The Nation April 12, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

News Ex-Western Region Administrator Majekodunmi dead P6 Sports Club votes Yakubu’s goals among season’s best P24 Business Domestic airlines owe banks N200b, say operators P12 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2091 THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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Panel under pressure to pardon sacked Zakari Biu Sokoto’s escape: IG’s report delays verdict on five policemen

Omoboriowo dies at 80

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FORMER deputy governor of the old Ondo State, Chief Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo, is dead. He was 80. A lawyer from Ijero-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Omoboriowo passed on about 6pm on Tuesday at the home of his eldest son, Mr Akinwole Omoboriowo (Jnr) in Ikeja, Lagos State.

He was deputy to the late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, ....

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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HERE is pressure on the Police Service Commission (PSC) to convert the dismissal of a former Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zakari Biu, to retirement.

But the commission insists that only fresh facts or evidence could sway the agency to review his case, The Nation learnt yesterday.

Also yesterday, it was learnt that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation is yet to get any brief from the police recommending Biu’s trial.

Besides, the PSC is still awaiting the report of the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, on the fate of five other policemen from whose custody a Boko Haram co-ordinator, Kabiru Sokoto, escaped in Abaji, near Abuja.

Biu was dismissed from the Police on February 22 over Sokoto’s escape from custody.

Sokoto was alleged to be the mastermind of the bombing of a church in Madalla on Christmas Day, last year.

According to a source close to the PSC, there are two conditions which could lead to the review of Biu’s dismissal.

They are: •If there are fresh facts or evidence placed before the commission; and •Biu will have to convince the commission beyond reasonable doubt that he had no hand in how Kabiru Sokoto escaped.

“And until Sokoto’s case is eventually determined, it will be difficult to review Continued on page 2

News Page 10

WORLD BANK •Follow the race to presidency on pages 4&5

INEC voter cards get N2.6b

T •Biu

•Sokoto

ACN alleges threat to Aregbesola’s life •Party warns against plot to destablise Southwest

O •Aregbesola

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s life is under threat, his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), said yesterday.

The party raised the alarm in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed According to the statement, the “credible threat to Aregbesola’s life is within the context of a dastardly plot being engineered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to destabilise the Southwest and soften the ground for the PDP ahead of the 2015 general elections”.

According to the ACN, Osun State is being targeted in the pilot scheme “of this act of desperation by the PDP because it is hell bent on causing chaos in the region.”

The statement reads: “The architects of this plot believe that unless the PDP destabilises the Southwest and gets rid of the man they see as an implacable foe of the party (PDP), the President’s putative plan to run for re-election in 2015 will be in jeopardy, especially as they are afraid - for reasons best known to them - that the President will not get the back-

ing of the Northwest and the Northeast in his quest for re-election.

“The first step in the dastardly plot is the fabrication of an ‘intelligence report’ alleging that Aregbesola is nursing a secessionist plan; that he now plays Osun’s anthem in place of the national anthem; that he has since dispensed with the services of the SSS operatives attached to him and replaced them with Islamic extremists called ‘Tawun’; that he has officially changed the uniforms of secondary schools in Osun, made the Continued on page 2

HE INDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission, (INEC) yesterday got the Federal Government’s approval for N2.6 billion to print 40 million permanent voter cards. The unit cost of an electronically enabled voter card is N65.00 and it is expected to be ready within the next seven months. The printing contract for the new cards was awarded to ACT Technologies Limited.

News Page 9

ECOWAS meets on Mali today

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INISTERS of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council will meet in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire today to review proposals for resolving the political crises in Mali and Guinea Bissau.

Foreign Page 59

•SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •POLITICS P43 •N/HEALTH P45 •E-BUSINESS P47

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

NEWS

ACN alleges threat to Aregbesola’s life Continued from page 1

•Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wammako (left) greeting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar after presenting keys to the new vehicles and motorcycles donated to the police in Sokoto ... yesterday. With them are from right the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Deputy Governor Mukhtar Shagari and others .

Panel under pressure to pardon sacked Zakari Biu Continued from page 1

Biu’s case. In any case, we have not received any formal appeal for the review of the dismissal from Biu. There is no record of such,” the source said.

Asked if the re-arrest of Kabiru Sokoto is insufficient to convert Biu’s dismissal to retirement, the highly-placed source added: “Kabiru Sokoto was re-arrested by the State Security Service and not the former Commissioner of Police or any of his men.”

The PSC is still awaiting the fate of five policemen under whose custody Sokoto escaped in Abaji, near Abuja.

The PSC source added: “The five policemen belong to other

ranks in the Force and their trial is within the schedule of the Inspector-General of Police.

“I think they are still being investigated or tried. The PSC has not got a formal report from the IGP on the disciplinary action taken against them.

Once we get the report, we will only ratify accordingly.

“This is the case because the PSC has not met for a while.

We may hold a session in the next one week or two.”

There were several calls for the trial of those involved in Sokoto’s escape, but the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has not received any brief or motion from the Senate on the prosecution of any

of those involved in the incident.

Another source added: “Although the Senate passed a resolution on February 21 for the prosecution of those involved in the escape of Sokoto, no file, brief or motion has been passed to the OAGF. “The AGF cannot issue legal advice or prosecute in a vacuum.”

The Christmas Day bombings at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church killed 44 parishioners and others. The search for the masterminds led to the arrest of Sokoto at Borno Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on January 14.

But barely 48 hours in custody, Sokoto escaped in Abaji in the midst of the custody of

policemen who went to search his home. The incident led to the retirement of the former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim.

The National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi, also set up an investigative panel, which comprised of senior officials from various arms of the security agencies as well as officials of the Ministry of Police Affairs.

The Senate on February 21 recommended Biu’s trial by a court. The PSC dismissed Biu on February 22.

Sokoto was re-arrested by the SSS in Taraba State – a development which led to the demand for the review of Biu’s dismissal.

wearing of hijab compulsory for female students and enforces that through Islamic militants, and that he has sent militants for revolutionary training in Cuba.

“The cooked intelligence report concluded that all legal and constitutional means must be used to stop him.

Reading between lines, the measures being advocated in the report could only be impeachment (this is impossible, considering the clean sweep of the PDP’s footsteps in the state), creation of chaos and anarchy to pave the way for the imposition of a state of emergency in the state, or the final solution, which is physical elimination,” it said.

The ACN said it listed physical elimination because of the inexplicable disappearing acts involving some security agents attached to the governor in recent times, and the growing suspicious activity of some security agencies in the state.

The party warned the plotters to desist from any act that will further threaten the tenuous peace and security in the country, reminding them to learn from history.

The party said: “There is no iota of truth in the allegations detailed in the so-called intelligence report engineered by the PDP. No SSS operative has been sent packing and the governor neither has the intention nor possesses the au-

thority to do so; no private militia is being trained anywhere, except in the warped minds of the PDP desperadoes; and no uniform change or hijab-wearing law has been passed in the state.

“We hope that the plotters remember that since the First Republic, all attempts to destabilise the Southwest have ended with dire consequences for the nation. Also, such acts have always been motivated by the desperation to win federal elections. The ACN will, therefore, like to put the PDP and its collaborators on notice that it (ACN) will guard its mandate in Osun and other states jealously against political hawks.

The so-called intelligence report should be shredded and packed in a dust bin where it belongs because it is nothing but the PDP master-plan to destabilise Osun State, in particular, and the Southwest region, in general.

“We also warn the security and intelligence agencies to be independent and not to allow themselves to be used for political gains. They should put national interest above partisan or sectional interest, and remember that the PDP is not synonymous with the Nigerian nation.

“It is just a bull in a China shop that will soon be ejected by the peoples’ votes.”

CAN President rejects US position on Boko Haram

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HRISTIANS yesterday talked tough on the lingering Boko Haram insurgency.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) rejected the position of the United States that poverty is propelling the activities of the sect, which has claimed responsibility for the series of killings and explosions in the North.

Boko Haram (Western Education is a sin) claimed responsibility for last year’s suicide bombing of the headquarters of the United Nations (UN) and its agencies in Abuja and the Police Headquarters in Abuja.

The sect also bombed a church in Madalla, near Abuja, on Christmas Day, last year.

Although it has not claimed responsibility for it, the sect is believed to be behind the Easter Sunday explosion in Kaduna which left scores dead and many property destroyed.

Book Haram also yesterday killed five people in Borno State.

In a statement yesterday, CAN President Ayo Oritsejafor urged President Goodluck Jonathan to “stamp his feet on the ground against this cancer of Boko Haram”.

Pastor Oritsejafor’s statement, signed by Kenny Ashaka, his media assistant, said: “When the London riots took place in Britain, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, cut short his holiday and returned to his country. His speech on arrival left no one in doubt that he is in charge. He gave a stern warn-

Sect kills seven in Borno, Kano

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HERE seems to be no let-up in the Boko Haram violence.

Five people, including a policeman, were killed after the sect launched a series of attacks in a Nigeria-Cameroun border town in Borno State.

A police station, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) office and a Customs outpost were also attacked by gunwielding men of the sect.

Two businessmen were killed in Kano during the Easter holidays.

Kano witnessed the sect’s worst attack early this year when almost 200 people were killed in one fell swoop.

The Tuesday night attacks took place at Banki, a Nigerian town bordering Cameroon.

It was gathered that when the fundamentalists came into the town, they shot sporadically into the air to cause panic and scare people before moving on to attack the security facilities.

Confirming the attack, Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa said: “Banki police station, Immigration and Customs outposts were attacked yesterday (Tuesday) night between 0700 and 0945 hours in Banki town by suspected gunmen.”

“They shot sporadically to cause From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

ing, which was followed immediately and in just a few hours the offenders were apprehended and the streets were sparkling clean.

“President Goodluck Jonathan must stamp his feet on the ground against this cancer of Boko Haram. Coming on the heels of the violent attack on Kaduna during the Easter celebration, Potiskum in Yobe State and Dikwa in Borno State, the signs are

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano and Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

panic before moving to attack the formations,” Lt.-Col. Musa confirmed that the hoodlums burnt down the immigration and Customs outposts.

He added that unconfirmed number of rifles were recovered while private vehicles were damaged by the gunmen.

He, however, said they were repelled while attempting to raze down the police station in the town.

The JTF spokesman said three civilians died alongside a police officer. He said an immigration officer was feared dead.

He said the gunmen came in a saloon car, armed with AK47 rifles. Lt.-Col. Musa said the saloon car and two AK47 rifles were recovered.

He said the situation had been brought under control and normalcy restored inn the town.

Two businessmen were attacked and killed in similar circumstances in their homes at Sharada and Shagari quarters in Kano by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram militants between Easter Monday and Tuesday.

According to an eyewitness account, the first incident happened on Easter Monday between 9 30 and 10 am at

ominous for a secular state like Nigeria.

“Again, the President of CAN called on the President not to pamper these death merchants in order to maintain the secular nature of Nigeria devoid of any manifest religious sentiments.

“The President of CAN rejects the views of the American government announced through the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mr. Johnnie Carson, that “the

Shagari Quarters in Kumbotso Local Government Area when two gunmen, riding on a motorbike, shot dead Joshua Emma in front of his house and immediately fled the scene.

Joshua, a businessman at Sabon Gari Market, was shot dead while brushing his teeth.

Shortly after he was shot dead, according to the eyewitness, the assailants fled, but within five minutes, operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) arrived at the scene aboard six Toyota Hilux vans, supported with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC). They cordoned off the area in a desperate search for the attackers.

Soon after the JTF operatives embarked on an intensive search for the Islamic militants, some policemen arrived at the scene and conveyed the body of the businessman, who was said to have hailed from Akwa Ibom State, to the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Mortuary.

On Tuesday in Sharada between 7pm and 8pm, a businessman was shot dead by unknown gunmen riding on a motorbike, as he was parking his vehicle.

After the shooting, the gunmen, according to witnesses, escaped from the scene.

The late businessman, identified as Yusuf, hailed from Fegge in the city, but lives in Sharada.

threat from Boko Haram grows as Nigeria’s standard of living declines”, and that “life in Nigeria may be tough for many, but life in the North is grim for many”.

“Therefore, the Boko Haram activity ‘is a popular narrative up for insurgents to hijack for their own purposes’. We reject the reason being peddled by the American government and some Boko Haram apologists in the North that poverty and injustice is the spark for the sect

members’ action.

“In the first place, the kind of arms and ammunition in the hands of the sect can only be purchased by those with heavy financial power. A fair comparison of any other region with the North shows that the section of the North referred to by Carson has been the greatest beneficiary of the project called Nigeria.

“The north has been in leadership for the greater part of Nigeria’s golden jubilee and its greatest annoy-

•Dr Jonathan

ance seems to be the displacement from this position because this same section of the region believes that they are ‘born to rule’.

“We urge the American government to always crosscheck their facts before jumping into conclusions in matters concerning foreign countries they know little or nothing about. Adopting what is written for their officials who are outside their shores without verifying the truth would do America no good.

“We would implore the American government officials, if they believe in fairness, to arrive Nigeria and undertake an impartial assessment of the situation in Nigeria. We wonder if churches and Christians alone are the cause of the poverty Mr. Carson talked about. How have churches contributed to the injustice in the North?

“We state emphatically that Boko Haram is a product of extreme religious ideology.

This is so because there is no explanation for Osama bin Laden and Mutallab of Nigeria to become terrorists since they are both of rich background. The American government must, therefore, call Boko Haram what they areterrorists”.

Continued on page 56

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

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Meteoric T

•High Commissioner,Trinidad and Tobago Mentuhotep Nyahuma Obika (right), Chairperson ,House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Deputy Chairperson, Betty Apiafi at a meeting in Abuja...yesterday

•Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mr. George Uriesi (left), Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Dr. Harold Demuren and General Manager, Nigeria Institute of Meteorology (NIMET) Mr. Felix Ikehua at a seminar at NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday

•Acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar (second left), being received by the Area Commander, Sokoto Metropolis ACP Illyasu Mohammed on his arrival in Sokoto... yesterday

HE meteoric rise of Nigeria’s powerful Finance Minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala - one of three candidates to be World Bank president - reflects the trajectory of her country’s history.

Just as the former British colony has transformed itself into a dynamo for growth on the African continent since independence, the 57-year-old’s life has changed markedly from humble beginnings.

Many consider the former village girl a perfect fit for the position of resident of the World Bank, an organisation of 184 member states that lends $57bn (£35.9bn) a year to developing nations.

The Harvard-educated economist was a well-respected managing director there for years after serving as Nigeria’s first female finance minister.

As a key figure in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s cabinet between 2003-06, she organised an $18bn debt write-off for her country, cracked down on corruption and helped Nigeria obtain its first ever sovereign debt rating.

She returned last year with an enhanced portfolio, after close friends convinced her to help sort out the many economic problems and imbalances hindering the country.

Since she entered the race to lead the World Bank, her picture has adorned front pages worldwide.

After several hours’ delay as her crucial weekly meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and other senior politicians overran, I met Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for our interview in her office, and congratulated her on her new celebrity status.

“What celebrity status?” she replied, grinning, dressed in her trademark combination of matching headgear, necklace, earrings and printed cotton dress.

She had chosen to dazzle all she met in bright red and black, soon to be part of a fashion label, I suggested.

“Don’t be silly. I already have one,” she joked about the style of outfits she said she adopted during the rush before the school run as an easy answer to a smart look.

The finance minister estimated the set she was wearing cost around $25. Something even Kate Middleton would be proud of.

After she had finished speaking to one of her four children living in the United States on a dedicated

line reserved for family, I asked what happened when her childhood, which she had described as happy and magical and full of ballet lessons and piano classes, was punctured by the Biafran war.

“Life really went backwards. My parents lost everything, all their savings, because we had to run from the Nigerian side to the Biafran side. We were Igbos,” she said.

War childhood Her father, a renowned professor, was a brigadier in the Biafran forces and for many years the family lived a life of war.

“We had one meal a day. We sometimes had to sleep on the floor, in a bunker, different places.

One really saw what it meant to suffer hardship. I saw children dying around me,” she recounted.

She then revealed how she almost died when she left the military camp she was staying at, against her mother’s advice, to travel three miles to visit family.

When she arrived at her cousin’s house, there was suddenly an air raid.

“They didn’t have a bunker so we ran outside and threw ourselves down on the ground. A young man threw himself next to me and got a bullet. He didn’t die, but I think if he hadn’t been next to me, I would’ve gotten it,” she revealed.

She said those war experiences have taught her a lot.

“I can take hardship. I can sleep on the cold floor anytime. I can also sleep on a feather bed,” she said, laughing out loud.

Clearly versatile and a self-confessed fighter, Ngozi OkonjoIweala defended her political record in Nigeria with vigour.

In January, she had been taken to task by many Nigerians angry at her part in the government’s unpopular removal of an $8bn subsidy on fuel.

The move led to mass protests across the country as many impoverished Nigerians had regarded it as their only benefit from the nation’s oil wealth.

One Nigerian journalist said the orthodox economist had become an “anti-people person”.

‘Nobody is indispensable’ She responded that her work wiping out $18bn of the country’s debts had opened the door to large investments and created room for growth in the Nigerian economy.

But she admitted there is plenty to be done.

“Now the issue is can you build on that? That’s what this administration is focusing on: Job creation, inclusive growth,” she stated.

But, as arguably the most com-

I

•Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar (middle), inaugurating the Agusta Luh Maintenance Hangar in Lagos...yesterday

•Kim

F the competition to become the World Bank’s next president were a normal process, Jim Yong Kim wouldn’t stand a chance.

The Dartmouth College president lacks two of the traditional qualifications for running an international lending body: financial savvy and diplomatic experience.

But the race to lead the World Bank is everything but ordinary— particularly this time.

Americans have always helmed the bank, which doled out some $57 billion in loans and grants to poor and middle-income countries last year alone. Except for a congressman (Barber Conable) and a Ford Motor boss (Robert S. McNamara), all 11 chiefs were Wall Street veterans.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

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NEWS

rise of Nigeria’s finance boss ‘

Nobody is indispensable... If the African leadership wants me to (lead the World Bank) and they think this would be good for the continent and my country, and the president is willing, then I will look at it, because it’s an honour •Okonjo-Iweala

‘

•Zoellick

Okonjo-Iweala ‘is Africa’s candidate’ S the World Bank interviews Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as a candidate for its next president, academics, human rights organizations and regional bodies across Africa are supporting Okonjo-Iweala, with some calling her “Africa’s candidate.”

At the same time, Africans across the continent are calling on the United States to step aside.

In the 68 years since the World Bank’s founding, an American has always held the job of president, while a European has always headed the International Monetary Fund.

In recent years, this dynamic has led to complaints that the West has too much say in organizations that are intended to benefit emerging economies. Many Africans say they should be led by people who are actually from these economies.

Nigerian political scientist Hussaini Abdu, with the anti-

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poverty group ActionAid says that if Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is chosen to head the World Bank, it would give the institution credibility in countries that do not trust it.

“The significance is the fact that the leadership of the World Bank will be going to the global south.

Historically, the global south has seen itself as a victim of the World Bank, not as a beneficiary of the World Bank,” said Abdu.

On the streets of Nigeria’s capital, locals say that if the selection process is fair and transparent, their finance minister is the obvious choice. A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, and a former World Bank managing director, OkonjoIweala is competing for the bank’s top spot with Colombia’s former finance minister, José Antonio Ocampo and U.S. President Barack Obama’s nominee, Dartmouth

College President Jim Yong Kim. On a sweltering sidewalk in Abuja, local election official Abdullahi Bello smiles as he discusses Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination.

“I think [the] World Bank will need someone like her - an insider,” said Bello. “I see [her] as an insider because she has worked with the World Bank before. I think she will do well, if given the opportunity.”

But not everyone in Nigeria supports the finance minister, especially earlier this year when she helped Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan cut a decadesold fuel subsidy that economists say institutionalized corruption and slowed economic development.

Prices from virtually everything to gas to food to school fees soared, causing nationwide protests.

At a market in Abuja, Shaibu Anibe, 42, a businessman and father of three children, says most

Nigerians no longer blame the minister for the country’s situation. He says people now better understand the cut, and object only to the abruptness of the decision.

“If you know you are going to remove the fuel subsidy, give six months, eight months, one year notice. You should be able to convince Nigerians on why it should be removed,” said Anibe.

As Okonjo-Iweala’s bid gains momentum, experts say the World Bank is under increasing pressure to consider her for the seat.

Originally nominated by South Africa, Nigeria and Angola, the minister later won endorsements from the African Union, regional leaders, the Nigerian presidency, and news organizations across the continent and beyond, including from The Economist magazine and The Guardian newspaper in Britain.

Other leaders, including World

Bank President Robert Zoellick, who is stepping down at the end of June, have said that picking a non-American might be a mistake because it could lead to loss of American interest in and funding for the international organization.

Political scientist Hussaini Abdu calls the idea “ridiculous.”

“We don’t actually think that the world should continue to be blackmailed by what America is actually putting out there,” said Abdu. “I think America should accept that when America is making such contributions, it is only making the contribution to increase its influence.”

The World Bank has promised a fair and transparent process and is expected to announce its decision later this month.

Although all of candidates have powerful supporters around the world, some Nigerians are calling their finance minister, “Africa’s pride.”

petent and experienced economic mind of President Jonathan’s administration, could that happen without her?

“Nobody is indispensable,” she answered. “If the African leadership wants me to [lead the World

Bank] and they think this would be good for the continent and my country, and the president is willing, then I will look at it, because it’s an honour,” she added.

One Nigerian businessman echoed the view of many I have spo-

ken to when he told me it would be a bittersweet victory for the country to lose someone of her stature.

As we were leaving Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's spacious, marblefloored office, with her

mesmerising collection of red carpets surrounded by potted plants, a large Nigerian flag and hundreds of neatly organised textbooks and folders, she joked with us that she had already won in a way.

Stunned by the support she had

received, from former World Bank employees and eminent publications like The Economist and Financial Times, she said the whole process had helped Nigeria’s credibility hugely, whatever the outcome.

‘If competition follows normal process, Kim stands no chance’ Even outgoing president Robert Zoellick spent some time on the payroll of Goldman Sachs.

Not so the Korean-born physician Kim. At 52, he’s spent the past three years in bucolic Hanover, N.H., where his biggest diplomatic challenge appears to have been quelling—with mixed success, according to a recent Rolling Stone exposé—a fondness among its fraternities for painting their pledges in vomit.

But there’s logic to the Obama administration’s choice for the job.

Though it was decreed at the 1944 Bretton Woods confab that the United States would name the bank’s president, it has 186 other stakeholders. And for the first time ever, they’re making their voices

‘

Americans have always helmed the bank, which doled out some $57 billion in loans and grants to poor and middle-income countries last year alone.

Except for a congressman (Barber Conable) and a Ford Motor boss (Robert S. McNamara), all 11 chiefs were Wall Street veterans. Even outgoing president Robert Zoellick spent some time on the payroll of Goldman Sachs. Not so the Korean-born physician Kim.

‘

heard.

When the World Bank board meets this week in Washington, it will have two other candidates to interview:

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and José Antonio Ocampo, the former finance ministers of Nigeria and Colombia, respectively.

In another contest, their backgrounds would give them an edge. But here’s why Kim may be an inspired choice: if poverty’s insidious bedfellow is disease, it knows few enemies like Kim. He has a superhero’s résumé of fighting the dark forces of illness.

Kim was a cofounder of Partners in Health, which is seeking to eradicate infectious diseases like tuberculosis in the poorest nations on the planet. He chaired the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. In 2003 he moved to the World Health Organization and directed its efforts in fighting HIV and AIDS. True, none of this has anything to do with making loans. But that’s sort of the point. Kim’s career has focused

on the outcomes of development rather than the process.

At a moment when U.S. control of the bank is being challenged by the primary recipients of its largesse, that’s a critical distinction.

Kim may not gain the consensus of all 25 World Bank directors when he sits down with them on Wednesday. BRIC nations are keen to flex their influence—last month in New Delhi they even discussed creating their own version of a World Bank.

But putting a development specialist in charge for the first time would certainly beat replicating past precedent.

Imagine President Obama naming Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein to lead a global effort to eliminate poverty.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

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NEWS Fed Govt, others to study Osun job scheme From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

The Federal Government and 15 states have sent representatives to understudy the Osun State Youth Employment Scheme (OYES).

Led by World Bank officials, the representatives from Kogi, Kano, Niger, Enugu, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, Bauchi, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Cross River, Imo and Abia states and Abuja have converged in Osun State for a two-day seminar to understudy OYES. The representatives of the Federal Government include officials of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Ministry of Youths Development and others.

A World Bank consultant on Social Protection, Dr. Sulaiman Yusuf, led the team that inspected the OYES volunteers yesterday at St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo.

Those on the team are Mr. E. Imosan; an Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Abuja; Enekwechi Theresa, an officer of NAPEP; Alhaji Abubakar Omale, Coordinator, Youth Empowerment Scheme, Kogi State; Alhaji Ismail Yar’Adua, Assistant Director, NDE, Abuja; and others.

Director-General of the Bureau of Social Services, Mr. Olufemi Ifaturoti, who led the World Bank team, said the success of the scheme has made it a compelling model for Nigeria to adopt in solving youths unemployment.

Officials of OYES, who led the teams on the inspection, are Mr. Gbenga Odulaja, Mr. Kola Omotunde Young and the Commandante of the OYES, Col. Enibukun Oyewole.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT I Bola Azeezat Kosoko, female Christian in Nigeria, hereby announce the loss of all my original documents for the purchase of 2 bedroom apartment from Lagos State Ministry of Housing Lagos State. The said documents got lost in transit.

PUBLIC NOTICE EMMANUEL I, EMMANUEL STANFORD and EMMANUEL UKPABI are one and same person.Now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL STANFORD. All former documents remain valid. General should please take note.

ADETUNJI I Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adetunji Agbonyin Lola wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lola Oshodi. All former document remain valid, general public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of the loss of original copy of the Right of Occupancy of the property situated at Plot 1305 of about 1.200 Sqm, Kurudu Layout, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, belonging to Mr Marcel Irem.

All effort made to trace the document proved abortive.

If found please report to AMAC or the nearest police station.

• Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (third left); Deputy Chief of Staff Alhaji Shuaib Salisu (left); National Missioner, Nasrul-Lahi-Fatih (NASFAT), Alhaji Abdullahi Akinbode (second left); NASFAT National President Alhaji Sheriff Yusuf (third right); Commissioner for Information and Strategy Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu (second right) and Permanent Secretary (Protocol) Alhaji Abbas Olanegan; during the visit of NASFAT executive members to the governor in Abeokuta, the state capital...yesterday.

Osun ACN warns PDP over alleged T attacks on Southwest govts HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun State has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop attacking Southwest governments through falsehood and propaganda.

In a statement by its Director of Publicity, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, the party accused the PDP of “lying often to discredit the ACN governments, especially that of Osun State.”

The party said the “latest in the series of lies by the PDP was the attempt to give the false impression that the administration of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola is mismanaging the state’s finances as well as engaging in a borrowing binge for which it criticised the ousted administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola”.

The statement reads: “In a spate of allegations, the PDP alleged that the ACN took a N25 billion loan from the First Bank in its first three months in office and a N35 billion loan

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

from an Islamic bank. These allegations are false. They are deliberate misrepresentations of facts to create a bad impression about the governor.

“The government did not borrow N25 billion from First Bank. The facility was offered to the government by the bank to refinance the N18.38 billion loan taken by the Oyinlola administration.

“Interestingly, the facility was offered after the government repaid N10 billion of the Oyinlola loan and the only amount utilised by the government from the facility was N8.6 billion.

“It is absolute fallacy that the Aregbesola administration has taken N35 billion from an Islamic bank. The

truth is that the PDP-led Federal Government actually sourced $500 million from the said bank to assist states in the federation.

“Osun State is fortunate to be one of those selected by the Federal Government to benefit from it and our proposed share of that money is $60 million. The Federal Government is yet to give Osun State a kobo from the money.

“PDP is threatening to mobilise Osun citizens to prevent the government from taking a N30 billion bond to finance critical projects that have been articulated in the 2012 budget.

“The truth of the matter is that the PDP in Osun State is moribund. It lacks credibility and its leadership is too pedestrian in quality to mobilise against the Aregbesola

government.

“That is why the Southwest wing of the party has resorted to lies to confuse issues and create doubts in the minds of the uninformed people.

“For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did Aregbesola speak against borrowing. He only criticised Oyinlola for taking a commercial bank loan with high interest rate in the twilight of his administration and spending it on ghost projects.

“Let the Nigerian public be informed, especially the good people of the Southwest, that if Aregbesola can liquidate a commercial bank loan of N18.38 billion and save N34 billion in just 11 months of his administration, that is the kind of leader to be trusted to excellently manage a bond of N30 billion. PDP’s lies cannot change that fact.”

Why I want to be governor,

by Akeredolu F ORMER President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) yesterday joined the Ondo State governorship race on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

He said he would unseat Governor Olusegun Mimiko at the election slated for October 20.

Akeredolu is one of the leading lawyers, who defended Mimiko’s case at the Election Petitions Tribunal in Akure, the state capital, for 22 months and facilitated his emergence as governor.

Addressing his supporters during a rally held at his Aketi Campaign Network (ACN) Secretariat, the lawyer said transparency, accountability and development are vital to good governance.

He said: “If elected, I will meet with the people periodically to render an account of my stewardship and get feedback from them.

“Indigenes and residents would be free to ask any questions from government functionaries and the government would use the medium to explain its policies and gauge their impact on the citizenry.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

“I am convinced that given my experiences in administrative processes and my training as an attorney-general, coupled with an unbroken practice for almost three and a half decades and my passion to free Ondo from a directionless and dishonest government, I can take the state to greater heights.”

Akeredolu said he stands out among the aspirants.

On why he chose to contest the election on the platform of the ACN, he said the party represents the restoration of hope to the masses.

Akeredolu said: “Governor Babatunde Fashola is in Lagos holding aloft the banner of quintessential performance and Governor Adams Oshiomhole has exposed the lie in the seeming impossibility of making the people feel the impact of governance in Edo State.

“Governor Rauf Aregbesola is busy demystifying the grandiose charade put in place to loot the resources of Osun State, while Governor Kayode Fayemi is bringing to bear his cerebral compe-

tence.

“Governor Abiola Ajimobi is cleaning the Augean stable of ineptitude and corruption in Oyo State and Governor Ibikunle Amosun is making efforts to turn around the fortunes of the Gate Way State, after the activities of the locusts.”

He said ACN is the only alternative Nigerians have.

The aspirant said the Southwest is determined to free itself from the debilitating effects of directionless govern-

•Akeredolu

ments and Ondo people are ready to join their kinsmen to ensure the emancipation of the downtrodden.

Another ACN governorship aspirant, Dr. Olu Agunloye; Chief Tayo Alasoadura; and Mr. Tunji Osati were at the event.

Ex-Regional Administrator Majekodunmi dies at 95

O

NE of Nigeria’s elder statesmen, Dr. Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi, is dead.

He died yesterday in his home in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Director of Clinical Services at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Ebun Bamgboye confirmed Majekodunmi’s death.

Majekodunmi was aged 95.

He was the First Republic Minister of Health and the Administrator of the Western Region during the political crisis in the region in 1962.

The consultant obstetrician and gyneacologist founded St. Nicholas Hospital in 1968.

He married Nora C. Maclaughlin in 1943 and they divorced in 1963.

The late Majekodunmi married Saratu Katsina Attah in 1964. He is survived by five sons and two daughters.

His father is the Otun of Egba, late Chief James. B. Majekodumi.

The late doctor attended Abeokuta Grammar School; St Gregory’s, Lagos; and the University of Dublin, where he got a second class honours in Anatomy and Physiology in 1936, and later in 1938 and 1940, first class honours in Bacteriology and Clinical Medicine.

LP’ll lose Ondo next year, says Abayomi

A

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, yesterday said the Labour Party (LP) government will terminate in 2013.

He urged Governor Olusegun Mimiko to start preparing his hand over note.

In a statement, Abayomi said the people are fed up with Mimiko’s style of governance.

He said: “The incompetence exemplified in the over-bloated expenditure of over N350 billion, with an unworthy al-

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor and Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

lowance for a most unnecessary debt, makes the LP government a reference point for leadership deficiency.

“In November, 2010, the government boasted that it has embarked on over 50 major road projects. Today, not one is completed. With the unquestionable authority that disdains the rule of law, transparency and accountability, the government remains dis-

abled.

“Its mega schools have brought mega education confusion that requires an uncommon fee for admission forms, which is beyond the reach of our poor population.

“The health sector remains one of Ondo State’s greatest tragedies. Agriculture, the mainstay of the state’s economy and wellness, has been deemphasised for three years.

“Education, as exemplified in public schools, remains the worse example of poor promises for economic revival.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

7

CITYBEATS Foss Marai partners AY

By Ovwe Medeme

LAST Easter Sunday, Corporate World Entertainment, the outfit behind the AY Brand, made a statement with its crowd pulling comedy concert tagged: AY Live.

Held at the expo hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites, the event showcased comedy and musical artistes like Gordons, Okey Bakassi, Helen Paul, Elenu, I Go Dye, Jedi, Whiz Kid, Ice Prince, W4, Brymo, Tiwa Savage and others.

The premiered rib cracking comic skits featuring Ghollywood's John Dumelo and Jackie Appiah. The concert also witnessed the unveiling of Unknown, the first artiste of Premium Music, which is another branch of Corporate World Entertainment.

The artiste, who was signed last year, has been receiving airplay from radio stations. He also has the video of his hit single, Kilishi, on major cable and terrestrial television channels.

Budding Italian wine champagne brand Foss Marai Nanna threw its weight behind the event.

According to the Director of Nigerian Operations of the brand, Nanna Agbaso, partnering with the AY Brand is informed by the fact that both brands share the same values which is not just having fun but actually enjoying a lifestyle.

"Media and marketing go hand in hand. AY has taken the time to look into the target of his audience. We are very impressed with the kind of people coming here so we are definitely happy and proud to say that the people who are coming here today will be a very good push for our brand," Agbaso said.

Adesina releases another album FEMALE Christian singer and poet Damola Adesina has released the Yoruba version of her album: The Praise of the Father.

The work entitled: Iba Olodumare, will be launched on May 1 at the Coral Reef, 10A Ikoya Avenue, Off Mcpherson Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, at noon.

In a statement, Adesina said: "Olodumare, the Supreme God, has no shrine, no special drums, rhythms or any definite object of devotion.

Praise, pure worship is all He takes. And this is what I have achieved in Iba Olodumare offering thorough sacrifice to the creator of heaven and earth in a chant mode wholly biblical in content with flavour from aweinspiring phenomena revealed by modern science, interlaced with captivating sound effects around phrases of classical music rendered in traditional Yoruba Oriki structure."

In the album she recited 697 verses of the scripture to offer listeners a significant level of spiritual uplifting eliciting spontaneous responses. Her recitation of these verses showed that Olodumare 'inhabits the praise of His people.

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

Doctors' strike cripples hospitals •Patients urge peaceful resolution of dispute

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ATIENTS are feeling the pinch of the strike which started in Lagos State, yesterday. Many in-patients groaned on their bed as there were no doctors to attend to them.

The umbrella body of the Medical Guild which called the strike is demanding “full implementation” of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for all doctors. Activities in many hospitals, were at a low ebb because of the strike.

Only consultants and nurses attended to patients at the Lagos State University Teaching (LASUTH), Gbagada General, Lagos Island General and Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital.

Some patients were seen in the wards wearing long faces and wondering what would be their fate if the strike persists.

Many out-patients on seeing the situation on ground left for private hospitals. A patient at LASUTH, said the doctors should consider the sick before going on. He described the doctors as lacking human feeling.

The doctors, he said, should have embraced dialogue when approached by the government, adding that nothing can be achieved in crisis. The patients appealed to the doctors to listen to the government for peace to reign in the health sector.

At Orile-Agege General Hospital, patients gathered at the waiting room, but there were no doctors to attend to them.

Some patients found solace in the words of nurses who assured them that the doctors might suspend the warning strike. The nurses referred critical cases to consult-

Action is illegal, says health commissioner AGOS Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris yesterday described the doctors’ strike as illegal.

He said the Trade Act stipulates that a 15-day notice should be given to the government before the action begins. In a statement, he assured government hospital users that emergency medical services would be available during the strike, which will end tomorrow.

He said the government would "genuinely engage" the doctors’, adding that negotiations were ongoing before the action.

To him, the doctors' attitude does not show that they care about the people. He said the government has engaged the services of physicians to man the hospitals while the strike lasts.

According to Idris, although the strike is contrary to the mandatory requirement of 15-day notice for such action, the government will do all in its power to prevent a recurrence.

He said: "Government has shown its commitment to ensuring harmony and peaceful working relations w ith its workforce by making special concessions for those in the health sector in view of the peculiarity of their jobs, but it appears these gestures are neither acknowledged nor reciprocated.

"Government has also had series of meetings with the Medical Guild executives to foster good working relationship and ensure active communication and discussion on issues of mutual concern."

Idris said the new Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) took cognisance of allowances payable to doctors in the state, adding that efforts were on to iron out grey areas.

"The major issues raised by the Medical Guild have been carefully looked into, and solutions proffered in areas where amenable.

"Explanations were given as regards areas that will

L

By Wale Adepoju and Mariam Ndikanwu

ants. Another patient accused doctors of trying to turn back emergency cases.

The government has invited doctors to sort out issues.

Chairman, Medical Guild, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote said there was

By Joseph Jibueze

cause disruption of the system and disharmony among the workforce, a situation which government cannot afford."

The commissioner said government can only pay sustainable wages.

"Government re-iterates that in a federal structure such as Nigeria, Lagos State has the prerogative to pay its workers wages that are competitive, but also wages that are affordable in a sustainable way. It will do so bearing in mind the other imperatives of governance in a mega-city like Lagos, such as the need for massive capital development to enhance the lives of the people. The state has no tolerance for another protracted doctors' strike, such as the one that took place in 2011, which led to the death and discomfiture of a lot of innocent Lagosians. Government will do everything in its power - everything to ensure that such a situation does not develop again."

The Medical Guild had, in an April 10, 2012 letter to the Commissioner, signed by the Chairman Dr O.P Odusote and Dr I. O. Durojaiye, served the government notice of three-day warning strike.

The letter read: "Following the non-implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) in full by the Lagos State Government, according to our agreement last year, the Medical Guild at its congress on Tuesday 3rd April 2012 resolved to embark on a 3-day warning strike from Wednesday 11th April to Friday 13th April 2012.

"During this period, all services will be withdrawn by our members. Normal work will resume at 8 a.m on Saturday 14th April 2012. We are however still desirous of a peaceful resolution of the outstanding issues and hope government will do all within its ability to prevent a protracted industrial unrest in the Lagos State health sector."

no going back unless the government resolved to pay doctors full CONMESS. Odusote, who spoke at a congress yesterday, said the doctors were concerned about the patients despite embarking on strike. This, he said, explained why they served the government a long notice before starting the strike.

Council seeks trial of Ladipo market leader

By Joseph Jibueze

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•Adaora (second right) flanked by the Ibru sisters and other plus-size models

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Adaora Ukoh to unveil clothing line

IG, Bold and Beautiful Nollywood actress Adaora Ukoh, has added a new feather to her cap. The actress has joined the league of celebrities with a clothing line. The outfit Adaora will be launched soon.

According to the actress, who is busy preparing for the launch, Adaora is a plus-sized clothing line

By Mercy Michael

targeting at taking care of the true curves of the plus sized African woman.

She said: "Every woman is beautiful and beauty comes from within".

It was learnt that the actress has wooed the plus-sized Ibru sisters,

Gloria, Elvina and Obukome, as one of her long lineup of models for her project. For the launch, Adaora has outlined designs for the runway-Red carpet diva, Plump Bohemian Chick, The Party Rider, Voluptous Vixen, The Office Lady, Classic Casual, The Turban African Queen and many others.

LAGOS EMERGENCY LINES 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.

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

He berated the government for using armed policemen to stop the doctors from gathering to have their congress at LASUTH, saying it is against labour laws to stop workers from meeting to discuss issues affecting them.

The strike, he said, would be reviewed after 8:00am on Saturday to know the next action.

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.

USHIN Local Government Area of Lagos has demanded the prosecution of Mr Jonathan Okoli, for allegedly overstaying as chairman of the Traders' Association of Aguiyi Ironsi Market, Ladipo.

Okoli’s tenure the council claimed, expired in 2008.

In a statement by its Information Officer, Olusegun Akinyemi, the council refuted a report in which Okoli claimed that litigation is stalling fresh election.

"For Okoli to refer to such a case which he instituted as being the cause of the delay in conducting election is criminal.

"Okoli assumed office in 2006, with a tenure of two years. Automatically by 2008, he seized to be the President of Aguiyi-Ironsi International Market," Akinyemi said.

He added: "Okoli has turned himself into a terror. Even the developer of the market, Paramo Venture, cannot enter the market presently.

The traders who are against him cannot trade there.

"How can anybody obtain an injunction in a case that has yet to be heard and use that to deceive the public?

"Okoli should be prosecuted and dealt with in accordance with the laws of the country."

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

NEWS Fed Govt files appeal against Akingbola

Kwara hospitals to treat gunshot victims From Adekunle Jimoh,

From Yusuf Alli, Managing

Ilorin

THE new Kwara State Police Commissioner Chinwike Asadu yesterday urged doctors to attend to gunshot victims before they are referred to the police for reports.

Asadu spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, when he visited members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

He said: “This issue has been over-flogged. It is not true that you must first take the gunshot victim to the police station for a police report before heading for the hospital for his treatment.

The first action is to take the victim to the hospital and subsequently inform the police.”

The police chief assured the residents of protection for life and property, saying he would leave the state better secured and more peaceful than he met it.

According to him, the command will continue to combat crimes and criminality to ensure harmony across the state.

Bayelsa SNG is fake, says group A GROUP, the Bayelsa Democratic Front (BDF), has urged the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), under Pastor Tunde Bakare, to dissociate itself from a group claiming to be SNG in Bayelsa State.

In a statement yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital, by its President-General, Mr Promise Okpoebi, BDF said the Bayelsa SNG has brought the national SNG movement to disrepute through its partisan statements and actions.

The statement reads: “The so-called SNG in Bayelsa is now fully funded with public money by Governor Seriake Dickson. The group has now become the megaphone of Dickson; it has become hopelessly partisan and cannot be seen by any right-thinking person to be an affiliate of the national movement, headed by respected Nigerians, like Pastor Bakare.”

It noted that the popular SNG is a national mass movement, which emerged at a critical time in the nation’s life.

BDF said the popular SNG “mobilised the Nigerian people to build a non-partisan, non-ethnic, non-religious platform to intervene in national politics during the health crisis of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. It also played a critical role during the last fuel subsidy struggle”.

The statement added: “That national group should not be seen to have any romance, affinity or linkage with the disorderliness, intimidation and political shenanigans at helms of affairs in Bayelsa.

“The SNG should publicly dissociate itself from these political jobbers masquerading as activists in Bayelsa State.

“Where were these Bayelsa SNG elements when all of Nigeria rose as one during the January struggles of the people?”, the BDF PresidentGeneral asked.

Editor, Northern Operation

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•Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (left) handing over the keys of some vehicles donated to the College of Medicine of the Anambra State University to its Vice-Chancellor, represented by Dr. Ezeobi (second left).

How Adamawa ex-SSG stole N300m in three months, by ICPC •Allegedly diverts Governors’ Forum’s N17m HE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Commission (ICPC) yesterday said a former Secretary to Adamawa State Government (SSG), Mr. John Eddie Manassa, is on trial before a Yola High Court for allegedly stealing N300million from the treasury within three months.

ICPC told the court that the former SSG stole the money in tranches.

The anti-graft agency said of the money, about N45million was the state’s contribution to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

But instead of remitting the money, the ex-SSG allegedly paid only N28million to the NGF. A statement by the Resident Consultant on Media and Publicity of the ICPC, Mr. Folu Olamiti, said: “The money was allegedly moved out of the state treas-

T

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

ury at separate times between December 2007 and February 2008.

“The commission told the court that Manassa allegedly used his office to demand for, at separate times, N130million, N45million, N44million, N25million, N5million, among others, from the governor to carry out official functions, only to divert virtually the money into his private pocket.

“Although Manassa pleaded not guilty to the 10count charge of criminal diversion of public fund preferred against him by the ICPC, two of his former staff - Francisca Koji and Fadimat Sheu - who were witnesses in the case, mounted the witness box to testify against him.

“Koji, who was a cashier in the Office of the SSG between 2007 and 2008, told

the High Court how she collected cheques relevant to the case from the office of the Accountant-General.

“She said the cheques included a N130million allegedly meant for members of Adamawa State House of Assembly; N45 million cheque for Governors’ Forum; N25 million cheque for peace and security in Adamawa State; N44 million cheque for outstanding payment and commitments; and N5million cheque for Christmas and Salah.

“ICPC, however, led evidence to the effect that the monies were moved out under the pretext that they were meant for the said official purposes but were diverted to his private pocket.

“Fadimatu, who retired after spending 25 years in service, gave evidence on the monies, to the effect that she was collected the controversial cheques from Koji and deposited them in the SSG’s ac-

count in Zenith Bank.”

On the N130million cheque meant for the House of Assembly, Fadimatu said after collecting the cheque from the Office of the Accountant-General, she informed the SSG, who instructed her to cash the cheque. She said she did.

“She testified further that the SSG also directed her to take the money to a member of the House of Assembly representing Girei Constituency.

“She said she did not know the house of the member but that the Personal Assistant to the SSG, the late Usman Joda, and Hamisu Idris, the Senior Special Assistant to the SSG, took her with the money to the house of the member.

“Shesaid when they got there, they met some people who asked them to confirm the money, which she did.

She was later told to drop the money which she did at the parlor...”

ICPC arraigns Registrar, others over illegal degree-awarding institutions

HE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said it has arraigned five persons and institutions, including the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU) in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, and the school’s Registrar, Adenike Oloketuyi, for allegedly running an illegal degree-awarding institution.

They are facing eight-count charge before Justice Edigin of Benin High Court.

Those on trial are: Michael Aideyan, David Ojo, Institute of Continuing Education, Benin City, Adenike Oloketuyi and Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko.

A statement by the Resident Consultant (Media and Publicity) of the ICPC, Mr. Folu Olamiti, said the accused were arraigned on “the grounds that they allegedly assumed authority they did

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From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

not have. They also abused their offices by running an outreach centre at the Institute of Continuing Education, Benin City which awarded university degrees without obtaining approval of the President through the Minister of Education as required by law.”

The statement added: “The first (Michael Adeyan) and second (David Ojo) accused persons, were said to be the Rector and Registrar of the Institute of Continuing Education, between 1996 and 2007 within which time they are charged to have run an illegal outreach centre affiliated to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, for the award of university degrees without the approval of the Federal Government.

‘Count two of the charges joined Aideyan and Ojo, with Oloketuyi, the Registrar of Adekunle Ajasin University. ‘ “This offence, according to the court, contravenes the National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions Act, Cap E3 of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“Count two of the charges joined Aideyan and Ojo, with Oloketuyi, the Registrar of Adekunle Ajasin University.

“They are being charged for allegedly running an illegal outreach centre at the Institute of Continuing Education in Benin City between 2008 and 2011.

“The ‘illegal’ institute was alleged to have been affiliated with the Adekunle Ajasin University within this period, for the illegal award of university degrees without obtaining prior authority from the federal government.

“The five accused are also being charged for fraudulently obtaining N45, 000 tuition fee from Esther Izubokun, a student admitted in the illegal outreach centre at the Institute of Continuing Education, Benin City.

“The tuition fee was obtained in 2008 for the 2007/ 2008 academic year. Likewise, the trio was accused of obtaining another N45,000 from the same Esther Izubokun in 2010 for the 2008/2009 academic year...”

“The case was then adjourned to May 22nd for plea taking by accused persons.”

HE Federal Government yesterday filed an appeal against the dismissal of a money laundering case against former Executive Vice-Chairman of the defunct Intercontinental Bank, Mr. Erastus Akingbola.

It said the April 2 verdict

by Justice Charles Efanga Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, was perverse. It demanded a re-trial by reassigning the case to another Federal High Court judge.

The government said the prosecution counsel were not tardy as claimed by the judge in dismissing the charges against Akingbola.

The judge had, on April 2, dismissed the criminal charges against Akingbola for lack of diligent prosecution.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on December 31, 2010, arraigned the banker on a 26-count amended charge of misuse of depositors’ funds, abuse of office and money laundering of about N5billion.

But in a Notice of Appeal through its counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) and Godwin Obla, the Federal Government sought three prayers from the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division.

The appeal was filed pursuant to Sections 241 and 243 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Order 17 Rule 3 of the Court of Appeal Rules 2011.

In the notice of April 10, the Federal Government sought three reliefs and listed four grounds of appeal with many particulars of error.

Activists urge Senate to disband pension panel

By Olamilekan Andu

A

COALITION of rights groups has called for the disbandment of

the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on the probe of pension scheme scam.

In a statement by the Executive Director of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim, and the National Secretary of Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC), Mr Babatunde Oluajo, the groups noted that the probe should be halted because it has fallen short of the nation’s expectations.

The statement reads: “The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the CDD, and ZCC thought that the good work started by the Abdulrasheed Mainaled Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) would be further complemented.

“We were, however, shocked that no sooner than the committee started its work, than signs emerged that the high expectations of Nigerians about its potential to contribute to the war against corruption would not materialise...”

9

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

NEWS Spanish man feared kidnapped

•From left: Governor Kayode Fayemi, Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dr. Akinwumi Adesinaat the Agriculture Investment Forum in Washington DC... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Fed Govt approves N2.6b for INEC permanent voter cards

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HE INDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission, (INEC) yesterday got the Federal Government’s approval for N2.6 billion to print 40 million permanent voter cards.

The unit cost of an electronically enabled voter card is N65.00 and it is expected to be ready within the next seven months. The printing contract for the new cards was awarded to ACT Technologies Limited.

Besides, the permanent cards are expected to allow voters’ participation in elections, irrespective of their locations in the country.

The printing of the permanent cards is the first phase of the project. The cards will replace the temporary ones issued to voters at the point of registration last year.

About 73.5 million voters registered last year.

Briefing reporters at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan, Information Minister Labaran Maku, alongside the Minister of State for Finance Yerima Ngama said INEC is expected to print additional cards by next year to meet the requirement of voters.

Maku said the issuance of the permanent cards was in line with 2010 Electoral Act, and they will replace the 73.5 million temporary cards issued by the commission for the last general elections.

He also explained that the new cards, which contain security features and other biodata of the voters, is valid for a minimum of 10 years.

Maku said the permanent voters’s cards would curb multiple voting, which is in line with the Jonathan administration’s plan to clean up the electoral process by achieving more credible and transparent polls, with the ul-

•Islamic Bank rates Nigeria’s economy third fastest growing From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

timate aim of ensuring a stable polity.

He said: “Next year, INEC is expected to bring another proposal for the production of another batch of voters card to FEC for approval.

“The electoral process is one of the key programmes of this administration. We saw from the last election that our electoral process are getting cleaner by the day.

Post election cases were down by more than 2/3.

“So, the electoral process will continue to receive the attention of this administration. We urge INEC to ensure that the cards are printed as soon as possible and are distributed to voters so that they can be ready for other elections between now and 2015.”

He said the president’s directive to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to list out all items in their budgetary provisions which they could be procure within the country, is another decision reached at yesterday’s meeting.

The directive, which is a follow up to the one earlier given by the president, according to Maku, is aimed at encouraging local manufacturers and foreign investors, thereby buoying the nation’s economy.

The Minister of State for Finance, while making his presentation on the outcome of the last (37th) meeting of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), said the bank has rated the country as the third fastest growing economy in the world with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 7.68 per cent.

The two countries ahead of Nigeria, according to IDB rating, are: Mongolia (14.9 per cent) and

China (8.4 per cent) According to Ngama, the bank places Nigeria among the middle income countries.

He described the rating as a significant development, which the minister said has shown growing investors’ confidence in this country and an indication that Nigeria is on track to achieving the Vision 20-2020 dreams in the next eight years.

Ngama said: “This is even more so as, according to projections of the IDB which has 56 membercountries, Nigeria’s competitors are not moving at a faster rate, meaning that Nigeria is soon to become the fastest growing economy in the world.

“Today in council, I gave a report on the presentation made at the 37th annual general meeting of the Islamic Development Bank, IDB. The bank has 56 member countries and at annual general meeting, each country is expected to present a report on the economic development in the country.

“The aim is to educate ourselves about what is happening in our countries. In the case of Nigeria, our report was actually the best.

For the year, for the quarter which ended on 31st December 2011, only about 46 countries have actually submitted their data and Nigeria was 3rd in terms of GDP growth.

“We recorded a GDP growth of 7.68 per cent in real terms and this is largely due to growth in the none oil sector.

“The previous year (2010), the GDP growth was 8.4 per cent but last year, it dropped to 7.68 per cent because we had a negative growth in the oil sector. So, it means that the none oil sector is actually resilient and strong

enough to carry the economy forward with or without the oil sector. ”This actually placed us as the 3rd fastest growing economy in the world, the first being Mongolia with 14. 9 per cent real growth rate, then China with 8.4 per cent real GDP growth rate followed by Nigeria with 7.68 per cent. “ But the more important story out of it is that as a nation, we have our Vision 20-2020 we have the objective of having one of the world’s strongest economy by the year 20-2020. All the other countries that are ahead of Nigeria , apart from China, are growing at a slower rate.

“When those ahead of you are growing slower, it means that in the next eight years, we will achieve our objective of being one of the strongest economies in the world. As at last December, our total GDP was more that N10 trillion and that is a growth that is unprecedented despite our challenges.

“We are lucky to get a board seat in the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the private sector which is like the private sector arm of the IDB and Nigeria will be representing Africa on that board. This mean most of our private sector will benefit from their finances.”

On the impact of the rating on the masses, the minister said: “Actually, the standard of living has improved in Nigeria as a result of this growth. As at December 2011, our income per capita grew from $1200 to $1400 and this actually moved us from low income countries to middle-lower income countries per world bank classification.”

SPAIN yesterday said one of its nationals has gone missing in the South of Nigeria.

The disappearance of the man "has all the characteristics of a kidnapping for economic reasons," said Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo.

Spanish media identified the man as a 58-year-old doctor, who worked for a clinic belonging to a foundation financially supported by the Catholic institution - Opus Dei in southwestern Nigeria, a predominantly Christian area.

"The organisation he works for has asked for total discretion," the foreign minister added as he arrived in parliament.

"It is in the South of the country, not in the North, so there are no political implications of any type."

Voters’ apathy blamed on govt, commission From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

A report yesterday named government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the media and politicians as the major factors responsible for electorates’ refusal to vote during elections in Nigeria.

The report entitled ‘Voter Apathy and the 2011 Elections in Nigeria’, which was commissioned

by INEC and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), was presented at a news conference in Abuja.

The Lead Researcher and Professor of Political Science, Prof Adigun Agbaje, said the report was based on a nationally representative sample of 1200 respondents randomly selected in 12 states in the six geo-political zones within 27 local government areas and 103 wards.

The report, he said, showed that 57 per cent of the respondents rated elected officials ‘not satisfactory’, 32 per cent rated them as ‘fairly satisfactory’ while 11 per cent rated them as ‘satisfactory’.

He said: “Government should provide support to INEC, fulfill electoral promises, engage in public enlightenment campaign, ensure adequate security for voters, stop corruption, enfoPrce the law and order in the society and non-interference in the electoral process.

“Politicians should fulfill the electoral promise made during campaign, stop violence and do or die politics, educate their supporters and organise peaceful political rally, accepting election results without manipulation, avoiding bribery and corruption.”

World Bank agency raises concern over Zamfara lead poisoning

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ORLD Bank agency - the Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project (SMMRP)- has raised the alarm over the side effects of the Zamfara lead poisoning.

The agency’s Assistant Coordinator, Mr. Patrick Ojeka, spoke at a workshop on Data Gathering Techniques in Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Site with Danagerous and Hazardous Materials.

Ojeka said: “As we are here, from down the pit, we are already living with the crisis. We are eating, breathing the hazardous water and even the food we take.

“You will agree with me that the domestic animals that are contaminated with the lead are being eaten. So, directly or indirectly, we are having some elements of these in our system. So, this is the follow up to build capacity

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

for our technical staff to be able to proffer this solution.”

The SMMRP conducted a training for the technical members of staff from the Federal Ministries of Health, Mines and Steel Development, Labour, Water Resources and the Environment, on how to mine lead without tears.

The workshop, according to Ojeka, came on the heels of the lead poising that claimed the lives of over 200 women and children in Zamfara state in 2010.

He recalled that following the disaster, President Goodluck Jonathan raised an inter-ministerial committee of six ministries to proffer solutions to flash-points in the country for the purpose of mitigating the reoccurrence of the Zamfara incident.

Ojeka: “But unfortunately, that

incident if not worse than what happened in Zamfara is already in our hands. So, those in the interministerial committee were commissioned to proffer solution to Artisanal and Small Mining (ASM) sites.”

He explained that the participants at the workshop will be mobilised to the minefield to train the miners on safe mining.

The 100 beneficiaries, according to him, “will in future go to the field to be able to determine the hazardous metals that are dangerous and poisonous to our health.”

The Assistant Coordinator said the case of Zamfara was lead poisoning “because the percentage in your system is above what is allowable, it locks up the system in you. Apart from lead, there are also other associated metals that are hazardous to our health. “

He said notwithstanding its prevalence everywhere, proffering of solution which was part of the essence of the capacity building, is to determie potential zones to be able to mitigate against the propensity.

Ojeka said: “Because when these things are inhaled or consumed in little quantity, after certain weeks, they begin to manifest.”

Also speaking with reporters, the President, Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Sanni Shehu, noted that the association was given slots to mobilise miners from the minefield for the capacity building.

He said the workshop targeted the mines of lead and other hazardous minerals, stressing that representatives from Ebonyi, Zamfara, Plataeu , Bauchi , Gombe and Cross River states were their areas of focus.

In her presentation, the

Environmental Project Coordinator of Occupational Knowledge International, Kate Durand, stated that “heavy metals are often present in ore that pose a hazard to human health include: lead, arsenic and cadmium, but other with less common constituents may also pose a significant risk.

“These metals are associated with a range of neurological deficits in both children and adults in addition to a range of other systemic effects.

Most of the exposure to workers during the mining and processing of ore is caused by inhalation of dust generation by these activities.”

On adverse health effects caused by over-exposure it impairs the reproductive systems both in men and women, warning that it may manifest in decreased sex drive.

She added that it could cause damage to the brain, especially that of children.

10

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

NEWS

Ex-Ondo Deputy Governor Omoboriowo dies at 80

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FORMER deputy governor of the old Ondo State, Chief Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo, is dead. He was 80.

A lawyer and a native of Ijero-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Omoboriowo passed on about 6pm on Tuesday at the home of his eldest son, Mr Akinwole Omoboriowo (Jnr) in Ikeja, Lagos State.

He was deputy to the late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, who led the old Ondo State from 1979 to 1983.

Omoboriowo was the Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), now Ekiti State University (EKSU).

President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Omoboriowo as a politician who was not afraid to stand for his political beliefs.

In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Dr Reuben Abati, the President ex-

•Jonathan, Fayemi condole with family From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

pressed his condolences to his widow, family and the government and people of Ekiti State.

Dr Jonathan urged members of the late politician’s family to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled and God-fearing life.

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi described his death as a big loss to the state, the Yoruba race and the nation.

The governor said the late politician was a “consummate nationalist, respected statesman and a great defender of Ekiti interests”.

In a statement yesterday, Fayemi said Omoboriowo’s death has robbed the state of a father, commit-

ted patriot and an elder statesman, who contributed immensely to the development of the state.

He regreted that Omoboriowo’s demise came at a time the state was yet to recover from the loss of another eminent citizen, Prof Sam Aluko.

The governor recalled the contributions of the late politician to the development of the old Ondo State, comprising the present Ekiti and Ondo states. He noted that Omoboriowo was part of the legacies of the Ajasin administration on which the progressive governments in the Southwest are building their programmes.

Fayemi recalled the roles the late Omoboriowo played in the creation

of Ekiti State, saying it resulted in the birth of the state on October 1, 1996.

The governor hailed the contributions of the former deputy governor to the development of the defunct UNAD, now EKSU, where he served meritoriously as Chancellor.

He described Omoboriowo as a nationalist, a political leader and a community leader in his Ijero Local Government Area.

Fayemi said: “On behalf of my family, government and the good people of Ekiti State, please accept our heart-felt condolences.

“Papa was a consummate nationalist, respected statesman and great defender of Ekiti interests who would be missed by us all.”

“May the Good Lord endow the family with the fortitude to bear this loss.”

Exit of an ex-Awoist

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N the Second Republic, he was the most popular deputy governor. His membership of the National Executive Committee of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) underscored his prestige and influence in the progressive camp.

Until 1983, Chief Akinwole Omoboriowo, the Balogun of Ijero-Ekiti, was the beloved political son, in whom the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was well pleased.

But, a political maverick, he was a man in a hurry. Like his impatient colleagues; the late Chief Sunday Afolabi and Chief Soji Odunjo; the irredentist Ekiti patriot bade a curious farewell to the political family that groomed and nurtured him. His defection to the conservative bloc was a turning point. That singular action also had dire consequences for his political future.

It was ironic. Prior to that time, Omoboriowo had coined the word: “Awoism”, the title of a 110-page book he wrote on the “Select themes on the complex ideology of Chief Obafemi Awolowo”. The UPN leader chaired the public presentation of the book in Akure, the Ondo State capital, shortly after he became the deputy governor. Throughout his political pupilage under the great leader, he appeared before him in the famed “Awo cap”, the outward manifestation of discipleship.

Since his school days at St. Peters’ College, Akure, Omoboriowo had been a fan of Awo. Among the current affairs students, majority of whom were fascinated by the ideas of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, he emerged the curator of “awoism”, explaining Awo’s ideas espoused in his book: “Path to Nigeria’s Freedom”.

However, it was the foremost Ekiti teacher and political leader, the late Chief Oduola Osuntokun, who was a member of the House of Assembly and minister between 1952 and 1966, that politically discovered Omoboriowo. In the days of Action Group(AG), it was the policy of the party to attract promising youths into the party.

Thus, Omoboriowo became an activist within the youth caucus; the AG Youth Association led by the late Chief Remi Fani-Kayode, and later, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, who was nicknamed “the bearded revolutionary chemist”.

At the University of Ibadan, Omoboriowo the idealist, plunged into student unionism. He was an avid reader of great books written by fertile minds, including Kwame Nkrumah, Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi and Fidel Castro of Cuba. His oratory prowess, depth and intellectual acumen earned him the chairmanship of the University of Ibadan branch of the AG, the party he joined in 1952. As an under-graduate student, he had proved himself as a dependa-

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

ble young associate of Awo, who had taken keen interest in his activities as a campus politician.

In 1962, Omoboriowo was distressed by the split in the AG. But he stood, like most AG youths of the time, behind his leader Awo. Ironically, his leader at home, Osuntokun, had defected to the Ladoke Akintola camp. In 1965, he had a rough deal in the hand of the ‘Demo Party’ hatchet men. Omoboriowo was leading a campaign train in Ekiti for the parliamentary elections when he was arrested by the police on the orders of the deputy premier of the Western region, ‘Fani-Power’. He was detained in Ado-Ekiti Prison for one month. That was in 1965, shortly after his graduation from the University of Ibadan. Hell was let loose in those days against “Awolowo boys”, who refused to join Akintola in his rebellion against the AG leader.

Among those who suffered bruises included: foremost journalist Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Agunbiade Bamishe, Sunday Afolabi, Adamo Yesufu, Busari Adelakun, Ehinafe Babatola, Ezekiel Oni-Atiba, Sikiru Shitta-Bey, and Ayo Adebanjo.

The deceased wanted to become a teacher after graduation, but he was offered a job as an administrative officer at the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, where he later worked as a Principal Assistant Registrar. There he honed his leadership skills. Later, he studied Law at the University of Lagos, Akoka. He completed his law programme at the University of Ife. When Awolowo was released from prison, Omoboriowo continued to politically worship at his feet. He was one of the arrowheads of the Committee of Friends in Ondo State. Remarkably, he was among the associates who accompanied Awo to Ghana for the Nkrumah Lecture Series.

In 1978/79, Awolowo had penciled Omoboriowo’s name down as running mate to the UPN governorship candidate, Chief Adekunle Ajasin. Although Ajasin preferred Chief Reuben Fasoranti, one of the politic al leaders of Akure, for the role, Awo prevailed on him, with the explanation that Omoboriowo’s choice was strategic for the purpose of ethnic balancing.

As deputy governor, Omoboriowo was the defacto governor. Out of 12 commissioners. he personally recommended eight for appointment to his boss. Unfortunately, under the presidential system, the 1979 Constitution allotted no meaningful role to the number two citizen. Omoboriowo ultimately was engulfed in the ethnic politics and tension between Ekitis and non-Ekitis in the government, the House of Assembly and the civil service. The Ondo State UPN was polarised, following the declaration of

‘Oyo roads, bridges ready soon’ YO State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Alhaji Yunus Akintunde has assured the residents that some of the ongoing roads and bridges project would be ready soon.

Fifty-eight roads and eight bridges are being built across the state and a flyover bridge is being constructed at the popular Mokola Roundabout, Ibadan, to ease traffic.

The commissioner told reporters after inspecting some roads and bridges in Ibadan, the state capital, that the contracts were awarded in phases.

He said projects under the first and second phases would soon be ready, adding that work on the remaining three phases is ongoing.

“The government has judiciously utilised the people’s money for their benefits. Governor Abiola Ajimobi wants the people of Oyo State to know him for commitment to health, security, roads and other infrastructure. Indeed, he has scored more than 90 per cent in these three aspects,” Akintunde said.

The commissioner said the reconstruction of the Alakia interchange road and flyover in Ibadan would be intensified.

He urged members of the benefitting communities to desist from damaging the projects.

Akintunde said: “It is a crime to humanity; it is a crime to the community and to the government. The government is spending a lot of money on the construction of roads.

So, the people should make good use of them.”

The commissioner said no government official has taken any money from any contractor. He urged the people to inform the government if they notice any misdeed by the contractors.

The commissioner and his entourage inspected Papa-Akanle-Olosan Road in Alakia; Wakajaiye Road; Ajibode-Alphonso-Shasha Road and Ajibode-Apete Road, all within Ibadan metropolis.

O

Ondo ACN chieftain denies sponsoring violence From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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•The late Chief Omoboriowo

Omoboriowo to slug it out with his principal - Ajasin - at the governorship primaries ahead of 1983.

When Omoboriowo lost his deposit, he defected to the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), where the governorship candidate, Mr. Familoni, stepped down for him. Although the people loved Omoboriowo, they refused to endorse his defection to the NPN, a party they perceived as an affront against the Awolowo leadership.

The 1983 governorship poll was rigged in favour of NPN. It provoked violent reactions. Among fellow defectors killed during the political riot were the House of Representatives member Olaiya Fagbamigbe, Akure NPN leader, Agbayewa, and member of House of Assembly, Tunde Agunbiade. The Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) office on Oba Adesida Road, Akure, was razed.

Omoboriowo was depressed by the turn of events. Although former President Shehu Shagari offered him a ministerial appointment, he declined. Later, Dr. Bode Olowoporoku filled the slot. But that marked the end of Omoboriowo’s political career. In subsequent dispensations, he shunned politics. Members of the progressive camp in the Southwest did not forgive his political backsliding. Although he was ready to rec-

oncile with his former political family, he was shunned by his former colleagues. The reconciliation brokered by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade between him and Ajasin hit the rock. The relationship between him and Ajasin on one hand, and Awolowo on the other hand, ended on that sour note, although he showed up at the Apapa, Lagos home of the sage to pay his last respect when he died in 1987.

Attempts to bounce back to relevance during the dark days of the military was difficult. Omoboriowo was the deputy chairman of NARECON set up by the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, to work out imaginary reconciliation, following the refusal of the military to restore Chief Moshood Abiola’s mandate. The body was led by former Information Minister Chief Alex Akinyele. His last public service was as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti. The university also conferred on him a honorary doctorate degree.

Omoboriowo will be remembered as one of the brains behind the agitations for the creation of Ekiti State. In his last interview with The Nation, he said he had deliberately shunned politics to enable him maintain intimacy with his creator.

FORMER Ondo State Commissioner for Transport, Otunba Omoniyi Omodara, yesterday denied a report that his vehicle was used to convey hoodlums to assault members of the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Government Area, on Tuesday.

Omodara, who recently dumped LP for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), described the report as defamatory.

Through his lawyer, Prince Segun Akanmode, the former commissioner said the report, aired on the state Radiovision Corporation (OSRC) and published by some national newspaper, injured the reputation of the politician, being a decent and law-abiding public figure.

In a letter to the director-General of OSRC, demanding the retraction of the report, Omodara said: “The report contained an innuendo that I provided facilities for political thugs to perpetrate evils.

“We have also watched in disgust the hollow and reckless interview granted by some of the alleged victims of the purported assault to your corporation, in a bid to further escalate your defamatory antics.

“However, information at our disposal shows that on April 9, members of the ACN were conducting the Galilee celebration in front of their party secretariat when over 20 hoodlums, led by Abiola Omodara, invaded the venue with dangerous weapons.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

The vision of the Ministry of Investment is to increase the contribution of SMEs to the nation’s GDP from 10 per cent to 30 per cent and increase export earnings through SMEs from three per cent to 25 per cent within the lifetime of this administration.

-Mr Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment

Naira gains on ample dollar supply

Brokers seek banks’ support for market makers

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HE naira strengthened against the United States’ dollar on the interbank market and official window yesterday, supported by large dollar inflows from oil companies and offshore investors.

The local currency according to Reuters news, closed at N157.40 to the dollar on the interbank, firmer than the N157.50 to the dollar it closed on Tuesday.

Traders said local units of Chevron sold $70 million on Tuesday, while Total sold $6 million and Addax sold $10 million on Wednesday.

“There are some dollar inflows from offshore investors interested in this week’s treasury bills auction, while weak demand has also helped keep rates down,” one dealer said.

On the bi-weekly foreign exchange auction, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold $150 million at N155.80 to the dollar, compared with $150 million at N155.90 to the dollar at last Wednesday’s auction.

“We are expecting a gradual appreciation of the naira in the coming days because of the increase dollar inflows and weak demand at interbank and official window,” another dealer said.

The Federal Government plans to auction N183.64 billion in 91-, 182- and 364-day treasury bills at an auction on Wednesday, which was expected to attract more offshore participation and increase dollar inflows into the economy.

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 lending-22.42% 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

S

• From left: Senior Manager, IT Advisory, KPMG Advisory Services, Mr Saheed Olawuyi (left); Group Head, Retail Banking (Lagos Mainland), FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, Mr Seyi Oyefeso; Head, Consumer Banking, Mrs. Funke Smith; Mr Fidelis Ajibogun, National Lottery Regulatory Commission and Manager, IT Advisory, KPMG Advisory Services, Mr Martins Olajide, at the quarterly draw of the ongoing ‘FirstBank Save & Excel Promo’ in Lagos.

CBN begins probe of banks’ forex deals today T

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) will today launch an investigation into banks’ foreign exchange transactions.

The Nation learnt that the probe, expected to last for one month, involves all the 20 banks in the country.

The investigation, which is routine, according to sources, is in line with the apex bank’s Risk-based Supervision and will involve only the officials of the CBN. The system is intended to be pro-active as the previous compliance-based examination does not have the capacity to detect risk-based issues.

It was originally part of the 13-point agenda of the

By Ayodele Aminu, Group Business Editor

former governor of CBN, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, but it was not implemented before he left office.

Under the arrangement of the exercise, the examiners are expected to work closely with banks to understand the nature of their businesses and categorise the risks associated with it.

In banking parlance, routine examination is conducted twice a year by the CBN in collaboration with the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

Other types include special or target exams, which are meant for a specific purpose and maiden examination, which is conducted six months after a new bank, has been established.

The banking watchdog had launched a special examination into banks’ foreign exchange transactions late last year to verify their huge demands at the forex market.

The results of the audit, according to sources, had since two weeks ago been made available to the Managing Directors of the re-

spective banks and those that contravened have been sanctioned by the CBN. Twenty-one banks were examined. In the first batch were banks that are top foreign exchange players.

These are Stanbic IBTC, CityBank, Standard Chartered Bank, Guaranty Bank, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Access Bank.

The other 14 banks were examined in the second and third phases of the plan.

The three nationalised banks (Keystone, Mainstream and Enterprise) are excluded because they were new in the system.

Power sector at crossroads, says Perm Sec

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HE power sector is in a fix and requires pain ful treatment to produce results at the earliest time possible.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr. Dere Awosika, stated this yesterday at a meeting with the top Management Staff of the Ministry in Abuja.

He said the road to achieving sustainable electricity is difficult, adding that the foundation being laid by the presentadministration would hasten the process in achieving the desired result.

In a statement, the Assistant Director, Press, Greyne Anosike, said Dr. Awosika stressed the need for the staff in generation, transmission and distribution to consistently adhere to the necessary synergy required to achieve the national vision in the sector.

“You must clag and write what you see so that the patient does not die. Some drugs reduce pains faster than others so we must inject the fastest pain relieving drug into the system so that the patient (power sector), does not die, but recover from its debilitating and perennial ailment,” she stated,

• Katsina to get additional 10.8mw From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

adding that “the light vision for Nigeria, mission possible” should be the watchword in the sector. “Work as if your life depended on this ‘power thing,” she stated.

She urged the staff to absorb “any person who can help us. If there are Nigerians (outside the service) who can help the system, please accommodate them.

We can’t afford to fail in this sector. We are not going to tolerate any person, no matter how highly placed, to constitute a clog in the wheel thereby retarding the progress. We must have this light and have it more abundantly soon,” she stressed. “ Our lives and those of our children depend on electricity, the economy, employment, health sector, education, aviation and achieving all the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, depend on this elusive power generation. “ You can understand why the government would not condone any recalcitrant elements on the way. We

must successfully breast the tape before looking back.The various strategies may be painful, but we need to scrub the wound ( power sector), scrub, let the wound bleed, so that it would heal quickly.

“The power sector reform is a creation of the National Assembly. There are laid down rules and due processes to be followed in restoring sanity to the system.

Our ministers are working their socks off to cast the demon out of the sector and therefore must not be coerced into abandoning the processes established by law so as to pacify critics,” she stated, adding that “no room for mistakes will be tolerated in the privatisation.

Nigeria’s first wind farm funded power plant by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is expected to contribute 10MW to the national grid.

In a statement, the Ministry of Power said the wind propelled power project is due for inauguration in July this year in Kastina State.

The Minister of State for Power, Darius Ishaku, who stated this in a chat when the Kastina State Commissioner for Water Resources, Jamilu Mohammed Dan Musa and the Special Adviser on Higher Education, Dr.Garba Shehu Matazu, visited him in Abuja, yesterday, said another 0.8MW would be transmitted directly to the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Kastina to serve it. The 0.8MW, he added, would be sourced from a solar energy project also on-going in the State.

He advised the state government to woo private investors to participate in the provision of electricity, as the government was willing to encourage privatepublic partnership (PPP).

He said the Federal Government is making efforts to provide lasting solutions to the challenges in the power sector, adding that the current problem of outages is caused by the shut down of Kainji Hydro Power plant due to flood and under performance of the turbines in the Shiroro Hydro Power station due to low water level in the last few weeks.

OME capital market op erators yesterday called on commercial banks to provide financial assistance to the newly appointed market makers in the capital market.

The operators said that the collaboration and financial support by banks to the 10 market markers would create the needed depth and liquidity in the market.

A market maker is a brokerage firm that accepts the risk of holding certain quantities of a stock to facilitate trading in the security.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), had on April 4, appointed 10 market markers to provide more liquidity and depth in the nation’s bourse.

The operators told NAN in separate interviews in Lagos that the capital market needed special financial window before the market markers would start operating.

Malam Garba Kurfi, the Chief Executive Officer, APT Securities and Funds Ltd., said the N750 million minimum capital requirement for the market makers was inadequate for their operation.

He said market making in troubled and depressed bourse like the NSE required more than N750 million for daily market intervention.

Fed Govt to audit factory safety facilities From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE Nigeria Social In surance Trust Fund (NSITF) and National Employers Consultative Association’s (NECA) joint project committee on enhancing compliance with Employees’ Compensation Act, yesterday vowed to conduct an audit on workplace safety facilities.

The Director-General, National Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Olusegun Osinowo, said at the inauguration of the project in Abuja, that the “project will ensure that it conducts audit on a regular basis on factory facilities that are on ground.”

He explained that the audit would be carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Labour that has its tentacles spread nationwide, saying NECA has already extended a hand of fellowship to the ministry in order to tap from its experience to ensure the success of the project.

He said under the project, there would be no hiding place for employers who are not complying with the Employee Compensation Act or the Factory Act, adding that during the year, there would be a national programme to compensate companies that are compliant with the Factory Act and the Employee Compensation Act.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

12

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1.

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LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

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LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

for the airlines to charge cheaper fares.

He insisted that NCAA would not allow Nigerian travellers to be shortchanged in any form by any international carrier. He added that any form of collusion by international carriers would be discouraged by the agency.

The NCAA boss decried a situation where Nigerian travellers first travel to Ghana to board flights to Europe because of regional fare imbalance, adding that the current battle was for Nigerians.

He said: “Nigeria will not be shortchanged, we will pursue this to the end. Collusion or exploitation of Nigerians must stop, but exploration is encouraged. It is unfortunate that Nigerians now go to Ghana to fly to United Kingdom because of the regional fare imbalance. They discovered that they can spend the same money for a business ticket in Nigeria for two business class tickets in Ghana.

“We won’t allow this because we have the market advantage in the continent and one of the highest in the world. This is a battle and we stand by it. Anti-competitive practices must stop.”

Meanwhile, the General Secretary,

Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt Muhammed Joji, yesterday put the total debts owed banks by domestic carriers at N200 billion.

He disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the Passengers’ Statement of Rights and Airlines Obligation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

He said prohibitive operational costs constitute major challenges operators are grappling with.

Joji said Nigerian carriers could collaspe if the government does not address how the debt will be paid to the affected banks.

He explained that the intervention funds facilitated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) did not provide working capital for the carriers.

He said the possibility of airlines paying this debt is doubtful, adding that with the way things are going, airlines would have to take care of their survival before they can talk about paying their debts.

Joji noted that the price of aviation fuel has skyrocketed from N170 per litre to N191 per litre, an increase that is affecting operating costs for airlines. This, he said, makes it difficult for airlines to make profit.

Visafone plans three-year growth

By Adline Atili

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LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

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HE Federal Government yes terday vowed to call erring foreign carriers including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways to order over the regional fare imbalance, which has made it impossible to access cheaper fares from Nigeria into Europe.This is also at variance with the fare structure from other countries in West Africa.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, Demuren explained that there was no going back on the issue.

He said there is no reason Nigerian passengers should pay more to travel to Europe as opposed to the fare structure offered on the reservation system of the foreign carriers when booked from other countries in Africa.

He explained that such discriminatory practice by foreign carriers is part of the anti-competitive practices that foreign carriers indulged in to shortchange the Nigerian passengers. He said the Federal Government is poised to ensure that such unfavourable practices is not be allowed to continue.

He said a situation where foreign carriers only display expensive fares for Nigerian passengers leaves very much to be desired, because the available traffic from Nigeria is sufficient

N line with its strategy to deepen its market penetration in Nigeria, Nokia has unveiled an affordable mobile phones targeted primarily to low income earners.

The Nokia 103 is the first of its kind to be launched in Nigeria and is designed specifically for people buying their first phones.

Major feature of the new Nokia 103 is its fresh look and durable antiscratch cover, designed with long lasting battery life of up to 11 hours talk time and 27 days standby time.

Other features include built-in flashlight, FM radio, speaking clock and MP3 grade ringtones.

Speaking on the unveiling of the new phones, Vice President Nokia West Africa, James Rutherfoord, said the choice of Nigeria as the lead market for the Nokia 103 phones underscores the importance of the Nigerian market and the need to empower millions of Nigerians who are yet to acquire a mobile phone.

He said the Nokia 103 is for people looking for an affordable and practical phone that gives them the essential features needed to help them progress economically and socially without compromising on design and quality.

Rutherfoord said Nokia is committed to helping to mobilise the next generation – the next billion and beyond and ensure they have access to the advantages of mobile technology, adding, adding that with the Nokia 103, Nokia is making mobile connectivity a reality for lower-income consumers.”

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• ‘Domestic airlines owe banks N200b’

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LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

unveils No going back on reversing fare Nokia new phone imbalance, says Demuren I

08.00 18.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

• From left: Director, Products and Services, Etisalat Nigeria, Lucas Dada; Chief Commercial Officer, Wael Ammar; Director, Brands and Communications, Enitan Denloye; and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Evans, in a forum in Lagos.

CBN restores collapsed payment system

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has restored its pay ment system - the Real Time Gross Settlement Systems (RTGS) and T24, which broke down on Tuesday, stalling the movement of about N300 billion interbank transfers.

The collapse of the system as exclusively reported by The Nation, had led to the inability of banks to transfer money and securities, triggering a spiral effect as some lenders’accounts with the CBN were thrown into debit. Others could not honour their inter-bank obligations.

By Daniel Essiet

CBN’s Director, Corporate Communication,Ugochukwu Okoroafor, confirmed to the newspaper yesterday that the RTGS had been restored.

He said all files from the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) and backlogs have been duly processed. “The cooling system and other processes are being monitored to forestall reoccureance,” he said.

The Real Time Gross Settlement Systems (RTGS) and T24 is the apex bank’s payment system. The RTGS are funds transfer systems

on whose platforms transfer of money takes place from one bank to another on a real time and on gross basis. Settlement in real time means payment transaction is immediate. The transactions are settled as soon as they are processed.

The T24 is a funds transfer system where both money and securities take place from one bank to another on a real time and on gross basis.

The banking watchdog had on Tuesday acknowledged that there was a problem with the cooling system the RTGS and promised to restore the system yesterday.

Fed Govt releases N5b for national identity card

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HE Federal Government has so far released N5billion to the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to produce multi-purpose cards for Nigerians, its Director-General, Chris Onyemenan, has said.

He told The Nation yesterday, that the N5billion was part of N30billion which the government has budgeted for the operations of the agency. He said the N30 billion is expected to cover expenses incurred in the course of fashioning out a stable, sound,

By Akinola Ajibade

and effective identity management programmes for the country. He said the cards are forensic in nature and are meant to check corruptive tendencies in the country.

He said: “The cards are forensically produced, coupled with the fact that they have 16 security features. Just like the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards that boast of a number of fool-proved mechanism, so also are our own

cards. We opted for forensic cards to avoid counterfeiting. All of these will challenge our integrity as a nation. We need to take security to a higher level. This will help in checking sharp practices, when people commit frauds in any part of the country, they can easily be traced.”

He said the body is partnering with the Nigerian Population Commission (NPC) on registration of births, adding that it is important for the country to have national identity coverage.

HAIRMAN, Visafone, Mr Jim Ovia, has outlined a three-year roadmap for the company.

He said the firm will focus on expansion of its voice and data network and investment in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, for proliferation of mobile broadband services across the country.

Speaking at a meeting with the telco’s dealers in Lagos, he said the firm believes uptake of mobile broadband services would ensure continued growth of the telecoms sector as well as economic development of the country.

He disclosed that the company is investing billions of naira to achieve this objective. “We are set to embark on a new journey focused on the new paradigm of market dynamics by expanding our voice and data network in which we are investing billions of naira.

“I believe the aggressive Internet penetration will lead to economic growth of Nigeria and is the future.

We will drive this by investing in the infrastructure ahead of time to reap the benefits,” he said.

According to him, it is estimated that by 2015, Nigerians would be using wireless broadband services worth N600billion besides having 70million Internet users.

He restated Visafone’s commitment to playing a dominant role in the Central Bank Nigeria’s (CBN) mobile money initiative, assuring its customers of “exciting times” in mobile money, cash-less Nigeria and convergence.

“We will continue to partner and engage with you very closely towards delivering a superlative mobile broadband experience to our customers and ensure we garner a significant market share of that pie leading to high returns for all of you.”

“We shall also aspire to pioneer innovative solutions in the marketplace with pocket-friendly solutions and offerings. We are also set to introduce new and exciting devices through our network, including tablets and affordable smart phones.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

13

INDUSTRY

Fed Govt targets $350m from sugar production

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HE Federal Government has concluded work on a National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) that would save $350 million (N58.6 billion) in foreign exchange from local production of sugar. It is scheduled to commence by 2015.

Disclosing this in Abuja at the first bi-annual seminar for journalists, Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, said the NSMP will ensure an annual basis of 1,797,000 tonnes of sugar, adding that this will also result in the creation of jobs .

He said: “In the case of sugar, I am glad to inform you that with

Stories by Toba Agboola

the proven potential for wealth creation and high employment generation in the sugar industry, a Nigerian Sugar Master Plan, (NSMP), has been produced which provides the roadmap for at least 100 per cent local production in sugar. As of today, Nigeria produces only about two per cent of the sugar it consumes.

“The NSMP will ensure an annual basis local production of 1,797,000 tonnes of sugar; 161.2 million litres of ethanol, 4,000MW of electricity, 1.6 million tonnes of animal feeds, 37,378 permanent

jobs and 79,803 seasonal jobs”, he said.

Speaking on efforts of the ministry to boost trade and investment, he said the ministry has commenced measures to formulate a new industrial policy that would provide the framework for fast-tracking the country’s industrial revolution and attracting investment into the critical sectors of the economy, especially where the country has competitive and comparative advantage “The policy will look at specific interventions in the areas of industrial infrastructure development, innovation and technology, im-

provement of the business environment through rationalisation and simplification of business regulations, development of appropriate technologies, especially green technologies for sustainable development, as well as a structured and institutionalised industrial skills development programme that will provide jobs for our teeming youths.

“This industrial revolution is aimed at reviving and transforming the manufacturing sector into a dynamic and virile sector with the capacity to contribute at least eight per cent to the country’s GDP by 2015 as against its contribution

of 4.5 per cent. To this, the ministry will focus on areas where the country has comparative and competitive advantage,” Aganga said.

Aganga also disclosed that within the first quarter of this year, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), which is under the ministry, has registered 16,472 companies, 15,045 business names, and 1,378 incorporated trustess “ We are widening the scope of CAC’s online system to enable it perform optimally . We are also strenthening the one-stop-investment-Centre at the NIPC to ensure that they deliver 48-hour service to all investors,” Aganga said.

Investments in trade zones hit N1.3tr, says NEPZA

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HE Federal Government has put the total investments in the 25 Free Trade Zones (FTZs) across the country at $13.6 billion (about N2.2 trillion), even as some of them are yet to attract investors.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Adesina Agboluaje.

He said while Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone has attracted about $5.3 billion investments, other FTZs got $8.3 billion.

Agboluaje, who spoke at the FTZ Nigeria 2012 conference in Lagos, said private sector operators account for 80 per cent of the operations in the FTZs. He listed Calabar and Kano FTZs as the only zones, which are partly-owned by the government.

According to him, the FTZs offer many sources of raw materials for investors in fields such as agri-processing, clothing and textiles, food and beverages, forestry, mining and pharmaceuticals, as well as opportunities in commerce, retail, housing and tourism.

He said the government is in the process of reviewing the Act which established the NEPZs. “We are working towards reviewing the Act, which established the FTZs. The Act established Export Processing Zones, but now it has changed to FTZs. In order to make it suitable to the new environment, we have a proposed bill before the National Assembly, to review the law”, he said.

He said the FTZs are capable of employing over 400,000 to 500,000

people.

According to him, the returns to government in terms of duties stand at over N150 billion.

“Its only Kano and Calabar FTZs that are partly owned by the Federal Government, while others are owned by private investors, in collaboration with the state governments. “ The government has liberalised the operations to encourage private sector participation in the FTZs .”

Agboluaje said FTZs have created employment opportunities, with the concommitant human capital development benefits.

“In addition, Nigeria’s FTZ regulatory regime is liberal and provides a conducive environment for profitable operations.

“The incentives available are among the most attractive in Africa and compare favourably with those in other parts of the world.

“These include exemption from all federal, state and local government taxes, levies and rates,” he stated.

The Executive Secretary, African Free Trade Zones Association, Chris Ndibe, praised the initiative of the organisers of the forum, saying the Federal Government has assured that all policies for the FTZs’ operations will be reviewed to attract investors.

He said the forum would address the challenges confronting the FTZs and also give avenue for operators and investors to share ideas, opinions and address grey areas in the operations of the trade zones.

•From left: Agrawal, Okoro, Managing Director /CEO, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, Mr Joe Hudson

and Achukwu at the meeting .

CMAN seeks measures to curb cement adulteration

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HE Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN) is seeking for means to combat adulteration of cement to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.

Speaking at a one-day meeting of Technical Committee on Cement at the Elephant House in Lagos, the Coordinator/Moderator of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and CMAN Technical Committee on Cement, Mr Charles Okoro, said: “Eradicating adulteration totally is one of the main agendas of the technical meeting.”

He said activities of those adulterating cement had reduced to the barest minimum because arrests of “per-

petrators have been going on which has made it very hard for adulterated cement to thrive in the market.”

CMAN Technical Committee Chairman and Director of Marketing, Unicem, Mr Vipul Agrawal, said the group was capable of supplying the needed cement in the country.

He said there was the need to expand the use of cement in other areas of the economy and also to enlighten the public on the various types of cement.

He said: “At the end of the meeting there will be a collaboration between SON and CMAN in order to come up with concepts and ideas that will boost the cement industry in the country.”

SON Director-General, represented by Mr John Achukwu, said manufacturers don’t feel comfortable with regulatory bodies but SON is not a regulatory body but a standard body for the standardisation of products.

He said the technical committee was formed principally to look into issues that would enhance cement manufacturing companies and also carry researches in order to come up with recommendations that would benefit the industry and the country at large.

He advised consumers to purchase cement at various accredited distributors or contact depots in order to make supply cheaper.

Group issues licences to practising members

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•From right: Brand Manager, Nike, Sam Asamani; Brand Manager Swatch, Martin Osime; Head Operations, Swatch, Keith Lewins; Supervisor Levi’s, Chinedu Okpala and Manager, Nike City Mall, Ann Okere, at the opening of the Swatch Shop at City Mall, Ikeja, Lagos.

HE Institute of Chartered Secretaries Association of Nigeria (ICSAN) has issued licenses to practicing chartered secretaries and administrators.

Its President, Mr Olatunde Busari said, this was a form of certification and endorsement of the sterling qualities expected of all our certified members.

Busari, who spoke at a one-day workshop to mark the issuance of practice licences to chartered secretaries and administrators, said professions such as the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and Nigeria Society for Engineers (NSE), among others, issue practice licences or a form of accreditation to their members to enable them practice their profession.

He said it means those professional bodies had been found fit and proper to practice in their fields.

Busari said other professions motivated ICSAN to take steps to initiate a process of issuing licenses to members in line with her enabling

By Wale Adepoju

law. “That is, ICSAN Decree of 1991, which is why we held the workshop to update knowledge of the first set of licensed corporate governance practitioners (LCGP),” he said.

He advised members to demonstrate high degree of professionalism, honesty and transparency in their profession as worthy ambassadors of the institute.

Busari warned them to avoid professional misconduct as their license will be withdrawn. “Your license is a privilege, not a right. It can be withdrawn or cancelled for proven allegation of any professional misconduct, so guide against it,” he said.

He urged members and firms of chartered secretaries to identify with the scheme to bring about much change in the private and public practice of chartered secretaries.

Busari said it was time to take proactive steps regarding the tasks of nation building staring professionals in the face.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

14

INDUSTRY

Nigeria to produce 3m tonnes of liquid steel T

HE Federal Government has announced that the country would be producing three million tonnes of liquid steel annually by 2015. This is to ensure that the minerals and metal sector contributes meaningfully to the transformation agenda of the current administration.

The Minister of Mines and Steel development, Mr Musa Mohammed Sada, disclosed this during the inauguration of the African Foundries Limited billet mill plant in Ogijo, Ogun State. The plant is capable of producing 500,000 tonnes of billet annually.

Sada said despite the role played by metal sector in any industrialised

Stories by Toba Agboola

economy, the Nigerian metal and minerals sector was yet to reach its full potential, particularly in the development and consumption of key metallic products, such as iron, steel and aluminum.

He said the sector is faced with several challenges such as non-availability of requisite legal and regulatory frame work, non-completion of required infrastructure, roads, rails, waterways, mines, limited raw material sources, in-adequate power supply among others.

Sada reaffirmed the present administration’s quest for Nigeria to become one of the 20 most industrialised nations by the year 2020.

He said the Federal Government would continue to partner with development partners in the sector for a viable option to move the minerals and metal sector forward.

According to him, “In view of the quest of the present administration to become one of the twenty most industrialized nations by the year 2020,it has become compelling to engage all stakeholders in the sector in search for a viable option to move the sector formed.”

Traders urged to unite against fake products

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ONSUMERS at the Alaba International Market, Lagos, who participated in the sensitisation campaign against counterfeit products, have been told to assist the government in the fight against fake products.

The Director-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs Ify Umenyi, told consumers who gathered to mark the World Consumer Rights Day that except the campaign against fakes was intensified government can’t do anything.

She said: “It can be seen as typified by this public enlightenment campaign that the council has not relented to painstakingly educate members of the Alaba International Market Traders Association on the implication of counterfeiting to consumers.”

She said the event which was sponsored by CPC and SHARP, an electronic giant company was a continuation of efforts to raid the market of fake product. “This is unacceptable as it is inappropriate for consumers to use their hard earned money to purchase products that deny them value for their money.

She drew the attention of partici-

By Musa Odoshimokhe

pants to the evil entrenched by counterfeit products.

“Permit me to also sound a note of warning given the enormity of damage being done daily to the lives of the citizens and the economy.”

Mrs Umenyi said the government was committed to transforming Nigeria and one way the business community could support the vision was to reduce all forms of market abuses.

Similarly, the chairman of the traders, Chief Celestine Ezeani expressed their determination to curtail fake products at the market.

Stressing that he had personally educated some traders who never knew their wares were counterfeit but after thorough education on the grave danger involved they had to change.

“We have involved major stakeholders in the campaign against fake products, have educated some ignorant ones on the nature of their businesses which we considered counterfeit and today there are so many wonderful work to show for that.”

Eatery introduces new products

S • Former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof Wale Omole (right), Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof Simisola Odeyinka and Managing Director, Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc, Mr Akin Ogunbiyi at the meeting of faculty alumni in Lagos to strategise on developing their alma mater.

Akwa Ibom to revive battery industry

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HE Akwa Ibom Government is to resuscitate the Sunshine Batteries Industry in Ukana in Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state.

The industry established in the early 80s by the then Cross River State Government started having problems before the 90s.

Governor Godswill Akpabio said its resusitation would provide employment for the teeming youth in the state.

Akpabio said: ‘’The state government will do its best to revive the Sunshine Batteries Industry. We have to work hard to revive it to create

employment for the youth’’.

He restated the resolve of his administration to dualise UkanaAbiakpo-Atan Road with a bridge linking Akwa Ibom Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, to open the area to traffic.

In a related development, Akpabio said some members of the House of Assembly would soon leave for China to study the industrial’s industrial set-up so as to make better laws to help the state in establishing industries.

Akpabio spoke when political, academic and professional elders of Itu State Constituency led by their representative in the House of As-

sembly, Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon, visited him at the Governor’s Lodge, Uyo .

He said the trip would expose the lawmakers to industrial clusters of China.

Akpabio acknowledged the Assembly’s contributions to the success of his administration.

“The House must take credit for passing a lot of bills into laws. If we bring any bill to the House and it is not passed, then it is of no use. If the House did not solidly support the executive, the government will not have been able to perform creditably”, he said.

NBC marks Water Day with 200 farmers

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O commemorate the United Nations’ World Water Day, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) has hosted 200 crop and fish farmers in six states across Nigeria to a session on water management and food security facilitated by experts from agriculture and water resources fields.

Head of Public Affairs and Communications of NBC, Mrs. Adeyanju Olomola, said in a statement that, “In alignment with this year’s theme of ‘Water and Food Security’ we are hosting farmers from our host communities as the 2012 ‘Water Ambassadors’ to jointly reflect on the im-

portance of water in food production.

“Statistics show there is a correlation between dearth of water and hunger and diseases. Therefore, it becomes imperative that we appreciate the need to maximise water use to ensure food security for our teeming population. We hope that as we leave here, we have all imbibed some water conservation practices to ensure that we have water all year round for agricultural production.”

Since 2009, NBC has leveraged the United Nations’ Water Day to engage yearly with strategic segments of its society to advocate for safe water practices under its “Water

Ambassadors’ programme. In 2010, the company hosted Nigerian students across the country on a similar programme to enlist the students as advocates of water issues in their different communities.

Olomola said the business recognised the importance of water because its ability to grow is related to the availability and quality of local water resources. “We understand that by targeting water access and promoting water security, NBC is fundamentally supporting the longterm socio-economic development of communities and Nigerian by extension,” she said.

Sorghum production to reach 13m tonnes by 2015

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HE Federal Government has unfolded plans to increase sorghum production from 9.32 million tonnes to 13 million tonnes by 2015.

The transformation action plan targets an increase of two million tonnes in the first two years, and four million tonnes by 2015.

The Sorghum Transformation Value Chain targets 500,000 tonnes for malting foods, beverages and

non-alcoholic drinks, while 1,500 tonnes would be used to fortify foods and blended foods. Two million tonnes is for high quality sorghum flour.

To fast track the process, there would be a release of two sorghum hybrids in 2012 for the 2013 farming season, with increased access to farm mechanisation, using tractor, mobile threshers and harvesters.

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who unveiled the plan in Abuja at a stakeholders meeting on the Sorghum Agricultural Transformation plan over the weekend, said for the 2012 planting season, 502 tonnes of certified seed would be distributed to farmers in the six cluster states in the North west and Northeast for cultivation on 50,000 hectares of land.

WEET Sensation has restructured its culinary appeal and prices, introducing a new range of products to enhance customers’ experience at reduced costs.

The products are Fish Piccata Salad and Spaghetti Shrimp which, the company said, would be offered to customers at “very pocket-friendly prices.”

Addressing journalists at the presentation of theproducts in Lagos last week Tuesday, the outfit’s Executive Director, Mr Tunji Kamson, said Sweet Sensation decided to restructure its product and price in the light of current challenges facing Nigerians due to the partial fuel subsidy removal in January.

Nigeria tops food-importing nations’ list

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HE penchant of Nigerians for imported materials has put the nation on top of the chart of food importing nations, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, has said.

For instance, he said Nigerians were spending N1 billion daily on imported rice and N1.3 trillion annually on other imported basic items like wheat, sugar and fish.

Akinwunmi, who spoke in Abeokuta at the opening session of the two-day Ogun State Investors’ Forum, however, did not give details of other nations on the high food importers’ list.

He said the nation, which currently consumes about five million metric

tonnes of rice per annum, could increase the rate of consumption to 36 million metric tonnes by 2015.

The minister, however, said the Federal Government had commenced measures to address the problem and would stop the importation of rice by 2015, with abundant production of the produce expected from Taraba State.

According to him, the Taraba rice project to which $40m is being committed, will lead to the production of 40 per cent of Nigeria’s rice demand.

He also said three rice mills, being established in Niger, Ebonyi and Taraba states, would be capable of providing enough rice for Nigeria.

MAN decries high interest rates

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HE Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Rivers and Bayelsa states has advocated the downward review of interest rates to boost the moribund manufacturing sector.

MAN has specially urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to expeditiously intervene because high interest rate has remained one of the factors militating against the manufacturing sector.

Chairman of MAN Rivers/ Bayelsa chapter Mrs Emilia Akpan made the appeal shortly after the

council’s meeting in Port Harcourt.

Akpan noted that high interest rate is the reason why lots of companies with capacity to employ thousands of Nigerians are out of business. She stressed that an interest regimes that hovers between 20 and 22 per cent, as against 1.5 and two per cent prevalent in other countries, is not in the interest of the Nigerian economy.

According to her, the high interest rate in the country is directly responsible for the poor state of the manufacturing sector.

N2b CMD secretariat for Kano

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HE Centre for Management Development (CMD) has concluded plans to build a N2 billion multi-purpose secretariat in Kano.

The Director-General, Dr Kabiru Kabo Usman, disclosed this at a workshop organised by the centre for 150 directors drawn from various ministries and parastatals in the state.

Usman said the workshop was centered on knowledge capital for the directors in capacity building that would help in shaping their knowledge in value re-orientation for efficient and effective service

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

delivery.

According to him, the technical aspect of the workshop is meant to impact knowledge on the civil servants in order to establish a synergy between partnership and collaboration.

He said it is also meant to improve life standard of the people in the society in which the directors have a role to play in this crucial time.

The theme of the workshop is entitled: Strategic Leadership and Change Management.

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NEWS

ACN to Oni: don’t instigate violence in Oyo T

HE Oyo State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice-Chairman (Southwest), Mr. Segun Oni, against polluting “the rivers of peace” the ACN-led administration in the state has maintained since its inception.

In a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, by its state Publicity Secretary, Dauda Kolawole, the party noted that the PDP in Oni’s home state of Ekiti was in disarray.

He said the PDP stalwart’s visits to Oyo State were meant to instigate crises and return it to “the unenviable position it occupied during the regime of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala”.

According to him, the Alao-Akala regime was notorious for its brigandage and unbridled violence.

The ACN said the ousted Ekiti State governor was again in Oyo State on Tuesday to meet with some feuding PDP groups.

It described Oni’s frequent visits to the state within two weeks as an indication that the PDP was planning to foment trouble, warning that the residents, who value the peace they now enjoy, would resist any attempt to bring them back to “our Egypt days”.

The ACN, which decried the nomination of Oni for the post he now occupies in the PDP, said his appoint-

‘It is a shame that it was this same man that the PDP found worthy for recycling and to come rescue its sagging honour in the South West.’ ment was an indication that the PDP was devoid of men of honour.

The statement reads: “Oni is a testimony to the fact that there is a scarcity of men of honour and integrity left in the PDP. Here was a man who was bundled out of office by the court for illegally occupying the governorship seat of Ekiti State for 24 months. To worsen it, the man has not found it expedient, as every honourable man will, to return the salaries and perks he collected illegally from government for this usurpation of a governor’s function and office.

In the eye of the law, Oni was never governor of Ekiti State and his tenure a mere aberration.

“It is a shame that it was this same man that the PDP found worthy for recycling

and to come rescue its sagging honour in the Southwest.”

The party noted that if three factions in the Oyo State PDP were jostling for relevance and positions, it was an indication that the party was confused and its leadership “a bunch of selfserving men and women”.

ACN said: “While the Oloye Jumoke Akinjide group is seeking Oni’s imprimatur, the Teslim Folarin group is in the same boat and the Alao-Akala group, which makes the PDP in Oyo State a tripartite axis of evil, is the kingpin of them all.

This brand of confusion has been the broth that we were served in Oyo State in the last seven years of their reign. It is an indication that the people of our state should never look in their direction for salvation; their violent leopard can never shed its skin of villainy.”

The party said since the PDP comprises groups, which were brought together by what it called “oesophagus considerations,” it would be worthless to warn them against “intraparty violence and scuffle” but the party said in their stampede, they should spare the peace-loving people of Oyo State their “survival of the fittest and elimination of the weakest” struggle.

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EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Killings at Easter •When will the country get over the terror attacks on innocent citizens?

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HE insecurity that over time has been ravaging especially the northern part of the nation manifested on April 8 when a suicide bomber blasted some areas of Kaduna State, killing not less than 40 people and injuring many others. The explosion, which occurred at Junction Road by Sardauna Crescent was reminiscent of previous avoidable suicide attacks that usually happened during festive periods.

The suicide bomber reportedly dressed in a T-shirt and a pair of shorts, with a set of military uniform on his car back seat tried to enter an area harbouring more than three churches that were having their Easter Sunday service. His move and timing gave impetus to public insinuations that the churches might have been the targets of the bomber.

‘Before the Easter Sunday blast, there were serious admonitions to the government on the evil intentions of some unscrupulous elements to bomb certain places during the Easter break. Britain and the United States even publicly warned their citizens that violence was going to happen during the period in the North.

The government was aware of these and the specific region mentioned, but still failed to make the North secured for the people during the Easter celebration.’

Pastor Joshua Raji of the All Nations Christian Assembly provided the lead after the incident when he said: “We were in the Holy Communion service and I was exhorting my people and all of a sudden, we heard a loud noise that shattered all our windows and doors, destroyed our fans and some of our equipment in the church.”

Sadly, not less than 60 buildings, including that of the All Nations Christian Assembly, ECWA Good News Church, Marhaba and Fina White House Hotels and several residential houses around the place were seriously damaged by the blast. About 10 vehicles and many commercial motorcycles were also destroyed.

The Rakiya Memorial Hospital, 44 Army Reference Hospital, Barau Dikko Hospital and St Gerald Hospital were filled with dead and badly bruised victims of the blast. The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Red Cross Society rose to the occasion by trying to salvage an already bad situation. The National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA), Director-General, Mohammed Sani Sidi, promised to offset the hospital bills of victims.

While counting the loses at a period of religious penitence, it is apt to ask why it has become intractable for the nation to arrest the growing trend of terrorism in the land. For instance, before the Easter Sunday blast, there were serious admonitions to the government on the evil intentions of some unscrupulous elements to bomb certain places during

the Easter break. Britain and the United States even publicly warned their citizens that violence was going to happen during the period in the North.

The government was aware of these and the specific region mentioned, but still failed to make the North secured for the people during the Easter celebration.

The pattern of the bombing gave the perpetrators out as members of the Boko Haram sect. Though the sect in its usual way has not come out to claim responsibility, there is no doubt that it is responsible for the destruction of human lives and property in many parts of the North. According to Associated Press (AP) survey, the sect in its war against Nigeria and its security agencies had killed more than 380 people this year alone. Yet, there is no sign that it will back down from its inhuman acts as it has further inflicted pain and anguish on the people of Yobe and Bauchi states on Easter Monday. Not less than seven persons were killed.

That was the day after the Kaduna episode.

To us, the thought of the inexorably rising profile of Boko Haram activities is scary. What this shows is that the modus currently being employed by the government to combat the cankerworm is not working. Another reality is that the nation’s intelligence gathering has broken down to an abysmal level. There is need for a change in approach and quickly too, so that lives that are vulnerable to the sect’s attacks can be saved in future.

Man-aided tragedies

•Two disasters at worship places illustrate the high price of negligence

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HE two separate tragedies on Easter eve – one in Ilorin the Kwara State capital, and the other in Adamgbe, a village in Vandeikya Local Government of Benue State –again bring to the fore, the need for stricter regulation on safety issues in the country.

At a camp hosting the retreat of the Deeper Life Church at the Kwara State capital, a pillar holding one of the structures was said to have come down during the storm which accompanied the heavy downpour on April 7. The incident left eight people dead. In the next-door state of Benue, 22 worshippers comprising 16 women and six children were also killed when the roof of St Roberts’ Catholic Church in Adamgbe community in the state came down under the rainstorm.

‘We cannot imagine facilities hosting mammoth public events falling below certain thresholds on safety and convenience just because they are privately owned. The greater tragedy is that physical planning authorities have tended to shy away from their duty of enforcing building regulations when it comes to religious bodies’

To start with, none of the two tragedies could be said to be inevitable or an outright act of nature; indeed, the causes were natural only to the extent that the two incidents had their roots in the heavy storm which accompanied the rains. In any case, rainstorms are not uncommon at this time of the year – marking the onset of the rainy season.

The fatalities however, were caused by specific acts of men – negligence on the part of the owners of the properties, and failure by those charged with setting and enforcing standards in public safety.

Of course, we expect a camp facility like the one in Ilorin and elsewhere to be subject to high standards of public safety. Indeed, all churches should, considering especially the activities inside them during prayers. People dance, clap and jump in the course of services or revivals and this is the more reason why structures to be used for such purposes must be solid. Unfortunately, over the years, religious bodies have tended to operate like communes – neither considering themselves bound by the rules of physical planning nor see themselves as answerable to secular authorities, even when their activities impact negatively on the environment.

We cannot imagine facilities hosting mammoth public events falling below certain thresholds on safety and convenience just because they are privately owned. The greater tragedy is that physical planning authorities have tended to shy away from their duty of enforcing building regulations when it comes to religious bodies.

That the weekend disaster at St Roberts’ Catholic Church was an accident waiting to happen has since been confirmed by the parish Priest, Rev Fr. Cosmos Jooli. According to the cleric, the pillars of the church, built in 1963, were weak. He was further quoted as saying that “the age of the church building and the structural defects actually contributed to the sudden collapse”.

Many questions naturally arise. Why would a building, known to harbour such grave defects still be in use? And at what point did the church authorities discover that the pillars were weak?

What steps, if any, did the church authorities take to remedy the observed defects?

It is precisely this grave failure – in self regulation – that ought to warrant an inquiry by the state authorities.

Traditional homilies to the victims’ families that their relations “died in the service of their creator” would not do.

When all the tears have dried up, it would still be necessary to find out from the authorities in the local church what went wrong. And just like in the Ilorin incident, the state cannot be seen to shirk its responsibility in getting to the root of the matter. Of course, an inquiry will not bring back the dead; however, there may be one or two lessons to be learnt on how to prevent tragedies of that nature in future.

We condole with the families of the dead. But the challenge is for everyone to take matters of safety of public buildings and facilities more seriously.

President Assad’s latest bluff

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HE international community’s latest attempt to stop President Bashar alAssad’s reign of terror in Syria is failing. Instead of abiding by a commitment to a cease-fire negotiated with the United Nations, he has kept his killing machine rolling, raising the death toll to an estimated 9,000 Syrians in the year since the start of the uprising.

The events of the past few days should compel the United Nations Security Council to take tough and unified action against Mr. Assad and his forces. That means that Russia and China, which previously vetoed substantive council resolutions, must stop protecting his brutal regime.

Two weeks ago, Kofi Annan, a joint special envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League, said Mr. Assad had accepted a proposal to withdraw troops from Syrian cities by Tuesday and halt the fighting within 48 hours after that. Still, fierce fighting was reported in recent days, with no sign of any pullback. On Sunday, Mr. Assad added a new condition, demanding written guarantees that rebel forces would lay down their arms before his forces would withdraw. Then, on Monday, Syrian troops opened fire across the border, killing two Syrian refugees and wounding at least 23 other people near one of the largest Syrian refugee camps in Turkey — a dangerous and despicable escalation.

There was always good reason to be skeptical of the Annan proposal, since Mr. Assad long ago chose the path of brutal violence.

Nonetheless, the cease-fire plan was endorsed by the United States and other Security Council members because it could win support from Russia and China, which have blocked any significant condemnation of the Assad regime or sanctions.

Russia has been somewhat more critical of Mr. Assad in recent weeks, but it has done little to exert its influence while Syrians continue to be slaughtered. Russian officials have invited the Syrian foreign minister to Moscow for discussions this week, and the Syrian opposition next week, but it’s doubtful those meetings will produce an end to the killing.

Mr. Annan is supposed to report to the Security Council on Tuesday about the ceasefire. The United States, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month, should use that position to rally support for a strong resolution condemning Mr. Assad and imposing broader international sanctions to reinforce those already enacted by Washington and the European Union.

Russia is still supplying Syria with arms.

Now Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Arab states are supplying the opposition with weapons, and the United States has offered nonlethal assistance, including communications equipment, night-vision goggles and intelligence. Any chance of ousting Mr. Assad — and restoring stability to Syria — will require Russia and China ending their cynical and perilous game.

– New York Times

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: The Southwest chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its Zonal Publicity Secretary, Kayode Babade, recently issued a statement to the effect that the Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has perfected plans to send some ‘carefully selected students’ leaders from Osun and Ekiti states,’ to Cuba for paramilitary training with a view to actualising a secessionist agenda by the Yoruba states from Nigeria. He cited the energetic pursuit in recent times of Southwest regional integration by the Osun governor as facts to back up his allegation.

Making allegation is one thing; proving it is quite another. The weight of the claim and the glibness with which it was made without even a weak appeal to common sense gives it away as one of those absurd shenanigans that the PDP frequently indulges in.

I cannot honestly describe myself as –in fact, am not one – an admirer of Ogbeni Aregbesola. For one, I am not particularly enamoured with his brand of shove-it-in-your-face political activism. However, I find it rather objectionable and reprehensible when people in the name of opposition politics resort to the kind of mindlessly calumnious allegation such as the one coming from the Southwest PDP. The brazen thoughtlessness of making such

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PDP and its shenanigan weighty allegation without a shred of proof smacks of a badly disguised despair and a very crude attempt by sour grapes to obtain through crooked means what they cannot earn legitimately.

In other lands and clime where the game of politics is played by high-minded men and women, opposition politics thrives on the superior quality of the opposing parties’ position and policy-programmes. Not on dirty campaign of smear and trashy propaganda.

One would, therefore, expect from a civilised, self-confident and wellmotivated opposition party to engage incumbents in enlightened and rational debate, to take them up on the merit or otherwise of their policies, and on the quality or poorness of their governance. But instead, the PDP, apparently effete and diffident in their capacity to match the Aregbesola man on the basis of quality leadership, which they failed woefully to provide in

the state, would prefer to engage in malicious campaign and slanderous allegations.

Perhaps the dull brains behind the allegation, in the PDP establishment, believe that the people would be in such a hurry to forget their disreputable conduct when they held power in Osun State. They are wrong! Even if, for four years, Ogbeni Aregbesola does nothing else besides clearing the mess left by his PDP predecessor, he would still have been a better choice in leadership. In fact, I find it rather annoying and regard it as an assault on our intelligence that the ‘largest party in Africa’ would come up with such unintelligent gutter allegation and expect any right thinking person to believe it.

That, international passports were being obtained for some of the carefully selected students to be sent to Cuba!

So what? Even if one were merely to go shopping outside one’s country, isn’t it common sense that an

international passport would be required if one had none previously? And how else would one select a people for a task, any task at all, if not carefully? How unthinking can one be? The PDP allegation is a classic lesson in lack of imagination.

It is a matter of public record that the Osun Governor, apparently in keeping with his activist disposition, has been sending students to Cuba’s May Day celebration prior to his becoming governor. Even if there were any suspicion of foul play regarding the activities of the students or the motive behind their impending trip to Cuba, isn’t it something that can very easily be monitored by the country’s security agencies and/or its Cuban mission in Havana? Indeed, if there is anyone to be interrogated or even prosecuted, it is the PDP and its loose cannons that go about town spreading mischief and misinformation.

Fayemi’s care for the aged in Ekiti

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IR: Shortly after being sworn into office as governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in his inaugural speech promised to implement a Social Security Scheme for the aged.

The scheme aims at taking care of the elderly, particularly those who do not have children who can fend for them in the twilight of their years to enable them live more comfortable life and have a sense of belonging in the society.

Many people thought the promise was one of what is now referred to as “political statements” made on inauguration days which only fizzle out as the new chief executive settles down into his cozy office to exercise the mandate received at the polls.

Determined to ensure that it becomes a reality, Fayemi set up a committee led by the Secretary to

the State Government, Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi to work out modalities for the implementation of the scheme.

The scheme was intended to take care of indigent elderly citizens who are 65 years and above and not benefiting from any pension scheme.

Despite the limited financial resources available to the state, Fayemi has succeeded in putting smiles on the faces of not less than 10,000 elderly citizens of Ekiti who now receive monthly stipends of N5,000 each. To some people, N5,000 may be a small amount of money but to the beneficiaries who are predominantly rural, it will more than satisfy their basic needs.

When enumeration/screening exercise of the first batch of 10,000 senior citizens was conducted, many eligible candidates failed to show interest because they believed “such a thing is a near impossibility in

Nigeria” where the elderly citizens are abandoned and left to wallow in poverty until death comes calling.

Following the acceptability and popularity the scheme now enjoys in the state, there was a demand from other indigent elderly citizens for them to be incorporated.

It was in an effort to address the non-inclusion of many indigent elderly citizens that Governor Fayemi gave a directive that a second enumeration and screening exercise be carried out with a view to selecting another batch of 10,000 beneficiaries. With the completion of the enumeration and screening of another batch of 10,000 indigent elderly citizens, the list of beneficiaries of the Fayemi-led administration’s Social Security Scheme has now risen to 20,000.

The Ekiti State government has

also concluded arrangements to forward a bill to the House of Assembly to give legal backing to the Social Security Scheme to ensure that it outlives the Fayemi-led administration.

Basic needs of the aged, especially those living in far-flung rural communities, are now being met with the stipends received under the scheme apart from the fact that citizens who are 65 years and above are among the segment of the Ekiti population enjoying the Free Health Programmed of the administration.

The Social Security Scheme for the aged is a promise that has been delivered by Governor Fayemi in making poverty history in the state and he has raised the bar of governance to another level in Nigeria.

• Odunayo Ogunmola Ado-Ekiti

Perhaps it does not occur to the party that this reckless accusation is a self-indictment with the implication that the PDP-controlled central government is presiding over an incompetent security establishment whose responsibilities have been hijacked by some half-witted and overzealous party functionaries. Or perhaps, it is an indication that the PDP establishment as a whole has become so paranoid and gone nuts at the prospect of much longer stay out of power in the Southwest and would, therefore, stop at nothing to bulldoze their way back to power. Well, those days are gone, at least as far as the Southwest is concerned. And the PDP had better imbibed the hard lesson that good state governors are here to stay.

Dipo Adebayo, Osogbo, Osun State

Before another building goes down in Lagos IR: I write to draw the attention of Lagos State government to an imminent collapse of a building at 25B, Anthony Agboje Street, Apapa-Ajegunle, Ajeromi LCDA, Lagos State.

The foundation and structure of the building is weak because part of the two storey building has been submerged in water for the past 10 years.

Authorities of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area and Lagos State government have marked the affected building for demolition on several occasions but the landlord has always managed to force the hand of government.

It is however frightening that people are still residing in the affected building despite of the imminent danger posed by the dilapidated structure.

If urgent steps are not taken, the building may collapse soon. Prevention is better than cure.

Several complaints from residents in the neighbourhood and alarm raised on several occasions have always been ignored.

A stitch in time saves more than nine and to be for warned is to be fore harmed.

•Ayinla AbdulRahman, Apapa-Ajegunle, Lagos State.

S

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

Total blackout

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AM sure I would be saying the minds of most Nigerians when I say I’m totally frustrated and fed up with the almost complete unavailability of electricity supply in my part of Nigeria. We have never had it so bad. I live in the new Bodija area of Ibadan, a high-brow, low-density area of the town where one would ordinarily expect things to work if only minimally. I have lived there for the past 28years and we have been in total darkness and total blackout and nature has not even been kind to us because it has been unbelievably hot and when I say unbelievably hot, I know what I am saying because I lived in Maiduguri from 1982-1985 and there can be no place apart from Timbuktu or Agadez that can be hotter than the city. The heat wave enveloped the whole of Nigeria for almost one month and only God knows the number of people who may have died as a result of cerebro-spinal meningitis.

Why is it that we cannot have ordinary electricity provided for us by our government? Electricity has been available to mankind since the 18 th century onwards.

Why are we in Nigeria, 300 years later still battling with this ordinary facility that other people enjoy? Yet every year, billions of naira are voted for this sector. Is it that money is going down the drain through corruption? Or could it be that our thick skull cannot fathom out how to generate or distribute electricity or is it because of sabotage by generators and diesel cartel? What exactly is happening? We have become the laughing stock of the whole world, especially when we are told that a dam is leaking and that all the divers in Nigeria should come to Lake Kainji to look for the leak so that we can block them.

The whole thing sounds so primitive.

At another time, we were informed that the gas to power the turbines was not available in a country that is reputed to have the second largest gas fields in the world. At another time we are told that the gas available has been

‘Why is it that we cannot have ordinary electricity provided for us by our government? Electricity has been available to mankind since the 18 th century onwards. Why are we in Nigeria, 300 years later still battling with this ordinary facility that other people enjoy?’

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo is a wily old man who believes that he is wise.

Obasanjo sees every other person as a fool; a big fool even. So, when he speaks he wants us to believe him even when we know that he is not saying the truth. This attitude of his rankles, but many have learnt to tolerate him. Their patience is now running out because Obasanjo wont to overdo things. When last Friday he revisited the tenure elongation agenda which overheated the polity in the dying days of his administration, Obasanjo touched a raw nerve in many Nigerians.

How? Many of us know the story of the tenure extension or third term bid before it was shot down by the National Assembly in 2007, but here is an Obasanjo trying to pull the wool over our eyes on the issue by painting a picture of an uninterested party. Can Obasanjo honestly say that he was not interested in a third term? The answer is no. Obasanjo craved a third term but lacked the guts to come out and say so. Corporate Nigeria, as it then was, saw his dilemma and quickly moved in to fill the gap.

Before Corporate Nigeria led by the famed brewer Festus Odimegweu and former Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) czarina Ndi Okereke-Onyuike came into the picture, some members of the National Assembly were already sold on the idea. These legislators were the ones who smuggled the tenure elongation clause into items for amendment.

Senator

committed or sold for exports, yet, of all the oil producing countries in the world, we are the greatest environmental abuser in terms of gas flaring. It is common knowledge that cumulatively, the power coming out of individual generators in the country is more than the 3,000 megawatts that all the trillions of naira invested in the Power Holding Company of Nigeria generates. Let us compare our country of about 150million people with South Africa’s population of less than 40million and we generate maximally and boast of only 4,000 megawatts compared with 45,000 megawatts of South Africa and planned 100,000megawatts by the year 2015. Our situation is absolutely hopeless and ridiculous and yet we see our country as a continental power.

Since 1999 when the PDP government of Obasanjo came to power, we were promised that power generation and distribution were the topmost priority. A programme of accelerated power generation commenced with a combination of government’s power projects and independent power involvement sponsored by oil companies. We were all hopeful that this would provide a solution to the power problem in our country. Billions of dollars were committed to this, but at the end of the day we still ended in total darkness. Rather than continuing with the projects, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua spent two years probing his predecessor and abandoning the power projects. Since his demise, President Jonathan even jokingly said within the next one or two years, people who had generators would give them away freely because power would by then be available and cheap and would no longer be the subject of discussion all the time. We are still waiting and instead of concentrating on providing electricity, Politicians are already wasting good time on 2015 elections.

Any government that can solve the problem of power provision in Nigeria would have done exceedingly well.

If there is power, we would have industries producing goods cheaply. If there are industries, there would be jobs. If there are jobs, there would be employment and less criminality. The crime and rebellion in some parts of Nigeria are not unconnected to joblessness. It follows that there is a security dimension to the problem of power supply in Nigeria. There is no aspect of our life that is not touched by this problem of power; be it education, agriculture, telecommunication, health and transportation to mention a few. It is not unheard of nowadays for caesarean operations for women in labour

to be carried out under lantern light.

Things are as bad as this. If declaration of emergency in the power sector is what is needed, then let’s do it. If privatization would help us as we have been told, then do it. As a people, we are totally fed up with excuses every now and then. It would be wonderful if we can put the problem of power behind us. We are in the 21st Century and Jide our leaders owe it to Osuntokun us to at least provide us with water and electricity while taking away whatever resources that are left. This much we request from our leaders. We just cannot continue like this. We should not as a country be reduced to the base level of primitivity and underdevelopment in a century when people are travelling to space for the experience and for pleasure.

For how long should our people be waiting for the ordinary pleasures of life and for a mundane thing like regular power supply? Things are so ridiculous that churches and mosques have to pray for regular electricity.

Nigeria has been reduced to such a pedestal level that ordinary things have been elevated to a level of divine transcendence. Government must not push the people to the wall of expressing themselves through Luddite direct action manifestation of which we sometimes see when people attack PHCN workers. Enough is enough.

‘If declaration of emergency in the power sector is what is needed, then let’s do it. If privatization would help us as we have been told, then do it.

As a people, we are totally fed up with excuses every now and then’

Haunted by third term ghost Hambagda played a major role in this regard in the Senate, according to former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, who spoke on the issue in Lagos about three years ago.

We all know the kind of president Obasanjo was and we all know the kind of person he is. Obasanjo is not a person to trifle with. If he doesn’t like a thing, he shows his disapproval without hiding his feelings. I like Obasanjo for that.

Give it to him, he does not condone nonsense, but in the third term agenda, Obasanjo’s body language betrayed his heart’s desire. This is the truth which he does not want to hear. There was no time either he or his spokesperson, Mrs Remi Oyo, called the third termers to order.

They enjoyed a free rein, while Obasanjo and his lieutenants pretended that all was well.

What we heard from the government was that the third term advocates were exercising their rights to free speech. Those against the idea did not enjoy that right.

Many of them were harassed by security men for constituting ‘’security risks’’. But pray how can one be a ‘’security risk’’ for opposing evil for that was what third term was. When Obasanjo came into power in 1999, the Constitution recognised his right to a second term and he exercised that right in 2003. He was re-elected in that year’s election.

About two years to the

‘What was in Obasanjo’s heart was quite different from the look on his face. May be, this was why God said ‘’my son if you are pretending to the world that you don’t want a third term, why then must I grant your heart’s desire when you are putting up a false front’

completion of his second term in 2007, a not too subtle campaign began for the elongation of his tenure. The campaign was led by Obasanjo himself. How? He seems to have forgotten that he stoked the third term fire with his claim that he needed more time to complete the projects he started in 1999. The projects, he said, can only be completed by their initiator meaning himself. His henchmen merely read his lips and launched one of the most well organised campaigns ever seen in this part of the world for Baba’s bid to perpetuate himself in office.

The campaign did not lack resources both human and material. There was money, a lot of it to play with and there were people to push the ill-conceived cause . Even, the National Assembly was ready to play ball, if not for the unseen hand of God. Some members of the National Assembly read the mood of the country correctly and wisely voted against third term. If Obasanjo did not deem it fit to speak against third term then nor did anything to stop its proponents, what does that tell us? It tells us, whether he admits or not, that he was interested in remaining in power beyond 2007.

As cunning and sly as ever, he wants us to believe otherwise now.

In an interview on Channels Television last Friday, he said: ‘’I never toyed with the idea of a third term. If I had wanted a third term, I would have gone about it the way I should have gone about it and I would have got it because there is nothing I asked God for that He never gave me’’. Obasanjo did not get a third term because God loves Nigeria more than He loves him.

Moreso, God is a god of justice and will only answer prayers of those with pure hearts. Obasanjo

apparently came to God with an impure heart over third term and this perhaps, was why his request was not granted.

God saw his heart but we saw his face. What was in his heart was quite different from the look on his face.

May be, this was why God said ‘’my son if you are pretending to the world that you don’t want a third term, why then must I grant your heart’s desire when you are putting up a false front’’. That is God for you. Nobody can deceive God; not even an Obasanjo with all his wily ways. He should stop blowing hot air over an issue which is better forgotten than remembered.

Of what purpose is his narrative?

We are tired of his holier than thou attitude. Will somebody please tell him to let sleeping dogs lie?

The Salami saga

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hat is stopping the recall of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Ayo Salami?

Only the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Presidency can answer this question. As we have always maintained in this forum, Justice Salami was unjustly suspended and our position has been strengthened by certain developments.

A statement credited to the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN) ,on Tuesday by THIS DAY showed, as we have always known, that there was more to Justice Salami’s suspension than meets the eye. Hear Sofola : ‘’Justice Salami is a clean judge. I served in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Probe Committee on the matter and I saw from firsthand what transpired. We could not find anything incriminating against him, but

Lawal Ogienagbon

lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

politicians swept up all sorts of things and there were also internal problems within the judiciary which in my view were rather personal.

Some keep talking about cases in court, but I would say that such people are not being honest with themselves. The question I ask is: were there no cases in court when the suspension was slammed on Justice Salami?’’ Well said sir. They have a short memory, so they may not remember.

All they are interested in is to keep the upright judge out until he is due for retirement. There is no doubt about it that Justice Salami is being punished for doing his job the way it should be done. But unfortunately integrity counts for nothing in a society where our president uses his office to curry favours from contractors in flagrant breach of the Constitution and gets away with it by mouthing corporate social responsibility (CSR)! CSR my foot.

And such a man approved Justice Salami’s suspension. What an irony? Who should suspend who?

It is all NJC’s fault. But it can still redeem its battered image and restore hope in our judiciary by recalling Justice Salami today.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

A

VIATION Minister, Madam Stella Oduah, is waging an unwinnable war against foreign airlines. British Airways charges $10,070 for a First Class return seat from Abuja to London while the same facility through Accra costs $4,943. And Virgin Atlantic’s Premium Economy and Economy rates on the Lagos-London route are $4,173 and $2,956 while Accra-London passengers pay much lower – $1,826 and $1,563 for the same tickets. She says this is immoral and amount to rape of Nigerians. Out of patriotic zeal, the minister on March 27 gave an ultimatum to the two airlines to restore parity in fares or risk a ban by Nigeria. But I think this is hasty and amounts to embarking on a battle without first identifying the real enemies.

As it was when we first got integrated into the global economy through slave trade and later colonialism, foreign firms have always determined the price they are willing to pay for our labour, the worth of a black man’s life and the price we must pay for integrating us as exploited and disposable partners in the global economy which they incongruously insisted was their ‘white’s man burden’. Today it is worse. The absurdity cannot be any less revealing. As partners in a globalised economy, the worth of about 80% of our able bodied men is about $2 a day while the Western industrialised nations give $2 as subsidy for every head of cow a farmer owns.

The continuous rape of our people can be traced to the conspiracy of our leaders. There is a parallel between the kings who foolishly equated themselves as equal business partners with those to whom they sold their able bodied compatriots in exchange for umbrellas, mirrors and bottles of gin; the military that introduced structural adjustment programme that killed our agriculture and some thriving industries as it became cheaper to import from the West, and the PDP buccaneers that have sold to themselves our national patrimony.

The airlines are offspring of their forbearers, the capitalist investors who live on the blood of others. Morality does not come in. They have services to sell and they have willing buyers.

The first class and business class tickets that the minister claims are expensive are booked three months or more in advance. I think the starting point for the minister should be doing a study of those that constitute this segment of the airlines market.

As a new person in government, she will be pleasantly surprised that they are mostly government parasites, parading as senators,

T

HE wicked run when no one pursues him or her, according to the holy book.

For Chief Tony Anenih, nothing seems more apt today. For the fabled ‘Mister-Fix-It’ of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the chicken finally came home to roost last weekend, at the palace of the Enojie of Uromi, where he tried to exaggerate the security challenge in Edo State.

With him during the visit was General Charles Airhiavbere, the PDP standard-bearer in the forthcoming governorship election in the state. His message, even though muddled, could be summarised as follows: here is a retired ‘soldier man’ who can fight crimes.

Short of declaring Edo a jungle where only rape, kidnapping and armed robbery thrive, Chief Anenih said that the security situation in the state had reached an emergency level. But curiously, the PDP godfather failed to back such weighty claim with facts or statistics. Clearly, it is quite ironic that the Uromi chief chose to make this rather wild allegation when accolades are mounting for the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for the bold and decisive measures he has taken to make Edo the safest state in the South-South, if not the entire country.

Only last week, the chairman of theEdo branch of the Nigerian Bar Associaition, Rasaq Isenalumhe, publicly declared at a forum that crime rate has fallen in the state in the last six months. With unassailable data, he demonstrated that, contrary to Anenih’s wild claim, criminals are fast relocating from the acclaimed ‘heartbeat of the nation’. The NBA

‘Rather than attempting to magnify the security situation in Edo, one would have thought that Anenih would be more worried by the Boko Haram scourge confronting the nation at large’

Aviation Minister’s misdirected war House of Representatives members, ministers and governors and their hangers on. The story was told of how a senator once caused a row insisting an aircraft cannot take off unless a first class seat was secured for him. We were recently regaled with story by Ms Arunma Oteh, the Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of how Herman Hembe, Chairman of the House of Representatives capital Market Committee and his deputy obtained business class tickets to travel to the Dominican Republic for a conference.

Their flights are overbooked by Nigerian government officials and politicians that killed our own airlines .And now we want to dictate to those who give efficient services. How often do our former leaders including General Obasanjo who once boasted of living behind over 30 aircrafts in 1979 without the modesty of admitting how many he inherited from Gowon regime when the economy was managed by Obafemi Awolowo and other patriotic Nigerians, fly indigenous airlines?

I was once in the same flight with James Ibori from Lagos to London. As an executive director of The Guardian, I was in the economy class by choice, but his large entourage consisting some of my junior colleagues on leave of absence from The Guardian joined him in the first/ business class. Stop parasitic politicians and bureaucrats from flittering away our resources on luxuries they could ill-afford on their own, market forces that today work in favour of the airlines will also work in favour of ordinary

Nigerians. Our patriotism must be tempered by more of efficiency and less of profligacy.

How a government that rape its own citizen can complain that its citizens are swindled by those who survive on swindling consumers.

For instance it has been alleged by the embattled airlines that taxes and surcharges at our airports are far in excess of what obtain in other airports in the sub region. On a typical Lagos-London-Lagos ticket of $2,464, the taxes amount to $316.4, including FAAN ($50), NCAA’s five per cent charge ($123.2), Security ($20), PSC ($50) and VAT five per cent ($123.2).

In Accra, a passenger is reported to be paying a total of only $60.

The revenues accruing to government from rented spaces and advertisements are enough to improve the decaying facilities at Murtala Mohammed International airport. Yet visit any of the rest rooms, if there is water, what you will see is empty plastic in place of toilet roll. With about seven million passengers per annum traversing from our international airports and $316.4 tax per ticket, 50% of what the government rake in yearly should be enough to replicate MM international airport.

But because nearly all the proceeds are siphoned by government officials, the airport has remained in the same position for over 30 years.

The airlines claims as well as the allegation that the country is losing about N3.7 billion yearly to violations of Nigeria’s aviation laws by foreign airlines may not be untrue. If anyone has any doubt about the unpatriotic tendencies

Is Anenih haunted by ghost of own past?

By James Irabor boss should know, being part of a system saddled with justice administration in the state.

Again, any objective watcher of social events in Edo today would agree that the State Security Service under the leadership of Bello Bakori has been doing a marvellous job. Even when a case of kidnapping is reported, be sure that in a matter of few days the masterminds would be unmasked and paraded before journalists prior to their being put on trial.

Against this backcloth, it is quite laughable indeed that just in the name of playing politics, an old man like Anenih would commit an abomination by telling cheap lies. Truth be told, Edo State of today is no longer safe only for characters who prefer to ‘fix election results’. With ‘one man, one vote’ fast becoming the mantra of electoral behaviour in the state, there is absolutely no space left again for riggers of elections. Having been so banished from Edo State, it is undoubtedly for this reason that Anenih is now said to be vegetating on ‘political oxygen mask’ in Abuja.

Even when circumstances force him to be anywhere in Edo today, ‘Mr Fix It’ then relies on ‘human shield’ in form of a battalion of MOPOL to guard him around. Does that suggest a politician who enjoys popularity on the streets?

That is the truth. But it is misleading for Anenih to conclude that simply because electoral robbers are no longer safe in Edo State, the decent, hardworking Edolites are also unsafe. Nothing can be more erroneous.

Rather than attempting to magnify the security situation in Edo, one would have thought that Anenih would be more worried by the Boko Haram scourge confronting the nation at large. As a former police chief, why is he not concerned and why has he not made a statement on the menacing, frightening and scary activities of Boko Haram? At least, his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo did and tried

to assist President Goodluck Jonathan.

By crying wolf in Edo today where none exists, Anenih is certainly being haunted by the ghost of his past. The various roles he played in this country and Edo State are fresh in our minds and for a drowning man, who must find somebody to go down with him, this is his last straw and it’s one that would normally break the camel’s back.

The list of the dirty laundry he did for his erstwhile boss, OBJ, was long and too well known to need recounting. Who has forgotten his infamous statement in 2001 to all those hoping to supplant Lucky Igbinedion in Edo State.

Then, Anenih had declared without shame: “I do not see any vacancy in Denis Osadebey Avenue”. Of course, we are all living witnesses to how that election (2003) was massively rigged in favour of the ruling PDP. Again, during the inauguration of the PDP campaign of the governorship election in Cross Rivers State recently, Anenih shamelessly said: “with the arrangement going on in Edo State now, coupled with the support we are expecting from the presidency and the national executive of the party, we are confident that come July 14, 2012, we will install a PDP governor in Edo State”.

Now, the story is all over town that PDP and its expired godfather are going about inducing gullible registered voters in Edo to trade in their voter cards for monetary reward. When that gimmick fails, they tell people to bring their voter’s card and deposit same in order to be registered to benefit from a bogus ‘micro credit scheme’. Of course, the strategy is to buy out people from voting on the election day!

What a shame! Is this how the godfather hopes to win the next election for his puppet?

What could be more treasonable than this?

Is that the style of a true democrat? Here is the same man now crying of insecurity in Edo

of men that man our regulatory agencies, a quick reference can be made to the startling revelations from Farouk Lawan –led House of Representative’s Ad-hoc Committee on Petrol subsidy’s public hearing.

According to PPPRA figures, while “the country imports 59 million litres of fuel on a daily basis, only 35 million litres are consumed in the country”. Since 2006, Nigeria, on a daily basis, has been paying for 24 million litres of fuel that it does not consume and which are smuggled to neighboring countries. For the same period, “the Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with the PPPRA, paid billions of naira as subsidy for fuel not used by Nigerians”. As against “N245 billion budgeted as subsidy payment in the 2011 budget the amount of N1.348 trillion was actually paid out”.

We could also not have suddenly forgotten that Nasir El Rufai, the former BPE boss recently admitted before the Senate Committee on BPE that he and successive directors general of the body with approvals of former Heads of government Babangida, Abacha, and Obasanjo raked in a paltry $1.6 billion from the sales of Nigerian owned companies on which Nigeria tax payers had invested over $100 billion. In fact, El Rufai’s regret was that beneficiaries were the same elite members that purportedly ran the companies aground.

Our leaders are the source of Nigerian nightmares. When our legislators and journalists accept free tickets from airlines, airtime from mobile phone operators, when our president accept a gift of a 400 seat church from Gitto Construczioni Generali Nig.Ltd, it is ordinary Nigerians that pay. The battle for economic liberation from those who have transferred the social problems in their society to underdeveloped nations will remain an arduous task until we have patriotic leaders as obtained in Malaysia and in Brazil in recent times, in place of one-eyed half naked leader that preside over our affairs in Africa.

‘The revenues accruing to government from rented spaces and advertisements are enough to improve the decaying facilities at Murtala Mohammed International airport’ State!

Again, consider Mr.-Fix-It’s inhumanity to his fellow Ishan people in Edo Central Senatorial District. If one may ask: what is Okpevbho people’s sin against Anenih? He should respond.

The late Prof. Ambrose Alli was from Okpevbho while Anenih is from Agbazilo. The former was Governor of the defunct Bendel State. It is a fact of history that from the time he assumed office till his tenure ended, Mr Fix It railroaded him through crisis, persecution and harassment as he did everything humanly possible to frustrate him out of office. His witch-hunt continued until he succeeded in rigging Ambrose Alli out in the 1983 governorship election.

As if that was not enough, Anenih hated late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu for no just cause and reason and played minimal role in his burial ceremony. Anenih hates Chief Tom Ikimi and other prominent sons of Okpevbho land for no just cause.

For instance, the first Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly since this democratic experience, Hon. Thomas Okosun was harassed and forced out of office by Chief Anenih to pave way for his kinsman, Matthew Egbadon.

Again consider this: Esan North East with 53,000 registered voters have two members in the Edo State House of Assembly while Esan West with 70,000 registered voters have one member in Edo Sate House of Assembly. The three local government councils that constitute old Okpevbho local government produced only one member in the House of Representatives while two local government councils that constitute old Agbazilo produced one member in the House of Representatives.

This is Anenih’s making against Okpevbho!

But all said, if this bogey about insecurity in Edo by Anenih is designed to pave the way for the imposition of emergency rule or the deployment of soldiers for the July 14 governorship elections, let him and his ilk be told upfront that the ploy will fail. BecauseEdo people are resolved that never again shall a crooked godfather sit in the comfort of his illgotten castle and dictate who rules over them.

Never again!

• Irabor, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, wrote from Ekpoma, EdoState

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012 Website:http://www.thenationonlineng.com

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

Last week’s reappointment of the Registrar, Joint Admission, and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof Dibu Ojerinde, has been trailed by criticisms and praises for second term. In this report, ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA chronicles his achievements, challenges and measures to take as he pilots JAMB in the next five years

Knocks, praises trail Ojerinde’s reappointment

E

XPECTEDLY, The announcement on Tuesday last week of the reappointment of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar, Prof Dibu Ojerinde, for another term of five years, has elicited mixed.

The Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, who made the announcement said Ojerinde’s new tenure would take effect from Monday, this week.

She urged the professor of Tests and Measurement to rededicate himself to the success of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan and sustain the good work and reforms going on in the examination body’ From some quarters, while it was applause for the JAMB Registrar who mounted the saddle in April 2007, from others, however, it was knocks. They contended that rather than retention, Ojerinde should have been the booted out.

On a scale, the positive comments appear to outweigh the negative against Ojerinde. with some measures ones were recommended for him to embark on in his next administration, if JAMB must justify its existence.

From past record, Ojerinde could not have been said to be an alien in administration.

Before his appointment as the JAMB’s chief in 2007, Ojerinde was the Director, Institute of Education at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife between 1973 and 1990. He was also the pioneer Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, National Primary Education Commission (NPEC), between 1990 – 1991.

Ojerinde, who hails from Igboho, Oyo State, also served as the Director/Consultant, Centre for Educational Measurement (CEM), Federal Ministry of Education between 1991 and 1992, as well as the first Registrar/Chief Executive, National Board for Educational Measurement (NBEM) from 1992 to 1999.

Besides, he was the pioneer Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO between 1999 and 2007.

But his appointment as the helmsman of JAMB in 2007 was like a litmus test of his many years of managerial acumen. Prior to Ojerinde’s appointment, JAMB has, over the years, earned itself the reputation of conducting examinations that were criticised

for poor organisation.

When the outcry against the level of examination fraud in JAMB reached an alarming role and its credibility called to question, the former Minister of Education, Mrs Chinwe Obaji, bent over and adopted the proposal for the introduction of the Post-UME test in 2005, two years before Ojerinde took over the mantle of leadership in JAMB. This was amid persistent pressure by university administrators under the auspices of the Committee of ViceChancellors (CVC) for greater involvement in admissionsto make them more credible.

Some of the arguments by the CVC, included, among others, impersonation alleged fixing of scores by unscrupulous JAMB officials; as well as sharp practices during exams with the connivance of invigilators.

However, with the nods from Ms Obaji and the National Universities Commission (NUC), disgruntled Nigerians, especially the CVC, were given the green ligh t by the minister to kickstart the Post-UME, but with an exception that universities should not charge beyond N1,000 for the test. Five years after, the PostUME came under fire, as stakeholders, including members of the House of Representatives and even JAMB, called for its head.

According to its critics, Post-UME had become an exploitative tool and its very essence was being abused. Some members of the House advocated that JAMB which was statutorily set up to conduct matriculation examination should continue to perform that role.

These were some of the ‘legacies’ bequeathed to Ojerinde in 2007.

But, if anything, Ojerinde would be remembered for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) which he initiated in 2010, and the introduction of the Biometric Data Capturing machine to the UTME the following year. He is also being lauded for releasing exam results within six days.

Announcing the UTME a year earlier, Ojerinde said its essence was to address the challenge of access as all candidates would get placements in universities, polytechnics or colleges of education, depending on their choices. The UTME, the JAMB boss also added, would address the craze for university admission by most candidates against

•Prof Ojerinde displaying handsets tucked inside slippers by fraudulent candidates at the last UTME

decreasing admission into polytechnics and other institutions every year.

Like in past examinations, the first UTME was no less a disaster.

Malpractices were the order of the day. Following the outcry that trailed the examination, Ojerinde, still unperturbed, introduced the biometric data capturing device which he said was acquired at a high cost to checkmate ‘impersonation’, late coming’ and ‘absenteeism’ But, again, malpractices trailed the examination as most of the machines, which were to verify candidates’ data before being allowed into the examination hall could not power on or work at a fast pace. Inadequate knowledge on the part of most of the operators also made matters worse. This also led to wide condemnation.

INSIDE • NECO STAFF THREATEN SHOWDOWN

This year’s edition was however, better as fewer cases of exam rackets were recorded nationwide with most centres being hitch-free and the over 1.5 million candidates spreading across 375 towns nationwide and as well as the invigilators conducted themselves properly.

Special provisions were also made for candifates with deformities. Addtional centres in six foreign centres such as Accra in Ghana; Buea in Republic of Cameroon; Cotonou in Republic of benin; London United Kingdom; Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; and Johannesburg in South Africawere opened.

Reacting to Ojerinde’s re-appointment, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Lagos State University (LASU) branch Dr Wumi Oluwatoki gave some advice.

- Page 27 •DISTRICT

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WINS

“He (Ojerinde) has done his best, and if he has more to offer why not another opportunity? But we must realise that JAMB as a body has gone through challenges, transformation and controversy under him. But JAMB is not about an individual. It has to do with interests within the institution and not the person. Individuals will always come and go; but will manage the body according to the provisions that established it.

“The reason for establishing JAMB is very pertinent. But I advise that he should now make JAMB to serve its purpose now that we have more universities.”

Dr Toki's counterparts in the department of African Languages Dr Harrison Adeniyi implored Ojerinde to concentrate more on blocking examination loopholes.

• Continued on page 26

SPELLING BEE

- Page 39

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

26

EDUCATION LASU FILE

Varsity gets new director LAGOS State University Governing Council has approved the appointment of Mr. SaheedBabatunde Olayinka as the new director, Internal Audit of the university. The appointment takes effect from April 1, this month.

Olayinka, until this appointment was a Chief Accountant in the university's Bursary department.

In the meantime, the management has written a letter of appreciation to the former acting director, Mrs. MargaretIyaboOgunkoya for the services rendered while in office and wished her success in her future endeavours.

TETFUND now released THE Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa, has directed that interested senior members of staff of the university can now apply for the various tertiary Education Fund (TetFUND formerly Education Trust Fund) intervention funds for 2011 and 2012 year. The funds accessed so far by the university was for the 2010 intervention.

The funds, which would be used to pay interested applicants for the 2010 conference attendance, have been released to the university, and are being disbursed to beneficiaries.

Similarly, Interested applicants for the conference attendance funds; research funds; and; sponsorship of doctoral study programmes which are also TetFUND sponsored programmes should download the relevant forms from the TetFUND website, fill them with supporting documents and submit to the staff welfare unit, Administrative Block II. All enquiries should be directed to the Dean, Postgraduate School, Prof Jide Elemo, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on TetFUND Projects.

NGO holds workshop for varsities, others HOW can higher institutions revamp their sources of funding?

A group Global Centre for Resource and Policy Development (GCRPD) seem to have answer to this poses.

It is planning a workshop on strategies for resource mobilisation and funding support for universities other tertiary institutions and research institutions.

The objective is to unveil ways for higher institutions and research institutes to cultivate new sources of support and forge partnership for their academic, research works and services.

In a statement, GCRPD said: "The project will bring tertiary institutions and funders of academic programmes, research work and services together. It will increase capacity of the institutions to improve on management of their income generating ventures.

"The workshop papers and discussion sessions will provide comprehensive information on step by step of proposal writing to donors for grants, development and sustenance of profitability of feasible and research institutes can generally become favourably positioned for the funders' credit and donors grants.”

•Candidates writing the last UTME at the Lagos State University, Ojo • Continued from page 25

"He has tried! Gone were those days when we had to wait for months before JAMB results were released. Now it happens within days. But his performance is being hampered by the Nigerian factor; I mean emphasis on certificates and low regard for merit. That is why there is so much desperation from candidates to pass JAMB at all cost," said Harrison.

Kunle Lawal, a professor of History and former commissioner of education in Lagos State, also urged Ojerinde to concentrate on blocking all examination loopholes in the next five years.

Provost, College of Humanities and Culture, Osun State University Ikire Prof Siyan Oyeweso, said: “He (Ojerinde) deserves it! He’s doing a

I

PHOTO: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

Agenda for JAMB boss Ojerinde good job. He has been waging relentless battles with examination racketeers since he came into office.

I don’t expect him to be perfect; but within his human ability, he has lived up to expectation.”

On his re-appointment, Oyeweso

added: “I urge him to seek ways of working with universities so JAMB can monitor the Post-UTME. Ojerinde should also be on top of his game knowing full well that as JAMB is coming up with new measures to combat exam malpractices,

‘I can say with all emphasis that no one has ever come up with the kind of innovations he came up with in the history of JAMB. Though, he has his challenges such as funding, government bureaucracy and all that, but Nigerians and the government should give him a free hand to work’

CU gives tips on careers

T was a carnival-like event for the students of Covenant University (CU), Otta, Ogun State on Tuesday last week when the institution held its maiden edition of Career Fair day, at the auditorium of the University's chapel.

The event showcased companies and industries discussing issues that centre on life after graduation.

Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Aize Obayan, in her address, stated that the event would serve as an open door for students on the choice of a career after graduation.

She also said the university would try and bridge the gap between students and industries and will help students extend their frontiers of knowledge while in the university.

She disclosed that the fair would aid university-industry partnership and expand the curriculum of the institution.

She emphasised the need for students to be serviced while in the tertiary institutions, so that upon graduation, they would be ready to face the challenges that come with work and effect necessary changes in their environment.

Obayan told the students that they were to avail themselves of the opportunity of learning from

By Adegunle Olugbamila

role models in corporate orgnisations while looking forward to working in desired positions upon graduation.

Speakers, representing various companies rolled out tips centered on how to be a good career person in the various organisations they aspire to work with.

For instance, In her address to the students, Mrs. Tolu Agiri Human Resources Director, Unilever Plc, said industries are looking forward to students who show exemplary leadership traits while in school, charging the students to start thinking beyond the university environment, and aspiring to impact the world around them.

She said one of the things that might be skipped in their classes is how to be taught good leadership qualities, noting that when they are engaged in extensive reading beyond the scope of class work; it would go a long way in helping them learn the basic principles of leadership.

She also admonished them to communicate and interact with others within and outside the university environment and be friendly to all around them to ensure that they will be people-ori-

‘The need for students to be serviced while in the tertiary institutions, so that upon graduation, they would be ready to face the challenges that come with work and effect necessary changes in their environment’

ented when they are ready to work.

She told the students to be selfreliant while in school and ensure that they engage themselves in competitions within and outside the institution, whenever the opportunity arises.

Mr Robert Nweze, representing Zenith Bank Plc, re-echoed Agiri's on the importance of being a good leader if they are to work well with superiors and subordinates.

Smartness, intelligence and selfconfidence according to him, are

racketeers are also developing new methods to neutralise them.”

Provost Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija Epe, Lagos, Prof Olu Akeusola, also had this to say: "I've been a good follower of Prof Ojerinde as a Registrar of NECO. His performance in NECO I believe, earned him his current position in JAMB. "I can say with all emphasis that no one has ever come up with the kind of innovations he came up with in the history of JAMB. Though, he has his challenges such as funding, government bureaucracy and all that, but Nigerians and the government should give him a free hand to work." three key qualities they must have to stand shoulder high above their peers.

Director of Glory Educational Services, Mr T.O. Oladimeji, also educated the students on what to look out for when applying for their second degrees.

Oladimeji noted that many go for second degrees without necessarily knowing what to do with it.

Others, he stressed, made the decision based on their friend and relatives' choice of institutions, without putting into consideration the course to be studied and the institution that gives the best option for such course.

“Oh dear ... now the ivory tower is the faulty tower!”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

EDUCATION

Motivate students for excellence, principal counsels parents

M

OTIVATION and encouragement is the best method parents can adopt if they want the best for their ward, the principal Caleb International college Lekki, Mr. John Ogungbenro said yesterday in Lagos.

Addressing the parents during the academic award ceremony, the principal, advised parents to always motivate students for better performance. He disclosed the school introduced the award ceremony to motivate the students for better performance. His words "this award ceremony is a reflection of our operational guidelines. In this school, we belief that there is no dull student.

“We can motivate the so called dull student for better performance. In fact, we are prepared to hold the teacher responsible if we cannot see any improvement in the academic performance of the student." He added that "the school has all it takes for the teachers to achieve the academic goals and objectives set for each class.

For example, the class size is small, the facilities are world class, the teachers are well paid so we are expecting the best and nothing but the best."

The principal spoke further "in the light of the above we want the parents to adopt the same method so that we can be operating at the same level.

“Please my dear parents, do not be tired of encouraging and

Group plans education fair IN order to help millions of Nigerians realise their ambitions of acquiring quality education off shore, a group known as Preparation for life is organising its biggest education fair in Nigeria. PFL is one of the oldest and largest international organisations responsible for placing over 10,000 students annually in international education.

The Chairman, Lawrie Green, who is currently on a visit to Nigeria has expressed PFL's determination to host the biggest fair in Nigeria with over 50 UK institutions coming for the event.

The PFL Educational Expo which holds in Lagos and Abuja respectively is starting on the Monday 23rd and will end on Friday 27th of this month.

Students will have the opportunity of speaking directly with their school of choice representatives and highly skilled staff of the organisation who will be giving them professional advice on courses, scholarships, instant offers for admissions, accommodation facilities and cultural activities.

Brochures will also be available which will include individual university profiles, contact details and a comprehensive list of the courses A wholly British owned and managed international advisory service provider, PFL is run by a management team made up of senior former academics and international directors with decades of collective experience.

PFL helps students in a variety of ways such as extensive higher education course advice, admissions service and visa assistance, among others.

This year, PFL Education Consultancy firm marks its 15th year in Nigeria. Since inception, it has placed over 100,000 Nigerian students in institutions around the world with care and professionalism.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

motivating the students. “Check their homework regularly, then buy gifts for them, speak positive words to them and make sure they have all the relevant textbook and materials. I can assure you that if

we continue to work together like this, we will always get the best result."

13 students received the academic excellence award. The award was for the best overall student in each class and the second best overall student in each class. Each of the

‘Check their homework regularly, then buy gifts for them, speak positive words to them and make sure they have all the relevant textbook and materials. I can assure you that if we continue to work together like this, we will always get the best result’

award winners got a medal and a certificate.

The award for the overall best student in Jss1 was given to 12year old Ayodele Oluwatoyosi.

Nwosu Chidi (11) won the best overall prize in Jss2, 13 year old Akinmarin Boluwatife wone the prize for the best Overall student in Jss3. In SS1, Ike Chukwuemeka won the prize for the best overall student. In SS2, Olorunsaye Titilayo (15) emerged best overall. Mang Olanma (17) won the prize for the best overall student in SS3. In the category of second overall best student, 11 year old Unugbua Esther won the prize in Jss1.

Ezemba Jessica (12) won the prize Jss2, Itama-Ima Abasi (12) won the prize in jss3. In SS1, Alaafin Tobi (14) won the prize. In SS2 Itama Mfon Abasi (14) won the prize.

Aluko Funke (16) won the prize in SS3.Caleb International College Lekki was established 8 years ago, the total population of the school is 250 students.

The total number of students in a class is 16, the college for the past three years has consistently scored 100% in the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the International General Certificate in Education (IGCSE).

deductions for National Housing Fund to the contributors; introduction of annual leave as an entitlement; and payment of entitlement to staff transferred.

The statement said in part: "Staff transferred should be paid their entitlements.

Over 200 staff of National Examinations Council has been transferred since 2010 without payment of their transfer allowances. The reversal of the recently transferred 24 union members should be effected.

"Twenty-four union members were maliciously transferred in the heat of agitation for the unionisation of the staff. These like many others before them have not been paid their transfer allowances.

The immediate implementation

of 65-years retirement age policy as obtained in sister agencies. The condition of service of those in research institution and under CONRAISS stipulates a 65 year retirement age for the staff which the NECO management has blatantly ignored.

But in a response NECO Public Relations Officer Mr Ben Uzor, told our reporter on phone he is not competent to speak on the matter "I am not competent to speak on the matter," he said. The Registrar(Prof Promise Okpala) is, and will be addressing press tomorrow (yesterday). You may come over or send your reporter to our headqurtes in Minna where I believe the Registrar will have answers to some of the allegations raised."

NECO staff threaten showdown From Adegunle Olugbamila and Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

• Prof Promise Okpala NECO Registrar

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HE Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) of Educational and Associated Institutions, National Examination Council (NECO) branch has asked NECO

management to with immediate effect commence payment of N18, 500 Minimum Wage approved by the Federal Government.

Chairman of NASU, NECO branch, Abdulrasheed Rabana said the management has refused to implement the N18, 500 Minimum Wage arrears which took effect from March, 2011.

A statement issued by the body and signed by Rabana which contained some of the resolution adopted by the congress of NASU NECO branch demanded among things the immediate payment of N18, 500 minimum wage arrears approved by the Fedral government and which took effect from March, 2011; refunding

• Parents of Cardinal Schools, Idowu Egba, Isheri celebrating the Mothers Day at the school premises

Female tops Lagos drama competition

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SENIOR Secondary School pupil of Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Mercy Sandra, has made her school proud as she emerged the overall winner of the best actor in the 2011/2012 Lagos State Drama competition.

The Somori Senior Model College, Abule-Egba and Lagos State Model College Kankan Badagry, also ranked second and third respectively. The contest organised by, a consulting firm, Clear Solutions Consulting Limited in association with Lagos State Ministry of Education, was held at the Adeyemi Bero hall, Alausa, Ikeja on Friday last week.

For her feats, Sandra, an SS3 pupil won a full scholarship to study Theatre Arts in any university of

By Adeola Ogunlade

his choice in Nigeria. Sandra also topped her reward with a promise by the popular Nollywood actress Ronke Ojo (a.k.a. Ronke Oshodi Oke) to take up a lead role in her yet-to-be-released new movie.

Expressing her joy after the contest, Sandra recalled: "I promise to make my parents proud, though my mother lost faith in me to succeed as an actress; I believe my dream has come through. Now I know I'm going to somewhere and I'm sure the sky will not only be my limit but my starting point," she said.

Sandra, continued: "There are immense opportunities for young people to succeed in their chosen

profession if they will dare to dream big and work toward it in faith in spite of the mounting challenges facing the nation."

The competition tagged: Protecting the girl child, had over 250 entries from public schools across the six education districts in the state. Four schools - Somori Senior Model College; Lagos State Model College; Ikeja Senior High School, Ikeja; and Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada all emerged finalists.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Clear Consulting Limited, Taiwo Aina, said the competition aims at identifying and developing talents among today's children in acting and stage

play.

He said: "We discovered that there are abundant talents among young people in theatre and we want to guide and encourage them to use it for social change and transformation".

He noted that the Nollywood industry is big and open to young people who will be ready to explore the industry for the betterment of the society.

In his words, the Director, Basic Education Services, BES, Mr. Bamidele Sanni restated the commitment of the state government in developing the vocation and acquisition skills centers for the teeming youth.

'We are open to workable ideas and strategy from individual and private that would drive the youth toward excellence in their chosen profession,' he said.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

EDUCATION INTER HOUSE SPORTS

INTER HOUSE SPORTS

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INTER HOUSE SPORTS

Mind Builders holds sports meet

HE newly constructed Agege Stadium, Lagos has hosted the Fifth Biennial Inter-House Sports competition of Mind Builders School, Ikeja.

The event featured callisthenics display, ballet, march past, and different track events by the reception, nursery, primary and high school pupils of the school at Omole and CBD. The pupils represented the four houses - Lapis (Blue), Peridot (Green), Diamond (Grey) and Citrine (Yellow).

The event was not lacking in the usual excitement that characterises school sports as the pupils displayed talents that if nurtured, could turn them into budding athletes that can fly the country's

flag in future.

It was not also short of entertainment for parents, teachers and visitors, among whom were Prince Bisi Yusuf, chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industry, the state House of Assembly and chairman of the occasion, and Mr Femi

Ajigbo, GM Crusader Insurance Company.

The staff race, parents’ races, as well as that of old pupils'also showcased the athletics talents of adults, who despite want of practice, managed to display their latent skills; while others, due to old age and lack of regular

exercises, could not perform.

In her address, Executive Director of the school, Mrs Bolajoko Falore, thanked the Lagos State government for the construction of Agege Stadium for the use of the communities in Ikeja, Ogba, Ifako-Ijaiye and Agege.

She added that the importance of sports has made Mind Builders organise regular inter-house sports competitions to develop the psychomotor skills and discover potential athletes that can do Nigeria proud in international sports arena.

At the end of the competition, Citrine House came first; Lapis, second; Diamond, third and Peridot, fourth.

‘The importance of sports has made Mind Builders organise regular inter-house sports competitions to develop the psychomotor skills and discover potential athletes that can do Nigeria proud in international sports arena’

Fed Govt urged to invest more in sports

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HE Federal Government has been urged to do more for schools to encourage sports development in the country.

The Proprietor of Brilliant Esteem Nursery and Primary School, Lagos made this suggestion during the Second Inter-House Sports of the school in Lagos.

She said: "The importance of sport cannot be overemphasised. If a child could do well in sports, there

S

By Oluwayemisi Akinyemi

is the tendency for such child to do well in academics."

She, however, urged all schools, both public and private to include sports in their curriculsr because it would help their commitment to their studies, adding that a sport person is not a lazy person.

In furtherance, she said the schools's interest in the yearly sports competition is to develop the

pupil's physical, mental and even behavioural development because a healthy mind, they say, is found in a healthy body.

"I'm absolutely impressed by the children performances today despite the fact that they are very young, and I'm sure parents and guests are also impressed.The children have been wonderful we wouldn't have expected more from them than what we have seen so far, "she noted.

Headteacher calls for more interest in sports

T. Francoise House (Green House) has emerged the overall winner at the yearly inter-house sports of Notre Dame School, Enugu.

With 38 and a half points in its kitty, it beat its rivals St. Nicolas (Blue House)with 36 points while St. Robert (Red House) came third with 31 and a half points.

Five houses participated at the event comprising sack race, dressing to school, filling the basket, football and athletics, among others.

The air was charged as the competing pupils tried to impress

From Chris Oji, Enugu

the spectators, which include parents, guardians, teachers and friends who repeatedly cheered them to victory.

There were also invitational relay races by neighbouring schools.

The school’s Headmistress, Rev. Sister Martina Ahkibi, in her address, urged parents and teachers to help inculcate in their wards, the essence of sports in their

‘Considerable percentages of children lose interest in school, especially if they are not doing well in their classes. Extra curriculum can provide activities and the boost for success’

lives.

Sports, Ahkibi said, "goes much further than the basic answer that it keeps the children off the streets, it also instill in them lessons that are essential in the life of a child."

"Where else can young ones learn values such as discipline, responsibility, self-confidence, sacrifice and accountability," queried Ahkibi.

She said television, which may be the most influential tool in the lives of young ones, may not show enough of these qualities neither does the internet or radio.

She said: "Considerable percentages of children lose interest in school, especially if they are not doing well in their classes. Extra curriculum can provide activities and the boost for success; the affirmation is yes, you can succeed at a critical time for many children, thereby helping them to stay interested in school and providing an incentive for them to succeed in their classes."

• Mr Bosun Falore, Chairman, Board of Governors, Mind Builders School (right Citrine House (second left) who is flanked by the house captains of Diamond an

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SIX-YEAR-OLD pupil, Obi Boluwatife of Halcyon International School, Ilupeju Lagos, emerged third during one of the games that the made its debut in sports at the event.

In the going-to-school competition, a participant neatly dresses up with socks, uniform, sandals tucked in and, thereafter, runs ahead of his contemporaries to the finishing line which (represented the school entrance) to clinch the trophy.

Boluwatife left the starting point five minutes after others had gone ahead, but still emerged third. He said he won beacause he took his time to dress properly before

• Nursery One pupils of Brilliant Esteem Private School getting set for the five metres race at the schools bi-ennial sports meet

Six-year-old lad wins

By Medinat Kanabe

joining his peers on the finishing line.

The primary one pupil told The Nation, that his mum helps to dress to school daily, adding that shortly before the competition, he practised dressing himself with his teacher's assistance.

Disclosing the magic that helped him through, Bolu, who represented the Red House, said amid the pressure, something kept urging him to take his time and dress up calmly, and he listened.

The Education Development Director of the school, Mrs Catherine Adebola Ebuoma, said as part of nation building, some countries view sports as an excellent mechanism to build strong societal values and selflessness in her youths.

"Schools were encouraged to embrace sports in their programmes so that student would imbibe the importance of teamwork, selfsacrifices, and the subordination of the individual to the greater good of the group. These are enduring values, which are not just important in the context of sport, but in life as well," she said.

The Head of school, Mr Bade Emmanuel, hinted that sports allows for growth through a programme of competitive and noncompetitive activities that allows for the exploration, stimulation and development of every child's potential and confidence.

In the end, the Green House topped the contest with blue and red houses emerging second and third positions.

29

Students replicate Jesus’ crucifixion

Unknown gunmen invade hostels

Page 31

Page 34

*CAMPUSES *NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

CAMPUS LIFE

THE NATION

0805-450-3104 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

The annual Aluta Marathon of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State was held last month. It was colourful, hilarious and tragic. CHISOM OJUKWU (500-Level Chemical Engineering) and TOMBARI AKPE (500Level Mechanical Engineering) report.

•Participants during the race

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Death, drama trail marathon

TUDENTS of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), last month, witnessed what they have termed the “deadliest” edition of their annual Aluta Marathon. The cross-country race, which was inaugurated by the Students Union Government (SUG) two years ago, has become a muchawaited event.As was the case in prior editions, the race would cover nine kilometres, starting at the hostel common grounds, through the school front gate, across the Otammiri River on Umuchima Road, and back through the back gates to end at the same point from where it had started.

This year’s event saw about 80 participants registering, 10 were guest runners from the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo.

The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Remy Uche,

was there to kick-start the event at about 9.40am, with an opening speech. He dwelt a lot on the need for fair-play, citing as reference the previous year’s incidence where a contestant had joined the race while it was already far gone and finished third. Uche warned sternly against such antics as it defeated the spirit of sportsmanship being promoted by the event. He equally cautioned the athletes against “stretching” their bodies “farther than your elastic limit”.

“It is not a do-or-die affair,” he reiterated, “whenever you get so tired that you cannot continue, stop and let the medical team attend to you.”

The race kicked off with the crowd cheering.

The Red Cross, security agencies such as the Man O’ War, as well as media representatives were on hand to witness it all. Soon enough, some-

one was in the lead – contestant No 044. In line with the art-now-turned-tradition of nicknaming racers, students quickly nicknamed him “Bullet”.

The explanation by an eyewitness was simple: “He (No 044) is such a small guy, and he shot out at the beginning with a lot of speed…just like a bullet!”

The near-catastrophic expression of intense concentration on the contestant’s face didn’t help his case as the name stuck. Many expected him to let up on his pace after he had gone some kilometres but “Bullet” would not. Pace fast and steady, face set and stern, he pushed on. The excitement in the air was tangible; everybody waited to see just how much momentum he carried.

Behind Bullet, however, things were going

amiss. A particular epidemic seemed to be in the air – fainting - and it was cutting down contestants faster than SARS in its prime did chicken.

Students were slumping here and there and, soon enough, members of the Red Cross were overwhelmed.

Two other contestants who had been in the second and third positions both collapsed in front of the male hostels, mere metres from the finish line. Each struggled, attempting to enter the “promised land”. Unfortunately, just as the biblical Moses never set foot there; neither did they.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross which had since given up attempting resuscitation on the fastincreasing casualties concentrated efforts on transporting casualties to the FUTO Medical Centre (FMC). The FMC was soon swamped.

•Continued on page 31

•Student falls from mango tree - P32 •Dept loses student in accident - P33

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

30

CAMPUS LIFE Behind failed fathers and children

I

Pushing Out

N July 2009, the Nigerian state entered the unenviable group of those fighting guerrilla wars. Ordinarily, the Niger Delta militancy which got to a peak during the Olusegun Obasanjo years would be part of it. But, considering the level and target of attacks, the sophistication, the lack of let-up and the impossible demands of the major guerrillas of today – Boko Haram – the former would be dismissed as child’s play. Today, we are almost on the same page with Afghanistan and Iraq (minus the war on terror), Pakistan and Yemen.

Sadly, it has become increasingly “normal” to expect death and destruction during festive periods, especially Christian ones. The first major case was the Independence Day bombing on October 1, 2010. On the eve of the following Christmas, bombs went off at a drinking spot in the Jos metropolis, Plateau State.

This was repeated barely one week later as the nation joined the world to usher in 2011. There was some respite after this; but it was quickly followed by many other bombings and random shootings. These include the United Nations’ building bombing, the police headquarters’ bombing and the Damaturu mass murders. One cannot forget the now countless bombings in Maiduguri (which some have called the headquarters of Boko Haram), the Madalla Christmas Day bombing, the Kano blasts and so the list goes on. Really, the number is staggering; so also the casualties figure.

As has become the case with us, even that – the casualties figure – is controversial. Where the “meddlesome” press would want us to believe that 40 Nigerians were thus murdered (as in the case of this Easter bombing in Kaduna), government agencies fall over themselves to “properly educate” us that “ONLY five people died (emphasis mine)”. As at January, after the Kano case, the UN said “almost 1000” have been killed by Boko Haram. I’m sure the government would have a much lower figure, whatever difference that is supposed to make. One

because it takes a clueless leader to get a clueless aide.

Another example was in the last police chief, Hafiz Ringim. It took the escape of arrested Boko Haram members for Jonathan to let that one go; even at that, Nigerians had to scream themselves hoarse. Meanwhile, I’m hard-pressed to with understand what Ringim’s successor, M.D. Abubakar, is doing visiting states to “commission” equipment donated to his men by the governors, when hapless 08054503104 Nigerians are daily bombed in the north; (SMS only) this is to say nothing of other crimes going •campuslife@thenationonlineng.net on all over the place. If nothing, a police chief should at least look the part of be•ladycampus@yahoo.com ing concerned in the face of such cataslife lost is one too many. trophes, not launching crime-fighting equipment Whenever I hear government officials and agen- in “peaceful” areas like Rivers and Akwa-Ibom cies making political gain out of what compen- states. Other high ranking police officers would sation/offsetting hospital bills they pay to vic- do to pose for the cameras. The times are periltims and families of the dead, I get furious. I do ous. not know that person, even the laziest, who My fingers have got stiff writing on wives and would prefer any compensation to being spared mothers to rise up to the challenge of insecurity, the experience in the first place. And that is what corruption and lawlessness in the land. Clearly, the government should do well to concentrate the men cannot do it alone. Besides, in our culon: save us the recurring anarchy and carnage. ture (and many others, I have learnt), it is beThe United Kingdom was one country that lieved that the influence of the woman on her screamed about plans to bomb some cities in the husband and children is second to none. It is true north during the Easter weekend. It warned its that some men are what the Igbo call eze onye citizens to stay away from that part of the coun- agwanam (the king who must not be told what try. True to intelligence reports, bombs still went to do) while today television and other forms of off and people/property were wasted. The po- the media are major influencers on the children, lice and other security agents would tell us they but I like to stand by the Biblical declaration that were able to make some arrests and bust some “a wise woman builds her home” (Proverbs 14:1). bomb dumps. That is not enough. In sane climes, A wise saying goes thus: “train a woman and one failure (especially of the magnitude we see you’d be training a nation”. Thus, I reiterate: a here) is enough for a truly responsible manager woman’s influence on the members of her famto throw in the towel. ily is second to none.

Here, we have a bunch of incompetent leaders But here, we’d be talking about the “wise who are totally clueless on how to get us out of woman” who has set her priorities right; the the gutter. They would be killed before they re- woman who knows how to stoop to conquer sign; and even when you ask them to step down, with her husband; the woman who places her they would rather engage in all manner of she- children’s upbringing/welfare before career adnanigan. There was a report, two days ago, of the vancement; above all, the wise woman who fears Bishop of Enugu Diocese (Anglican Commun- God and knows how to go to Him on her knees ion), Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, demanding the – for family and for nation. This woman is pricesack of Gen. Andrew Azazi, President Jonathan’s less. Proverbs 31 says she is more precious than National Security Adviser (NSA). The Bishop precious stones – wealth, in other words. described Azazi as a mere “decoration” who is She is the exact opposite of the “cows of Bashan” incapable of stopping the bombers. But I doubt (Amos 4:1-3). Through the prophet Amos, God Jonathan would heed the man of God. This is has harsh judgment for sinful, indulgent women,

Ngozi Agbo

‘Corps members should be innovative’

Niri Nash is called “Nightingale” by fellow corps members because of her sonorous voice.

The English Language graduate of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) is serving as a teacher at the Army Day Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State. She is also one of the broadcasters for NYSC News at the Anambra Broadcasting Station (ABS) Radio 2, Onitsha. She spoke with JASPER DADA.

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HAT does it take to be a newscaster?

I see newscasting as giving back or educating the society.

It is the simulation of information and awareness to the society on some relevant issues which otherwise it would have been unaware of. The society’s ignorance of such news could lead to some harm to the members. Thus, as a news caster, I see myself as carrying a burden for the society, being passionate to get

across to it information it needs.

Do you have any broadcasting experience?

No, I don’t. But I’ve had the passion for it since I was a child.

Can you recall the first day you were in the studio?

It was like a dream come true. I must thank Dr. Cyril Okeke, the News Director/Producer at the ABS, because he was always there for us with professional tips. And he was also patient with us because most of us did not study Mass Communication.

What are the challenges you are facing as a news caster and at the same time teacher?

I don’t have any because I have deep passion for each of what I’m doing. I know that some corps members are shying away from the media; but that does not help. If you want to serve Nigeria as a corps member, then the media is one of the ways to disseminate information; teaching is another. In each of them, you are passing across knowledge. Also, I am good at planning. So, I don’t have any difficulty in balancing the two functions.

What is the relationship between you and your ABS-CDS members?

My community development (CD) group is fantastic and the best. Being in the media house we are always interacting, research, discussing and criticising. That helps us to understand one another better.

What should the government do about job creation?

The government should start by restoring all the malfunctioning and dilapidated factories. This should be done hand-in-hand with the renovation and construction of more infrastructure because those infrastructure will lead to job creation for the youth or any individual who wants to be self-employed, especially in areas such as barbing welding, hairdressing and so on.

mostly wives of leaders of the land.

This is what the Forerunner Bible Commentary has to say about the passage: “Apparently, God built safeguards into women to ensure that some measure of right ideals, standards, and practices are passed on to the next generation.

This gives a measure of stability to a society.

Men, with their mind-set of aggressive ambition and their desire to compete and conquer, tend to focus on achievement, often at the expense of morality and ethics. In general, women are not designed for this role, and when they begin to fill it, a nation is on its way down very rapidly…. The sarcastic epithet, cows of Bashan, seems to refer both to the luxury that the wealthy women enjoyed and to a certain voluptuousness and sensuality which their extravagant lifestyle afforded them. These women gained their wealth and affluence by oppressing and crushing the less fortunate. God saw this and promised to hold them to account. They may not have been directly involved in mistreating the poor. But their incessant demands for luxuries drove their husbands to greater injustices.”

A report I saw a couple of days ago lends credence to my belief in the capacity of wives and mothers. Good enough, it came from Muslim women. At the Third Biennial NASFAT National Women Conference in Abuja, the body’s Women’s Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade, said women have failed in their responsibilities, leading to raising of children who are vulnerable to crime. She urged wives of top public officers to support their husbands and ensure that good decisions and policies are made to realise result-oriented governance.

She said: “We mothers should be alive to our responsibilities. Many of us have failed in our duties. This is why we are having miscreant-children, kids that are vulnerable to crimes. Let’s rise up to our responsibilities. … Let us enjoy peace in our homes. When there is peace at home, there will be peace in the nation. If you are part of a family that is inflicting terror on others, definitely on the day of al-kiyyauma (judgment), you will be one of those that will be questioned. Help your husband to rule us well. Guide your children to behave well in the society”.

Ciao

Olorunfemi Olatunji is the President of the Students Union Government (SUG), Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State. The HND II Marketing student spoke with DAYO OJERINDE.

‘We don’t do aluta when there is nothing’

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•Niri

What is your advice to corps members on job availability and creation?

In the absence of the white collar jobs, let us try our best to be innovative, and engage in businesses, no matter how small it is. We should not despise the day of humble beginnings. What should matter most to you is to ensure that it is something you are passionate about, then to be focused and disciplined.

Definitely, you will make it.

As a corps member in Anambra State, what has been your experience and challenges?

At first, I didn’t like it. But with time, I have grown to love the Igbos as well as the people’s culture.

Would you want the NYSC scrapped?

No, no, no! I’m not in support of that. The NYSC is a noble idea; it is here to stay and is one of the best towards achieving national integration and selfless service to our dear nation.

I will say this to intending corps members: do not be afraid of where you will be posted to. Just bring out the best of who you are and where you are.

INCE you assumed office, what have you achieved?

During my campaign, some people insinuated that the management would increase school fees, but I promised them if that should happen, we’d fight it. But, rather than the management increasing the school fees, it was reduced. Our administration has also been able to reduce the SUG due from N500 to N400 for old students and N500 for the freshers. This does not happen in this country, rather than things being reduced, they go up. Also, when our administration came on board, the union bus was not working, but now we’ve been able to repair. It is also to our credit that we have two students at the national level of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS).

What have been the challenges?

The number one challenge is combining academics with unionism.

This is the major challenge because academics is our primary assignment here. Also, I might be sleeping in the middle of the night and someone will just call that they need the attention of the SUG president. There was a time I was travelling; I was called that my attention was needed in school. I had to turn back and return to school. Thus, one’s time is no longer for one alone.

We are also negotiating with the management so that students benefit from the wireless network on campus.

There is a wireless Internet network on campus, but the students have not been benefitting from it, except the staff.

An issue with many student activists is corruption. What is your view on this?

We cannot hide from the fact that some union leaders are corrupt, but I

•Olorunfemi

must say we are not all the same. I was involved with the Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) before I became the SUG president. In my little way, I have been able to reduce the remuneration of our union officers. We are talking about service to humanity; we are not here to enrich our pockets.

On the other hand, we have seen many student- leaders joining politics in this country and they have made positive impact. A good example is the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who was a student unionist in his days at the Polytechnic Ibadan.

What is your relationship with others in the executive as well as those in the legislative and the judicial arms?

I thank God that I am a Marketing student; that has been helping me in carrying everyone along. In Marketing, we have been taught how to deal with •Continued on page 31

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

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CAMPUS LIFE

It was Good Friday last week. Students at the Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, Adamawa State, joined other Christian faithful to commemorate the event. SILAS EDET and PHILIPS OGBAJE (300-Level Information Technology) report.

•’Jesus’ being beaten to the Golgotha

C

ATHOLIC students and other members of St. Vincent De Paul Chaplaincy, Moddibo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, Adamawa State, last Friday celebrated Good Friday with a drama reminiscent of Christ’s death.

The drama, which started at about 7.30am at the football pitch close to the institution’s main gate, featured the traditional 14 “Stations of the Cross” marking the suffering, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ. It ended at “Golgotha”, being the Lecture The-

•’Jesus’ crucifixion

Students replicate Jesus’ crucifixion atre 2 (LT 2).

Peter Oko, a 400-Level student of Biochemistry who doubles as the student-catechist of the Chaplaincy, said the Passion play was an important event in the life of every Catholic “because it is an expression of joy that Christ died on the cross for the salvation of mankind”.

A 200-Level student of Statistics who acted as Pilate, Steven

Ufondu, said the drama was a reenactment of what Christ passed through for the sins of the world.

He added that the practice would bring Christians closer to God as they see the agony that Jesus Christ passed through in order to save them. In the same vein, Martins Echi, in 100-Level Construction Technology, who played Jesus, said he felt privileged acting Jesus.

Varsity makes Igbo compulsory

Death, drama trail marathon

T

HE Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has made a crucial adjustment in its academic curriculum. The varsity introduced a mandatory Igbo course for all regular students in 100-Level. Before, Igbo language was merely studied as a topic under the course titled Introduction to Nigerian People and Culture (GSS 107), a two-credit course under the School of General Studies.

This development is coming at the time of increased agitation by stakeholders from the Eastern states of Nigeria for the promotion of the Igbo language. The introduction of Igbo course came as a surprise to the students just when the semester examinations was about to start.

CAMPUSLIFE spoke to students on the new development. Meg

•Continued from page 29

The scene was like one out of a ‘40s movie set in a war zone – bodies strewn all around, a good number moaning, some gasping, others hallucinating and yelling gibberish.

Notable among the latter group was Chibudike Ozonze, an ardent Catholic student.

Chibudike was yelling for his chaplain to come and administer the viaticum on him lest he die a sinner.

The viaticum is a sacred practice of the Roman Catholics which they believe offers absolution from sins for a dying soul in order to ease the soul’s entrance into heaven upon death.

Grave as the situation was, a few smiles cracked here and there amongst the crowd.

At the finish line nevertheless, results were coming in. “Bullet”, later identified as Livinus Chukwuemeka, 100-Level student of Agricultural Engineering, finished first. He was followed almost five minutes later by Abel Nnamdi (No 106), in 500-Level of same department. Third to cross the finish line was Obinna Nwamadi (No 053), a 200-Level student of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

As always, the ladies – never ones to be rushed – trickled in “decades” later but still amidst thunderous cheers from spectators. Ezinne Onyemaechi (in 100-Level Project Management Technology, no 038) was first; next was Ogochukwu Achebe (200-Level Agricultural Economics, No 001), followed by Afoma Okafor (400-Level Biometric Technology, No 025).

The prizes of household electronic appliances would, however, wait to be presented at later dates because even the winners of the race ended up at the medical centre.

When CAMPUSLIFE spoke with Uche, he was not happy. He had

“Even though playing that part was difficult I did my best to make it real”.

He added: “I was humbled and I took the little discomfort I experienced acting the part as penance for my sins.”

For Augustine Nnadili, in final year Physics and immediate past president of the Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS)

MAUTECH chapter, Good Friday is a day of sober reflection.

“The Good Friday therefore marks the beginning of a new era in the life of every Christian. It precedes Easter which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from death; this resurrection means total reconciliation with God and a clean slate to ‘go and sin no more’,” he said.

From Uche Anichebe UNIZIK

Nwachukwu, a student Psychology, said: “The introduction of the Igbo course is a commendable step. These days, it seems like the Igbo language is dying because youths are ashamed of speaking it in public. This is not the position of the Yoruba and Hausa language.”

An irate student, who refused to disclose his identity, said: “This is not fair.

The management should have considered non-Igbos among us. I did not even understand the exam questions, let alone the answers. This is supposed to be a federal university, and the subjects offered should reflect the true federal character of this institution.

Can you imagine that I was asked to stand up for some minutes, all because I did not speak Igbo when I made an enquiry from the invigilator in the exam hall? I was even lucky because other students were sent out of the examination hall.

‘We don’t do aluta when there is nothing’ •Continued from page 30

•Red Cross officials attending to an unconscious student

warned and they hadn’t listened.

“As a matter of fact,” he promised, “henceforth only participants who scale through carefully-organised preliminaries will be allowed to participate in the next marathon”.

Martins Anyanwuocha is the SUG Director of Sports; he could only spread his hands in befuddlement at the unfolding of events. He wondered aloud why people who had supposedly prepared to run a 9kilometre-marathon, were falling all over themselves without completing the task. He, nevertheless, thanked God, the school manage-

ment and the Elendu Otis-led SUG for the success of the event.

“Of course it was a success,” he stressed, “the winners in the male and female categories are both freshers.

That definitely says well for the future of sports in FUTO”.

Sad news reaching CAMPUSLIFE much later stated that one of the two “Moses” – Alex Chukwuma, an ND II Electrical Engineering student of Imo State Polytechnic – never made it out of unconsciousness. He died at the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, a few days later.

all manners of customers, the good the bad and the ugly. I have been using my experience as a marketer to carry everyone along. The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Speaker and I are in good terms, and when it comes to criticism, we argue constructively.

Many people believe that until the SRC impeaches the SUG president, then they are working. That is not the case here.

At the Students’ Judiciary Council (SJC) level, we’ve been having good times too, and as I’m speaking with you, there is no pending case at the SJC. What is the rate of cultism rate in FEDPOLY Ede? I can tell you with all honesty that cultism does not exist here on our campus. Maybe they are doing it in their rooms, but I can tell you that I

have never seen a cultist here.

You will be hosting the Nigerian Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) this April. How prepared are you?

Nigerian Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) is an opportunity for us, and even our host community, there are so many benefits to this. The management is preparing hard to make the hosting a success. The facilities are ready; we’ll be lodging athletes and officials at the male and female hostels.

What is your advice to your students?

I appreciate them for their confidence in me. I urge them to remember the 3 C’s of aluta which are consultation, consolidation and confrontation. We have to make consultations first, then consolidation before confrontation. We don’t make aluta when there is nothing to fight for. I equally urge them to watch the company they keep; show me your friend and I will tell you who you are.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE

I

From Wale Ajetunmobi AUCHI POLY

T was Saturday morning at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY), Edo State. Students were coming back from night reading. One of them, Stephen Etuk, who had just matriculated, approached a mango tree to pluck a fresh fruit. He climbed the tree but fell.

Stephen was a Fashion Design and Clothing student in the School of Art and Design. Minutes later, before help could come to him, he died.

The incident, which happened near the School of Engineering, threw the campus into mourning as Stephen’s classmates moaned the fate of their colleague.

The deceased was said to be preparing for Citizenship Education test, which was to hold later that morning.

Eyewitnesses said the late Stephen climbed the tree with the notion to pluck a mango but he placed his legs on a weak branch. He fell immediately. Our correspondent learnt Stephen was rushed to the Cottage Hospital but he did not make it. He was said to have been brought in dead. Stephen’s colleagues, who described him as humble and easy-going, were seen at the department last week, wearing mournful looks.

A lecturer, Mrs Joy Alhassan, said she did not know the deceased directly but “facts from his academic work shows the late Stephen was very intelligent”.

From Akwa Ibom State, Stephen was the first born and only son of his parents.

“F

EMI wa da, a o ri, ni bo lo wa, a o ri, a wa de faculty, a o ri (Where is our Femi? We cannot find him, where can we find him? We didn’t see him. We checked faculty, he is nowhere to be found), was the song chanted by Law students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), IleIfe, last Friday. The students wore black as they observed a candlelight procession for their fallen colleague, Femi Oduola.

Femi, 22, died after he finished his 200-Level degree exams. The candlelight procession began at

Student falls from mango tree •Dies minutes later

T

HE Federal College of Education (FCE), Pankshin, has held its fourth matriculation ceremony for 880 students admitted into Bachelor of Education (B.ED) programme. T h e c e r emony took place last Friday at the college auditorium.

The Provost, Prof David Wonang, congratulated the “chosen few”, saying after a fair assessment, the National University Commission (NUC) accredited all 23 degree courses offered in the college. He said all graduates of the college would qualify for mobilsation for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme or for exemption for those above the age of 30.

According to him, it was the “collective team spirit in the college that has today brought about unity of purpose and peaceful environment for effective learning to take place”.

Students decry theft during exam •The mango tree from where Stephen fell

Law students mourn

From Opeoluwa Sonuga OAU RUGIPO

Anglo-Moz and ended at the faculty basement where a service of songs was held. It featured hymns, testimonies of the life and times of Femi by friends in and outside the faculty, song ministration as well as a short exhortation from the book of Ecclesiastes.

Femi was, until his death, a mem-

ber of Equity Chambers, an academic and social Law student organisation, and an usher in Christ Ambassador Students’ Outreach, a campus-based Christian fellowship.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Henry Ofoegbu, in 300-L Law, said: “I did not have a very close rapport with Femi, but just one encounter with him made a huge impression on me. He was humble”.

S

TUDENTS of the department of Computer Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), have called on the management to rise up to the security challenges on the campus.

This followed the theft of a new laptop by unknown persons at the faculty of Physical Sciences of the university.

The incident occurred penultimate week at 10:46am while the students were writing MATH 221 exam.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that cases of missing phones and

Seminar for women

T

•Participants at the event

T

Body enlightens students on cancer

HE students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) were sensitised on what to do to prevent the growth of cancer cells in their bodies. It was at a seminar organised by Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), a non-governmental organisation, last week, by the institution.

The programme, which was tagged “Live cancer free” was attended by cancer survivor, Julian Fortune, from the United States, Kunle Odule and Lanre Akinola who are members of staff of the institution. No fewer than 500 students were in attendance.

Fortune, who was the guest lecturer, said: “In the next five years, I see doctors in Nigeria going beyond using one medicine to treat cancer.

Right now, the doctors are using radiation and surgery. They are giv-

College matriculates 880

From Muritala Omikunle OOU

ing patients the same treatment which should not be so. Cancer should be given appropriate treatment. I also see a situation where doctors will be able to give cancer patients a sense of belonging, where they will be able to look at the cases differently. Not the era where patients see doctors as God. I see the future where the doctors can tell the patients the kind of food to eat to prevent cancer. People need to know that cancer is not a disease that kills everybody. There are some people who will survive it”.

Fortune said the seminar was a proactive approach. “It is the depictions of serious-mindedness and versatility in student,” she commended.

She said she intended to turn her

book, Chronicles of cancer survival, into an audio book and distribute to rural dwellers in Nigeria.

Akinola, the seminar initiator, said: “This programme is commendable in the sense that we are looking beyond the school and we are also contributing to the development of the society. People will tell you that healthy people make a healthy society. Just from the statistics that the guest lecturer read out, it paints a picture of how critical cancer elimination is to humanity.”

SIFE president, Tunde Igiebor, said there was need to sensitise people more on the spate of cancer cases in the community.

He said the disease was neglected by the people due to ignorance, adding: “I believe the programme will go a long way to impact people positively”.

HE office of the Students’ Union Vice-President, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), in conjunction with Rhealyz Naija, has organised an event with the theme T he to ta l l a dy, a programme geared towards women for i s s u e s r e l a t e d t o them.

The organisers said the programme would touch the female folks in lifestyle, career, nation building, health, self-development, fashion and family related issues. The event held last week at the Centre for Continuing Education Hilltop Auditorium.

The guest speaker, a Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on International Relations and Diaspora Affairs, Mrs Remi Duyile spoke on women career development and nation building, its prospects and challenges. She urged the participants to be hardworking,

From Chidiebere Umeorizu FCE PANKSHIN

He advised the students to be focused and committed to the path of academic excellence and national development.

“You must be our ambassadors in line with the motto of the college ‘Excellence in Service’ which has remained the guiding principle in the college for the attainment of qualitative education for manpower development and other national aspirations,” the Provost added.

Asking the students to be conscious of the security challenges in Plateau State, Prof Wonang urged them to be careful as they go about their daily activities.

Patience Onyechi, 100-Level Physics, thanked God for her admission, saying she would use the opportunity well “so as to make better impact on the world after graduation”.

From Oladele Oge UNN

laptops were becoming normal occurrence whenever students were writing exams.

According to a student who did not want to be named, the candidates were instructed to keep their bags outside the class during exam but afterwards, the owner of the laptop discovered his gadget had been removed from the bag.

The students condemned the incident, saying stealing was becoming lucrative in the institution in examination periods.

In a telephone conversation with the head of the department, Mrs. M.N. Agu, she confirmed the incident. She said the management was doing everything possible to stop theft on campus, promising that the thieves would be caught.

From Faith Olaniran ONDO

focused and follow up their dreams.

The Vice President of FUTA SUG, Aanu Ogunmoyela, a 400Level Industrial Design, said the project was to improve the lives of females on campus and see how issues relating to women could be addressed. She thanked Rhealyz Naija team led by Joel Ogunsola, 400-Level Mechanical Engineering, for partnering with her office to bring about changes and impact on ladies on campus.

Guests at the event included Mrs. E. Edema, Deputy Director for Gender Issues, Center for Entrepreneurial and Gender Issues in Science and Technology, Mr Femi Kings, Student Information Officer, FUTA, Dr. B. K. Alese, Dean of Student Affairs, Mr Ireti Adesida, National Team leader, Rhealyz Naija.

A participant, Biola Olaniyi, 400Level Electrical Engineering, said she learned how to be self-dependent and be a solution-provider in the society.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

33

CAMPUS LIFE

Fellowship sends forth graduating students

T

•Joy’s classmates in a procession mourning her death

I

T was an emotional moment for the students of Mass Communication of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) as the remains of their course mate was laid to rest in Oturkpo, Benue State.

The deceased, Joy Adamu, who was described as soft spoken, was a 300-Level student in the department. She died after an illness suspected to be typhoid fever.

In her honour, the Association of Mass Communication Students (AMCOMS) held a procession last Thursday at the Permanent Site of the university.

Speaking at the occasion, the President, Raymond Goshit said

Dept loses student From Esther Mark UNIJOS

Joy death was painful loss, in that the department lost a student last year.

Goshit said: “Whatever you do, you are planting a seed and that seed will speak good or bad. It is very important that we are missed when we depart this world. Learn to sow good because it pays in the end.”

The class representative, Reuben Timnan, said: “It is a painful loss

for the whole class as Joy was known for her cheerfulness. She preferred a particular seat in the class and due to her gentle nature, everyone had come to identify with her through the seat. So it was surprising when her seat became vacant on Friday and we were wondering why she was late for lecture, before the sad news came.”

A friend of the late Joy, Tinuke Jimoh, told CAMPUSLIFE that Joy was a motivator. Tinuke, who broke down in tears, prayed for the repose of the soul of her friend.

•Challenge life, cleric urges

HE Deeper Life Campus Fellowship (DLCF), University of Calabar (UNICAL), has organised a send-forth programme for the graduating students of the fellowship. It was a moment for their junior colleagues to shed tears of joy as the graduating students leave the campus. Malabo Refectory, the venue of the programme, was intense with emotion during the event.

DLCF is the second largest Christian gathering in UNICAL. Present at the event were Prof Godwin Ozumba, the state coordinator of DLCF, who was represented by Pastor Eva Ukata, Mr. Monday Ebgaji, Bro Sylvester Ele, Senior Programme analyst, Governor’s Office; Bro Jeremiah Effiong, School of Health Technology, Calabar, among others.

Ele said the event was not just to celebrate but also to give the students crowns that would shine all through their lives. He said: “If you have not been to school, you will never imagine how joyful it is to graduate from university. It is more than getting admission. There are many things attached to school such that if you look back at them, as a graduate you will find a reason to thank God”.

John Kalu, who represented the graduating students, in a brief address, likened the fellowship to God’s great family, saying it was a lovely society to belong. He thanked the fellowship for its prayers and concern, urging the students left behind to maintain the trait of love in the fellowship.

The graduating students presented a song, The spirit of favour. The song was led by Margaret Uya. This was followed by a drama entitled, God of a

From Emmanuel Shebbs and Isaac Mensah UNICAL RUGIPO

second chance.

While narrating the 10 minutes drama, Praise Uduigwomen, a student, said Christ is ready to receive any sinner who repents.

Ukata advised the students to keep their eyes on God if they wish to succeed in life. He said many graduates had had ship wrecks in their lives because they were feeling graduating from university was an end itself.

One of the students being sent forth, Augustine Inibeghe, said: “I thank God for sustaining me. We buried about four of our classmates from first year to final year. Others who could not continue due to the stress were discouraged and dropped out. I thank God for seeing me through, all the way.”

In a related development, students have been told to challenge life if they want to succeed. Rev. Nkanor Okon, a Minister in Presbyterian Church, Calabar, gave the charge at the send forth ceremony held for graduating students of Presbyterian Students’ Fellowship (PSF) in UNICAL. According to Okon, life is an adventure where one is expected to meet challenges. He said: “But you will only succeed when you take up these challenges. You can’t shy away from challenges, because they will always come as far as you exist.”

The send-forth ceremony also had in attendance members of PSF in Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) and Cross River College of Health Technology.

•The drama group entertaining the students

•Akinsola (middle) and some of the beneficiaries

Governor’s aide awards scholarship to students

T

HE Chief Press Secretary to Ondo State Governor and Patron of the Federation of Igodan-Lisa Students’ (FILSTU), Mr Eni Akinsola, has awarded scholarships to final year students from his home town, Igodan-Lisa, in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

The beneficiaries, mainly indigent final year students of universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, praised the philanthropic gesture of the governor’s aide.

Akinsola, while addressing the students at the maiden edition of FILSTU annual symposium tagged: “In the face of costly education, should it be ignorance?” told the students not to see education as merely an avenue for acquiring university degree, but as an avenue which allows them to change their social status.

He said: “Education is not about

From Michael Orodare AKURE

degree and the certificate only, education is when you allow the circumstances of your birth and growth to turn you to somebody.

Education is being enlightened according to the circumstances of your birth and growth”.

Akinsola also advised the students to be focused in life, saying “it is when you design who you want to be that you can pick your mentor and role model and that your mentor might not be as attractive as you thought, but don’t be carried away by the attractiveness of those who will mislead you by choosing them as your mentor and role model.”

He urged admission seekers and secondary school pupils among the students not to be fixated in their dream thereby ignoring other opportunities passing by.

Citing his personal experience, Akinsola said: “If you aspire to be something and you can’t, you can be another thing and be clear on whatever you want to be.

There are many courses in higher institutions you can read to become great in life.”

Akinsola said the initiative was not for political gain but done in the name of his father, the Olu of Igodan-lisa, Oba Paul Akinsola.

The FILSTU president, Olusegun Akindutire, in his remarks, said the essence of the symposium was to enlighten and to mentor the students in the community for them to make the right choices in their respective academic pursuits.

One of the beneficiaries, Babatunde Ajimuda, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked Akinsola for his gesture, urging other wealthy people in the community to emulate the press secretary.

Varsity restores union

T

HE ban on Students’ Union activities in Ekiti State University (EKSU) has been lifted. This followed a meeting between the management and the students. The latter promised to conduct themselves peacefully, as a condition for lifting the ban.

The union was banned following

From Olanrewaju Awe EKSU

the demonstration led by the SUG president, Quadri Shittu ,last September when the tuition fee was increased. The protest led to the arrest of Quadri by security operatives. He was later released With the lifting of the ban, the EKSU students are set to elect a new set of leaders that will oversee the affairs of the union.

Happy with the development, Funke Oluwatosin, in 200-Level Microbiology, said: “Our union building will now cease to be a place for mere buying and selling.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE

Law students ignite OAU Law students at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), IleIfe, have shown that they are not all about law volumes and suits.

They held a musical show that got students asking for more, reports WILBERFORCE AREVOR (300-Level Language Arts).

F

RIDAY, March 30, was a big day at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. It was a day the Law Students’ Society (LSS) held a well- attended mus ical con c e rt ; i t w a s n ea r l y brought to its knees by the Awolowo Hall Resident boys, popularly known as “Awo Boys”.

The event started at about 10:30pm at the Amphi Theatre, kicking off with performances from upcoming acts such as Gasky, J Boy, J.D, and Phat Beats, among others. There were also local comedians like Arole and Granpa who thrilled the audience with rib-cracking jokes.

Some of the up-coming acts had a rough day as they were booed off the stage; others tripped and

•Awo boys on stage performing Aro

fell while performing.

The unveiling of events was somewhat electrifying as Capital Femi, the Money-money crooner, thrilled the audience with his performance; he was followed by YQ who also did justice to his performance.

However, things changed when the Awo Boys interrupted the programme after forcing their way in. The tension was heightened as one of the boys was rushed to the school’s health centre at about 12:55am, while others rushed to the stage, bringing the programme to a halt.

Sources told CAMPUSLIFE that the boy was stoned by someone in the audience.

His friends, who took over the stage, seized cameras, grabbed a microphone and announced that

•YQ... performing

the programme would not continue if the “criminal who stoned them” was not produced.

It took the mature intervention of the LSS President, Adedayo Ogunyemi, to pacify the angry Awo Boys. When it initially looked like they would not budge, Adedayo managed to bring back their slightly injured friend who urged his buddies to allow the show to continue.

It was clear that the trouble makers among them were disappointed. Some began to chant songs that one of their own had been compromised. Eventually, they were persuaded and reluctantly left the stage The programme struggled to come alive again after about an hour of pleas and a promise that the Awo Boys would be allowed

to perform since that was what they came for initially.

YQ was later called to perform for the second time. His presence on stage did the magic as the audience cheered him. He went further to prostrate for the audience, something the students love.

The Awo Boys later came on stage with crazy and rib cracking costumes as they reenacted funny performances, ranging from singing to demonstrations to choir mimicry.

Skuki’s performance followed as the crowd chorused his hit song, Ma yin e ni banger. Eva’s presence on stage took a different turn as the speakers and the DJ could not blend Next, Essence, the Facebook Love crooner, performed. This was followed by Jaywon who thrilled

the crowd with the rendition of a couple of his hit songs. He later did Jawo jawo lomo, the song which introduced the main event for the night – Goldie.

Goldie held the crowd spellbound with her Lady Gaga-like costume, her songs and above all, her dane steps. Goldie’s presence on stage brought about a reawakening of the whole event as the students seemed not to get enough of her. Screams, shouts, whistles and claps all complimented her performance till the programme wrapped up at exactly 3:30am.

Some of the students who shared their views with CAMPUSLIFE said it was one of the best programmes they have attended on campus in a long time.

Students and staff of two institutions in the neighbouring states of Osun and Ondo were, last week, visited by gunmen. A lecturer was abducted. OLUMUYIWA OGUNLEYE (Osun State Polytechnic) and IMOLEAYO OYEDEYI (Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko) recount the incidents.

Unknown gunmen invade hostels

T

HERE is palpable fear among students of Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, as armed robbers invaded off-campus hostels to rob and rape students.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that five students were allegedly raped by the robbers at Fortmax Villa. About a week earlier, four armed men abducted a Mass Communication lecturer, Mr Babatunde Isamuko.

At the villa, the robbers were said to have carted away laptops, mobile phones, cash and other valuables.

According to one of the victims, the armed gang numbering about 10 stormed Fortmax Villa at about 11:25pm lastTuesday and left around 5am Wednesday morning. The source said the hoodlums shot intermittently to scare away vigilante and para-military groups.

As the students scampered for safety, three of them were allegedly hit by stray bullets. One of the victims, Nathaniel Apo, in HND II, said the robbers shot him in the leg and inflicted machete cuts on four other students. A student vying for a position in the coming Student Union Government (SUG) election, Adesina Akinbileje, fell on his jaw when he jumped from a one-storey building in a bid to escape.

Recounting his ordeal, Adesina said: “The robbers forced their way into our hall around 2am, shooting into the air. They shot Nathaniel.

They also beat other students with machetes. No fewer than four students were injured.” The robbers al-

legedly raided 16 of the 20 rooms.

CAMPUSLIFE learnt that another set of armed robbers stormed the Phase II of the Fortmax hall around 1:30pm last Wednesday and burgled five rooms.

The home of the abducted lecturer, Mr Isamuko, on Ada Road, was broken into penultimate Monday. His Volkwagen Passat car, a laptop, three mobile phones and other valuables were taken.

Efforts to speak with management were fruitless as the mobile phone of the school information officer was not reachable at press time. However, students who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, called on the government and the management to beef up security to prevent a recurrence.

In a related development, Independent Villa, a private hostel occupied by students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, was invaded by gunmen who dispossessed the residents of property and cash.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the hoodlums, who came with guns, cutlasses and knives, stormed the hostel at about 1am after forcefully removing the small gate. Their first port of call was the main provision shop of the hall where they attacked the aged owner and her daughter who were sleeping inside the shop.

According to the woman who identified herself simply as Madam Felicia, when the gang entered the shop, they took her cash container and purse, and emptied them. They

•The broken doors of one of the rooms attacked by the gunmen

also took her phones and that of her daughter and instructed them to lie on the floor.

It was gathered that the robbers moved to other rooms and stripped the occupants of valuables, among which were Blackberry, Samsung Galaxy tab and Nokia phones, N50,000 being the tuition fee of one of the residents and N60,000 from other residents. The robbers then beat their victims with hard objects like machetes, leaving one person with an ankle injury.

One of the residents, who pleaded

anonymity, said: “When my roommates and I heard Mama (Madam Felicia) screaming in her shop, we started shivering. At first, we decided to break our ceiling and hide inside it. Later, we decided to wait, thinking they might pass over our room.

But unfortunately, they arrived, packed our phones, provisions and money.”

As the robbers were leaving, they allegedly stopped at another hostel, Boiz Villa, which was adjacent to the Independent Villa. They made away with several phones as well as an un-

disclosed sum of money.

Findings further revealed that the gang, after plundering the Boiz, assaulted three students who were coming from a night party and thumped them with a wooden plank, after stripping the students of their valuables.

The victims attributed the success of the robbery attack to the failure of the security operatives to get to the scene on time. They also said the noise from the hostel power generator prevented other residents in the neighbourhood from knowing about the attack.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

35

CAMPUS LIFE

Boko Haram: In search of lasting peace

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HE spate of bombing in parts of the north by members of the dreaded sect called Boko Haram has shamelessly opened channels for government officials to deliver well rehearsed and doctored speeches to affirm the “determination” of the Federal Government to get the culprits and bring them to book.

From my humble observation, people no longer pay any attention to those speeches and “empty promises”. They are interested in policies and effective security system to combat the growing extremism in the north.

In January, Kano was set on fire by the extremists, who detonated explosives in a police station and opened fire on the scampering crowd, mainly non-combatants.

The grim picture painted by the incident has dispelled the notion that all is well with us as a nation.

About 185 people were killed within hours by fellow human beings! In a sane clime, only natural disasters would have claimed such number of deaths.

But then, Kano is a cosmopolitan city, just like Lagos. In fact, media

reports recently showed that the relationship between religious groups in the state was improving.

Corp members, who served in the state, attested to the tranquility in the city as well as the hospitality of the dwellers and settlers in the state. So, what could have caused the flight of peace?

Kaduna, another well-informed state in the north, was in the news for the wrong reasons. A suicide bomber killed himself and over 40 people on Easter Sunday. The bombing is an indication that the solution for the growing insecurity in the north is beyond the mark of politics. At this point, government needs to have a rethink on Boko Haram because innocent lives are at stake. If intelligence counts in Nigeria, maybe we would have had the inkling that the deadly strike was imminent.

It is pertinent to prod President Goodluck Jonathan to pay attention to the insecurity in the country and the spate of killings. We must tell him that Boko Haram is a threat to our common existence.

If a group of criminals could kill other human beings in such a bra-

zen manner, what would happen if, God forbid, Nigeria is hit by an earthquake? We are at this crossroad because the government treated the issue with kid gloves by playing politics at the expense of national security. Something drastic must be done to prevent and stop the group’s nefarious activities.

I don’t believe the partial imposition of state of emergency in some states will curb the menace that has lead to the death of scores of Christians and Muslims; it has indeed proven to be of no effect. If the sect has sympathisers in government, the National Assembly and security agencies as Mr. President claimed, then, it will be unwise to confront the scourge with force. They possibly know what our security agencies know. The president and his cabinet must wake up to that reality.

If the issue is not properly handled, the insecurity in the land will have far-reaching impact not only on the economy but also on the president’s image and reputation; and the truth is civil war may just be knocking at the door. At

least the ominous signs are there.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, suggested last year that the president should personally move down to the affected states. I believe there is no way the government can deal with the sect by proxy. Efforts must be made to meet with them face-to-face. They must be allowed to state their demands and the government should carefully consider all the options available.

Therefore, I recommend that the government should re-open the communication between itself and the members of the sect so as to address the menace that is gradually turning Nigeria into a pariah state. Everybody is highly concerned and disturbed by the prevailing situation of insecurity in the country.

In order to preserve the unity of the country, dialogue may be a viable option. The use of force for force should be the last.

My argument is hinged on the popular Yoruba proverb that says: “ti erin meji ba n ja, koriko ibe loma fori fa”, which means if two elephants

Between grade and career

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By Muritala Omikunle watermerit@yahoo.com

ERHAPS students have pondered the linkage between grade and career at one point in time or the other. A school of thought believes that grade determines career while others believe that career defies whatever grade one takes out of the university.

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However, while grade is defined as a mark given in an examination or for a piece of school work, career is the period of time that one spends working or doing a particular activity. In days of yore, graduates got employed even before they left the universities. Unfortunately, the trend changed in the late 80s, when the country’s military rulers implemented a policy packaged by the Bretton Woods’ institutions.

Nowadays, graduates wander the streets doing menial jobs such as “phone-call business”, commercial cab operation, okada riding and so on.

There is no ready job for school leavers even if they graduated on top of their classes. When there is a vacancy for job in a firm, hundreds of people rush in to submit applications.

Yet, the job, instead of being given to deserving applicants based on merit, would be reserved for the son or daughter of the Managing Director or General Manager. Many who

would have invested their hope in the job would be disappointed.

In time past, graduates were seen as important manpower in the society. But today, in Nigeria, ironically, they have become almost irrelevant to the community - no thanks to bad government policies that have continued to place premium on mediocrity, thereby rendering the society weak and confused.

As a student in one of Nigeria’s socalled ivory towers, one had had to think on why students fail exams especially in the university. Perhaps, nobody has asked questions on the competence of our lecturers vis-à-vis the understanding of course outlines.

The gifted students are falling and the weak are not surviving. Grade falls but should this deter students?

Grade and career could be at a loggerhead if a graduate with a good grade did not upgrade and update himself on latest development in the industry. Things change over time,

Sunset at dawn

Moderate social life in FUTO

OMETIMES, I wonder why people seem to frown at the mention of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), thinking it is an institution where social activities have been curtailed. They believe the school is meant for bookworms, who never do nothing else rather than read.

Well, a novice remains a novice and a person with such mindset will be forgiven because he is not in the system. Students in the school know that the contrary is the case. As the saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Suffice to say that the students of FUTO have made a wonderful resolution to balance their social, educational and spiritual lives.

Living the life of a bookworm is not enough; one must have freedom and a little bodily exercise to ease off the academic stress.

Like in every other school, FUTO students engage in social activities. The difference may have been that the students here do not have all the time in the world to engage in extracurricular activities as may be compared to some of their colleagues from other institutions.

From Chinewndu Onuoha presygal40@yahoo.com

For instance, the Polymer and Textile Engineering Department in FUTO had a fun week last month. The department, which has a student-strength of about 650, declared a lecture-free day for students to mark the week, which did not last more than four days. Perhaps, if it were to be in some other institution, the week would probably have stretched to two.

However, whether the week was for four days or two weeks, the fact that it took place has negated the fact that all students here do is read.

Despite the wrong notion that FUTO is anti-social school, candidates still choose the institution every year and the numbers of applicant increases yearly. Our door is wide-open for new intakes.

Mind you, it is not actually a bed of roses, but you can be accommodated. You will know how to cross the bridge, when you get there.

There is a light at the end of every tunnel. For the meantime, you cannot afford to miss out. Be the one to relate the experience.

Chinwendu, 400-Level Polymer and Textile Engineering, FUTO

therefore, there is need for students and job-seekers to be dynamic. For example, digital method of working has overtaken the old analogue way, and employers expect job-seekers to be conversant with the new method.

In Nigerian universities, if one cannot read, then he may be seen as a dullard. Meanwhile, in most of the developed countries, where they treasure brains, the dullards in Nigeria may turn out to be pacesetters in such countries. Many dropouts in the United States such as Bill Gates have proved to be part of the great personalities of the 21st century. The point is faculty can be great while grade may not be good. It is important for one to discover oneself and make good of it. If we are not being helped, let us help ourselves.

Graduates cannot be compared to dropouts, but the cases exist today where the latter becomes the employer of the former. It is good to

By Taiwo Isola thelivingpurpose@yahoo.com

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CCORDING to Nelson Mandela, some of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death over and over again before we get to the mountain top of our desires. As for undergraduates in institutions in the north, our fear is beyond the shadow of death. We have the fear that many of us have been already swallowed by death.

Although the recent suspension of the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was greeted with applause, for some families whose children study in the north, it was bad news considering the incessant bombing, killing and violence in some northern states. While I was still basking in joy that I narrowly escaped a fatal accident along the PotiskumDamaturu-Maiduguri highway when I was returning to school, I was moved

to tears when I saw obituaries of students pasted on different notice boards on campus.

I confess I was in mourning reading the obituaries of my colleagues. The shining stars were dimmed and the most pathetic of it is that, among those who died were three final year students: Honest Attah, Iorsue Roseline Ugumbur and David Onah Eriba. They lost their lives on February 25, 2012 when a bus conveying them to Maiduguri from Benue State had an accident.

As University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) students were still mourning the dead, another graduating student from Abia State, Sunday Eyo, was killed in yet another accident. As if it was our lot, Matthew Agada, a student of English Department, also lost his life.

The list is endless!

Some religious people may be quick in pointing to the fact that fate was at work. But then, do we continue to live of the realm of destiny and blame our fate on some unseen forces? Of course not.

Perhaps, we made mistakes when we decided to pursue higher education in the north. For how long will the blood of innocent students be sprinkled because of our leaders’ inaction or cluelessness? Should we sit back in our localities and remain backward academically? I am very puzzled as I pen this piece.

By Ayodeji Adesina ayo2sun@gmail.com

fight, it is the grass that will suffer.

How many Nigerians have to die before we build a nation where peace and justice shall reign?

Mr. President, the buck stops at your table. You have my vote to move for dialogue in search of lasting peace.

Ayodeji, a corps member, NYSC Onitsha have good grade but one should emphasize on career. What is the essence of First Class without useful input into any field of human endeavour? If you are a cheat and you end up obtaining a grade you don’t deserve, the ghost of it would surely haunt you for the rest of your career.

Circumstances surrounding students in the school are different and could unavoidably be determinants in some cases. For example, some students have opportunity to get busy with academic affairs while their buoyant families are supportive in providing their basic needs - from class to library and library to class.

Another category of students carry their families as burden even as they contend with the demands of academics – financial and otherwise. Other groups of students are to provide and sustain themselves as well as pay their school fees. All is natural and but there is need to succumb to nature. In all, one must be progressive and a problem solver.

Muritala, 400-Level Mass Comm., OOU To be candid, it is sheer frustration that made many of us get desperate in pursuing a career in the valley of the shadow of death. It is all in a bid to acquire higher education. Do we now call this desperation a suicide mission?

No. I traveled from Ibadan to Maiduguri and spent three days and two nights on the road instead of the normal 18 hours. On a trip to Maiduguri, I saw students, the socalled future leaders, lying helplessly on the road side to have a night rest after narrowly escaping being killed in an accident.

To God be the glory, I escaped an accident that night but what about five of my colleagues who travelled on the same route to the same destination but who lost their lives? Apparently, their death could have been averted had some measures been put in place.

On behalf of the Nigerian students and other road users, I appeal to government and stake holders at all levels to tackle the problem of bad roads killing our citizens. To all religious leaders, please call on God on our behalf, our future is at stake. Our parents should always remember us in their prayers.

To all my colleagues in these struggles, I say there is no royal route to greatness. There is no easy path to glory and fame. Life however is not a bed of roses but it calls for fighting, endurance and struggle. Fighting for what is ours is the ultimate glory we can boast of.

Taiwo, 100-Level Human Anatomy, UNIMAID

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

36

CAMPUS LIFE The 13th edition of the West Africa Universities Games (WAUG) has ended at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN). HABEEB WHYTE (400-Level Law) captures some of the highlights.

Thrills and frills of WAUG

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ORE than 40 universities participated at the just-concluded 13th edition of the West Africa Universities Game (WAUG), hosted by the University of Ilorin.

At the end of hostilities last week, Nigeria was tops, with the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) topping the medals’ table.

The event started with an opening ceremony, which dwelt on the theme: “Promoting Regional Cooperation through Effective Sports Participation.” There were over 3,000 athletes and 1,500 officials. There was a representative of President Goodluck Jonathan , Mr Bolaji Abdullahi (Minister of Youth Development and Sports). The Minister of Education, Prof Ruqqayyatu Rufai, was also in attendance.

Before the arrival of the duo, students and other sports enthusiasts started filling the newly constructed sports pavilion from as early as 7.30am. The influx of people into the stadium was unprecedented as many struggled to enter. Security personnel who also came early maintained proper coordination.

To calm people’s nerves before the arrival of the dignitaries, the students of the Performing Arts Department of UNILORIN performed cultural dances on the newly constructed titan track. They were followed by another performance by the Kwara State Arts and Culture troupe.

The opening event started at 10am; it was moderated by the master of ceremony, Mr. Bayo Issah of Sportpro, who is also the Dean of Sports, UNILORIN. At the stand with him was a French interpreter.

First to speak was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, who was also chairman of the local organising committee of the Games, Prof Albert Olayemi. He extolled the support of his boss who he said saw that nothing was spared in ensuring a hitch-free and standard event.

After the short speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, came up. While welcoming everyone, he revealed that there was still room for sponsors to donate towards the game.

The VC told the audience the challenges that were faced during the preparation of the game; while also thanking God for the day.

He acknowledged the presence of the various vice-chancellors present as well as that of members of the board of management of UNILORIN, alumni of the university, the representative of the Speaker House of Representatives and other former ministers present, such as Alhaji Saka Saadu and Prof Adedoja Taoheed.

His speech was followed by that of the Min-

ister of Education, Prof Rufai. She reiterated the importance of the WAUG as a tool for youth integration, noting that UNILORIN has been consistent as one of the leading universities in Nigeria. She expressed satisfaction with the facilities on ground and she urged the university to bid for the world university game. She said few universities could boast of the facilities she had seen on ground. Then, she ended by encouraging staff and students to keep the flag high.

Mounting the podium after her was Abdullahi, who said that the present administration was willing to support sporting activities in the country.

With the speeches over, it was time for a march past which served as an introduction of the participating institutions. They include Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Bayero University Kano, Kano State University of Science and Technology, University of Ibadan, Ekiti State University, Benue State University, University of Jos, Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) Yola, Ebonyi State University, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Ibrahim Babangida University Lapai, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Agriculture (UNAAB) Abeokuta, Nassarawa State University, Universite Sen Diop Dakar Senegal, Adekunle Ajasin University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Benson Idahosa University, Federal University of Technology Akure, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, University of Benin, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Cross River State University of Technology Calabar, Kaduna State University, University of Calabar, University of Uyo, University of Abome-Calavi Cotonou, Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal University of Technology Minna, University of Cape Coast Ghana, Ladoke Akintola University, University of Ghana Legon, University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Kwara State University, University of Port Harcourt, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Ilorin, Burkina Faso University, Universite Polytechnique De Boubo Ouagadougou.

Afterwards, there was an oath performance for Kolapo Michael Are (Students Union Sports Secretary) and Mr A. Olororo (coach of the UNILORIN team). They took the oath for all participating athletes and officials, it was meant to reiterate their commitment to the spirit and rules of the games.

After the oath, the University Secondary

•From left: Abdullahi, Prof Oloyede and Prof Rufa’i during the opening ceremony

•Female basketball team during one of the WAUG matches

School, UNILORIN, came on stage with a dance performance. As soon as they were done, the games were declared open by Mr Abdullahi.

This he did by kicking off the opening match between UNILORIN and Kano State University of Science and Technology. The match ended 1:0 in favour of the hosts.

UNIPORT, leading with 38 gold, 17 silver and 15 bronze medals, was not the only school that

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

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Don berates govt, institutions over preservation culture

ROF Bolanle Oboh of the department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos (UNILAG), has urged government and universities to be sincere in carrying out their environmental impact assessment with a view to ensure the preservation of endangered plants and animals in Nigeria.

She disclosed this at an inaugural lecture held at the institution on Wednesday April 4, 2012.

The lecture was titled: “Noah’s Ark and the future of mankind.”

The professor of Genetics said concerned institutions must aggressively begin to collect all possible species, new and old, for appropriate documentation and conservation.

According to her, the need to develop a central scientific database in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised due to the preserved species for future use.

She said: “The convention on biological diversity has as one of its objective the fair and equitable sharing of its benefits arising out of

NANS flays fake activists

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did Nigeria proud. It led four others. UNIBEN came second with six gold, four silver and seven bronze medals; Benson Idahosa University (BIU) is third with four gold and four silver medals; the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) won four gold, two silver and four bronze medals. The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, came fifth with four gold, one silver and seven bronze medals.

HE participation of “non-academic” students in students’ unionism has been identified as a factor in the training of political thugs who hide under the cover of unionism to visit violence on unsuspecting citizens. The Zone C coordinator of NANS, Henry Pam, told CAMPUSLIFE in an interview that participation of non-students in student’s unionism is an act of desperation on the parts of

From Ayodeji Adesina UNILAG

the utilization of genetic resources.”

Prof. Oboh added that there was need to put in place an information management system for biological diversity as it would enable the old and new scientists in the field to access database on plants and animals of interest in order to have information on what has been done and also the conservation location.

Another hiccups identified by the don was the inadequate funding for research and easy access to funds.

She decried the current approach to research by government and institutions saying the system must make provision for new lecturers for them to be able to access funds for research within their first six months.

Prof Oboh however called on all stakeholders to encourage capacity building among the students as interests in basic sciences dwindle.

From Esther Mark UNIJOS

some people who are wealthy and are parading themselves as student activists.

The NANS coordinator explained that these people who could not gain substantive foothold in politics resorted to students’ unionism by parading themselves as student’s activists. These people he maintained, recruited other thugs that are been used in causing mayhem during political elections and rallies in the country.

Henry said NANS Zone C was planning a sensitisation rally in which the issues would be communicated to Nigerians.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

EDUCATION INTER HOUSE SPORTS

INTER HOUSE SPORTS

Pupils dazzle at sports competitions

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HE University of Lagos Sports Complex and the Agege Stadium, Lagos have hosted the interhouse sports competitions of Mictec Schools in Ogudu and Oko-Oba. At both venues, pupils displayed their athletic

prowess in various sports to the delight of parents and guests.

Sports on display included bicycle race, athletics and long jump.

The event was chaired by Hon. Benjamin Olabinjo, chairman, Ojokoro/Ijaiye

right) presenting the overall winners trophy to the House captain of d and Lapiz

Local Government, who, reiterated the importance of sports to the healthy development of a child. He advised parents to encourage their children to participate in sports.

It was not all about sport alone, gospel music crooner, Evangelist Tope Alabi, also a parent, fed guests with spiritual songs from her rich repetoire of hit tracks from her past musical albums.

The School Director, Mr Michael Tejuosho, said the school's commitment to developing all the domains of teaching and sports development, forms a major part of the schools cocurriculum through which skills are nurtured and talents discovered.

She said: “There is no way a pupil can be sound intellectually if his or her body is not alert. At Mictec Schools here, we emphasised on developing every domains of teaching for the maximum development of every child.

In the primary school category, Trust (Blue) House came tops with six gold, five silver and five bronze medals; while Praise, Glory and Victory Houses, came second, third and fourth.

In the secondary category, Jasper (Yellow) House came first, while Beryl, Onyx, Emerald came second, third and fourth.

Also at the sixth inter-house sports competition of the Ogudu campus of the school at the University of Lagos

‘The school's committment to developing all the domains of teaching and sports, forms a major part of the schools co-curriculum through which skills are nurtured and talents discovered’ Sports Centre, the chairman of the day, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Governors' Office, Mr Fredrick Odujoko, emphasised the relevance of sports to the development of a sound body and mind and that the state government supports sports development in schools.

He commended Mictec Schools for good academic and sporting records in Lagos State and advised parents to also support sports development in the school.

At the end of the event, Beryl House (Blue) came first, Onyx (Red), Jasper (Yellow) Emerald (Green) came second, third and fourth.

…Proprietor reiterates commitment to sports

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HE Proprietor, Molan Schools, Ikotun, Lagos, Mrs. Agness Omolanke Afolabi, has said her school will remain committed to its philosophy of imparting knowledge to pupils.

At the school's maiden sports meet, at the Government Technical College, Ikotun, she said her schools place premium on sport development.

She noted that the school would leverage on this year's theme: The shining glory to commit the entire staff to the total

development of their pupils.

She implored parents to cooperate with the schools as the latter prepares to bring out the best in their wards.

She said: "We implore parents to encourage and support their children in participating in sporting activities. The success achieved by sportsmen and women in the past are pointer that today they are no longer pushovers."

"In order to make formal education complete, we have scheduled this day for athletics to develop our

pupils' morals, social emotions and skills.

“Also, it will help to discover future athletes who can represent the nation in Olympic games."

The event was chaired by Mr Daniel Obidiegwu, managing director, Sterling Books Nigeria Limited. Also present was Hon. Morenike Abosede Williams, chairman Ikotun-Igando Local Government; Mr and Mrs. Adenodi, among others.

The event featured games such as march past, relay races, egg races, for nursery,

primary, secondary pupils.

Lighting the touch for the nursery and primary classes, relay race for junior and senior, arrangement of chairs for the nursery, egg race for the nursery, filling the bottle and filling the basket (for the nursery classes only); high jump and invitational races among parents, teachers and neighbouring schools, among others.

Eventually, the Blue House dwarfed others with Yellow House following closely.

Green House came third and Red House fourth.

• Athlethes at the P & P Group of schools, Mushin during the school Inter-house sport held at LASPOTECH open field, Isolo

Outfit rewards UNILAG youngest doctor LIGHT Level Limited, a signage and installation company, has rewarded Dr. Temitope Adeyemi, the youngest and best, Dissertation Award Winner of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, at its headquarters, Lagos.

Adeyemi is the first Nigerian to bag a doctorate degree (PhD) from University of Lagos, at 26, since its inception 50 years ago.

Speaking at the presentation, the Managing Director of Light Level, Mr Uwamai Igein, noted that the gesture is in keeping with the company's corporate policy of rewarding excellence and outstanding achievements. He said: "At Light Level, we are committed to identifying and rewarding excellence. Dr. Adeyemi's educational upbeat performance at such a tender age exemplifies our ardent support for value creation and outstanding achievements."

He stated that Nigeria needs top brains that will combine strong leadership and exceptional academic proficiency to compete favourably in the global knowledge-based economy.

He further explained that education remains an important vehicle for youths to dream of future possibilities of selfadvancement and success.

The company's helmsman commended Dr. Adeyemi, for her outstanding and inspiring feat. "Our reward then serves to strengthen your demonstrated commitment, passion and excellence as you execute your future endeavours. Your success story will continue to inspire and propel others to be focused and hardworking."

Igein also encouraged the awardee to remain humble, pragmatic and goal-oriented as she aspires for the best in life.

In her response, Dr. Adeyemi said. "I feel particularly honoured and indebted to your company for this wonderful recognition and reward. This shows you are a great corporate citizen, committed to impacting lives and raising role models in your business community."

Ogun schools excel in regional contest THE performances of four schools in Ogun State in academics and sport at this year's AIONIAN’s competition has been attributed to the huge investment the administration has put into the two sub-sectors of the state's economy.

The state Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Segun Odubela, stated this while hosting the state representatives at the competition at the conference room of the ministry.

At the event, Egbado College, Ilaro won 14 gold medals; Abeokuta Grammar School, won three gold medals in academics; Ijebu Ode Grammar School, got five gold medals in sport; and Remo Secondary School Sagamu, carted away two gold medals in sport.

In a statement, the Press Officer of the ministry, Mr Kayode Oduyebo, said the present administration was poised to bring back the lost glory of the state in all spheres of life. This, he added, led to the rehabilitation and renovation of blocks of classrooms in 100 public secondary schools across the state.

The AIONIAN President in the state / Principal, Abeokuta Senior Grammer School, Mr Funsho Ogun, told The Nation that 12 schools from Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ekiti states participated in the competition with Ogun State representatives winning most of the awards. The competition was hosted by Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu Ode.

Rector tasks workers on ICT THE Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State Prof.

Godwin Onu, has tasked the staff of the institution on Information Communication Technology (ICT), saying that without it, knowledge would be difficult to acquire.

Onu, who spoke on Monday while declaring open a two-day workshop organised by the Petroleum/Coal and Renewable Energy Research Unit (PECREER) of the institution, noted that on assumption of office in 2010, he promised to introduce and sustain an ICT compliant environment. He said ICT has made both teaching and learning easier and pleasurable, urging the staff to upgrade their knowledge of ICT. According to him, "We want to create an environment where lecturers teach with ease and pleasure while the students learn in the same way."

Onu promised not to lose focus or be distracted from providing an enabling environment for the acquisition of knowledge and urged the staff to be more research-oriented.

He also noted that renewable energy has become so topical that the Federal Government has taken deep interest in it, but added that it does not over emphasise the need for alternative energy.

"The timing of this workshop is apt now that examinations are drawing near because the training will also involve new online result processing format and research proposal and methodology since most of my staff are into one programme or the other. There will also be some practical sections on self reliance," he stated.

Welcoming the participants earlier, the Director of PECREER, Mrs. Chioma Awuzie, expressed gratitude to the management for the opportunity to attend the training. He commended the Rector for his quest to improve research and development in the institution.

She noted that the initiative "training the trainer" of the Centre for Technical Vocational Education, Training and Research (CETVETAR), has some objectives which include: "conducting training and retraining programme, carrying out sensitisation on different issues, networking and disseminating information to policy makers, academics, private and public sectors and collaborating with other agencies, centres and organisations with similar objectives of human capital development just as PECREER is doing in this institution."

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

38

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS

Group educates youths on accident THE chairperson, Counselling Association of Nigeria, (CASSON), Lagos State Chapter, Dr Ayodeji Badejo, has said if youths have adequate information on road safety, road accidents which involve them, will be reduced.

Badejo stated this at the Indoor Sports Hall of the University of Lagos UNIIAG, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos when CASSON held its Youth Jamboree forum entitled: Our youths and safety on our roads.

In a statement signed by the association's Public Relations Officer, Aramide Tola Noibi, the forum observed that youths get involved in road accidents due to flagrant abuse of road signs and ethics by some road users, especially, some commercial vehicles operators and drivers.

"Coupled with the non-regular maintenance of such vehicles plying the roads, the unimagined scores of bad roads, non-acquisition of basic driving, traffic skill by drivers and others, driving without valid particulars or licensed as well as recklessness of some school bus drivers and other menace of some commercial motor cyclists, called okada, are some of the factors foe increased road accidents," Badejo stated.

The state Commissioner for Transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa described road safety as the business of all. He suggested the establishment of road safety clubs in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

At the event which also include a number of activities, Caleb International School won the award on March Past. Similarly, Comrade Opeifa, received a plaque for his tireless efforts and sterling contribution to Lagos State, while the Lagos Mainland Unit of the FRSC, Commander, Salami received an award on behalf of the state Commandant Mr. Jonas Agwu.

'Education key to national development' WIFE of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, has described education as a veritable tool for national development.

She said every child must be educated to enable them to realise their potential and, therefore, contribute meaningfully to the progress of the society.

She said this at the opening of the eighth bi-ennial delegate conference of the Federation of Muslim Women's Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) at Alagbe Esibi Royal College in Ado-Odo, Ogun State.

The conference has as theme: Education, a tool to national development.

The governor's wife tasked all stakeholders to address challenges facing the nation's education system to ensure meaningful development in the society. She explained that the state government placed a premium on quality education.

According to her,"providing quality education is a major priority of the administration in the state, and it is committed to the realisation of free education for all children, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, and this will ensure a brighter future for our children as we prepare them for adulthood."

Mrs. Amosun described education as the right of every child, noting that any attempt to deprive them of it would bring about setbacks to development in the society.

She urged FOMWAN to join hands with the government in its mission to rebuild Ogun State and to draw out modalities during their deliberations that would assist in boosting the educational sector.

APPROACHING DEADLINES 2012 Newcastle University Scholarship for Nigerian Postgraduate Students Scholarship Name: Newcastle University Nigeria Scholarships Brief description: Masters Scholarship for Nigerian Students to study at Newcastle University, UK for 2012 academic year Accepted Subject Areas?

Faculties of; Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (HASS), Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE), an Medical Sciences (FMS) About Scholarship The International Office at Newcastle University, UK will award 2 Newcastle University Nigeria Scholarship (NU Nigeria Scholarship) awards to high achieving Nigerian students applying for entry onto postgraduate taught degree or research programmes within the Faculties of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (HASS), Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE), and Medical Sciences (FMS) commencing their studies in September 2012.

You could be eligible to apply for a NU Nigeria Scholarship if: You have been offered a place on any postgraduate degree programme in the faculties of HASS, SAgE or FMS You are a Nigerian national and have been assessed as international/overseas for fees purposes.

You have a First Class Bachelors degree from a recognised Nigerian University and satisfy all other requirements You intend to register to start your studies during the 2012-13 academic year You are a self-funded student and not in receipt of other University or external awards

What are the benefits?

Each scholarship will have a value of £3,000, payable towards the first year of tuition fees.

Eligible African Countries Nigeria To be taken at (country): Newcastle University UK Application deadline is 30th June 2012 Center for Development Research offers PhD research in the field of environmental economics or related field at University of Bonn, 2012 Germany Study Subject(s): Valuation of Ecosystem Services in rural West Africa Course Level: PhD Scholarship Provider: enter for Development Research; University of Bonn Scholarship can be taken at: Germany Eligibility:-Very good degree (Diploma or Master) in environmental economics or related field.

-Very good knowledge of English and French. -Knowledge and experience in environmental valuation is of advantage -Work experience in developing countries, particularly West Africa, is of advantage.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes (Africa) Scholarship Description: Land management decisions determine the production of agricultural and forestry outputs. But they also have implications for the production of non-marketed ecosystem goods and services such as water purification and regulation. Shortages of ecosystem services can substantially curtail the livelihoods of particularly the rural population in developing countries who vitally depend on land productivity and natural resources.

How to Apply: By electronically Scholarship Application Deadline: April 30, 2012

Nigerians, not only students, lack reading culture' Dr Tessy Okoli is Dean Students Affairs, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze. In this encounter with our correspondent ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU in Nnewi, she bares her mind on the challenges facing the college in view of its upgrading into a degree-awarding institution. Excerpts:

I

S there any reading culture among the students here?

Yes, generally in the country today. Nigerians lack reading culture. So, it is not restricted to our students but we are trying to tell them the importance of reading.

Even in our orientation while they are coming in, there is a topic given to one of our lecturers to deliver to them about studying skills and reading culture. It is not peculiar to students of this college. It is peculiar to this country and it is a problem to this country. People of Nigeria

lack reading culture. But we shall continue talking to them on that problem.

Are there new challenges facing the school especially in areas of hostels in view of the new degree programme introduced?

There is nothing in life without challenges. Before the coming of the degree programmes, we started earlier to acquire some more hostels. As it is now, we don't have much challenges as it concerns hostels because we made hostels available but what seems to me a

UN, Niger Delta partner on youth empowerment

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HE Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are partnering to use the Federal University and the Skill Acquisition Centre, Otuoke, Bayelsa State as centres for youth empowerment in the Niger Delta region.

The leader of a team of consultants led by Dr Dierdre Lapin Coffey, who visited the Otueke community, disclosed this at the weekend. He stated that the initiative is expected to improve the lives of the people of the region and expose youths as catalyst to development.

Coffey, who briefed the ViceChancellor of the university, Prof Mobolaji Aluko, at Otuoke, said the guiding vision for their programme is to improve the welfare and livelihood of all citizens in the region by co-ordinating the efforts of all players in catalysing economic development, improving living standards, and creating a sustainable peace in the Niger Delta region.

"Our effort is being informed by recommendations from all of the valuable studies and reports submitted to date on the region. The next step is to operationalise their proposals. We are requesting you, as a longstanding observer and development partner of the region,

•Minister of Education Ruqayyatu Rufa’i

Prof

to share your knowledge, information about your new university programme. This will permit our team to learn about new initiatives underway and help to inform the way forward for the region," she told Aluko.

Responding to the team's request, the Vice-Chancellor commended the initiative and efforts of the delegation, affirming that the university is poised to working in concert with the Ministry for Niger Delta Affairs to develop the region in many ramifications.

"Efforts are already being concerted for the vocational training institute being built by the Ministry for Niger Delta Affairs, Skills Acquisition Centre, Otuoke, to be affiliated with the Federal University, Otuoke," he said.

He added that with the affiliation, the prestige of the certificates to be issued to future graduates will be adorned, thus improving their chances of getting a better societal recognition and professional credibility.

•Dr Okoli

challenge is that around here, some of the hostel fees seem to be a bit high.

Eight thousand naira for hostels within the school and N10, 000 for the one outside the school. But the new ones they are erecting now stand for N25, 000.00. So most of the students are finding it difficult to pay and that is why they talk of hostel problem. But there is no problem because the N25, 000 hostels did not have effect as at now.

In terms of making the environment conducive for students, how far have you gone? A lot of them complained of lack of water?

We have water here and our new provost is making frantic efforts to make sure there is borehole here and there. Even at the permanent site, the ones there has repaired.

T

Down the hostel there, there is new borehole coming up. If you go towards the old library there is another borehole there. So, the college is trying to provide them with water.

Why is there still molestation from the lecturers against students?

In this college? I have been Dean of Students Affairs, since 2007 and left 2009 and again, came back in 2010. The issue of molestation against students is not allowed in this college. We don't allow lecturers to molest students and we have not handled such case and I have not see any.

This college is peculiar when it comes to discipline. The youths being what they are they will like to belong. When you tell them that cultism is not good and it will do them no good, they will want to feel like 'what is the impact?' To try water that argument, we are trying to cut it to the barest minimum. We don't allow them to operate even if they exist, we don't know because we have not allowed them to stand their feet.

What of examination malpractice do you checkmate that?

A lot, if you come to this school we don't complain. It is one big family. They tell the students from the handbook. Any malpractice has a penalty and our penalty before now is dismissal and expulsion.

Even if you are in your final year and you are caught in exam misconduct, you are gone. Our students know that.

FUT Minna produces 33 first class graduates

HIRTY-three students of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, will on Saturday pass out with first class degrees out of the 2,392 students for 2009/2010 academic session.

Announcing the 19th and 20th convocation of the institution, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Muhammed Salihu Audu, said another set of 179 spill-over students of 2010/2011 would also be graduating, bringing the number of first degree graduating students to 2,571.

The Vice-Chancellor also said the university would also award 23 doctorates, 301 masters, 323 postgraduate diplomas among others.

A breakdown of the statistics showed that School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET) produced 18 first class graduates, while nine graduating students of the School of Science and Science Education (SSSE) made the elite class.

The School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) had three first class graduates,

By Jide Orintunsin, Minna

while the School of Environmental Technology (SET) and School of Entrepreneurship and Management Technology (SEMT had two and one first class degree holders.

Further details showed that 501 students are graduating with second upper division, 1,269 made second class lower division, while 696 bagged third class and 72 with pass degrees.

Audu said three prominent Nigerians-Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy President of the Senate; Alhaji Sani Dauda, a business mogul, and Mr Victor Winn are to be conferred with honorary doctorates (Honoris Causa).

Other highlights for the convocation include the inauguration of projects at the Gidan Kwano campus of the institution and another at the administrative block for the newly established School of Information and Communications Technology by President Goodluck Jonathan.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

39

District V wins Spelling Bee

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KEELAH’S aptitude earns her an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and, in turn, united her neighbourhood, who witnessed the courage and inspiration of one amazing little girl.

Young Lilian Ogbuefi, cool calm and unassuming, shares lots of similarities with Akeelah Anderson (Palmer), a precocious 11-year-old girl from South Los Angeles with a knack for words.

Akeelah, who entered various spelling contests, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee (Fishburne), her Principal, Mr Welch (Armstrong) and the proud residents of her neighbourhood.

But at the expansive hall of the Adeyemi Bero, Alausa, Ikeja, Ogbuefi’s dressing was pretty simple with her hair all packed to the back. Her pair of shorts seemed haphazard, unlike several other 56 contestants pupils from all 57 local government areas and local council development areas represented at the competition, who had theirs neatly knitted to their body. But despite that deficit, Lillian, an SS3 pupil of Lagos State Model School, Kankon, Badagry stole the show when she emerged the overall winner at this year,s Spelling Bee competition.

Ogbuefi, 16, spelled the word Palimbacchius to pull the rug off her co-contestants’ feet.

As Dr Larabee taught Akeelah, to always differentiate and spell the French, Italian, Greek and other words and also made her understand that asking for the origin and meaning of words would give her an upper hand, Ogbuefi followed in same direction. Each time she came across certain knotty words, she would ask the moderator: “what is the origin of the words, sir? What is the meaning of the word?”and the moderator’s response seemed to be all Ogbuefi needed to knock off such words to the thunderous applause from, guests, teachers, parents and the

•From left: Mrs Oladunjoye, Lilian, Ireti, Jonathan and Mrs Fashola

By Medinat Kanabe

officials of the ministry of education that crammed the hall on Wednesday last week.

Ogbuefi with tag No 06, who told The Nation that her consistent practice for three years, earned her the crown, becomes the One-Day Governor, taking over from his predecessor Iniodu Akpankpan. This is in addition to a cash gift of N250,000, a trophy, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Finland for a tour of educational exchange.

The first runner-up Ogedengbe Ireti of Oke Afa Comprehensive Senior School (District VI) and the second runner-up Chibueze Jonathan from Sanya Senior Gram-

‘I didn’t know some of them because they sound trickish, but when I ask for their origin and meaning, I was able to spell them. The French and Italian words are not easy to spell and another thing is that there are different ways of spelling different word’

Bayelsa pays WAEC fees for 25,772 pupils

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I

N furtherance of his declaration of state of emergency in the education sector in Bayelsa State, its Governor Seriake Dickson, has paid N250million for 25,772 candidates of the state's origin.

These are pupils who registered for the 2011/2012 secondary school exams by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO).

Governor Dickson has also approved the payment of N7milion counterpart fund the state owed the United Nations Children's Fund. He said the fund would enable the state to benefit from its ongoing partnership with UNICEF in line with international best practice in education.

He said the partnership required benefitting states to prepare their 10-year Education Strategic plan and Education Sector Operational plan to enable them to access development funds from donor agencies.

In a statement signed by Dickson's Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Mr Daniel IworisoMarkson, in Yenagoa, the governor directed heads of schools to stop distracting candidates payment for external examinations.

He said the government had lifted the burden of paying the fees off the

mar School (District IV) with tag No 24 and 10 won N150, 000 and N100,000 with a trophy, in addition to serving as members of the cabinet to Ogbuefi.

Speaking to reporters, Lilian said she was able to spell all the words because she asked for their origin and meaning sometimes ago. “I didn’t know some of them because they sound trickish, but when I ask for their origin and meaning, I was able to spell them. The French and Italian words are not easy to spell and another thing is that there are different ways of spelling different word,” she added.

Asked what she feels about the saying that public school pupils don’t do well, she said it is not true

• Gov Dickson

shoulders of parents to enable them to pay more attention to the academic development of their children.

"N42.5milion was used by the government to pay for equipment and materials required by candidates who registered for science practical examinations", the statement added, stressing that candidates for science practical examinations were hitherto forced to pay N1,500 each for such equipment and materials.

"It will no longer be reasonable to extort money from the candidates for the sake of science practical examinations. The government will, henceforth, pay the fees to allow candidates to simply concentrate on working hard to pass their examinations".

The gestures, Dickson added, are preliminary measures to address the disturbing incidents of mass failures recorded in external examinations.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

because she is from a public school and can demonstrates what she knows intellectually.

Ogbuefi also thanked her teachers, friends, and classmates for their support. She also thanked her principal, New Era Foundation, the tutor-generals and Lagos State government.

The junior category, which was held the previous day, saw nineyear-old Emeka Chibike (District I) from the Housing Estate Primary School, IbejuLekki coming first. He was closely followed by the Popoola Mariam (District V) from L.A Primary School, Ilogbo-Elegba and Ajayi Shakiru, (District III) from R.C.M. Primary School, Lekki. They all went home with 150,000, 100,000 and 75,000 with a trophy each.

While speaking to reporters, Emeka said he was encouraged by his teachers and his sister, who helped in his reading at home. He said he studied hard because he wanted to be the winner and was not afraid at all.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, said the three main objectives of the com-

petition are to inculcate in the pupils a good culture of healthy rivalry for great academic performance; provide a platform for pupils to showcase their innate talents with the hope of boosting confidence in their abilities and provide an opportunity for pupils’wholesome growth and development.

“All these traits, of course, to a large extent, have been responsible for the performances of our pupils in this competition,” she added.

Dignitaries at the event also include former commissioner for Health, Dr LekePitan; business Mogul Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas; Marketing Manager, Honeywell Group, Mr Olusola Abati; Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee of Education, Wahab Alawiye-King and wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Mrs Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola.

The competition initiated by the New Era Foundation, a brainchild of the wife of the former governor of Lagos Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 12 years ago, has produced winners, who had hitherto enjoyed scholarships up to the university.

Committee mobilises for children with challenges

HE Lagos State Advocacy Committee on Special Education Matters has begun visiting the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas of Lagos to mobilise support for the education of children with learning disabilities.

The exercise will last until August 16 when the government expects there would be increased awareness about the availability of facilities for their education in special and conventional primary and secondary schools, and the contents of the Lagos State Special People's Law signed May 30, 2011.

The committee will also be enlisting the co-operation of corporate organisations such as FirstBank Plc, Promasidor, makers of Cowbell Milk, Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie, and others to improve quality education service delivery to special needs children.

Inaugurating the committee at the Lagos State Education Resource Centre, Ojodu, Education Commissioner, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, urged its members to ensure that citizens of Lagos embrace people with special needs so they can contribute their quota to societal development.

Mrs Oladunjoye, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo, said: "I will, therefore, want to enjoin every

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

member to put in his best and take the message of disability acceptance to the community of Lagos State and effect positive change for the improvement of individuals who are living with disabilities in the state. Let me assure you of our readiness to give the needed backing in discharging your duties as a functional and relevant committee."

Members of the nine-man committee include directors in the Education ministry, namely Mr S.B. Sortin, Mrs Olayinka, Mrs Adigun, Mr Samuel Akindolapo, Mr Yemi Oloko and its Chairman, Deaconess Abiola Olanrewaju.

In an interview with The Nation, Mrs Olanrewaju said the committee will be visiting the Local Government Education Authorities in all the councils to sensitise them about inclusive education and help set up inclusive units where there are none.

She added that the corporate organisations are expected to support by endowing facilities, equipment and others.

"We will go round advocating the LGEAs to embrace education of special needs children. In areas where there are no inclusive units, like Alimosho and Ipaja,

we will set them up, provide facilities and train teachers.

The corporate organisations we have contacted will help us with buildings and equipment," she said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Education Resource Centre has produced 33,000 posters for distribution in junior and senior secondary schools across the state.

The visual teaching aids which cover topics in various subject including Mathematics, English Language, Biology, Physics, and Economics were launched after the inauguration of the advocacy committee members by Mrs Erogbogbo.

Director of the centre, Mr Joseph Alao, said the charts and posters will aid teaching and learning in schools.

Former Commissioner for Health and Education, Dr Leke Pitan, whose effort in championing the cause of children with learning disabilities resulted in the establishment of 31 inclusive units for the education of special needs children in conventional schools, urged local governments to patronise the resource centre by inaugurating posters for distribution in primary schools within their localities.

Twelve school leavers, who also completed six months of ICT training at the centre, received their certificates at the event.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

40

EDUCATION

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Beware of fraudsters, provost warns

ROVOST of Ogun State College of Health Technology (OSCOHTECH) Dr. Tunji Dawodu, has cautioned prospective admission seekers into the college to be wary of fraudulent private schools posing as affiliates of the school.

Dr. Dawodu told The Nation: ”It has come to my attention that some private institutions that are not affiliated with our college have been defrauding unsuspecting candidates using the name of our school.”

He advised candidates seeking admission to the college to always

EDUTALK

Playing Russian roulette with pupils' lives

By Kunle Akinrinade

crosscheck from the college’s admission office before paying for admission forms.

He said: “I want to admonish candidates to confirm the veracity of any private institution’s affiliation status with the college before purchasing admission form from such institution so as not to fall into the hands of fraudsters.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, OSCOHTECH has only accredited one private institution called Royal Institute of Health Technology at Ifo, Ogun State to

•Dr Dawodu

run some approved courses of the college and at the moment, no other private institution is affiliated to our college,” he added.

• Pupils of Queens College, Lagos during the Calisthenics presentation

First generation schools renew sports rivalry

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HE rivalry of the 60s was reenacted during the first Lagos First Generation Colleges Association (LAFGECA) Inter-Collegiate Games hosted by King's College, Lagos last Saturday.

The association, made up of 17 of the oldest mission and government-owned secondary schools in Lagos State, was established in 2010 to revive collaborations and competitions in academics and sports that existed among the schools decades ago.

Eleven of the member-schools participated in Saturday's competition including St Finbarr's College, Akoka; St Gregory's College, Ikoyi; Queen's College, Yaba; Holy Child College, Ikoyi; Anwar-ur-Islam College, Agege; Methodist Boys High School, Victoria Island; Methodist Girls High School, Yaba; Baptist Academy, Obanikoro; Anwar-ur-Islam Girls' College, Ojokoro; Ansar-U-Deen College,

W

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Isolo and the host, King's College.

They competed for medals in track and field events, such as the sprint races, 4x100m and 4x400m relays, javelin, shot put, long jump, high jump, and on the soft side, catching the train.

Eighty-eight-year-old Queen's College dominated the girls' category, clinching two medals in nearly all the track events. They sat comfortably on the medals table with eight gold, six silver and one bronze medals. Holy Child followed in a distant second position with two gold, two silver and three bronze medals followed by Methodist Girls with two silver and three bronze medals.

The boys' category was more competitive so King's College was given a run for its money, especially from boys from St Gregory's College, Methodist Boys and AnwarUr-Islam. However, they still per-

formed well and won with five gold five silver and one bronze medals. St Gregory's College came second with five gold, threesilver and one bronze; while St Finbarr's came third with two silver and two bronze medals.

In an interview, Chairman of LAFGECA, Otunba Dele Olapeju, who is also the King's College Principal, expressed hope in the ability of the athletes discovered during the competition to fly Nigeria's flag in the 2015 Olympics.

"This competition is to sustain the existing rivalry and collaboration among the schools and expose the athletes. When you do inter-house sports at school level, the talents discovered don't go anywhere.

This is like the next level for such athletes because the best represent their schools. In this competition, we are looking at athletes who can represent Nigeria in the 2015 Olympics,” he said.

Poor UTME scores: Old boys want missions to take over schools

ITH the poor performance recorded in the justreleased results of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Old Boys' Association of St. John's Grammar School, Ile Ife, Osun State, have called on the government to return missionary schools to their original owners, saying that such could arrest the trend.

National President of the association, Chief Sunday Bolaji, made the call while briefing reporters on plans to mark the Golden Jubilee of the school.

He said embarking on such would assist the government to save more money to carry out core infrastructural projects for the people.

Recalling that the House of Representatives had last week voted for schools to be returned to their original owners, Bolaji said his alma mater,

By Miriam Ndikanwu

St. John's Grammar School, has had its fair share of infrastructure decay and collapse of academics, after missionary schools were taken over by government in 1979.

He said: "Government has no business in handling schools. There has been a lot of correspondence calling for them to hands off and I believe that in no short time, schools will be handed back to their original owners.”

He commended the Lagos State Government for taking the lead in returning missionary schools which were being run by the government back to its original administrators.

On activities to mark the Golden Jubilee of the school, Bolaji highlighted that plans are under way to launch a N100 million appeal fund to salvage the deplorable situation in the school and return it to its own glory.

with

"The school has gone through a rather pathetic transformation since it was taken over by the government such that its enrolment drastically deteriorated and infrastructure greatly dilapidated. This has thus compelled the old students to rally round and see how they could transform the school for the better".

"We need other members of the association. We want them to see the passion we have towards this course and support it financially, because it is our desire to see the school regain its pride as one of the best in Ile-Ife back in our time", Bolaji said.

He gave some of the projects, which the Old Boys Association have completed including, full renovation of the administrative block, renovation of six classrooms with new chairs and tables, provision of laboratory equipment, installation of podium at the sports arena, among others.

READING about the death of some primary school pupils in a school bus fire in Ibadan on April 4 Kofoworola made me sad. So did the armed robbery attack on pupils of Holy Rosary School, Enugu along OreLagos Expressway that occurred Kofosagie@yahoo.com March 31.

08054503077 (SMS only) Unfortunate both incidents could have been avoided if those responsible for managing the situations did the proper thing.

In the case of the armed robbery attack, negligence on the part of the transportation company, Ekenedilichukwu, put the lives of the pupils, numbering more than 20, at risk. Not only did the PTA Chairman, Mr Cyriil Akunyili call Enugu to ask that the company provide a roadworthy vehicle for the seven - eight hours journey to Lagos, when he learnt of the breakdown at Ore, Ondo State, which is about three hours from Lagos, he mounted pressure on them to send another bus to pick the pupils. Sadly, the company, which I thought given its number of years in the transportation business, was one of the most reliable, disappointed. The PTA Chairman said the Enugu manager foot-dragged on the issue until the parents got the Lagos office of the company to send a bus down to Ore. By the time the bus got to Ore from Lagos, accompanied by some parents, it was already evening. In an area as notorious as Ore, that should make the average traveler worried. The spate of attacks by dare devil armed robbers on that route is high.

However, that the driver chose to ignore the warnings of motorists from the opposite direction, and the pleas of his passengers to wait because robbers were operating ahead is callous. He decided to continue with the journey after waiting briefly just because he was billed to return to Enugu early the next morning. Unfortunately, he was not man enough to wait when he met the robbers as he absconded with the conductor. But for the arrival of the police, who knows whether the robbers would have done worse than shoot a parent in the eye and rob the poor pupils after driving the bus into the bush?

To protect the good name (I have always thought it had), the company should take action against the Enugu manager for negligence, and the driver and the conductor for unprofessional conduct. However, who knows whether the company operates professionally? If the driver was not worried about being forced to make a return trip the next day after barely resting, perhaps he would not have risked lives to continue the journey. Also, why should a firm of that stature put a bad vehicle on the road? Yes, vehicles get spoilt unexpectedly, but when they do, by now, the company should have a procedure for getting its passengers out of danger. These are the hallmarks of a truly professional company.

Though the company claims to have sent a bus to rescue the pupils, it should investigate the roles its employees played in the unfortunate incident.

I am glad that the parents and the school have decided to sue the transport company. It should be made to pay damages for risking the lives of the pupils, pay for the properties they lost to the robbers, as well as pay for the treatment of the parent shot in the eye.

Regarding the school bus fire, I found wisdom in a reader's comment about the incident online. It is insufficient justification for the proprietor of the school to say that the bus was bought only last year and that a mechanic was employed as driver to repair faults. She attributed the fire and the subsequent death of three of the 21 pupils in the 18-seater bus to spiritual attack. The first question begging to be answered as the reader noted is why the bus did not have a fire extinguisher, which by law all vehicles should have. Many Nigerians think law enforcement officers are fussy when they are asked to produce certain requirements for their cars. But these laws were put in place for road safety not to inconvenience anyone. If the vehicle had a fire extinguisher, there would have been something to put out the fire before it got out of control.

Another question is what was the state of the vehicle when it was bought? (It may not have been in good condition). How regularly was it maintained before the unfortunate incident? Did the driver do the right thing by enlisting pupils to help push the bus? (Perhaps that was providence because by helping to push the bus, it reduced the number of casualties affected by the fire). The proprietress of the school should have put her house in order before claiming spiritual attack. That is not an explanation that parents of the deceased and injured pupils would be satisfied with.

Belo-Osagie

The driver chose to ignore the warnings of motorists from the opposite direction, and the pleas of his passengers to wait because robbers were operating ahead is callous. He decided to continue with the journey after waiting briefly just because he was billed to return to Enugu early the next morning

From My Inbox PS: Readers interested in featuring their opinion articles on issues in the education sector can send their pieces to the above email. The essay should not be more than 800 words.

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•Eto'o

Eto'o's Cameroon ban won't be lifted

AMEROON have insisted top star Samuel Eto'o will not be recalled for World Cup qualifiers in June before the end of his four-match ban. There have been speculations that Eto'o could be unbanned in time for the World Cup qualifying ties which begin in June.

However, the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) Ilya Mohammed has declared that former Africa Footballer of the Year Eto'o must serve out his four match ban slammed on him by the federation. FECAFOOT hammered Eto after he

led a rebellion to boycott an international friendly against Algeria in protest over bonuses. Following Cameroon's inability to honour the Algeria game, they were slapped with a $250,000 fine for breach of contract.

In an exclusive interview with MTNFootball.com in Garoua, Mohammed insisted that Eto'o must see through the ban.

"Everyone knows the genesis of this sanction. Eto'o led a protest to boycott a game and we were fined for missing the game. He has already served one match so he would serve the remaining three matches," insisted the FECAFOOT boss. The Indomitable Lions open their World Cup qualifying campaign at home on June 3 against DR Congo. They will then battle Libya at a neutral venue on June 8, before they take on Guinea Bissau in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier a week later.

"Everyone knows the genesis of this sanction. Eto'o led a protest to boycott a game and we were fined for missing the game. He has already served one match so he would serve the remaining three matches.”

The President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) Ilya Mohammed quashing talk of an early reprieve from a four-match ban for Indomitable Lions ace, Samuel Eto’o.

Messi

breaks another record

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Van Persie to snub City's £200k-per-week deal •van Persie

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FTER banging home 33 goals in 42 games this season, it's no surprise that Man City manager Roberto Mancini is chasing Robin Van Persie.

But unlike so many former Gunners who have swapped north London for east Manchester, the Dutchman looks set to turn down a whopping £200,000 wage packet to stay at Arsenal, according to The Times.

The paper's well-connected Matt Hughes says that Man City's recent collapse has given Van Persie "reservations" about cashing in on City's interest. He is said to favour a new four-year Arsenal contract, with the club apparently happy to offer their captain a wage rise from £80,000 to £130,000 and a tidy £6 million loyalty bonus. But don't expect any news soon: the 28-year-old is adamant that formal negotiations shouldn't begin before the season's close.

With one eye on new strike partners for 'Van the Man', Arsenal are closing in on Fulham's Clint Dempsey after club scouts made favourable reports to Arsene Wenger, according to the Daily Mail.

The Gunners' boss has been told that the 29 year-old American would "fit perfectly into their system" and his £10m price tag is also well within Arsenal's budget.

Dempsey, who has scored 22 goals all told this season, is being hunted by a pack of Premier League clubs, but the Mail says Arsenal are "determined" to bring the Fulham frontman to the Emirates.

•First La Liga player to score 28 goals at home in a season •Messi

B

ARCELONA attacker Lionel Messi has entered the record books again after becoming the first player in La Liga history to score 28 goals at home in one season following his strike in Tuesday evening's 4-0 victory over Getafe at Camp Nou. The record was previously held by former Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra and ex-Atletico Madrid star Baltazar, who both netted 27 goals in home league games in 1950-51 and 1988-89 respectively.

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, who set a new Pichichi record last term with 40 goals in one season, managed to score 26 times at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2010-11.

Messi has scored in all but two of Barcelona's Primera Division games at Camp Nou this term. The Argentine was unable to find the net in the scoreless draw against Sevilla, and didn't feature in the 31 win over Sporting Gijon.

The 24-year-old has netted 39 times in 31 appearances this season in La Liga, and needs only more goal in the remainder of the term to equal Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 40 goals in a single league campaign.

OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...

Ohuruogu

Bayern defender

Breno

tipped for Olympic glory

charged with arson

B

AYERN Munich defender Breno has been charged with arson after a month-long investigation revealed he had started the fire that burned down his rented Munich villa last year, the Munich prosecutor's office said on Wednesday.

"Following the investigation... the Munich prosecutor's office assumes the accused intentionally set the house on fire shortly after 00:05 (local time) at night," it said in a statement.

If found guilty he could face a jail sentence of between one and 15 years, the prosecutor's office said, adding Breno had to pay one million euros in damages for the house and 5,000 euros for a damaged garage of a neighbouring building.

The 22-year-old Brazilian, who has hardly featured for Bayern this season due to a string of injuries, spent 12 days in police detention at the start of the season and is out on bail.

The talented Breno, who joined Bayern as an 18-yearold and had high hopes of becoming their defensive anchor, has so far failed to earn a starting spot.

He was remanded in custody on September 24 after he being suspected of playing a role in a fire that destroyed his Munich villa while recovering from injury. His family was out of the house at the time.

•Breno

CHRISTINE OHURUOGU can spring a surprise at London 2012 insists American rival Allyson Felix.

Ohuruogu is Britain's only defending Olympic champion on the track but she has struggled to find her form since Beijing 2008.

After suffering a string of injuries she then famously false-started in the heats of the one-lap event at last summer's World Championships.

But last month Ohuruogu ran a storming leg of the 4x400m relay at the World Indoors, her first outing at the competition to help win gold.

British head coach Charles van Commenee has already claimed that the Stratford athlete, who won the 400m world crown outdoors in 2007, is back to her best having watched her in training.

And Felix, who won 400m world silver last summer and is a pal of the British runner after they met at warm weather-training, said: "The brilliant thing about Christine is that somehow she manages to put together these amazing races when it counts.'

'There's nothing like competing in a home Olympic Games and since she's already won Olympic gold maybe she ‘ll feel less pressure.There are a lot of different medal contenders and the attention is not necessarily all on her so that could help in her favour as well.

"I wouldn't count anyone out. I think she can do something special."

Felix, 26, who is still chasing an Olympic individual title having won 200m silver in both Athens and Beijing, as well as 4x400m gold four years ago, said: "I didn't even know she was going to be competing indoors but I caught her race and to be in that form so early in the season is great.”

•Ohuruogu

43

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

2011 was the year of elections. At the end of the series, six political parties Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Labour Party (LP) had something to show for their participation.

Before the elections, CPC was regarded as party of the North. Whither the party today? Correspondents from various states report on the declining fortunes of the once promising party.

• Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) members at a campaign rally.

Can the CPC bounce back?

Weak structure cost PDP dearly in Bauchi From Austen Tsezenghul

T

O what could the disastrous failure of the Congress for Progressive Change in the last election be credited/ Leaders of the party said its rank was infiltrated by agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Initially, the power tussle was between Alhaji Shehu Barau Ningi and Alhaji Karamba Ibrahim.Barau who claimed that he introduced the party (CPC) to the state. Barau, therefore, said it was his right to chair the party since he understood its workings more than any other member. Barau was the first elected Secretary of ANPP in the state in 2007 and was later appointed the Commissioner for Finance in the first tenure of Gov.Isa Yuguda.

The challenges in ANPP came about when Gov.Isa Yuguda defected to PDP that rejected him in 2006 when he declared his intention to contest the governorship.

His defection did not go unnoticed as his deputy, Alhaji Garba Mohammed Gadi was impeached by the House of Assembly, for his refusal to follow his boss to PDP. The challenges persisted to an ugly level as members were at daggers drawn. Alhaji Ali Saidu was brought in to chair a Caretaker Committee.

Saidu is said to have been appointed by the party’s national secretariat, Abuja. Yet, there was no respite and Karamba had to leave the party for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). This development snowballed into litigation. It has also led to the departure of many members for ACN. The instant acceptability of the party in Bauchi state was for various reasons among which was that most people were no longer comfortable with PDP programmes, Others believe Buhari’s second

W

HEN the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2010, it appeared to hold a lot of promise. In the 11 far Northern states and Niger in the Northcentral zone, the name of its leader and presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari resonated. The youth would hear nothing but Buhari and it appeared that the party would make a clean sweep of all the states.

Then came the point of decision. As elections were held last April, the Buhari myth crumbled. The CPC could not win majority of seats in any of the states. It was only in Nasarawa State that it narrowly won the battle for governorship, even when the House of Assembly seats were resoundingly handed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Post election violence shook the Northern political structure.

What could have happened? How did the dream fizzle out so soon? In all the sattes where the CPC and its presidential candidate seemed set to sweep the poll, the party turned against itself. In Kebbi, there were two factions, one led by former federal Capital territory minister, Alhaji Adamu Aliero. Aliero was a bulldozer in the state. He had been a governor, a minister and a senator. He understood the system and had access to the code that delivered votes. However, the original Buhari crowd resisted him. They worked at cross purposes. The result was delivery of victory to Saidu Dakingari of the PDP. And, even when, on technical ground, Dakingari’s election was voided by the courts, the CPC candidate followed Aleiro back to the PDP. The story of CPC in Kebbi is not much different from the experience in Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Borno, Yobe, Gombe and Adamawa. Much was expected of the party in Katsina State. As the general elections approached, in line with the political culture, owing to sympathy for the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua whose biological and political families had largely teamed up with Buhari, and the son-of-the-soil syndrome, CPC gave signs that it had taken over the state when, in the national assembly elections, it won two of the senatorial seats. However, the division in the party that pitched Senator Lado Madarke against former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Masari stalled the move. The PDP bounced back to win in subsequent elections. Even then, the battle, CPC

coming as Nigeria’s number one leader would sanitize every aspect of the country’s activities, like he attempted when he was a Military Head of State. While others accepted it because Buhari is a Northerner and the Presidency, others

By Bolade Omonijo, Group Political Editor

versus CPC was taken through the courts- from the tribunal to the Supreme Court. Masari’s men eventually won. But the damage to the party was incalculable. It had been weakened by the intra party crisis.

In Kano where so much was also expected, the CPC failed to clintch even the second position.

The PDP that had ruled the state at the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999 to 2003 bounced back. It was trailed by the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). In Adamawa where former Military Administrator Brigadier General Buba Marwa was expected, at worst, to give Governor Murtala Nyako a fight. Marwa’s CPC was a poor third in all the elections, including the governorship. In taraba, CPC could not fly as the field was left to the Action Congress of Nigeria and the ruling PDP. In Borno and Yobe, the incumbent ANPP governors proved their worth. The PDP was held on leash and CPC could only gaze at the diadem from a distance.

Before the elections, Bauchi Governor Isa Yuguda was afraid that the CPC threat was real.

But, the party was its own enemy. The same was the experience in Gombe where PDP candidate Isa Dankwabo got jitters as the youth literally turned against the ruling party. But, it was a miscalculation.

The elections exposed CPC as a party that stood no chance at all in the entire South and most of the North central. It recorded less than five per cent in all the 18 states in the South.

How has it fared since? Is the party in the process of rebuilding its fortunes? Realising that it had failed in its first outing, a Nasir el-Rufai committee was set up to put up a more enduring structure. The impact is yet to be felt. Buhari, at almost 70. is no longer in position to contest presidential elections. Yet the party is built on him and his charms. Is any other person in position to fly the CPC flag/ Would there be a CPC in 2015?

Correspondents in some of the Northern states turned in reports on the state of a party that failed the electoral test.

were sentimental for religious and ethnic reasons.

The power tussle did not stop at the state chairmanship level, there was double standard or what Aliyu Mainasara termed as ‘’individual interest’’ between En-

gineer Nuhu Gidado and the former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar for the governorship ticket.

But INEC in its wisdom backed Tuggar and dumped Gidado who

belonged to the other faction. The election umpire, during the governorship election held on April 28, 2011, perhaps, through commission or omission left out Gidado’s name, but printed Tuggar’s name as the CPC candidate. Tuggar eventually contested but lost to Gov. Isa Yuguda of PDP. It is a common fact that he has moved from Election Petition to Supreme Court.

It is to be noted that with the depletion of CPC through litigation, loss of victory at the national level by Buhari, absence of generous sponsors, infiltration of the party by the PDP, power tussle within the state executive, political green pasture seekers and other human factors, the base of the party has been greatly weakened. Today, there is virtually no political opposition in the state.

What future for Kaduna CPC? From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

T

O many political watchers in the country, the absence of a qual ity opposition has been the bane of the current political dispensation. Therefore the emergence of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) was viewed by many as a solution to the problem, especially in the north. So, during the countdown to the 2011 general elections, the CPC was the party to beat in the north mainly because of the assumed qualities of the founder of the party and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

The association of the former Head of State with the party was all that was needed to pull many politicians who were apparently not satisfied with happenings within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into its fold. From across the north, politicians joined the CPC in droves and it became the major threat to the dominance of the PDP ahead of elections. Many expected an overwhelm•Continued on page 44

THE NATION THURSDAY, APARIL 12, 2012

44

POLITICS

CPC down, not out in Niger, says state chairman

T

HE birth of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) came as a the much awaited alternative political party that was expected to break the profile of the self acclaimed Africa’s largest party, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP in Niger State. However, signs that things may go awry started very early. At inception, the party was enveloped by confusion and mudslinging.

Adjudged not to have the political structure and financial muscle to go into national general elections, the fortunes of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) however sent shocks to the foundation of the ruling party at the polls in the state with the outcome of the National Assembly elections. At the end of the April 2, 2011 elections, the party won the Niger North senatorial seat, with an inconclusive election in Niger East district and total postponement of election in Niger South, the party proved the book makers wrong and looked set to unseat the ruling PDP. In the same vein, the clinching of Chanchaga federal constituency (Minna city) by the CPC, the heart and the seat of the state government further affirmed the party as one to watch.

The overwhelming victory of the party in two of the three federal constituencies (Kontagora/Wushishi and Magama/Rijau federal constituencies) in Niger North senatorial zone further convinced doubting Thomases that CPC had come to unseat the ruling party.

Though PDP eventually won the remaining two senatorial seats and six other federal constituencies, the modest victory of the opposition party sent a signal that CPC was set to provide the much needed alternative.

The development threw up the party in the state, as its fame across the state assumed a steady rise among the people of the state. From Kontagora to Rijau, from Suleja to Bida and Minna to New Bussa, the fame of the party witnessed wider acceptance, especially among the masses; as it gives hope to the people of the state.

Despite the financial strength and the power of incumbency by the PDP in the state, the fame of the opposition party spread across the three zones of the state. It recorded in-road to the PDP dominated Niger south senatorial zone, where CPC won the Bida I state constituency seat in the State House of Assembly and held on firmly to its grip of the Kontagora constituency, where the party clinched the two seats for the area.

Though the party failed in her bid for the state’s highest seat- the governorship, it however gave the ruling party and the incumbent governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu a good fight for their money. For the CPC, they alleged that the party lost the governorship seat not to the ruling PDP but to insincerity of the electoral body, electoral malpractices and intimidation by security agencies.

A political school of thought in the state however traced the dwindle political clout of the CPC in the state to the irrational protest by some of its members and supporters to the outcome of the last presidential elections, where the party’s candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari lost to the incumbent PDP standard bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan. It was alleged that some of the party loyalists openly set their voters cards on fire in protest of the result of the presidential election, thereby undermining the fortune of the party at succeeding elections; especially the state governorship and legislative elections.

This development further worsened its claim to grassroots acceptance. The political influence of the party in the state suffered a somersault and fell like a pack of cards during the local

•Aliyu

government elections. The party failed to sustain her victory in all the federal and state constituencies where it recorded superlative performances during the general elections. Its political fortune was dimmed by the ruling party as CPC and other opposition parties lost in the 25 local government councils of the state.

Blaming the woes of the party on the electoral system, insincerity of the electoral body, intimidation of opposition parties by the ruling party and the huge financial outlay of running a political party, the state Chairman of the CPC, Mallam Umar Shuaibu debunked claims of dwindling fortunes of his party in the state and indeed in the country.

According to him, the electoral system and the rigging machinery and the connivance of the various security agencies denied the party of its projection of winning in at least 10 states of the federation during the last general elections.

“The major factor that militated against our party at the national and state levels was the insincerity of the electoral body. There were no free and fair elections in 2011. The polls were characterized by electoral malpractices, such as rigging, ballot stealing and stuffing, the use of security agencies to intimidate opposition. The elections were flaws with a lot of irregularities and this snowball into apathy and political disenchantment among

our supporters and loyalists,” Shuaibu complained.

On the dimming visibility of the party at the political terrain of the state, the party chairman maintained that the party has continued to give the much needed voice to the views of the masses in the state, by constantly reacting and condemning some of the unpopular programmes and policies of the state government. He was quick to add that the performances of the party’s legislatures in both the state and national assembly’s have been tremendous.

According to Shuaibu, “People should not get it wrong. We are no longer in election period, having been rigged out, we have not only contested the outcome of the various elections victories by the ruling party, but we have continued to challenge the misappropriation of the state revenue, we protested the move by the government to plunge the state into unwarranted debt by securing bond facilities. We have also raised our voice over the non- payment of primary school teachers and many other issues were protested and we intend to do more in this area.”

On the dwindling fortunes of the party and the dashing of hopes of many of its supporters, the chairman said, “we are still intact. Our members are still intact. If we have any election today, the PDP will be surprised that we shall mobilise our people. It is a matter of the heart and not noise making. Though we and our supporters were disappointed by the outcome of the elections, we hang our hope on the day of judgment when the supreme Almighty God will give His unbiased judgment.”

Shuaibu maintained that the party may be down now, “it is not out. All we have to do is to remain steadfast.

The battle of dislodging the PDP cabal may take tact and long time to be won.”

But Alhaji Ahmed Makusidi, a political analyst, lamented that the performance of the CPC after the election was a true representation of most political parties in the country. According to him, “most of these parties are only seen during elections and they go into oblivion after. The hope that the emergence of CPC created is gradually, if not totally, fading. Like other opposition parties, CPC has gone into its shell and dashed the hopes, the thrills and frills that heralded its formation.”

What future for Kaduna CPC? •Continued from page 43

ing victory for the party at both state and federal level. But this was not to be as the much expected Buhari tsunami failed to achieve its aim, leaving the party badly bruised while the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) became the major opposition.

In Kaduna State, the story was not different. A lot of politicians, especially from the northern part of the state, crossed over to the CPC and contested the 2011 elections, while others simply crossed over from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) along with Buhari. One of those who dumped the PDP for the CPC was the party’s governorship candidate in the elections, Haruns Saeed Kajuru who became one of its major financiers.

The CPC became the party to beat in all elections in the state as it took majority of the National Assembly seats from the PDP and took majority of the votes during the presidential elections in the state thus creating panic in the PDP. Many believe that the post election violence that erupted in the state apparently dented the chances of the party in winning the governorship election in the state. However, the party lost two of the seats it won during the National Assembly election to the PDP. While the election tribunal gave the Senatorial seat to the PDP, it ordered a re-run in the House of Representatives poll for Soba federal constituency.

However, since the inauguration of the present state government in May 2011, little or nothing has been heard from the party and its leadership in the state. Apart from one of its members representing Kawo constituency in the state House of Assembly who has often organised events to keep the party alive, one question that people have often asked is, what is happening to the CPC in Kaduna State? Political watchers believe that the CPC is merely a vehicle for winning elections by those denied opportunity in the PDP and when there is no election, the party goes under.

The Nation checks revealed that most of those who won elections on the platform of the party may not have been committed members, but used the party and the name of its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari to run for and win elections.

A political commentator in the state, Yakubu Musa said: “If you look closely, you will discover that the party only existed in the name of Buhari before the elections and most of those who ran to the party did so because they believed that the name Buhari could win electiosn for them.

That was why they went to the CPC

•Momoh

and it worked for them. Tell me, how many of them did you see campaigning during and before the elections?

Even the governorship candidate was not very visible. So, I am not surprised that they have not been visible now that the elections are over”.

The state Secretariat of the party along Rabah road, was largely deserted when The Nation visited. They have remained docile since the conclusion of tribunal sittings on election petitions. One journalist asked rhetorically, “were they visible during the tribunal sitting? It is believed that many of the members have begun to return to the PDP for what they hope to get from the government, while those still left in the party are hoping to use it for the forthcoming local government elections in the state. It was discovered that some of them have begun printing their posters in readiness for the elections whose date is yet to be announced by the state Electoral Commission.

With about 13 members in the state House of Assembly and a docile leadership, it is not very clear what the fortunes of the party will be in the coming months. It is also not clear whether the party can muster enough chairmanship seats in the state during the local government elections as some of the candidates are believed to be dropping the name of General Buhari to contest elections, hoping to win. The question that is being asked at the moment is whether the retired General will be willing to endorse the candidacy of such people who may not be having the interest of the party at heart? However, the local government elections will go a long way in determining the fortunes of the party and indeed other opposition parties in the state.

• One of the coordinators of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O-YES), Mr. Odulaja Babalola (first left) with the Senior Special Assistant, Information Communication and Technology, Oyo State, Mr Niyi Ajao, addressing volunteer members of the scheme, during the World Bank Assessment of O-YES, at the Osogbo City Stadium, Osogbo, Osun State... yesterday.

45

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

NATURAL HEALTH CLINIC DAY

How to prevent cancer

QUESTION How can I prevent developing cancer of any kind?

Ifeoluwa Johnson, 21-year-old worker, Ikeja, Lagos. lyse 92 per cent of your white blood cells for five hours. The average Nigerian eats excessive of sugar daily.

For example, a banana split has 24 teaspoons of sugar. A 12 oz coke has eight to 10 teaspoons, a piece of white bread, two teaspoons. It must be remembered that sugar or empty calories and junk foods interfer with the working of the body's immune system.

C

ANCER can be described as the disease caused by an uncontrollable division of abnormal cells in a part of the body; a malignant growth or tumour resulting from such a division of cells.

Cancer is a uniquely western problem, but now due to different factors including lifestyles and dietary changes. More Nigerians are coming down with cancer. It is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cell divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.

Eliminate high fat diet

bleeding or discharge; thickening or lump in the breast or other parts of the body; indigestion or trouble in swallowing and nagging cough or hoarseness of voice.

Origin All cancers begin in cells, the body basic unit of life. Not all tumours are cancerous; tumours can be benign or malignant. Benign tumours are not cancerous. They can often be removed and in most cases do not come back. Cells in benign tumour do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumours are cancerous. Cells in these tumours can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is called METASTASIS. Some cancers do not form tumours e.g leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood.

Signs and symptoms of cancer Having any of these signs and symptoms does not mean you have cancer - many other things may cause these signs and symptoms.Please see a doctor or a specialist to find out what is going on.

Some of which are unexplainable

•Amodu

•Some natural fruits

Causes of cancer/ risk factors/ genetics

•Dark-green vegetable

weight loss. This happens often with cancer of the pancreae, stomach,lung,or oesophagus; fever - this happens to almost all cancer patients, especially if the cancer affects or its treatment affects the immune system; fatigue, pain; skin changes - darker looking skin, yellow skin and eyes, excessive hair growth etc; changes in bowel habit or bladder function; sores that do not heal; white patches inside the mouth or white spots on tongue unsual

Cancer is a complex group of diseases with many possible causes.

Genetic factors - some type of cancer run in a certain family like some are inherited from parents.

Risk factors - tobacco, such as cigar, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco use has been implicated. Our diet and physical activity, excess body weight, alcohol, sun and U.V. exposure and other carcinogens and even infections are serious factors in the consideration of causes of cancers.

Prevention and treatment of cancer People with cancer want to do everything they can to combat the disease, manage its symptoms and cope with the side effects of its treatment.

How do we fight cancer

There is no one drug, herb, or

treatment that will kill cancer.

Cancer has to be treated by building the body's immune system.

Listed here are some natural ways to help build the immune system.

To prevent and cure cancer, we must keep our body's immune system high. This is done by following eight simple rules that I will briefly cover here. Lots of fresh air, using lots of pure water, eating lots of wholesome natural foods, getting sufficient rest, moderate daily exercises, getting outside in the sun everyday, being temperate in all we eat and do and having faith in God. Every one of us has cancer cells within us. Cancer has to be treated by building the body's immune system, then the body's white blood cells, etc. will attack and destroy the cancer from within. Cancer cells are weaker than normal cells and will not get out of control if our immune system is high.

Eliminate sugar and junk foods Eating white sugar will paralyse and hinder your white blood cells from fighting off an infection. Eating 25 teaspoons of sugar will para-

Diets high in refined fats have long been associated with increased cancer risk. Breast cancer is more frequent in women on diets high in both saturated fats (whole milk), and in animal fat. A low fat diet not only prevents breast cancer, but increases the survival of women who already have breast cancer.

Eat raw diet This is or will be the hardest single thing to follow, but it is very important. Only raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and sprouted grains are what you will be eating until your cancer is in remission. Nothing cooked; no cooked beans, bread, potatoes, etc.

Sounds tough, but let me tell you this is much easier than taking chemotherapy and having your hair fall out, vomiting, being weak, etc.

And, of course, chemotherapy will not build up your immune system.

Instead, it will tear it down. Raw food is live food and possesses the highest nutritive value. It is full of vitamins, mineral, enzymes, phytochemicals, etc. Cooked food is dead food, plant any seed and it will grow. Cook the seed and then plant it and it will not grow, because its life principle has been destroyed. Place cancer cells in a cooked media and they will proliferate. Now place the cancer cells in a raw matter and they will disappear! This astounding fact is known to the cancer society, but the public was never informed.

46

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

NATURAL HEALTH

Coping with anal fistulla, embarrassing 'second anus'

A

NAL fistulas are popping up more in case notes these days. Fistulas are openings in the skin. So, an anal fistula is more or less another anus. The last lone case I heard of before anal fistula appeared to become a more common feature was that about which a journalist in Lagos complained a few years ago. A smell hole dug up beside his anus through which smelly gas and fecal matter, sometimes watery, seeped out from the intestines. Even if no one could see it, the smell of a latrine which hung about him was embarrassing. If he tallied forcefully, laughed or coughed or shouted, the pressure of this activity pushed out more air and stool particles into his often padded briefs. Doctors often advise surgery to close up this unnatural opening. But oftentimes, even where surgery was successful, another fistula broke out somewhere else, if not at the site of the surgical repair. In such cases, it would appear as though the extrusions were finding a new level. What is going on? In all probability, there is a digestive disorder in which ...

• The glands are not producing enough enzymes • The unfriendly bacteria ... yeast, mold, virus and fungi, have overgrown their population in the intestinal tract • The friendly beaten are grossly depopulated • Unfriendly bacteria, having outnumbered friendly bacteria in the lining of the intestines, eat it up and damage it • The intestines, being only one cell thick, are defenceless with its protective lining damaged. Now permeable, the damaged lining make these cells easier target for consumption and damage by unfriendly bacteria more • A fistula results from this nibbling and damage.

• Nibiding past the damaged wall, these microorganisms and many dangerous toxins burrow into soft tissue in the anal region and, before long, an anal fistula may occur when they eat up such tissue to the outside skin layer, the epidermis 8. Deoxygenation or shortage of oxygen in the body, is the backbone of symbiosis, a situation in which unfriendly bacteria grossly outnumber the friendly ones.

Yet deoxygenation is often overlooked or downplayed by many doctors in their day-to-day treatment of disease symptoms, the shadows, while the substance or kernel roams free.

Dr David S. Dyer, like many researchers, is pulling us by the shirt collar to remind us that we live in an oxygen-starved world which our enemies, the germs, enjoy and flourish in.

Back in high school in the 1960s, we learned that oxygen made up about 20 or 21 per cent of air. Yet researchers investigating air bubbles trapped Antarctica ice have reported finds of between 30 and 38 per cent oxygen in the air of ancient days. This suggests that industrialisation and civilisation, heavily dependent on carbon for fuel, may have eaten up almost half of the earth is oxygen supply. The loss continues at about 0.8 per cent every 15 years, according to researchers. One of them, the German Dr. Otto Wabburg, won a Nobel Prize as far back as 1931 for theorising that cancer cannot develop in a well-oxygenated human body. To him, "the prime cause of cancer is the replacement of the normal oxygen respiration of a cell by an anaerobic (without oxygen) cell respiration." Dr. Marx Gerson, who lead many cases of cancer about that time, had seen it from the standpoint of potassium deficiency. And Dr. Johanna Budwig, who also cured cancers using cottage cheese and flax seed oil meal, spoke the same language without knowing it.

The same goes for Cyril Scott, who advocated phosphate salts.

Today, practitioners of cell salt medicine know that the biochemical/homeopathic form of potassium phosphate oxygenates the interior of cells. They know, too, that the counterpart ferrum phosphate load interstitial flown with oxygen. Interstitial fluid is the fluid circulating in spaces between cells. And flax seed oil? Its electrons, like potassium and phosphates extract oxygen from red blood cell hemoglobin for transport to the cell. I have read many case studies of ferrum phosphate as an oxygenating destroyer of congestions and circulation blockages. I have encouraged many people with poor blood circulation to the brain and eyes to try it. I have found it helps them as it does women who suddenly stop menstruating when they should still be flying the Chinese red flag. But it wasn't until last weeks that I had a personal experience. Tooth picking must have injured my gums to the point of an infection which visited me with two gumboils and abscess. After struggling with this condition for two days, I began to plan a visit to a dentist. Then, suddenly, I wondered why I hadn't tried ferrum phosphate. Using the 6x dosage, I slipped five small tablets on either side of the troublesome gumboil and abcess . Surprisingly, the pain subsided in about 15 minutes, and I could open my mouth wider and manage a meal. Before bed at night, I filled the sore areas with powder from two capsules of Kyolic garlic, knowing that this proprietary aged garlic extract brand is 50 times more powerful than natural garlic. If, as reported in clinical trials it inhibited cancer cells in test tubes, what's a gumboil? I reasoned. I wasn't disappointed. Well, all this is by the wayside. Where I am going is on an evangelical mission to popularise oxygenation not only as a part therapy for anal fistula but for all disease as well. Dr. Dyer, who offers oxygen in a proprietary product he designed to save his life from radiation poisoning, flags us off beautifully when he says: F all the elements on earth, none is more essential to life itself than oxygen. It makes up 20 per cent of the earth's atmosphere, is the third most abundant element found in the sun, and plays a critical role in the carbon-nitrogen cycle, the process once thought to give the sun and the stars their energy. Oxygen is responsible for the bright reds and yellow-greens of the aurora borealis ... oxygen forms 20 per cent of the atmosphere by volume. It makes up almost 50 per cent of the earth's crust by weight, 42 per cent of all vegetables, 85 per cent of sea water, 46 per cent dry soil. Oxygen comprises 65 per cent of our body".

So oxygen is abundant everywhere, even in our bodies. Thus, the less oxygen in our bodies, the more prone to diseases we are. Isn't it to get more oxygen into the lungs we are advised to

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exercise, which increases the production of the enzyme lipase which burns fat? Isn't dizziness a symptom of oxygen shortage in the brain? When we accuse the stomach of not producing enough hydrochloric acid to digest food, or blame the pancreas, even the immune system, do we supply them enough oxygen through the diet and exercise? Dr. Dyer says: "Initial symptoms of oxygen deficiency may include overall weakness, fatigue, circulation problems, poor digestion, muscle aches, dizziness, mood issues, memory loss, irrational behaviours, irritability, acid stomach, and bronchial complications.

When the immune system is compromised by a lack of oxygen, the body is more susceptible to bacteria, viral, and parasitic infections, colds and flu. In the extreme, oxygen deprivation can trigger life threatening disease".

ROM the better nutrition magazine (ISBN 978-1-93529750-5), we learn that symptoms and conditions of a leaky intestines, the leaky gut, may include ...

F

Symptoms "Bad breath, bloating, brittle nails, bruising, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, food allergies, gas and flatulence, heart palpitations, hyperactive, insomnia, malnutrition, menstrual issues, mood swings, poor memory and concentration, and sinus problems.

Conditions "Accelerated ageing, acne, arthritis asthma, attention deficit, and hyperactivity disorder, bladder infection, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), candidiasis (yeast infection), colon cancer, crohn's disease, depression and anxiety, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome liver disease, multiple chemical sensitivities, osteoporosis, pancreatic dysfunction, premenstrual syndrome and ulcerative colitis".

During the 2011 Nigeria election campaigns, I gave lectures at a Master Public Relations Class in Lekki, Lagos at which I designed, for Class Activity, public relations programmes to sell Ibrahim Babangida, Mohammadu Buhari, Abubakar Atiku and Babtunde Raji Fashola to the electorate. Fashola's case is more related to the issue of oxygenation than those of others.

He was (and still is) Lagos State Governor and was demolishing ramshackle open air, road side markets to plant flowers and gardens. Displaced traders and mechanics were bitter and vowed to vote him out at the polls. Our project was a campaign to change public sentiments that Fashola's flowers and gardens would not put food on the family dining table. The project was to examine CANCER, one of the causes of which was deoxygenation of the blood, as Dr. Wabburg and other say. The project • Show with data a phenomenal rise in cancer cases in the past 10 years, • Show photographs of terrible cancer situations of various parts of the body • Report financial, emotional and psychological damage of cancer to charged persons and families • Show how prolonged inhalation of traffic smoke deoxygenates the blood to cause disease and cancer •Show possible susceptibility of roadside and traffic jam traders to deoxygenation, and ask if they would like to die of cancer while pursuing the daily bread • Show scientific evidence of how, through God's Plan, plants and gardens and greenry generally oxygenate the despoiled environment, to keep us healthy by giving us more oxygen to breathe in a world where civilisation is depleting this all important air fraction.

• Present Fashola to the electorate as a forward. Looking who cared for public health through oxygenation of the environment.

We cannot put everything's down to oxygenation alone, no doubt. And we must be mindful that oxygen is a double-edged sword. It brings life and it kills. As a singlet oxygen atom, it is a free radical which may cause oxidative stress to cells, age and kill them. But that won't happen when the body is suffused with antioxidants which Nature generously provides in natural foods and herbs. When we blame the liver for not working well, when the pancreas slumps, when the intestines bloat and are constipated, when the colon is congested, when unfriendly bacteria outgrow their bounds in the intestinal flora, perforat-

e-mail: www. olufemikusa@yahoo.com

ing the intestines, making larger molecules of foods and toxins seep through into the blood to poison the cells, when they bore a hole through anal tissue to cause an anal fistula, couldn't the level of oxygen in the body have dropped grossly below 60 per cent? Will surgical repair of the fistula alone remora root causes of the fistula? Couldn't this be why another fistula may erupt in the surgery site or elsewhere, as microbial activity within is unabating? Health is not free. It is earned through healthy lifestyles and financial investment on the "right kinds of foods and drinks". Carelessness, like carefreeness, avenges itself bitterly sooner than later. Clearance of an anal fistula begins by making the digestive system works, and by providing basic nutritional materials for the body to repair the injury after cutting the microbial load and toxins to size, thereby arresting gastrointestinal unrest. The diet must eliminate bread, cow's milk, sugar, poultry egg and poultry chicken and turkey, white flour food, polished rice and fried foods. Vegetables and salads should account for about 60 to 70 per cent of the diet, as the World Health Organisation canvasses the greens, like the grasses, through photosynthesis, are loaded with oxygen. Oxygen supplements are now available in proprietary products. There's OXYGEN (35 per cent food grade hydrogen peroxide by WAKUNAGA). It has to be taken, though, with antioxidants. I known of a Lagos orthodox doctor who has used it to shrink a mouth cancer. Oxygen is in CARROT powder. I don't eat fertiliser grown carrots for obvious reasons.

After drinking one or two glasses of water after cleaning my teeth in the morning, I add one tablespoonful of the proprietary organic CARROT essence by GREEN FOOD and one table spoonful of SUPERIOR GREENS by FOOD SCIENCE OF VERMONT to about two or three glasses or room temperature water and drink. I do likewise before hitting the bed at night.

Superior Greens is a powder blend of about 40 green plants and mushroom! The drink helps oxygenation and detoxification, I also try to aid major organs of digestion as much as I can.

If I have BRAGG'S brand of APPLE CIDDER VINEGAR,, I take one teaspoonful in a glass of water about 30 minutes before a meal. It aids digestion in the stomach, preventing prolonged food presence in the stomach which may cause food decay, gas bloating, pain, gastritis and ulcer, poisoning, heart burn, microorganism infestation and things like that. Sometimes, I just take one capsule of a digestive and such as SICICA COMPLEX with every meal. It has, among its components, betaine hydrochloric (HCL). HLC aids production of pepsin, the stomach enzyme which digests proteins. For the liver, I would have liked to try CARQUEJA, which protects this organ, detoxifies it, and enables it to produce bile for fat digestion and elimination of toxins. But it lowers blood pressure and blood sugar.

My blood pressure is at best 110/70. My random blood sugar one hour after a meal had once fallen below 60, which is even low for fasting blood sugar, when I took AMAZON PANCREAS SUPPORT. So, I stick to MILK THISTLE. But, freely I take pancreatic digestive enzymes and, lately, have found the need to step up my metabolic rate using either IODONAL or SEA KELP or SEA SALT. As I write, I am in the kitchen fixing a breakfast of organic OAT MEAL to which I will add FOURTI-FLAX, an organic source of Omega - 3 fatty acid, ligans, fiber, amino acids, trace elements, Vitamins and minerals. A fibre rich diet aids food transit and digestion in well oxygenated intestines ably defended by the immune system and the friendly bacteria. It is a superior option to laxatives which, like antibiotics, kill the friendly bacteria and weaken the system. A standard Nigeria breakfast is bread, processed tea, sugar cow's milk, margarine and fried egg. All of these form mucus in the intestines. Germs gather around, and feed on mucus. The toxins of these germs disturb the organs, cause infection, inflammation and pain. And because it lacks fibre, this diet literally "sits in," causing constipation, Candida overgrowth and lots more.

E mustn't fail to repopulate the natural defenders of the intestinal lining ... the friendly bacteria, also known as probiotics. Research suggests they benefit all kinds of intestinal problems: crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, and inflammation. The BETTER NUTRITION MAGAZINE says: "The majority of bacteria that lives in your body are found in the colon… at least one billion per milliliter of fluid. The small intestine, on the other hand, has only about 100,000 bacteria per milliliter of fluid. But it's the ratio between the good bacteria and the harmful bacteria in both your small and large intestines that matters. Ideally, the ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria should be 85 per cent to 15 per cent. But for most people, the ratio is out of balance".

If the system has become a battle field or a five-star haven for the bad guys, a probiotics therapy supported with detoxification and oxygenation should help. Probiotics come in an extended family. Many nutritionists say BIFIDOBACTERIA BIFIDUM strengthens immunity of the digestive system.

BIFIDOBACTERIA BREVE reduces inflammation and builds immunity. BIFIDOBACTERIA INFANTIC helps irritable bowel syndrome (excessive diarrhea and constipation) and coli.

BIFIDOBACTERIA LACTIS aids colon health.

BIFIDOBACTERIA LONGUM challenges antibiotic resistant bacteria. LACTOBACILLUS GASSEN (previously called LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS produces Vitamin K for blood clotting, helps reduce body fat, digest milk sugar which worries some people and is good news for women who suffer from vaginal yeast infection.

Don't worry about a seeming complexity. Most reputable producers put them all in one capsule or liquid formula in various concentrations. Even if you have to have corrective surgery for anal fistula, do not forget that that's only shadow chasing. Mohammed Ali, former world boxing heavy weight champion used to say: "I'll get him in the head, where he lives." by punching his challengers in the head, he knocked them out.

Anal fistula has to be uprooted from the root to eliminate it.

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Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

47

e-Business How ICT is redefining governance While elections remain one of the conventional methods of demanding accountability from elected public officials, new forms of engagement based on technology are emerging. Digital governance is one of such, built on a technology platform that has the potential of changing the nature of relationship between citizens and governments significantly. State governments are exploring this avenue to improve service delivery to citizens, streamlining public sector functions and increasing participation in government, ADLINE ATILI writes

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HE growing use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is catalysing the formation of knowledge societies, thus providing greater avenues to people, especially those who have mostly been deprived of the benefits of good governance, to participate in their own development process.

Introduction of digital or electronic governance is one way experts say citizens can have equal rights to be a part of the decision-making processes which affect them directly or indirectly, and influence them in a manner which best improves their conditions and quality of lives.

They argue that this form of governance will ensure citizens are no longer passive consumers of services offered to them but significant players in services by government and structure of delivery.

Digital or electronic governance refers to the use of ICT to promote more efficient and effective government, facilitate the accessibility of government services, allow greater public access to information, and make governments more accountable to citizens. Digital governance initiatives promise a more citizen-centric government and reduce operational cost.

Proponents of digital governance say it has the potential to transcend constraints imposed by distance and increase the speed of service delivery. The focus of digital governance is how ICT can play a significant role in building accountable and democratic governance institutions.

State governments are realising more the importance of ICTs as governing tools to connect, build, manage and sustain relationships between the government and the governed. Digital governance in Nigeria is certainly making its presence felt.

Recognising the benefits of digital governance to democracy and good governance, the Ministry of Communications Technology has outlined in its draft ICT policy, how digital governance processes would be deployed for national development, drive transparency and responsibility in government.

In the policy, the ministry plans to “develop guidelines for electronic governance, networking of public and private sector establishments; and standardisation and certification of Information Technology (IT) systems in Nigeria.”

At a media briefing in Lagos, the Minister, Mrs Omobola Johnson, said: “Government is a major user of IT. We have commenced the process of using technology to reduce cost of governance and increase transparency. We are working with Galaxy Backbone, one of our implementing agencies, to look very carefully at government’s IT spend and seek ways of implementing cost reduction strategies.

“We are also working to increase government’s institutional presence on social media networks and online, such as Facebook, Twitter, websites.

We are doing this to facilitate flow of accurate, relevant and timely information from government to citizens.

“The Citizens’ Information Centre is one of the ways we hope to achieve this. This is a technology-driven and technology-enabled initiative that will facilitate the provision of government services to the public. You will hear more about this in the coming months as we fully conceptualise and start the implementation process.”

In a bid to meet its commitment to the people through delivery of dividends of democracy, the Ekiti State government had employed ICT to plug loopholes through which the state loses revenue in service delivery and ensure economic transformation of the state.

In furtherance of this commitment, the state has also put in place a robust digital governance strategy through the Ekiti State Integrated Digital Media Channels, to ensure that the economic transformation is sustained. With its assurances of enhanced transparency, accountability, expediency and efficiency, these digital media channels, according to the state government, promise to trigger a foundational reorientation in the state’s approach towards its citizenry.

At the launch of the digital channels in Ado-

•Screen shot of the Ekiti website Ekiti last month, the state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, assured that his administration would drive inclusive governance, demonstrate transparency in public service, build brand thought leadership, as well as promote Ekiti as a destination of choice for tourism and investments.

The channels include: a modernised website, www.ekitistate.gov.ng - the flagship of the state’s digital brand; a mobile website; branded Facebook page, with applications that are seamlessly integrated with various aspects of the website as well as branded YouTube channel, with over 120 videos depicting the administration’s programmes, projects and initiatives across its eight-point agenda (governance, health, education, tourism, industrial development, infrastructural development, agriculture and women empowerment).

Other channels introduced were: branded Twitter handle; branded Slideshare account, with over 100 official documents available for public scrutiny; branded Flickr account , with over 700 official photos; Google + page; branded email newsletter; mobile applications for Android and BlackBerry devices; Short Messaging Service (SMS) gateway to enable contact with state executives and Quick Reference (QR) codes that can store links, plain texts, SMSs, addresses, URLs, geo-location and e-mail for quick connection between static and online contents.

“When scanned with a phone’s camera, the Ekiti State QR codes lead to the state’s mobile applications and mobile website,” the project’s Media Director, Dr Anderson Uvie-Emegbo, explained.

Dr Fayemi, however, noted that the channels are not just ‘mere website.’ “We have not created a website. We have created Ekiti 3.0 - a set of robust integrated, multimedia digital media channels - online, social media and mobile media - backed by a strong governance strategy. It is the first of its kind within the public sector in

Nigeria; we are clearly setting the pace for inclusive governance in Nigeria,” he said.

He affirmed that with the launch of the channels, the state had shown its intention to provide digital leadership in the public sector.

He said: “With these channels, the state’s digital engagement would be in meaningful dialogue with the state’s citizens and stakeholders on social media platforms. The focus would be to listen, learn, contribute, incorporate lessons from constructive criticisms and move the state towards a healthy social interaction that promotes sustainable peace, progress, justice and development.

“The mandate of the team is to promote a brand that is truly authentic, believable and credible.

The launch of these channels is just the beginning of the roadmap for responsive governance based on constructive, real-time feedback. On the website, there are contact details, including official email addresses and phone numbers of all members of the state executive council.

“Users can send free text messages and emails directly to any official on various issues. This helps to drastically reduce bureaucracy and red tape in the state public service,” the Governor said.

According to Dr Uvie-Emegbo, “These channels are a smart mix of technology, content, engagement, analytics, usability, functionality and aesthetics. The channels allow for participative governance, better citizen engagement, greater transparency and openness using media that can be vetted by any citizen.”

An elated Dr Fayemi said: “This is the beginning of the roadmap for responsive governance based on constructive, real-time feedback. These digital channels have in built analytics capabilities to enable the real-time tracking and monitoring of user interactions. The data obtained is already being used for further optimisation of the channels as well as improving the state’s Return

‘This is the beginning of the roadmap for responsive governance based on constructive, real time feedback...We want to use ICT as an enabler of greater economic development and transformation of Ekiti State’

on Investment.”

The Governor’s position was corroborated by his Special Adviser on Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Mr Kayode Jegede, who described the digital channels as “a major landmark in the transformation of governance in Ekiti State.”

According to him, ICT creates efficient channels through which government can engage citizens. Jegede declared that the government has plans to make Ekiti to Nigeria, what Bangalore is to India.

To start with, the government has concluded plans to partner telecoms firms in the country for deployment of optical fibre infrastructure across the state, in a strategic move to enhance access to ICT for socioeconomic development.

Jegede said the government would partner Globacom, MainOne Cable Company and MultiLinks on the project.

He said: “We want to use ICT as an enabler of greater economic development and transformation of Ekiti State. Already, we are deploying biometrics infrastructure for payroll efficiency.

We have also entered into partnership with Samsung Electronics West Africa to enable computer acquisition and digital literacy of civil servants and students in the state.

“Additionally, we are using IT to run governance as well as working on tele-medicine, while making the state a call centre hub in the country, riding on the optical fibre cable that would enable up to 45 megabytes of Internet capacity in the state.”

To ensure sustainability of the digital media project, the Governor disclosed that the state had put in place a robust digital governance strategy to ensure that the transformation is sustained.

A digital media unit, which would work in collaboration with the project consultant, had also been established for effective implementation of the project.

Barely a month after the launch of the digital channels, Alexa.com, one of the Internet’s most authoritative traffic monitoring websites, ranked Ekiti website number one most visited state government site and 298th most visited in the country.

Ekiti was followed by Lagos, (lagosstate.gov.ng) which also ranked 644 nationally. According to the report, the website recorded an average of 606.12 visitors per day from over 73 countries in the world.

More states are embracing digital governance to ensure citizens remain informed of government activities.

According to the Governor of Lagos State, adoption of digital governance promotes the best form of participatory democracy as it allows constituents direct participation in government activities without being physically present; re-engineers a new sense of citizenship as people redefine their needs, welfare and responsibilities as well as enable the governed to communicate with the government and participate in government’s policy making.

The Osun State government, as part of measures to promote digital governance in the state, has promised to embark upon massive reconstruction and development of ICT infrastructure in the state.

“No matter the level of decay in the ICT infrastructure inherited from the immediate past administration, government shall not be discouraged. This financial year will witness massive reconstruction and development of ICT in Osun State. It is the commitment of our administration to introduce e-governance both in the state pubic service and in the local government service,” the Governor, Rauf Aregbesola said.

Additionally, ICT tools are being effectively deployed in Bayelsa State to transform and drive governance, the state’s Director, Government to Government, Due Process and e-Governance Bureau, Mr McEferson Efere, has said.

Efere said ICT was being used to reinvent the business of government in the state, through new ways of integrating information and making it accessible over networks and the Internet.

48

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

e-Business Firm assures supply of quality products

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ANUFACTURERS of TECNO mobile phones, Tecno Telecom Limited, has pledged its commitment to providing top quality mobile communications devices to consumers.

The Deputy General Manager, Chidi Okonkwo, said the firm would continually ensure compliance with the tenets and laws governing the establishment and operation of businesses in Nigeria.

At an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, he said: “Our pledge to our customers is to continue to provide top quality phones and accessories at affordable prices and carry out our business within the confines of the law. As a responsible company, we are aware of the need to continually ensure compli-

ance with the tenets and laws governing the establishment and operation of businesses in Nigeria.

“It is in the light of this that we assure our customers of our commitment to ensuring full compliance with the requirements of all governing and regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).”

He said the company would be investing in more service centres to provide after-sales support to customers.

He added that one of its service centres earlier closed in Ikeja had been reopened, explaining that the company did not have sufficient information on the mode of approval prior to closure by NCC.

MTN launches MyOffice solution

M •Glo ambassadors Nonso Diobi (left) and Ini Edo (right) presenting a cheque of N1million to a winner, Christian Okonkwo, in the Glo “Text4millions” promo, at Globacom’s corporate office in Abuja.

Group advocates gender-friendly ICT environment

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HE disparity between men and women in Nigeria in accessing basic Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services has been described as a hindrance to Nigeria’s quest of becoming a major player in the African sub-region, and a great disservice to women.

This was the submission of Women In Technology In Nigeria (WITIN), a non-governmental organisation, committed to improving the lot of women in the society, in ICT. WITIN President, Mrs Martha Alade, said Nigeria would be the loser if the disparity between women and men in the ICT realm is not balanced.

She noted that with an increasing number of families across the nation depending on the income of the woman, it had become pertinent to say “an empowered woman is an empowered nation.”

While addressing journalists in

Stories by Adline Atili

Lagos , Mrs Alade observed that an economically-empowered and technologically-competent Nigerian woman with increased participation in the civic, social, political and economic processes was critical to achieving a better society.

She said using ICT to promote socioeconomic empowerment of women and upholding egalitarian principles with regards to the disadvantaged groups as well as those in rural and under-served communities, was of utmost urgency, if the nation hopes to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The WITIN boss said some of the challenges discouraging young girls from pursuing careers in ICT include: ignorance of the opportunities and benefits inherent in ICT; lack of female ICT role models; unhelpful influence of parents and teachers, as well as girls’ thinking pattern that ICT is more of hard-

ware, mathematics, algorithms and programming.

To address these issues, WITIN has developed an initiative aimed at awakening the interest of the female folk to ICT. The group is planning an online contest for young girls across the nation, emphasising the appealing and social side of ICT, as well as the Grassroots Women Empowerment Through ICT (GWETI).

Mrs Alade said GWETI is aimed at socioeconomic empowerment of women, especially those in the rural areas, in addition to addressing equity issues, through the use of ICT. “GWETI is packaged for the marginalised women. This includes those in rural areas, the peasants, small business owners, the physically-challenged, illiterate business women and those living in underserved communities. This project will be implemented across all the states of Nigeria with the aid of WITIN volunteers who will gather the data of these women,” she said.

NITDA pushes for Nigerian flag in cyberspace

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HE National Information Technology Development Agency of Nigeria (NITDA) has begun campaigns for the Nigerian flag to be ‘hoisted’ in cyberspace through adoption of the .ng domain name by organisations in the country.

At an ICT workshop in Abuja, the Director-General of NITDA, Professor Cleopas Angaye, said the critical role of ICT in modern economies across the globe has made it expedient for countries to fly their flags and actively participate in cyberspace.

“Every effort at making Nigeria an integral part of this new trend must be adequately supported by all stakeholders in the ICT industry,” he said, adding that ensuring Nigeria’s effective participation in cyberspace, increasing Nigeria’s local content and advancing patronage of ‘Made in Nigeria ’ ICT products and services cannot be over-emphasised.

He said there is need for standards that engender uniformity to improve Nigeria’s local content in cyberspace, urging government officials to comply with the directive on the use of the .ng platform for mailing addresses.

He said NITDA is working on requisite standards and guidelines for government websites. The standards, according to him, when released,

would be vigorously enforced.

He charged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on collaboration with the private sector and development of public service-focused software for activities such as accounting, personnel management, budgetary matters, content management, data integration, Web-based services, and data interchange, among others.

He said the level of ICT penetration which had witnessed a boost from 2.418million Internet users in 2005 to 44million should be sustained, and called for greater development efforts to serve indigenous markets, attract foreign direct investment and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Meanwhile, the agency’s local content advocacy in the area of software development and applications has attracted global recognition. Two international organisations, Business Initiative Directions and Imarpress, have selected the Nigerian agency as one of the recipients of their award at a ceremony slated for Germany later this month.

In a letter to Angaye, the organisations said the award is in recognition of the agency’s push for Nigerian companies and the Federal Government to utilise local soft-

ware for economic advancement and development.

In the letter, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Business Initiative Directions, Jose Prieto and CEO of Imarpress, Dayle Fickling, said: “The award is for national software promotion and development excellence in Nigeria and Africa.”

NITDA had been at the forefront of advocacy for Nigerian firms and government MDAs to patronise indigenous software developers. In pursuant of this, the agency in 2005, got a directive signed by the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, directing MDAs to use local software.

The agency is also following this up by setting appropriate mechanisms for quality assurance and global standards for testing and certification of software in Nigeria.

Angaye, stressed the need to regulate the development of software and hardware for effective service provisioning and national security. “The nation’s economy has to grow by moving from oil-based to knowledge-based,” he said.

The formation of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), a body that is now clamouring for the development of Nigerian software and applications, is one of the fruits of NITDA efforts.

TN NIGERIA has launched an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solution to support growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by boosting their profitability and efficiency.

The solution, MTN MyOffice, is a suite of solutions designed to enhance the way SMEs collaborate. According to MTN, “With better collaboration comes higher productivity and ultimately, profitability.”

The suite includes: Closed User Group (CUG) services, devices bundled with mobile broadband Internet, fixed broadband Internet with free modems, cloud services, SME portal, as well as an array of Web and email hosting, domain registration and Web

development services.

The company’s Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, Mr Babatunde Osho at the launch of the solution in Lagos, described the SME segment as a major driver of a nation’s economy.

According to him, the crucial role played by SMEs informed the Telco’s decision to enhance performance of players in this segment through the introduction of MTN MyOffice with the intention of giving them access to effective ICT requirements to run their businesses in a cost efficient way.

Also speaking, Senior Manager, SME Segment Management at MTN, Ms Barbara Anozia, said through the suite, MTN would offer SMEs cost effective and efficient one-stop shop for all ICT needs.

Resourcery becomes CommScope’s elite partner

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ESOURCERY PLC, a systems integration company, has been recognised as CommScope’s first Elite Business Partner in Africa.

CommScope is a US-based communications solutions company.

According to the company’s Vice President, Global Partner Sales, Stephen Kowal, the recognition is anchored on Resourcery’s capabilities to design, implement and support complex infrastructure solutions based on CommScope’s SYSTIMAX solutions for corporate, government and other business customers.

Vice President, Enterprise Sales, Africa and Middle East at CommScope, Mr Ciaran Forde, said that the Elite Business Partner status is reserved for top providers in the industry. According to him, the status is only granted to partners that demonstrate superior expertise as well as real world successes in the deployment of

CommScope solutions. The accreditation, he stressed, confirmed that the company holds specialist certifications in key advanced solution areas, including intelligence.

“Resourcery has proven it is experienced in CommScope customer implementation and is capable of offering the highest levels of design, installation and integration. Its strong market coverage is a clear indication of a superior commitment to customers. These are qualities of a CommScope Elite Business Partner.

“When an enterprise customer in Nigeria needs a high-performance network infrastructure solution, Resourcery can meet that business need by deploying our highly advanced SYSTIMAX solution, which provides enterprise executives and IT managers the ability to tackle mission-critical, high-bandwidth and emerging applications,” he said.

Seven subscribers win millions in Glo promo

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EVEN subscribers who won N1million each in the Glo “Text4milllions” promo have been presented cheques, while another set of eight winners were presented with laptops and motor bikes.

The winners commended Globacom for fulfilling its promises to them and changing their lives.

A policewoman, Helen Nimyel, who won N1million, said she was now forever bonded with the Glo network, adding that she would encourage her family members to use the network.

For Abubakar Ibrahim-Mohammed, a student at the Bayero University, Kano , the money would

be used to pursue his education up to postgraduate level.

Speaking earlier at the event, Glo Business Director, Oludare Kodaolu, said the presentation of prizes to winners was in fulfilment of its promise to reward subscribers through special programmes and initiatives.

He said: “By rewarding our loyal subscribers, we are providing them with a stronger enabling platform to help them rule their world. We are not only committed to providing the best top-of-the-range products and services for our subscribers, we are committed to changing the quality of their lives as well.”

ZK Agency re-brands

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N advertising agency, ZK Advertising, has announced it has re-branded to Yellow Brick Road. This is after being in operation for six years. The agency, which launched the Celtel and Zain brands, was re-branded “to bring a new lease of life to the agency with a new ownership structure and additional resources.”

In a statement by the company, the agency said that the name change would not affect the management structure of the company which would remain the same.

Explaining the name Yellow Brick

Road, the company’s Managing Director, Kaliko Olowole said: “The name was coined from the film, Wizard of Oz, which starred Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. The movie chronicles the story of four characters searching for answers which they found on the Yellow Brick Road.

“The answers- adventure, courage, passion and intelligence- speak to the core values of the agency. We are in talks with a foreign equity partner who will offer strategic value to Yellow Brick Road’s operations.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

e-Business Matters e-Rising Segun Oruame segun@segunoruame.com

I

T is over a year since two undersea cables landed in Lagos, arguably, West Africa’s commercial capital and one of the major business hubs in Africa. The first to land, MainOne cable is promoted by a number of Nigerian investors with diverse entrepreneurial background s ranging from the financial to the technology sector. The Chief Eecutive Officer of MainOne Cable, Ms Funke Opeke, was before her new portfolio, the Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria, the country’s biggest mobile network of over 40 million subscribers.

Built with over $240 million, ‘the 7000 kilometres fibre optic MainOne cable runs from Portugal to Nigeria and Ghana, and also branches out to Morocco, the Canary Islands, Senegal and Ivory Coast.’ Quoting Reuters: “The MainOne Cable Company says it delivers more than ten times the broadband capacity of the South Atlantic Terminal (SAT)-3, Nigeria’s sole existing undersea cable, and 20 times the entire satellite capacity of sub-Saharan Africa.”

Globacom’s international submarine cable, Glo-1 landed at about the same time as the MainOne cable in what has helped to drive competition and sweeten broadband access in a market where connectivity has been largely depended on very costly satellite infrastructure and the erratic WASC/SAT-3 cable owned by moribund state owned Telco, NITEL. The 10,000 kilometres Glo-1 undersea cable worth some $800 million is promoted by Mike Adenuga’s owned Globacom Limited with several landings in coastal cities across West Africa. Globacom is Nigeria’s second biggest mobile network with over 30 million sub-

Microsoft SQL server 2012 to address data explosion

I

NFORMATION Technology (IT) firm, Microsoft, has launched its SQL Server 2012 in Nigeria, to help organisations cope with the challenge of data explosion. With the launch of SQL Server 2012, Microsoft said it is changing the game in the world of data management.

Reports by Forrester Consulting, a research firm, on the total economic impact and potential Return On Investment (ROI) enterprises might realise by upgrading to the Microsoft SQL Server 2012, found that the server can deliver an anticipated ROI of between 149 per cent and 189 per cent with a projected one year payback period.

According to Microsoft, the rapid growth of data volume presents a challenge to organisations in deploying data platform that can store, manage and analyse generated information, including business-critical relational databases and data warehouses, as well as data from inside the organisation and in the cloud.

The SQL Server 2012 is capable of supporting mission-critical applications in health care, financial services, government, gaming and a host of other industry applications. The new feature set of SQL Server 2012 includes new functionality for high availability, disaster recovery, high performance, Business Intelligence (BI), security and cloud-readiness.

At the launch of the SQL Server 2012 in Lagos, Solutions Specialist at Microsoft Corporation, Olufemi George, said according to Worldwide Regional Public IT Cloud Services (2011-2015) forecast, digital data will grow 44 times over the next decade. He added that in 2015, public cloud services will account for 40 per cent of net new growth in overall IT product spending.

This forecast, he said, called for a major database platform with ability to proactively respond to exceptional data changes and trends, as well as deliver industry-leading security and reliability.

“With today’s release of SQL Server 2012, now more than ever, Microsoft is providing a cloudready information platform that helps you to gain actionable business insight and helps to keep your mission-critical systems up and running. SQL Server 2012 will provide mission critical confidence with greater uptime, blazing-fast performance and enhanced security to help you manage any data, any size, anywhere,” he said.

How new sea cables are changing Nigeria’s bandwidth market

scribers. Its landing in Lagos in 2010 joined the MainOne cable to expand the prospects for increased and cheaper bandwidth connectivity access?the major snag in the take off of several Internetdriven services whether in the health, education and financial sector among several others.

Crashing cost of access Since the commercial launch of these two cables, prices of connectivity have crashed greatly and there is a more robust delivery of bandwidth like never before helping to drive new level of services that were once non-existent.

Take the increasingly popular BlackBerry (BB) services offered by all the four Global System for Mobile communications networks. There has been about 45 per cent cut in Internet costs through the BB window. These also apply to other forms of Internet access. In the last 10 months, BB tariff has crashed considerably from about $35 per month to about $20 per month whether on MTN, Globacom, Airtel or Etisalat network. This has helped to drive up the popularity of mobile Internet on all smartphones generally and BB services specifically.

Also, in the last 10 months, as recent research has shown, Nigeria is the largest market for smartphones and accounts for over 50 per cent of all smartphone sales on the continent in the last two quarters. This, no doubt, is as a result of the crash in Internet tariff.

The existing submarine cables in Nigeria carry an installed capacity of over 19.2 terabytes and over 340 gigabyte combined, a major increase in the size of the pipe available to drive bandwidth-dependent services. Already, the lower Internet tariff is being felt in the hinterlands as terrestrial infrastructure companies take advantage of the increased available bandwidth to install connectivity pipes and open up once un-served remote locations in

several of Nigeria’s state capitals including Abuja, the country’s political capital.

BCN Limited, Phase One Limited and Layer 3 Limited – three backbone connectivity companies with heavy presence in Abuja are already leveraging on these new opportunities to take connectivity to towns and cities in northern parts of Nigeria’s vast over 927, 000 square kilometre landmass. The immediate casualty of this development is satellite infrastructure providers all of which are foreign-based.

Both Glo-1 and MainOne cables are firming up their presence in Nigeria’s booming oil and gas sector; Globacom is using its submarine cable to serve major oil companies and helping them to lower the cost of connectivity like never before. “Glo 1 has signed on a number of major oil companies in the past few months, signalling increasing preference for the cable as bandwidth provider of choice,” according to a local news publication, the Nigerian Pilot. The list of customers includes: Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Total ELf, Chevron, Agip, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Exxon Mobil and TransOcean. Hitherto, the major oil companies had to depend on satellite connectivity for major high-speed international bandwidth link that connects all their operation centres including remote locations in the Niger Delta creeks and corporate offices in Lagos and the United Kingdom.The soul of connectivity is undersea cables “New analysis from Frost & Sullivan ‘West African Broadband Market Tracker,’ covering Nigeria, Cameroun and Cote d’Ivoire, finds that the market earned revenues of $929.9 million in 2009 and estimated this to reach $1.932 billion in 2016.“The research stated that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) still remain the dominant players in the region, except for Nigeria where mobile broadband connections have outpaced fixed broadband connections. “In com-

parison to other countries, high investments are made in infrastructure development and broadband services present the highest areas for growth opportunities due to the decline in voice revenues,” the report said.“The analysts said these investments (in undersea cables) would unlock the constraints in the West African telecommunications market and catalyse the economic potential of the region. They stressed that a compelling opportunity exists to lower the restrictive cost of international telecommunications and significantly expand Internet access via submarine cable, which will lead to greater efficiency and more competitive business.”“We see new and expansive growth prospects for ISPs who have to remodel their business offerings to reflect the new opportunities and trends,” said the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos based ISP, Junisat, Gboyega Ojuri. General Manager of DCC Networks of Computer Warehouse Group, Mr Oladipo Raji, says Nigeria needs to step up on capacity utilisation of the cables. While there are exciting uptake of the privately-owned cable facilities, he sees explosive growth in months ahead through an expanding window for e-commerce, e-payment, e-learning, ehealth, e-government and the likes.

Sierra Leone and the coming of fibre optic sea cables What do all these hold for other West Africa countries? A bounty of change! Africa is set to experience its own bandwidth glut from years of bandwidth famine. That is why the expected landing of fibre optic sea cable in a country like Sierra Leone is bound to change for good the way business is done. Cost of access will crash and connectivity will become more readily available. It then means people who were once unconnected to the global knowledge space will now be able to expeience the unique leapfrogging that only ICT can bring.

‘Broadband is key in competing with BRICS economies’ C HIEF EXECUTIVE Officer (CEO) of MainOne Cable Company, Ms Funke Opeke, has called for investment and growth in broadband capacity distribution, if Nigeria is to achieve the Vision 20:2020 expected to catapult Nigeria into the 20 leading countries of the world.

She said continued growth and investment in broadband infrastructure, could propel Nigeria into the group of emerging economies like the BRICS, adding that such a development could result in a name change to BRINCS (Brazil, Russia, India, Nigeria, China and South Africa).

BRICS refers to the countries of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, a group of leading emerging economies, which are all deemed to be at a similar stage of newly-advanced economic development.

Ms Opeke, who delivered a paper at a stakeholders’ consultative forum in Lagos, stressed the need for urgent, deliberate and practical regulatory and policy imperatives in the broadband and data segment of the nation’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, in order to ensure the attainment

Stories by Adline Atili

of the desired level of growth and development.

She said that the phenomenal growth in the mobile telephony market in the last decade, has been due largely to regulatory and policy reforms, and the emergence of an independent regulator, which ushered in an era of stability.

“The resultant increase in investor confidence led to an abundant inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which provided the financial lubricant required to sustain growth in mobile telephony infrastructure and services deployment in Nigeria.

“These regulatory changes were supported by a series of financial incentives, economic regulations and determinations that further promoted growth in the voice telephony market which is evident in improved availability, affordability and quality of services to Nigerian consumers today,” she said.

She, however, said despite this achievement, Nigeria remains a consumer nation and contributes minimal local content to the services enjoyed; adding that growth in mobile telephony had failed to extend to broadband and data segments.

She attributed this to the moribund state of the nation’s first carrier, NITEL and failure to privatise it. According to her, if NITEL were in operation, there would have been a way to drive down costs as well as ensure last mile access, as its infrastructure would have nicely complemented the submarine cables operational in the country, as a national ‘backbone.’

She submitted that the future of broadband in Nigeria must be characterised by development and implementation of appropriate policies and regulations that encourage continued growth and investment in the sector in ways that ensure public institutions embrace ICT, support ample creation of jobs, ensure adequate local content participation and creation of wealth, as well as economic growth of Nigerians.

Airtel focuses CSR on MDGs

A

•From left: Managing Director, Insight Communications, Jimi Awosika; Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, MTN Nigeria, Bola Akingbade and General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Kola Oyeyemi, at the launch of MTN Pulse in Lagos.

IRTEL NIGERIA has focused its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on realisation of the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of providing access to universal primary education to children.

To achieve this, the company has joined forces with GlaxoSmithKline, a pharmaceutical and health care company, to promote good hygiene and sanitation among pupils in Lagos State.

The companies have embarked upon deworming and health awareness exercise of Oremeji Primary School, Ajegunle, Lagos, one of the schools in the Airtel’s ‘Adopt-a-School’ programme.

The exercise also featured general health checks, including eye screening, cardiovascular checks and growth and weight check of teachers and pupils of the school.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Rajan Swaroop, said: “It is a known scientific fact that de-worming contributes to good health and nutrition for children of school age, which in turn leads to increased enrolment and attendance, reduced class repetition, and increased educational attainment. Therefore, healthy children are the substratum of a healthy society.”

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54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 11-4-12

Oando targets N191b in Q2 •Market slips further

O

ANDO Plc could achieve total sales of N191.35 billion and shareholders could earn an average of N1.59 per share this quarter as the oil major steps up earnings from its offshore operations and efficiency at the downstream segment.

In a forecast made available yesterday, the board of Oando said it expected average pre-tax profit margin of about 2.8 per cent to translate into profit before tax of N5.34 billion while net profit after tax could be N3.61 billion within the quarter ending June 30, 2012.

The board estimated that operating profit would be about N11.62 billion while the oil major could pay about N1.73 billion to government in taxes.

The forecast assumed there would be no significant changes in the operating environment with average selling price for natural gas, petrol and diesel estimated at N31.15, N97 and N153 respectively.

Market analysts said the

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

possibility of the oil company meeting its projections was quite high given its earlier performance records and assumptions.

Analysts at Vetiva Capital said the long-term outlook for Oando was positive, citing the commencement of the company’s East Horizon Gas Company gas pipeline system and OES Passion rig deployment for Shell drilling contract, which it noted has established further revenue streams with expectations of N5 billion and N5.4 billion revenue contributions in 2012 respectively.

“We believe this business is on a sound footing and is poised to tap into growth opportunities across Nigeria’s energy space,” Vetiva Capital stated in a note to investors.

Meanwhile, the overall market situation at the Nigerian stock market remained negative as the av-

erage value index dropped by 0.15 per cent.

The All Share Index (ASI), the common valueindex that tracks all equities, slipped from 20,845.32 points to 20,814.35 points, indicating a lower but still positive year-to-date return of 0.40 per cent.

The decline was orchestrated by depreciation in the share prices of highly capitalised stocks including Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Flour Mills, Zenith Bank, and Guaranty Trust Bank and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities stood at N6.638 trillion as against its opening value of N6.611 trillion.

The increase in market capitalisation was due to the supplementary listing of 14.4 billion shares in the name of Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN).

Turnover stood at 176.69 million shares worth N1.43 billion in 3,918 deals.

Banking subsector remained the most active subgroup with a turnover of 127.6 million shares worth N1.02 billion in 2,162 deals. The three most actively traded stocks were Guaranty Trust Bank with 29.66 million shares, Diamond Bank, 21.65 million shares; and Access Bank with 13.71 million shares.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 11-4-12

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

Union Bank lists 14.4b shares amidst price rally

U

NION Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc successfully rounded off its recapitalisation programme yesterday with the listing of 14.40 billion ordinary shares in the name of the bank as investors continued a scramble for its equities.

While the overall market situation at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) was negative, the listing of the 14.403 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each in the name of Union Bank pushed up aggregate market capitalisation of all equities to N6.638 billion as against its opening value of N6.611 trillion. The benchmark index at NSE-the All Share Index (ASI), had shown a negative position of 0.15 per cent, indicating the generally bearish market outlook.

With the listing of the shares, Union Bank has completed all stages of its recapitalisation programme including the share restructuring, rights issue to shareholders, placements to Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and new core investors under the auspices of Union Global Partners Limited. They also

By Taofik Salako

included the listing of the shares for secondary market transactions.

The shareholding structure of Union Bank now consists 18.343 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each including 2.533 billion shares from initial share reconstruction and additional 1.407 billion shares from the rights issue to prescheme shareholders, 3.394 billion shares with the AMCON and 11.008 billion shares for the consortium of core investors under the special purpose vehicle of Union Global Partners Limited.

The success of the recapitalisation appeared to have improved investors’ confidence in the bank as it’s share price rose by 4.67 per cent with the addition of 12 kobo to close at N2.69 per share.

The listing yesterday enlisted Union Bank as one of the most influential stocks on the NSE. At current market consideration, the postrecapitalisation share capital places Union Bank as one of the top 15 companies on the NSE and one of the six

banks in the highly influential group.

Dangote Cement is the most capitalised company while Nigerian Breweries ranked second. Other top 12 companies include Nestle Nigeria, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Guinness Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, First Bank of Nigeria and Access Bank Plc. The top 12 companies control more than two-third of the market capitalisation and form the pristine control group that decides several market variables including the overall market situation, turnover and key value-based indices such as the benchmark All Share Index and sectoral NSE 30 Index.

A new board of directors, which reflects the new shareholding structure of Union Bank, was recently inaugurated to formally mark the conclusion of the recapitalisation programme, following approvals from financial services authorities.

The new board of director is chaired

by Dick Kramer, chairman of African Capital Alliance- the lead partner in the consortium. Other non-executive

directors that were appointed at the meeting of the board of directors held at the bank’s head office in Lagos recently included Dr. Yemi Osindero and Dickie Agumba Ulu. Earlier, Engr.

Mansur Ahmed and Dr. Mrs. Nike Akande had been reappointed unto the board at the last board meeting of the bank in 2011 during which all nonexecutive directors retired with effect from December 31, 2011.

Union Bank received $500 million capital from the Union Global partners after fulfilling all regulatory processes and approvals. With the injection of Naira equivalent of $500 million, Union Bank emerged with a capital adequacy ratio of 19 per cent, well above the Central Bank of Nigeria’s minimum requirement of 10 per cent.

Analysts said the success of the recapitalisation has rekindled the growth prospect of Union Bank, which had projected that it might pool as much as N66 billion in pre-tax profit in the course of three business years between 2012 and 2014.

Infrastructure-deficit costs Africa US$43m

A

FRICA spends US$43 million in addressing infrastructural-deficit, and there is opportunity to rake in a further US$17million if efficiency is improved, a World Bank report has revealed.

Professor Edward Badu, Provost of the College of Architecture and Planning, KNUST, addressing participants at the first international summit on Infrastructure, observed that despite these considerable investments Africa’s infrastructure has rather dwindled — and in many instances become un-

By Daniel Essiet with agency report

productive.

He acknowledged that modern and reliable infrastructure is essential to the development of any nation, and that infrastructuredeficit hinders global industrial, social and political progress.

While infrastructure-deficit is a global issue, its impact is felt most in developing countries, particularly Africa.

The entire African continent is at the forefront of infrastructural

development needs and confronted with large investment deficits. This is manifested in congested roads; poorly maintained recreational facilities; deteriorated schools, hospitals, water supply systems and other infrastructure assets.

Prof. Badu observed that the well-articulated Millennium development Goals (MDGs) are far from being met because of severe structural and management weaknesses in designing and delivering infrastructure projects.

He highlighted however that the scale of this problem has also not

received much attention from academicians across the African continent; it is therefore against this backdrop that researchers have been assembled to listen and deliberate on emerging issues in research for the infrastructure domain.

The Conference proceedings contained over 50 peer-review papers on topics relating to: infrastructure design; planning and management; infrastructure investment and financing infrastructure development and economic growth; and infrastructure governance and politics.

FGN BONDS 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

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 150m 150m 138m 138m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

7.9-10% 10-11%

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 11-4-12 SYMBOL

CAP UAC-PROP UACN GLAXOSMITH FIDSON ETERNAOIL UBN REDSTAREX TRANSCORP GTASSURE

O/PRICE

20.02 10.01 30.06 19.25 0.84 3.16 2.57 2.20 0.50 1.52

C/PRICE

21.02 10.51 31.56 20.21 0.88 3.31 2.69 2.30 0.52 1.58

113m

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

O/PRICE 9.58 31.83 1.05 0.91 6.24 0.53 1.76 1.50 4.21 55.10

C/PRICE 9.11 30.30 1.00 0.87 6.00 0.51 1.70 1.45 4.10 54.01

CHANGE 0.47 1.53 0.05 0.04 0.24 0.02 0.06 0.05 0.11 1.09

29-2-12 27-2-12

113m

155.7

22-2-12

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

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%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date

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%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 11-4-12

SYMBOL ASHAKACEM OKOMUOIL RTBRISCOE LIVESTOCK ACCESS PRESTIGE BAGCO CUSTODYINS DANGFLOUR FLOURMILL

Exchange Rate (N) 155.8 155.8

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

CHANGE

1.00 0.50 1.50 0.96 0.04 0.15 0.12 0.10 0.02 0.06

113m

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

J

IM Yong Kim, the U.S. nominee to head the World Bank, on Wednesday told the bank’s board of directors that he would not hesitate to question the status quo and do his best to help the world’s poorest.

In a two and a half page address made public by the Treasury Department, Kim according to Reuters news, outlined the reasons why he believed his training as a public health expert and former president of Dartmouth College equipped him with the skills needed to take over the World Bank in June when current president Robert Zoellick steps down.

“You would find in me someone who asks hard questions about the status quo and is not afraid to challenge existing orthodoxies,” Kim said. “I’d bring rigor, objectivity and a focus on data that help all of us define and achieve our shared vision of securing strong economic growth and delivering greater opportunity for the world’s poor,” he said.

Kim was expected to undergo a round of questioning from bank directors as the two other contenders for the job — Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and former Colombian Finance Minister Jose Antonio Ocampo — already have done.

A decision on Zoellick’s successor is to be made public by the time the bank and its sister institution, the International Monetary Fund, hold semi-annual meetings in Washington April 20-22.

Kim has been on a world tour that has taken him to Asia and Latin America to meet finance leaders and to try to drum up support for his U.S.backed candidacy.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

US pick for World Bank makes case to board directors

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 Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

NEWS

Fed Govt has neglected Lagos, says Akiolu

US VP pledges support for Nigeria

U

NITED States Vice President Joe Biden has pledged his country’s support for Nigeria.

He spoke during a meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo at the White House on Monday. Biden pledged the United States’ commitment to peace and prosperity for Nigeria and for the West African region.

He offered his condolences and those of the American people to Sambo for the lives lost in the Boko Haram attacks on Easter day in Kaduna and Kano.

Biden reiterated US strong support for Nigeria and its efforts to improve socio-economic and security conditions across the country. The Vice Presidents discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation on issues of mutual interest such as advancing trade and investment, promoting peace and security in West Africa, and countering terrorism.

Biden thanked Sambo for Nigeria’s important role in Africa and its exemplary leadership during the unrest in Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, and elsewhere. Sambo reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding services and access to electricity, enhancing infrastructure to aid development, and improving the quality of life for all of Nigeria’s citizens.

P

IGP mother’s death shocking, RESIDENT Goodluck says Jonathan Jonathan yesterday

said he was shocked at the death of the mother of Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Muhammed Abubakar, Hajiya Aisha B. Abubakar.

Hajiya Abubakar died in a Cairo, Egypt hospital after an illness.

The President, who described the late Hajiya Abubakar as a devout Muslim, hailed her commitment to the welfare of the less privileged in her community.

He commiserated with the IGP and her family members over the death, as her remains will be interred today in Gusau, Zamfara State, according to Islamic rites.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, the President prayed Almighty God to grant the soul of their late mother eternal repose.

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

•Oba Akiolu

AGOS monarch Oba Rilwan Akiolu yesterday complained about the neglect of Lagos State by the Federal Government, urging President Goodluck Jonathan to redress the ‘’injustice’’.

The Oba, who described Lagos State as a mini-Nigeria hosting Nigerians from across the federation. said

L

there is a lot of pressures on the infrastructural facilities available in the state, owing to the daily influx of people from the six geo-political zones.

Oba Akiolu pleaded with President Jonathan to tar the federal roads in the state, which he described as eye sore, adding that the state does not deserve marginalisation.

The monarch made the request while receiving the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, in his palace. The President’s wife, who is on a two-day visit to the state, was received at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, by the Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ade-

morin Kuye, at 3pm. With him were the Permanent Secretary, Adegiyan Ojora, Asoju-Oba of Lagos, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, Second Republic Senator Habib Fashinro, and prominent businessman, Chief Rasak Okoya.

Mrs. Jonathan was accompanied by Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, wives of Katsina and Bayelsa State governors, wife of Chief of Naval Staff and other aides.

She told the traditional ruler that she was in Lagos State to thank the people for the support they gave to her husband during the last election.

Oba Akiolu, who described Lagos State as the economic nerve centre, enjoined the President to also release all the property and monies which are due to the state for development. He maintained that the Federal Government

has not done much for the state, urging Dr. Jonathan to urgently fix the federal roads in the state.

He also enjoined the President to halt the Boko Haram threat before it spreads to other zones.

Oba Akiolu also advised the President to see Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as partners in progress, instead of relating to them as members of the opposition.

Mrs. Jonathan noted the grievances of Lagosians as expressed by the monarch and promised to relate them to the President.

She assured the monarch that “the President will do all within his capacity to reciprocate the kind gestures of Lagosians”.

‘National conference ‘ll end insecurity’

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

C

IVIL society groups in the Niger Delta yesterday warned against the delay in convoking a Sovereign National Conference (SNC). They said only a national dialogue would halt insecurity in the country.

In a statement by its Secretary, Mr Tony Uranta, the groups, under the aegis of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), noted that a national debate would douse tensions across Nigeria.

The statement said: “Enough is enough. We demand a Sovereign National Conference now. While UNDEDSS desires the unity of Nigeria, it must be founded on justice, equity, fair play and the rule of law.

“In a secular state, such as Nigeria, there cannot be putative unity by coercion from any group or part of the state. Nigeria is at the brinks and can only be salvaged by a conference where the federating units will decide how they want to be governed.

“The earlier, the better. We cannot continue to overlook the issues threatening the unity of the nation. Nigeria belongs to Nigerians and they must sit down to decide how they can stay together.”

The groups condemned an alleged justification of the activities of the Boko Haram sect by some Nigerians who attributed such actions to poverty.

•Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye flanked by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba (left) and the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, at this year’s ministerial briefing on the first year of the second term of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja…yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Pension task force offered us bribe, says Senate panel

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HE Senate Ad Hoc Committee investigating the alleged looting of the pension fund yesterday alleged that the Pension Reform Task Team attempted to bribe its members.

The committee claimed that the failed bribe bid was part of the antics of the task team to cover up the fraud it allegedly perpetrated.

Committee Chairman Aloysius Etok accused the Abdulrasheed Maina-led team of offering the committee members a huge bribe, which they promptly rejected.

According to him, the bribe was offered through some unnamed “big people”, adding that the task team felt that the investigative panel was too hard on its members.

The senator noted that the task team might have offered the alleged bribe because it felt

•Task team: committee biased From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

the panel was too hard on its members.

Etok, who was reacting to an accusation of bias against the committee by the task team, said the team “sent some big people to offer us bribe and we refused because we are not ready to compromise our work”.

He said the task team resorted to blackmail “when it became obvious to them that the committee was not ready to compromise its assignment”.

Etok said: “We cannot be intimidated and we see the media war, orchestrated by the task team, as a blackmail and attempt to distract the committee. Let the task force make public any form of bias by the

committee.

“The media is the watchdog of our assignment. We have not shown any sign of bias. We work according to our conscience.

“These boys in the task team have resorted to blackmail because we have refused to be compromised. Nigerians will judge us at the end of the day.”

But a statement by the task team accused the committee of bias.

It alleged that the Senate panel passed judgment against the team before the beginning of the public hearing, when it asked the Federal Government to dissolve the team.

The Information and Media Relations Officer of the task team, Hassan Salihu, said team offered no bribe to the Committee.

He insisted that there was evidence that the comteam The statement reads: “Though the Pension Reform Task Force agrees that it suffered fierce attacks and sentiments and harassment by the Senate Committee and strongly feels that the Senate Committee will not be fair to the Task Team in the ongoing probe, it still does not qualify anybody to make judgment that the Senate Committee demanded for bribery.

“We have documents, newspaper reports and TV clips of such sentimental harassment, and the task team views it as a deliberate attempt to tarnish its image. It buttresses our claim that the Senator Aloysius Etok-led committee had declared judgment against the task team even while the probe is still ongoing.”

CAN President rejects US position on Boko Haram Continued from page 2

While sympathising with victims of the Easter Sunday explosion and attack in parts of the North, the statement said “the President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on behalf of the Christians in the country,

condoles with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the Kaduna, Kano, Borno and Yobe attacks during the Easter celebration.

“He prays that God will fight for the unarmed and appealed to those behind the dastardly act to see reason

and stop the attacks in the interest of the unity of the country. Oritsejafor noted that what should be paramount in the minds of every Nigerian is the unity of the country and that what those who attacked the four cities have done was evil.

“Appealing to those respon-

sible for the attacks to have respect for the sanctity of human lives, the President of CAN remarked that it is unfortunate that while people are striving to attune themselves to the rejuvenation of their spiritual lives, death merchants lurked around, killing innocent citizens.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

57

58

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

NEWS Policeman escapes death

•Seven-year-old daughter killed

A

POLICE corporal, Hassan Isa, narrowly escaped death on Monday, but his seven-yearold daughter, Safiya, was killed by suspected assassins.

Two of his children were injured.

Isa was said to have just relocated to his new home near Remand Home, Potiskum, after receiving threats in his former house, mostly occupied by policemen.

From Duku JOEL, Damaturu

An eyewitness told our correspondent that the gunmen arrived his home about 9pm and shot him. He escaped, but left his children, who were attacked.

Police Public Relations Officer Toyin Gbadegesin confirmed the incident. He said the injured children are receiving treatment at the Potiskum General Hospital.

Minister urges Nigeria, Pakistan effort From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

T

HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, has called for a closer security collaboration between Nigeria and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, to share experience and expertise, especially in counterterrorism.

Mohammed, who was receiving participants of the Pakistani National Defence University who were in Abuja for a study tour, said the Pakistanis have passed through similar security challenges. He urged them to share their experience with Nigerian security personnel.

Mohammed lamented that Nigeria is passing through a difficult period in terms of security and said the two countries share many things in common.

He urged Nigerian defence institutions to take advantage of the visit to establish a partnership.

The leader of the delegation, Brig.-Gen. Syed Haider Naqir, said the delegation was in Abuja to share experience and cultural exposure.

Assembly probes councils’ accounts

K

WARA State House of Assembly Appropriation Committee is investigating the accounts of the 16 councils.

The action is aimed at ensuring accountability and prudence management of resources, the House Committee Chairman on Ethics, Privileges, Public Service and Judiciary, Kamaldeen Fagbemi, has said.

He urged local government chairmen to implement people-oriented policies and programmes because of their closeness to the grassroots.

Fagbemi said the councils’ accounts were being investigated with a view to bringing about the desired development.

He said the house was not under pressure to accept and accelerate debates on issues

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

from the executive arm of the government, especially those that involved money.

Fagbemi said issues were dealt with by the lawmakers without interference from any quarter.

Speaking on the approval the house granted the state government to obtain N10 billion loan, Fagbemi, who represents Oke Ogun Constituency, said the loan was obtained to complete ongoing projects.

He said the Bukola Saraki administration applied for a bond of N30 billion, but accessed only N13 billion.

He said the government was unable to access the balance of N17 billion, adding that banks were ready to give at the interest of 13 per cent as against 27 per cent of the capital market when the need arose.

Unknown gunmen kill farmer in Plateau

U

nknown gunmen have killed a man on his farm at Fang village in Bashit district of Riyom Local Government, Plateau State. This brings to five the number of people killed in the area in the last five days and 20 in three months.

The victim, Dantyang Bauchi, was said to be clearing his farm in preparation for the rainy season when the

•Mother of seven murdered From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

assailants attacked him with a gun.

The incident, which happened about 9am, attracted the attention of soldiers, but the gunmen were said to have disappeared before the soldiers arrived.

Media officer of the Special Task Force (STF) in Jos, codenamed, ‘Operation safe haven’, Capt.

Markus Mdahyelya, confirmed the attack.

It was also confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer Samuel Dabai.

Human Rights Writers As-

sociation of Nigeria (HURIWA) has decried the incessant attacks in Plateau State, especially the killing, by suspected gunmen, of a mother of seven, Mrs. Ana Christopher Gyang, at Lwa village in Bachit district of Ryom Local Government.

The victim was reportedly killed during a Sunday night raid on the village by suspected armed invaders.

Bag containing refuse causes panic in Kaduna

T

HERE was a bomb scare yesterday in Kaduna, a few metres from the scene of the Easter Sunday explosion which claimed many lives.

Residents were said to have noticed a bag placed near a pole in the middle of the road.

This caused panic as they thought the bag contained explosives. The police were immediately alerted.

An eyewitness told The Na-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

tion that when the police arrived and cordoned off the place, none of them was willing to move near the object until one young man in the neigbourhood came, moved towards it and struck the bag with a long stick.

According to the eyewitness, “the boy, Abdullahi Olya, came from Jemaa Road area. He used the stick to

touch the bag and there was no explosion. Onlookers hailed him. When he realised that the bag did not contain any explosive, he picked it up and emptied it. But the police arrested him.”

The source said the police action infuriated the onlookers and they threatened a showdown.

He said: “The police suspected the boy to be a mem-

ber of the Boko Haram sect.

They thought the boy had a foreknowledge of what was inside the bag and who might have put it there.”

The Police Public Relations Officer Aminu Lawan confirmed the incident. He said: “We received a distress call and sent a team of policemen to the place, only to discover that the bag was full of rubbish.”

Man strangles day-old baby to death

A

35-YEAR-OLD MAN, Mr. Alanana Ayuba of Angwan Tashi in Obi Local Government of Nasarawa State, has allegedly strangled a dayold baby to death.

The man, who has since been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nasarawa State Command, said he carried out the act to prevent his 19-year-old

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

daughter, who gave birth to the baby, from dropping out of school.

He confessed that he killed the baby boy by strangling him because he did not want a bastard child in his home.

“I also want my daughter to continue her education.”

Parading the suspect before reporters yesterday in

Lafia, NSCDC Commandant Nweze Emmanuel Okemini described the act as heinous and wondered why people could not respect the sanctity of life.

He said the matter would be investigated.

The mother of the baby (names withheld) said she was not aware of her father’s intention until she heard the cry of the baby who later died.

•Ayuba

Kwara threatens to close filling stations

T

HE Kwara State Government yesterday warned petrol sellers against hoarding.

It said it would not hesitate to shut down any filling station found hoarding petroleum products or adjusting meters.

The Chairman of the Task Force on Petroleum Products, Alhaji Issa Bawa, gave the warning during an inspection of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corpora-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

tion’s (NNPC’s) depot at Oke-Oyi, Ilorin.

A senior worker at the depot attributed the fuel scarcity to pipeline vandalism and erratic power supply.

He said there was enough fuel for distribution from the Ibadan axis and appealed to the government to assist the depot in the security of the pipelines by

donating patrol vans to monitor the facilities.

Bawa, who is also the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the task force was determined to support and assist the government to ensure that the persistent fuel scarcity was brought to an end.

He said government was

worried about the fuel scarcity in the state and warned marketers to desist from hoarding fuel and adjusting their meters, adding that anyone caught would be penalised.

He appealed to the people of the state to join hands with the government to protect NNPC pipelines against vandalism.

Tinubu, Fashola to receive awards at thanksgiving service

T

HE Chairman of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Lagos State chapter, Dr. Kola Onanuga, has said God is either using the Boko Haram insurgency to test Nigerians’ faith or is a punishment because of sins.

The cleric, who spoke in Lagos, said the Boko Haram insurgency would end soon “because Nigerians have been praying for peace and I know God listens to prayers.”

He said OAIC is one of the five groups that make up the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

According to Onanuga, churches founded by Afri-

cans should be members of the OAIC. “The organisation was established 21 years ago. It has a strong grassroots base because our churches are at the grassroots. Our 21st anniversary thanksgiving service and induction of newlyelected members will hold on April 20 at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos at 10 am.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and three other people will be given awards at the event. On that day, we will also fast and pray for Nigeria so that peace will be restored,” he said.

Yuguda inaugurates VVF centre in Bauchi

G

OVERNOR Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State yesterday inaugurated the newly-established Vesico Virginal Fistula (VVF) centre at the Ningi General Hospital.

He said over 140 women have been treated at the centre, while 80 are undergoing surgical operations.

The governor said: “The VVF care project in the state is being funded by the United

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

States government through USAID, but in partnership with the state government.”

Yuguda, who was accompanied by VVF surgeons, government officials, politicians and stakeholders in the health sector, said “the former Specialist Hospital in Bauchi has been upgraded to a teaching hospital.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

59

NEWS

Woman's body exhumed in Rivers

T

HE decomposed body of Peace Matthias, which was buried by her 'boyfriend', Jim Zacchaeus, in his one-room apartment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was exhumed yesterday by the police.

Matthias, in her 20s, was allegedly killed by Zacchaeus last Friday.

The suspect and 15 others have been arrested.

The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Indabawa, said this at his maiden briefing yesterday.

He said the investigations would be thorough to reveal the motive behind the killing.

It was learnt that Zacchaeus and the deceased were working in an unnamed company and there was a deal involving a huge sum of money, which they agreed to share.

The suspect lured the victim to his apartment, where she was killed.

Another version said Matthias was impregnated by Zacchaeus and she needed money for an abortion.

A source quoted Zacchaeus as saying that Matthias was angry that she was not given money for an abortion, which prompted her to get the money from her sister.

She reportedly got into a fight with her 'boyfriend', who allegedly pushed

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

her; she hit her head on a hard surface in the room.

The body was exhumed around 6:30 am, bagged and moved to the Mile One Divisional Police Headquarters in Diobu, Port Harcourt.

The commissioner said the command, in the last 40 days, has arrested 61 robbery and 25 kidnapping suspects.

Fifteen robbery suspects and two kidnap suspects were killed in shootouts with policemen.

During the period, 58 various types of firearms and 151 rounds of ammunition were recovered.

Twenty suspected cultists were arrested in four raids on criminal hideouts.

Forty-four suspects were arrested with 15 vehicles and motorcycles recovered.

Indabawa said a syndicate specialising in forging police vehicle purchase clearance certificate, tinted glass permit and other public documents was smashed.

At the end of the investigation, Friday Okor, Justice Okor and Rosemary Egbulika were charged to court.

An official of the Board of Internal Revenue (Motor Licencing Authority), Stella Hart, was arrested for alleged forgery of police letterhead, authorising signa-

ture and stamp of police vehicle clearance certificate. She has been charged to court.

The commissioner said Prince Akpelu and Supuruchi Amadi were arrested for their alleged involvement in the kidnap of a 68-year-old woman from Egbeada.

They allegedly collected N500,000 from her family.

He said the same gang blocked the Egbeada-Etche-Omoku Road and kidnapped Godwin and three others.

Indabawa said police operatives raided the house of a suspected arms dealer, Peter Iderechi, at Etche.

Four locally-made pistols, eight spare parts of single barrel gun and three live ammunition were recovered.

Iderechi has been charged to court.

Another suspected arms dealer, Cyracus Enwerem was arrested at his workshop with 16 locally-made rifles, including two double-barrel guns and ammunition.

The police commissioner said six hoodlums invaded Idegbesor’s home, shot his wife and stole some of his personal effects.

Two of the hoodlums were killed, one arrested and others escaped.

A SMG rifle and a Mitsubishi car were recovered by the police.

Group blasts Edo PDP

T

HE dust raised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s visit to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole is yet to settle.

A group, Edo Is In Safe Hands, told chieftains of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop belly aching over the ‘unique’ visit by their former Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman.

The group’s Administrative Secretary, Mike Ozaveshe, said Edo PDP is fidgeting about the rising popularity of Oshiomhole and the dwindling fortunes of its candidate, Charles Airhiavbere.

“They simply do not know anything about the former president’s visit and as such, they cannot clarify the purpose of his visit. Why the sudden fear? Do they think they can intimidate the former president? Don’t they have ears to hear?

“Obasanjo said: “I must not be in Benin City without calling on the governor. Today is not for talk. I would do a banquet where we would talk. I would come back and then there would be opportunity to talk, but for now, thank you very much. I am not here for any statement. If the governor is around and I’m in Edo State for a private visit, I should be here to say hello. Thank you very much.”

When pressed further , Obasanjo said: “you no get ear to hear?

On whether he was in the state to endorse Oshiomhole for a second term and the outcome of the private meeting, the expresident simply said: “Another day I will come, I will talk, and the governor will talk.”

“So, we expect the PDP to wait for the second coming of Chief Obasanjo when he will talk on whether he has endorsed Oshiomhole for second term so that Oshiomhole himself would talk. There is no hurry about it and no jumping the gun.”

Police deny complicity in kidnap From Shola O'Neil, Warri

T

HE Delta State Police Command has denied complicity in last Saturday's kidnap of a family of six.

Police spokesman Charles Muka, who confirmed the release of the victims yesterday, said it was a relative who told the kidnappers that the incident had been reported to the police Mrs Overere Hanson, her four children, including a threemonth-old baby, and a relative were kidnapped in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government.

Three children (two, four and 14 years) were released on Sunday.

The others were dumped in a bush around Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government by their abductors after an unknown amount of money was paid by their relatives.

The kidnappers increased the ransom from N5million to N11million after learning that the incident was reported to the police.

But Muka denied insinuations of a possible complicity of men of the Ekpan Police Station.

"It was a man who told the kidnappers when they called that he was at the police station. So it is not true that the police might have tipped off the robbers."

Psychiatric workers’ strike continues From Osagie Otabor, Benin

T •Vice Chancellor, Convenant University, Prof Aize Obayan and Pro-Chancellor, Crawford University, Prof Peter Okebukola at the third convocation of Crawford University in Igbesa, Ogun State...yesterday

•Vice Chancellor, Crawford University, Prof Samson Ayanlaja, giving his welcome address PHOTOS: JOHN EBHOTA

Cross River indigenes decry Fulani ‘invasion’

T

HE Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Vincent Aquah, has complained that the presence of over 3,000 Fulani in Obanliku Local Government is placing a lot of strain on the state.

He spoke when the Na-

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

tional Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) donated relief materials to the displaced persons.

Aquah said facilities of the host communities have been stretched beyond their capacity.

He said the indigenes are

mainly agrarian and that almost all the arable lands are being grazed by the ‘vistors' cattle.

According to him, the farmers themselves are, under the circumstance, displaced.

Aquah, who was represented by the agency's Disaster Assessor, Ms Peggy

FOREIGN NEWS Syria to end military action today

S

YRIA will end military operations today, state TV has said, the day a ceasefire brokered by the UNArab League envoy to Syria is scheduled to come into effect.

Envoy Kofi Annan said the Syrian authorities had told him they would “cease all military fighting throughout Syrian territory” by 06:00 (03:00 GMT).

However, the rebels said they doubted the government side would stop.

Violence continued yesterday, in Homs particularly.

Activists said at least 11 people had been killed across the country.

“After our armed forces completed successful operations in combating the criminal acts of the armed terrorist groups and enforced the state’s rule over its territory, it has been decided to stop these operations from tomorrow morning,” state TV quoted a ministry official as saying.

The announcement made no mention of Annan’s ceasefire plan.

A spokesman for the main rebel force, the Free Syrian Army (FSA), said the ceasefire was unlikely to take effect.

“I don’t believe our forces will stop shooting because the other side won’t stop,” Captain Ayham al-Kurdi said in a

•Syrian President Bashar al- Assad

BBC interview on the TurkeySyria border.

Inyang, appealed for an urgent resolution of the crisis in Benue State to enable the herdsmen return home.

The council Chairman, Benjamin Ambe, described the situation as alarming as more of the herds men were still trooping into the communities of Utangha, Bebi and Becheve.

HE strike by workers at the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Edo State, has entered its second week.

The workers went on an indefinite strike, following the appointment of Dr. Sunday Olotu as Medical Director of the hospital.

They said the appointment did not follow due process.

Senior staff of the mental health institution are now carrying out skeletal activities and attending to emergency cases.

Olotu appealed to the workers to return to work or face the possible consequences of no-work-no-pay.

Chief’s sister dies at 80

M

ADAM Gina Ebigwei is dead. She was 80. The deceased was the elder sister of the Iyase of Ogbodogba Okpanam in Delta State , Sylvan Ebigwei.

The funeral arrangements begin on April 26 with a Vigil Mass at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Okpanam. An all night wake will be held at the Ebigwei family compound.

A requiem mass will hold the next day at the same church.

Interment follows thereafter at her family compound, Ogbodogba Okpanam.

ECOWAS Security Council meets today INISTERS of the Ecoon Mali, Guinea-Bissau nomic Community

M

of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council will meet in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire today to review proposals for resolving the political crises in Mali and Guinea Bissau.

A statement yesterday by the Communication unit of the ECOWAS Commission, said the meeting of the ministers of Foreign Affairs will also include their counterparts in defence.

They are to consider recommendations by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadire Désiré Ouédraogo, on the regional responses to the

evolving situation in Mali, where separatist rebels have taken over sections of the northern part of the country, following the now-reversed March 22 military coup d’état.

The statement reads: “The ministers will also consider

the report of the April 5 meeting of the regional Chiefs of Defence Staff, including the proposals for possible deployment of a regional force to assist in securing the territorial integrity of Mali against the Tuareg rebellion.”

First Algerian president dies

T

HE first president of independent Algeria, Ahmed Ben Bella, has died at his home in Algiers following an illness, official media say.

Ben Bella, who was reportedly aged 96, was released from hospital after undergoing tests in February, Algeria Press Agency cited relatives as saying.

Ben Bella led Algeria to independence from France before becoming president in 1963.

But three years later he was overthrown by his defence minister and jailed.

60

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, OJO BADAGRY EXPRESSWAY, OJO

POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL www.lasu.edu.ng E-mail: pgslasu@lasu.ed.ng

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12. COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (LASUCOM IKEJA) A. Department of Community Health & Primary Health Care i. Master of Public Health (MPH) (4 semesters)

ii. M.Sc Occupational Health (4 semesters) iii.Master of Occupational Medicine (4 semesters) B . Department of Pathology & Forensic Science i. Master in Forensic Science (4 semesters) ii. Master in Forensic Medicine (4 semesters)

FULL-TIME POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES 1. FACULTY OF ARTS A. Department of History and International Studies i. M.A History and Diplomacy (2 semesters) ii. M.Phil/Ph.D History and Diplomacy B . Department of Foreign Languages M.A. Arabic Studies (2 semesters) with specialization in: i. Arabic Literature-Classical/Modern ii. Arabic Linguistic Studies iii. Arabic Languages/Literature in West Africa. iv. M.Phil/Ph.D Arabic Studies C . Department of Religions i. PGD Christian Religious Studies (2 semesters) ii. M.A. Islamic Studies/M.A. Christian Studies (2 semesters) iii.M.Phil Islamic Studies/M.Phil Christian Studies iv. Ph.D. Islamic Studies/Christian Studies D . Department of English i. M. A. English (2 semesters) 2. FACULTY OF EDUCATION A. Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) (2 semesters) B . Department of Science & Technology Education. i. M.Ed (2 semesters) with specialization in: a. Curriculum and Instruction b. Science Education c. Mathematics Education d. Educational Technology e. Computer Education ii. M.Phil/Ph.D with specialization in: a. Science Education b. Language Education c. Mathematics Education d. Educational Technology e. Curriculum and Instruction f. Computer Education C . Department of Educational Foundations & Counselling Psychology i. M.Ed (2 semesters) with specialization in: a. Counselling Psychology b. Sociology of Education c . Educational Psychology d. Sociology of Primary Education e. Early Childhood Education f . Philosophy of Education ii. M.Phil/Ph.D with specialization in: a. Counselling Psychology b. Educational Psychology c . Sociology of Education D . Department of Educational Management i. M.Ed in Educational Management (2 semesters) ii M.Phil/Ph.D with specialization in: a. Educational Planning and Policy b. Economics of Education/Educational Finance c . Educational Administration E. Department of Physical and Health Education i. M.Ed. in Physical and Health Education (2 semesters) ii. M.Phil/Ph.D with specialization in: a. Sport Administration and Management b. Exercise Physiology c . Psychology/Sociology of Sport d. Health Education F. Department of Language, Arts and Social Science Education i.

M. Ed. Language Education (2 semesters) ii.

M. Ed. Curriculum and Instruction (2 semesters) iii.

M.Phil/Ph.D Language Education i v. M.Phil/Ph.D Curriculum and Instruction 3. CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE EDUCATION (CESE) i.

Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Resource Management (2 Semesters) ii.

M. Sc. Environmental Resource Management (2 semesters) iii.

M. Sc. Environmental Education (2 semesters) i v. M.Phil/Ph.D Environmental Resource Management v.

M.Phil/Ph.D Environmental Education 4. FACULTY OF ENGINEERING A. Department of Chemical and Polymer Engineering i.

Postgraduate Diploma in Chemical and Polymer Engineering.

(3 semesters) ii.

M.Sc. in Chemical and Polymer Engineering (2 semesters) iii.

M.Phil Chemical and Polymer Engineering (2 semesters) i v. Ph.D Chemical and Polymer Engineering (6 semesters) B. Department of Mechanical Engineering i. M.Sc Mechanical Engineering (2 Semesters) ii. M.Phil Mechanical Engineering (4 Semesters) iii.Ph.D with specialization in: i. Applied Mechanics ii. Design and Production iii. Themo-Fluids and Energy i v. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering v . Marine and Offshore Engineering 5. FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES A. Department of Business Administration i . M.Sc (Business Administration) (2 semesters) with specialization in: a. M. Sc. Business Administration b. M. Sc. Management c . M. Sc. International Business i i .M.Phil; Ph.D with specialization in: a. Business Administration b Management c International Business

B. Department of Industrial Relations & Personnel Management (IRPM) i. M.Sc in Human Resources & Industrial Relations(2 semesters) ii. M.Sc Public Administration (2 semesters) iii.M.Phil Public Administration (4 semesters) iv.Ph.D. Public Administration (6 semesters) 6. FACULTY OF SCIENCE A. Department of Microbiology i.

M.Sc Microbiology (2 semesters) ii.

M.Phil Microbiology iii.

Ph.D with specialization in (a) Food/Industrial Microbiology (b) Medical Microbiology (c) Virology (d) Bacteriology (e) Environmental Microbiology B . Department of Fisheries i. M.Sc in Fisheries (2 semesters) ii. M.Phil in Fisheries iii.Ph.D with specialization in: a. Aquaculture b. Fisheries Biology c . Fisheries Technology d. Fisheries Ecology e. Fish Nutrition f . Pollution C. Department of Biochemistry i. M.Sc in Biochemistry (2 semesters) ii. M.Phil in Biochemistry iii.Ph.D with Specialization in: a. Food and Nutritional Biochemistry b. Enzymology c . Immunology/endocrinology d. Microbial biochemistry e. Protein chemistry f . Membranes/toxicology g. Proteomics and Bioinformatics h. Plants biochemistry.

D . Department Of Zoology i. M. Sc. –Zoology (2 semesters) ii. M.Phil – Zoology iii.Ph.D - Zoology With specialization in: a. Ecology b. Parasitology c . Animal Physiology d. Entomology e. Genetics and molecular biology f . Conservation of Bio-diversity and Environmental Pollution E. Department of Botany i. M. Sc Botany (2 semesters) with Specialization in: a. Ecology b. Mycology c . Physiology d. Plant Pathology e. Taxonomy f . Cytogenetics g. Breeding F. Department of Physics i.

Master of Science in Physics (M.Sc) (2 semesters) ii.

Master of Philosophy in Physics (M.Phil) iiii. Doctor of Science in Physics (Ph.D) With Specialization in: a. Ionospheric, Space AND Radio Propagation Research b. Meteorology AND Physics of the lower Atmosphere c . Solid Earth Physics d. Solar Physics e. Solid State Physics f . Theoretical Physics g. Applied Electronics h. Environmental Physics G. Department of Mathematics i. M.Sc Mathematics (2 Semesters) ii. M.Phil Mathematics (4 Semesters) iii.Ph.D. Mathematics With specialization in: a. Pure Mathematics b. Applied Mathematics c . Mathematics of Finance 7. FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES A. Department of Sociology i. M.sc Sociology (2 semesters) ii. M. Phil Sociology iii.Ph.D B . Department of Geography and Planning i. M.Sc Geography & Planning (2 semesters) ii. M.Phil Geography & Planning iii.Ph.D With specialization in: a. Urban Geography b. Demography c . Climatology d. Geomorphology e. Hydrology f . Gender Issues g. Transport h. Environmental Resource Management i. Coastal Resources Management 8. SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION ii. Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies (3 semesters) a. Master of Science (M.Sc) in Communication Studies (2 semesters) with specialization in: a. Journalism b. Advertisement and Public Relations c . Radio and Television Broadcast d. Photojournalism and Cinematography e. Communication Technology f . Publishing and Development. g. Human Communication 9. COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (LASUCOM IKEJA) A. Department of Anatomy i. M.Sc – Anatomy (2 semesters)

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

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LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, OJO BADAGRY EXPRESSWAY, OJO POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL B. Department of Physiology i. M.Sc – Physiology (2 semesters) ii. M.Phil – Physiology iii.Ph.D - Physiology C . Department of Chemical Pathology i. M.Sc Chemical Pathology ii. M.Phil. Chemical Pathology iii.Ph.d Chemical Pathology

PART-TIME ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 1. FACULTY OF ARTS A. Department of African Languages i. M. A. Yoruba Literature & Culture.

Candidates must possess any of the following qualifications: a. A Bachelor’s Degree in Yoruba NOT below Second Class Division from any University recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. b. A Bachelor’s Degree in Yoruba or Yoruba Education provided all core courses were taken and passed by such candidate. c . B. A. Yoruba Communication Arts with at least Second Class Lower Division from Lagos State University or any University recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University.

B. Department of History & International Studies i . Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations & Strategic Studies (PGDIRSS) Candidates seeking admission into PGDIRSS must possess any of the following qualifications: a. A first Degree in History or International Relations & Strategic Studies of Lagos State University or other University recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. b. Holder of Higher National Diploma (HND) or equivalent in relevant disciplines. c. Holder of Professional Certificate in other relevant disciplines as approved by the University Senate.

Duration: The programme will run for three semesters. i i . Master in International Relations & Strategic Studies (MIRSS) Candidates seeking admission into MIRSS are required to possess: a. A first Degree of any University or its equivalent recognized by the Senate of the Lagos State University. b. Holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) or its equivalent recognized

by Senate of Lagos State University WITH Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations & Strategic Studies of the Lagos State University.

Duration: The programme will run for two (2) academic sessions.

2. FACULTY OF EDUCATION i . Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) a. An Honours Degree in Arts, Science or Social Science of the Lagos State university or any other University recognized by Senate of the Lagos State University. b. A Higher National Diploma or its equivalent from any Tertiary Institution recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University (not below Lower Credit). c . Candidate with at least a pass in HND or B.Sc . d. Candidate from all fields that possess the above listed qualifications.

3. CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE EDUCATION (CESE) i . Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Education a. Holders of Honours Degree from a University recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University in Education, Science, Social Science and Engineering. b. HND Holder with pass in any relevant area.

Duration: Three (3) Semesters. i i . Master in Environmental Management (MEM) Admission is open to persons holding the following qualifications: a. Holders of relevant Higher National Diploma (HND, Upper Credit) b. Holders of relevant Higher National Diploma (HND, Lower Credit) PLUS a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Studies or three (3) years cognate relevant experiences. c. Holders of relevant First Degree from Lagos State University and any other Institution recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University with not less than Second Class Lower Division. d. Holders of third class must possess additional Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Studies or related field. e. Holders of relevant and recognized professional qualification (Equivalent to HND) plus a postgraduate diploma in Environmental Studies.

4. FACULTY OF ENGINEERING A. Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering i . Postgraduate Diploma in Electronics & Computer Engineering a. B.Sc. Electrical, Electronics or Computer Engineering with minimum of Third Class Degree. b. HND with a minimum of Lower Credit in Electronics/Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering/Science. c . B.Sc. Degree with minimum of Second Class (Lower Division) in Mathematics, Physics and other Engineering field. i i . Master of Science (M.Sc) in Electronics and Computer Engineering Admission requirement shall be any of the following recognized by the senate of LASU. a. A first Degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division in Electrical Electronics and or Computer Engineering. b. A first Degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division in Computer Science or Mathematics or Physics/Electronics PLUS Postgraduate Diploma in Electronics and Computer Engineering of LASU with a minimum of Upper Credit.

Candidates may be required to undergo a competitive selection test before admission.

Duration: PGD Four Semesters.

M.Sc.: Two academic sessions.

Geography or any Mathematics based courses OR A Higher National Diploma in Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering or any Mathematics based courses. ii. M.Sc Mathematics To qualify for admission to the Master ’s programme, a candidate must possess: A good Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Engineering, Physics or Computer Science from Lagos State University or other accredited Nigerian or Foreign Universities or a PGD with a GPA not 6. FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES less than 3.0 in Mathematics or other Mathematics based courses from A. Department of Public Administration Lagos State University or other accredited Universities. For this purpose all i.Master in Public Administration (MPA) To qualify for admission into the Master in Public Administration Programme, candidates for admission must submit the transcripts of all their courses to candidates must possess either or a combination of the following underlisted the department. Only those adjudged to be well prepared from their transcripts shall be recommended for admission. requirements: a. Possession of five (5) Credits at O’ Level including Mathematics and 8. FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES English Language at not more than two sittings. b. Graduates of Lagos State University and any other Degree from A. Department of Sociology other Universities recognized by the Senate of Lagos State i . Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work University with not less than a Third (3 rd) Class.

Candidates seeking admission into this programme should possess at least one of the following: c. Holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) in relevant disciplines a. A first Degree from a recognized University. with minimum of Upper Credit PLUS three (3) years Post b. Registered Nurse, Mid-wives and other Para-Medical Personnel who qualification working experience. also hold post basic qualification. d. Holders of HND with Lower Credit Level must possess a Postgraduate c . Professional in other relevant disciplines as approved by the Diploma in addition to six years working experience.

University Senate. d. Candidates with (Upper Credit) Higher National Diploma (HND) in B . Department of Business Administration relevant disciplines. i . Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration. a. Candidates for PGD Business Administration, Export Management i i . Master in Social Work or Entrepreneurship Development are required to possess a first Candidates should possess at least: Degree in any of these; Business Administration, Accounting, a. A First Degree from Lagos State University or any other University Banking and Finance, Marketing, Public Administration, Industrial recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University in the following Relations or any other Social Sciences or Science courses with discipline; Sociology, Law, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, CGPA of not less than 2.0 may be considered.

Community/Public Health, Medicine or any other relevant field of b. For Science based students, preference shall be given to students s t u d y. with good results in Mathematics, Operation Research, Physics, b. Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work.

Fisheries, Chemical Sciences and other Business based Science Degrees.

B. Department of Economics c . Also, a first Degree in other courses different from the above with i . Postgraduate Diploma in Economics: minimum of Second Class Lower may be considered.

Candidates seeking for admission into Postgraduate Diploma in Economics d. Higher National Diploma with minimum of Lower Credit in Business are required to possess at least:: Administration and Management related courses. a. A good first Degree in any related courses of the Lagos State e. Higher National Diploma with minimum of Lower Credit in other areas University not below the Second Class Lower Division. like Hotel Management, Secretarial Studies may be considered. b. Students with Third Class Degree in Economics from Lagos State University and any other University recognized by the Senate of i i . Master in Business Administration Lagos State University. a. Graduate of Lagos State University and holder of any Degree recognized c . Holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) in any related courses by the Senate of Lagos State University not lower than Second Class from any Institution recognized by the Senate of Lagos State Lower.

University. b. Holders of Equivalent Professional qualifications i.e ACA, ACCA, ACMA, d. Candidates will however be required to satisfy the Department in ACIB, ACII, CIPM and any other Professional qualification approve by selection process in an examination. the Senate of Lagos State University in Accounting, Banking, Insurance, Marketing, Engineering etc may be considered for admission. c. HND with Upper Credit in Business Administration, Accounting, Banking i i . M. Sc. Economics Candidates seeking admission into M. Sc. Economics are required to possess and Finance, Marketing, Office Management, Purchasing and supply. d. HND with Upper Credit in disciplines other than those listed in ‘b’ above at least: a. A good University Degree in Economics of Lagos State University provided that such candidates present a PGD in Business Administration. not below Second Class Lower or related fields of this University or e. Holder of HND in Business Administration, Accounting, Marketing, other University approved by the Senate of Lagos State University.

Finance, Insurance, Office Management with minimum of a Lower b. Candidates will however be required to satisfy the Department in Credit Plus Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, Marketing, selection process in an examination.

Finance, Accounting, Human Resource Management or Purchasing and Supply. f . A minimum of FIVE (5) years Post qualification and Post NYSC working 9. CENTRE FOR PLANNING STUDIES experience in a reputable organization. i . Postgraduate Diploma in Planning Studies.

Candidates should posses any of the following: C . Department of Industrial Relations & Personnel Management a. Honours Degree not below Third Class in any discipline from Lagos i . Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources &Industrial Relations State University or any other University recognized by the Senate To qualify for admission into PGDHRIR, candidates must possess of Lagos State University. a. Bachelors Degree in related or non-related areas. b. Holders of HND or its equivalent in any field from Polytechnics or b. Higher National Diploma (HND) Holders from accredited Institution with similar institutions recognized by Senate of Lagos State University two years cognate experience.

NOT below Lower Credit Division. c . Candidates who possess professional certificates from related area with c. Any professional qualification like NIA, MTP, CIT, NIS, MVS and IOB. at least FIVE (5) years cognate working experience. d. Professional Certificate awarded in the Maritime and Aviation Industries Duration: The programme will run for three (3 semesters). certified to be equivalent to a first Degree or Higher National Diploma (by relevant authority). i i . Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations Duration: Three (3) semesters To qualify for admission into MHIR, candidates are required to possess: a. A Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent from recognized Institution. ii.

Master in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) b. Candidates with Bachelor’s Degree can be from any discipline.

Candidates must possess: c . Candidates with HND plus PGD in Business Administration and a. First Degree in any relevant course not below Second Class Lower Social Sciences related courses with at least five (5) years cognate Division experience may be considered for admission. b. Full membership of bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Transport, d. Candidates with minimum of third (3 rd )Class from recognized Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Nigerian Institute of Shipping, ICAN, etc.

University could also be admitted. c. PGD in related fields from recognized Institutions.

Duration: The programme will run for four (4) semesters. d. Full professional Diploma and other related courses like Architecture, Building Technology, etc.

7. FACULTY OF SCIENCE A. Department of Microbiology 10. SCHOOL OF TRANSPORT i . Postgraduate Diploma in Microbiology Admission is opened to candidates with any of the following: i.

Master in Transport Planning a. Higher National Diploma (HND) in Science Laboratory Technology Applicants for admission into this programme must possess 5 O’level Credit (Microbiology option) of Food Technology. passes in English Language, Mathematics and any other three subjects, in b. Associateship of the Institute of Medical Technology (AILMT) Certificate. addition to the following: c . Final Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology (Microbiology) option a. First Degree from any University recognized by LASU Senate in with at least five (5) years experience.

Geography and Planning and related fields such as Urban and Regional d. B.Sc Degree Holders in Biological Science such as Botany and Applied Planning, Estate Management, Architecture, Engineering, Mathematics, Biology with at least a Pass Degree Certificate.

Statistics, Physics, Biology, Cartography, Geodesy, Demography, Economics and Social Statistics, Business Administration, Economics, Sociology, Psychology and Philosophy not below Second Class Lower B . Department of Fisheries Division. i . Postgraduate Diploma in Fisheries b. LASU Senate may also give consideration to holder of Higher National The programme is opened to: Diploma NOT below Upper Credit in addition to possessing a a. Holders of Degree in Zoology, Fisheries, Biology, Agriculture, Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Planning Studies or related studies Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biology (Education) or any from LASU or other Institutions recognized by LASU Senate. relevant discipline with at least a pass Degree Certificate obtained from the Lagos State University or any other University recognized c. Membership of either Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport by the Senate of the Lagos State University (CILT) or Nigerian Institute of Town Planning (NITP) in addition to b. HND or its equivalent in Biology, Agriculture, Fisheries, Microbiology Postgraduate Diploma in Planning Studies or related studies from or any other relevant qualification with a minimum of lower credit Lagos State University or other Institutions recognized by Lagos from an institution recognized by the Senate of the Lagos State State University Senate.

University with a Bachelor of Law and NYSC discharge or exemption certificate. b. Bachelor of Law (LL.B) with less than Second Class Lower Division provided the applicants have undertaken the PGD Programme with CGPA of NOT less than 3.0. c . Bachelor of Law (LL.B) wih less than Second Class Lower Division PLUS not less than ten (10) years post-call to Bar experience.

Duration: A minimum of four (4) semesters

iii. M.Phil/Ph.D Electronic and Computer Engineering Applicants (a) Application for admission to M.Phil/Ph.D Electronics and Computer Engineering must possess M.Sc in Electronic and Computer/ Electrical Engineering or its equivalent from Lagos State University or any recognized University with a minimum of CGPA of 3.0 (b) Applicant for admission to Ph.D Electronic and Computer Engineering C . Department of Chemistry shall be graduate of Lagos State University with M.Phil or M.Sc in i . Postgraduate Diploma in Analytical/Environmental Chemistry Electronic and Computer Engineering with CGPA of 4.0 and above. Candidates are required to possess: a. B. Sc. Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering or B. Sc. (Ed) in Chemistry from recognized Institutions.

5. FACULTY OF LAW b. HND or AIMLT in relevant fields with minimum of Lower Credit.

A. Master of Laws (LL.M General) c . Final Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry or Programme: Chemistry options) with minimum of Lower Credit. a. A Law Degree of Lagos State University or any University recognized d. Candidates from related discipline may be considered on merit and by the Senate of Lagos State University with a minimum of Second years of relevant experience.

Class Lower Division with a Bachelor of Law (B.L) and NYSC discharged or exemption certificate.

D. Department of Biochemistry B . Master in Legal Studies (M.L.S) i . Postgraduate Diploma in Industrial Biochemistry Programme: i. An applicant for admission shall be: a. A good Honours Degree from Lagos State University or any other a. A graduate of Lagos State University or other recognized University: University recognized by Senate of Lagos State University. i.e any First Degree from the Lagos State University and other b. Possession of Professional Certificate such as ACCA, ACIS, IPM,AIB, recognized institution in one of the Biological, Chemical and HND etc in relevant disciplines with a minimum of Lower Credit and a Biochemical Sciences. (For example Biochemistry, Pharmacology, minimum of three (3) years post qualification working experience.

Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, Botany and Food c. For both LL.M and M.L.S candidates may be required to undergo a Technology). selection interview examination. b. A person who holds other qualifications approved by senate, i.e the Duration: The programme shall run for four (4) semesters.

AIMLT or HND Upper Credit from recognized polytechnics. c. In exceptional circumstances, any other person whose educational C . Institute of Maritime Law: qualifications and competence for the course of study proposed Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Law has been approved by Senate.

The following are required for admission: a. Bachelor of Law (LL.B) Third Class and below with NOT less than ii. Candidates shall be required to undergo a selection test. ten (10) years post-call to bar experience.

E. Department of Mathematics b. University Degree in any discipline and NOT less than Second i. Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematics Class Lower and NYSC discharged or exemption certificate. c. Other relevant professional qualification(s) like AIB, ACCA, ACM etc. To qualify for admission into the Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematics programs, a candidate must possess either: D . Master of Law (LL.M) in Maritime Law: (i) A Honours Degree in Mathematics, Mathematics Education, a. Minimum of Second Class Lower Division from Lagos State University Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, Statistics Economics, or any other University recognized by Senate of Lagos State University

(ii)

11. ADEBOLA ADEGUNWA SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION (SURULERE) i i . Master in Communication Studies (MCS) a. A Bachelor’s Degree from recognized Universities not lower than a Third Class with two years working experience in the communication related industries. b. Higher National Diploma not below Lower Credit with at least three (3) years cognate experience. c . Candidates with any of the following professional qualifications (APCON, NIPR, CAM, NIMARK, Diploma etc), Master in Communication Studies (MCS) will run for four (4) semesters that is two (2) academic sessions.

12. COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (LASUCOM) IKEJA A. Department of Community Health & Primary Health Care. i. Master of Public Health Applicants for admission into this programme must possess 5 O’level Credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. a. Basic Medical or Dental Degree (MBBS/BDS) which are registrable by the Medical & Dental Councils of Nigeria. b. First Degree in Science (Nursing, Pharmacy,Biological, Science, Environment Science, Health Science, Civil Engineering and Psychology and must be passed at least with 2 nd Class Lower. c . Candidate without university degree should obtain a Postgraduate Diploma before applying. d. At least three (3) years of post qualification experience in the practice of Medicine in the related fields.

The course is designed for two (2)calendar years. i i . M.Sc Occupational Health (4 Semesters) Applicants for admission into the programme must possess. (a) First Degree in Science, (Nursing, Pharmacy, Environmental Science, Pharmacology,Sociology) and other qualifications recognized by the

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, OJO BADAGRY EXPRESSWAY, OJO POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL senate of the Lagos State University and must be passed at least with 2nd Class Lower. (b) Such candidates must have 5 credit passes at the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination or its equivalent, in Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. iii. Master of Occupational Medicine (4 Semesters) The admission requirements include: (a) Basic medical or dental degree registrable with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. (b) Such candidates must have 5 credit passes at the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination or its equivalent, in Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

B. Department of Pathology & Forensic Science i . Master in Forensic Medicine. a. Applicants must hold the MBBS Degree or equivalent qualifications from an accredited Medical School. b. Applicants must in addition hold postgraduate fellowship qualification in Anatomic Pathology (Morbid Anatomy) obtained either through the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, West African College of Physicians or any equivalent Postgraduate School. c . All applicants would be required to pass a qualifying examination to be conducted by the Postgraduate School. d. All applicants will subsequently undergo a selection process involving character evaluation and background criminal check. i i . Master in Forensic Science. a. Applicants must have a minimum of B.Sc. Second Class Lower Degree in Behavioural, Biological or Physical Science, Nursing and criminal investigations. Graduates of Law and Medicine can also apply. b. All applicants must have completed the NYSC programme or show proof of exemption in the case of Nigerian applicants. c . All applicants would be required to pass a qualifying examination to be conducted by the Postgraduate School. d. All applicants will subsequently undergo a selection process involving character evaluation and background criminal check.

FULL-TIME ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 1. FACULTY OF ARTS A. Department of Foreign Languages i . M. A. Arabic Candidates seeking admission into the programme are required to possess: a. A first Honours Degree in Arabic or Islamic Studies or combined Degree involving either or both disciplines. b. Candidates whose first Degree involves only Islamic Studies could be admitted provided that: They can satisfy the department that they have a satisfactory level of competence in Arabic or and Literature to be specified by the Department.

B . Department of Religions i . Postgraduate Diploma Christian Religious Studies (PGD) a. All candidates must possess at least five (5) credit pass at the Ordinary Level (G.C.E, WASC, NECO) including English Language at not more than two (2) sittings; b. A First Degree (Bachelors Degree) of Lagos State University or of other University recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. c . A good Higher National Diploma (HND) from any recognized Polytechnic.

Duration: The Course is to run for one Academic Session (2 Semesters) ii. M.A Islamic Studies or M.A Christian Studies Holders of first Degree in Islamic studies or Christian studies (as applicable with at least Second Class Division from a University recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University shall be eligible for admission). In the case of Islamic studies, graduate from other disciplines related to Islamic studies may be considered on their individual merits. iii. M.Phil Islamic or Christian Studies Admission into the programme shall normally be given to candidates with M.A. Islamic Studies or candidates with M.A Christian studies (as applicable) Candidates with 2.0 CGPA will have to register for M.Phil and complete it while candidates with 1.0 CGPA shall be awarded M. A. terminal. iv. Ph.D Islamic studies/Arabic Studies or Christian Studies The programme is open to candidates with 4.0 GPA in M.A Islamic or Christian studies and candidates with Master degree of other recognized universities and whose transcript are adjudged to be adequate or required to take course as the Department may prescribe.

C . Department of English i . M. A. English Candidates seeking for admission into the Degree of M. A. English must possess. a. A Bachelor’s Degree in English Language, Linguistics or Literature in English NOT below Second Class Lower Division of Lagos State University or other University recognised by the Senate of Lagos State University.

Duration: The programme will run for one (1) academic session.

2. FACULTY OF EDUCATION i. Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) a. An Honours Degree in Arts, Science or Social Science of the Lagos State university or any other University recognized by Senate of the Lagos State University. b. A Higher National Diploma or its equivalent from any Tertiary Institution recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University (not below Lower Credit). c . Candidate with at least a pass in HND or B.Sc . d. Candidate from all fields that possess the above listed qualifications. i i . M.Ed Programmes: a. At least a Second Class Lower Division in Education of Lagos State University or any other University recognized by Senate of the Lagos State University. b.The Department of Science & Technology Education requires a credit pass in Mathematics at O’Level for all its Postgraduate Programmes. iii. M.Phil/Ph.D Candidates who possess M.Ed., M.Phil Degree of Lagos State University or any other University recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University shall be eligible for admission.

Duration: Master of Education (M.Ed) Programme All the M.Ed programmes would run on full time basis for one academic session.

M.Phil the programme will run on full time for a period not less than four semesters.

Ph.D The programme will run on full time for a period not exceeding six consecutive semesters or part time for a period not exceeding eight consecutive semesters.

PGDE: The PGDE programme will run for one academic session.

3. CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE EDUCATION (CESE) 1. Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Resource Management a. Holders of Honours Degree from a University recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University in Education, Science, Social Science and Engineering. b. HND Holder with pass in any relevant area.

Duration: Two (2) Semesters. i.

Master in: i. Environmental Resource Management. ii. Environmental Education a. Holders of Honours Degree from a University recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University in Education, Social Science/Management Science and Engineering.

Duration: Two Semesters i i . M.Phil/Ph.D in: i . Environmental Resource Management

ii. Environmental Education a. Holders of Master Degree from University recognized by Senate of Lagos State University in Science/Social Science Education, Science, Social Sciences and Management.

Duration: Minimum of Four Semesters for Full-time students and Eight Semesters for Part-Time students.

4.

A. i.

To a.

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING Department of Chemical and Polymer Engineering Postgraduate Diploma in Chemical and Polymer Engineering qualify for admission, candidates are required to posses: B.Sc Degree with a minimum of SecondClass (Lower Division) in other Degree courses in Engineering and related Science courses Duration: The programme shall cover three semesters i i . Master of Science (M.Sc) in Chemical and Polymer Engineering * Candidates must possess: a. Bachelor of Science Degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division in Chemical and Polymer Engineering of Lagos State University or any other approved University. b. Candidates with a Postgraduate Diploma in Chemical and Polymer Engineering with at least 3.5 C.G.P.A may be considered. c . Candidates with B.Sc. Degrees in disciplines other than but related to Chemical Engineering and Polymer Technology may be considered for admission. d. Candidates may be required to satisfy the Department in a selection process before admission. e. Candidates must also satisfy other admission requirements of the Postgraduate School of the Lagos State University.

Duration: Minimum of two (2) semesters iii. Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) (2 Semesters) a. To qualify for the award of M.Phil, candidate must have M.Sc. in Chemical and Polymer Engineering. iv. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) (6 Semesters) a. To qualify for award of Ph.D Degree in Chemical OR Polymer Engineering candidates must have appropriate Master/M.Phil Degree in Chemical and Polymer Engineering.

Duration: A minimum of three (3) sessions B . Department of Mechanical Engineering i . M.Sc Mechanical Engineering (i) A Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of technology Degree of the Lagos State University or any approved University, in Mechanical Engineering of related engineering discipline at a minimum of Second Class Lower Division and “O” Level requirements for admission into the Bachellor’s Programme in Engineering at LASU. (ii) A minimum of Upper Credit Pass in the Postgraduate Diploma Programme of Lagos State University or any approved University in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline. (iii) Candidates may be required to satisfy all Department requirement in a qualifying examination before admission.

DURATION: The M.Sc Degree programme shall be full-time and for a minimum duration of 12 calendar months and a maximum of 24 calendar months. i i . M.Phil/Ph.D Mechanical Engineering The minimum duration of the M.Phil Degree programme is four semesters of full-time academic pursuit. In addition to the M.Sc. Admission requirement the candidate must score a minimum of CPGA of 3.00 at M.Sc. iii. Ph.D Mechanical Engineering (i) The minimum duration of the Ph.D programme is four semesters after the M.Sc Degree. (ii) A Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering of Lagos State University or its equivalent from any approved University with a minimum Cumulative Grade Points Average of 4.0 is required to qualify a candidate for admission into the Ph.D Programme. (iii) A candidate registered for the M.Phil who has scored a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.50 may at the end of the course work transfer to candidature of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Degree programme.

5. FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES A. Department of Business Administration i . M.Sc. Business Administration (2 Semester) With Specialization in: (a) M.Sc. Business Administration (b) M.Sc. Management (c) M.Sc. International Business Admission into the M.Sc. Degree programme is opened to candidates in this order of priority: a. Graduates with first Class Honours Degree in Business Administration of Lagos State University. b. Graduates with First Class Honours Degree in Business Administration and allied disciplines i.e Banking & Finance, Marketing, Business Administration, Insurance, Accounting and Purchasing and Supply of Lagos State University or of other Universities approved by the Senate of Lagos State University. c . Graduates with First Class Honours Degree in Management Technology on Operations and Production Management of Lagos State University or of other Universities approved by the Senate of Lagos State University d. Graduates with Second Class Upper (Honours) Degree in Business Administration of Lagos State University. e. Graduates with Second Class Upper (Honours) Degree in allied disciplines i.e Banking/Finance, Marketing, International Business, Insurance, Accounting, and Purchasing and Supply of Lagos State University or other Universities approved by the Senate of Lagos State University. f . Graduates with Second Class Upper (Honours) Degree in Operations and Production Management or Management Technology of Lagos State University or other Universities approved by the Senate of Lagos State University. g. Graduates with Second Lower Honours Degree in Business Administration of Lagos State University. h. Graduates with Second Class Lower (Honours) Degree in allied discipline i.e. Operations and Productio, Management, Banking and Finance, Marketing, Accounting and Operations, and Purchasing and Supply of the Lagos State University or other Universities approved by the Senate of Lagos State University. i. Graduates with Second Class Lower (Honours) Degree in Management Technology of Lagos State University or of other Universities approved by the Senate of Lagos State University. i i . M.Phil/Ph.D. Business Administration Admission into the M.Phil/Ph.D programme will be opened to candidates in the following order: a. M.Sc Degree in Business Administration, Management and International Business of Lagos State University and any other Universities as may be approved by the Senate of Lagos State University. b. M.Sc. Degree in allied areas of Operations and Production Management, Finance, Banking, Accounting, Marketing of LASU and any other Universities as may be approved by the Senate of Lagos State University. c . M.Sc. Degree in Operations and Production Management, Management Technology or Industrial Relations and Personnel Management of LASU and other Universities as may be approved by Senate of Lagos State University.

The admission process will be based on the following academic requirements: a. Candidates with a minimum GPA of 4.0 at M.Sc. Level in Business Administration, Management, Banking and Finance, Marketing, Economics of Lagos State University or other Universities as approved

by Senate are admissible directly into the Ph.D. programme. b. Candidates with M.Sc in Business Administration and CGPA of 3.0 of (i) above will be required to commence from the M.Phil programme. c . A research proposal (Plan) of not more than 250 words should be forwarded with the application for admission.

Duration: M.Phil/Ph.D (Full time/Part time) The M.Phil (Full time) programme will run for 2 semesters, while the part time is for 3 semesters.

The full time Ph.D is expected to run for a minimum period of 2 years, while the Part time requires a minimum of three (3) years.

B. Department of Industrial Relations & Personnel Management. i . Master of Science (M. SC.) Human Resources & Industrial Relations To qualify for admission into the M.Sc. Degree programme, candidates must possess: a. Five (5) O’Level credits including Mathematics, English Language and Economics at not more than two (2) sittings. b. A bachelor’s degree of Lagos State University or of any other Universities recognized by the senate of Lagos State University with at least Second Class Lower Division in all relevant management courses and any of the following courses in Social Sciences-sociology, Psychology, Economics and Political Science.

Duration: The programme will run for one (1) academic session. i i . M.Sc Public Administration a. At least, five (5) Credit Pass at Ordinary Level (GCE, WASC, NECO) including English Language and Mathematics at not more than two (2) sittings; b. A Bachelor’s Degree of Lagos State University or any other University approved by the Senate of Lagos state University with not less than a Second Class Honors, Lower Division of Public Administration, Political Science, Philosophy, Economics, Sociology and History.

Applicant may be required to pass a test(s) or undergo an interview as may be prescribed for the Department, Postgraduate School or the University.

Duration: M.Sc Public Administration is to run for twelve months. iii. M.Phil Public Administration Applicant for admission to M.Phil Public Administration must possess a master of science (M.Sc) in Public Administration or its equivalent from Lagos state University or any other recognized University whose weight course work is not less than 60% or CGPA that is 3.50 and above.

Duration: M.Phil Public Administration is to run for a minimum of twentyfour (24) months. iv. Ph.D. Public Administration Applicant for admission into Ph.D Public administration shall be a graduate of Lagos State University or any other approved University who possesses M.Phil in Public Administration with CGPA of 4.0 and above (60%) and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with research project and a weighted course work average which shall normally not be less than 60% (B) or CGPA of 4.0 and above.

Duration: Ph.D Public Administration shall run for minimum of thirty-six (36) months.

6.

A. i. a.

FACULTY OF SCIENCE Department of Microbiology M.Sc Microbiology Admission into the M.Sc programme is opened to graduates of the Lagos State University or any other universities recognized by Senate who holds: b. An Honours Degree in Microbiology or related discipline with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division or c . A Postgraduate Diploma in Microbiology with a minimum GPA of 4.0 on scale of 5.0 from a recognized University provided the candidate has a good Honours Degree. i i . M.Phil (Microbiology) The course shall be opened for admission to: a. First Degree Holders whose GPA is not below 3.0 in the one calendar year M.Sc course in Microbiology of Lagos State University and attain a satisfactory level of performance in the other compulsory courses of the one calendar year Master’s programme in Microbiology. b. Candidates who possess a Master’s Degree in Microbiology from other universities with minimum GPA of 3.0 iii. Ph.D (Microbiology) Admission into the programme shall be opened to: a. Candidates who have attained GPA of 4.0 in the M.Sc Degree programme of Lagos State University and made satisfactory progress in their projects. b. Candidates for the M.Phil Degree programme of Lagos State University who have satisfied the course requirements for the Degree and have been permitted by Senate to upgrade their registration on the basis of satisfactory progress in research. c . Candidates who possess the M.Phil Degree or equivalent qualification in Microbiology, each case being considered on its own merit.

Areas of specialization: a. Food/Industrial Microbiology b. Medical Microbiology c. Virology d. Bacteriology e. Environmental Microbiology Duration: M.Sc this is one (1) year programme M.Phil – This programme shall run for 4 semesters.

B . Department of Fisheries i . M.Sc Fisheries a. M.Sc Fisheries is opened to holders of first Degree with minimum of Second Class (Lower) Division either in Fisheries, Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, Agriculture or any other relevant discipline from Lagos State University or any other University recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. b. B. Sc Degreee in Fisheries, Zoology, Biology, Agriculture or any other related discipline with a minimum of 3 rd Class in addition to Postgraduate Diploma in Fisheries with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 on a scale of 5.00 obtained from the Lagos State University or any other University recognized by the Senate of the Lagos State University.

2. M.Phil Fisheries a. M. Sc. Degree in Fisheries or any other related discipline with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 on a scale of 5.00 obtained from Lagos State University or any other University recognized by the Senate of the Lagos State University.

Duration of the Course: M. Phl Fisheries is expected to last for 2 academic sessions.

3. Ph.D Fisheries a) M.Phil Degree in Fisheries from Lagos State University or any other University recognized by the Senate of the Lagos State University. b. M.Sc Degree in Fisheries or any other related discipline with a minimum CGPA of 4.00 on a scale of 5.00 obtained from Lagos State University or any other University recognized by the Senate of the Lagos State University.

Duration of the Course: Ph.D Fisheries is expected to last for a minimum of 3 academic sessions.

C . Department of Biochemistry i . M.Sc Biochemistry i. Eligibility shall be any of the following: a. A graduate (BSc) of Lagos State University and other Universities recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University having a minimum of second class lower division in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physiology and other related science courses. Graduates from other disciplines related to Biochemistry will be considered on their individual merit. b. A Biochemistry graduate (BSc) of Lagos State University and other Universities recognized by Senate of Lagos State University with a pass or third class degree, but that has successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Industrial Biochemistry with a CGPA of 3.50 and above. ii. M.Phil in Biochemistry Eligibility shall be any of the following: a. Must possess a M.Sc Degree with not less than a CGPA of 3.0 b. Candidate must present an acceptable research seminar to the Department Board of Examiners. c . Candidates shall be required to undergo a selection process. iii. Ph.D in Biochemistry Eligibility shall be be any of the following: a. A weighted of 60% and above obtained from the M.Sc Biochemistry degree of LASU or any other University recognised by the Senate of LASU. b. A graduate of M.Phil programme of LASU or any other University

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

63

LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, OJO BADAGRY EXPRESSWAY, OJO POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL recognized by the Senate of LASU c . Candidates who have successfully converted from the M.Phil/Ph.D programme of LASU. d. Candidates shall be required to undergo a selection processes.

D. Department of Zoology i . M.Sc Zoology a. A first Degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division in either Fisheries, Zoology, Biology, Animal Science or any other relevant discipline.

NOTE: Candidates for any of these programmes would be required to sit for qualifying test interview. i i . M.Phil/Ph.D Zoology a. First Degree holders whose CGPA is not below 3.0 in the One Calendar year of M.Sc Zoology of Lagos State University. b. Candidates who possess a Masters Degree of CGPA of 3.0 from other Universities recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. iii. Ph.D Zoology Admission into programmes shall be opened to: a. Candidates who have attained CGPA of 4.0 in the M.Sc Degree programmes of Lagos State University.

Candidates who possess M. Phil degree of Lagos State University or other Universities E. Department of Botany i . M. Sc. Botany a. Candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Botany, Biology, Agricultural Biology, Plant Production and other related disciplines approved by University Senate will be admitted. b. Candidates must have a minimum of Second Class Lower.

Duration: The duration shall normally be for a minimum of 12 calendar months (two semesters).

F. Department of Physics i . Master of Science (M.Sc) Degree in Physics a. Candidates for admission into this programme MUST be holders of Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics, OR related disciplines, such as Mathematics AND Electrical Engineering NOT lower than a Second Class Lower Division of Lagos State University, OR other Institution recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. i i . Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) Degree in Physics a. Candidates for admission into the Master of Philosophy in Physics programme MUST be holders of Master of Science degree in Physics, with NOT less than a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0. iii. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Degree in Physics Admission into the Doctor of Philosophy in Physics programme shall normally be opened to: a. Candidates who have attained at least a 60% level of pass, OR a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0 in the Master of Science M.Sc Degree in Physics programme of Lagos State University AND who have made satisfactory progress in their projects. b. Candidates with the Master of Science Degree in Physics, Degree of other recognized Universities, AND whose performance is adjudged to be adequate for the course.

However such candidates may be required to take courses as the Department may prescribe.

Duration: The Master of Science Degree in Physics programme will run for ONE (1) Academic calendar, (two semesters) in the case of full time participation whereas part time participation will be for TWO (2) Academic Sessions (four semesters).

For the Master of Philosophy in Physics full time programme students are expected to spend ONE (1) academic session whilst their part time counterparts will undertake the programme in TWO (2) Academic Sessions four semesters.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Physics programme shall run for a minimum of SIX (6) Semesters AND maximum of TEN (10) Semesters, for full time students. For part time Ph.D in Physics students, the programme shall run for minimum of TEN (10) Semesters AND maximum of TWELVE (12) Semesters.

G. Department of Mathematics i . M.Sc Mathematics To qualify for admission to the Master’s programme, a candidate must possess: A good Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Engineering, Physics or Computer Science from Lagos State University or other accredited Nigerian or Foreign Universities or a PGD with a GPA not less than 3.0 in Mathematics or other Mathematics based courses from Lagos State University or other accredited Universities. For this purpose all candidates for admission must submit the transcripts of all their courses to the department. Only those adjudged to be well prepared from their transcripts shall be recommended for admission. ii. M.Phil Mathematics To qualify for admission to the M.Phil Degree programme, candidates must: (a) Satisfy the condition for the M.Sc Programme stated above and in addition have. (b) A Master of Science Degree by course work a GPA not less than 3.5 in Mathematics, Physics, Engineering or any other related field from Lagos State University or other accredited Nigerian or Foreign Universities or; (c) An equivalent qualification acceptable and recognized by Lagos State University. iii. Ph.D Mathematics To qualify for admission to the Ph.D Programme, a candidate must possess a (i) Master of Philosophy Degree in Mathematics from Lagos State University or other accredited Universities.In addition, candidate must have demonstrated superior academic intellectual and research maturity to be considered for the programme. (ii) M.Sc Degree in Mathematics with a G.P.A. not less than 4.0.

DURATION: All the programmes shall run on both full-time and part-time bases.

8.

A. i. a.

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Department of Sociology Master of Science (M.Sc.) Sociology A good Bachelor’s Degree not less than Second Class Lower in Sociology or relevant courses with at least a GPA of 3.0 obtained from the Lagos State University or any other University recognized by Senate of Lagos State University. b. Holders of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree of Lagos State University or any other recognized University with at least 3.0 grade point average (GPA). i i . The Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) a. CGPA of at least 3.0 scored at the M.Sc (Sociology) level of Lagos State University or other Institutions recognized by the University Senate b. CGPA of at least 4.0 obtained from (MSW) Social Work Degree of the Lagos State University provided the candidates Bachelor’s Degree is good enough. c . A weighted average of 55-59% obtained from the M.Sc (Sociology) Degree of LASU. d. A weighted average of 60% and above obtained from the M.Sc (Sociology) Degree of other Institutions recognized by Senate of Lagos State University. iii. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) a. A candidate can be registered for the Ph.D programme if he/she fulfills any of the following conditions: b. A weighted of 60% and above obtained from the M.Sc (Sociology)

Degree of LASU. c . A graduate of the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) programme of LASU. d. A graduate of the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) of other Institutions recognized by Senate of Lagos State University. e. Candidates who successfully converted from the M.Phil/Ph.D programme of LASU. Duration of Programme: The M.Sc (Sociology) programme is for one calendar year.

M.Phil (Sociology) – minimum of 4 (four) semesters.

Ph,D The Doctor of Philosophy Ph.D Degree shall normally last for a minimum of six (6) semester, for full time and eight (8) semesters for part time.

S/N BANKS

BRANCHES

A/C NUMBER

1.

ZENITH BANK PLC

BADAGRY,LASU OJO, AKOKA, SURULERE, BROAD STR., WHARF ROAD, APAPA.

1011983872

2.

ACCESS BANK PLC

SATELLITE TOWN,CREEK ROAD APAPA, SURULERE, IKEJA(OBAAKRAN), ILUPEJU (TOWN PLANNINGWAY), IKORODU.

0104615789

3.

FIRSTBANK PLC

AGBARA, LASU, FESTAC, IKOTUN, NAVY TOWN, AGEGE, AIRPORT ROAD IKEJA, 2/4 CUSTOMS STREET, CREEK ROAD APAPA, AKOWONJO.

2012865154

B. Department of Geography and Planning i. M. Sc. Geography & Planning a. Candidates must posses a good Degree NOT less than Second Class Lower in Geography or relevant course with at least a CGPA of 3.0 obtained from Lagos State University or any recognized University. ii. M. Phil Geography & Planning. a. A CGPA of at least 3.0 at the M. Sc. (Geography) of Lagos State University or any other recognized University. iii. M. Phil/Ph. D Geography & Planning. a. A weighted average of fifty-five percent (55%) and above from the M. Sc. Geography of Lagos State University. b. A weighted average of sixty percent (60%) and above obtained from M. Sc. Geography of any other Institutions recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. iv. Ph. D Geography & Planning.

A candidate can be registered for the Ph. D programme if he/she fulfills any of the following conditions: a. A weighted average of 60% and above from M. Sc. Geography Degree of Lagos State University. b. A graduate of Master of Philosophy (M. Phil) Degree in Geography or related discipline of Lagos State University. c . A graduate of Master of Philosophy (M. Phil) Degree of Geography of other Institutions recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. d. Candidates who successfully converted from the M. Phil/Ph.D of Lagos State University.

Duration: The M. Sc. Geography is for one (1) calendar year.

The M. Phil geography programme is for a minimum of four semesters.

The Ph. D programme shall normally last for a minimum of six semesters for full time and eight semesters for part time.

9. ADEBOLA ADEGUNWA SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION i . Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies a. Applicants with first Degree not lower than 2 nd class lower in any field of study from an approved University. b. Applicants with a 3rd class degree in Communication and related disciplines. c . Higher National Diploma with a minimum of Upper Credit.

However, holders of HND are not eligible for M.Sc admission after the PGD certificate. i. Master of Science in Communication Studies Students seeking admission into the programme must possess: a. A good first Degree not below Second Class Lower in Mass Communication or related disciplines from any approved University. b. Postgraduate Diploma of this School or any of the approved Mass Communication Institute with a cumulative grade point average of not below 3.0 (50%) provided the candidate posses a University First degree. c . Five credits O’level including English Language, Mathematics and Lit.-inEnglish. d. The candidates must fulfill all other requirements of the Postgraduate School.

Duration: The full time has duration of two (2 semesters).

10. COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (LASUCOM) IKEJA A. Department of Anatomy i . M.Sc Anatomy a. An applicant for admission into this programme must be a post registration Medical or Dental graduate of Lagos State University or any other University recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. b. A graduate of Human Anatomy or Physiotherapy with a minimum of SecondClass Lower Division as recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. *Candidates may be required to undergo a selection process.

Department of Chemical Pathology i . M.Sc Chemical Pathology a. MBBS or BDS of Lagos State University or Dental Degree recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. b. Candidate may be required to satisfy the Department in a selection process that involves written examination/oral interview. i i . M.Phil. Chemical Pathology a. An applicant for admission to Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Chemical Pathology must posses M.Sc. Degree in Chemical Pathology from this University or any other University recognized by Senate in addition to Medical (MBBS) or Dental Degree (BDS). iii. Ph.D. Chemical Pathology a. An M.Phil Degree in Chemical Pathology or Clinical Pathology or related discipline and in addition an MBBS or BDS degree of the Lagos State University or other Medical or Dental degree recognized by the Senate of Lagos State University. b. Advancement from the M.Phil programme to Ph.D programme will be allowed on the recommendation of the Department, Faculty and College Graduate Committees to the Graduate School and after approval of the Senate of the Lagos State University.

B . Department of Physiology i . M.Sc – Physiology a. Candidates with Bachelor’s Degree in Physiology and related courses with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division; b. Candidates with professional qualification in Medicine; Dentistry and related courses can also apply.

However, candidates in other related courses may be required to undergo a selection process. i i . M.Phil - Physiology a. Candidates with M.Sc in Physiology and with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply. b. Candidates with B.Sc Degree of not less than Second Class Upper Division in Physiology are eligible to apply as well. iii. Ph.D - Physiology The Ph.D programme is open to candidates with; a. M.Phil Degree in Physiology b. M.Sc Degree in Physiology with GPA of 4.0 and above.

Duration: M.Sc - Anatomy The programme shall run for 12 calendar months on a full time basis.

M.Phil - Anatomy The programme shall run for 12 calendar months on a full time basis.

Ph.D programme shall run for a minimum of six (6) semesters.

M.Sc Physiology The programme will run for twelve (12) calendar months for full time students.

M.Phil Physiology The programme will run for twelve (12) calendar months for full time students.

Ph.D - Physiology The programme is for 36 calendar months for full time students.

METHOD OF APPLICATION For both Part-Time and Full-Time Programmes, applicants are required to pay into LASU Account Number(s), a non-refundable fee of N10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) Only to SELECTED branches of the following banks:

L. O. ANIMASHAUN, Esq. Registrar Lagos State University

All applicants shall be required to sit for qualifying Entrance Examination on the Main Campus, Ojo Visit the University website (a) www.lasu.edu.ng for information on admission requirements.

CLOSING DATE Sale of application forms will be closed four (4) weeks from the date of this publication.

Application forms for Part-Time and Full-Time programmes should be submitted on-line and a copy of the e-Registration slip printed out by the applicant.

DATE FOR QUALIFYING EXAMINATION Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 9:00am prompt at LASU Ojo Campus.

Please bring: (1) Photocopies of credentials (2) H.B Pencil & Eraser (3) Printed e-Registration slip with scanned Passport photograph.

(4) Sealed three (3) referee’s reports (5) National ID card/International passport/Driving license or any other means of identification.

NOTE: 1. Candidates who have not completed the National Youth Service Corps assignment or their current Postgraduate Programmes need not apply.

2. All academic transcripts must be received latest two weeks after the close of sale of forms.

3. Request for transfer of processed application forms from one Department to another will not be entertained.

4. Candidates must personally attend the selection and written examinations as make-up test will not be conducted.

5. Please include your E-mail address/ phone number on the form.

For further information on Part-Time and Full-Time Internal programmes, please contact: The Secretary, Postgraduate School, Lagos State University, Ojo

ONLINE POSTGRADUATE APPLICATION PROCEDURE All applicants are required to carefully follow these procedures to accomplish a successful online registration.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION. Log on to pgapplication.lasu.edu.ng On the displayed page, you will be required to enter your PIN CODE, SERIAL NUMBER and your FIRST NAME and then click on Login.

Endeavour to enter the Pin code and serial number as it is on the issued voucher. Please note that in a situation where a candidate attempts to register with a voucher that has already been used on the system, the system displays: “the voucher was used by another applicant on (... date...). No two applicants can share a voucher”.

Please note also that, applicant MUST COMPLETE the online registration form once he/she has clicked on the LOGIN button otherwise such applicant will not be able to re-register again.

The following details will be required for the online registration process.

A scanned copy of recent passport-sized photograph (File size: Not more than 20KB; File format: JPEG (i.e. ‘.jpg’).

Details to be provided include: candidate’s first name, middle name, last name, sex, date of birth, marital status, State of origin, e-mail address, and permanent contact address, NYSC status, Degree in view, Department, Faculty, Field of Specialization, subjects taught (for PGDE candidates only), Mode of Study, School/Universities/ Colleges attended.

Also, candidate will be required to provide: Details of appointments in the past five years Publications and title of thesis, dissertation or essay submitted for degree, if any.

Candidate, in addition, will be required to answer the following questions: Are you currently registered for a degree of another university?

Name and address of the institution, Courses registered for, Degree in view, Date of first registration.

Have you ever applied for admission to postgraduate studies at the university?

Candidate will also provide names and addresses of three persons to which reference may be made.

Please check the box to declare that information you have supplied is accurate, as any false information will lead to automatic disqualification.

Then click on Submit if you are satisfied with all the information OR Reset if you want to make correction.

Finally, a page containing all your details, including your passport photograph, will be displayed, Click on PRINT FORM, and then close the page.

WHO

www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 7, NO.2093

COMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

The post of president of the World Bank (the IBRD) is vacant, and our own Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is one of the three candidates vying for the position. The two other candidates in the race are the Korean American, Professor Jim Yong Kim, nominated by President Barack Obama, and Professor Jose Antonio Ocampo, a former Columbian Finance Minister. As I write this, the Bank’s Board of Executive Directors is starting its two-day meeting in Washington to consider the three candidates for the job. It is this Board that will recommend one of the candidates to the Board of Governors as the new president of the World Bank.

As may be expected for such a high profile job, all three candidates hold very impressive qualifications for the job. Outside Columbia, very little is known about Professor Ocampo, except that he is a professor of Economics, and a former Columbian Minister of Finance. But Columbia is not a major Latin American country. It is certainly not Mexico, Argentina, or Brazil, the three most influential Latin American countries. This may not necessarily work against him if his candidacy is supported by the Latin American group at the World Bank.

In the case of Professor Kim, the US candidate, very little is known about him as well, except that he is the current president of Dartmouth College, a well known and highly respected Ivy League University in the United States. In fact, his choice by President Obama as the candidate of the US came as a complete surprise to many, even in the United States, as he is not known in financial circles either in the US or abroad.

He is a professor of health, a field that has little or no bearing to the position of the World Bank.

The third candidate, our own Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is well known in the financial world, both here in Nigeria and internationally. She holds a doctorate degree in development economics from the elite Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has worked at the World Bank for over 25 years, rising to the position of a Managing Director in the Bank, solely on merit. She has twice been Minister of Finance in Nigeria where she has established a reputation for hard work, diligence and a commitment to the country’s economic growth and development.

It was she who successfully led the negotiations for the cancellation of over half of Nigeria’s foreign debt, creating the basis for stability in Nigeria’s macro-economy. Of course, it must be admitted that there were some domestic criticisms of this deal which involved Nigeria having to pay off the balance of the loan at one fell swoop at a time when some of this money could have been used for investment in the domestic economy. It has also been argued that other African countries involved in debt repayment negotiations got a better deal from the World Bank. She also been criticised

G

RIPPLES GROWING ALMAJIRI POPULATION DANGEROUS TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT–JONATHAN

and don’t forget AREA BOYS...too

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

Okonjo-Iweala’s bid for World Bank presidency

•Mrs Okonjo-Iweala

for pursuing World Bank agenda in Nigeria such as her strong commitment to the removal of the so-called oil subsidy in Nigeria over which there was mass demonstration and opposition. Despite these criticisms, many still consider her to be the best Finance Minister ever in Nigeria. She has stamped her authority on the management of the Nigerian budgetary and financial systems that, only a few years ago, was in complete shambles.

Of the three candidates being considered

SAID WHAT

‘Nigeria will not be short-changed, we will pursue this to the end. Collusion or exploitation of Nigerians must stop, but exploration is encouraged. It is unfortunate that Nigerians now go to Ghana to fly to the UK. We won’t allow this’

for the job, there is little or no doubt that Dr. (Mrs) Okonjo-Iweala is, by far the most capable in terms of her formidable intellectual qualifications and her considerable experience at the World Bank.

She is a chief and unrepentant apostle of the bank’s somewhat rigid economic orthodoxy that has found little or no favour in the most developing countries.

In January, 2009, I had the pleasure of having lunch with her in her modest office in Washington, in the company of Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and Oby Ezekwesili, her Nigerian counterpart at the World Bank. I found her to be quite impressive and passionate about the role of the World Bank in the development of the poor countries. In our conversion, she was willing to admit that reforms are urgently needed in the policies of the World Bank, a fact now recongnised by many of the World Bank’s top staff too. As president, she will be well placed to introduce these urgently needed reforms.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala will be able to count on the support of most African countries in her bid for the presidency of the World Bank.

Many African countries are not comfortable with the financial and economic orthodoxy of the Bank and, for that reason, will definitely prefer an African as the head of the Bank. It is by no means certain that the Arab members of the Bank will support her

HARDBALL

HAROLD DEMUREN

as they too have their own agenda regarding the management of the Bank. They tend to vote with the US and EU countries in these matters.

But by far the biggest hurdle she will face is from the United States. The US is the largest subscriber to the fund of the World Bank and has the highest number of votes in any election for the president of the World Bank.

The US is also able to count on the support of the EU countries, the Arab countries and Japan. This is why the US has always produced the president of the World Bank, while the president of the IMF is ‘zoned’ to Western Europe, mostly France. Since the US has a candidate for the post, it is unlikely that it can be persuaded to drop its candidate in favour of Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala.

The issue involved here is not that the US has no confidence in Mrs Okonjo- Iweala, or doubts her capability for the job. Rather, it is that she is determined to ensured that it continues, through its controlling shares in the Bank, to control the World Bank, particularly its lending policy and economic strategy in the Third World. On purely technical grounds, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala is highly regarded among her colleagues in the World Bank as well as in the US administration. But this is a political job, calling for more than academic qualifications and experience, on which the US is not yet ready to give way.

There is some force in the argument by poor countries that since the primary purpose of the World Bank is the economic development of the poor countries, then they should be given a greater stake in the management and leadership of the World Bank. The problem with this argument is that most of these poor countries are net debtors, not creditors to the World Bank. It is not an argument that the creditor countries are likely to accept at the moment.

It does not matter whether or not Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala gets the World Bank job. What should really count is that, virtually on her own, she has shown what a gifted individual can accomplish with grit and determination.

She is one of Nigeria’s few major success stories and we should be proud of her personal achievements.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Failure of government, leadership and imagination

W

HEN Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, made his revolutionary remark linking Boko Haram terrorism with poverty in the North, he was pilloried in tone so bitter and sectional that it made many wince. And when he went a little more daringly to link that northern poverty with revenue shortfalls, shortfalls he argued were in part caused by the huge allocations drawn from the central treasury and given to the oil producing states of the Niger Delta, militants, ex-militants and their sympathisers and paid statesmen exploded in furious denunciation of the CBN boss.

They not only attacked the logical and theoretical bases of his economics, they also wondered whether his brazenness did not undermine his position as boss of the apex bank. Sanusi shrugged the criticisms off, persuaded he had made excellent economic deductions.

But while Sanusi was being excoriated, other northern intellectuals and analysts who had long thought that Boko Haram crisis had economic underpinnings provided logical arguments to back the CBN boss. It was difficult to fault them. They suggested that the oil producing states were overwhelmed with more cash than they could sensibly use. It was doubtless a provocative line of thinking. But they pointed to the fact that the oil region enjoyed the services of the heavily funded Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), 13 percent special allocation from the federation account,

and Ministry of the Niger Delta. They also provided statistics to show that one small state in the Niger Delta gets, at the end of every month, more than four or five states in the North. This summation drew the ire of the oil states, but figures, they say, don’t lie.

Now, gradually, the chickens are coming home to roost. With Boko Haram refusing to abate, and with the federal government having its back to the wall, the government of President Goodluck Jonathan is gradually coming round to the point of view that the terrorist menace in the North is more economic than sectarian. The government had long dithered between using force and attempting to dialogue; but more and more, Jonathan now seems ready to jettison all other positions in favour of replicating the Niger Delta formula in the North, if that would give him peace in his time. Nigeria threw money at the Niger Delta problem, and they threw it with reckless and befuddling abandon, so much so that the region is awash with cash that even opposing groups there accuse one another of losing their minds in cash. Rather than make peace intelligently and enduringly, we bought peace in the Niger Delta in the typical and nearly illiterate fashion of a tentative society.

From what Jonathan said during his inauguration of the almajiri model school system in Sokoto two days ago, it all but appears we are once again set to throw money at our problems. Why did Professor Jibril Aminu’s brainchild nomadic education

policy founder? Why are schools in many parts of the North poorly attended, and funds embezzled rather than deployed for the purposes they were budgeted? It is probably true that poverty and illiteracy have helped breed terrorists and misanthropes, but why did previous governments, mostly formed by politicians and soldiers of northern extraction, refuse to do anything substantial to reverse the educational and economic downturn of the North?

It is easy to spilt hairs over the very substantial allocation to the oil region, in particular the allocation believed to be skewed against the North. And whether we admit or not, the Sanusi argument resonates with many people. After all, the United States Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, has just argued for the establishment of a Ministry of Northern Affairs to help tackle the Boko Haram crisis through the economic or poverty reduction angle. But as Sanusi argued before, in tackling the Niger Delta crisis, the government unwittingly provoked the violent reaction in the North now vented through Boko Haram. If this new ministry is established, especially in view of the almajiri school system that appears to have set the foundation, would it not also unwittingly provoke violent reactions from the Southeast and Southwest?

The problem of Nigeria is obviously not just one of poor leadership or weak government; it is also by far one of lack of imagination.

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