The Nation April 05, 2012

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INEC fixes Ondo governorship poll for October 20 P6 Newcastle, Sunderland chase Eagles star Moses P24 EFCC uncovers another N9b police pension fraud P2 www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 7, NO. 2086 THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

ANDSTILL: The massive traffic jam on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway after an accident involving two tankers ... yesterday •ST STANDSTILL

Three pupils dead in Ibadan school bus fire T

HREE pupils died last night in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after a fire engulfed the bus in which they were travelling.

Thirteen pupils suffered severe burns and were rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), where three died later in

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

the evening.

The children, aged between five and 11 years, are pupils of Divine Wisdom Group of Schools, Amosun, Lagelu Local Government Area.

They were believed to be returning from an excursion in the bus marked GR 329 LND,

which bears the inscription of their school. There were 21 pupils in the travelling party.

The bus caught fire at the Main Gate of the school, near Ayefele House, IyanaChurch in Egbeda Local Government Area, Ibadan.

The driver of the bus, Mr. Continued on page 2

N150.00

PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE

Jonathan: I took no bribe T

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

HE Presidency yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan did not commit any crime over alleged “gift” of a church to his country home, Otuoke, Bayelsa State by an Italian firm, Gitto Contstruzioni Generalli Nigeria Limited (GCG).

The government said the construction firm donated the church on its own as part of its Corporate Social ResponContinued on page 2

•Dr Jonathan

Panic in Southwest PDP over Obasanjo’s BoT exit

S

ACN: ex-President no longer relevant to anybody

HOCKED by Tuesday’s sudden resignation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo as chair of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaders of the party in the Southwest rushed down to his Abeokuta home yesterday.

They were led by National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Mr. Segun Oni. Others included a former Oyo

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta and Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

State Deputy Governor, Taofeek Arapaja, former Works Minister Adeseye Ogunlewe and some party leaders in Ekiti and Oyo states.

Obasanjo’s sudden resignation was announced on Tuesday. The news broke as some PDP chiefs met in Lagos on what a source described as the plan to “recapture”

Southwest from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The ACN said yesterday that the former President would not be missed.

At the end of a closed-door meeting with Obasanjo, Oni said nobody “pressured” the former President to resign his position.

He said Obasanjo relinquished his BoT chair in line with the timetested saying that it is better to quit

when the ovation is loudest.

Oni said he was in Abeokuta to inform Obasanjo about the new set of party officials from the Southwest. In his view, Obasanjo’s resignation will not weaken his influence or diminish his visibility politically.

Oni said: “I can tell you that nobody wanted Baba to leave. It is a surprise to us. There was no pressure mounted on Baba. He re-

signed when the ovation was loudest.

“What Baba has done is a lesson in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Don’t wait until death do you part when you find yourself in any circumstance; give others chance to perform; that is what Baba has done. It is a big lesson to Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world.

Continued on page 2

•CITYBEATS P7 •POLITICS P13 •SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •E-BUSINESS P47

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

NEWS

Jonathan: I took no bribe Continued from page 1

•Executive Director, Policy and Strategy, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Mr Newman Odia flanked by Mr Segun Odumuyiwa (left) and Bashorun J.K. Randle during the signing of the private placement of N6b, 17.25% series 2 fixed rate notes in Lagos ... yesterday.

sibility (CSR) for executing some projects in Bayelsa State.

It claimed that the church in Otuoke does not belong to President Jonathan or his family.

The Presidency, which made the clarifications in a statement by the Special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, accused critics of the donation of alleged plot to denigrate Jonathan.

It also accused the opposition of desperation without regards for truth.

The statement said: “The Presidency has noted with surprise and some amusement, the patently laughable attempt by

Panic in Southwest PDP over Obasanjo’s BoT exit Continued from page 1

“The only consolation we have is that Baba is around to contribute and mentor his successor and that is what will make our party stronger.”

Oni dismissed the congresses conducted in Ogun State by the PDP as “a sham”.

There was no congress in the state, he declared.

But the ACN said Obasanjo’s resignation should not shock Nigerians.

The party described the resignation as “a cynically dramatic move that will shock only those whose interest has been served by his tragic years in government.”

In a statement by Osun State ACN’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, the party said: “Obasanjo’s resignation as chairman of the PDP BoT may be shocking to those he served successfully.

But to that entire heritage he ruined in his uninspiring and, to a large extent, catastrophic lordship over Nigeria, Obasanjo’s exit is one dramatically cynic act in the theatre of the absurd.

“General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) is no longer practically relevant to anybody

T

any more than what calamity his military and civilian presidency had been to Nigeria.

This man did more harm than good to Nigeria in a very awfully cynical way.

“His first coming in 1976 led Nigeria into the tragedy of the Shagari era. Then, when he was again manipulated into government in 1999, Nigeria suffered atrophy in practically every department of governance, and today Nigeria is reaping the thorns Obasanjo sowed in this country.

“A man’s worth is judged by the effects of his activities.

Only those who have immorally, unethically and corruptly profited from Obasanjo’s rulership of Nigeria will hold him in high esteem.

“As for the Yoruba nation, Obasanjo was an unmitigated calamity. He left us half a century backward than he met Yoruba land. Apart from Yoruba people, other Nigerians are worst off today than they were before Obasanjo came to power both after 1979 and 2007.

“The man told us he was going to fight corruption, but he left Nigeria more corrupt than he met it. He pretended he was nurturing democracy for Nigeria’s future but today what he gave us as democracy

is worse than keptocracy; which is a mentally diseased form of government in which those in government have an uncontrolled desire to steal things.

“If anybody wants to seriously evaluate Obasanjo’s relevance in the country today, especially among his own Yoruba people, they should compare the celebration of his birthday with that of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The difference speaks volume about how important and regarded the two personalities are to their own people.

“Obasanjo prides himself not to be a Yoruba leader. He couldn’t be because he is unworthy to be one. And it shows from how he destroyed Yoruba land and left Nigeria groping and devastated as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, and the poorest of the oil producing countries in the world.

“There is no reason to feel sad about Obasanjo’s exit from the politics of our country.

Baba has a lot to account for.

Obasanjo was one of the poorest Nigerians before he joined politics in 1998. But when he left government in 2007, he was already one of the richest ex-presidents in Africa” “Nigerians demand that

Obasanjo must account for his wealth. It is the legacy of corruption which he left that Nigeria is still grappling with today. It is against this backdrop that whatever “good” Obasanjo and his friends may think he has done for Nigeria will be evaluated,” the statement added.

Former Ogun State Governorship candidate of the PDP, Chief Adetunji Olurin praised the ex-President.

In a statement by his media consultant, Mr Dele Agekameh, Olurin said: “The exit of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as Chairman of BoT, has come at a time when the party has fully entrenched itself In the political firmament of the nation.

“Since 2007 when he became the BOT Chairman, the former President has taken the party to such an enviable position.

One of these giant strides is the victory of the party at the 2011 Presidential election won by the incumbent President, Dr, Goodluck Jonathan. Only recently, the party also witnessed a successful National Convention where new officers of the National Working Committee, NWC, including the new Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur were elected.”

EFCC uncovers another N9b police pension fraud

HERE seems to be no end to the pension fund scam.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has uncovered another N9billion fraud in the Police Pension Office.

The cash was withdrawn between 2007 and 2008. Some of the six suspects standing trial over the N32.8billion police pension scam are said to have been involved.

The six suspects on trial before Justice Abubakar Talba of the FCT High Court in Gudu are the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, John Yakubu Yusufu, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula and Sani Habila Zira.

The anti-graft agency has kept key witnesses who will testify against the six suspects

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

in protective custody.

These facts are contained in a counter-affidavit deposed to in court by the EFCC through one of its detectives, Simon Iorzua, who was a member of the team that discovered the N32.8billion scam.

The EFCC’s deposition reads in part: “That the team is still investigating the accused/applicants on account of other funds allegedly misappropriated by them while at the Police Pension Office.

“That apart from the present charge, our team also discovered that the accused/ applicants in the period of 2007 – 2008 withdrew N9 billion with First Bank and there is an ongoing investigation on the involvement of the accused/applicants.

“That our team further stumbled on some other accounts being operated by the accused/applicants in other

commercial banks which they did not disclose to our team during interrogation.

“That the Commission is still investigating other complaints against the applicants bordering on money laundering, fraudulent acquisition of properties and misappropriation of public funds.”

The EFCC expressed concern about the safety of some of its key prosecution witnesses.

Although the commission did not give the exact figure of the witnesses in the affidavit, a source said “they are more than 10”.

The affidavit added: “That the accused/applicants corruptly enriched themselves as public servants and diverted the funds of the Police Pension Office to their personal use.

That I know as a fact that the evidence gathered against the Applicants by my team is overwhelming...

“That some of the proposed

•EFCC chair Lamorde

prosecution witnesses are civil servants who worked with or under the accused/ applicants as junior workers at one time or the other.

“That many of the proposed prosecution witnesses are now apprehensive and some of them are in protective custody as a result of continuous threat to their lives by the applicants’ agents and persons connected with them.”

The anti-graft commission gave the details of its investigation and specific findings on how the funds were looted.

Continued on page 6

political opponents of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and their collaborators to brew up a storm in a cup over the alleged ‘gift’ of a church to the President.

“It should be clear to all knowledgeable and discerning Nigerians that these allegations are nothing other than another mischievous attempt to denigrate President Jonathan, cast unjustifiable aspersions on his personal integrity and distract him from the serious business of governance.

“For the benefit of the unwary who might be taken in by the antics of an unscrupulous opposition that has little or no regard for the truth in the pursuit of their self-serving agenda, the Presidency wishes to state emphatically that President Jonathan never solicited or received a church as ‘bribe’ from any contractor.”

The statement gave the background on how Gitto donated the controversial church.

The Presidency added: “Yes, a contractor who has worked and continues to work in Bayelsa State and other parts of Nigeria thought it fit, in fulfillment of its corporate social responsibility, to facilitate the renovation of the small church in the President’s home town of Otuoke.

“It takes a lot of desperation to translate this act of social responsibility for which there are innumerable precedents in our country into a crime for which the usual suspects are now calling for the ‘impeachment’ of President Jonathan.

“It is indeed ironic that the groups and individuals now castigating the President because a company freely chose to fulfill its corporate social responsibility by helping to renovate a communal place of worship, are also among those who constantly berate companies doing business in the Niger Delta for not doing enough to

support the development of their host communities.

“Examples of such corporate assistance to communities, cities and states abound across Nigeria. The President’s accusers are certainly not unaware of the fact that the famous Millennium Park in Abuja was donated to the city by a construction company, but we do not recall that anyone was ever accused of receiving the park or other similar communal projects as a bribe.

“For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, the renovated church in Otuoke does not belong to President Jonathan or his family. The Church belongs to the Anglican Communion and the entire Otuoke Community. It has existed for generations and is not a new church “donated” to President Jonathan by his “contractor friend” as is being mischievously alleged”.

The Presidency insisted that the President has not violated provisions of Section 6 of the Code of Conduct of Public Officers (as embodied in the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended) and the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act (CAP C15) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

It said: “President Jonathan has not committed any crime or violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by being present at the dedication of the very humble community church building and publicly acknowledging the assistance of a corporate entity in its renovation.

“Those peddling allegations to the contrary know very well that their charges are baseless and unsustainable. If they must oppose for the sake of opposition, let them desist from peddling patent falsehoods and make a greater effort to be a responsible opposition by offering intelligent and constructive criticism.”

Continued from page 1

Maku and Amosun communities besieged the scene of the incident to ascertain the condition of their wards.

The proprietor of the school, Mrs Oke Ejemuta, who rushed to UCH on learning about the incident, said the Ford bus was bought last year.

She said the driver, who is also a mechanic, was specifically employed to take care of likely mechanical faults in the vehicle.

“This is certainly an arrow, but God is in control,’’ she added Oyo State police spokesman Bisi Okuwobi said policemen had been drafted to the premises of the school to prevent aggrieved parents from taking the law into their hands.

“It was a very sad incident.

Thirteen of the kids that had severe burns were admitted at the UCH; some others were taken to private hospitals for treatment,” she said.

“Many lives would have been lost, but for the quick intervention of policemen, other people around and some motorists who stopped to render a helping hand,” said Mrs. Olayinka Oke, one of the sympathisers.

Three pupils dead in Ibadan school bus fire

Serif Oyedele, said he was conveying the children to school when the vehicle suddenly stopped working at Iyana-Church.

Oyedele said he pleaded with the older pupils to assist in pushing the bus, having discovered that its battery was flat.

“After I checked and discovered that the bus had battery problem, I told some of the older ones among the children to assist me in pushing it.

“But as we were pushing the bus, they told me that fuel was dripping from underneath the vehicle. As I tried to open the engine, flames emerged and the bus caught fire.

“That was how fire gutted the bus. It was when I was trying to rescue the children that I also got burnt in the hand and leg, but I was able to rescue seven pupils before people joined me,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the children who were pushing the vehicle escaped unhurt.

The injured were taken in a commercial cab and motorcycles to the hospital.

Anxious parents around Wakajaye, Iyana-Church,

Continued on page 8

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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NEWS

Nigerians come The United Nation’s first World Happiness Report places Nigerians in the 100th position, lagging behind South Africans and Namibians, two countries whose independence Nigeria was instrumental to, reports OLUKOREDE YISHAU

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•From left: Executive Directors of TELL Mr. Demola Oyinlola, Mr. Onome Osifo-Whiskey and Mr. Dele Omotunde at a conference on tackling flood disasters organised by the magazine in conjuction with Lagos State government and National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) in Lagos...yesterday SEE STORY ON PAGE 9

•From left: Director-General, NEMA Alhaji Sanni Sidi, Assistant Director, Geology/ Geophysics, Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research Dr. Regina Folorunsho and Editor-in-Chief, TELL Mr. Nosa Igiebor at a national conference on tackling flood disasters...yesterday PHOTOS: JOHN EBHOTA

Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa (middle), deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon Betty Apiafi(left) and a member of the committee, Abdulrahaman Terab at a news conference on Nigerians in Brazillian Prisons over drug in Abuja... yesterday PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Senator Gbenga Ashafa (sencond left),Lagos State Comissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Taofiq Ajibade (second right), Manager, Siemens Power Academy Mr. Nasir Giwa (left), General Manager Lagos State Electricity Board Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi and Mr. Tosin Ashafa during the launching of the Youth Career by Senator Gbenga Ashafa in partnership With Lagos State. held at Siemens House Oshodi Papa Experessway Lagos.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

HE United Nation (UN)’s first comprehensive survey on national mood has rated Nigerians as the 100th happiest people on earth. South Africans and Namibians, according to the study Known as World Happiness Report, are happier than Nigerians. South African are rated 90th. Namibians occupy the 97th slot.

The new report comes about two years after Nigeria was described in a 2010 Gallup global poll as having the “happiest people on earth”.

The 53-country Gallup poll rated Nigerians at 70 points for optimism.

Britain scored a deeply pessimistic 44. The poll of 64,000 people from 53 countries around the world found Nigerians to be the most optimistic in the world in their outlook for 2011.

It also found that the most optimistic people mostly live in low income countries, such as Nigeria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Peru and Bangladesh. Twenty countries scored low on per capita income and hope for 2011, including Russia and a number of eastern and central Asian states, plus Colombia and Ecuador.

Four countries – Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Switzerland – were high on both income and optimism.

However, the Happiness Ranking report ranked Denmark at the top of the scale, ahead of Finland, Norway, the Netherlands and Canada, Britain and the United States.

Costa Rica, Israel and the United Arab Emirates citizens are declared happier than Britons who occupied the 18th slot.

At the bottom of the scale is Togo, which was declared the nation of the least happy citizens in the world, behind a long list of other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

The report, which covered 156 countries, largely found that the world’s wealthiest nations were the happiest, on a sliding scale. The report found that money does not just buy happiness.

The report identified political freedom, strong social networks and an absence of corruption as explaining well-being differences between the top and bottom countries. It also discovered that mental and physical health, a person to count on, job security and stable families are also important in whether or not to be happy.

The 158-page report claims the world has become a ‘little happier’ in the past thirty years as a result of rising living standards.

A prominent development economist at Columbia University in New York, who edited the World Happiness Report, Jeffery Sachs said happiness could be achieved independent of economic well-being as measured by Gross National Product.

The report also listed suggestions for governments to promote happiness among their citizens, such as: helping people meet their basic needs, reinforcing social systems, implementing active labour policies, improving mental health services, promoting compassion, altruism and honesty, and helping the public resist hyper-commercialism.

The report noted: “We live in an age of stark contradictions. The world enjoys technologies of unimaginable sophistication; yet has at least one

billion people without enough to eat each day. The world economy is propelled to soaring new heights of productivity through ongoing technological and organisational advance; yet is relentlessly destroying the natural environment in the process. Countries achieve great progress in economic development as conventionally measured; yet along the way succumb to new crises of obesity, smoking, diabetes, depression, and other ills of modern life. These contradictions would not come as a shock to the greatest sages of humanity, including Aristotle and the Buddha. The sages taught humanity, time and again, that material gain alone will not fulfill our deepest needs. Material life must be harnessed to meet these human needs, most importantly to promote the end of suffering, social justice, and the attainment of happiness.

“The challenge is real for all parts of the world. As one key example, the world’s economic superpower, the United States, has achieved striking economic and technological progress over the past half century without gains in the self-reported happiness of the citizenry. Instead, uncertainties and anxieties are high, social and economic inequalities have widened considerably, social trust is in decline, and confidence in government is at an all-time low.

Perhaps for these reasons, life satisfaction has remained nearly constant during decades of rising Gross National Product (GNP) per capita. The realities of poverty, anxiety, environmental degradation, and unhappiness in the midst of great plenty should not be regarded as mere curiosities. They require our urgent attention, and especially so at this juncture in human history.

For we have entered a new phase of the world, termed the Anthropocene by the world’s Earth system scientists. The Anthropocene is a newly invented term that combines two Greek roots: “anthropo,” for human; and “cene,” for new, as in a new geological epoch.

The Anthropocene is the new epoch in which humanity, through its technological prowess and population of 7 billion, has become the major driver of changes of the Earth’s physical systems, including the climate, the carbon cycle, the water cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and biodiversity.

The Anthropocene will necessarily reshape our societies. If we continue mindlessly along the current economic trajectory, we risk undermining the Earth’s life support systems - food supplies, clean water, and stable climate - necessary for human health and even survival in some places. In years or decades, conditions of life may become dire in several fragile regions of the world. We are already experiencing that deterioration of life support systems in the drylands of the Horn of Africa and parts of Central Asia.

On the other hand, if we act wisely, we can protect the Earth while raising quality of life broadly around the world. We can do this by adopting lifestyles and technologies that improve happiness (or life satisfaction) while reducing human damage to the environment.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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NEWS

100th in UN’s first Happiness Report 20 WORLD’S HAPPIEST • Denmark • Finland • Norway • Netherlands • Canada • Switzerland • Sweden • New Zealand •Australia •Ireland • USA •Costa Rica •Austria •Israel •Belgium •Luxembourg •United Arab Emirates •United Kingdom •Venezuela •Iceland

20 LEAST HAPPY • Togo • Benin • Central African Republic • Sierra Leone • Burundi • Comoros • Haiti •Tanzania •Congo (Brazzaville) •Bulgaria •Georgia •Chad •Burkina Faso •Mali •Zimbabwe •Congo (Kinshasa) •Liberia •Ethiopia •Cambodia •Niger

“Sustainable Development” is the term given to the combination of human well-being, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

We can say that the quest for happiness is intimately linked to the quest for sustainable development.”

The report added on the search for happiness: “In an impoverished society, the focused quest for material gain as conventionally measured typically makes a lot of sense. Higher household income (or higher Gross National Product per capita) generally signifies an improvement in the life conditions of the poor. The poor suffer from dire deprivations of various kinds: lack of adequate food supplies, remunerative jobs, access to health care, safe homes, safe water and sanitation, and educational opportunities. As incomes rise from very low levels, human well-being improves. Not surprisingly, the poor report a rising satisfaction with their lives as their meager incomes increase. Even small gains in a household’s income can result in a child’s survival, the end of hunger pangs, improved nutrition, better learning opportunities, safe childbirth, and prospects for ongoing improvements and opportunities in schooling, job training, and gainful employment.

“Now consider the opposite end of the income spectrum. For most individuals in the high-income world, the basic deprivations have been vanquished. There is enough food, shelter, basic amenities (such as clean water and sanitation), and clothing

to meet daily needs. In fact, there is a huge surfeit of amenities above basic needs. Poor people would swap with rich people in a heartbeat. Yet all is not well. The conditions of affluence have created their own set of traps.

Most importantly, the lifestyles of the rich imperil the survival of the poor.

Human-induced climate change is already hitting the poorest regions and claiming lives and livelihoods.

It is telling that in much of the rich world, affluent populations are so separated from those they are imperiling that there is little recognition, practical or moral, of the adverse spillovers (or “externalities”) from their own behavior. Yet the problems of affluence also strike close to home. Affluence has created its own set of afflictions and addictions.

Obesity, adult-onset diabetes, tobacco-related illnesses, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, psychosocial disorders, and addictions to shopping, TV, and gambling, are all examples of disorders of development. So too is the loss of community, the decline of social trust, and the rising anxiety levels associated with the vagaries of the modern globalized economy, including the threats of unemployment or episodes of illness not covered by health insurance in the United States. Higher average incomes do not necessarily improve average well-being, the U.S. being a clear case in point, as noted famously

by Professor Richard Easterlin, and shown in Figure 3.2. U.S. GNP per capita has risen by a factor of three

‘

•A crowd of Nigerians: how happy?

since 1960, while measures of average happiness have remained essentially unchanged over the half-century. The increased U.S. output has caused massive environmental damage, notably through greenhouse gas concentrations and human-induced climate change, without doing much at all to raise the well-being even of Americans.

Thus, we don’t have a “tradeoff” between short-run gains to wellbeing versus long-run costs to the environment; we have a pure loss to the environment without offsetting short-term gains.

“The paradox that Easterlin noted in the U.S. was that at any particular time richer individuals are happier than poorer ones, but over time the society did not become happier as it became richer. One reason is that individuals compare themselves to others. They are happier when they are higher on the social (or income) ladder. Yet when everybody rises together, relative status remains unchanged. A second obvious reason is that the gains have not been evenly shared, but have gone disproportionately to those at the top of the income and education distribution. A third is that other societal factors - insecurity, loss of social trust, a declining confidence in government - have counteracted any benefits felt from the higher incomes.

A fourth reason is adaptation: individuals may experience an initial jump in happiness when their income rises but then at least partly return to earlier levels as they adapt to their

new higher income. These phenomena put a clear limit on the extent to which rich countries can become happier through the simple device of economic growth. In fact, there are still other general reasons to doubt the formula of ever-rising GNP per person as the route to happiness. While higher income may raise happiness to some extent, the quest for higher income may actually reduce one’s happiness. In other words, it may be nice to have more money but not so nice to crave it. Psychologists have found repeatedly that individuals who put a high premium on higher incomes generally are less happy and more vulnerable to other psychological ills than individuals who do not crave higher incomes. Aristotle and the Buddha advised humanity to follow a middle path between asceticism on the one side and craving material goods on the other. A further huge problem is the persistent creation of new material “wants” through the incessant advertising of products using powerful imagery and other means of persuasion. Since the imagery is ubiquitous on all of our digital devices, the stream of advertising is more relentless than ever before. Advertising is now a business of around $500 billion per year. Its goal is to overcome satiety by creating wants and longings where none previously existed.”

The report continues: “Advertisers and marketers do this in part by preying on psychological weaknesses and unconscious urges. Cigarettes,

caffeine, sugar, and trans-fats all cause cravings if not outright addictions.

Fashions are sold through increasingly explicit sexual imagery.

Product lines are generally sold by associating the products with high social status rather than with real needs. And finally, there is one further word of warning to those who expect to become happier by becoming richer. Even if gains in well-being can be eked out by further income gains, the evidence is quite overwhelming that after a certain point, the gains are very small. The key idea is known as the “diminishing marginal utility of income.” Suppose that a poor household at $1,000 income requires an extra $100 to raise its life satisfaction (or happiness) by one notch. A rich household at $1,000,000 income (one thousand times as much as the poor household) would need one thousand times more money, or $100,000, to raise its well-being by the same one notch. Gains in income have to be of equal proportions to household income to have the same benefit in units of life satisfaction. This principle means that poor people benefit far more than rich people from an added dollar of income.

This is a good reason why tax-andtransfer systems among high-income OECD countries on balance take in net revenues from high-income households and make net transfers to low-income households. Put another way, the inequality of household income is systematically lower net of taxes and transfers than before taxes and transfers.”

America worried over poverty in Nigeria, says ambassador

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HE United States (U.S.) yesterday said it is concerned about poverty situation in the country.

Its ambassador in Nigeria, Terence McCulley, said in order to reverse the trend, U.S. would work with government to alleviate poverty.

McCulley said the U.S. government, through its agencies, would support the energy sector, Niger Delta, education, agriculture and regional security. The ambassador, who spoke to reporters via the telephone, said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to that effect recently.

McCauley said President Goodluck Jonathan’s economic agenda offered incredible opportunity for poverty alleviation, adding

•'How we are building EFCC's capacity' From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja and Wale Adepoju

that the U.S. would help to build capacity of Nigerians to curb insurgency in the country.

He condemned the August 26 bombing of last year and other bombings, which, he added, affected the country and international community.

He said the U.S. was concerned about the extreme ideology of the Boko Haram group, saying it would carry out educational programmes to ensure the development of the North.

He identified Bauchi and Sokoto as states which require education and public health programmes.

He said: “The U.S. government will improve children’s education and restore hope for their future.”

He said the U.S. plans to extend its outreach to Kano. He said the threat

by Boko Haram might stop the US from opening its embassy in Kano.

He said: "We are committed to partnership with Nigeria and we have programmes with the Nigerian Police in various capacities. I think that there would continue to be challenges and Nigeria can count on partners like the United States to help build capacities to address these challenges."

On the fight against corruption in Nigeria, he said: "We have a va-

riety of programmes to build capacity of the EFCC. We saluted the nomination of Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde. For a year and half, we tried to raise nomination because we recognised that the EFCC had not been able to fulfill its mandate.

"We have a variety of training programmes in place to build the capacity of EFCC workers. Chairman Lamorde is going to Washington in a week's time to have similar discussion with law enforcement and other agencies. At every opportunity, we talk about the need to address the problem of corruption. It is a dialogue we carry out at the highest level of this government and we recognize there is a problem. But I think we are deploying resources to assist the gov-

•McCulley

ernment of Nigeria to address this problem and it is part of our public diplomacy message."

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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NEWS

EFCC officials quiz Ondo Assembly’s accountant, two others over alleged fraud

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PERATIVES of the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (EFCC) have arrested the Ondo State House of Assembly’s accountant, Mr. Akin Akinnagbe, and two other principal officers over alleged misappropriation of funds.

The anti-graft agency reportedly stormed the assembly complex at 2pm on Tuesday. They took away Akinnagbe and the two others to their Abuja

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

office for interrogation.

The Nation learnt that EFCC officials were acting on a petition sent to them by a human rights activist, Mr Morakinyo Ogele.

Ogele had alleged that Speaker Samuel Adesina mismanaged N900million meant for the execution of projects in the parliament.

The petitioner had listed how the funds were allegedly mismanaged.

The petition reads: “Twenty-four million naira,

being the amount approved for fumigation of House of Assembly’s exterior and interior with teller number 00560016; •“N18million, being the amount approved for a fiveday retreat at MIcCOM Golf, Ada, Osun State, and purchasing of spare parts for mechanical workshop with N1 million; •“N46mllion, being the amount approved for the supply and installation of wireless intercom system with 200 capacity extension

Outages expose inadequacies of govts, says Obi

(Teller number 00560099) and N36million for purchasing of back-up Perkins generator for the House 500KVA soundproof (00560096); supply and installation of 80 units of 60 waits/20VZ security light; •“N25million, being the amount approved for the printing of 2012 calendar with Teller number 00560029; publication of personality profile brochure for Assembly, with N12million and Teller number 0056122.”

Though some principal

officers of the Assembly declined to comment on the matter, sources confirmed that the trio was invited for interrogation.

EFCC officials were in Akure, the state capital, to arrest the Chairman, State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Otunba Debo Ajimuda, over alleged misappropriation of over N61billion belonging to the agency.

He was released on bail after about a week in EFCC custody.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

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NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi

has said the outage that occurred during his meeting with the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Dr Precious Gbene-ol, showed some national inadequacies to those in authority.

An outage had occurred for over 30 minutes when the governor and Gbene-ol met on Tuesday at the federal secretariat, Abuja.

The meeting was concluded at Protea Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja.

The governor noted that such experiences remind those in power what their fellow Nigerians go through.

A statement by the Office of the Governor in Nnewi, the state capital, quoted Obi as saying such experiences encourage those in governments to solving the people’s problems.

He said Anambra State was working towards meeting the MDGs by 2015.

According to him, 120 of the 170 communities in Anambra State now have primary health care centres with each local government having a general hospital for referral cases.

Obi added that the state had almost completed a teaching hospital as well as accrediting the state’s hospitals and health institutions by relevant authorities.

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (second right) with Mr Pan Encel of Huawei Technologies (left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment, Princess Olufunke Oworu (second left); Mr Andy Wang, Managing Director,Huawei Technologies; and Miss Bolajoko Afonja, of Huwaei Technologies, during a business visit of Huawei Technologies team to the governor in Ibadan…yesterday PHOTO:NAN

UK ACN members eulogise Tinubu at 60

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CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) members in the United Kingdom have showered encomiums on their National Leader and former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who marked his 60th birthday last week.

A statement by their Chairman, Dr Ibrahim Emokparie, said: “We are using this medium to commend and acknowledge the achievements of Asiwaju Tinubu in positioning

EFCC uncovers N9b police pension fraud •Continued from page 2 It added: “That the EFCC received an intelligence report to the effect that over N19 billion was withdrawn from the account of the Police Pension Office by 5th Applicant (Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula) herein in violation of the epayment circular and the financial regulation.

“That it was alleged in the intelligence report that at various times, the 1st – 3rd accused/applicants (Esai Dangabar, Atiku Abubakar

Kigo and Ahmed Inuwa Wada) in collaboration with the other applicants, authorised the fraudulent withdrawals of the said funds and shared same among themselves.

“That the Commission accessed the intelligence report and found same to be credible. The intelligence report was further referred to my team for further investigation.

“That my team went into action by investigating the case and our investigation revealed the following:

INEC: Ondo governorship election holds October 20

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ARRING the unforeseen, the governorship election in Ondo State will hold on October 20, the the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced yesterday.

According to a statement last night by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Emmanuel Umenger, the new time-table and schedule of activities were released at the end of its weekly meeting yesterday.

He said the notice of the

the ACN as the fastest growing party in Nigeria. We also appreciate him for being a role model, mentor and political human developer in Nigeria and beyond.”

They prayed God to grant him more years on earth to continue affecting human lives in positive ways.

The ACN members promised to keep the party’s flag flying in the UK, saying they have convinced more people from other parties to join the ACN.

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From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

election would be issued on July 16 while the collection of forms for the election by political parties at INEC headquarters will be on July 27.

According to him, public electioneering campaigns by political parties will begin on July 12 and end on October 19, a day to the election.

The statement reads: “Political parties sponsoring candidates for the election

“The 1st accused/applicant (Esai Dangabar) was the director in the Police Pension Office between 2008 and 2009.

“That the 2nd accused/applicant (Atiku Abubakar Kigo) was a director in the Police Pension Office between February 2010 and February 2011.

“That the 3rd accused/applicant (Ahmed Inuwa Wada) was a director in the Police Pension Office between February 2010 and June 2011.

“That the 4th accused/ap-

•INEC chair Attahiru Jega

should submit the names of their (party) agents to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Ondo state, on the 13th October 2012, seven days to the election.”

plicant (John Yakubu Yusufu) was an Assistant Director, accounts in the Police Pension Office between February 2009 and September 2011.

“The 5th accused/applicant (Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula) has been with the Police Pension Office since 1999 and she is currently the cashier of the office.”

The 6th accused/applicant (Sani Habila Zira) “is the Head of ICT (Information Communication Technology).

Osun Poly students protest Name Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

FOR two consecutive days, students of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, have prevented their lecturers and non-academic staff members from entering their offices.

The students are protesting the proscription of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) by the management of the institution since 2008.

The management postponed the matriculation ceremony, which would have held yesterday, until further notice.

As early as 6:30am on Tuesday, the students locked up the school’s gates and barricaded roads to the campus.

The students, yesterday, employed the service of a Disk Jokey (DJ), who set up his instruments at the school gate and entertained them with music.

Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Osun State chapter, Comrade Seun Abosede, led the protest.

He said the proscription of the union allows the management to extort, exploit and intimidate the students without being challenged.

SERAP’s suit against CBN for May 8

By Precious Igbonwelundu

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FEDERAL High Court, Ikeja, yesterday fixed May 8 for hearing in the suit filed by the Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) seeking to compel Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to disclose information and documents on fuel subsidy spending for last year.

The groups filed the matter under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. Joined as co-respondent is the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN).

Counsel to SERAP, Miss Oyindamola Musa, told the court that the applicants were unable to serve the motion on notice on the respondents because of logistics constraints.

Ogun govt, Daniel bicker over SMS

HE authorship of a damaging SMS being circulated against the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration in Ogun State has pitted the government against former governor Gbenga Daniel.

The text message is said to have been in circulation in the past two weeks.

The SMS, signed by OGD, an acronym of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is insinuating that the Amosun-led government has accessed N2.8 billion Ecological Fund from the Federal Government and misappropriated same.

The government said it was aware of the text message being circulated in the name of OGD and had expected the former governor to either deny or own up to it, if he was the author, so that the public could be well informed on the matter.

The government, through its Commissioner

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

for Information and Strategy, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said no such funds were released to it by the Federal Government since it came on board 10 months agao.

The malicious text message reads: “The N2.8billion, which we have been lobbying the President for to construct the artificial lakes and create the solution to the perennial flooding of Isheri, has now been released to Oke Mosan.

“This is the time to come together and insist that the fund is not diverted. It is what I fought for and used our closeness to Jonathan to secure.”

“It was approved during my tenure but for the slow machinery of the Govt, the cheque should have long been released. It’s time for you people to move - OGD.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

CITYBEATS

Fashola hailed

By Oziegbe Okoeki

THE chairman House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade, (Epe II), has commended Governor Babatunde Fashola, for naming the new Art Gallery after the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka. He stressed on the need to encourage the celebration of our heroes and heroines, while they are still alive.

According to him, this would motivate the celebrants to continue to contribute positively to the society and go a long way to inspire the younger generation to get more engaged in creative, innovative and developmental activities. According to him, Prof. Soyinka is a great asset to humanity.

He said: ''The Nobel Laureate is not only a literary icon and cultural ambassador, but also a quintessential advocate for human rights, democracy, good governance and social justice who really deserves to be celebrated by all and sundry.”

Olulade also commended Fashola for the creative erection of a befitting Art Gallery edifice which would not only be an avenue of showcasing the artistic and historical monuments that symbolise the rich cultural heritage of Lagos State but would stand out as a tourist haven with the potential for generating more revenue into the coffers of the Lagos State Government.

7 08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

Mother goes to jail for injuring son

• Mrs Jacob

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T was a case of child abuse gone bizzare when a woman in a fit of anger seized a razor blade and inflicted serious injuries on her child. That was the ordeal a child (name withheld) faced in the hands of his mother Grace Jacob.

But a Family Court in the Ikeja Magisterial Division presided

•Front and back of her son

By Yinka Aderibigbe

over by Mrs A. A. Oshoniyi decided she would not go unpunished and sentenced her to six months imprisonment for inflicting bodily injuries on her son.

Mrs Jacob was charged with child abuse, an offence to which she pleaded guilty.

In her statement to the police, she admitted inflicting injuries on her son, she blamed her action on anger.

She said she went into a rage when she discovered that the boy had destroyed her property that particular day.

Her case was referred to the Office of the Public Defender (OPD),

16-year-old emerges one day Governor

Police dismiss 10

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ISTORY beckoned on 16year-old Miss Lilian Ogbuefi, a Senior Secondary School three student of Lagos State Senior Model College, Kankon in Badagry West Local Government Area, yesterday as she emerged winner of the secondary school category of the Spelling Bee competition.

With her victory, Miss Lilian would have the privilege of serving as this year's one Day Governor of the state.

She contested alongside 56 other students before emerging the winner. Miss Ogbuefi showed composure and confidence, as she spelt all the words thrown to her by the quiz master on her first try, a feat that will see her reign as the 12th Oneday Governor of Lagos State and 6th female to win the competition.

She also clinched a giant trophy, a cash prize of N250,000 as well as several cartons of Honeywell Noodles, one of the major sponsors of the competition.

Also, Ireti Ogedengbe, of Oke-Afa Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Ejigbo and Chibueze Jonathan, of Sanya Senior Grammar School, Ijeshatedo came second and third and walked away with trophies and N150,000 and N100,000.

The visibly excited Ogbuefi, told journalists that she did not envisage winning the competition as she was unable to memorize all the

• Wife of Lagos State governor Dame Abimbola Fashola, (right), and Commissioner for Education Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye (left), presenting winner of this year’s Spelling Bee Competition, Miss Lilian Ogbuefi, her prizes... yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

By Miriam Ndikanwu

words required to be the best.

"Am so excited, I didn't really believe I was going to win, I was scared, and I was not fully prepared because I only memorized like 16 letters, but God was on my side and the prayers by my parents were answered."

"I didn't know about three of the words but some words have tricks to which they can be spelt like most French words end in letter 'e' and Greek words that sounds like letter 'f' are spelt with 'ph', that was how I was able to spell them", she said.

Ogbuefi commended her teachers for the coaching and the New Era Foundation for establishing the competition for educational development in the state, saying, it has impacted tremendously in the development of students and foster healthy competition.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, described it as a motivation for those who did not win to go back and study hard in order to win future competition.

"This is a healthy competition, there is always another time for others who did not win, but somebody has got to win," she said.

STATE AGENCIES 4. KAI Brigade Phone Nos: 080-23036632; 0805-5284914 Head office Phone Nos: 3. LASTMA Emergency Numbers: 01-4703325; 01-7743026 080-75005411; 080-60152462 5. Rapid Response Squad (RRS) 080-23111742; 080-29728371 Phone Nos: 070-55350249; 080-23909364; 080-77551000 070-35068242 01-7904983 080-79279349; 080-63299264

1. Fire and Safety Services Control Room Phone Nos: 01-7944929; 080-33235892; 080-33235890; 080-23321770; 080-56374036.

THE Lagos State Police Command on yesterday said no fewer than 10 policemen have been dismissed in the last one year.

The command's spokesman, Joseph Jaiyeoba, whomade this known explained the officers were charged with offences ranging from corruption, disobedience, negligence of duty, misuse of fire arms, and drunkenness.

He said five of the dismissed policemen have been charged to court.

Jaiyeoba disclosed that 12 policemen were presently facing orderly room trial at the command over similar offences.

The spokesman added that the state Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, has set up a monitoring team to monitor activities of policemen in the command.

Jaiyeoba said mechanisms are in place to ensure effective policing of the state.

Two 'fake LASTMA officials' WO unemployed men, docked Adeboyejo Adewale and

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Ganiyu Ramoni, who allegedly impersonated traffic officials and allegedly damaged a vehicle, have been docked.

Adewale, 32 and Ramoni, 46, were arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates' Court for allegedly impersonating officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

They are facing a two-count charge of felony and imperson-

LAGOS EMERGENCY LINES

2. Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos Zonal Command Phone No:080-33706639; 01-7742771 Sector Commander Phone No: 080-34346168; 01-2881304

by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA).

The OPD swung into action by getting the Police involved and followed the matter up until justice was done to the matter. Meanwhile the victim, Victor Emmanuel has been enjoying government’s care since the matter begun.

070-55462708; 080-65154338 767 or email: rapidresponsesquad@yahoo.com 6. Health Services – LASAMBUS Ambulance Services Phone Nos: 01-4979844; 01-4979866; 01-4979899; 01-4979888; 01-2637853-4; 080-33057916; 080-33051918-9; 080-29000003-5.

ation before Magistrate Olufemi Isaacs.

The prosecutor Barth Nwaokeye, an Assisitant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the men committed the offence at about 4.30 p.m. on March 20, in Alausa, Lagos.

Nwaokeye said that that the men, while falsely representing officials of LASTMA, vandalised a Toyota Avensis car with registration No KQ 635 EKY, belonging to the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos. He said that the offences contravened Sections 78(b), 349 (4)(a), 409 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case till April 25 for further hearing.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

NEWS UniAbuja shut From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

THE University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has been closed down indefinitely following the protest by students of the institution over the suspension of four programmes by the Federal Government.

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, had said Medicine, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture were being run illegally.

A source told The Nation that the closure became necessary because of the current security situation in the country and to avoid hoodlums hijacking the protest to wreak havoc in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

During the protest, which started about 11am, the students barricaded the entrance to the university, forcing academic activities to a standstill.

The protesters carried placards and green leaves to show their anger.

Although no casualty was recorded or property destroyed, The Nation gathered that students from the Department of Engineering started the protest which attracted fellow students from other departments.

Soldiers and policemen were drafted to disperse the students. They shot sporadically into the air to disperse the protesters.

Expectant mother narrates ordeal during Sagamu-Ore robbery A

N expectant mother, who was in the luxury bus that was attacked by robbers on the OreSagamu Expressway at the weekend, yesterday relived her ordeal.

The bus was conveying pupils of Holy Rosary College, Enugu, fron Enugu to Lagos, when the incident occurred.

The woman, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “I was at Ekene Dili Chukwu bus station about 2pm with some other parents to pick my child, but we were told that the bus bringing our children from Enugu to Lagos developed a fault at Ore. “The bus company management decided to send another bus to Ore to pick the children.

Three male parents and I offered to go with the bus to Ore. “When we got to the place where the faulty vehicle was parked, the kids were transferred into the new bus.

“After driving for sometime, we met other vehicles on the way, and they told us not to go any further because armed robbers were operating in front.

“Our driver parked, but after some time, he said he could no longer wait because he would be travelling early the following day and must get to Lagos on time.

“Despite our pleas, he drove on until we got to where the robbers were. The driver and conductor abandoned the bus and escaped into the bush.

•School, parents to sue transport company

By Jude Isiguzo

“The robbers almost raped me. But when I told them I was pregnant, they let me be.

It was just God that saved us.”

A male parent, who was also in the bus, said: “From the point where the driver and the bus conductor abandoned the vehicle and escaped, the robbers took over the steering, because the driver left the key in the ignition.

“They drove us into a bush and ordered all of us out of the vehicle. I had N135,000 on me and stuck it in one of the seats before going out of the bus.

“While the robbers were searching us and ransacking the bus, we heard gun shots, apparently from the police.

“The robbers ordered us to get back into the bus, but not

all of us got in before they left hurriedly.

“Two other male parents and I were left behind with some students. Nobody was raped at that time, but I cannot tell what happened thereafter.”

He said one of the male parents was shot in the eye and he is receiving treatment at a private hospital.

He said they were rescued and brought to Lagos by the police.

Chairman of the school’s Parents’ Teachers’ Association (PTA) in Lagos Mr. Cyril Akunyili said they would sue the transport company for negligence. He said no pupil was raped.

He said: “Two day before the pupils embarked on that

journey, I called the company’s manager in Enugu and he said they have provided a very good bus for them.

“I was surprised to hear that the bus developed a fault around 1pm. I called the manger again and he said it was a little problem and that the driver said he was fixing it.

Later, we learnt from the students that the driver and conductor abandoned them and went into one village in Ore. I called the manager again and he said they had gone to fabricate the damaged part of the vehicle.

“That was when I knew there was a problem. We started calling company’s Lagos Office, but they were lackadaisical about the issue and did not agree to release another bus to go and pick the children until around 7pm.”

He said, if the company hadsent another bus on time, the incident would have been averted.

Akunyili said no parent has come out to say that his or her child was raped and that they have documents to prove their claims.

He said the pupils were taken to a hospital where they were checked and confirmed okay.

On the blood stains on the children’s uniforms, he said they were caused by bullet fragments from the gunshots.

“Even my daughter was injured by the fragments.”

The headteacher, Rev. Sister Mary Ani, arrived at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, yesterday at 2:30pm and was welcomed by over 22 of the pupils and their parents.

Though she did not speak with reporters, Akunyili said she was there to give them some infomation that would prepare them for the legal battle with the transport company.

Wema donates N2.5m to Osun pupils’ HE management of feeding programme Wema Bank Plc has

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donated N2.5 million to the Primary Schools Feeding Programme of the Osun State Government .

Deputy Governor Titilayo Laoye-Tomori received the cheque on behalf of Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the Government House yesterday

Fom Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

She said the bank’s support for the programme, tagged: O’Meal, was timely.

The deputy governor said the programme is a demonstration of Aregbesola’s resolve to ensure that every child in the state has access to education.

She said: “A conducive learning environment and food - rich in high protein guarantee rapid physical and mental development of every child.

“Without these, the learn-

ing and formative years of children will be hampered.”

Mrs. Laoye-Tomori urged other corporate organisations to emulate Wema Bank and contribute to the development of their host communities.

The bank’s team, led by the Zonal Manager, Mr. Olusegun Olawepo, assured the government of Wema Bank’s support.

About 155,318 primary 1 – 111 pupils in public schools are to be fed once a day, five days a week, by the government for a year.

•Aregbesola

The menu, which includes chicken, fish, beef and eggs, will cost N1.5 billion per annum.

The programme has has empowered 3,000 women across the state, who were appointed food vendors.

Senate: no cause for alarm over 2012 budget

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HE Senate yesterday said there is no cause for alarm over the signing of the 2012 budget.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang spoke with reporters in Abuja on the status of bills and other legislative matters.

Some Nigerians are worried that more than two weeks after the National Assembly passed the 2012 Appropriation Bill, President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to assent to it.

Minister of Finance Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Tuesday explained that the Presidency was cross-checking the Bill to ensure that the right thing was done.

Enang said according to the constitution, the President has 30 days to endorse the budget.

He said: “The President is entitled to 30 days to examine the budget and sign. The President is still within the time limit, so there should be is no anxiety over the budget.”

Enang said there is a pending motion in the Senate seeking the upper chamber’s support for Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala’s bid to emerge President of the World Bank.

He said the Senate is behind her.

Describing the motion as “very important,” the lawmaker said: “Nigerians can predict the outcome of the motion because we are behind

•Backs Okonjo-Iweala From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

her.”

He said between January 9, when the Senate resumed plenary and yesterday, 53 bills have been introduced and

read for the first time.

Enang said of the 53 bills, 15 are executive bills while the rest are private member bills.

He said 22 bills have been read for the second time and referred to relevant committees, while six have been passed.

Three pupils dead in Ibadan school bus fire Continued from page 2

An eyewitness said: “God was so merciful on those kids that this incident happened in a place where many people were available to rescue them before the fire could totally engulf the bus.”

A combined team of men

of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and policemen from Monatan Police Station also assisted in the rescue operation.

An FRSC official, Mr. Adekanye Oluwafemi, confirmed that 21 kids were affected by the fire and that the bus was an 18-seater Mitsubushi.

Voters’ apathy to polls worries INEC

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From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is ruing over voters’ apathy and an increase in number of void votes in its organised elections.

The commission attributed the scenario to the absence of voters’ education.

An INEC’s National Commissioner, Dr Chris Iyimoga, spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at a meeting with the commission’s workers in the North Central Zone.

He said the commission planned to establish voters’ education clubs in schools to link up communities for the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.

The clubs, he said, would sensitise the public for the 2015 elections.

Dr Iyimoga said INEC had commenced the sensitisation programme in schools/communities nation-wide on the importance of voters’ education club.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

NEWS

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TACKLING FLOOD DISASTERS IN NIGERIA

• Alhassan Nuhu...yesterday

•Bello...yesterday

•Brabander...yesterday

PHOTOS: JOHN EBHOTA

How to tackle flooding in Nigeria, by experts

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XPERTS yesterday sought ways to minimise the impact of flooding or prevent it as the rains begin.

It was at a National Conference on Tackling Flood Disasters in Nigeria, jointly organised by Tell Magazine, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Lagos State government.

NEMA Director-General, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi, said the management of flood is the responsibility of everyone. The agency, he said, is working towards having three-digit emergency lines and a more efficient ambulance service system to respond to emergencies.

In the meantime, the numbers: 08032003555 and 092905777 can be called to report any emergencies, he said.

“It is crucial for people to understand that they have a responsibility towards their own survivals and not simply wait for government to find and provide solution,” he said.

He called for collaboration among principal agencies in the management of flood-related disasters in assessment, planning, mobilisation, monitoring and reporting.

According to him, considering the need for timely and regular information, there is a need to coordinate interorganisation assessments of disaster situations to provide adequate information for the coordinating efforts of NEMA when disasters occur.

Besides, because of what he said is “the usual” inability of resources to meet response needs during emergencies, there is a need for mobilisation of “resource

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By Joseph Jibueze

support” to serve as contingency back-up.

“It is only when stakeholders and partners oblige themselves to this minimum cooperation that NEMA can make meaningful contribution to our desire of evolving a disaster resilient society,” Sidi said.

The NEMA boss warned about the threat posed by the collapse of Lake Nyos and the emission of poisonous gases that could follow it.

He said a response manual has been produced to enlighten the public about the threat.

States that will be mostly affected should such a disaster occur, he said, include Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Kogi, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom and others in the Niger Delta.

Sidi said: “There is also the seeming lack of understanding of these threats, their implications, and the roles of stakeholders and communities.

“Several sensitisation and awareness workshops and meetings were held to address the challenges posed by these threats, and it was decided that the agency, as a matter of urgency, should put together a coordinated multi-stakeholder response manual drawing from existing documents, guidelines, and plans in line with the National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF).

“As a result, the Agency in 2010 - 2011 took the initiative to develop Lake Nyos Response Manual which specifies the roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders with regard to the threat in order to limit overlap and

close gaps.

“The manual … is due for circulation soon. Also, awareness creation and sensitization are on-going in the affected areas.

“This allows flexibility, and a continuous planning design, for smooth implementation and adjustments where and when necessary.”

“Furthermore, every relevant organisation has been systematically represented to fit into the different levels of response where their expertise would be maximally utilised to allow efficiency in the event of the collapse of Lake Nyos.”

Lagos Commissioner for the Environment Mr Tunji Bello urged residents not to panic when it rains, saying the government is addressing the issue of flooding.

He said what Lagos experiences when it rains do not yet amount to flooding of the worst kind. “There is flooding if the water does not disappear after 24 hours. Our people are impatient. After a heavy, they expect the water to discharge in less than two hours.

“The media will publish pictures of streets covered with water, but if you go there 24 hours later, you won’t see the water. That is not flooding,” Bello said.

Bello said if the rains are high, the channels would lock due to the large mass of water. It would take time to discharge. If it does not clear after 24 hours, then there is cause for concern.

He however urged the Federal Government to dredge the creeks in the state, saying the continued failure to do so could lead to serious flooding that could be devastating in

Teachers’ Institute boss gets fellow

IRECTOR-General and Chief Executive, National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Dr Aminu Ladan Sharehu, has become a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administrators of Nigeria.

A statement by the institute’s Registrar, Mrs. Safiya Umar Balarabe, said the honour was“in appreciation of his outstanding prowess in administrative matters and as a professional.’’

Balarabe said the institute will hold its 35th anniversary, National Teachers’ Summit, 2nd Convocation and Awards of Honour.

The summit will hold May 17 and 18. The convocation and awards ceremony are slated for May 19. Over 35,000 NCE graduates, who graduated between 2009 and 2011, will be presented with certificates. The Institute will also honour Vice-President Namadi Sambo,

Governor Rochas Okorocha, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), Governor Aliyu Adams Oshiomole of Edo State and others.

Other recipients include Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Governor Rotimi Amechi of Rivers State, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Governor Babatunde Fashola(SAN).

Expected to grace the occasions are Professor Rukayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, the Honourable Minister for Education, Chief Ezenwo Nyensom Wike, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yakubu Gowon, Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Emir of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris and other dignitaries in education sector within and outside the country.

its impact.

“There should be a programme for maintaining creeks and rivers. I can’t remember the last time creeks were dredges – maybe 40 years ago,” Bello said.

The commissioner said more money from the Ecological Fund should be given to states that need it, adding that a situation where a Northern state gets as much as N7billion while a coastal state such as Lagos is given N700million is not ideal.

According to him, Lagos

has a functional drainage system, most of which are undergoing daily improvements, adding however that residents must avoid clogging them with refuse and obstructing water channels in any form.

Tell’s Editor-in-Chief, Nosa Igiebor, said governments must make concerted efforts to minimise the impact of flooding. He praised Lagos State government for being proactive in flood management.

Other speakers were Assistant Director, Marine Geol-

ogy/Geophysics Department of the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos, Regina Folorunsho and Director, Centre for Disaster Risks Management And Development Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, Prof Edwin Iguisi.

Deputy Head of Mission of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Hans de Brabander, spoke on Holland’s experience in dealing with challenges of floodrelated disasters.

10

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

NEWS

IG arrests anti-kidnapping squad in Delta M

ORE than eight members of the Anti-Kidnapping Task Force in Delta State have been arrested and flown to Abuja for interrogation on the orders of Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar.

Those arrested were accused of aiding and abetting kidnap suspects in the state.

They include the task

force head, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), and over six members of the squad.

The suspects were also accused of allegedly colluding with criminals.

The task force has been disbanded. It was gathered that ‘pastors’ are among the over 98 persons nabbed in recent times for kidnapping

by the police, the State Security Service (SSS) and the army.

The police and the SSS have 40 in their custody while the army has 18.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan confirmed the arrests at the end of yesterday’s State Security Council meeting at the Government House Annex, Warri.

•Imoke (second left), Deputy Governor Efiok Cobham (left), Abubakar and Speaker Larry Odey at the inauguration....yesterday

T

Cross River gets emergency response squad

HE Cross River State Government has inagurated the state Emergency Response Centre Quick Intervention Squad (ERC-QIC) to intervene promptly and professionally to forestall, prevent and curb all crime situations and emergencies in Calabar.

Inaugurating the squad, which consists of the Police, Army, Navy, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), fire service and other security and emergency agencies, in Calabar yesterday, the Acting In-

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

spector General of Police, MD Abubakar, said the squad would create a synergy among security agencies to control crime in a more efficient manner.

Abubakar described Cross River as the safest state in the country and lauded the government for always collaborating with security agencies.

Governor Liyel Imoke said the stability of any economy

is dependent on the safety and protection of lives and property.

He said the state cannot compromise on security and has taken a number of proactive measures to ensure that peace is sustained.

State Security Adviser (SSA) Rekpene Bassey said the initiative would complement policing efforts.

He said it would be duplicated in other local governments soon.

Mobil to dialogue with ex-militants

F

OLLOWING Monday’s disruption of its operations by ex-militants at its Qua Iboe Terminal, Mobil Producing Nigeria yesterday said efforts are under way to meet with representatives of the group to ascertain their grievances.

The firm stated this in a statement by its Executive Director, Government and Public Affairs, Mrs. Gloria Essien-Danner.

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Mrs. Essien-Danner assured host communities of a cordial working relationship.

The statement reads: “Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/MPN Joint Venture, confirms that unknown demonstrators held a peaceful rally outside the Qua Iboe Terminal, Ibeno, Akwa

Ibom State, on April 2.

“MPN has notified security and government agencies of the development and efforts are under way to meet with representatives of the group to ascertain their grievances.”

Unknown youths, who claimed to be ex militants, blocked the access road to Qua Iboe Terminal.

The protesters called for the relocation of the headquarters of Mobil to Akwa Ibom.

Rivers signs MoU on syringe factory

T

HE Rivers State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with three European companies for a factory that would produce syringes.

The factory, to be sited in Rumuosi on the East-West Road, is expected to provide about 2,000 direct jobs.

The factory is expected to be completed in two years and will be run as a commercial venture.

At the signing yesterday, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker, formally signed the MoU between the government and Sortimat of Germany,Austroplan of

Austria and Rommelag, also of Germany.

Parker said:“We have an existing factory. We have acquired more land around the existing factory.

“We are going to expand the capacity of this factory

A

from the existing 160 million reused prevention syringes factory and in addition we will include other lethal medical devices that will be produced there and we expect that this factory should be put to use within 30 months at most,” he said.

Akpabio dissolves exco

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio yesterday approved the dissolution of the state executive council.

The dissolution, announced in a statement by Akpabio’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Anietie Ukpe, took effect from yesterday.

According to the statement, the governor expressed his appreciation and that of the people to the former executive council members and wished them well in their future endeavours.

The statement reads: “With this dissolution, the outgone members of the State Executive Council are directed to hand over to the permanent secretaries.”

BUSINESS

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

BPE releases contract pacts to 152 PHCN investors

Naira flat at CBN auction

T

HE naira was unchanged against the United States’ dollar yesterday after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) increased dollar supply at the biweekly foreign exchange auction.

The naira, according to Reuters news, closed at N157.65 against the dollar on the interbank market, the same rate as the previous day.

“Trading was quiet today, as there was no major activity that could upset the market,” one dealer said.

Traders said anticipated dollar sales by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to materialise, but dollar liquidity in the market was able to meet demand from customers.

At the bi-weekly auction, the CBN sold $150 million at N155.90 to the dollar, compared with $100 million sold at N155.90 to the dollar at Monday’s auction.

“We have more than $200 million inflows this week alone from energy companies.

This is enough to keep the market stable,” another dealer said.

11 We emphatically want to state that the choice of the 12 airports under going remodelling and face-lift was not influenced by any political considerations.

-Mrs Stella Oduah, Minister of Aviation

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has released the revised industry and transaction agreements to the 152 potential investors interested in the privatisation of the 17 successor companies created from the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The 13 agreements were sent to the bidders last Friday.

A statement made available to reporters yesterday

by Head, Public Communications of the bureau, Mr Chukwuma Nwokoh, listed the transaction documents

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja the Acting Director of Elec-

to include share sale agreement, shareholders agreement, performance agreement, and concession agreement.

The industry documents are gas sale and aggregation agreement, gas transportation agreement, bulk power purchase agreement (thermal), bulk power purchase agreement (hydro), vesting contract, transmission use of system agreement, grid connection agreement and ancillary services agreement.

In a letter to the bidders,

tric Power at the BPE, Mallam Ibrahim Babagana, stated: “As per the timetable issued to you, we expect to receive all comments on these documents by April 20, 2012 at the latest. We commit to provide to you the final version of the transaction and industry documents by May 11, 2012. After this date, further modifications to any documents will not be accepted.”

He recalled that following the bidder feedback received by the privatisation agency on the industry and transaction structure, a legal retreat

was organised by BPE in Enugu between November 29 and 31, last year, which involved key stakeholders in the power sector.

Babagana noted: “Out of the retreat, agreements were made and the way forward was established in working to address the comments the bidders made on the documents.

“The revised industry and transaction agreements are the products of extensive review process and working with all key stakeholders responsible for the various industry documents.”

By Oluwakemi Dauda

T

T

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$123.6/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N6.503 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -12.6% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -14.18% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $34.6b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 245 $ 156.4 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 241 RIYAL 40.472

T

HE United Bank for Af rica (UBA) said it acted professionally in the management of the Nigeria Police Pension account.

In a statement the bank said the account was opened with an approval of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Minister of Finance. The lender said the account was not opened in the name of an individual.

It said the account was opened on June 29, 2011 with inflow of N3 billion from the Police Pension Fund credited on July 22, last year.

The bank said it received a letter from the Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on September 15, last year, endorsing the signatories, freezing the account and mandating that no transactions should be conducted on the account except through her direct supervision.

NPA votes N3b for access road

N183b treasury bills for sale HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said yesterday it would auction N183.64 billion ($1.17 billion) in treasury bills at its regular monthly debt auction next week.

The banking watchdog, according to Reuters news, said it would sell N30.15 billion in 91-day paper and N73.49 billion in 182-day bills and N80 billion in 364-day bills next Wednesday.

The Federal Government issues treasury bills regularly to reduce money supply, curb inflation and help lenders manage their liquidity.

Yields on the papers were mixed at the last auction with yields on the 91-day paper falling, while returns on 182day bills rose.

Pension funds: ‘UBA acted professionally’

• From left: Chairperson, Capital Markets Committee Meeting (CMC)/Director-General, Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunma Oteh and Executive Commissioner, Operations, Ms. Daisy Ekineh, conferring during this year’s First Quarter CMC Meeting in Lagos.

T

HE Nigerian Ports Au thority (NPA) has set aside N3billion to fix the main access road at the Apapa port.

Managing Director, NPA, Omar Suleiman, disclosed this to reporters after a tour of the 1.6 kilometre road yesterday.

He said the contract awarded by the authority would cover the rehabilitation of the dual carriage access road, provision of laybacks space for the broken vehicles, fixing the drainage system and installation of street lights on the road to the exit gate to boost security for 24 hours.

Fed Govt sets 2015 digital migration deadline

O make Nigeria to be at par with the rest of the world in broadcast technology, the Federal Government has approved the White Paper on Migration from Analogue to Digital Broadcasting by 2015.

Also, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that fail to comply with the new domain name and registration will be sanctioned by the Federal Government, it was learnt yesterday.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who briefed reporters on the outcome of yesterday’s weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, said a team of experts and stakeholders to be known as (Digital-Television) DT-Team will be constituted by President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure the implementation of the migration by 2015. The President is on a week working vacation.

Maku, who briefed alongside the Minister of Communications, Mrs Omobolaji

• To sanction erring MDAs over new domain From Vincent Ikuomola, Olugbenga Adanikin and Adebowale Adenike, Abuja

Johnson said the White Paper was drafted by a committee set up by FEC two months ago to review the recommendations by stakeholders.

The minister also noted that the committee recommended that the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) by virtue of its assets and broadcast capabilities should be licensed as a sole public signal distributor, while, a private sector signal distributor will also be registered “to open up the sector to competition and efficiency”.

She explained that the okayed the inauguration of digitalimplementation team, adding that the “team will comprised stakeholders in the industry, including government officials, who will have the responsibility of supervising this implementation over the next few years. We have a deadline of

January 2015 by which time, we must have migrated to digital broadcasting and NBC will be the regulator.

“By January 1, 2015, what should happen is that consumers should be able to get higher quality signals. Besides, you can have a lot more channels on your television set and what that means is that there is a lot more content coming through the feeds which is NTA. You could end up having 100 channels or more because we are broadcasting digital and the spectrum is available to do that.”

She also revealed that the National Broadcasting Conmmission (NBC) will be the regulator as well as a key stakeholder in the migration process.

She further said that a recent census showed there were about 19 million television sets in Nigeria, which would require special receptor boxes to enable them to receive digital signals and convert to analogue for nor-

mal viewing.

Also, as part of the efforts to address the perennial problem of flooding of Ilorin caused by Asa River and its tributaries, FEC approved N1.234billion for the channellisation of the river.

Also, council has called for a report on the maintenance of the Ogunpa River, Oyo State flood control project, where N7.5billion had earlier been approved for.

The Ministry of National Planning also presented to FEC a report of the policy recommendations arrived at during the last Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) meeting.

Meanwhile, DirectorGeneral, Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof.

Cleopas Angaye, has said the .gov.ng domain would create a corporate identity for the country, attract foreign investments and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through its internet popula-

tion.

Angaye, who spoke during a workshop organised by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) in collaboration with NITDA in Abuja, noted that the directive to the MDAs was given in 2005, and that it would be enforced.

“The Nigerian internet population has witnessed tremendous growth with a boost from 2,418679 users in 2005 to an estimated number of about 10 million users in 2008 and currently over 44 million thereby positioning Nigeria as one of the fastest growing internet users in sub-Sahara Africa.”

Angaye added that the workshop was aimed at ensuring that MDAs propagate their mandates, activities and also interact with the public through their websites.

In her remark, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, described the adoption of .gov.ng domain name as a critical step towards implementing the nation’s e-governance.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

12

BUSINESS NEWS

Sack: Electricity workers criticise minister

T

HE electricity workers under the umbrella of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) have criticised the Federal Government and the Minister of Power, Prof.

Barth Nnaji, for the sudden and indiscriminate sack of top managers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The workers said the sack was done without following due process, adding that the action was mischievous and unjustifiable.

The sacked officers include Akinwumi Bada, Chief Executive Officer, Transmission Company of Nigeria; Uzoma Achinanya, Market Operator and the Executive Director, Human Resources (PHCN), Mr. Olusoga Muyiwa.

The Ministry of Power, on its part, gave reasons for the sack, which it said bothered on inaction, incompetence and marginalisation of part of the PHCN workforce and creation of industrial disharmony.

But the President-General and General Secretary of the association, Comrade Bede Opara and Comrade Abiodun Ogunsegha, who spoke with The Nation, said it

• Govt defends action

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

beats their imagination that the government could sack such top officers with enviable records of service without considering their long contributions to the power sector.

This is not the first time this has been done and government seems not to know that this ‘knee-jerk’ action had not and will not solve the problems of power availability in the country, they said.

“The minister’s claimed achievements appear more in the newspapers and other news media than the actual assignment of providing electricity for Nigerians. The man in the street will know that generation has increased as soon as he has light in the house and not how many times he sees the minister on television announcing increases in power generation.

“We all know that gas insufficiency had been largely responsible for low generation, how come PHCN officers are blamed

for this when the minister and presidential taskforce on power had not been able to resolve the supply of gas to thermal generating stations with the Nigerian Gas Company and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for more than three years,” they said.

They noted that the equipment that exploded and got burnt in Benin recently was a transformer that was manufactured in 1964, which was part of the reason for sacking the chief executive officer of Transmission Company of Nigeria, and by reason of age had outlived its span. They added that over 60 per cent of existing equipment in PHCN are in the category of the one that got burnt. Why blame staff for a criminal neglect of the sector by government for so long, they asked.

A top official of Ministry of Power, who spoke to our correspondent in confidence, said Olusoga Muyiwa was sacked because he failed to act on massive petitions by the public against corruption and extortion on the part of the PHCN, gross incompetence

and ineptitude as some PHCN members of staff worked for close to two years after they were supposed to have retired, citing the general manager, Project Management Unit at the PHCN headquarters, as an example. There is also lack of staff development programmes resulting in the utility company being more efficient in power supply than in personnel management, the source added.

The source acknowledged that Bada is technically sound and knows the job but he is a weak leader and his staff took advantage of his weakness to undermine the system, citing the fire incidents that occurred at Benin transmission station on March 23 and 26, suspected to be the major cause of system collapses.

Besides, despite that members of staff of the Transmission Company Nigeria are not affected by privatisation, they spearhead a protest against power reforms.

Achinaya was accused of lack of synchronization in payment of staff salaries. There was disparity in payment schedules of the workers.

Babatunde said the original builder of the Warri refinery, Saipem has been selected as the contractor to handle the rehabilitation of the refinery.

He said: “The $600 million figure is not sacrosanct. It’s a rough estimate. It’s just an estimated value,” adding that there is a “two to three-year programme to rehabilitate all the refineries in the country.”

Babatunde noted that major chal-

lenges confronting the WRPC included vandalism of its pipelines and crude oil theft from Escravos.

“We are victims of pipeline vandalism and disruptions. There is a running battle to keep our plants running at even 25 per cent. It is a directive from Abuja,” he added.

On disruptions of crude oil supply to the WRPC, Babatunde said: “Only 40-50 per cent crude pumped from Escravos gets to the WRPC. The remaining are vandalised.”

Warri Refinery turnaround to cost N94.2b

T

HE Federal Government has set aside N94.2 billion for the Turn around Maintenance (TAM) of the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC).

The proposed TAM is expected to last between 24 and 36 months with an upgrade for long-term operative plan of 50 years.

Acting Managing Director of WRPC, Samuel Babatunde, disclosed this to the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

(Downstream) when members of the committee toured the facility as part of their oversight function.

The committee was also informed that a similar TAM is being planned for the Port Harcourt refinery at a cost of $463 million and scheduled to start in October with December 2012 as inauguration date.

In his presentation to the Senator Magnus Abe-led committee,

Reps begin Export Grant appraisal

T

By Toba Agboola

HE House of Representa tives has begun the assess ment of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) that was designed by the Federal Government to induce performance of non-oil exporters in the country.

Speaking during the House of Representatives’ courtesy visit to some beneficiary companies in Lagos, Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, Hon Sylvester Ogbaga, said the House decided to take this step in order to checkmate any misuse of the grant by the beneficiary companies.

He noted that the committee was charged with a comprehensive review of the EEG scheme to determine the continued desirability or otherwise of the scheme.

He noted that the EEG has been effective in diversification of economy by increasing non-oil export, creation of employment opportunities and value addition to primary commodities. The report, he added, contains 11 recommendations among which are that the EEG should be sustained to diversify the economy and improve the competitiveness of non-oil export products.

Hon Sylvester said any company that failed to utilise the fund as expected will be punished, adding that such punishment include withdrawal of the fund, among others.

He said, so far, the House is satisfied with what was on ground.

POLITICS

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

13

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The 2011 polls opened a new vista on the Taraba State political plane as the dominant political party, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was afflicted with internal dissension. Correspondent FANEN IHYONGO examines the ruling party and what has become of its estranged leaders who lost bids to take the scene by storm.

New equation in Taraba T

HE political field of Taraba State is peculiar. It is the only state in the North East that is predominantly Christian. This also reflects on the political culture of the state. Prior to the last general elections, it was a one-party state. By 2007, one man who dominated the scene, held the yam and the knife, was the three-term governor, Rev. Jolly Nyame. But, as soon as Danbaba Suntai who he installed settled in office, he sought to take charge and both men had to slug it out at the polls. Nyame moved to the Action Congress of Nigeria and those disenchanted in the ruling PDP teamed up with Nyame. The ACN lost almost all the seats up for contest to the PDP. About one year after the elections, where are the men who took the battle to the Suntai-led PDP. Some remain in the ACN, others have retired from politics, while a number of others have crawled back to the PDP.

Anthony George Manzo Manzo, 63, is a medical doctor with specialisation in surgery. He abandoned his profession to delve into politics, winning Taraba North senatorial seat in the last dispensation.

Then, former Governor Jolly Nyame, who happens to be his kinsman from Zing local government area, gave him the backing to cruise smoothly to victory.

But Dr. Manzo, on getting to the National Assembly, parted ways with Nyame and pitched tent with the Danbaba Suntai faction when the state PDP was polarised.

Manzo sought a second term in last year’s election but was defeated at the primaries by Senator Aisha Alhassan, despite the fabulous backing he had enjoyed from Suntai.

Having lost out, the surgeon accepted an appointment as the Chief of Staff to Senate President David Mark. Manzo has been starkly criticised for accept the appointment.

Dahiru Bako A former House of Representatives member, on the PDP ticket, between 1999 and 2007, Bako was elected senator to represent Taraba Central Senatorial District, in the last dispensation. He hails from Gassol local government area.

Bako sought a second term on the same platform, but lost to Senator Abubakar Tutare, after applying all his tricks of gathering money and disbursing it to delegates at the primaries.

Published reports said the 67-year old politician had gathered “a huge amount of money for the re-election run”. But he was voted out, due largely to his low profile and what his people called “systematic poor performance” throughout his years in the National Assembly.

Having schemed out, Bako is now politically down and out. He is in the shadows and no longer heard of.

Mustapha Harman-Gabdo Hamman-Gabdo

hails

from

Gashaka Local Government Area.

The influence of his father, who is a monarch and Lamdo of Gashaka, gives him an advantage to wax robustly in the political cycle.

Widely referred to as Prince, Hamman-Gabdo is rated for his ace in the political game, which makes him germane in every administration.

He was Chairman of Gashaka, his local government area and later became commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs in the Jolly Nyame administration.

Hamman-Gabdon was appointed Special Adviser on Special Duties and later on Political Affairs by Governor Danbaba Suntai in his first tenure. He resigned to run for the Taraba Central senatorial seat, on the PDP platform but lost to Abubakar Tutare at the primaries.

Governor Suntai has however compensated him with an appointment, as Commissioner of Health.

against Alhassan’s victory, alleging that the election was cooked and doctored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in collusion with the PDP. His petition was struck out by the Tribunal and the Appeal Court, for lack of merit.

Nyame is now the ACN leader in Taraba. He is said to have shrugged off 2011 and preparing an onslaught on the PDP ahead 2015.

Aliyu Sunday Dankaro

• Manzo

• Dankaro

Abdulazeez Ibrahim Alhaji Abdulazeez Ibrahim (Jnr) once represented Taraba Central in the Senate. He hails from Bali local government area.

He was the chief campaigner for Suntai’s re-election during a political summit in the Central Zone.

Ibrahim later deprecated that decision and contested the governorship, after asking his supporters to vote for Suntai.

Running on the platform of the PDP, Ibrahim said he swooped in to rescue Taraba and its people from all forms of underdevelopment, since Suntai, according to him, performed below expectation.

“The governor failed to attract the people’s accolade, by grossly discarding the magnanimity of my support and developmental proposals made.

“There is total lack of human or public relations in Suntai administration, just as there is no empathy for the suffering masses”, he had said.

The 54-year old politician lost at the primaries to Suntai, whom the incumbent factor gave him a painless glide to clinch the ruling party’s ticket.

The Bali-born politician has since gone back to face his business in Abuja FCT.

Bashir Marafa Marafa hails from Sardauna local government area. He was a member of the Taraba State House of Assembly for three times on the PDP ticket, becoming a deputy speaker in the last administration.

Marafa had vied to represent

• Ibrahim

Taraba Central in the senate, in last year’s election. He lost at the primaries. Having enjoyed his people’s mandate for 12 years in the state Assembly, he was edged out, because “another brother should also eat”.

Marafa has now been compensated

by Governor Suntai, with the appointment as Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Babangida Nguroje He hails from Sardauna local government area. Son of a political icon of the state, the late S.M. Nguroje, Babangida was twice elected House of Representatives member on the PDP platform. Sources said his election was a reward for his late father’s contributions to the growth of politics in the state. Sources said SM Nguroje would bankroll most of the political activities in Taraba, yet he would prefer to act behind the scene.

Babangida Nguroje emerged Deputy Speaker in the House, during his second term, but he was not known, until he was ousted with former Speaker Patricia Etteh on corruption allegations.

Nguroje ran for a third term in last year’s election but lost to Hon. ElSudi Tukur Ibrahim at the PDP pri-

• Bako

maries. “His loss was due to nonperformance”, his constituents said.

He is now in the shadows.

Jolly Nyame He was Taraba State governor between 1992 and 1993. He returned in 1999 on the ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and bowed out in 2007, after two terms.

Having served for 10 years, Nyame became a household name in the state. He became the godfather to many politicians in the state, including Governor Danbaba Suntai, whom he insisted should succeed him.

But, Nyame, 55, could no longer see eye to eye with his successor, following political mix-ups. His frosty relationship with Suntai later became an obstacle to his political ambition.

Without the backbone of the incumbent governor, Nyame envisaged he would be easily neutralised at the party’s primaries. Thus, he ran out of the PDP to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to realise his dream.

The former governorconsequently lost to the PDP candidate, Aisha Alhassan, then considered a political neophyte, who became the first woman senator from Taraba.

The former governor petitioned

‘The ACN lost almost all the seats up for contest to the PDP. About one year after the elections, where are the men who took the battle to the Suntai-led PDP. Some remain in the ACN, others have retired from politics, while a number of others have crawled back to the PDP’

An architect, Dankaro is the Managing Director of Dasali Nigeria Limited and a Consultant to Berger Paints Plc. He is popularly known as “Mai Wanka”. He hails from Takum local government area.

Dankaro is a household name in Taraba State. The late Chief Sunday Dankaro, Aliyu’s father, was famous for his phenomenal achievements as the Chairman of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) when Nigeria won her first Nations Cup in 1980. He later served as the Chairman of the Nigerian Sports Commission (NSC).

Dankaro, 47, contested for the Taraba South Senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but lost the party’s primaries to Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, who hails from Donga local government area.

Dankaro then decamped to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), where he flew the banner of the opposition at the general election. He lost again to Bwacha.

Not satisfied with the result, Dankaro petitioned against Bwacha’s election, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for alleged rigging. He lost at the Tribunal and the Appeal Court too.

He has since retired to his business.

Joel Danlami Ikenya Ikenya, 49, hails from Wukari local government area of Southern Taraba. He is one of the state’s movers and shakers of politics, with the sobriquet “The Bulldozer”, for his radical style of politicking.

He was once a member of the PDP and won a senatorial seat on its platform. He had earlier served as a member, House of Assembly from 1999 to 2003 and House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007 also on the ruling party’s ticket. He was running for the governorship in the PDP, but realizing the PDP peculiar style of picking its candidate, he knew he stood very little chance of defeating the incumbent at the primary. He quit the party and moved over to the opposition ACN. In the ACN, Ikenya became a phenomenal challenger of Governor Suntai, who also insisted he must be returned to the state house.

He had capitalised on the governor’s self confessed failure, insisting that “a good leader must be an achiever, with a sense of duty, transparency and credibility”.

Ikenya was largely supported by Nyame and most of Suntai’s foes.

Despite the formidable opposition, he lost to the incumbent at the poll, an election whose legitimacy he queried at the tribunal but still lost.

Subsequent pleas at the Appeal and the Supreme Courts couldn’t prove otherwise.

The bulldozer has gone back to the trenches, waiting for another opportunity in 2015.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APARIL 5, 2012

POLITICS

‘National conference now imperative’ I READILY accepted the invitation to come and chair this colloquium because of what the man in whose honour it is organised represents.

Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu is a true champion of democracy and good governance in Nigeria. I am therefore happy to be here to join in celebrating his coming to the age of full maturity of 60.

A fundamental principle of the Commonwealth of 54 Nations is commitment to democracy and good governance, including human rights and human development. In seeking to promote this principle during my 10 years as Commonwealth Secretary General, I faced a number of political challenges in several member states. Among these were helping the transition from one-party to multiparty State in Zambia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Ghana and Malawi; the challenge of dealing with serious threat of military coup d’état in Papua New Guinea and Pakistan; and above all, the challenge of dealing with General Abacha’s dictatorship in Nigeria and the inhuman apartheid policy of the white racist regime in South Africa.

As many of you will remember, Nigeria under General Abacha was suspended from the Commonwealth in November 1995 for its serious violation of human rights and democratic principles. It was during this period that I met some of the main heroes of the democracy that we now have in Nigeria who emerged either through the G34 or more significantly, through the NADECO. These heroes naturally enjoyed sympathy and support from my office in Marlborough House in London which several of them visited. I can specially recollect my interactions with the delegations led by the late Chief Anthony Enahoro, with the then US Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington and with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who also visited my official residence.

Bola Tinubu was of an effective advocate and a dedicated activist for the return of democracy and restitution of Chief MKO Abiola’s presidential election in Nigeria. My office had been advised by the prominent Commonwealth observers of the 1993 presidential election that the election was free and fair, and that from the figures collated from virtually all the polling stations before their announcement was stopped by the Federal Government, Chief MKO Abiola’s victory was unquestionable.

My second reason for agreeing to be here is the significance of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as a consistent advocate of true federalism in Nigeria.

As governor of Lagos State, he undertook some key development projects which under our existing 1999 constitution were federal responsibility. In this context, I recall an incident on a presidential flight from Lagos to Singapore in 2002 when, in my presence, President Obasanjo and Governor Tinubu were engaged in a rather animated discussion over the issue of reimbursement to Lagos State of the cost of a federal road which the State Government had constructed to the satisfaction of the Federal Ministry of Works.

It was clear to me then that Asiwaju was one of the few people who can speak truth to power.

There is therefore little wonder that he has become a towering leader of opposition to the federal governing party.

And now to mention some of my non-partisan political views. I do believe that a true, rather

• Anyaoku

By Emeka Anyaoku

‘No one can seriously deny that there are major challenges currently facing our country. We need to convene a national conference of appropriately chosen representatives of the six geopolitical zones to dialogue on how to face these serious challenges’ than our current unitarist federalism, will better promote peace, stability and development in Nigeria.

There can be no doubt that Nigeria was making more progress in national development in the early years of its independence when it practiced a true federalism of four regions with more extensive powers devolved from the centre to the regions. Those were the days of the significant export of groundnuts, hides and skins, and the tin ore from the North; of cocoa from the West; of rubber from the Mid-West; and of palm produce and coal from the East of Nigeria. They were also the days of such achievements as the free universal education and introduction of television in Chief Awolowo’s Western region, and of the budgeoning industrialization of Dr Okpara’s Eastern region.

To return to true federalism, we need a major restructuring of our current architecture of governance. We would need six federating units, instead of our present 36 which not only sustains an over-dominant centre, but also compels the country to spend not less than 74% of its revenue on the cost of administration. If the existing 36 States must be retained in some form, they could be made development zones with minimal administrative structures within the respective six federating units.

No one can seriously deny that there are major challenges currently facing our country.

The challenges include the state of national insecurity which has been heightened by the activi-

ties of the Boko Haram; the raging debates over revenue derivation and allocation; the obvious decline in standards and scope of our public services, especially in education, health and the civil service. We need to convene a national conference of appropriately chosen representatives of the six geopolitical zones to dialogue on how to face these serious challenges. At the top of the agenda should be to reach a consensus on the fundamentals of our constitution including a new architecture of governance that will best promote peace, stability and development in Nigeria.

I believe that if we are to recapture the zeal with which the then regional Premiers and their electorates embarked on the development of their regions, if we are to arrest the present destructive competition between our various ethnic groups for the control of power at the centre, and if we are to repair the collapse in our societal value system which is at the root of the pervasive corruption and degradation of our public services, we should aim at getting the national conference to reach a consensus on devolving from the centre to the six federating units responsibility for such areas of governance as internal security including the police, infrastructure, education, health and economic development.

I must hasten here to say that my support is for a national conference without the epithet of “sovereign”. This is because we already have in place an elected structure of governance that includes the presidency, in which the citizens have, for the time being, vested the sovereignty that truly belongs to them.

But in order to give it legitimacy and better chance of enduring, the outcome of the national conference must be submitted to a referendum of the population of the country.

I would like to stress that I do not believe that we can successfully tackle the serious challenges currently facing our country on the basis of our existing constitution and architecture of governance.

Without far-reaching changes to the 1999 constitution and our present governance structure, our quest for peace, stability and development will remain elusive. And to effect such changes, we need a national consensus which can only come from a dialogue among representatives mandated for that purpose by the citizens of this country.

To those who fear that a national conference at this time would lead to the break-up of the country, I would say that the benefits accruing to the country and all its citizens from its size and strategic location, are sufficiently weighty and obvious to outweigh any temptation to dismember the country. Indeed, it should be accepted by all a priori that the retention of Nigeria as one indivisible political entity will not be up for negotiation at the national conference.

Finally, I would like to end my remarks by returning to the man who brought us here today.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has an assured place in the pantheon of the heroes who laboured for the return in 1999 of democracy after years of military dictatorship in Nigeria. As he celebrates his 60th birthday, I want to wish him many more years of productive political activism.

•Chief Anyaoku, CFR, CON, GVON, who delivered this speech as Chairman of the colloquim held in honour of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu last week called for a National Conference, not Sovereign National Conference, as stated in an earlier report.

•From left: Speaker of Hackney, London, Susan Fajana-Thomas, member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Health in England, Bianb Obbot presenting an award to the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmi Olayinka.

Kenneth Imasuangbon, a lawyer, was a frontrunner in the Edo State gubernatorial race as an aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party.

When the primaries were conducted, Imasuangbon came a distant second with 178 votes. He was defeated alongside three others by Major-General Charles Airhiavbere. In this interview, Imasuangbon explains why he rejected the results of the primaries. Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR reports.

Why I rejected PDP primary results, by Imasuangbon

W

E hear you are now the beautiful bride being courted by the opposition and your party, the Peoples Democratic

Party?

It is true that Chief Tony Anenih came to my house. It is also true that Governor Adams Oshiomhole came to see me but it goes beyond Chief Anenih and the governor. This election is about the future of our children and the future of the state. We will do what is right. This goes beyond party line. What is on trial is about schools that are not working and job creation.

This will sharpen my idea on the way to go. We will look at all options and the best options will be taken in the best interest of the people.

What can you say about the outcome of the primaries?

With all we have done to reposition the party, the party leadership seems not to know that what is on trial is the future of our children. I want to thank the delegates who defied the instruction of the leadership; the instruction that only truncated the will of the people temporarily. The will of the people can never be truncated. There can only be a set-back because power belongs to God and the people. I was cruising to victory when the party leadership decided to pull the trigger and shoot the party.

We were ready for change. I really appreciate the delegates who, in spite of the instructions, stood their ground. That was seen in the results that came. We cannot relent in our determination to make a change. Whether they like it or not, the will of the people will prevail. We will make Edo State haven for democracy. What is at stake is the future of Edo people. We are determined to defend democracy for Edo State.

Edo people are ready to do battle on July 14.

This process of change cannot be stopped.

What is your next step?

The game is not over. The process for change is just starting. I am ready to offer myself as an apostle of change. The battle is just beginning.

We will defeat the enemy. We will win this battle. We cannot retreat now. We are looking critically on the direction to go and that direction is justice, fairness and righteousness. We are interested in what is fair and what is equitable. We are interested in the vote of the people.

The people should determine who becomes their leader, not a few people giving instruction. I am ready to give my life in this struggle.

We do not have another state. This is our state.

Have you accepted the primaries results?

The results of the primaries are unacceptable.

I called it scientific and environmental rigging tailored by Chief Dan Orbih. I reject and condemn the primaries. Are you going further to contest on the platform of any other political parties?

We are making consultations across party lines. What is at stake is not PDP. What is at stake is Edo State. We are looking at all options. What is ruled out is that evil men will get to the seat of governance in Edo State. We will not allow men that will not give dividends of democracy to become governor. We need men that are ready to tackle unemployment and show love to the people. Those are the men that we will look at as we consult. We will look at what is feasible and what is doable. It is not a few men who will determine who the next governor of the state will be. It will be collectively determined by the people of the state. By the time we have made adequate consultation, we will come out and tell the people • Imasuangbon what to do.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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INDUSTRY

FIRST QUARTER REVIEW

Mixed grill for manufacturing sector From all indications, the manufacturing sector has improved in the last three months due to a number of reforms initiated by the Federal Government. However, operators have said the unfavourable environment is still a threat to doing business. TOBA AGBOOLA reports.

Manufacturing sector

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HE manufacturing sector has picked slightly in the first quarter of 2012.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said although the macroeconomic indicators in 2012 showed that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew as a result of improvement in the non-oil sector, this may not last for long, unless the infrastructure base is put in order. They said multiple taxation and lack of good infrastructure, such as power has remained a major challenge to business operation in the country.

The Chairman, MAN, Apapa Branch, John Aluya, said the recent survey by MAN and a US-based organisation, revealed that multiple taxes and levies paid by companies are having untoward effects on businesses.

He said: “In most cases, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) becomes the target for myriad of taxes and levies that are inimical to its survival. More worrisome are the activities of the local government revenue agents, who in spite of state governments approval of collectable taxes and levies, have continued to flout this directive and gone ahead to continue intimidating our members for payment of illegal levies and taxes.”

Chairman, Infrastructure Committee of MAN, Reginlad Odiah, argued that capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector has not witnessed significant growth because nothing has really changed over the years.

He said capacity utilisation stood at 42.5 percent, a figure described by stakeholders as grossly abysmal to move the manufacturing sector forward.

Besides, he said the government has not really provided the enabling environment for manufacturers to produce and employ more as a result of the high level of insecurity in the country, which he stated, has forced many operators to scale down their level of production.

SMEs sector

The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector’s contributions to Gross Domestic Prod-

uct (GDP) has continued to depreciate in the first quarter.

The President, National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Alhaji Garba Ibrahim, said multiple taxation is killing businesses in Nigeria.

“You don’t tax entrepreneurs to death. In fact, some countries that value the sector so much do not ask them for tax, not to talk of multiple taxation. The Federal Government’s tax policies need a serious review,” he said.

He said NASME is asking for a review of conditionalities for accessing credit facilities from development finance institutions to accommodate small business practitioners that find it difficult to access funds from the institutions.

Ibrahim proposed that a percentage of the intervention funds should be domiciled with regional development finance institutions, such as the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) and Odua Investment Company, as well as a development institution for the eastern part of the country for easy accessibility to MSMEs spread across the country.

He said for the SME sector to experience growth, government must adequately fund the sector.

Non-oil sector The most recent data available from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), indicated that the non-oil sector continues to grow in investment.

But the non-oil sector grew 9.07 per cent between the last and first quarter of this year, higher than the 8.93 per cent recorded in the same period in 2010.

According to the NBS, this growth was largely driven by improved activities in the telecommunications, building and construction, hotel and restaurant and business services.

The non-oil export sector has deep agro-allied linkages made up of semi-processed and processed agricultural products, such as cocoa, cashew, sesame seed, ginger, gum Arabic, shrimps, cotton and rubber. The country is also

a major exporter of finished leather which has direct linkage to the livestock growers.

Expectedly, the export sector has helped in no small measure to boost the incomes of over 10 million farmers in rural areas across the country.

CBN Intervention fund As at the middle of the first quarter, about 99 per cent of CBN’s N200 billion intervention funds for manufacturers had been disbursed.

Head, Risk Management Division, Bank of Industry(BoI), Kola Adewole, disclosed that over 99 per cent of the N200 billion intervention fund set aside for manufacturers has been disbursed.

The CBN set aside the money in 2010 in order to achieve quantitative easing as well as to provide liquidity and cheap financing to the manufacturing sector, especially at a time when bank credit was not forthcoming due to the restructuring exercise in the banking sector.

Adewole said the objectives of the fund include fast-tracking the development of the manufacturing sector by improving access to credit to manufacturers; improving the financial position of the Deposit Money Banks; increasing output; generating employment; diversifying the revenue base, as well as increasing foreign exchange earnings. It is also meant to provide inputs for the industrial sector on a sustainable basis.”

Export Expansion Grant In November last year, the House of Representatives Committee on Trade and Investment, directed the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to suspend all outstanding certificates for payment until investigation is concluded on the misuse of the Export Expansion Grant.

Contrary to speculation that the grant was scrapped, NEPC said it was only suspended. A follow up letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Trade and Investment

•Aganga

dated February 23, 2012 and signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga revealed that the committee has decided to lift the directive to suspend all outstanding certificates for payment while investigation still continues.

The EEG was established through the export incentive and Miscellaneous provisions Act No. 18 of 1986, it is a post shipment incentive scheme that is designed to induce performance of non- oil exporters whose minimum annual export turnover is N5million.

The Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, David Adulugba said the scheme is aimed at assisting exporters to expand their volume and non-oil exports, diversify export markets and to make them more competitive in the international market.

“To be eligible, an exporter must have exporter manufacture, semi- manufactured, semiprocessed or primary products. Also the exporter proceeds must be repatriated into a domiciliary account in Nigeria and confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“The introduction of the scheme has significantly increased the flow of foreign exchange into the economy as a result of improvement in the culture of formalised export by the Nigerian business community. The attraction of EEG is no doubt a motivating factor.

“Exporters now have more confidence in the system. Transparency has remained the watchword, then the time lag for processing of claims has narrowed down except in recent times when institutional interruptions has crept into the schemes operations. More so records are properly kept, they are up to date and electronically preserved,” he said.

SON impounds substandard cables worth N300m

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•From left: Director-General of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), John Isemede; National President Dr Herbert Ajayi; Head, Africa Division, Policy Development & Analysis Agency of Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yudi Fitriandi and Donny Warma Dewa of same Ministry during a visit to NACCIMA. PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

CAC seeks power to remove erring directors

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HE Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is seeking an amendment of the Companies and Allied Matter Act (CAMA) by the National Assembly with a view to empowering it to remove erring directors and officers, in line with the practice in most countries.

The CAMA, which stipulates the power of the agency in charge of companies’ registration in Nigeria, has been in existence for 20 years, and there is a general consensus that it should be amended to meet in-

ternational best practices.

CAC Registrar-General Bello Mahmud made the call when members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, led by its Chairman, Odion Ugbesia, paid an oversight visit to the commission in Abuja.

He said the Act required substantial amendment, particularly in strengthening its regulatory and enforcement powers.

Mahmud said the new Act being envisaged, should make provision for on-line registration of compa-

nies, review of penalties, empowering the commission to remove erring directors and officers of companies in line with the practice in most companies’ Registries globally and defining the role of CAC in the implementation of Code of Best Practices Mahhud, who complained that the Commission is not entitled to subvention from the Federal Government, disclosed that this was hampering its activities as the internally generated revenue that it relied upon was fast declining.

HE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has seized nine trucks of substandard cables, valued at N300 million, its DirectorGeneral Dr Joseph Odumodu,has said.

Addressing journalists in Lagos at the SON office in Lekki, Odumodu said the cables were seized at a warehouse in Okokomaiko in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State. He said the cables have a high grade impurity which will stop the flow of electricity.

Odumodu said the cables, which were brass but coated with copper, failed various test parameters.

“Following information from our intelligence networks, we were able to discover substandard cables worth several millions of naira in a remote warehouse in the Okokomaiko area of Lagos.

“Without such prompt response, of course the whole consignment, which included Sunrise cable, HK British PVC insulated wire and cable, Kings brand wire and cable, 6mx1 coil, 1.5msqx1coil and so on, would have found its way to the Nigerian market. It would have been sold off and dutifully deployed in construction sites, with all the concomitant risks – loss of investment and precious lives.

“We subjected the cables to conformity tests and found them to be wanting in quality. The report of the tests carried out showed their code determinant to be substandard; they

Stories by Toba Agboola

have high grade metallic impurity which could impair or stop the flow of current and thus cause fire outbreak in any facility and any form they are deployed. They were in copper coated brass, as against pure copper grade required for wiring in construction/building industry,” Odumodu said.

He disclosed that the importer falsified the documents by labelling the cables as pure copper with SON certificate.

Odumodu described them as killer cables, adding that SON’s Special Task Force acted promptly on intelligence report and impounded the cables.

He said the agency had strengthened its system to rid Nigeria of substandard products.

“The company in question is one Onyeka Dicon Nigeria Limited and the sub-standardisation involved what we call HK British PVC insulated wire and cable, and Sunrise cable.

“Well, the importers tried their illegal best, but they could not beat the patriotic efforts of the SON field staff. Thus far we have enjoyed the understanding and support of the greater majority of Nigerians, and we still urge them to continue to partner us, especially by the kind of information they pass to us, which have been helping our campaign.

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EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

The Greek and his gift

•Did President Jonathan diminish his office with the church gift in his home village?

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O be sure, it is not the worst in the polity: President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged acceptance of a church building gift in his native Otuoke community in Bayelsa State, from a contracting Italian firm, Gitto Construzioni Generali Nigeria Ltd. An aghast country had earlier watched former President Olusegun Obasanjo suborn the cream of Nigerian business to donate to his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library project, while still in office. It was the height of transparent corruption.

Still, the latest alleged donation scandal, highly reprehensible if not to the scale of Obasanjo’s act, has nevertheless attracted due flak. If the allegation is true, President Jonathan stands duly and fairly accused. Given that he enjoys constitutional immunity, the allegation, if proven, wears down the integrity of the Presi-

‘Besides, shouldn’t the president have been warier, given that during his tussle with Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State, the embattled governor had alleged that a certain contractor was building a structure for the president in his village, an alleged kick-back for some previous contract? Is that alleged structure this controversial church or yet another?’

dency, an office that at all times must be above board; and gives the war against corruption a savage blow.

What is the story? President Jonathan was alleged to have loudly complained that the church in his village was unbefitting of a president’s village. That complaint must have struck a chord in the ears of the Italian firm which, pronto it would appear, has come to the aid of the presidential village with a 400-capacity ultra-modern church, which specific cost is not known, except that it is estimated to run into millions of Naira.

The president was reported to have said the church was donated to his village following his complaint. This statement was interpreted to mean the president had “accepted” the gift, apparently either unaware of or unbothered by the trouble that comes with the proverbial Greek and his gifts.

Now, did the president “accept” the gift? The supposition that he did has sparked a controversy accusing the president of violating lawful conduct pertaining to gifts. That has made the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to fire a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged deal and take sanctions against the president.

The petition is keyed on Section 6 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, in the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, which states: “...the receipt by a public officer of any gifts or benefits from commercial firms, business enterprises or persons who have contracts with the government shall be presumed to have been received in contravention” of the

law.

But apart from un-presidential naivety (the alleged report that President Jonathan complained aloud about the poor quality of his village’s old church building), can he be held liable for a church donated to a community, even if there is little doubt that the star attraction of that community is the president himself?

Even if there is no direct linkage of the president with the donation, does the donation not confer perceived advantage on the contracting firm, should it bid for contracts, with the Federal Government or Bayelsa State government, or both?

Besides, shouldn’t the president have been warier, given that during his tussle with Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State, the embattled governor had alleged that a certain contractor was building a structure for the president in his village, an alleged kick-back for some previous contract? Is that alleged structure this controversial church or yet another?

SERAP has done the right thing by filing a petition with the EFCC. Let the antisleaze body swing into action to investigate the case. Whoever is involved; let them face the processes of the law – even if the president is guilty as alleged.

For the sake of public morality, integrity of public offices and building of democratic institutions, public office holders must beware of the gift from the Greek. It often comes with much more stress than benefits, as the president in the eye of the storm is finding out.

Exams racket

•With results of 52 JAMB centres withheld, taming exam malpractices is still a long shot

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HE 2012 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results recently released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have further reinforced the perception that Nigeria might be jinxed to examination and other malpractices.

The results of 52 centres were withheld so as to allow JAMB subject them to further scrutiny over reasonable suspicion of examination malpractices, extortion of candidates and collusion between candidates and authorities of schools used as centres. The breakdown of states with incidence of malpractices includes Rivers-24, Lagos-11, Imo-6, Delta-3, Benue-3, Abuja-2, Cross Rivers-2 and Nasarawa-1. Furthermore, 5,161 results were either considered invalid or incomplete in the UTME. Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, the JAMB registrar, said a total of 1,503,931 applied for the

‘The nation cannot pretend not to know that something is wrong.

And the problem is that the malpractices persist because many of those caught in the past were not punished. Yet, there are laws in the country to combat examination malpractices and fraud.

Henceforth, the government must ensure that any candidate caught cheating in examinations, alongside their collaborators, are duly prosecuted’

UTME while only 1,384,644 wrote the examination. The result sheets showed that three candidates scored above 300 marks; 901 candidates got between 270 and 299; 71,339 scored between 250 and 269; 601,151 candidates scored between 200 and 249, 374,920 candidates-170 – 199 while 336,330 candidates scored 1 – 169 marks.

The rat race to acquire, at all cost, university education despite the limited spaces available in the existing universities seems to be the reason behind the do-or-die approach to the UTME by parents and their wards. For example, the University of Lagos is the most preferred university in 2012 UTME with 83,865 candidates; unfortunately, it has an admission capacity for 9,507 applicants. Being one of the biggest and leading public universities in the country, we doubt if others of lesser status can ever match its admission capacity. However, when this is compared with the high demand by prospective applicants for university education across the country, it is grossly inadequate.

We deprecate the recourse to criminality by wards and parents in their bid to secure admission into universities.

Pecuniary inducement, extortion, proxy sitting for examinations are some of the modus adopted to give willing candidates undue edge in the examination halls. Sometimes after payment of the prescribed illegal fees, candidates are allowed to do whatever they like in the halls. But these dangerously serve not only as an affront to the moral fabric of the society but equally question the character and competence of the involved youths who

are, sadly, seen as the future trustees of the nation’s posterity.

The youths who ordinarily should be beacons of hope in a derailing nation like Nigeria where positive values no longer count are now well groomed in immoral conducts. They conceal calculators and other cheating materials in their shoes, among other hidden places. Their parents pay exorbitant fees just to get them spaces in examination centres where cheating is rampant. So they score higher marks in the UTME. The implication is that the once cherished family system relied upon by the society to mould future leaders has become fields for nurturing fraudsters and examination crooks. Forlornly, no one is seriously thinking of nipping the destructive cankerworm being promoted everywhere across the federation in the bud.

The nation cannot pretend not to know that something is wrong. And the problem is that the malpractices persist because many of those caught in the past were not punished. Yet, there are laws in the country to combat examination malpractices and fraud. Henceforth, the government must ensure that any candidate caught cheating in examinations, alongside their collaborators, are duly prosecuted. The fact that many of the applicants cheat in the UTME is the reason the universities insist on conducting post-JAMB examinations, to determine the true ability of those they admit. We need to restore the integrity of our public examinations to ensure respect for them, even beyond the country.

Argentina is still fighting a losing battle for the Falklands

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RGENTINA’S INVASION of the Falkland Islands, which began 30 years ago Monday, was a monumental blunder that led to war with Britain and the death of some 650 Argentine and 255 British servicemen.

Yet the conflict did the perpetually unstable South American country some good. It caused the collapse of a brutal military dictatorship and, as it turned out, broke a long history of military interventions in politics. For the past three decades, Argentina has been a democracy.

Proof that the maladies of Argentine politics have not been cured, however, can be found in the latest Falklands campaign ginned up by the government of President Cristina Fernández. To its credit, Ms. Fernández’s government has not only sworn off the use of military force in the Falklands but cut military spending so sharply that it’s doubtful Argentina could mount another invasion. But like the military junta of 1982, it seeks to distract attention from a host of domestic ills by catering to the curious jingoism provoked by the island chain, which Argentina calls the Malvinas. In pursuit of its demand that Britain open negotiations on sovereignty, it has begun turning away ships from the Falklands and cutting back on British imports; it’s also pressuring Chile to cut off the sole air link from South America to the islands.

The Argentine cause, which has been drummed into schoolchildren for generations, is odd because Argentina has no modern connection or claim to the windswept islands other than relative geographical proximity. They are about 300 miles from the southern Argentine coast, but Britain has controlled them since 1833. Their some 3,000 inhabitants overwhelmingly wish to remain British, which means that Argentine demands for “decolonization” are at odds with the principle of self-determination. Though it toyed with the idea of handing over the Falklands before the war, Britain now is firmly committed to the Falklanders’ rights, and it spends about $300 million annually on their defense. The Obama administration, which unsettled London by supporting the idea of negotiations two years ago, has wisely refrained from pushing that position.

More than in 1982, Argentina has pragmatic reason for its lust for the Falklands: Oil has been found off the coast. Yet the best way for Ms. Fernández to pursue those interests would be to pursue something like the opposite of her current policy. Were Buenos Aires to cultivate economic and travel links to the Falklands, as it did before 1982, it could become a supplier of the growing economy there; if residents could visit and study in Argentina, they might grow more fond of the place. Better yet, Argentina could begin to attract investors to explore its own coastal waters for oil and develop its substantial shale deposits on land.

As it is, Ms. Fernández’s pointless drumbeating only reminds foreign investors of why they steer clear of Argentina. Though generals may no longer bait rabid crowds from the balcony of the presidential palace, the vacuous populism that has hamstrung a potentially rich country lives on.

– Washington Post

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: Last week, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the foremost opposition leader and National Leader of the ACN, celebrated his 60th birthday. The sheer volume of encomiums, tributes, eulogies and the unprecedented support he garnered from all nooks and crannies of the federation on this occasion, the felicitations of friends, associates, well wishers, admirers, and even political foes was a study in the worthwhile life of a man that has staked all for the freedom of the country. In our search for true nationhood and the deft search for significant personages that serve as uniting balms for such envisaged nationhood, this widespread national outpouring of love and affection is worth re-visiting for us to establish the umbilical cord that should bind our nation together and drive its quest for true nationhood.

It is a given that leadership in Nigeria is such a horrible mess. It is a

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IR: Permit me first to reproduce, in part, on account of the chilling socio-political cold of these perilous times, my “Gani Fawehinmi is not dead”, being a tribute, in September, 2009, to the late Senior Advocate of the Masses.

The Lord Jesus Christ did not die.

If he did, there would be no Christianity and Christians in the world today. He came to the world ‘the only begotten Son of God’, but He lived His life for others. He gave his precious life so someone else might be saved. And He lives on in the reality of humanity.

Prophet Muhammed {SAW) did not die. If he did, there would be no Islam and Moslems around today.

He came on there a great prophet and could have elected to revel in affluence, glamour and grandeur.

But he opted to live in hardship and discomfort for the sake of others.

Obafemi Awolowo did not die.

Through the grave odds of a humble background, a hewer of woods at the prime of his childhood and youth, he rose into intellectual and political prominence. But, in the glamour of personal limelight, he refused to forget his primary constituency - the teeming masses, the ordinary people. He laboured, selflessly and tirelessly for the total

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Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at 60 and the lessons given that Nigeria is afflicted with a worrying leadership deficit that has arrested the progress and development of the country. It is a given that Nigeria is going through a dire strait occasioned by bad leadership. But the kind of universal acclaim Asiwaju Tinubu received on his recent birthday celebration raises great hope for a desirable and broadly accepted leadership to start the quest for Nigerian regeneration. The general feeling that attended Asiwaju’s birthday is a pointer that all is not lost for Nigeria, that we still have windows

of hope on our sore and raped country, that we have a great opportunity to salvage our country from the paths of ruination and doom.

When one recalls that Nigerians are not in the habit of celebrate ing their brightest and bests, that Nigerians are lethargic in identifying and celebrating their real heroes while alive, we will have enormous opportunity to see the countrywide encomiums that came to Tinubu during his recent birthday celebration as pointing the road to a proper identification of the natural leaders and acceptable icons that can lead our

quest fir nationhood. That Tinubu was to draw the low and mighty to one national celebration shows he has the potentates of a rallying figure, broadly accepted and well admired to break the rising cleavage to sectional and tribal irredentism.

The cliché that a prophet is not without honour except in his homeland was roundly debunked by the mix of native and pan national celebration of a man that spares nothing to fight for the extension of the frontiers of individual freedom and egalitarianism. The huge gathering and commitment of associates, friends

emancipation and upliftment of his people. In doing so, he recorded many enviable ‘firsts’ in Africa .

Nelson Mandela cannot die. He lived his life not for himself and his family but for his nation and her people. Incarcerated by the enemies of humanity for 27 excruciating years, he cared less about his personal comfort: “The struggle is my life,” he proffered. If there was one human being on the surface of the earth who could justifiably lay claim to the moral right to rule his country for ever, Madiba is it. But he was humane, selfless and gracious enough to resist any temptation to attempt constitutional amendment for dubious unlimited terms. Today, even leaders of the greatest nations on earth stand on their feet at the mere mention of his “undieable” name.

But evil men do not live after death. Those who shall die are the ones who, under different guises, unleash excruciating horror and oppression on the people they pretend to serve. Those who leave our highways in horrible state of disrepair and watch innocent souls perish in road mishaps while they siphon the billions into their foreign accounts. Those who watch hapless patients perish at our ill-equipped

hospitals while they help themselves and their families to looted funds. Those lenders and borrowers who collude to share the hundreds of billions collected from millions of hard-working peasants on the streets without any plan of repayment.

Those who shall die are the ones who place their ego above the good of the nation and leave our academic institutions in shambles and our stranded students wondering if theirs is any great nation with good people. Those who make no qualms about killing and maiming in order to cover their shady deeds and rule for eternity. Those demonpossessed men shall die who, being cultic members of the cabal and the cartel, brazenly rob the fast-failing nation, the rickety system and the impoverished people of hundreds of billions in subsidy and development funds. Those ones too shall die who, in normal societies intolerant of unspeakable executive evil, should, like Ishola Oyenusi, Babatunde Folorunso, Lawrence Anini and George Iyamu be singing ‘plea bargain’ before the firing squad.

For all directors in whose hands lie the fate of the actors on the current stage of mind-boggling rev-

elations in different spheres of Nigeria ’s over-battered structure, the die is cast. From President Goodluck Jonathan, anti-graft agencies, lawmakers, judges, lawyers to other stakeholders, the nation awaits the practical demonstration of the destination they desired: the list of men of sincerity and courage who shall not die or the list of business-as-usual men who shall die.

These men shall die

• Dele Akinola, Ikorodu, Lagos .

and political foes to celebrate the envious life of the Asiwaju says a lot on the possibilities that still exist with the wobbly and dithering state that Nigeria has turned out to be. It points a way that leadership is possible and that something could still be redeemed from the parlous state of affairs in Nigeria presently.

There is a whole lot of lessons to be drawn by the East, North and indeed the entire country draw from the kind of national we-feeling that attended the birthday celebration.

The most important lesson is that we need to invest in leadership by which I mean the country should look for leaders that are not easily influenced or bought over, a leadership that knows the heartbeat and pulse of the people and is ever ready to sacrifice to let the people have their way. All parts of Nigeria must search for, discover and raise for themselves leaders, with national outlook that understands the issues concerning their people as well as how to go about these issues and harness them for the greater benefit for their people and the nation as a whole.

In all these however, one fact that became obvious is that Nigerians still know their genuine leaders and can identify with them when the need arises. With this in mind, let us focus on the next level of national integration, with such leaders leading the march. That is what we should draw from the pan-national celebration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s birthday.

• Joe Igbokwe.

Lagos.

Too early to start 2015 campaign

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IR: The recent call by some Nigerians on President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 election is uncalled for, unnecessary and parochial. It is detrimental to the pursuit of solutions to the challenges facing the country at present.

The numerous problems militating against the corporate existence of this country should be the focus of the President at this troubled times.

Nigerians look up to this government to ameliorate most of the inherited problems and those its created since it came into office. The idea of some sycophants to distracting the goverment and pushing for power

elongation will not augur well for this country.

If there are lessons the government ought to have learnt from the last fuel strike, it is that the government has a lot to do to restore its dwindled image. They should remember that past leaders who tried to extend their tenures in office in this country ran into a brickwall. Those who think that they would succeed in playing with the intelligence of Nigerians by staying power after their constitutional mandates should have a rethink.

• Bala Nayashi, Lokoja, Kogi State

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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Ekiti State University at 30

HIRTY years ago the government of Ondo State under Chief Michael Ajasin established Obafemi Awolowo University in Ado-Ekiti named after the illustrious Yoruba leader and nationalist by the same name. The party in government at that time was the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

This was a party whose linear ideological ancestor was the Action Group led by the same Chief Obafemi Awolowo and adjudged the best organized political party Nigeria had ever seen which was banned by the military after the coup d’état of January 15, 1966. The Action Group was well known as the party of free Universal Primary Education. It is therefore natural for the UPN to adopt the cardinal principles of the Action Group, the most important of which was free education. By the time of the Second Republic, the idea of free education was no longer restricted to primary education, but also unrealistically to secondary and tertiary education; apparently without counting the cost.

In order to reduce what would have been an unmanageable cost, the party then decided that boarding schools in secondary schools should be abolished and that tertiary institutions to absorb the huge number of pupils from secondary schools would be created, but they would not be residential. So, ab initio, the universities that were founded by the UPN states such as Lagos State University (LASU), Ogun State University (OSU), Bendel State University in Ekpoma and Obafemi Awolowo University in Ondo State were non-residential. The reason for this was so as to maximize the use of resources for teaching and research, rather than spending huge resources on residential accommodation. This was to create problems in the future, because universities so created found it difficult to develop a university culture. To put it in popular parlance, students went through the universities, but the universities didn’t go through the students. This has been the bane of these four universities since then.

The challenge before them is how to develop an appropriate university culture without residential accommodation.

Classical universities in Europe and even earlier ones in Fez in Morocco and Al-Azhar in Egypt were residential universities established mostly for training clerics. All other modern universities since then have been residential institutions. Of course in modern times, city universities such as the one in New York and some of the constituent colleges of London universities are largely non-residential. But in our case, we do not have the infrastructure and buildings to accommodate nonresidential universities because in London and New York, there are still residences owned either by the cities, corporations or parent bodies of the universities that provide accommodation for students.

This long preamble is designed to put in global contest the problems that confronted the administrators of these non-

I

T was a few minutes after two in the afternoon and I had just arrived in the office. As I was putting on my desktop, my phone rang. It was Ngozi Agbo on the line.

Ngozi is in charge of our Campuslife pages which come out every Thursday. Since she is heavily pregnant the first thing that came to my mind was ‘’ah, Ngozi has delivered’’. So, I wasted no time in asking her: ‘’NG, abi you don drop?’’ Bursting out in laughter, she answered: ‘’Alhaji, ah, no o; time still de’’.

After the exchange of pleasantries, she told me she was calling over the hijack of a luxury bus conveying some school pupils from Enugu to Lagos last Saturday. The bus, she said, had broken down somewhere in Ore, Ondo State, at noon or 1 p.m.

No other vehicle was sent by the transport company until about 9 or 10 p.m, some nine , 10 hours after the first bus broke. When the pupils resumed their journey that night, they fell into the hands of gunmen, who have turned the Benin-Ijebu road to hell for motorists.

Without much ado, I summoned Adegunle Olugbamila, our Education Correspondent, and briefed him about incidence involving 42 innocent school girls who were returning home for the Easter holiday.

Naturally, Adegunle whose daughter turned one about two weeks ago, felt bad and in no time, he was out of the newsroom to pursue the story.

He and Jude Isiguzo, our Crime Correspondent, later got the story of the barbaric assault and defilement of some of the girls by those callous beasts.

It always takes incidences like this for us to revisit problems which should have been addressed long ago. In our characteristic manner, we

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residential universities. The UPN meant well but there are people who would not forgive them for what they call “the destruction of well established and traditionally excellent secondary schools” such as Government College Ibadan for example, where the Late Chief Bola Ige took over their residential accommodation and turned them into various grammar schools one of which was called Apata-Ganga Grammar School. Thus, adherence to an ideological principle led to the destruction of excellent educational traditions. Of course the new universities established by the UPN did not have this kind of well established traditions to destroy. OAU in Ado-Ekiti belonging to the old Ondo State government benefitted from the services of excellent Vice Chancellors such as the Late Professor Oladapo of the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Lagos, Prof. Bodunrin of the Philosophy department of the University of Ibadan, and Prof.

Akin Oyebode of the Faculty of Law at the University of Lagos.

It also overtime benefitted from several distinguished ProChancellors such as Prof J. F. Ade-Ajayi, the doyen of Nigerian historians and also from the experience of distinguished and foremost creative Architect, Chief Fola Alade amongst others.

Obafemi Awolowo University Ado-Ekiti right from its inception suffered from lack of adequate resources, but what it lacked in material resources, it made it up in abundant human and academic and intellectual resources. When the military government overthrew the civilian government in 1983, the new Ondo state governor Navy Commodore Bandele Otiko, an old boy of Christ School may I say, abruptly changed the name of the university from Obafemi Awolowo University to Ondo State University; presumably on the grounds that the then Ondo State could not be more catholic than the Pope and that since Ogun State University, in Ogun State the home state of Chief Awolowo did not wear the Awolowo cloak, he felt that Ondo State University should not be called Obafemi Awolowo University. The university continued as Ondo State University till 1996 when Ekiti where the university is located was created out of the Ondo State. Attempts to persuade Ondo and Ekiti states to jointly run the University failed when Ondo State established Michael Ajasin University in Akungba and the then Ondo State University seamlessly became University of Ado-Ekiti.

This was the situation until 2011 when Ekiti State legislature passed the Bill merging three Universities namely; University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), University of Science and Technology, Ifaki, Ekiti (USTI), and the University of Education, Ikere, Ekiti into one by creating Ekiti State University.

The university is now developing into a fully comprehensive university with such traditional faculties of Education, Humanities, Basic Sciences, Agriculture, Social and Management Sciences and other professional faculties of

Engineering, Law, and Medicine. The state government is putting huge resources in the hands of the administrators of the university in order to meet the demands of a 21st Century institution.

The present government unlike before allows the university to enjoy large measure of autonomy without u n n e c e s s a r y meddlesomeness. This can be seen in the choice of the current and new Vice Chancellor who in spite of not even applying for the job and

Jide Osuntokun

coming from outside the existing university was searched and appointed. He has been able to find his feet quickly because his colleagues, the Council and Ekiti State Government give him freedom to operate. The challenge before the institution however, is to move from a non-residential institution to fully residential institution in a few years to come. This hopefully would be achieved through Private Public Partnership (PPP) in which companies with means and resources would be invited to develop staff and students residential accommodation on the campus. The university, supported by government would provide enabling infrastructure of water and electricity and it is our hope and prayer that anybody who goes to Ekiti State University in the next four years would witness such rapid transformation which would also redound on the development of appropriate university culture which is presently lacking in most of the non-residential universities established in the Second Republic in Lagos, Ekpoma, AdoEkiti and Ago-Iwoye. Ekiti State University has an advantage over most universities in Nigeria because it has a collection of excellent academics that are also patriotically committed to making Ekiti State University an excellent university reflective of Ekiti demonstrated academic and intellectual prowess established over the years by prominent Ekiti sons and daughters in existing Nigerian Universities.

• This piece is being re-run today as a result of technical hitches.

Scarred for life don’t do anything when a problem arises until it becomes too late to cry when the head is off. These children could have been the children of any of us whether rich or poor; any of us too could have suffered the same fate if we are unlucky to fall into the hands of these night marauders when passing through this unsafe road. Many commuters have had tales of woe to tell of their experience on the road, but I don’t think their experience comes near what these girls went through last weekend.

I wept inside me as I went through the story written by Adegunle and Jude on Sunday night. Those girls went through hell and I wonder how any sane and rational human being would treat little girls like that.

Granted that they are hoodlums, does it mean that they cannot differentiate between a child and an adult during their attacks? Doesn’t the milk of kindness course through the veins of hoodlums too? Are hoodlums so barbaric and inhuman that they don’t have feelings even for children who were in this case girls?

But then, why did the driver travel at night despite the objection of his passengers? The customer, we are told, king, but in our country, it is not so. The customer is treated shabbily and his word counts for nothing once he has paid for a service.

The customer is not respected but treated with disdain as the Ekene Dilichukwu Transport Company driver did to those girls last Saturday. Why didn’t the driver listen to their plaintive cries that they don’t want to travel at night? Did he ig-

‘Those girls went through hell and I wonder how any sane and rational human being would treat little girls like that. Granted that they are hoodlums, does it mean that they cannot differentiate between a child and an adult during their attacks?’

nore them because they are children?

No, he didn’t do what he did because they are kids. If you know these drivers well, they are no respecter of persons. No matter your station in life, they will talk down on you and even abuse you if you insist on your right. So, you can imagine what would happen to little, defenceless children left at their mercy. This is why it is difficult not to believe the conspiracy theory now being weaved around the incidence. Was the driver in league with the gunmen? It is not impossible that he may know one or two things about the escapade. Where is the driver now? Has he been arrested or is he at large? He should be able to tell the police how the whole thing happened because the children may be too traumatised to relive their experience. Some of them who have been talking have given an insight into how it all happened.

According to one of the pupils, ‘’we

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all revolted that we would not proceed and started begging the driver to stop over at Ore so that we would pass the night there. But he kept on assuring us that our relatives were at their park in Jibowu, Yaba, Lagos, waiting for us’’.

I don’t understand why the driver was in a hurry to reach Lagos considering that it was so late in the night and dangerous to drive at that hour on such a notorious road. Those who believe he was working for those hoodlums by insisting on taking the children to Lagos at that hour may have a point. But the police investigation must not begin and end there. The investigation must extend beyond this case to find a lasting solution to the incessant attacks on motorists and commuters on that road. We are not in a lawless society where the public should continue to be at the mercy of hoodlums.

The government must rise to this security challenge before gunmen seize total control of our highways.

The other day, it was the LagosIbadan expressway. At this rate, who knows the road that will be next. Yet in the face of this daunting challenge what seems to concern our leaders most is 2015. Let us cross this security challenge bridge first before we start talking 2015 otherwise there may no longer be a country to govern for our power sottish leaders in three years time.

be America’s candidate, the contest would have been a walk over for Okonjo-Iweala. What she has going for her, Kim does not have. OkonjoIweala has been with the World Bank for quite sometime; she understands the inner workings of the institution and she would not be a fresh face when she gets to Washington. But will they, i.e the US and the United Kingdom (UK), allow her get there?

As a Nigerian, I am moved by the editorial of the London-based The Economist on Okonjo-Iweala and other candidates for the World Bank race.

The magazine described her in superlative terms, something rarely done by the western media for any one from the ‘undeveloped’ world.

To me, it is quite refreshing that such

a respected publication has implicit faith in a Nigerian whose country many in the westerner world believe nothing good can ever come out from. Whether Okonjo-Iweala gets the job or not, her endorsement by The Economist has shown that it will not be for want of competence but for extraneous political and socioeconomic considerations. Is that how to promote merit, a quality which countries like the US and UK insist must be the cornerstone for selecting people for plum jobs? Will the US and UK walk the talk or will they interfere with the process during the candidates’ interview next Monday. As The Economist said in its aforementioned editorial : ‘’May the best woman win’’. All the best madam SMS ONLY: 08056504763

Lawal Ogienagbon

lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

Will Okonjo-Iweala make it?

F the three candidates vying for the World Bank top job, there is no doubt that our own Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stands head and shoulder above Colombian Jose Ocampo and KoreanAmerican Jim Yong Kim. Dr OkonjoIweala is eminently qualified to lead the bank, if the world powers, especially the United States (US), which are its financiers will allow her to get the job. As it is, Kim is America’s candidate and the US is going to do all it can to ensure he gets the job whether he is the most qualified or not.

The race is between OkonjoIweala, who has the support of all the emerging countries but with tiny voice in the multilateral institution, and Kim. If Kim were not to

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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HOSE the Yoruba love are without blemish. Their personal failings are overlooked since in their metaphysical world, not even gods are perfect. Often their leaders emerge from not the aristocratic class but from behind. Awo who has been described as modern day Oduduwa was at different periods a labourer, house boy, fetcher of fire-wood and water for sale and a plank seller. Prominent member of the then Yoruba aristocracy like Adelabu had nothing but disdain for an upstart. But by a dint of hard work, he became an achiever and chose to work and keep faith with his people. He was handsomely rewarded.

The fun loving people of Yoruba nation that celebrate life and death in equal measure, last week celebrated Ahmed Bola Tinubu with a carnival as a living hero supported by the their well wishers across the nation. It was a week of endless adulations. The quality of men and women at the inter denominational service held at Teslim Balogun stadium in Surulere, those at the MUSON centre to watch Odia Ofeimum’s play – Nigeria The Beautiful as well as those at the colloquium put together by his friends and chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku attest to his stature as a respected Yoruba leader and an accomplished Nigerian politician.

He is highly respected as a leader by those he has groomed and has been variously described by friends, associates and even beneficiaries of his large heartedness as ‘ an enigma who redefined Nigeria political firmament, ‘a grass root mobiliser’ a leader who ‘ touched lives beyond religious, politics or age limit’, a ‘public servant and a man with exemplary servant-leadership skills’.

Others say he is a consummate politician, a strategist, beacon of democracy, Moses of our time, and a cheerful giver.

There has also been outpouring of adulations from independent observers and even his political opponents. Senate President David Mark calls him “a freedom fighter’ and .praised him for playing “a role in the nation’s opposition politics in a way that “showed us the lesson to build a strong democracy. Prof Segun Gbadegesin sees him at 60 as having led a meaningful life by promoting the good of community and humanity as a compassionate leader; and Odia Ofeimum, sees him as ‘as a political gladiator’. For political opponents like Governor Aliyu of Niger State, Tinubu remains a reference point in good governance, statesmanship and deepening of nation’s de-

mocracy. General Buhari, has also observed that he has ‘related with him closely for some years now and he struck him as a consummate politician and a very strategic person who thinks on his feet’.

His birthday celebration also attracted over 200 pages of congratulatory advertisements from well wishers in various Nigerian newspapers. For a man out of government, that was a feat that was not matched even by patronage merchants like Babangida and Obasanjo while in office and who only few remembered out of office. Bola Tinubu is probably deserving of all the accolades and even more.

But what can we say is the source of Tinubu’s power and influence? We know it is not because he is a cheerful giver because his Yoruba people are a very discerning, independentminded people that can hardly be purchased.

It is beyond being a strategist willing to concede to a weaker group during ACN negotiation with CPC as Mohammed Haruna has observed. It is beyond being a practical politician who also knew when to withdraw from a fruitless negotiation with one with a mind of a feudal lord and disdain for compromise imperatives, the greatest armour of democracy. It is also beyond the master stroke in conceding the speaker-ship of the Lower House initially zoned to the West by PDP to the northwest which gave him the moral voice to insist we must move away from politics of revenue allocation to fiscal federalism.

We can similarly not attribute it to the fact that anything Tinubu touched blossomed. His

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Task for Governor Fayemi

HEN the Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin pronounced Dr. Kayode Fayemi winner of the re-run election in Ekiti State in October 2010, I was in the State on a visit. The battle between the PDP and the ACN for the soul of the State had been on for more than three years during which PDP won at the lower court before the Appeal Court’s ruling in favour of ACN on that Friday. I was witness to how the entire Ekiti was agog in celebration. It was as if everyone just wanted Oni out of the Government House.

Vehicles and Okadas sped through streets in Ado-Ekiti while all beer parlors were enjoying huge patronage. By the time the new governor would arrive later in the evening, Ekiti Kete was truly in ecstasy.

To most people in the state, the exit of the PDP administration was good riddance to bad rubbish.

I was however nonplused because I realized that embedded in that jubilation by the people was a high expectation from the new governor. He would need both good luck and cash, which was scarce, to succeed. To most, Fayemi was coming to Ekiti State as Messiah which was the main reason for the jubilation. He was believed to be bringing all kinds of manna which would translate to more money in the pockets of citizens. After all, some had ignorantly reasoned, Fayemi had international connections which would make the United Nations, World Bank and IMF to be throwing money into Ekiti. Even barren women, they had expected, would instantly become pregnant and be expecting twins in nine months.

‘This is why I want to saddle Governor Fayemi, who I am thanking for ending Oni’s recklessness by collapsing the universities into one for better management and funding, the responsibility to take a further step by canceling the part-time programme of the university’

Source of Tinubu’s power and influence leading role in frustrating Babangida out of government , making of Nigeria ungovernable for Abacha along with his NADECO colleagues, his moving up of Lagos Internally Generated Revenue (IGR} to over N16 billion from a paltry N600 million of the military period and his funding of guerilla journalism against Abacha and his gang of killers.

Tinubu’s greatest strength flows from keeping faith with his people. Unlike the apostle of mainstream, what defines Tinubu is his service to his Yoruba people and this is the basis of his power and influence.

Tinubu‘s phenomenon has therefore only validated Edmund Burke’s thesis that one needs to first be a good representative of his people before he can be an adequate representative of the nation. (This also conforms to the Yoruba saying (ile ni ati nko eso rode) Tinubu is a respected leader of a national political party and an influential opposition leader because he is first the leader of his people.

He, like the sage has remained focused in his commitment to his people despite his disagreement with his Afenifere fathers that imposed him as governor of Lagos State in 2003 as compensation for his NADECO activities.

Their common objective was the liberation of the Yoruba nation and other ethnic nationalities from the tyranny of Nigeria state. The only difference was instead of deploying antiquated weapons for fight a modern warfare, he assembled the best brains available. Even Chief Chief Ayo Adebanjo, one of his greatest critics who once said , ‘Tinubu has a pri-

By Tayo Ekundayo Yes, expectations were that high, at least from what one could perceive from the crowd of well wishers including party supporters.

True, Oni and his co-travelers were at their wits end when the sack was handed down by the Court of Appeal. His government did not seem to have any clue how to quickly move the state forward. The sacked governor, whose tenure was voided by the judgment, had spent his energy doing so many projects in the face of limited resources at once that he hardly completed any before his eventual removal from office. For instance, Oni embarked on his road revolution programme by which he wanted 27 roads fixed at a go.

Many of the 27 roads were abandoned at various stages by the time his time was up. Few completed were in far flung places and consequently grossly under utilized. What of his giving eggs and milk to pupils which became a controversy along the line? At a point, nearly every traditional ruler got a brand new car from the government that was complaining of low funding. His reckless spending got to a head when Oni’s government announced the establishment of two more universities, one in his native Ifaki and another in Ikere Ekiti, for the state. By this singular action, many were of the view that Ekiti, then branded as fountain of knowledge became the spring of stupidity. A casual look into its only university would further magnify this view. UNAAD as it was then called was a university just in name. It lacked basic infrastructure to enhance learning. It was one of the universities that I know that did not have standard hostel accommodation for its students. Virtually all its students stayed off campus. Lecture rooms were always overcrowded.

In this modern age, the level of ICT deployment was virtually non-existent.

That was the state of its only university when Oni, who studied Chemical Engineering at Ife, regarded as one the finest on this continent, was mushrooming universities in Ekiti.

That was my parting of ways with the exGovernor as I predicted without gazing at any crystal ball that his universities of education at Ikere and technology at Ifaki were just a matter of time. Ekiti state would be better of with just one university that was better funded and with an improved infrastructure to boost the level of education service delivery to the students. For this, I became an ACN apologist. I had told one Oni apologist during a casual chat in Ado that Ekiti did not have the financial muscle of Lagos that has just one university. And as luck would have it, Aare Afe Babalola, the quintessential Ekiti elder was then inaugurating his world-class university in Ado Ekiti with infrastructure that would make nonsense of UNAAD. To argue that the level of education has drastically reduced in the state, whose industry in the past was education, is arguing the obvious. As an employer of labour in the state, I had encountered a graduate who could not construct one good sentence. That might, however, be an exception. At an interview, one chose to write a simple essay, wait for this, in Yoruba, and he confessed to me that he was in 500-level in Business Administration as a part-time student.

This is why I want to saddle Governor Fayemi, who I am thanking for ending Oni’s recklessness by collapsing the universities into one for better management and funding, the responsibility to take a further step by canceling the part-time programme of the university. After all, the present students would have completed their programme. By this, no fresh admissions should be allowed into the university on part-time basis. I learned that admissions to the part-time programme lacked rigour which allowed all kinds of students to gain easy admission.

Governor-after-my-heart Babatunde Fashola has led the way with his recent decision on this part- time nonsense at Lagos State University, LASU. I do not know how the UAAD

vate agenda that is not consistent with our own philosophy as taught us by Awolowo’ has now said in an interview with Vanguard newspaper(quoted by Mohammed Haruna) claiming ’ all that he (Tinubu) is doing now, I am in support- to get rid of Obasanjo’.

Having established the source of Tinubu’s power and influence, the next question is what else does he want? Segun Ayobolu, one of his young associates provided inkling when he said Tinubu is a man who is never beclouded by short term political advantages. His objective he says is always on the long term political advantage.

It is perfectly normal for BAT to nurse an ambition. It is in the character of prominent members of oligarchy either in dictatorship or democracy. Leaders often grow to believe they are gods, get immersed in the worries about their ‘sense of self worth’. Not even our highly regarded nationalists escaped this temptation. For their selfish ambition to remain in power without opposition or to take over power, they undermined the spirit of the independence constitution which resulted in imposing on our people the same evils they jointly fought against under colonial rule. .

Whatever agenda Tinubu may nurse, he is no doubt conscious of the source of his current power and influence and why he today towers above Obasanjo and other Nigerian former leaders who had been Head of state without representing anyone. He is also a witness to the sad end of his illustrious forbearers (Awo, Akintola, MKO Abiola and Bola Ige) who had thought they could impose their own values system on other ethnic groups with different level of cultural development.

All this and his short sojourn at the centre when he barely escaped with his life will therefore inform his decision as to whether to remain a kingmaker and serve those who have chosen him a leader or driven by sense of self worth like most members of oligarchy, gamble into the slippery and shirk invested politics at the centre.

‘Tinubu’s greatest strength flows from keeping faith with his people. Unlike the apostle of mainstream, what defines Tinubu is his service to his Yoruba people and this is the basis of his power and influence’ was comfortable with graduates parading its certificates who could not defend such certificates in front of would-be-employers. Worse still is that there is nothing to distinguish the part-time from full-time degrees. I attest to the fact that students who pursued full time degrees tend to perform better.

We all know the purpose of part-time programme, which was designed for older working class people who would want to improve their academic status. Most of the students running the programme are young people who took that option because they could not secure admission through JAMB, thereby defeating the very purpose of part-time.

Taking this step will be as painful as collapsing the universities, but it is the right step in the right direction. I am not unmindful of the huge amount of money the programme generates for the university which makes it so attractive to the authorities in spite of its shortcoming. In urgently taking this step, more attention has to be paid to the rot in primary and secondary schools in the state.

The schools certainly need more funding and provision of infrastructure plus teacher motivation, not eggs and milk as provided by Segun Oni. The strategy or methods must change. Students should never be promoted en masse as this defeats the very essence of hard work and scholarship. The direct implication of this is that students will have to work harder to pass their examinations and gain admissions not just to EKSU but other universities in the country on merit. At any rate, not everyone can make it to university.

Though very expensive, I am still of the opinion that Universities must provide some form of standard accommodation for their students even if only for one or two sessions as undergraduates. Ekiti State University has a large parcel of land on which hostels can be built. It does not matter if this is done in partnership with private developers. A situation in which students do not experience university life as in the case of EKSU is not good enough. Perhaps these steps are those that will bring us back to where we belonged: the fountain of knowledge!

• Ekundayo, Public Affairs Consultant and Public Policy Analyst, lives in Lagos.

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

No student of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, was killed by a masquerader last week Monday, but some students were attacked.This led to protests and destruction of property. The community and students are trading blame on who caused the fracas. ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU, who writes from Nnewi, notes that there is temporary peace in the town because of the Easter break. What happens when students resume?

•One of the bonfires set by the protesting students

Oko Poly riot… more trouble in the offing?

C

ONTRARY to reports of the death of a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Nnewi, Anambra State, by a masquerader during a festival last week, no student died, The Nation investigation has revealed.

News of the student's death had sparked off protests by students and destruction of property valued at millions of naira.

But for the quick intervention of the state police command and the State Security Service (SSS), the damage would have been more.

About 100 security operatives comprising Police, SSS, Army and vigilante group brought the situation under control.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Emeka Chukwuemeka, who was at the scene, said no one was killed either on Sunday night or on Monday. After confirming that no student died, about 20 people arrested by the police were released last Friday following the intervention of community leaders.

However, further investigation revealed that two accounts may have fuelled the students' anger.

One account said the students were already angry with the school management because of the increase in their tuition, and so decided to cash in on the masquerade attack to unleash

mayhem on the community.

Another account said the students had, hitherto, been repeatedly subjected to various forms of attack by the community during festivals so they decided to take their destiny in their hands.

However, over a dozen students, who spoke to The Nation confirmed that their fees were increased. They spoke off camera. ''Yes, our school fees were increased because our predecessors paid N17,200 exactly this period last year, but we are now asked to pay N22,000 though it was formerly N23,000 before they removed N1,000. The school management attributed it to the recent fuel subsidy removal."

The school’s Public Relations Officer, Obini Onuchukwu, denied any increment in fees contrary to the students' claim, but admitted that the clash between the students and villagers has been a recurring decimal.

Consequently, a panel has been set up by the Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba North, Mr Emeka Aforka. The panel headed by the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu, Prof Chukwuemeka Ike, will determine the immediate and remote causes of the violence and also appraise property destroyed.

Aforka also announced a ban on

•INSIDE •ESUT INAUGURATES PANEL ON ILLEGAL ADMISSIONS

•Other students watched helplessly as the crisis raged on

masquerading in Oko. According to him, the masqueraders, who ignited the crisis, had no numbers contrary to an instruction that all masqueraders in the community must wear a tag for easy identification in case of any problem.

However, the community is alleging complicity by the police as no student was arrested during the crisis. Though the Rector of the polytechnic, Prof Godwin Onu, has not

- Page 27

spoken on the development, Onuchukwu confirmed that no student died.

"Be that as it may, we have not recorded any death as speculated. We are only aware of about seven of our students who sustained injuries as a result of the misunderstanding.

They have been taken to hospital and our doctors are handling them.

• Continued on page 26

•LAGOS TIES TEACHERS PROMOTION ON PERFORMANCE

- Page 39

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

26

EDUCATION IBBUL FILE Chancellor guarantees maximum support THE newly-appointed Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), who is also the Emir of Minna, Dr. Umaru Farouk Bahago, has assured that he is ready to give unwavering support to facilitate the transformation of the institution.

Bahago, who gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the management of the university recently, stressed that the realisation of the Vision 3:20:20 of Niger State would only be a delusion if the education sector is not given the desired support.

He expressed the emirate's appreciation for the opportunity given to him by the Visitor of Niger State, Dr. Mua'zuBabangida Aliyu, to serve as the second chancellor to the university and pledged to bring his wealth of experience to bear so that the institution is taken to a level of pride.

Speaking earlier, the ViceChancellor, Prof. Ibrahim AdamuKolo, said the visit was informed by the need to congratulate the chancellor on his new appointment, adding that the university was expecting to benefit immensely from his vast royal experiences, which would help in achieving the vision of the institution.

• Continued on page 26

"However, the institution felt it is necessary to declare a few days break for the students to go home and freshen up ahead of their exams. So, we declared Easter break from Tuesday to April 10 when they will resume for their exam. We have already commenced friendly negotiations with the community.

As I’m talking to you, we are meeting with the youth leader, and the president-general for talks."

National President, Oko People's Union (OPU), Cyprian Nwanmuo, blamed the Student Union Government for inciting the students against the community.

He said: "It is very unfortunate that this happened. There was tension on this matter and we have been trying to quell it for a very long time. But, last night, they said masqueraders went into a compound and beat some people. So, the Students Union government used the opportunity to call for a congress and incited

Oko Poly riot... more trouble in the offing? students to go on the streets."

Nwanmuo put property and other valuables destroyed at slightly below N500 million.

Nwanmuo alleged that, despite that students destroyed and looted property, members of the community and not students were arrested. The SUG President, Comrade Chiedu Nwabuneli, denied that the crisis was because of a raise in tuition. He also denied that the students destroyed property and valuables. ''We did not destroy anything. We just went to Igwe's palace but he wasted a lot of time before coming to address us. When we came they said he was taking his bath. As we were waiting, information reached us that Oko youths have mobilised to come and attack us further with cudgels and dangerous weapons. So we all fled in different directions for

‘However, the institution felt it is necessary to declare a few days break for the students to go home and freshen up ahead of their exams.

So, we declared Easter break from Tuesday to April 10 when they will resume for their exam’ our dear life. How can we now destroy their property?”

Meanwhile, the Oko community has set up its own panel of enquiry headed by the National ViceChairman of Oko Peoples Assembly, Mr Clement Udoye, to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the riot.

Sources told our reporter that the annual Ifu Olu festival which the Oko community celebrates for 12 days, has in recent years been wild as students and natives are always

Varsity institutes award IN its resolve to encourage hardwork, academic excellence and good moral behaviour among students, the management of the university has introduced an award for Academic Excellence and Exemplary Behaviour for students who demonstrate commendable level of academic feat and stall tall in moral conducts in the Institution.

At the celebration of the Second University's Foundation Day and Orientation for the fresh students, a maiden presentation of the award was witnessed where the VC disclosed that students with best Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) were selected while the Exemplary Behaviours was awarded to any well behaved student.

At the end of the day, a 400-Level student in the Department of Public Administration, Abu Idriswho had the highest CGPA of 4.67, won the overall best Academic Excellence Award.

Chess contest takes break THE Nigerian International School (inter-schools) Chess League is temporarily rested after playing the March competition at the Methodist Boys High school, Victoria Island, Lagos. The tournament resumes on May 19 at Chrisland College, Idimu.

According to its Co-ordinator, Mr Kunle Fasan, the league keeps waxing strong since its seventh years of existence with more schools coming on board and making the tournament more competitive.

The third yearly school tournament, Fasan announced, is scheduled for between June 24 andJuly 1, this year in Accra, Ghana where the Nigerian contingents are expected to feature. Fasan recalled that schools that had participated in the league in the past editions brought glory and honour to Nigeria.

Fasan, therefore, encourages more sponsors to come forward and bankroll the leagues monthly games and the forthcoming international tournament.

•Chairman of the occasion/National Publicity Secretary, St. Joseph's College, Old Boys Association, Pastor Tunde Richard (left), welcoming Oba Adegboye Adesida Afunbiowo II, Deji of Akure, also an old Boy; Mr Ademola Olorunfemi, Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture, another alumnus, who represented the state Governor Olusegun Mimiko, an old boy, to the school’s 56th Founder's Day

Strike looms at EACOED •As college hosts Southwest delegates

U

NLESS the Oyo State government addresses longstanding issues affecting the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (EACOED), Oyo, an industrial unrest is imminent in the institution, The Nation can reveal.

The issues were referred to as "strange happenings in the academic settings", which the Academic Staff Union, said were being treated with kid gloves.

These include the resuscitation of housing and car loans, as well as leave bonus for the college, which was cancelled by the former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala administration.

Others include reversal in the killer tax policy, restoration of accumulated yearly leave with payment, and promotion arrears, adequate provision of lectures' offices and lecture halls for students.

They added that while the entitlements of some retired members being denied them must be fully paid, the yet-to-be-given mandate of the Deputy Provost, who was elected in September, last year, be restored immediately.

Chairman of the College Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Dr. Olugbenga Ayena, pointed out: "One of the factors that led to retardation of the college progress was that throughout former Alao-Akala tenure, the college did not receive any

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

capital grant, while salaries were being augmented. This lasted until January this year, when the Ajimobi-led administration restored salary augmentation.

"Academics world over don't compromise these issues," Ayena asserted.

According to him, there is also the need to restore grants. "No new staff must be allowed to sign any MOU, while promotion arrears cancelled by Alao-Akala be restored," he added.

While commending both the Governing Council for their efforts to resolve some of the problems, while include a restoration new salary arrears, and payment of 20 months new salary, Ayena hinted that the management issue is a burning one that must be urgently addressed.

Consequent upon this, the 30th Southwest zonal delegates conference of COEASU will hold on the college premises on April 11, to discuss problem affecting it, as well as proffer solutions.

The 29th conference took place recently at Ilesa, Osun State, where COEASU condemned and rejected the issue of Central Pay System of Salary from the Federal Government. It also directed its members to disregard in its entirety any further demand on this from any quarter.

• Governor Ajimobi

molested so the traditional ruler of Oko, Igwe Prof Laz Ekwueme, outlawed its crude activities and stipulated some measures to enable everybody to enjoy the festival's cultural splendour.

Last week Monday, which was the grand finale, the attack on a student leading to allegations of death provoked riots. Some villagers had to run into the bush for cover. With anger, the students dared the palace of the traditional ruler desecrating it, an act which Mr Nwosu said never happened in the history of Oko. But The Nation gathered that following the masquraders' attack, Nwabuneli prodded his subjects to protests. He had lamented on how himself and many others were molested and slapped by some villagers who became hysterical at the peak of the festival.

Nwabuneli’s words, sources added, were like acid on a sore as his subjects marched in large numbers to Igwe Ekwueme's palace chanting war songs.They later blocked all entrances into the polytechnic, setting bonfires on the roads and destroying things.

The students were alleged to have also looted all kiosks and shops on the federal highway to Umunze through Ekwulobia including the popular Eke Oko market. All these the SUG President denied.

Nwabuneli said: ''I got a distress call from students staying at HND Lodge, Oko (where the incident occurred) that their lives were under threat as they were being attacked by masqueraders. ''So I, and some students, went there. We saw blood gushing from students' heads, stomachs and hands.

We rushed six of them to the hospital before coming to ascertain what transpired. The students said the masqueraders jumped over the fence and used dangerous weapons on them. It was painful because it happened right inside the students’ domain and not on the streets of Oko. Vice-President, Students Union Government (SUG), Miss Williams Ibiene, said students were always attacked during tradition festivals, adding that the students decided that 'enough is enough' "Last year, we had a similar case in which machetes were used on some students and nothing was done. The one that broke the camel's back was last week’s attack, she said, ” she said.

“... Arrested development!”

27

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

EDUCATION LASU FILE Bursary holds seminar on less cash policy THE Bursary Department, Lagos State University, LASU, on Tuesday, last week organised a seminar on the demonstration of the operation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 'Less-Cash' policy to students and staff of the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, who declared the seminar open at the MBA Auditorium, Ojo campus, said he believes the seminar would inform and educate members of the university community on the new policy.

He said: "It's good we have an array of resource persons from various banks to educate us and I hope that by the end of today's session, we are all better informed."

The Acting Bursar, Mr. Jamiu A. Lasisi, in his keynote address, said the seminar became necessary to follow the path of the less-cash policy of the CBN. Packages such as Point of Sale (POS) terminal, Internet-based business, Mobile Banking Business, e-payment solutions, Card Business (use of Visacard or Mastercards), Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), among others, were presented by the banks.

Their first and second choice are advised to attend the screening exercise.

Group donate books A VOLUNTARY humanitarian organisation, Junior Chambers International (JCI), through its Lagos State University Collegiate chapter, has donated 104 motivational and entrepreneurial books to the university.

At the event, which held at the university’s Library, Ojo, had the Deputy VC (Administration), Prof. Omolara Bamgboye, received the books on behalf of the VC. He praised the group for the gesture and said the books came at the right time.

"We are happy to have the JCI team right here on campus.

The good work should continue to progress. JCI is doing well. They are forward looking students, and other associations should emulate this good work.

Vice-President, JCI International, from Zimbabwe, Mr Samuel Moyo, said he was happy to be part of the noble cause. He described JCI as a solution provider to the problems of the society.

"We identify partners. We must work hand in hand with great institutions such as LASU, offer solutions on projects that can benefit the students, the university Community and we will continue to do this", he said.

• President, Oduduwa University, Dr Rahman Adedoyin (fifth from left); Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Adeleke Ogunwale and (sixth left) and Dr Bolatito Oluwole, Provost, College of Management and Social Sciences with other lecturers during the matriculation of the university at Ipetumodu in Osun State

ESUT inaugurates panel on illegal admissions

T

HE Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has constituted a panel to investigate staff who are allegedly involved in the illegal admissions of about 544 students.

The affected students, made up of mainly final year students, were early this year fished out and expelled from the school.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Cyprian Onyeji, who disclosed this at its 31st matriculation, said staff implicated in the unwholesome practice would

be disciplined.

He also said the panel would review protests from some of the expelled students, stressing that any of the students found to have been expelled in error would be recalled.

Onyeji further disclosed that 11 students of the university have been expelled while 14 others were suspended for their involvement in exam malpractices.

He advised the fresh students to take their studies seriously, warning

that ESUT has zero tolerance for exam malpractice.

He announced that as part of measures to encourage academic excellence in the university, scholarships await students who made Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50.

He said such students would enjoy free tuition for one academic year and are to be addressed as "University scholars." He said such students could retain the scholarship and study freely until they graduate if they scored up to 4.0 CGPA in their

subsequent years.

He also disclosed that a programme aimed at encouraging and rewarding excellence in teaching and research among academic staff of ESUT has been put in place.

Under the programme entitled: Distinguished teachers award and distinguished researcher award, to motivate academic staff to excellence, each winner would smile home with N3million yearly.

Over 4,000 fresh students matriculated during the ceremony.

Ogun Institute rector assures on performance

T

HE Rector, Ogun State Institute of Technology, (OGITECH), Igbesa, Ogun State, (formerly Gateway Polytechnic, Igbesa), Prof Godwin Ejodame, has assured that the institution will live up to its new status.

He declared this at the Sixth Matriculation of the institution at its premises.

Last year, the four ICT polytechnics located in each of the senatorial zone of the state were collapsed into one (OGITECH) on the recommendation of a panel set up by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to review the state of education in Ogun State.

He said despite many challenges chief of which was cash crunch, the institute still braved the odds, recording more achievements

Igbinedion varsity announces Post-UTME centres THE management of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, has announced the post-UTME screening date and centres of the university.

In a statement signed by the Registrar of the university, Mr Edwin Okoro, screening would take place at Igbinedion Education Centre, Murtala Muhammed Way, Benin, Sunnyside Group of Schools, Ilupeju, Lagos, and Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja, all this Saturday.

Candidates, who chose Igbinedion University, Okada as their first and second choice are advised to attend the screening exercise.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

•Some of the matriculating students

By Adegunle Olugbamila

among which are acceptability of her graduates in institutions within and outside Nigeria; good performances by its graduates in their different places of employment; recognition of some of its programmes by some professional bodies; scholarship awards by the Federal Government to some of her students and the recent being a collaboration being worked out between the institution and the University of Greenwich, UK, among others.

The institution created in 2006, Ejodame further stressed, now runs five HND programmes in Business Studies; Accountancy, Statistics/ Mathematics, Computer Science and Electrical/Electronics. This, he added, is in addition to the HND

approval by the polytechnic regulatory body, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to run three new programmes in Accountancy and Computer System; Business Administration and Management as well as Statistics and Mathematics.

"It is our hope that these approvals will provide the foundation for the take-off of the one to two years topup collaborative programmes with the University of Greenwich," Ejodame added.

He also expressed his appreciation to the community, Governor Amosun and many kind-hearted Nigerians for partnering and supporting the institution in her hours of need.

The 2,320 freshers cutting across the second batch of 150 HND students,

sixth batch of 1,600 ND students and 650 students running 30 programmes on part-time at OGITECH various study centres, according to him, "signify tremendous growth, progress and maturity of the institution."

He urged the new students to be of good conduct, abstain from antisocial acts, be serious with their studies; be a good ambassador of the institution, and remain committed to their matriculation oath.

"External influence and threat come in various guise and shades. When you give in, you cave-in and fall in, draw in and die. Therefore, shun all vices and work hard in the first semester and you will be better for it.Your first semester is also important in the entire academic career,“ he said.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

EDUCATION Alumnus donates lab to UNILAG

A

N alumnus of the University of Lagos, (UNILAG), Akoka Oluseyi Makinde, has donated a multi-million "Makon Programmabe Logic Control (PLC) Laboratory" to the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

The facility, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services, Prof. Rahman Bello, said, is the first in the history of the 50-year-old institution.

Bello, who inaugurated it on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adetokunbo Sofoluwe, asked other alumni to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the institution, now that it is marking her Golden Jubilee of its existence.

Makinde, an engineer and Group Managing Director of Makon Group of Companies, who graduated from the department in 1990, said the gesture was in fulfillment of his corporate social responsibility to his alma mater.

The laboratory has five components. They are Allen Bradley Control Logix complete with other software and operating licenses, 26 Networked Workstations with laboratory equipment and two reserved computers, one server for Laboratory Resource Sharing, 29 KVA UPS with six-hour back-up time, projector, screen and white board, and five Horsepower Air Conditioning Unit.

Makinde said he mooted the idea of a control laboratory for

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

UNILAG about 20 years ago, when his company discovered the dearth of control engineers during the execution of the Chad-Cameroon Pipeline project, recalling that foreign experts were invited to assist the company.

Makinde added: "Makon Group will support the university to sustain the laboratory by deploying its experts to instruct students".

Lauding the gesture, Dr. Ladi Ogunwolu, who represented the Head of Department, Dr. Tolu Akinbolurin, said the new laboratory has fulfilled the long desire for an industrial partnership for the advancement of knowledge and research in the university.

Bello noted that it was the first time an alumnus would donate a laboratory to UNILAG. He urged other alumni to make name for themselves by donating generously to the school during the jubilee celebrations.

He said the laboratory would assist in training such that the products of the department, who specialise in Control Engineering, are better than previous products.

Prof. Sofoluwe, in his address, asked the Faculty of Engineering to brace up, wondering why the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering is still dependent on the university for its energy needs, instead of making use of renewable energy sources.

•Bishop Oyedepo (left) congratulating Prof Omoleye after the lecture

'How our health can be further enhanced’ A

PROFESSOR of C h e m i c a l Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State James Omoleye, has offered a pathway on how lives can be further prolonged.

It was at the institution's second inaugural lecture entitled: Mono-Metallic reforming catalysts life and mortality: A replica of human life and a panacea to better health, at the university premises on Friday.

According to the lecturer, the study was able to reveal some similarities in the lives of catalysts and human beings.

He said the two have left one wondering if the effects of resistant toxic wastes formed

By Adegunle Olugbamila

on the catalyst surface and the high level of its formation at certain high temperature leading to its mortality can give more insight to the cause of reduction of life expectancy of man on earth and what can be done.

Omoleye counselled that a healthy mind is a condition to a healthy body, adding that the former is also an extension of a healthy spirit.

"A combination of clean body and spirit are criteria for healthy living, up to the divinely ordained full age of human on earth and for an unbroken relationship with

God," he said.

He said refineries will earn more money from their spent catalyst if they treat them with the recovery process before sending them to the manufacturer for a rebate.

The don noted that the study has to do with the catalysts used in the refinery of some of the products, which costs a lot of money to change and this change does not really contribute to the catalyst.

He said for the study to be beneficial to Nigerians, the government has to spend money on research to find out the effect of high temperature food on people who eat habitually and to know the balance that makes catalyst last long.

He said research on the

lecture’s topic would reduce money spent on refuel exploration, overall cost for products. He urged catalysts to suggest to ways to boost Nigeria's resources to make them live long.

Chancellor of the University, Bishop David Oyedepo noted that the lecture was timely in view of the pervading destruction of catalysts among Nigerians which is mostly exemplified in their eating habit.

He attributed many untimely deaths among Nigerians to food which are often prepared at very high temperature before consumption.

"We need to look inward at Nigerians poor eating habit which is responsible for reducing their life span.

This also has a Biblical backing as God once warned Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden that the day they eat certain forbidden fruits they would surely die. So, people eat ignorantly, and this has caused untimely deaths", he said.

"About 70 per cent of what we eat today are imported. We call it civilisation but I call it ignorance," Oyedepo added.

He noted that the life span of Nigerians has gone anticlockwise in the last 10 years, noting that the lecture is an eyeopener to warn Nigerians on the danger of overheating what they consume.

The lecture was also attended by the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Prof Aize Obayan and other senior academic and non-academic staff from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, among others.

29

New leaders for LASU Law

It is an indoor election Page 31

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*CAMPUSES *NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

An uneasy calm in UNIJOS Students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), last week, blocked the Bauchi - Jos highway in a protest against the stabbing of two of their colleagues.

ESTHER MARK (400Level Mass Communication) reports that this led to a one-week compulsory break for the students.

T

HE day started like any other. Students who had 8am lectures were already receiving lectures. Others who were to have lectures later in the day were getting set to go to school. It was Monday, a day thought to be a hectic one at school.

Suddenly, the rumour started making the rounds. A lecturer in one of the classes received several calls. Other students had their alarm tones buzzing with messages on their phones. There was uproar in town.

At an area regarded as a flash point in the recurring Jos crises, a bus conductor had been dragged off his vehicle and lynched.

The driver escaped with his head broken.

On getting to a “non-hostile” environment, he narrated his experience to sympathisers Then, pandemonium broke out.

As though to corroborate his story, an elderly man came staggering, covered in blood. He had narrowly escaped death with a deep gash on his abdomen. Youths were angry as he was rushed to the hospital. In the twinkling of an eye, all means of mobility disappeared from the road. No commercial bike or taxi-cab within the vicinity. Students heading for school rushed back home; others heading for the market retreated. Schools in the area closed as parents rushed to pick their wards.

•UNIJOS students being addressed by their president after a Jos riot

Back in school, like every bad news travelling fast, the story went round. The lecturer who had received calls brought the class to an abrupt end and informed the students of the uproar in town. It took the intervention of the security personnel to stem the tide of impending violence. After about three hours, students retreated to their homes on and off the campus residence.

When the situtation became calm, scores of people were missing.

At about 6pm, some students were returning to the hostel when they ran into a group of people who had gone to bury a victim of the crisis. In one of the minor gates leading to the Naraguta Hostel, they unleashed their anger on two of the students, a girl and a boy. The students were severally stabbed after which the attackers zoomed off in their cars upon sighting security personnel.

Students rushed the victims from the hostel gate to the hospital. Others took to social network platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, to disseminate the “breaking news”. Other students were angry as they believed that “injury to one is injury to all.”

In moments, the roads were blocked as the students took to peaceful protests. Cars coming into Jos and those going out of Jos were stuck. The night was also dreadful as many students could not sleep, for fear of further attacks. The male students became protective brothers. They formed vigilante groups to protect themselves as well as the girls.

Tuesday morning saw a more organised “aluta” at the Abuja Hostel from where the students took to the streets, barricading the major road leading into Bauchi State. It was an angry protest as students kept echoing that injury to one was injury to all. Others were shouting “enough is enough”. Security agents prevented further mayhem.

Addressing the students, the newly elected SUG president, Nambol Amos, at the Aluta Center of Abuja Hostel, said: “It is quite unfortunate that students are always attacked whenever there is uproar in town. We are neutral parties here and should be treated as such. We have had enough and therefore are giving both the school authority and the government conditions that we feel would

prevent further attacks. First, the cemetery behind the hostel should be relocated to another environment. Secondly, the illegal motor parks at Bauchi Junction and Pharmacy Gate should be moved to the Joshua Dariye Park along Farin Gada Road. This is because we don’t feel safe with their presence around us and if they are moved to one location, incidents of such nature would reduce drastically.”

Also addressing the students, the National President of NANS, Dauda Mohammed, debunked the rumour that one of the students had died.

Speaking on behalf of the school authority, the Deputy Registrar, Information, Mr Steve Otowo, said it was unfortunate that students were always attacked, adding that there was no justification for the attacks. He urged the students to remain calm as the matter was being handled by security agents.

Many students added a comic relief to the situation by giving situation reports on •Continued on page 31

•Fire razes hostel - P32 •Benue varsity shut as three students killed - P33

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

30

CAMPUS LIFE Elite youth and moving forward

I

STARTED, last week, with my preoccupation for the way forward for us as a nation. The youth, I added, were the best if not the only hope for this gargantuan task. I equally settled for a group I refer to as the “elite youth”. Elite youth are those young people who have had a semblance of some fundamental education.

In our decaying education system today, that semblance of fundamental education, in my thinking, is exposure to post-secondary education.

It is true that some undergraduates have proven not to be any better than motor park touts and political thugs both in their understanding of pertinent issues and conduct especially when overtaken by that much abused word “aluta”. However, a significant number of them are aware and even desirous of doing something to make things better.

Another challenge I have seen is that most of those who go the extra mile of actually doing something to make a change soon get caught up in the system and without their realising it, become part of the problem.

I ended last week with a group made up of young men and women. It is called the Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG). Here’s what it says in its website about its mission: “To ensure that quality services are rendered by agencies in custody of public funds”.

A statement under the headline - From the Director’s Desk - went on to add: “The Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG) is a consortium of several civil society organisations with a large repertoire of media partners birthed with the sole purpose of assisting the government and the people in ensuring that effective services are rendered by government institutions especially those that have been mandated specific statutory functions. Importantly, the covenant of ISDMG is premised on assessing

Pushing Out

some extent the CBN; the same cannot be said for the NDDC, FERMA and the rest.

But this is not about which institution got the award or otherwise.

I have a problem with the idea of the award in the first place. One cannot readily point to a performing sector with in this country yet we waste time and resources annually on all manners of awards. Perhaps the ISDMG is least guilty of this considering the pedigree 08054503104 of the people behind it, the method it (SMS only) adopted to arrive at the awardees and the fact that this was its first “award •campuslife@thenationonlineng.net ceremony”, but we just have to be •ladycampus@yahoo.com careful with carrying on with a practice and verifying ongoing and completed physical that portrays us as the proverbial fool who set projects and service delivery of federal, state his house on fire to smoke out rats.

A good example of sending the wrong and local governments, ministries/ message is seen in Sambo’s observation that departments and agencies (MDAs)”.

From the same website, most of the executive the presence of government MDAs at the event officers of ISDMG who actually graduated in indicated that they had delivered on their the last ten years were involved in some sort mandates. If that were so, why are we not of student/youth activism as undergraduates. ranked on the same level with Norway and Last week Monday, the group hosted the other “first world nations”?

Thus, we find that while ISDMG started and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, at the opening of its seemed to have the right motives, it could well two-day roundtable on education. It was at the end up a toothless bulldog and get hijacked by event that Anyim (through his representative) the recognition-addicted ruling elite we have revealed that between 1999 and now, the in this country.

It has become nauseating the level to which Federal Government has spent N3trillion on education, “with a little impact”. I already dwelt organisations formed by otherwise “passionate and patriotic” young Nigerians on that last week.

Sometime in the third quarter of 2011, the descend to in a bid to get a slice of the so-called ISDMG had hosted Vice-President Namadi national cake. ISDMG must be careful not to Sambo (though he too sent a representative in fall into that category. The system is corrupt the Minster of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen). and one cannot get enmeshed in it under the The event was an award tagged the “Most guise of cleansing it; it does not work that way.

We need our elite youth to stand back and Outstanding Public Service Institutions (20072011)” in Nigeria. Among the institutions that properly articulate what I’d call a new Nigerian got the “outstanding performance” mark were value system. This value system should be used the ETF, now Tertiary Education Trust Fund as a guide as well as yardstick towards charting (TETFUND), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the way forward.

Ciao the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Bureau for Public Procurement and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency The police and the Ogun mass rape Last Sunday, I received a distress call from a (FERMA).

While not many will begrudge TETFUND, close friend whose daughter was on the illunder Prof Mahmood Yakubu, who has proven fated Ekene Dili Chukwu bus that was robbed to be quite dedicated to his mandate, and to along the Ore-Sagamu highway in Ogun State.

Ngozi Agbo

‘Serving indigents gives me joy’

•Aolabi

W

HAT have you achieved so far as Rotaract president?

We have been able to undertake projects like feeding the less privileged which we did during the Ramadan fast last year. We also visited orphanages where we distributed laundry materials and food items. We also partnered with the National Blood Transfusion Service, Abuja where we mobilised our students to donate blood for the blood bank which is meant for accident victims. We realised 578 bags of blood from the exercise.

Equally, we hold sanitation every month on the school campuses, in conjunction with the Servicom Student Unit.

What do you have in stock before you hand over?

No administration can finish all the projects which it plans to achieve, but all we need is sustainability and ensuring that our projects are impacting, on people which is what we need in this country to attain a better society. I will want to leave the club much better than I met it.

Other projects we are working on now include a quiz and spelling bee competition for

Afolabi Olaniyi is president of the Rotaract Club District 9125, Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State.

The 500-Level student of Library and Information Technology spoke with FAITH OLANIRAN. secondary schools in Minna, renovation of the club’s bus stop and water project to assist the Bosso community.

How have you been able to combine Rotaract activities with your studies?

It has been a challenge, but we thank God since all what do is to affect lives positively. I also thank my club members who had made my work easy so far, with their active support.

What is your driving force?

Rendering service to the indigents is a priority for me because it gives me great joy.

What are your challenges?

Life itself is a challenge. A lot of challenges have come up since my emergence as the club president, but I will always thank God for how far He has gone with me.

After her call, I called her husband who was at the Jibowu Park waiting for the girls’ return, and remained with him on the phone until the girls were brought to Lagos.

We kept in touch as they were taken to first the General Hospital at Marina, and then the nearby Island Maternity. It was until his 10year-old daughter was tested and found to have been spared the rape treatment by the beasts who robbed them that the man could breathe easy. Though the little girl was traumatised, we thanked God and still thank Him that “that” was all she has to contend with. The same cannot be said for over 20 of her co-passengers.

I have been praying for them and their parents, and thinking of how best they would be helped to overcome not just the physical injuries but also the more worrisome emotional and psychological scars.

I was, thus, unprepared for the claim from the spokesman of the Ogun State Police Command, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, that the girls were not raped. What a callous statement to make. It is bad enough that the innocent girls have to undergo such a terrible experience; what would the police achieve by denying that what happened to them never happened? How was that supposed to help them heal? How was that supposed to exculpate the police and indeed the state from failing to protect its children? How was that supposed to absolve the transport company of leaving the children stranded for over five hours before a replacement bus was sent after the initial bus broke down?

On March 15, this column dwelt on what I called a “Customised sense of hypocrisy”. I had written: “In Nigeria, we speak from both sides of our mouths. We’d rather be caught dead than say the right thing. This double speak permeates every facet of our lives, especially the public domain… the norm favours deceit over honesty and integrity. … Until we, each, (admit) this truth and vow to live lives devoid of schism, we would be deceiving ourselves. And it is that honesty that is the first step towards raising a generation of youths we would be proud of, not those versed in fraud and the use of sophisticated weapons to commit heinous crimes”. I have nothing more to add.

‘I was between the devil and the deep blue sea’

•Gloria

H

OW do you feel today?

I have no word to describe it. Happiness is an understatement given the harrowing experience that put me away from school for over two years.

At a time, I lost hope of being counted among the living not to talk of giving an account of my existence. Today is a day of great joy and fulfillment considering that about 16 people died in and as a result of that accident.

Can you recall what happened that day?

I lost consciousness and was in coma for almost two weeks after the incident. During that period, I was between the devil and the deep blue sea. When I woke up, I could not raise my legs. Initially, I was afraid I would never walk again. But I thank God for today, that I can move about on my own, without assistance. I really cannot remember what exactly caused the accident.

The pain and trauma of losing friends, who one minute were conversing with you, and the next were no more, are too much. Thus, I am doing everything to put that incident behind me.

What were your challenges after the accident?

Gloria Ezekwe is an Accounting student of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo State.

Her education was disrupted over two years ago when she was involved in a fatal accident on her way to Lagos, for her compulsory one year industrial training (IT).

Having recently resumed after spending months in hospital and rehabilitation, she recounted the terrible experience to TOSIN AJUWON (HND II Mass Communication).

As you can imagine, tough and unbearable. At first, I thought I had lost it all; but I was made to understand that life without God is meaningless. For two whole months, I was sleeping in the hospital. It was so bad that I passed urine and excreta on the bed. My family suffered, but all thanks to God and my parents who strengthened my faith that I can walk again and actually come back to school to finish my HND quest.

Now that you are back to school, how would you describe the changes that have taken place?

Sincerely speaking, Auchi Polytechnic has become the institution to beat in this country. It is as if the polytechnic was born again. I have seen different innovative projects, especially the massive development at Campus II. I commend the management of the institution under Dr. Philipa Idogho for these remarkable efforts.

The building of Philipa Idogho Campus, the establishment of a new FM station and the sponsorship of prominent lecturers over-

seas are all great. This is attested to by the two-year consecutive rating of Auchi Polytechnic by the international Webometric as the best in Nigeria. Now I agree with Klint da Drunk, the prominent comedian, who during a visit late last year described Mrs. Idogho as a woman of more than 100 men.

Has your experience changed your worldview in any way?

You bet it has. My life has witnessed a bitter sweet experience.

Before now, I had wanted to be a notable accountant; that has not changed. I however see my life now as totally belonging to God, to be used for His glory. That is why He spared me when many others died.

I would want to use this opportunity to urge all students and young people everywhere to be focused and know why they are here. There is need for each to imbibe the right values, bearing in mind that hardwork and diligence will never derail one. Also, students should avoid all vices especially examination malpractice, cultism and prostitution.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

31

CAMPUS LIFE

It is an indoor election Students prefer elections to be held in open places “to ensure transparency”. However, the Faculty of Science Students Association, (FASSA), Cross River State University of Science and Technology (CRUTECH), opted for an indoor election to choose its next crop of leaders.

EMMANUEL SHEBBS (500-Level Political Science, University of Calabar) reports.

T

HE election was held in a small-sized room close to the main gate. The room has about four windows about it. Peeping through any of the windows, one could see people moving about. It was difficult to know what someone inside was doing, especially if there was no light. But, from all indications, voting was going on to elect new leaders for the Faculty of Science Students. One of them, Kingsley Akpan, called it “indoor election”.

Paul Buke is the electoral committee chairman. He said indoor elections are not new to the school system. “It is a tradition in our school.

During elections, even in the Student Union Government (SUG) elections, ballot boxes are kept inside the security unit where the students go in to vote. There is really nothing happening inside the room. It is just for security purposes. In a conventional election where they have enough security, ballot boxes are kept in an open place, but in this case, we may not guarantee that because some people will try to carry it and run away when they feel they are losing out in the election”.

The election protocols started with an accreditation. It did not take place in the room but under a mango tree, just beside the bungalow building which serves as the security office and lasted for about three hours.

When the election started, the students were called in to vote based on their departments. The electoral officer stood in front of the door, between two mean-looking security men as he called the names. Each voter was expected to push his or her way through the tight crowd.

There was agitation outside as this was going on. Students were shouting on top of their voices. At a point, two students exchanged blows as they argued over whose turn it was to pass.

Still on the same scene, one of the students in Biological Sciences told CAMPUSLIFE that some names were

skipped as the list was being called.

She said: “When they were calling my department’s list, they almost got to my name and stopped and went to the next list which is Physics Department.

One of the aspirants who pleaded anonymity said he perceived “something fishy in the whole thing, especially in the way the voters were being called in to vote. We don’t know the rationale they took. They called some names and left some names.

About 30 students from my department were not called in to vote. There should be an explanation. I don’t understand the whole thing.

A representative from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) who came to witness the election said he was denied access into the voting room. I don’t know what is happening in that room. I am not comfortable with this indoor of a thing. The management should look into it and adopt a more civilised, more democratic and universally accepted electioneering method.”

Paul had this to say about the complaints of the people: “Before the election proper, we did accreditation. That was the time we validated the voters.

So, the names we called were those who came early to join in the exercise. No qualified voter was left behind. We followed the principles that INEC has laid down for us. Once election starts, there will be no more time for accreditation of voters. That was the rule. We announced it everywhere before the day of the election”.

He added that every aspirant had an agent in the small room where the voting took place. The election lasted about three hours. The students stood patiently around to hear the final result. The counting and recording of the results also took place indoors.

After collation, winners were announced, amidst jubilation.

Ferdinand Anok beat Victor Bassey and Ibiang Ofem to become President. Two aspirants, Ferdinand and

•Jubilating crowd carrying one of the elected students

•The new President, Ferdinand, and his Vice, Florence

Victor, are in Biological Sciences Department while Ibiang came from Chemical Sciences. CAMPUSLIFE learnt that Biological Sciences had tried to persuade Victor to step down for Ferdinand “so that the house will speak with one voice and deliver one candidate.”

But Victor refused. He explained why: “I did my underground work.

It was not my interest that motivated me; it was the interest of my people. Losing does not mean you are not good. Winning does not

mean you are the best. This is a democracy. I believe that I am a leader.

I urge our students to embrace peace and avoid vices in all forms.”

Ibang equally accepted the results.

He said: “The election was free and fair. I have trust on the ELECO members. They did their best.”

The newly elected President, Ferdinand, said: “It was a free and fair election. I am ready to work with everybody even my opponents. I advise my opponents to take the whole thing in good faith and

join me in building the faculty knowing they had the same purpose in mind in coming out to contest.

The other officecontested was that of the Director of Finance; all others had unopposed candidates.

Florence Emenike is the VicePresident-elect.

She told CAMPUSLIFE that conviction in her ability motivated her, promising that her “job now is to lead my sheep aright. I will not neglect my people.

They are the source of my courage.”

An uneasy calm in UNIJOS •Continued from page 29

Facebook. Linda Moses, from English Department updated on her wall “Malos VS students equals to terrible gun shots by soldiers. The die is cast…the battle line is drawn. Aluta Continua, Victoria Acerta. From my cubicle in the hostel, is Linda Moses reporting. We would keep you posted with further breaking news.”

Expressing anger, Bayo Akingbade, in 400-Level Mass Communication told CAMPUSLIFE: “The school authority must provide 24 hour security in and around the university most especially in all the hostels. I am angry because the injured student could have been me. This recurring crisis has made my four-year course that of science students who stay for five or six years.”

Moses Gumus, another student, said: “What kind of a society is this where innocent students are stabbed and others are missing, all because they chose a certain town called Jos

to school in? This is not just fair. Fellow Jossites stand up and defend your rights. Enough is enough.”

The remaining days in the week were lecture-free, as students feared going to school. The UNIJOS main gate remained locked while the campus environment was a shadow of itself. The week dragged on and by the next Monday, many reluctant students stayed back at home; others went for lectures.

The UNIJOS Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) held a press conference where it stated the condition for both the state and the Federal Government to look into the security and safety of both students and staff. The chairman, Dr. Z.D. Dauda reiterated the points enumerated by the SUG president. He called for the release of the N3.6 billion subvention the school was supposed to receive from the Federal Government for easy relocation of offices and construction of more buildings in its permanent site.

•Students of Ibrahim Babangida Univeristy (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, during their matriculation, recently.

PHOTO: OLAYINKA OLATUNBOSUN

32

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE Provost charges students on academic excellence

T

HE Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State, Prof Okechukwu Ogbuagu, has urged newly admitted students into the college to strive for excellence.

Ogbuagu gave this charge during the matriculation ceremony of the college, last week, for NCE students in Regular, Sandwich and CEP Programmes, as well as degree students.

He said: “Matriculation is just a gateway marking the beginning of an academic journey. It is not a warrant for graduation; rather it is a fitting occasion to remind students that for their journey through the college to be successful, hardwork, determination, dedication, discipline, probity and sincerity of purpose are required of them”.

From Emeka Attah FCET UMUNZE

The college recently affiliated to Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, for award of degree certificates in Education.

Earlier, the UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof Boniface Egboka, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof Sam Okeke, said the university expected the degree students to be diligent in their studies and be of good character.

The ceremony recorded the highest number of matriculating students since the inception of the college: 815 for NCE, 901 students for degree programmes; about 42 for sandwich and 145 for continuing education (CEP).

•The razed hostel

Fire razes hostel

S

OME students of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY), have lost property worth millions of Naira to an inferno that gutted their hostel last Saturday. The affected building was co-habited by indigenes and students in Auchi town.

The occupants of the building watched helplessly as their property was being consumed by the inferno.

When CAMPUSLIFE got to the scene, sympathisers were trying to put off the fire. Some of the items said to have been burnt included computer sets, school receipts, original copy of certificates, furniture, electronic sets and other valuables.

A student, who resides in a nearby building, Sunday Edosa, blamed the inferno on irregular electricity.

He said the incident started when the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) restored power to the area, which in turn led to a spark on the electric pole that supplied power to the building.

From Tosin Ajuwon AUCHI POLY RUGIPO

“There had been no power supply in this community for the past few days. When PHCN eventually restored the electricity, it was not bright enough to be used for reading. The next thing we saw were continous sparks on the pole here (pointing to the pole). Before we knew what was happening, the building was already on fire.”

A resident of the burnt building, who fought back tears, said the fire resulted from negligence of some of the occupants of the building who failed to disconnect their energy-consuming electrical appliances before the power was restored.

He said: “We had warned them several times that they should always unplug their appliances anytime they are leaving their rooms but they never listened. I lost so much to this fire. Where will I start from? My personal documents have all been burnt.”

•The RUGIPO main gate

Poly starts online registration

A

•Dr Philipa Idogho, Rector

When CAMPUSLIFE visited the office of PHCN at Sabo, along Iyakpi Road, the spokesman was not on seat to answer questions but an official of the company, who craved anonymity, said the occupants of the building should be held responsible for the incident. The official said the fire may have resulted from unplugging appliances.

Club holds essay competition

T

HE Journal Club of the Medical Students Association, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, is set to host its 2012 Prof Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Essay Competition. The closing date for entries is April 10.

The competition which is open to students of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Medical Rehabilitation/Physiotherapy and Pharmacy in all Nigerian universities has as theme “Seven billon and counting: global implications, challenges and opportunities for Nigeria”.

From Opeoluwa Sonuga OAU RUGIPO

The journal’s editor-in-chief, Ifedayo Ibukun, in 600-Level, explained the theme and the purpose of the competition. “It borders on the local and worldwide effects of population growth. This is the third edition of the essay competition, and it is to intellectually stimulate and develop the essay-writing skills of students of health sciences”.

He added that the competition, held in honour of the late minister

of Health, Ransome Kuti, was in recognition of his contributions to primary healthcare and public health in general.

Oluwafisayo Awi is the deputy editor-in-chief. He disclosed that the competition, which started on February 22, will be closing on April 10; while winners will be awarded on April 27 at the lecture proper. “The first three prizes are N100,000, N60,000 and N40,000.

There will also be consolation prizes. Those interested should visit www.ifemedjc.com for more details.”

Faculty orientates fresh students

T

HE Faculty of Social Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has held an orientation programme for newly admitted students. The ceremony, which took place at the Multipurpose Hall of the faculty, was held on March 22. It was declared a free lecture day.

In his address, the Dean, Prof Rauf Dunmoye, told the freshers that the main reason of their coming to the university was to learn. “I want you to always remember that you are in Ahmadu Bello University to

From Ukeme Udom ABU RUGIPO

learn,” the Dean said, adding that the university was not only to facilitate learning, but to mould the characters of students to become good citizens and well-behaved leaders of tomorrow.

Dr. Dagari Saynota of the Guidance and Counselling unit, urged the students to form reading groups which will enable them to work as teams since they were not competing with anyone.

She advised them not to keep bad company, saying any meeting outside academic groups was dangerous to the aspiration of the students.

The students were equally lectured on the proper way of dressing on the campus.

Among staff in attendance were Prof B. Babali, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Salawu Sulieman, Head of Mass Communication Department, Mrs P.E. Mudige, Faculty Officer and some lecturers from the five departments in the faculty.

S activities for the 2011/2012 academic session begin at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), students have been introduced to a new method of registration. The fresh and returning students will now, for the first time in 31 years, pay their tuition fees through banks after which they will log on to the Internet to complete their registration.

The new development was contained in a release signed by the Acting Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Alex Akinola.

The registration started on March 26 and was expected to close on April 1. After this date, the release added, late registration will start and end on

From Richard Ilesanmi RUGIPO RUGIPO

May 5. The late registration attracts a penalty of N5,000.Akinola enjoined students to adhere strictly to the registration guideline because “students who fail to follow instructions could be asked to forfeit their admission or studentship”.

The institution is set to put an end to manual registration when students have to queue under the sun.

Akinola told CAMPUSLIFE that there were hiccups initially when the online registration was launched but added that the problems have been solved. He advised the students to adhere strictly to the timetable for registration.

Biological Science holds week

B

IOLOGICAL Science Students Association of Nigeria (BIOSSAN), Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) chapter, has marked its biological week.

The ceremony was different from the past ones the association held, as students appeared in traditional attires to mark the programme tagged “Cultural Day”.

The students moved in a procession from one department to another and this made their colleagues from other departments leave their academic engagements to watch the colourful march.

Emmanuel Adeniyi, in 100-Level, said: “There is the need for the appreciation of our cultural heritage and as such activities such as cultural

From Faith Olaniran and Tolulope Ajobiewe FUT MINNA

day should be encouraged on campus.”

There was also a lecture, delivered by the Head of Biological Sciences Department, Dr Innocent Omalu. He advised the students to shun all forms of exam malpractices and cultism on campus.

According to him, they should embrace self-employment rather than wait for white-collar jobs after their graduation.

The week ended with a dinner held at Gidan Matasa.

President of BIOSSAN, Jonathan Uga, thanked the students for their support.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

33

CAMPUS LIFE Benue varsity shut as three students killed

T

•Cross-section of the matriculating students

Institute matriculates 810, rewards staff

T

HE Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Effurun, Delta State has held a matriculation ceremony for the new Industrial Continuing Education (ICE) students.

The event, which took place at the PTI Conference Auditorium, was in line with the school mission and vision to train students in oil extracting and processing technology.

No fewer than 810 students were admitted for the ICE programme with 465 and 345 admitted for the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes respectively.

In her address, Mrs. Nnenna Dennar, Acting Principal of PTI, said: “I wish to congratulate you on your admission into the institute which was granted amidst thousands of applicants. The admission process was rigorous as examination and interviews were incorporated into the process for the first time.”

She enjoined the matriculating students to be of good behaviour and aim at academic and professional excellence in their respective disciplines by dedicating themselves to consistent study, regular attendance of lectures and prac-

From Akindotun Akintomide PTI WARRI

tical classes, as well as the optimum use of the library and other learning facilities available in the institute.

The high point of the event was the presentation of the matriculating students by the heads of various departments. The departments include Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Environmental Safety and Industrial Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, Petroleum and Natural Gas Processing, Welding and Offshore Technology, and Petroleum Marketing and Business Studies departments.

In another development, the PTI management has recognised the hardworking members of staff by organising a “long service award ceremony” to honour the 2011 recipients.

The ceremony took place at the PTI Conference Centre. The dignitaries that graced the occasion included Mr Osten Olorunsola, Chairman, Governing Council of PTI and also the Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), who was represented

by O. S. Banjomo; Alhaji I. N. Abdullahi, a representative of Nigeria Gas Company (NGC); Mr G. F. Alabi, a representative of PTI Retired Staff Association; Prof. Temi Akporhonor, the immediate past Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara and Dr. Lucky Otegheri, former chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

At the occasion, 60 distinguished recipients were honoured. Dennar said: “I use this rare opportunity to facilitate with our distinguished recipients on the attainment of these milestones. I plead with you not to rest on your oars, but to continue to make valuable contributions to the development and growth of the institute.”

Mr. A. O. Aremu, who appreciated the management for the award on behalf of other awardees, said: “It is a thing of joy that, on this day, our efforts and contributions towards the development of the institute are being complimented with an award ceremony like this.” He advised members of staff to continue to contribute their quota to the institute’s development.

HE Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, has been shut following a students’ unrest that spilled into nearby communities.

In a statement last week by the Registrar, Dr Timothy Utile, the management directed all students to vacate the hostels with immediate effect.

The statement, which was copied to the Commissioner of Police and the Director of State Security Service, read in part: “Following students’ unrest today, Wednesday March 28, 2012 on campus, which has disrupted academic activities, the Vice-Chancellor has approved the closure of the university with immediate effect.”

The students went on rampage around 12noon on the fateful day.

This followed the death of a final year female student of Accounting after she was knocked down by a truck conveying bags of cement.

This happened along the MakurdiGboko road.

In a bid to escape, the driver sped off and in the process, knocked down another student, who was believed to have died instantly.

The truck driver was eventually

From Msonter Anzaa BSU

stopped at the first gate of the university.

In protest, the students mounted road blocks on the road. However, a stray bullet fired by one of the policemen who were drafted to contain the situation killed another student. The student was said to be coming out of a laboratory when he was hit.

This development further infuriated the students, who set on fire public buildings along the roadside including the office of the State Board of Internal Revenue Service.

Following the closure of the university, students were seen with their belongings at the gate on Thursday morning, leaving.

At the time of filing this report, the identities of the victims killed by the truck could not be ascertained, neither could any Students’ Union official be reached for comment.

Some students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE appealed to the state government to construct bumps along the road since it is very close to the university.

•Some UNILORIN students moving their personal effects from the hostels

WAUG: Students vacate hostels for visitors

U

NIVERSITY of Ilorin (UNILORIN) students have started to vacate their hostels to accommodate the visitors coming to participate in the ongoing West African University Games (WAUG). According to the school authority, it became necessary for the students to leave in order to provide accommodation to the much expected visitors, who will be coming from West African countries to participate in the competition hosted by the university.

However, the hostel occupants were not happy with the directive as they felt it was harsh. A student, who simply identified himself as Akintobi, expressed his displeasure to the di-

•A staff explaining a point to the students during the visit

Engineering students visit automobile firm

T

HE Society of Mechanical Engineering Students (SOMES), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) chapter has gone on an excursion.

The students numbering about 72 visited Innoson Manufacturing Company, Nnewi, Anambra State to learn some practical knowledge in the field.

Innoson Manufacturing Company is known for its wide range of the production of polymer products and automobiles. The management of the company gave the students a warm

From Francis Egwuatu FUTO

welcome and conducted them round the workshop where buses of different seat capacities are produced.

The supervisor of the workshop urged the students to get acquainted with some of the machines, in order to help in their theoretical application. The supervisor showed the students the engines of buses and gave a detailed explanation on how it runs and the name of certain component parts. Other unit of the company vis-

ited by the students include quality control where faults are detected on any machine assembled in the company.

After the excursion, Mr A. Okoronkwo, the Staff Adviser, thanked the supervisor for taking his time to educate the students on automobile assembly and manufacturing.

Juliet Ezengwa, one of the students, said she was happy to be among the group that went for the educative excursion. She said she could now identify various components in an automobile engine and their functions.

From Taofeeq Alatise UNILORIN RUGIPO

rective, saying “this is robbing Peter to pay Paul. Why would the students be sacrificed for the coming visitors?”

Others contended that the school authority ought to provide accommodation to the visitors and not issue a directive to the bona fide students to leave hostels. Meanwhile, not few students are facing the difficult challenges in relocating outside the campus. CAMPUSLIFE observed students moving their personal effects from the hostels to the school park.

The game is expected to last for two weeks.

34

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE

New leaders for LASU Law Students of the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University (LASULAWS), have elected new leaders. NURUDEEN YUSUF (200-L Islamic and Common Law) reports.

F

OR students of the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University (LASU), the election for the 2011/2012 leadership is about the most competitive in the history of their association. From time, the faculty’s election is regarded as the most vibrant not because of the money spent on campaigns but the strategies and the gusto deployed in the process.

The two-week election period keeps students on their toes. Everybody seems to watch the dealings.

One more feature is that nobody can predict the results before election because any slight mistake might be held against the admired candidate. This year’s election was a bolt from the blue as a perceived greenhorn defeated the experienced and popular.

“It was again an affirmation of the faculty’s custom,” explained an unperturbed 500 Level student, who pleaded anonymity.

Opening of hostilities started with the setting up of the LASULAWS Independent Electoral Committee (LASULAWS IEC) by the Students’ Representative Council (SRC). The eight-man committee composed of two members from each class had Abdulrahman Yussuf, in 500-Level, as Chairman.

Mubarak Tijani, in 400-Level is the Returning Officer while Alphonsus Inegbedion was the secretary.

The IEC lifted the ban on political activities on February 17. Consequently, the timetable and procedure for elections into the executive and SRC were released. After the sale of forms, screening of aspirants followed. Twenty-seven were screened for the SRC; two were dropped. Fifteen were screened for the executive.

On March 1, election into the SRC were conducted. At the end of that

election, five members emerged from each level except in 500-Level where four candidates emerged unopposed.

Later, a presidential debate was held at the Okunnuga Hall. The hall was filled to capacity with students willing to listen to what the four presidential aspirants had in store for them. At the debate organised

by Black and White, a Law student magazine, and monitored by the IEC, the panelists were Afizah Atanda, Abigail Ojelabi; former Vice-President of LASU Student Union, Ope Falase and Tomilola Sangoremi; all 500-Level Law students. Many attested to their competence in grilling the presidential aspirants on their administrative ability. Questions were on the challenges and prospects of the faculty.

The publisher of Black and White magazine and the coordinator of the debate, Adetunji Akinyemi, also in 500-Level, said his group organised the debate to reinforce the emergence of the best candidate for the faculty.

“We believe that if the electorate had some time with the candidates to see how they stand, it would be able to choose and vote wisely”.

The manifesto day decided the fate of the aspirants. Beginning with the office of the Assistant General Secretary, the candidate with the immaculate promise was applauded and acknowledged. At the turn of the president, the stage took another dimension as students were attentive to every word uttered by the candidates.

Yussuf Lawal, former Sport Director, who wanted the top job, said: “Having transformed the face of sports and reignited sporting activities in the faculty, now if voted president, I’ll ensure we have a befitting Law dinner, renovate stu-

•Law students waiting to cast votes

•Abubakar

•Kujambola

dents’ common room, and see that we have a first of its kind students’ welfare packages and retreats”.

Oladipupo Ajayi is the former Public Relations Officer. He had a two-point agenda: academics and welfare. According to him, academics borders on student’s results, tutorials and aiding their academic excellence. On extra curricula activities, he promised to facilitate students’ internship at the ministry of justice and legal de-

partments of organisations.

Kujembola Adeoye, perceived as the greenhorn, made academics his focal point. He had represented the faculty in various moot and debate competitions.

He said: “I have represented the faculty in debates, moot and mock trials where the flag of LASULAWS has been held high”. He promised to “organise symposia and seminars, publish a LASULAWS jurist Law journal, set up a committee on students’ results, set up a counsel-

ling unit to address students’ academic and emotional problems, organise a gorgeous law dinner, and organise a southwest regional moot competition”.

Yaqub Eleto, the former General Secretary, recounted what he called his “tremendous contributions to the policies and administration of the change team that led to the development of the faculty”, saying: “I am experienced enough to pilot the affairs to the much awaited promise land.”

On election day, proceedings started at 10am and lasted till 2pm.

At the end of the collation and counting, Kujembola Adeoye defeated the others to emerge the President.

Oluwakemi Oyekangun defeated Pelumioluwa Sangosanya to become the Vice-President. Other winners are Kingsley Okhai (general secretary), Gbenga Folorunsho (public relations officer), Oluwaseun Tijani (assistant general secretary), Ibukun Bamgbose (director of protocol), Abdul Ganiu Salisu (sport director) and Temitope Rufai (exchequer).

The new executive was sworn in

by Tope Kuti, the Chief Justice of LASULAWS High Court. After this, President Kujembola swore-in the members of the SRC and conducted the election to the principal officers of the house. The officers are Abubakar Musa (speaker), Olawale Adeniyi cleark), Jibola Salvador (deputy speaker) and Olayinka Aregbesola (chief whip).

Abacha, a local delicacy, has become a culture of its own at the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri. ONYINYE NKWOCHA and IFEOMA ASOBO (400-Level English and Literary Studies) capture the students’ romance with it.

A popular food culture at IMSU

F

OOD, it has been said, touches everything important to a people; and strengthens their social bond. To a large extent, it reflects their lifestyle and plays a great role in defining traditions and rules.

This is reflected in a popular food at the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri.

A very normal day on this campus features a peculiar food culture amongst its students, lecturers, non-academic staff and even business operators. A native variety of salad which food scientists call tapioca, but popularly known as abacha or African salad, is something that cannot go unappreciated even as a visitor. African salad, made from cassava, in some parts of the world is used as a thickener or dressings on food. But here, it is an essential make up of the day for many. Following the popular feeding code on many campuses, (0:1:1, 0:0:1, 0:1:0) many students

follow the 0:1:1, because they have a feeding habit of forfeiting breakfast either to meet up with early morning lectures or because they have nothing to eat For them, African salad is the first choice.

For those who adopt the 0:1:0 code, it is an escape route from starvation.

A regular plate of this native delicacy costs N50, but with the luxury of fried fish or ponmo it is N100. At this price one could afford to eat two plates of Abacha, drink a sachet of pure water and belch deeply knowing that he/she is ready for the rest of the day. This makes it an ever-veritable option to students who cannot afford to eat at the café, or other popular hang outs on campus. However, some find it endearing not because of the inability to buy food at the food spots but because it is simply a dish they have come to love.

A student who gave her name as Uju, in 300-Level Statistics, falls in this category. “I love eating abacha because

•Female students eating abacha at a function

it is our native food. I love the taste of the palm oil sauce with which it is mixed”.

For Uchechi Okereke, a 100-Level student of English and Literary Studies, the presence of abacha in her new school confirms her addiction to it.

“At home, my mother makes the delicacy all the time. Now, I’m in IMSU and it is all over the place. It just means I am going to eat it every day”.

The rather interesting thing about this meal and the cultural habit of the students is the openness with which

they enjoy it. Unlike many other traditional dishes which some would ordinarily eat in privacy, there is no embarrassment or shame with abacha.

While some lecturers may enjoy theirs privately in their offices, all over campus, at different points and spots, a student is likely to be found eating it - in the classroom while waiting for a lecture, at the love garden, at the faculty squares, hanging out with friends. Even the trendiest male and female students on campus relish it.

Chima Nwachukwu, in 400-Level Estate Management, was met by these

correspondents savouring the delicacy.

He said: “I can eat abacha anywhere on campus. Why shouldn’t I? It is our local food which is even easier to consume”.

Sylvanus Njoku, in 400-Level English and Literary Studies, added: “Why should anyone be ashamed of eating African salad? I see no need for embarrassment in it. Though I don’t eat it regularly, but when I do, I enjoy it”.

The popularity of African salad in IMSU has made it such that the number of its vendors is constantly increasing.

•Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

35

CAMPUS LIFE

Procrastination kills ideas

By Jumoke Kolawole kolawolejumoke@ymail.com

P T

ROCRASTINATION kills confidence and momentum. Sadly, we all struggle with it. Some-

HE ultimate question is what is the next step? For most of us, we have a lot of questions to answer such as: do I stay back in this state or go back to my base? How sure I am to get a good job back home?

Now that I am not entitled to accommodation, how do I pay for it? My parents have told me I’m an adult and I should take care of myself, can I cope with these meager salaries? Who do I live with and can I live alone? Is it safe? When do I get married and is my soul mate here?

Endless questions flood our minds as we approach the date we will officially pass out from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The truth is, to get a good head start after NYSC, we must answer these aforementioned questions.

Staying back is a big decision and it is dependent on so many factors. The first is the work environment.

Is the salary package adequate to take care of our need? Are the people in the office friendly and willing to help you adapt to changes in both office duties and status? Is the area safe? These questions must be answered and one must answer them without sentiment because when it comes to work and money, emotions

thing needs to be done about it, and urgently! In my view, there are four main causes of procrastination; they include fear of change, lack of clarity, fear of failure and fear of success.

Fear of change: If you are human, you will resist change just because it is change. Let me share a personal experience. The last time I bought a new computer, I got it because my old computer was slow and took forever to do anything. But, when my new computer arrived, I waited a full week before I started using it. Why? I will tell you: it was because, even though I knew it would be so much better, it felt hard to switch. I knew my old computer and even though it drove me crazy, I was comfortable with it.

Change is hard but essential.

Lack of clarity: When you are not clear, you get stuck in inaction and

procrastination. Some people can get completely active and proactive for other people but when it comes to their own lives they get stuck.

Always remember that there is a difference between inspired action (moves you forward) and forced action (gives the illusion that you are pushing past procrastination when they are really just doing a bunch of things to make you feel like they are moving forward). You need to get clear on what you want. Get this clear and you can always get back on track.

Fear of failure “I am going to be very ready soon.” How many times have you thought or said those words or something similar? How long have you been trying to get everything “just right” so that you would finally be ready? The truth is that there is a point when preparation becomes procrasti-

Do you have a game plan?

By Chinonso Edeh chiedeh2003@yahoo.co.uk

are never involved.

A life partner has become one of life’s hidden treasures and for most of us, we are impatient to find it. Everyone just wants a map pointing to a direction of “there it is!” Unfortunately, when it comes to issues of the heart, patience is required. Some of us found our life partners during the NYSC programme. Most of who did had our weddings during the NYSC programme since the scheme provided financial assistance to ease the stress of the two lovebirds involved.

Now there will be no financial assistance; just you and your pay from work. Would it be easy? Not in the least. However, for those of us who are Christians, it is advisable that we leave such matters to God and allow Him to direct our footsteps. The eye can be deceived, but the spirit of God in you, cannot. Do not make finding a soul mate a reason for staying back in the state where you serve.

Some of us have this notion, of men

or women in a particular state being more marriageable than others. Even if this is true, if both of you are to be together, the Lord will bring it to pass in His time. Of all issues to take into your hands, marriage is definitely not one of them.

The issue of safety, cost of living and availability of jobs is also an important factor for those considering staying back in a state. If unsafe, can you cope with the hostility? Where there is a high cost of living, would you be able to make up for it and in the first place, are there jobs available back here? However, for the sake of simplicity, let us all look at these factors in terms of the present. Do they favour you now?

For those of us who are planning to be self-employed, I say bravo to you.

However you also have some questions to answer. Have you conducted a feasibility study and if so, does it favour your proposed business idea?

In the event of failure of the business, where does money to pay off debts come from? Will your targeted

Bring back the smile

G

ROWING up as a child was a special part of my life. What make it unforgettable to me were times when both the old and the young, regardless of tribe, religion or political affiliation dance and rejoice to the victory of the Super Eagles. That was when the Eagles were so super that an average Nigerian would take time out from their busy schedule to watch the boys in green and white exhibited lovely skills and played with profound determination.

The sensational tune coming from the Nigeria’s supporters club - a delight to our mothers who sang alongkept everyone glued to their television set. Then, when the Eagles lost a game, the “die-hard” gesture of a certain Taribo West with blood-soaked bandage - resulting from injuries - tied around his head would earn the sympathy of Nigerians, knowing full well that they were willing to serve with all their strength. Those were times when Nigerians adorned the green and white jersey with so much pride and flocked into the stadium to cheer on the Super Eagles with a high-level enthusiasm.

The same way they flocked into the stadium was the same way they cheered the Nigerian team on. The aficionado of the English Premier League, the German Bundes Liga, the Spanish La Liga, etc. enjoy today. The funds we committed for subscription to watch foreign football leagues and the purchase of foreign soccer jerseys and accessories are comparable only to the money our politicians spend on foreign goods and services.

The most worrisome development is the rejection the Nigerian Premier League (NPL) has suffered overtime, the negligence paid to grassroots foot-

nation. The fact of the matter is perfection does not exist. And the highest level of anything (a product, your school, your job, you as a person, etc.) is only achieved with a certain level of feedback.

It is the world that gives us the feedback we need (after a certain point) to continue to improve on ourselves. So, you need to do some preparation, and then you need to get feedback by getting out there.

A lot of people are so afraid of failure that they do not want to ever take any risk, but failure is only a temporary change in direction; only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.

Fear of success: This is the one that makes most of those I have had an opportunity to talk to look at me in a funny way. Many cannot imagine why they would ever be scared of suc-

ball league, and the substandard motivation package our local league players get. The worst of it is that our top government officials and private sector leaders awash the public with their darling Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and so on. Little wonder our roads, schools and major infrastructure are given less attention, while they go on vacation abroad and send their wards to foreign universities.

It is no conjecture that the European teams have stolen the hearts of Nigerian football lovers. Yes. Why not? With the regular media hype and a well organised administration, the crowd that once trooped into the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium to watch Enugu Ranger or the Sani Abacha Stadium to see Kano Pillars, Shooting Stars can no longer settle for less. If you like, call it soccer colonialism.

My friends at various viewing centers will go out of their way to prove how Real Madrid’s Christiano Ronaldo is better than Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

Two best friends might turn enemies.

Thanks to the heating argument that arises from badmouthing one’s favourite player. All these are justified by the love and loyalty to their foreign-based clubs. The reason for this is not farfetched. The decay in Nigeria’s football administration as in other sectors of our national life has eliminated our love for anything Nigerian.

Nigerian stadia can be compared to a rocky part of Jos. And one wonders whether Lionel Messi can play on such an uneven pitch. How clever and skillful would he prove to be if he plays the game on a rough field?

Unfortunately, those who play on such pitch will either beg for their salaries at the end of the month or wait for

By Johnpaul Nnamdi keep2jaypee@yahoo.co.uk

ages before their sign on fees are paid.

So do we expect such players to display their best? National team coaches and football administrators extremely rely on foreign-based players who come to play with less or no determination. One thing that brings respite in the face of our numerous national challenges, one thing that puts smiles on the faces of Nigerians, and one thing that brings Nigerians together for sure is the round-leather game. Apart from having great followers, it engages so many Nigerian youths; it serves as a platform for empowerment and employment and could generate resources if handled by competent hands.

Like other sectors, our football needs a critical overhauling. The onus lies on the government to make our football viable again and bring back the smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

Johnpaul, 400-Level Television Journalism, NTA TV College, Jos

market be satisfied with your product? What about sustainability and cost of embarking on a business venture of that sort? All these will be answered in your business plan, and you must possess one.

What about those who are leaving and going back to their home states. It would be much easier for these people if there were jobs waiting for them. If you are one of them, then you had better start building your network base and singing your name in the ears of those who do or do not want to hear, as the fact is, you have been absent from the scene for nearly one year. You are now your own ad-

cess so they write it off. I think this is the biggest fear most of us have. We all think about success, we imagine it, we get excited by it, but if there is any part of you that is scared that with that success there will be a big sacrifice, then you will continue to procrastinate and place blame and point fingers.

Fear of success is not fear of the success itself, it is fear of what sacrifices you will have to make to get and sustain that success.

Be honest about what you are scared your success will cause, and then get creative about how you can make it work. Ask yourself: if this works, what sacrifices will I have to make? Or what might I lose if I have this success? Once you are armed with the truth of what you are really scared of, you can shift to a solution-mindset and finally win the battle.

Jumoke, ND II Mass Comm., LASPOTECH vertiser.

Living apart from parent’s donations to our welfare package can be quite disturbing. Some of us have lived on our parents our whole lives, the rest of us have parents that have been reducing their quotas as a way of telling us that we are near the adult stage of life and others, have got an early start in living on the labour of their own hands.

After NYSC, what is the next step? It is a big question but it is advisable that it should be answered at least two weeks to the passing out day. So to those of who have passed out or are looking to exit, I ask: have you got a game plan?

Chinonso, is a corps member, NYSC Yenagoa

LASU matriculates 1,951

I

T was a joyful moment for fresh students of the Lagos State University (LASU), last week, when they walked confidently from the procession ground to the venue of their matriculation ceremony. The event took place at the MBA Hall, Ojo campus.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa, was in attendance with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the Registrar, Mr Lateef Animashahun, the Librarian, Mrs. Adetoun Idowu, Dean Students Affairs, Dr. Kabir Akinyemi, and Head of Common and Islamic Law, Prof Isa Bello.

Prof Obafunwa acknowledged the pains that the student had passed through before they secured admission.

He welcomed them, saying: “Gaining admission into the university does not give total independence to the students, as the parents must endeavour to continuously keep their eyes on their children till they graduate.”

He emphasised that the admission was based on merit.

Further, he charged the students to

From Adeyemi Onikoro LASU

buckle up in order to benefit from the scholarship schemes offered by the school.

According to him, 4,903 students were offered admission but only 1,951 were cleared as at the time of the matriculation.

Toyosi Tolani, 100-Level Islamic and Common Law, said: “I thank God and my parents for this opportunity and promise that I will take my studies serious. After five years, I will like be regarded as Barrister Toyosi.”

Mariam Hassan, 100-Level Education, said: “It is my target to be the best graduating student and I will achieve it by the grace of God.” Yetunde Bakare, 100-Level Mass Communication, said: “Our parents paid much before our dreams could become realised, not because they are rich but because of the passion they have for education. So government and the management should give us value for our money”.

... at IBBUL, it’s 1,400

T

HE Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, has matriculated 1,400 students.

In his welcome address, the Registrar, Mallam Muhammad, advised them to shun vices that could taint their studentship.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Kolo, said: “Over 20,000 candidates applied into IBBU but 15,000 were qualified for the screening. However, National University Commission (NUC) quota given to us for admission was 1,400”.

Giving a brief history of the institution, he said degree programmes started in 2006 with two faculties.

Now, there are six faculties.

He encouraged the students to face their primary assignment. He added that next year, only candidates that obtain an aggregate of 200 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation

From Yinka Olatunbosun IBBU

Examination (UTME) and make IBBU their first choice would be considered for admission. He said the new policy became necessary in view of the increasing competition for admission and limited capacity. According to him, the university would encourage students who work hard to graduate with first class, offer them employment and send them for postgraduate studies abroad.

Aminat Oluwatosin, in 100-Level Mass Communication, said: “I am very happy to be in my choice university and department”.

Stella Ajayi, in Geography, said: “Even though we have good structures here, the management still has to do more in terms of welfare and basic amenities, so that the school can be rated among the best”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

36

CAMPUS LIFE As students of the Moddibo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, encounter “terrible stress” while registering for the new session, management and the company in charge of the online process are trading blames. SILAS EDET and PHILIPS OGBAJE report.

Registration blues at Yola

F

OR students of Moddibo Adama University of Technology, Yola, the pains and stress of registration have simply refused to go. An exasperated student swore that “it seems that the management gloats over us when we go through the terribly cumbersome process”.

A visitor to the Multipurpose Hall, venue of the registration, would probably think that the multitude falling over themselves on the queue are pensioners or refugees waiting for their daily hand outs. Little would he know that they are students paying their school fees.

Teryila Ogoja is in 300-Level Maths and Economics. He said he lost three T-shirts to the queue and was only able to pay after two weeks of “hard labour”. But then, he was lucky he didn’t faint as two girls fainted two Wednesday ago while struggling on the queue.

For Samson Uchola, a 500-Level student of Architecture, “though registration has always been hectic, this new process is the worst”.

Initially, students were required to pay their fees at designated banks in town, where they are given either a print-out indicating their personal details or a teller which is exchanged for a receipt at the Bursary Unit before registration of courses could commence.

With this new “online” method, students were asked to pay their fees at two banks contracted for the purpose in exchange for a PIN that will enable them register in the school portal. This has made it difficult for students and the banks which curiously send one staff each to attend to thousands of student. Even at that, the bankers come and leave at will. The situation, according to Samson, “not only seriously slowed down the process but made it all the more difficult for students who had to queue under the hot sun

•Students on a queue for registration at the varsity's multipurpose hall

for hours, at times at the mercy of security men who easily resorted to flogging to control the crowd”.

Describing the process, Habila Peter Kadanya, in 400-Level Information Technology, said: “It is the worst I had ever seen”.

He wondered why two faculties with large numbers of students “like School of Pure and Applied Science (SPAS) and School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT) should be asked to pay in the same bank with just one staff to attend to them”.

To further compound “an already messy situation,” he continued, “some students after queuing for days cannot access their data online; it’s

either you are told that your PIN has been used, you can’t add a carryover course, you can’t find your current level or you can’t navigate to another web page”.

A cross section of students interviewed described the entire process as “cruel” and “backward”, accusing the school authority of lacking innovations. A visibly angry student who did not want to be named said the situation was not helped “by the fact that even after registering online, one is still expected to take the printout to various offices for signatures, making nonsense of the whole online process”.

While some are blaming the school authority for the “stressful” registration as James Uti,

in 400-Level Microbiology put it; others blame Socketworks, the company that manages the database for the school.

When contacted, the university’s Information Officer, Mallam Mustapha Migawa, stated that hitches are to be expected since the procedure is new. He, however, accused Socketworks of inefficiency.

A source at Socketworks, who sought anonymity, countered that the attitude of the company was as a result of the fact that the school failed to fulfill its financial obligation.

As it is, online registration has taken the better part of one month and still counting, with no end in sight to the stress and pain.

A popular food culture

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•Continued from page 34

There are a lot of them, mainly women and young ladies, carrying steel basins on their heads calling out to buyers.

Some of them even have regular customers.

Uju explained why she maintains a customer: “Some of them use potash in their sauce and this sometimes causes purging. I insist on waiting for my customer because she uses the extracts from burnt palm fronds which does not purge”.

CAMPUSLIFE spoke with some of the vendors. One, who gave her name as Ebere, said in pidgin: “I dey use dis abacha business dey support my family. E get one of my friend wey be student here, na she tell me say abacha dey

move market for here”.

Another vendor called Olachi, said: “I dey use N2000 prepare my market for each day, and e depend on how I take sell dat day, some times I dey make N3500 or N4000”.

A very funny development among these vendors is that they tend to all be pregnant at the same time.

Some time last year, there were just a few of them on campus. Many students recalled this and remarked that they had probably been on maternity leave. When asked if they all come from a home for less-privileged mothers, Olachi laughed at this and replied: “No o! We come differently. Some of them don marry , so them must carry bele born pikin”.

Our reporters also spoke with some food scientists from the De-

partment of Food Science Technology. Prof C. Nwanekezi is the head of department. He expressed concern over the health of the students who eat abacha regularly, for, according to him, “the fact that abacha is hawked around makes it unhygienic for consumption. Some of these girls are not even neat, and may use dirty water and a dirty environment while cooking.”

He also noted that the potash used for the sauce is a very strong chemical, which can damage some tissues in the body.

These do not seem to bother the students, who say they will continue to eat it. For them, it has evolved from being just a staple food to a culture which cannot be abolished in a hurry.

Govt introduces vocational training in poly

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HE Federal Government has reiterated its intention to providing vocational education through skills’ acquisition and developmental programme. This, it says, is part of the transformation agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

It made this known through the Minister of Education, Prof Rukkayatu Rufai, at a three-day workshop on “Flexible skill development in Nigeria” held at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State.

Rufai, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr. Masud Kazaure, said the government approved 86 innovations and vocational enterprising institutions to award National Innovative Diploma (NID) and National Vocational Diploma (NVD) certificates.

The workshop drew participants from the technological education sector and polytechnics.

From Tosin Ajuwon AUCHIPOLY

According to the minister, the vocational institutions approved were more than the conventional polytechnics in the country, which were just 75, adding that the approval was in compliance with the present administration’s programme to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) as well re-engineer the education sector.

She also revealed that the technical education syllabus had been reviewed by the government in collaboration with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the view that those who could not acquire knowledge formally could gain access to vocational training.

At the workshop, NBTE Director, Dr. S. M. Abubakar, admitted that NID and NVD were meant to provide creative opportunities for people

willing to learn without academic qualification.

Speaking at the workshop, the Rector of Auchi Polytechnic, Dr Philipa Idogho, lamented that the prospect for a successful skill development was hindered by the challenges of bandwidth and power, which according to her, would soon be a thing of the past as the federal government was making efforts to find solutions to the problem.

Idogho, whose institution is one of the flag up schools for Flexible Skill Development (FSD), said the polytechnic made FSD and information Communication Technology (ICT) integration a “significant institutional strategic objective”.

An expert with the Commonwealth of Learning, Mrs. Alison Richardson, also in attendance, said that FSD would put an end to youth restiveness by helping them acquire skills that would make them instruments of positive change.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

EDUCATION

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AUL Lorem is a freshman at Yale University.

Paul Lorem epitomises a blunt truth about the world: talent is universal, but opportunity is not.

Lorem, 21, is an orphan from a South Sudanese village with no electricity. His parents never went to school, and he grew up without adult supervision in a refugee camp.

Now he's a freshman at Yale University.

All around the world, remarkable young men and women are on edge because today they finally hear of admissions decisions from Yale and a number of other highly competitive universities. So a word of encouragement: No one ever faced longer odds than Paul Lorem, and he made it.

"How I got to Yale was pure luck, combined with lots of people helping me," Lorem told me as we sat in a book-lined study on the Yale campus. "I had a lot of friends who maybe had almost the same ability as me, but, due to reasons I don't really understand, they just couldn't make it through. If there's one thing I wish, it's that they had more opportunity to get education."

Lorem's family comes from a line of cattle-herders in the southeast-

From South Sudan to Yale ern part of South Sudan. The area is remote. Villagers live in thatch-roof huts, and there is no functioning school or health clinic. The nearest paved road is several days' walk away.

As Lorem was growing up, the region was engulfed in civil war, and, at age 5, he nearly died of tuberculosis. In hope of saving his life, his parents dropped him off at the Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya. They returned to their village and later died, and Lorem was raised in the camp by other refugee boys who were only a bit older.

Boys raising boys might seem a recipe for Lord-of-the-Flies chaos, but these teenagers forced Lorem to go to school, seeing education as an escalator to a better life. And Lorem began to soar.

His class sometimes consisted of 300 pupils meeting under a tree, and Lorem didn't have his own notebooks or pencils or schoolbooks, but he practiced letters by writing in the dust. His friends died of war, disease and banditry, but he devoured the contents of a tiny refugee camp library set up by a

Lutheran aid group.

Teachers took increasing pride in their brilliant student and arranged for Lorem to leave the refugee camp and transfer to a Kenyan school for seventh and eighth grades. That way he could compete in nationwide exams and perhaps get into high school.

Just one problem: those exams were partly in Swahili, a language that Lorem did not speak. But he poured himself into his schoolwork, and classmates helped him.

Lorem ended up earning the second highest mark in that entire region of Kenya.

That led to a scholarship to a top boarding school near the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, and then to the African Leadership Academy in South Africa. On his school vacation between junior and senior year of high school, Lorem undertook an epic journey across Africa to his native village. Then he guided his younger brother and sister to the refugee camp where he grew up so that they, too, could get an education.

Lorem loves Yale, but, academi-

• From left: Registrar, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Mr Bola S. Disu; Governing Council Chairman, Mrs. Victoria Adedamola Akran; Provost, Mr Bashorun Olalekan Wasiu; Head of the Panelist, Prof. N.J Shuaib and leader of the accreditation team, Dr. Yinusa Abdulkareem, during the opening ceremony organised for the accreditation team.

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HE Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi last Saturday matriculated 7, 396 students for the 2011/2012 academic session.

About 13, 533 students had applied to the institution for admission in the 2010/2011 session.

Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Shuaibu Mohammed Musa, disclosed that 4,092 are in the regular programme, while 3,304 are in the part-time (evening) programme.

Musa praised the Federal Government for establishing more federal universities to increase access to education for the teeming youths.

He, however, advocated establishments of more federal polytechnics to "maintain a balance between an intellectual and skilled manpower training and development."

This call, he stated, was out of a firm''belief that for every professional engineer, there should be at least four to five technologists or technicians to move the country to the much desired technological growth and development."

He also urged the Federal Government to boost capital and recurrent budgets of polytechnics to enable them to meet the demands and expectations.

Musa said his administration has constructed a twin lecture theatre to accommodate 1, 500 students, a 500-seat capacity examination hall and departments of agriculture,

FUNAAB FILE ‘First semester exams huge success’

•Lorem

cally, it has been a tough transition, partly because English is Lorem's fifth language (he also speaks Didinga, Toposa, Arabic and Swahili). Jeffrey Brenzel, the Yale admissions director, puts it this way: "On the one hand, these adjustments are greater for him than for many, but, on the other hand, he has already overcome far greater challenges than other students have just to get here."

The vast majority of children in poor countries never enjoy such opportunities. The United Nations' Millennium Development Goal of all children completing primary school by 2015 will almost certainly be missed. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain is calling for the creation of a Global Fund for Education to help meet the goal, and I hope the United States backs the initiative.

Lorem plans to return to South Sudan after graduation to help rebuild his country. As I interviewed him in the tranquility of Yale, he choked with tears as he recalled the many people who had helped him: the boys in the camp who looked after him; the German nun, Sister Luise Radleimer Agonia, who enveloped him in love and helped pay his school fees; the bus driver in Juba, South Sudan, who put Lorem up in his shack for weeks while he struggled to get a passport to travel to Yale.

Education is the grandest accelerant for human potential. So congratulations to Lorem as well as to college applicants who receive great news today - and let's work to help all those other Paul Lorems out there, at home and abroad, step onto the education escalator.

Culled from African Leadership Academy newsletter (March).

Federal Poly, Bauchi inducts freshmen

By Austin Tzensenghul

mass communication and environmental technology complexes which have reached various stages of completion.

Other achievements, Musa added, include a network of roads and drainages, renovation of the

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students' hostels to ensure conducive atmosphere for learning and teaching for students and teachers courtesy the school's internally-generated revenue (IGR).

To promote academic excellence, he said the school has recruited 185 qualified and competent academic

and administrative staff; 75 of which are being sponsored for further studies within and outside Nigeria.

The Rector said 18 members of his staff are reading for their doctorate degrees, 31 for masters' and 26 studying for their first degree, Higher National Diploma and National Diploma.

of positive inspiration, culture and educative lines.

"All these have been lost in the search for monetary gains by film producers, what they record in their memory is nudity, infatuations, unrealistic story lines and rituals.

The implication is that our cherished rich core moral values have been lost and this has made highly disciplined religious parents to restrict or ban completely the watching of films irrespective of the content".

"The quest for using what our children love to watch, as an education and communication tool gave birth to LASDRAP. We need to redirect our youths to the path of moral values in conformity with our societal norms; we want to raise a new set of generation of students that will use drama as education itself. They remember visual arts more than audio particularly when

it is performed by them", he said.

Gbagada Grammar School, Somori Comprehensive High School, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos State Model College Kanko, Badagry, and Ikeja Senior High School, will today compete for LASDRAP finals with the theme Protection of the girl child at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, by 9.00am, having scaled the hurdles at preliminaries, primaries, zonal and semi finals.

"The project has enabled the reintroduction of theatrical practice and stage performance in secondary schools; aided the establishment of functional drama troupe in schools; encouraged those willing to pursue a career in theatre; educate the youths on governmental policies and programmes; and also used what they like (movies) to reach and educate them on moral, social vices and other issues", Rajh-Label said.

Lagos drama project to restore morals

O redirect and educate the youths using drama, Clear Solutions Consulting Limited in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education (MOE) has maintained that societal values will be restored in the country through the Lagos State Secondary School Drama Project (LASDRAP).

The project, in which the four qualified schools will be competing for the final crown today, was established with the aim of repositioning the rich core moral values in the country, which is believed to be on a steady decline due to unnecessary exposures in the film and movie industry.

Speaking at a briefing, held at MOE, Alausa, the organiser, Mr Babatunde Raji-Label, insisted that the youths have virtually gained nothing in about 90 per cent of films they have seen due to lack

THE Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Toyin Arowolo, has expressed satisfaction at the just-concluded 2011/2012 First Semester examinations, describing it as a huge success.

Arowolo said the exam, which was conducted using the Computer-Based Testing (CBT), for students from 100 to 300 levels, the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) and the written examination for other students, was successful.

He said results of the e-examination, which was concluded penultimate Friday, were ready and had been forwarded to the deans of the various colleges, for processing.

The DVC, who was impressed with the success of the exercise, noted that e-examination had come to stay in the university.

VC honoured THE Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, has received another honour in recognition of his service to humanity and the nation.

The Forum of Heads of Federal Establishments (FHFE), Ogun State Chapter last Saturday, conferred a Special commendation Award on the Vice-Chancellor and other distinguished Nigerians.

The Chairperson of FHFE, Dr. Kate Azekhome, urged the recipients to see their awards as appreciation of their efforts towards service and humanity, noting that the presentation marked the end of its ceremonial activities for last year.

In appreciation of the award, the VC represented by his deputy (Development), Prof. Felix Salako, thanked the organisers for their foresight in honouring those who had contributed to the civil service in their domain.

ITF praises students HEAD Training of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mr Thomas Jacobs, has described students of the university as 'responsible and disciplined'.

Jacobs gave the commendation at a review of last year's Students' Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), under the 2012 SIWES orientation, organised by the university's directorate of SIWES. The ITF boss disclosed that his organisation had always received favourable reports on the conduct of FUNAAB students, as he charged new students embarking on the scheme to build on the existing legacy, laid down by previous participants from the university.

Earlier, the Director of SIWES, Prof Michael Ajayi, who represented the VC, admonished them to exhibit the university's traits of punctuality, discipline and excellence.

'FUNAAB has equipped us well' A FUNAAB Foreign African Scholarship Scheme (FUFASS) trainee, Mr Yankuba Ceesay, from The Gambia, has expressed gratitude to the management for the opportunity offered him and other participants in the sheme.

Ceesay, who specialises in Horticulture, gave the commendation while delivering a seminar on Horticultural Production in Gambia and the Potential Impact of Skills Acquisition Programme.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

38

EDUCATION Accreditation panel scores AOCOED high

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HE Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos State has been described as a role model among institutions of its kind in the country.

This assertion was made by the head of the accreditation team of the National Commission for College of Education (NCCE), Abuja Dr Yunusa Abdulkareem.

Abdulkareem, who visited the college with Dr. J.N. Shuaib, head of the panelist and other members last week, have ended their four-day accreditation exercise.

The team appraised the institution's physical infrastructure, human resources as well as its administrative and organisation arrangements.

The NCCE team during the signing of the report of the accreditation exercise also extolled the Lagos State government for providing resources for infrastructural renewal and maintenance of existing ones in the college. The accreditation team also praised the harmony among the members of the community including the students.

There was more excitement, however, when the leader of the accreditation panelist announced that the college scored A+ in all its programme.

Responding, the Provost, Mr Bashorun Olalekan Wasiu, said the college is being primed to generate impressive socio-economic returns on investments to its proprietors, Lagos State government, Lagosians and giving the best of teacher education at every level.

"We want to be the nucleus of modern teacher education delivery in the country, we want to be in the fore-front of efforts towards expanding access to higher education for the millions of people in Nigeria", Bashorun promised.

The Chairman, AOCOED Governing Council, Mrs. Victoria Adedamola Akran, said her council was of the conviction that quality, relevant and purposeful teacher education should be the minimum standard upon which the college should operate, adding that only the best education was good for the Nigerian child.

"Accreditation for us is not about cosmetic preparation. It is not about quick fixes and it is not make-believe. Quality education for our children should not be sacrificed on the altar of exigency," Mrs. Akran said.

Lagos SUBEB holds award today

THE State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB will hold its 12th annual merit awards and presentation of prizes and Certificate of Mushin Local Government Education Authority (MUSMAC) today.

The event will take place at the Local Government Education Authority, Mushin.

Chairmen of the event are Chief Oladega Adebogun, Proprietor, Caleb International School, Ketu and Caleb University, Imota both in Lagos as well as Chief Adeola Balogun, chairman, Mushin Local Government.

SCHOLARSHIP APPROACHING DEADLINES 2012-2013 Research Doctorate in Computer Science at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy Ca' Foscari University of Venice offers PhD Research in the field of Computer Science for international students at the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 28th cycle ,2012-2013 Italy Study Subject(s):Computer Science Course Level: PhD Scholarship Provider: Ca' Foscari University of Venice Scholarship can be taken at: Italy Eligibility:Candidates in possession of the following requirements, regardless of age or nationality, may apply to participate in the competition.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Description: This call for applications defines the conditions regarding admission to Research Doctorate in Computer Science under the Graduate School of the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, for the 28th cycle (2012-2013 academic year). 2. Submission of the application for admission as set forth in article 5 implies the acceptance of regulations contained in this call for applications on behalf of the candidate. 3. Failure to comply with the rules contained in this call for applications shall lead to applicants being excluded from the competitive selection process. 4. Attachments to this call for applications constitute an integral part of it. 5. The University will send candidates all communication regarding this competitive selection procedure by e-mail. For this purpose the e-mail address provided by the candidate while registering on the website (see article 5, paragraph 2) will be used.

How to Apply: Online Scholarship Application Deadline: April 11, 2012 Latin America Scholarships at Nottingham Trent University, 2012/13 Nottingham Trent University offers Masters Scholarship in the field of Art & Design's for the applicants of Latin America, 2012/13 UK Study Subject(s):Art& Design's Course Level: Masters Scholarship Provider: Nottingham Trent University Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility:To be eligible you'll need to: - be a self-funding international student designated as an overseas fee payer; - be ordinarily resident of a country in Latin America (see list below for countries included in this scholarship scheme); - apply for one of the School's MA or MSc courses to start your studies Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes

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Anambra to establish braille centre for the blind

HE Anambra State government is to establish a braille centre for the blind to enhance the documentation of resource materials for easy research, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Ego Uzoezie, has said.

Mrs Uzoezie, who disclosed this at the Women’s Development Centre, Awka at the Anambra State International Day For Persons with Disabilities, said when completed, it will stand as a model Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre for the blind.

"The blind cannot effectively use other ICT centres, so this will become a model for them so that they can come and learn", she said.

Presenting mobility aids, computers, sewing machines, perkins braille machines, wheel chairs, grinding machines, clutches, shoemaking kits, vulcanizing machines, among other items to persons with disabilities at the event, Mrs Uzoezie frowned at the nonchallant attitude of the disabled persons for not making use of the skill acquisition facility provided them by the state government.

"It is a reality that many of you do not support yourselves with the skill acquisition centre provided by the state government. The essence of establishing those centres is for you to realise who you are. You should work hard to realise yourselves", she admonished.

In his keynote address, Governor Peter Obi said his administration has given N2 million to some dis-

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Scholarship Open for Students of Following Countries: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile Scholarship Description: This scholarship is for overseas students from Latin America applying for one of the School of Art & Design's MA or MSc courses, to start their studies in September 2012.

How to Apply: By electronically Scholarship Application Deadline: 29 June 2012 2012 Journalism Fellowship at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, USA Joan Shorenstein Center offers Fellowships in Journalism for Domestic or International Journalists, USA 2012 Study Subject(s):Journalism Course Level:Fellowships Scholarship Provider: Joan Shorenstein Center Scholarship can be taken at: USA Eligibility: -Applicants must be fluent in reading, writing and speaking English. -Applicants must be journalists, scholars or policymakers active in the field of press, politics and public policy. -Fellows are required to live in residence for one semester (fall semester runs approximately September through December; spring semester runs approximately February through May). - Domestic and international applicants are eligible. - Stipend: $30,000 disbursed in four installments over the semester. -Travel and living expenses are not covered by the Center. -Office space, computer, printer and telephone are provided Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Description: The Joan Shorenstein Center offers a one-semester fellowship at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Fellows are domestic or international journalists, scholars and/or policymakers who are interested in the influence of the press on public policy and politics. The fellowships offer a unique opportunity for scholars and practitioners to share their knowledge and expertise in a collegial and intellectually stimulating environment.

Fellows participate in weekly seminars with scholars, a luncheon speakers series with invited journalists or policymakers and in other organized programs of the Shorenstein Center and Harvard University. The Fellowship Program is not a degree or journalism training program.

How to Apply: Online Scholarship Application Deadline: February 1, 2013

•Obi gives N2m to start up business From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

abled persons as business start off grants to ensure their self-reliance.

Obi, who was represented on the occasion by the Secretary to Anambra State Government, Chief Paul Odenigbo, recalled that his government has always ensured that some deserving persons with

disabilities were employed in the state Civil Service.

"My government is willing to make unprecedented mark in the life of every physically challenged Anambrarian for the good of posterity", Obi assured.

He, however, enjoined all publicspirited individuals to join in the campaign, just as he pleaded on all

• Kiddies' Acres Mother-of-the-Year, Mrs. Rita Anwulika Owuama, in company of her children, Chizzy and Chidinma, runner-up contenders and other mothers at her crowning, at the school premises in Lagos

Provost commits freshers on oath

HE Provost of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Prof.

Adeyemi Idowu, has urged the newly admitted students not to see the matriculation oaths administered on them as an academic exercise, but rather to remain committed to its contents.

Addressing the 4,700 freshmen, he enjoined them to take time to read "over all the words contained in the oath, assimilate and digest the content and be prepared to abide by them."

Adeyemi a appealed to the new students to face their studies, rather than engaging into activities that would

to follow the positive development trend in the state, stressing "this will serve as an encouragement for them to do more.”

On his part, Andy Obiajulu of the Department of Sociology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka while presenting a paper entitled: Gender and living with disability in Nigeria, urged people not to see disability as an outcome of what they did wrong nor sins of the parents.

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

only bring backwardness in their careers.

According to him, "You will only be deceiving yourself if you think those three or four years are far away in the horizon while you have the luxury of time to indulge yourself in frivolities and pleasure your new found freedom of being away from home has brought your way.

"Students get carried away by avoidable distractions such as examination malpractice, cultism, indecent dressing, prostitution, extortion, unbridled political ambition and other

socially unacceptable behaviours.

"These attitudinal problems and misplaced priorities have led to the termination of the studentship of many students. This category of students just like you, were administered the matriculation oath but failed to abide by it."

He also called on them not to misconstrue their studentship status for to unlimited freedom and unruly behaviour, and asked them to keep away from bad friend and resist any attempt to lure them into prostitution, cultism and other anti-social activities.

The Provost charged them to take

care of the facilities at their disposal, be civil in all their undertaking and be good ambassadors of the institution.

He noted that it is pertinent for parents/guardians to regularly visit their wards and check on their academic and moral progress.

"For parents/guardians who are computer literate, the college has upgraded its Internet facilities to enable you check the academic performance of your children/wards. I will advise you to be familiar with their academic records to enable you access them. By doing this, you will be helping the College to be more focused and the students to be more serious with their studies," he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

39

Lagos ties teachers’promotion to students’ performance

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ASSING examinations set for promotion exercises will no longer be enough to earn teachers in Lagos State public schools movement to the next level.

The government will now consider the performance of pupils in their care as well as their professional development before they will be promoted.

Permanent Secretary of the Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office (TEPO), Mrs Bola-Shadipe, Mojisola said this at a meeting with the Education Commissioner, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, principals and principals in Maryland. She said a memo to that effect has already reached the governor, and a committee has been inaugurated to determine how to assess teacher professionalism.

She said last year many teachers passed the promotion exercise and were elevated despite their large numbers because the commissioner, others and her convinced the governor that they deserved it and it was their right.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

However, this year, in addition to passing promotion examinations, teachers will be assessed based on the performance of their pupils, level of professional development through their affiliation with relevant bodies and participation in workshops organised by professional associations.

She said: “So many teachers passed the last promotion exercise. But we went through a lot last year before we could convince the government to promote so many teachers. We wrote memo upon memo, saying the government should not consider their numbers and the funding implication, but the fact was that the teachers passed and it is their right.

“This year will not be promotion as usual. The performance of your students will be used as indices for promotion.

A memo has gone to the governor and has been set aside that ‘let us see the performance of the students first’. It is not a matter of ‘I have spent three years

or I deserve it, so I should be promoted’.

“Henceforth, professionalism of the teachers might be one of the criteria used for promotion – like belonging to the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and being registered.

There are some workshops that teachers are expected to attend that will carry points. If you don’t attend any workshops or regularly pay fees of professional associations, you might not be promoted.

“A committee has been set up and is going round schools with questionnaires asking how teacher professionalism can be assessed.”

The purpose of the meeting addressed by the commissioner and the Tutor-Generals/Permanent Secretaries of the six education districts of the state was to ginger the principals and teachers to work harder to improve the performance of public school candidates in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

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RIMARY school children in Plateau State have appealed to perpetrators of violence in the state to abstain from such acts because of its negative impact on their education and future.

They made the appeal in Jos at a one-day peace building programme for primary school pupils in Jos North local government area tagged: Enhancing knowledge and integrating primary school pupils into peace building process in Plateau State.

The event, organised by the Jos North Local Government Education Authority and the Director, Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights (CAJR), had pupils in primary schools, teachers as well as the security agencies, National Orientation Agency (NOA), religious leaders and other stakeholders in the education sector as participants.

Addressing other participants, two pupils - Miss Peace Tela from Methodist Primary School and Master Samuel Adio of Township Primary School - called for a stops to the incessant violence in the city.

"When crises break out, teaching and learning stop and pupils and teachers are sometimes killed in the violence," they said.

Tela said: "Within the period of crises, the school session is stopped and this makes it difficult for the syllabus to be covered.

"Teachers are afraid of going to some areas to teach while in other places, pupils are withdrawn from schools due to displacement of parents and fear of insecurity.”

Adio said crises create unfriendly atmosphere among pupils and teachers and between teachers and teachers. He said oftentimes, businesses are halted making things dif-

Pupils in Jos seek end to violence From Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jose

ficult for parents to meet the education needs of the pupils.

Earlier in her speech, the education secretary of Jos North, Mrs. Chungdung Chom, decried the polarisation of the city of Jos across religious lines stating that schools are a confluence point since children of diverse religions interacted, creating avenues for friendship and unity.

According to her, it is the desire of every stakeholder to see the pupils and teachers in Jos North local government area go to schools without fear.

Mrs Chom appealed to parents to preach peace to the children so their minds could be moulded for peace and unity.

Director of CAJR, Mr Gad Peter, said the event was an opportunity to draw the attention of the government, parents, religious leaders, politicians and other stakeholders to the importance of peace, vis-avis the effects of crises on education and the need to involve primary school pupils in finding lasting solution to the Plateau crises.

He maintained that the search for sustainable peace on the Plateau have necessitated the need to involve pupils in primary schools especially in Jos North Local Government Area where recurrence violence had led to countless deaths and disruption of school hours.

Lions Club donates school IONS Club International, Nibuilding geria , Region 6, Ivite-Umueri,

L • In the middle (wearing yellow top), Adeoye Lawal of the Weaver House, displaying the trophy among his colleagues as his house emerges first during the 18th Annual Inter-House Sports competition of Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State.

‘Raising future stars made me an educationist’

By Adeola Ogunlade

• Mrs Buraimoh

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STABLISHMENT of schools has become a ubiquitous features in the country. Few venture into it out of passion. For an average Nigerian, after feeding his family, the next thing to think of is how to send his children through school.

But for Mrs Morenike Buraimoh, an astute educationist, sending a child to school is not only enough, one must aspire to make them become future leaders.

In an interview with The Nation's Adeola Ogunlade, Mrs Buraimoh, a former director and inspector of education in the Lagos State Ministry of Education, said she began a career in teaching as a Grade 2 teacher in the early 70s.

She recounted her rough road to success, and her dream child Nikky Bee Schools which she established in 1992.

Today, she is happy that the school located in idimu area of Lagos now

comprises nursery, primary and secondary arms.

On how she got into the education business, Buraimoh said as a young lady, she had dreamed of becoming either a nurse or a teacher, but her then fiancee (whom she's now happily married to) Mr Olukayode Buraimoh, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water andIinfrastructure, preferred teaching to enable her to take care of the family.

Her journey into teaching began in the 70s after she taught briefly at Christ Church Cathedral as a Grade Two teacher. She later proceeded for her National Certificate in Education where she was redeployed after her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to Agege Grammar School, now Vetlkand College and then later to Anwar-Islam Girls' High School before becoming an Inspector in the then Teaching Service Commission now Ministry of Education, Lagos State after graduating from the University of Hull, United Kingdom.

Starting a school with about 18 pupils in a building that was meant for over 200 pupils, would have discouraged some people. But not her. She was determined to brave

the odds. To her surprise however, four years after she started, the enrolment suddenly skyrocketed to over 100 pupils, provoking yearnings from parents to set up the secondary arm.

"Some people just woke one day and decided to go into school business just to make money," Mrs Buraimoh said. "Many of them are unqualified and they employ secondary school drop outs as teachers.”

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Anambra State has built and donated a three-classroom block to Community Secondary School, Ivite-Umueri.

Inaugurating the classroom, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi warned illegal private school owners to close down as steps are being taken by the government to shut such schools in the state.

Obi praised the Chairman of Region 6 Lions Club, Ben Emeka, and his members for their thoughtfulness to give back to the society. He appealed to other clubs to emulate Lions Club International.

Obi, represented by the state Commissioner for Education, Dr Kay Onyechi, said the affected schools included private schools offering sub-standard quality of education and also public schools with population of less than 200.

She said: "We are closing down illegal private schools. We are coming to the public ones because we do not want a substandard system of education in this state. The government has been realising money, classroom blocks, buses and instructionals material for the upgrading of our school system to make it func-

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

tional and accessible.

"I am encouraging people to key into this public-private-partnership. It's a wonderful one and we have been asking the people to help the government, because we can't do it all alone. We thank the Lions Club for bringing such amenities to our school, thereby giving our children functional quality of education. We plead with other clubs and philanthropists to restore the dignity of our children by giving them classrooms and other amenities.

Emeka said the club decided to heed the cry of the school by building the classroom block, even though the club had to pool its limited resources for the humanitarian gesture.

Emeka said: "In choosing to do this project this year. In the Lions Club, we had one major objective in mind - to support investment in education in a rural community. It is our own little way of supporting the Anambra state government led by an education friendly governor.”

Lagos pupils revive arts EACHERS and pupils from in schools the 77 public primary

schools in Mushin Local Government, Lagos State have exhibited their talents with their craft and dance.

It was at the Third Art and Craft festival organised by the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mushin.

The visibly excited pupils, who thronged the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) playground, the venue of the performance,put up presentations based on the state’s rich cultural heritage.

Head of session, School Support Services, Mrs Eunice Aluko, said: "The art teachers in the various

By Miriam Ndikanwu

schools are mandated by the LGEA to prepare the pupils for the festival, which comes up annually.

This being the third edition has been really interesting as you can see the children all excited about the whole activities.

"Part of the presentation includes display of varieties of African food and because this is Lagos State, we have prepared those food that are unique to the Lagos people. All these we have to enable the pupils identify with their route."

"You can see that the Olokun dance

• Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, SUBEB Chairman

performance by one of the school, it is used to tell the story of Lagos as a coastal state. The dance also shows the various occupation which include fishing, farming among others."

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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EDUCATION

LASPOTECH Rector seeks increased subvention

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HE Rector of Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Dr. Abdulaziz Lawal, has identified inadequate subvention from the state government as one of the challenges faced by the management of the institution.

Speaking last Friday during a tour of the institution by the Lagos State House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Lawal said the institution has resorted to internally generated revenue through the school consultancy and part time programmes, to make up for government's inadequate funding.

He said: "The subvention we receive from the government is not adequate because presently, the fund is not enough for the payment of staffs' salaries. We also need to pay for security, cleaners, and pensioners among others

By Oziegbe Okoeki

because we understand that the institution cannot depend solely on subvention from the government, we have resorted to internally generated revenue through our ventures and programmes.

"Apart from that, we have received contributions from private individuals and for us to improve our IGR, the management increased the development levy of part-time studies", he added.

The Chairman of the Committee, Wahab Alawiye-King representing Lagos Island II, warned that the quest to improve the IGR should not be an excuse for the management to jeopardise the purpose of establishing the institution, adding that academic excellence should be their watchword.

Another member of the committee, Adepimpe Akinsola representing Ikorodu II, said she was aware that the

part-time students usually pay exorbitant fee, urging that fee must be moderate so people can afford it.

In his comment, another member of the Committee, Lanre Ogunyemi, who stod in for stand in for Ojo II, challenged LASPOTECH management to engage more in research and development in order to make the institution worldclass. He advised the management to be proactive and look inward to ensure the IGR is complementary to the government subvention.

Speaking further, the rector said: "Our institution is interested in research and development. We are the only polytechnic in the Southwest that was given an opportunity to have mechatonic equipment in order to service the Southwest. The machine will determine whatever fault a vehicle may have immediately it is placed on it.”

• Popular hip-hop artist Zaki Adzee entertaining select pupils from public and private schools in Lagos at the launch of African Child Initiative (ACRI), at the UNILAG Sports Complex auditorium.

UNILAG appoints DVC

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•Prof Alo

ROFESSOR Babajide Alo of the Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos (UNILAG), has been appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research) of the university.

His appointment took effect from March 2.

Alo's appointment, which is sequel to his nomination and election at the University Senate meeting on February 29, this year, is in accordance with the provision

of the University of Lagos Act (1967) as specifically amended in Section 4 and 5 in the university (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 1993.

Prof Alo, who started his career in 1975 at the University of Ibadan, first began lecturing at UNILAG in 1979 as a Lecturer Grade 11.

He became a member of Senate, of the university in 1996 until his new appointment this month.

Despite allegations, provost calls for peace

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HE Provost of the College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu, Dr Chris Nwamuo, has called on the host community to sustain the peace and mutual relationship that has long existed between them since its establishment.

Speaking at the college campus at Arochukwu, when the Nzuko Aro Women led by its PresidentGeneral, Mrs Ugochi Okoro Okwara, visited the college management on a fact-finding mission, Nwamuo said there is the need for peace to reign if the host community wants the best for the institution.

The leadership of Nzuko Aro Women, had visited the college shortly after the women demonstrated against the school, to find out what led to the demonstration, with the view to forestall such ugly incident in future.

The Nation gathered that there was an allegation levelled against the management of the institution that some of the computers donated to

By Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

the school have mysteriously disappeared shortly after the donation. In her reaction, Mrs Okwara said the aim of their familiarisation tour is to ascertain the true position of the allegations that some computer sets donated by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) developed wings.

Mrs Okwara also said they were also at the institution to confirm the rumour that there are on-going plans by the state government to relocate the college to Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government area of the state.

She, however, appealed to the college management to embark on sensitisation campaign to increase the population of the institution which according to her is declining daily.

According to her, "if the college was densely populated and we are talking about having an extension in Uzuakoli, it would have been better but for now, the college has less than 5,000 undergraduates, we de-

mand for mutual relationship between the college and the host Community.”

Nwamuo dismissed the allegation, describing it as not only baseless, but unfounded.

He said: "The allegation is not only baseless, but unfounded and a blatant falsehood, fabricated to sound real, thus to deceive as well as incite the undiscerning public particulary the Aros against the management of the institution."

Nwamuo assured the aggrieved women that the management has outlined measures to address the declining population facing the institution.

According to him, the development is as a result of student's preference for degree programmes as against NCE certificates. He explained that when the machinery to enhance population growth is set in motion, the duo would rip the benefits mutually. He also called for a policy where all holders of the different certificates will be treated on equal bases if the country must to move forward educationally.

‘TETFund spends N463b on 73 varsities in 16 years’ From Yusuf Alli and Yomi Odunuga, Abuja

THE Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said the agency spent N463billion on universities between 1994 and 2010.

He also said the establishment of new nine universities will allow many youths to have access to Higher Education.

Yakubu, who made the submissions while responding to questions from journalists at a Leadership Forum organised by the Nigerian Pilot in Abuja, said TETFund, was assisting at inception before the figure rose to 73.

Yakubu said: "We are an intervention agency with very limited resources and by the nature of the intervention, we only provide assistance. Between 1994 and 2010, the total funds collected from Education Tax were N463billion. The fund, which initially started with the funding of 37 universities, including state and federal, today has about 73 universities to contend with. This is outside other higher institutions."

Regarding the establishment of new universities by the Federal Government, Yakubu defended the establishment of new nine universities by the Federal Government.

He said: "Statistics from the Federal Ministry of Education in 2006 have shown that there is no nation that has developed in which 80 percent of its youths, boys and girls have no access to tertiary education.

"I believe if you choose to go higher, there should be access. Out of the 1.5million churned out every year by JAMB, how many of them have access? May be one third of the number has access. We need additional institutions. But are these additional institutions going to be like the University of Ibadan or ABU over night? No, they won't.

"I will give you three examples. A section of the academia of Oxford moved to Cambridge . Those who moved to Cambridge did not have a single place to teach their students. They were like the Almajiris, they were following the professors. Finally, they found a small room from where it started, and today ranks the best in the world.

"Nearer home in ABU, what happened? When there was a big argument in the defunct Northern Region Executive Council for the establishment of ABU, some of the ministers advised Sir Ahmadu Bello against. Sir, they asked, where are you going to get the lecturers and students? You are going to establish a university for others. He said, yes that may be so in the short run, but one day the majority of the students and even the vice chancellors may be from the north.

"Would anyone say today it's a mistake to have established ABU? So, when the first person from the north came back with a Ph.D in 1963, Prof. Iya Abubakar, the Sardauna celebrated him. That's role modelling. There was an opportunity for the premier of the region to appoint special members to the Northern Region House of Assembly, he appointed him as a role model. He told other people that if you want to be members of the regional assembly, go and study like Iya Abubakar.

On performance of the education sector, the TETFund boss explained why the nation had been recording mass failure in core subjects of English and Mathematics.

He said: "When we were funding basic and secondary education, I took time to visit some of the secondary schools. I saw practically why in many parts of this country, it's impossible to have students passing out with credit in English and Mathematics.

"There is a basis on which students are taught, the basis simply does not exist in schools. There is what is called the national curriculum, which is produced by National Education, Research and Development Council (NERDC). Every school in this country is supposed to have the curriculum, which entails what they are supposed to know from JSS1 to SS3 in every subject, on the basis of which WAEC and NECO set their examinations syllabus.

"I went to one of the schools in Bauchi and I was watching the English teachers teach and he had no copy of the curriculum. He had no idea of the examination syllabus. After 30 minutes, the bell rang and I could see the teachers struggling to teach them something in English language. So, how would these students write WAEC and NECO and have credit in English, Mathematics or any other subject.”

Lamido bags FUNAAB doctorate

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IGAWA State Governor Sule Lamido has bagged a honorary doctorate from the University of Technology,Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

It will be conferred on him during the institution’s 28th Convocation on May 4, this year .

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Olufemi Balogun, disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Lamido in his office.

He said the choice of Governor Lamido by the university’s Council was in recognition of his effort in the transforming Jigawa State's agriculture and Nigeria.

He said the institution’s council and FUNAAB’s Visitor President Goodluck Jonathan have approved the nomination. This was a sign of goodwill and acceptance of the members of the council of the nomination, he said.

On the history of the FUNAAB, the Balogun said from inception in January 1988, the University has

From Yusuf Suleiman

• Lamido

conferred degrees on people of integrity and those who contributed to the development of Nigeria and Africa. He stressed that the university is rated among the best in Nigeria and is 35th in Africa.

He said: 'Our university is not a briefcase-carrying university. For the awards of degrees, we consider honour and integrity that's why we conferred on only few personalities since inception and people such as Abdulsami Abubakar, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and president of Liberia are some of alumnus of the university."

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

NATURAL HEALTH

How to treat nail infections

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HE rains are here again. With the season comes nail infections.

The panacea to the disease is simple: care for and trim your nails regularly.

Nails have to be cut regularly and straight across to avoid ingrowing, particularly toe nails, which can be very painful and often lead to infection.

People should always wear something on their feet to prevent diseases. Do not walk bare-footed because one can contract unpleasant diseases, such as hookworms.

They should avoid nail cut by the local manicurists or podiatrists hawkers that go about with unsterilised equipment. We should always protect our feet by not allowing it to puncture.

The hand nails are located at the end of the fingers while the feet nails are at the end of the toes. They are elastic hairy plates, composed of cells with abundant qualities of keratin, which is the foundation of all hairy tissue. Nails are thin, flat and slightly rounded at the edge.

The average healthy fingernails grew at about one/ 30th of an inch a week, adding that toe nails grow at about a fourth this speed.

A healthy nail must be pink, smooth and shiny while abnormal conditions in the strength, texture, colour, brittleness and growth of nails were indicative of the state of person’s heart.

Diseased or sick nails are usually dark brown or blue spots may result from some undesirable condition, possibly an infection or inorganic poisoning. Pale and soft nails may occur from a deficiency

•Oluwa

•In-grown nail

of calcium and nails with a blue tinge sometimes indicate poor circulation, while white spots are usually due to minor injuries or pressure, as in most nail conditions is rapid if the matrix is not destroyed. Some injuries, such as burns, accidental attack to the matrix or severe damage can positively impede the growth of the nails.”

A nail that has been struck or pinched may turn purple or black due to congested blood that formed under the nail, and they may detach from bed and if the pain is severe, the chiropodiatrist or podiatrist can relieve it by releasing the blood formed under the nail.

Hangnails is another infection of the nail and it is annoying and painful as they may be, have little medical significance other than they serve as an entry for bacteria.

In-growing nails are abnormal and tend to be infectious if not properly treated on time. Most often they become swollen or inflamed . At times, a portion of the nail was removed by a trained chiropodist or podiatrist under local anaesthsia.”

He also identified peeling of the nails as a dangerous practice because it could result to injury, but more often they were due to their length as this usually occurred among persons who use their hands, such as typists, tailors, guitarists, computer operators. “Someone, whose hands are frequently in water and soap and harsh cleaning fluids often have dry brittle nails, he added.

People should beware of the way they neglect their nails. Many people seldom take proper care of their feet, whereas, failure to do so can bring untold hardship and infection that can affect us.

There is a need for proper hygiene of the nails. People don’t know that taking care of our feet would give them good feeling. When you have healthy nails, you also have a good body.

As a recommendation, people should consult a qualified chiropodist or podiatrist for the treatment of his nails. They should not patronise quacks so that they don’t add to the complaints they have about their nails.

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wood lying around. The sticks have five angles for fat people, medium size, slim people because the nerves are

Natural healer sets bones with sticks

IGERIA needs to develop its health care system and reversing the trend of patients going abroad for treatment.

As a physiotherapist, I treat bonerelated ailments without western medicines or surgery.

There are non-surgical treatment for arthritis, chronic waist pain, spinal cord injuries, slip disc and other related ailment.

Although I am trained as a physiotherapist, I prefer making use of my hands to treat patients with bone problems.

I have undergone other studies in the act of healing with my hands in addition to the special gifts I possess.

The decision to hold the therapy sessions, in Lagos is not all about money but the eagerness to show the world what I have.

Nigeria has a large population We have had lots of calls from the eastern part of the country, but we don’t have the muscle to take him there.

We are looking forward to where we can bring him to the country as much as five times yearly. That will translate to my coming into the country for six months.

How do I examine the patients? I usually feel them with my hands and at some points, I identify the problem and tell them where the pain point is. At that point, I use the two sticks to work on the point to make sure that the patient gets relief.

I made the pieces of sticks I use myself from ordinary

sensitive so I know what angle to apply and how much pressure to put to bring about the desired result.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE FRONTIERS CLUB, ERIN- ILE NOTICE is hereby given to the general public that the above named Club has applied for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act Cap C 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Olugbenga Ojo- Chairman 2. Mr. Ganiyu Adekeye Daromosu 3. Mr. Jimoh Yinka Yusuf 4. Dr. Tajudeen Tola Salami 5.Mr. Mumuni Kayode Raji 6. Mr. Kamoru Kilanko Yusuf 7. Mr. Adeniran Adedokun 8. Mr. Adeola Ibrahim- Secretary OBJECTIVES OF THE CLUB The objectives of the organization are encapsulated within the framework of its mission and incorporate the following: i. To foster love, unity, togetherness and sense of communal responsibility among the people of Erin- Ile and promote the welfare and wellbeing of members of the Club ii. To create an avenue for social interaction amongst all the segments of our community both home and in Diaspora as a way of fostering harmony, understanding and community development. iii.To serve as centre for community and national consciousness through organization of forum through public lectures and other worthy endeavour for public causes. iv. To collaborate with other intra and inter-community groups, national and international institutions to improve quality of life and promote individual and community development. v. To identify with individual accomplishments, aspirations and problems through cooperation, integration and serve as centre for the primordial interests of our community within the framework of national development. vi. To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 565 Ndola Square, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Adeola Ibrahim STONEWATERS Law Office Adebowale House, Parkview, Floor 3 150, Ikorodu Road, Yaba, Lagos

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

NATURAL HEALTH

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Nature's help for headache, migraine sufferers

S a teenager, my sister, who will be 60 in September, was a migraine sufferer, until our maternal grandfather recalled her to the village for a herbal cure. So was German Dr. Marx Gerson, now of blessed memory, until a medical lay person in the hospital where he worked showed him a solution in fruits and vegetable juices. Dr. Gerson was to discover that, through their blood cleansing and alkalinising effects, these juices not only cured his migraine, but could cure some cancers as well. When the American Congress learned of how he had helped about 50 cases of cancer and cured even tuberculosis with this regimen, it invited him for a hearing that would have paved the way for government funding of his research and work. But, unfortunately, the lobby of the drugs companies caused the defeat of a vote in this regard by two ballots! My maternal grandfather was unsung in a country where everyone hid and took away with him or her in death special knowledge of medicinal plants. He gave my sister a leaf at sunrise which she placed on her head and kept there till sunset with a headscarf. At sunset, she buried the leaf. And, till this day, a space of about 40 years, that was the end of her migraine

Many Causes

Migraine has many origins, as I'd tried to explain to an enquirer this week. She has suffered from migraine for about 20 years, and tried all sorts of therapies, orthodox and herbal, even Ayuverdic, that is Indian, to no avail.

Dr. Gerson was forced out of work about half of the month by his migraine until the minerals, vitamins and electrolytes, notably potassium, in the fruit and vegetable juices correct such biochemical imbalances in his brain that made it quake.

Migraine is a hammering type of headache. In Nigeria, many people suffer regularly from headaches. But, rather than uproot the causes, they heavily rely on analgesics or pain killers. These pain killers take away the pain, no doubt. But they do so mainly by blocking the transmission and experiencing of pain which serves as an early warning system that something wrong is going on somewhere. Unknown to many Nigerian users of pain killers, the residue of one of the popular brands accumulates in the liver, and has been found to cause brain damage as well. In the United States, it is now suspected to be the cause of autism in some children whose mothers used it during pregnancy.

I always like to address a headache from the intestines, especially the colon. Constipation causes not only intestinal pressure which may force the digestive tube to enlarge at its terminus (piles) or shoot out (external piles) or overflood the veins with blood and burst them (bleeding piles), the accumulated faeces decay and produce gas, especially methane. When methane escapes into the blood, it irritates the nerves, causing pain. In the brain, a headache may occur.

People who spend many hours behind their writing or reading desks, head tilted forward, may be candidates for headache. The set of muscles which pull the neck forward most of this time overwork, while their counterparts at the back are on holiday. The working muscles grow bigger through exercise, while the resting ones atrophy through inactivity or reduced workload. Enlarging neck muscles may compress a blood vessels which supply the head and the brain with blood, and, thereby diminish blood supply, which means reduced oxygen supply and delayed waste and toxin revaccination. These are causes of aches and pain in the brain Other causes of headache may be emotional stress, fatigue, sinusitis, stiff neck, low blood sugar, caffeine, alcohol, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, such as those of magnesium and essential fatty acids (EFAs), especially Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil or flax seed. We cannot ignore the role of high blood pressure, heavy metals and other chemical pollutants in the environment, such as smoke, electricity generator fumes, automobile fumes, electropolltion and strong odours, all of which deoxygenate the blood. By far the worst scenario, however, are food allergies. We will soon be in the season of corn and coconut. I have learned to slow down on corn. Corn and groundnuts (pea nuts) or corn and coconut or corn and ube, the small Igbo brand of avocado pear, which will soon be in season, appeal to me as a replacement for restaurant or canteen or buka, which is heavily embalmed with monosodidium glutamate (MSG). MSG damages the neurons of the brain and induces diabetes in some people, according to many Euroamerican studies. Yet, it is recklessly used as a taste enhancer in this country. But when I turn to corn and coconut, I am loading up on Omega -6 fatty acids that may upset the 1-1 Omega-3 to Omega -6 ratio, which, in the modern diet stuffed with vegetable oils, has been upturned O or 1-20 or 1- 30 in favour of Omega -6. This imbalance supports or creates inflammation and pain, which may be addressed by aggressive consumption of Omega -3 fatty acids either in food supplement form or by replacing beef with oily fish such as Titus, Macreel (Monkere in Yoruba) and Tuna. I suspect it is the Omega 3-6 imbalance, especially in the excessive consumption of corn, which the body reports through coughing, excessive mucus production and things like that, Commercial road-side corn roasters don't help matters either. They do not roast corn the many villagers do. In the village, the cub, with the skin on, is buried in fire until the last

layer of the covering, the skin, is about to burn. This layer is peeled and, beneath, the corn is as though boiled, but oozes oil, corn oil, Omega -6 oil. The practice in the city is to remove the skin and roast the corn on a metal gauze over charcoal. But about a quarter or a half of the corn burns most of the time, forming tar. And burn or tar is a carcinogen, a dangerous cancer- causing substance. We eat tar most of the time without realising it. Think of the burn of yam or rice or even of smoked fish. In small quantities, they may appear insignificant. But, like little drops of water which make a big ocean, they may accumulate over time in the body in such lunge forms as may overwhelm the immune system. The brain is sensitive. A headache or a migraine hammer may very well be an early warming alarm.

I do not suffer from headaches or migraines. But I had a hammering head bang recently at a construction site when a bricklayer's steel range, dislodged from the first floor, hit my head. I experienced a near blank, held my head with both hands and quickly rushed to the car for first aid. Luckily, I had a bottle of Maria Treben's Bitters in my bag. I poured some on my head, and massaged it deeply on the site of the bang which, by now, had swollen and was painful. The swelling subsided in two days and, by the third, the pain was gone. This product is well recommended for swellings and pains as described above. For headache and migrainsnes sinusitis and constipation, the legendary Austrian herbalist, Mariam Treben recommends the bitters.

Like a road blocked by many fallen trees, the many possible causes of migraine should be addressed one after the other. Before the advent of compounded proprietary remedies, different peoples all over the world relied on single herb remedies for pain, headache and migraine.

GRMONY, a liver detoxifying herb, was popular. In North Africa and western Asia, Almonds are used. Almonds have aspirin-like effects on pain. Calcium has a calming effect on the nerves. And that's why its good for insomnia (sleeplessness) especially if taken at night, before bed. Chromium does well for hypoglycemics, people suffering from overactivty of the pancreas gland, which may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or people whose headache may stem from this condition. Chromium either as picolianate or picolitinate helps to balance blood sugar. Some therapists prefer to prescribe Evening Primerose Oil, saying the oil relaxes tight muscles, which may be the cause of migraines.

Omega -3 fish oil will do likewise. Back in the 1980s my choices were Feverfew, Chamomile, Passion Flower, Vervain and Skullcap. Euro American studies present feverfew as an anti-inflammatory agent which dilates constricted blood vessels, a condition which may cause migraine. Additionally, Feverfew is blessed with a substance, which prevents and corrects blood vessel spasms, a sort of muscle pull, described above as a cause of migraine. It is in respect of soft muscle contraction and spasms that Magnesium developed its reputation as a muscle relaxant. Whether in the spasms of uterine muscles which cause period pains, in the muscle pull of the footballer or athlete, in the painful spasms in the lungs of the asthmatic, or in the muscle cramping of the palpitating heart, not to mention other similar conditions and migraine headache, magnesium has proven a wonderful calming and stabilizsing agent. Calcium and magnesium work together. Calcium contracts while magnesium relaxes. Magnesium deficiency, therefore, may cause contractions without end. Prolonged contractions mean prolonged work, accumulated wastes, pain and exhaustion. what would health be like if there was no magnesium to bring rest.?

The age of compounded herbal health products is here.

Many producers now offer proprietary product in which are contained many herbs which address specific problems from different pathways. Thus, Bell Lifestyle Products of Canada would offer MIGRAID for migraine, and RAIN FOREST NUTRITION would come up with AMAZON CALM SUPPORT or AMAZON CNS (central nervous system) SUPPORT. Even MARIA TREBEN BITTERS is made up of about eight herbs. In MRGRAID, offered by BELL "for headache, and to reduce severity or frequency of mi-

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graine headaches", there are "extracts of Jumper berry, Goldenrod flower, Dandelion leaf, Meadowsweet and whole Grape Extract. Amazon Calm Support is scarce these days. It addresses stress anxiety, disturbed sleep patterns.

Mulunga, one of the 10 herbs which compose it, is reported in some studies to improve memory and to be as effective as the often prescribed anti-anxiety drug DIAZEPAM. Mulunga's effect is attributed to two chemicals which prevent GABA abnormalities in the brain. GABA (Gamma-aminobityric acid) abnormalities are thought to cause epilepsy, anxiety and depression. PIRI-PIRI, another component, functions likewise. Yet, another component, PASSION FLOWER, mentioned earlier, is a rich source of SEROTONIN, a sleep promoter and tension-calming herb.

CHAMOMILE, another calming herb, is also present in Amazon Calm Support. Amazon CNS Support, designed against "pain related to the central nervous system, migraines, nerve injuries, sciatica and neropathy," comes with Mulunga and five other herbs. In Peru, Iporuru , for example, has proven effectiveness against pain and inflammation, Cox inhibition, arthris, rheumatism, aches and pain. Amorseco is anticonvulsant, anti inflammatory andante-spanmodic.

HEN sinus problems are the causes of migraines or headaches, Rainforest Nutrition has an an swer in AMAZON SINUS SUPPORT, Bell Products BELL SHARK LIVER OIL The secrets of this Bell product are squailine, alkylgycerol (25 to 27 per cent), and Omega -3 fatty acids.

Squaline is as the substance which makes the shark live deep down in the water where oxygen is short without feeling the effect. In other words, squalere may be an oxygen bag. Germs hate oxygen, and this may be why those germs which cause sinus inflammation, pain runny noses etc. are burned off and killed, for which reason Bell presents this product for "colds and flu" Homeopathic cell salt remedies are no pushovers in this matter. The 12 honeopathic cell salts present natru mmur (sodium chloride) as their chief remedy against headaches and migraine. Also useful are the homeopathic, biochemic phosphate salt. Cyril Scott taught me that these phosphate salts are crucial for eye health. Dr Schuessler, the father of cell salt medicine, shows how crucial for the brain they are. So, Dr schuessler, would say, for brain health, Calsulph. (Calcium Sulphate), Mag phos. (Magnesium phosphate), and Kali phos. (Potasium phosphate) be added to the recipe. Calcium is found larqely in the bones, magnesium in soft tissue, such as the brain. Calcium deficiency is said to be evidenced in passivity while magnesium exhibits in restlessness. Sodium and potassium are in the fluids, sodium outside the cells, Potassium inside. Potassium Phosphate has helped many cases of depression, anxiety, irritability and headaches. Potassium phosphate is active on the brain's gray nerve fibres, while magnesium phosphate acts on the white ones. That's why its ideal to combine both, as upsets in one nerve fibre may affect the other.

Kyolic Aged Garlic extract (Kyolic garlic) is in the class of Amazon AF and Myco when it comes to killing off candida in the blood. Proliferation of Candida in the brain has been suggested as a cause of autism in children. In some people, it causes depression, mental confusion or even headaches from toxic insult of this organism. Kyolic Garlic, aged naturally for 15 months from natural garlic, is 50 times more powerful or active than natural garlic, according to research literature. In one of the hundreds of reports on clinical trials of Kyolic Garlic, the following is said of its antifungal evidence.

• “Matswuura et al. (1988) found that a constituent in the aged garlic extract, a furostanol glycoside, demonstrated anti-fungal effects inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans in test tubes.

• “In a study by Tadi et al. (1990) Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract hastened the clearance of candida albicans from the circulation of subjects systematically infected with this organism. Further, Aged Garlic Extract reduced the number of these organisms growing in the kidneys where Candida albicans typically colonises • “In this study by Abdullah et al. (1989) Aged Garlic Extract was found to improve candidiasis in AIDS patients".

I do not know which leaf my grandfather gave my sister to place on her head all sun hours to cure her migraine.

But I guess this is knowledge of radiations, or of energy medicine at work. The leaf probably has an energy higher than the vibration of whatever agent was causing her migraine, and vanquished it, as Dr Holda Clark's energy zapper would. Dr Carl Gerson left us the GERSON THERAPY, which his daughter, Charlotte, practises till this day in his Gerson Clinic in Germany. Today, an explosion of interest in altemative or natural medicine, ignited by the said effects of prolonged use of drug medicines, has exploded upon us such quantum of research in this Information Age that everywhere is now awash with plant medicine for practically all ailments. As my good friend, Mr Charles Olusegun Akintobi, always reminds me: "We should that, today, no one needs suffer or die needlessly from any ailment." Be ever grateful to the Almighty Creator NIGERIA AWAKENS! Nigeria rises from slumber this morning in Abuja with the launch of three Nigerian plant medicines for the home and foreign markets.

A few months ago, this column reported that these medicines will be two antimalanals from ARTEMISIA, and the third will be MORINGA, the miracle plant that all countries are growing or importing.

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e-mail: www. olufemikusa@yahoo.com Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

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e-Business

EFInA commits $2m to M financial inclusion

MTN repositions service delivery

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NHANCING Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), a financial sector development organisation that promotes financial inclusion in Nigeria, has committed $2million to expand financial services to the un-banked and underbanked segments of the populace.

EFInA, funded by the UK Government DepartmentforInternationalDevelopment (DFID)andBillandMelindaGatesFoundation, has committed the funds as a grant to a financial services platform, Paga, to develop and deliver low cost financial products through Paga’s nationwide agent network; thus, facilitating the emergence of an allinclusive and growth-promoting financial system.

Paga enables customers transfer money via mobile phones, Internet-connected devices, or any of the agents in Paga’s nationwide network of agents.

According to EFInA, Paga won the grant, following a highly-competitive and rigorous application process spanning several months,includingthoroughchecksonboth

Stories by Adline Atili the status of the business and viability of its long-term potential.

Chief Executive Officer of EFInA, Ms Modupe Ladipo said: “Paga was selected because of the clarity of its initiatives to enhance financial sector development through its agent network.

“There are 39 million Nigerian adults who have no access to financial services.

Finding innovative ways of reaching out to this market is a challenge. At EFInA, our primary mandate is financial inclusion and we believe Paga can contribute to this goal by delivering affordable financial services through its platform.”

Chief Executive Officer of Paga, Mr Tayo Oviosu, said the company would partner relevant organisations in the banking and insurance sectors to achieve this goal.

He said: “Our goal is to bring financial services to over 40million Nigerians by 2015. With this grant, our objectives will be even more achievable. As Paga can link to different types of financial providers, in-

cludingbanksandmicrofinanceinstitutions, we will be working with partners such as Diamond Bank; Nigeria’s largest microfinance Institution, LAPO; ADIC and GTAssur, to develop and deliver low cost financial services to all Nigerians through our agent network.

“The EFInA grant will fund our consumer education campaign so that more people understand what financial products are better suited to them.”

Director of Sales and Business Development at Paga, Mr Jay Alabraba added: “Our low cost financial offerings delivered via our agent network are yet another example of innovation at Paga.

“Through our banking, insurance and microfinance partners, we will bring savings, loans and insurance to those that need it in a manner that is both simple to use and easy to understand. Delivering more services at the agent point also improves the viability of the Paga agent network as it means additional revenue streams for our agents.”

TN Nigeria has repositioned its customer service delivery structure in response to growing demand for data and other Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services.

The Telco, in collaboration with its partners, has introduced the Partner Shop concept, a customer service initiative, to boost penetration of its products and services in the country beyond “sale of airtime and SIM cards.”

According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Mr Brett Goschen, the concept is hinged on the “MyCustomer Charter,” which spells out a set of principles to guide the conduct of MTN’s customer service representatives and members of staff in their relationship with customers “to ensure their desires, aspirations and expectations are met.”

At the launch of the first of 120 service outlets across the country, Goschen said: “With the changing competitive landscape and the increasing focus on data and ICT services, it is clear that a partnership that continues to focus on sale of airtime and SIM cards alone at the wholesale level will not survive the emerging trends.

“In line with our vision to transit from

First Bank, others to finance housing scheme

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SA Realties, a property development company, has launched First Home Estate (FHE), a residential property development scheme, in collaboration with First bank of Nigeria PLC, Resort Savings and Loans PLC and the National Housing Fund.

Chairman of SSA Realties, Mr Adesina Oladeji, said the company’s vision was to address housing deficit in the country by helping “upwardly mobile workers have homes of their own, moving them from being land owners to home owners with utmost flexibility.”

Oladeji described the state of housing in the country as ‘coordinated chaos,’ saying SSA realties would tackle this by offering convenient, flexible and trustworthy property development service in order to remove the challenges associated with home ownership.

“The challenges of land acquisition and home ownership are nu-

• From left: Distribution Manager, Dell West Africa, Franklyn Ezechi; Services Manager, Ken Dibor; Solutions Manager, Steve Adebayo; Marketing Manager, Annie Odo-Effiong; MDM, Intel Nigeria, Femi Babajide and Channel Account Manager, Dell, Ifejokwu Samuel at the launch of Dell 12Generation servers in Lagos.

NITDA restates commitment to IT development

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HE National Information Technology development Agency (NITDA), has reiterated its commitment to fostering the development and growth of Information Technology (IT) in the country.

The agency said this would be achieved through its three-pronged approach of human capital development, infrastructural development and institutional capacity building.

Speaking at an interactive forum with journalists in Abuja on the activities of the agency, Director-General, Prof.

Cleopas Angaye, said the approach would be supported by various initiatives, including massive awareness creation, workshops and conferences.

According to him, some of the initiatives of the agency include the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) e-school initiative, mobile Internet unit, Nigerian Cybercrime Working Group, Galaxy Backbone PLC, as well as the CANi project that has driven uptake and spread of computers in the country.

He added: “Other projects which the NITDA is driving include the Catch Them Young Policy, Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NIRA), the Rural Information Technology Centres (RITC) spread across Nigeria, IT scholarship award, Cisco Regional Networking Academy, e-Government and Governance, IT Parks, Virtual Library and development of the Nigerian ICT4D plan, among others.

“The agency has also embarked on computerisation of Unity Schools in the country as part of implementation of the World Summit on Information Society

(WSIS) agenda and the recommendations of the inter-ministerial committee set up by the Federal Executive Council for computer literacy in schools. Six schools have so far been computerised as pilots.

“The project is aimed at equipping Federal Government colleges with computer laboratories, which will serve as model for other schools.

“These projects are geared towards achieving an information-rich society where Nigeria will be rated among the

first 20 leading economies of the world by 2020.”

The NITDA boss disclosed that through the initiatives, level of awareness on benefits of IT and investment in the sector had improved, while the number of Internet users had risen to over 45million.

“Before the establishment of NITDA, there was low level of awareness and development of IT, in addition to lack of adequate infrastructure and requisite institutional framework to enhance development of the sector,” he added.

SAP reveals growth strategy, CSR

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AP, the German business application software firm, has revealed its growth strategy as part of efforts to boost investment and sustain growth in Nigeria.

Speaking at an event in Lagos, the company’s Vice-President, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Tim Noble, said the company was growing “very quickly.”

He disclosed that to maintain the growth, the company’s overall strategy would be premised on five areas of focus.

He said: “The first area of focus is applications. Our goal is to make the world run better with applications. The second is SAP core analytics or business intelligence, where we have a clear understanding of our customers and provide solutions for businesses.

“The third is mobility or mobile devices; the fourth, database and technology, while the fifth is cloud.

Noble said Nigeria was one of SAP’s most important markets, saying, “We need to grow by about a 100 people a year in SAP and we have to build more partners. Through SAP and appropri-

ate partners, we will have significant growth throughout Africa.”

While speaking on capacity building and skills transfer, Noble said the company had signed several university alliances with tertiary institutions in the country, including University of Nigeria, Covenant University and the University of Lagos, aimed at addressing the skills gap in the region.

Managing Director, SAP West Africa, Mr Richard Edet, said SAP business applications were not only for big organisations, “we provide solutions that can fit any customer’s needs, including Small and Medium Enterprises worldwide. We have a customer of ours who operates from Alaba market. We also have a car dealer who is our customer,” he said.

On Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), he said: “We are investing in communities where we do business because it is not only about us coming in to do business but we have to be indigenous. Our CSR activity in Nigeria is aimed at promoting education, economic opportunity and business integrity.”

being the country’s leading telecommunications provider to becoming Nigeria’s leading ICT company, we believe that there is a need to position our trade partners accordingly. The MTN Partner Shop will enhance our trade partners’ ability to remain competitive in a changing market and it will establish them as a onestop shop for all MTN products and services.”

The MTN boss, who was represented at the event by the company’s Sales and Distribution Executive, Mr Omatsola Barrow, said the initiative would not only position the Telco’s trade partners as key players in the telecoms landscape, but would also translate to additional revenue source for them.

He said: “We are committed to continuous enhancements towards delivering the quality of service that Nigerians richly deserve and will work to ensure that our customers feel the tangible impact of these improvements in the very near future.

“Our customers sit right at the top of our stakeholder matrix and we will continue to invest in resources to ensure that their desires, aspirations and expectations are met. This Partner Shop initiative is one of the numerous ways we are striving to fulfil this objective.”

merous and SSA Realties concentrates on simplifying most of the mundane processes required to properly and safely acquire land and myriad of details and documentations required by local, state and Federal Government regulations,” he said.

He said the FHE offering includes a global Certificate of Occupancy, already obtained; location at the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; two and three bedroom apartments with fully finished exterior and partially-finished exterior as well as attractive pricing plan with flexible payment options.

He said total payment for the two-bedroom apartment is N3.8million naira, while the threebedroom is N4.7milion, payable in five instalments.

Business Manager at First Bank PLC, Mr Job Amiolemen said First Bank has two types of mortgage plans, individual and partnership, allowing for flexibility in repayment.

Firm reiterates commitment to telecoms growth

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OBILE phone manufacturing company, Kenxinda Mobile, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing high quality mobile phones in Nigeria, following the closure of some outlets of mobile phone manufacturers by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

At an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, the company’s Marketing Manager, Chika Ogbonna, said the company is committed to offering products and services that are in line with international standards of the telecommunications industry.

According to him, all the mobile phones manufactured by the company conform to international quality standards and comply with existing regulatory provisions.

He noted that due to the confidence in Kenxinda mobile phones, the company had captured 20 per cent of the Nigerian mobile phone mar-

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ket, supporting businesses and individuals in meeting communication needs.

“We have a mandate to deliver high quality products, deepen engagements with the market by offering discounts on purchases and offer improved customer service to take our relationship with consumers to a new level,” he said.

He stressed that the phones, which come with 15-month warranty as well as adequate customer services support, would further grow the Nigerian telecoms market.

“We have a mandate to deliver high quality products, deepen engagement with the market through partnership with telecoms operators, trade partners, consumers and regulators in Nigeria and by offering discounts on purchases and offer improved customer service. This we would continue to do even as we continue to support growth of the Nigerian telecoms market,” he said.

NCC boss is Commonwealth group chair

XECUTIVE Commissioner (Technical Services) at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Bashir Gwandu has emerged Chairman of the Commonwealth ITU Group (the CIG) by the meeting of CIG, at the Commonwealth headquarters in London.

His emergence followed nomination to the membership by the outgoing Chairman of the CIG and Canadian Special Advisor, International Organisations Industry, Canada, Dr Bruce Gracie, who had

been chairman of CIG for five years.

Gracie took over from Mr Malcolm Johnson, formerly of Ofcom –the UK Regulator. He is the Director of the Standardisation Bureau of the ITU. In his capacity as Chairman of the Commonwealth ITU Group, Gwandu will lead representatives of the 54-member Commonwealth countries at the ITU. By this appointment, Nigeria is building solid ground at the international Information and Communications Technology (ICT) arena and has growing potential to influence decision of international ICT institutions that affect our daily lives.

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e-Business Matters e-Rising Segun Oruame segun@segunoruame.com

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TN and Western Union not too long ago, formed an alliance bound to, and perhaps, ignite the biggest international mobile remittance services or mobile money transfer on the continent. The alliance is as significant for the financial/banking industry as it is for the telecoms sector in what would strengthen the argument for convergence and the erasing of traditional technology with regulatory boundaries.

The alliance also widens the vista for knowledge on the implication of the rise and rise of mega-Telcos. MTN with its home office or headquarters in South Africa is a Middle East and African operator making it a mega Telco with subscribers in about 21 countries. This is significant if you begin to see subscribers of mega-Telcos as citizens of the new universal or globalised countries. Virtually all the networks in the big league of Nigeria’s mobile phone market including Airtel, Etisalat, Globacom and MTN have a combined subscribers’ base in excess of 90 million.

Apart from Globacom which presence is still chiefly African; all the other three have operations within and outside the continent.

But it is the convergence part of the MTN/ Western Union alliance and its exciting possibilities that is important here from a technology perspective. What MTN and Western Union have demonstrated is that banking or money transfer no longer needs be within the confines of banking halls or within the exclusive ambit of what are traditionally financial/banking houses. That same gambit is already playing out itself in the new competitive frontier of mobile money where banks, technology solutions companies and Telcos, fully armed with mobile money licences from the Central Bank

Convergence and the future of banking

of Nigeria (CBN), the country’s financial regulator, are inking partnerships to take services to millions of peoples via their mobile phones.

Convergence is making Telcos to be financial houses and with the number of subscribers pulsating on their networks, they may become the new hub of financial activities.

That has dire implications. When Telcos become financial hubs, banks will have to reinvent themselves. Regulation will do little to stop the trend. It may slow down deployment and uptake. But because it is a technology thing, ultimately regulation will collapse in the face of technology reality and people will go for services that serve them best. As for network operators, they will, of necessity, build and mobile money subscribers will come.

That scenario is already afield. MTN, Airtel and Globacom have inked partnerships with banks to deliver mobile money services in a way that should see more banking transactions originating and terminating within the window of mobile phones. The trend should bring in outstanding rewards for the CBN’s goals of a ‘cash-lite Nigeria’ with little cash in circulation for transactions and the extension of more greater level of banking services to more Nigerians – the unbanked population.

Nigeria’s untapped mobile money market is valued at some $25billion and should become the continent’s biggest mobile money market in its full steam. The factors expected to push growth include the wide unmet gaps for banking and the convenience that mobile money transfer technology brings to users in a form of branchless banking. They are the same reasons why the innovative M-Pesa became so popular in Kenya and recorded outstanding success beyond the ex-

pectation of Safaricom and regulatory authorities who didn’t see it coming. M-Pesa was first introduced in March 2007. By mid quarter of 2010, the application had over ‘2.3 million registered users with over 18billion (about $230million) Kenyan Shilling (Ksh) moved through the system, via person-to-person transfers.’

By World Bank’s estimate, Nigeria receives over $10billion in remittances every year while Uganda receives nearly $500million, making up three per cent of the country's GDP. Both markets are key to MTN operations. In Nigeria alone, MTN has nearly 30million subscribers meaning that a launch of its MTN MobileMoney service in Nigeria would definitely impact massively on Nigeria’s financial scene. For regulators, there is still no clear-cut approach to addressing the challenge and there is still no defined predictability as to what level of changes could occur with adoption of MobileMoney in a big mobile market such as Nigeria where $10billion enters the system yearly from overseas.

Regulators and mobile money In itself, the MTN alliance with Western Union poses a new level of challenge to regulators here.

The service allows users to “receive Western Union Money Transfer transactions in their mobile accounts while, MobileMoney users in certain countries will be able to send Western Union Money Transfer transactions directly from their mobile phones for payout at one of Western Union’s 386,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories around the world.”

“An MTN subscriber who receives a Western Union Money Transfer transaction in his MobileMoney account will be able to use the funds to pay bills, top-up airtime, send money

Dell servers to reduce power costs by 50%

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NFORMATION Technology (IT) firm, Dell, has updated its server portfolio with its 12th Generation (12G) line of PowerEdge servers, optimised for use in demanding enterprise environments. With this new server series, Dell said customers ranging from small businesses to hyper-scale data centres can maximize efficiency by streamlining and automating opera-

Stories by Adline Atili tions, achieve better business application performance and business continuity.

The company added that the next-generation PowerEdge servers, along with systems management and workload solutions, are designed to deliver performance and management gains

•From left: Manager, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Idiare Atimomo; winner in the Etisalat Cliqfest, Mr Olakunle Ogundare and Vice-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin, at the Etisalat Cliqfest Tour at LAUTECH.

to effectively power the most demanding applications, including collaboration, IT and Web infrastructure, high performance computing, decision support and business processing.

Speaking at the launch of the servers in Lagos, Marketing Development Manager at Intel Corporation, Mr Olufemi Babajide, noted that organisations spend a lot of money in managing data centres, in terms of power costs, due to massive growth of data, saying the new 12G servers ensure efficiency while reducing power consumption, with the Intel Integrated i/O.” He said: “Escalating demands on IT drives need for best combination of performance, efficiency and cost in data management. The 12G servers with Intel Integrated i/O cut latency while adding capacity and bandwidth.

As we know, the memory is the greatest consumer of power. With Intel i/O, you do not need to go through the memory. You leave the memory in low state for reduced power consumption and efficiency.”

Also speaking at the event, Solutions Manager, Intel West Africa, Mr Steve Adebayo, said organisations need end-to-end solutions to handle the complex workload problems they face every day. He said IT trends such as data access, cloud and virtualisation, lead to additional complexity. These, he said, come with challenges such as lack of capacity, complex technologies, unreliable and inaccessible data.

“With the new PowerEdge 12th Generation servers, Dell has increased performance and reduced power consumption by up to 50 per cent.

The servers, with greater memory density and capacity, are more powerful and much easier to

domestically and internationally, or withdraw cash at MobileMoney agents or any participating ATM.” Banks and the convergence trail in mobile money In several jurisdictions, phone operators are legally bound to operate mobile money services in partnership with banks. But as convergence evolves, market dynamics is likely to make dependence on banks less strategic. This is where regulators can get involve. They must begin to peep into the future and see the likely consequences of convergence and growth on mobile money transfer. Technology cannot be stopped.

Regulation will definitely not stop mobile money banking. It can only provide barriers which will steadily be erased as the market gets more sophisticated.

What is critical is that banks must wake up to the reality of convergence. Like regulators they must be prepared for change. They must be willing to reinvent themselves outside of the conservative mien of 19th and 20th century banking. Banks must see convergence coming and strive to grab the opportunities. If telcos are foraging into banking, it is because they have seen the future and the future is convergence. And banks must not wait. They have to forage outside their traditional territories and get cracking with the drivers of the new age: the age of information technology and the eternal season of convergence. The good news is that several banks are already licensed to deliver mobile money and in addition, they are inking partnerships with telcos to deliver mobile money services in a way that points to the future of banking in the age of convergence. manage than previous generations and are based on Intel Xeon E5 processors product family, which are based on the ‘Sandy Bridge’ architecture.

“Previous generations and competing offerings have only SATA or SAS drive. But with Dell 12G, it’s automatic storage tiering with SAS, SATA, SSD and PCI Express flash drives in a single chassis. The servers maximise security by protecting data at rest with malware resistance and faster encryption as well as authenticating the integrity of updates using digitally-signed firmware. With AgentFree, the servers can be monitored even if offline. This saves time, reduces human error, in addition to controlling power.”

The 12th Generation PowerEdge line consists of the R720, which accommodates a 768GB RAM and designed for mid-size to large data centres; the R720xd, with exceptional storage expansion for data-intensive operations; and the R620 rack servers and M620 blade servers.

An expanded offering termed ‘Fresh Air’ guarantees all 12th Generation PowerEdge servers could run at a temperature of up to 45 degrees Celsius, helping companies save on cooling costs. “This means IT managers can turn off the air-conditioning and open the windows to let the fresh air inside,” Adebayo said.

Topping the list of new features in the 12G servers is integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 7 (iDRAC7) software that gives status updates on individual servers and has diagnostics for identifying errors, enabling customers to uniformly manage the deployment, updating and monitoring of the servers, “You don’t have to continually manage and update software agents and drivers. To accomplish this, the 12G servers have gone ‘agent-free.’

All the servers have” he said.

Glo promo: Subscribers collect cheques Google launches Web-to-phone SMS service NOTHER set of Glo subscribers who tical until we went for verification at a

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emerged N1million winners in the ongoing SIM registration promo have been presented cheques in Port Harcourt.

One of the winners, Mr Owodunni Ashiru, who is based in Kaduna State, said: “This is a lot of money which I never expected to have.

I thank the Glo Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga and his company for changing my life. This money is timely as I will use it to complete my house which is still under construction.”

Another winner, Mrs Christiana Etu, from Aba, Abia State, who disclosed that she was sceptical when called that she had won some money for registering her SIM card, said: “My husband and I were initially scep-

GloWorld outlet. Now it is clear to me that Glo keeps its word and is the best network.

We pray that Glo will continue to grow from strength to strength,” she stated.

At the event, the company’s Divisional Director, South Territory, Mr Charles Odiase said the promo was an initiative to show appreciation to subscribers who register their SIM cards and also thank them their loyalty to the network.

He urged existing and potential subscribers to register their SIM cards, saying the promo, which had been extended will reward 10 subscribers with N1 million daily, while N500 worth of voice and SMS airtime would be given to another 60,000 subscribers daily.

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OOGLE has announced a service which would enable Gmail users to communicate with mobile phone subscribers on MTN, Globacom, Airtel, Visafone and Starcomms networks through Short Messaging Service (SMS).

At the launch of the service, Gmail Chat SMS, at Google’s G-Nigeria event in Lagos, Country Manager for Google Nigeria, Ms Juliet Ehimuan, said users can use Gmail Chat to communicate with all mobile phones and platforms, even if offline, as well as receive Google+ SMS notifications and post status updates via SMS for free.

She said by using Gmail SMS Chat, users can send text messages from their Personal Computers (PC) chat interface directly to mobile phone numbers via SMS. In return, the mobile phone users can reply by SMS and their responses will appear in the original

sender’s Gmail Chat interface.

The G-Nigeria event brought together tech savvy entrepreneurs, developers and journalists who were trained on how to get the best from the Internet. Participants discussed the future of Web application development, as well as received training on Google’s products and online business skills.

Conference content included Google’s developer and business technologies, ranging from established products such as Google Maps and YouTube, to other Google innovations such as Trader SMS and Google+ SMS products.

Speaking at the event, Ms Ehimuan, said: “The conference is aimed at equipping developers and organisations in the country on relevant ways to make the most of the Web and broaden the range of technical skills relevant to today’s technology landscape.”

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 4-4-12

Dangote Cement declares N19b dividends, bonus shares •Market sustains uptrend

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HE board of Dangote Cement Plc has recommended distribution of N19.4 billion in cash dividends alongside a bonus issue of one for 10 shares as the company released its audited earnings for the 2011 business year.

Key extract of the audited report and accounts of Dangote Cement for the year ended December 31, 2011 made available by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed almost no changes in key fundamentals with total sales of N235.91 billion in 2011 as against N235.70 billion in 2010. Profit before tax inched up from N117.84 billion in 2010 to N118.28 billion in 2011.

Profit after tax followed the same trend at N125.91 billion in 2011 compared with N125.48 billion in 2010.

The gross dividend recommendation represents some 15.4 per cent of net earnings, a major conservative shift in pay-

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

out rate. At N1.25 per share, the cash-based dividend indicates a yield of 1.08 per cent at current market consideration. The relatively low cash-dividend yield is however compensated by the bonus of one for 10 shares, which would add some 1.55 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to outstanding shares of the most-capitalised company on the NSE. Chairman, Dangote Cement, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has assured shareholders of good returns on their investments in the years ahead noting that new production line in Obajana facility and commissioning of the six million metric tonnes Ibese Cement plant this year would impact positively on the company’s turnover and returns on shareholders investments.

Dangote Cement’s share

price rallied yesterday with a gain of 50 kobo to close at N116 per share. Gains by Dangote Cement and other highly capitalised stocks sustained the positive overall market situation as the benchmark index trended upward by 0.41 per cent to push the year-to-date return at the stock market to 0.98 per cent.

The benchmark index-the All Share Index (ASI), trended upward to 20,934.47 points as against its opening index of 20,849.94 points. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities rose from N6.612 trillion to N6.639 trillion.

Mobil Oil Nigeria led the advancers with a gain of N2 to close at N142. Okomu Oil Palm followed with a gain of N1.54 to close at N32.42. UAC of Nigeria added 84 kobo to close at N30. Nigerian Breweries rose by 80 kobo to close at N98.01 while Presco gained 49 kobo to close at N10.64 per share. Investors staked a total of N2.07 billion on 229.02 million shares in 3,350 deals.

‘Capital market probe should be comprehensive’

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HE Committee of the House of Representatives conducting public hearing on the capital market has been called upon to expand the probe by inviting former executives of the Nigerian stock market (NSE) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A market analyst, Abiodun Hakeem, who made the call, said for the public hearing to be a comprehensive exercise; there is need for past leadership of the regulators to explain their stewardship and the crisis that rocked the capital market from 2008.

He said the hearing would be selective if the public hear-

ing is limited only to the current leadership of the SEC and this can be interpreted in some quarters as a witch-hunt knowing that the current leadership of the capital market was not in the saddle when the near-collapse of the market occurred.

Hakeem, said stakeholders want answers to what happened to the market integrity issues that precipitated the fall, issues surrounding insider trading and the other recorded cases of fraud and market abuses which were prevalent at the time of the market collapse, adding that focus on individuals should be downplayed.

It will be recalled that rather than focus on the capital market and lessons that led to the market’s near collapse, the hearing headed by Hembe began with the committee flaunting its powers by threatening to order the arrest of the Managing Director of the NSE, Oscar Onyema.

The threat took the centerstage in the media and drowned - out the incisive presentation made by the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission which ought to be provided the fulcrum of and supplied a context for the public hearing for the exercise to achieve its supposed goal.

However, he said that on the second day of the failed hearing, the committee began a systematic attack on the current leadership of the SEC which had been roundly hailed for bold initiatives aimed at building a healthy capital market for the country.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 4-4-12

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

CBN moves to reduce cheque clearing cycle

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intends to reduce the clearing cycle for cheques from three to two days with the cheque truncation system.

It made this known yesterday in the “Guidelines on Cheque Truncation in Nigeria,” on its website.

Cheque truncation is a process that involves stopping the physical movement of the cheque and replacing the physical instrument with the image of the instrument and the corresponding data contained in magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line. The cheque details are captured typically by the bank presenting the cheque or its clearing agent and

By Collins Nweze

electronically presented in an agreed format to the Clearing House for onward delivery to the paying bank for payment.

The banking watchdog explained: “Under the cheque truncation regime, cheques shall clear on a T+1 basis such that customers receive value in the morning of T+2.”

The apex bank said the policy is aimed at reducing cost and days of clearing instruments; to articulate the rights and responsibilities of presenting and paying banks in the cheque truncation system; providing for minimum technical and operational standards for cheque

be mandatory for all banks at a particular centre, adding that it would determine the cut-off date for the policy.

“The cut-over date shall be announced well in advance and the participating banks are required to undertake a formal certification test to demonstrate operational readiness for the conversion to cheque truncation.

“Settlement shall be generated on the basis of the existing MICR code line. The ‘AMOUNT’ field shall be captured and keyed in separately by the Presenting Bank. The specifications of the cheques detailed for MICR clearing shall be followed,” it said.

truncation as well as to facilitate the implementation of an effective and efficient payment system in the banking industry.

It said: “These guidelines shall apply to clearing and settlement activities in the Nigeria Bankers Clearing Houses, which practice cheque truncation system. Notwithstanding the provisions of these guidelines, the provisions of the Revised Nigeria Bankers’ Clearing House Rules shall apply to cheque truncation system in Nigeria subject to necessary modifications.”

On the implementation and deployment of the system, the CBN revealed that the truncation shall

NSE appoints 10 market makers

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday announced the appointment of 10 stockbroking firms to act as market makers in the secondary market as part of efforts to enhance liquidity and sustain recovery at the market.

The 10 stockbroking firms selected from a list of 20 that applied, included, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers, Renaissance Capital, Future View Securities, Vetiva Capital, ESS/DunnLoren Merrifield, WSTC Financial Services, Capital Bancorp, FBN Securities, Greenwich Securities and CSL Stockbrokers.

Chief executive officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema, described the appointment of market makers as a major landmark aimed at bringing back liquidity and depth into the market.

He said the selected brokers went through a rigorous process and met

By Taofik Salako

the minimum net capital requirement of N570 million, while the NSE also examined their compliance history and their operational capabilities.

“The selected firms were taken through trainings, debated the appropriate market structure to be

used and the Exchange further went through the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the selection process,” Onyema said.

A major highlight of the unveiling of the market makers on the floor of the NSE, was the selection of a basket of quoted companies in which the financial intermediaries

would provide the desired level of liquidity through a blind draw.

The primary obligation of a market maker is to always make a twoway price in each of the stocks in which it makes market.

The Exchange also promised that a number of firms will be selected to perform a supplementary market making role at a future date.

By Collins Nweze

He added that if these complexities were not properly identified, measured, monitored and controlled, they could inflict damages on the institutions and the system at large.

Ibrahim described the risk-based supervision as a proactive and efficient supervisory process, which focuses attention on the risk profile of financial institutions; enabling regulators develop the right supervisory tool for each bank.

NDIC adopts risk-based supervision for banks

T

HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has adopted a risk-based supervision framework that would enable it handle complex regulatory tasks for Nigerian banks more efficiently.

Consequently, the corporation is collaborating with the Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) of the United States Treasury is conducting a sixweek training programme on riskbased supervision to strengthen ca-

pabilities and skills of its workforce in this direction.

A statement signed by the NDIC Managing Director/Chief Executive, Umaru Ibrahim said the corporation adopted the supervisory framework because both the system and the institutions are getting more complex, nature of products and volume of transactions.

FGN BONDS Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 150m 150m 138m 138m

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 4-4-12 SYMBOL

OKOMUOIL ACCESS PRESCO GTASSURE AGLEVENT WAPIC PAINTCOM ETI UACN UBA

O/PRICE

30.88 5.88 10.15 1.33 1.38 0.50 0.77 11.11 29.16 2.60

C/PRICE

32.42 6.17 10.64 1.39 1.44 0.52 0.80 11.50 30.00 2.67

113m EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

7.9-10% 10-11%

CHANGE

1.54 0.29 0.49 0.06 0.06 0.02 0.03 0.39 0.84 0.07

Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 12.6%

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

2.20 0.80 11.41 21.00 0.61 2.04 2.46 19.95 0.85 0.92

C/PRICE

2.09 0.76 10.84 19.96 0.58 1.94 2.34 19.00 0.81 0.88

CHANGE

0.11 0.04 0.57 1.04 0.03 0.10 0.12 0.95 0.04 0.04

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

113m

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.8 155.8

Date 29-2-12 27-2-12

113m

155.7

22-2-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

LOSERS AS AT 4-4-12

HONYFLOUR NEIMETH CADBURY GLAXOSMITH JAPAULOIL BAGCO UBN OANDO DNMEYER FIDSON

HE Central Securities Clearing System Limited (CSCS), yesterday laid-off some staff. However, a senior staff of CSCS claimed they retired on their own accord.

Although the number of affected staff was not disclosed, a source at the CSCS, who asked not to be named, explained that it is in line with the new business strategy approved by the Board and designed to re- position the firm as a highly innovative and globally respected central securities depository.

“To realise this vision, mission and core values of the company, it has become imperative to strengthen its new product development and customer interfacing units and personal, to meet current company and market place realities. In line with these initiatives, the Board, approved the rightsizing of CSCS workforce which has been implemented as part of the overall turnaround strategy aimed at positioning the company to remain viable as a business entity, in a dynamic and fast-paced market place,” the source, said.

According to the firm, it regards its employees as its most valuable assets and thus views this exercise as an opportunity to enhance the organisation’s medium-term and long-term agility through well-planned and targeted coaching and other career management interventions which are already being implemented across the company.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES

T

By Tonia Osundolire

DATA BANK

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

CSCS lays off Staff

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 122.59 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 99.23 THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.75 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.08 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.89 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,691.82 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 8.13 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 7,259.48 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 122.48 98.79 0.72 1.08 0.88 1,686.98 7.74 1.33 1.80 7,071.36 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

56

NEWS

Lead poisoning: Zamfara to take care of affected children, says governor

Z

AMFARA State Governor AbdulAziz Yari Abubakar, yesterday said the state will provide adequate care for children affected by lead poisoning.

But he said he will not defect to either Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

He said he could serve the state and the nation better on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

Yari made the clarifications while fielding questions from reporters in Abuja after a visit to Kuwaiti Embassy in Abuja.

He said: “We found ourselves in that situation and from the international to federal through to the state levels, we all are really doing our very best and see how we can get rid of the problem.

“The Federal Government has approved some money, despite the fact that the international community is on ground, and as a government, we have done our best and we can properly cordon off the area, and also in collaboration with the international community, we are working towards curing those children that were affected.

Airline passenger ‘steals’ N.2m

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

T

•‘I won’t defect to PDP or CPC’ From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

“In that regard, we have achieved a lot and we are trying to formally enlighten the people on how safe to go about mining, and as well form themselves into some cooperative societies where we are going to give them equipment to continue with the programme while government continues to ensure compliance and safety.”

On compensation for

some affected miners, he said the state will not do it.

Abubakar said: “This is out of it. How could government compensate? This was caused by lack of knowledge. The people were intermingling directly with the lead and in the process contaminating their food and water.

What government is doing now is to see how it can make the environment free from that disaster and also cure those affected, while

at the same time intensifying campaign on safety measures.

Concerning plans to forge economic ties with Kuwait, he said the state wanted to key into the Kuwait development fund to upgrade the state’s health care delivery and tertiary education.

He denied plans to defect to either PDP or CPC. He added: “If I decide to leave the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) for PDP today, it’s not in the best

•Yari

interest of Nigeria. We should know very well that democracy is not all about just one party. The rule here is giving the best.”

NDLEA arrests woman for alleged drug trafficking in Osun

T

HE Osun State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforce me nt A g e n cy (NDLEA) yesterday said it has arrested a 60-year-old woman, Aduke Adebusuyi, and a teenager, Hammed Lateef, for allegedly trafficking cannabis sativa, popularly called Indian hemp.

Addressing reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, its State Commander, Mrs. Anthonia Udu said Mrs. Adebusuyi was arrested on the Iwo-Ibadan road on March 17, when officers of

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

the command were on surveillance patrol.

She said the suspect was caught with a bag of Indian hemp weighing 7.2 kilogrammes, adding that the command had been on her trail for over six months, following a tipoff.

“The woman, who has only one child with many grand-children, usually carries the illicit weeds from Ibadan for onward distribution to her partners in crime in Iwo, Osun

State,” Mrs Udu said.

According to her, Lateef, an 18-year-old secondary school pupil, was arrested in February with 40 kilogrammes of Indian hemp at Apoti village, near Ilesa.

She said the suspect had been arraigned before a court and remanded in prison custody.

The NDLEA Commander said 547 kilogrammes of the illicit weeds were recovered on March 28, where they were kept in a bush at Araromi village in Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State.

She promised that men of the command were on alert to checkmate the tricks of drug barons and traffickers who outwit security men.

Mrs Udu added that the fight against Indian hemp cultivation require the cooperation of all residents.

“We need concerted efforts to deal with Indian hemp cultivation and trafficking. Since it has been realised that drug trafficking poses a great danger to security, all hands must be joined together to combat the crime,” she said.

HERE was a mild drama onboard an Arik Air flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, into the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. A passenger on the Business Class allegedly stole N200,000 belonging to another passenger in the same class.

The Nation learnt that the passenger allegedly stood up when the aircraft attained cruising altitude, opened the overhead cabin, under the pretext that he was searching for some missing items in his luggage, and took the cash belonging to his co-passenger.

But one of the vigilant passengers, who reportedly watched the suspect during the act, alerted the crew.

The crew approached the male suspect, who occupied seat 3C, for verification.

As the aircraft, with flight number W3 162 ABV-LO, arrived the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, the airline’s security officials handed the passenger to aviation security personnel attached to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). It was learnt that the passenger was transferred with the “exhibit” to the domestic wing’s police station for further investigation and possible prosecution.

FAAN’s Director of Security, Sir Wendel Ogunedo, confirmed the incident. He said the matter has been handed over to the police.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

NEWS

Parents accuse teachers of spearheading strike in Oyo

A

N interest group, Association of Concerned Parents of Oyo State, yesterday accused teachers in the state of spearheading the ongoing strike to jeopardise the educational development of their children and wards.

In a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, by its Chairman, Chief Moses Oderinde, the group berated public school teachers for masterminding the strike.

It said: “It is highly unfortunate that the teachers, who are supposed to be concerned with the progress of their pupils, are the ones threatening fire and brimstone, if the strike is ever called off.

“It is so bad that even when their leaders, who appeared to have exhibited enough understanding with the government, suggested that the strike should be suspended to allow

E

‘I won’t step down for Mimiko’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

A

•Labour leaders allege threat to lives

for further negotiation on the minimum wage, it is this group of teachers who have refused to be convinced.”

The group regretted that at a time the teachers ought to be concerned with how their pupils would pas well in the forthcoming West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations, they had allowed themselves to be used to further bastardise the alreadytroubled education sector in the state.

“It is still fresh in our memories the woeful performances of Oyo State pupils in the last WAEC and NECO examinations. This should naturally call for a sober reflection from all stakeholders on how to urgently address the situa-

tion.

“From our assessment of the situation, since the minimum wage agitation has started, we are tempted to believe that the teachers, most of who did not support the emergence of Senator Abiola Ajimobi as governor in the first instance, are seizing this opportunity to destabilise his government,” the group said.

It urged the teachers to support their leaders in reconsidering their stand on the wage issue so that the state can move forward.

Officials of the state council of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) have alleged threat to their lives.

In a statement by Comrades Kehinde Oparinde and Dupe Adewoye, their Chairman and Higher Organising Secretary,

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi

the union leaders alleged that some Labour leaders had been after their lives for ordering their members to suspend the ongoing strike and return to work.

The union, on the directive of its national headquarters, last week, bowed out of the ongoing strike by workers over the agitation for new minimum wage. It directed its members to resume work immediately.

Fayemi, Oshiomhole eulogise NULGE chief

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi and his Edo State counterpart, Adams Oshiomhole, were among dignitaries who paid their last respect to the late President of the Ekiti State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Mr Ayo Afolalu, who was buried yesterday.

The late Afolalu’s family, top government officials, friends and sympathisers converged on Ilawe-Ekiti home of the late NULGE chief for the burial.

They poured encomiums on the late council chief amid tears.

Defying the scorching sun, mourners trekked a long distance to the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ilawe-Eki-

•Ex-union leader buried in Ekiti

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

ti, for a brief service and the interment at his home.

Afolalu and three other officials of NULGE died in an accident on the Benin-Owo Road on their way to the national conference of the union last Tuesday.

In a sermon, Bishop of Ekiti Diocese Anglican Communion, Rev. Samuel Abbey, described the deceased as a foremost union leader who struggled to endow Ekiti NULGE with a unique identity.

Recalling last Tuesday’s accident, Fayemi described it as “a very sad day in the annals of Ekiti history”, saying the state had lost one of its most

committed stakeholders.

The governor said the deceased was “very committed, not only as a union leader but also as an Ekiti man”.

He said he was “shocked to hear of the demise of the union leader, whom he just saw on the state-owned television station on that fateful day.

According to him, the multitude that besieged the church for the funeral service was a testimonial that he had lived a fulfilled life.

Fayemi described the late Afolalu as a union leader who fought for the interest of his members and a respected community leader and philanthropist.

The governor promised the state government’s support

for the family of the deceased, including scholarship for his daughter, who is a student of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti.

In a condolence message to Fayemi and the families of the deceased, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, expressed shock over Afolalu’s death.

He described the late NULGE President as “one of the most resourceful state presidents and a key advocate of reform in the union”.

The letter reads: “I received with great shock news of the death of Comrade Ayo Afolalu, the Ekiti State President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and three other officials while on their way to the union’s Special Delegates Conference in Benin City...”

CHIEFTAIN of the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State, Chief Francis Ogunejumelo, yesterday said he would not step down for Governor Olusegun Mimiko in the party’s governorship race.

The LP chieftain said he is eminently qualified to run for governorship of the Sunshine State.

According to him, no persuasion or intimidation from any quarters could suppress his resolve at contesting the election.

Ogunejumelo, the former General Manager of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc, said he is a major contender in the race for governor.

He said: “The procedure for an election, under the LP, is that you must first send your letter of interest to the state chairman of the party and his executive members, including the police, the State Security Service (SSS) and other relevant agencies. I have done these long ago.”

On a statement credited to the party chairman, Mr Olu Ogidan, that he was not aware of any other aspirant in the LP contesting against Mimiko, Ogunejumelo said: “Ogidan should behave like a good leader that should lead well.

“I went to his office and submitted my letter of interest. I see no reason why a lawyer, who should be versed in law and Constitution, should not know better than making things difficult for party members.

“However, I still hope that, as a responsible leader, he will make it public to those who should know that I am strongly in the governorship race of the ruling LP.” The aspirant said his priorities include creation of employment opportunities, development of the coastal communities, agricultural production and qualitative healthcare system.

Ogunejumelo hailed the beautification of Akure, the state capital, adding that it is not the only that should be developed.

“I want the public to note that out of the Seven Points Agenda listed in our campaign manifesto in 2007, only two have been fulfilled. These are beautification of Akure and the Abiye Projects,” he said.

The aspirant urged the party’s leadership to allow internal democracy to thrive.

According to him, his formal declaration for the governorship race will hold on April 12 at Ade Super Hotel in Akure.

Apostolic Church to hold concert

T

HE annual Easter concert of the Apostolic Faith will hold on Easter Sunday at its campground in Anthony Village, Lagos.

Its theme is: The Resurrection Power and Glory.

The District Superintendent of the Apostolic Faith West and Central Africa, Rev Adebayo Adeniran, told re-

By Nneka Nwaneri

porters in Lagos that its Abuja district would hold a retreat and stage a concert.

The cleric said the church has, over the years, used its music and orchestra to inspire the hearts of people with therapeutic effect on the lives of worshippers.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS

M

Mali’s junta may charge Toure with treason ALI’S military junta has said it may charge ousted President Amadou Toumani Toure with high treason and financial misconduct following March’s

coup.

Putsch leader Capt. Amadou Sanogo also called for a “national meeting” on the country’s future as international sanctions begin to hit.

Landlocked Mali has to import all its fuel and in the capital long queues have formed at petrol stations.

Following rebel advances in the north, some aid groups have stopped work.

Renegade officers deposed President Toure last month saying he had not done enough to fight Tuareg rebels, who began their rebellion in January.

Since the military took charge, the rebels have made significant territorial gains in northern Mali - including taking the World Heritage Site of Timbuktu over the weekend.

International pressure is growing on the coup leaders and correspondents say the country will struggle to survive an economic blockade.

The International Committee for the Red Cross told the BBC it had suspended most of its operations in the north and temporarily withdrawn its international staff after its warehouse in Gao was looted by Tuareg rebels.

According to the United Nations refugee agency, since January the violence has uprooted more than 200,000 people, including around 100,000 who have fled the country.

The coup and Tuareg rebellion have also exacerbated a humanitarian crisis in Mali and some neighbouring countries, with aid agencies warning that 13 million people need food aid following a drought in the region.

“The overall security situation really deteriorated over the weekend,” Steven Anderson, spokesman for the Red Cross in North and West Africa, said.

US woman, 80, lands plane as pilot-husband dies

A

N 80-year-old American woman with little flying experience has staged an emergency landing in Wisconsin after her pilot husband collapsed and died.

Helen Collins remained calm as she brought the small Cessna plane in to land at Cherryland Airport, even though she said she knew her husband was dead.

She had taken basic lessons in taking off and landing 30 years ago, her son told the Associated Press news agency.

James Collins, also a trained pilot, helped guide his mother down via radio.

Mrs Collins and her husband John were coming back from their holiday home in Florida when he suffered a fatal heart attack in the cock-

S

ERBIAN President Boris Tadic has announced his resignation.

He still has 10 months of his current term of office to serve, but the move will allow him

•The plane

pit.

She called the police and local pilot Robert Vuksanovic went up in another small plane to try to help guide the Cessna down.

The plane had almost completely run out of fuel by

the time she landed at the small airport in Sturgeon Bay and had only one functioning engine.

It skidded down the runway for about 1,000ft (305m) before coming to a halt.

“She was calmer than ev-

erybody on the ground. She had it totally under control,” James Collins told AP. “The amazing thing is she landed that plane on one engine - I don’t know if there are a lot of trained pilots that could do that.

“I already knew I lost my dad; I didn’t want to lose my mum. It could have been both of them at once.”

Local resident Torry Lautenbach watched the Cessna land and estimated that Mrs Collins circled the airport about 10 times.

“She did a really good job.

It was amazing. It took one bad hop and then it came back down and skidded.”

Mrs Collins was taken to hospital with injuries to her back and ribs but is expected to be released within the next few days.

Serbian president resigns to stand for re-election on May 6.

Parliamentary elections are already scheduled to take place on that date, and the move is seen as a tactic to help

his Democratic Party’s campaign.

Tadic says he will formally submit his resignation to the speaker of the Serbian parliament today.

Tadic, who’s keen to build closer links with the European Union, will face a strong challenge from the nationalist candidate Tomislav Nikolic.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

NEWS

F

Fulani militants kill two soldiers in Taraba

ULANI militants yesterday killed two soldiers in Takum Local Government of Taraba State.

Sources said the militants attacked and torched several homes at Tor-Tser, a Tiv settlement in Takum.

The residents had deserted the village before the invasion by the Fulani militants. On their way back, the militants were reportedly confronted by five soldiers. “There was an exchange of fire between the soldiers and the Fulani militants, which lasted for hours. The Fulani militants overpowered the soldiers, killing two. One of the soldiers was shot in the hand,” the sources added.

A military official said: “The two soldiers were not only killed, their uniforms and rifles

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

were taken away. The Fulani militants also inscribed Boko Haram on the bodies of the soldiers.”

The Nation gathered that the bodies of the soldiers have been deposited in a hospital (name withheld), while the injured soldiers are receiving treatment.

Police spokesman Ibiang Mbasike confirmed the killings.

He said a team of mobile policemen was sent to the area to join forces with the soldiers, to maintain law and order.

“The soldiers were killed in a gun battle with the Fulani militants. We are trying to ascertain if there are other casualties,” Mbasike said.

Boko Haram kills four in Maiduguri market

T

•Three sect members killed in Kano

WENTY-FOUR hours after two suspected Boko Haram members shot and killed a spare part dealer in his shop at Rowan Zafi Ward in Maiduguri, the terrorists attacked the popular Monday market and killed three persons.

Spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said after the attack, soldiers were alerted and they moved to the area, which resulted in the exchange of gunfire between them and the Boko Haram suspects.

He said during the gun battle, people in the market fled while traders closed their

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri and kolade Adeyemi, Kano

shops.

Musa said patrol has been intensified in the market, adding that the soldiers recovered a double barrel gun with 29 rounds of ammunition. He said peace has been restored.

Three gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect were killed on Tuesday night by security operatives in Kano.

The gunmen were shot dead at one of the military checkpoints.

Spokesperson of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Lt. Ikedi Iweha, yesterday confirmed

the killing at the headquarters of the 3 Brigade, Bukavu Barracks, Kano.

He said the trio were gunned down at a military checkpoint after stealing a posh Honda car at gunpoint.

Iweha said the owner of the car alerted security operatives who went into action.

He said on sighting the soldiers at the checkpoint, the hoodlums opened fire, but the soldiers shot them dead.

Iweha said after a search was conducted on the vehicle, two AK 47 rifles, one pistol, one locally-manufactured pistol, 47 rounds of 7.62mm special and six rounds of 9mm were recovered.

Director killed, two injured in Katsina

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INE ARMED men yesterday broke into the Tudun Matawale, Sabo Ungwa home of the Director of Finance, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Katsina, Alhaji Kabir Yahaya, and killed him.

The 55-year-old man was reportedly shot twice in the neck and head.

The assailants injured the victim’s brother and security guard and stole valuable such as mobile telephones, jewellery and documents.

An eyewitness, Mallam Baba Ado, the victim’s brother, said he was woken up from sleep by the hoodlums who ordered him to take them to the room where his brother kept his money.

He said: “My brother fired a warning shot to scare away the hoodlums. But some of them hid behind his car. He thought they had run away and came out of the house.

They shot him in the neck and head as he attempted to open the gate.”

Ado said the hoodlums attacked him, the security guard and the victim’s son, injur-

ing them as they ransacked the victim’s room for money and valuables.

Another eyewitness, who would not want his name in print, told The Nation that he was woken up by several shots fired when the police came to the scene.

“There was an exchange of fire, which lasted for some minutes, but the police later retreated.”

When The Nation reporter visited the scene, the abandoned vehicle of the police, which was riddled with bullets.

The security guard and the victim’s son are receiving treatment in a hospital. The director, who was survived by 26 children, was buried according to Islamic rites at 2 pm yesterday.

The Police Public Relations Officer Shehu Moh’d Koko said: “we suspect hired assassination and not robbery. The late Yahaya’s wife was said to have pleaded with the assailants to spare her husband’s life and take anything they want. But they refused, though they left with some items.”

He said investigation is on to arrest the killers.

‘I don’t know lawyers who compiled evidence against Akingbola’

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•EFCC witness gives evidence on banker’s case

N operative of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mrs Nkechi Ibekaku, yesterday told Justice Habeeb Abiru of an Ikeja High Court, that she did not know the team of lawyers that compiled the evidence against former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr Erastus Akingbola.

The witness spoke during a cross-examination by Mr. Deji Sasegbon (SAN), the counsel to Akingbola.

Sasegbon had asked Ibekaku who put together the evidence used by the commission in the prosecution of the former bank chief.

“It was put together by the lawyers but I don’t know

From Adebisi Onanuga

which lawyers,” she said.

The prosecution witness said though the EFCC did not come across any rule that barred any Intercontinental Bank worker from dealing with the bank as a customer, she added that at the time Akingbola made the alleged transactions with the bank’s funds, he had no money in his account.

Akingbola and an associate, Bayo Dada, are standing trial for allegedly stealing N47.1 billion from the bank (now Access Bank) while he was the bank’s Chief Executive Officer.

Ibebaku, during a cross-examination by Sasegbon, said he illegally transferred N10

billion, 8.5 million pounds and another 1.3 million pounds.

She said Akingbola had sought a N2.1 billion loan from Intercontinental Capital Markets Limited and that the credit was granted to Regal Investment Limited, one of his companies.

“This money was then converted to 8.5 million pounds, which was transferred to his domiciliary account in the UK but he did not have sufficient credit in his account for the transaction,” Ibebaku said.

The witness claimed another 1.3 million pounds was transferred by Akingbola to the account of a Londonbased Fulgher Associates, in charge of leasing to Intercontinental bank offices.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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TOMORROW IN THE NATION

www.thenationonlineng.net

‘‘It will be no exaggeration to say that Okonjo-Iweala is

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 7, NO. 2086

almost perfect for the job: she has the requisite education, hands-on WB experience and the additional advantage of running the finance and economy of her country Nigeria; an important and peculiar experience’’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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TEP aside, male chauvinists. Cover your heads in shame misogynists, misogamists and all those who feel a woman’s place is in the kitchen. Our women have seized the stage.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala is now the toast of all those who recognise skills and talent. From President Goodluck Jonathan, South African President Jacob Zuma, and our garrulous lawmakers to the leading lights of the developing world and their sympathisers, the drum of support for her bid to win the World Bank presidency has been so loud. But, wait a minute, is this not the woman many scorned and derided as an agent of imperialists and World Bank/ IMF errand girl during the fuel price protests?

The one fraudsters in the corridors of power love to call Okonjo Wahala (trouble)? Does it mean our dear ones must first win recognition abroad before we embrace them at home?

I wish Dr Okonjo-Iweala good luck. She is eminently qualified for the job. Have you noticed the way she has been campaigning like a typical Nigerian politician? Who says there is nothing to learn here? But, there have been suggestions that it is not enough to have the President canvass for votes for Dr OkonjoIweala; we must be proactive. The entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) machinery, some have suggested, should roar into action in the election, with Chief Tony “the Fixer” Anenih leading the assault to “capture” this global prize. This will surely teach Washington and its candidate a lesson on how to win elections.

Landslide.

When Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director–General Arunma Oteh was hurled before the House Committee probing the crash of the Capital Market, the dazed investing public was relieved that, at last, here was an opportunity of knowing what went wrong and what the authorities were doing to revive the world’s once fastest growing – don’t laugh, please - market. It was not to be. The session became an inquisition, with the panel accusing Ms Oteh of spending N30million on hotel accommodation and N850,000 on lunch in one day. She got little or no chance to explain her position. She then joined the mudslinging, accusing panel chair Herman Hembe of demanding N44million bribe and collecting cash for an overseas trip he never made.

An attempt to cast aspersion on her educational integrity angered Ms Oteh, who reeled off her sterling qualifications. Commotion.

Now, the panel is under probe by the House and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Besides, the show has become the subject of beer parlour jokes and object of cartoonists’ sharp and caustic strokes.

Consider this from The Guardian on Sunday: A woman tells her husband who is reading a newspaper to be ashamed for giving her N500 only for soup. She says poverty has stopped the children from going to school. “Shameless man. You are still owing the landlord six months rent. Your mates are living in mansions, driving jeeps and flying to London today and New York tomorrow.” The man, without taking his eyes off the newspaper, replies: “Your mate eats N80,000 lunch in Abuja.”

Now, motor park doctors and all manner of charlatans are recommending Arumatherapy as a sure pill for hot headed lawmakers who may want to, in the name of oversight duties, embarrass public officials doing their jobs.

Outside the business circle, not much was

RIPPLES FORMER FCT MINISTER AWARDED CONTRACTS TO FRIENDS-PDP SCRIBE

Ok, he should have awarded to his ENEMIES, ehn?

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

As women seize the stage

•Mrs.Okonjo-Iweala

•Mrs.Oduah

known about Oil Minister Diezani AlisonMadueke before the fuel subsidy protests, except her rumoured love for expensive Italian jewellery. Then came the debate on the desirability of the removal of petrol subsidy – a step many believed would hurt the common man, but which the Honourable Minister and other government officials insisted would fetch the government billions of naira that they vowed would be ploughed back into fixing our collapsed infrastructure. She got the audience into a frenzy with her delivery.

At the House public hearing, those who felt Mrs Alison-Madueke was all beauty, no brain got more than they bargained for. They were not only disappointed, but swept off

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been fighting on many tempestuous fronts at the same time in the same way. Right from the day she took office, she has been charging against those who drafted the numerous agreements that have turned Nigeria into a big cow to be milked and milked by foreign airlines.

If BA has as many as 14 slots into our airports, why should a Nigerian carrier not enjoy the same privilege at Heathrow? Maevis, the check-in company, has just got its concession terminated, despite a court order that the matter be settled by arbitration. Besides, the princess is asking BA to lower its fare or face sanctions. Why should Nigerians pay more than their fellow West Africans? The way Madam is going about this, if BA survives, then it can survive any battle. Many passengers wish the airline doesn’t. Do you?

Three times a coffin has been placed in front of her home, but Mrs May Ifeoma Nwoye remains unfazed by the show of empty ritualism. She has just ended her term as the University of Benin (UNIBEN) bursar, but she wants a renewal. This is legitimate, but some other people are interested in the job, which is considered to be juicy, hence the resort to all manner of weapons to fight the war. Mrs Nwoye has, however, made a fight of it, vowing to stay in the race.

When the suspects in the N14.5b pension scam trial were taken to court last week, a woman was among them. Mrs Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula, like the other suspects, was covering her face. Shame? No, madam, be bold. Isn’t an accused presumed to be innocent, until proven otherwise?

It all began with the drive for 35% Affirmative Action during the April 16, 2011 presidential election. The campaign was led by First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, who may have seen the great potential many, befuddled by politics, did not see. A Villa source, who swore to me that he belongs to the innermost circle of the inner caucus, said Her Excellency would have begun the push for 50%, but for President Goodluck Jonathan’s ban on campaigns for 2015.

Who says the Beijing Spirit is dead?

Asiwaju Tinubu at 60: A postscript

HE songsters and culinary experts have had their day. Gone are the army of itinerant drummers who hung around the venues, bursting into frenetic displays on sighting the A- class guests. So are the business and political giants who streamed in to honour one of their dearest ones. The royalty and the ordinary folks enthralled by the sheer panache.

They are all gone. Not so the spectacles; they remain as vivid as they were last week when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrated – or, perhaps more appropriately, was celebrated – his 60th birthday. Of all the scenes, none, in my view, is as moving as the one in which the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader and his vivacious wife, Senator Oluremi, were swarmed by physically challenged children. The excited kids were hailing as His

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their feeble feet as she reeled off facts after facts and figures after figures in reply to questions hurled at her. The panel was stupefied and the audience, including those watching on television, got exhilarated, screaming: “ Diezy baby! Diezy baby!!” Months after, the probe’s report remains on the National Assembly’s dusty shelf.

Trust Ms Jumoke Akinjide. She would not be left out of the sudden resurgence of the Beijing Spirit. Only last week, a faction of the fractured Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, led by former Deputy Governor Taofeek Arapaja announced that it was in charge. The Honourable Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory(FTC) inaugurated her own faction. To many observers, the Oyo PDP imbroglio is no news; what would have been news is peace in the party. They are urging Ms Akinjide to maintain her stand and revive the nostalgic Adedibu days in the PDP. In other words, they say there are better things to do than wooing former Governor Rashidi Ladoja back into the party that once dimmed his political star, elbowing him out of office and shoving him before the law for alleged corruption.

Thank God airplanes have stopped dropping. But there is no dull moment in aviation.

Minister Stella Adaeze Oduah, a princess, has

STEVE OSUJI

ORMER president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has once again stolen a march on us by, this time, resigning from his top position in the ruling party and making it seem a honourable transaction. If media establishments had remembered he would be stepping down in June as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), they would have kept up a lively discussion and speculation on who was expected to succeed him in order to make the news of his replacement more urgent than the news of his exit. The failure of media houses to put the matter on the front burner made the former president’s resignation ‘sudden,’ ‘abrupt,’ and ‘unexpected.’ Indeed a few newspapers were apparently so stunned that they treated the news, which was first broken by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), as ordinary as they could manage, as if they had forgotten the stranglehold the former president had on the party both as president and as BoT chairman.

In the coming days, the full story behind Obasanjo’s resignation should come out, for

Excellency carried some and shook hands with others, dancing and sharing jokes with them. It was all at Modupe Cole Memorial Home, Yaba, and Bethesda Home for the Blind.

The celebration had the imprint of 10 Hollywood directors working extra hours to beat the deadline. It was the kind of show that earned Lagos the sobriquet “Eko for show”.

Traffic came to a halt on the ever-busy Western Avenue as Pentecostal heavyweights and Islamic gurus rained prayers on Asiwaju at the massive Teslim Balogun Stadium. It was a day of lessons -on how life should be livedand praises for Tinubu- on his contributions to the physical development of Lagos and his numerous battles to entrench democracy.

Besides, the ceremony was a message to the

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HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

advocates of “kill-and-go” politics and their garrison commanders dreaming of returning the Southwest to the days of the locust: sorry; the train has long left the station.

Those on the other side of the political divide – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crowd – who have been crying that the celebration cost billions should stop grumbling.

They had the opportunity to make life better for our people but never did. Any need crying over spilt milk? No. The people have reclaimed their destiny. Tinubu led the battle; the people’s battle. What he is enjoying today is certainly the reward of loyalty to the people - and principle. This is the lesson of the kingly birthday.

PDP BoT finally reclaims some normality there is obviously more to it than meets the eye. However, as he put it, he resigned to create time for his presidential library project, to mentor others, and to help attract foreign investment to Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He was under no obligation to spell out how he hoped to achieve those lofty goals.

Nor, apparently, was he perturbed by our incredulity in wondering how those goals would have been jeopardised had he waited to step down in about two months, when his term in office would have run its full course. Now, we are also told he had signified his intention to resign a year ago.

Whether he realises it or not, the fact is that Obasanjo is in the biological and political sense entering his twilight years. He has fewer things ahead of him than behind him. It is uncertain that there is much or greater things left for him to accomplish. He wanted to be the Secretary General of the United Nations at a point in his

past. He failed; and can obviously not now be considered for the post. He wanted to be the number one Yoruba man in the modern era, the preeminent Yoruba man of the 20th and 21st centuries. He failed; and may never be considered for that noble position. He wanted to earn the respect of his countrymen in view of the energy and presence he brought into public life. His success in this endeavour is doubtful, and will remain so for a long time to come.

By his admission, by his actions, and by general speculations, he will still be involved in the political affairs of the Southwest. But even in that geopolitical zone, no matter what iconoclasm he and his few barnstorming followers endorse, success is by no means assured. Yet there is absolutely no doubt that he was the most important figure in the PDP in the last 13 years, and the most controversial in Nigeria in the same period. He will be missed, even if everyone is not sorry to see the old soldier begin to fade away.

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