve, adding that the company has not declared a bonus issue to shareholders in the past nine years.

“The way our technical partners are treating Nigerian Shareholders is not encouraging. We ask them to consider our appeal and we will wait patiently till the next financial year,” he said.

Another shareholder, Williams Adebayo noted that the company is growing tremendously, while Nigerian shareholders are getting poorer.

“The company should give us bonus issue. The financial performance of this company is showing a bogus general reserve and you have all it takes to give us bonus.”

The out-going Chairman of the company, Olusegun Osunkeye assured shareholders that his exit from the company would not create a vacuum or hinder the growth of the company.

Osunkeye, who is expected to retire as the Chairman of the company after the 2013 yearly meeting , assured shareholders that the company has put in place a strong succession plan, expressing confidence that the growth currently seen in the company will be sustained and surpassed by the incoming Chairman.

He assured shareholders that the company would do every thing within its powers to ensure that the new composition of the board reflects the true shareholding structure of the company.

“We would pursue all the plan set for the company’s growth.

Our focus at GSK will be to continue to maximize existing business opportunities, with renewed commitment to talent development and product innovation. “ Our firm belief is that companies that offer quality products at competitive prices, while ensuring operational efficiencies will always win.

We are determined to win in the market place and deliver superior returns to our shareholders.”

Profit taking pulls ASi down on the Exchange

By Bukky Olajide rANSACTiONS on the T Nigerian Stock Exchange lower yesterday on profit taking.

Dangote Cement, Guaranty and Wapco , however impacted the most on the index.

The trio took 237.34points off the index. The benchmark index ended at 41,521.40 points, sliding 0.21 per cent just as market capitalisation stood at N13.710 trillion.

Market sentiment still remains fragile with MBi at 0.03x. Activity level rose significantly by 370.15 per cent and 134.50 per cent in terms of volume and value of trades in that order.

The jump was driven by unusual deal in Transcorp which accounted for 55.20 per cent of aggregate transaction value. Honyflour and Fidson advanced the most, gaining 6.25 per cent and 4.71 per cent respectively. Caverton and ikejahotel led on the losers’ camp.

Meanwhile, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria said it plans to repay N800billion of bonds due by August this year.

The development would make the corporation’s outstanding debt to be N3.8tn, after redeeming N1trillion last year.

The agency spent N5.6trillion in 2011 to acquire non-performing loans and took over three of the eight banks it rescued with N620bn bailout, according to a Bloomberg report.

The Chief Executive Officer, AMCON, Mustafa Chike-Obi, told reporters that Mainstreet Bank Limited and Enterprise Bank Limited, two of the three nationalised banks, would be handed over to new owners

by September 15.

He said the divestment in Keystone Bank would start once it was done with the other two companies.

“AMCON does not see the possibility of buying new nonperforming loans till it winds up by 2022 as the banks are now stronger,” Chike-Obi said.

According to him, the corporation might not buy any nonperforming loans again because the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Ministry of Finance had directed against it.

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INTERVIEW

‘In Niger, our work speaks for us’ In this interview with JOHN OGIJI in Minna, the capital, Niger State’s Commissioner of Information, Communications and Strategy, Danladi Ndayebo, spoke on the policies and programmes of government in the last seven years and its vision to become one of the top three most developed economies in Nigeria by the year 2020.

OVERNOR Mu’azu Aliyu has been in the saddle for seven G years now. What would you say are the achievements of his government so far?

When we were campaigning in 2007, we had a clear picture of the kind of reforms we wanted to pursue and the expected outcomes. Let me take you back to Governor Aliyu’s inaugural speech. That address captured the situation of things at the time he took over and gave insight into what we wanted to do as a government to reverse the prevalence of poverty and underdevelopment that was ravaging the state.

Seven years down the line, we have left development imprints that are difficult to ignore. In the last seven years, Governor Aliyu has stamped his seal of excellence on all the critical sectors of the state’s economy. We have done wonderfully well in agriculture, Education, Infrastructure, Health, Security, you name it....

How would you assess the performance of your administration vis-a-vis the actualisation of your much talked about vision to make Niger State one of the top three most developed state economies in Nigeria?

Well, so far so good. In the last seven years we have been able to make Niger State better than we met it. At the beginning of the administration, we looked at our opportunities and potentials as a state and consequently conceived a strategic development action plan, which envisions that Niger State should be among the top three most developed states economies by the year 2020.

It is important to say that the Vision 3-2020 document has remained our guiding principle and a standard by which performance of the various ministries, departments and agencies is benchmarked. And I am happy to say that we have recorded successes in all our priority sectors of education, agriculture, health and infrastructural development. We have also done well in the areas of tourism and culture, urban and rural transformation, water supply, environmental sanitation and housing, among others.

Regarding creation of jobs for the teeming unemployed graduates, what would you say is the achievement of the administration?

This is one area that we took seriously right from the outset. Between 2007 when we came on board and now, we have recruited over 5,000 graduates under the Graduate Employment Scheme (GES). The state has also engaged and trained 500 youth as sanitation officers and another 500 as Green Guards to police our forests. A total of 500 youth traffic vanguards have also been engaged to assist in the management of vehicular movement in the state, as well as, 300 young people who have been trained in the area of poultry and fish farming.

It is significant to state that our administration has been adjudged the best administration in the history of the state in terms of prompt payment of salaries and allowances of workers, their capacity building and implementation of minimum wage apart from the special wage structure for professionals in the health sector.

The government has also introduced a civil servants car loan scheme through which workers are assisted to own their own cars at 10 per cent subsidised rates.

We recall that at the inception of this administration, the governor declared free and compulsory education. How would you rate the implementation of the programme?

When in 2007, we declared free and compulsory education, not many people believed it was possible, perhaps because the initiative is unprecedented in the history of the state. I am happy to tell you that there are landmark achievements in this sector, like the progress we have made in the in the area of Girl-Child education.

We also pioneered the effort at integrating western and Islamic education, ahead of Federal Government’s Almajiri school programme. And I am sure you have not forgotten that we have been consistent in the payment of NECO/WAEC fees for final year students in all public secondary schools in the state since 2008.

We are also ensured up-to-date payment of counterpart fund of over N6 billion to the Universal Basic Commission (UBEC) for the transformation of basic primary education through the activities of the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), leading to increase in primary school enrolment from about 630,000 in 2008 to about 1.5 million today. Payment of scholarship to over 23,000 students in Nigerian universities and other institutions of higher learning have also been regular and I can go on and on...

Niger State is the largest in the country in terms of land mass. It has close to 10 per cent of the nation’s total land mass. One naturally thinks that agriculture should be your area of comparative advantage?

You have lived here for many years and you should be the one telling others what the current administration has

Governor Babangida been doing to change the face of agriculture in the state.

Our landmark achievements in this area include the Established Niger Rice Investment Consortium (NSRIC) Project to boost rice production and position Niger State as the major producer of high quality rice in the country.

To get the project off the ground we established and equipped 5Nos Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centres of the NSRIC Project in the rice producing communities of Doko, Jima, Mambe, Ndaloke and Gaba.

We have procured 400 units of tractors and distributed to the Tractor Hiring Units Implementation programme in the 25 LGAs to boost agricultural production and revitalised agricultural extension infrastructure by renovating nine (9) centres across the state and distributed 100 motorcycles to facilitate the movement of the extension workers.

Irrigation programme has also enjoyed a boost with the reactivation of 16 schemes across the state to boost all year farming. We have also registered over 270,000 farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES).

It is because of our modest efforts that the State was selected as one of four additional phase II States for the implementation of the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP II) in collaboration with the World Bank and French Development Agency.

The buffer stock programme in which thousand tones of grains are sold to the public at subsidised rates regularly has been sustained by our administration.

Your government has received commendation for its achievements in the health sector. Of significance is the building of three new general hospitals and more than 200 primary healthcare clinics. How are you consolidating on these gains?

Let me thank you for recognising our modest achievements in this all-important sector and to say with all sense of humility that we have been able to fulfil virtually all our campaign promises and even attained greater heights in some areas. Like you rightly said, we have made tremendous progress in the area of health care delivery.

We have been proving free medical services for children under five, pregnant women (up to 40 days post delivery) and the aged over 70 years of age.

We have constructed and equipped three ultra modern, hi-tech general hospitals in the three senatorial zones of the state (located at Gulu, Sabon Wuse and Nasko).

Government has also embarked on the construction of 134-bed neo natal and maternity wings as part of the expansion of Minna General Hospital (with funding support from SURE-P special projects directorate).

Do not also forget that between 2007 and now we have constructed over 200 Primary Healthcare centres across the State in partnership with the MDGs office aside the renovation of all existing General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare centres in the state.

The Babangida Aliyu administration also upgraded the IBB Specialised Hospital, Minna into a specialist hospital with expanded scope to diversify its operational base in meeting the ever increasing medical needs of the people.

This is unprecedented in the history of the state. Within the same hospital we established a Dialysis Centre for the treatment of patients with kidney disorders and procurement of modern Computer Tomographic scan machine

(CT Scan).

Some rural health centres were also upgraded to the status of general hospitals. They are General Hospital Kutigi and General Hospital Agaie and Lemu General Hospital.

But the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has consistently argued that your government has little or nothing to show in terms of infrastructural development. They contend that most of your legacy projects are substandard.

What is your take on this?

Such a verdict only goes to show that the opposition party clearly does not know what to make of the phenomenon called Babangida Aliyu. Governor Aliyu’s seven-year administration is the closest to a revolution in Niger State. And our work speaks for us.

We have achieved in concrete terms in seven years what other leaders can only dream of in a decade. In Minna alone we have reconstructed and dualised almost all the township roads. We dualised the Yakubu Lame/ Government House road, the Mu’azu Mohammed road, the Musa Zago road, the Mobil Roundabout – Keteren Gwari – Old Secretariat road project, the new Eastern Bye pass- Bahago Roundabout – EidBurial Ground road project, the Jonathan’s place road project, the Maitumbi – Maikunkele road project, the Peter Sarki road, the Niteco road, (now Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi Road), the old Bay Clinic road amongst others.

The administration also constructed the Lapai-Gwari- FUT road, the Kwakwuti- Kafin Koro-Gwada road and work on the construction of a bridge across the Shiroro River has reached 70 per cent completion. So what is APC talking about?

Outside the state capital, the administration also undertook the reconstruction of road projects such as the dualisation of the Lagos Street in Kontagora, the Luma -Babbana road in Borgu Local Government Area, the Lapai – Gulu Muye road, some township roads in Bida and similar ongoing ten kilometre road projects spread across the 25 council areas of the state as part of the administration’s road projects for community integration and socio economic development.

Not to be missed is the Ward Development Project introduced by the current administration. It is a novel initiative, which has since become iconic and a model to other states.

Under the project, funds are allocated to the 274 wards in the state on a monthly basis and a committee of selected persons superintend over a forum where the entire community agree on a project of their choice. This has given a huge sense of belonging to the grassroots.

We also have a lot to show in the areas of transportation, housing, energy and how we have been tackling the challenges of dwindling revenues through the prudent and judicious application of our financial resources to meet our development aspirations. We believe that lack of funds should not be an excuse for non-performance; what is important is commitment to service and fiscal discipline, which have remained our guiding principles since we took office.

There are too many ongoing projects in the state with less than one year to the end of the administration. What is the government doing to ensure that these projects are not abandoned?

Yes you are right but you see the priority of the administration at the moment is to ensure that all ongoing projects are completed before My 29, 2015. The Governor has consistently assured the people that despite the short fall in both internally generated revenue and revenue from the Federation Account, his administration will complete all ongoing projects in the state.

You will agree with me that the current shortfall in revenue from the Federation Account has really made things difficult for many states of the federation but we thank God that in Niger State here we have been prudent with the little that got to us and so the government has, in addition embarking on our developmental programme not owed the over 35,000 civil servants in the state a kobo in terms of salary and other benefits.

One very critical area where the administration has continued to receive kudos from within and outside the state is the area of security. How has the government been able to achieve this despite the limited resources at its disposal?

Well thank very much for this question; since the inception of this administration in the state seven years ago, the issue of security has been one of its top priorities and the reason for is quite simple.

The administration, under the leadership of Aliyu, realised that there can be no meaningful development without peace and security and so the governor believed that in other to keep the dream of becoming one of the three most developed states in Nigeria by the year 2020 alive, the issue of security must be addressed. That is why the governor has been proactive in handling anything that could threaten the peace of the state. Even though we have had some cases bombing in the state, especially in Suleja, the state is still the most peaceful in the country and the Governor has received so many awards in this regards.

We have actually done well in the area of security in the last seven years. All the security outfits in the state have been adequately supported by the administration in terms of providing logistics to ease their job of providing security to the people.

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PHOTONEWS EXTRA

Passing-out parade of 1,000 Immigration Border Patrol Corps

By Odita Sunday

FTER a one month rigorA ous training exercise for 1,000 Immigration Border Patrol Corps personnel at the Immigration Training School, Kano, a colourful passing-out parade was held for Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI) David Shikfu Parradang.

The ceremony which was attended by Alhaji Kwankwaso and other key players in the security of the nation including the Kano State Director of State Security Services and the Commissioner of Police marked the rebirth of parade and Para-military drills which were almost

dead in the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The graduating corps members would be assigned the responsibility of manning the numerous entry and exit points in and out of the country.

The Immigration high command believes that the corps would help reduce the illegal influx of aliens into the country as well as keep vigil against terror elements at the borders.

Speaking at the passing out parade of the Border Patrol Corps members, Parradang urged them to be patriotic and show total diligence in their service to fatherland.

According to Parradang: “We condemn terror anywhere in its entirety and the Nigeria Immigration Service is resolute to con-

tribute towards fighting this heinous crime through the instrumentality of its mandate.

“It is with a heart filled with limitless joy and gratitude to God Almighty that I stand before you to witness this occasion of the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the graduates of the pioneer batch of the newly formed NIS-Border Patrol Corps.

Almost a year ago, I did announce a four-point reform agenda to serve as guide posts for the envisioned repositioning of the NIS” .

The four-point agenda are: Revitalized and retooled border patrol, Internal Monitoring and Control, Use of ICT for better service delivery, and Total Immigration Officer.

Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration, Adike, Kano State Commissioner of Police, Adenrele Shinaba and Parradang at the event

Parradang and his three deputies

Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang and representative of the Governor of Kano State, General Idris Danbazau (Rtd) at the passing out parade

Danbazau, The Comptroller General and members of the Kano Emirate

Managing Director of Security Watch Africa, Patrick Agbambu and Parradang

The Border Patrol Corps members on parade at the event

76 Thursday, June 12, 2014

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GlobalStocks Global stocks slip on World Bank’s growth projection TOCKS retreated from recent highs yesterday, Sforecast pressured by a lower World Bank growth and a profit warning from Lufthansa, while crude oil rose on fears of disrupted supply from Iraq.

The euro fell for a fourth straight session against the U.S. dollar as monetary policy between the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve diverges.

The World Bank late on Tuesday cut its global economic growth forecast for 2014 to 2.8 percent from 3.2 percent due to the impact of the Ukraine crisis and a harsh U.S. winter. The Bank was, however, confident economic activity was shifting to a stronger footing.

Stocks on Wall Street were lower in broad selling, with financials dragged down by a report that Bank of America's mortgage settlement with the U.S. government reached an impasse.

"The World Bank cutting estimates for global GDP got everybody’s attention in an environment where people are looking for a reason to take stocks down a little bit," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Wunderlich Securities in New York.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 94.43 points, or 0.56 percent, at 16,851.49. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 5.82 points, or 0.30 percent, at 1,944.97. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 3.34 points, or 0.08 percent, at 4,334.66.

Adding to the sour tone, the primary election

defeat of Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor further drowned expectations of Washington passing any significant legislation before the November elections.

MSCI's global stocks gauge fell 0.2 percent after earlier flirting with a record high. The FTSEurofirst 300 index lost 0.5 percent, hurt by a profit warning from German airline Lufthansa.

Japan's Nikkei .N225 gained 0.5 percent after MSCI's decision to keep South Korea and Taiwan in the emerging markets classification guaranteed Japan will retain its status as the

only developed market in the region.

Benchmark U.S. Treasury yields retreated from a one-month high hit early in the session, but prices fell after a 10-year auction US10YT=RR. The 10-year note was last down 3/32 in price to yield 2.646 percent.

The euro hovered near a four-month low versus the dollar, down 0.12 percent at $1.3531, pressured by a widening yield gap between euro zone bonds and their peers.

Speculation that the U.S. Federal Reserve could raise interest rates sooner than previously expected has supported the dollar and weighed

on the euro this week.

The greenback weakened further against the Japanese currency, falling 0.4 percent to 101.97 yen.

Oil markets watched the unfolding crisis in Iraq as militants who seized Mosul, the secondbiggest city, advanced into an oil refinery town.

O/R. Brent rose 0.3 percent to $109.84 while U.S. crude CLc1 was little changed at $104.39.

Palladium retreated from a more than 13-year high but was still up 0.7 percent, underpinned by a five-month strike in South Africa.

Emerging market stocks fall from 13-month high MERGING-market stocks fell from a 13-month E high as China Mobile (941) Ltd. paced a drop for phone companies and Turkish equities slumped the most in world. The rand slid as the World Bank cut South Africa’s growth forecast.

China Mobile sank the most in seven weeks. OTP Bank Nyrt. plunged the most in almost two months before a Hungarian court meets next week on foreign-exchange loans. Turkey stocks slid on reports militants from an al-Qaeda group took an unspecified number of hostages after entering the nation’s consulate in Iraq’s secondlargest city. Iraqi bonds tumbled the most in a year. The rand depreciated 0.5 percent.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index lost 0.2 percent to 1,056 by 2:26 p.m. in London, after a fourday rally drove valuations to the most expensive level since April 2011. The World Bank cut its global growth forecast to 2.8 percent, citing weaker outlooks for the U.S., Russia and China, while calling on emerging markets to strengthen their economies before the Federal Reserve raises interest rates.

“We will see a bumpy ride for emerging markets over the next six to 12 months as markets mull the various competing forces,” Neil Shearing, chief emerging-markets economist at Capital Economics, said by phone from London.

The developing-nation gauge has climbed 5.3 percent this year and trades at 11 times projected 12-month earnings, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The MSCI World Index has risen 4.4 percent in the period and is valued at a multiple of 15.2.

In the report, the World Bank warned emerging markets that the next bout of financial unrest may catch them off guard, recommending smaller budget deficits, higher interest rates and measures to boost productivity.

Eight of 10 industry groups in the emergingmarkets stock gauge fell, as telecommunications companies slid for the first time in five days.

China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile-phone company by subscribers, dropped 2.1 percent in Hong Kong, the most since April 23.

Hungary’s BUX Index (DFMGI) slumped 1.3 percent, the most since April 15, and the forint declined for a third day as the inflation rate for May stayed at minus 0.1 percent, providing room for the central bank’s to further cut interest rates.

OTP lost 3.5 percent, the most on the nation’s benchmark gauge.

The Borsa Istanbul 100 Index fell 3.2 percent in its first decline in five days. The militants took an unspecified number of hostages at the Turkish consulate in Mosul, Haberturk news channel and Yeni Safak newspaper said. Enka Insaat ve Sanayi AS, a Turkish contractor with operations in Iraq, slumped 5.9 percent, the most since March 3.

Stockbrokers at the New York Stock Exchange.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Asian stocks rise to highest since 2008 as Topix rallies SIA’S benchmark stock index rose to their A highest level since June 2008 fueled by a rally in Japanese equities. Most stocks in the region outside Tokyo fell after the World Bank cut its global economic growth forecast.

Japan Drilling Co. climbed 3.1 percent as energy explorers led gains on the Topix index.

Daiichi Sankyo (4568) Co. gained 1.7 percent after Mizuho Securities Co. raised its rating on the drugmaker. Beijing Enterprises Holdings Ltd. (392), a state-owned brewer and gas supplier, lost 4 percent in Hong Kong after saying its controlling shareholder will sell exchangeable bonds.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index (MXAP) rose 0.4 percent to 144.49 at 6:59 p.m. in Hong Kong.

The measure has rebounded 11 percent from this year’s low in February amid signs the Chinese economy is stabilizing and the U.S. recovery is intact. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index Excluding Japan Index lost 0.1 percent to 494.31 after closing on Tuesday at its highest level since May 2011.

“There isn’t any news that can drive the market much higher,” Tim Schroeders, a portfolio manager who helps oversee $1 billion in equities at Pengana Capital Ltd. in Melbourne, said by phone. “The global economic outlook is still a worry. While the U.S. economy is recovering, emerging economies are continuing to see a slowdown.”

The World Bank cut its global growth forecast amid a weaker outlook for the U.S., Russia and China. The Washington-based lender predicts the world economy will expand 2.8 percent this year, compared with a January projection of 3.2 percent. The U.S. prediction was reduced

to 2.1 percent from 2.8 percent, while estimates for Brazil, Russia, India and China were also lowered. The 2015 forecast for world economic growth was unchanged at 3.4 percent.

Japan’s Topix index rose 0.8 percent after sliding 0.5 percent on Tuesday. While the Topix has climbed 7.7 percent from a recent low on May 21, it remains the worst performer this year among 24 developed markets tracked by Bloomberg.

“Japanese stocks are still relatively cheap and playing catch-up with other developed markets,” said Hitoshi Asaoka, a Tokyo-based senior strategist at Mizuho Trust & Banking Co., a unit of Japan’s third-largest bank. “Conditions are not bad. The market may get corrected once in a while like yesterday, but it will be a healthy correction.”

A Topix group tracking energy explorers advanced 2.9 percent to the highest level since April 2011. Japan Drilling advanced 3.1 percent to 4,815 yen, while Inpex Corp. added 3.1 percent to 1,554 yen.

Daiichi Sankyo rose 1.7 percent to 1,765 yen after Mizuho Securities raised the company’s rating to buy from neutral, saying new products will drive earnings growth.

South Korea’s Kospi Index, Taiwan’s Taiex and China’s Shanghai Composite Index all added 0.1 percent. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index both declined 0.3 percent. New Zealand’s NZX 50 Index (NZSE50FG) closed unchanged. Singapore’s Straits Times Index slipped 0.1 percent.

MSCI Inc. won’t include China’s locally-traded shares in its emerging-markets index, while South Korea and Taiwan were removed from

consideration for an upgrade to developed market status, the index provider said in a statement.

MSCI, which based its decision on limitations to investing in China’s so-called A-shares, may consider an inclusion in 2015, it said.

Gaming operators rebounded after falling yesterday on a report Macau’s government plans to further restrict the use of China UnionPay Co.’s debit cards at casinos. Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. rose 3 percent to HK$57.65 after its chairman Lui Che Woo said the curbs will have little impact on the company. Sands China Ltd. gained 3.6 percent to HK$53.70 after Credit Suisse Group AG said the sell-off was excessive.

LG Display Co. rose 1.4 percent to 29,500 won in Seoul as the supplier of touch screens to Apple Inc. is said to be in talks to supply bigscreen television panels to Panasonic Corp.

Among shares that fell, Beijing Enterprises slipped 4 percent to HK$72.45 in Hong Kong after saying its controlling shareholder plans to raise HK$4.3 billion ($555 million) selling exchangeable bonds.

L’Occitane International SA dropped 2.8 percent to HK$17.30 in Hong Kong after the cosmetics maker posted full-year profit that missed analyst estimates.

Takata Corp., whose airbags led to the recall of more than 3 million vehicles last year, retreated 4.1 percent to to 2,151 yen in Tokyo after telling customers including Honda Motor Co. that defective parts may need to be fixed again.

Downer EDI Ltd. tumbled 11 percent to A$4.70 in Sydney as BHP Billiton Ltd. canceled a contract with the engineering-services company.

78 Thursday, June 12, 2014

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80 NEWS Thursday, June 12, 2014

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LECTURE

J. F. Ade Ajayi, the passionate

By Michael Omolewa

Lecture presented at the roundtable of the Organisation for Historical Research, held at the Boardroom of the University of Ibadan Conference Centre on May 21, 2014 PREAMBLE LEASE permit me to begin my presentation with the words Professor Ade Ajayi himself used as an introduction to many of his addresses: “I am not sure to what I owe the honour of this invitation.”

The invitation came via an e-mail from the University of Lagos, which ostensibly is the alma mater of this organisation for historical research that has decided to honour Professor J. F. Ade Ajayi with this Round Table. As you probably know, I did not attend the University of Lagos nor was I a member of its academic staff. I recall that I served as external examiner to the Faculty of Education, and assessed candidates for professorship. However, all these were for programmes in education and subjects related to the field of the History of Education. Although my PhD was in History at the University of Ibadan, my appointment to that university was for the teaching of the History of Adult Education. I was, however, lucky to be asked by Professor Tekena Tamuno, my former teacher and tutorial master and Head of the Department of History, to serve as associate lecturer and to join Dr. P. M. Mbaeyi, my PhD thesis co-supervisor, to teach courses in European History, my area of specialisation.

Some of you may remember that Professor Ade Ajayi conceived the idea of encouraging selected postgraduate students to conduct research in areas outside of Nigerian history so that they could become specialists in the history of other parts of the world. To this end, he has encouraged some students to study East and Northern African History, Caribbean History, American History, and my own chosen field, European History. The topic suggested to me, “A historiographical and bibliographical study of central-local administration in the UK, France and Germany, 1870–1890”, proved difficult and went through troubled waters. It has, however, helped me to develop an interest in the field of historiography, which is core to the study of historical research.

It is therefore a great joy for me to be invited to give this lecture. My appreciation goes to all those who considered me worthy of the honour.

I warmly commend the organisation for its exploration of the issues on historical research. Please let me also congratulate the organisation for producing Professor Funke Adeboye, winner of the 2013 Gerti Hesseling Prize “for the best contribution to a European African Studies journal by a younger African scholar”. Professor Adeboye certainly did us all proud with the recognition given to her at the 5th European Conference on African Studies (ECAS) held in Lisbon, Portugal in June 2013.

Exploring The Secret Of The Success Of J. F. Ade Ajayi, The Passionate Historian Our aim in this presentation is to identify the secret to his life and career, in order to inspire the new generation.

One feature that seems obvious is his tenacity of purpose. Ade Ajayi was interested in History very early in life – we know that he was introduced to the subject as a young man and continued his studies at secondary school. At the tertiary educational level, on his arrival as one of the pioneer students at University College, Ibadan (UCI) in January 1948, he fought hard to achieve his ambition of an honours degree in History. This was at a time when the Nigerian educated elite considered the study of law more relevant than the study of Nigerian history. He remained unwavering in his choice in spite of the opinion articulated in the editorial of the University Herald published at UCI in 1948: “We are at a loss to understand why the Elliot Commission was silent about the Faculty of Law. While we believe that the study of Nigerian history and languages is not worth the trouble at present since there is not much available to be learnt, we at least expect a School of Law to be opened at the same time as the faculties of Medicine, Arts and Science.”

Ade Ajayi would settle for nothing less than an honours degree programme. After passing the London Intermediate Examination in

P

Prof. Omolewa October of that year, his set of students was told that there was no immediate provision for an honours degree programme in the faculty other than in Classics, because the available staff and facilities were inadequate. Four of the students opted for Classics, but Ade Ajayi left UCI for one year while the authorities deliberated on the matter. When he returned to the college in October 1949 he was told that only a general degree was available, but that the Classics Department was willing to register students for the honours degree programme. Ade Ajayi and others decided to pursue the general degree. He registered for courses in Modern European History, Modern British History and the history of European activities in Africa from the middle of the 14th century to the present, as well as Latin and English. He successfully completed his general degree in 1951. Rather than join the civil service, which recruited the young graduates of his time, he decided to teach at the Ibadan Boys’ High School for one year. The following year in 1952 he left for Leicester University College to continue his studies in History. While at Leicester, Ade Ajayi had hoped that he would only be required to spend one year there to gain an honours degree. But it was not to be. As he later explained, the department insisted that he could not graduate in less than two years as he would have no exemptions from any of the nine papers of the London external degree that Leicester required. He therefore ended up spending another three years there and obtained first-class honours in History in 1955.

Again, with his excellent results Ade Ajayi would have found immediate employment, but he decided not to follow that path. In the meantime he won the Derby Research Fellowship, which enabled him to leave for London to register at King’s College for his PhD degree programme in History. As a student of the university, he made use of the facilities at the Institute of Historical Research. He successfully defended his thesis in July 1958 and returned to Nigeria, where he took up the position of Lecturer at the Department of History at UCI. Ade Ajayi has not left the field of teaching and writing History for any moment of his professional life. While still a student, he loved making contributions to student magazines. He profited from his study of English and his style of writing was lucid and refreshing, full of wit and humour. For example, on arrival at Leices-

ter University College in 1952, he contributed an article entitled “The University College, Ibadan” to the Christmas edition of Luciad, the student magazine. In the article, he described UCI as: Another University College; like yours, a University College of London not in Exeter or Southampton, but in Ibadan. Ibadan, by the way, is not in Persia. It is the largest town in Nigeria, with a population over 500,000, 120 miles away from Lagos. […] The University College did not begin from nothing. There had been in existence since 1934 a Higher College. […] There were no imposing buildings. The huts of “pan and creosote wood” looked drab and uninspiring. It was necessary to cheer up the students and remind them that buildings do not make a University. […] The hundred students settled down to found a Students Union, or perhaps they didn’t, because pioneering work is never a settled business.

He has remained steadfast in his attachment to the subject of History from the time of his appointment as Lecturer in the Department of History at UCI in 1958. Thus, he taught courses in the department and supervised graduate students during the entire period from 1958 to 1972. His tenure as Dean of the Faculty of Arts did not interrupt his work as a researcher, although it limited his teaching load. The same can be said of the period from 1972 to 1978, when he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos. Some people have chosen to describe this period as his “national service years”. His colleague and head of department said that his career was “interrupted for just over six years – July 1971–September 1978 – when we [the University of Ibadan] loaned him to the University of Lagos as Vice-Chancellor”. But even while he was out of the Department of History, it is evident that Ade Ajayi remained active, serving as General Editor of several Longman titles, President of the Historical Society of Nigeria and Spokesperson for the Ibadan School of History. In the same period he also served as an external examiner and assessor in History for various universities and continued to contribute to learned journals in History.

In seeking to explain the decision by Ade Ajayi to pursue a course in History, investing many years to obtain an honours degree in the subject, his tenacity to stick to one subject all his life, his continuous service and work in

the Department of History, and his continuous work as historian after retirement, we can single out one factor: passion. Defined as intense and overpowering emotion, an eager outreaching of the mind towards some special object, ardent affection or feeling, passion satisfies and generates the capacity for persistence, focus, dedication and perseverance. Passion also ignites an unswerving commitment to a cause, a lasting endurance and loyalty, a strict attachment to the pursuit of one’s choices, whatever the cost. Passion gives strength, energy, zeal and courage, and it abhors opportunism, manipulation or betrayal of a chosen path or purpose. This passion was implicit in the work of Ade Ajayi, his commitment to the historian’s craft, his endurance, dedication and perseverance, as shown in the episodic account of his career and his emergence as trailblazer in the field of African History.

One way in which passion manifests itself is in hard work, and Ade Ajayi worked hard, as his students and colleagues will testify. He worked hard as an undergraduate student, as he did as a postgraduate student abroad writing his PhD thesis. On his arrival at UCI Ade Ajayi was known for his industry and dedication, eventually earning him a professorship.

He applied his passion for the principles of research and teaching to the field of African History. On his arrival at UCI in 1958 he was disappointed to be asked by the head of the department to teach European History; his PhD thesis after all was classified as Modern West African History. He obliged of course and spent much time preparing for his teaching load. On meeting his students, he approached the teaching of the French Revolution in a manner somewhat different to how the subject was traditionally taught, encouraging the students to think more about the class structure of French society and the reasons for discontent. When the department began to focus attention on the teaching of African History, he swiftly joined the team of pioneers of the field.

Having had to endure the unpleasantness of using Harry Johnston’s The Colonization of Africa by Alien Races in his undergraduate days at the UCI, “in spite of its transparent racism”, he was glad that new materials were being prepared for courses in the History of Africa. He worked with Charles (later Abdullahi) Smith and the Historical Society of Nigeria, which, together with the West African Examinations

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LECTURE

historian as an inspiration Council organised a workshop to develop the curriculum and material for examinations in African History. In the process he became a coauthor with Ian Espie of one of the two books produced by the workshop, titled A Thousand Years of West African History. He played an important part in the design of new courses for an independent degree programme of the University of Ibadan, a large portion of which dealt with African History.

Ade Ajayi felt especially fulfilled when he was finally able to establish courses in West African History and publish materials on the subject, editing with Michael Crowther one of the most authoritative publications in the field.

On his retirement from Ibadan, he donated practically all the rare books for teaching Problems of Theories, and Methods of History, a key course in the master’s degree programme.

But the passion of Ade Ajayi is equally demonstrated by the attitude he took to his post-doctoral research work. It will be recalled that his thesis combed the archives of the different missionary societies in Britain, in addition to the materials at the British Museum, the Public Records Office and the libraries of the International African Institute and the Royal Commonwealth Society.

In his passion to tell a fuller history than did his PhD thesis, Ade Ajayi decided to invest his time, energy and resources into collecting additional evidence and expanding his earlier work. It is important to note that Ade Ajayi insisted on expanding his thesis instead of following the recommendation of the Academic Registrar of the University of London, contained in a letter dated 18 September 1958, to publish his thesis “in an abridged form”. This act further demonstrated his drive for the pursuit of excellence and intellectual perfection.

He obtained a grant as Lecturer in History at Ibadan to travel to the United States to explore the archives of the Baptist Mission and to expand his thesis for publication as the first in the Longman series on the Ibadan School of History. Reviewing the book for the Books Abroad in January 1967, Franklin Parker described at as “a scholarly book and a basic book on which later historians will lean and from which popularizers will borrow”. Parker also calls it “an essential book careful in scholarship and wary of interpretations” On occasions when he was confronted with what he considered injustice, Ade Ajayi remained focussed on teaching and writing History and did not allow his attention to be distracted. This was also his approach to partisan politics – his comments were often brief. It appeared that his calling was primarily to the pursuit of his immediate interests. However, in reaction to the sudden dismissal of another dedicated and highly respected academic, he wrote of: the flagrant injustice done to one individual, on the fateful Foundation Day when Oritshejolomi Thomas, the distinguished surgeon and nationalist […] was summarily removed as Vice-Chancellor. For no cause at all, he was humiliated and destroyed as a person. He soon passed away, and Ibadan has hardly recovered from the blow. Injustice, even at the level of individuals, easily saps the vitality of institutions and can destroy the fabric of the nation itself.

The fact that Ade Ajayi is still to react to his own removal from office as ViceChancellor while he was away on official duty to Canada in 1978 is interesting. Another Vice-Chancellor, Frank Ukoli, who faced a similar harassment by the military when he served as the Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, has attempted to tell his own troubled story in graphic detail. Perhaps Ade Ajayi should have at least spoken about the need for governments and employers to demonstrate fairness, sensitivity and respect in matters of disen-

Prof. Omolewa

gagement.

One can see the delight with which he will stand up and be counted as a historian. Indeed, in the most recent copy of his CV he takes pride in describing himself not just as Emeritus Professor, but as “Emeritus Professor of History”.

He also lists his first book publication, Milestones in Nigerian History (Ibadan University Press, 1962, revised and expanded in the Longman Edition of 1980), to which he adds, “A revised edition is being planned.”

Ade Ajayi has made sure to encourage the younger generation to develop an interest in historical studies. There is no doubt that the passion in him must have led him to think of the need to cultivate a succeeding generation of historians. An old African proverb states that he who thinks he is leading but has no one following him is only taking a walk. On his return to Ibadan in 1978 he resumed his passion for the discipline of History, becoming active in mentorship, student supervision, teaching and research, as his former students Lawal and Adeboye have testified. The lesson is clear: stay true to your first love; it can be a soothing relationship.

Ade Ajayi has seized every opportunity to explore the subject of History. He explored the history of Nigeria during the independence period in a series of seminal lectures entitled “Milestones in Nigerian History”. He has always emphasised the point that he takes a historical approach to analysing issues. Persistence, dedication and other elements of passion have certainly helped Professor Ade Ajayi to succeed in life and to make a name for himself.

Professor Ade Ajayi’s passion is evident in his attitude to the study of history, particularly in his crusade in the Department of History along with Professor Kenneth Dike in the late 50s and early 60s to have the history of Africa firmly established in the curriculum. It is evidenced by his giving up the position of Vice-Chancellor in Lagos and securing an educational sinecure to return to the History Department at the University of Ibadan.

Passion, then, is one of the major factors to have guided Professor Ade Ajayi into maturity as a scholar and fuelled the excellence for which his work is renowned. The main lesson we should take from the life of this scholar is that passion is essential for success in one’s profession.

In trying to understand the background to the cultivation of his passion for History, one is inclined to suggest that it is a gift from God the Creator of heaven and earth. One is of course aware that there are those who advise that we keep religion out of serious writing because it is neither visible nor measurable. For example, Schleiermacher, author of On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers, who has been described as the father of modern liberal theology, defined religion as a kind of feeling. But he also recognised that the religious impulse is an internal and necessary quality of human consciousness which develops with the mind.

Thus God as the Giver of gifts may have endowed Ade Ajayi with his fondness for History. It is left to the individual to recognise the Source of the gift. As the theologian Rudolf Otto has suggested, religion is centred in the reality and consciousness of revelation. The question is whether Ade Ajayi was aware of this special gift, given to him so that he

might pursue a course in History and stay with it throughout his life.

As for his attitude to religion, we know that Ade Ajayi has been a steady churchgoer from youth. But he did not give his life to Christ until much later in his professional life and after he had accomplished so much. We do not know much about his prayer life before he became Born Again, but we may remind ourselves that the Lord showed favour even to the man who had been at the pool of Bethesda for 38 years and knew nothing of the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. We do know, however, that the Bible says that it is the prerogative of God to distribute these gifts to whomever He chooses (Psalm 115:3).

We may suggest that another possible source for his passion for History is the inspiration he derived from his parents and teachers throughout the formal and non-formal educational system. For at home, in the community and at the several schools and colleges he attended he was exposed to many parental, societal and social pressures and influences.

But here again, there are some difficulties in measuring the impact that home and school have had on Ade Ajayi and which have instilled in him a passion for History as a subject. It is true that he has tried to attribute his loyalty and dedication to his parents, especially his mother. He has also tried to credit some of his teachers for their effort in cultivating values such as loyalty, respect and hard work. But it remains difficult to examine the extent to which these exposures influenced him in choosing History as a subject and in staying with it throughout his lifetime. He has shown consistent gratitude towards Jean Copeland (later Mellanby), his lecturer at the Department of History at UCI, whom he says “made history live and relevant”. He also speaks with admiration of his teachers at Leicester and London and in particular of his supervisors.

But how did these influences have an impact on him?

We may not yet know the source of Ade Ajayi’s passion for History, but we know that it is tangible in his life and career.

Ade Ajayi On The Decline Of History Teaching And Learning The limit to what Ade Ajayi’s passion alone could achieve has been demonstrated by the policy failure in school curriculums and the subsequent uncomfortable status of history learning and teaching in the Nigerian educational system over which he had no control.

Having inherited a system in which history was offered at the secondary and post-secondary levels, enabling him to excel in the subject, Ade Ajayi has found himself leaving the educational scene at a time when history is being relegated to the backyard. The National Policy of Education developed after the 1969 National Curriculum Conference made no room for History as a core subject in

schools. Few universities still have a dedicated Department of History, having amalgamated History with Strategic Studies, International Studies or Diplomatic Studies, partly due to Nigeria’s preference for style over substance, and partly to make the subject attractive to young undergraduates and thus address their career prospects.

Ade Ajayi has made his position on this development entirely clear. At the tribute he paid to K. O. Dike on behalf of the Historical Society of Nigeria in October 1983, he drew attention to the danger posed by the absence of historical consciousness in Nigerian society: We have so little consciousness of a time perspective. We act and react as if there is only today, no yesterday, no tomorrow. We seem to care a little about the past, we have no enduring heroes and we respect no precedents. Not surprisingly, we hardly ever consider what kind of a future we are building for our children and our children’s children. We lack statesmen with any sense of history. Politics of the moment dominates our life, leaving no room for evaluating achievement or appreciating merit.

One would expect the Organisation for Historical Research in Nigeria, working with other institutions and individuals interested in restoring History to school curriculums, to take up the challenge. For as Ade Ajayi says, “The nation suffers with no sense of history. Its values remain superficial and ephemeral unless imbued with a deep sense of continuity and a perception of success and achievement that transcends acquisition of temporary power or transient wealth. Such a nation cannot achieve a sense of purpose or direction or stability, and without them the future is bleak.”

As Akinjide Osuntokun explains, Ade Ajayi has done everything in his power to return the learning of History to schools, unfortunately without success. It is not for lack of trying but perhaps because Nigeria is now dogged with the primitive acquisition of resources by members of the governing elite and their surrogates to the denigration of the larger good of society. He concludes that even where executive orders are given by presidents to return the teaching and learning of History to secondary schools, this has been more honoured in the breach than in the observance.

Yet there is a need to insist on preserving the collective memory of the nation. It is a people’s right and a worthy commitment. We must encourage an objective pursuit of truth: Who did what, when and why in the nation and with what consequence over the years? If Kenneth Dike is the Abraham of African historiography and J. F. Ade Ajayi is Moses (as J. D. Y. Peel has labelled them), it is perhaps up to this organization to produce a Joshua to succeed them, to work for that much-needed restoration of History.

To return History to its former glory would be the best gift that the new generation of historians could give to Professor Ade Ajayi as he celebrates his 85th birthday.

Thank you for your patience and God bless you all.

• Omolewa is Emeritus Professor of the History of Education, University of Ibadan as well as Emeritus Professor of History, Babcock University, Ilisan, Ogun State

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Northern elite responsible for region’s woes, says Unongo From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief REED and self-centeredness by the northern elite, which have left the masses in abject poverty, are behind the woes of the region, which is now embroiled in a protracted and escalating insurgency, elder statesman and former Minister of Information, Weterrang Paul Unongo, has said.

Unongo, who assessed the insurgency crippling the north during a conference on security and human rights in the area, which ended in Kaduna yesterday, argued that the elite, who were products of past focused and visionary leadership, turned to acquired every available wealth for themselves and their families, while living the masses in abject poverty.

He lamented the unnecessary killings and “political madness” ravaging the region, adding that time has come for the northern elite to stop their hypocrisy concerning the region’s problems saying, as remaining so would only give those interested in destroying the region an upper hand.

For Kaduna State Governor, Muhktar Ramalan Yero, security of lives and property remain top among government priorities, as government exists primarily to secure lives and property.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Ishaq Damahawai, Yero said the state convened dialogue sessions in the three senatorial districts to compliment government’s efforts.

It is “where stakeholders, including traditional rulers,

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• Yero urges military, civilian cooperation against insurgency clergymen, youth, women and community leaders all met to share experience on all the causes of conflict in their communities while also suggesting ways to forestall future occurrence,” he said.

“Presently, the peace and security forum has been embraced in all parts of the state.

Communities have replicated the dialogue sessions initiated by our administration.

We have also mandated all local councils to ensure that the initiative becomes firmly rooted in all communities.

“It is clear that the military cannot win the present war against insurgents without the support of the people; our security forces must endeavour to build confidence in the

people by respecting their rights during operation. That will engender popular citizens’ action against insurgency.”

He added: “People will actively turn against the insurgents by providing relevant information to security forces. In this regard, the military must avoid civilian causalities during operation, stop extra-judicial killings and end destruction of the property of innocent civilians.

“There should also be effort at extending humanitarian assistance to victims by the military’s social responsibility unit. This will boost confidence and win the people to the side of government.”

SERAP commends ECOWAS Court over verdict on Bundu shootings

By Abiodun Fanoro and Bertram Nwannekanma

• Post-2011 election riot victim awarded N10m

UESDAY’S judgment of the ECOWAS Court on Bundu shootings “shows that there is punishment for the government when it allows its security forces to use excessive force against peaceful protesters, and unlawfully drive them away from their homes, with tragic consequences for citizens and communities.”

This was the opinion of Lagos-based rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), in welcoming the judgment yesterday.

The ECOWAS Court of Jus-

tice, Abuja, had ruled that the Nigerian Government’s failure to investigate and prosecute members of the security forces who killed and injured protesters during demolitions at Bundu waterfront in Rivers State violated the right to protest.

The court held that the rights to peaceful assembly and association are the foundation of a civilised society and ordered the government to pay nearly $70,000 in damages to the plaintiffs for violations of their human rights to peaceful assembly and association and freedom from forced evictions.

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Ekiti Commissioner, Afuye, sues police for assault From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head South West Bureau), Ado Ekiti LLEGING physical assault on him by Mobile Police Commander, Gabriel Selenkere, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Funminiyi Afuye, has filed a civil rights suit against the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix Uyanna, and Selenkere.

Afuye, who filed the suit yesterday at the state High Court in Ado Ekiti, is seeking the sum of N1 billion in damages for physical assault on his person and unlawful detention.

The suit was brought pursuant to Order 11 Rules 123 and 5 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement) Rules 2009 and sections 6, 34, 41 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution.

Afuye was one of the victims of the alleged Mobile Police assault on Ekiti people and Governor Kayode Fayemi on June 8. Also, the state’s Attorney-General, Olawale Fapohunda, said the Directorate of Citizens in the Ministry of Justice is interested in the suit.

According to him, the state government is committed to protecting the rights of all residents of Ekiti State. Fapohunda added that all cases of alleged police brutality and extra-judicial killings would be investigated to ensure that erring officers are prosecuted

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Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (left), with British Member of Parliament and Chair of the Westminster Africa Business Group, Laurence Robertson, during Dickson’s interactive session with the group at the House of Parliament in London

• Justice Ministry opens public register on rights abuses and dismissed from the Force.

Meanwhile, Fapohunda has opened a public register on alleged human rights violations by the state’s Mobile Police Commander, Selenkere. The move, he said, was in response to communications by members of the public on alleged rights violations by Selenkere, who he said has not shown remorse for his alleged attack on innocent indigenes and the gover-

nor.

The register, he said, is to give aggrieved members of the public and victims of abuse the opportunity to articulate their grievances with a view to achieving justice.

He enjoined victims of Sunday’s incident to visit the directorate in the Ministry of Justice between 9a.m and 4p.m on weekdays with a written statement of their complaints.

It also awarded N10 million as compensation to a widow, Mrs. Dorcas Afolalu, whose husband was killed by rioters during the violence in parts of Northern Nigeria over the results of the 2011 presidential election.

The judgment followed a $20 million suit filed against the Federal Government by the Femi Falana Chambers on behalf of Afolalu for the unlawful killing of her husband, Mr. Felix Afolalu, on April 18, 2011.

In her oral testimony before the court, Afolalu recalled that her husband was beaten to coma before he was burnt to death by thugs who stormed their residence at the Kaduna Polytechnic, where he was a lecturer.

She told the court that her 32-year old husband had just completed his doctoral degree in geophysics and had concluded arrangements to transfer his services to the Institute of Mining in Jos, Plateau State.

Though the Federal Government filed a statement of defence, it did not call any witness to controvert the evidence of the plaintiff. Ruling, the court accepted the unchallenged evidence of the plaintiff and held that

the Federal Government failed in its duty to secure the life of the deceased.

Judgment in the Bundu Waterfront case followed a suit filed in October 2010 against the Federal Government on behalf of SERAP and the residents of Bundu by Femi Falana (SAN), Adetokunbo Mumuni and Sola Egbeyinka.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, his Commissioner for Justice and Commissioner for Urban Development were also named as co-defendants.

In the suit, the plaintiffs said, “the Rivers State Government, with the support or complicity of the Federal Government, is planning largescale demolitions of the city’s waterfront settlements, where there are over 40 waterfront settlements in Port Harcourt, and they are some of the most densely populated areas of the city, home to at least 200,000 people.”

The plaintiffs are Israel Okari, Joy Williams, Austin Onwe, Tamno Tonye Ama, Victor Opium, Mark Bomowe, Napoleon Tokubiye, Jonathan Bokoko, Williams Tamuno and Linus John, supported by SERAP. According to them, “the planned large-scale demoli-

tions were developed without adequate consultation with the affected communities. Njemanze waterfront, a community close to Bundu Ama, was demolished in August 2009 and it is estimated between 13,800 and 19,000 people were forcibly evicted from their homes.

“Thousands of people, including children, women and the elderly were left homeless and vulnerable to other human rights violations.”

However, SERAP said in a statement yesterday, through its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, that “as the rulings of the ECOWAS court are binding, the Nigerian Government will be under pressure to implement this judgment and align its policing practices with international human rights standards.”

Interestingly, “the ECOWAS Court absolved the Rivers State Government of any wrongdoing, being not a party to ECOWAS protocols and agreements, but that the government of President Goodluck Jonathan is responsible for the persistent infringement of human rights and prolonged suffering of the residents of Bundu Waterfront community, Port Harcourt.”

Court to hear suit against APC congress July 11

By Bertram Nwannekanma FEDERAL High Court, LaA gos, presided by Justice James Tsoho, has fixed July 11, 2014 for hearing in a suit filed by one Bamidele Avoseh against the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the party’s just-concluded ward congress.

In a motion ex-parte filed on June 5, the plaintiff, through his counsel, Mr. Aruwayo Omoniyi, is seeking to set aside the congress for irregularity. He is also seeking a court declaration that the refusal to submit his name as a delegate duly listed to contest in the Lagos State delegates’ congress election was con-

trary to the Electoral Act. Others named as co-defendants in the suit are Mr. Joseph Ayodeji, Mr. Tayo Sanyaolu, Chairman, APC Lagos, Tunde Balogun, APC National Chairman and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

At the hearing of the motion yesterday, Omoniyi urged the court to grant his prayers.

However, in a short ruling, Justice Tsoho ordered the plaintiff to put the defendants on notice and adjourned till July 11 for hearing.

The plaintiff had in his affidavit averred that the APC guidelines bestowed on the state congress committee the responsibility of displaying

the names of candidates vying for party positions in ward, local council and state congresses.

He said that under the guidelines, the committee was to announce the names of aspirants within 48 hours before the conduct of election and forward them to INEC officers in the state, informing them of the venue of the congress.

The plaintiff further averred that his name and four others were listed as state congress aspirants from Apapa Ward C in a harmonised list signed by the second defendant, who is chairman of the council, whereas the name of the third defendant was listed as

an aspirant for the Local Government Area (LGA) election in Apapa Ward C. According to him, on April 25, the list of all wards in Apapa council was published and delegates’ tags were released to aspirants, but he discovered that the Apapa ward’s list was missing, just as the delegates’ tags were not released to him and others who were duly listed in the harmonised ward list.

Avoseh further asserted that on election day on April 26, he was not allowed into the congress venue at the APC state secretariat for lack of accreditation and tag. According to him, the third defendant, who originally was listed as a

council aspirant, was then handpicked as an aspirant for the state congress election, even without vying for the position.

The plaintiff averred that the third defendant was eventually elected APC youth leader in Lagos. Therefore, he is seeking a declaration that the absence of accreditation of aspirants and the exclusion of his name from the duly signed list was illegal, unconstitutional and an affront to electoral due process.

He is also seeking an order setting aside the results of the APC council and state congresses in Apapa, Lagos, over irregularities, and for contravening electoral guidelines.

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ISSUE

Ekiti 2014: All eyes on GEJ As preparations for June 21, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State gather momentum, JOHN AJAYI, who reviews recent political happenings cautions on the implications of unduly militarizing the space.

HEN some months ago, W President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) said openly at a public forum that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian, not quite a few thought he was speaking with tongue-in-cheek. Indeed, the mayhem that heralded the peaceful rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held in Ado-Ekiti last Sunday has no doubt confirmed the lie in the president’s declaration.

The Peoples Democratic party (PDP) had a day before organised a rally where it formally presented Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose as the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the election. At the rally attended by the leadership of the party, Jonathan in company of Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, had regaled themselves and indeed their feebleminded audience with the PDP’s mythical plans to bring developments to Ekiti State if only the electorate could give their votes to Fayose.

Not done, the president, in his characteristic petulant manner of speaking, told his

listeners about his plans to “provide adequate security that would enhance one man, one vote.”

While it is not out of place for the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide adequate security for such an all-important exercise, it is equally instructive to rethink the connotative and denotative motif behind such an assurance. This is particularly so against the background of GEJ’s desperate bid to seek reelection in the 2015 general elections.

To realise this ambition, GEJ certainly needs the votes of the electorate in the Southwest region. In other words, if these votes appear to be difficult in coming due to the general apathy of the electorate, a majority of whom have sympathy for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), GEJ will spare no option in his presidential armoury to intimidate or cow the people in the region with the military and all other state security apparatchik in realising his goal.

As if to confirm the pledge made a day before, the peaceful rally held last Sunday by APC members on the streets of Ado Ekiti was ruthlessly and violently disrupted by the police team headed by GEJ’s kinsman, Mr. Gabriel Selenkere, head of the Mobile Police unit in the state.

Following the brutal police intervention in the hitherto peaceful rally, APC lost one of its member with several others severely injured. Watching the tragic event on Channels TV news on the night of the dastardly act, one cannot but empathize with the people of the state about the pill the presidency would want them to swallow during the governorship election.

For those, who may not know, GEJ had just ordered the deployment of Selenkere, an indigene of Bayelsa State, to Ekiti for a specific mission. Having successfully unleashed an unprovoked attack on the hapless citizens in the presence of Governor John Kayode Fayemi (JKF), himself the Chief Security Officer of the state, no one

should be left in doubt about the suicidal mission that the anti-riot squad head is poised to lead.

The governor, though a peace-loving politician, was nothing but in fuss and furry in the face of such an arrogant display of madness by Selenkere and his war dogs. Since the ugly event, not quite a few have condemned the action while the posers on the lips of many are the genuine desire of GEJ for the good and peace-loving people of Ekiti State.

Going by the present political equation in Ekiti, there is no doubting the fact about who will emerge winner in the forth-coming election in the state, if it is held under a free and fair democratic setting.

But can a free and fair election be held in a highly militarised environment? That is the question!

Never to worry. The Ekiti people are no strangers to wars.

Perhaps GEJ and his henchmen may not know, the Ekiti are the progenitors of Fabunmi and Ogedengbe Agbogungboro. These are legends and icons of the legendary Kiriji war.

It may be trite to say here again that history does not repeat itself, when actually man has never learnt anything from history. And also, may be GEJ and his team should be reminded about the 1983 political crisis in the days of the late Chief Akin Omoboriowo in the defunct Ondo State of which Ekiti was a part. If the present enemies of the peace-loving Ekiti people are too young to know the consequences of

those years, they should not be too naïve to learn from history. It is an indisputable fact of history that the Ekiti are no strangers to war, again for emphasis.

As an Ekiti, I can say without any equivocation that my people cannot be forced or coerced to say yes when what they mean is no. The earlier the apostles of war and election riggers realised this fact the better it will be for the country as a whole. A Yoruba proverb says, “it is possible and much easier for a small child to stoke a fire, it will certainly go beyond his imagination on how to quench it.” It is advisable for the president and the PDP hawks both within and without to allow peaceful and perfect election next week.

Anything short of this will be like a fairy tale; it is an ominous wind that may blow nobody any good. As it were, there are foreboding signs looming ominously large in the political horizon. It is only the deep that can call to the deep as the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo said.

A time like this actually calls for a deep introspection and reflection on what Napoleon Bonaparte once said in his fiery days as the two-term emperor of France.

Though one of the greatest military commanders and a risk-taking gambler, Bonaparte in one of his most devious eccentric moments observed that, “a leader is a dealer in hope.”

For a personality like Napoleon to have reasoned

this way, what else should we tell GEJ? Here was an Emperor, whose military endeavours and sheer personality dominated Europe for a decade and in thought for a century. Yet, he is today revered for such noble thoughts.

No matter how taciturn and desperate our politicians may be, they should be reminded that they are in leadership position to inspire hope in the people. Even if cynics say Napoleon was not so much of what he preached in his era, the veracity of his homily remains inimitable.

As famous as he was in Europe and the world in his epoch, today Bonaparte has become a foot-note on the pages of history. For GEJ, he should be told in no unmistakable terms that he should tread softly as his ambition is indeed not worth the blood of any Nigerian, least of all the Ekiti people.

Rather than sending wrong and ominous signals to the Ekiti electorate, he should be seen preaching peace, love, hope and affection to all and sundry. It is poor strategy for him and his advisers (if any) to think that he can win the hearts of the people of the state with the present bole kaja approach.

No amount of threats and intimidation will ever subordinate the Ekiti spirit. It has never happened and it will never ever happen. But GEJ and members of his artillery and soldiers of fortune should know that all eyes are on them as the governorship election in Ekiti beckons.

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Thursday, June 12, 2014 NEWSEXTRA 85

CBN’s $3.84 billion forex supply short by $380 million

By Chijioke Nelson NDICATIONS emerged that the foreign exchange intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the month of April was short of $380 million, the demand by authorised dealers.

The dealers’ aggregate de-

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mand for foreign exchange under the retail Dutch Auction System (rDAS), Bureau-dechange (BDC) and rDAS-Forward contract, was put at $3.84 billion in the review period, while the apex bank sold $3.46 billion.

The demand, however, ac-

• Gets British ISO certification cording to CBN’s Economic Report for April, indicated a decline of 26.4 per cent below the level in March, but showed an increase of 51.4 per cent above the level in the corre-

Total launches ‘T-Air’ in Nigeria OTAL Nigeria Plc, as part of T its innovative trend in Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector, has unveiled a new service station concept, T-Air. “T-Air represents Total’s commitment to environmental sustainability, innovation and premium customer service,” the company said in a statement. “Its eco-friendly design, transparent canopy, earthy and neutral color tones and green area create a warm and welcoming environment for Total’s esteemed customers.

Therefore, whether customers fuel, service or wash their cars or simply get cold drinks at its Café Bonjour Shop, they are partnering with Total to build a more sustainable environment. The Total Group’s objective is to reinforce its network identity with a resolutely contemporary image, installations that are more energy-efficient and sales outlets that blend harmoniously into the environment.

“Reflecting the Group’s deter-

mination to contribute to local development and establish long-term roots, Total Nigeria Plc has already rolled out numerous T-Air projects, 58 already throughout Nigeria. The company plans to adapt its network of over 500 service stations spread across the country to this new identity by 2017, representing a considerable investment.”

The statement added: “Total‘s newly refurbished T-air service station in Onigbagbo,

Mobolaji Bank- Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos, is the first Total solar-powered service station in Nigeria and West Africa. It is a more environmentally friendly station as it features Zero emissions of Harmful Green house Gases, Zero Noise pollution, and a renewable energy source. There have been some notable successes already: customers have been visiting this service station in high numbers, even prior to its launch which occurs June 12, 2014.”

sponding month of 2013.

Also, the amount sold by CBN during the period, reflected a decline of 18.8 per cent below the level in the preceding month and an increase of 27.7 per cent above the level in the corresponding month of 2013.

The development may have been part of the pressures on the Naira in the period under review, as dealers seek to shore up their dollar holding from various other sources.

Meanwhile, the British Standards Institute (BSI) has affirmed the apex bank’s compliance to the highest level of Information Security Standard (ISO 27001).

BSI’s Surveillance Auditor, Vikas Mulkutkar, who announced the report at the closing ceremony of surveillance audit, in Abuja, yesterday commended CBN’s staffers for their work culture and com-

mitment that led to the realisation of the feat.

He said the auditors checked all of the information security controls and found them to be in strict compliance and handled by very committed staff.

Mulkutkar pointed out that the 11 departments audited showed high knowledge of information systems security controls and had complied with the ISO 27001 standard, exhibiting minimal deviation.

He, however, urged the management of the bank to consider upgrading from the ISO 27001: 2005 to the current version (ISO27001:2013) and engage other system certifications like the Business Continuity Management and Service Management Standard to ensure an all-round certification for the bank.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Operations, Dr. Kingsley

Moghalu, congratulated staff of the bank for maintaining the highest global information security standard from BSI. He attributed the feat to the high level of professionalism and commitment exhibited by the ISO champions and entire staff of the bank.

According to him, the first surveillance audit, which was conducted in the bank between June 5 and 10, 2014, was to review the CBN Information Security Management System (ISMS) processes, procedures, documents and records.

He explained that sample departments were selected from the five Directorates of the bank, where departmental processes and business areas were checked for compliance with the standard, including improvements to the CBN’s ISMS since the certification of the institution in July 2013.

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EKITI 2014

We will fight off thugs, says governor From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head South West Bureau Ado Ekiti) KITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday vowed that Ekiti people will resist attempts to bring thugs to the state ahead of June 21 election.

He alleged that one of the opposition parties “had sworn to turn the state to a war front.”

Fayemi, who is also the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) spoke yesterday as he continued his reelection campaign at Ado Ekiti, the state capital, with an assurance that he will not relent in the transformation of the city.

According to him, “We are ready to succeed. Whoever is bringing thugs from Akure, Abuja, Ibadan or Lagos will meet the resistance of Ekiti people. We should be battleready because they said they are coming with war. We know who the true friends of the people are. We don’t want those who will defraud the people under the guise of poultry project. Ekiti people have said No!” he said.

The APC candidate who started the last leg of the Ado Ekiti campaign at Odo-Ado, visited some communities including Idege, Igimookogo, Igirigiri, Ita Eku, Olorunsogo, Ilokun, Egbewa, Ajebamidele, Moferere and Olorunda. He said he is sure to continue the pact, which he made with the people of the state when he became governor.

Fayemi assured that his government would provide secondary schools at Ajebamidele and Odo in Ado Ekiti so that pupils from the

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community would not need to travel kilometers to the nearest community to get secondary education.

“We always get involved in the communities ourselves, some of their requests were not really novel to me. I know they wanted those things.

Roads are a concern in our government, water is what we are working on in a comprehensive manner because we have just designed a master plan for water provision in the state, extension of electricity in the new communities is something that we are also fully involved in and ensuring that we do for our people. All those things like transformers, secondary schools are in the pipeline and there is no way we won’t do many of those things before the end of the year, and the communities know that we will do them,” he said.

Fayemi added that the construction of AjebamideleOmisanjana road was terminated because of the inability of the contractor handling it to carry on with it, saying that it will be re-continued before the year ends.

The governor urged the people to cast their votes for the APC on June 21 so that he can continue the various developmental projects that his administration has started.

Also, a university don, Prof.

Eddie Olanipekun, has urged Ekiti people at home and in the Diaspora to support governor Fayemi to continue the transformation of the state.

Olanipekun, who is the Dean of Postgraduate School at Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (EKSU) noted that the State

Police vow to ensure hitch-free elections in Ekiti, Osun

By Odita Sunday HE Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, has pledged to conduct peaceful and hitchfree election in Ekiti and Osun states.

Abubakar spoke during the groundbreaking ceremony of Police Multipurpose Centre and Shopping Mall along Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, stressing that the Police was prepared for the elections in Ekiti and Osun.

The IGP represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of ‘C’ Department, Works and Housing, Mr. Kachi Udeoji, said that everything has been put in place to ensure that incidence of thugery and political violence is minimized.

“We are prepared for all elections. We will do everything possible to ensure that there is a hitch-free election exercise in the country. We are going to put all our men and facilities out to provide security.

“To reassure everyone that we are prepared, we have put manpower and material to make sure that no one would cause problem and that the election would be hitch-free.’’ Abubakar said.

Speaking on the proposed Multipurpose Police Centre and Shopping Mall, Abubakar said that the project was a new development for police cooperative society, stressing that it would serve as income-generating centre for the Police. ``The project is handled by developers. We provided the

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Fayemi has witnessed peace and rapid development under Fayemi.

Meanwhile, the governor’s wife, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, has said that the state’s politics is no longer a playing field for mediocrity.

Mrs. Fayemi described her husband and candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi as an ‘extraordinary leader’ who has done well to uplift Ekiti in all facets.

She said, “Ekiti is no longer a playing field for mediocres”, considering the current spate of development in the state.

She spoke in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday while presenting a

cheque of N3 million to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ekiti chapter to complete the construction of the press centre.

Harping on the need for election to be free, fair and credible, as being canvassed by all stakeholders, she stated that, “We are all concerned about this election being peaceful because the whole world is watching Ekiti. To achieve this, we will be counting on all stakeholders, particularly the journalists for objective reporting during the election.

It is high time we Africans began to do things right so that it won’t seem as if we cannot handle our own affairs.”

APC alerts on Ekiti polls, says clampdown on media is plan to coerce voters HE All Progressives Con- Journalists do not carry We must capture Ekiti at all been laid for it by the admin- West next year. That explains T gress (APC) has raised the weapons. They only fight with cost, even when we may not istration of President Good- their desperation about the alarm on the desperation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government to capture Ekiti State at all cost.

The party said the ongoing clampdown on the media is part of a grand strategy to silence Nigerians ahead of plans to thwart the will of the people of Ekiti and indeed that of all Nigerians.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the multipronged approach started with the harassment and intimidation of the people of Ekiti to prevent them from coming out to vote on 21 June.

“The pre-meditated violence inflicted on innocent and harmless Ekiti people last Sunday by the police, which has now turned itself to PDP enforcers, is aimed clearly at signalling to the people of the state what they should expect before, during and after the forthcoming election,” it said.

APC said that is being followed up with a clampdown on all those who can challenge the Federal Government’s planned impunity in Ekiti, starting with the nation’s fiercely independent media.

“The clampdown on the media has nothing to do with Boko Haram or any “intelligence” report. That is a ruse.

words. In fact, this terror band called Boko Haram has had occasions to threaten the media with attack over their reports exposing the terrorists for what they are. Therefore, the unprecedented and utterly indefensible clampdown on the media is part of a sinister plot that is not unconnected with the elections scheduled for this month and next year.

“The PDP-led Federal Government’s strategy is simple:

have the votes to win the state.

After that, we can then dare anyone who alleges rigging or election manipulation to head to court. In the meantime, we must tamper with the freedom of expression and the right to information, of which the media is at the vanguard,” APC said.

The party said anyone that believes this strategy is far fetched only needs to look at the groundwork that has

luck Jonathan, who picked both the Minister of Police Affairs and the Minister of State for Defence from the SouthWest.

“This Federal Government sees the South-West as very critical to the President’s chances of getting re-elected next year, and has thus turned it to a battleground. They are desperate to capture Ekiti and Osun, which they see as the road to the heart of the South-

elections in the two states,” it said.

APC, however said that the Federal Government has shot itself in the foot, first with the deadly attack on defenceless citizens in Ekiti, including the governor of the state, and then the senseless and irresponsible clampdown on the national media, the same media that no dictator in the history of Nigeria has succeeded in silencing.

Bamidele pledges to integrate NLC into govt From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti

KITI State Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has promised to integrate the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) into his government when elected into office.

Bamidele said the need to do this was to stop recurring disagreements that occur between the NLC, other trade unions and governments at various levels.

Bamidele spoke at a meeting with Ekiti chapter of NLC and all its 26 affiliated unions present in the state, where he gave assurances that labour matters will form a priority of his government.

He stressed the urgent need to reverse the dwindling fortunes of ordinary workers in

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the state, with a promise that NLC would have better welfare package and unhindered access to his administration.

According to him, “I need more than just your votes, I also need your prayers since I’m one of you. I’m going to be governor of Nigerian workers having been a member of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

This is because I will understand the attitude, psyche and language of Nigerian workers.

“We have done a census and xray of the workforce in Ekiti and we discovered that our workers need to be appreciated and my government will do just that. The Labour House and NLC in Ekiti will be an extension of my office as a governor.”

While lamenting current the

plight of Ekiti workers, of Non-Academic Staff Union Bamidele said, “I felt like shed- of College of Education Ikere ding tears the day I addressed Ekiti pensioners. They took time to narrate how they used to be proud as pensioners and senior citizens until the advent of the current administration.

All these shall be addressed soon when we bring to your doorsteps a true government of the people.

“I promise you that pensions and gratuity will be put on first line charge of the budget. We have told them that this money is their right and not a privilege.”

Chairman of NLC in Ekiti, Comrade Ayo Aluko, assured Opeyemi and Labour Party of the union’s support, describing them as partners in progress.

Femi Ajayi, branch chairman Bamidele

land for the facility. The developer will return the centre to the police after they have recoup their money for some years. The project would be completed in 18 months,” the IGP said.

Executive Director of the construction company in charge of the multi-million naira project, Mr. Andrew Haladu, told the IGP’s representative that the facility has a hotel and retail shops within the 7th floor.

The AIG Zone 2 Command, Mr. Mamman Tsafe, Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Alhaji Umar Manko and other senior officers were at the ceremony.

Survey claims Fayemi is ahead of others

By Abiodun Fanoro HE Civil Society Coalition T for Mandate Protection (CSC-MAP) has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the June 21 governorship polls, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has 85 percent chance of winning the election.

CSC-MAP, a coalition of 35 Non-Governmental Organisations, at a media presentation of the report in Lagos yesterday, said respondents to the survey conducted by the coalition in Ekiti State, spanning two months indicated a remarkable lead by Dr. Fayemi over the other candidates.

Addressing journalists and civil rights leaders in Lagos, the Director of Project, CSCMAP, Mr. Kehinde Adegbuyi and the group’s Secretary for Research, Popoola Ajayi, said there were 20,000 respondents including traditional rulers, labour and organised social and economic institutions in the state.

The coalition stated that, “This research is scientific, thorough and evidencebased. It took place in 132 towns and villages, farmstead and pockets of nuclear settlements spread across the state.”

The event was preceded by a two-minute silence for those who lost their lives during rallies in the state, the latest being Taiwo Akinola in Ado Ekiti on Monday.

(NASU) who attended the meeting also urged Bamidele to ensure adequate funding of state-owned tertiary institutions when elected.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, June 12, 2014 89

OSUN 2014

Aregbesola woos voters at Akande’s hometown • Retains Laoye-Tomori as running mate From Tunji Omofoye,Osogbo OVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Tuesday moved his campaign to IlaOrangun, the hometown of the Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, where he urged the people to defend their votes against alleged plans by the opposition to rig the polls.

Aregbesola, while addressing the crowd at the rally said members of the party would not be deterred by the hostile attitude of the police, adding that APC is resolute to stand against all odds to win the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

A large crowd witnessed the campaign at Osun Central Senatorial District with two former governors of the state, Bisi Akande and Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke urging the people to use their votes to silence the opposition.

Akande, who lauded Aregbesola’s achievements in the past three years, said he was surprised how the governor was able to raise funds to provide various infrastructural facilities.

Adeleke, who recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC denied the claim by the opposition that he collected huge sums of money from the APC in order to destabilise the PDP. He told the rally that his administration had constructed

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road network across all the 30 local councils, adding that the government planned to extend road infrastructure to other rural and urban communities if re-elected on August 9.

Aregbesola, while commenting on the killing of a member of the party with others sustaining injuries while the police dispersed a rally by the party in Ekiti State on Sunday, said APC would not be deterred by undue intimidation.

Meanwhile, Governor Aregbesola has laid to rest rumours that his Deputy, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, would be dropped in his bid for second term in office.

Aregbesola disclosed this on Monday at a programme organised by the people of Osogbo to endorse him for a second term.

Addressing the people during the programme, Aregbesola said he had submitted the nomination form of his deputy as running mate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last Thursday.

The governor said the unbroken loyalty of Laoye-Tomori necessitated the choice.

Aregbesola at a separate forum also presented Laoye-Tomori as his running mate to traditional rulers at a luncheon organised by them in the Osun Central Senatorial District to pray for the success of the governor in the polls.

Aregbesola

Laoye-Tomori

PDP alleges plan by INEC, APC to rig polls From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo HE Peoples Democratic T Party (PDP) Osun State chapter yesterday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allegedly colluding with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to recruit members of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) as ad-hoc staff during the August 9 governorship election in the state.

The PDP also said that apart from the alleged questionable recruitment of OYES cadets, who are on pay roll of Osun State government as adhoc staff, the electoral body was also alleged to aid members of APC from Lagos to transfer their voters’ cards to Osun State to enable them vote during the election.

The party said INEC and APC’s objective was to create a

chance for rigging the election in favour of the ruling party.

However, APC Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, debunked the allegation by the PDP, saying that the party was afraid of being defeated during the election.

Oyatomi said if the PDP has any issue to settle with the electoral body it should direct all enquiries to INEC instead of accusing the ruling party of unfounded allegations.

In a statement yesterday by the Director of Media and Strategy of PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi, the party said while it recognises the provision under electoral law that allows voters to transfer their voters’ cards from one place to another, PDP insisted that the way the ruling party is handling it, suggested that the move was aimed at perpe-

trating electoral fraud.

According to him, apart from the open order given by Aregbesola during the governorship rallies of APC in Ikire and Ila Orangun to members of the party to go to polling booths armed with charms, Odeyemi said PDP had been reliably informed that the governor “has been encouraging members of APC to go to polling booths on the day of the election with arms and ammunition” and cause crisis whenever APC appears to be losing in any polling centre.

The statement reads, “We have no cause to doubt this because if a governor, who is supposed to be the chief security officer of a state could be saying in front of cameras that members of his party should go to polling booth with charms, he must have been giving them order to take up arms and cause chaos

on the election day also.”

PDP said it is aware that INEC under the electoral law can transfer voters’ cards from one location to another, but the way INEC in Osun and the APC are handling the matter leaves much to be desired.

“Why is it that all those voters that want to change their location are from Lagos? We are concerned because of the antecedents of APC, who have distinguished themselves as professional riggers, but are now fraudulently parading themselves as democrats,” the party said.

The party therefore urged security agents to properly investigate all the claims in the interest of justice and to prevent manipulators from subverting the wishes of the people who have stated their readiness to reject APC at the polls.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

90 SPORT Thursday, June 12, 2014

Sports Mutual Benefit commissions badminton complex

Rousing welcome for Eagles in Brazil HE Super Eagles arrived T Sao Paulo, Brazil to a rousing welcome as the fans thronged the airport to catch a glimpse of their darling team.

Ejike Uzoenyi, the Rangers International winger, who was named by coach Stephen Keshi as replacement for injured Elderson Echejile was being expected to arrive Brazil by 4pm local time yesterday.

The staff of American Airlines that took Eagles to Brazil brandished various posters wishing the Eagles luck and were led by their station manager, who also ensured that the team had easy immigration passage. It was a very emotional scene for the players who were not expecting such from the airline staff, but there were still more to come.

After eight hours of flight, the plane finally touched down at the Sao Paulo International Airport, with Sports Minister, Hon Tammy Danagogo leading NFF President, Aminu Maigari, to welcome the team.

Maigari announced that the Federal Government delegation led by Senate President, David Mark, would arrive Sao Paulo later yesterday to deliver President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s address to the team and also wish the team the best in Brazil.

After light entertainment at the airport, the team drove to it camp base in Campinas, where they will train at the

Estadio Brinco De Ouro da Princesa. Once there, residents of Campinas turned out in large numbers to welcome the team also with posters wishing the team the best in the World Cup. “We are totally overwhelmed by this wonderful reception, Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi said while addressing journalists in front of the Vitoria Hotel, where the team is lodged.

The team began training yesterday by 4pm local time as it gears up for its first game against Iran on Monday.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has debunked news making the rounds that he has insisted on keeping injured Elderson Echejile in camp against medical advise, adding that he never spoke to any Nigerian journalist on the matter.

Reacting to the story, Keshi said he was pained that Echejile, who is a very key member of the squad would be missing out after putting in so much, but there was nothing he could do to hasten his healing process.

“We have spoken to the medical team and the NFF and we have agreed, so I was a bit shocked when I got a call from some of my friends back home that I insisted on an injured player. It’s a fallacy because I never spoke to anyone about Echejile.”

Brazil will win, says study RAZIL will win the 2014 B World Cup, according to a study by a sport economist at Stirling University.

Dr Nicolas Scelles analysed more than 2,800 matches in the past three years and considered 18 different variables.

He also found Scotland could have reached the knockout stages of the competition had they - and not Croatia - qualified for the tournament.

The 2014 finals kick off in Sao Paulo, Brazil, today.

The statistical study compared factors such as gross domestic product (GDP) and population difference.

It also looked at the number of players from which each nation has to choose and which domestic leagues they play in.

Dr Scelles said: “I cannot say for certain that it will happen.

But according to the findings of the study, Brazil should win - although their international rivals Argentina came a close second.”

The study predicts that England can expect a quarterfinal defeat at the hands of

World Cup holders Spain.

Other factors taken into account included the percentage of players who star for the 10 most valuable clubs in the world, according to the Forbes Rich List.

The variables also looked at each nation’s past international experience, which confederation they compete in and the credentials of each manager.

Dr Scelles said: “The FIFA world rankings would suggest Spain are favourites and Brazil fourth, but these are based on arbitrary choices.

“We looked at a number of variables and models to consider the outcome in a more scientific approach. In each model, the semi-finals tended to feature Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Spain, although both Chile and Uruguay made it to this stage depending on the model.

“After Euro 2012, a number of players retired so I looked at the overall time period from the past two years and the period from after the European Championships. In all six models, Brazil emerged as champi-

By Samuel Ifetoye N ultra-modern indoor A badminton complex donated by the Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc, in conjunction with the Nigerian Police, was yesterday commissioned by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, at the Police College, GRA, Ikeja.

In his message at the event, the firm’s Managing Director, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, said the board of Mutual Benefit gave a go-ahead to mount the edifice as a way of partnering the Nigerian Police, known for their developmental efforts in sports, having produced some prominent sports men and women.

“The Nigerian Police, since the early 70s, have distinguished themselves as pillars of hope in medals and laurels in international sporting events and competitions for our dear nation,” he said.

“From athletics to boxing and football, all notable achievements recorded in our national life were brought about by men and women of the police.

“Therefore, it is incontrovertible that the police, alongside their statutory duties, have contributed significantly to the growth and development of sports in general to our dear nation, Nigeria.”

Super Eagles’ striker, Victor Moses (front) contests with United States’ defender, Geoff Cameron during the international friendly match at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida at the weekend.

PHOTO: AFP

Brazil takes on Croatia in opener UIZ Felipe Scolari’s side will look to the put the troubles in the lead up to the big kick off behind them by recording an emphatic win in Sao Paulo against When Neymar hit the ground during training on Tuesday, it appeared as though the nightmare build-up to Brazil’s first home World Cup in 64 years had carried over onto the field as well. But the news that the Barcelona ace suffered no lasting injury to his left ankle after his awakward fall will have come as a massive relief to coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The result is that the Selecao will likely take to the field against Croatia today with the same starting 11, which lined up in four of the five matches last summer as the host nation claimed Confederations Cup glory.

Neymar will take up his usual spot just behind Fred, joining Oscar and Hulk in attacking midfield positions as part of a settled line-up.

Croatia boss, Niko Kovac has no such luxuries, with Danijel Pranjic unlikely to

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start after he picked up a nasty ankle injury in the final warm-up fixture against Australia in Salvador at the weekend.

The Panathinaikos defender joins fellow leftback Ivan Strinic on the sidelines, but unlike the Dnipro man he remains in the squad with an outside chance of featuring.

Genoa’s Sime Vrsaljko stands by to take Pranjic’s place, although Vedran Corluka could move to the flank with Dynamo Kiev’s Domagoj Vida starting in the centre of defence.

Nikica Jelavic is likely to lead the line in attack after the Hull City striker netted the only goal against the Socceroos.

Mario Mandzukic, who

admitted this week that his time with Bayern Munich is over, sits out the opening fixture through suspension follow his sending-off for serious foul play in the World Cup qualifying play-off against Iceland in November, with Jelavic his most natural replacement.

Kovac, who skippered his country in their shortlived 2006 World Cup campaign in Germany, which also began against Brazil, does at least have Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric to choose from in midfield, with Eduardo, Mateo Kovacic and Ivan Perisic all fit to join them in a five-man engine room.

Zenith Bank Final Eight basketball dunks off

By Adeyinka Adedipe HE Final Eight of the Zenith T Bank Women Basketball league dunks off today with eight teams vying for honours in the competition.

The eight teams that will slug it out during the final-phase include defending champions, First Deepwater of Lagos, who were winners in Group A and former champions, First Bank Basketball Club who led Group B. Other finalists are last season’s runners-up, Dolphins Basketball club of Lagos, Sunshine Angels basketball club of Akure, Customs basketball club, IGP Queens basketball club, Delta Force basketball club of Asaba and FCT Angels basketball club of Abuja.

The teams are already in Lagos to begin hostilities for the top prize today with defending champions, First Deepwater vowing to retain their title.

An All-Star Game, a new innovation added to the 10th edition and the first of its kind since the history of women league in Nigeria will precedes the grand finale.

The All-Star Game is meant to celebrate the best players in the league and give them visibility, like their male counterparts in the DStv League, and will be divided into two teams code-named “Ocean Breeze and Sea Waves.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sports Thursday, June 12, 2014 | 91

NOC, NSC renew partnership for sports development

By Adeyinka Adedipe IGERIA Olympic Committee (NOC) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) have reestablished their partnership in order to take sports to an enviable height in the country.

At a media briefing held in Lagos yesterday at the NOC secretariat to examine the benefit of the alliance, President of the NOC, Engr.

Sanni Ndanusa, said that the current move is aimed at bringing to the fore, the existing synergy between the two bodies with a view of charting a successful path for the future.

While appreciating the support of the NSC towards presenting formidable teams at international competitions, he noted that the NOC was working hard to make itself more visible through information technology.

According to Ndanusa, aligning with the NSC brings a lot of mileage and urged corporate organisations to take advantage of Olympic committee’s wide reach by supporting their programme, noting that organisations that support the NOC and NSC would get tax rebates.

He also commended the NSC for creating High Performance Centre, which would help in the training of athletes that can win medals for the country. “To achieve success in sports in the country, there must be a strong relationship between the NSC and the NOC. “The NSC prepares the ath-

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Jermaine Jones of the United States (right) dribbles past Nigeria’s midfielder, Ogenyi during the international friendly match at EverBank Field on Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida.

PHOTO: AFP

Eagles have only ‘few fighters’ for World Cup, says Akanni

By Gowon Akpodonor S Super Eagles put finishing touches to their preparation ahead the group opening game against Iran on Monday, former international, Waidi Akanni, says he is uncomfortable by ‘lack of fighters’ in the squad.

“This is a serious concern to me because a team going to the World Cup should parade great numbers of fighters, but it appears we don’t have much of them in the team,” Akanni told The Guardian.

The Super Eagles have settled down in Brazil, with the Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Tammy Danagogo and the Federal Government delegation headed by the Senate President David Mark also on ground. Danagogo had arrived on Monday and was on hand to receive the delegation, which arrived the Guarulhos International Airport, Sao Paulo, Brazil, at about 5pm local time yesterday.

Akanni said that a majority of the players on parade for the

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Danagogo leads FG delegation to team’s camp

World Cup play ‘gentleman football’ saying: “For the Eagles to do well in this World Cup, we need players who can fight and not those who like gentleman.

“A player like Yobo won’t fight. The same goes for Mikel in the midfield. Ahmed Musa is injured and even if he plays, I don’t see him fighting for fear of aggravating the injury.

Even Osaze is not a fighter.

Maybe, the likes of Godfrey Oboabona and some of the young players will fight bet-

ter. It pains me that Joel Obi could not make the team due to injury.

“Sincerely speaking, we need up to seven good fighters in the team to withstand pressure from Bosnia and Argentina as well as in our first game against Iran because it is very important the Eagles win that first group match on Monday to be in a good for second round qualification,” Akanni said.

Danagogo has appealed to Nigerians not to judge the

Eagles with their 1-2 loss to the USA in their last friendly match in Florida, stressing that the team would peak once the competition begins.

Other members of the Federal Government delegation are governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke and his Katsina State counterpart, Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

Other members are the Chairman Senate committee on Sports, Sen. Adamu Ibrahim Gumba, Chairman House Committee on Sports, Hon. Godfrey Ali Gaiya, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Bala Mohammed, Minister of State Education, Nyesome Wike, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke, Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna, and Minister of State Foreign affairs, Viola Nnwuleri.

The delegation is expected to visit the Eagles in Campinas this morning before Nigeria’s first group match against Iran, on June 16, in Curtiba.

letes, while the NOC takes them to international competition. So, there is need for both bodies to ensure that Nigeria presents the best athletes at every competition and the only way to do this is provide the right facilities, coaches and administrators.”

He stated that the partnership would ensure that Nigeria wins medals at the Youth Olympics, 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

He noted that the sports administrators have learnt to repackage, restrategise and become more serious after the failure of the London 2012 Olympics.

Ndanusa said the military and paramilitary establishments have been charged to encourage sports and produce medallists at the Olympic Games, while focus have also shifted to multimedal winning games like canoeing, archery, fencing and netball.

He also urged local council to build sports facilities that would aid the discovery of talents in all over the country.

Former sprinter, Mary Onyali, who represented the Director General of the NSC, Gbenga Elegbeleye, urged sponsors to support sports in the country, calling on stakeholders to give both bodies the chance to make a difference.

“We need corporate sponsors to move sports forward.

We know they have been bruised in the past, but this is a new beginning that will lead to something great,” she

Opatola thumbs up MTN Football Scholar NE of the country’s sports O analysts and broadcaster, Wole Opatola has said that MTN Football Scholar is an initiative that gives unprecedented hope to aspiring footballers in the country.

Speaking to the finalists of the ongoing Season 4 of the soccer scholarship initiative, who are currently in camp for the first academy of the season, Opatola said: “MTN Football Scholar has done great thing for football development in this country.

“Four years on, the project has continued to produce educated soccer stars, which I believe one day will become the glory of this nation. In fact, the initiative has given a resounding hope to aspiring Nigerian footballers,” he

declared.

MTN football scholar Season 4 kicked off with auditions across six cities - Calabar, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Akure, Abuja and Lagos and successfully came to an end on May 9. The finalists are currently camping at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

While in the camp, the boys would be groomed on how to make speeches and would be assessed in math and English. They will also take part in matches where foreign coaches will have the opportunity to watch them play and select final students who would play against established football academies, thereby giving the coaches a wider pool of students to select from.

Singapore, Egypt, 12 others for ITTF Lagos World Tour OMMONWEALTH champi- Sierra Leone, Togo and female player, Dina Meshref will lead the Egyptian women C on, Singapore, Egypt and Tunisia.

Singapore’s Jing Yuan Yin team, which includes Nadeen Russia and 11 other countries have been confirmed for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Lagos World Tour tagged Nigeria Open holding this month.

According to the list of confirmed countries, other teams that will join host – Nigeria at the tournament scheduled to hold on June 23 to 26 at the Molade OkoyaThomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium are Benin, Congo Brazzaville, Congo DRC, Cameroun, Ghana, Libya, Luxembourg, Morocco,

will represent the Asian nation at the tournament and the junior sensation is expected to compete in the men’s and U-21 singles.

Also, Egypt has assembled a strong eight-man team led by the defending champion of the Lagos Classics, Omar Assar as well as current Africa’s Senior’s Cup champion, ElSayed Lashin. His sibling, Khalid, Mohamed El-Beiali and Mohamed Elsobky will also be in Lagos.

Also, Africa’s number one

El-Dawlatly and Farah AbdelAziz.

Russia’s flag will be hoisted by the duo of Vasilij Filatov and Irina Ermakova, while one of the top rated player in the world, Xialian Ni will represent Luxembourg in the championship.

According to the chairman, Main Organising Committee (MOC), Wahid Oshodi, efforts are in place to ensure that the standard of organisation for this year’s competition is improved.

MVP Fatai Bakare of Future Heroes (left), Ahmed Bakare, competition coordinator, Tayo Adeyemo, Mayowa Kole of Tastytime, Femi Bolade of Adonai and Afeez Durojaiye at the final of the 2014 Abesan Cup at Yaba College of Technology.

tHe GUArDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

92 | thursday, June 12, 2014 Sports

World Cup

Rooney ‘witch-hunt’ annoys Phil Neville ALLS for Wayne rooney to C be dropped by england at the World Cup have turned into a “witch-hunt”, according to his Manchester United coach Phil Neville. the 28-year-old striker’s place in roy Hodgson’s side has been questioned ahead of Saturday’s game against Italy.

But Neville told BBC Sport: “I just think it is a witch-hunt we don’t need. “everything has been going so well with the team’s preparation that people are looking for a negative now. But there isn’t a negative with Wayne.”

During england’s preparations for the World Cup, rooney and Neville’s former United team-mate Paul Scholes suggested the forward may be past his peak. “there is a side of the english mentality to say ‘let’s look for a scapegoat and somebody to criticise’,” said Neville. “But Wayne is our best player and that’s a fact.” rooney has not scored in eight World Cup appearances, but netted four times at the european Championship in 2004.

“I’m certain he will want to deliver in this tournament like he did at euro 2004,” said Neville. “He looks fit and lean and I do not understand why people want him out.

“Hopefully this criticism will be Wayne’s motivation. I just get annoyed by it all and it sounds like roy Hodgson is getting annoyed by it all too.”

Hodgson said last week it was “a bit sad” that england is “so Wayne rooney-obsessed”.

Neville, who is part of the BBC punditry team in Brazil for the World Cup, feels rooney is being targeted unfairly.

“People question Wayne’s attitude as well as his fitness but I worked with him every day last season and can tell you he is totally driven to perform at this World Cup,” said Neville, whose brother Gary is part of the england coaching set-up.

“Part of his ambitions now are to become the all-time leading goalscorer for england and Manchester United, and that is something that is driving him on.

“I know that for a fact because that is one of the goals we, his

coaches at United, set him.” rooney, who scored 17 Premier League goals in 201314, is the third-highest scorer in United’s history with 216 goals in 442 games, 33 behind record holder Sir Bobby Charlton.

Charlton also holds the record for england with 49 goals, with rooney in fifth place on 38, including the seven goals that made him england’s top scorer in qualifying.

Neville added: “Wayne’s record in qualifying was superb, he is held in high esteem throughout the world and is the player that, when his name is on the england teamsheet, the Italian defenders will be thinking ‘he is the one we have got to stop’. “yet there is talk that we as a nation want to leave him out of our team. I cannot get my head round it. “there is no doubt in my mind that Wayne is the first name on the teamsheet. Let’s just hope that he delivers and these silly rumours and suggestions go away.”

Pogba primed for France duty AUL Pogba is not taking a P starting berth for granted, but hopes to play a leading role in France’s World Cup quest. the Juventus midfielder is considered to be one of the hottest prospects in european football, so will be expected to shine on the global stage this summer.

Since leaving Manchester United in search of regular

football in 2012, the 21-yearold has gone from strength to strength – claiming two Serie A titles and 11 senior international caps.

He is aware that he faces stiff competition from the likes of Moussa Sissoko for a place in Didier Deschamps’ plans this summer, with France considered to be dark horses in Brazil.

Pogba has, however, point-

Neymar carries Brazil expectation rAzIL legend, Pele is con- ing 30 goals and conceding B cerned striker, Neymar is only two. under too much pressure to “For the first time in history, inspire the hosts to World Cup glory.

Neymar, 22, has not played in a World Cup, but has scored seven goals in Brazil’s run of nine successive wins.

“Neymar is young,” Pele told BBC. “It is a heavy pressure for him to get all the responsibility.”

Brazil have won the World Cup a record five times but have not lifted the trophy since 2002. the hosts, who face Croatia in the tournament opener in Sao Paulo on thursday, won the 2013 Confederations Cup, beating world champions Spain 3-0 in the final.

Neymar, who plays his club football for Barcelona, grabbed the headlines with his performance in that game and scored Brazil’s second goal with a rasping leftfoot shot.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side have also won nine successive friendlies since defeat by Switzerland in August, scor-

Brazil has a defence better than they attack, “ said 73year-old Pele, his country’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals. “the midfield back is fantastic and very organised. I hope we can adjust from the midfield forward.”

ed out that he will not be doing anything different in search of recognition, with it his opinion that he is already fully focused and ready to make his childhood dreams come true.

He told L’Equipe: “We are a group. If someone is injured, there will always be a player to replace him.

“Moussa played very well against Jamaica. I am not guaranteed a place in the starting XI. I just feel like a French team player.

“People say I am nonchalant, that I play easy, but that is how my football has been since I was a kid. that doesn’t prevent me from being focused.

“I am realising my dream. I am happy and proud of what has been achieved so far, but it is not over.

“It is nice to play at a World Cup, but it is much better to win. I hope we will go as far as possible in the competition.”

Rooney

‘England opening game very difficult for Italy’ tALy expect a “very diffiIopen cult match” when they their World Cup campaign against england on Saturday, according to midfielder, Claudio Marchisio. the Azzurri knocked england out of euro 2012 at the quarter-final stage, winning on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Italy dominated that match, but Marchisio knows england have improved ahead of their Group D game in Manaus. the Juventus player, 28, said: “I think we’ll meet a different england to euro 2012. they are always great clashes.” everton midfielder, ross Barkley, 20, and 19-year-old Liverpool winger raheem Sterling are among the new

Brazilian striker Neymar (middle) tries to dribble past Henrique (left) during a training session of the Brazilian national PHOTO: AFP football team at the squad’s Granja Comary training complex in Teresopolis, Brazil...on Tuesday.

faces in the england squad in Brazil. “they have changed a lot of players,” said Marchisio.

“But we have changed too.”

Italy qualified for the World Cup with two games to spare, but their only win in their past eight matches came against Brazilian club side Fluminense on Sunday.

Despite that run, Marchisio

says the Azzurri are in buoyant mood. “there is a very positive air here,” he said. “the important thing is that everyone feels they are a part of this project.”

After facing england, Italy meet Costa rica on 20 June before concluding their group games against Uruguay four days later.

Suarez doing ‘triple shifts’ for Uruguay trIker Luis Suarez is Sforworking overtime to be fit the World Cup as he recovers from knee surgery, says Uruguay team-mate Cristian rodriguez.

Uruguay open their Group D campaign against Costa rica on Saturday, but Coach Oscar tabarez does not know when Suarez will be available.

Winger rodriguez said Suarez, 27, is doing all he can to return quickly.

“He is very focused,” he said.

“He is working in double and triple shifts and we hope to have him with us soon.”

Liverpool’s Suarez had keyhole surgery to repair meniscus damage in his left knee on May 22.

After facing Costa rica, Uruguay meet england on June 19, before completing their group games against Italy five days later. tabarez said Suarez is “responding very well” to his training programme and is

Suarez in good spirits.

He added: “As we have no set deadlines, I don’t know if we’ll have him for the first match, for the second, for the third. If it were up to me, Suarez would play tomorrow.”

Thursday, June 12, 2014 SPORTS 93

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World Cup

Robben: Proud of 2010, excited by 2014 would blame Arjen FnextEW Robben if he spent the couple of days sifting through painful memories.

The last sight the Netherlands winger took in at a FIFA World Cup was, after all, of Friday’s opponents, Spain, lifting the Trophy he so coveted.

It was, though, another recollection - of being foiled in a key one-on-one with Iker Casillas midway through the second half - that tormented Robben most over the days and months that followed. “I think about it a lot,” he conceded in the tournament’s aftermath. “It hurts to miss such a chance.”

Yet it was a buoyant rather than regretful player who spoke to FIFA.com ahead of the Salvador rematch with La Roja. Much of 30-year-old’s relaxed, positive demeanour could be attributed to his personal fortunes since his joyless Johannesburg night, with Robben having conquered

Robben

Europe and the world with Bayern Munich, scoring the winner in a UEFA Champions League final in which he was named Man of the Match.

Yet the 30-year-old’s contentment seemed to owe as much to the young Dutch players alongside him in Brazil, the system they have adopted and, crucially, the man at the helm. Such is his mood that he was even able to reflect on 2010 with pride rather than remorse, and even to highlight it as his favourite World Cup of all.

“I feel very good at the moment, both physically and mentally,” he said. “A World Cup is always something special and I am very excited to be in Brazil for this one. I have special memories about every World Cup I have watched or played in, but South Africa was a really great tournament for me. It was obviously a big disappointment we lost the Final, but I am still really proud of what we all achieved togeth-

Welbeck may miss England game against Italy ANNY Welbeck missed D England training on yesterday in Rio. The Manchester United forward is currently a doubt for Saturday’s opening Group D game against Italy in Manaus after limping out of training on Tuesday.

Welbeck, 23, took part in the early part of yesterday’s session in Rio de Janeiro with strapping over his thigh but was withdrawn, and he becomes one of two current absentees along with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Arsenal’s Chamberlain is currently recovering from the knee ligament injury he sustained against Ecuador and faces a battle to be fit for

England’s second group clash against Uruguay.

If Welbeck is ruled out, the chances of Raheem Sterling starting the match will be vastly increased.

Manager Roy Hodgson has resisted the temptation to shower praise on Ross Barkley and Wayne Rooney since the England squad met, but that has not been the case with Sterling.

Sterling missed England’s final warm-up game against Honduras in Miami after he was sent off in a brief substitute appearance against Ecuador at Sun Life Stadium.

Sterling did not start England’s final home game of the season against Peru,

Blatter calls for FIFA change IFA president, Sepp Fchange Blatter has called for in the governance of world football.

Speaking at his organisation’s annual congress in Brazil, the 78-year-old said it is FIFA’s duty to lead by example with “integrity” in order to “protect the game of the people”.

Addressing delegates at a meeting in Sao Paulo, in which is he also expected to announce his candidacy for a fifth term as the body’s ruler, Blatter said: “The world is changing, our game is changing and so our organisation must also change.

“It is important times for football and for FIFA. It is our duty to keep football going forward, but also to keep our governance and control bodies installed, not only at FIFA level but also national associations and confederations.

“It is not only to develop the game but also to ensure the integrity of the game and to protect the game of the people. It is our duty to lead by example and behave like an example, with integrity.”

Blatter’s speech came just 24 hours after UEFA executive committee members, David Gill and Michael van Praag told him face-to-face that he should stand down at the end of his current four-year term, which ends next year.

Blatter is currently embroiled in a row over a sensational exposé in the Sunday Times newspaper, which reported significant corruption was at the heart of Qatar’s successful 2022 World Cup bid.

Qatar’s organisers vehemently deny any wrongdoing and Blatter condemned the reports on Monday, suggesting to the African and Asian football federations that they were motivated by “discrimination and racism” from the British media.

But the reports made by the English broadsheet on June 1 are just the latest in a long line of alleged corruption and bribery within FIFA that stretches back as far as Blatter’s first appointment as president in 1998, which is currently being investigated by Michael Garcia.

meaning he has only had 39 minutes’ worth of action since the squad got together on May 19.

He appears to be in pole position to start the Italy game, though - either as a winger or in the number 10 position just behind Daniel Sturridge.

“If I select him, it won’t be a risk that he hasn’t played so many minutes,” Hodgson said. “He’s as fit as a flea and I’m pretty certain he hasn’t forgotten how to play matches, either.

“It was unfortunate that he couldn’t play the (Honduras) game (because of suspension), but I can tell you that Raheem Sterling is very much in the group of players I’m considering.”

Hodgson, meanwhile, confirmed his squad had taken their anti-malaria tablets on Tuesday morning despite concerns over the sideeffects.

Generally, one in 10 people experience stomach cramps, sickness or dizziness after taking the pills.

er.”

It is, however, a new team under a new coach that will be attempting to emulate or surpass that momentous achievement. Robben, in fact, is one of just seven veterans of that 2010 campaign to have made the Netherlands’ squad - Spain, by contrast, have retained 16 and while Vicente Del Bosque still rules the Roja roost, the Dutch now answer to Louis van Gaal.

The change at the top is, though, seen as a positive by a player who has thrived for both club and country under the Manchester Unitedbound tactician.

“I worked with him at Bayern Munich before he took this job, so he has been very important to my career,” Robben said of Van Gaal. “Along with Pep Guardiola, I can say he is the best coach I ever had.”

One of Van Gaal’s most important, and controversial, decisions in the build-up to the World Cup has been the changing of Netherlands’ traditional 4-33 formation in favour of 5-3-2.

Robben, however, was consulted on the tactical change along with the Oranje’s other key man, Robin van Persie, and has no regrets about offering his wholehearted support. “We have played three matches with the new formation,” he explained, “and none of our opponents Ecuador, Wales and Ghana created a lot of chances, whereas we did. I’m really confident that this is the best way for us to play in at the moment.”

Assured and evidently at ease with the team’s direction under Van Gaal, Robben

is nonetheless realistic about their pre-tournament prospects. The bookmakers’ odds reflect the Netherlands’ status as outsiders, and having been grouped with Spain, Australia and a muchadmired Chile side, there are even questions about whether they will survive to see the Round of 16. But while Robben understands these doubts, he believes that those who perceive his team’s youth to be a disadvantage could yet be in for a surprise.

“We have a young team, but it is talented,” he said.

“Experience is important, especially mentally. But on the pitch it is all about playing in the right way, doing what you have to do - and it doesn’t matter if you are 22 or 32. You just have to do what is asked for.

“That said, in my opinion Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Germany are the favourites.

It will be hard for us because we have to play a very tough group. Spain are the reigning world and European Champions, and two teams from Spain played this season’s Champions League final. That says it all. Chile also have a very strong team with really good players who want to play in an attacking way. And Australia are physically strong. We have played a few matches against them and were never able to win.

“But our preparations have been going well so far. I’m really happy we are in Brazil now. You can feel the tournament is about to start. Brazil is one of the greatest football countries in the world maybe the greatest - so it is fantastic the World Cup has been organised here.

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94 | Thursday, June 12, 2014 Sports

Europe transfer Blackpool confirms Riga as manager LACKPOOL has confirmed B Belgian Jose Riga as their new manager.

The 56-year-old, who saved Charlton from relegation from the Championship last season, agreed a contract in principle with the club’s chairman Karl Oyston last week.

Riga has now signed a oneyear rolling contract to succeed former caretaker player-manager Barry Ferguson at Bloomfield Road.

He said: “I had a good discussion with the chairman and we found an agreement.

I’m ready for the big challenge.

“With the support of the chairman and certainly the support of the fans - who really must be our 12th man I’m sure we can succeed.”

Riga, a former technical director at AC Milan, took over from sacked Charlton boss Chris Powell in March,

charged with keeping them in the second tier despite sitting bottom of the division.

He won seven of his 16 games in charge and took them to an 18th-place finish, seven points clear of the drop-zone, before leaving the club at the end of his temporary contract.

Riga has had two spells in charge of Standard Liege, who share the same owner as Charlton.

In his second stint during the 2011-12 season, Riga guided them to the last 16 of the Europa league before finishing fourth in the Belgian top flight.

Apart from his spells with Liege, he has also worked as a scout and analyst for the Belgian national team, spent time with the Aspire Academy in Qatar, and was invited by Jose Mourinho to spend a week training the Real Madrid squad in 2011.

Muller

Lahm

Lahm, Muller sign new Bayern deals ERMANY duo Philipp G Lahm and Thomas Muller have penned new long-term contracts with their club Bayern Munich just days before the start of the World Cup. Club captain Lahm has committed himself to a new fouryear contract with Muller, a reported target of Manchester United, signing a new five-year deal.

Both players came through the club’s youth system and, with the exception of a twoyear loan spell with Stuttgart in the case of Lahm, have spent their whole careers with Bayern.

“Both Philipp Lahm and Thomas Muller are very important elements of

Bayern Munich,” said the club’s chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“Both have remained faithful to this club right from the very start of their careers and they are also going to play an important role here in the future.

“We are very happy that both have decided to commit their long-term futures to Bayern Munich.

“Now I hope that Philipp Lahm and Thomas Muller have a successful World Cup and I keep my fingers crossed for them and the Germany national team on the way to the title.”

Lahm has been a mainstay in the Bayern team ever since returning from that two-year

loan spell with Stuttgart 11 years ago. He has played a total of 313 Bundesliga matches and featured 85 times in the Champions League.

He says he will retire at the end of his new deal.

“It was the right time to discuss an extension,” said the 30-year-old. “This is definitely my last contract and I will end my career at Bayern Munich.

“That was always my wish and I’m delighted it has happened.”

Muller, the top goalscorer at the last World Cup four years ago, when he was also named the best young player, also plans to spend his career with the Bavarian club.

“I’m delighted to have

extended my contract until 2019 so close to the start of the World Cup,” he said.

“The club convinced me that I’m in the right place and I have the feeling that I’m an important component in the club’s plans.

“Bayern have been my club since 2000 and they will remain so for years to come.”

Mancini

Mancini, Galatasaray part ways ORMER Manchester City FMancini manager Roberto has parted company with Galatasaray after reaching a mutual agreement.

The 49-year-old Italian took charge of the Turkish club in September last year on a

three-year contract after leaving City at the end of the 2012/13 season.

He guided Galatasaray into second place in the Super Lig behind Fenerbahce and also won the Turkish Cup, but they exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage

after losing to Chelsea.

Mancini has been linked with a return to his former club Lazio in Italy and his odds to become the next manager of Southampton have also shortened following his departure from the Istanbulmclub.

Agent claims Arsenal wants Porto striker, Martinez Pirlo extends contract with Juve Martinez has previously HE striker’s representative Martinez’s agent in Italy, told been linked with a number of T claims Arsene Wenger’s Calciomercato. eleven.

NDREA Pirlo has signed a Italy’s World Cup opener side, along with Valencia, are “There are, instead, opportu- other European giants, Pirlo is currently training against England on Saturday A Manchester two-year contract extenconsidering a move for the nities abroad - Arsenal and including with the national team in in United and Napoli, against sion with Juventus, the Serie Manaus.

Colombia international this Valencia in particular are summer. very interested in Jackson whom he scored during last season’s Europa League.

Arsenal is interested in sign- Martinez.” ing Porto striker Jackson Martinez, according to the player’s agent.

The 27-year-old scored 29 goals in 51 appearances for the Portuguese club last season and is in line to feature prominently in attack for Colombia at this summer’s World Cup, particularly in the absence of Radamel Falcao.

Arsenal, who are currently in talks to re-sign Carlos Vela from Real Sociedad, are in the market for another forward this summer in order to provide competition for Olivier Giroud.

And the Gunners, along with Valencia, are hot on the tail of Martinez, who has yet to receive any offer from Serie A giants Roma, despite reports in the Italian press.

“In Italy we have had very little contact, but for sure there have not been any offers from Roma,” Peppino Tirri, Martinez

A club have announced.

The veteran midfielder was set to become a free agent this summer but has penned a new contract with the recently-crowned Italian champions, which will keep him in Turin until June 30, 2016.

A statement from Juventus read: “Andrea Pirlo’s fantastic story with the Bianconeri continues.

“The “Professor” has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Juventus until June 30, 2016.”

Pirlo, who was voted the 2012-13 Player of the Year in Serie A by his peers, has enjoyed another solid campaign with the Turin club.

The 35-year-old scored four goals in 29 league appearances to help the Bianconeri clinch their third straight Scudetto.

The Italy international joined Juve from AC Milan in 2011 and has been a regular in Antonio Conte’s starting

Brazil in preparation for

Pirlo

Thursday, June 12, 2014 Sports | 95

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OSMI to transmit World Cup opening ceremony HE exclusive 2014 FIFA T World Cup terrestrial broadcast rights owners for the Nigerian territory, Optima Sports Management International (OSMI), has finalised plans to deliver an unparalleled World Cup broadcast to the Nigerian audience starting with the tournament’s opening ceremony.

The broadcast of the opening ceremony on all terrestrial TV and radio stations across the country on today, will mark the official commencement of OSMI 2014 FIFA World Cup broadcast.

After the opening ceremony, OSMI will then transmit the first match between host nation, Brazil and Croatia.

OSMI working in conjunction with Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), the umbrella body of radio and television stations across the country, will transmit live all the 64 matches of the tournament.

Speaking on the readiness of the company for the World Cup broadcast, Kunle Falodun, Managing Director, OSMI, said all the test transmissions have been successfully concluded and all is set for the broadcast.

He said: “I can assure you without any fear of contradiction that OSMI is 100 percent ready for the World Cup broadcast. Over the weeks, our

engineers and those of our BON partners have worked round the clock to get all the technical issues sorted. The radio crew in Brazil has also tested all the facilities and everybody is ready to roll.

“The feed that will be beamed is going to be of the best quality you can get anywhere else. OSMI is ready, BON is ready and we know the Nigerian football lovers will thoroughly enjoy this year’s broadcast.

“To also make this broadcast interesting and memorable, OSMI has introduced an option of match commentaries in Pidgin English. Aside that, we have also put together a team of tested match analysts who will provide expert opinions on matches all through the tournament.

“The broadcast will not be restricted to match transmission alone, OSMI will also produce daily magazine programmes that will be focusing on the fans, coaches, Super Eagles players, fashion, supporters, places of interest in Brazil, among others.”

One of the match analysts, Seyi Olofinjana, also lent his voice to the company’s preparation. “The atmosphere here is electrifying with fans from around the world eager to be part of the World Cup. OSMI is ready to bring all the actions to Nigerians,” he added.

Lagos Skating Marathon debut in October

By Gowon Akpodonor RGANISERS of the maiden edition of the 2014 Lagos Skating Marathon say the event is being packaged to give Nigerian youth a lifetime opportunity to achieve their dream in the business of skate sports.

The event, which is being organised by Lagos State government (Ministry of sports Youth and Social Development) in partnership with Proud and Loud Communications, will hold on October 4.

Speaking with The Guardian during the week, the chairman of Proud and Loud Communications, Kefe Sunny Philips, said that the event is an individual non violent sport practiced by men and women equally, competing over same distance.

He stated that the Lagos Skating Marathon would mirror the beauty, emotion, pride unity and discipline of Lagos State and its people as a true mega-city.

“It will also showcase Nigeria to the rest of the world because this game will propel our youths towards another direction in sports.

O

The Lagos Skating Marathon is also to promote gender equality and women empowerment, which is a part of human development agenda of Lagos State government,” Philips said.

According to Philips, skating marathon covers approximately 42km on roller blades for the amateur and those who have been practicing skating. It takes 1 hour to complete.

“Before the competition proper, there will be a seminar where the youth will be given lecture on the possible hazards of the game and means of avoiding them.

They will be trained to imbibe the sanctity of life because sport is supposed to promote and enhance life, not the other way round.

They are going to be lectured on why they must keep off the streets and major roads of Lagos or hanging on moving vehicles.

“The Lagos Skating marathon is the brain child of a social network of community of young people called Yaggy. Youths have to register online for the skating marathon on www.yaggyenergie.

Skaters doing their business on the streets of Lagos. Organisers of the 2014 Lagos Skating Marathon says it will open doors of opportunities for the youths

Man City home-grown quota cut by UEFA ANCHESTER City will be M required to name only five home-grown players in a reduced 21-man squad for next season’s Champions League.

City were hit with restrictions on their European squad in May, after breaching financial fair play rules.

The club had been due to name eight home-grown players, but UEFA has bowed to pressure from players’ union FIFPro. UEFA said it was “appropriate” to reduce the number of home-grown players present in the smaller squad.

Gianni Infantino, Uefa’s general secretary, said: “It came after a request from the players union FIFPro saying when you take these kind of sanctions and measures you cannot harm the players - and the

rights of a player who has a contract - for the behaviour of the clubs.

“So we looked at it and it was felt appropriate there for the number to be proportionally reduced as well.”

In addition to the squad restrictions, City were fined £49m - £32m of which is suspended - after being named as one of nine clubs to fall foul of UEFA’s financial fair play rules.

The Premier League champions can spend just £49m on players this summer, plus any money they receive in transfer fees. City’s wage bill for 2014/15 must stay the same as last season.

During last season’s Champions League campaign, City registered 23 players because of the eight homegrown players rule, using 21.

The reduction in the homegrown players limit means City should be able to cope with the expected departure of Joleon Lescott, with Micah Richards and James Milner also being linked with a move.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart, midfielder Jack Rodwell, leftback Gael Clichy and defender Dedryck Boyata were also named as home-grown players in last season’s Champions League squad.

UEFA defines home-grown players as those who, regardless of their nationality, have been trained by their club - or by another club in the same national association - for at least three years between the age of 15 and 21. Half of those players must have had that training with their current club.

Brazil World Cup won’t take the shine off AFN Golden League, others, says Ogba

By Gowon Akpodonor HE President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba has said that the commencement of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup won’t take away the glamour off the final leg of the AFN Golden League, the Warri Relay/CAA Super Grand Prix and the AFN/CRS All-Nigeria Athletics Championships.

While the final of the AFN Golden League jackpot will hold tomorrow morning,

T

Praises Delta government for partnership the money spinning Warri Relay/CAA Super Grand Prix takes center stage later same day.

The AFN/CRS All-Nigeria Athletics Championships, which will serve as selection for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, will be staged in Calabar next week.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Ogba said that athletics has its own followers,

adding that the people of Warri and Calabar have shown in the past that they are great lovers of the sport.

“I don’t see the World Cup taking the shine off our athletics events because there are so many people waiting to watch our athletes burn the track in Warri and Calabar. There are so many foreign based athletes coming for these events and I can assure you that it will be full

of glamour all round,” Ogba said.

Delta State in conjunction with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is staging the 4th Annual Warri Relays/ Confederation of African Athletics Golden Grand Prix.

This event has a Golden label from the Confederation of African Athletics.

This year’s event promises to showcase an array of top Nigerian and African athletes including Commonwealth gold medalist Tosin Oke,

Amaechi Morton, Former 400m World Champion, Amantle Montsho of Botswana, Femi Ogunode of Qatar, Kineke Alexander of St. Vincent and a host of other world-class athletes.

According to Ogba, the meet will surpass all other one-day meets ever organised in African continent.

“This 2014 Warri Relays will be the biggest of all one-day meets ever organised in Africa, and we are especially proud to be the host”, he said.

Nku supports move for corporate backing for 19th NSF Nigeria and Africa’s FhasORMER 100m queen Mercy Nku backed the Cross River State government’s drive for corporate support towards hosting a world class National Sports Festival (NSF) later this year in Calabar.

Governor Liyel Imoke early this week led a delegation of his government and members of the main organising committee to Lagos to sell the event, which is also being used to celebrate the 100 years of Nigeria as a nation.

“Sports is a veritable tool not only for peace, but also development and I believe it needs both the government and the private sectors collaboration especially at this challenging time when we need to positively engage our youths,” said Nku who won the 100m gold at the All Africa Games in 1999.

Nku expressed believe that Governor Imoke has done very well in providing world class facilities for a truly world class event.

“The facilities governor Imoke has provided are second to none as far as hosting the festival is concerned and now needs the support of corporate Nigeria as the icing on the cake,” Nku further said.

The sprinter who made history in 1995 when she won four gold medals at the inaugural African Junior Championships in Bouake, Cote D’Ivoire says investment in sports is an investment in Nigeria’s future.

“With sports we can address the unemployment problem in Nigeria. Sports also lead to a sound development of the mind and a means of uniting Nigerians.

TheGuardian

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Kalu Chijioke Harvard NE profound aspect of human existence is the environment. This happens to be, if not all we are and can be, for our life and existence are anchored in it.

On the other hand, education is another pillar of human survival. Education had been a principal key in ensuring progress and development in our society.

Education and the environment are essential in economic growth, spiritual advancement and good health. Therefore, none of them can be neglected in any society. Sadly in Nigeria, these factors are the most neglected. The environment is being mal-treated continuously and our education systems are harassed by the inconsistencies that surround us.

One may be wondering what brought about these levels of disenchantment towards these essential aspects of our life in Nigeria. The answer, being not far-fetched, lies in the truth that the adults of our society were not properly groomed, thus the evidence being manifested in their attitude towards the environment and education is not surprising. This unwholesome attitude has rubbed off on the younger generation who tend to emulate their behaviours.

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By Thompson Taiwo Continued from yesterday (Wednesday, 11-62014) CCORDING to “the Nigeria Poverty A Profile 2010” released in February 2014 by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), about 112.519 million Nigerians, representing 69 per cent of the country’s total population, live in abject poverty. This is in spite of the 7.7 per cent yearly growth rate of the country’s GDP. The report also noted that the figure might increase to 71.5 per cent when the 2011 figure is finally computed if there is no radical approach to combat poverty and unemployment. The people know they are rich yet they are poor. Also, as at December 2013, Nigeria’s debt profile hit N10.1trillion, in line with the revelation of the country’s Debt Management Office (DMO).

Many Nigeria’s highways are concave with potholes, dripping with the blood of travellers, whose ill-fated journey ended abruptly on a fatal collision with a strayed vehicle, trying to negotiate the holes. A visit to the nation’s knowledge base, primary or secondary schools, including tertiary institutions will explain the heartbreak of education: the tattered roofs, caved-in ceilings, broken louvers and awkwardly hanging doors with libraries suffering from book malnutrition.

Lack of employment in the country has raised a new generation of youths clutching to desperation to survive: The implication of which is the growing insecurity that swathes the entire nation and breeds the terrifying realities of current times: the putrefying carcasses of men, dismembered remnants of women and the decaying and malodorous wounds of children whose innocence was crushed right in their presence. Bloodletting campaigns and windstorm of kidnapping have divorced husbands from their wives as well as school girls from their homes.

Despite an economy that rivals the world’s strongest economies, South Africa’s poverty rate leaves much to be desired. In a recent report of Statistics South Africa (SSA) on the “Poverty Profile of South Africa” between 2008 and 2009, about 26.3 per cent of population lived below the food poverty line of R305 monthly on individual basis. About 39 per cent living below the lower-bound poverty line of R416 and 52

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Environmental education as key to sustainable development Therefore, the need for a serious campaign on enkindling environmental knowledge in our young is paramount. This campaign when embarked on will enhance both sectors of our society. The education system will be improved while healthy environmental practices will be encouraged.

Many countries that adopted educational environmentalism had and are still recording enormous progress in development.

Their secrets have been the recognition of

the importance of environmental sustainability in the development of any nation. By doing so, nations such as Japan, China and U.S.A. were able to meet their present need and also secure the safety of the future generation.

However, to record a sustainable growth in Nigeria the need to inculcate healthy environmental attitudes in our teachers, students and parents is needed. We have to improve the quality of the environment

both in the schools and at home. In order to encourage healthy practices; award systems need to be put in place to give recognition and prizes to schools and teachers that show exemplary attitude in good environmental and health practices.

More so, schools that lack basic health amenities like toilets, waste bins and other environmental management tools have to be selected with the view of helping them provide such tools. An avenue, for widespread environmental consciousness and sense of responsibility in our society by engaging students, teachers, parents and the general public in true environmental activism is urgently needed. This will help curb the wrong attitudes towards our environment.

Saro-Wiwa, the late environmental activist and martyr, once said ‘the environment is the first right of mankind.’ This statement is the unassailable truth for we can’t be anything away from our environment. Thus, the synergy of environment and education will go a long way to create the needed harmony for national growth.

The government, NGOs and other corporate bodies must join hands to initiate the wide spread of educational environmentalism for a sustainable development.

standing the report which places the pace of its economic growth above that of China.

Moreover, the vast oil revenues accruing to Equatorial Guinea only circulate among few top public officials while the largest per cent below the upper-bound poverty part of the population have resigned to line of R577 monthly on individual basis. extreme poverty. The nation’s human capiRecent report indicated that about one tal index is also nothing to write home third of the population live on welfare. In about. all these, the black population is the worst In tackling the scourges adduced in the hit with 61.9 per cent living below the foregoing as responsible for staggering upper-bound poverty line. South Africa’s poverty level and massive underdevelopexternal debt stood $137095 million in the ment on the continent, some analysts fourth quarter of 2013 from $136621 million believe that if Africa is serious about squarin the third quarter of the same year, as ing up with leading continents on the globreported by the South African Reserve al arena, it should start voting an adequate Bank: a situation the International amount of resources towards building the Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned the councapacity of its people locally and internatry about. Corruption, poverty and youth tionally in all spheres of human endeavunemployment are the greatest cankerours so that they can take over key sectors worms bedeviling the country. of its economy from expatriates who have The situations in Angola and Equatorial no stake in the prosperity of the continent.

Guinea are somewhat grimier than what Moreover, diversification of the Africa’s obtains in Nigeria and South Africa. The liveconomy is non-negotiable. Leaders on the ing conditions of an average Angolan and continent should shift away from its monoEquatoguinean are quite disquieting. product economy which revolves around Having risen out of the ashes of the 27-year oil, gas, diamonds, copper, gold, among civil war which devastated the country, others, by investing in agriculture and othAngola now boasts of a booming economy, er human-capacity driven fields to ease out which has attracted the attention of forthe albatross of unemployment that rests eign investors, flocking to the country from fixedly on the fat-thin neck of the contidifferent parts of the globe. Looking at the nent. viability of its economy, Angola is a success Additionally, the earlier African leaders story of how a dying nation can rise again. recognise that the opposite of developBut the not-too-palatable news about the ment is corruption, the better for the contiJose Eduardo dos Santos-led nation is the nent. It is common knowledge that Africa pitiable standard of living of the majority has a series of law that criminalizes official of the people. Up to the half of the country African Union Chairman, President Mohamed corruption but these laws lack the biting still live on less than $2 a day, notwith- Ould Abdel Aziz force. The social institutions saddled with the responsibility of applying the law The YOUTHSPEAK Column which is published daily is an initiative of THE GUARDIAN, and pow- against agents of crimes and criminalities ered by RISE NETWORKS, Nigeria’s Leading Youth Development Centre, as a substantial advoca- have lost their steam to monetary inducecy platform available for ALL Nigerian Youth to engage Leadership at all levels, engage Society ment and high-profile threats. How many and contribute to National Discourse on diverse issues especially those that are peculiar to vastly corrupt leaders on the continent Nigeria. Regarding submission of articles, we welcome writers‘ contributions by way of well have gone to jail or stripped of their smutty crafted, analytical and thought provoking opinion pieces that are concise, topical and nonwealth like the Bo Xilais, Wayne Bryants defamatory! All articles (which are not expected to be more than 2000 words) should be sent to editorial@risenetworks.org To read the online Version of this same article plus past publica- and James Traficants of this world? If those regular courts have failed to deliver justice tions and to find out more about Youth Speak, please visit www.risenetworks.org/youthsin economic and financial crimes cases, peak and join the ongoing National Conversations’’. there is an urgent need for a special court on corruption that will not lapse into a Also join our on-line conversation 21676F3E @risenetworks RISE GROUP toothless bulldog. Without strong institutions, Africa’s hope of development is like Published by Guardian Newspapers Limited, Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos telling a dog not to bark.

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Africa: A rich continent of poor people (2)

Editor: MARTINS

OLOJA

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ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)