The Nation April 3, 2014 by The Nation

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House halts plot to force 37 APC lawmakers out Tambuwal: case should run its full course Presidency’s move fails

OUSE of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal prevented yesterday a major crisis in the lower chamber when he insisted that the case on the defection of 37 lawmakers must run its full course. He asked the warring lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party

From Yusuf Alli and Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

(PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to put the interest of the nation above personal interest and not heat up the polity. But the Representatives from the two parties retreated to caucus consultations in case the Speaker’s truce is breached.

There were strong indications last night that the PDP Caucus in the House met at the behest of the Presidency to push for the vacation of seats of 37 members who defected from the party to the APC. The House leadership reportedly stumbled on intelligence alert of a likely rowdy session on Monday’s verdict

of a Federal High Court in Abuja. It was gathered that the development forced Tambuwal to convene an executive session to iron out issues arising from the judgment of Justice Adeniyi Ademola, which some, particularly in the PDP, misread as saying the court asked the defecting lawmakers to quit their seats.

It was learnt that the session, which began amidst rising tempers, later reached a consensus to “keep the House united while the case runs its full course”. A highly-placed source said: “The Speaker, with whom was his deputy, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, said the House leadership was of the opinion that the Representa-

tives should allow the case in court to run its full course since the 37 lawmakers have gone to the Court of Appeal. “Tambuwal asked us to take it easy instead of postulating and interpreting for the court. He said recourse to self-help would not do any lawmaker any Continued on page 2

Rivers insist on Agumagu for CJ

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

IVERS State insisted yesterday that Justice Peter Agumagu remains the substantive Chief Judge (CJ). It described his March 26 suspension by the National Judicial Council (NJC) as illegal and unconstitutional. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms, at a briefing in Port Harcourt, the state capital, described the NJC’s action as “unfortunate”. The NJC’s Acting Director, Information, Soji Oye, on March 27, declared that the council would not recognise Agumagu as Chief Judge. Continued on page 68

EFCC grills Oduah for five hours

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

ORMER Aviation Minister Stella Oduah was a guest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday. She was grilled for about five and half hours over the N255million bulletproof cars’ scam, which led to her sack. The ex-minister got a provisional bail following the need to re-invite her for more questioning. But it was unclear last night when Oduah will return to the commission. A team is analysing the ex-minister’s response to identify areas for further clarification. It was gathered that Oduah arrived quietly at the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja at Continued on page 2

•THE D AY AFTER: Wreckage of a car alleged to have been used by a suspected suicide bomber in Tuesday’s multiple blast in Molai, near Maiduguri, DA PHOTO: NAN the Borno State capital…yesterday. About 21 persons died in the blast.

•TINUBU: APC CONGRESS ‘LL BE FAIR P6 •EIGHT DIE IN LAGOS BOAT MISHAP P8

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

NEWS •Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (fourth right), Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (third right), Commissioner for Information Lateef Ibirogba (fifth right), former governors Lateef Jakande (right), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (second right), Brig.-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (second left) and Iyaloja of Lagos Sade Tinubu-Ojo (left) during the event marking Fashola’s 2,500 days in office at the LTV Ikeja premises...yesterday PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Jonathan: world should identify terrorism sponsors

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan maintained yesterday that it is the collective responsibility of all nations to identify sponsors of terror groups, such as Boko Haram. Dr. Jonathan spoke on peace and security at the opening of the ongoing Fourth European Union (EU) - Africa Union (AU) Summit in Brussels, the Belgian capital. According to him, the terrorists should be held responsible for their actions, which in his view are to destabilise Africa. He said a terror attack on one nation is an attack on everybody. Jonathan thanked the EU and other development partners for their assistance towards addressing terror on the continent. He said: “The weapons of choice of these terror groups are the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW). Of recent, they have acquired the rapid propelled grenades and even surface-to-air missiles. Where do they get these sophisticated weapons from? “The total value of what

EFCC grills Oduah for five hours

Boko Haram: policemen arraigned for murder

HREE policemen believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect were arraigned yesterday with five other suspected members of the group before a Federal High Court in Abuja. The policemen are Jimmy Oba’a, Michael Manu and Iliya Mark, attached to the Bajoga Division, Gombe State. Others are Abeimel Ibrahim, Isah Kano, Yambah Umaru, Danbga Wilfred and Sadeeq Ali Amatiga. They were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy murder and wilful destruction of public property. They were accused of being behind the March 7, 2012 attack on the Ashaka Police Station during which the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) SP Abubakar Sadia, and three others were killed. Prosecution lawyer Lawrence Alabi told Justice Ademola Adeniyi that the alleged offence was committed by the eight accused persons on March 7, 2012 in Ashaka. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge. Defence lawyer Nanpon Wuyep tried to made an oral application for bail for the accused persons. It was rejected by the judge, who directed him to file a formal application to that effect. The judge ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the hearing till May 26. From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

these terrorists possess as individuals, in terms of what they wear, where they live

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

In count one, they were accused of conspiring among themselves, “while armed with different types of ammunition and dangerous weapons and explosives to kill innocent people and destroy public properties under the name of Boko Haram in Ashaka, an offence which is punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.” They were, in count two, accused of “wilfully attacking, shooting and killing the Divisional Police Officer of Ashaka Police Station, SP Abubakar Sadia, Cpl Imamu Ijinyawa, Cpl Yakubu Azi, Cpl Jdi Harima, in the course of their official duties, without any provocation, while armed with different types of ammunition and other dangerous weapons and explosives, an offence which is contrary to and punishable under Section 2 (c) (1) of Terrorism Acts, 2011 and punishable under Section 33 (1) (e) of the Terrorism Prevention Acts”. Count three states that they “attacked and burnt down the Divisional Police Station, stole rifle and other ammunition in the station, and one Jincheng motorcycle, one police beret, released all the suspects who were in detention and also broke into FinBank and Zenith Bank in the town, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 2 (3) (i) of Terrorism Prevention Acts and Section 443 (a) of the Criminal Code Act, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004”.

cannot buy an assault rifle. We all have the collective responsibility to un-earth their sponsors and supporters who are determined to de-

•Oduah Continued from page 1

Continued on page 67

about 10am. She was ushered into the Operations Department of the anti-graft agency where she was questioned till 3.30pm. A source, who spoke in confidence, described Oduah’s mood as “pensive”. The source said: “The team asked her to explain what led to the purchase of two bulletproof (armoured cars) for N255million; the purpose; and whether there was appropriation for it or not in the 2013 budget. “She was asked for evidence of due process or con-

Public Affairs, Victor Ogene (APGA, Anambra) told reporters that the judgment on defections was discussed. Ogene denied insinuations that the Speaker was under pressure by either the ruling party or members to declare the seats of the 37 defected lawmakers vacant. He said the House during the closed-door session agreed to halt action on court cases till they ran the full course, adding that the decision was based on precedence. His words: “There were no pressure on Mr Speaker, if there were, we would have held this closed-door session yesterday but we decided to wait for all the parties in the case to get served. “We agreed to allow the different cases in court regarding defections of some members to go through the full course and in arriving at that decision, the House took cognisance of the fact that precedence had been set even before last Friday and Monday judgments. “If you recall the case of a certain member that defected from the Labour Party in Ondo State to the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), that matter is still in court, and that member is still par-

ticipating in the affairs of the House. “There are some other instances that fall in that category,” he said. He denied reports that Tambuwal and his deputy Emeka Ihedioha filed an appeal against a High Court judgment against 37 lawmakers that defected from the PDP. “The two principal officers had no personal or individual interest in the case but were nominal parties to the suit, having been listed as defendants in the case. “We noticed that some publications tried to drag the person of the speaker into this. The speaker did not appeal on individual basis. He has no personal interest in the ongoing matter in court. Ogene said both the offices of the Speaker and his Deputy “ will address this issue so we shouldn’t try to introduce mischief into the ongoing process, remember that they were made nominal defendants in the two cases. “The appeal was filed by the 37 members that defected from the PDP. The National Assembly management as an institution has a right to appeal if they so desire”. Aside defection, the lawmaker said members also dis-

stabilise Africa. We should hold them responsible and accountable for their actions.” Stressing that peace and se-

House halts plot to force 37 APC lawmakers out Continued from page 1

good. “He also pleaded with us to consider the interest of Nigeria, instead of heating up the polity because of pecuniary gains or partisan politics.” The source quoted the Speaker as saying: “We should not lose the sight of the mandate that Nigerians have given us. The way some PDP and APC Representatives are going, we may end up having a divided House, with the nation suffering in the long run. For the sake of Nigeria, let us do our work.” The source said the Speaker’s appeasement set the tone for the session where those aggrieved bared their minds. A principal officer said: “As members rose to speak, they opened up in unusual manner, leading to occasional shouting down of some of them. “The Majority Leader of the House, Hajiya Mulikat Adeola-Akande, found her voice for the first time at the session when she blurted out: ‘It is now everyone is suing for peace, I am the most derided’. “My silence is mistaken for weakness, but I am not what you have been thinking. Some of our colleagues went too far against me.” The Deputy Majority Lead-

er, Leo Ogor, condemned what he described as recourse to blind partisanship in the House since the defection saga started. He explained why he felt bad about the attitude of some members of the opposition, including some of the defectors. Another source said: “Ogor recalled that based on the House Resolution, he raised a motion to reinstate a public officer who was unjustly removed. “He said he asked the House to summon the appropriate agency but his motion was dismissed even when the House had taken a position on it. “He said ‘This is the level partisanship has degenerated to in the House’. Minority Whip Samson Osagie pleaded with members “not to mistake the argument for and against a motion as partisanship in the House. “He said disagreements are normal in a legislative chamber and everyone should bury the hatchet. “At the end of the day, members resolved to work together in harmony and allow the court to be the final arbiter at the end of the day.” But, it was not immediately ascertained if the decision

of the Executive Session would be acceptable to the Presidency and the PDP. It was learnt that the Presidency had asked Mrs. Adeola-Akande to table a motion asking the 37 defectors to vacate their seats. Another source said: “We learnt the Presidency and the PDP gave a directive to the party’s caucus in the House to demand the vacation of the 37 seats. But the situation changed with the rapprochement Tambuwal. “It was on the basis of the directive from the Presidency that the PDP Caucus in the House met before the Executive Session. “No one is sure if the Presidency and the PDP would still remain adamant on this directive.” It was gathered that in order not to take things for granted, the APC Caucus in the House also held a meeting after the Executive Session to “draw up a clear strategy in case the PDP caucus breaches the gentleman understanding at the Executive Session. “We are trying to strategise on this court case and its aftermath in order not to be caught unaware.” Deputy Chairman of House Committee on Media and

currence/ approval by the Bureau of Public Procurement and whether her approval value was not above the limit of Ministerial Tenders Board or not. “She was also asked to confirm if she was aware that the approved revised thresholds for service wide application (pursuant to Section 16(2) Public Procurement Act 2009 put a minister’s limit at N100million.” Another source said: “We also isolated issues raised by former heads of agencies in the aviation industry when they appeared before EFCC. She was directed to make some clarifications. “This interrogation is just the first in the series. We will study her statement on oath and definitely ask follow-up questions.” Responding to a question, the source added that the EFCC was in receipt of the reports of an Administrative Committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan and House of Representatives Continued on page 67

•Tambuwal

cussed the growing trend of partisanship in carrying out business of the House during the session. Partisanship, he said is tilting the arguments and decisions of members on the floor. “We decided to insulate the house from the growing trend of partisanship that is Continued on page 67

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

THE NATION THURSDAY APRIL 3, 2013

NEWS

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Insecurity, •From left: Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Sir Steve Omojafor; out-going GMD/CEO and CBN Governor-designate, Godwin Emefiele and Zenith Bank GMD/CEO-designate, Peter Amangbo at the bank’s 23rd Annual General Meeting in Lagos…yesterday.

•Falana (SAN)...yeserday

•From left: Former Information Minister of Dahomey (Benin Republic), Prof. Albert Tevoedjre; Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and International Chairman, Universal Peace Foundation, Dr Chang Yang, during a dinner in honour of Dr Yang in Abuja... on Tuesday.

•Chairman, Lafarge WAPCO Mr Olusegun Osunkeye (second left) presenting a gift and a certificate to a winner Alhaji Jimoh Owolabi at the company’s customers award ceremony in Lagos... yesterday. With them are Managing Director, Mr Joe Hudson (right) and General Manager, Sales and Customer Services, Mr. Sam Ndionyenema

•L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Dr Brown Ogbeifun; National President, National Union of Petroleum, Energy and Natural Gas (NUPENG), Comrade Igwe Achese; General Secretary, Comrade Isaac Aberare; National Trustee, Comrade Osunde Monday and Chairman, NLC, Delta State Council, Comrade Akporeba Williams, at the union’s third quadrennial delegates conference, PPMC Branch, in Abuja...yesterday.

ROWING insecurity in parts of the country and the need to tackle corruption was yesterday the subject of debate at the National Conference in Abuja. It was the third allotted day for delegates to comment on the inaugural address given by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 17. Besides insecurity and corruption, delegates also said urgent steps should be taken to restructure the country. Alhaji Magaji Dambatta, who came on the platform of Northwest geopolitical zone, said the conference should devise ways and means to energise the country to fight corruption. Dambatta, after tracing the problems facing the country to unbridled corruption, insisted that until the country was able to fight corruption to a standstill, not much would be achieved in terms of development. Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, agreed with him. According to Nwuche, corruption is a hydraheaded monster which Nigerians must confront frontally “if we are to break out of the circle of instability, poverty and disease that we currently find ourselves.” Nwuche, who was nominated for

Stories from Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

the conference on the platform of House of Representatives Forum, said that governments at all levels must show the will and capacity to fight corruption while urging Nigerians to support government in the fight against corruption. He therefore, enjoined the conference to focus on how to address the menace of corruption because “it is the underlying cause of all our problems and all our difficulties.” He added: “We should not discriminate, whoever is involved in corruption should be sanctioned and brought to book following due process of the law. We can trace many of our problems to corruption. When people kidnap, they kidnap because they have no employment. Therefore, we need to employ people. Because few persons have cornered the national resources, other people are left in abject poverty. In their response to poverty, they commit crime, and they cut corners all in an effort to survive. “If we fight corruption, we will address the symptoms that we find, symptoms like criminality which manifests in kidnapping, armed robbery, thievery. A top official of the

Esele riles

ORMER President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele, yesterday stirred the controversy at the on-going national conference. Comrade Esele, who came to the conference on the platform of Organised Labour, expressed his disappointment at the comments of some delegates who were former governors, former senators and former Inspectors General of Police. The labour leader seized the opportunity to comment on President Goodluck Jonathan’s inaugural address to lambast former public office holders, coming short of saying that former public office holders who failed to deliver when they had the opportunity should bury their heads in shame. He noted that when he listens to elderly delegates talk, he does not know whether to cry or laugh, adding that if he cries or laughs, the press will report it. While saying he had chosen to laugh instead of crying, Esele asked what the Senators did when they had the opportunity to promulgate good laws that could have impact on the country. For former IGPs, the labour boss also said that they looted police funds and left the police force worse than they met it. He zeroed in on former Ebonyi State Governor, Dr. Sam Egwu, apparently to tell him some home truth. The unionist noted that when Egwu was talking, he (Esele) was merely looking at him (it seems with disdain). He asked, “When Sam Egwu was governor, what did he do? How did he perform as governor? How did he rule his state? When Sam Egwu was Minister of Education, the universities were shut for many months, what did he do? Dr. Sam Egwu was shown on national television where he was holding a lavish party while the universities were on strike.” He said that the country is not working not because Nigerians are not working hard, but because leaders have failed the country. Esele said that for the country to work, leaders must walk the talk. Before he could con-

THE NATION THURSDAY APRIL 3, 2013

NEWS NATIONAL CONFERENCE

corruption on the front burner ,,

There are kidnappers. Terrorists have taken over parts Nigeria. Nigerians are being killed in their numbers on a daily basis. The members of the ruling class are the group that engages in pen robbery, which is worse than armed robbery. •Hajia Miriam Mohammed...yesterday.

Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said that Nigerians have $400 million abroad. This is stolen money. So, if that kind of money is available in the system, it will address unemployment, child mortality, women who are dying during pregnancy and other healthcare issues. Most importantly, it will address the problem of infrastructure, power, and road. So, we must fight corruption.” For Francis Doukpolagha (Bayelsa State), corruption is traceable to the grassroots, saying it begins from the home with manifestations in form of impatience and undue influence. Ben Dantoye, a youth representative delegate, wants invocation of capital punishment to deal with corruption. Dantoye also said that the structure of the country should be looked at while religion should be downplayed. Hajiya Diye Bala, a delegate from Niger State, lamented that corruption is almost swallowing everybody, urging that steps be taken to tackle corruption before it destroys the country. Chief Charles Edosomwan, a delegate from Edo State, traced the roots of corruption in the country to faulty structure of the country. He said that a situation where too much power is in the centre breeds

inefficiency. Major General Geofrey Ejiga (Benue State), who said that corruption has grown into billion and approaching trillion, maintained that corrupt public officers should not be spared. Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) noted that when the Campaign for Democracy (CD) was asking for a sovereign national conference to address the problems of the country, it was rejected. Falana, who representscivil society organisations, noted that, “Jonathan’s National Conference provides the country a window of opportunity for us to find why majority of our people are poor and why a tiny minority of Nigerians smile to the bank. The country is collapsing. Many of the people who contributed to the mess are here. They must tell us that it is their fault. “There are kidnappers. Terrorists have taken over parts of Nigeria. Nigerians are being killed in their numbers on a daily basis. The members of the ruling class are the group that engages in pen robbery, which is worse than armed robbery. Let us advise President Jonathan that he still has over a year to put Nigeria in the right place. Who says that the country cannot break? A minister has just made N700 million from helpless Nigerians. It is the worst case of robbery,

PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

extorting money from jobless Nigerians. Nigerians have rights, the right for employment and others which must be protected. You cannot have a free and prosperous country if we are tied to the apron strings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We must tell IMF that we want to run a country of our own.” Prof. Godini Darah, a Delta State delegate, referred to what he called the sudden emergence of subsidy billionaires and Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) billionaires that must be checked in the interest of the country. Darah described the presidential inaugural address as “inspirational,” but regretted “the squandering of the resources of the Niger Delta region to develop other parts of the country.” Elder Bulus Dareng, a North Central delegate lamented the increasing spate of insecurity in parts of the country. He also bemoaned a situation where most appointment into offices are not advertised. Urging President Jonathan to elect to deal what those who regard themselves as “sacred cows or untouchables,” the Plateau State-born delegate said Jonathan must develop the political will to implement recommendations of the

conference. For Dr. Sale Dauda, a Northeast delegate, the country, especially the North East geo-political zone, is in turmoil. Tracing the crisis in the Northeast to failure of governance in states and local governments, Dauda said that the failure of governance at the state and local governments led youths in the zone to take up arms against their neighbours. He lamented a situation where more than one million people have been displaced from their homes and called for a Marshal Plan to address the problems afflicting the embattled zone. Dauda, who also complained bitterly about the plight of Christians in the North, saying that it is most unfortunate that most Christians have been forced to go underground to worship God, called for the creation of a separate geo-political zone for minorities in the North. He said that it was unfortunate that in some states in the North, “it will be easier for the camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for Christians to get land to build church.” Aliyu Akwe Doma, a delegate from Nasarawa State, warned that religion, ethnic nationality, and revenue sharing formula are very sensitive issues that should be handled with care. He said the country should

not allow religion, ethnic nationality and revenue sharing formula to override national interest. Hon. Orok Duke, a Southsouth geo-political delegate, described the problems of the country in the light of “Ali Baba and the 40 thieves,” and insisted that the time has come to kill ‘Ali Baba.’ Chairman of the conference, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd) laughed and asked Duke to go and kill Ali Baba alone. Prof. Olu Ajakaiye, a delegate of the Nigeria Economic Society, said that the country should take efficiency seriously while dwindling economic opportunities should be addressed. Chief Edwin Clark, who came to the conference on the platform of Elder Statesmen, said God allowed delegates of 70 years and above to clear the mess they created. He said, “We should tolerate one another. We are one; no one is superior to the other. Anyone can hold the highest office in the land. Let us accept one another, live by one another. Some people have taken religion too far. Nigeria existed before the religions. We have nowhere to go. Northerners, southerners, there is nowhere to go.” Former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Coomasie, who is also Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said that delegates should be poised to make the opportunity of the conference an avenue to chart a new course for the country. He said: “What we need now is good leadership through transparent elections. We need servant leaders that lead by example; leaders serve constitutional responsibility of security and welfare of the people.” For Senator Saliu Dansadau, the failure of President Jonathan to give assurance to implement the recommendations of the conference should be considered by the delegates. He said that appeal should be made to Jonathan to ensure that implementation of the recommendations of the conference, especially critical issues raised. Raymond Dokpesi noted that all constitutions from 1960 to date have not worked well for the country, urging delegates to take a deep look with proposal for restructuring and what the status quo should be.

Titbits

former Ebonyi State Governor clude his comments, there was thunderous shout of “point of order.” But most delegates, who were obviously in agreement with what Esele was saying, protested. Hon. Anayo Nnebe, who came to the conference on the platform of Association of Former Speakers, raised a Point of Order. There was huge outcry from delegates who vehemently opposed Nnebe’s Point of Order. Nnebe threatened that if the chair refused to recognise him, delegates would have the liberty to use any word they deemed fit whether offensive or not. He persisted and when he was recognised by Deputy Chairman of the conference, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Nnebe cited Order 9 (10) which frowns at the use of offensive words by any delegate. There was more opposition by delegates who attempted to cut Nnebe short. He said that Esele’s language in reference to Dr. Egwu was offensive and odious. Nnebe said that it was wrong and offensive for Esele to have singled out Dr. Egwu in his comment. He said that when Esele talked about Senators who failed to promulgate good laws, he did not name names. He also said that when Esele talked about IGPs who looted police funds, he did not name names. Therefore, Nnebe concluded that it was reckless for Esele to name Egwu as a governor who did not perform as governor or as Minister of Education. Dr Egwu had referred to what he called the conspiracy of the elite as a source of the problem of the country. He also said that Nigerians were yet to be sincere with themselves. After listening to Nnebe, Akinyemi sustained the Point Order raised by Nnebe, saying delegates could do without naming names. Femi Falana (SAN) said: “The then Babangida junta said that it was treason but we kept up the campaign. Today, we have a national conference, not the sovereign one but the Jonathan National Conference that provides a window of opportunity to find out why the majority of our people are poor

in the midst of plenty. Why life is so miserable, why a tiny microscopic few are smiling to the banks on a daily basis. The most interesting part of the President’s speech to me is this business of indissolubility and indivisibility of Nigeria. I have heard it here that the ruling class boasts that Nigeria cannot break. Please, let us be very careful when we boast. “The country is collapsing and many of those who contributed to the collapse, with profound respect, are here but must be honest and remorseful when making contributions here. People should give testimonies and tell us it is their greatest fault why we are in this mess. There are two sets of agents of destabilisation in Nigeria. As we gathered in this conference, the disenchanted youths are challenging the corporate existence of this country, either as armed robbers, kidnappers or terrorists. They have taken up arms against the Nigerian State. So, why are •Esele we deceiving ourselves?

Jubilation over refreshments

ELIEF on the faces of delegates was unprecedented yesterday when they were informed that provisions have been made for refreshment before lunch break at 2pm. Delegates had, on the second day of proceeding, complained that there was a need for light refreshment, especially for the elderly at the conference. From the first day of proceeding, delegates could not hide their displeasure, complaining about inadequate food at the banquet hall, which the leadership promised to address it. The food problem however persisted and a delegate was forced to openly complain to the Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, on Tuesday. When the Chairman asked for resumption of debate, the delegate said, “We are hungry.” The situation got so bad that many of the delegates preferred to drive to town to have their lunch rather than be subjected to hunger. Many were seen paying for their own food at the canteen, located a few meters to the banquet hall.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

NEWS Olanipekun pays tribute to Ajayi

FORMER president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has expressed shock about the death of Chief Godwin Olusegun Kolawole Ajayi (SAN). He said his death would create a vacuum in the legal profession. Olanipekun described the late senior lawyer as one of the best in the legal circle, noting that the legacies he left could not be wiped off by the torrent of time. In a statement in Lagos yesterday, he said the deceased was a towering fatherly figure in law, even among his contemporaries. “There is no gainsaying that Chief Ajayi was a legal colossus, a front bencher among the pioneer Senior Advocate of Nigeria and an outstanding forensic advocate, whose penchant for research and detection of minutest details, even in most complex and confounding causes, has become legendary,” Olanipekun said. The ex-NBA president, who said the late senior advocate was still as sharp as a needle when last they discussed, without any sign of ailment, added that the memories of Chief Ajayi would remain evergreen in the mind and psyche of any lawyer, who appreciates what is good, noble and excellent.

Akingbola: Court to decide on jurisdiction May 2

USTICE Lateef LawalAkapo of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has fixed May 2 to rule on the application filed by the former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the N47.1billion theft charge preferred against him. Akingbola, through his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), in two preliminary notices of objection, challenged the jurisdiction of the Lagos High Court to entertain the theft charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft establishment charged the former bank chief and his associate, Bayo Dada, with allegedly stealing money belonging to the bank. Dada also filed a similar application before the court.

By Adebisi Onanuga

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Olanipekun, moving the application, argued that the subject matter of the alleged offences related to banking operations and operations of capital issues, which fell under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. He based his submission on a judgment delivered by the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, on November 21 last year. The appellate court in the judgment struck out a theft charge preferred against a former Managing Director of the defunct Finbank Plc, Mr. Okey Nwosu and others. The Court of Appeal held in Nwosu’s case that the Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the charge because it emanated from capital market transactions. It also held that a case associated with the capital

market should be handled by a Federal High Court. Olanipekun urged the court to be guided by the Court of Appeal’s decision in Nwosu matter and grant the application. He submitted that the issue of jurisdiction is fundamental. Olanipekun also cited another High Court of Lagos judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, whose court adjourned another matter involving Atuche on the same grounds indefinitely. He said the state High Court should not be made mere undertakers of matters, which the Federal High Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over. Counsel to EFCC, Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), said contrary to the submissions of Olanipekun, the constitution did not vex exclusive jurisdiction on the Federal High Court on criminal matters. He said Federal High

Health Minister debunks Ebola outbreak By Wale Adepoju

•Akingbola

Court and state High Court could hear criminal matters. On Nwosu’s case cited by Olanipekun, the EFCC lawyer argued that the Court of Appeal based its judgment on a decision, which had been upturned by the Supreme Court. He urged the court not to follow a decision, which had been overtaken by events and rendered obsolete, having been upturned by a superior court. Obla enjoined the court to dismiss the applications of the defendants. Justice Lawal-Akapo adjourned the matter till May 2 for ruling.

HEALTH Minister Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has debunked a report that there has been an outbreak of Ebola in the country. In a statement, he said laboratory investigation showed that it was a case of Dengue heamorrhagic fever (DHF) and not Ebola heamorrhagic fever (EHF), as erroneously reported. According to him, Dengue fever is caused by a virus called Dengue fever virus (DFV). The virus, Chukwu said, is transmitted by mosquitoes, mostly in urban and semi urban areas, adding that the mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) are being monitored across the country by the Arbovirus Research Centre of the Federal Ministry of Health, Enugu. The minister said DHF is an acute illness of sudden onset, which usually follows a benign course with symptoms, such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) and rashes.

Committee seizes register

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

HERE was drama at a session by the House Committee on Public Accounts yesterday, as the committee seized the ‘Correspondence register’ tendered by the Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation (OAGF). It showed that N59.6 billion was released to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The drama began when the Director (Expenditure), Stella Toluwase, who represented the Budget Office of the Federation, tendered a photocopy of the AIE letter with reference No: FD/ LP2006/16/I/DR(F) to the committee.

•A cross section of newly-qualified medical doctors taking their oath, during their induction in Jos ...yesterday.

APC congress: No anointed candidates, says Tinubu

HE National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said positions, except those reserved for women, are open for members to contest at the ward congress holding on Saturday in Lagos State. Tinubu, who addressed members at a consultative forum at the party’s secretariat in Ikeja yesterday, said election would be held to fill positions and urged members to vote for the candidates of their choice. He reiterated his neutrality in the congress and enjoined members interested in positions to collect forms. The APC National Leader assured that the process would be open and transparent, saying the results would be announced on the spot. He urged members to maintain peace and be orderly. According to him, it is the responsibility of every member to ensure the success of the ward congress. He told the cheering crowd: “You must maintain peace. Go to your wards and choose your leaders. There must be election on Saturday

By Leke Salaudeen

in all wards. Try and show to the officials coming to supervise that Lagos is advanced and mature in politics. “Anybody who creates trouble will automatically be disqualified. The person will also be suspended, tried and expelled if found guilty.” APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande said once an aspirant paid the nomination fee at any of the designated banks, he would be allowed to contest, whether or not he had filled the nomination form. He said the non-availability of nomination forms would not prevent an aspirant from contesting once he had paid the nomination fee into the party’s account. The state Interim Chairman, Otunba Henry Ajomale, said the forms would be made available to contestants today. He confirmed that some people had paid to the banks. Ajomale, who spoke to our correspondent after the meeting, assured that those, who had paid, would collect their forms today. “By Friday, all documents,

including party register, will be handed over to the officials assigned to conduct the congress.” He said the congress would afford members the opportunity to vote and be voted for, adding: “It is not possible for anybody to manipulate the result because everybody present will know the result instantly.” On security, Ajomale said: “We envisage there will be problem of crowd, but this will be taken care of. Besides, our members are disciplined. We will have no problem.” He said APC registered 1.8 million members in Lagos

State during the last registration. According to him, the figures could be more by now because of the ongoing registration and amendments. Highlight of the occasion was the formal introduction of the former Lagos State deputy governor, Chief Rafiu Jafojo and Alhaji Rasheed Shitta-Bey, who joined the party. Present at the meeting were Governor Babatunde Fashola, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Chief Ademola Seriki , Pa Abiodun Sumoila, Alhaji Hamzat, Chief Busra Alebiosu and Mrs. Kemi Nelson.

PHOTO: NAN

Govt stops poly lecturers’ salary

HE President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha, said yesterday that the Federal Government stopped paying the striking lecturers since March 21. He told reporters in Abuja that the “no-work-no pay rule” had forced the union to devise other measures of sustaining its members. He accused the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, of “ working at cross purposes with the union in the ongoing action, instead of addressing the issues surrounding it.” The ASUP president said the minister was not doing enough to resolve the face-off between the union and the government, which led to the strike. Asomugha said government had failed to keep to its promises. He said President Goodluck Jonathan was kept in the dark on the union’s action, saying ASUP had lost confidence in the minister. He, however, expressed hope that the Minister of Labour Chukwuemeka Wogu-led negotiating committee set up by President Jonathan would end the strike.

Union rejects govt’s plan to retire civil servants

HE Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has rejected plans by the Federal Government to retrench 1,050 civil servants on the spurious ground that they are serving in the Service illegally. In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its SecretaryGeneral, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, the union said

By Toba Agboola

given the penchant of Nigerian authorities to pervert the course of justice, the decision by the government to weed out those it alleged were working in the service unlawfully might be a smokescreen to sack innocent civil servants, who had served the nation meritoriously for decades.

“We demand that no retirement in whatever form should take place until stakeholders including ASCSN verify the claim of the government. “We want to make it clear that if the government embarks on such anti-labour exercise without allowing the trade unions to participate in establishing the authenticity of its claim, we cannot guar-

antee industrial peace and harmony in the civil service if innocent employees are victimised in the process,” the statement said. Lawal noted that if government’s decision was not a ploy to retire innocent civil servants, it should have no difficulty in setting up a government/labour panel to fish out the purported illegal civil servants.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

NEWS

Constitution amendment: Proposal divides Senate •Lawmakers kick against allowing President to initiate new Constitution

HERE was a sharp disagreement among senators yesterday following the consideration of new proposals to further amend the Constitution. Specifically, a new proposal, among others, seeks to empower the President to initiate the process of making a new constitution for the country. The Bill entitled: “Additional report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution on a Bill for an Act to further alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and for other matters connected therewith, 2013” was sponsored by the Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. Ekweremadu, who is also the Deputy Senate President, noted that the major highlight of the new amendments is to amend Section 3 (b) of Clause 2 of the Constitution dealing with how a new constitution can be processed. He said: “You will recall that Section 9 of the first Alteration Bill provided for how a new constitution can come into being through the National Assembly. The aim of this insertion is to make provision for the President in addition to the National Assembly to initiate the process of a new constitution.” Other additional proposals, according to him are the: “Alteration of Section 68 and 109 to mandate the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Clerks of States Houses of Assembly to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission in writing seven days of the existence of a vacancy arising from death, resignation or defection of a member of the National Assembly or a member of the State House of Assembly respectively. “Alteration of Section 134 and 179 which aim to extend the time for conducting presidential and governorship re-run election from seven days to 21 days as contained in Clause 4 and 5.

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

INEC is seeking for an extension of the seven days to 21 days after results have been announced. “Empowerment of INEC to deregister parties which fail to win presidential, governorship, chairmanship of a local government area council, or a seat in the National or States Assembly elections. “Conferment of exclusive jurisdiction on the Federal High Court for the trial of offences arising from, pertaining to or connected to the violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act and any other election related act of the National Assembly. “After our meeting with the INEC they came up with the suggestion that instead of setting up another bureaucracy that we confer the federal High Court with the powers to trial election offences. “To alter the Third Schedule of the Constitution in Clause 8 to include former Senate Presidents and Speakers of the House of Representatives as members of the Council of States. Today the Senate President and the Speaker are members but the former Senate Presidents and Speakers are not. Under the Constitution, former Chief Justices of Nigeria are members of the Council of State in addition to the serving CJN.” Following intense opposition to the proposal to allow the President to initiate a new constitution by Senators, Senate President David Mark called on Ekweremadu to explain the new proposals, He explained that: “What happened was that in July last year we came up with this view that since Section 9 did not make any provision for how a new constitution would come into being, we need to amend Section 9 in order to accommodate such possibility in the future. “Because as you amend the constitution, it would get to a point where you would not even know which part

•Mark of the Constitution has been amended and which has not been amended. “So time will come in the future where we will need to put these things together into a new constitution. “And again the society is dynamic to note that at some point, there will be the need to have a new Constitution. “And we won’t be the first to do that. Other countries have done that including Kenya, Brazil and Zimbabwe. “So further to that we proposed an amendment to Section 9 last year on how a new Constitution can come into force and in that Constitution, we are clear in what we stated that only the National Assembly can bring about the process of a new Constitution. “So, but yesterday, the Committee on Constitution Review now looked at our rules in which case the President can bring about a Bill. “So, we felt that it is also necessary to open the door in such a way that it is not just the National Assembly that can start the process, that even the President can send a proposal for a new Constitution. “So in addition to the amendment

which we already made in Section 9 which empowers only the National Assembly, if we leave it as it is now, the President cannot send any proposal for a new Constitution, if it is left as it is today. “Because we have already passed a Bill shutting the President out. So what we are doing now is to open a window so that the National Assembly or the President can initiate the process which is in accordance out the rule earlier read by the Senate Leader.” However, Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) rejected the proposal saying it was the exclusive preserve of the National Assembly to initiate a new constitution. Lawan said: “The first proposal is to the effect that the President in addition to the National Assembly can initiate the process of a new constitution. “This is the exclusive preserve of the National Assembly. We must not dilute the functions of the executive with that of the legislature. Senator James Manager (Delta South) supported the proposal saying: “An officer of the ranking of the President can also initiate it by writing to the National Assembly, presenting it as if it is an Executive Bill. “It will still come to the National Assembly exactly in ways and manners we have been dealing with bills, so there is absolutely nothing new in my humble view. These are very straightforward and unambiguous matters.” Senate Leader, Victor UdomaEgba, while citing order 76 of the Senate Rules said it already made provision for both members of the National Assembly, the executive and private individuals to initiate bills into the National Assembly. Senator Ita Enang blamed the opposition to the proposal on that fact that Senators have not been given copies of the proposals to study. Enang said: “Many of our colleagues are hearing or seeing these proposals for the first time and not having with them the original amendment we passed, we can defer it and make those documents available to them.”

He added that since the constitution is the grund norm in the country, it must contain all the windows and doors to enable citizens to make input from time to time. I am in agreement with the proposal that has been made.” Solomon Ewuga (Nasarawa North) however likened the proposal to creating a “big blunt beast to trudge on the weak in society.” Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) urged the lawmakers not to allow the mistakes of the past to becloud their sense of judgement. Ningi said: “This is a very serious issue but we should not be captives of our fear because of our past history. “You recall in 2004, 2005, there was this kind of debate and at the end of the day, the then President Obasanjo submitted a proposal to the National Assembly which among others included the third term issue. “What happened at the end of the day, did that particular clause pass at the National Assembly? It could not have passed, because the caveat there is that you need two thirds of the National Assembly before any proposal either by the President or any other person can pass. Senators Adamu Gumba, Odion Ugbesia and Victor Lar also rejected the proposal that the president be allowed to initiate a brand new constitution. Mark, while summarising the contribution of lawmakers said: “But the question I want to ask: Is the constitution new in nomenclature or in content? “ Is it new just because the word new has been added to it or the content is going to be completely discarded and then a new content is brought that has nothing to do with this? “Because if you bring a constitution that has only one section carried forward from here, then have you written a new constitution or have you amended the old one? “So truly the argument is not to impress anybody but to convince many more people.” He said the Senate would vote on the new clauses on Wednesday.

Eight die in Lagos boat mishap Minister’s home, office under siege over Immigration jobs deaths •Seven injured in building collapse

By Precious Igbonwelundu, Staff Correspondent

IGHT persons died yesterday in a boat mishap in Lagos. Two weeks ago, a canoe mishap claimed some lives in the Festac area of the state. Yesterday’s mishap it was learnt, occurred on the Ebute-EroIkorodu waterway. There were 21 passengers on board. It was gathered that the disaster occurred between 6pm and 6:30pm as passengers were rushing back to Ikorodu from Ebute Ero. An eyewitness who spoke to our reporter on the telephone said the boat was overloaded. “I think there was a crack and after hitting a substance it opened and water gushed in and the boat sank. “Usually, during peak periods, the boat operators carry more than their capacity and the life jackets they use are either expired or not original,” said the witness. But National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Southwest spokesman, Ibrahim Farinloye confirmed that eight people died. He said: “According to first information, 28 boarded the boat. “The incident happened around 6pm but the information reached rescuers around 8pm.” Also yesterday, no fewer than seven persons sustained injuries following the collapse of a two-storey building in Lagos. The building, which is located at Toyota Street, off Kunsela Street, Elegunshi Lekki, was said to be under construction. Eyewitnesses said but for the fact that the labourers were all working infront, the building which caved-in partially from the rear would have resulted to fatalities. It was learnt that the injured were treated by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and discharged immediately, since the injuries were minor. At the time of filing this report, the scene has been condoned off, with all the workers told to vacate the site. Officials of the state’s Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Police were on ground to manage the situation. When contacted, Director, State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe confirmed the incident but emphasised that no life was lost. “Some persons sustained minor injuries and have been treated and discharged. It was a partial building collapse and it happened at the rear.” “Those who got injured was as a result of people running for safety after they heard the noise caused by the collapse. “The premises has been condoned off and for now, we do not know the cause of the collapse,” he said.

HE Minister of Interior Comrade Abba Moro’s official home in Garki 2 and his office at the Area 1 Secretariat are now being guarded by security men. Yesterday afternoon, officers from the Arms Squared department of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) were seen at the minister’s home checking and searching everybody in the vicinity. It was the same situation at the Area 1 secretariat. Our correspondent saw that the entrance to the Old Secretariat was shut at 4pm by the police, who prevented even workers from either going

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

out or coming in. According to a security operative, who pleaded anonymity, there was information that a group would be protesting to either the home of the minister or his office over the failed Immigration recruitment, during which 19 applicants died across the

country. The source said: “We were ordered to move to the home of the minister and his office to prevent the group from protesting. All formations were told to prevent a breakdown of law and order. “We are obeying orders from above. We must do our job.” NSCDC spokesman

Emma Okeh told The Nation that the minister is entitled to security men and that it is not “because of the Immigration recruitment incident. It is a normal exercise to protect the minister. All forces operate like that.” Efforts to speak with other corps to react to the development were unsuccessful.

Sex boats stir local communities

WO ships offering erotic parties to local travellers are causing controversy in Germany’s traditionally conservative region of Lake Constance. A local politician recently described the parties as “obscene’’, while the mayor of Constance, Uli Burchardt, called for a review of the chartering contracts issued to the party organisers by the Lake Constance Shipping Authority (BSB). Another erotic party, “Das Schiff’’ (the

ship), planned for August, is advertised as a “night full of eroticism’’ with a strict dress code of lingerie, corsets, hot pants and high heels for women and uniforms, leather, latex and chains for men. Such events are not new to Lake Constance, the parties’ organisers said. “We have been sailing on this ship for 17 years,’’ organiser, Thomas Sigmund, said, adding: “And now everyone is acting like they never heard of it before.’’

The Sun editor sues IGP, others for detention

HE Associate Editor of the Sun Publishing Ltd, Mr. Ebere Wabara, has sued the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar and Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice at a Federal High Court in Lagos, for the enforcement of his human rights. Joined in the suit, filed by his counsel, John Nwokwu from the chambers of Bamidele Aturu, was the Chief Magistrate of Abia State. In an originating summon

By Adebisi Onanuga

dated April 1, the applicant, Wabara and co-applicant, Chuks Onuoha, are praying the court to enforce their human rights as enshrined in the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The origination summon was brought, pursuant to sections 35, 39 46 (1) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended);

articles 6, 7(2) and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 as well as in Order II Rules 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009. The plaintiffs sought a declaration of the court barring any police officer from further arresting or detaining him and his co-applicant (Chuks Onuoha). Wabara and Onuoha also sought an order of the court set-

ting aside the bench warrant issued against them by the Abia State Chief Magistrate Court, Umuahia. One of their prayers is for “A declaration that no officer serving under the operational command of the 1st Respondent should arrest and detain them on the basis of a bench warrant purportedly issued by the 2 nd Respondent on March 31, in respect of charges of sedition or criminal defamation preferred against them’’.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

NEWS EKITI 2014

Resist rigging, Fayemi urges electorate •PDP, LP chiefs join APC •Governor cam paigns in 10 towns

HE campaign train of Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi swept through 10 towns in Oye Local Government Area yesterday. They are Isan (the governor’s hometown), Ilafon, Oye, Ilemeso, Ayede, Imojo, Orisunmibare, Itaji, Ayegbaju and Oloje. His supporters gathered at the campaign venues, singing solidarity songs. In each town, the governor was greeted by broom waving men, women and children, wearing branded caps, vests and wrist watches. Fayemi was described as “Mr. Possibility” in many posters. On the campaign train were the deputy governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; the governor’s wife, Bisi; All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim State Chairman Chief Olajide Awe; Secretary to the State Government Dr. Gani Owolabi and Director-General of the Fayemi Campaign Organisation Mr. Bimbo Daramola. At Ayede-Ekiti, some prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mr. Maxwell Bamisile, and some Labour Party (LP) members were admitted into the APC. At Isan, Fayemi urged the electorate to resist attempts by the opposition to rig the June 21 poll, adding: “You should not only cast your votes for our party; you should be vigi-

•A crowd of Fayemi’s supporters at... Ilemeso-Ekiti...yesterday. Inset: Fayemi addressing the people. With him are his wife, Bisi (right); Prof. Adelabu (second left) and House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin. From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

lant to ensure that nobody rigs or snatches the boxes. The people of Erinjiyan, Ikole-Ekiti and other communities are behind us, so I want you to be vigilant on the day of the election.” Urging the people to come out and vote for him, he said his administration has lived up to the people’s expectations. The governor said: “I have been a good ambassador. I have not disappointed you. I have done my best for this state in the last four years and that is why we are optimistic that we are going to get a favourable verdict from the people in the

next poll.” He urged the people to remember the trouble that engulfed the state during the PDP’s seven-and-a-half year tenure, adding: “We should join hands to make it impossible for Ekiti to return to such dark days, when killing and maiming were the order of the day. “Of the 15 years of democracy in Ekiti, the PDP and APC have ruled the state for seven-and-a-half years each. During the PDP years, about seven governors were produced because of the instability in the state, so we need to be watchful and not allow them to reverse the hands of the clock.

“We will not allow the experience to repeat itself and that is why you have to vote for the APC, a party of peace and stability. A party that honours promises and believes strongly in performance.” At Ayede-Ekiti, the governor said his administration renovated the town’s General Hospital, Secondary School and Customary Court and sank six boreholes in the community. He said many indigenes benefited from his administration’s Social Security Scheme for the Elderly, Volunteer Corps, free laptops for pupils, job opportunities and other projects.

Awe assured the defectors of a level playing field, saying: “We were at the palace of the monarch of Ayede, where he prayed for us. Maxwell has been known to me. He is here to identify with us. Here in our party, we will do everything to accommodate all of you and make you comfortable.” Maxwell said: “I left the PDP when it became clear that it wanted to promote a serial non-performer. I do not want to be linked with thuggery, so I returned home. APC is home for me. I am sure they will come with war, but we will outsmart them.” Other defectors included Apeke Fayemi and Ayodele Olaoluwa.

‘Fayemi’s work speaks for him’

N All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ondo State Prince Solagbade Amodeni has said the “unprecedented achievements” of Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi will give him victory in the June 21 election. He said Ekiti people are too sophisticated to align with people who have questionable antecedents, especially financial impropriety. Amodeni, a member of the Aregbesola Campaign Group (ACG), said no reasonable person would want to mortgage peace for violence. On the emergence of former Governor Ayodele Fayose as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) flag bearer, the former commissioner said it would make it easier for Fayemi to win the election. Amodeni said: “The era of deceiving the electorate by buying roasted plantain by the road side and eating in local cafeteria, which are mere deceit, is gone. No serious governor has time for such. “The PDP’s strategy of distributing cash and Kerosine in Osun and Ekiti states will fail woefully because the Yoruba know who wants to serve them and who wants to enslave them. “Where was the Kerosine in

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

2013 and years before? The same goes for those planning to distribute cash on the eve of the election. Where were they keeping the money before? Amodeni said the Labour Party’s (LP’s) candidate in Ekiti State, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, had a history of betrayals from his university days. He said: “If Opeyemi can betray a personality like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who made him, what is left? Virtually all Ekiti people are historians and would never want to do anything with such a person.” The APC chieftain said despite the lean Federal Allocation and Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR), Fayemi fixed roads, established a social security scheme for the elderly, renovated schools and distributed laptops of pupils. He urged parents to warn their children against being recruited as political thugs. Amodeni hailed a PDP chieftain, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, for admitting that Governor Rauf Aregbesola was performing in Osun State. He said the people would resist attempts to rig the Osun and Ekiti polls.

•People waiting for Fayose’s arrival in AdoEkiti...yesterday

I’ll address unemployment, says Fayose

KITI State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the June 21 governorship election former Governor Ayodele Fayose has said he will address unemployment, if elected. Fayose arrived in Ekiti yesterday from Abuja, where he had gone to collect his Certificate of Return from the party’s national leadership. The helicopter that brought him landed at Amoye Grammar School in Ikere-Ekiti, where Fayose addressed his supporters, who turned out in their numbers. Fayose said: “Youth unemployment has been alarming. We have to do something fast.” He said there was need to reconcile aggrieved PDP aspirants to ensure the party’s victory at the poll and hailed “the unusual courage of one of the aspirants, Prince Dayo Adeyeye”. Fayose said: “I am humbled by Adeyeye’s readiness to join me in the race to reclaim the governance of the state from the All

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Progressives Congress (APC).” He said PDP members must unite, if the party is to progress. Fayose said the APC had failed the people, pledging that his party would meet the people’s aspirations. On his purported row with traditional rulers, Fayose said he could not be in disagreement with any monarch, adding: “I accord royal fathers the respect due to them. Let not the opposition deceive us into believing what we did not and cannot do. We have never rubbished any traditional ruler. Our royal fathers are fathers of all of us. Very soon, we will begin our visit to palaces across the state. “Today’s Fayose is different from the Fayose of over 10 years ago. I am more mature, responsible, responsive, experienced and focused. My immediate task is to ensure that the PDP becomes one big family in the state to provide the people with a formidable alternative.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

NEWS

Obanikoro leads soldiers to stop Lagos’ project

Strike paralyses LAUTECH hospital

•Fashola to Fed Govt: don’t grab our land

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has urged the Federal Government to stop claiming land belonging to the state government. The governor spoke at the celebration of his administration’s 2,500 days in office at the Blue Roof hall of the Lagos State Television in Agidingbi, Ikeja. He said Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro brought soldiers to stop a housing project on Lagos Island. He said a few days ago, Obanikoro and some soldiers stormed the site of the Illubirin Housing scheme on Lagos Island, where the state government is building 1,188 flats. Fashola said Obanikoro wanted to stop the project “under the guise” that the land belongs to the Federal Government. He said the reclaiming of the land in question was awarded to Julius Berger by the state government during Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s tenure. The governor said: “This morning, on my way to this event, I observed at Illubirin Housing Estate that somebody has put a sign there that the Federal Republic of Nigeria owns the land. That land has been there for five

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

years. The contract for reclaiming it was issued by Lagos to Julius Berger during my predecessor’s tenure. “About a month ago, we awarded the contract for the construction of 1,188 flats there, but, suddenly, the Federal Government is claiming ownership of the land. I was told Obanikoro was there on Saturday with soldiers.” He said soldiers acting on the directive of Federal agents also stormed the construction site at Oyingbo to stop the housing project there, claiming that the Federal Government owns the land. Fashola said: “The contractor at Oyingbo has stopped work because some Federal Government agents moved soldiers there, claiming that they own the land. That land is the land next to Mainland Hotel. It is good that Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson is here because it is part of the land he acquired during his tenure when Alhaji Femi Okunnu was the Federal Commissioner for Works. “Documents handed over to the state government indicate that the land belongs to Lagos State. It has not been in use for many years. When we started the Lagos HOMs initiative, we decided to

build 48 flats there.” Fashola said in spite of recording 1.2 million votes from Lagos State, the Federal Government does not give the state equal representation in the appointment of ministers. He said: “Lagos does not have two ministers. Under this presidency, Lagos has one minister, who was appointed a few weeks ago. Mr. Segun Aganga does not represent Lagos. If I recall correctly, I think Section 147 of the constitution states that every state must be represented by a minister indigenous to its people. Mr. Aganga, as far as I know, is from somewhere in Edo State, not Lagos. To his credit, he has supported our initiatives here, including the free trade zone. “The President won an election here with 1.2 million votes. Other states got a minister except us, until about two weeks ago; just because 2015 is coming. That is the reward for your votes. As if that is not bad enough, we got minster of state. “That has been the reality since Shagari’s time when minster for and minister of came and they explained that minster of state is junior. But some states with a population less than the votes we cast have full minister. So

•Fashola

shine your eye.” Fashola said the congestion in Apapa was evidence of the Federal Government’s inability to manage important sectors of our economy, adding: “Over 90 per cent of our resources are there and the place is characterised by mismanagement, loss of money or stealing of money. We started the clean-up of Apapa and Tincan Island ports. Those two ports are under the control of the Federal Government. “As for Apapa Port, the problem escalated after the concessionaire took over the parking space and threw the tankers out to the roads. There is an old rail line there that was built by the British. The tracks are still there. If the Federal Government is serious, what will it take to fix that rail and move containers and petroleum wagons by rail?”

HE indefinite strike by health workers at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has entered the third week. The workers are protesting the non- payment of January and February salaries. They are demanding that the state government stops paying their salary and allowances to Osogbo, Osun State, adding that the teaching hospital in Ogbomoso is an autonomous institution and should not be tied to the string of its Osogbo counterpart. Speaking with our correspondent, one of the workers said: “The harrowing experiences we go through whenever we go to Osogbo

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

NON-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Olaiya Foundation, has urged Ogun State indigenes and organisations to support the Governor Ibikunle Amosun- led administration. It said the task of making life better for the people should not be left to the governor alone. The founder of the Foundation, Alhaja Basira ShonekanUmaru, said since no government has enough resources to meet the needs of the people, individuals and organisations must complement the government’s efforts. Mrs. Shonekan Umaru spoke on Monday at Obantoko in Abeokuta, the state capital, while disbursing soft revolving loans to petty traders, artisans and commercial drivers. Over 450 persons benefited from the loans. Some got as much as N20,000. Urging them to make judicious use of the money, Mrs. Shonekan-Umaru said she would continue to support the government.

HE National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS) protested yesterday the non-payment of bursary and scholarship award allowances to its members by the state government. The students, who barricaded the popular ObaAdesida Road, accused the government of not caring about their welfare. They said they had met with government officials several times, but nothing was done. The students sang solidarity songs and carried placards, some of which read: “Bursary is our right” and “All we want is our bursary”. NAOSS National President Awodola Afolayan said: “The reason for this protest is that Governor Olusegun Mimiko has refused to pay us our bursary and scholarship awards for 2012/2013, which was due

Three Ibadan victims mentally-sick

visited the hospital yesterday, the victims were looking calm and healthier. A medical worker at the hospital said the psychiatric test conducted on the patients last week confirmed that three of them were mentally-ill and the remaining four had psychological disorder. The source said: “Psychiatric evaluation indicates that three of them have psychiatric symptoms while the rest have varying degrees of psychological disorder. All

to collect our salary are better imagined than experienced. We are being treated like second-class citizens and subjected to all sorts of psychological turmoil. It is unthinkable for us to be working in Ogbomoso and going to another state to collect our salary. Enough is enough. We are no more going to Osogbo.” Although doctors did not join the strike, the absence of nurses and other professionals is affecting health care delivery. Many patients have been hurriedly discharged and support services like the laboratory and other diagnostic services cannot be accessed.

Ondo students protest unpaid bursary

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (right) discussing with the United States (U.S.) Consul General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins, during his visit to the Consul General in Lagos.

From Bisi Oladele and Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Ogbomoso

450 Ogun residents get soft loans

HREE of the victims rescued from the Soka “forest of horror” in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, are mentally sick, it was learnt yesterday. The others suffer psychological disorder. This was discovered after psychiatric tests were conducted on the seven victims at the State Hospital, Yemetu. The victims were rescued and taken to the hospital on March 22. Health workers looking after them said they are stable. When our correspondent

From Bode Durojaiye,

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

last August. We urge the people of the state to appeal to Mr. Governor to pay our money as a matter of urgency.” The NAOSS President at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Adeyemi Olaleye, said they paid N750 each to the scholarship board for the bursary and scholarship forms. As at the time of filing this report, the students were playing football on the popular Oba Adesida road. Some set up cooking spots with firewood. Some soldiers were on the scene, but the students discussed with them peacefully. Efforts to speak with the Chairman of the State Scholarship Board, Mr. Dayo Awude, failed as he did not answer his calls.

•I have nothing to do with it, says Guru Maharaji of them are on medication prescribed by a psychiatrist. They are not violent. They look docile.” The source said the victims could be discharged. It was learnt that the government was working on how the victims would be transferred to rehabilitation centres and re-integrated into the society. The spiritual head of One Love Family, Sat Guru Maharaji, has debunked insinuations linking him to

the Soka “forest of horror”. Responding to reporters’ questions at the Guest of the Month forum organised by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo State chapter, Maharaji described the insinuation as a wicked attempt to tarnish his reputation. He said it was ridiculous to link the Soka “forest of horror” located at Kilometre 13 on the LagosIbadan expressway to his Ash-ram, which is situated at

Kilometre 10, adding that there was a disconnect between those behind the kidnap camp and “the living God”. Maharaji condemned masterminds of the “wicked acts” and urged people to be God fearing, a quality he said most Nigerians lack. He said those linking him to the Soka saga could be behind the camp. He wondered what a vegetarian like himself and his followers would be doing with human parts.

Maharaji said: “My premises and I have sacrificed enormously for Nigeria and are ready to do more for our country. We have suffered extreme harassment and assault, despite all we have done for this country. We have been accused of cannibalism against the fact that we are vegetarians. If anyone must be a flesh eater, it is our accusers who slaughter innocent animals for food that should be so identified.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

INDUSTRY

Mbeki: Africa loses $60b to illicit deals

ORMER South African Presi dent Thabo Mbeki has said Af rican countries lose between $50 billion and $60 billion yearly through illicit financial flows (IFF). He spoke while presenting the Progress Report of the High-Level Panel on IFF at the Seventh AU-ECA Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance. According to a report monitored by New Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Mbeki was the Chairman of the panel set up by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in 2012 to look into the problems of illicit funds in the continent. He said the huge sums did not include capital flight, adding it came from proceeds of commercial transactions through multinational corporations, criminal activities and corruption. The former South African president lamented that the money, which would have been used to provide infrastructure and social amenities for the poor African population was transferred to other countries. “Consequently, this left the continent in poverty,’’ he added. Mbeki said the situation was occasioned by weak tax regime of some countries in the continent, adding that a proper mechanism should be put in place to check the trend. “In terms of the phenomenon of mis-pricing, the estimates are between $50 and $60 billion, which the

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie, with Agency report

continent loses as illicit financial flows, with capital flight not included. “In order to understand the impact of this phenomenon on Africa, we decided that we carry out a number of country case studies in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Algeria, Mauritius and South Africa. “From our study, it is quite clear that the continent is losing huge volume of capital which would have been used for investment and the process of industrialisation,” he said. Mbeki said the study was conducted to enable the panel draw up a report on the continent, as it was not possible for it to prepare a country-by-country report. He added that the panel’s findings showed the main beneficiaries of IFFs from African countries were developed countries and emerging economies, which were Africa’s major trading partners. According to him, illicit financial flow had posed developmental challenges on the continent, in terms of draining hard currency reserve, reduced tax collection, deepening income gap, depleting investment and weakened governance. Meanwhile, the new economic report produced by the United

Nations and African Union Commission (AUC) has urged African countries to introduce credible industrial policies to enhance structural transformation in the continent. The report was launched in Abuja by the AUC and the Economic Community of Africa (ECA) at the Seventh AU-ECA Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance. The report, which has “Dynamic Industrial Policy in Africa’’, as its theme said the countries should also focus on innovative institutions, effective processes and flexible mechanisms. According to the report, transforming Africa’s industrial landscape has failed partly because countries used industrial blueprints characterised by lack of dynamism and high level co-ordination, and inadequate consultations with stakeholders. It declared that weak institutional structures and poor policy design caused Africa’s industrial policy problem throughout its post-independence history. “Beyond an analysis of the continent’s industrialisation problems, and based on the experience of industrialising countries, this report offers an institutional framework for designing and implementing industrial policy in Africa. “This report recommends a top level co-ordination of the industrial policy framework to deal with potential problems which can undermine the efficiency of the industrial policy,” it added.

Experts seek alternative energy sources

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst. Editor

O tackle acute power supply in the country, there is need to exploit alternative renewable energy sources and promoting green energy, experts. At a leadership workshop on Alternative Sources of Energy in Lagos, the experts advocated the development of renewable energy sources, noting that the country’s abysmal electricity generation capacity of 4,000 megawatts (MW) was hampering economic growth. The experts observed that renewable energy derived from sources that regenerate through natural processes within a relatively short time, such as solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, ocean wave, tide and geothermal, being exploited by advanced economies, holds the key to Nigeria’s economic development. The experts added that a good energy source is the bedrock of any nation’s quest for development, noting that its merits in the manufacturing sector are many. Director-General/Chief Excutive Officer (CEO), Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Prof. Eli Jidere Bala, told The Nation that it is only through the exploitation of alternative sources of energy that the nation’s vision to fast-track economic growth at the rate of between 11 per cent and 13 per cent can be realised. He also said the nation’s dream of emerging one of the top 20 economies in the world by 2020 depends on the exploitation of alternative energy sources. Bala explained that the National Energy Policy produced in 2003 under the ECN and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) articulated the use of viable energy sources for sustainable national development with the participation of the private sector in line with the government’s economic policy. He said energy demand and supply studies conducted by the ECN, taking into consideration the economic vision, demography, available energy resources and modern developmental path, indicated that huge amount of energy in form of electricity, fuels and heat would be required to meet this vision. President, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, said renewable energy and energy efficiency can result in significant energy security, climate change mitigation and other economic benefits. He said: “Indeed, it cannot be denied that renewable energy has the ability to lift the poorest nations to new levels of opportunities for prosperous and sustainable future since we cannot do many things today in our daily lives without the use of energy. Its development will no doubt reduce our dependency on oil and gas while making investments less expensive if properly harnessed.” Abubakar, represented by NACCIMA National Treasurer, Mr. Thomas Ewagu, called for a policy on renewable energy, adding that the government and the private sector should make it a success. Similarly, President, Od’ua Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ODU’ ACCIMA), Iyalode Alaba-Lawson, also advocated the need to pursue the renewable energy agenda with vigour. According to her, it is the only way out of the epileptic power supply. But for the wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, there is no better time to exploit alternative energy sources than now, because of its eco-friendliness. Mrs Fashola, the wife of the Commissioner for Mineral Resources and Energy Mrs. Hazizat Tijanni, said the state is exploring the conversion of waste to energy through the state Ministry of Environment where some markets get electricity generated from waste. She said alternative energy sources are not only healthier and cheaper, the raw materials are also available.

South African firm opens in Lagos

•Left right: Vice President/Chairman, Advocacy Committee, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Mr. Soboma Ajumogobia, Comptroller Bashir Abubakar; Head, Post Clearance Audit and Fast-Track, Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service, LCCI President , Alhaji Remi Bello and Director, A.P. Moller, Neil Fletcher at the Stakeholders’ Forum on Challenges of cargo clearance at the ports.

‘Why real sector is threatened’

HE non-availability or epilep tic power supply is affecting manufacturing, the Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ikeja branch, Prince Oba Okojie, has said. Speaking at the fifth edition of MAN Ikeja Manufacturers Consultative Forum in Lagos, with the theme,”The power sector postprivatisation: Challenges and implications on the manufacturing sector”, Okojie said though the sector is a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the highest employer after the government, manufacturers are affected by various challenges, including epileptic power supply. “I am very grateful to God for preserving our investments, especially for allowing our operations scale through various challenges posed by epileptic power supply, insecurity, high level corruption,

dearth of basic infrastructure, lending rate of double digit, inconsistency in government policies, and lack of encouragement,” he said. He listed other challenges to include high handedness of some regulatory agencies, unnecessary bureaucracy, multiple/illegal taxes, fees, high overhead expenses, and unnecessary/multiple visitations from regulatory agencies and fuel scarcity. Okojie explained that the forum served as a major converging point for member-firms of MAN and the organised private sector on one hand and the various government regulatory agencies on the other, whose operations impact on the manufacturing sector. He said the forum was fashioned for dissemination of vital information, exchange of ideas, peer review and networking,

geared towards keeping members abreast with the latest developments in various sectors. Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Lagos State, Mrs Olusola Oworu, promised that the state government would do everything possible to create an enabling environment for manufacturing and other businesses to thrive. Noting that industries located in the state have been contributing substantially to its development, she promised that the forum’s recommendations would be considered by the government in its policies and programme. Mrs. Owuro, who was also guest of honour at the event, however, urged manufacturers to take advantage of the Free Trade Zone in Lekki, the deep seaport as well as other reforms initiated by the state government.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa-based firm, Monarch & Co. Inter national, that specialises in investor programmes for residence and citizenship in many parts of the world, has opened in Lagos. Briefing reporters in Lagos, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), James Bowling, said: “We have just opened our new office here in Lekki, Lagos, and it is our first office in the West African market. We are the biggest of our kind; we expect to do some good business here in Nigeria because we understand the West African market, including Ghana and other neighboring countries. So, what we are bringing into the market here are a couple of programmes that are relevant and best suited for this market,” Bowling said. Bowling said the firm started operations in 2007. He explained that the firm is coming into the market, particularly the Granada programme and the St Kitt & Nevis programme. According to him, the Granada programme is the most attractive for Nigerian investors because of its location and benefits. He pointed out, for instance, that Granada is undiscovered, full of natural beauty, investment opportunity and historical charm; a safe, secure and happy place in which to invest with virtually no crime. Besides, the Government of Grenada recognises that private enterprise is the driving force of any economy, and has, therefore, implemented policy that encourages new private investment into Grenada. With this in mind, he said the Government of Grenada has legislated an opportunity for qualified individuals, by invitation, to participate in a ‘Citizenship by Investment’ programme, which is aimed at creating access to foreign direct investment (FDI). Bowling explained that as Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, the government is working closely with a number of tourism, agriculture and manufacturing related businesses to create investment opportunities through the Citizenship by Investment programme. He said Monarch & Co. has the sole franchise for the Grenada programme in Nigeria, and that there are only 500 opportunities in the programme with a minimum investment of $525, 000 for a family of five. Some of the benefits that include citizenship of Grenada that comes with freedom to travel to more than 110 countries without the need of a visa, as Grenada is a member of the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations. The company, he said, has so far received 15 applications from Nigeria for the programme.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

LABOUR

SSANU wants confab to address anti-labour issues

HE Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on delegates in the on-going National Confab to come out with a National Labour Policy that will finally address the issue of anti-labour practices in Nigeria. Besides, the union has called for a total and radical change in the composition of Governing Councils of Public Universities, saying that the Federal Government should take a second look at the process of appointing Vice Chancellors. Rising from a two-day National Workshop held in conjunction with the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), at the Obudu Mountain Resort, the union frowned at the high level of anti-labour practices in the country, especially in the university system. SSANU pointed out that private universities and their operators are most culpable in anti-labour activities, saying that operators of private universities have consistently denied thousands of Nigerians working in the institutions their constitutional rights through outsider clauses and “yellow dog con-

• Moves to unionise private universities Stories by Toba Agboola

tracts.” A communique issued after the workshop and made available to journalists in Abuja, said: “SSANU therefore resolve that it shall employ all peaceful and legal means to ensure that all staffers of Public and Private Universities in Nigeria are unionised for mutual benefit of the system. “SSANU also calls on the on-going National Confab to ensure that it comes out with a National Labour Policy that will deal with the issue of ‘yellow dog contracts’ and other anti-labour practices in Nigeria.” It said as a responsible and patriotic union, which believe in the Nigerian project, “SSANU supports the convocation of the National Conference to fashion out a generally acceptable structure of Federalism for Nigeria as well as finding lasting solution to germane issues that borders on Labour and national development.” The union however called on the President to ensure that there is

nothing like ‘no-go-area’ for the conference, adding that the President should ensure that the outcome of the conference, rather than being sent to the National Assembly, as is being suggested by some politicians, should be subjected to a national referendum. SSANU also called on the Federal Government to review its policy on globalisation with a view to making it more beneficial to the country. It further called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to expedite action to stop all the anti-labour practices being perpetrated by foreign manufacturing companies in Nigeria. On governance, the union called for a total and radical change in the composition of Governing Councils of Nigeria public Universities in such a way that it would give equal representation to both the teaching staff, non-teaching staff of

the University as well as students, Alumni and host communities. It also called for the automatic inclusion of all principal officers of the University as substantive members of Council as well as some key officers of the Universities such as the Directors of Works, Health, Academic Planning and Physical Planning; should be made to implement some critical decisions of Council. It noted that if this is done and all the stakeholders are represented in the process of decision making in the University, it would engender a sense of belonging and understanding, which would reduce acrimony and promote peaceful co-existence needed for the development and enhancement of the standard of University education in Nigeria.” On the appointment of vice chancellors, the union said a lot of caution should be exercised since the VC is regarded as the father to all,

adding VCs should serve all the stakeholders in the University. The union regreted that the process of appointing Vice Chancellors in Nigerian Pubic Universities have been made an exclusive right of a segment of the system; which practice has made the Vice Chancellor so appointed to find him or herself as pawn in the hands of actors of this privileged group who participated in the process of appointing the Vice Chancellor to the detriment of others who were not so privileged to participate. It said the practice, among other things, contributed a lot to the endemic corruption and falling standard in the system. The union therefore called on government to take a second look at the process of appointing Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Public Universities, with a view to making it all encompassing such that the representatives of major stakeholders in the University (including students) would be made to participate in the appointment of Vice Chancellors.

BPE pays 45,136 ex-PHCN staff N370b severance pay

HE Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said it has remitted to the Office of the Account-General of the Federation (OAGF) a total of N370billion for payment of the severance benefits of former employees of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The Director-General of the BPE, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, who made the statement during a media chat to unveil the agency’s 2014 work plan in Abuja, said the committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, has verified to date 45,136 staff for payment out of 47,913 staff. He noted that after the Bureau’s nationwide field verification of the possible 4,194 PHCN retirees, 2,931 or their next of kin have been verified, leaving 1,163 yet to be verified. He said the verification committee

and the Bureau were making extra effort to ensure that the outstanding pensioners were verified and paid their entitlements expeditiously. The BPE boss advised the pensioners or their next of kin who had not been verified to do so before Wednesday 2nd April 2014. He said that out of the earlier 47,913 staff list obtained from PHCN, 45,136 verified staff entitlements have been cash-backed to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for payment. Dikki explained that 338 on the retirees list were exited staff, while 21 were cases of duplication. He stated that 262 cases were currently being processed and 551 had already been recommended for validation by the Verification Committee on Payment of PHCN Severance Payment following a nationwide verification exercise.

Group stages solidarity rally for unemployed

HE Joint Action Front (JAF), last week, kicked off a mass rally in solidarity with millions of unemployed Nigerians. JAF in a statement signed by its President, Dr Oladipo Fashina, said: “JAF declares its solidarity with all categories of unemployed Nigerians, who are more than 50 million across the country. The working and oppressed people of Nigeria demand the right to jobs and employment opportunities irrespective of sex, ethnic or religious background”. He said JAF position on the tragic incident of the death of scores of applicants during the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) job recruitment exercises of March 15th 2014 is that governments at all levels , irrespective of political parties, are culpable because they failed to provide decent jobs and enabling opportunities for gainful employments. “All the governments in the country are subscribed to the anti-poor neoliberal capitalist agenda, which create the conditions for unemployment, closure of industries, dependence on imported products including fuel, job insecurity, under-employment, cheap and slave labour, casualisation, poor wages and anti-workers policies. “For instance, the privatisation of electricity with the attendant outage

and high tariffs, and the outrageous taxes imposed by both state and local governments, have made life very difficult for artisans and small business owners and some of them have been forced out of business. The same antipoor agenda accounts for the ban of Okada/ Achaba by state governments who do not create alternative decent jobs for the youths and unemployed, hence the increasing rate of the army of unemployed estimated at final about two million annually,” he said. He said that it is possible to create massive jobs with living wage for all Nigerians, given the fact that many critical sectors like education, health care, agriculture, housing, infrastructure, are short of adequate personnel and require massive expansion to meet the growing needs of the population. He said the crisis of unemployment in Nigeria is such that the decadent capitalist economic agenda of successive regimes cannot resolve it. “It is only a socialist transformation of the Nigerian polity that can guarantee such massive jobs and employment creating opportunities that would make it possible for ALL Nigerians to have access to education, healthcare, housing, infrastructure, industrialisation, energy, social welfare,” he said.

• From left: MD, Ammasco International Limited, Muideen Oyeyemi, Rep of the Gov. of Kano State, SSG Kano State Eng. Rabiu Bich, Commissioner of Commerce kano state, Abubakar Nuhu, Executive Director ,Admin and finance ,Ammasco , Auwal Mohammed, Chairman/CEO , Ammasco , Alh. Mustapha Mohammed and Rep of the DG, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Bar. Suleiman Kawu, during the official presentation of NIS ISO Certificate by the SON held in Kano.

NECA slams at regulatory agencies

HE Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has frowned at the activities of some regulatory agencies, describing their operation as inimical to wealth creation. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the Director General, NECA, Dr. SegunOshinowo lamented the behaviour of federal regulatory agencies, which allegedly extort money from telecommunications companies, among others, before carrying out their official duties. He said the regulatory bodies should be open to dialogue with stakeholders at all times, stressing that dialogue is key to the development of any country. “It is only in this environment that regulatory agencies that have been set up to protect the interest of Nigerians would be adverse to dialogue, he said. He explained that the purpose of

dialogue is to promote development and to give stakeholders the opportunity to make inputs in the way you do your job. He said the ultimate reason for creating the regulatory agencies was to ensure that products consumed by Nigerians were of good quality. “It is pretty difficult for me to connect to the way some of these regulatory agencies are slamming fines on companies and we do not see any changes in what they are trying to correct.’’ Oshinowo, who also spoke on the security situation in the country, said that insecurity is a big problem that has affected businesses. On the privatisation of the nation’s four refineries, Oshinowo, said the interest of Nigerians and what the country stood to gain in the long run should be paramount. He said privatization of the refineries would stop importation of

petroleum products . “It is of no benefit having four refineries in the country that are not working and so, the policy would stop the importation of petroleum products,” he said. He urged government to be decisive and put the interest of the masses first and not the resistance of one labour union. “If privatisation of the refineries will promote efficiency in the downstream sub-sector by avoiding wastages through subsidy on kerosene and petrol,it should be encouraged,” he said. “There is nothing wrong in privatising the refineries if it will help save the huge money spent on their turnaround maintenance without any results. “If the refineries are not privatised, how can we stop the importation of fuel and get more Nigerians to invest in building refineries and creating jobs?, he asked.

Bankers’ union worried over long working hours

HE Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSIBIFI) has criticised the increasing working hours of workers of commercial banks in the country, saying the development amounts to slave labour. ASSIBIFI said Nigeria is a signatory to International Labour Convention (ILO) on decent work, wondering why banks in the country contravene the rules in pursuit of profits. Speaking during the union’s Na-

tional Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Accra Ghana, the President of the union, Comrade OlusojiSalako, said the association can no longer tolerate the poor work-life of its members, adding that the union is considering meeting the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) so as to nip the development in the bud. The union appealed to the Senate Committee on Banking to fashion out laws specifying the number of hours

bank workers must put in daily and also monitor its implementation. Lead presenter at the meeting, Olayide Atanda-Obalakun, blamed some bank workers for the scourge, saying some of them have conditioned their minds to late work hours. However, he advised them to condemn the practice and voice out through the union in order to promote a balance between work and good health.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Malaysian mystery

• The bitter lessons of Flight MH370

N the last few weeks, the entire world has been horrified by the tragic disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777-200ER aircraft with 239 passengers and crew. The way in which Flight MH370 has apparently vanished without a trace is a sobering experience for a world that has become complacent in the face of unrelenting technological progress. The aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8 when it lost contact after about an hour. It had not sent any distress calls, nor had it reported difficulties of any kind. The ensuing search-andrescue effort was initially directed at the area within Flight MH370’s flight path, namely, the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea. It was later widened to include the Strait of Malacca, the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean. One week later, the focus of the search was radically altered, as evidence began to emerge that the aircraft had in fact not followed the assumed north-easterly route, but had headed west over the Malay Peninsula, then continued either north or south for approximately seven hours. On March 16, the first of many ostensible sightings of debris from the aircraft were reported, but so far none has been discovered to be the remains of Flight MH370. The Malaysian government eventually announced the loss of the aircraft, with everyone aboard, on March 24. Perhaps the greatest shock centres upon the fact that an aircraft equipped with the latest in modern location and

positioning technology could vanish from the face of the earth and successfully defy concerted attempts to find it. The search-and-rescue effort that was launched is the largest in history; it has involved 22 countries, including Malaysia, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Brunei, Cambodia, France, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand and India. Cutting-edge technology has been deployed, including satellites, infra-red and thermal imaging, and radar. Dozens of ships and aircraft have been utilised; huge amounts of data analysed; diplomatic pressure applied. The plane has not been found. This failure shows that a good deal of the world remains unmapped, in spite of the deployment of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other satellite navigation systems. It also shows that all the technology in the world cannot compensate for human malevolence: the aircraft’s sophisticated navigation systems were deliberately switched off by someone who knew what he was doing. In addition, the tragedy of Flight MH370 demonstrates the vital necessity of international cooperation as the norm, rather than something to be called upon only in emergencies. It was obvious that the search was complicated by pre-existing regional and other rivalries, as vital time was wasted by the reluctance to share information and intelligence. Malaysia’s seeming slowness to act and to release information roused the anger of China, which has the largest number of passengers on the flight. The way in

which different countries threw considerable effort into the search is a demonstration of what can be achieved when the artificial barriers of race, ideology and nationality are ignored. The world is staggered by the truly horrifying nature of a tragedy such as this, but the grief of the relatives and friends of those on the doomed flight can only be imagined. Their anguish is worsened by the absence of any real closure; the lack of certainty as to exactly what happened will haunt their imaginations forever. Although Flight MH370 has officially been declared lost, it is hoped that investigations into what occurred will continue, albeit at a less-intensive pace. As the days go by, the lifespan of the transmitter of the aircraft’s black box will diminish; locating it would provide vital clues regarding the plane’s fate. May the souls of the departed passengers and crew rest in perfect peace.

‘The greatest shock centres upon the fact that an aircraft equipped with the latest in modern location and positioning technology could vanish from the face of the earth and successfully defy concerted attempts to find it’

Killer labels

• Food firms that fail to label their products appropriately must be penalised before they kill Nigerians

TANDARDS Organisation of Nigeria (SON) seems to have its job cut out for it with the disclosure that most food manufacturing companies in the country are yet to comply with recommendation to adopt the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) Heart Check Food Labelling Programme that was introduced in 1988. This is a thing that is taken for granted in many parts of the world: people who buy any manufactured food item know the contents of what they bought and are about to consume. Why is such policy yet to take root here, more than 26 years after it was introduced in the country? Why would consumers just eat or drink without knowing the composition of what they are consuming, not to talk of its health implications for them? Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Profes-

‘We join the health experts in calling for immediate mandatory requirement of heart check food labelling in the country ... especially as we have witnessed increasing reluctance on the part of those concerned to voluntarily comply with the requirement. ’

sor Oladipo Akinkugbe, painted a grim picture of the situation when he said in Lagos that out of 300 Nigerian food manufacturing companies, only five have so far adopted the NHF recommendation. Akinkugbe, who is President, Board of Trustees of the NHF spoke during the formal endorsement of Power Oil, a product of Raffles LFTZ (Dufil), Nigeria. The NHF’s labelling programme is a systematic endorsement of food items certifying them healthy for consumption and heart friendly, with emphasis on low fats and cholesterol, low sodium and low glucose. As Akinkugbe noted, “It means eating the right amount of foods that are heart–healthy and nutritious, which is part of the global strategy to reducing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including heart diseases, cancer and diabetes mellitus”. If only five of 300 food manufacturing companies in the country are complying with the recommendation, the implication is that Nigerians are exposed to a high number of unhealthy food products, which is bad not only for the individual but for the nation. As they say, ‘a healthy people is a healthy nation’. Already, experts fear the failure or refusal to label food, is responsible for cardiovascular diseases among Nigerians. In a country where these diseases and stroke are prevalent, food products such as vegetable oil, water, beverages, fruit juices and fish necessarily have to carry the heart-friendly logo. Consumption of

food products carrying such logo will help in halting the spread of the diseases, even as it improves the welfare of those already afflicted by them. If heart disease is the number one killer disease and is responsible for the drop in life expectancy in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, it is important that we check the trend by creating awareness and sensitise both manufacturers in the food and beverage industries and the consumers to the importance of reformulations and marketing of foods which are heart–healthy. We join the health experts in calling for immediate mandatory requirement of heart check food labelling in the country. Specifically, we identify with the NHF position that heart check food labelling should no longer be voluntary, especially as we have witnessed increasing reluctance on the part of those concerned to voluntarily comply with the requirement. We are however not oblivious that there are challenges that have to be overcome for the dream of enforcing the heart-friendly foods to come true. These include the dearth of analytical laboratories to carry out detailed food analysis as stipulated by international requirements. These laboratories have to be provided for the policy to work. We look forward to the time when poor dietary manners will be corrected in the country, and heart-friendly food products will dominate the Nigerian market.

Bad move on Jonathan Pollard

HE emergence of the convicted spy Jonathan Pollard as a bargaining chip in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations is a lamentable sign of America’s desperation to keep both sides talking. Peace between Israelis and Palestinians can be achieved only if they want it for themselves, something that is very much in doubt right now. An Obama administration proposal to free Mr. Pollard, an American intelligence analyst serving a life sentence after spying for Israel, as a political gesture toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is a bad idea and would do nothing to advance progress on the core issues of a peace deal. After nine months of talks, there is no sign of progress on any of these issues. In addition, Israel has refused to follow through on a promise made in July to free 104 prisoners in four groups in exchange for a Palestinian vow to refrain from pressing the statehood issue in United Nations agencies and the International Criminal Court. Mr. Netanyahu and other Israelis have long demanded the release Mr. Pollard, who has spent nearly 30 years in prison; the Americans have long resisted. He is up for parole next year and said to be ailing, so it might conceivably be worth releasing him early if it could help Mr. Netanyahu take the leap on a truly big decision, like a final peace agreement. But releasing him as a small-bore tactical step to persuade Israel to do what it had already promised? That is not a price worth paying. The Americans have proposed that Israel free more prisoners and show restraint in building in the West Bank. But the proposal would not prohibit new construction in East Jerusalem, which Palestinians consider their future capital. The Palestinians were asked to extend peace talks into 2015 and refrain from moves at the United Nations. Frantic diplomacy, including two trips to Israel in a week by Secretary of State John Kerry, has not salvaged the talks. On Tuesday, Israel reissued a call for bids on more than 700 housing units in Jerusalem, and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, took concrete steps to join 15 international agencies. Keeping Mr. Pollard on the bargaining table won’t salvage the talks either. – New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

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THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader”- John Quincy Adams I read a book by Dottie Billington with the title: Life Is an Attitude. The great book teaches how to become a better you by cultivating winning attitudes. It teaches that life is an attitude, that you have the power to grow forever better. Putting together what I learnt from the book and interfacing it with what I have known about Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the past 21 years, I have come to realize that being a potential and consummate leader is no tea party. It is an attitude. It is in the system, inside the blood and it is a character. It needs time, perseverance, patience and grit to cultivate. I have come to believe Ralph Waldo Emerson’s postulation that:

SSS, polygraph and moles

IR: The recent incident of attempted jail-break by Boko Haram members at the State Security Service (SSS) headquarters detention facility should be blamed not only on professional lapses of the operatives but also a weak crackdown on mole and secrecy leaks. It is a signal that, there is possibilty of presence of agents like CIA officer Aldrich Ames, who beat polygraph on two occasions while spying for the Soviet Union and Russia but later caught in 1994, after his betrayal had resulted in the deaths of a number of CIA assets and compromised more than a hundred Western intelligence operations. The awkward truth is: what prompted the Boko Haram suspects to plan such moves and to believe that they can escape successfully from the envirnment in a broad daylight? To forestall further incidents and damage to national intelligence, it is high time for SSS and other intelligence agencies to re-emphasize a culutre of lie-detector tests. • Ayodele Paul, Ikire, Osun state,

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BAT @ 62: Leadership paragon trudges on “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can seriously help another without helping himself”. Can anybody remember Asiwaju’s strong commitment to the struggle for democracy in this country in the 90s? Can anybody remember that he and his wife were chased into exile to London throughout the time Abacha was in power? Did anybody know his personal commitment to the struggle? Did anybody know that he sold his personal belongings to continue to support the struggle for democracy during the dark days of militarism? Did anybody know that BAT and his family suffered monumental discomfort while in exile? Asiwaju returned from exile to become the elected Governor of

Lagos State for eight years. That he became the Governor of Lagos was not by happenstance. It was a reward for his efforts to liberate this country from its darkest chapters. He laid the foundation and kick-started the transformation of Lagos State for eight years. In 2007 he got a worthy successor, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola against all odds, against all protests, against all calculations, against all permutations and as a consequence of this Lagos has become a beauty to behold in Africa. Today Lagos has become investors’ destination and the most secured state in Nigeria. It has become Nigeria’s number one destination of choice for educated Nigerians seeking succor from economic hardship. It has opened its arms very wide and welcomed everybody.

The biggest struggle in Nigeria today is how to free Nigeria from the choking grips of PDP and its minions; to turn Nigeria’s worsening fortune under the PDP around to make Nigerians feel the benefits of democracy. Again Asiwaju Tinubu has been in the forefront of this war. Today courtesy of BAT and his team in APC, PDP is facing the greatest challenge in history since 1999, the type never seen or known in the history of Nigeria. In his own words BAT says “APC will alter Nigeria’s political landscape and balance of power” BAT as the opposition leader knows when to speak, he chooses his words carefully, and he chooses the time to drop it, the venue to deliver it and the audience to pick the punch line. When he described President Jonathan’s National

Conference as a wingless eagle many never clearly understood him but time will tell. Except those without deep sense of history in Nigeria, BAT understands clearly that bringing the explosive issues of a National Conference very close to 2015 Presidential elections and granting 12 million naira each to 492 delegates is a kite that cannot fly. Or did you not hear Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife asking for the 2015 Presidential elections to be shifted forward? Did you see how religious politics is creeping into the landscape? Have you seen how President Jonathan has continued to balkanize and divide the country along religious lines when he chose to visit churches only leaving out the burning Northern part of Nigeria? Asiwaju Tinubu’s best is yet to be in Nigeria. He has given all back to humanity. He has great generosity of spirit, BAT can always be attractive. BAT goes with the flow all the time. BAT knows always that Growing meaning Risking. Happy Birthday! • Joe Igbokwe Lagos.

Re: Nnamani’s futile re-entry into PDP

IR: On Wednesday March 19, I received a text message from a phone caller ID - SAVE ENUGU. The message read: President says that sovereignty belongs to the people and PDP says that power belongs to ther people. But in Enugu State, Sullivan Chime and Ifeoma Nwobodo are the people. After reading the article in The Nation titled Nnamani’s futile reentry into PDP, it dawned on me that there is serious trouble with my state. The issue is that Chimaroke Nnamani having left the PDP for whatever reasons had also for whatever reasons chosen to come back. Whether it is for realization of political ambition or in acceptance of the olive branch being extended by the national chairman of the party is immaterial to me for now. I learnt that there were series of organized moves to stop him. The state chairman of the party, Vita Abba had described Nnamani as a liability on the party and that his planned re-

turn would not be feasible. Another report had it that Nnamani had actually returned having been issued with a valid membership card in his ward. Subsequently, the state government allegedly directed, through the party hierarchy, the suspension of the ward chairman, Monday Ngene, who re-registered Nnamani. Based on reports, I sought out most of the characters for their opinions on raging controversy. First was Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who frowned at the actions aimed at preventing Nnamani from re-joining the party. So also was Senator Gilbert Nnaji. He described Chimaroke’s re-entry as an asset to the party because as a former governor and a former senator, he has a lot to offer in ensuring that PDP is victorious come 2015. From the foregoing, one does not need to wonder why the newspaper publication which was obviously sponsored by the state government would conclude that “ the

alliance of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Gil Nnaji and Nnamani was not only a conspiracy against the interest of the people, it is also selfish and a self-serving move aimed at taking the state back to dark days of political insecurity and crisis...... What business does Ekweremadu who is from Enugu-West have with who represents Enugu-East.? Also to what extent would the return of Chimaroke to the party alter the “adoption by the people” of the zone, and not even the party? Again, why should Gilbert Nnaji still be a factor since it is a peculiar tradition to Enugu-East that nobody should represent them at the senate twice, despite performance? What is the essence of calling democracy the government of the people by the people whereas it is only one person or a few individuals that determine the fate of the people? For instance, if such an agreement exists, then once an individual is elected he or she should

not even bother to deliver since he or she must vacate office whether or not he or she performs. Besides, has actual politicking begun? Otherwise, why this adoption brouhaha? Or, is PDP not concerned about the implication of premature campaign? And, have politics and governance become inseparable? My inference as such is that Enugu State is in bondage crying for salvation all round. The manner the governor parted ways with his wife, the manner Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi’s poultry was invaded and demolished, the manner the state boards of parastatals were dissolved and lopsidedly reconstituted in favour of perceived die-hards as well as the indecent manner the health condition of Governor Chime is being managed all allegedly revolve around Ifeoma Nwobodo. • Frank Ene, FESTAC Town Lagos

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

COMMENTS

A state of anomy in Nigeria

ERRIBLE things are happening in Nigeria these days. Some months ago, a state in the eastern part of the country began to witness the phenomenon of baby factories. Young girls from ages of 15-30 or thereabouts were lured into the houses of some madams or captured by apparently heartless and hard-headed individuals who kept these girls as captives and then got boys or men to impregnate them as if they were rearing pedigree dogs. When these girls delivered their babies, they were paid, depending on the sexes of the babies, anything from N300,000 to N400,000. The cycle was again repeated until somebody blew the whistle and these poor children were released. This phenomenon seems to have been peculiar to the south eastern states in Nigeria until it spread first to Lagos then to Ondo and Ogun states. Apparently the same gangs who were driven out of eastern Nigeria relocated elsewhere. The operation seems to be the same and the children of poor people were always the victims. Sometimes one gets the impression that some of the parents of these children were involved in these sordid affairs. One is not too sure whether the babies so produced are sold to people who genuinely want children and cannot have them or to shaman who use human beings for their rituals. Whatever the case maybe, draconian measures should be taken against these people whose acts and actions derogate from our humanity. In another part of Nigeria, in Ibadan precisely in a place called Soka forest near Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, some 28 skeletons of human beings were discovered along with a few people some chained down like dogs and at the lowest stage of human degradation. These people were being prepared for sacrifice to some deities. We do not know whether the operators of this evil forest are cannibals but thankfully, none of them has yet been captured eating human beings. This is a very strange discovery in Ibadan of all places because no such things have ever happened in any part of Yoruba land before. There have been incidences like this in some shrines in eastern Nigeria but it seems this phenomenon is spreading and all of us should be thoroughly ashamed of this. Immediately after the discovery was made, people began to speculate that some politicians may have been visiting the evil forest for rituals designed to give them electoral victories. This is totally unfounded and probably absolutely untrue. It just shows the level of the low esteem to which our politicians have fallen that they will be associated with this primitive occurrence. The mother and father of all these crazy happenings in Nigeria is the unwarranted massacre of school children by Boko Haram. It is unbelievable that a group calling themselves Muslims would wantonly attack school children while asleep and murder them in their sleep for no just reasons but for the fact they are in school to learn. In the same vein, children, women and old

O matter what anybody may say about our Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, one thing you cannot take away from her is that she likes living big. Whether that was her lifestyle before she became a minister, we cannot really say now because she was then not in the public eye. But since she became a minister of the Federal Republic, she has shown that she is a woman of fashion and style. First, as works minister under the late President Umaru Yar'Adua, she dazzled us when she appeared on the Benin-Ore road in an orange overall with an helmet to match, weeping over the poor condition of the highway. With that, she registered herself in the subconscious mind of her compatriots. May be she would have come up with more stunts if she had been left in that ministry, we may never know. We never saw such theatrical displays again until she appeared in the petroleum ministry. In her present ministry, she has taken her flamboyance a notch high. How else will the world know that she is manning a powerful ministry if she does not live big? Mind you, people like her are used to living like royalty, but nothing gives them more pleasure than to have free money to do so. With such free money, they are ready to paint the world red, moving from one capital city to the other under the guise of discharging their official duties.

people are murdered by Boko Haram in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states. The sophistication of the weapons being used makes one wonder whether these fanatics are actually Nigerians. The North-east of Nigeria particularly Borno State is the gateway for Islamic civilisation in Nigeria. The Kanuris who constitute the largest ethnic group in the North-east are one of the most sophisticated and enlightened people in Nigeria and they have been this way for centuries. How some part of this people can descend to the level of barbarity of the Boko Haram makes one wonder. I lived in Maiduguri between 1982 and 1984 and this was one of the happiest times of my life and I can hardly believe what I read in the newspapers about the killings that are going on in the same Maiduguri. For some years now, reports about nomads killing farmers or people of two different religions killing each other in Plateau State have made newspaper headlines and these killings have been going on daily basis with increasing ferocity. First of all, it began as a crisis between settlers and owners of the land but it seems to have degenerated and gone beyond urban areas to rural areas where Fulani herdsmen and indigenous farmers are at each other’s throats. The problem probably is that cattle rustlers steal the cows of Fulani cattle rearers after those cows trespass and eat crops of farmers in the region. The unending wars centre around the Fulani’s love for their animals and the economic losses farmers of Plateau suffer when their crops are eaten by Fulani’s cows. As if the problem on the plateau was not enough, this sad episode is being replicated in Benue State and parts of Nassarawa State bringing Tivs and Fulanis into conflict. The Tivs are one of the greatest farmers in Nigeria inhabiting the valleys of the Benue River and involved in age-long agriculture, growing yams and other tubers. The Fulanis bring their cattle in a long journey from the north to the south across Tiv land eating farm crops as they go along. In retaliation, the Tivs engage in cattle rustling thereby touching the wrong nerves of the Fulani who then retaliate with amazing ferocity. The Tivs are not a push over when it comes to defending their territories and the consequence of this is a war without end. In recent years, Fulani nomads and herdsmen are now found all over the country and there is a growing fear that what is happening in Tiv land and Plateau State can spread to other parts of Nigeria. There is therefore a call for dedicated pasture for nomads across the country. How to work this out remains a knotty problem. In the oil bearing Delta, militancy there has not abated. People are still routinely kidnapped for a ransom. The situation is so bad that recently, a relation of the president was kidnapped. Forty percent of the oil production is stolen by bunkerers who are somehow in league with international petrol robbers who are denying Nigerians of much needed

revenue. In spite of the fat contracts being given to so-called militants to protect pipelines, the looting and siphoning of petroleum resources continue and the consequence of this is a drastic cut in state revenue allocation. Some states have had their allocation reduced by almost 20 percent for the past four months. The distress seems to be enveloping the whole country and even the northwest Jide particularly Katsina Osuntokun which was spared the insurgency in the north suddenly came alive following the recent mass murder of innocent people while the president was even visiting the state. The overall picture of our country is not too good and one wonders what kind of dispatches the embassies will be sending home to their governments. The situation is very frightening and it does not seem that our government is able to handle the problem satisfactorily. What is at the core of this problem to me seems to be poor leadership, corruption, misgovernance, unemployment, poverty, inept policing and poor equipment of the police and the armed forces to the extent that the rag-tag irregulars of the Boko Haram is able to give our security forces a bloody rose. Perhaps instead of a political conference we should have a security summit. Of course, it can be argued that if we get our politics right, everything will fall into its normal place but for now, the question of general insecurity has become a disincentive to local and foreign investment in the country, the result of which is the massive unemployment in the country. The tragedy in which the department of immigration wanting to employ 4,000 people but decided to call 700,000 and to collect N1,000 each from poor applicants leading to the trampling to death of some of them including pregnant women brings us to the nadir of human degradation and unless our leaders rise to the occasion, we may be witnessing the beginning of a national collapse and a people’s rebellion. What is obvious to any discerning observer is that we are in trouble in this country and it does not seem those at the helm of affairs know this. Never in the history of our country has so much problems arisen to confront the people and government of Nigeria. The way we navigate our way out of this jungle in which we find ourselves will determine the future of this beleaguered republic.

In a chartered jet age! In gallivanting all over the world, they do it at the tax payers' expense. Money that should be used to develop the country, provide infrastructure is spent on inanities just to oil their ego. They want to live big, conveniently forgetting that in doing so, there are millions of their compatriots, who cannot afford a single meal in a day. There is nothing that depicts the extravagance and flamboyance of those in power more than the recent revelation that Mrs Alison-Madueke spent billions to maintain a jet. We were confounded when we had that in three years she had blown over N10billion on the Challenger 850, which has been at her beck and call since she assumed. As usual, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which board she chairs, has since come out to deny that the jet is for her exclusive use. What else would NNPC have said? There is no way it could have admitted that the jet services madam alone. To do that would have amounted to insubordination by the Group Managing Director (GMD), Mr Andrew Yakubu, who has a penchant for defending even the indefensible. Since the chartered jet scandal blew open on March 20, Mrs AlisonMadueke has kept mute. That is what they all do when the shit blows open, leaving their aides to

‘If Mrs Alison-Madueke has not been carrying her family members on the jet, has she not been giving a ride to her friends, among whom is Mrs Ekwunife? If she has been taking Mrs Ekwunife, what then can stop her from carring her family on the jet?’

run helter skelter, defending them. In a country like ours with its high poverty rate, does it make sense for any minister to ride in a chartered jet, not to talk of keeping one for personal use? If Mrs AlisonMadueke were not a public official would she have kept a chartered jet and spent N10billion on it in three years? This allegation is too weighty for her to keep quiet as if it is nothing. It is something. It is just unfortunate that we are from that part of the world where people do not bother about the actions and inactions of their leaders. If it were to be a society of proactive people, we will be saying a different thing by now. They would have made the country too hot for Mrs AlisonMadueke by now that she would be looking for a place to hide. Bu what do we have? She is strutting all over the place, parading herself still as our oil minister. The case against her is strong; very, very strong. Hear the House of Representatives member, Mr Samuel Babatunde Adejare, who alerted the nation to the exotic lifestyle of the minister : ''In these days of scarce national resources where public finance is shrinking in the face of ever increasing national needs, such as roads, health, education and power, among others, an official of government could waste public funds on such luxury as chartering a Challenger 850 aircraft for extra official use. ''In recent times, most states of the federation have been facing acute shortage of allocations due to the dwindling national revenue, which has reduced the quality of governance and deprived the people of dividends of democracy. Based on

reliable evidence, the Hon. Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been committing 500,000 euros (N130million) monthly to maintain the aircraft, thus in two years, the minister has committed at least N3.120billion in maintaining the private jet, which is used solely for her personal needs and those of her immediate family, which is an appalling act''. Adejare was not done. The expenditure, he said, could only be a tip of the iceberg ''as several other billions of naira have been allegedly wasted on flying the jet all over the world, obviously for the leisure of the Hon. Minister and her immediate family on trips that were of no benefit to the country. This colossal waste is currently estimated at N10billion, which includes the payment of allowances to the crew for the trips, hangar parking and rent based on the lease agreement''. NOTHER lawmaker Mrs Uche Ekwunife came to the aid of Mrs AlisonMadueke, informing her colleagues that there is no proof that the minister had been carrying members of her family on the jet. Well, if she has not been carrying her family members on the jet, has she not been giving a ride to her friends, among whom is Mrs Ekwunife? Mrs Ekwunife said in the hallowed chamber of the House that she had ridden on teh jet. If the minister has been carrying Mrs Ekwunife, what then can stop her from taking her family on it? The lawmaker should just spare us of this her unsolicited defence. Better still, she can appear before the House Committee on Public Accounts, which has been

Lawal Ogienagbon

lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

SMS ONLY: 08099400204, 08112661612

mandated to probe the matter, to defend her good friend. She would have a lot to defend the minister for. At the last count, it was said the number of chartered jets at her disposal is three and not one. The other two were said to have been uncovered in the course of the committee's work. Did Mrs Ekwunife also ride on those two jets? It is a serious issue for a minister to have three chartered jets at her disposal. What does she need these jets for? Is she the president that she should maintain a fleet of jets? Where is she going that she needs three jets to always be on standby for her? Instead of working to get our four refineries back on stream so that we will no longer suffer the pain of fuel scarcity, Mrs Alison-Madueke is busy gallivanting all over the world, enjoying herself at our expense. If really these trips were official, what benefits have they yielded? If she can show us the benefits of these trips, then the money spent on maintaining the Challenger 850 can be justified. But if there is nothing to show for the trips, she should be made to refund every dime.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

COMMENTS

HIRTY million Nigerians don’t have access to electricity. This was revealed in Nsukka last week by the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, during the First African International Conference/Workshop on Application of Nanotechnology to Energy, Health and Environment. He also used the occasion to announce government’s commitment to “providing electricity to all households through the Federal Ministry of Power under ‘Operation Light up Rural Nigeria Initiatives”. In fact a “comprehensive road map on access to power which will systematically connect households through grid and off-grid solutions is already in place”, and according to him, “the pilot programme will provide energy-efficient lighting to homes, streets and community centres with up-to-date solar technologies.” He also spoke of a plan to replicate this pilot project across 36 states of the federation. First, the minister’s 30 million figures are questionable. It is on record that late last year, he had said “the situation where only 25 per cent of Nigerians have access to electricity is a nightmare caused by human beings used by evil forces”. His Minister of State for Power, Zainab Kuchi, after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC), late last year also publicly declared “We have 160 million Nigerians now and we are only giving power to 40 million of that population, what it means is that there are about 120 million Nigerians that are without power and wish to buy power.” It is obvious government has no record of those who have access to electricity and those who do not and those who live in partial darkness. But beyond government confusion about statistics in a country known for planning without facts and records, government new love for rural dwellers will mean the fate of 130 million Nigerian who live in partial darkness and scores of industries shut down because of energy problems now stand on the balance. Before embarking on this unneces-

‘The government has by its antecedents of failed promises shown it is deficit in honour. This is why many Nigerians will see the government promise to provide “electricity to all households” as just another avenue to raise funds for the 2015 election’

Jonathan’s light up rural Nigeria initiatives sary dissipation of energy, Nigerians would have liked to see partial fulfillment of the promises government made when it sold off generating stations built from the sweat and blood of the people to government-favoured private concerns. As at last week, most part of the nation was in darkness in spite of raised expectations and promises of government that sunk between $25 and $51 billion over a period of 14 years before the energy sector was handed over to the new owners. Unfortunately, because of government past history of insincerity and unfulfilled promises, many Nigerians will probably express cynicism about the project. Government case is not helped by the fact that we are embarking on this new wave of contracts on rural electrification when no one has been held accountable for the N7billion PDP frittered away on derailed rural electrification programme in 2010 by some members of the legislature and their fronts. It will be recalled that EFCC on June 14, 2010, had accused both Godwin Elumelu, and, Senator Nicholas Ugbane, his counterpart as Senate Committee Chairman on Power of misappropriating over N10 billion of public funds. EFCC claimed the rural electrification exercise “were used as conduit pipes with which funds of the Rural Electrification Agency were siphoned and were awarded to companies either not pre-qualified to be awarded the contract, or were phoney or existing companies”. EFCC even went ahead to add other offences- ‘misappropriation of N500million to buy houses; diversion of REA’s funds; flouting of government’s rules on award of contracts and award of fictitious and unnecessary contracts without following

N Saturday March 15, tragedy struck the nation from unexpected quarters. A job interview exercise turned bloody leaving about 19 people dead and many more wounded. Sadly it was not the first time applicants had died in such circumstance. In 2008 the nation lost 18 people to similar exercise by the same ministry- the Ministry of Internal Affairs. No lesson seemed to have been learnt. Employment venues are the most unlikely places to expect death but the carelessness of the elites had made everywhere unsafe and death trap of sort. We were used to reports of death from Boko Haram attacks, armed robbers, kidnappers, herdsmen, ritual cultists, and road accidents but not venues employment interview. Now we know better. Applicants can easily die attending job interview. Unemployment can truly be dehumanizing and as we have seen it is also a killer pill. Such death for the sake of employment and survival captures vividly the rotten side of our economic system market capitalism. It is a soulless and uncaring system where only the ‘fittest’ survives. Ironically most of those affected were youths known for abundant raw energies and acute lack of economic strength who wanted to make decent living and positive contribution to nation building through good employment. Unemployment has remained a serious national problem for long especially within the last 30 years when we began to observe ever increasing number of unemployed graduates. According to Nigerian Bureau of Statistics 1999-2001, unemployment is on the increase. T he statistics showed that unemployment jumped from eight percent in 1999 to 13.3% in 2001, then to 21.66% in 2009 to 23.9% in 2011. Such trend demands a special set of policy to tackle unemployment in Nigeria involving essential investment in infrastructure, agriculture, rural areas etc in order to create job opportunities. However nothing serious seems to have been done to address it over time. March 15, tragedy is thus a sad and cold reminder of the failure of our development policy over the years and a wake-up call to positive action. Specifically the horrible event invites us to address two related problems namely the crude and rotten recruitment process into the public service where favoritism and corruption rather than fair-play and merit reigns supreme and the serious and endemic nature of unemployment and poverty as a time bomb awaiting explosion. There are reportedly over 40 million unemployed and most of them graduate youths. In such society we need no expert to tell us that we are sitting on a keg of gun powder. What we saw in the NIS interview was a classic case of soaring demand far in

due process.’ But once Justice M.G Umar of Abuja High Court absolved all the PDP men and their collaborators on March 24, 2012, claiming ‘he was unable to find a prima facie case or complaint disclosed in the proof of evidence against the respondent’, the government did not even bother to appeal. Between seven and 10 billion naira earmarked for rural electrification went down the drains. It is perhaps for the above reason, many think the new government frenzy for award of new sets of multi-million contracts without first tracing the funds EFCC alleged ended in the bank accounts of some PDP officials is informed more by concern to raise money for 2015 elections than the advertised love of the rural dwellers, who currently live in their perfect bliss unlike the 130 million Nigerians who live in partial darkness and are slammed with outrageous arbitrary bills monthly, by new owners of the PHCN. President Jonathan should therefore understand why most Nigerians who are under siege from all corners now believe his administration is at war with Nigerians. While they are treated as a conquered people by government functionaries, they have equally become captives of government licensed importers of substandard products and inefficient service providers who declare annual profit that will make investors in the home of capitalism in America and Europe green with envy. Or how does one explain a situation where the new PHCN owners behave like bandits forcing consumers to pay for energy they knew was never generated let alone supplied? And in all this, government has refused to take responsibility. For the on-going energy

crisis, government has absolved the new owners of the energy sector from blame just as it has exonerated itself. The minister has attributed the crisis to ‘non-availability of gas, infrastructure vandalism, sabotage in the sector and low water-level to power the hydro power plants’. The minister pretended to have forgotten it was government and not helpless victims of government inefficiency that awarded multimillion dollar contracts to repentant militants to secure our water-ways and the pipelines such as Trans Niger, TransForcados, ELPS A pipeline, Alakiri-Onne LBVS, Afam VI IPP, all of which recently came under attack by vandals. Similarly left out in the minister litany of woes is corruption which Nigerians and the international community consider the bane of the energy sector. While the president has continued to play the ostrich claiming corruption is greatly exaggerated in Nigeria, his own PDP warring party members have insisted the nation’s inability to generate 3000MW in 14 years was the result of corruption of their members. If the minister chooses to discountenance the claim and counter-claim of corruption of PDP members, ignore the N7 billion rural electrification fund traced to PDP members, he cannot feign ignorance of a piece of information given to us by Solana Oluhmense early this week to the effect that two United Nations Special Rapporteurs sent a letter to our president in November 2013 demanding accountability for a total of $51billion sunk in Nigeria’s power sector in the past 10 years. Successive PDP governments since 1999 have shown their agenda is PDP and not Nigeria. Obasanjo, who inherited only a total power capacity of 1500mw in 1999, had also said while inaugurating the Nigeria Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in 2001 that the scheme would add 10,000MW to the national grid before the end of his term in 2007 and hoped his successors would be driven with the same zeal and moves the planned target up to 20,000 MW by 2015. Dr Doyin Okupe late last year told Nigerians that “before the end of 2014, Nigerians’ long held dream of joining the worlds list of countries with uninterrupted power supply will be closer in reality than it has ever been.” President Jonathan himself had earlier said any Nigerian with generator would by 2014 have no need for them. The reality today is that we are generating 3717MW. The government has by its antecedents of failed promises shown it is deficit in honour. This is why many Nigerians will see the government promise to provide “electricity to all households” as just another avenue to raise funds for the 2015 election.

Reflections on the NIS tragedy By John Abhuere excess of supply and unimaginative response to the situation by those handling the situation. As we now know about 770,000 applications were received for 4,556 vacancies. The story of over subscription was in fact only being retold and reinforced to establish an ugly trend. In 2008 when we recorded similar tragedy about200,000 were invited to compete for only 3000 jobs. Often ignored but important in the discussion and analysis of unemployment in Nigeria is the recruitment process. It is very vital to understanding the stampede of March 15. It is a serious and rigorous exercise far more than often appreciated in Nigeria. Recruitment into the public service in Nigeria is probably the worst in the world. Certainly it is unclean and unfair. It is ridden with corruption and devoid of merit. In a way it contributes to the frustration of the unemployed. There are rules and regulations for recruitment into public service but more often than not the rules are violated by the operators. Thus most of the advertisements for job vacancies are done only as mockery of the public to fulfill all legal obligations. More often than not the jobs are sold or distributed to board members, management team and their associates of the recruiting agency. Recently there were talks of some jobs for ‘biological children’ only of managers of a federal agency and ‘reserves of vacancies for some interest group’. It is the long term effect of the corrupt or heavily flawed system of recruitment in Nigeria that should worry us the more. It is at the roots of the poor service delivery in Nigeria and shall remain the greatest obstacle to the progress of the country if not reformed. There is nothing magical about the development of nations- it is the result of the combined efforts of working citizens. The progress of any society depends on the effective and efficient performance of the workers. The process of appointment here is critical because in any place where there are incapable and incompetent hands nothing good could happen. Poor service delivery as associated with public service of Nigeria today is a sad reflection of the quality of men and women at work. It has roots in the recruitment method. Most of the workers having come to the service through the back door do not often see

reason to work hard to justify their employment. And because of vain connection at the top such officers are often punished. Rather they are spared due sanction or discipline for rule violation. They remain protected and uncorrected with bane effects on service delivery and progress of society. This is why consequence management has been so difficult and ineffective in the public service of Nigeriaa tool that is so handy and effective in the private sector especially the banks. And that is why Civil service reforms that speak of change of attitude had not achieved the desired results. They are directed to the wrong peopleworkers who should not have been employed in the first place but for the flawed recruitment system where connection to the top people and not merit and competence matters more. Not surprising therefore, one of the matters arising from the Saturday debacle has been the call for heads to roll, more specifically the sack of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Controller General of Immigration. However, on a deep reflection and with due respect to the dead, I do not think that impulsive sacking without investigation is the best response in the circumstance. While blanket action is not good, a sack without overhaul of the recruitment system and a resolve to do what is right always will leave us with nothing better. We must learn to dig deep for the truth before punishment and to put in place measures to build confidence in the system of recruitment in the country by ridding it of corruption. Certainly the organization did not originally set out to kill but to employ. To some extent there was merit in the move given the unhealthy culture of secrecy and corruption that had characterized recruitment into the public service in the country. •Abhuere is of the Centre for Childcare and Youth Development, Abuja

‘We must learn to dig deep for the truth before punishment and to put in place measures to build confidence in the system of recruitment in the country by ridding it of corruption’

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

COMMENTS

HERE are some Nigerians who think that the way to build a “Nigerian nation” is to destroy our various distinct nationalities and their cultures. Since independence in 1960, this has been the dominant direction of the policies of those who control our federal government. They have engaged in all sorts of manipulations aimed at depressing and gradually eliminating our various nationalities. Their master strategy has been to build the federal government into the controller-inchief of every minutest detail of public policy, resource control, and administration in our country. In that, they have succeeded considerably. And from that intoxicating mountain top, they have gradually eliminated the teaching of our indigenous languages, history and cultures from the curricula of our schools, subdued our state governments to implement the federal educational policies, and generally tried to raise a new generation of Nigerians with no roots in any of our indigenous nationalities or cultures – a new generation of culturally (and ethically) mangled, confused and opaque “Nigerians”. Those who have allowed themselves to fall into this kind of thinking about the future of our country need to look more carefully at what they are doing and promoting. Any kind of folly can be romanticized and made to look attractive, but, in the final analysis, folly is folly. This aggressive integrationist approach to the building of Nigeria (or of any country) is folly unlimited. It will not only fail to “unite Nigeria”. Some influential Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri, Ijaw, etc of today may, for various reasons of their own, accept and promote the federal integrationist

‘What Nigeria needs is manifest dedication to the protection of each nationality and its culture, and the promotion of a consciousness whereby those who go to live in other people’s land respect their host nation, and desist from misinterpreting their land ownership rights for ethnic territorial ownership rights’

N Nigeria and across Africa, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a daily reality for many children, families and communities. Despite efforts to control and eliminate them, trachoma, human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), lymphatic filariasis, leprosy, onchocerciasis (river blindness), soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis continue to threaten Nigeria’s citizens. NTDs disable and disfigure more than one billion people around the world. Beyond the lives impacted, NTDs also limit economic productivity and development, helping to perpetuate a vicious cycle of poverty. However, I believe we have an immense opportunity to break this cycle and address these diseases in the near future. Indeed, in recent years we have made tremendous gains against NTDs. Much of this progress was catalyzed by the 2012 London Declaration on NTDs, which united international pharmaceutical companies, global health organizations, private foundations and governments from donor and endemic countries behind the goal of controlling and eliminating 10 of these diseases by the end of the decade. This partnership was a turning point for NTDs. Shortly after, I made NTD control a personal priority and joined the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases as a Special Envoy to help raise awareness of the urgent need to combat these diseases and improve the health of our citizens. In Paris this week, global leaders gathered to discuss the gains made since the launch of this partnership. I was pleased to hear African country leadership her-

National Conference: Respect for nationalities (large or small) agenda for their nationalities. But if they succeed, they cannot thereby create a united Nigeria; what they are very likely to create would be something like a repellently monstrous Nigerian society – a Nigerian society in which Nigeria’s currently evolving character of the amoral, the greedy, the corrupt, the comprehensively disloyal, etc, will be ruthlessly dominant. From the vortex of this kind of society, there will almost certainly emerge someday a new generation of Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri, Ijaw, etc, that will embark upon reviving and recreating their authentic indigenous cultures and nationalities. In short, the experience in our world is that indigenous nationalities and their cultures are near impossible to destroy. Men and women who find themselves in the position of leading and guiding a young country like Nigeria ought to look around them in the world - need to try and understand how certain things have evolved in older countries that are similar to our country. In the world, there are very many countries that are, like Nigeria, multi-ethnic – countries in which different nationalities live in their ancestral homelands. Many of these countries have existed for hundreds of years, and yet in none of them have the nationalities died out or fused into one integrated mixture. It doesn’t happen. Let’s take the example of Spain. Spain has existed since the mid-15th century (that is about 600 years) as a country consisting of Spaniards, Catalans and Basques. The Spaniards have been the overwhelming majority since the beginning, and that, coupled with general mixing of the various peoples over time, has helped Spanish culture, especially the Spanish language, to spread quite strongly among the smaller nationalities. In fact, Spain came under a dictatorial regime in the first half of the last century, and the regime tried ruthlessly to suppress the identities, especially the languages, of the small nationalities – and declared their languages illegal. It didn’t work. In recent decades, the Catalans and Basques have revived their cultures and their languages very successfully. Both now want

separate countries of their own out of Spain. Britain (or the United Kingdom) has been a country consisting of the English, Scotts, Irish and Welsh for about 500 years. Because the English have been the largest nationality from the beginning, the English language has spread in the homelands of the other nationalities. Each of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales has large numbers of citizens from other homelands. Even so, each homeland belongs to its nation. In fact, every one of the Scotts, Irish and Welsh have been strongly reviving their cultures in recent times. Most of Ireland broke away in 1921 and created a separate Republic of Ireland, and the Scotts are now about to do the same. The smallest nationality, the Welsh, are now doing everything to revive their language, in order to make it the language of their own separate country which they hope to have soon. Like Nigeria, India is a British-created, third-world, country, consisting of hundreds of nationalities. Fortunately for India, after the northern provinces broke away soon after independence, India’s political leaders agreed that the best policy was to respect each nationality and encourage each culture. It has worked wonderfully. An eminent Indian scholar and statesmen, S.D. Muni, sums up its effect as follows: “The elaborate structure of power devolution has combined with the linguistic basis of federal unity (the use of the linguistic nations as the basis for the states of the federation) to facilitate the management of cultural diversity in India and to help mitigate pulls towards separatism and disintegration”. Muni adds that both at the federal and state levels, Indians are dedicated to “a consciously followed approach to preserve and promote the cultural specificities of diverse groups” – that is, the federal government respects and encourages every culture, and each state that consists of two or more nationalities carefully respects and encourages the culture of each nationality. He concludes that these approaches have helped every nationality to identify happily with India. Unfortunately, to worsen the Nigerian situation, some people are said to intend to

Gbogun gboro propose that the National Conference should include in the constitution a provision granting any Nigerian the rights of an indigene anywhere he chooses to go and live in Nigeria. In one of Shakespeare’s plays, two ministers of a king are worried about something that their king is proposing to do. One shakes his head sadly and says, “This will drink deep”; the other answers, “No, it will drink cup and all”. A provision like this in the Nigerian constitution can become a major wrecker. All over Nigeria, our nationalities are most likely to begin to protect their homelands from take-over by new artificial indigenes. Whoever imagines that any people will easily let themselves be robbed of the emotional and mystical ownership of their homeland is thinking dangerous thoughts.This law will result in greatly increased difficulties for those who already live outside their own ethnic homelands and those who intend to. Such a provision is unnecessary any way. Already, any Nigerian can go and live and do business anywhere in Nigeria. And the electoral laws include residency qualifications. We should just leave things at that, and let the passage of time do whatever with the rest. What Nigeria needs is manifest dedication to the protection of each nationality and its culture, and the promotion of a consciousness whereby those who go to live in other people’s land respect their host nation, and desist from misinterpreting their land ownership rights for ethnic territorial ownership rights. The homeland of each of our nationalities is theirs. Nothing can change that.

Together, we can make progress against Neglected Tropical Diseases By John Kufuor alded as a crucial force on progress against NTDs. Much of this progress was highlighted in the Uniting to Combat NTDs: Delivering on Promises and Driving Progress report released this week. Globally, 74 countries —including Nigeria— now have national plans to guide their NTD efforts. Last year, all 47 Ministers of Health in the WHO Africa Regional Office endorsed a regional plan to eliminate lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis in Africa and strengthen efforts to eliminate other NTDs. Governments around the world passed a resolution at the 2013 World Health Assembly to hold themselves accountable on progress against NTDs. Most importantly, these frameworks are not just symbolic documents that have been signed and forgotten. Countries are taking ownership of the issue because they recognize that NTDs cause needless suffering across families, communities and countries. This is translating to progress on the ground. Nigeria has become a model for other countries on NTD efforts, launching its national plan for NTD control, making strong progress in mapping disease prevalence and successfully verifying its elimination of Guinea worm. Around the world, efforts to combat NTDs are being scaled up. US$2.7 billion has been committed to the effort. Pharma-

ceutical companies have donated 100 percent of drugs needed and are working together to develop more effective drugs and diagnostics. Global health organizations and enterprises are working to ensure treatments reach those in need, and new partners are joining the effort. As we look to 2020, we cannot allow our successes to make us complacent. While significant progress has been made, challenges remain in reaching our targets against NTDs. Only with sustained leadership of endemic governments and strategic partner collaboration can we fully eliminate NTDs from the African continent and world. As a former President of Ghana, I encourage Heads of State and Ministers to join the global effort against NTDs and work hand in hand with the global community to ensure every child and person who needs treatments receives them. Collectively, we can spur the development and implementation of integrated NTD plans, incorporate NTDs into our existing health efforts and build the capacity needed to address these diseases. By doing this, we can provide comprehensive care to all of our citizens. Investing in NTDs is an investment in a healthy and prosperous future for Africa. Each dollar not only improves health, but also gives individuals the ability to rise out of poverty and contribute productively to society. Together, we can and will reach our goals and give our communities new

hope for the future. • Kufuor is former president of Ghana (20012009) and former chairperson of the African Union Commission (2007-2008). He is currently the NTD Special Envoy for the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases.

• John Kufuor

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

Despite the Boko Haram insurgency, which has led to the closure of many schools in Borno and Yobe states, some are still operating to keep the education dreams of many youngsters alive. These schools are also participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), which began on Tuesday, reports BODUNRIN KAYODE (Maiduguri)

Keeping their dreams alive T HE 2014 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) began on Tues-

day. It may be routine in many parts of the country, but in the Northeast, which is the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, the exam is holding in a tense atmosphere. About this period last year, the sect killed scores of candidates and teachers during the examination. Six teachers and a principal were killed in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State. Some pupils of Monguno Secondary School were killed on their way home after the examination. Some deaths were also recorded during the examination in 2012. Recent attacks on communities in Konjuga Town, Waga Chakawa, Mafa, Bama and Kawuri led to the exodus of families from the hinterland to relatively safer urban centres. This relocation and the government’s closure of public schools on March 14, have reduced the number of schools operating in Maiduguri and other urban areas. The Commissioner of Education, Musa Kubo, said the directive was a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding the lives and property of over 115,000 pupils and their teachers. The order affected 85 government secondary schools, which will remain shut until May when the third term is expected to begin. The Federal Government also shut all the Unity Schools in the Northeast, including the two at Monguno and Lassa following the

killing of 59 pupils of the Federal Government College (FGC) in Buni-Yadi in Yobe State. With the take-off of WASSCE, the government has taken measures to ensure the examinations hold without any hitch. The Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr Yusuf Ari, said the examining body hopes there during the exam with the precautionary measures taken by the federal and state governments. He said: “The Federal Ministry of Education has reached an arrangement with the state government to relocate the students to Maiduguri; but the zonal coordinator for the area will have more details on this arrangement.” The relocation of pupils to the few reputable schools in Maiduguri is causing some discomfort for the administrators but they are not turning pupils back. Ibrahim Joji, the Principal of the 100-year-old Government College, Maiduguri, opposite the police headquarters, said the school survived some explosions in the past by young people working for the sect. Despite having to cope with a school population that has quadrupled within months because of Boko Haram insurgency, Joji is in high spirits. His school and many other A grade schools now have to cope with many pupils, who may be up to 100 in a classroom. While the school battles with 8,000 pupils, the nearby Government Girls’ College has over 4,000 more pupils.

•Husena and her friends.

‘

-Page 27

’

•Mrs Mongunu

When The Nation visited the Government College on Damaturu Road, it was clean, despite its 6,000 additional pupils. Most of the pupils are from government colleges in the hinterlands while some are from outside the state on the an-

INSIDE

Two valedictorians shine at UNN convocation

The government through the principal of that school had no choice but to relocate the kids down to Maiduguri. The threat was so real that they were lucky they were not slaughtered when they were surrounded by the insurgents

A teenager’s plea BORNO State-born Mariam Abdulahi is a 200Level student of Caleb University, Imota, where she is studying Mass Communication. -Page 48

nual exchange programme. Joji said the hostels were full, adding that it costs millions to feed the boys daily. Each day, he said the school slaughters at least two cows to feed them. The principal is grateful to Gov-

CAMPUS LIFE

ernor Kashim Shettima, who has been spending millions to ensure that the remain in school. "This state government facility boasts of 11 bore holes with 14 gen• Continued on Page 26

•A 10-page section on campus news, people etc

Students face accommodation crisis -Page 29

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

EDUCATION

Don’t accredit varsities without counselling centres, don tells NUC •Only 20 of 128 varsities have counselling centres From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

•Prof Idowu

HE establishment of Counseling and Human Development Centres (CHDC) should be a prerequisite for institutional accreditation of universities by the National Universities Commission (NUC), a professor of Guidance and Counselling at the University of Ilorin

HE Director-General, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Mr Ajibade Peters, has said the institute plans to be more creative in the ongoing year and achieve its goals despite modest resources from the Federal Government. Peters spoke at the Top Management Committee (TOMAC) retreat held at the college's Badagry premises. The retreat had in attendance top members of the faculty and non teaching staff who examined the college's programmes to identify areas of defects and proffer new ideas to attract more funding, design new programmes and improve curriculum of existing ones. Peters said the college hopes to be more aggressive in its training mandate especially in view of government's decision to restrict training for top civil servants within the country. "As a MDI (Management Development Institute), we are looking for better ways of doing our jobs. How can we achieve greater things with little means? We are also conscious of the fact that budget are going down so how can we do better than we have been doing before? And we have put that one in a five- year development plan. "Before we just jump into a plan, we should look at how well we have been doing in the previous time. And I want to say we have been doing very well, we want to thank God and the Presidency through the instrumental• Continued from Page 25

erators to assist the boys acquire their dreams of being educated at all costs. We are happy however that the Governor has renovated the whole facility to enable all the kids from northern Borno to go to school. Our toilets are far better and we maintain maximum standard of hygiene to enable each student socialise effectively whether from other schools or ours," he said. The principal said keeping the school open and running smoothly is the only way they, as educationists, can keep the young ones from straying into the hands of the insurgents who may end up radicalising them and sending them into the forest to learn how to kill without emotions. Joji, who handles the pupils like his own children, has convinced his teachers to also see them as such. But he noted that many of them are traumatised. He said: “Some of them mark up to a thousand scripts per test or examination, especially if they are teaching core subjects like Mathematics and English Language. Lots of teachers have been displaced by this menace. It is not easy to leave your home in Bama or Baga, for instance, to stay in choked-up Maiduguri for fear of losing your life to the insurgents. But we have decided to accommodate some of them who have volunteered to assist because they can-

(UNILORIN), Adeyemi Idowu has recommended. Idowu, who is the Provost, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State, said this while delivering the 145th inaugural lecture of UNILORIN, entitled: "Raising the bar: The Counselor's Mandate”. He lamented that contrary to a government directive on the establishment of CHDC, several universities, both public and private, have not yielded to the order.

He warned that unless the issue of counselling is adequately addressed, there is the danger that Nigeria will, for a long time, continue to be a nation of unrealised hopes and unfulfilled promises. Idowu said the refusal of full accreditation should equally be extended to Colleges of Education and Polytechnics that fail to establish the centres, which are meant to assist students in dealing with possible challenges that can affect their behaviour and psychological make-up while in school.

He said: "The Federal Government had once issued an order to all universities to set up independent counseling centres on their campuses. According to the order, the practice of providing counselling centres through the education faculty should stop as they were not being given their required place in the university system. The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof Julius Okojie, said the documents were produced to ensure that universities provide the psychological, behavioural and other learn-

ASCON re-strategises at retreat By Adegunle Olugbamila

ity of the Head of Service. Every Head of Service have been looking at how ASCON will do better and that is why we are here." "Yes! There are new thing we are going to bring in. I cannot talk of the new things now until we have all

looked at it and agreed and there are some that I have even written proposals on them to the board chairman. "The Head of Service has announced that training of public servant would no longer be done oversees, that is a big challenge to us. The Head of Ser-

vice has approached Mr. President that we get the land which was temporarily ceded to Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in 2006 and for which NIMASA did nothing for seven good years. "Mr. President has now approved that we have the land back now. So

ing support services for students. "As at January 2014, only eight out of 40 federal universities had fully equipped and functional counselling centres. Another survey report shows that many state universities are without CHDC. Of the 38 state universities, only eight have counselling centres. The situation is even the worse in private universities. Out of the 50 private universities surveyed as at January 2014, only four have fully equipped CHDC. The story is not different in other tertiary institutions; Colleges of Education and Polytechnics." Idowu, who became a professor in October 1994, also asked the Federal Government to set up a National Guidance Council to work with the professional body of counsellors, CASSON, towards speeding up the process of professionalizing counseling in Nigeria.

when you have such resources, you should not sit down and say you will continue to do things the way we have been doing it; so we must devise ways utilising this opportunities to break even with the areas that we felt one should not penetrate. We should now develop cutting edge programmes.

• Pupils of Leadforte Gate School, Lekki performing during the Open House of the school.

Keeping their dreams alive not relocate entirely without a home," he said. Joji is optimistic of better performance in this year's WASSCE, despite the current challenges. Last year, he said 543 candidates got five credits in the National Examination Council Senior Secondary Certificate Examination. Of the number, 380 had credit in Mathematics and English. For the 2013 WASSCE, 384 candidates made credits in five subjects - with about 111 making Mathematics and English out of over 600 candidates. At the Government Girls College, Maiduguri, Mrs Iya Mongunu said giving up on the struggle would spell doom for the education of the girl-child. "I have to cope," she told The Nation "because the girl-child must go to school. We cannot shut down because we now have between 80 and 100 in a class," she added. Like the case in the boys' school,

Mrs Mongunu said her girls are from all over the state. Their parents withdrew them from endangered areas before the Boko Haram challenged the girls of Konjuga to leave their school to go get married. She said: “The government through the principal of that school had no choice but to relocate the kids down to Maiduguri. The threat was so real that they were lucky they were not slaughtered when they were surrounded by the insurgents early this year. It was like an assembly hall session where the Boko Haram were the teachers. “Some of the girls trekked over 20 kilometres to Maiduguri and those are the ones we have here. You need to see the sores on the legs of some of them after running for their lives when they finally escaped the haramists.” Husena Musa was one of the girls who escaped from Konjuga. She

trekked the distance with four others, Bilkisu Dairu, Binta Mohammed, Medina Hassan and Fatima Yerima. They told The Nation that they spent one week in hospital to recuperate. Husena said of the experience: “They warned us to leave the school premises and go home. They warned that if we were still there when they returned by midnight, they would slaughter us since we refused to leave the school to get married. They said we had nothing to do with western education.” Though coping with academics in their new school is a challenge, they said they were happy to sit for the exam. “We were happy when the government asked most students to come down to Maiduguri to sit for the WASSCE. Government should beef up security in our schools now that we defied the insurgents and have remained in school,” they said.

‘They warned that if we were still there when they returned by midnight, they would slaughter us since we refused to leave the school to get married. They said we had nothing to do with western education’

Cowbell NASSMAC results for May

ESULTS of the First Stage examination of Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) are to be released May 21 on the Promasidor website (www.promasidor-ng.com). The examination held in 200 centres in all states (excluding Yobe and Borno) and the Federal Capital Territory last week, was supervised by officials of state ministries of education with several students participating. The competition was opened to pupils between ages 10 - 18 years in JSS3 and SSS2 attending full time secondary education in government approved schools in Nigeria. The best three pupils in JSS3 and SS2 classes represented each school in the junior and senior categories. The best three pupils in each category at the state level will receive cash awards of N15,000 -N25,000, branded school bags, t-shirts, pens, notebooks and certificates of recognition; while their Mathematics teachers will receive cash award of N15,000 each. The best pupils in each category from each of the states and the Federal Capital (74 students in all), accompanied by their mathematics teachers, will be invited to the four regional centres in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu and Port Harcourt for the second and final stage examination scheduled to hold on May 31, 2014.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

EDUCATION

Two valedictorians shine at UNN convocation •VC counsels varsities to be futuristic

SSAI Chikwetalu Emmanuel and Ume Chukwuma Otum shared the stage as joint valedictorians at the 43rd convocation of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) held at the university's Margaret Ekpo convocation ground last Friday. The duo from the Departments of Religion and Agricultural Economics finished their courses with Cumulative Grade Point Averages of 4.79 each. Ossai, who had to settle for Religion instead of Law, said he made up his mind to be the best despite the challenges he faced. He said: "Initially I had two challenges. Upon my admission in 2009, my first challenge was how to develop interest in Religion because I had always dreamed of being a lawyer and applied for it in UNN. But I later rearranged my thoughts and decided to transfer the energy I planned to channel towards Law to Religion. "Second was financial problem. My Mum is into small business while my Dad works in the security unit of UNN. Getting money to buy books and other materials was not easy for me. But as the Class Governor from my 100-Level, I had access to the university as well as departmental libraries where I photocopied most of the materials I needed." For Otum, God did the magic. "I am a born again Christian and have been associated with Christian associations from my 100-Level. Their support and encouragement to trust and believe in God are some of the things that actually saw me through. It made me realise that God does not fail. So I'm calling on my friends and everyone here to give their lives to Christ and he is the key to every problem man

By Adegunle Olugbamila

faces," he said. The Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof Bartho Okolo said a total of 7,989 graduands were conferred with first degrees, masters, PhD and postgraduate diplomas during the twoday event. With his tenure ending in June, Okolo delivered his last convocation address in which he expressed optimism about the future of universities in Nigeria, anchoring his belief on President Goodluck Jonathan's promise to improve funding for universities. He described the recent disbursement of funds by Federal Government to public universities nationwide as commendable. He nonetheless contended that continuous dependence on government for funding by universities may not last, calling on university administrators to be more creative and aggressive in attracting funds from external sources. He said: "I foresee a future in which the current dependence of universities on government funding would diminish. I also foresee a future in which the competition for bright students, competent faculties, as well as funding from donor agencies will become more aggressive among universities. We must there-

•The Registrar, UNN, Anthony Okontan (left), Prof Okolo (middle) and the Pro-Chancellor, Emmanuel Ukala (second right) with the two valedictorians, Ossai (2nd left) and Otum (right) at the event. PHOTO: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

fore strategise and make adequate preparations to guarantee the future survival of our university. "In the same vein, the global ranking of universities will continue, and our universities should no longer be seeking to meet only the standards set by the local regulatory agencies. Instead, we should stay conscious of our position or ranking in the global listing of universities, or at least in the African continent. This consciousness should inform our thinking, planning and action in the day and years ahead." He identified his administration's achievements as including, forging

collaborations with over 80 reputable institutions across the world, development of infrastructure, making investments to boost the university's revenue, and development of 72-hour online transcript delivery system, among others. Okolo expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and goodspirited Nigerians who had collaborated with the Institution, under his administration, to ensure a better infrastructure for the University. In his speech President Jonathan, who was represented by the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, expressed happiness

‘The global ranking of universities will continue, and our universities should no longer be seeking to meet only the standards set by the local regulatory agencies. Instead, we should stay conscious of our position or ranking in the global listing of universities, or at least in the African continent’

UDUS matriculates 4,024

EKSU celebrates history

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

•Gives out certificates at convocation

OR the first time in the history of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, certificates for all graduands were ready for presentation at the institution's 19th convocation held last Friday and Saturday. The announcement made by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Patrick Oladipo Aina to that effect attracted cheers from the students, their loved ones and special guests that attended the convocation. The Vice-Chancellor noted that the step was in line with the university's vision to become a world class institution, where things are done seamlessly. Aina said that the convocation formalised the graduation of 3,057 full-time, 695 Part-time, 885 Affiliate Colleges, 664 Sandwich students. Of the full time students, 11 graduated with first class honours degrees; 710 got second class Upper honours grade; 1,808, second class Lower; 498, third class, and 30 obtained a pass degree. At the postgraduate level, there were 558 graduands in all, comprising 15 doctorate degrees, 425 Masters Degrees and 118 Post Graduate Diplomas. The best graduating student, Badmus Ayodeji Folahan of the French Department, finished with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.65. The Vice-chancellor told the graduands that the university has made giant strides in both human and academic endeavours. He said the

that peace had returned to the university following the crisis ignited by the removal of the former ProChancellor, Dr. Emeka Enejere, a UNN alumnus and former lecturer, who hails from Nsukka. Besides, Wike said the Federal Government had kept its promise of providing additional funding for facility development in universities through TETFund and other high impact interventions. He urged the university to address poor work ethic and prolonged industrial actions, which affect the university as badly as inadequate funding. Further he said that his administration was committed to strengthening all tiers of the education sector by expanding access to education and upgrading the quality of teaching and personnel across all levels of education. The UNN Pro-Chancellor Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) assured that the university would continue with her due process, adding that there would not be sacred cows.

• From left: Prof Aina, Dr Fayemi, Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Aladesami III and former Governor Old Ondo State/Chancellor EKSU, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, during the inauguration of the Medical Library. By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

pursuit of its world class goal has led to the erection of many state-of-theart buildings within and outside the grounds of the University, reinstatement of functional municipal facilities, acquisition of laboratory and workshop equipment and cultivation of corporate Social responsibility. "The new buildings constructed in the past two years include the Medical Library, Biochemistry/Pharmacology, Medical Students' Hostel and Animal House buildings finance by Ekiti State Government and the university's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); TETFund sponsored Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Education, School of Post graduate Studies and Entrepreneurial Studies Centre, while a modern Students Centre was donated by Hon. Kingsley Kuku, one of our distin-

guished Alumni," he said. In the area of academics, Aina said some new programmes, including Gender and Development studies, Peace, Security and Governance, Theatre and Media Arts were developed in emerging fields of knowledge that will enhance the global competitiveness of EKSU graduates and raise the university's profile. Commending the university for its recent academic achievements and improving the learning environment, the Ekiti State Governor and Visitor to the university, Dr Kayode Fayemi assured its leadership of continued government support. While inaugurating the new Medical Library, Fayemi praised the institution's improved Webometric ranking from 79th to 17th in Africa. He also acknowledged the overall development noticeable around the campus covering municipal infra-

structure and human capital development. The Governor also flagged off the construction of the 2km road project jointly financed by the Ekiti State Government and Ado-Ekiti and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Governments. Dignitaries at the ceremony included: Prof. Adebiyi Daramole - ViceChancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA); Prof. K.K. Immanangha - Provost College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island; Mrs. Bolatito Oloketuyi, Registrar Redeemers University; Prof. Oluyemi Adebowale from Adekunle Ajasin University, Prof. Olusegun Areola, Bells University of Technology Ota; HRM, Oba Dr. Rufus Adejugbe, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti and Tonbra Moris- Odubo, Registrar Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island.

O fewer than 4,024 fresh intakes for the 2013/2014 academic session took the matriculation oath of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS). With 1,394, Faculty of Science had the highest number of new students, while the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, with 34 students, had the lowest. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu, said the successful students were admitted out of over 9,000 applicants from both the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct entry. He said priority was given to Science-related programmes during the admissions exercise. He said the school will also prepare potential students through its School of Matriculation Studies "This is our response to the desire of the country for rapid advances in Science and Technology. To further guarantee this, we have been able to reposition, strengthen and sustain our School of Matriculation Studies. This is to continuously prepare science students for eventual placement into our various Science and Science-related programmes," he added. He called on the students to be hard working and adhere strictly to the rules and regulations of the university. Shehu also urged them to ensure high moral standards, respect for authorities, shun extremism and contribute to nation-building, among others. Similarly, Dean of Students' Affairs, Dr Ibrahim Magawata, said that the Institution has recorded minimal social vices, while it is free from cultism and examinations misconduct.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

EDUCATION

Stop abusing ICT, provost urges new students

HE Acting Provost, Federal College of Agriculture (FCA) Akure, Ondo State, Dr David Akanni, has expressed concern over the abuse of internet usage, particularly the youths. Speaking at the 2013/2014 matriculation of new students into the college, the provost noted that even though the social media has helped to improve networking, it has become a serious distraction to many youths. “Close to 24 hours, a lot of you are hooked on to facebook,in the process, you lose quality time. With this development, participation in sporting activities has gone

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

down,literary creativity has been abandoned,public lectures participation has become tedious to students,” said Akanni, who was represented by Dr Emmanuel Moyinjesu. Besides, Akanni urged the students to shun cultism, examination malpractices, rape, thuggery and other social vices. At the ceremony, 256 Higher National and National Diploma(HND and ND) students swore the matriculation. The Acting Provost said the event has conferred on them the bonafide

membership of the institution and offers them all the rights and privileges recognised by the College Authority. He said such rights include obtaining identity card, living in the students’ hostels, right to access information in the library, and inclusion of their names on the college register. The Registrar, Dr Pius Adebisi urged the new students to comport themselves and be good ambassadors of the college within and outside the campus. He urged them to face their studies squarely in order to have a bright future.

• From left: Mr. Val Ozieh MD, Concession Development Company; Mr Tijani; Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi, Chairman Tanus Books Nig Ltd; Mrs Regina Obasa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment; Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi, GM (LSEB); and Power Kid Programme co-ordinator, Mrs Olagbenle Yewande at the event.

School wins solar farm, e-classroom

HE Lagos State Governor, Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has inaugurated solar and e-classroom in Ayedere/Ajibola Junior Secondary School as a reward for the top performing junior secondary school in the 2013 'POWER KIDS' Energy initiative competition for public schools. The initiative, a reward programme of the Governor for 50 top performing Junior Secondary Schools in the Basic Education Certificate Examination, focused on educating the pupils on the importance and practice of energy conservation and efficiency. The participating schools were tested on their acquired knowledge and the regular update of their dedicated webpage on the Power Kids website (www.lagospowerkids.gov.ng). For being the winning school in the programme, Ayedere/Ajibola Junior Secondary School was given a solar farm installation alongside an e-classroom. The 10kWp solar system installed can supply sustainable uninterrupted power supply to the school. The system comprises of 55 units of 185Watt Suntech solar panels, a 10KVA Victron Quattro inverter, 4 units Morningstar charge controllers and

By Adetutu Audu

16units Newmax 12V 200Amp batteries. Speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Taofiq Tijani who represented the governor, said the sustainable power supply will have an overall effect on the learning and working environment of the school. "Adequate electricity supply will in no doubt improve the learning environment for the students; with constant electricity, classroom will be cooled efficiently creating a more conducive environment for the students. This will improve the students comfort level therefore improving their attention span enabling them to learn more," he said. He added that the e-classroom would familiarise the pupils with the use of technology in learning and hopefully increase their curiosity to learn. Regarding the benefit to the school administration, Tijani said the solar installation would save over N20,000 spent monthly to fuel the 5KVA generator, and ease the printing or photocopying of documents. The e-classroom, which can accommodate 80 pupils at a time, is

equipped with 80 tablets, three computers, a server, a wireless router, and two air conditioners. Tanus Books Limited sponsored the e-classroom as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), while the Concession Development Company (CDC), donated 10KWp Solar System comprising of 55 units of 185Watts Suntech solar panels, a 10KVA Victor Quattro inverter, four unit moringstar charger controllers and 16 unit Newmax 12V 200Amp batteries.

DG laments dwindling enrolment at French Village By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

•Dr Alawode

F Nigerian universities keep sending their French students to centres in Francophone countries for the Language Immersion Programme (LIP), the Nigerian French Language Village (NFLV), Badagry, may be forced to close shop. At a meeting of heads of Departments of French in Nigerian Universities recently, the Acting DirectorGeneral, NFLV, Dr Matthew Alawode, said the number of students that enroll at the NFLV for the oneyear LIP decreased from 793 in 2003 to 150 for the first semester of 2004. He attributed the reduction to the practice of heads of department sending majority of their French students abroad even though the programmes of these foreign centres do not meet the benchmark set by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Alawode also lamented that the unpatriotic behaviour of some of the heads was particularly painful given that they participated in reviewing the LIP curriculum four years ago. He said: "It would be recalled that

in 2010 the committee of Heads of Department in conjunction with the village jointly reviewed the LIP curriculum undergraduates. The aim of this review was to enable the Village produce materials for Nigeria University French Departments, who will turn out as graduates who are sufficiently equipped with essential skills in oral and written expression in French. The Village implemented to the letter the decisions reached at that meeting. It is a bit disturbing to realise that having jointly taken a decision and having jointly toiled so much to build the village up to its present status, some Heads of Departments prefer to take their students to other institutions across the border." In the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by Alawode and Dr. A.A. Illah, (ABU Zaria) Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee, the participants resolved that all Nigerian Universities should be sending their students to NFLV for their Language Immersion Programme; the NFLV should step up and sustain the current capacity of service delivery; and the excursion component of the Language Immersion Programme should be expanded.

Peter varsity gets boost from women

HE Awka Diocesan Life Members have donated N50,000 to the development of Peter University in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State. Peter University was founded last year by the Catholic Church to bridge the gap in admission. Awka diocesan President of the Life Members, Lady Virgy Okoli, made the pronouncement when they paid a courtesy visit to Bishop Ezeokafor to celebrate with the bishop and other priests at the cathedral. A press statment from Bishop's Chief Press Secretary and made available to The Nation, commended the women association's commitment in

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

propagating and projecting the university. It added that their gesture would be an annual one even as the statment quotes the secretary of the group, Lady Rose Onyedibe and the treasurer Lady Stella Njaka asked for God’s blessings on the bishop. The highlight of the visit was the presentation of cash and gift items to the bishop and other priests and at the cathedral. It will be recalled that the group made a similar donation during last year's Easter visit to the bishop.

•AkinderuFatai (left) and the Principal, Ewutuntun Senior Grammar School, Mrs D.G Ojo (second right), presenting the books to some pupils

Lawmaker distributes kits to SSCE pupils

O fewer than 1, 035 pupils from seven secondary schools in Oshodi, Lagos have benefitted from the past questions on English Language and Mathematics from 2008 to 2013 distributed by Hon Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 1. The distribution, which would help the SS3 pupils prepare for the 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) starting this week, took place at Ikeja Senior

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Grammar School Hall in Oshodi. The schools are Bolade Senior Grammar School, Oshodi, Ewutuntun Senior Grammar School, Ewutuntun, Ikeja Senior Grammar School Oshodi, Oshodi, Comprehensive Senior High School, Oshodi, Oshodi Senior High School, Oshodi, Mafoluku Senior Grammar School, Mafoluku and Unity Senior High School, Oshodi. Hon Akinderu-Fatai, popularly called MAF charged the pupils to live up to expectation in the examination.

“You are the hope of your parents. Remember they toil day and night to make you something worthwhile in life. You cannot afford to disappoint them; you should not allow their efforts to be in vain, so work hard and make them happy,” he said. Akinderu-Fatai, who chairs the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, told them to work hard to record good grades in the examination. "Success is not a thing you find on a

platter of gold, you have to dig deep like gold miners; make sure you make good use of opportunity at your disposal by passing your exams with grades, good enough to qualify you for higher institution," he said. Addressing the pupils, the lawmaker asked: "You all love to be president, governor, minister, lawmaker, architect, engineer and other big entrepreneurs in the society?" and they replied with a resounding "Yes." "Then, face your studies; engage

more in your books and not phones; watch more of educational programmes on televisions and not movies; stay focused and not distracted with evil things around and success will be yours,” he said. A new book on enterpreneurship titled: Johnny Profit written by Michael Malgeri with an introduction by Akinderu-Fatai was presented at the event. MAF will be using the book to pupils in public schools in Oshodi.

United by their culture

Their Obudu adventure Page 31

Page 42

*CAMPUSES *NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

CAMPUS LIFE

THE NATION

0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

A new session has begun at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), but students are facing accommodation challenges. Many are complaining of inconsistencies in the allocation of halls of residence. KAYODE ODUMBONI (400-Level English) reports.

•Moremi Hostel in UNILAG

Students face accommodation crisis

RUSTRATION, anger, regret. These are the lot of many students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in Akoka, Yaba, who failed to secure accommodation on the campus. Aishat Egbeyemi, a 400-Level student of English, said: “Everything is bungled.” She had hoped to get accommodation to enable her devote time to her final year project. The school began a fresh academic session five weeks ago, but majority of the students are yet to be allocated a bed-space in the Halls of Residence. Like Aishat, many students are hopeful that, somehow, there will be a miracle. To get accommodation on campus, students are expected to buy a scratch card for N300 and log on to the university’s hostel allocation portal to apply. However, the card ex-

•We are handicapped, says UNILAG

pires after being used five times. To increase their chances of getting accommodation, many bought several scratch cards, yet they were not lucky. The exercise is being trailed by controversies, leaving many students complaining. Some of them described the exercise as fraudulent. Many students repeatedly logged on to the school website to access the accommodation portal for application. “For me, this is a dubious and fraudulent exercise. And I don’t think an highly-rated university, such as UNILAG should overlook the fraud in the system,” German Powei, a student in the Faculty of Arts, who bought more than five scratch cards, said. He added: “There is no transparency, no

sincerity and no accountability in the process. The school knows that there are not enough spaces for all the students to be accommodated on campus, yet the management asked all of us to buy scratch cards and apply at the same time.” Investigation by CAMPUSLIFE showed that the university has 8,500 bed spaces available for about 35,000 students. One of the students’ complaints is that, several scratch cards were sold to them before applying, even when the management knew that there were not enough bed spaces. A student, who craved anonymity, said: “The first question that comes to my mind is: ‘why must I pay before I can apply for hostel

when I am a bonafide student of this university?’ Let us even accept that I have to pay, but why should the card expire after five uses? The authorities know that the system is vulnerable to a lot of technical inadequacies, as things have turned out.” Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, the president of the Faculty of Arts Students Association (FASA), Jimmy Fatunbi, likened the situation to asking students to pay acceptance fee before being offered admission into a university. Jimmy said: “There should not be anything like selling scratch cards for hostel application. Let the portal be free for students to go online and apply. Those who successfully secure bed spaces can then be asked to pay the •Continued on page 30

•Students honour APC chieftain-P32•Rotaract installs female president-P41

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

Pushing The Out exploitation of our fault lines (I)

EGULAR readers of this column know I seldom discuss politics; my major concern in almost two years now - has remained Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. I mainly dwell on education policies and how it affects the sector alongside other sundry issues. But I will be deviating from this today based on an encounter I had with some young undergraduates from my home state, Benue. It is not often that one comes across young men who understand what the weighty issues concerning Nigeria are. The young men expressed serious concerns over the ongoing farmers/ herdsmen clash ravaging some states in the middle belt or central Nigeria, particularly Benue. Only a couple of weeks ago, the entourage of Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam was attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen while on his way to undertake an on the spot assessment of a community that suffered one of these attacks. Reports had it that the governor was visibly shaken from the attack. One of the major concerns from our discussion is the deliberate attempt to destroy the economy of the region which is basically farming; it is for this reason that Benue State is referred to as “The food basket of the Nation.” Before I progress further, it is pertinent to point out that cattle herdsmen operate within an expansive geography oscillating between their major base within the savannah

with

Agbo Agbo 08116759750 (SMS only)

•aagboa@gmail.com in the rainy season in the middle belt and the wetter south during the dry season. They are in search of natural pasture, water and for marketing of their animals and products. Herdsmen, who often settle in small tents, use familiar grazing areas and cattle routes each year. Interaction between two or more interdependent resource users, in this case between pastoralists and crop farmers over common environmental resources including land, pasture, crop-residue, livestock routes, water points has in the past been well managed. In essence, the Fulani herdsmen interact well with their host communities whenever they are in their annual migratory sojourn. There have been instances where cattle destroy crops and the herdsmen were known to have apologised and make amends. But as my guests observed, “all these are in the past now” as the present day herdsmen is not just a mere herdsman but a mercenaries roaming around with sophisticated weapons only soldiers were known to carry. In their “quest” for grazing rights they have been accused of sacking whole communities through scorched earth campaigns so that their cattle can roam freely and unhindered. Crop damage caused by animal belonging to herdsmen often results in conflicts which arises from farm encroachment or cattle routes and sometimes water points. Other

ESSAY CONTEST FOR UNDERGRADS THE Nation CAMPUSLIFE, in collaboration with AfricanLiberty.org and Network for a Free Society, is calling for entries into an essay competition. Details are as follows: Question: Freedom creates prosperity. It unleashes human talent, invention and innovation, creating wealth where none existed before. Discuss. Eligibility: All African Students in any tertiary institutions (university, polytechnic, college of education and technical schools) in Africa. The format of the text should be in Microsoft word and not more than 1,500 words. Interested students can visit www.africanliberty.org for background materials. Note that plagiarism is not allowed; any text or sentences copied from other people works must be indicated in quotation marks and credit must be given at the bottom of the paper to the author. Any entry that contains plagiarised work will be disqualified. On the first page of the completed essay, please write your full names, department, level of study and name of institution. Also include your email address and mobile phone number. Send your entries to adedayo.thomas@gmail.com Entries will be received between March 6 and June 6, 2014. Late entries will not be accepted. Winners will be announced on July 3 , 2014. All entries will get a free book titled Why Liberty by Tom G. Palmer OR Foundation of a Free Society by Eamonn Butler. Please be sure you include your postal address if different from your school address. Prizes: 1st - George Ayittey (Platinum Prize): $1,000 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at the University of Cape Town Business School, South Africa, from August 14-17, 2014 2nd - Anthony Fisher (Gold Prize): $700 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at the University of Cape Town Business School, South Africa, from August 14- 17, 2014 3rd - Derenle Edun (Silver Prize): $500 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at University of Cape Town Business School. South Africa, from August 14- 17, 2014 4th – The Nation CAMPUSLIFE Media Prize (Bronze): $300 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at the University of Cape Town Business School, South Africa, from August 14- 17, 2014. We also have eight consolation prizes of $50 each.

conflicts sources include grazing harvested crops. If this was well managed in the past, why is it not managed now? But the bigger question hanging in the air right now is this: Are they really herdsmen? What makes the whole scenario scary is that there appears to be no solution to the menace as there have been thousands of internally displaced people within the state. One of them raised the issue of food production and security for 2015. “By this time of the year, farmers are supposed to be getting their land ready for the next planting season as they await the rains. But with this situation how can they go to their farms when they are not sure they will return alive? He asked rhetorically. Covering 40 percent of Nigeria’s land area and having ¼ of Nigeria population, communities in the middle belt consists of fragmented ethnic groups with some Fulani population based on migration. I was made to understand that what fuelled the latest round of unwarranted and senseless killings is the rumour that the people of the state - who have lived for decades with Fulani herdsmen - are responsible for cattle rustling in which herdsmen have lost their cattle in recent times. Newspaper reports had it that Governor Gabriel Suswam attributed the killings and wanton destructions in the state to this misconception. He also stated that the attacks - in which over 200 persons have been killed in the last few weeks - may have been carried out by terrorists from outside his state, saying the Fulani who live in communities in the state carry sticks and local guns, not sophisticated weapons like AK-

47, which have been used in the mass killings. There have also even been unconfirmed reports about chemical weapons being used. In an interview with Sunday Trust the governor was quoted as saying: “I think what is happening in Benue is a reflection of what is happening elsewhere across the country. The Fulani that we have lived with we know very well. The highest weapons they carried were local guns and their sticks. But these crops of Fulani that we now have are people who carry sophisticated weapons. Therefore, I still believe, and it is the conviction of most Tiv people, that this is a different crop of Fulani who are not the ones that have settled with us and joked together with the Tiv. Therefore, the belief I have and which is shared by a lot of people is that it is the same insurgents that are operating in other parts of the country that have found themselves in Benue, using the Fulani as façade to unleash mayhem and create the impression that the Tiv people are fighting with the Fulani.” Perhaps I need to point out that it is not only the Tiv people of the state that have had to deal with these herdsmen; the Idomas have also had a fair share of the mayhem. Last month, unknown gunmen attacked some villages in Agatu local government area killing no fewer than 19 people and abducting 15 people, including women and children in the process. The people of Kogi, Nassarawa, Taraba and Plateau also have stories of woes to tell. The Deputy Governor of Benue state, Chief Steven Lawani, said on the average, 12 people were being killed on a daily basis in the State, something that was unheard of in the communities previously. What we later found disheartening is the politicization of our fault lines. There is a misconception within the ranks of the political elites in the state where some “old breed” politicians are accusing the “new breed” politicians of lacking the experience to handle such a sensitive issue as the of herdsmen in-

cursion. I was made to understand that this is one of the “tools” being used to accuse the younger generation of lacking tact and vision. To me, this is standing truth on its head because what we are dealing with presently is a national calamity with international connections. The Borno-Yobe Elders pushed this further when they held a press conference on Monday. It was revealed that insurgents get their weapons delivered to them with helicopters! What this is telling us is that our airspace can be breached without us knowing it. A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Al Amin Daggash, who spoke on behalf of the leaders, asked some questions without answers. Hear him: “Are the authorities unaware of helicopters dropping arms and ammunition, food and medical supplies to areas well known to be strongholds of the insurgents? “How were the insurgents able to attack the Maiduguri Air Force Base and demobilise as well as burn planes and other military installations, despite existing state of emergency and curfew in the town? How could 20 to 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles move in a convoy freely with subsisting curfew and still go undetected? “How did a little band of ragtag misguided youths metamorphose into a well kitted, wellarmed killing machine moving freely in convoy, of vehicles and supported by helicopters? “How did the Shilka Tank, a multipurpose self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery weapon positioned to secure Giwa Barracks fail to function, resulting in heavy loss of lives both civilian and military, as widely reported in the media? Are we dealing with fifth columnists in this crisis?” Are these questions far removed from that of Governor Suswam? Some forces are definitely exploiting our fault lines and want this nation to disintegrate if not checked.

Students face accommodation crisis •Continued from page 29

accommodation fee. I tell you, no student would complain if he is asked to pay once he is assured of accommodation.” It was gathered that the hostel allocation software was developed by an unnamed individual and the selling of scratch cards was to enable recoup his investment. Jimmy said: “Peter should not be robbed to pay Paul.” Although, some students have been allotted bed spaces, many are still condemning the process. Even, those who got bed spaces have stories to tell. They are condemining why they were mandated to pay before claiming their bed spaces. There are allegations that porters at the various Halls of Residence sold accommodation files to the successful students. Students expected that the files would be given to them free, since they will pay N25,000 at designated banks. Another reason for the students’ complaint is the alleged irregularity in the accommodation process. The cost of the file differs from one hostel to another. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the files are sold for as high as N500 at Makama Bida Hall and Saburi Biobaku Hall; but goes for as low as N50 and N200 at Moremi and Mariere halls. “It is clear that this money is illegal. When I told the porter at Mariere Hall that I could not buy the file for N200, he instantly told me to pay N100. This is an indication that the porters are not even supposed to request students to pay anything for the file,” a student, who got bed space in Mariere Hall, told CAMPUSLIFE.

Those who secured accommodation, were also asked to pay WAPIC Insurance Scheme fee, a requirement for claiming their bed spaces. Jimmy said: “I am not sure whether these files are to be sold or not. But if we have differences in the amount they are being sold, students have the justification to ask questions. I would advise them to write letters to appropriate quarters to address the issue; it is not everything that should result in protests.” Paul Adetunji, a 400-Level Guidance and Counselling student, who paid N500 for hostel file in Biobaku Hall, said: “The insurance fee is something I don’t understand. As far as I am concerned, it is not useful for anything. But what choice do we have? They asked us to pay and we had to pay.” An angry student, who did not say his name, said: “I wonder why I have to pay for WAPIC Insurance Scheme again, after the management charged us N5,000 for the

National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). It appears that this system is just deliberately set up to exploit students. Everywhere, we are being asked to pay money without telling us what it is meant for. All this exploitation should stop.” Contacted, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Olukayode Amund, said the institution is helpless because of the limited accommodation for students. He urged CAMPUSLIFE to help appeal to the government to increase funding for students’ accommodation. He said: “The university has over 25,000 undergraduates to occupy 8,500 bed spaces in all hostels. This means that only a third can be accommodated. Government has stopped funding universities to build hostels in the last 15 years. The university has tried a BuildOperate-Transfer (BOT) agreement with private firms but the move is yet to yield result. Media can appeal to government to reconsider funding of hostel in universities.”

‘I wonder why I have to pay for WAPIC Insurance Scheme again, after the management charged us N5,000 for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). It appears that this system is just deliberately set up to exploit students. Everywhere, we are being asked to pay money without telling us what it is meant for’

THE NATION THURSDAY,APRIL 3, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE As part of activities marking their week, students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) visited the Obudu Cattle Ranch outside the Cross River State capital. STANLEY UCHEGBU (500-Level Accounting) reports that the trip was full of excitement.

Their Obudu adventure

AST Friday, students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) went on a twoday trip to the Obude Cattle Ranch, tourist centre outside the Cross River State capital. The trip, which excited many of the participants, ended in disagreement and controversy. By 8am, buses were waiting to convey the students, who converged on the New Senate Building, which is close to the main gate of the university with their luggage. The trip was part of activities marking the Students’ Union Week. Last year, they went on a similar trip. They were billed to depart at 10am but due to planning hiccups, the buses could not leave until 12:35pm. It was meant to be a journey of seven hours from Calabar to Obudu but it took the students 12 hours. For those going to Obudu for the first time, the experience would linger in their minds. On arrival at Obudu, students alighted at the Bottom Hill because the buses conveying them could not climb the hill. But the Students’ Union Government (SUG) VicePresident (VP), Mercy Mbakwu, who went with her official car, came to their rescue. There was a snag though; her car could not convey all the students at once. They sought the help of some motorcyclists to take them up the hill. The motorcyclists charged N500 per student. It was a cold night and students waited for six hours to be taken up the hill. It was at this point the disagreement started. The students started discussing in hushed tones, saying the planning of the trip was poor from the outset. Some of them started crying because of the blistering cold; some gnashed their teeth, blaming the Vice President for poor planning. “Had I known, I would not have been part of this trip,” Evangeline Okoye, one of them, lamented. There was dissatisfaction as they started murmuring, questioning the whereabouts of the Vice President. At the Ranch, the students got to know that there were not enough bed spaces for them. A quarrel ensued. It was learnt that the Vice President did not provide enough rooms for students, including the principal officers of the union parliament and some SUG executive

members. The union President, Bassey Eka, and the Speaker, Promise Owai, confronted the VP over the issue. When asked why she did not provide bed spaces for all, Mercy blamed the planning committee. She said: “Students were supposed to pay N6,000 for this excursion but of more than 120 students we have here, 27 students paid N6,000 and 14 students paid N4,000. The rest came without paying a dime; they claimed to be stakeholders in the union.” She alleged that some SUG officials collected money from participants without remitting it to the planning committee. Some students, who did not pay for the trip, •Students butchering the cow for the party said since management released N1.3 million for the event, they needed not to pay. As the disagreement became intense, some aggrieved students asked the VP for the cow given to them by the Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof James Epoke, and the N10,000 donated by the Chief Security Officer, Mr Adie Boniface, to buy a goat. Others asked for the whereabouts of items such as tubers of yam and gallons of red oil given to students for the trip. Mercy convinced her colleagues on the whereabouts of the cow, but she could not say how the money to buy a goat was spent. Despite all these, the tour went as planned. The students visited the Waterfalls and Obudu Mountain Resort, located close to the border of Cameroon and Nigeria. After the tour, the students organised a get-together to make their visit memorable. The cow given to them by the VC was slaughtered by the welfare committee members. As this was being done, a row broke out between Promise and the Chief Protocol Officer of SUG, Levi David, be- •Participants being conducted round the Cattle Ranch cause of bread. Promise was said to have preThe disagreement deepened cable car from the mountain to the vented Levi from eating from the when another member of the un- reception, where buses were waitbread he bought for members of the to convey them back to school. union’s parliament. But Levi, it ion, Okoi Arikpo, disrupted the ac- ing they were being moved down was learnt, insisted that he would tivities of welfare committee and toAs the reception, another row enallegedly slapped the Vice Presieat from the bread since they all between Chinenye came from the same school. The dent for not providing food for his sued Nwaokafor, a member of the planconfrontation led to an argument, friends. The union president mediated ning committee, and some others which attracted other union offifor not maintaining order while and told Arikpo to apologise. cials. During their departure, students they were in transit. One of the students condemned Perpetual Malizue, a 300-Level Promise’s attitude, saying: “We all visited Africa’s longest cable car Business Management student, system in Obudu Mountain Repaid for this trip, why should some sort. They were conveyed in the said: “Everything I learnt during people be treated preferentially?” the trip cannot be learnt in the

Crisis hits Students’ Union

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) is in trouble. The union’s election has been postponed twice. A bribery allegation is being thrown into the mix. CHUKWUMA ALOZIE writes.

HERE is an uneasy calm at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). Students are holding their breath, following the postponement of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) presidential election last Friday. It was the second time the election would be cancelled because of the disagreement on the number of delegates.

Members of parliament were, however, elected on the election day. Traditionally, at ESUT, the union president is elected by delegates, who vote on behalf of their departments. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that there was a disagreement on the number of delegates from the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the old site of the

school. The new site is at Agbani, a community on the outskirts of Enugu. Delegates from other departments were reported to have questioned the basis of allotting 38 delegates to the medical faculty as against 19 for all faculties.

•Continued on page 44

•The ESUT gate

classroom. One should always visit historical places to appreciate nature and culture.” She urged the SUG leaders to learn how to conduct themselves in public. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the Vice President has been suspended by the legislative arm. The House also set up a committee to investigate how she spent the N1.3 million given to the union by the management to organise the week.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

Leaders for UDUS Rotaract

EMBERS of the Rotaract Club of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto (UDUS) have installed a new president, Muhammad Issa Dangulbi, a 300-Level Mathematics student. The ceremony, held at the A40 Hall on campus, was part of the event marking the club’s Fellowship Week. Members of the club elected new executive last May but their inau-

From Ibrahim Jatto, Sarat Alabidun and Khadijat Akewusola UDUS guration was delayed because of the almost six months Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike. The outgoing president, Sunday Anthony Ochei, expressed gratitude to the board of directors and members, who supported his administration. In his acceptance speech, Dangulubi reeled out his programmes for the club, stating that his administration would focus on community development projects. At the event were the District 9125 Hammed Olalekan, Aduma Aduma and students.

•Prof Bashir (second right) presenting the trophy to the winners

IT Dept wins Corper’s Cup

HE Department of Information Technology at the Moddibo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) has won the Corpers’ Cup. The department won the tournament after beating the Department of Geography 2-1 in the final match played last Wednesday The event was held at the university’s Sport Ground. Speaking before the final match, the Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by his Deputy on Administration, Prof Bashir Aliyu, praised the teams for getting to the final stage out of 27 departments. He said the purpose of the contest was to foster unity among graduating students before their graduation. There was jubilation after the final whistle as students and staff of both departments celebrated. Addressing the students after the game, the Head of Information Technology Department, Dr Abdullahi Bashir, praised the team for bringing honour to the department. “Words cannot express my appreciation to everyone for making a

From Philips Ogbaje MAUTECH mark in the university’s sports. The department appreciates you and I want to assure you that this victory, which is the first of its kind in the history of the department, will forever be remembered,” he said. President of the department, Mohammed Abubakar, hailed the team members for the feat. He said: “I feel so proud and I am honoured that this happened during my tenure.” The team captain, Hamza Usman, attributed the victory to God and the hard work of his teammates, saying: “When we started training, nobody really gave us a chance. We were taken as the underdogs of the competition but we worked hard and it paid off. I am really grateful to Almighty Allah and my teammates who believed and worked hard to make this dream a reality.” After they were presented with the trophy, the players moved round the campus accompanied by

Students honour APC chieftain

students of the department and their supporters, celebrating the feat. However, some students, who participated in the competition, accused Joseph Succeeder, the Sports Director of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of not disbursing the exact cash prize for the trophy. They alleged that the cash – N20,000 for first position, N15,000 for second position and N10,000 for third position - were “too small”, considering the number of teams that registered for the competition. One of the students, Theophilus Ejike, called on the Sports Director to raise the cash prize to encourage participation. Succeeder said he received no money from the SUG or management to host of the competition. He said: “Contrary to the rumours making the round that I embezzled the money meant for the winner, I want to state here that I organised the competition from the sale of forms alone. There was no budgetary allocation from the Students’ Union or the school authority to organise the competition.”

•Members of the club’s executive after their inauguration

Entrepreneurship workshop for Modakeke students

O fight social vices, the Federated Union of Modakeke Students (FUMS) has organised a workshop on entrepreneurship for students of secondary schools and tertiary institutions. The workshop, held peultimate Thursday at the Modakeke City Hall in Osun State, was aimed at preparing participants to be self-reliant. President of the group, Ganiu Adetunji, said the seminar was con-

EMBERS of the Association of Isokan Omo Yoruba at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have honoured a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Kamorudeen Ariyo, for his contributions to the development of the Yoruba language. The students, who presented an award of excellence to the politician, described Ariyo as a true Yoruba patriot who has worked for the advancement of the language, especially in academic circles. The association’s president, Yinka Ajaba, said the honoree was selected for the award because of his promotion of the language. He said Ariyo’s passion to ensure that Yoruba culture was promoted in tertiary institutions was laudable. Ajaba, who decried the decline of the Yoruba culture, said it would be beneficial if leaders could come together and develop the culture. “The award was based on his contributions to the development of the Yoruba race, its language and culture. We appreciate him and we want him to continue with the good work he is doing,” he stated.

•Chief Ariyo (second right) displaying the award with his political associates

From Jeremiah Oke LAGOS Receiving the award, Ariyo said the recognition was a challenge, saying it would motivate him to

invest more in the growth of the Yoruba heritage. “It annoys me when I see many parents speak English with their children at home. They have forgotten that Yoruba language is very

rich and dynamic. Most of these children see their fathers’ language as a foreign language and adopt the foreign language as their mother tongue. We all need to work for the greatness of this language,” he said.

From Ayetoto Temitayo OAU tribute to the socio-economic development of Modakeke. He said: “We organised this workshop to invest in our town because we believe the youth are the bridge between today and future of any society.” A Director at the National Orientation Agency, Dr I. O. Abereijo, praised the organisers for organising the symposium. He said: “For young people to come together and organise a programme like this to improve entrepreneurial skills of the youth is a step in the right direction. It is an event that would shape the orientation of our youths in conformity with the rapid changes in our dynamic world so that they will be equipped to cope with the demands of our time.” He added that the acquisition of various skills could make a difference in the lives of beneficiaries in the highly competitive labour market. A guest speaker, Mr Olumuyiwa David, said failure of culture, oil mismanagement, flawed system and materialism were the causes of unemployment. “When oil was discovered, entrepreneurship could no longer find place in the system as everyone wanted a white-collar job. People abandoned other natural resources, which were previously substantial means of wealth creation and employment,” he stated. He decried the emphasis on certificates, saying it was wrong for youths not to get jobs because they possessed no certificate. The Special Adviser to the Governor of Osun State on Education, Mrs Mulikat Bello, promised to support the association. She encouraged the secondary school students to put more effort in their studies. She said: “You have a government in the State of Osun that places premium on education. And out of the six-point agenda of the government, education comes across as the most essential of them all.”

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

10-year-old TB patient needs help •PAGE 34

NGO’s relief materials for the less-privileged •PAGE 36

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

PAGE 33

Abandoned road finally catches Chime’s eye •PAGE 38

Rector crisis rages despite Jonathan’s endorsement

•section of the protesters in Oko, Anambra State against the monarch.

KO in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State used to be a quiet and peaceful community. Not anymore. A sharp knife has severed the cord of unity and peace. The community has fallen apart. The awful situation resulted from the squabble between the traditional ruler of the kingdom Igwe (Prof.) Laz Ekwueme and his subjects over one of the members of the community, Prof. Godwin Onu who is the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko. While the monarch and some of

‘The crisis between the community and the Federal Polytechnic Oko has become upsetting so much so that if the Federal Government, former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme and other stakeholders did not intervene, there may be much turmoil that may destabilise both the community and the institution’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

his subjects, including the town’s President-General, Ike Nwammuo,

are fighting for the removal of the Rector, the youths of the community and some members of the executive of Oko Progressive Union

(OPU), are against the professor’s ouster. In the circumstances, things are no longer at ease in the community of former Nigerian Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme who championed the establishment of the institution 22 years ago. Some members of the community have been at daggers-drawn with the management of the Polytechnic, which is being spearheaded by Igwe Ekwueme and Ike Nwammuo. The situation has sparked several protests from the youths led by Evangelist Hilary Tochukwu

Ezeokafor. Those who favour his removal say the Rector is not qualified to be the head of the Polytechnic, because he studied Political Science which is not part of the curricula of polytechnics. Another complaint is that Onu allegedly instigated all the crises the community has witnessed since his assumption of office as the Rector, even as they further alleged that he induced the youths with money and impersonation of leaders of the community. They also maintained that, being the host community, they should know who heads the institution, insisting that the community should be represented in the institution’s governing council. They also accused Prof. Onu of harbouring enormous hatred and animosity for the community despite the support he enjoys from the people. More worrisome to the community is the alleged clandestine moves by the Rector to relocate the institution to his community, Ezira in Orumba South Local Government Area. Before now, the community and the institution had engaged in serious battles over Masquerade Week which resulted in heavy protests within and outside the school. During one of the protests on March 26, 2012, some students and youths of the community were injured. To ensure that Prof. Onu was removed as Rector of the institution, there have been several petitions to the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike and to the Presidency. However, the snag here is that the community is unaware that, as a result of the transformation of the institution under Onu’s leadership, Prof. Onu’s second fouryear tenure had been signed by President Goodluck Jonathan. The approval for his second tenure was in October, 2013 before the expiration of his first tenure on March 4, 2014. However, the National Legal Adviser of Oko Progressive Union (OPU), Chief Uchenna OkonkwoOkom had maintained that “renewing his tenure before the expiration of his first is illegal, ultra vires and of no effect.” Speaking with reporters in his •Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

WO things were on the agenda when patent medicine dealers and personnel of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) gathered in Enugu State for a one-day seminar organised by the anti-drug agency. One was how the medicine dealers could improve on their trade for the over-all good of the consumers. The other was the dangers of hard drug and how its use could be controlled. Over 1000 dealers from all the local government councils of Enugu State as well chiefs of security agencies were attended the event. The Enugu State commander of the NDLEA, Anthony Ohanyere in his welcome address told participants that three topics were to be treated. These include “Patent Medicine Practice, Scope and Limitations” which has been articulated to enlighten patent medicine practitioners on the do’s and don’ts of their profession. The second, he said, was “Hard Drug Consumption and Criminal Liability: Issue of drug control” as crucial in the sense that patent medicine are vulnerable to frequent arrests for dispensing psychotropic substances. The third topic “Consequences of drug abuse on National Development was carefully selected to sensitise all participants on the need to be conscious of the implications of drug abuse on the nation and its development. Ohanyere told the participants at the seminar that the only way patent medicine dealers can earn their well deserved respect among the populace was by sticking to the necessary rules and regulations guiding the practice. “There is therefore the need for members to be aware of the implications of being caught with such substances,” he admonished. The commander said: “It is my belief that at the end of the seminar, we would all be more enlightened and better prepared to face the challenges occasioned by the unfortunate incidence of drug abuse and trafficking.” One revelation made at the seminar was that everybody abuses or consumes hard drug almost on a daily basis. The revelation was made by one of the resource persons at the seminar, Jacob Momodu. According to him, “the man that

•Enugu NDLEA commander, Ohanyere (right) with other security chiefs at the seminar

NDLEA, medicine dealers tackle hard drugs From Chris Oji, Enugu

drinks coffee each morning either at home or in the office is consuming drug; the colanut ritualized and eaten at each celebration at any gathering here in Enugu state is drug consumption; the accomplished banker who settles down with a bottle of beer at the end of the day is consuming drug.” Momodu, however, explained that the difference in the categories of drug consumption were that some “took socially acceptable drugs - kolanut, beer etc while others took to pathological drug to prevent diseases while yet others consumed hard drug abused volatile substances.” He said that although all these were the norm, the one purpose of the seminar was hard drugs which he described as “the opposite of medicine or orthodox drug. It is just as night is today, as good is to bad; it is the functional street and household names for narcotic drugs psychotropic substance.” He said the crescendo of drug con-

‘At the end of the seminar, we would all be more enlightened and better prepared to face the challenges occasioned by the unfortunate incidence of drug abuse and trafficking’ sumption is addiction and drug addiction is the physiological and psychological dependence on drug of abuse. Adding that an addict goes to any length to steal, pawn valuables, undergo illegitimate means such as prostitution, begging and telling lies to getting his drug of abuse. He expressed fears that there was enough evidence to show, at any

rate, a growing and unbroken trend of hard drug consumption and criminality in Enugu state. “It cuts across all social strata. Research report has shown that the adolescents and young adults who are the future and hope of the society constitute a risk for hard drug consumption and subsequent criminality. At the seminar, the patent medicine dealers were educated on their

10-year-old TB patient needs help

ERE his health not a problem, you would still be moved to lend him a helping hand. Master Chinonso John was scarcely five years old when his mother’s mental health failed. Chinonso ultimately lost the tender care a mother would give. That was not enough. His father left his mother shortly after Chinonso was conceived. Then, the boy’s ailment set in, taking away his vitality and threatening his life. He needs help, urgently. Chinonso is presently receiving medical attention at the Heart-toHeart Centre of Abia State Teaching Hospital Aba but he would need about N50,000 for blood transfusion and other medical bills to stabilise his health before proper treatment on his ailment (Tuberculosis) starts. When our correspondent visited Chinonso on his sick bed at the permanent site of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, his condition looked bad enough to necessitate an urgent medical attention before any comprehensive medical treatment would begin. Other patients admitted in the same room where he was admitted have left the room for the hallway to avoid being infected by the same disease.

‘I have spent virtually all my earnings on this his illness, but it has kept deteriorating day by day. I can’t leave this boy, with the state of his health. He is all my sister has got and will not be allowed to surfer while I am still alive’

•Chinonso with his uncle

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

The Nation gathered that Chinonso, with the help of his uncle Oliver Ejikeme, has visited various hospitals in and within Aba where he was subjected to various medical laboratory examinations and treatments, none of which has cured

him. Chinonso and his uncle who could not afford to pay a N4500 hospital bill after he was referred to the temporary site of the hospital for further treatment had the welfare department officials of the hospital to thank after the social

welfare department absolved the patient’s medical bills. Ejikeme who hails from Okwu Udo Njaba in Imo State, said: “Chinonso’s mum has been suffering from a mental problem for over 15 years. The dad is unknown. He impregnated my sister (Chinonso’s

limitations. These includeselling products in their original packs, boxes, packets, foils and covers as packed by the manufacturer and he the unit pack sizes that may be sold by vendors are limited to 100s and below for tablets 200ml or less for liquid preparation, vendors shall procure medicine from registered premises, they must not engage in surgical procedures and they shall not run hospitals, maternity and clinics. They are also not to engage in administering injections or set up IVF, they must not open or operate branches of their of their licensed shops and shall not advertise drugs for the cure, treatment, prevention of diseases specified in the schedule of the Food and Drug Decree of 1990. They shall as well not deal in narcotics and psychotropic substances as these products are drugs classified into cannabinoids-marijuana, depressants-barbitutates and BDZs, dossociative anaesthetics and hallucinogens-mescaline and LSD.

mother) and ran away. He is 10 years now and I have lived with for the past 5years after he joined my family from the village. He was withdrawn from Ndoki road primary school, Ngwa Road when this sickness became so bad that he was losing weight every minute. I took him to different hospitals in Aba and its environs were they conducted many tests on him. Some did test for sickle cell, worm, cough, etc, but at the end of the day, they couldn’t treat or identify what really was the problem with him. We were later referred to this place from the Seventh Day Adventist Church. We came to this place this week Monday. Since the state government stopped us from driving Okada, I have been jobless. It is my wife that has been the family bread winner. She is the person managing the family at the moment from the little money she makes from her petty business. “I have spent virtually all my earnings on this his illness, but it has kept deteriorating day by day. I can’t leave this boy, with the state of his health. He is all my sister has got and will not be allowed to surfer while I am still alive. “I am appealing on behalf of Chinonso to philanthropists, Imo and Abia governments including other public-spirited individuals to come to his aid in order to come out of this situation he has found himself.” Helpers may send their cash contributions to John Gaius Chibuzo on Ecobank account 0861022941.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Environmental agency chief denies Orji’s endorsement From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

•The Representative of the Presiden, Mr. Ewa Sunday Ulu (middle) cutting the tape to open the 25th Enugu International Trade Fair. He is assisted by the President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Dr. Ifeanyi Okonye (behind) and other top personalities…today. PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

NUJ President makes case for public schools P RESIDENT of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mallam Garba Mohammed, has called on both state and federal government to ensure that adequate funds are provided for the smooth running of public schools in the country. Mohammed during a courtesy call on the board members of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba stated that, despite numerous efforts the president has made to improve education in the country, the issue of funding tertiary institutions, primary and secondary schools owned by government has remained a very serious challenge in Nigeria. “I am very much aware of the efforts made by government especially by the president to ensure that there are interventions in our educational sector. The TETFund (Tertiary Education Trust Fund) projects are visible in most of our tertiary institutions (universities and polytechnics) and I am sure that there are quite a number of projects that are executed by TETFund in this polytechnic. It is therefore pertinent for me to mention here that polytechnics owned by the state government and federal governments have to be properly funded, as we should not rely on university education. “Look at the rate of unemployment that we have in this country. Look at what happened during the recruitment exercise, it is an indication that government has to be very, very careful with the high level of unemployment we have in this country and I feel that the best way we can address this problem is by ensuring that we encourage our polytechnics so that after field studies, most of our gradu-

‘Look at the rate of unemployment that we have in this country. Look at what happened during the recruitment exercise, it is an indication that government has to be very, very careful with the high level of unemployment we have in this country’ From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

ates do not need to rely on white collar jobs. The problem we have in Nigeria today is that most of us are relying on government jobs. But when you have polytechnics and other institutions our youths can be trained to be self-employed. I think that is what should be given much emphasis so that at the end of it all, our youths can have the opportunity of having training. The NUJ president, frowning at the over emphasis on university certificate against their polytechnic counterparts said that such undermines the purpose of establishing polytechnic education. “The emphasis on university education is killing the polytechnics and other tertiary institutions which is the center of our education. Mohammed who came in the com-

pany of Sure-P monitoring team to inspect some of the completed SureP projects congratulated the board chairman, Hon. Christopher Enweremadu for his appointment and successes he has recorded since he assumed office as the chairman of the polytechnic board. He further commended the cordial relationship existing between the polytechnic community and journalists in the state, expressing hope that journalists in the state will continue to sustenance the support. In his response, Rt. Hon. Christopher Enweremadu disclosed that the polytechnic community has enjoyed a cordial relationship with members of NUJ in the state and thanked members of the NUJ for helping the institution to draw the attention of the state government to plight of the polytechnic community which he said has yielded positive result.

Enweremadu urged journalists in the state and the country at large to be fair in all their reports in the interest of country first and in things which would unite than to divide Nigerians. According to the board chairman, “When we started asking for improved subvention, we received a lot of support from the media in getting government to see the true picture of the financial status of this place and we want to use this opportunity through you to commend that partnership between this institution and journalists across the country, most especially in Abia state. This institution has been very fortunate in its location, attention it has received from the visitor of this polytechnic who is the governor, chief sir T.A Orji who has continued to offer a listening ear to the demands of this institution. Recently the governor approved an upward review of the subvention due this polytechnic from N25m to N90m. This amounts to over 306% improvement in the subventions. It is a demonstration that this government is very ready to partner and improve the academic infrastructure in the state. We are also very grateful to the TETFund projects that have dotted this institution, enabled by the policies of the president of the federal republic of Nigeria. You can see that this place was originally a secondary school. Today, with houses, some of the most advanced infrastructures you can get in any polytechnic are all thanked to the partnership that is enabled by federal government policies to advance the tertiary institutions in particular, the polytechnics.”

Obiano’s aide rallies youths

T is clear that Anambra State Governor Mr Willie Obiano wants youths in the state to play a major role in peacemaking. The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation, Comrade Chinedu Obidigwe has been meeting with youth groups and student unions in the state, urging them to be good ambassadors of the state by promoting peace and refraining from crime and violence. Obidigwe met with a wide range of the state youths including members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Anambra State branch, and Anambra Youths Assembly shortly after being appointed by Obiano. He wants a stop to the numerous fights and destruction going on in parts of the state especially parks at Obosi, Onitsha and environs, and exhibit characters that will attract investors rather than scare them away.

‘If there is peace, our youths would be the first to get the dividends of democracy and that would help in stabilising the polity’ From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

Obidigwe, a former council chairman and students’ union activist, advised youths and students to stay away from frivolities and desist from crime by engaging in genuine undertakings in the interest of the state. He urged the youths to desist from social vices which, he pointed out, they are developing an escapist appetite for, adding that they should be agents of peace and unity rather than destabilisation.

Obidigwe said: “Our youths should engage in attitudinal advocacy and help us turn around the rush to crime and all kinds of social vices that it appears our youths are eager learning. They should be peace advocates and shun being used to destabilize the system especially now that Governor Willie Obiano is stepping on the strong foundation laid by former Governor, Mr Peter Obi. “And youth empowerment is dear to the new administration of Governor Obiano to continue from where Obi stopped and what he needed to

•Obiano

excel for the benefits of the youths is the peace initiatives of the youths and not war and violence posture many have tried to paint our youths to be. “If there is peace, our youths would be the first to get the dividends of democracy and that would help in stabilizing the polity.”

HE Deputy General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has denied a media report purporting that he has been endorsed by the state governor, Theodore Orji to run for governor in 2015. Ikpeazu, addressing journalists in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State described the media report as false, adding that he was yet to declared his intention for the post of the governor. According to the ASEPA DGM, “I have not declared interest yet and I don’t need to wait to be chosen before I make my intention known even when I am qualified to do so. PDP is a big party populated by the best brains. The rule in PDP is that you must pass through primaries. No one can just anoint someone just like that. “I am still consulting with stakeholders in the party and will wait to hear from them. If it didn’t favour me, I will still continue with the ASEPA job. But for now, I am on the ASEPA job assigned to me by the state government to keep Aba clean.” The report generated rumours in the state that Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu had secretly been anointed by Governor Orji as to succeed him. The state government, through its Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ajunwa, has equally debunked the report. A statement signed by the CPS stated that Governor Orji believes in justice and equity, adding that the governor has not endorsed anyone for the 2015 governorship position.

Group donates to the physicallychallenged From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

ATTER Day Saints Charity International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has donated mobility aid materials to persons living with disability in Anambra State. The group, which is an arm of United Staes of America-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in partnership with Soroptomist International, Awka chapter, donated 20 wheelchairs, 20 elbow clutches and 20 armpits clutches to members of the Association for Comprehensive Empowerment of Nigerians with Disability (ASCEND). Distributing the materials to the people, the President of ASCEND, Chief Cosmas Okoli said the wheelchairs were specially designed to conform to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline on appropriate provision in less resource setting. He further explained that the wheelchairs have features that would make the beneficiaries easily fitted and convenient, adding that they were designed to be used even in difficult terrains. Chief Okoli, who said the event coincided with their launch of an empowerment fund to assist their members, thanked the donors for their benevolence. The President of Soroptomist International, Awka chapter, Mrs Patricia Mmaduabom, said they decided to partner ASCEND for welfare purposes, adding that in addition to their various support services, they presented a cheque for N100,000 to ASCEND to assist them in their activities. Hope Ngwube, a member of the association, expressed joy that succour came the way of some of them, even as he asked other bodies to emulate the example shown to them by the two groups.

THE NATION THURSD

THE SOUTHEAST

Respite, 28 years afte

OR 28 years, peace eluded the people of Amaimo kingdom in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State. They had been caught in a fierce royal tussle. For that long, the kingdom had no leadership. Any wonder the joy of members of this community knew no bounds as the peace that had eluded them returned with the presentation of Staff of Office to Eze Godwin Ehirim Nwaebo as the Duru Imo II of Amaimo. The people, both young and old came out in large numbers to witness the historic event at the Multipurpose Hall, Government House Owerri, the Imo State capital, where the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha gave Staff of Office and Certificate of Recognition to 103 traditional rulers in the state. Tracing the history of the crisis that bedevilled the community since 1986, Chief (Sir) Japheth Duru (JP), the chairman of Amaimo Ezeship Committee, said “the last traditional ruler of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom, Eze Jude Ohiri Alaribe, died in 1986, adding that since then the community had not known peace as the battle for his successor as the traditional ruler had torn the people apart. Chief Duru, a one-time secretary-general of Amaimo Improvement Union and who has versed knowledge in Amaimo kingship history, disclosed that the tussle for the kingship of Amaimo has been on for 28 years. He said, after the mourning of the late king, Eze Godwin Ehirim was selected in line with the custom and tradition of the Amaimo and subsequently presented as the traditional ruler to the local government authority for onward presentation to the state government but the son to the late king who had already usurped the throne went to court and that was how the legal battle started. “The first Eze died in 1986 and Amaimo began the process of selecting a new Eze in 1987 when the first son of the late Eze presented himself as successor to his father. But Amaimo presented Eze Nwaebo to Ikeduru Local Government for presentation to the State government in 1988. So, since 1986 when the first Eze died till date, Amaimo Ancient Kingdom had been without a king,” Chief Duru said.

•Eze Ehirim left) and Chie

•Supporters From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Continuing, he said: “The matter lingered until the current Governor, Rochas Okorocha set up a committee to reconcile all kingship tussles in the communities in order to allow the will of the people prevail. This led to the recognition of Eze Ehirim and today presented with a Staff of Office, which, no doubt, has put to an end all litigations and crises that had stagnated Amaimo for close to three decades.” Describing the development as a huge relief, Chief Duru noted that the people suffered greatly as a result of the protracted kingship tussle. “The community lost a lot in terms of infrastructure development because it was totally abandoned by successive governments as a result of disunity

‘The first Eze died in 1986 and Amaimo began the process of selecting a new Eze in 1987 when the first son of the late Eze presented himself as successor to his father’ among the people. There was no common front to agitate for what rightfully belonged to Amaimo Ancient Kingdom. The community was worst for it. It was grossly under- developed compared to other communities that have traditional rulers.” In his words, the President-General of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom, Chief Vitalis Osuji, a lawyer, described the presentation of Staff of •Continued from page 33

•The traditional ruler of Oko Igwe Prof Laz Ekwueme

palace, Igwe Ekwueme said he had continued to receive threat messages from some groups to the effect that if anything goes wrong in Oko community, he would be arrested. He said though he had not been arrested by anybody, the harassments and intimidations from certain groups were embarrassing to his person. The monarch further said some of the security agencies had not seen him for over a year; he questioned the rationale behind their interest to see him now saying, “I’m afraid of this situation”. On whether Dr Alex Ekwueme is aware of the situation in Oko Polytechnic or in support of their agitation for the removal of the Rector, Igwe Ekwueme said the former Vice-President supports Prof. Onu’s removal. “Ekwueme is on the same page with the community. You know he is a humble man and he does not really throw his weight around,” he said. However, Igwe Ekwueme pleaded that the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, the Senator representing the zone and the member representing Orumba North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Rep-

Office to the Eze as a welcome development that will usher in peace, unity and development in the Kingdom. According to him, the last 28 years of disunity and acrimony had greatly affected the community. “We suffered immensely and were denied what was due us as a result of the disunity that was the order of the day. But today, it is a case of

no victor, no vanquished. All members of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom should come together to develop the community. For instance, we don’t have a common Community Bank and other basic amenities despite the community having highly placed sons and daughters. They were all disillusioned by the kingship tussle. But now, we can all come together to build our community,” he said. Also celebrating the return of peace, Chief Joseph Ugwu who is the President-General of Onugotu Egbelu Community Union commended the Governor Okorocha for his commitment to the resolution of the lingering kingship tussle in Amaimo and other communities in the state, adding that “within the last 28 years that Amaimo Ancient Kingdom was embroiled in this crisis, three au-

Rector crisis rages d resentatives to intervene on the matter. The youth leader, Evangelist Ezeokafor told our correspondent that the youth are disappointed in some people’s roles in the crisis. He said the Rector has not committed any crime that could warrant anybody to call for his removal, adding that “he had carried the community along since he assumed duty over four years ago.” He commended President Jonathan for endorsing the Rector’s second tenure, which, according to him, had made members of the community proud. “His massive infrastructural development in the school and the help he has rendered to Oko community, especially the youth, were unprecedented,” he said. The Public Relations Officer, Oko Progressive Union (OPU), Nwafor Jeremiah, said members of Oko community are not interested is renewing Prof. Onu’s tenure, but are interested in allowing the man to finish his work in Oko. He condemned the call by the traditional ruler and the PresidentGeneral of OPU for Prof. Onu’s removal, adding that the executive

•Oko youth leader, Ezeokafor

of OPU would not support it. He emphasised that the community had not deliberated on Prof. Onu’s removal, saying, the monarch and his cohorts were on their own. Mr Sopuluchukwu Onwuka, a lawyer, who is the National Assistant Secretary of OPU, told our correspondent that the monarch’s selective judgment had ruined Oko community. Onwuka said Oko community

•PRO Onuc

NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

SOUTHEAST REPORT

after kingship tussle

•Eze Ehirim and his wife Appolonia. With them are Mr Osuji (second left); Chief Ugwu (third left); Chief Duru (fourth left) and Chief John Ahanonu (right) and others

tonomous communities had emerged from Amaimo community. They are Umuri, Umuofor and Obodo. But today, we are happy that Amaimo had finally got a traditional ruler and everyone should support him in moving the community forward.” Mr. Louis Osuji, the SecretaryGeneral, Egbelu Progressive Union, Lagos branch thanked God for the resolution of the crisis, urging the new king to co-ordinate the people to work together and build a better community that everyone will be proud of. The highly elated king thanked God for the return of peace and unity in the community, rejoicing that the will of God had been done at last. “I am happy and grateful to Governor Okorocha for bringing an end to the 28 years of kingship

tussle that impeded development in my kingdom. But it is all over now. I am using this opportunity to call on all the sons of Amaimo to join hands with me to move the community forward,” Eze Nwaebo said. He added: “I thank my people for their support. I promise to rule with the fear of God. No one should be seen as an opposition. We are all one and should work together to achieve development for our people.” Admonishing the newly recognised kings, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Agunwa Ohiri, urged them to be the custodians of the custom and traditions of their people. “As traditional rulers, you should be equipped with deep knowledge of the customs and tra-

•Eze Ehirim receiving Staff of Office from Okorocha

‘When I came to power, most communities were ungovernable as a result of lingering kingship tussles, which, in most cases, had claimed lives. I decided to restore peace but it was not easy. But today, the problems are over. I urge you all to be hard working and to know that the position of Eze is a trust that can be justified when you use it for the wellbeing of your people’ ditions of the people. You should promote unity in your various communities and take charge of the security of lives and property of your people.”

Earlier in his speech before the presentation of the Staff of Office to the monarchs, Governor Okorocha said the role of tradi-

ages despite Jonathan’s endorsement

•PRO Onuchukwu

has a constitution that guides it, adding that it stipulates the functions of the monarch and that of the union. The public relations officer of the institution, Mr. Obini Onuchukwu, described Prof. Ekwueme as a father figure, the mentor, a role model and the landlord in the community and therefore should allow the Rector to concentrate on the task of developing the institution. Noting that “call for his removal

•Oko Progressive Union PRO Jeremiah

•National Legal Officer, OPU, Okonkwo Okom (left) and President General, OPU, Nwammuo

is borne out of politics and selfishness,” he added: “it is the idea of those falling angels who do not want the success of Oko community and the institution.” Onuchukwu reminded the monarch that the way he had been championing the removal of Prof. Onu may equally boomerang on him because he is the Chairman, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Kaduna. He said: “I am disappointed in the

calibre of people calling for the removal of the Rector. They do not know that the President had renewed his tenure for another four years.” On the Rector’s achievements, Onuchukwu said he has improved the academic standard of the institution as well as embarking on massive infrastructural development of the institution. Okonkwo-Okom said: “The community has concluded that contin-

ued stay of Prof. Onu as Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko does not augur well for the Polytechnic, will retard the pace of its development. His continued stay has been rejected by the entire staff, students and the host community. Therefore, his tenure should not be renewed but should be terminated forthwith. “All staff unions in the Polytechnic have vowed to continue their strike if Prof. Onu is allowed to re-

tional rulers in the development of the state is important and cannot be ignored. “When I came to power, most communities were ungovernable as a result of lingering kingship tussles, which, in most cases, had claimed lives. I decided to restore peace but it was not easy. But today, the problems are over. I urge you all to be hard working and to know that the position of Eze is a trust that can be justified when you use it for the well-being of your people. “I urge you therefore, as the heads of the Community Government Council (CGC), to promote the agricultural programme of government in your various communities. Ensure that your people are adequately involved in the palm revolution to create wealth for the people,” he said. turn as Rector under whatever guise. “On our part, Oko community has resolved to occupy the Polytechnic if Prof. Onu returns and would not vacate the premises until he is removed. “He is notorious for engaging in excessive use of police might to enforce his unpopular policies and programmes. We hereby humbly notify the government that Oko community will not be prepared for the return of Prof. Onu unless he is prepared to shoot all of us to clear his way,” It was gathered that the bone of contention in the area is award of contracts to individuals. “Why should anybody seek for contracts from the institution? Since the Rector’s tenure, he has transformed the institution and anybody that comes in now should identify the area as institution of higher learning and not like a glorified secondary school,” the source said. The crisis between the community and the Federal Polytechnic Oko has become upsetting so much so that if the Federal Government, former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme and other stakeholders did not intervene, there may be much turmoil that may destabilise both the community and the institution.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

NGO’s relief materials for the less-privileged

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation, Reality Organisation Worldwide, has distributed relief materials worth over N200,000 to no fewer than 24 less-privileged homes across the state. The items donated included bags of rice, beverages, bags of garri, toiletries, detergents and bags of iodized salt, among other items donated. Some of the homes that benefited from the philanthropist’s magnanimity are SOS Village, Amuzukwu, Asaga Ohafia motherless babies’ home, psychiatric Hospital, Mgboko, Helping Hands Disabled Association, Igbere, among others. In an interview with newsmen, the founder and the leader of the group, Elder Mrs. Eunice Uzor Kalu, mother of the former governor of Abia State Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, said the event which has become yearly since the it was initiated, provides the group with the opportunity of touching the lives of the needy in various destitute and motherless homes in the state, no matter their location. She said: “I would have given more than what I donated today. I will continue to do this as long as I live and as much as my resources can carry and as God keeps blessing me. This programme has come to stay and we will make sure that the aim of the programme is not defeated. We will continue to make sure that we put a smile on the faces of the less privilege in our communities and the state at large.” Elder Eunice also used the opportunity to call on public-spirited individuals, churches, private and corporate organisations in the state and country to channel some of their resources for the support of the needy as a measure of putting a smile on their faces. One of the sons of the donor and a one-time Chief of Staff to Governor Theodore Orji, Mr. Mascot Uzor Kalu, said the annual event has be-

‘I would have given more than what I donated today. I will continue to do this as long as I live and as much as my resources can carry and as God keeps blessing me. This programme has come to stay and we will make sure that the aim of the programme is not defeated’ •Mrs. Eunice Kalu with some of the motherless babies at the event

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

come part of the family, describing his mother’s gesture as one of her legacies. He said: “It is a big event. It is an event that my mum has done every year for up to twenty years to the less privilege. It is a legacy event that we would want to keep. Reality Organisation will outlive her.” Responding on behalf of the benefiting homes, Uchechukwu Nwaokere of SOS Village Amuzukwu-Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area thanked the donor for her philanthropic gestures and further called on government and other well-meaning individuals to come to their aid. Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of the items and handing over cash donations to the benefiting home by Elder Mrs. Eunice Uzor Kalu.

•Items donated to the homes

Abandoned road finally catches Chime’s eye A

FTER what seemed like eternity, a long-abandoned road in an Enugu State community has caught the eye of Governor Sullivan Chime, much to the joy of the residents. The excitement of the people of Akpugoeze clan made up of Akpugo-eze Ugwu, Akpugo eze Agbada and other Akpugo eze communities in Oji River Local Government of the state knew no bounds when construction work started commenced on the 14 km of road, which links Anambra State. Chime had driven on the road on a visit to Akpugo Eze and was shocked by the extent of its disrepair. Promptly, he conceded that the people of the area actually needed a good access road. He made them a promise: the road would be fixed, quickly. Many of the people dismissed the promise as one of those political gimmicks by politicians, more so as the governor’s fiercest opponents hail from the area. And so, it was a surprise to them, as if it was a dream, when the project was handed over to a foreign firm named Atidolf Company Nigeria Ltd for execution. On the occasion, Governor Sullivan Chime represented by the Commissioner for Works and infra-

‘Chime had driven on the road on a visit to Akpugo Eze and was shocked by the extent of its disrepair. Promptly, he conceded that the people of the area actually needed a good access road. He made them a promise: the road would be fixed, quickly’ From Chris Oji, Enugu

structure, Mr. Godwin O. Madueke stressed that the government would

•Akpugoeze Road

not relent in its efforts to meet the expectations of the people. He stated that Enugu State government was determined to link all the Local Government Areas and food producing communities in the state to enhance food production

and economic activities. Madueke revealed that the total cost of the project is N1.45 billion, out of which the state government would expend 70 per cent and Oji River Local Government would contribute 30 per cent.

The commissioner explained that the 14.1km road project starting from Nkwo Inyi market to Akpugo eze ugwu to Akpugo Agbada to neighbouring Anambra State would be completed within one dry year. The Chairman of Oji River Local

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Save Nigeria, cleric appeals to delegates A NGLICAN Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese Ebonyi State, Bishop Monday Nkwoagu has urged delegates to the National Conference to be ready to make some sacrifices in order to save the country or risk its unity in the nearest future. Bishop Nkwoagu, who spoke in Nnewi while addressing journalists, warned the delegates to the national conference to be committed and patriotic. He said: “We have been suffering from social and religious injustices in this country. What is happening in this country, particularly in the Northern parts is getting out of control. See how people are being slaughtered everyday in thousands as if they are not human beings. “A lot of people are being marginalised. For instance, the South-eastern part of the country is the only region that has five states while others have six. It appears as if there is insecurity in the country but these are caused by fellow Nigerians. “There are no employment opportunities, crime rate is high and high cost of living is on the increase, when God has endowed us with abundant human and material resources. On those who opposed the convening of the conference, Bishop Nkwoagu said: “Remember I said in the beginning, may God help us so that we may not break up, even though the President has spelt out the modalities and rules including secluded areas that are no go areas that will not, in any way, solve our problems. “The country will not stand as one unified nation if nothing is done to address the imbalances in the system. “Of course, there is no end in sight to the marginalisation, economic and social injustice as well as religious intolerance among different ethnic groups in Nigeria. What the United States of America

‘We have been suffering from social and religious injustices in this country. What is happening in this country, particularly in the Northern parts is getting out of control. See how people are being slaughtered everyday in thousands as if they are not human beings’ Stories by Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

speculated about Nigeria’s breakup in 2015 may be inevitable. “You know we have a problem

of leadership, especially among the Igbo nation. This is the more reason we are marginalised and under-developed. We lack federal infrastructural development in the Southeast zone. For instance, look

at the issues of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge. “Our colonial masters did not consider the interest of these ethnic groups with different cultures and traditions during the 1914 amalgamation exercise. What they did was to lump us together in a way that will benefit them and this has been the bane of our problems. “The representatives of the Igbo nation at the conference should know that their nomination was a challenge and therefore should be prepared to defend our common front instead of going there to negotiate for money. Anything contrary to this will perpetuate our continued marginalisation.”

‘National Conference must be subjected to referendum’

HANAEZE Ndigbo Anambra State chapter has said the ongoing National Conference should have been subjected to a referendum first for Nigerians to decide the outcome. President Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State, Chief Chris Eluemunor spoke while addressing journalists in Onitsha. He said: “The conference should have been one step at a time and at the end, they will make recommendation to the Presidency. We want a referendum on the decisions of the National Conference and if that referendum is acceptable to Nigerians, it will help the entire country. You don’t need to push it to the National Assembly for ratification. Ohanaeze Ndigbo boss stated: “The President did make a promise. He has actualised his promise. He has done a lot of things to show that he is very interested in the National Conference. First of all, I have to commend him for taking such a bold step. What Igbo are saying for now is that after 100 years of amal-

gamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates, we need to talk because the exercise was imposed on nations that make up Nigeria today. “It was not voluntary. Therefore, after 100 years of amalgamation, we need to sit down and talk on how to move the country forward. We are interested in the unity of this country; nobody wants Nigeria to break up. But what Ndigbo are saying is that there must be equity and fairness in the administration of this country. “First, there has to be an equal state representation in the country. Right now the Southeast geopolitical zone has only five states while the other zones have six states each. “The Igbo is a major nation in Nigeria that cannot be marginalised. The distribution of wealth in the country has to be discussed. There has to be equitable distribution of wealth in Nigeria. Some Igbo states are involved in oil producing. Anambra State has

joined the oil-producing states. Elumunor said it is not enough to go for a conference whose outcome is not implementable. This is the fear a lot of people are having. On alleged plans by Mr President to use the conference for his re-election bid, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo boss said: “The conference has nothing to do with his political ambition. If anything, it is going to work against him because I know that some parts of the country are not interested in the ongoing National Conference and they may not support him because of this. But any reasonable mind knows that the President has good intentions for this country by allowing this conference to take place. It has nothing to do with his political ambition. Meanwhile he has not even told anybody that he is running for the 2015 general elections. But even if he is running what about it! He is still working within the limit of his tenure. Whether he is running in 2015 or not is neither here nor there.

‘The state government was determined to link all the Local Government Areas and food producing communities in the state to enhance food production and economic activities’

•Another part of the road

Government Area Mr. Jideofor Onyemachi commended the state government for initiating the project and gave an assurance that the people of the area would provide good working atmosphere for the contractors handling the project.

Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, a one time governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) during general Ibrahim Babangida still born transition programme thanked God that the project was being executed in his life

time. The President of Akpugo eze clan Mr. Bosa Onwurah expressed gratitude to God Almighty and Governor Chime, saying that it will promote economic and social life of the people.

The consultant of the project Mr. Greg Nnaji of Project Design Consultant said that he has done due diligence on the design and all necessary pre contract documents concerning the project and it was accepted by Ministry of Works and Infrastructure. He assured the state government of proper monitoring of the project, and will be ready to give solution to any technical issue concerning the design of the project. The Managing Director of Atidolf Nigeria Limited, Mr. Rudolf Mawad promised to complete the work on schedule and work according to standard specified on the design.

•Jonathan

Confab: There should be no sacred areas, says ex-police service chief

ORMER chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke said he is of the view that everything should be discussed at the ongoing National Conference, including whether Nigeria should continue to be one or not. Okeke, who spoke at his country home Amichi in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, said there should not be any no go areas. He advocated a decentralised police force for efficiency and better policing. He said: “Everything should be discussed at the Conference, including whether Nigeria should continue to be one or not and the modality for the oneness. He insisted that Nigeria must be restructured to give the six geopolitical zones more power to control their resources and then contribute to the centre with the control of the police being decentralised. Okeke called on Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano to make the provision of a cargo airport in the state one of his administration’s priorities. He, however, urged the new governor not to abandon any project initiated by former governor of the state, Peter Obi. He said: “The need for a cargo airport in Anambra State had become necessary with the expansion of commercial and other business activities east of the Niger. He insisted that one of the early new projects the governor should handle would be to revisit the airport project abandoned by past administrations in the state. The former police boss continued: “Obi has set a high standard and his successor has a big task to maintain and surpass that standard. Obi has done well in infrastructural development, including road network. “Obiano should not think about infrastructure but he has to face industrialisation and agriculture as he had promised to create enough job opportunities for the teeming population. “He should make sure that Anambra State is fully admitted as an oil-producing state as declared by President Goodluck Jonathan.”

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE Yoruba students celebrate culture

•Some of the awardees displaying their plaques

Accounting students hold dinner

RADUATING Accounting students of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, have been advised to be good ambassadors of the institution by being decorous and upright. Dr Danlami Sani Abdulkadir, gave the advice during the dinner and award ceremony organised by members of the Nigerian University Accounting Students Association (NUASA) at the university. He congratulated the graduat-

From Yinka Olatunbosun IBBU ing students on scaling various academic hurdles to reach their finals, urging them to be focused and disciplined in the pursuit of their dreams. He encouraged them to always uphold good virtues and shun anything that could affect their future. The Acting Head of Department, Business Administration, Mallam Mohammed Mawoli, expressed

T was a celebration of culture as Yoruba students at the Moddibo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, in Adamawa State celebrated the annual Yoruba Day. President of Yoruba Students Association Ibikunle Sunday, a 300-Level Construction Technology Education student, expressed gratitude to God for making the occasion a reality. He said it was important for students of Yoruba extraction to choose a day to reunite in love and discuss ways of protecting their interest. He noted that the event was unique as it was the first time Yoruba students from different states of the federation would come together to mark the anniversary. He called on the members to embrace peace and love. The student Oba, Bello Adebayo, 500-Level Information Technology, thanked the students for participating in the event, saying there was the need for unity among members. There were a cultural dance, presentation of certificates to state

satisfaction with the level of academic performance of the graduating students and charged them to keep it up. The outgoing president, Ibrahim Aliyu Mohammed, thanked the management for supporting his administration, urging them to initiate measures that would facilitate the full accreditation of the department. The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of awards to outstanding students in the department.

From Philips Ogbaje MAUTECH presidents and awards to deserving members of the association. Certificates were also presented to graduating students. Some of the awardees included Dr Timothy Idowu, Alhaja Barakat Nakowa, Prof Emmanuel Babatope Alo and Engr Lateef Abioye. Others were Bello Adebayo (Oba), Adisa Azeez (Asipa) and Nurat Shola Mahmud (Olori 1), among others. Dr Amos Adetola, a lecturer in the Department of Physics, encouraged the students to strive for success in their academics and to endeavour to protect their culture. “No association survives without unity. Unity guarantees the survival of any organisation. So, I enjoin you all to be united. The Oba-in-Council and executive of this association must put all selfish interests aside and work together to ensure that the association takes its proper place in the university,” he stated.

•Members of the association entertaining the guests

KWASU holds maiden soccer contest

HE Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has organised its maiden football competition. The tournament was organised by the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Sodiq Abubakri, and hosted by the Department of Computer Science. After a series of group matches, two of the four departments made it to the final stage of the competition. During the final match, players were welcomed by a crowd of spectators, chanting various songs. Representatives from the school’s Sport Centre stood at strategic positions to treat injured players. The Business and Entrepreneurship and Political Science teams competed to lift the trophy. The players entertained spectators with their amazing

•Solomon handing over to Kesther at the function

Rotaract installs female president

HE Rotaract Club at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has installed its first female president, Kesther Ishekwene. The ceremony was held at the CES Auditorium Graduate School. In her acceptance speech, Ishekwene promised to uphold the confidence reposed in her to deliver on her mandate. Ishekwene, a 300-Level student of the Faculty of Law, sought the support of members and multinationals to execute the club’s community service projects for the year. She said the projects included polio campaign, donation of signpost to the host university, environmental sanitation at UNICAL medical centre, payment of school fees for some indigent pupils and

From Joy Riman UNICAL distribution of stationary materials to primary schools. In his valedictory address, the outgone president, Solomon Obio, listed educational outreach, health awareness at schools, orientation for freshers, donation to orphanages and hosting of polio eradication campaigns as part of his administration’s achievements. He added the club won various awards. Speaking on Rotary youth service: a veritable tool for community and professional development, the Assistant Governor of Rotary Club Zone 8, Paul Ebiala, said the club provided members with the necessary tools to build the youth professionally. He said: “In Rotaract, every president is expected to execute

two major projects in every rotary year. Events like Rotary Youths Leadership Awards (RYLA) are avenues where hard working executives are rewarded.” Highpoints of the event was the induction of new members, launch of the club’s community service projects, cutting of the club’s anniversary cake as well as awards to personalities who distinguished themselves through community, educational and professional services. Some of the awardees included Dr Mike Okom and Hon Odibe Emmanuel. Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Rosamond Ekeng, 400-Level Medicine and Surgery said: “Kesther is the hard-working type. I am very sure she would not let the female folk down even as she has broken the records as the first female president of the club.”

Dept elects leaders

EMBERS of the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ (SPE) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) have elected new executives to pilot the affairs of the association for the 2014 academic session. Eze Kingsley Nnaemeka, 500-level Electronic Engineering is the president. He defeated Ocheja Patrick Ileanwa with two-third majority of votes cast. The election, which took place at the postgraduate lecture hall of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, started with the manifesto by aspirants. The electoral committee was chaired by Obasi Nnamdi Christopher, a former president of the department, who laid out the guidelines for the conduct of the election.

From Kayode Akanbi KWASU

soccer skills. There was drama when Business and Entrepreneurship team scored a goal 30 seconds into the first half. The match ended 1-0 in favour of Business and Entrepreneurship team. A 200-Level Business and Entrepreneurship student, described the match as exciting. He said: “I am thrilled by the unity this event has brought to the participating departments. Apart from uniting students, the event also entertained everyone. We saw the need to engage students in physical fitness and make them develop good mental alertness.” The captain of Business and Entrepreneurship team thanked God for the victory and praised the National Association of Business and Entrepreneurship students for their support. From Divine Nwoye UNN He commended the aspirants for preparing adequately for the election, adding that it was free and fair. He urged the new executive to take effective steps in positioning the society for success. In his acceptance speech, Nnaemeka, expressed gratitude to God for the outcome of the election, saying his administration was committed to fulfilling its campaign objectives. The outgoing president, Ozoka Obinna, 400-level Geology, pleaded with members to cooperate with the executives to achieve the goals of the departnment. He advised the new executive to be dedicated to their responsibilities. Some of the students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE said the election was free of malpractices. Ugorji James, 100-level Electronics Engineering, said sincerity to promises by the new executive should be a priority.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE Students of the Nasarawa State University in Keffi (NSUK) have welcomed the appointment of Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, with request for water and accommodation. KAMALUDDEEN ABUBAKAR and MAKAMA SANI (200-Level Geography) report.

HE appointment by the Nasarawa State Government of Prof Muhammad Akaro Mainoma as the Acting Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Nasarawa State University in Keffi (NSUK) was greeted with excitement by students. To them, the appointment of the new helmsman is historic because it is the first time an indigene of the state would be administering the school. But, before the new helmsman could settle down to work, students gave him various tasks to do: they want on-campus accommodation, water and reinstatement of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). Prof Mainoma took the mantle of leadership from the immediate past Acting VC, Prof Aminu Mikailu, who replaced the suspended VC, Prof Shamsudeen Amali, under whom a violent protest shook the school because of water shortage. Three students died in controversial circumstances during the protest and the incident led to the closure of the school for months. It was re-opened last year June. Students described appointment of Prof Mainoma, who they called an erudite scholar, as a round peg around a hole. Declaring their unalloyed support for the new leadership, the students said Prof Mainoma’s administration could end the challenges they face in accommodation and access to potable. Rabi’u Tijani Omame, who was suspended as the president of SUG in the wake of the violence, said the coming of Prof Mainoma was a step in the right direction. “The appointment of such an erudite scholar could not have come at a better time than now. It is a welcome development and we are using this opportunity to declare our unalloyed support to his administration in taking the school and its students to higher grounds,” he said. Muhammad Abdulbasid, a 400Level Microbiology student, praised

•Prof Mainoma (middle) with suspended students’ leaders in his office

Students set agenda for new VC

Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura for redeeming the school from academic relegation. He said: “Appointment of Prof Mainoma is capable of putting the institution on the threshold of academic development because students know him as visionary scholar. I expect nothing less than excellent performance from him, especially because he is the first indigene of the state to be VC of the school. His priority should be security and solving

challenges facing the students.” Some students believe Prof Mainoma may have come to face enormous challenges in repositioning the school because, according to them, the immediate past leadership did little or nothing to address the cause of the violence. Water remains a wanted commodity in the school’s Halls of Residence. They said the administration of Prof Muka’il did not fare well to solve the problem. Even, the N20

million released by the Federal Government to sink boreholes could not be accounted for. This has compounded the woes of students, who also battle accommodation challenge. Ruth Maga, a 200-Level Geography student, said: “I want to believe Prof Mainoma is sent by God to carry out godly assignment in this trying moment. He has a lot to achieve in the course of his assignment because we are still battling with water prob-

lem. Whenever there is no supply from the state Water Board, we are left to our fate.” Students also want the new management to make efforts to partner with organisations that fund education to provide on-campus accommodation because of biting rent and insecurity in off-campus residences. A former SUG official said: “The former acting VC signed an agreement with a private company under Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement for the construction of hostels on the campus. Work is currently ongoing on that and I want the new leadership to ensure continuity in that direction and even work hard to woo more companies and bosies that fund education to alleviate our accommodation problem.” On the proscribed students’ unionism, students urged the new VC to unban their union, saying lack of union was compounding their problems. Musa Barau, a student, said: “We are daily being faced with problems but with no organised body to fight for our cause. The challenge now, more than ever before, underscores the need for us to have a constituted students’ union not to only fight for us but also organise us for a purpose which inspires.” Prof Mainoma, in a chat with CAMPUSLIFE when the suspended SUG president, Omame, led its officials to his office, said his administration would focus on social and academic development of students, adding: “Students welfare will be my priority; I am appointed here because of students.” He also promised to reinstate the students’ union. “I promise to reinstate the students’ union officials and release their operational vehicle. I want to also call on the student to continue to support the administration of Governor Almakura as he is making efforts to build three blocks of hostel in the school.”

It was a feast of culture and excitement at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) when the Federated Association of Nsukka Students (FANS) marked its cultural day. KINGSLEY AMATANWEZE (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) reports

United by their culture

HE women came out gorgeously dressed in their native attires. They adorned beautiful bead-necklaces and head gears; some dressed in blouses and wrapper, others tied long wrappers around their necks. For the men, it was a variety of traditional robes, including the popular Isi agu regalia with beads to match, portraying the culture of Nsukka people. That was the scene when the Federated Association of Nsukka Students (FANS), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), held its cultural day penultimate week. The event took place at an open space called Freedom Square on campus, and it was attended by students from the seven local government areas that constitute the old Nsukka district, which now falls under the purview of Enugu North Senatorial zone. The Enugu North Senatorial zone comprises Udenu, Isi-uzo, Igbo Eze South, Igbo Eze North, Uzo-Uwani, Igbo Etiti and Nsukka local government areas. As the students moved in a carnival-like procession to the venue, Ijele (the king of masqueraders) and Adanma (the beauty queen masquerader) entertained the passers-by with traditional dance steps. The cultural troupes of the association trailed the masqueraders, dancing to the tune of traditional talking drum. The venue was decorated with some cultural objects, such as like palm wine tappers’ climbing belt, palm wine wooden keg, local mats, beads, palm fronds and other traditional ornaments.

The event was also an opportunity for the students to showcase their local cuisines. Only local foods, such as Okpa, Ona, Ayaraya and Achicha, were served. Palm wine was also the only brand of wine taken at the event. It was about culture. Students from each Local Government Area were called to present their cultural exhibitions, which were mainly masqueraders and traditional music. The FANS president, Bartholomew Asogwa, a 300-Level Public Administration and Local Government student, decried the embrace of “alien way of life” in place of Nsukka culture, urging members of the association to revive the traditions of the Nsukka people. He said: “Our culture forbids kidnapping, cultism, lack of respect to elders and listening to lewd songs.. But today, our youths embrace these vices because they have abandoned the cultural beliefs bequeathed to us by our ancestors. Ours is a culture that promotes honesty and humility.” He stated that the objective of the cultural event was to promote unity and to take members back to their roots. He said it would be tragedy if Nsukka youths grow up to learn that their heritage had been substituted with alien culture. He attributed success organisation of the event to efforts of the association’s patrons, including Eze Willy Ezugwu, who is the Enugu’s chairman of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), who supported the students financially. He reiterated that FANS does not asso-

•Ijele masquerade entertaining the students

ciate with any political party. Students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, commended the organisers for rescuing the Nsukka people’s culture from extinction. Jennifer Tim, a 200-Level Biochemistry student, described the event as reminder to sustain Nsukka culture. “I learned new thing about my background. If it is not for the cultural event, which serves as a reminder for people like, I would have completely lost bond with my tradition,” she said. Another student, Samson Udekwe, 300-Level Combined Political Science and Philosophy, bemoaned the contact of local culture with western way of life, saying it was time stu-

dents saved the Nsukka heritage from losing its values. He said: “Our culture as Africans and Igbos in particular is losing values after contact with the western culture. So, the essence of this gathering is to revitalise our dying culture.” Evaristus Eneje, a 500-Level Civil Engineering student, was elated to witness the event for the first time. He described the cultural day as a “good show”, saying: “The fiesta has made it possible for us to know our brothers, and to relate with one another better. I feel so happy to be a member of the association and organisers of the event must be commended for bringing culture back to our door step.”

“I am proud from being an indigene of Nsukka,” Augusta Ugwuanyi, a 200-Level Library and Information Science student, said, adding: “One the things that made the event so interesting was making our local foods the official meal at the event.” The event also featured decoration of some students with chieftaincy titles. Uchenna Oshomi, a 300-Level Public Administration and Local Government student, was bestowed with honour. At the event included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof Malachy Ukwueze and officials of Enugu State government.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

Bowen crisis: Spotlight on private varsities

N March 19, all hell was let loose at the Bowen University in Iwo, Osun State. The incident will continue to linger in the minds of staff, students, parents and founders of the institution for a long time. According to media report, students went on the rampage, vandalising the school property, which included no fewer than 20 vehicles belonging to the institution. The cause of the violence was said to be power outage and water shortage in one of the new male hostels. Findings later revealed that the cause of the protest was more than power supply and water scarcity; it was said to be connected with some management’s decisions that did not go down well with students. The decisions included restriction of students’ movement, compulsory locking of the hostels between 8am and 4pm and timetable for eating, among others. Reports said students were watching an European Champions League match that fateful day when the electricity went off; the frustration coupled with the bottled-up anger against the school policies was believed to have triggered the protest. By the time the dust settled, stalls within the campus have been looted. This unfortunate incident calls for concern and a review of private institutions managements’ policies.

It is alarming that in this 21st century, we have institutions that prevent students from making use of gadgets such as computers, mobile phones and I-pads. Many of them issue stringent dress codes to students, restricting their movement and dictating the kind of clothes they must wear. They fix time when the students must read and compel them to go to chapels. Students are sent to the tertiary institution not to only acquire knowledge, but to learn self-reliance, human relations and how to be independent. One, therefore, wonders how the students would acquire these ‘skills’ if they are constantly restricted and their daily routine dictated by the authorities. Even more disturbing is breaching the right of staff and students to unionise contrary to Section 40 of the Constitution, which states: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.” The right to unionise in private institutions is being trampled upon, thus making agitation and championing the staff and students’ interest a mirage. Apart from defending the interest of members, these unions, especially the Students’ Union, help to develop and mould future leaders for the nation. It is a

T is a known fact that unemployment is one of the problems bedeviling Nigeria. And there is no gainsaying the fact that importation of goods from foreign lands adds to the causes of unemployment. A country that exports goods tends to remain independent and provide jobs for its citizens. This is because companies producing goods for export employ people for their production. However, countries such as Nigeria that produces little or nothing for export is affected by youth unemployment because there are no industries to gainfully engage them. Though the nation’s manufacturing sector is booming with production of goods, but the industries are not enough to adequately explore the resources of the youth. For instance, there are many manufacturing companies in Lagos, Aba, Nnewi, Onitsha and other commercial cities in Nigeria, which can produce most of the products we import from other nations. In Aba, one can get a good pair of shoes that can stand any exhibition with Italian shoes. Also, there are tailors who sew beautiful clothes that one wonders if the clothes were imported from France. The problem in Nigeria is not what to produce, or how to pro-

ground where students can acquire leadership skills that will benefit them and help them even in their chosen careers, which is one of the goals of these schools in the first instance. Many private institutions, in a bid to instil discipline in their students, introduce policies that do not necessarily inculcate the desired values in them. Many students hide their real way of life while in school and revert back to the behaviour when they are on holidays. Because they are treated as kids on campus, the students feel imprisoned and restricted from socialising and mixing freely, thus, affecting their human relations when they graduate from the schools. It is high time private varsities’ managements began to allow some level of liberty on their campuses. Varsity undergraduates in these institutions should be given the requisite training and exposure that will justify the fees that are paying and make them interact freely and compete favourably with their peers in public varsities. Basic amenities that have to be provided in a higher institution are electricity and water. Though, both services have been a challenge for national government to provide, but higher institutions must devote a substantial part of their resources to provide these basic amenities. It is surprising, however, that in a pri-

vate university where students pay between N500,000 and N700,000, electricity is supplied to Halls of Residence for just six hours daily! The protest by the students is a reaction to the suppression of their fundamental human rights. It is a product of bottled-up frustration against the system but the power outage is just a smokescreen. There is the likelihood of communication breakdown between the management and students, which could have been averted should there be a students’ union. It is also important that these institutions give students some liberty in the process of instilling discipline in them. After all, there is no evidence to show that their graduates are better off in behaviour compare to their peers who went to public schools. The unfortunate incident at Bowen University is a wake-up call to our leaders that the people are gradually finding their voice and are resisting unpopular policies. Gone are the days when people accepted oppressive policies hook, line and sinker. The unfortunate and regrettable part of the whole affair is the looting of shops and destruction of vehicles. It is a sour taste, which leaves so much to be desired. It is unfortunate that undergraduates would be lawless and turn a supposedly peaceful protest into violence. This is condemnable and should be discouraged by the parents. Apart from

the fact that the students will likely have to be surcharged for the destruction and looting, it has brought about a disruption in the academic calendar which is not too good. Certainly, lessons have been learnt, though in the hard way. It is hoped that other private institutions, public universities and the nation would come to the reality that, no matter how long people are suppressed; a day of revolt will surely come. Private institutions need to revisit some of their laws and give their students some level of freedom. The right to unionise should also be revisited in these ivory towers to build future leaders and expose students to leadership experience. Abiola, 600-Level Veterinary Medicine, FUNAAB

A vote for made-in-Nigeria duce as we were taught in O’Level Economics. But for which market to produce is the problem. It is appalling that Nigerians prefer travelling abroad to shop for bags, shoes and so on, that are being produced in Nigeria. In doing so, they enrich other countries while their citizens languish in abject poverty. Celebrities are another group of people who do not wish this country well. There is hardly a day that one does not hear of a celebrity who travels out of the country to shop for things that can be got in Aba or Lagos. The elite spend huge resources travelling to Dubai and other places they feel are the best tourist areas, but we have Obudu Cattle Ranch, Tinapa Resort and Yankee Games Reserve. Brazilian, Peruvian and Chinese hairs are imported at a very high cost, yet our women buy to enhance their beauty. There are raw materials here that can be used to produce such products. Recently, President Goodluck Jonathan hinted on the plan to make Nigeria a vehicle manufacturer. I welcomed the idea with

mixed feelings because of two reasons. First, I am quite sure that government is not likely to purchase any of the cars manufactured in Nigeria. Secondly, a country that can import matches, toothpick, grass cutters and other funny things should not have such tall dream. I think we should start producing toothpick first. This is keeping with the adage which says: “A journey of a thousand miles start with a single step.” The president kicked off YOUWIN, a scheme that provides capital for self-reliant youth to create employment. The scheme would eventually become useless if the beneficiaries do not have customers in local market to patronise them. Most of the imported products carry label such as “Made in Italy”, “Made in China’, because Nigerians will not buy any good without foreign label. Credit is given to the country, which owns the label but at the expense of the home-made goods. This is disheartening. Government is also not helping matters. For instance, government gives scholarship to students for

them to go and study abroad. Offering of scholarship to worthy candidates is not a bad idea, but sending them abroad to study may be considered abnormal. What has happened to Nigerian schools? Given our desire for medical tourism, one wonders if there are no medical doctors in Nigeria or that the equipment being used for surgery cannot be brought to the Nigeria hospitals?. I am sure the former is not the reason for traveling out of the country for health check up, the later I believe could be the reason. How much will it cost to buy those equipment and install in our hospitals? Nigeria as a sovereign nation must depend on itself. This is not to say we should not associate or transact with other countries, but our dependence on foreign goods has subjected us to ridicule by countries whose products we depend on. When President Jonathan signed the anti-gay law, the Britain and United States reacted with threats to stop all aids given to the country because we cannot do without them. We have created a commensalism relationship with

That bloody recruitment

By Emmanuel Awazie

By Abiola Solanke

OHN Fitzgerald Kennedy, in his famous speech in Dublin Castle, Republic of Ireland, defined democracy as a difficult kind of government that requires the highest qualities of self-discipline, restrained and knowledgeable leaders, willing to make commitments, sacrifices for the general interest. Since independence, Nigeria has experienced so much trauma that has shaken the foundation on which it stands; but we are blessed with deft leaders, who drive the country to the edge of precipice, only to draw it back again for another round of dangerous play. But we are yet to be blessed with such leaders that Kennedy was referring to since democracy returned to the nation. Nigeria is a country where noth-

ing works in conformance to due process. It is a country which has found it impossible to guarantee even 12 hours electricity supply for its citizens; a nation where poverty thrives, despite being blessed with natural wealth. We are indeed plagued with bad leaders and ignorant followers. The country is like a canoe in turbulence and everybody is looking for a way out. Just recently, thousands of jobless graduates, who ostensibly wanted to escape from the poverty trap, took part in the Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment, which ended as a morbid exercise. The applicants were desperate. They besieged venues in their large numbers. The stadia were filled to capacity with able men and women looking for Federal Government’s

job. They paid N1,000 as application fee but there was no refreshment for them. The graduates were asked to stay in the scorching sun for several hours to write the dubious test. In no time, there was a stampede and some of them were crushed. Many left with physical and psychological trauma. After the tragedy, the organisers blamed the dead applicants for their fate. What did our president do? Perhaps it was meant to be some publicity stunt for him, but when tragedy befell the exercise, the president rejected the scheme and condemned the death of applicants. To further pee on the graves of the dead, the president offered immediate jobs to the families of the victims. If it is not an afterthought,

By Uchechukwu Amanze these countries; a situation where we gain from them while they have nothing to lose or gain from us. It is high time we created a symbiotic relationship with countries of the world. This can only be attained or achieved by encouraging and patronising home-made products to generate employment for the jobless and make the country a truly independent nation. Uchechukwu, 200-Level Food Science and Technology, ABSU how else could one explain the president’s largesse? What of those who lived to tell the story? Should they blame themselves for not dying at the test venues? What about applicants who were injured psychologically? Should they go and die at home? Is this how the Federal Government wants to solve the unemployment riddle ravaging the nation? Our schools churn out thousands of graduates every year but there are no plans in place to absorb them. If a fraction of the NIS job applicants could be employed to pacify the upset public, what should be the fate of the rest of the applicants, who did not get hurt during the exercise? This is why I saw the job offer to the victims’ families as insulting and inappropriate.

•Continued on page 44

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

Crisis hits Students’ Union

President’s aide lauds student-publishers

•Continued from page 31

HE Senior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Students and Youths, Jude Imagwe, has praised the editorial board of Campuslight magazine, a students’ publication at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). Presenting a copy of the newsletter to Imagwe, Editor of the magazine Emmanuel Shebbs said the tabloid was initiated to disseminate information and bridge the gap between the school management and students. Shebbs said the major cause of crisis on campus was a situation where the students seem not to understand what is happening in the school. “When the students are left in the dark, they feel excluded from the pulse of happenings. At such a time, they will be victims of rumour mongers and they will react to any negative information made available to them. That is why Campuslight has come up to make sure that such information gap is bridged to promote better relationship between management and students.” Imagwe noted that information was a necessary tool for academic development, adding that campus media was an initiative which every politician and school manager should embrace to ensure that students are carried along.

•Imagwe with Shebbs displaying a copy of the magazine

From Sam Ibok and Monday Ogar UNICAL He said the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was committed to promoting the welfare of Nigerian students. He said: “President Jonathan tries as much as possible to make sure that he creates a relationship between students and youths. This is the first time that the office of the Special Adviser to the Presi-

dent on Students and Youths has been exalted to this level. The president has also shown love to students and youths by giving them opportunity to nominate delegates to the on-going confab. He has really shown his passion for students and youth development and all we have to do is to support him in his efforts.” He encouraged campus journalists to continue their good works with professionalism.

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

The development caused disagreement among the students, which led to the cancellation of the presidential election. However, some students believe that the disagreement between delegated may not be the only reason for postponing the election. A student, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said there was a plot by the outgoing SUG president to install his preferred candidate. “When it appeared to him that his candidate was not going to emerge, he plotted the postponement with the aim that a caretaker committee would be constituted and led by the Speaker of parliament, who is from the same village as the president,” the student said. Because of the irregular voting process, which excludes a majority of the students from the exercise, nominated delegates extort money from aspirants for vote. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that candidates usually meet with the departmental presidents, who are the delegates from their respective departments, to pay the money. The delegates would then vote for candidates, who pay the highest money. It was learnt that the higher the number of delegates from a faculty, the higher the price for vote. This, perhaps, was the reason there was disagreement over the number of delegates from the medical faculty. An aspirant in the presidential election, Aaron Achikanu, from the department of Education Foundations, is not happy with the development. “I am happy about the postponement because this is the second time the election is cancelled. It causes more expenses for us and also makes us feel uncomfortable,” Aaron said. Asked if he knew why the election was postponed, Aaron said: “This is students’ unionism and poli-

tics for you. I can’t say why it was postponed, but I believe it was because of some people’s political interest.” Another candidate, Prince Afam, said he believed the postponement was the will of God and left everything in God’s hands. He denied being asked for money by any delegates, saying: “Nobody requested for money because no one gave me money to keep for them. But when you call people together, as a human being, you need to give them something.” However, president of the department, who did not want his name in print, said his faculty received N40,000 from one of the aspirants, who reportedly described the money as “a token for kola.” He said he was not comfortable with the voting process. “I want the voting system to be open to everybody. We need to decentralise the process to accommodate all students. This will stop bribing of delegates for votes,” he said. CAMPUSLIFE also gathered that some of the aspirants bribed the Faculty of Medical Sciences delegates between N70,000 and N100,000. The president of the faculty, Chidera Ifudu, denied this. He would not, however, answer more questions from this reporter. He said: “I can’t talk to you now. I am very busy. Call me later.” The Dean of Students Affairs and chairman of the electoral committee, Reverend Canon Obasikene, would not grant an interview on phone. “Why do you think I will grant you interview on phone when I do not know you and have never met you before. If you are a journalist, do the right thing, okay?” he said. At the time of this report, no poster was seen on the campus. Students declined to speak on the development as they were busy preparing for the matriculation of freshers.

That bloody recruitment

•Continued from page 43

This is no benevolence; the president only acted politically. Army of unemployed graduates are increasing by the day, even when billions of naira are said to be invested in job creation schemes. I would have clapped for the president if something drastic was put in place to tackle unemployment. The suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi asked the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to account for $20 billion unremitted funds, but the presidency looked elsewhere. This is enough money that can create jobs for thousands. Here, people play politics with everything, including human lives. If the immigration jobs tragedy were to happen in a civilised clime, right questions would have been asked about unemployment and many

Law students get exco

TUDENTS of the department of Law at the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, have election for new leaders of the department at the 100-Level classroom. Kingsley Chikezie beat his opponent to emerge President. Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Kingsley dedicated his victory to God. “I am happy that Lawsanites voted for me as their

heads would be rolling by now. The idea of offering “blood jobs” to applicants whether they are qualified or not is an insult on our collective psyches. Knowing Nigerians for what we are, some of the applicants may approach the courts to force the government to extend the job offers to them. Then doctors would be contracted to issue fake medical reports to support their claims. I were to be president, the Minister of Interior has no assignment to do again. His collaborators in the board of the NIS should also be axed for the bloody exercise they conducted to pain the country in bad light. But can a politician who needs votes do that? Let us see if their bloody politics would give way to popular wishes. Emmanuel, 200-Level Mass Comm., RIVPOLY From Uchechukwu Amanze ABSU President. I promise not to disappoint them,” he said. Others included Tochi Joan Enyioma,Vice President; Mayor Ndukaku, Secretary-General; Nneoma Empress Kalu, Assistant Secretary-General and Chibuzor Oflorleta, Financial Secretary. The posts of Treasure and Director of Socials were vacant. The new executive promised to be selfless and committed to leading the department to greater heights.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

Mother of one steals show at RSUST convocation

HIDIMMA Anthonia Izuegbunem has proven that being a wife and a nursing mother cannot deter a determined student from being the best. The 27-year-old graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.64 at the 26th Convocation of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, River State. Mrs Izuegbunem not only won the Vice Chancellor's Prize for the best graduating student, but clinched four other awards. The Anambra-born graduate, who studied Medical Laboratory Science (Medical Microbiology Option), won the Dean's Prize for best graduating student in Faculty of Science; UNITECH Women's Association prize for the best graduating female student; Prof. T.J.T. Princewill's Prize for the best graduating student in the Department of Applied and Environmental Biology (Microbiology option) as well as Mrs Daba Constance Odimabo's Prize for the best graduating female student. Mrs Izuegbunem of Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, told The Nation that her lecturers were concerned when she wanted to get married to Martins Azike, a Port Harcourt-based lawyer in the fourth year of her studies because they thought that marital responsibilities would prevent her from making a first class. On the contrary, she said the marriage rather spurred her to work harder as her husband “promised that he would not be a barrier to my making a first class.” Despite nursing an 11-month-old baby, Izuegbunem said she always woke up at 3am to prepare food for her husband, because he does not

UNILORIN FILE

Library distributes 1,600 novels

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

like eating outside, and do other domestic chores before he drops her at school at 8am to face her studies. After school, Izuegbunem nurses the ambition of being a minister. "I am aspiring to be a minister of education or health to correct the notion that women must always end up in the kitchen," she said. Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi at the convocation said his administration would approve a medical school for the university. Amaechi praised the Vice Chancellor, Prof Barineme Fakae, for his numerous achievements, saying that his performance justified his administration's resolve to give him a second term. The governor said: “Let me announce to you that government is satisfied with the performance of the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology that was the reason for which he was appointed and the reason for which the government insisted on his reappointment.” He assured that he would provide more funding for the university which is being relocated to the Greater Port Harcourt City. He said the contractors, who have been mobilised, have 18 months to complete the new campus. Earlier, Fakae praised the gover-

• Mrs Izuegbunem receiving an award from the Rivers State Commissioner For Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi

nor for his immense support to the university. He described the convocation as a celebration of excellence and congratulated the graduands. "First is God Almighty who gave all we needed for this mission of change. It is through the instrumentality of our indefatigable visitor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who threw the challenge at us that we make this account today. We are grateful for the support so far received from you and we are equally grateful for the funding that has enabled us to reach the height so far attained," he said.

‘I am aspiring to be a minister of education or health to correct the notion that women must always end up in the kitchen’

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Hon. Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte (rtd) also congratulated the graduating students on their noble achievements, attributing it to years of hard work and dedication, urging them to be good ambassadors of the university. Karibi-Whyte said: "As you go into the world which is more complex than the university environment you have been used to, I implore you to use your present achievements as a springboard to launch yourselves to greater accomplishments. "The qualities of hard work, commitment and dedication that enabled you attain this new level coupled with the new skills and knowledge you have acquired should propel you to greater heights in your future undertakings.” A total of 4,855 students graduated with first degrees and 526 with postgraduate degrees.

Summit addresses workers’pension concerns

HE first Pension Fund Administration Summit for education ministries, agencies and institutions held in Lagos last week provided an opportunity for aggrieved workers of educational institutions to air their grievances on irregularities with their pension contributions. It was also a platform for officials of the Pension Commission (PENCOM), the government agency that regulates pension matters in Nigeria, and some Pension Fund Administrators (PFA), including Premium Pension Limited, to enlighten participants on the benefits of the pension reforms, how the funds are administered and what beneficiaries should do with their funds after retirement. The summit, organised by the Exam Ethics Marshal International at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, had in attendance representatives of the Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri; Yaba College of Education, Yaba; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; Federal Inspectorate Service, Nigerian Army School of Nursing and Midwifery, Yaba and Nigerain Army School of Medical Sciences, among others. Some of them complained about incomplete remittance of their contributions, difficulties changing PFAs, problems in getting issues resolved by PENCOM or PFAs, challenges in making independent voluntarycontributions, among others. They were particularly concerned that gaps reflected in their contributions would reduce the final sum they would receive on retirement.

THE University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Library has begun the distribution of 1,600 novels to students and workers of the institution. The University Librarian, Dr Joseph Omoniyi, said the distribution, which will be done regularly, is in line with the library's mission to be one of the best globally, in resource management and service delivery to local, national and international community. "We want to encourage the culture of reading. Those novels are valuable for recreational reading. We expect them to read the materials during their leisure time and no matter how few the copies, by the time you finish reading one, you would have gained something," Omoniyi said. The University Librarian said the library has also donated books to 51 secondary schools in Kwara State in the past and has plans to train their librarians so they can make good use of the books.

VC counsels Emirate students THE UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has charged members of the Ilorin Emirate Students' Union to be of exemplary character just as he advised them to shun negative activities that are detrimental to the university and the society at large. Ambali gave this admonition at a Public Lecture organised by the students' body last Tuesday at the University Auditorium. Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Yisa Fakunle, the Vice-Chancellor said the Ilorin Emirate has a rich history the students could be proud of. He urged them to be good examples to other students in their conduct. "The rest of the students are watching you because you have distinguished yourselves as Emirate Students Union and your motto is 'For the love of our People'. In demonstrating the love to your people, you have to be exemplary in your character," he said. The lecture was delivered by renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Suleiman Faruq Onikijipa, who advocated sound education among Muslims to reduce ignorance and poverty.

Don advocates Ministry of Peace • From left: Muhammad, Ideva, and Awa Elendu, Manager, Legal Department, PENCOM, at the event By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Mr Muhammad Sanni Muhammad, Commission Secretary/Legal Adviser, PENCOM, who spoke on Understanding the Offences Penalties and Enforcement Procedure under the Pension Reform Act of 2004, addressed many of the issues and assured the participants that they would not be cheated of their retirement benefits. In his lecture, Muhammad said the Pension Act provides for the protection of contributors from sharp practices and can check loss if well implemented. "The envisaged growth of pension fund assets must be protected with appropriate enforcement mecha-

nisms (including): Cohesive legislation; effective regulation and supervision; Appropriate and pro-active investigative measures; enhanced co-operation with institutionalized enforcement agencies; maintenance of business ethics by operators; strong corporate governance standards by all stakeholders; avoidance of fraud, cheating and all forms of mischief," he said. Also speaking, Managing Director, Premium Pension Limited, Mr Wilson Ideva, counseled participants to seek advice in investing the lump sum they get on retirement, which usually runs into millions, and avoid white elephant projects. "We have an obligation to advice you on what to do with your money.

‘We have an obligation to advice you on what to do with your money. Retirement money is not for white elephant projects or to gamble. It is not for projects with poor feasibility like buying jeeps or building mansions’

Retirement money is not for white elephant projects or to gamble. It is not for projects with poor feasibility like buying jeeps or building mansions. It is for projects that can bring daily returns to support your needs in retirement," said Ideva, who delivered the keynote address on "Global Best Practices in Pension Fund Administration: Imperative Lessons of Past, Present and Future Challenges for Nigeria.” Other papers delivered included: Deployment of Retirement Savings Account as Staff Motivitional Tool for Promotion of Ethics, Integrity, Best Practices, Loyalty and Productivity in Education Sector; Understanding the Objectives and Benefits of CPS for Employees of Public and Private Education Sectors and Corporate Governance and Contributory Pension Scheme, a requirement for the Private Education Trust Fund. In an interview, founding Chairman, Exam Ethics Marshal International, Mr Ike Onyechere said if all schools conform to the Pension Reform Act, it would enhance ethical practices in the education sector.

THE Ag. Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, UNILORIN, Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has called for the establishment of the Ministry of Peace in Nigeria, saying that the situation in the country makes it imperative. Adedimeji made the call while receiving the national leaders of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) under the National President, Dr. Willy Eselebor, last week. He said there are three ways of resolving a conflict - war, court and dialogue. However, while various governments worldwide have Ministry of Defense for dispute resolution through war and Ministry of Justice for dispute resolution through the court, Adedimeji that governments do not provide for dispute resolution through dialogue by establishing a Ministry of Peace. Worldwide, Adedimeji said, only three countries have Ministries of Peace - Nepal, Costa Rica and Solomon Islands. He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to establish same to address the challenges facing the country.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS

ACE FILE

Provost laments poor reading culture THE Provost of Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo State, Prof Adeyemi Idowu, has described poor reading culture in the country as one of the serious national challenges. In his welcome address at the Annual General Meeting of Committee of College Librarians held in the college last week, Idowu observed that the country is going through multiple challenges which have been allowed to spiral out of control and are now threatening Nigeria's collective survival. The provost represented by his deputy, Dr. Olufemi Olajuyigbe, lamented that home movies, unfettered access to the internet, and unbridled passion for football, especially the foreign leagues, have supplanted reading culture. "Even in school, students visit the libraries not because they want to add to their knowledge but for examination purposes. Many of our youth speak poor English because they are not reading enough," he noted. He, therefore, charged the librarians as critical stakeholders in education to thoroughly explore the issue with the hope of proffering probable solutions.

'Internal auditors must be people focused' INTERNAL auditors in the tertiary institutions in the country have been advised to focus more on people than infrastructure. The call was made at the fourday conference of Internal Auditors in the Colleges of Education in Nigeria held at ACE. A paper presented by the Acting Director, Directorate of Audit, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Mr. Julius Falope described internal audit function as a major service department in colleges of education whose activities must evolve both in scope and approach in line with the changing environment and curriculum. He said for the internal audit unit to remain relevant in the 21st century, internal auditors should be repositories of knowledge relating to the organisation which is appropriate, and must be available to all units of the college. “The internal audit function must add visible value to the effectiveness of college administration. To be effective, the modern internal auditor must possess the skill to comprehensively analyse and manage risk, adopt the same language with administration. The use of modern technology is imperative for a college. “The internal auditor must be the leader in this regard staying ahead of all developments in technology and sources of information,” he concluded.

APPROACHING DEADLINES •Continued from previous edition

Call for Application: Graduate Research Program on Climate Change and Agriculture Each student will receive a stipend of • 500.00 per month (•350.00 during the pre-course language preparations) to cover accommodation and other expenses for his study period. Research funds will also be made available to students after approval of their research proposal by their advisor/supervisor, the GRP Coordination and WASCAL headquarters. The student may travel to Germany once during the course of the PhD fellowship period to work with scientists at German universities or research

centers. Airfare will be paid for by the project and a monthly stipend of about •1000.00 will also be provided for each month spent in Germany. 5. Outline of the program The time required for the completion of the PhD program is 3 years. Training components The following steps are required: English upgrade (see above 3. Language requirements), indoor courses, and research component. Intensive Indoor Courses (6 months) Registered students will take part in six months of intensive course work at IPR/IFRA (Mali) and UCC (Ghana). Contents of the courses: The teaching modules are the following: 1.Introduction to Climate Change; 2.Research Methodology and Skills

Development: System thinking; Scientific research methodology; Scientific writing; Communication with rural communities; Participatory Action Research; iii. Statistics and Modeling Tools: System and optimization models (linear and non linear programming of resource allocation); GIS, RS and Geostatistics; Biostatistics; Sampling methods, field trials and surveys); 3.Adapted Agricultural Production Systems to CC: Concept of Resilience in Agricultural Production Systems (Livestock and cropping); Energetics of production systems (energy flows); Soil science (Soil conservation and restoration, Soil organic matter management/ GHG emissions, Soil fertility management); Agricultural water management (rain-fed agriculture and irriga-

tion methods); Agro-biodiversity management and breeding strategies; Pests and diseases management (animal and crops); Animal production and ranch management; 4.Agricultural Value Chain and Policies: Food systems and food security; Post harvest technologies; Social and economic drivers of adaptation; Agricultural policies (index based Crop and livestock insurance, National Adaptation Plans or NAP, PES, etc.); 5.Modeling of Agro-ecosystems: System modeling (socio-ecological modeling); Agricultural land use suitability classification; Development of crop models at the field scale; Application of simulation models to assess climate impact on production systems; •To be continued next week

Centre targets 100 jobs for youths By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

• Kila

HE Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies, (CIAPS) Lagos, is go-

ing beyond training to seek job placement for its students. Director of the centre which is located in Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Prof Anthony Kila, said at a briefing that the institute has tailored its programmes to meet the needs of employers, and is confident that the students would excel wherever they find themselves. Kila, a Jean Monnet professor of Strategy and Development at the Cambridge University, United King-

dom, said the aim of the institute is to improve competencies of professionals to deliver. He said this is being achieved by designing the curriculum based on the specification of employers. "Rather than focusing our curriculum on the general things, we are using the Outcome Based Education (OBE) programmes. We go to employers and industry and ask what kind of workers they need. They tell us and then we design our curriculum to meet these needs. We mix the best of theory with the best of prac-

• Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Dr David Oyedepo congratulating the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Charles Ayo and other Senate members immediately after the 100th Senate Sitting of the university held at the University Senate Chambers last Thursday.

tice. They come here to study the theory from competent hands, they go out to the industry to work and get practical training," he said. As the CIAPS team discusses industry needs with employers, Kila said they also discuss job placements. Based on this, Kila said they have been able to secure commitment for over 80 placements. "We have a strong career department that canvasses placements for students. At the moment, we have over 80 people that have accepted to absorb our students. Without being the ministry of employment, we have a plan that in the next three-five months, we want to place 100 people in jobs," he said. Kila is also confident that the students will deliver because of the quality of training they receive at CIAPS, where facilitators come from various parts of the world. "Our graduates are trained to put in a lot of hard work, be fair, committed, and punctual beyond the surface. We will expect companies to treat them well too. Our faculty is an international faculty. They come from Cambridge, Oxford, Maryland and Harvard. We are also including Nigerian based resource persons. They tend to be people who have postgraduate training and industry experience," he said. To help many capable but financial impaired young people, Kila said the centre is granting a bursary worth 15 per cent of tuition fees to anyone under 35 years who registers by April 10.

‘Parents should caution their children abroad’

ARENTS have been advised to caution their wards studying abroad of unhealthy behaviour capable of destroying their careers and goals in life. The Head, Africa Regional Office, Swansea University, United Kingdom, Vivian Odede, made this appeal at the opening of the International Education Fair organised by MOD Education recently at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The week-long fair brought together 10 foremost universities from

By Adeola Ogunlade

across United Kingdom, Australia, East Europe, America, Ireland, and Spain. Some universities represented include: University of Limerick, University of East London, and University of East Anglia, among others. According to her, the need for parents to caution their children to be responsible, especially in schools abroad, is very germane to their success in schools. She said though universities abroad have put in place support sys-

tems for the safety of foreign students, but there are limits. “There are limits to what we can do because we can only advise and give support needed for them to be successful and it is left for them to be of good behaviour,” she said. Odede lamented that a good number of students who travel abroad to study are oftentimes distracted by the glamour and aesthetic around them thereby exposing themselves to fraudsters and criminals. “Parents must be alive to their du-

• Dr Omope Seinde, Director, Sambeth School, Mowe (left), with pupils of the school during an excursion to Multi-Trex Food Integration Plc, Wawa, Ogun State.

ties in shaping the lives of their wards and not make a mistake of transferring their responsibilities to teachers or friends,” she warned. Also speaking, the head of the Westerfield College, Funmi Oludare, assured foreign students facing difficulties in paying their school fees because of readjusted payment system for most schools abroad of support. Earlier in his address, the Executive Director, MOD Education, Michael Dosumu, said the fair gives participants the opportunity to meet with representatives of prestigious universities from around the world for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. He said: “Our company was established to bridge the gap between Nigerians who desire to acquire international education and a choice of institutions offering a combination of high quality education in most ideal study location with cost-effectiveness, and essentially, a ready source of support while abroad.” Dosumu, who said the company started in 2004 in Lagos added: “We have successfully placed well over 700 students into a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses/ programmes in our partner universities abroad.” He challenged Nigeria government to focus more on implementation of good policies that would help revamp her education system.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

EDUCATION

UPILS of Ijaye Ojokoro Senior High School, Lagos have elected Ogundele Segun as their Senior Boy and Awoola Blessing as the Senior Girl. At the election held in the school premises, last Thursday, Ogundele emerged the senior boy with 422 votes followed by Aroro Precious 248 votes, Okunlaja Victor 10 votes and Anigoro Tobi with 83 votes. Awoola Blessing was elected Senior Girl with 518 votes followed by Dauda Taofikat, 211 votes, Ilesanmi Morenikeji, 98 votes, and Olaniyi Omobolanle, 52 votes. Speaking with The Nation, the prin-

Students elect their leaders By Awe Oluwayemisi and Ibrahim Adam

cipal of the school, Mrs Folasade Iyabo Alabi, said the election was to allow the pupils choose their own leaders and groom them towards democratic governance. "The election is to make them choose their own leaders. We are trying to train them towards democracy because their vote is their right, their power and voice, and if

they don't elect them, they have no right to criticise any government," she said. Mrs Folasade added that the new leaders could be removed if they fail to perform. She, therefore, enjoined them to promote the image of the school. The principal also praised other contestants for aspiring for different offices and charged them to join hands with the newly-elected lead-

ers to achieve success. In his remark, the Electoral Chairman and Head of Department Science and Mathematics, Mr Opeagbe Olubayo, described the election as ‘free and fair.’ He said the candidates were screened according to their academic performance and morals before the election. Some old students, Alalade Adenike, Adeyanju Ayuba and

Ifakorede Oyesanya, who witnessed the exercise, noted the improvement in the election, saying it was in sharp contrast to their time when the management chose the prefects. In tears, Ogundele thanked the pupils for electing him and appreciated his mother’s inspiration. "I give God the glory for the outcome of the election. I also appreciate my mother for inspiring me and being there for me. Also, I am saying thank you to the students for choosing me. I promise to perform beyond expectation," he said.

Workers get one year’s wages

HE First Islamic English Educational Foundation (FIEF), Okota, Lagos, has given special recognition to four members of its staff. The beneficiaries received a full year of their starting salary (the total sum of their basic for 12 months of their first year in the school) for having worked in the school for five years. Some other members of staff were given various awards and financial rewards for their commitment to the school. The head of the school, Mrs. Mariam Mansur-Williams, said the exercise was a fulfillment of the school's promise to workers. “We are celebrating our workers that have clocked five years in FIEF. From the inception, it has been the promise of the school that any staff that clocks five years in service to the school will be given one full year salary of his or her starting salary. “For a very long time, we have been keeping this promise. The joy that the school derives from rewarding workers is that it encourages others. “The truth is that consistency goes a very long way. If you keep changing you workers every time,

By Innocent Duru

it affects the psyche of the students,” she said. Similarly, FIEF Staff Welfare Scheme was launched the same day, with the management investing N500,000 in it. Mrs Mansur-Williams urged the workers to invest the fund effectively. “They can invest the money on anything that is allowed by Allah. Apart from their salary, they can be getting something from this investment to support their families,” she said. Despite being an Islamic school, Mrs Mansur-Williams said Christian workers are welcome. “We do not discriminate against anybody here. From inception about 30 years ago, Christians have always been a large number of staff here. They have been coping well because all they need to do is to abide by the rules governing the school. If the rule is don't do this, then you comply irrespective of your religion. “They know that this is an Islamic school and we have been getting along so well. It might also interest you that the head of staff of this school is a Christian,” she said.

• The awardees flanked by Sheik Almonsur Williams (left) and wife, Mrs. Mariam Almonsur (right)

President Teachers Award: Ogun wins nine medals

GUN State performed impressively in this year’s annual President Teaching and School Excellence Award for primary, secondary, pupils and administrators’ categories across the country, clinching nine out of the

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

28 prizes available. Ekiti State was the overall winner. Last year, Ogun State won the award. The nine awards, presented at the Conference Room, Federal Ministry

School holds career day programme

HE Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development is seeks the introduction of entrepreneurship syllabus for basic and post basic school levels. This, the ministry believes, would enhance pupils’ self development. Mr Omisile Ola, the Director, Social Welfare, a unit under the ministry, was the guest speaker at this year’s counselling and career day programme organised by SASA Community High School, BamekeSASA, Lagos. Omisile contended that one needs not pass through tertiary education before becoming an entrepreneur. Omisile said: “If only government can bring down entrepreneurship syllabus from basic to post primary, it will help to bring out the potentials in students before they transit to tertiary institutions. Let them start from the scratch first," he said. He urged the pupild to start developing themselves from their present stage. “You cannot learn everything in the tertiary institution. For the fact that you are the architect of your life and fortune, you must try to develop yourself. Develop yourself with things around you. About 99 per cent of the students are with their O' level results and yet, our tertiary institutions will not admit more than 55 per cent of them,” Omisile added. In his address, the principal of the school, Mr Binuyo Sola Adejumo, said the importance of the counselling and career day cannot be overemphasised. “The essence of this programme is to prepare students for their future, enable them to plan ahead of their ambition and sensitise them on

• Onisasa of SASA, HRM Ogunronbi (middle); Mr Binuyo (fourth right); Mrs Aderemi Ejemai (fourth left); Mr Omosowon (third left); Mr Isaac Alagbe (left); Mr Idowu Fagbemi (second right); Mrs Feyisola Afuye (left); Mr Sam Asanga (second left) and Mr Gbenga Ajugu (third right). With them are pupils of SASA Community High School. By Ibrahim Adam

events around as it affects the market,” he said. The chairman of the programme and proprietor, Pacific Schools, Lagos and Pacific Academy Akure, Mr Omosowon Idowu gave reasons why education and career guidance is important.

“A comprehensive Economic and Career Guidance (ECG) programme can have a positive impact on students’ educational and career decisions and their academic performance. It also prepares students for a world of work by equipping them with the skills to remain competitive in the global economy and lead mean-

ingful and productive life." he added. Professionals from different fields addressed the pupils on various professions such as teaching, journalism, medicine etc. There was also a mock beauty pageant that saw Miss Olaniyan Prisca emerge overall winner among six contestants.

of Education, Abuja, included Best Secondary School Administrator, awarded to Mrs. Sosanwo Folashade of Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Best Teacher (Junior School), award to Mrs. Akintade Ilawo…which school) and Best Teacher (Primary School) award to Mr. Olayemi Abiodun Olatunji. In his address, Supervising Minister of Education, Nyeson Wike, said the award was organised by the ministry to reward hard work and excellence among major stakeholders in the education sector. Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Macjohn, the minister charged both teachers and school heads to be more dedicated to their duties, urging recipients to see the award as a challenge to put in more efforts in their callings. Meanwhile, principals of public secondary schools in Ogun State have been urged to support government's effort at improving the quality of education among students. Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela gave the advice while monitoring the unified examinations for the second term for public secondary schools in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of the state. He expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of both the principal and his deputy in a particular school while examination was going on, noting that the duo's indifference could give room for examination malpractices and other unwholesome activities among students. “This is a bad omen. How can both the principal and his deputy leave the school compound at the same time, knowing fully well that examination was on?” Odubela queried.

Political will, textbooks hindering mother tongue, says Ekiti Deputy Governor

HE Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu, is pushing for the political will power to enforce the mother tongue as the language of instruction at the basic education level. She said the call became imperative to boost the literacy level in the country as its adoption will make learning attractive to pupils. She urged the federal and state governments to commence the implementation of the language policy in the

nation’s educational system. Prof Adelabu was one of the resource persons at a three-day workshop on the Neuroscience of Early Years and Basic Education at 20th Economic Summit which had as theme: "Transforming Education through Partnership for Global Competitiveness" held at the Tanscorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja last week.

She also advocated the complete overhaul of the education curriculum, which she said was out of tune with modern trends. She particularly noted that it has not accorded enough attention to practical teaching above theory. Other participants expressed concern about the dearth of textbooks in local languages, especially in sci-

ence and technical-related subjects. One of the participants noted that the availability of such textbooks and the adoption of local dialects have contributed in no small measure to the technological growth of countries like China and India. There was a consensus on the benefits pre-service and in-service training, as well as incentives to motivate teachers at the elementary education level among participants.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

ASUU's internal cleansing

T was with pleasure I read about plans by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on an "internal cleansing" exercise to ensure that its members adhere to the highest Kofoworola ethics of the teaching profession. ASUU President, Dr Nasir Fagge, spoke of the impending exercise at a leadership workshop Kofosagie@yahoo.com organised by the University of 08054503077 (SMS only) Ibadan zone of the union last week. He said the group is poised to ensure members live up to the "best standards of education service delivery." He said they must rededicate themselves to positive leadership values; be exemplary role models to students, and defend the principles of the teaching profession. "As we continue to deepen our struggle to reposition our universities to be internationally competitive, we must continue to focus the searchlight on ourselves," he was quoted as saying. It is good to hear ASUU talking about its members' obligations for once. It shows that its leaders recognise that all the funding in the world will not entrench best practices. In carrying out this internal cleansing, ASUU should seek to purge lecturers of dictatorial tendencies, truancy, fraud, laziness, and promiscuity. The union should be thorough about the exercise, which we expect should produce some sort of ethics code - if one does not already exist. The code of conduct should strongly prohibit 'sorting'. There should be sanctions for academics who give grades for cash. It should also outlaw truancy and laziness. Some lecturers do not take their classes for almost half of the semester then try to rush the students when exams draw near. This is unfortunate because the students rather than learn about the course, are forced to cram for exams. Ultimately, they do not gain enough knowledge to apply what they should know in the labour market. Regarding sexual corruption, ASUU needs to put its members in check. Many lecturers harass students for sex. They intimidate them into submission by threatening them with carry over. Vulnerable students easily give in. Those who are bold enough to reject their advances usually pay for it - they get carry over. By the time ASUU covers all these areas, many more of their members will be the role models students desperately need.

Belo-Osagie

• From left: Pastor Ighodalo, Mrs Ajagunna, and Dr Kaine Dosekun, Director, CEF, at the event.

A teenager’s plea •Indigent scholarship beneficiary seeks funds

ORNO State-born Mariam Abdulahi is a 200-Level student of Caleb University, Imota, where she is studying Mass Communication. She attended the prestigious Day Waterman College, an exclusive private school in Ibadan for her secondary education and Learning Gate Primary School, Lagos. But for the Courage Education Foundation (CEF) Mariam’s parents would not have sent her to those schools. The combined incomes of her father, a security man, and mother, a trader, would have been grossly insufficient to pay the fees which are in excess of over N600,000 per session. And with three older siblings, two of whom were married off without getting a tertiary education, it would have been difficult for Mariam to enjoy a better fate. Fighting back tears at a fund raising event by CEF last Friday at the Trinity House Church, Victoria Island, Mariam said she may probably have been married off at 15 if CEF had not visited her school, St Paul African Church Primary School, Ilupeju, seeking brilliant but indigent pupils to support. “I got to know about CEF in primary four when they came to my school and I was nominated for a scholarship. I was so happy when I found it was a big opportunity for me. Courage Education Foundation has made me fulfil my dream. I don’t know what I would have done without them. I would have prob-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

ably married at 15. I had a very beautiful time at Day Waterman,” she said. She vowed to be successful after her university education so that she can contribute to the lives of promising children from indigent background. “Everybody will see me as an icon. I just want to be like CEF to be able to do more than what they have done for me. I will want you all to partner with CEF to do this for other children,” she said. In her speech, Project Director of CEF, Mrs Modupe Ajagunna, said the NGO desires to see that no child is denied the opportunity to be educated, irrespective of the social background. “Courage Education Foundation was founded by well-meaning individuals of our great nation to cater for the school bills of the brilliant children of indigent descent. We began operation in 2006 with 12 beneficiaries; and have gradually increased that number to 148 beneficiaries in 2013.” She appealed to those present to help CEF meet its obligations to 148 beneficiaries who are in various stages of their education. She said the NGO needs N180,000 per annum for those in primary school; N300,000 for secondary school pupils, and N600,000 for undergraduates. “Presently, we have 67 beneficia-

‘Everybody will see me as an icon. I just want be like CEF to do more than what they have done for me. I will want you all to partner with CEF to do this for other children’

• Teary Mariam

ries in primary school, 80 in secondary school and one undergraduate studying at Caleb University. Your contributions will go a long way in assisting to pay for the school bills of our beneficiaries,” she said. Praising the foundation’s work, the wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, thanked CEF for investing in young people, who are the future of the country. Mrs Fashola, who was represented by Mrs Abisola Oshodi, counseled the beneficiaries to be focused on their studies. “Your future is in your hands. Take this opportunity and use it well. You must be hard working and remain focused on your schooling as that is the only path to success in school and in life,” she said. She praised the promoters of the foundation for their commitment to ensuring education for all, irrespective of children’s disadvantages, even as she reiterated the state government’s determination to see that no child of school age is denied basic education. Chairman of the board of CEF, who chaired the occasion, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House, urged affluent Nigerians to make sure that every Nigerian child gets formal education as no nation can develop if its future leaders are neglected or lack quality education. “For a nation to grow, it is important that its young population, irrespective of background, is exposed to quality education. We all must resolve to get children of school age into school,” Ighodalo said.

Firm donates to Lagos school

ANUFACTURING giant, Chellarams Plc, has donated facilities and learning materials to Estate Primary School, Isolo, Lagos as part of activities to mark its 90th anniversary. Its Chief Information Officer, Dr Harbhajan Battth, said the company is committed to fulfilling its mission of being a responsible, responsive, competitive and quality driven firm. He said because the pupils are leaders of tomorrow, there was the need to lay a solid foundation for them by supporting their educational development. He said: "Although we are doing

By Joseph Eshanokpe

this as part of our 90 years anniversary, we hope to incorporate this into our corporate social responsibility activities in line with adopt-a-school programme of the Lagos State Ministry of Education." Besides recreational facilities, the firm also donated four cartons of sachet powder milk, exercise books and biros to the school. Its Chief Marketing Officer, Mrs Rekha Singh, said the programme would take place every six months. The school's Headmistress, Ruth Aiyegbusi, thanked the firm for the gesture.

She said: "I really appreciate this kind gesture of your company putting smiles on our children's faces. I pray that God Almighty will make your company to flourish and grow from strength to strength. Amen." She, however, appealed for more facilities like merry-go-round, water play, sand play, basket ball stand, sport climber and sea saw. "This will enhance the performance of the pupils, kill boredom, attract more pupils to the school, erase from parent's mind the insinuation that private schools are better than public schools," she said.

Death in Ghana again IGHT now, the parents of Godwin Awogu are still seeking clarification about his unfortunate death in Ghana where he is schooling University of Cape Coast. They are unsatisfied with the way the Ghanaian authorities are handling the case. They are accusing them of nonchalance. This is the second death in less than a year of a Nigerian student in Ghana. There was the case of a secondary school pupil who died late last year in mysterious circumstances. Like Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa said on TV, President Goodluck Jonathan needs to call his Ghanaian counterpart to ask questions. We should start doing like the Americans who value every American and look after their interest even in foreign countries. We should not just fold our arms and be silent while our children come to harm in foregin countries they go to in search of education. This also highlights the need to value our own education. Nigerian universities have their challenges but they are not so bad that we should shun them. Parents sending their wards to universities outside Nigeria, especially the West African sub-region, should first consider local options. Our universities are still competitve. An evidence is the fact that Nigerian universities won 10 out of 18 World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence initiative which will provide N12.8 billion grants to each universityfor research, equipment and capacity building in various fields of study such that the institutions will become authorities in such areas. While it is true that public universities are difficult to enter because of space constraints, there are so many private universities struggling to fill the quota assigned them by the National Universities Commission (NUC), yet large numbers of Nigerian youths seek enrolment in unproofed universities in Ghana, Togo, and Benin Republic. We need to show patriotism and patronise our own schools, invest in them by endowing chairs, scholarships, donating facilities, sponsoring training, and contributing to make them better.

From My Inbox Re: Immigration Mess! (Published Thursday, March 20, 2014) Ah! Anti Kofo, it appears you never investigate before you write. NIS has nothing to do with that interview please. It is the Minister and his consultant...MESS. Anonymous I thought that you had 'checked out' when your column was vacant. You are welcome back with one of the tragedies of our time. Bisi Odebunmi. Your Edutalk is factual, interesting and geared towards changing the fortunes of Nigerians, so keep it up. I was injured during the exercise and the authorities concerned are not doing anything concerning me. From 070377321--.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

POLITICS

Social crusade and youth development expert Samuel J. Samuel, spoke with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on the danger of marginalising the youths in politics and how older politicians can mentor the younger generation in the march of development.

‘Youths are marginalised by the old politicians’ ‘It is time for NigeH rian youths to be

OW can the youths contribute meaningfully to nation-building and development? I used to see Nigeria as a place where we would have development than it is now. As it were, some of us were passionate about change and took part in mobilising all the resources to making this country great. We want to see how we could make use of the resources at our disposal, to develop areas where many would think it is impossible to thread. For instance, I chose to go into agriculture, industry and become non- partisan in politics for obvious reasons. We want a situation where there is equity, progress and justice. Our fear now is that, with what is going on, something needs to be done to salvage the country. We need to talk more and, if you take a look at our past and compare it to the present, those ruling this country when I was in my 10s, 20s are still the same people ruling us at present. The people who were ministers, presidents and governors are still the same people who want to come back to power. Then I ask myself, is there anything that I had done wrong or have not done enough to deserve the position these same people are contesting for, having been there many years back? You think the older politicians should take the blame? Today, the question that is in the heart of every youth of Nigeria is that what if every old man in his 60s, 70s and above fall sick or incapacitated today? Are they saying that among the youths we cannot find leaders? If you look at Nigeria, most of those who are clamouring to come back are the same old brigade. People like General Yakubu Gowon rtd, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), even Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, keep featuring. I want to say that, among these people, it is only General Ibrahim Babangida that was in his 40s when he ruled the country. Our ministers, governors, commissioners were in their 20s and 30s. But, if you take a critical look, most of those who were governors, ministers and those who want to be president are the same people who have been there yesterday in similar capacity. It is time for Nigerian youths to be more involved and I think one of the key challenges of the Nigerian youths is that it appears that we have given up. If you look back to 20 years ago, Nigerian youths were very vocal. They were very strong and very active in social justice. Where are we today? We now have poverty everywhere, poverty of ideology and poverty of the mind. And when you talk of corruption, people think that it is for people who only steal money. Now, how do we ensure a country with lots of opportunity to bounce back? We have rich farmlands, resources to match the industry, but there are no jobs. Today, if you place an advertisement for one vacant position, a minimum 50,000 applicants would apply. If good foundation has not been laid by the elders, how can the youth follow their footstep? The foundation of everything is very fundamental to the development of the society. The fact that every Nigerian is born into Nigeria and he or she affirms that this is my country, serves us to an extent. But,I want to say that Nigeria of today was not like that of 70s and 80s when things were a little bit better. That was when the morale of people were stronger, when patriotism was great. But, that has changed the configuration of Nigeria. Today, a lot of people want to leave Nigeria. Those who are not running out of Nigeria cannot even entrust the welfare of Nigerians with the country. I must say something is wrong with the trust level, morale level of Nigerians. And if I may ask, why do everybody wants to be in government in Nigeria? Today, a bank Managing Director or other chief executives want to end up as a governor. People attribute the urge to be in government to the fact that they want to cut their share of the national cake. Some say it is corruption, but it goes beyond that. It goes to the level of the corruption of the mind. We also agree that there is no social justice, but, if you look at some of these things, they are actually created by the people. Social justice, equity is worth for the

more involved and I think one of the key challenges of the Nigerian youths is that it appears that we have given up. If you look back to 20 years ago, Nigerian youths were very vocal. They were very strong and very active in social justice. Where are we today’

• Samuel

asking. I work in this environment some 40 years ago. Now, I want to be in government. Is it because I no longer trust myself, the system and I feel that I am the only one who can do it? And, if I don’t know, other person cannot do it? I think that is another manifestation of poverty of the mind. Poverty of the mind is what we need to address. I must say that people are working, not because they want to work. They are working because they want to live. That is why things are so tight and tough. The banking industry today, they have lots of people with target. Today, you have a young banker who tries to meet the target placed at his shoulder. At what point did this gap set in between the youth and the older generation? This gap came in as a result of military rule. But, I think it is almost a decade and half now since the democratic system came back. We have not seen anything being done to return us back to where we used to be. If you look at it, even in the military days, we still have some active social movements or some active engagements. But, after that period, what has happened? We have democracy in Nigeria now and, if am correct, it is going to 15 years. Are we saying 15 years is not enough for us to get things back? Basically, that is the reason and we need to go back to where we should be. How will the country get out of this mirage? I think what we need to do is that we need to engage more in developmental argument. You need to have different level of social group. We have the elite, the middle class and, of course, the poor or lower class. I have seen Nigeria create more billionaires. There is a need for us to create a forum that will ensure that there is a balance. But, I don’t also think we have a problem with old people ruling the country. But, does that means that the old people cannot encourage the youth? If I was in power some 20 and 40 years ago, I expect my child to assume that same position or the one better than that. Older politicians are saying that the

youths lack experience… I believe that the experience the youths have is a reflection of the one they were given. And that is what the youths sleep and wake up with. The challenge that goes with this type of comments, they have that comment coming regularly. I believe the leaders should challenge the youths. I think the youths are not actually hearing them. I have not actually heard any youth coming up to say oh, I can do it. But, of course, we have youths who came into power and have performed well. We have someone like Governor Babatunde Fashola, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal , Governor Donald Duke and others. They have been very exemplary and dynamic. We cannot say youths have not been forthcoming. The argument for me is a challenge. Again, I also want to disagree because, if we say, we don’t have the experience, they cannot be right. But, whatever experience the youths have is what was given. I believe we have enough of experienced hands. If we don’t give them the chance, we will not even know the stuff we have in them. The youth needs to wake up and begin to ask more questions. We need to wake up be more active in asking questions. The youths are indulging in social vices and they may take this to the corridor of power… I think Nigeria is a country of over 160 million people. If one or two are bad, do we say we do not have them in Nigeria? I don’t like to concentrate most of the time on the weaknesses of Nigeria and the Nigerian people. I will like to concentrate on the best part of Nigeria and the best of it. Like I said the youth is a product of the elderly, and the youth cannot do worst. Today, the e-governance is in place, what this simply means is that I don’t need to see you before I do my transaction face to face with anybody. Will there be corruption, if you don’t know my face? Who will implement it. The youths, of course. The age we are now, it has got to that level of economic development and it does not cost so much. And I think that is what will bring about the change. The youths are recruited as thugs during

election. What can be done? It is simple and that is the reason why I think some of the youths that are privileged should be more active in carrying this campaign of change to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. It is impossible for any youth that is actively engaged to be employed as a thug. I want to believe that the youths are allowed to waste. They are called upon whenever odd things are happening. That is why they are creating a society where you have youths that are easily recruited for the odd jobs. So, the youths should start engaging in things that will help the society more. And, if we do that, I believe that we will have the kind of things that will help the society. For example, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. But, we have to work on that. Is there any way the youth can be reorganised to effect political change? People talk so much about the change that we have seen in the world recently. And they are wondering whether this could happen in Nigeria or not? This is the reason it happens in countries where it happens. It is because the youths were actually empowered. In Nigeria, can we mobilise? The reason why it is very difficult in Nigeria is because it is expensive. But, I think the Nigerian youths can mobilise and that is why the youths should empower themselves. That is where they need to get it right and the first source of empowerment is education. We have Boko Haram, the Niger Delta crisis with the youths making up the numbers. We have all kinds of things going on Nigeria. This is because the youths have not been properly engaged. All the things you see are all about mobilisation. If people can mobilise the people for this kind of cause, I believe that we can also mobilise for a country that will get the youths to be more engaged in all the kinds of things that they want. The question is, do the people actually know what they want? Are we actually getting it right? If you know that, in your father’s house there are many mansions, then, you will not sleep under the tree. Everybody in Nigeria, whether you like it or not, is a politician. We may not directly be involved in politics or card carrying member of any political party. I think everybody in Nigeria who is of age, should be more engaged in participatory development. What is your perception of the on-going national conference? If you allow me, I really don’t want to talk about it. I do believe that it is worth it for people to go and sit down to talk. This is not the first time they are talking. They have always been talking and I think there are differences that we do have, which need to be ironed out. But I still believe that there are easier ways, we can achieve some of these things. But, I hope and pray that the national conference will come out with results. I do hope that whatever comes out of the national conference is subjected back the people’s support. And, of course, if we agree on the outcome, let pray it is implemented. I still believe that there are capable people there that have been brought together. I do believe that they will represent Nigeria and I think that this is another opportunity for youths in Nigeria. And by now they should be throwing up questions on the outcome they are looking forward to. And if we get more of that, it will also help this national conference for the future of Nigeria.

Group pledges support for APC, Amosun

GROUP, ‘The Ark Group’, has been set up in Ogun State to drum support for the second term ambition of Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The group, which consists of professionals from diverse fields, also promised to support the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections. In a statement in Ijebu-Ode, its coordinator, Mr. Gbolade Oduwole, promised to mobilise financial support for the

By Adebisi Onanuga

party, ahead of the polls. He also said that members of the group will be actively involved in voter’s mobilisation and other sensitisation programmes. At its inaugural meeting in Ijebu Ode last week, the group reviewed the activities of the political parties. It expressed satisfaction with the on-going infrastructural renewal programme of the Amosun Administration.

Oduwole said: “Our view is that our state has never had it so good when compared with the eight years of the PDP-led administration. “We seize this opportunity to warn our people not to allow themselves to be fooled by the reactionaries gathering in other parties. “The APC has proven that it has what it takes to take our people to a higher level of development that all patriotic citizens envision for our state”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

NATURAL HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

CLINIC DAY An epidemiologist and founder of Holistic Lifecare International, Prof Dayo Oyekole, answers the question on esoteric lifecare atonement.

‘Your destiny lies in your hands’

HE Esoteric Lifecare Atonement (ELA) involves the use of divine power and spiritual forces for the redemption and total emancipation of mankind from diabolic forces of nature. It is certainly an unpardonable piece of intellectual dishonesty to deny the existence of black arts like juju, witchcraft, incantations, invocations, charms, and some other supernatural powers. This message of the Esoteric Lifecare Atonement (ELA) comes to you neither by accident nor by your own conscious request. It is without dogmas, ideologies or theories and therefore, it does not seek to convert you to any creed or belief. It is a turn in the wheel of your destiny which brings it into your hands. To start with, have you ever asked yourself whether there is more to the universe, than physical reality as we know it - whether we are alone in the universe, or are there others on physical as well as non-physical levels; whence do we come, why are we here and whither are we going? Honestly, we have no idea why the world was created. It was certainly created by a mind of inconceivable vast scope; the creative mind which for want of a better title, we call God; but why and for what purpose we can only surmise. We can say however, that inborn in all of us there is something which urges us on to strive for what we regard as an improvement in our present conditions, or in a limited number of cases, an improvement in the human lot generally. As to what constitutes ‘improvement’ we have widely different ideas but broadly, it would seem that it is sought along two apparently incompatible roads- the material and the spiritual. The clear-cut separation of these roads is a comparatively modern phenomenon, for at one time, both were regarded as more or less the province of some philosophical and theosophical schools. As might be expected, the separating of the roads has led to tremendous imbalance. The world has had enough saviours. What are needed for the new age are individuals who willingly embrace the burdens of individuality, without losing sight of collective responsibility. We will never achieve our true potential or prosperity until we can be critically self-governing from our own inner source. Honesty and fearlessness in the search after truth are the major prerequisites for finding it. Without these, no spirit soars. With these, none fail of progress. Millions of us, be it Christians, Muslims or traditional worshippers, young or old, educated or illiterate, male or female, all possess charms in the pocket, around the waist, neck or finger, in the farthest corner of the boxes, on the ceiling or walls, buried around the house, under the bed or carefully razored into the skin. No wonder then why those who do not even believe in these forces, still have a morbid fear of them and that is why in their dreams and daily activities, they continue to be haunted by the machinations of the black arts. This is why you find so many so-called religious leaders still consulting the medicine men, for prosperity and protections. Can any sane person then deny the existence of the black arts? Religious fanaticism and western education which in the name of civlisation has taught us that these things do not exist and that we should therefore neglect them, have

Question My aged friend told me to seek Esoteric Lifecare Atonement, as a way of out of my present conditionjoblessness - which is responsible for my ill-health. Can you enlighten me on what it is? Damilare Ojo, 52 years old. Benin, Edo State.

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God’s plan for natural healing THE scripture says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” – Hosea 4: 6. A lack of knowledge based on truth is accountable for much of the untold sufferings and miseries of humanity. The fundamental principle of true healing consists of a return to natural habits of living. These natural healing techniques as contained in the Bible, Qur’an and Nature; will save money, sufferings and often, premature death. In Genesis, Chapter 1 verse 11, it is written: “And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself upon the earth’, and it was so.” And in verse 29 of the same chapter, “And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth.” In the same book of Genesis, Chapter 3 verse 18, it is written: “Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.” In the book of Ezekiel Chapter 47 verse 12, it is written, “And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all the trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed; it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary; and the fruit therefore shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine”. Similarly, in Romans Chapter 14 verse 12, it is written: “For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.” The wiser-than-all-kings, Solomon discovered the gift of herbal healing and possessed knowledge of the various species growing in Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Phoenicia and Lebanon. The aromatic herb of the genus Hyssopus was first used medicinally by Solomon. No wonder, the Hyssop twigs are used till today during the purification rituals of the Hebraic liturgy, as mentioned in Psalm 51 verse 7, which says: “Purge me with Hyssop and I will be clean, wash me and I will be whiter than snow”

Also, in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Chapter 2 verse 11, it is narrated that the infant Jesus was presented with gold, frankincense and myrrh, by the wise men as He laid in his manger in Bethlehem. The latter two gifts are herbal products of spiritual value. Similarly, a mixture of the herb Aloe vera and myrrh was used to wrap and embalm the body of Jesus, in accordance with Jewish burial customs, as documented in John chapter 19 verses 39-40. Furthermore, Revelation of Saint John the Divine, Chapter 22 verses 1 and 2 says: “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of nations.” Similarly, the Holy Qur’an makes reference to the virtues of plants and the vegetal resources existing on earth, as sustenance for God’s servants (Sura 36: 33-35; Sura 50: 9-11 and Sura 79: 30-33). From the above examples, it is obvious that there is a wonderful science in nature, in trees, herbs, roots and flowers, which man has never yet fathomed. God has provided a remedy for every disease that might afflict us. Satan cannot afflict anyone with any disease for which God has not provided a remedy. It should be clearly understood that the greater the magnitude of sinful acts, atrocities, ignorance and negligence of man associated with the occurrence of a disease, the greater the severity of the problems and hence the more difficult it would be to find a lasting solution through the conventional medical practices. In such situations, a combination of natural care, spiritual counseling and prayer can be of enormous help. For further information on the Esoteric Lifecare Atonement, as a divine solution to your health, financial, social and spiritual problems, send an Email: Kolemetric@yahoo.com

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consequently done more havoc and contributed in no small way to the existing confusion in the mind of the modern African.

If they had faced the facts and studied the actual situation, they would have realised that the black powers do not only exist but

•Hour glass indicates essence of time in life

can also affect both the good and bad with equal force. For snobbish reasons, many of us refused to accept the truth and the result has been the perpetuation of ignorance, mental degradation, toiling agony, wickedness, indiscriminate brutality, mass poverty, misery and suffering wrecked by man upon man. The only solution to the myriads of problems is to go back to our root through authentic and holistic research into the “wisdom of the ages” which could be used to tackle the weakest link in the vicious cycle that has kept these diabolical and devastating black arts in equilibrium. The Esoteric Lifecare Atonement as a means of deliverance The holistic approach as exemplified by the divine Esoteric Lifecare Atonement (ELA) will reveal what natural powers you have; how, when and where you can unleash the powers to work for you in overcoming the evil forces without recourse to diabolic means. Many people think they are unlucky in life and resort to dubious or diabolic means of solving problems. There is nothing like luck; a person is either blessed or cursed. It is the negative forces that inflict diseases and social ills into the lives of people; so that they will spend all their money seeking treatment and eventually it will take their lives and would have wasted away without fulfilling their divine destinies. The evil forces sometimes manifest in the form of impatience. It makes people rush into decisions and make drastic steps that make them lose money, possessions, relatives, family and even their own lives. While economies may nose-dive through human errors of mismanagement and corruption or unavoidable global economic recessions, such omissions or commissions should not be an excuse for protracted failures in life. For a period in the life of an achiever, there is bound to be a crucible of tests and trials that bring some odd results for hard labour. You must not despair, even as colleagues and neighbours make disparaging comments about you. Whatever hardship you are passing through is to refine in you a stronger personality to manage a success bigger than your present frame of mind can cope with. Sometimes, the delays in your life today are allowed by God to remove evil and sorrow from your tomorrow. Your destiny is in your own hands. Whatever may be your pursuit in life; business, politics, love, marriage, getting a child, examinations, promotions, protection, health, money, beauty, slimming, education etc., and whatever may be your age, sex, religion or belief, you can now command success in any field of your choice. For further information on the Esoteric Lifecare Atonement, as a divine solution to your health, financial, social and spiritual problems, send an E-mail: Kolemetric@yahoo.com

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS e-Business

e-mail: e-business@thenationonlineng.net

A derailing consumer parliament In the last few years, the Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP) initiated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has lived to its billing of providing a platform for telecoms subscribers to voice their grievances. LUCAS AJANAKU writes on the need to make the ‘parliament’ more participatory by giving subscribers more opportunities to speak up against ‘injustice’.

•Cross section of aggrieved ‘parliamentarians’ in Lagos.

HOUGH many of them appeared to be members of a “rented crowd” – going by the way they conducted themselves at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, venue of the monthly Telecoms Consumers Parliament (TCP) – they nonetheless came on time and registered their names. After the ceremonial introduction of officials of NCC, the session began with the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Eugen Juwah, presenting his address. The speech presentation was followed by another paper presentation on the NCC’s Open Access Model for broadband acceleration by Partner Management Consulting, KPMG, Joseph Tegbe. Brilliant as the presentation was, it did not elicit the desired accolade from the parliamentarians, many of who slept throughout the presentation and were only woken up by the applause from the few who understood what broadband meant to the national economy. All the parliamentarians knew is quality of services. They should make calls effortlessly. They were not interested in those carefully chosen words of either Juwah, Tegbe or those of any other person for that matter. All they were waiting for was an opportunity to lay bare their frustration and, probably, get a reprieve or a soothing balm from the NCC. And the opportunity they have all been waiting for is the question and answer (Q&A) session, which always provides them the rare opportunity of ventilating their displeasure over the poor quality of services they are getting from their service providers. Many of them have travelled from far and near to be part of the event; some with burdens they have been carrying for years. Their service providers were represented by Director, Regulatory Affairs and Special Projects, Airtel Nigeria, Osondu Nwokoro, Customer Care Executive at MTN Nigeria, Akinwale Goodluck, Head, Network Operations at Globacom Limited, Mr. Aremu Olajide and Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko. Goodluck aptly captured the mood of the parliamentarians during his opening remarks at the panel discussion segment. “I cannot see the excitement about broadband in this hall,” he said, adding that broadband will redefine the delivery of learning/teaching, health, agriculture, commerce and banking. He described it as “the social capital” of the country. When the Q&A session finally came, the hall suddenly came alive. Everybody had one question or the other to ask either the NCC or

•Hajia Maina

•Mohammed

the operators. So, they raised their hands, surged forward and struggled to be recognised by the compere. The lot first fell on Mr. Nurudeen Mohammed, a web designer. When he was handed the microphone, the visibly angry Mohammed cleared his throat and said: “My problem is with my modem. I bought the modem sometime ago. Each time I try to connect, it disconnects in the speed I have attempted to connect it. It is worrisome to me because as a web designer, I need to be on the internet all the time to do my work.” The parliamentarians shook their heads in a manner that suggested that many of them had at one time or the other, had similar experiences. Mohammed’s complaint was noted and the compere requested for his mobile phone number which he gladly read out to the audience, which comprised many directors of the NCC. But after taking Mohammed’s complaints, the compere took valuable time to warn subscribers against the use of provocative and abusive languages. Like a primary school teacher, she said: “Just state your complaints and that is all.” The parliamentarians howled back at her for the needless meddlesomeness. One Dr. Nwuanyanwu Francis got the floor.

His concern was that based on the promise of Glo to offer data services using third generation (3G)technology and having been seeing same telco pride itself as offering same service, he wanted to know whether the telco truly lives up to its promises to its customers. A fairly aged woman, who identified herself as Hajia Binta Maina, a business woman and dealer in Dangote products was lucky to have been recognised. Her case was indeed pathetic. For over three years, she has been enduring the pains of unsolicited messages, forceful subscriptions to value added services (VAS) and persistent loss of air time. “I have been on this problem over the past three years. I receive about 40 text messages daily from my service providers. If I was not advanced in age, some of the messages were capable of ruining my marriage. Imagine my husband seeing “I love you” message on my phone. I have visited three offices of Glo and had even taken my case to the head office of the company in Victoria Island where an Indian man attended to me and assured me that the text messages and loss of money will stop. They said there is a code I could use to opt out, I used it but the more I used the code, the more the messages come in. As I speak with you, it has not stopped. So, when I heard that this meeting

is taking place today, I decided to sacrifice everything I am doing to bring my problem to the whole world,” she lamented to The Nation. It could only be imagined if Hajia Maina had not been lucky enough to be allowed to state her case. But there were several hundreds of subscribers in the hall who had defied the odds to be part of the session because they had one burden or the other they wanted either the NCC or their service provider to solve. These people were shut out by the compere despite consistent shout of “No! No! No! by the participants. Olajide explained that most of the unsolicited text messages Hajia Maina receives on her phone were not generated from the network but by other firms licensed by the NCC to provide VAS. He enjoined her to lodge complaint, promising that it will be looked into with a view to sanctioning the VAS provider. According to him, the NCC’s directive on text messages was clear to the extent that customers must be provided with a code to opt out. He told Mohammed that configuration mattered in the use of modems. He said if the user was in an area covered by 2G technology, there is no way a modem configured to function on 3G will work. He also explained to Francis that the telco is yet to achieve national coverage of the country with 3G technology. The disenfranchised parliamentarians were disgusted about the development. One of them who identified himself simply as Saheed said: “I came all the way from Akodo along Epe road to be part of this session because I receive calls from my operator which when I pick, wipes off my airtime. My service provider also ‘flashes’ so that I could call to use up my air time. Now that this woman has prevented me from stating my case, I am so disappointed,” he said. Regular participants at TCP said the regulator ought to have prevailed upon the compere to allow more participants to state their grievances against their service providers. In the past, TCP used to be an exciting opportunity for subscribers to state their dissatisfaction on services they get. Some of the complaints received are sometimes not known to the NCC which takes note and often directs the concerned operator to take steps to rectify the problem. Outcome of the parliament also forms the basis for subsidiary regulation of the industry as some of the complaints were probably never envisaged by the Nigerian Communication Act (2003) which gives legal teeth to the NCC. But denying the subscribers the opportunity to say what they pass through is certainly a disservice to them.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government. -Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Fed Govt to unveil new GDP statistics

Emefiele: I’ll be firm and just

HE newly confirmed Governor of the Cen tral Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, has promised to deal with all issues decisively with greater consideration for decisions that will uplift Nigeria to a greater height. Emefiele, who participated in his last Annual General Meeting (AGM) as the managing director of Zenith Bank Plc, yesterday in Lagos, said he would be guided by utmost discipline and sense of responsibility in running the affairs of the apex bank. He said he would look into all the issues raised by Nigerians when he assumed duties and would be firm and just in addressing them. “As I move on to Central Bank of Nigeria as next CBN governor, I have read a lot of advices from the newspapers, it is a national assignment, it is about our economy and we will work very hard to ensure that we take Nigeria to greater height,” Emefiele said. He said he was leaving Zenith Bank in the hand of a management that would continue to work hard to position the bank as number one in Africa. Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Sir Steve Omojafor, said the bank was able to exploit the opportunities within

• Zenith Bank pays N55b dividend By TaofikSalako

the environment and translated these to another excellent performance that further attests to the durability and resilience of the brand. According to him, the 2013 performance is an eloquent testimony to the sound financial health of the bank and the group. He assured shareholders that Zenith Bank remains committed to deepening its profitability and delivering superior returns its shareholders.

Shareholders approved increase in dividend to about N54.94 billion for the 2013 business year as against N50.23 billion distributed for the 2012 business year. The breakdown of the dividend indicated that shareholders will receive a dividend per share of N1.75 as against N1.60 received in the previous year. The dividend will be paid on Thursday. Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of Zenith Bank for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed that gross earnings rose by 14 per cent while pre-tax profit increased by 8.0 per cent. However, profit after tax dropped by 5.0 per cent.

• Emefiele

Gross earnings closed 2013 at N351.47 billion as against N307.08 billion recorded in 2012. Interest income rose by almost 18 per cent from N221 billion to N260 billion, while net interest income rose by 21 per cent to N156.8 billion compared with N189.3 billion in 2012.

Made-in-Nigeria vehicles out in May

HE long-awaited made-in-Nigeria vehi cles will flood the market by May, this year, with the price ranging from N1.2million to N2.7million, the National Automotive Council (NAC), has said. Its Director-General, Mallam Aminu Jalal made this known during a media launch in Abuja, saying that those interested could buy these vehicles with a backup payment of three to four years.

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

He said: ‘The idea is to ensure people stop buying second hand vehicles, as the Fe d e r al Government’s plan, is to go into full development of local content vehicles. It has not been easy for NAC as well as dialogue with car importers has been hitting brick wall. They are completely against the new policy of made-in-Nigeria vehicles. “The policy did not kick

off immediately because Nigerians complained of lack of awareness about it. Thi is one of the reasons the policy was delayed but it will now be fully implemented by July 1, 2014. “With the new made-inNigeria vehicles policy, and the release of the vehicles in the market, substandard vehicles will gradually be phased out of circulation. We are concerned with standard and safety of life.”

HE Federal Govern ment said arrange ment has been concluded to release the new Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the various sectors of the economy. The GDP was $451 billion last year, with Agriculture contributing 49 per cent, Services 30 per cent, Manufacturing 15 per cent and Oil 14 per cent. Speaking at the end of the Federal Executive Committee (FEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said the new GDP figures would be released on Sunday in Abuja. He said, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy (CME), Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, briefed the Council on the work done on the GDP by the Ministry of Finance, National Planning Commission, the Chief Statistician of the Federation and international bodies, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the last one year. Noting that the last GDP figures were released 15 years ago, he said such figures need to be reassessed and released every five years to ascertain which sectors are doing well and

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

which ones have challenges. He said: “We received briefing by the CME and Minister of Finance, that after nearly 15 years, Nigeria is ready to rebase its GDP after more than one year of hard work by the Ministries of Finance and National Planning, the Chief Statistician to the Federation and the international agencies like IMF, AfDB (African Development Bank), IDB. “You will recall that the last time Nigeria issued new statistics and GDP figures was 15 years. And this is not supposed to be as we are supposed to be doing this every five years. Every country calibrates its own GDP data to show the progress made or challenges in their economy. “Right now, the FEC was briefed today that on Sunday at the Transcorps by 2 pm, Nigeria will formally release its GDP figures for the country which has just been worked by institutions in collaboration with i nt er na t i ona l a g enc i es, whose duties it is to work out GDP figures for the countries.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

MONEYLINK

Foreign reserves rise by $50m in two days and Tuesday. The reserves were at $37.80 billion on March 31 but rose to $37.83 on April 1 and further increased to $37.85 on April 2. The reserves had received serious battering after the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on February 20 as foreign investors scurried for exit. The reserves were at $42.77 billion on February 3, and dropped to $39.72 billion on March 3, losing $3 billion in one month. Analysts said the reserves declined as imports of petroleum and foods soared.

•Acting CBN Governor, Dr. Sarah Alade

IGERIA’S foreign exchange reserves which have been on decline for the past two months reversed the trend with $47 million increase on Monday

Stories by Collins Nweze

The level of Nigeria’s external reserves had fallen to $43.63 billion as at December 30th last year. This is the lowest level since November, 2012 and a decline of 10.7 per cent from 2013’s Year to Date peak of $48.86 billion. The continuous use of the external buffers to support the value of the naira and declining oil receipts are among the contributing factors to the depletion. With over 50 per cent of foreign exchange utilised for the importation of fuel and food, the CBN said policy should focus on a comprehensive backward integration production

Dollar steadies on US private payrolls data

HE dollar was little changed against a basket of major currencies as at yesterday after p rivate payrolls data showed United States businesses shaking off some of the chill on hiring left by harsh winter weather. The US dollar index was flat at 80.09, with the dollar unchanged against the yen at 103.61 after trading as low as 103.59 yen shortly after the ADP National Employment Report for March came in slightly below forecasts. Employers added 191,000 workers

African Mobile Money revenues to hit $3b

more than 50 African countries. Analysts said the African mobile money market has the potential to grow to a money-

OBILE Money operators’ revenue will rise to $3 billion by 2015, a study by Pyramid Research has shown. Although Safaricom’s M-Pesa in Kenya has long been the lone success story in the mobile money universe, successes are being recorded in Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania with similar mobile money offerings. MTN Uganda’s Mobile Money service accounts for three per cent of all airtime sold on its networ-k, and Vodacom’s MPesa service in Tanzania currently has six million subscribers with exponential growth of 600 per cent experienced in the past year alone. Currently, mobile money offerings remain limited and are concentrated in just 22 of the

making market, but operators, banks and regulators need to work toward developing an enabling environment for business models that meet service providers’ revenue demands.

HE Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) has been admitted as a member of the African Corporate Governance Network (ACGN). The ACGN said in a statement that future generations in Africa will only benefit from the rising prosperity of the continent if good governance is practiced. Chairman of the ACGN, Jane Valls said such governance is a key ingredient to sustaining economic growth in Africa. The ACGN is a collaborative net-

was the formal adoption of the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD) as a new member as well as FITC Nigeria as an affiliate member to the network. Discussion points at the meeting in Nairobi centred on the formulation and implementation of business plans to address the focus areas of the ACGN – capacity building, knowledge sharing, training and development, advocacy and research. Consultation and engagement with stakeholders were also on the agenda.

work of director membership organisations that promote effective corporate governance on the African continent. Chairman of the Institute of Directors Kenya, Mr. John Luusa, said: “Through developing and implementing initiatives that respond to the unique challenges of the African environment, members of the ACGN play a vital role in ensuring that Africa is open for business and generates foreign investment for its economic development.” A major highlight of the meeting

DATA BANK

Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00

5495.33

Price Loss

7.9-10%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

2754.67

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate

last month, while gains for February were revised upward, according to the report. March US non-farm payrolls are scheduled for release by the federal government this Friday. Some currency traders say a strong showing will fuel a rally in the greenback. “Everyone’s still waiting for the actual jobs numbers on Friday, and that’s limiting the movement of the dollar,” said Nick Bennenbrock, currency strategist at Wells Fargo Securities in New York. “It’s muted.” Major currency pairs have all been stuck in tight ranges since midFebruary, with bets for a run higher by the dollar having been thwarted by a combination of nerves over economic slowdown in China and some worse than expected US data. That has begun to turn around in the past couple of weeks and dealers are beginning to speculate the nonfarm payrolls numbers on Friday may have the potential to turn the dollar sharply higher. The heart of that argument is the assumption that, should the numbers begin to look more robust, US interest rates will be raised early next year, while those in Europe and Japan will stay flat or be suppressed further.

FITC joins corporate governance network

FGN BONDS

NIDF

serves were at $47.7 billion on July 1, and dropped to $47 billion on July 15. Reserves also entered August 1 at $47 billion. The foreign currency reserves had five years ago, in August 2008, peaked at $68 billion before the global financial crises impacted negatively on it.

strategy, while fast-tracking the repair of existing refineries. As at October 10, the reserves were at $45.3 billion, as against $46 billion in September 19, and $47 billion in August 19, data from the CBN website showed. Further findings showed that re-

Date 28-04-2012 “

GAINERS AS AT 02-04-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

CADBURY NPFMCRFBK ABCTRANS CUSTODYINS BETAGLAS PRESCO WAPCO UBN CCNN RTBRISCOE

48.14(75.00) 0.81 0.89 2.05 19.00 40.00 104.50 9.55 9.27 1.12

75.00 0.89 0.97 2.16 19.95 42.00 109.72 10.00 9.70 1.17

26.86 0.08 0.08 0.11 0.95 2.00 5.22 0.45 0.43 0.05

Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR 212.4997 NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) 149.7450 (S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

NEIMETH FIDELITYBK INTENEGINS VONO COSTAIN IKEJAHOTEL LEARNAFRCA HONYFLOUR WAPIC UTC

1.74 (1.45) 2.18 0.62 1.66 1.46 0.63 2.14 3.81 0.78 0.55

1.45 2.02 0.59 1.58 1.39 0.60 2.04 3.65 0.75 0.53

-0.29 -0.16 -0.03 -0.08 -0.07 -0.03 -0.10 -0.16 -0.03 -0.02

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012

7 Days

9.0417

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012

9.6667

11.46%

60 Days

11.2917

11.96%

2-5-14 2-3-14 1-29-14

6-2-14

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Offer Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 155.16 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.09 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.68 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,618.91 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,090.40 FBN HERITAGE FUND 114.02 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 1,087.30 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 KAKAWA GUARANTE ED INCOME FUND 143.11 LEGACY FUND 0.78 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,898.70 UBA BALANCED FUND UBA BOND FUND UBA EQUITY FUND UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

Movement

1.2636 1.2952 0.9261 1.1574

Bid Price 154.40 9.08 1.07 1.17 0.67 1.33 2,616.04 1,090.11 113.22 1,087.00 1.62 1.03 142.62 0.76 1,894.36 1.2524 1.2524 0.9090 1.1574

OPEN BUY BACK

10.17%

30 Days

Date

NSE

• • • •

CHANGE

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8 155.7

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

Name

LOSERS AS AT 02-04-14

SYMBOL

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m 399.9m

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

Movement

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 02-04-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 02-04-14

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

NEWS

House halts plot to force 37 APC lawmakers out Continued from page 2

beginning to arise in the House during plenary. “We decided that in line with the decision we took during our inauguration, we should keep our parties aside to make good laws for order, peace and development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is our core mandate as members of the House of Representatives.” Ogene added. A statement by his Chief

Press Secretary, Oke Epia, said deputy Ihedioha “remains a firm and committed member of the PDP and associates himself fully with its ideals, principles, purposes and progress.” The statement was issued to “correct the impression conveyed by these publications that the Deputy Speaker is at odd purposes with his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party.” “For the avoidance of

doubt, the Deputy Speaker wishes to clarify that he is just a NOMINAL PARTY in the suit by virtue of his office and counsel briefed by the Management of the National Assembly to represent the House of Representatives as an Institution. “The Deputy Speaker will take steps to retain an independent counsel of his choice to take steps to protect his legal interests in the matter.”

‘World should identify terrorism sponsors’ Continued from page 2

curity called for a holistic and integrated approach, Jonathan said peace and development were two sides of the same coin. The importance Nigeria attaches to terror, he said, informed the decision to organize a summit on “Human Security, Peace and Development: An Agenda for the 21st Century” during Nigeria’s recent Centenary celebrations. The summit, he said, resolved, in part, that all countries must continue to strengthen existing mechanisms for national and international conflict management, and create new avenues for co-operation within and between peoples and nations. According to him, the African Union, since year 2000, has demonstrated sustained desire for the development of collective security arrangement among its member-states and its Regional Economic Communities. To this end, he said, the countries have established a security management system and the codification of standards within Africa’s Peace and Security Architecture, which he said included the Peace and Security Council, a continental early warn-

ing system, the Panel of the Wise and the African Standby Force (ASF). The union, Jonathan said, has also subscribed to modalities and action plans to confront the new challenges and threat of piracy in some maritime boundaries and curb oil theft. Beside these initiatives, he said, there are organs within the AU with mandates to strengthen the peace and security architecture. Jonathan described the coming into force of the African Charter on Democracy, Election and Government as a legally binding instrument as a further re-affirmation of collective resolve at outlawing unconstitutional change of government in Africa. His word: “Notwithstanding these initiatives, new and emerging threats that necessitate concerted and holistic focus have emerged. These include political conflicts that threaten hard-won peace and democracies and, worse still, the phenomenon of piracy and terrorism. “In the face of these new threats and challenges, the Peace and Security Architecture needs to be strengthened and the African Standby Force needs to be fully operationalised.” “We need to give stronger impetus to capacity building

and logistical support to boost Africa’s capability and preparedness to take pre-emptive steps to contain conflict situations, quell violence and deal with the scourges of terrorism.” Jonathan went on: “There is need for renewed efforts to address the challenges at hand, in the context of our partnership. The modest successes recorded in tackling the peace and security challenges confronting us notwithstanding, the fact remains that we may continue to fall short of the target of ridding Africa of conflicts if the nexus that exists between peace and development is not fully explored and developed. “Our approaches must, therefore, be integrated while simultaneously addressing the socio-political factors that push countries to conflict, with their attendant humanitarian and socio-economic consequences.” The summit brought together the Heads of State and Government of the EU and the African continent with the EU and AU institutions. The EU was represented at the summit, which has “Investing in people, prosperity and peace” as its theme by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

EFCC grills Oduah for five hours Continued from page 2

Committee on Aviation on the car scam.” Oduah got a “provisional bail”. This is the first time the EFCC has given a provisional bail. The agency is known for “administrative bail” system. An official of the commission said: “The provisional bail is a temporary measure. If there is need to detain her subsequently, we will do so. “She has been told that she might be re-invited soon by the commission.” The President, on February 11, sacked Ms Oduah from the cabinet alongside three others. Others are: Godswill Orubebe (Niger Delta), Caleb Olubolade (Police Affairs) and Yerima Ngama (State for Finance). Prior to her sack, the President in October 2013, set up a three-man Administrative Panel of Inquiry into the car scandal. The panel comprised a former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Sali Bello, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Air Vice Marshal Dick Iruenebere (rtd.).

Also, the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation investigated the scandal. The Committee listed 12 infractions against Oduah and made some recommendations. The report said in part: “Based on the findings of the Committee and in line with its terms of reference, the following recommendations are made: •Given the fact that the two BMW armoured vehicles procured in the process were not provided for in the 2013 Appropriation Law nor was due process followed in their procurement, the Ministry of Aviation and NCAA should terminate with immediate effect all transactions and loan agreement it entered into with First Bank Nigeria Plc and all contracts awarded thereto; •That all monies so far spent on the entire transaction should be recovered and returned back to the Federation Account; •The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria should review the continued engagement of the Hon. Minister of Aviation, Princess

Stella Oduah, having contravened the Appropriation Act and Approved Revised Thresholds by exceeding her approval limit of N100m with the purchase of 54 vehicles value at N643m •That EFCC and other relevant anti-corruption agencies should: (a) Further investigate the discrepancies in the chassis Number DW68032 of the vehicles on the one reported to be delivered and the one inspected by the committee; and (b) Further investigate and if found wanting, prosecute all persons/ institutions involved in the transaction •The former Acting DG, Mr. Nkemakola Joyce and Director of Finance, Mr. S. Ozigi, should be sanctioned in accordance with the Civil Service Rules for deliberately breaching the 2013 Appropriation Act/ Extant Laws of the Federation •That Coscharis Motors Nigeria Limited should be investigated on the issue of waiver, source and exact cost of the two BMW vehicles supplied to NCAA; •Coscharis should be made to pay the value of the waiver into treasury account.

THE NATION THURSDAY APRIL 3, 2014

NEWS

Rivers: Agumagu remains CJ •Continued from page 1 The NJC issued Agumagu a query, directing him to explain within four days why he should not be removed from office. Agumagu, a former President of the State Customary Court of Appeal and the most senior judge in the judiciary, was cleared on March 18, through the judgment of Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt. He was screened by the House of Assembly and inaugurated as the seventh chief judge by Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Boms said: “The NJC’s position, which is unfortunate, gives misleading impression to the public that the appointment of Justice Agumagu occurred in nibubus (from the skies) and with no contribution of the NJC. “It is important to state that the NJC has always preferred the most senior judge of the high court as the chief judge and in this particular case, Justice D.W. Okocha, as its candidate. “For the records, Justice Agumagu is senior in biology, at the Bar and on the Bench to Justice Okocha. “Following advice from the State Judicial Service Commission to the NJC, Justice Agumagu was listed as No 1 and Justice Okocha No 2, the NJC wrote to Governor Amaechi that Justice Agumagu was rejected because he was not the most senior judge of the high court. “We restate here that what is happening in Rivers State is not peculiar to Rivers as other states have passed and some are still passing

•’Suspension illegal, unconstitutional’ From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

through the process. In all of these, the NJC did not write to their judges to intimidate them. “If the appointment of a chief judge were to begin and end with the NJC, then perhaps, there would be no problems with its preferred candidate. “Unfortunately, the constitution provides that four institutions – the State Judicial Service Commission, the NJC, the governor and the House of Assembly - must all participate in the selection of a candidate. “The NJC or indeed, any council for that matter, has no powers under any law to declare the action of the governor unconstitutional. “Only a court vested with the requisite jurisdiction can validly do so and the NJC, no matter how eminent its members are, is not a court of any cadre in Nigeria,” Boms said. The commissioner added: “The NJC does not have the power to appoint or dismiss a judge. It cannot even suspend a judge under the colour of discipline. “It can only recommend such to either the governor in the case of state judges, or to the president, in the case of federal judges.” Boms said the government wrote NJC to inform the council that its twin doctrines for rejecting Justice Agumagu were unknown under the constitution. “By wielding the big stick against an innocent judge and purporting to use admin-

istrative measures to truncate the outcome of a judicial process to which it submitted and participated actively in, the NJC is using its power inappropriately. “It is unwittingly contributing, in an eloquent form, to the ridiculing of the court system, which it should be promoting and respecting. “The Rivers State government rejects the NJC’s unconstitutional and contemptuous stance on this matter. “Only a court of competent jurisdiction can declare its actions and activities unconstitutional and certainly not a council, committee or commission. “We urge the NJC to disallow the personal sentiments and entrenched interests of some of its members in the matter and treat Rivers State Judiciary and its judges as it treats other states' and federal judiciaries and their judges. “This issue is not a family affair or succession to a family stool in which case members of a particular lineage are the only persons qualified for consideration for succession. “This is a public office with constitutionally provided statements on qualification for succession. “It provides no room for anyone or persons to use their membership of the exalted body to lend a hand to a relation or a friend outside the clear provisions of the constitution, as now confirmed by the court.” Boms added that the government rejected the NJC’s suspension on the grounds that the basis for Agumagu’s

rejection was not found in law. Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, in his judgment on March 18, agreed with the government and the state JSC. Justice Akanbi said: "I find no reason from the letter written by the NJC to disqualify Agumagu who, in my opinion is qualified to be recommended to the governor for appointment as chief judge. “In the absence of any such reason, Agumagu remains the candidate to be recommended and forwarded to the governor for appointment as chief judge. "It is ordered that the first defendant (the NJC) acting by itself or through its council members, servants, agents and privies are hereby restrained from carrying into effect the decision and recommendation in the said letter of July 22, last year or acting upon it in any way or manner detrimental to the interest of the plaintiffs (Rivers State Government and the State Judicial Service Commission) or acting in a way and manner suggesting an insistence on the candidate (Justice Okocha) it recommended by its letter of July 22, last year.” Boms said: “This is the process that produced Justice Agumagu as the chief judge. It must be stated that the NJC has not filed any appeal against the judgement whereas, its co-defendant and preferred candidate, Justice Okocha appealed the judgement. “The matter, therefore, was made subjudice at the time the NJC purported to suspend the chief judge."

Police trailing ‘killer-corporal’

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

DO State Police Command has said it is yet to apprehend the corporal, who allegedly bit his 19month-old baby to death, nine days after the inci-

dent. The command’s spokesman, Moses Eguavoen, said this in a telephone interview yesterday. Eguavoen said: “The Command is doing everything possible to get him. He is a serving policeman, we shall get him.” Corporal Samuel Abiola, it was gathered, served at the Police Headquarters, Benin City before his transfer to Egba Police Division. His wife, Abigail, on March 26, told reporters in Benin that her husband killed her 19-month-old baby, Ayomide, after she miraculously escaped his battering.

UNIBEN denies student’s death

UTHORITIES of the University of Benin have denied reports that a freshman died in a stampede at the university. It said no student was injured. Some students were reportedly injured while trying to enter the school auditorium to submit eligibility forms. The gate leading to the auditorium was pulled down by the students.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

The university’s spokesman, Harrison Osarenren, described what happened as “the usual Nigerian propensity for rush”. He said: “The eligibility forms were given to all freshmen on Tuesday but in their efforts to return them yesterday resulted in the pushing and shoving. Nobody was injured let alone anyone dying in the process.”

‘Absentee teachers to be sanctioned’

EACHERS in public primary and secondary schools in Edo State who did not show up for the assessment exercise organised by the government may have their names deleted from the state’s payroll, Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said. He spoke when he received the report of the exercise from the Teachers’ Assessment Committee, led by former Vice Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Prof Dennis Agbonlahor. Oshiomhole said: “No teacher will remain on the payroll of the Edo State Government, if we have not assessed him and are convinced that he is indeed fit to be entrusted with the classroom or the particular subject which our pupils are asked to learn. “This for us is not politics; it is to stress the essence of governance and prepare our kids for the future for the inevitable role they have to play.” Agbonlahor said:”Those who failed to participate should be made to do so at the next available opportunity. It is in their interest to do so. We thank the government for the opportunity given to us to serve in this capacity.”

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

ear sir, my name is Chibuzor and I do patronize your product. My wife turned 50 years this year and her period stopped. Since she stopped menstruating, she no longer has interest in sex and when we do manage to have sex once in a while, she does not enjoy it. Please do you have any medicine that can bring back her period? Also I need medicine that can improve her sexual urge. I am hoping to hear from you. Thanks – Chibuzor Dear Chibuzor, your wife is experiencing what is known as menopause and it normally happens to women around the age of 50. This is normal.As from around the age of 50, nature assumes a woman is done with having children and is no longer in need of her monthly ovulation. Once the female body stops releasing eggs monthly, she stops menstruating. That is what menopause is. In some women, menopausehappens earlier than 50 and for some, it happens a little after. But every woman experiences it and the symptoms are many, such as lack of interest in sex, vaginal dryness, night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, irritability, weight gain,insomnia, anxiety, headaches, depression etc. There are as many as 35 different symptoms of menopause and some of them are treatable.Unfortunately, we cannot reverse the course of nature and stop menopause from happening. What we can do however is to recommend supplements and lubricants that can help women like your wife maintain a healthy interest in sex and enjoy it too. To restore sexual desire, I recommend a libido booster.Max Desire or Pink Elevate Female Libido Enhancerwill help her. These supplements can be taken daily to ensure sexual interest at any time. They can also be taken on a case by case basis and start to work within one hour of consumption. But for best results, these supplements should be taken daily. As for the vaginal dryness, a simple lubricant or orgasm gel will do. Ask for the Spot on G Spot Arousal Gel or the Colt Slick Lubricant. And finally, try and be a patient and understanding husband. What your wife is experiencing is frustrating but it happens to

all women eventually. Men too experience diminishing libido and erectile dysfunction as they get older. But like I said earlier, there are supplements that can help aging adults maintain healthy sexual functions. Take care – Uche I want to treat my wife better in the bedroom and I believe you can teach me. You were highly recommended. Please I prefer books – Akin The first book I will recommend is the Secrets of G Spot Orgasms and Female Ejaculation. If you want to satisfy a woman every single time, you need to get this book. It has lots of coloredillustrations too. The second book is Sex Positions you never thought Were Possible. Again, this a rare and one of a kind book for champions. It will teach you a lot – Uche I have a small penis and after years of pretending it doesn’t matter, it is beginning to affect me psychologically. Please I need a penis enlarger that will work and give permanent results. Do they exist? Kingsley Of course they exist. Penis pumps give long lasting results but you must be patient and use it daily as prescribed. Ask for the Penis Enlargement Pump or the Potent Enlargement Pump – Uche I want another bottle of that Exploding Thunder for weak erection and a cheap vibrator for my wife. Two of my friends are interested in Exploding Thunder too. I will text you their numbers – John That’s good. For a cheap and effective vibrator, go for the Erotic Stud vibrator. It is quite big for the price and your wife will like it – Uche And that’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551 or 08027901621 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

NEWS

24-hour curfew in Kafanchan

24-hour curfew has been imposed on Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following the alleged killing of two youths. The youths were said to be part of a crowd, which demanded jungle justice for 32 suspected Fulani men arrested with weapons by the Army in Kafanchan. Governor Ramalan Yero called on residents to remain calm and law abiding, saying the government is working to sustain peace. A statement by Yero’s Director-General, Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, urged the people to remain calm and desist from taking laws into their hands to avoid throwing the state into confusion and anarchy. Yero said security operatives had intensified surveillance across the state aimed at foiling any attempt by miscreants and criminals to attack residents. “This is not the time for people to obstruct the course of justice by attempting to perpetrate barbaric acts of jungle justice. Government

Buhari: APC’ll provide security

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

ORMER Military Head of State Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) said yesterday that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will address insecurity, if given the mandate next year. He spoke at the palace of the Chief of Maro’a, Malam Tagwai Sambo, when he visited to condole over the recent killings in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Gen. Buhari, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government of not protecting the people. He said: “If Nigerians give their mandate to APC in 2015, it will address the prolonged insecurity that has bedevilled the country, which the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has failed to address. “For me, I am not a stranger in Kaura because my elder brother is a close friend of the Chief of Maro’a, so I feel like I am at home here.” Also speaking, former Commissioner for Finance Sulaiman Hunkuyi condemned the attacks. Sambo thanked them for the visit and described the incident as an act of God. He prayed against a recurrence. The APC delegation, which included Deputy National Chairman Aminu Bello Masari, National Secretary Malam Nasiru el-Rufai, donated N2 million to the victims. From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

and security forces will never allow people take law in their hands.

“We want to assure the people of Kaduna State that in our resolve to end the spate of unwarranted attacks on innocent citizens, Government

will continue to work with security agencies to ensure that those behind the killings in the state are brought to justice. “This will be vigorously pursued without fear or favour.” Police spokesman Aminu Lawan said he could not comment on the issue as it was an Army operation. “It was the Army that arrested the people. It was the Army that was said to have shot people. They have not briefed us. I cannot speak for them,” he said. The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Office ,1 Mechanised Infantry Division, Kaduna, Col. Usman Abdul, said though he had heard of the arrests and the violence in Kafanchan, he has not been sufficiently briefed to make any statement to the press. The Council Chairman, Daniel Amos, imposed a 24hour curfew on the local government after seeking the permission of the state government.

Okun leaders allege marginalisation

KUN Yoruba people in Kogi State have said they are being marginalised by the Idris Wada administration. A 70-member delegation, which included traditional rulers, academia, politicians, clerics, women and youth leaders, led by the National President, Okun Development Association, Babatunde Fadumiyo, was sent to the governor. In their address read by a former Health Minister and Convener, Okun ThinkTank, Prof Eyitayo Lambo, they expressed regret that successive civilian administrations had compounded the trend of marginalisation of the Okun people. He said the Igala and Bassa people of Kogi East Senatorial District occupy the positions of Commissioner for Finance, Accountant-Gener-

al and Auditor-General, which give them total control of the state’s finances. Lambo said Okun Yoruba had 41 per cent representation in the civil service in 1991, Kogi East, which then controlled 49 per cent, now has 78 per cent. He expressed regrets that the State University, jointly funded by the state and local governments, was being run as if it was owned by Kogi East alone. “All the vice chancellors so far have been Igala. The same goes for the Director of Works. The registrar and librarian are also from Kogi East.” Lambo said of the 637 directorate level positions in the civil service, Kogi East

held 318, leaving the other two senatorial districts to share the remaining. According to him, the positions of Chief of Staff to the Governor, Permanent Secretary (Administration), Director-General (Protocol), Special Advisers on Security, Special Duties and Media are held exclusively by the Igala. He urged Wada to correct the lopsidedness in the distribution of political offices and halt the continued decimation of Okun people in the civil service. Lambo counseled the governor to tackle the excruciating and pervading poverty in Okunland by increasing government presence in the area. He called for a review of the law establishing the state university to enable it open

Four killed in Benue

HE carnage against Tiv farmers continued yesterday in Tse Getim and Uzer villages, Tombo ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. Four farmers were killed by the marauders. The attackers took over Wukari- Abins, which is 10 minutes drive to Anyiin, the country home of Governor Gabriel Suswam. The councillor representing Tombo, Atindiga Tsebee, told The Nation on phone that

•Meet Wada

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

he fled into the bush with his family. “I’m calling you from the bush, the Fulani militias came with weapons and started shooting at everyone they saw. “They also set houses ablaze in Uzer and Tse Getim. I saw four bodies,” Atindinga said. The councillor expressed concern that Suswam’s hometown is guarded by over 100

policemen and soldiers while the surrounding villages are left at the mercy of the Fulani. The Chairman of Tiv Market Union (TMU)in Tombo ward, Tyo Gumsi, said he suspected a grand plot to exterminate the Tombo people. Gumsi described the purported the ceasefire signed by Brig Gen. Atom Akpera and Miyetti Allah Cattle Association President Bello Badejo as a plot to sacrificed the Tombo people.

‘We didn’t follow Marwa to PDP’

EMBERS of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Adamawa State have said they did not leave with Gen. Buba Marwa to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The former state chairman of the defunct party, Ibrahim Waziri, said this yesterday in Yola at a meeting of former members of the party in the 21 local government areas. Gen. Marwa, who was the party’s governorship candi-

date, defected to the PDP on Sunday. He alleged that he and his supporters were marginalised by the All Progressives Congress (APC). Waziri claimed that Gen.Marwa joined the CPC, and defected to the PDP the way he came. Another stakeholder, Alhaji Suleiman Abdullahi, said the members wished Gen. Marwa well, but were concerned about his claims that mem-

bers of the defunct CPC defected with him to the PDP. “We would not have bothered to meet to disassociate ourselves from Gen. Marwa, if not for his claims that members of the defunct CPC defected along with him,’’ he said. Also speaking on behalf of the youth, Alhaji Mustafa Salihu said Gen. Marwa should apologise for wrongly accusing APC leaders of marginalising him and his supporters.

campuses in each senatorial district; the post of vice chancellor should be rotated among the districts “since all parts of the state have qualified materials for the position”. Wada thanked the delegation and promised to set up a committee to examine the grievances of the Okun people.

Gombe to build 200-bed hospital

HE Gombe State government has laid the foundation for a 200-bed capacity hospital for the treatment of snakebite in Kaltungo Local Government Area. Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo said the project is estimated to cost N519.3million. It will be completed on October 1, the governor said, urging the contractors to adhere to the speci-

From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

fications and date of delivery. The governor said the hospital will assist in decongesting the usually snakebite ward at the Kaltungo General Hospital. The new hospital will promote research in the treatment and management of snakebite in the country and West Africa.

‘Ban on campaigns remains in Kwara’

HE Kwara State Police Command re-echoed yesterday its ban on political campaigns. The command said political gatherings and rallies are allowed in the state. Commissioner of Police Ambrose Aisabo, who spoke in Kaiama Local Government Area, warned politicians against creating unnecessary tension. He said: “I will be fair to all registered parties, political thuggery, violence will not be allowed.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

“Today, there is no ban on rally; political gathering in Kwara, but there is no room for political campaign. “You cannot present a candidate for an election, until three months to the election. The rule is clear,” he said. Aisabo said though there was no ban on rally, the command would not give permit to two parties to hold rallies on the same day in any part of the state to avoid clashes.

Dakingari signs N151b budget

EBBI State Governor Saidu Dakingari signed yesterday the 2014 Appropriation Bill of N151 billion to law. Dakingari said the budget was increased from N131 billion to N151 billion. The governor, who praised the House of Assembly on the increase, however, did not provide further breakdown of the budget. He said the budget would be 100 per cent implemented, adding that all projects would be completed before the end of his tenure in 2015. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initial budget of N131.7 billion was presented to the House by the governor. It was, however, increased following the approval of the N19 billion supplementary budget by the Assembly last November.

THE NATION THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS

Italian navy rescues 730 North African migrants

HE Italian navy rescued 730 migrants from overcrowded boats in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily, it said Wednesday. The migrants, who departed in two boats from North Africa, are being taken to a port in Sicily’s Agrigento province, the navy said in a statement. Those rescued include 124 women and 29 children, it said. The overcrowded boats were losing buoyancy and the migrants were not equipped with life jackets, the navy added. Italy is a major gateway into Europe for migrants who come by sea from North Africa in hope of reaching EU soil. Shipwrecks off the shores of its Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Lampedusa are

common, thanks to the frequent use of overcrowded and barely seaworthy vessels. But despite the dangers, migrants keep coming. Some of the migrants are from African nations, particularly Eritrea and Somalia, while others have fled wartorn Syria, officials say. According to the European border agency Frontex, more than 12,000 illegal migrants were detected off Sicily and 8,000 off Lampedusa in the third quarter of last year. Many of those arriving on Italy’s shores have set sail from Libya, the agency said. The deaths of more than 300 African migrants in a shipwreck off Lampedusa last October shocked Italy and the world, and led to calls for EU lawmakers to review their migration policies.

ANALYSIS

Afghan elections: Sex, lies and social media

NITED STATES-style sex scandals and exposes of shady dealings have characterised social media coverage of this week’s presidential elections in Afghanistan, the third since the Taliban was ousted from power in 2001. While the local press have largely stayed away from airing candidates’ “dirty laundry”, access to social media has provided voters with alternative, more entertaining ”news” sources. Rumour-mongering and propaganda are nothing new in Afghan political culture. Historians recount how, in 1928, British agents disguised as Pashtun tribesmen spread malicious rumours against King Amanullah and disseminated doctored photographs of Queen Soraya en deshabille. This purportedly

fuelled the ire of the conservative masses, already seething over the king’s modernising reforms, which eventually led to Amanullah’s overthrow. If it is hard to belittle the impact of hearsay and slander in Afghan political culture, what is unprecedented is the extent to which the scandals are published via social media, without fear of recrimination. Some believe Afghanistan’s newly minted social media forums are the heirs of early 20th century propaganda leaflets. Others claim these forums are being used, possibly indirectly, by some candidates themselves to level personal attacks against opponents without having to sink to the level of verbalising those allegations in televised debates or campaign rallies.

In recent weeks, there has been nefarious talk over the bachelor status of Zalmai Rassoul, a leading candidate. The 71-year-old nephrologistturned-politician has pitted himself as an elder statesman, owing to his years in the post-Taliban government, first as an adviser to the president, then as minister of civil aviation, national security adviser and, finally, as foreign minister. Yet, in spite of these bonafides, the buzz on social media has focused on Rassoul’s marital status and whether this, in some way, contravenes the Prophet Mohammad’s recommendation that his followers should get married. Mean-spirited jokes are making the rounds, suggesting that Rassoul might have a sexual problem. For instance, there’s the one that goes: “Rassoul’s is the only ticket that truly adheres to the equality of sexes. It consists of a man (Ahmad Zia Mas-

•Abdullah

soud), a woman (Habiba Sarabi) and… a eunuch.” Such was the fervour that last week, in an interview with local Khorshid TV, the presidential hopeful was asked why he was not married, and whether he thought this could have an adverse effect on his ability to be a good president. Al Jazeera reports

LENTEN MESSAGE Theme: Don’t look back, press forward Text: “..... this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, ....I press toward the mark.....” Phil. 3:13,14

OR anyone to attain success in any sphere of life, studying the life history of people that have succeeded in that field and following their footsteps is very important. Equally expedient is for the student of history to take cognisance of areas where those people failed or the ‘banana peels’ that were on their path and avoid them. Paul is an example of one the greatest human beings that traversed this earth. He was a man who excelled where others failed and through his ministry, the Gospel of Christ sliced through the length and breadth of the world. One of the cardinal things that assisted him to stand where others feared to tread was the fact that he was not a man that dwelt on the past. From our text, Apostle Paul started by pointing it out that despite his achievements, he never considered himself to have apprehended. Suffice to say that firstly he was not a man who basked in past glories or someone that was proud. No wonder that he was exalted above his peers. The Bible in sundry places condemned pride because it leads to shame (Proverbs 11:2), brings quarrels (Proverbs 13:10), leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18) and brings a person low (Proverbs 29:23). Humility on the other hand gives access to the throne of grace and causes God to answer prayers (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 9:12, 10:12). It also leads to promotion (Matthew 18:4), gives unfettered access to God’s blessings (James 4:6-10) and facilitates restoration of all that have been lost (2 Kings 5:1-14). Besides humility, Apostle Paul took up the manner of life of one of the four things that

•Revd Adelegan By The Revd. Henry O. Adelegan

Solomon attested to that are little upon the earth but are exceedingly wise - the ants. The ants, according to him, are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in summer (Proverbs 30:24-27; 6:6-8). Ants like Paul don’t deal with issues of the past (Is. 43:18), ignore past hurts (Psalm 30:5) but remain focussed on their destination and are not bothered by people’s comments, likes and dislikes ( Romans 12:2). Paul was not a man that dwelt on past glories cum achievements or was caught in the web of offences and past hurts. He forgot those things which were behind. Lastly, he reached forward to the things which were ahead. He had fresh visions, he set goals and worked towards their actualisation. Brethren, at this period of our national history when men and women are gathered to discuss the future of our country, it is pertinent to note that while it is important to learn from our past, we should avoid dwelling on it but like the ants, it is imperative to continually benchmark our nation with contemporary nations that have left us behind, set SMART goals for ourselves and press towards their actualisation. During this season of lent, kindly ensure that you remove past offences from your path and life, forgive all that have offended you, remain focussed on the future and God will heal your wounds and give you a better future. Prayer: Father, give us grace to forgive our past hurts, take offences from our lives and polity, and grant unto us a great future in Jesus’ name.

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘If Mrs Alison-Madueke has not been carrying her family members on the jet, has she not been giving a ride to her friends, among whom is Mrs Ekwunife? If she has been taking Mrs Ekwunife, what then can stop her from carrying her family on the jet?’

THURSDAY, APRIL 3 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 9, NO. 2,807

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

HERE is a big debate in town. The issue is how to resolve Nigeria's calamitous unemployment crisis, which has created an army of hustlers, scammers, tricksters, pranksters and charlatans posing as experts, who possess answers to the problem. In response to a massive demand by readers, Editorial Notebook is joining the debate - as a public service - to expose those pretenders, who have seized upon this problem to compound a bloody mess. Here then, dear reader, is the authentic guide to those dream jobs you have always wished you could grab. It covers all categories of job seekers - from ex-governors and ex-ministers to the much exploited university graduates who have fallen victim of scammers in high places and all others willing to work but can't just be engaged. If you are an ex-governor, who is dying to return to office, you can secure your party's ticket in a simple way. Tell the party you are a tough guy who possesses the right credentials to send the incumbent packing. Your opponents and critics - there will be many of them who will claim to know your background will call you names. Thug. Thief. Nescient. Addict. Never mind. It's all politics. Lobby your way to the party chairman and other leaders. Regale them with stories of your valorous past, beating your chest that you and only you possess the magic to unseat the incumbent. "Take me to the President. Empower me. Hand me the ticket and see if I won't remove him," you will boast, screaming, your eyes dashing restlessly. You can even bang the table - for emphasis. "But you're facing fraud and murder charges. People are talking," the party chair may remonstrate. Press on. Tell him that these are mere allegations. "An accused is presumed to be innocent, until the court says otherwise. In any case, who doesn't know that justice is slow to get here," you will tell him, shaking your head. Before long, the party will discover that you are the ideal man. Before other aspirants wake up from their drunken stupor, you have snatched away the prize. Some of your opponents will hit the media, condemning you. "You can't exchange our gold for iron; we no go gree," they will be crying. Relax. Even the most vociferous of them has his price. He will soon be summoned to Abuja where he will be promised a better life after you must have won the coming election. He will join you. Many may want to remind you of your pernicious past, asking why you are so desperate to run. Pardon their ignorance. "I'm not in this for fun; my wife dreamt that I will be back at the Government House," you will reply. If your dream job is a ministerial portfolio, you do not need to worry much. Easy. It bears some similarities with the ex-governor's. Pose like a no-nonsense, hard man who can stop a moving train with his bare chest. Your testimonials? Of course, those little things that your enemies - those envious fellows who will always talk about the past instead of facing

RIPPLES STABLE POWER: JUNE DEADLINE IS NOT FEASIBLE –DISCOS

But the bills are as feasible as the blackout

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

•Editor of the Year (NMMA)

A guide to dream jobs

their own issues - describe as detestable, disgraceful and criminal. They are assets. You will be reminded that you once assaulted a revered elder statesman at a palace ceremony and that the man, a former senior government official, was a few days after murdered in his home. Don't panic. We all get accused of one thing or the other everyday; don't we? Those headhunters will be stupid not to realise your potential, particularly in an election year. But you need to play your part well. After you must have been nominated - there will be so much noise about this, as I have said earlier - you then begin a crash programme to prepare you for the screening at the Senate. Get some Nollywood chaps to teach you how to sob and cry at will. Then get set to face the Senate. Deck a nice national dress, a long golden necklace dangling from your neck and an expensive watch struggling to stay on your wrist. Questions over, the Senators - cheeky fellows all - will naturally ask you to say something about yourself, some de-

tails that may be too strong to find space in your CV. This, I must warn you, is the most critical aspect of this all-important exercise. Dip your hand into your pocket, whip out a handkerchief and burst into tears. Begin to sob. "I know nothing about his death. They said I killed him. How could I have killed a man who paid my school fees, who mentored me and (more sobs)… .If I knew about the chief's death, may God punish me. They keep saying I did it. I never did. I was detained." It is not over o. You will keep sobbing until somebody comes in there to get you out, even as you continue crying, your white handkerchief now soaked in tears and your eyes as red as fire. Don't bother. The end, as they say, justifies the means. Days after, you will be announced minister and given a sensitive portfolio. Even after this, those enemies of yours, those busybodies to whom everybody is a game to be hunted down with hot gossip, will continue. Why did you hurriedly leave the neighbourhood - bag and baggage - if you did not have a hand in the murder? Why did you remove the man's cap at the palace? A witch cries yesterday and a baby dies today, who does not know that the witch killed the baby? They will ask such fatuous questions. Some will say you got the job because the ruling party has a sinister plan to subvert the people's will in the coming elections by giving you a portfolio that will facilitate its dubious scheme. Be calm. After all, the prize is all yours now. The other day in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Gbemi, former senator and daughter of the late charismatic politician, Dr Olusola "Oloye" Abubakar Saraki, mounted the podium to shred the cherished family bond, railing at her elder brother, the former governor and senator, Dr Bukola Saraki. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chiefs, including President Goodluck Jonathan, were all smiles as she promised to deliver the state to their party. Now, there are speculations that the big gal will soon join the cabinet. A minister. Former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party that has issued the rul-

HARDBALL

VEN though details of likely behind-the scenes moves that culminated in the intriguing decriminalisation of Chief Dan Etete, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, by the French government may not be in the public space, this does not make his clearance any less dramatic, or any less absurd. The background to the hard-to explain development dates back to 2007 when a French court found Etete guilty of corruption-related misconduct, specifically money laundering, and sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, although he was tried in absentia. In addition, he was fined 300,000 euros (about $40,000). Particularly, Etete who served in the scandalously authoritarian military administration of the late General Sani Abacha between 1993 and 1998, was convicted of spending 15 million euros believed to have been gained from official fraud on properties in 1999 and 2000, including a chateau in north-west France, a Paris apartment and a luxury villa in the chic Paris suburb of Neuilly. Furthermore, the court then issued a warrant for Etete's arrest and ordered him to pay 150,000 euros to Nigeria as compensation for "moral prejudice" and 20,000 euros as fees.

LAWAL OGIENAGBON

ing PDP a quit notice. In no time, he began to condemn the APC, saying it was taking too long for it to have structures. He quit. Now in the PDP, Shekarau has not stopped singing like a hungry bird, granting interviews to condemn the APC. His reward: a ministerial job. Soon, according to sources. Tamuno Danagogo is a typical government pikin. He has always been in government since 2000. He is Rivers State PDP's ex-legal adviser, twice council chairman and, until recently, a commissioner in the Rotimi Amaechi administration. Amaechi got into trouble with President Jonathan when the First Lady dared him to demolish the waterfronts that harboured all manner of criminals. Besides, Amaechi contested and won the Governors' Forum election. Abuja needed foot soldiers to fight the governor. Danagogo joined the Abuja forces. He quit his job as commissioner. Then his adversaries went to town, saying unprintable things about his family, health and faith. Smart guy. He never replied. Now he is the Minister of Sports. So much for political jobs. As for the private sector, merit is still essential in many cases. But it is always better to know somebody as most jobs are never advertised. You keep announcing your status as a jobless man, until somebody who knows somebody that knows somebody who is somebody in the company agrees to put in a word for you. A civil service job? Be ready to buy a form. It doesn't cost much; about N2,500. Look for a godfather who may have been allocated a slot. He will simply send your name to the right office and a letter of appointment will come. No interviews. No stress. You may also join the race for some slots announced in a government agency. A note of caution here. You need to be knowledgeable in martial arts. Besides, go for a stress test in a good laboratory where a doctor will certify you fit. Thousands of applicants will be herded into a stadium for a test of endurance. There will, no doubt, be pandemonium. Stampede.This is where your martial arts knowledge comes in. Ensure you do not fall as this may have lethal consequences. If, unfortunately, you get trampled and die God forbid - it is not the end. The government will give your family three slots of its warehoused jobs. If you are lucky to survive, well forget about your broken arm and bruised head. Accidents happen every day. It is automatic job for you - all thanks to President Jonathan's ingenuity, which has confounded many an expert and critics of the Transformation Agenda. Many countries, including the industrial giants who seem to have stopped thinking, I have just been told, are set to emulate what has been scorned here as death-for-job. One more word. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in a retrieval system in any form or by any means without the permission of the copyright holder. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

France, Etete says 'Merci' This was the historical situation until March 7 when Bulletin No. 3 issued by the Criminal Cases and Pardon Division of the French Ministry of Justice publicised the fact that Etete had been pardoned and cleared of the earlier conviction. Could this be interpreted to mean that Etete was never found guilty of the charges and the sentencing never happened? Or is it that, as the word "pardon" suggests, he was correctly convicted but his wrongs have been forgiven? Alas, the bulletin signed by the magistrate in charge of the national criminal record, Xavier Pavageau, was not helpful in that connection. No matter what, there is no denying the fact that to all intents and purposes Etete can strut without the stigma of conviction. Why he was proclaimed spotless is a question that perhaps only the French authorities can answer, and they have offered no clue. Consequently, the Nigerian public in particular is

left wondering about the mysterious ways of "Justice". Indeed, if there was any doubt about the redeeming quality of Etete's purification, his solicitors, Pierre Benoliel, provided clarification in a letter to the French Ambassador in Nigeria, noting that in view of the current circumstances Etete deserved to be treated as a free man without qualification. The communication said, "As you know, Mr. Dan Etete, eminent personality in Nigeria is a great friend of France and has been so for many years. In spite of the judicial vicissitudes that he has unfortunately known in the beginning of year 2000, he is now free of any constraint and he complies with the fiscal and legal French administrations." From the look of things, in reciprocation, France has as well proved to be a "great friend" of Mr. Etete. With his honour apparently restored, shouldn't Etete be grateful for having friends like France?

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