Thur 13 Mar 2014 by The Guardian Newspaper

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,859

N150

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Gusau didn’t quit, say Presidency, ministry From Madu Onuorah, Mohammed Abubakar (Abuja) and Tope Templer Olaiya (Lagos)

• Govt refutes Sanusi’s allegation of persecution

HE Presidency and Ministry of Defence yesterday denied online media reports that the Defence Minister, Gen. Mohammed Aliyu Gusau, had resigned from President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet. It de-

scribed the report as false. Gusau, who was sworn in as minister a week ago, resumed at the Ship House headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in a ceremony that included inspection of Guard of Honour by troops of the Nigerian Army.

Similarly, the Presidency refuted claims by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that he was suspended because of his alleged plans to expose corrupt government officials as not only

untrue but a calculated attempt to divert the attention of the public from the weighty allegation of his mismanagement of the apex bank. Addressing State House correspondents, the Special Adviser to the President on

Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, insisted that Gen. Gusau remains in office as Defence Minister. He noted that the clarification became necessary in order to disabuse the minds of Nigerians from the false story. According to him: “This is to let Nigerians know that that story is untrue. Gen. Gusau

remains in office as Minister of Defence; he was absent from today’s meeting of the FEC and this particular online medium cited that in support of its allegation that he had resigned. “Well, he was absent from the meeting with the permission of President Jonathan. So, the story is not CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Vice President Namadi Sambo (right), Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; Minister of State for Health, Khaliru Alhassan, and Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Ifeanyi Okowa, during the presiPHOTO: CHUKWUMA MUANYA dential summit for universal health coverage in Abuja.

NEITI denies indicting NNPC over alleged missing funds From Collins Olayinka (Abuja) and Roseline Okere (Lagos)

HE Nigerian Extractive T Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday clarified its position on the alleged complicity of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with Swiss oil dealers to defraud the country. It said it did not accuse or indict NNPC over the alleged missing oil funds as wrongly reported in some

newspapers. A statement by NEITI Director of Communication, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, in Abuja yesterday said the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Zainab Ahmed, who testified before House of Representa-

tives Committee on Petroleum Upstream investigating the alleged connivance of the NNPC with Swiss oil dealers on February 26, 2014, was misquoted out of context. This has, however, con-

firmed a statement earlier issued by the NNPC which described as inaccurate the media report of the alleged misappropriated funds. Orji explained that NEITI’s presentation to the committee was based on the

findings and recommendations of its 2009-2011 Independent Oil and Gas Industry Audit Report, saying, “since NEITI’s appearance at that public hearing, we are concerned that the contents of our presenta-

• ‘4,500 megawatts of electricity by June feasible’ – Page 3 • Rights commission probes girl’s alleged abuse by magistrate – Page 4 • How indiscriminate honey use complicates diabetes management – Page 33

tion to the esteemed committee have been largely misconceived, misinterpreted and misrepresented by some sections of the media.” Orji added that NEITI, as an agency with principles, methods, procedures and mandate firmly rooted in transparency, accountability and integrity, it is constrained to make some clarifications on key issues CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Thursday, March 13, 2014

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NEITI denies indicting NNPC over alleged funds CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

that were certainly not correctly reported by the media following that presentation. It explained: “The media report from that presentation attributed to NEITI that “the nation loses $8 billion yearly through crude oil swap”. This is not only wrong but misleading. What NEITI presented and explained at that hearing was that “there is no cost efficiency in the transactions with the offshore processing organisations. By this, we mean that the total cost of offshore processing when compared with the reported price of PMS, DPK, AGO and other retained products proceeds paid to NNPC is not economically beneficial to the country. This is as a result of the under-deliveries of petroleum products to the tune of $866 million by the companies involved in the swap. “From the same presentation, another report attributed to NEITI stated that the agency has uncovered $22.8 billion unremitted funds to the Federation. This report carried by sev-

eral newspapers is equally inaccurate. What NEITI presented and explained at the public hearing was that “the Federal Government, through the NNPC, entered into Alternative Funding/Financing arrangements with its JV partners in the form of third party financing from external financial markets (i.e. banks) and Modified Carry Arrangements (MCA) which are loans from existing JV partners (IOCs). NNPC’s share in the third party financing is paid to CBN/NNPC crude oil and gas Dollar revenue account and subsequently swept to the Federation Account while under the MCA, an escrow account is opened at the lenders’ bank into which buyers pay proceeds from the crude oil and gas sales. NEITI observed that these transactions which sum up to $22.8 billion are off balance sheet items (not disclosed in NNPC’s audited financial statements). The implication is that there may be significant contingent liabilities to the federation that is not being disclosed.” It added that the presenta-

tion does not mean that NEITI has discovered some funds hidden somewhere or monies that were unaccounted for by the NNPC. “That was why NEITI recommended that all alternative funding arrangements should be disclosed in the audited financial statements of NNPC for clarity and openness in line with the EITI principles.” NNPC had earlier raised the red flag over what it termed an orchestrated campaign of calumny designed to tarnish the reputation of the Corporation by some unscrupulous elements. In a statement by the Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, the Corporation sited the deliberate misrepresentation of the presentation made by the NEITI before the Joint House Committee probing the Berne Declaration Report as an example of the well-choreographed negative campaign against the Corporation. “Some of the reports had sensational headlines alleging that NEITI had uncovered fresh unremitted $22.8

billion oil revenue by the NNPC. However, the body of the stories were totally different from the headlines in terms of message and content,’’ Ibrahim said. He noted that careful perusal of the original presentation made by the NEITI Executive Secretary indicates that the sensational headlines were mere inventions calculated to cast aspersion on the image of the Corporation and heat up the polity. “We wish to state that there is nothing farther from the truth. NNPC has a copy of the presentation made by Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, Executive Secretary of NEITI, and nowhere did she allege that NNPC failed to remit $22.8 billion to the Federation Account. We are convinced that there is a conspiracy by some groups or individuals to drag down the name of the Corporation by whatever means possible,’’ he said. He said that despite the obvious negative campaign against the Corporation, the Management of the NNPC under Andrew Yakubu remains undaunted and determined to achieve its mandate.

Govt refutes Sanusi’s allegation of persecution CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

true, he is still in office and he himself has already dismissed the story as untrue, and this further clarification is necessary before we are confronted with a situation whereby all kinds of wild speculations begin to come up and the story begins to develop undesirable branches.” Director of Press in the Defence Ministry, Mr. Shehu Maikai, said in a statement that “our attention has been drawn to a media posting on the social network to the effect that the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau, has resigned; and wish to state, categorically, that the minister has not resigned his appointment. We thank all those that have called to verify the rumour and reassure you all that Lt.Gen. Aliyu Gusau remains the Minister of Defence.” The nation’s capital, Abuja, was thrown into frenzy following online report that Gusau has resigned. According to the report, “the top echelon of the Nigerian military yesterday refused to have a joint meeting with the new Minister of Defence, Aliyu Gusau and his deputy, Musiliu Obanikoro, a situation that triggered Gusau’s resignation, himself a retired army general.” A source who earlier dismissed the report said this is because “the nature of the military that will refuse to meet with the President’s appointee or a substantive Minister of Defence is alien to the Nigerian military. It is not true and cannot be true. This is not in the culture of a professional military like the Nigerian military. This must be enemy action as

what the reporter filed has more meaning that the reporter intended. The report is intended to either derail this democracy or cause serious dislocation in the ranks of the Nigerian military and the democratic leaders.” Abati lamented that since his suspension from office, Sanusi had been granting a number of interviews on both the local and international media in which he continued to make a number of allegations. According to him, Sanusi had since his suspension been engaging on campaigns of character assassination against the government which tended to divert public attention from the real issues of misgovernance which the report of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria identified against him. The statement said in part: “We have noted with disappointment the unrelenting attempt by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to falsely portray his recent suspension from office as an attempt by the Presidency to bury his allegation that huge sums of money due to the Federation Account are unaccounted for by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). “The Presidency wishes to re-affirm that Malam Sanusi’s suspension has absolutely nothing to do with his unproven and inconsistent claim that $49.8 billion, $12 billion or $20 billion is missing from the national treasury. “As was clearly stated in the letter suspending him from office and confirmed by President Goodluck Jonathan in his last Presidential Media Chat, Malam

Sanusi’s suspension was wholly based on the need for him to step aside while the weighty charges of financial recklessness, gross misconduct and persistent disregard for laid down rules and regulations in the management of the Central Bank made against him by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and others are properly investigated. “It is most unfortunate that instead of trying to provide some reasonable response to the clear and unambiguous query of his official conduct as Governor of the Central Bank, Malam Sanusi has cynically chosen to whip up public sympathy for himself and anger against the Federal Government by deliberately misleading unwary Nigerians and the international community into believing the falsehood that he is being punished for exposing corruption. “In recent days, the suspended CBN governor has, following the footsteps of others who have an axe to grind with the government, taken to spreading his false claims and allegations through gullible foreign media correspondents, telling them among other things that his threat to force commercial banks to open up their books to unravel the whereabouts of the “missing” funds whether $49.8 billion, $12 billion or $20 billion, ultimately led to his suspension. “He also continues to make the mischievous claim that the government is somehow involved in a scam to divert huge sums of money from the Federation Account through the misappropriation of kerosene subsidy funds.

“Sanusi’s allegations are patently untrue. But government is making no effort to bury them as he falsely claims. Relevant committees of the National Assembly are still investigating the claims and the suspended CBN governor remains free to give evidence before them in support of his allegations.” He said further that in keeping with its avowed commitment to full transparency, openness and accountability in governmental affairs, the Federal Government had authorised the engagement of reputable international firms for the recommended forensic audit of NNPC accounts. He added: “The Presidency condemns Malam Sanusi’s resort to playing politics with serious national issues. His suggestion that the phantom missing funds may have been diverted to fund campaigns for next year’s general elections is mischievous, irresponsible and designed to incite other political parties and members of the public against the Federal Government. “The claim, which amounts to cheap blackmail against the government and was clearly made in furtherance of a selfish personal agenda, is most unbecoming of someone who still holds the High Office of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. “The Presidency would not ordinarily have wished to join issues with Malam Sanusi who as CBN governor remains an appointee of the President, but the very unacceptable manner in which Sanusi has been misinforming the public made it imperative that this statement be issued.”

Thursday, March 13, 2014

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News Gowon, others get ‘Nigerians of the Century Award’ GROUP of prominent A Nigerians were on Tuesday in London bestowed with

Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Dr Ganiyu Owolabi (left); Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; Governor Kayode Fayemi and Keynote Speaker, Prof. Dipo Adamolekun, during the 5th Summit of Heads of Service from the South West geo political zone, in Ado Ekiti… yesterday.

the ``Nigerian of the Century” award by the Commonwealth Democracy Initiative (CDI) group. The recipients of the award include former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Senate President, David Mark, First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and the Oni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade. The list also includes a posthumous award to the late Chief MKO Abiola. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the First Lady was honoured for outstanding leadership award and promotion of women cause. The ceremony was jointly organised by the CDI and the Nigerian International Recog-

nition Merit and Achievement Awards (NIRMA) against the backdrop of the nation’s centenary celebrations. Mark was represented by Senator Gbenga Obadara, while the First Lady’s award was received on her behalf by Dr Onyeka Onwenu, the Director-General of the National Women Development Centre. Other awardees honoured in recognition of their contributions to politics, entertainment, economy and humanitarian causes include governors Adams Oshiomole of Edo, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi and Jonah Jang of Plateau. Only Yuguda personally received the award while the other governors were represented.

‘4,500 megawatts of electricity by June feasible’ From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja OING by the technical calG culation released yesterday by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), generation and distribution companies as well as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), power generation in the country would hit 4,500 megawatts by June and 6000 megawatts by December 2014. To achieve the 6,000 MWs by December, the stakeholders stressed the need to unlock gas and ensure that more gas regularly go to the power plants. The Guardian recalls that the Federal Government had set 10,000 MWs as its target for March 2014. Indications emerged yesterday that the target may have been political as the realities on ground do not point to the possibility of realising the dream. Delays in the privatisation process coupled with settling down challenges, issues of gas supply and alleged ‘sabotage of gas pipelines’ may have caused the inability to achieve the initial target, going by emerging

• Defaulting govt agencies to be disconnected • NERC to monitor performance by utilities facts. At a monthly meeting with the chief executive officers of generation and distribution companies as well as the Transmission Company of Nigeria ( TCN), NERC Chairman, Sam Amadi, said 10, 000 MWs was never on the agenda of the regulator for this year, noting that there is a marked difference between political and technical targets. Assuring that the utilities are working very hard to improve electricity supply, Amadi urged Nigerians to pay their bills. He also announced that the commission had secured the permission of President Goodluck Jonathan to disconnect government ministries, departments and agencies that fail to pay their bills. As part of the change in the management of the system and based on the fact that moneywould be required to improve on the performance of the utilities, all govern-

ment agencies would now be metered and revenues collected in full. Amadi also disclosed that the Accountant General of the Federation has issued a circular to agencies owing accumulated electricity bills to pay within 90 days or have such payments deducted directly from their statutory allocations and budgets Responding to a question on the 10,000 MW initially set by government, Amadi said: “ Let’s put it this way, targets could be political, could be technical. When the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) benchmarked the target, based on the feedbacks we get from generators, for example, from the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in our MYTO, we benchmarked 7200 MWs for December 2013. That was based on the assumption of gas supply and commissioning of NIPP plants and the existing capacities of the successor companies. That is a technical benchmarking

based on feedbacks. Now we nowhere near that because we didn’t have enough gas. What is going on now is that we are going back to doing review. When we do the tariff reviews, we will now tell you this is what we think will happen in 2014, 2015 and so on. There is also the government agenda. If the minister says he wants everybody to do minimum of 4,500, we will take that and we will work with our people to that point. I want us to get it clear. There is regulated benchmarking which is based on the feedback and the kinds of technical questions that we get from the operators. We look at gas supply, we look at their capacity, and we look at the programmes they want to implement. For example, Transcorp in Ugheli is proposing some investment in capacity to increase generation, Egbin has applied to increase capacity out of a plant that was refurbished for another 200 MWs. Those are the

ones that we can predict. “I want to say that the government is right to set benchmarks, and what we do is within technical possibilities, to meet those benchmarks. The 4,500 MWs by June is what they are working on. We can exceed that, but it is a target that we are all working on. We are not just working towards 4,500 MW by June, we want to ensure more effective electricity supply to Nigerians.” According to him, the Commission is pleased with the programmes that the discos have been trying to implement. Amadi spoke of a scorecard developed to benchmark the performance of the utilities. “We have developed scorecards and we make sure that at every monthly meeting, we get presentations on what the utilities are doing and efforts that they are making to improve quality of supply. We will provide incentives for discos and gencos to keep improving.” He said the monthly meeting is essentially geared towards identifying the various issues

that affect the supply of electricity and what the discos and gencos are really doing to address them. Amadi said some of the firms are involved in some innovative projects to improve power supply. “You know we recently spoke about the interim rules and since the Transitional Electricity Market (TEM) couldn’t be declared on March 1 as earlier envisaged, it was agreed that we extend the date and work hard at improving market conditions before TEM is declared. NERC was to propose amendments to the rules and feed the CEOs for their input. That was done and the Commission has approved the proposed amendments to the interim rules. The bottom line is that those amendments are geared towards improved service delivery, revenue collection, ensuring that the Gencos have enough money to pay for the gas and other service, and of course the discos collect more money and have enough to improve investment in maintenance to improve electric-

Groups flay Yoruba confab delegates list, insist on true federalism By Kamal Tayo Oropo COALITION of Yoruba A self-determination groups has described the list of the South West delegates to the planned national conference as not representative. At its meeting yesterday in Lagos, the coalition said it was difficult for anyone to prove that the proposed delegates to the conference are the best the region can offer. The final list, the coalition said in a statement signed by the representatives, is a detour from the advocacy being made from all quarters, especially the Yoruba royal fathers, that the region must send its “First 11” to the

conference, if it must maximise the opportunities it presents. The groups and their representatives include Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), represented by Mr. Olawale (Oshun), Prof. Banji Akintoye of Oodua Foundation, Oodua Nationalist Coalition (ONC) represented by Group Captain Adesoji Aderemi (rtd), Agbekoya Reformed Society (ARS), represented by Chief Kunle Oshodi, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) represented by Edward Olusola Ajayi, Chief Adekunle Olaiya represented Atayase, Covenant Group, represented by Dr. Kola

Afolabi, and Afenifere Youth Forum represented Dotun Atilade. The statement entitled “Southwest’s Confab Delegates List: Is this our First 11?” described the final delegate list published by the Federal Government as a “gathering of the good, the bad, and the ugly,” and said the controversies trailing the published list “suggest that some delegates were forced in against the wish of the people.” “While we cannot speak on how delegates from other ethnic nationalities and interest groups emerged, we owe the Yoruba people a duty to provide some insights about the delegates

from the Southwest. Not doing so, in our view, may be misinterpreted as an endorsement of the process,” the statement said. “We could have sent our own list of delegates to the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation. But we did not. We put the region’s interest above any other considerations in order to create a united platform that will best serve the aspirations of Yoruba people. This decision seemed right, considering the advocacy from every quarter that the region must send its ‘First 11’ to the conference. This informed our decision to par-

ticipate at the Ishara unity meeting and also at the Grand Yoruba Summit in Ibadan. “However, it is difficult for those that masterminded the final list, or any one for that matter, to prove that the list truly represents Yoruba’s ‘First 11’.” “This, according to the coalition, is a worrisome development that gives some credence to the rumour making the rounds that the delegates might have been selected for other reasons at variance with the plan to restructure the country and find lasting solutions to the country’s problems. Should this conference, therefore, fail to meet the expectation

of the Yoruba people, which is to attain true federalism, let every Yoruba son and daughter know where the betrayal emerged from.” Noting that there are some delegates whose credibility and loyalty to the Yoruba agenda and the pursuit to restructure Nigeria is unwavering, the group pointed out that there are also those who are perceived, largely due to their antecedents, as reactionary elements who would rather want the retention of the status quo. “We hope those in the latter category can prove their worth at this conference and put national interest above any parochial interest.”

Thursday, March 13, 2014

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Rights commission probes girl’s alleged abuse by magistrate From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE National Human Rights T Commission (NHRC) yesterday flayed the abuse of an eleven-year-old girl, Chinasa, in Enugu allegedly by a Chief Magistrate (names withheld) and ordered a full scale investigation into the allegation. In a statement by the commission’s Public Affairs Offi-

cer, Mrs. Fatima Agwai Mohammed, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Ben Angwe, “called on all stakeholders in the Criminal Justice Administration (CJA) to ensure that perpetrators of child abuse are brought to justice and that their victims and families are adequately compensated as prescribed.” The Chief Executive Officer of

the commission, who expressed concern about the incident, also ordered the State Co-ordinator of the commission in Enugu to immediately commence a full scale investigation into the matter, saying that “if it is found that the suspect has a case to answer, the commission would collaborate with the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is done.

The commission gathered that when the Police visited the house of the Chief Magistrate, Chinasa, whose father died 10 years ago, was found sleeping on the bare floor within the compound with fresh wounds and scars over her body. While commending the Enugu State Government and the Anti-Human Trafficking Squad of the State Police Com-

mand for its intervention in the matter, Angwe called on Nigerians to be vigilant and always report such cases to the NHRC. He added that the commission would not only ensure diligent prosecution of the culprits, but also ensure that adequate compensation is paid to the victims and their families.

‘N24b not missing from Police Pensions Fund’ ONTRARY to media reC ports, the sum of N24 billion is not missing from the Police Pensions Fund. A statement signed by Paul Nwabuikwu, the Special Adviser to the Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday explained that the minister ordered the closure of the account to prevent fraud following reports of suspicious transactions. “As the Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told the Senate Joint Committee on Pensions Administration at a public hearing in March 2012, she ordered the account frozen to prevent fraud based on reports of suspicious transactions,” the ministry said. The minister explained that, of the total amount in the account, N24 billion was discovered to be an over-estimation of pensions’ arrears. “The money was subsequently returned to government coffers as is the standard practice,” the statement said.

Shortage of materials, others mar voters’ registration in Osun From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo HE Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) continuous voters’ registration exercise in Osun State began with hitches yesterday as political parties complained of malfunctioning equipment and shortage of materials in many local councils. Besides, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) accused each other of violent conduct to prevent and scare members of the different parties from effective participation. While the APC alleged that two of its members were attacked and hospitalised in Atakumosa West Local Council, the PDP said that four of its members were shot and sustained serious injuries in the same council. Both sides, nevertheless, noted that party members were prevented from participating in the exercise due to violent conduct allegedly perpetrated by thugs. However, the Osun Police Command denied the alleged shooting, insisting that policemen prevented violent conduct at registration centres. Meanwhile, reports by party agents from local councils across the state indicated that many people, who turned out to register, could not be attended to due to the poor state of the Direct Data Capturing (DDC) machines at many centres. The APC Director of Publicity in the state, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, and the state Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, said that INEC’s poor showing dampened the morale of the people who had waited for several hours but could not register. “In many wards across virtually all local councils in the state, the DDC machines brought by INEC were malfunctioning, with no technical capabilities to address the challenges,” he said.

Convener, Abuja Collection, John Odah (left); Convener, Centre for Information Technology and Development, Yunusa Ya’u and Executive Director, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Idayat Hassan, during a media briefing on the deleterious insecurity situation in the North-East in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

Kwara governor restates pledge to deliver quality healthcare From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin OVERNOR Abdulfatah G Ahmed of Kwara State yesterday described quality healthcare programme as the harbinger of peace and development to any nation. Ahmed, therefore, said his government would vigorously pursue “qualitative healthcare” for the people of Kwara State, especially at the primary healthcare level, de-

scribed as the bastion of healthcare system in any given society. The governor spoke at the commissioning of a newlyrenovated Share General Hospital in the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Council of the state. The renovation, a tripartite effort by the government, PharmAccess and Health Insurance Fund Communications and Hygeia

Community Health Care, is aimed at providing quality and free health services via insurance scheme to the rural dwellers. According to Ahmed, “improving access to quality health services is of utmost priority on the development agenda of this administration. Unhealthy individuals cannot participate optimally in socio-economic ventures and without health insur-

ance, their scarcely available resources are diverted to the treatment of illnesses.” The community health insurance programme was introduced in Kwara in 2007 and had since made significant progress through the public-private partnership between the government and the two bodies of the Dutch Health Insurance Fund. At present, about 80,000

people, majority women and children, have enrolled in the programme to boost maternal and paediatric care. Ahmed added that “for the upcoming years, the state government has committed considerable resources for the scale up of the programme in tandem with the Kwara State Strategic Health Development Plan 2010-2015 and this administration’s health policy reform.

Ekweremadu seeks regional co-operation on terror From Bridget Chiedu Onochie and Terhemba Daka, Abuja ITH the growing menace of terrorism in Nigeria and neighbouring states, Speaker, Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament) and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday canvassed sub-regional synergy to curtail insurgency in the sub-region. Ekweremadu was speaking during a working visit to the President of the Republic of Cape Verde, Jorge Carlos Fonseca and the Prime Minister, Honourable Jose Maria Neves, in Praia, Cape Verde. Senator Ekweremadu, who had also addressed the subregional workshop on the enhancement of the powers of the ECOWAS Parliament in the country, said terrorism was a transnational crime that could only be overcome through intensive transnational efforts and co-opera-

• Ihedioha urges professionals’ role in legislation tion. Briefing State House correspondents, he said: “We are here to share our vision for the enhancement of the powers of the ECOWAS Parliament and what the sub-region stands to benefit from it with the President and the Prime Minister. “We also looked at other critical issues concerning the sub-region such as terrorism, piracy, as well as human trafficking, and agreed on the need for the regional parliament and our respective national parliaments and governments to work harder on these concerns to achieve greater regional integration and prosperity”. At a different event, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, yesterday urged members of professional groups and business class to engage with legislators in the National As-

sembly so as to make informed inputs into the legislative process in the overall interest of the country. The deputy speaker gave the charge in Abuja yesterday when a delegation of the South-East/South-South professionals paid a courtesy visit to the House of Representatives. He enjoined them not to engage in uninformed criticisms of the Legislature because as members of the professions and business, they have access to members of the National Assembly with whom they can engage and “make informed inputs into the policy process in the legislature.” According to Ihedioha, the House of Representatives has put in place mechanisms for engaging with members of the public, including public hearings and the standing committee on public peti-

tions and are always ready to interface with the people of Nigeria. He cited the constitution amendment process of the House, which was for the first time in the history of the country, taken to the grassroots to allow all Nigerians participate in the amendment process. He noted that the House also adopted zonal public hearings on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) given the critical nature of the proposed legislation, charging members of the group to ensure that they make their impact felt in lawmaking at the federal level. Addressing his colleagues at the regional workshop earlier, Ekweremadu reiterated the determination of the Third Legislature of the Community Parliament under his leadership to actualise the enhancement of the powers of the Community Parliament. He added: “History is not given but made. Those who wait

for history to make them will never have pride of place in it. “We must recommit ourselves to the struggle, restrategise and chart a fresh trajectory to the promise land. To dither is not in our character and to surrender is not on the card. At this juncture, success is the only vision we see and the only language we understand.” Ihedioha said: “We urge you to utilise mechanisms of the House and engage with the parliament which is an open House and a House of the people at all times.” Earlier, President of the South-East/South-South Professionals, Mr. Emeka UgwuOju, informed the deputy speaker and other members of the House from the SouthEast and South-South geo-political zones that the delegation was in the House to confer with lawmakers on a vision to improve the economic ties and benefits of the two zones of the country.

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U.S.-based coalition seeks UN’s designation of Boko Haram as terrorist group From Laolu Akande (New York), Nkechi Onyedika (Abuja) and Msugh Ityokura (Lafia) UNITED States (U.S.) coaliA tion, under the aegis of Washington Working Group

Coordinator, Osun Movement for Peace, Comrade Temidayo Bankole (left); the Deputy Governor, Titi Laoye-Tomori; Segun Babatope and Prof. Ayo Olukotun, during the one-day stakeholders’ symposium titled: “Osun Education Policy, Perspective: Issues, Challenges and Imperatives”, organised by Osun Movement for Peace in Osogbo…yesterday PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

EFCC probes warder, student over inmate’s bank accounts From Abosede Musari, Abuja WARDER with the old A Abeokuta Prisons, Ibara, Ogun State, Joseph Emmanuel and a student of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode, Ogunnariwo Mary, are presently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their roles in the opening of bank accounts for an inmate. Information from the EFCC yesterday indicated that both were lured by the male inmate, though separately, to open accounts for him and

make withdrawals from them, before they were arrested. The Commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said the warder “is presently in the custody of the EFCC for allegedly assisting a prison inmate in carrying out fraudulent financial transactions, as well as using the name and documents of an illiterate taxi driver to open a First Bank account for the inmate.” The suspect allegedly assisted the inmate, whom he called Ora, to open the account, using the name of one taxi driver in his neighbourhood, called

Monsuru Ogunsina Adeogun, after he had rejected the inmate’s entreaties to avail him his (warder) account number. During investigation, it was gathered that the same inmate had previously convinced one Ogunnariwo to help him open an account with her name. The Commission said that Mary complied and also helped the inmate to make several withdrawals, which were always collected by different men who managed to show up each time she got a call from the inmate to make withdrawals.

on Nigeria, has asked the UN to designate Boko Haram a terrorist-financed group and restrict its funding globally, “because we now know of their international linkage.” It also asked the global agency to refund the $30 million the Nigerian government spent rebuilding its Abuja office, which was bombed by the Islamic sect in August 2011. The coalition had in January 6 written to the UN Secretary General demanding that the body repays about $30 million in a Victim Compensation Fund that would be used to assist people who have suffered from this terrorist group. Meanwhile, a Professor of Criminology and Security Studies at Nasarawa State University, Sam Smah, has advocated the establishment of an inter-agency commission to end the rivalry among security agencies in the country and the refusal of sister-security bodies to share information on the insurgencies. Speaking at the institution’s

Jega tasks parties to respect Code of Conduct From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HEAD of transparent 2015 A elections, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has warned all political parties to respect the Code of Conduct they signed in order to uphold the decorum of Electoral Acts. At a public lecture organised by the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation (MAF) in Ilorin,

Dunoma resumes at FAAN, Uriesi lauds appointment By Ibe Uwaleke HE newly appointed ManT aging Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma, an engineer, yesterday assumed duty as the chief executive of the agency at its corporate headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos. At a brief handover ceremony, the outgoing boss, Mr. George Uriesi, applauded Dunoma’s appointment as one of the best decisions taken by government in recent times, adding that it was a boost for the authority. He described Saleh as a straightforward leader, whose humility and dignity never failed to marvel him. Uriesi expressed appreciation for the privilege he had working with Dunoma and the entire FAAN staff over the past four years, adding that even though it was challenging running the authority, his desire was to see FAAN blossom.

the INEC boss said all stakeholders in the electoral processes must be involved in conducting free and fair poll, as INEC staff “are not magicians.” Speaking on the topic, “Challenges of Fraud-Free Elections Under a Democratic Dispensation,” Jega said that INEC had since recognised its weaknesses, having prosecuted over 200 electoral offences since 2011 and would not hesitate to prosecute more where necessary, “as drastic measures are needed to deal with the phenomenon of electoral offences in Nigeria.” According to him, the election time-table was not

drawn to favour any political party, but INEC had simply adhered to the world’s best practices in that respect with abundant evidence in some of the best democracies of the world. Noting that many Nigerians still rate INEC’s performances based on the pre-2011 elections, he stated that recent developments within the body have shown that it has undergone great and significant changes. Such includes the recruitment of 16,000 personnel in readiness for the poll, just as it has concluded plans to jettison manual voters’ register for biometric register. He added: “We have part-

nered security agencies and we meet regularly ahead of the 2015 polls to minimise fraudulent activities, but some challenges still remain in some areas. “If there are irregularities due to our transparency, it will be easier for political parties to notice if they put on ground good and tested agents, who are armed with evidence for legal redress.” He further disclosed that plans have been finalised to roll out a programme on Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) nationwide to offer fresh opportunity to more citizens on the electronic register ahead of 2015 general elections.

Bafarawa asks Buhari to dump APC for PDP From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna) and Karls Tsokar (Abuja)

• Fresh calls for Taraba acting gov’s impeachment

ORMER opposition leader and erstwhile governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, has appealed to All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), to dump his party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to enable him contribute his quota to the development of the nation. Both Bafarawa and the former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, speaking at the North-West Zone’s peace and unity rally, said they left the APC to the PDP because the later has a positive and pragmatic vision to carry the country on the path of sound development and growth.

In Taraba State, a group of chieftains from 16 local councils, led by Istifanus Ibi, has renewed the call for the impeachment of the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, who has been acting as governor since October 2012 when Governor Danbaba Suntai had a an air crash that kept him from resumption of office. The group urged the House of Assembly to “kindly investigate” issues they have raised against Umar and effect his impeachment with immediate effect. Their reason is that “he caused them untold embarrassment,” as “Umar displayed ineptitude and corruption when he recently tried to bribe the EFCC with N10 million,” which was rejected.

They also accused him of destroying the state’s civil service structure by unilaterally “sacking the Head of Service and intimidating senior civil servants with threats of sack and other such impunities,” beside attempting to take over the realm of power from the ailing Suntai. Urging Buhari to retrace his steps from opposition politics, Bafarawa said: “I want to use the opportunity of this gathering to appeal to my respected leader, brother, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to come and join PDP. “Already, I have made a uturn and I have joined the PDP and I also want to inform him that there is still vacancy in the party, for him to come and join. ”

• Wants refund of $30m spent rebuilding agency’s Abuja office • Don urges inter-agency commission to stem insurgency 6th inaugural lecture, Smah berated the nation’s security institutions for allowing insurgency and other forms of crimes to degenerate almost to an uncontrollable level. However, he insisted that the commission, if set up, will make the President more assertive, stating that his dependence on the different security outfits would not guarantee the right decisions on the nation’s security challenges. He identified “inaccuracy of available data due to lack of expertise by statistical officers, weak or poorly framed information gathering techniques, as well as poor documentation as the bane of effective and efficient criminal justice and security administration in Nigeria.” Also, the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans (CANAN) has tasked the Federal Government to do its utmost to restore peace in North-Eastern Nigeria and as well care for the refugees flocking out of the country as Boko Haram’s attacks intensify. In a statement yesterday at its head office in New York, CANAN called attention to the increasing frustration of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) over the situation and the low morale of soldiers fighting the Boko

Haram terrorists. Briefing newsmen after meeting with victims of the crisis and relief organisations, a member of the coalition, Emmanuel Ogebe, said the group had given the UN enough time to respond, stressing that if it fails to respond, the Washington Group on Nigeria would, in a few weeks, launch a global campaign in London, Geneva, Canada, Washington DC and at the UN in New York. “We feel it is unfair for an international body like the UN, which is funded by foreign governments, to collect such an assistance from the government of Nigeria when Nigeria itself is not rebuilding the homes, churches, mosques and businesses lost by Nigerians,” the group said. “Also, it is ironic that the UN, whose office in Abuja was bombed by Boko Haram, has not listed it as one of the organisations whose assets and finances should be traced and blocked worldwide. The onus is on the UN to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist group because it was one of the earliest victims. “The U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom have done so; it is incumbent on the UN to do it, particularly because part of the members of the UN Security Council have lost their citizens to Boko Haram insurgency.”

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6 NEWS Thursday, March 13, 2014

Why civil servants’ pay is delayed, by agency chief From Murtala Muhammed, Kano IRECTOR of Finance in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, who is also the Director in Charge of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), Hajia Fatima Nana Made, has said that the delay in payment of civil servants’ salaries was due to late remittance of funds by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The Head of the IPPIS was speaking yesterday in Kano at a sensitization meeting organised for management of Bayero University, Kano. Hajia Fatima noted that 257,000 personnel drawn from ministries of Finance, Budget, Information, Works, Foreign Affairs, Education, Health and National Planning have been incorporated in the centralized payroll system. She hinted that the late payment in some instance is responsible for inability of IPPIS to meet up with the timeline aside other peculiar challenges on the part of the personnel. IPPIS is Federal Government’s centralised database system and personnel payroll initiative designed to enhance efficiency and prevent wastages and leakages of common resources. However, workers unions and professional bodies have bemoaned the system for generating more problems than it can cope with. Federal universities are

part of government agencies yet to accommodate the centralize payment system in the country. She said government has targeted December 2013 as timeline to incorporate all Federal Government ministries, parastatals and agencies in the IPPIS, adding government is still facing peculiar challenges. “We are here in Bayero University, Kano as part of IPPIS sensitization platform across the geopolitical zones of the country. As you know the system was established since 2007 to enhance efficient

payment system and effective database of personnel across the country. So far we have captured 257,000 personnel in seven ministries and 308 agencies and parastatals. We want to sensitize the university management on the need to adopt the Federal Government transformation agenda to improve our system. At the same time we are ready and our doors are open to receive complains and recommendations that would better solve our challenges and improve the system,” Fatima noted. The IPPIS boss posited that

the system is not targeted at undermining the university’s autonomy and responsibility but to work harmoniously with the management. The Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, who commended the Federal Government’s initiative, added that it would eradicate series of challenges in the financial management. Rasheed, however, urged the IPPIS to take cognizance of the peculiar issues in the university that could make the system difficult to operate.

“I have no objection on the workability of the system, in fact it would reduce our problems in the university. But our apprehension remains how the system would manage the peculiar challenges in the universities. For instance I have about 80 staff abroad for their Ph.D. programmes who would spend three years. The lucky ones are the ones that would come back once in a year. How would you manage that? I would seek for six months or so for the university to study the template after which a decision can be taken,” Prof.

pledged massive investments in the transportation and telecommunications sectors if elected into power in next year general elections. Addressing supporters during his volunteer recruitment exercise at Warri North and Ethiope East Local Councils of the state, Prest said the deficiencies in transportation and telecommunications systems in terms of capacity if addressed properly, being important components of the economy, would im-

EWLY promoted senior police officers have being urged to do their utmost to fight corruption and indiscipline in the system, even as one Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police and seven Commissioners of Police (CPs) were decorated with their ranks. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, after conducting the decoration ceremony in Abuja, yesterday specifically called on the two CPs in charge of XSquad and Provost to “make sure that the menace of corruption and indiscipline is a thing of the past in the entire police force”, saying the twin plague has been a thorny

boards, which gave the impression that Governor Theodore. A. Orji has senatorial ambition for the Abia Central Senatorial slot ahead of 2015 general elections. A statement yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, which was copied to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission, Director, State Security Service, Commissioner for Police and Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, said the government views the act as improper, especially as the governor has neither made his position known on the matter nor authorised the posting of his posters. The statement advised all those engaged in the indiscriminate posting of such posters and billboards to stop it forthwith. Ajunwa says while the state government appreciates the outpouring of love and acceptability of the governor by a majority of Abians, it also wants them to be patient and wait for the appropriate time to demonstrate their kind feelings towards the gover-

ROPERTIES worth millions P of naira were destroyed in a fire incident that occurred

Members of the International Facility Management Association of Nigeria (IFMAN) led by its President, Miss Iyabo Aboaba during a facility tour at Rutam House premises of The Guardian Newspapers Limited. PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO

pact positively on the welfare of the people. The governorship hopeful described transportation and telecommunication as important social and environmental factors, which cannot be neglected. “Thus, from a general standpoint the economic impacts of transportation and telecommunication cannot be overlooked given the strategic place of Delta in the Nigerian state. Prest added that when transportation and telecommunications systems are efficient, they provide economic and social opportunities and benefits

that result in positive multiplier effects such as better accessibility to markets, employment and additional investments. To him, the rail system is the cheapest form of transport on earth. “We will provide metro rail system for commuting and also ensure the full development of River Niger as a port, which has not only economic but historical significance to the Delta people. This will also generate ancillary economic spin offs, which are attendant to port development. “We will develop rail line services crisscrossing the

state, to facilitate transportation of goods and passengers and thereby enhance commercial and business activities. We will also revamp Delta State Transport Service to provide affordable transport for the movement of goods and passengers,” Prest added. He said his administration will make Delta the most Information Communication Technology (ICT) enabled state in Nigeria by laying fibre optic cables all over the main cities and automatically make land line local phone calls cheap with attendant benefits on

IG charges police provost, high command on graft, discipline From Karls Tsokar, Abuja

BIA State Government has A dissociated itself from the campaign posters and bill-

Fire razes Iponri shopping complex

Delta guber aspirant, Prest pledges better transportation, telecoms sector USINESSMAN and Delta B State governorship aspirant, Tony Prest has

Abia disowns Orji’s senatorial campaign posters

• Decorates AIG, others problem in Nigeria. The recently decorated officers include AIG Adeola Adeniji, who is currently in charge of Zone 4, Benue State, Baba Tijjani, CP Federal Operations, Mohammed K. Mohammed, Deputy Force Secretary, Abdul Bube, CP Border Patrol, and Abubakar Marafa, CP Anti-Fraud. Others are Hosea Hassan Karma, CP Police Mobile Force (PMF), Augustine Evbkhavbokun, CP Provost, and Esosa Amadasun, CP XSquad. While congratulating the officers, Abubakar said Amadasun and Evbakhavbokun should in-

still discipline and fight corruption, not only in the force but also in the whole country. “Discipline should be the focal point of the police. I want to specifically charge the CP in charge of X-Squad to revive the unit and ensure that corruption is fought to the barest minimum, not only in the police but also in the whole country. I know that the CP is competent and that is why the police management team has deemed it fit to put him in charge of the unit. “The Provost unit of the force should be improved on. Indiscipline should not

be mentioned amongst our people anymore. Officers and men should be well behaved and mannered. Everybody should respect the Code of Conduct. I will be expecting your written plan towards achieving these, and we will all join hands together with you to ensure that corruption is dealt with as well as ensuring that discipline is fully restored to the force,” Abubakar said. Responding on behalf of the other officers, AIG Adeniji said the new officers would take the fight against terrorism more seriously in order the take the country to the desired height, assuring that they “would do what is expected of them in fulfillment of their respective duties.”

communication, trade and commerce. “Subsidised wireless Internet hotspots will be created in all the major cities, thereby giving access to a wide group of Delta residents and indigenes to the Internet with its attendant effect on information gathering and sharing and development of knowledge economy,” he said. The event, which witnessed huge crowd of supporters, had in attendance stakeholders from different parts of the local councils. Indigenes of the area who had obviously bought into Prest’s offers for development shouted, “Change, change, change is all we want.”

at the Iponri Shopping Complex Tuesday night. The fire, according to eyewitnesses started around 11:18 p.m on Tuesday and burnt about 17 shops before officials of the Lagos State Fire Services battled to put out the raging inferno said to have been triggered by an electrical surge. A similar incident had occurred in the same shopping complex on March 6, 2014, where two shops were razed before fire service officials put out the fire. General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the fire burnt several shops resulting in the loss of goods worth millions of naira. “Immediately the fire started, emergency response plan was activated. The fire was put out after the combined effort of emergency responders. No life was lost but it is pathetic to note that properties worth millions of naira were lost,” he said.

One feared killed in Fulani herdsmen, Delta community clash By Gowon Akpodonor NE person was feared killed yesterday in a clash between Fulani herdsmen and a community in Oghara, headquarters of Ethiope West Council Area of Delta State. An attack alleged by the herdsmen against the community had claimed the life of two Oghara indigenes two weeks ago. They are yet to be buried. In yesterday’s attack, a middle-aged man, identified as Mr. Agbontan was killed allegedly by the herdsmen, who were said to have invaded in large group, Ugbenu, near Ovade community in the early hours, using bow and ar-

row and other dangerous weapons on the residents. A reprisal attack planned by Oghara youths against the herdsmen was averted yesterday, following the intervention of the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, HRM, Noble Etsemitan, Uku Oghara Na-me. Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, the Ovie confirmed the death of one of his subjects in the attack by the herdsmen saying: “It is a very serious issue here, but we are trying our best to see that it does not escalate beyond this level. This trouble has to stop. They have been attacking and killing our people as if we are in a war zone. It has to stop.”

Thursday, March 13, 2014 NEWS 7

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Abia House okays N115b Appropriation Bill

Court adjourns Ajudua’s bail application to March 20

From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia BIA State House of AssemA bly has passed the 2014 Appropriation Bill into law.

By Bertram Nwannekanma EARING of arguments on H the bail application filed by Fred Ajudua in a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, was yesterday adjourned till March 20. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ajudua and one Charles Orie for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen - Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of $1.69 million. They were re-arraigned before Justice Kudirat Jose on February 5 following the transfer of the case from the former trial judge, Justice Joseph Oyewole. Earlier, Justice Jose, in a ruling on Orie’s bail application, permitted him to enjoy the bail granted to him by Oyewole on July 27, 2004. Moving Ajudua’s bail application yesterday, his counsel, Mr. Charles Edosomwan (SAN), said there was overwhelming medical evidence that Ajudua was ill. Edosomwan said there was medical evidence before the court that Ajudua was suffering from a life-threatening ailment.

Two ex-presidents, Dangote, others for Lagos Economic Summit WO former Presidents Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia and Pedro Pires of Cape Verde; foremost industrialist and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and erstwhile Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, top the list of international and local speakers whose participation at the forthcoming 7th Lagos Economic Summit (EHINGBETI 2014) have been confirmed. The summit is a three-day event holding from April 8 to 10, 2014, in Lagos under the theme, “Powering the Lagos Economy: Real Opportunities, Endless Possibilities.” Saakashvili is expected to be the keynote speaker; Pires will speak at the dinner event being put together as one of the side attractions of the economic summit. In the same vein, Governor of Lagos State and host of the economic summit, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, will deliver the opening address.

Founding senior faculty member, Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi (left); M.D. Crossbridge Consult, Ghana, Akwua Agyeman; Group C.E.O. Poise Global, Mavi Isibor; Group Head, Human Capital Management, Heritage Banking Company, Nneka Okoro; Human Resource Executive, MTN Nigeria, Amina Oyagbola; Managing Director, Risk Analyst Insurance Brokers Limited, Funmi B. Ashaye and a Director and Board Member at NIRA, Biyi Oladipo, at the globalisation of the 21st Century Executive Conference organised by Poise Nigeria in Lagos. PHOTO: BISI ALABI WILLIAMS

Ekiti police chief reads Riot Act to officers, INEC cautions voters From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head, S’West Bureau, Ado-Ekiti)

• Fayemi seeks civil servants’ support, Bamidele pledges issue-based campaign

O ensure a free and fair exT ercise, the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Com-

the Command, the police boss said anyone found wanting would be dealt with accordingly. “You must show high level of integrity during the election period, which is fast approaching. Anybody asking you to compromise, tell him that you cannot and that there is a line you cannot cross. “Those that will be involved in

mand, Mr. Felix Uyanna, has charged policemen in the state not to compromise their integrity during the conduct of the governorship election on June 21 this year. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti yesterday while decorating the newly promoted officers in

the electoral exercise will be given guidelines on conduct of policemen during elections and any breach will not be tolerated,” he warned. He also charged policemen to, much as possible, be current on variety of issues, saying they should know a little about everything. “In this respect, I want you to keep abreast of events and also

Don tasks media on balanced reporting EAN, Faculty of Social SciD ences, Lead City University, Ibadan, Prof. Ayo Olukotun, has advised media practitioners in the country to be conscious of the social responsibility of the press by not getting themselves entangled with propaganda, exaggerations and falsehood, which could mislead members of the public as elections draw near in the country. Prof. Olukotun stated this in Osogbo yesterday at a symposium, with the theme “Osun Education Policy in

Perspective: Issues, Challenges and Imperatives”, organised by Osun Movement for Peace (OMP), a non-governmental organisation. Speaking on the topic, “Media, Social Responsibility and the Non-Partisan Communication of Government Policies (in Special Reference to Osun State Educational Policy)”, he disclosed that it was important for media practitioners to be wary of politicians who may want to use them to publish falsehood and propaganda with a view to causing disaffection in the

society. He advised journalists to engage in balanced political reporting and urged them not to allow themselves to be tossed around by politicians by “competing political gladiators” as governorship election in Osun State draws nearer. “Print and electronic media are free to take positions; what is crucial is that in doing so, they should be scrupulously fair, as well as ensure that whatever position they take is based on verifiable facts,” he noted.

British envoy urges more women’s participation in governance By Tunde Akinola HE British government T has said that Nigeria, as a country, can be more developed if it makes use of 100 per cent of its population of which women are more than half. Addressing participants during a seminar with theme: “Equality for Women is Progress for All” to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, British Deputy High Commissioner, Peter Carter, said the event was a rededication of Britain’s efforts to ensure that gender equality is achieved. He said the day is not a day for women, but a day about women and it is for everybody. Carter said: “It is obvious that we have employed a significant number of women and men. The British government has made efforts to close the gap between men and women. We are not yet

Governor Theodore Orji had in December 2013 presented N149.6 billion 2014 budget estimate to the state lawmakers, who after over two months’ deliberations on the estimate, approved the sum of N115, 351,551,990 and passed same into law as the state 2014 Appropriation Law. Speaking after the passage, the Speaker, Ude Oko Chukwu, said the passed bill should be cited as “Abia State 2014 Appropriation Law” which took effect from March 11, 2014. At that session, the House also passed two resolutions, one urging the state Roads Maintenance Agency (ABROMA) to urgently effect what the House called palliative repairs on the failed portions of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road, espe-

there as a nation in the United Kingdom; there are still debates on the roles and jobs women can and cannot do. This does not stop us from striving for gender equality elsewhere in the world, just as we do in the United Kingdom”. Carter restated UK’s resolve to ensure gender-balanced societies across the world through proper advocacy that leads to the empowerment of the womenfolk. The pledge was made in Lagos yesterday at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s office. One of the panelists, a principal consultant at Lonadek Oil and Gas, Dr. Ibilola Amao, said she does not think men and women are equal but that they both possess unique qualities. She noted that women are capable of multitasking themselves while a few men can successfully do this; hence, the issue of maginalisation was unnecessary.

“Women should be focused so as to break the glass ceiling and become leaders in their chosen fields. They should also coach their sons so as to see women as partners, instead of people to be dominated and marginalised. The next generation of people should be made to see the values in the womenfolk and this can be made possible if the male children are targeted because it will be hard to mould the minds of adults,” she said. Chief Executive Officer of Ripples, Ann Phillip, said the issue of equality is not near when there are still worries about getting the womenfolk to school, provision of a sound healthcare system and decent feeding for them. “After these have been achieved, then we can start talking about equality. As for now, we are still on survival mode,” she said. Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Creative, Nkiru Asika,

said equality for women still has a long way to go, although she agreed a lot of women have succeeded in the creative arts sector, which she belongs. Asika noted that the challenge is creating a more enabling environment for a woman, apart from being the talented worker, but a leader in any sector she is talented at. “We still need more debates and strategic network for advocacy of gender equality,” she said. Olakunle Sorinyo said the whole idea of gender inequality has to be put in a proper perspective. “We should know we are human beings first before belonging to any particular gender. Tradition has allowed the male folk to be in charge for so long because consistency builds dominance. Because something is physically weak does not mean it is inferior, as fragility should not be confused for weakness,” he said.

upgrade yourselves educationally, especially in ICT. Some of the courses may take you a few weeks and the knowledge gained will be useful to you for life,” Uyanna counselled. As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began the Continuous Voter Registration (CUR) in the state yesterday, election umpire has warned the electorate against multiple registration. The six-day exercise, which is expected to end on March 17, is to take care of persons who have just attained the electoral age of 18 and adults who did not participate in the nationwide registration done in 2011. When The Guardian visited some of the places designated for the registration in some local councils, many intend-

ing voters were seen performing their civic responsibilities. Ad-hoc staff engaged by INEC to conduct the exercise were seen in the early hours of the day already waiting to attend to people. To qualify for registration, a prospective voter was asked to provide a brief data about himself or herself, provide evidence of voting age, as well as two passport photographs, after which his thumb-print would be taken. The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Halilu Pai, who also monitored the exercise in parts of the state, warned against multiple registration. Meanwhile, Governor Kayode Fayemi has pleaded with civil servants not to leave the administration of the state to elected politicians only.

8 | Thursday, March 13, 2014

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PHOTONEWS

President Goodluck Jonathan (left); Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mua’zu and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio at the PDP North West rally in Kaduna.

South African First Lady, Mantuli Zuma (left); her Nigerian counterpart, Dame Patience Jonathan; Sudanese First Lady, Hajiya Babiker Omer and the representative of the first lady of Cameroun during the African First Ladies Peace Mission Bureau Meeting in Abuja.

Works Minister; Arc Mike Onolememen (left); Chairman and Managing Director of Interbau Construction Limited, Sir Nath Okechukwu and Engineer Chukwudike Nwankwo during the minister’s inspection of ongoing works on Utor Bridge in Delta State.

Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), Ekpo Nta (left) and Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, during the Good Governance Forum at ICPC Auditorium in Abuja PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri (left); Minister of Foreign Affairs,Aminu Wali and Permanent Secretary, Martin Uhomoibhi, at the inaugural meeting of the new minister with members of the diplomatic corps in Abuja.

General Manager (West Africa), British Airways, Kola Olayinka (middle); Manager, Trade Sales, British Airways, Ademola Sanya (left), and Legal Adviser, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Afolake St. Matthew Daniel, at the media briefing ahead of the kick-off of British Airways Leaders of Tomorrow programme in Lagos.

Osun State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Stephen Kola Balogun (left); Executive Director, Marketing, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Benson Evbuomwan; Executive Director, Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu and Senator Bode Olajumoke at the first U-10 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Kids Cup 2014 sponsored by Honeywell Flour Mills in Lagos. PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (middle); Founder, FADE, Dr, Newton Jibunoh (second left) and South Africa, Consul General to Nigeria, Ambassador Mokgethi Mosasia (right) during the commissioning of the Nelson Mandela Garden at Asaba International Airport, Delta State. PHOTO: JACOB GBOGIDI

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Thursday, March 13, 2014 | 9

WorldReport Pakistan clerics fault ban on child marriage AKISTAN’S top religious for marriage in Sharia,” he P body has declared the pro- said. hibition of child marriage incompatible with Islam and demanded that the government amend its laws, prompting outrage from human rights activists. The Council of Islamic Ideology, which was formed in 1962 to advise parliament on the compatibility of laws with Sharia, also ruled that a man does not need permission from his wife if he wants to marry another woman. Tahir Ashrafi, a member of the body told AFP yesterday that Pakistan’s Prohibition of Child Marriages Act, which stipulates the age of marriage at 16 for women and 18 for men, was not in accordance with Islamic teachings. “There is no specific age limit

Firefighters respond to a five-alarm fire and building collapse at 1646 Park Ave in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City yesterday. Reports of an explosion were heard before the collapse of two multiple-dwelling buildings that left at least 17 injured. PHOTO: AFP

We won’t fight Russia over Crimea, says Ukraine O ensure peaceful resolution, Ukraine’s acting president has said that he would not wage war over Crimea as the ex-Soviet state’s premier prepared to seek United States President, Barack Obama’s help against Russia’s expansionist threat. The first meeting between Obama and Ukrainian Prime, Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk comes with the nation on the EU’s eastern border in danger of breaking apart when the predominantly ethnic Russian region holds a Moscow-backed referendum Sunday on switching over to Kremlin rule.

Ukraine’s acting, President Oleksandr Turchynov told AFP that his heavily outnumbered army would never try to seize back the Black Sea peninsula from Russian troops who made their land grab days after the February 22 ouster in Kiev of pro-Kremlin leader Viktor Yanukovych. “We cannot launch a military operation in Crimea, as we would expose the eastern border and Ukraine would not be protected,” Turchynov said in an interview. Turchynov also said Russian President Vladimir Putin had so far resisted intense interna-

tional pressure and refused all contacts with Kiev aimed at resolving the worst breakdown in East-West relations since the Cold War. “Unfortunately, for now Russia is rejecting a diplomatic solution to the conflict,” he said. “They are refusing all contact at foreign ministry and top government level.” Russia’s first military involvement in a neighbouring country since its brief 2008 war with Georgia has sparked an explosive security crisis and exposed major rifts between Western allies over ways to deal with Putin’s undisguised

After 30 years in jail, U.S. death row inmate walks free man who spent 30 years on A death row in Louisiana has walked free after a court threw out his murder conviction. Glenn Ford, 64, one of the longest-serving death row prisoners in the United States, was ordered to be released after new information cleared him of a 1983 murder. “My mind’s going all kinds of directions, but it feels good,” Ford told reporters outside the Louisiana State Penitentiary after his release Tuesday, according to CNN

affiliate WAFB. Ford, an African-American who had been on death row since 1984 after his conviction by an all-white jury, said he has missed out on much of his life. “My sons — when I left — was babies. Now they grown men with babies,” he said. “Thirty years of my life, if not all of it,” he said. “I can’t go back.” A judge ordered that Ford be freed after prosecutors petitioned the court to release

him, said the Capital Post Conviction Project of Louisiana. New information corroborated what Ford has maintained all along: that he was not present at nor involved in the November 1983 slaying of jeweler Isadore Rozeman, the project said. Rozeman, 56, was found shot to death behind the counter of his shop on November 5, 1983. Reports say no murder weapon was ever found and there were no eyewitnesses to the crime.

UN chides Iran over executions, rights breaches NITED Nations Secretary two opposition leaders, Mehdi Ban was “the weakest UN secU General, Ban Ki-moon, Karoubi and Mir Hossein retary general”, said Ali Akbar Velayati, international affairs strongly criticised Iran yesterday for doing too little to improve its human rights record, noting more executions, the detention of regime opponents and discrimination against women. The United Nations’ concerns about rights violations in the Islamic republic include “amputations, flogging, increased application of the death penalty, arbitrary detention and unfair trials,” Ban said in a new report. The UN secretary general among other things called for “the immediate release” of

Mousavi, and for “their urgent and adequate access to medical care.” The two men have been held incommunicado under separate house arrest since February 2011, accused of orchestrating massive street protests sparked by a disputed presidential election in 2009. They have both been denied medical care despite suffering serious health problems, Ban said in his report, which is to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council on March 26. Several Iranian officials reacted angrily to the report.

adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “He is completely under the orders of the United States,” Velayati charged, quoted by Fars news agency. And judiciary chief, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani condemned the report, while accusing the West itself of violating fundamental rights. He also criticised EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton’s meeting with rights activists during her weekend visit to Tehran as “contrary to the security and interests of the country”.

efforts to rebuild vestiges of the Soviet state. Washington has imposed travel bans and asset freezes on Russians held responsible for violating the territorial integrity of the culturally splintered nation of 46 million people. But the European Union — its financial and energy sectors much more dependent on Russia than those of the United States — has only threatened tougher measures after taking the lighter step of suspending free travel and broad economic treaty talks.

“Sharia says an individual can marry when he or she reaches puberty and puberty cannot be defined by age,” adding: “Family members can marry a child if they think he or she has reached puberty.” He added that the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, which requires a wife to give her consent before her husband takes a second spouse, was also illegitimate. “Islam allows to marry four women so there is no question of asking the consent of first wife if a man wants to marry a second time,” he said. Activists have called on parliament to ignore both recommendations, terming them a violation of women’s fundamental rights.

AU sets deadline for Sudan peace deal government and A second round broke off on SandUDAN’S rebels in war-torn Blue Nile March 2 after only two days of South Kordofan states meetings, with both sides have until April 30 to reach a peace deal, the African Union (AU) warned. The AU’s peace and security council said in a statement it had called on its negotiators “to assist the parties to reach an agreement by April 30”, although it made no mention of possible penalties should the two warring sides continue to disagree. Talks, which began last month in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa after more than a year’s break, have made slow progress.

blaming the other. Rebels from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) have been fighting in South Kordofan and Blue Nile for nearly three years, a war which has affected over one million civilians, according to the United Nations. Like the decade-old insurgency in Sudan’s western Darfur region, the conflict has been fuelled by complaints among non-Arab minorities of neglect and discrimination by the Arab-dominated regime.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Politics APC’s roadmap to oust PDP from the stage From Adamu Abuh, Abuja HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has T unveiled its agenda for Nigerians yearning for the dawn of a new beginning, thus confirming the widely held view that the party remains an assemblage of those keen on upstaging President Goodluck Jonathan at the polls in 2015. Such notions may not be out of place since the APC, which is an amalgam of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a splinter group from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has an array of presidential materials. These chieftains, such as Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso believe that if given the opportunity to ascend the exalted seat of the presidency, they could do a better job of governing Nigeria than President Jonathan is doing. However, there are people, who consider the APC, which has in its fold the famed G-5 Governors of Rotimi Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Murtala Nyako, Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako and Abdulfatah Ahmed, as a party that has become a handy tool not only for the Hausa/Fulani north, but also for those bent on venting their spleen on the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Indeed, this perception was not lost on the heavyweights of the party at the launch of its code of ethics in Abuja. Speaker after speaker highlighted the ills in the PDP, why some of them left the party and their desire and resolve to sweep it off the stage in 2015. Yet, for the APC, its commitment is to ensure that Nigeria achieves its full potential. Thus, the code of ethics it released, entitled: ‘A New Party for a New Nigeria,’ has as its mission the obligation towards ensuring a prosperous Nigeria. It declares: “We will work towards a nation that is economically and socially vibrant, peaceful, just and secure. A nation where the blight of corruption is no longer tolerated in our political, business or civic affairs. A nation that invests in improving the livelihoods of its people and the places where we live. A nation that recognises strength in its diversity. A nation where all citizens can earn a respectable living, provide for their families and contribute to the betterment of their communities. A nation of progress.” The APC’s commitments read, inter alia: • Our party considers the Nigerian people as our nation’s greatest assets, and will do everything to protect and preserve human life and dignity. • Our party upholds a Nigeria bound by the principle of freedom, justice, peace, unity and the rule of law. • Our party upholds and respects every individual’s choice of faith under God. • Our party has no tolerance for corruption and will manage Nigerian resources responsibly, with a commitment to accountability and the pursuit of the greatest good for the greatest number of people. • Our party is committed to a strong system of government at the federal, state and local levels as the most effective vehicle for harnessing the diversity and preserving the unity of Nigeria. • Our party rests on the foundation of democracy, fairness and the pursuit of opportunity for all citizens, predicated on economic productivity, fair competition and the bridging of inequalities. • Our party pursues its objective of increasing economic opportunity, social welfare and progress through a government-led and private sector-driven economy. • Our party upholds and respects the interest of one person, one vote grounded in free and fair elections at all levels. • Our party upholds and respects the interests of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups that constitute our Nation. • Our party recognises Nigeria’s strategic

APC leaders: Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande (left), former presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, at the launch of the party’s Code of Ethics in Abuja… recently. role on the African continent and commits to the pursuit of a foreign policy that promotes peace, security and our national interest. At the Abuja summit, which came against the backdrop of renewed moves by President Goodluck Jonathan to reassert PDP’s sphere of influence across the country, chieftains of the APC, alongside its 16 governors, took turns to echo what the party has in stock for Nigerians if voted into power at the 2015 elections. As they reinforced the need for a two-party system that could provide alternative platform for the electorate in dire need of prosperity in the polity, they sent a strong signal that it would no longer be business as usual, if the APC swept the polls in 2015. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who incidentally served on a PDP ticket from 1999 to 2007, warned against the reelection of a PDP-led administration in 2015, saying it could usher in a civilian dictatorship. Maintaining that it behooves on Nigerians yearning for good governance to abort the reign of the PDP administration, Atiku asserted that the APC remains the most viable platform at the disposal of Nigerians keen on ridding the country of the unbridled level of corruption, unemployment, poverty and infrastructural decay. Claiming that the PDP-led administration had always worked against the emergence of a viable alternative platform over the years, he noted that the emergence of the APC was dream come true for progressiveminded Nigerians. Atiku said he had always advocated a twoparty system in the polity that could replicate what occurred in fellow African countries like Senegal and Ghana where the opposition political parties upstaged the ruling political parties in the respective countries. To Gen. Buhari, three-time presidential candidate of the defunct ANPP, and CPC, he, alongside his supporters, was left with no option but to coalesced into a formidable platform like the APC after it became glaring that the ruling PDP was on the verge of “weeding (out) all the opposition party” in the polity. Buhari maintained that the APC was the most veritable platform to bring to an end the spate of insecurity, indiscipline and inefficiency that had bedeviled the polity over the years.

Former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who reminisced on how he was exiled in his bid to enthrone democracy in Nigeria, likened the emergence of the APC as a “renewal of hope, and prosperity for the teeming population of youths in the country.” Lamenting the parlous state of amenities in the polity, Tinubu stated that it was unfortunate that the PDP-led government has engendered a situation where hapless Nigerians, without let or hindrance, were being maimed and killed on daily basis. Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State said the fact that the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting could not hold in the past six months “speaks volume of the ineptitude of the PDP-led administration.” He said the NEC meeting is where all the 36 state governors convene to explore avenues for tackling the challenges facing the citizenry. Geidam assured that once an APC-led government was voted into power, the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram insurgency, which had led to loss of thousands of lives and properties worth billions of naira, would be brought to an end. Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who doubles as the chair of the factionalised Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), accused the President Jonathan administration of championing divisiveness, deprivation and lawlessness in the polity. He particularly claimed that Rivers State was left out of the states that could benefit from developmental projects in the 2014 budget of the country. Amaechi wondered why President Jonathan would vent his spleen on the citizens of Rivers State even to the extent of ordering the non-release of monies for the execution of a federal government water project, for the simple reason that he (Amaechi) was opposed to his (Jonathan’s) domineering style of governance. The Nasarawa State governor, Tanko AlMakura, remarked that the APC is the only party that could salvage Nigerians “from the purposeless and corrupt-ridden government of the PDP.” He alluded that his resolve to entrench the APC core values of accountability, as against an institutionalised system of corruption, whereby it was almost impossible to offset workers’ salaries when he mounted the saddle, could be responsible for the decision of his deputy, Mr. Luka Damishi, to defect to the PDP.

Governor Nyako, who reeled out the many evils of the PDP, stated that he had to opt for the APC due to the fact that the “PDP is riddled with high-level of lawlessness and lack of respect for democratic values.” Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State reiterated the desire by the APC to ensure the entrenchment of true federalism where there would be equitable development and checks and balances in the power structure of the country. A top shot of the APC, Chief Osita Okechukwu, who tried to distinguished between the APC and PDP, expressed optimism that if voted into power, the APC would deliver democracy dividends to Nigerians. He justified his position thus: “May I hazard a guess that not many Nigerians are aware that while the PDP anchors its economic policy heavily on the market forces, the APC rests its economic policy on a public sector-led economy. “The months ahead would be devoted to thrashing out the main difference between the PDP’s maxim that ‘government has no business in government’ with the APC’s thrust that the public sector will lead the economy. “Further, a lot of Nigerians are not aware of the tenacity with which the APC wants to wage strident war against corruption. Many are thinking that APC’s quest for power is just to continue the looting going on in the land.” Chief Okechukwu noted that the collapse of communism made many people to assume that there is no difference between one political party and the other, “while this is not the actual position.” “In the case of Nigeria, this slim difference was exposed in the Third Republic when the General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) regime made distinct the SDP and the NRC as ‘a little to the left and a little to the right’,” he said. “This slim distinction of a little to the left and a little to the right is suitable in the case of the APC and PDP, as a balance between public sector-led economy and market forces led economy. “In short, the PDP is conservative and the APC is progressive. This is the critical economic manifesto and programme debate that could consume the attention of the electorate as we head towards the 2015 general elections.” Nigerians do not have to wait too long, as the months ahead will reveal if, indeed, the APC is different from the much-maligned PDP and its government at the centre.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, March 13, 2014 11

Thursday, March 13, 2014 www.ngrguardiannews.com

Lagos awash with fake driver’s licence, new plate numbers • Forgers smile to the banks By Our Reporter RISK business activities are going on in document forgery markets like Oluwole in Lagos Island and other joints in the country where fake international passports, vehicle particulars and other documents are forged, The Guardian reliably gathered. Recently, it was confirmed even by the Edo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Luka Ikpi that over 60 percent of driver’s licence used in Edo State was counterfeit. Ikpi disclosed this during a sensitisation meeting on the proposed enforcement of the use of the New Vehicle Number Plates across the country, with effect from July 2014. The commander said that the high rate of the use of fake driver’s licence and vehicle number plates in the state was alarming. He, however, stated that stricter measures were being put in place to curtail the trend. The Guardian’s investigation revealed a robust patronage of fake documents producers in Lagos even as a fake driver’s licence goes for between N10,000 and N15,000 and new plate number goes for N10,000. Officially a driver’s licence can be obtained with $16.98 payment to a foreign obscure body to generate payer’s ID and N6,350 payment into any designated bank. Several factors were discovered to be responsible for the mass patronage of forgers. These include frustrations encountered at genuine sources of getting the documents, desperate quest for some of the items like driver’s license or international passport to open an account in the bank (some bank officials desperate for depositors to meet target often direct potential clients, who are unable to produce account opening mandatory requirement of either a driver’s license or international passport to forgers to avoid losing such persons). Another reason for the booming business is ignorance about the new method of obtaining the documents, as many people still believe that the new license can be obtained through touts. In the immediate past, one could get a driver’s license seated in the comfort of your house. All you needed was to give your agent your passport pictures; he goes out and in a few days return with your driver’s license. This system, coupled with massive illiteracy level among drivers, especially the commercial drivers, encourages the existence of touts. It was gathered that many traffic law enforcement officers are making a fortune out of this practice as it allows them to extort money from drivers who present fake documents. Another factor that discourages applicants from going to the official source is the cumbersome methods involved in the procurement of the documents in the new regime. Even the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) authorities confirmed that it is cumbersome to obtain the documents from its office. In the new regime, a person applying for a new driver’s license in Lagos is required to present a certificate of graduation from an authorized driving school to the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), before he can fill a driver’s license application/ LASG P1 form for data capture. The MVAA will then refer the applicant to VIO for examination and driving test. The VIO will present the results of the test and examination to FRSC office, where the applicant’s details in his driver’s license application form completed at the MVAA would be retrieved to generate a payer ID at $16.98 for the applicant. With the payer’s ID, the applicant goes to any designated bank to pay N6,350 using the payer’s ID. MVAA is required to confirm the N6,350 payment and then schedule the applicant for biometrics and physical photo capture at the FRSC office. After all these, the applicant would be issued a temporary driver’s license in lieu of permanent driver’s license, which, officially, is expected to be released in 6o days after the temporary paper was issued. For those renewing their driver’s license, they are required to obtain application form and

PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

VIO officials on duty. generate payer’s ID through a foreign website after remitting mandatory $16.98 and then pay another N6,350 into any designated bank using the payers’ ID. This done, applicant goes to MVAA for official confirmation of the payment of N6,350 and from there proceed to VIO for test/examination. From VIO, the applicant proceeds to FRSC for verification, physical photo capture, biometrics and obtain temporary driver’s license, which can be replaced with permanent driver’s license within 60 days. A Lagos-based trader, Mr. Luke Adegwua, who owns an SUV, said he was compelled to obtain his vehicle particulars through a tout when his attempts to get the genuine ones were frustrated by several visits to the government office. He said he was discouraged by lack of time to go there and the nonchalant attitude of the officials who treat applicants with disdain. He confirmed that since he obtained the fake documents, traffic law enforcement officials have been allowing him passage. “It is only occasionally some stubborn ones among them would harass me and after offering them a token fee, they would allow me to go,” he said. Many other people who have attempted to obtain their driver’s licence and new number plates also complained about their frustrations occasioned by the cumbersome method. Recently, a Lagos-based trader, Okonkwo Nwachukwu was nabbed by the police for using fake national identity cards bearing different names to open 25 different accounts in the banks. The suspect, according to the police, confessed that he obtained the IDs and PHCN bills from a forger called Mr. Pepper in Lagos. A top official of the FRSC, who confirmed the cumbersome method in the official documents issuance appealed to intending applicants not to apply through dubious means but go through the normal process, though cumbersome. “It is important that you go through the normal process and get it (driver’s licence); the normal process is cumbersome for some people, it takes time”, he affirmed. According to him, there were difficulties in obtaining the new driver’s license and vehicle number plates but FRSC is doing its best to resolve the challenges connected with the process.

The Enugu Zonal Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Kehinde Adeleye, also warned motorists against the procurement and use of fake number plates. He said that stringent measures would be taken against motorists who used fake number plates when total enforcement starts from July 1, 2014. “It is disturbing that despite the grace given to motorists to change to new authentic number plates, many still patronise quacks who issue them with fake number plates. “The use of fake number plates would be viewed as a criminal offence and not a traffic offence when the enforcement commences.” Adeleye noted that only the FRSC, Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Licencing Offices could issue the new number plates as any other source was illegitimate. He also disclosed that the state would soon have up to five Information Processing Centres to hasten the issuance of new National Driver’s License. While unveiling the method for obtaining the new documents some time ago in Lagos, Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka, disclosed that the improved process would obviate possession of the document by unqualified applicants, ensure global access to the data bank for seamless authentication of identity claims of holders, up revenue accruable to government (due basically to the blocking of revenue leakage) and make forgery difficult. Chidoka said the new licence now wears extra security marks, such as ghost portrait (double portrait, with the second image faint) and overlapping data, among others. According to him, one major feature of the new process is that issuance is ‘gated’, meaning that all applications must pass through the normal channel before getting to the central data base, which makes it possible for duplication of information to be rejected. In 1990, the Federal Government, through the FRSC introduced the National Uniform Licensing Scheme (NULS) which phased out the booklet licence issued by states and local governments, and replaced it with the laminated, flexible card type. Lamination was later de-emphasized, and in 2008, one year after Chidoka assumed duties in June, 2007, physical capture of the image of applicants was introduced to further check the

identified cases of abuse of the system. Conceding that many efforts had been made in the past, including in the arrangement being phased out, to uphold the integrity of the licence, Chidoka explained that the loopholes detected in the existing process are what the online, ‘gated’ issuance is designed to take care of, adding that the fresh initiative is VSAT-enabled. To make the process easier, the commission said it was making arrangement to ensure that all the offices involved in the process cluster together nationwide to make for “onestop licensing,” and ensure that applicants do not have to move from one end of town to another, to comply. In November 2006 report on Nigeria-related financial crime by Chatham House, “Europe’s leading foreign policy think-tank,” the Nigerian driver’s licence is a document that is “easily and commonly forged in Nigeria.” The report stated that forged identity documents, such as the driver’s licence, are “routinely bought by many Nigerians and expatriates.” A 2006 International Organization for Migration (IOM) report indicated that it is “relatively easy” to obtain genuine identity documents using false or incorrect information, as long as one is willing to pay. The report also notes that even when corruption is not involved, the quality control of identity documents is “weak” due to inadequacies in the country’s public administration. According to the October 2004 Norwegian Directorate of Immigration’s Report from a Fact-Finding Trip to Nigeria (Abuja, Kaduna and Lagos), Nigeria “struggles” with corruption among its civil servants and has problems with widespread forgeries of official identity documents. The report also stated that obtaining genuine documents issued correctly, but containing dubious or false information, is comparatively easy in Nigeria. “Government authorities seldom have routines for verifying the information going into official documents. Changing names is also a relatively easy procedure, simply done through the publication of an affidavit in a newspaper, and subsequently new official documents can be issued under the new name,” the reported concluded

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, March 13, 2014 13

Crusader group reignites battle of the caucuses in Lagos APC By Tope Templer Olaiya, Assistant Lagos City Editor ITH the successful completion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership registration nationwide, though the total number of Nigerians captured during the recent exercise is still shrouded in secrecy, and the unveiling last week of the party’s roadmap, the stage is now set for the intense and fierce jostle for relevance ahead of its inaugural national convention billed for April 26. Since the conclusion of the merger of dominant opposition parties – Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) last year, management of the party at the ward, local government, state and national levels had been on an interim arrangement. In Lagos, one of the opposition’s legacy states, the emergence of a caucus group within the APC, named the Crusader Group, is drawing bad blood among party leaders and reigniting tension among existing caucuses in the defunct ACN, whose activities had before now been vetoed. In 2006, during the dying days of the Bola Tinubu’s administration, because of problems the factions were creating in the party, an attempt was made to collapse all the groups, such as Justice Forum, Mandate, Mega and Asiwaju Unity Forum to work for the success of incumbent governor, Babatunde Fashola, ahead of the 2007 elections. Since assuming office, Fashola has operated without the caucuses as much as possible, while trying to run a more efficient administration with less interference from politicians. However, the ambition of the Chief of Staff to Fashola, Mr. Mikhail Olanrewaju Babalola, to succeed his boss has been fingered as the force majeure behind this new group. Inside sources revealed to The Guardian that despite repeated denials, the brainbox of the Crusaders is the interim chairman of the APC in Lagos, Chief Henry Ajomale. “The Babalola mandate was given to Ajomale to organize and in doing so, he formed the Cru-

informed. Factions and caucuses in party politics have proved very useful for influential members to negotiate for positions within the party but in the APC’s history, which trailed its Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC) and ACN days, managing the avalanche of interests in the party has been thorny. The original faction between 1999 and 2003 was just Justice Forum. All other groups came after. In 2002, the leadership of the Justice Forum felt Tinubu was becoming too powerful and wanted to checkmate him by working against his second term. This was coupled with the intrigues playing out in the then Afenifere leadership. This made the governor on the advise of his loyalists and late Mama Mogaji to set up another group that served as Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Organization (BATCO). This later metamorphosed into Mandate Group. From 2003 to 2007, Mandate Group was dominant organ in party politics. But in 2007, there was a change of guards. Though the Mandate spearheaded Fashola’s emergence, when he got into office, as a way of asserting himself, Fashola withered down the patronage and influence of the Mandate in government. At the end of Fashola’s first term, majority of the Justice Forum leadership had become closer to the governor and wanted to use him to upstage the Mandate Group. This was the basis of urging Fashola to go for second term withGovernor Babatunde Fashola (left); national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; and out Asiwaju Tinubu’s consent. interim chairman of Lagos APC, Henry Ajomale at a recent party function However, wise counsel prevailed and Commissioner for Works, Kadiri Hamzat’s father, sader Group. This group was launched at his own Reports say there have been clandestine meetOba Olatunji Hamzat, was instrumental in ings of party stalwarts coming from CPC and base, Oshodi-Isolo constituency, last year and mending the fence between Fashola and TinANPP in recent times to ensure they have a voice members were recruited across the other local ubu. in the APC once a new leadership structure government areas in the state. Several people in As founder of Justice Forum, he was reported replaces the present interim arrangement. Justice Forum, where Ajomale belonged to, also to have told his members that: “it was some“This is the latest challenge within the Lagos moved en mass to Crusader,” the source one who brought this man to us, we cannot go APC. Everybody is now meeting in groups and informed. ahead and endorse him without asking what caucuses to start harmonizing their interests, With this development, other groups are now which was ignited by the emergence of Crusader. has happen between him and the person who at daggers drawn in the bid to resuscitate their brought him to us.” activities. This scenario is, therefore, an irritant to Though we hear he has denied having anything As a result, a rapprochement was reached to do with Crusader, plans are that he wants to the leadership of the party, as it is sending a between the governor and his godfather as the push his son forward to run for House of Assemwrong signal to other interests in the APC not bly in Isolo Constituency II,” another party source second ticket was given the green light. from the defunct ACN.

LAGOS ASSEMBLY DIARY

Oluremi Tinubu renders account of stewardship

Lawmakers reiterate call for state police

By Gbenga Salau

By Wole Oyebade ORRIED by the problem of insecurity facing the country, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have again called for state police across the federation. The sub-national or stateowned and controlled police force, in the opinion of the lawmakers, would address insecurity challenges, especially the menace of the Boko Haram sect. In a related development, the Lagos Assembly will on Monday March 17, 2014 resume plenary, after adjourning for a week. Top on the Order Paper will be a debate on the proposed demolition of over 600 houses in Ikorodu, by the State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Deputy Speaker of the House, Taiwo Kolawole told reporters that Boko Haram insurgency was one of the issues that would never had been a problem, had the Federal Government towed the path of wisdom in conceding to their call for state police.

• Resumes plenary on Monday Kolawole reasoned that regional problems are best tackled by people of the region and not aliens, as is being promoted by the current police force. “We need state police,” he said, stressing that “the Boko Haram problem can only be handled by people who know the area well.” Kolawole, who is the lawmaker representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun I Constituency said: “For me, I know Ajegunle very well. I move around even at night and I know the dark spots. So, if someone like me should be the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ajegunle Police Station, there won’t be problem because I know the place very well. I know people that are ‘radicals’ (miscreants) and I know those who can corner people and attack them. “But the same cannot be said of somebody that gets out of Police College Wudil, Kano and is transferred to Ajegunle Police Station in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government in Lagos. “We must do the right thing and let people police themselves. If there was state police, when Boko Haram was just gaining ground, they would have nipped it in the bud. It is unfortunate he

(President Jonathan) is now suspending people (security chiefs) and going round the circle,” Kolawole said. Apparently in agreement with his Deputy Speaker, Mufutau Egberongbe, representing Apapa I Constituency, observed that the security apparatus of the State was smeared in insincerity, which is why their whole effort has come to naught. Egberongbe observed that members of the Nigerian Army and policemen that were deployed to the Northeast do not understand the terrain or the locales. He said: “By the time they get there, they would find that most of the people are stark illiterates. I even understand that most of them speak Arabic. You get to a village of 100 people, 80 have been killed, remaining 20. You then begin to ask questions on how the perpetrators carried out the attack. They cannot understand you.”

O render account of her stewardship to T members of her constituency and leaders of her party, Senator Oluremi Tinubu held the tenth Town Hall Meeting in Lagos last week. At the event, the Senator not only gave details of what she had done to positively impact people’s lives through direct provision of support to individuals, she narrated how she had influenced projects that would be of benefits to the people of the state and her constituency. Besides commenting on national issues like the budget and the national conference, she gave summary of activities of committees she served in as a senator. According to her, key-challenging issues like inclusive growth, reduction of poverty, inequity and unemployment were not effectively addressed in the 2014 budget. For her, it is a misnomer that the total budget of job creation in the 2014 budget is N8billion while N7 billion is budgeted for the three-month National dialogue. Though she said that she was not against the national conference, she was however worried that the conference is being held too close to the 2015 general elections with gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun States just around the corner. “Our nation must get its priorities right in pursuing real economic growth. Nige-

ria must cure itself of waste and overdependence on revenue from oil by ensuring that government creates growth and jobs through investments in manufacturing, agriculture, housing construction and so on,” she said. On the projects executed within her senatorial districts, she disclosed that in September 2013, the pioneer trainees under the Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Scheme (YESAS) graduated after learning various skills that would enhance their economic productivity and independence. According to her, a business start-up kit and a sun of twenty thousand naira were given to the one hundred and forty graduates to start a business with an additional amount of twenty thousand in January this year. She also said that the bank account of each of the 26 beneficiaries under her ongoing post-secondary school scholarship scheme was credited with one hundred thousand naira. “Under our Good Boys’ programme, my intention was to empower 80 of our young men who are at the crossroads of life. On Monday, 22nd July 2013, we empowered 43 of the Good Boys in Lagos Central Senatorial District with hundred thousand naira grant each to enable them have a steady source of income through various commercial activities,” she disclosed.

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14 | Thursday, March 13, 2014

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Conscience Nurtured by Truth

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

Editorial Ukraine in crisis ITH Ukraine currently in the middle of a political turmoil, all nations W of the world must learn that their individual destinies can only be shaped by their own people. External help may be questionable and ultimately, may be no help. The other day, protesters in Ukraine overthrew the government of President Viktor Yanukovych, a culmination of weeks of sustained protests in which lives were lost. The immediate trigger was the refusal of Yanukovych to choose being close to the European Union instead of Russia in a multi-ethnic country with a substantial Russian speaking population. Russia, expectedly, has refused to recognise the new government in Kiev, describing the entire event as a ‘coup d’état’ and a violation of the Ukrainian constitution which outlaws unconstitutional overthrow of an elected government while the United States and Western European leaders have warmed up to the new interim leaders in Ukraine. Importantly, Russia moved a step further to deploy troops in Crimea, a predominantly Russian enclave in Ukraine. Beyond the internal dynamics of the crisis, the external factors are significant to warrant a reflection. Expert views on transition in post-communist countries have recognised certain factors in the political process of some of the countries such as Serbia, Georgia and Ukraine. These include economic crisis, a split among the ruling elite, international meddling as well as competing claims between incumbents and opposition. Whereas all of these factors matter, Ukraine is in crisis because the country has become the latest pawn on a chessboard and is caught in the web of conflict of interest between European powers supported by the United States and Russia. Minders of the American national interest probably see the 21st century as the American century and seek to deconstruct other centres of power such as Russia and China, long identified as potential rivals whose rise must be thwarted despite a dynamic inclination towards a multiple world order to be built around a democratised United Nations. The use of democracy and human rights have proven to be veritable armour to realise this goal. The crisis has clearly revealed certain hypocrisy of the big powers. While currently advocating a diplomatic resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, they are overtly connected to its dynamics. In both bipolar and post-Cold War global orders, some powers have demonstrated intolerance of opposing views and political regimes even when such views and regimes were underpinned by democratic principles. For example, they undermined the democratically elected government led by Hamas in Gaza and Hugo Chavez’s government in Venezuela. There are even some pieces of information implicating their destabilising role in the current Ukrainian crisis. Also following the overthrow of Yanukovych, the same diplomats were recorded as determining who to assume the interim leadership of Ukraine. These happened in spite of huge concession that Yanukovych had made, namely offering the leaders of the opposition the post of Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and the fast-forwarding of the elections to December this year instead of the 2015 due date. Indeed, the so-called Western powers appear to have refused to learn from history in their bid to extend their spheres of influence. Crimea, home to Russians and currently occupied by Russian forces, was a central element of the ‘Eastern Question’ following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century years preceding the World War and has been a primary sphere of influence for Russia, until Khrushchev ceded it to Ukraine in 1954. It is this reality that the Chinese leadership has described as quite sensitive in the Ukrainian crisis. Instead of taking cognizance of this reality, Western countries are unwisely seeking to build a wall of sanctions and perhaps a military confrontation with Russia under the umbrella of NATO. Also, the nationalist sentiments that the crisis has engendered especially against Russian population of Ukraine appear ignored. However, there are lessons to be learnt from the ongoing crisis. One is that meddlesomeness in any country is only in pursuit of the meddler’s interest. Countries, however small or less endowed materially, need to be wary of interference by, as well as over-reliance on other countries. It is politically important to socialise the population to the great issues of politics so that they do not become tools in the hands of foreign interests. In addition, a leader should have strength of character and stay the course on the basis of his conviction, especially if he is backed by the people. Despite the ongoing tension, threats of sanction and diplomatic movements, the Ukrainian crisis can still be resolved by a genuine espousal of democratic principles and rights of the people of Ukraine. This is the only way Ukraine can avoid remaining a pawn on the chessboard of other countries.

LETTER

Gov. Peter Obi’s big shoe Anambra State residents tackle security problems from zens that motivated many SafterIR:willGovernor wake up the morning neighbour to neighbour as they votes during the last governorPeter Obi leaves are very familiar with the teroffice and realise that a giant walked through the land. The atmosphere in the state is saner; polluters have been cut off from circulation. Governor Obi may not be a saint, but he is a capitalist. His single-minded approach to governance may be brutal but, in many occasions, it served as the bulldozer to remove intractable roadblocks. Official activities in Anambra State, like all over the country, were put at a full stop by corruption. Unscrupulous individuals masquerading as contractors collude with politicians to undertake government projects. They use an infinitesimal fraction of the contract to make a mockery of the project and share a larger percentage among the parties. Governor Obi tied a tight string around the state purse and succeeded in fighting this fraudulent practice to the barest minimum. His critics say that he started very late but today construction work is going on practically in every area of the state and most have been effectively completed. Anambra State is becoming liveable again. People can move around freely without the paralysing fear of being bundled for a ransom. The governor’s support of community vigilante groups appears to be very effective. The operatives

rain. The political gimmicks of Governor Obi must not go unaddressed before one is labelled a praise singer. The irregularities in the elections conducted under his watch are still boiling over in the election petition tribunal and some electorate are feeling robbed of their franchise. The governor advised desperate unemployed citizens to apply for jobs with the state government prior to the governorship elections. They were hopelessly disappointed because they wasted time and money and were not offered any job after the elections were over. His social security benefit to deprived senior citi-

ship election appears to be history. The governor contrastingly lives up to his nickname of The Rock for his heart is like a rock. His detractors accuse him of monopolising the wealth of the state for his industrial ventures. His admirers view his governing style as using his business skill to grow the state economy. President Goodluck Jonathan must not allow the governor to escape him. He needs Governor Obi’s stubborn streak to steer the sinking ship of the nation to sail on a steady shore. • Pius Okaneme, Umuoji, Anambra State.

Nigerian students in Ghana IR: The Masquerade Team is SCoast, hosted by University of Cape Ghana. When I heard about the unfortunate but unusual incident of a Nigerian student that was killed, I asked some postgraduate students of the university, what they thought could be responsible. They were unanimous in saying that the style of living of the student should be investigated, because a gangster could be killed by his fellow gangsters. Then emerged a rumour or information that the particular young man did not register

for the 2013/2014 Session and some of his friends probably killed him for his school fees that was a couple of thousand dollars. I got the impression that some students knew the company he used to keep, but not why he refused or failed to register for the session, since July 2013, till he was killed toward the end of February 2014. Yes, I believe Police investigation continues. I also believe one should beware of bad companies, wherever one may find oneself. • Pius Abioje, University of Ilorin.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

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Opinion Will more refineries reduce fuel prices? By Henry Boyo HE increasing length of queues lately in T petrol stations nationwide may suggest that the erstwhile liberal availability of petrol may be threatened. Consequently, many car owners now inevitably patronise the ‘black market’ in spite of the higher prices on offer, rather than wait endlessly in frustration at petrol stations! Invariably, marketers have blamed their inability to meet demand on shortage of supply; indeed, Major Marketers Association had earlier warned that they were yet to receive import approvals this year. Additionally, the ability of oil majors to import is also adversely affected by extended delays in the payment of subsidy refunds on their fuel imports. The marketers argue that delayed payment threatens the sustainability of their business, as the already thin profit margins become critically whittled down by heavy interest payments on bank loans obtained for fuel imports. Indeed, a combination of the preceding factors has always induced fuel scarcity over the years. In the above event, there have been several calls for the urgent turnaround maintenance of the four existing Federal Government refineries and the need for additional refineries to be built by both the private and public sectors. Nonetheless, in keeping with this administration’s policy to promote higher efficiency and reduce wastage, by privatizing erstwhile corruption-laden and inefficient public utilities, government has refrained from contemplating direct funding or involvement in the establishment of new refineries, and has instead, encouraged investors to establish private plants. Incidentally, by 2008, over 18 licences had been issued to investors who had expressed interest in building new refineries. For example, in

April 2008, an editorial in The Guardian Newspaper reported NNPC’s Alhaji Abubakar Yar’Adua’s allegation that “16 out of 18 companies that were licensed in 2008… merely used the licences as a launch pad to seek contract for crude oil exports; they were not committed to building refineries”. Later in May 2011, the Federal Government and some Chinese investors also undertook to build additional refineries in Kogi, Lagos and Bayelsa states. Regrettably, so far, there is no apparent progress on this project. Later still, in July 2012, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between a partnership of private United States and Nigerian companies with the Federal Government. Under this MOU, six refineries were to be constructed in modular forms within 30 months, at a cost of $4.5bn; each refinery would process 30,000 barrels of crude oil daily, with expected total output of about 30 million litres of fuel every day. (See our article “Six New Refineries, But Not Yet Uhuru” of 13/7/2012). Regrettably, once again, over 20 months after the said MOU, there is nothing on the ground to indicate that the project has actually commenced! Observers of this development have suggested that the prevailing regime of subsidised fuel prices was actually the major impediment to these private investors’ aspirations, as the usually delayed payments of subsidy would inevitably cripple the sustainability of the project. In view of the foregoing, therefore, it came as a surprise to most Nigerians that in spite of the perceived immovable hurdle of subsidies, Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, announced plans to establish a fertilizer and petrochemical plant with a complement of refineries in Ogun and Ondo states with the princely cost

of about $9 billion! The ensuing question on everybody’s lips was why the evidently business-savvy Aliko Dangote would stake so much on a project where others have feared to thread, because of the spectre of subsidised fuel prices! See our article “Refineries: Dangote to the Rescue?” of June 2013 www.lesleba.com. In an interview with ThisDay’s Simon Kolawole, in September 2013, Dangote, however, noted that “With global demand for crude oil projected to keep dropping, the way forward is for us to start exporting refined products rather than crude. We will get far better money value that way. Furthermore, the business guru continued “With or without deregulation, there is nothing stopping anyone from building a refinery; I am not a marketer. All I will do is buy crude oil at the market price, refine and sell to marketers at the market price. It is marketers that will deal with subsidy! If government continues to subsidise, marketers can buy products from us and then collect the subsidy from government. If not, they can sell to motorists at the market price! It is not complicated; don’t forget that when they go to foreign refineries to import petrol, they buy at the market prices before coming home to claim subsidy payments!” Indeed, in view of the attraction of the obvious potential of this strategy, Dangote earlier this month, also announced another plan to build additional refineries within the Lekki free trade zone in Lagos State. Dangote’s above declarations may have also ‘fortuitously’ taken the scales from the eyes of earlier licensees, who could not perform for fear of the subsidy hurdle. Consequently, the revered business magnate should not be surprised if other private refineries ultimately debut before the completion of Dangote’s more gigantic projects!

Ultimately, we would certainly have increasingly more refineries that would more than cater for local consumption, with ample surplus for export to other African countries and elsewhere worldwide. The critical question, however, is whether or not more and efficient refineries would mean lower fuel prices without subsidy component domestically? The answer is a clarion no! At least, not within the existing framework where a fall in the naira rate of exchange would automatically translate into higher fuel prices. Thus, ultimately, domestic fuel price levels may only fall by a small margin of about 10 per cent, from the imported brand as a result of savings from freight cost on imports. This may not be welcome news to most Nigerians, particularly the trade associations, who canvass for more government refineries because of their perception that fuel prices would be much cheaper with local production! Certainly, a 10 per cent reduction on locally produced fuel will not make significant difference to current subsidised prices; besides, with the awareness of public sensitivity to any increase in fuel prices government may, therefore, be reluctant to revive the social tensions caused by almost 100 per cent fuel price hike in January 2012! In other words, additional private refineries may not drastically reduce alleged current annual subsidy payments in excess of N2 trillion. However, I have consistently argued for many years that fuel subsidy payments will only be eliminated with a stronger naira, which can become possible, if the CBN’s exchange rate strategy loyally defends the naira by reducing the self-inflicted burden of surplus cash on the economy, whenever the apex bank increases money supply, when it substitutes fresh naira supply for monthly distributable dollar revenue. • Boyo is a public affairs and financial analyst.

Religious groups as conscience of society By Goodluck Jonathan ET me seize the opportunity of this occasion to commend Lmitment the Catholic Bishops’ Conference for its continuing comto social justice, good governance and the progress of our nation. I want to sincerely thank all of you for your spiritual leadership and your efforts in serving as an important bridge between our people, society and the government. I have been a keen follower of the activities of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference over the years. Your interventions in national issues have always been forthright, and your counsel most useful. You continue to demonstrate the fact that the Church cannot afford to stand aloof in the face of the changing fortunes of society. You have shown that indeed the purpose of the Congregation is better served from the pulpit, when the Church takes a keen interest in the practical lives of its members. Your vision of the Church as a prophetic, committed and progressive organisation has strengthened the teaching of the doctrine and given more hope to your members. I am of the view that the Church and other religious groups in Nigeria must be encouraged to continuously strive to stand squarely in the interface between the government and the people, as mediator, as partner, as counsellor, and ultimately, as conscience of society and moral compass. Religious groups must be positive tools for national progress, not agents of conflict. The teaching of the doctrine must advance the cause of humanity and social justice. It must strengthen the resolve of the people to be better citizens, and encourage government to always do that which is right in the eyes of God and men. I urge you to continue to pray for our dear nation. I am convinced and I have said so on several occasions, that our country remains united today, despite the challenges that we face, because God loves this nation. Your prayers have continued to inspire our progress, in spite of those challenges. I am totally convinced that God will continue to make a way for us, even where there seems to be no way. I find it encouraging and instructive that the theme of your conference, this year, is “Church and State Partnership in Providing Education for Nigerian People”. When the Church partners with government, there can be no limits to our success, and this partnership in Education, can only drive our administration and the entire citizenry to further improve on the standards of our education. My Lord Bishops, let me acknowledge the frontline role that the Church in Nigeria has played in the growth and development of the education sector in Nigeria. It is a matter of public record that by the 19th century, the Church had assumed lead-

ership in setting up mission schools in the Southern part of the country, which in good time, produced a Western-educated middle class elite who eventually led the anti-colonial struggle, and laid the foundations for an emergent social and political culture. In the North, Koranic education was prevalent, but by 1921, the Church had also set up a number of mission schools in that part of the country. Although the attitude of the colonial authorities to the mission schools was largely one of indifference, and in some instances, disdain, the explosion in school enrolment and the increasing influence of the emergent elite soon changed that situation. At the dawn of independence, the missions had earned a reputation for promoting innovation, excellence and standards in Nigerian schools. Partnership between religious groups and the state, especially in the formulation of policy, and definition of standards also gradually became an accepted pattern. The partnership served us well, until the mission schools were taken over across the country by the state. Not a few commentators have traced the decline in the standard of education, and the erosion of moral values in our society to that development. Many have also drawn consolation from the eventual return of schools to the missions as part of an effort to strengthen the education system and restore standards. I heartily commend the Church in Nigeria for investing in education as well as for its commitment to the provision of quality education across our country. Some of the best schools nationwide are now run by the Church again. Throughout our history, the products of your schools have excelled in society and in different fields of endeavour. The Catholic Church in particular can boast of many schools that are highly regarded as centres of excellence. I am aware that your Lordships introduced in 2005, the Catholic Church Policy on Education in Nigeria, which in terms of philosophy and purpose is in harmony with the National Policy on Education. We will always welcome opportunities for robust dialogue with the Church and other non-governmental stakeholders to further strengthen the education sector. This administration is fully committed to the promotion of such dialogue. We believe that education is not just about literacy; it is the basic vehicle through which every society develops the skills and resources necessary for its survival. In a world that has become more competitive, the quality of education available to citizens impacts directly on their country’s position in the world. In that regard, education is directly linked to national capacity, power, development and progress. It is for this reason that our administration has devoted more resources to the education sector, with education now receiving more funding than had been the case since 1999. We have

also worked hard to increase school enrolment, provide necessary infrastructure at all levels, and introduce opportunities for human capacity development. There may be challenges such as the rising expectations of teachers sometimes resulting in industrial action, but Government has also shown a sincerity of purpose in resolving such disputes which arise for the most part from inherited problems. Our commitment is to continue to raise standards and ensure quality. We will continue to encourage private sector investment in the education sector, to broaden access. But more importantly, government will continue to give required attention to the school-to-work transition process by focusing on job creation in its various policies and programmes. For all of this to be meaningful, however, your efforts and ours must be complemented with the reinforcement of the family unit. No matter how innovative our schools are, or how effective our teachers are, Nigeria cannot succeed unless our students, through proper family guidance, imbibe the virtues of good home training, including coming to school on time, paying attention to school work, relating well with peers, and staying out of trouble. In this regard, I would like to commend the various state governments including Anambra, Ekiti and Benue states, among others, which are already partnering with religious groups in the field of education to promote and reinforce the inculcation of proper moral values in our youth. I want to assure you once again that our administration will do whatever that is required to make our educational system a renewed source of pride. Our responsibility as a Government in this regard, cannot be over-emphasized. We must restore and sustain high standards, support schools and teachers, and revive schools that are not working, in order to give young Nigerians the best opportunities for advancement in life. We will continue to promote and support reforms in our schools to bring them up to date with the technology and methods to best handle contemporary global and local challenges. We will find and introduce the latest and best innovations, without compromising the traditional values and objectives of our educational system. I urge you to continue to pray for our dear country to speedily overcome the current challenges we face, especially insurgency, terrorism and the heinous killing of innocent children in schools. I believe that with your devout prayers and the strategies we have put in place, we shall surely surmount these challenges. With the guidance of God Almighty, we will continue to do our best in the service of our dear nation. • President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR delivered this address at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Plenary, Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Abuja on Sunday March 9, 2014.

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Thursday, March 13, 2014

Opinion Minimah Opobo, Army and 1887 guilt By Eric Teniola IEUTENANT-GENERAL Kenneth Tobias MinL imah (53) is not the first Chief of Army Staff to come from that part of Nigeria that we now classify as South-South. There was Lt. General David Akpode Ejoor (80) from Ovu in Delta State married to Agnes Obireko. There was also Lt. General Alexander Odeareduo Ogomudia (64) from Uzere in Isoko Local Government Area of Delta State, married to pretty Iwayemi Omolara Ogunlowo, a princess from Atosin in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State. But General Minimah, who is the President of Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), is the first Chief of Army Staff to come from Opobo and even the first to come from Rivers State. It is the ambition and desire of every commissioned officer in the Nigerian Army to rise to be the Chief of Army Staff. And the way the Army Personnel treat their Chief of Army Staff is remarkable. The post is very powerful, bearing in mind that four of those who have held the position in the past, have ended up governing the country. I remember in 1986 when I served as the Press Secretary to the then Governor of Ondo State, Colonel Ekundayo Babakayode Opaleye and we were to receive the then Chief of Army Staff, Major General Sani Abacha (1943-1998) in Ondo State. One will think we were to play host to the then President, General Badamosi Ibrahim Babangida (72). We had three sleepless weeks preparing to host General Abacha. Let’s take a look at past and present Chiefs of Army Staff: Major Gen. Kenneth G. Exham (1956-1959), Major Gen. Foster, Major Gen. John Alexander Mackenzie (1963), Maj. Gen. Sir Christopher Welby-Everard (1963-1965), Maj. Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi (1965-1966), Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon FSS (January 1966-July 1966), Lt. Col. Joseph Akahan OFR FSS (May 1967- May 1968), Maj. Gen. Hassan Katsina rcdspsc ( May 1968 – January 1971), Maj. Gen. David Ejoor (January 1971- July 1975), Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (July 1975 – October 1979), Lt. Gen. Ipoola Alani Akinrinade CFR FSS (October 1979 – April 1980), Lt. Gen. Gibson Jalo CFR FSS JSS (April 1980- October 1981), Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi CFR FSS (October 1981 – October 1983), Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (January 1984 – August 1985), Lt. Gen. Sani Abacha GCON,DSS mni ( August 1985- August 1990), Lt. Gen. Salihu Ibrahim FSS FHWC (August 1990 –

September 1993), Lt. Gen. Aliyu Gusau Mohammed DSS rcds (September 1993 – November 1993), Maj. Gen. Chris Alli CRG DSS ndcpsc(+) (November 1993 – August 1994), Maj. Gen. Alwali Kazir DSS Usawcpsc (+) (August 1994 – March 1996), Lt. Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi idssu cpsc (March 1996 – May 1999), Lt. Gen. Victor Malu DSS mnifwcpsc ( May 1999 – April 2001), Lt. Gen. Alexander Ogomudia ( April 2001- June 2003), Lt. Gen. Martin Luther Agwai ( June 2003 – June 2006), Lt. Gen. Owoeye Andrew Azazi (1 June 2006 – May 2007), Lt. Gen. Luka Yusuf CFR GSS GPP DSO psc (+) fwc Msc (June 2007 – August 2008), Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau CFR GSS pscndcfwc (+) PhD (August 2008- September 2010, Lt. Gen. Onyabor Azubuike Ihejirika CFR GSS psc (+) fwcfniqs (September 2010 – 2014), Maj. Gen Kenneth Tobiah Minimah GSS psc (+) fwc (January 2014- Till Date). Minimah is one of the Satellite Towns in the ancient city of Opobo. Other Satellites towns are Kalaibiama, Queens Town, Illoma and Epellema, Ekereborikiri, Down- Below, Abazibie and Opakalama. Opobo is to the east of the Kingdom of Bonny. Both Bonny and Opobo are of the same Ijaw Ibani tribe. Part of Opobo kingdom is at Ikot-Abasi in Akwa Ibom State. I have visited Opobo several times and I find the people highly hospitable and friendly. There is beauty in their women. Opobo was founded by King Jaja (1821-1891) in the 18th century and King Jaja was a former Igbo slave called JuboJubogha but renamed “Ja-Ja” by the Europeans because the name was too long to be called. He built Opobo from scratch and transformed it to a commercial kingdom. “He was a slave sold into the house of Anna Pepple of Bonny and rose to the headship of his master’s “house”. He later established himself as the most dominant figure in the politics of Delta states when he became King of the newly founded Kingdom of Opobo. Succession to the headship of an Ijaw trading “house” was not based on heredity but on one’s ability to provide for the welfare of the members of the house. Jaja’s accession to the headship around 1869 caused resentment in other members of the Anna Pepple house. This culminated in a civil war from which Jaja emerged the victor. After the civil war in Bonny, Jaja led his house to the Opobo river where he founded the Kingdom of Opobo. Here his business acumen and capacity found full scope; he soon established plantations and built a port and strategically placed

trading settlements on the creeks which not only enabled him to control the supply of palm oil to the Europeans merchants along the coast but also made Opobo one of the richest Delta states. With the wealth came political influence and military power. Such was the strength of Jaja’s army that during the Ashanti War, he committed a contingent of his soldiers to the British effort, for which he was awarded a sword of honour by Queen Victoria in 1875. In 1870, having consolidated his new settlement, he proclaimed Opobo an independent state consisting of 14 of the 18 houses of Bonny. Three years later the new state was recognised by Britain which in 1884 entered into a “treaty” with Opobo, placing the latter under the protection of the British Crown. However, the proclamation of a British Protectorate over the Oil Rivers in 1885 not only heralded the demise of the independent of the coast city-states but also precipitated a quarrel between Jaja and the British. Jaja was the only ruler in the Delta area who questioned the new political order by seeking a definition of the word “protectorate” from the British, who replied vaguely that Her Majesty’s Government would only extend to his Kingdom her “gracious favour and protection”. He accepted the explanation, believing that Opobo’s new relationship with Britain would not affect its independence. Accordingly, he continued to monopolise the oil trade, forbidding anyone to deal directly with the European merchants on the coast while continuing his direct exports to Britain. As a result, Jaja saw the British insistence on “free” trade as interference and a violation of the “1884 treaty”. According to a publication, Makers Of Modern Africa by Raph Uweche, the British Consul in the Oil Rivers, Harry Johnston, was opposed to Jaja’s continued independence. In 1887, Johnston abrogated his power to impose customs duties on oil exports from the state. Jaja sent a delegation to London to protest to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Meanwhile Consul Johnston had written to the British Government requesting permission to expel Jaja who had resisted successive threats to compel him to meet British demands. The King was “invited” on board a British gunboat, HSM Goshawk, to meet Consul Johnston. Jaja was reassured by Johnston on the eve of their meeting that “I hereby assure you that whether you accept or reject my proposals tomorrow, no restraint whatever will be put on

you- you will be free to go as soon as you have heard the message of the Government”. But once on board, Jaja was asked to choose between being tried for violating the treaty and seeing Opobo bombed by the British Navy. The King opted for trial, which was then held in Accra, Ghana. He was found guilty and banished in 1887 to the West Indies on a pension of £800 per annum. This paved the way for the establishment of an effective colonial authority over the region which in the first year provided nearly £90,000 from import duties alone. Jaja’s deportation caused much discontent in the Oil Rivers states. After repeated appeals to the British Government, the Colonial Secretary set up a commission to investigate and make recommendations for the administration of the new colony. In 1891, the commission, headed by Major Claude Macdonald, recommended that, in response to popular demand in Opobo, Jaja should be returned and reinstated. In the same year, Jaja was allowed to return, but died on the way back on July 7, 1891. His body was subsequently transported to Opobo where it was buried. Nearly One hundred and twenty-five (125) years after, an Opobo son has been appointed Chief of Army staff. It has been a long wait and it calls for celebration in the ancient city of Opobo. The appointment has finally wiped out the 1887 guilt and the people of Opobo can sing with pride to other tribes in Rivers State – the Ikweres, Igbos, Ogonis, Etches, Okrikas, Kalabaris, Ogbas and others that “we too are warriors”. General Minimah is the new face of Opobo. General Minimah is also the new face of the Nigerian Army. In General Minimah lies our watch and surveillance. Of course we are going to keep gaze over his utterances and actions. It does not matter how he got the job or who gave him the job, what is important now is what he will do with the job. Is he going to be an upholder or an antagonist in this campaign era? We just can’t stop talking about the army for they have governed us longer than any other group. They are part of our ruling culture. They have shaped or misshaped our destiny. They have contributed in great measure, to our present quandary and plight. • Teniola was a Director at the Presidency in Abuja. He resides in Lagos.

WEF 2014: Positioning for infrastructure investment By Patrick Okigbo N 2008, when Kingsley Eze, a Nigerian entrepreneur, met with Norman Markgraaff in South Africa to explore partnerships in real estate projects in Nigeria, it was clear to both parties that he was swimming against the tide. Corruption and 419 fraud letters hung like a halo over Nigeria. Boko Haram was yet to join the mix. As Chief Executive of Private Estates International, Norman had been in the real estate business for over 35 years, built thousands of housing units, expanded the business into other parts of Africa but had never considered the Nigerian market. Kingsley had a simple strategy for the meeting. He would acknowledge the gory stories of fraud but would show that they were not endemic to Nigeria. He would recount how Vodacom passed up an opportunity to acquire a GSM licence in Nigeria, and how MTN, which at the time was the number 3 operator in South Africa, took the leap of faith with Nigeria and became the biggest phone operator in Africa. When Norman asked for another example, Kingsley discussed the performance of Shoprite, a South African retailer that had recently entered the Nigeria’s retail space. If that meeting was held today, Kingsley would have proudly informed Norman that Shoprite has become so successful that it plans to build 44 retail outlets within the next three to four years. According to the Economist magazine, the seven Shoprite outlets in Nigeria sold more bottles of Moet & Chandon champagne than all the Shoprite outlets in all of Johannesburg combined. That is the quantum of return on investment Nigeria delivers. According to Jim O’Neill, an economist, Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey (MINT economies) are expected to produce the highest return on investment in the next 10 years. In fact, Nigeria is poised to become one of the world’s largest economies in the 21st century overtaking economies such as Italy, France and the United Kingdom. This goal is realisable. Between 1999 and 2012, Nigeria’s GDP grew at an average of 7.9 per cent. This is remarkable when compared with a GDP growth rate of 2.2 per cent in the United States, 1.8 per cent in the United Kingdom and 0.4 per cent in the Euro

zone, notwithstanding that Nigeria is starting from a much lower economic base. In this same period, Nigeria became the second largest economy in Africa (behind South Africa) with a GDP per capita that grew from US$700 to US$2,600. In this same period, Nigeria has become an attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). Between 2010 and 2013, Nigeria attracted over US$20 billion in FDI, equivalent to 10 per cent of the total FDI to Africa. This reversal of fortune has been attributed to Nigeria’s current political, economic and demographic realities. Nigeria has had 14 years of uninterrupted democratic rule. The external debt portfolio decreased from US$36 billion (in 2006) to US$4.5 billion (in 2010) resulting in a debt to GDP ratio of 19 per cent, one of the lowest in the world. Inflation has remained in the single digits. With 170 million people, Nigeria is one of the 10 largest populations in the world. With over 60 per cent of the population below the age of 25 years, Nigeria has more people eligible to work than otherwise. Despite the phenomenal economic growth, unemployment is still a major challenge. Poor infrastructure is a key driver of the unemployment profile. Nigeria’s economic growth is more remarkable given its low infrastructure stock. According to the National Planning Commission (NPC), Nigeria’s infrastructure stock is about 35 per cent of its GDP compared to 87 per cent for South Africa. This situation offers significant opportunities for the savvy infrastructure investor. For instance, Nigeria generates about 3,600MW of power, which is about 13 per cent of its projected electricity demand by the year 2015 (28,360 MW). There are not many countries in the world that provide this level of suppressed effective demand: people willing and able to pay for as long as the service is provided. The NPC estimates that Nigeria needs over US$2 trillion in infrastructure investments over the next 30 years (2013-2043). To meet this investment need, Nigeria needs to ramp up its spending on infrastructure from the current 3-5 per cent of GDP to an average of 9 per cent over the next 30 years. Given Nigeria’s high GDP growth projection for the period, such a ramp-up would be particularly challenging for the government. Therefore, private sector investment is critical to meet this need. The government has

shown commitment to private sector-led growth. In September 2013, government privatised 15 power companies. Another 10 power plants are in the process of being privatised providing further proof of government’s commitment. Despite these opportunities, there is no doubt that investing in Nigeria is not for the faint of heart. The country still presents significant challenges for business development. The 2014 Doing Business report places Nigeria as 147 out of 189 countries, this is a nine-step drop from 2013. The 2014 Economic Freedom report placed Nigeria as 129 out of 175 countries, also a 9-step drop from its 2013 position. In terms of corruption, Nigeria is ranked 144 out of 177 countries on the Transparency International’s 2013 Corruption Perception Index. Although the anti-corruption institutions still exist, there has not been any high profile case to communicate government’s commitment to fighting corruption. However, continued commitment to privatisation of major government enterprises may be a way to reduce the size of government bureaucracy and stem the resultant leakages. There is no doubt that Nigeria presents a compelling case for the infrastructure investors, like Norman, who are able to move beyond the gory “single story”. Private Estates International set up office in Nigeria in 2010 and is currently developing a track of land measuring 1,100 hectares into the new Enugu Lifestyle & Golf City. The city, which is built around an 18-hole golf course, has a residential, commercial and industrial layout. This investment happened because an entrepreneur was willing to tell a compelling investment story and the investor was willing to listen with objectivity. Nigeria must tell its story for investors to consider it as an investment destination. The 24th World Economic Forum: Africa (WEF Africa) holding in Abuja in May 2014 is an important forum for storytelling. As the world comes to Nigeria, we must use this platform to showcase the opportunities. There are not a lot of places in the world today that present such opportunities for economic growth and financial return on investment. This is a chance to place Nigeria on the radar of international investors. • Okigbo is Principal Partner, Nextier, an investment advisory firm.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, March 13, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

TheMetroSection Briefs

Death in Lagos canal ...

Pa Samuel Igogo for burial April 6 HE patriarch of Igogo famT ily of Igbide in Isoko South Local Council of Delta State, Pa

• Thirteen die, six survive FESTAC Town boat mishap

Samuel Okereduke Igogo is dead, aged 93. A devout Christian, Pa Igogo is survived by 10 children, many grand and great grand children including: Mrs. Beatrice Igogo-Oyibotha, Mr. Emma Igogo and Mrs. Christiana Atagbo. He will be buried on Friday, April 4, 2014 in his hometown, Igbide, followed by an outing service on Saturday, April 5 and in-law greeting on Sunday, April 6.

By Debo Oladimeji and Laolu Adeyemi 13 people died on Tuesday when a boat capATheBOUT sized at about 8.30 p.m. in FESTAC Town, Lagos. bodies of the deceased have since been deposited at the morgue (Ayinke House) of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). The incident happened at the canal linking 4th Avenue, (Akara Junction) with FESTAC Town in Amuwo Odofin Local Council. One of the task force members of Amuwo Odofin Local Council, Mr. Femi Ogunsaya recalled that the incident happened around 8.30pm on Tuesday. “We were told that 24 people were inside the canoe. Six people escaped the mishap. We recovered 12 dead bodies on Tuesday night. Yesterday, we recovered another two. We were told that five people were still inside the water,” he said. He added that the deceased have been taken to the morgue (Ayinke House) at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Hospital LASUTH Ikeja. “Something like that has happened before around eight years ago. Then it was only one person that died. The local government tried to do something to it but the federal government refused. The local government wrote the state government to look into the issue of people dying here and the state government was ready to do something but the Federal Government said it was not the duty of the state government to do something about it, that they will look into it,” he said. He regretted that since then they have not done anything about it. “We are yet to apprehend the owner of the canoe. They were running this thing here illegally. The council has decided to seal up this place so that nobody can go in out. The council once locked up the place but they forced it open. They are going to lock up the place again,” he said. According to Ogunsanya, rather than going to Sixth Avenue by road, the people prefer to go there by canoe. “They believe that this place is shorter than that place. Here, they will enter canoe with N10 and they will get to where they are going faster. They prefer that to entering a FESTAC shuttle that would take them to the same place with N50. That is the cause of the mishap.” He recalled that the Chairman of the local council received a distress call and quickly came to the scene of the incident to sympathize with the people. “After everything happened he was here to take the people that were injured to hospital for proper treatment. Those that are dead they took them to General Hospital. To claim their body will be tomorrow (today),” he said. He added that it is only the state or Federal Government that can clean up the dirty water or construct a bridge to link up Festac with Sixth Avenue from Akara Junction. “What the local government can do is just to prevent people from entering this place. My advice is that people should stop risking their lives crossing the water with canoe,” he said. One of the security guards, Mr Paul Akhaton said that the canoe coming from 6th Avenue was overloaded. “It was overloaded. On getting to the centre of the canal, water was already entering the canoe. So five of the passengers who could swim jumped into the water and escaped before the canoe tumbled. It was around 10 pm when the divers came and recovered around 11 corpses. This morning again they removed another one making 12. One of the victims died on the way to the hospital. We are hoping that the

Igogo PHOTOS: LAOLU ADEYEMI AND DEBO OLADIMEJI

The canal

HE Kingdom of Light MinT istries (KLM) holds its anointing for breakthrough service on Saturday, March 15, at the corporate headquarters, 1-2, Ajoke Kazeem Street, off Subol Bus Stop, Idimu-Ikotun Road, Idimu, Lagos at 7.30a.m. Presiding/host pastor, Samson Makinwa and others will minister.

Seventh Day holds celebration service Some of the victims’ personal eﬀects

EVENTH Day Adventist SUtako, Church, Liberty Chapel, Abuja holds its cele-

Some of the survivors

divers will come around to remove the corpses,” he said. He added that nobody could ascertain the exact number of the people in the canoe. “We only relied on the information one of the survivors gave us. The divers discovered nine of the dead people in one spot, including two children from FESTAC Grammar School who were putting on their school uniforms.” One of the survivors, Mr. Joseph Essein, told The Guardian that he survived the mishap because he knew how to swim and that God saved him. “I only used the little swimming skills I had some years ago and God helped me,” he explained. According to Essein, a borehole engineer, the incident happened around 7.45 p.m. when people were returning from work at 6th Avenue. “I went to 6th Avenue together with my boss, Temisan Neme and a colleague, Sunday Adaayen, for a borehole water treatment job. My boss and I survived but my colleague-Adaayen drowned and died in the mishap. The parents of Adaayen are not taking it lightly with my boss because they live in the same compound.” When asked why they were many in such a small canoe, Essein replied: “People were just rushing home from work and the paddler did not stop them from entering. We were many to the extent that the paddler could not push the canoe from take-off

point (6th Avenue). In fact, the paddler requested for additional manpower to push the canoe into the canal. Unfortunately, the incident happened midway and passengers were left to their fate.” According to him, out of the 24 passengers that were on board the paddled canoe, seven escaped death because they knew how to swim. Another survivor, Samuel Ochinma, a driver, told The Guardian that he did not know how he managed to survive the mishap. “I didn’t know how to swim, I think God saved me. We were returning from our various work places before we met this waterloo.” He, however, disclosed that the paddler announced to them that the canoe had exceeded its 18-passenger capacity but people insisted on entering because they were all rushing home. Meanwhile the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi OkeOsanyintolu confirmed the recovery of 13 bodies. The NEMA official also disclosed that there were six survivors who have been taken to the hospital while rescue operation continues to recover the remaining five missing bodies. Meanwhile, a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Amuwo Odofin Local Council, Evang. Raphael Egunjobi, says “Amuwo Odofin Local Council yesterday de-

Kalu, the police had received a report of the kidnap of the N ingenious attempt by a victim and immediately desperate housewife, Mrs. commenced investigation Grace Obi, in the oil- city of and advised the comWarri, Delta State to make plainant, Mr. Jude Obi, the some cool cash from her hus- husband to play along with band by allegedly arranging the hoodlums who had her kidnap on Friday, March agreed to accept N1.5 million 7, has landed her in police as ransom. net. Mrs. Kalu added that conseAccording to the Delta State quently, a sum of N1.5 milPolice Command Police Rela- lion was given to a close tions Officer, Mrs. Celestina relation and confidant of the

victim, one Ogonna Onu of No. 4, Ikukum Ogene Layout, Ovwian and one Gift Erah by the distressed husband to deliver to the alleged kidnappers. The Delta Police spokesperson said that the two couriers went in a Toyota Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle marked SMK 370 AZ belonging to the victim to deliver the said ransom, leading to the release of the vic-

tim on March 9. She said at the Area Commander’s office, he ordered the search of the victim’s vehicle and surprisingly, the sum of N1, 189, 00.00 being part of the ransom money paid was carefully concealed in the spare tyre compartment of the vehicle, was recovered. She said: “As this was going on, Gift Erah ‘m’ and one Fred Akpvita ’m’ both tenants to

bration service on Saturday, March 15, 2014 between 9:30am and 12:30pm at the Civil Service Club (Main Hall), MabushiGwarinmpa Express Way, Abuja. Host is are Pastor Kayode Arigbede.

Restoration of Lost Glory at NJAC EW Jerusalem Apostolic N Church (NJAC) (Ibudo Iyanu) will hold a seven-day programme tagged; Restoration of Lost Glory at 8, Shorinola Atanda Avenue Orun Nkole Phase1, Mowe in Obafemi/Owode Local Council of Ogun State from Saturday, March 15 to Thursday, March 20 at 5.00p.m. daily. Friday, March 21, is vigil at 10.00p.m. Host is Pastor Matthew Ajani.

Health Technology school holds convocation

Wife fakes own kidnap to extort money from husband From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba

KLM’s anointing service

HE maiden convocation cerT emony of Ogun State College of Health Technology,

the complainant, realizing that the game was up, took to flight, while Ogonna Onu was arrested and he is currently undergoing investigation.” Preliminary investigation has revealed that the purported kidnap was stagemanaged by the victim and the suspects to obtain money from the complainant.” Mrs. Kalu assured that the police had intensified efforts

Ilese-Ijebu of Ogun State holds tomorrow at the College convocation ground at 10.00a.m. A release issued by the Chairman, Academic Ceremonies Committee, Dr. Olusegun Ogunyanwo, said: “A convocation lecture with the topic: “Improving The State of Health Service Delivery at Primary Level of Care through Quality Education and Training “ will be delivered today by Professor Akin Oshibogun, CMD, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos at 2.00p.m.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Another NYSC member dies in Kano From Murtala Muhammed, Kano XACTLY three weeks after a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Abbas Lawal, 26, graduate of Computer Science from Federal University of Technology, Minna, died of cholera in Kano, another death of a corps member, Paul Ishaku, has been recorded. Until his death, Paul Ishaku, 30, a graduate of Biology/ Education from the University of Maiduguri, was serving in the same Government Girls’ College and stayed in the same Corpers Lodge with the late Abbas. Although the misery surrounding the death of the Borno-born Paul Ishaku, this time, could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, another NYSC member in that same lodge confirmed that he died last Friday at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, three days after he was found vomiting in his room and was rushed to the hospital. Again, the NYSC management in Kano confirmed the

Briefs Church hold crusade LL is set for Holy Fire A Evangelical Church’s five-day Crusade with the theme: “Healing From Above” from Thursday, March 27 to Monday, March 31, 2014 at 5.00pm daily at its international headquarters, along Plot 1, Ogudu Phase2 opposite MRS. Nigeria Plc., Estate Bus Stop, Alapere, Lagos. Host is Rev. Edward Benson.

Leadership clinic at First Baptist Church HE Men’s Missionary T Union of Lagos West Baptist Conference will on Saturday, March 15, hold its Leadership Clinic, with the theme: Dynamics of team leadership for breaking records and taking territories at First Baptist Church, Ikeja, Lagos at 9.00a.m. Rev. Kayode Opadeji will minster. It will be hosted by the Anointed Generation Baptist Association.

JCI Metropolitan holds Leadership lecture UNIOR Chamber InternaJitan, tional (JCI) Lagos Metropolthe first chapter of the Junior Chamber International in Nigeria, will on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Eko Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos hold its yearly leadership lecture with the theme Economic Justice, free men and free enterprise: A digital perspective. The event will have Mr. Nicholas Okoye, president and founder of Anabel group and initiator of Nigeria Leadership Summit as speaker. The event, which is held yearly is in honour of the founder of the JCI in Nigeria, Otunba Bola Adewunmi. This is the first edition in memory of the founder, died last year. The President, Mr. Olugbenga Adeleye stated that ‘Lagos Metropolitan seeks to continually provide leadership for JCI chapters in Nigeria, budding entrepreneurs and business executives and to constantly provide platforms for stimulating and engaging discourse. The choice of Mr. Nicholas Okoye as our speaker for the year speaks volume and it was a unanimous decision bearing in mind what he represents.

death in the same lodge but maintained the circumstances surrounding the death was natural. His roommate at the lodge, Festus Akila, who narrated the development, told The Guardian that Paul had been complaining of malaria before the fateful Tuesday evening before the situation got worse and he was rushed to AKTH. “I can still remember that two days before he was taken to the hospital, Paul was complaining of malaria and he told us he went to the hospital to see the doctor. But on the evening of Tuesday, February 4, many of us had gone to bed when I heard someone shouting “Jesus! Jesus! in the lodge.” When I came out, I met some of our colleagues. We realized it was Paul. Immediately, we forced his door open and we found him vomiting and still shouting, Jesus!” Festus narrated. Festus continued:” Although

Paul insisted we should take him to a church as he continued to shout Jesus, we decided to take him to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. ” “Although none of the doctors was specific about the kind of sickness diagnosed, one of the doctors told us Paul was suffering from malaria and typhoid. But that very Friday he died, another doctor in the same hospital said he had Tuberculosis (TB)”. Investigations revealed that seven out of the 14 NYSC members residing in the GCC Corpers’ Lodge had vacated the place out of fear. The NYSC members lamented total neglect of the lodge by the school’s management after series of complaints. “ Although the Kano State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Abdulrasheed Sanusi, was not specific on circumstances leading to Paul’s death, he maintained that the Batch B 2013 corps member was suffering from

an undisclosed sickness. “The most painful thing is for another NYSC member to die. We are very sad. We know that death is natural and can come at any time, but we are also aware that the Paul had a medical condition that his parents knew about.” Sanusi further explained that nobody could say the corps members died of cholera because they were not the only persons in the lodge. “We have also spoken with the school management and I believe they are working hard to provide better accommodation. As I speak now, the principal has vacated his own apartment for the corps members. We are very mindful of the security and safety of the NYSC members.” Abbas Lawal, a close friend of Paul Ishaku, died of cholera in same Corpers’ Lodge where 16 members of the NYSC use a single toilet. Paul’s remains has been

Brief Original inhabitants inaugurate chiefdom coordinators By Itunu Ajayi, Abuja bid to speak in one voice in the struggle for recognition by ICityNtheits(FCT) Federal Government as the aborigines of the Federal Capital and promote cultural values and norms, the Original Inhabitants Development Association has inaugurated 13 chiefdom coordinators. Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja at the weekend, the President of the association, Danladi Jeji, said that the desire of the Federal Government to do away with nine out of the hundreds of ethnic groups in the country, is wrong, adding that the government cannot deny the existence of the group. He said the group, which is non- political, had its origin in the Federal Capital Territory, before the Justice Akinola Aguda- led committee that recommended FCT as the capital of Nigeria, was ever constituted. The group insisted that it would not have any deal with the FCT administration on the land swap issue unless 30 per cent of the land in Abuja is conceded to its original owners. It would be recalled that the group had earlier withdrawn from the committee constituted by the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, alleging insincerity of government and that its interest was not respected. However, the group maintained that its withdrawal from the committee does not indicate that it would stop the minister from going ahead with the land swap programme, adding that at an appropriate time, things would be sorted out. Jeji said the newly constituted chiefdom coordinators’ terms of reference include: “Coordinating the communities in their chiefdom, development of the association’s issues, ranging from registration and membership drive and ensuring accountability,

20 Thursday, March 13, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BUSINESS

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Business OPEC’s oil production rises, Nigeria’s volume up by 8.9bpd By Roseline Okere HE Organisation of T Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) produced an average of 30.12 million barrels per day of crude oil production in the month of February. OPEC, which made this disclosure in its March monthly report released yesterday,

disclosed that crude oil production increased by 259 thousand barrels per day (bpd) over the previous month. The group stated that crude oil output increased mainly from Nigeria, Iraq, Angola, and Iran. Specifically, Nigeria’s crude oil production increased by 8.9 barrels per day in February.

World oil demand growth was revised upward by 70 tbpd to stand at 1.05 mbpd over the previous year, following an improvement in Americas oil consumption as well as an upward adjustment in Africa. OPEC said global demand will rise by 1.14 million barrels per day (bpd) this year, up from 50,000 bpd from its

previous forecast. It also raised the 2014 projection for global demand for OPEC’s crude. “While many challenges remain, the expected improvement in the global economy is also resulting in higher oil demand,” OPEC said. OPEC cited further signs of strong oil demand in the

Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Adebowale Adefuye (right); United States Trade Representative, Florizelle Liser; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, at the eighth Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) meeting, in Washington, DC, United States, on Monday.

Nation’s active phone lines hit 127m By Adeyemi Adepetun ROM about 400,000 teleFmoribund phone lines provided by Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) in 2000, the country, as at the end of last year, now has 127 million active phone subscriptions. Indeed, the latest subscriber statistics, the December edition, released yesterday, by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), showed that the country connected 169 million telephone lines covering the GSM, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator and Fixed wired/wireless lines technologies, out of which 127 million were currently active by end of Decmber. Meanwhile, in the Mobile Number Porting scheme, launched on April 22, 2013 by NCC, about 45,101 subscribers exchanged mobile operators in quarter four of 2013. Further breakdown of the statistics showed that the quartet of GSM operators including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat connected 159 million lines with 124 million active. The CDMA,

• Teledensity hits 91.2%, connected lines now 169m • 45,101 subscribers exchange operators through MNP in Q4 whose fortunes plummeted in the last five years, sustained a downward trend with a connection of 7.6 million lines, while only 2.4 million lines remained active. The fixed wired/wireless operators connected 2.3 million lines with only 360,537 lines left active. Besides, Nigeria saw a growth in its teledensity, from 81.7 per cent in January 2013 to 91.1 per cent by the end of the year under review. Telephone density or teledensity is the number of telephone connections for every hundred individuals living within an area. It varies widely across the nations and also between urban and rural areas within a country. Analysts said that telephone density has significant correlation with the per capita GDP of the area, adding that it is also used as an indicator of economic development of the country or specific region. Going further, the statistics showed that telecommuni-

cations operators’ total installed capacity, which was 226.6 million by January 2013 went up to about 248.4 million by the end of the year. It could also be deduced from the statistics that MTN Nigeria, which recently reported revenues of N794 billion in 2013 and paid N1.23 trillion to government as taxes in the last 13 years, remained the largest mobile operator in the country, with over 56 million subscribers and 45 per cent market share. Globacom, owned by oil magnate, Otunba Mike Adenuga, followed with 21 per cent market share and over 25 million subscription; Airtel, with 24.8 million subscription controls 20 per cent of the market. Etisalat, after five years of operations in the country has about 18 million subscribers and 14 per cent market share. The MNP statistics showed that in October, 8,105 subscribers ported out; 7,830 in November and 5,850 in December.

In terms of porting in, 8, 112; 8, 242 and 6,962 subscribers ported into the networks in October, November and December respectively of the period under review. The statistics further showed that within the period, Airtel, which gained 9,919 subscribers, lost 3,650 subscribers to other networks; Etisalat gained 8,373 and lost 2,756 subscriptions; Globacom, which lost 3,383, gained 2787 subscribers and MTN, with 11,996 subscription loss, gained 2,777 subscribers. The CDMA operators, including Visafone; Multilinks; Starcomms and Mtel, which started the year with about 14 million subscriptions lost about 6.35 million connected lines to end the year with 7.6 million. Meanwhile, GSM operators started the year with 138 million connected lines and 111 million active users. The statistics further showed that the GSM (mobile) technology takes 97.83 per cent of the market, while mobile (CDMA) controls 1.88 per cent and the Fixed (Wired/Wireless) has 0.29 per cent market acceptance.

world’s top consumer, the United States, as well as a stabilising rate of demand contraction in Europe - where oil use has been held back for years by weak economies. The group also sees an increasing chance of slowdown in emerging economies - the source of much of the world’s oil demand growth. “This rising risk of a slowdown in growth in the emerging economies has been mirrored in the foreign exchange markets in recent months. Recent developments in Ukraine have added to this year’s growth risk,” OPEC said. OPEC expects the demand for crude pumped by its 12 members to average 29.70 million bpd, up 100,000 bpd from last month’s report. While OPEC will welcome signs of higher demand for its crude, its market share is still under pressure from rising supplies of non-OPEC oil, such as U.S. shale. OPEC’s 2014 supply and demand figures point to a 420,00 bpd build-up in global inventories should OPEC keep pumping at February’s rate. Total Developing Countries’ (DCs’) oil output saw a downward revision by 30 tbpd from the last to reach 12.11 mbpd. Total DC oil supply is projected to grow by 0.24 mbpd to average 12.37 mbpd in 2014, unchanged from the previous month. This growth is mainly supported by Latin America and Africa, with a minor increase in Middle East, while Other

Asia’s supply is expected to drop this year. Growth in 2014 is foreseen after a significant decline in 2013, which occurred mainly due to political, technical and weather factors. Africa’s oil supply is projected to average 2.42 mbpd in 2013, an increase of 0.11 mbpd from the previous year and unchanged from the previous monthly report. On a quarterly basis, the region’s liquids supply in 2013 registered an average of 2.29 mbpd, 2.40 mbpd, 2.44 mbpd and 2.53 mbpd, respectively. The current year’s supply is expected to grow by 0.10 mbpd to average 2.51 mbpd, with an upward revision of 20 tbpd compared with last month’s forecast. On a quarterly basis, Africa’s oil supply in 2014 is expected to average 2.53 mbpd, 2.51 mbpd, 2.51 mbpd and 2.51 mbpd, respectively. Uganda has finalized negotiations on main commercial agreements with international oil companies for development of the Lake Albert Basin. The country’s production is expected to build to 0.22 mbpd based on recoverable reserves of 1.7 billion barrels. It is expected first oil production and exports will start by 2019 using a pipeline that will connect South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya.

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Uduaghan woos investors to Nigeria’s economy ITH the deepening of the privatization of state W enterprises and investment

in the development of critical infrastructure, Nigeria now offers the best destination for investments in Africa, Delta Dr. governor, State Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has said. Speaking in London where British addressed he investors at the Institute of Directors (IOD), Uduaghan said the Nigerian government has effected a paradigm shift from reliance on crude oil as the driver of the According to economy. him, investment in power sector, agriculture and manufacturing offer investors new vistas with yields that may not be obtainable anywhere else. He spoke in a keynote speech at an event marking the Commonwealth Day Observance Service and the Nigerian Centenary celebration on Tuesday in London and asked British investors looking to invest in Africa to come to Nigeria. He said: “There are strong reasons for anyone to invest in Nigeria at this time, because the country is a haven for profitable investment. “There is a bright future for Nigeria in terms of investment. The environment is right and is truly a destination for those investors heading to Africa.” Uduaghan, who spoke on “Perspectives on Sustainable Development in Nigeria’s

Delta: The Delta Beyond Oil Initiative” said while oil remained a major resource, “we recognise its finite characteristic and that dependence on it in the way we have done, since it started to create wealth in the country would deny us other opportunities. In a press release issued in London by the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, who accompanied Uduaghan on the investment drive, the governor illustrated the concept of his Delta Beyond Oil initiative which has become a template for the transformation

of Nigeria’s economy. The initiative is designed to harness the potentials in other sectors of the economy to boost agriculture, boost small and medium scale enterprises and create employment. “We know that examples abound around the world of countries that have tapped mainly human endowment to jump to the front ranks of societies in the world. The concept of Delta Beyond Oil was harnessed to mobilise the citizens, statesmen, lawmakers, civil servants, college professors, students, professionals, farmers and artisans that oil and gas may

be good for now, but the future belongs elsewhere in the powers of the mind to generate wealth and wellbeing for ourselves and generations to come.” Uduaghan said his government is providing enabling environment for investment in Delta State by focusing on infrastructure and human capital development as well as peace and security. He told British investors at the meeting that the federal government has been of tremendous support to the state as part of a drive to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the country as a whole.

Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Muda Yusuf (left); Paulette Van Trier of the Nigerian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce; President, LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, and the Ambassador of Belgium to Nigeria, Dirk Verheyen, during the visit of the envoy to the Lagos chamber, yesterday.

Bitflux pays additional N155m for WWASL licence By Adeyemi Adepetun and Bankole Orimisan FTER successfully paying the $23.25 million (N3.63 A billion) for the 2.3GHz spectrum licenses on Tuesday, Bitflux Communications Limited, yesterday, informed that it has equally paid the N155 million additional fees for the Wholsesale Wireless Access Service License (WWASL) as required by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The addition of the N155 million brings the total amount paid by the firm to N3.785 bil-

lion for the two licenses 2.3GHz Spectrum Licence and for WWASL. Although Bitflux was given ultimatum of 14 business days to pay for the 2.3GHz spectrum licence it won penultimate week through an auction process organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), it was however told to pay another N155 million for the WWASL licence, which it must acquire along side the 2.3GHz spectrum licence it won through a bidding process. Bitflux was asked to pay the additional N155 million with-

in 30 days from the date of payment of the $23.251 million, but to the surprise of industry stakeholders, the firm did not only meet the deadline for the payment of the 2.3GHz licence, it also went ahead to pay the additional N155 million the same day, bringing it to a total of N3.785 billion that it paid for both licences. Marketing Communications Manager at VDT Communications, David Ese confirmed that the company, apart from paying the spectrum fees, it has equally paid the N155 million for the

WWASL licence. Bitflux is a consortium of VDT Communications Ltd, Bitcom Systems Ltd and Superflux International Ltd. “The Bitflux consortium led by the Managing Director of VDT Communications Limited Biodun Omoniyi, and the Managing Director of Superflux International Limited, Tokunbo Talabi, successfully paid the N3.785 billion being the full payment of the spectrum 2.3GHz license and N155million, being the full payment of the Wholesale Wireless Access Service License (WWASL).

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Appointments NIEEE advocates women’s involvement in engineering By Roseline Okere HE Nigerian Institution of T Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), Lagos Chapter, has called for the need for female engineers to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that about in the engineering field. The stakeholders, who gathered in Lagos at the weekend to celebrate female engineers in the country, stressed the need to encourage the girl child to choose careers, which were hitherto reserved for male students. The chapter Chairman, Akan Michael stressed the need for the country’s female engineers be celebrated and the girl child be encouraged to choose any career of her choice as there is no career exclusivity anymore. He added that women have made enormous progress after the Beijing Conference was convened on

women by the United Nations in 1995. The Mother-of-the-day, Nwakego Ojukwu also emphasised on the need for young women to be bold and take advantage of the numerous opportunities that abound in the engineering fields and excel. She recalled that the limitations and barriers that existed in her time have been broken and that female engineers today are chief executive officers of well established and known engineering production and service companies such as MainOne Cable Company, Omatek Computers and the likes. The chairman of Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos Chapter, Nimot Muili appealed to the institution to go out there and talk to the young ones in schools and colleges and counsel them on career CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Managing Director, Wemabod Estates Limited, Olumide Ologun, Group Managing Director Odu’a Investment Company, Adebayo Jimoh and Chief Operating Officer, Poise Nigeria, Mrs Mavi Isibor at 2014 Retreat for the Staff of Wemabod Estates in Lagos.

Cleric tasks govt on poverty alleviation From Niyi Bello, Akure ATHER than depending R solely on bureaucratic and political machineries to actualise policies aimed at impacting on the people especially in the areas of youth empowerment and poverty alleviation, governments across levels have been urged to avail themselves of the use of established institutions to carry out these programmes. The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who made this known in Akure, Ondo State capital at the weekend, said there are many social and religious institutions that governments could use as channels to implement policies that deal directly with the people. The cleric, who spoke at a press conference to herald this year’s Lenten Season, an annual programme of the Catholic Church to sensitise its adherents and the society at large on how to use the period to address specific issues facing the human race, said religious institutions are best placed to reach out to the people who are supposed to be the utmost beneficiaries of these programmes. He said government would record great success if it had involved the church and other institutions with the population as members and focus, in poverty alleviation programmes because their followers would benefit immensely.

According to Arogundade, “such institutions like the Catholic Church already have well laid out structures that have been used over the years to reach out to the people, not just its members, particularly in areas of poverty alleviation. “For instance, government can use our time-tested structure to reach out to beneficiaries instead of going through their own system that is often hampered by bureaucracy, partisan politics and other factors.” The programme is aimed at using the month of fasting and piety to spare a thought for the downtrodden in the society by channelling resources towards alleviating the pains of the vulnerable groups in the society. The cleric said, “the church has been involved in poverty alleviation before government started its own. In parishes all over, we have people, who take care of the poor. This Lenten season is an opportunity to re-awaken that.” With this year’s theme of “Eradicating Poverty: The Right to Food,” which the cleric said is in line with the global anti-poverty and antihunger campaign on “One Human Family Without Hunger and Without Poverty,” the church urged Diocesan institutions “to firm up their interventions in the area of food security.” Arogundade, who was flanked at the press conference by other clerics of the church also urged the

Federal Government to intensify efforts at getting to the roots of the Boko Haram insurgency especially now that the terrorists group has increased its blood-letting activities in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. He described the entire security situation, which has put the entire North Eastern axis in extreme situation of insecurity as “confusing,” saying it is time that government deploys all available resources to get to know the reason for the insurgency. Stressing that “presently, nobody knows the motive behind the attacks of these insurgents on the Nigerian nation”, the cleric said, “initially, they said they wanted to Islamise the country but recently, they have carried out attacks even on the Muslim population. We don’t know their motive since it is obviously not religious. In the last attacks they carried out, about ninety per cent of their victims were Muslims. So the question must be asked, what really do they want? “Look at the attacks on the school children, who were murdered in their sleep. The lowest any human being can descend is to kill children and women. The action rubbishes the dignity of the human spirit. Even in war time, nobody kills women and children. You don’t even kill a soldier that surrendered. These insurgents are no longer human beings so we must ask them what they want.”

Protests in Edo over NDDC nominee From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

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APPOINTMENTS Thursday, March 13, 2014

CTIVITIES around the project sites of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Edo have been grounded in the last five months as a result of the inability of the state to produce a nominee in the board of the commission. As at the last count, different persons and interest groups to the senate for clearance have nominated four names. The state Governor, Adams Oshiomole wants Henry Okhuarobo returned having performed creditably in the last term, but the senator representing Edo South, Ehigie Uzamere, who ordinarily would facilitate the clearance of the governor being from the oil producing area of the state nominated his Personal Assistant, Peter Enogieru while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) want the president to approve either Osahon Ahunwan or Chris Nehikhare. But the non clearance of a nominee led to protest by some youths since last week that vowed to continue the protests until a nominee is picked. For the second time, they locked up the Benin office of the Commission along Murtala Muhammed Way insisting that the political gladiators must bury their personal interests for the sake of the people. The youths in their hundreds under the name Youths for Good Governance, carried various placards of various inscriptions including some

that accused Senator Ehigie Uzamere of working at cross purposes with the state governor. They said the issue was impeding development in the oil producing communities in Edo South. They appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to jettison the politics of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and appoint Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s nominee in the NDDC board. “President Jonathan respect Edo people and give us NDDC Rep,” “Uzamere dont destroy NDDC in Edo because of your selfish interest,” “Mr. President stop playing PDP politics and respect Oshiomhole’s nominee” where some of the inscriptions in the placards. The leader of the group Jessy Osaro-Iyamu said they had issued a two-week ultimatum to both the Federal Government and Governor Oshiomhole, seeking early resolution by the stakeholders on the choice of the state NDDC commissioner in order not to destroy the laudable projects embarked upon by the Commission in the state. “We heard that there is disagreement between Governor Oshiomhole and Senator Uzamere on the issue and that is why the President has not appointed Edo NDDC commissioner. But our argument is that because of the refusal of the Federal Government to appoint Edo NDDC commissioner, money meant for development and youth empowerment has been put on hold as a result of the vacu-

Chinese envoy pledges more investment, job creation By Wole Oyebade EW Consular General of Republic of China to Nigeria, Liu Kan has promised to facilitate more Chinese investments and employment opportunities into the country. The gesture, according to Kan, is part of efforts to enhance partnership between the two countries. The consular general said this during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa at the Weekend. Discussing with members of the state Assembly, led by the Speaker, Kan said he would like to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor and that would

include continue investment to create jobs for the populace. He said, “Mr. Speaker, we are pleased to come to Nigeria for investment, to create jobs for the local community and we would facilitate Chinese investment in this country,” Kan assured. The consular general expressed satisfaction for being in Nigeria, adding that the work had been encouraging since he resumed two months ago. Welcoming the guests earlier, Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji said one of the ways to deepen partnership between the two counties would be in the area of promoting local content

and technology transfer, adding that Nigeria would have a lot to learn from China in that process. While he appreciated efforts of the Chinese government and their investors in Nigeria, Ikuforiji said, “We need to continue to encourage local content and transfer of technology, that is the only way the cordial relationship will be mutually beneficial.” The speaker observed that in terms of culture, Nigeria and China already have similarity traits. Ikuforiji noted that the two countries were known for their hospitality and respect of elders. He said it was commendable that China has not rele-

NIEEE seeks women’s participation in engineering profession CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 paths. She maintained that engineering profession is gender friendly and that the door is opened for anyone to come in and make his or her contributions. In her paper presentation, titled: Facility Management as a Tool for Development in Nigeria, the guest speaker, who is the Chairman, Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Yetunde Holloway agreed

with the need to celebrate the female engineers and also stressed the import of facility management as the nation continue to expand on its infrastructure. She observed that there must be effective collaborations between necessary parties- clients, professionals and government and that government and private sector need to recognise the role facility management plays in ensuring sustainable development of infrastructure.

She advocated that facility managers should be involved in procurement or bidding processes, so that planned and preventive costs are part and parcel of the process. She added that professionals in the built environment should be encouraged to acquire Facility Management skills to ensure that as the infrastructure gap is being filled, the new developments remain viable and fit for use over their intended life span.

gated the culture to the background despite advances in technology and leading economy in the world.

Nasin bags gold service award HE Centre for Democratic T Governance in African (CDGA), will honour the National President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji NAajeem Usman Nasin, with Africa Distinguished Gold Service Award A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity the Center, Stephen Udokporo, said, having watched closely the new innovation and creativity introduced by Nasin in the making NURTW a better organisation in the country it would not be out of place to appreciate him. “We are experiencing a great change in our transport sector in the country which is playing good governance in Africa and Nigeria in particular. This is the reason the CDGA is out to encourage Nigerians and Africans in their various endeavors to see that they contribute their quota in ensuring good governance in Nigeria and the continent

Thursday, March 13, 2014 APPOINTMENT 29

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Oteh rallies support for women empowerment From Anthony Otaru, Abuja IRECTOR General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, has solicited for women economic empowerment to enable them make positive contributions to the nation’s economy. Speaking at the First Quarter Learning Series and celebration of the International Women’s Day in Abuja, the DG said that SEC was determined to see women achieve economic empowerment while emphasizing the need for all to celebrate the critical role of women in nurturing children. Comenting on the theme: “Inspiring Change for Women’s Economic Empowerment”, Oteh said that women all over the world were faced with societal realities that threaten to limit their achievements and prevent them from attaining their expected potentials, adding that poor access to finance was the major challenge facing them. She regretted that women were often charged higher interest rate when they eventually access loans. According to a World Bank report on ‘Investment Climate in Nigeria’, about 76 per cent of women rely on informal sources of funds and savings. “This is in sharp contrast to about one per cent that obtained capital from the formal sector. Many other surveys reported women being denied bank loans in high numbers,’’ She stated further that women are also discriminated against by some traditional customs, which continued to prevent them from inheriting land and properties of their husbands. ``Women face discriminatory customary practice in inheriting lands and properties. In Nigeria, although

Institution to reward engineers N recognition of their Idevelopment contributions to the of electrical engineering practice in the country, the Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE) has concluded plans to honour deserving members to such end. Scheduled to hold at its yearly awards, dinner and fundraising ceremony in Jos on Friday, March 14, 2014, the Jos Chapter of the institution in a statement noted that the move was to encourage increased contributions of its members to the society. The Chapter’s chairman, Barnabas Gwaivangmin explained that it was necessary to reward selfless contributions of members to the growth of the profession and the society. Some of the awards to be conferred on members include the distinguished awards, merit awards, engineering service awards among others.

women make up between 60 and 70 per cent of the rural workforce, they are five times less likely to own land than men,’’ she explained. In her remarks, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Viola Onwuliri, said that a world without full potentials for women is a limping world. Onwuliri therefore, called on Nigerian men to note that equality with women is never a rivalry but partnership. She however, appealed to the menfolk that women should be given the opportunity to make the world a better place. Also speaking, the Chairman, Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST), Mrs Ngozi Chianakwalam, said that globally, decision-making spaces for women’s human rights have continued to dwindle, whereas gender equality remains a mirage. Chianakwalam said that the

Women face discriminatory customary practice in inheriting lands and properties. In Nigeria, although women make up between 60 and 70 per cent of the rural workforce, they are five times less likely to own land than men International Women’s Day affords a platform for the needed re-awakening among them to appraise their fate, hopes and aspirations. She noted that women were not in equal numbers in business, politics, education and health.with their male counterparts. The Chairman, Guild of Medical Directors, Dr Ejike Oji disclosed that 60 per cent of peasant farmers were women. In her contributions, the Managing Director of Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Evelyn

Oputu, called on women to learn the culture of savings and recording all incomes that come to them. In her view, excess spending does not allow women to save and this affect their ability to excel in their various businesses. “You have to prepare from today, record what you have and how you spend the money. For being a businessperson alone, you already have access to funds but your need will only be recognized by the records you have,’’ she advised.

Oteh

30 APPOINTMENT Thursday, March 13, 2014

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Mass sack imminent in ALSCON From Anietie Akpam, Calabar ASS retrenchment is M imminent in Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria

(ALSCON) as crisis hit the global aluminium industry. This current mass sack is coming on the heels of recent sweeping changes in ALSCON as a new acting managing director and senior managers were appointed. Currently the company runs a total staff strength of about 350 but given recent challenges facing the company, it is feared that more than half of that figure which are mostly Nigerians will be affected. Details of the total staff members on the sack list was not given by the company but sources said that no fewer than 200 workers would be affected and from all indications this may be a gradual process of RUSAL shutting down business in Nigeria. However, a statement dated March 7, 2014 and signed by the Managing Director of ALSCON, Stanislav Kruglyashov, said that the current sack process was “due to the crisis in the aluminium industry, further disruption in gas supply to ALSCON and noncompletion of ALSCON’s connections to the national grid.” He said as a result, “the management of the smelter is taking further steps aimed at minimising losses while aluminium production at the smelter is suspended. “Among others, such measures include further optimisation of pay roll which foresees the lay off as part of the currently employed at ALSCON.

ALSCON will provide employees being affected with compensation benefits exceeding the level in accordance with the Nigerian law.” ALSCON is part of United Company RUSAL, which has been working in Nigeria in the last seven years and during the time has proved itself a conscientious investor. He said, “at present, ALSCON is facing exceptionally tough market conditions and executing a production cuts programme approved by the Board of Directors of RUSAL in 2013, aimed at reduction of costs and minimisation of losses. “So far within the framework of this programmme, the programme has reduced aluminium production at its less efficient smelters across its territory of operations including mothballing of smelter operations at five smelters in Russia and at ALSCON in Nigeria.” In October last year, RUSAL, had threatened a total shut down its operations in Nigeria as it suffers $60 million losses following six lengthy disruptions in gas supply. A statement by the then Director, Public and Government Relations, Mrs. Tatyana Smirnova expressed regret, “lack of reliable gas supply has turned to become the main obstacle to the development of ALSCON since the restart of production in 2008 and ALSCON has suffered six lengthy disruptions in gas supply which resulted in complete stoppage of aluminium production losses of about $60 million and long rehabilitation periods.”

President of Customer Service Practitioners Association (CUSPA), Mrs. Uloma Umeano (left); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, InfoSoft Limited, and Chairman Bouygues Board of Trustees, Pius Okigbo Jr, and Project Manager of CUSPA, Mrs. Isedua Obiodiaka, during a courtesy visit by a team of CUSPA Executives to Infosoft Limited in Lagos.

Foundation tasks govt on women, youth empowerment From-Charles Akpeji, Jalingo HE need for all the three T tiers of government to adequately empower women and youth as well as integrate them in governance has become a source of concern to the DSK Foundation. If well empower and effectively integrated in governance, the step, as noticed by the founder of the Foundation, Chief David Sabo Kente, would go a long way in motivating the women and the youths to contribute their quotas to the rapid growth of the country.

Kente who made this known yesterday through a press statement made available to journalists in Taraba state through his principal media officer, Levinus Sain Kaior, facilitating with the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan on the occasion of the International Women’s day noted that “Only by doing this that the much talked about gender equality can be achieved.” Pleased by the tremendous achievements so far recorded by the first lady especially in

the areas of heralding peace and unity as well as empowering women and making them relevant in the present government, the need for all well placed women to take cure from Dame, he believed can no longer be overemphasized. The Foundation, which has, being at the forefront of demonstrating love for the less privileges in the nooks and crannies of the country, as observed by The Guardian recently saved the lives of over 300 prisoners in Jalingo prisoners. The prisoners who would

have been compelled to the world beyond due to various ailments and government lukewarm attitudes towards making relevant drugs and other facilities available to the prisoners recently halved signs of relief following the intervention of the founder of the DSK Foundation. Several items, which include a whopping sum of cash for the purchase of the much needed prescribed drugs, as noticed by The Guardian, was made available to the Deputy Comptroller of the prison, Magaji Jatau by the Foundation.

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ScienceGuardian ASTRONOMY With J.K. Obatala

Stars, planets, clusters herald dry season (9) HOSE of us using unaidT ed eye, cannot actually see the shell of material sur-

Artist’s illustration of bacteria (stock image). New research shows that the commonly found bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris can use natural conductivity to pull electrons from minerals located deep in soil and sediment while remaining at the surface, where they absorb the sunlight needed to produce energy. PHOTO: abhijith3747 / Fotolia

Scientists generate electricity from bacterial spores By Chukwuma Muanya with agency reports ESEARCHERS have made R three new major advances in the use of bacterial spores

to generate renewable electricity. Also, researchers have shown that the commonly found bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris can use natural conductivity to pull electrons from minerals located remotely in soil and sediment while remaining at the surface, where they absorb the sunlight needed to produce energy. Scientists have also explored the relationships of two important bacterial forms, demonstrating their ability to produce electricity by co-ordinating their metabolic activities. In the first study published in Nature Nanotechnology, scientists discovered that with mighty bursts of rehydration, bacterial spores offer a new source of renewable energy. Biophysicist, Ozgur Sahin at Columbia University, United States, has found that Bacillus spores quickly shrivel in dry times and bloat with a blast of humidity; and that the transitions, which take about half a second, pack a powerful punch that could translate to usable energy. By smearing spores onto a flat piece of rubber about the length of a human hand, Sahin and his colleagues developed a spore-powered generator. In arid conditions, parched spores pull the rubber into a curve, while wafts

of wet air plump up spores and spring it flat again. The team linked the rubber to an electromagnetic generator, so that every flex produced an electric current. By weight, spore power rivaled the juice in a car battery, Sahin and colleagues report in Nature Nanotechnology. Since the spores tote such a high-energy potential- more than 1,000 times that of mammalian muscle- Sahin and colleagues say energyharvesting devices based on the dormant dynamos could be linked into municipal grids to contribute a power boost to homes and cities. Also, there have been plenty of fad diets that captured

the public’s imagination over the years, but Harvard scientists have identified what may be the strangest of them all- sunlight and electricity. Led by Peter Girguis, the John L. Loeb associate professor of the Natural Sciences, and Arpita Bose, a post-doctoral fellow in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, a team of researchers showed that the commonly found bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris can use natural conductivity to pull electrons from minerals located deep in soil and sediment while remaining at the surface, where they absorb the sunlight needed to produce energy.

The study is described in Nature Communications. “When you think about electricity and living organisms, most people default to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, but we’ve long understood that all organisms actually use electrons — what constitutes electricity- to do work,” Girguis said. “At the heart of this paper is a process called extracellular electron transfer (EET), which involves moving electrons in and out of cells. What we were able to show is that these microbes take up electricity, which goes into their central metabolism, and we were able to describe some of the systems that are involved in that process.”

Gene-editing method tackles HIV in first clinical test • Enzymes alter immune cells with no apparent side effects CLINICAL trial has shown A that a gene-editing technique can be safe and effective in humans. For the first time, researchers used enzymes called zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) to target and destroy a gene in the immune cells of 12 people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), increasing their resistance to the virus. The findings are published March 5, 2014 in The New England Journal of Medicine. “This is the first major advance in HIV gene therapy since it was demonstrated that the ‘Berlin patient’ Timothy Brown was free of HIV,” says John Rossi, a molecular biologist at the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope National Medical

Center in Duarte, California. In 2008, researchers reported that Brown gained the ability to control his HIV infection after they treated him with donor bone-marrow stem cells that carried a mutation in a gene called CCR5. Most HIV strains use a protein encoded by CCR5 as a gateway into the T cells of a host’s immune system. People, who carry a mutated version of the gene, including Brown’s donor, are resistant to HIV. But similar treatment is not feasible for most people with HIV: it is invasive, and the body is likely to attack the donor cells. So a team led by Carl June and Pablo Tebas, immunologists at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, sought to create

the beneficial CCR5 mutation in a person’s own cells, using targeted gene editing. Personalised medicine The researchers drew blood from 12 people with HIV who had been taking antiretroviral drugs to keep the virus in check. After culturing blood cells from each participant, the team used a commercially available ZFN to target the CCR5 gene in those cells. The treatment succeeded in disrupting the gene in about 25 per cent of each participant’s cultured cells; the researchers then transfused all of the cultured cells into the participants. After treatment, all had elevated levels of T cells in their blood, suggesting that the virus was less capable of destroying them.

rounding Rigel. Nevertheless, it is well that we know the structure is there—to deepen our understanding of stellar evolution and enhance our appreciation of the prominent, everyday objects in the eastern. Teachers and lecturers in particular, ought to be profoundly aware that the existence a shell of cosmic gas and dust around Rigel signifies an unending process, which astronomers call “astration.” Astration, the recycling of stellar material, is of primal importance to the evolution life in the universe. We’ll pick up on this theme again shortly, in connection with Betelgeuse. But before we bid Rigel “Goodbye,” let me quickly explain, with the help of Wikipedia, how the shells are created—since astronomers see them as important time indicators, similar to rings in the trunks of some trees. The expelled gas is present, the encyclopedia notes, because “when a red giant becomes a blue giant, the slow stellar winds of the former red giant are compressed by the faster winds of the blue giant, therefore creating a shell.” We now venture to Betelgeuse, the very visible red supergiant in the upper left corner of the box-like enclosure- the dazzling core of Orion constellation. In Western lore, Orion is a mythical Hunter and Betelgeuse is conceived as his shoulder. One thing you can be very sure of, when you step outside and look up at Betelgeuse, you’ll have lots of company. Astronomer around the world, using both terrestrial and orbiting telescopes, are carefully monitoring the Sun’s brilliant neighbor- one of the biggest and brightest stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. Betelgeuse is worthy of attention for many reason. From our vantage point, as amateur astronomers and recreational observers, it is not only easy to find but its rich red hue is also pleasing to our aesthetic senses. At 425 to 450 light years distance, Betelgeuse is one of the closest super-giants to us. But that’s just one reason it shines brightly in the sky. The other is its size. Betelgeuse is a very big object, much larger than the uninitiated mind can imagine: 600 times the size of our Sun! Just to give you an idea of

what this means, in bulk terms, imagine that, by some feat of cosmic juju, someone removed the Sun and placed Betelgeuse at the centre of our solar system instead. That would be the end of us—because this supergiant star would extend almost to the orbit of Jupiter, engulfing Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and, perhaps, most of the asteroid belt! Remember what we said about surface area. With this large surface radiating energy, Betelgeuse not only emits 16,000 times more visible light than the Sun, but Wien’s law says it must also be cooler and redderhence its reddish orange hue. Whereas Rigel has one shell of ejected matter surrounding it, the Collins Dictionary of Astronomy associates three with Betelgeuse. The largest formed about 100,000 years ago, indicating that Betelgeuse has had at least two previous incarnations. Now, let’s return to the issue of astration. One reason astronomers are keeping an eye on this supergiant is that it is emitting an enormous amount of material—consisting mostly of silicates (the main constituents of sand and rock) and alumina (a composite of oxygen and aluminum). “This is the same material,” reported a 2011 issue of Science News, “that forms most of the crust of Earth and other rocky planets. At some time in the distant past, the silicates of Earth were formed by a massive (and now extinct) star similar to Betelgeuse”. The other reason scientists are monitoring Betelgeuse, is that it is a prime candidate for supernova status. In other words, this supergiant is at the end of its life cycle and can blow any time. Given its proximity to Earth, astronomers are obvious not taking this lightly. Stars continually eject matter into the surrounding space—the interstellar medium- where it is used to form other stars and their planets. But when a star-like Betelgeuse blows, it distributes bountiful amounts of this material—greatly facilitating the evolution of life. Says James Stein, of Long Beach State University, “life as we know it requires rocky planets to form, and there simply is no way to get enough rocky material out into the universe unless stars… deliver (it) in wholesale quantities…”

TO BE CONTINUED

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SCIENCE GUARDIAN Thursday, March 13, 2014

How to ensure universal health coverage in Nigeria, by experts • NHIS deploys digital platform to capture more enrollees • MSH advances ‘Health For All’ agenda in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya By Chukwuma Muanya, who was in Abuja TAKEHOLDERS in the Sdeveloped Nigeria’s health sector have a blue print on how to ensure universal health coverage (UHC) in the country and intensified call for its inclusion in the post-2015 sustainable health and development framework. The stakeholders at the National Stakeholders Meeting on UHC held over the weekend in Abuja said UHC remains essential feature of the post2015 health development agenda. The National Stakeholders Meeting was organised by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in conjunction with the Health For All Project being implemented by MSH; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); and PharmaAccess Foundation. The theme of the meeting is “Creating an enabling environment for the sustainability of the pro-poor healthcare financing models in Nigeria- with emphasis on community health frameworks.” The stakeholders meeting follows on two technical sessions held in preparation for the Presidential Summit on UHC. MSH had a day before the national stakeholders meeting hosted a media workshop on UHC with theme “Effective media coverage of progress towards universal health coverage in Nigeria.” The stakeholders include: Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; MSH President, Dr. Jonathan Quick;

Executive Secretary, NHIS, Dr. Femi Thoma; MSH’s Healthcare Financing Deputy Global Lead, Dr. Kathy Kantengwa; Programme Manager Health In Africa Initiative, Prof. Khama Rogo; Managing Director, Hygeia Community Health Care, Dr. Peju Adenusi; Director Department for Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of health (FMOH), Mrs. Ansa Ogu; Country Director World Bank, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly; Director, PharmAccess Foundation, Pieter Walhof; MSH Country Representative, Dr. Zipporah Kpamor; Commissioners of Health across the federation, among others. Chukwu, who was the chairman of the occasion, called for practical approach to achieving UHC in Nigeria. He said it is possible for the country to achieve the Presidential mandate of 30 per cent UHC coverage by 2015. He charged the commissioners for health to ensure that their states buy into the programme. He said, “we have to start and perfect the programme as we continue. We cannot continue giving excuses. The states are very critical to success. I encourage the commissioners of health to work harder towards convincing their governors to buy into the programme.” Chukwu, at the meeting, facilitated the formation of a task team for UHC in Nigeria, which was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, March 10, 2014. Quick, said MSH’s ‘Health for All’ UHC advocacy campaigns in Africa have advanced the

UHC agenda in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria, and MSH will be leading a global civil society campaign toward UHC in 2014. Quick in an earlier interview with journalist said he believes that UHC provides the path to transforming health systems, by mobilising all available resources towards the affordable, quality health services that people need. He said his organisation, MSH, envisions a world where everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life. MSH is a not for profit organisation funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with teams in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, which build local capacity to achieve greater health impact through stronger health systems. Health for All is the campaign for UHC for Low to Middle Income countries. It is presently being implemented in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Kenya to advocate for and support initiatives by governments towards achieving UHC for their populations. The campaign, which is led by MSH is funded by the Rockefeller Foundation. The campaign works with key government bodies such as the Federal Ministry of Health and National Health Insurance Schemes and other stakeholders to build support for UHC. Kantengwa presented a paper titled: “Achieving Universal Health Coverage: The role of Community Based Health Insurance Scheme.” She said, “our vision is a world where everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life and we

Thomas are guiding our efforts everyday to save lives and improve health among the poorest and most vulnerable population. “In 2014, UHC will play a pivotal role in helping us attain this vision. MSH has vigorously supported UHC because we are committed to the human right to health, deeply embedded in UHC, and because it is the only approach that transforms health systems to mobilise all available resources toward the affordable, quality health services that people need.” Kantengwa further stated, “UHC is not just an aspirational vision or a privilege for wealthy countries alone- it is achievable for countries at every income level, as proven by Thailand, Turkey, Mexico, Rwanda and

Quick others. That is why dozens of low- and middle-income countries have started taking important steps towards UHC in recent years.” Executive Secretary, NHIS, Dr. Femi Thomas, in a keynote address on ‘Leapfrogging Nigeria towards Universal Health Coverage,’ said, “we have adopted biometric data capture as a way to go. We have seen more than 100,000 fake enrollees in our records. We say the only way to ensure UHC, capture more Nigerians and eliminate fraud is to go digital. There will be new digital platform, which we will use to communicate better with Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs). “Although we have presiden-

tial mandate to cover 30 per cent by December 2015, we have set additional target for ourselves to make it 40 per cent. How do we intend to reach that? We want to move away from formal sector to informal sector.” Thomas said by 2015 and beyond, the NHIS wants to take on pregnant women and under five children to help reduce infant and maternal mortality. He further stated, “to our formal sector we are saying give us your contribution and we will cover you on retirement. We will do biometric registration using androids so that

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Thursday, March 13, 2014

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NaturalHealth How indiscriminate honey use complicates diabetes management “Honey is good, sugar is bad. By all means eat honey, but watch out for death that comes in small doses through sugar consumption.” That seems to be the shared warning spread within the communities of people living with diabetes. But how much of honey is good for diabetic patients and how much of sugar is bad? AJIBOLA AMZAT takes these questions to experts and to a number of people living with diabetes. Responses he got point to the direction of better diabetes care plan. IFFERENT strokes for difD ferent Folks At 10 am on Thursday morning, David Adedipe, 71, had just ended his session with the senior nurse at Novo Nordisc Diabetes Support Centre, Ikotun, Lagos. He has been living with diabetes for the past 28 years. For that long he has been avoiding table sugar and other high calorie food. And he is being fine. On several occasions, doctors had warned him to avoid sugar, soft drink, sugarcane and any high calorie food. “These items will raise your sugar level,” the doctors had warned. Sugar and diets high in calories from any source have been identified as major causes of type 2 diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), one of the organizations committed to fighting against diabetes, sugar-sweetened beverages raise blood glucose level and can provide several hundred calories in just one serving. Adedipe recognized this fact and has being faithful to his doctors’ instruction. But he didn’t look too happy this morning. Today was one of those bad days. The nurse, after test, had just told him that his blood sugar level had risen from 104 to 187mg/dl. So instead of going home immediately after his session that morning, he stayed back at the reception to pick some leaflets on the clinic shelf. Those literatures provided information on diabetes care plan. Inside one of the materials, he found that honey has higher calorie content more than sugars that he has been avoiding for many years. That was a scary piece of information because he just had quite a good measure of honey late-

Honey...This finding indicates that people consuming honey products are also consuming sugar indirectly. Honey may be less refined and more natural than white sugar ly. But could honey have been the cause of the recent rise of his blood sugar level? “I could not say whether it was the honey that was responsible for the rise or not,” he said, his contorted face searching for some answer. Then there was the case of Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Olufunmilayo Oluwalana, 59. A senior lecturer at the department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, Federal

University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAB) Ogun state, Oluwalana is another diabetic patient. In 2008, she was also diagnosed with diabetes. On her doctor’s instruction, she too had stopped indulging herself with certain high calorie food items; nonetheless she has never stopped taking honey. Even if her doctor had told her to stop; her husband, Samuel Oluwalana who is a professor of Forestry and

Wildlife Management appears to know better about the health benefits of honey. Professor Oluwalana had carried out extensive research on honey and had written books on apiculture. ‘Honey is good, not only for healthy person, but also for persons living with diabetes,” the Professor had told his wife. Twenty diabetic patients randomly interviewed by The

Guardian said they have been avoiding sugar as much as they could, but some consider honey a safe diet, while other don’t. Growing taste for honey That demand for honey in Nigeria is increasing is no news. Though there is no statistics on the volume being consumed or produced, honey ranks among 25 most

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Regulators want tighter rules on antibacterial soaps, body washes HE United States Food and T Drug Administration (FDA) said Monday that it wants makers of antibacterial hand soaps and body washes to prove their products are safe for long-term daily use and more effective than regular soaps in preventing illness and the spread of certain infections. Unless companies can do that, they would have to reformulate or re-label these products if they want to keep them on the market, the agency said. “Millions of Americans use antibacterial soaps and body washes,” Dr. Sandra Kweder, deputy director of the FDA’s Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said during a morning press briefing. “They are used every day at home, at work, at schools and

in other public settings where the risk of bacterial infection is relatively low,” she said. “We at the FDA believe there should be clearly demonstrated benefits from using antibacterial soaps to balance any potential risk.” Kweder said the FDA has not been provided with data that shows these products are “any more effective at preventing people from getting sick than washing with plain soap and water.” The agency’s proposed rule would require makers of these products to justify their health claims with firm evidence of their benefit, she said. “Manufacturers would be required to conduct clinical trials that demonstrate that their products are more effective than plain soap and water in preventing illness or the

spread of certain infections,” Kweder said. “Manufacturers would also be required to provide additional safety data for these products before they can be considered generally recognized as safe for use,” she added. There’s some data that longterm exposure to certain ingredients used in these products, such as triclosan (liquid soaps) and triclocarban (bar soaps), could promote bacterial resistance or have effects on hormones. These hormones include estrogen, testosterone and thyroid hormones, Kweder explained. She said, “reformulating would mean that companies would have to remove the antibacterial active ingredient, and relabeling would mean removal of the antibac-

terial claim from the product’s label,” she said. The proposed rule does not require that these soaps be taken off the market now. The agency has been considering the issue since 2005 and this is not something that is going to happen immediately, Kweder said. She added that the agency hopes to issue its final rule by September 2016. In the meantime, people should continue to be diligent about washing their hands, particularly at this time of year to help protect against the spread of colds and flu. If soap and water aren’t available, an alcoholbased hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol should be used, the FDA said. Several doctors said they were heartened by the FDA’s proposal.

Industrial chemicals ‘may cause global neurodevelopmental epidemic’ new review published in A The Lancet Neurology stresses the importance of a global overhaul of regulations regarding industrial chemicals, as experts warn that child exposure to such toxins could be causing a “silent epidemic” of brain development disorders worldwide. According to Dr. Phillippe Grandjean, of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, MA, and Dr. Phillip Landrigan, of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, United States (U.S.) the number of chemicals that are recognized to be linked with neurodevelopmental disorders has increased from six to 12. In 2006, lead, methylmercury, arsenic, polychlorinated bipenyls and toluene were the only chemicals linked to brain development disorders. By last year, manganese, fluoride, chlorpyrifos (a pesticide), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), tetrachloroethylene (a solvent), and the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (flame retardants) were added to the list. Furthermore, the experts note that the number of chemicals that have been associated with human brain damage - but have not been regulated to protect children’s health - has increased from 202 in 2006 to 214 in 2013. They note that these chemicals can be found in everyday items, such as toys, furniture and clothes. The experts say there is increasing evidence that exposure to such chemicals may be a cause of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, cerebral palsy and dyslexia. Lack of chemical testing ‘worrying’ Researchers say that lack of safety testing and regulation surrounding industrial chemicals may be causing a global “silent epidemic” of brain development disorders. However, they note that there are many more chemicals that have not been tested for toxicity, which is a concern. “The vast majority of the more than 80,000 industrial chemicals in widespread use in the US have never been tested for their toxic effects on the developing fetus or child,” they write. “Exposure to these chemicals during early development can cause brain injury at levels much lower than those affecting adults, and the real impact on children’s health is just beginning to be uncovered.” The experts say that failing to test chemicals for their neurodevelopmental toxicity, and the large amount of evidence needed before certain chemicals are regulated, are factors that are putting children’s health at risk. They write: “The total number of neurotoxic substances now recognized almost certainly represents an underestimate of the true number of developmental neurotoxicants that have been released into the global environment.

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34 | NATURAL HEALTH Thursday, March 13, 2014

NHIS deploys digital platform to capture more enrollees CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32 anybody anywhere can register anybody as far as there is reception. We are using Sim Card technology where all the telephony aspect will be disabled.” Marie-Nelly said, “62.1 per cent of the total health expenditure in Nigeria is out of pocket. So the agenda of UHC cannot be more timely. We are pleased at the World Bank that we are supporting. We will continue to provide support for the NHIS.” MSH’s Director of Communications, Adebisi Arije said the objective of the national stakeholders meeting to enable participants understand what UHC entails and the role of key players especially state governments in Nigeria in improving access to health care for all especially the poor through various pro-poor healthcare financing models, particularly community-based health insurance (CBHI). She said the rationale for UHC when financial and physical barriers to healthcare are eliminated include: out-ofpocket expenditure on health by the people is reduced; people do not become poorer because of the catastrophic cost of healthcare; people can easily access the essential health services they need; maternal and child health improves in the country; overall population health indices improve; demand for health services increases, as does the demand for quality. Other benefits of pursuing UHC, according to Arije, are: the health sector grows as service-utilisation rises, impacting positively on support sectors; and the healthy population promotes socio-economic development. Arije said, “making critical investments in health and improving access to healthcare now especially for the poor, can open up the health sector for potential growth that can improve health indices and spur socio-economic development.” Meanwhile, Quick, a family physician, health management specialist and chief exec-

utive officer (CEO) of MSH was the Director of Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy at the World Health Organisation (WHO) from 1996 to 2004. Prior to that, he served with MSH as founding director of the MSH center for pharmaceutical management, health systems advisor with the Afghanistan Health Sector Support Project and the Kenya Health Care Financing Project. Quick has carried out assignments in over 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. He is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School Department of Global Health and Boston University School of Public Health, United States. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and an honors graduate of Harvard College and the University of Rochester Medical School. How can universal health coverage compliment the gains MSH has made in Nigeria? Quick said, “MSH is a leading advocate for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) worldwide because UHC embodies the spirit of MSH’s vision of a world where everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life. “MSH has vigorously supported UHC because we’re committed to the human right to health deeply embedded in UHC, and because it’s the only approach that transforms health systems to mobilise all available resources towards the affordable, quality health services that people need. This in essence means a world where every Nigerian has access to quality health services when they need it without suffering financial hardship to get it. “Our current work in Nigeria through the CommunityBased Support (CUBS) for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) has improved access to essential health services for orphans, vulnerable children and their caregivers while the ProACT project facilitates access to timely HIV prevention, treatment and care. PLAN-Health provides technical support to NHIS and state government to implement community-based health insurance in target communi-

One of the wards in the ultra-modern chest clinic and tuberculosis referral centre donated by Agbami Partners to Kwali General Hospital, Kwali, FCT, on Thursday, March 6, 2014. ties. However, there is still much more ground to cover as many Nigerians, especially mothers and children do not have access to healthcare. “MSH’s Health for All Campaign is also assisting the government of Nigeria’s hosting of the Presidential Summit on Universal Health Coverage. UHC has the capacity to transform Nigeria’s health system in Nigeria. It is a viable platform that facilitates resource mobilisation towards the provision of and equitable access to quality health services across the country.” Why are leadership, management and governance (L+M+G) important aspects of MSH’s work? Quick said, “millions of people all over the world die every year from infectious diseases and other preventable causes, no matter how much money governments and donors invest in improving health services, health systems, or the training

Oshiomhole cautions council chiefs on immunisation, wants optimal service From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City DO State Governor, Adams E Oshiomhole on Tuesday cautioned local government council chairmen in the state that they risked the wrath of the peoples and could be sacked if they fail to key into the National Immunisation Days stipulated across the country. He stated this yesterday, at the closing activities of the four-day National Immunisation Days in Benin City where he said government was happy with the rate of compliance with the programme. “Let me thank the development partners for being able to identify the local governments that have heeded my advice and those that have not. We will have one more meeting in the next few days and I will request you to be in attendance. “We will review and identify those, who have done well

and those, who have not and give a deadline within which they must comply or we ask our people to recall them. Because if local governments cannot provide these services, then Nigeria is in trouble. Nothing can be more fundamental than this immunisation,” he noted. He said the country was fortunate to have willing partners who are ready to provide data, training and management of the process, adding that “all that is required of us is a level of political will to ensure that we see it through. “If in spite of all these, we still have local governments, who don’t understand, then we have to expose them to their people, because this is a task that must be done. We have a duty to our people and obligation to our children and to support our mothers, who are willing to participate in the exercise. “We are happy with the rate of compliance. Eighty per cent is obviously a good mark

and there is no reason why we cannot achieve a hundred percent. It is a realistic target and it is a target we must achieve this year, not next year. “Let me assure our people that we all must be committed to this exercise. Poverty is not an excuse because these vaccines are free. Ignorance is not an excuse because we have health centres in all the villages and we have people whose business is to mobilise and sensitise the people,” he maintained. The governor appealed to traditional rulers, opinion moulders, labour groups, NGOS and various interest groups to unite and ensure that the message is taken to the grassroot. “I want to thank our development partners who have stood with us over the years, helping us to recognise that it is a shame for Nigeria to be in the same club with Pakistan and Afghanistan, when we ought to be the leaders of the African continent.

of health workers. Medically, we know what to do to save these lives and significantly reduce illness. Scaling up highimpact interventions and proven best practices is the key to preventing avoidable deaths and achieving major improvements in health. “MSH understands that scaleup does not happen without inspired leadership, skilled management and strong governance. Leadership, management and governance in health involve ensuring that strategic policy frameworks exist, that strong management systems are in place, and that both of these – policies and systems – are combined with effective oversight, coalition-building, regulation, and accountability.” How is MSH using L+M+G strategies to improve health outcomes in Nigeria? Quick explained, “MSH is supporting the Nigerian government both at the Federal level and across 23 states to provide services that result in improved health outcomes for the Nigerian people. In the area of leadership, for example, our approach includes the MSH Leadership Development Programme (LDP) and the LDP Plus. These programmes focus on empowering health workers to improve service delivery results and through them, several state governments have increased the quality and uptake of health services For instance, last year, through the Programme to Build Leadership and Accountability in Nigeria’s Health System (PLAN-Health Nigeria), health teams in Gwagwalada, in the Federal Capital Territory, improved the uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services. “Our efforts have also resulted in improved oversight of health service delivery with the use of dashboards to analyse programmatic health related data for decision-making. MSH also develops leadership, management, and governance competencies of the Nigerian health workforce via the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Health Professionals Fellowship Programme, which has already produced 203 fellows who have applied their knowledge and skills to improve health outcomes in their communities.”

How is MSH using L+M+G strategies to empower Nigerian’s vulnerable populations to advocate for their health and social rights? The MSH boss said: “In addition to supporting the government, MSH’s projects across Nigeria work with civil society organisations (CSOs), many of which function as ‘watch dogs’ in the health sector to ensure that services reach the underserved and vulnerable populations. The work with CSOs includes but is not limited to building their capacity in stakeholder analysis and in utilising data for evidence- based advocacy. MSH is also strengthening CSO’s capacity to mobilise resources for their advocacy and other health related – efforts.” How do MSH’s LMG strategies help to address the complex political and religious contexts in Nigeria? Quick said, “I think it is important to note that MSH’s staff in Nigeria is Nigerian. We are not imposing strategies that are developed in MSH’s home office. Our experienced teams of health professionals are working in their own country, many in their own communities, and they are seeking solutions that are locally appropriate. In the context of religion, for example, both Christians and Muslims support the use of family planning but there are many misconceptions about family planning methods. “We work with local religious leaders and community health workers to understand their communities’ points of view, to provide education and to respond to their specific health needs. We partner with local faith-based organisations, such as the Christian Health Association of Nigeria, and have also partnered with Moslem clerics and associations like the Federation of Moslem Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN).” MSH Country Representative, Dr. Zipporah Kpamor, in her welcome address on the occasion of the Health for All Media Meeting in Abuja, said, “all these meeting and the Presidential Summit itself are coming on the eve of momentous changes in the Nigerian health sector. Mr. President has called for an increase in insurance enrollment to the tune of at least 30 per cent of the Nigerian population by 2015. “NHIS is taking this up with

plans to roll-out a massive public primary schools health insurance program, and scaling-up of ongoing support to state community-based health insurance schemes and other programmess. We anticipate that things are going to take off in a big way, and I am proud to observe that amongst us today, we have many prominent voices speaking out on health and development to help document these changes. I welcome you all. With today and tomorrows’ meetings we hope to equip you with information and linkages that will empower you to become strong voices for UHC, recognizing that some of you already are!” “Our organisation, MSH, is a leading global advocate for UHC in the post-2015 sustainable health and development framework. Our vision is that of a world where everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life. Our mission is to save lives and improve health among the poorest and most vulnerable populations. UHC will play a major role in achieving this vision and mission, which underline our commitment to health as a basic human right. “We see UHC as more than an aspirational vision, or a privilege for wealthy countries alone- it’s achievable for countries at every income level, as proven by Thailand, Turkey, Mexico, Rwanda and more recently Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya. UHC is becoming a movement amongst low- to middle-income countries and we are supporting a fair number on this journey.” Kpamor added, “today’s forum speaks to the significance of the role we envisage you playing, as Nigeria embarks on the journey that other countries are choosing today – the road to Universal Health coverage. Needless to say, a strong and vocal civil society is a critical element in pushing for UHC. The Nigerian media is one of the most eloquent and outspoken in the world – you make me proud to be Nigerian. I have no doubt that you will continue advocating for UHC and for health policies that can lead to improved access to quality health services for the Nigerian people. I trust that you will educate our fellow citizens on the routes to and merits of UHC, and report accurately and concisely as we travel this road together.

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Thursday, March 13, 2014 SCIENCE&HEALTH | 35

Living with cerebral palsy in Nigeria By Emenike Mbanugo EREBRAL PALSY palsy is a C condition prevalent among children and usually

occurs at birth or shortly after birth. It occurs in one out of every one hundred birth and is currently growing and creates a condition of physical and sometimes mental impairment. The month of March in every year has been declared a Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month to create awareness for this condition, which is largely unknown to most people. Chukwuebuka was born on September 26, 2008 at one of Nigeria’s leading private hospitals in Lagos to enlightened parentage – her father is a lawyer and her mother is a pharmacist. She is the second child of the couple who had waited for 8years after their marriage to have their first child. She was diagnosed with jaundice about 18hours later and was put in phototherapy where she was declared clinically dead after losing the supply of oxygen to the brain for over five hours. She was revived but that period of loss of oxygen to the brain meant she had been struck with this strange condition.

She underwent four blood transfusions and through the mercy of God was discharged from hospital after the most harrowing two weeks of her post-natal life. The doctors advised that her development will be delayed, which meant she will not meet growth milestones like other children at the due time. When she returned for routine check up a month later, the diagnosis had changed to cerebral palsy and this also changed the entire life of the couple and the family. Research on the internet, reading of all available literature, disruption of career and job pursuits amid numerous visits to caregivers – paediatricians, orthopaedics, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists – has become the fulcrum of the family’s life in the determination to give their daughter an opportunity to live like other children. Chukwuebuka’s story is one in the myriad of so many some of who are at the Cerebral Palsy Centre. However, the bitter pill is the lack of concern by the society for children living with this condition. Cerebral Palsy is neither a disease nor an ailment nor a degenerating condition. It is a condition totally

unprepared for by the child and the parents arising mostly from handling at birth. Yet, some ‘parents’ who feel embarrassed having a disabled child tag along have been known to throw their children with the condition into a ‘dungeon’ where they pine away and ultimately die due to malnourishment, neglect and lack of love. Husbands have been known to walk away from their marriages and vice versa on account of accusations and counter-accusations of witchcraft largely due to ignorance of the condition known as cerebral palsy. Aspersion and derisions are vented on the child who suffers discrimination in every facet of society – from being denied access

From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja USTAINABLE agriculture company, Mosanto of the United States is to assist Nigerian farmers with worldclass technologies to improve yield and productive. President and Managing Director of Monsanto Company in charge of Europe,

• As health practitioners urge Bayelsa govt to tackle blindness HE federal, states and local T governments have been blamed for increasing cases of

glaucoma disease in the country. This is not unconnected with the refusal of the three tiers of government to provide necessary healthcare facilities for the people, especially at the rural communities. In a related development, a team of doctors and pharmacists has urged Bayelsa State government and the local government councils in the state to join hands in the ongoing battle against blindness among indigenes of the state. Glaucoma is an eye disease that results in the damage to the nerve inside the eye. It can be present in one or both eyes; it has led many to partial or

complete eye blindness. Briefing newsmen in Abuja to mark the 2014 World Glaucoma Week, the National Coordinator of the Social Welfare Network Initiative (SWNI), a Non-Governmental Organisation, Emmanuel Osemeka said that no fewer than 40 per cent Nigerians are presently living with the disease, a situation he said was unacceptable. Osemeka said, “in Nigeria, it is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, affecting an estimated 17 to 40 per cent of the population 41 years and above.” According to him, Glaucoma is the major public health concern in Nigeria because according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is estimated that about 105 million people have or are suspicious of having glaucoma worldwide.

He said that the most vulnerable groups in this matrix are the rural dwellers, the elderly, women, infants and the poor, which constitute over 80 per cent of the population. “Very worrisome is the fact that non of the three tiers of government is giving adequate attention to provide the basic health care services and centres for the people. Every rural area you go in this country, you only see lack of provision of good water to the people, poor sanitation, ill-equipped health centres if any and you beginning to wonder if we have any government all,” he said. He noted that some of the objectives of his NGO include the protection of vision and sight through regular checks and other preventable measures, awareness campaign on glaucoma and cataract plus treatment and surgeries for victims among others.

South South doctors win maiden games From Ayoyinka Jegede, Uyo EMBERS of Akwa Ibom M State Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) defeated the South South NMA in football competition at the just concluded Maiden Doctors’ Games held in Eket, Akwa Ibom State. The NMA members from South-South zone, however, emerged the overall winner. The NMA President and Vice President, Commonwealth Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele said the National Doctors’ Games’ was put in place to stem the work stress on medical doctors in the country terrified at the spine-chilling increase in the number of deaths and morbidity amongst doctors. The South South team demonstrated their unwillingness to relinquish the strangle hold they have atop the medals table by winning three straight gold medals in

the first three events of the day. The tone of the day was set by the multitalented Dr. Amatare Dinyain of South South, who defeated Dr. Patrick Essiet of Akwa Ibom three sets to one in an epic final match in the men’s single table tennis to win the Gold medal while Essiet won the silver medal. The final result certainly did not reflect the closeness of the match as both players displayed uncommon artistry and mastery of the game. The North East and North West shared the bronze. Dinyain then went on to lead his team to another gold medal in the men’s lawn tennis team event where the South South team beat the North West team to win the gold medal while the North West team settled for silver. The Bronze medal was shared between the North East and Akwa Ibom. In the

the Cerebral Palsy Centre at Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos on other days. The Centre has taken in 19 children in the short span of its three years existence at no charge to their families including Chukwuebuka, providing all the care needed for their growth and support solely relying on the benevolence of good-spirited Nigerians like you. The best we can do to give back to society is to give succour to those who are challenged by conditions for which they are not accountable. We count on your support and that of organisations like you to assist us give hope to these children. You may choose to partner with us by adopting the Centre as your

corporate social responsibility project or contributing in such way as to alleviate our huge wage bills, accommodation and specialists care. Any contribution you can make towards creating awareness for the condition of children with cerebral palsy will be graciously appreciated. We are ready and willing to give you further information, which may assist you come to a decision. In the event you choose to make a donation, our bank account is: ACCESS Bank PLC: 0042801364; UBA PLC. : 1017862694 *Barr. Emenike Olisa Mbanugo is the Chairman, Advisory Board of The Cerebral Palsy Centre. esomchukwuaga@gmail.com

U.S. firm to assist Nigerian farmers with cutting edge technology

NGO scores Nigeria low on glaucoma prevention From Willie Etim, Yenogoa and Anthony Otaru, Abuja

to education in regular schools arising sometimes on account of protests from parents of ‘better endowed’ children to being denied access to public places or even living a normal life. This is all due to ignorance of the condition called cerebral palsy. The Cerebral Palsy Centre, Lagos, a fully registered charity with the Corporate Affairs Commission, is leading the awareness program for cerebral palsy in Nigeria which is scheduled to hold between the 20th and 27th March, 2014. The activities for the week include CP charity walk- 22nd, public lecture26th@ Surulere Local Government Secretariat and gala nite on 28th. There will be displays at

men’s singles event, Akwa Ibom won gold, North West won silver while South South and South East shared the bronze. In the next event of the day, the young warriors of the South South saw off the challenge of the glorious Akwa Ibom 33 to 20 in a highly charged and emotional men’s basketball final. By this victory the South South team won the gold medal while Akwa Ibom won the silver. North East and North Central shared the bronze medal. Dr. Bright Ohaka led his South South team to yet another gold medal in the Chess team event. At the end of six rounds of matches, South South were on top of the log with a total of 18 points to win the gold medal. Akwa Ibom was a close second with 17 points to win silver, while North central came a distant third with 9.5 points to win the bronze medal.

Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Mr. Jose Manuel Madero said at a visit to Nigeria that framers would benefit from hi-tech trainings and empowerment programs to be put together by group. On biotechnology, he stressed that projected the technology could be a major contribution to the attainment of Nigeria’s Vision 2025, especially in the area of n corn production, noting how that alone would generate additional economic output of $11.6 billion. He said farmers need to have biotechnology in anywhere in the world and it would be left to them to decide whether to use it or not. His words, “Monsanto is not new in Africa, we are in sixteen

locations in Africa, Burkina Faso now has huge agricultural transformation while in South Africa, 95 per cent of farmers are into biotech.” “We also invest in research and technology that can improve life as well as invest $4 million a day to bring technology to farmers.” Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof. Robert Boroffice expressed optimism that President Goodluck Jonathan would sign the Biosafety Bill for the interest of the country. “I see no reason why the president will not assent to the Bill, he is anxious to see that food production is improved in the country and to ensure that more people

are employed in the agricultural industry which, bio-safety can lead to this growth” he assured. “I say it again, I can speak authoritatively that Mr. President will be anxious enact a Biosafety law, when he gets the passed bill before him, for the interest of the country, he will sign. So that Monsanto and other countries can come to the country to assist us in boosting our agricultural production not only in food but also in area of cotton, cowpea, maize, tomatoes, you can imagine the number of farmers that will be employed or agro-industry that will emerge and increase productivity ten times, twenty times and hundred times,” he added.

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SCIENCE HEALTH Thursday, March 13, 2014

Ipas trains journalists on female reproductive health, rights • 29,000 African women die yearly from complications of unsafe abortion • 40% of maternal deaths blamed on practice

Participants at the regional workshop for journalists with theme: ‘Advancing African Women’s Reproductive Health and Rights’ held March 4 and 5, 2014 at Hilton Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya world. Unsafe abortion and the women of all social standings By Chukwuma Muanya, who Majani, who is a lawyer, said resultant unnecessary loss of terminate unwanted or was in Nairobi providing access to safe aborlife need to become part of the unplanned pregnancies, but ORRIED that Africa has W the largest burden of maternal mortality in the world and unsafe abortion accounts for up to 40 per cent of maternal deaths in Africa, Ipas African Alliance last week in Nairobi, Kenya convened a regional workshop for journalists to share recent advances on the issue of addressing unsafe abortion in the continent, and strengthen skills on how to report about the practice. The workshop, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya from March 4 to 5, 2014, drew journalists from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Policy Manager at Ipas Africa Alliance, Brenda Muturi, in her welcome address said the organisation has been sensitizing and training journalists on issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights and in particular the woefully neglected issue of unsafe abortion since 2005 both at national and regional level. Muturi explained: “The forum we have convened here with each of you that were painstakingly chosen for your respective achievements in journalism, is a continuation of this work. “29,000 African women and girls die every single year from complications caused by unsafe abortions. Africa alone accounts more than half the deaths from unsafe abortion…worldwide. “One would imagine that these disastrous numbers of our women, our girls dying with each passing year, would be reason enough for this issue to be shouted from the roof tops. But no, you won’t hear of it, it’s a silent epidemic. “We speak of maternal mortality but don’t mention that up to 40 per cent of maternal deaths are due to unsafe abortion. This must change.

maternal mortality conversation and fight.” She said that the media was one of the key pillars of a democratic society. “You wield great power, but with that also great responsibility. Not only do you mediate between society and government, but you inform and you educate society at large. You bring the critical issues to the fore and by doing so demand that they be addressed. So it is clear that there is a cavernous need for the issue of unsafe abortion to receive media coverage, and it is coverage that must be fair, constructive and most importantly accurate. Sports, politics and economics dominate the media but loss of life due to lack of access to sexual and reproductive health and rights receives little to no coverage.” Muturi further stated: “That is what this space and convening is about, we are natural allies and is it is our sincere hope that the information and emerging issues that we will share with you over the next two days will spur you to put pen to paper and speak about the scourge of unsafe abortion and it is our collective responsibility to ensure African women have choices and are able to access safe abortion services.” Lead facilitator, media expert with 25 years of professional experience, and senior lecturer at the Eduardo Mondlane University’s School of Communication and Arts, Dr. Eduardo Namburete, said recent statistics suggest that one quarter of unsafe abortions occur among adolescents ages 15 to 19, and 60 per cent are among women under age 25. Namburete, who is also the former Member of Parliament and currently serves as Human Rights Commissioner and Chair of the Centre for Multidisciplinary Media Studies in Mozambique said it is important to note that

it is women who are young, rural and/or poor who disproportionately die or suffer long-term consequences from unsafe abortions due to their low socio-economic status. He said that despite these alarming figures of unnecessary deaths of women in the continent, this worrying reality was rarely featured in the media, and when it does feature, it is not accurately reported. Namburete explained: “It is widely acknowledged that the media plays a very constructive role in today’s society; it is crucial in rising of public awareness and collecting the views, share information and influence attitudes toward a particular issue. “The media serves as an intermediary between the government and the people, can set the agenda on which issues should be discussed, and keeps people actively involved in society. “By providing comprehensive, reliable and accurate information on unsafe abortion in Africa and giving voice to the voiceless, the media facilitate informed debate and critical appraisal of state action. And by showing their audience what is actually happening in society, the media helps to subject the claims and actions of a government to public scrutiny and thus hold them accountable.” Policy Advisor at the Ipas Africa Alliance, Suzanne Majani, said most African government have signed relevant legal instruments aimed at reducing maternal mortality and promotion of women’s rights, but to this date only one country in Africa has met Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 of reducing maternal mortality by threequarters by the year 2015, and despite some progress over the last 20 or so years, Africa still has the largest burden of maternal mortality in the

tion is thus a critical step towards reducing the unacceptably high rates of maternal deaths in Africa. She said the need to reduce maternal mortality including from unsafe abortion has been recognized in several legal frameworks globally and regionally. These frameworks, according to Majani, include the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (1994), the Millennium Development Goals (2000), the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003), and the Maputo Plan of Action on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (2006). The African Union has also scaled up its focus on addressing maternal mortality and morbidity in recent years, evidence of increased political will often from the highest levels. She said, at the global level, a broad range of stakeholders have recently began reviewing implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the MDGs, expiring in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Majani further explained: “Additionally, consultations and negotiations have begun at regional and UN level on what should constitute the next globally agreed development framework after 2015. This framework, currently referred to as the Post 2015 Development Agenda, will be key in harnessing political will and resources towards addressing sexual and reproductive health in the years to come.” Ipas is a global nongovernmental organisation founded in 1973 to promote women’s reproductive health and rights and reduce maternal deaths and disabilities from unsafe abortion.

NAN marks World Kidney Day HEAD of the World Kidney A Day (WKD), today, March 13, 2014, the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN) has called on the federal and state governments to regulate the activities of dialysis centers to avoid high mortality rates in renal clinics across the country. The association in a news statement jointly signed by the it’s newly elected President, Dr. Ebun Bamgboye and Secretary, Dr. Samuel Ajayi, said non-regulation of activities of newer dialysis centres in the country poses great risks to kidney patients. NAN called on governments at all levels to check the menace to prevent avoidable deaths and urged the public to participate in various programmes designed as part of activities for the event. WKD marked annually on March 13, 2014, is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF), with NAS as a member. The group said the exercise ‘aims to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. This year’s Kidney Day theme is ‘ Kidneys age, just like you.’ NAN criticised, “non-regulation of the activities of newer dialysis centres in the country,’ while stressing the need for ‘partnership with relevant agencies concerned in streamlining the activities of such centres.” “There is a need to have trained nephrology and dialysis personnel to man such centres,” it stressed. NAN also flayed what it described as ‘increasing rate of organ trafficking and medical tourism in the country,’ and called for ‘an effective legislation against the practice.’ The association urged ‘government to encourage local

centres in the delivery of transplantation services by funding and enhancing capacity development in order to reduce capital flight as a result of the medical tourism.’ The association called “for increased awareness of the simplicity and advantages of peritoneal dialysis and appeals to the authorities concerned to help in granting import duty waivers in sourcing for peritoneal dialysis fluids, relevant technology, consumables. Local production peritoneal dialysis materials should also be encouraged.” “Acute kidney injury as a result of infections, bleeding disorders and flood losses from obstetric causes, accidents- is still a major challenge in our country. There is therefore a need to encourage health promoting habits in limiting the incidence,” it noted. The association hailed efforts of the National Health Insurance Services (NHIS) in granting some dialysis sessions to patients with kidney failure.’ NAN also commended multinational organisations for kidney awareness/ screening initiatives and WKD activities in the country. It said the new executive led by Dr. Bamgboye has earmarked specific programmes to promote public health and kidney awareness campaigns. This year’s Kidney Day, it disclosed, will feature robust nation-wide public and media activities include screening for kidney disease, blood pressure, and diabetes in adults and children as well as seminars and media talk shows. In Lagos, doctors at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, will organise public medical checks and media campaigns. The hospital will also feature a health talk at Freedom Park by 11am and a visit to Old Peoples Home, Yaba on Saturday March 15, with free health checks, counselling and ‘goodie bag’ gifts.

First Foundation boosts healthcare with surgical accessories By Paul Adunwoke S its efforts to ensure quality healthcare delivery in the country, First Foundation in collaboration with DemeTech Corporation in United State of America, (USA) have launched a new suture s u r g i c a l accessories.Launching of the sutures are in line with First Foundation’s vision to improving the outcome of surgical in Nigeria, despite the challenges of some surgical sutures in the market. Surgical suture is a medical device used to hold tissues together after an injury or surgery. Application generally involves using a needle with an attached length of thread. It has different shapes, seizes as case may be and depend on the use. The DemeTech sutures have different types; which include polyglactin 910, Chromic Catgut, polypropylene, polydioxanone, and Nylon sutures. The National president Association of General and Private Medical practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) Dr. Anthony Omolola, said the sutures have been tested and trusted by health professionals in USA before coming into Nigeria. “The suture materials have been examined by medical doctors in USA and I believe that if we can intro-

duce it in Nigeria market we are going to have better outcome in our surgery. This product is going to go, places because of quality, you know quality drives and it cause effective because we are going to have better outcome for all our surgeries”, he said. The head, Sutures and Surgical Accessories Unit First Foundation Chizoba Alu, said the sutures are good enough enhance surgery practices and they are very affordable. “First Foundation serves as co-distributor to DemeTech in Nigeria. The cost of life is not cheap every body deserves to have a good health, in surgery every thing that left in the body of a patient is the suture and if you compromise the suture the whole surgery is failed. Any health operators especially surgery should make sure that the environment is clean and have a good suture because every life of patient depend on the suture. We also have mechanical surgery staplers, they also perform like sutures; but they are device in this we do not need to apply suture, but we just staple as if we are stapling paper, in the process we will still remove them later”. “The Sutures are excellent and incomparable, it has the quality, it is affordable and has functionality”, she said.

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Thursday, March 13, 2014 37

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38 | NATURAL HEALTH Thursday, March 13, 2014

Honey complicates diabetes management, say researchers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 profitable non –oil export products in the country. On account of high incident of diabetes in the country, many Nigerians have been avoiding sugar. People are rather going for honey as sweetener despite the fact that it is more expensive than white sugar. According to Ruth Okodevu, a sales girl at one of the big supermarkets in Lagos, Grocery, Bazaar, “honey is one of the fastest moving products on our shelves.” An average Nigerian family keeps a bottle of honey at home for various reasons, or some medicine made of honey, said the Managing Director of Agricultural Development Foundation, Mr. Ismail Abdul Azeez. There are other reasons why honey consumption has increased in Nigeria. Apart from being promoted as a better alternative to refined sugar, honey is also being considered as an alternative medicine for several ailments ranging from measles to anaemia, arthritis, senility, gonorrhea, hypertension, sexual fertility and virility and sundries. A book authored by Oluwalanas, Remedies for Common Ailments: A herbal and Non –herbal Approach, listed about 40 ailments by which honey can be cured. There are several of such books in the Nigerian market, all recommending honey as a multipurpose remedy – and a gift from God. Honey is also used for prayers by various religious groups in Nigeria, and as one of the ritual elements used during cultural festivals. It is also considered an important item for blessing during celebration such as naming ceremony, marriages and coronation. “The sweetness of honey is symbolic of good fortunes, and it has spiritual potency too,” said the Rector of Divine Favour Theological and Specialized Seminary, Mowe, Ogun state, Pastor Tayo Popoola. But what triggered the demand for honey more significantly may be due to the increasing awareness about

how sugar consumption raises blood sugar level and causes type 2 diabetes. Therefore, for many, honey is an escape from sugar, and from diabetes. Diabetes: What is it? But what is diabetes anyway? According to ADA, diabetes mellitus is a problem in human body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. If the test is done six to eight hours after the last meal, the normal level ranges between 70 and 100 milligrams per deciliter. After a meal, blood sugar generally rises and in a normal individual it usually reads between 135 to 140 milligrams per deciliter. High sugar levels and damaged blood vessels can cause diabetes and several complications such as kidney failure, strokes, blindness, erectile dysfunction, and nerve damage called neuropathy. Now there are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when the body of a person cannot make insulin because most of the insulin-producing cells have been destroyed. Type 2 diabetes is when a body cannot make enough insulin or when the body cannot properly use the insulin it makes. This is the most common type of diabetes as 85 percent of diabetic persons in the world have Type 2. There are other types, which are less common, such as gestational diabetes and diabetes due to other disorders. The former diabetes occurs in some women during pregnancy, while the latter can occur due to chronic pancreatitis cause by alcohol abuse, viruses, genetic syndrome, steroid over use and other hormonal disorders. Nigeria as a nation with the highest incident of diabetes in Africa According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2013 report, Nigeria has the highest number of people with diabetes in Africa. The figure stands at 3.9 million, while diabetes-related death is 105,091. Nigeria is also identified as the country with the highest number of people with impaired glucose toler-

Odukoya ance (IGT). The figure is estimated at 3.85 million people. A patient is said to be under the condition of IGT when he/she has an intermediately raised glucose level after 2 hours; and less than this length of time would qualify for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Associate Professor and Consultant Physician/Endocrinologist, Department of Medicine/ Faculty of Medicine, University of Lagos, Olufemi Fasanmade said most teaching hospitals in Nigeria receive about 100 to 120 diabetic patients weekly. In a 2011 study on the State of Diabetes Care in Nigeria by Consultant Endocrinologist at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt Nigeria, Dr. Sonny Chinenye found out that only about a third of Nigerians living with diabetes achieve optimum target of glycemic control. Considering that glycemic control is the primary goal of a diabetic, it makes one wonder if some unfavourable nutriment unknown to the diabetic is not involved. What is not in doubt however is that refined sugar consumption is implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes. All is not sweet about honey when diabetes involved It is clear from the information above that refined sugar and food high in calorie should be consumed sparingly especially by a diabetic patient, but what about honey which also packs a lot of sugar? According to the result of 20 samples of farm honey products bought at different local government areas in Lagos and tested at FUNAB laboratory, the sugar content ranges between 73 to 78 percent, while the carbohydrates range between 73 to 88 percent. This finding indicates that people consuming honey products are also consuming sugar indirectly.

Honey may be less refined and more natural than white sugar, but honey is still high in calories, said Associate Professor Fasanmade. It is for this reason that he discourages his patients from taking sugar or honey. “People who have diabetes should not take sugar, they should not take soft drinks, they should not take sugarcane, and they should not take honey, either natural honey or synthetic honey.” Fasanmade who has been treating diabetes for 25 years said many of his patients who resorted to taking honey instead of sugar have unpleasant story to tell afterwards. “What honey contains is sugar. It is just that the sugar exists in natural form. But honey is not a safe substitute for sugar. So you don’t really need to take sugar or honey if you are diabetic.” Another Endocrinologist/Diabetologis t, Dr. Ifedayo Adeola Odeniyi of the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos agrees with his colleague. “Honey is a simple sugar. It gets its sweetness from the monosaccharide fructose and glucose, and has approximately the same relative sweetness as granulated sugar. Honey does not alleviate the suffering of patients with diabetes – whether it is pure or in adulterated form.” The two experts explained that stomach does not differentiate between white sugar and honey. Once any of them is ingested and enters bloodstream, the body recognizes it as sugar. In fact, some experts think describing honey as natural product, and sugar as unnatural is incorrect. “Honey is indeed a natural product. But so is sugar,” they argued. This sounds like taking the argument too far. At least Professor Oluwalana thinks so. With a wave of hand, he dismissed

any description that puts honey on the same status with refined sugar. He argued that this view ignores the uniqueness of the production process of honey, which allimportant literatures including bible and Koran have documented. “How can anyone compare honey with sugar whose refine process is similar to that of cocaine?” Reading from the manuscript of his new book, which is about to be published, he says, “Honey contains some eighty different substances of importance to the human body, but consists mainly of sugars (glucose and laevulose or fructose). Glucose and fructose are monosaccharaides that are very easily assimilated by the body. Disaccharides like cane sugar have to be broken down by hydrolysis in the small intestine under the action of saccharace or invertase, before entering the blood. “The glucose and laevulose resulting from their breakdown are absorbed through the portal vein, from which the glucose enters the liver and is stored, being returned to the blood when the sugar level of the latter falls. Monosaccharaides pass directly into the blood from the intestine without transformation.” Honey, he said, contains several vitamins and minerals which makes it a better option to sugar and useful for a diabetic. As a matter of fact, the lab result confirms that honey contains other nutrients, which may not be found in refined sugar; but those nutrients are insignificant in quantity. For examples, while the sugar levels of the samples tested are in the range of 70 percent, and the carbohydrate levels are in the range of 80 percent, the protein and crude fibre are less than 1 percent. Notwithstanding, a Professor of Public Health Nutrition, University of Nigeria (UNN) and President Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Ngozi Nnam, pointed out that though honey has concentration of sugar, “the sugar in honey does not go directly into the system like the refined sugar does, instead, the carbohydrate in sugar is digested and gradually enters the system”. This means that when a diabetic consumes honey, his blood sugar level does not shoot up almost immediately as it would if refined sugar is ingested. Compared to white sugar, honey has lower glycemic index. “The fructose, which is the major component of honey, comes from different nectars sucked by bees. This makes honey a suitable diet for diabetics because intestinal reabsorption is slow and does not trigger insulin secretion,” said the Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy/College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Professor Olukemi Odukoya. And here is another way to look at it. The effective use of honey in the management of wounds, even for the diabetic patients, has been well documented in researches. The

Honey is a simple sugar. It gets its sweetness from the monosaccharide fructose and glucose, and has approximately the same relative sweetness as granulated sugar. Honey does not alleviate the suffering of patients with diabetes – whether it is pure or in adulterated form.

British Journal of Community Nursing published in 2003 reports that Chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers, leg ulcers and diabetic wounds in elderly people were successfully treated with honey. Dr. Nicholas Namias of De Witt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida advised based on his research finding that the use of honey should be considered when more conventional therapies have failed. “If honey is not a good diet for the diabetic why is it used to treat the wound of a diabetic patient?” asked the nurse at Novo Nordisk Diabetes Support Centre at Ikotun, Mrs. Imahe. Simple logic, that is. But here is the way an endocrinologist, Dr. Adedayo Adegite who is a medical advisor, Middle Africa to Novo Nordisk answered it; “When applied to skin, some of the chemicals in honey may destroy certain bacteria and fungus and may serve as a barrier to moisture. Its nutrients and other chemicals speed the healing of wounds healing but it does not work exactly the same way when ingested.” Moderation is the answer Notwithstanding, the result of a study on effects of natural honey consumption in diabetic patients carried out by Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Iran shows that consumption of honey can provide beneficial effects on body weight and blood lipids of diabetic patients. However, the study cautions diabetic patients to consume honey sparingly. Regardless of the divergent views, experts agree that all types of sugar should be consumed sparingly, even if it’s honey. Honey though contains vitamins and minerals active in dealing with some health problems, excess of it can harm a diabetic patient more. ADA’s guideline in fact recommends that a moderate amount of sugar can be incorporated in a healthy diet. “Honey may be a useful adjunct in the management of diabetes, while serving as a sweetener, especially if taken in moderate quantities,” says a report in African Journal of Biomedical Research. (Research) This is also the advice of the director of Food Safety at National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Ogochukwu Mainasarawa. According to her, honey products though are nutritive sweeteners, diabetic patients must be careful in consuming them because honey can raise the blood sugar level. “People, especially the diabetics should not consume much of honey.” But how much is much? This is a question still engaging the attention of experts. At present, World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended 25 grams of sugar for adult. That is about seven teaspoons of sugar per day. Notwithstanding, the emerging position is that there is no single diabetic diet. Nutrition prescription for people living with diabetes should rather be tailored towards individual eating habit and other lifestyle factors. More importantly, diabetic patients should be educated to self –manage their nutrition. This way, a patient would be able to determine how much of refined sugar or honey he or she requires per meal.

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Thursday, March 13, 2014 SCIENCEHEALTH | 39

Studies validate health benefits of coffee By Wole Oyebade ESPITE decades of medical advice against one of the most controversial beverages in the world, researchers are proving health benefits of moderate intake of coffee as true after all. Their recent findings have further linked coffee lovers to lower risk of heart failure and stroke. And according to local researchers, there are plenty of healthy reasons to enjoy daily 200ml cup of coffee. Coffee, according to findings, reduces the risk of dying from heart diseases, prevents diabetes, cuts cancer risk, and even reverses cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s patients. Alzheimer is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. In the United States where stroke is among the top three causes of death, drinking five or more cups of coffee a day has been found to reduce risk of death from a stroke by 36 per cent. With more than 140,000 people dying from stroke each year, 36 per cent risk reduction could save the lives of more than 50,000 people a year! Dr. Brai Bartholomew of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, said at a sensitisation forum, organised by Ignite, that coffee is a unique source of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients that could improve health. Coffee contains several important nutrients, including riboflavin, pantothenic acid, manganese, potassium, magnesium and niacin. While the antioxidant is natural, coffee gives the highest net worth of 64 per cent antioxidant, compared to 11 per cent derived in fruits. Public health physician, Dr. Kemi Odukoya added that it was, however, not unusual to hear medical experts prohibit coffee intake among patient. She said it is for reasons not unconnected with its caffeine, which is actually the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. She explained that while coffee has a significant constituent of caffeine content, there are many dietary sources of caffeine eaten on daily basis. Meanwhile, several studies show that caffeine can boost the metabolic rate by 3-11 per cent. Related researches show that caffeine can specifically increase the burning of fat, by as much as 10 per cent in obese individuals and 29 per cent in lean people. Consultant cardiologist, LUTH, Dr. Akinsanya Olusegun-Joseph said what is most important is for individuals to act according to the tolerance level of the body and do all things in moderation. Explaining the current findings on the beverage, Olusegun-Joseph noted that studies were becoming more convincing on the health benefits of moderate use of coffee. A large study of more than 59,000 people conducted over 19 years provides such evidence of coffee’s protective effects against heart failure. The study found that women who consumed at least one cup of coffee per day had a reduction in heart failure of roughly 27 per cent compared to those drinking no coffee. Another study found that four cups per day provides the strongest protection against heart failure in both men and women. Researchers found among women, drinking at least two cups of coffee per day was asso-

ciated with protection of up to 25 per cent against dying from cardiovascular disease. And in a group of patients (men and women) who had suffered the most common kind of heart attack, 96 per cent of patients who were given coffee during their stay in the coronary care unit had a favorable increase in their heart rate variability, a measure of protection against premature cardiovascular death. Diabetic patients are at exceptionally high risk for heart attacks, largely because of the poor endothelial function induced by years of exposure to high glucose levels. A study of type II diabetics showed that those who consumed five or more cups of coffee daily were about 31 per cent less likely to die from all causes and about 30 per cent less likely to die from cardiovascular diseases, compared to those who drank no coffee.

According to experts, endothelial dysfunction is a major risk factor for strokes because it impairs blood flow through the brain’s major arteries. Strokes, like heart attacks, are the consequences of disruptions in endothelial function that lead to sudden loss of blood flow, with devastating effects on surrounding tissues. People who’ve had strokes lose function in the affected brain regions, resulting in disorders of speech, balance, coordination, motor strength, and often cognition. But recent evidence has indicated that coffee can improve endothelial function, reducing your risk of stroke. Studies show that coffee consumption is powerfully associated with reduced risk of both major kinds of stroke, ischemic (not enough blood to the affected areas of the brain) and hemorrhagic (bleeding

from a major brain artery). A study of hemorrhagic stroke, conducted among patients with no prior stroke history, demonstrated that being a coffee drinker was associated with a 36 per cent reduced risk of hemorrhage, compared with being a noncoffee drinker. Ischemic stroke is the more common variety. Compared with drinking zero to two cups daily, people who drink three to four cups of coffee per day have a 23 per cent lower risk of dying from a stroke. That risk reduction climbs to 36 per cent in those who drink five to six cups a day. Similar studies found that women who consume two or more cups of coffee per day (caffeinated or decaf) have an overall 20 per cent reduction in stroke risk. Animal studies help explain the reason behind this powerful protection against

ischemic stroke. When scientists applied coffee-containing water to tiny blood vessels in mice, they discovered that it slows the time it takes for chemically stimulated platelets to block arteries, from just over 12 minutes to 46 minutes. That extra half-hour window could be the time it takes for a stroke victim to reach urgent medical care and avert a catastrophe. Coffee, researchers submit, appears to have protective effects on the liver. The liver is an amazing organ that carries out hundreds of important functions in the body. Several common diseases primarily affect the liver, including hepatitis, fatty liver disease and others. Many of these diseases can lead to a condition called cirrhosis, in which the liver has been largely replaced by scar tissue. It turns out that coffee may

protect against cirrhosis. People who drink four or more cups per day have up to an 80 per cent lower risk. In a Harvard study published in 2011, women who drank four or more cups per day had a 20 per cent lower risk of becoming depressed. Another study with 208,424 individuals found that those who drank four or more cups per day were 53 per cent less likely to commit suicide. Given that coffee drinkers are less likely to get many diseases, it makes sense that coffee could help you live longer. There are actually several observational studies showing that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of death . In two very large studies, drinking coffee was associated with a 20 per cent lower risk of death in men and a 26 per cent lower risk of death in women, over a period of 18-24 years.

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Thursday, March 13, 2014 SCIENCE & HEALTH 43

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‘Lasting solution to strikes in health sector’

‘Why diabetes patients also risk amputation’

Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health. The Senator from Delta State was in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, for the closing ceremony of the Maiden Doctors Games. He spoke with AYOYINKA JEGEDE on his efforts in ensuring that the Senate passed the National Health Bill and its benefit as well as lasting solutions to incessant strikes by various unions in the sector. Excerpts:

• First podiatry workshop hold in Nigeria

HAT is the lasting soluW tion to health workers strike?

limb? It is for reason not unconnected with lack of adequate awareness and control of the condition, especially worsened by the non-availability of foot-care specialists (podiatrists) in the management chain of diabetes in Nigeria. A specialist in diabetes care, Dr. Afoke Isiavwe made this observation recently as she raised concern on increasing rate of diabetes-related sicknesses and deaths in the country. At an event to herald the first podiatry and diabetes foot care workshop in Nigeria, Isiavwe noted that Nigeria, though the most populous country in Africa, should be bothered about its rising profile on diabetes epidemic. Most worrisome, however, is the attendant rate of diabetes foot problems among the population. Prevalence rate, according to local studies, ranges from 0.9 per cent to as much as 16 per cent in a multicentre diabetes outpatients population study, and 19.5 per cent among diabetes patients on admission. A 2005 publication showed diabetes related foot ulcerations accounted for 12 per cent of total hospital admissions in a Lagos based study. Isiavwe said though Diabetes mellitus is a disease that could be easily controlled, but it is not often the case. “And this why Diabetes foot is today the second leading cause of diabetes-related deaths in Nigeria, accounting for 19.5 to 24 per cent of all Diabetes deaths,” she said. Continuing, she said: “A study on diabetes mellitus foot ulcer in Midwestern Nigeria showed an amputation rate of 52.2 per cent and mortality rate of 14.3 per cent in a cohort of diabetes patients with foot ulcers. “In a tertiary hospital in Lagos, diabetes mellitus foot syndrome was responsible for most amputations in the surgical unit, that is, 55.14 per cent of all amputations,” she said. Isiavwe, who is the Medical Director at Rainbow Specialists Medical Centre, Lagos, explained that diabetes is a silent killer disease that targets all organs of the body, when

Our unions must begin to think twice, they need to sit down with the government and be able to factor out ways in which to attend to this. The government need to call a stakeholder’s meeting of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and all other unions let them come in and have a few days of discussion about the forward. What we need to do is to ensure that holistically we review wages and allowances of everybody and rebuild the conditions of services in a manner that everybody is on the table at a time and such reviews will no longer be done until after five years. That is the solution because when you attend to this unions today, tomorrow another union will come out on board wanting more pay, they go on strike once you attend to that one another union will come up on board asking for more. We must start from the basis again where everybody is called on the table, discussions are heard and we will start on a formal level everybody. Thereafter, salaries and allowances should not be reviewed until a five yearly basis, and whenever it is being reviewed every person must be involved in such case we are not going to have disparities, we are having from union to union where everybody is agitating. It will be a question in which everybody will agree on a particular basis and everybody is waiting for another five years for a review whether there is going to be an increments or status quo. The Senate recently passed the National Health Bill. What does this action portend for the future? We thank God that the National Health bill has gone through the ranks and it’s just been passed by the senate, the next is that the initial draft will be taken to the legal department we hope that will be in the next few days after which it will be formerly sent to the House of representatives for concurrent. We are hoping that the ouse of representatives will quickly take it through at the end it will be passed to the president for his accent. The National Health Bill actually provides the framework for regulating the health care industry. It provides the framework for development of the health care industry, particularly the primary health care industry in this country. It also provides for the management of health services, which is very important. The president is very proactive, he has already made a promise to the Nigerian Medical Association and other health association that as soon as the bill returns to his table he is going to accent to it. The health bill that was passed in the 6th Senate had some controversies but those controversial areas have been looked into during the public hearing. We essentially all came into an agreement on some of the issues that were controversial and amendment were appropriately brought into those clauses

that has some controversial issues, as the bill is at the moment accessible to all. What are benefits of the National Health Bill? We talked on the issue of regulation, regulation is very important because any industry that is not regulated becomes abused. It provide the necessary aspects of the law that will regulate the practice by health practitioners including nurses, doctors, laboratory attendance and everybody working in the health care industry, so that quarks will no longer be able to operate without being held by the law. It gives the do’s and don’t in the medical professions. It provides the rights of the users of medical facilities as well as the rights of all those providing the services in terms of regulation. In terms of development, there is a particular clause that provides the basic health fund, that basic health funds provided for in clause 11 will provide a pool of funds from the federation accounts, which will be supported by counterpart funds from the states and local government. This fund is going to be divided into two parts. Fifty percent of that fund will be used by the National Health insurance to provide health care policy, which is the health policy for all pregnant women, children under five years of age and other persons who are vulnerable which includes the elderly and physically challenged, as the funds grow by in subsequent years many more Nigerians would get involved. The other fifty percent of the funds will be utilized through the primary health care development agencies down to the local government councils where the local government working in conjunction with the State primary health care development agencies would be able to provide infrastructures, equipment, train and retrain Nurses and midwives who worked at that level and that fund will also provide a ready pool of funds for the provision of vaccines. A very important aspect is that funding also has part of which they set aside for emergency cases. When people have accidents on their way many people died because most private medical clinics will not attend to them because there would be no body to pay, but a committee has been set-up to operate those funds if somebody has an accident on a high-way he can walk into any clinic, receive treatment and the funding will be provided through the committee, that will be set-up in various states to manage the funds for emergency cases. In terms of management of the health care industry, it defines the role of each person within the health care industry, provides for the National council on health and also provide for National stakeholders forum which will enable the state ministry of health, civil society organizations and other Nigerians who are critical stakeholders in health care industry and even the users who maybe representing patients and ordinary Nigerians they will be able to sit on the table once in a year to discuss the health care

Okowa industry in Nigeria and their decisions can be taken which will help to formulate plans as well as create knowledge based, so that people are not cut off from what is going on within the rural communities because most times people sit back in Abuja or sit back in the state capitals and take decisions for people who they don’t know what their psychological state is. It is not just about the illness, what is the family income? What are the challenges that they face? These are issues that will be discussed at forum and it will create for better health that is all embracing and takes care of all the views of the common man and view of the civil society, organization and nongovernmental organizations. What has been the achievement of this seventh National Assembly looking at health care delivery in the country? We are working in collaboration with the executives, even when we oversight the executives arm of government. But within the legislature specifically we have basic jobs to ensure that we provide appropriate legislation, the other part of it is that we carry out oversight functions. We have done a lot to ensure that we appropriate funds within the limit of the resources available. In the 2012/2013 budgets, we are currently working out 2014, we have been doing a lot to ensure that funds are appropriately placed where they are best needed because we do not actually have enough resources. We also carry out oversight functions, we visited many of the teaching hospitals, many federal medical institutions to ensure that we have value for money otherwise if we do not go on oversight it is possible that it could be spent wrongly. We are on the health bill and it has passed the third reading. We also have the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) bill which is for repeal of the former act and reproduce a new bill that will bring in a National Health insur-

ance commission expanding the possibilities for health care insurance for all Nigerians, that one is at the third reading but has not been passed yet, it is from clause to clause consideration. The anti-stigma bill for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is also at the third reading awaiting the third reading in the health industry. We still have the sickle cell disease control and management bill which is awaiting the third reading. We have also undertaken in the health committee, the new public health act, which is also at third reading a waiting a date for the clause-to-clause consideration. We also hope to put through the tobacco control bill soon. What is really the problem with our health care delivery, long queues in our hospital, many of the patients unable to pay for the high bills charged at federal hospitals? Long queues could be due to the population of the country growing by the day though many more federal medical centres and health institutions are also springing up, but Nigerians are also getting more aware as they seek for health care in appropriate institutions. In the past many of them may have gone to traditional or patent medicine shops; many Nigerians are getting to realise that they need to seek appropriate health care. As for the fact that many Nigerians are unable to pay, that is why the health insurance policy is very important. We must as a country ensure that many Nigerians are covered by health insurance and they would not need to pay from what we called out of pocket, because it is not every time you have money available right at home to attend to yourself. The earlier we are able to effect the health insurance policy which will enable all Nigerians to access medical treatment without having to pay out of pocket the better.

By Wole Oyebade AVE you ever wondered H why diabetic patients are also at risk of losing an arm or

undetected or poorly managed. When poorly controlled, it could lead to stoke, blindness, kidney failure, erectile dysfunction and amputation among others. Isiavwe observed that amputation usually starts with a black spot on the foot or wound that would not heal. She explains: “We are often at a dilemma of how to explaining to that kind of patient that the limb would have to be cut off. As far as the patient is concerned, it is only the toe that is black. But the leg is already rotten (gangrenous). It has to go. “If the blood is not flowing well, and you cut low, the wound will not heal. That is why we have to go to upper part of the limb where there is good supply for the wound to heal well and the patient can get artificial limb.” Isiavwe added: “Usually, patients at that point discharge themselves to try other means. But after they found it not working, they come back. So it is a problem. This is what we see in admission wards of our government hospitals. And it is not like Malaria that is treated and the patient goes home. In this case, patients are there for months. “That is why we are raising awareness on proper foot care for people and workshop for caregivers – doctors, surgeons, general practitioners, nurses, plaster technicians – on effective foot care techniques and prevention approach.” Aim of the workshop is to build local capacity on foot care and bridge the gap in the area podiatry needs in the country and reduce incidences of foot ulcer and attendant amputation. The workshop holds in Lagos from March 17 to 21, 2014. The foot care workshop is a collaborative effort between Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre and Podiatry Institute Georgia, United States. As an advice, Diabetic patients must regularly see an optician, dentist and cardiologists because “a diabetic that has not had a heart attack is like a normal person that has had one cardiac attack.” She stressed that Diabetes care is not all about sugar control. Caregivers must ensure the cholesterol is fine, weight is good, eyes are okay, heart, kidney, liver are all doing well, coupled with functional nerves.

Borno replaces torched health centres with emergency response units From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HE Borno State government T said that the 23 torched Primary Healthcare Centres in the Boko Haram recent attacks in seven council areas have been replaced with Emergency Medical Response (EMR) units deliver healthcare services to the people that live in the insurgency prone areas of the state. The EMR, according to the Ministry of Health authorities, comprise ambulances equipped with “medical facilities and accessories to save life and treatments of emergency cases in rural communities and villages. Speaking Monday in Maiduguri; on torched Primary Healthcare Centres at Dikwa, Bama, Benisheikh, Gulumba and Mafa towns, the Borno State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Salma Anas Kolo said that the destruction of

health centres in the insurgency; will not deter the state government from providing health care delivery services to its people. Her words: “Even though four of our health officers were killed in the insurgency, including the torching of our health centres in seven council areas, we are determined with the support and commitments of our Governor, Kashim Shettima to provide all healthcare delivery services, including free Medicare for children below the age of five and pregnant women both living in urban and rural centres of this state.” She said the seven council areas affected by insurgency, have been restored and equipped with EMR 24-hour ambulance services. She denied that most of the health personnel have abandoned some hospitals and healthcare centres and fled to Maiduguri for safety.

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Ondo tackles HIV/AIDS, polio NDO State Government O has intensified efforts to reduce the spread of the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) infections in the state by scaling up prevention; intervention strategies and increasing access, utilization of counseling, testing, care and support services. The Secretary to the state government, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, said this during a contract agreement signing between the Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ODSACA) and twenty Civil Society Organisations in the state, who are expected to provide prevention – intervention HIV services in the state. He maintained that the unrelenting fight against HIV by the present administration had contributed to Ondo State being one of the 11 states chosen in the country to participate in an impact evaluation exercise intervention. This, he said is in collaboration with the World Bank, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and University of Mamitova. Adelola who was represented at the event by the Project Manager of ODSACA, Dr. Adedayo Adegbulu, noted that the programme, which is being supported by the State

government and partners will be diligently monitored to ensure the Civil Society Organisations perform and deliver on targets given to them, stressing that the country is eager to put an end to HIV epidemic and the engaged Civil Society Organisations must demonstrate their capabilities to do the job. He stressed that the contract negotiation was implemented according to the guidelines of HIV/AIDS fund, noting that they will assist to prevent HIV transmission, create demand for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV services at Mother and Child Hospital, General hospitals and Comprehensive Health centres across the state; while care and support will be effectively given to orphans and vulnerable children of people who died of HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV/AIDS. He added that the programme is a progress towards a more strategic response, by means of available new epidemiological evidences to further underpin strategic direction of programming and implementation, using the newly developed minimum

prevention package intervention. He added that it will expand public sector response, civil/private engagement and strengthen mechanisms in the fight against HIV. Meanwhile, Governor Olusegun Mimiko has disclosed the strategy his government intend to use in maintaining its number one position in the fight against poliomyelites. He said that his government would continue to priotize routine immunization exercise in order to sustain the State’s leadership position in routine immunisation in the country. Mimiko gave the assurance at the Government House in Akure during a meeting of the state task force on polio eradication and routine immunisation. The governor stressed the importance of routine immunization as an avenue to safeguard the future of the children through quality primary healthcare delivery, noting that his administration would not relent in its effort at supporting the task force to achieve the objective. Mimiko, who had earlier flagged-off the first round of 2014 National Immunization

Plus Day at the State specialist Hospital in Akure, reiterated the commitment of his administration to the survival, protection, and development of the children. He noted that all the chairmen of local government in the State had been mobilized to ensure strict commitment to the eradication of poliomyelites, adding that social mobilisation machineries, including skilled human resources were on ground to ensure the success of the threeday exercise. His words: “During this period children below five years will be given 2 drops of potent OPV using house to house strategy and children under one year will be immunized against tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertusis, hepatitis, measles, yellow fever and tetanus at the fixed posts in all the designated health facilities in our wards.” Earlier in his welcome address, the State commissioner for health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, explained that all the logistics supports needed for the success of the exercise had been made available in all the 18 council areas of the State. He urged parents to make their wards available for the exercise.

Hospital gets Chevron’s support on TB diagnosis From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja S part of efforts to provide A support in the fight against Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis (TB), and diabetes, Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, a Chevron company, and its Agbami partners have intensified construction, equipping and furnishing of chest clinics in existing hospitals across Nigeria. The group has also intensified capacity building for health personnel who are trained to handle new equipment supplied, lead HIV/AIDS campaigns to promote awareness, distribute drugs and offer free treatment and testing in Nigeria. The latest effort by the group is the equipping of facilities in Kwali General Hospital of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja with various interventions aimed at ensuring better diagnosis and treatment.

Among facilities donated to the hospital in Abuja were Gene Xpert machine for diagnosing tuberculosis in Nigeria and a new chest clinic and referral centre. Also, Nigeria will on March 24, 2014 join the rest of the world to mark the World TB Day, which is an opportunity to raise awareness about the burden of the disease worldwide and the status of its prevention and control efforts. Chief executive of the hospital, Dr Jude Okonkwo, said, courtesy of the oil firm, that the new clinic is now equipped with standard x-ray machines, wards, treatment rooms and laboratories. He noted how the interventions were important to the large population of people in Kwali. Okonkwo said the clinic no doubt shall impact positively on the lives of Kwali residents and the residents of FCT in general and will help in addressing the health needs of the people

especially as it concerns tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. He urged the indigenes and residents of FCT to see the project as their own and own it. FCT health and human services secretary, Dr Ademola Onakomaiya, said the FCT’s acquisition of seven GeneXpert machines through partnership with private sector to increase TB case findings in the last year and half indicated government alone could not provide all required services for Abuja’s rapidly growing population- currently at rate of 9.3 per cent, three times the national growth rate. The clinic is the 20th to be built by Chevron’s Agbami partners- Star Deepwater, Famfa Oil, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Statoil and PetroleoBrasileirowhich operate Agbami field, considered Chevron’s largest oil find in deepwater West Africa. Since it was awarded in

2004 and started production in 2008, Agbami contributes some 250,000 barrels of oil a day at its peak to Nigeria’s total oil production, said Deji Haastrup, Chevron’s general manager for policy, government and public affairs, who spoke on behalf of Star Deepwater’s director Jeffrey Ewing. The field is some 113 kilometres offshore Nigeria, but “we view the entire country as the Agbami community,” he added. The chest clinic on Kwali General Hospital premises is the 20th donated by Agbami, which also plans to site four more at existing health facilities around the country before year end. Chevron’s Medical Director, Dr Olubukola Fagade, said: “Feedback reaching us shows that the intervention in health has brought significant improvement to people’s lives and empowered people across the country.”

Senior Special Adviser on Administration to the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Shaibu Tssaiyabu, (second from right) cutting the tape to commission an ultra-modern chest clinic and tuberculosis referral centre donated by Agbami Partners to Kwali General Hospital, Kwali, FCT, on Thursday, March 6, 2014. From left are His Royal Highness, The Etsu of Kwali, Alhaji Shaban Audu, Nizaza; Doris Akpovwa of Statoil Nigeria Limited; Shaawanatu Kassim Sanusi of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL); Mr. Deji Haastrup, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited and Honourable Ibrahim Daniel, Kwali Council chairman (right)

Strategies for living a disease-free life (8) OW stress can be they are. In the first category, Hmanaged As I stated last week you may need to effect Thursday, stress is commonly described as the impact of a negative force [could be neutral or positive], from within and without, on an individual’s mental and physical wellbeing. An individual’s response to these negative forces, generally affects the individual directly or his environment. This response of the individual is a product of what goes on in his or her mind. In other words, the thought pattern that is elicited in one’s mind in response to a stressor, determines the impact that the negative force would have on the individual. It is common knowledge that the thoughts going on in one’s mind can be influenced by input from GOD or the devil. The power to select what influences the thoughts should naturally reside with owner. We all must be in control of our thoughts. Furthermore, the thoughts of our minds give rise to emotions and these can be positive or negative emotions. Stress is more often than not the result of negative emotions, such as anxiety, fear, anger, bitterness, hatred and frustration. We know that some positive emotions have led to stressful situations. In the midst of these negative emotions, the way one handles the challenges of life, determines whether he or she will be said to have stress or not. This is very important in the management of stress. Do you overlook the challenge or procrastinate about it, postpone solving it? May be you do not even accept it or you immediately seek help from other people or from GOD, which is the right thing to do, by the way. In solving those challenges, do you get the right solution, which should ease off the stress or a disappointing outcome such as help, not coming as you would have expected which should alleviate the stress? In discussing the management of stress, it is common to categorize stressors into about three groups. These are, firstly, those you can deal with by eliminating or avoiding, secondly, those situations you can change so that you can better cope with them and thirdly, situations or occurrences that cannot be changed which you will have to accept as

certain changes like avoiding certain places (work place), people, discussions and arguments that cause stress. In the second category, it could be as serious as changing jobs if you cannot cope with the pressure in a particular workplace or some demands of your boss in a particular office. You could even do away with certain relationships to better manage the stress. There are some happenings that you can never change, no matter what you do. For example, the death of a loved one. In a situation such as this, you must accept that it has happened and with prayers, counsel and a demonstration of love by those around you, the effect would wear off with time, as expected. Generally speaking, how you think in a stressful situation, determines how the stress may be managed or the outcome of the stress. You need boldness and the belief that you can handle the situation. Take control of your thoughts and shut out other thoughts that may come in and discourage you or bring fear. There are a lot of things you can do to ensure that your thoughts do not sway, such as, reading and meditating on GOD’S Word, praying with His Word, listening to music, reading books that edify, exercising, focusing on thoughts that say “you can.” Create time for relaxation and take a break daily and set aside a period when you will be away from work annually. Exercise helps to reduce the secretion of the stress hormones, so involve in exercises three to four times a week. Walk around more and climb the stairs more often instead of using the lift. Avoid alcohol and drugs that can damage your body. Remember that after the consumption of alcohol and the use of drugs, the stressor will still be there after the effect of the drug and alcohol would have worn off. It is better to deal with the cause of stress than trying to cover up the symptoms. There are some people that may benefit from seeing a counsellor or attending a group therapy session. Finally, your diet, eating healthily and drinking adequate amount of water can help you confront the stressors better.

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Education Edo teachers competency test: To be or not to be From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City CHIEf executive officer of a state notices that A some teachers teaching children in his state were worse than the children they teach. Swiftly he moves to weed out those found wanting. After what looked like a synergy between the leadership of the primary school teachers and the state government on the issue, a volte-face ensued. In the midst of all these, the opposition comes in to stir the waters and in the process may have put some ideas in the teachers’ heads. With the teachers now in court claiming that the state government was incompetent to conduct a competency test on them, and Governor Adams Oshiomhole backed by a vociferous group made up of stakeholders in the state including traditional and opinion leaders, members of the academia and some civil society groups, it appears the drama has just begun in Edo State. On Tuesday, both primary and secondary school teachers in Edo state dragged the state government to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria claiming that the state government was not competent to conduct a competency test for them, insisting that it was only the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) that was vested with the powers to determine the standard of knowledge and skill to be attained by teachers in the country. Plaintiffs in the suit now before the Akure Division of the court includes Messers Okoekpen Emmanuel, Ebare Sunday, Bola Sunday and Osayande Samuel for themselves and on behalf of all secondary school tutors in the state. Apart from the Edo State government, other defendants in the suit are the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, head of committee set by the state government to conduct the assessment test, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor, Head of the state information technology agency, Mrs. Yemi Keri, Head of Service of the state, the state Ministry of Basic Education and Ministry of High Education. Represented by their counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, the teachers want the court to grant an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants excluding the TRCN, whether by themselves, their agents or privy from conducting the purported competency test or any test in any disguise for them pending the determination of the substantive suit. They are also praying the court for an order “restraining the defendants from taking any step or doing anything inconsistent with their employment by withholding their salaries and or any of their entitlements, terminating their appointments as a result of the said competency test pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. The primary school teachers under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) claimed they are statutory employees and as such their employment could not be determined by the state government on the basis of competency without recourse to relevant Edo State Civil Service Rules, which they say governs their employment. In the suit filed by James Abah of Bamidele Aturu chambers, they want the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining the state government and its agents from terminating their employment except in accordance with a procedure in compliance with laws guiding the state civil service. What is playing out now started like a normal verification exercise for workers beginning with primary school teachers last August. Along the line, a drama of sort happened at Asologun Primary School, in Ikpoba Okha Council Area, when one Mrs. Augusta Odemwinge could not read a sworn affidavit she tendered in support of her credentials. Oshiomhole, who was paying an unscheduled visit to the State Staff Training Centre, venue of the verification exercise was appalled that a teacher could not read. In his shocked state, Oshiomhole asked the embattled teacher: “If you can’t read, what do you teach the pupils, what do you write on the board?” The governor was not the only one saddened by the development. The state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade

Oshiomhole Patrick Ikosimi, who was also on hand to monitor the screening exercise, said Mrs. Odemwingie’s display was “an embarrassment.” Peeved and concerned with what he saw, Oshiomhole elected to conduct a competency test for primary school teachers in his administration’s employ. Shockingly, the NUT, which had openly expressed its support for the sanitisation exercise, backed out of the proposed test and the planned exercise became deadlocked. At a point, civil society groups intervened and after meeting with the government, they agreed to also meet with the leadership of the NUT with a view to advising both parties on the way forward. The governor at that meeting said the state government had met with the NUT leadership thrice and they kept on coming up with reasons for other meetings, which no resolutions were reached on the competency test. However, from all indications, it was clear that the governor was convinced of the need for a test, especially against the background of Mrs. Odemwingie’s inability to read a sworn affidavit, coupled with discoveries of varying shades of discrepancies in documents submitted by other teachers. He reiterated this position when he met with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) last week where he said there was no going back on the conduct of the assessment for teachers in the state. “We are not re-inventing or breaking a new ground. It is not a new chapter that is being opened. We have resolved, we are firm that the state cannot possibly continue to leave the children in the hands of those who will destroy their future. “The country is bigger than any individual and the state is bigger than any individual. Leaders will go but the people will remain. I will be surprised that those whose profession is teaching,

setting examination and writing examination regard assessment as something degrading. “In any case, our ego must not be bigger than the ego of the people of the state. It is very clear that our parents want to be sure of those they leave their children with. It is clear that Edo people want to be certain that when they drop their children in school, they are dropping them in good hands. The National President of ASUSS, Comrade Charles Ifaluyi commended the governor for the giant strides that have been recorded in the educational sector. He said teachers were not afraid of the assessment test but believed that the methodology is flawed and urged the governor to reappraise the situation, saying teachers would prefer on-the-job assessment rather than a competency test. And speaking on the issue Tuesday, chairman of the committee saddled with the responsibility of assessing the teachers Prof. Agbonlahor said the committee has since began work but said the exercise was not just on teachers but to assess the entire education structure in the state both the human and infrastructural elements. The former vice chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, told The Guardian: “We will be assessing the totality of the education sector with special reference to primary and secondary schools, our mandate is that we also want to know the state of infrastructure in our public schools; chairs, tables, libraries and others, all the operators in the sector will be involved; CIEs, the commissioners and others. Let’s not just be calling it competency test, it is a holistic assessment of the education sector in the state and along the line, we will assess teachers while in the classroom as they do their job and in the process we will know how effective they are in imparting on the lives of our children. We will ask questions. We have started work already for about two weeks now

We are not re-inventing or breaking a new ground. It is not a new chapter that is being opened. We have resolved, we are firm that the state cannot possibly continue to leave the children in the hands of those who will destroy their future

and by the end of the month, we should be through. As we speak, the committee is meeting with CIEs. We will ask them questions as educators too we are seven professors in the committee; the totality is to move the education sector forward. We can’t ask them about their certificates, it is what they teach the students so that our students can easily progress to higher institutions without the need for external assistance, we have a mandate and we are carrying it out.” Before long, the proposed test generated immense opposition from diverse groups in the state including the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which said the proposed exercise was a ploy to sack the teachers. While cautioning against lay-off of any teacher in the state under whatever guise, it advised the government to train the teachers to its avowed standards rather than the so-called competency test. But if the civil society groups expected a truce as fallout of their meetings, they were ambushed by the governor, who went ahead to organise a town hall summit on education, as they were yet to come up with their proposal as a way out of the deadlock. Caught unawares, teachers who had hoped to attract public sympathy at the town hall meeting lost it as they boycotted the meeting thereby giving the governor a field day. With his delivery, Oshiomhole earned almost 100 per cent support for a competency test for teachers in primary schools in the state, as majority of the stakeholders including traditional and opinion leaders, members of the academia, civil society groups all gave their support for the test. Without mincing words, Oshiomhole who linked lack of proper primary education to the growth of anti-social behaviours including cultism in schools including primary schools, explained that he became convinced on the need for the test when he ordered a verification exercise, which he said was carried across other government ministries and departments when teachers by coincidence of his inspection of the exercises, discovered that some could not read written documents or write. A deeply disappointed Oshiomhole described the development as an embarrassment to the sector. Participants at the venue became agitated when they learnt that the teachers boycotted the meeting. One of the leaders popularly known as Madam Blackky described the action of the teachers as arrogant and wicked. “We suffer to make money in the market to pay school fees for our children, so they want us to be wasting our money by allowing illiterates teach our children, that is unacceptable,” she stated. In explaining why teachers boycotted the meeting, the state secretary of NUT, Akin Adeojo said they decided to boycott the meeting because “If we are discussing critical issues like education, it shouldn’t be for everybody. We suggested an education summit, where critical stakeholders would be invited because we believe there is a pre-determined result on this. The Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh (Ikelebe 111), Isekhure of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, Enojie of Opoji, Enojie of Igueben, former Vice Chancellor of the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor and others commended the governor for calling for the meeting. They threw their weight behind the test for teachers. The Onojie of Opoji, His Royal Highness, Ehidiamen 1, said the government should not compromise in sanitising the education sector in the state. He noted that education is the fulcrum of development in any society, and urged the governor to flush out unqualified teachers from the system in the interest of the pupils, stressing that true union leaders would not support unqualified teachers. In his remark, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri said, “we fully endorse all you are doing in regard to the competency test. What the governor has been saying is in the interest of the people. He has the right to protect the interest of the Edo people. So far you have not done anything wrong in this enterprise.

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World Bank approves $42m support for Lagos public schools By Bukky Olajide He World Bank’s Board of executive Directors has approved financing for Nigeria to further support secondary education programmes in Lagos State. This will allow strong results to be sustained and evaluated in hundreds of secondary schools, and expanded to others. The new International Development Association (IDA) credit of over $42 million to the Lagos eko Secondary School Project is an addition to an original credit of $95 million; which systematically benefited over 620,000 students a year in 667 public secondary schools in Lagos State, over 2009-2013; thereby increasing the number of poor children accessing quality secondary education, and helping technical college graduates from low-income backgrounds to find well-paying jobs.

Among the significant results already achieved under the project, students learning improved dramatically in the Basic education Certificate examinations (BeCe) with student scores from beneficiary schools going up from 30 to 70 per cent in english, 31 to 45 per cent in Mathematics, and 27 to 65 percent in Basic Sciences. furthermore, results of the June 2013 West Africa Senior

Secondary Certificate external examinations showed that 41 percent of students from beneficiary schools passed five credits and above, as compared to just over 18 percent before the project was implemented. According to the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Marie francoise Marie-Nelly: “When students from poor families have the opportunity to go to secondary school and

OWARDS boosting the aviaT tion sector and the society by grooming high management level pilots and aero engineers, who can stake relevance with professionals from any part of the world, British Airways (BA) has unveiled an internship programme for aviation students in Nigeria. The programme, tagged British Airways Leaders of Tomorrow, is a corporate social responsibility initiative, which its general Manager, West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka, told newsmen Tuesday in Lagos, is a capacity building project in the aviation sector instrumental to the sustainability of the business. According to Olayinka, “the competition seeks to find the six top performing students from Nigeria’s major aviation colleges: the Nigerian Aviation Technology College (NCAT), Zaria, and the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, who will have the rare opportunity to spend time with global leaders of the British Airways, and to advise British Airways on what customers of tomorrow would have to see and experience from a global

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku HeRe a foundation is well W laid, the future is assured. This perhaps explains why Oando foundation, in partnership with the United States government has taken Information Communication Technology (ICT) education to

airline, such as British Airways.” entry which has already opened closes on April 10, and the competition is open only to students of NCAT and IAC, who should submit online entries in the form of a 500word essay on the topic, “Building a More Robust Aviation Industry and Travel Luxury: Benefits of International Airlines” to www.baleadersoftomorrow.c om Candidates will be pruned to 20, then 10 from each school and eventually, neutral judges will review the shortlist to produce three ultimate winners from each college. The six will then participate in the internship programme at British Airways Nigeria office for two weeks. After that, the interns would proceed to London for another one week programme, within which they would visit strategic places, including Cardiff and other BA engineering facilities, meet BA Chief executive Officer, Keith Williams, and finally be presented with BA accredited certification to mark their graduation from the Leaders of Tomorrow Initiative. However, participants must

Doregos Academy defends title at science festival From Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, Uyo efeNDINg champion, D Doregos Private Academy Lagos, successfully defended its crown at the recently ended National festival of School Science, which took place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. In the project exhibition Doregos, which exhibited a 2HP Tripowered electricity generator, garnered 76.4 per cent, while Air force Comprehensive Secondary School, Akwa Ibom State scored 74.8 and Mariam Babangida girls Science College, Niger state scored 72.6 percent to finish second and third respectively. In the science quiz competition, however, Living Word Academy, Imo State finished first, and was followed by Aquinas College, Akure, Ondo State and Zamani College, Kaduna in that order.

performance of beneficiary students in public examinations, and continue professional development activities for teachers and school management. On his part, the World Bank task team leader for the project, Olatunde Adekola said, “The Lagos eKO project has built a critical pathway for students from low-income backgrounds to gain access to good-quality secondary educa-

tion, showing that where there is a will, there is a way. “This project displays innovative features, including school grants which allow school principals to address their specific learning needs, greater accountability through the involvement of main stakeholders in key school management decisions and public private partnership in vocational training.”

Oando takes ICT education to primary schools, launches Africoderdojo primary schools. This took off with the launch and donation of a novel ICT training programme called AfriCoderDojo to Archbishop Taylor Memorial Primary School, Victoria Island, Lagos. AfriCoderDojo, according to a representative of the providers

British Airways unveils internship for aviation students By Ibe Uwaleke and Anthony Chidubem Nwachukwu

acquire sound knowledge and skills, they stand a fair chance of getting a good job or accessing economic opportunities later in life, this contributes to eliminating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity, in furtherance of the World Bank’s two main goals.” With the new financing, the project will now extend school development grants to the original beneficiary schools until 2015, track the

The Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, in his address said that since every technology depends on a solid base of science and mathematics, academic curriculum should be made to reflect this at every level of education in the country. “We are indeed very delighted by the privilege to host the 10th edition of this event in Uyo. Today’s event is the product of partnership between the Shell Petroleum Development Company, Intels and Interswitch,” he said. According to him, SPDC’s sustainable development initiatives are focused on important areas of human development with education as one of the focal areas, stressing that the company was committed to doing more in that sector in the country.

have valid Nigerian International Passport with more than six months before and after expiry of visa and must be of good conduct at all times during the internship and be good ambassadors of BA Leaders of Tomorrow. According to Olayinka, “BA has a key role in helping societies where we operate to achieve a sustainable balance of economic growth, environmental protection and social progress, which recognises the needs of everyone to be actively engaged in not only self, but also community development.”

of the training system from Ireland, Mr. eugene Mcdonough, is a combination of a computer term, “Code” and a Japanese word, “Dojo.” He said: “Coder is a computer programmer and Dojo is a Japanese society where people come up through various martial arts. And after they might have been trained, they go ahead to train the next generation.” Mcdonough said that AfriCoderDojo is a fun way of teaching children between the ages of 7 and 17, within a short period of time, the different types of computer programming in simple languages so that they can as well teach others. Director of Oando foundation, Ms. Tokunbo Durosaro, in her welcome address revealed that the foundation, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) department of the company Oando Plc, in its resolve to do more for the society was restrategising to better the society through the support and promotion of quality education

and others. She said: “for us to better the society, we have to educate Nigerians and educate them well. So we decided to start with the primary school because we need to catch them young; we need to ensure they understand the importance of education at the early stage hence, we decided on the “adopt a school initiative.” Durosaro who described ICT as the future of any nation, lamented that Nigeria’s 10.5m out of school children was the highest number in the world, while the country also infamously plays host to six million out of the 36 million out of school girls worldwide. Chairman, Board of Trustees of the company, Dr. Odein Ajumogobia stated that ICT is an essential skill children, stressing that Nigerian children must be able to use the latest technology in order to have effective education in this 21st century. Ajumogobia who noted that technology was moving at great speed, added that the Nigerian child has no choice

but to catch up with it or be left behind. He disclosed that the inaugurated ICT centre, which has in place solar powered desktop computers, printers, projectors, television sets and DVD players, will enhance the learning capabilities of the children while also facilitating their exposure to computer education and other technology. Representative of the state education Commissioner, Mrs. O. Bello commended Oando foundation for the laudable gesture stating that they got it right by investing in the tomorrow’s future. According to her, “a nation that neglects its youths has no future. Where foundation is well laid, the future is certain. When a problem is identified, half of it is solved and I am glad that Oando has got it right.” The Head Teacher of the recipient school, Mrs. Olusiyan thanked Oando foundation for their gesture and pledged that they will utilise the facility to acquire more knowledge and become more relevant in the contemporary society.

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Close ranks to develop education sector, Wike urges stakeholders From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt, Lawrence Njoku, Enugu and Kanayo Umeh, Abuja UPERVISING Minister of SWike Education, Mr. Nyesom has charged education stakeholders to develop a united front in their quest to address fundamental challenges facing the nation, so as to improve access to quality education at both the basic and tertiary levels. In a message to mark this year’s Commonwealth Celebration, Wike stated that building team spirit for the attainment of educational goals remains vital in the face of the numerous challenges facing the sector. He noted that this year’s Commonwealth Celebration with the theme: “Team Commonwealth,” stresses the importance of teamwork and collaboration both within and between Commonwealth countries, urging all Nigerians to always reflect on the observance of teamwork for national and international development. He therefore urged all education stakeholders to continue to collaborate with the Federal Government as it works towards the attainment of the goals of creating access to quality education and building a solid framework towards sustainable growth of the nation. And for over 400, 000 prospective university candidates who cannot secure admission into conventional universities annually, the minister says one way out of the dilemma is for them to actualise their dreams by embracing the National open University of Nigeria (NoUN). Wike, while laying the foundation stone for NoUN’s permanent site in Port Harcourt, Rivers State said conventional universities in the country lack the capacity to absorb the teeming population of Nigerians that desire access to tertiary education. He explained that it is because of this that all over the world the open University system was being encouraged even as he charged Nigerians too have to embrace the trend. Wike said: “Every year, we

• Lambast governors for politicising education have not less than one million Nigerians who write the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) to get to the university and what you can get, that is, the admission capacity is no more than six hundred thousand. And so, you have not less than 400, 000 people sitting at home without having access to university education. That posses a problem for us. With the National open University of Nigeria, sooner or later, it will be a

thing of the past.” Meanwhile, Wike on Tuesday lambasted some state governors for politicising education even when they don’t provide enough funding for the sector. He stated that despite their acclaimed strides in education, the governors were unable to access N50 billion Universal Basic Education Commission’s (UBEC) intervention fund because of non payment of their counterpart funding.

He said: “Government alone cannot fund education. In fact the issue of education is now political; if you go to any state, the state governor will tell you that his only priority is education but if you ask them since education is the only priority, we have not less than N50 billion un-accessed in UBEC and this money is lying fallow in the commercial banks. Managing Directors and chairmen of these banks each year declare fat dividends because the money is there

RoPRIETRESS of Littleland P Junior School, Lagos, Mrs. olufunmilayo Lawson, has cautioned parents against fast-tracking the educational advancement of their children and wards, warning that robbing children of their childhood could prove costly after all. Lawson, who spoke during the school’s 4th biennial interhouse sport competition, which also coincided with its 25th Anniversary celebrations, said parents who were fond of forcing their children’s academic advancement by pushing them to secondary school at very tender ages, were circumventing the natural process of development every child should undergo.

HE old Students T Association of Federal Government College (FEGoCoWoSA), Warri, recently commissioned four projects worth millions of Naira, which it executed in the school. The ceremony was part of events to mark the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association. outgoing National President of the association, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, said the projects were executed in order to give back to the school, which had given them so much. “My vision was to do everything we could to make Federal Government College, Warri, remain great, to inspire the next generation of students to be the best they can be and to motivate them to aspire for greatness”. The former Lagos State Accountant General and Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Finance, described education as “the most potent weapon against poverty,” adding that “if youths have good education, they will be better placed to overcome the challenges ahead”. The four projects commissioned include a new I n f o r m a t i o n , Communication and Technology (ICT) centre, a 500KVA electricity generator, an expanded Infirmary (sick bay) and a renovated dining hall. He assured that he would continue to support the incoming executive committee and the association in general in their determination to move to greater heights.

Rivers State team displaying their third place trophy from the Centenary Inter-Secondary Schools Debate Competition. Amansi Tito-Precious (left), Faith Konya, Joyce Nwanochi and Amanda Shalom Noel-Job

Poor budgeting, policy summersaults, others still plaguing our education sector, says odiari By Ujunwa Atueyi EGIoNAL International R officer of University of Essex, United Kingdom, Mr. Arinze odiari, says policy summersaults, poor budgeting, unsteady calendar, corrupt practices of education providers and managers, coupled with lack of good welfare packages for Nigerian teachers were some of the factors driving

Nigerian students to seek tertiary education abroad. This untoward development, has also given rise to many phoney education agencies and consultants as well as create room for the invasion of the Nigerian market by foreign institutions, who promise to provide overseas education to the bewildered Nigerian students. These and other such observations came to light during

a two-day education fair, held in oyo and Lagos states respectively. Brookline Consult, an education-consulting firm, packaged the fair. In a chat with The Guardian, odiari who noted that Nigerian students who studied abroad do not last long in the labour market, lamented that Nigeria as a country has the resources to offer the best quality education in the

Educationist warns parents against forcing children’s academic advancement By Isaac Taiwo

and nobody is taking the money to develop infrastructure in our schools.” The minister, made the remark at the University of Nigeria (UNN), Enugu campus, during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) interventions in tertiary institutions in the Southeast geo-political zone. He said the Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan has invested hugely in education than any other administration before him adding, however, that this fact was not being appreciated.

FEGoCoWoSA commissions four projects in Warri

Describing the act as “pushing the children too hard,” she said, “It is highly astonishing to find seven and a half and eight year-year-old children being pushed to secondary schools by parents, forgetting that there are three stages in life, which are childhood, adolescence and adulthood. “This insidious attitude robs children of a lot of privileges as they are not allowed to enjoy their childhood, be matured enough before proceeding to adolescence and adulthood stages. It is a problem the government should immediately look into and put an end to the bad development,” she said. She also spoke of the benefits of sending children to private schools, stressing that it allows for a tolerable and acceptable teacher to student ratio, which is a key factor in spotting hid-

den talents. According to her, in private schools few children are allowed in classes as opposed to what obtains in public schools. This condition present in private schools “makes children close to their teachers. This, apart from enabling the children learn better, also help teachers to quickly identify their talents and nuture same. She therefore deplored government’s attitude of not supporting private schools in the state, “despite the glaring fact that the government cannot do it alone without the immense support they are receiving from private schools. Chairman of the school’s Board of Directors, Yomi Lawson advised the government to put in place a scheme

that would provide subsidy or scholarship to children willing to attend private schools but do not have the wherewithal since private schools complement public schools.

world to its citizens, but lacked the will to put those resources to good use. “The country’s education policy has not been favourable, the budget for education in this country is not enough and the available money has not been well spent. The strike action that lasted for six months was a big distraction for any system that meant well for its people. So, “The leaders should be more responsive to the cause of improving education and managers of institution, lectures should put in enough selfless services. We hear teachers are not well taken care of and students can buy marks. All these poor practices cannot be seen at the international arena, and until all these distractions are handled there won’t be a change.”

Adeniyi appointed professor RoFESSoR oladipo Rabiu P Adeniyi has been made substantive professor of Logic and Epistemology by the Ekiti State University. The appointment of Adeniyi, who is also Head, Department of Philosophy, Ekiti State University, AdoEkiti, takes effect from 2008. An alumnus of the University of Lagos, Adeniyi, who is well known as author, critic and orator, graduated with a first class grade from the University of Lagos in 1982. Retained as graduate assistant by the institution, he went on to obtain a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Logic in 1985 and thereafter a PhD in Logic at the obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1991. Adeniyi was appointed lecturer at the ondo State University in 1986 and associate professor in 2005.

Rivers emerges third in Centenary debate contest HE Rivers State team has T finished third in the Centenary Inter-Secondary Schools Debate Competition, organised by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The debate was organised to commemorate the 1914 Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates by Lord Fredrick Lugard. A total of 12 states from the

six geo-political zones participated in the four-day event, which was keenly contested. The four students that represented Rivers state are Faith Konya from Government Girls Secondary School, oromenike, Port Harcourt; Joyce Nwanochi, Amanda Shalom Noel-Job and the lead Speaker, Amansi Tito Precious, all from Ambassador Nne Furo Kurubo Model Secondary

School, Ebubu, Eleme. Topics of the debate were: “More knocks than kudos should be given to the Nigerian media for their roles in the past 100 years,” “This house should abolish school uniform in Nigeria schools,” This house should scrap Post UTME screening examination” and “This house should make law-making a part time job in Nigeria.”

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‘Loss of moral, family values, our society’s bane’ By Ujunwa Atueyi He rate at which moral and family values are taking flight in our contemporary homes and society in general is of extreme concern to the wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs. emmanuella Fashiola, who has blamed the situation for the growing disaffection and anti-social behaviours in the country. She made the submission during her presentation titled, “Restoration of Moral Values in Youths and the Nigerian System,” at the Press Day and Annual Leadership Forum of Dansol High School, Lagos. Fashola, who recalled how neighbours and indeed the entire community were effecting corrective measures on erring youths, even without the consent or knowledge of their parents, lamented that contemporary parents

Executive Director, Lawbreed Foundation, Mrs. Adejoke Layi-Babatunde (left) presenting the trophy to the winner of the 10th edition of the International Debate for Secondary Schools in Lagos to Miss Kessy Edoor of Doregos Private Academy, Lagos…recently. Miss Edoor is supported by her teacher, Mr. Akande.

Fashola advocates youth empowerment as MTN commissions project ITH a high percentage of W Nigerians losing jobs to skilled personnel outside the country, Governor of Lagos state, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has called for improved collaboration in the area of skills development, especially among youths. Speaking recently at the formal commissioning of the MTNF Youth Skills Development Project (MTNFYSDP), held at Government Technical College, Ikorodu, Lagos State recently, Fashola lamented that skilled workers were being sourced from neighbouring countries to undertake jobs such as welding, bricklaying, tiling and others. To address the problem, the governor said his administration went through all the five technical colleges in order to empower them. Underscoring the value of technical and vocational education, he said: “We must begin to accord the appropriate value to technical education and not regard it as inferior to other forms of educa-

tion in formal schools.” Besides, he confirmed that through the help of experts, both within and outside the country including huge investment, the state government has successfully infused life into all the state-owned technical colleges located in Ikorodu, epe, Ikotun, Agidingbi and Ado-Soba. With partnerships such as MTN, Nigerite, Samsung and others, he said opportunities now exist in diverse sectors for skilled youths in Nigeria.

The increase in enrollment into technical colleges, according to him, has boosted the image of the schools and the value of technical education. The governor also mentioned the establishment of an employers Consultative Forum; whereby students who graduate from the colleges can easily have access to work. “There would be no need for unemployment as the market is already waiting for

He Northern Consortium T of Universities in the United Kingdom (NCUK) has partnered with Brookstone Foundation School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to offer students a one-year predegree programme that will prepare them for undergraduate courses in eleven United Kingdom universities. The programme has a scholarship scheme supported by the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, Shell Petroleum Development Company and the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency. These companies already have students on scholarship schooling in Brookstone Secondary School. Chairman of board of governors of Brookstone International School, Mr. Kalada Apiafi explained that the programme would equip students with the study skills and subject knowledge that they need to make their undergraduate study a suc-

added that the launch of the youth skills development project was conceived out of the company’s recognition of the importance of empowering Nigerian youths. Also, he explained that the project aligns with Federal Government’s effort to raise the level of entrepreneurial skills acquisition, as this would boost technological advancement, which is necessary for socio-economic development.

Chevron boosts e-learning in northern schools with hybrid libraries From: Emeka Anuforo HeVRON Nigeria Ltd recently gave a major boost to education in Kano and Adamawa states as it donated two hybrid libraries to two schools there. The libraries, according to officials, would boost elearning and enhance education and electronic surfing of information.

The organisation said at a handover ceremony in Abuja that the firm sees education as a veritable tool for personal and societal growth as well as sustainable development. Chevron’s corporate affiliate, Texaco Nigeria Outer Shelf Limited made the donation to Aliyu Musdapha College, Yola, Adamawa State

NCUK partners Brookstone for pre-degree programme From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt

them. All that is required is for the industries to tell us what they need and we would train more students to supply the numbers. There would be no more issue of foreigners coming to take the jobs that our youths can do when we have the skilled force,” he added. In his remark, Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr Pascal Dozie who said with the firm’s involvement, the expectation is to build proficiency and highly skilled workforce,

cess. It will also give students a world of choice leading to a wide range of undergraduate courses. Apiafi pointed out that the partnership with 12 leading tertiary institutions such as the University of Leeds, that of Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield among others, would eventually pave way for the students to commence a three-year degree programme instead of doing same for four years because of the one year pre-degree programme in Brookstone, Nigeria. He further stated that the partnership with NCUK guarantees a university place to successful foundation students, because of the comprehensive and effective quality assurance that underpins the entire programme. He explained that this ensures that students who successfully complete the programme have the ability to succeed in an undergraduate degree programme in any university, adding that the

students will also be assisted in universities and college admission services application and receive other forms of help from the NCUK students service team. Beyond this, Apiafi added that the NCUK will support application to Oxford and Cambridge universities and students must be 16 years and above at the time of admission into the foundation school as, according to him, one major benefit of the programme is that many Nigerian students who are too young, but are prepared to live and study abroad would benefit from the foundation programme at Brookstone. He urged parents who desire that their kid further their education in the United Kingdom to avail themselves of the opportunity of this unique opening within their doorstep, stressing that the pre-degree programme is intended to give students in the South-South geopolitical zone the chance to school abroad.

and Government Secondary Commercial School Wudil, Kano. The libraries consist of 21 internet-enabled workstations, customisable e-library platform, library books and 20KVA diesel generator plants among others. Group General Manager of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Fidel Pepple commended the Kano and Adamawa states for collaborating with the donour to ensure successful completion of the projects. Represented by Community Development

Officer, Ogor Mena, he expressed the belief that investments should not just be in the nuts and bolts of the industry, but also in people noting that the projects had good prospects for the development of the country’s educational sector. His words: “One of the challenges facing the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, and indeed globally, is the dearth of skilled manpower, which we call the big crew change. I believe that investments such as this in the education sector would help address this issue.

were living in denial with regards to their children’s attitude. She said, “Looking inwards, you will realise that the ills in our society can mainly be traced to loss of values. If a person steals, lies, cheats or even fails to lead followers on the right path, it means such persons have lost or do not have moral values that are important to perform their obligations successfully.” What are these important values, she queried, “I will borrow from a speech delivered by my husband sometimes ago. It is only a restoration of values that will enable good governance to thrive. Values like honesty and integrity; hard work and humility; decency and diligence; respect and appreciation; charity, community caring and then protection of one’s family values. She continued, “When we were growing up, a lot of importance was attached to these values because we were constantly reminded by our parents to always remember the home we hail from. Also in our days, the community and biological parents were in charge of raising children, and so we were always at our best both at home and in public. “Lack of these values has led to the rot spreading through the fabric of our society. However, it is never too late to make amends. If your generation decides to abide by these values, to live uprightly by adopting these moral values publicly and privately, our country Nigeria will have a rebirth,” Fashola stated. Highlighting that Internet and social networks as other factors affecting the moral uprightness of Nigerian youths, she said, “I recognise that it is harder for your generation to be morally upright simply because the world seems to have become a global village, and external influences and western culture easily accessed through the Internet, your mobile phones, television and other means permeate our own culture today. “I am not against foreign cultures, but we must always be careful to adopt only the good ones like using our phones to acquire knowledge, reading great peoples biographies and seeking knowledge on competency and capacity. We must never abandon our own moral values and culture especially our mother tongue else our society will fall apart,” she warned.

FIeF Academy rewards excellence, unfolds welfare fund By Florence Utor or their hard work dedicaFyears, tion to duty in the last five the management of FIeF Academy has rewarded five members of staff at an award ceremony. The five beneficiaries who were paid their first year salary in bulk are Bunmi Olajide, Mrs. Siffau Olatunbosun, Mrs. Taiwo Adejoke, Ajala Khadijat and Muyideen Rosenje. According to the head of the school, Mrs. Mariam Mansur Williams, the school at inception made a promise that any staff that clocks five years with the school would be

rewarded with the salary he or she was paid in the first year of employment. “We have been keeping this promise. This group of awardees today have merited this and we are celebrating them.” The school has also taken a step further in rewarding staff with the institution of FIeF Staff Welfare Scheme with an initial capital of N500, 000. “They can invest the money on anything that is not forbidden by Allah. As time goes on, the funds will increase based on how effective they have been able to run the programme,” she said.

Proprietor of the school, Sheilk Mansur Williams, in his address congratulated the recipients saying “its your day, you deserve the award and we will never hold back on our promise. The school nurse in particular, Mrs. Oladele, has been here for about 20 years attending to the children. I doff my cap for you all because you stayed back against all odds.” He encouraged the staff to continually do their best wherever they find themselves because good service will always pay off at the end. One of the recipients, Mrs. Adejoke, beaming with smiles, thanked God for the honour.

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Focus on private secondary schools (part 1) Promoting Ideal Learning Environment

ORMAL education ought to be one of the foremost national priorities but successful Nigerian governments at different levels have only succeeded in paying lip service to it with all manners of pledges and slogans. With the consequent gross underfunding of education, the degree of neglect as well as dilapidation that characterises secondary school education in most parts of the country does not surprise anyone. Most public secondary schools are in pitiable condition with leaking roofs, cracked walls, absence of writing materials, libraries including but not limited to science laboratories. The under-funding of education(especially the secondary schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arm)in Nigeria over the years and the consequent or attendant decay prevalent within the public school system have led to an upsurge of private secondary schools in most Nigerian cities and towns where children of the rich are educated. But has this development ushered in the much desired result? Your answer is as good as mine .A country is as good as its people .Even if Private secondary schools are expected to carve a niche, there is still a need to make the facilities like roads, light and provision of adequate security a matter of necessity and not as a luxury matter. At the moment, it is very common seeing pupil like Jane Ochai and peterthe younger brother with dull face each time that they are preparing to embark on a journey to school in the morning. Expectedly, pockets of challenges often disrupt the eagerness and dim their love for formal education process every time that the thought of going to the school compound come to their mind. Certainly, lack of cosy or friendly school environment which include the classrooms that are too hot during the dry season to library and science laboratories such as chemistry, Biology and Physics that are usually not ideal for studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; learning and teaching purposes used to discourage the duo from embracing what ought to give them joy and happiness.

Ideal environment for teaching and learning The tutors are not left out of this frustration as many of them often stare at the students with guilt and trepidation because they knew what is ideal for teaching and learning process to be pleasurable but the fact that the system or better ut, the management is not forth coming with the necessary educational tools for easy teaching and comprehension of the subject matter being thought. Before this age, a science student in the laboratory can boast of his own kit and a microscope but with the deplorable state of science laboratories in most secondary schools in Nigeria at the moment in which as many as ten or more stu-

dents have to cram around a microscope is a great disadvantage to all stake-holders. Even, the classrooms and hostels that ought to boost the morale of the students are nothing but a disappointment to most parents and their wards as either their peers are seen as thieves even though they are majorly from affluent homes while the classroom are mere theatre of play as most times play-way method of teaching is over stretched to make teaching and learning process to be like where folk tales are being rendered. Noises like sounds from a generator fill the air thereby impeding the smooth concentration of the few who are seri-

ous with their studies. In addition, the human resources which majority of the schools boast of in terms of academic Associates most times engage in the unbelievable act to pass their examination in schools. Mr Timothy Idoko Itodo, a principal of one of the Private Secondary Schools in Jos put current the scenario in this way: â&#x20AC;&#x153;why do one has to shed tears for the current plight in our educational system when the brilliant graduates have all gone to the Oil ,Gas or the banking sector thereby leaving the education sec-

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Focus on private secondary schools CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53 tor to those who have nothing to offer academically?” He questioned repeatedly. But why have things degenerated so fast? Several factors can be attributable to this free fall in the standard of resource persons including the facilities available in most schools and colleges: first is the attitude of the government in creating an enabling environment or even, coming out with a clear blueprint on educational process as it concerns teaching and learning at this level. For instance, on most streets these days one notices schools springing up all over the place without putting the hazardous noise that is coming from both vehicular as well as human movement. Recently, a vehicle crashed into a classroom that is very close to the road injuring handful of students in the process. Similarly, some female students were kidnapped from their school because of the porous nature of the security network that fails to guarantee their safety. In the past, every school which has boarding facility takes the issue of students’ security very seriously compared to now when there are no formidable fences neither proper presence of professionally trained security personnel to man the schools. But apart from the issue of resource personnel, what about the fees charged by most of these schools? While some parents view it as status symbol majority believe that if the right things are known and adopted, the ever increasing wave of school fees increase that has become the vogue among the private schools will be reduced or totally become a thing of the past. How? A science laboratory expert proffers solution this way: What is required by most of this private secondary schools that have high level of integrity is simply to approach a competent laboratory equipment company with their blueprint on what they desire to. Both parties will consider the options available and pick the most suitable one. In fact, the organisation may permit a form of credit facility system which enables them have what they want and allow them settle their bills .With this approach, it is believed that there will be no transfer or carry-over of much bills to students fees. In addition, striving to obtain an expanse of land for boarding facilities in a serene environ-

ment means a lot when considering appropriate learning environment as well as cost saving measures as most schools at the moment usually struggle to meet up their monthly financial obligations to both internal and external publics.

Diadem Institute of Advanced Studies offers Scholarship Test and Excursion to

Students. Diadem has introduced a robust platform that brings relief to Nigerian students. This involves making it possible for brilliant students from all the parts of the federation to engage in their organized scholarship test and excursion to different parts of the world in order to expose the students to some of the practical and real aspect of the things they learn in the classrooms. Also, for those that are yearning for scholarship, they have a programme that makes the process simple. Besides, they equally provides avenue for students to be exposed to university foundation programmes like Medicine, Pharmacy and Nursing with Texila American University Guyana, South America; foundation in Law, Business Administration, Accounting and other courses in sciences, humanities and Social Sciences in USA, Canada, South Africa and Ghana. 1+1 partnership with the Great Lakes College Toronto and Amet University (Indian’s First Maritime University), India Advanced Level Courses (Cambridge) SAT, TOEFL, IGCSE, IELTS, GRE and GMAT Classes DIADEM INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDIES formerly located at Ifako/Gbagada but now relocated to Adewale Kolawole Street, Maruwa New Market, Lekki Phase 1 has been in the business of providing qualitative education for adolescents for a long time.” We discover that many schools are now setting the pace in the area of adolescent education and as a result, are being rewarded with great success the students’ SSCE & NECO Exams.

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Focus on private secondary schools

Mr. Tony Adede

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 55 Christ the King Catholic College, (CKCC) Odolewu, Ijebu is a governmentapproved Catholic Private Secondary School established by the CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF IJEBU-ODE under the leadership of Most Rev. Albert A. Fasina, Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Diocese, as Proprietor. The College is for boys only and a fully boarding school. The College provides sound, effective, purposeful and functional education for the self – actualization of the boy child. The College offers holistic formation of the male child in line with Christian values. On October 19, 1999 the College relocated from her temporary site of 3360.91m2 of land at Ijebu-Ode to the permanent site in Odolewu along Ijebu-Ode Epe Road, with an area extent of 100 acres of land. Over the years, the College participated in different academic and sports competitions representing the IjebuOde local government area, Ogun State, South-West zone and indeed Nigeria with utmost excellence. CKCC, represented Nigeria in Holland, UK for world Mathematics Olympiads and won bronze medal in 2011. It continued its run of excellence by representing Nigeria in Argentina 2012 world Olympiads after winning several Gold Medals in American Mathematics Competition (AMC) and Olympiads in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. The performance at this competition by the College contingent ranked Nigeria among the first three intellectual nations of the world. Significantly, in November 2013, the College received an award from West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) for producing the BEST MALE CANDIDATE in Nigeria in the 2012 West African School Certificate (WASC) examination. Finally, since 2010, the College has continued to record 100 percent in almost all subjects in WASSCE May/June till date, and hopes to continue to improve. The College has had three Principals namely: Dr. Kola Onasanya 1995 – 2004; Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Matuluko 2004 – 2010 and Rev. Fr. Patrick Balogun 2010 till date.

KITH N KIN

SCHOOL REVAMPS READING CULTURE Kith N Kin has distinguished itself from the pack as it celebrated this year’s book festival in an all-participatory manner .Clearly, the project is a well calculated programme to bring about attitudinal change to the society in general and the school community in particular. The excellence Hall of Kith N

Dr. Nathan Nwachukwu

Mr. Gbolade Famoriyo

Chief Uzo Nwaije

Mr. John Olokose

Kin School was filled to the brim with colourful students, parents, top celebrities, publishers including other invited guests. The Chief Learning Officer and Chairman of of the school, Chief Kaoli Olusanya in his welcome speech lamented that the dying reading culture has reached a disturbing point where all stakeholders in the education sector must begin to aggressively tackle

the issue with a view to turning the trend..He described the festival as brain teasing, urging the pupils to re-dedicate themselves to reading as leaders in the future. ”Readers are leaders. You must cultivate reading habit to lead and excel. ”Kaoli admonished the guests and the teaming students. In related development, the occasion’s chairman, Mrs Aderibigbe in her keynote

address emphasized the importance of reading pointing out that knowledge can only be acquired through reading culture. Highlight of the festival included presentation of Role Model Awards to top celebrities with 9ice-The Gongo Aso Maestro, Chidinma and actor Ayo Badmus.the event is adjudged by many that attended it as creatively crafted, beautifully packaged as

well as brilliantly delivered. With vision to be the best provider of quality and comprehensive foundation education that can lead children to leadership positions in the emerging global economy and mission to inspire critical thinking and by process, unleash the talents of every KKES student through a balanced opportunities as well as stimulating academic environment and maintaining

Mrs. Rita Obidike well trained associates by preparing them to succeed in an increasing complex, competitive and technologically driven global economy. Kith N Kin is set to reach their goal of impacting an exceptional values in their students and by extension, creating satisfaction for both the parents and the society in general It is not surprising when the

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Focus on private secondary schools CONTINUED FROM PAGE 59 educational related services” which include Local and international ticketing, hotel and apartment accommodation (at home and abroad),Travel documentation assistance consultancy like passport and visa processing, Family tour, groups, couples and honey moon packages Religious Pilgrimages Educational/school tour ,excurion packages ,assistance with internship placements for students while on vacation University admission into schools abroad/overseas Short-term language courses (local and international both at home and abroad) Educational camps (local and international) and other educational programmes, especially during the summer .Their clintelle also covers the corporate world, catering for their flight and hotels, Airport meet-and-Greet, Events Management “Our Company has had to adopt the moto “a-one-stoptravel-shop and much more” so as to meet the critical needs of our clientelle/neighbours which are located in an area that can be described as having the largest concentration of families and schools in Africa.”The Chief Executive Officer stated. The need for qualitative education in all its ramifications, to fight poverty and bring about the general upliftment of our economy can never be over emphasised especially in todays world, when the “old generation graduates” are becoming like “educated illiterates” with the advent of information technology. Most parents/guardians from that generation cannot operate a simple gadget in the house without the help of their children and grandchildren. The world being a “global village” now has made total education necessary. This is why Discovery Travel & Tours has channeled her resources towards making this not just a reality but also much easier for parents and guardians. The Travel industry is very relevant to secondary education in Nigeria today because all knowlege attained from the classroom can be collaborated through travels & Tourism, by way of educational tours and excursions. This gives the practical part of their education. It can be a simple visit to the local museum, a brewery, a cloth making factory, the Tax Office, the Post Office, the Banks or a train ride from Lagos to Abeokuta. These are all low budget yet very educating tours that can impact very positively in the education of a student. The school educational trip, camps and the family tours are usually very educating for both children and adults. The family tour creates the added advantage of a family bonding which is a luxury in our world today. We have had very encouraging testimonies about this from parents who have participated in our family tours, so much so that some end up doing a repeat trip in subsequent tours. The educational tours help the children discover their skills and character traits; they get exposed to other children from different backgroubds thereby building their own network and exposure. The children also go through some leadership trainings, which is never

too early to impact in the generation of today. Both internships and acquisition of languages give students an edge in their education and future career pursuits both locally and internationally. Internships provide students with personal exposure to different professions and an opportunity to apply classroom theory to real world problems. These experiences provide a wealth of knowledge and insights for students, which enhance their self-confidence and better focus on their future careers. At the same time, by impacting positively on the future of these children and the country, companies are seen to be meeting with their civic responsibilities to their community

The British School of Lome, Togo The British School of Lome is a first class school celebrating its 30th year as the school of choice for a British and international education in West Africa. With their teaching staff and students coming from over 45 different countries, they offer a truly global education that prepares students for higher education, leadership and life success. Hear the director: “Your passport to the world’s top international universities The British School of Lome Togo is both a day and boarding school that offers the highest standard of education within a diverse and multicultural environment. Our school develops well rounded, confident and compassionate individuals and provides an inspiring and nurturing learning community.” At the British School of Lome they recognize the child as an individual and offer internationally trained teachers, excellent facilities and enriching programmes. They empower the students with the skills to attain academic achievements, develop creative expression and apply moral values. The BSL Difference Internationally recognized British Curriculum from crèche through secondary including Cambridge IGCSE, Internationally acclaimed IB Diploma programme ,Graduating students are fully

supported through the university application process by our Guidance Counselor ,Specialist expatriate teachers, Small class size in stimulating classroom environments, Wide ranging extra- curricular and enrichment activities ,Unique, vibrant and inclusive culture.

Rightville School Rightville School was established in May, 1997 to provide excellent training and education for children at the crucial point of education in the student’s life. Their teaching standard is comparable to the best available in any part of the civilized world. The school environment is set up to provide the best comfort possible and to make the child look forward to going to school everyday. Inspire the desire for adventure and discovery, fostering a spirit of curiosity and encouraging a thirst for knowledge, are all part of a board and balanced education from which all Rightville School pupils’ benefit. Besides, the school is also very conscientious in protecting and ensuring the health, safety and security of every child under their care, and cannot compromise in any way, these essential elements. Rightville School objective is to inculcate in the child the spirit of enquiry and creativity through the exploration of nature both within and outside his environment. In addition, they are out to develop in the child the ability to adapt to his dynamic environment and equally, to provide basic tools for further educational advancement including preparation for trades and crafts of the locality,to give each child the best opportunity to discover and develop his/her potentials to the full ,to teach the child good habits, cleanliness and proper manners, to teach the child the rudiments and understanding of numbers, letters, colours, shapes, forms, objects etc through play ,to inculcate in the child social norms and a sound basis of scientific and reflective thinking ,to teach the child good interaction, coexistence, co-operation and team spirit and to provide basic tools for further educational advancement, including preparation for trades and

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Focus on private secondary schools CONTINUED FROM PAGE 57 school’s performance created turning point for many that attended the ceremony .In fact, with good showing like this, the days of derogatory allusion that ‘to keep anything away from an African, put it in a book’ will soon be a thing of the past.

HSASS: A BRAND FOR EXCELLENCE

‘The true test of a good school is her ability to make average students good and good students exceptional,’ to the glory of God, while schools are mourning because of failures in the nations WASSCE this last few years, our story is that of a lifting’ says the school principal, Mr. John Kenny Olokose, Home Science Association Secondary School was founded two decades ago by the Home Science Association. The body comprises of Accomplished Women Home Economists. Obviously, they were committed to improving the quality of life of the family, particularly the proper nurturing and adequate upbringing of children. As a result of the general publics recognition of the immense, and invaluable contribution of the Association to qualitative education at the Nursery/Primary level, supported by the desire to cater for the post primary education for the pupils of Home Science Association Primary School, the Association Secondary School was brought into being at the premises of Association Primary School, Ikoyi; before moving to their permanent site at Alakuko, A serene environment located at the boundary of Lagos and Ogun State, along Abeokuta Expressway, about a kilometer to Ajegunle Bus Stop. The location is sufficiently distant from traffic noise and blatant atmosphere, the citadel of learning (HSASS) occupies a vast area of eleven acres. The student performance is excellent both in academic and extra-curricular activities. The school had several Awards to their glory. To be acclaimed the best Secondary School in Nigeria as concerns the incoming of the childs intellectual moral and social status. Home Science Association Secondary School (HSASS) is a place for nurturing leaders of our time indeed

Multipurpose Science Lab

DISCOVERY TRAVEL & TOURS Discovery Travel and Tours Limited was incorporated in Nigeria and licensed over a decade ago as a Travel management company, Discovery Travel and Tours has its headquarters located in Victoria Garden City (VGC). To further position her strategically and enhance her network both locally and internationally, Discovery Travel and Tours is affiliated with different professional bodies like IATA (International Air Transport Association), SKAL International (an international travels association with headquatres in Spain), ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), AWTEN Association of Women Travel Executives in Nigeria and NANTA (National Association of

Nigerian Travel Agents. Indeed this has enhanced phenomenal growth and accomplishments in their short period of operation in the travels and tourism industry. Discovery Travel and Tours Limited is a leader in the Aviation industry and Travel Logistics Management geared towards providing professional, excellent, high quality customer focused services through technology and integrity.” We have the ability to administer a company-wide travel policy with exceptional data management capability. The company has in place a team that boasts of integrity arising from different fields and backgrounds.”The managing director revealed. Their vision is to be a leading aviation conglomerate in Nigeria and world at large known

for her Professionalism, Excellent Customer Service and Efficient workforce while their mission is to professionally and excellently stay focused through constant discovery on the part of all stakeholders. At Discovery Travel and Tours, ”travel is not just our job, it’s our passion’’ hence the deliberate plan to operate with a policy of trust and integrity benchmarking professional services and low transaction cost with enhanced services level agreements, effective technology solution to optimize customer satisfaction. Due to the location of their head office, they have had to cater more for “family as well as

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MARKET INDICATORS

AS AT 12=03=2014

PRIMERA AFRICA

NSE’s market capitalisation slides further by N38b Stories by Helen Oji qUITy transactions on the E Nigerian Stock Exchange closed in a downward note yesterday, occasioned by price losses suffered by most bluechip companies, as market capitalization slide further by N38 billion. yesterday, market capitalisation of listed equities depreciated by N38 billion or 0.30 per cent to N12.575 trillion from N12.613 trillion recorded on Tuesday. Also the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) fell by 119.10 basis points to 39150.30 points from 39269.40 points traded the previous day. Further analysis of the transactions showed that Guinness Nigeria Plc led losers chart, dropping by N6.85 kobo to close at N173.15 kobo, Flour Mills Nigeria Plc trailed with a loss of N2.00 to close at N76.00 while Dangote Cement, Mobil Nigeria Plc and PZ Cussons depreciated by N1.02 kobo, N1.00 and N1.00kobo respectively to close at N238.98 kobo, N122.00 and N34.00 per share. On the other hand, Seven Up Bottling Company of Nigeria Plc recorded the highest gain for the day, gaining N4.13 kobo to close at N86.77 per share.

Conoil Plc followed with a gain of N1.90 kobo to close at N51.90 per share while Larfarge Wapco appreciated by N1.50 kobo to close at N112.50 per share. Other companies that enhanced in price were Zenith Bank Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, adding N0.58 kobo and N0.50 kobo respectively to close at N22.57 kobo and N10.68 per share. On the activity chart, Access Bank was the most active stock for the day, trading 47.185 million shares worth N361.257 million in 177 deals, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) followed with account of 27.970 million shares valued at N113.584 million in 266 deals while Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) traded 25.970 million shares valued at N649.748 million in 240 deals. Wapic Insurance exchanged 25.376 million shares cost N21.672 million in 58 deals and FBN Holdings sold a total of 21.302 million shares valued at N266.056 million in 595 deals. Investors in all bought 281.637 million shares worth N3.115 billion transactions in 4506 deals against 347.699 million shares valued at N3.701 billion exchanged by investors in 4782 deals.

Dangote Sugar resolves to increase shareholders’ returns, enhance profitability HE Managing Director of T Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) Plc, Graham Clark has expressed its commitment to leverage his vast experience in sugar business to increase shareholders’ return and enhance profitability of the company. Addressing stockbrokers at the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Lagos yesterday, Clark, who has served most recently as the Managing Director of Illovo Sugar Limited - Africa’s biggest sugar producers with operations in six African countries assured that he would collaborate with the board and management of the company to increase its market share and sustain its leadership position. Clark said the company is embarking on backward integration plan to stimulate sugar production to Nigeria and ultimately to make the product sufficient in the market. “We will increase our capacity significantly. It enable us reach our retail market easier. We are bringing agriculture back to rural Nigeria and be the of the largest commercial farmers in Africa. We will bring new skills to rural Nigeria and employ many people. We would play our part in stimulating the sugar industry in Nigeria. Our plan is to consolidate what we have and build on the plans to continue to reinforce DSR as the leading player in sugar in Nigeria. “There will be exciting things taking place in the next few years. We see our sugar development story effectively moving from now through a period of five to 10 years, when we will develop

new sugar plantations, new sugar factories across the country. We will embrace Nigerian farmers to join us in the production of our raw material, which is sugar cane. We will stimulate considerable economic activities in the rural communities.” Clark added that the company’s recent acquisition of farm machinery worth $35 million from Panafrican Equipment was in line with the Backward Integration Policy (BIP) of the Federal Government of Nigeria and National Sugar Development Council (NSDC). “This is yet another milestone in the Dangote Sugar journey as we work towards the achievement of our strategic sugar master plan to produce 1.5 million metric tonnes of sugar per annum, locally.” Dangote Sugar is actively pursuing a backward integration master plan with a target of producing a total of 1.5 million tons of sugar locally per annum. The subsidiary, Savannah Sugar Company Limited, Numan, Adamawa State is geared to meet this target. Savannah Sugar is located on 32,000 hectares of land with a 50,000 MT/PA sugar production capacity. Currently, the company has 5,000 hectares on cane which is now being harvested for sugar production. The company has also commenced the acquisition of additional hectares of land allocated across Nigeria for the project. Plans are underway for the investment of additional N180billion towards the realization of the Dangote Sugar Project. The locations are in Sokoto, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Jigawa, Taraba States amongst others.

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MarketReport EQUITY MARKET SUMMARY

AS AT 12=03=2014

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LCCI holds maiden award May 1

Thursday, March 13, 2014 NEWSEXTRA 73

Group urges citizens to support good governance By Ibidokun Olubukola Olaniyi

AGOS Chamber of GUN State citizens and L(LCCI), Commerce and Industry founded in 1888, is to Oresidents have been urged to join the train that hold its first awards for outstanding organisations in commerce and industry on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at MUSON Centre in Lagos. According to the DirectorGeneral of LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, the objective of the “2014 LCCI Commerce & Industry Awards,” is to recognize, celebrate and promote private and public institutions that have exhibited the core values of best business practices, growth through innovations, sustainability and have impacted positively on the society. “The Lagos Chamber has decided to recognize and celebrate deserving corporate organisations and public institutions that have contributed to the development of commerce and industry in the economy and this shall be done annually,” Yusuf stressed. He pledged that the modalities and criteria for selecting winners would be made open for all to see while more than 600 entries had been received which cut across all sectors of the economy, adding that interested organisations should visit the Chamber’s website www.lagoschamber.com to download, fill and return their entry forms.

Firm to boost Nigeria’s oil, gas industry FIRM, Mantrac Nigeria, A will participate in this year’s Nigeria Oil and Gas International Exhibition scheduled to take place March 18-20, 2014 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The company’s professionals and other technical partners will be on ground to provide customers and buyers with latest information on caterpillar products and services support to improve productivity and maximize profits. In a statement, it said: “Mantrac Nigeria has been a strong pillar and reliable source for sustenance of power to the oil and gas industry over the years with increased economic activity in Nigeria and as the world evolves into a more digital economy, the need for integrated and reliable power supply becomes more critical. “The nation’s economic growth and present industrialization drive depends heavily on the amount of energy available. This challenge is being addressed with the present progressive and holistic policy shift in the administration and provision of power in Nigeria.” It added: “Mantrac Nigeria Limited formerly Tractor & Equipment has represented Caterpillar for about 65 years and remains the sole authorized dealer for Caterpillar products and services in Nigeria with its strength in nine countries which includes Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Iraq and in parts of Russia.”

supports good governance. A group, “Participation Train,” made the call in an opening address by its coordinator, Mr. Bodunrin Diejomaoh, at the formal launching of its Ogun State chapter recently. It was held at the Participation Train Secretariat, IyanaIyesi, Ota. His words: “We should remain resilient and steadfast in supporting what is good. As citizens we have an obligation not to compromise good standard. We all are aware of the antecedents of past governments in Ogun State. We know that Ogun like Edo before Governor Adams Oshiomole came on board was worse hit by decadence in governance with infra-

Amosun

structural neglect, bogus and ambiguous budgets, a decline in quality educa-

tion. Agriculture, which should be the bedrock and mainstream developer of

any economy was at its lowest ebb. “It is pertinent to note that we have left the comfort of our various businesses and private enterprises to be gathered here today and the reason being that we have seen a light in the horizon, a light that rebuilds our hope for a developed Ogun State. As the train moves from the gateway town of Ota in Ado-Odo Ota local council through the various towns and villages, we shall be the bearers of this light by mobilizing and sensitizing the good people of Ogun into taking a firm position by participating in the rebuilding agenda of the Ogun State Government. To this end, I implore everyone in attendance to put in our time and resources in support of this developmental agenda and ensuring that the

needs and aspirations of its citizenry are met reasonably.” Biodun Akinboyede, a lawyer, noted “the tenacity and an unflinching sincerity of purpose with which Governor Ibikunle Amosun took the mantle of leadership and within just two years, the story of governance in Ogun State has improved from worse to good.” Hon. Nurudeen Akinpelu Aina, who was also in attendance commended the efforts of the organisers in supporting the ideals of good governance in the state. The occasion, which was well attended, had Mr. Owolabi E. Smith, Mrs. Abosede Akinrinola, Mr. Akin Salako and Architect Lateef Mohammed among others making their various contributions in support of the “Participation Train Agenda.”

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Sports LMC: Glo League matches to hold as scheduled By Christian Okpara HE League Management T Company (LMC) yesterday dismissed the rumour making the rounds that the Glo Nigeria Premier League has been stopped by a Jos High Court, saying matches of the league would hold as scheduled. There were reports in the social media that a court in Jos has ordered the LMC to stop the league after two privately owned clubs, Nembe City and Giwa FC, were thrown out of the competition because they did not meet basic requirements to be registered for the competition. The reports also said the court ordered that the two clubs should be reinstated in the league. However, a statement from the office of the LMC Chairman, Nduka Irabor, yesterday said: “We have received several enquiries concerning a rumour spreading that there is a court order stopping the league. We wish to clarify that we are not aware of any such court order and will seek appropriate legal advice from our lawyers concerning this rumour.

The league body reassured the participating clubs, referees, match commissioners, fans and all other stakeholders that the scheduled fixtures for the Nigeria Professional Football League (Glo Premier League) would continue to hold as scheduled. Also speaking on the issue, LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, told MTNFootball.com that what the court is asking for is not possible, as the concerned team, Giwa FC, were not registered, so they are ineligible to play in the league. “There is no court injunction that said the league should be stopped, what happened was that Giwa went to court and the court asked us not to stop Giwa FC from playing in the league,” Abubakar clarified. “This is not possible because they are not registered since they failed to meet the requirements for registration… they did not tell the court they are not registered and they did not tell the court why they were not registered. They cannot play league without registration. “And so the league will continue as scheduled.”

Enyimba and Warri Wolves battling for possession during a recent encounter in Lagos. The LMC says the Glo Nigeria Premier League would continue as scheduled. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI.

ICC World Cricket League Division Five Championship

Nigeria’s promotion bid fails, team meets Tanzania in classification game By Christian Okpara IGERIA’s gallant bid for N promotion to the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League (WCL) Division Four failed at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala

Why I am yet to redeem my pledge to Eagles, by Elumelu By Christian Okpara ORMER Managing FOfficer Director/Chief Executive of United Bank of Africa, Tony Elumelu, yesterday explained that he has not redeemed his pledge to the Super Eagles following their victory at the 2013 African Nations Cup as nobody has approached him to claim the $500,000 pledge. The Super Eagles on Monday pleaded with the economist, banker, investor and philanthropist to fulfill his promise almost a year after their triumphant return from the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup. Speaking through his aide to

The Guardian yesterday, Elumelu said: “Months ago, a number of Nigerian citizens pledged to reward the sportsmanship and success of the Super Eagles at the Nations Cup. “I was one of those who pledged - and many of us have waited expectantly for the organisers to approach us directly and redeem what has been promised to the team. “I am a champion of excellence and of youth initiatives, and I don’t make promises I don’t intend to keep. My promise to donate $500,000 to the players and coaches of the Super Eagles still stands.’’ He called on the coordinators of the national team to

Okpekpe Road Race gets Linkage Assurance sponsorship INKAGE Assurance Plc has the IAAF label condition, we Lsector joined the list of private have this afternoon secured participants in the the sponsorship of Linkage yearly Okpekpe 10 kilometre Road Race, slated to hold May 3. According to the competition’s Director of Organisation, Zak Amodu, Linkage Assurance is coming into the competition as the official insurer of the second edition of the competition. Speaking at a world press conference in Lagos yesterday, Amodu said: “ In our determination to meet the requirement of

Assurance Plc as the official insurer of the second edition of the Okpekpe Road Race. “They will provide insurance cover for the entire 3,000 runners expected this year on a value in kind basis with some cash to support the overall race organisation. “The total financial commitment of N10 million will be envisaged to cover death benefit for each athlete and official, permanent disability and medical expenses.”

“approach us with the necessary names and bank account details for an expedient transfer. I wish them well as they prepare to make Nigeria proud on the global stage in Brazil.”

Lumpur, Malaysia, when the Adekunle Adegbola-led team lost to the home side by nine wickets. With the victory, Malaysia joined Jersey in the promotion to Division Four. Both teams will meet today to decide the winner of the championship, while Nigeria will meet Tanzania in the third/fourth place classification game. Shahrulnizam Yusoff and Suharril Fetri, who impressed in the first innings for the hosts by nicking three wickets each, orchestrated Nigeria’s defeat.

Nigeria could only score 113 runs in 32.2 overs as Malaysian bowlers were on a roll during that innings. For Nigeria, Olajide Bejide and Ricky Sharma were top batsmen with 23 runs each, but it wasn’t enough for them. In the second innings, Malaysia only needing to chase 114 runs got the job done as the partnership of Captain Ahmad Faiz Mohammad Noor and Syeikh Nasir Shafiq scored 111 runs to help Malaysia notch 115 runs. A disappointed Nigerian Captain, Adegbola Adekunle,

said his team started badly and that start proved to be the downfall for Nigeria. “In this tournament, we have played well but they are improvements that need to be made. Each and every member of the side will have to improve and I hope there will be more facilities in Nigeria for our cricketers. “Experience in Malaysia has been great and I hope this experience will help us do well in the next two years when the next tournament comes,” said the man, who is also known as Phillips.

Sopot 2014 fallout

Nigerian athletes gained from IAAF World Indoor Championship, says Okon By Gowon Akpodonor ESPITE ending their camD paign without a medal at the just concluded 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championship in Sopot, Poland, officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), say the country benefitted so much from the competition. Nigeria contingent to Sopot returned Tuesday night and a member of the team, former junior international, Gabriel Okon, told The Guardian that the trip was rewarding in many ways. “Our athletes couldn’t win medals in Sopot, but looking at our participation generally, I will say Nigeria gained so much,” Okon said. “The performance of the athletes was very encouraging, considering the fact that it was our first major competition this year. “Again, some of our athletes in the relay teams competed together for the first time. They trained together once before their first race and as an ex-athlete, I must commend them.

They have demonstrated that with more competition and training, Nigeria will surely do well in other competitions this year,” he said. Okon who is the president of Track and Field Coaches Association of Nigeria, however, said that the injury suffered by U.S.-based quarter-miler, Regina George, affected Nigeria’s chances of picking a medal in the championship. “Regina strolled to the finish line in the 400m heat, which she won. Her time of 51.60 seconds was the fastest time in all the heats. She could have picked a medal for Nigeria in the final, if not for the cramps. All the same, our participation in Sopot was a big lesson and I praise the athletes for their efforts.” George was tipped by many athletics followers to win the 400m title in Sopot, but was forced to pull out of the semifinal due to cramps. At the championship, Nigeria 4x400m men quartet of Tobi Ogunmola, Noah Akwu, Isah Saliu and Ameachi Morton

also made appreciable impact by setting a new African record of 3:07.95 in the 4x400m race. Okon said the quartet is capable of giving Nigeria a gold medal in this year’s

Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. He also assured that Nigeria relay team would qualify for the world championship despite missing the qualification time by a whisker in Sopot.

Nkiyu picks Ihezuo, 20 others for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup LAMINGOES Head Coach, FAzerbaijan Bala Nikyu, has picked 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup silver boot winner, Chiwendu Ihezuo and 20 other players to represent Nigeria at this year’s finals starting in Costa Rica on Saturday. There are also Joy Bokiri, Aminat Yakubu, Uchenna Kanu, Ugochi Emenayo, Mary Ologbosere, Patience Dike and Tessy Biahwo. Ihezuo, who will captain the squad as Nigeria searches for a first-ever triumph in the cadet

competition that was inaugurated in New Zealand in 2008, scored six goals at the last tournament in Azerbaijan to finish second top-scorer behind North Korea’s Ri Un-Sim. Just as it happened in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010, when Korea Republic, which eliminated Nigeria after a pulsating quarterfinal match that went into extra time, went ahead to lift the trophy, France won the trophy in Azerbaijan two years ago after defeating Nigeria on penalties in the quarterfinals.

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UEFA Champions League fallout

Accept defeat in good faith, Robben tells Wenger AYERN Munich winger B Arjen Robben has hit back at Arsene Wenger after the Arsenal manager accused him of being a “very good diver” as the Gunners crashed out of the Champions League. Robben came in for criticism from Wenger and pundits alike after going down from Laurent Koscielny’s challenge to earn Bayern a late penalty although it had no bearing on the game, with the Bavarian giants already leading 3-1 on aggregate and Lukasz Fabianski saving Thomas Muller’s spot-kick. Earlier in the second half,

Robben had fallen in the penalty area under a challenge from Santi Cazorla. Norwegian referee Svein Oddvar Moen - from whom Wenger had called for a strong performance in his pre-match press conference - was not interested and told the Dutchman to get up, but did not produce a yellow card. Wenger was clearly less than impressed by the antics of the former Chelsea forward, who believes the Frenchman should take their European exit with dignity. “I always say that if you are a big manager, take your

loss. If you win, be happy, enjoy, but if you lose, don’t start complaining about the silly things,” he told ITV Sport. “It was two penalties, but I don’t want to have to defend myself. From a big manager, you expect a little bit more if you lose.” Bastian Schweinsteiger gave the European champions a 54th-minute lead on Tuesday night to put them 3-0 ahead on aggregate and although former Bayern striker Lukas Podolski levelled on the night, the home side’s two-goal advantage from the first leg proved the crucial difference.

Atletico’s goalie, Courtois, angered by Real talk HIBAUT Courtois believes “I want to stay with them. It’s final after convincingly overT rumours linking him with okay if people follow my coming Milan on Tuesday a move to Real Madrid have career, but I don’t think they’ll night. been created solely to “destabilise” Atletico Madrid’s successful season. The Belgian goalkeeper has played on loan at Atletico from Chelsea since 2011 and reports in Spain have suggested he will cross the city to join Real when his Blues contract expires in 2016, or for a transfer fee in the next two years. Courtois’ father on Tuesday denied the speculation and, following Atletico’s subsequent 4-1 Champions League victory over AC Milan at the Vicente Calderon, the 21-yearold keeper broke his silence on the issue. Speaking to AS, he said: “I’ve said it in three or four languages. Everyone knows these things have been said to destabilise the team. “I have a deal with Atletico until June 30 and then two more years with Chelsea.

want to sell me. “The press have put this about to destabilise us.” Atletico are currently second in the Primera Division table, three points behind city rivals Real, and will contest a Champions League quarter-

“These kind of things often come out when there is an important game,” Courtois added. “We know it’s not true. “Whatever came out in the press was not true and we are focused on the present. Today (Tuesday) was an example.”

Heineken/UEFA Champions League trophy arrives in Nigeria EFA Champions League U sponsors, Heineken, have announced the arrival of the competition’s trophy in Nigeria as part of its worldwide tour. The trophy arrived in the country yesterday with brand ambassador, Ruud Gullit, UEFA Champions League winner and coach and will be unveiled today. In a release made available to The Guardian, Heineken said it

has numerous events planned around the trophy during its stay in Lagos, adding that the trophy will go on a tour of Lagos and has numerous events planned around it for Nigerians. Heineken has presented the UEFA Champions League trophy tour around the world for eight consecutive years and this year, it will give football enthusiasts in Nigeria, Argentina and Vietnam the chance to feel the diadem.

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TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Kolawole Talabi Continued from yesterday TAKEHOLDERS should be entitled and enabled to play their assigned roles without interference. This is achievable through the creation of a peer review mechanism that grants any stakeholder the prerogative to assess the performance of another stakeholder. Moreover, incentives should be established for any stakeholder who makes public the bad practices of its peers. This will gradually lead to a symbiotic relationship that will eventually guarantee an open cyber ecosystem at all levels. Secondly, greater collaboration must be encouraged between operators and manufacturers. Both producers are the source of extensive market research that has generated invaluable information on individual and corporate consumption in the past. Ideally, the sharing of information between these important players will help in identifying patterns and trends which can be used to forecast the needs of the next billion of internet users. This data can be channelled towards the preparation of recommendations which the relevant agencies of the public sector can then work upon. Policies and programmes that liberalise the market while ensuring free competition are strategically sustainable for reducing digital gaps as typified by the Nigerian case study. Before the liberalisation of the Nigerian telecommunications sector in 2001, teledensity for fixed lines was put at a dismal 0.71. Upon deregulation of the sector, that country’s regulatory body the Nigerian Telecommunication Commission granted GSM licences to both public and private companies and extended the framework of these licences to include fixed telephony, VSAT and internet five years later. The result was phenomenal. At the beginning of the second quarter of 2013, teledensity had surged to a record 85.25. Although the mobile revolution has had a significant impact on access to the internet in Africa, it is still at the early stage. In Nigeria and Zimbabwe, internet browsing on the mobile platform accounted for almost two-thirds of web-based traffic in 2012, essentially putting these two countries in the number 1 and 2 spots of global mobile internet browsing respectively. These results show that liberalisation which dismantles monopoly by replacing it with competition does work. The future of the internet is indeed mobile. Moreover, the contrast in the characteristics of communities (rural and urban) and countries (developed and developing) suggests that dissimilar geographies require well-tailored approaches for universal access and productive use. The methods and materials that worked in North America may not necessarily yield favourable outcomes when adopted for use in West Africa. Therefore, innovative solutions that will adequately address digital gaps must take into account the differences in identities and interests of people and places. Not all rural areas are the same nor needs the same in terms of level of service. The key to achieving success when transferring technologies from one market to another is ‘adaptability.’ Additionally, governments and their regulatory agencies should partner with the private sector to develop domestic variants of foreign technologies that are suitable for use under developing country conditions such as erratic electricity supply and extreme environmental situations. This will stimulate the growth of a domestic industry that will develop home-grown talent for the production of local content. Again, additional tools that solve other indigenous challenges should be incorporated into the development of these hybrid technologies. The introduction of hardy feature phones with torchlight capa-

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Imperative of an all-inclusive internet for information age (2)

Prof. Leonard Kleinrock, ‘‘father of the Internet’’ bilities by Nokia into the Nigerian market boosted demand for mobile telephony among low-income earners. The marginal benefits which the lighting feature of the device afforded users contributed to their widespread popularity. What is more, access rights should be championed by the civil society as a human rights priority. Programmes for creating awareness on access and use should be carefully constructed to inform the government and citizenry

that the current digital divide, like gender inequality, is a violation of the fundamental rights of people. Given that Africa is a relatively youthful continent with more than half of its entire population aged 35 or younger, the present leadership of our political authorities must encourage greater youth participation in the decision-making processes of cyber-related issues for the purpose of inclusion. Another area where attention should be directed is that of sustainable

The YOUTHSPEAK Column which is published daily is an initiative of THE GUARDIAN, and powered by RISE NETWORKS, Nigeria’s Leading Youth Development Centre, as a substantial advocacy platform available for ALL Nigerian Youth to engage Leadership at all levels, engage Society and contribute to National Discourse on diverse issues especially those that are peculiar to Nigeria. Regarding submission of articles, we welcome writers‘ contributions by way of well crafted, analytical and thought provoking opinion pieces that are concise, topical and non-defamatory! All articles (which are not expected to be more than 2000 words) should be sent to editorial@risenetworks.org To read the online Version of this same article plus past publications and to find out more about Youth Speak, please visit www.risenetworks.org/youthspeak and join the ongoing National Conversations’’. Also join our on-line conversation

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Programmes for creating awareness on access and use should be carefully constructed to inform the government and citizenry that the current digital divide, like gender inequality, is a violation of the fundamental rights of people. Given that Africa is a relatively youthful continent with more than half of its entire population aged 35 or younger, the present leadership of our political authorities must encourage greater youth participation in the decision-making processes of cyber-related issues for the purpose of inclusion.

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structures. These are solid infrastructure and similar investments that engender an enabling environment for universal access with the ultimate goal of incubating an evolving ecosystem for the productive use of the internet. Installations such as the ground-breaking Square Kilometre Array fall under this categorisation. The SKA is a multilateral project that is building radio telescopes across international borders. It is being developed in phases by a global consortium of countries and corporations towards a better understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe. With central stations in South Africa and Australia, the SKA venture will also operate outstations in eight partner African countries. The implication of this synergy is reassuringly overarching. Hopefully, the project will greatly build the structural and functional capacities of many African countries. It will achieve this by replacing out-dated information and communication technologies with new innovative ones especially those which favour an increase in internet traffic within Africa and beyond. SKA telescopes will be used to generate big data that will be processed and stored in super-servers. Again, the enormous scale of the venture is already generating discussions within the international scientific community. In fact, the developers have started educational programmes that assist students and academics to gain core competencies in SKA-related fields. Furthermore, the project will encourage intellectual exchange among the countries of the global South and the global North. The consequence of this synergy includes, but is not limited to, the diffusion of ideas and innovations which can be leveraged to resolve the overwhelming negative intricacies of the digital divide. The overriding thrust of this essay is the push for an encompassing approach to solving the challenges of digital gaps through sustainable solutions that are capable of dissolving the gulf between the e-haves and the ehave-nots in the shortest possible time. Concluded. • Talabi wrote from Ibadan. • Full disclosure of the identity, address and telephone of every contributor to the Youth Speak column is obligatory. We wish to reiterate the point that this page is strictly for youths who are in the age bracket of 18 and 43, but not more than 45—Editor.